cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
nAChR agonist-induced cognition enhancement: integration of cognitive and neuronal mechanisms.

The identification and characterization of drugs for the treatment of cognitive disorders has been hampered by the absence of comprehensive hypotheses. Such hypotheses consist of (a) a precisely defined cognitive operation that fundamentally underlies a range of cognitive abilities and capacities and, if impaired, contributes to the manifestation of diverse cognitive symptoms; (b) defined neuronal mechanisms proposed to mediate the cognitive operation of interest; (c) evidence indicating that the putative cognition enhancer facilitates these neuronal mechanisms; (d) and evidence indicating that the cognition enhancer facilitates cognitive performance by modulating these underlying neuronal mechanisms. The evidence on the neuronal and attentional effects of nAChR agonists, specifically agonists selective for α4β2* nAChRs, has begun to support such a hypothesis. nAChR agonists facilitate the detection of signals by augmenting the transient increases in prefrontal cholinergic activity that are necessary for a signal to gain control over behavior in attentional contexts. The prefrontal microcircuitry mediating these effects include α4β2* nAChRs situated on the terminals of thalamic inputs and the glutamatergic stimulation of cholinergic terminals via ionotropic glutamate receptors. Collectively, this evidence forms the basis for hypothesis-guided development and characterization of cognition enhancers.
29Si NMR of five- and six-coordinate organosilicon complexes

Abstract Silicon-29 NMR is shown to be powerful tool for characterizing five- and six-coordinate organosilicon complexes. Chemical shifts for twenty seven compounds are given, and the general trends with structural changes are discussed.
Love in the Time of Facebook: How Technology Now Shapes Romantic Attachments in College Students

College counseling clinicians need to understand how students use technology to form, sustain, and end romantic attachments. Students now frequently incorporate aspects of these technologically based interactions, or mediated communications, into counseling sessions and often make important attributions based on them. Heavy daily use of a growing array of options includes telephonic conversations, text messaging, chat, Facebook, and e-mail. This article will provide a theoretical framework that integrates attachment and communications theory to assist college counseling clinicians to make positive therapeutic use of this remarkable shift in how students communicate in romantic (and other) relationships.
Reference values for the timed up and go test: a descriptive meta-analysis.

ABSTRACTBackground and Purpose:The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is widely employed in the examination of elders, but definitive normative reference values are lacking. This meta-analysis provided such values by consolidating data from multiple studies.Methods:Studies reporting TUG times for apparently
Improving education on doctor-patient relationships and communication: lessons from doctors who become patients.

Purpose Medical education faces challenges in training empathetic doctors who have good patient communication skills. The author aimed to understand insights that doctors who become patients may gain concerning ways to improve doctor– patient relationships and communication in order to improve medical education. Method From 1999 to 2002, based in New York, the author conducted two in-depth, semistructured, two-hour interviews with each of 50 doctors who had serious illnesses concerning their overlapping experiences of being health care workers and becoming patients. Interviews examined their views about these issues and how their perspectives changed as a result of patienthood. Results These doctor–patients questioned whether and to what degree empathy could be taught, but nonetheless provided several techniques for improving communication with patients related to process and content of care. Processes included charting at the bedside rather than at the nursing station, acknowledging having kept patients waiting, and increasing awareness of nonverbal aspects of care. Content issues included communicating directly about taboo topics and being more sensitive in discussing “bad news,” adherence, and nonmedical concerns. Conclusions Doctors reported increased sensitivity to patients’ experiences and empathy in doctor–patient communication. These findings can help in teaching doctors to see more clearly that their specific point of view differs from that of patients, and can be limiting. This study also sheds light on the wide separation between intellectual and experiential learning, which needs to be addressed further in medical education and research. Acad Med. 2006; 81:447–453.
Life Course Associations between Victimization and Aggression: Distinct and Cumulative Contributions.

The connections between early maltreatment and later aggression are well established in the literature, however gaps remain in our understanding of developmental processes. This study investigates the cascading life course linkages between victimization experiences from childhood through early adulthood and later aggressive behavior. The diverse, at-risk sample is of particular importance to child and adolescent specialists, as it represents highly vulnerable youth accessible through conventional school settings. In addition to direct pathways from proximal life periods, path analysis revealed significant indirect mediated pathways through which earlier life victimization contributes to aggressive behaviors in later life periods as well as revictimization. Multivariate regressions support theorized cumulative effects of multi-form victimization as well as distinct contributions of victimization domains (emotional, witnessing, physical, property, and sexual) in explaining aggressive behavior. Consistent with theorizing about the developmental impact of early maltreatment, results bolster the importance of interrupting pathways from victimization to revictimization and later aggression. Findings are evaluated in light of implications for early identification and prevention programming.
Induction of antitumor immunity ex vivo using dendritic cells transduced with fowl pox vector expressing MUC1, CEA, and a triad of costimulatory molecules (rF-PANVAC).

The fowl pox vector expressing the tumor associated antigens MUC1 and CEA in the context of costimulatory molecules (rF-PANVAC) has shown promise as a tumor vaccine. However, vaccine mediated expansion of suppressor T cell populations may blunt clinical efficacy. We characterized the cellular immune response induced by ex-vivo dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with (rF)-PANVAC. Consistent with the functional characteristics of potent antigen presenting cells, rF-PANVAC-DCs demonstrated strong expression of MUC1 and CEA and costimulatory molecules, CD80, CD86, and CD83; decreased levels of phosphorylated STAT3, and increased levels of Tyk2, JAK2 and STAT1. rF-PANVAC-DCs stimulated expansion of tumor antigen specific T cells with potent cytolytic capacity. However, rF-PANVAC transduced DCs also induced the concurrent expansion of FOXP3 expressing CD4+CD25+high regulatory T cells (Tregs) that inhibited T cell activation. Moreover, Tregs expressed high levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) together with phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT6. In contrast, the vaccine expanded Treg population expressed high levels of Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFNγ and the proinflammatory RORγt and IL-17A suggesting that these cells may share effector functions with conventional TH17 T cells. These data suggest that Tregs expanded by rF-PANVAC-DCs, exhibit immunosuppressive properties potentially mediated by Th2 cytokines, but simultaneous expression of Th1 and Th17 associated factors suggests a high degree of plasticity.
Influence of Tillage and Mulching Systems on Soil Water and Tomato Fruit Yield and Quality

ABSTRACT Many growers have interests in using mulches, cover crops, and conservation tillage systems in tomato production, but also have concerns about the effect of soil moisture fluctuations on fruit quality. Percent soil moisture and ‘Fabulous’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit production in response to different mulching/tillage systems within wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crops were evaluated. Treatments applied following the mowing of the cover crops were: (1) conventional tillage (CT); (2) black polyethylene plastic over conventional tillage (BP); (3) no-tillage with cover crop killed with 1.5% glyphosate one week prior to transplanting (NT); (4) strip-tillage with cover crop killed with a 1.5% glyphosate one week prior to transplanting (ST); (5) no-tillage in which the cover crop was mowed periodically during the growing season [NT-Lm (living mulch)]; and (6) strip-tillage with the cover crop mowed and treated similar to treatment 5 (ST-Lm). Gener...
Localization and Regulation of the N Terminal Splice Variant of PGC-1α in Adult Skeletal Muscle Fibers

The transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) regulates expression of genes for metabolism and muscle fiber type. Recently, a novel splice variant of PGC-1α (NT-PGC-1α, amino acids 1–270) was cloned and found to be expressed in muscle. Here we use Flag-tagged NT-PGC-1α to examine the subcellular localization and regulation of NT-PGC-1α in skeletal muscle fibers. Flag-NT-PGC-1α is located predominantly in the myoplasm. Nuclear NT-PGC-1α can be increased by activation of protein kinase A. Activation of p38 MAPK by muscle activity or of AMPK had no effect on the subcellular distribution of NT-PGC-1α. Inhibition of CRM1-mediated export only caused relatively slow nuclear accumulation of NT-PGC-1α, indicating that nuclear export of NT-PGC-1α may be mediated by both CRM1-dependent and -independent pathways. Together these results suggest that the regulation of NT-PGC-1α in muscle fibers may be very different from that of the full-length PGC-1α, which is exclusively nuclear.
Experience-dependent alteration of zinc-containing circuits in somatosensory cortex of the mouse.

Histochemical staining was used to localize zinc-sequestering terminals in somatosensory barrel cortex of normal mice and mice subjected to tactile deprivation by simple whisker trimming from birth. In normal mice, density of synaptic zinc was highest in laminae I, II and V, intermediate in laminae III and VI, and lowest in lamina IV barrel hollows. Whisker trimming from birth led to increased density of synaptic zinc specifically within deprived barrel hollows.
Statistical analysis of the distribution of fish eggs and larvae on the southeastern U.S. continental shelf with comments on oceanographic processes that may affect larval survival

Abstract Data collected in 1953 and 1954 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were statistically analyzed to ascertain where and when fish eggs and larvae are most abundant on the southeastern U.S. continental shelf. The results are related to some oceanographic processes that might affect the survival of larval fish. Along-shelf differences in numbers of eggs and larvae are minimal compared with differences that occur across the shelf. Highest numbers of fish larvae are found on the outer shelf during fall, winter and spring, but larvae are evenly distributed across the shelf in summer. Upwelling strongly influences the dynamics of plankton production on the outer shelf, and thus during most seasons of the year upwelling may be the most important process controlling the amount of food available to larval fish. During winter and spring, mean winds do not favor shoreward transport of larval fish from the outer shelf if the larvae are located in near-surface waters. Thus, during these seasons variability of winds on the ‘event’ time scale may be more important to onshore and offshore transport of larval fish than the mean strength and direction of monthly or seasonally averaged winds.
Control of MAPK signaling specificity by a conserved residue in the MEK-binding domain of the yeast scaffold protein Ste5

The yeast kinase scaffold Ste5 has been proposed to prevent unwanted cross-talk between the pheromone response pathway and other MAPK cascades. Protein fusion experiments have demonstrated that covalently tethering signaling components to each other or to Ste5 can determine the outcome of signaling. However, these do not fully test the role of scaffolds in signaling specificity, since fusing components precludes differential dissociation of subpopulations. We performed a targeted genetic screen on STE5 and repeatedly identified recessive mutations in a conserved residue, E756, in the Ste7/MEK-binding domain that caused erroneous activation of the filamentation MAPK pathway by pheromone signaling. Mutant cells exhibited a shift in the MAPK activation pattern such that the filamentation MAPK Kss1 was predominately activated in response to pheromone. Velocity sedimentation studies showed that the mutant scaffold was defective in binding to a phosphorylated subpopulation of Ste7. Our data suggest that increased dissociation of activated Ste7 kinase from the mutant scaffold may cause the observed shift in MAPK activation from Fus3 to Kss1 and the resulting loss of specificity. Cross-talk in ste5-E756G cells was due to both increased activation of Kss1 and reduced Fus3-dependent degradation of the filamentation pathway transcription factor Tec1. These studies demonstrate a role for an endogenous scaffold in signaling specificity.
Social and emotional impacts of farmwork injuries: an exploratory study

Context: The physical hazards of farming have been extensively studied and reported upon. Far less studied are the social and emotional impacts of farmwork injuries and deaths. Purpose: To investigate and document broad but targeted issues regarding the impact on individuals, families, and communities of farmwork injuries and fatalities of farmer leaders. Methods: Ten incidents of farmwork injuries with disabilities or fatalities in Pennsylvania were used for a collective case study. Data were collected through a total of 47 interview sessions with 66 individuals including next of kin, other family members, injured persons, and community members. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and issues in this descriptive study. Findings: Community members missed the rich, broad, and comprehensive skills, abilities, and perspectives that farmers brought to community service. Participants expressed that the community assistance and support provided to injured persons and families benefited not only the injured persons and their families and farms but also the community members. Participants reported emotional anguish and loss as well as positive transformations and consequences. As expressed by participants, God and religion play an important role in their beliefs regarding the occurrence and outcome of farmwork injury incidents. Conclusions: Social and emotional impacts on individuals, families, and communities are varied and multileveled. The role that religion and storytelling play in the process of dealing with serious injury incidents raises questions regarding agricultural injury prevention.
Distributed reinforcement learning in multi-agent networks

Distributed reinforcement learning algorithms for collaborative multi-agent Markov decision processes (MDPs) are presented and analyzed. The networked setup consists of a collection of agents (learners) which respond differently (depending on their instantaneous one-stage random costs) to a global controlled state and the control actions of a remote controller. With the objective of jointly learning the optimal stationary control policy (in the absence of global state transition and local agent cost statistics) that minimizes network-averaged infinite horizon discounted cost, the paper presents distributed variants of Q-learning of the consensus + innovations type in which each agent sequentially refines its learning parameters by locally processing its instantaneous payoff data and the information received from neighboring agents. Under broad conditions on the multi-agent decision model and mean connectivity of the inter-agent communication network, the proposed distributed algorithms are shown to achieve optimal learning asymptotically, i.e., almost surely (a.s.) each network agent is shown to learn the value function and the optimal stationary control policy of the collaborative MDP asymptotically. Further, convergence rate estimates for the proposed class of distributed learning algorithms are obtained.
A logical look at characterizations of geometric transformations under mild hypotheses

Abstract For several characterizations of geometric transformations — which state that a map, which satisfies certain conditions like injectivity, surjectivity, bijectivity and preserves certain geometric notions γi, must preserve another notion v as well — we provide the definitional counterpart, i.e. a definition that satisfies certain syntactic constraints of the notion v in terms of the notions γi. 2000 MSC: 51M05 51B10 03C40
The Peer Informant: Characteristics Related to the Perceptions of Peer Behavior Problems

Victimization and rejection by peers leads to and exacerbates behavior problems in children and adolescents. Given the implications of problematic peer relations for adolescents who experience behavior problems, the present study examined factors that may be related to how adolescents perceive peers who exhibit such problems. Specifically, the present study examined the relationship of adolescent informants’ socioeconomic status, their prior exposure to psychological symptoms, their perceived social acceptance, and their own behavior problems to their perceptions of peers’ internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, their liking and disliking of peers who exhibit such problems, and their attributions for the etiology of such problems when portrayed by fictitious peers of the same age. In particular, adolescents were asked to rate a set of vignettes portraying internalizing and externalizing behavior problems that are seen commonly in peers and to complete a set of brief questionnaires. Results revealed that adolescents were able to perceive the presence of both internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in vignette characters. Additionally, vignette characters who did not exhibit behavior problems were most likely to be approached and liked, whereas those vignette characters who displayed externalizing behavior problems were more likely to be disliked and ignored. Finally, although adolescents endorsed both internal and external etiological factors, ratings were related to the sex of the depicted vignette character and the nature of the portrayed behavior problems. Overall, this study provided additional evidence that, although adolescents can serve as valuable informants, they also tended to be rejecting of peers who display behavior problems.
The development in vitro of an avirulent, immunogenic variant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. hominis.

SummaryA variant of the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. hominis which appears to be avirulent for mice and guinea pigs, was developed in vitro by continual subculture over 3 years on a nitrogen-free synthetic medium. This new strain, designated H37RaN, resembled the parent H37Rv strain both macroscopically and microscopically, but differed metabolically from the parent strain in its reduced ability to utilize for growth carbon compounds related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This strain immunized mice as well as the frequently used immunogenic strains, H37Ra and BCG.
Manufacturable Ultra-Low Loss Pure-Silica-Core Fiber for Trans-Oceanic Telecommunication

Applying pure-silica-core technology, loss of 0.15dB/km has become reality using manufacturable processes. The Aeff of fibers are appropriately enlarged from viewpoint of analytically developed fiber figure-of-merit, for enabling 100G and beyond trance-oceanic transmission.
Formal specifications for modeling and developing human/computer interfaces

High quality human/computer interfaces have become a major topic of research. This paper describes a new method for modeling, designing, and developing dialogues, a method that has a strong formal basis and allows a uniform syntactic and semantic specification. This formal descriptive technique has the added advantage of being executable, that is, it has widely available translators. The technique chosen here allows a very high level specification of human/computer interaction enabling rapid development and easy modification. This paper describes the nature of the formal specifications written in first order logic using Prolog, and the successful specification and development of a carrier air traffic controller (CATC) dialogue. These experiments demonstrate the utility of Prolog as a high level specification language and point the way to a full dialogue development system that can incorporate a multi-layered concept of human/computer interaction.
Association Between Paternally Inherited Haplotypes Upstream of the Insulin Gene and Umbilical Cord IGF-II Levels

The insulin (INS) and IGF 2 (IGF2) genes are in close proximity to each other and undergo maternal imprinting during fetal growth. We investigated the association between maternal and umbilical cord IGF 2 protein (IGF-II) levels and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the INS and IGF2 genes in 207 healthy African-American mother-newborn pairs. No association was found between maternal IGF-II levels and polymorphism in the INS-IGF2 locus. A significant association was found between newborn IGF-II levels and two SNPs (rs3842738 and rs689) at the 5' end of the INS-IGF2 locus. Analyses of haplotypes inferred from these two SNPs demonstrate a significant relationship between paternally transmitted haplotypes and newborn IGF-II levels, but no association with maternally transmitted haplotypes.
Preparation and properties of polycrystalline divalent-cation β″-alumina☆

Abstract Using ion exchange from an appropriate molten salt, the divalent cations Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Sn and Pb have been substituted for Na in polycrystalline Li 2 O-stabilized Na-β″-alumina samples. The Ca-, Sr-, and Cd-β″ alumina specimens were dense, crack-free bodies. Preparation procedures for the substitutions, lattice parameters for the substituted structure, and Raman spectra are given for the various divalent-cation β″-aluminas. Raman data aided in determining whether or not exchange of one ion by another had occured.
Magnetic properties of substituted SrRuO3

We have investigated structural and magnetic properties of the SrRu 1-v O 3 and SrRu 1-x Cr x O 3 perovskites with uniquely suppressed and increased ferromagnetic transition temperatures, respectively. Polycrystalline samples synthesized in 600 atm. O 2 at 1100 °C and in air at 1340 °C reach the v and Cr solubility limits at v ∼ 0.10 and x = 0.15, respectively. The ordered moment is dramatically suppressed by the creation of Ru vacancies. The linear decrease of the lattice parameters and bond lengths, and an increase of the bond angles with increasing x are due to substitution of the smaller Cr 4+/3+ ion for Ru 4+/5+ . Similar decreases of the molar susceptibility, X m , in the paramagnetic region above T c and the high-field magnetization at 5 K with x also indicate the presence of the Cr 4+/3+ and Ru 4+/5+ ions. These results confirm that the Ru 4+/5+ (d 4/3 )-O 2- -Cr 4+/3+ (d 2/3 ) minority band double-exchange interaction that involves the Cr 3+ and Cr 4+ in the magnetic ordering is responsible for the enhanced ordering temperature.
NO chemisorption on Pd(100) with ultra-thin overlayers of oxidized La and Al

Abstract The chemisorption of NO on the Pd(100) single crystal surface with ultra-thin overlayers of oxidized La and Al has been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Adsorption at 300 K was found to be partly dissociative in the case of the oxidized-La overlayer but nondissociative in the case of the oxidized-Al overlayer, supporting the results of a previous investigation concerned with small Pd particles on films of La 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 . In addition, it was verified that the N produced by dissociative adsorption is more strongly bound to the surface than N on Pd(100) alone. However, the thermal stability of the oxidized-La overlayer was found to be unexpectedly low, certainly less than that observed for the oxidized-Al overlayer.
IMPACTS OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF SANDY SEDIMENT ON WETLAND SOILS AND VEGETATION: RESULTS FROM FIELD AND GREENHOUSE STUDIES

This project used three different experiments to test the hypothesis that deposition of small amounts of sediment in wetlands alters plant diversity and soil properties. Greenhouse experiments using potting soil and Sagittaria latifolia were used with 0.5-2 cm sediment treatments and controls. Thirty 2 m X 2 m plots were established in a freshwater palustrine marsh, and the plots were monitored before and after the addition of 1, 2, or 4 cm of sediment to half of the plots. Large vegetated cores of native soil were removed from the wetland and monitored in the greenhouse before and after the addition of 2 cm of sediment. Greenhouse experiments showed that less than 2 cm of sediment had no effects on the growth of S. latifolia, while 2 cm of sediment significantly increased aboveground biomass but had no effect on matrix potential or oxidation-reduction potential. Field plots showed significant differences in bulk density, organic matter, and phosphorus resulting from addition of sediment but did not show differences in water levels, temperature, plant diversity, biomass, or stem density under any amount of added sediment. Soil cores showed a significant difference in bulk density and in matrix potential near the soil surface under wetter conditions but showed no significant differences in temperature, evapotranspiration, oxidation-reduction potential, or aboveground biomass. The lack of effect seen in the field plots is likely the result of a low effective loading rate relative to the greenhouse experiments and the dense plant cover and thick debris layer of the wetland. Observed changes in bulk density would alter the hydrologic functions of the wetland if these depths of sediment occurred over a larger area. The tolerable level of sediment for a wetland depends on the structure and function of the individual wetland.
How can we construct a science of consciousness

This chapter gives an overview of the projects facing a science of consciousness. Such a science must integrate third-person data about behavior and brain processes with first-person data about conscious experience. Empirical projects for integrating these data include those of contrasting conscious and unconscious processes, investigating the contents of consciousness, finding neural correlates of consciousness, and eventually inferring underlying principles connecting consciousness with physical processes. These projects are discussed with reference to current experimental research on consciousness. Some obstacles that a science of consciousness faces are also discussed.
Rheology of polyisobutylene. I. Theory and experimental procedures

A formulation is given of the response of a body manifesting linear viscoelastic behavior in shear to arbitrary simple shear stress history. A description is given of procedures for the measurement of the retarded elasticity function and of the viscosity by means of experiments under constant shear stress and following removal of stress. The non-Newtonian flow of polymers is considered. Existing information on the viscosity of polyisobutylene as a function of temperature and molecular weight is reviewed. The applicability of the kinetic theory of rubberlike elasticity to a system of linear molecules is discussed. The use is described of the concentric cylinder rotational viscometer for the measurement of non-Newtonian flow and of linear viscoelastic behavior.
Designing Chip-Level Nanophotonic Interconnection Networks

Technology scaling will soon enable high-performance processors with hundreds of cores integrated onto a single die, but the success of such systems could be limited by the corresponding chip-level interconnection networks. There have been many recent proposals for nanophotonic interconnection networks that attempt to provide improved performance and energy-efficiency compared to electrical networks. This paper discusses the approach we have used when designing such networks, and provides a foundation for designing new networks. We begin by briefly reviewing the basic silicon-photonic device technology before outlining design issues and surveying previous nanophotonic network proposals at the architectural level, the microarchitectural level, and the physical level. In designing our own networks, we use an iterative process that moves between these three levels of design to meet application requirements given our technology constraints. We use our ongoing work on leveraging nanophotonics in an on-chip title-to-tile network, processor-to-main-memory network, and dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) channel to illustrate this design process.
A Promoter Methylation Pattern in the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor 2B Gene Predicts Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: To investigate whether the promoter methylation pattern in N -methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2B (NMDAR2B) is correlated with clinical features of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the methylation status of the gene was examined at three different sites (P1, P2, and P3) where two CpG islands reside within 1 kb upstream of the transcription start site. Experimental Design: Three independent modalities for methylation analysis (bisulfite sequencing, combined bisulfite restriction analysis, and TaqMan methylation-specific PCR) were done to analyze total 67 ESCC tissues that included 43 primary tumors with well-characterized clinicopathologic variables including patient outcome. Results: Using an optimized cutoff value based on quantitative methylation-specific PCR, we found that patients with higher NMDAR2B methylation ratio in the proximal region (P1) showed a worse 5-year disease-specific survival rate than those without NMDAR2B methylation ( P P = 0.03). Conclusion: NMDAR2B promoter methylation could be a clinically applicable marker in ESCC.
Androgens: they don't just make a man out of you

Hyperandrogenism is known to be associated with polycystic ovarian (or ovary) syndrome. In this disease, ovarian follicles proliferate in a dysregulated fashion – in part due to excess androgen signaling within the ovary itself – leading to anovulation and infertility. Intriguingly, while excess androgen signaling in the ovary promotes unregulated follicle growth, a certain level of androgen signaling appears to be required for normal follicular development. In fact, deficient androgen signaling in the ovary might lead to premature ovarian failure, another cause of female infertility. This article discusses various in vitro and animal models being used to study the pathophysiology of hyper- and hypoandrogenism, focusing on the role of androgens and androgen receptor-mediated actions in normal and pathologic ovarian physiology.
Effects of carbaryl on green frog (Rana clamitans) tadpoles: Timing of exposure versus multiple exposures

The majority of studies on pesticide impacts have evaluated the effects of single exposures. However, multiple exposures to a pesticide may be more prevalent. The objective of our study was to determine how multiple exposures versus single exposure at different times during development affected survival to metamorphosis, tadpole survival, tadpole mass, and tadpole developmental stage of green frog (Rana clamitans) tadpoles reared at low and high density in outdoor cattle tank ponds. Tadpoles were exposed to carbaryl zero, one, two, or three times at 14-d intervals. We applied single doses of carbaryl at one of three times, specifically during early, mid, or late development. Overall, we found that multiple exposures had a greater impact than single exposures during development. More individuals reached metamorphosis in ponds exposed to multiple doses of carbaryl compared with controls, indicating that the presence of carbaryl stimulated metamorphosis. The presence of carbaryl in the aquatic environment also resulted in more developed tadpoles compared with controls. Tadpoles in control ponds did not reach metamorphosis and were less developed than individuals exposed to carbaryl; this effect indicates that, under ideal conditions, green frogs could overwinter in ponds so that greater size could be attained before metamorphosis in the following spring or summer. Our study demonstrated the importance of including realistic application procedures when evaluating the effects of a pesticide and that multiple exposures to a short-lived pesticide are more likely to affect an amphibian population.
A concept of maximum stream depletion rate for leaky aquifers in alluvial valleys

[1] Existing analytical models for evaluating stream depletion by wells in alluvial aquifers are based on the assumption that stream depletion supplies 100% of groundwater withdrawals. Analysis of specific hydrostratigraphic conditions in leaky aquifers indicates that stream depletion may range from 0 to 100%. A new concept of maximum stream depletion rate (MSDR) is introduced and defined as a maximum fraction of the pumping rate contributed by the stream depletion. Several new analytical solutions indicate that the MSDR is determined by aquifer hydrostratigraphic conditions, geometry of recharge and discharge zones, and locations of pumping wells.
C3a Enhances Nerve Growth Factor-Induced NFAT Activation and Chemokine Production in a Human Mast Cell Line, HMC-1

Activation of cell surface G protein-coupled receptors leads to transphosphorylation and activation of a number of receptor tyrosine kinases. Human mast cells express G protein-coupled receptors for the complement component C3a (C3aR) and high affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkA. To determine whether C3a cross-regulates TrkA signaling and biological responses, we used a human mast cell-line, HMC-1, that natively expresses both receptors. We found that NGF caused tyrosine phosphorylation of TrkA, resulting in a sustained Ca(2+) mobilization, NFAT activation, extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, and chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta (MIP-1beta) production. In contrast, C3a induced a transient Ca(2+) mobilization and ERK phosphorylation but failed to stimulate TrkA phosphorylation, NFAT activation, or MIP-1beta production. Surprisingly, C3a significantly enhanced NGF-induced NFAT activation, ERK phosphorylation, and MIP-1beta production. Pertussis toxin, a G(i/o) inhibitor, selectively blocked priming by C3a but had no effect on NGF-induced responses. Mitogen-activated protein/ERK kinase inhibitor U0126 caused approximately 30% inhibition of NGF-induced MIP-1beta production but had no effect on priming by C3a. However, cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of calcineurin-mediated NFAT activation, caused substantial inhibition of NGF-induced MIP-1beta production both in the absence and presence of C3a. These data demonstrate that NGF caused tyrosine phosphorylation of TrkA to induce chemokine production in HMC-1 cells via a pathway that mainly depends on sustained Ca(2+) mobilization and NFAT activation. Furthermore, C3a enhances NGF-induced transcription factor activation and chemokine production via a G protein-mediated pathway that does not involve TrkA phosphorylation.
Understanding the molecular responses to hypoxia using Drosophila as a genetic model

We have previously discovered that Drosophila melanogaster could recover from extended periods of anoxia (0% oxygen) with no apparent consequential injuries. We have since employed forward and reverse genetic approaches to decipher the molecular basis for anoxia tolerance. In so doing, we have identified several independent mutant lines that demonstrated increased sensitivity to anoxia. Characterization of one of these mutants resulted in the identification of a dADAR gene that plays a role in the sensitivity to low levels of oxygen. We have also used microarrays to study all known Drosophila genes, the expression of which may be altered by hyoxia. Microarrays experiments have generated a large body of information that is being currently analyzed. We believe that these undertakings will provide insight into the genetic mechanisms of hypoxia tolerance and ischemic injuries.
What does the wonderlic personnel test measure

The present investigation examined the concurrent validity of the Wonderlic Personnel Test and Woodcock-Johnson-Revised Tests of Cognitive Ability which were administered to 37 college students, 27 women and 10 men, who ranged in age from 18 to 54 years (M=27.1, SD=8.7). Analysis yielded significant correlation coefficients between the Wonderlic Total score and the score for the WJ-R Broad Cognitive Ability Standard Battery (r = .55) and the Comprehensive Knowledge score (r= .34). Performance on the Wonderlic was not significantly correlated with fluid reasoning skills (r=.26) but was most strongly associated with overall intellectual functioning, as measured by the Woodcock-Johnson Standard Battery IQ score. While scores on the Wonderlic were more strongly associated with crystallized than fluid reasoning abilities, the Wonderlic test scores did not clearly show convergent and divergent validity evidence across these two broad domains of cognitive ability.
anthropology and marxism: past and present

Marxism and Anthropology: The History of a Relationship. MAURICE BLOCH. Anthropology and Marxism. JAMES W. WESSMAN.
Electrocardiographic Diagnosis of Ventricular Hypertrophy in the Presence of Right Bundle-Branch Block

Forty-nine autopsied cases of complete and incomplete right bundle-branch block were studied with correlation of the electrocardiographic and anatomic diagnosis of ventricular hypertrophy. Twenty-six (53 per cent) of the cases showed anatomic evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy. The cases were studied for right ventricular hypertrophy according to the criteria of Barker and Valencia and of Milnor. Milnor's criteria resulted in frequent overdiagnosis while those that met Barker and Valencia's criteria usually but not invariably showed anatomic right ventricular hypertrophy. The electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy was masked by the bundle-branch block in anatomically proved cases.
Performance of a Globally-Clocked Parallel Simulator

A performance model for a globally-clocked, discrete-event queueing network simulator is developed and validated against measured results. The use of architectural enhancements for improving the performance of the algorithm is investigated. Both scaled and fixed problem sizes are investigated, with a maximum measured scaled speedup of 47 and 64 processors. The model is very accurate, predicting runtime within 5% of measured results.
Depression, Asthma, and Bronchodilator Response in a Nationwide Study of US Adults

Background Little is known about the relation between 2 common comorbidities (depression and anxiety) and asthma or bronchodilator response (BDR). Objective To examine the association between depressive symptoms and asthma or BDR in US adults. Methods Cross-sectional study of 20,272 adults aged 20 to 79 years from the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and classified as none to minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe. Major depression (comprising moderately severe to severe symptoms) was defined as a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire score of 15 or more. Anxiety was defined as 5 or more days feeling anxious in the previous month. Current asthma was defined as having been diagnosed with asthma by a doctor or health professional and 1 or more asthma attack in the previous year. BDR (as percentage of baseline FEV 1 ) was measured in 1356 participants with FEV 1 /forced vital capacity of less than 0.70 and/or FEV 1 less than 70% of predicted. Logistic or linear regression was used for the multivariable analysis. Results Depressive symptoms were significantly and linearly associated with asthma, independently of anxiety symptoms. Subjects with major depression had 3.4 times higher odds of asthma than did those with minimal or no depressive symptoms (95% CI, 2.6-4.5; P P = .02). Major depression was not associated with BDR among adults without asthma. Anxiety was not associated with asthma or BDR. Conclusions Depressive symptoms are associated with asthma in adults, independently of anxiety symptoms. Major depression is associated with reduced BDR in adults with asthma.
Instrument failure detection and isolation in a system with variable plant parameters

This paper considers the problem of detecting instrument failures in a system in which there are plant parameter variations. The method described is based on the use of Kalman filters to provide a detection comparison in a manner similar to Clark's dedicated observer method. To improve the sensitivity to sensor variation and reduce the sensitivity to plant parameter variation the Kalman filters are designed to be sub-optimal. A procedure is described to design the sub-optimal filters so as to improve a measure of the ratio of sensor to plant sensitivity.
Gene polymorphisms in association with emerging cardiovascular risk markers in adult women

Evidence on the associations of emerging cardiovascular disease risk factors/markers with genes may help identify intermediate pathways of disease susceptibility in the general population. This population-based study is aimed to determine the presence of associations between a wide array of genetic variants and emerging cardiovascular risk markers among adult US women. The current analysis was performed among the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III phase 2 samples of adult women aged 17 years and older (sample size n = 3409). Fourteen candidate genes within ADRB2, ADRB3, CAT, CRP, F2, F5, FGB, ITGB3, MTHFR, NOS3, PON1, PPARG, TLR4, and TNF were examined for associations with emerging cardiovascular risk markers such as serum C-reactive protein, homocysteine, uric acid, and plasma fibrinogen. Linear regression models were performed using SAS-callable SUDAAN 9.0. The covariates included age, race/ethnicity, education, menopausal status, female hormone use, aspirin use, and lifestyle factors. In covariate-adjusted models, serum C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly (P value controlling for false-discovery rate ≤ 0.05) associated with polymorphisms in CRP (rs3093058, rs1205), MTHFR (rs1801131), and ADRB3 (rs4994). Serum homocysteine levels were significantly associated with MTHFR (rs1801133). The significant associations between certain gene variants with concentration variations in serum C-reactive protein and homocysteine among adult women need to be confirmed in further genetic association studies.
The benefits of peer support with diabetes.

TOPIC. Peer coaching for diabetes support. purpose. To see if peer coaching assists a person with diabetes make the correct diet and activity choices. SOURCES OF INFORMATION. Journal articles, Internet. CONCLUSIONS. Peer support is helpful for people who are struggling to cope with diabetes. If peer support is offered, a structured follow-up program needs to be in place.
The Multicomputer Toolbox approach to concurrent BLAS and LACS

The authors describe many of the issues involved in general-purpose concurrent basic linear algebra subprograms (concurrent BLAS or CBLAS) and discuss data-distribution independence, while further generalizing data distributions. They comment on the utility of linear algebra communication subprograms (LACS). They also describe an algorithm for dense matrix-matrix multiplication and also discuss matrix-vector multiplication issues. With regard to communication, they conclude that there is limited leverage in LACS per se as a stand-alone message-passing standard, and propose that needed capabilities instead be integrated in a general, application-level message passing standard, focusing attention on CBLAS and large-scale application needs. Most of the proposed LACS features are similar to existing or needed general-purpose primitives anyway. All of the ideas discussed have been implemented or are under current development within the Multicomputer Toolbox open software system. >
Channel catfish virus: interaction with the cytoskeleton

The infection of channel catfish ovarian cells with channel catfish virus results in the redistribution of all cytoskeletal elements during virus-induced syncytium formation. Actin filaments are normally arranged as large stress fibres, even during early stages of infection, but become redistributed as densely staining regions near the centre of the syncytium in latent infection. Microtubules and vimentin filaments (easily visible in early infection) lose all visible organization during syncytium formation. Stabilization of microtubules with taxol results in the production of elongate syncytia with regularly organized microtubules. Conversely, disruption of microtubules with nocodazole inhibits cell fusion and causes a reduction in infectious virus production. This reduction upon treatment with nocodazole, and the subsequent rescue of virus production upon addition of taxol indicates that viral replication relies upon the presence of microtubules.
A Documented Plant and Tree Species Narrative of La Suerte (Costa Rica) and Ometepe (Nicaragua): Overcoming Ancient Taxonomy Demons for a More Relevant and Valid Conservation Research Effort in the Tropics

This could either be a short, or a very long chapter. So which way to go? The short answer is that we have widely failed to produce a highly detailed plant and tree taxonomy and inventory for the field schools of La Suerte (Costa Rica) and Ometepe (Nicaragua). We still do not know all plants and trees for these stations. A valid and stable list of flora for the station is neither in sight nor is it complete and realistic to work with it in a field school. The same can be said for Central America, and for the tropics overall. These tropical stations can easily harbor 600 tree species and even more plants. Being fluent on even the basic flora would easily take years (because many species are not well described, occur as variants and subspecies, the life history is not well known, and features occurring in similar species are usually not documented). Additionally, species do not always occur in a flowering state, and cryptic species likely occur but are undocumented. One has to write his/her own identification books. Exacerbating the problem further, the field schools have no established herbarium to house documented reference specimens. Seeds and flower parts are often very diverse and have not yet been fully described. In addition, there are language and cultural issues to resolve, e.g., species names and institutions across nations (Spanish vs. English vs. British vs. local names), salary payment agreements for efforts undertaken, as well as a largely missing globally accepted taxonomy. And what about accepted subspecies and variants? To properly describe and compile a complete taxonomic species list might easily take us the next 20 years, possibly the next 100 years (for marine species, the Census of Marine Life (COML) estimated 250 years). Who has the time and the resources for this? Meanwhile, many species are in decline and might disappear for good; precious DNA and free ecological services are lost.