cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silicon-wall interfacial free energy via thermodynamics integration

We compute the interfacial free energy of a silicon system in contact with flat and structured walls by molecular dynamics simulation. The thermodynamics integration method, previously applied to Lennard-Jones potentials [R. Benjamin and J. Horbach, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 044707 (2012)], has been extended and implemented in Tersoff potentials with two-body and three-body interactions taken into consideration. The thermodynamic integration scheme includes two steps. In the first step, the bulk Tersoff system is reversibly transformed to a state where it interacts with a structureless flat wall, and in a second step, the flat structureless wall is reversibly transformed into an atomistic SiO2 wall. Interfacial energies for liquid silicon-wall interfaces and crystal silicon-wall interfaces have been calculated. The calculated interfacial energies have been employed to predict the nucleation mechanisms in a slab of liquid silicon confined by two walls and compared with MD simulation results.
Brown adipose tissue does not seem to mediate metabolic adaptation to overfeeding in men.

Objective Brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat in response to cold, and low BAT activity has been linked to obesity. However, recent studies were inconclusive as to whether BAT is involved in diet-induced thermogenesis and mitigates weight gain from prolonged overeating. Therefore, this study investigated whether BAT activity is related to metabolic adaptation arising from 8 weeks of overfeeding in humans. Methods Fourteen men (aged 24 ± 3 years, BMI 24.5 ± 1.6 kg/m2) were overfed by 40% for 8 weeks. Before and after, energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation were measured by whole-room respiratory calorimetry. A marker of BAT activity was measured using infrared imaging of the supraclavicular BAT depot. Results At the end of 8 weeks of overfeeding, metabolic adaptation—defined as the percent increase in sleeping energy expenditure beyond that expected from weight gain—rose from −0.9 ± 3.9% to 4.7 ± 5.6% (P = 0.001). However, BAT thermal activity was unchanged (P = 0.81). Moreover, BAT thermal activity did not correlate with the degree of metabolic adaptation (P = 0.32) or with the change in body weight (P = 0.51). Conclusions BAT thermal activity does not change in response to overfeeding, nor does it correlate with adaptive thermogenesis. Our data suggest that BAT does not mediate metabolic adaptation to overeating in humans.
The Interpersonal Divide

Since the 1990s I have been investigating how higher education has invested in technology, often without any assessment. I have documented the cost of technology, not only in equipment, tuition and fees, but also in curricula, which has expanded dramatically to incorporate, maintain and support the software, hardware and wireless systems that enrich corporate entities whose restrictive service terms have altered our culture of transparency and due process.
Identifying and characterizing hepatitis C virus hotspots in Massachusetts: a spatial epidemiological approach

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have increased during the past decade but little is known about geographic clustering patterns. We used a unique analytical approach, combining geographic information systems (GIS), spatial epidemiology, and statistical modeling to identify and characterize HCV hotspots, statistically significant clusters of census tracts with elevated HCV counts and rates. We compiled sociodemographic and HCV surveillance data (n = 99,780 cases) for Massachusetts census tracts (n = 1464) from 2002 to 2013. We used a five-step spatial epidemiological approach, calculating incremental spatial autocorrelations and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics to identify clusters. We conducted logistic regression analyses to determine factors associated with the HCV hotspots. We identified nine HCV clusters, with the largest in Boston, New Bedford/Fall River, Worcester, and Springfield (p < 0.05). In multivariable analyses, we found that HCV hotspots were independently and positively associated with the percent of the population that was Hispanic (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 1.09) and the percent of households receiving food stamps (AOR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.74). HCV hotspots were independently and negatively associated with the percent of the population that were high school graduates or higher (AOR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.93) and the percent of the population in the “other” race/ethnicity category (AOR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.91). We identified locations where HCV clusters were a concern, and where enhanced HCV prevention, treatment, and care can help combat the HCV epidemic in Massachusetts. GIS, spatial epidemiological and statistical analyses provided a rigorous approach to identify hotspot clusters of disease, which can inform public health policy and intervention targeting. Further studies that incorporate spatiotemporal cluster analyses, Bayesian spatial and geostatistical models, spatially weighted regression analyses, and assessment of associations between HCV clustering and the built environment are needed to expand upon our combined spatial epidemiological and statistical methods.
Afro-Latinos and the Black-Hispanic Identity: The Politics of Intra-Group Conflict and Cohesion

With ethnic and racial minorities projected to comprise a majority of the U.S. population by 2042, current trends in political science scholarship have begun to assess the ways in which intra-group diversity can create opportunities for cooperation, but also contribute to conflict within the context of domestic politics and policy preferences. Research on the diversity of the Latino population in the United States has been predominate; thus, it is widely regarded that the Latin American identity is not monolithic, and as a consequence, neither is Latino political behavior, as evidenced by the divergent political trajectories of Mexican Americans and Cuban Americans in U.S. politics (Desipio, 1996; Claassen, 2004; Newton, 2000; de la Garza and Yetim, 2003). Yet, despite the existing research, which highlights the diversity of the Latino ethnic identity, contemporary societal norms have led to the erroneous conflation of race and ethnicity, resulting in the explicit racialization of the Hispanic-Latino ethnic identity. As a consequence, Afro-Latinos are either forced to choose between their two member groups or identify themselves according to ambiguous alternatives, which, has resulted in Afro-Latino invisibility, and the subsequent underreporting of this group in national statistics. Thus, it is this orientation that provides the framework for this study, which indicates that in comparison to other Latin origin groups, Afro-Latinos face unique challenges with respect to the formation of their personal and social identity given the demarcations of race and ethnicity in the United States. The findings of this research explore the political implications of this dynamic.
Local Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for the Khokhlov–Zabolotskaya–Kuznetzov Equation

Khokhlov–Zabolotskaya–Kuznetzov (KZK) equation is a model that describes the propagation of the ultrasound beams in the thermoviscous fluid. It contains a nonlocal diffraction term, an absorption term and a nonlinear term. Accurate numerical methods to simulate the KZK equation are important to its broad applications in medical ultrasound simulations. In this paper, we propose a local discontinuous Galerkin method to solve the KZK equation. We prove the $$L^2$$ stability of our scheme and conduct a series of numerical experiments including the focused circular short tone burst excitation and the propagation of unfocused sound beams, which show that our scheme leads to accurate solutions and performs better than the benchmark solutions in the literature.
Conceptual precision is key in acute stress research: A commentary on Shields, Sazma, & Yonelinas, 2016

Abstract A recent meta-analytic review by Shields, Sazma, & Yonelinas (2016) brings to the fore several conceptual issues within the stress and executive function (EF) literatures. We present a critique of these issues, using the review as an exemplar of how stress and EF are often examined empirically. The review summarizes research suggesting that EF is not only trait-like, but can be also state-like, influenced by factors such as acute stress. It has numerous strengths including its scope in examining EF across domains, inclusion of moderators, and timeliness, given the rapidly expanding field of stress research. We argue that the conclusions would be less equivocal with a more precise and neurally-informed consideration of EF, stressor, and timing assessments. A detailed discussion of these issues is provided, using the inhibition EF domain as an example, in order to illustrate key limitations and potential consequences of broad inclusion criteria. We endeavor to promote precise, shared definitions in the service of delineating a more complete and consistent account of acute stress effects on EF.
Multiplicative structure in the stable splitting of ΩSLn(C)

Abstract The space of based loops in S L n ( C ) , also known as the affine Grassmannian of S L n ( C ) , admits an E 2 or fusion product. Work of Mitchell and Richter proves that this based loop space stably splits as an infinite wedge sum. We prove that the Mitchell–Richter splitting is coherently multiplicative, but not E 2 . Nonetheless, we show that the splitting becomes E 2 after base-change to complex cobordism. Our proof of the A ∞ splitting involves on the one hand an analysis of the multiplicative properties of Weiss calculus, and on the other a use of Beilinson–Drinfeld Grassmannians to verify a conjecture of Mahowald and Richter. Other results are obtained by explicit, obstruction-theoretic computations.
Variational transition state theory: theoretical framework and recent developments

This article reviews the fundamentals of variational transition state theory (VTST), its recent theoretical development, and some modern applications. The theoretical methods reviewed here include multidimensional quantum mechanical tunneling, multistructural VTST (MS-VTST), multi-path VTST (MP-VTST), both reaction-path VTST (RP-VTST) and variable reaction coordinate VTST (VRC-VTST), system-specific quantum Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel theory (SS-QRRK) for predicting pressure-dependent rate constants, and VTST in the solid phase, liquid phase, and enzymes. We also provide some perspectives regarding the general applicability of VTST.
Genome-wide study to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with visceral and subcutaneous fat deposition in Holstein dairy cows.

Excessive abdominal fat might be associated with more severe metabolic disorders in Holstein cows. Our hypothesis was that there are genetic differences between cows with low and high abdominal fat deposition and a normal cover of subcutaneous adipose tissue. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic basis for variation in visceral adiposity in US Holstein cows. The study included adult Holstein cows sampled from a slaughterhouse (Green Bay, WI, USA) during September 2016. Only animals with a body condition score between 2.75 and 3.25 were considered. The extent of omental fat at the level of the insertion of the lesser omentum over the pylorus area was assessed. A group of 100 Holstein cows with an omental fold <5 mm in thickness and minimum fat deposition throughout the entire omentum, and the second group of 100 cows with an omental fold ⩾20 mm in thickness and with a marked fat deposition observed throughout the entire omentum were sampled. A small piece of muscle from the neck was collected from each cow into a sterile container for DNA extraction. Samples were submitted to a commercial laboratory for interrogation of genome-wide genomic variation using the Illumina BovineHD Beadchip. Genome-Wide association analysis was performed to test potential associations between fat deposition and genomic variation. A univariate mixed linear model analysis was performed using genome-wide efficient mixed model association to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with variation in a visceral fat deposition. The chip heritability was 0.686 and the estimated additive genetic and residual variance components were 0.427 and 0.074, respectively. In total, 11 SNPs defining four quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions were found to be significantly associated with visceral fat deposition (P<0.00001). Among them, two of the QTL were detected with four and five significantly associated SNPs, respectively; whereas, the QTLs detected on BTA12 and BTA19 were each detected with only one significantly associated SNP. No enriched gene ontology terms were found within the gene networks harboring these genes when supplied to DAVID using either the Bos taurus or human gene ontology databases. We conclude that excessive omental fat in Holstein cows with similar body condition scores is not caused by a single Mendelian locus and that the trait appears to be at least moderately heritable; consequently, selection to reduce excessive omental fat is potentially possible, but would require the generation of predicted transmitting abilities from larger and random samples of Holstein cattle.
Compromise candidates in positive goal scenarios

Among many properties suggested for action selection mechanisms, one prominent one is the ability to select compromise actions. This paper performs an experimental analysis of compromise behavior in an attempt to determine exactly how much compromise behavior aids an animat. The paper concludes that the ability to select compromise actions in some common cases does provide some additional welfare to the animat, but less than previously postulated.
Estimating the Difference Between Two Proportions

A Gallup Poll of 1,200 people that stated 60% of the public favor stricter gun control lows also stated that a similar poll five years earlier produced a sample percentage of 65% in favor of stricter gun control. Has the true percentage of people favoring stricter laws actually decreased? In the current poll, the percentage of women favoring stricter laws was 71%, while the percentage of men favoring stricter laws was 48%. Are these significantly different? In the same poll, 42% of those responding agreed that handguns should be banned except for police and other authorized persons, while 50% said they should not be banned, and 8% had no opinion. How can we make a fair comparison between percentages taken in two different polls? How can we make a fair comparison between two different percentages calculated from the same poll? These are the two most common types of comparisons made between sample proportions, and we will study their properties in this activity.
Examination of Hypoxanthine Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase as a Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Patients

The aim of this study is to investigate these enzymes as possible biomarkers in two colorectal cancer cell lines: HT29, SW480, SW620, and Colo205. With 1,168,929 individuals currently diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the United States, there remains a need to find biomarkers to improve diagnosis and expand treatment options for patients. Due to their role in proliferation and cell cycle regulation, we hypothesized an increase in salvage pathway enzyme (APRT, DCK, and HPRT) expression and possible presentation within colon cancer cells. Enzyme surface localization was assessed utilizing confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and scanning electron microscopy. General protein expression was evaluated utilizing immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. While we found no statistically significant presence of either APRT or DCK on the membranes of SW620, Colo205, and HT29 cells, but found significant expression of HPRT on the surface of HT29, SW480, and SW620 cells. The average population fluorescence increased by 28%, 58%, and 40% in HT29, SW620, and SW480 cells, respectively, when compared to isotype controls. Confocal microscopy images revealed direct overlap between SW620 cells stained with a membrane dye and anti-HPRT antibody, indicating co-localization on the plasma membrane. In addition, cells treated with gold labelled HPRT antibody experienced significant changes in gold weight percentage on both SW620 and HT29 cells when compared to isotype controls. When evaluating expression within normal tissue, there was insignificant levels of HPRT binding. These data collectively suggest that HPRT may be a possible biomarker target for the identification and treatment of colorectal cancer.
Ligand-Promoted Transformation of the μ3-η2-Vinylidene Ligand in the Reaction between RuCo2(CO)9(μ3-η2-C=CHPh) and 4,5-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd). X-Ray Structure of RuCo2(CO)7(bpcd)(μ3-η2-C=CHPh)

The reaction of the heterometallic vinylidene cluster RuCo2(CO)9(μ3-η2-C=CHPh) with the diphosphine ligand 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) proceeds readily in the presence of Me3NO to furnish the new cluster RuCo2(CO)7(bpcd)(μ3-η2-C=CHPh) as the sole product. This cluster has been isolated by preparative chromatography and characterized in solution by IR spectroscopy. The molecular structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, which has confirmed the chelation of the bpcd ligand to the ruthenium center and the change in the coordination mode exhibited by the vinylidene ligand. RuCo2(CO)7(bpcd)(μ3-η2-C=CHPh) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\(\overline {\text{1}}\), a = 10.5788(9), b = 11.909(1), c = 19.526(2) A, α = 84.491(9)°, β = 78.068(8)°, γ = 63.760(7)°, V = 2158.7(4) A3, Z = 2, and dcalc = 1.581.
Ranchers and Shepherds

Covering land settlement for much of the nineteenth century, the chapter starts with the era of cheap land leases in the late 1820s. A partly British landed class played a part in developing a new cattle and sheep farming economy. Substantial Irish migration during the Irish Famine of the late 1840s led to expansion of an Argentine wool economy; the Scots and Welsh communities, smaller than the Irish, are also discussed. The chapter addresses several major figures: Antony Fahy, a priest who became an Irish ethnic leader, Cecilia Grierson, of Scottish and Irish descent, who became the country’s first female medical practitioner and W.H. Hudson, famous for his tales of the pampas and the Argentine gauchos.
Tail Vein Injections of Recombinant Human Thioredoxin Prevents High Fat-induced Endothelial Dysfunction in Mice

Abstract Background Obesity is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. A high fat diet results in cellular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in resistance-sized arteries, characterized by reduced nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing (EDH) responses. Thioredoxin-1, a sulfo-oxidoreductase protein that cleaves disulfide bridges between two adjacent cysteine residues in oxidized proteins, has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve endothelium-dependent relaxing responses in aged C57Bl6/J mice. Methods and Results Young (∼ 3 month-old) male C57Bl6/J mice were fed a high fat diet (42% kcal from fat; obese) or a normal chow (lean) for 3 months. Mice were administered recombinant human thioredoxin-1 (rhTrx; 25 mg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) via tail vein injection at the start, after one month, and after two months. Body weight (BW) was comparable between lean/rhTrx1 and lean/saline at the time of euthanasia (32 ±1 g versus 32 ± 1 g). The high fat regimen resulted in a comparable BW between obese/saline and obese/rhTrx mice (47 ± 1 g versus 45 ± 2 g, respectively). Small (second-order branches) mesenteric arteries (MA2), coronary and femoral arteries were isolated and mounted on the wire-myograph. MA2 and femoral arteries from obese/saline had blunted acetylcholine (10−9 – 10−5 M)-mediated relaxations compared to lean/saline mice, but not to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside. NO and EDH-mediated relaxing responses were blunted in MA2 from obese/lean mice compared to the three other groups. Conclusion Tail vein injections with rhTrx prevented endothelial dysfunction in obese mice by improving NO and EDH relaxing responses in MA2.
Clustering Using Probability Models

Clustering objects requires some notion of how similar they are. We have seen how to cluster using distance in feature space, which is a natural way of thinking about similarity. Another way to think about similarity is to ask whether two objects have high probability under the same probability model. This can be a convenient way of looking at things when it is easier to build probability models than it is to measure distances. It turns out to be a natural way of obtaining soft clustering weights (which emerge from the probability model). And it provides a framework for our first encounter with an extremely powerful and general algorithm, which you should see as a very aggressive generalization of k-means.
A Distributed Framework for the Construction of Transport Maps.

The need to reason about uncertainty in large, complex, and multimodal data sets has become increasingly common across modern scientific environments. The ability to transform samples from one distribution P to another distribution Q enables the solution to many problems in machine learning (e.g., Bayesian inference, generative modeling) and has been actively pursued from theoretical, computational, and application perspectives across the fields of information theory, computer science, and biology. Performing such transformations in general still leads to computational difficulties, especially in high dimensions. Here, we consider the problem of computing such "measure transport maps" with efficient and parallelizable methods. Under the mild assumptions that P need not be known but can be sampled from and that the density of Q is known up to a proportionality constant, and that Q is log-concave, we provide in this work a convex optimization problem pertaining to relative entropy minimization. We show how an empirical minimization formulation and polynomial chaos map parameterization can allow for learning a transport map between P and Q with distributed and scalable methods. We also leverage findings from nonequilibrium thermodynamics to represent the transport map as a composition of simpler maps, each of which is learned sequentially with a transport cost regularized version of the aforementioned problem formulation. We provide examples of our framework within the context of Bayesian inference for the Boston housing data set and generative modeling for handwritten digit images from the MNIST data set.
Storage and File Structure of a Bioinformatics Cloud Architecture

GlusterFS is a scalable distributed network file-system that aggregates disk storage resources from multiple servers into a single global name-space. It is an open source software, and due to its versatility it is commonly used in data-intensive tasks such as cloud storage or media streaming services. With the vast amount of applications that bioinformatics and cloud architecture provide, understanding the Gluster file-system specifically in regard to the performance is extremely important. Throughout this research document we will investigate and analyze the various facets of performance given varying scenarios.
Collaboration in the Mathematical Community.

WHAT mathematics teacher has not heard about the heuristic method and learning by discovery? Problem solving has received substantial attention in con ference reports and statistical analyses (Kilpatrick 1969). Such studies have focused almost totally on the psychology of the individual. They have tended to neglect the sociology of the mathematical community within which mathematical discovery occurs (MacPherson 1972, p. 477). Nonetheless, some have pointed out that even discovery methodology can and should make great use of group processes (Higgins 1971, p. 494). Fortunately, a variety of articles have appeared stressing precisely this com munitarian aspect of mathematics. Fre quently their authors are also quite in terested in the history of mathematics. For instance, R. L. Wilder has analyzed what he calls the collective intuition of a mathematical culture (1967). The very choice of the problems on which mathe maticians work is often guided by trust in what this collective intuition deems, at the time, the most fruitful direction for research. Thomas Kuhn has developed this type of sociology of knowledge for the physical sciences; but the mathematical community also can be understood better by reading Kuhn's famous book (1962). Interestingly, recent articles about chang ing employment possibilities for mathe maticians in the 1970s seem to have increased the mathematical community's consciousness of itself as a community, integrated into our general culture. This article is an appeal for more study and publicity of mathematics as a col laborative enterprise. After all, there are still too many university professors, non mathematicians to be sure, who picture a mathematician as needing only pencil and paper for his work. No one has made these people realize that the committee work of the CUPM and the SMSG, the cooperation at places like the Courant Institute, the books of Bourbaki, and all the other current examples of increased collaboration in mathematics are just as much a part of the "new math" as set theory, even though the latter has been given more publicity. No wonder that an asocial image of mathematics can hang over our students. By their sophomore or junior year of col lege they may find themselves picturing mathematics in opposition to their de veloping social awareness. Then even our mathematics majors can start complaining that mathematics is impersonal and just doesn't fit into their lives. This article will discuss mathematical collaboration under just one of its well defined aspects?faith. Mathematicians as mathematicians practice faith; mathema ticians, in order to be mathematicians, believe! That is, productive mathema ticians today not only discover; they also use the results of others, at times even without totally rigorous proofs. How un usual, provocative, and perhaps even dis turbing and antagonizing it is for us to see in the same sentence mathematics and belief. The immediate association of these words for some may be high school stu dents memorizing formulas. Please do not let the word faith make you stop reading this article!
Rapid Processing of Bottlebrush Coatings through UV-InducedCross-Linking

Bottlebrush polymers can be used to introduce novel surface properties including hydrophilicity, stimuli-responsiveness, and reduced friction forces. However, simple, general, and efficient approaches to cross-linking bottlebrush polymer films and coatings are limited. Here, we report that bottlebrush polymers with an unsaturated polynorbornene backbone and thiol-terminated side chains can be cross-linked on demand by UV irradiation to produce uniform and insoluble bottlebrush polymer coatings. To quantify the kinetics and efficiency of cross-linking by UV exposure (254 nm), we measured the normalized residual thickness (NRT) of bottlebrush and linear polymer films after UV exposure and solvent washing. For bottlebrush polymers with thiol-terminated polystyrene (PS) side chains, the NRT exceeded 60% for a UV dose of 1.0 J/cm2, while unfunctionalized linear PS required a dose of 7.9 J/cm2 to achieve similar NRT values. Rapid UV-induced cross-linking of the bottlebrush PS was attributed to the thiol–ene coupling of the thiol-terminated side chains with the unsaturated polynorbornene backbones, as demonstrated through FTIR measurements and control studies involving bottlebrush polymers with saturated backbones. To establish the broader applicability of this approach, UV-induced cross-linking was demonstrated for thin films of bottlebrush polymers with thiol-terminated poly­(methyl acrylate) (BB-PMMA-SH) side chains and those with poly­(ethylene glycol) (BB-PEG) and poly­(lactic acid) (BB-PLA) side chains which do not contain thiol end groups. UV-induced cross-linking of BB-PEG and BB-PLA films required the use of a multifunctional thiol additive. Finally, we demonstrated that bottlebrush polymer multilayers can be fabricated through sequential deposition and UV-induced cross-linking of different bottlebrush polymer chemistries. The cross-linking process outlined in this work is simple, general, and efficient and produces solvent-resistant coatings that preserve the unique properties and functions of bottlebrush polymers.
High resolution real-time PCR melting curve assay for identification of top five Penaeidae shrimp species

Abstract In the United States shrimps is the most popular seafood. Penaeidae shrimp species are known to share morphology characteristic and identification based on morphological appearance becomes more challenging when shrimp is processed into ready-to-eat products. Misrepresentation of shrimp is common in commercially available shrimp. The objective of the study was to develop a high-resolution melting (HRM) real time PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene fragment for specific identification of top five penaeid species, Litopenaeus vannamei, Penaeus duorarum, Penaeus monodon, Litopenaeus setiferus and Pleoticus muelleri. The applicability of assay was evaluated using two DNA extraction kits and two real-time PCR master mixes. The HRM assay was evaluated using 43 shrimp samples and results were validated by sequencing shrimp 16S rRNA gene fragment. Assay standardized in this study formed distinct melt curve profile for each species in the normalized and differential melt curve plots. The assay using Apex qPCR 2 × GREEN master mix showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. Further, species identification results obtained by HRM assay was in complete agreement with identification achieved by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The HRM assay developed in this study can be used as rapid, low-cost, and reliable method for the identification of abovementioned shrimp species.
Six legs walking: notes from an entomological life: by Elizabeth Bernays, Clearwater, Florida, Raised Voice Press, 2019, 175 pp., $16.95, (pbk), ISBN 978-1-9492-5903-2

Last autumn, this book got the 2020 New Mexico-Arizona Book Award for Autobiography/Memoir. That is well deserved. It is a captivating mix of personal memoirs and science, showing that it is hard t...
NonlinearSchrodinger: Higher-Order Algorithms and Darboux Transformations for Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations.

NonlinearSchrodinger.jl is a Julia package with a simple interface for studying solutions of nonlinear Schrodinger equations (NLSEs). In approximately ten lines of code, one can perform a simulation of the cubic NLSE using one of 32 algorithms, including symplectic and Runge-Kutta-Nystrom integrators up to eighth order. Furthermore, it is possible to compute analytical solutions via a numerical implementation of the Darboux transformation for extended NLSEs up to fifth order, with an equally simple interface. In what follows, we review the fundamentals of solving this class of equations numerically and analytically, discuss the implementation, and provide several examples.
Development of the NMR Lexical Representational Competence (NMR-LRC) Instrument As a Formative Assessment of Lexical Ability in 1H NMR Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra are among the most common visualizations used by chemists in both academic and industrial settings, where they serve as both representations of submicroscopic entities and tools that support social discourse. The ability to use words to communicate about features within NMR spectra is thus an essential aspect of chemists’ representational competence. Collectively, these words constitute a highly specialized language specific to this technique. To adequately prepare chemists, the undergraduate curriculum must therefore cultivate students’ ability to use this lexicon. We developed the NMR Lexical Representational Competence (NMR-LRC) instrument, a formative assessment to measure students’ ability and perceived ability to use words to communicate the identification, analysis, and interpretation of features within 1H NMR spectra. Following development, we administered the NMR-LRC in Spring 2020 to a total of N = 678 second-semester organic chemistry students at a large Midwestern university. We analyzed the responses using the Rasch model to collect statistical evidence of validity and reliability, and we used cluster analysis to evaluate whether the instrument could detect the Dunning–Kruger effect (i.e., students’ illusions of competence). Supporting evidence of response process, content, and associative validity was also collected. The results suggest that data obtained from the NMR-LRC can be interpreted as a measure of students’ lexical representational competence and associated perceived competence in 1H NMR spectroscopy and that the NMR-LRC can detect students’ illusions of such competence. Results further suggest that instructors can use the NMR-LRC to formatively assess their students’ lexical ability and associated perceived ability following instruction, allowing instructors to provide feedback that promotes students’ competence and perceived competence.
Protests Over Social Injustice; A Christian's Perspective on the #Blacklivesmatter Movement

Researching the active protests stemming from the death of George Floyd is an important step towards understanding why the protests matter to our society. People by the thousands have come out and protested, and they have various reasons for showing up. Most importantly, there are multiple races who participate with just as much conviction as any other race, including African Americans. This article will examine why the protests are so diverse and why the fight for African American social justice is not only important to the African American race, but to the Caucasian race as well. Christians have to take a stand against social inequality to ensure the hope for peace does not fade into antiquity. Christians have something to offer to the #Blacklivesmatter movement. We have a unique perspective on peaceful protesting that can be an example to others. This article will discuss what Christians can do to join in the fight for social change without confusion over whether or not we belong in the struggle.
Interpreting Cyclic Crossbedding, with An Example from the Navajo Sandstone

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the interpretation of cyclic crossbedding with an example from the Navajo sandstone. Cyclic crossbedding of the fluctuating-flow type can be produced by periodic fluctuations in flow direction, flow velocity, depth of flow in aqueous environments, or other parameters affecting sediment transport rates and depositional mechanisms. The cycles may or may not be bounded by erosional surfaces. In the absence of any erosional surfaces, the cycles are concordant and are made evident by variations in texture or sedimentary structure. Fluctuating-flow cycles bounded by surfaces of erosion generally imply major changes in flow direction or, in aqueous flows, changes in water depth. Erosion surfaces produced by reversals of the normal-to-bedform component of flow tend to be best developed on the upper lee slope and to become nonerosional hiatal surfaces downward. Superimposed-bedform cycles differ considerably, depending on whether the superimposed bedforms exist on both the stoss and lee slopes of the main bedform or whether they exist only on the stoss slope, moving up it until they reach the crest, whereupon their sand avalanches down the slipface of the main bedform.
Reformulating Tylocrebrine in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles Improves Its Therapeutic Index

Several promising anticancer drug candidates have been sidelined owing to their poor physicochemical properties or unfavorable pharmacokinetics, resulting in high overall cost of drug discovery and development. Use of alternative formulation strategies that alleviate these issues can help advance new molecules to the clinic at a significantly lower cost. Tylocrebrine is a natural product with potent anticancer activity. Its clinical trial was discontinued following the discovery of severe central nervous system toxicities. To improve the safety and potency of tylocrebrine, we formulated the drug in polymeric nanoparticles targeted to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpressed on several types of tumors. Through in vitro studies in different cancer cell lines, we found that EGFR targeted nanoparticles were significantly more effective in killing tumor cells than the free drug. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed that encapsulation in nanoparticles resulted in lower brain penetration and enhanced tumor accumulation of the drug. Further, targeted nanoparticles were characterized by significantly enhanced tumor growth inhibitory activity in a mouse xenograft model of epidermoid cancer. These results suggest that the therapeutic index of drugs that were previously considered unusable could be significantly improved by reformulation. Application of novel formulation strategies to previously abandoned drugs provides an opportunity to advance new molecules to the clinic at a lower cost. This can significantly increase the repertoire of treatment options available to cancer patients.
Anastrozole (Arimidex)--an aromatase inhibitor for the adjuvant setting?

Anastrozole (Arimidex™) is a third-generation aromatase inhibitor which has been shown to possess superior efficacy and tolerability over established endocrine agents in advanced breast cancer. Inhibition of aromatase prevents the conversion of androgen substrates to oestrogen, its sole source in postmenopausal women, thereby leading to regression of hormone-sensitive breast carcinomas. Clinical pharmacology data indicate that anastrozole is a potent aromatase inhibitor, providing near-maximal suppression of serum and intratumoural oestrogens to below detectable levels. Anastrozole may offer greater selectivity compared with other aromatase inhibitors, being without any intrinsic endocrine effects and with no apparent effect on the synthesis of adrenal steroids. It is well tolerated and has a convenient once-daily dosing regimen, ensuring maximum patient compliance. A major clinical programme has demonstrated that anastrozole is superior to the standard endocrine therapy, tamoxifen, for the first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive advanced breast cancer. Its superior efficacy in advanced disease, together with its improved tolerability and convenient dosage, make it a suitable agent to be assessed for the treatment of early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This was investigated in the largest single adjuvant breast cancer study ever to be carried out, the ATAC (Arimidex, tamoxifen, alone or in combination) trial, which has now completed recruitment, with the first efficacy and safety data awaited. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign
Satisfying ABET criterion using an industrial Microelectronic Skills Incubator

An undergraduate System-on-Chip (SoC) design group modelled after industry provides a rich environment for students to achieve most ABET outcomes while working in a variety of classes. The Microelectronic Skills Incubator engages a team of primarily undergraduates in the process of iteratively improving, prototyping, fabricating, and testing an ARM® DesignStart™ Cortex®-M0 based SoC. Two versions of the chip have been fabricated so far, the first time unsuccessfully, but the second time silicon was obtained which executes code and drives peripheral. Production of working silicon is exciting, but it also creates strong incentives much as it does in industry to re-use intellectual property (IP), use well-defined standard interfaces, and verify the design thoroughly before fabrication. This paper documents the steps taken to create the incubator, the experiences provided to students, and it details the ways in which students meet or exceed most ABET outcomes for an ECE program.
State and output feedback control in model-based networked control systems

In this paper the control of a continuous linear plant where the sensor is connected to a linear controller/actuator via a network is addressed. Both the state and output feedback are considered. The work focuses on reducing the network usage using knowledge of the plant dynamics. Necessary and sufficient conditions for stability are derived in terms of the update time h, network delay, and parameters of the plant and of its model. The deterioration of behavior when either h, the delay /spl tau/, or the modeling error increase is explicitly shown and examples are used to illustrate the results.
Practice patterns and treatment choices among psychiatrists in New Delhi, India: a qualitative and quantitative study.

Several issues relevant to the care of Asian Indian patients remain poorly explored. Little is known about the practice patterns of psychiatrists in India, such as daily practice routines or treatment approaches, which we describe in New Delhi, India. We focused on psychiatric practice, as perceived by Indian psychiatrists, using a sample from the USA as a comparison group. We used triangulated, qualitative methods from data gathered in India (ethnographic interviews with 16 Delhi psychiatrists, observation of treatment in India, and treatment of Indian patients) to design and validate a survey distributed to a sample of 34 psychiatrists in New Delhi and 34 in Baltimore, Maryland who treat Indian patients. Delhi psychiatrists saw more patients daily (24.3 vs. 11, P < 0.001), and spent less time on new evaluations (33.3 vs. 69 min, P < 0.001). Both groups had similar approaches to major disorders. But, Delhi psychiatrists were less likely to combine medication treatment with psychotherapy (P < 0.05), and more likely to advise families to secretly administer medications in treatment refusal, such as in acute schizophrenia (P < 0.001) or major depression (P < 0.01). These differences highlight the salience of local cultural context in the practice of psychiatry and in the treatment of Indian patients. Delhi psychiatrists are overwhelmed by the epidemic levels of untreated illness, spend less time with patients, and rely more heavily on medication treatment. Delhi psychiatrists employ unique approaches to handling difficult treatment issues, such as treatment refusal, intensive involvement of the family, and recommendations to the family about suitability for marriage for a patient.
The effect of lower body burns on physical function

Abstract Objective To attenuate burn-induced catabolism, patients are often enrolled in a resistance exercise program as part of their physical rehabilitation. This study assessed how lower body burn locations affected strength and cardiopulmonary function. Methods Children enrolled in an exercise study between 2003 and 2013, were 7–18 years of age, and burned ≥30% of their total body surface area were included. Analysis of variance was used to model the relationship of lower body strength (PTW) and cardiopulmonary function (VO2peak) due to burns which traverse the subject's lower body joints. Results There was a significant relationship between PTW and burns at the hip and toe joints, showing a 26 N m/kg (p = 0.010) and 33 N m/kg (p = 0.013) decrease in peak torque, respectively. Burns at the hip joint corresponded to a significant decrease in VO2peak by 4.9 ml kg−1 min−1 (p = 0.010) in peak cardiopulmonary function. Conclusion Physical function and performance are detrimentally affected by burns that traverse specific lower body joints. The most significant relationship on exercise performance was that of hip joint burns as it affected both strength and cardiopulmonary measurements. Ultimately, burns at hip and toe joints need to be considered when interpreting exercise test results involving the lower body.
Physiological networks and disease functions of RNA-binding protein AUF1.

Regulated messenger RNA (mRNA) decay is an essential mechanism that governs proper control of gene expression. In fact, many of the most physiologically potent proteins are encoded by short-lived mRNAs, many of which contain AU-rich elements (AREs) in their 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). AREs target mRNAs for post-transcriptional regulation, generally rapid decay, but also stabilization and translation inhibition. AREs control mRNA turnover and translation activities through association with trans-acting RNA-binding proteins that display high affinity for these AU-rich regulatory elements. AU-rich element RNA-binding protein (AUF1), also known as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D (HNRNPD), is an extensively studied AU-rich binding protein (AUBP). AUF1 has been shown to regulate ARE-mRNA turnover, primarily functioning to promote rapid ARE-mRNA degradation. In certain cellular contexts, AUF1 has also been shown to regulate gene expression at the translational and even the transcriptional level. AUF1 comprises a family of four related protein isoforms derived from a common pre-mRNA by differential exon splicing. AUF1 isoforms have been shown to display multiple and distinct functions that include the ability to target ARE-mRNA stability or decay, and transcriptional activation of certain genes that is controlled by their differential subcellular locations, expression levels, and post-translational modifications. AUF1 has been implicated in controlling a variety of physiological functions through its ability to regulate the expression of numerous mRNAs containing 3'-UTR AREs, thereby coordinating functionally related pathways. This review highlights the physiological functions of AUF1-mediated regulation of mRNA and gene expression, and the consequences of deficient AUF1 levels in different physiological settings.
Structural and functional changes of exocrine pancreas induced by FK506 in rats

Abstract Background: The pancreas has been reported as a possible target for FK506 toxicity. This study was conducted to examine the effects of FK506 on the structure and function of pancreatic acinar cells. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received an intramuscular injection of saline or FK506, and pancreatic acini were isolated on the day of sacrifice. Results: FK506 caused a time-dependent suppression in amylase secretory response to cholecystokinin or carbachol at days 3–14, and increases in amylase and trypsinogen content at days 7–14. The properties of cholecystokinin and scopolamine binding sites in acini were not altered by FK506. Amylase releases by A23187 and secretin were decreased by FK506, but those by phorbol ester 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, forskolin, 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate and vasoactive intestinal peptide were not changed. Increases in cytosolic free calcium concentration induced by cholecystokinin were not changed by FK506. Histologically, a significant increase in cytoplasmic zymogen granules was observed in pancreas from FK506-treated rats. Conclusion: These data suggest that FK506 induced changes in function and metabolism in pancreatic acinar cells, and these changes might be caused by altering postreceptor loci in stimulus-secretion coupling.
Supporting Community Inquiry with Digital Resources

Today there are a number of fields that address the need to develop better means of employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) to help communities achieve their goals. Digital infrastructure and repositories are widely created to support the activities of educational, workplace, and scientific communities, as well as virtual communities of interest that may center on topics as diverse as entertainment, crisis management, and health. However, the research and development of ICTs faces numerous challenges. Community inquiry theory can help address some of these challenges. The Inquiry Page project supports a set of ICTs that have been developed by a community of inquiry in order to support communities of inquiry. The paper presents the theory of community inquiry and illustrates how inquiry theory can influence the research and development of ICTs and their adoption and use within real communities.