cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining the noncompetitive antagonist-binding site in the ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the resting state.

3-Trifluoromethyl-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine ([125I]TID) has been shown to be a potent noncompetitive antagonist (NCA) of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Amino acids that contribute to the binding site for [125I]TID in the ion channel have been identified in both the resting and desensitized state of the AChR (White, B. H., and Cohen, J. B. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 15770–15783). To characterize further the structure of the NCA-binding site in the resting state channel, we have employed structural analogs of TID. The TID analogs were assessed by the following: 1) their ability to inhibit [125I]TID photoincorporation into the resting state channel; 2) the pattern, agonist sensitivity, and NCA inhibition of [125I]TID analog photoincorporation into AChR subunits. The addition of a primary alcohol group to TID has no demonstrable effect on the interaction of the compound with the resting state channel. However, conversion of the alcohol function to acetate, isobutyl acetate (TIDBIBA), or to trimethyl acetate leads to rightward shifts in the concentration-response curves for inhibition of [125I]TID photoincorporation into the AChR channel and a progressive reduction in the agonist sensitivity of [125I]TID analog photoincorporation into AChR subunits. Inhibition of [125I]TID analog photoincorporation by NCAs (e.g. tetracaine) as well as identification of the sites of [125I]TIDBIBA photoincorporation in the δM2 segment indicate a common binding locus for each TID analog. We conclude that relatively small additions to TID progressively reduce its ability to interact with the NCA site in the resting state channel. A model of the NCA site and resting state channel is presented.
Abstract B58: Neurofibromin: A required GAP in lens development

Human neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by multiple discrete dermal neurofibromas as well as optic and other central nervous system gliomas. NF1 patients have a high incidence of additional clinical symptoms including cafe‐au‐lait spots, hamartomas in the iris (Lisch nodules), macrocephaly, short stature, seizures, and learning disabilities. Neurofibromin, the protein product of the Nf1 gene has been shown to function as a Ras‐GTPase activating protein (GAP), thus making it a tumor suppressor protein. Neurofibromin may also regulate adenyl cyclase activity and intracellular cyclic‐AMP generation. Here, we show that neurofibromin, as a functional GAP protein, is required for normal murine lens induction. Utilizing a previously developed strain of Nf1‐deficient mice, we demonstrate that Nf1−/− embryos exhibit severe lens hypoplasia, and in some cases, anophthalmia. By analyzing RNA (Ras target gene expression) as well as target protein expression patterns (Phopho‐ERK), we demonstrate that MAPK signaling is indeed upregulated in the lens region of the developing Nf1−/− embryo at E9, but down regulated after E10. Interestingly we observe a simultaneous down‐regulation of transcription factors Pax6, and Sox2, both necessary for normal lens development after E10, which, is the same time we begin to observe poor or absent lens induction. However, the smaller deformed lenses that do form in the Nf1 mutants still express key lens marker proteins (alpha‐A crystalline, Prox1), indicating that lens cell differentiation appears to occur normally after lens induction. Cell proliferation studies (BrdU immunohistochemistry) at both E9 and E10 revealed E9 Nf1−/− lens cell proliferation to be normal, however, significantly decreased at E10. In addition, TUNNEL staining performed at both E9 and E10 indicate normal apoptosis in the developing Nf1−/− lens. To test our hypothesis that increased MAPK signaling is the mechanistic cause of the hypoplastic lens, we initiated rescue experiments by injecting E10‐pregnant females with MEK inhibitor UO126 and then analyzed the lenses of E12‐harvested embryos. Our results do show that attenuation of the MAPK pathway does indeed rescue the mutant lens phenotype, thus confirming our assertion that neurofibromin is an essential GAP protein required for normal lens development. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):B58.
The LF/HF ratio does not accurately measure cardiac sympatho-vagal balance

Power spectral analysis of the beat-to-beat variations of heart rate or the heart period (R–R interval) has become widely used to quantify cardiac autonomic regulation (Appel et al., 1989; Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, 1996; Berntson et al., 1997; Denver et al., 2007; Thayler et al., 2010; Billman, 2011). This technique partitions the total variance (the “power”) of a continuous series of beats into its frequency components, typically identifying two or three main peaks: Very Low Frequency (VLF) <0.04 Hz, Low Frequency (LF), 0.04–0.15 Hz, and High Frequency (HF) 0.15–0.4 Hz. It should be noted that the HF peak is shifted to a higher range (typically 0.24–1.04 Hz) in infants and during exercise (Berntson et al., 1997). The HF peak is widely believed to reflect cardiac parasympathetic nerve activity while the LF, although more complex, is often assumed to have a dominant sympathetic component (Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, 1996; Berntson et al., 1997; Billman, 2011). Based upon these assumptions, Pagani and co-workers proposed that the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF) could be used to quantify the changing relationship between sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activities (i.e., the sympatho-vagal balance) (Pagani et al., 1984, 1986; Malliani et al., 1991) in both health and disease. However, this concept has been challenged (Kingwell et al., 1994; Koh et al., 1994; Hopf et al., 1995; Eckberg, 1997; Houle and Billman, 1999; Billman, 2011). Despite serious and largely under-appreciated limitations, the LF/HF ratio has gained wide acceptance as a tool to assess cardiovascular autonomic regulation where increases in LF/HF are assumed to reflect a shift to “sympathetic dominance” and decreases in this index correspond to a “parasympathetic dominance.” Therefore, it is vital to provide a critical assessment of the assumptions upon which this concept is based.
C(sp(3))-F reductive elimination from alkylgold(iii) fluoride complexes.

Rare examples of C(sp3)–F reductive elimination were observed from several cis-F2Au(R)(IPr) intermediates generated by oxidation of (IPr)AuR complexes with XeF2. For R groups bearing β-hydrogens, β-hydride elimination was competitive with C(sp3)–F reductive elimination. For strained cyclic R groups and most acyclic R groups lacking β-hydrogens, carbocation-like rearrangements occurred prior to C(sp3)–F reductive elimination. Kinetics of the decay of one cis-F2Au(R)(IPr) species, stereochemical analysis of reductive elimination with a chiral R group, and DFT analysis collectively suggest C(sp3)–F reductive elimination proceeding through transient cationic [(IPr)Au(F)(R)]+ intermediates with significant ionization of the Au–alkyl bonds.
Integrated optical planar waveguide components

Planar optical waveguides for applications in communication networks can be fabricated using conventional chip-manufacturing techniques. We present a planar optical waveguide technology that is based on a silicon-oxynitride (SiON) core and silicon-oxide cladding layers. In addition to more compact, conventional optical devices, it also enables enhanced optical functions such as dynamically reconfigurable planar integrated optical devices. Examples of adaptive devices realized in this technology include finite and infinite impulse response (FIR and IIR) filters.
Computer Simulation of Nerve Transfer Strategies for Restoring Shoulder Function After Adult C5 and C6 Root Avulsion Injuries

Purpose Functional ability after nerve transfer for upper brachial plexus injuries relies on both the function and magnitude of force recovery of targeted muscles. Following nerve transfers targeting either the axillary nerve, suprascapular nerve, or both, it is unclear whether functional ability is restored in the face of limited muscle force recovery. Methods We used a computer model to simulate flexing the elbow while maintaining a functional shoulder posture for 3 nerve transfer scenarios. We assessed the minimum restored force capacity necessary to perform the task, the associated compensations by neighboring muscles, and the effect of altered muscle coordination on movement effort. Results The minimum force restored by the axillary, suprascapular, and combined nerve transfers that was required for the model to simulate the desired movement was 25%, 40%, and 15% of the unimpaired muscle force capacity, respectively. When the deltoid was paralyzed, the infraspinatus and subscapularis muscles generated higher shoulder abduction moments to compensate for deltoid weakness. For all scenarios, movement effort increased as restored force capacity decreased. Conclusions Combined axillary and suprascapular nerve transfer required the least restored force capacity to perform the desired elbow flexion task, whereas single suprascapular nerve transfer required the most restored force capacity to perform the same task. Although compensation mechanisms allowed all scenarios to perform the desired movement despite weakened shoulder muscles, compensation increased movement effort. Dynamic simulations allowed independent evaluation of the effect of restored force capacity on functional outcome in a way that is not possible experimentally. Clinical relevance Simultaneous nerve transfer to suprascapular and axillary nerves yields the best simulated biomechanical outcome for lower magnitudes of muscle force recovery in this computer model. Axillary nerve transfer performs nearly as well as the combined transfer, whereas suprascapular nerve transfer is more sensitive to the magnitude of reinnervation and is therefore avoided.
Mode-locked matter waves in Bose–Einstein condensates

A new method is proposed for the spontaneous generation of mode-locked, atomic bright matter waves. The nonlinear mode-coupling dynamics induced by a three-well, cigar shaped potential, generates the intensity discrimination (saturable absorption) necessary to begin the pulse shaping necessary for mode-locking. When combined with proven BEC gain technologies and output coupling, the three critical physical components are shown to allow for the generation of a soliton-like bright matter wave from an incoherent (white-noise) initial state. The mode-locked bright matter wave can be generated in both attractive and repulsive condensates. Further, when a Feshbach resonance is used to periodically and rapidly alternate the condensate between attractive and repulsive states, parabolic similarity solutions can be created.
Culling of dairy cows. Part II. Effects of diseases and reproductive performance on culling in Finnish Ayrshire cows.

The effects of 15 diseases and reproductive performance on culling were studied in 39727 Finnish Ayrshire cows that calved in 1993 and were followed until culling or next calving. Survival analysis, using the Cox proportional hazards model, was performed with diseases and pregnancy status as time-dependent covariates. Parity, calving season and herd were included as covariates in every model. The effect of the number of inseminations was also studied. The farmer's knowledge of the cow's pregnancy status had a significant effect on culling. It varied according to the stage of lactation a cow was in; the earlier the farmer knew a cow was pregnant, the smaller was the risk of culling. If a cow had not been inseminated at all, her risk of culling was 10 times higher than if she was inseminated once. If a cow was inseminated more than once, she had a slightly lower risk of being culled than a cow inseminated only once. The effect of parity decreased when pregnancy status and number of inseminations were added to the model, indicating that part of the parity effect was accounted for by reproductive performance. Including diseases in the model with pregnancy status and the number of inseminations did not change the effects of reproductive performance on culling. Mastitis, teat injuries and lameness had the greatest effect on culling (whether adjusted for reproductive performance or not), increasing the risk of culling, followed by anestrus, ovarian cysts and milk fever. In general, the effects of diseases decreased when reproductive performance was also accounted for in the model. When pregnancy status was included in the model, the effects of anestrus and ovarian cysts became slightly more protective, but when the number of inseminations was also considered, they became non-significant at the beginning of lactation and they increased the risk of culling at the end of lactation. Sensitivity analysis, which was run to evaluate the effects of our censoring mechanism on the results, indicated that the censoring times (i.e., the time of next calving) were not fully independent of the event (culling) times; the effects of the diseases and pregnancy status at the very end of the lactation changed slightly from the original model.
Approaching the challenges and costs of the North American industrial classification system (NAICS)

The transition from the standard industrial classification (SIC) system to the North American industrial classification system (NAICS) will not be rapid, but its effects will be profound for business researchers and information professionals. Most government agencies are already in the midst of this six‐year transition and, although private information producers are not compelled to switch from SIC to NAICS, most are planning to do so. The far‐reaching impact of NAICS on business information will affect libraries of all types. This article describes the challenges and costs associated with this change and makes recommendations for materials and training.
The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale: Psychometric Properties and Form Equivalence

Summary.—This study examined the psychometric equivalence of Forms A and B of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale in a sample of college students (N = 370; M = 19.5 yr.; 318 Caucasians; 281 women). Given the dearth of studies that address the issue of form equivalence directly, this study sought to ascertain whether these forms could be used interchangeably by researchers. Subscales on the two forms had fairly high correlations (range of r = .77–.81), and similar alpha and omega reliability coefficients. Additionally, confirmatory factor analysis revealed both forms fit a three-factor model well. However, paired-sample t tests yielded significant mean differences for all three subscales. Furthermore, the two forms yielded inconsistent associations with relevant measures. Although the observed pattern of associations with social desirability and safe swimming behaviors were similar for Forms A and B, the pattern of differences was not identical for smoking groups and bicycle helmet use group...
In vitro characterization of the tobacco rpoB promoter reveals a core sequence motif conserved between phage-type plastid and plant mitochondrial promoters

We report here the in vitro characterization of PrpoB-345, the tobacco rpoB promoter recognized by NEP, the phage-type plastid RNA polymerase. Transcription extracts were prepared from mutant tobacco plants lacking PEP, the Escherichia coli-like plastid-encoded RNA polymerase. Systematic dissection of a approximately 1 kb fragment determined that the rpoB promoter is contained in a 15-nucleotide segment (-14 to +1) upstream of the transcription initiation site (+1). Point mutations at every nucleotide reduced transcription, except at the -5 position which was neutral. Critical for rpoB promoter function was a CRT-motif (CAT or CGT) at -8 to -6 (transcription <30%), defining it as the promoter core. The core CAT sequence is also present in the maize rpoB promoter, which is faithfully recognized by tobacco extracts. Alignment of NEP promoters identified a CATA or TATA (=YATA) sequence at the rpoB core position, also present in plant mitochondrial promoters. Furthermore, NEP and the phage T7 RNA polymerase exhibit similar sensitivity to inhibitors of transcription. These data indicate that the nuclear RpoZ gene, identified by sequence conservation with mitochondrial RNA polymerases, encodes the NEP catalytic subunit.
Reputation design for adaptive networks with selfish agents

We consider a general information-sharing game over adaptive networks with selfish agents, in which a diffusion strategy is employed to estimate a common target parameter. The benefit and cost of sharing information are embedded into the individual utility functions. We formulate the interactions among selfish agents as successive one-shot games and show that the dominant strategy is for agents not to share information with each other. In order to encourage cooperation among selfish agents, we design a reputation scheme that enables agents to utilize the historic summary of other agents' past actions to predict future returns that would result from being cooperative i.e., from sharing information with other agents. Simulations illustrate the benefits of the combined diffusion and reputation strategies for learning over networks with selfish agents.
Interactive simulation and visualization

Most researchers who perform data analysis and visualization do so only after everything else is finished, which often means that they don't discover errors invalidating the results of their simulation until post-processing. A better approach would be to improve the integration of simulation and visualization into the entire process so that they can make adjustments along the way. This approach, called computational steering, is the capacity to control all aspects of the computational science pipeline. Recently, several tools and environments for computational steering have begun to emerge. These tools range from those that modify an application's performance characteristics (either by automated means or by user interaction) to those that modify the underlying computational application. A refined problem-solving environment should facilitate everything from algorithm development to application steering. The authors discuss some tools that provide a mechanism to integrate modeling, simulation, data analysis and visualization.
217 Risk-Stratification of Heart Transplant (HTX) Candidates with Advanced Liver Dysfunction

Purpose: HTX candidates frequently have liver dysfunction. Identification of patients who may proceed to heart transplant or need dual organ transplant is difficult. Models of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has been shown to predict outcomes in HTX patients. Whether MELD score, liver biopsy, hemodynamics or echocardiography differentiates these patients was investigated. Methods and Materials: Retrospective chart review of all patients evaluated for HTX at Columbia University from 1/00-10/10 identified 37 patients with liver disease who underwent liver biopsy. Echo, right heart cath and MELD were available in all patients; 22 patients had liver hemodynamics. Results: 25 patients were listed for HTX, and 12 patients were rejected secondary to advanced liver disease. Etiology of liver disease was: HCV (11), alcohol (5), amiodarone toxicity (5), congestive hepatopathy (15) and infiltrative disease (1). 15 patients were transplanted: 14 male, age 56 6 years. 75% had mod-severe RV dysfunction, mean RA 14.4 6.6 mmHg, mean hepatic wedge 21.7 7 and MELD 14 4.4. Liver pathology showed 2 with cirrhosis, 2 with moderate and 11 with minimal fibrosis. One and 5 year survival was 94%, and 85%. Of the remaining 10 listed patients, 9 died prior to HTX. Hemodynamics, pathology and MELD were similar to those transplanted (MELD 13.3 5.5). Of the rejected patients, 80% were male, age 52 14 years. 75% had mod-severe RV dysfunction, mean RA 19 7, mean hepatic wedge 22.7 4.5 and MELD 17 7.3. Liver pathology showed 5 with cirrhosis, 4 moderate and 3 with minimal fibrosis. 9 of 12 patients died. MELD score for all 37 patients did not correlate with liver fibrosis severity. Conclusions: Rejected candidates had modestly worse hemodynamics and MELD when compared to accepted candidates, with more advanced liver pathology. Liver pathology identifies patients who might benefit from dual organ transplant, whereas MELD might identify their surgical risk. High mortality on the transplant waitlist reflects organ shortage and inability to offer device therapy to these patients.
Effect of wheat streak mosaic virus infection on total DNA and chloroplast ribosomal RNA in wheat leaves

The amount of chloroplast 23s rRNA relative to either DNA or to cytoplasmic 28s rRNA was reduced in young wheat leaves infected with wheat streak mosaic virus. Chlorophyll was reduced in infected leaves. Fresh weight per leaf and DNA content per leaf were reduced in infected leaves, but DNA per g was increased. Cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA appeared to degrade more slowly during senescence in infected leaves than in uninfected. Virus was undetectable by density gradient centrifugation in systemically infected leaves less than 6 cm long and reached its highest concentration when young leaves reached their maximum size. Mosaic developed in leaves that became infected when 5 cm long or less. Since the entire leaf eventually developed mosaic, the events leading to mosaic occur after cell division, which is limited, to the basal cm of young leaves. Zusammenfassung Einflus einer Wheat-Streak-Mosaikvirusinfektion auf die Gesamte-DNS und die Chloroplasten Ribosomale-RNS in Weizenblattern Festgestellt wurde eine Verminderung der Chloroplasten-23s r-RNS entweder bezuglich der DNS oder der cytopiasmatischen 28s r-RNS in jungen Weizenhlattern, die mit dem Wheat-Streak- Mosaikvirus infiziert wurden. Der Chlorophyllgehalt, das Blattfrischgewicht und der Blait-DNS-Gehalt wurde in befallenen Blattern reduziert, dsr DNS-Gehalt pro Gramm Blattmasse dagegen erhoht. Der cytoplasmatische ribosomale RNS-Abbau wahrend der Blattseneszenz schien langsamer in befallenen als in nichtbefaiknen Blattern. Das Virus konnte in systemisch mfizierten Blattern, die kurzer als 6 cm lang waren, nach Diehtegradientzentrifugation nicht festgestellt werden. Die hochste Viruskonzentration wurde in jungen Blatiern, die ihre voile Grose erreicht haben, ermittelt. Mosaiksymptome entwickeiten sich in Blattern, die zur Zeit der infektion bis zu 5 cm lang waren. Da das ganze Blatt sehlieslich Mosaiksymptome aufwejst, mussen die Ereignisse, die zur Mosaikentwicklung fuhren, nach der Zellteilung, die im untersien cm eines jungen Blattes stattfindet, eintreten.
Integrated Worker Health Protection and Promotion Programs: Overview and Perspectives on Health and Economic Outcomes

Objective:To describe integrated worker health protection and promotion (IWHPP) program characteristics, to discuss the rationale for the integration of occupational safety and health and worksite health promotion programs, and to summarize what is known about the impact of these programs on health
Optimal useful clock skew scheduling in the presence of variations using robust ILP formulations

This paper exploits useful skew to improve system performance and robustness. We formulate a robust integer linear programming problem considering the interactions between data and clock paths on a microprocessor chip to improve clock frequency. The timing slack is optimized for each path to determine a clock schedule. The percentage of timing violations, obtained from a 1000 point Monte Carlo simulation, is higlighted as yield predictions and conveys the robustness of the clock schedule. The results show performance improvement of up to 9.747% with 20% yield and up to 6.682% with 100% yield. The novelty of the proposed method is its ability to tradeoff between performance improvement in frequency and robustness, via a single variable in the formulation.
Development of individually distinct recognition cues.

Despite extensive research on the functions of kin recognition, little is known about ontogenetic changes in the cues mediating such recognition. In Belding's ground squirrels, Spermophilus beldingi, secretions from oral glands are both individually distinct and kin distinct, and function in social recognition across many contexts. Behavioral studies of recognition and kin preferences suggest that these cues may change across development, particularly around the time of weaning and emergence from natal burrows (around 25 days of age). I used an habituation- discrimination task with captive S. beldingi, presenting subjects with odors collected from a pair of pups at several ages across early development. I found that at 21days of age, but not at 7 or 14, young produce detectable odors. Odors are not individually distinct, however, until 28 days of age, after young have emerged from their burrows and begun foraging. In addition, an individual's odor continues to develop after emergence: odors produced by an individual at 20 and 40 days of age are perceived as dissimilar, yet odors produced at 28 and 40 days are treated as similar. Developmental changes in odors provide a proximate explanation for why S. beldingi littermate preferences are not consolidated until after natal emergence, and demonstrate that conspecifics must update their recognition templates as young develop. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 48: 508-519, 2006.
Fusing continuous and discrete data, on the example of merging seismic and gravity models in geophysics

In many application areas, we need to fuse continuous and discrete models of the same phenomena. For example, in geophysics, we have two main models for describing how the sound velocity changes with location and depth: a discrete gravity-based model, in which we have several layers with abrupt transition between layers, and a seismic model, in which the velocity continuously changes with the change in location and depth — and a transition is represented by a steeper change. Due to inevitable uncertainty, in two fused models, the same actual transition is placed at slightly different depths. If we simply fuse these models, the fused model will inherit both nearby transitions and therefore, will, misleadingly, correspond to two nearby transitions instead of one. It is therefore necessary, before fusing, to first get a fused (more accurate) location of the transition surface. In this paper, we show how to find such a location.
Alcohol, gender, and cognitive performance: a longitudinal study comparing older Japanese and non-Hispanic white Americans.

Background: Recent data demonstrate that moderate consumption of alcohol may be beneficial to cognition. Design: Longitudinal growth curve analyses controlling for variables related to cognition were used to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption, ethnic differences, gender, and cognition over a 4-year-follow-up period. Sample: The sample included 1,836 Japanese American and 2,581 Non-Hispanic White American community-dwelling adults age 65 and older who were cognitively intact at baseline and participated in at least one follow-up examination. Measurement: Cognitive performance was measured using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) and reaction time. Results: Current drinkers scored significantly higher on CASI over time than past drinkers or abstainers. The same association between alcohol and CASI was observed in both genders and both ethnic groups. Conclusion: This study provides support regarding the potential beneficial outcomes associated with alcohol consumption and c...
The Desirability Index: A Measure For The Desirability Of Stocks Over Bonds Over The Long Term

One of the long held beliefs in the field of investments is that stocks are more desirable as compared to bonds for long horizon portfolios. But how long is the long horizon? This paper defines two summary measuresthe Desirability Index and the Cutoff Horizonto measure the desirability of stocks over bonds, and concludes that, based on historical performance, stocks are more desirable than bonds for horizons longer than 15 years.
Fear and loathing in the Turkish national imagination

Blood, sexual honor, and “Muslim-ness” are related discourses that in Turkey produce national subjects in the service of the state. The national narrative brands a subject's perception of self, attributes of the body, and everyday practices with highly resonant markers of belonging. The maintenance of a national identity requires continual vigilance against the threat of forgetting, losing the coherence of the narrative, and disappearing. I will examine the role of purity and boundaries in reproducing Turkish national identity, with particular focus on two key metaphors of threat: the missionary and the headscarf.
Moving Social Work Education Forward Through the Application of Neuroscientifically Informed Teaching Practice: A Case Study in Student Engagement Through Art and Multimodal Processing

Modern advances in neuroscience suggest learning occurs through three basic cognition patterns. Higher-level multimodal learning occurs when learning activities contain multiple cognition patterns. This case study details an application of these concepts where fine art, journaling, practicum experiences, and in-class processing were fused to create an active and participatory method of engaging social work students in critical thinking as related to differential impacts of clinical decision-making. The learning activities are described and multimodal learning is explained, along with the findings of a focus group used to assess student feedback. Student experiences and the potential adaptations of this approach are also addressed. The tentative findings of this case study indicate positive learning experiences and suggest a need for further research to explore the opportunities associated with the use of multimodal and art-infused learning techniques in social work courses.
Effect of Pseudopyridoxine on Rat and Yeast Growth.

SummarySynthetic pyridoxine was converted to pseudopyridoxine by treatment with hydrogen peroxide and by autoclaving in a cystine solution. Pseudopyridoxine formed in this manner and that found in autoclaved yeast extract did not stimulate yeast or rat growth.
The role of the arts and humanities in civic learning and engagement: The US debate:

Over the past few years, a series of linked calls to action have urged US institutions of higher education to give greater attention to civic learning and engagement as central outcomes of a liberal education (Heiland and Huber, 2014). The purpose of this forum is to map out how this current spate of calls for civic learning and engagement in the US is being (or can be) answered by the arts and humanities in higher education, and how these disciplines themselves are being (or can be) reenergized as their importance to civic work is acknowledged, understood, and developed. The first of these calls came in January 2012, when the National Task Force on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement, convened by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the Global Perspectives Institute, released A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s Future. The report ‘‘call[ed] on the nation to reclaim higher education’s civic mission,’’ and had been produced with the support of the US Department of Education, which promptly followed up with its own publication, Advancing Civic Learning and Engagement in Democracy: A Roadmap and Call to Action. Both of these documents trace a trajectory from the effective functioning of a democratic society through to the forms of individual civic engagement, learning and action that make that functioning possible. This linking of civic knowledge and learning at the social and institutional level to the knowledge and actions of
Three New Species of Mutillidae from Peru and Bolivia (Hymenoptera)

The three new species described herein were represented in a small collection of Mutillidae sent me recently by Dr. W. Weyrauch, Tarma, Peru. The first two are known only from Peru, but the third occurs in Bolivia as well as Peru. A number of specimens of this latter species were collected by Dr. W. M. Mann on the Mulford Biological Expedition, 1921-22, and though recognized by me as new for some years, had remained undescribed.
A Pilot Study to Establish Better Eating Practices Using an Exam Room–Based Educational Video

Objective. To evaluate whether the introduction of an exam room–based educational video in a busy clinic setting can improve Hispanic caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and children’s eating practices. Results. Between June and September of 2010, 80 caregivers enrolled in the study and a total of 37 completed the entire study. The majority of caregivers were female (90%) and Hispanic (89.9%) with a mean age of 36.9 years (±10.9). At 1-month posttesting, compared with pretesting, caregivers report their child’s consumption of “any” vegetables increased (34% to 70%, P = .01) as did self-efficacy to control portions (55.6% to 81.1%, P = .01). On multivariable analysis, older caregivers were more likely to report improvement of vegetable consumption (adjusted odds ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.62, P = .04). Conclusion. There may be value in providing nutrition education to caregivers during routine child care using exam room–based educational videos.
Promoting Teaching Quality with Modern Educational Technologies

Computer-aided instruction(CAI)is a representative product of teaching style and method in this imformative era.This paper drows a summary of the current situation and the prospect of the teaching softwares related to chemistry courses.
Algorithms for Minimizing the Movements of Spreading Points in Linear Domains

We study a problem on spreading points. Given a set P of n points sorted on a line L and a distance value , we wish to move the points of P along L such that the distance of any two points ofP is at least and the maximum movement of all points is minimized. We present an O(n) time algorithm for this problem. Further, we extend our algorithm to solve (in O(n) time) the cycle version of the problem where all points of P are on a cycle C. Previously, only weakly polynomial-time algorithms were known for these problems based on linear programming. In addition, we present a linear-time algorithm for a similar facility-location moving problem, which improves the previous work.
Leadership strategies of medical school deans to promote quality and safety.

Article-at-a-Glance Background In April 2003, an informal collaborative of medical schools was convened by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to achieve learning objectives for medical students for the improvement of care. The deans of the 10 founding schools were interviewed in 2004 regarding their strategies to achieve this goal. Findings The deans felt that their work in recruiting leaders in the field of quality, developing organizational structures to facilitate quality initiatives, empowering faculty, and promoting educational reforms were essential elements for achieving learning objectives. Progress in Meeting the Collaborative’s Goals The collaborative's work is organized around themes considered essential to the goals of the collaborative such as interprofessional learning, exemplary clinical settings, student-initiated learning, and evaluation. The collaborative has grown from 10 medical schools to 48 health professions schools in three years. Pilot exemplary clinical settings for education and patient care at seven sites, along with strategies to ensure interprofessional learning at 16 of the 20 sites, represent important intermediate outcomes of the deans' initial leadership initiatives and the collaborative's faculty vision. Of the 10 founding schools, 7 continue to serve as role models for newer members. Discussion The approaches suggest building blocks for achieving goals for improving care in academic institutions and may help other health professions schools and the clinical settings where learning takes place.
The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) third domain: a search for AFP interaction sites of cell cycle proteins

The carboxy-terminal third domain of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-3D) is known to harbor binding and/or interaction sites for hydrophobic ligands, receptors, and binding proteins. Such reports have established that AFP-3D consists of amino acid (AA) sequence stretches on the AFP polypeptide that engages in protein-to-protein interactions with various ligands and receptors. Using a computer software program specifically designed for such interactions, the present report identified AA sequence fragments on AFP-3D that could potentially interact with a variety of cell cycle proteins. The cell cycle proteins identified were (1) cyclins, (2) cyclin-dependent kinases, (3) cell cycle-associated proteins (inhibitors, checkpoints, initiators), and (4) ubiquitin ligases. Following detection of the AFP-3D to cell cycle protein interaction sites, the computer-derived AFP localization AA sequences were compared and aligned with previously reported hydrophobic ligand and receptor interaction sites on AFP-3D. A literature survey of the association of cell cycle proteins with AFP showed both positive relationships and correlations. Previous reports of experimental AFP-derived peptides effects on various cell cycle proteins served to confirm and verify the present computer cell cycle protein identifications. Cell cycle protein interactions with AFP-CD peptides have been reported in cultured MCF-7 breast cancer cells subjected to mRNA microarray analysis. After 7 days in culture with MCF-7 cells, the AFP-derived peptides were shown to downregulate cyclin E, SKP2, checkpoint suppressors, cyclin-dependent kinases, and ubiquitin ligases that modulate cyclin E/CdK2 transition from the G1 to the S-phase of the cell cycle. Thus, the experimental data on AFP-CD interaction with cell cycle proteins were consistent with the “in silico” findings.
Demonstration of a Humoral Na/K Pump Inhibitor in Experimental Low-Renin Hypertension

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a demonstration of a humoral Na/K pump inhibitor in experimental low-renin hypertension. The ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake and Na, K-ATPase activity are suppressed in blood vessels and cardiac microsomes, respectively, of animals with low-renin, presumably volume-expanded hypertension. These include dogs with one-kidney, one-wrapped hypertension and rats with (1) one-kidney, one-clip, (2) one­kidney, DOCA-saline, and (3) reduced renal mass hypertension. The chapter also mentions that ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake is also suppressed in rats and dogs following acute volume expansion with saline or mannitol that supernates of boiled plasma from these rats and dogs reduce 86Rb uptake when applied to tail arteries from normal rats. It is known that suppression of the vascular Na/K pump with ouabain—for example, increases contractile activity and the contractile responses to vasoconstrictor agents. Therefore, the humoral pump inhibitor found in this study may be involved in the genesis and maintenance of the hypertension.
Introduction to Digital Image Processing

Publisher Summary One aspect of image processing that makes it such an interesting topic of study is the amazing diversity of applications that make use of image processing or analysis techniques. Virtually every branch of science has sub disciplines that use recording devices or sensors to collect image data from the universe. This data is often multidimensional and can be arranged in a format that is suitable for human viewing. Viewable datasets like this can be regarded as images and processed using established techniques for image processing, even if the information has not been derived from visible light sources. Another rich aspect of digital imaging is the diversity of image types that arise, and which can derive from nearly every type of radiation. Indeed, some of the most exciting developments in medical imaging have arisen from new sensors that record image data from previously little used sources of radiation, such as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, or that sense radiation in new ways, as in computer-aided tomography, where X-ray data is collected from multiple angles to form a rich aggregate image.
Thermo- and Electro-Transport in Solids

If a current of electricity, or a flux of heat, is passed through an initially homogeneous alloy an unmixing occurs, that is a concentration gradient develops. These effects are called electro-transport and thermotransport, respectively. In electro-transport the atomic redistribution is similar to that studied in ionic conductors. However, in metals electrons carry essentially all of the electric current, and the ratio of electron to atomic currents is high. It appears that most of the atomic transport results from the impact of the large flux of electrons on the solute atoms making diffusive jumps. In thermo-transport, the redistribution of solute which occurs is analogous to the more widely studied thermoelectric effects that arise from the redistribution of electrons in a solid in a temperature gradient. The origin of the force driving the atoms is not clear.
De-radicalizing Pakistani society: the receptivity of youth to a liberal religious worldview

AbstractThe reported rise in radicalism among youth in Pakistan since 9/11/2001 has been attributed to religious education in madrasas and schools. However, education in Pakistan is only part of the historical and contemporary forces that contribute to the prevailing exclusivist religio-political discourse. Although most policy papers have recommended a secularization of public education, such efforts by the Pakistani Government have been counterproductive. These efforts by the Pakistani Government to reshape education, with massive funding from international donors, have faced strong opposition and there are signs of psychological reactance as evidenced by even greater levels of religious radicalism among Pakistani youth. The current study suggests a viable alternative for reshaping education in Pakistan. A nationwide survey of educated urban youth (N = 386) conducted by the first author, revealed that when considering radical religious, Western secular and liberal religious ideas, Pakistani youth were o...
Symbiotic Space: Exploring the Nexus of Rigor, Problems of Practice and Implementation

Across the United States, doctoral programs in education are in deep reflection about their purpose, content, and expected outcomes for graduates. Many are in the throes of redesign and testing to better differentiate between two pathways to the doctorate—one for scholars preparing for research and academic roles and one for scholar-practitioners who wish to focus on problems of practice and implementation. This paper explores a major source of challenge among faculty as they engineer both research-oriented and practitioner-oriented degrees, and that is the interconnections among the constructs of rigor, problems of practice, and implementation . The paper examines the tension between the “gold standard” of random assignment studies and causal inferences, and the more recent frames of inquiry in which research is translated to practice through shared pathways that engage multiple stakeholders. Several questions are explored: Are “rigor” and “relevance” opposing constructs? What is rigor and should there be a new standard for scholars navigating within a symbiotic space – the arena in which they seek to impact highly complex social problems within authentic field-based settings? Is rigor subjective, or can it be measured? These questions are examined within the context of implementation science and through the lens of the lived experience of Education faculty who find themselves in a creative crucible as they navigate the redesign process.
Construction and optimization of a heterologous pathway for protocatechuate catabolism in Escherichia coli enables bioconversion of model aromatic compounds

The production of biofuels from lignocellulose yields a substantial lignin byproduct stream that currently has few applications. Biological conversion of lignin-derived compounds into chemicals and fuels has the potential to improve the economics of lignocellulose-derived biofuels, but few microbes are able both to catabolize lignin-derived aromatic compounds and generate valuable products. While Escherichia coli has been engineered to produce a variety of fuels and chemicals, it is incapable of catabolizing most aromatic compounds. Therefore, we have engineered E. coli to catabolize protocatechuate, a common intermediate in lignin degradation, as the sole source of carbon and energy via heterologous expression of a nine-gene pathway from Pseudomonas putida KT2440. We next used experimental evolution to select for mutations that increased growth with protocatechuate more than two-fold. Increasing the strength of a single ribosome binding site in the heterologous pathway was sufficient to recapitulate the increased growth. After optimization of the core pathway, we extended the pathway to enable catabolism of a second model compound, 4-hydroxybenzoate. These engineered strains will be useful platforms to discover, characterize, and optimize pathways for conversions of lignin-derived aromatics. Importance Lignin is a challenging substrate for microbial catabolism due to its polymeric and heterogeneous chemical structure. Therefore, engineering microbes for improved catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds will require the assembly of an entire network of catabolic reactions, including pathways from genetically-intractable strains. Constructing defined pathways for aromatic compound degradation in a model host would allow rapid identification, characterization, and optimization of novel pathways. We have constructed and optimized one such pathway in E. coli to enable catabolism of a model aromatic compound, protocatechuate, and then extended the pathway to a related compound, 4-hydroxybenzoate. This optimized strain can now be used as the basis for the characterization of novel pathways.
COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION OF CHEMISTRY IN COMBUSTION MODELING

ABSTRACT Recognizing the highly nonlinear and coupled nature of chemical reaction mechanisms of relevance to combustion, and that realistic combustion situations frequently involve extensive variations in the system pressure as well as the local temperature and composition, it is advocated that development of detailed and simplified reaction mechanisms should strive for comprehensiveness in their coverage in terms of thermodynamic parameters, combustion phenomena, and fuel hierarchy. The possibility of mechanism simplification without sacrificing comprehensiveness is demonstrated for a detailed ethylene oxidation mechanism that consists of 70 species and 463 elementary reactions. It is shown that this detailed mechanism can be first simplified, through application of the directed relation graph, to a skeletal mechanism that consists of only 33 species and 205 elementary reactions. This skeletal mechanism is then further simplified to a reduced mechanism that consists of only 21 species and 16 lumped react...