cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metal coordination and selectivity with oxine ligands bound to silica polyamine composites

A series of oxine ligands, 5-X, 8OHC9H6N (X = H, Cl, SO3H) have been covalently bound to a silica gel polyamine composite made from a silanized amorphous silica xerogel and poly(allylamine) (BP-1) by the Mannich reaction. The resulting modified composites WP-4(X = H), CB-1(X = Cl), and SB-1(X = SO3H) were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, and solid state CPMAS-13C-NMR. Using the analytical data before and after the ligand modification, the ligand loading could be estimated and in combination with metal ion capacities a metal to ligand ratio could be obtained. The composites WP-4 and CB-1 both showed ratios of approximately 1 : 1 while the sulfonate modified composite, SB-1, showed a metal to ligand ratio of 1 : 2. This is tentatively interpreted in terms of a zwitterionic oxine as the dominant species at pH = 2 where the sulfonic acid group is ionized, the quinoline nitrogen is protonated and where two sulfonate groups on adjacent oxines bind a trivalent or divalent ion. All the modified composites show a clear selectivity for trivalent over divalent ions and a good selectivity for gallium over aluminum. The substituent groups on the oxine ligand have only a minor influence on these selectivity trends but SB-1 shows slightly better capture kinetics. The selectivity for gallium over aluminum is applied to the separation of gallium from aluminum, ferrous, and zinc in an acid ore leach of solid tailings obtained from a zinc mine using WP-4. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
The Expected Toxicity Rate at the Maximum Tolerated Dose in the Standard Phase I Cancer Clinical Trial Design

A main purpose of Phase I cancer clinical trials is to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of a new agent for experimentation in Phase II and III studies. The continual reassessment method has been shown to be superior to the standard design. However, in practice, the standard design has still been widely used. Therefore, it is important to investigate the performance of the standard design accurately. In this paper, we develop an algorithm to compute the exact distribution of the recommended dose level in the standard design. The algorithm is a better tool than simulation in the investigation of the operating characteristics of the standard design, because it does not involve any sampling error and computing time is much shorter than simulation. With the algorithm, the expected toxicity rate at the MTD in the standard design is investigated extensively for some dose-toxicity curves in a certain range.
The IETF, the IRTF, and the networking research community

Some in the research community perceive the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as ossified and see the difficulty in standardizing new protocols as an indication that there is no room for research in the Internet or researchers in the IETF. The truth of the matter is a growing number of critical research problems are facing the Internet today, and the IETF needs help from the network research community. Research Groups in the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) are working on some ofthese important problems. The networking research comm nity is invited to collaborate on an effort which will have great impact on current and future network functions.
18F-Choline PET/MRI: The Additional Value of PET for MRI-Guided Transrectal Prostate Biopsies.

We assessed the value of fusion 18F-fluoromethylcholine (18F-choline) Positron Emission To-mography / Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) for image-guided (targeted) prostate biop-sies to detect significant prostate cancer (Gleason ≥ 3+4) compared to standard (systematic 12-core) biopsies. Methods: Within an ongoing prospective clinical trial, hybrid 18F-choline Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography (PET/CT) and multi-parametric 3T MRI (mpMRI) of the pelvis were performed in 36 subjects with rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) for known (n = 15) or suspected (n = 21) prostate cancer prior to a prostate biopsy procedure. PET and T2-weighted (T2w) Magnetic Resonance (MR) volumes of the prostate were spatially registered using commercially available software. Biopsy targets were selected based on visual appearance on MRI and graded as low, intermediate or high risk for significant disease. Volumes of interest (VOI) were defined for MR-identified lesions. 18F-choline uptake measures were obtained from the MR-target and a mirrored background VOI. The biopsy procedure was performed after registration of real-time transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) with T2w MR and included image-guided cores plus standard cores. Histological results were determined from standard and targeted biopsy cores, as well as prostatectomy specimens (n = 10). Results: Fifteen subjects were ultimately identified with Gleason ≥ 3+4 prostate cancer, of which targeted biopsy identified significantly more (n = 12) than standard biopsies (n = 5; P = 0.002). A total of 52 lesions were identified by mpMRI (19 low; 18 intermediate; 15 high risk), and mpMRI-assigned risk was a strong predictor of final pathology (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.81; P < 0.001). Using the mean 18F-choline target-to-background ratio (TBR), the addition of 18F-choline to mpMRI significantly improved the prediction of Gleason ≥ 3+4 cancers over mpMRI alone (AUC = 0.92; p<0.001). Conclusion: Fusion PET/MRI-TRUS image registration for targeted prostate biopsies is clinically feasible and accurate. The addition of 18F-choline PET to mpMRI improves identification of significant prostate cancer.
Changes in Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medication and Dietary Supplement Use Among Older Adults in the United States, 2005 vs 2011

Importance Prescription and over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements are commonly used, alone and together, among older adults. However, the effect of recent regulatory and market forces on these patterns is not known. Objectives To characterize changes in the prevalence of medication use, including concurrent use of prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements, and to quantify the frequency and types of potential major drug-drug interactions. Design, Setting, and Participants Descriptive analyses of a longitudinal, nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults 62 to 85 years old. In-home interviews with direct medication inspection were conducted in 2005-2006 and again in 2010-2011. The dates of the analysis were March to November 2015. We defined medication use as the use of at least 1 prescription or over-the-counter medication or dietary supplement at least daily or weekly and defined concurrent use as the regular use of at least 2 medications. We used Micromedex to identify potential major drug-drug interactions. Main Outcomes and Measures Population estimates of the prevalence of medication use (in aggregate and by therapeutic class), concurrent use, and major drug-drug interactions. Results The study cohort comprised 2351 participants in 2005-2006 and 2206 in 2010-2011. Their mean age was 70.9 years in 2005-2006 and 71.4 years in 2010-2011. Fifty-three percent of participants were female in 2005-2006, and 51.6% were female in 2010-2011. The use of at least 1 prescription medication slightly increased from 84.1% in 2005-2006 to 87.7% in 2010-2011 ( P = .003). Concurrent use of at least 5 prescription medications increased from 30.6% to 35.8% ( P = .02). While the use of over-the-counter medications declined from 44.4% to 37.9%, the use of dietary supplements increased from 51.8% to 63.7% ( P P P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, the use of prescription medications and dietary supplements, and concurrent use of interacting medications, has increased since 2005, with 15% of older adults potentially at risk for a major drug-drug interaction. Improving safety with the use of multiple medications has the potential to reduce preventable adverse drug events associated with medications commonly used among older adults.
Adenosine triphosphatase activity in sciatic nerve tissue of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats with and without high dietary sucrose: effect of aldose reductase inhibitors.

The ability of aldose reductase inhibitors to prevent the decline in neural Na+,K+-ATPase activity in diabetic rats has not been confirmed by all laboratories. In this study, the efficacy of two structurally different aldose reductase inhibitors was evaluated under different experimental conditions. Na+,K+-ATPase activity was meas- ured in sciatic nerves from streptozocin-induced diabetic rats fed normal rodent chow or a chow supplemented with 68% sucrose. Nerve homogenates from chow-fed rats were prepared with a Dounce tissue grinder, whereas homogenates from the sucrose- fed rats were prepared with an Ultra-Turrax disperser. In the chow-fed rats, 4 weeks of untreated diabetes resulted in an increase in neural sorbitol and fructose, a decrease in myoinositol, and a 54% decline in Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Sorbinil administration (20 mg/kg/day) completely prevented the rise in sorbitol and fructose and the depletion of myoinositol, but did not prevent the decline in Na+,K+-ATPase activity. In diabetic rats fed the sucrose diet for 4, 6, and 8 weeks, the neural sorbitol and fructose levels were elevated, the myoinositol concentration declined, and the Na+,K+-ATPase activity was 26 to 28% below the control. Prevention or intervention treatment with sorbinil (20 mg/ kg/day) or tolrestat (50 mg/kg/day) for 4 to 6 weeks prevented the alterations in sorbitol, fructose, and myoinositol, and also prevented the decline in Na+,K+-ATPase activity. In conclusion, prevention and intervention therapy with aldose reductase inhibitors pre- vented the decline in Na+,K+-ATPase in sciatic nerves of sucrose-fed streptozocin- diabetic rats that were homogenized with an Ultra-Turrax disperser, but not in sciatic nerves from streptozocin-diabetic rats fed normal rodent chow that were homogenized with a Dounce tissue grinder. These findings indicate that the assessment of aldose reductase inhibitor efficacy is dramatically affected by the type of nerve preparation assayed and/or the diet. (P.S.E.B.M. 1991, Vol 1971
Coexistence of spinal arteriovenous malformation and ankylosing spondylitis — Are they related?

A 50-year-old man with long standing ankylosing spondylitis developed cauda equina syndrome, which was found to be coexistent with a spinal arterio-venous maliformation. Paraplegia ensued following an acute exacerbation of back pain along with an attack of uveitis. Vasculitis changes were found on resected abnormal vessels.
Virtual Force Measurement of POD Modes for A Flat Plate in Low Reynolds Number Flows

A POD Mode Force Survey Method (POD-FSM) is presented to measure virtual forces of POD modes acting on a flat plate in low Reynolds number flows. In particular, a pitching-plunging plate is used to examine major aspects of the PODFSM. These include the effect of the number of POD modes and dependence of computational domains. The results have shown that the superposition of virtual forces of full POD modes can accurately predict the aerodynamic forces acting onto the plate, whereas the virtual forces of six high-energy contained POD modes can also measure the thrust with only 5% error. It is also found that the virtual forces of POD modes are sensitive to the size of the computational domain.
Eliciting student explanations during tutorial dialogue for the purpose of providing formative feedback.

In this paper we explore the question of whether additional benefits can be derived from providing formative feedback on students’ explanations given the difficulties of accurately assessing them automatically. We provide a preliminary evaluation of an approach in which students assist in interpreting their own explanations and we lay out our plans for evaluating the effectiveness of a natural-language intelligent tutoring system’s feedback to that interpretation effort. The preliminary evaluation suggests that students respond well to the approach. While their interpretation assistance may be similar to an automated explanation matcher, they continue to provide explanations throughout their interactions.
Delayed unknown input observers for discrete-time linear systems with guaranteed performance

Abstract In this paper, we propose a state and unknown input observer for discrete-time linear systems with bounded unknown inputs and measurement disturbances. The design procedure is formulated using a set of linear matrix inequalities, and leverages delayed (or fixed-lag) estimates. The observer error states and/or user-defined performance outputs are guaranteed to operate at certain performance bounds. Furthermore, by employing sufficiently large delays, the observer is guaranteed to provide exact asymptotic state and input estimates for minimum-phase systems. We demonstrate, via numerical examples, that the proposed observer can be used for a wider class of systems than those satisfying matching conditions.
Effects of senescence on somatic cell physiology in the green alga Volvox carteri.

Abstract In every generation resulting from asexual reproduction, the somatic cells of the green alga Volvox carteri undergo synchronous senescence and cell death. Although the somatic cells of the asexual and sexual (female) generations of V. carteri f. weismannia ceased growth 72–96 h after the cells had stopped dividing, the somatic cells in the sexual spheroid remained alive approx. 96 h longer than comparable cells in the asexual spheroid. Measurement of several environmental factors demonstrated that senescence was not caused by extrinsic factors, such as changes in the light period, temperature, or culture medium. If these factors (light, temperature) were purposely altered, the timing of viability decline changed. Other changes occurring with senescence included a decreased rate of [ 14 C ]bicarbonate assimilation after 96 h and a rapid decline in total soluble cell protein. The addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, prolonged the onset of senescence and delayed the decline in somatic cell viability. By adding cycloheximide at different times during senescence, we were able to show that the drug had less effect after 96 h than it did when added at 72 h. These results rule out extrinsic events governing senescence and are consistent with our idea that senescence in V. carteri is due to an intrinsic, sequential genetic program.
Gene Editing in Polyploid Crops: Wheat, Camelina, Canola, Potato, Cotton, Peanut, Sugar Cane, and Citrus

Polyploid crops make up a significant portion of the major food and fiber crops of the world and include wheat, potato, cotton, apple, peanut, citrus, and brassica oilseeds such as rape, canola, and Camelina. The presence of three sets of chromosomes in triploids, four sets in tetraploids, and six sets in hexaploids present significant challenges to conventional plant breeding and, potentially, to efficient use of rapidly emerging gene and genome-editing systems such as zinc finger nucleases, single-stranded oligonucleotides, TALE effector nucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9). However, recent studies with each of these techniques in several polyploid crops have demonstrated facile editing of some or all of the genes targeted for modification on homeologous chromosomes. These modifications have allowed improvements in food nutrition, seed oil composition, disease resistance, weed protection, plant breeding procedures, and food safety. Plants and plant products exhibiting useful new traits created through gene editing but lacking foreign DNA may face reduced regulatory restrictions. Such plants can be obtained either by simply selecting for null segregants that have lost their editing transgenes during plant breeding or, even more attractively, by delivery of biodegradable Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complexes (i.e., no DNA) into plant cells where they are expressed only transiently but allow for efficient gene editing-a system that has been recently demonstrated in at least two polyploid crops. Such systems that create precise mutations but leave no transgene footprint hold potential promise for assisting with the elimination or great diminution of regulatory processes that presently burden approvals of conventional transgenic crops.
Rapid diagnostic testing platform for iron and vitamin A deficiency

Micronutrient deficiencies such as those of vitamin A and iron affect a third of the world's population with consequences such as night blindness, higher child mortality, anemia, poor pregnancy outcomes, and reduced work capacity. Many efforts to prevent or treat these deficiencies are hampered by the lack of adequate, accessible, and affordable diagnostic methods that can enable better targeting of interventions. In this work, we demonstrate a rapid diagnostic test and mobile enabled platform for simultaneously quantifying iron (ferritin), vitamin A (retinol-binding protein), and inflammation (C-reactive protein) status. Our approach, enabled by combining multiple florescent markers and immunoassay approaches on a single test, allows us to provide accurate quantification in 15 min even though the physiological range of the markers of interest varies over five orders of magnitude. We report sensitivities of 88%, 100%, and 80% and specificities of 97%, 100%, and 97% for iron deficiency (ferritin 3.0 μg/mL or 120 nmol/L), respectively. This technology is suitable for point-of-care use in both resource-rich and resource-limited settings and can be read either by a standard laptop computer or through our previously developed NutriPhone technology. If implemented as either a population-level screening or clinical diagnostic tool, we believe this platform can transform nutritional status assessment and monitoring globally.
Abstract 205: Longitudinal Study of Intracranial Atherosclerosis Using 3D High Resolution MRI Imaging

Hypothesis: The progression of asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) remains relatively unknown. We sought to determine whether the progression of ICAD over 24 months can be quantitatively detected using 3D high-resolution vessel wall MRI. Methods: 28 participants with identified ICAD (14 male; mean age, 80.1±4.94 years, ranges, 71 to 89) were enrolled from Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. The baseline MRI exams were performed on a 3T Siemens scanner that included 3D time-of-flight MRA and 3D black blood MRI (BBMRI) (e.g., acquired resolution: TOF, 0.55 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm 3 ; BBMRI, 0.5 mm 3 ) for identifying atherosclerosis in major intracranial arteries. The follow-up MRI exams were repeated to determine the progression of ICAD. The mean time interval between two scans was 2.65±1.48 years. Three trained readers independently measured the degree of stenosis, plaque thickness, and normalized wall index for both normal wall and identified plaques in both visits. Plaque progression was defined by plaque showing > 2 measurement error of increase in plaque thickness. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlations (ICC). Results: Inter- and intra-reader reliability for MRI measurements ranged from fair to excellent (ICC, 0.58-0.82). The mean coefficient of variation was 10% for mean wall thickness, 13% for maximum wall thickness and 12% for normalized wall index. Of the 28 participants with ICAD identified at baseline, 18 of 28 participants (64%) had either new plaques or evidence of plaque progression. A total of 152 and 163 plaques were identified at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Among 152 plaques, 45 (30%) progressed, and mean, maximum wall thickness, stenosis and normalized wall index increased 36%, 28%, 27% and 14%, respectively (Table 1). Conclusion: 3D High-resolution vessel wall MRI is reliable tool for measuring changes in ICAD plaque and provides insight into the natural history of ICAD progression in general population.
Communal cooperative institutions and peasant revolutions in South China, 1926–1934

Cette etude propose une approche alternative a l'explication purement marxiste des revolutions agraires ayant agite la Chine autour des annees trente. Les exemples contrastes du Hunan et du Jangxi entre 1926 et 1934 montrent que les dynamiques revolutionnaires varient selon le degre de legitimite des structures agraires communales. L'A. montre ainsi que le facteur organisationnel a ete decisif et plus determinant que l'influence de la mobilisation revolutionnaire communiste
Strategies for Cloning in Bacillus Subtilis

In the past few years we have been involved in attempts to generate a versatile cloning system for Bacillus subtilis. We have had many failures and a few successes. It is our hope that the successful strategies will be applicable to a wide variety of microorganisms.
Composite intensive automobiles - An industry scenario.

The application of structural composites to automotive structures will require: (1) clear evidence of the functional capability of the composite structures, including long-term effects; (2) the development of high speed, demanding manufacturing and assembly processes with associated quality control; and (3) evidence of economic incentives which will be sensitively dependent on the manufacturing processes.
Cytogenetic clonality in myelodysplastic syndromes studied with fluorescence in situ hybridization: lineage, response to growth factor therapy, and clone expansion

Clonality in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has been studied with various techniques including glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) isoenzyme and cytogenetic analyses, and with molecular techniques such as gene deletion studies and the analysis of restriction fragment- length polymorphisms (RFLP) of X-linked genes. In this study, we investigated the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a chromosome-specific probe to examine cytogenetic clonality in peripheral blood (PB) cells from three patients with MDS. In each case, trisomy 8 was shown by conventional cytogenetic analysis at the time of the initial diagnosis. By using FISH with a probe for the centromere of chromosome 8, we identified the trisomy in individual PB cells from Wright-stained smears. With this technique, we could determine the cell lineage involved by the trisomy, and through serial analyses we could assess the response of the clonal and nonclonal cells to growth-factor therapy, and the expansion of the trisomic clone over time. In each of the three cases, various proportions of granulocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils showed trisomy 8 by FISH analysis. In none of the cases did we detect trisomy 8 in lymphocytes. By analysis of PB cells before and during therapy with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), we found that GM-CSF stimulated both trisomic and disomic cells. During a 1-year period of sequential study, we detected an abrupt increase in the percentage of trisomic cells in one patient, a stable percentage in another, and a slowly increasing percentage in the third. The abrupt increase in the first patient preceded a transformation to a more acute phase by 2 months. We conclude that FISH analysis of PB cells of patients with MDS offers an additional approach to the study of clonality in this disorder. In some cases this analysis may provide a useful and simple means of assessing response to therapy and progression of disease.
Depression and neurocognitive dysfunction in pediatric and young adult chronic kidney disease.

Depression affects 7–35% of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and in adults with CKD, the presence of depression links to poorer medical outcomes, social functioning difficulties, and neurocognitive impairments. The relationship between depression and neurocognitive function in youth with CKD is unclear. We sought to identify factors associated with depression in youth with CKD and to determine whether depression affects neurocognitive performance. We conducted cross-sectional analyses in 71 CKD and 64 control participants aged 8 to 25 years who completed depression inventories and neurocognitive assessments as part of the Neurocognitive Assessment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Children and Young Adults with CKD Study. In the CKD group, multivariable logistic regression analysis determined associations between clinical and demographic factors and depression. In the full study cohort, multivariable linear regression analyses, including an interaction term between CKD status and depression evaluated the effect of depression on 11 neurocognitive outcome domains. Obesity significantly associated with depression in the CKD group (OR 10.25, P = 0.01). In adjusted analyses, depressed youth with CKD scored worse than non-depressed CKD participants by 0.6–1.0 standard deviations in 5 neurocognitive domains: attention, visual memory, visual-spatial, visual working memory, and problem solving. CKD youth with obesity are more likely to be depressed, and those who are depressed exhibit worse neurocognitive performance. Depression may represent a therapeutic target to improve neurocognitive performance in youth with CKD.
Corporate Rivalry and Return Comovement

We examine whether corporate rivals react to industry-specific competition-shocks by increasing product differentiation or, alternatively, by lowering differentiation to capture scale-economies. As rival reactions affect intraindustry cash-flow correlations, these two hypotheses imply differential changes in extra-factor, within-industry stock return comovement. Consistent with the cost-reduction hypothesis, idiosyncratic return comovement increases significantly on average, and more so for industry laggards. Industries where competition-shocks significantly affect return comovement also develop higher cost-efficiency measures. Finally, greater return comovement increases the likelihood that two rival firms will merge and raises subsequent industry average return comovement.
How to Say “I’m Sorry:” Ideal Apology Elements for Common Interpersonal Transgressions

Using expectancy violation theory (EVT) as a guide, this study investigated the components of an ideal apology based on recipients’ perceptions of the importance of receiving specific elements of a...
Ink Painting in the Sinophone World: Liu Kuo-sung’s Hong Kong Period

A leading figure in modern/contemporary ink painting, Liu Kuo-sung (Liu Guosong) is best known for innovative techniques with tools other than the brush. He is often identified as an artist from Ta...
Multiple System Atrophy With Predominant Striatonigral Degeneration and TAR DNA-Binding Protein of 43 kDa Pathology: An Unusual Variant of Multiple System Atrophy.

Background The pathological hallmark in MSA is oligodendrocytic glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) containing α-synuclein, in addition to neuronal loss and astrogliosis especially involving the striatonigral and olivopontocerebellar systems. Rarely, TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43), a component of ubiquitinated inclusions observed mainly in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration has been demonstrated in cases of MSA and, more recently, was shown to colocalize with α-synuclein pathology in GCIs in 2 patients. Methods A 66-year-old woman presented with a syndrome characterized by spasticity, dysautonomia, bulbar dysfunction, and parkinsonism. Symptoms progressed until her death at age 74. Neuropathological evaluation was performed at the New York Brain Bank at Columbia University. Results On gross examination, there was striking severe volume loss of the left striatum compared to mild involvement of the right striatum. Microscopically, neuronal loss and gliosis of the putamen and globus pallidus were severe on the left side, in contrast to mild involvement on the right side. Immunohistochemistry for α-synuclein revealed widespread GCIs. The sections subjected to TDP-43 antibodies showed a few GCIs with definite nucleocytoplasmic translocation of the labeling within the lenticular nucleus and within the paracentral cortex. Conclusions This report adds to the evidence that TDP-43 and α-synuclein colocalize in GCIs. Whether this coexistence contributes to the pathogenesis of a subset of MSA patients or is an age-related process is not known. More cases with these peculiar pathological hallmarks might help determine whether TDP-43 contributes to neurodegeneration in a subset of patients with MSA.
The Spatially Explicit Water Footprint of Blue Jeans: Spatial Methods in Action for Sustainable Consumer Products and Corporate Management of Water

To improve and to protect brand reputation, corporate sustainability officers must assist with decisions about how to manage supply chains to avoid deleterious impacts from consumer products, such as food or clothing. This case study shows how one method typically used to identify problematic materials and sources in a supply chain, life cycle assessment, can be made spatially explicit for water footprints. Water must be understood spatially because the use of the same amount of water in an arid place creates more ecological damage than the use of water in places with ample water resources. This case reports on the development of a spatially explicit water footprint for Guess?, Inc., a global apparel company to highlight “hot spots” of negative impacts on water resources. Freshwater resources consumed throughout the life cycle for a pair of blue jeans were assessed, including the growth of cotton, production of the fabric and other materials, industrial laundering, and washing by the consumer. The locations of these steps were then mapped with a geographic information system to generate spatially explicit water impact estimates. Engaging with this case, students will learn about key methodological choices and limitations in such projects, think about how to advise the company on steps to be taken in its water management action plan, and reflect on the implications for sustainable corporate management of consumer products.
Predicting microstructure-dependent mechanical properties in additively manufactured metals with machine- and deep-learning methods

Abstract In this work, we investigate the performance of data-driven modeling for mechanical property prediction of a simulated microstructural dataset. The dataset comprises realistic microstructural subvolumes of metal additive-manufactured stainless steel 316L and corresponding effective mechanical properties that were generated with a physics-driven modeling framework. The data-driven models leveraged for this work include Ridge regression, XGBoost, and a custom 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) based on VGGNet. Morphological and crystallographic features describing each microstructure serve as the inputs for the Ridge regression and XGBoost models. The CNN is trained with a 3D image of the microstructure represented by progressively informative input data (ranging from grain ID to crystal orientation, and supplemented with auxiliary features describing the mechanical loading) to determine the relative improvement among different feature types. Comparisons are drawn between the predictive performance of each data-driven model in terms of different scoring metrics and spatial-property maps. The computational efficiency of each data-driven model and the physics-driven modeling framework is also reported. Among all of the data-driven models tested, the CNN models that use crystal orientation as input (with or without auxiliary input features) provide the best predictions, require little pre-processing, and predict spatial-property maps in a matter of seconds.
Structural basis of receptor recognition by SARS-CoV-2.

A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) recently emerged and is rapidly spreading in humans, causing COVID-191,2. A key to tackling this pandemic is to understand the receptor recognition mechanism of the virus, which regulates its infectivity, pathogenesis and host range. SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV recognize the same receptor—angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)—in humans3,4. Here we determined the crystal structure of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (engineered to facilitate crystallization) in complex with ACE2. In comparison with the SARS-CoV RBD, an ACE2-binding ridge in SARS-CoV-2 RBD has a more compact conformation; moreover, several residue changes in the SARS-CoV-2 RBD stabilize two virus-binding hotspots at the RBD–ACE2 interface. These structural features of SARS-CoV-2 RBD increase its ACE2-binding affinity. Additionally, we show that RaTG13, a bat coronavirus that is closely related to SARS-CoV-2, also uses human ACE2 as its receptor. The differences among SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and RaTG13 in ACE2 recognition shed light on the potential animal-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This study provides guidance for intervention strategies that target receptor recognition by SARS-CoV-2. The crystal structure of the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike in complex with human ACE2, compared with the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV, sheds light on the structural features that increase its binding affinity to ACE2.
Pedagogical Magic: Magical Realism’s Appeal for the Twenty-First-Century Classroom

Sasser and Mariboho highlight the pedagogical appeal of magical realism by examining how teachers might reap rich benefits from magical realism’s comparative capacity by utilizing it toward the representation of the mode’s various points of intersection with irreducible, yet coexisting difference. By triangulating three magical realist nodes: history, formal definition, and individual case studies (literary and filmic), they demonstrate how the mode widens participation in the classroom and fosters inclusion. Ultimately, they posit that including diverse/divergent examples of magical realism—culturally, linguistically, religiously, nationally, and ideologically—ensures that course content resonates with a broad scope of the diverse student populations that may make up literature classrooms, inviting an array of students to become participants, together, in urgent twenty-first-century global literary conversations.
Mentor Up: Preparing for the 21st Century Classroom

There is growing evidence that senior faculty need and desire mentoring throughout their academic careers. This article highlights the retooling journey of one senior faculty member who mentored up with junior colleagues and former students. A mentoring grant program, sponsored by the Provost Office, provided modest support and gave structure to the program. Applying the Intergenerational Mentoring Model, the senior faculty member shadowed junior colleagues and interviewed former students. The target goals were to: identify best practices in teaching; increase knowledge of current fashion industry trends; and understand the requisite skills for students in the merchandising program. A key outcome of the project was the realization that hierarchical mentoring relationships are no longer relevant. All faculty have much to share and much to learn.
Encyclopedia of water Science

Filled with figures, images, and illustrations, Encyclopedia of Water Science, Second Edition provides effective concepts and procedures in environmental water science and engineering. It unveils a wide spectrum of design concepts, methods, and solutions for enhanced performance of water quality, treatment, conservation, and irrigation methods, as well as improved water efficiency in industrial, municipal, and agricultural programs. The second edition also includes greatly enhanced coverage of streams and lakes as well as many regional case studies. An International Team Addresses Important Issues The only source to provide full coverage of current debates in the field, the encyclopedia offers professional expertise on vital issues including: Current laws and regulations Irrigation management Environmental water economics Agroforestry Erosion control Nutrient best management practices Water sanitation Stream and lake morphology and processes Sharpen Your Skills — Meet Challenges Well-Armed A direct and reliable source for best practices in water handling, preservation, and recovery, the encyclopedia examines challenges in the provision of safe water supplies, guiding environmental professionals as they face a worldwide demand for sanitary and affordable water reserves. ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE This Taylor & Francis encyclopedia is also available through online subscription, offering a variety of extra benefits for both researchers, students, and librarians, including: Citation tracking and alerts Active reference linking Saved searches and marked lists HTML and PDF format options For more information, visit Taylor and Francis Online. Or contact us to inquire about subscription options and print/online combination packages. US: (Tel) 1.888.318.2367 / (E-mail) e-reference@taylorandfrancis.com International: (Tel) +44 (0) 20 7017 6062 / (E-mail) online.sales@tandf.co.uk
Synthetic approaches to protein phosphorylation

Reversible protein phosphorylation is critically important in biology and medicine. Hundreds of thousands of sites of protein phosphorylation have been discovered but our understanding of the functions of the vast majority of these post-translational modifications is lacking. This review describes several chemical and biochemical methods that are under development and in current use to install phospho-amino acids and their mimics site-specifically into proteins. The relative merits of total chemical synthesis, semisynthesis, and nonsense suppression strategies for studying protein phosphorylation are discussed in terms of technical simplicity, scope, and versatility.
New Vaccine Technologies

1 Transcutaneous Immunization 2 Virosomes 3 Proteosomes 4 Virus-Like Particles 5 Live Attenuated Vector Vaccines 6 Prime-Boost Immunization 7 Conclusions Keywords: new vaccine technologies; immunization/vaccination-efficient interventions against infectious diseases; virosome-based influenza vaccines; hepatitis virosome vaccines; virus-like particles (VLP), nonreplicating, recombinant, viral capsids; live attenuated vector vaccines; live attenuated Shigella vaccines; L. monocytogenes-vaccine vector against infections controlled by CTL and CD8 responses
Spermicidal effectiveness of chemical contraceptives used with the firm cervical cap.

Abstract 1.1. No spermicidal power was found in the contents of 20 firm plastic cervical caps after they had been worn for 7 days with one of three different commercial contraceptive jellies. 2.2. In less than one fifth of the tests in which commercial contraceptive creams were used, spermicidal power was found after 7 days—in one case, after 14 days. 3.3. The low proportion of tests showing spermicidal power after 7 days and the contraceptive protection found in clinical tests 2, 4, 6 suggest that the cap affords protection without a spermicidal supplement.
Expression of Ca2+-Mobilizing EndothelinAReceptors and Their Role in the Control of Ca2+ Influx and Growth Hormone Secretion in Pituitary Somatotrophs

The expression and coupling of endothelin (ET) receptors were studied in rat pituitary somatotrophs. These cells exhibited periods of spontaneous action potential firing that generated high-amplitude fluctuations in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). The message and the specific binding sites for ETA, but not ETB, receptors were found in mixed pituitary cells and in highly purified somatotrophs. The activation of these receptors by ET-1 led to an increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and the associated rise in [Ca2+]i and growth hormone (GH) secretion. The Ca2+-mobilizing action of ET-1 lasted for 2–3 min and was followed by an inhibition of action potential-driven Ca2+ influx and GH secretion to below the basal levels. As in somatostatin-treated cells, the ET-1-induced inhibition of spontaneous electrical activity and Ca2+ influx was accompanied by the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and by the stimulation of inward rectifier potassium current. In contrast to somatostatin, ET-1 did not inhibit voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. During prolonged agonist stimulation a gradual recovery of Ca2+influx and GH secretion occurred. In somatotrophs treated with pertussis toxin overnight, the ET-1-induced Ca2+-mobilizing phase was preserved, but it was followed immediately by facilitated Ca2+influx and GH secretion. Both somatostatin- and ET-1-induced inhibitions of adenylyl cyclase activity were abolished in pertussis toxin-treated cells. These results indicate that the transient cross-coupling of Ca2+-mobilizing ETAreceptors to the Gi/Go pathway in somatotrophs provides an effective mechanism to change the rhythm of [Ca2+]i signaling and GH secretion during continuous agonist stimulation.
Inhibition of MAPK signaling cascade in prostate cancer cells by imido-substituted-naphthoquinone analogs

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 3296 Prostate cancer (PC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men with an estimated 218,890 new cases diagnosed in 2007. Androgen ablation is a highly effective palliative therapy; however, most men eventually relapse due to the presence of androgen independent cancer cells. Currently there is no therapy that effectively eliminates these androgen independent PC cells. MAPK pathways play a critical role responsible for survival and proliferation of androgen independent cells. Our hypothesis, that an enhanced response in PC therapy may require inhibitors that affect multiple signal transduction pathways. In our studies, imido-substituted naphthoquinones (ISN) have been synthesized, that are selective inhibitors of MAPK. Experiments with 2-chloro-3-(N-succinimidyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone and analogs have IC50s against purified MEK in the range of 0.4-10 υM. Subsequently these ISN analogs were tested in cell proliferation assays in androgen sensitive (LNCaP, CWR-22) and androgen insensitive (PC-3, DU-145) cells. Growth inhibition of each cell line revealed significant anti-tumor activities within concentration ranges of 1-3 υM. On the basis of this cell-based cytotoxicity screen, 2,3-dichloro-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DCDMNQ) demonstrated the highest efficacy. To verify that DCDMNQ maintains ability to inhibit MAP kinases we performed Western blot analysis to evaluate the effect of this compound on generation of phosphorylated MAPK protein in PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines. These results demonstrated that DCDMNQ can inhibit MEK, ERK, AKT and p38 phosphorylation either through inhibition of multiple kinases or via direct inhibition which would then prevent downstream phosphorylation. Active small molecule kinase inhibitors to date are ATP mimics that bind to the intracellular ATP binding domain within the kinase. It has been proposed that MEK1/2 can be inhibited through a novel, noncompetitive mechanism. X-ray crystallography structure of MEK1/2 in complex with MgATP reveals that the enzyme has a unique inhibitor binding pocket adjacent to the ATP binding site. We carried out molecular modeling using DCDMNQ, the published structure of the complex of MEK with MgATP, and the MEK inhibitor, 5-bromo-N-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)-3,4-difluoro-2-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-benzamide to explore whether imido-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones might bind via a similar non-competitive mechanism. Our studies show that in the crystal structure a binding pocket for DCDMNQ is deep inside of MEK. Evaluation of bonding for DCDMNQ when docked to this pocket, demonstrates that it can form hydrogen bonds thereby inducing conformational changes in the unphosphorylated MEK1/2 that locks it into a closed but catalytically inactive species. These ISN compounds, therefore represent a novel class of MAPK inhibitors. Supported by NCI grant U54-CA914-31 and G12 RR003048 RCMI
In Vivo Modulation of Murine Myelopoiesis Following Intravenous Administration of Prostaglandin E2

The effects of in vivo administration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on several hematologic parameters were investigated in intact mice under both steady-state conditions and in mice hematopoietically rebounding following a sublethal injection of cyclophosphamide. Intravenous injection of native PGE2, or 16,16 dimethyl-PGE2, an enzymatically stable analog of PGE2, resulted in the significant suppression of nucleated bone marrow and splenic cellularity, total resident nucleated peritoneal cells, and the absolute number of detectable granulocyte- macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) per femur or spleen when administered for 3 or 7 consecutive days. The in vivo effects of 16,16 dimethyl-PGE2 were more pronounced on the cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Dose titration analysis of the effects of 16,16 dimethyl-PGE2 revealed significant suppression of hematologic parameters over a concentration range of 10 micrograms-10(-5) micrograms/mouse/day (10(- 5) M-10(-11) M). The reduction in total nucleated marrow, splenic, and peritoneal cellularity observed following PGE2 administration resulted from a selective effect on nonspecific esterase-positive cells. In situ morphological analysis of the progeny of CFU-GM proliferating in cultures established from mice treated with PGE2 in vivo indicated that the reduction in absolute CFU-GM observed resulted from a preferential effect on those colony-forming cells restricted to monocyte-macrophage differentiation. Prostaglandin F2 alpha was without stimulatory or inhibitory effects in vivo on the hematopoietic parameters investigated.
A Chernoff type error bound for algebraic soft-decision decoding of Reed Solomon codes

We present exponential upper bounds on the performance of algebraic soft-decision decoding algorithm in the decoding of Reed-Solomon codes for a symmetric channel. The symmetric channels are useful for computing the performance of the algebraic soft-decision decoding algorithm in regimes where the probability of error is low. In such regimes, these bounds are of particular interest since it is impractical to run simulations. The bounds are Chernoff-type error bounds.
Molecular systematics of cowries (Gastropoda: Cypraeidae) and diversification patterns in the tropics

This study produces a nearly comprehensive phylogeny for the marine gastropod group Cypraeidae (cowries) and uses this topology to examine diversification patterns in the tropics. The dataset is based on molecular sequence data from two mitochondrial genes and includes 210 evolutionary significant units (ESUs) from 170 recognized species (>80%). Systematics for the group is revised based on well-supported clades, and tree topology is generally consistent with previously proposed classification schemes. Three new genera are introduced (Cryptocypraea gen. nov, Palmulacypraea gen. nov, and Contradusta gen. nov) and two previous genera are resurrected (Perisserosa and Eclogavena). One new tribe is proposed (Bistolidini). Topologies produced by a range of transition:transversion (Ti:Tv) weighting schemes in parsimony are pooled and evaluated using maximum likelihood criteria. Extensive geographical coverage shows persistent, large-scale geographical structure in sister-groups. Genetic divergence between subspecies is often equivalent or even greater than that between recognized species. Using ESUs as a metric, diversity throughout the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) increases by 38%. Intra- and inter-regional diversification patterns show that the IWP is the centre for speciation in cowries. The other major tropical regions of the world are inhabited by a predominantly relictual fauna; from a cowrie's eye-view. Good dispersal ability begets larger ranges, increased extinction resistance and morphological stasis; whereas shorter larval duration results in smaller ranges, higher speciation rates, but also higher turnover. Larval duration and dispersal ability appear correlated with ocean productivity as taxa with longer-lived larvae are associated with oligotrophic conditions; whereas taxa with shorter larval durations are associated with eutrophic, continental conditions. This tendency is carried to the extreme in temperate or upwelling regions where a planktonic phase is completely lost and crawl-away larvae evolve multiple times. A strong phylogenetic trend supports these observations as lineages leading up to and including the derived Indo-West Pacific Erroneinae clade contain taxa predominantly restricted to continental habitats and have undergone the greatest evolutionary radiations in their respective regions.