cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms Underlying Developmental Changes in the Firing Patterns of ON and OFF Retinal Ganglion Cells during Refinement of their Central Projections

Patterned neuronal activity is implicated in the refinement of connectivity during development. Calcium-imaging studies of the immature ferret visual system demonstrated previously that functionally separate ON and OFF retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) develop distinct temporal patterns of spontaneous activity as their axonal projections undergo refinement. OFF RGCs become spontaneously more active compared with ON cells, resulting in a decrease in synchronous activity between these cell types. This change in ON and OFF activity patterns is suitable for driving the activity-dependent refinement of their axonal projections. Here, we used whole-cell and perforated-patch recording techniques to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the developmental alteration in the ON and OFF RGC activity patterns. First, we show that before the refinement period, ON and OFF RGCs have similar spike patterns; however, during the period of segregation, OFF RGCs demonstrate significantly higher spike rates relative to ON cells. With increasing age, OFF cells require less depolarization to reach their action potential threshold and fire more spikes in response to current injection compared with ON cells. In addition, spontaneous postsynaptic currents and potentials are greater in magnitude in OFF cells than ON cells. In contrast, before axonal refinement, there are no differences in the intrinsic excitability or synaptic drive onto ON and OFF cells. Together, our results show that developmental changes in ON and OFF RGC excitability and in the strength of their synaptic drives act together to reshape the spike patterns of these cells in a manner appropriate for the refinement of their connectivity.
The chemoattractant chemerin suppresses melanoma by recruiting natural killer cell antitumor defenses

Infiltration of specialized immune cells regulates the growth and survival of neoplasia. Here, in a survey of public whole genome expression datasets we found that the gene for chemerin, a widely expressed endogenous chemoattractant protein, is down-regulated in melanoma as well as other human tumors. Moreover, high chemerin messenger RNA expression in tumors correlated with improved outcome in human melanoma. In experiments using the B16 transplantable mouse melanoma, tumor-expressed chemerin inhibited in vivo tumor growth without altering in vitro proliferation. Growth inhibition was associated with an altered profile of tumor-infiltrating cells with an increase in natural killer (NK) cells and a relative reduction in myeloid-derived suppressor cells and putative immune inhibitory plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Tumor inhibition required host expression of CMKLR1 (chemokine-like receptor 1), the chemoattractant receptor for chemerin, and was abrogated by NK cell depletion. Intratumoral injection of chemerin also inhibited tumor growth, suggesting the potential for therapeutic application. These results show that chemerin, whether expressed by tumor cells or within the tumor environment, can recruit host immune defenses that inhibit tumorigenesis and suggest that down-regulation of chemerin may be an important mechanism of tumor immune evasion.
Marriage Between Two. Changing and Unchanging Concepts of Family: The Case of LGBTI Rights Litigation on Family Issues in Colombia

The article tracks the paradigmatic cases of LGBTI rights litigation in Colombian Constitutional Court that impacted family law in the domestic legal system. Issues brought to Court, such as cohabitation rights, the concept of family and adoption of LGBTI couples, show the changing and unchanging characteristics that family issues have under the Colombian constitutional system. It also invites a critical appraisal of the LGBTI campaign for marriage equality.
Central auditory processing in normal-hearing elderly adults.

Central auditory and linguistic functions were assessed in a group of 25 essentially normal-hearing, cognitively intact elderly adults. Inclusion in the study required normal performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination Procedures used to evaluate central auditory performance included monosyllabic word lists, the Synthetic Sentence Identification-Ipsilateral Competing Message (SSI-ICM) test, the Dichotic Digits test and the Staggered Spondaic Word test. Linguistic competence was assessed utilizing subtests of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia test and the Revised Token test. Results indicate that central auditory involvement can occur without a concomitant decline in peripheral hearing sensitivity, cognitive function, or lingustic competence. Our findings also suggest, that for the type of individuals included in this study, the SSI-ICM appears to be the most sensitive measure to changes in central auditory processing abilities with advancing age.
Teamology – The Art and Science of Design Team Formation

Nearly all design work is collaborative work. The phenomenon of the “design team” is increasingly common in both industry and project-based education. Existing organizational behavior research has shown that diversity on a team has mixed and frequently negative effects, particularly when outward indicators such as gender, ethnicity, age and experience measure diversity. However, relatively little research has been conducted on the problem solving capabilities and preferences of individual team members, or “team cognitive diversity.” This study examines 14 measures of cognitive diversity and 3 measures of project performance for 15 design teams comprised of 97 masters-level engineering students from nine universities in eight countries who collaborated over a period of 8 months. We find that students with similar backgrounds and experience level reveal a wide variety of cognitive problem solving preferences.
Persistent Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Drives Differentiation, Aberrant Accumulation, and Latent Infection of Germinal Center Follicular T Helper Cells

ABSTRACT CD4 + follicular T helper (Tfh) cells play a prominent role in humoral immune responses, but the mechanisms of their accumulation and infection in AIDS remain unclear. Here we found that germinal center (GC) Tfh cells, defined here as CXCR5 + PD-1 HIGH CD4 + T cells, do not express the HIV coreceptor CCR5 yet serve as a latent reservoir in GCs. With disease progression, an expansion of GC Tfh cells is accompanied by increases in dysfunctional CD8 + T cells. In contrast, Tfh precursor (CXCR5 − CD4 + T) cells in lymph nodes do express CCR5 and differentiate into GC Tfh cells following interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-21 stimulation, and viral DNA is detectable in fully differentiated GC Tfh cells ex vivo . This suggests that SIV-infected GC Tfh cells may be derived from Tfh precursor cell subsets that become infected in marginal zones and then migrate into GCs as fully mature GC Tfh cells that serve as persistent virus reservoirs. These findings suggest that viral persistence in lymph nodes drives compensatory differentiation, aberrant accumulation, and latent infection of GC Tfh cells, resulting in marked impairment of humoral immune responses. IMPORTANCE Generation of antibodies that can effectively eliminate viruses requires interactions of B cells with highly specialized T cells in GCs of lymphoid tissues called follicular T helper cells. Here we show that in simian immunodeficiency virus infection, these cells are initially infected in a precursor stage that leads to alterations in their homing, accumulation, and function that may be responsible for the inability of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients to generate effective antibody responses.
M2 as a target to combat influenza drug resistance: what does the evidence say?

*Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy & the BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, 1657 E. Helen St., Tucson, AZ 85718, USA; Tel.: +001 520 626 1366; junwang@pharmacy.arizona.edu AM2 was first discovered as the drug target of the antiviral drug amantadine [1]. From a personal perspective, I find both the drug and the target to be fascinating: amantadine is a synthetic cage-shaped small molecule without violations of bond lengths or bond angles and fits snuggly in the wildtype M2 channel cavity; AM2 is the smallest ion channel that is highly selective for protons versus sodium and potassium ions. Soon after their discovery, they immediately caught scientists’ attention: what is the structural basis for proton selectivity of this small protein with only 97 residues? How does amantadine bind to the AM2 channel? These are key questions that need to be addressed in searching for the nextgeneration AM2 channel blockers. It was subsequently revealed that the functional unit of AM2 is a tetramer assembled by four identical monomers through transmembrane helix–helix interactions [2]. Proton selectivity is encoded by the highly conserved H 37 XXW 41 selectivity filter. Although the exact molecular mechanism of how protons are shuttled through the HXXW motif is still under debate [3], the general consensus is that when hydronium diffuses into the AM2 channel cavity and reaches the H37, the protonated H37s experience charge repulsion, which leads to a conformational change from the open out close in to the close out -open in conformers [4]. The proton is then released into the viral interior. This is followed by the relaxation of the M2 channel from the close out -open in to open out -close in conformation for the next round of proton shuttling. Regarding the mechanism of channel inhibition by amantadine, it was proposed that when amantadine fits into the central cavity of AM2 above the H37, it prevents the conformational change from open out -close in to close out -open in , thus halting the proton conductance [5]. M2 is a proven drug target. It is absolutely essential for influenza virus replication: silencing the AM2 gene or blocking the AM2 proton conductance by amantadine leads to inhibition of viral replication [6]. “...it is almost impossible to completely eliminate drug resistance issues of antiviral drugs, regardless of whether they are direct-acting antivirals or host-targeting antivirals.”
Trapped lung secondary to cardiomegaly in a 78 year-old male with congestive heart failure

Although the etiologies of both trapped lung and cardiomegaly are well-established, co-presentation of the two conditions, and possible interactions between them, are much rarer. Here we describe the case of 78 year-old male found to have both cardiomegaly and trapped lung, with a cause of death of congestive heart failure and subsequent cardiac arrest. This case prompted consideration of possible interactions between the two conditions. Issues related to decision-making for imaging and clinical interventions are also discussed.
Advances in Light Field Imaging for Measurement of Fluid Mechanical Systems

Light field imaging is becoming an increasingly useful tool for measuring fluid mechanical systems. We present advances in light field imaging for fluids along three directions. The first concerns robust reconstruction of fluid measurement volumes using synthetic aperture refocusing followed by deconvolution. Then, we discuss how a flame, which distorts the refractive index, augments the light field. The error introduced into particle image velocimetry measurements by this effect is discussed. Finally, we develop a framework for the application of light field imaging to the reconstruction of a specular gas-liquid interface.
Real-Time Dynamic Data-Driven Simulation of Continuum Systems

Recent proliferation of sensor networks in various application areas has promoted real-time behavioral monitoring of various physical systems. The opportunity to use sensor generated data dynamically for improving speed, accuracy, and general performance of predictive behavior modeling simulation is of paramount importance. The present paper identifies enabling modeling methods and computational strategies that are critical for achieving real-time or near real-time simulation response of very large and complex systems. It also discusses our choices of these technologies in the context of sample multidisciplinary computational mechanics applications and describes two examples to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating real-time data with real-time simulation.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Kink and Crack Interfaces in Deformed 6H-SiC Single Crystals

When a 6H-SiC single crystal is deformed under indentation or uniaxial compression in orientations not favorable for the activation of the 1/3[1120](0001) easy glide system, the secondary slip system is activated. Additionally, for low- temperature deformations, “kinks” and/or micro-cracks form in the crystal. In this paper, experimental results on relatively lowtemperature compression and indentation tests of single crystal 6H-SiC, and the microstructure of the deformed crystals, are presented. Based on the results, the secondary slip system in 6HSiC has been determined to be 1/3[1120](1100), which may actually be a combination of alternate glide of 1/3[1120] dislocations on the (1102) and (1102) planes. Further, dislocation mechanisms for the nucleation of prism-plane and basal-plane cracks, and for the process of kinking, in deformed 6H-SiC are proposed.
Geopolitics of a Divided Europe

Europe is again a divided continent. When it comes to governance, political economy, or values, two contrasting poles have emerged: one Western, liberal, and democratic, another Eastern, statist, a...
Antimicrobial Stewardship: The Role of Vascular Access Teams

Interventions that address the increasing threat of multidrug resistance are the responsibility of all health care disciplines. Vascular access teams ensure that vascular access needs are met, facilitating antimicrobial agent administration. Competent vascular access practice includes participation on interprofessional teams and provision of expert knowledge that enables medication administration and process monitoring.
Journey from Jumping Genes to Gene Therapy

Gene therapy for cancer is a still evolving approach that resulted from a long history of studies into genetic modification of organisms. The fascination with manipulating gene products has spanned hundreds if not thousands of years, beginning with observations of the hereditary nature of traits in plants and culminating to date in the alteration of genetic makeup in humans via modern technology. From early discoveries noting the potential for natural mobility of genetic material to the culmination of clinical trials in a variety of disease, gene transfer has had an eventful and sometimes tumultuous course. Within the present review is a brief history of the biology of gene transfer, how it came to be applied to genetic diseases, and its early applications to cancer therapies. Some of the different types of methods used to modify cells, the theories behind the approaches, and some of the limitations encountered along the way are reviewed.
Modal analysis of antiresonant hollow core fibers using S 2 imaging

We analyze the higher-order core mode content in various designs of antiresonant hollow core fibers using spatially and spectrally resolved imaging. Hollow core fibers have great potential for a variety of applications, and understanding their mode content is crucial for many of these. Two different designs of hollow core fibers are considered, the first with eight nontouching rings and the second with eight touching rings forming a closed boundary core. The mode content of each fiber is measured as a function of length and bending diameter. Low amounts of higher-order modes were found in both hollow core fibers, and mode specific and bending-dependent losses have been determined. This study aids in understanding the core modes of hollow core fibers and possible methods of controlling them.
Simultaneous denitrification with nitrification in single-channel oxidation ditches

Biological processes for denitrification with nitrification are becoming increasingly important for wastewater treatment. The addition of denitrification to a nitrification process can have several advantages over nitrification alone: complete nitrogen removal; enhanced phosphorous removal; reduced aeration requirement, which saves energy costs and increases the capacity of an overloaded facility, thus eliminating costs for expansion; and reduced alkalinity consumption. The third of these advantages, reduced aeration requirements, has the most widespread interest. Only a few facilities are required to remove nitrogen or phosphorous, and alkalinity consumption is not a serious concern in locations where alkalinity is high. On the other hand, everyone is interested in saving money. If the advantages of denitrification with nitrifi cation are to be available at as many treatment facilities as possible, the process design and operation need to be simple. The results of this study document the successful performance of a simple process for denitrification with nitrification: simul taneous, one-sludge denitrification with nitrification in single channel oxidation ditches.
Organizational Factors Involving the New Product Development Manager

The role of the new product development manager is crucial for the generation of new products. This article explores several major organizational and communication issues paramount to the effective performance of the new product development manager.
Confinement of Fluorescence Excitation for Single Molecule Detection at High Concentrations

Nanofabrication techniques are employed to make metal-clad zero-mode optical waveguides to confine the excitation volume in single-molecule fluorescence detection experiments. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is used to characterize the effective volume of the system, yielding a smallest observed volume of 20 zeptoliters (20×10−21 liters).
Assessment of structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of portlandite through molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract The structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of portlandite, the primary solid phase of ordinary hydrated cement paste, are investigated using the molecular dynamics method. To understand the effects of temperature on the structural properties of portlandite, the coefficients of thermal expansion of portlandite are determined in the current study and validated with what reported from the experimental tests. The atomic structure of portlandite equilibrated at various temperatures is then subjected to uniaxial tensile strains in the three orthogonal directions and the stress-strain curves are developed. Based on the obtained results, the effect of the direction of straining on the mechanical properties of portlandite is investigated in detail. Structural damage analysis is performed to reveal the failure mechanisms in different directions. The energies of the fractured surfaces are calculated in different directions and compared to those of the ideal surfaces available in the literature. The key mechanical properties, including tensile strength, Young's modulus, and fracture strain, are extracted from the stress-strain curves. The sensitivity of the obtained mechanical properties to temperature and strain rate is then explored in a systematic way. This leads to valuable information on how the structural and mechanical properties of portlandite are affected under various exposure conditions and loading rates.
Current limit diagrams for dendrite formation in solid-state electrolytes for Li-ion batteries

Abstract We build upon the concept that nucleation of lithium dendrites at the lithium anode-solid state electrolyte interface is instigated by the higher resistance of grain boundaries that raises the local electro-chemical potential of lithium, near the lithium-electrode. This excess electro-chemo-mechanical potential, however, is reduced by the mechanical back stress generated when the dendrite is formed within the electrolyte. These parameters are coalesced into an analytical model that prescribes a specific criterion for dendrite formation. The results are presented in the form of current limit diagrams that show the “safe” and “fail” regimes for battery function. A higher conductivity of the electrolyte can reduce dendrite formation.
Is Chronic Antigenic Stimulation Etiologically Related to Multiple Myeloma

Beginning in 1958, case reports and surveys linked repeated immune stimulation from chronic infectious and inflammatory disorders (Isobe and Osserman, 1971; Schafer and Miller, 1979), connective tissue and autoimmune diseases (Abbatt and Lea, 1958; Talal and Bunim, 1964; Blackburn et al, 1968; Viadana and Bross, 1974; Isomaki et al, 1978) with an elevated risk of multiple myeloma, malignant lymphoma, leukemias, and other lymphoproliterative malignancies. Allergy-related conditions were associated with higher risk of myeloma and related lymphoproliterative neoplasms in a few reports (Penny and Hughes, 1970; McWhorter, 1988), but similar occurrence of Hodgkin’s disease (Dworin et al, 1955) was observed among those with and without prior allergies (Dworin et al, 1955). The proliferative process involving myeloma and some other lymphoproliterative malignancy B cells was postulated to arise from repeated or continuous aberrant immunologic responses (Isobe and Osserman, 1971).
Localized and efficient cardiac CT reconstruction

The superiority of iterative reconstruction techniques over classic analytical ones is well documented in a variety of CT imaging applications where radiation dose and sampling time are limiting factors. However, by definition, the iterative nature of advanced reconstruction techniques is accompanied by a substantial increase in data processing time. This problem is further exacerbated in temporal and spectral CT reconstruction problems where the gap between the amount of data acquired and the amount of data to be reconstructed is exaggerated within the framework of compressive sensing. Two keys to overcoming this barrier include (1) advancements in parallel-computing technology and (2) advancements in data-efficient reconstruction. In this work, we propose a novel, two-stage strategy for 4D cardiac CT reconstruction which leverages these two keys by (1) exploiting GPU computing hardware and by (2) reconstructing temporal contrast on a limited spatial domain. Following a review of the proposed algorithm, we demonstrate its application in retrospectively gated cardiac CT reconstruction using the 4D MOBY mouse phantom. Quantitatively, reconstructing the temporal contrast on a limited domain reduces the overall reconstruction error by 20% and the reconstruction error within the dynamic portion of the phantom by 15% (root-mean-square error metric). A complementary in vivo mouse experiment demonstrates a suitable reconstruction fidelity to allow the measurement of cardiac functional metrics while reducing computation time by 75% relative to direct reconstruction of ten phases of the cardiac cycle. We believe that the proposed algorithm will serve as the basis for novel, data-efficient, multi-dimensional CT reconstruction techniques.
A probabilistic graphical model for learning as search

This work describes ongoing research on web information retrieval using queries which require prolonged browser interactions in exploring, revising, resubmitting, and studying results produced by the search engine. Over the last two decades or so, web search has improved significantly in a lot of areas, but has not made much progress at the difficult end of the online search spectrum — one that is precisely characterized by queries with complex information needs. Such queries, we call learning queries, require extended browser interaction by the user for satisfactory results. The main goal of the research is to address the difficulty of learning queries by lessening browser interactions through the implementation of a probabilistic graphical model. The expected outcome is an improvement in relevance, inspired by automatic discovery of collaborative search structures in conjunction with leveraging current search engine capabilities. To attain the project goal, we design and implement a browser extension that collects post-query browsing details based on browser interactions by users. The post-query browsing details are used to create a database of query-indexed trees for validating the model proposed. The work presented here describes the design and implementation of browser extensions and the project methodology.
Eliminate Statutory Damages for Secondary Infringers

One of the areas of copyright law in most desperate need of reform is statutory damages. And while damages awards against direct infringers have received most of the attention, the effect on secondary infringers threatens to be far more detrimental for innovation.This submission to the Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force consists of a 3-page outline, followed by a 15-page book chapter (Innovation for the 21st Century paperback, Oxford University Press, USA (2011)). It makes three points. First, applying statutory damages to secondary infringers is not necessary to fulfill the purposes for which the remedy was adopted. Statutory damages are not needed to ensure adequate compensation since copyright owners can show the amount of damages. And they are not needed to deter infringement since copyright owners are able to obtain actual damages. The submission also explains how statutory damages of as much as $150,000 for each infringed work threaten unique harm as applied to secondary infringers that are pushed into settlement or bankruptcy or that might not even be able to appeal given large bond requirements.Second, statutory damages harm innovation. But these harms are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to discern. It is difficult to find precise evidence of stifled innovation when the innovation fails to reach the market, when observers cannot engage in counterfactual analysis, and when litigated cases are only the tip of the iceberg. In my article, “Copyright and Innovation: The Untold Story,” I documented harms to innovation from statutory damages, as exacerbated by secondary liability law and personal liability, but this evidence is available only from detailed interviews.Third, Congress should exempt secondary infringers from statutory damages. Such a (long-overdue) revision would acknowledge that, in the context of secondary liability, statutory damages are not needed to assure adequate compensation, not needed to deter infringement, and harmful to innovation.
Chemoenzymatic Total Synthesis and Structural Diversification of Tylactone-Based Macrolide Antibiotics through Late-Stage Polyketide Assembly, Tailoring, and C—H Functionalization

Polyketide synthases (PKSs) represent a powerful catalytic platform capable of effecting multiple carbon–carbon bond forming reactions and oxidation state adjustments. We explored the functionality of two terminal PKS modules that produce the 16-membered tylosin macrocycle, using them as biocatalysts in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of tylactone and its subsequent elaboration to complete the first total synthesis of the juvenimicin, M-4365, and rosamicin classes of macrolide antibiotics via late-stage diversification. Synthetic chemistry was employed to generate the tylactone hexaketide chain elongation intermediate that was accepted by the juvenimicin (Juv) ketosynthase of the penultimate JuvEIV PKS module. The hexaketide is processed through two complete modules (JuvEIV and JuvEV) in vitro, which catalyze elongation and functionalization of two ketide units followed by cyclization of the resulting octaketide into tylactone. After macrolactonization, a combination of in vivo glycosylation, selective in vi...
Unmanned aerial vehicle inspection of the Placer River Trail Bridge through image-based 3D modelling

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are now a viable option for augmenting bridge inspections. Utilising an integrated combination of a UAV and computer vision can decrease costs, expedite inspections a...
Partially-averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) simulations of flow separation over smooth curved surfaces

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate flow separation in a channel with periodic hill-shaped constrictions using the Partially-averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) methodology. Flow Reynolds numbers based on the bulk velocity above the crest of the hill and hill height are 10590 and 37000. Several PANS simulations are performed to study the effect of cut-off length scale and grid resolution. Turbulence statistics such as mean velocity and Reynolds stresses are compared against well documented experimental data and numerical results. Instantaneous and averaged flow structures as well as anisotropy-invariant maps are also presented in this paper.
Time-over-threshold for pulse shape discrimination in a time-of-flight/depth of interaction phoswich PET detector

We are developing a PET detector capable of measuring both time-of-fight (TOF) and depth-of-interaction (DOI) with a goal to improve resulting image quality and accuracy. Phoswich designs have been realized in PET detectors to measure DOI for more than a decade. However, PET detectors based on phoswich designs put great demand on the readout circuit, which has to differentiate the pulse shape produced by different crystal layers. A simple and practical pulse shape discrimination approach is required to realize the phoswich design in a clinical PET scanner, which often consists of thousands of crystal elements. In this work, we studied the energy, timing and DOI performance of a phoswich detector design comprising a 3 × 3 × 20 mm3 crystal made from a 3 × 3 × 10 mm3 LYSO:Ce crystal epoxied to a 3 × 3 × 10 mm3 calcium co-doped LSO:Ce,Ca(0.4%) crystal and read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). A DOI accuracy of 97.2% was achieved for photopeak events by using time-over-threshold (ToT) as a pulse shape parameter. The measured energy resolution was 9.7 ± 0.2% and 11.3 ± 0.2% FWHM at 511 keV for the LYSO and LSO crystal layers, respectively. The coincidence timing resolution for photopeak events ranges from 164.6 ± 0.9 ps to 183.1 ± 4.2 ps FWHM, depending on the layer combinations between two identical, dual layer detector configurations set in coincidence. These results show promise of using ToT for pulse shape discrimination in a TOF-DOI phoswich-based detector since ToT measurement can be easily implemented in readout electronics.
Access to public drinking water fountains in Berkeley, California: a geospatial analysis

In January 2015, Berkeley, California became the first city in the Unites States to impose a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The tax is intended to discourage purchase of sugary beverages and promote consumption of healthier alternatives such as tap water. The goal of the study was to assess the condition of public drinking water fountains and determine if there is a difference in access to clean, functioning fountains based on race or socio-economic status. A mobile-GIS App was created to locate and collect data on existing drinking water fountains in Berkeley, CA. Demographic variables related to race and socio-economic status (SES) were acquired from the US Census – American Community Survey database. Disparities in access to, or condition of drinking water fountains relative to demographics was explored using spatial analyses. Spatial statistical-analysis was performed to estimate demographic characteristics of communities near the water fountains and logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between household median income or race and condition of fountain. Although most fountains were classified as functioning, some were dirty, clogged, or both dirty and clogged. No spatial relationships between demographic characteristics and fountain conditions were observed. All geo-located data and a series of maps were provided to the City of Berkeley and the public. The geo-database created as an outcome of this study is useful for prioritizing maintenance of existing fountains and planning the locations of future fountains. The methodologies used for this study could be applied to a wide variety of asset inventory and assessment projects such as clinics or pharmaceutical dispensaries, both in developed and developing countries.
The Search for Grounds in Legal Argumentation: A Rhetorical Analysis of Texas vs Johnson

Legal opinions are essentially rhetorical documents; they pronounce a decision then justify that decision through a series of arguments aimed at particular audiences. Although law has often been identified as an archetype of practical argument, legal arguments must adhere to a stricter level of scrutiny then many other types of argument because courts must not only reach a decision in a particular case, but also justify the authority of the legal system. Jurgen Habermas in his work Between Facts and Norms, an exhaustive analysis of the legal system, notes,
Exploring Comparative Energy and Environmental Benefits of Virgin, Recycled, and Bio-Derived PET Bottles

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a common plastic resin used to produce packaging, notably plastic bottles. Most PET bottles are produced from fossil fuel-derived feedstocks. Bio-derived and recycling-based pathways to PET bottles, however, could offer lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than the conventional route. In this paper, we use life-cycle analysis to evaluate the GHG emissions, fossil fuel consumption, and water consumption of producing one PET bottle from virgin fossil resources, recycled plastic, and biomass, considering each supply chain stage. We considered two routes to produce bottles from biomass: one in which all PET precursors (ethylene glycol and teraphthalic acid) are bio-derived and one in which only ethylene glycol is bio-derived. Bio-derived and recycled PET bottles offer both GHG emissions and fossil fuel consumption reductions ranging from 12% to 82% and 13% to 56%, respectively, on a cradle-to-grave basis compared to fossil fuel-derived PET bottles assuming PET bottles are l...
Real-time identification of operating room state from video

Managers of operating rooms (ORs) and of units upstream (e.g., ambulatory surgery) and downstream (e.g., intensive care and post-anesthesia care) of the OR require real-time information about OR occupancy. Which ORs are in use, and when will each ongoing operation end? This information is used to make decisions about how to assign staff, when to prepare patients for the OR, when to schedule add-on cases, when to move cases, and how to prioritize room cleanups (Dexter et at. 2004). It is typically gathered by OR managers manually, by walking to each OR and estimating the time to case completion. This paper presents a system for determining the state of an ongoing operation automatically from video. Support vector machines are trained to identify relevant image features, and hidden Markov models are trained to use these features to compute a sequence of OR states from the video. The system was tested on video captured over a 24 hour period in one of the 19 operating rooms in Baltimore's R. Adams Crowley Shock Trauma Center. It was found to be more accurate and have less delay while providing more fine-grained state information than the current state-of-the-art system based on patient vital signs used by the Shock Trauma Center.
OCCUPATION TIMES OF d-DIMENSIONAL SEMIMARTINGALES

If Xt is a stochastic process, f a nonnegative function, define \({A_t}(f)\; = \;\smallint _0^t\;f({x_s})ds.\) When Xt is a Markov process, At (f) is an example of what are called additive functionals. Over the past 20 years, an extensive theory has been developed about additive functionals of Markov processes. One of the major results is that, given a measure µ, under quite general conditions on X and µ, one can construct an additive functional At (µ) as the limit of additive functionals At (fn) for some sequence of functions fn When µ is point mass at a point x, At (µ) is called the local time at x. More generally, when µ is concentrated on a set C, At (µ) is called (one of) the local times at the set C. Local times have turned out to be among the most useful examples of additive functionals.
Radial Similarity of Newton Polygons

Let F, G ∈ ℂ[x, y]. Following [13, Theorem 33, p. 472] we shall denote the Jacobian determinant of F and G by 〚F,G〛, i.e., 〚F,G〛 = F x G y - F y G x.
Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) is transferred by exosomes and contributes to the regulation of hypoxia and estrogen signaling in breast cancer cells

Exosomes are small membrane-bound vesicles that contribute to tumor progression and metastasis by mediating cell-to-cell communication and modifying the tumor microenvironment at both local and distant sites. However, little is known about the predominant factors in exosomes that contribute to breast cancer (BC) progression. MTA1 is a transcriptional co-regulator that can act as both a co-activator and co-repressor to regulate pathways that contribute to cancer development. MTA1 is also one of the most up-regulated proteins in cancer, whose expression correlates with cancer progression, poor prognosis and increased metastatic potential. We identified MTA1 in BC exosomes by antibody array and confirmed expression of exosome-MTA1 across five breast cancer cells lines. Ectopic expression of tdTomato-tagged MTA1 and exosome transfer were examined by fluorescent microscopy. CRISPR/Cas9 genetic engineering was implemented to knockout MTA1 in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Reporter assays were used to monitor hypoxia and estrogen receptor signaling regulation by exosome-MTA1 transfer. Ectopic overexpression of tdTomato-MTA1 in BC cell lines demonstrated exosome transfer of MTA1 to BC and vascular endothelial cells. MTA1 knockout in BC cells reduced cell proliferation and attenuated the hypoxic response in these cells, presumably through its co-repressor function, which could be rescued by the addition of exosomes containing MTA1. On the other hand, consistent with its co-activator function, estrogen receptor signaling was enhanced in MTA1 knockout cells and could be reversed by addition of MTA1-exosomes. Importantly, MTA1 knockout sensitized hormone receptor negative cells to 4-hydroxy tamoxifen treatment, which could be reversed by the addition of MTA1-exosomes. This is the first report showing that BC exosomes contain MTA1 and can transfer it to other cells resulting in changes to hypoxia and estrogen receptor signaling in the tumor microenvironment. These results, collectively, provide evidence suggesting that exosome-mediated transfer of MTA1 contributes to BC progression by modifying cellular responses to important signaling pathways and that exosome-MTA1 may be developed as a biomarker and therapeutic target for BC.
Isolation and Characterization of the Angiosperm Gamete

Isolation and characterization of angiosperm gametes has emerged as an area of special interest during the last five years. Modern attempts to isolate sperm cells, embryo sacs and eggs have yielded cells that appear intact and viable using the fluorescein diacetate reaction. Male gamete isolation has provided enrichments of up to 10 million cells per milliliter suitable for biochemical characterization and monoclonal antibody production. Female gamete isolation is still in its earliest stages, providing excellent microscopic preparations retaining fluorescein diacetate activity, but insufficient numbers for practical biochemical characterizations. Improvement of these procedures will promote the completion of knowledge about the unique features that the angiosperm gamete possess and may eventually allow in vitro fertilization ex ovulo.
Blue shift: "policing" metaphors for professional ecologies

Communication scholars employ metaphors to illustrate the ways that knowledge is produced in professional contexts. This poster argues that current metaphors casting professional texts in ecological and economical terms deserve reevaluation. To do this, it uses a content analysis of ethnographic notes from "ride-along" sessions and interviews with police officers in a mid-sized Midwestern town to construct a model of how law enforcement officers use technology to generate criminal evidence while on patrol. The model, which emphasizes the importance of "space" and "authority" in addition to traditional ecological metaphors of scope and time, is displayed in a graphical flow-chart that illustrates the capture, transmittal, and storage of this evidence. By illuminating these processes, it not only provides a clearer understanding of the role that these concepts play in genre ecologies, but also points to the complex ways that professional ecologies impart meaning to professional texts in the criminal justice system --- for better and for worse.
Understanding the introgression process from Aegilops tauschii into hexaploid wheat through identity by descent analysis and its effect on genetic diversity

Abstract Wild relatives of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) are the reservoirs of novel allelic diversity with great potential to improve many agronomic traits in wheat. Here, we investigated the genome-wide patterns and efficiency of Aegilops tauschii allele introgression into the winter wheat cultivars. The introgression population of 351 BC1F3:5 lines was selected based on phenology and development characteristics from crosses between six hexaploid wheat lines and 21 wheat-Ae. tauschii octoploids. Complexity reduced genomic library sequencing was used to develop SNP markers and infer the regions of identity-by-descent and the boundaries of the introgressed segments. Using a diverse panel of 116 Ae. tauschii accessions, it was possible to infer that introgression lines had single or multiple IBD segments from accessions of diverse geographic origin. Introgression frequency was high at the ends of chromosomes and low in the large pericentromeric 2/3 of the chromosome arms characterized by low crossover rate. While the effect of selection for free-threshing genotypes was evident around the domestication gene Tg, reduction in the frequency of introgression was limited to relatively small regions flanking the gene. These results suggest that the effects of phenotypic selection on the introgressed wild relative’s alleles at the early generations of population development are strongly influenced by the distribution of crossover frequency across genome, consistent with the Hill-Robertson effect. Our study offers insights into the introgression population development to ensure retention of genetic diversity across entire genome and presents a resource that will be valuable for deploying wild relative diversity in breeding programs to create climate resilient and disease resistant varieties with improved yield and quality traits.
A new water-soluble polysaccharide from Echinops pungens Trautv roots. Part I. Isolation, purification, characterization and antioxidant activity

Abstract EPPS, a new heteropolysaccharide from Echinops pungens roots, was extracted by warm water (70 °C) and fortuitously purified using column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose A52 and Sephadex G-100. Total carbohydrate content, specific optical rotation and molecular mass of EPPS were 98.3%, −88.2 and 65.7 kDa, respectively. GLC analysis revealed that EPPS was a neutral polysaccharide and contained Gal, Glc, Man, Xyl, and Ara at ratios of 0.96: 5.23:1.00:2.06:1.04. Multiple chemical and instrumental analysis methods such as methylation, periodate oxidation and Smith degradation, partial acid hydrolysis, GLC–MS, FT-IR and NMR (1H and 13C) were employed to elucidate the structure of EPPS and their results showed that its backbone consists of →6)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → residues, with branches attached to O-4 (~38%) by →4)-β-L-Arap-(1→, →4)-β-D-Manp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→, β-D-Xylp-(1 → and α-D-Galp-(1 → residues. DPPH radical scavenging ability of EPPS was lower than ascorbic acid at identical concentrations and its EC50 value was 1.91 mg/ml.
Internet y política: consecuencias políticas y sociales de la revolución digital

The success of the internet as a new communication platform has led to a profound political and social transformation. The goal of this article is to offer an analysis of these consequences, using as a common thread what I see as the main transformation of the digital revolution: a radical drop in the entry costs associated with mass broadcasting. In contrast with the initial optimism about the democratization of the public sphere in the internet era and the current concern about the negative effects of social media, my argument is that these consequences are not universally positive or negative. In my analysis, I focus on three core aspects of the digital revolution: the potential polarization resulting from the social consumption of political information through the internet, the use of technological tools for the coordination of social movements, and the effects of using social media platforms on the quality of representative democracy and public policies.
Design and Implementation of Selective Active EMI Filter with Digital Resonant Controller

In the power electronics equipment, passive EMI filters occupy up to 30% of system’s volume and weight. In order to reduce the size of passive EMI filter in the power electronics system, active EMI filters (AEF) is introduced. With the AEF approaches, the size of the passive component within the EMI filter can be reduced by more than 50%. The higher attenuation achieved by AEFs, the more size reduction can be obtained through AEFs methodology. However, the performance of AEF with feedback control is limited to around 24 dB attenuation in the reported work. New methodology needs to be found to push forward the performance. In this study, a novel digital active EMI filter (DAEF) with the resonant controller, which provides ultra high-gain at frequencies of interest, is demonstrated for DM noise attenuation. The experimental test results show that the proposed EMI filter has 45 dB more attenuation at 150 kHz than the conventional passive EMI filter, which is also the highest attenuation reported in the AEF literature.
Boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) in polymer chemistry

Boron dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) are versatile dyes with diverse structures and associated optoelectronic properties. Their integration into soft materials (polymers) has enabled a myriad of applications from biological/environmental (e.g., imaging, sensing, and therapy) to organic electronic devices and synthesis/degradation. The story herein is meant to guide the reader from the bottom-up, starting with general syntheses of BODIPYs, followed by a discussion of photophysical and electrochemical properties as they relate to structure. These structure–property relationships are then connected to three light driven transformations that are central to the utility of BODIPYs in materials science: (1) electron/energy transfer; (2) triplet formation, and (3) photolysis. Next, the synthetic integration of BODIPYs as structural motifs in both π-conjugated and non-π-conjugated polymers is described, along with prescribed methods to tailor their optoelectronic properties. These properties are then correlated to recent utility of BODIPYs within polymer science, both fundamental – examination of polymer dynamics and self-assembly – and applied – biomedicine, optoelectronics, chemosensors, small molecule photoredox catalysis, and photo-polymerization and -degradation. The end of this review provides a summary of the rich history and outlook on the exciting future opportunities for this burgeoning field of BODIPYs in polymer chemistry.