cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stem-like Cells from Invasive Breast Carcinoma Cell Line MDA-MB-231 Express a Distinct Set of Eph Receptors and Ephrin Ligands.

Background/aim Breast cancer cell lines consist of bulk tumor cells and a small proportion of stem-like cells. While the bulk cells are known to express a distinct combination of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands, the transcript profiles of stem-like cells in these cell lines have not been adequately characterized. The aim of this study was to determine Eph receptor/ephrin ligand profiles of cancer stem cells specific to a triple negative breast carcinoma cell line. Materials and methods The normal breast cell line MCF10A and the invasive breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231 were used to isolate CD24+/CD24- cell populations. The profiles of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands were determined by real-time PCR and the relative abundance in bulk and stem cells were compared. Results Based on the mean ΔCT values, the descending order of abundance was as follows. Ephrin-A5 > EPHA2 > (EPHA8, EPHB2) > ephrin-B2 > (EPHA7, EPHB4, ephrin-A4) > ephrin-A3 > ephrin-A1 > (EPHB3, ephrin-B1) > EPHA4 > EPHA1 > EPHA10. EPHA6 and ephrin-A2 transcripts were not detectable in stem cells from either cell line. The expression of EPHA4, EPHA7, EPHA8, and ephrin-A5 in MDA-MB-231 stem cells was up-regulated by 12, 20, ~500, and 6.5-fold respectively. Conclusion The up-regulation of transcripts for EPHA8 and its cognate ligand, ephrin-A5, in the stem cells isolated from MDA-MB-231, suggest their involvement in the invasiveness of this cell line. Based on literature reports, we propose the role of EPHA8 and ephrin-A5 in MDA-MB-231 stem cells via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.
A Graphene-Based Thermal Conductivity Detector for Low Power Gas Detection

The paper reports the fabrication and testing results of a graphene-based thermal conductivity detector (TCD) by taking advantages of ultra low mass, large surface area and high thermal conductivity of a multilayer graphene (MLG) for low power gas detection. The fabricated TCD consists of a transferred and thus suspended MLG across a micro channel where target gases flow through. The sophisticated transfer process was successfully performed to construct a relatively large free-standing MLG membrane with a footprint of 75x3,600 um2. The fabricated TCD, when connected to a micro gas chromatography (μGC) column, demonstrated the chromatographic detection of pentane, hexane and heptane gases with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4760 ppm of pentane, while consuming only 26 mW.
Second Wave of COVID-19 in Pakistan: Our Responsibilities and Challenges as A Nation

The Corona virus (SARS-CoV2) pandemic initiated in late December 2019 in Wuhan city of Hubei, China, which has rapidly progressedinvolving more than 215 countries of the world.It was caused by novel SARS-COV2 coronavirus with Huanan seafood wholesale market as the possible point of origin. In past two decades, coronaviruses epidemic of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-COV) had 37% mortality rate and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-COV) had 10% affecting more than 10,000 population together.World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as the sixth Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020 and later on March 11, 2020, the WHO labeledit as a pandemic.The first case of COVID-19 from Pakistan was reported on 26th February, 2020 and has affected over 354,000 people with a mortality of over 7000 patients. Many countries of the world have seen second wave of this pandemic. Government ofPakistan has also declared a second waveon October 28, 2020, after the rise in cases from 500 to 750 per day.Now it has crossed 2000 cases.The data released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) shows that the current percent positivity rate is close to 3 compared to the previous figure of lesser than 2 making it a bigger challenge than first wave in Pakistan. The patients now presenting in hospitals are all in critical condition. Lack of a specific vaccine or antiviral drug and non-compliance to the standard preventive measures is the major reason of initiation of a second wave of this viral infection in Pakistan. Being a nation we need to be responsible. Our country may go into economic crisis & our health facilities may choke.We have to understand how to live with this virus till the availability of vaccine or Curative antiviral drug.TheGovernment of Pakistan is creating awareness in the public for the second wave as the situation of pandemic is getting worse. Smart lock downs are being implementedbut people are not following preventive measures that are leading to infection spread at a very alarming speed. At the moment preventive measures are the only way to stop the spread of disease. Preventive measures should be adopted to contain this deadly disease. Wearing masks,using hand sanitizers, washing hands with soap for 20 sec,keeping social distance of 6 feet are mandatory preventive strategies. Social, political, business, recreationaland religious gatherings, should be avoided. Educational institutesshould follow strict standard operating procedures. Most of the people in Pakistan are not considering this disease as a matter of serious concern due to unawareness, poverty, beliefs and lack of resources. People should ignore such disbeliefs and should start considering it as a great health concern. They should follow the preventive measures in true sense..
A Participative Visual Approach to Milestone Planning

The paper presents a participatory milestone planning method called the Visual Milestone Planning (VMP) Method which promotes involvement and commitment, through the reification of the planning artifacts and their direct manipulation by team members who collectively create the plan. Once a project scope is defined via a work breakdown structure and relevant milestones identified, a novel construct called the milestone planning matrix is used to systematically and visually capture dependencies among milestones and map WBS elements to the milestones they help realize. The milestones due dates are later determined by accommodating sticky notes representing the work to be done on a resource and time scaled milestone scheduling canvas. The method is applicable to traditional as well as to agile projects.
Thucydides 'Trap,' Ideology or Economic Bias?

A confused idea of Greek history has become a policy concept for many Anglo-American politicians and journalists. Based on an article by historian Graham Allison, the idea asserts that in any historical context a rising economic region or nation will come into military conflict with earlier social entities. Allison argues that this was the underlying cause of the Peloponnesian Wars. This is an incorrect assertion and gross distortion of the Greek history. Such deterministic ideas are simplistic and dangerous if they become models for policy. Athens was a mercantilist political entity that extended its power by conquest creating and empire. Sparta was an agriculturalist polity, who formed alliances to balance Athens’ aggression. The nature of power and how it is used is key to understanding history, and in the case of Athens, power led to aggression, conquest and challenge. The current political situation, especially with China is discussed as well as the effects of colonialism.
Women As Healers, Women As Patients: Mental Health Care And Traditional Healing In Puerto Rico

Introduction to Puerto Rico and women mental health programs, biomedical and traditional healing in Puerto Rico callings and development healing work the distaff side - healing and gender issues depression schizophrenia anxiety disorders somatoform disorders approaching the self thought illness and healing.
Vernacular translation in Dante's Italy : illiterate literature

Translation and commentary are often associated with institutions and patronage; but in Italy around the time of Dante, widespread vernacular translation was mostly on the spontaneous initiative of individuals. While Dante is usually the starting point for histories of vernacular translation in Europe, this book demonstrates that The Divine Comedy places itself in opposition to a vast vernacular literature already in circulation among its readers. Alison Cornish explores the anxiety of vernacularization as expressed by translators and contemporary authors, the prevalence of translation in religious experience, the role of scribal mediation, the influence of the Italian reception of French literature on that literature, and how translating into the vernacular became a project of nation-building only after its virtual demise during the Humanist period. Vernacular translation was a phenomenon with which all authors in thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Europe - from Brunetto Latini to Giovanni Boccaccio - had to contend.
Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

The lateral geniculate nucleus is remarkably stable across mammals and can be recognized even in those such as moles in which the eyes are congenitally absent or greatly reduced in size. It is stricly a nuclear complex, rather than a single nucleus, for in virtually every mammal two or more components can be recognized. One of these, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, is developmentally a derivative of the dorsal thalamus and projects to the cerebral cortex. In a number of species it is laminated and may contain a number of subsidiary nuclei. The other component, the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, is developmentally a part of the ventral thalamus and does not project to the cortex. In primates, seemingly on account of the descent and rotation of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus during development (Le Gros Clark, 1932b) (Fig. 9.1), the ventral nucleus has come to lie dorsal to the dorsal nucleus; in this position it is often referred to as the pregeniculate nucleus.
Vaginal prostaglandin E2 for missed abortion and intrauterine fetal death

Abstract Vaginal suppositories containing 20 mg. of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) were given to 50 patients with a diagnosis of either missed abortion or fetal death. A total of 94 per cent of the patients (47/50) expelled products of conception, and 84 per cent of these expulsions (42/50) were complete. The mean time to expulsion of the fetus was 11.3 hours with a mean dose of 3.6 suppositories. A total of 60 per cent of the patients experienced vomiting, diarrhea, and pyrexia. Four patients had a blood loss in excess of 500 ml., and two of these patients required blood transfusion. Vaginal administration of PGE 2 suppositories appeared to be a rapid, safe, and reliable means of managing missed abortion and intrauterine fetal death.
A Mutationally Altered Alkaline Phosphatase from Escherichia coli II. STRUCTURAL AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF THE ACTIVATED ENZYME

Abstract The activated form of the mutationally altered alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia coli S-19 was found to be identical with the wild type enzyme with respect to the following properties: sedimentation coefficient, circular dichroic and optical rotatory dispersion spectra, heat stability, broad substrate specificity, Km for 4-nitrophenyl phosphate, and Ki for inorganic phosphate. But the turnover number of the mutant enzyme at pH 8.0 was only one-tenth of that of the wild type enzyme. Analysis of the mechanism of catalytic action by transient kinetics showed that the amino acid substitution causes a specific alteration in the rate of the conformation change during the turnover of the enzyme without apparently affecting any other process in the multistep pathway. The comparison of the kinetics of substrate hydrolysis by mutant and wild type enzymes permits one to distinguish between various proposals for the mechanism of alkaline phosphatase.
Structural studies of avian myeloblastosis virus. Selective release of ribonucleoprotein polypeptides from the core component and partial purification of the DNA polymerase

Abstract A rapid single-step procedure is presented for the fractionation of avian myeloblastosis virus. The core component was liberated from intact virus and then exposed to high salt concentration by sedimentation through a discontinuous sucrose gradient containing 1 M NaCl. This procedure selectively released a set of four polypeptides into the gradient that are analogous in apparent molecular weights to those reported for a ribonucleoprotein particle from Rous sarcoma virus. In addition, DNA polymerase activity was recovered in the gradient and was 10-fold purified relative to the starting intact avian myeloblastosis virus. This procedure provides an advantage over solubilization of DNA polymerase from intact virus without prior core isolation because of the removal of non-viral contaminants and membrane components before solubilization of the enzyme.
Dexamethasone-induced up-regulation of the human norepinephrine transporter involves the glucocorticoid receptor and increased binding of C/EBP-β to the proximal promoter of norepinephrine transporter.

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 654–663. Abstract Previously, we have found glucocorticoids up-regulate norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) expression in vitro. However, the underlying transcriptional mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, the role of glucocorticoids on the transcriptional regulation of NET was investigated. Exposure of neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)M17 cells to dexamethasone (Dex) significantly increased NET mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This effect was attenuated by glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist mifepristone, suggesting that up-regulation of NET by Dex was mediated by the GR. In reporter gene assays, exposure of cells to Dex resulted in dose-dependent increases of luciferase activity that were also prevented by mifepristone. Serial deletions of the NET promoter delineated Dex-responsiveness to a −301 to −148 bp region containing a CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β (C/EBP-β) response element. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that Dex treatment caused the interaction of the GR with C/EBP-β. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that Dex exposure resulted in binding of both GR and C/EBP-β to the NET promoter. Further experiments showed that mutation of the C/EBP-β response element abrogated C/EBP-β- and GR-mediated transactivation of NET. These findings demonstrate that Dex-induced increase in NET expression is mediated by the GR via a non-conventional transcriptional mechanism involving interaction of C/EBP-β with a C/EBP-β response element.
Physiologic Similarities and Differences Between COPD and Asthma

The structural and physiologic findings in asthma and COPD appear, on average, and in the extremes of presentation, to be easily distinguished. A closer inspection of the literature reveals that significant overlap exists in individual patients with respect to airway wall thickening and low-attenuation parenchymal regions on CT scans, and in reversibility, airway hyperresponsiveness, lung diffusion, resting and dynamic hyperinflation, lung elastic recoil, exercise response, and a "pharmaceutical volume reduction" effect following therapy with bronchodilators. In particular, the subgroup of COPD patients having an airway-dominant phenotype becomes indistinguishable from asthmatic subjects with reversible disease that evolves into an incompletely reversible pattern.
Introduction to numerical algebraic geometry

In a 1996 paper, Andrew Sommese and Charles Wampler began developing a new area, “Numerical Algebraic Geometry”, which would bear the same relation to “Algebraic Geometry” that “Numerical Linear Algebra” bears to “Linear Algebra”.
On values in recent American psychiatric classification

The DSM-IV, like its predecessors, will be a major influence on American psychiatry. As a consequence, continuing analysis of its assumptions is essential. Review of the manuals as well as conceptually-oriented literature on DSM-III, DSM-III-R, and DSM-IV reveals that the authors of these classifications have paid little attention to the explicit and implicit value commitments made by the classifications. The response to DSM criticisms and controversy has often been to incorporate more scientific diversity into the classification, instead of careful inquiry and assessment of the principal values that drive the nosologic process. Implications for psychiatric science and future DSM classifications are discussed.
Markov shift in non-commutative probability

Abstract We consider a class of quantum dissipative semigroup on a von-Neumann algebra which admits a normal invariant state. We investigate asymptotic behavior of the dissipative dynamics and their relation to that of the canonical Markov shift. In case the normal invariant state is also faithful, we also extend the notion of ‘quantum detailed balance’ introduced by Frigerio–Gorini and prove that forward weak Markov process and backward weak Markov process are equivalent by an anti-unitary operator.
A Best Practices Guide to Intersectional Approaches in Psychological Research

This paper serves as a “best practices guide” for researchers interested in applying intersectionality theory to psychological research. Intersectionality, the mutually constitutive relations among social identities, presents several issues to researchers interested in applying it to research. I highlight three central issues and provide guidelines for how to address them. First, I discuss the constraints in the number of identities that researchers are able to test in an empirical study, and highlight relevant decision rules. Second, I discuss when to focus on “master” identities (e.g., gender) versus “emergent” identities (i.e., White lesbian). Third, I argue that treating identity as a process situated within social structural contexts facilitates the research process. I end with a brief discussion of the implications for the study of intersectionality.
Morphine tolerance and nonspecific subsensitivity of the longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation of the guinea-pig to inhibitory agonists

1. The sensitivity of the longitudinal smooth muscle/myenteric plexus (LM/MP) to agonists which reduce the amplitude of neurogenic contractions was studied in preparations obtained from animals implanted with either placebo or morphine (75 mg/pellet) pellets 7 days prior. 2. Tolerance or subsensitivity to morphine was observed following chronic treatment with morphine and was revealed as a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to morphine. The degree of tolerance decayed modestly with time after removal from a morphine containing environment suggesting a time dependence for the loss of subsensitivity to morphine. 3. LM/MP preparations from animals pretreated with morphine also developed subsensitivity to the inhibitory effects of the purine analogue, 2-chloroadenosine. Subsensitivity to 2-chloroadenosine was seen as a parallel rightward shift of the concentration-response curve in morphine-tolerant preparations. The magnitude of the loss in sensitivity was comparable to that observed to morphine. 4. A reduction in sensitivity of the LM/MP following chronic treatment with morphine was also observed to the inhibitory effects of the alpha2 adrenoceptor agonists, clonidine and xylazine. In contrast to the results obtained with morphine and 2-chloroadenosine, the development of subsensitivity to alpha2 adrenoceptor agonists was characterized by a marked reduction in slope and a depression of the maximum response. 5. These data suggest that myenteric neurons possess spare receptors for morphine and 2-chloroadenosine but not for clonidine and xylazine. Furthermore, the studies support the idea that tolerance is associated with a general cellular change or adaptation which impacts on all of these inhibitory substances in such a way as to reduce their efficacy.
Movements by adult cutthroat trout in a lotic system: implications for watershed‐scale management

Movements by adult cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii (Richardson), were assessed from autumn to summer in the Salt River watershed, Wyoming-Idaho, USA by radio telemetry. Adult cutthroat trout were captured during September and October 2005 in the main stem of the Salt River, surgically implanted with radio transmitters, and tracked through to August 2006. Adult cutthroat trout were relatively sedentary and resided primarily in pools from October to March, but their movement rates increased during April. Higher movement rates were observed among tagged fish during May and early June. Among 43 fish residing in the Salt River during April 2006, 44% remained in the river, 37% moved into mountain tributaries and 19% moved into spring streams during the spawning season. Fish did not use segments of mountain tributaries or the upstream Salt River where fish passage was blocked by anthropogenic barriers or the channel was dewatered during summer. Almost all the fish that moved into spring streams used spring streams where pools and gravel–cobble riffles had been constructed by landowners. The results suggest that adult Snake River cutthroat move widely during May and early June to use spawning habitat in mountain tributaries and improved spring streams. Maintaining the ability of adult fish to move into mountain streams with spawning habitat, preserving spawning habitat in accessible mountain tributaries and removing barriers to upstream movements, and re-establishing summer stream flows in mountain tributaries affected by dams appear to be habitat management alternatives to preserve the Snake River cutthroat trout fishery in the Salt River.
Tritium and 36Cl as constraints on fast fracture flow and percolation flux in the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain

An analysis of tritium and 36Cl data collected at Yucca Mountain, Nevada suggests that fracture flow may occur at high velocities through the thick unsaturated zone. The mechanisms and extent of this "fast flow" in fractures at Yucca Mountain are investigated with data analysis, mixing models and several one-dimensional modeling scenarios. The model results and data analysis provide evidence substantiating the weeps model [Gauthier, J.H., Wilson, M.L., Lauffer, F.C., 1992. Proceedings of the Third Annual International High-level Radioactive Waste Management Conference, vol. 1, Las Vegas, NV. American Nuclear Society, La Grange Park, IL, pp. 891-989] and suggest that fast flow in fractures with minimal fracture-matrix interaction may comprise a substantial proportion of the total infiltration through Yucca Mountain. Mixing calculations suggest that bomb-pulse tritium measurements, in general, represent the tail end of travel times for thermonuclear-test-era (bomb-pulse) infiltration. The data analysis shows that bomb-pulse tritium and 36Cl measurements are correlated with discrete features such as horizontal fractures and areas where lateral flow may occur. The results presented here imply that fast flow in fractures may be ubiquitous at Yucca Mountain, occurring when transient infiltration (storms) generates flow in the connected fracture network.
The polarizability of planar aromatic systems. An application to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract The Applequist—Carl—Fung (ACF) method for calculating polarizabilities of polyatomic molecules was modified for treating planar aromatic molecules including chlorinated biphenyls (planar and rotated), dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The essential modification is to allow for anisotropic carbon atom polarizabilities; the resulting molecular anisotropies are much improved. In addition, a binding model is proposed which approximately accounts for the polarizability contributions (through dispersion) to the relative binding constants of similar molecules to a common receptor.
Chronic Hepatitis: Therapy

Excerpt To the editor: A recent editorial in the "Annals" on chronic hepatitis (1) and subsequent correspondence (2, 3), raise a fundamental ethical problem facing the medical profession today that...
Vibrational Edge Modes in Finite Crystals

In addition to surfaces, real crystals have edges, corners, and steps. In this paper we present a theory of long-wavelength acoustic phonons localized at an edge of a cubic elastic medium bounded by two (100) faces. The stress-free boundary conditions on the faces of the semi-infinite medium meeting at the edge are incorporated into the equations of motion of the medium by the device of assuming position-dependent elastic constants. The equations of motion of the medium are solved by expanding each displacement component in a double series of Laguerre functions, which are orthonormal and complete in the region ${x}_{1}\ensuremath{\ge}0$, ${x}_{2}\ensuremath{\ge}0$. The edge modes obtained are wavelike parallel to the edge and decay rapidly with increasing distance into the medium from the edge. For the particular case of an elastically isotropic medium for which the Lam\'e constants $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ and $\ensuremath{\mu}$ are equal, the speed of propagation of the lowest-frequency edge mode is $0.9013{c}_{t}$, where ${c}_{t}$ is the speed of sound of bulk transverse modes and is lower than that of Rayleigh waves, which is $0.9194{c}_{t}$. A variational principle for the speeds of edge modes is also presented.
Soil-structure interface effects on dynamic interaction analysis of reinforced concrete lifelines

A simple interface model for the analysis of the soil-structure interaction for reinforced concrete lifelines subjected to seismic loading is proposed. This study was aimed to obtain a better understanding of the behaviour of such structures by considering the effects of various interface materials and burial conditions. The proposed model takes into account the soil, and interface properties as well as accurate free-field conditions. The interface model is represented by the relationships between shear and bulk moduli and volumetric strains which can be obtained from soil triaxial tests. Three typical burial conditions of structures were studied, and for each condition three different sand-type soils were considered. The numerical results were compared with similar results without the introduction of the interface model, and they indicated that the interface material had a significant effect on the behaviour of the structures.
A carboxy-terminal peptide from p47-phox is a substrate for phosphorylation by protein kinase C and by a neutrophil protein kinase.

Abstract Agonist-activated phosphorylation of neutrophil proteins including p47- phox , a cytosolic component of the respiratory burst oxidase, has been implicated in the signal transduction cascade which leads to activation of the superoxide generating respiratory burst. We have previously reported (J. Biol. Chem. 265 , 17550–19559) that in a cell-free activation system consisting of cytosol plus plasma membrane from human neutrophils, diacylglycerol acts synergistically with an anionic amphiphile such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to augment superoxide generation and assembly of the oxidase, and that p47 phosphorylation can occur under these conditions. Herein, we show that a peptide corresponding to a carboxy terminal sequence of p47- phox is a substrate for phosphorylation both by purified protein kinase C (a mixture of α,β, and γ forms) and by a distinct kinase or kinases present in neutrophil cytosol. Based on its activator requirements, the neutrophil kinase differs from classical protein kinase C, but may be a protein kinase C variant, based on inhibition by a protein kinase C peptide. Although in the cell-free system phosphorylation occurs under conditions which are similar to those for activation of superoxide generation, phosphorylation is not required for activation (1). Rather, protein assembly or aggregation which occurs under activation conditions may also promote phosphorylation.
Using LiDAR data to locate a Middle Woodland enclosure and associated mounds, Louisa County, Iowa

LiDAR data is used to locate an enclosure reported at the McKinney site (13LA1) as well as destroyed mounds associated with the Toolesboro mound group National Historic Landmark (13LA29). Using various geo-visualization and interpolation techniques, one of us (Riley) located the earthwork enclosure, eight mounds, and possibly a ninth or an excavation spoil pile. An anomaly north of 13LA1 and within the detected enclosure area were also identified. There is no modern survey relating to these two anomalies. Our results support historic accounts regarding the location and shape of the McKinney enclosure and its relationship to the Toolesboro mound group. All features found by LiDAR will be ground truthed in the future.
Teacher Caring and Classroom Behavior: Relationships with Student Affect and Perceptions of Teacher Competence and Trustworthiness

This study investigated the impact of teacher misbehaviors and caring on students' affect, teacher evaluation, and teacher competence and trustworthiness. After reading hypothetical scenarios of teachers engaging in appropriate (or inappropriate) behaviors and communicating caring (or non-caring), students reported perceptions of teacher competence and trustworthiness and affect. Results of the analysis of variance revealed significant main effects for teacher caring and appropriateness on teacher competence and trustworthiness. Although there were interaction effects, the variance accounted for was minimal. Teacher caring was also positively related to students' affect toward the course and the teacher. This study demonstrates that teachers should maintain appropriate classroom behavior and communicate caring towards students to preserve their credibility and affect in the classroom.
The Role of the Black Church, the Barbershop/Beauty Salon, and Digital Communication to Support African American Persons Living With HIV/AIDS

‘Perspectives’ is a special feature included in this issue of Journal of Creativity in Mental Health that provides mental health professionals with an opportunity to discuss their positions on a variety of creativity-related topics. In this column, Yegan Pillay shares his perspective on the roles of the Black church and barbershops/beauty salons and the use of digital technology as resources to support African American persons living with HIV/AIDS. Yegan Pillay is a South African who has worked as a researcher/mental health practitioner in Botswana and South Africa and is the current director of the HIV/AIDS in Africa Education Program. He incorporates into his research, writing, and practice creative and innovative nontraditional strategies that enhance the psychological well-being of people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) reports that approximately 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV. African Americans comprise 12% of the population yet account for approximat...
Wave energy converter modeling in the time domain: A design guide

As the ocean wave energy field continues to mature, developers need a generic modeling methodology to test their designs before building prototypes. A design methodology for a first-pass time-domain simulation is a goal of this work. Built on results from the frequency domain analysis, the general procedure for obtaining time domain results is presented. Wave energy researchers and developers can use this design guide as a step in the process of obtaining a cost of energy estimate for their device. Promoting the development of wave energy converters by providing a sound modeling methodology is an aim of this research.
Structural mapping of the dihydrofolate reductase amplicon in mosquito cells resistant to methotrexate

Abstract A cosmid library containing genomic DNA from mosquito cells in which the dihydrofolate reductase gene had become amplified in response to methotrexate selection was used to define the structure of the amplified DNA region (amplicon). A series of overlapping cosmids identified more than 200 kb of amplicon DNA, which was mapped relative to Bss HII fragments from genomic DNA separated by transverse alternating field electrophoresis. These analyses indicated that, in Mtx-5011-256 mosquito cells, dhfr genes occur in at least two types of amplicon. The predominant Type I amplicon measures at least 215 kb and contains most of the dhfr genes. In addition, a small proportion of dhfr genes reside in a Type II amplicon, which is arranged in head-to-tail tandem repeats measuring 162 kb. Both amplicons share at least 70 kb of DNA sequence at their 5′ ends. Approximately 20 fragments containing repeated sequence elements have been identified in the cloned amplicon DNA. Hybridization of amplicon DNA fragments containing repeated sequences to genomic DNA detected polymorphisms between wild type and methotrexate-resistant cells, suggesting that recombination may generate the divergence observed at the 3′-ends of Type I and Type II amplicons. This first detailed analysis of an insect dhfr amplicon provides an essential basis for ongoing investigation of repeated sequences, transcribed units and replication origins within the amplicon DNA.
The structure of L-aspartate ammonia-lyase from Escherichia coli.

The X-ray crystal structure of l-aspartate ammonia-lyase has been determined to 2.8 A resolution. The enzyme contains three domains, and each domain is composed almost completely of α helices. The central domain is composed of five long helices. In the tetramer, these five helices form a 20-helix cluster. Such clusters have also been seen in δ-crystallin and in fumarase. The active site of aspartase has been located in a region that contains side chains from three different subunits. The structure of the apoenzyme has made it possible to identify some of the residues that are involved in binding the substrate. These residues have been examined by site-directed mutagenesis, and their putative roles have been assigned [Jayasekera, M. M. K., Shi, W., Farber, G. K., & Viola, R. E. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 9145−9150].
Synthesis and characterization of a hydrogel with controllable electroosmosis: a potential brain tissue surrogate for electrokinetic transport.

Electroosmosis is the bulk fluid flow initiated by application of an electric field to an electrolyte solution in contact with immobile objects with a nonzero ζ-potential such as the surface of a porous medium. Electroosmosis may be used to assist analytical separations. Several gel-based systems with varying electroosmotic mobilities have been made in this context. A method was recently developed to determine the ζ-potential of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC) as a representative model for normal brain tissue. The ζ-potential of the tissue is significant. However, determining the role of the ζ-potential in solute transport in tissue in an electric field is difficult because the tissue’s ζ-potential cannot be altered. We hypothesized that mass transport properties, namely the ζ-potential and tortuosity, could be modulated by controlling the composition of a set of hydrogels. Thus, poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) gels were prepared with three compositions (by monomer weight percent): acrylami...
Biodiversity, conservation biology, and rational choice

Abstract This paper critically discusses two areas of Sahotra Sarkar’s recent work in environmental philosophy: biodiversity and conservation biology and roles for decision theory in incorporating values explicitly in the environmental policy process. I argue that Sarkar’s emphasis on the practices of conservation biologists, and especially the role of social and cultural values in the choice of biodiversity constituents, restricts his conception of biodiversity to particular practical conservation contexts. I argue that life scientists have many reasons to measure many types of diversity, and that biodiversity metrics could be value-free. I argue that Sarkar’s emphasis on the limitations of normative decision theory is in tension with his statement that decision theory can “put science and ethics together.” I also challenge his claim that multi-criteria decision tools lacking axiomatic foundations in preference and utility theory are “without a rational basis,” by presenting a case of a simple “outranking” multi-criteria decision rule that can violate a basic normative requirement of preferences (transitivity) and ask whether there may nevertheless be contexts in which such a procedure might assist decision makers.
The impact of subtrochanteric fracture criteria on hip fracture classification

Summary Hospital diagnosis codes are useful for assessing hip fracture rates in large populations. However, these codes do not reliably differentiate hip fractures that occur in the subtrochanteric region. Identification of subtrochanteric fractures requires review of radiographic images to distinguish these fractures from the more commonly occurring trochanteric fractures.
Localized frames and localizable operators

We introduce the notion of operators localized with respect to frames and prove the boundedness of such operators on families of Banach spaces. This generalizes the method used in proving boundedness of pseudodifferential operators on various spaces. We also use this notion to provide sufficient conditions for the construction of frames which have the localization property.
When and how should adjuvant radiation be used in early endometrial cancer

The role of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in early endometrial cancer is no longer clearly defined. The increased use of surgical lymph nodes staging and the perceived "lack of survival advantage" with adjuvant pelvic RT leads to a wide array of conclusions on who should be treated and if so how. The purpose of this review is 2-fold: first, to determine the scientific validity of some of the conclusions drawn about the lack of survival impact of adjuvant pelvic RT and, second, to determine which treatment option provides the best therapeutic ratio. Overall survival may not be the ideal endpoint for early-stage endometrial cancer where death more often than not is because of causes other than endometrial cancer. Observation after hysterectomy may have the best morbidity profile, yet it may not be the option with the best therapeutic ratio. Finding a suitable alternative such as intravaginal RT or using intensity-modulated radiation therapy may ultimately prove to be the option with the best therapeutic ratio. The data learned from surgical lymph nodes staging and from the 2 recent randomized trials on the role of pelvic RT in early endometrial cancer need not be ignored nor held as the final answer. Perhaps, rectal cancer should be used as an example of how an incremental use of individual adjuvant therapies, each impacting outcome little at a time, ended up improving overall survival. If we were to use the current prevailing approach in endometrial cancer for rectal cancer, patients would still be treated with surgery alone.
Meeting the Demands of Work and Responsibilities of Caring for a Child With Asthma: Consequences for Caregiver Well-Being

ABSTRACT This study explores work–caregiving conflicts for 98 randomly selected low-income, single parents of children with asthma and how it affects caregiver well-being. Participants, who worked in unionized hospitals in a large urban area and had young children with asthma, were given an in-depth phone survey, which measured quality of life, depressive symptoms, caregiving's positive impact, caregiving burden, work–caregiving conflict, and social support. The findings suggested that work tended to conflict with caregiving more than caregiving conflicted with work, as most participants perceived work as inflexible. In addition, parents relied more on family and friends as social support rather than on workplace or union support, as the union fulfills its responsibility to assure employment maintenance despite difficult working conditions. And although caregiving was viewed as a positive experience, it negatively affected quality of life. This population would benefit from education about policies govern...
HIV, self-transcendence, and quality of life

Self-transcendence is a developmental characteristic that expands one's boundaries of the self to take on broader life perspectives, activities, and purposes that help one discover or make meaning of one's life. However, no quantitative studies were found in the research literature that focused on self-transcendence or on the relationship between self-transcendence and quality of life in people infected with HIV. To examine these variables in this population, 46 HIV-positive subjects completed Reed's Self-Transcendence Scale and Ferrans and Powers' Quality of Life Index. The results demonstrated that overall self-transcendence for this sample was relatively high; quality of life was higher than that reported in previous research; and there were some significant group differences among the three HIV clinical categories.
The impossibility of complete decay of a symmetric toroidal field in a compressible dynamo

It is shown that in the absence of a poloidal field the toroidal field in a compressible dynamo with axisymmetry cannot decay to zero in a finite time.
What is the Teacher Doing? What are the Students Doing? An Application of the Draw-a-Science-Teacher-Test

This study documents the use of the Draw-a-Science-Teacher-Test as diagnostic tool for both preservice teacher beliefs about science teaching and science methods course effectiveness. Direct comparison of pre-course to post-course images from 50 preservice elementary teachers was undertaken using McNemar’s test. Results indicated statistically significant shifts in participants’ mental models of science teaching and learning. Post-course more students portrayed student-centered reform minded practices. The limitations of this analytical approach, the practical significance of this work, and ideas for future research in this arena are discussed.
Catalytic vapor phase hydroformylation of propylene over supported rhodium complexes

Abstract Recently, it has been shown that transition metal compounds such as phosphine and arsine complexes of rhodium promote hydroformylation catalysis homogenously in the liquid phase. In the present investigation, these organometallic complexes were impregnated on carbon and alumina supports and employed as solid phase catalysts for the heterogeneous vapor phase hydroformylation of propylene to butyraldehyde. Both the supported phosphine and arsine complexes exhibited good activity (30% conversion of propylene to butyraldehyde), with the phosphine complex also displaying good long-term stability as a heterogeneous catalyst. These results demonstrate that organometallic complexes can be employed as catalysts either homogeneously or heterogeneously and may, in either case, exhibit similar catalytic properties.
On the theoretical, conceptual, and philosophical foundations for research in mathematics education

The current infatuation in the U.S. with "what works" studies seems to leave education researchers with less latitude to conduct studies to advance theoretical and model-building goals and they are expected to adopt philosophical perspectives that often run counter to their own. Three basic questions are addressed in this article: What is the role of theory in education research? How does one's philosophical stance influence the sort of research one does? And, What should be the goals of mathematics education research? Special attention is paid to the importance of having a conceptual framework to guide one's research and to the value of acknowledging one's philosophical stance in considering what counts as evidence.
Measurement of adhesion strengths between various milk products on glass surfaces using contact angle measurement and atomic force microscopy

The adhesion strength of milk products (whole, 2% reduced fat, skim and chocolate milk) on glass surfaces was analyzed before and after manual washing. When measured, whole and chocolate milk had the lowest contact angle (21.0°). The work of adhesion was calculated using the Young and Dupre Equation and the results illustrated that chocolate milk had the strongest and the 2% reduced fat milk had the weakest adhesion force. There was a 2.2% difference in these forces. After the manual washing, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to test the adhesion potential of the samples. Contact and tapping AFM modes were used to determine the thicknesses of the films from each sample. The greatest thickness was found for the whole milk. Chocolate milk had the highest variability in thickness measurement. AFM also confirmed that whole and chocolate milk had significantly higher adhesive strengths to glass surfaces. Thus, whole and chocolate milk would be more difficult to clean when compared with the other products.
Agency, (Re)Invention, and the Internet: The Limits of High Theory

Information is ‘a difference that makes a difference’, Gregory Bateson observed. The same goes for theory. It is remarkable how much of the high theory in academia, even about real things, is usele...
Transnational Commodities as Local Cultural Icons: Barbie Dolls in Mexico

L'A. montre comment des marchandises emanant de l'Occident (et notamment d'Amerique du Nord) ne servent pas uniquement comme vehicules pour les significations et valeurs qui leur sont incorporees par leurs producteurs occidentaux, mais peuvent etre transformees en representations d'identites autochtones ou locales par un processus de creolisation. Elle decrit comment, a travers sa reception transnationale dans le Yucatan (Mexique), la poupee Barbie de Mattel a ete investie de significations identitaires locales. Ces versions mexicaines de la poupee Barbie renvoient notamment a des significations du vetement traditionnel maya, a une danse regionale appelle jarana, et a un rite de passage pour les adolescentes, la ceremonie quince anos. Par ailleurs, l'image mexicaine de Barbie en tant que femme integree dans un reseau familial et d'amis est en contraste marque avec son incarnation nord-americaine d'une femme de carriere liberee. Les processus autochtones qui au Mexique ont transforme Barbie, sont une affirmation des valeurs locales et d'une resistance aux forces de la mondialisation.
Post-stroke hypothermia provides neuroprotection through inhibition of amp-activated protein kinase

Hypothermia is robustly protective in pre-clinical models of both global and focal ischemia, as well as in patients after cardiac arrest. Although the mechanism for hypothermic neuroprotection remains unknown, reducing metabolic drive may play a role. Capitalizing on the beneficial effects of hypothermia while avoiding detrimental effects such as infection will be the key to moving this therapy forward as a treatment for stroke. AMPK is a master energy sensor that monitors levels of key energy metabolites. AMPK is activated via phosphorylation (pAMPK) when cellular energy levels are low, such as that seen during ischemia. AMPK activation appears to be detrimental in experimental stroke, likely via exacerbating ischemia-induced metabolic failure. We tested the hypothesis that hypothermia reduces AMPK activation. First, it was found that hypothermia reduced infarct after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Second, induced hypothermia reduced brain pAMPK in both sham control and stroke mice. Third, hypothermic neuroprotection was ameliorated after administration of compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. Finally, deletion of one of the catalytic isoforms of AMPK completely reversed the effect of hypothermia on stroke outcome after both acute and chronic survival. These effects were mediated by a reduction in AMPK activation rather than a reduction in LKB1, an upstream AMPK kinase. In summary, these studies provide evidence that hypothermia exerts its protective effect in part by inhibiting AMPK activation in experimental focal stroke. This suggests that AMPK represents a potentially important biological target for stroke treatment.