cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flowers help bees cope with uncertainty: signal detection and the function of floral complexity

SUMMARY Plants often attract pollinators with floral displays composed of visual, olfactory, tactile and gustatory stimuli. Since pollinators9 responses to each of these stimuli are usually studied independently, the question of why plants produce multi-component floral displays remains relatively unexplored. Here we used signal detection theory to test the hypothesis that complex displays reduce a pollinator9s uncertainty about the floral signal. Specifically, we asked whether one component of the floral display, scent, improved a bee9s certainty about the value of another component, color hue. We first trained two groups of bumble bees ( Bombus impatiens Cresson) to discriminate between rewarding and unrewarding artificial flowers of slightly different hues in the presence vs absence of scent. In a test phase, we presented these bees with a gradient of floral hues and assessed their ability to identify the hue rewarded during training. We interpreted the extent to which bees9 preferences were biased away from the unrewarding hue (‘peak shift’) as an indicator of uncertainty in color discrimination. Our data show that the presence of an olfactory signal reduces uncertainty regarding color: not only was color learning facilitated on scented flowers but also bees showed a lower amount of peak shift in the presence of scent. We explore potential mechanisms by which scent might reduce uncertainty about color, and discuss the broader significance of our results for our understanding of signal evolution.
An approach to identify unique styles in online handwriting recognition

We describe a method for identifying different writing styles of online handwritten characters based on clustering. The motivation of this experiment is to develop automatic characterization of different writing styles that arise due to variation in stroke number or stroke ordering. An efficient agglomerative hierarchical clustering technique with the nearest neighbor approach was implemented to cluster strokes. The results obtained from our experiment indicate that the resulting prototypes are unique and essentially capture different writing styles.
A rule-based controller based on suction detection for rotary blood pumps

A rule-based controller for rotary ventricular assist devices was developed to automatically regulate the pumping speed of the device without introducing suction in the ventricle. The control approach is based on a discriminant analysis function that detects the occurrence of suction, providing the input for the rule-based controller. This controller has been tested in simulations showing the ability to autonomously adjust pump flow according to the patient's level of activity, while sustaining adequate perfusion pressures. The performance of the system (suction detector and controller) was tested for several levels of activity and contractility state of the left ventricle, using a lumped parameter model of the circulatory system coupled with a left ventricular assist device. In all cases, the controller kept cardiac output and mean arterial pressure within acceptable physiologic ranges.
Asparaginyl deamidation-methylation of rat ventricular myosin light chains.

Spontaneous asparaginyl deamidation can produce damage to cytoskeletal proteins, and may lead to their targeting for subsequent rapid intracellular breakdown or repair. To test if myofibrillar proteins are subject to spontaneous deamidation damage in vitro, purified rat ventricular myosin light chain 1 (MLC1v) and phosphorylatable myosin light chain 2 (MPLC2v) were incubated (37°C, 4 h, pH 2–11), and tested as substrates for human erythrocyte and rat cardiac protein carboxyl methyltransferase (PCMT). PCMT catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from [3H-methyl] S-adenosyl methionine to deamidated asparaginyl residues and altered aspartyl residues on damaged proteins. MLC1v and MPLC2v underwent extensive incubation damage at neutral and alkaline pH. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography revealed 3H-incorporation into MLC1v, MPLC2v, and a Mr = 14 000 polypeptide. 3H-methylated, CNBr-cleavage fragments of PCMT-methylated light chains were then separated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and sequenced by automated Edman degradation. The major 3H-labeled peptide of the Mr = 14 000 protein proved homologous to residues 84 to 104 of rat MPLC2v, with a proposed deamidation site at Asn99-Ala100. The major 3H-labeled peptide from MLC1v, proved homologous to residues 73 to 111 of rat cardiac MLC1v, with a proposed deamidation site at Asn108-Ser109. These results indicate that both myofibrillar protein subunits undergo selective non-enzymatic degradation at neutral and alkaline pH, resulting in the formation of methyl acceptor sites for human erythrocyte and rat cardiac PCMT. PCMT-catalyzed methylation of ventricular myosin light chains may be important in the repair, or subsequent proteolysis of these long-lived structural proteins of the myofibril.
Amantadine for Executive Dysfunction Syndrome in Patients With Dementia

This article reports the results of an open uncontrolled chart review study of amantadine treatment for executive dysfunction syndrome in patients with dementia. All patients admitted to the neuropsychiatry or geriatric psychiatry inpatient units of Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2000 and 2001 who were treated empirically with amantadine for executive dysfunction syndrome were included in the review. Of the 30 patients whose cases were reviewed, 17 (57%) were at least "much improved," and most patients were discharged taking amantadine, suggesting that their physicians believed that they may have benefited from it. The medication was well tolerated in this frail group of patients. Most patients were taking one or more concurrent psychotropic medications, which may have contributed to the positive outcomes. Despite its limitations, this study offers preliminary data to support a controlled trial of amantadine in patients with executive dysfunction syndrome.
Semantic role labeling of implicit arguments for nominal predicates

Nominal predicates often carry implicit arguments. Recent work on semantic role labeling has focused on identifying arguments within the local context of a predicate; implicit arguments, however, have not been systematically examined. To address this limitation, we have manually annotated a corpus of implicit arguments for ten predicates from NomBank. Through analysis of this corpus, we find that implicit arguments add 71% to the argument structures that are present in NomBank. Using the corpus, we train a discriminative model that is able to identify implicit arguments with an F1 score of 50%, significantly outperforming an informed baseline model. This article describes our investigation, explores a wide variety of features important for the task, and discusses future directions for work on implicit argument identification.
The Human-Body-in-Coordination as Perceptual Instrument

Recent evidence suggests that the human body in locomotor coordination performs dual roles, acting to propel the body over the surface of support, and embodying haptic information arising from and specific to the movement of the body as a whole with respect to the substrate. Here we show that blindfolded human subjects, trained to crawl using gait patterns that differed in the spatio-temporal symmetries defined with respect to the arms and legs in coordination, perceived distance travelled quadrupedally. These results suggest that 1) the body in coordination gives rise to a haptic measure of how one is moving through the world relative to the substrate and 2) that the measure that results is specific to the softly assembled global organization of the locomotor action system.
Single-molecule fluorescence experiments determine protein folding transition path times.

The transition path is the tiny fraction of an equilibrium molecular trajectory when a transition occurs as the free-energy barrier between two states is crossed. It is a single-molecule property that contains all the mechanistic information on how a process occurs. As a step toward observing transition paths in protein folding, we determined the average transition-path time for a fast- and a slow-folding protein from a photon-by-photon analysis of fluorescence trajectories in single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer experiments. Whereas the folding rate coefficients differ by a factor of 10,000, the transition-path times differ by a factor of less than 5, which shows that a fast- and a slow-folding protein take almost the same time to fold when folding actually happens. A very simple model based on energy landscape theory can explain this result.
Methodology and Model to Determine Key Process Parameters for Tailor Welded Blank Forming

Tailor Welded Blanks (TWBs) offer several notable benefits compared to traditional sheet metal parts including decreased part weight, reduced manufacturing costs, increased environmental friendliness, and improved dimensional consistency. In order to take advantage of these benefits, however, designers must overcome formability concerns related to stamping TWBs and be able to accurately predict unique characteristics related to the forming of this blank type. In this research, an analytical model using a 2D cross-sectional approach was devised and implemented to predict the weld line movement and forming height for a uniform binder force TWB application. The inputs into the analytical model are the desired strain at the weld line location, the geometry of the 2D cross-section, material properties, and the frictional condition. From this information, the model predicts the stress and strain at several key locations on the 2D cross-section as well as the movement of the material in the binder area and in the formed walls.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Atypical Cavernous Hemangioma

A hemangioma is the most common benign neo- plasm found within the liver. Although hem- angiomas are a common incidental diagnostic finding, atypical hemangiomas are considered a rare finding within the liver because of their differing appearance sonographically. A case is presented that represents an atypical cavernous hemangioma found by ultrasonography.
Lower bounds on representing Boolean functions as polynomials in Z/sub m/

The MOD/sub m/-degree of Boolean function F is defined to be the smallest degree of any polynomial P, over the ring of integers modulo m, such that for all 0-1 assignments x, F(x)=0 iff P(x)=0. By exploring the periodic property of the binomial coefficients module m, two new lower bounds on the MOD/sub m/-degree of the MOD/sub l/ and not-MOD/sub m/ functions are proved, where m is any composite integer and l has a prime factor not dividing m. Both bounds improve from n/sup Omega (1)/ in D.A.M. Barrington et al. (1992) to Omega (n). A lower bound, n/2, for the majority function and a lower bound, square root n, for the MidBit function are also proved. >
CrowdHelp: M-Health application for emergency response improvement through crowdsourced and sensor-detected information

Preventing natural disasters is beyond our capabilities, but providing better information to disaster management professionals (DMPs) and affected persons is not. Current disaster management systems get their primary inputs from 911 calls and from observations of first responders. Typically such interactions do not follow a prescribed scenario and they do not produce uniform results. Additionally, this process is slow and cumbersome and subject to transcription error [2][12]. We propose an expanded information gathering and distribution tool which uses crowdsourcing to deliver more accurate information to disaster managers more quickly than can be done with existing systems. Using our system, CrowdHelp, people within the radius of a natural disaster are able to send text, pictures, videos, locations, and descriptions of what they see. Our software analyzes the data received, authenticates the sender, removes inputs that are likely to be malicious, clusters reports by type, urgency, or location as desired by the human operator, then displays the results on a map along with suggestions to the operator concerning what type of help is most needed. CrowdHelp also collects additional sensor information from smartphones for future analysis by professional disaster management organizations.
Altered colorectal afferent function associated with TNBS-induced visceral hypersensitivity in mice

Inflammation of the distal bowel is often associated with abdominal pain and hypersensitivity, but whether and which colorectal afferents contribute to the hypersensitivity is unknown. Using a mous...
A Symbolic Algorithm for Shortest EG Witness Generation

Witness generation is a fundamental model checker feature, but generating shortest witnesses for an EG CTL formula has long been a difficult problem of both theoretical and practical relevance. We propose a symbolic approach to shortest EG witness generation based on edge-valued multi-way decision diagrams. We employ a fix point symbolic iteration to compute the transitive closure enhanced with distance information, using the saturation algorithm to cope with the high computational complexity of this approach. We also extend this approach to tackling the shortest witness generation for other properties and the shortest fair witness generation. Experimental results show that our approach can generate a shortest witness which could not be found within acceptable time using previous algorithms.
Shock-like solutions of the electrostatic Vlasov equation.

Shock-like solutions of electrostatic Vlasov and Poisson equations, assuming zero temperature of positive ions and increasing electrostatic potential
Insight into Iron Heat-Powder Combustion Products for Thermal Batteries: Core-Shell Structure and Semi-Conductive Properties

A mixture of Fe and KClO4 (84/16, wt/wt) was studied as an iron heat-powder. The combustion products were Fe, FeO, and KCl, which show semiconductor properties, with a conductivity on the order of 103 S cm−1. Based on energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) of samples from characterization tests, a core-shell structure of combustion products was discovered, where the core consisted of unreacted Fe and the shell of FeO. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the combustion products confirmed the thickness of the shell (~ 0.2 μm), consistent with the calculated value.
Selective syntheses of [7]-[12]cycloparaphenylenes using orthogonal Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions.

The divergent, selective syntheses of [7]–[12]cycloparaphenylenes have been accomplished utilizing sequential, orthogonal Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions from two late-stage intermediates. Quantum yields decrease dramatically as cycloparaphenylene size decreases, highlighting the unique photophysical behavior of the smaller cycloparaphenylenes.
Effectiveness of HIV voluntary counseling and testing based in outpatient clinics of sexually transmitted diseases

objective To learn about HIV voluntary counseling and testing(VCT) situation,to explore the appropriate interventions to reduce transmission risks,and to improve the HIV VCT service.Methods To analyze the VCT cases in outpatient clinics in Simao Center of Disease Prevention and Control from 2004 to 2007.Results Among 2102 people receiving VCT,58.56% visitors were men and 41.44% were women;76.4% of them were aged 20 to 30,and 655 people suffered with sexually transmitted diseases(STD).After VCT,1104 people had HIV testing,93 of them were identified as HIV positive,with positive rate of 8.42%.Counseling contents included in HIV transmission routes,preventing HIV/AIDS knowledge,testing methods and psychological suppport.Conclusion To deliver HIV VCT in STD outpatient clinics is an effective way to identify HIV positive persons due to high-risk individuals easy to receive counseling and testing.VCT is a enter point for AIDS health education,behavioral intervention,condom promotion,prevention and care.
Aminotransferases in Disease

Aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT) are two of the most frequently measured enzymes in the clinical laboratory. They are most commonly used in the differential diagnosis of various liver diseases in which the ratio of the two enzymes provides additional clinical insight. AST is also useful in many cases in the diagnosis of or in estimating the severity of myocardial infarction. The mitochondrial isoenzyme of AST has a growing significance in the diagnosis of alcoholism.
THE MUSLIM CHRONOPOLIS AND DIASPORIC TEMPORALITY

Two observations can be made concerning the social integration of the Muslim week into mainstream civil time by the Muslims in New York City, irrespective of these diasporic citizens’ country of birth.1 On the one hand, Muslim immigrants engage in social practices that are regulated by civil society and that follow the rhythms of the civil week. They thus inhabit a diasporized Muslim temporality that has been Americanized. At the same time, however, they also inhabit a temporal enclave or chronopolis that links them to worldwide Islam via an Islamic calendar that gives direction to their daily, weekly, and annual activities. These two sets of social temporalities often intersect and crisscross each other, which makes it important to analyze the Muslim week in American society if we are to understand the mechanisms of the constitution and transglobalization of the American Muslim chronopolis.2
Darwin's Influence on Mendel: Evidence from a New Translation of Mendel's Paper

Gregor Mendel's classic paper, Versuche uber Pflanzen-Hybriden (Experiments on Plant Hybrids), was published in 1866, hence 2016 is its sesquicentennial. Mendel completed his experiments in 1863 and shortly thereafter began compiling the results and writing his paper, which he presented in meetings of the Natural Science Society in Brunn in February and March of 1865. Mendel owned a personal copy of Darwin's Origin of Species, a German translation published in 1863, and it contains his marginalia. Its publication date indicates that Mendel's study of Darwin's book could have had no influence while he was conducting his experiments but its publication date coincided with the period of time when he was preparing his paper, making it possible that Darwin's writings influenced Mendel's interpretations and theory. Based on this premise, we prepared a Darwinized English translation of Mendel's paper by comparing German terms Mendel employed with the same terms in the German translation of Origin of Species in his possession, then using Darwin's counterpart English words and phrases as much as possible in our translation. We found a substantially higher use of these terms in the final two (10th and 11th) sections of Mendel's paper, particularly in one key paragraph, where Mendel reflects on evolutionary issues, providing strong evidence of Darwin's influence on Mendel.
Bayesian estimation of the generalized lognormal distribution using objective priors

ABSTRACTThe generalized lognormal distribution plays an important role in analysing data from different life testing experiments. In this paper, we consider Bayesian analysis of this distribution using various objective priors for the model parameters. Specifically, we derive expressions for the Jeffreys-type priors, the reference priors with different group orderings of the parameters, and the first-order matching priors. We also study the properties of the posterior distributions of the parameters under these improper priors. It is shown that only two of them result in proper posterior distributions. Numerical simulation studies are conducted to compare the performances of the Bayesian estimators under the considered priors and the maximum likelihood estimates. Finally, a real-data application is also provided for illustrative purposes.
Additive manufacturing of near-net-shape bonded magnets: Prospects and challenges

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is well known for producing arbitrary shaped parts without any tooling required, offering a promising alternative to the conventional injection molding method to fabricate near-net-shaped magnets. In this viewpoint, we compare two 3D printing technologies, namely binder jetting and material extrusion, to determine their applicability in the fabrication of Nd-Fe-B bonded magnets. Prospects and challenges of these state-of-the-art technologies for large-scale industrial applications will be discussed.
Orientia tsutsugamushi Ank9 is a multifunctional effector that utilizes a novel GRIP-like Golgi localization domain for Golgi-to-endoplasmic reticulum trafficking and interacts with host COPB2.

SUMMARY Orientia tsutsugamushi causes scrub typhus, a potentially fatal infection that afflicts one million people annually. This obligate intracellular bacterium boasts one of the largest microbial arsenals of ankyrin repeat-containing protein (Ank) effectors, most of which target the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by undefined mechanisms. Ank9 is the only one proven to function during infection. Here, we demonstrate that Ank9 bears a motif that mimics the GRIP domain of eukaryotic golgins and is necessary and sufficient for its Golgi localization. Ank9 reaches the ER exclusively by retrograde trafficking from the Golgi. Consistent with this observation, it binds COPB2, a host protein that mediates Golgi-to-ER transport. Ank9 destabilizes the Golgi and ER in a Golgi-localization domain (GLD)-dependent manner and induces the ATF4-dependent unfolded protein response. The Golgi is also destabilized in cells infected with O. tsutsugamushi or treated with COPB2 siRNA. COPB2 reduction and/or the cellular events that it invokes, such as Golgi destabilization, benefit Orientia replication. Thus, Ank9/bacterial negative modulation of COPB2 might contribute to the bacterium's intracellular replication. This report identifies a novel microbial GLD, links Ank9 to the ability of O. tsutsugamushi to perturb Golgi structure, and describes the first mechanism by which any Orientia effector targets the secretory pathway.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for multiple brain metastases

Whole brain radiation therapy has been the traditional treatment of choice for patients with multiple brain metastases. Although stereotactic radiosurgery is widely accepted for the management to up to 4 brain metastases, its use is still controversial in cases of 5 or more brain metastases. Randomized trials have suggested that stereotactic radiosurgery alone is appropriate in up to 4 metastases without concomitant whole brain radiation. Level 1 evidence also suggests that withholding whole brain radiation may also reduce the impact of radiation on neurocognitive function and also may even offer a survival advantage. A recent analysis of a large multicentre prospective database has suggested that there are no differences in outcomes such as the likelihood of new metastasis or leptomeningeal disease in cases of 2-10 brain metastases, nor in overall survival. Hence in the era of prolonged survival with stage IV cancer, stereotactic radiosurgery is a reasonable alternative to whole brain radiation in order to minimize the impact of treatment upon quality of life without sacrificing overall survival.
Effects of Late Toxicities on Outcomes in Long-Term Survivors of Ex-Vivo CD34+-Selected Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Abstract The late adverse events in long-term survivors after myeloablative-conditioned allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with ex vivo CD34+ cell selection are not well characterized. Using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0, we assessed all grade ≥3 toxicities from the start of conditioning to the date of death, relapse, or last contact in 131 patients who survived >1 year post-HCT, identifying 285 individual toxicities among 17 organ-based toxicity groups. Pretransplantation absolute lymphocyte count >.5 K/µL and serum albumin >4.0 g/dL were associated with a reduced risk of toxicities, death, and nonrelapse mortality (NRM), whereas serum ferritin >1000 ng/mL was associated with an increased risk of toxicities and NRM after 1 year. An HCT Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) score ≥3 was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and NRM, but was not associated with a specific increased toxicity risk after 1 year. Patients who incurred more than the median number of toxicities (n = 7) among all patients within the first year subsequently had an increased risk of hematologic, infectious, and metabolic toxicities, as well as an increased risk of NRM and inferior 4-year overall survival (OS) (67% versus 86%; P = .003) after the 1-year landmark. The development of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) within the first year was associated with incurring >7 toxicities within the first year (P = .016), and also with an increased risk of all-cause death and NRM after 1 year. In multivariate models, cardiovascular, hematologic, hepatic, infectious, metabolic, neurologic, and pulmonary toxicities incurred after 1 year were independently associated with increased risk of death and NRM when adjusting for both HCT-CI and grade II-IV acute GVHD within the first year. One-year survivors of ex vivo CD34+ selection had a favorable 4-year OS of 77%, although the development of grade ≥3 toxicities after the first year was associated with poorer outcomes, emphasizing the fundamental importance of improving survivorship efforts that may improve long-term toxicity burden and outcome.
CHAPTER 3 – Influence of Diffusional Limitations and Lateral Interactions on Antigen–Antibody Binding Kinetics

This chapter develops kinetic expressions for the binding of an antigen in solution by an immobilized antibody and for the binding of an antibody in solution by an immobilized antigen. It also analyzes the similarities and dissimilarities in the different rate forms for the two different types of systems. In general, the results are applicable to analyte–receptor reaction systems on biosensor as well as other surfaces, such as cellular surfaces. The dual-step binding expression for antigen in solution and antibody immobilized on the surface exhibits a second-order dependence on antigen concentration close to the surface. The dual-step binding rate expression is easily extended to the case where lateral interactions are involved between two antibody–antigen complexes. The dual-step binding expression for antibody in solution to antigen immobilized on the surface exhibits a first-order dependence both on the antibody concentration close to the surface and on the antigen on the surface available for binding. It has been found that the conclusions that apply for a time variant adsorption rate coefficient as far as lateral interactions are concerned also apply for a time-dependent adsorption rate coefficient.
What Explains the Job Creating Potential of Industrialisation in the Developing World

This paper examines why job creation in the manufacturing sector has differed widely across developing countries, using a modified Lewis model that captures the scale, composition and labour intensity effects of industrialisation on job creation. We show that while the scale effect has been mostly positive, labour intensity and composition effects have been mostly negative. Trade integration has a positive impact on manufacturing employment via the scale and composition effects, but a negative impact via the labour intensity effect. Human capital has a positive effect via the labour intensity effect. Labour regulations have no impact through any of the effects.
Saturation measurement accuracy in clinical near-infrared cerebral oximeters with a 3D-printed channel array phantom

Clinical cerebral oximeters based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) are a commonly used, non-invasive tool for intraoperative monitoring of hemoglobin saturation. Research to verify performance of cerebral oximeters in human subject trials has shown differences between commercially available devices. Test methods based on tissue-simulating phantoms have been proposed to augment clinical findings. While prior studies have focused on liquid phantoms, this work is aimed at developing methods based on solid polymer phantoms that are stable. Specifically, we have designed and fabricated a neonatal/pediatric head mimicking layered phantoms based on a 3D-printed cerebral matrix incorporating an array of vessel-simulating linear channels. Superficial layers incorporating homogeneous molded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slabs were fabricated to represent CSF, scalp and skull regions. The cerebral matrix was filled with bovine blood desaturated with sodium dithionite to achieve oxygenation levels across the 40-90% range. Measurements were performed with a commercially available cerebral oximeter using two probes with different illumination-collection geometries, as designed for neonatal and pediatric patients. Reference measurements of samples were performed with a CO-oximeter before injection and after extraction. Results from applied cerebral oximeters indicate a strong sensitivity to the thickness of the superficial layer of the phantom. Better correlation with the reference CO-oximeter results were obtained in the superficial layer thickness of 0.8-2.5 mm range. Channel array phantoms with modular superficial layers represent a promising approach for performance testing of NIRS-based cerebral oximeters.
Autologous serum collected 1 h post-exercise enhances natural killer cell cytotoxicity

Abstract Natural Killer cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Exercise enhances NK cell cytotoxic activity (NKCA), yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Exercise-induced shifts in NK-cell subsets has been proposed as one mechanism. Alternatively, exercise alters stress hormone and cytokine levels, which are also known to affect NKCA. AIM: Determine the role(s) of exercise-induced shifts in the proportions of NK-cell subsets found in the blood, and changes in serum IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α and cortisol, on exercise-induced changes in NKCA. METHODS: Twelve adults cycled 30 min at 115% of their lactate threshold power. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum were isolated from blood collected pre-, post-, and 1 h post-exercise. To investigate the effect of shifts in NK-cell subsets, pre-, post- and 1 h post-exercise NK cells were incubated with target cells (K562 and U266) in the presence of autologous pre-exercise serum. The effects of hormones and cytokines released during exercise were determined by incubating pre-exercise PBMCs with tumor target cells (K562 and U266) in the presence of pre-, post-, and 1 h post-exercise serum. NKCA and phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Although exercise mobilized high-differentiated NK cell subsets (NKG2A-/KIR+), NKCA per cell was not altered post-exercise in the presence of pre-exercise serum. Conversely, 1 h post-exercise serum significantly increased the cytotoxicity of pre-exercise NK cells against HLA-expressing target cells (U266). This increase associated with lower levels of cortisol, and occurred when serum contained higher levels of IFN-γ. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise-induced shifts in NK-cell subsets did not fully explain changes in NKCA. Rather, factors present in serum during exercise recovery enhanced NKCA against target cells. Our results suggest lower cortisol and higher IFN-γ levels may explain exercise-induced changes in NKCA.
Personality, politics, and denial: Tolerance of ambiguity, political orientation and disbelief in climate change

Abstract Denial of climate change may exacerbate the problem by impeding pro-environmental behavior and policy. An online survey of 219 US citizens assessed tolerance of ambiguity, political orientation, and beliefs about climate change. Results indicated that low tolerance of ambiguity predicted beliefs that: 1) climate change is not a problem; 2) is not the result of human activity, and; 3) cannot be corrected through individual behavior. Analyses also supported that these relationships were mediated by conservative political orientation. The link between conservative politics and refusal to accept climate science may reflect a proximate relationship; personality characteristics, like tolerance of ambiguity, may ultimately be responsible for drawing people to both political and environmental ideologies.
Olfactory Higher Centers Anatomy

The olfactory cortex is a structurally distinct cortical region on the ventral surface of the forebrain, composed of several areas that receive input from the olfactory bulb (anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform cortex, olfactory tubercle, anterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus, periamygdaloid cortex, and entorhinal cortex) or the accessory olfactory bulb (medial and posterior cortical amygdaloid nuclei). The olfactory bulb fibers run through the lateral olfactory tract and end in layer Ia. Intracortical association fibers have a complementary termination mainly in layers Ib and III. There are extrinsic axonal projections from the olfactory cortex to the orbital cortex, mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus.
Soil Degradation and Food Security in South Asia

South Asia has diverse soils, climates, physiography and other ­natural resources conducive to agricultural intensification. Yet, the region is characterized by several problems including food insecurity, soil and environmental degradation, land desertification, pollution of natural waters, and loss of biodiversity. There is a widespread poverty and the number of food-insecure population is increasing because of lack of access to food and poor utilization caused by water and air pollution. Despite high rate of irrigation, crop yields are vulnerable to vagaries of monsoons. Soil degradation is caused by the widespread use of extractive farming including removal of crop residues, use of animal manure as household fuel, and low and unbalanced application of fertilizers. Crop yields have improved since 1960, but can be easily increased by 50% or more. There is a strong need for restoring degraded soils and ecosystems through improvements in soil organic ­carbon pool and creation of positive nutrient budgets. Adaptation to climate change necessitates improvements in soil quality to buffer against the adverse impacts of extreme events on agronomic production.
The Biological Time Scale

My task is to be a philosopher biologist in order to introduce you to the general theory underlying temporal organization of living systems. I assume that I am supposed to supply the mood music to attune you to the biological rhythms which are pulsating throughout the universe. Our subject matter, however, is in such a new and unformed state that I am afraid that our discussions are more likely to be orchestrated with cacophonies and arrhythmias which are themselves a kind of temporal organization. It is best, therefore, to put aside the harmonics and philharmonics and plunge into the subject at hand.
Global Social Movements and World Revolutions in the Twenty-First Century

Social movements and revolutions are characterized as actions by excluded collectivities that use non-institutional strategies and tactics in sustained campaigns for social change. David A. Snow and Sarah Soule also define social movements as collective actions that either challenge or defend existing structures or systems of authority. It is important to address several assumptions that are often made in the social movement literature, especially when analyzing social movements in a global perspective. Most of the social movement literature focuses on exclusively modern movements that are characterized as “proactive” and ignores or dismisses the study of so-called reactive movements that were carried out by “primitive rebels.” This distinction implies that the peasant revolts and revolutions that were legitimated in religious terms are outside the domain of the field. Recent work on revolutions recognizes that popular revolts like modern political upheavals were already occurring in Bronze Age Egypt, and it is now claimed that collective behavior and rudimentary social movement-type activity are likely to have played an important role in social change since the Stone Age.
Overcoming the New Stupidity

The Enlightenment and Romanticism fight on with resolutions and disruptions still to come. Postmodernism is a late form of reaction against humanism, objectivity, and pure reason—a late form of Rom...
Application of Active Gate Driver in Variable Frequency Drives

This paper presents the results of an investigation into using a commercially available active gate driver integrated circuit (IC) in variable frequency drive (VFD) applications. The gate driver provides multiple steps of gate current levels to control the gate charge of insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) during turn-on transitions to adjust dVce/dt, dic/dt and turn-on energy loss. This provides a means for optimizing switching losses, reverse recovery current of the freewheeling diode, and EMI emissions. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the advantages over a conventional fixed-resistance gate driver. Preliminary simulation results are provided to illustrate the benefits for IGBT junction temperature reduction.
An 8 A 100-MHz 4-Phase Buck Converter with Fast Dynamic Response and Enhanced Light-Load Efficiency

A 4-phase buck converter with maximum load of 8 A targeting server applications is presented. The converter switches at 100 MHz to enable fast dynamic response and reduce the required inductance and capacitance to 20 nH (5 nH/phase) and 220 nF. Thus, small foot-print inductors and capacitor can be used and co-packaged with the converter die. To maintain high efficiency across a wide load range, the converter employs PWM control in the 6-8 A load range, and then deactivates phases as the load drops below 6 A while keeping PWM control until only one phase is active when the load is less than 2 A. For loads less than 0.7 A, the converter deactivates the PWM controller and activates a PFM controller to scale switching losses and ensure high efficiency at light loads. The converter is designed and simulated in a 0.13 –$\mu\mathrm{m}$ CMOS technology. It operates from 1.5 V input and produces a programmable output in the range of 0.75–1 V. The converter achieves a peak efficiency of 88% at 5 A and 79% at 0.7 A with less than 4 mV output voltage ripple.
LDCT lung cancer screening eligibility and use of CT scans for lung cancer among sexual minorities

Abstract Objective To compare eligibility for lung cancer screening and receipt of a CT scan for lung cancer among sexual minorities. Methods Secondary data analysis of cross-sectional data from older U.S. adults in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey during the 2017 cycle (n = 20,685). Results Rates of eligibility for low-dose helical computed tomography (LDCT) were roughly twice as high among sexual minorities than among heterosexuals (21.1% vs. 11.7%). The odds of gay men and lesbian women indicating eligibility for LDCT screening were four to five times higher when compared to their heterosexual peers. No statistically significant differences were found between sexual minorities and heterosexuals with respect to having a CT scan for lung cancer in the past year. Conclusions There are potential sexual-identity-related disparities in the utilization of lung cancer screening among eligible smokers. Interventions are needed to increase awareness and uptake of lung cancer screening in order to detect and manage this common form of cancer in the U.S.
Survival of patients with metastatic HER2 positive gastro-oesophageal cancer treated with second-line chemotherapy plus trastuzumab or ramucirumab after progression on front-line chemotherapy plus trastuzumab

ABSTRACT Background The role of continuing anti-HER2 therapy beyond progression on front-line therapy in patients with metastatic HER2 positive gastro-oesophageal cancer (GEC) is unclear. Continued chemotherapy plus trastuzumab (CT) has never been compared with the current standard second-line treatment, chemotherapy plus ramucirumab (CR). Methods The Flatiron Health electronic health record derived database, a nationwide database comprising patient-level structured and unstructured data, curated via technology-enabled abstraction, was reviewed for patients with metastatic HER2 positive GEC who received first-line CT, followed by second-line CT or CR. Survival from second-line therapy (SST) and time to next therapy or death (TTNTD) were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and logrank analysis. Results 133 patients with metastatic HER2 positive GEC who received first-line CT were identified. 32 received second-line CR and 101 received CT. Median SST for patients treated with CT versus CR was 10.2 months (IQR 5.1–20.8) and 6.8 months (IQR 2.4–20.2), respectively (p=0.29). Median TTNTD for second-line CT versus CR was 4.9 months (IQR 2.8–9.8) and 5.1 months (IQR 2.3–7.5), respectively (p=0.65). Patients who received second-line CT were more likely to receive a multiagent chemotherapy backbone (76% vs 3%, p≤0.001). Conclusions This analysis showed no significant difference in SST for patients treated with second-line CT versus CR. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of trastuzumab in the second line, especially in patients with confirmed retention of HER2 positivity following progression.
Equality and Quality: The Relationship Between Magnet® Status and Healthcare Organizational Commitment to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equality

Introduction: Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons in the healthcare system is pervasive. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) conducts a major study ann...
Multifunctional twisted kagome lattices: Tuning by pruning mechanical metamaterials.

This article investigates phonons and elastic response in randomly diluted lattices constructed by combining (via the addition of next-nearest bonds) a twisted kagome lattice, with bulk modulus $B=0$ and shear modulus $Gg0$, with either a generalized untwisted kagome lattice with $Bg0$ and $Gg0$ or with a honeycomb lattice with $Bg0$ and $G=0$. These lattices exhibit jamming-like critical endpoints at which $B, G$, or both $B$ and $G$ jump discontinuously from zero while the remaining moduli (if any) begin to grow continuously from zero. Pairs of these jamming points are joined by lines of continuous rigidity percolation transitions at which both $B$ and $G$ begin to grow continuously from zero. The Poisson ratio and $G/B$ can be continuously tuned throughout their physical range via random dilution in a manner analogous to ``tuning by pruning'' in random jammed lattices. These lattices can be produced with modern techniques, such as three-dimensional printing, for constructing metamaterials.
An Effective and Practical Fluid Restriction Protocol to Decrease the Risk of Hyponatremia and Readmissions After Transsphenoidal Surgery.

Background Delayed hyponatremia is a common complication following transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) of pituitary lesions, which leads to significant patient morbidity, as well as increased hospital costs associated with readmission. Objective To report the effects of fluid restriction, during a postoperative period of 4 d, to decrease rates and readmissions for hyponatremia in a cohort of patients undergoing TSS. Methods Because of our observed postoperative rates of hyponatremia, we implemented 1000-mL fluid restriction limited to postoperative days (POD) 4 to 8 in consecutive patients undergoing surgery at our center between March 2018 and January 2019. Patients were monitored for the development of hyponatremia and readmissions. We compared outcomes with those of patients who had undergone TSS prior to fluid restriction. Results Data from 57 patients who underwent TSS following implementation of fluid restriction were compared to prior patients who underwent TSS without restriction. The rate of hyponatremia in patients (n = 57) prior to fluid restriction was 12.3%. Following implementation of fluid restriction, we had zero cases of hyponatremia or readmissions. We found body mass index to be inversely related to the risk of hyponatremia and readmissions. Furthermore, male gender, follicle stimulating hormone and/or luteinizing hormone staining on pathology, and administration of preoperative and intraoperative glucocorticoids were associated with decreased risk of hyponatremia readmissions. Conclusion The implementation of 1000-mL fluid restriction between POD 4 and 8 is a highly successful and simple approach to decrease the risk of delayed hyponatremia after TSS.
The Challenge of Externally Generated Collaborative Governance: California’s Attempt at Regional Water Management:

Creating successful collaborative governance regimes is difficult, but can be especially hard when collaborations are externally generated by higher levels of government as opposed to self-generate...
Transcription factors activated through RIP (regulated intramembrane proteolysis) and RAT (regulated alternative translocation)

Transmembrane proteins are membrane-anchored proteins whose topologies are important for their functions. These properties enable regulation of certain transmembrane proteins by regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) and regulated alternative translocation (RAT). RIP enables a protein fragment of a transmembrane precursor to function at a new location, and RAT leads to an inverted topology of a transmembrane protein by altering the direction of its translocation across membranes during translation. RIP mediated by site-1 protease (S1P) and site-2 protease (S2P) is involved in proteolytic activation of membrane-bound transcription factors. In resting cells, these transcription factors remain in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as inactive transmembrane precursors. Upon stimulation by signals within the ER, they are translocated from the ER to the Golgi. There, they are cleaved first by S1P and then by S2P, liberating their N-terminal domains from membranes and enabling them to activate genes in the nucleus. This signaling pathway regulates lipid metabolism, unfolded protein responses, secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, and cell proliferation. Remarkably, ceramide-induced RIP of cAMP response element–binding protein 3–like 1 (CREB3L1) also involves RAT. In resting cells, RIP of CREB3L1 is blocked by transmembrane 4 L6 family member 20 (TM4SF20). Ceramide inverts the orientation of newly synthesized TM4SF20 in membranes through RAT, converting TM4SF20 from an inhibitor to an activator of RIP of CREB3L1. Here, I review recent insights into RIP of membrane-bound transcription factors, focusing on CREB3L1 activation through both RIP and RAT, and discuss current open questions about these two signaling pathways.
National Trends in Readmission and Resource Utilization After Pancreatectomy in the United States.

Abstract Introduction Pancreatectomy is a complex operation that has been associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Although acute index outcomes have been characterized, there are limited data available on nonelective readmission after pancreatic surgery. We sought to identify factors associated with 30-day and 30- to 90-day readmission after pancreatectomy. Material and methods We utilized the National Readmissions Database between 2010 and 2016 to identify adults who underwent a pancreatectomy. The primary outcomes were 30-day (30DR) and 30- to 90-day (90DR) readmission. Secondary outcomes included nonelective readmission trends, diagnosis, length of stay, charges, and mortality. Results Of an estimated 130,267 subjects undergoing pancreatectomy, 97% survived index hospitalization. Eighteen percent of patients had nonelective 30DR while 5.6% experienced 90DR. Readmission at the two time points remained stable during the study period. After adjusting for institution, pancreatectomy volume, mortality (2.0% versus 4.9%, P Conclusions Readmissions are common and costly after pancreatectomy. Approximately 20% of patients experience readmission within 30 d. 30DR and 90DR rates remained stable during the study. Pancreatectomy at a high-volume center was associated with decreased mortality and 90DR. The present analysis confirms associations between pancreatectomy volume, postsurgical complications, comorbidities, and readmission.