cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune expression in children with Wilms tumor: a pilot study.

Summary Background Given improvements in multimodality therapy, survival among children with Wilms tumor (WT) exceeds 90%. However, 15% of children with favorable histology and 50% of children with anaplastic WT experience recurrence or progression. Of patients with advanced disease, only 50% survive to adulthood. In adult malignancies (including renal tumors), patient survival has improved with the advent of immunotherapy. However, little is known about the immune microenvironment of WT, making the potential role of immunotherapy unclear. Objective The objective of the study is to perform an exploratory, descriptive analysis of the immune milieu in WT. Study design Between 2016 and 2017, all pediatric patients with WT, some of whom received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, underwent ex vivo wedge biopsy at the time of nephrectomy. The fresh tumor tissue and peripheral blood samples were analyzed for infiltrating immune infiltrate and effector cells using flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry was performed for CD4, CD8, and PD-L1 expression. Matched blood samples were obtained for each patient, and circulating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results A total of six patients were enrolled. One patient with neuroblastoma was excluded. The remaining five patients included the following: two with unilateral WT (resected before chemotherapy), two with bilateral WT (resected after neoadjuvant chemotherapy), and one with Denys–Drash syndrome, end-stage renal disease, and history of WT in the contralateral kidney. Immune analysis showed that WT were infiltrated by immune cells regardless of chemotherapy status. CD8 and CD4 T cells were present in the tumor tissue and exhibited an activated phenotype. Elevated levels of natural killer (NK) cells were observed in the tumors (Figure). Immune checkpoint PD-L1 was also found expressed in one of the tumors stained. Discussion In this pilot study, it was found that WTs were infiltrated by immune cells (CD45+) both before and after chemotherapy. Elevated levels of NK cells infiltrating the tumor specimens, which were quantitatively increased compared with levels of NK cells circulating in the blood, were noted. T cells, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, were present in tumor specimens. Tumor-infiltrating CD4 and CD8 T cells displayed an activated phenotype as defined by increased expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1), and CD57. Together, these findings suggest that WT microenvironment is immune engaged and may be susceptible to immunotherapy similar to other malignancies. Conclusions These pilot data suggest an immune-engaged tumor microenvironment is present within WT. This implies that WT may be susceptible to immunotherapy similar to adult renal tumors and other adult malignancies. Follow-up studies are currently underway. Download : Download high-res image (256KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Figure:
The Toxin Antitoxin MazEF Drives Staphylococcus aureus Chronic Infection

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is the major organism responsible for surgical implant infections. Antimicrobial treatment of these infections often fails leading to expensive surgical intervention and increased risk of mortality to the patient. The challenge in treating these infections is associated with the high tolerance of S. aureus biofilm to antibiotics. MazEF, a toxin-antitoxin system, is thought to be an important regulator of this phenotype, but its physiological function in S. aureus is controversial. Here, we examined the role of MazEF in developing chronic infections by comparing growth and antibiotic tolerance phenotypes in three S. aureus strains to their corresponding strains with disruption of mazF expression. Strains lacking mazF production showed increased biofilm growth, and decreased biofilm antibiotic tolerance. Deletion of icaADBC in the mazF::tn background suppressed the growth phenotype observed with mazF-disrupted strains, suggesting the phenotype was ica-dependent. We confirmed these phenotypes in our murine animal model. Loss of mazF resulted in increased bacterial burden and decreased survival rate compared to its wild-type strain demonstrating that loss of the mazF gene caused an increase in S. aureus virulence. Although lack of mazF gene expression increased S. aureus virulence, it was more susceptible to antibiotics in vivo. Combined, the ability of mazF to inhibit biofilm formation and promote biofilm antibiotic tolerance plays a critical role in transitioning from an acute to chronic infection that is difficult to eradicate with antibiotics alone. Importance Surgical infections are one of the most common types of infections obtained in a hospital. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen associated with this infection. These infections are resilient and difficult to eradicate as the bacteria form a biofilm, a community of bacteria held together by an extracellular matrix. Compared to bacteria floating in liquid, bacteria in a biofilm are more resistant to antibiotics. The mechanism behind how bacteria develop this resistance and establish a chronic infection is unknown. We demonstrate that mazEF, a toxin-antitoxin gene, inhibits biofilm formation and promotes biofilm antibiotic tolerance which allows S. aureus to transition from an acute to chronic infection that cannot be eradicated with antibiotics but is less virulent. This gene not only makes the bacteria more tolerant to antibiotics but makes the bacteria more tolerant to the host.
Exploring the Influence of Racial-Ethnic and Gender Identity on the Prosocial Behaviors of African American Adolescent Males.

African American male students face a multitude of challenges that may lead to poor academic and social outcomes at school. There is extensive research on the predictors of their problems, but far ...
Nothing to Speak of: Wartime Experiences of the Danish Jews 1943-1945

The rescue of Jews from German-occupied Denmark and their evacuation to Sweden in October 1943 is ingrained into the history of Denmark and World War II more broadly. During the early years of the ...
Distinct conducting layer edge states in two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskite.

Two-dimensional (2D) lead halide perovskite with a natural “multiple quantum well” (MQW) structure has shown great potential for optoelectronic applications. Continuing advancement requires a fundamental understanding of the charge and energy flow in these 2D heterolayers, particularly at the layer edges. Here, we report the distinct conducting feature at the layer edges between the insulating bulk terrace regions in the (C4H9NH3)2PbI4 2D perovskite single crystal. The edges of the 2D exhibit an extraordinarily large carrier density of ~1021 cm−3. By using various mapping techniques, we found the layer edge electrons are not related to the surface charging effect; rather, they are associated with the local nontrivial energy states of the electronic structure at the edges. This observation of the metal-like conducting feature at the layer edge of the 2D perovskite provides a different dimension for enhancing the performance of the next-generation optoelectronics and developing innovative nanoelectronics.
Psychosocial impacts on college students providing mental health peer support.

Objective: To examine psychosocial effects on college student peer support workers of providing mental health peer support as compared to other trained student workers. Participants: From August 20...
It's a TRAP: Deciphering Responses to Hypoxia from Transcription to mRNA Translation

Even with water, too much of a good thing can hurt. Indeed, flooded plants cannot rely on atmospheric oxygen to sustain ATP production and must adapt quickly or face dire consequences. Like other stresses, the deprivation of adequate oxygen (known as hypoxia) induces a rapid cascade of changes in
“On”: Reading Cormac McCarthy’s The Road through Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Ill Seen Ill Said

The quality of Cormac McCarthy’s dialogue with Beckett in The Road is substantial yet often subtle, and McCarthy’s employment of particularly the Beckettian intertexts Waiting for Godot and of Ill ...
Xenosiderophore Utilization Promotes Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron Resilience during Colitis.

Summary During short-lived perturbations, such as inflammation, the gut microbiota exhibits resilience and reverts to its original configuration. Although microbial access to the micronutrient iron is decreased during colitis, pathogens can scavenge iron by using siderophores. How commensal bacteria acquire iron during gut inflammation is incompletely understood. Curiously, the human commensal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron does not produce siderophores but grows under iron-limiting conditions using enterobacterial siderophores. Using RNA-seq, we identify B. thetaiotaomicron genes that were upregulated during Salmonella-induced gut inflammation and were predicted to be involved in iron uptake. Mutants in the xusABC locus (BT2063-2065) were defective for xenosiderophore-mediated iron uptake in vitro. In the normal mouse gut, the XusABC system was dispensable, while a xusA mutant colonized poorly during colitis. This work identifies xenosiderophore utilization as a critical mechanism for B. thetaiotaomicron to sustain colonization during inflammation and suggests a mechanism of how interphylum iron metabolism contributes to gut microbiota resilience.
3D Surface Measurement and Analysis of Works of Art

Surface shape metrology encompasses broad topics within cultural heritage science. However, most existing surface shape measurement systems are bulky and restricted to lab environments. As most are not practical for large, delicate or fixed works of art, such as stained-glass windows or oil-painted murals, we develop methods to measure matte and specular surfaces using hand-held mobile devices. In the ‘Shape-from-Shifting’ method, we use a hand-held cell-phone to capture surface normal maps computed with a near-light variant of photometric stereo from a shifting sequence of flash-lit photos. In the ‘Multiview Deflectometry’ method, 3D information of specular surfaces is calculated by observing the reflection of a tablet screen on the surface with the tablet’s front facing camera. Both methods are fast, portable and easy to use for non-experts. We present case studies for each method: detecting protrusions growing in Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and identifying surface features of Tiffany stained glass.
Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity: Causes, Mechanisms, and Prevention

Doxorubicin is an anthracycline and one of the more effective chemotherapy agents used in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with osteosarcoma. Despite its effectiveness, cardiotoxicity is a major late effect that compromises the survival and quality of life of survivors of this and other cancers. Cardiotoxicity is the inability of the heart to pump blood through the body effectively. Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is dose dependent. Additionally, the age of the patients plays a role in susceptibility with younger patients having a greater risk for cardiotoxicity and heart failure years after treatment is complete. The exact mechanism(s) responsible for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is poorly understood, and further research needs to be done to elucidate the mechanisms. This chapter summarizes the identified mechanisms that may play a role in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. We will also summarize the types of cardiomyopathies that have been described in survivors treated with doxorubicin and the current recommendations for monitoring survivor for the development of cardiomyopathies. Included will be the important search for defining early biomarkers to identify patients and survivors at risk. Finally, we will summarize some of the interventions proposed for decreasing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.
Differences in the chitinolytic activity of mammalian chitinases on soluble and crystalline substrates

Abstract Chitin is an abundant polysaccharide used by a large range of organisms for structural rigidity and water repulsion. As such, the insoluble crystalline structure of chitin poses significant challenges for enzymatic degradation. Vertebrates do not produce chitin, but do express chitin degrading enzymes. Acidic mammalian chitinase, the primary enzyme involved in the degradation of environmental chitin in mammalian lungs, is a processive glycosyl hydrolase that may be able to make multiple hydrolysis events for each binding event. Mutations to acidic mammalian chitinase have been associated with asthma, and genetic deletion of the enzyme in mice results in significantly increased morbidity and mortality with age. We initially set out to reverse this phenotype by engineering hyperactive acidic mammalian chitinase variants. Using a directed evolution screening approach using commercial fluorogenic substrates, we identified mutations with consistent increases in activity. To determine whether the activity increases observed with oligomeric substrates were consistent with more biologically relevant chitin substrates, we developed new assays to quantify chitinase activity with colloidal crystalline chitin, and identified a high throughput fluorogenic assay that gives sufficient signal to noise advantages to quantify changes to activity due to the addition or removal of a chitin binding domain to the enzyme. We show that the activity increasing mutations derived from our directed evolution screen were lost when crystalline substrates were used. In contrast, naturally occurring gain-of-function mutations gave similar results with oligomeric and crystalline substrates. We also show that the activity differences between acidic mammalian chitinase and chitotriosidase are reduced in the context of crystalline substrate, suggesting that previously reported activity differences with oligomeric substrates may have been largely driven by differential substrate specificity for the oligomers. These results highlight the need for assays against more physiological substrates when engineering complex metabolic enzymes, and provide a new approach that may be broadly applicable to engineering glycosyl hydrolases.
Caribbean Immigrant Youths’ Ethnic Identity and Academic Achievement: The Role of Academic Beliefs

Ethnic identity (EI) can facilitate racially and ethnically marginalized youths’ academic achievement but the mediating process by which it exerts its influence is unclear. This study examines how ...
Ex Vivo Regional Mechanical Characterization of Porcine Pulmonary Arteries

Regional mechanical characterization of pulmonary arteries can be useful in the development of computational models of pulmonary arterial mechanics. We performed a biomechanical and microstructural characterization study of porcine pulmonary arteries, inclusive of the main, left, and right pulmonary arteries (MPA, LPA, and RPA, respectively). The specimens were initially stored at −20 °C and allowed to thaw for 12–24 h prior to testing. Each artery was further subdivided into proximal, middle, and distal regions, leading to ten location-based experimental groups. Planar equibiaxial tensile testing was performed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the specimens, from which we calculated the stress at the maximum strain (S55), tensile modulus (TM), anisotropy index (AI), and strain energy in terms of area under the stress-strain curve (AUC). Histological quantification was performed to evaluate the area fraction of elastin and collagen content, intima-media thickness (IMT), and adventitial thickness (AT). The constitutive material behavior of each group was represented by a five-constant Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden model. The specimens exhibited non-linear stress-strain characteristics across all groups. The MPA exhibited the highest mean wall stress and TM in the longitudinal and circumferential directions, while the bifurcation region yielded the highest values of AI and AUC. All regions revealed a higher stiffness in the longitudinal direction compared to the circumferential direction, suggesting a degree of anisotropy that is believed to be within the margin of experimental uncertainty. Collagen content was found to be the highest in the MPA and decreased significantly at the bifurcation, LPA and RPA. Elastin content did not yield such significant differences amongst the ten groups. The MPA had the highest IMT, which decreased concomitantly to the distal LPA and RPA. No significant differences were found in the AT amongst the ten groups. The mechanical properties of porcine pulmonary arteries exhibit strong regional dissimilarities, which can be used to inform future studies of high fidelity finite element models.
Promoting Motivational Interviewing in Primary Care: More Than Intention.

Introduction Interacting with patients in a manner that furthers self-responsibility for health is an important skill for primary care clinicians. Motivational interviewing (MI) is such an approach to patient engagement, but it remains to be more widely implemented. In a program training health professionals and health professions students in MI, we examined posttraining attitudes and intentions regarding the utilization of MI. Of particular interest was how posttraining intentions were associated with self-reported action 1 month later. Methods We obtained immediate posttraining and 30-day follow-up data from 209 participants regarding intent to utilize the MI approach (self-reported implementation at the follow-up interval), impact on confidence with patient interaction, and perceived importance of the training. We analyzied frequencies and percentages for all categorical/ordinal variables to describe the participants and the survey question responses. Results While 91.5% of participants intended to incorporate MI into their approach with patients (to a moderate or great extent) at posttraining, only 48.7% reported that they had actually implemented the MI approach (to a moderate or great extent) 30 days later. However, another 32.1% indicated that they had occasionally utilized MI. Attitudes toward the importance of MI training and the impact of training on confidence remained strong over the 30 days. Conclusion Achieving more widespread implementation of the MI approach in the primary care setting is likely to be less dependent on convincing clinicians about its importance for patient engagement, but rather on the translation of intent to actual practice and implementation.
Synthetic modeling of the structure and function of the rare-earth dependent methanol dehydrogenase cofactor.

Abstract Historically, rare-earth ions have been considered irrelevant to biology. Recently, the active sites of certain methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes have been shown to contain a redox-inactive, rare-earth (RE) cation coordinated by the redox-active pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) cofactor. Importantly, it was demonstrated that rare earths were essential for the growth of certain methylotrophs that incorporated the XoxF-MDH. In this chapter, we summarize the optimized synthesis of a previously published rare-earth complex that serves as a model of the active site of this RE-containing MDH enzyme. The structure and reactivity of the metalated complex, [La(LQQ)(NO3)3] are also discussed. [La(LQQ)(NO3)3] catalytically oxidizes the test alcohol substrate, p-methylbenzyl alcohol, 4MeBnOH, to p-methylbenzaldehyde, 4MePhCHO, in the presence of a base (2,6-lutidine) and a terminal oxidant (ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate) with ~ 17 turnovers. By studying this synthetic model, we have developed a body of evidence about both the reactivity and the mechanism of dehydrogenation of alcohols as a molecular analogue to a native, rare-earth dependent enzyme.
Stratum Lacunosum-moleculare Interneurons of the Hippocampus Coordinate Memory Encoding and Retrieval

Abstract Encoding and retrieval of memory are two processes serving distinct biological purposes but operating in highly overlapping brain circuits. It is unclear how the two processes are coordinated in the same brain regions, especially in the hippocampal CA1 region where the two processes converge at the cellular level. Here we find that the neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF)-positive interneurons at stratum lacunosum-moleculare (SLM) in CA1 play opposite roles in memory encoding and retrieval. These interneurons show high activities in learning and low activities in recall. Increasing their activity facilitates learning but impairs recall. They inhibit the entorhinal- but dis-inhibit the CA3- inputs to CA1 pyramidal cells and thereby either suppress or elevate CA1 pyramidal cells’ activity depending on animal’s behavioral states. Thus, by coordinating entorhinal- and CA3- dual inputs to CA1, these SLM interneurons are key to switching the hippocampus between encoding and retrieval modes.
Cystic artery velocity as a predictor of acute cholecystitis

To evaluate angle-corrected peak systolic cystic artery velocity (CAv) as a predictor of acute cholecystitis among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain. In this IRB-approved and retrospective study, CAv was evaluated in 73 patients, 43 who underwent definitive treatment with cholecystectomy or percutaneous cholecystostomy and 30 control patients without clinical suspicion for cholecystitis. In addition to CAv, the following were reviewed by 3 radiologists: CBD diameter, cholelithiasis, impacted stone in the neck, sludge, gallbladder wall thickness > 3 mm, gallbladder transverse dimension ≥ 4 cm, longitudinal dimension ≥ 8 cm, tensile gallbladder fundus sign, pericholecystic fluid, pericholecystic echogenic fat, and sonographic Murphy sign. Of the 43 patients who underwent definitive treatment, 25 had acute cholecystitis (34%) and 18 (25%) had chronic cholecystitis. Average CAv measurements were 50 ± 16 cm/s (acute), 28 ± 8 cm/s (chronic), and 22 ± 8 cm/s (control; p < 0.0001). In univariate analysis, among patients who underwent definitive therapy, CAv ≥ 40 cm/s, gallbladder wall thickness, stone impaction, GB long dimension ≥ 8 cm, and elevated WBC were associated with acute cholecystitis (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, CAv ≥ 40 cm/s was the only statistically significant variable (p = 0.016). CAv ≥ 40 cm/s alone had a PPV of 94.7% and overall accuracy of 81.4% in diagnosing acute cholecystitis. CAv ≥ 40 cm/s is highly associated with acute cholecystitis in patients presenting to the ED with RUQ pain.
Using single-nucleus RNA-sequencing to interrogate transcriptomic profiles of archived human pancreatic islets.

Background Human pancreatic islets are a central focus of research in metabolic studies. Transcriptomics is frequently used to interrogate alterations in cultured human islet cells using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). We introduce single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) as an alternative approach for investigating transplanted human islets. Methods The Nuclei EZ protocol was used to obtain nuclear preparations from fresh and frozen human islet cells. Such preparations were first used to generate snRNA-seq datasets and compared to scRNA-seq output obtained from cells from the same donor. Finally, we employed snRNA-seq to obtain the transcriptomic profile of archived human islets engrafted in immunodeficient animals. Results We observed virtually complete concordance in identifying cell types and gene proportions as well as a strong association of global and islet cell type gene signatures between scRNA-seq and snRNA-seq applied to fresh and frozen cultured or transplanted human islet samples. Conclusions We propose snRNA-seq as a reliable strategy to probe transcriptomic profiles of freshly harvested or frozen sources of transplanted human islet cells especially when scRNA-seq is not ideal.
Anesthetic choice for arteriovenous access creation: A National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry analysis.

Background:We sought to evaluate differences in primary anesthetic type used in arteriovenous access creation with the hypothesis that administration of regional anesthesia and monitored anesthesia...
Free Trade and How it Enriches Us

Free trade improves the well-being of all parties to it. The most significant way that trade achieves this outcome is by enabling and incentivising specialisation in production, and also encouraging mechanisation and innovation. As specialisation deepens, and as mechanisation and innovation advance, the per-person output of goods and services increases. Total economic output rises as specialisation increases; specialisation increases as trade expands; and trade expands as the size of markets grows. Specialisation that takes place according to comparative advantage increases total economic output even if it does not increase the productivity of any individual workers. Each of us gains when our trading partners improve their efficiency at production. Neither free trade nor protectionism affects a country’s level of total employment over the long run. Trade policy affects only the kinds of jobs that prevail. Specifically, free trade destroys jobs in industries for which the country has a comparative disadvantage and creates jobs in industries for which the country has a comparative advantage. Protectionism’s effect on jobs is the opposite. Trade results in no net reduction of jobs in the home economy because home-economy imports result in foreigners either buying more home economy exports or investing more in the home economy – both activities that create jobs to offset those jobs destroyed by imports. Trade deficits are not necessarily evidence of economic or policy problems. They are not caused by ‘unfair’ trade practices by foreign governments, they do not reflect a shortfall of savings in countries that run them, and they do not necessarily increase domestic citizens’ indebtedness to foreigners. Trade with foreigners differs in no economically essential way from trade with fellow citizens.
CALS: An essential strategy for paperless interchange of technical information for manufacturing-current and future standards

Computer-aided acquisition and logistics support (CALS) is a Department of Defense and industry initiative, consisting of strategies, technologies, concepts and standards to reduce time-to-market, reduce costs and improve the quality of multiple-contractor projects (initially weapons systems). The evolution of CALS is summarized from paper flow to integrated and digital technical information, shared by government and contractors. Current and future CALS standards are presented. >
System and Sector Interdependencies: An Overview

This introductory article provides a foundation for the remaining articles of this handbook by defining infrastructure interdependencies and introducing basic terminology, analytical approaches, research and development needs, and the range of interdisciplinary skills required for a comprehensive analysis of infrastructure and interdependencies. Traditional analysis of interdependencies involves the characterization of infrastructure-to-infrastructure linkages to identify the key infrastructure components that, if lost or degraded, could adversely affect the performance of other infrastructures. Such analysis is motivated by the recognition that a series of incidents could interact (cascade) across critical infrastructures to degrade the services upon which all depend. From a more comprehensive risk assessment and management perspective, interdependencies analysis must also involve the identification and characterization of a wide range of threats (natural and accidental, systems related, and intentional), vulnerabilities (physical, cyber, and human), and consequences of loss (e.g. health and safety, economic, national security, environmental, and sociopolitical). Such an all-hazards approach provides a framework for making defensible, cost-effective infrastructure protection and operation decisions to ensure the security and resilience of the interdependent systems that underpin our society. Keywords: infrastructure interdependencies; cascading failure; risk management; resilience
Poverty Changes in Developing Countries

This chapter is concerned with measuring how the extent of poverty changes in a country over time. ‘Poverty’, as the term is used here, denotes the inability of an individual or a family to command sufficient resources to satisfy basic needs.1 The poverty line is a constant real amount below which people are said to be poor. The extent of poverty in a country is then based on variables such as the number who are poor and the extent of their resource shortfall.
Whole genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and systems biology

The whole-genome shotgun sequencing method with paired end-reads has proven rapid and economical, producing high-quality reconstructions of Drosophila (2000), human (2001) and mouse (2001), in quick succession. We discuss the overall algorithmic strategy, the results one can expect by comparing the whole genome assembly of Drosophila against the recently finished sequence, and advances such as high-density solid state sequencing and single molecule detection systems. We anticipate having the euchromatic portions of the genomes of twelve species of Drosophila in the next year. We discuss the current state of the art in comparative gene finding, cis-control module finding, and possible improvements. The hope of these approaches is that we will be able to accurately identify the "parts lists" of the D. melanogaster genome, a basic prerequisite for systems biology. We conclude with a segment on the possibility of a program of high-throughput in-situ image analysis in Drosophila embryos. We describe what information we might collect and what we might be able to infer from it. It is our contention that this may be the best way to understand development from a systems perspective.
Proliferation and differentiation of rat neuroepithelial precursor cells in vivo

Important features of adult neuronal number, location, and type are a consequence of early embryonic events that occur before neurons have differentiated. We have measured cell number during embryogenesis of the rat CNS. Markers that are expressed in the proliferating neuronal precursor are required to study the mechanisms controlling their proliferation and differentiation. By applying immunohistochemistry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and 3H-thymidine auto-radiography to dissociated rat CNS cells, we show that the monoclonal antibody Rat 401 recognizes a cell population with proliferative, temporal, and quantitative features expected of neuronal precursors.
The Mechanobiology of Aging

Aging is a complex, multifaceted process that induces a myriad of physiological changes over an extended period of time. Aging is accompanied by major biochemical and biomechanical changes at macroscopic and microscopic length scales that affect not only tissues and organs but also cells and subcellular organelles. These changes include transcriptional and epigenetic modifications; changes in energy production within mitochondria; and alterations in the overall mechanics of cells, their nuclei, and their surrounding extracellular matrix. In addition, aging influences the ability of cells to sense changes in extracellular-matrix compliance (mechanosensation) and to transduce these changes into biochemical signals (mechanotransduction). Moreover, following a complex positive-feedback loop, aging is accompanied by changes in the composition and structure of the extracellular matrix, resulting in changes in the mechanics of connective tissues in older individuals. Consequently, these progressive dysfunctions facilitate many human pathologies and deficits that are associated with aging, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurodegenerative disorders and diseases. Here, we critically review recent work highlighting some of the primary biophysical changes occurring in cells and tissues that accompany the aging process.
The 'Ethical' Surplus of the War on Illegal Immigration

The Aristotelian philosopher, Gene Garver, suggests that rhetorical claims have an "ethical surplus" that extends beyond the specific claim being advanced at the moment. This follows from the fact that rhetoric includes not only logos, but also pathos and ethos. We adopt the thesis of "ethical surplus," but in a negative context. The "war on illegal immigration" has generated an ethical surplus that leads its promoters beyond the specific claim of securing borders against unlawful entry. After demonstrating that there is an express rhetoric of "war" used in connection with Arizona's adoption of recent anti-immigrant legislation, we explore the implication of this rhetoric in the more recent effort to eliminate race-conscious education programs focused on Mexican Americans in the public schools of Tucson. We conclude that the war on illegal immigration has generated its ethical surplus in a manner that betrays the true character of this war. It is not a war against undocumented border crossing; rather, it is a war against the perceived threat posed by Mexicans living in the United States. As the ethical surplus of the anti-immigrant hyperbole becomes manifest, it reveals clearly the immoral and discriminatory nature of the rhetoric at work.
Child fostering in Africa: When labor and schooling motives may coexist☆

Abstract The paper proposes a theoretical framework for understanding purposive child fostering in Africa, whereby a non-orphaned child is sent to live temporarily with relatives. In the model, adults decide whether to foster in or out a child in conjunction with other household choices, e.g. own time allocation between market and non-market activities, children's amount of work, and schooling. By allowing for positive externalities from fostering, and thus asymmetric motives for fostering in (labor) and out (human capital), the proposed framework predicts that school-age children are sent to better-off households and that some families may foster in and out simultaneously. The model identifies the conditions under which all actors involved, children included, may benefit from fostering arrangements, but also points to situations where fostering may become an opportunity to marginalize a subset of children. The paper aims to provide a sound theoretical foundation that sheds light on why there exists mixed empirical evidence on the effects of fostering on children's well being, and cautions against demonizing non-parent residence as unequivocally detrimental to children.
Anomalies in Hyperfine Structure

The deviations from the interval rule in the hyperfine structure of two of the energy states in mercury can be explained satisfactorily as due to perturbations arising from their proximity. The forbidden line Hg I λ2967.5 (6s6d^1D_2−6s7p^3P_0) and its hyperfine structure are also explained by these perturbations. The hyperfine structure ascribed to the 3s 4f levels of ionized aluminum which has seemed to be in contradiction with the theory, can be shown to belong partially to the 3s ng levels and to come out in agreement with theoretical expectations.
Ferrocene studies. IV. Some furan containing derivatives of ferrocene

The condensation of ferrocenecarboxyhydrazide, ferrocenecarboxaldehyde and acetylferrocene with a number of furan derivatives is reported. The reaction of chalcones containing both the furan and the ferrocene nucleus with Phenylhydrazine and hydrazine proceeds to yield pyrazolines.
AN EXACT S2 SYMMETRY FOR QUARK MASS MATRICES

We show that an exact S2 symmetry can be imposed on quark mass matrices and is not in conflict with available experimental data. We obtain a constraint, Further tests may be performed in neutral flavor violation processes t→u, c and b→d, s in a multi-Higgs model, with a typical Yukawa coupling strength of order 10−3−10−2.
Defining and Promoting the Study of Religion in British and American Schools

(2005). Defining and Promoting the Study of Religion in British and American Schools. Religion & Education: Vol. 32, Rethinking Religion, Education, and Pluralism in Europe and the United States, pp. 23-41.
TOTAL CROSS SECTIONS IN A QUARK MODEL.

Meson and baryon total scattering cross sections are obtained using a quark model. It is emphasized that from the assumption of additivity alone [independent of $\mathrm{SU}(2)$ or $\mathrm{SU}(3)$ symmetry assumptions], two sum rules exist. Experimentally, they can be tested easily.
Robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology fellowship programs in the USA: a survey of fellows and fellowship directors.

Background In order to understand how robotic surgery impacts gynecologic oncology fellowship training and surgical practices, a survey of fellows and fellowship directors was conducted. Methods Questionnaires designed to determine the prevalence, application, and acceptance of robotics were sent to fellows and fellowship directors in approved U.S. programs. Results Of the respondents, 95% have a robot at their institution and 95% utilize it. Most responding fellowship directors (70%) reported that fellow education is enhanced by robotic surgery. Most fellows (65%) who responded feel comfortable using the robot, and 94% plan on performing robotic surgery upon completion of fellowship training. Conclusions This survey demonstrates that robotic surgery is utilized in the majority of responding gynecologic oncology fellowship programs for a wide array of indications. Fellowship directors and fellows-in-training generally have a favorable view of this evolving technology. Based on these responses, robotic surgery will play an increasingly important role in the future. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The problem of causality in an indeterministic science

In the area of the physical sciences, the claim of strict determinism requires that the value taken on by any measurable, physical quantity for any observable, physical object or system at any time-instant should be accurately predictable on the basis of an appropriate set of quantities whose values at any preassigned, prior instant are accurately known. Loosely speaking, the present determines the future completely. Thus, the observable physical object may consist of two billiard balls on a collision course. The quantity whose value has to be predicted may be the time needed for the collision. The relevant quantities whose present values would suffice to predict the instant of collision may consist of the six spatial coordinates and the six components of the linear momentum of the balls. In conjunction with the laws of Newtonian mechanics, the knowledge of the present positions and momenta will perfectly suffice to predict the exact time of the collision.
Assessing Presidential Agenda-Setting Capacity: Dynamic Comparisons of Presidential, Mass Media, and Public Attention to Economic Issues

Research on presidential agenda setting has rarely attempted to simultaneously assess the ability of the president to influence the policy agendas of the mass media and the public. This is primarily due to the lack of time-refined measures of public issue attention. With advances in technology, information about Internet search engine behavior can provide an indication of the level of interest the public has over time about specific issues. Using Google Trends weekly data about public search interest levels, this project contrasts dynamic attention to several economic issues: unemployment, recession, and inflation. The vector autoregression analyses performed suggest the president does not have the capacity to directly guide public attention, nor does the president have the capacity to indirectly guide public attention through the media. There is some indication that the president can indirectly guide public attention by influencing actual economic conditions, and that the president is responsive to atten...
Predicted and observed initial short circuit current for lead-acid batteries

Initial short circuit currents have been observed using our electronic short circuit switch and also predicted from terminal voltage and ohmic resistance according to Ohm's law for several kinds of lead-acid batteries in various states-of-charge. Ohmic resistance was measured by the d.c. step and the a.c. impedance methods. The predicted and the observed values have been compared in order to establish a prediction method for initial short circuit current. A good agreement was obtained, the root mean square percentage deviation of the predicted value from that observed being only 2∼19%, which confirms the validity of the prediction method for the initial short circuit current.
Expression of adhesion molecules and the establishment of boundaries during embryonic and neural development

Evidence is accumulating that molecules involved in cell-cell and cell-substratum interactions are important in the establishment and maintenance of borders between cell groups during development. In this report, we review evidence supporting this conclusion, particularly in regard to the role of adhesion molecules in the formation of cell collectives and in the modulation of cell and neurite movements.
Information learned from generic language becomes central to children's biological concepts: Evidence from their open-ended explanations

Generic sentences (e.g., "Snakes have holes in their teeth") convey that a property (e.g., having holes in one's teeth) is true of a category (e.g., snakes). We test the hypothesis that, in addition to this basic aspect of their meaning, generic sentences also imply that the information they express is more conceptually central than the information conveyed in similar non-generic sentences (e.g., "This snake has holes in his teeth"). To test this hypothesis, we elicited 4- and 5-year-old children's open-ended explanations for generic and non-generic versions of the same novel properties. Based on arguments in the categorization literature, we assumed that, relative to more peripheral properties, properties that are understood as conceptually central would be explained more often as causes and less often as effects of other features, behaviors, or processes. Two experiments confirmed the prediction that preschool-age children construe novel information learned from generics as more conceptually central than the same information learned from non-generics. Additionally, Experiment 2 suggested that the conceptual status of novel properties learned from generic sentences becomes similar to that of familiar properties that are already at the category core. These findings illustrate the power of generic language to shape children's concepts.
Long-term monitoring of a cable stayed bridge using a SCADA system

DuraMote is a MEMS-based remote sensing system, which is developed for the NIST TIP project, Next Generation SCADA for Prevention and Mitigation of Water System Infrastructure Disaster. It is designed for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) of pipe ruptures in water distribution systems. In this project, a method is developed to detect the pipe ruptures by analyzing the acceleration data gathered by DuraMote which consists of two primary components; the first, "Gopher" contains the accelerometers and are attached to the water pipe surface noninvasively, and the second, "Roocas" is placed above ground supplying the power to, and retrieving the data from the multiple Gophers, and then transmit the data through Wi-Fi to a base station. The relays support the Wi-Fi network to facilitate the transmission. A large scale bridge provides an ideal test-bet to validate the performance of such a complex monitoring system as DuraMote for its accuracy, reliability, robustness, and user friendliness. This is because a large bridge is most of the time subjected to susceptible level of ambient vibration due to passing loads, wind, etc. DuraMote can record the acceleration time history arising from the vibration making it possible to estimate the frequency values of various bridge vibration modes. These estimated frequency values are then compared with the values computed from analytical model of the bridge for the verification of the accuracy of DuraMote. It is noted that such a verification method cannot be used practically by deploying DuraMote on a water distribution network since the dynamic behavior of a pipe network, either above or underground, is too complex to model analytically for this purpose, and in addition, the network generally lacks conveniently recordable ambient vibration. In this experiment, the performance of DuraMote system was tested being installed on the Hwamyung Bridge, a 500 m long RC cable stayed bridge in Korea for long term monitoring. In total, the system consisted of 24 accelerometers, 13 Gophers, 10 Roocas, 5 relays, and 1 base station. As it happened, the bridge was subjected to heavy rain, winds, and a typhoon during the experiment allowing the DuraMote to demonstrate extra ordinary robustness and durability. Indeed, in spite of the rough weather, acceleration data was continuously recorded from which natural frequencies, mode shapes, and other structural parameters were calculated. This opportunity would not have happened if the experiment was planned for a shorter duration.
Confiança interpessoal e comportamento político: microfundamentos da teoria do capital social na América Latina

Despite the debate about the vectors of the relation between interpersonal trust and democracy, it is clear that interpersonal trust is a central variable in the study of political culture and social capital. This article tests some of the basic assumptions of political culture and social capital debates about interpersonal trust using survey data from Latin America. First it analyzes what are the kinds of political behavior that are more strongly affected by interpersonal trust and in what countries does interpersonal trust correlate with more often with other measures of political behavior that it is theoretically expected to relate with. Second, the article evaluates what are the variables that stimulate the existence of interpersonal trust in those countries where trust does play a significant role in affecting other forms of political behavior. Hence, the puzzle that this article addresses is if interpersonal trust matters as a defining element of political behavior, and where it does, why do some individuals show higher levels of interpersonal trust than others do.
Different strokes: Models of drug abuse prevention education☆

Since the beginning of the youthful drug scare in the 196Os, millions of dollars of federal, state, municipal, school district, and private agency money have been spent in thousands of drug abuse prevention education programs across the nation. Recent reviews of the literature (Braucht, Follingstad, Brakarsh, & Berry, 1973b; World Health Organization, 1973; Randall & Wong, 1974) have come up with the same conclusion; there is little substantiated evidence that drug abuse education programs have any lasting effect on the drug using behavior of the clients. Furthermore, there is no evidence that speaks to the question, “What kinds of drug education programs have what kinds of effects on what kinds of people?” Instead of well evaluated, theoretically grounded programs, what has emerged is a large and varied number of approaches, all seemingly unaware of their philosophical proclivities, which have operated without clearly stated goals. Much criticism can be excused on the grounds that most attempts at drug education are recent; the true road to salvation, if one exists, is not well paved, nor clearly lighted. The time is ripe, however, for a systematic analysis of the underlying assumptions and philosophical perspectives indicated by the literature. This paper will first delineate models of drug abuse prevention education’ that seem to be indicated by the literature of the past 6 years. The second part of the paper is devoted to discussion of the research related to each model. Each of nine models will be considered according to: (a) its basic premises; (b) positive and negative salient criticisms; and (c) implications and modes of application for drug abuse prevention education. In order, the models that will be considered are: (1) the Legal-Political Model; (2) the Fear Induction Model; (3) the Medical, Psychiatric Model; (4) the Psycho-Social, Human Skills Model; (5) the Information Processing, Rationality Model; (6) the Reinforcement Model; (7) the Religious and Spiritual Model; (8) the Assumed Drive Model; and (9) the Alternatives Model.