cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Covering times of random walks on bounded degree trees and other graphs

The motivating problem for this paper is to find the expected covering time of a random walk on a balanced binary tree withn vertices. Previous upper bounds for general graphs ofO(|V| |E|)(1) andO(|V| |E|/dmin)(2) imply an upper bound ofO(n2). We show an upper bound on general graphs ofO(Δ |E| log |V|), which implies an upper bound ofO(n log2n). The previous lower bound was Ω(|V| log |V|) for trees.(2) In our main result, we show a lower bound of Ω(|V| (logdmax |V|)2) for trees, which yields a lower bound of Ω(n log2n). We also extend our techniques to show an upper bound for general graphs ofO(max{EπTi} log |V|).
EMBEDDING AND TRACE RESULTS FOR VARIABLE EXPONENT SOBOLEV AND MAZ'YA SPACES ON NON-SMOOTH DOMAINS

We establish interior and trace embedding results for Sobolev functions on a class of bounded non-smooth domains. Also, we define the corresponding generalized Maz'ya spaces of variable exponent, and obtain embedding results similar as in the constant case. Some relations between the variable exponent Maz'ya spaces and the variable exponent Sobolev spaces are also achieved. At the end, we give an application of the previous results for the well-posedness of a class of quasi-linear equations with variable exponent.
Evaluation Using a Deep Web Case Study

We carry an experiment to test the effectiveness of our data model in reducing ambiguity about a Web service behavior. The experiment uses a Web crawling scenario. Our evaluation is based on the observation that the more queries the crawler has to try to retrieve the same set of data records, the more ambiguous the service behavior.
Cerebellar mutism syndrome: cause and rehabilitation.

Purpose of review Mutism of cerebellar origin may occur in the context of various causes but is most frequent in children after resection of a large midline cerebellar tumour. In this review, the endeavour to reach a consensus on name and definition of postoperative mutism of cerebellar origin and associated symptoms is highlighted. In addition, progress in understanding of cause and risk factors for the syndrome is discussed as well as the rehabilitation issues. Recent findings Consensus on the term cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) has been reached. The exact pathogenesis of CMS remains unclear. Recently, attention was drawn to the hypothesis that thermal injury might be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of CMS. Diffusion tensor imaging tractography was found to visualize the damage to relevant pathways that are associated with persistent impairments after recovery of CMS. There is still no established treatment for CMS to date. Summary By reaching a consensus on terminology and description of CMS, a firm basis has been created for future research. The pathogenesis of CMS seems multifactorial and important risk factors have been found. However, CMS cannot be effectively prevented yet and no established or specific treatment is available, apart from very general rehabilitation and cognitive interventions.
SDSS-IV MaStar: a Large, Comprehensive, and High Quality Empirical Stellar Library

We introduce the ongoing MaStar project, which is going to construct a large, well-calibrated, high quality empirical stellar library with more than 8000 stars covering the wavelength range from 3622 to 10,354A at a resolution of R~2000, and with better than 3% relative flux calibration. The spectra are taken using hexagonal fiber bundles feeding the BOSS spectrographs on the 2.5m Sloan Foundation Telescope, by piggybacking on the SDSS-IV/APOGEE-2 observations. Compared to previous efforts of empirical libraries, the MaStar Library will have a more comprehensive stellar parameter coverage, especially in cool dwarfs, low metallicity stars, and stars with different [alpha/Fe]. This is achieved by a target selection method based on large spectroscopic catalogs from APOGEE, LAMOST, and SEGUE, combined with photometric selection. This empirical library will provide a new basis for calibrating theoretical spectral libraries and for stellar population synthesis. In addition, with identical spectral coverage and resolution to the ongoing integral field spectroscopy survey of nearby galaxies --- SDSS-IV/MaNGA (Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO). This library is ideal for spectral modeling and stellar population analysis of MaNGA data.
Study of mesoporous catalysts for conversion of 2,3-butanediol to butenes

Abstract In this study, three different types of mesoporous materials (Al-MCM-48, Al-SBA-15 and hierarchical ZSM-5 (meso-ZSM-5) where mesoporosity was introduced into ZSM-5 by sodium hydroxide treatment) were loaded with ∼20 wt% CuO and investigated in the conversion of 2,3-butanediol to butenes. The results showed that the introduction of mesopores on the catalysts (Al-MCM-48 and Al-SBA-15 types) could decrease the production of cracking products, especially C 3 = and C 5 = –C 7 = by comparison to the catalyst with ∼20 wt% CuO loaded on HZSM-5; meanwhile, the selectivity of C 8 = from oligomerization of butenes was found to increase with increasing pore size of the catalysts. In addition, Cu/meso-ZSM-5 catalyst has a performance with similarities to both Cu/ZSM-5 catalyst and mesoporous copper catalysts (Cu/Al-MCM-48 and Cu/Al-SBA-15) since both micropores (diameter of ∼0.55 nm) and mesopores (pore size of ∼23 nm) exist on meso-ZSM-5. Therefore, Cu/meso-ZSM-5 showed high activity for both cracking reactions (C 3 = and C 5 = –C 7 = ) and oligomerization (C 8 = ).
Congenic mice demonstrate the presence of QTLs conferring obesity and hypercholesterolemia on chromosome 1 in the TALLYHO mouse

The TALLYHO (TH) mouse presents a metabolic syndrome of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Highly significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked to adiposity and hypercholesterolemia were previously identified on chromosome (Chr) 1 in a genome-wide scan of F2 mice from C57BL/6J (B6) x TH. In this study, we generated congenic mouse strains that carry the Chr 1 QTLs derived from TH on a B6 background; B6.TH-Chr1-128Mb (128Mb in size) and B6.TH-Chr1-92Mb (92Mb in size, proximally overlapping). We characterized these congenic mice on chow and high fat (HF) diets. On chow, B6.TH-Chr1-128Mb congenic mice exhibited a slightly larger body fat mass compared with B6.TH-Chr1-92Mb congenic and B6 mice, while body fat mass between B6.TH-Chr1-92Mb congenic and B6 mice was comparable. Plasma total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in B6.TH-Chr1-128Mb congenics compared to B6.TH-Chr1-92Mb congenic and B6 mice. Again, there was no difference in plasma total cholesterol levels between B6.TH-Chr1-92Mb congenic and B6 mice. All animals gained more body fat and exhibited higher plasma total cholesterol levels when fed HF diets than fed chow, but these increases were greater in B6.TH-Chr1-128Mb congenics than in B6.TH-Chr1-92Mb congenic and B6 mice. These results confirmed the effect of the 128Mb TH segment from Chr 1 on body fat and plasma cholesterol values and showed that the distal segment of Chr 1 from TH is necessary to cause both phenotypes. Through bioinformatic approaches, we generated a list of potential candidate genes within the distal region of Chr 1 and tested Ifi202b and Apoa2. We conclude that Chr 1 QTLs largely confer obesity and hypercholesterolemia in TH mice and can be promising targets for identifying susceptibility genes. Congenic mouse strains will be a valuable resource for gene identification.
State Medicaid Payment Levels and the Federal "Equal Access" Statute.

* Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics CI — : confidence interval ppt — : percentage point How well does having a Medicaid card translate into getting needed care in a private-practice pediatrician’s office? For many years, families with children enrolled in Medicaid have experienced difficulties finding private-practice pediatricians and family physicians willing to accept them into their practice panels.1–6 And, for many years, private-practice pediatricians and physicians have cited reasons for limiting or not accepting children with Medicaid. Consistently, inadequate payment for services has been the dominant factor.1–6 As a result, many children were forced to use emergency departments for their primary care. In addition, children enrolled in Medicaid who needed specialty and/or subspecialty care often experienced a much longer waiting period to get an appointment than did children with commercial insurance.7,8 Pediatricians indicated their willingness to care for more children with Medicaid if payment rates were raised to reasonable levels.1–6 On the basis of data from these surveys and state early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment data, class action lawsuits were filed in Illinois (2003), Florida (2007), and Oklahoma (2005) alleging a failure to adhere to the equal access provision as codified in Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §1396 et seq). This section of federal statute requires states “to assure that payments are consistent with efficiency, … Address correspondence to Stephen Berman, MD, FAAP, Center for Global Health, 13199 E Montview Blvd, Suite 310, A090 Aurora, CO 80045. E-mail: stephen.berman{at}childrenscolorado.org
Abstract TP132: Selection and Activation of Sites in a Large Multi-Center Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Careful selection and timely activation of clinical sites in multicenter clinical trials is critical for successful enrollment, subject safety, and generalizability of results. Methods: In the Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial (CREST-2), a multidisciplinary Site Selection Committee evaluated applicants referred via participation in CREST, CREST principal investigators (PIs) and other investigators, StrokeNet and industry partners. Data for consideration included performance metrics in CREST and other carotid trials and a site selection questionnaire containing information on the investigators as well as quantitative data on carotid procedures performed. Any FDA warning letters were reviewed. Results: The Committee met bi-weekly for 36 months (n=64 meetings). Applications from 176 sites between March 2014 and July 2016 were evaluated: 153 were approved, 7 are under Committee review, 5 were approved but withdrew, 5 were placed on a waiting list, and 6 were rejected. One-hundred-four sites have completed the regulatory and training requirements to randomize: 51 (49%) academic medical centers, 31 (30%) private hospital-based centers, 16 (15%) private office-based practices, and 6 (6%) Veterans Administration medical centers. The mean times from application-to- approval was 5.2 weeks (interquartile range, 1.9, 6.2), and from approval-to-randomization status was 46.7 weeks (interquartile range, 35.4, 51.7). Specialties of the 104 site PIs are vascular surgery for 35 (33.7%), cardiology for 30 (28.8%), neurology for 25 (24%), neurosurgery for 8 (7.7%), interventional radiology for 4 (3.8%), and interventional neuroradiology for 2 (1.9%). Conclusions: Careful site selection is time-consuming for prospective sites and for trial leadership. Times from application-to-site-approval were modest (mean = 5.2 weeks), in contrast to the times for completing regulatory and training requirements (mean = 46.7 weeks). However, subject enrollment by teams from a wide range of medical centers led by a multi-disciplinary cohort of PIs will promote the generalizability of trial results.
The Courtship of Frogs

Frogs were once thought to have relatively uninteresting social behavior, but recent studies on tropical and temperate zone species have revealed a surprising diversity of social systems. There is a growing literature on anuran mating systems, aggression, spacing behavior, and territoriality (Wells 1977b). Unfortunately, many aspects of courtship have been neglected. I use the term “courtship” to refer to interactions between males and females leading to pair formation and mating, and I include the use of both long-range and short-range signals by courting males. The purpose of this paper is to bring together the largely anecdotal literature on anuran courtship and to outline a number of problems that require more detailed investigation.
Lipids and Membranes

Membranes are organized assemblies composed mainly of lipids and proteins. They are highly selective barriers, contain pumps and gates, and are involved in the two most important energy conversion processes, photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation. In photosynthesis, light is transformed into chemical energy. In oxidative phosphorylation, energy is gained by the oxidation of energy-rich materials. We will not discuss the chemical functions of membranes, but only sketch some features of their building blocks and their construction and describe some interesting physical properties. Membranes are crucial for the function of cells; an excellent description of the detailed membrane structure and function can be found in texts on cell biology, for instance [1, 2]. The physics of membranes is treated in, for instance, [3]–[6].
Consuming Media, Making Men: Using Collective Memory Work To Understand Leisure and the Construction of Masculinity

AbstractParents, educators, researchers and policymakers have sought to identify the root causes of male youth violence by looking at media's influence on young people. Grounded in social construct...
Circuit Design with Resonant Tunneling Diodes

Advances in crystal growth and fabrication technologies are enabling researchers to explore novel device concepts that are based on the quantum mechanical features of electrons. These structures offer the possibility of circuit and device miniaturization well below those offered by conventional complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) lithography techniques. The resonant tunneling diode (RTD) concept, which utilizes the electron-wave resonance in multi-barrier heterostructures, emerged as a pioneering device in the mid-1970s. It was predicted that such devices would offer picosecond device switching speeds and reduction in device counts per circuit function.
Recovery of pyrite in coal flotation: Entrainment or hydrophobicity?

Under normal conditions, a significant amount of pyrite is recovered in the froth during flotation of high-sulfur coal. To reduce this pyrite recovery, it is first necessary to determine the primary recovery mechanism, because different measures are required for reducing entrainment, locked-particle flotation or true hydrophobic flotation. In this paper, evidence is presented that suggests that hydrophobic flotation is not the major mechanism for recovery of liberated pyrite; instead, the bulk of the recovered pyrite results either from simple entrainment or from being physically locked with floatable coal particles.
PCSK9 inhibitors: clinical evidence and implementation.

The gene encoding PCSK9 was first identified and linked to the phenotype of familial hypercholesterolaemia approximately 15 years ago. Soon after, studies uncovered the role of PCSK9 in the regulation of LDL-receptor recycling and identified loss-of-function variants of PCSK9 that were associated with low circulating levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and a reduced risk of coronary artery disease. With amazing rapidity, monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9 were developed and studied in large clinical programmes. These PCSK9 inhibitors lowered plasma LDL-C levels by approximately 60%, even in patients already receiving maximum-dose statin therapy. In the past year, three cardiovascular outcome trials were completed and showed that PCSK9 inhibitors significantly reduce the risk of major vascular events. Reassuringly, this benefit comes with no major offsetting adverse events, such as an excess of myalgias, elevation of hepatic aminotransferases levels in the plasma, incident diabetes mellitus or neurocognitive adverse events. The clinical benefit of PCSK9 inhibitors seen in these trials occurred in the setting of reducing LDL-C levels to unprecedentedly low levels, suggesting that more aggressive LDL-C targets should be adopted. New technologies to inhibit PCSK9 are now being harnessed and might further revolutionize our treatment of dyslipidaemia. Three cardiovascular outcome trials have now demonstrated the clinical benefit of achieving lower plasma LDL-cholesterol levels with the addition of PCSK9 inhibitors to statin therapy. In this Review, Marc Sabatine discusses the safety and efficacy data from these trials and their possible implications, such as the definition of new plasma LDL-cholesterol targets.
Towards understanding user preferences for explanation types in model reconciliation

Recent work has formalized the explanation process in the context of automated planning as one of model reconciliation - i.e. a process by which the planning agent can bring the explainee's (possibly faulty) model of a planning problem closer to its understanding of the ground truth until both agree that its plan is the best possible. The content of explanations can thus range from misunderstandings about the agent's beliefs (state), desires (goals) and capabilities (action model). Though existing literature has considered different kinds of these model differences to be equivalent, literature on the explanations in social sciences has suggested that explanations with similar logical properties may often be perceived differently by humans. In this brief report, we explore to what extent humans attribute importance to different kinds of model differences that have been traditionally considered equivalent in the model reconciliation setting. Our results suggest that people prefer the explanations which are related to the effects of actions.
Pain without reward: A phenomenological exploration of stillbirth for couples and their hospital encounter.

Stillbirth constitutes a unique form of grief related to the death of an unborn child. This study explores the experiences of eight couples who lost a child to stillbirth, from the time they suspec...
Visions of Glory by O'Connor and El Greco

ABSTRACTFlannery O’Connor in her seasoned fiction and El Greco in his painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz (1586-88) demonstrate a newly discovered shared aesthetic: both portray visions of glory as fast moving but scenes of life on earth as slow going, if not dead still. While El Greco asserts his individualistic style, embracing the Catholic Counter-Reformation, O’Connor inserts her signature uncanny mystical endings to highlight in stark relief the souls of Mr. Head in “The Artificial Nigger”, Mrs. May in “Greenleaf”, Mr. Fortune in “A View of the Woods”, Ruby in “Revelation”, and, in “Parker’s Back”, Parker.
Error-oriented architecture testing *

Architecture validation is becoming more and more important as diverging cost/performance criteria and competition cause the number of models within a computer family to proliferate. Some popular architectures are now being manufactured by many different companies and the chances of a company inexperienced with the architecture making mistakes is very high. Not only will errors in an implementation cause software incompatibility, the costs of fixing them are usually prohibitively high once there are a large number of defective machines in the field. Excellent evidence demonstrating the inadequacies of present testing techniques is implementation errors discovered in the field for many major computer families. This study was initiated in the hope that an error-oriented approach to architecture testing may provide a better detection of implementation errors.
Implementation of Single-Tab Electrodes for Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Measures.

Background: Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) demonstrates proficiency in early identification of breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema (BCRL) development. Dual-tab electrodes were designed for ...
Posterior Migration of a Pediatric Coronoid Fracture: A Case Report.

Coronoid fractures are uncommon, with an incidence of 5.21 per 100,000 patients per year; they typically occur during elbow dislocation1. They are rarely seen in children, and to the best of our knowledge, pediatric cases have been described in only a few previously published case reports2-6. This may be attributed to the low frequency of pediatric elbow dislocations, which represent only 3% of elbow injuries7. The coronoid process is important for elbow stability because it extends the ulnohumeral joint and acts as a buttress to prevent posterior displacement of the ulna. Elbow dislocations occur when an axial load is applied to a hyperextended and externally rotated elbow8. We report a unique pediatric elbow case involving a posteriorly displaced coronoid process and a concomitant lateral condyle fracture; a thorough radiographic analysis was instrumental in the management of the fracture. The patient and his guardian were informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and they provided consent. A five-and-a-half-year-old boy presented to his primary care provider seven days after a fall from a trampoline and was noted to have a right elbow fracture. He was referred to our orthopaedic clinic for additional evaluation thirteen days after the injury. Upon presentation, the boy held the arm at his side, and mild tenderness was noted along the antecubital fossa. He remained neurovascularly intact but lacked 5° of elbow extension. Elbow radiographs demonstrated a minimally displaced lateral condyle fracture and bone fragmentation anterior to the coronoid process (Fig. 1). The elbow was placed in a posterior splint. Because the lateral condyle and coronoid fractures were concerning for an occult elbow subluxation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with sedation was performed the same day to further delineate the fracture pattern and guide management. …
Determination of demagnetizing factors using first-order reversal curves and ferromagnetic resonance

We present a method to quantitatively analyze magnetizing or demagnetizing interactions in arrayed nano-magnets by combining first-order reversal curve (FORC) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurement data. We develop a function to predict the resulting FORC distribution given: (1) a Gaussian intrinsic distribution in terms of the internal field and (2) a mean interaction field proportional to the sample’s magnetic moment. We then perform least-squares regression of our model on experimental FORC measurements of a nanowire array and of a thin film. Combining the obtained interaction field with an FMR fit result allows us to algebraically solve for the effective axial and transverse demagnetizing factors. Our experimental demagnetizing factors agree with expected values and provide quantitative evidence of the demagnetizing interaction between nanowires in an array.
Immediate Interferon Gamma Induction Determines Murine Host Compatibility Differences between Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum.

Rodents are critical for transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to the definitive feline host via predation and this relationship has been extensively studied as a model for immune responses to parasites. Neospora caninum is a closely related coccidian parasite of ruminants and canines, but is not naturally transmitted by rodents. We compared mouse innate immune responses to N. caninum or T. gondii and found marked difference in cytokine levels and parasite growth kinetics during the first 24 hours post-infection (hpi). N. caninum-infected mice produced significantly higher levels of IL-12 and IFNγ as early as 4hpi, but IFNγ was significantly lower or undetectable in T. gondii-infected mice during the first 24hpi. “Immediate” IFNγ and IL-12p40 production was not detected in MyD88-/- mice. However, unlike IL12p40-/- and IFNγ-/-, MyD88-/- mice survived N. caninum infections at the dose used in this study. Serial measures of parasite burden showed MyD88-/- were more susceptible to N. caninum infections than WT mice, and control of parasite burden correlated with a pulse of serum IFNγ 3-4 days post-infection in the absence of detectable IL-12. Immediate IFNγ was partially dependent on the T. gondii mouse profilin receptor TLR11 but ectopic expression of N. caninum profilin in T. gondii had no impact on early IFNγ production or parasite proliferation. Our data indicate that T. gondii is capable of evading host detection during the first hours after infection while N. caninum is not, and this is likely due to early MyD88-dependent recognition of ligands other than profilin. Author summary Most parasite species exhibit selective host ranges and infect only one or a small number of intermediate hosts. There are few examples of molecular host range determinants in eukaryotic pathogens, but they are critical for our understanding of the barriers that prevent host jumping or host range expansion. Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are parasites with extensive similarity at the genetic level, but with a markedly distinct ability to infect rodents in the wild and in the laboratory (1, 2). The mechanisms that determine this difference in host range are unknown. Here we show that N. caninum infection is rapidly controlled in mice while T. gondii is not due to a robust and rapid induction of protective host cytokines. These data suggest that the host range differences between T. gondii and N. caninum are due to previously unrecognized mechanisms of immediate recognition of N. caninum and avoidance or suppression of that response by T. gondii.
A Study of The Cellular Uptake of Magnetic Branched Amphiphilic Peptide Capsules

Understanding cellular uptake mechanisms of nanoparticles with therapeutic potential has become critical in the field of drug delivery. Elucidation of cellular entry routes can aid in the dissection of the complex intracellular trafficking and potentially allow for the manipulation of nanoparticle fate after cellular delivery (i.e., avoid lysosomal degradation). Branched amphiphilic peptide capsules (BAPCs) are peptide nanoparticles that have been and are being explored as delivery systems for nucleic acids and other therapeutic molecules in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we determined the cellular uptake routes of BAPCs with and without a magnetic nanobead core (BAPc-MNBs) in two cell lines: macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells. We also studied the influence of size and growth media composition in this cellular process. Substituting the water-filled core with magnetic nanobeads might provide the peptide bilayer nanocapsules with added functionalities, facilitating their use in bio/immunoassays, magnetic field guided drug delivery, and magnetofection among others. Results suggest that BAPc-MNBs are internalized into the cytosol using more than one endocytic pathway. Flow cytometry and analysis of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) demonstrated that cell viability was minimally impacted by BAPc-MNBs. Cellular uptake pathways of peptide vesicles remain poorly understood, particularly with respect to endocytosis and intracellular trafficking. Outcomes from these studies provide a fundamental understanding of the cellular uptake of this peptide-based delivery system which will allow for strengthening of their delivery capabilities and expanding their applications both in vitro and in vivo.
Information Scarcity and the Legitimacy of Legal Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

It is sometimes thought that the question of whether legal protection of intellectual property is legitimate turns entirely on the question of whether information objects are subject to conditions of scarcity. In this essay, I argue that, by itself, an answer to the question of whether information objects are scarce entails nothing with respect to the question of whether legal protection of intellectual property is legitimate. Further, I argue that a proper analysis of the legitimacy of intellectual property rights must take into account the morally protected interests that content-creators have both in the expenditure of their limited resources (e.g., time, energy, and intellectual labor) and in the value that the expenditure of such efforts brings into the world.
The Academic Career Readiness Assessment: Clarifying Hiring and Training Expectations for Future Biomedical Life Sciences Faculty

The Academic Career Readiness Assessment (ACRA) represents the qualifications and levels of achievement required to obtain a faculty position in the life sciences across institutions, providing tra...
Risk Assessment and Planning

Risk assessment, planning, and budgeting of audits are essential precursors to the successful audit. The determination of risk of a particular subset of accounting operations related to the rendering of the audit opinion—i.e., on whether the accounts have material error when GAAP has been consistently applied. This chapter delineates construction of the risk assessment matrix—a collaborative “learning” worksheet to support a scientific foundation for audit scope, planning, and budgeting prior to initiation of audit field tests.
Potential for and Distribution of Enzymatic Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Environmental Microorganisms.

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the main polymer types of plastic wastes and is known to be resistant to biodegradation, resulting in PS waste persistence in the environment. Although previous studies have reported that some microorganisms can degrade PS, enzymes and mechanisms of microorganism PS biodegradation are still unknown. In this study, we summarized microbial species that have been identified to degrade PS. By screening the available genome information of microorganisms that have been reported to degrade PS for enzymes with functional potential to depolymerize PS, we predicted target PS-degrading enzymes. We found that cytochrome P4500s, alkane hydroxylases and monooxygenases ranked as the top potential enzyme classes that can degrade PS since they can break C–C bonds. Ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases may be able to break the side-chain of PS and oxidize the aromatic ring compounds generated from the decomposition of PS. These target enzymes were distributed in Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes, suggesting a broad potential for PS biodegradation in various earth environments and microbiomes. Our results provide insight into the enzymatic degradation of PS and suggestions for realizing the biodegradation of this recalcitrant plastic.
Prostate Cancer Differentiation - Stromal Cell PENK and Stem Cell Transcription Factors

Prostate cancer cells from luminal-like (differentiated) adenocarcinoma to less luminal-like and more stem-like (undifferentiated) small cell carcinoma retain responsiveness to signaling by stromal cell factor proenkephalin (PENK). Stem-like cancer cells, like stem cells, express stem cell transcription factor (scTF) LIN28A, NANOG, POU5F1, SOX2 as well as a 10-fold lower level of β2-microglobulin (B2M). Forced expression of this scTF quartet can reprogram adenocarcinoma cells, as represented by LuCaP xenograft lines, to stem-, small cell carcinoma-like derivatives with the phenotypic change from scTF−B2Mhi to scTF+B2Mlo. Prostate stromal mesenchyme cells control organ development through secreted hormone factors and heterotypic cell contact. The highly expressed prostate stromal-specific PENK, when transfected into scTF+B2Mlo small cell carcinoma LuCaP 145.1, caused down-regulation of scTF and up-regulation of B2M to indicate differentiation. When transfected into scTF-reprogrammed adenocarcinoma-like LNCaP cells, PENK reversed the reprogramming through down-regulation of scTF with attendant changes in cell appearance and colony morphology. When transfected into adenocarcinoma LuCaP 70CR, PENK up-regulated the expression of anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), a marker associated with prostate cancer differentiation and better patient survival. Thus, PENK can induce differentiation to counter cancer de-differentiation due to activation of scTF. Loss of cancer differentiation leads to an untreatable disease. Patient survival would benefit if this can be reversed or prevented. Prostate cancer de-differentiation is likened to reprogramming. Cancer cells containing multiple mutations and being aneuploid can, like normal cells, still undergo differentiation.
Stabilization of Multi-Agent Systems to Target Distributions using Local Interactions

Abstract In this paper, we construct a mean-field discrete-time Markov process evolving on a compact subset of ℝd can be stabilized to an arbitrary target distribution that has a continuous density. This density, unlike in our previous works, need not have a connected support on the state space. Our main application of interest is characterizing the distribution of a multi-agent system that evolves according to a discrete-time Markov process. Even if the Markov process converges to an equilibrium distribution, the agents may continue to switch between states, potentially wasting energy. In order to prevent this unnecessary switching, we show that the Markov process can be constructed in such a way that the operator that pushes forward measures is the identity operator at the target measure. The challenge in the stability analysis of the system arises from the fact that the transition kernel is a function of the current distribution, resulting in a nonlinear Markov process. Moreover, we aim to design the transition kernel, which is the feedback control law for the Markov process, to be decentralized in the sense that it depends on the local density of agents. We prove by construction that there exists a control law that is decentralized and globally stabilizes the desired measure. In order to implement this control law, the individual agents must estimate the local population density. We validate our control law with numerical simulations of multi-agent systems with different population sizes. We observe that the number of agent state transitions at equilibrium significantly decreases as the population size increases.
Eveningness chronotype preference among individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis

Abstract Background Circadian rhythm disturbances are frequently implicated in psychosis. Indeed, research has suggested several avenues by which circadian rhythms may play a mechanistic role as well as contribute to clinical outcomes. Despite its potential role as a risk factor, little is known about circadian rhythm disruption among individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis, clinical correlates, or specificity to the psychosis risk syndrome. Methods Eighty-four CHR, 74 individuals with depressive disorders (DD), and 101 non-psychiatric controls (NPC) participated in structured clinical interviews and provided self-reports of chronotype preference. Clinical (positive, negative, anxious, and depressive symptoms) and social functioning outcomes were self-reported and/or clinician-rated. Analyses of covariance controlling for demographics examined group differences in chronotype preference, and partial Pearson correlations evaluated associations with clinical/functional outcomes. Results Group differences were observed (F(11, 246) = 8.05, p Conclusions CHR and DD display greater preference for eveningness chronotype compared to NPC indicating the disruption is associated with a range of mental health concerns, and not specific to the psychosis-risk syndrome. However, comorbidity with DD did not appear to be driving the finding in the CHR group. Further research may examine shared versus non-shared underlying mechanisms contributing to chronotype preference across psychiatric presentations.
Chromatography purification of Rb for accurate isotopic analysis by MC-ICPMS: a comparison between AMP-PAN, cation-exchange, and Sr resins

The isotopic compositions of alkali metal elements are powerful tracers of various geological processes. Coupled K and Rb isotopic studies can potentially yield new clues on the mechanisms responsible for the depletions in moderately volatile elements in planetary objects, global surface geochemical cycles, and mechanistic aspects of water–rock interactions. Rubidium isotopic studies have however been hampered by difficulties in purifying Rb from rocks, notably due to its similar chemical behavior to K. Here we characterize the properties of three different types of resins (AMP-PAN resin; AG50W-X8 and AG50W-X12 cation-exchange resins; Sr resin) for Rb and K purification. We show that AMP-PAN resin and Sr resin can readily separate Rb from K and other matrix elements. However, AMP-PAN resin has a high Rb blank (∼80 ng) and is cumbersome to use, which limits its applicability. For cation resins, we test the effects of column length, acid molarity, temperature, pressure drop (flow rate), and resin cross-linkage on the Rb separation using a Fluoropolymer Pneumatic Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) unit built in our laboratory. Increasing column length or resin cross-linkage has a positive effect on the separation, while increasing acid molarity, temperature, or pressure drop (flow rate) has negative impacts. Gravity-driven cation-exchange resin columns fail to cleanly separate Rb from K, but an AG50W-X12 resin column of 150 cm length and 0.16 cm inner diameter installed on a FPLC unit can cleanly separate Rb from K. We separated Rb from synthetic and natural rock samples using three different purification schemes designed based on the three types of resins, and measured the Rb isotopic compositions of the Rb separates by MC-ICPMS. The three methods yielded consistent results, demonstrating the efficacy of our Rb separation and the accuracy of our Rb isotopic analyses. The Rb isotopic compositions of several geostandards were analyzed (BCR-2, BHVO-2, BE-N, AGV-2, GS-N, G-3, and G-A), which can be used in future studies for ground-truthing methodologies used for studying natural samples. Among the three methods, the Sr resin method is the most straightforward for purifying Rb and K simultaneously, and measuring their isotopic compositions in natural samples.
Learning presence within the Community of Inquiry framework: An alternative measurement survey for a four-factor model

Abstract Within the distance education community, the Community of Inquiry (COI) framework is widely accepted as a framework to understand and design text-based learning environments. The framework includes three components: Cognitive Presence, Teaching Presence, and Social Presence. Recent work has proposed the addition of a fourth component, Learning Presence, which reflects students' self-regulation, and its role within the original framework. This study evaluated alternative structures of the COI framework to explain student perceptions of learning online. The study participants (n = 256) were graduate students from multiple institutions who had taken at least one fully online course as part of their degree requirements. Survey data were collected using a single Likert-scaled survey instrument. Presented herein are the results of the first phase of a two-part study, which included a series of confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the measurement models of the four COI constructs individually, followed by a model including all four constructs simultaneously. Future work on the second phase of the this two-part study evaluated a series of structural models using path analyses and hierarchical linear regression analyses. Findings indicated that teaching presence reached a more parimonious model with two subscales as opposed to the three subscales of the COI survey. A new subscale "peer faciliation" was proposed for teaching presence, but had better model fit as a subscale of social presence. The three existing subscales of social presence could also more parsimoniously represented with two subscales, with the new "peer faciliation" subscale acting as the third. Finally, learning presence was modeled with three subscales, and was the strongest overall predictor of cognitive presence, compared to teaching and social presence. This work makes unique contributions to the study of online learning environments through the COI framework by introducing a comprehensive survey that includes Learning Presence indicators, producing evidence on the multi-dimensionality of the COI constructs, and the strong relationship between Learning Presence and Cognitive Presence.
SYSTEMS THEORY AND POWER/KNOWLEDGE:: A Foucauldian Reconstruction of Niklas Luhmann's Systems Theory

Although Niklas Luhmann refrains from an explicit treatment of power as a force of social constraint, I propose that, if partially reconstructed, his Systems Theory can illuminate the subject considerably. I show this by distinguishing between five elements in Luhmann's treatment of each of the following six social subsystems: the economy, politics, law, science, religion and education. The five subsystem elements are: (1) a binary code, (2) a basis of authority, (3) a language of social communication, (4) a generalized medium of communication, and (5) a social function. Whereas Luhmann assumes that each subsystem approximates autopoiesis, or self‐contained internal operation and autonomy, I assume the pervasiveness of interpenetration, whereby operations is one subsystem nonetheless affect operations in others. Subsequently, I juxtapose the reconstructed systems‐theoretic framework developed in the first half of the paper with Michel Foucault's power/knowledge framework. I conclude that the use of a reconstructed systems‐theoretic approach, based loosely on Luhmann's original theory, could greatly illuminate the specifics of power/knowledge in modern societies, to an even greater extent than Foucault does himself.
The General Public's Participation in Art Museums:

. From a nationwide study of arts participation among Americans, the population of art museum visitors can he compared to people who do not go to art museums. Visitors to art museums generally are in upper educational, occupational and income groups and are more active than nonvisitors in other forms of arts participation and most leisure activities. While direct parental influence does not seem too important, art museum visitors were far more likely than nonvisitors to have had art lessons as children. While museum visitors were more frequent participants, of perhaps most importance is that the preference orders of visitors and nonvisitors were about the same, indicating that the opportunity to participate or lack of it, may be the most important cause of differences in participation rates between the two groups.
Evaluation of fission product isotopes for field or laboratory detection

An International Monitoring System (IMS) is being created to monitor the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Radionuclide aerosols will be monitored to provide positive proof of an atmospheric explosion. In addition, a group of laboratories will perform quality assurance and confirmatory analyses of samples of interest. The field and laboratory systems will perform gamma-ray spectrometric analysis of air filters. While laboratories may undertake additional analysis such as chemical separation and beta counting, the scope of the work reported here is to make evaluations with respect only to gamma-ray spectrometry. Activation products have not been completely considered and are shaded with uncertainty, from the probability of escape from an underground test and the dependence on the sub-surface elemental composition.
Effect of sustained hyperglycemia on the levels of human chorionic somatomammotropin in mid-pregnancy☆

Abstract To elucidate further the effect of maternal glucose concentration in the regulation of human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) secretion, normal women in mid-pregnancy and in the third trimester were subjected to sustained hyperglycemia (via glucose infusion) and transient hyperglycemia (via a rapid intravenous glucose tolerance test), respectively. In all studies, significant changes in serum HCS concentrations were not observed, although the mean serum HCS concentration showed a slight decline during the infusion and slight rise following the infusion.
Spatial attenuation of the Lg wave in the Central United States

The spatial attenuation of the Lg wave in the Central United States is studied in the time domain in the frequency range of 1 to 10 Hz. Fitting Lg amplitudes according to the relation A = A o r − 5 / 6 exp ( − γ r ) , γ varies between 0.0007 ± 0.0001 km−1 at 1 Hz and 0.0029 ± 0.0005 km−1 at 10 Hz (standard errors given). Relating γ to Qβ by the relation γ = π f / Q β U , these results imply a frequency dependence for Qβ given by Q β ( f ) = Q β ( 1 H z ) f ( 04 ± 015 ) . This result extends Singh's (1981) estimate of 0.1 to 0.3 for the exponent of frequency dependence for the frequency range to 0.5 to 2 Hz for coda waves observed in the Central United States. Bandpassed microearthquake data were also used to estimate source spectrum shapes and seismic moments. Incorporating these results with those of Street et al. (1975), the seismic moment-magnitude scaling for the Central United States is found to be log 10 M o = 16.44 ± 0.18 + ( 1.26 ± 0.05 ) m b L g for the magnitude range 1.8 ≦ mbLg ≦ 4.9.
Attachment and alliance in the treatment of depressed, sexually abused women.

Background: Depression among women with sexual abuse histories is less treatment responsive than in general adult samples. One contributor to poorer treatment outcomes may be abused women's difficulties in forming and maintaining secure relationships, as reflected in insecure attachment styles, which could also impede the development of a positive therapeutic alliance. The current study examines how attachment orientation (i.e. anxiety and avoidance) and development of the working alliance are associated with treatment outcomes among depressed women with histories of childhood sexual abuse. Method: Seventy women seeking treatment in a community mental health center who had Major Depressive Disorder and a childhood sexual abuse history were randomized to Interpersonal Psychotherapy or treatment as usual. Results: Greater attachment avoidance and weaker working alliance were each related to worse depression symptom outcomes; these effects were independent of the presence of comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The effect of avoidant attachment on outcomes was not mediated by the working alliance. Further, working alliance had a stronger effect on depression outcomes in the Interpersonal Psychotherapy group. Conclusion: Understanding the influence of attachment style and the working alliance on treatment outcomes can inform efforts to improve the treatments for depressed women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-8, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Irreversible thermal denaturation of beta-lactoglobulin retards adsorption of carrageenan onto beta-lactoglobulin-coated droplets.

The influence of isothermal heat treatments on the adsorption of anionic carrageenan molecules to the surfaces of anionic beta-lactoglobulin-coated droplets has been investigated. The zeta-potential, mean particle diameter, microstructure, and creaming stability of emulsions containing beta-lactoglobulin-coated droplets and/or carrageenan molecules that had previously been heat treated at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees C for 20 min were measured (pH 6.0, 150 mM NaCl). Three different heat treatments were used to establish the physicochemical origin of the influence of thermal history on the adsorption of carrageenan molecules to the protein coated droplets: (i) droplets and carrageenan were mixed at room temperature, then heated together; (ii) droplets were heated, cooled to room temperature, then mixed with carrageenan; (iii) carrageenan was heated, cooled to room temperature, then mixed with droplets. For treatments i and ii appreciably more carrageenan adsorbed to the protein-coated droplet surfaces at temperatures 60 degrees C) because they desorbed from the droplet surfaces. Nevertheless, adsorption of iota-carrageenan was capable of protecting the droplets against flocculation caused by surface denaturation of the adsorbed proteins at lower temperatures (T < or = 50 degrees C).