cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diverse Caenorhabditis elegans genes that are upregulated in dauer larvae also show elevated transcript levels in long-lived, aged, or starved adults.

Under adverse conditions, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans undergoes reversible developmental arrest as dauer larvae, an alternative third larval stage adapted for dispersal and long-term survival. Following such arrest, which may exceed three times their usual life-span, worms resume development to form reproductive adults of normal subsequent longevity. Mutations of genes in the dauer-formation (daf) pathway can extend life-span two- to fourfold, even in adults that mature without diapause. To identify transcript-level changes that might contribute to extended survival, we prepared a subtractive cDNA library of messages more abundant in dauer than in non-dauer (L3) larvae. Six genes were confirmed as three- to ninefold upregulated in dauer larvae, after correction for mRNA load: genes encoding poly(A)-binding protein (PABP), heat-shock proteins hsp70 and hsp90, and three novel genes of uncertain function. The novel genes encode a partial homologue of human activating signal cointegrator 1 (ASC-1), a GTP-binding homologue of a ribosomal protein, and an SH3-domain protein. Transcript levels for all except hsp70 increased during aging in two C. elegans strains, whereas the three novel genes (and possibly PABP) were also induced to varying degrees by starvation of adults. All six genes are expressed at higher levels in young adults of long-lived daf mutant strains than in normal-longevity controls, suggesting that increased expression of these genes may play a protective function, thus favoring survival in diverse contexts.
The impedance database computation and prediction of single bunch instabilities

The impedance database is a standardized 3D computation of the wake potential generated by a high-intensity beam. The database concept is described and compared to analytical and model-based approaches. The talk will address the computational challenges introduced by tapers, collimators, and very short bunches. Finally, single-bunch instabilities are predicted through tracking and compared to measurements at the Advanced Photon Source and other accelerators.
The role of magnetic resonance imaging in prostate cancer imaging and staging

MRI of the prostate can be used to address several of the clinical issues associated with diagnosing and treating prostate cancer. We have found dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCEMRI) to be valuable tool in visualizing and characterizing malignancies. Our approach is based on the threetime point method (3TP), which is a simplified model based method for analyzing DCEMRI of the prostate. This method is a high-spatial, low temporal resolution approach. We have found that this approach can be combined with more conventional MRI methods to give highly accurate staging of prostate cancer. An unanticipated clinical benefit has been the ability to use DCEMRI to image men with elevated PSA and repeat negative biopsy. We have also used a model independent approach based on principal component analysis (PCA) to analyze the DCEMRI datasets.
Host glycans and antigen presentation

The cell-mediated adaptive immune response depends upon the activation of T cells via recognition of antigen in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. Although studies have shown that alterations in T cell receptor glycosylation reduces the activation threshold, the data on MHC is far less definitive. Here, we discuss the data on MHC glycosylation and the role the glycans might play during the adaptive host response.
Biochemical and genetic studies of pigment-type switching.

Mutations that affect the balance between the synthesis of eumelanin and pheomelanin provide a powerful set of tools with which to understand general aspects of cell signaling. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that pheomelanin synthesis is triggered by the ability of Agouti protein to inhibit signaling through the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r). In a bioassay based on the Xenopus Mc1r, Agouti protein has two effects, competitive inhibition of receptor occupancy by α-MSH and down-regulation of receptor signaling, which are mediated separately by domains in the amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of Agouti protein, respectively. Recently, we have used the genetics of pigmentation as an in vivo system to screen for and analyze other mutations in the Agouti–melanocortin pathway. The pigmentary effects of Agouti are suppressed by the previously existing coat-color mutations mahogany (mg), mahoganoid (md), and Umbrous (U). Double mutant studies, with animals deficient for the Mc1r or those which carry Ay, indicate that mg and md are genetically upstream of the Mc1r, and can suppress the effects of Ay on both pigmentation and body weight. Positional cloning has recently identified the gene mutated in mahogany as a single transmembrane-spanning protein whose ectodomain is orthologous to human Attractin (Atrn).
Dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI for the detection of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

To determine the ability of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE-MRI) to predict pathological complete response (pCR) after preoperative chemotherapy for rectal cancer. In a prospective clinical trial, 23/34 enrolled patients underwent pre- and post-treatment DCE-MRI performed at 1.5T. Gadolinium 0.1 mmol/kg was injected at a rate of 2 mL/s. Using a two-compartmental model of vascular space and extravascular extracellular space, Ktrans, kep, ve, AUC90, and AUC180 were calculated. Surgical specimens were the gold standard. Baseline, post-treatment and changes in these quantities were compared with clinico-pathological outcomes. For quantitative variable comparison, Spearman’s Rank correlation was used. For categorical variable comparison, the Kruskal–Wallis test was used. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Percentage of histological tumour response ranged from 10 to 100%. Six patients showed pCR. Post chemotherapy Ktrans (mean 0.5 min−1 vs. 0.2 min−1, P = 0.04) differed significantly between non-pCR and pCR outcomes, respectively and also correlated with percent tumour response and pathological size. Post-treatment residual abnormal soft tissue noted in some cases of pCR prevented an MR impression of complete response based on morphology alone. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer, MR perfusional characteristics have been identified that can aid in the distinction between incomplete response and pCR.
Activation of cloud droplets in bin-microphysics simulation of shallow convection

A b s t r a c t This paper describes implementation of the warm-rain bin microphysics in a LES model based on the EULAG fluid flow solver. The binmicrophysics EULAG is applied to the case of shallow nonprecipitating tropical convection to investigate the impact of the secondary activation of cloud droplets above the cloud base. In a previous study applying the EULAG model with the double-moment bulk warm-rain microphysics scheme, the in-cloud activation was shown to have significant implications for the mean microphysical and optical characteristics of the cloud field. By contrasting the simulations with and without in-cloud activation as in the previous study, we show that the in-cloud activation has qualitatively similar but quantitatively smaller eect. In particular, the concentration of cloud droplets in the bin simulation without in-cloud activation decreases with height not as strongly as in corresponding simulations applying the double-moment bulk scheme.
Air ions and physiological function.

Although gaseous ions possess no obvious physical properties which would predict a capability to influence living cells or tissues they can be shown to produce functional changes. The physiological effects so far demonstrated are limited in extent. In the mammalian trachea air ion action appears to depend upon the release of bound 5-hydroxytryptamine by CO2+ and upon O--induced acceleration of its metabolic destruction.
The Influence of the End of Life on the Extent of Informal Help Received by Older Adults

This study examines the extent of informal help received in the home among the respondents to the Longitudinal Study on Aging. The focus is on the direct effects of health status on receiving informal help for activities of daily living (ADLs) and how receiving that informal help is influenced by proximity to death. The findings show that proximity to death is consistently related to receiving help from friends and relatives for those receiving help with basic and household ADLs. The findings also show how different dimensions of health status affect getting help. In addition to the effects of various dimensions of health status, some sociodemographic factors are important. The extent of informal help with basic and advanced ADLs increases with age, but socially isolated individuals (e.g., those living alone) receive substantially less help for all ADLs. Socioeconomic factors and race are for the most part unrelated to getting informal help.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Role of Imaging in Diagnosis

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality in women of reproductive age and carries with it significant health risks, including infertility, endometrial hyperplasia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The workup of PCOS has evolved to include the use of pelvic ultrasonography (US). Ovarian imaging is crucial in the evaluation of patients with suspected PCOS. Although findings of polycystic ovaries are commonly seen at routine US and are frequently not associated with PCOS, awareness of the criteria and definitions used in the diagnosis of PCOS is important, especially in patients who are being evaluated for ovulatory dysfunction or hyperandrogenism. The imaging report should be specific and should include ovarian volumes and antral follicle counts, in addition to other pertinent findings (eg, the presence of a dominant follicle or corpus luteum). Because patients are frequently referred for radiologic imaging as a part of clinical workup, and polycystic ovaries are a common incidental finding in women undergoing US for other gynecologic complaints, radiologists should be aware of the current diagnostic criteria for PCOS, the role of imaging in workup for this abnormality, and the pertinent reporting parameters for pelvic US.
Risk factors and prodromal eating pathology

Prospective studies have identified factors that increase risk for eating pathology onset, including perceived pressure for thinness, thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and negative affect. Research also suggests that body dissatisfaction and dietary restraint may constitute prodromal stages of the development of eating disorders. Prevention trials indicate that interventions that reduce pressure to be thin, thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect significantly reduce eating disorder symptoms. Further, there is evidence that selective prevention programs that target young women at elevated risk for eating pathology by virtue of thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect produce significant larger intervention effects than do universal programs offered to unselected populations. Thus, research on risk factors and prodromal stages of eating pathology has assisted in the design of efficacious prevention programs and the identification of high-risk individuals to target with these interventions; additional research in this area may lead to even more effective prevention programs.
La fuerza expresiva del deseo en Lan Yu de Stanley Kwan

El presente articulo analiza como la pelicula Lan Yu, del director Stanley Kwan, retrata el surgimiento de la homosexualidad en la China contemporanea mas alla de su legitimacion en reconocidos terminos identitarios occidentales: la afirmacion de una poblacion minoritaria existente pero poco reconocida; la defensa de la “perversion” sexual; la busqueda por la libertad sexual, el reconocimiento legal y los derechos politicos; la justificacion de un estilo de vida consumidor burgues, o incluso la expresion de un amor que universaliza y vincula a dos individuos abstractos. En contraste, en la pelicula de Kwan la homosexualidad y su deseo expresivo marcan la aparicion de un nuevo humanismo en la China (post)socialista bajo las sombras del capitalismo global y el desarrollo neoliberal. Asi, al ayudar a situar a China en el lugar debido dentro de un mundo cosmopolita globalizado, los gays y las lesbianas actuan como precursores de una nueva modernidad. Desde esta perspectiva la homosexualidad funciona como una herramienta critica para organizar y evaluar continuidades y rupturas historicas propias del pasado (semi)colonial chino, sus aspiraciones revolucionarias por una sociedad modernista, y sus actuales inversiones en el orden neoliberal del mundo capitalista
MPEG-7 Description of Haptic Applications Using HAML

The continuous evolution of computer haptics, as well as the emergence of a wide range of haptic interfaces has recently boosted the haptics domain. Even though efficient tools that support the developer's work exist, little attention is paid to the reuse and compatibility of haptic application constituents. In response to these issues, we propose an XML-based description language, namely Haptic Application Meta Language - HAML. HAML is designed to provide a technology-neutral description of haptic models. It contains ergonomic requirements and specifications for haptic hardware and software interactions. The envisioned goal is to allow for the creation of plug-and-play environments in which a wide array of supported haptic devices can be used in a multitude of virtual environments, with the compatibility issues being handled by automated engines instead of programmatically by the user. As per implementation, MPEG-7 standard has been used to instantiate HAML schema through the use of description schemes (DS). Our preliminary experimentation demonstrates the suitability of HAML for solving the compatibility issue
First Record of a Digenean from Invasive Lionfish, Pterois cf. volitans, (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean

Adults of Lecithochirium floridense (Digenea: Hemiuridae) parasitized the stomach in each of 22 necropsied lionfish, Pterois cf. volitans (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) (prevalence 5 100%, mean intensity 5 11), captured in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean off Beaufort, North Carolina (34u14.839N, 76u35.259W). This is the first report of a digenean from the invasive lionfish and that of L. floridense from a species of Pterois. The leech specimen previously identified as Myzobdella lugubris from P. volitans in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean is re-identified as Trachelobdella lubrica based on a study of the original voucher specimen. Red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758), (Scorpaeni- formes: Scorpaenidae) and devil firefish, Pterois miles (Ben- nett, 1828) range in the western Pacific Ocean (Poss, 1999) and throughout the Indian Ocean and Red Sea (Hamner et al., 2007), respectively. Both lionfishes remain popular in the aquarium trade and were likely introduced into the northwestern Atlantic Ocean by that association, perhaps as early as the mid-1980s (Morris and Akins, 2009). Both are now established in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea (Morris et al., 2009; Morris and Whitfield, 2009; Sutherland et al., 2010), where they are regarded as the first non-native obligate marine fishes to establish a self-reproducing population off the Atlantic coast of the United States. Herein, we provide the first published record of a digenean from invasive lionfish captured outside of their native Indo-Pacific range.
The positive effects of different platelet-rich plasma methods on human muscle, bone, and tendon cells.

BACKGROUND: Clinical application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the realm of orthopaedic sports medicine has yielded variable results. Differences in separation methods and variability of the individual may contribute to these variable results.
NrdI, a flavodoxin involved in maintenance of the diferric-tyrosyl radical cofactor in Escherichia coli class Ib ribonucleotide reductase

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the conversion of nucleotides to deoxynucleotides and is essential in all organisms. Class I RNRs consist of two homodimeric subunits: α2 and β2. The α subunit contains the site of nucleotide reduction, and the β subunit contains the essential diferric-tyrosyl radical (Y•) cofactor. Escherichia coli contains genes encoding two class I RNRs (Ia and Ib) and a class III RNR, which is active only under anaerobic conditions. Its class Ia RNR, composed of NrdA (α) and NrdB (β), is expressed under normal aerobic growth conditions. The class Ib RNR, composed of NrdE (α) and NrdF (β), is expressed under oxidative stress and iron-limited growth conditions. Our laboratory is interested in pathways of cofactor biosynthesis and maintenance in class I RNRs and modulation of Y• levels as a means of regulating RNR activity. Our recent studies have implicated a [2Fe2S]-ferredoxin, YfaE, in the NrdB diferric-Y• maintenance pathway and possibly in the biosynthetic and regulatory pathways. Here, we report that NrdI is a flavodoxin counterpart to YfaE for the class Ib RNR. It possesses redox properties unprecedented for a flavodoxin (Eox/sq = −264 ± 17 mV and Esq/hq = −255 ± 17 mV) that allow it to mediate a two-electron reduction of the diferric cluster of NrdF via two successive one-electron transfers. Data presented support the presence of a distinct maintenance pathway for NrdEF, orthogonal to that for NrdAB involving YfaE.
Assessing creativity practices in design

As part of a National Science Foundation initiative involving the Science of Design (SoD) and specifically the grant CNS-0614003, a survey was developed to measure the current level of the incorporation of creativity-promoting factors in computer science and engineering curricula in California institutions of higher learning. In some areas such as interdisciplinarity, evaluation of creative work goal setting or model creative behavior, faculty seem to be doing adequately in training the computer scientists and engineers of the future to be creative professionals. However, in other areas such as training in social-psychological processes that affect group creativity they are not. Several recommendations to faculty are provided and discussed.
An implementation of a flexible topology management system for aerial high capacity directional networks

In recent years, there has been a large push in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to augment ground networks with a high capacity airborne backbone network that uses directional communications technologies. Such a network could supplement the traditional SATCOM infrastructure which can become easily oversubscribed, may be degraded, or may even be unavailable. Although there are several advantages to these high capacity aerial backbone networks, one key challenge is topology formation and maintenance with highly directional links. In this paper, we present an architectural concept and implementation of a flexible topology management (TM) system for topology formation and coordination of aerial high capacity backbone networks. The TM framework is modular and extensible to allow for different algorithms and radio systems to be employed. A simple baseline algorithm is presented that maximizes network connectivity. Performance results from an EMANE/CORE emulation of a simple but representative aerial range extension network show that high link and network availability can potentially be attained by an automated TM architecture in this type of scenario.
Ecosystem Services Indicators: Improving the Linkage between Biophysical and Economic Analyses

For ecosystem services analysis, a key to collaboration between natural and social scientists is the identification and measurement of linking indicators: biophysical indicators that facilitate social evaluation, including monetary valuation of ecological changes. As ecosystem service analysts and practitioners better recognize the various ways in which people benefit from ecosystems, natural scientists will be called on to develop, use, and report on metrics and indicators that link to those diverse benefits. The paper develops principles to guide the identification of linking indicators, compares their features with those of more commonly collected ecological measures, and reviews empirical evidence pertinent to their identification, definition, and performance, primarily from the point of view of conducting monetary valuation of ecological outcomes.
Chronic inhalation of absestos and cigarette smoke by hamsters

Abstract One hundred and two male Syrian golden hamsters received chronic exposures to a respirable aerosol of Canadian chrysotile asbestos (mean aerosol concentration = 23 μg/l) 7 hours per day, 5 days per week. Half of the animals were also exposed for 10 minutes to cigarette smoke in modified Hamburg II smoking machines, three times per day, 5 days per week, for the duration of their life span. The other half of the animals received sham-smoke exposures. Another group of 102 hamsters served as controls. Half of the controls received smoke exposures, the other half received sham exposures. Asbestos exposure resulted in earlier and more severe lung lesions than in identical groups of concurrent experiments, which had received life span exposures to aerosols of NiO (53 μg/l) and CoO (10 μg/l), or which were treated with diethylnitrosamine (12 × 0.25 mg by s.c. injection). Asbestosis developed in all animals and forced discontinuation of the asbestos exposures after 11 months. Of 12 lung adenomas found in 510 hamsters, ten occurred among the 102 animals of the asbestosexposed groups, indicating an early neoplastic response. However, perhaps on account of their significantly shorter life span due to asbestosis, the incidence of laryngeal lesions and of malignant tumors wassignificantly lower in the asbestos + smoke-exposed group than in the control group having received smoke exposures. Neither a carcinogenic effect of asbestos nor a cocarcinogenic effect of cigarette smoke was observed. Cigarette smoke inhalation resulted in significantly lower mean body weights of the smoke-exposed groups.
The Effect of Social Proof on Weather-Related Decision Making in Aviation

This paper examines several accident reports to investigate how a pilot's decision-making is influenced by the decisions made by pilots flying in her/his proximity. Among all the possible theories on influence we frame the problem in terms of Cialdini's (1993) concept of social proof, one that seems particularly appropriate for the analysis of accidents that occurred under deteriorating weather conditions in high-density terminal areas. In the paper we argue that, under those conditions, a very critical moment occurs when pilots should start making no-go or divert decisions after a stream of successful takeoffs and landings has been conducted. Following our examination, we highlight potential streams of research that may yield significant results in this area.
Cross-antigenicity between Sarcoptes scabiei and the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae (Acari: Sarcoptidae and Pyroglyphidae).

Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis (L.) (SS) was shown to share a high degree of cross-reactivity with the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes (DF). Sera from scabies-infested rabbits contained antibodies that recognized at least six antigens in extracts produced from DF body material and three from DF fecal material. Likewise, rabbit antiserum to DF body and DF fecal extracts contained antibodies that recognized SS antigens. Sera from control rabbits reacted with DF body and SS extracts did not show antibodies to antigens in either extract. Six of nine SS antigens were cross-reactive with DF antigens. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS—PAGE) fraction profiles of SS exhibited at least 30 protein and peptide bands. Fifteen SS bands bound DF-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) following incubation in sera from nine DF skin-test-positive patients with no history of scabies. The IgE binding varied within and among these patients. The sera of these patients also exhibited significant IgE levels to multiple DF antigens, as demonstrated by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) and immunoblotting. Control sera from nonallergic control patients who were skin test negative to DF and without scabies exhibited no IgE binding to any SS band.
Detecting plains and Grevy's Zebras in the realworld

Photographic censusing can be partly automated by leveraging the power of computer vision detection algorithms. Detecting zebras in the real world can be challenging due to varying viewpoints of the animal, natural and artificial occlusions, and overlapping animals. To address these challenges, we evaluate three detection algorithms: Hough Forests by [8], the YOLO network by [20], and Faster R-CNN [21]. We train the detectors on a soon-to-be-released dataset of 2,500 images containing 3,541 bounding boxes of plains zebras (Equus quagga) and 2,672 bounding boxes of Grevy's zebras (Equus grevyi). The detection errors are analyzed by species, viewpoint, and density (the number of bounding boxes per image). The best detector in our evaluation reports a detection mAP of 55.6% for plains and 56.6% for Grevy's.
“Stress That I Don't Need”: Gender Expectations and Relationship Struggles Among the Poor

Based on 55 qualitative interviews, this article looks in depth at the ways in which gendered expectations impact heterosexual romantic relationships among low-income and poor adults in a small, western U.S. city. It finds that contradictory understandings regarding meanings and responsibilities associated with masculinity and femininity present challenges to the formation and sustaining of committed relationships. Although men desired to be providers and heads of household with limited household responsibilities, women wanted men with traditional work ethics but egalitarian perspectives on sharing both income generation and home and family responsibilities. Participants' unrealistic and conflicting gendered relationship expectations combined with economic concerns and social problems associated with economic strain to contribute to relationship tensions and wariness toward romantic involvements.
On the Role of Chemical Kinetics Modeling in the LES of Premixed Bluff Body and Backward-Facing Step Combustors

Financial support from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), and the TATA Center for Design and Research, is gratefully acknowledged.
Navigating dietary small RNAs.

When a novel nutritional concept comes along, scientists become enthusiastic and start new explorations. In 2012, the field was enthralled with a study suggesting plant-based nucleic acid “information” acts as a bioactive to regulate animal metabolism.
An American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) prospective multi-center research protocol: outcomes of urethral realignment versus suprapubic cystostomy after pelvic fracture urethral injury

Background: Pelvic fracture urethral injuries (PFUI) occur in up to 10% of pelvic fractures. It remains controversial whether initial primary urethral realignment (PR) after PFUI decreases the incidence of urethral obstruction and the need for subsequent urethral procedures. We present methodology for a prospective cohort study analyzing the outcomes of PR versus suprapubic cystostomy tube (SPT) after PFUI. Methods: A prospective cohort trial was designed to compare outcomes between PR (group 1) and SPT placement (group 2). Centers are assigned to a group upon entry into the study. All patients will undergo retrograde attempted catheter placement; if this fails a cystoscopy exam is done to confirm a complete urethral disruption and attempt at gentle retrograde catheter placement. If catheter placement fails, group 1 will undergo urethral realignment and group 2 will undergo SPT. The primary outcome measure will be the rate of urethral obstruction preventing atraumatic passage of a flexible cystoscope. Secondary outcome measures include: subsequent urethral interventions, post-injury complications, urethroplasty complexity, erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence rates. Results: Prior studies demonstrate PR is associated with a 15% to 50% reduction in urethral obstruction. Ninety-six men (48 per treatment group) are required to detect a 15% treatment effect (80% power, 0.05 significance level, 20% loss to follow up/death rate). Busy trauma centers treat complete PFUI approximately 1–6 times per year, thus our goal is to recruit 25 trauma centers and enroll patients for 3 years with a goal of 100 or more total patients with complete urethral disruption. Conclusions: The proposed prospective multi-institutional cohort study should determine the utility of acute urethral realignment after PFUI.
Comment on “Laser cooling of Yb 173 for isotope separation and precision hyperfine spectroscopy”

We present measurements of the hyperfine splitting in the $^{173}\mathrm{Yb} 6s6p\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{1}P_{{}_{1}^{\mathrm{o}}}({F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=3/2,7/2)$ states that disagree significantly with those measured previously by Das and Natarajan [Phys. Rev. A 76, 062505 (2007)]. We point out inconsistencies in their measurements and suggest that their error is due to optical pumping and improper determination of the atomic line center. Our measurements are made using an optical frequency comb. We use an optical pumping scheme to improve the signal-to-background ratio for the ${F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=3/2$ component.
My Journey as a Teacher Educator

As an academic, I identify myself as a literacy educator whose charge is to study the literacy skills students need and how to best prepare students to face the literacy challenges they will encounter as a contributing member of a democratic society. Whether working directly with K–12 (most commonly 6–12) students, or in-service teachers, I am most comfortable when I am conducting intervention studies. Simply put, I am interested in developing and implementing literacy instruction that improves student learning or refining literacy instruction for K–12 students. However, I must admit when I first heard about the possibility of a S-STEP study group, I was intrigued and motivated to join the conversation. S-STEP piqued my curiosity because of the possibility of focusing on my instruction. But as I sit here today, I cannot count the number of times I have sat down to write this chapter. Each time I find myself feeling unsure, uncomfortable, and at times completely at a loss. Although I have participated in our self-study group for nearly 3 years, at times, I still feel like an interloper. Nonetheless, I persist in my exploration, my learning, and my implementation of S-STEP because, despite my uncertainty, I find S-STEP an important framework to delve into my role as teacher educator in the complex world of literacy and learning. In the remainder of the chapter, I explore My Journey as a Teacher Educator, My Fluid Conceptualization of S-STEP, A Current Study Using S-STEP, and Strengths and Limitations of S-STEP for the Current Study and Beyond.
Signal Transduction Mechanisms Regulating Sperm Acrosomal Exocytosis

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the signal transduction mechanisms regulating sperm acrosomal. The acrosome is a secretory vesicle overlying the nucleus of the mature spermatozoon. This organelle is a product of the Golgi complex, and is synthesized and assembled during spermiogenesis. The primary function of acrosomal exocytosis following zona pellucida adhesion is to permit the penetration of this unique extracellular matrix. This matrix induced exocytotic reaction is a regulated event that displays discrete properties. A consequence of zona pellucida penetration is the development of a sharply defined, thin penetration slit that is presumed to result from the limited digestion of the matrix by acrosome-associated proteases. If capacitation is necessary for spermatozoa to undergo physiologically relevant acrosomal exocytosis in response to the zona pellucid, it is reasonable that both the male and female reproductive tracts could influence capacitation. Factors comprising the reproductive tract fluids are thought to bind to and stabilize the sperm plasma membrane, presumably to prevent capacitation from occurring. Other factors remove molecules from the sperm surface, presumably to initiate the capacitation process. Currently, the understanding of the molecular mechanics of acrosomal exocytosis is at a very early stage. Some of the general mechanisms will be conserved with other exocytotic systems, but the sperm acrosome clearly has properties that distinguish it from other secretory systems, and it is these differences that will yield exciting results.
A toolkit for practical medical ethics.

Approaches that help medical students recognize and resolve ethical questions in patient care. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Basis light front quantization for the charged light mesons with color singlet Nambu--Jona-Lasinio interactions

We apply the basis light front quantization (BLFQ) approach to describe the valence structures of the charged light meson ground states. Specifically, the light front wave functions of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, ${K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, and ${K}^{*\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ are obtained as the eigenvectors of the light front effective Hamiltonians with confinement potentials supplemented by the color singlet Nambu--Jona-Lasinio (NJL) interactions. We adjust our model such that the spectrum of these ground states and the charge radii of the pseudoscalar states agree with experimental results. We present the elastic form factors and parton distribution amplitudes (PDAs) as illustrations of the internal structures of the pseudoscalar pions and kaons in terms of valence quarks.
Ally Versus Adversary Behaviors: The Utility of a Special Education Advocate During Conflict Between Parents and Professionals:

Navigating the special education system can leave many parents confused, overwhelmed, and struggling to find information, particularly when in conflict with professionals. One source of solace for ...
Association of Peripheral Vascular Disease With Complications After Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Background:Despite limited evidence, peripheral vascular disease is often cited as a contraindication for total ankle arthroplasty. The purpose of our study was to identify whether peripheral vascu...
Paraguay y las complejidades de una nación bilingüe: la contradicción del idioma guaraní como símbolo nacional y su condición de diglosia

espanolParaguay es uno de los unicos paises en Sudamerica que posee dos idiomas oficiales. El guarani es uno de ellos y conforma un pilar de la identidad de los paraguayos. Sin embargo, el uso del guarani parece disminuir progresivamente. Al parecer, el gobierno y las actitudes de los hablantes no favorecen su uso en la sociedad. Por lo tanto, en esta investigacion se pretende identificar cual es el vinculo entre el aprecio que los paraguayos confiesan sentir hacia el guarani y—contradictoriamente—el desprestigio linguistico que la mayoria atribuye a la lengua vernacula. portuguesO Paraguai e um dos unicos paises na America do Sul que possui duas linguas oficias. O guarani e uma delas, sendo um pilar da identidade paraguaia. Porem, o uso do guarani parece diminuir progressivamente. O governo e as proprias atitudes dos falantes desta lingua nao favorecem o seu uso na sociedade. Portanto, esta pesquisa pretende identificar qual e o vinculo entre o apreco que os paraguaios confessam ter pelo guarani e—contraditoriamente—o desprestigio linguistico que a maioria deles atribui a lingua vernacula EnglishParaguay is one of the few countries in South America that has two official languages. Guarani is one of them and it is a staple of national identity. Nonetheless, the use of Guarani seems to be decreasing steadily. The government and Guarani speakers do not actively promote its use in society. This research seeks to identify the link between the tacit appreciation that Paraguayans confess towards Guarani and—conversely—the negative connotations attributed to its use in society.
Analysis of formation and growth of the σ phase in additively manufactured functionally graded materials

Abstract This study focuses on the formation of the σ phase in three functionally graded material (FGM) systems made by additive manufacturing (AM): stainless steel 420 (SS420) to V to Ti–6Al–4V, Ti–6Al–4V to V to stainless steel 304 L (SS304L), and SS420 to V. Directly joining Ti–6Al–4V and stainless steel may result in the formation of brittle Fe–Ti intermetallics. This study investigates the potential use of V as an intermediate element between terminal alloys of Ti–6Al–4V and stainless steel. Experimental analysis of the elemental and phase composition revealed that different amounts of σ phase were present in the three FGM systems at locations with similar elemental compositions. Computational studies were performed to simulate the thermal history, phase transformation kinetics, and σ phase growth within these FGMs. The computations suggested that, at the conditions studied, the σ phase should nucleate faster and grow to a larger volume fraction in the SS420–V alloy than the SS304L–V alloy, contrasting with experimental observations. Instead, experimental analysis confirmed that the disparate growth of σ phase in the FGMs was due differences in cracking during fabrication, resulting in different amounts of time spent at the elevated temperatures conducive to σ phase growth in each of the samples.
Assemblies of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II with actin and their dynamic regulation by calmodulin in dendritic spines

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) plays a key role in the plasticity of dendritic spines. Calcium signals cause calcium−calmodulin to activate CaMKII, which leads to remodeling of the actin filament (F-actin) network in the spine. We elucidate the mechanism of the remodeling by combining computer simulations with protein array experiments and electron microscopic imaging, to arrive at a structural model for the dodecameric complex of CaMKII with F-actin. The binding interface involves multiple domains of CaMKII. This structure explains the architecture of the micrometer-scale CaMKII/F-actin bundles arising from the multivalence of CaMKII. We also show that the regulatory domain of CaMKII may bind either calmodulin or F-actin, but not both. This frustration, along with the multipartite nature of the binding interface, allows calmodulin transiently to strip CaMKII from actin assemblies so that they can reorganize. This observation therefore provides a simple mechanism by which the structural dynamics of CaMKII establishes the link between calcium signaling and the morphological plasticity of dendritic spines.
IMPACT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE POLICY ON VALUE OF THE FIRM – A STUDY ON SOME SELECTED CORPORATE MANUFACTURING FIRMS UNDER DHAKA STOCK EXCHANGE

The study is about capital structure policy and its impacts on value of the firm. The outcome of this study was both the primary and secondary data. The study was based on opinions survey of 80 respondents of the 20 manufacturing corporate firms, enlisted under Dhaka Stock Exchange. The empirical analysis of the study was limited to a period of five years ranging 2008-2012. The major findings of the study are: (i) the most important determinant of capital structure policy as rated by the respondents have been financial risk , profitability, availability of fund, productivity, liquidity, operating risk, growth rate, proper timing, corporate tax, stability of sales/ investment etc, (ii) the study reveals that in terms of the average positions of capital structure and financial structure during 2008-2012, Beximco pharma has ranked first followed by Square pharma, Apex Adelchi, DESCO, ACI ltd, Titas gas, Bata shoe,Aftab automobile, Reneata pharma, Square textile ltd etc,(iii) as regards the value of the firm during the study period, Titas gas has obtained first rank followed by Square pharma, DESCO, Beximco pharma, BATBC, ACI, Reneta pharma, Apex Tennary, Apex Adelchi, Bata shoe and so on.(iv) this study has portrayed that the independent variables namely capital structure (CS), debt to equity (DER) & debt to asset (DR), fixed assets to total assets(Tangibility), earnings before interest and taxes to interest charges(ICR), financial leverage multiplier(FLM) have influenced value of the firm(VF) to the extent of 79.1 percent significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that the relevant firm’s authority should take proper measures in order to improve the independent variables having positive influence on value of the firms.
Pedagogy of the Privileged: Globalization, Identity, Belonging, and Empowerment

This paper explores ideas for bringing a global perspective into how undergraduates understand themselves and their relative positions in the world. Understanding of discourses of belonging should supplement how we teach discourses of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I draw on critical arguments and insights about pedagogy from Paulo Freire, Antonio Gramsci, and bell hooks to emphasize the political context and power implications not just of the knowledge we as professors convey, but also of the identities that define our relationships to that knowledge and to our students. I confront my own positions of privilege and discuss the implications of the political project of unsettling the complacency with which my students typically approach their own unearned advantages. I argue that discerning and analyzing social and political simplifications is a key component of a liberal education because it frees students to make more decisions with more freedom.
Planning for the Management of the Landscape

This chapter presents a tool-kit of a planning process for priority conservation areas. While it is heavily based on the context of the Lake Tumba Landscape, it embraces broader and general principles of planning for conservation in multiple-use areas. These principles include conducting a situational appraisal (geography and the biological diversity, human ecology), economic analysis (logging, oil and other economic activities), setting global priorities, identifying resources (human resources, training needs, and financial and logistical needs), and identifying means to reconcile divergent demands (actions for sustainable uses) and exit scenarios. This very scheme was used for the planning process in the Lake Tumba Landscape, and a lesson to be learnt from that process was that using charismatic species (bonobo, forest elephant, and lion) residing in the landscape as the measure of sustainability revealed to be a powerful tool because people easily identified the existence of these species with their own history in the region. Another lesson was that greater participation in the planning process diffused rumors and ensured better relationships with different stakeholders, including local communities and state authority.
Book Review of David E. Bernstein, 'Rehabilitating Lochner: Defending Individual Rights Against Progressive Reform'

This paper is a book review of David Bernstein's revisionist history of Lochner v. New York that I published in the philosophy journal Reason Papers.
Exercise alters brain activation in Gulf War Illness and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Gulf War Illness affects 25-30% of American veterans deployed to the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War and is characterized by cognitive post-exertional malaise following physical effort. Gulf War Illness remains controversial since cognitive post-exertional malaise is also present in the more common Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An objective dissociation between neural substrates for cognitive post-exertional malaise in Gulf War Illness and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome would represent a biological basis for diagnostically distinguishing these two illnesses. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure neural activity in healthy controls and patients with Gulf War Illness and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during an N-back working memory task both before and after exercise. Whole brain activation during working memory (2-Back > 0-Back) was equal between groups prior to exercise. Exercise had no effect on neural activity in healthy controls yet caused deactivation within dorsal midbrain and cerebellar vermis in Gulf War Illness relative to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients. Further, exercise caused increased activation among Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients within the dorsal midbrain, left operculo-insular cortex (Rolandic operculum) and right middle insula. These regions-of-interest underlie threat assessment, pain, interoception, negative emotion and vigilant attention. As they only emerge post-exercise, these regional differences likely represent neural substrates of cognitive post-exertional malaise useful for developing distinct diagnostic criteria for Gulf War Illness and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Microwave-induced selective decomposition of cellulose: Computational and experimental mechanistic study

Abstract Understanding microwave-material interactions will help facilitate the utilization of microwave technology in gasification and renewable energy production. In this study, cellulose was used as a model compound to simulate the organic matter in biomass, and its catalytic decomposition under a microwave (MW) field was studied to identify structural changes from the reaction. The study was conducted using a MW source coupled to a fixed-bed gas-flow reactor, mass spectroscopic, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy post-reaction analysis. Zeolite 13X was chosen as a microwave absorber to study the catalytic enhancement of the decomposition of cellulose. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to gain insights into the molecular transformations occurring in the presence of a static electric field, which was used to simulate the electric field component of the microwave electromagnetic radiation providing a theoretical basis for molecular sites to be selectively heated. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that both the positive and negative portion of the electric field interact with the permanent dipoles of the cellulose leading to Debye-type loss processes and localized heating indicated by the decomposition through the glycosidic bond breaking mechanism. The theoretical result was verified using infrared spectroscopic analysis of the pure cellulose during microwave heating. The theoretical calculations help to elucidate the dipoles and molecular bonds in the cellulose structure, which are more sensitive to selectively localized heating as compared to other bonds and conventional heating. Physically mixing Zeolite 13X with the cellulose led to a significant enhancement in the decomposition rate of the glycosidic bond. Zeolite 13X enhanced the glycosidic O–C decomposition at lower MW power (lower temperatures), whereas the O–H functional group required higher MW power (higher temperature) for its decomposition. The DFT study coupled with the reaction studies revealed that the electric field polarizability, and subsequent, localized heating, is dependent upon both the direction and the orientation of the cellulose. Gas products revealed that applying 250 W of MW power led to the production of CO, H2, along with some CO2, CH4, and benzene at 305 °C. Reaction under 500, 750, and 1000 W of power at constant temperature (305 °C) revealed that higher power led to the complete decomposition of cellulose to mostly CO, H2, and CO2.