cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ChIP-less analysis of chromatin states

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) are key epigenetic regulators in chromatin-based processes. Increasing evidence suggests that vast combinations of PTMs exist within chromatin histones. These complex patterns, rather than individual PTMs, are thought to define functional chromatin states. However, the ability to interrogate combinatorial histone PTM patterns at the nucleosome level has been limited by the lack of direct molecular tools. Here we demonstrate an efficient, quantitative, antibody-free, chromatin immunoprecipitation-less (ChIP-less) method for interrogating diverse epigenetic states. At the heart of the workflow are recombinant chromatin reader domains, which target distinct chromatin states with combinatorial PTM patterns. Utilizing a newly designed combinatorial histone peptide microarray, we showed that three reader domains (ATRX-ADD, ING2-PHD and AIRE-PHD) displayed greater specificity towards combinatorial PTM patterns than corresponding commercial histone antibodies. Such specific recognitions were employed to develop a chromatin reader-based affinity enrichment platform (matrix-assisted reader chromatin capture, or MARCC). We successfully applied the reader-based platform to capture unique chromatin states, which were quantitatively profiled by mass spectrometry to reveal interconnections between nucleosomal histone PTMs. Specifically, a highly enriched signature that harbored H3K4me0, H3K9me2/3, H3K79me0 and H4K20me2/3 within the same nucleosome was identified from chromatin enriched by ATRX-ADD. This newly reported PTM combination was enriched in heterochromatin, as revealed by the associated DNA. Our results suggest the broad utility of recombinant reader domains as an enrichment tool specific to combinatorial PTM patterns, which are difficult to probe directly by antibody-based approaches. The reader affinity platform is compatible with several downstream analyses to investigate the physical coexistence of nucleosomal PTM states associated with specific genomic loci. Collectively, the reader-based workflow will greatly facilitate our understanding of how distinct chromatin states and reader domains function in gene regulatory mechanisms.
Improved Estimates of Tropical and Subtropical Precipitation Using the GOES Precipitation Index

Abstract Nine years (1986–94) of tropical and subtropical precipitation estimates based on the GOES precipitation index (GPI) are examined. The GPI, based on the results of studies relating fractional coverage of cold cloud to convective rainfall, uses IR observations gathered by geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites. Longitudinal discontinuities in mean GPI coincident with the boundaries of satellite coverage led to a comparison of GPI derived from each geostationary satellite in overlap regions. This study revealed both intersatellite calibration differences and satellite zenith angle dependence. Its goals are to remove these sources of systematic error within the GPI, investigate the climatology of the corrected GPI, and compare against other estimated rainfall datasets. To correct calibration differences, Global Precipitation Climatology Project geostationary satellite IR data are standardized to one satellite by temperature adjustments deduced by the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Pr...
Parties and Partisanship: A 40-Year Retrospective

The study of political parties and voter partisanship has come full circle in 4 decades. During the 1960s and 1970s numerous scholars advanced the thesis of party decline, contending that party organizations had disintegrated, party influence in government had plummeted, and voter partisanship had eroded. The 1980s and 1990s saw a turnaround in scholarly judgments, however, as first party organizations, then party in government, and finally voter partisanship appeared to strengthen. This article reviews the evidence for the downs and ups of parties, suggesting that the evidence of party resurgence is more equivocal than often realized. The parties subfield currently lacks the theory and theoretical sensitivity that enables us to interpret ambiguous empirical evidence. This contrasts with the congressional subfield where the issues now confronting the parties subfield were recognized a decade ago.
Instrumentation and Sensors for Human Breath Analysis

Exhaled breath contains a vast milieu of compounds, both volatile and non-volatile, that appear to correlate with physiological processes on-going in the body. These breath biomarkers hold enormous diagnostic potential when they are adequately measured and monitored. Thus, instrumentation geared towards breath analysis applications has expanded rapidly in the last decade, although challenges for future research still exist. This chapter briefly reviews the history of analytical instrumentation and breath biosensors that have been reported in the literature, and corresponding data analysis approaches that have been attempted to date.
Forensics Is Not a Magic Bullet: Understanding the Nature of Forensic Science

Forensic Science is an end-to-end process beginning at the scene and finishing in court. There are many opportunities for quality failures along the way. To limit the focus to the validity and the quality of the actual tests does not support the contribution of forensic science to the criminal justice system and risks compromising it. A particularly critical aspect of the process is the interpretation of the significance of the test findings in the context of the case and the faulty methodology/analytical tools used in arriving at a conclusion which is subject to human errors and technological changes. In this vein, standards that develop Forensic Experts may not be adequate to ensure proper evaluation of expert opinion as a safeguard to ensuring that the opinions are balanced, logical and transparent. The complexity of internal laboratory, internal audit, jury criminal procedures, probability system used in ascertaining crime outcome and other processes employed by the forensics experts/witness may not set clear boundaries between the crime scene/the laboratory test obtained as well as keeping intact evidence data obtained without making attempt to manipulate or duplicate it. Considering the complexity and faulty analytical/methodological model of testing used by the forensic experts/witness; this would be misleading and invariably may not absolutely be relied upon by potential forensic experts to support the criminal justice system. Conclusively, all these drawn to reaching a conclusion in this study that Forensics is not a Magic Bullet.
Reduced transition probabilities of vibrational states in /sup 156,158/Dy, /sup 162,164/Er, and /sup 168/Yb

The vibrational states of $^{156,158}\mathrm{Dy}$, $^{162,164}\mathrm{Er}$, and $^{168}\mathrm{Yb}$ have been studied via Coulomb excitation. Thin high purity targets were prepared in an isotope separator. The Coulomb excitation of these nuclei was studied by the scattering of 12-16 MeV $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles, which were detected in an Enge split-pole spectrograph. The reduced transition probabilities $B(E\ensuremath{\lambda};{0}_{\mathrm{g}.\mathrm{s}.}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}K)$ were obtained for ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}K={2}^{+}2, {2}^{+}0$, and ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states in each nucleus. Limits on $B(E\ensuremath{\lambda})$ values and values extracted from published ($d, {d}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) cross sections are also presented. Trends in $B(E2)$ values and energy levels for the Dy, Er, and Yb nuclei show that the ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}^{+}$ levels are reasonably constant in energy for only Dy and Er. In all three nuclei $B(E2)$ values decrease with increasing neutron number. Except for the Dy isotopes, the lightest isotope has the largest $B(E2)$ value for the lowest lying ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}K={2}^{+}0$ state. ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states level energies and $B(E3)$ values are found to be in fair agreement with microscopic calculations. Values of $B(E2)$ for ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}^{+}$ states are in fair agreement with microscopic calculations when these exist.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{156,158}\mathrm{Dy}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$, $^{162,164}\mathrm{Er}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$, $^{168}\mathrm{Yb}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$, $E=12\ensuremath{-}16$ MeV; measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}$, deduced $B(E\ensuremath{\lambda})$. Enriched targets.
A Paradox of Plenty: Renewable Energy on Navajo Nation Lands

ABSTRACTA persistent paradox in the global boom of renewable energy revolves around how little of its vast potential has been developed on Native American lands. For economic and environmental reasons, attempts to reverse this pattern are on the rise. Such plans will encounter many unique conditions, particularly those related to tribal norms, customs, and histories. This article examines the prospect of renewable energy (RE) development on the Navajo Nation of the American Southwest. We examine its potential in light of past energy projects, current jurisdictions and control, and the cultural and social heritage of the Navajo Nation. We find that robust RE development on Navajo Nation lands will remain hindered without accounting for Navajo values, intratribal and tribal–nontribal politics, and their relationship to a multifaceted set of regulatory procedures. Without due consideration of these factors, RE development on Navajo and other Native American lands will continue to be slow and disappointing.
Targeting Insight in First Episode Psychosis: A Case Study of Metacognitive Reflection Insight Therapy (MERIT)

One aspect of schizophrenia contributing to its complexity is the lack of insight individuals often have into their illness. While poor insight is prevalent throughout the course of the illness, more severe levels are associated with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Interventions addressing insight are necessary but current treatments have been shown to have limited effectiveness. Thus, a novel intervention, Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT), is being studied for its efficacy of improving insight in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. MERIT is an integrative metacognitive therapy consisting of eight elements to assist clients in improving their ability to form complex ideas about themselves and others and to use this knowledge to respond to psychological problems. The present study is a case illustration of the implementation of MERIT to improve insight in FEP. Clinical outcomes were assessed and results showed that the client improved in both metacognition and insight. With replication, these results suggest that integrative metacognitive psychotherapy may serve as an intervention that improves insight in FEP, which marks an important step toward improved interventions for individuals with psychosis.
Reform of Training in Master-of-engineering Programs Based on Three Innovations

We discuss how to promote the reform of training in master-of-engineering programs based on three innovations.The innovation of the model of learning assessment emphasizes subjective assessment to solve problems in assessing student learning in practical courses;the innovation of the model of practice promotes the solution of internship difficulties on the legal and economic levels;and the innovation of the project-based model of mentoring with university and business collaboration brings the role of mentors from businesses into full play to enable master-of-engineering programs to train high-level professionals.
The Modification of Attributes, Affordances, Abilities, and Distance for Learning Framework and Its Applications to Interactions with Mathematics Virtual Manipulatives

While extensive research has examined the outcomes of interacting with virtual manipulatives, less research has focused on constructs and relationships among constructs involved in user-tool interactions. This chapter presents the Modification of Attributes, Affordances, Abilities, and Distance (MAAAD) for Learning framework, which conceptualizes the relationships among these constructs to describe user-tool interactions, including those involving virtual manipulatives. The framework is primarily grounded in theories of representation and embodied cognition, as user-tool interactions in mathematics involve internalizing and externalizing representations through physically embodied mathematical practices. In the framework, attributes, affordance-ability relationships, and distance are interrelated, and modification of one construct contributes to modification of the other constructs. Each attribute can contribute to many affordance-ability relationships and to distance. Attribute modification can change the approach or degree of affordance access and alter the degree of distance present, which can, in turn, lead to attribute modification. This chapter illustrates the constructs and relationships among constructs that form the framework in the context of user-tool interactions in mathematics. The chapter then applies the framework to examples of children’s interactions with mathematics virtual manipulative touchscreen tablet apps. The MAAAD for Learning framework has implications and applications relevant to theory, development, implementation, and research concerning technology tools, including virtual manipulatives.
A Banquet Seating Problem

In this chapter, a banquet seating problem is described. The situation encountered in the problem can be naturally modeled by a graph and a vertex coloring of this graph. Such a vertex coloring, in turn, gives rise to other vertex colorings. The initial vertex coloring can be proper or not and, therefore, induces two different vertex colorings, which will be described in the following two chapters.
Evaluation and Treatment of FI

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a common condition, affecting nearly 10 % of women over age 45 at least once per month. A thorough history of precipitating factors, obstetric history, and prior surgical history are important components of the workup of FI. Once the diagnosis has been established, management should begin with conservative measures including fiber supplements or antimotility agents, elimination of precipitating foods and medications, and consideration of biofeedback. When surgical treatment is necessary, sphincteroplasty is still the mainstay of treatment for young patients with a complete sphincter defect. Recently several other treatments have emerged including sacral neuromodulation, biomaterial injection, radiofrequency energy delivery, artificial bowel sphincter, and the magnetic sphincter. This chapter will compare the efficacy of these techniques and offer a treatment algorithm for patients with FI.
Chemistry Teachers as Professionals: A Retrospective Analysis

National reform movements, such as the recent Next Generation Science Standards, can be viewed as an unnecessary nuisance or a welcome progression toward a scientifically literate citizenry. Teachers who view themselves as professionals can recognize the value in contributions from those within the K–12 community as well as external to it. The stance taken can likely influence how we are perceived (and treated) by our stakeholders, including ourselves.
The effects of a repeated dose of a recombinant humanized anti-cocaine monoclonal antibody on cocaine self-administration in rats.

Abstract Background Immunotherapy has shown potential as a treatment for cocaine abuse. The humanized recombinant anti-cocaine monoclonal antibody (mAb) with the preclinical designation h2E2 has been shown to decrease cocaine concentrations in the brain in rats, but its effects on cocaine self-administration behavior have never been tested. Methods The amount of cocaine needed to reinstate self-administration behavior (priming threshold) was calculated and the inter-injection intervals at unit doses of 0.3 μmol/kg and 3 μmol/kg during maintained self-administration were measured over a five-week baseline period. Rats trained to self-administer cocaine were infused with two doses of h2E2 (120 mg/kg i.v.) 35 days apart. Priming threshold and inter-injection intervals were measured for 35 days after both injections. Results After both injections of h2E2, priming thresholds were significantly increased (3-fold) compared to expected baseline and then gradually declined over 35 days. A significant decrease (15–33%) in inter-injection intervals during maintained self-administration was also observed following both h2E2 infusions at the lower dose, and after the first injection at the higher dose. No significant decreases in body weight were observed after either injection, indicating a lack of toxicity following a second injection. Conclusions These data predict that the safety and effectiveness of h2E2 will be maintained after multiple treatments of this potential immunotherapy for cocaine abuse.
Basis for molecular diagnostics and immunotherapy for esophageal cancer

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Esophageal cancer (EC) is an extremely aggressive neoplasm, diagnosed in about 17,000 Americans every year with a mortality rate of more than 80% within five years and a median overall survival of just 13 months. For decades, the go-to regimen for esophageal cancer patients has been the use of taxane and platinum-based chemotherapy regimens, which has yielded the field’s most dire survival statistics.Areas covered: Combination immunotherapy and a more robust molecular diagnostic platform for esophageal tumors could improve patient management strategies and potentially extend lives beyond the current survival figures. Analyzing a panel of biomarkers including those affiliated with taxane and platinum resistance (ERCC1 and TUBB3) as well as immunotherapy effectiveness (PD-L1) would provide oncologists more information on how to optimize first-line therapy for EC.Expert commentary: Of the 12 FDA-approved therapies in EC, zero target the genome. A majority of the approved drugs either ta...
Time-delay estimation algorithm of partial discharge ultra high frequency signals based on fractional Hilbert transformation

Time delay estimation is the basis of the localization algorithm for partial discharge (PD) based on time difference in GIS, and it is the key to the accuracy of localization. In this paper, the theory of fractional Hilbert transform for time delay estimation is described. Based on fractional Hilbert transform, a method for estimating the time delay of GIS ultra high frequency partial discharge is proposed, and the numerical implementation steps of the algorithm are given. According to the abnormal partial discharge signals found in the switch gate during the inspection of certain 220kV GIS equipment, high frequency electromagnetic wave is collected by the high speed oscilloscope. According to the time delay of the signal, the space position of the partial discharge source is located from the the disk type insulator pouring hole 1.25 meters. After the disintegration of the switch air chamber, the distance between the discharge source and the pouring hole is 1.3 meters. The error of the partial discharge source localization based on fractional Hilbert algorithm is significantly lower than that of the bi-spectrum and the frequency domain time delay estimation algorithm.
Predictive value of phase I trials for safety and final approved dose in later trials: Analysis of 33,845 patients.

2509 Background: Phase I trials (Ph1) use data efficiently from a small number of patients (pts) to define a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the safety profile of new agents. It is unclear how wel...
Mechanism and kinetics of 1-dodecanol etherification over tungstated zirconia

Abstract Growing interest in finding renewable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels and petroleum-derived specialty chemicals has motivated the investigation of biomass-derived alcohols to make ethers as diesel additives or lubricants. To optimize the direct etherification of long chain alcohols in the liquid phase, it is necessary to develop an understanding of the kinetics and mechanism of etherification and dehydration reactions. In this study, tungstated zirconia was identified as a selective solid-acid catalyst for the liquid-phase etherification of 1-dodecanol. Investigations of the mechanism and kinetics of this reaction suggest that cooperation between Bronsted- and Lewis-acid sites on tungstated zirconia enhances the selectivity to ether by increasing the surface concentration of adsorbed alcohol, thereby promoting bi-molecular ether formation relative to unimolecular alcohol dehydration. The suggested rate limiting step for etherification is the formation of a C O bond between two adsorbed alcohol molecules, and the suggested rate-limiting step for dehydration is the cleavage of the C H bond of the β-carbon atom in an adsorbed alcohol. Measurements of the kinetic isotope effects for etherification and dehydration support the proposed mechanism. A microkinetic model based on the proposed mechanism for dodecanol etherification and dehydration over tungstated zirconia accurately describes the observed effects of alcohol concentration and product inhibition.
Translocation Testing of Lung Cancer Biomarkers

Detection of gene rearrangements has evolved from classical cytogenetic karyotyping through CGH/aCGH to FISH and RT-PCR. Gene rearrangements cause fusion protein overexpression, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been increasingly used as a surrogate method for detection of gene rearrangements. Recently several next-generation sequencing platforms for detection of gene fusions have been developed and implemented into clinical practice. Gene rearrangements have been successfully identified with both FISH and IHC in isolated circulating tumor cells (CTCs). CTCs and cell-free tumor DNA (cfDNA) will most likely be used in clinical practice for detection of rearrangements. This chapter will mainly focus on ALK FISH and RT-PCR assays as an example for translocation testing in lung cancer.
Urban Impulses: Evoked Responses From Local Event Stimuli

In modeling human behavior, we expect people to make noticeable reactions to the events they witness. For people at a scheduled event like a concert or sports game, we can measure reactions by looking at geotagged social media posts. We work from a database of known events from a commercial ticket broker and a database of geotagged tweets to show how we can derive impulse response functions of tweet counts as event responses. Tweet counts typically rise in anticipation of the event and gradually fall after the event starts. We draw an analogy between evoked responses in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) from mental stimuli and social media responses from local event stimuli. Our analysis of event and tweet data shows that our derived impulse responses are statistically significant and that we can use the functions to accurately predict reactions to some event types. We give examples of impulse response functions derived from repeated events at different venues.
Bartenders' and Rum Shopkeepers' Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward "Problem Drinking" in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Harmful alcohol use encompasses a spectrum of habits, including heavy episodic drinking (HED) which increases the risk of acute alcohol-related harms. The prevalence of HED in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is 5.7% among the overall population aged 15 years and older and 10.2% among drinkers. Responsible Beverage Service interventions train alcohol servers to limit levels of intoxication attained by customers and decrease acute alcohol-related harms. The objectives of this study were to determine bar tenders’ and rum shopkeepers’ knowledge of and attitudes toward problem drinking and willingness to participate in server training. Researchers used convenience and purposive sampling to recruit 30 participants from Barraouile, Kingstown, and Calliaqua to participate in semi-structured interviews designed to explore study objectives. Results and conclusions were derived from grounded theory analysis. Heavy episodic drinking is common but not stigmatized. Heavy drinking is considered a “problem” if the customer attains a level of disinhibition causing drunken and disruptive or injurious behavior. Bartenders and rum shopkeepers reported intervening with visibly intoxicated patrons and encouraging cessation of continued alcohol consumption. Participants cited economic incentives, prevention of alcohol-related harms, and personal morals as motivators to prevent drunkenness. Respondents acknowledged that encouraging responsible drinking was a legitimate part of their role and were favorable to server training. However, there were mixed opinions about the intervention’s perceived efficacy given absent community-wide standards on preventing intoxication and limitations of existing alcohol policy. Given respondents’ motivation and lack of standardized alcohol server training in SVG, mandated server training can be an effective strategy when promoted as one piece of a multi-component alcohol policy.
Organisation der Eisenbauanstalten

Vor der Zeit der industriellen Zusammenschlusse waren die Eisenbauanstalten alleinstehende, unabhangige Unternehmen, von denen manche nur mit einer Bohrmaschine und einem Flaschenzug als Werkstatteinrichtung begonnen hatten. Mit wachsendem Umsatz und bei notwendiger Vergroserung des Betriebes wurden dann Stanzen, Scheren und Niethammer angeschafft, bis die Werkstatten schlieslich in der Lage waren, Tragerbauten, Blechtrager, Stutzen, Dachbinder u. dgl. in groserem Umfange herzustellen. Viele dieser Werke besasen neben ihren Eisenbauwerkstatten Schmieden und mechanische Werkstatten zur Herstellung der Antriebe fur bewegliche Brucken, wie Hub-, Dreh- und Klappbrucken. Die bei Ausbreitung des Betriebes von Zeit zu Zeit notwendigen Erweiterungen waren meistens ein fur wirtschaftliche Betriebsfuhrung ungunstiges Aneinanderfugen von baulichen und maschinellen Anlagen, da Raummangel es oft unmoglich machte, Erweiterungen nach wirtschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten auszufuhren.
Parental attributions of the causes of their children's behavior

We investigated causal attributions parents made regarding their children's best and worst behavior while the children were taking methylphenidate (MPH) for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Twenty-six parents were surveyed each week for six weeks using the Parent Attribution Scale-Revised. This scale measures parents' attributions of the causes for their children's behavior when taking MPH to treat symptoms of ADHD. When attributing causes for best behavior, the parents rated their children's effort most often followed by their own effort and the positive medication effects. When attributing causes for worst behavior, the parents rated their children's lack of effort most often followed by inadequate medication effects and their own lack of effort. Our study suggests that parents rate effort most often when making attributions for their children's best and worst behavior. When making attributions for best behavior only, parents saw no difference between their own efforts and the effects of medication. When making attributions for worst behavior only, parents were more likely to blame their children's lack of effort and the ineffectiveness of medication more often than their own lack of effort.
Considerations of Sex Chromosome Abnormalities in Man

Most of the developmental aspects and the genetic control mechanisms of normal human gonadal and genital differentiation are not well understood. Advances in cytogenetic technique led to the discovery of many different sex chromosome abnormalities in man. These stimulated, anew, attempts to relate gonosomal function to processes of normal sex differentiation. We should like to present personally-studied patients and review previously published cases pertaining to a discussion of the role of the sex chromosomes in sex determination, gonadal and genital development.
The Green Mountain Parkway

The proposed Green Mountain Parkway emerged from conflicting visions of regional development. Plans for the parkway, along the ridge and flanklines of the entire length of Vermont’s Green Mountains, were voted down in a statewide referendum in 1936. The rejection of the project attested to the public nature of the planning process, the broader issues involved in the development of such large-scale public infrastructure, and the political climate prevalent in Vermont. The debate over these issues, however, demonstrated quite publicly the tenets of the two groups vying for the development of resources in the region. Further, the history of the proposed Green Mountain Parkway shows that the National Park Service had truly institutionalized the planning and building of parkways in national parks by the mid-1930s. That is, after an inauspicious start to planning the Skyline Drive in 1931, the Park Service, by 1934 and 1935, recognized the value of an exhaustive resource survey prior to the beginning of construction.
Emerging trends in multiscale modeling of vascular pathophysiology: Organ-on-a-chip and 3D printing.

Abstract Most biomedical and pharmaceutical research of the human vascular system aims to unravel the complex mechanisms that drive disease progression from molecular to organ levels. The knowledge gained can then be used to innovate diagnostic and treatment strategies which can ultimately be determined precisely for patients. Despite major advancements, current modeling strategies are often limited at identifying, quantifying, and dissecting specific cellular and molecular targets that regulate human vascular diseases. Therefore, development of multiscale modeling approaches are needed that can advance our knowledge and facilitate the design of next-generation therapeutic approaches in vascular diseases. This article critically reviews animal models, static in vitro systems, and dynamic in vitro culture systems currently used to model vascular diseases. A leading emphasis on the potential of emerging approaches, specifically organ-on-a-chip and three-dimensional (3D) printing, to recapitulate the innate human vascular physiology and anatomy is described. The applications of these approaches and future outlook in designing and screening novel therapeutics are also presented.
Estrogen Metabolism in African-American Women with and without Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study

Studies in Caucasian women have shown that the formation of estrogen-DNA adducts is greater in women at high risk for breast cancer or already diagnosed with the disease. To begin investigating whether the role of estrogens in the etiology of breast cancer is similar in African-American (AA) women, a saliva sample and a spot urine sample were collected from 19 AA women with breast cancer and 23 AA women not diagnosed with breast cancer. In the urine samples, 20 estrogen metabolites, conjugates, and DNA adducts were analyzed by using ultraperformance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and then the ratio of adducts to metabolites and conjugates was calculated for each sample. The ratio of depurinating estrogen-DNA adducts to estrogen metabolites and estrogen conjugates was significantly greater in cases compared to controls (92.4 ± 46.4 vs 38.5 ± 18.9, p < 0.0001). From the saliva samples, genomic DNA was purified and analyzed for genetic polymorphisms in the genes for two estrogen-metabolizing enzymes, catechol- O-methyltransferase (rs4680) and cytochrome P450 1B1 (rs1056836). There was no association between rs4680 and rs1056836 genotypes and adduct ratios or breast cancer status. This pilot study found higher DNA adduct ratios in women with breast cancer, which suggests that estrogen metabolism is out of balance, and the formation of estrogen-DNA adducts may exert a critical role in breast cancer initiation in AA women.
Index construction, dimensionality reduction, and clustering techniques for the identification of flow units in shale formations suitable for enhanced oil recovery using light-hydrocarbon injection

Abstract Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects are suitable for organic-rich shale formations, which exhibit high original oil-in-place estimates and primary recovery potential. Three EOR-efficiency indices are computed across a 200-ft-thick organic-rich shale formation at a vertical resolution of 1–5 ft. The three indices are referred as R-index, MD-index, and KC-index. These indices facilitate the identification of flow units in shales suitable for EOR when using light-hydrocarbon injection. Based on the indices, approximately 30% of the middle section of the shale formation should be injected with light hydrocarbon for improved recovery. Middle section exhibits significantly higher oil-recovery potential in comparison with the upper and lower sections of the shale formation. Two data-driven methods are used in this chapter, namely, factor analysis for dimensionality reduction and K-means clustering. An important step in computing MD-index is to decompose NMR T2 distribution at each depth using factor analysis to compute the free-oil, movable-water, and bound-fluid volumes. K-means clustering groups various depths according to their EOR potential for generating the KC-index.
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF myo -INOSITOL ESTERS OF INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID

SUMMARY: All plants analyzed contained most of their indoleacetic acid in ester or peptidyl form. In the case of the best studied plant, Zea mays, most of the esters were indole-3-acetic acid and inositol esters or indole-3-acetic acid and inositol glycoside esters. We have demonstrated that esterification of indole-3-acetic acid plays an important role in the plant's hormonal physiology in, at least, 3 ways. First, esterification of indole-3-acetic acid to myo-inositol increases by 1000-fold the rate at which the hormone is transported from seed to shoot. Second, formation and hydrolysis of indole-3-acetic acid esters plays a role in hormonal homeostasis thus governing the rate at which the seedling grows. Third, esterification of indole-3-acetic acid to myo-inositol protects the indole-3-acetic acid from oxidative destruction. These findings suggest the generalized working hypothesis that environmental stimuli affect plant growth by changing the ratio of underivatized to derivatized hormone.
Gender differences in chronic pain in a treatment-seeking population.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pain characteristics, disability, and comorbid psychological distress between genders in a treatment-seeking sample of patients with chronic pain. METHODS: Consecutive patients with chronic pain were evaluated and assigned a pain diagnosis. Gender differences were compared on responses to questions about pain symptoms, associated disability, and psychological distress. RESULTS: The pain sample (N = 716) was predominately female (63%). Pain locations, diagnoses, and trigger factors were similar in male and female patients. Male patients reported a greater mean pain severity (7.16 males vs 6.82 females; P = 0.05), greater pain constancy (41.2% vs 26.7%; P < 0.001), and more days per week with pain (6.37 vs 5.87; P < 0.001). In addition, males reported higher levels of disability, with reduced activity more than 3 days per week in 70.2% of males and 56.0% of females, and complete disability more than 3 days per week in 55.9% of males and 37.3% of females (P < 0.001). Quality of life measures were additionally reduced for both physical and psychological categories in men versus women (P = 0.05 to < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There are important gender differences in treatment-seeking patients with chronic pain. Males report higher levels of pain and disability, with reduced physical and psychological quality of life, as compared to females. These differences in treatment-seeking patients may reflect gender differences in treatment-seeking behavior.
The effects of marine protected areas on populations of commercial reef fishes in Moorea, French Polynesia

Abstract While marine protected areas (MPAs) have been internationally recognized as an effective resource management technique, many MPAs worldwide are not fulfilling their conservation goals and are under review: as is the case in Moorea, French Polynesia. Although a system of 8 MPAs has been in effect for ~15 years on the island, adherence of fishers to the boundaries and public support for the current management plan (PGEM) is spotty. This study uses underwater surveys of 9 taxa of reef fish to evaluate how effective fishing restrictions in Moorea, French Polynesia are for conserving populations of commonly targeted fish in the backreef habitat. The current study investigates the effectiveness of Moorea's MPAs on conserving populations of commercial reef fish by measuring abundance and size structure of commonly targeted fish just in 2019, and long-term biomass monitoring data from 2004 through 2018. There were increases in commercial reef fish abundance in MPAs for most taxa and there were differences in size distributions for 3 of the taxa between MPAs and fished control sites in 2019. Generally, more individuals of larger size classes were present in MPA sites compared to fished control sites. However, time series data from the last 15 years revealed no significant increases in harvested fish biomass in protected areas relative to fished control sites in the backreef habitat. Increased efforts in policy enforcement, community awareness, and biological monitoring are required at Moorea's MPAs and others worldwide to ensure protected areas truly are effective.
Machine learning control of an elliptically bent hard X-ray mirror

This article showcases the high-resolution control of an elliptically bent hard X-ray mirror optics at the Advanced Photon Source. The mirror uses a compact laminar flexure bending mechanism to achieve elliptical shapes covering a large range of focal distances. An array of capacitive sensors are used as a surface profiler for in-situ monitoring of the mirror shape. Machine learning and control techniques were used to change the mirror shape and focus the incident X-ray at predefined focal planes. The mirror surface shape error can be controlled to be within 40 nm rms with high repeatability. This technique gives the capability to focus incident X-ray beam within a range of focal distances corresponding to shape deformation range of a mirror optics. This work would be beneficial for controlling similar adaptive optics for multiple adaptive optics systems.
Assessing the impact of semen quality on embryo development in an egg donation model

Objective To investigate if any of the World Health Organization semen parameters and/or male age are associated with embryo development. Design Retrospective chart review between January 2008 and May 2015. Setting Academic fertility practice. Patients Anonymous egg donors aged ≤30 years. Interventions Chart review. Main Outcome Measures Sperm parameters were evaluated on a continuum and were dichotomized to determine if low values (strict morphology 50 years) are associated with embryo morphology. Repeated linear regression measures to determine the associations and multivariate testing to determine independent effects for each predictor were performed. Results Three hundred eighty-four donors with 574 egg donation cycles were identified, and 205 subjects with 275 cycles were included in the final analysis. The mean donor age was 25.31 ± 2.81 years, with a mean antral follicle count of 28.09 ± 10.5. The mean male age was 43.25 ± 6.65 years. The mean World Health Organization semen parameters at fertilization were 55.8 × 106 ± 44.3 × 106/mL concentration, 44.8% ± 20.2% motility, and 6.9% ± 5.3% strict morphology. Neither male age nor sperm morphology was associated with embryo morphology. A low total motile count was significantly associated with a higher cell number in day-3 embryos and a 1.56-times higher chance of poor day-3 cell symmetry. There was no statistically significant difference in blastocyst formation, clinical pregnancy, or live-birth rates. Conclusions Although statistically significant, the effect of the low total motile count on day-3 cell number and cell symmetry are likely clinically insignificant. Male age, race, or poor sperm morphology were not associated with a poor cycle outcome or impaired embryo development. The use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection likely alleviates the negative effect of diminished semen quality on treatment outcome.
Synthetic biology 2020-2030: six commercially-available products that are changing our world

Synthetic biology will transform how we grow food, what we eat, and where we source materials and medicines. Here I have selected six products that are now on the market, highlighting the underlying technologies and projecting forward to the future that can be expected over the next ten years.
Transitions between Rydberg states in two-color corotating circularly polarized laser pulses

We present a study of higher-order Raman ($\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}, V$, and $S$) transitions between Rydberg states involving the absorption and emission of at least three photons in the interaction of two-color corotating circularly polarized laser pulses with the hydrogen atom. Our analysis is based on results of numerical solutions of the corresponding time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. The results for the interaction with ($\ensuremath{\omega},2\ensuremath{\omega}$) fields show that the simultaneous interaction with both fields results in an excited state distribution over a broad range of magnetic quantum numbers. Indications of the impact of the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}, V$, and $S$ transitions are found via the analysis of final distributions resulting from the preparation of the atom in specific Rydberg states. Furthermore, we show that similar mechanisms for the redistribution of population between Rydberg states are present in two-color fields with larger differences in the central frequencies, i.e., ($\ensuremath{\omega},3\ensuremath{\omega}$) and ($\ensuremath{\omega},4\ensuremath{\omega}$) fields.
Metrics and Evaluation Tools for Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

Quantifiable metrics and tools are useful in producing designable, robust, and archivable information on community health populations. Accordingly, they are the foundations to track community health determinants and outcomes. This chapter reviews metrics and tools relevant to community health, from the perspective of communicable and non-communicable diseases. First, this chapter provides professional and legal definitions of metrics and tools for communicable and non-communicable diseases. Second, this chapter discusses current and emerging approaches to the use of metrics and evaluation tools for communicable and non-communicable diseases for sustaining the health of community populations. Next, this chapter discusses the merits, limitations, and caveats in using conventional and emerging metrics and evaluation tools as resources for sustaining the health of communities. Finally, this chapter discusses priority interdisciplinary research and practice needs in advancing the use of metrics and evaluation tools for sustainable community health.
Seismic inversion of shale reservoir properties using microseismic-induced guided waves recorded by distributed acoustic sensingDAS microseismic guided wave inversion

ABSTRACTShale formation properties are crucial for the hydrocarbon production performance of unconventional reservoirs. Microseismic-induced guided waves, which propagate within the low-velocity sh...
Interfaces, Modularity and Ecosystem Emergence: How DARPA Modularized the Semiconductor Ecosystem

Scholars have identified the pivotal role that modularity plays in creating innovation ecosystems—complex arrangements of buyers, suppliers, and complementors. In large part, this is due to modular...
J. S. Bach: A Life in Music

Peter Williams approaches afresh the life and music of arguably the most studied of all composers, interpreting both Bach's life by deconstructing his original obituary in the light of more recent information and his music by evaluating his priorities and irrepressible creative energy. How, even though belonging to musical families on both his parents' sides, did he come to possess so bewitching a sense of rhythm and melody and a mastery of harmony that established nothing less than a norm in Western culture? In considering that the works of a composer are his biography, the book's title A Life in Music means both a life spent making music and one revealed in the music as we know it. A distinguished scholar and performer, Williams re-examines Bach's life as an orphan and family man, as an extraordinarily gifted composer and player and as an ambitious artist who never suffered fools gladly.
Kinematics of the foot during slips

Slip and fall accidents are often listed among the leading generators of injuries. The goals of this study were to (1) describe the foot kinematics during unexpected slips, and (2) to compare the foot kinematics during gait in unexpected slippery environment and when warnings of slippery environments are provided. Five participants walked on dry and glycerol- contaminated floors, while varying the participant's a-priori knowledge of the floor's contaminant condition. Foot kinematics were recorded at 500 Hz from 5 Optotrak LEDs placed on the slipping foot. In unexpected slips, all participants slipped and fell, whereas under the warning conditions, all participants slipped and recovered. Foot kinematics were affected by the warning conditions. More specifically, the heel's vertical velocity just prior to impact and foot-floor angle at heel contact decreased in alert/known slippery environments compared to unexpected slips. Slip distances and velocities were greater in unexpected slips. Finally, the impact of recovery attempts on the heel's kinematics were evident earlier in stance when participants knew or suspected the floor was slippery. Thus, the a-priori perception of slippery surfaces affects the foot kinematics and outcome of slipping.
Glucagon and Other Hormones — A New Perspective

DR. UNGER: We first became interested in the possibility that the alpha and beta cells and islets of Langerhans function, not as independent neighbors in the sense that some of the cells of the hypophysis function, but rather as a single, coordinated if not coupled functional unit designed to control the flux of key nutrients into and out of cells in accordance with supply and demand. This view was based on the remarkable qualitative relationship observed between the relative concentrations of the two hormones and the known, measured, or suspected need for a particular movement of nutrients. When the need of the organism was for breakdown of macro-molecules so that the important nutrients may be surrendered, the relative concentrations of insulin to glucagon was invariably low. Conversely, when synthesis of macromolecules was appropriate, the relative concentration of insulin to glucagon was always high. More recently there has been additional support for alpha-beta cell coupling. Dr. Orel has demonstrated an anatomical basis for intercellular communication between alpha and beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the form of junctional complexes.
Question answering performance on table data

Question answering (QA) on table data is a challenging information retrieval task. This paper describes a QA system for tables created with both machine learning and heuristic table extraction methods. Errors were analyzed in order to improve the system using government statistical data. We also apply these improvements on another type of table data set and show the experimental results.