cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving Students’ Representational Competence through a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience

Visual representations are integral for communicating abstract science concepts and promoting insights for new scientific discoveries. Students’ representational competence is positively correlated with problem solving in the sciences and subsequent improvements in academic performance. We explored how students’ participation in the authentic practice of science with the use of visual representations would impact representational competence. We further tested a model of representational competence to understand how the use of student-generated representations in a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) revealed undergraduate thinking about biological content, scientific literacy and the process of science. In this mixed methods study, we found that the applied theoretical framework could be used to effectively describe students’ representational competence. We observed all seven levels of representational competence with annotated genomes. In this chapter, we present rich descriptions of each level, including connections between content and scientific practice revealed by analysis of 147 student-generated representations. Additionally, we found that students’ competencies significantly improved after participation in the CURE. Our framework to examine representational competence can be used as a novel way to reveal changes in scientific thinking and examine the impact of undergraduate research experiences.
Orbitofrontal connectivity is associated with depression and anxiety in marijuana-using adolescents.

Abstract Background Prevalence of marijuana (MJ) use among adolescents has been on the rise. MJ use has been reported to impact several brain regions, including frontal regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). The OFC is involved in emotion regulation and processing and has been associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, we hypothesized that adolescent MJ users would show disruptions in OFC connectivity compared with healthy adolescents (HC) which would be associated with symptoms of mood and anxiety. Methods 43 MJ-using and 31 HC adolescents completed clinical measures including the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data was also acquired for all participants. Results In MJ users, increased depressive symptoms were associated with increased connectivity between the left OFC and left parietal regions. In contrast, lower ratings of anxiety were associated with increased connectivity between right and left OFC and right occipital and temporal regions. These findings indicate significant differences in OFC connectivity in MJ-using adolescents, which correlated with mood/anxiety. Limitations Future studies with an increased number of female participants is required to address potential sex differences in connectivity patterns related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Conclusions This study highlights the association between OFC connectivity, MJ use, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents. These findings provide further insight into understanding the neural correlates that modulate the relationship between comorbid MJ use and mood disorders and could potentially help us better develop preventive and treatment measures.
NESTLING BIOLOGY OF THE FIELD SPARROW

The biology of Field Sparrow nestlings was studied during two breeding seasons in central Illinois, on a 23.6-ha tract composed of mixed vegetation. Predominant nestling foods were lepidopteran larvae, orthopteran nymphs, homopterans, and spiders. Foods given to nestlings ranged in size from less than 0.005 cc to 0.38 cc, the upper size limit increasing with nestling age. The food size class most frequently fed to the young contained items smaller than 0.05 cc, although its importance decreased as the nestlings grew older. Girth rather than length limited the size of food the young successfully ingested. The number of feeding trips per hour to 6-day-old broods ranged from 0 to 21 and averaged 9, divided about equally between male and female. The feeding frequency peaked shortly after dawn and just before dusk, and was lowest near midday. There was a significant inverse relationship between the female feeding rate and brooding time. Ambient temperature significantly influenced brooding time, with the least brooding at 600 to 690F. The rate of feeding individual nestlings decreased slightly (nonsignificant) as brood size increased. The overall nestling growth rate index (weight) averaged 0.568, and ranged 0.444 to 0.712. No nestling starvation was evident. The rate of weight gain in broods of four was significantly higher during early summer than late summer, while broods of three showed a significant opposite trend. The dependence of thermoregulatory maintenance costs upon brood size is discussed. Growth rates of the youngest nestlings were significantly less than those of their siblings. It was concluded that Field Sparrows forage opportunistically for their nestlings, and that food availability did
Tracking a half century of media reporting on gray wolves

Natural resource and wildlife managers must balance the disparate priorities of a diversity of stakeholders. To manage these priorities, a firm understanding of topics salient to the public is needed. The media often report on issues of importance to the public; therefore, these reports may be a useful measure of public interest. However, efficient methods for distinguishing diverse topics related to a wildlife management issue reported in the media and changes in the salience of those topics have been lacking. We used latent Dirichlet allocation, a Bayesian mixture model, to quantitatively assess the salience of topics surrounding the gray wolf (Canis lupus), which was reintroduced to Idaho (U.S.A.) in 1995. We analyzed articles published from 1960 to 2015 in an Idaho newspaper. We identified 6 distinct topics associated with gray wolves: policy, hunting, biological status, implementation of management, recovery, and human-wolf conflict. The salience of topics pre- and postreintroduction of wolves (1995) and pre- and postdelisting of wolves from the U.S. Endangered Species Act (2009) differed significantly, underscoring that these events were turning points in how issues were being publicly discussed and framed. Articles written by the local reporters were more likely to report on topics regarding conflict between humans and wolves, whereas articles sourced from a national outlet reported more on topics pertaining to wolf policy and biological status. In the context of managing a contentious, far-ranging, and long-lived wildlife species, our methods can help guide the location and timing of a suite of management strategies (e.g., media relation plans and stakeholder engagement) that promote human-wildlife coexistence across different landscapes.
The Liver in Systemic Disease: An Innocent Bystander

The role of the liver in maintaining the health and function of other organs is frequently described in pathophysiologic terms. A large volume of information has been gleaned on the biochemistry and physiology of the “primary” hepatic diseases. In the dog, there is a paucity of information about the chemical events essential to the viability of normal liver cells and, more specifically, the mechanisms by which diseases of other organs secondarily affect the liver.
Surgical Education (Developed vs Developing Nations), Disparities, and Future Directions: Fulbright Project Survey Report

The emerging changes in healthcare significantly impact structure of surgical training. To achieve parity in surgical training globally significant work needs to be done in developing nations. The aims of this study are to identify and evaluate the current surgical training system in India and also examine the surgical training system of residents from India and compare the results against the US training system, to suggest changes for parity. On-site observations and cross-sectional survey of residents and staff from 22 institutions in India were done. Results were compared with the current US training system. Difference in pattern of surgical training and lack of coordination in curriculum was noted. Contradictory responses were noted for didactic teaching. No guidelines were mentioned for minimum number of surgical case required or certification courses. No work hour restrictions were followed, and supervision was ill defined. Residents were highly interested for fellowships and experience from the US medical system. Results revealed discordance in surgical training within the evaluated country. However, the two training systems studied have their own pros and cons. We strongly feel that incorporation of certain aspects of the American residency can aid in progression of the Indian training system.
Physician burnout: moral injury is a questionable term

I think that use of the term “moral injury” in medicine1 is highly inappropriate, as explained in an upcoming publication and briefly summarised below.2 The concept of moral injury, poignant as a psychoemotional impact of war, is misplaced when applied to the practice of medicine. Suggesting equivalence between the experience of warriors and the (very real) …
Comets (Constrained Optimization of Multistate Energies by Tree Search): A Provable and Efficient Algorithm to Optimize Binding Affinity and Specificity with Respect to Sequence

Practical protein design problems require designing sequences with a combination of affinity, stability, and specificity requirements. Multistate protein design algorithms model multiple structural or binding “states" of a protein to address these requirements. comets provides a new level of versatile, efficient, and provable multistate design. It provably returns the minimum with respect to sequence of any desired linear combination of the energies of multiple protein states, subject to constraints on other linear combinations. Thus, it can target nearly any combination of affinity (to one or multiple ligands), specificity, and stability (for multiple states if needed). Empirical calculations on 52 protein design problems showed comets is far more efficient than the previous state of the art for provable multistate design (exhaustive search over sequences). comets can handle a very wide range of protein flexibility and can enumerate a gap-free list of the best constraint-satisfying sequences in order of objective function value.
Paul Romer: Ideas, Nonrivalry, and Endogenous Growth

In 2018, Paul Romer and William Nordhaus shared the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Romer was recognized “for integrating technological innovations into long‐run macroeconomic analysis”. This article reviews his prize‐winning contributions. Romer, together with others, rejuvenated the field of economic growth. He developed the theory of endogenous technological change, in which the search for new ideas by profit‐maximizing entrepreneurs and researchers is at the heart of economic growth. Underlying this theory, he pinpointed that the nonrivalry of ideas is ultimately responsible for the rise in living standards over time.
Single cell lineage dynamics of the endosymbiotic cell type in a soft coral Xenia species

Abstract Many hard and soft corals harbor algae for photosynthesis. The algae live inside coral cells in a specialized membrane compartment called symbiosome, which shares the photosynthetically fixed carbon with coral host cells, while host cells provide inorganic carbon for photosynthesis1. This endosymbiotic relationship is critical for corals, but increased environmental stresses are causing corals to expel their endosymbiotic algae, i.e. coral bleaching, leading to coral death and degradation of marine ecosystem2. To date, the molecular pathways that orchestrate algal recognition, uptake, and maintenance in coral cells remain poorly understood. We report chromosome-level genome assembly of a fast-growing soft coral, Xenia species (sp.)3, and its use as a model to decipher the coral-algae endosymbiosis. Single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) identified 13 cell types, including gastrodermis and cnidocytes, in Xenia sp. Importantly, we identified the endosymbiotic cell type that expresses a unique set of genes implicated in the recognition, phagocytosis/endocytosis, maintenance of algae, and host coral cell immune modulation. By applying scRNA-seq to investigate algal uptake in our new Xenia sp.. regeneration model, we uncovered a dynamic lineage progression from endosymbiotic progenitor state to mature endosymbiotic and post-endosymbiotic cell states. The evolutionarily conserved genes associated with the endosymbiotic process reported herein open the door to decipher common principles by which different corals uptake and expel their endosymbionts. Our study demonstrates the potential of single cell analyses to examine the similarities and differences of the endosymbiotic lifestyle among different coral species.
Drivers of Preference for Evidence-Based PTSD Treatment: A Qualitative Assessment.

Introduction Mental health treatment utilization among persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tends to be low but may be improved by aligning treatment with patient preferences. Our objective was to characterize the reasons that drive a person's selection of a specific evidence-based PTSD treatment. Materials and methods Data were collected using an online survey of adults who screened positive for PTSD. Participants viewed descriptions of five evidence-based PTSD treatments (cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, stress inoculation training, antidepressant medication) and identified their most preferred treatment. Participants then explained why they selected their top choice. These free-text responses (n = 249) were analyzed using thematic coding and constant comparative methods. Results Identified themes included (1) perceived effectiveness, (2) perceived suitability, (3) requirements of participation, (4) familiarity with the modality, (5) perception of the option as 'better than alternatives,' (6) perception of the option as 'not harmful,' (7) accessibility, and (8) delivery format. Differences in themes were also examined by treatment modality. Conclusions By highlighting which pieces of information may be most important to detail when presenting different treatment options, these results can help guide treatment planning conversations, as well as the development of shared decision-making tools.
A Comparison of the Gamma-Ray Spectra from 2.8-keV Neutron Capture and Thermal-Neutron Capture in Sodium-23

The gamma-ray spectrum resulting from neutron capture in the 2.8-keV resonance of /sup 23/Na has been measured with the high-resolution annihilation pair spectrometer at the internal-target facility of the CP-5 reactor. The 2.8-keV resonance was populated by using the boron-shielded target technique: A /sup 1///sub 2/-in.-thick filter of /sup 10/B surrounding the sodium sample selectively removes low-energy neutrons from the spectrum; the 1/E dependence of the incident neutron flux assures a low intensity of high-energy neutrons. Capture, predominantly in the 2.8-keV resonance, is indicated by a 2- to 3-keV shift in the energies of the primary transitions relative to those observed in thermal-neutron capture. The correlation between the absolute intensities of the resonance transitions and the thermal transitions (measured by others) is computed and discussed in terms of a numerical analysis. (The resonance and thermal intensities are identical within the precision of the measurement.) The results indicate that the resonance total radiation width is 0.24 eV less than or equal to GAMMA/sub ..gamma../ less than or equal to 0.40 eV.
The Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia Phenocopy Syndrome: A Review:

Objectives:The relatively recent identification of a subgroup of patients with apparent behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) that fails to progress with time has led to a reevaluation...
Unilateral congenital microphthalmia in newborn: a case report

Here, we reported a case of term infant with unilateral congenital microphthalmia (CM). Physical examination conducted on 2 d after birth showed that the left eye was barely open and the eye socket was deeper than the right. Meanwhile, the cornea of the left eye was not completely exposed and the light reflex could not be elicited. Ophthalmology consultation, ultrasound and CT scan were conducted, and CM was finally diagnosed since the infant was found to have a small eyeball and shortened axial length, accompanying by pathological changes in the lens, vitreous body and retina. This case suggested that detailed physical examination should be carried out, especially for the eyes, including orbit and eyelid, presence or absence of secretion or concealed eyeball, together with medical imaging techniques technology, to ensure an early detection and diagnosis of CM in neonates. Key words: Microphthalmos; Infant, newborn
Investigating the Relationship Between Fatherhood and Provider Weight-Related Practices and Counseling in Clinical Settings

Abstract Objective To assess whether weight-related practices and counseling between men and their medical providers are associated with the patient's fatherhood status. Methods Using the 2015–2017 National Survey of Family Growth, logistic regression models were constructed to examine the odds of men being weighed, told a weight status, or referred for nutrition/exercise counseling during a medical visit in the previous year. Results The sample included 2,562 men and 1,272 fathers. Overall, 90%, 76%, and 49% of fathers were weighed by a provider, told their weight status, and referred for nutrition/exercise counseling, respectively. There were no associations between fatherhood status and being weighed or provider weight status communication. Fathers were more likely to be referred for nutrition/exercise counseling compared with those without children during a medical (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.003–2.583) or routine visit (adjusted odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–3.16). Conclusions and Implications The increased likelihood of nutrition or exercise counseling referrals among fathers presents an opportunity to address obesity within families.
Mobilizing to Win in Europe: Change to Win and the Diffusion of Union Strategy

Why would European unions, in countries with greater union density, seek support from American unions who are struggling to retain power and influence? Why would Change To Win (CTW), an upstart union confederation, expend its limited resources supporting the European labour movement? These questions motivate this paper that analyses the activities of CTWs European Organizing Center and its partner unions. The paper uses the diffusion literature to argue that CTW and its partners have developed a common sense of the problems facing unions globally, and solutions rooted in specific organizing practices and broad power resources, abstracted and adopted to varying local contexts. The paper further argues that this North–North collaboration constitutes a new form of labour internationalism through the intentional diffusion of organizational strategy and that US unions bring a particular set of power resources to these cross‐Atlantic relationship resources born of the more advanced version of neoliberalism found in the United States.
An Upper-Level Biology Course Designed to Develop Science Communication in Stem Majors by Examining the Biotechnology Industry

Many undergraduate students pursuing life science majors are not aware of job options outside of medicine and academic research, because many departments stress these as the only primary career pathways. In addition, biology students often do not have many opportunities to develop their science communication and presentation skills due to the rigorous course requirements inherent in these fields that would make them more competitive for careers in biotechnology. We developed a course using diverse pedagogies designed to introduce students to new careers in biotechnology, to help them understand the role of ethics in the drug development pipeline, and to incorporate more communication assignments, such as student presentations and journal-club-style paper discussions to more effectively prepare them for many STEM-based career possibilities. By the end of the course, students had broader knowledge of previously unknown science careers, had improved their scientific communication skills, and reported a greater understanding of course material as a result of the science communication assignments.
Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

Several mite species attack southern highbush blueberries (SHB), including the southern red mite (Oligonychus ilicis McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae)), the false spider mite or flat mite (Brevipalpus yothersi Baker) and the blueberry bud mite (Acalitus vaccinii Keifer). The southern red mite is the key mite pest attacking blueberry plants in the southeastern US (Lopez and Liburd 2020). The false spider mite is a secondary leaf feeding mite pest that was reported attacking southern highbush blueberry in 2016 (Akyazi et al. 2017). This publication discusses southern red mites and flat mites on SHB in Florida, including life cycle, damage, and management practices.
Does rationality matter to the central bank

Rationality is one of the main assumptions in economics, and is represented as the rational expectation in macroeconomics. As such, it is important to note that the effectiveness of economic policy...
Campus and Community Racial Climate - Its Influence on Creating Inclusive Faculty Environments (Presentation Slides)

Overview • What We’re Talking About: Campus Climate • What Contributes to Campus Climate? • What’s the Impact of Campus Climate? • Challenges to Climate at PWIs • How to Assess and Correct Problematic Campus Climes • Thinking Outside of Academia • Community Engagement • What are the Stories about Asheville? • What are the Lives of Community-Engaged Lives of Marginalized Faculty Like? • The 2017 Context • Moving the Needle
Price Transparency in Radiology: Challenges and Opportunities to Improve.

Increasing health care consumerism has been proposed as a solution for rising U.S. health care costs. Although price transparency initiatives aim to inform patients about outof-pocket costs (OOPCs)...
Complete separation of colorants from polymeric materials for cost-effective recycling of waste textiles

Abstract Currently, only 1% of waste textiles, mainly whites, are recycled because dyes on fibers caused various problems. Unseparated colors might sublime during the fiber regeneration process and pollute the working environment. More seriously, final color quality of regenerated fibers is uncontrollable. Technologies for complete color removal from waste textiles either by dye-destruction or extraction have major challenges impeding their industrialization. Dye-destruction damages polymers, changes dyeability of regenerated textiles, and pollutes the environment. Since the differences in solubility parameters between polymers and dyes are large, and dye extractions focuses on finding solvents with high dye solubility, dye-extraction fails to remove all dyes from textiles. Finding solvents is almost impossible to lower the chemical potential of dyes in solutions than that in fibers where dyes are accessible, and polymers are tightly arranged. Lessening fiber density substantially disrupts physical interactions between dyes and fibers, and thus raises chemical potential of dyes in all parts of fibers higher than that in solutions, although reducing fiber density might increase the chemical potential of dyes in solvents. Here we demonstrate that minimization of fiber density by solvents and temperatures completely removes disperse dyes, acid dyes and direct dyes from polyethylene terephthalate, nylon and cotton fibers, respectively. The chemical structures of dyes and average molecular weight polymers did not change after dye removal.
Association between Cognitive Function and Large Optic Nerve Cupping, Accounting for Cup-Disc-Ratio Genetic Risk Score

Abstract Purpose To investigate if accounting for a cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) genetic risk score (GRS) modified the association between large CDR and cognitive function among women. Design This was a retrospective study using data from the Women’s Health Initiative. Methods Patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension were excluded. Large CDR was defined as ≥ 0.6 in either eye. Cognitive function was measured by the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MSE). We used the combined effects from 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to formulate the GRS for CDR. We used logistic regression to investigate associations between weighted GRS and large CDR, then a linear regression to assess the association between weighted GRS and 3MSE scores, and between weighted GRS, CDR, and 3MSE scores, adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Final analyses included 1,196 White women with mean age of 69.60 ± 3.62 years and 7.27% with large CDR. Mean GRS in women with and without large CDR was 1.51 ± 0.31 vs. 1.41 ± 0.36, respectively (p = 0.004). The odds of large CDR for a one unit increase in GRS was 2.30 (95% CI: (1.22, 4.36), p = 0.011). Adding the CDR GRS in the model with CDR and 3MSE, women with large CDR still had statistically significantly lower 3MSE scores than those without large CDR, yielding a predicted mean difference in 3MSE scores of 0.84 (p = 0.007). Conclusions Independent of the CDR GRS, women with large CDR had a lower cognitive function.
Forest Site Quality Evaluation in The United States

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several methods for estimating forest site quality together with the history, present status, and future goals in forest site investigation in the United States. In 1923 a committee of the Society of American Foresters recognized that volume production was the ultimate measure of site quality and recommended construction of yield tables for well-stocked natural forest stands. Site index based on height growth is now the most widely accepted method for estimating site quality in the United States. There are several methods for estimating site quality. Direct estimation of site index is based on height and age measurements from free-growing, uninjured, dominant, or dominant and codominant trees. These measurements are used with a family of height-age (site index) curves to estimate total height of trees at a specified index age. Indirect estimation of site index includes mensurational methods, plant indicators, physiographic site classification, synecological coordinates, soil-site evaluation, and soil surveys. Mensurational methods have been proposed for uneven-aged stands and for stands that lack trees suitable for directly estimating site index using conventional methods. The height growth of free-growing dominant and codominant trees is an indicator of site quality and thus can be considered as an integrator of the forest environmental features important for tree growth.
GW Method for Extended, Periodic Systems with a Mixed Slater-Orbital/Plane-Wave Basis and Fourier Transform Techniques

Abstract A pitch is made for a renewed, rigorous and systematic implementation of the GW method of Hedin and Lundquist for extended, periodic systems. Building on previous accurate Hartree–Fock calculations with Slater orbital basis set expansions, in which extensive use was made of Fourier transform methods, it is advocated to use a mixed Slater-orbital/plane-wave basis. Earlier studies showed the amelioration of approximate linear dependence problems, while such a basis set also holds various physical and analytical advantages. The basic formalism and its realization with Fourier transform expressions is explained. Modern needs of materials by precise design, assisted by the enormous advances in computational capabilities, should make such a program viable, attractive and necessary.
LiNbO/sub 3/ thin film capacitor and transistor processed by a novel method of photo-induced metallo-organic decomposition

A novel technique of photoinduced metallorganic decomposition (PIMOD) was developed to deposit dielectric thin films without the interdiffusion and cracking that have been frequently found in films prepared by the conventional furnace-processed MOD method. Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rutherford backscattering (RBS) confirm that polycrystalline stoichiometric thin films of lithium niobate can be produced at a much lower temperature and in a shorter processing time compared to the MOD process. LiNbO/sub 3/-based capacitors and transistors in a metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor (MFS) structure have been made via the PIMOD process. The MFS capacitors have exhibited ferroelectric switching properties as shown by hysteresis in the capacitance vs. voltage characteristics. Large photocurrents were measured for 900-mil/sup 2/ capacitors. MFSFETs have achieved an amplification factor of 92.3, and the channel conductance of the devices has been demonstrated to be highly affected by the application of voltage pulses from the gate to the substrate. >
Left Ventricular Diastolic Size in Patients with Normal Ejection Fraction and Elevated Left Filling Pressures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the left-ventricular diastolic chamber size in patients with a normal ejection fraction and elevated left-sided filling pressures. BACKGROUND: The consensus view that patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and elevated left-sided filling pressures have a normal left ventricular diastolic size is a point of controversy. METHODS: We reviewed the coded database of echocardiographic studies performed at one institution between July 2007 and July 2008. We performed a retrospective descriptive study of 35 patients with normal ejection fraction (> or = 55%) and elevated left-sided filling pressures. We looked at their left ventricular internal diastolic diameter (LVIDD). RESULTS: Our population had a high prevalence of hypertension (100%), obesity (63%), diabetes (40%), chronic kidney disease (51%), coronary artery disease (25%), anemia (43%), and left ventricular hypertrophy (65%). Clinical diagnosis of heart failure was documented in 63% of the patients. LVIDD was mildly increased in comparison to a normal historical population: 4.85 + or - 0.5 cm for females, 5.3 + or - 0.5 cm for males, as compared to 4.6 + or - 0.3 cm for normal females (P = 0.045) and 5 + or - 0.4 cm for normal males (P < 0.001). However, the distribution of the indexed LVIDDs in these patients was comparable to the normal population (2.6 + or - 0.4 cm/m(2) for the study population, as compared to 2.7 + or - 0.2 cm/m(2) for the normal population, P = 0.16). CONCLUSION: In a population of patients with a normal LVEF and high left ventricular filling pressures, the indexed LV diastolic size is not increased in comparison to a normal population. (Echocardiography 2010;27:501-504).
Fast tunable parallel optical delay line for communication and dynamic bandwidth allocation

Here we demonstrate that the fast tunable parallel optical delay line (FTDL) may be used to achieve high speed switching between optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) channels with multiple bit rates and explain how this capability can be used to implement dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA). These capabilities can provide enhanced functionality to high speed LANs and optical interconnects. This is also useful for local area networks and metro area networks that support users that have different service demands.
The Effect of Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide on Liver Hepcidin Gene Expression in Mice Lacking Antioxidant Enzymes, Glutathione Peroxidase-1 or Catalase

This study investigates the regulation of hepcidin, the key iron-regulatory molecule, by alcohol and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in glutathione peroxidase-1 (gpx-1(-/-)) and catalase (catalase(-/-)) knockout mice. For alcohol studies, 10% ethanol was administered in the drinking water for 7 days. Gpx-1(-/-) displayed significantly higher hepatic H2O2 levels than catalase(-/-) compared to wild-type mice, as measured by 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). The basal level of liver hepcidin expression was attenuated in gpx-1(-/-) mice. Alcohol increased H2O2 production in catalase(-/-) and wild-type, but not gpx-1(-/-), mice. Hepcidin expression was inhibited in alcohol-fed catalase(-/-) and wild-type mice. In contrast, alcohol elevated hepcidin expression in gpx-1(-/-) mice. Gpx-1(-/-) mice also displayed higher level of basal liver CHOP protein expression than catalase(-/-) mice. Alcohol induced CHOP and to a lesser extent GRP78/BiP expression, but not XBP1 splicing or binding of CREBH to hepcidin gene promoter, in gpx-1(-/-) mice. The up-regulation of hepatic ATF4 mRNA levels, which was observed in gpx-1(-/-) mice, was attenuated by alcohol. In conclusion, our findings strongly suggest that H2O2 inhibits hepcidin expression in vivo. Synergistic induction of CHOP by alcohol and H2O2, in the absence of gpx-1, stimulates liver hepcidin gene expression by ER stress independent of CREBH.
Update on Lattice QCD with Domain Wall Quarks

Using domain wall fermions, we estimate BK(μ ≈ 2 GeV) = 0.602(38) in quenched QCD which is consistent with previous calculations. We also find ratios of decay constants that are consistent with experiment, within our statistical errors. Our initial results indicate good scaling behavior and support expectations that 0(a) errors are exponentially suppressed in low energy (E “ a −1) observables. It is also shown that the axial current numerically satisfies the lattice analog of the usual continuum axial Ward identity and that the matrix element of the four quark operator needed for B K exhibits excellent chiral behavior.
Bluetooth™–A Wireless Personal Area Network

This chapter explores Bluetooth™ wireless technology, a short-range, low-power radio frequency communications mechanism, focusing on its application in wireless personal-area networks (WPANs). I discuss the origins of the technology and the associated Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). I describe WPANs and various usage scenarios and applications for Bluetooth wireless technology and present a technical overview of the Bluetooth specification—both the protocol stack and the profiles. I also offer a brief comparison of Bluetooth communication to other wireless technologies. This chapter should provide a general understanding of Bluetooth technology, its applications, its principles of operation, and how it relates to other forms of wireless communication. It also provides references that offer more detailed discussions of various aspects of the technology. Keywords: bluetooth special interest group (SIG); bluetooth wireless technology; frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS); infrared data association (IrDA); radio frequency; wireless personal-area networks
Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B interacts with and is tyrosine phosphorylated by the epidermal growth factor receptor

We used a substrate-trapping technique to search for substrates of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1B. A catalytically inactive form of this enzyme forms a stable, phosphotyrosine-dependent complex with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) both in vitro and in cells. PTP1B also interacts with activated platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) but not with colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R). After binding to EGFR, PTP1B becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated at Tyr-66, a site that conforms to the consensus binding sequence for the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of the adapter protein Grb2. This tyrosine phosphorylation is correlated with a 3-fold increase in PTP catalytic activity. These findings suggest that PTP1B selectively regulates specific activated receptor protein tyrosine kinases (RPTKs) in vivo and might itself be regulated by such receptors.
Serological Relatedness of Bacterial Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerases

A number of bacterial species have been surveyed for serological activities with antiserum to Escherichia coli B deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase I (EC 2.7.7.7.). The degree of serological cross-reaction is taken as a measure of relatedness of both the enzyme molecules from various species and the bacterial species themselves. Extracts were assayed by complement fixation only after treatment with deoxyribonuclease, since DNA bound to DNA polymerase alters the serological activity of the enzyme. Antiserum to E. coli DNA polymerase I did not react with either purified E. coli DNA polymerase II or the phage T4-induced DNA polymerase.
Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics of Pyrazinamide in a Novel In Vitro Model of Tuberculosis for Sterilizing Effect: a Paradigm for Faster Assessment of New Antituberculosis Drugs

There are currently renewed efforts to develop drugs that could shorten the duration of antituberculosis therapy. This is best achieved by optimizing the sterilizing effect. However, the current pathway for the development of new molecules with the potential to have a sterilizing effect is inefficient. We designed an in vitro pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis replicating slowly at pH 5.8 was exposed to pyrazinamide by use of the concentration-time profiles encountered in patients. The sterilizing effect rates and the time to the emergence of drug resistance were examined. Daily pyrazinamide dosing for 28 days accurately achieved (i) the pyrazinamide pharmacokinetic parameters, (ii) the lack of early bactericidal activity, (iii) a sterilizing effect rate of 0.10 log(10) CFU/ml per day starting on day 6 of therapy, and (iv) a time to the emergence of resistance of the from 2 to 3 weeks of monotherapy encountered in patients with tuberculosis. Next, dose-scheduling studies were performed. The sterilizing effect was linked to the pyrazinamide ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC(0-24)) to the MIC (r(2) = 0.80 to 0.90), with 90% of the maximal effect being achieved by an AUC(0-24)/MIC of 209.08. Resistance suppression was associated with the percentage of time that the concentration persisted above the MIC (r(2) = 0.73 to 0.91). Monte Carlo simulations of 10,000 patients demonstrated that the currently recommended pyrazinamide doses (15 to 30 mg/kg of body weight/day) achieved the AUC(0-24)/MIC of 209.08 in the epithelial lining fluid of only 15.1 to 53.3% of patients. Doses of >60 mg/kg per day performed better. Our vitro model for the sterilizing effect, together with Monte Carlo simulations, can be used for the faster identification of the clinical doses that are needed to achieve a sterilizing effect and that can then be studied in clinical trials.
Ovarian hormone-induced short-latency maternal behavior in ovariectomized virgin Long-Evans rats.

Two ovarian hormone regimens reported to induce rapid-onset maternal behavior (MB) in maternally naive virgin, ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley (SD) albino rats (R. S. Bridges, 1984, Endocrinology 114, 930-940; A. L. Giordano, 1987, Doctoral Dissertation, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ) were assessed in Long-Evans (LE) hooded rats, a strain which tends to be less maternally responsive in various situations dissociated from parturition. The combination of sufficiently high and long-lasting treatments with estradiol (E, 10-mm Silastic capsule, sc, on Day 1) and progesterone (P, 3 x 30-mm Silastic capsules, Days 3-13) resulted in a mean MB onset latency (after pup presentation on Day 14) of 1.8 days. In contrast, no-hormone or P-only controls had latencies of about 5.5 days. However, the E + P combination was completely ineffective if the E capsule was withdrawn along with the P capsules, unlike the case for SD rats. Also in contrast to the albinos, E alone was ineffective, while E treatment following P withdrawal was only partially effective. The most efficacious regimen, which included a P treatment (injections of 4 mg/day, Days 3-12 or 3-15) known to maintain pregnancy in ovariectomized rats, resulted in mean latencies of less than or equal to 1 day; 39% overall displayed MB rapidly, i.e., retrieval within 15 min of exposure to pups and crouching by 3 hr, and 89% became maternal by the next day. With this regimen, neither duration of 4 mg/day P treatment (10 or 13 days) nor hysterectomy 2 days before testing affected MB latencies. Thus, the essential features of the previously reported ovarian hormone regimens for induction of short-latency MB are efficacious in LE rats, but the hormonal requirements in this strain seem to be more precise. Factors which might contribute to an even higher percentage maternal on the first day of pup exposure are considered.
A discipline independent definition of information

Information may be defined as the characteristics of the output of a process, these being informative about the process and the input. This discipline independent definition may be applied to all domains, from physics to epistemology. Hierarchies of processes, linked together, provide a communication channel between each of the corresponding functions and layers in the hierarchies. Models of communication (Shannon), perception, observation, belief, and knowledge are suggested that are consistent with this conceptual framework of information as the value of the output of any process in a hierarchy of processes. Misinformation and errors are considered. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Observations on the bioaccumulation potential of thorium and uranium in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Preliminary studies are reported to determine if uptake of uranium and thorium occurs at significant rates in rainbow trout. Also assessed is how soluble and particulate partitioning affects the uptake behavior of these actinides. (JMT)
After incest: secondary prevention?

The course and outcome of therapy for 22 girls, victims of incest, referred to a child psychiatry clinic are reviewed. Obstacles to carrying out successful psychotherapy are found to include economic, procedural, social, counter-transference-related and intrapsychic factors. Diagnostic features of post-traumatic stress disorder were observed in our patients with an associated pattern of pseudomature coping behavior concealing underlying severe symptomatology. The sobering findings of the study point to an intensive treatment approach.
700 yr sedimentary record of intense hurricane landfalls in southern New England

Five intense (category 3 or greater) hurricanes occurring in 1635, 1638, 1815, 1869, and 1938 have made landfall on the New England coast since European settlement. Historical records indicate that four of these hurricanes (1635, 1638, 1815, and 1938) and hurricane Carol, a strong category 2 storm in 1954, produced significant storm surges (>3 m) in southern Rhode Island. Storm surges of this magnitude can overtop barrier islands, removing sediments from the beach and nearshore environment and depositing overwash fans across back-barrier marshes, lakes, and lagoons. In a regime of rising sea level, accumulation of marsh, lake, or lagoon sediments on top of overwash deposits will preserve a record of overwash deposition. We examined the record of overwash deposition at Succotash salt marsh in East Matunuck, Rhode Island, and tested the correlation with historical records of intense storms. Aerial photographs taken after hurricanes in 1954 and 1938 show overwash fans deposited at the site. Analysis of 14 sediment cores from the back-barrier marsh confirmed the presence of these fans and revealed that 4 additional large-scale overwash fans were deposited within the marsh sediments. The four overwash fans deposited since the early seventeenth century at Succotash Marsh matches the historical record of significant hurricane-induced storm surge. These fans were most likely deposited by hurricanes in 1954, 1938, 1815, and either 1638 or 1635. Radiocarbon dating of two prehistoric overwash fans indicated that these were deposited between A.D. 1295– 1407 and 1404–1446 and probably represent intense hurricane strikes. In the past 700 yr, at least 7 intense hurricanes struck the southern Rhode Island coast and produced a storm surge that overtopped the barrier at Succotash Marsh.
Macromolecular crowding and the steady-state kinetics of malate dehydrogenase.

To understand how macromolecular crowding affects enzyme activity, we quantified the Michaelis–Menten kinetics of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in the presence of hen egg white (HEW), lysozyme, bovine serum albumin (BSA), gum arabic, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), and dextrans of various molecular weights. Although crowding tended to decrease Km and Vmax values, the magnitude depended on the crowding agent, reaction direction, and isozyme (mitochondrial porcine heart or thermophlic TaqMDH from Thermus flavus). Crowding slowed oxaloacetate reduction more significantly than malate oxidation, which may suggest that mitochondrial enzymes have evolved to function optimally under the crowded constraints in which they are immersed. Since direct comparisons of neutral to charged crowders are underrepresented in the literature, we performed these studies and found that neutral crowding agents lowered Vmax values more than charged crowders of similar size. The exception was hen egg white, a mixture of cha...
Characterizing the Curve: A Mechanistic Study of CPLA2-Mediated Membrane Bending

Lipid membranes play a critical role in cellular signaling through selective protein-lipid interactions. The membrane composition of organelles often drives specific proteins to localize in cells. Lipid binding proteins, including those harboring BAR and ENTH domains, have been shown to shape biological membranes into vesicles necessary to transport cargo across the membrane. Recently, we observed that the calcium-dependent enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), bends model membranes through its N-terminal C2 domain, which is dependent upon its membrane penetration (Ward et al. JLR, 2012). Thus, in addition to its role in generating arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids, this enzyme may have a role in regulating membrane curvature changes. This hypothesis is supported by roles for cPLA2 described in the literature including intra-Golgi trafficking, Golgi tubulation, Golgi vesiculation and Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis. We found that membrane bending by cPLA2 translated into A549 and HeLa cells, supporting the physiological relevance of our earlier findings. Thus, we sought to characterize the molecular forces driving cPLA2-dependent membrane bending in vitro and in cells. Using a variety of mCherry and mEGFP protein chimeras, we investigated the hypothesis that cPLA2 oligomerizes on membranes with a series of correlation spectroscopy experiments. These results show that cPLA2 forms large protein oligomers on cytoplasmic vesicles using number and brightness analysis and with an in vitro crosslinking assay. Taken together, using a variety of biophysical methods, we have consistently found cPLA2 to oligomerize through its C2 domain in vitro and in cells.
Superconductivity and phase transitions in single-crystal and polycrystal α-U at high pressure

The superconducting transition temperature of single-crystal and polycrystal uranium has been determined as a function of hydrostatic pressure to 24 kbar. Although the general form of theT c (P) variation is similar for the two types of material, features are present in the detailed behavior for the single-crystal samples which are not found for polycrystal samples. These features are presumed to be associated with the first-order transitions observed at zero pressure. A low-temperature phase diagram has been constructed and the electronic nature of the various phases is discussed.
National Trends in Utilization and Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in the Mechanical Thrombectomy Era

Background and Purpose—Because several new devices for mechanical thrombectomy have become available, the outcomes of patients undergoing endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke are expect...