cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silencing of Host Cell CYBB Gene Expression by the Nuclear Effector AnkA of the Intracellular Pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Coevolution of intracellular bacterial pathogens and their host cells resulted in the appearance of effector molecules that when translocated into the host cell modulate its function, facilitating bacterial survival within the hostile host environment. Some of these effectors interact with host chromatin and other nuclear components. In this report, we show that the AnkA protein of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which is translocated into the host cell nucleus, interacts with gene regulatory regions of host chromatin and is involved in downregulating expression of CYBB (gp91 phox ) and other key host defense genes. AnkA effector protein rapidly accumulated in nuclei of infected cells coincident with changes in CYBB transcription. AnkA interacted with transcriptional regulatory regions of the CYBB locus at sites where transcriptional regulators bind. AnkA binding to DNA occurred at regions with high AT contents. Mutation of AT stretches at these sites abrogated AnkA binding. Histone H3 acetylation decreased dramatically at the CYBB locus during A. phagocytophilum infection, particularly around AnkA binding sites. Transcription of CYBB and other defense genes was significantly decreased in AnkA-transfected HL-60 cells. These data suggest a mechanism by which intracellular pathogens directly regulate host cell gene expression mediated by nuclear effectors and changes in host chromatin structure.
RNAi‐mediated Ultra‐low gossypol cottonseed trait: performance of transgenic lines under field conditions

Cottonseed remains a low-value by-product of lint production mainly due to the presence of toxic gossypol that makes it unfit for monogastrics. Ultra-low gossypol cottonseed (ULGCS) lines were developed using RNAi knockdown of δ-cadinene synthase gene(s) in Gossypium hirsutum. The purpose of the current study was to assess the stability and specificity of the ULGCS trait and evaluate the agronomic performance of the transgenic lines. Trials conducted over a period of 3 years show that the ULGCS trait was stable under field conditions and the foliage/floral organs of transgenic lines contained wild-type levels of gossypol and related terpenoids. Although it was a relatively small-scale study, we did not observe any negative effects on either the yield or quality of the fibre and seed in the transgenic lines compared with the nontransgenic parental plants. Compositional analysis was performed on the seeds obtained from plants grown in the field during 2009. As expected, the major difference between the ULGCS and wild-type cottonseeds was in terms of their gossypol levels. With the exception of oil content, the composition of ULGCS was similar to that of nontransgenic cottonseeds. Interestingly, the ULGCS had significantly higher (4%-8%) oil content compared with the seeds from the nontransgenic parent. Field trial results confirmed the stability and specificity of the ULGCS trait suggesting that this RNAi-based product has the potential to be commercially viable. Thus, it may be possible to enhance and expand the nutritional utility of the annual cottonseed output to fulfil the ever-increasing needs of humanity.
Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease: a link between development and aging.

A subset of aged individuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibits the clinical features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but our ability to detect dementia in this population is hampered by developmental differences as well as the sensitivity of existing test tools. Despite the apparent clinical heterogeneity in aged individuals with DS, age-associated neuropathology is a consistent feature. This is due to the fact that trisomy 21 leads to a dose-dependent increase in the production of the amyloid precursor protein and subsequently the production of the amyloidogenic fragments leading to early and predominant senile plaque formation. A review of the existing literature indicates that oxidative damage and neuroinflammation may interact to accelerate the disease process particularly in individuals with DS over the age of 40 years. By combining clinical information with measures of brain-region specific neuropathology we can "work backwards" and identify the earliest and most sensitive clinical change that may signal the onset of AD. For the past 50 years, investigators in the fields of mental retardation, developmental disabilities, and aging have been interested in the curious link between AD and DS. The morphologic and biochemical origins of AD are seen in the early years of the lifespan for individuals with DS. Study of the process by which AD evolves in DS affords an opportunity to understand an important link between development and aging. This review will focus on advances in the molecular and clinical basis of this association.
A gene-specific non-enhancer sequence is critical for expression from the promoter of the small heat shock protein gene αB-crystallin.

Background Deciphering of the information content of eukaryotic promoters has remained confined to universal landmarks and conserved sequence elements such as enhancers and transcription factor binding motifs, which are considered sufficient for gene activation and regulation. Gene-specific sequences, interspersed between the canonical transacting factor binding sites or adjoining them within a promoter, are generally taken to be devoid of any regulatory information and have therefore been largely ignored. An unanswered question therefore is, do gene-specific sequences within a eukaryotic promoter have a role in gene activation? Here, we present an exhaustive experimental analysis of a gene-specific sequence adjoining the heat shock element (HSE) in the proximal promoter of the small heat shock protein gene, αB-crystallin (cryab). These sequences are highly conserved between the rodents and the humans.
The arginine-lysine interaction in the chick.

Synopsis A series of trials with cross‐bred, day‐old chicks was carried out to check on the specificity of the arginine‐lysine interaction postulated by several workers. We have concluded that this interaction is a nonspecific manifestation of a general phenomenon of amino‐acid detoxification. Our conclusions are, in part, based on the following observations: Amino acids other than lysine could be shown to depress growth. Isonitrogenous supplements of phenylalanine and of methio‐nine caused much more severe growth depressions than equivalent amounts of lysine. The addition of arginine plus glycine partially alleviated these depressions although much more effectively for lysine than for phenylalanine or methionine. There was no reciprocity in the arginine‐lysine interaction; i.e. excess arginine added to lysine‐deficient diets had no depressing effect.
Health Implications of Cyber-Terrorism

The world is becoming ever more interconnected via the Internet, creating both benefits and disadvantages for human communities. This article examines cyber-terrorism, one of the major negative consequences of the Internet. It also examines the potential impact of cyber-terrorism on the health of populations, its possible perpetrators, and its prevention and control.
Collagen architecture in pregnancy-induced protection from breast cancer

The reduction in breast cancer risk attributed to early-age pregnancy is mediated in part by changes in the mammary epithelium. Here, we address the role of the mammary stroma in this protection. Utilizing tumor cells capable of transitioning from indolent to proliferative or invasive states, we demonstrate that mammary extracellular matrix (ECM) from parous rats (parous matrix) decreases tumor growth and impedes cellular phenotypes associated with tumor cell invasion compared with that observed using nulliparous matrix. Proteomic analysis identifies an increased abundance of collagen I in parous matrix, an observation extended to breast tissue of parous women. Given the pro-tumorigenic attributes of fibrillar collagen, these results were unexpected. Second-harmonic generation imaging and atomic force microscopy revealed that the abundant collagen observed in the mammary glands of parous rats is less linearized and associated with a decrease in stromal stiffness, implicating collagen organization and stiffness in parity-induced protection. Using 3D cell culture models, we demonstrate that linearized (fibrillar) collagen I induces cellular phenotypes consistent with an invasive behavior in mammary tumor cells and alters the subcellular distribution of β1 integrin. Conversely, high-density non-fibrillar collagen I induces tumor-suppressive attributes, including increases in junctional E-cadherin in tumor cells, upregulation of genes encoding components of cell-cell junctions, and downregulation of mesenchymal-specific and metalloproteinase-encoding genes. These data show that collagen organization, rather than density alone, is a key contributor to the invasive phenotype. Furthermore, our data show that parity alters the composition and organization of mammary ECM, particularly fibrillar collagen, in a manner consistent with tumor suppression.
Statistical modeling and simulation of threshold variation under dopant fluctuations and line-edge roughness

The threshold voltage (Vth) of a nanoscale transistor is severely affected by random dopant fluctuations and line-edge roughness. The analysis of these effects usually requires atomistic simulations that are too expensive computationally for statistical circuit design. In this work, we develop an efficient SPICE simulation method and statistical transistor model that accurately predict threshold variation as a function of dopant fluctuations and gate length change caused by sub-wavelength lithography and gate etching process. By understanding the physical principles of atomistic simulations, we (a) identify the appropriate method to divide a non-uniform gate into slices in order to map those fluctuations into the device model; (b) extract the variation of Vth from the strong-inversion region instead of the leakage current, benefiting from the linearity of the saturation current with respect to Vth and (c) propose a compact model of Vth variation that is scalable with gate size and the amount of dopant and gate length fluctuations. The proposed SPICE simulation method is fully validated against atomistic simulation results. Given the post-lithography gate geometry, this approach correctly models the variation of device output current in all operating regions. Based on the new results, we further project the amount of Vth variation at advanced technology nodes, to help shed light on the challenges of future robust circuit design.
A structured system to evaluate urethral support anatomy in magnetic resonance images

Abstract Objective: To develop a systematic method for analyzing the normal magnetic resonance imaging location and appearance of structural features involved in urethral support. Study Design: Multiplanar proton density magnetic resonance images of 50 nulliparous women were made at 0.5-cm intervals. The arcuate pubic ligament was the chosen reference point in all views. Structural features were located by identification of the magnetic resonance images in which they appeared. The presence or absence of urethral support structures in each scan level relative to the arcuate pubic ligament was evaluated and recorded as a graphic display. Support structures examined were the arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis, the perineal membrane, the pubococcygeal levator ani muscle and its vaginal and bony attachments, and the pubovesical muscle. Structural definitions were developed on the basis of established periurethral anatomy. Two examiners independently assessed 10 scans for interobserver concordance. This system was used in nulliparous women to quantify the location of magnetic resonance visible structures. Results: Because all levels were 0.5 cm apart, slice identification represented the distance above the arcuate pubic ligament (eg, 2 images above the arcuate pubic ligament or 1.0 cm). Interobserver concordance was 88% in identification of structure location. In the axial plane, specific structural features and relationships were localized. The frequency at which a specific structure was observed at a specific image level in all women was depicted as a gray density within the graphic display. These frequencies indicated where we would expect each structure to be located in healthy women. Relationships between structures and their attachments became apparent. Consideration of expected structural locations proven by nulliparous scans will enable us to quantitatively define abnormal structures in parous women. Conclusions: This systematic magnetic resonance evaluation allows, for the first time, quantification of the normal anatomic location of urethral support structures. It can be used to help identify the difference between structural abnormalities and normal variation in parous women. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:44-50.)
Discovering Characteristic Actions from On-Body Sensor Data

We present an approach to activity discovery, the unsupervised identification and modeling of human actions embedded in a larger sensor stream. Activity discovery can be seen as the inverse of the activity recognition problem. Rather than learn models from hand-labeled sequences, we attempt to discover motifs, sets of similar subsequences within the raw sensor stream, without the benefit of labels or manual segmentation. These motifs are statistically unlikely and thus typically correspond to important or characteristic actions within the activity. The problem of activity discovery differs from typical motif discovery, such as locating protein binding sites, because of the nature of time series data representing human activity. For example, in activity data, motifs will tend to be sparsely distributed, vary in length, and may only exhibit intra-motif similarity after appropriate time warping. In this paper, we motivate the activity discovery problem and present our approach for efficient discovery of meaningful actions from sensor data representing human activity. We empirically evaluate the approach on an exercise data set captured by a wrist-mounted, three-axis inertial sensor. Our algorithm successfully discovers motifs that correspond to the real exercises with a recall rate of 96.3% and overall accuracy of 86.7% over six exercises and 864 occurrences.
High-dimensional neural spike train analysis with generalized count linear dynamical systems

Latent factor models have been widely used to analyze simultaneous recordings of spike trains from large, heterogeneous neural populations. These models assume the signal of interest in the population is a low-dimensional latent intensity that evolves over time, which is observed in high dimension via noisy point-process observations. These techniques have been well used to capture neural correlations across a population and to provide a smooth, denoised, and concise representation of high-dimensional spiking data. One limitation of many current models is that the observation model is assumed to be Poisson, which lacks the flexibility to capture under- and over-dispersion that is common in recorded neural data, thereby introducing bias into estimates of covariance. Here we develop the generalized count linear dynamical system, which relaxes the Poisson assumption by using a more general exponential family for count data. In addition to containing Poisson, Bernoulli, negative binomial, and other common count distributions as special cases, we show that this model can be tractably learned by extending recent advances in variational inference techniques. We apply our model to data from primate motor cortex and demonstrate performance improvements over state-of-the-art methods, both in capturing the variance structure of the data and in held-out prediction.
Single number Life Cycle Assessment of space based solar power

Competitive single-number Life Cycle Assessment is performed between existing and near-term electrical power plants at the infrastructure level. The focus is on an alternative to current electrical power production in the US in the form of Earth-orbiting Solar Power Satellites Two. This modernized SPS2 theoretical architecture is compared to Combined Cycle Natural Gas and terrestrial solar photovoltaic fields at 5GW capacity as delivered on-site. The SPS2 configuration presented is a modest, research-driven modification to a standard model that assumes medium-high technological readiness levels for equipment and employs predicted launch costs and capacity.
Teaching Electronic Records Management in the Archival Curriculum

Electronic records management has been incorporated into the archival curriculum in North America since the 1990s. This study reported in this paper provides a systematic analysis of the content of electronic records management (ERM) courses currently taught in archival education programs. Through the analysis of course combinations and their relationships with ERM topic groups, the study helps identify the scope of the content coverage of ERM courses in relation to other courses in the archival curriculum. The study experiments on a method of analysis to explore the relationship between course content and related course offerings. The findings of the study provide evidence-based information for archival educators to analyze and rationalize their ERM course content coverage. It also provides opportunities for program leaders to review and design their course offerings in the archival curriculum.
Abstract 3901: Estrogen receptor conformation sensing small molecules as novel anti-cancer agents

Estrogen mediated signaling affects cell proliferation, differentiation and mammary gland function. The human Estrogen Receptor (hER) is present in 70% of breast cancers. Consequently, estrogen mediated hER signaling plays a critical role in breast cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.Anti-estrogen, Tamoxifen, targets the LBD and transitions the hER from “agonist” conformation into a structurally unique “antagonist” conformation, which is distinctly recognizable by the position of helix XII. Antiestrogen tamoxifen is a known treatment for hER positive breast cancers. However, due to mutations and hormone-independent activation of/in the hER, breast cancers develop resistance to tamoxifen, and resume growth and malignant progression. Estrogen9s action at hER is regulated not only by estrogen, but also by other small molecules and coregulators. A closer look at the compliment of coregulators during acquired tamoxifen resistance shows a significant decrease in the corepressor breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA1) protein expression. BRCA1 directly interacts, from amino acids 67-200, with the hER, from 338-379 and 420-495, LBD/AF2 domain. The interface region of BRCA1 containing the binding motif (amino acids 86-93), which specifically contain two essential chemical features, a hydrophobic core and a charged carboxylic acid is necessary for high affinity binding and hER repression. Here we present several small molecules identified based on these pharmacophoric features as well as ER molecular profiles of conformation sensing peptides. Discovery of conformation sensing protein/peptides would open new avenues for drug development and would lead to advanced clinical studies of hER-conformation sensing small molecules as an entirely new class of anticancer therapy especially in tamoxifen-resistant tumors. Acknowledgements: This research was supported via funds from the New York State, National Institutes of Health (5P20MD002725), through the NCMHD -RIMI program (RVR) and NSF LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate grant (BR). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3901. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3901
Dynamic Analysis of Swirl Stabilized Turbulent Gaseous Flames

With the advent of lean premixed gas turbine combustors, research in the area of thermo-acoustic instabilities and active combustion control came into the limelight. To be able to predict and control these instabilities, it is required that both the acoustics of the system, and a frequency-resolved response of the combustion process to velocity perturbations be understood. Experimental techniques developed by the Virginia Active Combustion Control Group at Virginia Tech, to obtain an open loop flame transfer function were applied to both fully and partially premixed swirl stabilized turbulent gaseous flames using commercial grade methane as fuel. A frequency-resolved fluctuating velocity was applied at the inlet of the combustor within the frequency range of 20–400 Hz, and the OH* chemiluminescence was used as a measure of the fluctuating heat release rate within the flame. Experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure for two swirl numbers of 0.79 and 1.19, and three equivalence ratios of 0.55, 0.60 and 0.65. The flow rates studied resulted in Reynolds numbers of 14,866 and 19,821. The results show that for the linear range, the magnitude of the FRF is primarily dependent on the premixing quality and the mean energy content of the mixture, while the phase of the FRF is quite sensitive to Φ′ oscillations and to the variations in the species concentration across the cross-section of the flow.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Some Factors Affecting the Spatial Distribution of Chicago Land Values, 1910–1960

] T is the purpose of this paper to examine the spatial distribution of Chicago land values during the last fifty years in the light of certain theoretical concepts. The classical body of land value theory, developed by such writers as Haig, Ely, Doreau, Ratcliff, and, more recently, Wendt,1 provides *the urban geographer with a number of insights concerning the spatial distribution of urban land values.
Highly Active Carbon Composite Electrocatalysts for PEM Fuel Cells

Highly active carbon composite catalysts were developed using a carbon based metal-free catalyst developed at USC as a support through catalyzed pyrolysis followed by chemical post-treatments. Materials characterization studies indicated that the nature of nitrogen functional groups on the carbon surface and the carbon nanostructures play a critical role in the activity and stability. The catalytic activity as high as 2.0 A cm-2 at 0.2 V was obtained for the carbon composite catalyst in the fuel cell, and no irreversible activity loss was observed during stability test.
When the Solute Becomes the Solvent: Orientation, Ordering, and Structure of Binary Mixtures of 1-Hexanol and Cyclohexane over the (0001) α-Al2O3 Surface

Mixtures of 1-hexanol in cyclohexane over the (0001) α-Al2O3 surface were probed in the CH stretching region using vibrational broadband sum frequency generation (SFG). Below 10 mol % 1-hexanol, the alcohol adsorbs to the surface through interactions that result in observed free adsorption energies of around 14−15 kJ/mol obtained from the Langmuir adsorption model. Polarization-resolved SFG spectra indicate ordering of the alkyl tails with increasing surface coverage. Highly correlated with the ordering of 1-hexanol is an orientational change of the cyclohexane solvent from flat to most likely tilted, suggesting that cyclohexane mediates the adsorption of 1-hexanol via intercalation. Above 10 mol %, the SFG signals for 1-hexanol and cyclohexane decrease with increasing concentration of 1-hexanol, consistent with the notion that cyclohexane is excluded from the interfacial region while 1-hexanol becomes increasingly disordered. At the interface, the alcohol solute becomes the solvent at a mole fraction of ...
Birth of the Pipes: The Organ from its Beginnings through the Baroque Era

The purpose of this presentation is to survey the development of the organ, which is one of the most magnificent and impressive musical instruments known to man. The main objective is also to explain how and why the organ developed the way that it did. Further, the presentation will attempt to answer the following questions: what deficiencies in the performance of early organs were organ builders trying to improve on, what differences in sound did they want new organs to be able to produce, and how did the needs and preferences of organists influence changes in organ design? The majority of the research for this presentation centers on the scholarly contributions of C.A. Edwards, C. F. Abdy Williams, and Willi Apel. Specifically, the focus is placed on the designs and construction of a wide variety of organs. Hopefully, this presentation will result in a clear understanding of the distinctions between these instruments and the related pros and cons.
Nano/Micro-Manufacturing of Bioinspired Materials: a Review of Methods to Mimic Natural Structures

Through billions of years of evolution and natural selection, biological systems have developed strategies to achieve advantageous unification between structure and bulk properties. The discovery of these fascinating properties and phenomena has triggered increasing interest in identifying characteristics of biological materials, through modern characterization and modeling techniques. In an effort to produce better engineered materials, scientists and engineers have developed new methods and approaches to construct artificial advanced materials that resemble natural architecture and function. A brief review of typical naturally occurring materials is presented here, with a focus on chemical composition, nano-structure, and architecture. The critical mechanisms underlying their properties are summarized, with a particular emphasis on the role of material architecture. A review of recent progress on the nano/micro-manufacturing of bio-inspired hybrid materials is then presented in detail. In this case, the focus is on nacre and bone-inspired structural materials, petals and gecko foot-inspired adhesive films, lotus and mosquito eye inspired superhydrophobic materials, brittlestar and Morpho butterfly-inspired photonic structured coatings. Finally, some applications, current challenges and future directions with regard to manufacturing bio-inspired hybrid materials are provided.
Definition, development and utilization prospect of near-isogenic line of CMS line

The definition of near-isogenic line of CMS line(NCMS line for short) was given.NCMS line was defined as the line which was identical with CMS line apart from only 1 pair of major fertility restoration gene for cytoplasmic male sterility.The ultimate purpose of development of NCMS line was to develop CMS line.The approaches to develop NCMS line and its breeding practice were introduced.NCMS line could be used to develop A(abortion) line,to improve near-isogenic line of CMS line and to accelerate the process of development of A line.
The effect of various diet nutrient densities and electrolyte balances on sow and litter performance during two seasons of the year.

An experiment involving 289 farrowings during a 2-yr period was conducted to determine the effect of increasing dietary nutrient concentration, electrolyte balance, and season of the year on the lactational performance of sows. Experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based. The basal diet was formulated to meet or exceed the NRC requirements and the high-nutrient diet was formulated to contain approximately 20% higher levels of the nutrients than the basal diet, with or without adjustment of the electrolyte balance (Na+K-Cl) to 250 mEq/kg. Experimental diets were fed in both the warm (May through October) and cool (November through April) seasons of the year, resulting in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. There were no season x treatment interactions for any of the indices measured. During the first 21 d of lactation, sows farrowing in the cool season consumed more feed (P < .001) and produced heavier (P < .001) pig weights and litter weight gains than sows farrowing in the warm season. Increasing nutrient density from 100 to 120% of the NRC requirements resulted in decreased (P < .05) daily feed consumption, but it increased (P < .001) daily CP and GE intake, 21-d pig weights, and litter weight gains. Adjusting the dietary electrolyte balance from normal (130 mEq/kg) to 250 mEq/kg tended to increase (P < .07) 21-d pig weights, but it had no effect on other indices measured. These data indicate that under the environmental and management conditions of this experiment, the nutrient requirements of the lactating sow are higher than the current NRC standards.
Isolated (primary) chylopericardium. Diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Summary The fifth reported case of massive isolated chylopericardium is presented. An abnormal communication between the thoracic duct and pericardial cavity was demonstrated preoperatively by oral administration of lipophilic dye and radioactive fat. However, a thoracic ductogram was believed to be normal. At operation no abnormalities were noted except the chylous effusion and the thoracic duct-to-pericardial cavity communication could not be demonstrated. The pericardium was removed over the anterior and right lateral surface of the heart and the thoracic duct was ligated just above the diaphragm. The patient has had no recurrence of the chylopericardium and remains well 14 months following operation. Personal communication with the authors for follow-up on the 3 previously reported cases, treated in a similar fashion, revealed that these patients are well 9, 11, and 12 years later. This is encouraging for the patient presented here and is further evidence for pericardial fenestration and thoracic duct ligation as definitive treatment for massive isolated chylopericardium.
Introduction to Triboluminescence

Triboluminescence phenomenon has generated extensive research interest over the years since it was reportedly discovered in the sixteenth century by Sir Francis Bacon. Triboluminescent materials are being developed into damage, stress, and impact sensors in diverse engineering systems such as civil and aerospace structures. This introductory chapter provides an overview of the place of triboluminescence within the luminescence spectrum. It also describes the three forms of triboluminescence identified in literature mainly elastico, plastico, and fracto triboluminescence. Results of studies in identifying most promising triboluminescent materials for sensors are also reported.
Abiotic methane formation during experimental serpentinization of olivine

Fluids circulating through actively serpentinizing systems are often highly enriched in methane (CH4). In many cases, the CH4 in these fluids is thought to derive from abiotic reduction of inorganic carbon, but the conditions under which this process can occur in natural systems remain unclear. In recent years, several studies have reported abiotic formation of CH4 during experimental serpentinization of olivine at temperatures at or below 200 °C. However, these results seem to contradict studies conducted at higher temperatures (300 °C to 400 °C), where substantial kinetic barriers to CH4 synthesis have been observed. Here, the potential for abiotic formation of CH4 from dissolved inorganic carbon during olivine serpentinization is reevaluated in a series of laboratory experiments conducted at 200 °C to 320 °C. A 13C-labeled inorganic carbon source was used to unambiguously determine the origin of CH4 generated in the experiments. Consistent with previous high-temperature studies, the results indicate that abiotic formation of CH4 from reduction of dissolved inorganic carbon during the experiments is extremely limited, with nearly all of the observed CH4 derived from background sources. The results indicate that the potential for abiotic synthesis of CH4 in low-temperature serpentinizing environments may be much more limited than some recent studies have suggested. However, more extensive production of CH4 was observed in one experiment performed under conditions that allowed an H2-rich vapor phase to form, suggesting that shallow serpentinization environments where a separate gas phase is present may be more favorable for abiotic synthesis of CH4.
Smart and Sustainable: Lessons from Fogo Island

Globalization and centralization of economic activity are increasingly challenging the viability of many communities distant from the world’s economic centers. One category of places that encounters economic challenges is islands, because they face higher costs and have long served on the periphery of the economy. One example of community and non profit action used for social and economic change is Fogo Island, a small island located off the coast of Newfoundland, with a unique approach to local development led by the Shorefast Foundation. Fogo Island is an excellent example of innovative policy, community action, and sustainable practice that informs planning for islands in general. Using a tourism and culture based model that features sustainability and heritage preservation, Fogo Island serves as a valuable example of ways to harness community assets and motivation for regional development.
Leadership and Crew Resource Management in High-Reliability Organizations: A Competency Framework for Measuring Behaviors

ABSTRACTHigh-reliability organizations (HROs) have emerged across a number of highly technical, and increasingly automated industries (e.g., aviation, medicine, nuclear power, and oil field services). HROs incorporate complex systems with a large number of employees working in dynamic, and potentially dangerous environments. Effectively managing contingencies in HROs, to simultaneously promote safe and efficient behaviors is a daunting task. Crew Resource Management (CRM) has emerged in HROs as a highly effective approach to training and sustaining essential skills within work teams operating across a large workforce. CRM provides a competency framework that enables adherence to standard work instructions while, at the same time, encourages adaptive variance in responding to effectively manage current environmental circumstances that depart from normal routines. This paper considers the development of CRM across several high-reliability industries, develops a behavior analytic account of CRM behaviors, an...
Wolfram Language for Teaching Computational Thinking to K-12 Learners

Computational thinking is a necessary skill, but developing it among young learners can be a difficult process. Wolfram Research, known in part for its accessible Wolfram Language and complex computational tool Mathematica, has recently developed new initiatives for introducing computational thinking to novice learners. These tools help make computational thinking accessible to students across the K12 curriculum.
Economic growth, full employment and decent work: the means and ends in SDG 8

This article examines SDG 8 ‘Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all’. It critically examines the goal from two perspect...
Taming Silylium Ions for Synthesis: N-Heterocycle Synthesis via Stereoselective C–C Bond Formation

Silylium ions (formally [R 3 Si] + ) have long been the subject of investigations and significant debate in both theoretical and experimental chemistry, but few catalytic, synthetic applications have been reported due to the exceptionally high reactivity and Lewis acidity of these elusive species. Results to be discussed include the application of easily accessible silylium ion catalysts to the stereoselective synthesis of various N-heterocyclic pyrrolidine and piperidine scaffolds. The tested substrates are derived from the chiral pool and can be obtained in three high-yielding steps from amino alcohols; subsequent stereoselective silylium ion catalyzed Prins cyclization and trapping with R 3 Si–Nu nucleophiles (e.g., Nu = H, allyl, azide, and enol ethers) results in novel nitrogen-containing polycyclic scaffolds with potential medicinal chemistry applications.
Design of Adjacent Transcriptional Regions to Tune Gene Expression and Facilitate Circuit Construction

Summary Polycistronic architecture is common for synthetic gene circuits, however, it remains unknown how expression of one gene is affected by the presence of other genes/noncoding regions in the operon, termed adjacent transcriptional regions (ATR). Here, we constructed synthetic operons with a reporter gene flanked by different ATRs, and we found that ATRs with high GC content, small size, and low folding energy lead to high gene expression. Based on these results, we built a model of gene expression and generated a metric that takes into account ATRs. We used the metric to design and construct logic gates with low basal expression and high sensitivity and nonlinearity. Furthermore, we rationally designed synthetic 5′ATRs with different GC content and sizes to tune protein expression levels over a 300-fold range and used these to build synthetic toggle switches with varying basal expression and degrees of bistability. Our comprehensive model and gene expression metric could facilitate the future engineering of more complex synthetic gene circuits.
Crack Morphology in Relatively Brittle Crystals

From the viewpoint that cracks are atomically sharp, general outlines are given for some of the types of theories which should be developed for such cracks. The existence of atomic cleavage in a large class of materials is argued on the basis of the stability of a crack under spontaneous dislocation formation. A qualitative description of lattice trapping of a cleavage crack is given which correlates the effect to the atomic force laws. The determining factor for the observation of lattice trapping is the width of the cohesive region of the crack “core.” Finally, a qualitative model of slow crack growth due to environmental effects is developed in terms of atomic dissolution at the crack tip.
Promoting Child Health and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

I want to fashion a thesis which will not commend itself to some, because there is a kind of breezy dismissal, underscored occasionally by an unwarranted contemptuousness, insofar as the rights of children are concerned, there is also some considerable jaundice and skepticism about international conventions generally-a tendency to see them as a kind of intellectual rigor mortis of the multilateral system. Nevertheless, I will make an argument. Let me use the Cold War as the context. It was impossible during the Cold War period to talk thoughtfully and rationally about rights. The western world promoted civil and political rights; the Eastern Bloc promoted economic, social, and cultural rights, and individual liberties were juxtaposed to the collectivist impulse. It was impossible to harmonize them; the positions were just too intransigent. Then the Cold War ended, and suddenly there emerged, full-blown in 1990, the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is the only binding international convention which fully embraces the principle of indivisibility. That is to say, every single right is equal: traditional economic, social, cultural, political, and civil. The rights to health and to education are equal in every respect to the rights to freedom of religion or freedom of speech. And these rights pertain to all children up to the age of 18, given the definition within the Convention itself. For an agency like UNICEF, the Convention was a kind of godsend. We had embraced the goals which emerged from the World Summit for Children in 1990, goals which were largely appropriate for health and largely generic: health, nu-
Who Gender-Bends and Why? A Qualitative Study of World of Warcraft

According to a 2009 study, 68% of American households played video games (Entertainment Software Association). With this number continually on the rise, video games and their cultures are in need of further scholarly exploration. A video game of particular interest is a massive online game known as World of Warcraft, drawing over twelve million players worldwide (Blizzard Entertainment, 2010). With a cyberspacebased culture, World of Warcraft exposes its players to phenomenon that are unique to it, and thereby not easily understood through the same measures and evaluations offered by society at large. One such phenomena is that of gender, or more specifically the bending of gender by which players assume characters of the opposite gender. Although a common practice in video games like World of Warcraft, its motivations have yet to receive adequately scholarly attention. The present study seeks to explore the process of gender selection in the massive online game World of Warcraft through qualitative methods utilizing interviews, texts, and field notes. The data is then analyzed using Kellner‟s (2003) methods of critical analysis of media and Langian‟s (1975) work on thematization.
The Association of Unreported Sleep Disturbances and Systemic Inflammation: Findings from the 2005-2008 NHANES

Background/Objective. Sleep apnea is associated with elevated inflammatory markers. A subgroup of patients never report sleep disturbances to their physician. The inflammatory status of this subgroup is not known. The present study aims to evaluate two inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and red cell distribution width (RDW), in those with unreported sleep disturbances and compares these findings to those with and without reported sleep disorders. We also investigate the utility of RDW as an inflammatory marker in sleep disorders. Methods. Sample includes 9,901 noninstitutionalized, civilian, nonpregnant adults from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative, cross-sectional U.S. study. Sleep questionnaire and laboratory data were used to compare inflammatory markers (CRP and RDW) in five subgroups of individuals: reporting physician-diagnosed sleep apnea, reporting another physician-diagnosed sleep disorder, reported sleep disturbance to physician with no resulting diagnosis, unreported sleep disturbance (poor sleep quality not reported to physician), and no diagnosed sleep disorder or sleep disturbance. Results. Individuals with unreported sleep disturbance had significantly higher odds of elevated RDW (>13.6%) when compared to those without a sleep disturbance in adjusted models (OR=1.33). Those with unreported sleep disturbance had significantly higher odds of elevated CRP levels (>1 mg/L) than those without sleep disturbances (OR 1.34), although the association was not significant when adjusted for obesity and other controls. Conclusion. Self-identified unreported sleep disturbances are associated with significantly higher odds of elevated RDW than those without sleep disturbances. RDW may serve as a valuable indicator in identifying individuals at higher risk for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
Intraoperative Ventilation Strategies for Thoracic Surgery

Ventilatory strategies for one-lung ventilation (OLV) should take into account preventing intraoperative hypoxemia, intraoperative alveolar stress, and postoperative ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). A lung-protective strategy utilizing low tidal volumes (< 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and limited plateau inflation pressures (<25 cm H2O) is clearly indicated for patients at high risk for developing postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute lung injury (ALI). Based on this recent data, the use of low tidal volumes and inflation pressures during OLV is appropriate as long as high breathing frequencies are not required and permissive hypercapnia is not contraindicated. With appropriate use of pressure and tidal volume alarms, either pressure- or volume-controlled ventilation may be used. Intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is common with OLV (utilizing a double-lumen endotracheal tube), and caution is warranted when high respiratory rates (short exhalation times) are utilized.
A Small‐Molecule SIRT2 Inhibitor That Promotes K‐Ras4a Lysine Fatty‐Acylation

SIRT2, a member of the sirtuin family of protein lysine deacylases, has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for treating cancer. In addition to catalyzing deacetylation, SIRT2 has recently been shown to remove fatty acyl groups from K-Ras4a and promote its transforming activity. Among the SIRT2-specific inhibitors, only the thiomyristoyl lysine compound TM can weakly inhibit the demyristoylation activity of SIRT2. Therefore, more potent small-molecule SIRT2 inhibitors are needed to further evaluate the therapeutic potential of SIRT2 inhibition, and to understand the function of protein lysine defatty-acylation. Herein we report a SIRT2 inhibitor, JH-T4, which can increase K-Ras4a lysine fatty acylation. This is the first small-molecule inhibitor that can modulate the lysine fatty acylation levels of K-Ras4a. JH-T4 also inhibits SIRT1 and SIRT3 in vitro. The increased potency of JH-T4 is likely due to the formation of hydrogen bonding between the hydroxy group and SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT3. This is further supported by in vitro studies with another small-molecule inhibitor, NH-TM. These studies provide useful insight for future SIRT2 inhibitor development.
Basi Molecolari Della Funzione Biologica del Complemento

Gli studi sul complemento sono entrati in una fase di intensa ricerca biochimica e biomedica. Da questo tipo di lavoro sono scaturiti nuovi dati relativi a: 1) alla formazione di unita funzionali multimolecolari; 2) alle modalita attraverso le quali le membrane cellulari vengono alterate; 3) alla formazione di attivita biologiche attraverso la produzione di frammenti di piccolo peso molecolare. Con il miglioramento delle conoscenze biochimiche, la complessita del complemento risulta sempre meno sconcertante. La suddivisione operativa del sistema in un meccanismo di attivazione ed uno di attacco puo rappresentare un ottimo sistema per la comprensione della evoluzione filogenetica del complemento. L’identificazione di meccanismi di regolazione sotto forma di inibitori o di inattiyatori ha accentuato il significato biologico Potenziale del complemento. Inoltre, fatto ancora piu importante, significativi progressi sono stati fatti nello studio della funzione biologica del complementoin vivo. Dati derivanti da modelli di malattie sperimentali e da studi clinici hanno fornito risultati che avvalorano l’ipotesi che il complemento svolgain vivo funzioni effettrici. Se le ricerche sul complemento continueranno con la stessa vivacita di ora, gli sviluppi dei prossimi anni potranno darci molti insegnamenti.
Mathesis and Lifeworld: Some Remarks on Thomas Seebohm’s History as a Science and the System of the Sciences

This essay draws inspiration from Thomas Seebohm’s remarks on the origins of mathematical thinking in the lifeworld in his History as a Science and the System of Sciences. It argues that the crux of the phenomenological account of the origins of mathesmatics lies in the temporal constitution of mathematical idealities, above all with regard to phenomena associated with measurement. Such an account in turn promises to provide a sound basis for a nuanced conception of mathematical thinking that is well-suited to articulating problems germane to modern mathematics and the philosophy of mathematics.