cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Effectiveness of Mindfulness and Decentering Training in a Physician Assistant Curriculum.

Purpose Several studies have documented the effects of physician assistant (PA) training on students' perceived stress and life satisfaction. Innovative curriculum design incorporating effective stress management resources may help address this concern. Methods Mindfulness and decentering training was incorporated into a first-quarter course for PA students. It included lecture, in-class demonstrations and practice, and out-of-class activities. Mindfulness (Experiences Questionnaire; Acceptance and Action Questionnaire) and general well-being (Satisfaction with Life Scale; Perceived Stress Scale) were assessed precourse, postcourse, and during follow-up. Results Students reported a significant increase in levels of mindfulness postcourse, which remained stable at a 4-month follow-up. These findings were consistent regardless of prior mindfulness practice. More importantly, changes in the levels of mindfulness significantly predicted changes in life satisfaction and perceived stress. Conclusion Stress management resources can be incorporated into PA courses through innovative curriculum design to help students cope with the demands of PA school.
Improving Engagement During Times of Change

The vast majority of change initiatives fail to meet their objectives and most decimate their organization’s levels of engagement in the process. The effect of plummeting employee engagement during turbulent times creates a downward spiral that can result in permanent damage to the organizational culture and capabilities. This phenomenon has led some to believe that change can only be achieved at the cost of employee engagement and that engagement can only be improved during periods of stability. Our work suggests that this is a false dichotomy. Through careful planning and active management, some organizations utilize these times of change to deploy strength-based, positive approaches to successfully deliver their change agenda while simultaneously cultivating greater work meaningfulness and engagement. In this chapter, we examine a case study that demonstrates, through the use of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as one such approach, how taking on aggressive change initiatives in this manner can be leveraged as an opportunity for widescale reinvention of the organization, enabling greater work meaningfulness, engagement, and flourishing.
Inkjet-defined site-selective (IDSS) growth for controllable production of in-plane and out-of-plane MoS2 device arrays

Along with the increasing interest in MoS2 as a promising electronic material, there is also an increasing demand for nanofabrication technologies that are compatible with this material and other relevant layered materials. In addition, the development of scalable nanofabrication approaches capable of directly producing MoS2 device arrays is an imperative task to speed up the design and commercialize various functional MoS2-based devices. The desired fabrication methods need to meet two critical requirements. First, they should minimize the involvement of resist-based lithography and plasma etching processes, which introduce unremovable contaminations to MoS2 structures. Second, they should be able to produce MoS2 structures with in-plane or out-of-plane edges in a controlled way, which is key to increase the usability of MoS2 for various device applications. Here, we introduce an inkjet-defined site-selective (IDSS) method that meets these requirements. IDSS includes two main steps: (i) inkjet printing of microscale liquid droplets that define the designated sites for MoS2 growth, and (ii) site-selective growth of MoS2 at droplet-defined sites. Moreover, IDSS is capable of generating MoS2 with different structures. Specifically, an IDSS process using deionized (DI) water droplets mainly produces in-plane MoS2 features, whereas the processes using graphene ink droplets mainly produce out-of-plane MoS2 features rich in exposed edges. Using out-of-plane MoS2 structures, we have demonstrated the fabrication of miniaturized on-chip lithium ion batteries, which exhibit reversible lithiation/delithiation capacity. This IDSS method could be further expanded as a scalable and reliable nanomanufacturing method for generating miniaturized on-chip energy storage devices.
Efficacy of Yoga vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Stress Education for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common, impairing, and undertreated. Although many patients with GAD seek complementary and alternative interventions, including yoga, data supporting yoga’s efficacy or how it compares to first-line treatments are lacking. Objectives To assess whether yoga (Kundalini yoga) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for GAD are each more effective than a control condition (stress education) and whether yoga is noninferior to CBT for the treatment of GAD. Design, Setting, and Participants For this randomized, 3-arm, controlled, single-blind (masked independent raters) clinical trial, participants were recruited from 2 specialty academic centers starting December 1, 2013, with assessment ending October 25, 2019. Primary analyses, completed by February 12, 2020, included superiority testing of Kundalini yoga and CBT vs stress education and noninferiority testing of Kundalini yoga vs CBT. Interventions Participants were randomized to Kundalini yoga (n = 93), CBT for GAD (n = 90), or stress education (n = 43), which were each delivered to groups of 4 to 6 participants by 2 instructors during twelve 120-minute sessions with 20 minutes of daily homework. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary intention-to-treat outcome was acute GAD response (Clinical Global Impression–Improvement Scale score of much or very much improved) after 12 weeks as assessed by trained independent raters. Results Of 538 participants who provided consent and were evaluated, 226 (mean [SD] age, 33.4 [13.5] years; 158 [69.9%] female) with a primary diagnosis of GAD were included in the trial. A total of 155 participants (68.6%) completed the posttreatment assessment. Completion rates did not differ (Kundalini yoga, 60 [64.5%]; CBT, 67 [74.4%]; and stress education, 28 [65.1%]: χ2 = 2.39,df = 2,P = .30). Response rates were higher in the Kundalini yoga group (54.2%) than in the stress education group (33.%) (odds ratio [OR], 2.46 [95% CI, 1.12-5.42];P = .03; number needed to treat, 4.59 [95% CI, 2.52-46.19]) and in the CBT group (70.8%) compared with the stress education group (33.0%) (OR, 5.00 [95% CI, 2.12-11.82];P Conclusions and Relevance In this trial, Kundalini yoga was efficacious for GAD, but the results support CBT remaining first-line treatment. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01912287
Implantable glucose sensor

Two new approaches for construction and testing of a miniature in vivo implantable glucose sensor are described. The first approach is to immobilize glucose oxidase onto a platinum wire, coated with special glass (Corning), and to cover the immobilized enzyme with a thin layer of polymer to prevent large molecules from poisoning the electrode. The second, and more successful, approach is to use the principle of coated wire electrodes by incorporating a quaternary ammonium salt with an insoluble glucose salt and poly(vinyl chloride). Potentiometric measurements were used to test the two electrodes, as well as records of voltage and current responses. Responses of the electrodes to varying glucose concentrations are described. Current work is concerned with the responses of these electrodes to plasma and blood, and in examining interference effects from blood chemicals and electrolytes. Alternative methods for preparation of the coated wire electrodes are under investigation, as is their mechanism of action.
Graphs, Chromatic Polynomials, and Acyclic Orientations

A graph is usually represented as a set of points of the plane or space joined in pairs by a certain collection of arcs. The points are called vertices, and the arcs (although need not be drawn straight) are usually referred to as edges.
The time course of explicit and implicit categorization

Contemporary theory in cognitive neuroscience distinguishes, among the processes and utilities that serve categorization, explicit and implicit systems of category learning that learn, respectively, category rules by active hypothesis testing or adaptive behaviors by association and reinforcement. Little is known about the time course of categorization within these systems. Accordingly, the present experiments contrasted tasks that fostered explicit categorization (because they had a one-dimensional, rule-based solution) or implicit categorization (because they had a two-dimensional, information-integration solution). In Experiment 1, participants learned categories under unspeeded or speeded conditions. In Experiment 2, they applied previously trained category knowledge under unspeeded or speeded conditions. Speeded conditions selectively impaired implicit category learning and implicit mature categorization. These results illuminate the processing dynamics of explicit/implicit categorization.
Evidence for Unresolved γ-Ray Point Sources in the Inner Galaxy.

New models show that neutron stars---and not dark matter---could be responsible for an excess of gamma rays from the Milky Way's center.
Heterogeneity of Beta-Oxidation Enzyme Defects in Peroxisomal Diseases

Peroxisomes are spherical or ovoid organelles (diameter, 0.1–1.5 um) limited by a single membrane that are ubiquitious in mammalian cells (1,2). These organelles participate in a number of metabolic cellular processes since multiple biochemical defects such as impaired oxidation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) (3), phytanic acid (4), and pipecolic acid (5), as well as impaired synthesis of plasmalogens (6) and bile acids (7) are observed when peroxisomes are absent or reduced in number (the Zellweger cerebrohepatorenal syndrome). The Zellweger syndrome is usually fatal within the first year of life (8), suggesting that peroxisomes play a vital role in normal cellular metabolism.
In the Broad Valley

Human relations can serve a variety of functions. They can offer comfort, caring, and socioemotional support, especially when a person is stressed or scared. They can help to satisfy physical needs and wants, such as those for nutrition, shelter, and thermoregulation. People can help one another learn about the world around them (the exterior environment) and about their selves (the interior environment). It is this guiding and learning function of social relations which is our focus as we examine, in this book, the topic of social referencing in infancy.
Biosynthesis of reovirus-specified polypeptides. Initiation of reovirus messenger RNA translation in vitro and identification of methionyl-x initiation peptides.

Abstract The initiation of reovirus messenger RNA-directed protein synthesis in vitro was investigated in a cell-free protein synthesizing system prepared from Krebs ascites tumor cells. The principal translation products of the mixture of 10 reovirus mRNA species transcribed in vitro by reovirus cores were polypeptides μ 0 , μ 1 , σ 2a , and σ 3 . Translation could be initiated with formylmethionine transferred from rat liver methionyl-tRNA formylated by Escherichia coli formyltransferase with 10-formyltetrahydrafolate as the formyl donor. Formylmethionine incorporation was complete within 10 to 15 min and was inhibited by aurin tricarboxylic acid and pactamycin; by contrast, incorporation of methionine and leucine continued for 30 to 60 min. The identification of the amino acids at the amino termini of polypeptides μ 0 , μ 1 , σ 2a , and σ 3 synthesized in vitro was elucidated. Protein synthesis was carried out in the presence of rat liver formylmethionyl-tRNA and various groups of radioactively labeled amino acids. The viral polypeptides that were synthesized were isolated by urea-SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and digested with pronase. N -Formylmethionylcontaining peptides were then separated from other peptides by fractionation on Dowex-50 and hydrolyzed with acid. The radioactive amino acids that were liberated were then identified by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The following amino terminal assignments were elucidated: μ 0 , ( N -formyl)methionyl-valyl-(proline); μ1, ( N -formyl)methionyl-leucyl-valine; σ 2a , ( N -formyl)methionyl-threonyl-valine; and σ 3 , ( N -formyl)methionyl-valyl-tyrosyl-(proline). No evidence was obtained for amino terminal acetylation or formylation of reovirus-specific protein synthesized in vitro in the absence of exogenously added formylmethionyl-transfer RNA.
Utility of 2 immunological tests for antemortem diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (Sarcocystis neurona infection) in naturally occurring cases.

Background: Antemortem diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is challenging. Limited information is available regarding a commercial test (surface antigen 1 [SAG-1] ELISA). Performance of another commercial test (indirect fluorescent antibody test [IFAT]) using samples from an independent group has not been well described. Hypothesis/Objectives: The primary goal was to evaluate the SAG-1 ELISA and IFAT using naturally occurring EPM cases. A secondary goal was to obtain more information regarding clinical presentation. Animals: Hospital cases were admitted over 20 months and classified into 4 groups. Confirmed positive cases (n = 9) had asymmetric or multifocal neurologic deficits or both and postmortem lesions consistent with EPM. Confirmed negative cases (n = 17) had variable clinical signs and postmortem lesions consistent with another neurologic disease (or no lesions). Suspected positive cases (n = 10) had asymmetric or multifocal deficits or both, marked improvement after treatment for EPM, and other likely diseases excluded. Suspected negative cases (n = 29) had orthopedic disease and no neurologic deficits. Methods: Results of immunological testing (SAG-1 ELISA and IFAT on serum or cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] or both), neurologic examinations, CSF analyses, and postmortem examinations were analyzed retrospectively. Results: SAG-1 ELISA sensitivity was 12.5% (95% CI, 1.6–38.4) and specificity was 97.1% (95% CI, 84.7–99.9) using serum. IFAT sensitivity was 94.4% (95% CI, 72.7–99.9) and specificity was 85.2% (95% CI, 66.3–95.8) using serum; sensitivity was 92.3% (95% CI, 64.0–99.8) and specificity was 89.7% (95% CI, 72.7–97.8) using CSF. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Low sensitivity of the SAG-1 ELISA limited its usefulness for antemortem diagnosis of EPM in this patient population.
Granulocyte heterochromatin: defining the epigenome

Mammalian blood neutrophilic granulocytes are terminally differentiated cells, possessing extensive heterochromatin and lobulated (or ring-shaped) nuclei. Despite the extensive amount of heterochromatin, neutrophils are capable of increased gene expression, when activated by bacterial infection. Understanding the mechanisms of transcriptional repression and activation in neutrophils requires detailing the chromatin epigenetic markers, which are virtually undescribed in this cell type. Much is known about the heterochromatin epigenetic markers in other cell-types, permitting a basis for comparison with those of mature normal neutrophilic granulocytes. Immunostaining and immunoblotting procedures were employed to study the presence of repressive histone modifications and HP1 proteins in normal human and mouse blood neutrophils, and in vitro differentiated granulocytes of the mouse promyelocytic (MPRO) system. A variety of repressive histone methylation markers were detectable in these granulocytes (di- and trimethylated H3K9; mono-, di- and trimethyl H3K27; di- and trimethyl H4K20). However, a paucity of HP1 proteins was noted. These granulocytes revealed negligible amounts of HP1 α and β, but exhibited detectable levels of HP1 γ. Of particular interest, mouse blood and MPRO undifferentiated cells and granulocytes revealed clear co-localization of trimethylated H3K9, trimethylated H4K20 and HP1 γ with pericentric heterochromatin. Mature blood neutrophils possess some epigenetic heterochromatin features that resemble those of well-studied cells, such as lymphocytes. However, the apparent paucity of HP1 proteins in neutrophils suggests that heterochromatin organization and binding to the nuclear envelope may differ in this cell-type. Future investigations should follow changes in epigenetic markers and levels of HP1 proteins during granulopoiesis and bacterial activation of neutrophils.
Active Volume Models with Probabilistic Object Boundary Prediction Module

We propose a novel Active Volume Model (AVM) which deforms in a free-form manner to minimize energy. Unlike Snakes and level-set active contours which only consider curves or surfaces, the AVM is a deforming object model that has both boundary and an interior area. When applied to object segmentation and tracking, the model alternates between two basic operations: deform according to current object prediction, and predict according to current appearance statistics of the model. The probabilistic object prediction module relies on the Bayesian Decision Rule to separate foreground (i.e. object represented by the model) and background. Optimization of the model is a natural extension of the Snakes model so that region information becomes part of the external forces. The AVM thus has the efficiency of Snakes while having adaptive region-based constraints. Segmentation results, validation, and comparison with GVF Snakes and level set methods are presented for experiments on noisy 2D/3D medical images.
Cellular and molecular characterization of type II diabetic bladder dysfunction (865.12)

In a rat model of Type II diabetes (T2D), cellular and molecular alterations in muscarinic and purinergic receptor stimulation and associated downstream signaling molecules in bladder smooth muscle was examined over time. T2D was induced in Sprague Dawley rats using the combination of a high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin (HFD/STZ). A 40% HFD was initiated in 14 week old rats; after one month, rats were administered two low doses of STZ (30 mg/kg) one week apart. This model results in obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and has been shown to induce diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD); although this model has rarely been used to characterize DBD or determine mechanistic changes in the regulation of the bladder. DBD is a common complication of T2D, a non-life threatening complication of diabetes that has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Bladder smooth muscle was isolated and isometric force was recorded in response to the cumulative and non-cumulative addition of carbachol, bet...
Chapter 10: The Prosecutor's Emotion

This chapter examines the behavior and use of emotion by Caiaphas, who served as the prosecutor at the trial of Jesus Christ and who famously ripped his clothes in a rage during his closing argument. Building on the work of Susan Bandes and others, it also looks at the use of emotion by modern prosecutors, and critiques that use.
Changes in gluteal pressure and pelvic inclination angles after continuous cross-legged sitting

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the changes in left and right gluteal pressures and posterior inclination angles between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) on both sides after continuous cross-legged sitting. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS Fourteen young adults (nine males and five females) were recruited. The statistical significance of differences in parameters between before and after continuous cross-legged sitting was tested by paired t-tests. RESULTS After sitting in a right-crossed-leg position for 10 minutes and then returning to a upright sitting posture, the subjects' right gluteal pressure increased significantly compared to before cross-legged sitting (p< 0.05). After sitting in a right-crossed-leg position and then returning to an upright standing posture, the posterior inclination between the right ASIS and PSIS increased significantly compared to before cross-legged sitting (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION These results indicate that continuous cross-legged sitting may cause malalignment of the pelvis after the cross-legged sitting period.
Electrical switching in bulk samples of 0. 15As-0. 12Ge-0. 73Te glass

Switching in bulk samples of 0.15As--0.12Ge--0.73Te glass is found to be caused predominantly by the thermal switching mechanism for near threshold applied voltages. Switching also occurred by the thermal mechanism even for applied voltages an order of magnitude above the threshold voltage of the sample. In order to investigate a switching event in this glass sample, a constant voltage pulse was applied to the sample and the delay time and the electrical energy input to the sample during the delay time measured. A log--log plot of the energy input to the sample during a delay time of 1.00 s as a function of the electrode spacing on the sample's surface was found to have a slope of approximately 1.6. For the theoretical study of the thermal switching mechanism, a one-dimensional calculation of the heat balance equation with radial heat flow was made and the results of the calculation followed the same trends as the experimental data. The large scatter in parts of the data and the increase in the average resistance of the sample for a switching event with near threshold applied voltages could not be explained by the thermal switching mechanism. These effects could be a manifestation of themore » structural changes which probably occur in the sample as a result of the high temperatures present at the moment of switching. 33 fig.« less
A Hazard of Home Oxygen Therapy

Although it is generally safe, there are morbidities associated with home oxygen use. Experience in our burn unit led to an analysis of burn complications from this therapy. A retrospective review of records during a 12-year period identified 23 patients with burns associated with home oxygen use. Average age of the patients was 70 years, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the most prevalent indication for use. Concomitant cigarette smoking was the most common inciting mechanism of the burns (70%). Average burn size was 3.9% of total body surface area. Eleven patients presented in the first 10 years of the study period, whereas 12 presented in the last 2 years. We have seen a rise in injuries with the use of home oxygen. The absolute number of injuries sustained is unknown, because many are likely unreported. To decrease the morbidity and costs associated with these injuries, the need for continuing safety education is apparent.
Mass spectrometric determination of molecular formulas for membrane-modifying antibiotics

THE peptide antibiotics alamethicin and suzukacillin, together with gramicidin A are of considerable biological interest as they facilitate ion transport across membranes by a mechanism involving pore or channel formation in the membranes1–3. In discussing their mode of action it is, of course, necessary to consider the antibiotics' structures and such discussions have been hampered, especially for alamethicin1,4–7, by incorrect structures originally proposed for the antibiotics. Thus, the earlier structures proposed for valine-gramicidin A and isoleucme-gramicidin A8,9 were revised to 1 and 2 (Fig. 1) following the detection of N-terminal formyl and C-terminal ethanolamine groups10, and earlier structures11,12 proposed for alamethicins I and II have recently been revised to 3 and 4 (ref. 13) following the discovery of N-terminal acetyl and C-terminal phenylalaninol groups14,15. (The partial structure proposed for suzukacillin16 will probably also be revised in view of the newly reported structure for alamethicin13.) Much of the difficulty in assigning structures to these antibiotics has derived from an inability to determine accurate molecular formulas. We have until recently been hampered by the same problem in our studies of the structures of antiamoebin I (5) (ref. 17) and emerimicins III and IV (6 and 7) (ref. 18), new peptaibophol antibiotics [peptide antibiotics containing several moles of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) and a C-terminal phenylalaninol (Phol) unit] which have been shown to have similar membrane-modifying properties (P. Mueller, personal communication). We have developed, and describe here, a new technique, a modification of field desorption mass spectrometry19,20 involving cation exchange, which has allowed us to assign molecular formulas directly to these peptide antibiotics and their derivatives in the 1,500–2,100 molecular weight range.
COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS: Are They Different?

The absence of data-based research on the collective bargaining movement is surprising given the potential significance of this issue to the academic community. The purpose of this study is to show that community colleges can be differentiated on the basis of the particular collective bargaining representative selected and, furthermore, that those affiliated with one bargaining representative are different from community colleges which are not affiliated with any bargaining representative. These institutional differences are presented and their implications for both the collective bargaining and community college movements are discussed.
Transient response of a radiating flamelet to changes in global stoichiometric conditions

Abstract The effects of changes in global stoichiometric conditions on radiating flamelets are numerically investigated by varying the boundary values of reactant (fuel/oxidizer) concentrations. The flame response to both step and sinusoidal time variations about a mean value of reactant concentration for various strain rates is examined. Flames having nonunity Lewis number are also studied. The objective is to help understand the effect of turbulent fluctuations on a flamelet embedded in the flow field and the interaction of the flame with the radiative heat loss from the combustion products (CO2 and H2O). The peak flame temperature, heat release rate, and the radiative heat losses are used to describe the flame response. The results show that the flame responds to fluctuations with a time delay. The effect of the frequency of fluctuation is found to be more important than its amplitude. At low fluctuation frequencies, the flame responds quasi-steadily and it becomes gradually insensitive at high frequencies. This insensitivity is due to effective neutralization of high-frequency fluctuations by diffusion processes. In addition to the frequency, the flame response also depends on the strain rate. Due to the enhanced role of convection, flame response increases with increasing strain rate. The present results are used to identify a criterion, based on a modified Strouhal number, to predict the flame response to imposed fluctuations and to determine when transient effects should be incorporated into flamelet models. Inclusion of transient effects will improve the accuracy of turbulent flame calculations, particularly the prediction of NOx and other trace species.
Sexual Assault Portrayals in Hindi Cinema

The Indian film industry has been criticized for perpetuating an environment for sexual violence, but little research has analyzed whether Hindi films provide a script for engaging in sexual assault that may perpetuate such violence. In this article, we employed script and sexual scripts theory to determine if there is a recurring sexual assault script in recent Hindi films that describes the pre-conditions, actions and outcomes of sexual assault. Our analysis of 24 Hindi films from the years 2000–2012 confirms the general presence of a sexual assault script. Pre-conditions for assault involve unmarried young males sexually assaulting young females who have assumed traditional gender roles. Female victims are often depicted as being responsible for the sexual assault. The assault itself is depicted with perpetrators combining sexual, physical and verbal assault actions, and females actively resisting the assault. The assault aftermath depicts the woman mostly suffering social damage or losing her life, while the perpetrator is killed by the woman or her family, or remains unprosecuted. We discuss how stereotypical and dramatized depictions of sexual assault in Hindi films may lead to inappropriate perceptions about what occurs before, during and after sexual assault.
Abstract 352: Murine model of chordoma: Sonic Hedgehog promoter-driven Cre activation of Brachyury (T) expression induces spinal disk abnormalities and perinatal lethal developmental defects.

Introduction: Chordoma is a rare malignancy arising in the axial skeleton from notochord remnants. The T-box transcription factor, Brachyury (T), is associated with familial chordoma, is expressed in over 90% of chordomas, and is a driver of cell growth in cultured chordoma cells. Suppression of T expression or function in vitro results in down-regulation of cell growth pathways and reduction in matrix formation. To further understand the mechanisms of T9s oncogenic properties, we sought to generate a murine model of constitutive, notochord-directed T expression. Methods: To produce elevated expression of T in the notochord-derived (ND) cells, we generated a murine transgenic animal in which a cassette (T/GFP) containing the β-actin promoter, a transcriptional stop sequence flanked by LoxP sites (FS), the murine T cDNA, an intragenic ribosomal entry sequence and a GFP cDNA was homologously recombined into the ROSA26 locus. We termed these animals FS-T/GFP mice. FS-T/GFP mice were mated to mice with Cre expression regulated by the developmentally-timed and tissue-specific control of the Sonic Hedgehog promoter (Shh-Cre mice). Results: Excision of the FS sequence by Cre was confirmed to result in constitutive expression of T and GFP in 293 cells prior to transgenic creation, and subsequently in cultured fibroblasts from ear punches of the transgenic animals. Mice containing homozygous FS-T/GFP at ROSA26 were healthy with no apparent physiologic or developmental defects and with the expected Mendelian ratios of sex and genotype. A cross of FS-T/GFP with Shh-Cre mice resulted in T/Cre pups that died perinatally with grossly evident heart, lung and kidney defects. In addition, these animals showed incomplete fusion of the vertebral bodies, and dysmorphic spinal disks. Elevated T protein levels and GFP co-expression in disk cells was demonstrated by immunofluorescent detection in tissue sections. Summary: Constitutive expression of T in ND lineage cells results in alteration of the morphology of intervertebral disks possibly indicative of a proliferative effect of Brachyury on ND cells. Expression of T in “off-target” tissues that express Sonic Hedgehog likely results in perinatal death. Citation Format: David A. Alcorta, Jennifer A. Maier, Brian D. Harfe, Michael J. Kelley. Murine model of chordoma: Sonic Hedgehog promoter-driven Cre activation of Brachyury (T) expression induces spinal disk abnormalities and perinatal lethal developmental defects. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 352. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-352 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.
Backward-Sloping Labor Supply Functions in Dual Economies — the Africa Case

Introduction, 468. — I. The dual economy and the migrant labor system, 470. — II. The individual's offer of labor, 472. — III. The supply of labor to the exchange economy as a whole, 480; the level of village income and the supply of labor, 480; the rate of wages and the supply of labor in the exchange sector, 485. — IV. The supply of labor to the territory, 489. — V. Summary and conclusions, 491.
Trace level analysis of indole-3-acetic acid from light- grown, highly pigmented leaf tissue

Abstract A new chromatographic method has been developed for the isolation and quantitation of trace levels of the plant hormone, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The individuals steps in the method were selected and adjusted specifically to remove the large amounts of interfering substances present in highly pigmented, light-grown plant tissue. This method employs a rapid extraction and preparative cleanup by open column chromatography, followed by preparative reversed-phase ion-pair high- performance liquid chromatography to remove the bulk of the interfering substances. The latter step maximizes the resolution of the IAA from its native matrix by interaction with the tetrabutylammonium (TBA) acetate ion-pair at the ideal pH for the quantitative formation of the TBA—IAA ion-pair. Two additional high-performance liquid chromatographic separations ultimately produce a baseline resolved IAA peak, which is quantified by fluorescence and amperometric detection. Identity of the IAA peak was verified by capillary gas—liquid chromatography with nitrongen—phosphorus detection and by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry analysis. The method is illustrated here by the quantitation of IAA from 1 g fresh weight of highly-pigmented, light-grown cotton leaf tissue. The limit of detection is as low as 1 ng of IAA from 1 g fresh weight with average recoveries of aroung 50% at the quantitation step. Although the method was designed to quantitate IAA, the extraction and high-performance liquid chromatographic steps can be used to prepare purified IAA samples for esterification and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry analysis.
Reliability of homogeneous scales of reinforcers: A cluster analysis of the reinforcement survey schedule

To identify empirical groupings of reinforcers a cluster analysis of the Reinforcement Survey Schedule (RSS) was performed on data from 313 subjects who had taken the RSS and had been retested 1, 3, or 5 wk later. Thirteen clusters were found in each group. Test-retest reliabilities of cluster scores ranged from .40 to .91 and internal consistency reliabilities ranged from −.09 to .93. Results indicate that it may be fruitful to pursue the development of cluster scales of reinforcers for use in therapy.
REVIEW ■ : Long-lasting Effects of Recreational Drugs of Abuse on the Central Nervous System

Although a wealth of knowledge exists regarding the acute pharmacological effects of recreational drugs on the CNS, much less is known about the long-term toxic effects of recreational drugs on the CNS. Recent findings in nonhuman primates treated with amphetamine analogs, such as ±3,4-methylenedioxymetham phetamine (MDMA), indicate that these drugs can produce long-lasting, probably permanent, changes in brain serotonin innervation. Similarly, animals treated with phencyclidine (PCP) and related drugs develop neurodegenerative changes in selected brain regions. It seems clear, then, that some psychoactive drugs have the potential to produce persistent changes in CNS structure and, possibly, function. The goal of this article is to summarize current knowledge regarding the long-term effects of several popular recreational drugs, including MDMA and related amphetamine analogs, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, PCP, lysergic acid (LSD), and opiates. Gaps in the current knowledge base are identified, and areas ri...
Response of laboratory ecosystems to environmental stress: Effect of phenol

Ecologically realistic laboratory and field simulated ecosystems (microcosms and mesocosms) are playing increasing roles in fate and effect testing of chemicals and mixtures. Controlled ecosystems allow evaluation of toxicant effects on collective and emergent ecosystem properties. Information is needed to evaluate the validity of test system responses, interpretability of results, and cost effectiveness of simulated ecosystem tests. We developed replicate microcosms using periphyton on polyurethane artificial substrates. Source communities were obtained from two ecosystems—a reservoir in Kentucky and a softwater pond in Virginia—and tested for effects of continuous inputs of phenol (up to 30 mg/L) over 21 days. System responses measured included several biomass estimators, net oxygen production, and protozoan species richness. Communities were generally insensitive to phenol input. Primary production in microcosms from both ecosystems was inhibited at phenol concentrations >10 mg/L and chlorophyll a concentrations were also depressed. Other biomass estimators (protein, hexosamine) were not affected or were stimulated at lower (⩽10 mg/L) phenol concentrations. Protozoan species numbers were not affected. Functional shifts in the communities preceded adverse structural effects. Effect levels were similar for both communities, although the more complex community with greater biomass (Kentucky) showed more significant responses than the simpler community (Virginia). Systems showed resistance to phenol levels that were actually toxic in standard single-species tests, suggesting that ecosystems may differ in magnitude and rate of response to some nonpersistent toxicants.
Dung beetles as secondary seed dispersers: impact on seed predation and germination

Dispersal of seeds away from the parent plant may facilitate escape from density-dependent seed mortality. However, many post-dispersal events can have a profound influence on the survival of dispersed seeds. By incorporating seeds in the dung that dung beetles process for consumption and oviposition, dung beetles could enhance seed survival if they remove seeds from areas of high pre- dation risk and place them in locations that avoid subsequent predation and that are suitable for germination. The role of dung beetles in seed survival was investig- ated over 15 mo in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Depths of seeds buried by beetles, levels of predation on buried and unburied seeds, and germination success of seeds buried to different depths were examined. Results suggest that by burying seeds dung beetles increase the probability that seeds will escape predation and germinate. Of seeds placed in dungpiles, 69% remained at the surface, while 25% were buried from 1-3 cm in depth. Larger seeds were buried more shallowly than smaller seeds. Buried seeds were less likely to be removed by predators than seeds at the surface. Germination of seeds buried at 1- and 3-cm depths was significantly higher than seeds buried at 10 cm. For the species tested, many seeds were buried by dung beetles between 1 and 3 cm and at this depth there was a high probability of escaping predators and germinating. This demonstrates the potential ecological importance of dung beetles in facilitating seed survival and provides data to con- sider the role of dung beetles in the evolution of seed attributes.
The total synthesis and metabolism of 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoate in the rat.

Abstract 1. 1. Methyl-7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoate was prepared by total synthesis. 2. 2. Arachidonate and 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoate were fed to rats raised on a fat-deficient diet. The liver lipid fatty acid composition, as determined by gas-liquid chromatography, was compared with the fat-deficient controls. Both acids suppressed the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from oleate and palmitoleate. The amount of 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoate incorporated directly into liver lipids was small. Instead it was preferentially converted to arachidonate by elimination of a two-carbon fragment or desaturated to give 4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoate.
Molecular data and the dynamic nature of polyploidy

Abstract During the past decade, molecular techniques have provided a wealth of data that have facilitated the resolution of several controversial questions in polyploid evolution. Herein we have focused on several of these issues: (1) the frequency of recurrent formation of polyploid species; (2) the genetic consequences of multiple polyploidizations within a species; (3) the prevalence and genetic attributes of autopolyploids; and (4) the genetic changes that occur in polyploid genomes following their formation. Molecular data provide a more dynamic picture of polyploid evolution than has been traditionally espoused. Numerous studies have demonstrated multiple origins of both allopolyploids and autopolyploids. In several polyploid species studied in detail, multiple origins were found to be frequent on a local geographic scale, as well as during a short span of time. Molecular data strongly suggest that recurrent formation of polyploid species is the rule, rather than the exception. In addition, molecul...
What's Next for Diabetes Prevention?

Recent estimates of the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes underscore that no community is being spared from this ever-advancing, noncommunicable disease (1). Given that many individuals with these conditions are going to experience the long-term, ravaging outcomes of hyperglycemia, there is a continued and pressing need to develop approaches that will prevent the development and progression of diabetes as well as its micro- and macrovascular complications. The last two decades have witnessed the introduction of a number of new classes of medications to treat diabetes and the refinement of others. We have also learned the benefits of more aggressive glucose lowering so that today interventions are frequently commenced earlier, and many patients are rapidly placed on more than a single agent. The focus on earlier intervention has also grown out of the recognition that the glucose elevation characterizing type 2 diabetes does not occur suddenly, but rather is a slow and progressive process with the pathophysiology well established at a time when the glucose levels have not yet reached the diagnostic thresholds (2). Thus, impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes represent a continuum and both are amenable to therapy. Intervening to prevent the development of diabetes has been a focus of a number of studies over the last decade. In these, both lifestyle modification and medications have been used and have, in general, been successful in delaying the onset of the disease. Lifestyle modification reduces the risk of developing diabetes by over 50% (3,4), with different classes of medications having more variable impact (4–8). The greatest benefit from pharmacological intervention occurs with the thiazolidinediones (6–8), which have been shown to be as good, if not better, than lifestyle intervention. In this issue of Diabetes Care , Retnakaran et al. (9) provide additional information about the …
Effects of Ekman Transport on the NAO Response to a Tropical Atlantic SST Anomaly

Abstract A recent study showed that a tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly induces a significant coupled response in late winter [February–April (FMA)] in a coupled model, in which an atmospheric general circulation model is coupled to a slab mixed layer ocean model (AGCM_ML). The coupled response comprises a dipole in the geopotential height, like the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and a North Atlantic tripole in the SST. The simulated NAO response developed 1 or 2 months later in the model than in observations. To determine the possible effects of Ekman heat transport on the development of the coupled response to the tropical forcing, an extended coupled model (AGCM_EML), including Ekman transport in the slab mixed layer ocean, is now used. Large ensembles of AGCM_EML experiments are performed, parallel to the previous AGCM_ML experiments, with the model forced by the same tropical Atlantic SST anomaly over the boreal winter months (September–April). The inclusion of Ekman heat tra...
Characterization by means of Delaunay triangulation and Voronoi paving of the influence of anti-hormone and/or anti-growth factor antibodies on the in vitro cell growth of human colorectal neoplastic cell lines.

A new tool is described which makes it possible to evaluate directly the influence of various growth factors on in vitro neoplastic cell growth on the one hand and to look at a concept of differentiation in terms of population dynamics, on the other. This tool relies upon the digital cell image analyses of Feulgen-stained nuclei and the mathematical method of Voronoi paving. This technique enabled us to characterize the influence on the proliferation and the differentiation of the HCT-15 and LoVo colorectal cell lines of anti-gastrin (G), anti-estradiol (E(2)), anti-epidermal growth factor (EGF), anti-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), and anti-transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and beta (TGF beta) antibodies. Two variants were set up with respect to each of the two cell lines, i.e, one growing in culture medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) and another supplemented with 1% FCS+10 nM G+10 nM E(2). The data show that it is possible to characterize the cell clone structure and to assess growth rate concomitantly by direct cell counts. It further appears that while the anti-hormone and/or anti-growth factor antibody-induced effects on growth were relatively similar, these effects were in sharp contrast at the level of cell clone architecture.
The (3 × 2) phase of Ba adsorption on Si(001)-2 × 1

Abstract The initial stages and surface structures of the (3×2) phase of Ba adsorption on an Si(100)-2×1 surface held at 900°C have been studied by low-energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, and ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). At low coverages ( 1 6 ML) , the Ba atoms form atomic chains across the Si dimer rows by occupying valley bridge sites, as well as on fourfold sites by replacing Si dimers and exhibiting a local (3×2) phase, with the 3×-phase along the Si dimer row direction. Two different configurations for the (3×2) phase, namely, mono- and dimer-Ba models, are proposed based on the STM images. Below a coverage of 1 6 ML , the (3×2) phase is formed by single Ba atoms at fourfold sites by replacing original Si dimers. For a Ba coverage of 1 3 ML, the (3×2) phase is formed by buckled Ba dimers, as revealed by high-resolution STM images.
Extension of the approximate two-dimensional electron gas formulation

The functional two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) formalism employed in the analysis of modulation-doped field-effect transistors is extended to properly account for the bulk charge and to more accurately model sub- and near-threshold behavior. The implemented changes basically transform the functional formulation from an above-threshold formalism for lightly doped structures to one of additional utility which automatically approaches expected limits under widely divergent conditions. Sample computations of the surface carrier concentration, relevant energy level positionings, and the semiconductor depletion width as a function of surface potential and doping are also presented and examined. These computations exhibit the general utility of the extended theory and provide an indirect evaluation of the standard two-level 2DEG theory.