cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipids in Flour from Gamma‐Irradiated Wheat

SUMMARY— Lipids were extracted with petroleum ether and with water-saturated butanol from flours milled from wheat aliquots gamma-irradiated by doses of 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 × 106 rep. The water-saturated butanol extract was fractionated by silicic acid column chromatography into polar and nonpolar lipids; the fractions were studied for phosphorus content. Profound changes in rheological properties and bread-making characteristics of the flours were accompanied by a small decrease in the ratio of nonpolar to polar lipids and by an increase in the phosphorus content of the polar fraction. Some changes in flour lipids from irradiated wheat were noticed during fractionation by TLC and during determination of infrared spectra.
Transmyocardial revascularization to enhance myocardial vasculogenesis and hemodynamic function.

Objective A significant number of patients have coronary artery disease that is not amenable to traditional revascularization. Prospective, randomized clinical trials have demonstrated therapeutic benefits with transmyocardial laser revascularization in this cohort. The molecular mechanisms underlying this therapy, however, are poorly understood. The focus of this study was evaluation of the proposed vasculogenic mechanisms involved in transmyocardial laser revascularization. Methods Male Yorkshire pigs (30–35 kg, n=25) underwent left thoracotomy and placement of ameroid constrictors around the proximal left circumflex coronary artery. During the next 4 weeks, a well-defined region of myocardial ischemia developed, and the animals underwent a redo left thoracotomy. The animals were randomly assigned to sham treatment (thoracotomy only, control, n=11) or transmyocardial laser revascularization of hibernating myocardium with a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (n = 14). After an additional 4 weeks, the animals underwent median sternotomy, echocardiographic analysis of wall motion, and hemodynamic analysis with an ascending aortic flow probe and pulmonary artery catheter. The hearts were explanted for molecular analysis. Results Molecular analysis demonstrated statistically significant increases in the proangiogenic proteins nuclear factor κB (42 ± 27 intensity units vs 591 ± 383 intensity units, P = .03) and angiopoietin 1 (0 ± 0 intensity units vs 241 ± 87 intensity units, P = .003) relative to sham control values with transmyocardial laser revascularization within the ischemic myocardium. There were also increases in vasculogenesis (18.8 ± 8.7 vessels/high-power field vs 31.4 ± 10.2 vessels/high-power field, P = .02), and perfusion (0.028 ± 0.009 μm 3 blood/μm 3 tissue vs 0.044 ± 0.004 μm 3 blood/μm 3 tissue, P = .01). Enhanced myocardial viability was demonstrated by increased myofilament density (40.7 ± 8.5 cardiomyocytes/high-power field vs 50.8 ± 7.5 cardiomyocytes/high-power field, P = .03). Regional myocardial function within the treated territory demonstrated augmented contractility. Global hemodynamic function was significantly improved relative to the control group with transmyocardial laser revascularization (cardiac output 2.1 ± 0.2 L/min vs 2.7 ± 0.2 L/min, P = .007, mixed venous oxygen saturation 64.7% ± 3.6% vs 76.1% ± 3.4%, P = .008). Conclusion Transmyocardial laser revascularization with the holmium-YAG laser enhances perfusion, with resultant improvement in myocardial contractility.
Adoption of practice guidelines and assessment tools in substance abuse treatment.

Background: The gap between research and practice limits utilization of relevant, progressive and empirically validated strategies in substance abuse treatment. Methods: Participants included substance abuse treatment programs from the Northeastern United States. Structural equation models were constructed with agency level data to explore two outcome variables: adoption of practice guidelines and assessment tools at two points in time; models also included organizational, staffing and service variables. Results: In 1997, managed care involvement and provision of primary care services had the strongest association with increased use of assessment tools, which, along with provision of counseling services, were associated with a greater use of practice guidelines. In 2001, managed care involvement, counseling services and being a standalone drug treatment agency were associated with a greater use of assessment tools, which was in turn related to an increase in the use of practice guidelines. Conclusions: This study provides managers, clinicians and policy-makers with a framework for understanding factors related to the adoption of new technologies in substance abuse treatment.
EM-based channel estimation algorithms for OFDM

Estimating a channel that is subject to frequency-selective Rayleigh fading is a challenging problem in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. We propose three EM-based algorithms to effciently estimate the channel impulse response (CIR) or channel frequency response of such a system operating on a channel with multipath fading and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). These algorithms are capable of improving the channel estimate by making use of a modest number of pilot tones or using the channel estimate of the previous frame to obtain the initial estimate for the iterative procedure. Simulation results show that the bit error rate (BER) as well as the mean square error (MSE) of the channel can be significantly reduced by these algorithms. We present simulation results to compare these algorithms on the basis of their performance and rate of convergence. We also derive Cramer-Rao-like lower bounds for the unbiased channel estimate, which can be achieved via these EM-based algorithms. It is shown that the convergence rate of two of the algorithms is independent of the length of the multipath spread. One of them also converges most rapidly and has the smallest overall computational burden.
Examining students' online interaction in a live video streaming environment using data mining and text mining

This study analyses the online questions and chat messages automatically recorded by a live video streaming (LVS) system using data mining and text mining techniques. We apply data mining and text mining techniques to analyze two different datasets and then conducted an in-depth correlation analysis for two educational courses with the most online questions and chat messages respectively. The study found the discrepancies as well as similarities in the students' patterns and themes of participation between online questions (student-instructor interaction) and online chat messages (student-students interaction or peer interaction). The results also identify disciplinary differences in students' online participation. A correlation is found between the number of online questions students asked and students' final grades. The data suggests that a combination of using data mining and text mining techniques for a large amount of online learning data can yield considerable insights and reveal valuable patterns in students' learning behaviors. Limitations with data and text mining were also revealed and discussed in the paper.
Can rhesus monkeys spontaneously subtract

Animals, including pigeons, parrots, raccoons, ferrets, rats, New and Old World monkeys, and apes are capable of numerical computations. Much of the evidence for such capacities is based on the use of techniques that require training. Recently, however, several studies conducted under both laboratory and field conditions have employed methods that tap spontaneous numerical representations in animals, including human infants. In this paper, we present the results of 11 experiments exploring the capacity of semi-free-ranging adult rhesus monkeys to spontaneously compute (i.e. single trial, no training) the outcome of subtraction events. In the basic design, we present one quantity of objects on one stage, a second quantity on a second stage, occlude both stages, and then remove one or no objects from each stage. Having watched these events, a subject is then allowed to approach one stage and eat the food objects behind the occluder. Results show that rhesus monkeys correctly compute the outcome of subtraction events involving three or less objects on each stage, even when the identity of the objects is different. Specifically, when presented with two food quantities, rhesus monkeys select the larger quantity following subtractions of one piece of food from two or three; this preference is maintained when subjects must distinguish food from non-food subtractions, and when food is subtracted from either one or both initial quantities. Furthermore, rhesus monkeys are capable of representing zero as well as equality when two identical quantities are contrasted. Results are discussed in light of recent attempts to determine how number is represented in the brains of animals lacking language.
A novel structural model for regulation of clathrin function

The distinctive triskelion shape of clathrin allows assembly into polyhedral lattices during the process of clathrin-coated vesicle formation. We have used random and site-directed mutagenesis of the yeast clathrin heavy chain gene (CHC1) to characterize regions which determine Chc trimerization and binding to the clathrin light chain (Clc) subunit. Analysis of the mutants indicates that mutations in the trimerization domain at the triskelion vertex, as well as mutations in the adjacent leg domain, frequently influence Clc binding. Strikingly, one mutation in the trimerization domain enhances the association of Clc with Chc. Additional mutations in the trimerization domain, in combination with mutations in the adjacent leg domain, exhibit severe defects in Clc binding while maintaining near normal trimerization properties. The position of these trimerization domain mutations on one face of a putative alpha-helix defines a region on the trimer surface that interacts directly with Clc. These results suggest that Clc extends into the Chc trimerization domain from the adjacent leg, thereby bridging the two domains. On the basis of this conclusion, we propose a new model for the organization of the triskelion vertex which provides a structural basis for regulatory effects of Clc on clathrin function.
Sequential Decision Making and Information Aggregation in Small Networks

This article describes and investigates a model of strategic sequential decision making in networked policy-making environments with three agents. The primary interest is the effect of network structure on sequential policy making and information aggregation. The model and results illustrate how individual policy decisions of varying weight (in terms of a decision maker's unilateral effect on policy outcomes) can enable information aggregation in decentralized environments. In the studied environment, the incentive compatibility conditions for information aggregation are not invariant to network isomorphisms: individuals’ positions in the network matter. The study derives exact conditions for every acyclic network of three or fewer agents and illustrates the counterintuitive nature of comparative statics with respect to both network structure and individual agents’ policy preferences and discretionary authority.
Central cord syndrome: is operative treatment the standard of care?

Commentary on Brodell DW, Jain A, Elfar JC, Mesfin A. National trends in the management of central cord syndrome: an analysis of 16,134 patients. Spine J 2015;15:435–42 ( in this issue ).
A Novel Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Assay Demonstrates that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Pr55Gag I Domain Mediates Gag-Gag Interactions

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) assembly takes place at the plasma membrane of cells and is directed by the Pr55 Gag polyprotein (Gag). One of the essential steps in the assembly process is the multimerization of Gag. We have developed a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay for the detection of protein-protein interactions between Gag molecules. We demonstrate that Gag multimerization takes place primarily on cellular membranes, with the majority of these interactions occurring on the plasma membrane. However, distinct sites of Gag-Gag interaction are also present at punctate intracellular locations. The I domain is a functional assembly domain within the nucleocapsid region of Gag that affects particle density, the subcellular localization of Gag, and the formation of detergent-resistant Gag protein complexes. Results from this study provide evidence that the I domain mediates Gag-Gag interactions. Using Gag-fluorescent protein fusion constructs that were previously shown to define the minimal I domain within HIV-1 Pr55 Gag , we show by FRET techniques that protein-protein interactions are greatly diminished when Gag proteins lacking the I domain are expressed. Gag-Tsg101 interactions are also seen in living cells and result in a shift of Tsg101 to the plasma membrane. The results within this study provide direct evidence that the I domain mediates protein-protein interactions between Gag molecules. Furthermore, this study establishes FRET as a powerful tool for the detection of protein-protein interactions involved in retrovirus assembly.
The Impact of Bidding Rules on Electricity Markets With Intermittent Renewables

The cycling regime of thermal power plants significantly increases in the presence of intermittent renewables, increasing fuel and operation and maintenance costs from startups. Some regional electricity market operators adopt complex bidding mechanisms to account for nonconvex cost components that are not reflected in the marginal cost of energy, while other markets rely solely on simple bids with revenue sufficiency conditions. This paper compares the impacts of different bidding rules on wholesale prices and on the remuneration of units in power systems with a significant share of renewable generation. We distinguish the effects of bidding rules from the effects of regulatory uncertainty that can unexpectedly increase renewable generation by considering two distinct situations: 1) an “adapted” capacity mix, which is optimized for any given amount of renewable penetration, and 2) a “nonadapted” capacity mix, which is optimized for zero renewable penetration, but operated with different nonzero levels of renewables. We show that, although in the transitory state the impact on remuneration of having a nonadapted system dominates over the effect of the startup remuneration mechanisms explored, in equilibrium, bidding rules play an important role in making power plants whole while impacting on the cost borne by consumers.
A tree-ring based reconstruction of Logan River streamflow, northern Utah

suggest the increased Regional model skill indicates that both nodes of the western precipitation dipole influence northern Utah climate. The importance of Rocky Mountain juniper in both reconstructions of streamflow for this region suggests that future work should target these trees where more traditionally desirable species are not present. The reconstructions provide the first extended record of streamflow in northern Utah. Preinstrumental streamflows (1605–1921) exhibited considerable variability when compared to the instrumental period (1922–2005). Our findings confirm that the inherent uncertainty in contemporary water management and planning in the region is due to hydroclimatic variability that has persisted for at least the last four centuries.
Complementary and alternative medicine use among women with breast cancer.

The legacy of 19th-century social theories applied to the study of nonmainstream treatment use continues to affect contemporary research into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Quantitatively based studies of CAM use have been hindered by the lack of an adequate lexicon, inaccurate characterizations of the people who use CAM, and underestimates of the prevalence of usage. Results from a qualitative prospective cohort study challenge previous stereotypes by indicating that CAM usage does not increase dramatically with the initial diagnosis of cancer and that younger women are more likely to use CAM than older women. Qualitative research methods are uniquely appropriate for obtaining accurate information about health practices that, despite growing acceptance in some areas of society, are still viewed as outside of the mainstream, [complementary and alternative medicine, breast cancer, qualitative health research]
Ordered arrays of rare earth silicide nanowires on Si[001]

Rare earth silicides have been demonstrated to self-assemble during epitaxial growth as one-dimensional nanostructures with preferred orientation along Si on Si[111] and Si[001]. The evolution of the one-dimensional structure during epitaxial growth has been attributed to an anisotropic lattice mismatch of the two orthogonal axis of the hexagonal unit cell with respect to Si. On highly oriented Si[001] substrates, nanowires align their long axis along Si : thus, two orientations of nanowires were obtained having their long axes orthogonal to one another. We have now demonstrated that alignment of rare earth silicide nanowires can be achieved along a single direction by growth on vicinal Si[001] substrates. Self-assembled ErSi/sub 2/ and DySi/sub 2/ wires aligned along Si [110] have been grown at 600/spl deg/C with aspect ratios exceeding 100 and feature heights on the order of 1 atomic layer. The nanowires were characterized in situ with scanning tunneling microscopy. These rare earth silicide nanowires may have applications as non-lithographically fabricated small scale interconnects due to high electrical conductivity and low Schottky barrier to n-type Si.
Association of chronic renal disease, hypertension, and infection with a rat-borne hantavirus

We report an association between past infection with an indigenous rat-borne hantavirus and chronic renal disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accidents among individuals using the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution from January 1986 through October 1988. A sample population of 1148 patients receiving quantitative total urine protein tests was screened for IgM and IgG antibodies to three different hantaviruses. Fifteen seropositives (1.3%) were found, of which 12 resided in inner city Baltimore in areas where Norway rats infected with a hantavirus had been captured.
Employer Attitudes and Perceptions of Job Preparedness of Recent Iowa State University Horticulture Graduates

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of employers who have recently hired Iowa State University (ISU) Department of Horticulture graduates in regard to the graduates’ preparedness when entering the workforce and their abilities to complete job responsibilities. A 70-question survey instrument was distributed electronically to 107 employers who hired ISU Department of Horticulture students who graduated from spring semester 2004 through summer session 2007. A majority of the survey questions was directly related to expected learner outcomes from the undergraduate curriculum. These outcomes related to abilities in professional skills (19 questions) and general horticulture (six questions). Twenty-four questions asked employers to rank the importance of skills in the areas of general horticulture and business, at 12 questions each. A final set of nine questions asked employers to rank the importance of work experience, attitude, and job preparedness. The response rate was 45.8%. Results showed that 52.5% of employers felt graduates were more than adequately to exceptionally well prepared for the position for which they were hired, and another 42.5% felt students were adequately prepared. Overall, employers ranked graduates abilities in general horticulture (4.22) and professional skills (4.24) as good to excellent on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = very poor, 2 = poor, 3 = fair, 4 = good, 5 = excellent). Employers ranked all 12 of the general horticulture skills with an average to above average importance (4.26), and the 12 business skills with a slightly lower average ranking (3.84) on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = not important, 2 = below average importance, 3 = average importance, 4 = above average importance, 5 = very important). In the final group of questions related to work experience, attitude, and job preparedness, employers ranked ‘‘good work ethic’’ as the most important skill, giving it an 4.97 on a 1 to 5 scale (1 = not important, 5 = very important). The remaining eight questions averaged 3.83 on the 1 to 5 scale. Results from this research will be used to modify the existing curriculum and expected learner outcomes to better prepare ISU horticulture graduates entering the workforce.
Characterization of olfactory-enhancing zinc metal nanoparticles

Small concentrations of zinc metal nanoparticles (Zn NP) have been shown to significantly enhance the sense of smell in rats [1]. Olfactory enhancement is important to many U.S. agencies where particular interests lie in canine detection for illicit drugs and explosives (DHS and DARPA); the perfume and food industry (DOC); and health-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and anosmia (CDC and NIH). Hence, the engineered synthesis and characterization of odor enhancing agents is of great potential importance. Physiological data provides evidence that Zn NPs (nominal diameter 1 nm – 2 nm) enhance the olfactory response in rats, however chemical characterization of these NPs is still necessary to fully understand the enhancement mechanism. Amino acids play a vital role in the signal transduction of neurotransmitters during an olfactory-induced response [2]. Vital information about NP-induced olfactory enhancements may be obtained by assessing interactions between NPs and underivatized amino acids, using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Although the small size of these odor-enhancing Zn NPs present great challenges during analytical measurements, the size and concentration of these Zn NPs were estimated using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and found to be approximately 15 nm, in diameter. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) measurements revealed the presence of Fe (II) and Ni (II) in Zn NP dispersions, which may cause interferences with Zn (II) concentration and dissolution measurements. Zn NP and amino acid interactions, analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, showed that interactions were concentration dependent; higher concentrations of amino acids interacted with more Zn NPs, therefore further investigations of the interactions between NPs and biomolecules is necessary. This work has potential for the development of innovative technologies applicable to the advancement of canine detection, health and performance sciences.
2-Aminobenzamide antagonizes DNA de-methylation which precedes induced differentiation of Friend erythroleukemia cells by N’-methylnicotinamide.

Induction of Friend erythroleukemia cell (FELC) differentiation has been shown to be preceded by a genome wide hypomethylation of the DNA (1-3). Recent work suggests that DNA becomes actively de-methylated by removal of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and replacement with cytosine during chemically induced FELC differentiation (4,5). Nicotinamide (NA) and several of its analogs induce FELC differentiation (6-12), but inhibition of ADP-ribosylation is not required for induction. Aminobenzamides (-AB) are potent inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation with very low inducer activity which were found to inhibit induction of differentiation (10,12) by hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). In previous studies, we have shown that NA and its inducer-capable analogs cause DNA hypomethylation in cultured FELCs (11), with N’-methylnicotinamide (N’-MN) being the most potent. Subsequent work determined that up to 6% of 5-mC in the existing DNA of differentiating FELCs was removed during the first 24 hrs of N’-MN exposure (5). N’-MN has no inhibitory effect on ADP-ribose transferase activity, but causes the highest level of DNA de-methylation of any compound tested. We designed experiments using 2-AB in combination with N’-MN in cultured FELCs in order to determine if ADP-ribosylation may be involved in the process of DNA de-methylation.
Patient and Provider Perspectives on Electronic Helath Record (EHR) Information Access and Rights

Electronic health records (EHRs) are becoming an important aspect of how members of a healthcare organization organize and share patient information effectively and efficiently in patient care. EHRs can provide substantial potential benefits to healthcare providers, if roles and tasks are well coordinated between providers and patients. Poor or incompatible implementation of the EHR and information flow between patients and providers represents barriers to accurate and valid information dissemination. The authors’ research expands on previous studies, and examines privacy and security issues and the perspective of distributed expertise incorporating both providers and patients. The case study to be highlighted examines patient and provider perspectives of expertise, communication effectiveness, and the sharing of information (with and without the EHR) in outpatient OB/GYN clinical care.
Soviet Foreign Policy and the Invasion of Czechoslovakia: A Theory and a Case Study

Understanding the process of Soviet foreign policy-making can sometimes be a frustrating challenge. The impatient observer who prefers generalizations or polemics to the painstaking and often dull task of analyzing policy will not readily find the answers he is seeking. Those who seek a handy typecast explaining Soviet foreign policy as that of a classic imperialist nation (or, conversely, that of a satiated, status-quo power) will suffer from a misconception born of oversimplification. Those who attempt to explain the USSR's policy as a direct product of the official Marxist-Leninist ideology will only confuse motivation with rationalization. There is no simple approach which will immediately enlighten the policy-making process. Soviet foreign policy, like that of most other nation-states, is a product of both domestic and external factors; it is based on rational, calculated motives to an indeterminate degree and on nonrational, often spontaneous, motives to a similarly indeterminate degree; it is neither totally predictable nor hopelessly whimsical, neither perfectly constant nor endlessly fluctuating.
Adaptive Optical Self-Interference Cancellation Using a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

We experimentally demonstrate an optical system that uses a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) to perform adaptive, analog self-interference cancellation for radio-frequency signals. The system subtracts a known interference signal from a corrupted received signal to recover a weak signal of interest. The SOA uses a combination of slow and fast light and cross-gain modulation to perform precise amplitude and phase matching to cancel the interference. The system achieves 38 dB of cancellation across 60-MHz instantaneous bandwidth and 56 dB of narrowband cancellation, limited by noise. The Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm is used to adaptively minimize the interference power through the control of the semiconductor’s bias current and input optical power.
Separation of Surface Reflection from P Pulse Recorded at Teleseismic Distances

A method is described whereby the surface reflections, as well as other pulses, can be extracted from P waves recorded at teleseismic distances from nuclear explosions. The method utilizes the fact that the initial portion of the P wave is pure and subtracts this portion by successive addition (subtraction) from later parts of the P wave. Examples of separation are given for three nuclear explosions detonated in Nevada and New Mexico and recorded at Mould Bay, Canada.
Why is establishing the Arctic as common heritage so important

In this column, duly entitled, "The dogs, the poles, the thieves and their detractors: why is establishing the Arctic as common heritage so important?" Sarah Bracking delves into the dangers of market capitalism and the push for new oil frontiers in the Arctic. She points out that under the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea Treaty in force from 1994, all mineral and exploration rights extend 200 nautical miles off a coastline, or more if it is continental shelf, and if this were applied the status of ownership in the Arctic is in question.
Evaluating the Sensitivity of Electronic Fetal Monitoring Patterns for the Prediction of Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Objective We evaluated electronic fetal (heart rate) monitoring (EFM) patterns among very preterm infants with and without intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) to evaluate the test characteristics of EFM for the prediction of IVH. Study Design We performed a case-control study of preterm infants born ≤ 30 weeks' gestation over a 6-year period. We evaluated differences in EFM patterns between those (cases) with and without IVH (controls). The relative odds ratio of observing differences in EFM patterns between cases and controls was calculated. Regression models were adjusted based on confounding variables. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of EFM characteristics were evaluated for the diagnosis of IVH. Results Total 79 very preterm infants underwent cranial ultrasound, 24 of whom had IVH. Infants with IVH were more likely to be males and delivered at earlier gestational ages. Moderate variability was seen in all infants with normal cranial ultrasounds and 83% of infants with IVH. Minimal variability has a sensitivity of 17% in the prediction of IVH. Conclusion While minimal variability was observed more frequently in fetuses that developed IVH, it is poorly predictive of IVH. EFM patterns are not discriminating in identifying very preterm infants at risk for developing IVH.
Characteristics of Students in Traditional Versus Alternative High Schools: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Enrollment in One Urban District:

Urban school districts are comprised of many diverse high school environments including comprehensive neighborhood schools as well as a variety of smaller alternative models that focus on innovative practices, behavior remediation, or academic recovery. In terms of enrollment distribution, urban school districts are increasingly offering nontraditional school placement options for students presenting academic and behavioral difficulty or for students seeking specific curricular emphasis or pedagogy, including—but not limited to—use of school choice voucher programs. In this study, we examined student distribution across school types in one large urban district to investigate enrollment patterns with regard to gender, race, socioeconomic status, and disability status. The results of this cross-sectional analysis indicated significant disproportionality in student demographics within different school types, including overrepresentation of African American students, male students, and students with disabilit...
Environmental Standardization for Sustainability

It is axiomatic that environmental controls are expressed as environmental standards, a traditional driver of investment in pollution control. Environmental standards spur investment in green technologies that promise to stimulate sustainable business models. The institutional framework of environmental standardization is complex; a widely misunderstood political process. A variety of standardization activities have impacted environmental protection historically and are now poised for further growth as green market discipline proliferates. Environmental standardization is a unique fusion of technology design and public policy development involving various constituencies: environmentalists, technologists, legislatures, regulators, standards-setting bodies, upstream suppliers, downstream users, and society’s affected communities. This chapter reviews the role of standardization activities in setting environmental constraints, in the development of green technologies and in establishing metrics for environmental certification and monitoring. The implications of managing environmental standardization to attract financing for sustainable business models are so significant that disregarding the risks of environmental standardization imperils competitiveness. KEY TERMS & DEFINITIONS ANSI due process requirements process requirements for standardization activities that prescribe normative goals that control self-interest of the private parties engaged in standards development activities. Anticipatory standards standards that are developed ex ante to markets that supply products and services compliant with the standard. Antitrust the U.S. term for anti-monopoly or competition law applicable regulate markets where dominant participants possess market power or coordinated collaboration results in unlawful collusion. Conformity assessment activity intimately involved in standardization that determines conformity with standards for processes, products, or services, examples include, e.g., testing, observation, inspection, audit, certification, registration, accreditation. Consortium standards development organization in the private sector, characterized by a quick and temporary convened venue intending to develop a single standard or narrow family of related standards. Coordination problem – challenge under game theoretic analysis in which market participants could conceivably make decisions that achieve mutual gain but is constrained by disincentives to reveal proprietary information or be subject to litigation risks of collusion. De facto standards informally set standards where proprietary designs emerge as successful under competitive conditions.
An excitatory cortical feedback loop gates retinal wave transmission in rodent thalamus

Spontaneous retinal waves are critical for the development of receptive fields in visual thalamus (LGN) and cortex (VC). Despite a detailed understanding of the circuit specializations in retina that generate waves, whether central circuit specializations also exist to control their propagation through visual pathways of the brain is unknown. Here we identify a developmentally transient, corticothalamic amplification of retinal drive to thalamus as a mechanism for retinal wave transmission in the infant rat brain. During the period of retinal waves, corticothalamic connections excite LGN, rather than driving feedforward inhibition as observed in the adult. This creates an excitatory feedback loop that gates retinal wave transmission through the LGN. This cortical multiplication of retinal wave input ends just prior to eye-opening, as cortex begins to inhibit LGN. Our results show that the early retino-thalamo-cortical circuit uses developmentally specialized feedback amplification to ensure powerful, high-fidelity transmission of retinal activity despite immature connectivity.
A genetically distinct hybrid zone occurs for two globally invasive mosquito fish species with striking phenotypic resemblance.

Hybrid zones allow for the investigation of incipient speciation and related evolutionary processes of selection, gene flow, and migration. Interspecific dynamics, like competition, can impact the size, shape, and directional movement of species in hybrid zones. Hybrid zones contribute to a paradox for the biological species concept because interbreeding between species occurs while parental forms remain distinct. A long-standing zone of intergradation or introgression exists for eastern and western mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki and G. affinis) around Mobile Bay, AL. The region has been studied episodically, over decades, making it perfect for addressing temporal dynamics and for providing a deeper understanding of the genetics of these periodically reclassified fishes (as species or subspecies). We used six microsatellite markers to assess the current population structure and gene flow patterns across 19 populations of mosquito fish and then compared our results with historical data. Genetic evidence demonstrates that the current hybrid zone is located in a similar geographic region as the historical one, even after three decades. Hybrid fish, however, demonstrate relatively low heterozygosity and are genetically distinct from western and eastern mosquito fish populations. Fin ray counts, sometimes used to distinguish the two species from one another, demonstrate more eastern (G. holbrooki) phenotype fish within the molecular genetic hybrid zone today. Mosquito fish are globally invasive, often found on the leading edge of flooded waters that they colonize, so the impact of hurricanes in the wake of climate change was also evaluated. An increase in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes in the hybrid region has occurred, and this point warrants further attention since hurricanes are known to move these aggressive, invasive species into novel territory. This work contributes to our classical understanding of hybrid zone temporal dynamics, refines our understanding of mosquito fish genetics in their native range, evaluates important genotype-phenotype relationships, and identifies a potential new impact of climate change.
Thermal evolution of Earth with magnesium precipitation in the core

Vigorous convection in Earth's core powers our global magnetic field, which has survived for over three billion years. In this study, we calculate the rate of entropy production available to drive the dynamo throughout geologic time using one-dimensional parameterizations of the evolution of Earth's core and mantle. To prevent a thermal catastrophe in models with realistic Urey ratios, we avoid the conventional scaling for plate tectonics in favor of one featuring reduced convective vigor for hotter mantle. We present multiple simulations that capture the effects of uncertainties in key parameters like the rheology of the lower mantle and the overall thermal budget. Simple scaling laws imply that the heat flow across the core/mantle boundary was elevated by less than a factor of two in the past relative to the present. Another process like the precipitation of magnesium-bearing minerals is therefore required to sustain convection prior to the nucleation of the inner core roughly one billion years ago, especially given the recent, upward revision to the thermal conductivity of the core. Simulations that include precipitation lack a dramatic increase in entropy production associated with the formation of the inner core, complicating attempts to determine its age using paleomagnetic measurements of field intensity. Because mantle dynamics impose strict limits on the amount of heat extracted from the core, we find that the addition of radioactive isotopes like potassium-40 implies less entropy production today and in the past. On terrestrial planets like Venus with more sluggish mantle convection, even precipitation of elements like magnesium may not sustain a dynamo if cooling rates are too slow.
Why Experimental Vasospasm Resolves

P112 It has been suggested that changes in the arterial wall contribute to the maintenance and resolution of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study determined if such changes contribute to the resolution of vasosapsm after SAH, if vasospasm resolves because of loss of subarachnoid blood clot or if a combination of these mechanisms is involved. 27 monkeys underwent baseline angiography and unilateral (n = 17) or bilateral (n = 8) SAH. Animals with bilateral SAH underwent angiography 1, 3, 5 and 7 days later followed by euthanasia. Animals with unilateral SAH had angiography 7 days later. The clot then was removed in these animals and replaced with fresh clot (n = 7) or removed and not replaced (n = 5). The removed clot was placed on the left side (n = 12). Controls did not have clot removal (n = 5) and/or had fresh clot placed on the left on day 7 (n = 5). Angiography was repeated every 2 days until euthanasia on day 14. SAH caused significant middle cerebral artery vasospasm on day 7 that slowly resolved by day 14. Removal of clot on day 7 resulted in more rapid reversal of vasospasm suggesting that vasospasm depended on continued presence of subarachnoid clot rather than on or in addition to structural changes in the artery. Placing fresh clot on the right side on day 7 produced vasospasm that persisted without resolving suggesting that there is no preconditioning response in the artery that prevents or conributes to reversal of vasospasm. On the other hand, placing 7-day-old clot from the right onto the left caused significantly more rapid onset of severe vasospasm than placing fresh clot from animals 7 days after SAH, suggesting that breaking up the clot to replace it on the left increases release of spasmogens or that there is a negative adaptive response that exacerbates vasospasm. In conclusion, vasospasm resolves because of loss of subarachnoid clot. There is no evidence for a preconditioning response in cerebral arteries that renders them less responsive to subarachnoid clot. Spasmogen release from clot 7 days after SAH may be reduced in this model so that breaking up the clot increases spasmogen release resulting in rapid onset of severe vasospasm and/or that there is a negative adaptive response 7 days after SAH that worsens vasospasm.
Importance of the biologic effective dose in achieving local control of adrenal tumors treated with stereotactic radiosurgery.

e21114 Background: Adrenalectomy achieves long term survival in ~ 25% of patients with solitary adrenal metastasis (SAM). Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) represents a potential non-surgical alternative to this same endpoint, but reported local control rates vary from 45% to 96%. SRS delivers a range of biologic effective doses (BED) dependent upon fraction size, number and schedule. We herein review our experience with SRS for adrenal metastasis to evaluate the interaction between BED and local adrenal tumor control. Methods: The Winthrop SRS data base was queried to identify 14 patients undergoing SRS for malignant adrenal tumors from 2006 to 2011. Patients were characterized by their primary tumor site, stage at diagnosis and the time to adrenal involvement. BED was calculated for each patient. Local adrenal tumor control and durability of response were also recorded. Results: Calculated BEDs ranged from 4,667 cGy to13,000 cGy. Of the factors examined, BED was the single most important predictor of loca...
Transgenerational blunting of morphine-induced corticosterone secretion is associated with dysregulated gene expression in male offspring

Abstract A number of parental experiences, even when occurring prior to conception, have been shown to induce transgenerational effects beyond the first generation. In the case of exposure to drugs of abuse, studies in rodents suggest that offspring demonstrate significant differences in how they respond to the drug to which their parent was exposed. We have previously observed significant alterations in morphine analgesia, conditioned place preference and self-administration in the offspring of females exposed to morphine during adolescent development. In addition to effects on pain perception and reward, morphine also modulates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether female adolescent morphine exposure results in transgenerational effects on regulation of the HPA axis by morphine in future generations. Adolescent morphine was administered to female Sprague Dawley rats using a 10 day, escalating dose regimen of morphine (5–25 mg/kg; from 30 to 39 days of age). Control animals received saline. Both saline and morphine exposed females (SAL-F0 and MOR-F0, respectively) were mated with drug naive males beginning at least 3 weeks after the final injection. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured in male and female offspring (F1) during adulthood following 0, 0.1, or 10 mg/kg morphine. In addition, expression of corticotropin releasing hormone (Crh) and mu opioid receptor (Oprm1) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were measured using quantitative PCR. MOR-F1 males, but not females, had blunted morphine-induced corticosterone secretion. This effect was specific to offspring from females exposed to morphine during adolescence as those exposed during adulthood produced offspring in which the effect was absent. In addition, MOR-F1 males had significantly lower levels of PVN Crh following saline. These effects were not driven by PVN oprm1 in the F1 males as there were no differences based on maternal adolescent exposure. To determine the persistence of the blunted morphine-induced corticosterone effect, SAL-F2 and MOR-F2 males were examined. Blunted morphine-induced corticosterone secretion extended into the MOR-F2 generation, as well as effects on Crh. In addition, there was additional dysregulation ofOprm1 expression in the PVN in MOR-F2 compared with SAL-F2 males. These findings suggest that sex-specific alterations in opioid-mediated regulation of the HPA axis are transgenerationally transmitted for at least two generations following female adolescent morphine exposure. These effects may play a role in the previously observed changes in morphine analgesia and reward-related behaviors observed in this phenotype. In addition, alterations in HPA functioning such as these may play a broad role in transgenerational epigenetic transmission.
A Short-Term Training Program for Caseworkers in Family Counseling:

To help train field service caseworkers in a more effective way, an in-service, short-term program was devised. It emphasizes use of videotaped modeling, family simulation, and in vivo tryout using...
Pharmacological Rescue of the Mutant Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Detected by Use of a Novel Fluorescence Platform

Numerous human diseases arise because of defects in protein folding, leading to their degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Among them is cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an epithelial anion channel. The most common mutation, F508del, disrupts CFTR folding, which blocks its trafficking to the plasma membrane. We developed a fluorescence detection platform using fluorogen-activating proteins (FAPs) to directly detect FAP-CFTR trafficking to the cell surface using a cell-impermeant probe. By using this approach, we determined the efficacy of new corrector compounds, both alone and in combination, to rescue F508del-CFTR to the plasma membrane. Combinations of correctors produced additive or synergistic effects, improving the density of mutant CFTR at the cell surface up to ninefold over a single-compound treatment. The results correlated closely with assays of stimulated anion transport performed in polarized human bronchial epithelia that endogenously express F508del-CFTR. These findings indicate that the FAP-tagged constructs faithfully report mutant CFTR correction activity and that this approach should be useful as a screening assay in diseases that impair protein trafficking to the cell surface.
Cyber Threats to Critical Information Infrastructure

All critical infrastructures are dependent on computer information infrastructures for management, control, and communications. The government defines a critical infrastructure as, …systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety… (DHS 2012).