cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attenuated expression of interferon-β and interferon-λ1 by human alternatively activated macrophages

Macrophages can be polarized into classically (CAM) or alternatively (AAM) activated macrophages with IFN-γ or IL-4, respectively. CAM are associated with type 1 immune responses and are implicated in autoimmunity; AAM are associated with type 2 responses and are implicated in allergic diseases. An impediment in investigating macrophage biology using primary human monocyte derived macrophages is the wide inter-donor heterogeneity and the limited quantity of cells that survive in vitro polarization. To overcome this impediment, we established a protocol to generate CAM and AAM cultures derived from the THP-1 human promonocytic cell line. In this report, we demonstrate that THP-CAM and -AAM express gene and protein markers that define their primary human monocyte derived counterparts, such as IL-1β, CXCL10, and CXCL11 for CAM, and MRC1, IL-4 and CCL22 for AAM. In addition, we demonstrate that STAT6 is selectively activated in THP-AAM which, upon LPS stimulation, have an attenuated or delayed expression of IFN-β, IFN-λ1, and IFN α/β pathway genes compared to their CAM counterparts. Taken together, these findings may help further investigate human diseases associated with the alternatively activated macrophage phenotype using this reproducible in vitro macrophage model.
Microdialysis evidence that acetylcholine in the nucleus accumbens is involved in morphine withdrawal and its treatment with clonidine.

This study used microdialysis to measure changes in extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) content in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) of freely moving rats during acute and chronic morphine treatment, and following naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. Morphine injection (20 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant decrease in extracellular ACh which was not apparent after repeated exposure to the opiate for 7 days. Basal recovery of ACh was not altered by chronic morphine treatment. On day 8, after morphine dependence had been established, naloxone caused a large increase in ACh levels accompanied by withdrawal symptoms such as wet dog shakes, diarrhea and teeth-chattering. Pretreatment with clonidine (200 micrograms/kg, i.p.) reduced these withdrawal symptoms and eliminated the ACh response. These results suggest that accumbens ACh is involved in some of the aversive aspects of opiate withdrawal.
Interfacial heat flow in carbon nanotube suspensions

The enormous amount of basic research into carbon nanotubes has sparked interest in the potential applications of these novel materials. One promising use of carbon nanotubes is as fillers in a composite material to improve mechanical behaviour, electrical transport and thermal transport. For composite materials with high thermal conductivity, the thermal conductance across the nanotube-matrix interface is of particular interest. Here we use picosecond transient absorption to measure the interface thermal conductance (G) of carbon nanotubes suspended in surfactant micelles in water. Classical molecular dynamics simulations of heat transfer from a carbon nanotube to a model hydrocarbon liquid are in agreement with experiment. Our findings indicate that heat transport in a nanotube composite material will be limited by the exceptionally small interface thermal conductance (G approximately 12 MW m(-2) K(-1)) and that the thermal conductivity of the composite will be much lower than the value estimated from the intrinsic thermal conductivity of the nanotubes and their volume fraction.
Morphological and structural transitions in GaN films grown on sapphire by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

The structural and morphological evolution of GaN films grown by MOCVD at high temperature (1080?C) on a low temperature grown GaN nucleation layer (NL) on (0001) sapphire were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The high temperature (HT) GaN layers were found to grow by initially forming isolated truncated hexagonal islands having {10*BAR*1*BAR*1} facet planes and a top (0001) plane. The non-wetting or partial wetting behavior of the HT GaN on the GaN NL is attributed to both the roughness and predominantly cubic nature of the NL.
Strontium-isotope stratigraphy of Enewetak Atoll

/sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr ratios determined for samples from a 350 m core of Neogene lagoonal, shallow-water limestones from Enewetak Atoll display a remarkably informative trend. Like the recently published data for Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) carbonates, /sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr at Enewetak increases monotonically but not smoothly from the early Miocene to the Pleistocene. The data show intervals of little or no change in /sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr, punctuated by sharp transitions to lower values toward greater core depths. The sharp transitions correlate with observed solution disconformities caused by periods of subaerial erosion, whereas the intervals of little or no change in /sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr correspond to intervals of rapid accumulation of shallow-water carbonate sediments. When converted to numerical ages using the published DSDP 590B trend, the best-resolved time breaks are at 282 m (12.3 to 18.2 Ma missing) and 121.6 m (3.0 to 5.3 Ma missing) below the lagoon floor. At Enewetak, Sr isotopes offer a stratigraphic resolution for these shallow-marine Neogene carbonates comparable to that of nannofossil zonation in deep-sea carbonates (0.3-3 m.y.). In addition, the correlation of times of Sr-isotope breaks at Enewetak with times of rapid Sr-isotope change in the DSDP 590B samples confirms the importance ofmore » sea-level changes in the evolution of global-marine Sr isotopes and shows that the Sr-isotope response to sea-level falls is rapid.« less
Regulatory T Cells, Transforming Growth Factor–β, and Immune Suppression

Multiple types of cells and cytokines are found that actively suppress immune responses, a function that is critical to maintain self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. Naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the pleiotropic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β are the best characterized. Dysregulation of either one leads to various immunopathologies under physiologic conditions, demonstrating their essential roles in immune suppression. Tregs and TGF-β play important roles in the development of lung-related immune disorders, such as asthma and allergy. Understanding the function and regulation of Tregs and TGF-β during immune responses offers therapeutic promise for the control of these diseases. Our laboratory has been interested in understanding the mechanisms of immune suppression, particularly in studying the interrelated functions of Tregs and TGF-β in immune regulation. In this article, we discuss the recent progress that we have made in the relevant areas.
A Golgi type II neuron in trigeminal nucleus oralis: A Golgi study in the rat

Abstract This Golgi study identifies a class of small neurons in trigeminal nucleus oralis (Vo) that satisfies all the morphological criteria for a Golgi Type II neuron. The cylindrical-shaped dendritic arbor extends up to 500 μm in the rostrocaudal axis and is confined to Vo. The unmyelinated axon generates a highly branched collateral axonal plexus within or near the dendritic tree and it does not project out of Vo. This Golgi Type II neuron is considered to be an inhibitory interneuron and probably participates in a variety of inhibitory phenomena known to occur in Vo.
Demo Abstract: ROSLab --- A Modular Programming Environment for Robotic Applications

We propose a simplified high-level programming language based on blocks and links dragged on a workspace which generates the skeleton code for robotic applications involving different types of robots. In order to develop such a high-level programming language that still can guarantee flexibility in term of implementation, our approach takes advantage of the robot operating system (ROS). ROS is a open source meta-operating system that provides a message passing structure between different processes (or nodes) across a network (inter-process communication). In our framework, we consider a hierarchical approach in which at the base there is ROS that allows inter-process communication between nodes in a robot and on the top we create a high-level language that interacts with ROS and thus with the real robot. The high-level language can be viewed as an extra layer added to simplify lower level code generation.
Analysis of Hoxa7/Hoxb7 mutants suggests periodicity in the generation of the different sets of vertebrae.

Abstract Mice were generated with targeted disruptions in Hoxa7 and Hoxb7 , respectively. Mice carrying the Hoxa7 mutation are healthy. No abnormalities in the formation of the skeleton or other tissues were found in these mutants. Twelve percent of Hoxb7 −/− mutants show first and second rib defects similar to those observed in mice homozygous for a Hoxb9 mutation (Chen, F., Capecchi, M.R., 1997. Dev. Biol. 181, 186–196). Hoxb7 −/− mice are also fertile and were used to generate double mutants with Hoxa7 to reveal potential interactions between these two paralogous genes. Mice homozygous for both mutations have first and second rib defects with higher penetrance and increased expressivity, indicating a functional role for Hoxa7 in the patterning of the upper thoracic region. Although Hoxb6 , Hoxa7 , Hoxb7 , and Hoxb9 have distinctive anterior expression limits in axial mesoderm, the disruptions of these genes all yield first and second rib defects. A hypothesis is suggested to explain the observation that axial defects in these and other mouse Hox mutants appear to concentrate along the axial column at zones of transition between vertebral types.
Is Pubertal Timing Associated With Psychopathology in Young Adulthood

ABSTRACT Objective This investigation tested whether the timing of puberty continued to be associated with experiences of psychopathology (symptoms and disorders) from mid-adolescence into young adulthood. Method At age 24, 931 participants from a large community sample, who had been interviewed twice during adolescence, completed a telephone interview (assessing Axis I disorders and elevated antisocial and borderline personality traits) and a mailed questionnaire battery. Results Analyses tested whether pubertal timing was associated with lifetime and current history of mental disorders and psychosocial functioning in young adulthood. As expected, young women who had been early maturers had higher rates of lifetime history of disorder along with current elevation of psychosocial symptoms compared with women who were on-time maturers. Young men who had been late maturers, compared with other men, had elevated onset of disruptive behavior and substance use disorders during the transition to adulthood. Conclusions Early maturing females are at unique risk of persistent difficulty during adolescence and should be targeted for preventive efforts. Late maturation among males may be associated with a late-onset pathway for deviant behavior or substance abuse.
Differential expression and distribution of focal adhesion and cell adhesion molecules in rat hepatocyte differentiation.

Hepatocytes in primary culture enter into clonal proliferation in the chemically defined hepatocyte growth medium in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor. Hepatocyte proliferation is associated with loss of differentiated gene expression. Overlay of matrix derived from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma (Matrigel) on proliferating hepatocytes induces reexpression of the hepatic differentiation marker genes. To explore the role of matrix in the differentiation process of hepatocytes, we examined the mRNAs of fibronectin, vitronectin, and entactin in proliferating hepatocytes and Matrigel-treated hepatocytes. Fibronectin mRNA increased in proliferating hepatocytes at days 2-10 and then decreased; however, vitronectin mRNA disappeared in proliferating hepatocytes and was reexpressed in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes. We also found that focal adhesion kinase and paxillin were strongly increased in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes, and E-cadherin and beta-catenin slightly increased in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes, suggesting that both cell-to-extracellular matrix and cell-to-cell interactions may be an essential part of hepatocyte differentiation. To evaluate the distribution of focal adhesion associated molecules and cell-to-cell adhesion molecules, Triton X-100 soluble and insoluble fractions were examined at days 8, 9, 10, and 11 in proliferating hepatocytes and Matrigel-treated cells. We found that E-cadherin in Triton X-100 insoluble fractions dramatically decreased in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes; however, beta-catenin strongly increased in Triton X-100 soluble fractions of Matrigel-treated hepatocytes. These results suggest that the distribution of both focal adhesion associated molecules and cell adhesion molecules are reorganized during the process of differentiation induced by overlay of Matrigel.
Driver Deadtime Control and Its Impact on System Stability of Synchronous Buck Voltage Regulator

Driver dead-time control is a popular scheme used to prevent the occurrence of the shoot-through issue in a synchronous Buck voltage regulator. As the switching frequency is continually increasing in today's converter design, the deadtime interval is now long enough relative to the switching period to impact the system performance. In addition to its impact on efficiency, driver dead-time also impacts loop gain and system stability, especially under the critical load condition. In this paper, the influence of driver dead time on the synchronous buck converter is investigated in detail. With voltage mode control, the system loop gain will change under different load conditions due to the deadtime impact. The deadtime may cause sub-harmonic current ripple in the voltage regulator with sample-and-hold current mode control, while its impact on the peak current mode control can be ignored. Design equations are provided to avoid this issue. Some analysis data are included and compared to experimental results.
Phonon Anomalies, Structural Transformations, and Precursor Structure in the Martensitic Alloys TiNi(Fe) and Al1−xNix

Recent x-ray and electron diffraction, electron microscope, and neutron studies of the pretransformation and transformation structure of these alloys show that they cannot be attributed to mode softening, charge density waves, or Fermi surface effects, and that tweed structure can have several origins. Rather, it is proposed that these systems exhibit the features expected of highly anisotropic, anharmonically bistable, structural changes involving planes normal to [110] and sliding transversely between alternative metastable positions. Thereby a continuous transition of the nucleation type proposed by deGennes can take place.
Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Cohort of Primiparous Periurban Peruvian Mothers

The authors aimed to identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among 117 Peruvian mothers planning to breastfeed exclusively. Data were collected on days 0 and 3, and months 1, 3, and 6. Exclusive breastfeeding status was evaluated with a 24-hour recall of infant diet. Exclusive breastfeeding rates were 74%, 72%, and 35% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. At 3 months, lower maternal education, greater breastfeeding frequency (day 3), greater breast pain (day 3), and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate use (3 months) were associated with EBF, after adjusting for EBF intentions. At 6 months, greater infant birth weight and mother–not employed were associated with EBF, after controlling for EBF intentions. More educated and working mothers, and infants with lower birth weight should be targeted in interventions to promote EBF in urban Peru. Research is also warranted to explore the factors linking depot medroxyprogesterone acetate use and breast pain with EBF duration.
Biomarkers in Neurocritical Care

The gold standard for assessing neurological function is the bedside clinical examination. However, in neurocritical patients, the signs and symptoms related to the severity of illness can often be ambiguous. It can be hard to distinguish between a severe but stable disease state and one that is dynamic and in a critical decline. Clinicians and family members alike may struggle with the uncertainty of functional outcome prediction. Intermediate biomarkers of brain injury can assist with ongoing clinical management of patients, and in some circumstances can guide prognosis. Used in the right setting, biomarkers in neurocritical care can also aid with decisions to intensify treatment or avoid prolonged and unnecessary therapy. The term biomarker is used in various ways, and here we use it to refer to 3 general types: 1) circulating blood macromolecules, 2) brain imaging, and 3) continuous invasive monitors. Despite its promise, biomarkers have several limitations and should be interpreted in the context of the overall clinical assessment.
Opioid regulation of pallidal enkephalin release: Bimodal effects of locally administered mu and delta opioid agonists in freely moving rats

The globus pallidus and ventral pallidum receive dense enkephalinergic innervation from the dorsal and ventral striatum, respectively. A previous study demonstrated peripheral morphine administration to increase pallidal enkephalin release. To determine whether such opioid stimulatory effects may be mediated directly in the pallidum, in vivo microdialysis was used to study the effects of local administration of several concentrations of the mu receptor agonists morphine and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) as well as the the delta receptor agonist SNC80 on pallidal enkephalin release in freely moving rats. Low concentrations of morphine or M6G (1–10 nM) enhanced the release of enkephalins, an effect that was reversed by coadministration of the mu receptor antagonist β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA). A similar stimulatory effect was observed with a low concentration of SNC80 (50 nM), an effect that was blocked by the delta antagonist naltrindole (NTD). High concentrations of morphine (100 nM to 100 μM) had little or no effect, whereas M6G (10 μM) suppressed enkephalin release, an effect that was reversed by β-FNA. Similarly, a high concentration (5 μM) of SNC80 suppressed enkephalin release. However, this effect was not blocked by NTD but was attenuated by β-FNA, suggesting a mu receptor-mediated action. These results offer in vivo evidence of bimodal ( i . e ., stimulatory and inhibitory) effects of mu and delta opioid agonists on enkephalin release in the pallidum.
Controlled collective motion for trajectory tracking

This paper extends previous work on oscillator models to meet the needs of multiagent applications in which the motion of the collective centroid of the group must be dynamic. Individual agents are modeled as unit speed planar kinematic unicycles. A steering control law is derived for each individual so that the velocity of the collective centroid matches a reference velocity, provided the reference speed is less than one. A framework for steering controls is presented such that the unicycles stay near the collective centroid even though the centroid is non-static. Finally, an outer loop controller is proposed to allow tracking of a target vehicle. Simulation results are shown to support analysis.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Chromosomal Features Repressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transcription

We have investigated regulatory sequences in noncoding human DNA that are associated with repression of an integrated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) promoter. HIV-1 integration results in the formation of precise and homogeneous junctions between viral and host DNA, but integration takes place at many locations. Thus, the variation in HIV-1 gene expression at different integration sites reports the activity of regulatory sequences at nearby chromosomal positions. Negative regulation of HIV transcription is of particular interest because of its association with maintaining HIV in a latent state in cells from infected patients. To identify chromosomal regulators of HIV transcription, we infected Jurkat T cells with an HIV-based vector transducing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and separated cells into populations containing well-expressed (GFP-positive) or poorly expressed (GFP-negative) proviruses. We then determined the chromosomal locations of the two classes by sequencing 971 junctions between viral and cellular DNA. Possible effects of endogenous cellular transcription were characterized by transcriptional profiling. Low-level GFP expression correlated with integration in (i) gene deserts, (ii) centromeric heterochromatin, and (iii) very highly expressed cellular genes. These data provide a genome-wide picture of chromosomal features that repress transcription and suggest models for transcriptional latency in cells from HIV-infected patients.
Intimate Partner Violence and Neighborhood Income A Longitudinal Analysis

This investigation used a longitudinal design to examine the relationship between neighborhood-level income, individual-level predictors, and police-reported intimate partner violence in 5,994 urban couples followed over 2 years. At the baseline abuse incident, intimate partner violence rates were highest in the poorest neighborhoods (13.8 per 1,000 women in the lowest income quartile, followed by 12.1, 8.2, and 5.0 in the respective higher income quartiles). However, in the longitudinal analysis, weapon use at the baseline abuse event was a much stronger predictor of repeat abuse (incident rate ratios ranging from 1.72 for physical abuse to 1.83 for non-physical abuse) than neighborhood income.
Memory through metamorphosis in normal and mutant Drosophila

To establish that a stable, long-lasting form of memory exists in Drosophila, we trained third-instar larvae by electroshocking them in the presence of a specific odor using a Pavlovian conditioning procedure. We show that conditioned odor avoidance produced in larvae still was present in adults 8 d later. Such memory through metamorphosis was specific to the temporal pairing of odor and shock; presentations of odors alone or shock alone did not produce a change. Thus, the memory involved associative processes. We also show that similar training of the single-gene memory mutants dunce and amnesiac did not yield any detectable learning in larvae or memory retention in adults, suggesting that these mutations interfere with long-term memory (LTM) formation even if LTM is induced independently of earlier memory retention processes.
Societal impact of cocaine-associated chest pain: when truth confronts the'great white lie'.

‘With the absence of clearly defined management guidelines, up to 15% of patients who sustaincocaine-associated myocardial infarction are inadvertently released prior to the discovery of acute myocardial infarction.’
Common methods variance detection in business research

The issue of common method variance (CMV) has become almost legendary among today's business researchers. In this manuscript, a literature review shows many business researchers take steps to assess potential problems with CMV, or common method bias (CMB), but almost no one reports problematic findings. One widely-criticized procedure assessing CMV levels involves a one-factor test that examines how much common variance might exist in a single dimension. This paper presents a data simulation demonstrating that a relatively high level of CMV must be present to bias true relationships among substantive variables at typically reported reliability levels. The simulation data overall suggests that at levels of CMV typical of multiple item measures with typical reliabilities reporting typical effect sizes, CMV does not represent a grave threat to the validity of research findings.
Effects of oxathiapiprolin on Phytophthora nicotianae, the causal agent of black shank of tobacco

Abstract Oxathiapiprolin is a new fungicide active against oomycetes. In vitro assays and field studies were conducted to examine the effect of oxathiapiprolin on Phytophthora nicotianae (Pn), the causal agent of black shank. The efficacy of oxathiapiprolin on mycelial growth, sporangia production, zoospore motility, and zoospore germination was assessed with four Pn isolates. EC50 values were low ranging from 0.0039 to 0.0049 μg a.i./mL for mycelial growth, 0.00052–0.00081 μg a.i./mL for sporangia production, 0.0035–0.0051 μg a.i./mL for encysted zoospore germination, and 0.0055–0.0166 μg a.i./mL for zoospore motility. Sixty six Pn isolates, 60 from tobacco and six from ornamental plants were examined for sensitivity to oxathiapiprolin at 1 μg a.i./mL. Mycelial growth at 1 μg a.i./mL was observed in only one isolate from tobacco whereas the six Pn isolates from ornamental plants five of which were resistant to mefenoxam at 100 μg a.i./mL, were found to be sensitive to oxathiapiprolin. The efficacy of oxathiapiprolin against black shank was assessed in three field studies in North Carolina. Treatments of oxathiapiprolin were equal or superior to mefenoxam against black shank in each field study. Our results suggest that oxathiapiprolin is a highly efficacious fungicide against P. nicotianae, and will be a useful tool in controlling black shank of tobacco.
Terrestrial net primary productivity in India during 1901–2010: contributions from multiple environmental changes

India is very important but relatively unexplored region in terms of carbon studies, where significant environmental changes have occurred in the 20th century that can alter terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP). Here, we used a process-based, Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM), driven by land cover and land use change (LCLUC), climate change, elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, atmospheric nitrogen deposition (NDEP), and tropospheric ozone (O3) pollution to estimate terrestrial NPP in India during 1901–2010. Over the country, terrestrial NPP showed significant inter-annual variations ranging 1.2 Pg C year−1 to 1.7 Pg C year−1 during the 1901–2010. Overall, multiple environmental changes have increased terrestrial NPP by 0.23 Pg C year−1. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased NPP by 0.29 Pg C; however climate change has offset a portion of terrestrial NPP (0.11 Pg C) during this study period. On an average, terrestrial NPP reduced by 0.12 Pg C year−1 in drought years; when precipitation was 100 mm year−1 lower than long term average, suggesting that terrestrial carbon cycle in India is strongly linked to climate change. LCLUC, including land conversions and cropland management practices, increased terrestrial NPP by 0.043 Pg C year−1 over the country. Tropospheric O3 pollution reduced terrestrial NPP by 0.06 Pg C year−1 and the decrease was comparatively higher in croplands than other biomes after the 1980s. Our results have shown that climate change and tropospheric O3 pollution may partially offset terrestrial NPP increase caused by elevated CO2 concentration, LCLUC, and NDEP over India.
Piezoelectric resonators with mechanical damping and resistance in current conduction

A novel design method for high Q piezoelectric resonators was presented and proposed using the 3-D equations of linear piezoelectricity with quasi-electrostatic approximation which include losses attributed to mechanical damping in solid and resistance in current conduction. There is currently no finite element software for estimating the Q of a resonator without apriori assumptions of the resonator im- pedance or damping. There is a necessity for better and more realistic modeling of resonators and filters due to miniaturization and the rapid advances in frequency ranges in telecommunication. We presented new three-dimensional finite element models of quartz and barium titanate resonators with mechanical damping and resistance in current conduction. Lee, Liu and Ballato's 3-D equations of linear piezoelectricity with quasi-electro- static approximation which include losses attributed to mechanical damping in solid and resistance in current conduction were formulated in a weak form and implemented in COMSOL. The resulting finite element model could predict the Q and other electrical parameters for any piezoelectric resonator without apriori as- sumptions of damping or resistance. Forced and free vibration analyses were per- formed and the results for the Q and other electrical parameters were obtained. Comparisons of the Q and other electrical parameters obtained from the free vibra- tion analysis with their corresponding values from the forced vibration analysis were found to be in excellent agreement. Hence, the frequency spectra obtained from the free vibration analysis could be used for designing high Q resonators. Results for quartz thickness shear AT-cut and SC-cut resonators and thickness stretch poled barium titanate resonators were presented. An unexpected benefit of the model was the prediction of resonator Q with energy losses via the mounting supports.
Abstract 59: Preservation of Myocardial Structure Is Enhanced by Pim-1 Engineering of Bone Marrow Cells

Rationale: Bone marrow derived cells to treat myocardial injury improve cardiac function and support beneficial cardiac remodeling. However, survival of stem cells is limited due to low proliferation of transferred cells. Objective: Demonstrate long-term potential of c-kit+ bone marrow stem cells (BMCs) enhanced with Pim-1 kinase to promote positive cardiac remodeling. Methods and Results: Lentiviral modification of c-kit+ BMCs to express Pim-1 (BMCeP) increases proliferation and expression of pro-survival proteins relative to BMCs expressing GFP (BMCe). Intramyocardial delivery of BMCeP at time of infarction supports improvements in anterior wall dimensions and prevents left ventricle dilation compared to hearts treated with vehicle alone. Reduction of the akinetic left ventricular wall was observed in BMCeP treated hearts at 4 and 12 weeks after infarction. Early recovery of cardiac function in BMCeP-injected hearts facilitated modest improvements in hemodynamic function up to 12 weeks post infarction between cell treated groups. Persistence of BMCeP is improved relative to BMCe within the infarct together with increased recruitment of endogenous c-kit+ cells. Delivery of BMC populations promotes cellular hypertrophy in the border and infarcted regions coupled with an up regulation of hypertrophic genes. Thus, BMCeP treatment yields improved structural remodeling of infarcted myocardium compared to control BMCs. Conclusions: Genetic modification of BMCs with Pim-1 may serve as a therapeutic approach to promote recovery of myocardial structure. Future approaches may take advantage of salutary BMC actions in conjunction with other stem cell types to increase efficacy of cellular therapy and improve myocardial performance in the injured myocardium.
Body size perception and ideal body size in overweight and obese young adult women

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences among actual body size, perceived body size, and ideal body size in overweight and obese young adult women. Actual body size was assessed by body mass index (BMI), while self-perceived and ideal body sizes were assessed by the Body image assessment tool-body dimension. Descriptive statistics were calculated and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on actual BMI as a function of perceived BMI. Of the 42 participants included in the study, 12 were overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), 18 were obese 1 (30 ≤ BMI < 35), and 12 were obese 2 (35 ≤ BMI ≤ 39.48). The mean ideal body size of participants was 25.34 ± 1.33. Participants in general perceived their body size (BMI: 35.82 ± 1.06) to be higher than their actual body size (32.84 ± 0.95). Overweight participants had a significantly higher mean body size misperception than obese 2 individuals (µ dif = −6.68, p < .001). Perception accuracy of body size differs in women by BMI. Weight loss programs need to be tailored to consider body size misperception in order to improve treatment outcomes for overweight and obese young women.
Concurrent Secretion of Calcitonin and Parathyroid Hormone in Vitro from the Rat Thyroparathyroid Complex

SummaryThyroparathyroid glands were removed from 8-day-old baby rats and incubated in vitro for up to 8 hr. Release of both PTH and CT into medium were measured using immunoassays that measure rat CT and rat PTH. Results showed that release of CT and PTH in vitro were inversely related. At 1 mM Ca, PTH in medium increased progressively up to ∼5 ng/ml while CT was only 1-2 ng/ml. At 2.5 mM Ca, PTH was suppressed to low levels ( 90%. PTH and CT release were not altered by several other agents tested, including secretin, pentagastrin, 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3.
Depth Perception, Cueing, and Control

Humans rely on a variety of visual cues to inform them of the depth or range of a particular object or feature. Some cues are provided by physiological mechanisms, others from pictorial cues that are interpreted psychologically, and still others by the relative motions of objects or features induced by observer (or vehicle) motions. These cues provide different levels of information (ordinal, relative, absolute) and saliency depending upon depth, task, and interaction with other cues. Display technologies used for head-down and head-up displays, as well as out-the-window displays, have differing capabilities for providing depth cueing information to the observeroperator. In addition to technologies, display content and the source (camera sensor versus computer rendering) provide varying degrees of cue information. Additionally, most displays create some degree of cue conflict. In this paper, visual depth cues and their interactions will be discussed, as well as display technology and content and related artifacts. Lastly, the role of depth cueing in performing closed-loop control tasks will be discussed.
Isolation and properties of a plasmid which expresses the E. coli Su+7 amber suppressor tRNA gene.

The gene of the amber suppressor tRNA derived from tRNATry, Su+7, has been inserted into a col E1-derived vehicle by selecting for its expression. Despite selection for a suppressor phenotype, and the plasmid's stable presence at ca. 180 copies/cell during balanced growth, the level of mature tRNA maintained by the gene is less than that of the normal haploid tRNATry locus in the bacterial chromosome. Transfer RNA genes, both the plasmid Su+7 gene and chromosomal tRNA's are expressed during inhibition of protein synthesis. During, e.g. chloramphenicol inhibition, Su-7 and Su+7 tRNA can be elevated similarly in the plasmid-containing cell; Su+7 reaches levels of molecules/cell which ordinarily characterize a major tRNA.
Analysis of pathogen contamination in cooked meat products in Shenzhen

Objective:Pathogen contamination of cooked meat in Shenzhen was analyzed,so as to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of foodborne disease.Methods:360 cooked meat samples were randomly collected in hotels,supermarkets and market.Pathogens in these samples were detected according to the national standard methods,fluorescent PCR methods and automatic microorganism analyzer.Results:38 pathogens were found in 360 samples and the detection rate was 10.56%,4 Salmonella,32 Staphylococcus aureus and 2 Listeria monocytogenes.Detection rates were 11.66%,3.33% and 16.67% in halogen,barbecue food and quickly boiled meat respectively.Conclusion:The pathogen contamination of cooked meat products is very serious in Shenzhen and the main pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus,Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.Quickly boiled meat was the most contaminated food(16.67%),and halogen meat was the second most contaminated food(11.66%),while barbecue food was the last one(3.33%).Pathogen contamination of cooked meat was mainly in hotels and supermarkets.Supervision of cooked meat products should be strengthened to ensure the food quality and guarantee the health of consumers.
Training Concept and Innovation Thinking

What is the reality of training? Why does successful training need concept? What guiding concepts we should have in training? What is innovation? What role does innovation play in the course of training? How to improve innovation competence? Taking the development of human being in training and competition as the subject and based on the typical cases in training,the article analyzes the effect of different training concepts on athletes and the role of innovation.It tries to explore the ways of improving personal innovation ability from six aspects.
Methylcobalamin as a substrate at a separate site on Escherichia coli B N5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine cobalamin methyltransferase☆

Abstract Through the combined use of cellulose-polyacetate and disc-gel electrophoresis, a 200-fold purified preparation of Escherichia coli B 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase was further fractionated into a single, protein-staining band. Associated with this band, as in the initial cobalamin (B 12 ) holoenzyme preparation, was a methyl-B 12 -homocysteine methyltransferase activity. Several types of experiments support the view that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine transmethylation (Reaction 1) and methyl-B 12 -homocysteine transmethylation (Reaction 2) occur at separate sites on the B 12 -protein. Both sites are specific for a cobalt-methyl group, however. An inhibited (Reaction 1) propyl-B 12 enzyme catalyzed Reaction 2 with no exchange or decomposition of the propyl-B 12 group. Reconstituted holoenzyme containing a tritiated B 12 group catalyzed Reaction 2 with little loss of its tightly bound chromophore. Aquo-B 12 , but not propyl-B 12 , markedly inhibited Reaction 2. Distinctly different pH-activity curves were observed for the two activities. The apparent K m of urea-resolved apoenzyme for methyl-B 12 as a prosthetic group (Reaction 1) was 2.0 μ m ; whereas, the K m of holoenzyme for methyl-B 12 as a substrate (Reaction 2) was >2.5 m m . At a methyl-B 12 concentration of 2.5 m m Reaction 2 was catalyzed at approximately the rate of Reaction 1.
Analysis of NIEHS Postdoctoral Alumni Career Outcomes

BackgroundPostdoctoral fellows are highly skilled scientists that, classically, have been trained to enter into academic tenure-track positions. The number of these tenure-track academic positions ...
Diverse protocols for correlative super-resolution fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy of chemically fixed samples

Our groups have recently developed related approaches for sample preparation for super-resolution imaging within endogenous cellular environments using correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). Four distinct techniques for preparing and acquiring super-resolution CLEM data sets for aldehyde-fixed specimens are provided, including Tokuyasu cryosectioning, whole-cell mount, cell unroofing and platinum replication, and resin embedding and sectioning. The choice of the best protocol for a given application depends on a number of criteria that are discussed in detail. Tokuyasu cryosectioning is relatively rapid but is limited to small, delicate specimens. Whole-cell mount has the simplest sample preparation but is restricted to surface structures. Cell unroofing and platinum replication creates high-contrast, 3D images of the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane but is more challenging than whole-cell mount. Resin embedding permits serial sectioning of large samples but is limited to osmium-resistant probes, and is technically difficult. Expected results from these protocols include super-resolution localization (∼10-50 nm) of fluorescent targets within the context of electron microscopy ultrastructure, which can help address cell biological questions. These protocols can be completed in 2-7 d, are compatible with a number of super-resolution imaging protocols, and are broadly applicable across biology.
Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

Gene flow is an evolutionary process that supports genetic connectivity and contributes to the capacity of species to adapt to environmental change. Yet, for most species, little is known about the specific environmental factors that influence genetic connectivity, or their effects on genetic diversity and differentiation. We used a landscape genetic approach to understand how geography and climate influence genetic connectivity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia), and their relationships with specieswide patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation. Using multivariate restricted optimization in a reciprocal causal modelling framework, we quantified the relative contributions of riparian network connectivity, terrestrial upland resistance and climate gradients on genetic connectivity. We found that (i) all riparian corridors, regardless of river order, equally facilitated connectivity, while terrestrial uplands provided 2.5× more resistance to gene flow than riparian corridors. (ii) Cumulative differences in precipitation seasonality and precipitation of the warmest quarter were the primary climatic factors driving genetic differentiation; furthermore, maximum climate resistance was 45× greater than riparian resistance. (iii) Genetic diversity was positively correlated with connectivity (R2 = 0.3744, p = .0019), illustrating the utility of resistance models for identifying landscape conditions that can support a species' ability to adapt to environmental change. From these results, we present a map highlighting key genetic connectivity corridors across P. angustifolia's range that if disrupted could have long-term ecological and evolutionary consequences. Our findings provide recommendations for conservation and restoration management of threatened riparian ecosystems throughout the western USA and the high biodiversity they support.
A Loyalist Who Loved His Country too Much: Thomas Hutchinson, Historian of Colonial Massachusetts

Abstract A history of the book approach to Thomas Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts Bay (published 1764-1828) recovers his commitment to preserve facts and his place in eighteenth-century historiography. Hutchinson's vilification by patriots still obscures our understanding of his loyalism. The article reassesses late colonial society, the American Revolution, and Anglo-American culture in the British Atlantic World.
Estimation of genetic variability for seed yield and its components in chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) genotypes

The present experiment was conducted to determine magnitude of genetic variability with fifteen kabuli chickpea genotypes in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 growing season under Mediterranean climate conditions. In this present study seed yield per plant and yield component were investigated. The experiment was orginazed with three replications in randomized complate blocks design. Data were recorded on plant height, number of branches per plant, height of first podding node, full and total pods number per plant, seeds number per plant, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant. Analysis of variance for seed yield per plant and its component showed significant differences among all genotypes. Broad-sense heritability ranged from 12.27% (total pod number per plant) to 93.88% (100-seed weight). Moderate and high estimates of broad sense heritability were observed for branches number per plant, harvest index and 100-seed weight. It can be concluded that the seed yield of chickpea can be improved by selecting these characters in breeding chickpea materials.
Posture-to-posture trajectory planning for an autonomous car using triple clothoid segments

We consider a steering plan for an autonomous car as a function of path length. The initial state of a car is composed of its position, direction, and curvature corresponding to its front-wheel direction. In the case that the final state of the steering plan is taken as one point on a curved road, not only the position but also the direction of the car and curvature corresponding to the curved road are specified. Defining posture as a state that consists of the car's position, direction, and curvature, we consider this steering plan as a trajectory plan from the start posture to the end posture. In cars, the upper and lower limits of allowable curvature exist due to the minimum turning radius of the cars. Lateral acceleration and jerk, which affect ride quality, are respectively proportional to curvature and sharpness, which is the rate of change of curvature. We chose clothoid segments, for which curvature and sharpness are easily adjusted, as components of a trajectory. Single or double clothoid segments are not flexible enough to match the end posture. We propose a trajectory planning method that uses triple clothoid segments whose lengths are variable and introduce a four-parameter model for this method. We moreover show a concrete numerical solution method based on an optimization problem framework.
Epigenetic Regulation of Myofibroblast Phenotypes in Fibrosis

Myofibroblasts are the fundamental drivers of fibrosing disorders; there is great value in better defining epigenetic networks involved in myofibroblast behavior. Complex epigenetic paradigms, which are likely organ and/or disease specific, direct pathologic myofibroblast phenotypes. In this review, we highlight epigenetic regulators and the mechanisms through which they shape myofibroblast phenotype in fibrotic diseases of different organs. Hundreds of genes and their expression contribute to the myofibroblast transcriptional regime influencing myofibroblast phenotype. An increasingly large number of epigenetic modifications have been identified in the regulation of these signaling pathways driving myofibroblast activation and disease progression. Drugs that inhibit or reverse profibrotic epigenetic modifications have shown promise in vitro and in vivo; however, no current epigenetic therapies have been approved to treat fibrosis. Newly described epigenetic mechanisms will be mentioned, along with potential therapeutic targets and innovative strategies to further understand myofibroblast-directed fibrosis. Epigenetic regulators that direct myofibroblast behavior and differentiation into pathologic myofibroblast phenotypes in fibrotic disorders comprise both overlapping and organ-specific epigenetic mechanisms.
Determination of Reentry Wages of Displaced Homemakers

Using a sample from the National Longitudinal Survey of Work Experience of Women, this study empirically examines the factors that determine wages for a sample of middle-aged displaced homemakers who reenter the labor force after displacement. Education, occupational training, health, size of the labor market, and length of search time are found significantly to affect reentry wages for this group.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Academic Physicians: The Academic Health Careers Program

There is growing evidence in the medical education literature for the aggressive need to recruit and retain the next generation of academic physicians. In 2008, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (UK COM) developed an academic health careers (AHCs) program for preclinical medical students as an introduction into the practice of academic medicine. The goals of this elective experience included (1) highly customized training and mentorship experiences in research, teaching, and other aspects of academic medicine; (2) information and perspectives to assist students in making informed career choices, including options for academic careers; (3) access to academic career mentors and role models related to individual faculty research interests and teaching responsibilities; and (4) opportunities to network with UK COM administrators. This short communication provides a detailed overview of the AHC experience - along with preliminary findings from a 2016-17 follow-up of program graduates exploring the program's role in their career aspirations and decisions.
Reading the Ink Around Us: How Karen Refugee Youth Use Tattoos as an Alternative Literacy Practice

This work uses the lens of new literacy studies to examine the narratives told through the tattoos of Karen youth refugees living in the United States. This insight into a single ethnic group, curr...