cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
We don’t want your kind here: When people high in narcissism show prejudice against immigrants.

Despite the abundance of research linking frustration with prejudice, no research has examined the moderating role of personality. Two studies tested the prediction that narcissism would moderate the link between frustration and prejudice against immigrants in that individuals high in narcissism would show a stronger association than others. In Study 1 (n = 156), participants completed online surveys that measured narcissism, general frustration, and prejudice. Results confirmed that frustration and prejudice were more strongly correlated for those high in narcissism than for others. The second study was conducted to examine a more specific source of frustration using an experimental design. In Study 2 (n = 84), participants completed a narcissism survey, then they were randomly assigned to read an article on immigration that either threatened job outlooks or did not. They then completed a survey that measured prejudice. People high in narcissism who read the threatening article showed higher levels of prejudice than the other participants.
Early multimodality treatment of intracranial abscesses.

Background The treatment of brain abscesses remains one of the success stories of contemporary neurosurgery; what began as a nearly uniformly fatal disease at the turn of the 20th century has become a largely curable ailment through the use of operative and pharmaceutical intervention. Methods Following institutional review board approval, and through the courtesy of the Alan Mason Chesney Archives, the surgical files of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1896 to 1912, were reviewed. Results A total of six patients were operated on for intracranial abscesses. Three patients died during their admission, the remaining three were discharged with a condition listed as “improved” or “well.” Conclusions Cushing employed a variety of operative drainage techniques for intracranial abscesses and implemented an early antibacterial agent to provide adjuvant treatment in one patient. Although these cases demonstrate a 50% mortality rate, they provide insight into the challenges faced by neurosurgeons treating intracranial abscesses at the turn of the 20th century.
Family Solidarity and Health Behaviors Evidence From the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States

Guided by social control theory and an adapted version of Bengtson and Roberts's model of intergenerational solidarity, this study used data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), with respondents (N=3,485) ages 25 to 74, to examine the associations between multiple dimensions of family solidarity (affectual, normative, associational, functional, structural) and seven behaviors advocated to promote health. Although some results supported the hypotheses that family ties promote better health behaviors, particularly among men, a number of cases were found to have either no association or a problematic association with positive health behaviors.
Importance of Health Information Technology, Electronic Health Records, and Continuously Aggregating Data to Comparative Effectiveness Research and Learning Health Care

Rapidly accumulating clinical information can support cancer care and discovery. Future success depends on information management, access, use, and reuse. Electronic health records (EHRs) are highlighted as a critical component of evidence development and implementation, but to fully harness the potential of EHRs, they need to be more than electronic renderings of the traditional paper medical chart. Clinical informatics and structured accessible secure data captured through EHR systems provide mechanisms through which EHRs can facilitate comparative effectiveness research (CER). Use of large linked administrative databases to answer comparative questions is an early version of informatics-enabled CER familiar to oncologists. An updated version of informatics-enabled CER relies on EHR-derived structured data linked with supplemental information to provide patient-level information that can be aggregated and analyzed to support hypothesis generation, comparative assessment, and personalized care. As implem...
Protein Adduct Formation as a Molecular Mechanism in Neurotoxicity

Chemicals that cause nerve injury and neurological deficits are a structurally diverse group. For the majority, the corresponding molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity are poorly understood. Many toxicants (e.g., hepatotoxicants) of other organ systems and/or their oxidative metabolites have been identified as electrophiles and will react with cellular proteins by covalently binding nucleophilic amino acid residues. Cellular toxicity occurs when adduct formation disrupts protein structure and/or function, which secondarily causes damage to submembrane organelles, metabolic pathways, or cytological processes. Since many neurotoxicants are also electrophiles, the corresponding pathophysiological mechanism might involve protein adduction. In this review, we will summarize the principles of covalent bond formation that govern reactions between xenobiotic electrophiles and biological nucleophiles. Because a neurotoxicant can form adducts with multiple nucleophilic residues on proteins, the challenge is to identify the mechanistically important adduct. In this regard, it is now recognized that despite widespread chemical adduction of tissue proteins, neurotoxicity can be mediated through binding of specific target nucleophiles in key neuronal proteins. Acrylamide and 2,5-hexanedione are prototypical neurotoxicants that presumably act through the formation of protein adducts. To illustrate both the promise and the difficulty of adduct research, these electrophilic chemicals will be discussed with respect to covalent bond formation, suspected protein sites of adduction, and proposed mechanisms of neurotoxicity. The goals of future investigations are to identify and quantify specific protein adducts that play a causal role in the generation of neurotoxicity induced by electrophilic neurotoxicants. This is a challenging but critical objective that will be facilitated by recent advances in proteomic methodologies.
Molecule: a language construct for layered development of parallel programs

A new language construct, called molecule, is described for the efficient implementation of algorithms on parallel computers. A molecule can be considered a procedure associated with a molecule type. Each molecule type characterizes a particular computation mode (sequential, pipelining, array processing, dataflow, multiprocessing, etc.). Basic concepts of molecule are introduced with a procedural language, called PAL. A concrete example is presented to illustrate layered software development using PAL on a multicomputer (the iPSC). It is concluded that high-level languages, augmented with the molecule construct, offer application flexibility, user friendliness, and efficiency in implementing parallel programs. >
kappa-Opioid agonist modulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA: evidence for the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein-coupled phosphoinositide turnover.

Substantial evidence exists to support the notion that maternal drug abuse elicits, in addition to fetal growth delay, physiological and behavioral deficits in offspring (McDowell and Kitchen, 1987; Hayford et al., 1988; Farrar and Blumer, 1991). Among the drugs abused are opioid agonists, which appear to modify phenotypic expression of opioid receptors during brain ontogeny (Zagon and McLaughlin, 1987; Tempel et al., 1988; Barg et al., 1989a). In addition, opioids act as DNA synthesis modulators during brain development (Vertes et al., 1982; Bartolome et al., 1986, 1991; Kornblum et al., 1987; Schmahl et al., 1989). Opioid regulation of thymidine incorporation in rat brain has proven transient and dependent on developmental age (Kornblum et al., 1987; Barg et al., 1990). Opioid agonists such as morphine, β-endorphin, [d-Ala2,Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGE), and Met-enkephalin decrease thymidine incorporation into DNA in vivo and their actions are reversed by the opioid antagonist naloxone, indicating opioid receptor mediation (Bartolome et al., 1986, 1991; Kornblum et al., 1987; Schmahl et al., 1989). Other reports emphasize the effect of opioids on DNA synthesis in vitro (Davila-Garcia and Azmitia, 1989; Eccleston et al., 1989; Barg et al., 1990; Coscia et al., 1991). Alteration of DNA synthesis by opioids in vitro is not restricted to neural systems, as it occurs in nonneural cells present in human lung and breast cancers and in the immune system as well (Gilmore and Weiner, 1989; Kusnecov et al., 1989; Maneckjee and Minna, 1990; Maneckjee et al., 1990; Taub et al., 1991). Protein kinase C (PKC) is included among the signal generators that trigger gene activation, leading to DNA synthesis and cell proliferation (Berridge, 1987; Kikkawa et al., 1989; Huang, 1990; Gschwendt et al., 1991). Moreover, modulators of this enzyme, such as phorbol esters, can decrease or increase DNA synthesis. PKC activators facilitate DNA synthesis and differentiation of neurons. Among the signal transduction systems that activate PKC are the phosphoinositide (PtdIns) systems. Implication of PKC in opioid modulation of thymidine incorporation into DNA has yet to be addressed. Furthermore, it is not known whether opioid abatement of thymidine incorporation involves activation of other receptor systems and/or intercellular signaling. Also unresolved are the target cells and opioid receptor types that mediate thymidine incorporation. Previously we have examined the ability of μ opioids to influence DNA synthesis (Coscia et al., 1991; Barg et al., 1992). In this study, the role of κ opioids is addressed and evidence is gained to suggest the intermediacy of κ-opioid receptors in not only neural (neuronal and glial) but also mixed glial cultures. A pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding regulatory protein (G protein) and PtdIns turnover are also implicated.
Localization of the Dual Oxidase BLI-3 and Characterization of Its NADPH Oxidase Domain during Infection of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Dual oxidases (DUOX) are enzymes that contain an NADPH oxidase domain that produces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a peroxidase domain that can utilize H2O2 to carry out a variety of reactions. The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans produces the DUOX, BLI-3, which has roles in both cuticle development and in protection against infection. In previous work, we demonstrated that while certain peroxidases were protective against the human bacterial pathogen Enterococcus faecalis, the peroxidase domain of BLI-3 was not, leading to the postulate that the NADPH oxidase domain is the basis for BLI-3’s protective effects. In this work, we show that a strain carrying a mutation in the NADPH oxidase domain of BLI-3, bli-3(im10), is more susceptible to E. faecalis and the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Additionally, less H2O2 is produced in response to pathogen using both an established Amplex Red assay and a strain of C. albicans, WT-OXYellow, which acts as a biosensor of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, a C. elegans line containing a BLI-3::mCherry transgene was generated. Previous work suggested that BLI-3 is produced in the hypodermis and the intestine. Expression of the transgene was observed in both these tissues, and additionally in the pharynx. The amount and pattern of localization of BLI-3 did not change in response to pathogen exposure.
A Consensus Statement on Trauma Mental Health: The New Haven Competency Conference Process and Major Findings

Although the scientific literature on traumatic stress is large and growing, most psychologists have only a cursory knowledge of this science and have no formal training in, nor apply evidence-based psychosocial treatments for, trauma-related disorders. Thus, there exists a clear need for the development and dissemination of a comprehensive model of trauma-focused, empirically informed competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes). Therefore, the New Haven Competencies consensus conference was assembled. Sixty experts participated in a nominal group process delineating 5 broad foundational and functional competencies in the areas of trauma-focused and trauma-informed scientific knowledge, psychosocial assessment, psychosocial interventions, professionalism, and relational and systems. In addition, 8 cross-cutting competencies were voted into the final product. These trauma competencies can provide the basis for the future training of a trauma-informed mental health workforce.
Examining the Discourses That Shape Our Teacher Identities

AbstractIn this article I advocate for explicitly teaching prospective and practicing teachers about the concept of discourse. Within discourses, teachers, children, and families are positioned in very particular ways in relation to one another. Learning to examine the discourses through which we enact our teaching lives provides us with opportunities to select those discourses that allow for the creation of positive social and academic identities for the children in our care. The ideas for this article evolved from conversations that I had with a student enrolled in a graduate-level child growth and development course. Her provocative ideas and insights caused me to question my teaching and explore how our class struggled to speak and act within two discourses, a child-centered discourse and a sociocultural discourse. I discuss the tensions that we experienced in our university classroom as we challenged ourselves to understand the shifts in our identities as they were constructed within a sociocultural ...
A GENETIC ALGORITHM WITH POPULATION-BASED SAMPLING FOR OPTIMIZATION UNDER UNCERTAINTY

Uncertainty is often simplified in optimization problems through the use of safety factors. One reason for this is the computational effort needed to predict expected values and probabilities of uncertain functions that describe a design. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a non-calculus-based search and optimization technique that makes use of a populationbased search strategy, and performing optimization with a GA requires evaluation of a large number of designs. This population of designs has been exploited to provide samples for evaluation of uncertain functions in an effort to perform optimization under uncertainty with a reasonable amount of computational effort. A simple three-bar truss problem has been used as an example, and designs were generated using the GA with population-based sampling. Results from this approach compared favorably with a design generated using a deterministic approach with safety factors and designs generated using a GA with Monte Carlo evaluations to estimate probabilities. The computational effort required by the GA with population-based sampling approach was not significantly higher than that needed by a deterministic GA. This population-based approach appears to have promise as an approach for optimization under uncertainty.
Gestures over video streams to support remote collaboration on physical tasks

This article considers tools to support remote gesture in video systems being used to complete collaborative physical tasks-tasks in which two or more individuals work together manipulating three-dimensional objects in the real world. We first discuss the process of conversational grounding during collaborative physical tasks, particularly the role of two types of gestures in the grounding process: pointing gestures, which are used to refer to task objects and locations, and representational gestures, which are used to represent the form of task objects and the nature of actions to be used with those objects. We then consider ways in which both pointing and representational gestures can be instantiated in systems for remote collaboration on physical tasks. We present the results of two studies that use a "surrogate" approach to remote gesture, in which images are intended to express the meaning of gestures through visible embodiments, rather than direct views of the hands. In Study 1, we compare performance with a cursor-based pointing device that allows remote partners to point to objects in a video feed of the work area to performance side-by-side or with the video system alone. In Study 2, we compare performance with two variations of a pen-based drawing tool that allows for both pointing and representational gestures to performance with video alone. The results suggest that simple surrogate gesture tools can be used to convey gestures from remote sites, but that the tools need to be able to convey representational as well as pointing gestures to be effective. The results further suggest that an automatic erasure function, in which drawings disappear a few seconds after they were created, is more beneficial for collaboration than tools requiring manual erasure. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the results, as well as several areas for future research.
Effects of Barbell Deadlift Training on Submaximal Motor Unit Firing Rates for the Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris

Previous investigations that have studied motor unit firing rates following strength training have been limited to small muscles, isometric training, or interventions involving exercise machines. We examined the effects of ten weeks of supervised barbell deadlift training on motor unit firing rates for the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris during a 50% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) assessment. Twenty-four previously untrained men (mean age = 24 years) were randomly assigned to training (n = 15) or control (n = 9) groups. Before and following the intervention, the subjects performed isometric testing of the right knee extensors while bipolar surface electromyographic signals were detected from the two muscles. The signals were decomposed into their constituent motor unit action potential trains, and motor units that demonstrated accuracy levels less than 92.0% were not considered for analysis. One thousand eight hundred ninety-two and 2,013 motor units were examined for the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, respectively. Regression analyses were used to determine the linear slope coefficients (pulses per second [pps]/% MVC) and y-intercepts (pps) of the mean firing rate and firing rate at recruitment versus recruitment threshold relationships. Deadlift training significantly improved knee extensor MVC force (Cohen's d = .70), but did not influence force steadiness. Training had no influence on the slopes and y-intercepts for the mean firing rate and firing rate at recruitment versus recruitment threshold relationships. In agreement with previous cross-sectional comparisons and randomized control trials, our findings do not support the notion that strength training affects the submaximal control of motor units.
Identification of RNA sequence isomer by isotope labeling and LC–MS/MS

Recently, we developed a method for modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis based on the comparative analysis of RNA digests (CARD). Within this CARD approach, sequence or modification differences between two samples are identified through differential isotopic labeling of two samples. Components present in both samples will each be labeled, yielding doublets in the CARD mass spectrum. Components unique to only one sample should be detected as singlets. A limitation of the prior singlet identification strategy occurs when the two samples contain components of unique sequence but identical base composition. At the first stage of mass spectrometry, these sequence isomers cannot be differentiated and would appear as doublets rather than singlets. However, underlying sequence differences should be detectable by collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID MS/MS), as y-type product ions will retain the original enzymatically incorporated isotope label. Here, we determine appropriate instrumental conditions that enable CID MS/MS of isotopically labeled ribonuclease T1 (RNase T1) digestion products such that the original isotope label is maintained in the product ion mass spectrum. Next, we demonstrate how y-type product ions can be used to differentiate singlets and doublets from isomer sequences. We were then able to extend the utility of this approach by using CID MS/MS for the confirmation of an expected RNase T1 digestion product within the CARD analysis of an Escherichia coli mutant strain even in the presence of interfering and overlapping digestion products from other transfer RNAs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinematic significance of L tectonites in the footwall of a major terrane-bounding thrust fault, Klamath Mountains, California, USA

Abstract Detailed geologic mapping, cross-section reconstructions, strain analyses, and kinematic analyses, enable the reconstruction of a ∼one-kilometer-wide domain of L tectonites in the east–west-striking, subhorizontal to gently south-dipping Pigeon Point high-strain zone (PPHSZ) associated with a major thrust fault separating oceanic- and arc-affinity terranes in the Klamath Mountains, California. L tectonites are associated with: (1) a convex-upward warp of the upper high-strain-zone boundary, (2) a transition from mafic metavolcaniclastic rocks to micaceous quartzites, (3) folds subparallel with mineral lineations, (4) emplacement of synkinematic ultramafic/mafic intrusive bodies, and (5) a local temperature increase from greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions. Pure-shear-dominated deformation accommodated zone-normal shortening and transport-parallel elongation coupled with subordinate top-to-the-west-directed, thrust-style simple shear. L tectonite formation was controlled by the shape of the high-strain-zone boundary driving lateral flow into the apex of the lens-shaped zone in response to a favorable kinematic geometry and bulk strain in the constrictional field. Localized magmatic heating best explains the shape of the high-strain-zone boundary, but L tectonites are not partitioned into a single rheological domain. During terrane amalgamation strain-path partitioning occurred with localized top-to-the-west-directed simple shear partitioned into a structurally overlying thrust zone and pure-shear-dominated subvertical shortening and transport-parallel elongation partitioned into the PPHSZ.
XTABLES: Bridging relational technology and XML

XML (Extensible Markup Language) has emerged as the standard data-exchange format for Internet-based business applications. These applications introduce a new set of data management requirements involving XML. However, for the foreseeable future, a significant amount of business data will continue to be stored in relational database systems. Thus, a bridge is needed to satisfy the requirements of these new XML-based applications while still using relational database technology. This paper describes the design and implementation of the XTABLES middleware system, which we believe achieves this goal. In particular, XTABLES provides a general framework to create XML views of relational data, query XML views, and store and query XML documents using a relational database system. Some of the novel features of the XTABLES architecture are that it (1) provides users with a single XML query language for creating and querying XML views of relational data, (2) executes queries efficiently by pushing most computation down to the relational database engine, (3) allows users to query seamlessly over relational data and meta-data, and (4) allows users to write queries that span XML documents and XML views of relational data.
Fixing marine governance in Fiji? The new scalar narrative of ecosystem-based management

Abstract Although there is widespread concern over degrading marine environments, there is debate within the global marine conservation agenda about the nature of the problem and appropriate solutions. At the center of this debate lie questions about the appropriate scale at which to plan and implement marine resource management. In the late 1990s, Fiji became recognized as one of the most successful examples of community-based marine resource management in the world. Recently, there has been a move to manage human–environment interactions at larger “natural” scales. We draw from the political ecology and “politics of scale” literatures, and a critical realist understanding of nature and politics, to explain the emergence of large-scale management and conservation in Fiji. We contribute to a “political ecology of scale” by developing the concept of a scalar narrative to show how social and ecological scales are reworked in the development of an ecosystem-based approach to marine management in Fiji. In doing so, we consider implications of the struggle to define the appropriate scale of marine management, which is closely bound to debates about the role of science and local participation. Our findings suggest that the struggle to define the scale at which marine management should be planned and implemented is inseparable from the struggle over who should define, inform, and conduct the governance process. We aim to clarify marine policy debates as policy actors worldwide move forward to implement ecosystem-based management, increase marine protected area coverage, and pursue sustainable development.
Effects of an energy conservation course on fatigue impact for persons with progressive multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE. Fatigue is a common, troublesome symptom for persons with multiple sclerosis. This study evaluated the effects of an energy conservation course on fatigue impact for persons with multiple sclerosis whose symptoms cause moderate to severe disability. METHODS. Thirty-seven persons with progressive multiple sclerosis participated in an 8-week experimental energy conservation course treatment and an 8-week control period of traditional treatment using a crossover design. The Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) was used to assess fatigue impact before and after the experimental and control periods, and 8 weeks post-energy conservation course. RESULTS. After participation in the energy conservation course, the average FIS total score and physical, cognitive, and psychosocial subscale scores decreased significantly, whereas the total and subscale scores did not change significantly during the control period. Additionally, decreased fatigue impact was maintained 8 weeks after course completion for evaluated participants. CONCLUSION. This study provides evidence that this energy conservation course can be a beneficial intervention for persons with progressive multiple sclerosis. Vanage, S. M., Gilbertson, K. K., & Mathiowetz, V. Effects of an energy conservation course on fatigue impact for persons
Max-Margin Ratio Machine

In this paper, we investigate the problem of exploiting global information to improve the performance of SVMs on large scale classication problems. We rst present a unied general framework for the existing min-max machine methods in terms of within-class dispersions and between-class dispersions. By dening a new within-class dispersion measure, we then propose a novel max-margin ratio machine (MMRM) method that can be formulated as a linear programming problem with scalability for large data sets. Kernels can be easily incorporated into our method to address non-linear classication problems. Our empirical results show that the proposed MMRM approach achieves promising results on large data sets.
Competing influences of emotion and phonology during picture-word interference

ABSTRACTSpeaking is susceptible to distraction, illustrated by slowed picture naming in the presence of taboo distractor words. However, other distractors such as phonologically related words speed picture naming. Two experiments explored the simultaneous influences of these competing factors. Participants named target pictures superimposed with taboo, negative, positive, or neutral distractor words, and filler pictures were presented after every target to investigate emotional carryover effects. Distractors were phonologically related or unrelated to the target (Experiment 1) or filler (Experiment 2). Results showed that taboo, and to a lesser extent negative, distractors slowed picture naming relative to neutral and positive distractors, and slowing from taboo distractors persisted into the filler trial. In contrast, phonological overlap between targets and distractors sped target but not filler picture naming, especially when distractors were taboo. These findings suggest that strong emotional words en...
The Power of the Parochial in Shaping the American System of Higher Education

In Chap. 3, David Labaree addresses ‘The power of the parochial in shaping the American system of Higher Education’. By the mid-nineteenth century, the United States had constructed the largest system of higher education in the world. Cobbled together without an overall plan, this system was characterised by wide geographical dispersion, radically localised governance and the absence of guaranteed support from either church or state. Only a small number of these institutions were creatures of the individual states and dependent on state appropriations. The modal institution was the independent college in a small town with a corporate charter and standalone finances. Most had the blessing of a religious denomination, which granted legitimacy and a source of students but provided little or no financial help. Instead, they had to survive on the tuition paid by students and the gifts of individuals from the town and from the larger church community. They operated in a very competitive market for higher education, where supply vastly exceeded demand and where their main selling points were that they were geographically accessible, religiously compatible, academically undemanding and relatively inexpensive. The purpose of this chapter is to show how this parochial and academically weak system rose from obscurity in the nineteenth century to world leadership in the twentieth century. By 1880 the system had developed a series of strengths that would serve it well in the emerging world of higher education: enormous capacity, spread across the landscape of a continental country; institutions that had the ability to survive in a highly competitive setting with little support from church or state; sensitivity to consumer demand, which allowed colleges to adapt quickly to changes in the marketplace; a broad base of popular support; and a reputation for providing a practical education. All the system needed was students and academic credibility, and the new model of the research university provided both. The rest is history.
Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P Sovereign Ratings and EMBI Global Spreads: Lessons from 1993–2007

The past two decades have seen a remarkable growth in sovereign bond debt issued by emerging countries. This evolution was accompanied by the extensive use of the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index (EMBI) among investors. The EMBI, a total-return index that tracks the traded market for U.S. dollar-­denominated Brady and other similar sovereign restructured bonds, was successively transformed into the EMBI+ and the EMBI Global (EMBIG) so as to include US dollar local markets instruments, performing loans, Eurobonds, and investment-grade issuers (JP Morgan 1995, 1999). These indices provide investors with a well-defined performance benchmark and a vehicle for analyzing sovereign risk and returns. It is therefore relevant to compare them with FC ratings assigned by Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P.
Concept and Design of a 25,000-HP Heavy Duty Marine Gas Turbine

This paper reviews the design of a new two-shaft marine gas turbine that will be available in 1971. The engine can be supplied with continuous duty ratings of either 21,600 or 27,800 hp, firing residual oil. The rating duality is obtained by having two different compressors available.Copyright © 1970 by ASME
Caspase-mediated proteolytic processing of Stat3: Preliminary cellular and functional analysis

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3877 Caspases are associated with apoptosis but have been reported to play key roles in protein processing under non-apoptotic conditions. Upon phosphorylation, STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins regulate transcription and affect multiple cellular processes. We reported that Stat3 expression was reduced following caspase activation and biochemical analysis, conducted under cell-free conditions, revealed that caspases directly cleave this protein. We now report studies to (i) map the location of caspase cleavage sites in Stat3, and (ii) evaluate the impact of Stat3 proteolysis on transactivation. In whole cells, staurosporin (STS, 12h, 1uM) exposure resulted in Stat3 cleavage and the generation of several fragments detected with C- or N-terminal Stat3 antibodies with apparent molecular weights >40kD. Both Stat3 cleavage and fragment formation were blocked by the caspase inhibitor zVAD-FMK (40uM). Next, a series of c-Myc tagged Stat3 truncation mutants (corresponding to amino acids 1-130, 1-320, 1-688, 588-770 and 1-770) were expressed in HEK293T cells. Transfected cells then were exposed to 1uM STS (12h) and fragment cleavage patterns analyzed by Western-blot. This revealed that, with the exception of the small N-terminal (1-130) mutant, all Stat3 fragments were cleaved following STS exposure, a finding consistent with the identification of multiple caspase recognition sites in the sequence of Stat3. These findings were supported by cell-free experiments where exposure of purified full-length Stat3 to a mixture of caspases 1-10 (37ox90 mins) resulted in Stat3 disappearance that also corresponded with the formation of a fragment in the 50kD range. Experiments to sequence and identify fragment(s) generated under cell-free conditions are planned. Analysis of the functional consequence of Stat3 proteolysis employed Stat3 driven luciferase reporter assays. Initial studies examined the effect of STS (+/-zVAD) on reporter activity and revealed that STS significantly reduced luciferase activity, an effect partially blocked by zVAD and correlated with STS-induced reductions in pY705-Stat3 expression. Parallel experiments assessed the impact of Stat3 fragment expression on reporter activity in HEK293T cells under non-apoptotic conditions and revealed that the expression of all Stat3 fragments examined, except one corresponding to amino acids 1-688, slightly increased (<150%) reporter activity. In contrast, expressing the 1-688 fragment increased reporter activity ∼5-fold. These findings reveal that Stat3 contains multiple caspase cleavage sites and that caspase-mediated Stat3 proteolysis can modulate Stat3 signaling under apoptotic and non-apoptotic conditions (supported by CA-102128 and Rhode Island Hospital).
An inexpensive and ultra-low power sensor node for wireless health monitoring system

Increasing interests in remote monitoring of vital signs through telecommunication, especially with wireless and mobile communication have enabled a new generation of information system for healthcare applications. The system may include miniature sensor nodes embedded with wireless communications and a mobile computer delivering information to remote locations. In this paper, we introduced an inexpensive and ultra-low power system for measuring ECG and heart rate in contact and contact-less manners. Existing monitoring system uses gel or electrodes for measuring ECG signals. However, in this study, we used unique electric potential EPIC sensors from Plessey's and infrared sensors. The prototype is capable of monitoring both heart rate and ECG signals with a hibernation mode, which would require less power to transmit the data. Our developed prototype can be used to monitor premature infants as their skins are sensitive and current system uses patches or gel to collect biomedical signals. The proposed prototype for monitoring vital signs has been tested in our lab. The results show that it can achieve low power consumption though a hibernation mode.
Effect of Ti, Zr and Mg Addition on the Impact Toughness of Heat Affected Zone in Low Carbon Steel

In order to understand the effects of deoxidizer such as titanium, zirconium and magnesium on the impact toughness of heat affected zone (HAZ) of steel, four low carbon steels deoxidized by titanium, zirconium and magnesium were obtained. After smelting, forging, rolling and welding simulation, the effects of Ti, Zr and Mg additives on the impact toughness of HAZ in low carbon steel were studied. The inclusion characteristics (size, morphology and chemistry) analysis, Charpy-type test and the fracture observation of the specimens after the Charpy-type test were carried out respectively. The following results were found. The density of inclusion in Ti-Zr-Mg deoxidized steel is maximal. With the increasing of Ti content in steel, the proportion of inclusions in diameter less than 0.5 μm decreases. The proportion reaches maximum 64.0% in Ti-Zr-Mg deoxidized steel. The addition of Ti-Zr-Mg can enhance the impact toughness of HAZ after welding simulation. The maximal impacting energy is 249J at 253K. The complex particles of MgO-ZrO2-TiOx-MnS are most benefit to enhance impact toughness. The improvement of HAZ is attributable to the role of particle pinning and the formation of intergranular ferrite.
An unusual case of acute transverse myelitis caused by HSV-1 infection

Transverse myelitis is a neurological disorder of the spinal cord that can have a variety of etiologies. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has been described as one of the causes, most commonly HSV type 2. We report here a case of an 18 year old male who presented with weakness that started in his upper extremities and rapidly evolved to quadriplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging of spine was consistent with transverse myelitis. HSV type 1 PCR testing on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was positive. He was started on acyclovir and steroids, but despite therapy, patient did not recover motor function.
Hyperonyms and Hyponyms

The last of Frege’s many examples of tone happens to be comprised not of word-pairs, but of word-families. In his example of ‘walk’—‘stroll’— ‘saunter’, ‘walk’ is the general or core word — a hyperonym. The latter two — both hyponyms — signify particular ways of walking. Other hyponyms in this family include, e.g., ‘stride’ and ‘amble’. Examples of this kind of relationship are quite familiar. We distinguish different ‘ways of looking’, for instance, with hyponyms like ‘glance’, ‘peer’, ‘stare’, ‘gaze’, ‘peek’, and ‘peep’. In ‘The Thought’ (1918), Frege gives us another cluster of such terms: ‘horse’, ‘steed’, ‘cart-horse’, and ‘mare’.
Seizure Suppression by High Temperature via cAMP Modulation in Drosophila

Bang-sensitive (BS) Drosophila mutants display characteristic seizure-like activity (SLA) and paralysis after mechanical shock . After high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the brain, they generate robust seizures at very low threshold voltage. Here we report an important phenomenon, which effectively suppresses SLA in BS mutants. High temperature causes seizure suppression in all BS mutants (parabss1, eas, sda) examined in this study. This effect is fully reversible and flies show complete recovery from BS paralysis once the temperature effect is nullified. High temperature induces an increase in seizure threshold after a brief pulse of heat shock (HS). By genetic screening, we identified the involvement of cAMP in the suppression of seizures by high temperature. We propose that HS induces adenylyl cyclase which in turn increases cAMP concentration which eventually suppresses seizures in mutant flies. In summary, we describe an unusual phenomenon, where high temperature can suppress SLA in flies by modulating cAMP concentration.
The Importance of Foreign Language Skills in International Education and Education for Global Citizenship

International education, whether envisioned as study abroad, learning about other cultures, internationalizing the curriculum, or as education for global citizenship, implies knowledge of other languages and cultures. There have never been more college and university students studying abroad, and foreign language and cultural skills are needed for academic coursework, career preparation, and for maximization of the study abroad experience. In addition, college and university faculty and staff who work with international students would benefit from knowledge of their languages and cultures.
Antimicrobial Chemicals Are Associated with Elevated Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Indoor Dust Microbiome

Antibiotic resistance is increasingly widespread, largely due to human influence. Here, we explore the relationship between antibiotic resistance genes and the antimicrobial chemicals triclosan, triclocarban, and methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben in the dust microbiome. Dust samples from a mixed-use athletic and educational facility were subjected to microbial and chemical analyses using a combination of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenome sequencing, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The dust resistome was characterized by identifying antibiotic resistance genes annotated in the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) from the metagenomes of each sample using the Short, Better Representative Extract Data set (ShortBRED). The three most highly abundant antibiotic resistance genes were tet(W), blaSRT-1, and erm(B). The complete dust resistome was then compared against the measured concentrations of antimicrobial chemicals, which for triclosan ranged from ...
Next-Generation Sequencing in Cancer Diagnostics

This commentary highlights the article by Misyura et al that underscores the use of next-generation sequencing platforms for detection and verification of somatic variants.
Hybrid computing using a neural network with dynamic external memory

Artificial neural networks are remarkably adept at sensory processing, sequence learning and reinforcement learning, but are limited in their ability to represent variables and data structures and to store data over long timescales, owing to the lack of an external memory. Here we introduce a machine learning model called a differentiable neural computer (DNC), which consists of a neural network that can read from and write to an external memory matrix, analogous to the random-access memory in a conventional computer. Like a conventional computer, it can use its memory to represent and manipulate complex data structures, but, like a neural network, it can learn to do so from data. When trained with supervised learning, we demonstrate that a DNC can successfully answer synthetic questions designed to emulate reasoning and inference problems in natural language. We show that it can learn tasks such as finding the shortest path between specified points and inferring the missing links in randomly generated graphs, and then generalize these tasks to specific graphs such as transport networks and family trees. When trained with reinforcement learning, a DNC can complete a moving blocks puzzle in which changing goals are specified by sequences of symbols. Taken together, our results demonstrate that DNCs have the capacity to solve complex, structured tasks that are inaccessible to neural networks without external read-write memory.
Validation of the cell line LS180 as a model for study of the gastrointestinal toxicity of mycophenolic acid

Abstract1. Gastrointestinal (GI) intolerability is a concern for drugs such as mycophenolic acid (MPA) and drug metabolism may play a role. Few in vitro models exist that allow for the preclinical evaluation of a potential role of drug metabolism in intestinal drug toxicity. Thus, we sought to develop an in vitro model based on the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line LS180 to investigate MPA’s negative effects on intestinal cells.2. Stability of expression of key enzymes of MPA metabolism (UGT1A7, UGT1A9, UGT1A10, UGT2B7, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5), transporters (OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP2B1, MRP1, MRP2 and MDR1) and the nuclear receptor PXR over 12 passages in combination with guanosine supplementation to counter MPA’s antiproliferative effects (determined by western blot analysis and proliferation assays, respectively) was established.3. Expression of LS180 key enzymes remained stable over passages 47–59 and MPA-induced growth inhibition was circumvented by exogenous guanosine over a period of three days. MPA was...
Food Safety Considerations for Fruit and Vegetable Vendors

Fresh fruits and vegetables are the primary commodity sold at farmers markets in the U.S. The growing popularity of farmers markets and number of foodborne outbreaks linked to produce highlights the need for farmers markets to have a proactive approach to food safety practices to protect farmers, patrons and local economies. Many produce farmers selling at these markets are exempt from the food safety regulations within the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The lack of regulation for these outlets can lead to gaps in training and understanding of how to manage food safety risks. There may also be increased opportunities for food to become contaminated and/or pathogen growth in these temporary establishment settings because they are outdoor settings that often lack infrastructure such as water and electricity. This chapter provides an overview of fresh produce food safety risks and the current landscape of research surrounding farmers market produce. Recommendations for growers to reduce the risk of selling fresh produce in farmers markets include close attention to growing conditions, food handling, sanitation and prevention of potential cross-contamination.
Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy.

Purpose of review The aim of this review is to examine literature relating to the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy (WLST). Recent findings Discussions regarding end-of-life issues in adults and children are not occurring comprehensively. Discussions relating to the WLST in the pediatric population varies by institution and may vary by race, age, health insurance, diagnosis, and severity of illness. Completing advance directives prior to placement of life-sustaining treatments is not consistent practice. With the WLST, differences in perspectives exist between medical specialties, within one specialty at different levels of training, and in physicians' ethical and psychological responses to the WLST. The timing of WLST appears to be influenced by ICU strain and communication issues. Study outcomes differ regarding the functionally favorable survival of patients who have had WLST. Universal guidelines for the WLST may not address individual patient circumstances. Summary Discussions of end-of-life issues early in the course of a patient's health care will contribute to the healthcare team's understanding and respect of the patient's wishes. This article addresses the withdrawal of left ventricular assist devices; attending physicians and physicians in training perspectives of WLST; do physicians distinguish between withholding and WLST; the timing of WLST; guidelines for the process of WLST; and pediatrics and end-of-life decisions.
Relation between Time Perspective and Delay Discounting: A Literature Review.

In this article, we examine the relation between delay discounting and future time perspective by reviewing how these concepts have been measured and quantified in order to assess their conceptual similarities. The extent to which the different measures are empirically related is reviewed by describing studies that have assessed both constructs and by comparing the variables that have been associated with variations in delay discounting and in time horizon. We suggest that both steep delay discounting and a short future time perspective are associated with a range of problematic and health-damaging behaviors, such as addictive disorders, risky behavior, poor school performance, and delinquency. However, despite these shared associations, and despite the conceptual similarities, the few studies that allow a direct comparison between measures of future time perspective and delay discounting do not give reason to presume a robust relation between them.