cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interacting Glutamate Receptor-Like Proteins in Phloem Regulate Lateral Root Initiation in Arabidopsis

Molecular, genetic, and electrophysiological evidence indicates that at least one of the plant Glu receptor-like molecules, GLR3.4, functions as an amino acid–gated Ca2+ channel at the plasma membrane. The aspect of plant physiology, growth, or development to which GLR3.4 contributes is an open question. Protein localization studies performed here provide important information. In roots, GLR3.4 and the related GLR3.2 protein were present primarily in the phloem, especially in the vicinity of the sieve plates. GLR3.3 was expressed in most cells of the growing primary root but was not enriched in the phloem, including the sieve plate area. GLR3.2 and GLR3.4 physically interacted with each other better than with themselves as evidenced by a biophotonic assay performed in human embryonic kidney cells and Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells. GLR3.3 interacted poorly with itself or the other two GLRs. Mutations in GLR3.2, GLR3.4, or GLR3.2 and GLR3.4 caused the same and equally severe phenotype, namely, a large overproduction and aberrant placement of lateral root primordia. Loss of GLR3.3 did not affect lateral root primordia. These results support the hypothesis that apoplastic amino acids acting through heteromeric GLR3.2/GLR3.4 channels affect lateral root development via Ca2+ signaling in the phloem.
How undergraduate students' learning strategy and culture effects algorithm animation use and interpretation

Algorithm animation systems have not met the initial promise they seemed to hold for teaching algorithms to undergraduate computer science students. A qualitative study of algorithm learning strategies of students and a usability study of a hypermedia algorithm animation system led to the conclusion that current algorithm animations may actually do more to hinder than help undergraduates develop a solid understanding of the algorithm, because of their learning strategies. Students relied on a single representation of an algorithm, misinterpreted the limitations and specifics of that representation, avoided using outside media sources and worked primarily within groups to understand algorithms. Thus, algorithm animation may have limited usefulness for this population. Therefore, to discourage students from relying on a single representation and to encourage them to be more self-directed and engaged learners, we have students create, share and collectively interpret their own algorithm representations.
Vascular Dendritic Cells as Gatekeepers of Lipid Accumulation Within Nascent Atherosclerotic Plaques

See related articles, pages 383–390 Recent studies, including a series of articles coauthored by Jongstra-Bilen and Cybulsky, have brought fresh and exciting insight to the earliest stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation in mouse models of the disease. Capturing outstanding images of the lesser curvature of the murine aorta, a site highly prone to atherosclerotic plaque development, the Cybulsky laboratory revealed in 2006 that cells bearing markers of dendritic cells (DCs), including CD11c (αx integrin), take up residence just beneath the endothelium in the lesser curvature of mice.1 Possible counterparts of these DCs have also been observed in lesion-prone arterial sites of rabbits and humans.2 The initial appearance of murine DCs in the lesser curvature depends on endothelium activated in response to disturbed blood flow1,3 and is independent of plasma cholesterol status, because it occurs in standard mouse strains that are not hypercholesterolemic (Figure).1 These DCs were recently visualized in the CD11c-YFP mouse and shown to possess capacity for potent antigen presentation to T cells.4 Although they sit primarily beneath the endothelial lining, vascular DCs occasionally extend projections into the bloodstream (Figure).4 Even in the absence of hypercholesterolemia, the density of DCs within the lesser curvature of mice varies according to strain and positively correlates with the tendency of the strains to develop fulminant atherosclerosis under conditions of hypercholesterolemia.1 Moreover, the density of this population rapidly expands in the lesser curvature of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)−/− mice fed a high cholesterol diet for only a few days.1,5 Figure. Role of dendritic cells in atherosclerotic plaque development and progression. CD11c+ DCs accumulate in the subintima of plaque-prone regions in the arterial tree, even in the absence of hypercholesterolemia in a manner that is partially dependent on vascular cell …
Lubricant Migration Simulations on the Flying Head Slider Air-Bearing Surface in a Hard Disk Drive

In this paper, we numerically study the lubricant migration on a flying slider air-bearing surface in a hard disk drive. The lubricant dynamics is based on a continuum thin film lubrication theory with inter-molecular forces and a precursor film model. It includes air-bearing pressure, air-bearing shear stress, the Laplace pressure, the disjoining pressure, and the shear stress caused by the surface free energy gradient. Using this model we investigate the lubricant migration behavior on a modern negative pressure type slider surface. We also reveal the correlation between the lubricant migration behavior and the air-bearing shear stress. We further perform the lubricant migration analysis for various different slider designs, radii, and skew angles.
Hierarchical Factor Analysis of the K-ABC: Testing Alternate Models

The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children is a new, individually administered test designed to assess simultaneous and sequential mental processing and achievement in children ages 2 ½ to 12 ½. Factor analyses of the K-ABC standardization data generally offer support for the validity of the two mental processing scales, but analyses including the achievement tests have been considerably less supportive. For the present study, data from the standardization sample were used to test alternate structures for the K-ABC, based on the hypothesis that the test measures verbal memory skills, and verbal and nonverbal reasoning. Hierarchical factor models based on this structure were developed and tested using confirmatory techniques. Results suggest that the models fit the data fairly well, thus supporting the validity of this alternate structure. Of particular interest was the finding of the virtual equivalence of the verbal reasoning factor and the second order, or general ability, factor. It appears that users...
Calculating insulin resistance in the primary care setting: why should we worry about insulin levels in euglycemic patients?

Purpose To describe measures that would determine which patients are insulin resistant and at risk for the metabolic syndrome and its sequelae cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and to analyze methods to determine the presence of insulin resistance and the advantages or disadvantages of each. Data sources Review of the multidisciplinary clinical and research literature. Conclusions Insulin resistance occurs early in the trajectory of the metabolic syndrome, making it a prime candidate for timely interventions to reduce risk for both type 2 diabetes and CVD. Therefore, prompt recognition of insulin resistance prior to the development of the full metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and/or CVD may assist in the prevention of morbidity and premature mortality. Likewise, because many insulin-resistant patients belong to minority racial groups (i.e., African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islanders), early identification may have a positive impact on the reduction of cardiovascular health disparities. Implications for practice Documenting the presence of insulin resistance will assist the practitioner to determine if a low-risk patient is in jeopardy for development of type 2 diabetes and/or CVD. Early cardiovascular risk identification is important to clinical practice as it allows more time for the practitioner to counsel patients for the essential planning needed to make lifestyle changes.
New evidence for molecular entanglements

Torsional creep and creep recovery measurements have been made on a 56% polymer weight solution of an extremely high molecular weight polystyrene (M = 4.4 × 107) in tri-m-tolyl phosphate and on the polymer itself after recovery both from relatively dilute and more concentrated solution in benzene by freeze drying. Although viscoelastic steady state was not achievable, an anomalously shorter rubbery plateau in the response of the bulk polymer relative to its solution was indicated. On the basis of the assumed presence of physical entanglements of the threadlike molecules, which determine the length and height of the rubbery plateau, it was predicted and confirmed that the undiluted polystyrene recovered from dilute solution would have the highest and shortest creep compliance plateau.
The posterior thalamic region and its cortical projection in new world and old world monkeys

The posterior nuclear complex of the thalamus in rhesus, pigtailed and squirrel monkeys consists of the combined suprageniculate-limitans nucleus and an ill defined region of heterogeneous cell types extending anteriorly from the dorsal lobe of the medial geniculate body towards the posterior pole of the ventral nuclear complex. This region is referred to as the posterior nucleus. It is directly continuous with the ventroposteroinferior nucleus. The cortical projections of each of these nuclei, together with those of the adjacent ventral, pulvinar and medial geniculate complexes, have been studied by means of the autoradiographic tracing technique. The suprageniculate-limitans nucleus, the main input to which is the superior colliculus, projects upon the granular insular area of the cortex. The medial portion of the posterior nucleus projects to the retroinsular field lying posterior to the second somatic sensory area. There is clinical and electrophysiological evidence to suggest that the retroinsular area may form part of a central pain pathway. The lateral portion of the posterior nucleus which is closely related to certain elements of the medial geniculate complex, projects to the postauditory cortical field. The ventroposterioinferior nucleus, which may be involved in vestibular function, projects to the dysgranular insular field. The principal medial geniculate nucleus can be subdivided into a ventral division that projects to field AI of the auditory cortex and a dorsal division that merges with the posterior nucleus; it is further subdivided into an anterodorsal component that projects to two fields on the superior temporal gyrus, together with a posterodorsal component in which separate cell populations project to areas lying anterior and medial to AI. The magnocellular medial geniculate nucleus, sometimes considered a part of the posterior complex, appears to project diffusely to layer I of all the auditory fields. The auditory fields are bounded on three sides by the projection field of the medial nucleus of the pulvinar which also extends into the upper end of the lateral sulcus to bound the fields receiving fibers from the posterior nucleus. The topography of the areas receiving fibers from the posterior, medial geniculate and pulvinar complexes, taken in conjunction with the rotation of the primate temporal lobe, permits all of these fields to be compared with similar, better known areas in the cat brain.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Influence of a Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on the As-Cast Structure of Horizontal Direct Chill Casting Aluminum Alloy Slab

The influences of low frequency electromagnetic field on the as-cast structure of horizontal direct chill casting aluminum alloy slab were experimental and numerical studied. The results of numerical analysis show that the interaction of the low-frequency electromagnetic field and the melt can generate an electromagnetically induced forced flow in the melt, which, in turn, changes flow pattern and temperature field in the mold. the as-cast structure of slab can be greatly improved by the changes of flow pattern and temperature field. The results of experimental analysis show that the grains of low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) are fine, uniform, equiaxed, rosette-shaped; the surface of the slab of LFEC has no cold shut and less exudations. Moreover, the low-frequency electromagnetic field can improve the distribution of solute elements in the slab. The macrosegregation such as negative segregation and gravity segregation were reduced, which results in the homogenous distributions of the solute elements over the cross-section of the slab.
Immunotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis with Monoclonal Antibodies

Rapid and precise immunotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis was achieved by testing whole organisms (elementary bodies) in the microimmunofluorescence test with monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies were produced with standard techniques by using an immunization schedule that encouraged the development of immunotype-specific antibodies. Fifteen monotypic or multitypic (subspecies) monoclonal antibodies were chosen for use in a two-step typing system that required strains of C. trachomatis to be tested against six to eight monoclonal antibodies for classification. Immunotyping with monoclonal antibodies was studied by testing 313 strains, typed with the previous method that utilized immunized mouse antisera, that represented each of the 15 established serovars. The two-step monoclonal antibody method resulted in a classification similar to the current one. Only one strain typed differently with the two methods. With the monoclonal antibody method, available lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) serovars L1 and L3 could not be differentiated from trachoma serovars E and G, respectively, unless the strains had been identified as LGV. Monoclonal antibody typing was simpler to perform and more precise; it allowed easy differentiation between closely related serovars. Three new types were discovered among the strains previously classified as serovars D, I, and L2. These are tentatively being considered subtypes and are labeled D', I', and L2'.
A new technique to study foam flow in porous media: Radial flow in fibrous mats

L'appareil de mesure concu produit une diffusion radiale du front de mousse dans un reseau de fibres en fonction du temps avec une pression constante
Connoisseur's Choice: Afghanite, Sar-e-Sang, Badakhsham Province, Afghanistan

(2004). Connoisseur's Choice: Afghanite, Sar-e-Sang, Badakhsham Province, Afghanistan. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 79, No. 3, pp. 180-183.
The relevance of repair for classroom correction

This article attempts to align a familiar task of classroom teaching, eliciting from students correct answers about their lessons, with a major organizational domain in studies of natural conversation, that of conversational repair. Numerous studies have analyzed correction sequences in classroom discourse, and our discussion pays special attention to McHoul's (1990) treatment of “repair in classroom talk.” McHoul directly measures the findings on repair in studies of natural conversation to the regularities of correction sequences in classroom lessons. It is argued, contra McHoul, that repair is a different, and prior, order of discursive work, and one that premises the very possibility of classroom correction. Further, the difference may have wider relevance for understanding repair and correction as “co-operating” organizations of talk-in-interaction more generally.
Synaptic Inhibition, Excitation, and Plasticity in Neurons of the Cerebellar Nuclei

Neurons of the cerebellar nuclei generate the non-vestibular output of the cerebellum. Like other neurons, they integrate excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs and filter them through their intrinsic properties to produce patterns of action potential output. The synaptic and intrinsic features of cerebellar nuclear cells are unusual in several respects, however: these neurons receive an overwhelming amount of basal and driven inhibition from Purkinje neurons, but are also spontaneously active, producing action potentials even without excitation. Moreover, not only is spiking by nuclear cells sensitive to the amount of inhibition, but the strength of inhibition is also sensitive to the amount of spiking, through multiple forms of long-term plasticity. Here, we review the properties of synaptic excitation and inhibition, their short-term plasticity, and their influence on action potential firing of cerebellar nuclear neurons, as well as the interactions among excitation, inhibition, and spiking that produce long-term changes in synaptic strength. The data provide evidence that electrical and synaptic signaling in the cerebellar circuit is both plastic and resilient: the strength of IPSPs and EPSPs readily changes as the activity of cerebellar nuclear cells is modified. Notably, however, many of the identified forms of plasticity have an apparently homeostatic effect, responding to perturbations of input by restoring cerebellar output toward pre-perturbation values. Such forms of self-regulation appear consistent with the role of cerebellar output in coordinating movements. In contrast, other forms of plasticity in nuclear cells, including a long-term potentiation of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and excitation-driven increases in intrinsic excitability, are non-homeostatic, and instead appear suited to bring the circuit to a new set point. Interestingly, the combinations of inhibitory and excitatory stimuli that potentiate EPSCs resemble patterns of activity predicted to occur during eyelid conditioning, suggesting that this form long-term potentiation, perhaps amplified by intrinsic plasticity, may represent a cellular mechanism that is engaged during cerebellar learning.
Study of heat transfer from a finned rotating cylinder

Laminar flow and heat transfer from a cylinder with circumferential fins rotating inside a stationary shroud are computed. Centrifugal buoyancy is found to oppose the forced flow and decrease heat-transfer augmentation. The greatest augmentation is found for relatively short fins placed close together. Heat-transfer augmentation is accompanied by an increase in the torque required to rotate the cylinder; this increase is of the same order as the augmentation in heat transfer. Local and overall heat-transfer results are presented as a function of the Taylor and Grashof numbers and geometrical parameters such as the fin clearance and fin spacing.
Bradykinin Type 2 Receptor BE1 Genotype Influences Bradykinin-Dependent Vasodilation During Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition

To test the hypothesis that the bradykinin receptor 2 ( BDKRB2 ) BE1+9/−9 polymorphism affects vascular responses to bradykinin, we measured the effect of intra-arterial bradykinin on forearm blood flow and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release in 89 normotensive, nonsmoking, white American subjects in whom degradation of bradykinin was blocked by enalaprilat. BE1 genotype frequencies were +9/+9:+9/−9:−9/−9=19:42:28. BE1 genotype was associated with systolic blood pressure (121.4±2.8, 113.8±1.8, and 110.6±1.8 mm Hg in +9/+9, +9/−9, and −9/−9 groups, respectively; P =0.007). In the absence of enalaprilat, bradykinin-stimulated forearm blood flow, forearm vascular resistance, and net t-PA release were similar among genotype groups. Enalaprilat increased basal forearm blood flow ( P =0.002) and decreased basal forearm vascular resistance ( P =0.01) without affecting blood pressure. Enalaprilat enhanced the effect of bradykinin on forearm blood flow, forearm vascular resistance, and t-PA release (all P P =0.04 for both). t-PA release tended to be decreased in response to bradykinin in the +9/+9 group ( P =0.08). When analyzed separately by gender, BE1 genotype was associated with bradykinin-stimulated t-PA release in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor–treated men but not women ( P =0.02 and P =0.77, respectively), after controlling for body mass index. There was no effect of BE1 genotype on responses to the bradykinin type 2 receptor–independent vasodilator methacholine during enalaprilat. In conclusion, the BDKRB2 BE1 polymorphism influences bradykinin type 2 receptor–mediated vasodilation during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.
Scalable algorithms for molecular dynamics simulations on commodity clusters

Although molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of biomolecular systems often run for days to months, many events of great scientific interest and pharmaceutical relevance occur on long time scales that remain beyond reach. We present several new algorithms and implementation techniques that significantly accelerate parallel MD simulations compared with current stateof- the-art codes. These include a novel parallel decomposition method and message-passing techniques that reduce communication requirements, as well as novel communication primitives that further reduce communication time. We have also developed numerical techniques that maintain high accuracy while using single precision computation in order to exploit processor-level vector instructions. These methods are embodied in a newly developed MD code called Desmond that achieves unprecedented simulation throughput and parallel scalability on commodity clusters. Our results suggest that Desmond?s parallel performance substantially surpasses that of any previously described code. For example, on a standard benchmark, Desmond?s performance on a conventional Opteron cluster with 2K processors slightly exceeded the reported performance of IBM?s Blue Gene/L machine with 32K processors running its Blue Matter MD code.
Absence of CHEK2*1100delC mutation in families with hereditary breast cancer in North America

The CHEK2*1100delC mutation has been reported to confer a twofold increased risk of breast cancer among carriers. The frequency of the mutation varies among populations. The highest frequency has been described in Northern and Eastern European countries; the frequency may be much lower in North America. In this study, our aim was to determine the frequency of CHEK2*1100delC in members of breast cancer families who tested negative for a deleterious mutation in BRCA1/2 at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. We genotyped 102 members from 90 families for CHEK2*1100delC. Most of these families had several cases of breast cancer or ovarian cancer (or both), as well as multiple members with other cancer types in a single lineage. No CHEK2*1100delC mutations were detected in any of the 102 individuals, including 51 women diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age (<45 years), 8 women with bilateral breast cancer, 3 men with breast cancer, and 8 women with ovarian cancer. Our data are consistent with the reported very low frequency of CHEK2*1100delC mutations in North American populations (compared with Northern Europe), rendering CHEK2*1100delC such an unlikely culprit in BRCA1/2 negative families that routine testing of these families appears unwarranted.
Polyvinyl Acetate as a High-gloss Edible Coating

Edible coating formulations were made with food-grade polyvinyl acetate (PVA) dissolved in alcohol-water mixtures. PVA coatings had high gloss and relatively high permeance to O 2 and water vapor, and they formed glossy surfaces on chocolate candy, citrus fruit, and apples. Addition of propylene glycol helped to retain coating gloss when the alcohol content of the solvent was reduced to less than 70%. Fresh apples or citrus fruit with PVA coatings had higher internal O 2 than fruit with shellac and resin coatings and, consequently, less tendency to ferment and produce alcohol during storage. Fruit with PVA coatings did not whiten or 'blush' after contact with water.
Superantigens produced by catheter-associated Staphylococcus aureus elicit systemic inflammatory disease in the absence of bacteremia

SAgs, produced by Staphylococcus aureus, play a major role in the pathogenesis of invasive staphylococcal diseases by inducing potent activation of the immune system. However, the role of SAgs, produced by S. aureus, associated with indwelling devices or tissues, are not known. Given the prevalence of device-associated infection with toxigenic S. aureus in clinical settings and the potency of SAgs, we hypothesized that continuous exposure to SAgs produced by catheter-associated S. aureus could have systemic consequences. To investigate these effects, we established a murine in vivo catheter colonization model. One centimeter long intravenous catheters were colonized with a clinical S. aureus isolate producing SAgs or isogenic S. aureus strains, capable or incapable of producing SAg. Catheters were subcutaneously implanted in age-matched HLA-DR3, B6, and AE(o) mice lacking MHC class II molecules and euthanized 7 d later. There was no evidence of systemic infection. However, in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice, which respond robustly to SSAgs, the SSAg-producing, but not the nonproducing strains, caused a transient increase in serum cytokine levels and a protracted expansion of splenic CD4(+) T cells expressing SSAg-reactive TCR Vβ8. Lungs, livers, and kidneys from these mice showed infiltration with CD4(+) and CD11b(+) cells. These findings were absent in B6 and AE(o) mice, which are known to respond poorly to SSAgs. Overall, our novel findings suggest that systemic immune activation elicited by SAgs, produced by S. aureus colonizing foreign bodies, could have clinical consequences in humans.
Identification of Novel Regulators of Atonal Expression in the Developing Drosophila Retina

Atonal is a Drosophila proneural protein required for the proper formation of the R8 photoreceptor cell, the founding photoreceptor cell in the developing retina. Proper expression and refinement of the Atonal protein is essential for the proper formation of the Drosophila adult eye. In vertebrates, expression of transcription factors orthologous to Drosophila Atonal (MATH5/Atoh7, XATH5, and ATH5) and their progressive restriction are also involved in specifying the retinal ganglion cell, the founding neural cell type in the mammalian retina. Thus, identifying factors that are involved in regulating the expression of Atonal during development are important to fully understand how retinal neurogenesis is accomplished. We have performed a chemical mutagenesis screen for autosomal dominant enhancers of a loss-of-function atonal eye phenotype. We report here the identification of five genes required for proper Atonal expression, three of which are novel regulators of Atonal expression in the Drosophila retina. We characterize the role of the daughterless, kismet, and roughened eye genes on atonal transcriptional regulation in the developing retina and show that each gene regulates atonal transcription differently within the context of retinal development. Our results provide additional insights into the regulation of Atonal expression in the developing Drosophila retina.
Mechanisms of pH regulation in the regulated secretory pathway.

A precise pH gradient between organelles of the regulated secretory pathway is required for sorting and processing of prohormones. We studied pH regulation in live endocrine cells by targeting biotin-based pH indicators to cellular organelles expressing avidin-chimera proteins. In AtT-20 cells, we found that steady-state pH decreased from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (pHER 7.4 0.2, mean S.D.) to Golgi (pHG 6.2 0.4) to mature secretory granules (MSGs) (pHMSG 5.5 0.4). Golgi and MSGs required active H v-ATPases for acidification. ER, Golgi, and MSG steady-state pH values were also dependent upon the different H leak rates across each membrane. However, neither steady-state pHMSG nor rates of passive H leak were affected by Cl-free solutions or valinomycin, indicating that MSG membrane potential was small and not a determinant of pHMSG. Therefore, our data do not support earlier suggestions that organelle acidification is primarily regulated by Cl conductances. Measurements of H leak rates, buffer capacities, and estimates of surface areas and volumes of these organelles were applied to a mathematical model to determine the H permeability (PH) of each organelle membrane. We found that PH decreased progressively from ER to Golgi to MSGs, and proper acidification of Golgi and MSGs required gradual decreases in PH and successive increases in the active H pump density.
Interactive segmentation for manipulation in unstructured environments

To perform successful manipulation, robots depend on information about objects in their environment. In unstructured environments, such information cannot be given to the robot a priori. It is thus critical for the robot to be able to continuously acquire task-specific information about objects. Towards this goal, we present a robust perceptual skill for identifying, tracking, and segmenting objects in a cluttered environment. We increase the robot's perceptual capabilities by closely coupling them with the robot's manipulation skills. The robot's interaction with objects in the environment creates a perceptual signal, i.e. motion, that renders segmentation and tracking robust and reliable. In addition, the resulting perceptual signal reveals the type of segmentation most relevant to manipulation, namely a segmentation of rigidly connected physical bodies. We demonstrate our approach with experiments on a real world mobile manipulation platform with multiple objects in a cluttered scene.
Shareholder Wealth Effects Of Poison Pills In The Presence Of Anti-Takeover Amendments

In the 1980s managers were innovating in implementing arsenals of devices to prevent possible takeovers of their firms. These anti-takeover devices were usually amendments to the corporate charter or poison pills. Prior studies have examined market reactions to either amendment devices or poison pills. This study provides an extension to those studies by examining marketing reactions to poison pills as the first anti-takeover devices compared with pill adoptions as an addition to an already existing arsenal of charger amendment devices. Results indicate that market reactions differ between these two types of events. Stockholder wealth effects differ also according to the type of charter amendment in place at the time of pill adoption.
CSF generation by pineal gland results in a robust melatonin circadian rhythm in the third ventricle as an unique light/dark signal

Pineal gland is an important organ for the regulation of the bio-clock in all vertebrate species. Its major secretory product is melatonin which is considered as the chemical expression of darkness due to its circadian peak exclusively at night. Pineal melatonin can be either released into the blood stream or directly enter into the CSF of the third ventricle via the pineal recess. We have hypothesized that rather than the peripheral circulatory melatonin circadian rhythm serving as the light/dark signal, it is the melatonin rhythm in CSF of the third ventricle that serves this purpose. This is due to the fact that melatonin circadian rhythm in the CSF is more robust in terms of its extremely high concentration and its precise on/off peaks. Thus, extrapineal-generated melatonin or diet-derived melatonin which enters blood would not interfere with the bio-clock function of vertebrates. In addition, based on the relationship of the pineal gland to the CSF and the vascular structure of this gland, we also hypothesize that pineal gland is an essential player for CSF production. We feel it participates in both the formation and reabsorption of CSF. The mechanisms associated with these processes are reviewed and discussed in this brief review.
Chronic [D-Ala2]-growth hormone-releasing hormone administration attenuates age-related deficits in spatial memory.

The age-related decline in growth hormone is one of the most robust endocrine markers of biological aging and has been hypothesized to contribute to the physiological deficits observed in aged animals. However, there have been few studies of the impact of this hormonal decline on brain aging. In this study, the effect of long-term subcutaneous administration of [D-Ala2]-growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) on one measure of brain function, memory, was investigated. Animals were injected daily with 2.3 microg of [D-Ala2]-GHRH or saline from 9 to 30 months of age, and the spatial learning and reference memory of animals were assessed by using the Morris water maze and compared with those of 6-month-old animals. Results indicated that spatial memory decreased with age and that chronic [D-Ala2]-GHRH prevented this age-related decrement (24% improvement in the annulus-40 time and 23% improvement in the number of platform crossings compared with saline treated, age-matched controls; p < .05 each). No changes were noted in sensorimotor performance. [D-Ala2]-GHRH attenuated the age-related decline in plasma concentrations of insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (p <.05). These data suggest that growth hormone and IGF-1 have important effects on brain function, that the decline in growth hormone and IGF-1 with age contributes to impairments in reference memory, and that these changes can be reversed by the chronic administration of GHRH.
Legal Positivism and the Good Lawyer: A Commentary on W. Bradley Wendel’s Lawyers and Fidelity to Law

W. Bradley Wendel’s Lawyers and Fidelity to Law aims to defend the “Standard Position” in Legal Ethics by drawing upon Legal Positivism as a normative jurisprudential theory. One of its central arguments begins with the claim that established, positive law enacted through democratic processes allows a society with pluralistic values to flourish, but only if citizens are able to grasp the content of that law in an accurate and unbiased manner. This is why, argues Wendel, it is critical to the defensibility of our political system that lawyers engaged in counseling provide clients with candid and accurate interpretations of the content of the law. Their doing so permits intractable conflicts to be averted by the law. Similarly, litigation through a fair system where each is represented zealously is our best effort to provide an impartial means of resolving intractable conflicts. In both cases, lawyers must adhere to the “standard position,” rather than either abandoning all ethical rules, or fully embracing what the lawyer believes substantively to be the just answer, Wendel argues. The review essay argues that: (A) Wendel too quickly assumes a notion of client entitlements; (B) he fails to provide an adequate argument for a general duty to obey the law; (C) he fails to provide a justification of his assertion that legal determinacy can be attained without reliance on values; and (D) his treatment of legal ethics in the litigation setting actually conflicts with his treatment of legal ethics in the counseling setting. While constructing ‘repairs’ for Wendel on points A, B, and C, the essay asserts that he cannot avoid the difficulties of problem D, and should therefore alter his position on legal ethics in the litigation setting.
Systemic Chemotherapy for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer

The use of chemotherapy for upper tract urothelial cancer (UC) varies widely geographically and institutionally. There have been no large scale prospective studies to support use of perioperative chemotherapy for curative intent for upper tract UC. Based upon level 1 evidence supporting the use of neoadjuvant cisplatin based chemotherapy prior to radical cystectomy, many centers will extrapolate this data and use neoadjuvant cisplatin chemotherapy prior to nephroureterectomy. Others favor adjuvant chemotherapy based on pathologic stage following nephroureterectomy, or offer no chemotherapy at all. Loss of renal unit, and often vital renal function, can preclude the safe use of cisplatin in the post nephrectomy setting. The current evidence for use of perioperative chemotherapy for upper tract urothelial cancer and eligibility for cisplatin, the most active chemotherapeutic in urothelial cancer, will be reviewed.
Is Entrepreneurship Obsolescent

A suitable title for this series of my three lectures might be “Schumpeterian Themes in the Modem Welfare Economics of Production”. The lecture “Schumpeter and the Economic Problems of Today” (in ch. I of this volume) was preliminary. There I suggested that, despite Schumpeter’s demonstrated lack of enthusiasm for the welfare economics of his time, it might not be inappropriate to consider such a topic. I claimed that, especially within the last decade, welfare economics has made considerable progress. Much of this came about from recognizing the importance of constraints imposed by the need to give suitable incentives to consumers and workers in the economy. In particular, such incentives limit the extent to which it is possible to redistribute real income in order to bring about more equality or even simply to alleviate poverty. Nearly all this progress has come about, however, on the consumption side of the economy. The production side of the economy remains much less well explored; in particular, the incentives which need to be provided to large producers, be they private or public, are still relatively little understood. Yet many of the economic problems of today - such as unemployment, inflation, the effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policies - naturally involve the production side of the economy. Perhaps these problems seem so intractable precisely because the economics profession still does not have a clear understanding of what lies behind these problems - they are problems for economists, in fact, as well as economic problems.
Future Challenges for the Chief Financial Officer in China

Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit den Herausforderungen, die ein Verantwortlicher der Finanzabteilung in China derzeit und in der nahen Zukunft vorfindet. Er gibt einen Einblick in die Erwartungen der Stakeholder und zeigt Spezifika des chinesischen Umfeldes. Die Anspruche des Hauptquartiers, des CEO, von Organisationen und Institutionen, von Mitarbeitern, Familie und Freunden werden beleuchtet, als auch die wirtschaftlichen Rahmenbedingungen mit chinesischen Kunden. Es wird vermittelt, worauf sich der Chief Financial Officer in China einstellen muss, beruflich und privat.
Back-Pressure Saturated Constant-Rate-of-Strain Consolidation Device With Bender Elements: Verification of System Compliance

A back-pressure saturated, constant-rate-of-strain (BP-CRS) consolidation device was modified to incorporate bender elements (BE). A series of laboratory tests were conducted on a dummy brass sample and on kaolinite soil samples, using the BP-CRS and BP-CRS-BE devices, to determine the amount of system compliance for the BP-CRS-BE device, as compared to the BP-CRS device. The amount of machine deflection was determined for both the BP-CRS-BE device and BP-CRS device. Two approaches (quick and slow) were evaluated for determining the machine deflection. The machine deflection results, as obtained from both methods, were comparable; therefore, the use of the quick method is recommended. The respective average amount of maximum machine deflection (brass sample) and maximum corrected vertical deformation (kaolinite sample) for the BP-CRS and BP-CRS-BE devices were 0.78 mm and 0.88 mm (machine deflection) and 3.15 mm and 3.43 mm (soil deformation), respectively. Consolidation parameters were determined by subtracting the amount of respective machine deflection from the amount of vertical deformation that was measured during the tests that were performed on kaolinite soil samples. The consolidation parameters, as obtained from both devices, were also comparable. The average values of recompression index (Cr), compression index (Cc), swell index (Cs), and coefficient of consolidation (Cv) for the kaolinite samples that were tested in the BP-CRS and BP-CRS-BE devices were 0.07 and 0.08, 0.19 and 0.21, 0.08 and 0.07, and 9.3E-8 m2/s and 9.6E-7 m2/s, respectively. Because similar values were obtained for the consolidation parameters, as obtained by using wither the BP-CRS device or the BP-CRS-BE device, the use of the newly designed BP-CRS-BE device is advocated because the BP-CRS-BE device also enabled collection of shear wave velocity measurements while the sample was being subjected to various stress levels.
The Canary in the Nuclear Submarine: Assessing the Nonproliferation Risk of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Loophole

ABSTRACTThe Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) allows states to exempt nuclear material from international safeguards for use in nuclear submarine programs. This material, however, could be diverted for nuclear weapons purposes without the knowledge of inspectors, creating a potentially dangerous loophole in the treaty. This article argues that exercising that loophole today would amount to admitting a nuclear weapon program, making it a particularly poor pathway to a weapon for a potential proliferant. Still, if states like Brazil ultimately exempt nuclear material from safeguards for a nuclear submarine effort, they could set a dangerous precedent that makes it easier for others to use the loophole as a route to a nuclear weapon capability. There are several policy options available to mitigate the damage of such a precedent; most promising is the prospect of a voluntary safeguards arrangement that would allow international inspectors to keep an eye on nuclear material even after i...
Synthesis and Analysis of Electrically Sensitive Hydrogels for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Electrically sensitive polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels loaded with methotrexate (MTX) were prepared via a solution casting process, and characterized by attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectrometry. In order to determine if the hydrogels were electro-sensitive or not, bending tests were conducted on the sulfoacetic acid modified hydrogels. It was observed that the prepared samples into strip forms started bending towards the cathode, and this bending was reversible when the polarity of the applied voltage was changed. The drug release study was performed on the MTX-loaded hydrogel strips placed in a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution under three different voltages (e.g., 0V, 5V, 10V, and 20V). Subsequently, the solutions were collected every five minutes in order to determine the drug release behaviors of the hydrogels using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. The test results showed that sulfoacetic acid (SA)-modified PVA hydrogels possess electrical sensitive behavior and kept their electric sensitivity for a long period of time. Also, the results confirmed that the control drug release could be achieved under different electrical voltages.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
On the Nature of the Native Defect ESR in Thin Diamond Films

The X-band ESR of thin diamond films deposited from 99.5% H2/0.5% CH4 is compared to that of films similarly prepared from D2CD4 and H2/13CH4. The main line and the satellites at ±7.2 G are unaffected by annealing at T ≤. 1100°C, but their intensity is reduced upon annealing at T ~ 1200°C. As the satellites are absent from the deuterated films, they are attributed to newly identified dangling bond-H centers, either on internal microvoid surfaces or embedded in the tetrahedral network. This is consistent with the 13C spin-lattice relaxation rate, which indicates that the distribution of paramagnetic centers is homogeneous to within ~0.04 μm. However, they may be nonuniformly distributed on a finer scale, consistent with the concentrations in m ulti vacancies or stacking faults recently suggested by Fanciulli and Moustakas.
The Mit Specular and Diffuse Neutron Reflectometer for the Investigation of Surfaces & Interfaces

A specular and diffuse neutron reflectometer was designed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology nuclear reactor, MITR-II, and the description of the facility is presented in this paper. This reflectometer uses a horizontal sample geometry so that both solid and liquid samples can be measured. To minimize sample or beam motion and reduce measurement time, two neutron beams are extracted from the same beam port and are incident simultaneously on the same sample surface at grazing incident angles of 0.2 and 1.5 degrees, respectively. The reflected neutrons are detected by a linear position sensitive detector and energy-analyzed by the time-of-flight method. The reflection flight path is enclosed in an evacuated chamber to reduce background counts. The reflectometer performance is estimated as 0.004--0.33 {angstrom}{sup {minus}1} dynamic range, 5% Q resolution, 1--10{sup {minus}7} measurable specular reflectivity range, and a 4 orders of magnitude range in diffuse reflectivity counts. Diffuse reflectivity can be measured as a two-dimensional function of both the wavelength and the in-plane diffuse reflection angle. The instrument can be used to investigate a wide range of surface systems of condensed and soft-condensed matters.
A Tale of Two Squares—and Two Rings

One of the glorious chapters of elementary number theory, going back to Fermat and Euler, concerns the problem: which elements of the ring Z of rational integers are sums of two squares? From the point of view of arithmetic, the ring Z is truly the best of rings (however, algebraists often think Z the worst of rings, overwhelmingly devoid of structure). The tale I want to tell goes one step beyond elementary number theory by using the arithmetic of a second ring, the ring G of Gaussian integers, to solve the problem. I shall try to include enough background material and detail so that a motivated undergraduate could safely be unleashed upon this story, given an occasional assist in algebra.
Effects of habitat patch shape on population dynamics of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

The geometry of habitat patches may affect population dynamics due to differences in edge-to-area ratios for patches of different sizes and shapes. We conducted a field experiment replicated over 2 years employing four square (40 by 40 m) and four rectangular (16 by 100 m) habitat patches of equal size (1,600 m2) to determine the effects of contrasting shapes of habitat patches on population dynamics of meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ). We tested the predictions that dispersal rates would be higher, home ranges larger, and population densities lower in rectangular patches compared to square patches. The number of dispersers, but not dispersal rates, was greater in rectangular patches than in square patches only when densities of voles were low. Home ranges were of equal area but different shape in the contrasting shapes of patches. Population density, recruitment, body mass of dispersers, body mass of residents, survival, and age structure were largely unaffected by differences in patch shape. Thus, plasticity of behavior (e.g., changes in shape of home range) appears to have prevented differences in population dynamics between the two patch shapes. We conclude that patch shape does not markedly affect the population dynamics of the meadow vole, and that this species appears to be an edge-tolerant species.
Influence of Adrenergic Nervous System on Vasodilator-Induced Renin Release in the Conscious Rat

AbstractThe influence of the adrenergic nervous system on vasodilator-induced renin secretion was studied in conscious rats with chronically implanted jugular and carotid cannulae. Hydralazine (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg body wt) was administered iv to rats and the dose-response relationship to plasma renin activity was calculated using linear regression analysis. These data were compared to results obtained in the same rats when similar doses of hydralazine were administered 15 min after pretreatment with iv propranolol (1 mg/kg body wt). A highly significant dose-response relationship was demonstrated between hydralazine dose and plasma renin activity (r = 0.83; P < 0.0005). In the presence of propranolol the increase in plasma renin activity was approximately 50% of the increase noted in studies without propranolol. The dose-response relationship remained highly significant (r = 0.64; P < 0.0005) in the presence of β-adrenergic blockade, which was confirmed by the failure to increase heart rate despite a si...