cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bacterial Oxidation of Hydrocarbons

Publisher Summary This chapter presents information pertinent to the incorporation of molecular oxygen into hydrocarbons and intermediate oxidation products during their utilization by microorganisms. Knowledge of the primary steps involved in biological oxidation of hydrocarbons is scant and mostly recent. Molecular oxygen is implicated unequivocally in the bacterial utilization of certain aliphatic alkanes. This chapter describes the hydrocarbon oxidation pathways, which lend themselves to study of the mechanisms of the oxidation reactions. Establishment of metabolic facts with living cells is invariably a prelude to biochemical facts with cell-free enzymes. The hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms are relatively few. They are specialized soil types that are obtainable by enrichment culture procedures. The growth at the expense of hydrocarbons is slow and belabored, as expected from the chemical inertness of this class of chemicals. Significant amounts of incomplete oxidation products are not found. A direct function of oxygen in the enzymic attack on any hydrocarbon molecule has yet to be demonstrated in cell-free extracts of a microbiological system.
Oral administration of undenatured native chicken type II collagen (UC-II) diminished deterioration of articular cartilage in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA).

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to determine the ability of undenatured native chicken type II collagen (UC-II) to prevent excessive articular cartilage deterioration in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Twenty male rats were subjected to partial medial meniscectomy tear (PMMT) surgery to induce OA. Immediately after the surgery 10 rats received vehicle and another 10 rats oral daily dose of UC-II at 0.66 mg/kg for a period of 8 weeks. In addition 10 naive rats were used as an intact control and another 10 rats received sham surgery. Study endpoints included a weight-bearing capacity of front and hind legs, serum biomarkers of bone and cartilage metabolism, analyses of subchondral and cancellous bone at the tibial epiphysis and metaphysis, and cartilage pathology at the medial tibial plateau using histological methods. Results PMMT surgery produced moderate OA at the medial tibial plateau. Specifically, the deterioration of articular cartilage negatively impacted the weight bearing capacity of the operated limb. Immediate treatment with the UC-II preserved the weight-bearing capacity of the injured leg, preserved integrity of the cancellous bone at tibial metaphysis and limited the excessive osteophyte formation and deterioration of articular cartilage. Conclusion Study results demonstrate that a clinically relevant daily dose of UC-II when applied immediately after injury can improve the mechanical function of the injured knee and prevent excessive deterioration of articular cartilage.
ProSAAS-derived peptides are regulated by cocaine and are required for sensitization to the locomotor effects of cocaine.

To identify neuropeptides that are regulated by cocaine, we used a quantitative peptidomic technique to examine the relative levels of neuropeptides in several regions of mouse brain following daily intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg cocaine or saline for 7 days. A total of 102 distinct peptides were identified in one or more of the following brain regions: nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen, frontal cortex, and ventral tegmental area. None of the peptides detected in the caudate putamen or frontal cortex were altered by cocaine administration. Three peptides in the nucleus accumbens and seven peptides in the ventral tegmental area were significantly decreased in cocaine-treated mice. Five of these ten peptides are derived from proSAAS, a secretory pathway protein and neuropeptide precursor. To investigate whether proSAAS peptides contribute to the physiological effects of psychostimulants, we examined acute responses to cocaine and amphetamine in the open field with wild-type (WT) and proSAAS knockout (KO) mice. Locomotion was stimulated more robustly in the WT compared to mutant mice for both psychostimulants. Behavioral sensitization to amphetamine was not maintained in proSAAS KO mice and these mutants failed to sensitize to cocaine. To determine whether the rewarding effects of cocaine were altered, mice were tested in conditioned place preference (CPP). Both WT and proSAAS KO mice showed dose-dependent CPP to cocaine that was not distinguished by genotype. Taken together, these results suggest that proSAAS-derived peptides contribute differentially to the behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants, while the rewarding effects of cocaine appear intact in mice lacking proSAAS.
Working Memory Training Improves Alcohol Users’ Episodic Future Thinking: A Rate-Dependent Analysis

Abstract Background Episodic thinking, whether past or future, uses similar neural machinery, and individuals with alcohol dependence have clear challenges with both. Moreover, alcohol-dependent individuals' narrowed temporal window likely gives rise to greater valuation of immediate rewards. We aimed to strengthen working memory (WM) in alcohol-dependent individuals and measure performance on near-transfer (novel WM) and far-transfer delay discounting (DD) tasks, including episodic future thinking (EFT) performance. Importantly, heterogeneous intervention responses could obscure a treatment effect due to individuals' baseline differences. Therefore, we considered WM, DD, and EFT DD scores using rate-dependent analyses. Methods A total of 50 alcohol-dependent individuals received either 20 active (Trained) or sham (Control) WM training sessions using the Cogmed adaptive WM training program. Participants completed a near-transfer novel WM task and far-transfer DD and EFT DD tasks before and after training. Results Active WM training improved performance on the near-transfer task. As determined by Oldham's correlation [ r mean(x,y), y − x ], initially low near-transfer task scores improved more than initially high scores (i.e., rate dependence) in the Trained group only. Moreover, Trained group individuals with the highest rates of EFT DD at baseline rate-dependently decreased following training, whereas WM training had no effect on DD alone. Conclusions These data support the notion that WM training improves near-transfer task performance and may enhance the effects of EFT DD in a subset of alcohol-dependent individuals trapped within the narrowest temporal window. Rate-dependent changes highlight that we should attend to baseline performance to better identify individuals who would most benefit from an intervention.
Análisis del concepto de co-creación en algunas startups constructoras de Bogotá

En este proyecto de investigacion, se evaluo el concepto de Co-creacion en una muestra de Startups constructoras de Bogota, con el objeto de explorar el nivel de influencia que tienen diferentes actores externos en la toma de decisiones interna. Para ello se diseno y aplico un instrumento de recoleccion de informacion, que fue aplicado a diez (10) empresas del sector, arrojando unos primeros resultados relacionados con una importante cercania y contacto con el cliente con el personal de ventas (76.9%), con los directores (92%), y los disenadores o arquitectos (53.8%). Por otro lado se identifico que para el 53% de los casos, la opinion del cliente tiene un alto grado de influencia en las decisiones que se toman al interior de la empresa y una importancia media alta para el 84,6% de los casos, la cual coincide con el porcentaje en el que los gerentes o duenos toman en cuenta las opiniones de los clientes para la toma estrategica de decisiones. se identifico tambien que para el 61,5% de los casos, el cliente tiene un involucramiento director en actividades de diseno, y que en el 100% de los casos, los interventores, contratistas y proveedores, presentan un elevado nivel de influencia en las decisiones de la obra y la empresa, lo cual puede estar evidenciando una importante vocacion hacia la tercerizacion en este sector.
Marbling texture's effects on beef palatability.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of marbling texture on consumer and trained sensory panel ratings of beef strip loin steaks from 3 USDA quality grades. Beef strip loins (n = 117) were selected from 3 quality grades [Top Choice (Modest00 – Moderate100 marbling), Low Choice (Small00 – Small100 marbling), and Select (Slight00 – Slight100 marbling)] to equally represent three different marbling texture groups: fine, medium, and coarse, via visual appraisal. There were no quality grade × texture interactions (P > 0.05) for all of the traits evaluated. Consumers (n = 104) rated all marbling texture groups similar (P > 0.05) for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall liking, as well as rated a similar (P > 0.05) percentage of samples from each marbling texture group acceptable for each palatability trait. Moreover, consumers indicated no preference (P > 0.05) among marbling texture groups for visual desirability or likelihood to purchase. However, trained sensory panelists rated coarse marbled steaks higher (P 0.05) among marbling texture groups for Warner-Bratzler shear force, slice shear force, and pressed juice percentage. Low Choice steaks were rated higher (P 0.05) to Top Choice. Results from this study indicate marbling texture had no impact on consumer evaluations of eating quality and only minimal effects on trained sensory panel palatability ratings and therefore provides no palatability-based evidence for the exclusion of coarse marbled carcasses from current and future branded beef programs.
Dispersal Ecology of Neotropical Piper Shrubs and Treelets

Along with the Melastomataceae, Rubiaceae, and Solanaceae, shrubs and treelets of the Piperaceae (primarily Piper) are numerically dominant members of the understories of many Neotropical forests. This dominance occurs both in number of species and number of individuals. Gentry and Emmons (1987) reported that Piper species richness ranged from 0.3 to 6.5 species per 500-m transect along a rainfall/soil fertility gradient in Central and South America compared with ranges of 0.7–5.8 and 1.0–8.4 in the Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae, respectively. Data summarized in Gentry (1990) indicate that Piper species richness in certain well-studied moist or wet tropical forests ranges from 18 (Barro Colorado Island, Panama) to 60 or more species (La Selva, Costa Rica). Tropical dry forests have much lower diversity (e.g., five species at Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, Costa Rica; Fleming 1985). Forests around Manaus, Brazil, also contain few Piper species (Prance 1990). Overall, the pantropical genus Piper has been especially successful evolutionarily in the lowland Neotropics, which contains over twice as many species as the Asian tropics (700 vs. 300 species; Jaramillo and Manos 2001).
Cell density-dependent proliferation of the murine bone marrow-derived stromal cell lines

Proliferation of three murine marrow-derived stromal cell lines, LC1, LC2, and LC3, depended on initial cell density. For LC2 and LC3, the cell density-dependence was negated by conditioned-media, indicating growth dependence on a soluble growth factor. For LC1, conditioned-media failed to stimulate proliferation, suggesting growth dependence on direct cell-cell contact.
Epidemiology of sternal fractures.

The epidemiology of sternal fractures has been poorly described. The objective of this study was to examine the demographics, outcomes and injuries associated with sternal fractures. The trauma registry at a level I trauma center was retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients with sternal fractures over a 10 year period. Demographic data collected included age, gender, mechanism of injury and injury severity score. Patients were analyzed according to age 55 years. During the 10-year study period, a total of 37,087 patients were admitted to the emergency department. Of these, 125 (0.33%) had a sternal fracture. The average age was 44 +/- 17 years, with 76.0 per cent being male. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (68%) followed by auto vs. pedestrian (18%). Associated rib fractures occurred in 49.6% of the population, cardiac contusions in 8.0%, thoracic aortic injuries in 4.0 per cent and heart lacerations in 2.4 per cent of patients. Associated rib fractures were more likely to occur in patients over the age of 55 (66.7% vs 44.2%, P = 0.032) as well as a traumatic hemothorax (15.8% vs 40.0%, P = 0.005). However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two age groups (16.8% vs. 26.7%, OR: 0.56, 95% CI, 0.21 to 1.47; P = 0.234). Sternal fractures are a rare sequela of blunt trauma. Associated injuries are common, including rib fractures and soft tissue contusions. Associated cardiac and aortic injuries are rare but highly lethal and should be screened for on the initial chest CT scan. After appropriate exclusion of associated injuries, the majority of patients diagnosed with a sternal fracture following blunt trauma can be safely discharged to home.
Differential effects of native vs. invasive predators on a common Caribbean reef fish

Predators may have consumptive (lethal) and non-consumptive (sub-lethal) effects on prey. Non-consumptive effects include altered behavior and reduced growth and fecundity. Native prey may not recognize non-native predators as a threat, and therefore may suffer pronounced effects. Additionally, non-native predators may elicit different behavioral responses from prey compared to native predators. Theory predicts that consumptive effects should be greater for non-native predators (due to prey naivete), and non-consumptive effects should be greater for native predators (due to predator recognition). To test these hypotheses, I monitored bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) in the presence of invasive predatory Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.), a native predator (graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata), and an egg predator (bluehead wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum). Body size and location of lionfish and graysby were monitored on reefs in the Bahamas. Bicolor fecundity was measured as the number and size of egg-masses that individual fish laid. Bicolor fecundity was negatively correlated with lionfish density but not graysby or bluehead density. Neither predator had a detectable effect on bicolor body size, but lionfish density was negatively correlated with the size of mature adult damselfish. I observed behavioral responses of bicolors to the two piscivores, to bluehead wrasse, and to two herbivorous fishes (Acanthurus coeruleus, Scarus spp.) as non-aggressive controls. Bicolors changed behavior (feeding and aggression) in the presence of all native fishes, but not in the presence of lionfish. Thus, differential effects exist between native and non-native predators, and invasive lionfish pose a non-consumptive threat to bicolor damselfish via reduced growth and fecundity.
Analytical chemistry of nuclear material: case studies from Los Alamos National Laboratory

Presented here are three case studies that demonstrate the breadth of bulk actinide analytical chemistry at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). This laboratory was established during the Manhattan Project and is still considered one of the premier analytical laboratories for special nuclear materials characterization around the globe. First, the analytical chemistry of 238Pu is presented, showcasing the unique challenges of this high activity isotope. Next, the analysis of 241AmO2 is discussed from the perspective of supporting nascent production at LANL. Finally, the analytical chemistry support of the production of plutonium non-destructive assay standards is discussed. These examples paint a picture of the analytical capabilities needed to meet the dynamic challenges of LANL’s nuclear programs.
Reachable Set Calculation and Analysis of Microgrids with Power-electronic-interfaced Renewables and Loads

A stability assessment approach via reachable set calculation is presented to efficiently evaluate the dynamics of microgrids. Due to their low inertia, microgrids are sensitive to the uncertainties introduced by power-electronic-interfaced renewables and loads. Through the reachable set-based method, the bounds of all possible trajectories of a microgrid under a series of disturbances can be directly obtained, which makes repeated traditional time-domain simulations unnecessary. Moreover, a zonotope is used to better quantify these uncertainties and is integrated into the reachable sets calculation procedure. Extensive testing shows that reachable set calculations enable an efficient analysis of disturbances impacts on a microgrids dynamics, as well as offer a potent tool for evaluating how far the system is from its stability margins and what actions should be taken by system operators. These salient features make reachability analysis a powerful tool for planning, designing, monitoring and operating future microgrid systems.
Molecular architecture of a membrane-spanning hormone acyltransferase required for metabolic regulation

Abstract Integral membrane proteins represent a large and essential portion of the proteome that often prove challenging for structural studies. We demonstrate a synergistic approach to structurally model topologically complex integral membrane proteins by combining co-evolutionary constraints and computational modeling with biochemical validation. We report the first structural model of a eukaryotic membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT), ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), which modifies the metabolism-regulating hormone ghrelin. Our structure suggests an unanticipated strategy for trans-membrane protein acylation, with catalysis occurring in an internal channel as GOAT acts as an “enzyme inside a pore”. Our structure opens the door to structure-guided inhibitor design targeting GOAT and other MBOAT family members while validating the power of our approach to generate predictive structural models for other experimentally challenging integral membrane proteins.
QuickCheck: using speculation to reduce the overhead of checks in NVM frameworks

Byte addressable, Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) is emerging as a revolutionary technology that provides near-DRAM performance and scalable memory capacity. To facilitate the usability of NVM, new programming frameworks have been proposed to automatically or semi-automatically maintain crash-consistent data structures, relieving much of the burden of developing persistent applications from programmers. While these new frameworks greatly improve programmer productivity, they also require many runtime checks for correct execution on persistent objects, which significantly affect the application performance. With a characterization study of various workloads, we find that the overhead of these persistence checks in these programmer-friendly NVM frameworks can be substantial and reach up to 214%. Furthermore, we find that programs nearly always access exclusively either a persistent or a non-persistent object at a given site, making the behavior of these checks highly predictable. In this paper, we propose QuickCheck, a technique that biases persistence checks based on their expected behavior, and exploits speculative optimizations to further reduce the overheads of these persistence checks. We evaluate QuickCheck with a variety of data intensive applications such as a key-value store. Our experiments show that QuickCheck improves the performance of a persistent Java framework on average by 48.2% for applications that do not require data persistence, and by 8.0% for a persistent memcached implementation running YCSB.
Bond and CDS Pricing with Credit Events

A calibration methodology for default probability curves to bond and credit default swap (CDS) pricing is developed. Recovery of nomina l (RON) policy and recovery of treasury (ROT) policy for the exposure at default (EAD) are considered for bond pricing. The paper presents the results of calculations of possible profit and loss (PnL) on bond portfolio and CDS portfolio.
Inducing Information Stability to Obtain Information Theoretic Necessary Requirements

This work presents a new methodology for obtaining information theoretic necessary conditions directly from general operational requirements. This methodology is based on the construction of a discrete random variable that, when conditioned upon, ensures information stability of quasi-images. The induced information stability allows a more direct way to develop information theoretic necessary conditions from operational requirements beyond using Fano’s inequality. That is, while Fano’s inequality uses the probability of error to establish an upper bound on the entropy of a random variable given its estimator, the proposed new methodology can be applied to arbitrary operational requirements to obtain corresponding conditions on information theoretic quantities. To demonstrate its power, this new methodology is employed, to derive new necessary conditions for keyed authentication over a discrete memoryless channels and to establish the capacity region subject to finite leakage and finite error of the wiretap channel under two different secrecy metrics. These examples establish the usefulness of the proposed methodology.
Demonstrating the Effectiveness of The Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (Frs) on the Robotix Mentor Virtual Reality Simulation Platform

Study Objective To determine if robotic surgery novices demonstrate improved technical skill after completing Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (FRS) proficiency-based psychomotor skills training using the RobotiX Mentor virtual reality (VR) platform. Design An observational, pre-post design, multi-institutional rater-blinded trial was conducted. Post-hoc comparisons were performed against previously published comparator groups. Setting Robotic surgery training facilities at the Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation, & Education (Houston, TX) and the Center for Education, Simulation & Innovation at Hartford Hospital (Hartford, CT) were used for this study. Patients or Participants Residents (n=20) who were robotic surgery novices were enrolled to participate. Interventions Participants completed FRS online didactic modules and were required to pass the FRS cognitive exam. Participants’ baseline robotic surgery skills were assessed on an avian tissue model with previously published validity evidence (pre-test). Participants then trained using the FRS proficiency-based progression curriculum on the RobotiX Mentor VR platform. Participants were required to perform each task to expert-derived benchmarks on consecutive attempts before proceeding to the next task. After training completion, participants were tested again on the avian tissue model (post-test). Pre- and post-tests were video recorded and assessed by blinded raters using the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) and a 32-criteria psychomotor checklist. Measurements and Main Results On paired-samples T tests, participants demonstrated improved performance from pre- to post-test across all GEARS domains (depth perception, bimanual dexterity, efficiency, use of force, instrument control; p=0.01 to p Conclusion Completion of the FRS curriculum on the RobotiX Mentor VR training platform resulted in improved robotic surgery skills among novices, proving effectiveness of training. The RobotiX Mentor is recommended as a training platform for the FRS curriculum.
Ivacaftor for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis Coexisting with Trisomy 21: A Case Report

The association between cystic fibrosis (CF) and trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome (DS) is rare, and it pertains a poor prognosis with the majority of patients dying in infancy. We report a case of a 28-year-old male with DS and moderate CF (ΔF508/G551D, FEV1 1.92 L, 60% predicted at the age of 18 years) diagnosed in childhood. The patient's lung function continued to deteriorate over time (FEV1 nadir of 1.29 L), and he was started on ivacaftor in the year 2012 following ivacaftor release and approval. FEV1 and FVC improved significantly along with an increase in the patient's body mass index. Ivacaftor potentiates the open-channel probability of the G551D-CFTR. It has been shown to improve lung function, symptoms, weight, and sweat chloride concentration and decrease the risk of pulmonary exacerbations in patients with severe pulmonary CF (G551D). Our case argues against the reported literature of poor prognosis when the two chronic diseases coexist as only one case report in the literature described a DS patient with CF surviving into adulthood. In our patient, treatment with ivacaftor resulted in an increase in FEV1 and weight that exceeded the response observed in the ivacaftor landmark trial. Genetic studies are underway to understand the genetic basis of the large variation in DS phenotypes, which is probably caused by allelic heterogeneity on multiple chromosomes. The latter may explain the enhanced response observed in our patient and suggests that although patients with concomitant DS and CF may have worse lung disease, their response to novel therapies may be intensified. Further studies are needed in this subset of patient population to better characterize CF with trisomy and other genetic disorders.
Is Alpha Asymmetry a Byproduct or Cause of Spatial Attention? New Evidence Alpha Neurofeedback Controls Measures of Spatial Attention

Cued spatial attention differentially modulates alpha power in attended relative to non-attended brain representations, termed the alpha asymmetry. Yet a causal role for alpha in attention is debated. In this issue of Neuron, Bagherzadeh et al., (2019) utilize neurofeedback to train alpha asymmetry and causally impact measures of spatial attention.
B-cell Receptor Recombinations in Lung Adenocarcinoma Exome Files Correlate With a Higher Overall Survival Rate.

Background/aim While there has been a rapid development in genomic data mining approaches for T-cell receptor recombinations (TcR), less emphasis has been placed on B-cell receptor (BcR) recombinations. Materials and methods We obtained lung cancer exome files from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and mined the files for TcR and BcR recombination reads. Results There was a robust detection of BcR light chain recombination reads in lung adenocarcinoma (TCGA-LUAD) samples, and there was a correlation between the detection of light chain recombination reads and a more favorable outcome. This result was supported by analyses of the expression of B-cell markers as indicated by LUAD RNASeq files. Conclusion BcR and TcR recombination reads recovered from LUAD WXS files, either alone or in combination with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type, are likely to have prognostic value.
Severe hypernatremia and gastric dilation from chronic eating disorder and intentional salt ingestion.

Abstract We report the case of a 21-year-old female presenting with severe hypernatremia and a gastric outlet obstruction due to chronic purging behavior with salt water flushes. She presented obtunded following emesis and a witnessed seizure. She was found to have a corrected sodium level of 177 mmol/L. Following initial intubation and resuscitation, her CT imaging showed massive gastric dilation with high-density material in the gastric lumen. After orogastric flushing was unsuccessful and the patient's abdominal distention worsened, she was managed surgically and found to have a salt bezoar leading to bowel ischemia and perforation. This case details the complications and management of acute hypernatremia and gastric outlet obstruction in an otherwise healthy, young female. In a society where eating disorders are pervasive, Emergency Medicine physicians should be familiar with dangerous dietary behaviors as well as the management of their rare, but potentially life-threatening, complications.
Let’s Talk about Regulation: The Influence of the Revolving Door and Partisanship on FCC Regulatory Discourses

The content of political communication of independent regulatory agencies (IRAs) is understudied. Combining computational text analysis and qualitative document analysis, this study analyzes over 7...
Current Surgical Options for Moyamoya Disease

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a cerebrovascular disease of unknown etiology characterized by stenotic and occlusive arterial changes of the anterior circulation, with subsequent proliferative development of arterial collateralization. In spite of there being limited understanding of the clear etiology of MMD, surgical revascularization for MMD is considered the standard treatment to prevent further stroke. While the use of surgical revascularization to prevent future hemorrhagic stroke in MMD is still controversial, it is considered effective in the case of ischemic stroke. This article presents a review of the current surgical management of MMD based on an analysis of the most recent data from peer-reviewed articles and opinion based on personal experience with surgical revascularization in the treatment of MMD.
Litigation as U.S. History: A Review of Litigation Nation

This is a review of the book Litigation Nation: A Cultural History of Lawsuits in America. The book provides an understanding of U.S. history through the lens of civil litigation as a narrative of political and social change in America.
A Wideband Light Weight L-Probe Fed U-Slot Patch Antenna Array for VHF Ice Sounding

In this paper, a wideband light weight U-slot patch antenna array with wide L-probe feed for ultra-wideband radar to sound and image ice is developed. A prototype of 1×4 element array is fabricated and tested to verify the concept. To achieve wideband impedance matching, we used a wide flat L-probe feed along with the mutual coupling between antenna array elements. The antenna array operates over 170 MHz – 325 MHz frequency band (67% impedance bandwidth). More than 11 dBi broadside gain is obtained over the desired frequency band.
Effects of Acute and Chronic Exposure to a Mixed Field of Neutrons and Photons and Single or Fractionated Simulated Galactic Cosmic Ray Exposure on Behavioral and Cognitive Performance in Mice

During space missions, astronauts experience acute and chronic low-dose-rate radiation exposures. Given the clear gap of knowledge regarding such exposures, we assessed the effects acute and chronic exposure to a mixed field of neutrons and photons and single or fractionated simulated galactic cosmic ray exposure (GCRsim) on behavioral and cognitive performance in mice. In addition, we assessed the effects of an aspirin-containing diet in the presence and absence of chronic exposure to a mixed field of neutrons and photons. In C3H male mice, there were effects of acute radiation exposure on activity levels in the open field containing objects. In addition, there were radiation-aspirin interactions for effects of chronic radiation exposure on activity levels and measures of anxiety in the open field, and on activity levels in the open field containing objects. There were also detrimental effects of aspirin and chronic radiation exposure on the ability of mice to distinguish the familiar and novel object. Finally, there were effects of acute GCRsim on activity levels in the open field containing objects. Activity levels were lower in GCRsim than sham-irradiated mice. Thus, acute and chronic irradiation to a mixture of neutrons and photons and acute and fractionated GCRsim have differential effects on behavioral and cognitive performance of C3H mice. Within the limitations of our study design, aspirin does not appear to be a suitable countermeasure for effects of chronic exposure to space radiation on cognitive performance.
What Is Necropolitics

In this chapter, I bring necropolitics to the fore. As developed by postcolonial theorist Achille Mbebme, necropolitics grows out of Michel Foucault’s earlier statements about biopower (and biopolitics). Georges Canguilhem’s philosophizing about the normal and pathological served as a prelude to those conversations. Subsequent scholars’ readings of biopower examine it in relation to the Holocaust specifically and genocide more generally. Yet, so many prior treatments, while crucial for intellectual development, rely on discourse analysis. To fully gauge the significance of genocide, biopower, and necropolitics—to wrap one’s brain around the enormity of numbers, the spatial extent of destruction, the effects of interpersonal and structure violences—discursive analysis requires grounding with material evidence. Researchers of contextualized human remains have a unique contribution to make. Here I review mortuary and bioarchaeological studies of genocide in the twentieth century. I also discuss how forensic anthropologists have materialized necropolitical processes. Their excavations of mass graves and identification of the corpses therein, while not without issues, do extend Mbembe’s ideas about dead bodies in important ways. Less clear is how biopower and necropolitics apply to ancient and historic case studies. While bioarchaeological studies attest to structural and interpersonal violences in the past, the phenomena that Foucault and Mbembe concern themselves with signal modernity and not antiquity. For my part, I discuss bioarchaeological and biohistorical studies of enslavement and violent settler colonialism in the nineteenth century. I also tie these examples to the subfield’s origins, tracking complicity from inception into contemporary classrooms.
Mechanisms of change in an adapted marijuana e-CHECKUP TO GO intervention on decreased college student cannabis use

Abstract The objective of this study was to test indirect effects of the Marijuana e-CHECKUP TO GO program on college students' frequent marijuana use through decreased use in specific social and academic activities. This study randomly assigned college students who reported frequent marijuana use (i.e., approximately five times per week) in fall 2016 to receive Marijuana e-CHECKUP TO GO or healthy stress management (HSM) strategies. The final baseline sample included 298 participants. Path analyses tested direct program effects on marijuana use at six-week posttest, as well as the indirect effect via use within four activities frequently participated in by college students: socializing, being physically active, studying, and being in class. Direct Marijuana e-CHECKUP TO GO effects on reductions in frequent use were transmitted by decreased marijuana use while studying and no use while socializing, being physically active, or in class. Marijuana e-CHECKUP TO GO may be most effective at reducing use of marijuana among college students while studying.
Tuning Protein Dynamics to Sense Rapid Endoplasmic-Reticulum Calcium Dynamics

Multi-scale calcium (Ca2+ ) dynamics, exhibiting wide-ranging temporal kinetics, constitutes a ubiquitous mode of signal transduction. We report a novel endoplasmic-reticulum (ER)-targeted Ca2+ indicator, R-CatchER, which showed superior kinetics in vitro (koff ≥2×103 s-1 , kon ≥7×106 M-1 s-1 ) and in multiple cell types. R-CatchER captured spatiotemporal ER Ca2+ dynamics in neurons and hotspots at dendritic branchpoints, enabled the first report of ER Ca2+ oscillations mediated by calcium sensing receptors (CaSRs), and revealed ER Ca2+ -based functional cooperativity of CaSR. We elucidate the mechanism of R-CatchER and propose a principle to rationally design genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators with a single Ca2+ -binding site and fast kinetics by tuning rapid fluorescent-protein dynamics and the electrostatic potential around the chromophore. The design principle is supported by the development of G-CatchER2, an upgrade of our previous (G-)CatchER with improved dynamic range. Our work may facilitate protein design, visualizing Ca2+ dynamics, and drug discovery.
Current Applications of Biotextiles and Future Trends

Biotextiles have been used for permanent as well as temporary applications. This chapter reviews the applications of biotextile medical devices along with their structures. Future trends for biotextile devices are also discussed.
Effect of Concentration on Sediment Distribution

A theoretical expression for the concentration distribution of suspended material was presented by Rouse. Two approximations in this theory have been considered experimentally and explained, but have not been incorporated into a more complete theory. The conditions assumed negligible in Rouse’s theory are the effect of suspended material on the velocity distribution, and hence the turbulent diffusion coefficient, and the effect of concentration on the terminal fall velocity of the sediment particles. It is the latter effect which is treated herein.
SU-E-I-04: Improving CT Quality for Radiation Therapy of Patients with High Body Mass Index Using Iterative Reconstruction Algorithms

Purpose: Iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms are developed to improve CT image quality (IQ) by reducing noise without diminishing spatial resolution or contrast. The CT IQ for patients with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) can suffer from increased noise due to photon starvation. The purpose of this study is to investigate and to quantify the IQ enhancement for high BMI patients through the application of IR algorithms. Methods: CT raw data collected for 6 radiotherapy (RT) patients with BMI, greater than or equal to 30 were retrospectively analyzed. All CT data were acquired using a CT scanner (Somaton Definition AS Open, Siemens) installed in a linac room (CT-on-rails) using standard imaging protocols. The CT data were reconstructed using the Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction (SAFIRE) and Filtered Back Projection (FBP) methods. IQ metrics of the obtained CTs were compared and correlated with patient depth and BMI. The patient depth was defined as the largest distance from anterior to posterior along the bilateral symmetry axis. Results: IR techniques are demonstrated to preserve contrast and reduce noise in comparison to traditional FBP. Driven by the reduction in noise, the contrast to noise ratio is roughly doubled by adopting the highest SAFIRE strength. Amore » significant correlation was observed between patient depth and IR noise reduction through Pearson’s correlation test (R = 0.9429/P = 0.0167). The mean patient depth was 30.4 cm and the average relative noise reduction for the strongest iterative reconstruction was 55%. Conclusion: The IR techniques produce a measureable enhancement to CT IQ by reducing the noise. Dramatic noise reduction is evident for the high BMI patients. The improved CT IQ enables more accurate delineation of tumors and organs at risk and more accuarte dose calculations for RT planning and delivery guidance. Supported by Siemens.« less
Direct torque and flux control

Direct torque and flux control methods consist of the selection of consecutive states of the inverter feeding the induction motor. Although the stator and rotor flux vectors are similar with respect to the magnitude and angular position, they differ significantly in their dynamic response to the changes in the stator voltage. Specifically, reaction of the rotor flux vector is more sluggish than that of the vector of stator flux. This chapter presents control methods for high-performance adjustable-speed drives with induction motors by direct selection of consecutive states of the inverter. The chapter explains direct torque control (DTC) technique, direct self-control technique, and an enhanced version of the DTC scheme, employing the space-vector pulse width modulation in the steady state of the drive.
Scalable Query Optimization for Efficient Data Processing Using MapReduce

MapReduce is widely acknowledged by both industry and academia as an effective programming model for query processing on big data. It is crucial to design an optimizer which finds the most efficient way to execute an SQL query using MapReduce. However, existing work in parallel query processing either falls short of optimizing an SQL query using MapReduce or the time complexity of the optimizer it uses is exponential. Also, industry solutions such as HIVE, and YSmart do not optimize the join sequence of an SQL query and cannot guarantee an optimal execution plan. In this paper, we propose a scalable optimizer for SQL queries using MapReduce, named SOSQL. Experiments performed on Google Cloud Platform confirmed the scalability and efficiency of SOSQL over existing work.
Thematic orientation of the ISJ within a semantic space of IS research

This study examines research published in the first 24years of Information Systems Journal's ISJ publication history using a thematic space of all information systems IS research as the backdrop. To that end, abstracts from all contributing articles published in eight prominent IS journals in the period 1991-2014 were analysed to extract a latent semantic space of five broad research areas. A two-dimensional projection of the results was used to create a two-by-two map, where one dimension represents the European vs. North American style of IS research and another dimension represents a micro vs. macro level of IS research. The ISJ is positioned in the 'micro and European school' quadrant. Over the course of the journal's first 24years, research in the ISJ started with a relative focus on the IT artefact and IS development and gradually moved towards a more balanced position that includes a considerable amount of research on IT for teamwork and collaboration, as well as on IT and individuals.
The 1/N Heuristic in 401(K) Plans

Records of more than half a million participants in more than six hundred 401(k) pension plans indicate that participants tend to use a small number of funds: The number of participants using a given number of funds peaks at three funds and declines with the number of funds for more than three funds. Participants tend to allocate their contributions evenly across the funds they use, with the tendency weakening with the number of funds used. The median number of funds used is between three and four, and is not sensitive to the number of funds offered by the plans, which ranges from 4 to 59. A participant's propensity to allocate contributions to equity funds is hardly sensitive to the fraction of equity funds among those offered by his plan. The paper also comments on limitations on inference available from experiments and from aggregate-level data analysis.
Comparison of the Genomic Landscape Between Primary Breast Cancer in African American Versus White Women and the Association of Racial Differences With Tumor Recurrence

Purpose African American women are more likely to die as a result of breast cancer than white women. The influence of somatic genomic profiles on this racial disparity is unclear. We aimed to compare the racial distribution of tumor genomic characteristics and breast cancer recurrence. Methods We assessed white and African American women with stage I to III breast cancer diagnosed from 1988 to 2013 and primary tumors submitted to The Cancer Genome Atlas from 2010 to 2014. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of race and genetic traits with tumor recurrence. Results We investigated exome sequencing and gene expression data in 663 and 711 white and 105 and 159 African American women, respectively. African Americans had more TP53 mutations (42.9% v 27.6%; P = .003) and fewer PIK3CA mutations (20.0% v 33.9%; P = .008). Intratumor genetic heterogeneity was greater in African American than white tumors overall by 5.1 units (95% CI, 2.4 to 7.7) and within triple-negative tumors by ...
Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of antepartum pyelonephritis: Value of intrarenal resistive index measurements

This study aims to define the effects of pyelonephritis on intrarenal resistive indices and to determine the role of Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of pyelonephritis in pregnant patients. Twenty pregnant women with pyelonephritis underwent renal Doppler sonography with calculation of intrarenal resistive indices. The resistive index was calculated for the upper, lower, and interpolar areas of each kidney in the patients with pyelonephritis (40 kidneys) and was compared to the resistive indices for a control group of 153 normal asymptomatic pregnant women (306 kidneys). Doppler findings were correlated with the location (sidedness) of flank pain in the pyelonephritis group. The mean resistive index values of patients with pyelonephritis were 0.04 higher than in the controls, and this difference was statistically significant (P or = 0.70, whereas the remaining 16 patients had resistive indices within the normal range of < or = 0.70. In patients with confirmed pyelonephritis and unilateral pain, the average resistive index in the kidney on the side of pain was 0.03 greater than that on the asymptomatic side (P = < 0.01). The mean renal resistive index is significantly greater in pregnant patients with pyelonephritis than in pregnant women without pyelonephritis. Even so, the magnitude of the differences in resistive index is too small and the overlap between the groups too large for this parameter to be of discriminating clinical value.
Homo-oligomerization is the essential function of the tandem BRCT domains in the checkpoint protein Crb2

BRCT (BRCA1 C terminus) domains are frequently found as a tandem repeat in proteins involved in DNA damage responses, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad9, human 53BP1 and BRCA1. Tandem BRCT domains mediate protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. However, the functional significance of these interactions is largely unknown. Here we report the oligomerization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe checkpoint protein Crb2 through its tandem BRCT domains. Truncated Crb2 without BRCT domains is defective in DNA damage checkpoint signaling. However, addition of either of two heterologous dimerization motifs largely restores the functions of truncated Crb2 without BRCT domains. Replacement of Crb2 BRCT domains with a dimerization motif also renders cells resistant to the dominant negative effect of overexpressing Crb2 BRCT domains. These results demonstrate that the crucial function of the tandem BRCT domains is to oligomerize Crb2.
Science to Practice in Underserved Communities: The Effectiveness of School Mental Health Programming.

This study examined the effectiveness of a treatment program comprised of several components based on evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for disruptive behavior problems delivered to youth participating in a school mental health program in an underserved community in the Appalachian region. Participants were 117 children in kindergarten through 6th grade including 91 children (78% male) from 5 schools who were consecutively referred to the intervention program and 26 children (73% male) from 3 schools in which program implementation was delayed for 1 year. Treatment outcome was measured via parent and teacher ratings of child symptoms and functioning. The treatment condition resulted in significant reduction in hyperactivity/impulsivity and early aggressive and delinquent behavior, as well as significant improvement in several other functional domains. Results suggest that EBTs can retain their effectiveness when transported to a community context.
THE DECISION TO INTRODUCE NEW TECHNOLOGY: THE FUZZY PRELIMINARY SELECTION DECISION SUPPORT PROBLEM

In the early stages of the design of large scale engineering systems, understandably, very little is known about the specific details of the system being designed, that is, specific knowledge about the system being designed is uncertain or fuzzy. Even the requirements for the system may be unclear. On the other hand, decisions must be made and these decisions will have far reaching effects on the cost and effectiveness of the system. Here the effects of uncertainty or fuzziness on preliminary selection decisions are discussed; situations in which one concept or groups of concepts is technically less certain than others are particularly interesting, this may occur when some concepts are based on new, untested technology. The present model is based on the principles embodied in fuzzy set theory and are incorporated in a procedure for preliminary selection of concepts to be investigated further, namely, the preliminary selection Decision Support Problem (DSP). The emphasis is primarily on the method, but is ...