cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of age on mitochondria, axonal transport, and axonal degeneration after chronic IOP elevation using a murine ocular explant model

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare younger and older mice after chronic intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation lasting up to 4 days with respect to mitochondrial density, structure, and movement, as well as axonal integrity, in an ex vivo explant model. We studied 2 transgenic mouse strains, both on a C57BL/6J background, one expressing yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) in selected axons and one expressing cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) in all mitochondria. Mice of 4 months or 14 months of age were exposed to chronic IOP by anterior chamber microbead injection for 14 h, 1, 3, or 4 days. The optic nerve head of globe--optic nerve explants were examined by laser scanning microscopy. Mitochondrial density, structure, and movement were quantified in the CFP explants, and axonal integrity was quantified in YFP explants. In control mice, there was a trend towards decreased mitochondrial density (# per mm2) with age when comparing younger to older, control mice, but this was not significant (1947 ± 653 vs 1412 ± 356; p = 0.19). Mitochondrial density decreased after IOP elevation, significantly, by 31%, in younger mice (p = 0.04) but trending towards a decrease, by 22%, in older mice (p = 0.82) compared to age matched controls. Mitochondrial mean size was not altered after chronic IOP elevation for 14 h or more (p ≥ 0.16). When assessing mitochondrial movement, in younger mice, 5% were mobile at any given time; 4% in the anterograde direction and 1% retrograde. In younger untreated tissue, only 75% of explants had moving mitochondria (mean = 15.8 moving/explant), while after glaucoma induction only 24% of explants had moving mitochondria (mean = 4.2 moving/explant; difference from control, p = 0.03). The distance mitochondria traveled in younger mice was unchanged after glaucoma exposure, but in older glaucoma explants the distance traveled was less than half of older controls (p
Diet, Stroke, and Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) affect many people each year, and no effective therapies have been approved for use after the damage is done. Interestingly, foods eaten by stroke or TBI patients may have the ability to reduce neurological damage and even enhance recovery. Herein, we cover the current state of the research into finding new dietary routes to reduce the impact of stroke and TBI. Research into the benefits of diets that contain compounds from sources such as soy, fish, ginseng, tea, and others may soon lead to exciting new therapies to benefit patients.
Overexpression of Growth Hormone Affects Alternatively Spliced IGF-I mRNA Expression in oMt1a-oGH Transgenic Mice

Restorative growth hormone (GH) treatment of hypophysectomized rats differentially enhances the transcription of alternative IGF-I mRNA classes in liver. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of GH overexpression on various classes of hepatic IGF-I mRNA in GH transgenic mice. Unstimulated oMt1a-oGH transgenic mice had low levels of transgene expression, and therefore were used to determine the effects of long-term, slightly elevated GH levels on the abundance of each alternative IGF-I mRNA class. The acute effects of high GH levels on the expression of alternative IGF-I mRNA were studied by gavaging transgenic mice with 25 mM zinc sulfate to activate oMt1a-oGH transgene expression. Long-term, low levels of oGH transgene expression in unstimulated transgenic mice resulted in a 73% down regulation of IGF-I 2Ea mRNA but not 1Ea and 2Eb mRNA. Acute stimulation of transgene expression triggered a rapid, 240% increase in 1Ea mRN...
Resolution of a conjecture on variance functions for one-parameter natural exponential families

Abstract We prove a conjecture of Bar-Lev, Bshouty and Enis stating that a polynomial with a simple root at 0 and a complex root with positive imaginary part is the variance function of a one-parameter natural exponential family with mean domain ( 0 , ∞ ) if and only if the real part of the complex root is not positive.
Durability of bio-modified recycled asphalt shingles exposed to oxidation aging and extended sub-zero conditioning

Abstract The use of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in pavement construction has received significant attention due to its economic and environmental advantages. However, asphalt binder in RAS is significantly aged and requires modification before application to ensure it does not compromise pavement performance. The paper introduces a novel approach to modify RAS to facilitate its application in new construction while examining the feasibility of rejuvenating RAS via bio-modification. In addition, this study investigates the durability of the modified RAS, referred to as bio-modified shingles (BMS), by exposing BMS to both severe oxidation aging and sub-zero extended conditioning followed by a comprehensive thermo-mechanical characterization. Study results showed the performance of RAS was significantly improved after bio-modification. The performance improvement was reflected in BMS having lower viscosities, stiffnesses, shear susceptibilities, crossover temperatures, while having higher m-values and failure strains compared to RAS asphalt. It was further observed that the enhancement lasted even after BMS was exposed to severe oxidation aging and 72 hr conditioning at −18 °C indicating an enhanced durability of BMS. The latter can be attributed to molecular interactions between the bio-modifier and aged asphalt disturbing the molecular packing of asphaltene and wax molecules. Such molecular packing is known as a dominant mechanism for hardening at sub-zero temperatures. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge and practice by providing insights on the merits of revitalizing recycled asphalt shingles to enhance its durability and facilitate its application in construction to promote sustainable construction practices.
Heterogeneous data-driven hybrid machine learning for tool condition prognosis

Abstract Cutting tool condition prognosis is critical to process stability and quality assurance, but affected by complex material-process interactions. This paper presents a hybrid machine learning method that integrates heterogeneous data (structured process parameters and unstructured power profiles and tool wear images) for tool condition prognosis. Surface and wear images are first analyzed by a convolutional neural network to identify surface roughness and wear severity. The results are subsequently fed into a recurrent neural network to reveal the relationship between tool condition degradation and power profiles. The fidelity of the method is validated in milling of H13 steel and Inconel 718.
The Carbonyl Epoxide Rearrangement. Epoxyimines in the Formation of Heterotropane Derivatives.

The δ,e-epoxy ketones (I) react with some amines such as benzylamine (II) to form the intermediate epoxyimines (III) which undergo direct rearrangement, producing the 6-oxa-8-azabicyclo(3.2.1)octanes (IV).
Plantation Slavery in the Sokoto Caliphate: A Historical and Comparative Study

Founded by a Fulani cleric called Usman dan Fodio in the early nineteenth century, the Sokoto Caliphate participated in such extensive slave raiding that by the end of the century, slaves comprised...
Borders Crossed: Vibhishana in the Ramayana and Beyond

This paper aims to study the history and significance of Vibhishana in Sri Lanka, an important character in the Ramayana, one of the two most renowned classical epics originating from India that be...
Student Blogs - Expression and Exposure

It is acknowledged that student blogs in computer science courses can strengthen student communication skills, but it is rarely reported that these blogs can also provide a window into their authors' multiple facets. Computer science (CS) students are not one-dimensional; they have interests outside of CS that are often hidden, isolated from their CS experience, but which, if integrated into the CS education, could enrich their experience, increase their motivation, and enhance their relationships with their peers. We have discovered that when students write regular blogs, they use them as opportunities to express those interests and reveal talents that can be leveraged by faculty to their advantage. What we learn through these blogs helps us to increase student engagement in the course and makes us better advisers for their career in school and beyond. Common to the structure of our courses is that students are encouraged to review each others' blogs, which are in public repositories, and to make suggestions to improve them. This mutual and collective review process is beneficial to all of them, because they learn about and help each other in a positive way. Students also learn about themselves by being able to look back at how their ideas evolved, how much they learned, and what they have accomplished.
Reaction Profiles and Kinetics for Radical-Radical Hydrogen Abstraction via Multireference Coupled Cluster Theory.

Radical–radical abstractions in hydrocarbon oxidation chemistry are disproportionation reactions that are generally exothermic with little or no barrier yet are underappreciated and poorly studied. Such challenging multireference electronic structure problems are tackled here using the recently developed state-specific multireference coupled cluster methods Mk-MRCCSD and Mk-MRCCSD(T), as well as the companion perturbation theory Mk-MRPT2 and the established MRCISD, MRCISD+Q, and CASPT2 approaches. Reaction paths are investigated for five prototypes involving radical–radical hydrogen abstraction: H + BeH → H2+ Be, H + NH2 → H2 + NH, CH3 + C2H5 → CH4 + C2H4, H + C2H5 → H2 + C2H4, and H + HCO → H2 + CO. Full configuration interaction (FCI) benchmark computations for the H + BeH, H + NH2, and H + HCO reactions prove that Mk-MRCCSD(T) provides superior accuracy for the interaction energies in the entrance channel, with mean absolute errors less than 0.3 kcal mol–1 and percentage deviations less than 10% over t...
Laboratory evaluation of CX-10282 containing Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) strain GHA against adult Rhagoletis indifferens (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a pest of cherries (Prunus spp.) in western North America that potentially could be managed using the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). Here, the product CX-10282 containing 11.3% B. bassiana strain GHA was evaluated as a potential control agent for adult R. indifferens by determining whether it can cause 100% fly mortality in the laboratory. Low or high label rates of 5.4 × 107 or 1.7 × 108 conidia/ml in five different modes of application and application volumes were tested. When one 1-μl drop of CX-10282 containing 1.6 × 105 conidia was applied onto a single female fly, 100% mortality was reached by 4 or 7 d. When CX-10282 was sprayed into a container with flies to produce 2.2 × 105 to 6.9 × 105 conidia/cm2 and flies left in containers, 76.2–99.5% mortality was reached by 15–21 d. When sprayed flies were moved into clean containers, 74.8% mortality was reached by 25 d. When a 9-cm diam filter paper with 2.8 × 107 conidia/cm2 was exposed to flies inside a container, 100% mortality was reached by 9 d. When flies were exposed to CX-10282 mixed with or without sucrose on filter paper, mortality was 98.2 or 99.7% by 20 d. Dead treatment flies had mycoses rates of 68.8–93.0%. Findings suggest that field studies to evaluate CX-10282 as an organic control product for adult R. indifferens are worth pursuing.
Anonymous's Glory

Hannah Arendt is unusual among contemporary political theorists for many reasons, not least of which is her apparent praise for the pursuit of glory. Yet, far from arguing for its enduring relevance, Arendt seems to suggest the pursuit is obsolete, as the individual heroic actor has been supplanted by anonymous process in modernity. Here, the hacktivist collective Anonymous is used to illustrate the enduring significance of glory in politics, as it pursues, seemingly paradoxically, an Arendtian-style glory with its hacktivism. Through their use of pseudonymity, Anonymous’s actions afford a kind of revelation and, in this way, offer a chance at glory and immortality, while respecting the collective’s opposition to individual celebrity, and also protecting the offline identities of actors. With its combination of identification and obfuscation, Anonymous’s pseudonymous pursuit of glory offers a model for political action today.
Differences in Sexual Health Outcomes Between Adolescents in Public Schools and Juvenile Correctional Facilities

Data from a statewide, anonymous survey were used to test for differences between adolescents’ sexual health behaviors and their outcomes across settings. Youth in juvenile correctional facilities ...
Epilepsy-associated Mutations in the Calcium-sensing Receptor Disrupt the Regulation of NALCN Sodium-leak Channel by Extracellular Calcium in Neurons

Most mammalian neurons have a resting membrane potential (RMP) of ~ -50 mV to -70 mV, significantly above the equilibrium potential of K+ (EK) of ~ -90 mV. The resting Na+-leak conductance is a major mechanism by which neurons maintain their RMPs above EK. In the hippocampal neurons, the TTX-insensitive, voltage-independent Na+ leak is mediated by the NALCN cation channel. Extracellular Ca2+ also controls the sizes of NALCN current (INALCN) in a G-protein-dependent fashion. The molecular identities of the basal Na+ conductances and their regulation in other regions in the central nervous system and in the peripheral nervous system are less established. Here we show that neurons cultured from mouse cortices, ventral tegmental area, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia all have a NALCN-dependent basal Na+-leak conductance that is absent in NALCN knockout mice. Like in hippocampal neurons, a decrease in [Ca2+]e increases INALCN. Using shRNA knockdown, we show that the regulation of INALCN by extracellular Ca2+ in neurons requires the Ca2+-sensing G-protein-coupled receptor CaSR. Surprisingly, the functional coupling from [Ca2+]e to NALCN requires CaSR9s distal C-terminal domain that is dispensable for the receptor9s ability to couple [Ca2+]e to its canonical signaling targets such as PLC and MAPK. In addition, several epilepsy-associated human CaSR mutations, though sparing the receptor9s ability to sense Ca2+e to maintain systemic [Ca2+], disrupt the ability of CaSR to regulate NALCN. These findings uncover a unique mechanism by which CaSR regulates neuronal excitability via NALCN in the central and peripheral nervous system.
Three-Dimensional Meta-films – A Discovery Platform for Structured Electromagnetic Materials

A wall-first variant of membrane projection lithography (MPL) is introduced which yields three-dimensional meta-films; mm-scale structures with micron-scale periodicity and 3D nm-scale unit cell structure. These meta-films combine aspects of photonic crystals, metamaterials and plasmonic nano antennas in their infrared scattering behavior. We present the fabrication approach, and modeling/IR characterization results.
Governing Emerging Technologies Through Soft Law: Lessons for Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is positioned to be a foundational technology in most industrial sectors, societal interactions, as well as in many other technological advantages. AI is rapidly evolving with the promise of bettering our businesses, keeping us safer, and transforming us into a better society. At the same time, we know there will be concerns, some anticipated, and many that will develop alongside the technology itself. Its ubiquitous nature and rapid pace of development make traditional governance structures difficult to impose. However, there are a number of “soft-law” or non-legally binding tools that offer the flexibility needed to foster innovation safely.
Treating Ichthyotoxin Poisoning Induced by Gar Eggs Ingestion

Background: A Gar is a primarily freshwater fish that resides in North America. The flesh of a garfish is edible; however, the eggs and any meat surrounding the eggs are highly toxic to humans. The toxicity is induced by the protein ichthyotoxin. Case Report: The studied patient was an 18-year-old male who ingested 2-3 spoons full of gar eggs in their residence place. Each spoon full contained 40-50 eggs. The estimated total amount of consumed eggs equaled 3 teaspoons. Approximately one hour after eating the eggs, the patient began to feel unwell. Upon arrival at the local Children’s Hospital, the patient was experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating.Conclusion: Patients affected by gar eggs should be treated symptomatically, given there is no antidote or specific treatment for ichthyotoxin. Further research is required on the mechanism that makes ichthyotoxin toxic. Luckily, the presented patient presented no seizures due to the toxin and the care providers could manage the related symptoms.
Holland v. Florida: A Prisoner’s Last Chance, Attorney Error, and the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act’s One-Year Statute of Limitations Period for Federal Habeas Corpus Review

When should a prisoner be held accountable for his attorney’s negligence or misconduct? Since the mid-1990’s, courts throughout the nation were deciding this question, after a growing tide of attorneys failed to meet the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act’s one-year statute of limitations when filing federal habeas corpus petitions on behalf of their incarcerated clients. In Holland v. Florida, the Supreme Court decided once and for all when a prisoner would be given another chance to file his habeas corpus petition through the doctrine of equitable tolling when the only reason his petition was late was the fault of his attorney. This Comment explores the issues raised by the Holland decision. In doing so, this Comment analyzes the principles of agency law and professional responsibility—the foundations of the attorney-client relationship—and raises questions as to whether these principles are properly applied to incarcerated clients in the post-conviction context. This Comment ultimately concludes that while Holland was properly decided, the Court misapplied agency law to support its decision and did not go far enough in extending the protection of equitable tolling to all prisoners who have been turned away from the courts because they detrimentally relied on their defaulting attorneys.
Tobacco Cessation Behaviors Among U.S. Middle and High School Students, 2020

Abstract Purpose The landscape of youth tobacco product use has changed dramatically in recent years; however, little is known about current youth cessation behaviors. This study aims to assess prevalence and correlates of quit intentions and past-year quit attempts among U.S. middle and high school students who report current use of any tobacco product, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes. Methods Data came from the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional school-based survey of students in grades 6–12. Weighed prevalence estimates of quit intentions and past-year quit attempts among users of any tobacco product, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes are presented. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression with predictive marginals was used to assess sociodemographic correlates of quit intentions and quit attempts for each tobacco product user group. Results Quit intentions were reported by 62.5% of current users of any tobacco product, 68.1% of cigarette smokers, and 63.9% of e-cigarette users. Similarly, past-year quit attempts were reported by 65.4% of current users of any tobacco product, 65.8% of cigarettes smokers, and 67.4% for e-cigarette users. Harm perceptions toward tobacco, nicotine dependency, and the use of ≥2 tobacco products were significantly correlated with quit intentions, quit attempts, or both among different tobacco product user groups. Conclusions Most students who use tobacco products want to quit and have attempted to do so. Development of youth-focused cessation interventions, particularly those addressing the most commonly used products, could potentially accelerate progress in a comprehensive approach to youth tobacco prevention and control.
Mimosine’s Mechanism is Pyridoxal-Phosphate Independent

Mimosine is a toxic plant amino acid and a structural analog of both pyridoxal-phosphate (PLP) and tyrosine (figure 1)(1) Mimosine has been described as an effective inhibitor of DNA replication in mammalian cells(2), Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain mimosine’s inhibitory effects; but none have been reliably confirmed. Our research disproves one of the current theories that mimosine acts as an inhibitor of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) and thereby inhibits purine nucleotide biosynthesis in mammalian cells. Mimosine has been shown to decrease purine nucleotide pools in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, and this has been suggested to be the primary inhibitory effect of mimosine on mammalian cells. It has been suggested that mimosine limits SHMT activity, a PLP-dependent enzyme that is critical for the synthesis of DNA precursors, and this in turn results in the depletion of cellular deoxyribonucleotide purine pools. The results of this study indicate that while mimosine does inhibit human MCF-7 cell proliferation, it does not deplete purine or pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotide pools in MCF-7 cells. Mimosine’s effects appear PLP independent with respect to SHMT inhibition.
A compensation method for dual-bridge matrix converters operating under distorted source voltages

This paper investigates the performance of a dual-bridge matrix converter (DBMC) operating with distorted source voltages. A direct feed-forward unbalance control scheme is developed to reduce the influence of input voltage distortion to the load. The line side source voltages and its fundamental component are first detected. Then, appropriate distorted switching functions of the line side converter are applied to reduce the harmonic content of the load. The proposed method has several advantages: first, it can effectively reduce the harmonic content of the load side current with either unbalanced or distorted source voltage. Second, this control method requires only calculation of the fundamental components of the input line voltages. Third, the input power factor of the fundamental component can be adjusted readily without any difficulty. Lastly, the harmonic content of the line side current can also be easily approximated. Theoretical analysis and simulation results are presented in the paper to verify the effectiveness of the approach.
Pre-bomb Δ14C variability and the Suess effect in Cariaco Basin surface waters as recorded in hermatypic corals

The {Delta}{sup 14}C content of surface waters in and around the Cariaco Basin were reconstructed from {sup 14}C measurements on sub-annually sampled coral skeletal material. During the late 1930s - early 1940s surface waters within and outside of the Cariaco Basin are similar. Within the Cariaco Basin at Islas Tortugas coral {Delta}{sup 14}C averages -51.9 {+-}3.3 {per_thousand}. Corals collected outside of the basin at Boca de Medio and Los Testigos have {Delta}{sup 14}C values of -53.4 {+-} 3.3 {per_thousand} and -54.3 {+-} 2.6 respectively. Additional {sup 14}C analyses on the Isla Tortugas coral document an {approx} 11 {per_thousand} decrease between {approx}1905 (-40.9 {+-}4.5 {per_thousand}) and {approx}1940. The implied Suess Effect trend (-3 {per_thousand}/decade) is nearly as large as that observed in the atmosphere over the same time period. If we assume that there is little to no fossil fuel {sup 14}CO{sub 2} signature in Cariaco surface waters in {approx}1905, the waters have an equivalent reservoir age of {approx}312 years.
Single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of ziprasidone under non-fasting conditions in healthy male volunteers

Aims To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of single and multiple oral doses of ziprasidone in healthy male volunteers, and to determine the influence of ziprasidone on serum prolactin levels.
Genetic research with nonhuman primates: serving the needs of mankind Symposium summary and future prospects

The wide array of papers delivered at this symposium, ranging from population genetics to molecular genetics, is convincing evidence that genetic research with nonhuman primates is in full bloom. In fact, progress has been quite remarkable considering that a significant number of pedigreed colonies of nonhuman primates have been available for less than 25 years, which is hardly enough time to raise 3 generations of chimpanzees, 5 generations of baboons or 6 generations of rhesus monkeys. Were it not for these pedigreed colonies, we would not have been privileged to have this assemblage of papers on behavior, social structure, predisposition to disease and management of breeding colonies. It is indeed exciting that preliminary evidence has been obtained for major genes that play a role in susceptibility to dyslipoproteinemias in baboons, and that monoclonal antibodies and DNA markers are helping us to understand cholesterol metabolism. And thanks to computers, we can now rank animals in a colony in terms of their useful genotypes as well as their productivity. One can not help but be impressed with the commonality of humans and nonhuman primates at the structural and functional levels. For example, the major histocompatibility systems and the maternal-fetal relationships are very similar. We heard that this similarity is even more striking at the chromosomal, biochemical and DNA levels. A provocative question yet to be answered is, "what accounts for the obvious differences between humans and nonhuman primates in view of these incredible similarities?" In light of these advances, this symposium was at the cutting edge of primate genetics and the papers published in this issue of Genetica are certain to be hallmarks in the literature.
Searching for approximate equilibria in empirical games

When exploring a game over a large strategy space, it may not be feasible or cost-effective to evaluate the payoff of every relevant strategy profile. For example, determining a profile payoff for a procedurally defined game may require Monte Carlo simulation or other costly computation. Analyzing such games poses a search problem, with the goal of identifying equilibrium profiles by evaluating payoffs of candidate solutions and potential deviations from those candidates. We propose two algorithms, applicable to distinct models of the search process. In the revealed-payoff model, each search step determines the exact payoff for a designated pure-strategy profile. In the noisy-payoff model, a step draws a stochastic sample corresponding to such a payoff. We compare our algorithms to previous proposals from the literature for these two models, and demonstrate performance advantages.
Vector dynamics and transmission of dengue virus: implications for dengue surveillance and prevention strategies.

Accounting for variation in mosquito vector populations will improve dengue surveillance and prevention. Because Aedes aegypti, the principle dengue virus (DENV) vector, transmit the virus with remarkable efficiency, entomological thresholds are especially low. Assessing risk of human infection based on immature mosquito indices has proven difficult. Greater emphasis should be placed on relative abundance of adult vectors in relation to human serotype-specific herd immunity, introduction of unique viruses, mosquito-human contact and weather. The most appropriate spatial scale for assessing entomological risk is the individual household. The scale for measuring DENV transmission risk has yet to be determined but is clearly larger than the household and likely to exceed several city blocks. Because households are expected to be a primary site for human DENV infection, intradomicile vector control strategies should be a priority, especially when the force of transmission is high. The most effective intervention strategy will combine vector control with vaccine delivery for rapid and sustained disease prevention.
Four Works on the African Diaspora: A Collective Review Essay

Crossing Boundaries: Comparative History of Black People in Diaspora. Darlene Clark Hine and Jacqueline McLeod (eds.). Bloomington, IN, and London, UK: Indiana University Press, 1999. xxv+ 491 pp. (Cloth US$29.95) The African Diaspora: African Origins and New World Identities. Isidore Okpewho. Carole Boyce Davies. and Ali A. Mazrui (eds.). Bloomington, IN, and London, UK: Indiana University Press, 1999. xxviii. 566 pp. (Cloth USS59.95) Globalization and Survival in the Black Diaspora: The New Urban Challenge. Charles Green (ed.). Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1997. xiv. 396 pp. (Cloth US$25.95) Lamentation: An Immigrant's Dilemma. Cyril J. Orji. Matawn, NJ: Azbock Publishing, 1999. 301pp. (Paper USS 19.95)
Health caring. Psychosocial support for patients with cancer.

Psychosocial treatments, including group, individual, and family therapies, are of proven efficacy and deserve inclusion as standard components of biomedical treatment for patients with cancer. Four issues regarding such treatment are reviewed. The first is need. Significant anxiety and depression are common (and treatable) problems among the medically ill and represent a major aspect of the burden of illness. Even those with less severe emotional reactions need help coping with the stress of serious illness. The second is methods. Psychotherapy, both group and individual, provides valuable emotional and social support and teaches important symptom management skills. The third is outcome
Structural requirements for binding of an immunodominant myelin basic protein peptide to DR2 isotypes and for its recognition by human T cell clones

Immunodominant T cell epitopes of myelin basic protein (MBP) may be target antigens for major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted, autoreactive T cells in multiple sclerosis (MS). Since susceptibility to MS is associated with the DR2 haplotype, the binding and presentation of the immunodominant MBP(84-102) peptide by DR2 antigens were examined. The immunodominant MBP(84-102) peptide was found to bind with high affinity to DRB1*1501 and DRB5*0101 molecules of the disease-associated DR2 haplotype. Overlapping but distinct peptide segments were critical for binding to these molecules; hydrophobic residues (Val189 and Phe92) in the MBP(88-95) segment were critical for peptide binding to DRB1*1501 molecules, whereas hydrophobic and charged residues (Phe92, Lys93) in the MBP(89-101/102) sequence contributed to DRB5*0101 binding. The different registers for peptide binding made different peptide side chains available for interaction with the T cell receptor. Although the peptide was bound with high affinity by both DRB1 and DRB5 molecules, only DRB1 (DRB1*1501 and 1602) but not DRB5 molecules served as restriction elements for a panel of T cell clones generated from two MS patients suggesting that the complex of MBP(84-102) and DRB1 molecules is more immunogenic for MBP reactive T cells. The minimal MBP peptide epitope for several T cell clones and the residues important for binding to DRB1*1501 molecules and for T cell stimulation have been defined.
Losses in transformer-like coils wound from a very fine filament NbTi superconductor

Abstract Special cylindrical coils with oppositely wound layers have been experimentally investigated under different conditions: as fed by a.c. transport current with and without d.c. background field and at normal LHe boiling, as well as at lowered temperatures. Unusual loss-field dependence proportional to B 2 has been observed at low (
Point of zero charge of a corundum-water interface probed with optical second harmonic generation (SHG) and atomic force microscopy (AFM): New approaches to oxide surface charge

Abstract The p H and ionic strength dependence of light generated at a corundum-solution interface by the nonlinear optical process of second harmonic generation (SHG) is reported. A point of zero salt effect occurs in the p H range 5 to 6. The p H and ionic strength dependence of the SHG is qualitatively consistent with a model describing SHG from a charged mineral/water interface from Ong et al. (1992) and Zhao et al. (1993a, 1993b) , but certain aspects of the model appear inadequate to describe the full range of our data. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) force-distance measurements, though imprecise, were consistent with a point of zero charge (p.z.c.) for the interface also in the p H range 5 to 6. The SHG (and AFM) results are different from expectation; the observed p.z.s.e. (and presumably also the p.z.c.) is considerably lower than the accepted point of zero charge of clean alumina powders ( p H 8–9.4; Parks, 1965; Sverjenksy and Sahai, 1996) . Although the reasons for this are unclear, SHG holds promise as a probe of oxide-water interfaces that is independent of interpretation of acid-base titration stoichiometry.
A composite score for executive functioning, validated in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants with baseline mild cognitive impairment

The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) measures abilities broadly related to executive function (EF), including WAIS-R Digit Symbol Substitution, Digit Span Backwards, Trails A and B, Category Fluency, and Clock Drawing. This study investigates whether a composite executive function measure based on these multiple indicators has better psychometric characteristics than the widely used individual components. We applied item response theory methods to 800 ADNI participants to derive an EF composite score (ADNI-EF) from the above measures. We then compared ADNI-EF with component measures in 390 longitudinally-followed participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with respect to: (1) Ability to detect change over time; (2) Ability to predict conversion to dementia; (3) Strength of cross-sectional association with MRI-derived measures of structures involved in frontal systems, and (4) Strength of baseline association with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid β1-42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau181P. ADNI-EF showed the greatest change over time, followed closely by Category Fluency. ADNI-EF needed a 40 % smaller sample size to detect change. ADNI-EF was the strongest predictor of AD conversion. ADNI-EF was the only measure significantly associated with all the MRI regions, though other measures were more strongly associated in a few of the regions. ADNI-EF was associated with all the CSF measures. ADNI-EF appears to be a useful composite measure of EF in MCI, as good as or better than any of its composite parts. This study demonstrates an approach to developing a psychometrically sophisticated composite score from commonly-used tests.
Abstract 2019: Investigation of cell death mediated by poly(ADP-ribose), Apoptosis-Inducing Factor (AIF) and caspases in breast cancer cells by RNA interference

Apoptosis-Inducing Factor (AIF) was previously characterized as a poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) dependent, caspase independent cell death effector in a wide spectrum of diseases or conditions that involve cell death. The objective of this study was to determine the role of PAR and AIF in cancer cell death after chemotherapy. We have previously demonstrated the presence of AIF mediated caspase-independent cell death in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells following treatment with the DNA alkylating agent N-methyl-N’-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). To gain further insight into the role of AIF in cell death induced by chemotherapy, we utilized RNA interference (RNAi) to knockdown expression of AIF and PAR glycohydrolase (PARG) in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. UV-C irradiated AIF-silenced cells displayed increased cell viability. Moreover FACS analysis showed that AIF knockdown successfully protected cells against apoptosis induced by MNNG and the chemotherapeutic agents epirubicin and cyclophosphamide. Interestingly, the knockdown of PARG led to decreased apoptotic cell death after treatment with MNNG. However, inhibition of caspases using Q-VD-OPh in PARG RNAi treated cells led to an increase in apoptotic cell death, which suggests that caspase dependent cell death after chemotherapy is mediated in part by PARG. However, the knockdown of AIF in these cells led to significant protection, which indicates that cell death in the absence of caspase activity in PARG knockdown cells is mediated by AIF. Taken together, the results provide a paradigm where AIF can substitute as caspase executioner in the absence of PARG and caspases in breast cancer cells. Thus, the activation of AIF mediated cell death is a promising strategy to improve the treatment of breast cancer by providing an alternative pathway for tumor eradiation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2019. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2019
Natural product biosynthesis: The road to L

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the biosynthesis of a family of antibacterial natural products has uncovered some of the finer details of unusual stereoselectivity observed in a peptide cyclization.
Infant feeding practices of low-income rural mothers.

Purpose: To examine infant feeding practices at 1 to 2 months of age and at 4 to 6 months in a rural population of infants at risk for failure to thrive. Design: A descriptive/exploratory study with 52 mothers who were interviewed twice during the infant's first 6 months of life. Mothers were recruited from health care facilities in rural southeastern Kentucky. Mothers participated in two structured interviews about feeding practices conducted in health care clinics or in the home. Results: At birth 52% of mothers chose to use formula, 41.2% chose breastfeeding, and 8% were both breastfeeding and formula feeding. By 1 month, 71% of mothers were formula feeding and only 29% were breastfeeding. At 4 to 6 months postpartum 80% of mothers were formula feeding and 20% were breastfeeding. Mothers with more children, higher family income, and more education were more likely to breastfeed. Almost all mothers began solid foods before the infant was 4 months old. Infants were fed table foods including mashed potatoes and gravy, and beverages such as apple juice, fruit juices, and soda. Mothers relied on health professionals for support for feeding decisions at the first interview; however, they relied more on the grandmother for support at the time of the second interview. Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Breastfeeding mothers need additional support to continue breastfeeding beyond the first month. Mothers and grandmothers need education to discourage the practice of early introduction of inappropriate solid foods, including the practice of thickening bottles of formula with cereal. Nutrition teaching should be provided to mothers and grandmothers including how to select high nutrient, lower fat-weaning foods, and limiting infant intake of high-calorie drinks.
Antisocial personality disorder in serial killers: The thrill of the kill

Serial killing is a heinous crime that is difficult to understand. Sadistic serial murderers often rape, torture, and brutalize their victims before the murder even occurs. This paper addresses the motives behind such inhumane acts. By researching how the killer's abusive childhood led to the sadistic need for power and control, one can better understand how the individual developed the antisocial personality disorder. This paper also offers solutions that might help reduce the development of serial killers and the killings they are responsible for.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS OF RHODODENDRON SUBGENUS TSUTSUSI ( RHODOREAE , ERICOIDEAE , ERICACEAE )

Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi (Rhodoreae, Ericoideae, Ericaceae), commonly known as evergreen azaleas, includes approximately 117 deciduous and evergreen species from Japan, China and northeastern Asia. Subgenus Tsutsusi has been divided into two sections, Brachycalyx and Tsutsusi, based on characteristics of the leaves, young twigs and corolla. We obtained molecular data from three chloroplast (matK, ndhF and trnS-trnG) and two nuclear (nrITS and the third intron of rpb2) regions for 30 species of Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and five species of Menziesia. Parsimony, Bayesian and likelihood analyses based on total evidence were used to assess the monophyly of the sections within Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and relationships among the species sampled. In particular, the placement of the problematic Rhododendron tashiroi was addressed. Results support Rhododendron tashiroi as a member of the Rhododendron section Brachycalyx clade. Molecular evidence also supports a clade within Rhododendron section Tsutsusi containing R. indicum, R. tsusiophyllum, R. tschonoskii and R. serpyllifolium, species which were not previously considered closely related.
Faster acceleration noise for multibody animations using precomputed soundbanks

We introduce an efficient method for synthesizing rigid-body acceleration noise for complex multibody scenes. Existing acceleration noise synthesis methods for animation require object-specific precomputation, which is prohibitively expensive for scenes involving rigid-body fracture or other sources of small, procedurally generated debris. We avoid precomputation by introducing a proxy-based method for acceleration noise synthesis in which precomputed acceleration noise data is only generated for a small set of ellipsoidal proxies and stored in a proxy soundbank. Our proxy model is shown to be effective at approximating acceleration noise from scenes with lots of small debris (e.g., pieces produced by rigid-body fracture). This approach is not suitable for synthesizing acceleration noise from larger objects with complicated non-convex geometry; however, it has been shown in previous work that acceleration noise from objects such as these tends to be largely masked by modal vibration sound. We manage the cost of our proxy soundbank with a new wavelet-based compression scheme for acceleration noise and use our model to significantly improve sound synthesis results for several multibody animations.
Clouds or fog? Demystifying meter, harmony, and structure in Debussy's Nuages

Abstract Post‐1940 recordings, of Nuages generally perform the written 6/4 meter (3+3 beats) as 3/2 (2+2+2). Metrical ambiguity of this sort, argues the author, distorts the musical structure, since it befogs the work's harmonic and motivic segmentation. Interestingly, it was also rejected by the work's first conductors. The conductor and Debussy intimate, D.‐E. Inghelbrecht, deplored his own inability to track the meter in one of his recordings of the piece. From 1989 to 1998, the author polled several conductors (including Schuller, Boulez, Slatkin, and Epstein) on how they interpreted Nuages’ meter. No consensus resulted. Indeed, there emerged telling contradictions between the respondents’ verbalizations and their reported conducting patterns. And, except for David Epstein, no respondent linked analytical parameters such as motivic structure or harmonic rhythm (which Schuller valorizes in The Compleat Conductor) to their verbalized interpretations. As Part II of this essay shows, however, harmonic rhy...
Engineered tissue grafts: A new class of biomaterials for medical use

Recent advances in the stem cell biology, the biomaterials science, and the design of the tissue culture bioreactors, help us address the growing need to find replacements for lost and worn-out human tissues and organs in an entirely new way. Biological equivalents of native tissues are grown in a laboratory using tissue engineering techniques and investigated for their functionality, both in vitro and in animal models. We briefly review the key principles for engineering these advanced, native-like biomaterials capable to take over the lost function of our tissues. We also provide an example of the state of the art approach to the tissue engineering.
Simulation of two-photon photoemission from the bulk s p -bands of Ag(111)

Theoretical and experimental studies on the two-photon photoemission excited by femtosecond laser pulses from the $sp$-band of Ag(111) in normal direction are reported. At low temperatures, the two-photon photoemission spectrum is found to consist mainly of nonresonant direct transitions from the lower to the upper $sp$-band across the $L$-projected band gap involving the upper $sp$-band as virtual intermediate states. This direct photoemission signal is calculated from the Ag band structure using optical Bloch equations and dipole moments derived from the nearly free electron approximation. For finite temperatures, a minor additional temperature-dependent, continuous contribution to the two-photon photoemission spectrum is experimentally determined. This background due to the secondary electrons is theoretically modeled combining the Debye model and Fermi Liquid Theory to account for electron relaxation effects during the two-photon photoemission process.
Morphology of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the neonatal rat spinal cord: an intracellular horseradish peroxidase study

Understanding the central neural control of autonomic functions requires a knowledge of the morphology of the preganglionic neurons, for the location of the dendritic arborizations of these neurons will indicate which central pathways may have access to them. In the present study, individual sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the neonatal rat spinal cord have been examined by the intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in an in vitro preparation. Seventeen HRP-labeled preganglionic neurons in thoracic segments T1-T3 were examined in detail; of these, 12 somata were located in the intermediolateral cell column (IML), one in the lateral funiculus (LF), two in the intercalated nucleus (IC), and two at the border between IML and IC. All of the neurons had extensive dendritic arborizations arising from an average of six primary dendrites; the average total dendritic length for these cells was 2,343 microns. The morphology of preganglionic neurons differed depending on the location of their cell bodies. Preganglionic neurons located in the IML were essentially two-dimensional: the cells had some dendrites that coursed rostrocaudally for 300-500 microns within the IML and others that coursed mediolaterally, extending to the lateral surface of the cord and close to the central canal. Axons of these cells coursed ventrally from the cell body and exited from the spinal cord at the first ventral root caudal to the cell body. No intraspinal axon branches were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)