cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ESCRT-0 Component Hrs Promotes Macropinocytosis of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus in Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

UNLABELLED Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) enters human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-d), its naturalin vivotarget cells, by lipid raft-dependent macropinocytosis. The internalized viral envelope fuses with the macropinocytic membrane, and released capsid is transported to the nuclear vicinity, resulting in the nuclear entry of viral DNA. The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) proteins, which include ESCRT-0, -I, -II, and -III, play a central role in endosomal trafficking and sorting of internalized and ubiquitinated receptors. Here, we examined the role of ESCRT-0 component Hrs (hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate) in KSHV entry into HMVEC-d by macropinocytosis. Knockdown of Hrs by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transduction resulted in significant decreases in KSHV entry and viral gene expression. Immunofluorescence analysis (IFA) and plasma membrane isolation and proximity ligation assay (PLA) demonstrated the translocation of Hrs from the cytosol to the plasma membrane of infected cells and association with α-actinin-4. In addition, infection induced the plasma membrane translocation and activation of the serine/threonine kinase ROCK1, a downstream target of the RhoA GTPase. Hrs knockdown reduced these associations, suggesting that the recruitment of ROCK1 is an Hrs-mediated event. Interaction between Hrs and ROCK1 is essential for the ROCK1-induced phosphorylation of NHE1 (Na(+)/H(+)exchanger 1), which is involved in the regulation of intracellular pH. Thus, our studies demonstrate the plasma membrane association of ESCRT protein Hrs during macropinocytosis and suggest that KSHV entry requires both Hrs- and ROCK1-dependent mechanisms and that ROCK1-mediated phosphorylation of NHE1 and pH change is an essential event required for the macropinocytosis of KSHV. IMPORTANCE Macropinocytosis is the major entry pathway of KSHV in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, the natural target cells of KSHV. Although the role of ESCRT protein Hrs has been extensively studied with respect to endosomal movement and sorting of ubiquitinated proteins into lysosomes, its function in macropinocytosis is not known. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that upon KSHV infection, the endogenous Hrs localizes to the plasma membrane and the membrane-associated Hrs facilitates assembly of signaling molecules, macropinocytosis, and virus entry. Hrs recruits ROCK1 to the membrane, which is required for the activation of NHE1 and an increase in submembranous intracellular pH occurring during macropinocytosis. These studies demonstrate that the localization of Hrs from the cytosol to the plasma membrane is important for coupling membrane dynamics to the cytosolic signaling events during macropinocytosis of KSHV.
Post-Metamorphic Development of the Frequency Selectivities and Sensitivities of the Peripheral Auditory System of the Bullfrog, Rana Catesbeiana

Acoustic response characteristics of single fibres were studied in the VIIIth cranial nerve of adult and early post-metamorphic bullfrogs ( Rana catesbeiana ). Based on the distribution of units9 best excitatory frequencies, three populations of auditory fibres were found in each group of frogs. The sharpness of the tuning curves and temporal firing patterns of primary fibres were similar in both adults and froglets. However, the distributions of the populations were different between the two groups, and it was found that froglets responded to higher frequencies than did adults. There were also differences in the distributions of thresholds of excitation between the froglets and adults. The excitation thresholds of low-frequency selective and high-frequency selective fibres tended to be higher in froglets. Low-frequency selective fibres in both groups of frogs exhibited two-tone inhibition, and the best inhibitory frequencies were higher in froglets than in adults. These results demonstrate that changes in the response properties of primary auditory fibres occur during the development of the bullfrog. These functional changes presumably reflect morphological changes which may occur in the peripheral auditory system. Note:
Influence of herbicide-contaminated compost on tomato

Herbicides residue in organic fertilizer has been considered as a serious threat to crop.In order to reduce the risks,we set up a test with 4treatments of non-polluted compost(A1),clopyralid-polluted compost(A2),trifluralinpolluted compost(A3)and imprelis-polluted compost(A4)at usage rates of 0,5%,10% and 20%respectively.The aim was to survey the effects of the compost on germination rate,height,internode length,stem diameter,dry weight,root length,seedling index of 45 days tomato.The results showed that both tomato germination and growth rate were inhibited by the herbicide-polluted composts,depending on the herbicides.The inhibitory effect increased with increasing dose rate.Clopyralid-polluted compost had the most significant inhibitory effect.Stem diameter,plant dry weight and root length were more sensitive to herbicide pollution compared to plant height and leaf area.
Synthetically Tuning the 2‐Position of Halogenated Quinolines: Optimizing Antibacterial and Biofilm Eradication Activities via Alkylation and Reductive Amination Pathways

Agents capable of eradicating bacterial biofilms are of great importance to human health as biofilm-associated infections are tolerant to our current antibiotic therapies. We have recently discovered that halogenated quinoline (HQ) small molecules are: 1) capable of eradicating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) biofilms, and 2) synthetic tuning of the 2-position of the HQ scaffold has a significant impact on antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. Here, we report the chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of 39 HQ analogues that have a high degree of structural diversity at the 2-position. We identified diverse analogues that are alkylated and aminated at the 2-position of the HQ scaffold and demonstrate potent antibacterial (MIC≤0.39 μm) and biofilm eradication (MBEC 1.0-93.8 μm) activities against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecium strains while demonstrating <5 % haemolysis activity against human red blood cells (RBCs) at 200 μm. In addition, these HQs demonstrated low cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. Halogenated quinolines are a promising class of antibiofilm agents against Gram-positive pathogens that could lead to useful treatments against persistent bacterial infections.
Wunschmedizin als neuer Weg? Mehr ärztliche Pflichten?

Die Begriffe „Wunschmedizin“ oder „wunscherfullende Medizin“ sind relativ neu und konnen komplementar zur Medizin aus kurativer oder palliativer Intention benutzt werden. Nicht alle Disziplinen, und schon gar nicht alle operativen Disziplinen, sind in gleicher Weise betroffen. Aus juristischer Sicht wird gerne von der „Verbesserung des Menschen“ gesprochen. Dieser Terminus wirft eine Fulle ethischer oder philosophischer Fragen auf, denen die Medizin nur schwer gerecht werden kann. Fur das Thema eher geeignet scheint der englische Begriff „enhancement“, der sich allerdings eher auf das ausere Erscheinungsbild einer Person bezieht. Fur die Vertreter der klassischen kurativen Medizin stellt sich die Frage, ob und in welchem Umfang Wunsche bei der Therapie gefolgt werden.
High-Temperature Materials Chemistry and Thermodynamics

Many of the uses of materials at high temperature require their persistence, with minimal change in chemical composition and microstructure, over long periods of time (hours to years). Chemical reactions at high temperature often occur fast and thus the thermodynamic equilibrium state, rather than persistence of metastable states, often governs the suitability of a given material or set of materials for a proposed application. The term “high temperature” cannot be defined uniquely; perhaps the most useful practical definition is one that says that for a given material, high temperature is the temperature above which the material is strongly chemically reactive in use. From the point of view of solid state chemistry and thermodynamics, there is vast empirical knowledge about such reactivity and moderately adequate thermodynamic data bases for common alloys and ceramics (Sundman et al., 1985; Schenck and Dennis, 1989; Pankratz, 1982; Ondik and Messina, 1989; Liu et al., 2003; Levin and McMurdie, 1975; Kubaschewski and Alcock, 1979; Gisby et al., 2002; Eriksson and Hack, 1984; Davies et al., 2002; Chase et al., 1985a,b; Chart, 1978; Barry et al., 1979). Nevertheless, an inexperienced or only moderately knowledgeable scientist orCONTENTS2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 How Materials Fail at High Temperature 182.2.1 Melting and Softening 18 2.2.2 Vaporization 18 2.2.3 Corrosion and Chemical Reaction with the Atmosphere 18 2.2.4 Diffusion and Solid-State Reaction 19 2.2.5 Solid-Solid Phase Transformations 192.3 Noble Metals 19 2.4 Materials above 2000°C 22 2.5 Silicon-Based Refractories 26 2.6 High-Temperature Oxidation 26 2.7 Volatile Oxides 29 2.8 Summary 30 Acknowledgments 30 References 30
Biochemical modulation of tumor cell energy IV: Evidence for the contribution of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion to chemotherapeutically-induced tumor regression

Abstract DNA-damaging agents, e.g. Adriamycin ® (ADR), are reported to cause tumor regression by induction of apoptosis. A reduction in the intracellular content of ATP is part of the biochemical cascade of events that ultimately results in programmed death of the cell, or apoptosis. A chemotherapeutic three-drug combination (PMA) consisting of N -(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate (PALA) + 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside (MMPR) + 6-aminonicotinamide (6AN) significantly lowers levels of ATP in CD8F1 murine breast tumors in vivo and produces tumor regression by apoptosis. Addition of the DNA-damaging antitumor agent ADR to PMA was found to further significantly deplete ATP in CD8F1 murine breast tumors in vivo with a concomitant significant increase in the number of tumor regressions. The correlative biochemical and therapeutic results are consistent with, and support, the hypothesis that ATP depletion is a significant factor and, therefore, is a worthy therapeutic target in the production of apoptosis.
Density, Viscosity, Speed of Sound, Bulk Modulus, Surface Tension, and Flash Point of Binary Mixtures of Butylbenzene + Linear Alkanes (n-Decane, n-Dodecane, n-Tetradecane, n-Hexadecane, or n-Heptadecane) at 0.1 MPa

This work reports physical property measurements of binary mixtures of butylbenzene with n-decane, n-dodecane, n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane, or n-heptadecane. Densities and viscosities were measured at temperatures from (293.15 to 373.15) K, and speeds of sound were measured at temperatures from (293.15 to 333.15) K, except for those of n-heptadecane, which were measured starting at 303.15 K. Densities increased with increasing mole fraction of butylbenzene. Excess molar volumes were positive and increased with increasing alkane chain length, except for those of heptadecane which were similar to those of n-hexadecane. Analysis of excess molar volumes using the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson model showed that the interaction term contributed more to excess molar volume than the free volume or P* term. As the mole fraction of butylbenzene increased, speeds of sound increased for n-decane and n-dodecane mixtures but decreased for other alkane mixtures to values below those of both pure components before increasing...
PHOSPHATURIC MESENCHYMAL TUMOR: A RARE CAUSE OF SEVERE OSTEOMALACIA AND DEBILITATION IN A 44-YEAR-OLD MAN

ABSTRACT Objective: Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO), caused predominantly by phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (PMT), is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by renal phosphate wasting and 1,...
The Theoretical Impact of the Sustainability Lens

This chapter takes a step back to look at the sustainability lens and social entrepreneurship as sustainable development from the perspective of Amartya Sen’s ideas of justice and the capabilities approach. In addition, it examines the types of enterprises and how each scales to different degrees of social responsibility.
Reassessing the Testing of Generic Utility Models for Mixed Gambles

Miyamoto's generic utility theory (GUT) is a bilinear form that captures a diverse set of utility formulations. The present study, using mixed gambles, experimentally evaluates GUT in a fashion similar to the Chechile and Cooke and the Chechile and Butler studies, but employs a novel method of analysis. The reasons for the new method is to solve a fundamental flaw with the regression approacch used in the earlier experiments and to solve a problem of model overfit. Several participants from the earlier Chechile and Butler experiment are now recognized as being consistent with the GUT representation, but many are not. A new experiment, with actual economic consequences for the participants, does not support GUT. Suggestions are provided for subsequent research studies assessing the GUT class of models.
Abstract 411: Diurnal Variation of Blood Pressure in Medical Residents: MARINE 1 (Measures of Active Residents in Numerous Environments)

Residency training subjects healthy young people to frequent fluctuation in sleep-wake cycles. Although shift work is known to increase cardiovascular risk, little is known about the physiology of phase-shifted sleep in residency. This study uses 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to investigate diurnal BP variation in medical residents working alternating day/night periods. We hypothesized that diurnal variation of BP is dependent upon sleep/wake status, not upon day/night hours. Residents were recruited from the Johns Hopkins Medicine Residency Program during the 2013-2014 academic year. Thirty-six individuals participated while working in three clinical environments (intensive care unit, general medicine wards, outpatient clinic), and during various sleep-wake schedules (night shift, 24-hr overnight call, day shift). BP was measured every 30 min during waking hours and every 2 hr during sleep. Residents self-reported during which hours they slept. Ninety-eight separate 24-hr periods of data were collected (Table 1). There is no difference in mean 24-hr SBP, awake SBP/DBP, or asleep SBP/DBP between those working different schedules. However, there are statistically significant differences in day SBP/DBP and night SBP/DBP between participants working different schedules. In all schedules, participants showed at least a 9 mmHg drop in SBP between awake and asleep . Diurnal variation of BP in this population is present, and dependent upon sleep/wake status, not day/night hours. Further investigation into the correlation between this reversal of diurnal BP variation and cardiovascular outcomes in shift workers is warranted.
Deforestation risk due to commodity crop expansion in sub-Saharan Africa

Rapid integration of global agricultural markets and subsequent cropland displacement in recent decades increased large-scale tropical deforestation in South America and Southeast Asia. Growing land scarcity and more stringent land use regulations in these regions could incentivize the offshoring of export-oriented commodity crops to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We assess the effects of domestic- and export-oriented agricultural expansion on deforestation in SSA in recent decades. Analyses were conducted at the global, regional and local scales. We found that commodity crops are expanding in SSA, increasing pressure on tropical forests. Four Congo Basin countries, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d'Ivoire were most at risk in terms of exposure, vulnerability and pressures from agricultural expansion. These countries averaged the highest percent forest cover (58% ± 17.93) and lowest proportions of potentially available cropland outside forest areas (1% ± 0.89). Foreign investment in these countries was concentrated in oil palm production (81%), with a median investment area of 41 582 thousand ha. Cocoa, the fastest expanding export-oriented crop across SSA, accounted for 57% of global expansion in 2000–2013 at a rate of 132 thousand ha yr−1. However, cocoa only amounted to 0.89% of foreign land investment. Commodity crop expansion in SSA appears largely driven by small- and medium-scale farmers rather than industrial plantations. Land-use changes associated with large-scale investments remain to be observed in many countries. Although domestic demand for commodity crops was associated with most agricultural expansion, we provide evidence of a growing influence of distant markets on land-use change in SSA.
The Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders Is Sensitive but Not Specific in Identifying Anxiety in Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Comparison to the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment Scales

Validated brief screening instruments are needed to improve the detection of anxiety disorders in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), a 41-item parent- and self-reported scale measuring anxiety, was compared to the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment scales. One hundred participants with a clinical diagnosis of high functioning ASD, aged 8 to 18, and their parents completed the above scales. We hypothesized the SCARED would be useful in screening for anxiety and its results for total scores of anxiety would converge with ASEBA syndrome scales for anxiety and internalizing disorders. Significant correlations were shown between the SCARED and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) across a broad spectrum of scales. The CBCL syndrome scale for anxious/depressed showed the highest correlation and predicted anxiety scores on the SCARED. While many of the YSR scales significantly correlated with child ratings of anxiety, none of the scales predicted the SCARED child scores. Differences in self and parent reports suggest that parents interpret externalizing behaviors as signs of anxiety in ASD, whereas youth may describe internalized symptoms as anxiety. Females were more likely to self-report anxiety than males. Results support the use of the SCARED as a screening tool for anxiety in high functioning ASD but it should be supplemented with other tools to increase the specificity of its results.
Biometrics: Password replacement for elderly?

As technology continues to grow and advance at a rapid rate, most producers and companies are neglecting a rather large demographic: the elderly. The elderly, who are accustomed to more traditional means of communication utilizing pencil and paper, are having difficulty keeping in stride at the same rate as technology is pacing itself in the modern era. Cybersecurity, one of the most vital aspects of technology, is an area in cyberspace where senior citizens are struggling to adjust. Although they understand the necessity of having passwords to keep their private information secure, they often grow frustrated with remembering their passwords, which may vary from website to website and are often strenuous to remember due to regulatory password procedures. The objective of this project is to investigate how this issue can be tackled in a simple manner using biometrics. Biometrics is the most secure form of authentication to date, regardless of one's age. In this study, older adults from geriatric centers are assessed with questions in regards to how they currently manage the various passwords they create for their accounts, how they feel about their current management methods, and methods they feel their experience can be enhanced more than it already is. In addition, different biometric technologies, e.g., retinal, fingerprint, facial recognition, etc., is compared to one another and a proposed solution of the framework that would be free of cost to older adults.
Imogene King’s Interacting Systems Theory: Application in Emergency and Rural Nursing

Imogene King is a nursing theorist who has made significant contributions to the development of nursing knowledge. This paper gives an overview of King’s Conceptual Framework and Theory of Goal Attainment and applies the theory to emergency and rural nursing. While all of King’s concepts may not be applicable to emergency and rural nursing, applicable concepts are discussed. Specific clinical examples are presented to support King’s work in practice. The concepts of self, body image, growth and development, time, communication, and interaction are the concepts from King’s theory that the author identifies as being most useful when working with clients in the emergency room and in the rural environment. Keywords : rural health, inclusion, children, special health care needs http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v2i1.477
Environmental Education (EE)

EE has a long history and incorporates aspects of nature study, conservation education, and outdoor education (Disinger, 1985) (see also). EE traces its foundation in two important documents, The Belgrade Charter published in 1975 and Tbilisi Declaration published in 1977.
How many hours does it take to make a friend

The question of this investigation is, how many hours does it take to make a new friend? Drawing from Dunbar’s social brain hypothesis and Communicate Bond Belong theory, friendship status was examined as a function of hours together, shared activities, and everyday talk. In Study 1, MTurk participants (N = 355) who had recently relocated estimated time spent with a new acquaintance. Hours together was associated with closer friendships. Time spent engaging in leisure activities also predicted closeness. In Study 2, first-year students (N = 112) reported the number of hours spent with two new acquaintances three times over 9 weeks. Hours together was associated changes in closeness between waves. Two types of everyday talk predicted changes in closeness.
Longitudinal associations among routine disclosure, the parent–child relationship, and adolescents’ prosocial and delinquent behaviors

The purpose of this study was to explore whether routine child disclosure to parents was longitudinally related to adolescent prosocial and delinquent outcomes via the parent–child relationship (pa...
Limits of Convolution Sequences of Measures on a Compact Topological Semigroup

Limit properties of the convolution sequence of a regular measure on a compact topological semigroup are examined in this paper. Similar questions, as they arise in the case of a compact group, were examined by KaWaDa & Ito [4]. Recently Bellman [1] and GRenaNdeR [3] considered special limit theorems for products of independent identically distributed random operators. Such problems are closely related to those in this paper. It should be noted that similar questions arise when considering the structure of stationary stochastic processes [7]. Various results on compact semigroups are used in characterizing the class of limit measures [5], [6], [8].
The Role of Free Indole-3-acetic Acid (IAA) Levels, IAA Transport, and Sucrose Transport in the High Temperature Inhibition of Primary Root Development in Pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska)

Growth of Alaska pea (Pisum sativum L.) at high temperature results in general inhibition of the root system. As part of a study on the effects of temperature on developmental timing, we tested the possibility that reductions in free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels, IAA transport, or sucrose transport might be responsible for inhibition of primary roots. Seedlings were grown at 25 and 32°C. For transport studies, pea cotyledons were inoculated with 3 H-sucrose and 14 C-IAA. Free endogenous IAA in tips of pea primary roots was determined at three stages of development by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using a 13 C-IAA internal standard. Differences in mean free IAA concentration between temperature treatments were not significant during the early stages of development (28 to 58 ng/g FW). IAA concentration increased significantly in root tips during the late stage at both temperatures (108-165 ng/g FW) when elongation was declining. Differences in sucrose and IAA transport rates between temperatures were minor. Differences at each temperature over time were consistent with stage-specific growth patterns. Neither transport failure nor differences in free IAA level appear responsible for developmental inhibition of pea primary roots. Results suggest that pea primary root inhibition at high temperature is not due to heat-induced stress on transport systems but rather to shifting of developmental timing.
Bush and the Black Vote

This short article addresses the problem of then-President Bush and the Republican Party not being able to muster Black support in elections. Examined are numerous reasons why this happened, such as non-support of, or outright hostility to positions favored by Blacks, as well as Republican support of political figures and a judicial nominee with views opposed to Black interests. Presidential candidate Bush was also the first major party nominee to ever refuse to speak to the NAACP. Dick Cheney is cited with views in line with Bush in many of these respects. Similar problems in other contexts are also addressed.
The plastid genome as a chassis for synthetic biology-enabled metabolic engineering: players in gene expression.

Owing to its small size, prokaryotic-like molecular genetics, and potential for very high transgene expression, the plastid genome (plastome) is an attractive plant synthetic biology chassis for metabolic engineering. The plastome exists as a homogenous, compact, multicopy genome within multiple-specialized differentiated plastid compartments. Because of this multiplicity, transgenes can be highly expressed. For coordinated gene expression, it is the prokaryotic molecular genetics that is an especially attractive feature. Multiple genes in a metabolic pathway can be expressed in a series of operons, which are regulated at the transcriptional and translational levels with cross talk from the plant’s nuclear genome. Key features of each regulatory level are reviewed, as well as some examples of plastome-enabled metabolic engineering. We also speculate about the transformative future of plastid-based synthetic biology to enable metabolic engineering in plants as well as the problems that must be solved before routine plastome-enabled synthetic circuits can be installed.
Case Study: West Nile Virus

West Nile virus appeared in the Americas for the first time in 1999 and spread rapidly in the following years. Although an acute infection, it was found to be transfusion-transmissible in 2002, and donor testing for WNV RNA was initiated throughout the United States by the summer of 2003. Testing in minipools was not adequately sensitive, and mechanisms were developed for rapid implementation of individual donation testing in times and areas of high incidence of human infection. Overall, the response has been very effective and may offer lessons for managing future outbreaks of acute, transfusion-transmissible infections.
The trafficking protein JFC1 regulates Rac1-GTP localization at the uropod controlling neutrophil chemotaxis and in vivo migration

Neutrophil chemotaxis is essential in responses to infection and underlies inflammation. In neutrophils, the small GTPase Rac1 has discrete functions at both the leading edge and in the retraction of the trailing structure at the cell's rear (uropod), but how Rac1 is regulated at the uropod is unknown. Here, we identified a mechanism mediated by the trafficking protein synaptotagmin-like 1 (SYTL1 or JFC1) that controls Rac1-GTP recycling from the uropod and promotes directional migration of neutrophils. JFC1-null neutrophils displayed defective polarization and impaired directional migration to N-formyl-methionine-leucyl-phenylalanine in vitro, but chemoattractant-induced actin remodeling, calcium signaling and Erk activation were normal in these cells. Defective chemotaxis was not explained by impaired azurophilic granule exocytosis associated with JFC1 deficiency. Mechanistically, we show that active Rac1 localizes at dynamic vesicles where endogenous JFC1 colocalizes with Rac1-GTP. Super-resolution microscopy (STORM) analysis shows adjacent distribution of JFC1 and Rac1-GTP, which increases upon activation. JFC1 interacts with Rac1-GTP in a Rab27a-independent manner to regulate Rac1-GTP trafficking. JFC1-null cells exhibited Rac1-GTP accumulation at the uropod and increased tail length, and Rac1-GTP uropod accumulation was recapitulated by inhibition of ROCK or by interference with microtubule remodeling. In vivo, neutrophil dynamic studies in mixed bone marrow chimeric mice show that JFC1-/- neutrophils are unable to move directionally toward the source of the chemoattractant, supporting the notion that JFC1 deficiency results in defective neutrophil migration. Our results suggest that defective Rac1-GTP recycling from the uropod affects directionality and highlight JFC1-mediated Rac1 trafficking as a potential target to regulate chemotaxis in inflammation and immunity.
Physiological comparison of hemorrhagic shock and V˙ O2max: A conceptual framework for defining the limitation of oxygen delivery.

Based on evidence extracted from a cross-sectional review of the literature, we sought to advance a novel conceptual framework that the physiology of hemorrhagic shock from exsanguination and maxim...
A Cloud Provider’s View of EDNS Client-Subnet Adoption

Directing users to a nearby, high-performing front-end is core to the business of content delivery networks (CDNs). CDNs which use DNS to direct users to servers face the challenge of making decisions based at the LDNS-level, not based on the client’s IP address, and, in many cases, an LDNS is not representative of the clients it serves. The EDNS Client Subnet specification provides a solution by embedding a portion of the client’s IP address in the DNS query to help CDNs make better redirection decisions, but both the LDNS and authoritative resolver (CDN side) must support the standard. While there has been well-publicized adoption of Client Subnet by authoritative CDN resolvers, adoption rates across LDNSes are unknown.In this work, we examine Client Subnet adoption in LDNSes. We analyze DNS queries captured over one month from Mi-crosoft’s Azure Cloud platform. We find that adoption on the Internet is very low across ISPs but query volume is relatively high due to the popularity of public DNS services. We discover high network adoption rates in China and reveal that Chinese public DNS services deploy LDNSes deep into end-user networks.
Microscopic origin of interaction between oxygen and fluorine adsorbates covalently bound to graphene

Abstract We numerically investigate the interaction between oxygen and fluorine adsorbates on graphene using density functional theory calculations. We find that the interaction has three contributions of completely different origin. The dominant contribution is due to partially screened Coulomb interaction between adsorbates. At the same time, oscillatory behavior of the interaction on the lattice scale is dominated by elastic interaction due to deformation of graphene. The third contribution is due to conduction electron scattering off the adsorbate bonds. It adds somewhat to oscillations on the lattice scale, but is the weakest of the three. This is in sharp contrast with interactions between monovalent adsorbates where the latter contribution is dominant.
Robotic-Assisted Surgical Treatment of Catamenial Pneumothorax

Two young female patients presented with clinical findings of catamenial pneumothorax and thoracic endometriosis syndrome. Despite attempts at conservative management, thoracoscopic pleurodesis, and hormonal therapy, both women experienced recurrent pneumothoraces coincident with menses. Each patient subsequently underwent robotic-assisted mechanical pleurectomy and diaphragm reconstruction with durable results.
Frequent loss of hPMS2 and hMSH6 expression in non-familial (sporadic) young patients with colorectal cancer

133 Colorectal cancer (CRC) occurs rarely in young individuals ( 2/5 markers were unstable, as MSI-low (MSI-L) if only 1 marker was unstable, or microsatellite stable (MSS) if no marker was unstable. Results: The mean age of the patient cohort was 34.4 years (range 16-47 years); 52% were female and 48% were male. 72% of the CRCs were located distally, and only 28% proximal. 17% (14 of 82) of the CRCs were MMR-deficient, based upon loss of expression of MMR proteins. Unlike Lynch syndrome, only 43% (6/14) of these MMR-deficient CRCs demonstrated loss of expression of one of the two major DNA MMR proteins, hMLH1 or hMSH2 (3 each for hMLH1 and hMSH2), together with the associated loss of hPMS2 or hMSH6 expression. Unexpectedly, 8/14 (57%) of the MMR-deficient CRCs exhibited the exclusive loss of either hPMS2 (n = 3) or hMSH6 (n = 5), without evidence for the loss of expression of the partnering major MMR protein. While all 6 tumors with hMLH1 or hMSH2 loss were MSI-H, only 4/8 tumors with an isolated loss of hMSH6 (1/4) or hPMS2 (3/3) were MSI-H. Conclusions: We found isolated loss of hMSH6 and hPMS2 proteins in 10% of young patients with non-familial CRC. These findings suggest that these patients have germline mutations in hMSH6 associated with a low level of MSI-H, and that some of these apparently non-familial patients may have germline mutations in hPMS2. More importantly, the observation that tumors associated with isolated loss of hMSH6 or hPMS2 develop without loss of hMSH2 and hMLH1 raises unanswered questions about the molecular pathways through which these tumors develop.
Atrial Septal Defect, Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, Scimitar Syndrome, Robotic Closure of Atrial Septal Defect

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) can be characterized as a hole somewhere in the atrial septum. The hole allows blood to flow between the left and right atria, resulting in pulmonary overcirculation in the case of low pulmonary vascular resistance (left-to-right shunt) or cyanosis in the case of high pulmonary vascular resistance (right-to-left shunt; Eisenmenger’s syndrome).
Challenges and Opportunities for Coping with the Smart Divide in Rural America

Recent success in the many applications of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in urban settings largely defines our understanding of sustainable development in the context of smart ...
The Spectral Theorem

This chapter introduces the notion of the spectrum of an operator (possibly unbounded) on a Hilbert space. The theory of the resolvent operator is developed and used to establish basic properties of the spectrum.
Two-step conversion of Kraft lignin to nylon precursors under mild conditions

This study explores the valorization of Kraft lignin by conversion into nylon precursors in a two-step process. First, lignin was depolymerized in dilute alkaline aqueous solution under atmospheric N2 at 200 °C to give guaiacol with high selectivity (>80%) with a total monomer production of 13% based on lignin input. Solution and solid state NMR analyses and reactions of model compounds indicated that depolymerization took place via cleavage of β-O-4 bonds in lignin. In the second step, lignin-derived guaiacol was selectively converted to the nylon precursors cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone (KA oil) using Ru/C catalyst under 1 bar H2 and 150 °C. This two-step process constitutes a low-temperature and low-pressure pathway for producing value-added chemicals from lignin using water as the reaction solvent.
Strategies to Encourage Medical Student Interest in Urology.

Urology residency positions have steadily increased but applications have remained stagnant. This is an alarming trend given the aging general population and thus increased need for urologists. The purpose of this review is to describe barriers and suggest strategies to encourage medical students to pursue urology. Barriers to interest in urology include educational factors, such as timing of exposure to urology in medical school, USMLE scores, research experience, and deciding in time for an early match, as well as socioeconomic barriers, such as cost, being underrepresented in medicine, and gender. Steps the urological community can take include increasing involvement in medical school curricula, increasing faculty mentor availability, and broadening students’ range of urological experiences. Strategies to encourage interest in urology fall into three categories: creating interest, supporting interest, and removing barriers for students considering urology. Ultimately, the goal is to garner excellent residents in a field that must expand to meet the needs of a growing and aging population.
The effect of ergot alkaloid exposure during gestation on the microscopic morphology and vasculature of the ovine placenta.

Ergot alkaloids, a class of mycotoxins associated with ergotism, act as agonists on serotonin (5HT) receptors, specifically 5HT2a, which mediate smooth muscle contraction and vasoconstriction. The ...
Comparing feedback strategies for minimizing noise in gene expression event timing

Many cellular events occur when their corresponding regulatory proteins attain critical thresholds. Can cells schedule such events with precision by controlling the dynamics of the proteins? We investigate this question by considering a simple gene expression model that consists of switching the gene between OFF and ON states and degradation of the protein. Because feedback regulation is a pervasive method of control in biological systems, we analyzed three feedback mechanisms (protein regulates either its own transcription, or the rate at which gene turns ON, or the rate at which gene turns OFF) for their abilities to suppress noise in timing. We show that in the limiting case where the protein does not degrade, feedbacks always amplify noise in event timing.
Prospective interpretation

Semantic and pragmatic theories tend to deal with context-change in two radically opposing ways. Some view it as theoretically irrelevant, interpreting each sentence relative to the context as it happens to be at the moment of its utterance. Others view it as theoretically fundamental, proposing to view context-change as the very subject-matter of the theory of interpretation. Robert Stalnaker’s book Context steers a middle course between the extremes–to keep the semantics mostly static while letting the pragmatics go mostly dynamic. Within his framework, context-change matters because interpretation is sometimes prospective, relying not on the context as it is at the time of utterance but on the context as it is anticipated to be somewhat later. This paper critically examines how Stalnaker makes use of prospective interpretation in accounting for accommodation and in capturing the insights of expressivism.
Single Gender Marriage: A Religious Perspective

This Article will offer a religious perspective which is a response to the legal arguments in favor of single-gender marriage. Three arguments will be made: first, that the religious perspective identified and associated with the Roman Catholic tradition offers a fundamental basis for family life that has been proven to be beneficial to society as a whole, and to the message of revelation consigned to Christians by Jesus Christ; second, inasmuch as the religious perspective is being contradicted by judicial interpretation rather than through legislative process, a tyranny of judicial activism has and is subverting a public policy consensus; and third, an analysis of the Hawaiian decision Baehr v. Lewin, which presently prompts the debate over single-gender marriage, offers a compelling state interest to restrict the definition of marriage to those persons of the opposite gender.
GSPS all-optical ADC for future communication and imaging

Multi-beam phased array antennas are employed in wireless communications, where RF direct down-conversion, timing synchronization, and analog-to-digital are of important functions. Design of a novel all-optical ADC using spectral technique is presented, where sampling speeds as high as 40 GSPS with 6 bits of resolution is attainable.
Augmented reality to the rescue of the minimally invasive surgeon. The usefulness of the interposition of stereoscopic images in the Da Vinci™ robotic console.

Computerized management of medical information and 3D imaging has become the norm in everyday medical practice. Surgeons exploit these emerging technologies and bring information previously confined to the radiology rooms into the operating theatre. The paper reports the authors' experience with integrated stereoscopic 3D-rendered images in the da Vinci surgeon console.
Wet season range fidelity in a tropical migratory ungulate

Summary 1. In migratory populations, the degree of fidelity and dispersal among seasonal ranges is an important population process with consequences for demography, management, sensitivity to habitat change and adaptation to local environmental conditions. 2. Characterizing patterns of range fidelity in ungulates, however, has remained challenging because of the difficulties of following large numbers of marked individuals across multiple migratory cycles and of identifying the appropriate scale of analysis. 3. We examined fidelity to wet season (i.e. breeding) ranges in a recently declining population of wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus Burchell in northern Tanzania across 3 years. We used computer-assisted photographic identification and capture–recapture to characterize return patterns to three wet season ranges that were ecologically discrete and topographically isolated from one another. 4. Among 2557 uniquely identified adult wildebeest, we observed 150 recaptures across consecutive wet seasons. Between the two migratory subpopulations, the probability of remaining faithful to wet season areas ranged between 0·82 and 1·00. Animals from a non-migratory segment of the population (near Lake Manyara National Park) were rarely observed in other wet season ranges, despite proximity to one of the migratory pathways. 5. We found no effect of sex on an individuals’ probability of switching wet season ranges. However, the breeding status of females in year i had a strong influence on patterns of range selection in year i + 1, with surviving breeders over three times as likely to switch ranges as non-breeders. 6. Social-group associations between pairs of recaptured animals were random with respect to an individual’s wet season range during the previous or forthcoming wet seasons, suggesting that an individual’s herd identity during the dry season does not predict wet season range selection. 7. Examining fidelity and dispersal in terrestrial migrations improves our understanding of the constraints that migrants experience when they face rapid habitat changes or fluctuations in environmental conditions.
What is the Impact of In-Class Active Learning Techniques? A Meta Analysis of the Existing Literature

In this paper I examine the “lessons” and “best practices” from the most recent literature on the effectiveness of classroom techniques that have sought to promote “active student learning” (including simulations, problem based learning, team based learning, interactive classroom technologies) in the political science classroom. Reviewing 134 articles that specifically examine the effectiveness of active learning techniques from PS, International Studies Perspectives, and the Journal of Political Science Education, I find that, although the most commonly used technique to promote active learning is the in class simulation (at least as reported in the literature), the evidence of the effectiveness of simulations is decidedly mixed. Further, their utility in large classroom environments is limited. The paper also explores other alternatives to simulations that are used in other fields.
Dynamics of quantum vortices in two-dimensional superconductors

Abstract The dynamics of rigid vortex translations in two-dimensional arrays of Josephson junctions is shown to be equivalent to the motion of a mass, proportional to the junction capacitance, in a periodic pinning potential. The quantum tunneling of the vortex through the potential barriers is predicted of importance in the existing Nb-arrays at very low temperatures. Above the vortex unbinding temperature there is a plasma resonance of the free vortices leading to an anomaly in the vortex frequency dependent dielectric constant, which could be observed via a radio frequency impedance measurement.
Comparison of HC species from diesel combustion modes and characterization of a heat-up doc formulation

This study summarizes engine speed and load effects on HC species emissions from premixed charge compression ignition (PCI) and conventional diesel combustion, and it evaluates diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) formulations on a gas flow reactor for the purpose of diesel particulate filter regeneration or lean NOx trap desulfation. HC emissions are sampled simultaneously by a Tedlar bag for light HC species and by a Tenax TA™ adsorption trap for semi-volatile HC species, and they are analyzed by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The bulk temperature and residence time during combustion are key parameters that are important for understanding the effects of speed and load on engine-out HC emissions. The degree of post-flame oxidation is higher in PCI than in conventional combustion, and it is increased for PCI with a higher speed and load, as indicated by a lower fuel alkanes/THC ratio, a higher alkenes/fuel alkanes ratio, and a higher methane/THC ratio. Ethene and n-undecane are two representative HC species, and they are used as a surrogate mixture in the gas flow reactor to simulate PCI and conventional combustion with in-cylinder post fuel injection. Among the three DOC formulations tested, the catalyst with constituent precious metals of platinum and palladium (PtPd) showed the best light-off performance, followed by PtPd with an addition of cerium dioxide (PtPd+CeO2), and platinum (Pt), regardless of exhaust compositions. Conventional combustion exhaust composition shows a lower light-off temperature than that of PCI, regardless of catalyst formulation.
Multilevel thoracic hemangioma with spinal cord compression in a pediatric patient: case report and review of the literature.

Vertebral hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors of the spine. It is very rare for these lesions to symptomatically compress neural elements. If spinal cord compression does occur, it usually involves only a single level. Multilevel vertebral hemangiomas causing symptomatic spinal cord compression have never been reported in the pediatric population to the best of our knowledge. We report the case of a 15-year-old boy presenting with progressive paraparesis due to thoracic spinal cord compression from a multilevel thoracic hemangioma (T5–T10) with epidural extension. Because of his progressive neurological deficit, he was initially treated with urgent multilevel decompressive laminectomies from T4 to T11. This was to be followed by radiotherapy for residual tumor, but the patient was unfortunately lost to follow-up. He re-presented 3 years later with recurrent paraparesis and progressive disease. This was treated with urgent radiotherapy with good response. As of 6 months follow-up, he has made an excellent neurological recovery. In this report, we present the first case of a child with multilevel vertebral hemangiomas causing symptomatic spinal cord compression and review the literature to detail the pathophysiology, management, and treatment of other cases of spinal cord compression by vertebral hemangiomas.
Bradykinin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein

Bradykinin induced relaxation and cyclic GMP accumulation in both bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein. Both the relaxant responses and the accompanying cyclic GMP accumulations were abolished or markedly reduced by intimal rubbing or pretreatment with the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue. These findings indicate that both bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein exhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to bradykinin, and that the relaxant responses in both vessels are associated with cyclic GMP accumulation.