cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financial default payment predictions using a hybrid of simulated annealing heuristics and extreme gradient boosting machines

Online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms face multiple challenges in today's e-commerce, but one of the most outstanding concerns evaluating loan risk based on borrowers' financial status and histories. Traditionally, financial experts assess borrowers' risk of default payments manually, but this process is tedious and time consuming, which are not widely applicable concerns for online P2P platforms. This paper proposes a hybrid of the simulated annealing and the extreme gradient boosting machine models in order to predict the likelihood of default payments based on users' finance histories. Based on the experimental results, the proposed model demonstrates its predictability with high recall scores. The proposed model not only out-performs over conventional algorithms including logistic regressions, support vector machines, random forests, and artificial neural networks, but it also provides an efficient method for optimising hyper-parameters in the machine learning algorithms. Through the utilisation of the proposed data-driven models, the necessity of tedious and potentially inaccurate human labour can be significantly reduced, and service level agreements (SLAs) can be further improved by time reduction made possible through the introduction of advanced data mining approaches.
Can Kinesio Taping® influence the electromyographic signal intensity of trunk extensor muscles in patients with chronic low back pain? A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Background The evidence of the influence of Kinesio Taping® in changing electromyographic signal intensity of the lumbar musculature in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) is very sparse. Objectives To evaluate if Kinesio Taping® changes the electromyographic signal intensity of the longissimus and iliocostalis muscles in patients with chronic non-specific LBP. Methods Prospectively registered, three-arm randomized controlled trial with a blinded assessor. Patients were randomly allocated to the following interventions: 1) Kinesio Taping® Group (n = 21), where patients received the tape according to the manufacturer's manual; 2) Placebo Group (i.e. normal surgical tape) (n = 21); and 3) Non-treatment control Group (n = 21). Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after, and 30 min after the intervention. The primary outcome was muscle activity of the iliocostalis and longissimus muscles as measured by surface electromyography. The secondary outcome was pain intensity (measured with a 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale). The effects of treatment were calculated using linear mixed models. Results A total of 63 patients were recruited. Follow up rate was high (98.4%). Patients were mostly women with moderate levels of pain and disability. Kinesio Taping® was better than the control and placebo groups in only 4 of 96 statistical comparisons, likely reflective of type I error due to multiple comparisons. No statistically significant differences were identified for the immediate reduction in pain intensity between groups. Conclusion Kinesio Taping® did not change the electromyographic signal intensity of the longissimus and iliocostalis muscles or reduce pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02759757 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02759757)
Triggering Play: Electronic Literature in the English Classroom.

With the anticipated increase in narrative video games entering the English classroom, the particular features of the genre need added attention. One of these features is the stronger perceived rel...
Labelling primary immune cells using bright blue fluorescent nanoparticles

Tracking cell movements is an important aspect of many biological studies. Reagents for cell tracking must not alter the biological state of the cell and must be bright enough to be visualized above background autofluorescence, a particular concern when imaging in tissue. Currently there are few reagents compatible with standard UV excitation filter sets (e.g. DAPI) that fulfill those requirements, despite the development of many dyes optimized for violet excitation (405 nm). A family of boron-based fluorescent dyes, difluoroboron β-diketonates, has previously served as bio-imaging reagents with UV excitation, offering high quantum yields and wide excitation peaks. In this study, we investigated the use of one such dye as a potential cell tracking reagent. A library of difluoroboron dibenzoylmethane (BF2dbm) conjugates were synthesized with biocompatible polymers including: poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), and block copolymers with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Dye–polymer conjugates were fabricated into nanoparticles, which were stable for a week at 37 °C in water and cell culture media, but quickly aggregated in saline. Nanoparticles were used to label primary splenocytes; phagocytic cell types were more effectively labelled. Labelling with nanoparticles did not affect cellular viability, nor basic immune responses. Labelled cells were more easily distinguished when imaged on a live tissue background than those labelled with a commercially available UV-excitable cytoplasmic labelling reagent. The high efficiency in terms of both fluorescence and cellular labelling may allow these nanoparticles to act as a short-term cell labelling strategy while wide excitation peaks offer utility across imaging and analysis platforms.
Maritime piracy in the Strait of Hormuz and implications of energy export security

Abstract Persian Gulf Countries (PGC) are collectively the world's largest exporter of fuels. The vast majority of these fuels are shipped via maritime routes and require transit through the Strait of Hormuz. As such, the Strait of Hormuz is considered the most important chokepoint for the global energy economy. This study examines the effect of maritime piracy through this chokepoint on exports of specific fuels from each PGC. We classify piracy as a soft restriction in the Strait; the effect of a such a restriction depends on the risk sensitivities of the trading countries and the type of fuel being traded. We use a two-stage least squares regression to first estimate the impact of piracy attacks on tanker traffic through the Strait, and then estimate the risk that the restriction would pose to energy exports. The first stage of the analysis reveals that tanker transit declines two years after piracy attacks. The second stage of the analysis, however, indicates that only refined petroleum exports from Bahrain and Kuwait are significantly impacted. We discuss drivers of this heterogeneity, including underlying market structures that allow crude oil to remain relatively resilient to soft restrictions. We then discuss policy implications of this risk to global energy security.
Selective pulses and their applications to assignment and structure determination in nuclear magnetic resonance.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses strategies for designing selective excitation (or inversion) pulses, and the applications of such pulses to multidimensional experiments for assignment of resonances, derivation of coupling constants, and determination of relaxation rates. The development of sophisticated pulses for selective excitation and inversion has triggered an explosion in the development of techniques using selective manipulations. These techniques can aid at all stages in structure determination, from assignment to the determination of coupling constants and relaxation rates. The number of experiments and their relative efficiency are growing rapidly and are likely to become an indispensable tool in cases where a structure does not yield to routine nonselective approaches. The idea behind all nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments which utilize selective pulses is that more information can be obtained if the spectral region affected by the pulses in the experiment is reduced.
Clinical Outcomes after Liver Transplantation in Patients with Portopulmonary Hypertension

Background Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is the presence of pulmonary arterial (PA) hypertension in patients with portal hypertension and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In a cohort of POPH patients, we describe the clinical outcomes of POPH patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT). Methods Retrospectively collected data from a prospectively assembled cohort of all consecutive POPH adults evaluated in three transplant centers from 1996 to 2019. Results From a cohort of 228 POPH patients, 50 patients underwent LT. Significant hemodynamic improvement after PA-targeted therapy was observed, with 58% receiving only monotherapy pre-transplant. After LT, 21 (42%) patients were able to discontinue and remained off PA-targeted therapy. The 1, 3, and 5 year unadjusted survival rates after LT were 72%, 63% and 60%, respectively. An elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) before LT was associated with worse survival rate (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.07-3.74, p=0.04). No survival difference was observed in those granted MELD exception or transplants performed before or after the year 2010. Conclusion Significant number of POPH patients discontinued PA-targeted therapy after LT. Higher PVR before LT was associated with worse survival, as was monotherapy use. Despite effective PA-targeted therapies, POPH survival outcomes after LT in our cohort were modest and may reflect the need for more aggressive therapy.
Culture-Negative C acnes Endophthalmitis Following Implantation of a Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens

Purpose:This work describes a case of Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) endophthalmitis following a posterior-chamber, phakic, Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery.Methods:A...
Frenkel excitons in heat-stressed supramolecular nanocomposites enabled by tunable cage-like scaffolding.

Delocalized Frenkel excitons—coherently shared excitations among chromophores—are responsible for the remarkable efficiency of supramolecular light-harvesting assemblies within photosynthetic organisms. The translation of nature’s design principles to applications in optoelectronic devices has been limited by the fragility of the supramolecular structures used and the delicate nature of Frenkel excitons, particularly under mildly changing solvent conditions and elevated temperatures and upon deposition onto solid substrates. Here, we overcome those functionalization barriers through composition of stable supramolecular light-harvesting nanotubes enabled by tunable (~4.3–4.9 nm), uniform (±0.3 nm) cage-like scaffolds. High-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy, combined with scanning electron microscopy, broadband femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and near-field scanning optical microscopy revealed that excitons within the cage-like scaffolds are robust, even under extreme heat stress, and control over nanocomposite dimensions is maintained on solid substrates. Our bio-inspired nanocomposites provide a general framework for the development of next-generation organic devices made from stable supramolecular materials. Nature successfully uses supramolecular assemblies for efficient and robust solar energy harvesting; however, mimicking such material systems for applications in optoelectronic devices has been hampered by stability issues such as the fragility of the supramolecular structures used and the delicate nature of Frenkel excitons. Now, enabled by tunable cage-like scaffolds, stable supramolecular light-harvesting nanotubes have been composed that are robust even under heat stress.
Neuroimaging Markers of Mal de Débarquement Syndrome.

Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a motion-induced disorder of oscillating vertigo that persists after the motion has ceased. The neuroimaging characteristics of the MdDS brain state have been investigated with studies on brain metabolism, structure, functional connectivity, and measurements of synchronicity. Baseline metabolism and resting-state functional connectivity studies indicate that a limbic focus in the left entorhinal cortex and amygdala may be important in the pathology of MdDS, as these structures are hypermetabolic in MdDS and exhibit increased functional connectivity to posterior sensory processing areas and reduced connectivity to the frontal and temporal cortices. Both structures are tunable with periodic stimulation, with neurons in the entorhinal cortex required for spatial navigation, acting as a critical efferent pathway to the hippocampus, and sending and receiving projections from much of the neocortex. Voxel-based morphometry measurements have revealed volume differences between MdDS and healthy controls in hubs of multiple resting-state networks including the default mode, salience, and executive control networks. In particular, volume in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortices decreases and volume in the bilateral inferior frontal gyri/anterior insulas increases with longer duration of illness. Paired with noninvasive neuromodulation interventions, functional neuroimaging with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and simultaneous fMRI-EEG have shown changes in resting-state functional connectivity that correlate with symptom modulation, particularly in the posterior default mode network. Reduced parieto-occipital connectivity with the entorhinal cortex and reduced long-range fronto-parieto-occipital connectivity correlate with symptom improvement. Though there is a general theme of desynchronization correlating with reduced MdDS symptoms, the prediction of optimal stimulation parameters for noninvasive brain stimulation in individuals with MdDS remains a challenge due to the large parameter space. However, the pairing of functional neuroimaging and noninvasive brain stimulation can serve as a probe into the biological underpinnings of MdDS and iteratively lead to optimal parameter space identification.
A thermal nociceptive patch in the S2 cortex of nonhuman primates: a combined functional magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiology study.

ABSTRACT Human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and behavioral studies have established the roles of cortical areas along the Sylvian fissure in sensing subjective pain. Yet, little is known about how sensory aspects of painful information are represented and processed by neurons in these regions and how their electrophysiological activities are related to fMRI signals. The current study aims to partially address this critical knowledge gap by performing fMRI-guided microelectrode mapping and recording studies in the homologous region of the parietal operculum in squirrel monkeys under light anesthesia. In each animal studied (n = 8), we detected mesoscale mini-networks for heat nociception in cortical regions around the lateral sulcus. Within the network, we discovered a ∼1.5 × 1.5-mm2-sized cortical patch that solely contained heat nociceptive neurons that aligned with the heat fMRI activation locus. These neurons responded slowly to thermal (heat and cold) nociceptive stimuli exclusively, continued firing for several seconds after the succession of stimulation, and exhibited multidigit receptive fields and high spontaneous firing rates. Similar to the fMRI responses, increasing temperatures in the nociceptive range led to a nonlinear increase in firing rates. The finding of a clustering of heat nociceptive neurons provides novel insights into the unique functional organization of thermal nociception in the S2 subregion of the primate brain. With fMRI, it supports the existence of a modality-preferred heat nociceptive patch that is spatially separated and intermingled with touch patches containing neurons with comparable receptive fields and the presence of functionally distinct mini-networks in primate opercular cortex.
Circulating tumor DNA mutation as a prognostic marker in melanoma with brain metastasis.

e21560Background: Prognosis in melanoma with brain metastasis is poor with a median survival of four months and a one-year survival rate of 10–20%. There is an unmet need for surveillance methods t...
GLASS: A Graph Learning Approach for Software Defined Network Based Smart Grid DDoS Security

In recent years, smart grid communications (SGC) has evolved to use new technologies not only for data delivery but also for enhanced smart grid (SG) security and reliability. Software Defined Networks (SDN) has proved to be a reliable and efficient architecture for handling diverse communication systems due to their ability to divide responsibilities of the network using control plane and data plane. This paper presents a graph learning approach for detecting and identifying Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks in SDN-SGC systems (GLASS). GLASS is a two phase framework that (1) detects if SDN-SGC is under DDoS attack using supervised graph deep learning and then (2) identifies the compromised entities using unsupervised learning methods. Network performance statistics are used for modeling SDN-SGC graphs, which train Graph Convolutional Neural Networks (GCN) to extract latent representations caused by DDoS attacks. Finally, spectral clustering is used to identify compromised entities. The experimental results, obtained by analysis of an IEEE 118-bus system, show the average throughput for compromised entities is able to maintain 84% of normal traffic level with GLASS, compared to achieving only 4% of normal throughput caused by DDoS attacks on compromised entities without the GLASS framework.
The Case of the Unidentified Healthcare Companies2010 (CW)

This case presents financial statements and selected ratios for 14 unidentified healthcare organizations and asks that each set of financial information be matched with one of the following healthcare companies: a biotechnology firm, a community nursing company, a distributor (medical), a DME licensee and seller, a DME developer and seller, a home care provider, a hospital (diversified), an insurer, a lab/diagnostic firm, a medical device manufacturer, a nursing home operator, a pharmaceuticals company (branded), a pharmaceuticals company (generics), and a private practice.Learning Objective:To learn the fundamentals of financial analysis (and financial health) of healthcare organizations by predicting the 14 healthcare firms that are represented by 14 sets of financial statements.
How WebQuests Can Enhance Science Learning Principles in the Classroom

Abstract This article examines the merits of WebQuests in facilitating students’ in-depth understanding of science concepts using the four principles of learning gathered from the National Research Council reports How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School (1999) and the How Students Learn: Science in the Classroom (2005) as an analytic framework. Modifications needed to make a well-constructed WebQuests for science teaching aligned to the four principles include (1) integrating student science interests and cultural and social backgrounds to curricular goals and then using this as means to design WebQuests, (2) providing students opportunities to examine science-related Internet websites to discriminate credible and false information and then giving them the opportunity to include and use the websites for the task step in WebQuests, and (3) providing cognitive tools and guidance within the process step so that students are engaged in argumentation and negotiation akin to a community of scientists.
IMPROVING VISUALIZATION SKILLS OF STUDENTS IN PROJECTION WITH ELEVATIONS

Engineering graphics is one of the cornerstones of an engineering education. The future engineer must know the main principles of projections to draw or "read" different drawings. For Water and Land Management specialists it is very important to know fundamentals of projection with eleva- tions (coted projection with applications). The major problem for the students when using the described method is to visualize a spatial situation from its planar representation. For solving problems by the method of projection with elevations, different transformations of these projections are used. In this work it is offered to use the method of auxiliary projection as the method of transformation projection with elevations. Such method improves visualization skills of students.
Social-Cognitive and Behavioral Correlates of Aggression and Victimization in Boys' Play Groups

A contrived play group procedure was utilized to examine the behavioral and social-cognitive correlates of reactive aggression, proactive aggression, and victimization via peers. Eleven play groups, each of which consisted of six familiar African-American 8-year-old boys, met for 45-min sessions on five consecutive days. Social-cognitive interviews were conducted following the second and fourth sessions. Play group interactions were videotaped and examined by trained observers. High rates of proactive aggression were associated with positive outcome expectancies for aggression/assertion, frequent displays of assertive social behavior, and low rates of submissive behavior. Reactive aggression was associated with hostile attributional tendencies and frequent victimization by peers. Victimization was associated with submissive behavior, hostile attributional bias, reactive aggression, and negative outcome expectations for aggression/assertion. These results demonstrate that there is a theoretically coherent and empirically distinct set of correlates associated with each of the examined aggression subtypes, and with victimization by peers.
Stability analysis of weak rural electrification microgrids with droop-controlled rotational and electronic distributed generators

Droop-controlled distributed generation (DG) units are widely used in microgrids for rural electrification applications. In these microgrids, power quality is vulnerable to voltage and frequency instabilities due to limited generation capacities of DG units. More importantly, droop-controlled rotational and electronic DG units have different frequency dynamics, making a comprehensive stability analysis difficult. By introducing an equivalence between rotational and electronic generators, voltage stability and frequency synchronization conditions are derived as inequality constraints on network parameters, load levels and generator control commands. Satisfying these conditions ensures asymptotic voltage stability and frequency synchronization in a rural electrification microgrid. Moreover, these stability conditions help to economically expand isolated microgrids to a power distribution network that supplies reliable power services.
Charge transfer and in‐cloud structure of large‐charge‐moment positive lightning strokes in a mesoscale convective system

[1] Lightning observations in the very high frequency band and measurements of ultra low frequency magnetic fields are analyzed to investigate the charge transfer and in-cloud structure of eight positive cloud-to-ground (+CG) strokes in a mesoscale convective system. Although no high altitude images were recorded, these strokes contained large charge moment changes (1500–3200 C·km) capable of producing nighttime sprites. Even though the convective region of the storm was where the flashes originated and where the CG strokes could occur, the charge transferred to ground was mainly from the stratiform region. The post-stroke long continuing currents were connected to highly branched negative leader extension into the stratiform region. While the storm dissipated, the altitude of negative leader propagation in the stratiform area dropped gradually from 8 to 5 km, indicating that in some and perhaps all of these strokes, it was the upper positive charge in the stratiform region that was transferred.
No Closure On Skepticism

This article is a response to an important objection that Sherrilyn Roush has made to the standard closure-based argument for skepticism, an argument that has been studied over the past couple of decades. If Roush's objection is on the mark, then this would be a quite significant finding. We argue that her objection fails.
Traveling supraglacial lakes on George VI Ice Shelf, Antarctica

[1] We describe a sequence of supraglacial lakes on the George VI Ice Shelf, Antarctica, that migrate along the boundary of the ice shelf with Alexander Island in the manner of a traveling wave, with a velocity that differs from the local ice-shelf flow in both magnitude and direction. These lakes are arrangeden echelonalong a grounding line of the ice shelf where the flow displays the atypical feature of being directed toward land. A simple model presented here suggests that the propagating lakes form in the depressions of a viscous-buckling wave associated with compressive ice-shelf stresses and ice-flow directed obliquely toward the coastline. The existence of these lakes and their propagation gives rise to the implication that other ice-shelf surface features (e.g., patterns of swells and depressions, surface lakes, and drainage) can be organized by large-scale viscous buckling behavior, when ice-shelf flow is strongly compressive.
A High-Speed, Eight-Frame Image Intensified Electro-Optic Camera With 200-800 Mm Zoom Objective Capability

The versatility of the LLNL developed 75-mm format high-speed electro-optic camera has been improved by the addition of a microchannel plate image intensifier to the electronic image converter, and by the replacement of the discreet objective lens with a commercially available zoom lens. The image intensifier can be operated at a gain of up to 10,000. This allows the use of nanosecond or subnanosecond laser strobe light pulses for object illumination thus improving the time resolution of the camera by at least an order of magnitude. The discreet objective lens of the camera has been replaced with a fast (f/4) 200-400 mm zoom lens that when coupled with a quick-connect telephoto adapter (either 1.4x or 2.0x) allows the camera to operate at any focal length from 200 to 800 mm. This permits variable magnification of the object without having to move the camera and without any degradation of dynamic spatial resolution or significant loss of light gathering ability.
Characterization of a panel of rat ventral prostate epithelial cell lines immortalized in the presence or absence of androgens

We have transfected rat ventral prostate (RVP) epithelial cells with a plasmid containing the SV40 large T-antigen in an attempt to establish a panel of cell lines that will be useful in molecular genetic studies of prostate cell function. Since the distribution of cell types in the RVP is dramatically affected by androgen withdrawal and replacement, cells isolated from normal, castrated, or castrated rats that were given daily injections of testosterone were used in these experiments. Cell lines were established in media that were supplemented or depleted of androgens to accommodate the possible requirements of different prostate cell types. Numerous cell lines were isolated which retain characteristics of RVP epithelial cells and five of these cell lines were studied in detail. All five cell lines express the SV40 large T-antigen, supporting the role of this viral protein in immortalization. The RVP cell lines were shown to contain high levels of functional glucocorticoid receptors, but very low levels of androgen binding activity even though androgen receptor RNA could be detected. It was determined that the decreased androgen receptor activity in the RVP cells was apparently due to low receptor expression based on the results of transient transfection assays using androgen receptor cDNA. Taken together, the biochemical, cytological, and morphological characterizations of the RVP cell lines suggest that they may all have been derived from basal prostate epithelial cells despite the initial differences in androgen status of the animal and the level of androgens in the culture media.
Effect of gate structures on noise characteristics of 0.15 mu m AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMTs

The authors investigate the effect of two different gate layouts on the noise characteristics of 0.15*150 mu m/sup 2/ AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMTs; the T-structure with a gate width of 2*75 mu m, and the multigate finger Pi -structure with a gate width of 6*25 mu m and with airbridges. Whereas the DC characteristics of both types are very similar, the RF noise characteristics of the multifinger gate Pi -structure devices exhibit a minimum noise figure of 0.67 dB with an associated gain of 12.2 dB at 18 GHz, which is superior to that of T-structure devices. >
Algorithm for computer tracing of interference fringes

An algorithm for automatic tracing of fringes from a digitized interferogram is proposed. The main feature of this method is that fringe centers are traced by a predictor-corrector scheme, where knowledge of the approximate fringe normal and tangent at the current point on a fringe is used to guess at a trial location for the next point. A search along the fringe normal at the new trial location then yields the exact next point on the fringe.
The influence of pH in metal/bromide catalyzed homogeneous aerobic autoxidation. Part 2. Precipitation of metals by aromatic acids

Abstract Two of the most common homogeneous aerobic oxidation catalysts are mixtures of Co/Mn/Br and Co/Mn/Zr/Br. They are especially effective in converting polyalkylbenzenes and naphthalenes to their respective aromatic acids using acetic acid as the solvent. Precipitation of the catalyst metals can occur when the product or by-product of these reactions is trimellitic (TMLA), pyromellitic (PMA), or hemimellitic acid (HMLA) (the 1,2,4-, 1,2,4,5, and 1,2,3- isomers respectively) by reaction of the metal(II) acetates to form insoluble metal carboxylic acid complexes. This can cause a decrease in rate of reaction and loss of selectivity to the aromatic acid. It is shown that this precipitation can be reduced or eliminated by reducing the pH, i.e. the acetate concentration, of the solvent. At a PMA concentration at which Co(II) and Mn(II) perchlorates or tetrafluoroborates do not react with PMA, the addition of increments of ammonium acetate results in increasing precipitation of the metals. The degree of precipitation is decreased by reducing the acetate concentration by using HBr rather than NaBr as the bromide source – the one exception being Co with HMLA. The presence of bromide itself decreases the degree of precipitation. In all cases, except one, the solubility of Co(II), Mn(II), and Zr(IV) increases with increasing water content in acetic acid. The exception is Co(II) with HMLA where the solubility first decreases with water content, up to ∼ 15 wt%, and increases thereafter. The solvent system definition of acids and bases is used to rationalize the results in acetic acid/water mixtures to that observed in water.
Cadmium-induced elevations in the gene expression of the regulatory subunit of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase in rat lung and alveolar epithelial cells

Abstract The controlled step in de novo glutathione (GSH) synthesis is catalyzed by γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), a dimeric enzyme consisting of a heavy catalytic subunit (γ-GCS-HS) and a light regulatory subunit (γ-GCS-LS). We have previously reported that exposure to cadmium (Cd) induces pulmonary γ-GCS-HS mRNA and protein, and that these alterations are accompanied by increases in GSH synthesis and its steady-state level. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that Cd exposure also up-regulates the expression of the regulatory γ-GCS subunit. By using northern blotting, we have demonstrated that a single Cd aerosol exposure of adult male Lewis rats results in time- and dose-dependent increases in pulmonary levels of γ-GCS-LS mRNA. Transcripts of γ-GCS-LS in rat lung are maximally elevated (8-fold) 2 h following Cd inhalation exposure and remain significantly higher than air controls at 24 h. This response is highly correlated with Cd dose, ranging from 0.9 to 5 mg Cd per m3, and with lung Cd burden. We also observed Cd-induced up-regulation of γ-GCS-LS mRNA expression in alveolar epithelial cells exposed to Cd in vitro, either acutely or after repeated passaging in Cd-containing medium. The magnitude of the γ-GCS regulatory subunit induction observed in Cd-treated cells was approximately five times greater than the induction of the catalytic subunit. These modifications in the expression of γ-GCS subunits may offer protection from Cd toxicity.
Introduction to Dialogue and Debate

In the following section, readers will find commentaries and letters to the editor from a variety of individuals and organizations in nursing, each sharing the authors’ perspectives on the article “The Doctor of Nursing Practice: A workforce perspective” by Cronenwett et al, published in the January/February issue of Nursing Outlook. As editor, I invited several of these commentaries, whereas others arrived spontaneously. I published every one I received and then (per usual practice) invited the authors of the original paper to comment. those young professionals just now entering the profession. It is this kind of dialectic dialogue that sharpens thinking and allows one to reflect on one’s own values and beliefs and shape one’s ideas. I personally thank each and every author for taking the time out of their very busy schedules to care enough to provide us all with their best thinking on this topic. Their thoughts enrich all of us.
A novel group I intron‐encoded endonuclease specific for the anticodon region of tRNAfMet genes

Open reading frames (ORFs) are frequently inserted into group I self-splicing introns. These ORFs encode either maturases that are required for splicing of the intron or DNA endonucleases that promote intron mobility. A self-splicing intron in the tRNA(fMet) gene of Synechocystis PCC 6803, which has been proposed to have moved laterally within the cyanobacteria, contains an ORF that is unrelated to known intron-encoded endonucleases or maturases. Here, using an in vitro transcription-translation system, we show that this intronic ORF encodes a double-strand DNA endonuclease, I-Ssp6803I. I-Ssp6803I cleaves each strand of the intronless tRNA(fMet) gene adjacent to the anticodon triplet leaving 3 bp 3' extensions and has no activity at intron-exon boundaries. Using an in vitro cleavage assay and scanning deletion mutants of the intronless target site, the minimal recognition site was determined to be a partially palindromic 20 bp region encompassing the entire anticodon stem and loop of the tRNA(fMet) gene. I-Ssp6803I represents a novel intron-encoded DNA endonuclease and is the first example of a chromosomally encoded group I intron endonuclease in bacteria.
Globin Composition and Synthesis of Hemoglobins in Developing Fetal Mice Erythroid Cells

Fetal mouse erythropoiesis proceeds initially in yolk-sac blood islands (8 to 12 days) and, subsequently, in liver (12 to at least 16 days). Yolksac cells synthesize three hemoglobins, Hb E(I), Hb E(II) and Hb E(III). Hb E(I) has x- and y-globin chains; Hb E(II) has alpha and y; HB E(III), alpha and z. No detectable beta-globin is formed in these cells. Liver erythroid cells form only adult hemoglobin, composed of alpha- and beta-chains.
Expression Cloning and Demonstration of Enterococcus faecalis Lipoamidase (Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Inactivase) as a Ser-Ser-Lys Triad Amidohydrolase

Enterococcus faecalis lipoamidase was discovered almost 50 years ago (Reed, L. J., Koike, M., Levitch, M. E., and Leach, F. R. (1958) J. Biol. Chem. 232, 143-158) as an enzyme activity that cleaved lipoic acid from small lipoylated molecules and from pyruvate dehydrogenase thereby inactivating the enzyme. Although the partially purified enzyme was a key reagent in proving the crucial role of protein-bound lipoic acid in the reaction mechanism of the 2-oxoacid dehydrogenases, the identity of the lipoamidase protein and the encoding gene remained unknown. We report isolation of the lipoamidase gene by screening an expression library made in an unusual cosmid vector in which the copy number of the vector is readily varied from 1-2 to 40-80 in an appropriate Escherichia coli host. Although designed for manipulation of large genome segments, the vector was also ideally suited to isolation of the gene encoding the extremely toxic lipoamidase. The gene encoding lipoamidase was isolated by screening for expression in E. coli and proved to encode an unexpectedly large protein (80 kDa) that contained the sequence signature of the Ser-Ser-Lys triad amidohydrolase family. The hexa-histidine-tagged protein was expressed in E. coli and purified to near-homogeneity. The purified enzyme was found to cleave both small molecule lipoylated and biotinylated substrates as well as lipoic acid from two 2-oxoacid dehydrogenases and an isolated lipoylated lipoyl domain derived from the pyruvate dehydrogenase E2 subunit. Lipoamidase-mediated inactivation of the 2-oxoacid dehydrogenases was observed both in vivo and in vitro. Mutagenesis studies showed that the residues of the Ser-Ser-Lys triad were required for activity on both small molecule and protein substrates and confirmed that lipoamidase is a member of the Ser-Ser-Lys triad amidohydrolase family.
Student research proposals in the experimental psychology course

This article describes how a written research proposal can be an effective student exercise in the experimental psychology course. Used in conjunction with reports based on data collected by students, the proposal can be used to encourage students to think creatively about the research process.
Propagation of calcium waves between colonic smooth muscle cells in culture

Abstract Intercellular propagation of a diffusible substance through direct cytoplasmic communication between multiple cells could represent an important mechanism for mutual multiple cell signaling between cells in a tissue. The current study was aimed at characterizing the mechanism(s) underlying the intercellular propagation of calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) transients between colonic smooth muscle cells. Changes in [Ca 2+ ] i in smooth muscle cells from the rabbit distal colon in primary cultures were monitored using videomicroscopy with the fluorescent dye Fura-2. Myocytes responded to light mechanical deformation of the plasma membrane with a localized increase in [Ca 2+ ] i which spread in a wave-like fashion through up to 5 adjacent cells, with little change in wave amplitude. Dye coupling between cells was demonstrated by Lucifer Yellow, and intercellular wave propagation was abolished by octanol, suggesting propagation of Ca 2+ waves via gap junctions. Wave propagation was not dependent on extracellular [Ca 2+ ], suggesting regenerative release of Ca 2+ from intracellular stores. Propagation of Ca 2+ waves through silent cells suggested a diffusible messenger other than Ca 2+ . Wave propagation and kinetics were unaffected by ryanodine (50 μM) or caffeine (10 mM), but abolished by depletion of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca 2+ stores and by the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 (10 μM), implicating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P 3 )-sensitive stores as the major Ca 2+ source for propagated Ca 2+ transients. These results indicate that, in a connected complex of colonic smooth muscle cells in culture, multiple cells can monitor the mechanical status of a single cell through diffusion of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 , Ca 2+ , or another intercellular messenger.
Abstract 5676: Effects of resveratrol on paclitaxel-sensitive and -resistant triple negative breast cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Treatment of drug-resistant cancer cells remains a difficult problem in cancer therapy because most resistant cells can pump out drugs or upregulate other survival pathways to bypass a targeted therapy. The polyphenol natural compound, resveratrol, has been shown to inhibit cell growth of multiple cancer types, but it is not cytotoxic to normal cells. However, the effects of resveratrol in triple negative breast cancer cells (estrogen receptor-, progesterone receptor-, and HER2-negative) as well as cancers that are resistant to the common cancer drug, paclitaxel, are not well understood. In this study, the effects of resveratrol were investigated in the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 as well as a novel MDA-MB-231 derived paclitaxel-resistant line generated in our laboratory. Assays for cell proliferation, apoptosis, and protein expression changes related to apoptosis and survival were utilized in order to determine the differential effects of resveratrol on the parental and resistant cell lines. At lower (< 10 μM) concentrations, resveratrol induced cell proliferation in both cell lines, consistent with other studies demonstrating lifespan extension of normal cells with resveratrol treatment. On the other hand, after treatment with 10-100 μM concentrations of resveratrol, both cell lines exhibited a reduction in cell proliferation, with the paclitaxel-resistant cells to a greater extent. In addition, resveratrol decreased the ability of both cell lines to form colonies when plated at low density (an indication of reduced cell survival capacity). Furthermore, resveratrol treatment increased the amount of DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis compared to untreated controls in both cell lines, but the paclitaxel resistant cells were more sensitive to resveratrol treatment than the parental cells. By protein expression analyses, we observed that in both the parental and paclitaxel-resistant cell lines, resveratrol may be acting through NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin (SIRT1) activity by decreasing the expression of the inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein, surviving and increasing the activator-of-apoptosis, caspase 3. Based on these data, we propose that resveratrol can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in triple negative breast cancer cells, including paclitaxel-resistant cells. These results provide rationale for the use of resveratrol as an important starting point for the development of a novel anti-cancer agent for drug resistant, aggressive cancers as well as in combination with other anti-cancer drugs without significant toxicity to normal cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5676. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5676
pH Alters PEG-Mediated Fusion of Phosphatidylethanolamine-Containing Vesicles

Here, we examine the different mechanisms of poly(ethylene glycol)-mediated fusion of small unilamellar vesicles composed of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE)/sphingomyelin/cholesterol in a molar ratio of 35:30:15:20 at pH 7.4 versus pH 5. In doing so, we test the hypothesis that fusion of this lipid mixture should be influenced by differences in hydration of DOPE at these two pH values. An examination of the literature reveals that DOPE should be less hydrated at pH 5 (where influenza virus particles fuse with endosome membranes) than at pH 7.4 (where synaptic vesicles or HIV virus particles fuse with plasma membrane). Ensemble kinetic experiments revealed substantial differences in fusion of this plasma membrane mimetic system at these two pH values. The most dramatic difference was the observation of two intermediates at pH 5 but loss of one of these fusion intermediates at pH 7.4. Analysis of data collected at several temperatures also revealed that formation of the initial fusion intermediate (stalk) was favored at pH 7.4 due to increased activation entropy. Our observations support the hypothesis that the different negative intrinsic curvature of DOPE can account for different fusion paths and activation thermodynamics in steps of the fusion process at these two pH values. Finally, the effects of 2 mol % hexadecane on fusion at both pH values seemed to have similar origins for step 1 (promotion of acyl chain or hydrocarbon excursion into interbilayer space) and step 3 (reduction of interstice energy leading to expansion to a critical stalk radius). Different hexadecane effects on activation thermodynamics at these two pH values can also be related to altered DOPE hydration. The results support our kinetic model for fusion and offer insight into the critical role of phosphatidylethanolamine in fusion.
Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Finite-Element Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Beams Strengthened in Shear with FRP Composites

Nonlinear finite-element (FE) analysis was carried out to investigate the structural response of prestressed concrete (PC) beams strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in shear. Development of the FE model for concrete structures dominated by shear, in particular for FRP-strengthened concrete structures, requires careful consideration in choosing the appropriate elements and constitutive laws to simulate the proper failure mode. The paper presents a new three-dimensional technique to model FRP-strengthened prestressed concrete beams. Most previous work has dealt with two-dimensional analysis of FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete beams. The novel attributes of the proposed model lie in the description of the three-dimensional constitutive material models for each component. The model accounts for the softening behavior of concrete under a triaxial state of stress. A new three-dimensional interface element necessary to capture the debonding failure was proposed. In particular, the eff...
Food cues and gonadal development in neotropical spotted antbirds ( Hylophylax naevioides )

Most temperate-zone birds live in environments with a regular seasonality, and primarily use the long-term changes in photoperiod as a cue to initiate gonadal development in anticipation of the breeding season. Short-term cues such as food and temperature are later used to fine-tune the rate of gonadal development to local conditions. Many tropical habitats are seasonal, but the timing of the seasons (e.g., rainy season) can vary considerably between years. We hypothesize that to time breeding in environments with seasonal variability, tropical birds respond to both long-term and short-term environmental cues to initiate gonadal growth. We tested the effectiveness of photoperiod and food cues for the initiation of gonad growth in captive male spotted antbirds (Hylophylax n. naevioides) from Panama. A ‘control’ group was maintained on the short natural photoperiod of 12 h light and 12 h dark (LD 12:12) and adequate food. A ‘food-stimulated’ group was also held on LD 12:12 but received an increase in food quantity and quality. A ‘photo+food-stimulated’ group experienced an increase in daylength by 1 h (LD 13:11, the maximal photoperiod in Panama) and an increase in food quantity and quality. Within 3 weeks testis sizes of ‘food-stimulated’ birds increased significantly, suggesting that food cues alone can initiate gonad development. As expected from the previous experiment, testis sizes of ‘photo+food-stimulated’ birds, but not ‘control’ birds, also increased. We suggest that the capability to respond to both food and photoperiodic cues allows animal the flexibility to adjust reproductive activity to variable environmental conditions each year. Future work should elucidate whether food provides nutritional or non-nutritional cues, and the neurophysiological mechanisms by which food stimulates reproductive activity.