cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium-dependent, swelling-activated K+ conductance in human neuroblastoma cells

Abstract In most mammalian cells, regulatory volume decrease (RVD) is mediated by swelling-activated Cl− and K+ channels. Previous studies in the human neuroblastoma cell line CHP-100 have demonstrated that exposure to hypoosmotic solutions activates Cl− channels which are sensitive to Ca2+. Whether a Ca2+-dependent K+ conductance is activated after cell swelling was investigated in the present studies. Reducing the extracellular osmolarity from 290 to 190 mOsm/kg H2O rapidly activated 86Rb effluxes. Hypoosmotic stress also increased cytosolic Ca2+ in fura-2 loaded cells. Pretreatment with 2.5 mM EGTA and nominally Ca2+ free extracellular solution significantly decreased the hypoosmotically induced rise in cytosolic Ca2+ and the swelling-activated 86Rb efflux. In cell-attached patch–clamp studies, decreasing the extracellular osmolarity activated a K+ conductance that was blocked by Ba2+. In addition, the swelling-activated K+ channels were significantly inhibited in the presence of nominally free extracellular Ca2+ and 2.5 mM EGTA. These results suggest that in response to hypoosmotic stress, a Ca2+-dependent K+ conductance is activated in the human neuroblastoma cell line CHP-100.
Social Relationships and School Readiness

Definitions of school readiness tend to focus on social and academic competencies that children are presumed to need to start school ready to learn. However, a child-focused definition of school readiness is limited because it neither identifies processes that lead children to acquire these competencies, nor does it recognize children's dependence on opportunities within settings that support development of these competencies. The model of school readiness presented in this article broadly defines school readiness as a function of an organized system of interactions and transactions among people (children, teachers, parents, and other caregivers), settings (home, school, and child care), and institutions (communities, neighborhoods, and governments). We propose that the primary mechanisms through which children acquire readiness-related competencies are social relationships children form with peers, parents, and teachers. This perspective on school readiness, emphasizing the mediating role of relational p...
Non-Invasive, Continuous Monitoring of a Vascular Targeting Drug by Diffuse Optical Blood Flow and Blood Oxygenation Measurements

We present a pilot study on vascular targeting drug combretastatin A4-phosphate (CA4P) in K1735 malignant melanoma tumor models. Results show that CA4P induces a drastic decrease in blood flow and oxygen saturation.
What If Hurricane Ivan Had Not Missed New Orleans

Author's Note: As I was developing the hypothetical situation depicting a devastating hurricane striking New Orleans, Louisiana, the disaster waiting to happen threatened to become a reality: Hurricane Ivan, a Category 4 hurricane (140 mph winds) fluctuating to a Category 5 (up to 155 mph winds), was slowly moving directly toward New Orleans. Forecasters were predicting a one-in-four chance that Ivan would remain on this direct path and would be an “extreme storm” at landfall. In reality, the storm veered to the north and made landfall east of Mobile Bay, Alabama, causing devastation and destruction well into the central Gulf shoreline and throughout the Southeast and the mid-Atlantic states.
Explicit- and Implicit-Solvent Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Complex Formation between Polycations and Polyanions

Explicit- and implicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study complexation in two polyelectrolyte systems: poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PSS/PAH) and poly(acrylic acid)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAA/PAH). Both these systems have been used in layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte films, with the first of these typically yielding linear growth in film thickness with increasing numbers of layers and the second yielding exponential growth. In both the systems, the polyelectrolytes have the same number of monomers and are present in stoichiometric proportion, and water is used as solvent. Simulations give important insights into the structure and composition of the complexes. We found that the PSS/PAH complex is more compact and has a smaller fraction of water than the PAA/PAH complex due to the presence of phenyl rings in the PSS chain and the hydrophilic nature of the charged group in the PAA chain. Either an increase in salt concentration or a decr...
Quantifying the multi-scale response of avifauna to prescribed fire experiments in the southwest United States.

Landscape-scale disturbance events, including ecological restoration and fuel reduction activities, can modify habitat and affect relationships between species and their environment. To reduce the risk of uncharacteristic stand-replacing fires in the southwestern United States, land managers are implementing restoration and fuels treatments (e.g., mechanical thinning, prescribed fire) in progressively larger stands of dry, lower elevation ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest. We used a Before-After/Control-Impact experi mental design to quantify the multi-scale response of avifauna to large (~250-400 ha) prescribed fire treatments on four sites in Arizona and New Mexico dominated by ponderosa pine. Using distance sampling and an information-theoretic approach, we estimated changes in density for 14 bird species detected before (May-June 2002-2003) and after (May-June 2004-2005) prescribed fire treatments. We observed few site-level differences in pre- and posttreatment density, and no species responded strongly to treatment on all four sites. Point level spatial models of individual species response to treatment, habitat variables, and fire severity revealed ecological relationships that were more easily interpreted. At this scale, pretreatment forest structure and patch characteristics were important predictors of posttreatment differences in bird species density. Five species (Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea), Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stellen), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), and Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)) exhibited a strong treatment response, and two of these species (American Robin and Hairy Woodpecker) could be associated with meaningful fire severity response functions. The avifaunal response patterns that we observed were not always consistent with those reported by more common studies of wildland fire events. Our results suggest that, in the short term, the distribution and abundance of common members of the breeding bird community in Southwestern ponderosa pine forests appear to be tolerant of low- to moderate-intensity prescribed fire treatments at multiple spatial scales and across multiple geographic locations.
Clinical simulations: Let's get real!

Simulations have been recommended when clinical facilities are scarce because they provide a similar experience to that which a student would encounter. Pasco-Hernando Community College nursing faculty designed a role-playing home care simulation for students. The students interact with community theater actors in an improvised simulated home health environment. The home care visit interaction is followed by a debriefing session. Here, students identify concerns in the scenario and verbalize their feelings about the experience.
Oncornavirus gene expression during embryonal development of the mouse.

Abstract BALB/c, C3H, and AKR strains of mice were analyzed for the concentrations of the major internal protein of about 30,000 daltons and the major envelope glycoprotein of about 70,000 daltons of endogenous type-C oncornaviruses in embryos isolated during the second half of gestation, in newborn mice, and in specific organs of adult animals. Each strain showed a different pattern of protein expression. BALB/c tissues contained very low concentrations of both proteins (
Fibroblast growth factor 23 is elevated before parathyroid hormone and phosphate in chronic kidney disease.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) regulates phosphorus metabolism and is a strong predictor of mortality in dialysis patients. FGF23 is thought to be an early biomarker of disordered phosphorus metabolism in the initial stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We measured FGF23 in baseline samples from 3879 patients in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study, which is a diverse cohort of patients with CKD stage 2–4. Mean serum phosphate and median parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were in the normal range, but median FGF23 was markedly greater than in healthy populations, and increased significantly with decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). High levels of FGF23, defined as being above 100RU/ml, were more common than secondary hyperparathyroidism and hyperphosphatemia in all strata of eGFR. The threshold of eGFR at which the slope of FGF23 increased was significantly higher than the corresponding threshold for PTH based on non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals. Thus, increased FGF23 is a common manifestation of CKD that develops earlier than increased phosphate or PTH. Hence, FGF23 measurements may be a sensitive early biomarker of disordered phosphorus metabolism in patients with CKD and normal serum phosphate levels.
Photoactivated phytochromes interact with HEMERA and promote its accumulation to establish photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis

Plant development is profoundly regulated by ambient light cues through the red/far-red photoreceptors, the phytochromes. Early phytochrome signaling events include the translocation of phytochromes from the cytoplasm to subnuclear domains called photobodies and the degradation of antagonistically acting phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs). We recently identified a key phytochrome signaling component, HEMERA (HMR), that is essential for both phytochrome B (phyB) localization to photobodies and PIF degradation. However, the signaling mechanism linking phytochromes and HMR is unknown. Here we show that phytochromes directly interact with HMR to promote HMR protein accumulation in the light. HMR binds more strongly to the active form of phytochromes. This interaction is mediated by the photosensory domains of phytochromes and two phytochrome-interacting regions in HMR. Missense mutations in either HMR or phyB that alter the phytochrome/HMR interaction can also change HMR levels and photomorphogenetic responses. HMR accumulation in a constitutively active phyB mutant (YHB) is required for YHB-dependent PIF3 degradation in the dark. Our genetic and biochemical studies strongly support a novel phytochrome signaling mechanism in which photoactivated phytochromes directly interact with HMR and promote HMR accumulation, which in turn mediates the formation of photobodies and the degradation of PIFs to establish photomorphogenesis.
The effect of anti-sandfly saliva antibodies on Phlebotomus argentipes and Leishmania donovani

A study was undertaken to find the effect of repeated bites of the sandfly, Phlebotomus argentipes, on its host as well as on the vector itself. The study also aimed to find the effect of the immune serum on the parasite, Leishmania donovani, naturally transmitted by the vector. The hamster which was exposed to sandfly feeding showed good antibody titre against the sandfly salivary-gland secretion, which indicates that the salivary-gland secretion is immunogenic in nature. The result also revealed that the feeding attraction of the females, which has been expressed as the percentage of engorgement, gradually decreased as the mortality rate increased during the subsequent bites. Similar mortality rate was observed when the flies were fed with the immune sera through an artificial membrane feeding method. When the sandflies were fed both with the immune sera and the blood-parasite (L. donovani) suspension, in addition to the major loss of the number of vectors, there was an inhibition of development in the gut and a concomitant reduction in the migration of the parasite in the surviving females. These results indicate that the anti-sandfly saliva immune sera probably bind with the respective antigen-presenting sites of the sandfly salivary gland and, thus, cause the sandfly death. The possible explanation of the inhibition of the forward movement of the parasites is that the attraction of the parasites to the oesophagus, mediated by the sandfly saliva, is inhibited by the anti-saliva antibodies. The importance of anti-sandfly saliva antibodies as a tool of vector control and also to block the transmission of leishmaniasis has been indicated.
An fMRI investigation of the effects of belief in free will on third-party punishment

The relationship between belief in free will (BFW) and third-party punishment (TPP) of criminal norm violations has been the subject of great debate among philosophers, criminologists and neuroscientists. We combined a TPP task with functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how lay people's BFW might affect their punishment of hypothetical criminal offenses varying in affective content. Our results revealed that people with strong BFW punished more harshly than people with weak BFW, but only in low affective cases, likely driven by a more robust commitment to moral responsibility. This effect was mirrored by a stronger activation in the right temporo-parietal junction, a region presumably involved in attentional selection to salient stimuli and attribution of temporary intentions and beliefs of others. But, for high affective cases, the BFW-based behavioral and neural differences disappeared. Both groups similarly punished high affective cases and showed higher activation in the right insula. The right insula is typically activated during aversive interoceptive-emotional processing for extreme norm violations. Our results demonstrated that the impact of BFW on TPP is context-dependent; perhaps explaining in part why the philosophical debate between free will and determinism is so stubbornly persistent.
Principles of Studying Suspended Materials in Water

The sampling methods for large-volume sampling both at surface and at depth are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of centrifuging and filtering are covered, along with practical considerations of the various types of molecular filters. Various aspects of light transmission and scattering methods and their instrumentation are evaluated. The importance of and difficulty of adequate calibration is covered briefly.
A Crank-Nicolson Leapfrog stabilization

We propose and analyze a linear stabilization of the Crank-Nicolson Leapfrog (CNLF) method that removes all time step/CFL conditions for stability and controls the unstable mode. It also increases the SPD part of the linear system to be solved at each time step while increasing solution accuracy. We give a proof of unconditional stability of the method as well as a proof of unconditional, asymptotic stability of both the stable and unstable modes. We illustrate two applications of the method: uncoupling groundwater-surface water flows and Stokes flow plus a Coriolis term.
(Semi-) automatic segmentation in historic collections of heraldic images

A modern approach to manage multimedia databases is content-based retrieval. Especially in image databases graphical features like color, texture or shape can be used efficiently instead of expensive manual annotations. Due to the large number of image archives and the enormous costs of annotations it is most important to extract adequate features automatically by means of digital image processing. Using the image processing tool MVTec Halcon we propose a preprocessing for heraldic image segmentation that can automatically derive color information from monochrome images as well as semiautomatically segment heraldic bearings. We claim that exploiting application semantics leads to successful image segmentation in digital libraries.
Dissecting Genotype × Environment Interactions and Trait Correlations Present in the Pee Dee Cotton Germplasm Collection following Seventy Years of Plant Breeding

Genotype × environment (G × E) interactions and trait correlations signifi cantly impact efforts to develop high-yield, high-quality, and environmentally stable Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars. Knowledge of both can and should be used to design optimal breeding programs and effective selection criteria. In this study, we examined the G × E interactions and trait correlations present in the 70-yr Pee Dee cotton germplasm enhancement program. Since beginning in 1935, the Pee Dee program has employed a variety of unique germplasm and breeding methods to release >80 improved germplasm lines and cultivars. Results suggest that signifi cant G × E interactions exist for several agronomic and fi ber quality performance traits that are mostly due to changes in magnitude. Negative genotypic correlations still persist between lint percent/lint yield and fi ber length/fi ber strength. However, apparently the breeding methods and selection criteria used over 70 yr have lessened the negative relationship between agronomic performance and fi ber quality over time to some degree. The results provide cotton breeders a resource to select specifi c Pee Dee germplasm lines for increased environmental stability. Cotton breeders can also use the information herein to select speci fi c Pee Dee germplasm lines that represent rare recombination events that combine high yield and fi ber quality potential.
Effects of adenine nucleotides on calcium binding by rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interactions between ATP, ADP and calcium binding by rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles (SR), and to re-evaluate the assay method used to study calcium binding. Calcium binding or transport was studied by the Millipore filtration method. Rat heart SR has an unusually high Mg2+ stimulated ATPase activity (1.37±0.16 μmol Pi per min per mg at 25°C) so that previous incubation with ATP in calcium binding studies releases ADP and Pi. By maintaining ATP at high and ADP at low concentrations with an ATP- regenerating system (phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate kinase), calcium binding capacity was increased by two to three times that of a non-ATP-regenerating system and there was a direct relationship between the amount of Ca-binding and SR protein concentration. When Ca2+ and Mg2+concentrations were controlled and ATP and ADP concentrations were varied independently the initial rate of Ca-binding was inhibited 25% by 1 mmol·litre−1 ADP and 48% by 3mmol·litre−1 ADP. ATP limited the initial rate of Ca-binding only at ATP levels below 2mmol·litre−1. At low ATP concentrations Ca-release was observed. However, in the presence of an ATP-regenerating system no Ca-release was observed, even at low concentrations of ATP. This study shows that ADP is an inhibitor of Ca-binding by rat heart SR. However, the possibility that high ADP concentrations in the presence of Pi from ATP hydrolysis, could facilitate calcium release cannot be excluded. In addition to the possible physiological importance, these effects must be regarded when assaying rat cardiac SR calcium binding.
Consistent Estimators in Generalized Linear Mixed Models

Abstract A simple method based on simulated moments is proposed for estimating the fixed-effects and variance components in a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). It is shown that the method is not only computationally attractive but also leads to consistent estimators. On the other hand, simulation shows that the method can be quite inefficient.
Multi-step Time Series Prediction in Complex Instrumented Domains

Time series prediction algorithms are widely used for applications such as demand forecasting, weather forecasting and many others to make well informed decisions. In this paper, we compare the most prevalent of these methods as well as suggest our own, where the time series are generated from highly complex industrial processes. These time series are non-stationary and the relationships between the various time series vary with time. Given a set of time series from an industrial process, the challenge is to keep predicting a chosen one as far ahead as possible, with the knowledge of the other time series at those instants in time. This scenario occurs, since the chosen time series is usually very expensive to measure or extremely difficult to obtain compared to the rest. Our studies on real data suggest, that our method is substantially more robust to predicting multiple steps ahead than the existing methods in these complex domains.
An equilibrium model describing the influence of humic materials on the speciation of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+ in freshwaters

A model for the speciation of Cu’+, Mn’+, and Zn2+ ions in freshwaters was constructed. The solubilities of CuO, MnC03, and ZneSiOl are assumed to control the free metal ion concentrations. Model variables are pII, alkalinity, concentrations of competing cations, chemical characteristics and concentrations of hllmic substances, and inorganic ligand concentrations. The inorganic anions considered are Cl-, SOd2-, OII-, IIPOd2-, IICOa-, and cos2-, Calculations indicate that all three metals exist primarily as bicarbonate and carbonate ion pairs in waters of 10m2 eq* liter- ’ alkalinity. Except for Cu, the uncomplexed ions are predominantly low-alkalinity species ( 10m4 eq* liter-‘). Humic complexes did not form in appreciable amounts in waters having small quantities of organic material. At high organic concentrations (15 mg-liter-‘) the amount of metal ion bound by humic substances is substantial and could control micronutrient availability in freshwaters.
Modulation of graft-versus-host disease: role of regulatory T lymphocytes.

Abstract Graft-versus-host (GVH) disease (GVHD) continues to be a major life-threatening complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Considerable progress has been made elucidating the pathophysiology of acute GVHD. Mature donor T cells transferred along with the marrow graft directly recognize antigenic differences on antigen-presenting cells of the host. Once activated, donor antihost-specific T cells can mediate tissue destruction. Interestingly, the failure to clonally delete autoreactive T cells in the thymus can also lead to an autoimmune syndrome mimicking the pathology of GVHD. Negative selection in the thymus may be compromised either by damage to the thymic epithelium (because of a direct attack by donor antihost alloreactive T cells) or by the use of immunosuppressive drugs that inhibit clonal deletion. An important component underlying GVHD mediated by either alloreactive or autoreactive T cells is the absence of a competent peripheral regulatory system. Studies in animal model systems clearly indicate that regulatory T cells play a vital role in down-regulating GVHD and are critically important for the establishment of active dominant tolerance to both allo- and self-major histocompatibility complex antigens. Although multiple populations of cells appear to participate in this process, CD4+ regulatory T cells that innately express CD25+ appear to orchestrate the regulatory control of the immune response. Evidence for regulatory T cells in clinical bone marrow transplantation, however, remains rudimentary. The recent identification that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells preferentially express the Foxp3 nuclear transcription factor and the development of molecular reagents to isolate antigen-specific T cells have provided unique opportunities to explore immunoregulatory mechanisms after clinical marrow transplantation. Recent studies in recipients of clinical bone marrow transplantation suggest that antigen-specific CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells play a vital role in the regulatory control of GVH reactions mediated by both alloreactive and autoreactive lymphocytes. These regulatory T cells also appear to facilitate the establishment of donor antihost and donor antidonor (self) tolerance.
Research Note: Altered Renal Function in Broilers During Aflatoxicosis

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of aflatoxicosis on acid-base balance, urine flow rate (V), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), clearance of para-aminohippuric acid (CPAH), plasma osmolality, and the renal handling of Na, K, Ca, and P. Three-week-old broilers were gavaged with aflatoxin at a dose of 2 mg/kg of BW per day for 10 consecutive days. Control birds received an equal volume of corn oil, the aflatoxin carrier vehicle. On the eleventh day, the birds were anesthetized and prepared for renal function analysis. A solution containing inulin, para-aminohippuric acid, and mannitol was infused at a low infusion rate (.1 mL/kg of BW per min) and a high infusion rate (.4 mL/kg of BW per min) to determine if aflatoxin affects the renal response to an acute volume load. Aflatoxicosis decreased the fractional excretion of phosphorous (FEP) and plasma Ca concentration but did not significantly alter any other renal function or acid-base variables. The decrease in FEP and plasma Ca may be a direct result of renal tubular damage, decreased Ca absorption from the gut, or a result of altered circulating levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), and possibly decreased renal sensitivity to PTH.
Nucleolar Localization of Human Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Protein

Wild-type human hepatitis B virus (HBV) exhibits selective export of virions containing mature genomes. In contrast, changing an isoleucine to a leucine at amino acid 97 (I97L) of the HBV core antigen (HBcAg) causes it to release immature genomes. To elucidate the structure-function relationship of HBcAg at amino acid 97, we systematically replaced the isoleucine residue at this position with 18 other amino acids via mutagenesis. Twelve of the 18 mutants exhibited no significant phenotype, while five new mutants displayed strong phenotypes. The I97D mutant had a near lethal phenotype, the I97P mutant exhibited a significantly reduced level of virion secretion, and the I97G mutant lacked the full-length relaxed circular form of viral DNA. The tip of the spike of the capsid particle is known to contain a predominant B-cell epitope. However, the recognition of this exposed epitope by an anti-HBc antibody appeared to be affected by the I97E mutation or by histidine tagging at the C terminus of mutant HBcAg, which is presumably in the capsid interior. Surprisingly, the nuclear HBcAg of mutants I97E and I97W, produced from either a replicon or an expression vector, was found to be colocalized with nucleolin and B23 at a frequency of nearly 100% by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. In contrast, this colocalization occurred with wild-type HBcAg only to a limited extent. We also noted that nucleolin-colocalizing cells were often binucleated or apoptotic, suggesting that the presence of HBcAg in the nucleolus may perturb cytokinesis. The mechanism of this phenomenon and its potential involvement in liver pathogenesis are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nucleolar HBcAg in culture.
A mRNA determinant of gRNA-directed kinetoplastid editing

Several mitochondrial mRNAs of the kinetoplastid protozoa do not encode a functional open reading frame until they have been edited through the addition or deletion of U nucleotides at specific sites. Genetic information specifying the location and extent of editing is present on guide RNAs (gRNAs). The sequence adjacent to most mRNA editing sites has a high purine content which previously has been proposed to facilitate the editing reaction through base-pairing to a poly(U) tail at the 3′ end of the gRNA. We demonstrate here that gRNA binding alone is insufficient to create an editing site and that the mRNA sequence near an editing site is an additional determinant affecting the efficiency of the reaction.
Age and growth of the great hammerhead shark, Sphyrna mokarran, in the north-western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico

The great hammerhead shark, Sphyrna mokarran, is a cosmopolitan species that is caught in a variety of fisheries throughout much of its range. The apparent decline of great hammerhead shark populations has reinforced the need for accurate biological data to enhance fishery management plans. To this end, age and growth estimates for the great hammerhead were determined from sharks (n = 216) ranging in size from 54- to 315-cm fork length (FL), captured in the Gulf of Mexico and north-western Atlantic Ocean. Growth curves were fitted using multiple models and evaluated using Akaike’s information criterion. The von Bertalanffy growth model was the best fitting model, with resulting growth parameters of L∞ = 264.2-cm FL, k = 0.16 year–1, t0 = –1.99 year for males, and L∞ = 307.8-cm FL, k = 0.11 year–1, t0 = –2.86 year for females. Annual band pair deposition was confirmed through marginal-increment analysis and a concurrent bomb radiocarbon validation study. Great hammerheads have one of the oldest reported ages for any elasmobranch (44 years) but grow at relatively similar rates (on the basis of von Bertalanffy k value) to other large hammerhead species from this region. The present study is the first to provide vertebral ages for great hammerheads.
Operating System Modifications for Task-Based Speed and Voltage Scheduling

This paper describes RightSpeed, a task-based speed and voltage scheduler for Windows 2000. It takes advantage of the ability of certain processors, such as those from Transmeta and AMD, to dynamically change speed and voltage and thus to save energy while running more slowly. RightSpeed uses PACE, an algorithm that computes the most energy efficient way to meet task deadlines with high probability. Since most applications do not provide enough data about tasks, such as task deadlines, for PACE to work, RightSpeed uses simple and efficient heuristics to automatically detect task characteristics for such applications. RightSpeed has only 1.2% background overhead and its operations take only a few microseconds each. It even performs PACE calculation, which is quite complicated, in only 4.4 µs on average due to our extensive optimizations. RightSpeed is effective at meeting performance targets set by applications to within 1.5%. Although the PACE calculator does not save energy for the current generation of processors due to their limited range of worthwhile speed and voltage settings, we expect future processors to have greater such ranges, enabling PACE to reduce CPU energy consumption by 6.1‐8.7% relative to the best standard algorithm. Furthermore, with PACE, giving a processor the ability to run at additional, higher speeds and voltages reduces overall energy consumption.
An Expanded Approach to Educating Statistical Consultants

Abstract This article describes an expanded approach to the education of statistical consultants that is being implemented at Florida State University. Our program begins with a preconsulting course in which students first study general problem-solving techniques. Next these techniques are used in solving applied statistics “textbook” problems. Then problem formulation and research methods are studied. Finally the structure of consulting sessions is considered, along with interpersonal issues that arise in consulting. In the supervised consulting course, students work with actual clients in videotaped sessions, attend supervision sessions in which the tapes are reviewed, present case conferences, attend new material sessions, and complete a project. We conclude this article with preliminary evaluation data on the program and observations regarding what we have learned.
Hsp70B′ regulation and function

Heat shock protein (Hsp) 70B′ is a human Hsp70 chaperone that is strictly inducible, having little or no basal expression levels in most cells. Using siRNAs to knockdown Hsp70B′ and Hsp72 in HT-29, SW-480, and CRL-1807 human colon cell lines, we have found that the two are regulated coordinately in response to stress. We also have found that proteasome inhibition is a potent activator of Hsp70B′. Flow cytometry was used to assay Hsp70B′ promoter activity in HT-29eGFP cells in this study. Knockdown of both Hsp70B′- and Hsp72-sensitized cells to heat stress and increasing concentrations of proteasome inhibitor. These data support the conclusion that Hsp72 is the primary Hsp70 family responder to increasing levels of proteotoxic stress, and Hsp70B′ is a secondary responder. Interestingly ZnSO4 induces Hsp70B′ and not Hsp72 in CRL-1807 cells, suggesting a stressor-specific primary role for Hsp70B′. Both Hsp70B′ and Hsp72 are important for maintaining viability under conditions that increase the accumulation of damaged proteins in HT-29 cells. These findings are likely to be important in pathological conditions in which Hsp70B′ contributes to cell survival.
The Economy of Citizenship

This article analyzes the economy of citizenship. It explores the legal treatment and social power of hate speech that beomes fixed in our cultural lexicon. Hate speech may be spoken with authority, but do the words also have legal power? Within the law, does hate speech differ from a cross burning? Should it? In this article, I argue that the force of words, like burning crosses (as analyzed by the Rehnquist Supreme Court), has much to do with their power to evoke psychological meanings. This power alone might offer limited room for legal analysis, but might help us to understand profiling, crimes and hoaxes, and sexual politics.
A novel assessment tool for quantitative evaluation of science literature search performance: Application to first-year and senior undergraduate biology majors

Expertise in searching and evaluating scientific literature is a requisite skill of trained scientists and science students, yet information literacy instruction varies greatly among institutions and programs. To ensure that science students acquire information literacy skills, robust methods of assessment are needed. Here, we describe a novel tool for longitudinal, crossover assessment of literature-searching skills in science students and apply it to a cross-sectional assessment of literature-searching performance in 145 first-year and 43 senior biology majors. Subjects were given an open-ended prompt requiring them to find multiple sources of information addressing a particular scientific topic. A blinded scorer used a rubric to score the resources identified by the subjects and generate numerical scores for source quality, source relevance, and citation quality. Two versions of the assessment prompt were given to facilitate eventual longitudinal study of individual students in a crossover design. Seniors were significantly more likely to find relevant, peer-reviewed journal articles, provide appropriate citations, and provide correct answers to other questions about scientific literature. This assessment tool accommodates large numbers of students and can be modified easily for use in other disciplines or at other levels of education.
Functionalized Carboxylate Deposition for rapid sensitization of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract The current state-of-the-art dye loading process for modern dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), essentially unchanged for the last 24 years, entails dip-coating nanoporous TiO2 photoelectrodes in a concentrated solution of dye for an average of 16 h. This process constitutes up to 80% of the fabrication time, leads to significant dye waste, and necessitates the use of organic solvents. A promising gas-phase deposition technique, coined Functionalized Carboxylate Deposition (FCD), was used to rapidly deposit a self-assembled monolayer of targeted α-carbon modified carboxylic acid containing dye molecules on TiO2 photoelectrodes. The FCD process successfully reduced the dye loading time by 98% (i.e., 15–20 min compared to an average of 16 h). Moreover, the FCD-sensitized photoelectrodes produced DSCs with equivalent or higher efficiencies than dip-coating for the dyes used (both in this study and by other researchers). The performance of FCD dye sensitization in this study indicates its potential applicability as a foundational technology for rapid fabrication of efficient DSCs.
SINR Analysis of a Narrowband Interference Cancellation Scheme in OFDM Communication Systems

Narrowband interference (NBI) is a significant impairment for multi-carrier modulation systems in both wireless and wireline channels. NBI may be generated by switching power supplies and legacy communication systems, and in many instances may be tonal in nature [1]. Recently, a novel method for mitigating the effect of NBI was proposed in [2] which works on minimizing the NBI spectral leakage by downconvering, nulling, and upconverting the received signal. In this paper we address the key question of how the algorithm performs as the number of interferers scales. We perform a distortion analysis on the received signal and obtain the following results under the assumption of an idealized analog front end: a) the distortion scales linearly with the number of interferers b) the distortion is independent of interferer frequency and amplitude. We also carry out a signal-to-interference noise ratio (SINR) analysis of the proposed algorithm and show a good match between theory and simulation results.
Semantic Integrity Considerations for Effective Data Management: Important Issues for the Database Course:

Semantic integrity constraints are time invariant properties of the world of interest being represented by a database. They constrain the values that may appear in a valid database instance. Despite their crucial role in data modeling, support for them has been largely ignored by database management system (DBMS) vendors. As a result, in most database applications today, either integrity constraints are not enforced resulting in database instances that are not reflections of reality, or precious programmer time is spent in specifying and enforcing integrity constraints as application program logic. Neither of the two situations are acceptable. This article calls for a more systematic coverage of semantic integrity constraints in the database course with the intent of training informed users who can voice their discontent and put pressure on the DBMS vendors to correct the current direction.
Mechanism of phosphorylation-recognition by visual arrestin and the transition of arrestin into a high affinity binding state.

Arrestin plays an important role in quenching phototransduction via its ability to interact specifically with the phosphorylated light-activated form of the visual receptor rhodopsin (P-Rh*). Previous studies have demonstrated that Arg175 in bovine arrestin is directly involved in the phosphorylation-dependent binding of arrestin to rhodopsin and seems to function as a phosphorylation-sensitive trigger. In this study, we further probed the molecular mechanism of phosphorylation recognition by substituting 19 different amino acids for Arg175. We also assessed the effects of mutagenesis of several other highly conserved residues within the phosphorylation-recognition region (Val170, Leu172, Leu173, Ile174, Val177, and Gln178). The binding of all of these mutants to P-Rh*, light-activated rhodopsin, and truncated rhodopsin, which lacks the carboxyl-terminal phosphorylation sites, was then characterized. Overall, our results suggest that arrestin interaction with the phosphorylated carboxyl-terminal domain of rhodopsin activates two relatively independent changes in arrestin: (a) mobilization of additional binding sites and (b) increased affinity of the phosphorylation-recognition region for the rhodopsin carboxyl-terminal domain. Together, these two mechanisms ensure the exquisite selectivity of arrestin toward P-Rh*. Mutagenesis of residues that play a major role in binding site mobilization and phosphorylation-recognition enabled us to create “constitutively active” (phosphorylation-independent) arrestin mutants that have high affinity for both P-Rh* and light-activated rhodopsin. The introduction of a negative charge in position 175 was particularly effective in this respect. A detailed molecular model of phosphorylation-recognition is proposed.
Book Review: Arjun Guneratne and Anita M. Weiss (eds), Pathways to Power: The Domestic Politics of South Asia:

Arjun Guneratne and Anita M. Weiss (eds), Pathways to Power: The Domestic Politics of South Asia. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. 2014. 420 pages. ₹ 1,070.
Testicular Biopsies in 101 Cases of Varicocele

AbstractTesticular biopsies were done on 101 patients who underwent ligation of the internal spermatic vein as primary treatment for infertility. Retrospective analysis included evaluation of tubular thickening, Leydig cell hyperplasia, premature sloughing, maturation arrest and decreased spermatogenesis. A comparison was made of biopsy profiles, sperm counts and pregnancies in an attempt to determine further the value of testicular biopsy in the subfertile man. The pregnancy rate was 40 per cent over-all, with 32 per cent of the patients with tubular thickening reporting pregnancies. There was only 1 pregnancy in patients with Leydig cell hyperplasia. The controversial finding of premature sloughing had no consistent relationship to results.
Session V: Dentin-Predentin Complex and Its Permeability — W.R. Cotton, Chairman: The Dentin-Predentin Complex and Its Permeability: Anatomical Overview

This paper provides an anatomical overview of the dentin-predentin complex and its permeability. An unique anatomical feature of this complex is the presence of dentinal tubules which extend peripherally from the odontoblast-predentin junction throughout the thickness of the tissue. The permeability of dentin is a consequence of the presence of these tubules. Thus, this review concentrates on the anatomy of dentinal tubules and, in particular, on those studies which in the last decade have increased our knowledge of this anatomy. The structure, size, and number of dentinal tubules and the relationship of these features to the permeability of the tissue are discussed. This is followed by a description of the contents of dentinal tubules, with particular emphasis being paid to the literature concerning the extent of the odontoblast process.
“ Dehalobium chlorocoercia ” DF-1—from Discovery to Application

“Dehalobium chlorocoercia” strain DF-1 is an organohalide respiring ultramicrobacterium isolated from a tidal estuary of Charleston Harbor using a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener as the sole electron acceptor. Organohalide respiration occurs by dechlorination of PCB congeners with doubly flanked chlorines, but this strain is also capable of dechlorinating chlorobenzenes with doubly flanked chlorines and tetra- and tri-chloroethene to a mixture of cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethene. The range of PCB congeners dechlorinated from an Aroclor is limited in comparison with other PCB respiring strains; however, “D. chlorocoercia” strain DF-1 is capable of dechlorinating PCBs at environmentally relevant concentrations that are typically below saturation in water. In sediment-free medium an unidentified water-soluble factor from a Desulfovibrio sp. is required for growth. “D. chlorocoercia” strain DF-1 is osmotolerant, enabling it to grow and dechlorinate PCBs in sediments ranging from freshwater to marine. What follows is a description of “D. chlorocoercia” strain DF-1 and some of its related PCB respiring species from the perspective of environmental detection, dechlorination pathways and kinetics , biostimulation, electrostimulation, and finally bioaugmentation to enhance PCB degradation in sediments.
The History and Evolution of Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury Models

This narrative provides a brief history of experimental animal model development for the study of traumatic brain injury. It draws upon a relatively rich history of early animal modeling that employed higher order animals to assess concussive brain injury while exploring the importance of head movement versus stabilization in evaluating the animal's response to injury. These themes are extended to the development of angular/rotational acceleration/deceleration models that also exploited brain movement to generate both the morbidity and pathology typically associated with human traumatic brain injury. Despite the significance of these early model systems, their limitations and overall practicality are discussed. Consideration is given to more contemporary rodent animal models that replicate individual/specific features of human injury, while via various transgenic technologies permitting the evaluation of injury-mediated pathways. The narrative closes on a reconsideration of higher order, porcine animal models of injury and their implication for preclinical/translational research.
Targeting precursor BCR signaling in ALL.

In this issue of Blood, Kim et al1 investigated the preclinical therapeutic potential of targeting precursor B-cell receptor (pre-BCR) signaling and its mechanism of action in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Ibrutinib, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), was demonstrated to interfere with pre-BCR signaling and specifically suppress in vitro and in vivo cell proliferation of B-ALL cells that express a functional pre-BCR. The synergistic activity with conventional chemotherapeutic agents corroborates ibrutinib as a new therapeutic opportunity for pre-BCR+ ALL.
Citizenship, belonging, and nation-states in the twenty-first century

As we witness the striking resurgence of ethno-nationalist populism in the United States and across Europe, this volume exploring state practices and processes related to citizenship and belonging ...
Interaction of Hydrogen on a Lanthanum hexaboride 111 Surface

In order to sustain society's current level of energy consumption and prevent irreversible climate degradation due to the greenhouse effect an alternative energy carrier is required. The aim of this experiment was to determine the conditions under which a lanthanum hexaboride (LaB 6 ) surface would form boron-hydrogen (B-H) bonds when exposed to hydrogen. Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) was used to confirm formation of bonds and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) were used to characterize the surface. Upon completion of the experiment no B-H bonds were found to form under the conditions tested. However, it is believed that the bond formation may have been impeded by tungsten contamination of the surface or may have been due to the instability of the B-H bond. A lower temperature could be required for their formation.
Increasing the breadth and potency of response to the seasonal influenza virus vaccine by immune complex immunization

The main barrier to reduction of morbidity caused by influenza is the absence of a vaccine that elicits broad protection against different virus strains. Studies in preclinical models of influenza virus infections have shown that antibodies alone are sufficient to provide broad protection against divergent virus strains in vivo. Here, we address the challenge of identifying an immunogen that can elicit potent, broadly protective, antiinfluenza antibodies by demonstrating that immune complexes composed of sialylated antihemagglutinin antibodies and seasonal inactivated flu vaccine (TIV) can elicit broadly protective antihemagglutinin antibodies. Further, we found that an Fc-modified, bispecific monoclonal antibody against conserved epitopes of the hemagglutinin can be combined with TIV to elicit broad protection, thus setting the stage for a universal influenza virus vaccine.