cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of the physiochemical constraints on the export of spider silk proteins by Salmonella type III secretion

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a molecular machine in gram negative bacteria that exports proteins through both membranes to the extracellular environment. It has been previously demonstrated that the T3SS encoded in Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI-1) can be harnessed to export recombinant proteins. Here, we demonstrate the secretion of a variety of unfolded spider silk proteins and use these data to quantify the constraints of this system with respect to the export of recombinant protein. To test how the timing and level of protein expression affects secretion, we designed a hybrid promoter that combines an IPTG-inducible system with a natural genetic circuit that controls effector expression in Salmonella (psicA). LacO operators are placed in various locations in the psicA promoter and the optimal induction occurs when a single operator is placed at the +5nt (234-fold) and a lower basal level of expression is achieved when a second operator is placed at -63nt to take advantage of DNA looping. Using this tool, we find that the secretion efficiency (protein secreted divided by total expressed) is constant as a function of total expressed. We also demonstrate that the secretion flux peaks at 8 hours. We then use whole gene DNA synthesis to construct codon optimized spider silk genes for full-length (3129 amino acids) Latrodectus hesperus dragline silk, Bombyx mori cocoon silk, and Nephila clavipes flagelliform silk and PCR is used to create eight truncations of these genes. These proteins are all unfolded polypeptides and they encompass a variety of length, charge, and amino acid compositions. We find those proteins fewer than 550 amino acids reliably secrete and the probability declines significantly after ~700 amino acids. There also is a charge optimum at -2.4, and secretion efficiency declines for very positively or negatively charged proteins. There is no significant correlation with hydrophobicity. We show that the natural system encoded in SPI-1 only produces high titers of secreted protein for 4-8 hours when the natural psicA promoter is used to drive expression. Secretion efficiency can be high, but declines for charged or large sequences. A quantitative characterization of these constraints will facilitate the effective use and engineering of this system.
Modulation of calcium currents by a metabotropic glutamate receptor involves fast and slow kinetic components in cultured hippocampal neurons

The modulation of high-threshold Ca2+ currents by the selective metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,3R)-1- aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD), was investigated in cultured hippocampal neurons using whole-cell voltage-clamp recording. ACPD reduced high-threshold Ca2+ currents carried by Ba2+ with an EC50 of 15.5 microM. The inhibition was reversible, voltage dependent, and blocked by L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (1 mM) or by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. Inhibition by ACPD was greatly enhanced, and became irreversible, when the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog GTP gamma S was included in the whole-cell pipette. In some neurons, the Ba2+ current was inhibited by L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoic acid (L-AP4) as well as ACPD while most cells were insensitive to L-AP4, suggesting that these agonists activate distinct receptors. The inhibition of Ca2+ currents was reduced but not eliminated in the presence of either omega-conotoxin GVIA or nifedipine, suggesting that both N- and L-type Ca2+ currents were affected. The degree and kinetics of inhibition were dependent on intracellular calcium. With [Ca]i < 1 nM, inhibition had a fast onset (t approximately 1–2 sec) and a rapid recovery, consistent with a membrane-delimited pathway. However, a slow component of inhibition appeared when the steady state [Ca]i was increased to 100 nM (t onset approximately 3 min). The slow component did not require transient Ca2+ influx or release of intracellular Ca2+. We suggest that Ca2+ channel modulation by ACPD involves either two mGluR subtypes with separate coupling mechanisms or a single mGluR that couples to both mechanisms.
A rapidly declining perennial sea ice cover in the Arctic

[1] The perennial sea ice cover in the Arctic is shown to be declining at −9% per decade using satellite data from 1978 to 2000. A sustained decline at this rate would mean the disappearance of the multiyear ice cover during this century and drastic changes in the Arctic climate system. An apparent increase in the fraction of second year ice in the 1990s is also inferred suggesting an overall thinning of the ice cover. Surface ice temperatures derived from satellite data are negatively correlated with perennial ice area and are shown to be increasing at the rate of 1.2 K per decade. The latter implies longer melt periods and therefore decreasing ice volume in the more recent years.
Chemistry and nutrient loading

Lake Mendota is a typical hard-water lake whose chemistry has been significantly modified by eutrophication. A sequence of events can be recognized in Lake Mendota which leads to an alteration in the chemistry of the lake water. This sequence will be described briefly here and will be elaborated in the rest of this chapter.
DivRank: the interplay of prestige and diversity in information networks

Information networks are widely used to characterize the relationships between data items such as text documents. Many important retrieval and mining tasks rely on ranking the data items based on their centrality or prestige in the network. Beyond prestige, diversity has been recognized as a crucial objective in ranking, aiming at providing a non-redundant and high coverage piece of information in the top ranked results. Nevertheless, existing network-based ranking approaches either disregard the concern of diversity, or handle it with non-optimized heuristics, usually based on greedy vertex selection. We propose a novel ranking algorithm, DivRank, based on a reinforced random walk in an information network. This model automatically balances the prestige and the diversity of the top ranked vertices in a principled way. DivRank not only has a clear optimization explanation, but also well connects to classical models in mathematics and network science. We evaluate DivRank using empirical experiments on three different networks as well as a text summarization task. DivRank outperforms existing network-based ranking methods in terms of enhancing diversity in prestige.
Effects of supramalleolar orthoses on postural stability in children with Down syndrome

This study explored the effects of a flexible supramalleolar orthosis (SMO), indicated to decrease pronation associated with hypotonia, on postural stability in children with Down syndrome. Seventeen children with Down syndrome (nine males, eight females; mean age 5 years 10 months, SD 17.2 months; range 3 years 6 months to 8 years) were tested three times in a 10-week period (weeks 1, 3, and 10) using the Standing and the Walking, Running, and Jumping dimensions of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and the Balance subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP). Range of motion measurements were used to explore the influence of joint laxity. Significant improvement was found with SMOs compared with shoes only in the Standing dimension (p=0.001) and the Walking, Running, and Jumping dimension (p=0.0001) of the GMFM, both at the time of fitting (week 3) and after 7 weeks of wearing SMOs (week 10). For the BOTMP Balance subtest, significant improvement (p=0.027) was seen only at the end of the 7-week study period. Amount of joint laxity did not influence response to orthotic intervention. This study showed that young children with Down syndrome showed immediate and longer-term (after 7 weeks of use) improvement in postural stability with the use of flexible SMOs.
Hydrodynamics of water droplets irradiated by a pulsed CO 2 laser

Using the notion of a source function, which describes the power deposited inside irradiated particles, we study the internal motion of irradiated water droplets by an intense laser pulse. The spatial distribution of the absorbed energy allows us to investigate 2-D hydrodynamic motion of the droplet. We find shock waves within the droplet and jets of vaporized material moving into the surrounding medium.
MICROTUBULES IN RELATION TO THE MOTILITY OF A SPERM SYNCYTIUM IN AN ARMORED SCALE INSECT

Male scale insects of the species Parlatoria oleae Colvee (Homoptera: Coccoidea) produce motile sperm bundles. The bundle is a syncytium consisting of 10 to 20 closely packed, filamentous spermatozoa, which share a common cytoplasm and are enclosed in a common membrane. The individual spermatozoon is not surrounded by a plasma membrane, but is delimited by a scroll-like sheath composed of 45 to 50 microtubules. The microtubules run parallel to the long axis of the spermatozoon and are arranged in a spiral pattern as seen in transection. The outside diameter measures approximately 140 to 220 A and the inside diameter, 70 to 100 A. The spermatozoon is about 300 µ long and tapers gradually from a diameter of approximately 0.3 µ anteriorly to 0.1 µ posteriorly. The anterior half (150 µ) has a threadlike core of chromatin about 0.07 µ in diameter. A homogeneous cytoplasm surrounds the nuclear core and fills the posterior half of the spermatozoon. Neither osmium tetroxide nor glutaraldehyde fixation revealed the presence of a nuclear envelope, acrosomal membranes, mitochondria, flagellum, or centrioles. In spite of the apparent lack of orthodox cell organelles, the spermatozoon is actively motile upon release from the bundle. It exhibits capactiy for motility throughout its entire length. Since the sheath of microtubules is the only structure which extends the full length of the spermatozoon, it probably plays a significant role in spermatozoan motility.
Obesity among sexually abused women: an adaptive function for some?

In an attempt to explore the possibly adaptive function obesity may serve for some women with histories of sexual trauma, we examined relationships among sexual abuse history, body dissatisfaction, and maximum weight fluctuation among obese (n = 38; Body Mass Index > or = 27.3) and nonobese (n = 112; Body Mass Index < 27.3) women sampled from a primary care medical setting. History of sexual abuse was unrelated to current body weight within the entire sample, as well as the nonobese and the obese subsamples. However, the interaction between obesity and sexual abuse was statistically significant in the prediction of both current/ideal body-weight discrepancy (i.e., body dissatisfaction) and maximum weight fluctuation during adulthood. Among nonobese women, history of sexual abuse was unrelated to current body dissatisfaction but was related to greater maximal weight fluctuation during adulthood. Among obese women, those with a history of sexual abuse reported relatively less current body dissatisfaction and less weight fluctuation during adulthood compared to nonsexually-abused obese women. Results are discussed with regard to the potential adaptive function obesity may play for some sexually abused women and the need for additional research using larger, more diverse samples and more elaborate measures.
Effects of Salinity and Nutrients on Microbial Assemblages in Louisiana Wetland Sediments

To evaluate the effects of saltwater intrusion and nutrient enrichment on wetland microbial communities, we measured changes in sediment microbial structure and function in response to increased salinity and nutrients. Sediments were collected from a cypress-tupelo swamp near Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, USA, and maintained in microcosms treated with elevated salinity, nitrogen (N), or phosphorus (P). Impacts on bacterial community diversity and composition were determined via molecular techniques, while effects on function were assessed through measurement of extracellular enzyme activity. Salinity increased bacterial diversity, P had no effect, while N reduced diversity. Deltaproteobacteria dominated all treatments, although their representation, along with that of the Alphaproteobacteria and Planctomycetes, was reduced following N addition. P addition reduced the proportion of Alphaproteobacteria, while salinity increased the proportion of Betaproteobacteria. Exposure to elevated salinity also decreased phosphatase and N-acetlyglucosaminidase activity by almost 20%, with less effect on β-glucosidase. P addition had no impact on extracellular enzyme activity. Overall, exposure to elevated salinity depresses microbial function and changes the sediment microbial assemblage. These wetlands are likely N-limited, and while N additions may regenerate plant communities, they also change the structure of the sediment microbial community, decreasing diversity and impacting the mineralization of other nutrients.
Structured Read-Aloud in Middle School: The Potential Impact on Reading Achievement.

Read-aloud is a technique predominantly utilized at the elementary level. This study was designed to research the effectiveness of this technique at the middle school level, specifically students who were not receiving special education or additional reading intervention services. For the current investigation, students in two middle schools within the same Virginia school district were assigned to receive the treatment of Structured Read-Aloud or received traditional middle-school reading instruction. These students were tested using the Diagnostic Online Reading Assessment (DORA), both in the fall before the intervention was implemented and again in the spring of the same year, to assess gains. Results indicate that the use of Read-Aloud instruction had an impact on student DORA scores, and implications of the research are discussed.
The relationship of tissue oxygenation to cellular bioenergetics.

As primeval cellular organisms coalesced into complex entities, the diffusion distance from atmosphere to the energy producing organelles increased. This resulted in the evolution of an elaborate mass transport system with the dual purpose of carrying oxygen to the mitochondria and removing one of the biproducts of metabolism, carbon dioxide. This gas transport system has allowed man and other living creatures to thrive under a wide range of environmental conditions. However, the delivery of O2 to the tissues may be compromised when the limits of adaptation are reached. This may occur in high altitude, space travel, or when disease is present. Under those conditions the resulting tissue hypoxia results in a series of microvascular responses which help to preserve the flow of energy to the mechanisms responsible for maintaining the integrity of the cell membrane (Duling and Klitzman, 1980; Kontos 1986).
Multiple inner core reflections from a Novaya Zemlya explosion

Abstract The phases P2KP, P3KP , and P4KP are well recorded from the Novaya Zemlya nuclear explosion of October 14, 1970, with the branch AB at distances of up to 20° beyond the theoretical end point A . This extension is attributed to diffraction around the core-mantle boundary. A slowness dT/d Δ = 4.56±0.02 sec/deg is determined for the AB branch of P4KP , in excellent agreement with recent determinations of the slowness of diffracted P . This slowness implies a velocity of 13.29±0.06 km/sec at the base of the mantle, and confirms recent suggestions of a low-velocity channel above the core-mantle boundary. There is evidence that arrivals recorded before the AB branch of P2KP may lie on two branches, with different slownesses. The ratio of amplitudes of successive orders of multiple inner core reflections gives a lower bound of about 2200 for Q in the outer core.
A Transmembrane Domain GGxxG Motif in CD4 Contributes to Its Lck-Independent Function but Does Not Mediate CD4 Dimerization.

CD4 interactions with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are essential for CD4+ T cell development, activation, and effector functions. While its association with p56lck (Lck), a Src kinase, is important for these functions CD4 also has an Lck-independent role in TCR signaling that is incompletely understood. Here, we identify a conserved GGxxG motif in the CD4 transmembrane domain that is related to the previously described GxxxG motifs of other proteins and predicted to form a flat glycine patch in a transmembrane helix. In other proteins, these patches have been reported to mediate dimerization of transmembrane domains. Here we show that introducing bulky side-chains into this patch (GGxxG to GVxxL) impairs the Lck-independent role of CD4 in T cell activation upon TCR engagement of agonist and weak agonist stimulation. However, using Forster’s Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), we saw no evidence that these mutations decreased CD4 dimerization either in the unliganded state or upon engagement of pMHC concomitantly with the TCR. This suggests that the CD4 transmembrane domain is either mediating interactions with an unidentified partner, or mediating some other function such as membrane domain localization that is important for its role in T cell activation.
Sustainability of the Wine Market though Emerging Consumer Segments: The Case of U.S. Hispanic Consumers

With the increased globalization of the wine industry comes the need for in-depth examinations of emerging consumer segments. The current study approaches the topic of sustainability from the consumer viewpoint. Specifically, the current paper focuses on an emerging yet sizeable market of consumers - Hispanic wine consumers in the United States. Consumer data were collected via in-person intercepts at retail stores that predominately target Hispanic consumers. Findings suggest that Hispanic consumers drink wine fairly frequently, with the majority of the sample reporting wine consumption at least once a week. Slightly over half of the sample prefers red and dry wine, but about forty percent give preferences to sweet wine. Hispanic consumers perceive wine as a drink to be consumed at home, rather than in a restaurant or a bar. Price was named as the top purchase driver, followed by personal preferences and friend's recommendations.
Unequal justice: The role of organizational identity in meting out punishment for immoral behavior

Organizations have social identities that encompass both a categorical identity, based on products sold or services provided, and a more individualized, organization-specific identity not necessarily based on products, which is largely influenced by perceptions based on organizational activities. Recent research on organizational categories has shown that audiences prefer organizations that conform to a single category. At the same time, social psychological research on morality shows that individuals reward moral actors and punish immoral actors. This study examines how conformity to a categorical code can affect audience reactions to organizational actors’ immoral actions. Using a series of experiments, I show that organizations with unclear categorical identities (whose operations span multiple categories) are punished more when suspected of immoral behavior than organizations operating in a single product category. However, when the immoral behavior is beyond suspicion and is accepted as fact, the buf...
Phase Relations and Bulk Crystal Growth in the System CuInTe2-MnIn2Te4

Recently manganese substituted I-III-VI2 compounds have been investigated. Their magnetic properties are similar to the paramagnetic transistion metal ion substituted II-VI materials, but their crystal structure is non-cubic resulting in anisotropies in their physico-chemical properties that do not exist in the zincblende structure diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) materials. In this paper, we report the phase relations on the pseudobinary cut CuInTe2-MnIn2Te4 based on x-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis data. The range of chalcopyrite structure alloys of composition Cu1−xMnx□xIn2Te4 is limited to x<0.52 due to an eutectic at x=0.74, T= 734°C. A second eutectic exists at x = 0.97, T = 737.5°C. A heretofore unknown congruently melting compound exists in between the two eutectics at x= 0.85, Tm = 760°C. Also, the thus far unknown melting point of the compound MnIn2Te4 was determined (740°C ). Based on the analyses of the first to freeze parts of directionally solidified melts in this range of liquidus compositions by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy the solidus is constructed.
Impulsivity and risk for prescription opioid misuse in a chronic pain patient sample

Misuse of, and addiction to, prescription opioid pain relievers is a growing concern, in both non-clinical samples and chronic pain patients receiving opioid analgesic therapy. Research is needed to identify which patients may be more prone to misuse or dependence on opioids in a chronic pain treatment setting. Based on literature showing the role of impulsivity in substance use disorders generally, we predicted that impulsivity may also be important to understanding which individuals may be at risk for opioid misuse when opioids are prescribed for pain. The present study examined associations between impulsivity facets and measures of prescription opioid misuse and symptoms. Four facets of impulsivity were examined: urgency, sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance. 143 patients receiving treatment for chronic pain at a regional pain clinic completed a series of questionnaires including the UPPS and measures of opioid risk and misuse. Consistent with predictions, urgency was associated with risk for future misuse (β=0.246, p<0.05), current misuse (β=0.253, p<0.01), and symptoms of current opioid use disorder (OUD; β=0.206, p<0.05). Sensation seeking was also associated with current misuse (β=0.279, p<0.01). These results suggest that identifying facets of impulsivity is important to understanding and assessing for risk of prescription opioid misuse in the context of chronic pain treatment. These data indicate that patients who react impulsively to negative mood states and cravings may be especially prone to developing aberrant use patterns when taking prescription opioids. This is the first known study to identify the role of urgency in predicting risk for OUDs in chronic pain patients.
Application of fuzzy theory in vibration fault diagnosis system for hydropower unit

Vibration is the main fault which affects the regular run and endangers the life-span of hydropower unit.This paper discusses mainly on the application of fuzzy theory in vibration fault diagnosis of hydropower unit.Identification methods of vibration and extraction of feature signal are expounded,and reference table between vibration frequency and fault signal is offered.The diagnostic model of vibration fault with fuzzy theory and neural network are established respectively.
Improving Environmental Tort Liabilities in China——A View of Communication between Civil Law and Environmental Law

Coupled with the frequent occurrence of environmental pollution,and the extension of its affecting degree and scope,environmental pollution issue has become a prominent social problem in the course of rapid development of China′s economy.Corresponding responsibility problems are increasingly subjected to the common concern and attention of the circles of civil law and environmental law.However,there are different visual thresholds concerning the environmental pollution tort between the two circles.In China,what the legislation of the environmental pollution tort undertakes is the dual track system regarding the civil legislation and environmental legislation,reflecting to a certain degree the theoretical research results by the circles of civil law and environmental law.The communication between the two law circles has become an important guarantee for promoting the coordination and unitarity of the environmental pollution tort in China.Meanwhile,confronted with the dual challenge of the civil liability problem that the environment itself undergoes pollution or damage,and the problem concerning the new-type environmental risk tort liability,there should be more profound and extensive dialogue between the circles of environmental law and civil law to extend the environmental tort liability system in China.
Physiological relevance of T-tube model parameters with emphasis on arterial compliances

The T-tube model of systemic arterial circulation was examined with respect to the physiological relevance of model parameters. root aortic pressure [Pao(t)] and flow [Qao(t)] and descending aortic flow [Qb(t)] were measured in anesthetized, open-chest dogs under control conditions, during inflation of a balloon positioned in the left external iliac artery (n = 5), and during infusion of vasoactive drugs nitroprusside (NTP, n = 4) and phenylephrine (PHL, n = 5). With Pao(t) as the input, the model accurately predicted both Qao(t) and Qb(t) under all conditions (r2 > 0.96). The balloon inflation data established the ability of the model to discriminate between proximal and distal arterial mechanical properties. Furthermore, proximal properties (i.e., tube characteristic impedances and transit times) were independent of distal properties such as terminal compliances and resistances (or equivalently, wave reflections). The effects of NTP and PHL were pharmacologically consistent and served to further validate this model. NTP primarily affected distal (load) properties, whereas PHL altered both load and tube parameters. Physiological interpretation of model parameters, particularly compliance, is also discussed. The ability of the model to correctly discriminate between proximal and distal arterial properties is relevant because these properties may affect cardiovascular function differently.
Weyl’s Great Papers of 1925 and 1926

At the end of the last chapter we noted that Weyl’s first two accomplishments in the study of the representations of Lie groups were his characterization of the irreducible representations of the special linear group in terms of symmetry classes of tensors and his establishment of the complete reducibility theorem for this group. These results were important to him because they provided the proper (group-theoretic) foundation for the calculus of tensors. Impressive as these results are, they are but a part of the contents of his first detailed paper on the representation of semisimple groups, published in Mathematische Zeitschrift with the title, “Theory of the Representation of Continuous Semisimple Groups by Linear Transformations” [1925], The following chapter is devoted to a discussion of this remarkable paper (Sections 1–5) and two related matters: Cartan’s response to it (Section 6) and, in Section 7, Weyl’s paper with F. Peter [1926], in which the details of an idea already presented in the 1925 paper are worked out. The Peter-Weyl paper effectively launched what is now called harmonic analysis on groups. Together these two papers constitute an important landmark in the history of Lie’s theory and, more generally, in the history of mathematics.
Suppressors in Yeast

Suppressors are genes which suppress the expression of mutant phenotypes. The suppressors can be considered to be mutant genes themselves since they are generally not found in the wild type strains but are obtained by selecting for revertants of the mutant phenotype. A revertant arising by a mutation other than a base change in the original mutant codon carries a suppressor. If the new event occurred at another site within the original mutant gene, it is called by some an intra-locus suppressor. However, in our view this is a misuse of the term suppressor which originated as a designation for those mutations occurring in some other gene, the suppressor gene, and which now must be defined as an external suppressor. The external or extra-locus suppressors can be further classified as being either functional suppressors or informational suppressors.
Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer

GoalAfter completing this CE program, the participant will understand the basic concepts of chemoprevention and will be able to discuss the currently existing clinical data for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.ObjectivesAt the completion of this program the participant will be able to:1. Discuss the complicating factors in performing chemoprevention trials.2. Describe the dietary modifications to prevent colorectal cancer.3. Describe the proposed mechanisms of action of agents used in the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.4. Discuss, and where appropriate recommend, appropriate agents for use in the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.5. Describe the differences between familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), and spontaneous adenoma formation.
Redox Regulation of Stem Cell Function

Stem cells are critical for tissue regeneration and homeostasis, and their regenerative potential has to be carefully managed to prevent degenerative diseases and cancer. In recent years, it has emerged that stem cells are uniquely sensitive to changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Hochmuth et al., Cell Stem Cell 8:1–12, 2011a; Ito et al., Nature 431:997–1002, 2004; Owusu-Ansah and Banerjee, Nature 461:537–541, 2009; Smith et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97:10032–10037, 2000; Tothova et al., Cell 128:325–339, 2007; Tsatmali et al., Brain Res 1040:137–150, 2005). Dynamic regulation of intracellular ROS seems to be critical to control the regenerative potential and to avoid loss of self-renewal capabilities and pluripotency of stem cells. Here, we review these findings, highlighting recent observations in genetic model organisms that clarify the role of ROS in stem cell regulation.
The Risk-Need-Responsivity Model: How Do Probation Officers Implement the Principles of Effective Intervention?:

The advancement of evidence-based practices (EBP) and the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model suggests several key practices for probation agencies, including validated risk and needs assessments an...
The Relationship Between Nonhuman Primate Densities and Vegetation on the Pagai, Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

Trees serve countless functions for animals such as supplying food, offering cover from predators and the elements, providing substrates for locomotion, furnishing places to rest and sleep, etc. It is not surprising then, that the densities of many primary consumers such as primates, are related to the plant resources in their environment (Brown 1981), and specifically, to tree variables. These include the density and/or basal area of important tree species such as figs (Ficus spp.), palms (Palmae), and lianas, as well as forest structure indices such as total stem density; tree species richness, diversity, and equitability; stand basal area, mean patch size, and percent canopy cover (Table 11.1).
Desert Oasis Springs: Ecohydrology, Biocultural Diversity, Mythology, and Societal Implications

Abstract Desert oases function as centers and sources of dynamic cultural diversity. Despite their often small size, oases and other springs often contain tightly packed, highly interactive assemblages of upland and wetland obligate plants and animals. Springs function as keystone ecosystems, ecologically interactive points, and refugia within larger geographic areas and across long timescales. Desert oases provide crucial habitat for wild and domesticated biodiversity, and sources of economic well-being and inspiration for humans. In this article, we focus on the springs and oases of the Sonoran Desert in southwestern North America. With a long prehistory of human use and great intensification of exploitation for agriculture, recreation, and urbanization during historic times, Sonoran Desert oases and other springs throughout the world have become highly threatened. Oases have long held archetypal appeal as lush refugia for humans traveling through arid regions. However, these spatially limited, bioculturally rich island-like desert refugia are compelling to the human psyche, and have been mythologized in modern society. The “myth of the oasis” does not scale effectively to large urban settings, and this has set the stage for unrealistic expectations and demands on limited environmental resources in these harsh, arid regions. Nonetheless, this myth has inextricably permeated arid land urban society, creating overdrafts in water use and abstraction that portend ever more serious conflicts of an unsustainable future.
Complexity Dichotomies for Counting Problems

Complexity theory aims to understand and classify computational problems, especially decision problems, according to their inherent complexity. This book uses new techniques to expand the theory for use with counting problems. The authors present dichotomy classifications for broad classes of counting problems in the realm of P and NP. Classifications are proved for partition functions of spin systems, graph homomorphisms, constraint satisfaction problems, and Holant problems. The book assumes minimal prior knowledge of computational complexity theory, developing proof techniques as needed and gradually increasing the generality and abstraction of the theory. This volume presents the theory on the Boolean domain, and includes a thorough presentation of holographic algorithms, culminating in classifications of computational problems studied in exactly solvable models from statistical mechanics.
Back in My Day: A Journal Club Using Landmark Articles for Emergency Medicine-Bound Medical Students.

Author(s): San Miguel, Christopher E.; Leung, Cynthia; Kman, Nicholas; Bischof, Jason | Abstract: This journal club style curriculum was developed to advance 4th year medical students in Emergency Medicine (EM) Milestone 19. The curriculum was introduced as part of a longitudinal boot camp course for EM- bound students. Students met monthly with faculty members to critically evaluate landmark articles within the field of EM. The curriculum culminated with student group presentations of two contemporary research articles with opposing conclusions. Discussed articles covered the following topics: stroke care, head trauma, cervical spine trauma, pulmonary embolism, cardiology treatments, syncope, post- cardiac arrest care, pediatrics, sepsis, and fluid resuscitation. The curriculum was evaluated using the institution’s standard student educational session evaluation form. Students rated the quality of the sessions highly, and based on thematic review of comments, the journal club was a beneficial addition to the boot camp curriculum.
Mining and visualizing high-order directional drug interaction effects using the FAERS database

Adverse drug events (ADEs) often occur as a result of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). The use of data mining for detecting effects of drug combinations on ADE has attracted growing attention and interest, however, most studies focused on analyzing pairwise DDIs. Recent efforts have been made to explore the directional relationships among high-dimensional drug combinations and have shown effectiveness on prediction of ADE risk. However, the existing approaches become inefficient from both computational and illustrative perspectives when considering more than three drugs. We proposed an efficient approach to estimate the directional effects of high-order DDIs through frequent itemset mining, and further developed a novel visualization method to organize and present the high-order directional DDI effects involving more than three drugs in an interactive, concise and comprehensive manner. We demonstrated its performance by mining the directional DDIs associated with myopathy using a publicly available FAERS dataset. Directional effects of DDIs involving up to seven drugs were reported. Our analysis confirmed previously reported myopathy associated DDIs including interactions between fusidic acid with simvastatin and atorvastatin. Furthermore, we uncovered a number of novel DDIs leading to increased risk for myopathy, such as the co-administration of zoledronate with different types of drugs including antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) and analgesics (acetaminophen, fentanyl, gabapentin, oxycodone). Finally, we visualized directional DDI findings via the proposed tool, which allows one to interactively select any drug combination as the baseline and zoom in/out to obtain both detailed and overall picture of interested drugs. We developed a more efficient data mining strategy to identify high-order directional DDIs, and designed a scalable tool to visualize high-order DDI findings. The proposed method and tool have the potential to contribute to the drug interaction research and ultimately impact patient health care. http://lishenlab.com/d3i/explorer.html
Ask and It Shall Be Given: Patient-Centered Outcomes in Glomerular Diseases

There is a truism in medicine, commonly invoked on teaching rounds, that goes something like “90% of all diagnoses can be made based only on what a patient tells you.” This aphorism has room for minor variations—sometimes the percentage dips to 80%, sometimes the physical examination is given
Flow-induced inhomogeneity and enhanced nucleation in a long alkane melt

Abstract Flow-enhanced crystal nucleation in a lightly entangled melt of n-pentacontahectane (C150H302, or C150) is examined by nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation under steady shear and uniaxial extension. Under sufficiently strong flow fields above the melting temperature, strong fluctuations give rise to domains with high local alignment on the Kuhn length-scale. Upon quenching, the nucleation of small crystallites was found to occur preferentially within these domains. This behavior is at odds with classical nucleation theory, wherein it is typically assumed that nucleation occurs uniformly throughout the melt with equal rate. Comparisons are drawn between the simulation results and theories involving the formation of precursors that precede the formation of crystals.
The impact of telemedicine on patient-reported outcomes in urologic oncology.

200Background: Nearly 20% of Americans live in rural communities. These individuals face barriers to accessing cancer care, including prevalent poverty and substantial travel burden to seeing cance...
Unraveling the Mystery of Genetics Information for Consumers: Information Professionals and Genetic Health Literacy

To increase genetic health literacy among consumer-facing information professionals, the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) developed a class called ABCs of DNA: Unraveling the Myst...
Hoogsteen base pairs increase the susceptibility of double-stranded DNA to cytotoxic damage.

As the Watson–Crick faces of nucleobases are protected in dsDNA, it is commonly assumed that deleterious alkylation damage to the Watson–Crick faces of nucleobases predominantly occurs when DNA becomes single-stranded during replication and transcription. However, damage to the Watson–Crick faces of nucleobases has been reported in dsDNA in vitro through mechanisms that are not understood. In addition, the extent of protection from methylation damage conferred by dsDNA relative to ssDNA has not been quantified. Watson–Crick base pairs in dsDNA exist in dynamic equilibrium with Hoogsteen base pairs that expose the Watson–Crick faces of purine nucleobases to solvent. Whether this can influence the damage susceptibility of dsDNA remains unknown. Using dot-blot and primer extension assays, we measured the susceptibility of adenine-N1 to methylation by dimethyl sulfate (DMS) when in an A-T Watson–Crick versus Hoogsteen conformation. Relative to unpaired adenines in a bulge, Watson–Crick A-T base pairs in dsDNA only conferred ∼130-fold protection against adenine-N1 methylation, and this protection was reduced to ∼40-fold for A(syn)-T Hoogsteen base pairs embedded in a DNA-drug complex. Our results indicate that Watson–Crick faces of nucleobases are accessible to alkylating agents in canonical dsDNA and that Hoogsteen base pairs increase this accessibility. Given the higher abundance of dsDNA relative to ssDNA, these results suggest that dsDNA could be a substantial source of cytotoxic damage. The work establishes DMS probing as a method for characterizing A(syn)-T Hoogsteen base pairs in vitro and also lays the foundation for a sequencing approach to map A(syn)-T Hoogsteen and unpaired adenines genome-wide in vivo.
Iatrogenic life: veterinary medicine, cruelty, and the politics of culling in India

Drawing on fieldwork with the veterinary staff at an Indian wildlife sanctuary, this paper examines the controversy surrounding an epizootic outbreak of tuberculosis among a population of sloth bea...
Body mass index and atypical balance as predictors of winter depression remission in cognitive-behavioral therapy and light therapy.

Abstract Background Efficacious treatments for winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) include light therapy (LT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-SAD); however, baseline characteristics may differentially predict treatment outcomes. This study investigated body mass index (BMI) and atypical balance (the proportion of atypical depression symptoms), as predictors of depression remission. Methods The parent study randomized 177 adults diagnosed with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern to 6-weeks of CBT-SAD (n = 88) or LT (n = 89) and followed participants one and two winters later. At baseline, BMI was measured and atypical balance was derived using the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression–Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) as 8-item atypical subscale score/total SIGH-SAD score × 100. Depression remission was defined using standard SIGH-SAD cutpoints. Hierarchical logistic regressions tested the main effects of treatment modality, BMI, and atypical balance and their interactive effects on depression remission at post-treatment and follow-ups. Results The BMI × treatment and atypical balance × treatment interactions significantly predicted depression remission at second winter follow-up. The probability of remission was higher in CBT-SAD than LT at BMI ≤ 26.1 and atypical balance ≤ 40.3%. This predictive relationship survived when adjusting atypical balance for BMI, but not vice-versa. Limitations Participants were predominantly White and older. BMI does not account for muscle mass or fat distribution. Conclusions BMI and atypical balance prescriptively predicted higher likelihood of depression remission two winters following CBT-SAD but not LT. This work informs clinical decision-making and precision medicine efforts.
Incidence and predictors of Gram-negative bacilli in hospitalized people who inject drugs with injection drug use-attributable infections

The objective of this study was to quantify incidence and determine predictors of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) in people who inject drugs (PWID) with injection-drug use (IDU)-related infections. The investigation was a retrospective cohort of hospitalized PWID from January 2017 to December 2019. Inclusion criteria were age of ≥18 years, active IDU, treated IDU-attributable infection, and organism growth from microbiology cultures. Infection types included infective endocarditis (IE), acute bacterial skin/skin structure infection (ABSSSI), osteoarticular infection (OAI), and other bloodstream infections (BSI). Primary outcome was GNB identification from microbiologic culture; descriptive statistics were used to describe the cohort. Multivariable regression was used to identify variables associated with GNB infection. A total of 230 PWID were included, 65 (28%) with GNB infections and 165 (72%) with Gram-positive infections. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) population age was 38 (31 to 45) years. Most patients were women (56%); 37% had no insurance. Infection types were as follows: IE, 41%; ABSSSI, 37%; OAI, 20%; and other BSI, 2%. A total of 278 organisms were isolated from 230 patients. The most common organisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (43%), Streptococcus spp. (19%), methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (17%), and Serratia marcescens (8%); 10% of infections were mixed GNB and Gram-positive infections. A total of 80% of patients received empirical Pseudomonas aeruginosa coverage; only 7% had P. aeruginosa infections. In multivariable regression, age of >50 years (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 7.2), prior hospitalization within 90 days (adjOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.3), and OAI (adjOR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5 to 6.6) were associated with GNB infection. GNB in PWID with IDU-attributable infections were more frequently observed in recently hospitalized, older patients with OAI. The majority of patients received empirical antipseudomonal antibiotic coverage, but P. aeruginosa was infrequent. PWID are a potential population to target improved empirical antibiotic use.
Local Education Agency Impact on School Environments to Reduce Health Risk Behaviors and Experiences Among High School Students.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study is to assess associations between exposure to a multilevel, socio-ecological health program administered by local education agencies and changes in health behaviors among high school students. Methods This analysis used a multilevel difference-in-differences approach to compare student health experiences and outcomes between schools selected by local education agencies nationwide to implement the program (exposed schools) and schools that were not (unexposed schools). We measured repeated cross-sectional outcomes using the 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behaviors Surveys. The final analytic sample comprised 638 schools in total (N = 64,838 students), with 237 exposed schools (n = 30,336 students) and 401 unexposed schools (n = 34,502 students). Results Students in exposed schools demonstrated significant reduction in odds compared with those in unexposed schools in ever having sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = .88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .81–.96), having four or more lifetime sexual partners (aOR = .84, 95% CI: .72–.97), being currently sexually active (aOR = .78, 95% CI: .78–.96), and using effective hormonal birth control (aOR = .7, 95% CI: .56–.88). Exposure to the program was associated with significant reduction in odds of not going to school because of safety concerns (aOR = .87, 95% CI: .78–.97), having experienced forced sex (aOR = .76, 95% CI: .68–.86), ever used marijuana (aOR = .89, 95% CI: .81–.98), and currently using marijuana (aOR = .77, 95% CI: .64–.93). Conclusions Exposure to the program was associated with significant decreases in sexual risk behaviors, experience of violence, and substance use.
Evaluation of genomic imprinting employing the analysis of Loss Of Imprinting (LOI) at the RNA level: preliminary results

Aim. This manuscript summarizes the first results obtained on the investigation of the relationship between genomic imprinting dysregulation and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). Genomic imprinting refers to the silencing of one parental allele in the zygotes depending upon the parent of origin; this silencing occurs via epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and histone modification resulting in monoallelic expression of the affected genes in the offspring. Genomic imprinting plays a critical role in placental and fetal development. Emerging evidence implicates Loss Of Imprinting (LOI) in reproductive and developmental diseases, neurological disorders and cancer. IUGR accounts for ~10% of all pregnancies in the US, it is associated with major postnatal morbidity and mortality in the newborn period and it has been associated with abnormalities in fetal growth that have been linked with developmental origins of many adult disorders, such as obesity and breast cancer. Some developmental syndromes have been moreover associated with known imprinted genes often seen in IUGR pregnancies that may therefore themself be associated with genomic imprinting dysregulation. Materials and Methods. We developed a functional and highly sensitive assay at the RNA level for measuring LOI. We also analyzed imprinted gene expression in normal and IUGR placentas by real-time PCR. Results. We showed that LOI is a common phenomenon in placenta that preferentially affects specific imprinted genes in IUGR compared to control placentas; however, this does not correlate with changes in expression of genes with a perturbed imprinting profile. Conclusions. Genomic imprinting dysregulation plays a role in the etiology of IUGR.