cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steroid pregnenolone sulfate enhances NMDA-receptor-independent long-term potentiation at hippocampal CA1 synapses: role for L-type calcium channels and sigma-receptors

Severe stress elevates plasma and CNS levels of endogenous neuroactive steroids that can contribute to the influence of stress on memory formation. Among the neuroactive steroids, pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS) reportedly strengthens memories and is readily available as a memory-enhancing supplement. PREGS actions on memory may reflect its ability to produce changes in memory-related neuronal circuits, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory transmission in hippocampus. Here, we report a previously undiscovered pathway by which PREGS exposure promotes activity-dependent LTP of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials at CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices. Thus, application of PREGS, but not the phosphated conjugate of the steroid, selectively facilitates the induction of a slow-developing LTP in response to high-frequency (100 Hz) afferent stimulation, which is not induced in the absence of the steroid. The slow-developing LTP is independent of NMDA-receptor function (i.e., dAP5 insensitive) but dependent on functional L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) and sigma-receptors. By contrast, PREGS at the highest concentration tested produces a depression in NMDA-receptor-dependent LTP, which is evident when sigma-receptor function is compromised by the presence of a sigma-receptor antagonist. We found that at early times during the induction phase of L-type VGCC-dependent LTP, PREGS via sigma-receptors transiently enhances presynaptic function. As well, during the maintenance phase of L-type VGCC-dependent LTP, PREGS promotes a further increase in presynaptic function downstream of LTP induction, as evidenced by a decrease in paired-pulse facilitation. The identification of complex regulatory actions of PREGS on LTP, involving sigma-receptors, L-type VGCCs, NMDA-receptors, and inhibitory circuits will aid future research endeavors aimed at understanding the precise mechanisms by which this stress-associated steroid may engage multiple LTP-signaling pathways that alter synaptic transmission at memory-related synapses.
Magnetically powered outbursts from white dwarf mergers

Merger of a white dwarf binary creates a differentially rotating object which is expected to generate strong magnetic fields. Kinetic energy stored in differential rotation is partially dissipated in the magnetically dominated corona, which forms a hot variable outflow with ejection velocity comparable to $10^9$ cm s$^{-1}$. The outflow should carry significant mass and energy for hours to days, creating an expanding fireball with the following features. (i) The fireball is initially opaque and its internal energy is dominated by the trapped thermal radiation. The stored heat is partially converted to kinetic energy of the flow (through adiabatic cooling) and partially radiated away. (ii) Internal shocks develop in the fireball and increase its radiative output. (iii) A significant fraction of the emitted energy is in the optical band. As a result, a bright optical transient with luminosity $L\sim 10^{41}-10^{42}$ erg s$^{-1}$ and a characteristic peak duration comparable to 1 day may be expected from the merger. In contrast to classical novae or supernovae, the transient does not involve nuclear energy. The decay after its peak reflects the damping of differential rotation in the merger remnant. Such outbursts may be detected in the local Universe with current and upcoming optical surveys.
Excitation of Spin Waves by Spin-Polarized Current in Magnetic Nano-Structures

An approximate analytic theory describing excitation of microwave spin waves by spin-polarized direct current in magnetic nano-structures is presented. The theory is based on the classical Hamiltonian formalism for spin waves in magnetic films, and uses the idea that spin-polarized current passing through the ldquofreerdquo layer of a magnetic nano-structure creates in this layer an effective negative damping for spin wave modes. The developed theory in the macrospin approximation describes current-induced uniform magnetization precession both near the minimum and maximum of magnetic energy of the ldquofreerdquo layer. The same theory, also, provides a framework for the description of excitation of supercritically unstable spatially nonuniform and propagating spin wave modes.
Cumulative Brain Injury from Motor Vehicle-Induced Whole-Body Vibration and Prevention by Human Apolipoprotein A-I Molecule Mimetic (4F) Peptide (an Apo A-I Mimetic).

Background Insidious cumulative brain injury from motor vehicle-induced whole-body vibration (MV-WBV) has not yet been studied. The objective of the present study is to validate whether whole-body vibration for long periods causes cumulative brain injury and impairment of the cerebral function. We also explored a preventive method for MV-WBV injury. Methods A study simulating whole-body vibration was conducted in 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 9 groups (N = 8): (1) 2-week normal control; (2) 2-week sham control (in the tube without vibration); (3) 2-week vibration (exposed to whole-body vibration at 30 Hz and .5 G acceleration for 4 hours/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks; vibration parameters in the present study are similar to the most common driving conditions); (4) 4-week sham control; (5) 4-week vibration; (6) 4-week vibration with human apolipoprotein A-I molecule mimetic (4F)-preconditioning; (7) 8-week sham control; (8) 8-week vibration; and (9) 8-week 4F-preconditioning group. All the rats were evaluated by behavioral, physiological, and histological studies of the brain. Results Brain injury from vibration is a cumulative process starting with cerebral vasoconstriction, squeezing of the endothelial cells, increased free radicals, decreased nitric oxide, insufficient blood supply to the brain, and repeated reperfusion injury to brain neurons. In the 8-week vibration group, which indicated chronic brain edema, shrunken neuron numbers increased and whole neurons atrophied, which strongly correlated with neural functional impairment. There was no prominent brain neuronal injury in the 4F groups. Conclusions The present study demonstrated cumulative brain injury from MV-WBV and validated the preventive effects of 4F preconditioning.
Is Heroin the Worst Drug? Implications for Drug Policy

There is general agreement on what drug policy should do protect the population from drugs that permanently damage their health, are life threatening, or that lead to behavior that threatens others...
FEW phone file system

Data availability is an important issue in mobile computing environments. Both distributed data management systems and mobile storage devices, such as USB-flash drives, are used to allow users ubiquitous access to their data, but both solutions have their shortcomings. In this paper, we present the FEW Phone File System, a system designed to allow users to access their personal data independently of user’s location or machine’s connectivity. By combining the advantages of both mobile storage devices and distributed data management systems, the FEW Phone File System allows users to carry replicas of their data on their mobile phones, and access them as regular files in a file system, by relying on the wireless communications capabilities of these devices. To deal with the limitations of these devices, the FEW Phone File System integrates mechanisms that allows multimedia contents to be adapted to the mobile phone’s specifications, thus using much less storage. Additionally, the system includes a data source verification mechanism that keeps track of additional sources for each file (e.g. web, CVS/SVN repositories), thus allowing for these remote sources to be used as source alternatives for the user’s data.
The Influence of Archimedes in the Machine Books from the Renaissance to the 19th Century

The influence of Archimedes on the so-called theatre of machines books is reviewed using original manuscripts from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The evidence shows continuity of knowledge of ancient Greek theory of machines as well as Archimedes principles of statics, hydrostatics and concepts of centers of gravity on the development of machine science.
Trends in use of oral contraceptives--data from the 1987 National Health Interview Survey.

Despite fluctuations in current use rates for oral contraceptives ever- use of the pill has remained remarkably stable for all cohorts of US women born since 1945. Approximately 80% of these women report having used the pill at some time. Average duration of use is about 5 years among cohorts who had access to the pill from their earliest reproductive years. Among women born before 1940 Whites are more likely than Blacks to have ever used the pill but no racial difference is evident among women in later cohorts. Age at 1st use of the pill has declined with each succeeding 5-year birth cohort. Black women are more likely than White women to have used oral contraceptives before age 18 but by age 25 about 3/4 of Blacks and Whites have used the pill. Among ever-users born before 1945 the majority began taking the pill after their 1st full-term pregnancy; this pattern is reversed among more recent cohorts. (authors)
Non-linear decision making for robust navigation in role based autonomy

A common approach to the robotic path planning problem is to discretize the search space and plan an optimal path using graph search methods. As the optimality criteria becomes more complex it becomes increasingly difficult to optimize the search with respect to each metric being considered. A hybrid path planning system is introduced that supplements the graph search approach with a cognitive architecture. The selected cognitive architecture, Soar, will provide high level reasoning, guiding the implementation of the graph search and reasoning on the results generated. Given scenario-specific context, the hybrid approach will allow for multiple, complex and possibly conflicting criteria to be considered during path generation.
A TPD study of H2 ON Ru/SiO2 and Ru-Cu/SiO2

In H2 TPD from Ru/SiO2, two desorption peaks were observed. Both exchanged H for D in sequential dosing experiments. These hydrogen adsorption states were also found for Ru-Cu/SiO2, along with another, higher temperature state at 400–500 K. This last state was neither exchangeable with nor replaceable by deuterium subsequently dosed at 150 K. The three chemisorption states are attributed to hydrogen held at the interface between Ru and SiO2 ( 400 K).
Developmental stage determines efficiency of gene transfer to muscle satellite cells by in utero delivery of adeno-associated virus vector serotype 2/9

Efficient gene transfer to muscle stem cells (satellite cells) has not been achieved despite broad transduction of skeletal muscle by systemically administered adeno-associated virus serotype 2/9 (AAV-9) in mice. We hypothesized that cellular migration during fetal development would make satellite cells accessible for gene transfer following in utero intravascular injection. We injected AAV-9 encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker gene into the vascular space of mice ranging in ages from post-coital day 12 (E12) to postnatal day 1 (P1). Satellite cell transduction was examined using: immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, satellite cell migration assay, myofiber isolation and FACS analysis. GFP positive myofibers were detected in all mature skeletal muscle groups and up to 100% of the myofibers were transduced. We saw gestational variation in cardiac and skeletal muscle expression. E16 injection resulted in 27.7 ± 10.0% expression in satellite cells, which coincides with the timing of satellite cell migration, and poor satellite cell expression before and after satellite cell migration (E12 and P1). Our results demonstrate that efficient gene expression is achieved in differentiated myofibers and satellite cells after injection of AAV-9 in utero. These findings support the potential of prenatal gene transfer for muscle based treatment strategies.
Sequential Changes of Brain Metabolism During Temporary Global Ischemia in the Rat Detected by Simultaneous 1H and 31P MRS

In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a noninvasive method for evaluating brain metabolism. Previous studies with 31P MRS have developed techniques for continuous monitoring of phosphate metabolites and intracellular pH (pHi) during ischemia and reperfusion [1]. Furthermore, recent progress has made it possible to monitor brain lactate content quantitatively with 1H MRS [2]. In this study, we utilized a double-tuned surface coil for 1H and 31P MRS. With this recently described method, in vivo 1H and 31P spectroscopy can be carried out simultaneously without retuning or replacement of the coil [3].
Impact of Upper-Tropospheric Temperature Anomalies and Vertical Wind Shear on Tropical Cyclone Evolution Using an Idealized Version of the Operational GFDL Hurricane Model

AbstractThe GFDL hurricane modeling system, initiated in the 1970s, has progressed from a research tool to an operational system over four decades. This system is still in use today in research and operations, and its evolution will be briefly described. This study used an idealized version of the 2014 GFDL model to test its sensitivity across a wide range of three environmental factors that are often identified as key factors in tropical cyclone (TC) evolution: SST, atmospheric stability (upper-air thermal anomalies), and vertical wind shear (westerly through easterly). A wide range of minimum central pressure intensities resulted (905–980 hPa). The results confirm that a scenario (e.g., global warming) in which the upper troposphere warms relative to the surface will have less TC intensification than one with a uniform warming with height. The TC rainfall is also investigated for the SST–stability parameter space. Rainfall increases for combinations of SST increase and increasing stability similar to gl...
Contrast pleurography in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

SUMMARY A method for the radiographic study of the pleural cavity (contrast pleurography) in the monkey is reported. The combination of sodium methylglucamine diatrizoate and lidocaine hydrochloride was found to be satisfactory for the technique. In two of fourteen monkeys examined transient nausea was observed. The contrast technique resulted in improved visualization of pleural reflection, interlobular fissures and pleural invaginations of thoracic viscera. The mediastinum served as an effective barrier to distribution of the contrast material to the opposite side and permitted unilateral contrast of the pleural space. A study for the early visualization of tuberculous lesions in the monkey using this procedure is in progress.
Quantum Statistics of Solitons

In spite of the remarkable success of classical statistic mechanics [1, 2] in describing correctly the crossover behavior of one-dimensional systems with degenerate vacuum from the high-temperature topologically disordered phase to the low-temperature ordered phase, the classical theory becomes inadequate in the low-temperature region where the energy associated with fluctuation quanta becomes comparable to the temperature. Furthermore, the question of renormalizations of the boson mass and the soliton energy and bound states of fluctuations (e.g., the breathers in the sine-Gordon system) are only handled in the framework of the quantum statistics.
Introduction: Little Rooms

In “Little Rooms,” Monty introduces an argument for a new way of thinking about writing center studies (WCS) as a discursive and rhetorical discipline. Using a central metaphor of cell theory, this identification is grounded in the amalgamated system of cultural and disciplinary contact zones negotiated by and through local writing centers. It is then expanded to account for the network of disciplinary methods and feedback, and in doing so, redefines disciplinarity as a function of those varied interactions. This argument is made through a series of critical analyses of disciplinary discourses, artifacts that work individually and collectively to create writing center place and space.
A Population Network Model of Neuronal and Neurotransmitter Interactions Regulating Sleep–Wake Behavior in Rodent Species

Mammalian sleep and wake states are controlled by transitions in the activation levels of brainstem and hypothalamic neuronal nuclei that are proposed to form a sleep–wake regulatory network. Circadian variation in mammalian sleep–wake patterning is presumed to occur through modulation of the neuronal populations composing the sleep–wake regulatory network by the circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Many of the key neuronal populations involved in sleep–wake and circadian regulation are conserved across mammalian species, suggesting that perturbations of a single network structure can produce the reported variability in sleep–wake behavior across species and across the 24 h day. We recently introduced a dynamic, mathematical model of the mammalian sleep–wake regulatory network using a novel modeling formalism that describes both the activity levels of each neuronal population and the release of their associated neurotransmitters in postsynaptic targets (Diniz Behn and Booth in J. Neurophysiol. 103:1937–1953, 2010). Using a specific network architecture, this model network captured dynamical patterns of state-dependent neuronal activity and state-dependent concentrations of key neurotransmitters to produce patterns of wake, NREM sleep, and REM sleep consistent with rat sleep in the light period. In this chapter, we extended our sleep–wake regulatory network model to include physiologically identified inputs from the SCN in order to investigate mechanisms for the circadian variation of rat sleep–wake behavior. In addition, we identified model parameters that could be modified to produce mouse sleep–wake behavior and its circadian modulation. By keeping the network structure, including the sites of action of circadian effects, fixed between species, we identified both the flexibility and the limitations of the prescribed network structure to account for differences in sleep–wake patterning across the 24 h day and across species. Our analysis of model results illustrated how specific components of network architecture dictate dynamic interactions influencing maintenance of sleep–wake states and transitions between states, and it provided insights into mechanisms through which the network can generate the range of sleep–wake patterning observed with circadian variation and across mammalian species.
Drama, intimacy, and vulnerability: the spiritual challenges of digital culture

AbstractThe ever-increasing engagement of children and youth in social media and gaming activities online has created new challenges for scholars and practitioners of children’s spirituality. Bringing psychosocial and media studies research on the phenomena of adolescent ‘drama’ and morality, cyberbullying, and the vulnerable adolescent’s desire for intimacy and community into conversation with ideas about and practices for children’s spiritual nurture is essential work. Questions about the positive and negative influences of digital participation on moral imagination, levels of aggression and prosocial behaviours in social media communication, and the extent to which intimate relationships can be developed online are key concerns to be explored in this article.
Phase II Study of Thalidomide in Escalating Doses for Follicular (F-NHL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (Sll): CALGB Study 50002.

Abstract Background: Thalidomide has marked activity in both untreated and heavily pretreated myeloma. Its activity in part is believed to be due to inhibition of bFGF and VEGF induced angiogenesis. Elevated levels of bFGF in serum and urine have correlated with decreased survival in lymphoma possibly through up-regulation of BCL-2. Methods: 25 patients (pts) with previously treated F-NHL and SLL were registered and treated on this multi-institutional study from July 2001–April 2004 to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral thalidomide in this patient group. Pts had B-cell SLL (7: 36.8%), F-NHL grade 1 (7: 36.8%), grade 2 (3: 15.8%) and grade 3 (2: 10.1%) NHL. Pts were eligible for entry with up to 3 prior chemotherapy (CT) and 2 immunotherapy (IT) regimens provided performance status was ≥ 1. Pts with new onset of B-symptoms, rising LDH, rapid tumor growth or greater than one year from initial diagnosis were required to undergo repeat lymph node biopsy to exclude recent transformation. Pts with CNS involvement, prior peripheral neuropathy >gr 1, HIV+, and pregnant or nursing women were also excluded. Pts were required to have Cr 750. Median age at study entry was 60 years (36–87). Prior therapy was evaluated in 20 pts and 17/20 had received multi-agent CT while 12/20 pts received prior IT. Thalidomide was initiated at a dose of 200 mg daily and escalated by 100 mg daily every 1–2 weeks as tolerated with a maximal dose of 800 mg/d. If ≥ gr 2 peripheral neuropathy or ≥ gr 3 somnolence or mood changes occurred, the dose was held for one week and restarted at 50% of the prior daily dosage. Results: The median daily dose was 400 mg (range 50–800 mg). There was 1 complete response (CRu-residual abnormality) in a pt with SLL and one partial response in a pt with F-NHL grade 1 (ORR 8%: 95%CI: 1–26%). 16 pts had progressive disease during therapy and 2 died of disease soon after stopping therapy due to adverse events. One patient continues on therapy without progression of disease to date. The remaining 4 pts were taken off of therapy prior to the first 3 month evaluation. The reason for withdrawal was pt refusal (2) and adverse events (2). The median event free survival was 2.6 months (95% CI:1.4–4.4 mos) with a median overall survival of 23.3 months. Toxicity information on 24/25 pts revealed 4 (17%) with grade 4 neutropenia with 1/4 febrile as well. The most common grade 3 toxicities were anemia (13%), dyspnea (13%), fatigue (8%) and neurologic toxicities consisting of somnolence, dizziness, depression and anxiety (21%). Peripheral sensory neuropathy was reported as gr 2 in 8% and gr 3 in 8%. However, 38% of pts were reported as experiencing gr 2 fatigue. There were no grade 5 toxicities. Conclusion: These phase II trial results in a pretreated pt population demonstrate that, despite an acceptable toxicity profile, thalidomide has only minimal efficacy in F- NHL and SLL.
Smartphone Internet access and use: Extending the digital divide and usage gap:

This study uses survey data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project to advance digital divide research by exploring how smartphone dependence—in which one’s only means of accessing the Inte...
ESI-IM-MS and Collision-Induced Unfolding That Provide Insight into the Linkage-Dependent Interfacial Interactions of Covalently Linked Diubiquitin

Understanding protein higher order structure and interfacial interactions is crucial to understanding protein binding motifs and cellular function, that is, an interactome. Polyubiquitylation is a post-translational modification that functions as a tag for a diverse array of cellular processes, wherein differences in chain length, branching, and linkage site encode different cellular functions. Investigation of covalently linked diubiquitin (diUbq) molecules specifically selects for the effect of covalent linkage site on the conformational preference of the molecule and the interfacial interactions between the subunits. Here, we report results for electrospray ionization ion mobility-mass spectrometry (ESI-IM-MS) and collision-induced unfolding (CIU) analysis of four diUbq ions to provide new understanding of the differences in subunit interfacial interactions and conformational preferences induced by the four most common covalent linkage sites. The specific hydrophobic patch interface adopted by K48-link...
“Approximate” multiplicative relationships between quantitative unknowns

Abstract Three 18-session design experiments were conducted, each with 6–9 7th and 8th grade students, to investigate relationships between students’ rational number knowledge and algebraic reasoning. Students were to represent in drawings and equations two multiplicatively related unknown heights (e.g., one was 5 times another). Twelve of the 22 participating students operated with the second multiplicative concept, which meant they viewed known quantities as units of units, or two-levels-of-units structures, but not as three-levels-of-units structures. These students were challenged to represent multiplicative relationships between unknowns: They changed the given relationship, did not think of the relationship as multiplicative until after concerted work, and used numerical values in lieu of unknowns. Our account for these challenges is that students needed to simplify the involved units coordinations. Ultimately students abstracted the relationship as multiplicative, but the exact relationship was not certain or had to be constituted in activity. Implications for teaching are explored.
Erratum: “Intergalactic Photon Spectra from the Far-IR to the UV Lyman Limit for 0 < z < 6 and the Optical Depth of the Universe to High-Energy Gamma Rays” (ApJ, 648, 774 [2006])

Erratum: “Intergalactic Photon Spectra from the Far IR to the UV Lyman Limit for 0 < z < 6 and the Optical Depth of the arXiv:astro-ph/0612048v3 2 Feb 2007 Universe to High Energy Gamma-Rays” (ApJ 648, 774 [2006]) F.W. Stecker NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles M.A. Malkan Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles S.T. Scully Department of Physics, James Madison University Table 1 in our paper had erroneous numbers for the coefficients fitting the parametric form for the optical depth of the universe to γ-rays, τ. The correct values for these parameters as described in the original text are given in the table below for various redshifts for the baseline model (upper row) and fast evolution (lower row) for each individual redshift. The parametric approximation holds for 10 −2 < τ < 10 2 and E γ <∼ 2 TeV for all redshifts but also up to 10 TeV for redshifts, z ≤ 1.
Foam Stability in Non-Aqueous Multi-Phase Systems

Foam stability in non-aqueous systems is a different phenomenon from that of aqueous foams, because no solid monomolecular film of surfactant is found and the surface free energy stabilization is not present.
Platelet-activating factor enhances urokinase-type plasminogen activator gene expression in corneal epithelium.

Purpose. To determine whether platelet-activating factor (PAF), a lipid mediator that is accumulated in the cornea after alkali burn, induces the gene expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in the corneal epithelium. Possible signaling mechanisms of uPA gene induction by PAF also were examined. Methods. Rabbit corneas were cultured with or without PAF. One hour before stimulation, PAF antagonists or other modulators were added to PAF. In some experiments, the corneas were permeabilized to introduce guanosine triphosphate analogs into the corneal epithelial cells. Corneal epidielia were then harvested for Northern blot analysis, nuclear runoff transcription assay, and zymography. Results. Platelet-activating factor induced uPA mRNA expression in the corneal epithelium. New protein synthesis was not required for the induction of uPA mRNA. The induction was at the level of transcription as shown by nuclear runoff assays. Additionally, both actinomycin D and a-amanitin inhibited the increase in uPA mRNA by PAF. The message was translated into protein, which was secreted into the conditioned medium. An antagonist with high affinity for intracellular PAF binding sites (BN 50730) inhibited uPA gene expression and cellular secretion of the protein. The effect of PAF was not mediated by G proteins and was independent of protein kinase C- and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent signal transduction pathways. Okadaic acid increased the expression of uPA and, at longer times, augmented die effect of PAF, suggesting that a signaling pathway that requires phosphorylation is involved in activated uPA mRNA synthesis. Conclusions. After corneal injury and inflammation, PAF may be an important initiator of the proteolytic cascade, leading to epithelial defects and corneal ulceration. Antagonists of PAF could be useful in the prevention of these diseases. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1996; 37:20372046.
Drugs Acting on the Cardiovascular System

The calcium entry blockers (also termed calcium antagonists, or slow channel blockers) are pharmacologic agents capable of reducing calcium entry through the cell membrane via voltage-dependent, ion specific channels (slow inward current).
Internal Sources of Cash

Raising capital for a corporate turnaround is difficult, time consuming and expensive. And at the end of the day, there is no guarantee a troubled company will find financing. So what are the alternatives?
Outcomes of secondary cancers among myeloma survivors.

8043Background: With increasing survival, myeloma patients (pts) experience second cancers. We analyzed receipt of surgery and cancer-specific survival (CSS) among myeloma survivors with common sol...
Swarming and Aggregation in the Parasitic Diplomonad Flagellate Spironucleus vortens

Pathogenicity, evolutionary history, and unusual cell organization of diplomonads are well known, particularly for Giardia and Spironucleus; however, behavior of these aerotolerant anaerobes is largely unknown. Addressing this deficit, we studied behavior of the piscine diplomonad Spironucleus vortens (ATCC 50386) in in vitro culture. Spironucleus vortens trophozoites from Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, were maintained axenically in modified liver digest, yeast extract, and iron (LYI) medium, at 22 °C in the dark, and subcultured weekly. Cultures were monitored every 1-2 d, by removing an aliquot, and loading cells into a hemocytometer chamber, or onto a regular microscope slide. We observed three distinct swimming behaviors: (i) spontaneous formation of swarms, reaching 200 μm in diameter, persisting for up to several min in situ, (ii) directional movement of the swarm, via collective motility, and (iii) independent swimming of trophozoites to form a band (aggregation), presumably at the location of optimal environmental conditions. These behaviors have not previously been reported in Spironucleus. The observation that flagellate motility can change, from individual self-propulsion to complex collective swarming motility, prompts us to advocate S. vortens as a new model for study of group behavioral dynamics, complementing emerging studies of collective swimming in flagellated bacteria.
Landsat 9 Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 Preliminary Stray Light Assessment

Although the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2) is a near-identical copy of the Landsat 8/TIRS-1 instrument, an important design change to the optical system was designed to mitigate the stray light issue that plagued the TIRS-1 instrument [1] 2, 3]. This change involved the addition of several baffles strategically placed within the optical telescope to block the stray light paths that were present in the TIRS-1 design. The specific optical changes were determined by first characterizing the TIRS-1 stray light paths on-orbit and then deriving a detailed optical model that was used to determine the locations and shapes of the mitigating baffles. The stray light design changes to the TIRS-2 instrument were confirmed through the initial thermal-vacuum characterization tests. Preliminary assessments of TIRS-2 indicate that the total stray light magnitude has been drastically reduced to a total magnitude of approximately 1% or less.
Ability Grouping in the Early Grades: Long-Term Consequences for Educational Equity in the United States.

BackgroundAbility grouping has resurged in U.S. schools despite long-standing debates over its consequences for educational equity. Proponents argue that it is the best response to variation in aca...
Normalizing microtext

The use of computer mediated communication has resulted in a new form of written text--Microtext--which is very different from well-written text. Tweets and SMS messages, which have limited length and may contain misspellings, slang, or abbreviations, are two typical examples of microtext. Microtext poses new challenges to standard natural language processing tools which are usually designed for well-written text. The objective of this work is to normalize microtext, in order to produce text that could be suitable for further treatment. We propose a normalization approach based on the source channel model, which incorporates four factors, namely an orthographic factor, a phonetic factor, a contextual factor and acronym expansion. Experiments show that our approach can normalize Twitter messages reasonably well, and it outperforms existing algorithms on a public SMS data set.
“Torture is Putting it Too Strongly, Boredom is Putting it Too Mildly”: The Courage to Tell the Truth in the Late Lectures of Michel Foucault

The name of Michel Foucault is most commonly associated with words such as power, knowledge, discourse, archaeology, and genealogy. However, in his final public lectures delivered prior to his death in June 1984 at the College de France from 1981 to 1984 and at the University of California at Berkeley in 1983, Foucault turned his focus to another word, parrhesia, a Greek term ordinarily translated into English by “candor, frankness; outspokenness or boldness of speech” (“Parrhesia” in Oxford English Dictionary, 2017. http://www.oed.com ). The parrhesiastes is the one who uses parrhesia, i.e., the one who speaks the truth. This paper is about Foucault’s choice of parrhesia as the topic of his final lectures and what the articulation of these lectures tells us about truth telling in a specific academic context. It will consider Foucault’s treatment of parrhesia with respect to the specific practice of Foucault’s articulation of this work in the specific formal settings in which it occurred at the College de France and the University of California at Berkeley. The objective here is to consider Foucault’s lectures as potential examples of parrhesia and address the question of whether or not is possible to “speak the truth,” in the Greek sense of the term, within the institutional constraints of academic discourse.
Classification of Permutation Distance Metrics for Fitness Landscape Analysis

Commonly used computational and analytical tools for fitness landscape analysis of optimization problems require identifying a distance metric that characterizes the similarity of different solutions to the problem. For example, fitness distance correlation is Pearson correlation between solution fitness and distance to the nearest optimal solution. In this paper, we survey the available distance metrics for permutations, and use principal component analysis to classify the metrics. The result is aligned with existing classifications of permutation problem types produced through less formal means, including the A-permutation, R-permutation, and P-permutation types, and has also identified subtypes. The classification can assist in identifying appropriate metrics based on optimization problem feature for use in fitness landscape analysis. Implementations of all of the permutation metrics, and the code for our analysis, are available as open source.
Critical Role of Histone Demethylase Jmjd3 in T Cell Migration

Abstract Jmjd3, a histone H3K27 demethylase, is known to play a critical role in macrophage and T cell differentiation, but its role in T cell migration and T cell memory maintenance remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that Jmjd3 deficiency resulted in multiple alterations in T cell migration. Jmjd3 deletion limits CD4+ T cells egress out of the thymus, leading to thymic T-cell accumulation and peripheral lymphoid organ T-cell reduction. Gene profiling analysis of wild-type and Jmjd3-deficient CD4+ T cells identified altered expression of Jmjd3 target genes that correlated with changes in H3K27 and/or H3K4 trimethylation in promoters and gene body regions. The expression of the Jmjd3 target gene Pdlim4 is also regulated by Klf2, which regulates T-cell migration. Thus, our findings identify a novel Jmjd3 target gene, Pdlim4, in CD4+ T cell migration and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms by which Jmjd3 regulates T-cell migration. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The role of EcoTypes in engagement across difference

In our current political context, engagement across difference appears to be more difficult, yet more necessary, than ever before. Engagement does not require total agreement, but rather a commitment to open communication and respect across ideological divides, skills that can and should be taught in higher education. EcoTypes is a new survey instrument designed to disaggregate environmental ideas in order to uncover and articulate both agreement and disagreement in environmental thought. Within Environmental Studies and Sciences programs, a tool like EcoTypes can help identify ideological divides within a student population that sees itself (either accurately or not) as relatively monolithic in their beliefs and worldview. More broadly, EcoTypes can be used to move populations away from their initial perceptions of each other as “for” or “against” environmentalism toward more nuanced understandings of diverse environmental ideas. I describe in detail my experiences using the EcoTypes survey in the classroom and explore how this tool could also be useful at various scales outside of the Environmental Studies and Sciences classroom context.
Preliminary investigation of a differential pressure sensor using flexible piezoelectrics with pyroelectric compensation

Pressure sensors that can provide both high temporal and spatial resolutions are desired for the measurement of aerodynamic and acoustic events, ultrasonics, and underwater phenomena. Piezoelectric materials are attractive candidates for measuring dynamic pressure due to their high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio, and potential for miniaturization. However, their inability to directly measure static pressure prevents their use in many applications. Due to their strong pyroelectric response, their use is also generally limited to conditions where the rate of temperature change is below the lower cutoff frequency of the measurement system. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a polymer with a high piezoelectric sensitivity which is readily available as a flexible, tough film. Under steady ow conditions, configuring PVDF as a cantilever unimorph provides a higher pressure sensitivity than alternatives such as compressive, doubly clamped, or diaphragm configurations. In this work, we demonstrate a differential aerodynamic pressure sensor based on a cantilever PVDF unimorph that has been optimized to maximize pressure sensitivity for a targeted deflection sensitivity. The sensor is characterized using a laboratory-scale wind tunnel for flows ranging from 0 to 12 ms-1. Near-static measurements are enabled by a compensated charge amplifier with an extremely low cutoff frequency. The pyroelectric voltage generated from changes in the air ow temperature is compensated using a PVDF sensor in compressive mode. Within the tested pressure range of 0 to 80 Pa, the sensor exhibits a proportional response with a sensitivity of 0.97 mV Pa-1.
Monetary Rules without Romance

How much independence should the monetary authority retain in a rules-based regime? The conventional wisdom holds that while the political system - particularly in a democratic society - should determine the overarching goal of monetary policy, the central bank should remain free to select whichever "levers" it deems most appropriate for achieving the goal. This paper evaluates whether instrument independence is consistent with the goals of a rules-based regime by examining the monetary and macroeconomic effects of allowing the monetary authority discretion over the choice of control procedures when its objectives are at odds with the public interest. I argue that while a benevolent monetary authority would always select the most "efficient" policy instrument, i.e., the instrument consistent with achieving its stated objective, an opportunistic one may intentionally choose instruments that obscure its objectives, thereby undermining the purpose of monetary rules.
Case Report: Buprenorphine-A Treatment for Psychological Pain and Suicidal Ideation?

Background and objectives Buprenorphine is commonly used to manage opioid use disorder; however, the literature describes its potential role in treating treatment-resistant depression. Methods We present a patient with bipolar disorder and opioid use disorder, who presented status post-suicide attempt. Results After initiating buprenorphine-naloxone, the patient reported rapid improvement in depressive symptoms, pain, and suicidal ideation. Discussion and conclusions This case demonstrates buprenorphine's antisuicidal and mood-stabilizing capabilities, potentially via antagonizing κ-opioid receptors as well as reinstating the balance between reward and antireward circuitry. Scientific significance This case highlights buprenorphine-naloxone as a treatment for both treatment-resistant depression and opioid use disorder, as well as buprenorphine's rapid antidepressant, analgesic, and antisuicidal effects. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).
Endogenous Phospholipid Metabolism in Stimulated Human Platelets: A Link Between Inositide Breakdown and Calcium Mobilization

The time course of changes in endogenous phospholipids, induced by ionophore A23187, collagen and thrombin, was compared to arachidonate (AA) oxygenation and changes in chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence, an indicator of membrane-bound calcium. The data indicate that AA oxygenation, and thus phospholipase A2 activity, preceeds changes in phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidic acid (PA), and suggest that thrombin-induced calcium release from membrane sites may be responsible for activation of this enzyme. In contrast to thrombin, release of membrane-bound calcium upon ionomycin addition was minimal, suggesting that ionophores release calcium from another site. A difference in pattern of phospholipid hydrolyses with A23187, notably a slight lag period and a lack of PA generation, is consistent with this conclusion. In contrast, the initial breakdown of endogenous phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP2) upon platelet stimulation paralleled changes in CTC-fluorescence, suggesting a close link between PIP2 breakdown and release of membrane calcium. Calculations indicate that cytoplasmic free \(C{{a}^{{{{2}^{ + }}}}}\) in stimulated human platelets could be derived from calcium bound to stimulus-sensitive PIP2.
Computational model of cardiomyocyte apoptosis identifies mechanisms of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced cardiotoxicity

Abstract Despite clinical observations of cardiotoxicity among cancer patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the molecular mechanisms by which these drugs affect the heart remain largely unknown. Mechanistic understanding of TKI-induced cardiotoxicity has been limited in part due to the complexity of tyrosine kinase signaling pathways and the multi-targeted nature of many of these drugs. TKI treatment has been associated with reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. To gain insight into the mechanisms mediating TKI-induced cardiotoxicity, this study constructs and validates a computational model of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, integrating intrinsic apoptotic and tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. The model predicts high levels of apoptosis in response to sorafenib, sunitinib, ponatinib, trastuzumab, and gefitinib, and lower levels of apoptosis in response to nilotinib and erlotinib, with the highest level of apoptosis induced by sorafenib. Knockdown simulations identified AP1, ASK1, JNK, MEK47, p53, and ROS as positive functional regulators of sorafenib-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Overexpression simulations identified Akt, IGF1, PDK1, and PI3K among the negative functional regulators of sorafenib-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. A combinatorial screen of the positive and negative regulators of sorafenib-induced apoptosis revealed ROS knockdown coupled with overexpression of FLT3, FGFR, PDGFR, VEGFR, or KIT as a particularly potent combination in reducing sorafenib-induced apoptosis. Network simulations of combinatorial treatment with sorafenib and the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) suggest that NAC may protect cardiomyocytes from sorafenib-induced apoptosis.
Safe control from signal temporal logic specifications using recurrent neural networks

Temporal logics, such as Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) and Computation Tree Logic (CTL), have been traditionally used as specification languages for digital circuits and computer programs. Due to their expressivity, the availability of tools for verification and synthesis, and recent advances in abstraction techniques for dynamical systems, temporal logics have been increasing used as specification languages in robotics biology, and autonomous driving applications.
Integration of a new classification scheme for periodontal and peri-implant diseases through blended learning.

PURPOSE In recent years, dental education has experienced a general shift toward an increased technology presence in education delivery and learning. This research examines the student-perceived efficacy of a blended learning approach (mixture of online content and face-to-face instruction) in a predoctoral periodontics curriculum to teach a new periodontal classification scheme to dental students in clinical training. METHODS Participants were recruited from third- and fourth-year predoctoral periodontal classes at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Students were administered a live lecture introducing the new classification system and given access to an online module with built in case quizzes and interactive activities. Upon completing the module, students were given a post-module survey to assess learning preferences, utilization of various learning methods, and student-perceived efficacy of blended learning. RESULTS In a study group of 69 predoctoral dental students, the online module was the most preferred (52.2% ranked first) and utilized learning method for students (p < 0.001). Over 80% of students agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoyed using it and found it more effective than traditional lecture alone. Traditional lecture was preferred by 31.9% of students, and no students ranked the assigned reading as their first choice of learning method (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate higher student preference, utilization, and self-perceived efficacy of blended learning as compared to traditional assigned readings and lectures - supporting blended learning as a promising educational approach for predoctoral dental education.
Stone Dissolution: Current Safe and Effective Use of Renacidin

Abstract Introduction: Struvite stones cause significant morbidity in urologic congenitalism. Although stone-free rates have improved with advances in endoscopy, some anatomic circumstances make co...
Structure determination and hydrogen bonding of 1-naphthoxyacetic acid, a potential plant growth hormone

1-Napthoxyacetic acid crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c (No. 15) with cell dimensions of a=14.273(2)A, b=5.845(1)A, c=24.211(1)A, β =105.815(2)°. The structure of the title compound reveals a carboxyl group-naphthalene ring dihedral angle of 4.85(14)°, O—H- - -O hydrogen bonded dimer, hydrogen bond distance of 2.640(2)A, hydrogen bond angle of 172(2)°, and a cis configuration of O2 (double bond) and O3 relative to the C11—C12 bond all of which indicate that the title compound may be effective as a plant growth hormone.
The dialectics of universalism and particularism: World society, religious traditions, and women’s political representation, 1960–2013:

This study develops a model of macro-cultural identity inspired by the work of George Herbert Mead. The model puts world society theory, which emphasizes the homogenizing effects of ‘world culture,...