cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nervous Regulation of Luminescence in the Sea Pansy Renilla KÖllikeri

1. Luminescence has been studied in the sea pansy Renilla kollikeri , by means of photo-electric recording, and the mode of nervous regulation investigated. 2. The luminescent response is under control of a non-polarized nerve net and is subject to facilitation which occurs terminally, at neuro-photocyte junctions. 3. Facilitation is analysed in detail, and a facilitation-decay curve presented (Fig. 3.). Between successive bursts of stimuli, facilitation may persist for some 10 min. 4. Certain response parameters were measured. Latent period is 0.12 sec.; the response lasts 1 sec., and maximal intensity is reached in 0.22 sec. Conduction speed is 9 cm./sec. at 16-17°C. 5. The refractory period of the response, as determined by high frequency stimulation, is 0.2 sec. It is affected by fatigue and increases under repetitive stimulation. 6. Under repetitive and prolonged stimulation, the animal passes into a hyper-excitatory state and luminous waves continue to arise long after stimulation has ceased. Conditions affecting this post-stimulatory discharge are examined. 7. Comparison of facilitatory processes in quick muscular responses of sea anemones and luminescent responses of sea pens shows that they are essentially similar. From visual observations it appears that facilitation operates by recruitment of photocytes. Luminescence is of sporadic occurrence among coelenterates, and has been independently evolved on many occasions. It is suggested that its mode of regulation has been determined by the characteristics of the nerve net primarily concerned with control of muscles.
Developmental regulation of Drosophila α-tubulin genes

Abstract Transcripts from the four different Drosophila melanogaster α-tubulin genes were detected by filter hybridization experiments that used subcloned fragments from each gene as hybridization probes. These hybridization experiments demonstrated that each gene is transcribed. All of the transcripts are found on polysomes and are long enough to encode an α-tubulin protein. The hybridization studies were extended to examine the developmental pattern of RNA concentrations. The concentration of RNAs from the α2 and α4 genes vary independently and dramatically, while those from α1 and α3 have parallel variations. We conclude that at the RNA level of expression, two α-tubulin genes are regulated in parallel and two genes are not. We hypothesize that the different concentration patterns reflect different functions for the protein products of each gene.
Scatter dose decrement values for rectangular fields

The scatter dose decrement value (SDV) has been studied by calculational methods for 6 0Co γ and 4‐ and 8‐MV x‐ray beams of rectangular cross section. In a principal plane and inside the field, the SDV is nearly independent of field size, energy, and depth when the position of the point considered is expressed as the fractional distance to the field edge. From this, it follows that the scatter dose profiles are quite similar in planes parallel to a principal plane. A second corollary is that the SDV for an arbitrary point approximately equals the product of the two SDV values for the projected points in the principal planes. Outside the field, the SDV loses this independence of the various beam conditions, and as a consequence thereof, the ‘‘product rule’’ leads to errors. Mathematical expressions have been derived for the SDV inside and outside small fields. The errors resulting when these small‐field formulas are used for large fields have been studied. Expressed as fractions of the total dose on the centerline, these errors are of the order of ±1% inside the field and ±2% outside.
Partnering on Defense Contracts

Contracting on government construction projects has historically been structured and adversarial. The decade of the 1990s saw the advent of a new attitude in government contracting that emulated success stories from the private sector. After witnessing several high-profile success stories such as constructing the Atlanta Olympic Park, the government embraced the concept of partnering as a primary method of contract administration. The private sector consistently demonstrated an ability to contract for services while realizing a marked decrease in claims and litigation costs with partnering. Their success was founded in the building of trust within the project team by creating a common bond between previously dissociated parties. This was achieved through developing a mutual understanding of the other parties’ interests and goals in the project while maintaining a team focus on the ultimate goal of a successful project. The government espied partnering as a way to improve its relationships with contractors and reduce the volume of litigation that seemed to only be increasing in the industry. The government began a paradigm shift by instilling a new attitude of openness and communication with contractors as well as implementing several broad contract administration changes. This paper examines the process of partnering, its key elements and core competencies, and how various agencies apply these principles in their construction management. The paper further researches stakeholder goals and important issues when entering into a partnering relationship on government contracts and what barriers are perceived that preclude the process from working as effectively as possible.
Generalized Models of Japanese Demand for Fish

Given a relative lack of knowledge about Japanese consumer preferences for fish, Japanese fish demand is modeled using both Marshallian (ordinary) and inverse demand systems, each of which nests a number of competing specifications. Results indicate that the inverse demand systems dominate the ordinary demand systems in forecasting performance and in nonnested tests. The inverse system suggests that Japanese fish prices are less responsive to changes in consumption than found in previous studies.
Cardiovascular MRI in Detection and Measurement of Aortic Atheroma in Stroke/TIA patients.

Background: Aortic Atheroma (AoA) is an independent risk factor for new and recurrent stroke. AoA ulceration and mobility are associated with an increased risk for brain embolism. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard for detection and measurement of AoA in stroke/TIA patients. Cardiovascular MRI (cMRI) could be an alternative, non-invasive imaging modality for stroke/TIA patients. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and correlation of AoA detected and measured by cMRI versus TEE in patients with recent stroke/TIA. Methods and results: Twenty-two stroke/TIA patients undergoing TEE as a part of their stroke workup consented to a protocol-mandated cMRI performed on a 1.5 T magnet. The protocol included an axial non-breathhold EKGgated dual-echo spin echo MRI of the thoracic aorta (TR/TE1/TE2=900/29/69) and a contrast-enhanced breathhold 3D gradient-echo image of the thorax (flip/TR/TE=12/4.0/1.71). Maximum plaque thickness, ulceration (≥ 2 mm) and mobility of AoA were assessed in the proximal (ascending and proximal arch) and distal (distal arch and descending) segments of thoracic aorta by a cardiologist to interpret the TEE and a radiologist to interpret the cMRI. There was good correlation between cMRI and TEE in measurement of plaque thickness in the proximal segments (R=0.73, p<0.0001) and the distal segments (R=0.81, p<0.0001) of the aortic arch (AA). cMRI had a high degree of accuracy in detecting measurable AoA (≥ 1 mm) in the proximal segments (sensitivity 90%, specificity 100%), as well as the distal segments (sensitivity 67%, specificity 100%). cMRI also had a high degree of accuracy in detecting significant AoA (≥ 4 mm) in proximal segments (sensitivity 71%, specificity 93%), as well as distal segments (sensitivity 71%, specificity 100%). Conclusion: The study showed a high degree of accuracy and correlation of AoA detected and measured by cMRI as compared to TEE in patients with recent stroke/TIA. This technique has limitations in detection of AoA ulceration, and protocols assessing AoA mobility need to be developed.
VLSI designs for high-speed Huffman decoder

Many video compression systems require a high-speed implementation of the huffman decoder. The recursive iteration of the decoding process limits the achievable decoding throughput with a given IC technology. Two classes of VLSI architectures for high speed implementation are designed: the tree-based architectures and the programmable logic array (PLA)-based architectures. A variable-length-code based on a popular video compression system is constructed and the pros and cons of each architecture are compared. The major parts of a pipelined constant-input-rate PLA-based architecture using a high-level synthesis approach are simulated. It is claimed that the decoding throughput of 200 Mb/s is achievable with CMOS 2.0 mu m technology. >
Modulation of Cellular Signaling Pathways: Prospects for Targeted Therapy in Hematological Malignancies

The high remission rates observed in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia who receive Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) indicate that targeted therapy for hematological malignancies is achievable. At the same time, progress in cellular biology over the past decade has resulted in a better understanding of the process of malignant transformation, a better classification of subtypes of each disease on the basis of molecular markers, and a better characterization of the molecular targets for drug development. These advances have already spawned the development of such effective agents as monoclonal antibodies and specific enzyme inhibitors. This review attempts to provide a practical introduction to the complex and growing field of targeted therapy in hematological malignancies.
Can we trust TEM images of silicate glasses

Electron irradiation-induced modifications in two glasses, K 2 O – SiO 2 and Au doped Na 2 O – B 2 O 3 – SiO 2 , were observed in electron microscope. The products of modifications were “nano-particle” like contrasts in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, which can be easily confused with real nano-particles and phase separation. The driving force for the modifications in the glasses is the tendency of elimination of non-bridging oxygen (NBO) through the removal of cations. The phase separation into cation rich and poor region is their nature under electron irradiation. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to record in situ frames when the TEM images are used to provide microstructure information of glasses. Additionally, charging effects in glasses have also been discussed.
Behavior of Sputtered Indium–Tin–Oxide Thin Film on Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate Substrate Under Stretching

In this work, two different sheet resistances, 100 and 60 Ω per square of DC-Magnetron sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) thin film on poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate were stretched up to 15% of the original length under three different strain rates, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 min-1. The cracks development during stretching was monitored using optical microscope. Two types of cracks were observed: in the first type, cracks initiated perpendicularly to the tensile load and propagated towards the edge of the sample, which was observed at 4% strain for both sheet resistances and different strain rates. In the second type, cracks initiated from the first type cracks and propagated perpendicularly to it towards the next original crack. The cracks intensity for both types of cracks was investigated. The intensity of both cracks type increases with the strain and sheet resistance. The electrical resistance was measured every 1% strain during stretching. The relative electrical resistance change (ΔR/R0) was plotted against strain at different strain rates. It could be concluded that, the relative electrical resistance change under high strain rate is higher at the beginning of the stretching process, but after a certain strain, the relative electrical resistance change under the lower strain rate accelerated till the film becomes non-conductive while the relative electrical resistance change under high strain rate is in acceleration process until reaching non-conductive condition. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results showed that the strain and the sheet resistance are significant factors on the relative electrical resistance change at 95% confidence level. The strain rate was not significant factor in the range considered. No two factor interactions are significant as well.
Observing the Cultural Dialogue of English Learner Literacy: A Standpoint Perspective on an Educational Evaluation

This position paper observes the impact of Proposition 227, California's “English for the Children” initiative, on the professional development of teachers of English Learners. It draws on information I obtained while working as an evaluator of the California Teacher Institutes (CTIs), a network of institutes aimed to enhance teacher effectiveness in working with linguistically-diverse students. I use the lens of educational anthropology, specifically the idea of cultural dialogue, to frame my interest in the ideological construction of literacy and the production of teacher knowledge in these institutes. I leverage the attention given to academic language in the CTIs as an example of the ideology attendant to literacy discourse in post-227 California, arguing that the seemingly non-controversial themes of needs, access, and language served to normalize the state's assimilationist approach to language policy, planning, and teacher preparation. My hope is that making visible the hidden curriculum of this p...
Novel Genes Critical for Hypoxic Preconditioning in Zebrafish Are Regulators of Insulin and Glucose Metabolism.

Severe hypoxia is a common cause of major brain, heart, and kidney injury in adults, children, and newborns. However, mild hypoxia can be protective against later, more severe hypoxia exposure via “hypoxic preconditioning,” a phenomenon that is not yet fully understood. Accordingly, we have established and optimized an embryonic zebrafish model to study hypoxic preconditioning. Using a functional genomic approach, we used this zebrafish model to identify and validate five novel hypoxia-protective genes, including irs2, crtc3, and camk2g2, which have been previously implicated in metabolic regulation. These results extend our understanding of the mechanisms of hypoxic preconditioning and affirm the discovery potential of this novel vertebrate hypoxic stress model.
Impact of sex and hormones on new cells in the developing rat hippocampus: a novel source of sex dimorphism?

The hippocampus is a key brain region regulating complex cognitive and emotional responses, and is implicated in the etiology of depressive and anxiety disorders, many of which exhibit some degree of sex difference. The male rat hippocampus is consistently reported to be slightly but significantly larger than the female. The majority of studies on the development of volumetric sex differences have focused on the effects of estradiol (E2), with relatively few focusing on androgens. We examined the impact of both E2 and androgens on newly born cells in the developing rat hippocampus, and report that neonatal males have significantly more 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate (BrdU)+ cells than females. Both testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone treatment of females significantly increased the number of BrdU+ cells, an effect blocked by the androgen receptor antagonist, flutamide. However, only T significantly increased the number of neuronal nuclear antigen+ neurons in the female rat hippocampus. Interestingly, E2 treatment also increased BrdU+ cells in females, but had no effect on neuron number. Instead, E2 and T significantly increased the number of newly born glial fibrillary acidic protein or glutamine synthetase+ glial cells in females, indicating that androgens and E2 may act independently to achieve distinct endpoints. Quantification of pyknotic cells at two different developmental time points indicates no sex difference in the number of cells dying, suggesting, but not proving, that gonadal steroids are promoting cell genesis.
The effect of attentional demands on the antisaccade cost

In the present study, we examined the effect of attentional demands on the antisaccade cost (the latency difference between antisaccades and prosaccades). Participants performed a visual search for a target digit and were required to execute a saccade toward (prosaccade) or away from (antisaccade) the target. The results of Experiment 1 revealed that the antisaccade cost was greater when the target was premasked (i.e., presented through the removal of line segments) than when it appeared as an onset. Furthermore, in premasked target conditions, the antisaccade cost was increased by the presentation of onset distractors. The results of Experiment 2 revealed that the antisaccade cost was greater in a difficult search task (a numeral 2 among 5s) than in an easy one (a 2 among 7s). The findings provide evidence that attentional demands increase the antisaccade cost. We propose that the attentional demands of the search task interfere with the attentional control required to select the antisaccade goal.
The College Sophomore as Guinea Pig: Setting the Record Straight

The article presents a response to the 1986 article “‘The Science of the Sophomore’ Revisited: From Conjecture to Empiricism,” by M. E. Gordon, L.A. Slade, and N. Schmitt regarding using college students as subjects for organizational research. The author states that though the subject of the original paper is valid, it deserves further analysis, and offers two reasons why journal editors should consider studies that feature college student data. The author suggests that editors consider the relative usefulness of student and non-student samples and the interpretation of the between-subject differences.
Fallopian Tube Anastomosis

Microsurgical fallopian tube anastomosis is a procedure to restore fertility in women who underwent tubal sterilization or excision of an occluded or diseased portion of tube. With proper selection of patients, this procedure restores fertility with excellent results and allows to avoid disadvantages associated with other popular treatment options including in vitro fertilization and assisted reproductive technology. The outcome of repair is highly dependent on the skill and dedication of the surgeon. Various laboratory models have been described in literature for practicing microsurgical fallopian tube anastomosis. This chapter outlines the rat model for fallopian tube anastomosis. Animal preparation, microsurgical technique, patency evaluation and common pitfalls that may be encountered during repair are described.
Dnmt2 functions in the cytoplasm to promote liver, brain, and retina development in zebrafish

The roles of DNA methyltransferase-2 (DNMT2) enzymes are controversial; whether DNMT2 functions primarily as a nuclear DNA methyltransferase or as a cytoplasmic tRNA methyltransferase, and whether DNMT2 activity impacts development, as dnmt2 mutant mice or Drosophila lack phenotypes. Here we show that morpholino knockdown of Dnmt2 protein in zebrafish embryos confers differentiation defects in particular organs, including the retina, liver, and brain. Importantly, proper organ differentiation required Dnmt2 activity in the cytoplasm, not in the nucleus. Furthermore, zebrafish Dnmt2 methylates an RNA species of ∼80 bases, consistent with tRNA methylation. Thus, Dnmt2 promotes zebrafish development, likely through cytoplasmic RNA methylation.
Relationship of stand characteristics to drought-induced mortality in three Southwestern piñon–juniper woodlands

Extreme drought conditions accompanied by rising temperatures have characterized the American Southwest during the past decade, causing widespread tree mortality in pinon-juniper woodlands. Pinon pine (Pinus edulis Engelm.) mortality is linked primarily to outbreaks of the pinyon ips (Ips confusus (Leconte)) precipitated by drought conditions. Although we searched extensively, no biotic agent was identified as responsible for death in Juniperus L. spp. in this study; hence this mortality was due to direct drought stress. Here we examine the relationship between tree abundance and patterns of mortality in three size classes (seedling/sapling, pre-reproductive, reproductive) during the recent extended drought in three regions: southwest Colorado, northern New Mexico, and northern Arizona. Pinon mortality varied from 32% to 65%, and juniper mortality from 3% to 10% across the three sites. In all sites, the greatest pinon mortality was in the larger, presumably older, trees. Using logistic regression models, we examined the influence of tree density and basal area on bark beetle infestations (pinon) and direct drought impacts ( juniper). In contrast to research carried out early in the drought cycle by other researchers in Arizona, we did not find evidence for greater mortality of pinon and juniper trees in increasingly high density or basal area conditions. We conclude that the severity of this regional drought has masked density- dependent patterns visible in less severe drought conditions. With climate projections for the American Southwest suggesting increases in aridity and rising temperatures, it is critical that we expand our understanding of stress responses expected in widespread pinon-juniper woodlands.
Casting Off An Exploration of Cruise Ship Space, Group Tour Behavior, and Social Interaction

Growth in tourism during the past 20 years means more people are using physical spaces away from home for vacation. Yet research on vacation spaces is noticeably absent. Focusing on a cruise ship, the primary purpose of this article is to draw attention to how social interaction in a group vacation context intersects with vacation experiences. A secondary purpose is to introduce space and how it can extend thinking about the role that tourism spaces play in the development of social interaction. The results indicate that individuals use cruise ships to feel at ease and comfortable with themselves, as well as in control and liberated. They also develop social interactions during a cruise and make “playful” spaces on the cruise ship. Using these themes, the authors highlight limitations in current conceptualizations of tourism behavior. The authors also suggest how cruise lines might use the study to create more meaningful passenger experiences.
Is epidemiology nothing but politics at a different level

Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902), the German cellular pathologist whose contribution to public health Mackenbach1 discusses in this issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health ( see page 181 ), is a paradoxical figure. In 1848, he was a modern social reformer and an innovative scientist, but, when it came to public health, he was old-fashioned. He believed that diseases such as cholera and typhus were caused by air pollution, which, since Hippocrates (460 bc–370 bc), has been referred to as miasma. The first two citations in table 1 are explicit in this respect. True, he was in agreement with some of the greatest public health figures of his time: William Farr in England and von Pettenkofer in Germany. Sewage systems, clean streets and hygienic lodging, which Virchow promoted in Berlin, contributed to improving the health of the people. But these were politically progressive ideas backed by scientifically wrong causal thinking. View this table: Table 1 Citations from Rudolf Virchow’s writings in 1848 and 1849 The praised 1848 “Report on the typhus epidemic in Upper Silesia”,3 commissioned from Virchow by the Prussian Minister of Education, was modelled after the Hippocratic treatise On Airs, Waters, and Places .9 Virchow reviewed the environmental, climatic and anthropological characteristics of Upper Silesia, a poor region of Eastern Europe, located between what is now the Czech Republic and Poland. As in the Hippocratic tradition, he described the clinical manifestations of the disease he himself had observed and illustrated them with a series of individual case descriptions. He still viewed typhoid fever as an abdominal form of typhus, and did not attempt to quantify and compare the traits of the two diseases, as Louis had done in 1829.10 Virchow was old-fashioned too when he proposed, in the sentence that Mackenbach1 cites, that the cell was a citizen of the body just as humans were citizens of …
Stability criteria for two-variable polynomials

Recursive algebraic algorithms are developed for testing various stability properties of two-variable polynomials in a finite number of steps. Stability is tested with respect to either the half-plane or the unit circle applying only two times the equivalent of the Routh or Marden test, regardless of the degree of the polynomial.
An optimal GPS data processing technique

A formula is derived to optimally combine dual-frequency GPS (Global Positioning System) pseudorange and carrier phase data streams into a single equivalent data stream, reducing the data volume and computing time in the filtering process for parameter estimation by a factor of four. The resulting single data stream is that of carrier phase measurements with both data noise and bias uncertainty strictly defined. With this analytical formula the single stream of equivalent GPS measurements can be efficiently formed by simple numerical calculations without any degradation in data strength. The formulation for the optimally combined GPS data and their covariances are given in closed form. Carrier phase ambiguity resolution, when feasible, is improved due to the preservation of the full data strength with the optimal data combining process. >
Mammographic Signs of Breast Cancer

The effectiveness of screening mammography in reducing mortality from breast cancer has been well documented in several randomized clinical trials. Mammographic signs of breast cancer cover a wide spectrum including the commonly encountered irregular spiculated masses, pleomorphic microcalcifications, as well as asymmetry and architectural distortion. There are certain mammographic signs that are subtle, and these account for a significant number of missed cancers. Such subtle signs include small developing densities or findings that are obscured by dense glandular tissue. The mammographic signs of breast cancer and the differential diagnosis are discussed in this chapter.
Pollutants and fish predator/prey behavior: A review of laboratory and field approaches

Fish behavior can be altered by contaminants. There is an extensive literature on laboratory behavioral assays, with many chemicals impairing feeding or predator avoidance. However, there is not extensive work on fishes that live in contami- nated environments. Therefore, we then review our recent research on feeding and trophic relations of populations from contami- nated estuaries compared with relatively unpolluted sites. The mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus, is a non-migratory fish; those from more contaminated areas are poor predators and slower to capture active prey (grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio). In the field, they consume much detritus and sediment, which is not nutritious. They are less active than fish from cleaner sites and more vulnerable to predation. They have altered thyroid glands and neurotransmitter levels, which may underlie altered behaviors. Fish from the reference site kept in tanks with sediment and food from the polluted site showed bioaccumulation and reduced prey capture after two months, although fish from the polluted site did not show significant improvement when maintained in a clean environment. Poor nutrition and predator avoidance may be responsible for their being smaller and having a shorter life span than reference fish. Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix, are a marine species in which the young-of-the-year spend their first summer in es- tuaries. We found bioaccumulation of contaminants and reduced activity, schooling, and feeding in young-of-the-year bluefish from a relatively unpolluted site that were fed prey fish from a contaminated site. They also had altered thyroid glands and neuro- transmitter levels. Many field-caught specimens had empty stomachs, which is rare in this species. In the fall, when they migrate back out to the ocean, they are smaller, slower, and more likely to starve or to be eaten than those that spent their summer in cleaner estuaries (Current Zoology 58 (1): 9−20, 2012).
Jumping In: Redefining Teaching and Learning in Physical Education through Project-Based Learning.

Project-based learning (PBL) is an inquiry-based instructional approach that allows students to gain knowledge and skills by investigating and respond to engaging, complex problems or challenges. For some, PBL may seem like an unnatural fit in PE classrooms. However, this article describes how, with careful and creative planning, PBL can easily transition into the PE class as well.
Computational Simulation of the Tethered Undersea Kites for Power Generation

The dynamic motion of tethered undersea kites (TUSK) is studied using numerical simulations. TUSK systems consist of a rigid-winged kite moving in an ocean current. The kite is connected by tethers to a platform on the ocean surface or anchored to the seabed. Hydrodynamic forces generated by the kite are transmitted through the tethers to a generator on the platform to produce electricity. TUSK systems are being considered as an alternative to marine turbines since the kite can move in high speed motions to increase power production compared to conventional marine turbines. The two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are solved on a regular structured grid that comprises the ocean current flow, and an immersed boundary method is used for the rigid kite. A two-step projection method along with Open Multi-Processing (OpenMP) is employed to solve the flow equations. The reel-out and reel-in velocities of the two tethers are adjusted to control the kite angle of attack and the resultant hydrodynamic forces. A baseline simulation was studied where a high net power output was achieved during successive kite power and retraction phases. System power output, vorticity flow fields, tether tensions, and hydrodynamic coefficients for the kite are determined. The power output results are in good agreement with established theoretical results for a kite moving in two dimensions.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Étude du comportement viscoélastique du polycarbonate de bisphénol-A partiellement cristallisé

On etudie dans cet article un procede pour obtenir des polycarbonates de bisphenol-A de divers taux de cristallinite. On determine la variation thermique du module-(10 sec) et la resistance au choc des ces polymeres. On etudie egalement l'influence du recuit sur les proprietes mecaniques.
The AS-RBM15 lncRNA enhances RBM15 protein translation during megakaryocyte differentiation.

Antisense RNAs regulate the transcription and translation of the corresponding sense genes. Here, we report that an antisense RNA, AS‐RBM15, is transcribed in the opposite direction within exon 1 of RBM15 . RBM15 is a regulator of megakaryocyte (MK) differentiation and is also involved in a chromosome translocation t(1;22) in acute megakaryocytic leukemia. MK terminal differentiation is enhanced by up‐regulation of AS‐RBM15 expression and attenuated by AS‐RBM15 knockdown. At the molecular level, AS‐RBM15 enhances RBM15 protein translation in a CAP‐dependent manner. The region of the antisense AS‐RBM15 RNA, which overlaps with the 5′UTR of RBM15, is sufficient for the up‐regulation of RBM15 protein translation. In addition, we find that transcription of both RBM15 and AS‐RBM15 is activated by the transcription factor RUNX1 and repressed by RUNX1‐ETO, a leukemic fusion protein. Therefore, AS‐RBM15 is a regulator of megakaryocyte differentiation and may play a regulatory role in leukemogenesis. ![][1] The lncRNA AS‐RBM15 is transcriptionally up‐regulated by RUNX1 and enhances RBM15 protein translation via its overlapping region with the RBM15 5′UTR. [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
The Application Significance of Red Blood Cell Parameters in Screening Iron Deficiency in Infants and Young Children

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of RET-He, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW in screening iron deficiency in infants and young children. Method: A total of 115 infants and young children were enrolled in this study, all the subjects underwent serum ferritin test and complete blood count, then they were classified into 2 groups according to serum ferritin level: ID group and control group. The differences between the two groups were analyzed by t test, the value of RETHe, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW in screening iron deficiency were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve. Result: When compared with control group RET-He, MCV, MCH, MCHC of ID group decreased significantly, however RDW increased markedly. The ROC curve showed that RET-He had the biggest area under the curve(AUC), 0.937, and the optimal cut-off value was 29.6 pg, the sensitivity and specificity were 90.6% and 83.5%, respectively. Conclusion: RET-He may emerge as a useful aid for assessment of iron status and it may be helpful in preventing iron deficiency in infant and young children.
Are We Following Evidence-Based Education?

I started this academic year by paging through one of my favorite books, Brookfield’s Being a Critically Reflective Teacher.1 This work helps me reflect on my experiences as an editor, faculty developer, and instructor. I reflected on how we ask our students and clinicians to practice evidence-based medicine. Within this model, data-derived evidence is complemented with experience. I then reflected on our educational system. Within the realms of education, our approach seems reversed. We seem to use our teaching experiences or instincts/intuition more than data-derived evidence. With the release of the new Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) Outcomes, increases in manuscript submissions to pharmacy education journals, and changes to numerous schools’ curricula, maybe it is time we reflect and be a little critical of ourselves. Are we truly following the tenets of evidence-based practice? The more correct question may be “How do we best educate the next generation of pharmacists?” But is the acquisition and appraisal of evidence there? I hope to challenge assumptions and practices and to suggest that we pause for a moment and think.
Analysis of an older adult vision screening project.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine how a variety of reasonable vision screening criteria affected the results of vision screening previously performed on a community-dwelling older adult population. METHODS The records of 201 previously performed vision screening evaluations of adults over the age of 65 were reanalyzed to determine failure rates using new theoretical criteria. Those criteria included screening by history alone, visual acuity alone, history in combination with visual acuity and a multiple test format with both 20/40 and 20/60 acuity criteria. RESULTS Theoretical screening that would have taken place using visual acuity of less than 20/60 failed the fewest individuals; however, even using this minimal criteria 46 percent of those screened would have failed. Using a multiple test format the failure rate rises to almost 90 percent. The combination of historical criteria and visual acuity failed almost an identical population as would be failed by using an elaborate multiple test format. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of ocular abnormalities in this older adult populations was so high that vision screening done with even minimal criteria can be expected to fail very high numbers. Similar failure rates and composition can be achieved by using historical criteria in combination with visual acuity as are achieved using a more elaborate multiple-test format. Given the high prevalence of eye abnormalities in the older adult population the public health value of screening for the need for eye examination is questionable.
Mission Accomplished: The Reelection of George W. Bush

The 2004 presidential campaign is analyzed. The first post-9/11 presidential election was heavily influenced by US foreign policy and Bush’s War on Terror. The influence and effect of the campaign narratives of George W. Bush and John F. Kerry and voters’ response are considered. The influence of four emotional dimensions on voter appraisal of campaign issues and Bush-era government policies are studied. The results suggest that voters’ feelings toward George W. Bush and John F. Kerry were important to the evaluations made about campaign issues covering topics on domestic and international concerns. Voters’ emotions seem to have a more profound effect on policy appraisals than on social issues.
Protection and Repair of Hearing

Abstract An improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying genetic, acquired and “mixed” deafness has driven development of new interventions and treatments as well as refinement of previous approaches to prevent hearing loss and restore hearing after deafness. Hearing loss induced by cochlear damage from overstimulation, ototoxic drugs, trauma, infections, and/or aging can be reduced by reducing oxidative stress to the cochlea with antioxidants and enhancing endogenous protective systems with agents such as neurotrophic factors and heat shock proteins (HSPs). Genetic modification has now been successful in animal models and may become clinically feasible, with the development of safe and effective vectors to treat genetic hearing loss as well as induce regeneration of hair cells. Placement of exogenous stem cells and transdifferentiation of endogenous cells is being developed as a strategy to replace lost hair cells or auditory. Survival and growth factors can be applied to the cochlea to improve auditory nerve survival following deafness and to induce the regeneration of its peripheral processes. Major advances in region specific delivery of therapeutics to the cochlea to allow these interventions include gene transfer, microcannulation, and biomaterials placed into the middle ear or directly into the cochlea. Auditory prostheses are being refined, with significant improvements occurring in cochlear prostheses as well as in development of central auditory prostheses. Prostheses can also be engineering for the application of therapeutics through microchannels. Biomaterial on prostheses can not only improve function and histocompatibility but also provide a means for delivering therapeutics. Artificial cochleae capable of transforming sound-induced movement of cochlear fluids into electrical signals are also being developed. The strategies for tissue engineering interventions based on recent scientific discoveries are the focus of this chapter.
Phospholipase Cβ-TRAX Association Is Required for PC12 Cell Differentiation.

When treated with nerve growth factor, PC12 cells will differentiate over the course of several days. Here, we have followed changes during differentiation in the cellular levels of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) and its activator, Gαq, which together mediate Ca2+ release. We also followed changes in the level of the novel PLCβ binding partner TRAX (translin-associated factor X), which promotes RNA-induced gene silencing. We find that the level of PLCβ increases 4-fold within 24 h, whereas Gαq increases only 1.4-fold, and this increase occurs ∼24 h later than PLCβ. Alternately, the level of TRAX remains constant over the 72 h tested. When PLCβ1 or TRAX is down-regulated, differentiation does not occur. The impact of PLCβ on differentiation appears independent of Gαq as down-regulating Gαq at constant PLCβ does not affect differentiation. Forster resonance energy transfer studies after PLCβ association with its partners indicate that PLCβ induced soon after nerve growth factor treatment associates with TRAX rather than Gαq. Functional measurements of Ca2+ signals to assess the activity of PLCβ-Gαq complexes and measurements of the reversal of siRNA(GAPDH) to assess the activity of PLCβ-TRAX complexes additionally suggest that the newly synthesized PLCβ associates with TRAX to impact RNA-induced silencing. Taken together, our studies show that PLCβ, through its ability to bind TRAX and reverse RNA silencing of specific genes, plays a key role in switching PC12 cells to their differentiated state.
A Crowd Modeling Framework for Socially Plausible Animation Behaviors

This paper presents a framework for crowd modeling that produces socially plausible animation behaviors. Our high-level behavioral model is able to produce appropriate animated behavior that includes synchronized body-orientation and gesture of individual actors within the simulation. Because the model operationalizes a well-founded social-linguistic Common Ground (CG) theory of human interaction, the behavior chains form meaningful interactions among the actors. The model includes micro-behaviors relating to CG theory, and macro-behavior relating to the animation context. This allows reuse of the micro-behaviors as animation contexts change and flexible adaptation to different animation contexts.
Wearable technologies for soldier first responder assessment and remote monitoring (Conference Presentation)

Embedded combat medical personnel require accurate and timely biometric data to ensure appropriate life saving measures. Injured warfighter’s operating in remote environments require both assessment and monitoring often while still engaged with enemy forces. Small wearable devices that can be placed on injured personnel capable of collecting essential biometric data, including the capacity to remotely deliver collected data in real-time, would allow additional medical monitoring and triage that will greatly help the medic in the battlefield. These new capabilities will provide a force multiplier through remote assessment, increased survivability, and in freeing engaged warfighter’s from direct monitoring thus improving combat effectiveness and increasing situational awareness. Key questions around what information does the medic require and how effective it can be relayed to support personnel are at their early stages of development. A low power biometric wearable device capable of reliable electrocardiogram (EKG) rhythm, temperature, pulse, and other vital data collection which can provide real-time remote monitoring are in development for the Soldier.
Stochastic filtering of two-photon imaging using reweighted ℓ 1

Two-photon (TP) calcium imaging is an important imaging modality in neuroscience, allowing for large-scale recording of neural activity in awake, behaving animals at behavior-relevant timescales. Interpretation of TP data requires the accurate extraction of temporal neural activity traces, which can be accomplished via manual or automated methods. In this work we seek to improve the accuracy of both manual and automated TP microscopy demixing methods by introducing a denoising algorithm based on a statistical model of TP data which includes spatial contiguity, sparse activity and Poisson observations. Our method leverages recent developments in stochastic filtering of structured signals based on Laplacian-scale mixture models (LSMs) to model the neural activity in TP data as a set of spatially correlated sparse variables. We apply our method on TP images taken from the visual cortex of an awake, behaving mouse, and demonstrate improved neural activity demixing over current pre-processing techniques.
Where Does the Concrete End? The Local Context of the Hidden Injuries of Class

This chapter turns its attention toward the local (micro) context of the hidden injuries of class (Sennett and Cobb. The Hidden Injuries of Class. New York: Vintage Books, 1972). What about the local area and the families who lived there sets the stage for some to live in “worlds of pain”? In this chapter I examine the micro aspects of class-related injuries of youth: an alcoholic father and other family problems that are unseen; ethnic identity; rampant sexism and racism; the moms’ and dads’ jobs (and their ability—at that unique time period—to provide blue-collar workers without a college degree with a decent lifestyle); and the stoops, blocks, main avenues, bars, and overall urban village environment.
Juan Ruiz de Alarcon: Disability and Dissonance en Golden Age Spain

There was a silence in Spain when Juan Ruiz de Alarcon y Mendoza died. While it was reported that Lope de Vega’s funeral had lasted for nine days, there is only one notice of Alarcon’s death, printed in the August 9, 1639 issue of Avisos historicos, by Jose de Pellicer y Tovar: “Murio don Juan de Alarcon, poeta famoso asi por sus comedias como por sus corcovas” (Castro Leal 52-3) (Don Juan de Alarcon died, a poet as famous for his plays as for his humps). Even in death, Alarcon was not able to escape a corporeal tie to his work. One interpretation of the death notice in Avisos historicos might be that it frankly told it like it was; Alarcon was famous in Spanish society for his plays and his humps. People who knew him had difficulty separating his strong physical presence from his literary production, as evidenced by many references to his disability. There was always a dynamic in his life that was fueled by his physical condition. He was at all times subject to the attitudes, customs, and prejudices of the society around him. Studying his disability and its effect on his relationship to society yields a better understanding of this enigmatic writer and his literary production.
Salutary Actions of Nicergoline* During Experimental Coronary Artery Occlusion and Reperfusion

Recently, much attention has focussed on the possible beneficial effects of a-adrenergic-blocking agents in acute myocardial ischaemia. Prazosin and phentolamine prevent ventricular fibrillation induced by coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion in cats [1], although they fail to do so in dogs [2]. Minor antiarrhythmic effects of phentolamine have been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction [3]. More importantly, afterload reduction by phentolamine has been shown to improve haemodynamics in the setting of acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular failure and/or hypertension [4–6]. However, since phentolamine may incresae heart rate [5, 6], its effect on severity of ischaemia remains uncertain [7]. We [2] have previously shown that phentolamine and prazosin fail to improve severity of ischaemia (estimated from intramyocardial C02 tension), coronary collateral blood flow and arrhythmias during acute coronary occlusion in dogs.
Role of Active Versus Passive Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches in Pain Management

BackgroundA general conclusion about the treatment of chronic, noncancer pain is that the results from traditional, passive modalities are disheartening. Perhaps this may be due to the propensity o...