cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for urea cycle activity in Sporosarcina ureae

Sporosarcina ureae BS 860, a motile, sporeforming coccus, possesses the enzymes required for a functioning urea (ornithine) cycle. This is only the second known example of urea cycle activity in a prokaryote. Specific activities are reported for ornithine carbamoyltransferase, argininosuccinase, arginase, and urease. Although argininosuccinate synthetase activity could not be detected directly in crude cell extracts, indirect evidence from radiocarbon tracing data for arginine synthesis from the substrate, l-[1-14C]-ornithine, strongly suggest the presence of this or other similar enzyme activity. Furthermore, good growth in defined media containing either 1.0% glutamine, ornithine, or citrulline as sole carbon sources suggests argininosuccinate synthetase activity is necessary for arginine synthesis. The effect of varying pH on arginase and urease activities indicate that these two enzymes may function within the context of the urea cycle to generate ammonia for amino acid synthesis, as well as for raising the pH of the growth micro-environment.
Can Propensity-Score Methods Match the Findings from a Random Assignment Evaluation of Mandatory Welfare-to-Work Programs?

This paper assesses nonexperimental estimators using results from a six-state random assignment study of mandatory welfare-to-work programs. The assessment addresses two questions: which nonexperimental methods provide the most accurate estimates; and do the best methods work well enough to replace random assignment? Three tentative conclusions emerge. Nonexperimental bias was larger in the medium run than in the short run. In-state comparison groups produced less average bias than out-of-state comparison groups. Statistical adjustments did not consistently reduce bias, although some methods reduced the estimated bias in some circumstances and propensity-score methods provided a specification check that eliminated some large biases.
Optics in nature: interesting students in optics

One of the fundamental problems in American and other societies is interesting young people in science and engineering. Optics offers a unique opportunity to do that since it is one of the areas of physics and engineering which is relevant to everyday life. As professional engineers and scientists in the field, we all have an obligation to be sure that there are sufficient numbers of young people entering the field so that the long term needs of our technological society are met.
Dendron Rodcoils: Synthesis of Novel Organic Hybrid Structures

Convergent and divergent syntheses of novel organic hybrid structures termed dendron rodcoils (DRC) containing dendritic, rodlike, and coillike segments are described. The aryl ester dendron masked with 32 trifluoromethyl groups is prepared via a convergent approach using 5-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)isophthalic acid as the monomer unit. The activation of the focal point of the dendron allows for successful coupling between the dendron and the diblock rodcoil molecules synthesized separately. In another example, the dendritic block is grown via divergent strategy from the terminus of rodcoil using 3,5-bis(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)benzoic acid as an AB2 monomer. A combination of catalyzed esterification reactions and silyl deprotection chemistry proved to be a very efficient method for construction of these nanosized structures with unusual molecular architecture. Both synthetic strategies allowed for the preparation of DRCs with nearly monodisperse dendritic blocks as demonstrated by NMR, MALDI-TOF, and GP...
Human α-Synuclein over-expression increases intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and susceptibility to dopamine

α-Synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies found in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Two point mutations in α-synuclein (A53T and A30P) are identified in few families with dominantly inherited PD. Yet the mechanism by which this protein is involved in nigral cell death remains poorly understood. Mounting evidence suggests the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PD. Here we investigated the effects of wild-type and two mutant forms of α-synuclein on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels using clonal SH-SY5Y cells engineered to over-express these proteins. All three cell lines, and particularly mutant α-synuclein-expressing cells, had increased ROS levels relative to control LacZ-engineered cells. In addition, cell viability was significantly curtailed following the exposure of all three α-synuclein-engineered cells to dopamine, but more so with mutant α-synuclein. These results suggest that over-expression of α-synuclein, and especially its mutant forms, exaggerates the vulnerability of neurons to dopamine-induced cell death through excess intracellular ROS generation. Thus, these findings provide a link between mutations or over-expression of α-synuclein and apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons by lowering the threshold of these cells to oxidative damage.
An Adaptive and Memory Efficient Algorithm for Genotype Imputation

Genome wide association studies have proven to be a highly successful method for identification of genetic loci for complex phenotypes in both humans and model organisms. These large scale studies rely on the collection of hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the genome. Standard high-throughput genotyping technologies capture only a fraction of the total genetic variation. Recent efforts have shown that it is possible to "impute" with high accuracy the genotypes of SNPs that are not collected in the study provided that they are present in a reference data set which contains both SNPs collected in the study as well as other SNPs. We here introduce a novel HMM based technique to solve the imputation problem that addresses several shortcomings of existing methods. First, our method is adaptive which lets it estimate population genetic parameters from the data and be applied to model organisms that have very different evolutionary histories. Compared to traditional methods, our method is up to ten times more accurate on model organisms such as mouse. Second, our algorithm scales in memory usage in the number of collected markers as opposed to the number of known SNPs. This issue is very relevant due to the size of the reference data sets currently being generated. We compare our method over mouse and human data sets to existing methods and show that each has either comparable or better performance and much lower memory usage. The method is available for download at http://genetics.cs.ucla.edu/eminim .
Multifocal and recurrent (serous) choroidopathy (MARC) syndrome: a new variety of idiopathic central serous choroidopathy.

Presented is a group of 110 patients with patches of granular atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium which I believe represents a new subtype of idiopathic central serous choroidopathy (ICSC). It is designated as multifocal and recurrent (serous) choroidopathy (MARC) syndrome. Such patients are the ‘older’ ICSC patients and they usually have bilateral involvement which may show marked asymmetry. The history is seldom helpful in defining previous episodes of leaking. The fundus changes are thought to represent the sequelae of multiple, recurrent, or chronic choroidopathy in the form of serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium and/or neurosensory retina. Such detachments may not be present at the time of a single examination, and thus the fundus picture may be puzzling without an awareness of this syndrome which exhibits a wide spectrum of severity. Difficulties in detecting the low detachments and fluorescein leaking are emphasized. There is often a marked disparity between the ophthalmoscopic and the fluorescein angiographic pictures, and examination by the latter technique is urged. I do not believe this entity progresses to senile disciform disease, but can result in marked visual loss. If extrafoveal leaking is found in the presence of decreased acuity and a macular detachment, and if there is evidence of previous attacks, photocoagulation can effectively flatten the retina. I believe photocoagulation therapy under these conditions is justifiable.
A new computational system, DOVE (Digital Organisms in a Virtual Ecosystem), to study phenotypic plasticity and its effects in food webs

Food webs are abstract models that represent who eats whom relationships in ecosystems. Classical food web representations do not typically include phenotypic plasticity, in which one species responds to changes in density of other species by modifying traits such as behavior and morphology. Such changes, which are presumably adaptive, will affect the magnitude of both direct and indirect effects on species fitness. Empirical evidence suggests that phenotypic plasticity is likely to have large impacts on the structure and dynamics of ecological communities. Whereas theoretical studies support this, there is much that we do not understand that may require new theoretical approaches. We have constructed a computational system, Digital Organisms in a Virtual Ecosystem (DOVE), to address this problem. Its features include an individual-based approach, in which a type of genetic algorithm is used to evolve animal behavior in a dynamic environment. Here we present an overview of the ecological problems motivating the creation of DOVE and its basic structure and operation. We also discuss the kinds of decisions and tradeoffs that were considered to make DOVE as simple as possible but still rich enough to allow us to address our fundamental questions. We then use DOVE to examine optimal foraging strategies of prey in the presence of fluctuating predator risk, and show that activity levels are highly dependent on competitor density in a manner that would be difficult or impossible to explore with traditional techniques. This, and other pilot studies of DOVE, suggests that it can be used to gain insight into the origin and consequences of phenotypic plasticity and other properties of ecological communities.
The Effect of Immobilization and Sensory Restriction on Children with Phenylketonuria

Extract: The relation between the presence or absence of early immobilization and sensory restriction and current intellectual functioning, language comprehension, and emotional and behavioral patterns was investigated in 30 children with phenylketonuria. The 16 children who had experienced immobilization and sensory restriction, as defined, differed significantly from the other 14 children. In intelligence (WISC) and vocabulary (PPVT) tests, a 20-point difference in Intelligence Quotient was documented between the groups. The incidence of serious behavioual pathology was markedly increased in the children who were subjected to immobilization and sensory restriction during the first three years of life. Speculation: Practices of medical care commonly employed in pediatric hospitals can substantially affect the future intellectural capacity and behavioual pattern of children with phenylketonuria. Similarly, immobilization and sensory restriction might affect other young pediatric patients unfavourably in the presence of other deleterious influences during hospitalization. One out of four children in pediatric hospitals is subjected to a singnificat degree of sensory restriction and/or immobilization.
Measurement of Pulsatile Blood Flow Velocity in Microvessels from Single Photometric Detector

A method for the in vivo detection of pulsatile blood velocity in transilluminated microvessels using data contained in single photometric signals is described. The system design is based on the assumption that pulsatile velocity information is contained in frequency- modulated components of the photometric signal spectrum. Results are in agreement with a previously reported cross-correlation technique utilized to measure the time delay between signals from upstream and downstream photodetectors aligned in the direction of flow.
A hopping robot for planetary exploration

This paper presents the design and some preliminary analysis of a hopping robot for planetary exploration. The goal of this project is to explore a different mobility paradigm which may present advantages over conventional wheel and leg locomotion. The approach is to achieve mobility by hopping and perform science and imaging via rolling. The device is currently equipped with a single video camera representing the science sensor suite. The hopper is equipped with a simple microprocessor and wireless modem so that it can receive sequences of commands and autonomously execute them, making it suitable for exploration of distant planets, comets and asteroids. One important feature of this hopper is that it uses a single motor for hopping in a specified direction as well as pointing the camera via rolling.
Ontogenetic shift in host tolerance controls initiation of a cleaning symbiosis

When the interests of mutualists are not perfectly aligned, control mechanisms that modulate interactions can maintain mutually benefi cial outcomes and stabilize mutualisms over evolutionary time. However, the costs and benefi ts of symbiosis often change with ontogeny and whether control mechanisms are adjusted to refl ect ontogenetic changes is largely unknown. We examined the recently described cleaning symbiosis between crayfi sh Cambarus chaugaensis and ectosymbiotic annelids ( Xironodrilus appalachius ) for evidence of ontogenetic changes in symbiont control. Xironodrilus appalachius provide a benefi cial cleaning service to C. chaugaensis by removing epibiotic accumulations from the gills, but crayfi sh also incur costs via density-dependent facultative parasitism of gill tissue. A series of laboratory experiments using crayfi sh from three size (age) – classes demonstrated that crayfi sh use grooming to limit cleaner density and grooming eff ects on cleaners varied with crayfi sh age. Small crayfi sh quickly removed essentially all of their cleaners. Intermediate crayfi sh removed most of their cleaners, but some cleaners persisted at a location apparently inaccessible to grooming and far from the gill chamber. Large crayfi sh removed a smaller proportion of cleaners and cleaners were allowed access to the gill chamber, thus initiating the cleaning symbiosis. Cleaner removal was not dependent on cleaner density, suggesting that crayfi sh do not regulate cleaners to a specifi c density. Experimental results were corroborated by patterns observed during a fi eld survey. We argue decreased cleaner removal and relaxed control of cleaner attachment sites corresponds to ontogenetic changes in the costs and benefi ts of symbiosis. Th is study integrates two major theoretical perspectives from ecological literature; control mechanisms and ontogenetic shifts, and illustrates how changes in control mechanisms with ontogeny may favor life-long positive outcomes of symbiosis. Ontogenetic shifts in the costs and benefi ts of symbiosis may be common; therefore future theoretical and empirical studies of symbioses should incorporate both perspectives.
Prostate Stem Cell Antigen Expression is Associated With Gleason Score, Seminal Vesicle Invasion and Capsular Invasion in Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACTPurpose: Few successful therapeutic options exist for men who present with metastatic prostate cancer (CaP) or for the 30% with recurrence. The development and characterization of molecular markers are vital to the development of prognostic and therapeutic modalities in CaP. We investigated the expression and potential clinical usefulness of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) in CaP using tissue microarrays.Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis using a PSCA monoclonal antibody was performed on tissue microarrays constructed from paraffin embedded specimens from 246 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. PSCA staining was correlated with established prognostic factors, such as Gleason score, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and seminal vesicle invasion. In addition, recurrence-free survival was analyzed.Results: A high PSCA intensity of 3 was associated with adverse prognostic features, such as Gleason score 7 and above (p = 0.001), seminal vesicle invasion (p = 0.005...
Light-absorbing secondary organic material formed by glyoxal in aqueous aerosol mimics

Abstract. Light-absorbing and high-molecular-weight secondary organic products were observed to result from the reaction of glyoxal in mildly acidic (pH=4) aqueous inorganic salt solutions mimicking aqueous tropospheric aerosol particles. High-molecular-weight (500–600 amu) products were observed when ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) or sodium chloride (NaCl) was present in the aqueous phase. The products formed in (NH4)2SO4 or ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) solutions absorb light at UV and visible wavelengths. Substantial absorption at 300–400 nm develops within two hours, and absorption between 400–600 nm develops within days. Pendant drop tensiometry measurements show that the products are not surface-active. The experimental results along with ab initio predictions of the UV/Vis absorption of potential products suggest a mechanism involving the participation of the ammonium ion. If similar products are formed in atmospheric aerosol particles, they could change the optical properties of the seed aerosol over its lifetime.
Nonmonotonic size dependence in the hole mobility of methoxide-stabilized PbSe quantum dot solids

We present a facile procedure to fabricate p-type PbSe-based quantum dot solids with mobilities as large as 0.3 cm2 V–1 s–1. Upon partial ligand exchange of oleate-capped PbSe quantum dots with the methoxide ion, we observe a pronounced red shift in the excitonic transition in conjunction with a large increase in conductivity. We show that there is little correlation between these two phenomena and that the electronic coupling energy in PbSe quantum dot solids is much smaller than often assumed. However, we observe for the first time a nonmonotonic size dependence of the hole mobility, illustrating that coupling can nonetheless be dominant in determining the transport characteristics. We attribute these effects to a decrease in charging energy and interparticle spacing, leading to enhanced electronic coupling on one hand and enhanced dipole interactions on the other hand, which is held responsible for the majority of the red shift.
Airway inflammation in asthma: current and future targets and therapies

Educational aims To provide an overview of airway inflammation in asthma. To review current management guidelines9 recommendations for the use of anti-inflammatory therapies in asthma. To discuss current treatment options for airway inflammation in asthma. To outline unmet needs for treating airway inflammation in asthma. To describe novel targets for treating airway inflammation in asthma based on current knowledge. Summary Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that requires long-term anti-inflammatory therapy. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are recommended for first-line treatment of persistent disease, but not all patients achieve asthma control even when these agents are used in high doses and in combination with other medications, such as a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) or a leukotriene modifier. Such patients may require additional therapy. As information about asthma pathophysiology and inflammatory phenotypes continues to accumulate, and additional anti-inflammatory options become available, it may be possible to target anti-inflammatory therapy to various aspects of the disease and consequently to improve treatment of patients who respond inadequately to standard ICS-based therapy. Several novel anti-inflammatory therapies are at different stages of clinical development. This article will provide an overview of current and future approaches targeting airway inflammation in asthma.
In silico modelling of physiologic systems

In silico modelling, in which computer models are developed to model a pharmacologic or physiologic process, is a logical extension of controlled in vitro experimentation. It is the natural result of the explosive increase in computing power available to the research scientist at continually decreasing cost. In silico modelling combines the advantages of both in vivo and in vitro experimentation, without subjecting itself to the ethical considerations and lack of control associated with in vivo experiments. Unlike in vitro experiments, which exist in isolation, in silico models allow the researcher to include a virtually unlimited array of parameters, which render the results more applicable to the organism as a whole. In silico modelling is best known for its extensive use in pharmacokinetic experimentation, the best-known example of which is the development of the three-compartment model. In addition, complex in silico models have been applied to pathophysiological problems to provide information which cannot be obtained practically or ethically by traditional clinical research methods. These experiments have led to the development of significant insights in subject matters ranging from pure physiology to congenital heart surgery, obstetric anaesthesia airway management, mechanical ventilation and cardiopulmonary bypass/ventricular support devices. The utility of these models is based on both the validity of the model framework as well as the corresponding assumptions. In vivo experimentation has validated some, but not all of the in silico strategies employed. We present a review illustrating by example how in silico modelling has been applied to a number of cardio-respiratory problems in states of health and disease, the purpose of which is to give the reader a sense of the complexity and assumptions which underlie this diverse and underappreciated research strategy, as well as an introduction to a research strategy that will likely continue to grow in importance.
Integrating the Circadian Oscillator into the Life of the Cyanobacterial Cell

In two decades, the study of circadian rhythms in cyanobacteria has gone from observations of phenomena in intractable species to the development of a model organism for mechanistic study, atomic-resolution structures of components, and reconstitution of a circadian biochemical oscillation in vitro. With sophisticated biochemical, biophysical, genetic, and genomic tools in place, the circadian clock of the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus is poised to be the first for which a systems-level understanding can be achieved.
Non-interacting modes for stress, strain and energy in anisotropic hard tissue

Abstract The six non-interacting modes for stress, strain and energy in an orthotropic elastic model of human femoral cortical bone tissue are discussed and illustrated. The stress and strain modes are illustrated using the representation of the stress and strain fields around a circular hole in a flat plate of cortical bone subjected to a uniaxial field of tension as the example. The six modes play a role in the stress analysis of orthotropic elastic materials similar to the roles played by the hydrostatic and deviatoric non-interacting stress, strain and energy modes in isotropic elasticity. The biomechanical significance of the six non-interacting modes for stress, strain and energy in hard tissue is both practical and suggestive. The modes suggest a practical scheme for the representation of stress and strain fields in hard tissue. The existence of the modes suggests physical insights, for example, possible failure mechanisms or adaptation strategies possessed by the hard tissues.
What Predicts Fear of School Violence Among U.S. Adolescents

Background/ContextEnsuring a safe learning environment for every student at school is a major responsibility of educators, school administrators, and policy makers in our society. Students’ fear as...
Assessment of multi-objective optimization for nondestructive evaluation of damage in structural components:

A multi-objective optimization-based computational approach to nondestructive evaluation of damage in structural components, and more generally in solid continua, is discussed and numerically evaluated. The multi-objective approach provides a substantial improvement in the capabilities to traverse the optimization search space to minimize the measurement error and produce accurate damage estimates. Through simulated test problems based on the characterization of damage in structural steel components, including internal pipe surface geometry as well as material loss within a plate structure utilizing steady-state dynamic measurements of outer surface displacement, a multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization approach is shown to provide substantial computational improvement over single-objective strategies. The multi-objective approach consistently and efficiently produces more accurate characterization results in contrast to equivalent single-objective strategies. More importantly, the multi-objective...
Process and Procedures for Dealing with Misconduct: A Necessity or a Nightmare?:

After a scientific and professional association has developed a code of ethics, it must develop a set of procedures to investigate, adjudicate, and enforce the code's provisions. The author, who is a scientist and an attorney, describes and discusses the fundamental legal principles that must be adhered to so that complaints against members can be adjudicated fairly, objectively, and with little legal risk to the association. The paper defines the concept of due process as it applies to private, non-profit associations and provides an example of how one professional and scientific association actually goes about adjudicating claims of misconduct against its members. It also informs associations about the liability risks that may confront them when they enforce a code of ethics, offers suggestions of how to manage those risks successfully, and concludes by cataloguing some of the financial burdens enforcement entails.
Efficient retroviral gene transfer to epidermal stem cells on recombinant fibronectin

The epidermis is an attractive target for gene therapy because it is easily accessible and shows great potential as an ectopic site for protein delivery in vivo. Genetically modified epidermal keratinocytes are used to prepare three-dimensional skin equivalents, which when transplanted into animals act as in vivo "bioreactors" that produce and deliver the desired therapeutic proteins either systemically or locally. Although retroviral transduction results in permanent genetic modification, differentiation and loss of transduced cells from the epidermis results in temporary transgene expression. To ensure permanent genetic modification epidermal stem cells must be transduced with high efficiency. To this end, we used recombinant fibronectin (FN) to immobilize retroviral particles. Our results show that cells transduced on FN exhibit significantly higher transduction efficiency, which correlates with the levels of expression of integrin subunits /spl beta/1 and /spl alpha/5. These integrins have been previously shown to correlate with stem cell phenotype. Notably, cells that adhere rapidly to FN are transduced more efficiently than slowly adherent cells. Most importantly, the efficiency of gene transfer increases with cell passage. An increase in the fraction of transduced cells over time suggests selective transduction of progenitor cells, as the nontransduced differentiated cells exhaust their proliferative potential and stop propagating. These results may have important implications for gene therapy of the skin.
Spermatogenic Cells Do Not Require Estrogen Receptor-α for Development or Function

Estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) are ligand-dependent transcription factors and members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily encoded by separate genes. Male mice homozygous for a mutation in the gene encoding ERα are infertile. To determine whether germ cells or somatic cells require ERα, germ cells were transplanted from donor males homozygous for the mutation (ERα−/−) to testes of wild-type (ERα+/+) recipient mice depleted of germ cells. The recipients served as “surrogate fathers” for the infertile ERα−/− males. When mated to wild-type females, the recipients sired offspring heterozygous for the mutation (ER+/−) and carrying the coat-color marker of the ERα−/− donor mice. These studies show that male germ cells do not require ERα for development or to function in fertilization, and imply that male ERα−/− mice are infertile due to disruption of estrogen action within somatic cells of the male reproductive system.
The Enduring Puzzle of Southern Homicide: Is Regional Religious Culture the Missing Piece?

The purpose of this study is to examine the issue of regional differences in homicide rates by focusing on the role of religious culture—specifically, the influence of the southern brand of conservative Protestantism in sustaining and legitimating distinctive forms of violence. A rationale for focusing on Southern religious culture is outlined and several hypotheses derived from these arguments are tested using 1980 data on homicide rates, religious concentrations, and socioeconomic and other characteristics of 247 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). After controlling for a number of relevant covariates, this study finds a positive relationship between percent conservative Protestant and homicide rates; the effect is significant in Southern MSAs but not in non-Southern MSAs. The findings' implications for research on regional variations in violence are discussed and promising directions for future research on this issue are outlined.
Pondering language rights: a novella

This article maintains that a campaign to exterminate a language cannot but aim at annihilating a community itself. The present piece of fiction might enable the reader effectively to re-imagine discriminatory oppression in the United States. How does U.S. law regulate linguistic practices and cultures? Does it operate explicitly, through the constitutional or statutory officialization of English? This approach will help to underscore how discrimination operates radically differently as provincialism, as subordination, and as colonialism. One would then fully visualize why the struggle for liberation must, alternatively and depending on the context, extol the virtues of pluralism, combat social subjugation, and pursue decolonization. Latin@ characters could vividly show how their community faces and fights against colonial domination. Most groups identify staunchly with and often define who they are through their tongue. The central argument of this article maintains that an onslaught on a particular language ordinarily emasculates the people who speak it.
Context-dependent transitions in tutoring discourse

Successful machine tutoring, like other forms of human-machine discourse, requires sophisticated communication skills and a deep understanding of the student's knowledge. A system must have the ability to reason about a student's knowledge and to assess the effect of the discourse on him. In this paper we describe Meno-tutor, a LISP program that deliberately plans the rhetorical structure of its output and customizes its responses to the level of understanding of the individual student.
The role of self-regulated strategies and goal orientation in predicting achievement of elementary school children

The present study examined the predictiveness of self-regulated learning strategies and goal orientation of elementary students’ academic achievement. Eighty one ( n = 81) fifth graders were asked to respond to two scales. It was hypothesized that student achievement would be predicted by prior achievement, use of self-regulation strategies, and goal orientation. Results showed that prior achievement and use of self-regulation strategies accounted for a significant amount of variance in students’ academic achievement. Overall, goal orientation was not a significant predictor of students’ outcomes measures across different subject areas. Areas for future research are explored and implications for school personnel are provided.
Contribution of cytosolic and membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidases to cardiac adenosine production.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative contributions of AMP-specific cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase and ecto-5'-nucleotidase to cardiac adenosine production and its regulation by ADP and...
Pre-pregnancy potato consumption and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective cohort study

Study question What is the association between potato consumption before pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)? Methods This prospective cohort study included 15 632 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991-2001). They had no previous GDM or chronic diseases before pregnancy. Consumption of potatoes and other foods was assessed every four years. Incident first time GDM was ascertained from self reports of a physician diagnosis of GDM, which was previously validated by medical records. Study answer and limitations Over the 10 year follow-up there were 854 incident cases of GDM among 21 693 singleton pregnancies. After adjustment for age, parity, and dietary and non-dietary factors, women who consumed more potatoes before pregnancy had higher rates of developing GDM. Substitution of two servings a week of total potatoes with other vegetables, legumes, and whole grain foods was significantly associated with a 9-12% lower risk of GDM. Consumption and diabetes were self reported, and severity of diabetes was unknown. More than 90% of women were white. A causal association cannot be assumed. What this paper adds Higher levels of potato consumption before pregnancy are associated with greater risk of GDM, and substitution of potatoes with other vegetables, legumes, or whole grain foods might lower the risk. Funding, competing interests, data sharing Funding was received from the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Diabetes Association (No 7-12-MN-34). The authors have no competing interests or additional data to share.
Childhood Sex-Role Behaviors: Similarities and Differences in Twins

Parents of 702 twin pairs, ages 4 through 12, completed a sex-role behavioral preference questionnaire for each cotwin. Data were analyzed to determine the effects of gender, zygosity, and age on behavioral similarities and differences between cotwins. Among same-sex cotwins, male MZ pairs were reported to behave the most similarly. Girl-boy pairs were the most dissimilar. Sex and zygosity contributed significantly to cotwin behavioral differences, with female pairs varying more on sex-typed behaviors than male pairs and DZ pairs varying more than MZ pairs. Age of twins was not a major source of differences within twin pairs.
The Complex Sum of Divisors

(1961). The Complex Sum of Divisors. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 68, No. 2, pp. 120-124.
Gelation chemistries for the encapsulation of nanoparticles in composite gel microparticles for lung imaging and drug delivery.

The formation of 10–40 μm composite gel microparticles (CGMPs) comprised of ∼100 nm drug containing nanoparticles (NPs) in a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) gel matrix is described. The CGMP particles enable targeting to the lung by filtration from the venous circulation. UV radical polymerization and Michael addition polymerization reactions are compared as approaches to form the PEG matrix. A fluorescent dye in the solid core of the NP was used to investigate the effect of reaction chemistry on the integrity of encapsulated species. When formed via UV radical polymerization, the fluorescence signal from the NPs indicated degradation of the encapsulated species by radical attack. The degradation decreased fluorescence by 90% over 15 min of UV exposure. When formed via Michael addition polymerization, the fluorescence was maintained. Emulsion processing using controlled shear stress enabled control of droplet size with narrow polydispersity. To allow for emulsion processing, the gelation rate was delayed by a...
Toward Greater Production Diversity: Examining Social Boundaries at a Video Game Studio

Commercial video game studios erect boundaries through the organization of work that tends to discourage the production of a diverse range of games. This article adds to the scholarship on the prod...
Self-inflicted nail-gun injury with cranial penetration and use of intraoperative computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Management of penetrating cranial trauma remains a high acuity and imaging intense neurosurgical disorder. Imaging of vital structures, including angiography, is typically conducted to understand the proximity of vital structures in comparison to a foreign body and prepare for intraoperative complications such as hemorrhage. Preservation of function following initial injury in cases where minimal neurological deficit exists is essential. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we present a case using intraoperative computed tomography to assist in early detection and resolution of hemorrhage in the surgical management of an intact patient with self-inflicted penetrating cranial trauma. CONCLUSIONS: This method may aid in early detection of hemorrhage and prevention of consequential neurological deterioration or emergent need for secondary surgery. Language: en
Compare analysis of the Result of Surveillance on AFP Cases in Luohe between 2011 and 2012.

Objective Compare the acute flaccid paralysis(AFP)cases surveillance data of luohe between 2011 and 2012,explore the methods of improving AFP surveillance quality.Methods Data of Luohe AFP case surveillance between 2011 and 2012 were compared.Results The reported incidengce of AFP cases and the collection rate of adequate stool specimen in 2012 Were significantly higher than that in 2011,the proportion of AFP cases reported by other places in 2012 was significantly lower than that in 2011.Conclusion By strengthening the training of the AFP surveillance,Seting up remote case reporting system,clinical data of cases with inadequate stool specimens were collected responsibly,strengthening supervision and other measures.To improve the AFP diagnosis of primary health care units and report awareness,keep the AFP case surveillance system sensitive,promote the improvement of the quality of AFP monitoring.AFP diagnostic ability and report consciousness of medical institution in Luohe improved,AFP case surveillance system sensitivity strengthened and the quality of AFP case surveillance system improved.
Discussion on trinity model for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control in Lishui District of Jiangsu

[Objective]To know the running status of trinity model for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control in Lishui District of Jiangsu,discuss the thought and mode of pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control,and constantly improve the ability of pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control. [Methods]Using descriptive epidemiological method,the registration incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis,the cavity rate and sputum examination rate were compared and analyzed between 2005-2007 and 2008-2011.[Results]In the trinity model for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control,the epidemic situation of pulmonary tuberculosis has been controlled effectively and sequentially,while the incidence rate and cavity rate showed obvious downward trend( χ2= 234. 22,P 0. 01; χ2= 13. 56,P 0. 01). The management level of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis has been improved effectively. The rate of sputum examination at the end of the second month,the rate of sputum examination at the end of the third month in patients with positive results at the end of the second month,the rate of sputum examination at the end of the 5th month,and the rate of sputum examination at the end of treatment course increased significantly( χ2= 69. 96,P 0. 01; χ2= 12. 36,P 0. 01; χ2= 366. 18,P 0. 01; χ2= 116. 36,P 0. 01).[Conclusion]The trinity model for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control is feasible in Lishui District.
Control of discrete fuzzy systems: uncertainty and guaranteed performance

Robust control designs for a discrete Takagi and Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model are proposed. The T-S fuzzy model contains (possibly fast) time-varying uncertainty. First, a switching-type robust control is shown to stabilize the T-S fuzzy model asymptotically. Second, a saturation-type robust control is shown to render the T-S model practically stable. In both designs, only the bound of uncertainty is needed. The effectiveness of proposed designs is analyzed rigorously and illustrated by simulations.
Controlled-Substance Diversion Detection: Go the Extra Mile:

The capabilities of controlled substance diversion detection systems have evolved significantly along with decentralized automated dispensing machines. However, these systems have certain limitatio...
Physical Studies of Hg(II) and Ag(I) DNA Complexes — Theory

The binding of Hg(II) and Ag(I) to the bases of DNA and polynucleotides induces strong absorption and CD bands. From electric dichroism studies, the transition moment of the difference absorption band at 293 nm is in the plane of the bases and has a huge negative CD band at 285 nm; while the corresponding 293 nm difference absorption band of DNA-Ag(I) complex is relatively CD inactive. A second band at 270 nm in the difference absorption spectrum of the DNA-Ag(I) complex has a large associated CD band at 270 nm. This transition is out of the plane of the bases. The increase of the sedimentation coefficients of the rigid rod sonicated DNA by the heavy metal ions can be accounted for by the increase of molecular weight and the decrease of the partial specific volume due to the high density of the heavy metal ions. Either a charge transfer band between the bases and the heavy metal ions or a perturbation theory of the bases by the heavy metal ions would explain satisfactorily the experimental optical results of DNA-Hg(II) and DNA-Ag(I) complexes.
Summary, Conclusions, and Final Exercises

For the (possibly rare) reader who has gotten this far, it is time to bring this detailed study of the internal structure of consumption expenditures to a close with a summary of results and conclusions and a few final exercises. The point of the investigation has been to propose a different way of looking at households’ consumption expenditures, by examining expenditures in relationship with one another rather than with respect to prices and income. This has been done, first, through a sequence of least-squares regressions in which expenditures comprising an exhaustive set of 14 expenditure categories from the BLS Quarterly Consumer Expenditure Surveys from 1996 through 2005 are regressed upon one another as follows: $$ {y}_i={\alpha}_i+{\displaystyle \sum_{j\ne i}{\beta}_{ij}{y}_j+{u}_i}\kern1em i,j=1,\dots, 14. $$
ELECTRIC VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA AND ITS POWER QUALITY CHALLENGES TO DISTRIBUTION GRID

This paper firstly analyzed the current situation and development trend of electric vehicles, and illustrated the policies made by central and local government in China to promote the application of electric vehicles. And then various factors affecting the development of electric vehicle were analyzed. After that, the power quality impacts of electric vehicle were analyzed in this paper by theoretical and practical aspects. Based on the field measured data of different kinds of charging facilities, the paper analyzed power quality characteristics of charging devices from different manufacturers respectively. Two different charging modes were considered. Power quality characteristics of the different types of charging devices in different working modes are comprehensively displayed, which will provide a theoretical basis and technical support for power quality control in charging station construction.
Structural Differences between Cardiac and Skeletal Ryanodine Receptors

Cardiac and skeletal muscles have different mechanisms of excitation-contraction coupling that depend on a set of tissue-specific protein isoforms. In heart, ryanodine receptor isoform 2 (RyR2), cardiac dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and FKBP12.6 together with other proteins couple the plasmalemmal depolarization to the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), via a calcium-induced calcium release mechanism. In skeletal muscle, RyR1, skeletal DHPR and FKBP12 together with other proteins couple these two events via an entirely different mechanism that requires a more direct RyR-DHPR coupling, and different long-range allosterism pathways.While the 3D structure of RyR1 has been solved at near-atomic resolution, the 3D structure of RyR2 lags significantly in resolution (currently ∼30 A). To start uncovering the different molecular mechanisms of these two main RyR isoforms, we have determined the 3D structure of RyR2 in complex with FKBP12.6 in the closed state at nanometer resolution. This has enabled building a pseudo-atomic model for RyR2. Comparative analysis between the RyR2 and RyR1 isoforms shows significant structural differences localized to specific domains, but not all structural differences can be explained by primary sequence divergence. These differences are interpreted in the context of the two modes of excitation-contraction coupling. The analysis of heterogeneity in the dataset allowed us to further define two conformations representing two functional states of RyR2.This work was supported by American Heart Association grant No. 14GRNT19660003 and Muscular Dystrophy Association grant No. MDA352845 (to MS).
United States Jewish Population, 2016

This chapter examines the size, geographic distribution, and selected characteristics of the Jewish population of the US. Section 15.1 addresses the procedures employed to estimate the Jewish population of more than 900 local Jewish communities and parts thereof. Section 15.2 presents the major changes in local Jewish population estimates since last year’s Year Book. Section 15.3 examines population estimates for the country as a whole, each state, the four US Census Regions, the nine US Census Divisions, the 21 largest US Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), the 20 largest Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs), and the 51 Jewish Federation service areas with 20,000 or more Jews. Section 15.4 examines changes in the size and geographic distribution of the Jewish population at national, state, and regional scales from 1971–2016. Section 15.5 presents a description of local Jewish community studies and lists communities currently involved in such studies or planning such studies. Section 15.6 relates to chapters in the current volume, specifically Part I on Orthodox Jews, by presenting comparisons of Jewish communities on the percentage of households who are Orthodox, and to Chap. 13 on Jewish families, by presenting comparisons of Jewish communities on the percentage of single person households and households with children. Section 15.7 presents an atlas of local American Jewish communities, including a national map of Jews by county and 14 regional and state maps of Jewish communities.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Alprazolam in the Treatment of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

This article reviews the evidence on the efficacy of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and of alprazolam in the treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia. It also presents guidelines to the clinician on how to implement these treatments in practice.