cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the methylation status of Foxp3 gene during acute phase of Kawasaki disease

Objective To investigate the methylation status of Foxp3 gene and its roles in immunological pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods Thirty children with KD and eighteen agematched healthy children consented to participate in this study. Quantitative methylation specific polymerase chain reaction(MSQP) was used to assess the methylation status of Foxp3 promoter and regulatory T cells specific demethylated region(TSDR) in CD4+ T cells. The proportion of CD4+ CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T (Tr) cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Transcriptional levels of CD4+ CD25 + Foxp3 + Tr associating genes (Foxp3, CTLA4, GITR, LAG3 and CCR8 ) and Foxp3-dependent molecules (UBD and LGAIS3)were measured by real-time PCR. Results ( 1 ) Demethylation level of Foxp3 promoter in CD4 + T cells from patients with KD was lower significantly than that of health subjects( P ＜ 0.01 ), and increased significantly after treated with intravenous gamma globulin therapy(IVIG) (P ＜ 0.01 ). No difference of demethylation level of TSDR region was observed among all groups ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). ( 2 ) The proportion of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + Tr in peripheral blood from patients with KD , as well as mRNA levels of Foxp3 gene in CD4+ T cells, was significantly lower than those of health subjects ( P ＜0. 01 ), and increases significantly after IVIG therapy (P ＜0.01 ). Significant positive correlations between demethylation level of Foxp3 promoter and the proportion of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + Tr , or expression levels of Foxp3 in CD4 + T cells, were observed during acute phase of KD (CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ Tr: r=0.76, P＜0. 01; Foxp3: r=0.89, P＜0. 01). (3)Transcription level of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Tr associating factors, such as CTLA4, GITR, LAG3 and CCR8, was significantly down-regulated in acute phase of KD(P＜0. 01 ), and up-regulated to some extent after treated with IVIG(P ＜0. 01 ). Expression levels of Foxp3-dependent molecules UBD and LGALS3 in CD4 + T cells decreased significantly during acute phase of KD (P ＜ 0.01 ), and basically recovered to the levels of health subjects( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion Decrease of demethylation level of Fopx3 promoter is correlated with immune dysfunction in Kawasaki disease. Key words: Kawasaki disease; Foxp3; DNA methylation; CD4+CD25+
Courageous caring conversations: Promoting faculty wellbeing.

Abstract Courageous Caring Conversations was designed to support faculty wellbeing and a culture of caring and civility in nursing academe. This innovative strategy involves an adaptation of Schwartz Healthcare Rounds for nursing education to establish a culture of respect and caring among nursing faculty. The process is guided by Chinn's Peace and Power process. Courageous Caring Conversations encourage faculty to discuss ethical dilemmas and challenging academic or collegial situations that occur over the course of the semester. The process begins with a shared meal offering an informal opportunity for faculty to connect and establish relatedness. Faculty then enter into a shared discussion intended to provide a venue to debrief the challenges of the semester with the goal of deepening understanding, empathy, and compassion among faculty. This practice supports the development of a healthy academic workplace where conflict is viewed as transformative and open communication and civility flourish.
Graph Convolutional Value Decomposition in Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning

We propose a novel framework for value function factorization in multi-agent deep reinforcement learning using graph neural networks (GNNs). In particular, we consider the team of agents as the set of nodes of a complete directed graph, whose edge weights are governed by an attention mechanism. Building upon this underlying graph, we introduce a mixing GNN module, which is responsible for two tasks: i) factorizing the team state-action value function into individual per-agent observation-action value functions, and ii) explicit credit assignment to each agent in terms of fractions of the global team reward. Our approach, which we call GraphMIX, follows the centralized training and decentralized execution paradigm, enabling the agents to make their decisions independently once training is completed. Experimental results on the StarCraft II multi-agent challenge (SMAC) environment demonstrate the superiority of our proposed approach as compared to the state-of-the-art.
The Impact of Team Management on Workers’ Productivity

A team is a small group which engages upon a specific task for which group members have a clearly defined role and in which each member has a vested interest in success. The only way to tackle process improvement of problems is through the use of some form of teamwork. The effectiveness of team management enhances noticeable job efficiency and is certainly about work in progress. The study finds and summarizes that team management has been found to be a useful technique through which the activities, behavior, skills, knowledge and attitude of workers can be improved upon. It also concludes that it is obviously said that a tree cannot make a forest. The study makes some recommendations to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of employees’ productivity which says that management must make sure that members of groups and teams are encouraged to enable them participate fully in any tasks. Rewards are also to be given to members whose tasks are characterized by reciprocal task which is based upon team performance or a combination of individual and team performance (if individual performance can be identified) and finally, group or team members are encouraged to periodically assess the appropriateness of existing norms. All these will help the team to avoid any mistakes that might want to arise.
Considering Mandatory Vaccination of Children for COVID-19.

* Abbreviations: COVID — : coronavirus disease COVID-19 — : coronavirus disease 2019 MIS-C — : multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children SARS-CoV-2 — : severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Herculean efforts are ongoing to develop vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 new coronavirus that causes the disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organization lists >100 candidate vaccines, with several already in clinical trials and at least 3 receiving Emergency Use Authorization in the United States. We already know that some vaccines can protect against illness caused by the virus (Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca). However, we do not yet know whether these vaccines induce immune responses at the nasopharyngeal mucosa such that protection against nasopharyngeal infection and carriage of the virus is achieved. The publicly available briefing document for the December 17, 2020, Food and Drug Administration Vaccines and Related Biologic Products Advisory Committee meeting suggested such an effect in the Moderna vaccine study, but much remains to be learned regarding magnitude and durability of any such effect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Nevertheless, protection against COVID-19 is evidently feasible if vaccines induce robust neutralizing antibodies and, perhaps, T-cellular responses.1,2 Although immune memory has not yet been extensively studied, vaccines that induce those responses usually induce persistent memory and therefore immunity. Vaccines against COVID-19 are being administered to adult populations. The National Academy of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that vaccination begin with those at high risk of exposure, such as medical personnel, patients in long-term care facilities, and first responders, followed by those with high risk of severe coronavirus disease (COVID), such as the elderly and those with comorbidities. Vaccination of other adults will follow, with previously healthy adolescents and … Address correspondence to Stanley A. Plotkin, MD, University of Pennsylvania, 4650 Wismer Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902. E-mail: stanley.plotkin{at}vaxconsult.com
Harnessing Home-School Partnerships and School Consultation to Support Youth With Anxiety

Abstract Youth with anxiety often experience significant impairment in the school setting. Despite the relevance and promise of addressing anxiety in schools, traditional treatment approaches to school-based anxiety often do not adequately address generalization to the school setting, or they require removing the student from the classroom to deliver time- and staff-intensive programs. Such programs often leave teachers and caregivers feeling ill-equipped to support the student with anxiety throughout the natural course of the school day. Given the heavy demands placed on teachers and documented burnout among school professionals, providing effective school supports requires collaborative partnerships among outpatient therapists/specialists, school personnel, and caregivers. Drawing from literature on collaborative models for externalizing problems, we offer recommendations for outpatient therapists and specialists working to implement evidence-based supports and promote home-school partnerships to benefit youth with anxiety in the school setting. Our recommendations touch upon several components of such school consultation, including (a) identification of key parties involved, (b) conducting a needs assessment, (c) collaborative goal setting and development of a fear hierarchy, (d) plan development and implementation (e.g., facilitating a school-based exposure mindset, promoting home-school communication, enhancing school relationships), and (e) progress monitoring and ongoing support. We conclude with a case example to bring these recommendations to life.
Trends and Disparities in Quality of Diabetes Care in the US: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2016

Objectives: To examine trends and disparities in the quality of diabetes care among US adults with diabetes. Methods: Individuals aged 20 years or older with diabetes from NHANES (1999-2016) were included in the study. Quality indicators for diabetes care included Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) < 8%, Blood Pressure (BP) < 130/80 mm Hg, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) < 100 mg/dL, triglycerides < 150 mg/dL, receiving eye and foot examinations in the past year, and meeting with a diabetes educator in the past year. Results: A total of 7,521 adults with diabetes were identified. During the 18-year study period, significant improvements in diabetes care were observed in the overall study sample. Adjusted regression analyses showed that compared with their White counterparts, Blacks were more likely to have received eye (OR=1.37; P=0.01) and foot (OR=1.42;P=0.01) examinations and met a diabetes educator (OR=1.40;P<0.01) over the past year. However, Blacks were significantly less likely to achieve treatment goals for HbA1c (OR=0.77, P=0.02), BP (OR=0.75, P<0.01), LDL-C (OR=0.68, P<0.01). Hispanics in general had suboptimal healthcare utilization for diabetes but the Hispanic-white disparities in diabetes care outcomes were attenuated after controlling for patient sociodemographic, clinical and utilization characteristics. Overall, suboptimal quality of diabetes care were particularly prominent among adults without health insurance and those with lower educational attainment. Conclusions: In the United States, despite persistent efforts, racial disparities in quality of diabetes care still persist. Lack of health insurance and lower socioeconomic status are among the strongest predictors of poor quality of diabetes care. These findings provide valuable information in developing policies and practices to promote racial equity in diabetes care.
Shear relaxation governs fusion dynamics of biomolecular condensates

Phase-separated biomolecular condensates must respond agilely to biochemical and environmental cues in performing their wide-ranging cellular functions, but our understanding of condensate dynamics is lagging. Ample evidence now indicates biomolecular condensates as viscoelastic fluids, where shear stress relaxes at a finite rate, not instantaneously as in viscous liquids. Yet the fusion dynamics of condensate droplets has only been modeled based on viscous liquids, with fusion time given by the viscocapillary ratio (viscosity over interfacial tension). Here we used optically trapped polystyrene beads to measure the viscous and elastic moduli and the interfacial tensions of four types of droplets. Our results challenge the viscocapillary model, and reveal that the relaxation of shear stress governs fusion dynamics. These findings likely have implications for other dynamic processes such as multiphase organization, assembly and disassembly, and aging.
A Novel Buried Floating PESD-doped NPN-eSCR Device for Robust High-Voltage ESD Protection

An area-efficient novel Buried Floating PESD-doped (BFP) NPN-embedded Silicon-Controlled Rectifier (NPN-eSCR) device was evaluated for robust High Voltage (HV) Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection in a 130nm GLOBALFOUNDRIES® low-cost BCDLite process. The BFP NPN-eSCR exhibited a unique physical mechanism of device operation (parasitic PNPNPN action with series connected V-SCR and V-NPN). The mechanism was established through Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) simulations and validated with silicon measured Transmission Line Pulse (TLP) results. Best-In-Class (BIC) device performance with high failure current (It2~87.44mA/um), high holding voltage (Vh>12V) and optimized device footprint (square layout - each emitter edge ~30um) are reported as the key Figures of Merit (FOMs).
Exact Thermoelasticity Solution for Cylindrical Bending Deformations of Functionally Graded Plates

The abrupt change in material properties across the interface between discrete layers in composite structures can result in large interlaminar stresses leading to delamination. One way to overcome these adverse effects is to use “functionally graded materials” which are inhomogeneous materials with continuously varying material properties. There are several three-dimensional (3D) solutions available for the thermoelastic analysis of inhomogeneous plates. Most of these studies have been conducted for laminated plates that have piecewise constant material properties in the thickness direction. Rogers et al. [1] have employed the method of asymptotic expansion to analyze 3D deformations of inhomogeneous plates. However, the boundary conditions on the edges of the plate in their theory are applied in an average sense like those in 2D plate theories and the plate is assumed to be only moderately thick. Tarn and Wang [2] have also presented an asymptotic solution that may be carried out to any order, but the manipulations become more and more involved as one considers higher order terms. Cheng and Batra [3] have also used the method of asymptotic expansion to study the 3D thermoelastic deformations of a functionally graded elliptic plate. Tanaka et al. [4] designed property profiles for functionally graded materials to reduce the thermal stresses. Reddy [5] has presented solutions for rectangular plates based on the third-order shear deformation plate theory. Reiter and Dvorak [6, 7] performed detailed finite element studies of discrete models containing simulated skeletal and particulate microstructures and compared results with those computed from homogenized models in which effective properties were derived by the Mori-Tanaka and the self-consistent methods. Cheng and Batra [8] have related the deflections of a simply supported functionally graded polygonal plate given by the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and a third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT) to that of an equivalent homogeneous Kirchhoff plate.
A Model for Transduction in Hair Cells Involving Strain-Activated Conductance

Based on the experimental observations of the mechano-electrical transduction in hair cells, we formulate a model of the receptor potential utilizing a simple model circuit and ideas of stretch activation. The stereociliary displacement-response relation is developed based on the cilia crosslinking, thus incorporating notions of bidirectional sensitivity, asymmetry, saturation, and adaptation naturally into the model. We then give some simulation results involving periodic stimuli to the hair bundle as well as current stimuli to study latency behavior and other qualitative properties of the model.
Entrepreneurial Role-Model Exposure, Self-Efficacy, and Women’s Entrepreneurial Intentions:

We examined entrepreneurial role-model exposure (operationalized in terms of both the number of role models known and the intensity of interactions with one’s most influential role model) and self-efficacy as predictors of women’s entrepreneurial intentions. Among 620 female college students, self-efficacy and number of entrepreneurial role models were both associated with stronger entrepreneurial intentions. Among the 105 women who had at least one entrepreneurial role model, the intensity of interactions with the most influential of those role models was also associated with entrepreneurial intentions. Consistent with Social Cognitive Career Theory, self-efficacy mediated the relationships between both forms of role-model exposure and entrepreneurial intentions. Contrary to Bandura’s similarity hypothesis, the association between role-model exposure and self-efficacy was not stronger when access to female entrepreneurs was present. We discuss implications for future research and for career intervention.
Chapter 13 Hepatic CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ): engineer of diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory disease processes

Publisher Summary The C/EBP family of transcription factors includes C/EBP α, β, γ, δ, ɛ, ς, and is encoded by separate genes located on different chromosomes. They have been implicated in diverse cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation, inflammation, and the response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Two of these gene family members, C/EBPα and C/EBPβ are central regulators of important integrative metabolic processes in the liver, particularly gluconeogenesis. In addition to gluconeogenic genes, C/EBP binding motifs also exist in many lipogenic gene promoters. Based on gene knockout studies, C/EBPα and C/EBPβ appear to not only to affect gluconeogenesis, but also hepatic lipogenesis as well. Gene inactivation studies also suggest that C/EBPs while overlapping to some degree, have unique metabolic roles and are not at all redundant in function. This chapter outlines how C/EBP, particularly C/EBPα and C/EBPβ are involved in the control of gluconeogenesis in the context of other known transcription factors using the PEPCK gene as a model promoter. In addition, it also outlines the emerging role for C/EBPβ as a factor in regulation of hepatic lipogenesis, and its important role in integrating the response to ER stress and inflammatory disease processes.
Environmental Enforcement at the Turn of the Century

Since the mid-1980s, Congress and state legislatures have passed numerous environmental protection statutes. Agencies will have to cope with the increased workload created by these statutes by developing new enforcement techniques and strategies. A comparison with the Dutch enforcement system shows that increasing the role of local governments will help promote new enforcement schemes. Other methods for coping with the new workload will include increased reliance on criminal penalties, citizen enforcement efforts, field citations, strategic planning, and administrative penalty orders.
Mid systolic closure of aortic valve in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Echocardiographic and angiographic correlation

Abstract To compare the reliability of the mid systolic closure of the aortic valve with asymmetric septal hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve in predicting left ventricular outflow obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 15 patients with this clinical diagnosis and echocardiographic findings of asymmetric septal hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve were studied. Of these, six (40 percent) had mid systolic closure of the aortic valve. All six patients had evidence of an intraventricular pressure gradient and angiographic findings confirming the presence of left ventricular outflow obstruction. Of the nine remaining patients, six (67 percent) had an intraventricular pressure gradient, whereas three (33 percent) had no demonstrable gradient. Of the six patients with a gradient and no mid systolic valve closure, only two had definite angiographic evidence of outflow obstruction; in the remaining four patients the gradient could be accounted for by the finding of left ventricular cavity obliteration. Among the total group of 15 patients, angiographic evidence of outflow obstruction was found in 8 (53 percent), whereas 7 (47 percent) had left ventricular cavity obliteration; these included the 3 patients with no intraventricular gradient. Of the eight patients with angiographic evidence of outflow obstruction, six (75 percent) had the echocardiographic finding of mid systolic closure of the aortic valve. Thus, although the incidence of mid systolic closure of the aortic valve in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is relatively low, this finding appears to be a moderately sensitive sign of left ventricular outflow obstruction and may be a more specific predictor of outflow obstruction than asymmetric septal hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve.
Gynaecomastia—pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

Gynaecomastia (enlargement of the male breast tissue) is a common finding in the general population. Most cases of gynaecomastia are benign and of cosmetic, rather than clinical, importance. However, the condition might cause local pain and tenderness, could occasionally be the result of a serious underlying illness or a medication, or be inherited. Breast cancer in men is much less common than benign gynaecomastia, and the two conditions can usually be distinguished by a careful physical examination. Estrogens are known to stimulate the growth of breast tissue, whereas androgens inhibit it; most cases of gynaecomastia result from deficient androgen action or excessive estrogen action in the breast tissue. In some cases, such as pubertal gynaecomastia, the breast enlargement resolves spontaneously. In other situations, more active treatment might be required to correct an underlying condition (such as hyperthyroidism or a benign Leydig cell tumour of the testis) or medications that could cause breast enlargement (such as spironolactone) might need to be discontinued. For men with hypogonadism, administration of androgens might be helpful, as might antiestrogen therapy in men with endogenous overproduction of estrogens. Surgery to remove the enlarged breast tissue might be necessary when gynaecomastia does not resolve spontaneously or with medical therapy.
Can Behavioral Economics Combat Obesity

The rising prevalence of obesity in the United States has led to consideration — and even adoption — of public policies intended to shape Americans’ food choices. This article examines and criticizes these paternalistic policies. It describes the growing use of behavioral economics to justify government intervention into obesity. Policies are too easy to justify under assumptions that government officials are better informed than the individuals they seek to guide. Government intervention is often ineffective in dealing with individual failures, and in some cases is counterproductive.
When Does a Work Infringe the Derivative Works Right of a Copyright Owner

Consider the following fact situation: A, an artist, designs art work and registers the copyright in that art work. A then licenses P to publish note cards using the art work. The note cards are published by P and distributed to retail card stores. T purchases several hundred cards and then takes each card, glues it carefully to a ceramic tile, and sells the tiles for a profit as "tile art" that purchasers can use to decorate walls, counters, even floors. If A now sues T for copyright infringement, how should the court rule? Has T infringed A's copyright? In addressing cases involving facts much like these, the courts have split. In Mirage Editions v. Albuquerque A.R T. Co., the Ninth Circuit ruled that the creator of the tile art had infringed the artist's exclusive right to prepare derivative works based upon her copyrighted art work. That decision has been followed by two district courts in the Ninth Circuit in Munoz v. Albuquerque A.R T. Co. and Greenwich Workshop v. Timber Creations. On the other hand, in Lee v. A.RT. Co., the Seventh Circuit ruled in favor of the tile art creator, concluding that the tile art was not an infringing derivative work and that the defendant was entitled to make and sell the tile art without incurring liability to the artist in accordance with the first sale doctrine reflected in section 109(a) of the Copyright Act of 1976 ("1976 Copyright Act" or "1976 Act"). These differing outcomes have implications for copyright law that go far beyond the simple fact pattern involved. In fact, many of the policy assumptions that underlie copyright law are at stake in deciding which of these outcomes is proper. At its core, this fact pattern forces the courts to address the question of just what it means to provide an artist with copyright protection. Is the artist thereby ensured that any meaningful economic exploitation of the copyrighted work is subject to her control, or is copyright protection to be defined more narrowly, and if so, subject to what limitations? What are the limits of the personal property rights of those who purchase material objects that contain works protected by copyright? This Article addresses these questions, using the tile art scenario as the focal point. Part I describes generally the goals of copyright law and the historical development of the copyright owner's right to control the creation of so-called "derivative works." Part II focuses on the Mirage and Lee decisions and the reasoning used by these courts to reach their different outcomes. Part III critiques both of these decisions and places them in the context of other pertinent case law and commentary. Part IV provides an alternative approach to analyzing these issues.
Comparison of the Hemagglutination Inhibition Test and an Indirect Fluorescent-Antibody Test for Detection of Antibody to Rubella Virus in Human Sera

Correlation between FIAX and hemagglutination inhibition methods for presence or absence of rubella viral antibody was good at high hemagglutination inhibition titers, but only fair at low or negative titers.
Fides Ancilla Medicinae: On the Ersatz Liturgy of Death in Biopsycosociospiritual Medicine

This paper explores the history of the care of the sick and claims that medicine takes the dead body as epistemologically normative, thus shaping the care offered to patients.
Vitamin D Status and Rates of Cognitive Decline in a Multiethnic Cohort of Older Adults

Importance Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is associated with brain structural abnormalities, cognitive decline, and incident dementia. Objective To assess associations between VitD status and trajectories of change in subdomains of cognitive function in a cohort of ethnically diverse older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants Longitudinal multiethnic cohort study of 382 participants in an outpatient clinic enrolled between February 2002 and August 2010 with baseline assessment and yearly follow-up visits. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) was measured, with VitD status defined as the following: deficient, less than 12 ng/mL (to convert to nanomoles per liter, multiply by 2.496); insufficient, 12 to less than 20 ng/mL; adequate, 20 to less than 50 ng/mL; or high, 50 ng/mL or higher. Subdomains of cognitive function were assessed using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales. Associations were evaluated between 25-OHD levels (as continuous and categorical [deficient, insufficient, or adequate]) and trajectories of cognitive decline. Main Outcomes and Measures Serum 25-OHD levels, cognitive function, and associations between 25-OHD levels and trajectories of cognitive decline. Results Participants (N = 382 at baseline) had a mean (SD) age of 75.5 (7.0) years; 61.8% were women; and 41.4% were white, 29.6% African American, 25.1% Hispanic, and 3.9% other race/ethnicity. Diagnosis at enrollment included 17.5% with dementia, 32.7% with mild cognitive impairment, and 49.5% cognitively normal. The mean (SD) 25-OHD level was 19.2 (11.7) ng/mL, with 26.2% of participants being VitD deficient and 35.1% insufficient. The mean (SD) 25-OHD levels were significantly lower for African American and Hispanic participants compared with white participants (17.9 [15.8] and 17.2 [8.4] vs 21.7 [10.0] ng/mL, respectively; P P = .006). The mean (SD) follow-up was 4.8 (2.5) years. Rates of decline in episodic memory and executive function among VitD-deficient (episodic memory: β = −0.04 [SE = 0.02], P = .049; executive function: β = −0.05 [SE = 0.02], P = .01) and VitD-insufficient (episodic memory: β = −0.06 [SE = 0.02], P P = .008) participants were greater than those with adequate status after controlling for age, sex, education, ethnicity, body mass index, season of blood draw, vascular risk, and apolipoprotein E4 genotype. Vitamin D status was not significantly associated with decline in semantic memory or visuospatial ability. Exclusion of participants with dementia did not substantially affect the associations between VitD status and rates of cognitive decline. Conclusions and Relevance Low VitD status was associated with accelerated decline in cognitive function domains in ethnically diverse older adults, including African American and Hispanic individuals who exhibited a high prevalence of VitD insufficiency or deficiency. It remains to be determined whether VitD supplementation slows cognitive decline.
Impulse activity in presynaptic dendrites: Analysis of mitral cells in the isolated turtle olfactory bulb

Impulse activity has been reported in neuronal dendrites in several regions of the central nervous system, where it is believed to assist in boosting transmission of signals from remote dendritic sites to the cell body. We have studied this activity in the dendrites of mitral cells in an isolated preparation of the turtle olfactory bulb. Intracellular recordings have been obtained from mitral cells responding to single volleys in the olfactory nerves or lateral olfactory tract. In addition to the large somatic spike, a small fast prepotential (FPP) was present in nearly all cells in response to an orthodromic volley in the olfactory nerves, but it was never seen in antidromic responses from the lateral olfactory tract. Collision tests using antidromic and orthodromic volleys showed that the EPP does not propagate into the axon. Hyperpolarizing current injections caused delay and blocking of the soma spike with little effect on the FPP response. These and other tests provided evidence to localize the EPP in the dendrites and to distinguish it from injury potentials and from spikes in the axon hillock or axonal initial segment. These results suggest that one function of the impulse in mitral cell dendrites is the classical one of boosting transmission of synaptic responses from the glomerular tuft to the cell body. In addition, it si well established that mitral cell dendrites are presynaptic to the dendrites of interneurons within the bulb and that these connections provide pathways for recurrent inhibition of the mitral cells. It therefore appears that the dendritic impulse in mitral cells acts as a booster for local dendritic synaptic output. These results provide further evidence for the multiple state-dependent input-output functions of cells with presynaptic dendrites.
Oligonucleotide Imprinting in Aqueous Environment

The development of synthetic receptors that recognize nucleotide bases and their derivatives is an important area of research [1-3]. Applications are envisioned in separation science, biosensors, drug therapy and genetic engineering. Previously in this laboratory, we have developed a molecularly imprinted synthetic receptor for 9-ethyladenine (9-EA). The network polymer has an affinity for adenine and its derivatives with an average association constant (Ka) of 75,000 M–1 in CHCl3 [4]. When a 9-EA imprinted polymer was used as the chromatographic support, adenine eluted at 27 minutes using 92.5/5/0/2.5 CH3CN/H2O/CH3CO2H as the mobile phase, while cytosine, guanine and thymine derivatives all eluted close to the void volume (2.0 min). In addition, imprinted polymers have been made with complementary binding sites for cytosine and guanine [5], as well as other nucleotide base analogues [6]. The extension of these results to construct robust receptors for oligonucleotides requires fundamental changes in imprinting strategies. Most importantly, since oligonucleotides are water soluble, strategies that employ EGDMA/MAA formulations in organic solvents will need to be replaced with those that do not compromise the interactions between template (the oligo) and functional monomer. Initially, the imprinting of a 2’-deoxyadenosine dimer (1) was attempted. Due to the hydrophilicity of a DNA oligomer, it was difficult to find a suitable organic solvent that would solubilize the oligomers without disrupting the template’s interaction with the polymer matrix [7]. To combat the solubility problems and to insure the homogeniety of the polymerization solution, we examined various polymer formulations with organic and/or aqueous-based solvents that would dissolve the template without disrupting these key interactions.
Coalition formation in triads with single‐peaked payoff curves

Coalition formation in decision making of three-person group systems was studied using a coalition game. This was devised as an analogue for many situations in which groups make decisions, both in “real life” and in laboratory experiments. One of the important findings of the study was that in this game, unlike the games usually employed in coalition research, the “resources” that the triad members possessed had relatively little effect upon which members tended to enter into a coalition or upon which of the partners to a coalition tended to receive the larger payoff. Instead, the formation of coalitions tended to depend upon whether the payoff structure of the game made it possible for the partners in a particular coalition to reach an agreement giving both of them relatively large payoffs. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research on coalitions.
Co/Pd multilayers for perpendicular magnetic recording media

Abstract Co/Pd multilayered media were improved using a three-fold approach. InSn seedlayers were used for higher coercivities, the Pd layers were doped with Si to decrease exchange between grains, and the Pd thickness was decreased to increase magnetization. When InSn seedlayers were used for these Co/Pd multilayered perpendicular magnetic recording media, the coercivity increased to measured values of 12.5 kOe and projected values of almost 20 kOe. These large values were obtained even though the depositions described here were done at room temperature. In order to lessen intergranular exchange coupling, Si (which has no solid solubility in Pd) was used to dope the Pd layers. Si also slightly decreased the grain size distribution to 23%. Initial recording measurements showed excellent signal to noise ratios, although an excessively wide switching field distribution prevented recording at the highest densities. Finally, the thickness of the Pd bilayers was reduced to increase the magnetization of the samples from 180 to 300 emu/cm 3 .
Determination of fluctuations in local symmetry and measurement by convergent beam electron diffraction: applications to a relaxor‐based ferroelectric crystal after thermal annealing

Single crystals of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–31%PbTiO3 (PMN–31%PT) are known for their complex domain structures at the nanometre scale. While their average symmetry has been studied by X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction methods, there is little knowledge about variations in symmetry at the local scale. Here, direct evidence is provided for the volume dependence and spatial dependence of symmetry fluctuations by using quantitative convergent beam electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Fluctuations in symmetry were determined by using different electron beam probe sizes ranging from ∼2 to 25 nm from a crystal ∼62 nm thick. The symmetry of PMN–31%PT was found to increase linearly as the average volume increased, and the local symmetry fluctuated from one location to another at the nanoscale. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicates that chemical fluctuations are significant when the probe size decreases to ∼2 nm. The symmetry fluctuation is attributed to locally varying composition-dependent ionic displacements and spontaneous polarization.
Plague, Conflict, and Negotiation: The Jewish Broadcloth Weavers of Salonica and the Ottoman Central Administration in the Late Sixteenth Century

Like other port cities of the early modern Mediterranean, Ottoman Salonica was repeatedly attacked by outbreaks of plague. When plague arrived, the Jewish residents of the town rushed to the countryside to protect themselves and their families. These departures sometimes brought the textile industry of Salonica to a halt and endangered the production of the woolen broadcloth that the Ottoman administration needed for distribution to the Janissaries. Hence, flight from plague frequently created tensions between the Ottoman central administration and the Jewish broadcloth weavers of Salonica. Documents in the Ottoman archives from the second half of the sixteenth century reveal a long process of negotiation that sought to address this problem. A close analysis of these documents, including a succession of orders issued by the Ottoman administration, offers unique insights into how the conflicting interests of the Ottoman central administration and a subject population were mediated.
Increasing Numbers of Synaptic Puncta during Late-Phase LTP: N-Cadherin Is Synthesized, Recruited to Synaptic Sites, and Required for Potentiation

Abstract It is an open question whether new synapses form during hippocampal LTP. Here, we show that late-phase LTP (L-LTP) is associated with a significant increase in numbers of synaptic puncta identified by synaptophysin and N-cadherin, an adhesion protein involved in synapse formation during development. During potentiation, protein levels of N-cadherin are significantly elevated and N-cadherin dimerization is enhanced. The increases in synaptic number and N-cadherin levels are dependent on cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein synthesis, both of which are also required for L-LTP. Blocking N-cadherin adhesion prevents the induction of L-LTP, but not the early-phase of LTP (E-LTP). Our data suggest that N-cadherin is synthesized during the induction of L-LTP and recruited to newly forming synapses. N-cadherin may play a critical role in L-LTP by holding nascent pre- and postsynaptic membranes in apposition, enabling incipient synapses to acquire function and contribute to potentiation.
Random walks and polygons in tight confinement

We discuss the effect of confinement on the topology and geometry of tightly confined random walks and polygons. Here the walks and polygons are confined in a sphere of radius R ? 1/2 and the polygons are equilateral with n edges of unit length. We illustrate numerically that for a fixed length of random polygons the knotting probability increases to one as the radius decreases to 1/2. We also demonstrate that for random polygons (walks) the curvature increases to ?n (?(n ? 1)) as the radius approaches 1/2 and that the torsion decreases to ? ?n/3 (? ?(n ? 1)/3). In addition we show the effect of length and confinement on the average crossing number of a random polygon.
Authenticity, communication, and critical theory

This essay deals with the notion of authenticity in the study of communication by tracing its treatment in the literature of recent social theory, particularly Critical Theory. It suggests that the search for the authentic has been a historically grounded intellectual concern with considerations of creative practices serving to recover the authentic in contemporary life. The essay concludes by acknowledging the need of Critical Theory to address the challenges of postmodern thought and the potential of popular culture in an emancipatory struggle.
Conditions of Precision Measurement for Error Separation by Multi-Probe Method

There are some applications of error separation technique in actual measurement. However there exists a series of theoretical and technical obstacles, and the error separation technique lacks the objective assessment. The further discussion about the character of error separation technique by multi-probe method is made in this paper and six criteria for precision measurement of error separation technique by multi-probe method is also advanced. That is, (1) The criterion for veracity of error separation; (2) The criterion for periodicity of combination signal; (3) The criterion for the remnant first-harmonic in combination signal; (4) The criterion for validity of error separation results; (5) The criterion for validity of probes’ fixing angles ; (6) The criterion for nonzero character of weight function. These criteria are significant for the objective evaluation of the measuring apparatus’ measurement precision, the validity of the sampling data, and the confidence level of error separation results. The validity of the measuring condition was proved by the online measurement experiment.
Current Waves in a Straight Thin Wire Resonator with Finite Conductivity

ABSTRACT Diffraction of plane harmonic waves from a straight thin wire of finite length and finite conductivity is investigated by the method of parabolic equations using the concept of edge waves. Approximate expressions are found for a current in a wire and they allow us to estimate the contribution of surface (slow) and space (fast) waves. Numerical calculations point out the existence of an optimal wire radius which provides maximal absorption of the incident wave power. Suppression of current resonances is obtained as the real part of the permeability increases.
The quest for the elusive causative SNP.

El Kares et al. present evidence that fetal genetic variation in the 3′ end of ALDH1A2 may influence nephrogenesis and blood retinoic acid levels. This may be correct, but only replication of this association, ideally accounting for both the fetal and the maternal genotypes, will provide a better understanding of the biology that underlies the association.
RENT-SEEKING FIRMS AND CONSUMERS: AN EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS*

This paper examines the probability of success in a rent-seeking contest as a general function of the resources that both firms and consumers devote to lobbying the government. The object of lobbying is a possible restriction of market supply, where the likelihood that supply will be restricted to a given extent depends on everyone's lobbying efforts. In equilibrium the expected social loss due to rent-seeking activities is at most equal to the size of the contested rent, and this upper bound does not depend on the active participation of consumers in the contest. Markets in which supply is not restricted may also be associated with rent-seeking waste. Finally, consumers' rent-seeking efforts are shown to be socially productive, both on the margin and in total.
The Use of Biologic Therapies in Uveitis

Therapy for autoimmune ophthalmic disease is currently evolving. The improved understanding of the abnormal immune response in the various forms of uveitis has resulted in targeted therapy. The aberrations of the immune system have been characterized by atypical cell populations, cytokine expression, and cell-cell interactions. Different patterns of cytokine expression have now been delineated in the abnormal uveal tract with exaggerated and/or abnormal expression of TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-17. The development of therapies for other conditions in which these cytokines play an important role has resulted in the availability of biological agents that have been adopted for use in the therapy for uveitis. Adalimumab and infliximab have been the best studied anti-TNF agents and indeed have now been recommended by an expert panel as first-line treatment of ocular manifestations of Behcet's disease and second-line treatment for other forms of uveitis (Levy-Clarke et al. (Ophthalmology, 2013). Other anti-TNF agents have been studied as well. Daclizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-2 receptor, has also demonstrated utility in treating uveitis as have some of the anti-IL1 agents. Gevokizumab has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of resistant forms of uveitis. Therapies affecting IL-6, including tocilizumab are being studied, and available medications that block antigen presenting cell and T cell interaction such as abatacept have been reported to be effective in uveitis. Interferons as well as rituximab have also been evaluated in small studies. Although these biologic therapies have provided a larger armamentarium to treat uveitis, challenges remain. Uveitis is not a single illness; rather, it is a manifestation of many potential systemic diseases that may have very specific individual therapeutic targets. Identifying and characterizing these underlying diseases is not always achieved, and more importantly, the most effective therapies for each entity have not been defined.
An Evaluation of the Reliability, Stability and Factor Structure of the Manifest Needs Questionnaire

The psychometric adequacy of Steers and Braunstein's (1976) Manifest Needs Questionnaire is investigated. Research results indicate that the instrument possesses adequate stability but lacks adequate internal consistency. Factor analytic procedures fail to replicate the a priori factor structure. Results are compared with Steers and Braunstein's developmental work. Potential users of the instrument are advised to interpret research outcomes in light of the deficiencies noted.
Multiple types of Ca2+ channels in visceral smooth muscle cells.

Single-channel currents were recorded from two classes of Ca2+ channels in visceral smooth muscle cells isolated from the stomach of the toad, Bufo marinus: a class of small-conductance channels (approximately 11 pS) and a class of large-conductance channels (approximately 26 pS). Small-conductance channels were present in a majority of patches and gave rise to a slowly inactivating current (t1/2 ≈ 250 ms at 0 mV). Openings of large-conductance channels could be unequivocally resolved only in the presence of the dihydropyridine Ca2+ agonist Bay K 8644. Two subtypes of the large-conductance channels were found — those with a very slow rate of decay (> 500 ms) and those with a faster one (< 100ms). Large-conductance channels resemble L-type Ca2+ channels of other preparations. Small-conductance channels do not fit unambiguously into the other existing categories (i.e., N or T). Correspondence between single-channel and macroscopic Ca2+ currents is discussed.
A Uniform Analysis of the Lyα Forest at z = 0-5. I. The Sample and Distribution of Clouds at z > 1.7

We present moderate-resolution data for 39 quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) at z ≈ 2 obtained at the Multiple Mirror Telescope. These data are combined with spectra of comparable resolution of 60 QSOs with redshifts greater than 1.7 found in the literature to investigate the distribution of Lyα forest lines in redshift and equivalent width. We find a value for γ, the parameter describing the number distribution of Lyα forest lines in redshift, of 1.88 ± 0.22 for lines stronger than a rest equivalent width of 0.32 A, in good agreement with some previous studies. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to the data, and it is found that this single power law is a good fit over the relevant redshift ranges. Simulations of the Lyα forest were performed to determine the completeness of the line lists and to test how well the analysis recovers the underlying line statistics, given this level of completeness.