cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Out of the Shadow: Heretical and Catholic Women in Renaissance Venice:

In late Renaissance Venice, a patriarchal ideology was not only the patrimony of noblemen but was diffused among male artisans as well. Drawing on the records of trials from the Roman Inquisition in the later half of the six teenth century, this article examines ways in which both Catholic and heretical women—in both cases the wives of artisans—responded to the patriarchy and the violence of their households. Catholic women found refuge in a variety of reli gious devotions ranging from confession to the rituals associated with childbirth. To a degree, these women were aided by certain of the Tridentine reforms. The heretical women, by contrast, sought solidarity with one another and demon strated remarkable self-confidence in their interpretations of religious matters. Yet there were similarities in both social and cultural dimensions of female reli giousness in sixteenth-century Venice which transcended purely religious dif ferences. These similarities, moreover, are suggestive of a world in which, despi...
A spatio-spectral algorithm for robust and scalable object tracking in videos

In this work we propose a mechanism which looks at processing the low-level visual information present in video frames and prepares mid-level tracking trajectories of objects of interest within the video. The main component of the proposed framework takes detected objects as inputs and generates their appearance models, maintains them and tracks these individuals within the video. The proposed object tracking algorithm is also capable of detecting the possibility of collision between the object trajectories and resolving it without losing their models.
Uncertain Images: Museums and the Work of Photographs (Edwards and Lien, eds.)

This work is a book review considering the title Uncertain Images: Museums and the Work of Photographs edited by Elizabeth Edwards and Sigrid Lien.
Lens regeneration from the cornea requires suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

The frog, Xenopus laevis, possesses a high capacity to regenerate various larval tissues, including the lens, which is capable of complete regeneration from the cornea epithelium. However, the molecular signaling mechanisms of cornea-lens regeneration are not fully understood. Previous work has implicated the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway, but molecular studies have been very limited. Iris-derived lens regeneration in the newt (Wolffian lens regeneration) has shown a necessity for active Wnt signaling in order to regenerate a new lens. Here we provide evidence that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a different role in the context of cornea-lens regeneration in Xenopus. We examined the expression of frizzled receptors and wnt ligands in the frog cornea epithelium. Numerous frizzled receptors (fzd1, fzd2, fzd3, fzd4, fzd6, fzd7, fzd8, and fzd10) and wnt ligands (wnt2b.a, wnt3a, wnt4, wnt5a, wnt5b, wnt6, wnt7b, wnt10a, wnt11, and wnt11b) are expressed in the cornea epithelium, demonstrating that this tissue is transcribing many of the ligands and receptors of the Wnt signaling pathway. When compared to flank epithelium, which is lens regeneration incompetent, only wnt11 and wnt11b are different (present only in the cornea epithelium), identifying them as potential regulators of cornea-lens regeneration. To detect changes in canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling occurring within the cornea epithelium, axin2 expression was measured over the course of regeneration. axin2 is a well-established reporter of active Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and its expression shows a significant decrease at 24 h post-lentectomy. This decrease recovers to normal endogenous levels by 48 h. To test whether this signaling decrease was necessary for lens regeneration to occur, regenerating eyes were treated with either 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) or 1-azakenpaullone - both activators of Wnt signaling - resulting in a significant reduction in the percentage of cases with successful regeneration. In contrast, inhibition of Wnt signaling using either the small molecule IWR-1, treatment with recombinant human Dickkopf-1 (rhDKK1) protein, or transgenic expression of Xenopus DKK1, did not significantly affect the percentage of successful regeneration. Together, these results suggest a model where Wnt/β-catenin signaling is active in the cornea epithelium and needs to be suppressed during early lens regeneration in order for these cornea cells to give rise to a new lentoid. While this finding differs from what has been described in the newt, it closely resembles the role of Wnt signaling during the initial formation of the lens placode from the surface ectoderm during early embryogenesis.
LDL Modified by Hypochlorous Acid Is a Potent Inhibitor of Lecithin-Cholesterol Acyltransferase Activity

Modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) by myeloperoxidase-generated HOCl has been implicated in human atherosclerosis. Incubation of LDL with HOCl generates several reactive intermediates, primarily N-chloramines, which may react with other biomolecules. In this study, we investigated the effects of HOCl-modified LDL on the activity of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), an enzyme essential for high density lipoprotein maturation and the antiatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport pathway. We exposed human LDL (0.5 mg protein/mL) to physiological concentrations of HOCl (25 to 200 mmol/L) and characterized the resulting LDL modifications to apolipoprotein B and lipids; the modified LDL was subsequently incubated with apolipoprotein B- depleted plasma (density .1.063 g/mL fraction), which contains functional LCAT. Increasing concentrations of HOCl caused various modifications to LDL, primarily, loss of lysine residues and increases in N-chloramines and electrophoretic mobility, whereas lipid hydroperoxides were only minor products. LCAT activity was extremely sensitive to HOCl-modified LDL and was reduced by 23% and 93% by LDL preincubated with 25 and 100mmol/L HOCl, respectively. Addition of 200 mmol/L ascorbate or N-acetyl derivatives of cysteine or methionine completely prevented LCAT inactivation by LDL preincubated with #200 mmol/L HOCl. Protecting the free thiol groups of LCAT with 5,59-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) before exposure to HOCl-modified LDL, which inhibits lipid hydroperoxide-mediated inactivation of LCAT, failed to prevent the loss of enzyme activity. Our data indicate that N-chloramines from HOCl-modified LDL mediate the loss of plasma LCAT activity and provide a novel mechanism by which myeloperoxidase-generated HOCl may promote atherogenesis. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001;21:1040-1045.)
In situ ligand synthesis with the UO22+ cation under hydrothermal conditions

Abstract A novel uranium (VI) coordination polymer, (UO2)2(C2O4)(C5H6NO3)2 (1), has been prepared under the hydrothermal reaction of uranium nitrate hexahydrate and l -pyroglutamic acid. Compound 1 (monoclinic, C2/c, a=22.541(6) A, b=5.7428(15) A, c=15.815(4) A, β=119.112(4)°, Z=4, R1=0.0237, wR2=0.0367) consists of uranium pentagonal bipyramids linked via l -pyroglutamate and oxalate anions to form an overall two-dimensional (2D) structure. With the absence of oxalic acid within the starting materials, the oxalate anions are hypothesized to form in situ whereby decarboxylation of l -pyroglutamic acid occurs followed by coupling of CO2 to form the oxalate linkages as observed in the crystal structure. Addition of copper (II) to this system appears to promote oxalate formation in that synthetic moolooite (Cu(C2O4)·nH2O; 0⩽n⩽1) and a known uranyl oxalate [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2·H2O], co-crystallize in significant quantity. Compound 1 exhibits the characteristic uranyl emission spectrum upon either direct uranyl excitation or ligand excitation, the latter of which shows an increase in relative intensity. This subsequent increase in the intensity indicates an energy transfer from the ligand to the uranyl cations thus illustrating an example of the antenna effect in the solid state.
Heidegger on Animality and Anthropocentrism

ABSTRACTThroughout his writings, Heidegger's view of animals is ostensibly anthropocentric, defining them as deficient in relation to human beings. His most extensive analysis of animality, found in the 1929–1930 lecture course entitled The Fundamental Concepts of Metaphysics, seems to be a clear example of this anthropocentrism, defining the animal as poor in world in opposition to the human being's world-forming character. Nevertheless, Heidegger is explicitly ambivalent regarding the anthropocentric implications of this conception of animality. This paper examines Heidegger's articulation of the notion of world-poverty as a distinct form of negativity, its implications for the question concerning Heidegger's anthropocentrism, as well as his ambivalence with regard to this question.
Revisiting the small-firm effect in entrepreneurship: evidence from firm dissolutions.

A frequent claim in the entrepreneurship literature is that employees learn to become entrepreneurs during paid employment. We revisit this mechanism in the context of the well-established finding that smaller firms generate higher rates of entrepreneurship. We propose a novel mechanism responsible for higher rates of entrepreneurship emanating from smaller firms: large firms might have a advantage over small firms in providing internal opportunities to retain entrepreneurial talent. We test this claim in a setting where firm dissolution extinguishes internal opportunities, using a new hand-collected data set of career histories in the automatic speech recognition (ASR) industry. For nondefunct firms, we replicate the “small-firm effect.” However, the small-firm effect no longer holds within the subsample of defunct firms: entrepreneurship rates among individuals present at firm dissolution are in fact higher for larger firms. Additional analyses indicate that this effect is unlikely to be driven by the early departure of higher-skilled workers who anticipate the firm’s demise. Finally, we find preliminary evidence consistent with the notion that large organizations may not only retain but also “mold” workers into entrepreneurs. More broadly, the study emphasizes the need to consider a novel mechanism responsible for transition into entrepreneurship—the role of opportunities available to employees in incumbent firms.
Attendance in voice therapy: Can an interdisciplinary care model have an impact

Objectives:We sought to determine the effect of referral patterns on attendance in voice therapy.Methods:Patients who were seen by a laryngologist for vocal concerns and referred for voice therapy ...
Assessing the effects of streamline curvature on the aerodynamics of circulation control airfoil

RANS simulation of a circulation control airfoil was performed at a chord based Reynolds number of 0:49 10 6 using an incompressible solver in OpenFOAM. In this ow conguration, a tangential jet is blown over a thick, rounded trailing edge to delay separation using the Coanda eect. Highly curved, recirculation regions are seen to form near the trailing edge. To investigate the streamline curvature eects, curvature corrections from both bifurcation approach and modied coecients approach were applied to the SST k! turbulence model. The predicted radial velocity proles along the Coanda surface, the pressure coecient and the lift coecient are compared with the LES data. Some improvements observed in using the curvature corrections are discussed.
Normal and Altered Thyroidal Function in Domesticated Goldfish, Carassius auratus

Summary1. Normal goldfish, Carassius auratus accumulate a peak of 3% of an injected tracer dose of I131 intrathyroidally. This small amount of radioiodine remains in the thyroid at the same level for more than a week. Thyroids of thyrotropic hormone-injected goldfish accumulate 9% or more of the tracer I131, but lose at least 40% of it within a week, indicating a greater turnover rate. 2. Radioiodine in normal goldfish thyroids is mostly in the form of monoiodotyro-sine and diiodotyrosine, with little, if any, thyroxine formed even after one week. The thyrotropic hormone stimulated goldfish thyroid forms a small proportion of radiothyrox-ine as early at 24 hours after injected I131 and as much as 8% of the I131 is in the form of thyroxine by 7 days after injection of I131. 3. Keeping the goldfish in water low in iodine had an effect on131 metabolism similar to thyrotropic hormone treatment.
RIMU Misalignment Vector Decomposition

A general misalignment parameter vector for a redundant inertial measurement unit (RIMU) comprises two misalignment angles for each of n sense axes (n > 3). A transformation is derived to separate 3 rotational misalignments and 2n i 3 nonorthogonal misalignments in the parameter vector. The model order can be reduced by explicitly eliminating the three rotational misalignments. It is shown that the model order can also be implicitly reduced by appropriately initializing the covariance with the aid of the transformation. The equivalence of rotational misalignments modeled at either the RIMU or at the attitude sensors is shown empirically via simulation. Results apply also to nonredundant IMUs (n = 3).
Current Major Trends and Considerations for the Future

Much of the challenge of leading the financial aspects of a pathology practice lies in adapting to national and local trends. While we currently seem to be in a time of very rapid change in pathology as well as the rest of medicine, the change is occurring unevenly across the country, and responses have varied region to region. Looking out over the next several years, multiple trends must be considered: 1. The rise of value-based purchasing (VBP) and the expansion of quality incentive programs such as the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) with transition to the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2019 2. The growth of accountable care organizations (ACO), bundled payments, and similar new arrangements of providers 3. Continued downward pressure on payments for pathology and laboratory services 4. Challenges in the workforce—numbers, training, and adaptability 5. Potential influence of technologic disrupters, for example, insourcing with digital pathology, in vivo microscopy, enhanced biomarkers for primary diagnosis and monitoring, and increasing point-of-care testing options 6. For academic pathologists, continued uncertainty in funding for graduate medical education (GME) and research
Mineralized Tissue: Histology, Biology and Biochemistry

The hydroxyapatite crystals in most forms of osteogenesis imperfecta are smaller than those in age-matched normal bones, and these crystals have altered chemical compositions. Insight into the mechanisms underlying the defective mineralization in osteogenesis imperfecta bones is provided by histological, biochemical and physicochemical analyses. Techniques involved include light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, back-scattered electron imaging, infrared and Raman imaging, and micro-computed tomography. Knowledge obtained from each of the techniques reviewed here contributes to the understanding of the mineralization process in these conditions and to the understanding of the role of collagen and noncollagenous matrix proteins in normal bone mineralization.
Purpose, Mission, and Context: The Call for Educating Future Leaders

This chapter calls on higher education to reclaim its role in leadership education. Specifically it examines higher education's purpose, context, and mission as clarion calls to embed leadership education throughout higher education institutions and focuses on why this is important.
Augmentation of Host Defense Reactivity with Special Nutrients

Nutritional therapy has become an increasingly important component of therapeutic intervention for human disease, especially during critical illness. Recent studies have shown that the effects of nutritional therapy can extend well beyond the treatment and prevention of deficiencies of dietary components, partly because some nutrients have pharmacologic effects, i.e., when given in quantities different from that normally in the diet or in excess of that which will prevent deficiency, they may elicit biological responses in a manner similar to pharmacologic agents. Among these nutrients are the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), arginine, and, to a lesser extent, vitamins E, C, and A. The nucleotides, zinc, and selenium may have pharmacologic effects under certain conditions, but carbohydrates and proteins themselves probably do not. Among the above, the PUFA and arginine are the most important.
Neural Crest Cells in Craniofacial Skeletal Development

Among its many derivatives, neural crest (NC) forms most of the cartilages and bones of the skull. Like other NC-derived cell types, skeletogenic NCC emigrate from the neurectoderm, migrate along defined pathways, and interact with surrounding epithelia; this has been particularly well studied in the context of the pharyngeal arches. Yet, as these ectoderm-derived cells form cartilage and bone (cell types normally derived from embryonic mesoderm), skeletogenic NCC differ markedly from other NC populations, particularly in the interactions with neighboring tissues that control their morphogenesis and differentiation. Patterning of the craniofacial skeleton can be best understood when considered as modules of progenitors, such as dorsal–ventral domains within pharyngeal arch segments, oral–aboral domains with the developing palate, or NC versus mesodermal domains of the skull vault. These domains are induced by a barrage of signals from surrounding epithelia, and interact with one another to generate skeletal elements of the correct size and shape. Here, we discuss recent genetic studies, primarily in zebrafish and mice, that have shown how these signaling networks are integrated during cranial NC development, their relevance to human craniofacial malformations, and their variation during evolution. In addition, new genetic techniques have allowed discovery of new NC derivatives and new signaling pathways.
Experimental investigation of the overall residence time of pebbles in a pebble bed reactor (PBR) using radioactive pebble

Abstract The granular flow of pebbles in a pebble bed reactor (PBR) under the influence of gravity is a dense granular flow with long-lasting frictional contacts. The basic governing physics is not fully understood and hence the dynamic core of a PBR and non-idealities associated with pebbles flow inside the reactor core are of non-trivial significance from the point of view of safety analyses, licensing, and thermal hydraulics. In the current study, overall and zonal pebbles residence time investigation is carried out by implementing noninvasive radioisotope-based flow visualization measurement techniques such as residence time distribution (RTD) and radioactive particle tracking (RPT). The characteristics of overall pebble residence time/transient number, zonal residence time, and the z-component of average zonal velocities at different initial seeding positions of a tracer particle have been summarized. It is found that the overall pebbles residence time/transient number increases (the z-component of average zonal velocities decreases) from the center towards the reactor wall. Also, pebbles’ zonal residence time results (the whole core is divided into three zones) which provide more insight and understanding about PBR core dynamics have been reported. The benchmark data provided could be used for assessment of commercial/in-house computational methodologies related to granular flow investigations.
Spectral Radii and Collatz–Wielandt Numbers for Homogeneous Order-preserving Maps and the Monotone Companion Norm

It is well known that an ordered normed vector space X with normal cone X+ has an order-preserving norm that is equivalent to the original norm. Such an equivalent order-preserving norm is given by $$ \begin{array}{lll} \# x\# = \max \left\{ {d\left( {x,\,X_ + } \right),\,d\left( {x,\, - X_ + } \right)} \right\},\,x \in X. \end{array} $$
Spaceports: A Primer

October 2004. The ink was barely dry on the $10 million Ansari X-Prize winning check before a potentially equally lucrative space race was announced; the competition between spaceports. Kick-starting the contest was Peter Mitchell, director of the New Mexico Office for Space Commercialization, who was present at Mojave Airport on the day that SpaceShipOne (SS1) made history. “Today doesn’t belong to New Mexico, the day belongs to the gentlemen up here … that made this dream become a reality,” Mitchell told reporters. “Tomorrow, however, we focus on bringing the spoils of this dream to the state of New Mexico”. Not surprisingly, the remark rubbed some people the wrong way, including Dick Rutan, the brother of SS1 designer Burt Rutan, and a member of the Mojave airport district’s board of directors. He promised to give Mitchell a run for his money and so the race was on (Fig. 1.1).
Letter re: The magnetic apraxia of Denny-Brown.

In their Video NeuroImage, Peluso et al.1 reported a patient with right hand magnetic apraxia attributed to parietal lobe dysfunction.2 Magnetic apraxia is a variant of alien hand syndrome caused by lesions in the frontal lobe.3 It typically manifests with unilateral grasping and groping of the dominant (usually right) hand. In contrast, alien hand syndrome due to parietal lobe lesions, most commonly corticobasal syndrome or stroke, tends to manifest with limb levitation and noncomplex movements accompanied by other parietal deficits.4 The video shown is consistent with magnetic apraxia, but would thus need to be attributed to the patient's frontal lobe lesion. If attributed to the parietal lobe, by definition it is not the magnetic apraxia of Denny-Brown.
Multi-Stage Resource Allocation with Carrier Aggregation

In this chapter, we present a resource allocation with carrier aggregation optimization problem to allocate the eNodeB’s carrier resources optimally among users in its coverage area while taking into consideration the rates allocated to each user from other carriers for cellular system [3–5]. We propose two multi-stage resource allocation with carrier aggregation approaches. The first approach uses distributed (decentralized) multi-stage algorithms to allocate users, under the coverage area of a primary carrier and a secondary carrier, the resources from both carriers. The second approach uses centralized multi-stage algorithms to allocate users the resources optimally from all in band carriers and give each user the ability to select its primary and secondary carriers based on their offered prices in order to provide a minimum price for the allocated resources.
IL-6 influences the balance between M1 and M2 macrophages in a mouse model of irritant contact dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is an acute inflammatory response that is ranked the 2 nd most prevalent occupational injury associated with workman’s compensation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced in the skin, is closely associated with healing and decreased levels are associated with more severe ICD. The phenotypic nature of the macrophage infiltrate during skin inflammation can greatly influence damage and healing during ICD. The pro-inflammatory, classically activated (M1) macrophage produce cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1, and TNFα, while alternatively activated (M2) macrophages produce IL-10 and TGFβ, and are thought to be associated with tissue repair. IL-6 may play a regulatory role in mediating the M1 versus M2 phenotypic change in skin. To examine the role of IL-6 in ICD, IL-6KO and C57 mice were exposed to benzoalkonium chloride (BKC) for 7 days. IL-6KO mice displayed decreased expression of CD206 (M2) as compared to CD86 (M1) and the ration of CD86:CD206 was significantly increased in IL-6KO mice compared to control. Multiplex protein analysis showed expression of multiple M1-related cytokines such IFN-g, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, and CCL7 significantly modulated in IL6-KO BKC treated mice compared to C57. Additionally, M2 related cytokine/chemokine receptors IL-4R and CCR1 were significantly dysregulated in IL-6KO BKC treated mice. IL-6 treatment of RAW cells enhanced the expression of CD206 in manner similar to IL-4. Overall, these results further confirm a role for IL-6 in macrophage polarization and could eventually result in the development of therapies for dermatitis based on this cytokines activity.
Simple Detection of Telomere Fusions in Pancreatic Cancer, Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm, and Pancreatic Cyst Fluid

Telomere end-to-end fusions are an important source of chromosomal instability that arise in cells with critically shortened telomeres. We developed a nested real-time quantitative PCR method for telomere fusion detection in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), and IPMN cyst fluids. Ninety-one pancreatic cancer cell lines and xenograft samples, 93 IPMNs, and 93 surgically aspirated IPMN cyst fluid samples were analyzed. The association between telomere shortening, telomerase activity, and telomere fusion detection was evaluated. Telomere fusions were detected in 56 of 91 pancreatic cancers (61.5%). Telomere fusion-positive cell lines had significantly shorter telomere lengths than fusion-negative lines (P = 0.003). Telomere fusions were undetectable in normal pancreas or IPMNs with low-grade dysplasia (0.0%) and were detected in IPMN with high-grade dysplasia (HGD; 48.0%) (P
Digital array planar near-field calibration using element plane wave spectra with iterative search

Phased array antenna performance (sidelobe level, directivity, null depth, pointing accuracy, etc.) is dependent on calibration quality at each scan angle. Typically phased arrays are calibrated only at broadside scan. In some cases, particularly with smaller, high performance arrays, much time is spent determining calibration coefficients over the scan volume and array weighting, each requiring many pattern measurements. In contrast, digital receive arrays offer the possibility to greatly reduce range time for calibration coefficient extraction. Due to their access to element level I-Q data, superposition can be used to derive the calibration coefficients at all scan angles/weightings (within good measurement practice) with just one near-field scan. In this paper, we derive the theory underpinning the technique, give a calibration algorithm, and show an example array calibrated with the proposed method which drives sidelobe levels (SLLs) to near ideal levels.
High temperature monitoring using a novel fiber optic ultrasonic sensing system

This paper presents a novel fiber optic ultrasonic sensing system to measure high temperature in the air. Traveling velocity of sound in a medium is proportional to medium’s temperature. The fiber optic ultrasonic sensing system was applied to measure the change of sound velocity. A fiber optic ultrasonic generator and a Fabry-Perot fiber sensor were used as the signal generator and receiver, respectively. A carbon black- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material was utilized as the photoacoustic material for the fiber optic ultrasonic generator. A water cooling system was applied to cool down the photoacoustic material. A test was performed at lab furnace environment (up to 700 ℃). The sensing system survived 700℃. It successfully detect the ultrasonic signal and got the temperature measurements. The test results agreed with the reference sensor data. The paper validated the high temperature measurement capability of the novel fiber optic ultrasonic sensing system. The fiber optic ultrasonic sensing system could have broad applications. One example is that it could serve as acoustic pyrometers for 3D temperature distribution reconstruction in an industrial combustion facility
It's our club! From supporter psychological ownership to supporter formal ownership.

Abstract A major development in international sport governance is the increasing number of clubs owned by supporters. Researchers have advocated for more supporter involvement in the governance of sport teams but have not fully explained why some supporters attempt to become team owners. Sport governance scholars have also generally ignored the perspectives of those fans that do not seek to become club owners. In the current study, the authors took the perspective of psychological ownership theory and used semi-structured interviews to examine the perspectives of a professional football team’s supporters, some of which were interested in becoming team shareholders. The authors found that a primary reason supporters attempt to become club owners lies in their sense of psychological ownership for their team. Following this sense of ownership, supporter ownership initiatives appear to follow a certain pattern of events, including a sense of dissatisfaction, expressing such dissatisfaction in an attempt to bring about change, and eventually, initiating a formal ownership movement after reaching a tipping point. Lastly, the authors found that during supporter ownership movements, the actions taken by supporters involved in such initiatives may impact fans not involved in the ownership movement. The study makes contributions to sport governance, fan behavior, psychological ownership and fan social network literatures.
Prevention of Deme Formation by the Pinyon Needle Scale: Problems of Specializing in a Dynamic System

Genetic differentiation within populations has evolutionary consequences for both populations and species, and is important to issues such as local adaptation, speciation, and biodiversity (Wright 1968,1969, 1978; Lewontin 1974; Endler 1977; Brown 1979; Mitter and Futuyma 1979; Bradshaw 1984; Futuyma and Peterson 1985; Waser and Price 1985). Becoming locally adapted may allow widespread generalist species to exploit a variety of resources by forming host races (Thompson 1994); additionally, specialist herbivores may track certain host genotypes by forming biotypes (Gallun et al. 1975; Gould 1983; Service 1984; Parker 1985; Feder et al. 1988; Moran and Whitham 1988). In either case, a species may be able to increase niche breadth as a result of genetic diversity that results from local adaptation (van Valen 1965). It is therefore important to understand what mechanisms promote or prevent deme formation from occurring at different spatial levels of organization.
Cyberspace Self-Governance: A Skeptical View from Democratic Theory

The idea that cyberspace should be presumptively self-governing has resounded in thoughtful scholarship. It has also precipitated the recent, dramatic withdrawal of the United States government from significant portions of Internet administration and regulation. This Article critiques a central prong of the argument for cyberspace self-governance: the claim that a self-governing cyberspace would more fully realize liberal democratic ideals than does nation-state representative democracy. That "cyberian" claim, in turn, has two parallel components: first, that the Internet creates possibilities for "bottom-up private ordering" that are a superior form of liberal democracy, and second, that a truly liberal nation-state must grant considerable autonomy to cyberspace "communities." These claims of liberal perfectionism and community autonomy pose an intriguing challenge to traditional democratic theory. But I believe that they ultimately fail. I argue, indeed, that an untrammeled cyberspace would prove inimical to the ideals of liberal democracy. It would free majorities to trample upon minorities and would serve as a breeding ground for invidious status discrimination, narrow casting and mainstreaming content selection, systematic invasions of privacy, and gross inequalities in the distribution of basic requisites for citizenship in the information age. Accordingly, I argue, that selective state regulation of cyberspace is warranted to protect and promote liberal ideals. I maintain as well that in the absence of regulation by a democratic state, cyberians would be forced to try to invent a quasi-state institution to legislate and enforce meta-norms governing critical aspects of cyberspace organization and operation. Even if cyberians were successfully to establish such an institution, it would, at best, suffer from much the same democratic deficit as, according to cyberians, characterizes nation-state representative democracy.
Stabilization of Nonlinear Systems Using Output Feedback

One of the basic fundamental issues in control theory is the ability to design a feedback law to the purpose of robustly stabilizing a system, in the presence of structured uncertainties, such as parameter variations, and/or unstructured uncertainties, such as unmodeled dynamics.
Purification and Characterization of Poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ated DNA Replication/Repair Complexes

PARP-1, the best studied isoform and most abundantly expressed member of the PARP family of 18 proteins, catalyzes the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) of various nuclear proteins and play key roles in DNA repair, genome maintenance, DNA replication, recombination, apoptosis, gene expression, and regulation of chromatin function. PARylation modulates the functions of target proteins, mainly PARP-1 itself. A multifunctional enzyme, PARP-1 has been localized within DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription complexes, and modifies and regulates the functions of specific components of these complexes. PARylation can regulate the activities of replicative enzymes, such as DNA polymerases α, δ, and e, topo I and II, primase, RPA, and PCNA in isolated enzymes or within DNA replication complexes (DNA synthesome). PARP-1 and PARylation may (1) play dual roles in nuclear processes, depending on the levels of the substrate NAD and the presence of PARP-activating DNA breaks, (2) recruit acceptor proteins to certain sites or complexes through direct association or through binding to PAR and PAR-binding proteins, and (3) alters the nucleosomal structure of DNA by PARylation of nucleosomal proteins, such as histone H1 to destabilize higher order chromatin structures and promote access of DNA repair and replication enzymes as well as transcription factors to these sites. Here, we describe biochemical approaches that have been utilized in our laboratory for the purification and characterization of PARylated DNA replicative complexes. These methods can be modified for the purification of complexes involved in other nuclear processes. This chapter also briefly discusses current methods by which new PARylated complexes are being identified and studied. Identification, evaluation, and characterization of new complexes could aid in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which PARylation and PARP mediates its pleiotropic roles in various nuclear processes.
Development of In-Service Inspection Plans for Nuclear Components at the Surry Unit 1 Nuclear Power Station

As part of the nondestructive evaluation reliability program sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission at Pacific Northwest Laboratory, a methodology has been developed for establishing in-service inspection priorities of nuclear power plant components. The method uses results of probabilistic risk assessment in conjunction with the techniques of failure modes and effects analysis to identify and prioritize the most risk-important systems and components for inspection at nuclear power plants. Surry nuclear power station unit 1 was selected for demonstrating the methodology. The specific systems selected for analysis were the reactor pressure vessel, the reactor coolant, the low pressure injection including the accumulators, and the auxiliary feedwater. The results provide a risk-based ranking of components that can be used to establish a prioritization of the components and a basis for developing improved in-service inspection plans at nuclear power plants.
Bioethanol and Natural Resources: Substrates, Chemistry and Engineered Systems

Bioethanol and Natural Resources: Substrates, Chemistry and Engineered Systems provides a comprehensive review of feedstocks, physiochemical and biological pretreatments, molecular substrates, cellulolytic and ligninolytic enzymes, and advanced technologies for producing bioethanol. Although this book provides a review of first-generation bioethanol feedstocks, chemistry, and processes, there is an emphasis on second-generation "cellulosic" ethanol production. With rapid advances in biofuels technologies and the continued global dependency on unsustainable extraction of fossil fuels, this text is timely. Although it is intended to be used as a supplemental text for advanced undergraduate or graduate level courses, the book is accessible to a non-academic audience. This book provides a unique opportunity to understand bioethanol production from the basic concepts and processes to the most cutting-edge technologies under development.
Case 1: Multiple Fractures at Birth

A female neonate is born at 33 weeks of gestation via urgent cesarean section secondary to severe preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. On examination, her weight is 1.18 kg (1st percentile), length 39.5 cm (5th percentile), and head circumference 27 cm (1st percentile). She is well appearing with white sclera, normal tone, and appropriate reflexes. She has scaphocephaly, a soft skull, proptosis with shallow orbits, low-set ears, swelling of the right wrist, a widened fontanelle, prominent knobs along her ribs, and frontal bossing. Laboratory results are notable for normal serum calcium, low serum phosphorous, elevated parathyroid hormone, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D, elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, normal urine electrolytes, and negative findings on New York State newborn screening (Table 1). Radiographs obtained shortly after birth show bony demineralization, metaphyseal flaring particularly at the wrists and knees, metaphyseal fractures, and bilateral rib fractures (Fig). The maternal history is significant for 5 previous miscarriages, nonadherence with taking prenatal vitamins, a diet containing minimal dairy products, and modest dress for religious observance, with limited skin exposure to natural sunlight. The parents are consanguineous. View this table: Table 1. Initial Laboratory Testing Figure. Frontal view of the chest demonstrates bone demineralization, flaring of the metaphyses at the wrist (arrows), and metaphyseal fractures (arrowheads). Bilateral rib fractures are noted (asterisk). Knee films demonstrated …
Lack of Sleep and Sports Injuries in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Although sleep has been identified as an important modifiable risk factor for injury, the effect of decreased sleep on sports injuries in adolescents is poorly studied. The objective of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively review published literature to examine if a lack of sleep is associated with sports injuries in adolescents and to delineate the effects of chronic versus acute lack of sleep. Methods PubMed (includes MEDLINE) and EMBASE databases were systematically searched using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they reported statistics regarding the relationship between sleep and sports injury in adolescents aged 19 years or younger published between January 1, 1997 and December 21, 2017. From these included studies, the following information was extracted: bibliographic and demographic information, reported outcomes related to injury and sleep, and definitions of injury and decreased sleep. A random effects model was then created to quantify the odds of injury with decreased sleep in adolescents. Results Of 907 identified articles, 7 met inclusion criteria. Five studies reported that adolescents who chronically slept poorly were at a significantly increased likelihood of experiencing a sports or musculoskeletal injury. Two studies reported on acute sleep behaviors. One reported a significant positive association between acutely poor sleep and injury, whereas the other study reported no significant association. In our random effects model, adolescents who chronically slept poorly were more likely to be injured than those who slept well (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.05-2.37; P=0.03). Conclusions Chronic lack of sleep in adolescents is associated with greater risk of sports and musculoskeletal injuries. Current evidence cannot yet definitively determine the effect of acute lack of sleep on injury rates. Level of evidence Level IV-systematic review of level II studies and one level IV study.
Synthetic, Chemically Defined Polymer-Coated Microcarriers for the Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), also called marrow stromal cells, are adult cells that have attracted interest for their potential uses in therapeutic applications. There is a pressing need for scalable culture systems due to the large number of cells needed for clinical treatments. Here, a tailorable thin polymer coating-poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-ran-vinyl dimethyl azlactone-ran-glycidyl methacrylate) [P(PEGMEMA-r-VDM-r-GMA); PVG]-to the surface of commercially available polystyrene and glass microcarriers to create chemically defined surfaces for large-scale cell expansion is applied. These chemically defined microcarriers create a reproducible surface that does not rely on the adsorption of xenogenic serum proteins to mediate cell adhesion. Specifically, this coating method anchors PVG copolymer through ring opening nucleophilic attack by amine residues on poly-l-lysine that is pre-adsorbed to the surface of microcarriers. Importantly, this anchoring reaction preserves the monomer VDM reactivity for subsequent functionalization with an integrin-specific Arg-Gly-Asp peptide to enable cell adhesion and expansion via a one-step reaction in aqueous media. MSCs cultured on PVG-coated microcarriers achieve sixfold expansion-similar to the expansion achieved on PS microcarriers-and retain their ability to differentiate after harvesting.
The influence of paired grouping on teacher candidates’ attitude towards technology use and integration

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the influence of paired grouping on teacher candidates’ perceived attitude towards technology use and integration after completing...
Early feeding behaviors in preterm infants and their relationships to neurobehavior

Date Presented 04/06/19 The findings of a recent study highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation that considers oral motor and neurobehavioral alterations to address feeding challenges associated with premature birth. This presentation will reveal these results and help to elucidate relationships between early feeding skills and key neurobehavioral components. Understanding such relationships can lead to early identification of adverse outcomes and optimize outcomes for preterm infants. Primary Author and Speaker: Molly Grabill Additional Authors and Speakers: Kylie VanRoekel Contributing Authors: Roberta Pineda
Subendothelial stiffness alters endothelial cell traction force generation while exerting a minimal effect on the transcriptome

Endothelial cells respond to changes in subendothelial stiffness by altering their migration and mechanics, but whether those responses are due to transcriptional reprogramming remains largely unknown. We measured traction force generation and also performed gene expression profiling for two endothelial cell types grown in monolayers on soft or stiff matrices: primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and immortalized human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). Both cell types respond to changes in subendothelial stiffness by increasing the traction stresses they exert on stiffer as compared to softer matrices, and exhibit a range of altered protein phosphorylation or protein conformational changes previously implicated in mechanotransduction. However, the transcriptome has only a minimal role in this conserved biomechanical response. Only few genes were differentially expressed in each cell type in a stiffness-dependent manner, and none were shared between them. In contrast, thousands of genes were differentially regulated in HUVEC as compared to HMEC-1. HUVEC (but not HMEC-1) upregulate expression of TGF-β2 on stiffer matrices, and also respond to application of exogenous TGF-β2 by enhancing their endogenous TGF-β2 expression and their cell-matrix traction stresses. Altogether, these findings provide insights into the relationship between subendothelial stiffness, endothelial mechanics and variation of the endothelial cell transcriptome, and reveal that subendothelial stiffness, while critically altering endothelial cells’ mechanical behavior, minimally affects their transcriptome.
Simultaneous Heart-Liver Transplantation for Congenital Heart Disease in the United States: Rapidly Increasing With Acceptable Outcomes.

Background and aims There are more adults than children living with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the United States, with a growing proportion requiring heart-liver transplantation (HLT). Our aim was to ascertain the frequency, outcomes, and prognostic factors in this patient population. Approach and results United Network for Organ Sharing data on adult patients who underwent heart transplantation (HT) from 2009 through March 2020 were analyzed. The primary study outcome was patient survival. Cox proportional-hazards modeling assessed for mortality associations. There were 1,084 HT recipients: 817 (75.4%) CHD HTs only, 74 (6.8%) CHD HLTs, 179 (16.5%) non-CHD HLTs, and 14 (1.3%) heart-liver-kidney transplants. The number of CHD HLTs increased from a prior rate of 4/year to 21/year in 2019. Among patients with CHD, the 5-year survival rates were 74.1% and 73.6% in HTs only and HLTs, respectively (P = 0.865). There was a higher rate of allograft failure attributable to rejection in CHD HTs only compared with CHD HLTs (3.2% versus 0.4%; P = 0.014). Only 25 out of 115 HT-performing hospitals undertook CHD HLTs. Higher-volume centers (averaging one CHD HLT per year) had a 5-year patient survival rate of 83.0% compared with 61.3% in lower-volume centers (P = 0.079). Among HLT recipients, total bilirubin (hazard ratio [HR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.12) and diabetes (HR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.21-7.31) were independently associated with increased mortality risk, whereas CHD and age were not. Conclusions The rate of HLT for adult CHD in the United States is rising dramatically. The survival outcomes between CHD HT only and CHD HLT groups are comparable; however, the HLT group had lower rates of acute rejection. Among HLT recipients, diabetes and elevated bilirubin are associated with increased posttransplant mortality risk. An average of one CHD HLT per year could be considered a minimum quality metric at transplant centers.