cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Polylactic Acid Plastic Degradation

Three high molecular weight (120,000 to 200,000 g mol−1) polylactic acid (PLA) plastic films from Chronopol (Ch-I) and Cargill Dow Polymers (GII and Ca-I) were analyzed for their degradation under various temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions. Two sets of plastic films, each containing 11 samples, were randomly hung in a temperature/humidity-controlled chamber by means of plastic-coated paper clips. The tested conditions were 28, 40, and 55°C at 50 and 100% RH, respectively, and 55°C at 10% RH. The three tested PLA films started to lose their tensile properties when their weight-average molecular weight (M w) was in the range of 50,000 to 75,000 g mol−1. The average degradation rate of Ch-I, GII, and Ca-I was 28,931, 27,361, and 63,025 M w/week, respectively. Hence, GII had a faster degradation rate than Ch-I and Ca-I under all tested conditions. The degradation rate of PLA plastics was enhanced by the increase in temperature and relative humidity. This trend was observed in all three PLA plastics (Ca-I, GII, and Ch-I). Of the three tested films, Ch-I was the first to lose its mechanical properties, whereas Ca-I demonstrated the slowest loss, with mechanical properties under all tested conditions.
Separating Viable Tissue Layers

Each of the two tissue layers of hydra possesses a unique and characteristic cellular composition. Therefore, viable separate layers can be used in a variety of physiological and developmental studies. I describe here three commonly used methods for isolating viable hydra endoderm and ectoderm.
The Dark Side of Luxury: Social Costs of Luxury Consumption:

Extant research demonstrates that luxury goods are beneficial signals that bestow upon individuals social benefits that range from positive evaluations to compliance. In contrast to this perspective, the current work explores the idea that luxury goods can carry significant negative social costs for actors. Across four experiments, the social cost of luxury is examined. Although individuals who display luxury goods are ascribed higher status, they can pay a hefty tax when it comes to warmth. The social costs of luxury consumption appear to be driven by impression management concerns rather than envy. Consequently, whether the consumption of luxury goods yields positive or negative social consequences for an actor critically depends both on whether status or warmth is relevant for a decision and observers' own lay beliefs about luxury consumption. Overall, this work reveals the more complex psychology of individuals' interpretation and response to actors' use of luxury goods.
Two-Factor Authentication for Type 2 Immunity

The initiation of type 2 responses is tightly regulated. In this issue of Immunity, Sokol et al. (2018) demonstrate that CCL8 is a critical signal that licenses dendritic cells to enter the lymph node parenchyma and induce Th2 differentiation after allergen exposure.
Innovative uses of large diameter covered stents in the superior vena cava

Abstract We present two cases of off-label use of the covered Cheatham-Platinum stent in the superior vena cava. The first patient was a 35 year old man with superior vena cava obstruction with a superior vena cava to left atrium fistula. Covered stents were used to re-establish superior vena cava to right atrial continuity and close the superior vena cava to left atrium fistula. The second patient was a 25 year old woman with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return of the right upper pulmonary vein to the superior vena cava. A covered stent was placed in the superior vena cava to cover the anomalous right upper pulmonary vein, which then drained to the left atrium via the right middle pulmonary vein.
Comparative characteristics of a kievitone hydratase-producing isolate of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli and of two strains deficient in this enzyme

Abstract Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli , isolate FB1-S, is a wild-type virulent pathogen of Phaseolus vulgaris and a good source of kievitone hydratase (KHase), which catalyses detoxification of the isoflavonoid phytoalexin, kievitone. Two strains derived from the wild-type, one an induced mutant (FB1-S4) and the other a colony variant (FB1-SX), produced little or no detectable KHase and were more sensitive to kievitone than the original isolate. The strains were also more vulnerable to phaseollin and phaseollinisoflavan treatments than FB1-S. In addition, FB1-S4 and FB1-SX were also deficient in their abilities to convert these two isoflavonoid phytoalexins to the known products, la-hydroxyphaseollone and metabolite-1. Several differences were apparent in the extracellular protein-banding patterns, revealed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, of acetone precipitates from the three fungi. Although FB1-S4 and FB1-SX were more sensitive to kievitone, phaseollin and phaseollinisoflavan than the wild-type, they were less susceptible to osmotic stress. The several differences between FB1-S, FB1-S4 and FB1-SX, in addition to KHase activity, rendered the association between KHase and virulence in F. solani f. sp. phaseoli less certain.
Developmental Consequences of Prenatal Substance Use in Children and Adolescents

Objective: Prenatal substance use is increasing and is a major public health concern due to its impact on women's health and child development. Prior studies demonstrate an association between prenatal substance use and deficits in children's physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional development. Many studies, however, have significant methodological limitations that hinder our understanding of the impact of substance use on child development. The goal of this review is to describe the risks of prenatal substance use on child development among studies that have overcome major study limitations to inform the development of targeted interventions to improve child health. Methods: Studies investigating the relationship between prenatal substance use and its impact on child development are identified. Studies employing a prospective, longitudinal study design with appropriate comparison groups and methods accounting for potentially confounding variables are reviewed. Results: Prenatal tobacco or alcohol use has the most well-established adverse impact on child development, including an increased risk for behavioral problems and deficits in academic performance, resulting in significant functional impairment. Prenatal marijuana use is associated with deficits in executive and intellectual functioning among school-age children and adolescents. Prenatal opioid use and child development findings are conflicting, but treatment with opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder (e.g., methadone or buprenorphine) does not appear to have a negative impact on child growth, cognition, language abilities, sensory processing, or temperament. Prenatal amphetamine and cocaine use may have a negative impact on child development, but effects, in part, are mediated by childhood environment and adversity. Conclusions: Preventative efforts in women's health are needed to reduce substance use and unplanned pregnancies. Early interventions for children exposed to substances are needed as well as interventions targeting the myriad of issues that co-occur with substance use, including poverty, mental health problems, and childhood adversity.
The Impact of Frailty on Short-Term Outcomes After Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Introduction:This systematic literature review evaluates (1) frailty in older adults as a risk factor for short-term adverse events and suboptimal clinical outcomes after total joint arthroplasty a...
Stress in Infancy and Early Childhood: Effects on Development

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by M.R. Gunnar, pp. 12336–12339, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
An Improved Update Rate CDR for Interference Robust Broadband Human Body Communication Receiver

Broadband Human Body Communication (HBC) enables energy efficient communication between body area network devices by utilizing the electrical conductivity property of the human body. However, environmental interference remains a primary bottleneck in its implementation. An integrating front-end receiver with resettable integration followed by periodic sampling can be utilized to enable interference robust broadband HBC. However, as required in all broadband communication systems, a Clock Data Recovery (CDR) loop is necessary to correctly sample the received data at the appropriate instant. The CDR is required to be sensitive to the clock-data phase mismatch at the receiver end and take corrective action for reducing it, similar to the CDR of a traditional receiver. In addition to that, the CDR for a broadband HBC receiver also requires to be tolerant to environmental interference. This paper analyzes the traditional Baud Rate CDR for an integrating front-end receiver and proposes a modified integrating CDR architecture with a higher update rate. Simulation results show 2.5X higher clock data frequency offset tolerance of the proposed CDR compared to the traditional Baud Rate CDR, >1.25X higher clock data frequency offset tolerance in presence of interference and >10% interference frequency offset tolerance with respect to the integration clock. The proposed CDR is also implemented in a Xilinx Spartan-3E FPGA board to validate its closed loop functionality in real time.
The conditions for progressive rights to bring about social change

One of the major focuses of law and society studies is to illustrate how progressive rights could become an effective agent of progressive social change. Two perspectives of research have emerged i...
Modeling Chemosensory Responses of Swimming Eukaryotes

The application of biased random walk and diffusion types of models to chemosen-sory responses of populations of swimming eukaryotes is described. Three general types of models and their physiological bases are discussed. The distinction between steady-state and transient solutions, and the importance of various time scales in the experiments to be modeled are emphasized. Experiments with Paramecium, Tetrahymena and Crypthecodinium are discussed in this context.
Dynamical and thermal magnetic properties of the Kitaev spin liquid candidate α-RuCl3

What is the correct low-energy spin Hamiltonian description of $$\alpha$$ -RuCl $$_{3}$$ ? The material is a promising Kitaev spin liquid candidate, but is also known to order magnetically, the description of which necessitates additional interaction terms. The nature of these interactions, their magnitudes and even signs, remain an open question. In this work we systematically investigate dynamical and thermodynamic magnetic properties of proposed effective Hamiltonians. We calculate zero-temperature inelastic neutron scattering (INS) intensities using exact diagonalization, and magnetic specific heat using a thermal pure quantum states method. We find that no single current model satisfactorily explains all observed phenomena of $$\alpha$$ -RuCl $$_{3}$$ . In particular, we find that Hamiltonians derived from first principles can capture the experimentally observed high-temperature peak in the magnetic specific heat, while overestimating the magnon energy at the zone center. In contrast, other models reproduce important features of the INS data, but do not adequately describe the magnetic specific heat. To address this discrepancy we propose a modified ab initio model that is consistent with both magnetic specific heat and low-energy features of INS data.
Contested extractivism: impact assessment, public engagement, and environmental knowledge production in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

For large extractive mineral projects, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) processes function in part as a procedural tool to adjudicate the legitimacy of divergent environmental truth claims. Successful anti-extraction movements work to litigate divergent knowledge claims in the public arena, but few anti-extraction communities have access to a broad public audience. This article examines the proposed Donlin Gold mine in southwestern Alaska, a locally divisive yet publicly invisible extraction controversy, to understand how communities contest the boundaries of knowledge production and legitimacy set out by EIS procedures without the benefit of broad public awareness. Through a multi-method analysis of the public engagement segment of Donlin's Draft EIS, we find that anti-Donlin activists worked to construct environmental knowledge that drew jointly on claims to local knowledge and scientific expertise through a temporary assemblage of local activists and external consultants. The contested epistemic understandings of residents, expert consultants, and state and federal regulators further reveal the role of regulatory processes in constructing and maintaining boundaries of epistemic legitimacy, while also pointing to emergent possibilities for social action based in locally-situated environmental truth claims. Key Words: Environmental Impact Statement, mining, truth claims, Donlin Gold mine, Alaska
“We Feel Connected… and Like We Belong”: A Parent-Led, Staff-Supported Model of Family Engagement in Early Childhood

Although researchers and practitioners have acknowledged that family engagement in children’s schooling occurs in many forms, most studies and program efforts continue to focus primarily on school-based participation, or the school-to-home link. Embedded within this notion of family-school partnership is the reification of a power differential between teachers (the experts) and parents (the learners) that assumes if parents only apply themselves to learn the socialization practices of the schools, their children’s outcomes will improve. However, this approach does not recognize that for many low-income, ethnic minority and immigrant families, sociocultural and language differences between families and educators make this school-to-home flow of information and influence fraught. Cultural misconceptions and hierarchical power structures often preclude educators from accessing potentially powerful information about home-based practices and routines, families’ experiential knowledge, and other aspects of children’s out-of-school lives. Such information-seeking attitudes and practices could form the basis of engaging and meaningful family engagement programming, as well as translate into culturally-sustaining curriculum that reflects children’s everyday lives in the classroom. By disrupting the existing power structure, seeking to cross cultural boundaries, and framing family engagement as emphasizing information flowing from the home to the school, Head Start staff and parent leaders, as illustrated in the description of this pilot program, made a shift in their expectations for how families can contribute to their children’s school readiness and success. They sought to build a culturally inclusive and welcoming environment for all. This paper will describe their work together for the benefit of other early childhood practitioners who seek alternative ways to engage with families.
Abstract P2-06-08: SIRT1 inhibitors significantly reduce cancer stem cells and block epithelial mesenchymal transformation in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer stem cells are contribute to distance metastasis, breast cancer recurrence and drug resistance. SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent histone deacetylase, play significant role in DNA repair, cell survival, stem cells and epigenetic modification. SIRT1 has been related to cancer stem cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia. In this study, we investigate the role of SIRT1 in breast cancer stem cells. SIRT1 inhibitors cambinol and Ex527 are used for treatment in several breast cancer cell lines, including T47D, TB549, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468. Stem cell markers, SOX-2 and Nanog, are significantly decreased in SIRT1 inhibitor treated cancer cells by qRT-PCR and western blot in T47D cell line. The ALDH positive cells in MDA-MB-231 cell line are significant reduced from 29% to 3.2% with Adeflour assay, and the CD44 expression is significantly reduced in CD44/CD24 flow cytometry analysis. Using qRT-PCR, SIRT1 inhibitors significantly down regulate vimentin (-3.7 folds), N-cadherin and smooth muscle actin (-2.7 folds) and up regulate the gene of E-cadherin, indicating SIRT1 inhibitors can block the epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of breast cancer. SIRT1 inhibitors can significantly (40-50%) block the cancer cell invasion and migration in several triple negative breast cancer cell lines. SIRT1 inhibitors can inhibit cell proliferation on all tested breast cancer cell lines, and can induce significant cell apoptosis in T47D cells. In xenograft tumor study, SIRT1 inhibitor cambinol can significantly reduce tumor growth and inhibit tumor metastasis. The molecular mechanism of SIRT1 inhibitors in blocking EMT and reducing cancer stem cells is likely associated with blocking the Wnt pathway. Several down stream target genes of Wnt pathway, such as cyclin D1, c-Myc and c-Jun, are significantly down regulated after using SIRT1 inhibitor cambinol, and the changes are more significant in TGF-beta stimulated cancer cells. Beta-catenin is significantly reduced including the active beta-catenin, and the decreasing beta-catenin protein may be related to the decreased Dvl proteins. In summary, our study demonstrated that SIRT1 inhibitors can reduce breast cancer stem cell population in several cancer cell lines, block epithelial mesenchymal transformation, and inhibit breast cancer cell invasion and metastasis. SIRT1 inhibitors appear to inhibit Wnt pathway in cancer cells to block EMT and affect cancer stem cells. Citation Format: Songlin Zhang, Min Li, Baoxiang Guan, Robert Brown. SIRT1 inhibitors significantly reduce cancer stem cells and block epithelial mesenchymal transformation in breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-06-08.
Solving the PSC Mystery

Until the discovery of the ozone hole in the mid-1980s, polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) were considered beautiful curiosities. In their Perspective, [Tolbert and Toon][1] describe the insights gained since then into how PSCs form and how they affect the destruction of stratospheric ozone. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/292/5514/61
A Review of “Calvin in Context, second edition”

David C. Steinmetz, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of the History of Christianity, Emeritus, to commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of John Calvin's birth, produced a second and e...
Design for validation of acute myocardial infarction cases in Mini‐Sentinel

Purpose To describe the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) validation project, a test case for health outcome validation within the US Food and Drug Administration–funded Mini-Sentinel pilot program. Methods The project consisted of four parts: (i) case identification—developing an algorithm based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, to identify hospitalized AMI patients within the Mini-Sentinel Distributed Database; (ii) chart retrieval—establishing procedures that ensured patient privacy (collection and transfer of minimum necessary amount of information, and redaction of direct identifiers to validate potential cases of AMI); (iii) abstraction and adjudication—trained nurse abstractors gathered key data using a standardized form with cardiologist adjudication; and (iv) calculation of the positive predictive value of the constructed algorithm. Results Key decision points included (i) breadth of the AMI algorithm, (ii) centralized versus distributed abstraction, and (iii) approaches to maintaining patient privacy and to obtaining charts for public health purposes. We used an algorithm limited to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes 410.x0-410.x1. Centralized data abstraction was performed because of the modest number of charts requested (<155). The project's public health status accelerated chart retrieval in most instances. Conclusions We have established a process to validate AMI within Mini-Sentinel, which may be used for other health outcomes. Challenges include the following: (i) ensuring that only minimum necessary data are transmitted by Data Partners for centralized chart review, (ii) establishing procedures to maintain data privacy while still allowing for timely access to medical charts, and (iii) securing access to charts for public health uses that do not require approval from an institutional review board while maintaining patient privacy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reporting the results of diagnostic neuromuscular ultrasound: An educational report

Introduction: Neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS), an emerging diagnostic subspecialty field, has become an important extension of the electrodiagnostic examination. How- ever, there are no formal guidelines on how to appropriately report NMUS results. Methods: The AANEM convened an expert panel to develop recommendations for reporting NMUS findings. Results: Providers should describe the reason for referral, the nerves or muscles studied, and normal values as well as numerical values for the results of imaging. Muscle imaging reports should also include a description of how gray-scale values were calculated. NMUS-guided needle placement reports should include a description of the length and gauge of needle, the type of probe used, and an indication of how well the patient tolerated the procedure. All reports should clearly state whether the findings were normal or abnor- mal and include a definitive diagnosis. Conclusions: NMUS reports should provide comprehensive information along with a succinct conclusion, mirroring guidelines for electrodiagnostic reports. Muscle Nerve 000:000-000, 2013
Modeling Distribution of Reads from Leukemic Cells DNA through Mixture of Truncated Poisson Distributions

About a year ago, Prof. Yuriy Fofanov and his team from the University of Houston sequenced DNA material obtained from the laboratory of Dr. Michael Andreeff at MD Anderson Cancer Center from different types of cells in patients with leukemia (normal stroma (NS), bone marrow (BM) and bone marrow stroma (BMS)). Then, he and his team considered the number of left-hand end reads Y that cover a random site in a nucleotide contained in a region of interest of the sequencing project. Unfortunately, the zero counts of Y are unknown making the modeling of Y more complicated and sometimes not even feasible. In this talk, I will present a modified version of the EM-algorithm to model the distribution of Y using a mixture of truncated Poisson distributions. Although this is still work in progress, we believe that knowing these distributions will help to characterize several properties of the genome in these cells; for example, identifying cells that have a small number of mutations versus the ones that have a large number of them. More specifically, account for the number of different types of mutations in a sample of leukemic cells.
In situ phosphorylation of human platelet myosin heavy and light chains by protein kinase C.

Abstract Treatment of human platelets with 162 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) resulted in phosphorylation of a number of peptides, including myosin heavy chain and the 20-kDa myosin light chain. The site phosphorylated on the myosin heavy chain was localized by two-dimensional peptide mapping to a serine residue(s) in a single major tryptic phosphopeptide. This phosphopeptide co-migrated with a tryptic peptide that was produced following in vitro phosphorylation of platelet myosin heavy chain using protein kinase C. The sites phosphorylated in the 20-kDa myosin light chain in intact cells were analyzed by two-dimensional mapping of tryptic peptides and found to correspond to Ser1 and Ser2 in the turkey gizzard myosin light chain. In vitro phosphorylation of purified human platelet myosin by protein kinase C showed that in addition to Ser1 and Ser2, a third site corresponding to Thr9 in turkey gizzard myosin light chain is also phosphorylated. The phosphorylatable myosin light chains from human platelets were found to consist of two major isoforms present in approximately equal amounts, but differing in their molecular weights and isoelectric points. A third, minor isoform was also visualized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Following treatment with TPA, both the mono- and diphosphorylated forms of each isoform could be visualized, and the sites of phosphorylation were identified. The phosphate content rose from negligible amounts found prior to treatment with TPA to 1.2 mol of phosphate/mol of myosin light chain and 0.7 mol of phosphate/mol of myosin heavy chain following treatment. These results suggest that TPA mediates phosphorylation of both myosin light and heavy chains in intact platelets by activation of protein kinase C.
Culture based computing for adult learners (c-cal)

This dissertation presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of the novel Cultural based Computing for Adult Learners (C-CAL) system, a self-directed online learning application utilizing culture to support adult learners in grasping computing concepts. C-CAL contains four major components – Culture Inquiry Form, Cultural Data Mining, Links for Learning, and Learning Modules – seeking to enhance the learning experience of non-traditional adult learners. Through a series of experiments, the C-CAL system has been found to be a viable alternative to introducing computing concepts to adult learners. As a result, using the general technology acceptance model (TAM), there was no statistical difference between the C-CAL system and traditional, non-culturally engaging methods currently used in regards to perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Thus indicating the C-CAL system performed just as well as traditional methods. However, C-CAL was consistently rated higher than the control on along all measures. Thus indicating the C-CAL system is a feasible system to utilize, whose benefits can manifest itself in the array of adult learners returning to education. This dissertation work demonstrates a deepening effort in applying culture norms and understanding to the design of computing technology, which will allow for more empowered uses of technology for learning and innovations among adult learners.
Functional role of A-type potassium currents in rat presympathetic PVN neurones.

Despite the fact that paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurones innervating the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) play important roles in the control of sympathetic function both in physiological and pathological conditions, the precise mechanisms controlling their activity are still incompletely understood. In the present study, we evaluated whether the transient outward potassium current IA is expressed in PVN-RVLM neurones, characterized its biophysical and pharmacological properties, and determined its role in shaping action potentials and firing discharge in these neurones. Patch-clamp recordings obtained from retrogradely labelled, PVN-RVLM neurones indicate that a 4-AP sensitive, TEA insensitive current, with biophysical properties consistent with IA, is present in these neurones. Pharmacological blockade of IA depolarized resting Vm and prolonged Na+ action potential duration, by increasing its width and by slowing down its decay time course. Interestingly, blockade of IA either increased or decreased the firing activity of PVN-RVLM neurones, supporting the presence of subsets of PVN-RVLM neurones differentially modulated by IA. In all cases, the effects of IA on firing activity were prevented by a broad spectrum Ca2+ channel blocker. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that IA in PVN-RVLM neurons is mediated by Kv1.4 and/or Kv4.3 channel subunits. Overall, our results demonstrate the presence of IA in PVN-RVLM neurones, which actively modulates their action potential waveform and firing activity. These studies support IA as an important intrinsic mechanism controlling neuronal excitability in this central presympathetic neuronal population.
A literature survey for virtual environments: Military flight simulator visual systems and simulator sickness

Researchers in the field of virtual environments VE, or virtual reality, surround a participant with synthetic stimuli, The flight simulator community, primarily in the U.S. military, has a great deal of experience with aircraft simulations, and VE researchers should be aware of the major results in this field. In this survey of the literature, we have especially focused on military literature that may be hard for traditional academics to locate via the standard journals. One of the authors of this paper is a military helicopter pilot himself, which was quite useful in obtaining access to many of our references. We concentrate on research that produces specific, measured results that apply to VE research. We assume no background other than basic knowledge of computer graphics, and explain simulator terms and concepts as necessary. This paper ends with an annotated bibliography of some harder to find research results in the field of flight simulators: â¢ The effects of display parameters, including field-of-view and scene complexity; â¢ The effect of lag in system response; â¢ The effect of refresh rate in graphics update; â¢ The existing theories on causes of simulator sickness; and â¢ The after-effects of simulator use Many of the results we cite are contradictory. Our global observation is that with flight simulator research, like most human-computer interaction research, there are very few “correct” answers. Almost always, the answer to a specific question depends on the task the user was attempting to perform with the simulator.
Dynamics of data delivery in mobile ad-hoc networks: A bargaining game approach

In this paper, we address the problem of dynamic packet forwarding with a set of wireless autonomous ad hoc network nodes, where each node acting in a selfish manner tries to use the resources of other nodes. We model the dynamic packet forwarding problem as a modified Rubinstein-Stahl bargaining game. In our model, a mobile node (player) negotiates with the other mobile node to obtain an agreeable and respectable sharing rule of packet forwarding based on its own resource available, such that a node should not agree to forward packets without the energy or storage capacity to do so. We investigate and solve this bargaining by finding the Subgame Perfect Nash Equilibrium (SPNE) strategies of the game. We consider finite horizon of the bargaining game and examine its SPNE. The solution obtained from bargaining ensures that a mobile device always finds a peer to help forward packets in order to keep the network at flow. Extensive simulations using OMNET++ simulation frameworks are conducted to evaluate how the level of participation of each mobile node impact the network overall performance. Simulation results show that our proposed bargaining game scheme performs better than other resource shared algorithms, namely the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and the bargaining game based access network selection for heterogeneous network.
Teaching and Learning Resilience: Building Adaptive Capacity for Rural Practice. A Report and Subsequent Analysis of a Workshop Conducted at the Rural Medical Educators Conference, Savannah, Georgia, May 18, 2010.

Purpose: Resilience, the capacity to endure and overcome hardship, has been suggested as a basic competency for rural medical practice. Unfortunately for physician educators, the medical education literature offers only limited guidance for nurturing this adaptive capacity. We describe the process and subsequent analysis of a daylong curriculum development workshop conducted at the annual meeting of Rural Medical Educators in 2010. Methods: Fifty administrator, faculty and student attendees reflected individually and worked in groups to construct key curricular components and modalities for teaching this competency. Prior to the meeting, participants were asked to submit a personal story about resilience. The 22 narratives received were distributed across 8 groups and provided the grist for the small group discussions, in which each group identified key concepts for teaching and learning about resilience, constructed a concept map, and developed a curriculum that was presented to all session participants. Concept maps, curriculum outlines and notes taken during the presentations were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Findings: Data highlight the importance of (1) embracing hardship as an opportunity for growth, (2) viewing resilience as both an individual and community property, (3) pursuing adaptability more than hardiness, and (4) setting a lifelong pattern of learning this competency in practice. Specific teaching modalities are suggested including individual reflective time and group activities. Conclusions: To our knowledge this represents a first effort to define and develop a medical curriculum for teaching resiliency in rural predoctoral and residency education.
Readability of Individualized Education Programs

An individualized education program is a legal document that details information regarding the special education program of a student with a disability. For parents to determine whether they agree with the individualized education program that is proposed by the school, they must first be able to read and comprehend the document. This study aimed to examine the readability of 28 individualized education programs. Results indicated that 8 of the 9 individualized education program sections were written at a high school to college reading level. Other variables that increased text difficulty, such as small print size and large number of typographical errors, were also found. These findings suggested that parents might have difficulty reading and understanding their children's individualized education programs. The author discusses the implications for research to practice.
Stepped-impedance based dual-band and dual-function balun for 20 / 44 GHz applications

Dual-band baluns with impedance transforming properties are discussed in this paper for millimeter-wave applications. Based on the even-odd mode analysis and ABCD-matrix, specific design equations are given for the proposed structure. A prototype working at 20 / 44 GHz is presented. The simulations results match well with the theoretical predictions. It is then fabricated and tested. Measurement results verify theoretical predictions.
Teacher Collegial Groups: A Culture-Building Strategy for Department Chairs

(1993). Teacher Collegial Groups: A Culture-Building Strategy for Department Chairs. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 185-188.
A theory of nonenergic N‐ports

A circuit element is nonenergic if the instantaneous power flow into it is always zero. Well-known examples include the ideal diode, transformer, gyrator and circulator. Most of the interesting nonenergic elements are nonlinear N-ports with N ⩾ 2, and many of their properties are quite counterintuitive. For example, there exists a surprisingly large class of nonenergic multiport capacitors and inductors, all of which, it turns out, are nonlinear and reciprocal. Nonenergic linear N-ports, on the other hand, are necessarily resistive and antireciprocal. In this paper, we present a rigorous fundamental theory of nonenergic N-ports that results in a general canonical representation. Special canonical forms are developed for nonenergic resistors, capacitors and inductors, and numerous examples are given.
House mental classification system of denture patients: the contribution of Milus M House.

Abstract Although Dr Milus M. House is credited with devising a method to describe the mental classification of complete denture patients, a review of the literature raises questions regarding the origin of the system. Dr Ewell Neil should have received credit for developing the classification system attributed to Dr House. The contribution of Dr House appears to be a detailed expansion of the classification and the subsequent popularization of the system.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Muscle Degeneration in the δ-Sarcoglycan-Deficient Hamster

The BIO14.6 hamster is an extensively used animal model of autosomal recessive cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy. Recently, a large deletion in the 5' end of the delta-sarcoglycan gene was found to be the primary genetic defect in the hamster. In the present investigation, we studied the effects of the delta-sarcoglycan deletion on transcription, expression, and function of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in skeletal and cardiac muscle. We demonstrated that in striated muscle the genetic defect leads to the complete deficiency of delta-sarcoglycan and a concomitant loss of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-sarcoglycan. In addition, absence of the sarcoglycan complex reduced the expression of alpha-dystroglycan in striated muscle fibers. These findings indicated that the primary defect in the BIO14.6 hamster leads to the dissociation of the dystroglycan complex from the sarcoglycan complex and disrupted anchorage of alpha-dystroglycan to the cell surface. Using intravenous injection of Evans blue dye as an in vivo tracer assay, we demonstrated that perturbation of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex caused extensive fiber damage in skeletal and cardiac muscle of the BIO14.6 hamster. Based on our results, we propose that loss of delta-sarcoglycan results in the impairment of sarcolemmal integrity, finally leading to muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy.
Later developments: molecular keys to age-related memory impairment.

Age-related memory impairment, a cognitive decline not clearly related to any gross pathology, is progressive and widespread in the population, although not universal. While the mechanisms of learning and memory remain incompletely understood, the study of their molecular mechanisms is already yielding promising approaches toward therapy for such normal declines in the efficiency of learning. This review presents the rationale and results for two such approaches. One approach, partial inhibition of the type IV cAMP specific phosphodiesterase, appears to act indirectly. Although little evidence supports an age-related decline in this system, considerable evidence indicates that this approach can facilitate the transition from short-term to long-term memory and thus counterbalance defects in long-term memory, which may be due to other causes. A second approach, inhibition of L-type voltage gated calcium channels (LVGCCs) may be a specific corrective for a molecular pathology of aging, as substantial evidence indicates that an ongoing increase occurs throughout the lifespan in the density of these channels in hippocampal pyramidal cells, with a concomitant reduction in cellular excitability. Because LVGCCs are also crucial to extinction, a paradigm of inhibitory learning, age-related memory impairment may be an unfortunate side effect of a developmental process necessary to the maturation of the ability to suppress inappropriate behavior, an interpretation consistent with the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging.
HMGN1 Protein Regulates Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) Self-PARylation in Mouse Fibroblasts

In mammalian cells, the nucleosome-binding protein HMGN1 (high mobility group N1) affects the structure and function of chromatin and plays a role in repair of damaged DNA. HMGN1 affects the interaction of DNA repair factors with chromatin and their access to damaged DNA; however, not all of the repair factors affected have been identified. Here, we report that HMGN1 affects the self-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (i.e., PARylation) of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a multifunctional and abundant nuclear enzyme known to recognize DNA lesions and promote chromatin remodeling, DNA repair, and other nucleic acid transactions. The catalytic activity of PARP-1 is activated by DNA with a strand break, and this results in self-PARylation and PARylation of other chromatin proteins. Using cells obtained from Hmgn1−/− and Hmgn1+/+ littermate mice, we find that in untreated cells, loss of HMGN1 protein reduces PARP-1 self-PARylation. A similar result was obtained after MMS treatment of these cells. In imaging experiments after low energy laser-induced DNA damage, less PARylation at lesion sites was observed in Hmgn1−/− than in Hmgn1+/+ cells. The HMGN1 regulation of PARP-1 activity could be mediated by direct protein-protein interaction as HMGN1 and PARP-1 were found to interact in binding assays. Purified HMGN1 was able to stimulate self-PARylation of purified PARP-1, and in experiments with cell extracts, self-PARylation was greater in Hmgn1+/+ than in Hmgn1−/− extract. The results suggest a regulatory role for HMGN1 in PARP-1 activation.
Arthroscopic versus open Bankart repair: analysis of patient subjective outcome and cost.

Purpose: Although the comparative efficacy of open and arthroscopic Bankart repair remains a matter of debate, little data exist on relative costs. We analyzed the patient outcomes, cost, and resource utilization of both procedures to determine if differences exist between open versus arthroscopic Bankart repair. Type of Study: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: We compared 22 patients who had open Bankart repair with 20 patients who had arthroscopic Bankart repair. Total operating times and all charges were obtained from records. Patients were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, and any recurrence of dislocation was noted at minimum 24-month follow-up. Results: For arthroscopic Bankart repairs, operating times were shorter, but operating room equipment charges were greater. Overall charges were greater for open repairs as all open repair patients were admitted postoperatively. ASES shoulder scores were not significantly different between treatment groups. Four of 17 evaluable patients with open Bankart repair (including 1 shoulder in a patient who underwent bilateral repairs) had recurrent dislocation. One of the 18 evaluable patients with arthroscopic Bankart repair had recurrent dislocation. Conclusions: Arthroscopic Bankart repair as same-day surgery has lower overall charges than open repair, although this difference would be negligible if all patients went home immediately after surgery. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic, retrospective cohort study.
An improved method for the determination of uranium isotopes in environmental samples by alpha-spectrometry

In order to improve the selectivity of the uranium isotopes determination in environmental samples, further studies have been carried out, including (1) interference of 210Po with uranium isotope determination, (2) distribution coefficients of polonium between 5% TOPO in toluene and aqueous hydrochloric and nitric acids, (3) decontamination factor of uranium from polonium of the recommended procedure, and (4) leaching effect comparison of two different leaching procedures in a lichen sample. Based on the new findings, a more accurate extraction chromatographic/ a-spectroscopy method has been developed. For the method's validation, four kinds of reference materials supplied by the IAEA have been tested. It is observed that nearly all the 238U, 234U and 235U concentrations obtained are in good agreement with the recommended or information values, showing that the method can give reliable results. A comparison with existing uranium determination methods has also been made. It is concluded that due to involving preconcentration and chemical separation, the extraction chromatographic/a-spectroscopy method is a more selective, very sensitive and accurate, and low cost method.
Differential diagnostic approach to MR imaging of white matter diseases.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article is to explore the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features and the advanced MR techniques for differential diagnosis of white matter diseases of the brain. RESULTS Magnetic resonance imaging is exquisitely sensitive for detecting brain abnormalities. Particularly in the evaluation of white matter diseases, MR far outperforms any other imaging technique. Lesions that may be quite subtle or even invisible on computed tomography are often clearly seen on the MR scan. The MR signal characteristics of white matter lesions are similar and relatively nonspecific, but other distinguishing features are often present to assist in diagnosis, such as the pattern of the abnormality, location, signal intensities, and enhancement features. Advanced MR techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging, MR spectroscopy, and perfusion imaging, provide additional specificity to the diagnosis of demyelinating diseases. CONCLUSIONS Conventional MR images and advanced MR techniques are very helpful in distinguishing various types of white matter disease, for assessing disease burden, and for separating acute and chronic lesions.
Cocaine Increases Stimulated Dopamine Release more in Periadolescent than Adult Rats

Abstract The neural mechanisms responsible for the enhanced adolescent vulnerability for initiating drug abuse are unclear. We investigated whether age differences in dopamine neurotransmission could explain cocaine's enhanced psychomotor effects in the periadolescent rat. Electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle of anesthetized post-natal age 28 days (PN28) and PN65 rats elicited dopamine release in caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens core before and after 15 mg/kg cocaine i.p. Extracellular dopamine concentrations were greater in PN65 than PN28 caudate following 20 and 60 Hz stimulations and in the PN65 nucleus accumbens following 60 Hz stimulations. Cocaine increased dopamine concentrations elicited by 20 Hz stimulations 3-fold in the adult, but almost 9-fold in periadolescent caudate. Dopamine release rate was lower in the periadolescent caudate although total dopamine clearance was similar to that of adults. The periadolescent caudate achieved adult levels of clearance by compensating for a lower V max with higher uptake affinity. Tighter regulation of extracellular dopamine by the higher uptake/release ratio in periadolescents led to greater increases after cocaine. In nucleus accumbens, dopamine release and V max were lower in periadolescents than adults, but uptake affinity and cocaine effects were similar. Immaturity of dopamine neurotransmission in dorsal striatum may underlie enhanced acute responses to psychostimulants in adolescent rats and suggests a mechanism for the greater vulnerability of adolescent humans to drug addiction.
College Algebra in Context: A Project Incorporating Social Issues

This paper discusses the development of an innovative college algebra text designed for use in a data-driven, activity-oriented college algebra course, incorporating realistic problem situations emphasizing social and economic issues, including hunger and poverty, energy, and the environment. The course incorporates quantitative literacy themes, is informed by existing college algebra texts within the college algebra reform movement, and implements a collaborative pedagogical approach intended to provide future K-12 teachers an alternative model for the teaching of mathematics. The paper contains a short history of the project development phase, supported by an NSF grant (DUE #0442979), as well as the perceived role of the project in the college algebra reform and quantitative literacy movements. We make a short case for redefining the content of a college algebra course and acknowledging that for many students, it has become a terminal mathematics course. A description of the contents of the text, its relation to more traditional college algebra content, and four example student activities are included (on the topics of homelessness, the effects of airline deregulation, real estate versus savings as investment instruments, and the 2008 election). A summary of evaluation and assessment data from five years of pilot-testing, done primarily in conjuction with our NSF grant evaluation plan, is provided.