cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tetherless Microgrippers With Transponder Tags

We describe the concept of utilizing tetherless microstructured grippers with attached silicon (Si)-based chips for event-based gripping. Grippers were fabricated using photolithography, and Si chips were bonded to them using a solder-based directed assembly approach. Because we propose the use of these grippers as tags or to attach electronic devices to various surfaces, we also attached commercial microtransponder chips to the grippers as a specific example of an integrated and commercially available electronic device. After assembly, we released grippers with integrated chips from the substrate. Grippers closed upon exposure to heat (>; 40°C) or specific chemical environments that softened or degraded a polymer trigger layer incorporated within each hinge. We investigated gripping capabilities of chip-carrying grippers on woven textile fibers and a live caterpillar; these demonstrations were achieved without any attached wires or electrical power. The autonomous thermochemical closure response of the grippers coupled with convenient and secure attachment of wireless microtransponders is a step toward the creation of smart event-based gripping platforms with communication modules.
Management of pre-liver transplantation patient--part 2.

Liver transplantation (LT) has grown dramatically over last 2 decades and the hepatologist has had to assume a larger role inmanaging the potential candidate awaiting surgery. In part 1 of this review, we described the pre-LT evaluation process, contraindications of LT, general care, and treatment of various etiologies of liver disease prior to LT. In this part, we review the management of liver-specific complications that are responsible for significant morbidity and waitlist mortality of LT candidates.
Three-Dimensional Shape and Motion Reconstruction for the Analysis of American Sign Language

The design of systems that can analyze and recognize American Sign Language (ASL) sentences, require that motion patterns and handshapes be independently represented from one another. In this paper, we define an algorithm that first obtains the 3D shape of each of the linguistically significant fingers (known as "selected" fingers in the linguistic literature), and then represents the motion of the hand as a three-dimensional trajectory in the coordinate system of the camera. In doing so, we address the problems caused by self-occlusions and localization errors. The 3D shape is obtained using an affine structure from motion algorithm that is based on the linear fitting of matrices with missing data. To recover the 3D motion of the hand, we define a robust algorithm that selects the most stable solution from the pool of all the solutions given by the three point resection problem. To be robust to localization errors (of the hand feature points tracked) we define a simple algorithm that searches for that combination of coordinates that gives the largest number of stable solutions in our system of equations. To validate our theory, we provide a set of experimental results using video sequences of ASL signs.
A Review of “Raging with Compassion: Pastoral Response to the Problem of Evil”

John Swinton is probably no stranger to readers of this journal. As professorial chair and the director of the Centre for Spirituality, Health, and Disability at the University of Aberdeen (Scotlan...
Differential regulation of cellular activities by GTPase-activating protein and NF1

The regulation of the GTPase activity of the Ras proteins is thought to be a key element of signal transduction. Ras proteins have intrinsic GTPase activity and are active in signal transduction when bound to GTP but not following hydrolysis of GTP to GDP. Three cellular Ras GTPase-activating proteins (Ras-gaps) which increase the GTPase activity of wild-type (wt) Ras but not activated Ras in vitro have been identified: type I and type II GAP and type I NF1. Mutations of wt Ras resulting in lowered intrinsic GTPase activity or loss of response to cellular Ras-gap proteins are thought to be the primary reason for the transforming properties of the Ras proteins. In vitro assays show type I and type II GAP and the GAP-related domain of type I NF1 to have similar biochemical properties with respect to activation of the wt Ras GTPase, and it appears as though both type I GAP and NF1 can modulate the GTPase function of Ras in cells. Here we report the assembling of a full-length coding clone for type I NF1 and the biological effects of microinjection of Ras and Ras-gap proteins into fibroblasts. We have found that type I GAP, type II GAP, and type I NF1 show markedly different biological activities in vivo. Coinjection of type I GAP or type I NF1, but not type II GAP, with wt Ras abolished the ability of wt Ras to induce expression from an AP-1-controlled reporter gene. We also found that serum-stimulated DNA synthesis was reduced by prior injection of cells with type I GAP but not type II GAP or type I NF1. These results suggest that type I GAP, type II GAP, and type I NF1 may have different activities in vivo and support the hypothesis that while type I forms of GAP and NF1 may act as negative regulators of wt Ras, they may do so with differential efficiencies.
Chronic noncancer pain and opioids: Risks, benefits, and the public health debate.

Psychologists involved with treatment teams deciding whether to pursue opioid pharmacotherapy for patients with chronic noncancer pain face a challenging dilemma. Although opioids offer a valuable treatment option for the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain, these medications also pose a significant risk for aberrant use among a subset of patients. The lack of clear information on this topic makes it difficult to determine how to proceed in professional practice. Notwithstanding empirical efforts to examine this complex issue, the prevalence rates of opioid abuse and dependence vary widely, and the accuracy in which the most popular assessment methods can predict aberrant use remains unclear. Furthermore, there is a paucity of data on the extent to which the long-term use of opioids can contribute to improvements in functioning and quality of life. The present paper highlights the key issues for this topic relevant to professional psychologists by reviewing the evidence regarding the benefits and risks associated with opioid use as a treatment for chronic pain and exploring areas of significant concern relevant to public health policy. At the current time, there are no simple solutions to this dilemma, and this review concludes with areas in need of further research in order to help clinicians make more informed decisions.
Phase‐locked tropical Pacific precipitation

Prior studies of the El Nino/La Nina index SST3.4 showed periodicity of exactly 2 or 3 years which were ‘phase-locked’ to the annual solar cycle. Ten such phase-locked intervals since 1870 were found. This article extends this work by studying precipitation data (P34) for the same region. We find phase-locked segments corresponding to those found in SST3.4. Each segment agrees both in the period of oscillation and the date interval. However, the temperature-precipitation relationship changes from segment to segment, demonstrating the non-stationarity of the system. The beginnings and ends of these time segments agree with previously reported abrupt climate shifts.
Tetrapositive plutonium, neptunium, uranium, and thorium coordination complexes: chemistry revealed by electron transfer and collision induced dissociation.

The Pu4+, Np4+, and U4+ ions, which have large electron affinities of ∼34.6, ∼33.6, and ∼32.6 eV, respectively, were stabilized from solution to the gas phase upon coordination by three neutral tetramethyl-3-oxa-glutaramide ligands (TMOGA). Both collision induced dissociation (CID) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) of Pu(TMOGA)34+ reveal the propensity for reduction of Pu(IV) to Pu(III), by loss of TMOGA+ in CID and by simple electron transfer in ETD. The reduction of Pu(IV) is in distinct contrast to retention of Th(IV) in both CID and ETD of Th(TMOGA)34+, where only the C–Oether bond cleavage product was observed. U(TMOGA)34+ behaves similarly to Th(TMOGA)34+ upon CID and ETD, while the fragmentation patterns of Np(TMOGA)34+ lie between those of Pu(TMOGA)34+ and U(TMOGA)34+. It is notable that the gas-phase fragmentation behaviors of these exceptional tetrapositive complexes parallel fundamental differences in condensed phase chemistry within the actinide series, specifically the tendency for red...
Engaging youth of color in applied science education and public health promotion

ABSTRACTParticipation in inquiry-based science education, which focuses on student-constructed learning, has been linked to academic success. Whereas the benefits of this type of science education are evident, access to such high-quality science curriculum and programming is not equitable. Black and Latino students in particular have less access to supplementary science programming, and fewer opportunities to engage in inquiry-based education. This paper describes outcomes associated with an inquiry-based out-of-school time science education program, Nuestro Futuro: Applied Science Education to Engage Black and Latino Youth (NFASE), which sought to build the capacity of middle school students of color to ‘think’ like health scientists from diverse disciplinary perspectives. The program was designed with the intent of (1) improving student attitudes toward and motivation for science and (2) increasing active and engaged citizenship (AEC). NFASE students explored health inequity and the social determinants ...
An Alternative UAS Classification and Analysis Approach for Integration into the National Airspace System

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) represent a disruptive technology for aviation within the United States and worldwide. Efforts have been made to develop regulations, policies, and guidance materials to minimize their impact while maintaining an equivalent or sufficient level of safety. A key challenge is that there is no one-size fits all model for UAS. Moreover, there is a variety of UAS operations proposed and ongoing where the traditional file-and-fly model is insufficient. The classification and categorization of UAS and their operations plays a key role in their integration into the National Airspace System (NAS). Current approaches, e.g. the FAA’s Small UAS Aviation Rulemaking Committee, follow traditional schemes regarding size and weight of the aircraft, the airspace in which they fly, and line-of-sight (LOS) versus beyond LOS operations. An alternative approach must be considered. At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a team of researchers is addressing this problem as part of NASA’s UAS NAS Integration program. A survey of literature regarding UAS systems, UAS operations, and NextGen technologies impacting UAS operations was performed. Key differentiating parameters were analyzed using Qualify Function Deployment’s House of Quality to determine the parameters having the greatest impact on safety and NAS integration. From the analysis, an expert system has been developed to map UAS system characteristics (e.g. weight, autonomy, redundancy, etc.) to operational requirements (e.g. airspace, LOS vs. BLOS, operator requirements, maximum distance to landing site, etc.). Likewise, the expert system can map a proposed UAS operation/mission description to UAS system requirements. This paper will present this research. Several straw-man test examples will be reviewed to highlight the performance of the system under realistic UAS system and operational configurations. Lessons learned and future work will be discussed to move toward a tool to assist regulators.
RADAR OBSERVATIONS OF HURRICANE WAVE DIRECTIONS

This paper presents an analysis of data collected in a hurricane wave research program. The data were collected with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) during five aircraft flights into hurricanes in August and September, 1976. These data are the first collected on the directional distributions of waves throughout the region of active generation. The wave patterns in all of the storms are similar and show a marked radially asymmetry. The dominant waves propagate ahead of the storm in a broad arc that has an apparent center in a region of confused sea to the right and rear of the hurricane eye. The asymmetry in the wave patterns is attributed to the forward motion of the storms. The wave directions throughout the storms do not show a sensitive dependence on the forward speed of the storms or on their maximum wavespeeds. However, there is an increase in peak wavelength with increasing windspeed and forward velocity.
Choledochoduodenal fistula from duodenal ulcer. Report of a case.

A case of choledochoduodenal fistula due to perforated duodenal ulcer is reported. The history is instructive because it points out that once such a fistula is demonstrated radiologically, subsequent failure to regurgitate barium into the biliary tree may be of little significance. In view of the benignity of this complication, in the absence of biliary tract disease, it is also emphasized that a direct surgical approach to the fistulous communication is not warranted. Although subtotal gastrectomy is usually required, under proper circumstances, prolonged medical therapy may be justified.
Isolated Open Rotor Noise Prediction Assessment Using the F31A31 Historical Blade Set

In an effort to mitigate next-generation fuel efficiency and environmental impact concerns for aviation, open rotor propulsion systems have received renewed interest. However, maintaining the high propulsive efficiency while simultaneously meeting noise goals has been one of the challenges in making open rotor propulsion a viable option. Improvements in prediction tools and design methodologies have opened the design space for next generation open rotor designs that satisfy these challenging objectives. As such, validation of aerodynamic and acoustic prediction tools has been an important aspect of open rotor research efforts. This paper describes validation efforts of a combined computational fluid dynamics and Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equation methodology for open rotor aeroacoustic modeling. Performance and acoustic predictions were made for a benchmark open rotor blade set and compared with measurements over a range of rotor speeds and observer angles. Overall, the results indicate that the computational approach is acceptable for assessing low-noise open rotor designs. Additionally, this approach may be used to provide realistic incident source fields for acoustic shielding/scattering studies on various aircraft configurations.
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention (TasP): What mental health providers should know

Pharmacologic methods of treating and preventing HIV have advanced tremendously in recent years. Understandings of HIV risk and recommendations for risk-reduction strategies have also changed substantially. A majority of new cases of HIV in many developed countries are now acquired through sex with long-term partners who are unaware of their HIV-positive status, rather than from casual or anonymous sexual encounters. Persons with bipolar disorder and substance use disorders are at particularly high risk. Mental health providers who work with LGBT persons and other populations at higher risk for HIV need to understand strategies their patients are using for HIV risk reduction, and to refer appropriate patients for consideration for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is the daily use of an antiretroviral (ARV) medication for prevention of HIV infection in higher-risk individuals. The United States approved tenofovir + emtracitabine for PrEP in 2012; this is under review in several European countries, Canada, and Australia, and is already prescribed off-label in many. Additionally, studies have shown that treatment with ARV medications to an “undetectable viral load” greatly reduces the risk of further transmission by persons already infected with HIV, called “treatment as prevention” (TasP). As of September 2015, WHO recommends early ARV treatment for all persons with HIV, and consideration of PrEP for men who have sex with men. This paper reviews findings from the PrEP studies (especially iPrEx, iPrEx Ole, IPERGAY, and PROUD) and TasP, and looks at their impact on LGBT and HIV+ communities, with relevance for mental health providers.
A Conserved MicroRNA Regulatory Circuit Is Differentially Controlled during Limb/Appendage Regeneration.

Background Although regenerative capacity is evident throughout the animal kingdom, it is not equally distributed throughout evolution. For instance, complex limb/appendage regeneration is muted in mammals but enhanced in amphibians and teleosts. The defining characteristic of limb/appendage regenerative systems is the formation of a dedifferentiated tissue, termed blastema, which serves as the progenitor reservoir for regenerating tissues. In order to identify a genetic signature that accompanies blastema formation, we employ next-generation sequencing to identify shared, differentially regulated mRNAs and noncoding RNAs in three different, highly regenerative animal systems: zebrafish caudal fins, bichir pectoral fins and axolotl forelimbs. Results These studies identified a core group of 5 microRNAs (miRNAs) that were commonly upregulated and 5 miRNAs that were commonly downregulated, as well as 4 novel tRNAs fragments with sequences conserved with humans. To understand the potential function of these miRNAs, we built a network of 1,550 commonly differentially expressed mRNAs that had functional relationships to 11 orthologous blastema-associated genes. As miR-21 was the most highly upregulated and most highly expressed miRNA in all three models, we validated the expression of known target genes, including the tumor suppressor, pdcd4, and TGFβ receptor subunit, tgfbr2 and novel putative target genes such as the anti-apoptotic factor, bcl2l13, Choline kinase alpha, chka and the regulator of G-protein signaling, rgs5. Conclusions Our extensive analysis of RNA-seq transcriptome profiling studies in three regenerative animal models, that diverged in evolution ~420 million years ago, reveals a common miRNA-regulated genetic network of blastema genes. These comparative studies extend our current understanding of limb/appendage regeneration by identifying previously unassociated blastema genes and the extensive regulation by miRNAs, which could serve as a foundation for future functional studies to examine the process of natural cellular reprogramming in an injury context.
Corporate Performance Indicators

Corporate performance indicators for social performance and environmental performance are needed for a good management practice. These are needed if a corporation strives to manage the triple bottom line. The challenge is how to measure and track such intangibles as social performance and sustainability in a manner that reduces shareholder risk while enabling business managers to analyze environmental investments and risks within a financial framework consistent with that used for other business decision-making processes. Aside from the clear value to shareholders, such also could engender broad incentives for companies to view their operations through a sustainability lens. Companies produce environmental and sustainability reports that can serve the needs of both internal and external audiences. Corporations are increasingly issuing reports of their social and environmental performance.
Friction Compensation in Servo-Drives

Friction is detrimental to the performance of a number of systems, specifically those demanding ultra-accurate positioning. Some debilitating effects of friction include non-zero steady-state errors in position and discontinuity in the velocity leading to performance degradation, limit cycles, or instability. Most existing techniques for friction compensation require direct or indirect friction parameter estimation for compensation purposes [43, 45, 56, 57, 126] . This approach, though conceptually simple, suffers from being heavily model-dependent and thus friction compensation is achieved up to the level of “goodness” of the model. Also, when a direct estimation of friction parameters (static or dynamic) is done, the following undesirable consequences may occur: (i) the use of approximate linearly parameterized models (in many cases, this leads to over/under compensation), (ii) large order dynamic compensators (even for a one degree-offreedom system), (iii) the necessity to measure acceleration, and (iv) the lack of robustness with respect to all friction and plant parameters. Some of the aforementioned methods that employ friction parameter estimation for compensation are briefly outlined next.
Real-time monitoring of peanut drying parameters in semitrailers

ABSTRACTKnowledge of peanut drying parameters, such as temperature and relative humidity of the ambient air, temperature and relative humidity of the air being blown into the peanuts, and kernel moisture content, is essential in managing the dryer for optimal drying rate. The optimal drying rate is required to preserve quality and desired flavor. In the current peanut-drying process, such parameters are elusive in real time and are either not measured or only measured periodically by an operator. A peanut-drying monitoring system, controlled by an embedded microcontroller and consisting of relative humidity and temperature sensors and a microwave peanut moisture sensor, was developed to monitor drying parameters in real time. It was deployed during the 2014 peanut harvest season at a peanut buying point in central Georgia, USA. It was placed in 45-ft (13.7-m) drying semitrailers to monitor in-shell kernel moisture content, temperature of the drying peanuts, temperature, and relative humidity of the exhaus...
Starch-Based Biofoams Reinforced with Lignocellulose Nanofibrils from Residual Palm Empty Fruit Bunches: Water Sorption and Mechanical Strength

Lignin-containing cellulosic nanofibrils (LCNF) were extracted from residual oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB), an abundant but underutilized bioresource, by using a set of sulfur-free fractionation methods. The various types of isolated LCNF were used to reinforce starch-based biofoams. The incorporation of LCNF achieved remarkable increases, by a factor of 44 and 66, of the Young’s modulus and yield stress in compression mode, respectively. In addition, owing to the relatively lower hydrophilicity of residual lignin, water sorption by the composite biofoams was reduced with LCNF loading. The starch/LCNF nanocomposite biofoams displayed mechanical properties similar to those of polystyrene foams and therefore can potentially represent a sustainable and green alternative for packaging and insulation materials.
Gamma-ray channeling in layered structures

Periodic variations of the refractive index in perfect crystals or similarly layered structures constrain gamma rays with small grazing angles to generally move parallel to the planes. This channeling process is similar to the dynamical diffraction of gamma rays transmitted through crystals (Laue diffraction), though it affects a broader range of angles. Gamma-ray channeling in tailor-made layered structures may be a useful mechanism for developing gamma-ray optics for astronomy, medical, and other applications. We constructed an experiment to measure the effect of this gamma-ray channeling method using a tailor-made layered structure of gold-palladium and poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) plastic. We report progress toward results using 122 keV gamma rays to verify whether this technique is viable and can be used to develop gamma-ray concentrating instruments
Can twice weekly hemodialysis expand patient access under resource constraints

The convention of prescribing hemodialysis on a thrice weekly schedule began empirically when it seemed that this frequency was convenient and likely to treat symptoms for a majority of patients. Later, when urea was identified as the main target and marker of clearance, studies supported the prevailing notion that thrice weekly dialysis provided appropriate clearance of urea. Today, national guidelines on hemodialysis from most countries recommend patients receive at least thrice weekly therapy. However, resource constraints in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have resulted in a substantial proportion of patients using less frequent hemodialysis in these settings. Observational studies of patients on twice weekly dialysis show that twice weekly therapy has noninferior survival rates compared with thrice weekly therapy. In fact, models of urea clearance also show that twice weekly therapy can meet urea clearance "targets" if patients have significant residual function or if they follow a protein-restricted diet, as may be common in LMIC. Greater reliance on twice weekly therapy, at least at the start of hemodialysis, therefore has potential to reduce health care costs and increase access to renal replacement therapy in low-resource settings; however, randomized control trials are needed to better understand long-term outcomes of twice versus thrice weekly therapy.
Security challenges and solutions for closed-loop artificial pancreas systems

This work presents security solutions related to multi-sensor closed-loop artificial pancreas (AP) systems. The proposed AP system is built on a heterogeneous platform incorporating a smartphone, activity sensors, a glucose monitor, an insulin pump, a laptop hosting the multi-variable control algorithm and a cloud server. Developing a secure AP system is essential for mass adoption among diabetes patients. However, various communication interfaces and dynamics among the AP components result in multiple security vulnerabilities and intrusion points. We first identify the threats related to both AP data communication and AP data storage. Then, we propose several cryptography and authentication measures to address the threats related to the man-in-the-middle attacks.
TRPM5 and taste transduction.

TRPM5 is a cation channel that it is essential for transduction of bitter, sweet and umami tastes. Signaling of these tastes involves the activation of G protein-coupled receptors that stimulate phospholipase C (PLC) β2, leading to the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) into diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3), and release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. TRPM5 forms a nonselective cation channel that is directly activated by Ca2+ and it is likely to be the downstream target of this signaling cascade. Therefore, study of TRPM5 promises to provide insight into fundamental mechanisms of taste transduction. This review highlights recent work on the mechanisms of activation of the TRPM5 channel. Themouse TRPM5 gene encodes a protein of 1,158 amino acids that is proposed to have six transmembrane domains and to function as a tetramer. TRPM5 is structurally most closely related to the Ca2+-activated channel TRPM4 and it is more distantly related to the cold-activated channel TRPM8. In patch clamp recordings, TRPM5 channels are activated by micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ and are permeable to monovalent but not divalent cations. TRPM5 channel activity is strongly regulated by voltage, phosphoinositides and temperature, and is blocked by acid pH. Study of TRPM4 and TRPM8, which show similar modes of regulation, has yielded insights into possible structural domains of TRPM5. Understanding the structural basis for TRPM5 function will ultimately allow the design of pharmaceuticals to enhance or interfere with taste sensations.
Determinants of Bond Risk Premia

In this paper, we provide new and robust evidence on the power of macro variables for forecasting bond risk premia. Specifically, we identify a single macro factor that can explain the variation in excess returns on bonds with maturities ranging from 2 to 5 years up to 43%, substantially higher than the 26%-R 2 obtained using the macro factor of Ludvigson and Ng (2008), and that also subsumes the LudvigsonNg factor. In addition, we find that augmenting regressions of excess bond returns on the identified macro factor with lagged bond excess returns can raise the R 2 to 88%. The source of predictability from the macro factor is found to be associated with variables from employment, housing market and price indices. We are able to identify such robust macro factor with strong predicting power by using a recently developed statistical method‐the supervised adaptive group “least absolute shrinkage and selection operator” (lasso) approach.
Sex differences in tobacco smokers: Executive control network and frontostriatal connectivity.

Abstract Background Women experience greater difficulty quitting smoking than men, which may be explained by sex differences in brain circuitry underlying cognitive control. Prior work has linked reduced interhemispheric executive control network (ECN) coupling with poor executive function, shorter time to relapse, and greater substance use. Lower structural connectivity between a key ECN hub, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and the dorsal striatum (DS) also contributes to less efficient cognitive control recruitment, and reduced intrahemispheric connectivity between these regions has been associated with smoking relapse. Therefore, sex differences were probed by evaluating interhemispheric ECN and intrahemispheric DLPFC-DS connectivity. To assess the potential sex by nicotine interaction, a pilot sample of non-smokers was evaluated following acute nicotine and placebo administration. Methods Thirty-five smokers (19 women) completed one resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seventeen non-smokers (8 women) were scanned twice using a repeated measures design where they received 2 and 0 mg nicotine. Results In smokers, women had less interhemispheric ECN and DLPFC-DS coupling than men. In non-smokers, there was a drug x sex interaction where women, relative to men, had weaker ECN coupling following nicotine but not placebo administration. Conclusions The current work indicates that nicotine-dependent women, versus men, have weaker connectivity in brain networks critically implicated in cognitive control. How these connectivity differences contribute to the behavioral aspects of smoking requires more testing. However, building on the literature, it is likely these deficits in functional connectivity contribute to the lower abstinence rates noted in women relative to men.
Towards Molecular Movies of Enzymes

Macromolecular crystallography has been highly successful in the past 60 years as it has been the predominant method to solve macromolecular structures, with more than 100,000 protein structures determined and posted to structural databases [www.rcsb.org, (Berman et al., Nucleic Acids Res 28:235–242, 2000)]. Crystallography methods are capable of determining structures at high resolution (<1.5 A) as demonstrated by the many structures available at this or better resolution. A central objective of structural biology is not only to solve static structures but to also observe their associated dynamics to infer and explore their functions. To examine reactions that occur in biological macromolecules, time-resolved methods are required. In time-resolved crystallography, a reaction is triggered inside a crystal and the progress of this reaction is then probed by short but highly intense X-ray pulses, shorter than both the dynamics studied and the reaction trigger. Time-resolved crystallographic experiments have been successfully carried out at synchrotron X-ray sources (Moffat, Annu Rev Biophys Biophys Chem 18:309–332, 1989; Moffat, Chem Rev 101:1569–1581, 2001; Schmidt, Synchrotron Radiat News 28:25–30, 2015). Mainly cyclic reversible, and light-activated reactions were examined. Irreversible (single path) reactions, for example those catalyzed by enzymes, remain difficult to investigate. The initiation of a reaction by adding a substrate or ligand to protein crystals remains a challenge, which prevents routine applications. The arrival of X-ray free electron lasers and micro-focus synchrotron beamlines, with their intense X-ray pulses, permit the use of significantly smaller crystals. With small crystals faster diffusion times are achieved which allow for straightforward investigations of these reactions. Several successful experiments have already been reported which show how the structures of transiently occupied intermediates and their dynamics can be investigated at room temperature in real time. In this chapter we will discuss the experimental setup, feasibility, and potential impact of the new facilities on the field of enzymology.
Probing Blue-Shifting Hydrogen Bonds with Adiabatic Energy Decomposition Analysis

The physical origin of blue-shifting hydrogen bonds remains a subject of debate, although many plausible explanations have been proposed. Using a molecular property decomposition analysis based on absolutely localized molecular orbitals, we investigated several representative F3CH···Y (Y = H2O, NH3, Cl-) complexes. We reveal that features of a blue-shifting H-bond already appear on the frozen surface where both polarization and charge transfer (CT) are "turned off", and that the final frequency shift observed depends on the strength of CT. Further decomposition of forces at the frozen level shows that Pauli repulsion is the only component that shortens the C-H bond in the short-range, while both permanent electrostatics and dispersion lengthen the bond. The effects of these forces from the medium to long-range are also discussed. Our analysis provides a complete picture for blue-shifting H-bonds and suggests two necessary conditions for their features to be observed at equilibrium structures: (i) stronger Pauli repulsion than the combination of electrostatic and dispersion forces; (ii) relatively weak CT that is insufficient to compensate for the blue-shifting effect of the frozen interaction.
«Cancionero» Poetry As Religious Practice: The Valladolid Discalced Carmelite Convent’s «Libro de romances y coplas»

espanolEl Libro de romances y coplas del Carmelo de Valladolid es el mas conocido de los cancioneros conventuales de la edad temprana moderna. Aunque sus formas metricas y temas reflejan semejanzas con los de otros cancioneros de la epoca, tambien parten de y se quedan incrustados en las creencias, los pensamientos, los sentimientos y las acciones de mujeres recluidas que vivian en comunidad y venian de diversas clases sociales. A pesar de sus diferencias, sin embargo, las prioridades y preocupaciones de la Orden carmelita descalza dominan en el tomo; el producto colectivo demuestra una meta en comun, enlazada con practicas religiosas especificas. Este estudio explora a fondo como, tematica y tecnicamente, los versos del cancionero manifiestan tres intereses que sobresalen: la celebracion de Navidad, la toma del habito y velo y la practica de la espiritualidad interior. EnglishThe Libro de romances y coplas del Carmelo de Valladolid is the best-known of the early modern Spanish convent compilations of poetry. While its metrical forms and themes reflect similarities with those of other cancioneros of that period, they also remain deeply embedded in the beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and actions of cloistered women, living together in community and from a range of social classes. Despite social differences, however, the priorities and concerns of the Discalced Carmelite Order prevail; the collective product demonstrates a common goal, tied to specific religious practices. This essay explores in depth how, both thematically and technically, the verses in the volume take up three salient preoccupations manifested in the volume: the celebration of Christmas, the taking of the veil, and the practices of (inner) spirituality. catalaEl Libro de romances y coplas del Carmelo de Valladolid es el mes conegut dels canconers conventuals de la primera edat moderna. Tot i que les seues formes metriques i els seus temes reflecteixen semblances amb els d'altres canconers de l'epoca, tambe parteixen de i es queden incrustats en les creences, els pensaments, els sentiments i les acciones de dones recloses que vivien en comunitat i venien de diverses classes socials. Malgrat les seues diferencies, tanmateix, les prioritats i preocupacions de l'orde carmelita descalca dominen en el tom; el producte col·lectiu demostra una meta en comu, enllacada amb practiques religioses especifiques. Aquest estudi explora a fons com, tematicament i tecnica, els versos del canconer manifesten tres interessos que destaquen: la celebracio de Nadal, la presa de l'habit i vel i la practica de l'espiritualitat interior.
Re-prioritizing traffic stops to reduce motor vehicle crash outcomes and racial disparities.

Law enforcement traffic stops are one of the most common entryways to the US justice system. Conventional frameworks suggest traffic stops promote public safety by reducing dangerous driving practices and non-vehicular crime. Law enforcement agencies have wide latitude in enforcement, including prioritization of stop types: (1) safety (e.g. moving violation) stops, (2) investigatory stops, or (3) economic (regulatory and equipment) stops. In order to prevent traffic crash fatalities and reduce racial disparities, the police department of Fayetteville, North Carolina significantly re-prioritized safety stops. Annual traffic stop, motor vehicle crash, and crime data from 2002 to 2016 were combined to examine intervention (2013–2016) effects. Fayetteville was compared against synthetic control agencies built from 8 similar North Carolina agencies by weighted matching on pre-intervention period trends and comparison against post-intervention trends. On average over the intervention period as compared to synthetic controls, Fayetteville increased both the number of safety stops + 121% (95% confidence interval + 17%, + 318%) and the relative proportion of safety stops (+ 47%). Traffic crash and injury outcomes were reduced, including traffic fatalities − 28% (− 64%, + 43%), injurious crashes − 23% (− 49%, + 16%), and total crashes − 13% (− 48%, + 21%). Disparity measures were reduced, including Black percent of traffic stops − 7% (− 9%, − 5%) and Black vs. White traffic stop rate ratio − 21% (− 29%, − 13%). In contrast to the Ferguson Effect hypothesis, the relative de-prioritization of investigatory stops was not associated with an increase in non-traffic crime outcomes, which were reduced or unchanged, including index crimes − 10% (− 25%, + 8%) and violent crimes − 2% (− 33%, + 43%). Confidence intervals were estimated using a different technique and, given small samples, may be asymmetrical. The re-prioritization of traffic stop types by law enforcement agencies may have positive public health consequences both for motor vehicle injury and racial disparity outcomes while having little impact on non-traffic crime.
Relatively Democratic: How Perceived Internet Interference Shapes Attitudes about Democracy:

Individuals’ political internet use has been identified as a determinant of democratic attitudes. But awareness of online government surveillance and content restrictions may prohibit citizens from...
Exposure-Response Analysis to Assess the Concentration-QTc Relationship of Psilocybin/Psilocin

Psilocybin is being developed for treating major depressive disorder. Psilocybin is readily dephosphorylated to psilocin upon absorption. The potential for psilocin proarrhythmic effect was assessed using a concentration-QTc interval (C-QTc) analysis from an open-label single ascending dose study of psilocybin. Psilocybin doses ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg. This trial showed a significant but shallow C-QTc relationship. At the clinical dose of 25 mg, the mean psilocin maximum concentration is 18.7 ng/mL, and the associated mean (upper 90% confidence interval of mean) QTcF change is 2.1 (6.6) milliseconds. Given the short half-life of psilocin of about 4 hours, there would be no accumulation after monthly oral doses used in clinical trials. The upper limit of the 90% confidence interval of the model-predicted mean ΔQTcF crossed 10 milliseconds at a psilocin concentration of 31.1 ng/mL. At a supraclinical psilocin maximum concentration of about 60 ng/mL, ΔQTcF remains low, with a mean (upper limit of the 90% confidence interval) of 9.1 (17.9) milliseconds. This analysis enabled the characterization of the C-QTc relationship and prediction of QTc prolongation at the expected clinical and possible higher psilocybin doses.
Equality of Autonomy? Physician Aid in Dying and Supported Decision Making

The legalization of physician aid in dying (“PAID”) has been spreading across the United States and is currently legal in ten jurisdictions. Meant to respect autonomy at the end of life, PAID legislation is modeled after the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, which permits only terminally ill adults with contemporaneous decisional capacity to choose to hasten death with PAID. Right-to-die advocates and legal scholars have critiqued the strict eligibility requirements, which although meant to function as safeguards against mistakes and abuse, can be autonomy thwarting. Advocates and scholars have thus proposed using advance directives for PAID to expand access to this end-of-life option. Such a reform would permit terminally ill persons with moderate dementia or other types of decisional impairments to access PAID. To date, scholars have neglected another possibility for respecting autonomy at the end of life by expanding access to PAID for terminally ill persons with decisional impairments: supported decision-making. Supported decision-making legislation is also spreading across the United States as an alternative to guardianship and surrogate decision-making for persons with cognitive disabilities and is an option in nine jurisdictions. With this model of decision-making, a person with a cognitive disability receives decision-making assistance from supporters to facilitate the exercise of autonomy and retain legal capacity. This Article is the first to address whether terminally ill persons with cognitive impairments should be able to access PAID through supported decision-making. If provided with decision-making support, terminally ill persons with cognitive impairments may be able to elect PAID intentionally, voluntarily, and with understanding; that is, despite their impairments, such persons may be capable of autonomous end-of-life decision-making. This Article thus argues that the principle of equality demands that the law not exclude terminally ill supported persons with decisional impairments from PAID. This Article also argues that supported decision-making is a superior means for terminally ill persons with decisional impairments to access this end-of-life option compared to advance directives, which have numerous and well-documented problems. This Article also considers how PAID and supported decision-making laws interact in the one jurisdiction that currently has both laws, the District of Columbia, and concludes that it may be permissible for a terminally ill person with a decisional impairment, which would otherwise preclude them from accessing PAID, to elect this end-of-life option with assistance from a supporter. The Article ends with considerations for policymakers about building additional safeguards into these laws to ensure that persons with cognitive disabilities do not mistakenly, without understanding, or after the application of undue pressure hasten death through PAID.
The potential importance of methylated substrates in methane production within three northern Minnesota peatlands

Abstract Peatlands store close to half of the terrestrial soil carbon and release substantial amounts of the greenhouse gas methane (CH4) to the atmosphere. While CH4 is thought to be produced mainly by hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenic pathways, methylotrophic methanogenesis may be a hidden, yet potentially important, source of CH4 in these globally significant ecosystems. To explore the importance of methylotrophic methanogenesis in northern peatlands, 13C-labeled methylated substrates (methanol, dimethylsulfide, and trimethylamine) were added to soils along a depth profile and the production of 13C–CH4 was measured. Additionally, the concentrations of methylated compounds were measured across a soil depth profile in situ. Results suggest that methylated substrates can be used by peatland microbes, resulting in CH4 production in all sites at all depths. Methanol was converted to CH4 in each site at all depths. In contrast, trimethylamine and dimethylsulfide were only converted to CH4 at the surface depth regardless of site. In situ concentrations of dimethylsulfide were below detection limit in all sites and depths. Monomethylamine and methanol were present in situ with concentrations ranging from 30 to 1225 nM. For the first time in peatlands, we have estimated contributions of methylated substrates to the total CH4 produced. Microbial processing of methylated substrates contributed a maximum of 11% of the total CH4 produced at depth in one peatland; but, in shallow soils with higher rates of CH4 production, the potential contribution of methylotrophic methanogenesis to overall CH4 production was minor.
High altitude regulates the expression of AMPK pathways in human placenta.

Abstract Introduction High-altitude (>2500 m) residence augments the risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia likely due, in part, to uteroplacental hypoperfusion. Previous genomic and transcriptomic studies in humans and functional studies in mice and humans suggest a role for AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in protecting against hypoxia-associated IUGR. AMPK is a metabolic sensor activated by hypoxia that is ubiquitously expressed in vascular beds and placenta. Methods We measured gene expression and protein levels of AMPK and its upstream regulators and downstream targets in human placentas from high (>2500 m) vs. moderate (~1700 m) and low (~100 m) altitude. Results We found that phosphorylated AMPK protein levels and its downstream target TSC2 were increased in placentas from high and moderate vs. low altitude, whereas the phosphorylated form of the downstream target translation repressor protein 4E-BP1 was increased in high compared to moderate as well as low altitude placentas. Mean birth weights progressively fell with increasing altitude but no infants, by study design, were clinically growth-restricted. Gene expression analysis showed moderate increases in PRKAG2, encoding the AMPK γ2 subunit, and mechanistic target of rapamycin, MTOR, expression. Discussion These results highlight a differential regulation of placental AMPK pathway activation in women residing at low, moderate or high altitude during pregnancy, suggesting AMPK may be serving as a metabolic regulator for integrating hypoxic stimuli with placental function.
Yellow Peril or Model Minority: The Narrative of Resistance in Yoshiko Uchida’s Picture Bride

Equal opportunity is elusive to Japanese Americans in Yoshiko Uchida’s Picture Bride (1987) due to explicit anti-Asian acts during the late 19th and early 20th century in the United States. As a re...
Repeated administration of pyrithiamine leads to a proportional increase in the remembered durations of events

Twenty rats were trained on a peak-interval (PI) timing procedure with auditory signals. For 10 rats, the time of reinforcement was set at 20 sec; for the remaining rats, the time of reinforcement was set at 50 sec. After seven sessions of baseline training, 4 mg/kg of pyrithiamine (PT) were administered i.p. to half of the rats in each group before each of six test sessions, and physiological saline was administered to the remaining subjects. During testing, the times of the maximum response rates of PI functions for PT-treated rats gradually shifted rightward on the time scale until they occurred approximately 14% later than the times of the maximum response rates of the rats receiving saline injections. This pattern of timing behavior can be interpreted as reflecting an increase in the remembered times of reinforcement associated with a decrease both in the effective levels of acetylcholine and in the speed of memory storage.