cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The efficient implementation and analysis of a hybrid number system processor

A hybrid number system processor designed with the antilogarithm programmable logic array (PLA) is described. In the hybrid number system, linear interpolation is used to achieve accurate conversions between floating-point (FLP) and logarithmic number system (LNS) numbers. Originally, a multiplier was used to do the interpolation. Here, the antilogarithm PLA is shown to have smaller silicon area, comparable overall performance, and structured design. The basic arithmetic operations and processor architecture are explained for performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root. The conversion errors are analyzed mathematically. The Taylor series approximation is used as the framework for analysis of the conversion errors of logarithm, antilogarithm, multiplication/division, and addition/subtraction operations. The analyses indicate that the Taylor series truncation results in very small error when the ROM size is properly chosen for the desired precision. Consequently, the finite width truncation becomes the major source of conversion errors. >
Herpesvirus aotus Type 2: A New Viral Agent from Owl Monkeys (Aotus trioirgatus)

and chemical characteristics for inclusion in the family of herpesviruses. In vitro, the agent is released in active form from infected cells; this indicates that it is a cell-free virus. The virus did not cross react antigenically with other known herpesviruses nor with Herpesvirus aotus types 1 and 3, which are also latent herpesviruses from the owl monkey. Preliminary serologic data indicate that the most likely reservoir of this virus in nature is the owl monkey. The designation of Herpesvirus aotus type 2 has been suggested for this agent. In the last few years several species of New World monkeys have been found to be natural
Expanding Perspectives for Comprehending Visual Images in Multimodal Texts

The texts that adolescents encounter today are often multimodal, meaning they incorporate a variety of modes, including visual images, hypertext, and graphic design elements along with written text. Expanding the perspectives readers use to make sense of the multimodal texts is an important aspect of comprehension instruction. Moving beyond the traditional cognitive strategies often incorporated in instruction frameworks for comprehending written texts, this article presents three additional perspectives for comprehending visual images. Examples from each perspective are included to help middle and high school teachers expand the strategies students draw from to interpret and understand visual images and multimodal texts.
A variable frequency oscillator using modern current feedback amplifiers (CFAs) for high frequency applications

A well-known tunable active-RC oscillator circuit is adopted with the use of modern current feedback amplifiers (CFAs) and analyzed for its performance characteristics. Its performance characteristics are found superior to the conventional design with the voltage-mode operational amplifiers. However, it has been found that the frequency of oscillation is considerably lower than the expected value in the high frequency range due to the non-ideal characteristics of the CFA. A new compensation is suggested to eliminate this problem. The effectiveness of the compensation is proven using the PSPICE simulation of the oscillator.
Sedentary Behaviors and Obesity in a Low-Income, Ethnic-Minority Population

Background: Numerous studies have documented adverse health effects from prolonged sitting and TV viewing. These sedentary pastimes are linked to increased risk for obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors. No studies, however, have examined these associations specifically in low-income, minority communities in the US. Methods: This cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in South Dallas, TX. Multivariable ordered logistic regression models were used to examine the association between sedentary behaviors (self-report) and measures of objectively assessed obesity (BMI, waist circumference). Results: Among a low-income, ethnic-minority population, there were independent and significant associations between higher levels of sitting time, computer use, and transit time with elevated BMI (P < .05). Elevated waist circumference was also linked to increased sitting time, computer use, and transit time, yet without statistical significance. Conclusions: Increased time spent in passive-leisure a...
Cre/lox recombination in the lower urinary tract

Tbx18 is a T-Box transcription factor that has specific expression and indispensible function in the lower urinary tract. Here, we report the generation and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgene expressing Cre under the control of Tbx18 regulatory elements. When crossed to the ROSA26R-lacZ reporter mice, the Tbx18-Cre transgene mediates loxP recombination in the mesenchymal derivatives in the lower urinary tract, especially in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the stromal cells. There is no expression of this transgene in the urothelium or in the kidney. This Tbx18-Cre transgene recapitulates the endogenous Tbx18 expression in the urinary system and can be used for the study of the development, physiology, and diseases in the urinary tract. Its additional expression in the epicardium, limb, vibrissae, and other structures would be useful for studies in the relevant fields.
Timing of Parent and Child Communication About Sexuality Relative to Children's Sexual Behaviors

OBJECTIVE: To examine timing of parent–child discussions about sexual topics relative to child-reported sexual behavior. METHODS: Longitudinal study of employed parents and their children, with an initial survey followed by subsequent surveys 3, 6, and 12 months later. Participants were 141 parents, along with their children (13–17 years), who were control participants in a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate a worksite-based intervention to improve parent–adolescent communication. Main outcomes were parent and child reports of discussion of up to 24 sexual topics and presexual and sexual acts (ranging from handholding to vaginal intercourse) that occurred before the first survey and in the intervals between subsequent pairs of surveys. RESULTS: Sexual topics tend to group into 3 sets. The first set includes topics such as girls9 bodies and menstruation and typically coincides with children9s presexual stage (handholding, kissing). The second set includes topics such as birth control efficacy and refusing sex and typically coincides with the precoital stage (genital touching and oral sex). The third set typically occurs when children have initiated intercourse. Over half of children engage in genital touching before discussing birth control efficacy, resisting partner pressure for sex, sexually transmitted disease symptoms, condom use, choosing birth control, or partner condom refusal; >40% of children have intercourse before any discussion about sexually transmitted disease symptoms, condom use, choosing birth control, or partner condom refusal. CONCLUSIONS: Many parents and adolescents do not talk about important sexual topics before adolescents9 sexual debut. Clinicians can facilitate this communication by providing parents with information about sexual behavior of adolescents.
In vivo therapy of a murine B cell tumor (BCL1) using antibody-ricin A chain immunotoxins

Prolonged remissions were induced in mice bearing advanced BCL1 tumors by the combined approach of nonspecific cytoreductive therapy and administration of a tumor-reactive immunotoxin. Thus, the vast majority of the tumor cells (approximately 95%) were first killed by nonspecific cytoreductive therapy using total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and splenectomy. The residual tumor cells were then eliminated by intravenous administration of an anti-delta immunotoxin. In three of four experiments, all animals treated in the above fashion appeared tumor free 12-16 wk later. In one experiment, blood cells from the mice in remission were transferred to normal BALB/c recipients, and the latter animals have not developed detectable tumor for the 6 mo of observation. Because 1-10 adoptively transferred BCL1 cells will cause tumor in normal BALB/c mice by 12 wk, the inability to transfer tumor to recipients might indicate that the donor animals were tumor free. In the remainder of the animals treated with the tumor-reactive immunotoxin there was a substantial remission in all animals, but the disease eventually reappeared. In contrast, all mice treated with the control immunotoxin or antibody alone relapsed significantly earlier (3-4 wk after splenectomy).
Problem Severity and Symptomatology among Substance Misusers: Differences between African-Americans and Caucasians

Using data collected on 348 patients presenting to a hospital-based substance misuse treatment program, the present study compares psychiatric symptomatology and severity of substance misuse among African-American and Caucasian alcohol and drug misusers. African-Americans had a higher overall severity of substance misuse and reported using more substances than Caucasians. African-Americans also had higher levels of somatization, interpersonal problems, depression, hostility, obsessive/compulsive behavior, phobia, paranoia, and psychoticism than Caucasians. African-Americans exhibited higher levels of psychosocial stress and lower levels of global functioning than did Caucasians. The implications of the findings are discussed
Testosterone increases thromboxane A2 receptor density and responsiveness in rat aortas and platelets

Testosterone has been implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Thromboxane (Tx) A2 is an important pathophysiological mediator for thrombotic vascular diseases. This study investiga...
The Choice Is Yours: Using Liquid-Assisted Grinding To Choose between Products in the Palladium-Catalyzed Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes

Herein, we report on the dimerization of terminal alkynes using various palladium catalysts under solvent-free mechanochemical conditions. When tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) was employed as the catalyst, we observed the 1,3-butadiyne as the major product. However, when we employed bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride as the catalyst, we observed the trans-enyne as the major product. When we used a polymer-supported bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride catalyst under liquid-assisted grinding conditions, we discovered the ability to tune the catalyst to generate either the diyne or trans-enyne as the major product, depending on the grinding medium.
Association of epithelial-mesenchymal transition with an immunosuppressive, inflammatory tumor microenvironment with elevated levels of checkpoint inhibitors in lung adenocarcinoma.

3030 Background: Promising results in the treatment of NSCLC have been seen with agents targeting immune checkpoints, such as programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1...
Effect of carbon tetrachloride inhalation on rat serum enzymes.

SummarySerum esterase, xanthine oxidase, and glutamic-oxaloacetic-transaminase (GOT) activities were followed for 9 days after a single 4 hr exposure of male rats to carbon tetrachloride vapors. 1500 ppm of carbon tetrachloride in air produced marked changes in all 3 enzyme systems. 1000 ppm affected only serum GOT and xanthine oxidase activities. At 250 ppm, only serum GOT activity was significantly affected.
Effect of Soil Cultivation, Soil Surface and Water on the Persistence of Insecticidal Residues in Soils

Since relatively large amounts of water evaporate yearly from soils, experiments were conducted to obtain more information on the relationship between this water loss and the persistence of residues of insecticides in various soil types. The effect of soil stirring on the persistence of aldrin and DDT residues was also investigated. It was found that the persistence of aldrin is affected by soil moisture. water, apparently, causes a displacement of the aldrin from the soil particles. once this is accomplished, a major part of the insecticide is lost by volatilization. Aldrin is lost from water surfaces, hut this loss does not seem to be affected by water evaporation as such. The persistence of DDT was not affected by the amounts of water evaporated from soils or glass surfaces, or by enlargement of surfaces onto which DDT had been deposited. Under field conditions, however, daily disking of a loam soil treated with aldrin or DDT at 4 Ib./5" acre caused a reduction of 38% of the aldrin residues and 25% of the DDT residues, during a 3-month period. Frequent soil disking could possibly serve as a method for reducing the residue level of volatile insecticides in soils.
Corruption’s impact on foreign portfolio investment

Abstract Corruption has significant effects on a nation’s financial markets through its adverse impact on foreign portfolio investment (FPI). Yet, the effects of corruption on FPI are nonlinear and reverse J-shaped, with intermediate levels of corruption yielding the most negative effects. Highly transparent nations, where a “level playing field” exists between foreign and local investors due to lack of information asymmetries related to corruption, attract the most foreign investment. However, at the margin, very corrupt countries attract more investment than moderately corrupt countries because a “perverse level playing field” in the former countries may put foreigners and locals on an even footing in terms of resolving asymmetric information problems. This nonlinear pattern is consistent with foreign investors’ desire to trade in markets where they are not at an informational disadvantage.
Speech performance by patients with multichannel cochlear implants.

Thirteen patients were implanted with multichannel cochlear implants between April 1, 1984 and February 25, 1985. The patients are fitted with the sound processor unit 4 to 6 weeks postsurgery. One patient had a single-channel unit replaced with a multichannel implant. She reported improved sound quality. All patients use their implants daily and all patients would undergo implantation again (based on their current performance). Evidence exists that continued use leads to improved performance. Patient S.S. progressed from auditory-only scores of 12% and 24% to 100% in 4 months. The average open set auditory-only performance of six patients in the first 4 months on a spondee word list was 22%. The average of eight patients--more than 4 months post sound processor--is 44%, indicating improvement with use. Patients perform better when combining auditory input with visual input than they do with lip reading alone. The multichannel implant is well tolerated and accepted, and results in speech performance improvement.
The Spiritual Roots of Economic Sustainability

All economic value is derived from nature by way of society. However, all economic value is rooted in human values and ultimately in the spiritual values that give purpose and meaning to human life. In the absence of purpose, there is no logical motivation for sustaining human life or sustaining human economies. Thus, economic sustainability is rooted in spirituality. Contemporary social critics fail to understand that the fundamental challenges of sustainability are ethical, moral, and ultimately spiritual rather than technological or economic. They fail to understand the fundamental differences among economic value, social value, and ethical or cultural values. They fail to see that sustainability ultimately depends on creating a moral and ethical culture that gives economic sustainability priority over economic expediency. “Deep sustainability” goes beyond shallow or instrumental strategies which focus on resource efficiency and substitution, motivated by economic incentives. Deep sustainability explores the philosophical, ethical, and spiritual roots of ecological, social, and economic integrity. In so doing, it calls for a spiritual-rooted, cultural revolution. This revolution must be motivated by an understanding that the pursuit of economic sustainability is synonymous with the pursuit of authentic happiness—which is inherently social and spiritual as well as material. A sustainable economy would simply provide the material requisites or means for a pursuit of happiness motivated by a spiritual sense of purpose. This chapter explores the means of creating a new sustainable economy that is firmly rooted in spirituality.
Energy and Potentials

This paper will show that under certain analytic condition concerning the potential operator U of a transient Hunt process X which is in duality with a Hunt process \(\overset{\wedge }{\mathop{X}}\,\), the limit potential of a sequence of potentials which are bounded in energy and which belong to the class (D), will also belong to the class (D). All the assumptions and definitions concerning this duality are as in [1], Chapter 6. Other notations and definitions concerning the energy are as in papers [3],[4] and [5].
Attitudes of Pediatricians to ADHD Diagnosis

Pediatricians’ perceptions of ADD and ADHD diagnosis, child and family communication concerning diagnosis and treatment, and treatment issues were examined in a cross-sectional survey involving 380 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics and conducted by the Department of Psychology, University of California-Riverside and Loma Linda University Medical Center, CA.
What is software reliability

Reliability refers to statistical measures an engineer uses to quantify imperfection in practice. Often we speak imprecisely of an object having "high reliability", but technically, unless the object cannot fail at all, its reliability is arbitrarily close to zero for a long enough period of operation. This is merely an expression of the truism that an imperfect object must eventually fail. At first sight, it seems that software should have a sensible reliability, as other engineered objects do. But the application of the usual mathematics is not justified. Reliability theory applies to random (as opposed to systematic) variations in a population of similar objects, whereas software defects are all design flaws, not at all random, in a unique object. The traditional cause of failure is a random process of wear and tear, while software is forever as good (or as bad!) as new. However, software defects can be thought of as lurking in wait for the user requests that excite them, like a minefield through which the user must walk. >
Disability and Health

In this chapter I explore two main concepts. First, I ask how, if at all, health differs from disability. I argue that health and disability, when properly regarded, can be viewed similarly and that people with disabilities are rightly regarded as having a decrement in health. Second, I ask precisely what it is that we mean when we talk about disability. I explore the origins of the social model of disability and argue that while not without political usefulness, it is an incorrect way of viewing disability. Instead, I suggest that the interactional model of disability is a more accurate conceptualization of the experience of disability.
An Evaluation Framework for Selecting Collaboration Systems for Student Teamwork

Collaboration technologies play an increasingly important role in student teamwork in universities. With the proliferation of collaboration systems on the market and the wide range of features they offer, choosing an appropriate system can be an overwhelming task for college students. In this paper, the authors present an empirical study that aimed to help college instructors and students assess and select appropriate collaboration systems for their teamwork needs. They first identified and ranked the important features of collaboration systems for students through a web-based survey. Based on the survey results, the authors built an evaluation framework, in the form of weighted scoring tables, to help students systematically choose technologies that met their collaborative needs. They further demonstrated how to use those scoring tables for an undergraduate capstone class that had a term-long team project. The implications and future directions of the authors' study are also discussed.
Review of the Stenus asyura group (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Steninae) in Korea, with description of five new species

Abstract In this study, a total of nine species of the Stenus asyura group were recognized from Korea. Among them, five species are described as new to science: Stenus foliaceus n. sp., S. fuscicorpus n. sp., S. fusciformis n. sp., S. gajisanensis n. sp., and S. suryongensis n. sp. Habitus photographs, illustrations of diagnostic characters, and a key to the species of this group in Korea are provided.
The Religious and Political Origins of Evangelical Protestants’ Opposition to Environmental Spending

Evangelical Protestants are less likely than most other Americans to support environmental policies and spending to protect the natural environment. We use almost three decades of repeated cross-sectional data to examine the factors that promote evangelicals’ opposition to environmental spending. Mediation models with bootstrapped standard errors show that affiliation with the Republican Party, biblical literalism, and religious service attendance mediate differences in support for environmental spending between evangelical Protestants and other Americans. The importance of these mediating variables, however, varies over time and by the group evangelicals are being compared to. Differences in support for environmental spending between evangelical and mainline Protestants, for example, are primarily due to views of the Bible, but not at all to Republican identification. The results shed light on the causal effects of religion on views of the environment, temporal changes in the social and political implications of religiosity, the persistence of divisive issues that support the continued existence of culture wars, and the future of government spending on environmental problems in a social context where scientific evidence is filtered through political and religious ideology.
Our place in the world: Conceptualizing obligations beyond borders in human rights-based approaches to health.

The case of Haiti’s devastating earthquake and the reactions it has elicited sharply illustrate an array of seemingly dichotomous ways of understanding obligations of “international assistance and cooperation,” which are taken up by authors in this issue. First, there is a tension between dealing with immediate humanitarian needs and addressing underlying structural causes. Second, there is the related dichotomy between compassion/charity and the accountability for legal obligations that a human rights approach to health and development demands. Third, within a framework for accountability, there is a tension between an ahistorical understanding of international responsibility — based purely on the self-evident need of fellow human beings — and a contextually-rooted accountability. Finally, the situation of Haiti begs the question of whether we can address immense human suffering in the world through a strongly statist model or whether we require a more cosmopolitan understanding of ethical and legal obligations across borders. Drawing on the Critical Concepts articles in this issue, this essay briefly explores some of these tensions, and the potential contributions and limitations of applying a human rights framework to advance global health.
The battle for rap: problems and possibilities in teacher education

AbstractThis qualitative study examined preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) ideas and beliefs regarding the use of rap for instructional purposes in P-12 classrooms, and the ways in which they proposed to use rap in the teaching of middle and high school social studies. Participants included the instructor of a social studies methods course, and thirteen PSTs enrolled in the course. The findings suggest that PSTs view rap as a phenomenon that must be approached in a careful manner, and that is best suited to content areas other than social studies. The findings also suggest that PSTs’ proposed uses of rap represent P-12 education as an uncritical, teacher-centric endeavor which serves to perpetuate the status quo.
Andrew Feenberg, Critical Theory, and the Critique of Technology

From the 1990s through the present, Andrew Feenberg has systematically developed a critical theory of technology that charts the development and increasing importance of technology in all facets of our lives and that develops a critical theory that articulates how technologies can serve as instruments or domination or emancipation and democratization. In this study, I shall interrogate Feenberg’s work in developing a critical theory of technology by engaging his key works of the 1990s that spell out his general theoretical and political perspectives, and that illustrate his theory with examples of democratizing and reconstructing technologies, focusing in particular on Alternative Modernity and Questioning Technology.
Photophysics of Conducting Polymers

Conducting polymers may be described as quasi-one-dimensional semiconductors. The gaps are typically such that in undoped material the absorption edge is in the visible or near infrared. In Table 4.1 we list most of the polymers to be discussed, abbreviations for their names and their repeat units or monomers. With the exception of polydiacetylene, which is highly crystalline, a second important characteristic of the conducting polymers is disorder. Although the chains may be quite long, typically the conjugation is interrupted by defects, which may be curves or bends, foreign atoms, crosslinks, etc. An average conjugation length in poly(p-phenylene vinylene), PPV, for example, deduced from many different types of evidence, is 6 to 8 monomers. Even so, the levels are grouped into bands and in many contexts it is useful to think of the band structure in the long conjugation length limit. In other contexts it may be more useful to think of the polymer as an assembly of linear molecules of various lengths (oligomers). As will be seen, there are important differences between the optical properties of trans-polyacetylene, which has a degenerate ground state [1], and non-degenerate ground state (NDGS) polymers, which category includes almost all known conjugated polymers other than trans-polyacetylene. The optical properties of the NDGS polymers have many similarities. Because the photophysical properties of PPV have received the most attention, we will most frequently cite its properties as an example.
A high exercise workload of ≥ 10 METS predicts a low risk of significant ischemia and cardiac events in older adults

Patients who achieve ≥ 10 METS during exercise SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) have very low rates of significant ischemia and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). It is unknown how many older adults can achieve ≥ 10 METS, and if low risk extends to this subgroup. We examined the workload achieved, prevalence and predictors of ischemia, and MACE (cardiac death, non-fatal MI, late revascularization) in a cohort of 382 patients ≥ 65 years of age who underwent exercise 99mTc SPECT MPI. The cohort was 64.4% male and 36.9% had known coronary artery disease (CAD). All achieved ≥ 85% of maximum age-predicted heart rate. A workload of ≥ 10 METS was achieved in 25.4%; 50.3% attained 7-9 METS, and 24.4% reached < 7 METS. There was a stepwise decrease in prevalence of any ischemia and significant ischemia (≥ 10% of the left ventricle (LV)) as workload increased (P = 0.037). Patients achieving ≥ 10 METS had a 3.1% prevalence of ≥ 10% LV ischemia (1.2% in those without ST depression). Cardiac death and MACE rates in the ≥ 10 METS subgroup were 0.6%/year and 2.6%/year over a median 7.0 years of follow-up. A substantial proportion of older adults who undergo exercise SPECT MPI can achieve ≥ 10 METS. This subgroup has low rates of significant LV ischemia and MACE. The favorable diagnostic and prognostic implications of achieving a high workload in an older adult population suggest it is feasible, with certain exceptions, to include this subgroup in workload-based strategies of provisional imaging.
Outcomes of regional anesthesia in cancer patients

Purpose of review To summarize the current evidence on the impact of regional anesthesia or analgesia on cancer recurrence. Recent findings Preclinical investigations suggest that regional anesthesia could have a positive impact on reducing cancer growth and progression. Regional anesthesia is also associated with better immunological and stress-related outcomes in patients undergoing major oncological surgery. Most recent retrospective studies do not show any benefit of regional anesthesia or analgesia on cancer recurrence or recurrence-free survival. Summary The available clinical evidence does not support the use of any anesthesia technique to improve the cancer-related survival after major oncological surgery. The results from four randomized controlled trials will shed light on this critical topic in perioperative medicine.
Effects of seeding density on photogranulation and the start-up of the oxygenic photogranule process for aeration-free wastewater treatment

Abstract The oxygenic photogranule (OPG) process is a new algae-based wastewater treatment method, relying on light-driven granulation of filamentous cyanobacteria, microalgae, and non-phototrophic microorganisms (i.e., photogranulation). Seeding the OPG reactor with hydrostatically formed photogranules has been shown as a new start-up approach, which is reproducible and can significantly decrease the start-up period. However, due to early research stage for the OPG process, this seeding approach has not yet been investigated at good depth and its protocol is yet to be established. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of seeding density on photogranulation and the start-up of the OPG process. Three sequencing-batch reactors (R1-R3) were seeded with a different number of hydrostatically formed photogranules (thus, started with different seeding densities) and operated to treat primary effluent wastewater. The three reactors showed significantly different photogranulation rates and physicochemical characteristics of the produced biomass. Reactor R2, seeded at 900 mg/L dry solids, produced photogranules showing compact, spherical structures with increased hydrophobicity. R2 exhibited the highest yield of biomass, which was also found to be more enriched with proteins, carbohydrates and lipids than biomass from other reactors. R2 also showed better settleability of biomass than others, while all three reactors enabled effective organic matter and dissolved nitrogen removal without external aeration. These results suggest that seeding density is important for the OPG process and optimized seeding density can promote effective start-up as well as bioenergy recovery with increased biomass yield and biorefinery/bioenergy potential.
Transmembrane helix 6b links proton and metal release pathways and drives conformational change in an Nramp-family transition metal transporter.

The natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp) family encompasses transition metal and proton cotransporters that are present in many organisms from bacteria to humans. Recent structures of Deinococcus radiodurans Nramp (DraNramp) in multiple conformations revealed the intramolecular rearrangements required for alternating access of the metal-binding site to the external or cytosolic environment. Here, using recombinant proteins and metal transport and cysteine accessibility assays, we demonstrate that two parallel cytoplasm-accessible networks of conserved hydrophilic residues in DraNramp, one lining the wide intracellular vestibule for metal release and the other forming a narrow proton transport pathway, are essential for metal transport. We further show that mutagenic or posttranslational modifications of transmembrane helix (TM) 6b, which structurally links these two pathways, impede normal conformational cycling and metal transport. TM6b contains two highly conserved histidines, His232 and His237. We found that different mutagenic perturbations of His232, just below the metal-binding site along the proton exit route, differentially affect DraNramp's conformational state, suggesting that His232 serves as a pivot point for conformational changes. In contrast, any replacement of His237, lining the metal exit route, locked the transporter in a transport-inactive outward-closed state. We conclude that these two histidines, and TM6b more broadly, help trigger the bulk rearrangement of DraNramp to the inward-open state upon metal binding and facilitate return of the empty transporter to an outward-open state upon metal release.
“If they have more work, they learn more”: parents’ views of their children’s learning experiences and homework in Pre-K settings

This study examined parents’ perspectives on children’s learning in Pre-K, their expectations for Pre-K, and how to prepare their child(ren) for kindergarten. Researchers conducted semi-structured ...
How Much Does a Belief Cost?: Revisiting the Marketplace of Ideas

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. is often credited with creating the metaphor of “the marketplace of ideas,” though he did not use the exact phrase and his argument for free speech was not based on distinctively economic reasoning. Truly economic investigations of the marketplace of ideas have progressed in step with developments and trends in the law and economics literature. These investigations have tended to be one-sided, with writers focusing primarily either on the production of ideas (for example, Posner) or their consumption (for example, behavioral law and economics), without considering in depth how producers and consumers interact. This may be because, for the most part, there is no literal market in ideas, in the sense that ideas are not generally goods exchanged for value at a price. As a result, the market mechanism cannot use price signals to coordinate the actions of self-interested actors and create efficiency through trade. To the extent that something like a market in ideas can be said to exist, this market is characterized by numerous, largely unavoidable sources of market failure. At the same time, there is no conceptual barrier to pursuing an economic approach to the study of the production, dissemination, and consumption of ideas. The article concludes by applying the marketplace of ideas metaphor to a puzzle in the recent history of economic thought: the tendency of sophisticated mathematical models to displace less sophisticated but more predictively useful models in contemporary economics. This phenomenon can be explained — even without positing an ad hoc preference among economists for mathematical elegance — through the anti-competitive benefits of the mathematical mode of economic idea-production.
Intercostal cryoablation during Nuss procedure: A large volume single surgeon's experience and outcomes

Abstract Background Recent studies have shown intercostal cryoablation(IC) during the Nuss procedure decreases hospital length of stay(LOS) and opioid administration. However, few studies have also evaluated the risk of postoperative complications related to IC. Methods We performed a single center retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent Nuss procedure by one surgeon from 2/2016 to 2/2020, comparing intraoperative IC to other pain management modalities(non-IC). Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, hospital LOS, and opioid administration. Multivariate analysis was performed with outcomes reported as regression coefficients(RC) or odds ratios(OR) with 95% confidence interval. Results IC was associated with decreased hospital LOS (RC −1.91[−2.29 to −1.54], less hospital opioid administration (RC −4.28[−5.13 to −3.43]), and less discharge opioid administration (RC −3.82[−5.23 to −2.41]). With respect to postoperative complications, IC decreased the odds of urinary retention (OR 0.16[0.06 to 0.44]); however, increased the odds of slipped bars requiring reoperation (OR 36.65[5.04–266.39]). Conclusions Our single surgeon experience controls for surgeon variability and demonstrates intraoperative IC for the Nuss procedure is an effective pain management modality that decreases hospital LOS and opioid use during hospitalization and at discharge; however, it is associated with increased odds of slipped bars requiring reoperation. Level of evidence III
Glass Half Full: Preserved Anatomical Bypasses Predict Variance in Language Functions After Stroke

The severity of post-stroke aphasia is related to damage to white matter connections. However, neural signaling can route not only through direct connections, but also along multi-step network paths. When brain networks are damaged by stroke, paths can bypass around the damage to restore communication. The shortest network paths between regions could be the most efficient routes for mediating bypasses. We examined how shortest-path bypasses after left hemisphere strokes were related to language performance. Regions within and outside of the canonical language network could be important in aphasia recovery. Therefore, we innovated methods to measure the influence of bypasses in the whole brain. Distinguishing bypasses from all residual shortest paths is difficult without pre-stroke imaging. We identified bypasses by finding shortest paths in subjects with stroke that were longer than those observed in the average network of the most reliably observed connections in age-matched controls. We tested whether features of those bypasses predicted scores in four orthogonal dimensions of language performance derived from a factor analysis of a battery of language tasks. The features were the length of each bypass in steps, and how many bypasses overlapped on each individual direct connection. We related these bypass features to language factors using grid-search cross-validated Support Vector Regression, a technique that extracts robust relationships in high-dimensional data analysis. We discovered that the length of bypasses reliably predicted variance in lexical production (R2 = .576) and auditory comprehension scores (R2 = .164). Bypass overlaps reliably predicted variance in Lexical Production scores (R2 = .247). The predictive elongation features revealed that bypass efficiency along the dorsal stream and ventral stream were most related to Lexical Production and Auditory Comprehension, respectively. Among the predictive bypass overlaps, increased bypass routing through the right hemisphere putamen was negatively related to lexical production ability.
Studying Evolution Using Genome Sequence Data

The accumulation of well-annotated, complete genome sequences now offers an unprecedented view into the biology of microorganisms, including powerful and practical applications such as the inference of metabolic pathways and lifestyle choices without any experimental evidence. The chapter discusses how genome sequences can be used to examine microbial evolution. It reviews the many ways genomes can change over time, how these processes are inferred by analysis of extant sequences, and how these data sets can be employed to address broad-scale evolutionary questions. Genes certainly change by point mutation, and it is primarily this sort of variation among genomes that has been under scrutiny since the dawn of microbial population biology in the 1970s. As bacteria reproduce by binary fission, homologous recombination between genes found among closely related strains was once thought to be rare, with periodic selection of rare advantageous mutations being a popular and fairly well-supported view. In addition to the alteration of existing DNA, genomes may change by the gain of novel genetic information from outside sources. The bacterial origin of genes responsible for fungal invasion of ruminant intestinal tracts was also evident without genome sequences. Deletions can be a major driving force during genome reduction, whereby large portions--perhaps even the majority--of the genetic material of an organism are lost over time, with little gain of new genes. The chapter focuses on inference of phylogeny and organismal evolution, and new biological approaches enabled by complete genome sequences.
Cure Violence: Treating Violence As a Contagious Disease

The Cure Violence Health Model is a health approach for reducing violence. This model is based on established methods that have been shown to control other epidemic diseases. It is derived from a synthesis of the fields of epidemiology, infectious diseases, behavioral science, social psychology, and neuroscience.
Histocompatibility and Reproduction

In all outbreeding populations, fetal and maternal tissues are in intimate juxtaposition, and there is ample evidence to show that the maternal organism responds immunologically to the paternally derived histocompatibility antigens of the fetus (reviewed by Head and Billingham, 1983). This situation has led a number of biologists to consider the fetus as an allograft, and to propose various mechanisms whereby the fetus evades immunological rejection (Medawar, 1953).
Tregs expressing high Tl1a are proinflammatory and do not protect from T cell induced colitis. (CCR5P.204)

Patients with Crohn’s disease have increased mucosal expression of TL1A. TL1A co-stimulates T cells and can promote expansion of activated and regulatory T cells. Mice generated with sustained and elevated T cell expression of Tl1a (L-Tg) have increased Foxp3 + Treg cells yet develop worsened ileitis, proximal migration of colitis and intestinal fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Tl1a in the differentiation and function of Tregs.In the L-Tg mice, the CD4 + T cell population was comprised of GFP high and GFP low cells that correlated with the level of Tl1a expression.Foxp3 expression and suppression function was significantly lower in the Tregs expressing high Tl1a. Indeed, addition of high levels of exogenous rTl1a under iTreg differentiation conditions advances the expansion of IL-13 producing effector T cells. The percentage of GFP high Foxp3 + Tregs co-expressing GATA3 were significantly higher explaining the possible Th2 polarization of Tregs expressing high Tl1a. Additionally, in the T cell transfer model of colitis, RAG mice cotransferred with GFP low Foxp3 + Tregs were better protected from inflammation and weight loss compared to mice cotransferred with GFP high Foxp3 + T cells.These data reveal a novel role for TL1A in regulating T cell mediated immune responses such that the level of Tl1a (high v. low) can differentially influence the expansion of effector and Treg cells leading to either a pro-inflammatory or protective mucosal environment.
Gravitational Lenses: An Update

The impact of gravitational lenses on our knowledge of the Universe is inversely proportional to their scarcity. In the weak-field limit, lensing studies are based on well-established physics and thus offer a direct, simple approach to address many pressing problems of astrophysics and cosmology. Examples of these are the significance of dark matter and the density, age and size of the Universe. I describe examples of these applications. I also present new developments in cosmological applications of gravitational lenses, regarding estimates of the Hubble constant using strong lensing of quasars. I describe our recent measurements of time delays for the images of SDSS J1004+4112, and discuss prospects for the future utilizing synoptic telescopes, planned, under construction, and beginning operations.
The effect of user factors on consumer familiarity with health terms: using gender as a proxy for background knowledge about gender-specific illnesses

An algorithm estimating vocabulary complexity of a consumer health text can help improve readability of consumer health materials. We had previously developed and validated an algorithm predicting lay familiarity with health terms on the basis of the terms' frequency in consumer health texts and experimental data. Present study is part of the program studying the influence of reader factors on familiarity with health terms and concepts. Using gender as a proxy for background knowledge, the study evaluates male and female participants' familiarity with terms and concepts pertaining to three types of health topics: male-specific, female-specific and gender-neutral. Of the terms / concepts of equal predicted difficulty, males were more familiar with those pertaining to neutral and male-specific topics (the effect was especially pronounced for “difficult” terms); no topic effect was observed for females. The implications for tailoring health readability formulas to various target populations are discussed.
In vivo effects of the pure aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist GNF-351 after oral administration are limited to the gastrointestinal tract

Background and Purpose GNF-351 is a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) antagonist that inhibits dioxin response element-dependent and independent activities. Here, the absorption, metabolism and in vivo AHR antagonist activity of GNF-351 were investigated. Experimental Approach LC-MS metabolomics was used to analyse GNF-351 metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant drug-metabolizing enzymes were employed to determine the enzymes involved in GNF-351 metabolism. Analysis of target AHR genes was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of GNF-351 towards AHR activation. Key Results Several phase I metabolites were generated after GNF-351 was incubated with microsomes from human or mouse liver and intestine, including two oxidized GNF-351 and one tri-demethylated GNF-351. Poor absorption from the intestine resulted in no detectable levels of GNF-351 in mouse serum (0–6 h) and urine (24 h) and almost all GNF-351 was found in the faeces after 24 h. Analysis of faeces further revealed all the in vitro phase I metabolites. Novel metabolites were detected, including one di-oxidized GNF-351, two oxidized and tri-demethylated GNF-351, one dehydrogenated product of oxidized GNF-351, and one sulfation product of di-oxidized GNF-351. Cytochromes P450 were demonstrated to be the major enzymes involved in metabolism of GNF-351. After oral administration to mice, GNF-351 readily inhibited β-naphthoflavone-induced AHR activation in ileum and colon, but not that in the liver. Conclusion and Implications While poor absorption and extensive metabolism after oral administration limited the in vivo effects of the pure AHR antagonist GNF-351 in liver, it could be used to inhibit AHR activation in intestine and colon.