cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The case for survivin as a regulator of microtubule dynamics and cell-death decisions

Survivin has aroused keen interest in disparate areas of basic and translational research. This stems from the complexity of a 'survivin network', which appears to intersect multiple pathways of cell division, resistance to apoptosis, surveillance checkpoints and adaptation to unfavorable environments. Such intricacy has also engendered different models for survivin function and its implications. As antagonists of survivin are being evaluated in the clinic, a critical reassessment of the pathway, especially with respect to cell division and cell survival, is now a priority. Building a unifying model to reconcile the differing views on survivin will aid in the design and interpretation of molecularly based clinical trials targeting this network in humans.
Display of an inhibin epitope in a surface-exposed loop of the E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit

Abstract In vitro gene manipulation was used to develop a novel chimeric antigen consisting of the non-toxic B subunit (EtxB) of an E. coli enterotoxin and the first 14 N-terminal amino acid residues of the carboxy-terminal portion of the α subunit of bovine inhibin (bINH 1–14 ). Rabbits immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) or intravenously (i.v.) with EtxB::bINH 1–14 , with or without Freund's adjuvant, developed significant titres of antibodies that recognized an inhibin peptide fragment containing bINH 1–14 , native inhibins, and EtxB during separate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Passive immunization of mice with the rabbit anti-EtxB::bINH 1–14 serum increased concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum twofold compared with controls, whereas serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were unaltered. Since FSH is the primary hormone from the pituitary gland that stimulates ovarian follicle growth and spermatogenesis, the results of this study demonstrate that EtxB::bINH 1–14 has potential as antigen for development of inhibin-based fertility vaccines.
Utilization of the Native American Talking Circle to teach incident command system to tribal community health representatives.

The public health workforce is diverse and encompasses a wide range of professions. For tribal communities, the Community Health Representative (CHR) is a public health paraprofessional whose role as a community health educator and health advocate has expanded to become an integral part of the health delivery system of most tribes. CHRs possess a unique set of skills and cultural awareness that make them an essential first responder on tribal land. As a result of their distinctive qualities they have the capability of effectively mobilizing communities during times of crisis and can have a significant impact on the communities’ response to a local incident. Although public health emergency preparedness training is a priority of federal, state, local and tribal public health agencies, much of the training currently available is not tailored to meet the unique traits of CHRs. Much of the emergency preparedness training is standardized, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Training Programs, and does not take into account the inherent cultural traditions of some of the intended target audience. This paper reports on the use of the Native American Talking Circle format as a culturally appropriate method to teach the Incident Command System (ICS). The results of the evaluation suggest the talking format circle is well received and can significantly improve the understanding of ICS roles. The limitations of the assessment instrument and the cultural adaptations at producing changes in the understanding of ICS history and concepts are discussed. Possible solutions to these limitations are provided.
Epoxide-Mediated Differential Packaging of Cif and Other Virulence Factors into Outer Membrane Vesicles

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that contain a number of secreted bacterial proteins, including phospholipases, alkaline phosphatase, and the CFTR inhibitory factor (Cif). Previously, Cif, an epoxide hydrolase, was shown to be regulated at the transcriptional level by epoxides, which serve as ligands of the repressor, CifR. Here, we tested whether epoxides have an effect on Cif levels in OMVs. We showed that growth of P. aeruginosa in the presence of specific epoxides but not a hydrolysis product increased Cif packaging into OMVs in a CifR-independent fashion. The outer membrane protein, OprF, was also increased under these conditions, but alkaline phosphatase activity was not significantly altered. Additionally, we demonstrated that OMV shape and density were affected by epoxide treatment, with two distinct vesicle fractions present when cells were treated with epibromohydrin (EBH), a model epoxide. Vesicles isolated from the two density fractions exhibited different protein profiles in Western blotting and silver staining. We have shown that a variety of clinically or host-relevant treatments, including antibiotics, also alter the proteins packaged in OMVs. Proteomic analysis of purified OMVs followed by an analysis of transposon mutant OMVs yielded mutants with altered vesicle packaging. Finally, epithelial cell cytotoxicity was reduced in the vesicles formed in the presence of EBH, suggesting that this epoxide alters the function of the OMVs. Our data support a model whereby clinically or host-relevant signals mediate differential packaging of virulence factors in OMVs, which results in functional consequences for host-pathogen interactions.
Evaluation of Synchrotron Radiation Integrals

Many of the important properties of the stored beam in an electron storage ring are determined by integrals, ’ taken around the whole ring, of various characteristic functions of the guide fielci. Some of the integrals are handled easily, but a few are usually estimated graphically - particularly for alternating-gradient guide fields. This report describes a convenient method for evaluating numerically these recalcitrant integrals. In the usual linear approximation, the integrals we wish to consider are most conveniently expressed in terms of four (somewhat redundant) functions of the azimuthal coordinates: p(s) the radius of curvature of the design orbit, n the field index, F(s) the radial betatro; function andT(s) the off-energy (or “dispersion”) function. The Integrals We restrict our attention to guide fields made up of a number of magnetic segments - magnets or straight sections The functions p and n are assumed to have constant values within a given magnet, but vary abruptly at the entrance and erit boundaries. The integrals of interest are given by:
Identification of chemical biomarker compounds in bacteria and other biomaterials by pyrolysis—tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract Pyrolysis—mass spectrometry has been used successfully in the past to classify bacteria. The majority of these studies have required statistical procedures and have not had the capability to identify the biochemicals responsible for the differentiation. The focus of this study has been to investigate by tandem mass spectrometry the uniqueness of a series of pyrolytic biomarker compounds found in bacteria. Ions at m/z 79, 113, 117, 126 and 135 representing dipicolinic acid, diketopiperazine, indole, thymine and adenine were selected as indicators of sporulation material, proteins, amino acids and nucleic acids. The results from a diverse sample set including bacteria, proteins, phages, and atmospheric samples, showed that the daughter ion spectra from m/z 79, 113, 117 and 135 contained peaks that were unique to the biomaterials. The daughter ion spectrum from m/z 126 was less diagnostic than the other four spectra.
Cardiac axis in fetuses with abdominal wall defects

Objectives To investigate whether fetal cardiac axis is affected by the presence of an abdominal wall defect (AWD) independent of congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods Video ultrasound records from fetuses with AWDs identified from 1991‐2004 were reviewed. Still images of the fetal cardiac four-chamber view were digitized and two independent examiners measured the cardiac axis. A cardiac axis of >65 ◦ or <25 ◦ was considered abnormal. Maternal charts were reviewed for fetal echocardiogram results and neonatal charts were reviewed for confirmation of CHD and type of AWD. Results Of 17 fetuses with omphalocele and 42 fetuses with gastroschisis, 16 (27%) fetuses had an abnormal cardiac axis, while only seven (12%) had CHD. Fifty-nine percent of fetuses with omphalocele had an abnormal cardiac axis and 35% had CHD. Fourteen percent of fetuses with gastroschisis had an abnormal cardiac axis and 2% had CHD. Of 43 fetuses with a normal cardiac axis, only one had CHD. Conclusions Fetal cardiac axis is often affected by the presence of an AWD independent of CHD. A normal cardiac axis in fetuses with AWDs is an accurate predictor of the absence of CHD, the negative predictive value being 97.7%. Copyright  2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of GaAs and Si hybrid solar power systems

Five different hybrid solar power systems using silicon solar cells to produce thermal and electric power are modeled and compared with a hybrid system using a GaAs cell. Among the indices determined are capital cost per unit electric power plus mechanical power, annual cost per unit electric energy, and annual cost per unit electric plus mechanical work. Current costs are taken to be $35,000/sq m for GaAs cells with an efficiency of 15% and $1000/sq m for Si cells with an efficiency of 10%. It is shown that hybrid systems can be competitive with existing methods of practical energy conversion. Limiting values for annual costs of Si and GaAs cells are calculated to be 10.3 cents/kWh and 6.8 cents/kWh, respectively. Results for both systems indicate that for a given flow rate there is an optimal operating condition for minimum cost photovoltaic output. For Si cell costs of $50/sq m optimal performance can be achieved at concentrations of about 10; for GaAs cells costing 1000/sq m, optimal performance can be obtained at concentrations of around 100. High concentration hybrid systems offer a distinct cost advantage over flat systems.
Preliminary evidence for a phage in syngas utilizing Clostridium thermoaceticum

Using the vast coal reserves in environmentally safer ways has been an area of public and scientific concern and intensive investigation for a long time [1,2]. Using microorganisms for the bioprocessing of coal has also attracted considerable attention [ 3,4 ]. The approach reported here, to utilize syngas by anaerobic, thermophilic species ofclostridium, has been mentioned earlier [5 ]. Glucose-limited cultures of C. thermoaceticurn incorporate carbon monoxide in their homoacetate pathways has already been demonstrated [6]. Other approaches may be seen elsewhere [7]. It is now obvious that some of the physiological limitations of this organism may be overcome by strain improvement using genetic engineering techniques. It has been demonstrated that there is a 30 kb plasmid in C. thermoaceticum [ 5 ]. Phages of clostridia of industrial importance have been reported as contaminants causing extensive damage to the acetone-butanol fermentation industry. Detailed discussion on clostridial phages may be seen in two reviews [8,9 ]. None of the phages have so far been isolated from C. thermoaceticum, C. thermoautotrophicum, etc. Attempts to obtain a phage vector, in addition to naturally occurring plasmids, is described in this communication.
Pairwise comparisons of trimmed means for two or more groups

The paper takes up the problem of performing all pairwise comparisons amongJ independent groups based on 20% trimmed means. Currently, a method that stands out is the percentile-t bootstrap method where the bootstrap is used to estimate the quantiles of a Studentized maximum modulus distribution when all pairs of population trimmed means are equal. However, a concern is that in simulations, the actual probability of one or more Type I errors can drop well below the nominal level when sample sizes are small. A practical issue is whether a method can be found that corrects this problem while maintaining the positive features of the percentile-t bootstrap. Three new methods are considered here, one of which achieves the desired goal. Another method, which takes advantage of theoretical results by Singh (1998), performs almost as well but is not recommended when the smallest sample size drops below 15. In some situations, however, it gives substantially shorter confidence intervals.
The influence of ambient groundwater discharge on exchange zones induced by current-bedform interactions

Summary We use numerical modeling to investigate the interactions between laminar flow in a water column, current–bedform induced flow in underlying permeable sediments, and discharge of deep groundwater to the water column. Groundwater discharge reduces the spatial extent of current-induced exchange zones within the sediments and may completely prevent the development of current–bedform induced flow at high groundwater discharge. Although exchange zone size is reduced by groundwater discharge, the reduction in exchange flux is not significant, suggesting reduced residence times of materials cycled through these smaller zones. Fluid exchange zones tend to be centered around the reattachment points of eddies that also mark the location of flow divides within the sediments; while deep groundwater is discharged preferentially along troughs. Exchange zone depth and the water column Reynolds number are functionally related through a Morgan–Mercer–Flodin model. The relationship between the current-induced flux through the sediments and the Reynolds number is described by low-order monotonic polynomial functions.
Building a Republican Peace: Stabilizing States after War

Although peacebuilders do not operate from a common template, liberal values so define their activities that their efforts can be called “liberal peacebuilding.” Many postconflict operations aspire to create a state that contains the rule of law, markets, and democracy. Growing evidence suggests, however, that liberal peacebuilding is re-creating the conditions of conflict; states emerging from war do not have the necessary institutions or civic culture to absorb the pressures associated with political and market competition. In recognition of these problems and dangers, there is an emerging call for greater attention to the state and institutionalization before liberalization. These critiques, and lessons learned from recent operations, point to an alternative—republican peacebuilding. Drawing from republican political theory, this article argues that the republican principles of deliberation, constitutionalism, and representation can help states after war address the threats to stability that derive fro...
Confirmation of a positive association between prostate cancer risk and a locus at chromosome 8q24.

Background: Family-based linkage studies, association studies, and studies of tumors have highlighted human chromosome 8q as a genomic region of interest for prostate cancer susceptibility loci. Recently, a locus at 8q24, characterized by both a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and a microsatellite marker, was shown to be associated with prostate cancer risk in Icelandic, Swedish, and U.S. samples. Although the data were provocative, the U.S. samples were not population based, which precludes assessment of the potential contribution of this locus to prostate cancer incidence in the United States. Methods: We analyzed both markers in a population-based, case-control study of middle-aged men from King County, Washington. Results: Overall, there was a significant positive association between the A allele of the SNP rs1447295 and prostate cancer risk [odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.1-2.0] but no significant association with the microsatellite DG8S737. However, significant associations were observed for both markers in men with high Gleason scores. Adjusting for age, first-degree family history of prostate cancer, and prostate cancer screening history, the adjusted odds ratios were 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.8) for the A allele of the SNP and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-2.8) for the −10 allele of the microsatellite. Conclusions: These data suggest that the locus on chromosome 8q24 harbors a genetic variant associated with prostate cancer and that the microsatellite marker is a stronger risk factor for aggressive prostate cancers defined by poorly differentiated tumor morphology. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(4):809–14)
Differential chitinase activity and production within Francisella species, subspecies and subpopulations

Genotyping of Francisella tularensis (A1a, A1b, A2, and type B) and Francisella novicida has identified multiple differences between species and among F. tularensis subspecies and subpopulations. Variations in virulence, geographic distribution, and ecology are also known to exist among this group of bacteria, despite the >95% nucleotide identity in their genomes. This study expands the description of phenotypic differences by evaluating the ability of F. tularensis and F. novicida to degrade chitin analogs and produce active chitinases. Endochitinase activities were observed to vary among F. tularensis and F. novicida strains. The activity observed for F. tularensis strains was predominantly associated with whole-cell lysates, while the chitinase activity of F. novicida localized to the culture supernatant. In addition, the overall level of chitinase activity differed among the subpopulations of F. tularensis and between the species. Bioinformatic analyses identified two new putative chitinase genes (chiC and chiD), as well as the previously described chiA and chiB. However, the presence of these four open reading frames as intact genes or pseudogenes was found to differ between Francisella species and F. tularensis subspecies and subpopulations. Recombinant production of the putative chitinases and enzymatic evaluations revealed ChiA, ChiB, ChiC, and ChiD possessed dissimilar chitinase activities. These biochemical studies coupled with bioinformatic analyses and the evaluation of chiA and chiC knockouts in F. tularensis A1 and A2 strains, respectively, provided a molecular basis to explain the differential chitinase activities observed among the species and subpopulations of Francisella.
A Predictive Equation to Guide Vitamin D Replacement Dose in Patients

Background: Vitamin D is essential for bone health and probably the health of most nonskeletal tissues. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread, and recommended doses are usually inadequate to maintain healthy levels. We conducted a retrospective observational study to determine whether the recommended doses of vitamin D are adequate to correct deficiency and maintain normal levels in a population seeking health care. We also sought to develop a predictive equation for replacement doses of vitamin D. Methods: We reviewed the response to vitamin D supplementation in 1327 patients and 3885 episodes of vitamin D replacement and attempted to discern factors affecting the response to vitamin D replacement by conducting multiple regression analyses. Results: For the whole population, average daily dose resulting in any increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 4707 IU/day; corresponding values for ambulatory and nursing home patients were 4229 and 6103 IU/day, respectively. Significant factors affecting the change in serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, in addition to the dose administered, are (1) starting serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, (2) body mass index (BMI), (3) age, and (f) serum albumin concentration. The following equation predicts the dose of vitamin D needed (in international units per day) to affect a given change in serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D: Dose = [(8.52 − Desired change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level) + (0.074 × Age) – (0.20 × BMI) + (1.74 × Albumin concentration) – (0.62 × Starting serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration)]/(−0.002). Analysis of the dose responses among 3 racial groups—white, black, and others—did not reveal clinically meaningful differences between the races. The main limitation of the study is its retrospective observational nature; however, that is also its strength in that we assessed the circumstances seen in usual health care setting. Conclusions: The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is grossly inadequate for correcting low serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in many adult patients. About 5000 IU vitamin D3/day is usually needed to correct deficiency, and the maintenance dose should be ≥2000 IU/day. The required dose may be calculated from the predictive equations specific for ambulatory and nursing home patients.
Collection, Compaction and Storage of Solid Waste for Space Missions:

Efficient trash collection and volume reduction becomes very important during extended, manned space flight missions because of the high rate of crew member generated trash and the limited volume available to store this trash. Trash management in manned space flight vehicles requires that the following considerations be addressed: definition of the trash model including quantities/rates of generation and the physico-chemical characteristics of the trash; methods of collection and temporary stowage prior to treatment or processing; the method of treatment/processing to affect biochemical stabilization and volume reduction; and storage of treated/ processed trash prior to final disposition. This paper discusses trash management design approaches with focus on trash collection, compaction and storage. This paper also discusses the trash compactor design currently being developed for the Space Station Freedom program.
Users as essential contributors to spatial cyberinfrastructures

Current accounts of spatial cyberinfrastructure development tend to overemphasize technologies to the neglect of critical social and cultural issues on which adoption depends. Spatial cyberinfrastructures will have a higher chance of success if users of many types, including nonprofessionals, are made central to the development process. Recent studies in the history of infrastructures reveal key turning points and issues that should be considered in the development of spatial cyberinfrastructure projects. These studies highlight the importance of adopting qualitative research methods to learn how users work with data and digital tools, and how user communities form. The author's empirical research on data sharing networks in the Pacific Northwest salmon crisis at the turn of the 21st century demonstrates that ordinary citizens can contribute critical local knowledge to global databases and should be considered in the design and construction of spatial cyberinfrastructures.
Putting It All Together for Best Stroke Practice, All the Time

See related article, p 1387. Each year nearly 800 000 people in the United States have a clinically evident stroke. Despite the availability of an effective and time-dependent treatment, intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA), in 2011, only 33.8%1 of eligible ischemic stroke patients received treatment within 60 minutes from time of hospital arrival, as recommended by current acute stroke guidelines.2 This suboptimal expediency of treatment, nearly constant for a decade, represents lost opportunity for optimal neurological outcome and reduced mortality. The pooled analyses of the Alteplase Thrombolysis for Acute Noninterventional Therapy in Ischemic Stroke (ATLANTIS), European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS), and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke r-tPA Stroke Study (NINDS) r-tPA trials by Hacke et al3 in 2004 showed a strong association between early treatment and improved outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke treated with r-tPA. A recent analysis of the Get With the Guidelines Stroke registry by Saver et al4 confirmed that earlier treatment yields better patient outcomes. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Target Stroke initiative was created to provide a framework through which hospitals could reduce their door-to-needle (DTN) times. In the development of the Target Stroke program, best practice strategies were identified by a multidisciplinary work group after reviewing published literature and expert consensus. Strategies proven successful in reducing time to treatment of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction were identified as best practice strategies that could be easily and effectively adopted by acute care hospitals in the treatment of stroke. Eleven such strategies were promoted, including prehospital notification; the use of single-call stroke team activation; rapid triage, imaging, and laboratory testing; and …
Efficient Doacross execution on distributed shared-memory multiprocessors

Doacross execution can exploit the parallelism of a Do loop with cross-iteration dependences. All previ­ ous approaches to Doacross execution assumed the uniform memory access (UMA) architecture. In this paper, we propose a Doacross execution scheme for the distributed shared memory (DSM) architec­ ture. Our scheme uses direct communication and static message passing. Our communication is direct bec ause a producer writes (or sends) data directly to the nearest shared memory (N eSM) of its consumer. Our message passing is static in the sense that a message is bound to a buffer loca­ tion determined at compile time. We present com­ piler algorithms that transform a Doacross loop into the proposed execution scheme and derive conditions that can reduce the extra storage needed for message buffers. The preliminary results show that the pro­ posed scheme can outperform approaches that ignore the features of the DSM architecture, i. e. simply uti­ lize DSM architecture as UMA architecture.
Bcl-2 Positively Regulates Sox9-dependent Chondrocyte Gene Expression by Suppressing the MEK-ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway *

Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein that has recently been shown to regulate other cellular functions. We previously reported that Bcl-2 regulates chondrocyte matrix gene expression, independent of its anti-apoptotic function. Here, we further investigate this novel function of Bcl-2 and examine three intracellular signaling pathways likely to be associated with this function. The present study demonstrates that the activity of Sox9, a master transcription factor that regulates the gene expression of chondrocyte matrix proteins, is suppressed by Bcl-2 small interference RNA in the presence of caspase inhibitors. This effect was attenuated by prior exposure of chondrocytes to an adenoviral vector expressing sense Bcl-2. In addition, the down-regulation of Bcl-2, Sox9, and chondrocyte-specific gene expression by serum withdrawal in primary chondrocytes was reversed by expressing Bcl-2. Inhibition of the protein kinase Cα and NFκB pathways had no effect on the maintenance of Sox9-dependent gene expression by Bcl-2. In contrast, whereas the MEK-ERK1/2 pathway negatively regulated the differentiated phenotype in wild type chondrocytes, inhibition of this pathway reversed the loss of differentiation markers and fibroblastic phenotype in Bcl-2-deficient chondrocytes. In conclusion, the present study identifies a specific signaling pathway, namely, MEK-ERK1/2, that is downstream of Bcl-2 in the regulation of Sox9-dependent chondrocyte gene expression and phenotype.
Peer-to-peer file-sharing over mobile ad hoc networks

Current peer-to-peer file-sharing systems mostly work on wired networks. Mobile ad hoc network is characterized as multihop wireless communications between mobile devices. Five routing approaches with different complexity are proposed to enable peer-to-peer file-sharing over mobile ad hoc networks. The complexity of the proposed approaches is evaluated and compared. It is concluded that the cross-layer protocols perform better than simply overlaying peer-to-peer searching protocol on mobile ad hoc networks.
A correlation-based approach to calculate rotation and translation of moving cells

We present a noniterative image cross-correlation approach to track translation and rotation of crawling cells in time-lapse video microscopy sequences. The method does not rely on extracting features or moments, and therefore does not impose specific requirements on the type of microscopy used for imaging. Here we use phase-contrast images. We calculate cell rotation and translation from one image to the next in two stages. First, rotation is calculated by cross correlating the images' polar-transformed magnitude spectra (Fourier magnitudes). Rotation of the cell about any center in the original images results in translation in this representation. Then, we rotate the first image such that the cell has the same orientation in both images, and cross correlate this image with the second image to calculate translation. By calculating the rotation and translation over each interval in the movie, and thereby tracking the cell's position and orientation in each image, we can then map from the stationary reference frame in which the cell was observed to the cell's moving coordinate system. We describe our modifications enabling application to nonidentical images from video sequences of moving cells, and compare this method's performance with that of a feature extraction method and an iterative optimization method.
Plastic Deformation of Ceramic‐Oxide Single Crystals, II

Sapphire single crystals exhibit the same qualitative creep properties over the temperature range 900° to 1400°C. as do comparable metal single crystals at room temperature. The creep of sapphire under constant load has four portions: (a) a period of increasing creep rate, (b) a period of decreasing creep rate, (c) a period of constant creep rate, and (d) a final period of increasing creep rate. The stress required to initiate creep falls smoothly from about 780 kg. per sq. cm. at 900°C. to about 130 kg. per sq. cm. at 1400°C. After creep is initiated, it will continue at a lower stress (the addition of chromia increases the stress required to initiate creep). The electrical resistivity of sapphire is apparently increased by plastic deformation and decreased by subsequent heating near 1800°C. Slip lines in periclase and rutile were studied and slip systems were identified.
Collaborative Learning in an Introduction to Psychological Science Laboratory: Undergraduate Teaching Fellows Teach to Learn:

In this article, we describe the laboratory component of an Introduction to Psychological Science course and a teaching fellows program in which undergraduates direct these laboratory experiences. We present the goals of the laboratory class and describe its curriculum, and we examine the goals and operations of the teaching fellows program. Furthermore, we consider the outcomes of this experience for introductory students and teaching fellows, and we examine the implications of the teaching fellows program for quality undergraduate education.
The One Percent

Recent protest movements brought attention to the one percent, a segment of the population that is critical to understanding inequality and social mobility but that attracts relatively little research attention. In this article, I survey current research on the one percent in the United States. I distinguish income from wealth and show that both are very concentrated but that the concentration of wealth, particularly financial wealth, is extremely high. I describe the demographic traits and finances of households who are in the one percent and discuss how these have changed in the past decade. I review literature that explains rising top incomes, and I propose that future research will usefully concentrate more on top wealth owners and on the demographic and life course processes that underlie income and wealth concentration. I conclude by speculating about why Americans are so tolerant of resource concentration.
Low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol consumption and the risk of selected birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Purpose To estimate whether low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with selected birth outcomes. Methods Low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol drinking and effects on low birthweight, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, and selected neonatal outcomes were evaluated among 4496 women and singleton infants. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression, controlling for confounding variables. Results Early pregnancy drinking was associated with reduced odds of low birthweight, OR, 0.66 (95% CI, 0.46–0.96) and birth length less than 10th percentile, OR, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.56–0.97). Drinking during the first 3 months showed lower odds for birth length and head circumference less than 10th percentile, OR, 0.56 (95% CI, 0.36–0.87) and OR, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.50–0.96), respectively. Third trimester drinking was associated with lower odds for low birthweight, OR, 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34–0.94) and preterm delivery, OR, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.42–0.87). Conclusions Our results suggest low-to-moderate alcohol exposure during early and late gestation is not associated with increased risk of low birthweight, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, and most selected perinatal outcomes.
A FORTE for lightning

A newly launched satellite designed to test technology to monitor compliance with arms control treaties is detecting thousands of more radio bursts from lightning strikes and other phenomena than previously reported from other satellites, according to a poster presented at the AGU Fall Meeting in December. Instruments on board the Fast On-orbit Recording of Transient Events (FORTE) satellite—a joint project of the United States' Department of Energy's Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories—are detecting powerful radio bursts that are 100 times stronger and 1,000 times briefer than radio emissions generated by lightning, and are believed to originate from an altitude of 3–10 miles in the vicinity of thunderstorm complexes.
Illicit use of specific prescription stimulants among college students: prevalence, motives, and routes of administration.

Objectives To explore the illicit use of specific prescription stimulants among college students and add to our understanding of reasons (motives) and routes of administration associated with illicit use of these drugs.
Mechanism of IRK1 channel block by intracellular polyamines.

Intracellular polyamines inhibit the strongly rectifying IRK1 potassium channel by a mechanism different from that of a typical ionic pore blocker such as tetraethylammonium. As in other K+ channels, in the presence of intracellular TEA, the IRK1 channel current decreases with increasing membrane voltage and eventually approaches zero. However, in the presence of intracellular polyamines, the channel current varies with membrane voltage in a complex manner: when membrane voltage is increased, the current decreases in two phases separated by a hump. Furthermore, contrary to the expectation for a nonpermeant ionic pore blocker, a significant residual IRK1 current persists at very positive membrane voltages; the amplitude of the residual current decreases with increasing polyamine concentration. This complex blocking behavior of polyamines can be accounted for by a minimal model whereby intracellular polyamines inhibit the IRK1 channel by inducing two blocked channel states. In each of the blocked states, a polyamine is bound with characteristic affinity and probability of traversing the pore. The proposal that polyamines traverse the pore at finite rates is supported by the observation that philanthotoxin-343 (spermine with a bulky chemical group attached to one end) acts as a nonpermeant ionic blocker in the IRK1 channel.
Functional genomic analysis of a commercial wine strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae under differing nitrogen conditions

DNA microarray analysis was used to profile gene expression in a commercial isolate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown in a synthetic grape juice medium under conditions mimicking a natural environment for yeast: High-sugar and variable nitrogen conditions. The high nitrogen condition displayed elevated levels of expression of genes involved in biosynthesis of macromolecular precursors across the time course as compared to low-nitrogen. In contrast, expression of genes involved in translation and oxidative carbon metabolism were increased in the low-nitrogen condition, suggesting that respiration is more nitrogen-conserving than fermentation. Several genes under glucose repression control were induced in low-nitrogen in spite of very high (17%) external glucose concentrations, but there was no general relief of glucose repression. Expression of many stress response genes was elevated in stationary phase. Some of these genes were expressed regardless of the nitrogen concentration while others were found at higher levels only under high nitrogen conditions. A few genes, FSP2, RGS2, AQY1, YFL030W, were expressed more strongly with nitrogen limitation as compared to other conditions.
Control of Micro-Satellite Orientation Using Bounded-Input, Fully-Reversed MEMS Actuators:

We present a novel technique for controlling the attitude of micro-satellites using MEMS-based microactuators. In addition to being restricted in the magnitudes of inputs, most microactuators need to be returned to their original inactive state at the end of the attitude control maneuver in order to reduce energy consumption. This type of bounded and fully-reversed actuation on a free rigid body leads to a special type of system in which nonholonomic effects have been incorporated by design . We discuss issues of controllability and develop motion planning algorithms for such a system considering the nonintegrable nature of rigid body rotations. We use approximate methods to develop two algorithms for controlling satellite orientation. The first method uses a series of pair-wise actuation steps and is guaranteed to converge to the desired orientation; the second uses fewer steps, and in certain cases uses less input power. We also present preliminary results of a practical implementation using electro-the...
Calculation of Absolute Protein-Ligand Binding Affinity Using Path and Endpoint Approaches

A comparative analysis is provided of rigorous and approximate methods for calculating absolute binding affinities of two protein-ligand complexes: the FKBP protein bound with small molecules 4-hydroxy-2-butanone and FK506. Our rigorous approach is an umbrella sampling technique where a potential of mean force is determined by pulling the ligand out of the protein active site over several simulation windows. The results of this approach agree well with experimentally observed binding affinities. Also assessed is a commonly used approximate endpoint approach, which separately estimates enthalpy, solvation free energy, and entropy. We show that this endpoint approach has numerous variations, all of which are prone to critical shortcomings. For example, conventional harmonic and quasiharmonic entropy estimation procedures produce disparate results for the relatively simple protein-ligand systems studied in this work.
IRA Asset Allocation, 2012, and Longitudinal Results, 2010-2012

This paper is the fourth examination of asset allocation from the EBRI IRA Database, an ongoing project that collects data from IRA plan administrators. For 2012, it contains information on 25.3 million accounts with total assets of $2.09 trillion. The number of IRAs in the database with complete asset allocation data is lower at 22.0 million accounts with $1.85 trillion in assets. This paper examines asset allocation on a dollar-weighted basis within IRAs by type and account balance, as well as by gender and age of the account owner. In addition to presenting the average asset allocation across the accounts, this study includes a presentation of the percentage of accounts with “extreme” allocations -- either less than 10 percent or more than 90 percent in a particular asset category. This helps illustrate the distribution of the allocations to the various assets across all of the IRAs. Furthermore, a longitudinal component is added to this study to see how the asset allocations of those in the database have changed. The latest data from the EBRI IRA Database show that just over one-half of all IRA assets were allocated to equities, although this varied with age, account balance, and IRA type. Gender differences in asset allocations were minimal. Those older or owning a traditional IRA had, on average, lower allocations to equities. Individuals with the largest balances had the lowest combined exposure to equities (including the equity share of balanced funds to the pure equity funds). This study includes the first look at asset allocation longitudinally from 2010-2012 and finds that equity allocations in 2010 were very similar to those of 2012. This result appears to be driven by the almost-60 percent of accounts that remained at an extreme value (0 percent or 100 percent allocation) in both years.
Combination therapies using an intratympanic polymer gel delivery system in the guinea pig animal model: A safety study.

Abstract Objectives High dose antivirals have been shown to cause hearing loss when applied via the intratympanic route. The aim of this study was to determine if a combination therapy using dexamethasone (DXA) with either Cidofovir (CDV) or Ganciclovir (GCV), in solution or in PLGA-PEG-PLGA (PPP) hydrogel, is innocuous to the inner ear. Methods Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-free guinea pigs were separated into four principal study groups and treated via intratympanic injection (IT) of CDV/DXA solution, CDV/DXA Hydrogel, GCV/DXA solution and GCV/DXA hydrogel. Hearing thresholds were evaluated with pretreatment ABR and post injection weekly ABRs for a total follow up of 28 days. Temporal bone tissue was harvested and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin for histologic analysis. Results ABR analysis revealed that GCV/DXA in solution and in hydrogel led to a mild hearing loss at days 7–21 but returned to baseline by day 28 When administered via PPP hydrogel, CDV/DXA demonstrated mild persistent hearing loss at 32 kHz at 28 days. An inflammatory response was identified in the cochlear specimen of the CDV/DXA/PPP hydrogel group, in concert with mild hearing loss, at days 21 and 28. Conclusion Results of this study support the safe intratympanic use of higher concentrations of antivirals when combined with DXA, both in solution and when applied via PPP hydrogel.
Internal, Interactive, and Institutional Factors: A Unified Framework for Understanding International Nongovernmental Organizations

Scholars and practitioners agree that international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) have become important actors in international relations and policymaking. But an understanding of INGOs’ impact requires a step back, analyzing how and why they behave as they do. We develop a framework that sorts and links relevant factors into three interlocking layers: (1) internal traits of an INGO, (2) interactions between an INGO and other actors, and (3) the overall institutional environment that defines the boundaries of INGO action. To demonstrate the merits of the framework, we review and analyze Internal Affairs by Wendy Wong, The Opening Up of International Organizations by Jonas Tallberg et al., and Borders among Activists by Sarah Stroup. Locating each book within its intended scholarly context, we evaluate contributions to individual layers in our framework. We also examine ties among the books, examining how each work implicitly treats other layers. By uniting internal, interactive, and institutional factors into a holistic framework, we reveal links within existing work on INGOs and illuminate promising avenues for future work about these important actors.
Phase Networks of Cross-β Peptide Assemblies

Recent evidence suggests that simple peptides can access diverse amphiphilic phases, and that these structures underlie the robust and widely distributed assemblies implicated in nearly 40 protein misfolding diseases. Here we exploit a minimal nucleating core of the Aβ peptide of Alzheimer’s disease to map its morphologically accessible phases that include stable intermolecular molten particles, fibers, twisted and helical ribbons, and nanotubes. Analyses with both fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and transmission electron microscopy provide evidence for liquid–liquid phase separations, similar to the coexisting dilute and dense protein-rich liquid phases so critical for the liquid–solid transition in protein crystallization. We show that the observed particles are critical for transitions to the more ordered cross-β peptide phases, which are prevalent in all amyloid assemblies, and identify specific conditions that arrest assembly at the phase boundaries. We have identified a size dependen...
Cutaneous Disorders Associated With Bone and Joint Changes

A number of dermatoses associated with skeletal changes have been collected and organized for presentation with brief comment. Categories include deep fungous infections, neurodermatoses, congenital dermatoses, new growths and lymphomas. The illustrative material has been chosen to demonstrate the importance of awareness by the physician of the association of cutaneous and skeletal changes.
Epidemic of mumps in Shangqiu 2011

Objective Abstract: Objective To master the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of mumps in Shangqiu,provide a basis for the development of prevention and control measures. Methods The clinical data of mumps was collected from national disease prevention and control information systems in Shangqiu 2011,descriptive epidemiology was analyzed. Results There were 1 377 mumps reported in Shangqiu in 2011,the incidence rate was 18. 70 / 100,000,cases ratio of male and female was 1. 95: 1,no deaths. The main morbidity age was 2- 14 year old,occupying 86. 71% of all cases,the highest incidence was 6 year old group( 149. 01 /100,000). The incidence was significant seasonal,it was higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. The main professions were students and preschoolers. The proportions of mumps cases were 60. 71% and 21. 51%. Conclusion The morbidity of mumps in Shangqiu is higher and it has become one of the issues that impact on children's physical health and the school's normal teaching order. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and management of the source of infection of mumps,enhance the inoculation rate of mumps vaccine,carry out the strength of immune.
Performance of the space-time AR filter in non-homogeneous clutter [airborne radar STAP]

The space-time autoregressive (STAR) technique has been proposed for space-time adaptive processing (STAP). This algorithm utilizes the structure inherent in airborne STAP applications (i.e., uniformly spaced pulses) to improve convergence and reduce computation. This paper addresses the performance of the STAR algorithm in the presence of non-homogeneous clutter, particularly in a littoral region. It is shown that lite STAR filter produced a narrower null (and thus a lower minimum detectable velocity) than either the optimized pre-Doppler or post-Doppler algorithms. This is due to file STAR algorithm estimating a joint space-time filter for clutter suppression as well as having a small sample support region. It is also shown that the pre-Doppler algorithm does exhibit some robustness when the radar system is limited by its channel match.