cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atypical properties of release and short-term depression at a specialized nicotinic synapse in the Mauthner cell network

SUMMARY Many synapses exhibit temporally complex forms of activity-dependent short-term synaptic plasticity. The diversity of these phenomena reflects the evolutionary specialization of synapses within networks. We examined the properties of transmission and plasticity, in vivo , at an identified, specialized axo-axonic nicotinic synapse between the goldfish Mauthner cell and one of its targets, the cranial relay neuron (CRN), using intracellular paired recordings and low frequency (0.33–2 Hz) train stimulations. Depression of successive excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), which dominates short-term plasticity, had two components. A fast component reduced the amplitude of EPSP 2 , to less than 50% of EPSP 1 . A slow component produced an additional 10–30% of amplitude reduction and developed with a time constant of tens of seconds. The latencies of the later depressed responses were ∼0.1 ms longer than that of EPSP 1 , suggesting a reduced release probability. The Ca 2+ chelators EGTA and BAPTA, injected presynaptically, reduced all EPSPs and slowed development of the second component of depression. Interestingly, spike broadening, produced by injecting K + channel blockers, reduced release, but accelerated the kinetics of the slow component. Finally, Ba 2+ in the external medium enhanced release, and reduced the first component and slowed the development of the second component of depression. Taken together, these last two results, which are in contrast to observations at other synapses, and the two-component depression suggest atypical release properties at the output synapses of the Mauthner cell, which triggers an escape behavior. We suggest that the second component of depression provides an additional safety factor to prevent repetitive firing of the CRN.
AF-DX 384 binding in rabbit cingulate cortex: two site kinetics and section autoradiography.

Autoradiographic studies of muscarinic receptors are limited by the lack of selective ligands. Inasmuch as AF-DX 384 has a higher affinity for m2 than m4 receptors and pirenzepine (PZ) has a reverse affinity profile, competition between these ligands was used to label m2 receptors in homogenized and sectioned tissue. Rabbit cingulate cortex was used because m2 receptors are expressed by anterior thalamic axons in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and this region is easily deafferented with undercut lesions to demonstrate presynaptic binding. Saturation isotherms and Scatchard analysis of [3H]AF-DX 384 binding showed one binding site with a KD of 9 +/- 2.3 nM (mean +/- SEM) and a Bmax of 1405 +/- 146 fmol/mg protein. Competition studies with [3H]AF-DX 384 (2 nM) and 10(-10)-10(-4) M PZ were performed in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and PCC. In both regions, the best fit was a two site model for low (BL) and high (BH) affinity binding in which Bmax values were similar (ACC: BL = 535 +/- 62 fmol/mg, BH = 676 +/- 85; PCC: BL = 552 +/- 41; BH = 675 +/- 85). Although affinities for KH were similar in each region (ACC: KH = 4.69 +/- 1.36 nM; PCC: KH = 8.53 +/- 3.69 nM), those for KL were significantly different (ACC: 181 +/- 15.4 nM; PCC: 285 +/- 42; P = .018). Binding of [3H]AF-DX 384 with PZ (150 nM) was best fit with a single site model (KD = 6 +/- 0.01 nM; Bmax = 688 +/- 31 fmol/mg), suggesting that PZ blocks the lower affinity site. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Interfacial partial debonding and its influence on the elasticity of a two-phase composite

A dual effective-medium and finite-element study is carried out to examine the influence of interfacial partial debonding on the elastic stiffness of a two-phase composite containing aligned elliptic fibers. In the effective-medium approach double debonding on the top and bottom of the elliptic interface is considered, but in the finite-element approach both double and single debonding are examined. The effective-medium approach makes use of the concept of a fictitious fiber whose load-carrying capacity is taken to be lost in the debonding direction but remains intact in the transverse direction. The finite-element analysis allows one to examine further the influence of debonding angle on the stiffness of the composite and it also provides the needed magnitude for this angle at which the effective-medium approach applies. It is found that the angle has to be sufficiently wide, but not so wide as to lead to a potential complete debonding. Such an angle also increases when the fibers become more ribbon-like, but it decreases with increasing volume concentration. The basic assumption that the fictitious fiber has zero, or very low, load-carrying capacity along the debonding direction is also verified by the finite-element results. For both double and single debonding the Young's modulus of the composite along the debonding direction can be significantly reduced as the debonding angle increases. The local stress distributions inside the fiber and the matrix are also illustrated for both types of debonding.
Combined Imaging of Bacteria and Oxygen in Biofilms

Transparent sensors for microscopic O2 imaging were developed by spin coating an ultrathin (<1- to 2-μm) layer of a luminescent O2 indicator onto coverslips. The sensors showed (i) an ideal Stern-Volmer quenching behavior of the luminescence lifetime towards O2 levels, (ii) homogeneous measuring characteristics over the sensor surface, and (iii) a linear decline of luminescence lifetime with increasing temperature. When a batch of such coverslip sensors has been characterized, their use is thus essentially calibration free at a known temperature. The sensors are easy to use in flow chambers and other growth devices used in microbiology. We present the first application for combined imaging of O2 and bacteria in a biofilm flow chamber mounted on a microscope equipped with a spinning-disk confocal unit and a luminescence lifetime camera system.
“Concreteness fading” promotes transfer of mathematical knowledge

Abstract Recent studies have suggested that educators should avoid concrete instantiations when the goal is to promote transfer. However, concrete instantiations may benefit transfer in the long run, particularly if they are “faded” into more abstract instantiations. Undergraduates were randomly assigned to learn a mathematical concept in one of three conditions: generic , in which the concept was instantiated using abstract symbols, concrete in which it was instantiated using meaningful images, or fading , in which it was instantiated using meaningful images that were “faded” into abstract symbols. After learning, undergraduates completed a transfer test immediately, one week later, and three weeks later. Undergraduates in the fading condition exhibited the best transfer performance. Additionally, undergraduates in the generic condition exhibited somewhat better transfer than those in the concrete condition, but this advantage was not robust. Results suggest that concrete instantiations should be included in the educator's toolbox.
Regulation of Hexuronate Utilization in Bacillus subtilis

We have identified a locus essential for galacturonate utilization in Bacillus subtilis. Genes homologous to Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi glucuronate and galacturonate metabolic genes were found in a cluster consisting of 10 open reading frames (ORFs) in the B. subtilis chromosome. A mutant of B. subtilis containing a replacement of the second and third ORFs was unable to grow with galacturonate as its primary carbon source. Galacturonate induced expression from a ςA-dependent promoter, exuP1, located upstream from the first ORF. The eighth ORF in this cluster (the exu locus) encodes a LacI and GalR homolog that negatively regulated expression from exuP1. A 26-bp inverted repeat sequence centered 15 bp downstream from the exuP1 start point of transcription acted in cis to negatively regulate expression from exuP1 under noninducing conditions. Expression from the exuP1 promoter was repressed by high levels of glucose, which is probably mediated by CcpA (catabolite control protein A). A ςE-dependent promoter, exuP2, was localized between the second and third ORFs and was active during sporulation.
The effects of using a greedy factor in hexapod gait learning

Various selection schemes have been described for use in genetic algorithms. This paper investigates the effects of adding greediness to the standard roulette-wheel selection. The results of this study are tested on a Cyclic Genetic Algorithm (CGA) used for learning gaits for a hexapod servo-robot. The effectiveness of CGA in learning optimal gaits with selection based on roulette-wheel selection with and without greediness is compared. The results were analyzed based on fitness of the individual gaits, convergence time of the evolution process, and the fitness of the entire population evolved. Results demonstrate that selection with too much greediness tends to prematurely converge with a sub-optimal solution, which results in poorer performance compared to the standard roulette-wheel selection. On the other hand, roulette-wheel selection with very low greediness evolves more diverse and fitter populations with individuals that result in the desired optimal gaits.
The bioavailability of nasogastric versus tablet-form oral trovafloxacin in healthy subjects

Background Patients in the hospital, as well as those in home care settings, often require nutritional supplementation with enteral feeding solutions. In addition, patients with serious infections who are clinically unstable often cannot maintain adequate intake by mouth and may require an alternative to oral antibiotic administration. However, delivery of crushed oral formulations of drugs via nasogastric tubes is often carried out without adequate bioavailability data, and this method of administration may not always be equivalent to oral drug delivery. Methods In an open-label, randomized, four-period, four-treatment, cross-over study, 24 healthy volunteers were given one dose of each of the following treatments, with a 7-day wash-out between dosing periods: Treatment A: two 100-mg trovafloxacin tablets given orally with 240 mL water; Treatment B: two crushed 100-mg trovafloxacin tablets suspended in water and administered through a nasogastric tube into the stomach; Treatment C: two crushed 100-mg trovafloxacin tablets suspended in water and administered through a nasogastric tube into the duodenum; or Treatment D: two crushed 100-mg trovafloxacin tablets suspended in water and given through a nasogastric tube into the stomach concomitantly with an enteral feeding solution (240 mL full-strength Osmolite). Results Pharmacokinetic analyses showed that the bioavailability of trovafloxacin after administration of crushed tablets into the stomach with or without concomitant enteral feeding was not significantly different from that of the orally administered whole tablets: the 90% confidence limits of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) for Treatment B versus Treatment A (91.3%, 109.5%) and Treatment D versus Treatment A (91.6%, 109.9%) were well within the bioequivalence criteria of 80% to 125%. Results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant sequence, period, or treatment-by-period interaction effects. Administration of trovafloxacin into the duodenum (Treatment C) resulted in reduced systemic exposure to trovafloxacin, with a 31% decrease in AUC(0-infinity) and a 30% decrease in peak serum concentration (Cmax) compared to oral administration. Time to peak serum concentration (Tmax) was 1.7 hours after oral administration of trovafloxacin and 1.1 hours after administration directly into the stomach or duodenum through a nasogastric tube in the absence of concomitant enteral feeding. All four treatments were well tolerated; no participant discontinued the study due to adverse events and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions These results showed that administration of crushed trovafloxacin tablets through a nasogastric tube into the stomach, with or without concomitant enteral feeding, achieves absorption and tolerability comparable to those of orally administered trovafloxacin tablets.
Theories of Disability: Findings From an Analysis of Textbooks on Human Behavior and the Social Environment

Physical, mental, learning, and developmental disabilities are important contributors to our understanding of human behavior and the social environment of these disabilities. This article is an analysis of disability content in 14 frequently used textbooks on human behavior and the social environment and is built upon three approaches to curriculum content: life cycle theory, psychodynamic theory, and systems theory. Our analysis indicates that disability is well represented in some texts, under-represented in others, andbarely mentioned in others. Overall, the subject of disability rarely receives a comprehensive treatment with respect to its impact on human behavior and its role in the social environment. This analysis concludes with implications for the future development of theories to inform social work practice.
Poly(difluorophosphazene): A New Intermediate for the Synthesis of Poly(organophosphazenes)

Abstract Although many poly(organophosphazenes) have been synthesized, new preparative pathways are needed, especially for polymers that contain alkyl side groups. A new development involves the use of poly(difluorophosphazene), (NPC12) instead of poly-(dichlorophosphazene), (NPC12)n, as a substrate for reactions with organometallic reagents. This approach has allowed the preparation of a new class of poly(organophosphazenes) that possess substituent groups linked to the skeleton through direct phosphorus-carbon bonds. The synthesis of uncrosslinked poly-(difluorophosphazene) and its reactions with alkoxides and amines are also reviewed.
Syntheses of new tetrafluoroaryl derivatives of phosphorus and sulfur

Abstract A number of polydentate phosphorus and sulfur ligands, containing one or two 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorophenyl connecting groups, were readily synthesised from the lithium derivatives of diphenyl( o -bromotetrafluorophenyl)phosphine and 2,3,4,5tetrafluorothioanisole. The latter molecules were prepared from the monolithium derivatives of 1,2-dibromotetrafluorobenzene and 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene, respectively.
A MULTIPLE-FUNCTION SWIMWAY'

Studies of the effects of various treatment conditions upon different species constitute important steps toward rhe long-range goal of discovering the boundary conditions of the laws of behavior throughout the animal kingdom. This area has recently received increased attention. Bitterman (1965) has studied rats, fish, pigeons, turtles, earthworms, and cockroaches under conditions of habit reversal and probability learning. Fish have also been used in sntdies of partial reinforcement (Longo & Bitterman, 1960). Whereas the phenomenon of PRE is well established in many mammals (monkey, rat, dog, and humans, erc.), Es have had difficulty obtaining the phenomenon with fish. Similarly, fish have shown unexpected relationships between territorality and food-getting dominance (Willis, 1969). Thus, the fish might be a boundary condition for some of the laws of behavior since they fail to show the same functional relationships as mammals. The extensive srudy of the various treatment conditions on a fish's response can resalt in: (1) progress toward isolation of the phylogenetic point where it becomes necessary to invoke new concepts or assumptions if the phenomena are not found in the fish, or (2) in the extension of the generality of the behavioral laws, if phenomena such as frustrarion effect, partial reinforcement effect, habit reversal, etc. can be demonstrated with these species. If the latter occurs, the special characteristics of fish might be utilized in attacks upon some problems within these phenomena. The difficulties reported in attempts to obtain these phenomena with different species of fish may be traced to procedural problems; that is, the particular apparatus being employed, the method of handling the fish, the reinforcing
Internal Controls For Public Sector Entities

In a manner consistent with Heinze et al (2010), this paper focuses on revenue-related internal controls in the public sector. This paper can be used to benchmark whether public sector entities have proper internal controls in place. Finally, this paper can be used in the classroom to demonstrate how public sector entity internal controls need to be designed.
An integrated program representation and toolkit for the maintenance of C programs

An integrated environment for the maintenance of software systems written in C is presented. This environment supports all of the C language, including the C preprocessor. The underlying program representation for the environment supports multiple views of the subject system, including source code, syntactic, static semantic, control flow and data flow views. A transformation toolkit supports structured changes to the representation and automatically updates all dependent views. Modifications in one view are reflected in related views. >
Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Risk Perception Among Individuals With Diabetes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine gender-based differences in cardiovascular risk factors and risk perception among individuals with diabetes.MethodsThe sample consisted of patients with an established history of diabetes who were enrolled in a telemedicine trial to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. All subjects had a 10% or greater risk on the Framingham risk index. Assessments included blood pressure, A1C, lipid profile, medication history, and knowledge and risk perception surveys.ResultsData were available for 211 individuals with type 2 diabetes (88 men and 123 women). The women and men did not differ in age, body mass index, or Framingham risk. Only 37.4% of women and 40.9% of men were at an A1C target of <7%. Total cholesterol levels were significantly higher among women, and fewer women were at low-density lipoprotein or blood pressure targets. Knowledge of CVD was similar between the 2 sexes. However, women perceived their risk for CVD to be significantly higher than did men...
A topological study of the motion of particles trapped in a magnetic field

Motion of particles trapped in magnetic field, discussing conditions leading to spiral family of trajectory curves
Fusion of pinocytotic vesicles in liquid filled lungs: a mechanism of cellular damage.

Lungs of anesthetized rabbits were filled unilaterally with macromolecule-containing solutions (Dextran 40 and albumin) for 20 min. which generally resulted in fluid resorption from the flooded lung. Electron microscopic examination revealed the following: (1) formation of chains of vesicles, similar or identical to pinocytotic vesicles, which start from depressions or fluid-immersed cellular surfaces in macrophages, or endothelial and squamous epithelial cells; and (2) formation of intracellular blisters as a result of the apparent fusion of numerous pinocytotic vesicles. Both observations seem to be augmented forms of normal phenomena. The hypothesis is advanced that the chains of vesicles are related to the increased amount of undulation of the cell surface and to cellular invaginations that follow relaxation of tensions at the surface of cells immersed in fluid. The blisters could be the result of the increase of bidirectional flow of vesicles across the squamous cells. This brings an increased risk o...
Outcomes of Pregnancy in Patients with Preexisting Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Background: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) occurs more commonly in women than in men and often affects women of childbearing age. Many of these women wish to have children, yet there are little reported data on the outcomes of pregnancy in patients with POTS. To date there has been one report of two patients with POTS who successfully completed pregnancy. We report the outcomes of 22 women with preexisting POTS who became pregnant. Objective: To assess the outcome of pregnancy in patients with preexisting POTS. Methods and Results:Twenty-two patients, age 30 ±7 years, with POTS became pregnant. Migraine was the common comorbidity found in 40% of patients. Medications used were β-blockers (18%), midiodrine (31%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (31%), fludrocortisone (13%), combination (40%), and none (18%). During pregnancy, symptoms of POTS remained unchanged in three (13%), improved in 12 (55%), and worsened in seven (31%) patients. One patient who had recurrent episodes of syncope without aura was found to have complete heart block and received a cardiac pacemaker. All patients completed pregnancy successfully. There were no stillbirths. One patient developed hyperemesis. Eighteen patients had vaginal delivery and four patients delivered by cesarian section. No other complications of pregnancy were encountered. Congenital abnormalities were encountered in the form of one atrial septal defect, one ventricular septal defect, and one Down’s syndrome. Postpartum symptoms of POTS remained stable in 15 (69%) patients and worsened in seven (31%) patients. Conclusion: Based on our observation, patients with POTS can safely complete pregnancy if they desire to do so. POTS should not be considered a contraindication to pregnancy per se. (PACE 2009; 32:1000‐1003)
Design of a residue arithmetic multiplier

The design of a pipelined residuearithmetic multiplier is presented. The design uses multiple radices coded in binary. The multiplier accepts two 8-bit unsigned binary numbers and returns a 16-bit binary product. The five radices 7, 8, 11, 13 and 15, are chosen in a manner to give redundancy to numbers represented in residue arithmetic. This redundancy gives the multiplier an error-detection capability. The layout for the multiplier is implemented in 2.5 μm CMOS and simulation results indicate that the multiplier is capable of operating at 20 MHz.
Urban Population in Anatolia in the Sixteenth Century: A Study of Kayseri, Karaman, Amasya, Trabzon, and Erzurum

The rapid rise in the population of the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth century is well known. Omer Lutfi Barkan long ago published a table showing that twelve important Ottoman cities grew from a combined population of 142,562 in 1520/1530 to a population of 271,494 in 1571/1580; likewise he has shown that the population of five major provinces in Anatolia grew 59.9 per cent in the same period, from 872,610 to 1,360,474. Fernand Braudel supports the thesis that there was a general 100 per cent population growth throughout the Mediterranean basin in the sixteenth century, and Barkan claims that growth at the Ottoman end of the Mediterranean was even more dynamic. However, there is still need for specialized studies of Ottoman population and its flux in the sixteenth century.
Local‐Regional Breast Cancer Recurrence: Prognostic Groups Based on Patterns of Failure

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of breast cancer patients sustaining local-regional failure as their first site of relapse in an effort to group patients into prognostic categories. Between January 1970 and December 1992, over 4,000 patients with breast cancer were treated at our facilities with mastectomy or conservative surgery with radiation therapy (CS + RT). Two hundred thirteen patients sustained local-regional relapse without evidence of distant metastasis as their first site of failure, and they served as the population base for this study. The 213 patients with local-regional recurrence of disease were distributed as follows: 68 patients relapsed in the ipsilateral breast following CS + RT within 5 years of original diagnosis (EARLYBR). Fifty-one patients relapsed in the ipsilateral breast after 5 years from original diagnosis (LATEBR). Thirty-five patients relapsed in the chest wall within 5 years following mastectomy (EARLCW). Eighteen patients relapsed in the chest wall later than 5 years following mastectomy, and 41 patients failed in the regional lymphatics following mastectomy or CS + RT (REGREC). Patients with breast relapses were generally treated with salvage mastectomy, and patients with chest wall or regional nodal relapses were treated with radiation to the chest wall, regional nodes, or both. Systemic therapy at the time of local-regional relapse was highly individualized, ranging from observation to tamoxifen to high-dose chemotherapy with transplantation. With a median follow-up of 14 years, the overall 10-year survival for all 213 patients was 61%, and the 10-year distant metastasis-free rate was 59%. Patients with a LATEBR had a relatively favorable prognosis with a 5-year postrelapse distant metastasis rate of 80%. Patients with EARLYBR and LATECW had a similar prognosis, with a 5-year postrelapse distant metastasis rate of 61% and 65%, respectively. Patients with an EARLCW had a 5-year distant recurrence-free rate following a local relapse of 42%. Ten-year survivals from original diagnosis were 62% and 50%, respectively, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 56% and 52%, respectively. Patients suffering REGREC following mastectomy or CS + RT carried a poor prognosis with a 10-year survival of 33% and a 10-year distant metastasis-free rate of 30%. Patients sustaining local-regional relapse as a first site of failure may be divided into prognostic groups. Patients with LATEBR have a relatively favorable prognosis. Patients with EARLYBR and CWREC have a poorer prognosis with a distant metastatic rate of approximately 50% within 5 years of local-regional relapse. Patients with REGREC have the poorest prognosis. Placing patients with breast cancer and local-regional relapse into these prognostic categories may be helpful in decision making regarding the role of systemic therapy at the time of local-regional relapse.
After turing: mathematical modelling in the biomedical and social sciences

Turing's 1952 paper on reaction diffusion models for spatial pattern formation was important in the early development of the application of mathematical modelling in biology and medicine. We describe here three very different problems which have been studied in depth and which have proved informative and useful in understanding specific phenomena. We describe an early study of a reaction diffusion model which helped explain the diverse coat patterns observed on animal coats. We then describe a basic, but surprisingly informative and accurate model, currently used medically, for quantifying the growth of gliomablastoma brain tumours. It enhances imaging techniques beyond any brain scanning procedure currently available and is used to estimate patient life expectancy and explain some current patient brain tumour anomalies. Finally we describe a modelling example from the social sciences, which quantifies marital interaction which was used to predict divorce with surprising accuracy and has helped design a new scientific marital therapy which is currently used.
Optical Computers For Reconstructing Objects From Their X-Ray Projections

The current generation of transaxial tomography scanners uses digital processing to compute the distribution of the x-ray attenuation coefficient in a section of a body from projection data of that section. However, the operations required to reconstruct this distribution from the projection data also appertain to the domain of optical processing. Among the reconstruction algorithms that can be implemented optically are filtered and unfiltered back projection, one-dimensional convolution, circular harmonic transform, and Fourier synthesis. These approaches to transaxial tomography are functionally quite distinct, although mathematically equivalent. This paper presents a review of the research efforts in this area with special emphasis on the practical realization of these diverse formulations.
Enhanced infrared absorptance of polyethylene terephthalate via inorganic particulate additives

Amorphous carbon and infrared absorbing glass particulate additives to polyethlene terephthalate increased its infrared absorptance. Significantly lower volume concentrations of carbon were required for a given absorptance increase; however, test bars with glass additive concentrations displaying ˜90% absorptances were largely aesthetically unaltered. Carbon additions to produce the same infrared absorptance resulted in nearly opaque test bars. Heat transfer calculations showed preform heatup time could be reduced from 1 s to 0.6 s with glass particle additions
Low power and robust 7T dual-V t SRAM circuit

A new seven transistors (7T) dual threshold voltage SRAM cell is proposed in this paper for simultaneously reducing the active and standby mode power consumption while enhancing the data stability and the read speed. With the new 7T SRAM cell, the storage nodes are isolated from the bitlines during a read operation, thereby enhancing the data stability as compared to the standard six transistors (6T) SRAM circuits. The transistors of the cross-coupled inverters are not on the critical read delay path with the new technique. Minimum sized dual-threshold-voltage transistors are therefore conveniently used in the cross-coupled inverters for significantly reducing the leakage power consumption without causing a degradation in the read speed. With the proposed 7T SRAM circuit, the static noise margin and the read speed are enhanced by up to 87% and 17%, respectively, as compared to the conventional 6T SRAM circuits. Furthermore, the leakage and the write power consumptions of the proposed dual-V, SRAM circuit are reduced by up to 66% and 35%, respectively, as compared to the conventional 6T SRAM circuits in a 65 nm CMOS technology.
A novel effect of rivastigmine on pre‐synaptic proteins and neuronal viability in a neurodegeneration model of fetal rat primary cortical cultures and its implication in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by deposition of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) plaque, disrupted Aβ-precursor protein (APP) metabolism, hyperphosphorylation of Tau leading to neurofibrillary tangles and associated neurotoxicity. Moreover, there is synaptic loss in AD, which occurs early and precedes frank amyloidosis. The central cholinergic system is especially vulnerable to the toxic events associated with AD, and reduced acetylcholine (ACh) levels in specific brain regions is thought to be the central to memory deficits in AD. First-generation cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) have provided only symptomatic relief to patients with AD by prolonging the action of remaining ACh with little or no change in the course of the disease. Some second-generation cholinesterase inhibitors are multi-functional drugs that may provide more than purely palliative results. To evaluate the effects of the dual AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitor rivastigmine on key aspects of AD, embryonic day 16 rat primary cortical cultures were treated with rivastigmine under time and media conditions observed to induce neurodegeneration. Samples were subjected to Western blotting and immunocytochemistry techniques to determine what influence this drug may have on synaptic proteins and neuronal morphology. There was a strong increase in relative cell viability as a result of rivastigmine treatment. Significant dose-dependent increases were observed in the levels of synaptic markers SNAP-25 and synaptophysin, as well as the neuron specific form of enolase. Together with an observed enhancement of neuronal morphology, our results suggest a rivastigmine-mediated novel neuroprotective and/or neurorestorative effects involving the synapse. Our observations may explain the potential for rivastigmine to alter the course of AD, and warrant further investigations into using BuChE inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for AD, especially with regard to restoration of synaptic function.
Adaptive failure compensation for aircraft tracking control using engine differential based model

An aircraft model that incorporates independently adjustable engine throttles and ailerons is employed to develop an adaptive control scheme in the presence of actuator failures. This model captures the key features of aircraft flight dynamics when in the engine differential mode. Based on this model an adaptive feedback control scheme for asymptotic state tracking is developed and applied to a transport aircraft model in the presence of two types of failures during operation, rudder failure and aileron failure. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the adaptive failure compensation scheme.
Implicaciones intelectuales y metodológicas en la selección de los autores y la terminología traductora castellana del siglo XV

Translations were a crucial channel for the reception of Italian Humanism in the Iberian Peninsula. This intellectual activity not only led to the recuperation of a significant part of the classical Greco-Roman legacy, but also fomented engagement with the works and ideas of contemporary Italian authors. On the one hand, this article underscores the critical role of translation in cultural transfers between both peninsulas and shows the change in authors selected to translate over the course of fifteenth century. On the other hand, it analyzes the implications of these author selections, arguing that they reveal at once an ideological transformation, a change in the conception of the very act of translation, and the adoption of new terminology.
Mechanochromic Luminescence and Aggregation Induced Emission of Dinaphthoylmethane β-Diketones and Their Boronated Counterparts

Mechanochromic luminescence has been observed in many boron coordinated β-diketonate (BF2bdk) complexes. Recently, it was shown that the metal-free methoxy-substituted dinaphthoylmethane β-diketone (dnmOMe) also displayed aggregation induced emission (AIE), solvatochromism, and high contrast mechanochromic luminescence (ML) that recovered rapidly at room temperature. In order to understand how substituents and boron coordination affect solution and solid-state optical properties, a series of methoxy- and bromo-substituted derivatives (dnm, dnmOMe, dnmBr, and dnmBrOMe) and their corresponding boron complexes (BF2dnm, BF2dnmOMe, BF2dnmBr, and BF2dnmBrOMe) were synthesized and their AIE, ML, and room temperature recovery properties were compared. All boron complexes exhibited red-shifted absorption and emission, in addition to larger solution and solid-state quantum yields than β-diketones. While AIE studies show increased emission for dnmOMe and dnmBrOMe, the emission of corresponding boron complexes dimini...
Multimedia Environments for Enhancing Science Instruction

The Scientists-in-Action series is a multimedia environment for anchoring science instruction in meaningful contexts. Video anchors are designed according to research-based design principles and used in classroom contexts with adolescents. In two experiments, students who worked with an episode about a chemical spill showed gains in content knowledge and more positive attitudes toward science and scientists than did students who did not see the episode.
Re-evaluation of the physiological ecology of coccolithophores

Recent data on coccolithophore abundance and calcification from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans is interpreted within the traditional physiological ecology paradigm known as the “Margalef Mandala” (Margalef 1978). As predicted by Margalef, coccolithophores should be most abundant in conditions of moderate turbulence and nutrient concentrations. However, blooms of coccolithophores (and other algal groups, too) show day length preferences, suggesting that the Margalef Mandala might be expanded to include day length as a third dimension. Variability in calcification per cell makes it difficult to extrapolate coccolithophore abundance (in the Margalef Mandala) to carbon fixation and vertical carbon fluxes. Because of this, there is a discrepancy between biologists and geologists concerning when coccolithophores should be most abundant. Biologists contend that coccolithophores are found in stratified, mesotrophic, environments while geologists contend that they are most abundant in highly productive environments. A conceptual model is presented which attempts to bridge the two schools based on a) variable calcification per cell, and b) grazing differences between mesotrophic and eutrophic environments that will alter the vertical flux of the coccolithophores to the sediments.
Dynamics of water confined in lyotropic liquid crystals: Molecular dynamics simulations of the dynamic structure factor

The properties of water under confinement are of practical and fundamental interest. In this work, we study the properties of water in the self-assembled lyotropic phases of Gemini surfactants with a focus on testing the standard analysis of quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) experiments. In QENS experiments, the dynamic structure factor is measured and fit to models to extract the translational diffusion constant, DT, and rotational relaxation time,τR. We test this procedure by using simulation results for the dynamic structure factor, extracting the dynamic parameters from the fit as is typically done in experiments, and comparing the values to those directly measured in the simulations. We find that the de-coupling approximation, where the intermediate scattering function is assumed to be a product of translational and rotational contributions, is quite accurate. The jump-diffusion and isotropic rotation models, however, are not accurate when the degree of confinement is high. In particular, the exponential approximations for the intermediate scattering function fail for highly confined water and the values of DT and τR can differ from the measured value by as much as a factor of two. Other models have more fit parameters, however, and with the range of energies and wave-vectors accessible to QENS, the typical analysis appears to be the best choice. In the most confined lamellar phase, the dynamics are sufficiently slow that QENS does not access a large enough time scale.
Religions in Times of Peace: Conceptualizing the Practice of Interreligious Dialogue in the Post‐ Conflict Environment

The article makes the case of collaborating the notion of interreligious dialogueand the concept of the zone of peace in an attempt to provide a more practical yeteffective channel of reconciliation in the context of post‐interreligious violence. There arethree critics implied throughout the article. First, that the current state of most ofinterreligious dialogue in post‐conflict settings is lack of two things, namely, the inclusivestructure that would allow non‐scholars and non‐clergies to engage in the theologicaldialogue, and a coherent structure for the currently diasporic efforts in interreligiousdialogue. Second, that the concept of zone of peace is severely limited, particularly due toits dependence on material modalities in forging the path of reconciliation toward peace.And third, that the elusive and elitist nature of interreligious dialogue in post‐conflictsettings, and the limited material modalities of the zone of peace can be expanded bycollaborating the two notions into an applicable zone of interreligious peace. Lastly, thepaper will take the case of the village of Latta in Maluku to present a practical context forthe zone of interreligious peace. Keywords: interreligious dialogue, zone of peace, post-interreligious violence
The shortest curve that meets all the lines that meet a convex body

(1986). The Shortest Curve That Meets All the Lines That Meet a Convex Body. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 93, No. 10, pp. 796-801.
Blood Pressure in Apparently Healthy Aged 65 to 106 Years

Summary1) A study has been made of the blood pressure in 2,998 males and 2,759 females, 65 to 106 years of age, who were apparently healthy and without known heart disease. 2. The mean blood pressure was 145 82 for men and 156 84 for women. 3. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures do not show a continuous rise with age after 65. In men the peak systolic is 145-146 mm Hg, in women, 159 mm Hg. After the age of 74, the systolic pressure declines slowly in women, but remains essentially constant in men. 4. The mean diastolic pressure shows little variation from ages 65 to 80, and tends to decline thereafter. 5. Frequency distribution curves of systolic and diastolic pressures, at all ages, have the basic pattern of a bell-shaped curve. In both sexes, the curves have a positive skewness larger and more consistent in the systolic than in the diastolic pressures. 6. A single set of blood pressure standards has been computed for each sex, applicable to the entire apparently healthy population from age 6...
Intratumoral checkpoint subversion as a strategy for minimizing adverse effects: Harvesting the power of TILs without harvesting TILs.

Citation: Alabanza L, Gnjatic S, Bhardwaj N, Brody J. Intratumoral checkpoint subversion as a strategy for minimizing adverse effects: Harvesting the power of TILs without harvesting TILs. OncoImmunology 2014; 3:e27580; 10.4161/onci.27580
Vibrational Excitation of C O 2 by Electron Impact

Vibrational excitation of C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ is studied using a double electrostatic analyzer. The asymmetric stretch vibration (001) exhibits a peak cross section about 3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 0.9 eV, and the 002 mode excitation is an order of magnitude lower. Six energy loss peaks associated with the symmetric stretch mode (100, 200, etc.) are observed in the energy range 3-4.5 eV, with a peak at 3.8 eV. The data are consistent with the existence of two short-lived compound states. The first, around 0.9 eV, exhibits $p$-wave character, and the second, around 3.8 eV, exhibits $s$-wave behavior.
The Study of Silica Deposition in the Leaf Blade of Zea mays L. by X-Ray Contact Microradiography and Confocal Microscopy

X-ray contact microradiography and confocal light microscopy were used to study silica deposition in the leaf blade of maize. The silica deposition first occurs in the dumb-bell-shaped epidermal cells, then the trichomes and long epidermal cells. Dumb-bell-shaped cells are closely associated with the vascular bundle.
Analysis of Inpatient Thrombophilia Testing for Adults with an Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack and its Impact on Clinical Management (P1.123)

Objective: To identify whether inpatient thrombophilia testing affects clinical management of adult patients admitted with an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Background: As there are no well-defined guidelines, thrombophilia testing is often performed as part of the inpatient diagnostic evaluation of adult patients with an ischemic stroke or TIA. During the inpatient setting, results may be inaccurate due to interference with concurrent anticoagulation or acute phase reactants. Furthermore, hospitals are not reimbursed for inpatient thrombophilia testing. We evaluated whether inpatient thrombophilia testing affects clinical management of patients admitted with an ischemic stroke or TIA. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 145 consecutive inpatients from January 2011 to September 2014 at an academic hospital in whom thrombophilia testing was performed for the evaluation of an ischemic stroke or TIA. Tests included antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), activated protein C resistance, Factor V Leiden (FVL), Prothrombin G20210A gene mutation, Protein C activity, Protein S (PS) activity, Antithrombin activity, and Factor VIII (FVIII) activity. Results: A mean 7.05 tests were ordered per patient. The median age was 51 years (range 19 - 81). Fifty patients had at least one positive test. The most common positive tests were elevated FVIII activity (17/95 patients) and reduced PS activity (14/96 patients). A positive test altered clinical management in 2 of the 50 patients. One patient was a 69-year-old man with markedly elevated aPL who was placed on warfarin for secondary stroke prevention. The second patient was a 46-year-old man with a patent foramen ovale who was anticoagulated after found to be heterozygous for FVL. Conclusions: Inpatient thrombophilia testing did not affect management in the vast majority of patients with an ischemic stroke or TIA despite a positive test result. Therefore, by avoiding inpatient testing, healthcare costs may be reduced without affecting patient care. Disclosure: Dr. Gavva has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alberts has received personal compensation for activities with AGA medical, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Pfizer, Bistol-Myers-Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, diaDexus, Genentech, KOS, Medicine Company, PDL biopharma, Pfizer, Photothera, Sanofi. Dr. Johnson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sarode has received personal compensation for activities with CSL Behring, Octapharma, and Portola as a consultant.
Economic conditions and voting in Japanese house elections

Based on a Downsian perspective of voting behavior, this study assesses the extent to which short-term regional economic conditions influenced the electoral district vote for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the 1983 and 1986 elections to the House of Representatives. Unlike traditional scholarly interpretations, which stress the unique and nonindividualistic determinants of Japanese voting, our regression estimates indicate that economic voting in Japan resembles that identified in studies of other political systems, where unemployment has been shown to be an important predictor of the vote, which income is not. The findings fit with more recent evidence that Japanese political behavior is genuinely susceptible to comparative analysis, and point to the need for a revised understanding of Japanese electoral behavior.
Hemodynamics and oxygen extraction in chronic large artery steno-occlusive disease: Clinical applications for predicting stroke risk:

Depending on the adequacy of collateral sources of blood flow, arterial stenosis or occlusion may lead to reduced perfusion pressure and ultimately reduced blood flow in the distal territory supplied by that vessel. There are two well-defined compensatory mechanisms to reduced pressure or flow - autoregulatory vasodilation and increased oxygen extraction fraction. Other changes, such as metabolic downregulation, are likely. The positive identification of autoregulatory vasodilation and increased oxygen extraction fraction in humans is an established risk factor for future ischemic stroke in some disease states such as atherosclerotic carotid stenosis and occlusion. The mechanisms by which ischemic stroke may occur are not clear, and may include an increased vulnerability to embolic events. The use of hemodynamic assessment to identify patients with occlusive vasculopathy at an increased risk for stroke is very appealing for several different patient populations, such as those with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease, moyamoya phenomenon, complete internal carotid artery occlusion, and asymptomatic cervical carotid artery stenosis. While there is very good data for stroke risk prediction in some of these groups, no intervention based on these tools has been proven effective yet. In this manuscript, we will review these topics above and identify areas for future research.
Traditional matriculation vs an early assurance program: Effect on elected student leadership positions and academic performance.

Abstract Introduction The objective of this study was to compare leadership and academic performance among students admitted by traditional pathways vs. a dual acceptance program (DAP). Methods A list of students admitted to the Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy (MWUCCP) DAP was cross-checked with students elected to serve in leadership positions and students on the MWUCCP Dean's List for their first professional year from 2010 to 2015. The proportion of students serving in leadership positions and those on the Dean's List were compared to students that matriculated via the traditional route. Results In total, 1069 students were analyzed (n = 937 traditional; n = 132 DAP). DAP students were more likely to have an elected leadership role (n = 61, 46.2% vs. n = 314, 33.5%, p Discussion and conclusions DAP students were more likely to hold an elected leadership position than traditional students. Further study of DAP student motivation is needed to potentially assist in the success of other students.