cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modification of foliar solute concentrations by calcium in two species of wheat stressed with sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride

The effects of saline-stresses due to different salts on growth and on foliar solute concentrations in seedlings of two species of wheat that differed in salt tolerance. Triticum aestivum L. cv. Probred and Triticum turgidum L. (Durum group) cv. Aldura, were studied. Triticum aestivum is the more salt tolerant species. The salts used were NaCl, KCI, a 1:1 mixture of NaCI and KCI, and these same monovalent cation salts but mixed with CaCI2 at a ratio of 2:1 on a molar basis of monovalent to divalent cation salts. Growth inhibition of both species was a function of media osmotic potentials. There was a small additional inhibition of growth if KCI replaced NaCI as the salinizing salt. CaCI2 had little or no effect on growth inhibition beyond an osmotic effect except at the most severe stress level, i.e. when Ca2+ concentrations may be excessive. The amounts of water-soluble Ca2+ were about 10 times higher in leaves of plants grown in the presence of CaCI2 than in its absence, but its concentrations even then were approximately 10% or less of those of the monovalent cations. Including CaCI2 in growth media resulted in a reduction in the amount of Na+ in leaves compared to the amounts in plants grown at the same osmotic potential but in the absence of CaCI2. Triticum aestivum was a better Na+-excluder than T. turgidum. With CaCI2 in media, (Na++ K+) remained relatively constant or increased by small amounts as media osmotic potentials decreased. In the absence of CaCI2+ (Na++ K+) increased by large amounts when media osmotic potentials were at −0.6 and −0.8 MPa. It is concluded that the accumulation system in leaves for monovalent cations was under feed-back control, and that this control mechanism was inhibited by high media concentrations of Na+ and/or K+. Sucrose was present at a constant amount under all growth conditions. Proline started accumulating when (Na++ K+) exceeded a threshold value of 200 μmol (g fresh weight)−1. Its concentration was 5 to 13% of that portion of (Na++ K+) that exceeded the threshold value.
The critical condition for the maintenance of turbulence in stratified flows

Theoretical models for predicting the critical Richardson number for the maintenance of turbulence in a stratified atmosphere are re-examined in the light of recent observations. It is proposed that the critical condition may first arise from the failure of the maintenance of steady shear in the presence of buoyancy forces. An expression for the critical flux Richardson number is derived from the consideration of the equations of Reynolds stress and turbulent energy. This gives a range of 0.15 – 0.25 for Rfer, in agreement with the results of direct observations.
Measurement of protein concentration by quantitative electron microscopy.

The method of quantitative electron microscopy was applied to the measurement of protein concentration in thin sections. The human erythrocyte was selected as a model because of its apparently uniform protein concentration. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) in aqueous solution was used as a reversible stain for protein, and PTA-stained Dowex resin spheres were embedded along with the red cells as standards for measurement of section thickness. The mass of stain removed from a given area of sectioned red cell by buffer (pH 7.4) was measured by quantitative electron microscopy. From the stoichiometry of the reaction between PTA and red cell protein established in this study, the amount of protein present in the measured area was calculated. From this amount of protein and the measured thickness, the concentration of protein was calculated and expressed as g/100 ml, for comparison with the clinical laboratory value for hemoglobin. Groups of red cells from the same sample were measured on 3 different days and their mean values (g/100 ml ± SD) were 29 ± 3.9, 30 ± 2.7, and 33 ± 4.6, compared to the clinical laboratory value of 32.1 g/100 ml packed cells, after correction for volume change and protein loss during fixation.
Pressures encountered in the operating theater as a source of bacterial infection

Theoretical requirements for a safety factor in surgical gown pore size relative to bacterial size and viscous properties are presented. A description is given of distributed pressure measurements made in the operating theater by two methods: pressure-sensitive contact film, and a specially fabricated resistive strain gage device. Results for each device are presented for two possible surgeon contact sites with the patient (the forearm and the abdomen) and are comparable. Although relatively high pressures were recorded (up to 29 p.s.i. from the forearm during thoracic surgery), it is uncertain whether favorable condition for bacterial conditions exist. >
A characterization of autumn nocturnal migration detected by weather surveillance radars in the northeastern USA

Billions of birds migrate at night over North America each year. However, few studies have described the phenology of these movements, such as magnitudes, directions, and speeds, for more than one migration season and at regional scales. In this study, we characterize density, direction, and speed of nocturnally migrating birds using data from 13 weather surveillance radars in the autumns of 2010 and 2011 in the northeastern US. After screening radar data to remove precipitation, we applied a recently developed algorithm for characterizing velocity profiles with previously developed methods to document bird migration. Many hourly radar scans contained wind-borne "contamination," and these scans also exhibited generally low overall reflectivities. Hourly scans dominated by birds showed nightly and seasonal patterns that differed markedly from those of low reflectivity scans. Bird migration occurred during many nights, but a smaller number of nights with large movements of birds defined regional nocturnal m...
Rectal immunization with an rVCG vaccine protects against genital Chlamydia challenge (VAC7P.962)

Pelvic inflammatory diseases consequent to Chlamydia trachomatis infections is a major public health challenge with frequent asymptomatic infections precluding in early diagnosis and treatment making clinical presentation of sequelae often the first indication of infection. Development of a safe, efficacious and affordable vaccine holds promise for the global spread of Chlamydia genital infections. Previously we have shown that intramuscular(IM) vaccination of Vibrio cholerae ghosts (VCG) expressing Porin B and PmpD showed protection of mice against intravaginal infections via the development of a cellular ( Th1) as well as humoral ( IgG2a and IgA) immunity. The present study was undertaken to examine the potential of rectal immunization for the induction of genital tract immunity against heterologous Chlamydia infection in mice. The impact of immunization with the VCG vaccine in combination with Flt3 Ligand (FL) on induction of immunity was also investigated. The results demonstrate that both IM and IR rVCG immunizations elicited high levels of antigen-specific Th1 cell-mediated and humoral immune responses that were enhanced following co-immunization with FL. Also, rectally immunized mice were significantly protected against heterologous infection with serovar E Chlamydia 2 weeks post immunization. These results highlight the potential of rectal immunization for eliciting immunity in the female genital tract against Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Income Taxation and Optimal Government Policy

Various economic literatures address the question whether first-best prescriptions for government policy require modification because redistributive income taxation distorts labor supply and cannot achieve the distributive ideal. Perhaps second-best rules for public goods provision, corrective taxation, public sector pricing, and other government activity should reflect concerns about distribution and labor supply distortion. Recent work demonstrates, however, that in basic cases first-best principles remain applicable. Demonstrations make use of income tax adjustments that preserve not only budget balance but also the pre-reform distribution of utility.
A Cross-Country Perspective on the Causes of the Global Financial Crisis

The global financial crisis is rooted in a combination of factors common to previous financial crises and some new factors. The four features in common with other crises are (1) asset price increases that turned out to be unsustainable, (2) credit booms that led to excessive debt burdens, (3) buildup of marginal loans and systemic risk, and (4) the failure of regulation and supervision to keep up with and get ahead of the crisis when it erupted. Four key new aspects were (1) the widespread use of complex and opaque financial instruments; (2) the increased interconnectedness among financial markets, nationally and internationally, with the United States at the core; (3) the high degree of leverage of financial institutions; and (4) the central role of the household sector. The chapter also describes the evolution of the crisis, including the different stages of crisis containment, and reviews the main government interventions (until mid-2009) to restore confidence in financial systems.
The Didymosporous Dimeriaceous Fungi Described from Leaves of Gramineae

(1966). The Didymosporous Dimeriaceous Fungi Described from Leaves of Gramineae. Mycologia: Vol. 58, No. 2, pp. 221-248.
New uses for old vitamins: The Treatment of Myelodysplastic Disorders

The treatment of myelodysplastic disorders with vitamins A and D or derivatives and nutrients has been less than satisfactory. Combinations of vitamin D3 and 13-CRA with or without cytosine arabinoside appear to offer no advantage over any of the single agents alone. Until other vitamin D derivatives are developed that are effective but do not cause hypercalcemia, vitamin D3 cannot be recommended for the treatment of MDS. 13-CRA has been shown to be effective in some patients with MDS; however, it cannot be recommended as standard therapy because of the conflicting data cited above. Further clinical trials with 13-CRA perhaps in combination with vitamin E or colony-stimulating factors are clearly indicated for this disease for which we have no effective therapy.
Gene expression profile of endothelin-1-induced growth in glomerular mesangial cells

Endothelin (ET)-1 is a vasoconstrictor and mitogen involved in vascular remodeling. Changes in gene expression that underlie control of cell growth by ET-1 remain poorly characterized. To identify pathways of growth control we used microarrays to analyze ET-1-regulated gene expression in human mesangial cells, an important ET-1 vascular target cell in vivo. Statistical assessment of differential expression (significance analysis of microarrays) revealed upregulated transcripts for growth factors [heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), interleukin (IL)-6] and downregulated transcripts for genes that inhibit growth (BAX, p27KIP1, DAD1). Consistent with the gene expression profile, quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting confirmed induction of HB-EGF by ET-1. To test a functional role for HB-EGF in ET-1 signaling, we showed that exogenous HB-EGF stimulated phosphorylation of ErbB1 and growth of mesangial cells. ET-1-induced proliferation was blocked by an ErbB1 receptor-selective kinase inhibitor and by a specific ErbB1 receptor-neutralizing antibody. Proliferation in response to ET-1 was also inhibited by neutralizing antisera against human HB-EGF. Together, these results provide data for modeling ET-1 pathways for growth control and suggest a specific role for HB-EGF gene induction in mesangial cell growth in response to ET-1.
What Teachers Want: A Statewide Survey of Reading and English Language Arts Teachers’ Instructional Materials, Preferences, and Practices

ABSTRACTThis study reports the results of a survey of a representative sample of 1,206 elementary reading and English Language Arts teachers in Oregon to learn (1) what materials are currently being used, (2) what materials teachers would prefer, and (3) what instructional practices teachers use. Qualitative data included 365 comments and 34 interviews with participants. Results indicated that in grades K–6 core reading programs were the predominant material, but that these teachers also preferred to use trade books. The majority of grade 7–12 teachers reported mainly using trade books. Teachers reported using promising literacy practices, but data indicated that packaged programs are associated with reduced opportunities for students to engage in these practices. Teachers wanted to use their professional judgment to make decisions about materials.
Absolute single-photoionization cross sections of Se 2 + : Experiment and theory

Absolute single-photoionization cross-section measurements for ${\mathrm{Se}}^{2+}$ ions were performed at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory using the merged-beams photo-ion technique. Measurements were made at a photon energy resolution of $24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3$ meV in the photon energy range 23.5--42.5 eV, spanning the ground state and low-lying metastable state ionization thresholds. To clearly resolve the resonant structure near the ground-state threshold, high-resolution measurements were made from 30.0 to 31.9 eV at a photon energy resolution of $6.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7$ meV. Numerous resonance features observed in the experimental spectra are assigned and their energies and quantum defects tabulated. The high-resolution cross-section measurements are compared with large-scale, state-of-the-art theoretical cross-section calculations obtained from the Dirac Coulomb $R$-matrix method. Suitable agreement is obtained over the entire photon energy range investigated. These results are an experimental determination of the absolute photoionization cross section of doubly ionized selenium and include a detailed analysis of the photoionization resonance spectrum of this ion.
Financing Africa's Infrastructure Deficit: From Development Banking to Long-term Investing

This article studies the appropriate financing structure of infrastructure investment in Africa. It starts with a description of recent initiatives to scale up infrastructure investment in Africa. The article then uses insights from the literature on informed versus arm's-length debt to discuss the structure of infrastructure financing. Considering the differences in investors’ preferences that Africa faces, the article argues that continent's success to fill its greenfield and hence risky infrastructure gap hinges upon a delicate balancing act between development banking and institutional long-term investment. In the first phase, development banks, which have both the flexibility and expertise, should help finance the riskier phases of large greenfield infrastructure projects. In the second phase, development banks should disengage and offload their mature brownfield projects to pave the way for a viable engagement of long-term institutional investors such as sovereign wealth funds. In order to promote an Africa-wide infrastructure bond markets where the latter could play a critical role, the enhancement of Africa's legal and regulatory framework should however start now.
Comparison of the Effects of Amoxicillin Sodium and Clavulanate Potassium Administered by Two Different Dosage Regimens

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of Amoxicillin sodium and clavulanate potassium administered by two different dosage regimens.METHODS: 156 children with lower respiratory tract bacterial infections were randomly divided into two groups(Group A and Group B),and were respectively treated 7～ 14d with amoxicillin sodium and clavulanate potassium by 100mg· kg-1,qd,and 50mg· kg-1,q12h.RESULTS: There were no significant differences(P0.05) between the two groups with mild and moderate lower respiratory tract bacterial infections,but the differences were significant(P0.01) between the two groups with severe lower respiratory tract bacterial infections.CONCLUSION: Amoxicillin sodium and clavulanate potassium given by intravenous drip once daily is efficacious and feasible for patients with mild and moderate lower respiratory tract bacterial infections,while amoxicillin sodium and clavulanate potassium should be given by intravenous drip twice daily for patients with severe lower respiratory tract bacterial infections.
Antimicrobial use in otolaryngeal infections: general considerations.

With the development of numerous new antimicrobials and the improved efficacy of existing agents, more infections are being treated successfully, but the benefits of one agent over another have become an issue of subtle distinctions. Some clinical studies of new drugs have inherent drawbacks in their design and may not yield a comprehensive picture of antimicrobial characteristics in a wide range of patient types and diseases. Studies should therefore be carefully evaluated to determine whether a real advantage exists for a new agent
Restructuring of the Aquatic Bacterial Community by Hydric Dynamics Associated with Superstorm Sandy

ABSTRACT Bacterial community composition and longitudinal fluctuations were monitored in a riverine system during and after Superstorm Sandy to better characterize inter- and intracommunity responses associated with the disturbance associated with a 100-year storm event. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to assess microbial community structure within water samples from Muddy Creek Run, a second-order stream in Huntingdon, PA, at 12 different time points during the storm event (29 October to 3 November 2012) and under seasonally matched baseline conditions. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to track changes in bacterial community structure and divergence during and after Superstorm Sandy. Bacterial community dynamics were correlated to measured physicochemical parameters and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations. Bioinformatics analyses of 2.1 million 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a significant increase in bacterial diversity in samples taken during peak discharge of the storm. Beta-diversity analyses revealed longitudinal shifts in the bacterial community structure. Successional changes were observed, in which Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria decreased in 16S rRNA gene relative abundance, while the relative abundance of members of the Firmicutes increased. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequences matching pathogenic bacteria, including strains of Legionella, Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter, as well as bacteria of fecal origin (e.g., Bacteroides), exhibited an increase in abundance after peak discharge of the storm. This study revealed a significant restructuring of in-stream bacterial community structure associated with hydric dynamics of a storm event. IMPORTANCE In order to better understand the microbial risks associated with freshwater environments during a storm event, a more comprehensive understanding of the variations in aquatic bacterial diversity is warranted. This study investigated the bacterial communities during and after Superstorm Sandy to provide fine time point resolution of dynamic changes in bacterial composition. This study adds to the current literature by revealing the variation in bacterial community structure during the course of a storm. This study employed high-throughput DNA sequencing, which generated a deep analysis of inter- and intracommunity responses during a significant storm event. This study has highlighted the utility of applying high-throughput sequencing for water quality monitoring purposes, as this approach enabled a more comprehensive investigation of the bacterial community structure. Altogether, these data suggest a drastic restructuring of the stream bacterial community during a storm event and highlight the potential of high-throughput sequencing approaches for assessing the microbiological quality of our environment.
Proclamation to the People of Colombia

In March, 1830, Bolivar surrendered his military and political offices with the intention of going to Europe. He went to Cartagena but, as he saw the collapse of Colombia, he went instead to Santa Marta. A week before his death, he issued the proclamation below.
Proinflammatory cytokines remain elevated despite long-term remission in Cushing's disease: a prospective study

Context Inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Cushing's disease (CD), a state of chronic glucocorticoid (GC) excess characterized by visceral obesity and insulin resistance, may be associated with increased systemic inflammation. Cardiovascular mortality in CD remains elevated even after successful remission. It is unclear if a chronic low grade inflammatory state persists even after remission of CD, which may account for the increased CVD mortality. Purpose 1) To assess circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in active CD patients and BMI-matched controls; 2) to prospectively follow plasma cytokine concentrations in CD patients before and after surgical remission; and 3) to assess if plasma cytokine concentrations correlate with adipose tissue distribution and ectopic lipid content in liver and muscle. Methods Plasma cytokines from prospectively enrolled CD patients (N=31) were quantified during active disease (v1) vs. controls (N=18), and 19.5±12.9 months after surgical remission (v2). Fasting plasma IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17 and IL-10 were quantified using a multiplex assay. Total and regional fat masses were measured by whole-body MRI. Results Circulating IL-6 and IL-1β were elevated in active CD patients vs. controls (p<0.05), and remained elevated in CD after surgical remission, despite decreases in BMI (p<0.001), HOMA-IR (p<0.001), and visceral, hepatic, and inter-muscular fat (p<0.001, <0.001 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusions Despite long-term remission and improvements in fat distribution and insulin sensitivity, patients with CD may suffer from a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, which could contribute to increased cardiovascular mortality. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Ipilimumab in metastatic melanoma patients with pre-existing autoimmune disorders.

9019 Background: Ipilimumab (Ipi) is a cornerstone of metastatic melanoma therapeutics. Since Ipi toxicities are largely immune-related, clinicians may withhold therapy in patients (pts) with pre-e...
Synthesis of Birnessite in the Presence of Phosphate, Silicate, or Sulfate.

Layered manganese (Mn) oxides, such as birnessite, are versatile materials in industrial applications and common minerals mediating elemental cycling in natural environment. Many of birnessite properties are controlled by Mn(III) concentration and particle sizes. Thus, it is important to synthesize birnessite nanoparticles with controlled Mn(III) concentrations and sizes so that one can tune its properties for many applications. Birnessite was synthesized in the presence of oxyanions (phosphate, silicate, or sulfate) during reductive precipitation of KMnO4 by HCl and characterized using multiple synchrotron X-ray techniques, electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy. Results indicate that all three anions decrease MnO6 sheet sizes, attributed to oxyanion adsorption on edges of the sheets, inhibiting their lateral growth. As a result of decreased sizes, sheets undergo significant structural contraction. Meanwhile, Mn(III) concentration significantly increases with increasing oxyanion...
Open access capillary electrophoresis: A walk up capillary electrophoresis service for the synthetic chemist

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) system has been developed to provide routine purity information to support synthetic organic chemists. A single micellar electrokinetic chromatography system that produces good selectivity with short run times was developed. The instrument operating software has been modified to run separations in a custom open access mode. No expert knowledge of CE is required to run separations.
Model-Assisted Analysis and Interpretation of Laboratory and Field Tests

The methodology for the model-assisted analysis and interpretation of laboratory and field data using formation damage simulators is presented. The optimal strategies are developed for the identification of the governing formation damage mechanisms and their relative contributions and importance, estimation and correlation of the model parameters, model calibration by history matching, validation and improvement, and sensitivity and simulation studies. The typical laboratory and field data are reviewed. The model parameters are classified into the groups of directly measurable parameters and the parameters that can be determined by the history-matching method. The impact of the errors associated with measurements and data on the calculations and predictions is delineated. An objective function is formulated in terms of the directly measurable formation damage indicators, such as injectivity or productivity loss, permeability impairment, and effluent fluid conditions, including fines concentration, pH, and species content. Applications to laboratory and field systems are illustrated with several examples.
Comparison of Patient Report and Medical Records of Comorbidities: Results From a Population-Based Cohort of Patients With Prostate Cancer.

Importance The comorbid conditions of patients with cancer affect treatment decisions, which in turn affect survival and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. Comparative effectiveness research studies must account for these conditions via medical record abstraction or patient report. Objective To examine the agreement between medical records and patient reports in assessing comorbidities. Design, Setting, and Participants Patient-reported information and medical records were prospectively collected as part of the North Carolina Prostate Cancer Comparative Effectiveness & Survivorship Study, a population-based cohort of 881 patients with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer enrolled in the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry from January 1, 2011, through June 30, 2013. The presence or absence of 20 medical conditions was compared based on patient report vs abstraction of medical records. Main Outcomes and Measures Agreement between patient reports and medical records for each condition was assessed using the κ statistic. Subgroup analyses examined differences in κ statistics based on age, race, marital status, educational level, and income. Logistic regression models for each condition examined factors associated with higher agreement. Results A total of 881 patients participated in the study (median age, 65 years; age range, 41-80 years; 633 white [71.9%]). In 16 of 20 conditions, there was agreement between patient reports and medical records for more than 90% of patients; agreement was lowest for hyperlipidemia (68%; κ = 0.36) and arthritis (66%; κ = 0.14). On multivariable analysis, older age (≥70 years old) was significantly associated with lower agreement for myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR], 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12-0.80), cerebrovascular disease (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.78), coronary artery disease (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.20-0.67), arrhythmia (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.79), and kidney disease (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.52). Race and educational level were not significantly associated with κ in 18 of 19 modeled conditions. Conclusions and Relevance Overall, patient reporting provides information similar to medical record abstraction without significant differences by patient race or educational level. Use of patient reports, which are less costly than medical record audits, is a reasonable approach for observational comparative effectiveness research.
Abstract 164: Microdomain Specific Effects of Transient Receptor Potential Channels on Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy and Myocyte Contractility

Hypothesis: Ca2+ influx through transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels and L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) within caveolin-3 (Cav3) stabilized signaling microdomains provide a unique source of Ca2+ to activate pathologic cardiac hypertrophy through calcineurin (Cn)-mediated nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling. We suggest that a distinct and separate population of TRPC channels localized in excitation-contraction (EC) coupling microdomains may have potent effects on myocyte contractility independent of Cav3 signaling domains. Methods and Results: Membrane localization studies and immunohistochemistry show that TRPC channels and LTCCs co-localize to Cav3 signaling microdomains. To explore a role for these caveolae based Ca2+ channels in the initiation of Cn-NFAT signaling we used an adenoviral NFAT-GFP reporter in cultured adult feline myocytes (AFMs). Infecting AFMs with ad-TRPC3 dramatically increased NFAT translocation, which was inhibited with dominant negative ad-dnTRPC6. Expression of a Cav3 targeted LTCC blocker (ad-Cav-Rem) reduced NFAT translocation while a targeted LTCC activator (ad-Cav-β2a) significantly increased NFAT activation. Neither LTCC modulator had significant effects on Ca2+ current or contractility in AFMs but we found that the expression of TRPC3 reduced myocyte contractility and induced spontaneous Ca2+ spark activity that was exacerbated by the DAG activator OAG. Moreover, dnTRPC6 blocked spontaneous Ca2+ sparks even in the presence of OAG. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed the presence of TRPC channels in transverse tubules, consistent with the idea that they could have direct effects on EC coupling microdomains. Conclusions: Our data show that TRPC channels and LTCCs co-localize to Cav3 signaling domains where they generate a unique Ca2+ microenvironment that directly regulates Cn-NFAT signaling. Our findings also suggest that a separate and distinct population of TRPC channels within EC coupling microdomains cause reduced myocyte contractility by inducing SR Ca2+ leak and Ca2+ spark activity.
Separate and coincident expression of Hes1 and Hes5 in the developing mouse eye

Background: Notch signaling is broadly required during embryogenesis, frequently activating the transcription of two bHLH transcription factors, Hes1 and Hes5. But, it remains unresolved when and where Hes1 and Hes5 act alone or together during development. Here, we analyzed a Hes5-GFP BAC transgenic mouse, as a proxy for endogenous Hes5. We directly compared transgenic GFP expression with Hes1, and particular markers of embryonic lens and retina development. Results: Hes5-GFP is dynamic within subsets of retinal and lens progenitor cells, and differentiating retinal ganglion neurons, in contrast to Hes1 found in all progenitor cells. In the adult retina, only Muller glia express Hes5-GFP. Finally, Hes5-GFP is upregulated in Hes1 germline mutants, consistent with previous demonstration that Hes1 suppresses Hes5 transcription. Conclusions: Hes5-GFP BAC transgenic mice are useful for identifying Hes5-expressing cells. Although Hes5-GFP and Hes1 are coexpressed in particular developmental contexts, we also noted cohorts of lens or retinal cells expressing just one factor. The dynamic Hes5-GFP expression pattern, coupled with its derepressed expression in Hes1 mutants, suggests that this transgene contains the relevant cis-regulatory elements that regulate endogenous Hes5 in the mouse lens and retina. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effect of a Specialized Classroom Counseling Intervention on Increasing Self-Efficacy among First-Grade Rural Students:

This preliminary research examined the effectiveness of a classroom counseling intervention on student self-efficacy development. Five first-grade classrooms in a rural school with high rates of economic disparity were randomly assigned to either a set of 12 specialized lessons emphasizing self-efficacy or lessons from the existing core curriculum. Teachers completed the Self-Efficacy Teacher Rating Scale (SETRS) for each student as a pretest and 3 months following the classroom intervention. A significant mean score difference posttreatment [F(1, 77) = 19.57, p < .05, η2 = .209; d= .58(CI95= .36 - .80)] supports the effectiveness of this intervention in improving the self-efficacy of first-grade students.
Absence of Carbohydrate Response Element Binding Protein in Adipocytes Causes Systemic Insulin Resistance and Impairs Glucose Transport

Lower adipose-ChREBP and de novo lipogenesis (DNL) are associated with insulin resistance in humans. Here, we generated adipose-specific ChREBP knockout (AdChREBP KO) mice with negligible sucrose-induced DNL in adipose tissue (AT). Chow-fed AdChREBP KO mice are insulin resistant with impaired insulin action in the liver, muscle, and AT and increased AT inflammation. HFD-fed AdChREBP KO mice are also more insulin resistant than controls. Surprisingly, adipocytes lacking ChREBP display a cell-autonomous reduction in insulin-stimulated glucose transport that is mediated by impaired Glut4 translocation and exocytosis, not lower Glut4 levels. AdChREBP KO mice have lower levels of palmitic acid esters of hydroxy stearic acids (PAHSAs) in serum, and AT. 9-PAHSA supplementation completely rescues their insulin resistance and AT inflammation. 9-PAHSA also normalizes impaired glucose transport and Glut4 exocytosis in ChREBP KO adipocytes. Thus, loss of adipose-ChREBP is sufficient to cause insulin resistance, potentially by regulating AT glucose transport and flux through specific lipogenic pathways.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Ultrasound

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition depending on the size and characteristics of the aneurysm. Ultrasound is a useful modality to quickly assess the aorta for the presence of an aneurysm, or arterial dissection, and to determine the relative risk of impending rupture. To do this, it is important for an ultrasonographer to learn how to accurately image and measure the diameter of an aortic aneurysm. This chapter serves to educate the novice learner on how to take these measurements as well as how to overcome limitations to doing so. It will review indications for performing an aortic ultrasound, basic anatomy, image acquisition, normal ultrasound anatomy, and interpretation of pathology.
Standard dermoscopy and videodermoscopy as tools for medical student dermatologic education.

The ability to identify common benign and malignant skin lesions is augmented by the use of dermoscopy and is relevant to medical students pursuing careers in medicine, surgery, and subspecialties [1]. Medical students who received dermoscopy instruction as an adjunct to their skin examination education were more likely to examine a patient’s skin during physical examination when evaluated one year after skin examination education [2]. Standard dermatoscopes, utilized in the aforementioned studies, permit a single user to view skin lesions in greater detail by incorporating 10-fold magnification. As with standard dermoscopy, videodermoscopy allows examination of microstructures within the epidermis and dermis. Videodermoscopy further enhances viewing by increasing the magnification potential to 50-fold or greater and by enabling multiple users to visualize skin lesions concurrently (Figure 1). In this study, we aim to assess whether the use of videodermoscopy improves the ability of medical students to identify benign and malignant skin lesions. Open in a separate window Figure 1 Dermoscopic images of melanocytic nevus and melanoma. (A) Standard dermoscopy of a melanocytic nevus (magnification 10x). (B) Videodermoscopy of the same nevus (magnification 85x). (C) Standard dermoscopy of a melanoma (magnification 10x). (D) Videodermoscopy of the same melanoma (magnification 85x). (E) Videodermoscopy of the same melanoma (magnification 140x). [Copyright: ©2018 Cho et al.]
Evaluation of the graded redefined assessment of strength, sensibility and prehension (GRASSP) in children with tetraplegia

Psychometric study. To validate the GRASSP in pediatric SCI populations and establish the lower age of test administration. United States: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Michigan, California, Texas. Mean, SD and range of scores were calculated and examined for known-group differences. Test-retest reliability was measured by the intra-class correlation, concurrent validity of the GRASSP against the SCIM, SCIM-SS, and the CUE-Q was measured by the Spearman correlation. GRASSP scores differed between participants with motor complete and incomplete injuries (p = <0.0001−0.036). Test-retest reliability was strong (ICC = 0.99). Weak correlation with the total SCIM (r = 0.33−0.66), and moderate to strong correlation with the SCIM-SC (r = 37−0.70) and CUE-Q (r = 0.40−0.84). Results support the validity of the GRASSP and provide evidence that the scores are reliable when administered to children. The GRASSP sensory and strength subtests are recommended for children beginning at 6 years of age, and the GRASSP prehension performance/ability subtest for children beginning at 8 years of age. Normative data are needed for the performance components of the GRASSP.
Sleep and Anesthesia: A Consideration of States, Traits, and Mechanisms

Sleep and anesthesia are distinct states of consciousness that share numerous traits. Like anesthesia, sleep is characterized by the loss of consciousness, behavioral immobility and little recall of environmental events. However, unlike anesthesia, sleep is a spontaneous and endogenous process, shows homeostatic and circadian regulation, can be reversed with external stimuli and does not eliminate the sensitivity to pain. As opposed to the historical viewpoint of sleep as a passive process consisting of the mere cessation of waking, it is now well established that sleep is actively generated from the interaction of distinct brain nuclei. There is now experimental evidence supporting the earlier hypothesis that the effects of anesthesia may also be mediated through the subcortical brain nuclei that control sleep–wake states. In this chapter, we will elaborate on the phenomenology and mechanism of sleep and anesthesia, discussing the similarities as well as differences.
Evidence-Based Nursing Practice: To Infinity and Beyond

Background Medical errors are in the news almost daily, frequently after patients have experienced ineffective and unsafe protocols. As a result, patients and family members lose trust in the healthcare system. Nursing practice is changing almost daily with advances in nursing research and improvements in technology and practice. Reading, understanding, and managing these large amounts of information have become difficult for most nurses and organizations. Methods This article provides an historical background for evidence-based practice and methods for assimilating research into practice. Results Systematic reviews and other decision-making models are discussed using specific questions for establishing policy guidelines. Conclusion Evidence-based practice encompasses implementing the best-known practices into the clinical setting using a scientific approach. As a result, safe, high-quality, and cost-effective care will be more likely to occur consistently.
Software Processes Are Software Too, Revisited

The ICSE 9 paper, “Software Processes are Software Too,” suggests that software processes are themselves a form of software and that there are considerable benefits that will derive from basing a discipline of software process development on the more traditional discipline of application software development. This paper attempts to clarify some misconceptions about this original ICSE 9 suggestion and summarizes some research carried out over the past ten years that seems to confirm the original suggestion. The paper then goes on to map out some future research directions that seem indicated. The paper closes with some ruminations about the significance of the controversy that has continued to surround this work.
Silent Maps as Professional Communication: Intersections of Sociospatial Considerations and Information Accessibility:

Using interactive digital maps is now common practice for most universities. Increasingly, more users are introduced to their academic workplaces through online content such as Google Street View a...
Influence of chemical heterogeneity and microstructure on the corrosion resistance of biodegradable WE43 magnesium alloys

Magnesium-yttrium-rare earth element alloys such as WE43 are potential candidates for future bioabsorbable orthopedic implant materials due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties similar to human bone, and the ability to completely degrade in vivo. Unfortunately, the high corrosion rate of WE43 Mg alloys in physiological environments and subsequent loss of structural integrity limit the wide applications of these materials. In this study, the effect of chemical heterogeneity and microstructure on the corrosion resistance of two alloys with different metallurgical states was investigated: cast (as in traditional preparation) and as-deposited produced by magnetron sputtering. The corrosion behavior was studied by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests in blood bank buffered saline solution. It was found that the as-deposited alloy showed more than one order of magnitude reduction in corrosion current density compared to the cast alloy, owing to the elimination of micro-galvanic coupling between the Mg matrix and the precipitates. The microstructure and formation mechanism of corrosion products formed on both alloys were discussed based on immersion tests and direct measurements of X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis.
Phenotypic variations in persistence and infectivity between and within environmentally transmitted pathogen populations impact population-level epidemic dynamics.

Human pathogens transmitted through environmental pathways are subject to stress and pressures outside of the host. These pressures may cause pathogen pathovars to diverge in their environmental persistence and their infectivity on an evolutionary time-scale. On a shorter time-scale, a single-genotype pathogen population may display wide variation in persistence times and exhibit biphasic decay. We use a transmission modeling framework to develop an infectious disease model with biphasic pathogen decay. We take a differential algebra approach to assessing model identifiability, calculate basic reproduction numbers by the next generation method, and use simulation to explore model dynamics. For both long and short time-scales, we demonstrate that epidemic-potential-preserving trade-offs have implications for epidemic dynamics: less infectious, more persistent pathogens cause epidemics to progress more slowly than more infectious, less persistent (labile) pathogens, even when the overall risk is the same. Using identifiability analysis, we show that the usual disease surveillance data does not sufficiently inform these underlying pathogen population dynamics, even when combined with basic environmental monitoring data. However, risk could be indirectly ascertained by developing methods to separately monitor labile and persistent subpopulations. Alternatively, determining the relative infectivity of persistent pathogen subpopulations and the rates of phenotypic conversion will help ascertain how much disease risk is associated with the long tails of biphasic decay. A better understanding of persistence–infectivity trade-offs and associated dynamics can improve our ecological understanding of environmentally transmitted pathogens, as well as our risk assessment and disease control strategies.
SIRT3 Regulates Macrophage-Mediated Inflammation in Diabetic Wound Repair

Control of inflammation is critical for the treatment of nonhealing wounds, but a delicate balance exists between early inflammation that is essential for normal tissue repair and the pathologic inflammation that can occur later in the repair process. This necessitates the development of novel therapies that can target inflammation at the appropriate time during repair. Here, we found that SIRT3 is essential for normal healing and regulates inflammation in wound macrophages after injury. Under prediabetic conditions, SIRT3 was decreased in wound macrophages and resulted in dysregulated inflammation. In addition, we found that FABP4 regulates SIRT3 in human blood monocytes, and inhibition of FABP4 in wound macrophages decreases inflammatory cytokine expression, making FABP4 a viable target for the regulation of excess inflammation and wound repair in diabetes. Using a series of ex vivo and in vivo studies with genetically engineered mouse models and diabetic human monocytes, we showed that FABP4 expression is epigenetically upregulated in diabetic wound macrophages and, in turn, diminishes SIRT3 expression, thereby promoting inflammation. These findings have significant implications for controlling inflammation and promoting tissue repair in diabetic wounds.
Mapping Racial Boundaries: For Whom Do Varying Racial Identities Decrease Happiness?

Racial boundaries are hard to measure but consequential for understanding larger processes of racial inequality. Some argue that the racial hierarchy is expanding to include a third category for non-black minority identities while others believe that a binary racial hierarchy will persist as many non-black minorities will come to be seen as white. I use the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 to investigate how racial identities that vary (either because racial identities changed across survey waves or because racial identities are incongruent with interviewer perceptions) speak to each of these theories. I assess the frequency of different racial variations and how different patterns of racial variations are associated with individuals’ perceived level of happiness. When racial identities vary across time, context, or the perception of others, the work required to negotiate a racial identity can take a psychological toll and may decrease happiness. I find support for the whitening hypothesis; the most common type of racial variation includes respondents classified as non-black minorities by a household member later claiming a white identity. And, for those individuals, claiming a white identity is congruent with how they are perceived by interviewers. In addition, only for individuals who crossed black boundaries is racial variability consequential to perceived happiness, evidencing a strong racial boundary between black and anything else and more permeability in the boundary between non-black minorities and whites.
Timing Is Everything: How Economists Can Better Address the Urgency of Stronger Climate Policy

AbstractBuilding on recent consensus findings from climate scientists, this article argues that stronger policy action to address global climate change is urgent. The article indicates how economis...