cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional aspects of the subunit association-dissociation equilibria of hemoglobin.

Abstract Human hemoglobin has been studied in parallel experiments on structure and function. Structure has been examined in terms of the extent of dissociation into subunits in very dilute solutions by sedimentation velocity and equilibrium experiments with a scanning ultracentrifuge. Functional properties of the hemoglobin solutions have been evaluated by two rapid kinetic approaches, stopped flow mixing experiments with deoxyhemoglobin and carbon monoxide and flash photolysis experiments with CO-hemoglobin. The experiments indicate that the dissociation of tetrameric CO-hemoglobin into dimers is accompanied by a transition in kinetic properties from a slow rate of recombination with CO following a flash (k ∼ 1.5 x 105 m-1 sec-1) to a rapid rate of recombination (k ∼ 6 x 106 m-1 sec-1). The correlation of dissociation into dimeric units with enhancement in CO recombination rate is maintained under several conditions for which the tetramer-dimer equilibrium is considerably altered by the addition of salts, such as NaCl and triethylamine-HCl. In the standard buffer, 0.1 m phosphate, pH 7.0, the tetramer-dimer equilibrium is described by a dissociation constant of about 2 x 10-6 m (in heme). The dissociation of deoxyhemoglobin into subunits has also been studied by ultracentrifugation of dilute solutions under anaerobic conditions in the presence of dithionite. Compared to liganded hemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin has a much lower tendency to dissociate, and the dissociation is much less sensitive to the addition of salts. In phosphate buffer alone, a dissociation constant of K4,2 ∼ 10-7 m is found. Values for the dissociation constant of about 5 x 10-7 m are obtained under conditions which facilitate dissociation (2 m triethylamine-HCl). Companion studies, on the functional properties of these solutions by stopped flow kinetic analysis, show no transition in kinetic properties in the range of protein concentration where dissociation to dimers occurs. The slowly reacting behavior typical of strong solutions of tetrameric hemoglobin (k ∼ 1.5 x 105 m-1 sec-1) is retained even at concentrations as low as 5 x 10-8 m where dissociation to dimers is extensive. The observation that the dissociation of liganded and unliganded tetrameric hemoglobin gives rise to dimers with different functional properties may indicate the formation of different dimers, i.e. dissociation at different planes in the parent tetrameric molecules. The markedly lower sensitivity of the dissociation of unliganded hemoglobin to salts compared to liganded hemoglobin is consistent with this possibility. Further evidence is obtained by dissociation experiments on hemoglobin reacted partially or fully with p-mercuribenzoate. The results of these experiments, evaluated in terms of Perutz's atomic models of hemoglobin obtained by x-ray crystallography, suggest that liganded hemoglobin dissociates into dimers of the α1β1 type, whereas deoxyhemoglobin dissociates into dimers of the α1β2 type.
234U—238U—230Th—232Th systematics in saline groundwaters from central Missouri

Saline groundwaters with 4.7 to 26‰ total dissolved solids were sampled from springs and artesian wells in Mississippian and Ordovician carbonates and sandstones in central Missouri. U—Th isotopic variations provide a means of evaluating processes of water-rock interaction and fluid mixing and estimating the time scales of element transport. Recently developed mass spectrometric techniques are used to make isotopic measurements on small-volume groundwater samples (0.1–4 l) with high precision (e.g., < ±5% for ^(234)U/^(238)U activity ratios). The groundwaters have a wide range of ^(238)U concentrations, 50 × 10^(−12) to 200 × 10^(−12) g/g; ^(234)U/^(234)U activity ratios, 2.15–16.0; ^(232)Th concentrations, 0.10 × 10^(−12) to 33 × 10^(−12) g/g; and ^(230)Th concentrations, 0.91 × 10^(−17) to 26 × 10^(−17) g/g. Unfiltered and filtered (0.4 μm, 0.1 μm) aliquots of a saline sample have the same isotopic composition and concentration of U, indicating that ^(234)U and ^(238)U occur almost entirely as dissolved species. The concentration of ^(232)Th is up to seven times lower in filtered vs. unfiltered aliquots, indicating that ^(232)Th is predominantly associated with particulates in the groundwaters. In contrast, most of the ^(230)Th is in solution. Previous geochemical studies indicate that: (1) the saline waters originated as meteoric recharge and evolved through halite dissolution, reactions with silicates and saline-dilute mixing processes during a long-distance flow history; and (2) interaction with limestone and dolomite aquifer rocks in central Missouri has been limited. A consistent relationship between U/Ca and ^(234)U/^(238)U activity ratio is observed in the groundwaters and provides constraints on the U/Ca ratios and ^(234)U/^(238)U activity ratios of end-member reservoirs and on the processes of isotopic exchange in this water-rock system. Model calculations that simulate (1) saline-dilute groundwater mixing and (2) limited extents of dissolution of carbonate aquifer minerals by the groundwaters can account for the variations in U/Ca, ^(234)U/^(238)U and ^(18)O/^(16)O in the suite of water samples. The model calculations demonstrate that dissolved U isotopic compositions can be a sensitive indicator of water-rock interaction, which in turn limits the usefulness of ^(234)U—^(238)U disequilibria for groundwater age determinations. The concentration of dissolved ^(230)Th in the groundwaters is (1) two to three orders of magnitude below ^(230)Th—^(234)U equilibrium activity levels, and (2) significantly in excess of concentrations estimated for the supply of Th to solution via desorption and dissolution. A model involving the derivation of the excess ^(230)Th from the in situ decay of dissolved ^(234)U in the groundwaters indicates the operation of an adsorption mechanism on the time scale of 10–10^3 years. The results reported here may have broader application to the assessment and management of hazardous chemical species in natural environments.
Correlations of Microstructure and TEM Observations of Plasticity in Metallic Nanolaminates

Nanolaminate materials exhibit increases in hardness and yield strength beyond those expected according to rule of mixtures calculations. Several models have been proposed to explain this enhancement of strength, but conclusive experimental verification is hindered by the complex interaction between ingrown defects, in-plane microstructure and compositional modulation. In this study, mechanisms of plastic deformation in nanolaminates are investigated by in situ TEM straining of epitaxial Cu/Ni nanolaminates grown on Cu (001) single crystal substrates. Two distinct types of deformation are observed. Initial plastic deformation is accommodated by motion of “Orowan” and threading dislocations in a uniform and random fashion. As the stress levels increase, fracture occurs creating a mixed mode crack. Subsequent observations suggest that intense plastic deformation occurs over many bilayers in the direction of crack growth, but is contained to within one or two bilayers in a direction normal to the crack faces.
Lyme disease presenting with multiple erythema migrans lesions: an illustrative case

A 39-year-old, previously healthy male park ranger presented to the emergency room with a 24-h history of a rapidly progressive, widespread, painful skin eruption associated with severe viral illness-like symptoms of fever as high as 40 °C, generalized migratory arthralgias, exhaustion, and malaise with prostration. On physical examination, confluent urticarial plaques, many with dusky and bruise-like central discoloration, were observed involving approximately 90% of the skin, sparing the scalp, palms, and soles (Fig. 1). He was febrile with a temperature of 39 °C, and had signs of dehydration with orthostatic hypotension. Physical examination, including cardiovascular and neurologic examination, was otherwise normal. There was no evidence of lymphadenopathy. Figure 1. Confluent urticarial plaques Because the patient was severely dehydrated, he was admitted to the hospital service for intravenous fluids and further evaluation. He was started on oral doxycycline, 100 mg twice daily. Within 3 h, he experienced increased arthralgia, malaise, and fever. Because of the possibility that these symptoms represented a reaction to the antimicrobial, the medication was changed to ceftriaxone, 2 g intravenously every 24 h. A skin biopsy was obtained from the edge of one of the plaques on the patient's back (Fig. 2). The biopsy showed scant perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates consistent with urticaria. Borrelia-like spirochetes were observed on dark-field examination of the tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Lyme disease screen was positive. Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies were as follows: immunoglobulin G (IgG) (Western blot) showed five bands with molecular weights of 66, 45, 41, 39, and 23 kDa; immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were positive, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Polymerase chain reaction was positive for B. burgdorferi in the skin, but negative in blood. A search for serologic markers for ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever was negative. Figure 2. Biopsy of urticarial plaque Over the following 4 days, the patient's skin eruption cleared, leaving mild postinflammatory pigmentary changes; he still felt listless and tired. One week later, his systemic symptoms had resolved, and he returned to work.
Appearance of novel PRRSV isolates by recombination in the natural environment

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) emerged in North America and Europe in the 1980’s as a new viral disease of swine. PRRSV now is endemic in swine-rearing regions essentially worldwide. A better understanding of the mechanisms of genetic change may help to elucidate its evolutionary history and emergence as a swine pathogen.
Numerical model for electrical charge injection in the acoustic charge-transport device

A two dimensional model is developed to study the electrical charge injection process at the input of a GaAs buried-channel acoustic charge-transport device. The model allows for nonuniform impurity doping profiles, variable epitaxial layer configurations, and arbitrary structural designs of the input electrode architecture. The acoustic wave potential is incorporated as a time- and space-varying doping density that adds directly to the impurity doping density. The wave-induced doping density is obtained from the piezoelectric displacement charge that accompanies the acoustic wave. The partial differential equations which form the mathematical basis of the charge injection process are derived from the semiconductor transport equations and solved numerically. The algorithm for simulating charge injection and the results of a simulation are presented. This model provides a means for characterizing the electrical performance of the acoustic charge-transport device input circuit in terms of device physics. >
The Foster reactance theorem and quality factor for antennas

The validity of the Foster reactance theorem for the general lossless or lossy antenna is considered for the straight-wire monopole and half-loop antennas. The finite diameter, lossy or lossless monopole, and half-loop behave as either a series RLC circuit near resonance or a parallel RLC circuit near antiresonance. For the Foster reactance theorem to be valid for the general antenna, the frequency derivative of the antenna's feed point reactance, X'(/spl omega/), must be positive for all values of frequency. This behavior is not consistent with that of a parallel RLC circuit near antiresonance and, therefore, the Foster reactance theorem is not valid for either the lossy or the lossless finite diameter antenna. Simulated and measured reactances of the finite diameter monopole and half-loop are shown to be in good agreement and are shown not to obey the Foster reactance theorem in frequency ranges near antiresonance. It is shown that the commonly used relationship between quality factor and |X'(/spl omega/)| is not valid in frequency ranges near antiresonance.
Sleep, epilepsy, and autism

The purpose of this review article is to explore the links between sleep and epilepsy and the treatment of sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Epilepsy and sleep have bidirectional relationships, and problems with both are highly prevalent in children with ASD. Literature is reviewed to support the view that sleep is particularly important to address in the context of ASD. Identification and management of sleep disorders may improve seizure control and challenging behaviors. In closing, special considerations for evaluating and treating sleep disorders in children with ASD and epilepsy are reviewed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Autism and Epilepsy".
Addition of right lateral decubitus positioning improves vertebral visualization with VFA in selected patients.

Abstract Densitometric vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) allows detection of clinically unappreciated vertebral fracture. However, vertebral visualization using VFA can be suboptimal. In such individuals, alternative spine positioning may enhance visualization. Consistent with this, we observed that reversal of positioning (right lateral decubitus rather than standard left lateral decubitus, subsequently referred to as "reverse" positioning) improved visualization in patients with suboptimal vertebral visualization. This report describes 33 such individuals (i.e., 30 men and 3 women); their mean age and their lowest T-score (L1–L4 spine, proximal femur or 0.3 radius) was 69.9 yr and 2.2, respectively. All images were acquired using a GE Healthcare Lunar Prodigy densitometer (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI). Reverse VFA increased the number of visualized vertebrae in 82% of these patients (27 of 33; p p
THE EFFECT OF PHENOBARBITONE ON THE METABOLISM OF METHOXYFLURANE TO OXALIC ACID IN THE RAT

The effect of phenobarbitone on the metabolism of methoxyflurane in the rat was investigated. The conversion of methoxyflurane to oxalic acid was confirmed. Pretreatment with phenobarbitone resulted in a further increase in oxalic acid output indicating an acceleration of the biotransformation of methoxyflurane. If the nephrotoxicity of methoxyflurane is secondary to the products of its metabolism, increased microsomal enzyme activity resulting from prior exposure to drugs such as phenobarbitone would predispose to increased toxicity.
Efficient filtration of sequence similarity search through singular value decomposition

Similarity search in textual databases and bioinformatics has received substantial attention in the past decade. Numerous filtration and indexing techniques have been proposed to reduce the curse of dimensionality. This paper proposes a novel approach to map the problem of whole- genome sequence similarity search into an approximate vector comparison in the well-established multidimensional vector space. We propose the application of the singular value decomposition (SVD) dimensionality reduction technique as a pre-processing filtration step to effectively reduce the search space and the running time of the search operation. Our empirical results on a prokaryote and a eukaryote DNA contig dataset, demonstrate effective filtration to prune non-relevant portions of the database with up to 2.3 times faster running time compared with q-gram approach. SVD filtration may easily be integrated as a pre-processing step for any of the well-known sequence search heuristics as BLAST, QUASAR and FastA. We analyze the precision of applying SVD filtration as a transformation-based dimensionality reduction technique, and finally discuss the imposed trade-offs.
Synthetic studies of microtubule stabilizing agent peloruside A: an asymmetric synthesis of C10-C24 segment.

An asymmetric synthesis of the C10-C24 fragment of the potent antitumor macrolide, peloruside A is described. All three stereogenic centers have been enantioselectively constructed utilizing Evans alkylation, Brown asymmetric allylboration, and a substrate controlled epoxide formation. Other key reactions involved Grubbs's ring-closing olefin metathesis and Ando's Z-selective olefination reaction.
Redrawing French Empire in comics

The history of comics in France is inextricably bound up with its history of colonialism. One of the first major comic works in the French language, Rodolphe Topffer’s Histoire de Monsieur Cryptoga...
On Central Controls for Aggression

The Lorenzian notion of a mechanism that accumulates “aggressive energy” that must then be periodically discharged is seen to underlie much current thinking on the nature of aggression. This view is rejected in favor of a dynamic system akin to that of Pribram and Melges for the generation of emotion. The proximal “mechanisms” that control aggressive acts (to the extent that components of the system can be isolated) are far more numerous than even Moyer’s multisystem scheme envisages, and are functionally (and likely anatomically) distinct. Far from representing the discharge of an endogenously produced energy, aggressive acts represent activities internally selected to maintain tranquility.
Robust Rankings for College Football

We investigate the sensitivity of the Colley Matrix (CM) rankings---one of six computer rankings used by the Bowl Championship Series---to (hypothetical) changes in the outcomes of (actual) games. Specifically, we measure the shift in the rankings of the top 25 teams when the win-loss outcome of, say, a single game between two teams, each with winning percentages below 30%, is hypothetically switched. Using data from 2006--2011, we discover that the CM rankings are quite sensitive to such changes. To alleviate this sensitivity, we propose a robust variant of the rankings based on solving a mixed-integer nonlinear program, which requires about a minute of computation time. We then confirm empirically that our rankings are considerably more robust than the basic CM rankings. As far as we are aware, our study is the first explicit attempt to make football rankings robust. Furthermore, our methodology can be applied in other sports settings and can accommodate different concepts of robustness besides the specific one introduced here.
Frequency-modulated continuous-wave LIDAR module in silicon photonics

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave LIDAR is demonstrated with a silicon photonic device consisting of transmitting and receiving waveguides and photodetectors. A 20 mm resolution and 2 m range is shown. Simultaneous distance and velocity measurements are achieved.
Bibliometrics and Citation Analysis for the Psychologist-Manager: A Review and Select Readings

While most professional psychologists are knowledgeable in scholarly database searching when conducting research, most practitioners are probably less familiarized with the rapidly advancing fields of bibliometrics, and, particularly, citation analysis. Due to the profusion of knowledge in the field, professional managers need to be cognizant of the major benefits of citation searching as a research tool (a) in identifying major trends and credibility level of issues in business, industry, management strategies and techniques, and applied psychology; and (b) in identifying the comprehensive acceptance of an expert’s research and scholarly productivity across disciplines. One key strategic approach is referred to as cited-reference analysis, a rather intricate operational feature available in modern indexes such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO. The current article reviews recent literature in this area that should prove informative to the psychologist-manager. The review emphasizes published research on the topic of bibliometrics, over the past decade, in the disciplines of psychology and management. This analysis concludes that (a) cited-reference based results can vary largely and are contingent on the type of citation analysis performed; (b) databases, that offer citation options, rely on idiosyncratic methods, coverage, and transparency of functions; (c) the operational functions of citation analysis are rather perplex; and (d) research in this area is advancing at an exponential pace. Based on these concerns, the psychologistmanager would be well served to stay abreast of developments in bibliometrics research. An extended bibliography is provided as an addendum that provides scholarly sources for supplemental reading.
Design of integrated hollow-core waveguides for EIT on a chip

Hollow-core waveguides can be used to realize EIT effects in alkali atoms on a chip. We present results on optimization of the optical waveguide properties and the incorporation of alkali vapor in the hollow core.
Determinnation of Lutein in Health Food by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Objective To establish a method for determination of lutein in health food. Methods Lutein was extracted from food samples with ethanol by ultrasonication and determined by high performance liquid chromatography( HPLC). Results Lutein was identified by the retention time with spectrometric comparison and quantified by the external standard method. A good linear relationship presented within the concentration range( R2= 0. 9999); the limit of detection was 0. 36 μg; recoveries in accuracy test fell within the range of 97. 5%-99. 5%;RSD in the precision test was 1. 01%. Conclusion The method with HPLC separation and DAD detection can meet the requirements for analysis of lutein in health care food with features of high sensitivity,high reproducibility,simple and rapid.
Cancer stem cells, EMT, and seeding: a rose is a rose is a rose?

The brief review by Federici et al in the current issue of this journal is a cogent restatement of an argument that has accompanied the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis almost from its inception.
Interactive Dynamics of Alpine Maneuvers

In the preceding chapter, we analyzed idealized situations in which the edge of the ski would bite into a plane or inclined snow slope that otherwise did not deform. In each case we assumed that the skier always anticipated lateral forces and maintained balance throughout the maneuver being discussed so that the total reaction force of the skier’s center of mass was always directly along the skier’s legs, through the skis, and onto the snow. In actual skiing, skiers alter the configuration of their bodies and, by using muscular forces, set their centers of mass in motion in relation to their skis. A simple example of this is the way skiers weight and unweight their skis by thrusting their legs up or down. More extreme examples would be setting the poles (or the edge of a ski) into the snow and then moving or rotating all or part of the body over or around that stationary point in acrobatic jumps that may or may not be accompanied by twists and turns. In this chapter we examine several of these dynamic skiing maneuvers [1].
MR imaging of leukoencephalopathy associated with Navajo neuropathy.

Although initially described as a peripheral neuropathy with predominant involvement of myelinated axons, we have encountered two patients with CNS abnormalities on MR imaging, indicating that this disorder may also involve central white matter
Background and temperature effects on Uca panacea color change

Organismal coloration is used for communication, camouflage, and thermoregulation. These functions of body coloration may impose conflicting demands upon color-changing organisms. Here, we examined interacting thermoregulatory and camouflage color change responses when fiddler crabs Uca panacea were subject to simultaneously changing temperatures (10, 25, 40 °C) and backgrounds (black, white). Crab coloration lightened on a white background and at high temperatures and darkened on a black background and at low temperatures, reflecting the camouflage and thermoregulatory functions of color change. Synergistic background and temperature treatments (i.e., hot/white or cold/black) induced strong color change responses. When temperature and background were in conflict (i.e., hot/black or cold/white), responses to background coloration constrained thermoregulatory color change such that carapace coloration did not change. Such conflicts are likely to be common in nature, especially in highly heterogeneous environments. Throughout the experiment, males remained lighter than females and showed a greater response to the hot/white treatment, driven by a stronger response to high temperatures. These differences may reflect the physiological, morphological, and behavioral differences associated with sexual selection and sexual dimorphism in this species.
Social transformation in the eyes of contemporary Chinese cinema and Dogme 95

In the past thirty years China has been through a spectacular paradigm shift and growth, from an isolated underdeveloped country at the end of the 1970s to being today the world second largest economy after the United States. The paradigm shift and growth have been translated into an accelerated urbanization with all the dramatic social transformations such a process implies.
Teachers’ expressions of craft conscience: upholding the integrity of a profession

AbstractHow can teachers who quit claim to be dedicated to upholding the integrity of the profession? Paradoxically, and not without costs, leaving teaching may be an expression of an educator’s professional ethics. This investigation applies insights from A.O. Hirschman’s Exit, Voice and Loyalty to the context of teaching in order to reveal the expressions of professional ethics in teachers’ resignation letters. These concerns constitute what Thomas Green calls ‘craft conscience.’ Using philosophical inquiry and document analysis, I examine 15 publicly available teacher resignation letters from the United States that were published on the internet between 2012 and 2014 to examine the pedagogical, professional, and democratic components of craft conscience.
Syringomyelia in Association with Dandy-Walker Syndrome

Dandy-Walker complex (DWC) is a condition in which there is atresia of foramena of Magendie and Luschka causing congenital hydrocephalus. There is partial or complete absence of the cerebellar vermis, posterior fossa cyst formation, continuous with the fourth ventricle. The cyst expands in the middle line causing the occipital bone to bulge and to dislodge the tentorium and torcula upward. There is an obstruction of the foramen magnum with alteration of the CSF flow dynamics resulting in cervicothoracic syrinx.
Discovery and Preclinical Characterization of INCB018424, a Selective JAK2 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Myeloproliferative Disorders.

Abstract Activating mutations in Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) have recently been identified in the majority of Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs). Importantly, constitutive JAK2 activation is oncogenic and, in murine models, recapitulates much of the pathobiology observed in MPD patients, suggesting that JAK2 inhibition may be of therapeutic benefit. Here we describe the identification and preclinical characterization of INCB018424, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of the JAK2 now in clinical trials. INCB018424 was identified through an extensive medicinal chemistry effort designed to optimize potency, selectivity, pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic properties. INCB018424 inhibits JAK2 at 500–fold selectivity against a broad sampling of the kinome. The potency and selectivity of INCB018424 translated to exceptional cellular activity where it inhibited the proliferation of FDCP cells and BaF/3 cells expressing JAK2V617F with an IC50 of 100–130 nM, but not the proliferation of cell lines expressing activating mutations in either BCR-Abl or cKit (IC50 > 25 and 4 mM, respectively). The effect of INCB18424 on cell proliferation correlated well with reduced levels of phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT5 in the BaF/3 cell model, suggesting that the effect is mediated by pharmacological inhibition of JAK-STAT pathway. Interestingly, the activation of endogenous wild-type JAKs - by the addition of IL-3 - shifted the potency of INCB018424 in the BaF/3 model greater than five fold suggesting that cells expressing the mutated form of JAK2 may be more sensitive to INCB018424. Indeed, using cells harvested from patients with Jak2V617F-positive polycythemia vera (PV) in colony forming assays, we observed that INCB018424 inhibited the cytokine-independent formation of erythroid progenitor colonies (n=3) with an IC50 of 67nM while normal colony formation from healthy donors (n=3) was inhibited 50% at > 400 nM. Further, INCB018424 inhibited proliferation of PV patient samples (n=3) following ex vivo expansion of erythroid progenitors in serum free media, with an IC50 of 60 nM, similar to that observed in semi-solid media. In a mouse model of MPD, where implantation of BaF/3 cells expressing JAK2V617F results in rapid organomegaly and reduced survival, oral administration of INCB018424 was well tolerated and markedly reduced the splenomegaly. Using this animal model, we also demonstrated that selective JAK inhibition eliminates neoplastic cells from the spleen, liver, and bone marrow normalizing the histology of affected organs and significantly prolongs survival. As such, potent and selective JAK inhibitors such as INCB018424 hold great promise for the treatment of MPDs and other disease states associated with elevated JAK activity - a concept currently being tested clinically.
Out of the Margin: Feminist Perspective on Economics

(1996). Out of the Margin: Feminist Perspective on Economics. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 900-902.
Levels of selection shaping caste interactions during queen replacement in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

We investigated the different levels of selection that may influence the queen replacement process in honey bees by monitoring queen–queen and worker–queen interactions in queenless observation colonies containing populations of paint-marked workers that were either related or not related to introduced virgin queens experimentally reared to be of low- and high-quality, as estimated by differences in size and potential reproductive capacities. The high-quality queens were more likely to survive and become the new laying queen of their colonies. Queen survival was positively associated with both queen fighting ability and worker–queen interactions. Surviving queens were more aggressive and had greater fighting success. However, surviving queens were not bigger than killed queens nor were they the first queens to emerge, suggesting that queen size and early emergence alone are not the determining factors of queen fighting ability. The worker–queen interaction that was most strongly associated with the outcome of queen replacement was the vibration signal, which is a communication signal that workers perform on virgin queens. Surviving queens were vibrated at rates 3–4 times those experienced by killed queens and a queen’s vibration rate was positively correlated with her fighting ability and the number of rivals killed. Workers showed no consistent preferences for related vs. unrelated queens and the proportion of interactions received from related workers was not associated with any aspect of queen fighting ability and success monitored. Our results suggests that caste interactions during queen replacement have been shaped by both selection acting at the level of the individual queen (which favors higher quality queens with greater fighting ability) and selection acting at the level of the colony (which favors workers directing vibration signals towards queens with greater fighting potential), ultimately resulting in a higher quality queen becoming the new laying queen of the colony. Selection acting at the level of the individual worker through kin selection, which would favor preferential treatment of related queens, did not consistently influence caste interactions or the outcome of the replacement process. Thus, the outcome of queen replacement in honey bees may be determined primarily by a combination of a queen’s inherent fighting ability coupled with the rate at which she receives some interactions (particularly vibration signals) from workers.
An active front-end V/Hz induction machine drive with a tiny DC link capacitor

Adjustable speed drives for induction motors that operate with V/Hz control are commonly used for high efficiency fan and pump applications where accurate torque control is not critical. While most of these applications use a passive rectifier to interface with the three phase ac line, active front end converters to improve the power quality of input waveforms are increasingly common. In these applications, the dc link capacitor is typically realized using electrolytic capacitors that form the bulk of the power converter volume. The dc link capacitor is sized to store enough energy to maintain several tens of cycles of ac output at the rated power. In this paper, we propose to reduce the size of the dc link capacitor dramatically, to store enough energy to provide just one high frequency switching cycle of ac output power. The dc bus is no longer stiff and hence classical sinusoidal pulse width modulation cannot be used. But, the stored energy modulation (SEM) concept that we propose herein synthesizes high quality sinusoidal output voltage waveforms even with such tiny dc link capacitors. This paper presents the analytical development of the stored energy modulation approach along with circuit simulation and experimental results.
Steady-state pattern electroretinogram and short-duration transient visual evoked potentials in glaucomatous and healthy eyes

Importance This study evaluates two rapid electrophysiological glaucoma diagnostic tests that may supplement existing diagnostic tools via the addition of a functional perspective. Background To determine the ability of two office-based electrophysiological diagnostic tests, steady-state PERG (ss-PERG) and short-duration transient visual evoked potentials (SD-tVEP), to discern between glaucomatous and healthy eyes. Design Cross-sectional study in a hospital setting. Participants Forty-one (41) patients with glaucoma and 41 healthy volunteers. Methods ss-PERG and SD-tVEP testing was conducted in glaucomatous and healthy eyes. A 64-bar size stimulus with both a low contrast (Lc) and high contrast (Hc) setting was used to compare ss-PERG parameters in both groups. A 32 x 32 checkerboard spatial frequency stimulus with Lc and Hc settings was used to measure SD-tVEP parameters in both groups. Main Outcome Measures ss-PERG parameters compared were MagnitudeD, MagnitudeD/Magnitude ratio, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). SD-tVEP amplitude and latency parameters were compared in both groups. Results MagnitudeD was significantly lower in glaucoma patients when using a Lc (P= 0.001) and Hc (P<0.001) 64-bar size ss-PERG stimulus. MagnitudeD/Magnitude ratio and SNR were significantly lower in the glaucoma group when using a Hc 64-bar size stimulus (P<0.001 and P=0.010 respectively). SD-tVEP amplitude and latency were not significantly different between the two study groups for all tested stimuli. Conclusions and Relevance ss-PERG was effectively able to discern between glaucomatous and healthy eyes. The diagnostic ability of ss-PERG was superior to that of SD-tVEP. ss-PERG may thus have a role as a clinically useful electrophysiological diagnostic tool.
MIMIX: A Bayesian Mixed-Effects Model for Microbiome Data From Designed Experiments

Recent advances in bioinformatics have made high-throughput microbiome data widely available, and new statistical tools are required to maximize the information gained from these data. For example,...
Questioning Pygmalion in the twenty-first century: the formation, transmission, and attributional influence of teacher expectancies

Teacher expectancy effects, the class of phenomena in which teacher beliefs about students influence student outcomes, are widely believed to operate through recursive processes of teacher-student interaction. Recent work in “wise” interventions has shown profound and robust effects in educational domains, and has attributed these effects to similar recursive processes (Yeager and Walton 2011). In this paper, we lay a foundation for forging connections between what we know about expectancy effects and how we might envision applying that knowledge as a lever in intervention research. We review the evidence for the existence and significance of teacher expectancy effects, as well as their possible mediators, including perceptual biases, confirmation biases, stereotyping, and attributional biases. We also hypothesize that empathy could play a role in mediating a relationship between expectancies and attributions. Finally, we propose a research agenda focused on the transmission, mediation, and attributional effects of teacher expectancies.
Compressive spectrum estimation using quantized measurements

In this paper, we aim to recover a spectrally-sparse signal from the quadrants of complex random linear measurements. We first characterize the Cramer-Rao bound under Gaussian noise, which highlights the trade-off between sample complexity and bit depth under different signal-to-noise ratios for a fixed budget of bits. Next, we propose a new algorithm based on atomic norm regularization, which is equivalent to proximal mapping of a properly designed surrogate signal with respect to the atomic norm that promotes the spectral sparsity. Moreover, the frequencies can be localized without knowing the model order a priori via a dual polynomial approach. It is shown that under the Gaussian measurement model, the signal can be reconstructed accurately with high probability, as soon as the number of quantized measurements exceeds the order of K log n, where K is the number of frequencies and n is the signal dimension. Our results can be extended to more general nonlinear measurements using generalized linear models.
Genetic control of ColE1 plasmid stability that is independent of plasmid copy number regulation

ColE1-like plasmid vectors are widely used for expression of recombinant genes in E. coli. For these vectors, segregation of individual plasmids into daughter cells during cell division appears to be random, making them susceptible to loss over time when no mechanisms ensuring their maintenance are present. Here we use the plasmid pGFPuv in a recA relA strain as a sensitized model to study factors affecting plasmid stability in the context of recombinant gene expression. We find that in this model, plasmid stability can be restored by two types of genetic modifications to the plasmid origin of replication (ori) sequence: point mutations and a novel 269 nt duplication at the 5′ end of the plasmid ori, which we named DAS (duplicated anti-sense) ori. Combinations of these modifications produce a range of copy numbers and of levels of recombinant expression. In direct contradiction with the classic random distribution model, we find no correlation between increased plasmid copy number and increased plasmid stability. Increased stability cannot be explained by reduced levels of recombinant gene expression either. Our observations would be more compatible with a hybrid clustered and free-distribution model, which has been recently proposed based on detection of individual plasmids in vivo using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. This work suggests a role for the plasmid ori in the control of segregation of ColE1 plasmids that is distinct from replication initiation, opening the door for the genetic regulation of plasmid stability as a strategy aimed at enhancing large-scale recombinant gene expression or bioremediation.
Ch. R-19 Fate Of Surfactant Vesicles Surviving from Thermophilic, Halotolerant, Spore Forming, Clostridium Thermohydrosulfuricum

Abstract MEOR, Clostridia acetvlbutvlicum , Clostridium hydrosulfuricum. bio-huff-and-puff, surfactant vesicles Clostridium hydrosulfuricum 39E was found to have surface-active properties during simulated enhanced oil recovery experiments. The resulting surviving surfactant vesicles may have a significant impact on field investigations. Speculation on an idealized system for an ultimate field recovery is discussed.
Oxidative stress in insulin-resistant conditions: cardiovascular implications

The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes mellitus is increased more than 3-fold and is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients. Historically, diabetes has been considered an inadequate insulin response leading to elevated plasma glucose levels with morbidities attributable to hyperglycemia. However, diabetes represents a complex pathology that often includes hypertension, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, microalbuminuria, platelet disaggregation, abnormal fibrinolysis, and chronic inflammation. Furthermore, oxidative stress has been shown to contribute to the pathology of diabetic CVD, having implications in the development of hypertension, renal disease, and stroke. Hypertension is a common feature of diabetes and is the primary contributor to CVD, which highlights the importance of blood pressure control (<130/80 mm Hg). Recent investigations have also implicated the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in promoting oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and insulin resistance. These pathophysiologic considerations will be important in developing prevention strategies for CVD in diabetes. Further research is needed to identify antioxidant and insulin-sensitizing agents that will improve CVD outcomes in patients with diabetes.
SQL memory management in Oracle9i

Complex database queries require the use of memory-intensive operators like sort and hash-join. Those operators need memory, also referred to as SQL memory, to process their input data. For example, a sort operator uses a work area to perform the in-memory sort of a set of rows. The amount of memory allocated by these operators greatly affects their performance. However, there is only a finite amount of memory available in the system, shared by all concurrent operators. The challenge for database systems is to design a fair and efficient strategy to manage this memory. Commercial database systems rely on database administrators (DBA) to supply an optimal setting for configuration parameters that are internally used to decide how much memory to allocate to a given database operator. However, database systems continue to be deployed in new areas, e.g, e-commerce, and the database applications are increasingly complex, e.g, to provide more functionality, and support more users. One important consequence is that the application workload is very hard, if not impossible, to predict. So, expecting a DBA to find an optimal value for memory configuration parameters is not realistic. The values can only be optimal for a limited period of time while the workload is within the assumed range. Ideally, the optimal value should adapt in response to variations in the application workload. Several research projects addressed this problem in the past, but very few commercial systems proposed a comprehensive solution to managing memory used by SQL operators in a database application with a variable workload. This paper presents a new model used in Oracle9i to manage memory for database operators. This approach is automatic, adaptive and robust. We will present the architecture of the memory manager, the internal algorithms, and a performance study showing its superiority.
Abstract WMP27: Prevalence of Non-responsiveness to Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysms Utilizing Flow Diversion with the Pipeline Embolization Device

Introduction: Flow-diversion has emerged as a novel treatment for complex cerebral aneurysms. Although preliminary reports suggest flow-diverting devices are safe and effective, the risk of thrombo...
Securing protection standards for Canada's marine protected areas

Abstract In 2015, the Government of Canada committed to protecting 5% of marine and coastal areas by 2017, and 10% by 2020. While admirable progress towards this target has been made, less attention has been given to improving the quality of protection afforded to marine areas. Extensive scientific study supports that several factors are critical to the success of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for marine biodiversity conservation and management objectives, including no-take areas and prohibitions on extractive and industrial activities. However, the majority of Canada's MPAs allow extractive uses within their boundaries. As Canada works toward international and national commitments to marine protection targets, it is critical to consider the degree of protection afforded by the legal designations used to create these areas. This paper reviews the current inconsistent standards of protection across marine protected areas (MPAs) designated under the Oceans Act, Canada's flagship legislation for marine protection. Recommended amendments to the law include standards of protection that would exclude all extractive industrial activities from MPAs in order to better guide the designation and decision-making processes for marine protection.
Abstract 831: Reproducible, mechanism of action-reflecting reporter based bioassays to enable drug development of biosimilars and biobetters

The demand for biosimilars and bioassays for biosimilars are increasing as the patent cliff approaches for many blockbuster biologics. Recently, the expanded approval of Actemra (Tocilizumab) to treat CAR T-cell-induced cytokine release syndrome (CRS) demonstrated the role of anti-IL-6 blocking drugs as critical for the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. Here we describe a portfolio of luciferase reporter-based bioassays to support the development and potency determination of biosimilar drugs targeting cytokines such as IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-12/23, IL-17, VEGF, RANK, Epo, IFNs, etc. The availability of quantitative, functional bioassays in Thaw-and-Use format provides the benefit of convenience, reproducibility, and transferability. We demonstrate these assays are able to measure relative potency for antibody biologics and detect potency changes for stressed antibody samples. In summary, the reporter-based bioassay portfolio for biosimilars provides a valuable tool for the development, stability testing, and potency determination in manufacture of biosimilars and biobetters. Citation Format: Richard L. Somberg, Rich Moravec, Dun Li, Aileen Paguio, Mei Cong. Reproducible, mechanism of action-reflecting reporter based bioassays to enable drug development of biosimilars and biobetters [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 831.