cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theophrastus as Ecologist

Ecology, considered as a systematic discipline, is a young science. It was recognized as a separate field of inquiry only in the second half of the nineteenth century. But it can look back for precedents to the ancient Greeks, who moved to bring order out of chaos in so many realms of rational inquiry. The word "ecology" (oikologia) does not occur in Greek literature. But Theophrastus of Eresus followed his teacher, Aristotle, in giving attention to the relation between an organism and its environment and, in so doing, pursued investigations that properly can be called ecological. I Theophrastus observed that a plant flourishes best in a "favorable place" or "proper country" (oikeios topos),2 which modern ecologists might term its niche. Aristotle had made a similar point in regard to animals. The Greek word used here to characterize a harmonious relationship between an organism and its environment is oikeios, which is of course an adjectival form of oikos (house, domicile, habitat), the first of the two elements combined in "ecology." It is probable that the classically educated nineteenth-century German scientists who coined the latter word did so under the influence of the relevant passages in Aristotle and Theophrastus.3 It is undeniable that sustained treatment of ecological questions can be found in the botanical writings of Theophrastus, namely the De Historia Plantarum4 and the first five books of the De Causis Plantarum.5 Elucidating comments also exist in his other surviving texts, particularly the Metaphysics6 and the De Ventis.' In order to place Theophrastus' ecological observations in context, it is necessary to say something about his natural philosophy. Aristotle had said that nature does nothing in vain and always aims at what is best.8 Theophrastus prominently quoted both statements and agreed with them, adding, "Anything which is contrary to nature is dangerous."9 He is deeply concerned with the distinction between the natural and the unnatural. But how can anything in nature be unnatural? Theophrastus, while admitting the point of this question, answered it by viewing nature in three different aspects. First, there is the nature of the plant itself, which aims at its own particular telos or purpose. This he called "the tendency of the plant's nature," which biological scientists today would term "genotype." Then there is the nature of the environment within which the plant exists, and which may act for or against the plant's telos. Finally, there is human agency, which may have a goal quite at variance with both the plant and the tnvironment. 'I What is natural for the plant is not necessarily provided by the climate and human tendance, so one may speak of freezing, say, or pollarding, as unnatural occurrences for a tree. 297
Lightning Research at National Institute for Aviation Research: Development of Fastener Sparking Threshold Database for Metal Fuel Tanks: Inception

At the request of industry, the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), an aviation research center at Wichita State University (WSU), has begun a research project with the goal of creating a standardized approach to compliance that includes the creation and publication of an industry- and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-endorsed Fuel Tank Lightning Protection Design Handbook. Consequently, a three-phase Kansas Aviation Research and Technology (KART)- and FAA-sponsored program was initiated at NIAR, with the purpose of conducting independent research to provide the applicant with an understanding of key sensitivity parameters that influence fastener sparking thresholds, substantiated by a lightning test-validated database. This database will provide real tangible value at every step of its development and, when completed, will allow the designer to select fasteners with proper sparking thresholds that are adequate for the company's individual design, thus resulting in a corresponding decrease in the magnitude of total testing. This paper provides program background and implementation philosophy, the current status of Phase 1 of the program, achieved milestones, and a future outlook.
Development of Corrosive-Abrasion Resistant Steel Used for Slurry Transportation

Large-scale solid particles were transported by pipeline in form of slurry in power station,mineral mountain and dredging works,the pipe wastage occurs due to corrosive-abrasion.The research development concerning corrosive-abrasion behavior under different fields,especially about pipeline transportation in recent years was generally illustrated,including the failure mode and mechanism,key effective factors and the research of correlated steels.It is shown that hydraulic and mine machine is the research hot compared to slurry transportation.
Servant Leadership for Building the Community of Responders

This final chapter brings together the philosophy of servant leadership as a way for building the community of responders. Emergency services leadership is accountable for this community. A leader must be keenly aware of the vulnerabilities that exist that threaten the responder. The profession is a noble one, one of a desire to serve strangers in their time of need. Though the responder is a highly trained and skilled operator, they still remain human. The community of responders has to be the place where servant leaders meet the needs of followers so that they can realize a long and rewarding career.
Metal–Ligand Bifunctional Catalysis: The “Accepted” Mechanism, the Issue of Concertedness, and the Function of the Ligand in Catalytic Cycles Involving Hydrogen Atoms

For years, following the ideas of Shvo and Noyori, the core assumption of metal–ligand bifunctional molecular catalysis has relied on the direct involvement of the chelating ligand in the catalytic reaction via a reversible proton (H+) transfer through cleavage/formation of one of its X–H bonds (X = O, N, C). A recently revised mechanism of the Noyori asymmetric hydrogenation reaction (Dub, P. A. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 3505) suggests that the ligand is rather involved in the catalytic reaction via the stabilization of determining transition states through N–H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions (HBIs) and not via a reversible H+ transfer, behaving in a chemically intact manner within the productive cycle or predominantly in a chemically intact manner within productive cycles. By reexamining selected examples of computational mechanistic studies involving bifunctional catalysts from the literature in the years between 2012–2017, the purpose of this work is to point out common misconceptions in m...
What have we learned here? Questioning accountability in aid policy and practice:

In recent decades, development donors in the West have touted a shift to rigorous evaluations and evidence-based policymaking in order to address global skepticism regarding the effectiveness of ai...
Contestation or Accommodation

Preference formation in Africa reveals paths of contestation and accommodation to PMSC governance. This chapter argues that the activation of the anti-mercenary norm depends upon the varying effect of foreign enlistment upon political entrepreneurs and elite beliefs, and on contingencies, such as electoral politics. On the other hand, the narrative outlines a case of extraversion—Uganda stands out for a policy of accommodation with the endorsement of Montreux akin to a strategy of extraversion conditioned by state-business relations.
Abstract 280: Strength of Clinical Trial Evidence for High-Risk Cardiovascular Devices Approved Through Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Priority Review

Importance: There is increasing emphasis on getting medical devices to market more quickly by use of priority review pathways, promoted in recent US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) guidance documents and the 21 st Century Cures Act of 2016. Objective: To evaluate the impact of priority review pathways for high-risk cardiovascular devices by analyzing the quality and characteristics of premarket clinical studies in support of their approval and the frequency of postmarket recalls. Design and Setting: Descriptive study of premarket clinical studies supporting all high-risk cardiovascular devices approved via the priority review premarket approval (PMA) pathway between January 1, 2005 and June 15, 2017. Exposure: Priority Review PMA Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): For all clinical studies which supported priority review PMAs we analyzed: number of patients enrolled, number of patients analyzed for each primary endpoint, demographic information, randomization, blinding, use and type of controls, use of training patients, number and location of study sites, and time of FDA review to approval. We also determined if a post hoc analysis was conducted. We counted all Class 1 and Class 2 recalls and examined FDA expert device panel recommendations. Results: There were 16 priority review cardiovascular devices approved, with mean 1.4 (SD 0.6, range 1-3) pivotal studies per device. Eleven of 16 (69%) were approved based on a single pivotal study. Of 23 pivotal studies, ten (43%) were randomized, 3 (13%) were single-blinded, and none were double-blinded. Twelve (52%) used a noninferiority primary endpoint hypothesis for at least one endpoint and 18 (78%) used a surrogate endpoint. Of the 11 votes on device effectiveness by FDA expert panels, 6 (55%) voted devices were effective. There were a total of 18 Class 1 and 2 recalls for 7 of these devices. Conclusions and Relevance: Most priority review pathway high-risk cardiovascular devices are approved without a randomized or blinded trial. Noninferiority design and use of surrogate endpoints are common. These devices are frequently subject to recalls.
Interhemispheric auditory cortical relationships in asymmetric hearing loss

Directional acoustic trauma, sudden hearing loss with incomplete recovery, Meniere’s disease, and cerebellopontine angle tumors are common clinical conditions that present with asymmetric hearing loss (ASL). Presentation of input signals from both ears for interhemispheric processing may be necessary to achieve the best hearing outcomes. To review temporal and spatial interhemispheric functional relationships revealed by microelectrode mapping studies in an animal model of ASL and by functional imaging studies in human single-sided deafness (SSD). Animal and human cohort comparison studies by investigators at the University of California. In animals with mild-to-moderate ASL, interaural temporal difference is a strong driver of cortical plastic change. Six months after hearing loss induction, the two cortices reorganize into a state of relative local hemispheric autonomy. In humans with SSD, temporal and spatial cortical plastic change is evidenced by reduced interhemispheric mean difference of the M100 p...
Age-Associated Changes in Structure and Function of the Aging Human Lung

Abstract The natural aging process is associated with changes in structure and function of the human lung that becomes pronounced with advanced age. Age-related changes in immune function and immune regulation likely play an important role in age-associated lung remodeling and respiratory infection risk and environmental exposures plus a variety of endogenous factors may accelerate the pace of changes affecting the aging lung. The integrity of barriers that protect against respiratory pathogens decline with aging, which, combined with less robust immune responses in the elderly, increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Cadmium transfer and distribution in a multi-species biofilm and the impact on naphthalene removal

Biofilm technology is being introduced into bioremediation of contaminated soils and underground water, in the form of biofilm barriers. However, the low availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxicity of the frequently accompanying heavy metals may limit its application. The objective of this study was to investigate the mass transfer and distribution of cadmium (Cd) into the biofilm matrix and the impact caused by it. The influences of pH value, presence of an alternative substrate and increased dissolved oxygen were examined. As the pH value increased, cadmium sorption in the biofilm increased and naphthalene removal decreased. Ten mg/L of cadmium was enough to show a significant impact on biofilm when the pH was above 7.5. The cadmium minimum inhibition capacity was determined to be 5μgCd/mgVS. Acetate, added as an alternative substrate, competed with naphthalene and did not demonstrate the ability to reduce cadmium toxicity. Hydrogen peroxide, added to supplement the dissolved oxygen, accelerated the cadmium uptake/efflux cycle, making the biofilm more vulnerable to cadmium attack. Cadmium was shown to transfer faster than naphthalene into biofilm, and the removal of naphthalene in the presence of cadmium was retarded and reduced.
Juniper Subtle Energy Healing: A Case Study

Objectives This pilot case study sought to examine the efficacy of subtle energy treatments as conducted by Buddhist healing master Segyu Rinpoche at his Juniper Integrative Clinic in Northern California. Design Over the course of a year, this study followed two patients with terminal diagnoses, their treating physicians, and Segyu Rinpoche as the patients underwent treatment at the Juniper Clinic. The patients entering the study had exhausted all known medical options. One patient suffered from chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] and the other from bronchiolitis obliterans [BOS] brought about by graft versus host disease following a bone marrow transplant for leukemia. Their treating physicians are prominent members of two different teaching/research hospitals. This was an IRB approved study conducted in conformity with HIPAA standards. Setting The patients participated in treatments with Segyu Rinpoche twice a month at his clinic and engaged in daily meditation as instructed by Rinpoche. The study followed both patients through in-depth, face-to-face interviews, wellness surveys, weekly journal entries, and medical records. The study also followed the physicians and Segyu Rinpoche through face-to-face interviews. Results Both patients and physicians identified significant shifts in patient wellbeing, including less pain, greater happiness and more ease. In addition, both physicians and patients reported a reduced need for medication. Some aspects of the design were more or less successful in tracking patient experience (i.e., health and wellness survey vs. personal journals). The success of the pilot indicates that more qualitative case studies are needed. Conclusions: Patients and physicians identified a significant increase in overall patient wellbeing. Hence, on an anecdotal level, the study demonstrated the usefulness of subtle energy healing as practiced by Segyu Rinpoche and the Juniper Clinic. The success of the pilot indicates the potential value of full qualitative studies for this modality.
Effect of Botulinum Toxin Injections on Stretch Reflex Responses of Spastic Elbow Flexors in Hemispheric Stroke Survivors: Case Study

Spasticity, characterized by hyperreflexia, is a common motor impairment following hemispheric stroke. Botulinum toxin (BT) injections are widely used to reduce spasticity. BT acts by disrupting action potential propagation between a motor neuron and its innervated muscle fibers. Here we quantified the magnitude and time course of a BT injection on the stretch reflex responses, by analyzing the root mean squared amplitude of tap evoked surface EMG (sEMG) potentials from stroke affected biceps brachii (BB), before the BT injection and up to 18 weeks post-injection. We used a 16 × 8 sEMG electrode grid and mapped the tap-evoked potentials. We found, (a) the maximum reduction of the RMS EMG amplitude of the reflex response to occur six weeks post-BT injection and (b) a gradual recovery of the RMS EMG amplitude by 18 weeks post-injection. Unexpectedly, even at 18 weeks post injection, the tap-evoked reflex activity did not fully recover to its baseline (pre-injection recordings). These findings have a potential impact on the timing of BT administration for repeated injections.
Sudden (Saltationist) Approaches to Language Evolution

Many researchers have advocated an abrupt, saltationist view of language evolution, including, but not limited to: Berwick (1998), Bickerton (1990, 1998), Lightfoot (1991), Chomsky (2002, 2005), Berwick and Chomsky (2011, 2016), Piattelli-Palmarini (2010), Piattelli-Palmarini and Uriagereka (2004, 2011), Moro (2008), Hornstein (2009), Miyagawa (2017), Miyagawa et al. (2014), Di Sciullo (2013). In this chapter I consider in some detail two such approaches to language evolution: Berwick and Chomsky’s all or nothing saltationist approach is discussed in Sect. 2.2, and Miyagawa’s approach, which allows some continuity, is discussed in Sect. 2.3. For each approach, I consider how it addresses the Five Problems identified in Chap. 1.
Potentials for prolonging shelf-life of platelets by near infrared low-level light.

Platelets are uniquely stored at room temperature, during which they gradually loss their quality owing to deteriorating functions of mitochondria over time. Given the well-documented beneficial effect of near infrared low-level light (LLL) on mitochondrial functions, we explored a potential for LLL to protect mitochondrial function and extend the shelf-life of platelets beyond the current 5 days. We found that exposure of a platelet-containing storage bag to 830 nm light-emitting diode (LED) light at 0.5 J/cm2 prior to storage could significantly retain a pH value and viability of the platelets stored for 8 days with improved quality compared to those stored similarly for 5 days in controls. The LLL inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate production, while sustaining ATP synthesis and mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology in the stored platelets. It also sustained aggregation capacity and in vivo survival of stored platelets, concomitant with no significant activation, as suggested by similar CD62p expression and enhanced agonist-induced aggregation and recovery following infusion in the presence compared to absence of LLL treatment. This simple, additive-free, cost-effective, noninvasive approach can be readily incorporated into the current platelet storage system to potentially improve quality of stored platelets.
Cslim: automated extraction of IoT functionalities from legacy C codebases

Many Internet of Things (IoT) devices are resource-poor, possessing limited memory, disk space, and processor capacity. To accommodate such resource scarcity, IoT software cannot include any extraneous functionalities not used in operating the underlying device. Although legacy systems software contains numerous functionalities that can be reused in IoT applications, these functionalities are exposed as part of a larger codebase with multiple complex dependencies and a heavy runtime footprint. To enable programmers to effectively reuse extant systems software in IoT applications, this paper presents Cslim, a cross-package function extraction tool for C. Cslim extracts programmer-specified functions from a source package and generates new source files for a target package, thereby enabling the reuse of systems software in resource-poor execution environments, such as the IoT devices. Cslim resolves all dependencies by recursively extracting required functions, while bypassing the complexities of preprocessor macro variabilities by operating on preprocessed source files. Furthermore, Cslim efficiently traverses and resolves the calling dependencies by maintaining an in-memory relational database. Finally, Cslim is easy to use, as it requires neither manual intervention nor source code modifications. Our prototype implementation of Cslim has successfully extracted a set of functions from SQLite and GlusterFS, producing slimmed down executables that can be deployed on IoT devices.
Decoding and recoding phase behavior of TDP43 reveals that phase separation is not required for splicing function

Abstract Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) often are fast evolving protein domains of low sequence complexity that can drive phase transitions and are commonly found in many proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including the RNA processing factor TDP43. Yet, how phase separation contributes to the physiological functions of TDP43 in cells remains enigmatic. We combined systematic mutagenesis guided by evolutionary sequence analysis with a live-cell reporter assay of TDP43 phase dynamics to identify regularly-spaced hydrophobic motifs separated by flexible, hydrophilic segments in the IDR as a key determinant of TDP43 phase properties. This heuristic framework allowed us to customize the material properties of TDP43 condensates to determine effects on splicing function. Remarkably, mutants with increased or decreased phase dynamics, and even mutants that failed to phase separate, could mediate the splicing of a quantitative, single-cell splicing reporter and endogenous targets. We conclude that phase separation is not required for the function of TDP43 in splicing.
Executive Functioning as a Predictor of Weight Loss and Physical Activity Outcomes

Background Executive functioning, which is fundamental for carrying out goal-directed behaviors, may be an underappreciated predictor of outcomes in lifestyle modification programs for adults with obesity. Purpose This study tested the hypotheses that higher levels of baseline executive functioning would predict greater weight loss and physical activity after 6 months of behavioral treatment. Methods Participants (N = 320) were recruited from the community and provided with 16 treatment sessions. Executive functioning was measured with the tower task component of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). At months 0 and 6, weight was measured in the clinic and physical activity was measured with tri-axial accelerometers. Results Baseline D-KEFS achievement score, rule violations, and completion time significantly predicted weight loss at 6 months. For example, among participants without any rule violations (n = 162), weight loss averaged 11.0%, while those with rule violations (n = 158) averaged 8.7% weight loss. Rule violations also significantly predicted physical activity at 6 months. Among participants without any rule violations, physical activity at 6 months averaged 169.8 min/week, versus 127.2 min/week among those with rule violations. Conclusions Particular aspects of executive functioning may predict the relative ease or difficulty of changing eating and exercise-related behaviors, albeit with small effect sizes. This study is the first to our knowledge to detect a predictive relationship between components of executive functioning and objectively measured physical activity in adult lifestyle modification, and one of the first to predict weight loss in adults using an objective measure of executive functioning. Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT02363010.
Distribution of Cereal Cyst Nematodes (Heterodera avenae and H. filipjevi) in Eastern Washington State.

Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN; Heterodera avenae and H. filipjevi), cause substantial worldwide yield loss in small grain cereals such as wheat, barley, and oat. H. avenae was first detected in the Un...
Are My Pants Lowering Your Test Scores? Blaming Girls and Girls' Empowerment for the "Boy Crisis" in Education.

Drawing on participatory research in a high school implementing single-sex classes, this article demonstrates how single-sex education masks racialized economic inequality by framing low academic a...
Impact of a Preoperative Safety Checklist on Perioperative Quality Outcomes and Operative Efficiency

AbstractIntroduction:Additional preoperative safety checklist requirements at Penn State Health were recently implemented on the morning of surgery. We evaluate whether this added safety policy imp...
Modular Volumetric Actuators Using Motorized Auxetics

Volume change has become a critical actuation method in robotics. However, the need for fluid flow or thermal processes to generate volume changes limits the durability, speed, and efficiency of these actuators. In this paper, we develop a new electromechanical actuator that volumetrically expands. By combining auxetic materials with a servo, we produce a simple isotropically expanding actuator that can be modularly composed. We discuss the symmetry considerations in selecting an appropriate auxetic framework for our actuator, eventually choosing a double-layered polyhedral auxetic design. Characterization shows that a single actuator can expand in radius to 119% of the original size and generate 90N of force, while maintaining a small package and a speedy expansion / contraction cycle. Finally, we demonstrate the modularity of our actuators by linking three actuators to create a vertical tube-crawling robot. The small package and fast cycle time of our system highlight how viable these electromechanical volumetric actuators can be as an important actuator modality.
Double/debiased machine learning for difference-in-differences models

SummaryThis paper provides an orthogonal extension of the semiparametric difference-in-differences estimator proposed in earlier literature. The proposed estimator enjoys the so-called Neyman orthogonality (Chernozhukov et al., 2018), and thus it allows researchers to flexibly use a rich set of machine learning methods in the first-step estimation. It is particularly useful when researchers confront a high-dimensional data set in which the number of potential control variables is larger than the sample size and the conventional nonparametric estimation methods, such as kernel and sieve estimators, do not apply. I apply this orthogonal difference-in-differences estimator to evaluate the effect of tariff reduction on corruption. The empirical results show that tariff reduction decreases corruption in large magnitude.
Culex pipiens L. and Culex restuans egg rafts harbor diverse bacterial communities compared to their midgut tissues

BackgroundThe bacterial communities associated with mosquito eggs are an essential component of the mosquito microbiota, yet there are few studies characterizing and comparing the microbiota of mosquito eggs to other host tissues. MethodsWe sampled gravid female Culex pipiens and Culex restuans from the field, allowed them to oviposit in the laboratory, and characterized the microbiota associated with their egg rafts and midguts for comparison through MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. ResultsBacterial richness was higher in egg rafts than in midguts for both species, and higher in Cx pipiens L. than Cx. restuans. The midgut samples of Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans were dominated by Providencia. Culex pipiens L. and Cx. restuans egg rafts samples were dominated by Ralstonia and Novosphingobium, respectively. NMDS ordination based on Bray-Curtis distance matrix revealed that egg raft samples, or midgut tissues harbored similar bacterial communities regardless of the mosquito species. Within each mosquito species, there were distinct clustering of bacterial communities between egg raft and midgut tissues. ConclusionThese findings expand the list of described bacterial communities associated with Cx. pipiens L. and Cx. restuans and the additional characterization of the egg raft bacterial communities facilitates comparative analysis of mosquito host tissues, providing a basis for future studies seeking to understand any functional role of microbiota in mosquito biology.
A holistic approach to evaluating dune cores

As population density increases in coastal counties, shoreline stabilization efforts continue to gain momentum to protect infrastructure. Although protection techniques vary from ‘soft’ to ‘hard’ engineering, this paper focuses on a ‘hybrid’ technique utilizing geotubes as artificial dune cores. Previous literature presents conflicting results on the efficacy and potential impacts of dune cores on a beach-dune system. Here we evaluate and quantify the geomorphic impacts following dune core installation and investigate their economic feasibility. This was completed by comparing five case studies: Sea Isle City, NJ; Bolivar Peninsula, TX; Grand Isle, LA; Santa Rosa Beach, FL; and Nantucket Island, MA. An economic assessment was completed to compare dune core installation costs and repairs to alternative shoreline hardening methods. LiDAR data were used to compare dune slope, beach width, and beach volume between digital transects adjacent to and in front of the dune core installations. Digital elevation models (DEMs) were generated to provide a holistic view of geomorphic change and to assess whether erosion occurred landward of the dune core. Results indicate that dune cores are an economically feasible option compared to alternative methods. Limitations include UV exposure, wave influence, and heavy winds. Morphologically, beach width was 29.1% wider in adjacent transects and dune slope was 39.1% steeper in front of the dune core. Beach volume was lower by an overall average of 23.4%. The findings from this study suggest that dune cores are a ‘hard’ or ‘grey’ protection method.
Making a Case for Physical Education Teacher Education as a Viable Degree Program in Colleges and Universities.

Physical education teacher education (PETE) programs are responsible for the development and preparation of future physical education teachers and, at the K–12 level, physical education is an essential part of a curriculum that promotes the whole child. PETE programs in colleges and universities are therefore critical to the future of K–12 physical education programs, because it is the PETE program and faculty who will prepare the next generation of physical educators in the United States. Quality physical education programs benefit students both academically and physically; K–12 students who are healthy and active are better prepared to learn and grow. Physical education programs must provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in a lifetime of physical activity and healthy habits. Quality PETE programs graduate certified physical educators who are equipped to be successful in schools and who understand the value of creating a culture of health and wellness within the school setting. Subscribe to TPE
The Unethical American Healthcare System: Sicko (2007)

When teaching about healthcare systems, and particularly, the American healthcare system, the documentary film, Sicko, released in 2007 during the second Bush era, is an excellent start. As a healthcare ethics film, Sicko falls squarely into the “Justice and Healthcare Access” box.
Epidermal Inclusion Cyst

Epidermal inclusion cysts (EICs) (aka epidermoid cysts) are cystic lesions with an epithelial lining, which can develop in adolescence and early adulthood. Some may develop following the inflammatory phase of nodular acne lesions.
Maternal Dietary Fatty Acids and Their Relationship to Derived Endocannabinoids in Human Milk

BackgroundDietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are known to benefit infant development. After birth, human milk provides arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids to the in...
Do Sociocultural Factors Drive Civic Engagement? An Examination of Political Interest and Religiosity

The U.S. simultaneously faces declining rates of civic engagement and barriers to engagement, despite the importance to society and benefits to the participant. Scholars have examined factors that influence civic engagement but much of this work focuses on individual and household. However, people are not only shaped by individual characteristics and their social or economic situation, they are also shaped by their environment. What role do sociocultural factors play in civic engagement? Using a sample of respondents surrounding the 2016 election, this study examines the influence of two sociocultural factors—political interest and church attendance—on five measures of civic engagement—formal volunteering, informal volunteering, public meeting attendance, voting, and blood donation. Findings show sociocultural factors play a large role in shaping certain types of engagement. While both political interest and church attendance relates to formal and informal volunteering, public meeting attendance, and voting, church attendance plays a greater role in volunteering while political interest plays a greater role in political participation. Implications for research and practice are discussed as different factors relate to different types of engagement.
Poor Endometrial Proliferation After Clomiphene is Associated With Altered Estrogen Action.

CONTEXT Suboptimal endometrial thickening is associated with lower pregnancy rates and occurs in some infertile women treated with clomiphene. OBJECTIVE To examine cellular and molecular differences in the endometrium of women with suboptimal vs optimal endometrial thickening following clomiphene. METHODS Translational prospective cohort study from 2018 to 2020 at a university-affiliated clinic. Reproductive age women with unexplained infertility treated with 100 mg of clomiphene on cycle days 3 to 7 who developed optimal (≥8mm; n = 6, controls) or suboptimal (<6mm; n = 7, subjects) endometrial thickness underwent preovulatory blood and endometrial sampling. The main outcome measures were endometrial tissue architecture, abundance and location of specific proteins, RNA expression, and estrogen receptor (ER) α binding. RESULTS The endometrium of suboptimal subjects compared with optimal controls was characterized by a reduced volume of glandular epithelium (16% vs 24%, P = .01), decreased immunostaining of markers of proliferation (PCNA, ki67) and angiogenesis (PECAM-1), increased immunostaining of pan-leukocyte marker CD45 and ERβ, but decreased ERα immunostaining (all P < .05). RNA-seq identified 398 differentially expressed genes between groups. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes indicated reduced proliferation (Z-score = -2.2, P < .01), decreased angiogenesis (Z-score = -2.87, P < .001), increased inflammation (Z-score = +2.2, P < .01), and ERβ activation (Z-score = +1.6, P < .001) in suboptimal subjects. ChIP-seq identified 6 genes bound by ERα that were differentially expressed between groups (P < .01), some of which may play a role in implantation. CONCLUSION Women with suboptimal endometrial thickness after clomiphene exhibit aberrant ER expression patterns, architectural changes, and altered gene and protein expression suggesting reduced proliferation and angiogenesis in the setting of increased inflammation.
Critical Care Management of Surgical Patients with Heart Failure or Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A Brief Overview

Patients with heart failure, including those with implanted left ventricular assist devices, continue to increase in number. When they require noncardiac surgery, cardiac critical care expertise may not be immediately available to assist. This review serves to provide surgeons and surgical intensivists with a brief overview of the management of this patient population and common clinical scenarios and complications.
A Problem Concerning Special Functions

In 1963 Schweizer and Sklar [J. Math. Phys. 42] published the following Minkowski-type inequalities for the confluent hyper-geometric function 1F1: Let s1, s2, s3 be nonnegative numbers and σ1, σ2, σ3 positive numbers such that 2 max (ss1, s2, s3) ≤ s1 + s2 + s3 and 2 max \( \left( {\sigma _1^2 ,\,\sigma _2^2 ,\,\sigma _3^2 } \right) \leqslant \sigma _1^2 + \sigma _2^2 + \sigma _3^2 \). Let n be a positive integer.
Structure and function of mitochondrial presequences

Abstract Mitochondrial presequences are responsible for the specific targeting of proteins to the matrix of the mitochondria. The presequences lack sequence homology but share common physical characteristics—positive charge and amphiphilicity—which make them ideally suited for interacting with the mitochondrial outer membranes. Structural studies have demonstrated that presequences adopt α-helical structure in the presence of negatively charged surfaces and that the α-helices are amphiphilic. Quantitative studies using synthetic presequences have shown that the presequences bind to lipid vesicles and to the lipids of mitochondrial membranes, and that the binding to these membranes is similar. Other studies have shown that the import of mitochondrial presequences into isolated yeast mitochondria and their import into protein-free phospholipid vesicles are also similar. These results are discussed, and a model for the recognition of mitochondrial presequences within cells is presented.
Exploring new strategies for failure recovery of crippled robot manipulators

The use of robot explorers and constructors in space is enhanced by the ability to recover from component failures. In this paper, we consider a six degree-of-freedom PUMA-like manipulator, mounted on a platform, that has a failed joint. We show the benefits of combining velocity and acceleration kinematic specifications of the task with constraints imposed by the joint failure to provide design degrees-of-freedom that ensure the task can be achieved despite the failure, which is the main contribution of the paper. The technique is illustrated for the recovery of an arm, modeled as the Instrument Deployment Device (IDD) of the Mars Exploratory Rover, from single failure in each of the three arm joints. The recognition that it is possible to reconfigure a crippled robotic system to achieve mission critical tasks guides the development of robust planning algorithms and influences future robot design.
Three-dimensional structure of the alkaline protease of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a two-domain protein with a calcium binding parallel beta roll motif.

Abstract The three-dimensional structure of the alkaline protease of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a zinc metalloprotease, has been solved to a resolution of 1.64 A by multiple isomorphous replacement and non-crystallographic symmetry averaging between different crystal forms. The molecule is elongated with overall dimensions of 90 x 35 x 25 A; it has two distinct structural domains. The N-terminal domain is the proteolytic domain; it has an overall tertiary fold and active site zinc ligation similar to that of astacin, a metalloprotease isolated from a European freshwater crayfish. The C-terminal domain consists of a 21-strand beta sandwich. Within this domain is a novel 'parallel beta roll' structure in which successive beta strands are wound in a right-handed spiral, and in which Ca2+ ions are bound within the turns between strands by a repeated GGXGXD sequence motif, a motif that is found in a diverse group of proteins secreted by Gram-negative bacteria.
The Arndt-Eistert Synthesis

The Arndt-Eistert synthesis is a procedure for converting an acid to its next highest homolog or to a derivative of the homologous acid, and an ester and an amide. The synthesis, which is applicable to both, aliphatic and aromatic acids involves the following three operations; formation of the acid chloride; reaction of the acid chloride with diazomethane to yield a diazoketone; and rearrangement of the diazoketone in the presence of suitable reagents and a catalyst (colloidal silver, platinum, copper). An acid is formed in the presence of water, and ester is produced in an alcohol, and am amide results when ammonia or an amine is used. Keywords: Arndt-Eistert synthesis; diazomethane; acids; amides; esters; experimental conditions
Abstract 3766: The response of cervical cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents depends on endogenous ROS levels as well as the drug-induced ROS profile

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women; approximately 400,000 new cases of this disease are diagnosed each year, of which approximately half will lead to death. Treatment of advanced and relapsed cervical cancer is frequently ineffective, due in large part to chemoresistance. To examine the pathways responsible, we employed the cervical carcinoma-derived SiHa and CaSki cells as cellular models of resistance and sensitivity, respectively, to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents. In particular, CaSki cells are much more sensitive than are SiHa cells to cell death induced by doxorubicin and cisplatin. In this study, we compared the proteomic profiles of SiHa and CaSki cells, and identified pathways with the potential to contribute to the differential response. Based on the results from this proteomic analysis, we hypothesized that pathways involved in the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels might contribute in to the observed difference in how these two cell lines respondse to chemotherapy. We then extended these findings by analyzing and comparing the expression level of genes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism through the use of an RT PCR array, and. We found outdiscovered that cells resistant and sensitive cells to drug treatment had displayed different expression levels of expression of pro- and anti-oxidant enzymes. Decreasing or increasing oxidative stress led to protection or sensitization, respectively, to drug-induced cell death, supporting the idea that cellular levels of oxidative stress affect responsiveness to treatment. Interestingly, the two agents tested, doxorubicin and cisplatin, induced different profiles of ROS, and these differences appear to contribute to the differential sensitivity displayed by cervical cancer cells to treatment. Overall, our findings demonstrate that cervical cancer cells display variable profiles with respect to their redox-generating and -adaptive systems, and that these different profiles have the potential to contribute to their differential responses to treatments with chemotherapeutic agents. Citation Format: Maria Filippova. The response of cervical cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents depends on endogenous ROS levels as well as the drug-induced ROS profile. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3766. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3766
Establishing a software reuse support structure

A support structure is described which is used to implement a software reuse program. The focus of this structure is to eliminate the non-technical inhibitors typically associated with reusing software. The structure presented revolves around a site-wide reuse coordinator who acts as a reuse champion, reuse focal points within each project, a review board that reviews reusable candidates, and appropriate measurements and incentives. >
Chapter 16 Cell cycle kinetics estimated by analysis of Bromodeoxyuridine Incorporation

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methods for sample preparation and staining, flow-cytometric data acquisition, and the procedures for quantitative analysis of dynamic cell-kinetic data. Whereas the percentage of labeled mitotic figures (PLM) technology relied on labeling cells in S-phase and observing them through the window of mitosis, the two-color flow cytometric technique relies on S-phase labeling but now observes the labeled cells throughout the entire cell cycle. Importantly, it utilizes the extra information discernible from the division status of the labeled population. This technology permits the rapid evaluation of the quantities required to describe many of the growth kinetic parameters of cell populations. The basis of these techniques is that cells in S phase can be selectively labeled both in vitro and in vivo by administration of a nontoxic level of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd). The cells that incorporate BrdUrd continue to progress through the cell cycle and may be sampled, or a biopsy or surgical specimen taken, at a known time later.
Intelligent Classification and Visualization of Network Scans

Network scans are a common first step in a network intrusion attempt. In order to gain information about a potential network intrusion, it is beneficial to analyze these network scans. Statistical methods such as wavelet scalogram analysis have been used along with visualization techniques in previous methods. However, applying these statistical methods causes a substantial amount of data loss. This paper presents a study of using associative memory learning techniques to directly compare network scans in order to create a classification which can be used by itself or in conjunction with existing visualization techniques to better characterize the sources of these scans. This produces an integrated system of visual and intelligent analysis which is applicable to real world data.
No-Arbitrage Price Relations for Forwards, Futures, and Swaps

The three key factors that drive the valuation of a financial asset are risk, return, and timing of cash flows. A fundamental assumption in valuation is that in the absence of costless arbitrage opportunities, if two investments whose risk, return, and timing of cash flow properties are exactly the same are identified, they must have the same price in the marketplace. Otherwise, market participants can make free money by simultaneously selling the more expensive one and buying the cheaper one. This principle allows for the development of no-arbitrage price relations for forwards, futures, and swaps. The price of a futures contract is identical to the price of a forward contract in an environment in which short-term interest rates are known. In addition, a swap contract is nothing more than a portfolio of forward contracts. Hence, if a forward contract can be valued, a swap can be valued. The forward price and the underlying spot price are inextricably linked by the net cost of carry relation. Keywords: no-arbitrage relations; net cost of carry; continuous rates; net cost of carry relation; forward contract; marked-to-market; Futures contracts; swap; forward curve; normal forward curve; inverted forward curve
The Construction of Race

Lee D. Baker. From Savage to Negro: Anthropology and the Construction of Race, 1896–1954. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. xi. 325 pp.
California Study of Asphalt Concrete Density Measurement—Nuclear Versus Core Density

The lack of a fast, reliable method for accurately determining in-situ density has been the major obstacle in the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) effort to develop an end-result compaction requirement for asphalt concrete pavement. Although the nuclear gage provides a rapid method of determining inplace densities, the results have not proven consistent with the densities determined by the generally accepted water displacement method of testing core specimens. This paper discusses factors contributing to these inconsistencies. It is concluded that the water displacement method is incorrectly described as a measure of bulk density and is not measuring the sample properties as the nuclear method. It is also concluded that the Caltrans procedure for calibrating backscatter nuclear gages is introducing inconsistencies into the nuclear density determinations. Several procedures for measuring the density of thin layers (less than 50 mm) of asphalt concrete have been examined. These procedures are described and their weaknesses discussed. (Author)
Theoretical aspects of nonradial oscillations in white dwarfs: A summary

The present status of nonradial oscillation theory as applied to the ZZ Ceti variables is briefly reviewed as are the author's concerns about what might be the modes of oscillation of these stars.
Variance-based Active Learning

For many supervised learning tasks, the cost of acquiringtraining data is dominated by the cost of class labeling.In this work, we explore active learning forclass probability estimation (CPE). Active learning acquiresdata incrementally, using the model learned sofar to help identify especially useful additional data forlabeling. We present a new method for active learning,BootstrapLV, which chooses new data based onthe variance in probability estimates from bootstrapsamples. We then show empirically that the methodreduces the number of data items that must be labeled,across a wide variety of data sets. We also compareBootstrap-LV with Uncertainty Sampling, an existingactive-learning method for maximizing classificationaccuracy, and show not only that BootstrapLV dominatesfor CPE but also that it is quite competitive evenfor accuracy maximization.