cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dominant-negative suppression of Cav2.1 currents by α12.1 truncations requires the conserved interaction domain for β subunits

Abstract Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) is an autosomal dominant disorder arising from CACNA1A mutations, which commonly predict heterozygous expression of Ca v 2.1 calcium channels with truncated α 1 2.1 pore subunits. We hypothesized that α 1 2.1 truncations in EA2 exert dominant-negative effects on the function of wild-type subunits. Wild-type and truncated α 1 2.1 subunits with fluorescent protein tags were transiently co-expressed in cells stably expressing Ca v auxiliary β subunits, which facilitate α 1 subunit functional expression through high-affinity interactions with the alpha interaction domain (AID). Co-expression of wild-type subunits with truncations often resulted in severely reduced whole-cell currents compared to expression of wild-type subunits alone. Cellular image analyses revealed that current suppression was not due to reduced wild-type expression levels. Instead, the current suppression depended on truncations terminating distal to the AID. Moreover, only AID-bearing α 1 2.1 proteins co-immunoprecipitated with Ca v β subunits. These results indicate that Ca v β subunits may play a prominent role in EA2 disease pathogenesis.
A study of abrasive wear mechanisms in cobalt-base alloys

Abstract Single-point scratch tests were used to investigate material removal mechanisms in two cobalt-base powder metallurgy alloys 6 and 19. Each alloy was produced with fine, medium and coarse chromium-rich M 7 C 3 carbides in a cobalt-rich f.c.c. matrix phase. In a separate study, the low stress abrasion resistance was found to increase with carbide size. The present scratch test study was designed to simulate low stress abrasion conditions by using single quartz abrasive particles as scratch tools, and the results are compared with those from scratches made using regularly shaped diamond tools. Single- and multiple-pass scratches were made with several different loads using Vickers diamond pyramids and single quartz abrasive particles on metallographically prepared surfaces. Single-pass scratches were also made on preworn surfaces by using a Vickers diamond. Single-pass diamond scratches exhibited ploughing and extensive coarse slip bands in the matrix phase of metallographic specimens. Evidence of carbide deformation and of slip band cracking of the matrix material was observed also. Coarse slip bands were not observed on preworn surfaces. On both polished and preworn surfaces, thin layers of the matrix phase were often smeared over the carbides, and coarse carbides were extensively cracked. Multiple-pass diamond scratches on metallographic specimens exhibited thin detached layers of matrix material in the scratch groove and tongue-like extruded lips of material stretching away from the ridge. Particles of similar size and shape were found on the diamond pyramid. Scratch tests with quartz particles exhibited slip band cracking, smeared matrix material over the carbides and cracking and pulling out of carbides similar to observations with diamond tools. However, extensive ploughing and shear lip formation were not observed in quartz scratches, and wear debris particles in the scratch and on the tool were rounded and very much smaller than those produced by multiple-pass diamond scratches. Wear debris in multiple-pass quartz scratches were observed to pile up at the leading edges of the carbides, which protruded from the surface because of preferential wear of the matrix phase, as observed in low stress quartz abrasion. With both quartz and diamond tools, the material with the finest carbides (alloy 19A) exhibited large pits where cracks had traveled along the carbide-matrix interface and between carbides. Very little evidence of pulling out of carbides in the fine carbide materials was found.
IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF ESTROGEN RECEPTOR α AND β IN HUMAN FETAL PROSTATE

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We examined the immunolocalization of estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ in the human fetal prostate.Materials and Methods:: Tissue sections from human fetal prostates at 7 to 22 weeks of gestation were stained with antibodies to ERα, ERβ, and cytokeratin 10 and 14.Results:: ERα expression was not detected until 15 weeks of gestation with sparse staining in the utricle. By 19 weeks increased ERα expression was seen in the luminal cells of the ventral urogenital epithelium (UGE), basal cells of the dorsal UGE, utricle, distal periurethral ducts, peripheral stroma and posterior prostatic duct. K14 was detected in basal cells of the UGE and in several posterior acini. At 22 weeks ERα expression was more intense in all of these areas. ERβ was expressed throughout the UGE, ejaculatory ducts, mullerian ducts and entire stroma at 7 weeks. Intense ERβ staining was observed in these areas and in the prostatic buds by 8 weeks with persistent intense staining through 22 weeks.Conclusions:: To our know...
Landscape plan formulation and evaluation

Abstract The paper identifies landscape constraint and opportunity issues. Response to these issues by landscape planners is traced from the mid-18th century to the present. It is argued that the response has generally moved from a negative or defensive posture to a more positive orientation. In particular, landscape analysis and assessment procedures, which traditionally have been used as defensive tools to development, are now being incorporated into landscape plan formulation and evaluation procedures. The new approach provides the landscape planner with the tools to develop a landscape ‘biased’ future land use scenario, as a positive development recommendation. Using the METLAND research at the University of Massachusetts as a case study, a landscape planning process, incorporating procedures for landscape assessment, plan formulation and evaluation is summarized. It is argued that future landscape research should concentrate on landscape plan formulation and plan evaluation procedures.
Flutamide in the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

SUMMARY— Twenty-five patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate were treated with Flutamide, a non-steroidal anti-androgen. All patients showed progression; the longest response was 1 20 weeks. The side effects were nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness and gynaecomastia.
Bcl-w deficiency perturbs enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation

Background: After massive small bowel resection (SBR), increased rates of enterocyte apoptosis have been observed in the remnant bowel via regulation of specific bcl-2 family members. This study tested the hypothesis that adaptive mucosal growth could be attenuated by the absence of the anti-apoptotic factor bcl-w. Methods: Bcl-w-null and corresponding wild-type littermate (WT) mice underwent 50% proximal SBR or sham operation (bowel transaction/reanastomosis) and then sacrificed three days after operation. Adaptation was measured in the remnant ileum as alterations in wet weight, villus height, crypt depth, rates of enterocyte proliferation (% crypt cells stained for Ki67) and apoptosis (# apoptotic bodies/crypt). Results: Survival after SBR was 12/20 (60%) for bcl-w-null versus 14/21 (67%) for WT mice. Both groups of mice demonstrated significantly increased wet weight and crypt depth following SBR. On the other hand, villus height and proliferative index were attenuated in the bcl-w-null mice after SBR. In addition, although the expected increase in apoptosis after SBR was observed in the WT mice, bcl-w-null mice had higher baseline rates of apoptosis which did not significantly change in response to SBR (Figure). Conclusion: Bcl-w deficiency results in a baseline increase in enterocyte apoptosis and attenuation of the proliferative adaptation response to massive SBR. These data endorse an important role for bcl-w as a key regulator of enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation in the remnant bowel following massive intestinal loss. Download high-res image (54KB) Download full-size image
Small renal masses: the effect of illness uncertainty during active surveillance.

Despite the increased use of active surveillance as primary management for small renal tumours, there is a paucity of data regarding its effect on quality of life. A recent study suggests that uncertainty of illness could predict decreased quality of life in patients undergoing active surveillance.
Effects of a Tryptophan-Free Amino Acid Drink Challenge on Normal Human Sleep Electroencephalogram and Mood

Abstract Background: Serotonin has been implicated in the regulation of sleep and mood. In animals a tryptophan-free amino acid drink (TFD) challenge has been found to reduce brain serotonin. We hypothesized this TFD would produce alterations in electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep commonly associated with depression, i.e., an enhancement of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and adversely affect mood ratings in humans. Methods: We investigated the effects of a TFD challenge in 11 healthy male subjects on EEG sleep and mood (assessed by Profile of Mood States). All subjects received on separate occasions an experimental drink containing approximately 100 g of an amino acid mixture (100% TFD) and a control drink containing one fourth strength (25% TFD) of the experimental drink 5 hours prior to sleep (6:00 pm ). Results: Both drinks significantly decreased plasma tryptophan levels 5 hours postchallenge (11:00 pm ). Both drinks significantly decreased REM latency, and the 25% TFD also increased REM time and REM% compared to baseline. No significant changes were found in subjective ratings of depression; however, subjects reported confusion and tension and a decrease in elation, vigor, and friendliness compared with baseline. Conclusions: These TFD findings further support the involvement of serotonin deficiency in EEG sleep findings commonly seen in depression.
The effect of phosphorus in nitrogen-containing carbon nanostructures on oxygen reduction in PEM fuel cells

Abstract Phosphorus added to the growth media of nitrogen-containing carbon nanostructures was found to dramatically improve the electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction. Phosphorus doping was achieved by growing carbon–nitrogen–phosphorus catalyst (CN x P y ) over triphenylphospine- and iron acetate-impregnated magnesia support in N 2 saturated with CH 3 CN, at 900 °C. Catalysts grown in phosphorus-containing media showed improved onset of activity, increased current density and higher selectivity for water formation. The incorporation of both phosphorus and nitrogen into graphite materials allows for the tailoring of the physical and electrochemical properties.
Running with horizontal pulling forces: the benefits of towing

Towing, or running with a horizontal pulling force, is a common technique used by adventure racing teams. During an adventure race, the slowest person on a team determines the team's overall performance. To improve overall performance, a faster runner tows a slower runner with an elastic cord attached to their waists. Our purpose was to create and validate a model that predicts the optimal towing force needed by two runners to achieve their best overall performance. We modeled the effects of towing forces between two runners that differ in solo 10-km performance time and/or body mass. We calculated the overall time that could be saved with towing for running distances of 10, 20, and 42.2-km based on equations from previous research. Then, we empirically tested our 10-km model on 15 runners. Towing improved overall running performance considerably and our model accurately predicted this performance improvement. For example, if two runners (a 70 kg runner with a 35 min solo 10-km time and a 70-kg runner with a 50-min solo 10-km time) maintain an optimal towing force throughout a 10-km race, they can improve overall performance by 15%, saving almost 8 min. Ultimately, the race performance time and body mass of each runner determine the optimal towing force.
Clinical usefulness of adjusted D-dimer cut-off values to exclude pulmonary embolism in a community hospital emergency department patient population.

BackgroundPlasma D-dimer measurement is used in the assessment of the clinical probability of pulmonary embolism (PE), in order to minimize the requirement for pulmonary computed tomography angiography (CTA).PurposeTo evaluate whether doubling the threshold value of serum D-dimer from 500 μg/L to 1000 μg/L could safely reduce utilization of pulmonary CTA to exclude PE in our emergency department patient population.Material and MethodsEmergency department patients evaluated for PE with a quantitative D-dimer assay and pulmonary CTA were eligible for inclusion. D-dimer values were retrospectively collected in all included patients. Pulmonary CT angiograms were reviewed and scored as positive or negative for PE. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the accuracy of quantitative D-dimer measurements in differentiating between positive and negative PE patients as per CTA.ResultsA total of 237 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary CTA and had a D-dimer measurement performed. ...
Nuclear receptors for retinoic acid and thyroid hormone regulate transcription of keratin genes.

Abstract In the epidermis, retinoids regulate the expression of keratins, the intermediate filament proteins of epithelial cells. We have cloned the 5' regulatory regions of four human epidermal keratin genes, K#5, K#6, K#10, and K#14, and engineered constructs in which these regions drive the expression of the CAT reporter gene. By co-transfecting the constructs into epithelial cells along with the vectors expressing nuclear receptors for retinoic acid (RA) and thyroid hormone, we have demonstrated that the receptors can suppress the promoters of keratin genes. The suppression is ligand dependent; it is evident both in established cell lines and in primary cultures of epithelial cells. The three RA receptors have similar effects on keratin gene transcription. Our data indicate that the nuclear receptors for RA and thyroid hormone regulate keratin synthesis by binding to negative recognition elements in the upstream DNA sequences of the keratin genes. RA thus has a twofold effect on epidermal keratin expression: qualitatively, it regulates the regulators that effect the switch from basal cell-specific keratins to differentiation-specific ones; and quantitatively, it determines the level of keratin synthesis within the cell by direct interaction of its receptors with the keratin gene promoters.
Strength and functional mobility in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background The purposes of this pilot study were as follows: (1) to evaluate tools for measuring neuropathy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), (2) to examine strength and functional mobility in children with ALL, and (3) to determine if there is a relationship between strength and function. Procedure Strength of knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion as measured with a dynamometer and functional mobility with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) were examined in eight children with ALL, ages 4–15 years, before and during delayed intensification (DI) therapy and in age- and gender-matched controls. Results The mean knee extension strength, ankle dorsiflexion strength, and TUG measures for children with ALL before DI were significantly less than the means for the controls. The mean dorsiflexion strength measures for the children with ALL afte4 weeks of DI therapy were significantly lower than at time zero. Correlation of −0.794 (P = 0.05) was found between knee extension strength and TUG score for children with ALL. Conclusions The dynamometer and TUG are reliable tools to measure strength and function in children with ALL early in their treatment. In this study, ankle dorsiflexion strength worsened during DI therapy. There was a correlation between strength and function in children with ALL. Med Pediatr Oncol 2003;40:230–232. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The hydrolysis of cyanophenols at a bimetallic Re2(III, III) core

Abstract Studies of nitrile hydrolysis at the dirhenium core of [N(C4H9)4]2[Re2Cl8] were extended through both the inclusion of a series of substituted nitriles, 2-, 3-, and 4-cyanophenol and either silver or thallium salts to promote the removal of chloride from [N(C4H9)4]2[Re2Cl8]. Based on the expanded studies, steric limitations resulting from the OH group are not evident in the hydrolysis reaction for this series of benzonitriles, and the reaction resulted in the synthesis of bridging amidate ligands coordinated to the dirhenium core in [N(C4H9)4][Re2Cl6(2-HOC6H4NHC(O))] (1), [N(C4H9)4][Re2Cl6(3-HOC6H4NHC(O))] (2), and [N(C4H9)4][Re2Cl6(4-HOC6H4NHC(O))] (3), respectively. In addition to the structural and spectroscopic characterization of the series of compounds, the reactions were performed by simply heating the nitrile and [N(C4H9)4]2[Re2Cl8] in methylene chloride:alcohol solvent mixtures, and using AgBF4 and thallium(I) triflate (TlO3SCF3) to promote chloride removal in order to compare the general reaction times and yields.
Corporate social responsibility, irresponsibility, and corruption: Introduction to the special section

Abstract This special issue of the Journal of Business Research on “Corporate Social Responsibility, Irresponsibility, and Corruption” features four articles that examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices from a variety of business perspectives such as marketing, economics, finance, and management. Each article highlights the importance and relevance of CSR in the current business environment. The articles also shed light on the conditions that engender, as well as inhibit the firm's tendency to embrace CSR practices.
The october 1979 federal reserve policy shift: An analysis using variance decomposition

Subsequent to the announced October 1979 policy shift, many economists voiced doubt about whether the Federal Reserve was sincerely committed to the execution of an NBR's targeting strategy. However, the charge that the central bank continued to accommodate as vigorously after the announced policy shift as before is not borne out by these results. Pre- and post-1979 comparisons of the FFR and NBR decompositions suggest a conscious policy alteration aimed at tightening control over NBR while allowing the FFR to respond to money market conditions. The evidence also indicates continuedM1 endogeneity in the second period, with feedback occurring between this variable and the FFR. While the measuredM1 aggregate used in the VAR's does not allow a precise identification of money demand forces, it is reasonable to relate this endogeneity to the erratic shifts in money demand which are known to have occurred over the 1979–82 period. Thus, while the analysis does indicate the central bank did alter its behavior with respect to the NBR policy instrument, the results do not show the Fed was able to control the volatility ofM1 over the NBR targeting period.
A new dual-tone, signal-normalisation method for the measurement and prediction of small-signal distortion

A new method for characterising small-signal distortion is introduced. This novel gain-compression measurement approach employs a ratio of high- and low-level tones, closely spaced in frequency, which are simultaneously measured. A theoretical analysis of two tones passing through a weakly nonlinear device under test is used to demonstrate this new procedure for recovering the gain-distortion (i.e. power series) coefficients from the dual-tone measurement data. The signal normalisation procedure is also shown to effectively remove the time-varying errors associated with the linear receiver circuitry, thereby providing a high level of measurement accuracy. Test results for two amplifiers show that the gain-distortion coefficients can be used to accurately predict the amplifier's weakly nonlinear behaviour at low input power levels for different amplitude offsets between the high- and low-level tones. Although this new technique is demonstrated by using a power-series representation to estimate the small-si...
Classical Fluctuating Charge Theories: The Maximum Entropy Valence Bond Formalism and Relationships to Previous Models †

We explore the relationship between grand canonical (GC) ensemble and charge equilibration (CE), also known as electronegativity equalization, theories for describing charge flow in molecules. We introduce a new unifying approach to classical charge transfer theories based on valence bond (VB) theory and the maximum entropy (ME) method, which we call MEVB. We show how MEVB reduces to GC and CE theories with different choices for the definition of atomic partial charge. We believe that the MEVB approach provides a rigorous framework within which both improved classical models of charge transfer can be developed and a well-defined procedure for interfacing classical electrostatic models with quantum chemistry can be established.
Navigating the Law Review Article Selection Process: An Empirical Study of Those With All the Power -- Student Editors

Anyone who enters the legal academy knows the pressure for new law professors to publish or perish. The use of student editors as the "gatekeepers" of legal scholarship is a distinctive feature of the legal academy. Yet, even with student editors holding the keys to academic success, few empirical studies have explored what factors student editors consider most important when making article selection decisions. The study reported in this Article attempts to shed light on this process and provide suggestions for new law professors as they navigate the law review article submission process. The present study examines how law review editors at all levels of the law school "tier" system (e.g., Top 15, Top 25, Top 50, Top 100, Third Tier, Fourth Tier and Specialty Journals) weigh the importance of author credentials, topic, format, and timing of an article submission in making their selection decisions. Although most editors consider each of these factors, the data also suggests that the higher-ranked journals rely more heavily on author credentials than lower-ranked journals. Editors at higher-tiered law schools were highly influenced by where an author has previously published. Further, while not a single editor at a Top 15 school considered an author's practice experience in making a publication decision, a majority of the editors at lower-tiered journals rated practice experience as an important factor in article selection. In addition, the study participants almost unanimously agreed that they were influenced by the topic of an article yet there were important differences among the law schools concerning the actual topics about which they would be most or least likely to publish. In addition to describing the survey results in more detail, this article will offer specific commentary from the student editors about their process of selecting law review articles.
The association of exon 3 VNTR polymorphism of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene with alcoholism in Mexican Americans

Abstract In this study, the variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism of a 48-bp sequence located in exon 3 of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene was genotyped in 365 alcoholic and 337 non-alcoholic Mexican Americans. Logistic regression showed that genotypes without the 7-repeat allele were risk factors for alcoholism. However, linear regression did not find an association between DRD4 VNTR and MAXDRINKS, which was defined as the maximum number of drinks consumed within 24 h. Our results indicate the presence of an association between DRD4 VNTR and alcoholism in Mexican Americans.
Personality and mortality risk across the life span: the importance of conscientiousness as a biopsychosocial attribute.

Objective: This study addressed whether personality in childhood and personality in adulthood are independent predictors of mortality risk and the extent to which behavioral and other psychosocial factors can explain observed relationships between personality and mortality risk. Design: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 1,253 male and female Californians over 7 decades (1930–2000). Proportional hazards regressions were the principal analyses. Main Outcome Measures: Mortality risk (in the form of relative hazards) was the primary outcome. Additional tests of mediators and moderators ascertained whether associations between personality and mortality risk remained significant when psychosocial and behavioral variables were statistically controlled. Results: The findings, including a new 14-year additional follow-up in old age, revealed that conscientiousness, measured independently in childhood and adulthood, predicted mortality risk across the full life span. The link from childhood remained robust when adult conscientiousness and certain behavioral variables were controlled. Psychosocial and behavioral variables partly explained the adult conscientiousness–longevity association. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the utility and complexity of modern personality concepts in understanding health and point to conscientiousness as a key underexplored area for future biopsychosocial studies.
Effectiveness of a training-of-trainers model in a HIV counseling and testing program in the Caribbean Region

To evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) training program based on a training-of-trainers (TOT) model in the Caribbean Region, we gathered data on the percentage of participants trained as VCT providers who were providing VCT services, and those trained as VCT trainers who were conducting VCT training. The VCT training program trained 3,489 providers in VCT clinical skills and 167 in VCT training skills within a defined timeframe. An information-monitoring system tracked HIV trainings conducted, along with information about course participants and trainers. Drawing from this database, a telephone survey followed up on program-trained VCT providers; an external evaluation analyzed data on VCT trainers. Almost 65% of trained VCT providers could be confirmed as currently providing VCT services. This percentage did not decrease significantly with time. Of the VCT trainers, 80% became certified as trainers by teaching at least one course; of these, 66% taught more than one course. A TOT-based training program is an effective and sustainable method for rapid scale-up of VCT services and training capacity in a large-scale VCT program.
Conservation Status of the White-Lipped Peccary (Tayassu Pecari) Outside the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Campeche, Mexico: A Synthesis:

The white-lipped peccary is a social ungulate that forms the largest groups documented for any other ungulate species living in tropical forests. White-lipped peccaries have become increasingly rar...
A note on the dialectic commentary on paper by Bruce E. Reis

(1999). A note on the dialectic commentary on paper by Bruce E. Reis. Psychoanalytic Dialogues: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 395-399.
One-Step Ligation on RNA Amplification for the Detection of Point Mutations

The detection of point mutations is required in the diagnosis of many human diseases. The conformal specificity of DNA ligases was elegantly used to distinguish single-nucleotide mismatches. However, to detect point mutations in RNA retroviruses, conventional ligase-mediated approaches require the reverse transcription of viral genomes before separate ligation and amplification steps. We developed one-step ligation on RNA amplification (LRA) for the direct detection of RNA point mutations. The process combines the ligase-mediated joining of two oligonucleotides and subsequent hot start amplification into a single-tube reaction. We report that modifications to the structure of the oligonucleotide ligation probes improve the rate of ligation and the specificity of mutation detection on RNA. We applied LRA to the detection of a common, clinically relevant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase drug-resistant point mutation, K103N, and compared it with allele-specific PCR and pyrosequencing. LRA achieved a limit of specific quantitation of 1:100 (1%), and a limit of specific detection for mutant K103N RNA transcripts among excess wild-type strands of 1:10,000 (0.01%). LRA also exhibited good detection threshold of 5 × 102 copies/μL K103N RNA transcripts. LRA is a novel point mutation detection method, with potential utilization in HIV drug resistance detection and early diagnostics of genetic disorders associated with other infectious diseases and cancer.
A review of quasistatic experimental plasticity and viscoplasticity

Discussion sur des travaux experimentaux bases sur trois concepts: theorie de surface-deux de la plasticite, concept de methode de determination de la limite d'elasticite, courbe contrainte-deformation en equilibre ou quasistatique
From Estrogen-Centric to Aging and Oxidative Stress: A Revised Perspective of the Pathogenesis of Osteoporosis

Estrogen deficiency has been considered the seminal mechanism of osteoporosis in both women and men, but epidemiological evidence in humans and recent mechanistic studies in rodents indicate that aging and the associated increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the proximal culprits. ROS greatly influence the generation and survival of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. Moreover, oxidative defense by the FoxO transcription factors is indispensable for skeletal homeostasis at any age. Loss of estrogens or androgens decreases defense against oxidative stress in bone, and this accounts for the increased bone resorption associated with the acute loss of these hormones. ROS-activated FoxOs in early mesenchymal progenitors also divert ss-catenin away from Wnt signaling, leading to decreased osteoblastogenesis. This latter mechanism may be implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 and 2 diabetes and ROS-mediated adverse effects of diabetes on bone formation. Attenuation of Wnt signaling by the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma by ligands generated from lipid oxidation also contributes to the age-dependent decrease in bone formation, suggesting a mechanistic explanation for the link between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. Additionally, increased glucocorticoid production and sensitivity with advancing age decrease skeletal hydration and thereby increase skeletal fragility by attenuating the volume of the bone vasculature and interstitial fluid. This emerging evidence provides a paradigm shift from the "estrogen-centric" account of the pathogenesis of involutional osteoporosis to one in which age-related mechanisms intrinsic to bone and oxidative stress are protagonists and age-related changes in other organs and tissues, such as ovaries, accentuate them.
MEETING THE NEEDS FOR GEOGRAPHERS

(1959). Meeting the needs for geographers. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 5-9.
Critical role of S465 in protein kinase C-increased rat glutamate transporter type 3 activity

Glutamate transporters, also called excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), uptake extracellular glutamate and regulate neurotransmission. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) increases the activity of EAAT type 3 (EAAT3), the major neuronal EAAT. We designed this study to determine which amino acid residue(s) in EAAT3 may be involved in this PKC effect. Selective potential PKC phosphorylation sites were mutated. These EAAT3 mutants were expressed in the Xenopus oocytes. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a PKC activator, significantly increased wild-type EAAT3 activity. Mutation of serine 465 to alanine or aspartic acid, but not the mutation of threonine 5 to alanine, abolished PKC-increased EAAT3 activity. Our results suggest a critical role of serine 465 in the increased EAAT3 activity by PKC activation.
THE POLITICAL NEEDS OF A TOOLMAKING ANIMAL: MADISON, HAMILTON, LOCKE, AND THE QUESTION OF PROPERTY

Aristotle's definition is really this–that man is by nature the citizen of a city (Stadtburger) . This definition is just as characteristic for classical antiquity as is Franklin's definition for Yankee civilization (das Yankeetum) –that man is by nature a maker of instruments. –Karl Marx INTRODUCTION Karl Marx was arguably right in contending that Aristotle's claim that “man is by nature a political animal” was an accurate reflection of the spirit of classical civilization. Was he similarly correct in singling out, as the distinguishing feature of das Yankeetum , the notion that man is really first and foremost a fabricator of tools? To sort out this question, one must consider what the American founders had in mind when they spoke of the right to property. One must trace their understanding to its roots, and one must ponder its consequences. Property rights are the appropriate starting point because within the political ruminations of those whom our French cousins persist in calling les Anglo-Saxons property has long loomed large. “Abstract liberty,” Edmund Burke observed, “like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.” Liberty inheres in some sensible object; and every nation has formed to itself some favorite point, which by way of eminence becomes the criterion of their happiness. It happened … that the great contests for freedom in this country were from the earliest times chiefly upon the question of taxing. Most of the contests in the ancient commonwealths turned primarily on the right of election of magistrates, or on the balance among the several orders of the state. The question of money was not with them so immediate. But in England it was otherwise.
Teaching Counseling and Psychotherapy Skills without Access to a Clinical Population: The Short Interview Method

The method described is designed to teach verbal helping skills to students who do not have access to clinical populations. Open-ended interviews with "real" people are used as the primary training device; role-playing simulations and programmed instruction complement this experience.
IL-17-producing human peripheral regulatory T cells retain suppressive function

Although implicated in antagonistic functions, both regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 effector cells play an important role in controlling autoimmune pathogenesis. Paradoxically, recent studies indicate that Tregs have the capacity to produce interleukin-17 (IL-17), although the ability of these cells to retain their suppressive function remains unknown. Here we report that human Tregs within the CD4+CD45RA−CD25highCCR6+HLA-DR−FoxP3+ population produce IL-17 when activated in the presence of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, whereas IL-17 secretion was inhibited by TGFβ. To assess the ability of a single Treg to secrete IL-17 and to suppress in vitro immune function, we isolated clones from this population. We found that IL-17+/FoxP3+ Treg clones retain suppressive function and exhibit the plasticity to secrete IL-17 or suppress depending on the nature of the stimulus provided. IL-17 production by these Treg clones was accompanied by sustained FoxP3 expression and concomitant, but reversible, loss of suppressive activity. Our data demonstrate that at the single cell level a subset of in vitro suppressive FoxP3+ cells can be driven to secrete IL-17 under inflammatory conditions. These findings suggest a new mechanism by which inflammation can drive Tregs to secrete IL-17, thereby dampening suppression and promoting an inflammatory milieu.
Synaptogenesis in Monkey Somatosensory Cortex

The time course and rate of synaptogenesis were studied in the somatosensory cortex (Brodmann's areas 1 and 3b) of 27 rhesus monkeys ranging in age from embryonic day 41 to 20 years. Two to four vertical probes, each consisting of a series of overlapping electron micrographs and extending from the pial surface to the interface of the cortex with the white matter, were made from sections cut across the postcentral gyrus in the region of the upper limb representation. We found that the density of synapses per unit volume of cortex as well as per unit volume of neuropil increases steadily throughout the late fetal ages and early infancy. A density of 70/100 microns 3 of neuropil was reached by the second postnatal month; thereafter, between 1 and 3 years a slightly lower density of 50-60/100 microns 3 was maintained. At around puberty, the decrease in concentration of synapses appears to be accelerated. Thus, the average synaptic density of a group of 10 adult animals composed of monkeys over 4 years of age was 30-40 synapses per 100 microns 3 of neuropil. This value is significantly lower than that of the group of 11 infant and juvenile animals below 4 years of age. Since synaptic density per unit volume of neuropil is not affected by changes in other parameters of cortical growth, these numbers reflect an actual overproduction of synapses in infancy followed by their elimination during adolescence. The decline in the number of synapses is due primarily to elimination of asymmetrical junctions located on dendritic spines while symmetrical synapses on dendritic shafts and cell bodies remained relatively constant during postnatal life. The course of synapse formation recorded in the present study coincides with the course of overproduction and elimination of neurotransmitter receptors (Lidow et al., 1991) and the developmental schedule of synaptogenesis in other neocortical areas (Rakic et al., 1986). The timing of synaptogenesis and synaptic elimination in the postcentral gyrus may account for the maturation and plasticity of various aspects of somatosensory function during post-natal life.
The Regulatory Logic of the NF-κB Signaling System

NF-kappaB refers to multiple dimers of Rel homology domain (RHD) containing polypeptides, which are controlled by a stimulus-responsive signaling system that mediates the physiological responses to inflammatory intercellular cytokines, pathogen exposure, and developmental signals. The NF-kappaB signaling system operates on transient or short timescales, relevant to inflammation and immune responses, and on longer-term timescales relevant to cell differentiation and organ formation. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the kinetic mechanisms that allow for NF-kappaB regulation at these different timescales. We distinguish between the regulation of NF-kappaB dimer formation and the regulation of NF-kappaB activity. Given the number of regulators and reactions involved, the NF-kappaB signaling system is capable of integrating a multitude of signals to tune NF-kappaB activity, signal dose responsiveness, and dynamic control. We discuss the prevailing mechanisms that mediate signaling cross talk.
The Subthalamic Nucleus, Limbic Function, and Impulse Control

It has been well documented that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to address some of the disabling motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) can evoke unintended effects, especially on non-motor behavior. This observation has catalyzed more than a decade of research concentrated on establishing trends and identifying potential mechanisms for these non-motor effects. While many issues remain unresolved, the collective result of many research studies and clinical observations has been a general recognition of the role of the STN in mediating limbic function. In particular, the STN has been implicated in impulse control and the related construct of valence processing. A better understanding of STN involvement in these phenomena could have important implications for treating impulse control disorders (ICDs). ICDs affect up to 40% of PD patients on dopamine agonist therapy and approximately 15% of PD patients overall. ICDs have been reported to be associated with STN DBS. In this paper we will focus on impulse control and review pre-clinical, clinical, behavioral, imaging, and electrophysiological studies pertaining to the limbic function of the STN.
A Comparison of Sign Searches, Live-Trapping, and Camera-Trapping for Detection of American Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in the Chihuahuan Desert

Abstract. In communities where they occur, American badgers (Taxidea taxus) play important ecological, economic, and conservation roles. Central to understanding of badger ecology and management are estimates of badger population status. However, few studies have compared methods of detecting badgers for population surveys. I compared searches for burrows and diggings, live-trapping, and the use of automatic cameras at scent lures, bait stations, and anthropogenic permanent and temporary wildlife water sources in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico. Searches for confirmed badger burrows and diggings yielded 0.14–0.88 detections per kilometer of transect. Badgers were trapped in 1.6% of trap-weeks. Percentages of camera-weeks in which badgers were detected included 12.8% at scent lures, 5.6% at bait stations, 54.5% at permanent water sources, and 13.3% at temporary water sources.
Improved AlxGa1−xAs/Ga1−yInyAs/GaAs strained-layer double barrier resonant tunnelling structure

Reports the observation of differential negative resistance in a resonant tunnelling diode which consists of Al/sub 0.35/Ga/sub 0.65/As barriers and a Ga/sub 0.80/In/sub 0.20/As quantum well, grown on GaAs substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at a constant substrate temperature of 550 degrees C, for the entire structure. The current peak/valley ratio at resonance is 6 to 1 at 77 K. The result demonstrates the feasibility of preparing device-quality MBE Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As layers at low substrate temperature and fabricating quantum devices involving heterojunctions with severe strain.
Positron emission tomography (PET): a threat to EEG?

(1984). Positron Emission Tomography (PET): A Threat to EEG? American Journal of EEG Technology: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 25-31.
Continuous synthesis of polymer-coated drug particles by porous hollow fiber membrane-based antisolvent crystallization.

Using porous hollow fiber membranes, this study illustrates a novel technique to continuously synthesize polymer-coated drug crystals by antisolvent crystallization. The synthesized polymer-coated drug crystals involve crystals of the drug Griseofulvin (GF) coated by a thin layer of the polymer Eudragit RL100. The process feed, an acetone solution of the drug GF containing the dissolved polymer, was passed through the shell side of a membrane module containing many porous hollow fibers of Nylon-6. Through the lumen of the hollow fibers, the antisolvent water was passed at a higher pressure to inject water jets through every pore in the fiber wall into the shell-side acetone feed solution, creating an extremely high level of supersaturation and immediate crystallization. It appears that the GF crystals are formed first and serve as nuclei for the precipitation of the polymer Eudragit, which forms a thin coating around the GF crystals. The polymer-coated drug crystals were collected by a filtration device a...
Operationalizing Engagement with Multimedia as User Coherence with Context

Traditional approaches for assessing user engagement within multimedia environments rely on methods that are removed from the human computer interaction itself, such as surveys, interviews and baselined physiology. We propose a context coherence approach that operationalizes engagement as the amount of independent user variation that covaries in time with multimedia contextual events during unscripted interactions. This can address questions about the features of multimedia users are most engaged and how engaged users are without the need for prescribed interactions or baselining. We assessed the validity of this approach in a psychophysiological study. Forty participants played interactive video games. Intake and post-stimulus questionnaires collected subjective engagement reports that provided convergent and divergent validity criteria to evaluate our approach. Estimates of coherence between physiological variation and in-game contextual events predicted subjective engagement and added information beyond physiological metrics computed from baselines taken outside of the multimedia context. Our coherence metric accounted for task-dependent engagement, independent of predispositions; this was not true of a baselined physiological approach that was used for comparison. Our findings show compelling evidence that a context-sensitive approach to measuring engagement overcomes shortcomings of traditional methods by making best use of contextual information sampled from multimedia in time-series analyses.
Problems and Challenges in Genocidal Research

All social scientists face challenges to discovering the answers to the questions they ask. As a genocide scholar, some of my challenges are unique to my field, but many are problems faced and overcome by scholars in various disciplines, showing once again that, though we deal with evil and hatred, we too are mere scholars. Thus, this first chapter simply reviews the challenges of my work - aside from the emotional and moral challenges - and looks at the theoretical and practical methods I have used to overcome them as best I can. Specifically, questions of ideological radicalisation in states moving towards genocide present two overarching problems. The first challenge is simply how to appropriately study ideology; the second challenge is how to appropriately compare cases across space and time.
Web Privacy Policies and Other Adventures in Never Never Land

Like penny candy, nickel packs of baseball cards and quarter hot dogs, they just don't make "never" like they used to. When toysmart.com advertised its customer list for sale in the Wall Street Journal the day before a bankruptcy proceeding against it was commenced, a new generation of Internet privacy questions was introduced: How enforceable are Web privacy policies, and who is going to enforce them? How long is "never" in Bankruptcy Court? And is it true that you should never say "never" again, at least in your privacy policy?
Shock and awe pedagogy

galen of pergamon (130–200 A.D.) was an accomplished showman and scientist who made enormous advancements in the understanding of the heart, nervous system, and mechanics of breathing. These advancements were often achieved during impressive public “performances” of vivisection on Barbary apes
In-staging data placement for asynchronous coupling of task-based scientific workflows

Coupled application workflows composed of applications implemented using task-based models present new coupling and data exchange challenges, due to the asynchronous interaction and coupling behaviors between tasks of the component applications. In this paper, we present an adaptive data placement approach that addresses these challenges by dynamically adjusting to the asynchronous coupling patterns. Specifically, it places data across a set of staging cores/nodes with an awareness of the application-specific data locality requirements and the runtime task executions at these staging cores/nodes, with the goal of reducing end-to-end execution time and data movement overhead of the workflow. We experimentally demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on the Titan Cray XK7 system using representative data coupling patterns derived from current scientific workflows. The evaluation demonstrates that our approach efficiently improves performance by reducing the time-to-solution and increasing the quality of insights for scientific discovery.
Short-Term Depression and Facilitation

At many synapses, repeated firing of the pre-synaptic neuron can lead to a transient decrease in the strengths of post-synaptic currents, for instance, because of neurotransmitter depletion [53]. This is called short-term depression. A phenomenological model of short-term depression was proposed by Tsodyks and Markram [165]. We describe it in Section 39.1.
Growth and Inequality of Participation in Online Communities: A Longitudinal Analysis

The online communities of Reddit provide an ideal testing ground for determining the ways in which growth affect communities. By analyzing comments made on Reddit between 2008 and 2016, we demonstrate that Reddit consists of multiple communities growing at different rates. In several cases, community size is associated with greater inequality of participation in discourse, supporting the notion that members of online communities become less interactive and more passive as communities grow. However, one community, r/TwoXChromosomes, exhibits increasing equality of participation in discourse as it grows.