cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Layer specific and general requirements for ERK/MAPK signaling in the developing neocortex

Aberrant signaling through the Raf/MEK/ERK (ERK/MAPK) pathway causes pathology in a family of neurodevelopmental disorders known as 'RASopathies' and is implicated in autism pathogenesis. Here, we have determined the functions of ERK/MAPK signaling in developing neocortical excitatory neurons. Our data reveal a critical requirement for ERK/MAPK signaling in the morphological development and survival of large Ctip2(+) neurons in layer 5. Loss of Map2k1/2 (Mek1/2) led to deficits in corticospinal tract formation and subsequent corticospinal neuron apoptosis. ERK/MAPK hyperactivation also led to reduced corticospinal axon elongation, but was associated with enhanced arborization. ERK/MAPK signaling was dispensable for axonal outgrowth of layer 2/3 callosal neurons. However, Map2k1/2 deletion led to reduced expression of Arc and enhanced intrinsic excitability in both layers 2/3 and 5, in addition to imbalanced synaptic excitation and inhibition. These data demonstrate selective requirements for ERK/MAPK signaling in layer 5 circuit development and general effects on cortical pyramidal neuron excitability.
Kathleen Mears Memorial Lecture: The magic of becoming an END technologist. Education: past, present, future.

ABSTRACT.We have all traveled various roads to becoming electroneurodiagnostic (END) technologists. END (formerly known as EEG) technology education began with informal mentorship such as on-the-job training. Later it progressed into formal educational training programs under the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists (ASET) has been actively pursuing the formulation of a standardized END curriculum and educational resources that should make the process of starting a training program easier. ASET has already produced online courses that have become a valuable resource for educating END technologists. What's next? Could it possibly be a combination of the old and the new? Perhaps taking advantage of the strengths of both the mentorship and formal educational techniques could be an answer to meeting the ever-increasing demand for END technologists. Let's imagine!
Effects of Interim Assessments on Student Achievement: Evidence From a Large-Scale Experiment

ABSTRACTWe use data from a large-scale, school-level randomized experiment conducted in 2010–2011 in public schools in Indiana. Our sample includes more than 30,000 students in 70 schools. We examine the impact of two interim assessment programs (i.e., mCLASS in Grades K–2 and Acuity in Grades 3–8) on mathematics and reading achievement. Two-level models were used to capture the nesting in the data. Results indicate that the treatment effect is insignificant in Grades 3–8, and thus students in treatment schools perform as well as students in control schools. In contrast, the treatment effect is negative and significant in Grades K–2 (i.e., kindergarten and second grade), indicating that students in control schools perform higher than students in treatment schools.
Dispersion-shifted and dispersion-flattened single-mode designs

Over the last few years, advances in fiber-optic technology have allowed the introduction and rapid commercialization of single-mode systems in long-haul applications. Most if not all of this growth has been in single-mode systems operating in the 1300-nm window. But the technology and applications continue to advance toward systems with higher bit rate and longer repeater spacings. In addition, trends toward using single-mode fibers in feeder and possibly even in local distribution applications seem to be evolving. To address these needs, active research and development are going on in all aspects of the fiber-optic technology including the advanced single-mode designs. A number of groups in the U.S.A. and abroad have been working on a number of these single-mode designs including silica-core,1 dispersion-shifted,2–5 and dispersion-flattened6–9 fibers. A framework for classifying and comparing the various designs will be given. Based on this, a review of these designs for telecommunications will be presented.
The role of chemistry in graphene doping for carbon-based electronics.

Graphene forms an important two-dimensional (2D) material class that displays both a high electronic conductivity and optical transparency when doped. Yet, the microscopic origin of the doping mechanism in single sheet or bulk intercalated systems remains unclear. Using large-scale ab initio simulations, we show the graphene surface acts as a catalytic reducing/oxidizing agent, driving the chemical disproportionation of adsorbed dopant layers into charge-transfer complexes which inject majority carriers into the 2D carbon lattice. As pertinent examples, we focus on the molecular SbCl5 and HNO3 intercalates, and the solid compound AlCl3. Identifying the microscopic mechanism for the catalytic action of graphene is important, given the availability of large area graphene sheets, to spur research into new redox reactions for use in science and technology.
Trajectories of daily PTSD symptoms in recent traumatic injury victims.

OBJECTIVE Prior research has identified different PTSD symptom (PTSS) trajectories over months and years posttrauma that warrant different levels of clinical attention. Earlier identification of at-risk trauma victims can facilitate efficient and appropriate intervention efforts. METHOD Using latent class growth analysis, we examined daily PTSS trajectories beginning 6 weeks postinjury in 68 injury victims. Resulting classes were compared on key characteristics at 6 and 21 weeks postinjury. RESULTS Three trajectories were identified: a nonreactive class (67.8%) with low initial symptom levels that remained low, a moderate-stable class (27.9%) with elevated symptom levels that remained constant, and a severe-increasing class (4.4%) with high symptom levels that increased. CONCLUSIONS High-risk injury victims can be identified by their daily PTSS, allowing for early identification of those at risk for elevated distress and in greater need for intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record
The value of testicular biopsy in patients with varicocele.

AbstractWith the use of semi-thin sections of 88 testicular biopsies from 44 patients, we were able to separate a relatively uniform group of patients with idiopathic left varicocele and infertility into 4 groups with different pathophysiological conditions. Group 1 patients had atrophy of the Leydig cells, decreased Leydig cell ratio, low plasma testosterone, and normal luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement in sperm count. Group 2 patients had undergone attempted repair of Leydig cells, and had a normal Leydig cell ratio, and normal testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone plasma values. Group 3 patients demonstrated hyperplasia and an increased Leydig cell ratio, high luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone values, and relatively high testosterone values. Group 4 patients had an increased Leydig cell ratio but severe atrophy of the Leydig cells and tubuli, indicating burned out testes with high luteinizing and fo...
Chapter 7 – Mechanisms of Nanoparticle Toxicity

Nanoparticles have found their way into numerous applications for commonly used products, such as toothpastes, beauty products, sunscreens, coatings, drug delivery systems, sensors, building materials, and textiles. Because the applications of nanoparticles are growing, the potential for nanoparticle exposure in humans and animals is also increasing. Therefore, an understanding of the adverse effects of nanoparticles may be necessary to develop safety standards. Nanoparticles may cause local and systemic effects in models of cell cultures in vitro and in experimental animals in vivo. The systemic toxicity includes skin, respiratory system, liver, brain, and reproductive toxicity. The key mechanisms include oxidative stress and inflammation. The goals of this chapter are to discuss the nanoparticle-target site interaction, mechanisms of oxidative stress, and inflammation and toxicity assessment.
Inherited Platelet Disorders: Diagnosis and Management

Inherited disorders of platelets are characterized by highly variable mucocutaneous bleeding manifestations and excessive hemorrhage following surgical procedures or trauma. They include patients who have decreased platelet counts, abnormal platelet function or a combination of both, in general reflecting underlying abnormalities that culminate in defective platelet production and function. Over the last two decades there has been an impressive increase in the number of genetic abnormalities identified as leading to inherited thrombocytopenias. In some of these patients platelets have impaired function as well. Most patients with inherited platelet function have mild to moderate bleeding manifestations. In the vast majority of patients suspected to have an inherited platelet function defect the molecular and genetic mechanisms are unknown. The platelet dysfunction in these patients arises by diverse mechanisms, including abnormalities in membrane glycoproteins, granules and their contents, platelet signaling and secretion mechanisms, thromboxane production pathways and in platelet procoagulant activities. The platelet dysfunction may arise due to mutation in a transcription factor (e.g. RUNX1) leading to abnormalities in multiple mechanisms involved in platelet production as well as in function. In this chapter, clinical and laboratory aspects of Inherited disorders of platelets are discussed.
Erratum to: In Reply to the Cannabis Experts: Plastome Phylogenies Support the Parallel Hypothesis for Species Concepts in the Cannabaceae (sensu stricto)

Conundrums of the Cannabaceae (sensu stricto) are reconsidered. Here a parallel hypothesis regarding both Cannabis and Humulus is supported by the conserved locus of the whole chloroplast genome and models of nucleotide evolution with both maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenies. With a review of fossils and molecular age estimates for the diversification of the family, an origin during the late Cretaceous is highlighted. Thus, an overhaul of taxonomic concepts is warranted for extant, historical, and extinct specimens.
The “Public” Museum: A Review of the Literature

(1990). The “Public” Museum: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Museum Education: Vol. 15, Public Mission vs. Private Allegiance: The Museum's Inner Conflict, pp. 4-11.
Economic filters applied to quantitative mineral resource simulations

The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a technique that allows mineral resource experts to apply economic filters to estimates of undiscovered mineral resources. This technique builds on previous work that developed quantitative methods for mineral resource assessments. A Monte-Carlo calculation uses mineral deposit models to estimate commodity grades and tonnages of undiscovered deposits. The results then are analyzed using simple estimates of capital expenditures and daily operating costs for a mine and associated mill. The daily operating costs and the value of the ore are used to calculate the net present value of the deposit, which is compared to the capital expenditures to determine whether the deposit is economic. Repetition of these calculations for many deposits produces a table that can be interpreted in terms of the probability of there being deposits that have anet present value exceeding some specified amount. Sample calculations indicate that applying economic filters to simulated mineral resources might change the perception of the results compared to presenting the calculations in terms of the expected mean gross-in-place value of the minerals.
Tributyltin stimulates synthesis of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha in human lymphocytes.

Tributyltin (TBT) is found in human blood and other tissues and thus is of considerable concern as to its effects on human health. Previous studies have demonstrated that TBT has detrimental effects on immune function. Recently, we found that exposures to TBT caused increased secretion of two important proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ). Elevation of either of these cytokines has the potential to cause chronic inflammation, which is an important factor in a number of diseases including cancer. The current study examined the mechanism of TBT-induced elevations of TNFα and IFNγ secretion and found that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was essential to the ability of TBT to stimulate secretion. Additionally, this study demonstrated that increased secretion of these cytokines was due to TBT-induced increases in their overall synthesis, rather than simply being due to an increase in the release of already formed proteins. The TBT-induced increases in synthesis were evident within 6 hours of exposure. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is also necessary for the TBT-induced increases in both TNFα and IFNγ synthesis. The role of increased transcription of TNFα and IFNγ mRNA in response to TBT exposures as a possible explanation for the increased synthesis of these cytokines was also examined. It was found that increased mRNA levels did not appear to explain fully the increases in either TNFα or IFNγ synthesis. Thus, TBT is able to increase secretion of two important proinflammatory cytokines by increasing their synthesis.
Geographic access to radiation therapy facilities and disparities of early-stage breast cancer treatment

Few studies of breast cancer treatment have focused on the Northern Plains of the United States, an area with a high mastectomy rate. This study examined the association between geographic access to radiation therapy facilities and receipt of breast cancer treatments among early-stage breast cancer patients in South Dakota. Based on 4,209 early-stage breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2012 in South Dakota, the study measured geographic proximity to radiation therapy facilities using the shortest travel time for patients to the closest radiation therapy facility. Two-level logistic regression models were used to estimate for early stage cases i) the odds of mastectomy versus breast conserving surgery (BCS); ii) the odds of not receiving radiation therapy after BCS versus receiving follow-up radiation therapy. Covariates included race/ethnicity, age at diagnosis, tumour grade, tumour sequence, year of diagnosis, census tract-level poverty rate and urban/rural residence. The spatial scan statistic method was used to identify geographic areas with significantly higher likelihood of experiencing mastectomy. The study found that geographic accessibility to radiation therapy facilities was negatively associated with the likelihood of receiving mastectomy after adjustment for other covariates, but not associated with radiation therapy use among patients receiving BCS. Compared with patients travelling less than 30 minutes to a radiation therapy facility, patients travelling more than 90 minutes were about 1.5 times more likely to receive mastectomy (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.11) and patients travelling more than 120 minutes were 1.7 times more likely to receive mastectomy (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.42). The study also identified a statistically significant cluster of patients receiving mastectomy who were located in south-eastern South Dakota, after adjustment for other factors. Because geographic proximity to treatment facilities plays an important role on the treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients, this study has important implications for developing targeted intervention to reduce disparities in breast cancer treatment in South Dakota.
Globally Suppressed Dynamics in Ion-Doped Polymers

We investigate how ion–polymer complexation suppresses molecular motion in conventional polymer electrolytes using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of lithium hexafluorophosphate in poly(ethylene oxide) and a modified Rouse model. The employed model utilizes an inhomogeneous friction distribution to describe ion–polymer interactions and provides an effective way to examine how ion–polymer interactions affect polymer motion. By characterizing the subdiffusive Li+ transport and polymer relaxation times at several salt concentrations, we observe that increases in local friction due to ion-polymer complexation are significantly smaller than previously assumed. We find that a Rouse-based model that only considers local increases in friction cannot simultaneously capture the magnitude of increased polymer relaxation times and the apparent power-law exponent for Li+ subdiffusion observed in MD simulations. This incompatibility is reconciled by augmenting the modified Rouse model with a term that increases the...
Relating structural and functional brainstem connectivity to disease measures in epilepsy

Objective While epilepsy studies rarely examine brainstem, we sought to examine the hypothesis that temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) leads to subcortical arousal center dysfunction, contributing to neocortical connectivity and neurocognitive disturbances. Methods In this case-control study of 26 adult patients with TLE and 26 controls, we used MRI to measure structural and functional connectivity of the cuneiform/subcuneiform nuclei (CSC), pedunculopontine nucleus, and ventral tegmental area. Ascending reticular activating system connectivity patterns were related to neuropsychological and disease measures. Results Compared to controls, patients with TLE demonstrated reductions in ascending reticular activating system structural and functional connectivity, most prominently to neocortical regions (p Conclusions Connectivity perturbations in brainstem arousal centers are present in TLE and may contribute to neurocognitive problems. These studies demonstrate the underappreciated role of brainstem networks in epilepsy and may lead to novel neuromodulation targets to treat or prevent deleterious brain network effects of seizures in TLE.
HYALURONAN IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND RESTENOSIS AND IN DETERMINING ARTERIAL SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL PHENOTYPE

ABSTRACT Hyaluronan is present throughout the extracellular matrix (ECM) of atherosclerotic lesions and is especially prominent in early lesions where there is active cell proliferation and migration. Hyaluronan is also present in regions of the lesions that contain macrophages and lymphocytes and may serve as a substrate for these cells through interactions with hyaluronan receptors such as CD44. Hyaluronan, along with versican, accumulates in restenotic lesions within months following atherectomy. These molecules occupy large solvent domains within the lesions, which are characterized by an absence of other ECM molecules. In vitro studies show that hyaluronan is prominent around smooth muscle cells and increases in response to inflammatory cytokines such as TGF-β1 and PDGF. Interference of binding of hyaluronan to the surface of the smooth muscle cells by use of hyaluronan oligosaccharides blocks the proliferation and migration of this cell in response to PDGF. The involvement of hyaluronan in the early phases of vascular disease suggests that targeting this molecule may be a useful strategy to interfere with processes fundamental to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis.
In Vitro Protein Production for Structure Determination with the RTS System

The goal of the Berkeley Structural Genomics Center is to determine the structures of all proteins encoded in the genomes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genatalium or structural homologs from other organisms. To achieve this goal, we are working to develop high-throughput methods for protein expression for use in X-ray and NMR structure determination. In collaboration with Roche Molecular Biochemicals (Penzburg, Germany), we are investigating the usefulness of the Rapid Translation System (RTS) of in vitro protein production to generate target proteins in quantities suitable for structure determination. Very encouraging results have been obtained with the test protein phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP) from Methanococcus jannaschii (Mj).
Gap anisotropy and phonon self-energy effects in single-crystal YBa2Cu3O7- delta.

We report a Raman scattering investigation of superconducting gap anisotropy in single-crystal $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$. Gap anisotropy is investigated by studying the peak in the low-temperature Raman continuum in various symmetries. Roughly a 35% difference in the energy of this peak is observed between different symmetries, suggesting the presence of substantial gap anisotropy. Anisotropy is further evidenced by the damping behavior of the 340-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ Raman-active phonon below ${T}_{c}$, which displays increased attenuation due to phonon-induced pair breaking. The temperature dependence of this attenuation is consistent with a $T=0$ pair-breaking peak which is much larger than the 340-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ phonon in certain regions of the Fermi surface.
Social Value of Research and Technical Skills: Does It Justify Investment in Higher Education for Development?

Evidence assembled from household surveys collected from 1985 and 1998 from Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and South Africa indicates that higher wages compensate individuals in these African countries for enrolling in school. It is commonly believed that wage returns to schooling are highest at the primary levels and decrease thereafter at higher school levels, but the data from Africa summarized here indicate the opposite, with private wage returns being highest at the secondary and higher education levels. There appear to be sufficient financial incentives today to motivate students to enroll in higher education, and any public subsidies should be allocated only to those students who come from poor families and whose parents are relatively least educated, relative to their generation. If students in higher education in Africa from upper-income families paid tuitions which were equal to half the public subsidies for their schooling, these revenues would finance fellowships for disadvantaged students and also provide the resources and incentives to expand higher education into those fields where trained manpower is scarcest today in Africa. They would thus create the conditions for greater self-governance of higher education while fostering a responsible separation from political power.
Morning glory disc anomaly and facial hemangiomas in a girl with moyamoya syndrome

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic progressive, occlusive cerebrovascular disease in the circle of Willis and the feeding arteries. Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is characterized by an abnormal excavated optic disc with radial emergence of blood vessels from the rim of the disc. We describe a case of moyamoya syndrome (MMS), a rare entity among Indian ethnicity, associated with MGDA and regressed facial capillary hemangiomas, which are relatively less reported presentations of MMD. This report emphasizes on the role of neuroimaging in MGDA, so as to facilitate early detection and management of life-threatening intracranial pathologies such as MMS.
High-Pressure Hydrogen Adsorption on a Porous Electron-Rich Covalent Organonitridic Framework

We report that a porous, electron-rich, covalent, organonitridic framework (PECONF-4) exhibits an unusually high hydrogen uptake at 77 K, relative to its specific surface area. Chahine’s rule, a widely cited heuristic for hydrogen adsorption, sets a maximum adsorptive uptake of 1 wt % hydrogen at 77 K per 500 m2 of the adsorbent surface area. High-pressure hydrogen adsorption measurements in a Sieverts apparatus showed that PECONF-4 exceeds Chahine’s rule by 50%. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of PECONF-4 was measured redundantly with nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide and found to be between 569 ± 2 and 676 ± 13 m2 g–1. Furthermore, hydrogen on PECONF-4 has a high heat of adsorption, in excess of 9 kJ mol–1.
Nuclear Reactor Simulations on OpenCL FPGA Platform

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are becoming a promising choice as a heterogeneous computing component for scientific computing when floating-point optimized architectures are added to the current FPGAs. The maturing high-level synthesis (HLS) tools, such as Intel FPGA SDK for OpenCL, provide a streamlined design flow to facilitate parallel application on FPGAs. In this paper, we evaluate and optimize the OpenCL implementations of three nuclear reactor simulation applications (XSBench, RSBench, and SimpleMOC kernel) on a heterogeneous computing platform that consists of a general-purpose CPU and an FPGA. We introduce the applications, and describe their OpenCL implementations and optimization methods on an Arria10-based FPGA platform. Compared with the baseline kernel implementations, our optimizations increase the performance of the three kernels by a factor of 35, 295, and 102, respectively. We compare the performance, power, and performance per watt of the three applications on an Intel Xeon 16-core CPU, an Nvidia Tesla K80 GPU, and an Intel Arria10 GX1150 FPGA. The performance per watt on the FPGA is competitive. For XSBench, the performance per watt on the FPGA is 1.43X higher than that on the CPU, and 2.58X lower than that on the GPU. For RSBench, the performance per watt on the FPGA is 3.6X higher than that on the CPU, and 5.8X lower than that on the GPU. For SimpleMOC kernel, the performance per watt on the FPGA is 1.74X higher than that on the CPU, and 1.65X lower than that on the GPU.
3184 Development of a Leadership Assessment Scale in Translational Science

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To create the instrument, we employed a modified Delphi approach by conducting a thorough literature review on Leadership to help concretize the relevant constructs, and then usied these extracted constructs as a springboard for the Rockefeller Team Science Educators (TSE’s) to discuss and refine the leadership domain areas, collectively creating domain-specific survey items, and then further discussed and refining the number, grouping, and wording of the items. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We piloted the Leadership Survey by having all of the Rockefeller TSEs rate Clinical Scholars. Each item was answered using a six-point Likert scale where a low score indicated poor expression of the specific leadership attribute and a high score represented excellent expression of the specific leadership attribute. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Means, medians, standard deviations, and ranges of each item were calculated and tabulated. A complete (Pearson) correlation matrix was computed so that the raw inter-item relationships can be observed. For each a priori Domain an equal weighted summary scale was created and tabulated for review. The internal consistency of each a priori scale was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha (α). Items with low Item to Construct coefficients were candidates for elimination or modification, and overall scales with low’s will undergo further discussion. To challenge our assumptions of the construction and integrity of each domain, we employed exploratory Principal Components Analysis (PCA), followed by orthogonally rotated Factor Analysis (FA). We also forced the PCA / FA analysis to extract the a priori dimensions that allowed us to compare if the empirical and a priori structures match. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: We are partnering with the CTSA programs at Penn and Yale to assess issues of generalizability and scalability. We are working with Vanderbilt to install survey onto REDCap for ease of dissemination. Will continue to assess psychometric properties and refine as we receive more input.
Using Linked Administrative Data to Measure Earnings Mobility of Public Assistance Recipients during the Great Recession

There is a great deal of interest and concern in the trends in income inequality in the United States and how it inequality has changed since the Great Recession. Various reasons for this divide have been offered but are notoriously difficult to evaluate due to data constraints. Public sector programs aimed at alleviating poverty are also difficult to measure because of data issues. In this paper, we estimate the impact of one of the largest federal support programs in the U.S. on income mobility of at risk populations. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves low income families by providing significant food benefits. In this paper, we create a dataset linking SNAP (food stamp) administrative records (over 1 million records per year) to Department of Labor earnings records (over 4 million records per year) at the individual level from 2001-2016. Using these uniquely matched administrative records, we can track earnings mobility over time as one measure of the effectiveness of a public assistance program at a point in time (which will inform policy decisions with respect to temporary measures, especially in recessions). We provide results for several time periods, but hone in on the pre-and post Great Recession period as a means to understand the impact of deep economic change on income mobility. As mobility itself is multifaceted concept, we capture a variety of measures/indices and highlight the usefulness and limitations of administrative data for the analysis. Tracking several mobility indices over time with varying time windows we can identify empirical benchmarks applied to administrative to measure the future impacts as well and to tailor government support programs.
Super-resolution Microscopy-based Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation to Study Protein Complex Assembly and Co-localization

Numerous experimental approaches exist to study interactions between two subunits of a large macromolecular complex. However, most methods do not provide spatial and temporal information about binding, which are critical for dissecting the mechanism of assembly of nanosized complexes in vivo. While recent advances in super-resolution microscopy techniques have provided insights into biological structures beyond the diffraction limit, most require extensive expertise and/or special sample preparation, and it is a challenge to extend beyond binary, two color experiments. Using HyVolution, a super-resolution technique that combines confocal microscopy at sub-airy unit pinhole sizes with computational deconvolution, we achieved 140 nm resolution in both live and fixed samples with three colors, including two fluorescent proteins (mTurquoise2 and GFP) with significant spectral overlap that were distinguished by means of shifting the excitation wavelength away from common wavelengths. By combining HyVolution super-resolution fluorescence microscopy with bimolecular fluorescence complementation (SRM-BiFC), we describe a new assay capable of visualizing protein-protein interactions in vivo at sub-diffraction resolution. This method was used to improve our understanding of the ordered assembly of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spindle pole body (SPB), a ~1 giga-Dalton heteromeric protein complex formed from 18 structural components present in multiple copies. We propose that SRM-BiFC is a powerful tool for examination of direct interactions between protein complex subunits at sub-diffraction resolution in live cells.
Micro and Macro Ethical Considerations of COVID-19.

Micro decisions, made by individuals, during a health crisis in which healthcare resources are particularly in short supply, should not be based only on the age of the patients. Ameliorate care is only appreciated when the patient has a limited time to live, whatever their age. Macro decisions concern public policy. We must decide now who will pay for the vaccines, who will get them before others, whether minorities should be granted priority, and whether the United States should join a global distribution system.
Towards food supply chain resilience to environmental shocks

Environmental variability and shock events can be propagated or attenuated along food supply chains by various economic, political and infrastructural factors. Understanding these processes is central to reducing risks associated with periodic food shortages, price spikes and reductions in food quality. Here we perform a scoping review of the literature to examine entry points for environmental variability along the food supply chain, the evidence of propagation or attenuation of this variability, and the food items and types of shock that have been studied. We find that research on food supply shocks has primarily focused on maize, rice and wheat, on agricultural production and on extreme rainfall and temperatures—indicating the need to expand research into the full food basket, diverse sources of environmental variability and the links connecting food production to consumption and nutrition. Insights from this new knowledge can inform key responses—at the level of an individual (for example, substituting foods), a company (for example, switching sources) or a government (for example, strategic reserves)—for coping with disruptions. Understanding the propagation or attenuation of environmental variability and shocks along food supply chains is key to food security. This scoping review identifies entry points for variability, the main factors for variability diffusion, research gaps in terms of food items and types of shock studied, and risk reduction responses at individual, company and governmental levels.
Strabismus Surgery Decreases the Risk of Injuries in Pediatric Patients in the OptumLabs Data Warehouse

PURPOSE Previous studies have shown an association between injury risk and strabismus in Medicare-aged beneficiaries and children. The injury prevalence in strabismic children was 30% in a study of >10 million patients in the OptumLabs® Data Warehouse (OLDW). The purpose of this study was to determine whether strabismus surgery decreases the risk of injury. DESIGN Retrospective Cohort Study Methods: The OLDW is a de-identified, longitudinal health database which was queried for strabismic patients aged <19 years. The patients who underwent strabismus surgery were compared to those strabismic patients who did not undergo surgery for injury. Injury risk (fractures, musculoskeletal injuries, head injuries) during their insurance enrollment was calculated in the non-surgical patients following their first strabismus claim, and compared to the risk in surgical patients post-operatively. RESULTS There were 344,794 patients with strabismus. Surgery was performed in 26,459 (7.7%). Esotropia was the most common diagnosis (n=181195, 52.6%) followed by exotropia (n=161712, 46.9%), and hypertropia (n=43831, 12.7%). Within these groups, patients with hypertropia were significantly more likely to undergo surgery (24.2%) compared with patients with esotropia and exotropia (10.2% and 9.6%, respectively). Injuries were diagnosed after the first strabismus claim in 94,960 (29.8%) non-surgical patients vs 5790 (21.9%) post-surgical patients (p<0.001) with a mean follow-up of 4.3±3.1 vs 3.8±3.1 years, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio for injuries was 0.85 (95%CI:0.83-0.87) for the risk of any injury after strabismus surgery. The HR was significantly decreased following surgery for each type of strabismus: esotropia (0.91,95%CI:0.88-0.94), exotropia (0.82,95% CI:0.80-0.85) and hypertropia (0.89,95%CI:0.85-0.93). DISCUSSION Strabismus surgery was associated with a 15% decrease in the risk of physical injury over about 4 years of follow up. Surgery may be a factor in decreasing injury risk in strabismic patients, particularly in exotropia. Given the large number of children with strabismus in United States, further assessment of strategies such as strabismus surgery to reduce injuries in children with strabismus is needed.
Disordered and dead, but in good company: How a catalytically inactive UTX retains its function.

Shi et al. (2021) demonstrate that tumor-suppressive and developmental functions of UTX require an intrinsically disordered region (IDR) capable of condensate formation. These results provide further evidence for the functional role of IDR-mediated spatial organization in regulating gene expression in development and disease.
Effect of conformation on the binding of flavins to flavoenzymes.

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes effect of conformation on the binding of flavins to flavoenzymes. The interaction of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) with specific proteins confers a great degree of versatility to these coenzymes as evidenced by the wide variety of reactions catalyzed by flavoproteins. An examination of the detailed tabulation of flavoproteins compiled by Palmer and Massey reveals the diversity of reactions catalyzed by these enzymes. A large number of flavoproteins effect the transfer of electrons between a donor and an acceptor; displaying considerable specificity for the former and much less for the latter. A smaller group of flavoenzymes serve as mixed function oxygenases. In addition, FAD and FMN are also members of multicomponent electron transfer systems such as those present in the metalloflavoproteins and respiratory chain-linked dehydrogenases. The functional diversity of these enzymes must to a large extent reside in the interactions between the flavocoenzyme and the protein matrices. In this chapter, basic concepts related to nature of binding are presented. Effect on flavin absorption spectrum is elaborated. Properties of apoflavoproteins are also described.
Generating Tamoxifen-Inducible Cre Alleles to Investigate Myogenesis in Mice

Gene inactivation has become the gold standard for determining gene function in the mouse. Many genes inactivated in the germ line cause early lethality that precludes phenotypic assessment at a later time point. Conditional gene inactivation using Cre recombinase expressed via a tissue specific promoter/enhancer allows phenotypic analyses of selected tissues, but lacks temporal control. Recent development of the tamoxifen-inducible Cre-ER (T2) offers both cell type-specific and temporal control of conditional gene inactivation. As an example, we describe the design and step-wise construction of a Cre-ER (T2) knock-in allele at the Pax7 locus using the recombineering method - Pax7 is selectively expressed in embryonic muscle progenitors and adult muscle stem cells. The resulting Pax7-Cre- ER (T2) (Pax7 (CE)) allele has been successfully applied to embryos and adults for tamoxifen-regulated myogenic lineage tracing and gene inactivation (Nature 460:627-631, 2009; Genesis 48:424-436, 2010).
Optimization strategies for evaluation of brain hemodynamic parameters with qBOLD technique

Quantitative blood oxygenation level dependent technique provides an MRI-based method to measure tissue hemodynamic parameters such as oxygen extraction fraction and deoxyhemoglobin-containing (veins and prevenous part of capillaries) cerebral blood volume fraction. It is based on a theory of MR signal dephasing in the presence of blood vessel network and experimental method-gradient echo sampling of spin echo previously proposed and validated on phantoms and animals. In vivo human studies also demonstrated feasibility of this approach but also recognized that obtaining reliable results requires high signal-to-noise ratio in the data. In this paper, we analyze in detail the uncertainties of the quantitative blood oxygenation level dependent parameter estimates in the framework of the Bayesian probability theory, namely, we examine how the estimated parameters oxygen extraction fraction and deoxygenated cerebral blood volume fraction depend on their "true values," signal-to-noise ratio, and data sampling strategies. On the basis of this analysis, we develop strategies for optimization of the quantitative blood oxygenation level dependent technique for deoxygenated cerebral blood volume and oxygen extraction fraction evaluation. In particular, it is demonstrated that the use of gradient echo sampling of spin echo sequence allows substantial decrease of measurement errors as the data are acquired on both sides of spin echo. We test our theory on phantom mimicking the structure of blood vessel network. A 3D gradient echo sampling of spin echo pulse sequence is used for the acquisition of the MRI signal that was subsequently analyzed by Bayesian Application Software. The experimental results demonstrated a good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Money to Go

A number of recently developed consumer credit instruments, such as auto title loans, are receiving critical attention from policymakers who worry that these instruments represent “abusive lending.” This paper focuses on auto title loans, arguing that the seemingly high interest rates on these loans are fair in light of their default risk and the value of securing collateral, and that firms engaged in this lending do not reap windfall profits. The paper further argues that policymakers should be hesitant to restrict this form of credit, as it is valued by consumers and is often used by small businesses on a short-term basis to secure much-needed cash for operating expenses.
Transverse emittance systematics measured for heavy-ion beams at ATLAS

The horizontal and vertical beam emittances and ellipse parameters are determined at the ATLAS superconducting heavy-ion linac by the well-known method of measuring the beam width at a profile monitor downstream of a quadrupole magnet as a function of the magnet current. Typically six base-to-base beam widths are measured and used in a least-squares fit to an algebraic expression for the three unknown ellipse parameters. The algorithm was derived from the first order matrix equation for the beam sigma matrix transform through the quadrupole singlet and. Drift to the profile monitor. To date the emittances of five beams from /sup 12/C/sup 4+/ to /sup 238/U/sup 26+/ have been measured at the entrance of the Positive-ion Injector Linac, yielding normalized values mostly in the range of 0.25-0.30 /spl pi/ mm-mr. These measurements will be extended systematically to several locations to identify possible sources of emittance growth and to develop more systematic beam tuning procedures.
Hydrogen Permeation Inhibition by Thin Layer Zn–Ni Alloy Electrodeposition

The inhibition of hydrogen permeation by zinc-nickel electrodeposited alloy was investigated using the Devanathan–Stachurski permeation technique. The hydrogen evolution and hydrogen permeation rates for the zinc–nickel alloy electrodeposits on iron are compared with the rates for bare iron, zinc electroplated on iron, and nickel electroplated on iron. Hydrogen evolution rates and hydrogen permeation rates were followed as functions of time at different applied potentials. The hydrogen permeation inhibition for thin zinc–nickel electroplates (20s at 10mAcm−2 and 10s at 20mAcm−2) averaged 80% and intermediate to that of nickel and zinc. This inhibition was considered to be mostly due to kinetic effects. Zinc–nickel electroplated for 20 and 40min. at 10mAcm−2 inhibited the hydrogen permeation greater than 95% as compared to bare iron. This inhibition was due to both kinetics and the barrier effect caused by the diffusion resistance of the membrane.
Endothelium-derived nitric oxide: actions and properties.

Vascular smooth muscle relaxation in response to chemically diverse naturally occurring neurotransmitters and autacoids has been attributed to the formation and/or release of one or more vascular endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) distinct from prostacyclin. The chemical, biochemical, and pharmacological properties of one such EDRF resemble closely the properties of nitric oxide (NO). Thus, both arterial and venous EDRFs as well as authentic NO cause heme-dependent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase, endothelium-independent vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle relaxation accompanied by tissue cyclic GMP formation, and inhibition of platelet aggregation and adhesion to endothelial cell surfaces. EDRF from artery, vein, and freshly harvested and cultured aortic endothelial cells was recently identified as NO or a labile nitroso species as assessed by chemical assay and bioassay. Endothelium-derived NO (EDNO) has an ultrashort half-life of 3-5 s due to spontaneous oxidation to nitrite and ni...
edTPA: An Assessment that Reduces the Quality of Teacher Education

As one of the first students in my TESOL teacher education program to complete my edTPA submission, I recently shared my experience with a class where the majority of the students were at the beginning of their program. Afterwards, one of my classmates expressed that while my presentation was informative, it was also very depressing.
Correlation of Serum and Urine Enzyme Activity in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

A correlation was made between the urinary excretion of GOT, GPT, LDH, HBD, and acid and alkaline phosphatase and their serum activity in 18 suspected cases of myocardial infarction. The diagnoses were made by a cardiologist without knowledge of the enzyme assays. The study included 2 cases of nontransmural infarction; 5 cases that had not sustained an infarction served as controls. Elevations of serum GOT, LDH, and HBD were found in 10 of 11 cases of transmural infarction, GPT and acid phosphatase in 5, and alkaline phosphatase in 7. Elevations in serum acid phosphatase were also found in the control group, and perhaps were related to the anticoagulation therapy. Urinary GOT and GPT activity was variable. Urinary LDH and HBD were elevated in 6 of the transmural infarction cases, usually when serum LDH and HBD activity was decreasing. Urinary acid phosphatase activity was essentially normal; but urinary alkaline phosphatase increased in 10 of the transmural infarction cases, and the average value remained high for more than 5 weeks. The only index that was elevated in all cases of acute transmural infarction was L-phenylalanine inhibition of urinary alkaline phosphatase activity.
Abstract W P140: Post-stroke Oculomotor Abnormalities evident during Objective Eye Tracking but Not under Clinical Assessment

Introduction: Visual abnormalities and manual motor control have been studied extensively after stroke, but an understanding of oculomotor control post-stroke has not. Recent studies have revealed that in visually guided reaches arm movements are planned during eye movement execution, which may contribute to increased task complexity. In fact, in healthy controls during visually guided reaches, the onset of eye movement is delayed, its velocity reduced, and endpoint errors are larger relative to isolated eye movements. Our objective in this experiment was to examine the temporal properties of eye movement execution for stroke patients with no diagnosed visual impairment. The goal is to improve understanding of oculomotor control in stroke relative to normal function, and ultimately further understand its coordination with manual motor control during joint eye and hand movements. We hypothesized that stroke patients would show abnormal initiation or onset latency for saccades made in an eye movement task, as compared to healthy controls. Methods: We measured the kinematics of eye movements during point-to-point saccades; there was an initial static, fixation point and the stimulus was a flashed target on a computer monitor. We used a video-based eye tracker for objective recording of the eye at a sampling frequency of 2000 Hz (SR Research, Eyelink). 10 stroke subjects, over 4 months from injury and with no diagnosed visual impairment, and 10 healthy controls completed 432 saccades in a serial fashion. Results: Stroke patients had significantly faster onset latencies as compared to healthy controls during saccades (99.5ms vs. 245.2ms, p=0.00058). Conclusion: A better understanding of the variations in oculomotor control post-stroke, which may go unnoticed during clinical assessment, may improve understanding of how eye control synchronizes with arm or manual motor control. This knowledge could assist in tailoring rehabilitative strategies to amplify motor recovery. For next steps, we will perform objective eye and hand recordings during visually guided reaches post-stroke to better understand the harmonization or lack thereof after neurologic insult.