cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The neural tube of the Xenopus embryo maintains a potential difference across itself

Abstract In Xenopus embryos, the ectodermal epithelium generates a substantial transepithelial potential (TEP) during certain periods of early development. In this study, we have found that the neural tube (which is derived from the embryonic ectodermal epithelium) of stage 21–25 Xenopus embryos also maintains a potential across itself, with the lumen being, on average, 18 ± 1 mV negative relative to the interstitial spaces. This transneural tube potential (TNTP) declines gradually from a maximum of −21 ± 2 mV at stage 23 to a minimum of −14 ± 2 mV at stage 25. Vibrating probe measurements on transected embryos suggest that the neural tube is capable of driving a current. Large outward currents ranging from 10 to 26 μA/cm2 were detected just dorsal to the center of wounds in transected stage 21–24 embryos, but near the dorsal margin of the wound, in the region corresponding to the cut face of the neural tube, outward current densities were less than half the maximum, ranging from 3 to 9 μA/cm2. The reduced outward current near the dorsal margin suggests a locus of inward current in this region that is subtracted from the much larger outcurrents. Such greatly reduced outward currents were not detected near the ventral margin of the wound.
Transforming Elementary Social Studies: The Emergence of a Curriculum Focused on Diverse, Caring Communities.

Abstract In a wide-ranging analysis of elementary textbook series the author asks (a) to what degree do current textbooks address multicultural education and global citizenship; and (b) to what degree are elementary students encouraged and enabled to care about others and to view people from inclusive, nonstereotypical, and unprejudiced perspectives? Curriculum that addresses these concerns could prepare students to build authentic, democratic communities. In previous studies findings show that texts typically do not reflect diverse perspectives and multicultural or global realities, utilize methodologies adequate to address multicultural education, present controversial issues, or provide consistent opportunities for higher level thinking. This grounded theory study of current elementary social studies teacher guides illustrates the possibility of a new curricular organizer—the concept of a diverse, caring community. This new and much needed change of perspective could provide the first step toward a tra...
The effect of varying carbon/nitrogen ratio in the phytoplankter Thalassiosira pseudonana (3H) on its food value to the bivalve Tapes japonica

Abstract The growth of juvenile Manila clams, Tapes japonica, was examined on diets of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana (3H) of similar cell concentrations but of differing C N ratios (by atoms) over a period of 4 weeks. Bivalve tissue growth was correlated with the total quantity of dietary nitrogen available rather than dietary carbon; however, dietary C N ratios of 8.4–10.5 appear superior to higher or lower values. The use of C N ratios as an indicator of nutritional value in aquaculture food species, and measurement and interpretation of the ratio are critically reviewed.
The role of P4-P3' residues flanking Arg336 in facilitating activated protein C-catalyzed cleavage and inactivation of factor VIIIa.

Abstract Introduction Activated protein C (APC) inactivates factor VIIIa (FVIIIa) through cleavages at Arg336 in the A1 subunit and Arg562 in the A2 subunit. Proteolysis at Arg336 occurs 25-fold faster than at Arg562. Replacing residues flanking Arg336 en bloc with the corresponding residues surrounding Arg562 markedly reduced the rate of cleavage at Arg336, indicating a role for these residues in the catalysis mechanism. Materials and Methods To assess the contributions of individual P4-P3' residues flanking the Arg336 site to cleavage efficiency, point mutations were made based upon those flanking Arg562 of FVIIIa (Pro333Val, Gln334Asp, Leu335Gln, Met337Gly, Lys338Asn, Asn339Gln) and selected residues flanking Arg506 of FVa (Leu335Arg, and Lys338Ile). APC-catalyzed inactivation of the FVIII variants and cleavage of FVIIIa subunits were monitored by FXa generation assays and Western blotting. Results Specific activity values of the variants were 60-135% of the wild type (WT) value. APC-catalyzed rates of cleavage at Arg336 remained similar to WT for the Pro333Val and Lys338Ile variants and was modestly increased for the Asn339Gln variant; while rates were reduced ~2-3-fold for the Gln334Asp, Leu335Gln, Leu335Arg, and Lys338Asn variants, and 5-fold for the Met337Gly variant. Rates for cofactor inactivation paralleled cleavage at the A1 site. APC slowly cleaves Arg372 in FVIII, a site responsible for procofactor activation. Using FVIII as substrate for APC, the Met337Gly variant yielded significantly greater activation compared with WT FVIII. Conclusions These results show that individual P4-P3' residues surrounding Arg336 are in general more favorable to cleavage than those surrounding the Arg562 site.
Glucosamine-induced increase in Akt phosphorylation corresponds to increased endoplasmic reticulum stress in astroglial cells

Increased glucose flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) is known to affect the activity of a number of signal transduction pathways and lead to insulin resistance. Although widely studied in insulin responsive tissues, the effect of increased HBP activity on largely insulin unresponsive tissues, such as the brain, remains relatively unknown. Herein, we investigate the effects of increased HBP flux on Akt activation in a human astroglial cells line using glucosamine, a compound commonly used to mimic hyperglycemic conditions by increasing HBP flux. Cellular treatment with 8 mM glucosamine resulted in a 96.8% ± 24.6 increase in Akt phosphorylation after 5 h of treatment that remained elevated throughout the 9-h time course. Glucosamine treatment also resulted in modest increases in global levels of the O-GlcNAc protein modification. Increasing O-GlcNAc levels using the O-GlcNAcase inhibitor streptozotocin (STZ) also increased Akt phosphorylation by 96.8% ± 11.0 after only 3 h although for a shorter duration than glucosamine; however, the more potent O-GlcNAcase inhibitors O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranosylidene)amino-N-phenylcarbamate (PUGNAc) and 1,2-dideoxy-2′-propyl-α-d-glucopyranoso-[2,1-d]-Δ2′-thiazoline (NAGBT) failed to mimic the increases in phospho-Akt indicating that the Akt phosphorylation is not a result of increased O-GlcNAc protein modification. Further analysis indicated that this increased phosphorylation was also not due to increased osmotic stress and was not attenuated by N-acetylcysteine eliminating the potential role of oxidative stress in the observed phospho-Akt increases. Glucosamine treatment, but not STZ treatment, did correlate with a large increase in the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker GRP 78. Altogether, these results indicate that increased HBP flux in human astroglial cells results in a rapid, short-term phosphorylation of Akt that is likely a result of increased ER stress. The mechanism by which STZ increases Akt phosphorylation, however, remains unknown.
Dosage effect study of the microsporidian Octosporea muscaedomesticae in the adult black blowfly Phormia regina, with reference to the reproductive cycle of the pathogen.

Abstract The quantitative pathogenicity of the microsporidian Octosporea muscaedomesticae in adult Phormia regina was studied. Dosage levels ranging from 10 2 to 10 6 spores per fly were administered to five and six groups of newly emerged, starved adult flies in two trials. Rates of mortality and infection were determined. A direct relationship between number of spores ingested and subsequent infection rate was found in a 4-day trial while no such relationship was found in an 18-day trial, using the same source of inoculum and host flies from the same colony. The lack of a direct relationship between spore dose and rate of infection in the 18-day trial is explained on the basis of the short spore-to-spore development time of the parasite. New generations of spores formed within the host tissues obscure the results in relation to the spore dose initially administered. An appreciable number of spores in the inoculum is needed to initiate frank infection. The ID 50 (median infective dose) was 4.4 × 10 4 spores per fly after 4 days.
Adiabatic limits of the η-invariants the odd-dimensional Atiyah-Patodi-Singer problem

We study the r/-invariant of boundary value problems of Atiyah-Patodi- Singer type. We prove the formula for the spectral flow of the families over S 1. Assuming a product structure in a collar neighbourhood of the boundary, we show that the r/-invariant behaves the same way as on a closed manifold. We also study the "adiabatic" limit of the t/-invariant. In fact, we present a general method for the calculation of the "adiabatic" limits of the spectral invariants. In nice cases we are able to split them into a contribution from the interior, one from the cylinder, and an error term. Then we show that the error term disappears with the increasing length of the cylinder.
Control of fibroblast populated collagen lattice contraction by antibody targeted photolysis of fibroblasts

Background and Objective: Hypertrophic scarring and rigid scar contracture are disorders of wound healing for which there is presently no effective therapy. The dermal fibroblast plays a major role in scar fibrillogenesis and contracture. The objective of this study was to establish a selective and effective method to destroy fibroblasts. Study Design/Materials and Methods: An antifibroblast conjugate was synthesized by covalent attachment of the antifibroblast antibody PR2D3 to the photosensitizer Sn-chlorin e6. Fibroblasts were cultured in fibroblast-populated collagen lattices (FPCLs), incubated with the conjugate and exposed to light. The effect of the treatment on cell viability and the rate of contraction of the FPCL were assessed. Results: The toxicity of antifibroblast conjugates increased with increasing conjugate concentration, light dose, and number of photosensitizers per antibody molecule, until nearly complete killing was achieved. The rate of lattice contraction after irradiation linearly correlated with the remaining viable fraction of fibroblasts. These conjugates were not cytotoxic to keratinocytes cultured on collagen lattices, and nonspecific conjugates could not cause significant fibroblast killing. Spatial selectivity was demonstrated using a light mask. Conclusions: Antibody-targeted photolysis is an effective and selective technique for controlling FPCL contraction in vitro and may have potential in vivo applications to modulate extracellular matrix remodeling by connective tissue cells.
Contextual cueing reduces interference from task-irrelevant onset distractors

Three experiments were conducted to examine the interaction of top-down and bottom-up influences on visual search. More specifically, we examined the extent to which stimulus-driven capture of attention by abrupt onset distractors would disrupt the acquisition and expression of memory-based guidance of attention as exemplified by the contextual cueing effect (Chun & Jiang, 1998, 1999). In Experiment 1 onset distractors were introduced at the beginning of practice on the search task. Results indicated that onset distractors and repeated distractor patterns had independent and opposing influences on the efficiency of search. Experiment 2 ruled out an alternative hypothesis concerning the capture of attention by abrupt onsets. In Experiment 3, abrupt onset distractors were introduced following several hundred trials of practice with repeated and new distractor patterns in visual search. In this case contextual cueing observed in the repeated distractor configuration condition partially suppressed the detrime...
Basins of attraction revisited

A new method is presented for displaying the basins of attraction of memory states of a neural network model. This method provides evidence that these basins of attraction remain mostly regular even as the number of stored states increases. Some effects of the location and number of stored states can be seen intuitively in the results of these graphs. A series of experiments that evaluates the usefulness of this alternative method of graphing basins of attraction is described
Vitamin and Mineral Use and Risk of Prostate Cancer: The Case-Control Surveillance Study

Background Many studies have evaluated the association between vitamin and mineral supplement use and the risk of prostate cancer, with inconclusive results.
Physician Performance Assessment: Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.

Given the rising burden of healthcare costs, both patients and healthcare purchasers are interested in discerning which physicians deliver quality care. We proposed a methodology to assess physician clinical performance in preventive cardiology care, and determined a benchmark for minimally acceptable performance. We used data on eight evidence-based clinical measures from 811 physicians that completed the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Preventive Cardiology Practice Improvement ModuleSM to form an overall composite score for preventive cardiology care. An expert panel of nine internists/cardiologists skilled in preventive care for cardiovascular disease used an adaptation of the Angoff standard-setting method and the Dunn-Rankin method to create the composite and establish a standard. Physician characteristics were used to examine the validity of the inferences made from the composite scores. The mean composite score was 73.88 % (SD = 11.88 %). Reliability of the composite was high at 0.87. Specialized cardiologists had significantly lower composite scores (P = 0.04), while physicians who reported spending more time in primary, longitudinal, and preventive consultative care had significantly higher scores (P = 0.01), providing some evidence of score validity. The panel established a standard of 47.38 % on the composite measure with high classification accuracy (0.98). Only 2.7 % of the physicians performed below the standard for minimally acceptable preventive cardiovascular disease care. Of those, 64 % (N = 14) were not general cardiologists. Our study presents a psychometrically defensible methodology for assessing physician performance in preventive cardiology while also providing relative feedback with the hope of heightening physician awareness about deficits and improving patient care.
Practical limits on the maximal speed of solution exchange for patch clamp experiments.

Abstract Studying ligand-gated ion channels often requires the ability to change solutions quickly. Using finite element models, I have examined the practical limitations of how fast solutions can be exchanged on an outside-out patch using a dual stream switcher. The primary factors controlling the speed of response are the flow velocity, proximity of the patch to the exit ports, the width of the partition between the two streams, the velocity with which the streams can be moved across the patch, and the viscosity of the solutions. The practical limit seems to be a rise time of ∼20 μ s. The rate-limiting step is the velocity of the (usually piezo) motor that translates the streams across the patch. Increasing the perfusate viscosity improves speed by slowing dissipation of the concentration gradients. A flow switcher can also be used for bipolar temperature jumps with a rise time of ∼100 μ s.
Controlling influences in bisspiroketal formation: synthesis of the ABC ring system of azaspiracid

Abstract Substitution effects on the stereochemical outcome of bisspiroketalization on the C 1 –C 17 carbon backbone of azaspiracid is presented. A possible explanation is offered to explain the observed stereochemical outcome.
An interactionist perspective on employee performance as a response to psychological contract breach

Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inter-relationships among the closely related exchange-based constructs such as psychological contract (PC) breach, perceived organisational support (POS), and exchange ideology. The authors examine the effects of three-way interaction of them on employee performance. Design/methodology/approach – This study theoretically builds on a personality trait-based interactionist model of performance (Tett and Burnett, 2003) and empirically tests the model using multi-source data collected from employee-manager dyads in a non-profit organisation. Hierarchical linear modelling was employed for analysis. Findings – The results indicate a significant three-way interaction, such that, the negative relationship between PC breach and task performance is the strongest when employees with a high exchange ideology perceive low levels of POS. Practical implications – These findings suggest that organisations should ensure employees feel supported and pay special atte...
Preparation of oxydifluoramines from fluoroolefins

Abstract Monosubstituted fluoroolefins, including functionalized olefins such as perfluoroacryloyl fluoride and perfluoroethylvinyl ether, react under electrophilic conditions with the Lewis acid adduct of trifluoramine oxide to give novel oxydifluoramines. Additionally, nitroso and nitrito derivatives are identified as significant byproducts of the reaction. The synthesis of several new oxydifluoramines, nitroso compounds and nitrites will be described, along with spectroscopic, physical and chemical characterization supporting their structures.
The impact of instructions on aircraft visual inspection performance : a first look at the overall results.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of instructions on aircraft visual inspection performance and strategy. Forty-two inspectors from industry were asked to perform inspections of six areas of a Boeing 737. Six different instruction versions were developed for each inspection task, varying in the number and type of directed inspections. The amount of time spent inspecting, the number of calls made, and the number of the feedback calls detected all varied widely across the inspectors. However, inspectors who used instructions with a higher number of directed inspections referred to the instructions more often during and after the task, and found a higher percentage of a selected set of feedback cracks than inspectors using other instruction versions. This suggests that specific instructions can help overall inspection performance, not just performance on the defects specified. Further, instructions were shown to change the way an inspector approaches a task.
INHIBITION OF NEUTROPHIL ELASTASE SUPPRESSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKIN TUMORS IN HAIRLESS MICE

In this study we investigated whether a reduction in neutrophil elastase activity in mice would alter the development of ultraviolet B or chemically induced skin tumors. A mutant strain of neutrophil elastase-deficient mice was developed by crossing beige mice with SKH 1 hairless mice. Ultraviolet irradiation three times per week for 20 wk developed an average of 10 tumors per normal mouse, whereas elastase-deficient hairless mice receiving the same treatment developed only 0.4 tumors per mouse. Benzopyrene administered topically for 20 wk resulted in an average of seven tumors per control mouse, while similar treatment to elastase-deficient hairless mice reduced the tumor count to 0.2 per mouse. Two small molecular weight elastase inhibitors, which were shown to inhibit mouse neutrophil elastase, were administered subcutaneously to normal SKH-1 mice during 16 wk of ultraviolet B exposure. Both inhibitors significantly reduced the incidence of ultraviolet B-induced tumors. When control and elastase-deficient mice were immunized with 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene and oxazolone, both molecules elicited a significant contact hypersensitivity response. Ultraviolet B irradiation prior to immunization at a nonirradiated site completely suppressed the induction of contact hypersensitivity in both the normal and the deficient mice, suggesting that prevention of systemic immunosuppression was not the reason for the resistance to skin tumors observed in the elastase-deficient mice. The results suggest that neutrophil elastase can be an important factor in squamous cell tumor development.
Directed Assembly of Multisegment Au/Pt/Au Nanowires

We demonstrate directed end-to-end assembly of Au/Pt/Au multisegment nanowires using the biotin/avidin linkage. The formation of a self-assembled monolayer on the central platinum segments is essential to avoid nonspecific binding of the linker group and hence to minimize lateral assembly.
Radial basis function approximation methods with extended precision floating point arithmetic

Radial basis function (RBF) methods that employ infinitely differentiable basis functions featuring a shape parameter are theoretically spectrally accurate methods for scattered data interpolation and for solving partial differential equations. It is also theoretically known that RBF methods are most accurate when the linear systems associated with the methods are extremely ill-conditioned. This often prevents the RBF methods from realizing spectral accuracy in applications. In this work we examine how extended precision floating point arithmetic can be used to improve the accuracy of RBF methods in an efficient manner. RBF methods using extended precision are compared to algorithms that evaluate RBF methods by bypassing the solution of the ill-conditioned linear systems.
Effects of enclosure size and complexity on the activity and sleep of the eastern chipmunk Tamias striatus

The activity and sleep of six male and six female wild trapped eastern chipmunks, Tamias striatus , were observed in small simple cages and larger more complex aquaria. The animals were observed for 24 consecutive hr, and their behavior was categorized into one of six mutually exclusive categories. The results show that the circadian placement of sleep was modified by alterations in enclosure size and complexity, while percentage of time asleep and all measures of activity were unaltered.
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism With Use of Computed Tomographic Angiography

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common diagnostic problem, particularly in hospitalized patients. It remains a frequent cause of unexpected deaths. Traditionally, the diagnostic work-up for suspected PE has centered on the use of ventilation-perfusion (V-P) radionuclide lung scanning. However, V-P scanning does not provide adequate confirmation or exclusion of the diagnosis in the majority of patients who undergo this test. Although published guidelines advise further diagnostic testing after nondiagnostic V-P scans, clinicians infrequently perform such testing, and management decisions are commonly based on clinical judgment. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected PE. Although there are unresolved issues regarding its sensitivity in detecting small peripheral emboli, CT angiography is more accurate than V-P scanning in the diagnosis of PE and yields other intrathoracic diagnoses. Herein we summarize the problems with the traditional approach centered on the use of V-P scanning in the diagnosis of PE and propose an alternative diagnostic strategy based primarily on the use of CT angiography.
Chemical processing and properties of Sr2(Ta, Nb)2O7 thin films

Abstract The crystallographic orientation, microstructure and electrical properties of Sr2(Ta, Nb)2O7 thin films strongly depended on the composition (Ta:Nb). Post-annealing at 850°C was effective for the improvement of some properties. The thin films with relatively Nb-rich compositions, such as Sr2(Ta0.6Nb0.4)2O7 and Sr2(Ta0.5Nb0.5)2O7, showed the (0k0) preferred orientation. The Sr2(Ta0.5Nb0.5)2O7 thin film had a lamination layer structure after the post-annealing at 850°C for 6 min in oxygen. The characteristic microstructure originated in the crystallographic orientation of (0k0), which is the cleavage plane, and influenced electrical properties. The dielectric constant little change with the composition, however, the P-E hysteresis properties improved with the Nb content.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS IN SPANISH

In this review, we examined the role of phonological awareness in literacy development for Spanish-speaking students. There appears to be a close relationship between Spanish-language phonological awareness and literacy development. In particular, Spanish phonological awareness appears to develop in stages. Not only is the development of phonemic awareness skills probably supported by reading instruction, but it likely contributes to reading development as well. Sensitivity to syllables in Spanish may be particularly important for later reading success, and the ability to segment words into their phonemes may play a critical role in reading acquisition. Training students in spelling, blending, and segmenting syllables and phonemes may be especially valuable because these skills are closely related to those which students use when actually reading and writing words. Finally, there is evidence of cross-language transfer of phonological awareness skills between Spanish and English. Suggestions for Spanish ph...
Implementation and validation of localized constant-time correlated spectroscopy (LCT-COSY) on a clinical 3T MRI scanner for investigation of muscle metabolism.

Purpose To implement and evaluate a novel single-volume two-dimensional localized constant-time-based correlated spectroscopy (2D LCT-COSY) sequence on a clinical 3T MR scanner. This sequence exhibits homonuclear decoupling along the F1 dimension, leading to improved spectral resolution compared to that of non-constant-time localized correlated spectroscopy (L–COSY). Materials and Methods A GE 3T MR scanner equipped with a quadrature transmit and receive extremity coil was used in this study. The 2D LCT-COSY sequence was programmed using General Electric's EPIC compiler. Simulations for a two-spin 1/2 system were performed using GAMMA libraries to evaluate the theoretical performance of the sequences, and were also compared with corresponding phantom experiments using trans-cinnamic acid. Finally, spectra were acquired from the soleus muscle of healthy volunteers in order to evaluate performance in vivo. Results Simulations and experimental results confirmed the improved spectral resolution of LCT-COSY over L–COSY, as well as its homonuclear decoupling performance. The behavior of resonance amplitudes as a function of evolution time in the experiment also was appropriately reflected by the simulation. Corresponding results were obtained for the in vivo muscle spectra, in which separation of overlapping olefinic and allylic methylene protons from the intra- and extramyocellular lipids (IMCL and EMCL, respectively) was achieved. Conclusion Simulations and experimental results in vitro and in vivo demonstrate the strengths of LCT-COSY. This technique can be implemented on systems of any field strength, and has the potential to separate overlapping metabolites in tissue when employed on high-field clinical MRI scanners equipped for proton spectroscopy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:410–417. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Simulation Study of Electronic Damping of Microphonic Vibrations in Superconducting Cavities

Electronic damping of microphonic vibrations in superconducting rf cavities involves an active modulation of the cavity field amplitude in order to induce ponderomotive forces that counteract the effect of ambient vibrations on the cavity frequency. In lightly beam loaded cavities, a reduction of the microphonics-induced frequency excursions leads directly to a reduction of the rf power required for phase and amplitude stabilization. Jefferson Lab is investigating such an electronic damping scheme that could be applied to the JLab 12 GeV upgrade, the RIA driver, and possibly to energy-recovering superconducting linacs. This paper discusses a model and presents simulation results for electronic damping of microphonic vibrations.
The Next Generation of Public Health Approaches to Asthma in Asia and the Middle East

Chronic respiratory diseases now affect more than half a billion people worldwide and their importance as a global health problem has risen dramatically in recent years, prompting intense epidemiological investigation and the launch of numerous initiatives. Across Asia and the Middle East, a variety of environmental exposures increase the risk for the onset or exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease, resulting in a considerable burden of morbidity and mortality. This article outlines new possibilities for public health surveillance of environmental exposures and chronic respiratory disease built around an emerging model of participatory public health: a decentralized approach that involves citizens in the collection and analysis of data, harnesses pervasive technology such as mobile phones and distributed sensors, and provides an open platform for public-private collaboration.
Effect of seasonal sediment storage in the lower Mississippi River on the flux of reactive particulate phosphorus to the Gulf of Mexico

The annual surface water flux of total reactive (i.e., potentially bioavailable) particulate P from the Mississippi River was estimated by measuring the reactive (including labile, iron, organic, and calcium bound) and nonreactive (detrital) P phases in suspended particulates in the Mississippi River. In addition, the transformation of the major sediment P phases resulting from seasonal channel storage and resuspension was examined. Samples were collected during five cruises over 1 yr at marine and riverine sites. Solid-phase and pore-water nutrients were quantified, and solid-phase P pools were measured using a sequential extraction technique. These results indicate that the Mississippi River exports 134 3 10 6 kg yr 21 of total reactive P via surface water. Seasonal hydrological forcing controlled the variability in major P phases found in channel sediments through hydrodynamic sorting. Although the 6‐9-month time period during which sediments were stored in the river channel was sufficient to see evidence of early diagenesis in the pore waters, no significant net effect was seen on major P phase distribution. The loss of a significant percentage of labile and iron-bound P appears to be occurring only as these riverine sediments are deposited and reworked on the continental shelf.
Anatomy of the optic nerve head and glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Abstract The mechanism of axon damage in eyes with glaucomatous optic neuropathy remains undefined. Interestingly, it has been observed that, although the entire nerve cross-section may be involved by the nerve damage, in many instances, the superior and inferior axon bundles are preferentially affected by the pressure insult. Thus, recent studies by many investigators have stressed a re-examination of the optic nerve head anatomy, including the nerve head micro-circulation, the glial and connective tissue elements within the nerve head, and the morphology of the axons themselves. Any correlation between regional differences in this anatomy and the preferential involvement by specific axon bundles within the nerve head by the pressure insult may suggest some further insight into the mechanisms underlying the pressure-induced axon loss in glaucomatous eyes.
Design of variable structure model-following control systems

A new design concept for adaptive model-following control systems capable of shaping the error transient responses is developed using the theory of variable structure systems and sliding mode. It is shown that the resulting model-following control system exhibits adaptive properties inherent in adaptive model-following systems designed by existing methods. An aircraft control problem which has been approached using various model-following techniques is considered and a performance comparison with the present design is made.
Efficiency as a mediator in turnover—organizational performance relations

This study adds to scientific understanding of how employee turnover affects organizational performance in a multi-unit commercial bank setting operating in the United States. Theoretically, expected relationships among turnover, efficiency and performance are outlined. Empirically, two indicators of organizational efficiency are examined and one, cost-per-loan efficiency, is found to fully mediate relations between voluntary employee turnover and two organizational performance outcomes, profitability and customer satisfaction, in both synchronous and longitudinal analyses These results replicate recent findings in disparate industries, suggesting that efficiency may explain why higher levels of turnover are typically associated with lower levels of organizational performance. The need to distinguish among conceptualizations of efficiency is discussed, along with the need to consider temporal effects associated with turnover and efficiency.
Ocular integrity after refractive procedures

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the integrity of human eyes after refractive procedures. Methods: Whole human globes underwent either radial keratotomy (RK) with eight incisions, automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), or excimer laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Eyes then were subjected to quantitatively increasing levels of trauma until rupture occurred. Results: All eyes operated on required less energy to rupture as compared with that of control eyes. The mean number of trials required for rupture is as follows (energy doubled with each successive trial): normal, 4.29; LASIK, 3.80; ALK, 3.67; PRK, 3.60; and RK, 2.83. The level of energy required to rupture normal, ALK, PRK, and LASIK eyes was not significantly different. All RK eyes ruptured at incisions. Most ALK, PRK, and LASIK eyes ruptured near the flap edge or limbus. Most normal eyes ruptured with both corneal and scleral involvement. Age of tissue donors at the time of death and time elapsed between death and procedure were not significantly different between groups ( P = 0.88 and 0.79, respectively). Conclusions: The energy required to rupture ALK, PRK, and LASIK eyes is not significantly different from that for normal eyes. The RK eyes ruptured with significantly less energy than did normal eyes. All RK eyes ruptured at incision sites.
Consequence Mitigation: Current Research and Future Trends

Consequence mitigation focuses on the response and recovery efforts after a natural disaster or an intentional attack and related disaster/hazard management activities and command and control structures, planning, and exercises. This article provides a review of previous studies in consequence mitigation, discusses selected state-of-the-art technologies and tools, and describes measures of mitigation effectiveness. Current funding sources and research activities of consequence mitigation in the United States and other countries are also listed. This article discusses the benefits of integrating different consequence mitigation strategies and provides thoughts on future work in this domain. Keywords: consequence mitigation; disaster/hazard mitigation; disaster response and recovery; emergency; modeling and simulation
Direct Activation of the ATM Protein Kinase by the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 Complex

The complex containing the Mre11, Rad50, and Nbs1 proteins (MRN) is essential for the cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks, integrating DNA repair with the activation of checkpoint signaling through the protein kinase ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated). We demonstrate that MRN stimulates the kinase activity of ATM in vitro toward its substrates p53, Chk2, and histone H2AX. MRN makes multiple contacts with ATM and appears to stimulate ATM activity by facilitating the stable binding of substrates. Phosphorylation of Nbs1 is critical for MRN stimulation of ATM activity toward Chk2, but not p53. Kinase-deficient ATM inhibits wild-type ATM phosphorylation of Chk2, consistent with the dominant-negative effect of kinase-deficient ATM in vivo.
Environmental and economic assessment of producing hydroprocessed jet and diesel fuel from waste oils and tallow

Abstract Animal fats and waste oils are potential feedstocks for producing hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) jet and diesel fuels. This paper calculates the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and production costs associated with HEFA jet and diesel fuels from tallow, and from yellow grease (YG) derived from used cooking oil. For YG, total CO2 equivalent (CO2 eq.) GHG emissions of jet and diesel were found to range between 16.8–21.4 g MJ−1 and 12.2–16.9 g MJ−1 respectively. This corresponds to lifecycle GHG emission reductions of 76–81% and 81–86% respectively, compared to their conventional counterparts. Two different system boundaries were considered for tallow-derived HEFA fuels. In System 1 (S1), tallow was treated as a by-product of the rendering industry, and emissions from rendering and fuel production were included. In System 2 (S2), tallow was considered as a by-product of the meat production industry, and in addition to the S1 emissions, cattle husbandry and slaughtering were also included. The lifecycle emissions (CO2 eq.) from HEFA jet fuel for S1 and S2 were estimated to be 25.7–37.5 g MJ−1 and 67.1–83.9 g MJ−1 respectively. HEFA diesel lifecycle emissions were found to be 21.3–33.3 g MJ−1 for S1 and 63.4–80.5 g MJ−1 for S2. Production costs for these fuels were calculated using a discounted cash flow rate of return model. The minimum selling price was estimated to be 880 $ m−3–1060 $ m−3 for YG-derived HEFA, and 1050–1250 $ m−3 for tallow-derived HEFA fuels.
Role of the kidney in normal glucose homeostasis and in the hyperglycaemia of diabetes mellitus: therapeutic implications

Considerable data have accumulated over the past 20 years, indicating that the human kidney is involved in the regulation of glucose via gluconeogenesis, taking up glucose from the circulation, and by reabsorbing glucose from the glomerular filtrate. In light of the development of glucose-lowering drugs involving inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption, this review summarizes these data. Medline was searched from 1989 to present using the terms 'renal gluconeogenesis', 'renal glucose utilization', 'diabetes mellitus' and 'glucose transporters'. The human liver and kidneys release approximately equal amounts of glucose via gluconeogenesis in the post-absorptive state. In the postprandial state, although overall endogenous glucose release decreases substantially, renal gluconeogenesis increases by approximately twofold. Glucose utilization by the kidneys after an overnight fast accounts for approximately 10% of glucose utilized by the body. Following a meal, glucose utilization by the kidney increases. Normally each day, approximately 180 g of glucose is filtered by the kidneys; almost all of this is reabsorbed by means of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), expressed in the proximal tubules. However, the capacity of SGLT2 to reabsorb glucose from the renal tubules is finite and, when plasma glucose concentrations exceed a threshold, glucose appears in the urine. Handling of glucose by the kidney is altered in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): renal gluconeogenesis and renal glucose uptake are increased in both the post-absorptive and postprandial states, and renal glucose reabsorption is increased. Specific SGLT2 inhibitors are being developed as a novel means of controlling hyperglycaemia in T2DM.
An Examination of African American NCAA DI-FBS Football Coaches: A Five-Year Update

Past studies have concluded that institutional and access discrimination remain potential deterrents in achieving a more diverse and equal representation of racial minority head coaches in college football. This study sought to examine and compare the career paths of all DI-FBS coaches to determine the potential continued existence of discrimination and its impact. Findings revealed an overall positive shift in the representation of African American coaches, particularly at the assistant coach level. Thus, the coaching career paths of current head coaches and coordinators appear to be paving a more equitable path for assistant and future coaches. However, the data also portray the existence of both institutional and access discrimination. Such biases facilitate and maintain an underrepresentation of African American coaches; and while the increased acceptance of upper-level coaches with diverse racial, playing, and coaching backgrounds suggests a positive shift toward racial equality among coaches, the mo...
Rational approximation of fractals

Stationary distributions for certain Markov chains of inverse branches of rational maps are put forward as the basis of an approximation theory for fractals. Results on existence and on computability of moments are proved.
Influence of Protestant Churches on Public Education in Malawi

One cannot doubt that Churches in Malawi have played a significant role in promoting education system in the country. This has been so due to their Christian belief. Christians believe that God creates human beings with ability to learn, teach, and know and that God is active in and through education. It is their belief that the Church has been given the distinctive mandate to educate to instruct, form, and bring forth faithful, courageous, and wise disciples and reliable citizens. The purpose of this chapter is to outline historical aspects of the influence of protestant churches on public education in Malawi; the chapter will discuss some historical aspects only and not the analysis on the impact. In addition, the chapter will also discuss some challenges facing the education system in Malawi and what Protestant churches are doing to address those challenges. Many churches believe that supporting education system is part of calling and they are fulfilling that calling.
Kelvin’s Theorem and the Oceanic Circulation in the Presence of Islands and Broken Ridges

The fluid mechanics of the large-scale ocean circulation when planetary scale islands and barriers are present introduces new features to the problem of the ocean circulation. Islands introduce non simply-connected domains for the ocean circulation while barriers, representing either large island arcs or mid-ocean ridges would seem to impose strong limits on the communication between oceanic sub-basins. It is shown that the application of Kelvin’s circulation theorem is an illuminating instrument in understanding both the steady and unsteady flows in the presence of such geometry. The constraint imposed by a proper application of Kelvin’s theorem leads to non intuitive predictions for the circulation around such large islands and the production of strong zonal jets in the ocean circulation. A similar application of Kelvin’s theorem to the problem of the propagation of large-scale Rossby waves yields, for example, the surprising result that barriers with just two small gaps become essentially transparent to the passage of large-scale wave energy.
GCKR and PPP1R3B identified as genome‐wide significant loci for plasma lactate: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Aim To investigate the genetic influence of circulating lactate level, a marker of oxidative capacity associated with diabetes. Methods We conducted a genome-wide association study of log-transformed plasma lactate levels in 6901 European-American participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. For regions that achieved genome-wide significance in European-American participants, we conducted candidate region analysis in African-American subjects and tested for interaction between metformin use and the index single nucleotide polymorphisms for plasma lactate in European-American subjects. Results The genome-wide association study in European-American subjects identified two genome-wide significant loci, GCKR (rs1260326, T allele β=0.08; P=1.8×10-47) and PPP1R3B/LOC157273 (rs9987289, A allele β=0.06; P=1.6×10-9). The index single nucleotide polymorphisms in these two loci explain 3.3% of the variance in log-transformed plasma lactate levels among the European-American subjects. In the African-American subjects, based on a region-significant threshold, the index single nucleotide polymorphism at GCKR was associated with plasma lactate but that at PPP1R3B/LOC157273 was not. Metformin use appeared to strengthen the association between the index single nucleotide polymorphism at PPP1R3B/LOC157273 and plasma lactate in European-American subjects (P for interaction=0.01). Conclusions We identified GCKR and PPP1R3B/LOC157273 as two genome-wide significant loci of plasma lactate. Both loci are associated with other diabetes-related phenotypes. These findings increase our understanding of the genetic control of lactate metabolism.
NEXUS: A Neural Simulator for Integrating Top-Down and Bottom-Up Modeling

We have developed the NEXUS simulation environment as a tool for modeling large-scale neural systems. The software is written in C and runs under UNIX. A unique aspect of NEXUS is that it is particularly suited for simulating hybrid neural models (i.e. systems integrating different modeling paradigms and/or architectures.1) NEXUS is designed for large-scale simulations, and to facilitate model development, testing and analysis it incorporates several major features: network architectures based on topographic maps, programmable neural units, scalable and modular simulation, support for common learning paradigms including the generalized Hebb rule and backpropagation, and a user-friendly interface. These features make NEXUS a useful environment in which to study the “perceptual” properties of various network architectures.
Drug-Eluting Stents Are the Default Strategy for Superficial Femoral Artery Intervention Now.

Drug-eluting stents (DES) are the default strategy for superficial femoral artery (SFA) intervention in 2015 because they have been evaluated in a large number of patients over a long follow-up period with outcomes superior to other treatment options. No other therapy can make that claim. Response by Garcia on p 329 The SFA and the contiguous popliteal artery constitute the femoropopliteal (FP) segment, which is among the human body’s most hostile vascular environments. It is extremely long, exposed to external compression, and undergoes marked conformational changes every time the leg is flexed. Because it courses posterior to the knee joint, there is obligatory longitudinal compressive force with knee flexion (Figure 1).1 Magnetic resonance angiography studies demonstrated 13% shortening of the SFA between supine and fetal positions.2 There are 60° of SFA torsion produced by simultaneous knee and hip flexion.2 Given these anatomic and dynamic challenges, it is hardly surprising that treatment strategies for established FP atherosclerosis suffer from marked limitations. Figure 1. A , The femoropopliteal arterial segment (represented by the solid black line) is not coaxial with the femur and tibia. B , With knee flexion this relationship creates an excess of arterial length, partially compensated by vessel tortuosity ( C ). Reproduced from Wensing et al1 with permission from the publisher. Copyright © 1995, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. When a disease process lacks 1 definitive cure, a wide variety of marginally effective solutions frequently surface. Such is the case with FP occlusive disease. The spectrum of treatment options is broad, ranging from exercise therapy3 as the least intrusive option, to bypass surgery as the most intrusive.4 In between these extremes lies a seemingly endless variety of endovascular options. ### Less Is Less Perhaps the most universally available and cheapest treatment strategy for symptomatic lower extremity vascular disease is …