cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seldom come by. The worthwhileness of a career in surgery.

The title of my essay is the name of a town a long way Down East, and my subject is the joy of surgery, the magic stuff, the grail that once moved every doctor in this room to become a surgeon and that even now beckons through the jading mists of tedium and time. Strip away the corrupting dullness and look afresh at our profession. I contend it to be the most splendiferous of all professions and will argue this: first, with a distant mirror on medical adventuring in a remote island setting and, second, with a hand lens applied to three wonders of the surgeon's world, wonders of the body, mind, and spirit. THE SURGEON'S CHARMED LIFE IN A REMOTE SETTING Come with me to Newfoundland, where, during the summer between the third and fourth years at Harvard Medical School, classmates, Jerry Foster and Arnold Nevis, and I first
Tag-based modularity in tree-based genetic programming

Several techniques have been developed for allowing genetic programming systems to produce programs that make use of subroutines, macros, and other modular program structures. A recently proposed technique, based on the "tagging" and tag-based retrieval of blocks of code, has been shown to have novel and desirable features, but this was demonstrated only within the context of the PushGP genetic programming system. Following a suggestion in the GECCO-2011 publication on this technique we show here how tag-based modules can be incorporated into a more standard tree-based genetic programming system. We describe the technique in detail along with some possible extensions, outline arguments for its simplicity and potential power, and present results obtained using the technique on problems for which other modularization techniques have been shown to be useful. The results are mixed; substantial benefits are seen on the lawnmower problem but not on the Boolean even-4-parity problem. We discuss the observed results and directions for future research.
The Inferelator: an algorithm for learning parsimonious regulatory networks from systems-biology data sets de novo

We present a method (the Inferelator) for deriving genome-wide transcriptional regulatory interactions, and apply the method to predict a large portion of the regulatory network of the archaeon Halobacterium NRC-1. The Inferelator uses regression and variable selection to identify transcriptional influences on genes based on the integration of genome annotation and expression data. The learned network successfully predicted Halobacterium's global expression under novel perturbations with predictive power similar to that seen over training data. Several specific regulatory predictions were experimentally tested and verified.
The Physiological Expression of Living in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods for Youth

Evidence suggests that the consequences of chronic exposure to stressors extend beyond psychological effects, and that adolescents living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods may experience an accumulation of exposure to stressors that wears down the physical systems in the body, resulting in hyper-activation of the stress response. This research examines the relationship between exposure to neighborhood stressors and salivary cortisol reactivity in a sample of 163 at-risk African American adolescents (average age 21; 50 % female) living in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. More specifically, the relationship between neighborhood stressors and physiological stress, measured by baseline cortisol and cortisol reactivity is assessed. This research also examines several moderating pathways between exposure to neighborhood disadvantage and cortisol reactivity including substance use, high effort coping, psychological stress and social support. Results indicate that both individual and neighborhood-level factors influence adolescent cortisol. High effort coping and psychological stress were associated with cortisol in the sample, and exposure to neighborhood socio-economic disadvantage resulted in an atypical cortisol response. In addition, neighborhood disadvantage interacted with intra- and interpersonal factors to affect cortisol indirectly. Thus, living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may take a psychological and physiological toll on adolescents, and it also may exert synergistic effects through individual coping and vulnerabilities.
Simulation analysis of virtual geographic routing

Homeland defense applications will use large-scale ad-hoc networks of small devices. Routing is a crucial problem, for naive means do not scale well. Geographic routing (GR) (Karp 2000; Giordano, Stojmenovic, and Blazevic 2003) offers hope for scalability, under the assumption that every device knows its geographic coordinates, e.g., through GPS. This solution is unsuitable though when there is no easy means of establishing a device's physical location, indoors. To address this limitation we propose virtual geographic routing where we construct a virtual coordinate space and use GR within it. This paper describes VGR, compares the characteristics of paths VGR identifies with those that GR identifies, then presents theoretical and empirical evidence for its scalability.
Processing, structural and electrical properties of electrically conductive adhesives

There is growing interest in the potential of electrically conducting metal-loaded polymer adhesives for solder replacement in electrical lead attachment. Eight commercial electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) pastes were selected for study, including both thermosetting and thermoplastic examples. All were silver based, except for one nickel-polymer composite. >
Fertility in essential tremor. Data from population-based and clinical sources.

Background: The view of essential tremor (ET) as a degenerative disorder, which is now gaining support from postmortem studies, is at odds with traditional views of ET as a ‘super-h
Expect Confrontation, Not Compromise: The 112th House of Representatives Is Likely to Be the Most Conservative and Polarized House in the Modern Era

An examination of the results of the recent midterm elections indicates that the new House of Representatives will probably be the most conservative and ideologically polarized House since the end of World War II. Republicans will hold 242 seats after a net gain of 63 seats, constituting the largest Republican majority in the House of Representatives since the 80th Congress (1947–49), which also had 242 Republican members.
Organizational complements to electronic health records in ambulatory physician performance: the role of support staff

In industries outside healthcare, highly skilled employees enable substantial gains in productivity after adoption of information technologies. The authors explore whether the presence of highly skilled, autonomous clinical support staff is associated with higher performance among physicians with electronic health records (EHRs). Using data from a survey of general internists, the authors assessed whether physicians with EHRs were more likely to be top performers on cost and quality if they worked with nurse practitioners or physician assistants. It was found that, among physicians with EHRs, those with highly skilled, autonomous staff were far more likely to be top performing than those without such staff (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.7 to 34.8, p=0.02). This relationship did not hold among physicians without EHRs (OR 1.0). As we begin a national push towards greater EHR adoption, it is critical to understand why some physicians gain from EHR use and others do not.
Flexible estimation of covariance function by penalized spline with application to longitudinal family data.

Longitudinal data are routinely collected in biomedical research studies. A natural model describing longitudinal data decomposes an individual's outcome as the sum of a population mean function and random subject-specific deviations. When parametric assumptions are too restrictive, methods modeling the population mean function and the random subject-specific functions nonparametrically are in demand. In some applications, it is desirable to estimate a covariance function of random subject-specific deviations. In this work, flexible yet computationally efficient methods are developed for a general class of semiparametric mixed effects models, where the functional forms of the population mean and the subject-specific curves are unspecified. We estimate nonparametric components of the model by penalized spline (P-spline, Biometrics 2001; 57:253–259), and reparameterize the random curve covariance function by a modified Cholesky decomposition (Biometrics 2002; 58:121–128) which allows for unconstrained estimation of a positive-semidefinite matrix. To provide smooth estimates, we penalize roughness of fitted curves and derive closed-form solutions in the maximization step of an EM algorithm. In addition, we present models and methods for longitudinal family data where subjects in a family are correlated and we decompose the covariance function into a subject-level source and observation-level source. We apply these methods to the multi-level Framingham Heart Study data to estimate age-specific heritability of systolic blood pressure nonparametrically. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epilepsy spectrum disorders: A concept in need of validation or refutation

Episodic psychiatric symptoms are not uncommon and range from panic attacks to repeated violent acts. Some evidence has accumulated over the years that at least in a subset of patients exhibiting these symptoms there may be evidence for the presence of focal cortical/subcortical hyperexcitability. In these cases the condition could be conceptualized as an epilepsy spectrum disorder (ESD) with significant treatment implications. There is currently no clear demarcation of this category of symptoms, their prevalence, an understanding of how these symptoms occur, what is appropriate work up and possible treatments. In this article, we propose that milder degrees of increased neural excitability (i.e., a subthreshold excitation insufficient to cause seizures) may nonetheless be capable of causing observable phenotypic changes. The observable phenotypic changes depend on the degree of hyperexcitability and the location of the hyperexcitable neural tissue. The location of the abnormal neural tissue may dictate the initial manifestation of an attack resulting from activation of the hyperexcitable tissue, but the anatomical connectivity of the abnormal region will dictate the breadth of manifestations. We provide some evidence, derived mainly from either electroencephalography studies of these populations or clinical reports of response to anti-epilepsy treatment, for the assumption and propose methods to test the advanced hypothesis.
Facilitating Complex Learning by Mobile Augmented Reality Learning Environments

The widespread ownership of mobile devices has lead to an increased interest to ubiquitous learning that is supported by a wide range of mobile devices. Mobile learning (m-learning) is referred to as when the process of learning and teaching occurs with the use of mobile devices anywhere and anytime. These developments have led to new research challenges in integrating formal and informal learning opportunities in technological supported environments. Therefore, this chapter is intended to provide an overview on how complex learning may be facilitated by mobile augmented reality learning environments and discuss technological, theoretical, and assessment challenges that must be addressed by future research for mobile augmented reality learning environments to fulfill its potential.
SECONDARY MARKET STABILIZATION OF IPOs

Underwriting syndicates routinely “stabilize” the secondary market price for poorly received initial public offerings. Price stabilization practices, particularly the use of “penalty bids” aimed at discouraging immediate resale or “flipping” of IPO shares, recently have triggered litigation and attracted the attention of the regulatory community. Much of the attention has focused on the allegation that a disproportionate share of the burden of price stabilization efforts is borne by individual investors. After describing the various practices that fall under the rubric of price stabilization, this article provides several economic rationales for what is by definition a manipulative but legal practice. It also summarizes recently published evidence characterizing the winners and losers from price stabilization and presents a number of conclusions from a recent roundtable discussion among practitioners, regulators, and academics held at the Boston College Carroll School of Management that might serve as a guide to policymakers.
Restoring Exotic Coordinations to Normalcy

I analyze two instances in German where coordinations seem to violate Ross's (1967) Coordinate Structure Constraint. I follow Schwarz 1998 and argue that the two constructions are underlyingly the same, one deriving from the other through gapping. Using the thesis that the verb-final word order in German involves a short leftward movement of the finite verb or verb phrase, I provide a method of avoiding the Coordinate Structure Constraint violation that would otherwise be expected.
Using molecular beacons as a sensitive fluorescence assay for enzymatic cleavage of single-stranded DNA

Traditional methods to assay enzymatic cleavage of DNA are discontinuous and time consuming. In contrast, recently developed fluorescence methods are continuous and convenient. However, no fluorescence method has been developed for single-stranded DNA digestion. Here we introduce a novel method, based on molecular beacons, to assay single-stranded DNA cleavage by single strand-specific nucleases. A molecular beacon, a hairpin-shaped DNA probe labeled with a fluorophore and a quencher, is used as the substrate and enzymatic cleavage leads to fluorescence enhancement in the molecular beacon. This method permits real time detection of DNA cleavage and makes it easy to characterize the activity of DNA nucleases and to study the steady-state cleavage reaction kinetics. The excellent sensitivity, reproducibility and convenience will enable molecular beacons to be widely useful for the study of single-stranded DNA cleaving reactions.
Radionuclide diuresis pyelography.

AbstractRadionuclide diuresis renography continues to be relied upon as a major diagnostic tool to differentiate obstructive and nonobstructive hydronephrosis. Controversy continues to exist with respect to methodology and interpretation of intermediate obstructive patterns. In this study radionuclide diuresis pyelography was performed in 11 renal units with hydronephrosis and a preexisting percutaneous nephrostomy tube in place. The procedure consisted of the introduction per kidney of 20 μc./kg. 99mtechnetium-diethylenetriaxninepentaacetic acid and sterile saline as a bolus into the renal pelvis via a percutaneous nephrostomy tube to produce a volume equal to the capacity of the hydronephrotic system. The kidney was monitored with a gamma camera and computer system. Furosemide (0.3mg./kg.) was injected intravenously halfway into a 40-minute study. The time/activity curves thus generated were relatively independent of the cortical transport phase. The 2 types of curves were accelerated and constant. Anal...
Ig Constant Region Effects on Variable Region Structure and Function

The adaptive humoral immune response is responsible for the generation of antimicrobial proteins known as immunoglobulin molecules or antibodies. Immunoglobulins provide a defense system against pathogenic microbes and toxins by targeting them for removal and/or destruction. Historically, antibodies have been thought to be composed of distinct structural domains known as the variable and constant regions that are responsible for antigen binding and mediating effector functions such as opsonization and complement activation, respectively. These domains were thought to be structurally and functionally independent. Recent work has revealed however, that in some families of antibodies, the two regions can influence each other. We will discuss the body of work that led to these observations, as well as the mechanisms that have been proposed to explain how these two different antibody regions may interact in the function of antigen binding.
Comparative Studies of Antigen Injected into Adults and Neonatal Rabbits

Tolerance induced in newborn rahhits (l–4) by an injection of soluble protein antigen resulted in a state of specific unresponsiveness that was dependent in duration upon the amount of antigen injected at birth. Influenced by these findings Medawar (5) modified an earlier definition of tolerance to read: “if an animal is exposed to an antigen before it has developed the capacity to react against it, then the development of that capacity is delayed and, in the continued presence of antigen, can be indefinitely postponed.” Within the past decade, additional investigations have confirmed and extended the earlier findings, but the lack of information on antigen handling by the neonate and the questionable persistence of antigen during maturation provide justification for the present studies.
A new species of Hohenbergia (Bromeliaceae) endemic to the Dolphin Head Mountains in western Jamaica

Recent botanical expeditions to the Dolphin Head Mountains in western Jamaica allowed the collection of different specimens of a new species, Hohenbergia rohan-estyi, an enigmatic plant that resembles the also Jamaican-endemic H. negrilensis. In this study, we describe H. rohan-estyi and include notes on its geographical distribution, habitat, conservation status and taxonomy. The length of the stipes and number of flowers per spike permit the differentiation of H. rohan-estyi from H. negrilensis . In addition, the geographic distributions of these two species do not overlap, as H. rohan-estyi inhabits mountainous forests of the Dolphin Head region while H. negrilensis occurs in coastal areas of western Jamaica. Finally, H. rohan-estyi is the third species of Hohenbergia reported as endemic to the Dolphin Head Mountains, indicating the importance of this area in the evolution and conservation of the genus in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Two-step optimization and decision model for opening electromagnetic loops

In order to improve the grid safety and stability, we put forward a two-step optimization and decision method for opening electromagnetic loop circuits. Firstly, several parts from the low voltage level network are separated in the electromagnetic loop circuit using the GN dividing algorithm and complex network theory according to the distribution of center stations and the characteristics of network structures. The scheme set for opening electromagnetic loop circuits is generated in accordance with the sequence that every part separated from the network in the dividing process. Then, aiming at the contradiction between improving the system stability and limiting the short circuit current, a comprehensive evaluation model based on the analytic hierarchy process is built. The systematic and quantitative assessments on opening electromagnetic loop circuits are realized by the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation algorithm. Case studies verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
The Difference a Day Makes: Timely Disclosure and Trading Efficiency in the Muni Market

We estimate the trading costs, intra-day price dispersion, and trading volumes before and after the January 31, 2005 introduction of the Real-Time Report System (RTRS), which requires all municipal bond trades to be reported within 15 minutes of trading, a reduction from a one-day delay. Our results show that both retail investors and institutions benefit from a significant reduction in overall trading costs and intra-day price dispersion. Overall trading costs decline by an average of 43 basis points, a 23% decline. We further decompose the components of trading costs into intermediation costs and dealers’ bargaining power. We find that retail investors benefit primarily from the reduction in intermediation costs, while average size institutions experience the largest reduction in bargaining power related costs. Finally, the RTRS had differential impacts on the trading activities of bonds. Less actively traded bonds experienced a significant increase in trading volumes, while trading in more actively traded bonds decreased. Our evidence implies that more timely disclosure has reduced transaction costs in the secondary market for municipal bonds. This complements and contrasts with Schultz (2012) that finds no significant reduction in trading costs in the primary market for municipal bonds following the introduction of the RTRS.
Practice Gaps: Drug Reactions

The term "drug reactions" is relevant to dermatology in three categories of reactions: cutaneous drug reactions without systemic features, cutaneous drug reactions with systemic features, and systemic drugs prescribed by the dermatologist with systematic adverse effects. This article uses examples from each of these categories to illustrate several important principles central to drug reaction diagnosis and management. The information presented will help clinicians attain the highest possible level of certainty before making clinical decisions.
How Can We Achieve GLAM? Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges to Integrating Metadata across Museums, Archives, and Libraries: Part 2

ABSTRACTThis IFLA Rare Books and Special Collections Section presentation and discussion grew out of a panel discussion of the same title held at CIDOC's annual meeting in September, 2015. Ideas drawn from the panel discussion were presented to IFLA participants for further commentary. The author prefaces the open discussion with brief contextual information about how the library, archives, and museums sectors are addressing the challenge of metadata integration. Megan Phillips, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, leads an open discussion, an edited transcript of which forms the main part of this article.
Reading the novel Stone Dreams on the 100th anniversary of the “Great Catastrophe”

The article analyzes the Stone Dreams novel by the famous Azeri writer Akram Aylisli. Published in the Russian literary journal Druzhba Narodov (Friendship of the People) in December 2012, it condemned anti-Armenian pogroms in the republic and in the cities of Baku and Sumgait in particular at the end of the 1980s. The novel also refers to the massacre committed by Turkish troops on Christmas of 1919 in the midst of the Armenian Genocide, 1915–1923. At that time, Turkish commander Adif-bey ordered the mass execution of the Armenian population in the author’s home village Aylis (Agulis in Armenian). Almost all Armenians were killed, with the exception of a few young girls who by the late 1980s had turned into gray-haired women. The writer knew them when he was a young man, and the whole of his narrative was based on the stories that were told by the older people in the village. The novel caused mass outrage in Azerbaijan, for allegedly being one-sided. This included mass demonstrations in front of the auth...
Phosphatase-Stable Phosphoamino Acid Mimetics That Enhance Binding Affinities with the Polo-Box Domain of Polo-like Kinase 1.

(2S,3R)-2-Amino-3-methyl-4-phosphonobutanoic acid (Pmab) is a phosphatase-stable analogue of phosphothreonine (pThr), which has been used in a variety of biological contexts. Among these applications are peptidomimetic ligands that bind to the polo-box domain (PBD) of polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) with affinities approaching that of the corresponding pThr-containing peptides. However, Pmab is not widely used, because there are no direct, high-yield preparations of suitably protected reagent. We have now achieved an efficient synthesis of protected Pmab, as well as variants with different substituents at the 3R center. When incorporated into our peptidomimetic scaffold, these new Pmab analogues exhibit Plk1 PBD-binding affinities that are several-fold higher than Pmab, yet retain good selectivity for Plk1 relative to the PBDs of Plk2 and Plk3. These findings will significantly impact the future development of PBD-binding inhibitors, as well as ligands directed against a broad spectrum of pThr-dependent processes.
A Conceptual Model of Territory Management Among Groups in Organizations

Existing literature has provided evidence that territories may be important at the levels of individuals and professions. The present paper argues that territories are also important to groups insi...
Cardiovascular Mortality Differences-Place Matters.

The substantial decline in death rates from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the United States represents one of the greatest biomedical research and public health achievements of the 20th century.1,2 For example, the age-adjusted death rate for heart disease in 2015 (168.5 per 100 000) represented a nearly 70% reduction compared with rates 50 years earlier (542.5 per 100 000).
In Vivo Animal Modeling: Drosophila

Abstract Fundamental biomedical discoveries have been made using Drosophila melanogaster for over a century. The importance of this organism to the modern understanding of genetics, developmental biology, signaling pathways, and neuroscience cannot be understated. These insights have provided a basis for modern applications to medicine. In recent years the expanded toolkits available to Drosophila researchers have been applied to studies of rare disease, human mutations, pathologic aggregates in neurodegenerative disease, and many other clinical questions. While it is not possible to discuss all the applications, we provide an overview for the clinician wishing to gain insight from Drosophila. We provide a perspective geared to someone wishing to understand disease, to complement the excellent resources that provide an introduction to the fruitfly in general. We also discuss some of the more successful approaches in studying disease with fruitflies, and argue that some study designs (e.g., overexpression studies) should be explored with caution. Finally we suggest a strong future in fly research in general and in specific application to human disease in the era of personalized medicine.
Occupancy Patterns of Gulf Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, Associated with Ship Island, Mississippi

ABSTRACT Vick, P.E.; Peterson, M.S.; Slack, W.T., and Grammer, P.O., 2018. Occupancy patterns of Gulf Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, associated with Ship Island, Mississippi. In order to reduce wave energy associated with tropical storms and hurricanes in the western Mississippi Sound, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program will close a 5.6 km breach (i.e. Camille Cut) separating East and West Ship Island, Mississippi, and restore sediments to the southern shoreline of East Ship Island. As part of this program, federally designated critical Gulf Sturgeon habitat associated with Ship Island was monitored to establish baseline patterns of use prior to island restoration using a passive acoustic array during overwintering periods from 2011 to 2014. Gulf Sturgeon of both western and eastern populations occupied the passes, cuts, and ends of Ship Island over the study period, but no difference in occupancy was observed among four initially established zones. However, when comparing the new most ...
Risk Assessment for Air Pollutants

This chapter discusses risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication in the field of health effects of air pollution. Risk is defined as a statistical probability that a harmful event will occur. Therefore, in the field of air pollution health effects risk pertains to the probability that exposure to a certain air pollutant will result in a given adverse physiiological effect in the defined population. A formal risk assessment protocol is divided into four parts: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization (see Table 17-1).
A comparative study of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among adolescents in 49 Low-and-Middle-Income Countries

Physical inactivity and low consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) during adolescence may persist through adulthood, putting adolescents at risk of developing chronic diseases. Although studies from high-income countries have reported differences in FV consumption and physical activity (PA) between adolescent boys and girls, few exist from low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, we examined patterns of FV consumption and PA among adolescent boys and girls in LMICs. Country selection was based on availability of Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) data from 2004 to 2013. The total analytic sample was 164,771 adolescents from 49 LMICs. Descriptive statistics were generated to determine adolescents meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for FV and PA. A Rao-Scott adjusted chi-square statistic was computed to assess gender differences. Less than 30% of adolescents across all countries met the WHO guidelines for FV consumption or PA. Morocco (29.5%) and India (29.5%) however had the highest percentage of adolescents meeting recommendations for FV and PA, respectively. Adolescent boys were more active than girls, and this difference was more notable in the Middle East and North African region. Adolescents achieving the WHO recommendations for daily consumption of FV and PA were consistently low in all countries.
Discussion of the Time-Series Results

In this chapter, we provide a detailed summary and discussion of the time-series results just recorded, beginning with a summary tabulation of the steady-state price and total-expenditure elasticities. These are given in Table 16.1. In addition to the elasticities, the table includes the form of dynamic model estimated, the implied steady-state budget shares for the B–C and state-adjustment models, and actual budget shares for 2004.
Should a Gay Physician in a Small Community Disclose His Sexual Orientation

Should a gay physician practicing in a small, socially conservative community disclose his sexual orientation? Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Phonon anomalies in beta -phase NixAl1-x alloys.

The electronic band structure of {beta}-phase Ni{sub {ital x}}Al{sub 1{minus}{ital x}} has been calculated using a first-principles linear combination of atomic orbitals method, and then fitted by the nonorthogonal empirical tight-binding method for the evaluation of electron-phonon matrix elements. A Kohn-like anomaly in the TA{sub 2} branch along the (110) direction is attributed to both strong electron-phonon interactions and Fermi-surface nesting. Other phonon anomalies near {bold q}=0.55(1,1,1){pi}/{ital a} and {bold q}=0.6(1,0,0){pi}/{ital a} in {beta}-phase Ni{sub 0.50}Al{sub 0.50} are predicted. For the Ni{sub 0.625}Al{sub 0.375} composition, the TA{sub 2} anomaly shifts to smaller wave vectors and the phonon is predicted to be soft at {ital T}=0 K. Introducing a thermal smearing of the Fermi surface is enough to stabilize this mode, which occurs near (1/3, 1/3,0){pi}/{ital a} and is associated with the well-known martensitic transformation.
Conservation and monographic research on the flora of Tropical America

Monographs provide fundamental data critical to making informed conservation decisions. Do modern monographs, however, contribute to our knowledge of the diversity of the Neotropical flora or has most of the enumeration of species already been accomplished in older monographs, floristic treatments, and other research? How well monographed is the Neotropical flora and what is the approximate number of Neotropical plant species new to science that await description? Authors of 76 recent monographs of the Neotropical flora recognized a total of 8711 species, of which 2487 (29%) were new species described by the author of the monograph during the course of the research. The number of species of flowering plants new to science remaining to be described is estimated to be ca. 22000, or about 25 percent of the total flora. These estimates show the critical importance of the contributions of monographers to an accurate and complete inventory of Neotropical plant diversity.
Robust erythroid differentiation system for rhesus hematopoietic progenitor cells allowing preclinical screening of genetic treatment strategies for the hemoglobinopathies.

Background aims γ-globin expression can be induced by various gene modification strategies, which could be beneficial for hemoglobin (Hb) disorders. To translate promising ideas into clinics, large animal models have proven valuable to evaluate safety and efficacy of the approaches; however, in vitro erythroid differentiation methods have not been established to determine whether they can be modeled in nonhuman primates. Methods We optimized erythroid differentiation culture to produce high-level adult Hb from rhesus hematopoietic progenitor cells by using low (LC) or high cytokine concentration (HC) protocols with or without feeder cells. In addition, we established rhesus globin protein analysis using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results Robust adult Hb production at protein levels was observed in the LC protocol when feeder cells were used, whereas the HC protocol resulted in higher baseline fetal Hb levels (P Discussion In conclusion, we developed an efficient rhesus erythroid differentiation protocol from hematopoietic progenitor cells with low fetal and high adult Hb production. Further studies are warranted to optimize gene modification and transplantation of rhesus hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Friendship as a social mechanism influencing body mass index (BMI) among emerging adults.

Background Social relationships have been proposed as a significant factor shaping obesity risk. The first year of college, a period of major social, behavioral, and weight changes, provides a context well-suited to tracking longitudinally the impact of shifting friendships on weight outcomes. This study sought to identify social mechanisms impacting BMI change among emerging adults. Methods An analytic sample of 276 college students (71.0% female, 52.2% non-White) provided repeated reports of relationships and BMI was measured up to four times during 2015–2016. Stochastic actor-oriented models were used to examine change in BMI through social influence and change in friendships over time, controlling for sex and race/ethnicity. Results At baseline, mean BMI was 24.2±4.5 kg/m2. Overall, mean BMI increased over time; individual decreases in BMI were uncommon. There was a selection effect of BMI: participants with BMIs between 22 and 26 kg/m2 were most likely to be nominated as a friend. While participants did not select friends based on BMI similarity, participants who were reported as friends were more likely to experience convergence in BMI over time relative to the BMIs of non-friends (p = 0.015). An increase in BMI (versus stability or a decrease) was more likely for those whose friends had a higher BMI on average compared to participants whose friends had the same or lower BMI (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.22, 6.71). Conclusion Analyses indicated BMI affected friend selection, not through students selecting friends with similar BMI, but rather, by students avoiding friends with more extreme BMI levels.
Experimentally-Induced Inflammation Predicts Present Focus

Here, we provide an experimental test of the relationship between levels of proinflammatory cytokines and present-focused decision-making. We examined whether increases in salivary levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and interleukin-6) engendered by visually priming immunologically-relevant threats (pathogen threat, physical harm) and opportunities (mating) predicted temporal discounting, a key component of present-focused decision-making. As hypothesized, results revealed that each experimental manipulation led to a significant rise in both salivary interleukin-1β and interleukin-6. Moreover, post-manipulation levels of each cytokine independently predicted temporal discounting across conditions. These results were not moderated by pre-manipulation levels of either cytokine, nor were they found using the difference between pre- and post-manipulation levels of cytokines as a predictor. Together, these results suggest that levels of proinflammatory cytokines may play a mechanistic role in the desire for immediately available rewards.
Voltage-Clamp Analysis and Computer Simulation of a Novel Cesium-Resistant A-Current in Guinea Pig Laterodorsal Tegmental Neurons

Sanchez, Russell M., Alisa Surkis, and Christopher S. Leonard. Voltage-clamp analysis and computer simulation of a novel cesium-resistant A-current in guinea pig laterodorsal tegmental neurons. J. ...
You Are What You Eat: Connecting Food with Identity in Paul Beatty’s THE SELLOUT

In her paper, “Out of the Frying Pan: Food in Fiction”, Kerri Majors extolls the use of food as an extension of character in fiction, as well as its role in adding “texture” to the stories in which...
An integrated seafloor habitat map to inform marine spatial planning and management: a case study from Long Island Sound (Northwest Atlantic)

Abstract Long Island Sound (LIS) is a large estuary on the Atlantic coast of the highly developed northeast United States. However, limited spatially comprehensive habitat information has been available at sufficient resolution to inform planning and management of conflicting uses. A pilot project was conducted at a site with diverse topography and sediment characteristics in central LIS. The aim of the study was to develop methodologies to characterize the variety of benthic habitats and infaunal and epifaunal communities. This information was then used to produce habitat maps to inform stakeholders and decision-makers. Backscatter was processed using supervised segmentation with final acoustic “habitat” patches defined by sediment grain size, bathymetry, slope, and a topographic roughness index. Ecological attributes were determined using diversity indices and multivariate and image analyses of species composition data collected seasonally via grab samples, photography, and video. Some community dominants exhibited stability across seasons while others were seasonal in occurrence. Linkages between species and community distributions to seafloor characteristics occurred across multiple spatial scales. An integrated habitat map synthesized the general characteristics of seafloor habitats and associated species to provide a first order visualization of this complex subtidal landscape.
Celestina as Parrhesiastes: Parrhesia and Truth in Celestina’s Visits to Melibea

In Fernando de Rojas’ La Celestina truth and truth-telling are dangerous activities that could lead the characters to be harmed or killed. After Michel Foucault’s 1983 series of conferences and cla...
New Molecular Insights into Aggregation of Pure and Mixed Asphaltenes in the Presence of n-Octylphenol Inhibitor

Asphaltene stability can be perturbed during the oil production and transportation, leading to asphaltene precipitation and deposition. Chemical inhibitors are usually added to the oil phase to pos...
Thioredoxin restores nitric oxide-induced inhibition of protein kinase C activity in lung endothelial cells.

We previously reported that exposure to exogenous nitric oxide (NO) causes diminished expression of thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase, a critical component of the redox system that regulates the functions of redox-sensitive enzymes, receptors, and transcription factors. Here we examined the role of thioredoxin in NO-induced inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) isoform(s) and potential interaction of PKC and thioredoxin in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) in culture. Exposure to NO gas (8 ppm) significantly diminished the catalytic activity of the representative isoforms of the conventional, novel, and atypical PKCs α,e, and ζ, respectively, in PAEC. Further examination of NO's effect on PKC-ζ revealed that NO-induced inhibition of the catalytic activity of PKC-ζ was time-dependent and regulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism. NO-induced loss of the catalytic activity of PKC-ζ was restored by incubation with the disulfide reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) as well as by purified thioredoxin or thioredoxin reductase. Confocal imaging studies revealed co-localization of PKC and thioredoxin in PAEC. These results indicate that: (1) NO-induced inhibition of PKC isoforms is associated with S-nitrosylation-mediated disulfide formation of active site thiols in PKC-ζ as the disulfide reducing agent DTT and/or the thioredoxin enzyme system restore PKC-ζ catalytic activity and (2) NO causes oxidation of endogenous thioredoxin as exogenous reduced thioredoxin or thioredoxin reductase are required to reduce thioredoxin and to restore the catalytic activity of PKC-ζ in PAEC.
A Core Subset of the ex situ Collection of S. demissum at the US Potato Genebank

Useful genetic diversity found in wild potato germplasm is important for progress in potato breeding and science. An effective way to maximize its utilization is through characterization of ex situ collections. For example, marker-based core subsets from large collections are an effective strategy to accelerate evaluation, utilize germplasm, and enhance cost-effectiveness. This project used AFLP markers to create a core subset for the US Potato Genebank’s collection of S. demissum. This species from Mexico and Guatemala is known for excellent levels of late blight resistance and frost tolerance. A total of 149 accessions with diverse geographic origin were characterized with 1403 AFLP markers; these markers were effective on determining genetic associations among the accessions. For the core subset, the AFLP loci were considered as traits, with the presence of the marker as the required state to include in a core. The results of the analyses identified that 10 of the accessions of S. demissum captured 83% of all the markers detected in the whole collection. The inclusion of 28 additional accessions, which had between 1 to 5 unique markers, resulted in a core set of 38 accessions that captured 96% of all the marker diversity. We expect this can benefit the genebank and the potato community by opening opportunities for research, trait screenings, and marker association studies.
Adaptable Design: Building Multi-Modal Content for Flexible Law School Teaching

This essay discusses ways to build course content that can easily toggle between face-to-face and online modes of instruction. It is meant as a quick, practical guide for law professors faced with challenging teaching circumstances due to Covid-19 and campus closures. This idea for “adaptable design” is based largely on my own experience moving face-to-face courses online. I try to avoid delving too much into technical definitions and pedagogical theory, instead focusing on personal experience and examples. Although Covid-19 has created an immediate need for adaptable design, I hope this essay proves to be a resource beyond our immediate reactions to a global pandemic and can be useful for anyone seeking to innovate in their law school courses. (This essay will appear in St. Louis Law Journal’s Teaching Series in Spring 2021. In keeping with the style of the series, footnotes are kept to a minimum.)
Post Production PMSM Position Sensor Offset Error Quantification via Voltage Estimation

This paper proposes a strategy to quantify a position sensor offset induced in a post-production (after calibration) permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drive system under field-oriented control while in operation. The importance of the position signal in a PMSM drive system is presented with results on the system behavior during a position sensor offset error. Subsequently, an algorithm is presented to quantify the induced error in real-time, based on voltage estimates. Simulation and experimental results are presented to justify the algorithm performance.
Refining a model for understanding and characterizing instructor pedagogy in informal physics learning environments

University students and faculty who volunteer in informal settings largely employ previously identified pedagogical modes, but presemester training is insufficient to influence their choices.
Device profile of the XVision-spine (XVS) augmented-reality surgical navigation system: overview of its safety and efficacy

Introduction: The field of augmented reality mediated spine surgery is growing rapidly and holds great promise for improving surgical capabilities and patient outcomes. Augmented reality can assist with complex or atypical cases involving challenging anatomy. As neuronavigation evolves, fundamental technical limitations remain in line-of-sight interruption and operator attention shift, which this novel augmented reality technology helps to address.Areas covered: XVision is a recently FDA-approved head mounted display for intraoperative neuronavigation, compatible with all current conventional pedicle screw technology. The device is a wireless, customizable headset with an integrated surgical tracking system and transparent retinal display. This review discusses the available literature on the safety and efficacy of XVision, as well as the current state of augmented reality technology in spine surgery.Expert opinion: Augmented-reality spine surgery is an emerging technology that may increase precision, efficiency, and safety as well as decrease radiation exposure of manual and robotic computer-navigated pedicle screw insertion techniques. The initial clinical experience with XVision has shown good outcomes and it has received positive operator feedback. Now that initial clinical safety and efficacy has been demonstrated, ongoing experience must be studied to empirically validate this technology and generate further innovation in this rapidly evolving field.
A literature synthesis resolves litter intrinsic constraints on fungal dynamics and decomposition across standing dead macrophytes

The standing dead phase is an important stage in the decomposition of emergent vegetation in marsh wetlands, yet few studies have examined how intrinsic litter traits constrain rates of standing litter decomposition or fungal colonization across plant tissue types or species. To address broad constraints on the decomposition of standing dead litter, we conducted a systematic survey of emergent standing dead decomposition studies that measured decay rates and/or fungal biomass, and litter % lignin, carbon:nitrogen (C:N) and/or carbon:phosphorus (C:P). Across 52 datasets, litter of low C:N and C:P ratios exhibited increased decomposition rates (r = −0.737 and −0.645, respectively), whereas % lignin was not significantly correlated with decomposition rates (r = 0.149). Mixed‐effects models for litter decomposition rates indicated significant effects of litter molar C:N and C:N + lignin as an additive model, with the former providing marginally better support. Litter % lignin, however, was strongly negatively correlated with fungal biomass (r = −0.669), indicating greater fungal colonization of low‐lignin litter, and not correlated with C:N (r = −0.337) and C:P (r = −0.456) ratios. The best‐supported model predicting fungal biomass was litter molar C:N, with the C:N + lignin additive model also showing significant effects. Fungal carbon‐use efficiency (CUE) also had a strong negative correlation with % lignin (r = −0.604), molar C:N (r = −0.323) and C:P (r = −0.632) across datasets. Our study demonstrates the constraining effects that litter stoichiometry and % lignin elicit on decomposition of standing dead litter and fungal colonization, respectively. These findings improve our understanding of biogeochemical cycling and prediction of the fates of C and nutrients in wetlands.