cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Sperm Hydrolysis of the Perivitelline Layer and Embryonic Livability

SUMMARY The hypothesis was proposed that altered sperm hydrolysis of the germinal disc area of the ovum affects embryonic survival. Genetics and damaged spermatozoa were the 2 factors tested. Both factors affect embryonic livability. The mechanism of sperm selection was proposed to be in the oviduct or at the ovum during fertilization. To test the hypothesis, sperm hydrolysis from the creation of holes in the perivitelline layer and embryonic mortality were compared in 3 lines of turkeys representing the past 50 yr of turkey genetics. In the newer lines compared with older, sperm hydrolysis decreased and embryo livability at the first week of embryonic development declined, but embryo livability during the fourth week improved. The same lines were inseminated with 0- or 24-h-stored semen. Although penetration of the perivitelline layer by fresh sperm cells declined in modern lines, penetration of 24-h-stored sperm cells did not. When inseminated with 24-h-stored semen, all 3 lines showed depressed embryo livability compared with fresh semen at wk 1 of embryo development but improved embryo livability at wk 4 of development. In experiment 2, specific comparisons of single-trait selected lines with unselected control lines indicated that selection for rapid growth has increased sperm hydrolysis of the perivitelline layer by 24-hstored sperm, but selection for increased egg production has not. In vitro sperm hydrolysis of the perivitelline layer was examined only for the growth-selected line in experiment 3. The in vitro technique was used to examine perivitelline layer hydrolysis without oviduct effects. The data indicated no differences in holes in the perivitelline layer for lines or sperm storage. Thus, the data suggest that a reduction in the penetration of sperm through the perivitelline layer results in improved embryo livability at wk 4 of development, but we saw no association with wk 1 embryo livability.
On reconstructing a string from its substring compositions

Motivated by protein sequencing, we consider the problem of reconstructing a string from the compositions of its substrings. We provide several results, including the following. General classes of strings that cannot be distinguished from their substring compositions. An almost complete characterization of the lengths for which reconstruction is possible. Bounds on the number of strings with the same substring compositions in terms of the number of divisors of the string length plus one. A relation to the turnpike problem and a bivariate polynomial formulation of string reconstruction.
Mechanisms of Infertility in Genital Tract Infections Due to Chlamydia psittaci Transmitted through Contaminated Semen

Ten heifers inseminated with semen artificially contaminated with Chlamydia psittaci were not pregnant 40 days later, whereas five of 10 control heifers inseminated with the same semen mixed with control diluent became pregnant. Normal embryos were recovered two and one-half or three days after insemination of another group of animals with semen containing C. psittaci, a finding indicating that fertilization failure was not responsible for the infertility. Uterine biopsy samples taken from two heifers in this group contained scattered Chlamydia-infected cells that were detected by immunofluorescence in the subepithelial tissues of the uterine horns. This finding suggests that the infertility may result from an alteration in the uterine environment caused by multiplication of C. psittaci.
The Potential for Gene Flow in a Dependent Lineage System of a Harvester Ant: Fair Meiosis in the F1 Generation

We investigated the potential for gene flow in a dependent lineage (DL) system of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex. Each DL system is composed of 2 reproductively isolated lineages that are locked in an obligate mutualism. The genetic components that produce the worker phenotype are acquired by hybridizing with the partner lineage. In the mating flight, queens of both lineages mate with multiple males from each lineage. During colony growth and reproduction, eggs fertilized by partner-lineage sperm produce F(1) hybrid workers with interlineage genomes, whereas eggs fertilized by same-lineage sperm result in the development of new queens with intralineage genomes. New males are typically produced from unfertilized eggs laid by the pure-lineage queen but in her absence may be produced by interlineage F(1) workers. We investigated the potential for interlineage gene flow in this system using 2 classes of lineage-specific nuclear markers to identify hybrid genome combinations. We confirmed the production of viable interlineage F(1) reproductive females in field colonies, the occurrence of which is associated with the relative frequencies of each lineage in the population: interlineage F(1) queens occurred only in the rare lineage of the population with dramatically skewed lineage frequencies. In laboratory colonies, we detected fair meiosis in interlineage F(1) workers leading to the production of viable and haploid interlineage F(2) males. We conclude that the genomes of each lineage recombine freely, suggesting that extrinsic postzygotic selection maintains the integrity of each lineage genome. We compare our findings with those of the H1/H2 DL system.
Testing the stress shadow hypothesis

[1] A fundamental question in earthquake physics is whether aftershocks are predominantly triggered by static stress changes (permanent stress changes associated with fault displacement) or dynamic stresses (temporary stress changes associated with earthquake shaking). Both classes of models provide plausible explanations for earthquake triggering of aftershocks, but only the static stress model predicts stress shadows, or regions in which activity is decreased by a nearby earthquake. To test for whether a main shock has produced a stress shadow, we calculate time ratios, defined as the ratio of the time between the main shock and the first earthquake to follow it and the time between the last earthquake to precede the main shock and the first earthquake to follow it. A single value of the time ratio is calculated for each 10 × 10 km bin within 1.5 fault lengths of the main shock epicenter. Large values of the time ratio indicate a long wait for the first earthquake to follow the main shock and thus a potential stress shadow, whereas small values indicate the presence of aftershocks. Simulations indicate that the time ratio test should have sufficient sensitivity to detect stress shadows if they are produced in accordance with the rate and state friction model. We evaluate the 1989 MW 7.0 Loma Prieta, 1992 MW 7.3 Landers, 1994 MW 6.7 Northridge, and 1999 MW 7.1 Hector Mine main shocks. For each main shock, there is a pronounced concentration of small time ratios, indicating the presence of aftershocks, but the number of large time ratios is less than at other times in the catalog. This suggests that stress shadows are not present. By comparing our results to simulations we estimate that we can be at least 98% confident that the Loma Prieta and Landers main shocks did not produce stress shadows and 91% and 84% confident that stress shadows were not generated by the Hector Mine and Northridge main shocks, respectively. We also investigate the long hypothesized existence of a stress shadow following the 1906 San Francisco Bay area earthquake. We find that while Bay Area catalog seismicity rates are lower in the first half of the twentieth century than in the last half of the nineteenth, this seismicity contrast is also true outside of the Bay Area, in regions not expected to contain a stress shadow. This suggests that the rate change is due to a more system wide effect, such as errors in the historical catalog or the decay of aftershocks of the larger 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake.
MYCORRHIZAE DIFFERENTIALLY ALTER GROWTH, PHYSIOLOGY, AND COMPETITIVE ABILITY OF AN INVASIVE SHRUB

Mycorrhizae improve phosphorus availability to host plants and alter their morphology, physiology, and competitive ability. We examined how different isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, soil-P, light, and competition affect the growth, physiology, and biomass allocation of seedlings of an exotic invasive shrub of the southeastern United States, Ardisia crenata, in two greenhouse experiments. When Ardisia seedlings were grown singly in pots without competition, soil phosphorus concentration and light had no effect on seedling growth. Relative growth rates (RGR) and leaf area ratio (LAR), however, were higher for seedlings inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi isolated from Ardisia roots than those inoculated with single-spore isolates and nonmycorrhizal controls. In the second experiment, an Ardisia seedling was grown in each pot in competition with another conspecific seedling or with a seedling of Prunus caroliniana, a native subcanopy tree. The identity of the competitor had little effect on seedling ...
Network patterns and social architecture in Massively Multiplayer Online Games: Mapping the social world of EverQuest II:

This paper presents a critical examination of the social interactions among Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) participants. Drawing on the conceptual framework of “third places” and prior empirical studies, this study aims to map the social world of a popular MMOG, EverQuest II, primarily relying on unobtrusively collected behavioral server logs. Analysis of network patterns revealed that the social architecture of the world was quite effective in shaping the structure of interaction, as the involvement in various social networks was influenced by class choice and character level. However, sociability among players was quite diffuse, with a sizable number of players opting to play solo despite the built-in mechanisms that encourage collaborative play.
Exogenous Pathogen and Plant 15-Lipoxygenase Initiate Endogenous Lipoxin A4 Biosynthesis

Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is a potent endogenous lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoid with antiinflammatory and proresolving properties. Supraphysiological levels of LXA4 are generated during infection by Toxoplasma gondii , which in turn reduces interleukin (IL) 12 production by dendritic cells, thus dampening Th1-type cell-mediated immune responses and host immunopathology. In the present work, we sought evidence for the structural basis of T. gondii 's ability to activate LXA4 biosynthesis. Proteomic analysis of T. gondii extract (soluble tachyzoite antigen [STAg]), which preserves the immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory activity of the parasite, yielded several peptide matches to known plant lipoxygenases. Hence, we incubated STAg itself with arachidonic acid and found using LC-UV-MS-MS–based lipidomics that STAg produced both 15-HETE and 5,15-diHETE, indicating that T. gondii carries 15-lipoxygenase activity. In addition, T. gondii tachyzoites (the rapidly multiplying and invasive stage of the parasite) generated LXA4 when provided with arachidonic acid. Local administration of a plant (soybean) lipoxygenase itself reduced neutrophilic infiltration in murine peritonitis, demonstrating that 15-lipoxygenase possesses antiinflammatory properties. Administration of plant 15-lipoxygenase generated endogenous LXA4 and mimicked the suppression of IL-12 production by splenic dendritic cells observed after T. gondii infection or STAg administration. Together, these results indicate that 15-lipoxygenase expressed by a pathogen as well as exogenously administered 15-lipoxygenase can interact with host biosynthetic circuits for endogenous “stop signals” that divert the host immune response and limit acute inflammation.
Release of sulfur mustard-modified DNA bases by Escherichia coli 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase II

The toxic effects of sulfur mustard have been attributed to DNA modification with the formation of 7-hydroxyethylthioethyl guanine, 3-hydroxyethylthioethyl adenine and the cross-link, di-(2-guanin-7-yl-ethyl)sulfide. To investigate the action of bacterial 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase II (Gly II) on these adducts, calf thymus DNA was modified with [ 14 C]sulfur mustard and used as a substrate for Gly II. Gly II releases both 3-hydroxyethylthioethyl adenine and 7-hydroxyethylthioethyl guanine from this substrate. In comparison with the activity of Gly II towards methylated DNA, 3-hydroxyethylthioethyl adenine is released somewhat more slowly than 3-methyladenine, while 7-hydroxyethylthioethyl guanine is released much more readily than 7-methylguanine. Glycosylase action may play a role in protecting cells from the toxic effects of sulfur mustard.
Inequality, Growth, and Democracy

The analysis of the relationship between inequality and economic growth in distinct politi-coeconomic environments has been one of the central preoccupations of the extensive theoretical and empirical work on growth in the last decade. The authors argue that the empirical evidence available to date strongly indicates the relevance of this work for understanding the elusive causal connection between economic development and democracy. The state of the literature suggests considerable sophistication in conceptualizing the direct economic effects of inequality and contains critical insights into politically unconstrained policy-making aimed at the alleviation of their negative economic impact. However, the political feasibility of the recommended policy measures and the politically mediated effects of inequality and redistributive policy on growth and on the strength and stability of democratic regimes are understood less well. The authors discuss the critical factors influencing these effects and sketch several approaches to creating a comprehensive politicoeconomic account of the interaction between inequality, redistributive policy-making, and political regimes.
Applying Terror Management Theory to Performance: Can Reminding Individuals of Their Mortality Increase Strength Output?

Motivation plays a key role in successful athletic performance, and terror management theory has emerged as a broad theory of human motivation (e.g., Solomon, Greenberg, & Pyszczynski, 1991) that may have implications for sport and exercise performance. Based on the theory, we tested the hypothesis that a reminder of mortality can motivate improved performance in a task requiring physical strength in individuals invested in strength. Participants demonstrated their strength on a hand dynamometer, then wrote about their own mortality or dental pain, and again squeezed the hand dynamometer. Results indicated that reminders of mortality increased strength performance for individuals invested in strength training (24 F, 31 M), and had no impact on those not invested in strength training (30 F, 28 M), p = .015. Implications for athletes are briefly discussed.
Comparison of mathematical programming software: a case study using discrete L 1

Abstract This paper presents the methodology and results of a computational experiment which compares the performance of four computer codes which determine the best discrete L1 approximation to a continuous nonlinear function. The experiment utilizes 320 test problems created by a test problem generator. Several performance measures describe solution quality as well as computational effort.
Practical Nonlinear Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Structural Walls

AbstractCurrent engineering practice typically relies on the use of fiber-based modeling approaches with uncoupled axial-bending (P-M) and shear (V) responses to simulate nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) structural walls. However, more sophisticated numerical models are available that incorporate coupled P-M-V behavior. The effect of using uncoupled and coupled modeling approaches and the influence of various modeling assumptions, particularly modeling parameters related to wall shear behavior, on computed global and local building responses are reported. A five-story archetype RC wall-frame building designed according to current U.S. code provisions is used for the assessment. The results indicate that modeling parameters associated with wall shear behavior have a significant effect on computed responses for uncoupled models; use of commonly recommended effective shear stiffness of 0.2EcAw to account for effects of concrete cracking provides a reasonable estimate of roof displacement respon...
Ending Executive Manipulations of Incentive Compensation

In this article, we analyze whether the manipulation of stock options still continues to this day. Our evidence shows that executives continue to employ a variety of manipulative devices to increase their compensation, including backdating, bullet-dodging, and spring- loading. Overall, we find that as a result of these manipulative devices executives are able to increase their compensation by about 6%. We suggest a simple new rule to end all dating games in executive compensation. We propose that all grants of stock options in executive compensation be awarded on a daily pro-rata basis and priced accordingly. This proposal would leave no incentive to game option grant dates or manipulate information flow.
Options to Reduce Net Load Variability in a Campus With Very High Solar Penetration

The last decade has seen the increase of solar and wind generation systems which has led to high grid penetration of such technologies. Currently, the issue of grid stability and reliability with increased levels of such non-dispatchable generation is of great fundamental concern. This paper reports on the results of analyzing 15 min monitored data over a whole year from a large university campus with over 50% solar penetration of one of its four sub-stations. Net loads or electric purchases are the differences between the campus electric load and the electricity production of the solar system. These net loads are analyzed both in terms of diurnal “duck curves” and as load duration curves in order to determine the frequency and magnitude of different ramping up and down events experienced during the on-peak and off-peak periods. The extent to which such events can be tempered by installing combined heat and power (CHP) systems is studied, and it is found that increases in levels of net load stability vary non-linearly with size of the installed CHP system. Though the results are specific to this case study, the methodology adopted and some of the results and conclusions reached would be useful to those performing similar evaluations in other parts of the world.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Calculating the Solubilities of Drugs and Drug-Like Compounds in Octanol

A modification of the Van't Hoff equation is used to predict the solubility of organic compounds in dry octanol. The new equation describes a linear relationship between the logarithm of the solubility of a solute in octanol to its melting temperature. More than 620 experimentally measured octanol solubilities, collected from the literature, are used to validate the equation without using any regression or fitting. The average absolute error of the prediction is 0.66 log units.
Study on the Fast Propagation in Vitro of Cotinus Coggyria

Tissue culture has become an important method of rapid propagation of ornamental plants,horticultural plants and forest tree.Tissue culture was carried out in artificial environment laboratory.The nutrient and auxin can all satisfied for plant growth.They have important significance on the popularization of Cotinus Coggyria,little dosage,high propagation ratio,saving land.This paper studied subculture and rooting culture on test-tube plantlet of the cultivar of colored-leaf plants-Cotinus Coggyria.The results indicated that the medium of NT(1971)+ BA 0.6mg/L+ NAA 0.2mg/L was superior than other medium which could obtain well growth and higher differentiating frequency of tufted seedling on subculture of the test-tube seedlings of Cotinus Coggyria,and 1/2 MS + IBA 0.omg/L + NAA 0.1mg/L + IAA 0.15mg/L was the optimum shoot rooting medium with 90% rooting.
The Role of Fixed (Native) and Planted Antigens in Glomerular Disease

The humoral mechanisms of immunologic injury causing glomerulonephritis (GN) and potentially tubulointerstitial nephritis can be classified on the basis of the solubility of the antigens involved (Table 1) (Wilson and Dixon, 1981) Soluble antigens in circulating or extravascular fluids, upon reaction with antibody, lead to immune complex (IC) formation. Circulating IC can attain widespread vascular deposition, or their localization may be confined primarily to the glomerulus, which appears to be a particularly susceptible site. Circulating IC can form involving exogenous antigens, generally from infectious agents, or endogenous antigens, such as nuclear materials or tumor-associated antigens (Wilson and Dixon, 1981). IC formation also occurs extravascularly, as in the Arthus reaction (Cochrane and Janoff, 1974), in experimental thyroiditis (Clagett et al., 1974), and in some tubulointerstitial renal diseases in which tubular antigens, including Tamm-Horsfall protein, have been implicated (Unanue et al., 1967; Hoyer, 1980).
Improving Sensitivity and Reproducibility of SERS Sensing in Microenvironments Using Individual, Optically Trapped Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy(SERS) Probes.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors offer many advantages for chemical analyses, including the ability to provide chemical specific information and multiplexed detection capability a...
Evolved deflection drawings

We introduce a generative system for what we call deflection drawings, drawings made by virtual drawing robots, or drawbots, executing a random walk based on a curvature model of Chappell. Deflection drawings are characterized by the property that drawbots simultaneously avoid the paths of other robots as well as a small number of symmetrically placed obstacles. We formulate a fitness function for aesthetically evaluating such drawings and an evolutionary framework for evolving them. We provide examples of evolved drawings and offer an in-depth analysis of one particular drawing. Finally, we consider techniques for validating our evolutionary framework by considering the influence of previously formulated principles that apply to generative systems that are highly stochastic in nature.
Abstract B21: Functional Role of ETS/ETV1-Fusion Proteins in Prostate Cancer and Other Cancers

After lung cancer prostate cancer is the most common age related cancer among men in the United State. African American men have the highest incidence of, and mortality rate from, this disease in the United States (American Cancer Society). According to the American Cancer Society, 29% of all cancer cases and 9% of all cancer deaths are a result of prostate cancer. By the age of 75, one out of nine men will develop prostate cancer. Individuals who are at higher risk include African-American men, men over 60 years of age and those with a family history of the disease. African-Americans also have twice the risk of developing prostate cancer as Caucasians. E26 transforming sequence (ETS) factors play an important role in cancers. ETV1, an ETS factor, is notable for its association in prostate cancers, where truncated ETV1 (dETV1) or its full length counterpart is overexpressed in approximately 10% of the patients. Formation of cancers may be brought on by deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Mutations that stabilize β-catenin may contribute to loss of cell growth control in tumorigenesis. ETV19s interaction with components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may alter β-catenin interaction with downstream tumor suppressor genes, which are critical in regulating apoptosis and cell growth properties. Our results show that ETV1 regulates Wnt/β-catenin activity. We provide evidence that ETV1 activates kinases that regulate Wnt/β-catenin activity by post translational modification. Also, we demonstrate that therapeutic agents that reverse ETV1-regulated Wnt/β-catenin activity can be used to target ETV1-positive prostate cancer cells. These therapeutic agents will have a profound impact on prevention and treatment of prostate cancer and this may help to reduce health disparity seen in the minority patients. Citation Format: Sharif Morsalin, Chunshu Yang, Jinbo Fang, Yasuo Fujimura, Shubhalaxmi Kayarthodi, Huali Xu, Ujwala Gunnal, Clarence Clark, Julian Menter, Veena Rao, Shyam Reddy. Functional Role of ETS/ETV1-Fusion Proteins in Prostate Cancer and Other Cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B21.
X-ray scanning, wiretaps, and other searches: examining college students’ perceptions of the reasonableness and intrusiveness of homeland security searches

This paper presents the results of a survey that asked 1084 undergraduates from nine colleges across the northeastern USA to evaluate the intrusiveness and reasonableness of searches conducted by police and other agents of social control. Five versions of the survey tool, a self-administered questionnaire, were created. Each of the five versions varied the target/nature of the search, and participants received only one version of the survey. The five variations varied scenarios with the participant as the target of the search, with another unspecified person as the target, and with search specifically directed towards drugs, crimes against children, and homeland security. The current analysis focused on a subset of the sample addressing perceptions of 17 search scenarios targeting homeland security, immigration control, and border security. Participants’ attitudes towards homeland security searches were also compared to similar searches directed against oneself to provide insights into whether participant...
INCIDENCE AND CONTROL OF PEST INSECTS IN CONVENTIONAL AND NO-TILLAGE SNAP BEANS

Snap bean insect pests, including the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae Harris, soybean thrips, Sericothrips variabilis Beach, bean leaf beetle, Ceratoma trifurcata Forster, and the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, were monitored in conventional and no-tillage snap bean plots during the 1981–1983 growing seasons. Plots were split for insecticide versus no-insecticide treatment. Insecticide sprays effectively reduced insect pest populations in both tillage regimes during all three years. Thrips population levels were consistently higher in untreated no-till plots compared to untreated conventional tillage plots. Densities of other insect pest species were variable across tillages over years. Surface damage to bean pods at harvest was greater in untreated no-till plots in two of the three years and similar the third year when compared to untreated conventional tillage plots. Insecticide treatment programs should reduce surface pod damage in the production of no-tillage snap beans.
Enhanced Frequency Response Based on Multiagent Distributed Power Agreement

In this paper, we propose a multiagent based distributed algorithm for enhanced frequency response in large-scale multiarea power systems. Control nodes associated with these areas preemptively agree on their relative contributions in supporting the frequency response in a completely distributed manner. Consequently, in case of system contingencies, each area knows the total change in generation required to facilitate faster frequency restoration during primary frequency control. Within an area, local controllers associated with generators execute a distributed power agreement via sparse information exchange to achieve this required change in generation. As a result of these coordinated control actions, frequency deviation from the nominal remains minimal, thereby reducing the dependency on secondary frequency control. Inspired from graph theoretic techniques in networked controls, the proposed architecture requires nodes with minimalistic computation and communication capabilities, thereby increasing its applicability. Simulations performed on a large test case demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm in improving the transient performance of the frequency response.
CLE peptide-mediated signaling in shoot and vascular meristem development

Multicellular organisms rely on the transmission of information between cells to coordinate various biological processes during growth and development. Plants, like animals, utilize small peptide ligands as signaling molecules to transmit information between cells. These polypeptides typically act as extracellular messengers that are perceived by membrane-bound receptors, which then transduce the signal into the recipient cell to modify downstream gene transcription. The CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED (CLE) proteins represent one of the largest and best understood families of small polypeptides in plants. Members of the CLE family play critical roles in mediating cell fate decisions during plant development, particularly within the unique meristem structures that contain stem cell reservoirs acting as sources of cells for continuous organ formation. Here we review the roles of CLE family members in regulating the activity of the shoot apical meristems that generate the aerial parts of the plants, and of the vascular meristems that produce the sugar- and water-conducting tissues. A systematic literature search was performed using the Google Scholar and PubMed search engines. The keywords “CLE”, “CLV3”, “TDIF”, “meristem”, and “plant stem cells” were used as search terms. The 95 retrieved articles, dating from 1992, were organized by topic and their key findings incorporated into the text. We summarize our current understanding of how the CLE peptide CLV3 orchestrates the activity of shoot apical meristems, describing its expression, processing and movement, as well as its intracellular signal transduction pathways, key target genes and downstream gene regulatory networks. We also discuss the roles of CLE peptide signaling in the vascular meristems to promote procambial cell proliferation and suppress xylem differentiation. Signaling pathways mediated by CLE peptides are critical for stem cell maintenance and differentiation in shoot apical and vascular meristems in plants, exposing CLE genes as potential targets for increasing yield and biomass production. While large numbers of CLE genes are being discovered in plants, only a few have been functionally characterized. We anticipate that future research will continue to elucidate the roles of the CLE family in plant development, and their potential impacts on agriculture and commerce.
Attempts at Standardization

Yoga is an ancient system of experiential science that has survived thousands of years. Despite the long and rich history of Yoga, for various reasons already mentioned in Chap. 1, Yoga has been used (and abused) in quite heterogeneous and non-standardized ways. Use of Yoga and meditation in piecemeal rather than in its entirety is analogous to the fragmented knowledge of the five blind men about an elephant in the popular five blind men and the elephant metaphor. Thus, in general, it is difficult to determine definitive effects of Yoga in healthcare as the quality of research has design limitations and lack of methodological rigor. So there is a long-standing need for standardization of techniques of Yoga and meditation, both in clinical practice and in research.
Fatty acid binding protein-4 is associated with disability in multiple sclerosis patients.

Background:Increased adiposity is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) and is associated with increased disability scores. Adipokines may mediate the effects of adiposity on MS disease course....
ON THE AUTOMORPHISM SCHEME OF A PURELY INSEPARABLE FIELD EXTENSION

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the automorphism scheme of a purely inseparable field extension. It discusses the automorphism scheme of a finite field extension and its significance in field theory. The chapter discusses the automorphism scheme of K / k for the special case in which k has characteristic p ≠ 0 and K is purely inseparable and modular over k , isomorphic to a tensor product over k of primitive extensions. It presents a number of elementary and essentially well-known facts about automorphism schemes. It is proved that if K is a tensor product over k of primitive purely inseparable extensions of k of equal degree, then A ( K / k ) is an integral domain and its quotient field is isomorphic to a pure function field over K . In particular, the automorphism scheme of K / k is, in this case, irreducible and reduced. This is not true for an arbitrary purely inseparable modular extension. An extension K / k for which A ( K / k ) possesses nontrivial nilpotent elements is also exhibited.
A Demountable Toroidal Field Coil System for a Commercial Tokamak Reactor

A conceptual design for a demountable TF coil is presented. The work is being pursued as part of an ongoing study of the Resistive Magnet Commercial Tokamak Reactor (RCTR) at MIT. The RCTR is an at...
The Voltage Sensor of Skeletal Muscle Excitation-Contraction Coupling: A Comparison with Ca 2+ Channels

A recent development in the study of Ca2+ channels is the realization [2, 44] that skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels have a number of properties in common with the voltage sensor of excitation-contraction (Ee) coupling, the molecule or structure of skeletal muscle membrane that has the role of sensing the action potential to control the opening of the Ca2+ release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR).
Engaged Education: Experiential Learning, Intensive Field Experiences, and Social Change

The concepts of engaged education, experiential learning, intensive field experiences, and social change are distinct, yet have the potential to be inextricably linked. This article positions engaged education as a process and product of the interrelatedness of experiential education, intensive field experiences, and social change. The article provides definitions of key concepts followed by a discussion of the distinctions between short- and long-term field experiences. The uniqueness of intensive field experiences as an effective pedagogical strategy, is discussed. Lastly, this article outlines successful strategies for implementing intensive field experiences as an example of experiential learning.
Targeting the EMT transcription factor TWIST1 overcomes resistance to EGFR inhibitors in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer.

Patients with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have significantly benefited from the use of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, long-term efficacy of these therapies is limited due to de novo resistance (~30%) as well as acquired resistance. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factors (EMT-TFs), have been identified as drivers of EMT-mediated resistance to EGFR TKIs, however, strategies to target EMT-TFs are lacking. As the third generation EGFR TKI, osimertinib, has now been adopted in the first-line setting, the frequency of T790M mutations will significantly decrease in the acquired resistance setting. Previously less common mechanisms of acquired resistance to first generation EGFR TKIs including EMT are now being observed at an increased frequency after osimertinib. Importantly, there are no other FDA approved targeted therapies after progression on osimertinib. Here, we investigated a novel strategy to overcome EGFR TKI resistance through targeting the EMT-TF, TWIST1, in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. We demonstrated that genetic silencing of TWIST1 or treatment with the TWIST1 inhibitor, harmine, resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. TWIST1 overexpression resulted in erlotinib and osimertinib resistance in EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells. Conversely, genetic and pharmacological inhibition of TWIST1 in EGFR TKI-resistant EGFR-mutant cells increased sensitivity to EGFR TKIs. TWIST1-mediated EGFR TKI resistance was due in part to TWIST1 suppression of transcription of the pro-apoptotic BH3-only gene, BCL2L11 (BIM), by directly binding to BCL2L11 intronic regions and promoter. As such, pan-BCL2 inhibitor treatment overcame TWIST1-mediated EGFR TKI resistance and were more effective in the setting of TWIST1 overexpression. Finally, in a mouse model of autochthonous EGFR-mutant lung cancer, Twist1 overexpression resulted in erlotinib resistance and suppression of erlotinib-induced apoptosis. These studies establish TWIST1 as a driver of resistance to EGFR TKIs and provide rationale for use of TWIST1 inhibitors or BCL2 inhibitors as means to overcome EMT-mediated resistance to EGFR TKIs.
Developmental Networks and Prominence: Alternate Paths for Future Knowledge Creation

This paper tests and extends the developmental network typology (Higgins & Kram, 2001) by examining the relationships between novice scientists’ developmental networks and their subsequent knowledg...
An Evidence Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in the Environment: Imbalances among Compounds, Sewage Treatment Techniques, and Ecosystem Types

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) garner increasing attention globally for both their usefulness as indicators of human waste and their potency as emerging organic toxicants. Three decades of rapid increase in PPCP study combined with an increasing number of PPCPs on the global market have created an opportunity (1) to review trends in diversity of compounds, sewage treatment techniques (STTs), and ecosystems investigated as well as (2) to identify knowledge gaps in the literature. We conducted a quantitative evidence synthesis of 6517 abstracts from primary articles in the environmental PPCP literature by examining relative abundance of specific PPCP classes, STTs, and ecosystem types. Our results demonstrate that non-prescription drugs and antibiotics dominated PPCP abstracts, appearing in 51% and 39% of reviewed abstracts, respectively, in comparison to hormones (18%), prescription drugs (18%), fragrances (0.3%), and antioxidants (0.0%), which can all elicit physiological and ecological responses even at low concentrations. References to centralized STTs (e.g., activated sludge, 37%) were more frequent than decentralized STTs (e.g., septic, 2%), despite decentralized STTs being common and frequently high impact sources of sewage pollution worldwide. Freshwater lotic systems (63%) were more prevalent than freshwater lentic (24%) and terrestrial (20%) systems. This discrepancy is notable because the longer residence times of lentic and terrestrial systems may enable PPCPs to concentrate and thus increase risk of biological consequences. These results highlight distinct opportunities to address knowledge gaps in the environmental PPCP literature, including underrepresented compounds (e.g., fragrances), sewage treatment techniques (e.g., septic systems), and ecosystem types (e.g., lakes).
Recent developments in mesophyll conductance in C3, C4, and crassulacean acid metabolism plants

The conductance of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) from the substomatal cavities to the initial sites of CO2 fixation (gm ) can significantly reduce the availability of CO2 for photosynthesis. There have been many recent reviews on: (i) the importance of gm for accurately modelling net rates of CO2 assimilation, (ii) on how leaf biochemical and anatomical factors influence gm , (iii) the technical limitation of estimating gm , which cannot be directly measured, and (iv) how gm responds to long- and short-term changes in growth and measurement environmental conditions. Therefore, this review will highlight these previous publications but will attempt not to repeat what has already been published. We will instead initially focus on the recent developments on the two-resistance model of gm that describe the potential of photorespiratory and respiratory CO2 released within the mitochondria to diffuse directly into both the chloroplast and the cytosol. Subsequently, we summarize recent developments in the three-dimensional (3-D) reaction-diffusion models and 3-D image analysis that are providing new insights into how the complex structure and organization of the leaf influences gm . Finally, because most of the reviews and literature on gm have traditionally focused on C3 plants we review in the final sections some of the recent developments, current understanding and measurement techniques of gm in C4 and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants. These plants have both specialized leaf anatomy and either a spatially or temporally separated CO2 concentrating mechanisms (C4 and CAM, respectively) that influence how we interpret and estimate gm compared with a C3 plants.
Contact lens-based lysozyme detection in tear using a mobile sensor

We report a method for sensing analytes in tear-fluid using commercial contact lenses (CLs) as sample collectors for subsequent analysis with a cost-effective and field-portable reader. In this study we quantify lysozyme, the most prevalent protein in tear fluid, non-specifically bound to CLs worn by human participants. Our mobile reader uses time-lapse imaging to capture an increasing fluorescent signal in a standard well-plate, the rate-of-change of which is used to indirectly infer lysozyme concentration through the use of a standard curve. We empirically determined the best-suited CL material for our sampling procedure and assay, and subsequently monitored the lysozyme levels of nine healthy human participants over a two-week period. Of these participants who were regular CL wearers (6 out of 9), we observed an increase in lysozyme levels from 6.89 ± 2.02 μg mL-1 to 10.72 ± 3.22 μg mL-1 (mean ± SD) when inducing an instance of digital eye-strain by asking them to play a game on their mobile-phones during the CL wear-duration. We also observed a lower mean lysozyme concentration (2.43 ± 1.66 μg mL-1) in a patient cohort with dry eye disease (DED) as compared to the average monitoring level of healthy (no DED) human participants (6.89 ± 2.02 μg mL-1). Taken together, this study demonstrates tear-fluid analysis with simple and non-invasive sampling steps along with a rapid, easy-to-use, and cost-effective measurement system, ultimately indicating physiological differences in human participants. We believe this method could be used in future tear-fluid studies, even supporting multiplexed detection of a panel of tear biomarkers toward improved diagnostics and prognostics as well as personalized mobile-health applications.
Langerhans cell sarcoma of the vulva: Case report and review of the literature.

Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS) is a rare, malignant neoplastic disorder of Langerhans cells thought to arise from antecedent Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) or de novo. There are less than 70 cases of LCS reported in the medical literature, with this case being the first report of primary vulvar LCS. We present the case of a 73-year-old female with a painful 2 cm ulcerated lesion of the right labia majora. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics without resolution. On referral to gynecologic oncology an office biopsy showed LCS. Surgical excision was performed with clear margins and diagnostic confirmation of LCS by histopathological features and immunohistochemical evaluation. The patient received adjuvant radiation therapy (45.6 Gy). After 33 months of surveillance, the patient remains with no evidence of disease. Due to the rarity of this disease, there is a lack of standardized recommendations for adjuvant therapy, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens for both localized and systemic LCS. This case report supports the management of localized disease by surgical excision followed by radiotherapy as effective for preventing recurrence and metastatic progression. Early recognition and treatment are critical for cure, and can be accomplished by prompt referral to a specialist as well as low threshold for biopsy. Further investigation is needed for establishing a standardized management guideline for LCS.
Histone modifications at the transcription start site of non-coding RNA revealed regulatory patterns of activation in Caenorhabditis elegans embryo

Abstract Histone modifications play an essential role in regulating recruitment of RNA polymerase II and through this regulation of transcription itself. Which modifications are essential for regulating the transcription of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) species and how these patterns differ between the different types of ncRNA remains less studied compared to mRNA. We performed a principal component analysis (PCA) of histone modifications patterns surrounding the transcription start site (TSS) of ncRNA in an attempt to understand how histone modifications predict polymerase recruitment and transcription of ncRNA in early C. elegans development We found that our first PCA axis was a better predictor of polymerase recruitment and expression than any single histone modification for ncRNA and miRNA. This indicates an integrated analysis of many histone modifications is essential for predicting expression based on histone modifications and that each ncRNA species have unique regulation of RNA polymerase recruitment through histone modifications.
Comparison of single-channel EEG, actigraphy, and sleep diary in cognitively normal and mildly impaired older adults.

Study objectives Multiple methods for monitoring sleep-wake activity have identified sleep disturbances as risk factors for Alzheimer disease (AD). In order to identify the level of agreement between different methods, we compared sleep parameters derived from single-channel EEG (scEEG), actigraphy, and sleep diaries in cognitively normal and mildly impaired older adults. Methods Two hundred ninety-three participants were monitored at home for up to six nights with scEEG, actigraphy, and sleep diaries. Total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), and wake after sleep onset (WASO) were calculated using each of these methods. In 109 of the 293 participants, the ratio of cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and amyloid-β-42 (Aβ42) was used as a biomarker for AD pathology. Results Agreement was highest for TST across instruments, especially in cognitively normal older adults. Overall, scEEG and actigraphy appeared to have greater agreement for multiple sleep parameters than for scEEG and diary or actigraphy and diary. Levels of agreement between scEEG and actigraphy overall decreased in mildly impaired participants and those with biomarker evidence of AD pathology, especially for measurements of TST. Conclusions Caution should be exercised when comparing scEEG and actigraphy in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or with AD pathology. Sleep diaries may capture different aspects of sleep compared to scEEG and actigraphy. Additional studies comparing different methods of measuring sleep-wake activity in older adults are necessary to allow for comparison between studies using different methods.
Using Cannabidiol as a potential postharvest treatment to maintain quality and extend the shelf life of strawberries

Abstract Cannabis has been used in ancient medicine to treat a wide array of medical issues. Specifically, Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has been linked to containing antimicrobial properties. However, research surrounding the potential use of CBD as an antimicrobial agent is still preliminary. This study aims to examine the potential of CBD oil as a postharvest treatment used by consumers at home to reduce microbial growth and extend the shelf life of strawberries. CBD oil was applied to fresh fruit after harvest followed by storage at 1 °C for 8 days and 10 °C for to 8 days. Strawberries were evaluated for visual quality and microbial load before and during storage. Results from this study showed that CBD oil was effective at maintaining the visual appearance of strawberries, above the minimum threshold of a visual rating score of 3, compared to the fruit that was not treated. It was also found that CBD oil was effective at reducing the microbial load on treated strawberries compared to fruit that was not treated. This research shows that CBD oil has the potential to be used by consumers at home as an effective antimicrobial treatment and to extend strawberry shelf life.