cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deconstructing the Organizational Behavior Text

Although the pedagogy of organizational behavior (OB) has made some progress in addressing gender, racial, and cultural diversity in the past decade, it remains essentially noncritical-politically, economically, socially, and ecologically. It continues to uphold positivist conventions, reinforce modernistic illusions of objectivity, and resist reflexivity. This article advocates that OB pedagogy in method and content, in particular teaching that involves the textbook as a basis of instruction, becomes more reflexive and self-critical, more aware of its presuppositions, interests, and limitations. This article demonstrates a postmodernistic strategy to counter the overly totalizing and positivist currents in OB teaching and texts—the deconstruction of taken-for-granted assumptions and principles. To this end, one of the top-selling textbooks in OB is subjected to deconstruction. The case for deconstruction as a potentially powerful classroom tool, an active and inclusive learning strategy that encourages r...
Target specification error optimal camera configuration for vision-based robotics

Applications of vision based remotely operated robotic systems range from planetary exploration to hazardous waste remediation. For space applications, where communication time- lags are large, the target selection and robot positioning tasks may be performed sequentially, differing from conventional tele-robotic maneuvers. For these point-and-move systems, the desired target must be defined in the image planes of the cameras either by an operator or through image processing software. Ambiguity of the target specification will naturally lead to end-effector positioning errors. In this paper, the target specification error covariance is shown to transform linearly to the end-effector positioning error. In addition, a methodology for target specification error optimal estimation of camera view parameters of a vision based robotic system is presented. A cost function is examined based on minimizing the end-effector error covariance matrix. Simulation and experimental results are presented.
Exoenzyme S ADP-Ribosylates Rab5 Effector Sites To Uncouple Intracellular Trafficking

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exoenzyme S (ExoS) ADP-ribosylates multiple eukaryotic targets to promote cytopathology and bacterial colonization. ADP-ribosylation of the small GTPase Rab5 has previously been shown to block fluid-phase endocytosis and trafficking of plasma membrane receptors to the early endosomes as well as inhibit phagocytosis of the bacterium. In this study, ExoS is shown to be capable of ADP-ribosylating 6 candidate arginine residues that are located in the effector binding region or in the C terminus of Rab5. Two Rab5 derivatives were engineered, which contained Arg→Ala mutations at four Arg residues within the effector binding region (EF) or two Arg residues within the C-terminal tail (TL). Expression of Rab5(TL) does not affect the ability of ExoS to modify intracellular trafficking, while expression of Rab5(EF) rescued the ability of ExoS to inhibit intracellular trafficking. ADP-ribosylation of effector arginines likely uncouples Rab5 signaling to downstream effectors. This is a different mechanism for inhibition than observed for the ADP-ribosylation of Ras by ExoS, where ADP-ribosylated Ras loses the ability to bind guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF). Other experiments showed that expression of dominant negative Rab5(Ser34Asn) does not inhibit ExoS trafficking to the perinuclear region of intoxicated cells. This study provides insight into a mechanism for how ExoS ADP-ribosylation of Rab5 inhibits Rab5 function.
Hybrid Corrected Approach for Wind Power Forecasting Based on Ordinary Least Square Method

This paper shows an application of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) in the wind power forecasting field. The OLS algorithm is applied to obtain the estimated parameter of the hybrid correction model, and then the properly structured correction model was used to correct the forecasting errors form the physical forecasting method and the statistical forecasting method. Satisfactory experimental results are obtained for day-ahead forecast by using actual wind power data.
Solid-phase synthesis of triple-helical collagen-model peptides*

The triple-helical conformation of collagen has been proposed to be important for mediation of cellular activities, such as adhesion and activation, extracellular matrix assembly, and enzyme function. We have developed synthetic protocols that allow for the study of biological activities of specific collagen sequences in triple-helical conformation. These methods primarily involve solid-phase assembly and covalent linkage of three peptide chains. The resultant triple-helical peptides have sufficient thermal stabilities to permit structural and biological characterization under physiological conditions. The present article critically reviews the various approaches for constructing synthetic triple-helices.
Increased Escherichia coli-Induced Interleukin-23 Production by CD16+ Monocytes Correlates with Systemic Immune Activation in Untreated HIV-1-Infected Individuals

ABSTRACT The level of microbial translocation from the intestine is increased in HIV-1 infection. Proinflammatory cytokine production by peripheral antigen-presenting cells in response to translocated microbes or microbial products may contribute to systemic immune activation, a hallmark of HIV-1 infection. We investigated the cytokine responses of peripheral blood myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and monocytes to in vitro stimulation with commensal enteric Escherichia coli in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from untreated HIV-1-infected subjects and from uninfected controls. Levels of interleukin 23 (IL-23) produced by PBMC from HIV-1-infected subjects in response to E. coli stimulation were significantly higher than those produced by PBMC from uninfected subjects. IL-23 was produced primarily by CD16 + monocytes. This subset of monocytes was increased in frequency and expressed higher levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in HIV-1-infected individuals than in controls. Blocking TLR4 on total CD14 + monocytes reduced IL-23 production in response to E. coli stimulation. Levels of soluble CD27, an indicator of systemic immune activation, were elevated in HIV-1-infected subjects and were associated with the percentage of CD16 + monocytes and the induction of IL-23 by E. coli, providing a link between these parameters and systemic inflammation. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-23 produced by CD16 + monocytes in response to microbial stimulation may contribute to systemic immune activation in HIV-1-infected individuals.
Circular differential double diffraction in chiral media

In an optically active liquid the diffraction angle depends on the circular polarization state of the incident light beam. We report the observation of circular differential diffraction in an isotropic chiral medium, and we demonstrate that double diffraction is an alternate means to determine the handedness (enantiomeric excess) of a solution.
On the Consistency Rule in Causal Inference: Axiom, Definition, Assumption, or Theorem?

Remove the abstract (and move to the Main Text). In two recent communications, Cole and Frangakis and VanderWeele conclude that the consistency rule used in causal inference is an assumption that precludes any side-effects of treatment/exposure on the outcomes of interest. They further develop auxiliary notation to make this assumption formal and explicit. I argue that the consistency rule is a theorem in the logic of counterfactuals and need not be altered, even in cases where different versions of treatment/exposure have side effects on the outcome. Instead, warnings of potential side-effects should be embodied in standard modeling practices, using graphs or structural equation models, in which causal assumptions are given transparent and unambiguous representation. In two recent communications, Cole and Frangakis 1 and VanderWeele 2 interpret the consistency rule of causal inference an assumption that is violated whenever versions of treatment/exposure have unintended side effects on the outcomes of interest. They further develop auxiliary notation to make this assumption formal and explicit. I argue that the consistency rule is in fact a theorem in the logic of counterfactuals and need not be altered. Side-effects can be made explicit in standard modeling practices, whenever transparent models are used. Informally, the consistency rule states that a person’s potential outcome under a hypothetical condition that happened to materialize is precisely the outcome experienced by that person. When expressed formally, this rule reads 3 :
Hippocampal Theta in the Newborn Rat Is Revealed under Conditions That Promote REM Sleep

Hippocampal theta activity, a high-amplitude, slow (4-12 Hz) oscillation that occurs in a variety of behavioral contexts, is thought to emerge in infant rats only after 1 week of age. However, we report here that unanesthetized 2- and 4-d-old rats with electrodes implanted in the CA1 field of the hippocampus and tested in thermoneutral conditions exhibit theta activity. Moreover, this infant theta is characterized by the same neuronal bursting pattern and power spectrum that characterize theta in adults. Simultaneous measures of behavior and neck muscle tone indicated that bouts of theta occurred predominantly during periods of muscle atonia (with or without concurrent myoclonic twitching), indicative of REM sleep. In contrast, sharp waves were accompanied by startles (i.e., simultaneous and vigorous movement of all four limbs). These findings underscore the need for comprehensive in vivo investigations of the pharmacology, neural substrates, and behavioral correlates of hippocampal field activity in neonates.
Effects of Additional Particles on Already Polluted Marine Stratus

AbstractThe response of already polluted marine stratocumulus to additional particles was examined by studying the clouds where two ship tracks cross. Nearly 100 such crossings were collected and analyzed using Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) multispectral imagery for the daytime passes off the western coast of the United States during the summer months of 4 years. To reduce biases in the retrieved cloud properties caused by the subpixel spatial structure of the clouds, results are presented only for ship tracks found in regions overcast by extensive layers of marine stratus. When two ship tracks cross, one of the tracks exhibits much larger changes in droplet radii when compared with the surrounding unpolluted clouds and is referred to as the dominant ship track. The clouds at the crossing typically exhibit properties that are closer to those of the dominant than to those of the subordinate ship track. To determine whether the additional particles at the crossing affe...
Neonatal neurological examination of late preterm babies

article i nfo Backgrounds: Healthy late-preterm (LP) infants examined at term equivalent age showed wider median and range of neurological scores than full-term infants; differences between infants born at 34 and those born at 35-36 weeks were also observed. Aims: The aim of this study is to establish the range and frequency distribution of neonatal neurological scores in a cohort of low risk LP infants assessed during the first 3 days from birth. Study design and subjects: 118 low-risk infants born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestational age (GA) were assessed between 48 and 72 h from birth. Outcome measures: The full version of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurologic Assessment and the screening proforma were used to assess all the infants. The raw scores obtained were compared to those of full-term infants using the same examination. Results: The distribution of neurological scores was similar among the 3 GAs for 26 items, with different median scores among LP infants born at 36 weeks and those born at 34 and 35 in only 2 items. LP infants showed a wider range of findings for each item than that of full term infants assessed soon after birth. Using the screening proforma, in our cohort, for each item the findings falling outside the 90% level were identical to those found in term-born and very preterm infants assessed at term age. Conclusions: The neurological scores obtained in our cohort could help as reference data when examining LP infants at birth compared to age matched low risk infants.
Testing the Theoretical Framework of the COPE Program for Mothers of Critically Ill Children: An Integrative Model of Young Children's Post-Hospital Adjustment Behaviors

Objective To test a theoretical model examining processes through which a parent-focused educational– behavioral intervention [Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment (COPE)] relates to children’s posthospital adjustment problems. Methods Mothers (n ¼143) and their 2–7-year-old children, unexpectedly hospitalized in two pediatric intensive care units, were randomized to COPE or control conditions. Maternal measures included parental beliefs, anxiety, negative mood, and child adjustment 3 months post discharge. Observers rated maternal support of their children during hospitalization. Results Structural equation modeling suggested that the model tested provided a reasonable fit to the data [w 2 (97 df) ¼129.43; p ¼.016; root mean square error of approximatio n ¼.048; comparative fit index ¼.95]. COPE effects on children’s post-hospital externalizing behaviors were indirect, via associations with parental beliefs and maternal negative mood state. Furthermore, COPE participation was associated with more maternal support of their children, which was also associated with less internalizing and externalizing behaviors 3 months post discharge. Conclusion Implementing COPE may help avert future mental health problems in this high risk population. Understanding the processes by which an already empirically validated program relates to child outcomes is likely to aid clinicians and administrators in the widespread uptake of the COPE program.
The diagnostic evaluation of MelaFind multi-spectral objective computer vision system

Introduction: Over 75,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanoma in 2012. The incidence of melanoma continues to increase over time and early detection is currently the most promising strategy to decrease melanoma-related morbidity and mortality. Currently, most physicians perform skin cancer screenings with the unaided eye. However, the FDA recently approved, MelaFind, a multispectral objective computer vision system to assist dermatologists in making more accurate biopsy decisions to facilitate early melanoma diagnosis. Areas covered: This review covers the sensitivity and specificity, limitations and clinical role of MelaFind and other devices available or under development to aid in the detection of melanoma. Expert opinion: Physician screening with the aid of MelaFind device may improve detection of early melanoma and potentially reduce melanoma morbidity and mortality, if used widely. The strength of MelaFind is its high sensitivity, acceptable specificity, ease of use and objectiv...
Ultra-fast p-Si Field Emitter Array Photocathode

The transient photo-field emission from p-type Si field emitter array optically modulated by a mode-locked laser results in 130 ps duration electron bunch, demonstrating FEAs as promising photocathode for next generation microwave vacuum electronic devices.
The virtues of reason and the problem of other minds: Reflections on argumentation in a new century

From early modernity, philosophers have engaged in skeptical discussions concerning knowledge of the existence, state, and standing of other minds. The analogical move from self to other unfolds as controversy. This paper reposes the problem as an argumentation predicament and examines analogy as an opening to the study of rhetorical cognition. Rhetorical cognition is identified as a productive process coming to terms with an other through testing sustainable risk. The paper explains how self-sustaining risk is theorized by Aristotle’s virtue ethics in the polis. Moral hazard is identified as a threat to modern argument communities.
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS ON MAGNETIC RECONNECTION AND CURRENT SYSTEMS

Abstract After a brief review of laboratory experiments involving magnetic reconnection a series of basic physics experiments on reconnection phenomena is described. These include magnetic annihilation, transport of magnetic energy by waves, stable and unstable current sheets, energy conversion mechanisms and the role of global current systems vs. local reconnection processes. The present laboratory experiment deals with current systems driven by electric fields resulting in particle flows. Currents are dominantly carried by electrons. The self-consistent current sheet thickness is usually smaller than an ion Larmor radius. Consequently, MHD concepts such as frozen-in magnetic fields, wave transport at the Alfven speed, and absence of electrostatic electric fields break down. Instead, the dynamics of reconnection is controlled by the fast speed of electrons, i.e. magnetic fields propagate at whistler wave speeds, current sheets tear by electron tearing modes, ions are accelerated by space charge electric fields, and anisotropic particle distributions are common occurrences. The role of a magnetic field component B y along the separator has been investigated. Although three-dimensional reconnection with kinetic effects is a difficult topic for theory and simulations it is likely to be important in various space and laboratory plasmas.
Infrared absorption behavior in CdZnTe substrates

Infrared (IR) optical transmission measurements of polished CdZnTe wafers can provide useful information about excess impurities, stoichiometry, and inhomogeneities (precipitates and inclusions). We have investigated the IR transmission behavior of Cd0.96Zn0.04Te between 8 m and 20 m at room temperature. The measurements were made before and after thermal treatments involving control of the Cd and Zn overpressures, which served to minimize the Cd (cation) vacancy population. Our results support the polar optical phonon scattering theory of Jensen, according to which the absorption in donor dominated CdZnTe varies asm with m=3. For material dominated by acceptors, we show that the theoretical absorption by inter-valence band transitions can be approximated by a similar power law with exponent m=1, and that Cd-vacancy dominated wafers are in reasonable agreement with this. We find some wafers in which the asgrown condition exhibits partial compensation of impurity donors by Cd vacancy acceptors, and demonstrate removal of the compensation by annealing to fill the vacancies. In a separate group of wafers, we find that an observed increase in absorption occurring during growth of a HgCdTe layer by liquid phase epitaxy can be explained in terms of an increase in Cd vacancies caused by diffusion of Cd to Te precipitates. This effect can be reversed by annealing in Cd−Zn vapor, which fills vacancies and eliminates some precipitates. Impurity concentrations were measured by glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS).
Psychopharmacological Intervention I Teacher Perceptions of Psychotropic Medication for Students with Serious Emotional Disturbance

A 27-item questionnaire was used to explore the perceptions, knowledge, and opinions of 146 teachers of students with serious emotional disturbance regarding medication used with their students. The results indicated that the student's doctor was perceived as the leading professional responsible for taking steps to have the student on or off medication for behavior disorders. Parents, the school psychologist, and the student's case committee had a moderate degree of influence on such decisions. The doctor and school psychologist were perceived to be responsible for determining the type of assessments used for evaluating drug effects. Teachers rated global impressions as the assessment procedure used most frequently for such evaluations, but suggested that informal teacher diary would be their choice. Hyperactivity and delusions/hallucinations were seen as the behavior disorders that most likely would lead to medication and, to a lesser extent, acting out and aggression. In general, the teachers desired mo...
Preventing glitches and short circuits in high-level self-timed chip specifications

Self-timed chip designs are commonly specified in a high-level message-passing language called CHP. This language is closely related to Hoare's CSP except it admits erroneous behavior due to the necessary limitations of efficient hardware implementations. For example, two processes sending on the same channel at the same time causes glitches and short circuits in the physical chip implementation. If a CHP program maintains certain invariants, such as only one process is sending on any given channel at a time, it can guarantee an error-free execution that behaves much like a CSP program would. In this paper, we present an inferable effect system for ensuring that these invariants hold, drawing from model-checking methodologies while exploiting language-usage patterns and domain-specific specializations to achieve efficiency. This analysis is sound, and is even complete for the common subset of CHP programs without data-sensitive synchronization. We have implemented the analysis and demonstrated that it scales to validate even microprocessors.
Contribution of the ciliary cyclic nucleotide-gated conductance to olfactory transduction in the salamander.

1. Flash photolysis of caged cyclic nucleotides was used to examine the contribution of the ciliary cyclic nucleotide-gated conductance to olfactory transduction in the tiger salamander. Brief illumination of solitary olfactory receptor cells loaded with 100 microM caged cyclic AMP caused a large inward current (peak amplitude 355 +/- 200 pA; mean +/- S.D. for eleven cells) under whole-cell voltage clamp at -50 mV. 2. The photolysis response was initiated after a latency of 4-12 ms, whereas an odorant response of identical amplitude had a latency of several hundred milliseconds. The amplitudes of both responses exhibited almost identical voltage dependence between -50 and +25 mV, with both reversing near 0 mV. The time courses of the falling phases of odorant and photolysis responses also exhibited similar voltage dependence, both being prolonged at positive voltages. 3. Photolysis of caged cyclic GMP activated a current similar in amplitude and time course to that produced by photolysis of caged cyclic AMP. 4. When the flash was spatially limited to the cilia, the amplitude and duration of the photolysis response increased linearly with the length of the cilia illuminated (for cilia not longer than 30-40 microns) while the latency remained constant at 4-12 ms. The increase in duration was described semi-quantitatively by a model which incorporated diffusion and saturable hydrolysis of cyclic AMP. When the flash was limited to the soma or proximal dendrite, the response latency was proportional to the square of the distance between the illuminated region and the cilia. 5. Dialysis of cells with 500 microM cyclic AMP from a whole-cell electrode under voltage clamp activated a large transient inward current. Simultaneous suction electrode recording showed that this current originated almost entirely from the ciliary membrane. The density of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels was estimated to be 800-fold higher in the cilia than in the soma. 6. Summation of simultaneous odorant and photolysis responses was non-linear, the flash-induced current being enhanced during a small odorant response and attenuated during a large odorant response. Summation of two photolysis responses was similarly non-linear. The data were consistent with odorant stimuli and cyclic AMP both activating a common cyclic nucleotide-gated conductance with a Hill coefficient, n, of 2.0-4.4. For n = 2.5, the basal cyclic AMP concentration was estimated to be less than 20% of the K 1/2, which predicts a basal current of 5.8 pA, less than 2% of the maximum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Signaling pathways that influence extracellular remodeling.

Background: Remodeling of myocardial tissue requires a rearrangement of cells and extracellular matrix to form the new geometry through processes that are incompletely defined. Exploring new pathways beyond neurohormonal inhibition is essential for developing new therapies for the growing epidemic of heart failure. Methods: One strategy relies on the discovery that progressive ventricular dilation requires matrix metalloproteinases, a family of enzymes that degrade components of matrix but may also participate in activation or release of signaling molecules. Here we will briefly review evidence that matrix metalloproteinase inhibition represents a potential strategy for preventing heart failure. Conclusion: Future applications for understanding cell-matrix interactions, including discovering new pathways with proteomics, will also be discussed. Finally, we propose that defining matrix-remodeling events at the level of the membrane and matrix receptors will be essential, and that new bioengineering tools will provide us with the necessary methods.
Quality of life of elderly patients after treatment in the ICU.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of intensive care unit (ICU) treatment on quality of life (QOL) outcomes for critically ill elderly patients 4–6 months after ICU discharge. A mean overall score of 21.4 (SD=6.3) was obtained with the Quality of Life Index (Ferrans & Powers, 1985), indicating that all the ICU survivors in the sample (N=164) reported good QOL and were satisfied with areas of life that were important to them. Greater social support, better perceived health status, fewer days of hospitalization, and a hospital readmission since discharge were associated with higher QOL (R2=.51). This sample of elderly ICU survivors maintained a good QOL after their critical illness regardless of age. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 25:212–221, 2002
Enzymatic Formation, Degradation, and Action of Cyclic Nucleotides

The enzyme, adenylate cyclase catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP and pyrophosphate. The enzyme in most cells appears associated with plasma membrane, with its activity regulated by a receptor(s) exposed to extracellular space (cf. review by Perkins, 1973). Receptors include those for the following hormones: catecholamines, histamine, serotonin, and polypeptides. In addition, the activity of adenylate cyclase is dependent on a variety of other control mechanisms. Magnesium ions are required for enzyme activity. Calcium ions stimulate cyclase activity but are inhibitory at high concentrations. High concentrations of fluoride ions markedly enhance cyclase activity in cell-free preparations, but not in intact cells. GTP appears to play an important regulatory role, enhancing cyclase activity in cell-free preparations and potentiating or permitting hormone responses. Adenosine inhibits adenylate cyclase from certain cell types, such as fat cells, and stimulates cyclases from platelets and neuroblastoma cells. Finally, macromolecular factors which activate or inhibit cyclases have been reported. Adenylate cyclase in homogenates is usually assayed in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. When radioactive ATP is used as substrate, often a trapping pool of cyclic AMP is added in addition to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The activity of cyclase will depend on the concentration of ATP and the ratio of ATP and magnesium ions. Often, low concentrations of ATP are employed along with an ATP-regenerating system.
Immature Stages of Insect Endoparasites

While dissecting insects, one may encounter the immature stages of insect parasites. These entomophagous (or entomogenous) insects belong to several orders and demonstrate a wide variation in habits and biology. They are sometimes called parasitoids rather than parasites because they develop at the expense of a single host, which is killed as a result of the attack. Insect parasites may feed and develop inside the insect host (endo-parasite) or they may devour the host from the outside (ectoparasite). Only those of the former category will be discussed in this section. Both groups are extremely important regulators of insect populations. Many adult forms serve a predatory role by inflicting wounds and feeding on the hemolymph of insect pests or devouring the entire prey.
Science of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involving external chest compression and positive-pressure ventilation was first described >50 years ago in a landmark publication that launched the fundamental approach to present-day CPR.1 Since this initial description, modern-day CPR has given rise to initiatives related to CPR research, education and training, advocacy, and industry. Article see p 1030 These ever-increasing efforts are founded on an appreciation that CPR can positively affect survival from cardiac arrest, a common cause of death in most societies. To be clear, the foundational assertion of CPR’s benefit is not derived from multiple, high-quality randomized human trials. Rather, evidence has accumulated from experimental (animal) studies and observational human investigations. CPR possesses many of the epidemiological criteria often cited as the basis for causation: biological plausibility, temporality, and dose response.2 With regard to the epidemiological trait of consistency, there is not uniform agreement across all investigations regarding the association between CPR and outcome; however, the preponderance of studies observes a beneficial relationship.3 Moreover, community-specific efforts from around the globe to increase bystander CPR correspond to community improvements in survival.4–7 Thus, the initial discovery of CPR’s clinical benefit has been borne out by strong, albeit imperfect science supporting CPR as an essential link in the chain of survival. The original report, however, belies some of the current-day challenges involving CPR, challenges involving both community implementation related to bystander CPR and scientific discovery related to professional CPR. The original report proclaims that “anyone, anywhere can now initiate cardiac resuscitation procedures,” suggesting that most patients experiencing cardiac arrest could and should receive bystander CPR. Unfortunately, less than half of patients experiencing cardiac arrest receive bystander CPR before the arrival of professional rescuers in most US communities.3 Fortunately, there are accessible strategies that provide the tools for community-based bystander …
A new species of Hyalothyridium associated with a leaf spot of maize in Latin America

Hyalothyridium leaf spot of maize is prevalent in several Latin American countries, but has not been found in the United States. It occurs in humid areas at high and low altitudes, and can be severe during rainy seasons. Leaf spots range from small, tan, elliptical spots with brown borders to large almost circular brown blotches that enlarge up to 1.5 cm in diam, sometimes so numerous that most of the leaf surface is covered. In both types of lesions there are pycnidia bearing large, hyaline, dictyosporous conidia of a Hyalothyridium species in close association with similar bodies bearing spermatium-like cells that may be part of the life cycle. The history of the genus and its relationship to Camarosporium is discussed, and the maize fungus is described as a new species.
Effects of Charge and Substituent on the S···N Chalcogen Bond

Neutral complexes containing a S···N chalcogen bond are compared with similar systems in which a positive charge has been added to the S-containing electron acceptor, using high-level ab initio calculations. The effects on both XS···N and XS+···N bonds are evaluated for a range of different substituents X = CH3, CF3, NH2, NO2, OH, Cl, and F, using NH3 as the common electron donor. The binding energy of XMeS···NH3 varies between 2.3 and 4.3 kcal/mol, with the strongest interaction occurring for X = F. The binding is strengthened by a factor of 2–10 in charged XH2S+···NH3 complexes, reaching a maximum of 37 kcal/mol for X = F. The binding is weakened to some degree when the H atoms are replaced by methyl groups in XMe2S+···NH3. The source of the interaction in the charged systems, like their neutral counterparts, is derived from a charge transfer from the N lone pair into the σ*(SX) antibonding orbital, supplemented by a strong electrostatic and smaller dispersion component. The binding is also derived from...
Keeping a Firm Grasp on Curriculum Construction to Deepen the Connotation of Community Education——Taking Ningbo for an Instance

Curriculum construction is an important factor to push community education forward,and it is also an effective method to realize the purpose of community education.To meet a variety of community residents' needs and community self development requirements,the paper explores a regional curriculum development system and proves its effectiveness.
Phospholipase C activation by ethanol in rat hepatocytes is unaffected by chronic ethanol feeding

The activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C by ethanol was compared in hepatocytes isolated from ethanol-fed rats and from pair-fed control animals. Ethanol (100-300 mM) caused a dose-dependent transient increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ levels in indo-1-loaded hepatocytes from both groups of animals. The rate of Ca2+ increase was similar in hepatocytes from control and ethanol-fed rats, but the decay of the Ca2+ increase was somewhat slower in the latter preparation. The ethanol-induced Ca2+ increase caused activation of glycogen phosphorylase, with 50% response at 50 mM-ethanol and a maximal response at 150-200 mM-ethanol, not significantly different in hepatocytes from control and ethanol-fed animals. Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation in response to ethanol (300 mM) or vasopressin (2 nM or 40 nM) was also similar in the two preparations. It is concluded that long-term ethanol feeding does not lead to an adaptive response with respect to the ethanol-induced phospholipase C activation in rat hepatocytes. The ability of ethanol in vitro to decrease membrane molecular order in liver plasma membranes from ethanol-fed and control rats was measured by e.s.r. Membranes from ethanol-fed animals had a significantly lower baseline order parameter compared with control preparations (0.313 and 0.327 respectively), indicative of decreased membrane molecular order. Addition of 100 mM-ethanol significantly decreased the order parameter in control preparations by 2.1%, but had no effect on the order parameter of plasma membranes from ethanol-fed rats, indicating that the plasma membranes had developed tolerance to ethanol, similar to other membranes in the liver. Thus the membrane structural changes associated with this membrane tolerance do not modify the ethanol-induced activation of phospholipase C. The transient activation of phospholipase C by ethanol in hepatocytes may play a role in maintaining an adaptive phenotype in rat liver.
Transition Metal Chelator Induces Progesterone Production in Mouse Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes and Corpora Lutea

Progesterone production is upregulated in granulosa cells (cumulus and mural) after the LH surge, but the intra-follicular mechanisms regulating this transition are not completely known. Recent findings show that the transition metal chelator, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (TPEN), impairs ovarian function. In this study, we provide evidence that chelating transition metals, including zinc, enhances progesterone production. The findings show that TPEN (transition metal chelator) increases abundance of Cyp11a1 and Star messenger RNA (mRNA) between 8- and 20-fold and progesterone production more than 3-fold in cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC). Feeding a zinc-deficient diet for 10 days, but not 3 days, increased Star, Hsd3b, and prostaglandin F2 alpha receptor (Ptgfr) mRNA ~2.5-fold, suggesting that the effect of TPEN is through modulation of zinc availability. Progesterone from cumulus cells promotes oocyte developmental potential. Blocking progesterone production with epostane during maturation reduced subsequent blastocyst formation from 89 % in control to 18 % in epostane-treated complexes, but supplementation with progesterone restored blastocyst developmental potential to 94 %. Feeding a zinc-deficient diet for 5 days before ovulation did not affect the number of CL, STAR protein, or serum progesterone. However, incubating luteal tissue with TPEN increased abundance of Star, Hsd3b, and Ptgfr mRNA 2–3-fold and increased progesterone production 3-fold. TPEN is known to abolish SMAD2/3 signaling in cumulus cells. However, treatment of COC with the SMAD2/3 phosphorylation inhibitor, SB421542, did not by itself induce steroidogenic transcripts but did potentiate EGF-induced Star mRNA expression. Collectively, the results show that depletion of transition metals with TPEN acutely enhances progesterone biosynthesis in COC and luteal tissue.
Systemic Instigation: A Mouse Model to Study Breast Cancer as a Systemic Disease

Little is known about the mechanisms that cause indolent tumors – such as micrometastases, occult primary tumors, or minimal residual disease – to erupt into overt, malignant cancers. As a result, predicting which patients are likely to experience disease relapse and treating patients with metastatic disease has been frustratingly limited. We developed an in vivo xenograft model system that provided us with fundamental insights into processes that govern indolent tumor growth and represented a new paradigm for translational cancer research. We learned that systemic endocrine factors and circulating bone marrow-derived cells support the acquisition of malignant traits by otherwise indolent tumors. As a result, we now think of cancer as a systemic disease by which tumors actively perturb as well as respond to the host systemic environment. First, we found that certain human breast carcinoma cell lines (we term “instigators”) facilitate the growth of otherwise-indolent tumor cells (we term “responders”) located at distant anatomical sites within host mice – a process we term “systemic instigation”. Second, systemic instigation is accompanied by incorporation of bone marrow-derived cells into the stroma of the distant once-indolent tumors. Importantly, bone marrow cells (BMCs) of hosts bearing instigating tumors are functionally activated in the marrow prior to their mobilization into the circulation. Third, instigating tumor-derived osteopontin (OPN), a cytokine that is elevated in the plasma of patients with metastatic cancers and is predicitive of poor outcome, is necessary but not sufficient for systemic instigation. Although there may be alternative explanations, this systemic communication between tumors might explain why patients diagnosed with one malignant neoplasm are at an increased risk of presenting with multiple, independent primary cancers or why patients with recurrent disease often present with multiple metastases that appear to arise suddenly and synchronously. In this review, I address the methods by which the systemic instigation model was established, what we’ve learned by using this model, the implications of our studies, and some of the questions that have yet to be answered.
Abstract 4104: LIX1L, an EMT-correlated gene that behaves as if it inhibits the EMT

Background: We previously reported that LIX1L (LIX1-like), a gene whose functions are unknown, has an expression pattern exhibiting strong negative correlation with the expression of genes of epithelial-specific functions in the NCI-60 human cancer cell line panel of the US National Cancer Institute (Kohn et al PLoS ONE 9:6, 2014). This observation suggested a possible role in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and led to the current investigation. Method]: We examined the correlation of LIX1L with gene expression in the data of the Broad Institute9s CCLE cell lines and the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) tissues. We then investigated the functions of LIX1L in breast and colon cancer cell lines. We knocked down LIX1L expression by means of siRNA and overexpressed LIX1L by means of recombinant LIX1L-GFP plasmid. We also generated LIX1L knockout cell lines (LIX1L-KO) using the CRISPR/Cas system. We compared the expression levels of LIX1L with well-known EMT-related genes by Western blot and quantitative PCR. We examined the migration and invasion properties of these cell lines and constructs by means of wound healing assays, and migration and invasion assays. Results: LIX1L expression is correlated with non-epithelial or mesenchymal genes in analyses of the CCLE and TCGA gene expression data. Experiments suggested the surprising result that LIX1L-KO MDA-MB231 cell lines showed higher expression of ZEB1 and increased invasion ability. Conclusion: LIX1L gene expression is positively correlated with the expression of non-epithelial or mesenchymal genes in the NCI-60, CCLE and TCGA databases. Up- or down-regulation of LIX1L however seemed to produce the opposite of the expected phenotypic changes. Our findings suggest that LIX1L may be expressed coordinately with genes that favor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions in cancer cells while having a moderating effect on the transition. Citation Format: Mihoko Yamade, Yves Pommier, Kurt W. Kohn. LIX1L, an EMT-correlated gene that behaves as if it inhibits the EMT. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4104. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4104
Changing Climate Change, 2009-2016

In 2009, the Obama Administration entered office in the midst of a serious economic recession. Nonetheless, one of its priorities was to address the problem of climate change. It ultimately did a great deal -- producing, with the aid of market forces, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which ultimately helped make an international agreement possible. This essay offers an account of some of the central domestic reforms, including the “endangerment finding”; the selection of a social cost of carbon; fuel economy regulations for motor vehicles; controls on new and existing power plants; and energy efficiency regulations. At various points, potentially challenging issues of law and policy are identified, and different imaginable paths are specified. The various reforms show the extraordinary extent to which the executive branch, relying on pre-existing regulatory authorities, can reorient national policy in an area in which the national legislature is blocked. To that extent, the climate change initiatives offer an illuminating case study in the contemporary operation of the system of separation of powers. There is a brief discussion of whether the reforms are likely to prove enduring. Appendices offer an assortment of tables on relevant costs and benefits.
What faculty hiring committees want.

PhD trainees aspiring to become faculty need to know the credentials search committees value most in an applicant.
Path Analysis and Structural Equations

Path analysis was invented by the geneticist Sewall Wright (1921a, 1934, 1960, 1968), and has been widely applied to problems in genetics and the behavioral sciences. It is a technique which allows us to represent, in diagrammatic form, linear ‘structural’ models and hence derive predictions for the variances and covariances (the covariance structure) of our variables under that model. The books by Kenny (1979), Li (1975), or Wright (1968) supply good introductory treatments of path analysis, and general descriptions of structural equation modeling can be found in Bollen (1989) and Loehlin (1987). In this chapter we provide only the basic background necessary to understand models used in the genetic analyses presented in this text.
Accuracy of liver surface nodularity quantification on MDCT for staging hepatic fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus

To evaluate semi-automated measurement of liver surface nodularity (LSN) on MDCT in a cause-specific cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) for identification of hepatic fibrosis (stages F0–4). MDCT scans in patients with known HCV were evaluated with an independently validated, semi-automated LSN measurement tool. Consecutive LSN measurements along the anterior liver surface were performed to derive mean LSN scores. Scores were compared with METAVIR fibrosis stage (F0–4). Fibrosis stages F0–3 were based on biopsy results within 1 year of CT. Most patients with cirrhosis (F4) also had biopsy within 1 year; the remaining cases had unequivocal clinical/imaging evidence of cirrhosis and biopsy was not indicated. 288 patients (79F/209M; mean age, 49.7 years) with known HCV were stratified based on METAVIR fibrosis stage: F0 (n = 43), F1 (n = 29), F2 (n = 53), F3 (n = 37), and F4 (n = 126). LSN scores increased with increasing fibrosis (mean: F0 = 2.3 ± 0.2, F1 = 2.4 ± 0.3, F2 = 2.6 ± 0.5, F3 = 2.9 ± 0.6, F4 = 3.8 ± 1.0; p < 0.001). For identification of significant fibrosis (≥ F2), advanced fibrosis (≥ F3), and cirrhosis (≥ F4), the ROC AUCs were 0.88, 0.89, and 0.90, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for significant fibrosis (≥ F2) using LSN threshold of 2.80 were 0.68 and 0.97; for advanced fibrosis (≥ F3; threshold = 2.77) were 0.83 and 0.85; and for cirrhosis (≥ F4, LSN threshold = 2.9) were 0.90 and 0.80. Liver surface nodularity assessment at MDCT allows for accurate discrimination of intermediate stages of hepatic fibrosis in a cause-specific cohort of patients with HCV, particularly at more advanced levels.
Connect-Text: Leveraging Text-Message Communication to Mitigate Chronic Absenteeism and Improve Parental Engagement in the Earliest Years of Schooling

ABSTRACTPoor school attendance in the early grades is predictive of poor subsequent educational outcomes. We report on a pilot intervention aiming to reduce chronic absenteeism in kindergarten. We designed and implemented a two-way, text-based parent-school communication system to encourage daily attendance, provide parents with personalized feedback on their child's attendance, and provide support to mitigate challenges that threatened parents' ability to get their child to school regularly. The program was well received, with nearly all families registering for participation, and three-quarters of those receiving outreach responding and engaging with school personnel via text. The pilot school's kindergarten chronic absenteeism rate was substantially lower in the intervention year relative to prior trends. Further, in the intervention year, the pilot school's kindergarten chronic absenteeism rate (13%) was substantially lower than for that of a synthetically constructed comparison school (24%). We discu...
Retrofitting a grass swale with rock check dams: hydrologic impacts

AbstractThe hydrologic performance of a grass swale, a common stormwater control measure often utilized to drain roads, may potentially be improved using simple retrofits. Two rock check dams were ...