cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vasculitic Neuropathy Associated with Concomitant Active Hepatitis C and B (P07.059)

OBJECTIVE: To present a patient with severe necrotizing vasculitic neuropathy associated with active hepatitis C and hepatitis B and discuss the challenges in making an accurate diagnosis to plan appropriate treatment. BACKGROUND: Infectious hepatitis associated with vasculitis generates severe morbidity in most cases. The situation of concomitant active hepatitis without or with necrotizing vasculitis is quite possible due to their common way of transmission. However, consensus regarding treatment of vasculitis is lacking. DESIGN/METHODS: 51 year-old woman presented with six-weeks of severe burning pain in limbs and stepwise impairment of different peripheral nerves. At presentation, she had severe rather symmetrical bilateral flail foot and severe weakness of hands and forerams with mild weakness of quadriceps and hamstrings. Sensation to all modalities was impaired in stocking and gloves distributions. Reflexes were depressed throughout. She was unable to use her hands or stand. Due to stepwise presentation, vasculitic neuropathy was suspected. RESULTS: Laboratory revealed mildly impaired transaminases, elevated sedimentation rate(94), C-reactive protein(15), cryoglobulins(trace) with active hepatitis B (+IgManti-core and DNA) and Hepatitis C (+IgG and high RNA titers). EMG was consistent with a subacute severe sensorimotor polyneuropathy with abundant fibrillation potentials. Nerve biopsy revealed necrotizing vasculitis. Attempts to differentiate between hepatitis B versus C vasculitis could not be made pathologically. Patient was treated with plasma exchanges and high dose corticosteroids. Treatment with rituximab followed by alpha interferon are being planned. CONCLUSIONS: This case of vasculitic neuropathy associated with concomitant active Hepatitis C and B posed an unusual diagnostic and therapeutic challenge since both viruses may be associated with this entity. Differentiating the exact infectious trigger of this vasculitic disorder is likely important because of therapeutic and prognostic differences. Disclosure: Dr. Piccione has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salame has nothing to disclose. Dr. Katirji has nothing to disclose.
Structural and functional aspects of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of human chromosomes.

Publisher Summary The nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) have been demonstrated to be the morphological sites around which the nucleoli develop at the end of mitosis. This chapter describes the structural and functional aspects of NORs of human chromosomes and discusses the clinical significance of these regions. The chromosomal associations resulted from NORs play an important role in at least three types of chromosomal disorders, and the most frequent of them is the meiotic nondisjunction causing trisomic condition. The degree of NOR activity is represented by different types of nucleoli, such as small ring-shaped nucleoli with low activity and compact nucleoli with full activity. The human acrocentric chromosomes because of the presence of NORs on short arms have a tendency to remain associated with each other during the cell division, which have deleterious consequences through meiotic nondisjunction. However, the biological and clinical implications of NOR size heteromorphisms of human acrocentrics are poorly understood.
Publisher Correction: Towards quantitative and multiplexed in vivo functional cancer genomics

The originally published article failed to acknowledge the equal first authorship contribution of I. P. Winters and C. W. Murray. The article has now been corrected online. The editors apologize for this error.
From life to death--the struggle between chemistry and biology during aging: the Maillard reaction as an amplifier of genomic damage

Biogerontology is the study of the aging of biological systems. This review addresses the relationship between chemistry and biology during aging, proposing that chemistry is responsible for the aging of biological systems. In the continuing struggle between chemistry and biology, chemistry is always the short-term, tactical winner--death of the individual is inevitable. However, barring the extinction of species, biology is the long-term, strategic victor--life survives, and the struggle continues. The rate of random chemical damage to the genome is considered the major factor determining lifespan of species. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species are recognized as a primary source of damage in aging and chronic disease. The Maillard reaction, involving nonenzymatic, oxidative reactions of carbohydrate and lipid substrates, is seen as an amplifier of reactive oxygen damage. Maillard reaction products in protein are viewed as integrators of cumulative damage by reactive oxygen, and possibly as initiators of protective responses, but the primary factor affecting lifespan is identified as silent cumulative damage to the genome, resulting from imperfect repair. Maillard reaction inhibitors show promise for treatment of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, and also have a positive effect on health in normal animals. Future studies should focus on evaluation of the effects of these inhibitors on genomic damage and lifespan extension.
Delphi Technologies Engine Exhaust and Fuel injection systems for clean and efficient Diesel engines

Euro 6 saw a shift in the performance expectations for Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicles away from drive cycle CO2 towards real world driving emissions and fuel economy. The driving pleasure, autonomy and efficiency of diesel vehicles are also expected to improve further, even if they are today best in class. Additionally, governmental institutions and end users are requesting that all these attributes be maintained over a long vehicle life and under all realistic driving conditions, in a faultless and cost efficient manner.
Management of Infections of Devices: Catheter-Related Infections, Pretransplant VAD Infections, Infections of ECMO Devices

For the purposes of this chapter, we will discuss the management of infections of devices used in solid organ transplant (SOT). Post transplantation, SOT recipients frequently require additional interventions including central venous access catheters (CVC) or, occasionally, temporary support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) intervention. Infections in these devices will be addressed. Furthermore, we will review infections associated with ventricular assist devices (VAD) when used as bridges to heart transplant (HT). Infection remains a significant complication of LVAD implantation and is associated with inferior clinical prognosis. This is especially true in patients who develop more serious systemic infections, such as sepsis, where the mortality in the following 2 years can be greater than 50%. Furthermore, the development of multi-organ dysfunction (especially cardiac and renal) is also frequently seen as sequelae of infection and complicates morbidity and mortality considerably. The ongoing management of mechanical circulatory device (MCS) infections in patients who proceed to transplant will also be discussed in this chapter, as these patients suffer more frequent relapse associated with retained material from their infected device.
Head and Neck Injuries in Gymnasts

Head and neck injuries in gymnasts are less common than injuries to the low back or extremities, but the possibility of catastrophic injury and complex nature of treatment makes this a crucial aspect of medical care. Prompt identification, up-to-date management, and knowledge of evolving treatment guidelines are of paramount importance in concussion and cervical spine injury to expedite recovery and return to play. Head and neck injuries in the gymnast may often be complex and multifactorial and must be treated with an interdisciplinary team through a biopsychosocial lens.
Bradycardia in Patients With COVID-19: A Calm Before the Storm?

Cardiac manifestations of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), including arrhythmia, have been described in the literature. However, to our knowledge, association of COVID-19 with bradycardia has not been reported. This case study describes sinus bradycardia as a potential manifestation of COVID-19. This is a retrospective case series of four patients with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, admitted to St. Luke’s University Health Network ICU between 24 March 2020 and 5 April 2020. Medical records of these patients were reviewed using the EPIC electronic health record system. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were reviewed against periods of bradycardia in each patient. The patient group comprised two males and two females. Two patients had pre-existing cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities but no history of arrythmias. Heart rates ranged between 66 and 88 beats/min on admission. The lowest rates during bradycardia were between 42 and 49 beats/min. The onset of sinus bradycardia in patients 1, 2, and 3 were day nine, 15, and five of illness, respectively. Patient 4 had three episodes of bradycardia, starting on day 10 of illness. Patients’ bradycardia episodes lasted one to 14 days. During bradycardia, maximum body temperatures ranged between 99.9 and 100.2 degree Fahrenheit. Patients 2, 3, and 4 required vasopressors to maintain mean arterial pressure > 65 mmHg during episodes. All four patients were on propofol at some point during bradycardia with patients 1, 2, and 3 also receiving dexmedetomidine. There was no consistent correlation of these medications with bradycardia. Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings included sinus bradycardia. Prolonged QTc interval observed in patient 2 on admission improved during bradycardia. Transient sinus bradycardia is a possible manifestation of COVID-19 and is important for close CV surveillance. Etiology can be multifactorial, but severe hypoxia, inflammatory damage of cardiac pacemaker cells, and exaggerated response to medications are possible triggers. High levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines may act directly on the sinoatrial (SA) node contributing to the development of bradycardia. This may be a warning sign of the onset of a serious cytokine storm. An increased awareness of possible exaggerated bradycardia response is important to consider with the use of empiric medications which have arrhythmogenic effects.
Jet-based measurements of Sivers and Collins asymmetries at the future electron-ion collider

We present predictions and projections for hadron-in-jet measurements and electron-jet azimuthal correlations at the future electron-ion collider (EIC). These observables directly probe the three-dimensional structure of hadrons, in particular, the quark transversity and Sivers parton distributions and the Collins fragmentation functions. We explore the feasibility of these experimental measurements by detector simulations and discuss detector requirements. We conclude that jet observables have the potential to enhance the three-dimensional imaging EIC program.
Role of CFTR in chloride secretion across human tracheal epithelium.

We have tested two hypotheses: 1) the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) represents the predominant Cl conductance in the apical membrane of human tracheal epithelium, and 2...
Condensed Matter Physics, the Hybrid Second Law of Thermodynamics, and Hybrid Consensus Protocols for Network Systems

Network systems involve distributed decision-making for coordination of networks of dynamic agents and address a broad area of applications in science and engineering. In this paper, we develop a thermodynamically-based framework for addressing consensus problems using a hybrid control protocol architecture with a dynamic communication topology wherein communication events are triggered via state-dependent resettings consistent with thermodynamic principles. The proposed hybrid controller architecture involves the exchange of intermittent state information between agents guaranteeing that the closed-loop dynamical network is semistable to an equipartitioned equilibrium representing a state of information consensus consistent with basic thermodynamic principles.
Age-related Changes in Diffuse Optical Tomography Sensitivity to the Cortex in Infancy

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) uses near-infrared light spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure changes in cerebral hemoglobin concentration. Anatomical interpretations of the location that generates the hemodynamic signal requires accurate descriptions of the cranio-cerebral relations and DOT sensitivity to the underlying cortical structures. Such information is limited for pediatric populations because they undergo rapid head and brain development. The present study used spatial scalp projection and photon propagation simulation methods to examine scalp-to-cortex distance, scalp-location-to-ROI mapping, and DOT sensitivity profiles in realistic head models based on MRIs. We investigated age-related differences in these measures among infants ranging from 2 weeks to 24 months with narrow age bins, children (4 and 12 years) and adults (20 to 24 years). There were age-group differences in the scalp-to-cortex distances in infancy. The developmental increase was magnified in children and adults. There were systematic age-related differences in the probabilistic mappings between scalp locations and cortical ROIs. The DOT sensitivity profiles displayed decreased fluence strength with increased penetration depth across groups. There were age-related differences in the DOT sensitivity profiles across a wide range of source-detector channel separations. Our findings have important implications in the design of sensor placement and DOT image reconstruction in NIRS and fNIRS research. Age-appropriate realistic head models should be used to provide anatomical guidance for standalone DOT data in infants.
Breast and prostate cancers harbor common somatic copy number alterations that consistently differ by race and are associated with survival.

Pan-cancer studies of somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) have demonstrated common SCNA patterns across cancer types, but despite demonstrable differences in aggressiveness of some cancers by race, pan-cancer SCNA variation by race has not been explored. This study investigated a) racial differences in SCNAs in both breast and prostate cancer, b) the degree to which they are shared across cancers, and c) the impact of these shared, race-differentiated SCNAs on cancer survival. Utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), SCNAs were identified using GISTIC 2.0, and in each tumor type, differences in SCNA magnitude between African Americans (AA) and European Americans (EA) were tested using linear regression. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of the copy number of genes residing in race-differentiated SCNAs shared between tumor types was used to identify SCNA-defined patient groups, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to test for association between those groups and overall/progression-free survival (PFS). We identified SCNAs that differed by race in breast (n = 58 SCNAs; permutation p < 10− 4) and prostate tumors (n = 78 SCNAs; permutation p = 0.006). Six race-differentiated SCNAs common to breast and prostate found at chromosomes 5q11.2-q14.1, 5q15-q21.1, 8q21.11-q21.13, 8q21.3-q24.3, 11q22.3, and 13q12.3-q21.3 had consistent differences by race across both tumor types, and all six were of higher magnitude in AAs, with the chromosome 8q regions being the only amplifications. Higher magnitude copy number differences in AAs were also identified at two of these race-differentiated SCNAs in two additional hormonally-driven tumor types: endometrial (8q21.3-q24.3 and 13q12.3-q21.3) and ovarian (13q12.3-q21.3) cancers. Race differentiated SCNA-defined patient groups were significantly associated with survival differences in both cancer types, and these groups also differentiated within triple negative breast cancers based on PFS. While the frequency of the SCNA-defined patient groups differed by race, their effects on survival did not. This study identified race-differentiated SCNAs shared by two related cancers. The association of SCNA-defined patient groups with survival demonstrates the clinical significance of combinations of these race-differentiated genomic aberrations, and the higher frequency of these alterations in AA relative to EA patients may explain racial disparities in risk of aggressive breast and prostate cancer.
How Does the Dissimilarity of Screw Geometry Impact Twin-screw Melt Granulation?

Abstract Using a model formulation of 80% gabapentin and 20% hydroxypropyl cellulose (KlucelTM), we investigate how differences in the geometry of mixing elements in the Leistritz Nano-16 and Micro-18 extruders affect granulation mechanisms and the properties of the resulting granules. Two extruders, Leistritz Nano-16 and Micro-18, commonly used in development and manufacturing, respectively, were used. The kneading blocks of the Nano-16 extruder are less efficient in dispersive mixing than the kneading blocks of the Micro-18 due to the thinner discs (2.5 mm wide) of the Nano-16. Therefore, our model formulation could be granulated only under a higher degree of fill (DF) by enhancing the axial compaction and heating of the barrel. In contrast, the thicker (5 mm wide) kneading blocks of the Micro-18 extruder provide efficient dispersive mixing that enables granulation without axial compaction and barrel heating. The higher specific mechanical energy (SME) achieved at higher screw speeds and lower feed rates led to more granulation. Because of the difference in granulation mechanisms between the two extruders, critical processing parameters also differed. Tabletability and degradant content of granules correlated positively with DF for the Nano-16 but with SME for the Micro-18 extruder.
A New Gender Microaggressions Taxonomy for Undergraduate Women on College Campuses: A Qualitative Examination.

Gender microaggressions are everyday slights, insults, and invalidations theorized to create and sustain environments in which sexual harassment and assault of women is normative and permissible. E...
Making the Right Call for Confrontation at Felony Sentencing

Felony sentencing courts have discretion to increase punishment based on un-cross-examined testimonial statements about several categories of unproven criminal conduct. Denying defendants an opportunity to cross-examine these categories of sentencing evidence undermines a core principle of natural law as adopted in the Sixth Amendment: those accused of felony crimes have the right to confront adversarial witnesses. This Article contributes to the scholarship surrounding confrontation rights at felony sentencing. I caution against continued adherence to the most historic Supreme Court case on this issue, Williams v. New York, for reasons beyond its dark racial undercurrent. Instead, I challenge the Williams Court’s assumption that judicial authority existed in pre-Founding felony cases to consider un-cross-examined testimony for purposes of fixing the punishment. I also examine whether recent Court decisions requiring cross-examination of testimonial statements at trial should cause rethinking of confrontation rights at sentencing. Furthermore, I discuss the growing importance of sentencing hearings given the increase in guilty pleas. This work advances the discussion on this issue by proposing a framework to distinguish between testimonial statements that should be cross-examined and those that should not. I conclude that in some circumstances, confrontation is the right call at felony sentencing and advocate a balanced and practical application of this vital right.
“Dear Mr. Blackwell, How He Has Helped!”: Toward an Anatomy of Ally Rhetoric

This article draws on archival research to examine the career of one of the nineteenth-century’s most prominent advocates of woman’s rights, Henry B. Blackwell. Responding to recent calls by femini...
Community and Campus COVID-19 Risk Uncertainty Under University Reopening Scenarios: Model-Based Analysis.

Background: Significant uncertainty has existed about the safety of reopening college and university campuses before the COVID-19 pandemic is better controlled. Moreover, little is known about the effects that on-campus students may have on local higher-risk communities. Objective: We aimed to estimate the range of potential community and campus COVID-19 exposures, infections, and mortality under various university reopening plans and uncertainties. Methods: We developed campus-only, community-only, and campus × community epidemic differential equations and agent-based models, with inputs estimated via published and grey literature, expert opinion, and parameter search algorithms. Campus opening plans (spanning fully open, hybrid, and fully virtual approaches) were identified from websites and publications. Additional student and community exposures, infections, and mortality over 16-week semesters were estimated under each scenario, with 10% trimmed medians, standard deviations, and probability intervals computed to omit extreme outliers. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to inform potential effective interventions. Results: Predicted 16-week campus and additional community exposures, infections, and mortality for the base case with no precautions (or negligible compliance) varied significantly from their medians (4- to 10-fold). Over 5% of on-campus students were infected after a mean of 76 (SD 17) days, with the greatest increase (first inflection point) occurring on average on day 84 (SD 10.2 days) of the semester and with total additional community exposures, infections, and mortality ranging from 1-187, 13-820, and 1-21 per 10,000 residents, respectively. Reopening precautions reduced infections by 24%-26% and mortality by 36%-50% in both populations. Beyond campus and community reproductive numbers, sensitivity analysis indicated no dominant factors that interventions could primarily target to reduce the magnitude and variability in outcomes, suggesting the importance of comprehensive public health measures and surveillance. Conclusions: Community and campus COVID-19 exposures, infections, and mortality resulting from reopening campuses are highly unpredictable regardless of precautions. Public health implications include the need for effective surveillance and flexible campus operations.
Studies in Sampling Techniques and Time Series Analysis

This book has been designed for students and researchers who are working in the field of time series analysis and estimation in finite population. There are papers by Rajesh Singh, Florentin Smarandache, Shweta Maurya, Ashish K. Singh, Manoj Kr. Chaudhary, V. K. Singh, Mukesh Kumar and Sachin Malik. The book is divided in five chapters as follows: Chapter 1. Water pollution is a major global problem. In this chapter, time series analysis is carried out to study the effect of certain pollutants on water of Ramgarh Lake of Rajasthan, India. Chapter 2. In this chapter family of factor-type estimators for estimating population mean of stratified population in the presence of non-response has been discussed. Choice of appropriate estimator in the family in order to get a desired level of accuracy in presence of no-response is worked out. Chapter 3. In this chapter our aim is to discuss the existing allocation schemes in presence of non-response and to suggest some new allocation schemes utilizing the knowledge of response and non-response rates of different strata. Chapter 4. In this chapter, we have suggested an improved estimator for estimating the population mean in stratified sampling in presence of auxiliary information. Chapter 5. In this chapter we have proposed some estimators for the population variance of the variable under study, which make use of information regarding the population proportion possessing certain attribute.
Abstract 147: Elevated Serum Resistin Levels are Associated with Angiographically Significant Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Resistin is a novel inflammatory cytokine secreted primarily by mononuclear inflammatory cells and adipocytes. It upregulates the expression of vascular adhesion molecules and stimulate...
Harnessing the Potential of Technology to Support Self-Directed Language Learning in Online Learning Settings––Online Symposium Review

Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden) and the Research Institute for Learner Autonomy Education at Kanda University of International Studies (Chiba, Japan) held a joint online symposium on October 15, 2020. It was an open event for those interested in the design and use of technology and self-directed, autonomous language learning in online settings. Examining 15 of the event’s internationally focused presentations, this article aims to provide an overview of the symposium by summarizing the main themes in research and practice relating to technology and self-directed learning. The article will conclude with a commentary on the takeaways and issues for further reflection. Keywords: self-directed language learning, technology, online learning setting
Techniques to Search for Proton Instability to 1034 Years

We discuss the experimental techniques to search for proton instability at very long lifetime. A large water detector and the photosensitive elements needed to observe the decay products are considered. For small detectors (∿ 100 tons) ordinary photomultipliers are adequate — for much larger detectors (∿ 10,000 – 100,000 tons) new techniques of light collection are required. We also discuss the most common backgrounds from cosmic ray neutrinos and how to reject these at the level of 1034 years.
Characterizing depression and comorbid medical conditions in African American women in a primary care setting.

Background African American women are more likely to seek treatment for depression in primary care settings; however, few women receive guideline-concordant depression treatment in these settings. This investigation focused on the impact of depression on overall functioning in African American women in a primary care setting. Methods Data was collected from a sample of 507 African American women in the waiting room of an urban primary care setting. The majority of women were well-educated, insured, and employed. The CESD-R was used to screen for depression, and participants completed the 36-Item Short-Form Survey to determine functional status. Results Among the participants with depression, there was greater functional impairment for role-physical (z = −0.88, 95% Cl = −1.13, −0.64) when compared to individuals with diabetes and hypertension. Individuals with depression also had greater role-emotional impairment (z = −1.12, 95% Cl = −1.37, −0.87) than individuals with diabetes and hypertension. African American women with comorbid hypertension and depression had greater functional impairment in role-physical when compared to African American women with hypertension and no depression (t(124)=−4.22, p Conclusion African American women with depression are more likely to present with greater functional impairment in role function when compared to African American women with diabetes or hypertension. Because African American women often present to primary care settings for treatment of mental illness, primary care providers need to have a clear understanding of the population, as well as the most effective and appropriate interventions. Acknowledgements This research was supported by NIMH MRISP MH0S8272 (D Bradford, PI) and manuscript preparation by R25 MH071735. We would like to thank Monique Haynes for her assistance and support in the preparation of this manuscript.
Uridine diphosphate sugar hydrolase. Purification of enzyme and protein inhibitor.

The partial purification of a uridine diphosphate sugar hydrolase from Escherichia coli ATCC 12793 and a specific protein inhibitor of this enzyme are described. The products of the hydrolysis are uridine, inorganic phosphate, and sugar 1-phosphate. The enzyme appears to be identical with the 5'-nucleotidase in this organism. In addition, these cells contain a specific adenosine diphosphate-glucose pyrophosphatase. The 5'-nucleotidase is relatively nonspecific, but the uridine diphosphate sugar hydrolase activity cleaves only uridine nucleotides at a significant rate. Other nucleoside diphosphate sugars containing adenine, guanine, or cytosine as the base are cleaved at less than 5% of the rate of the uridine nucleotides, although the apparent affinity of these nucleotides for the enzyme is the same as that of the uridine nucleotides. Both enzymatic activities show an absolute requirement for the addition of a divalent cation. At pH 8.0 in Tris-Cl buffer, this requirement can be satisfied in order of decreasing affinity by Co++, Mn++, and Mg++, while at pH 5.1 in acetate buffer only Co++ and Mn++ are effective. These same metals protect the enzyme against heat inactivation. Similar, if not identical, enzymes are present in several other strains of E. coli, and a similar enzyme is also present in Salmonella weslaco. All of these enzymes are released into the medium when cells are converted to spheroplasts, but the inhibitor remains in the spheroplast. In Salmonella typhimurium LT-2, a soluble adenosine diphosphate-glucose pyrophosphatase and a particle-bound nucleoside diphosphate sugar pyrophosphatase of broader specificity which is not associated with 5'-nucleotidase activity are present. Some of the properties and possible functions of these enzymes are discussed.
Outcome assessment: practical realities and lessons learned

The challenges of implementing ABET 2000 outcome assessment strategies for a sequence of three computer engineering courses (spanning sophomore level to senior design) are described in this paper, with a focus on practical realities and lessons learned. Issues addressed include formulation of outcomes, choice of evaluation instruments, static vs. dynamic assessment thresholds, instructor overhead, maintaining consistency with prior grading practices, and remediation strategies. Outcome demonstration success rate data are presented for representative trials.
Reassessment of global gene–language coevolution

In On the Origin of Species, Darwin proposed that human races and languages evolved in concert following a tree-like history of splits and isolation (1). Linguists and anthropologists have long been skeptical of this idea because historical and ethnographic evidence suggest that group boundaries are fluid and differentially permeable to the movement of peoples and languages. For this reason, as Sapir (2) so eloquently put it, “the history of each is apt to follow a distinctive course.” In PNAS, Creanza et al. (3) weigh in on this debate and provide a conceptual and methodological framework for future studies of population genetic and linguistic coevolution.
Structure of yeast hexokinase. II. A 6 angstrom resolution electron density map showing molecular shape and heterologous interaction of subunits.

Abstract An electron density map of yeast hexokinase has been calculated at 6 A resolution using six heavy atom derivatives. The map shows each of the enzyme's two 51,000 molecular weight subunits to consist of two separate lobes connected by a narrow bridge of density. Furthermore, these two subunits are related to each other in the asymmetric unit of the crystal by a quasi-2-fold rather than a true 2-fold axis. That is, they are related by a rotation of 180 ° plus a relative translation of 3.6 A along the symmetry axis. This gives rise to a heterologous subunit interaction and a possibility of non-identical structure and function for these chemically identical subunits. The molecule is quite asymmetric, having dimensions of 150 A × 45 A × 55 A. Each subunit is about 80 A × 40 A × 50 A. A portion of an electron density map at 3 A resolution has been also calculated, based on phases from two heavy atom derivatives. Polypeptide backbone and side chains are visible in this map.
Transcriptome analysis of a CHO cell line expressing a recombinant therapeutic protein treated with inducers of protein expression

The search for specific productivity (qP) determinants in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells has been the focus of the biopharmaceutical cell line engineering efforts aimed at creating "super-producer" cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the impact of small-molecule inducers and temperature shift on recombinant protein production, and used transcriptomic analysis to define gene-phenotype correlations for qP in our biological system. Next-generation RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed that each individual inducer (caffeine, hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) and sodium butyrate (NaBu)) or a combination treatment had a distinct impact on the gene expression program of the RANK-Fc cell line. Temperature shift to 31 °C impacted inducer action with respect to transcriptional changes and phenotypic cell line parameters. We showed that inducer treatment was able to increase expression level of the Fc- fusion mRNA and the selectable marker mRNA from 16% up to 45% of total mRNA in the cell. We further demonstrated that qP exhibited a strong positive linear correlation to transcript levels of both the RANK-Fc fusion protein and the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) selectable marker. In fact, these were 2 out of 7 transcripts with significant positive correlation to qP at both temperatures. Many more transcripts were anti- correlated to qP, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that those were involved in cell cycle progression, transcription, mRNA processing, translation and protein folding. Therefore, we postulate that the transcript level of the recombinant protein is a major qP determinant in our biological system, while downregulation of routine activity within the cell is necessary to divert cellular resources towards recombinant protein production.
Role of Monosaccharide Transport Proteins in Carbohydrate Assimilation, Distribution, Metabolism, and Homeostasis

The facilitated diffusion of glucose, galactose, fructose, urate, myoinositol, and dehydroascorbicacid in mammals is catalyzed by a family of 14 monosaccharide transport proteins called GLUTs. These transporters may be divided into three classes according to sequence similarity and function/substrate specificity. GLUT1 appears to be highly expressed in glycolytically active cells and has been coopted in vitamin C auxotrophs to maintain the redox state of the blood through transport of dehydroascorbate. Several GLUTs are definitive glucose/galactose transporters, GLUT2 and GLUT5 are physiologically important fructose transporters, GLUT9 appears to be a urate transporter while GLUT13 is a proton/myoinositol cotransporter. The physiologic substrates of some GLUTs remain to be established. The GLUTs are expressed in a tissue specific manner where affinity, specificity, and capacity for substrate transport are paramount for tissue function. Although great strides have been made in characterizing GLUT-catalyzed monosaccharide transport and mapping GLUT membrane topography and determinants of substrate specificity, a unifying model for GLUT structure and function remains elusive. The GLUTs play a major role in carbohydrate homeostasis and the redistribution of sugar-derived carbons among the various organ systems. This is accomplished through a multiplicity of GLUT-dependent glucose sensing and effector mechanisms that regulate monosaccharide ingestion, absorption,distribution, cellular transport and metabolism, and recovery/retention. Glucose transport and metabolism have coevolved in mammals to support cerebral glucose utilization.
From the Drawing Room to the Stage: Performing Sexuality in Sarah Waters's Tipping the Velvet

Sarah Waters's 1998 novel Tipping the Velvet presents the reader with the sights, sounds, and smells—both pleasant and unpleasant—of fin-de-siecle London. Her protagonist and narrator, Nancy Astley...
Auxiliary Variable Methods for Markov Chain Monte Carlo with Applications

Abstract Suppose that one wishes to sample from the density π(x) using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). An auxiliary variable u and its conditional distribution π(u|x) can be defined, giving the joint distribution π(x, u) = π(x)π(u|x). A MCMC scheme that samples over this joint distribution can lead to substantial gains in efficiency compared to standard approaches. The revolutionary algorithm of Swendsen and Wang is one such example. Besides reviewing the Swendsen-Wang algorithm and its generalizations, this article introduces a new auxiliary variable method called partial decoupling. Two applications in Bayesian image analysis are considered: a binary classification problem in which partial decoupling out performs Swendsen-Wang and single-site Metropolis methods, and a positron emission tomography (PET) reconstruction that uses the gray level prior of Geman and McClure. A generalized Swendsen–Wang algorithm is developed for this problem, which reduces the computing time to the point where MCMC is a viab...
Upper Bounds on the Flight Speed of Hydrocarbon-Fueled Scramjet-Powered Vehicles

Introduction F ROM the inception of the supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engine cycle (see Fig. 1) in the late 1950s through the present time, there has been much speculation about what the upper bound on  ight Mach number is when using either a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen or a storable liquid hydrocarbon fuel such as kerosene. Some initial studies claimed orbital speeds (Mach 26) and beyond for hydrogen-fueledsystems andMach 14–16  ight for hydrocarbon-fueled systems.1i3 Subsequent studies in the 1960s and early 1970s revised these estimates downward somewhat to Mach 15–20 and Mach 12–14,4i7 respectively. However, most of these studies are not con guration speci c, and none incorporate what has been learned about the operation and performance of scramjet-poweredvehicles since their printing. Subsequent to these early studies, several modern studies have been done for hydrogen-fueled concepts, primarily for Earth-toorbit space transport systems,8i11 in which the upper speed bound is somewhat lower, primarily in the Mach 12–16 range. There have also been a number of studies on hydrocarbon-fueledmissile concepts,12i16 but none of these addressed the upperMach number
Amyloid-β Injection in Rat Amygdala Alters Tau Protein but Not mRNA Expression

Abstract Previously we demonstrated local and distant changes in tau protein immunoreactivity reminiscent of those seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD) following a unilateral injection of amyloid-β (Aβ)25–35 into the rat amygdala. To explore the relevance of these findings to AD, we compared the effects of Aβ1–42 to those of Aβ25–35. Injections of both Aβ1–42 and Aβ25–35 into rat amygdala resulted in increased tau-2 immunolabeling in neurons. To determine whether these alterations were due to changes in the expression of tau, we measured tau protein expression by Western blotting and tau mRNA isoform expression by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum following a unilateral injection of Aβ25–35 or vehicle into the amygdala. The levels of tau proteins were increased bilaterally in the amygdala of Aβ25–35- compared to vehicle-treated animals 8 and 16 days following treatment. The molecular weights of tau proteins were decreased in the Aβ25–35-treated (59–69 kDa) compared to the vehicle-treated (67–72 kDa) animals 8 days following treatment. There were no changes in tau mRNA expression in any brain region examined. In this model, just as in AD, there is an increase in tau protein levels without a change in tau mRNA expression, suggesting that Aβ peptides may influence tau protein stability in both the rat and the human brain.
Editors' Introduction Escape From Politics? Social Theory and the Social Capital Debate

This article sets the stage for the discussion of social capital, civil society, and contemporary democracy by attempting to clarify terms and set out the most promising avenues for discussion and ...
The Bicycle Seat Stool in the Treatment of Vaginal Agenesis and Stenosis

The Ingram method for creating a neovagina in women with vaginal agenesis or stenosis by using an intermittent pressure technique was performed on 45 patients between 1975 and 1982. Poor patient compliance has been the major drawback of previously reported pressure techniques. To overcome this, the Ingram method employs a unique approach using Lucite® dilators and a mobile bicycle seat stool. Extensive nursing participation and a successfully treated former patient used as a motivating role model have significantly contributed to the acceptance of this method. Thirty-seven of the 45 patients were able to experience coitus subsequent to treatment.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors based on carbamic acid quinolin-6-yl esters: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research: US20060142335

The application claims two related kinds of carbamic acid esters, namely the ones of quinolin-6-ol and 1-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-ols as novel inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Hexyl-, heptyl- and substituted phenyl-carbamic acids were prepared, in which the 1-position of the tetrahydro-quinolinol was either unsubstituted or bore a methyl or benzyl group. Some data concerning their in vitro inhibition are presented, as is the testing of a set of compounds in an in vivo assay (amelioration of scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in a passive avoidance test), in which the compounds tested showed cognitive improvements comparable to standard Alzheimer's disease drugs. These compounds are among the few patents with novel templates for acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting carbamates described in the past 3 years.
Agricultural Wetlands as Potential Hotspots for Mercury Bioaccumulation: Experimental Evidence Using Caged Fish

Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services, but also can be sources of methylmercury (MeHg) production and export. Rice agricultural wetlands in particular may be important sites for MeHg bioaccumulation due to their worldwide ubiquity, periodic flooding schedules, and high use by wildlife. We assessed MeHg bioaccumulation within agricultural and perennial wetlands common to California's Central Valley during summer, when the majority of wetland habitats are shallowly flooded rice fields. We introduced caged western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) within white rice (Oryza sativa), wild rice (Zizania palustris), and permanent wetlands at water inlets, centers, and outlets. Total mercury (THg) concentrations and body burdens in caged mosquitofish increased rapidly, exceeding baseline values at introduction by 135% to 1197% and 29% to 1566% among sites, respectively, after only 60 days. Mercury bioaccumulation in caged mosquitofish was greater in rice fields than in permanent wetlands, with THg concentrations at wetland outlets increasing by 12.1, 5.8, and 2.9 times over initial concentrations in white rice, wild rice, and permanent wetlands, respectively. In fact, mosquitofish caged at white rice outlets accumulated 721 ng Hg/fish in just 60 days. Mercury in wild mosquitofish and Mississippi silversides (Menidia audens) concurrently sampled at wetland outlets also were greater in white rice and wild rice than permanent wetlands. Within wetlands, THg concentrations and body burdens of both caged and wild fish increased from water inlets to outlets in white rice fields, and tended to not vary among sites in permanent wetlands. Fish THg concentrations in agricultural wetlands were high, exceeding 0.2 microg/g ww in 82% of caged fish and 59% of wild fish. Our results indicate that shallowly flooded rice fields are potential hotspots for MeHg bioaccumulation and, due to their global prevalence, suggest that agricultural wetlands may be important contributors to MeHg contamination.
Where's the Difference? The Heterosexualization of Alterity in Henri Lefebvre and Jacques Lacan

It has been largely overlooked that Henri Lefebvre in his book The Production of Space draws heavily upon Lacanian psychoanalytic accounts of the emergence of subjectivity in theorizing political r...
The normalized risk-averting error criterion for avoiding nonglobal local minima in training neural networks

The convexification method for data fitting is capable of avoiding nonglobal local minima, but suffers from two shortcomings: the risk-averting error (RAE) criterion grows exponentially as its risk-sensitivity index λ increases, and the existing method of determining λ is often not effective. To eliminate these shortcomings, the normalized RAE (NRAE) is herein proposed. As NRAE is a monotone increasing function of RAE, the region without a nonglobal local minimum of NRAE expands as does that of RAE. However, NRAE does not grow unboundedly as does RAE.The performances of training with NRAE at a fixed λ are reported. Over a large range of the risk-sensitivity index, such training has a high rate of achieving a global or near global minimum starting with different initial weight vectors of the neural network under training. It is observed that at a large λ, the landscape of the NRAE is rather flat, which slows down the training to a halt. This observation motivates the development of the NRAE-MSE method that exploits the large region of an NRAE without a nonglobal local minimum and takes excursions from time to time for training with the standard mean squared error (MSE) to zero into a global or near global minimum. A number of examples of approximating functions that involve fine features or under-sampled segments are used to test the method. Numerical experiments show that the NRAE-MSE training method has a success rate of 100% in all the testing trials for each example, all starting with randomly selected initial weights. The method is also applied to classifying numerals in the well-known MNIST dataset. The new training method outperforms other methods reported in the literature under the same operating conditions.
Structure and Transport Mechanism of the Bacterial Oxalate Transporter OxlT

Membrane proteins that belong to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) are found in organisms across the evolutionary spectrum and mediate the transport of a variety of substrates ranging from small metabolites to neurotransmitters. The oxalate transporter (OxlT) is a representative MFS protein, and exchanges formate for oxalate across the cytoplasmic membrane of the organism Oxalobacter formigenes. Here, we present a structural model for the protein conformational changes that occur during oxalate transport by combining a three-dimensional map of the oxalate-bound, “closed” state of OxlT at 6.5 A determined by cryo-electron microscopy with a model of the “open” state of OxlT based on the atomic structures of the related transporters, glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (GlpT) and lactose permease (LacY). We demonstrate that the principal structural change associated with substrate transport is a concerted rocking movement of the two structurally similar halves of the protein relative to each other. Our structural model places two positively charged residues, Arg-272 and Lys-355 in the central cavity, suggesting that electrostatic interactions between these residues and the oxalate anion is a key step in generating the conformational change between the open and closed states of the transporter.
The Osher scheme for real gases

An extension of Osher's approximate Riemann solver to include gases with an arbitrary equation of state is presented. By a judicious choice of thermodynamic variables, the Riemann invariats are reduced to quadratures which are then approximated numerically. The extension is rigorous and does not involve any further assumptions or approximations over the ideal gas case. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method.