cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 130: Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferase 3 Knockdown-Mediated Liver Lysophosphatidylcholine Accumulation Promotes Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Production by Enhancing Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Expression

Phospholipids undergo extensive remodeling by the Lands’ Cycle after de novo biosynthesis. Enzymes involved in phospholipid biosynthesis have been studied extensively but not those involved in remodeling. One key enzyme in the Lands’ Cycle is fatty acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) which utilizes lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) and fatty acyl-CoA to produce various phosphatidylcholine (PC) species. Four isoforms of LPCAT have been identified. We found, in this study, that LPCAT3 is the major hepatic isoform and its knockdown significantly reduces hepatic LPCAT activity. We also found that adenovirus-shRNA-mediated LPCAT3 knockdown in mice significantly increases different LysoPC with 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, and 18:2 fatty acids and reduces certain PC species in the liver. More importantly, LPCAT3 knockdown significantly reduces hepatic triglyceride levels but induces plasma triglyceride and apoB levels. Lipoprotein production studies indicated that LPCAT3 deficiency enhanced triglyceride-rich apoB-containing lipoprotein assembly and secretion. Further, the knockdown mice had significantly higher microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) mRNA and protein levels. Mechanistic studies in hepatoma cells revealed that LysoPC enhances secretion of apoB but not apoA-I in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, LysoPC increased MTP mRNA, protein, and activity levels. In short, these results indicate that hepatic LPCAT3 modulates VLDL production by regulating LysoPC levels and MTP expression.
Association between self-reported length of time in the USA and blood lead levels: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2016

Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the association between length of time in the USA with blood lead (BPb). Design Population-based cross-sectional study using data from the 2013–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Setting USA. Participants 5933 men and women (≥15 years); subgroups of men only (n=2867), women only (n=3064) and women of childbearing age (15–45 years) (n=1580). Primary and secondary outcomes The primary outcome was BPb concentration. The main exposure variable was self-reported number of years spent in the USA, categorised as: born in the USA; 0–4 years; 5–9 years; 10–19 years and ≥20 years. We used linear regression models adjusted for race/ethnicity, education, blood cotinine, age, sex (as appropriate) and accounted for complex survey design. Results Women of childbearing age who have lived 0–4 years in the USA have, on average, a 54% (95% CI 36% to 75%) higher BPb compared with women born in the USA. Corresponding results for all women, men and the entire population were 49% (95% CI 34% to 66%), 49% (95% CI 28% to 75%) and 49% (95% CI 33% to 66%), respectively. Similar, statistically significant, results were observed for other time periods (5–9 years, 10–19 years and ≥20 years); the magnitude of the association decreased with increasing time in the USA. Conclusions This study provides additional evidence that newcomers to the USA may be a population at higher risk of elevated BPb.
Evaluation of Synthetic Cytochrome P 450-Mimetic Metalloporphyrins To Facilitate "Biomimetic" Biotransformation of a Series of mGlu 5 Allosteric Ligands

Allosteric ligands within a given chemotype can have the propensity to display a wide range of pharmacology, as well as unexpected changes in GPCR subtype selectivity, typically mediated by single-atom modifications to the ligand. Due to the unexpected nature of these "molecular switches", chemotypes with this property are typically abandoned in lead optimization. Recently, we have found that in vivo oxidative metabolism by CYP450s can also engender molecular switches within allosteric ligands, changing the mode of pharmacology and leading to unwanted toxicity. We required a higher-throughput approach to assess in vivo metabolic molecular switches, and we turned to a "synthetic liver", a 96 well kit of biomimetic catalysts (e.g., metalloporphyrins) to rapidly survey a broad panel of synthetic CYP450s' ability to oxidize/"metabolize" an mGlu5 PAM (VU0403602) known to undergo an in vivo CYP450-mediated molecular switch. While the synthetic CYP450s did generate a number of oxidative "metabolites" at known "hot spots", several of which proved to be pure mGlu5 PAMs comparable in potency to the parent, the known CYP450-mediated in vivo ago-PAM metabolite, namely, VU0453103, was not formed. Thus, this technology platform has potential to identify hot spots for oxidative metabolism and produce active metabolites of small-molecule ligands in a high-throughput, scalable manner.
Changing girls' attitudes towards Computer Science

This paper describes the initial results of running a Computer Science camp for middle school girls. The goal of the camp is to change the way that girls from all ethnic and class backgrounds experience the field of Computer Science. The camp focuses on women Computer Scientists as leaders and features original curriculum that utilizes active learning and computational thinking, a mentoring program, a multi-media approach and interactive web site, as well as a ten-year study of the aspirations and career choices of the students involved.
Role of hepatologists in management of hepatocellular carcinoma in the new era of transplant oncology.

501Background: There have been global efforts to manage hepatobiliary malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a multidisciplinary setting under the concept of transplant oncology. We...
LOCULATED PERICARDIAL EFFUSION CAUSING FUNCTIONAL TRICUSPID VALVE STENOSIS

Loculated pericardial effusions (LPE) are often underestimated on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and can compress cardiac chambers leading to hemodynamic compromise. A 62-year-old male was admitted for anasarca and dyspnea. He was started on hemodialysis for acute kidney injury and failure to
Roles of chemistry modification for laser textured metal alloys to achieve extreme surface wetting behaviors

Abstract Wetting behaviors of structured metal surfaces have received considerable attention due to the wide range of applications for commercial, industrial, and military uses as well as fundamental research interests. Due to its adaptability, precision, and ease of automation, laser-based texturing techniques are desirable platforms to create micro- and nano-structures, including laser-induced periodic surface structures, or hierarchical structures on a metal substrate. However, micro- and nanostructures alone often do not achieve the desired wettability. A subsequent surface chemistry modification method must be performed to attain target extreme wettability for laser textured metal substrates. This review aims to provide a systematic understanding of the interdependence of surface chemistry modification and physical surface structures formed during the laser-based surface engineering methods. The role of surface chemistry on top of the surface structures is presented to decide the final wetting scenario. Specifically, by controlling the surface chemistry of a laser textured surface, wetting can be modulated from extreme hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity, allowing freedom to achieve complex multi-wettability situations. In each section, we highlight the most fruitful approaches and underlying mechanisms to achieve a fitting combination of surface structures and surface chemistry. Durability and stability of the treated surface are also discussed in corrosive and abrasive environments. Finally, challenges in current studies and prospects in future research directions of this rapidly developing field are also discussed. This review will provide a comprehensive guideline for the design of laser texturing methods and the fabrication of extreme wetting surfaces for metal alloys.
Playing Baroque Lines through a Museum Landscape with Deleuze, Guattari, and Klee:

This article uses concepts and ontologies drawn from Deleuze and Guattari by assuming a complex of lines inspired by the paintings of Paul Klee in an art museum show. The post-qualitative approach ...
Interobserver and Intraobserver Variability in the CT Assessment of COVID-19 Based on RSNA Consensus Classification Categories.

Purpose To assess the interobserver and intraobserver agreement of fellowship trained chest radiologists, nonchest fellowship-trained radiologists, and fifth-year radiology residents for COVID-19-related imaging findings based on the consensus statement released by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Methods A survey of 70 chest CTs of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients was distributed to three groups of participating radiologists: five fellowship-trained chest radiologists, five nonchest fellowship-trained radiologists, and five fifth-year radiology residents. The survey asked participants to broadly classify the findings of each chest CT into one of the four RSNA COVID-19 imaging categories, then select which imaging features led to their categorization. A 1-week washout period followed by a second survey comprised of randomly selected exams from the initial survey was given to the participating radiologists. Results There was moderate overall interobserver agreement in each group (κ coefficient range 0.45-0.52 ± 0.02). There was substantial overall intraobserver agreement across the chest and nonchest groups (κ coefficient range 0.61-0.67 ± 0.06) and moderate overall intraobserver agreement within the resident group (κ coefficient 0.58 ± 0.06). For the image features that led to categorization, there were varied levels of agreement in the interobserver and intraobserver components that ranged from fair to perfect kappa values. When assessing agreement with PCR-confirmed COVID status as the key, we observed moderate overall agreement within each group. Conclusion Our results support the reliability of the RSNA consensus classification system for COVID-19-related image findings.
Students’ Class Perceptions and Ratings of Instruction: Variability Across Undergraduate Mathematics Courses

The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether students’ motivation-related perceptions of mathematics courses were related to their ratings of instruction while controlling for their academic major, type of math class, and expected grade in the class. We investigated these relationships at both the student- and class-level because little is known about whether students’ motivation-related perceptions vary across mathematics courses and whether this variance is related to overall class ratings of instruction. The sample included 795 students nested within 43 different mathematics course sections. Students provided their course perceptions of autonomy, utility value, expectancies for success, situational interest, instructor caring, expected grade, and their overall perceptions of the course and instructor. Multilevel modeling techniques were used to investigate potential student- and class-level effects as well as compositional effects. Students’ class perceptions varied significantly across mathematics courses. In addition, students’ motivation-related course perceptions were positively related to their instructor and course ratings at both the student-level and class-level; however, the strength of these relationships sometimes varied across courses for some of the motivation-related perceptions. These results suggests that the motivational climate (i.e., the psychological environment) can affect students’ instructor and course ratings. Moreover, these findings indicate that instructors have some control over their instructor and course ratings through the teaching strategies that they implement. For example, they may be able to increase their ratings by implementing teaching strategies that support students’ autonomy, goals, success, interests, and relationships.
Data-driven network SEIR model

During a global pandemic, a key strategy to prevent a local outbreak is to restrict incoming travel. Once a region has successfully contained the disease, a critical question is to decide when and how to reopen the borders. Here we explore the impact of border reopening for the example of Newfoundland and Labrador, a Canadian province that has been under a strict travel ban and COVID-free for almost for almost two months. We combine what we have learned throughout this book, SEIR compartment modeling, dynamic contact rates, network modeling, and Bayesian analysis to explore different reopening strategies. We draw the case data of COVID-19 across North America and the daily incoming air traffic to Newfoundland to infer our model parameters, and predict the COVID-19 dynamics upon partial and total airport reopening, with perfect and imperfect quarantine conditions. We demonstrate that banning air travel from outside Canada is more efficient in managing the pandemic than fully reopening and quarantining 95% of the incoming population. The learning objectives of this chapter on data-driven network modeling are to
Identification of Piezo1 Channels in Perivascular Adipose Tissue (PVAT) and their Potential Role in Vascular Function

The vasculature constantly experiences distension/pressure exerted by blood flow and responds to maintain homeostasis. We hypothesized that activation of the stretch sensitive, non-selective cation channel Piezo1 would directly increase vascular contraction in a way that might be modified by perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). The presence and function of Piezo1 was investigated by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and isolated tissue bath contractility. Superior and mesenteric resistance arteries, aortae, and their PVATs from male Sprague Dawley rats were used. Piezo1 mRNA was detected in aortic vessels, aortic PVAT, mesenteric vessels, and mesenteric PVAT. Both adipocytes and stromal vascular fraction of mesenteric PVAT expressed Piezo1 mRNA. In PVAT, expression of Piezo1 mRNA was greater in magnitude than that of Piezo2, transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (TRPV4), anoctamin 1, calcium activated chloride channel (TMEM16), and Pannexin1 (Panx1). Piezo1 protein was present in endothelium and PVAT of rat aortic and in PVAT of mesenteric artery. The Piezo1 agonists Yoda1 and Jedi2 (1nM - 10µM) did not stimulate aortic contraction [max <10% phenylephrine (PE) 10µM contraction] or relaxation in tissues + or -PVAT. Depolarizing the aorta by modestly elevated extracellular K+ did not unmask aortic contraction to Yoda1 (max <10% PE 10µM contraction). Finally, the Piezo1 antagonist Dooku1 did not modify PE-induced aorta contraction + or -PVAT. Surprisingly, Dooku1 directly caused aortic contraction in the absence (Dooku1 =26±11; Vehicle = 11±11%PE contraction) but not in the presence of PVAT (Dooku1 = 2±1; Vehicle = 8±5% PE contraction). Thus, Piezo1 is present and functional in the isolated rat aorta but does not serve direct vascular contraction with or without PVAT. We reaffirmed the isolated mouse aorta relaxation to Yoda1, indicating a species difference in Piezo1 activity between mouse and rat.
A Taxonomy of Strategy, with Performance Correlates, in an Evolving Free Trade Area: Canadian Firms Respond to NAFTA

Free trade was activated with Canada in 1989 under the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and then extended in 1994 with implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). International business theory posits that firms behave differently in free trade zones than in confined, domestic markets. Yet because the trend to “regionalization” is relatively new, there has been little empirical research to describe such behavior.
Off the Beaten Path: The Impact of Adaptive Content Sequencing on Student Navigation in an Open Social Student Modeling Interface

One of the original goals of intelligent educational systems is to guide every student to the most appropriate educational content. Exploring both knowledge-based and social guidance approaches in past work, we learned that each of these approaches has weak sides. In this paper we follow the idea of combining social guidance with more traditional knowledge-based guidance to support more optimal content navigation. We proposed a greedy sequencing approach that maximizes student’s level of knowledge and tested it in a classroom. Results indicated that this approach positively impacts students’ navigation.
Effects of Video Modeling and Feedback on Mothers' Implementation of Peer‐to‐Peer Manding

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit deficits in appropriate requesting such as manding to peers. Experiment 1 used feedback and modeling to train three mothers to increase manding between three children with ASD and their typical siblings or peers. Video modeling and feedback increased the mother's correct implementation of the treatment but a causal relation was not established over the children's manding. Experiment 2 aimed to address the lack of functional control observed in the children's data using a partial component analysis. For one of the children there was a functional relation between the materials' location, which appeared to act as a motivating operation. When Sam's mother positioned the materials correctly his manding increased. These data indicated that a simple training protocol could be used to train caregivers to implement a complex social skill such as peer-to-peer interaction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Metabolic Cost of Click Production in Bottlenose Dolphins

Abstract : The objective of this study was to measure oxygen consumption in two captive bottlenose dolphins to determine the metabolic cost of click production. The metabolic cost of click production was also compared to resting metabolic rates, the metabolic cost of whistles and other communicative sound, and the metabolic costs of other activities, such as performing surface active behaviors (SABs) and/or swimming. This work required over two years to complete. Work during year 1 (2012) included training dolphins to perform the necessary behaviors and measuring metabolic rates during click production and control trials. The focus of year 2 (ending in December 2013) was to increase the number of click production trials and begin analyses to quantify the metabolic cost of click production. Data analysis continued through May 2014 with subsequent post-trial calibration of the instruments and metabolic baseline.
Demo abstract: Multi-modal scheduling of radar-based cruise control system

The interaction of a cyber-physical system (CPS) may impose additional constraints upon cyber aspects of the system. For instance, sensing and actuation often require nonpreemption to ensure “accuracy” in data acquisition (e.g., radar sensors in automotive a cruise control system). Furthermore, CPS may require that a system adapts to changing environment which requires support for multiple operating modes. A multimode CPS may also enable resource-efficient solution by providing shared processing platforms to subsystems. Recent development [1] of multi-modal fixed-priority schedulability with non-preemption can facilitate multi-modal CPS-based design. In this demo, we present the benefits of such design choices by devloping a simple automotive adaptive cruise control (ACC) system using System objectsTM and Phased Array System ToolboxTM, which provides state-of-the-art tools for radar simulation. The ACC application composes tasks for radar transmission, reception, and controller upon a single processing platform. We consider radar transmission and signalreceiving tasks to have non-preemptible execution regions.
Increase in cerebrovascular permeability leads to fibrinogen-cellular prion protein complex formation after traumatic brain injury (672.1)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of death and disability. It is accompanied with development of inflammation and thus linked to increased content of inflammatory mediators incl...
Linking School–Family–Community Partnerships in Urban Elementary Schools to Student Achievement on State Tests

This study examines the relationship between the quality of school, family, and community partnership programs and student performance on state-mandated achievement tests. Data from 82 elementary schools, located in a large urban area, were collected to explore the relationship between family and community involvement and students' achievement test performance. Analyses show that, controlling for school characteristics, the degree to which schools were working to overcome challenges to family and community involvement predicted higher percentages of students scoring at or above satisfactory on state achievement tests. The findings suggest that schools' efforts to involve families and the community in students' learning may be a useful approach to help students achieve in school, especially for students in early elementary grades. Also, the findings illustrate the importance for schools located in large urban areas to address obstacles to family and community involvement to realize the benefits associated with family and community involvement.
Technical Report: Efficient Buffering and Scheduling for a Single-Chip Crosspoint-Queued Switch

The single-chip crosspoint-queued (CQ) switch is a compact switching architecture that has all its buffers placed at the crosspoints of input and output lines. Scheduling is also performed inside the switching core, and does not rely on latency-limited communications with input or output line-cards. Compared with other legacy switching architectures, the CQ switch has the advantages of high throughput, minimal delay, low scheduling complexity, and no speedup requirement. However, the crosspoint buffers are small and segregated, thus how to efficiently use the buffers and avoid packet drops remains a major problem that needs to be addressed. In this paper, we consider load balancing, deflection routing, and buffer pooling for efficient buffer sharing in the CQ switch. We also design scheduling algorithms to maintain the correct packet order even while employing multi-path switching and resolve contentions caused by multiplexing. All these techniques require modest hardware modifications and memory speedup in the switching core, but can greatly boost the buffer utilizations by up to 10 times and reduce the packet drop rates by one to three orders of magnitude. Extensive simulations and analyses have been done to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed buffering and scheduling techniques in various aspects. By pushing the on-chip memory to the limit of current ASIC technology, we show that a cell drop rate of 10e-8, which is low enough for practical uses, can be achieved under real Internet traffic traces corresponding to a load of 0.9.
Sleep as an Adaptation for Energy Conservation Functionally Related to Hibernation and Shallow Torpor

Publisher Summary A vast amount of research on sleep has been generated during the past two decades and much has been learned about its phenomenology and underlying physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Yet the biological function of sleep remains enigmatic. A recent approach that might shed light on this question is to study sleep in relationship to behaviorally similar states—states whose biological function is obvious. Hibernation and shallow torpor are two such states. Although the mechanism underlying hibernation and torpor are not completely understood, there can be little doubt that their biological function is that of energy conservation. We propose that sleep constitutes another, albeit less well recognized, variation on the theme of mammalian dormancy—that is functionally related to hibernation and torpor. This chapter reviews the behavioral and physiological characteristics of sleep, shallow torpor, and hibernation in mammals and birds and proposes that they are functionally homologous processes. In addition, the chapter describes phylogenetic and ontogenetic correlations between sleep and endothermy, and sleep-dependent thermoregulatory adjustments associated with decreased metabolism consistent with an energy conserving role for sleep.
Rates of at-vessel mortality and post-release survival of pelagic sharks captured with tuna purse seines around drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean

Abstract Pelagic fishes are well known to aggregate in large numbers under floating objects and this behavior is frequently exploited by purse seine fisheries targeting tunas. Non-target species (e.g., sharks) are often caught as well, but they are typically discarded as they do not have sufficient commercial value. To investigate the total mortality of pelagic sharks in the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean associated with the tuna purse seine fishery deploying drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs), we measured rates of at-vessel mortality and deployed pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) to monitor post-release survival and behavior. Between 2011 and 2012, at-vessel mortality rate ranged from 15% to 70%, and total mortality rate (i.e. the combination of at-vessel and post-release mortalities) ranged from 80% to 95%. Taken together, our findings document the high mortality of sharks incidentally captured in the tuna purse seine fishery that employs drifting FADs, indicate a correlation to set size, and suggest the need to develop methods that minimize shark bycatch in this fishery.
T cells compete by cleaving cell surface CD27 and blocking access to CD70‐bearing APCs

T cells compete against each other for access to molecules on APCs in addition to peptide/MHC complexes. However, the identity of cell surface molecules that influence T-cell competition, other than peptide/MHC, have yet to be defined. Here, we identify CD70, a TNF ligand expressed on activated APCs, as an important mediator of T-cell competition for APCs. Upon engagement of CD27 by CD70, CD27 is proteolytically cleaved from the surface of the interacting CD8(+) T cell and captured by CD70 expressing dendritic cells. The capture of CD27 effectively masks CD70 on APCs, disallowing the interaction with CD27 on other competing T cells. Collectively, our data indicate that T cells compete against each other for access to the TNF-ligand CD70, an interaction that affects the duration and potency of T cell/DC interactions, thus influencing the repertoire of responding CD8(+) T cells to self or foreign antigens.
Quantitative Analysis of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Effector Coupling at Functionally Relevant Stimulus Levels *♦

A major goal of current signaling research is to develop a quantitative understanding of how receptor activation is coupled to downstream signaling events and to functional cellular responses. Here, we measure how activation of the RET receptor tyrosine kinase on mouse neuroblastoma cells by the neurotrophin artemin (ART) is quantitatively coupled to key downstream effectors. We show that the efficiency of RET coupling to ERK and Akt depends strongly on ART concentration, and it is highest at the low (∼100 pm) ART levels required for neurite outgrowth. Quantitative discrimination between ERK and Akt pathway signaling similarly is highest at this low ART concentration. Stimulation of the cells with 100 pm ART activated RET at the rate of ∼10 molecules/cell/min, leading at 5–10 min to a transient peak of ∼150 phospho-ERK (pERK) molecules and ∼50 pAkt molecules per pRET, after which time the levels of these two signaling effectors fell by 25–50% while the pRET levels continued to slowly rise. Kinetic experiments showed that signaling effectors in different pathways respond to RET activation with different lag times, such that the balance of signal flux among the different pathways evolves over time. Our results illustrate that measurements using high, super-physiological growth factor levels can be misleading about quantitative features of receptor signaling. We propose a quantitative model describing how receptor-effector coupling efficiency links signal amplification to signal sensitization between receptor and effector, thereby providing insight into design principles underlying how receptors and their associated signaling machinery decode an extracellular signal to trigger a functional cellular outcome.
Creating Low Vision and Nonvisual Instructions for Diabetes Technology: An Empirically Validated Process

Introduction:Nearly 20% of the adults with diagnosed diabetes in the United States also have visual impairment. Many individuals in this group perform routine diabetes self-management tasks independently often using technology that was not specifically designed for use by people with visual impairment (e.g., insulin pumps and pens). Equitable care for persons with disabilities requires providing instructions in formats accessible for nonreaders. However, instructions in accessible formats, such as recordings, braille, or digital documents that are legible to screen readers, are seldom available.Method:This article includes a summary of existing guidelines for creating accessible documents. The guidelines are followed by a description of the production of accessible nonvisual instructions for use of insulin pens used in a study of dosing accuracy. The study results indicate that the instructions were used successfully by 40 persons with visual impairment.Discussion and Conclusions:Instructions in accessibl...
Was it halothane? a case report

Details of a case of postoperative death from massive liver necrosis following halothane anaesthesia are presented.
Assessing the Effect of Model Misspecifications on Parameter Estimates in Structural Equation Models

Model misspecifications may have a systematic effect on parameters, causing biases in their estimates. In the application of structural equation models, every interesting model is fallible. When simultaneously evaluating a model, it is of interest to study whether all parameters are affected by a misspecification. This paper provides three procedures for evaluating such an effect: (1) analyzing the path, (2) using a functional relationship, and (3) using a significance test. Analyzing the path is illustrated through a confirmatory factor model. This method is ad hoc but intuitive. A more rigorous approach is built upon the concept of orthogonality of two sets of parameters. When parameter a is orthogonal to parameter b, omitting parameter b will not affect the estimation of parameter a. The functional relationship of two sets of parameters is used to check their orthogonality. The distribution of the difference between estimates based on different models is obtained, which provides a Hausman–like way to check significant parameter differences that are due to biases. Examples illustrate that these procedures can provide valuable information on identifying parameter estimates that are systematically affected by a model misspecification.
On the Prediction of the El Niño of 1986-1987

Three different classes of numerical models successfully predicted the occurrence of the El Nino of 1986-87 at lead times of 3 to 9 months. Although the magnitude and timing of predicted ocean surface temperatures were not perfect, these results suggest that routine prediction of moderate to lare El Nino events is feasible. The key to the success of the models lies in recognizing or simulating the low-frequency, large-scale changes in the tropical ocean-atmosphere system that give rise to El Nino events.
The WldS mutation delays anterograde, but not retrograde, axonal degeneration of the dopaminergic nigro-striatal pathway in vivo

For many neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, there is evidence that the disease first affects axons and terminals of neurons that are selectively vulnerable. This would suggest that it may be possible to forestall progression by targeting the cellular mechanisms of axon degeneration. While it is now clear that these mechanisms are distinct from the pathways of programmed cell death, they are less well known. Compelling evidence of the distinctiveness of these mechanisms has derived from studies of the Wld(S) mutation, which confers resistance to axon degeneration. Little is known about how this mutation affects degeneration in dopaminergic axons, those that are affected in Parkinson's disease. We have characterized the Wld(S) phenotype in these axons in four models of injury: two that utilize the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine or axotomy to induce anterograde degeneration, and two that use these methods to induce retrograde degeneration. For both 6-hydroxydopamine and axotomy, Wld(S) provides protection from anterograde, but not retrograde degeneration. This protection is observed as preserved immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase in axons and striatum, and by structural integrity visualized by GFP in tyrosine hydroxylase-GFP mice. Therefore, Wld(S) offers axon protection, but it reveals fundamentally different processes underlying antero- and retrograde degeneration in this system.
Suppression of presynaptic calcium currents by hypoxia in hippocampal tissue slices

We tested the hypothesis that suppression of inward calcium current in presynaptic terminals is the cause of failure of synaptic transmission early during cerebral hypoxia. Postsynaptic responses in CA1 zone of hippocampal tissue slices were blocked either by the combined administration of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and3-((±)-2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) or by lowering extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]0). Repetitive orthodromic activation of central neurons caused transient decrease of [Ca2+]0 (measured by ion selective microelectrodes) in neuropil, attributable to influx of Ca2+ in presynaptic terminals. Presynaptic [Ca2+]0 responses were rapidly and reversibly suppressed when oxygen was withdrawn from hippocampal tissue slices. The ‘resting’ baseline level of [Ca2+]0 declined at first gradually, then precipitously as in spreading depression (SD). Presynaptic volleys during high frequency train stimulation were also depressed somewhat before SD began. We conclude that (1) presynaptic Ca2+ currents fail during hypoxia, perhaps because ‘resting’ intracellular free Ca2+ activity is increased and, in part, also because of partial failure of presynaptic impulse conduction; (2) the influx of Ca2+ into brain cells in hypoxic spreading depression is not mediated by glutamate/aspartate dependent channels.
Phase diagram of the random chiral model.

A Monte Carlo algorithm has been used to study the random chiral S 3 model on simple cubic lattices. The overall structure of the phase diagram in three dimensions is similar to that of the mean-field theory, exhibiting paramagnetic (PM), ferromagnetic (FM), and gauge-glass (GG) phases. As the chiral disorder is turned on, the FM-PM transition moves to lower temperature and the latent heat gradually geos to zero; the section of the FM-PM phase boundary near the FM-PM-GG multicritical point is probably an XY-like critical line
PtSO42−ZrO2 catalysts. Correlation of catalytic activity with SO42− XPS data

Increasing activity for the conversion of n-hexadecane is observed for 0.6% PtSO42−ZrO2 catalysts with increasing time of activation in air at 500°C (773 K). XPS analysis suggests that, rather than a change in the crystal phase, this increase is due to a loss of water and/or an increase in surface concentration of SO42−. It is noted that there is a reasonably good correlation between the relative surface sulfate concentration and relative conversion of n-hexadecane with increasing heating time, although there are minor differences. In spite of the many assumptions that were made to generate the two curves showing the relative XPS peak area and the catalytic activity, there is surprising agreement between the two. It is therefore inviting to relate the catalytic activity for n-hexadecane conversion to that of the sulfate group. Furthermore, it appears that the active site related to the sulfate group is not one that contains water in its make-up.
Oviposition stimulant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly, Eurytides marcellus, from the foliage of pawpaw, Asimina triloba

We have isolated a caffeoylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid derivative, 3-caffeoyl-muco-quinic acid (3-CmQA), as a contact oviposition stimulant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly, Eruytides marcellus (Papilionidae), from the foliage of its primary host plant, Asimina triloba (Annonaceae). This compound alone was as active in stimulating oviposition by females as were the parent ethanolic plant extract and the host plant itself. Other tested isomers of 3-CmQA, including 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA or trans-chlorogenic acid), were inactive. We found, however, that experienced female butterflies responded strongly to host volatiles, which enhanced landing rates and hence oviposition.¶ This is the first report of an oviposition stimulant for a swallowtail butterfly of the tribe Graphiini. We found 3-CmQA to be the major caffeoylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid isomer in plants of the genus Asimina. These plants lack appreciable amounts of 5-CQA, which has been shown previously to be one of the oviposition stimulants for certain Rutaceae- or Apiaceae-feeding swallowtails of the related tribe Papilionini.¶ Our findings, along with earlier results from the tribes Troidini and Papilionini, suggest that responses by swallowtails to hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives as oviposition cues date back at least to the ancestor of the subfamily Papilioninae.
Anesthesia Complications in the Birthplace: Is the Neuraxial Block Always to Blame?

This article highlights the common and some of the very serious complications that may occur following neuraxial analgesia for labor and delivery, including headache, backache, infection, hypotension, and hematoma. Total spinal and failed block also are discussed, as are complications unique to epidural anesthesia, such as the intravascular injection of large volumes of local anesthetic (causing seizure or cardiac arrest) and accidental dural puncture.
The Alliance in a Friendship Coaching Intervention for Parents of Children With ADHD

The alliance between parent and therapist was observed in a group-based parent-training intervention to improve social competency among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The intervention, called Parental Friendship Coaching (PFC), was delivered to 32 parents in small groups as part of a randomized clinical trial. PFC was delivered in eight, 90-minute sessions to parents; there was no child treatment component. Observed parent–therapist alliance recorded among 27 of the parents was measured using the Therapy Process Observational Coding System—Alliance scale (TPOCS-A; McLeod, 2005). Early alliance and change in alliance over time predicted improvements in several parenting behaviors and child outcomes, including peer sociometrics in a lab-based playgroup. These preliminary findings lend support to the importance of examining the parent–therapist alliance in parent-training groups for youth social and behavioral problems.
Choline in tardive dyskinesia and Huntington's disease.

Abstract Eight men, 4 with tardive dyskinesia and 4 with Huntington's disease, were treated with oral doses of choline chloride up to 20 g daily for three to eight weeks. Prior to treatment, 7 of the 8 patients were tested with a graded dose of 3 mg of physostigmine salicylate, a cholinesterase inhibitor. Six of these 7 patients had a favorable acute response to physostigmine. The same six patients had a favorable response to chronic treatment with choline chloride. Relapses following a switch from active treatment to placebo were delayed, but this could not be explained on the basis of the rate of choline disappearance from plasma. Re-treatment with choline chloride reversed relapse in most instances. Choline chloride may ameliorate these movement disorders by increasing central cholinergic activity, but other mechanisms are possible. Its practical importance as a treatment needs further elucidation.
Model for slurry and manure in CERES and similar models

Proceeding from the structures and hypotheses of the CERES and SALUS models a model for considering manures has been developed. The model includes the following processes: infiltration during application, ammonia volatilization, leaching of ammonium and organic bound nitrogen and mineralization before incorporation, incorporation, ammonia volatilization, mineralization and leaching of organic bound nitrogen after incorporation. With the CERES Maize model combined with the manure model simulations were calculated concerning the following problems: – influence of application time of slurry on nitrate leaching under German site conditions and – influence of long-term slurry fertilization and of stopping slurry fertilization on organic N content, mineralization, uptake by maize and leaching under Southern Michigan site conditions. Results and conclusions are presented.
CONGENITAL ABSENCE OF THE PULMONARY VALVE ASSOCIATED WITH CONGENITAL APLASIA OF THE THYMUS (DIGEORGE’S SYNDROME)

Two cases of DiGeorge’s syndrome associated with tetralogy of Fallot and absence of the pulmonic valve are reported. Both infants had complete absence of the thymus and parathyroids. This brings to a total of 4 the number of reported cases of absence of the pulmonic valve in this rare syndrome.Some of the expected roentgen signs, such as a narrow mediastinal silhouette and marked enlargement of the central pulmonary arteries, may be masked by cardiomediastinal shift due to bronchial compression.The angiographic findings are discussed.
IL-8 INDUCTION BY RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) INFECTION IS MEDIATED BY RelA (NF-kB) TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR. • 49

In previous studies, we have shown that RSV replication in A549 cells (a type II alveolar epithelial cell line) induces a dose- and time-dependent release of IL-8. We have subsequently investigated the mechanisms of IL-8 induction. By RT-PCR, the IL-8 mRNA, barely detectable in control cells, was strongly induced by RSV infection; the IL-8 mRNA increase was due to an enhanced transcriptional initiation, as shown by nuclear “run-on” transcription rate analysis. A549 cells were transiently transfected with plasmids containing either wild type or deleted mutants of IL-8 promoter, linked to a luciferase reporter gene, and were infected with RSV. The results showed that a region between -162 and +33 of the promoter is sufficient to induce transcription of the IL-8 gene, after RSV infection. Mutations in the NF-kB binding site, comprised in this region of the promoter, abolished the IL-8 gene induction by RSV. The TNF-responsive element (TNFRE) is a region of IL-8 promoter sufficient to confer induction of the IL-8 promoter to different inflammatory stimuli. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), using a32 P labeled TNFRE as a probe, showed increased DNA-binding activity after RSV infection. To characterize the protein-DNA complexes binding specificity, we used wild type TNFRE or mutated TNFRE for NF-IL6 or NF-kB binding sites as competitors in the EMSA. We also performed gel mobility supershift assays, adding an anti p65 (RelA) antibody to infected cells nuclear extracts. The results indicated that RSV-induced DNA binding proteins belong to the NF-kB family and contain the RelA subunit. An increase of nuclear RelA, after RSV infection, was also demonstrated by Western Blot. Although the precise mechanism of RelA activation will require further study, by immunofluorescence we observed translocation of RelA from the cytoplasmic to the nuclear compartment. These studies establish RelA activation as one mechanism for RSV-induced inflammation in airway epithelium. Supported by NIAID AI15939, Texas ARP/ATP.
Representation of normal slant faults in a 2D burial history model

A discussion is given of the impact of normal slant faults on basinal structure, compaction, fluid overpressure development, and thermal effects in sedimentary basins. Faults which are hydraulically closed or open to fluid flow are examined in a dynamical two-dimensional fluid/ flow compaction model. From this numerical investigation three dominant factors characterize the effects of single and multiple faults with open or closed hydraulic behaviours: (i) there is a difference in excess pressure for fault planes with open or shut hydraulic conditions, but the neighbourhood where the effect of the fault is dominant is fairly localized (to within about half a kilometre or so laterally from the fault plane); (ii) the lateral and vertical motion of sediments between faulted blocks induces a thermal difference prior to, during, and post-faulting, which can play a role in influencing hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation; (iii) porosity retention and permeability modification by fault development could influence hydrocarbon exploration decisions regarding sealing, migration pathways, and fluid retention. The general patterns of slant fault effects described here should prevail in most geological situations, because the numerical experiments are designed to illuminate sharply the dominant response characteristics within the framework of simplified situations.
Walking Pathways toward Becoming a Culturally Competent Evaluator: Boundaries, Borderlands, and Border Crossings.

This chapter shares insights derived from one practitioner's continuing journey toward excellence in mainstreaming culturally responsive evaluation processes, practices, and products. Evaluation's intrinsic value as a self-diagnostic resource for critical and creative reflection, empowered self-improvement, and strategic image management is spotlighted.
Numerical Simulations of Liquid-Gas-Solid Three-Phase Flows in Microgravity:

Three-phase liquid-gas-solid flows under microgravity condition are studied. An Eulerian-Lagrangian computational model was developed and used in the simulations. In this approach, the liquid flow was modeled by a volume-averaged system of governing equations, whereas motions of particles and bubbles were evaluated using the Lagrangian trajectory analysis procedure. It was assumed that the bubbles remained spherical, and their shape variations were neglected. The bubble-liquid, particle-liquid and bubbl-particle two-way interactions were accounted for in the analysis. The discrete phase equations used included drag, lift, buoyancy, and virtual mass forces. Particle-particle interactions and bubble-bubble interactions were accounted for by the hard sphere model. Bubble coalescence was also included in the model. The transient flow characteristics of the three-phase flow were studied; and the effects of gravity, inlet bubble size and g-jitter acceleration on variation of flow characteristics were discussed....
Matrices or tensors

Abstract The distinction between matrices and tensors is explained, and Kron's applications of the latter are discussed.
State space analysis of timing: exploiting task redundancy to reduce sensitivity to timing.

Timing is central to many coordinated actions, and the temporal accuracy of central nervous system commands presents an important limit to skilled performance. Using target-oriented throwing in a v...