cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strength, physical activity, and fasciculations in patients with ALS.

Fasciculations are a nearly universal feature in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The prognostic value of fasciculations remains uncertain. Twenty‐four patients with ALS were evaluated for the effects of atrophy, limb weakness, disease duration, and physical activity on fasciculation frequency (as measured by surface electromyography and clinical counting). Variables were compared by multiple linear regression. As strength of the limb deteriorated, the number of fasciculations in the same limb increased, as long as physical activity was maintained or increased. Fasciculation frequency was not associated with the duration of ALS (r = 0.22; p = 0.30) and was independent of the degree of limb weakness (p>0.05) and limb atrophy (p>0.05). No prediction of disease duration could be made based on fasciculation frequency alone. Fasciculations therefore appear to have diagnostic, but not prognostic, utility in the care of people with ALS.
Disruption of cell-cell adhesion in the presence of sodium butyrate activates expression of the 92 kDa type IV collagenase in MDCK cells.

Abstract We have investigated the effects of altered cell shape on the regulation of the 92 kDa type IV collagenase. In MDCK cells, anti-E-cadherin antibodies alter cell shape by disrupting normal cell–cell contacts, while sodium butyrate causes a marked flattening and spreading of cells. The disruption of cell–cell contacts led to a faint expression of the 92 kDa collagenase. This effect was enhanced by sodium butyrate, which by itself did not induce collagenase expression. In contrast, stromelysin expression was not regulated in these conditions. Although mRNA expression was enhanced, the secreted collagenase activity was not altered in these conditions in either cell line. Examination of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix proteins and cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesion proteins by immunofluorescence and Western blot revealed a disruption of the actin network, tight junctions, and fibronectin deposition by anti E-cadherin antibodies, and alterations in actin, cytokeratin 8, cytokeratin 14, laminin and β1 integrin induced by sodium butyrate. Thus, the induction of collagenase expression in epithelial cells by disrupted cell–cell adhesion and sodium butyrate is associated with changes in cell shape and structure.
Crystal Structure of the C-Terminal Tetrapeptide of Oxytocin

WE have determined the crystal structure of the protected, C-terminal tetrapeptide of oxytocin S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycine amide as well as of its virtually isomorphous seleno-analogue. The crystal structure analyses of these two peptides were undertaken because of our interest in the conformation of the tetrapeptide in isolation as well as when attached to the ring in the complete oxytocin molecule. The seleno-analogue provided an opportunity to compare sulphur and selenium stereochemistry.
Ready or not, here they come: acting interns' experience and perceived competency performing basic medical procedures.

Objective To assess acting interns’ (AI’s) experience with and perceived level of competency performing 6 basic medical procedures.
A Single Destabilizing Mutation (F9S) Promotes Concerted Unfolding of an Entire Globular Domain in γS-Crystallin

Conformational change and aggregation of native proteins are associated with many serious age-related and neurological diseases. γS-Crystallin is a highly stable, abundant structural component of vertebrate eye lens. A single F9S mutation in the N-terminal domain of mouse γS-crystallin causes the severe Opj cataract, with disruption of cellular organization and appearance of fibrillar structures in the lens. Although the mutant protein has a near-native fold at room temperature, significant increases in hydrogen/deuterium exchange rates were observed by NMR for all the well-protected β-sheet core residues throughout the entire N-terminal domain of the mutant protein, resulting in up to a 3.5-kcal/mol reduction in the free energy of the folding/unfolding equilibrium. No difference was detected for the C-terminal domain. At a higher temperature, this effect further increases to allow for a much more uniform exchange rate among the N-terminal core residues and those of the least well-structured surface loops. This suggests a concerted unfolding intermediate of the N-terminal domain, while the C-terminal domain stays intact. Increasing concentrations of guanidinium chloride produced two transitions for the Opj mutant, with an unfolding intermediate at ~1 M guanidinium chloride. The consequence of this partial unfolding, whether by elevated temperature or by denaturant, is the formation of thioflavin T staining aggregates, which demonstrated fibril-like morphology by atomic force microscopy. Seeding with the already unfolded protein enhanced the formation of fibrils. The Opj mutant protein provides a model for stress-related unfolding of an essentially normally folded protein and production of aggregates with some of the characteristics of amyloid fibrils.
The Big Freeze: Frost's Costly Impact on Agriculture

Despite great advances in technology, agriculture is still extremely dependent on the weather. Drought can reduce yields and, at its worst, wipe out entire crops. But drought and the effects it has...
Statistical mechanics of systems nonlinearly displaced from equilibrium I

Abstract A graphical approach is used to extend the response theory expression for nonequilibrium averages to any arbitrry order in deviations from equilibrium. Various ways in which the perturbation series about equilibrium can be resummed into gradient or Chapman-Enskog like expansions are presented. As a matter of illustration, examples from the hydrodynamics of simple fluids and the motion of a Brownian particle are considered. Specifically the normal stresses, shear dependent viscosity and velocity dependent friction constant are examined.
An algorithm for automated registration of maps and images based on feature detection and mutual information

Registration of maps and airborne or satellite images is an important problem for tasks such as map updating and change detection. This is a difficult problem because map features such as roads and buildings may be mis-located and features extracted from images may not correspond to map features. Nonetheless, it is possible to obtain a general global registration of maps and images by applying statistical techniques to map and image features. Finer analysis can then be used to find changes and local mismatches. The Maximization of Mutual Information (MMI) technique has proven to be very robust in image-to-image registration. This paper extends the MMI technique to the map-to-image registration problem through a focus-of-attention mechanism that forces MMI to utilize correspondences that have a high probability of being information rich. The number of registration parameters can be adjusted to meet the characteristics of the matching problem and accuracy requirements of the application. Experimental results demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the algorithm.
Geostatistical inverse modeling for super-resolution mapping of continuous spatial processes

The increasing availability of satellite images derived from multiple sensors creates opportunities for broader spatial and temporal coverage but also methodological challenges. We present a geostatistical inverse modeling (GIM) approach for merging coarse-resolution images with variable resolutions and for super-resolution (i.e., predictions at the sub-pixel level) mapping of continuous spatial processes. GIM can explicitly account for the differences in spatial supports of multiple datasets. The restricted maximum likelihood method was used for parameter estimations associated with the change-of-support problem. We used GIM to produce both spatial predictions of a target image and prediction uncertainties, while preserving the values of original measurements. GIM is totally data driven, and covariance parameters for a target resolution can be directly derived from measurements. We also developed a moving-window GIM approach to accommodate spatial nonstationarity and reduce computational burden associated with large image data. First, we demonstrated GIM and moving-window GIM on synthetic images. Aggregated synthetic images with variable resolutions were merged to produce a single resolution image. The results show that the two approaches can produce accurate spatial predictions and generate prediction uncertainties. Second, we applied moving-window GIM for merging aerosol optical depth (AOD) data with variable resolutions, which were derived from two satellite sensors. The modeling results show that moving-window GIM can be applied for merging complementary AOD data from two sensors and for super-resolution mapping of global AOD distributions. Therefore, we can conclude that GIM is a practical solution for merging complementary coarse-resolution images and for super-resolution mapping of continuous spatial processes.
Wrong-way behavior of packed-bed reactors: 1. The pseudo-homogeneous model

A sudden reduction in the feed temperature to a packed-bed reactor leads to a transient temperature rise, which is referred to as the wrong-way behavior. A pseudo-homogeneous plug-flow model is used to analyze the structure of this transient behavior. The key parameters which determine the magnitude of this response are the dimensionless adiabatic temperature rise, activation energy, heat transfer capacity, coolant temperature, magnitude of temperature drop and length of the reactor. A simple expression is derived for predicing the maximum transient temperature rise.
The Birth of Words: Ten‐Month‐Olds Learn Words Through Perceptual Salience

A core task in language acquisition is mapping words onto objects, actions, and events. Two studies investigated how children learn to map novel labels onto novel objects. Study 1 investigated whether 10-month-olds use both perceptual and social cues to learn a word. Study 2, a control study, tested whether infants paired the label with a particular spatial location rather than to an object. Results show that 10-month-olds can learn new labels and do so by relying on the perceptual salience of an object instead of social cues provided by a speaker. This is in direct contrast to the way in which older children (12-, 18-, and 24-month-olds) learn and extend new object names.
Modernization, migration and obesity among Samoan adults.

SummaryModernization and migration have biological as well as social effects on people. In this study, 2657 Samoan adults from Western Samoa, American Samoa and Hawaii were surveyed in an attempt to examine the relationships between modernization, migration and obesity. The Samoan men showed an increase in the frequency of obesity with increasing modernity of residence or occupation. While the women in American Samoa had the highest frequency of obesity of any subsample, Samoan women also demonstrated a pattern of higher adiposity in more modern jobs. Young women tended to show a negative relationship between obesity frequency and education, with college-educated women having the lowest average levels of adiposity. Time since migration to Hawaii was not found to exert a major effect on frequency of obesity.
Downstream signaling mechanism of the C-terminal activation domain of transcriptional coactivator CoCoA

The coiled-coil coactivator (CoCoA) is a transcriptional coactivator for nuclear receptors and enhances nuclear receptor function by the interaction with the bHLH-PAS domain (AD3) of p160 coactivators. The C-terminal activation domain (AD) of CoCoA possesses strong transactivation activity and is required for the coactivator function of CoCoA with nuclear receptors. To understand how CoCoA AD transmits its activating signal to the transcription machinery, we defined specific subregions, amino acid motifs and protein binding partners involved in the function of CoCoA AD. The minimal transcriptional AD was mapped to approximately 91 C-terminal amino acids and consists of acidic, serine/proline-rich and phenylalanine-rich subdomains. Transcriptional activation by the CoCoA AD was p300-dependent, and p300 interacted physically and functionally with CoCoA AD and was recruited to a promoter by the interaction with CoCoA AD. The FYDVASAF motif in the CoCoA AD was critical for the transcriptional activity of CoCoA AD, the interaction of CoCoA with p300, the coactivator function of CoCoA for estrogen receptor α and GRIP1 and the transcriptional synergy among coactivators GRIP1, CARM1, p300 and CoCoA. Taken together these data extend our understanding of the mechanism of downstream signaling by the essential C-terminal AD of the nuclear receptor coactivator CoCoA; they indicate that p300 is a functionally important interaction partner of CoCoA AD and that their interaction potentiates transcriptional activation by the p160 coactivator complex.
Inward and outward irritability in the suicidally inclined.

Abstract A questionnaire to measure inward irritability and outward irritability was given to college students. Inward irritability scores correlated 27 with outward irritability scores. Those students who had attempted suicide had high inward irritability scores; those who had threatened suicide had high inward and outward irritability scores. Results supported the proposition that some suicidal people may have higher levels of outwardly directed anger than nonsuicidal people.
BSO/fibre-optic voltmeter with excellent temperature stability

A new BSO/fibre-optic voltmeter for measurement of AC voltage from 0 to 500 V has been successfully developed for practical use in various fields. This voltmeter has been given outstanding temperature stability of within ± 0.2% from −10°C to 85°C by using the electro-optic effect of a 4.7 mm-thick Bi12SiO20.
Three-dimensional locating of paraxial point source with axicon

This Letter presents a theoretical and experimental study of an axicon illuminated by an off-axis paraxial point source. The Fresnel diffraction integral is applied to show that a paraxial point source produces a Bessel beam. A simple analytical relationship is demonstrated between the location of the point source and the spatial frequency and the center of the resulting Bessel beam in the image plane of a camera. Finally, experimental verification is given by translating a point source of light along the optical axis of an axicon and comparing the resulting predicted and recorded beam intensity profiles. The resulting images are then analyzed to predict the location of the point source with excellent accuracy.
Five easy pieces: a case study of cost management as organizational change

Purpose – The primary purpose of this paper is to merge two traditions in management accounting change – design theory and action research – to explain findings from a case study of introducing a cost leadership initiative.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is an example of action research in which design theory explains events related to the implementation of a strategic cost leadership initiative at Shell Gabon, a Royal Dutch Shell unit in West Africa.Findings – The evidence shows that technical accounting changes are, in the final analysis, change management exercises. Implementing change requires thinking as a designer and employing the logic of conjecture rather than scientific deductive or inductive reasoning. Successful implementation requires conjuring an image of a future reality that does not currently exist and making that image persuasive by connecting it with the values of the organizational participants.Research limitations/implications – This case study provides five key lessons for f...
Randomized Phase II Trial of Erlotinib or Standard Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer and a Performance Status of 2

Purpose A multicenter randomized phase II trial to evaluate two treatment strategies in the first-line management of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with a performance status (PS) of 2. Patients and Methods Patients were assigned to erlotinib 150 mg orally daily until progression or to carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 6) and paclitaxel (200 mg/m2 day 1 every 3 weeks) for up to four cycles. Patients who experienced progression or did not tolerate or refused further chemotherapy were allowed to cross over to erlotinib. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points were response, survival, quality of life (QOL), and a retrospective molecular correlation. Results Fifty-two patients were randomly assigned to erlotinib and 51 to chemotherapy. Partial responses were 2% and 12%, respectively. Median PFS was 1.9 months in the erlotinib arm and 3.5 months in the chemotherapy arm (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.45; 95% CI, 0.98 to 2.15; P = .06). Median survival t...
Carcinogenicity of nickel subsulfide in Fischer rats and Syrian hamsters after administration by various routes.

The carcinogenicity of nickel compounds in industrial workers and in experimental animals has been comprehensively reviewed in several publications.(1–5) Increased incidences of cancers of the lung and nasal cavities have been documented by epidemiological investigations of nickel refinery workers in Wales,(6,7) Canada,(8,0) Norway,(10) and Russia.(11) One of the present authors (Sunderman) maintains a tabulation of respiratory cancers that have occurred in workers who were exposed to nickel compounds in industrial operations. As of January 1977, this tabulation included 447 cases of lung cancer and 142 cases of cancers of the nose and paranasal sinuses. In addition to increased risk of respiratory tract cancers, increased risk of laryngeal cancers has been found in Norwegian nickel refinery workers,(10) and increased risk of gastric carcinomas and soft tissue sarcomas have been reported in Russian nickel refinery workers.(11) Three cases of renal cancer occurred among 225 Canadian workers who were involved in electrolytic refining of nickel.(8) Since renal cancer is rare, it seems possible that the renal cancers in these workers might have been related to occupational exposures to nickel compounds. To date, the identity of the nickel compounds that induce cancers in nickel workers remains uncertain, although principal attention is currently focused upon (a) insoluble dusts of nickel subsulfide (Ni3S2) and nickel oxides (NiO; Ni2O3); (b) the vapor of nickel carbonyl (Ni (CO) 4); and (c) soluble aerosols of nickel sulfate or chloride (NiSO4, NiCl2). (2,4,12)
Contribution of Localized Deformation to IGSCC and IASCC in Austenitic Stainless Steels

It is known that the irradiation-induced microstructrual and microchemical changes in austenitic alloys may affect the irradiation-assisted stress corrosion (IASCC) susceptibility. However, a recent study [1] shows that IASCC susceptibility is more likely to be linked to the mechanical properties such as yield stress and hardness that arise from the microstructrual change. A higher yield stress generally corresponds to a lower level of uniform elongation but a higher degree of localized deformation. Localized deformation, induced by low stacking fault energy (SFE) and/or irradiation damage, may play a key role in IGSCC and IASCC susceptibility of austenitic stainless steels and nickel-base alloys. Proton irradiation and constant extension rate tensile testing (CERT) were used to examine the potential impact of SFE and irradiation on deformation mode and IASCC. Three model alloys (E : UHP-304, H : 304+Si and L : 304+Cr+Ni) having a spread in SFE were selected for this study. Two batches of samples were irradiated with 3.2 MeV protons at 360°C to 1.0 and 5.5 dpa respectively, and then incrementally strained in 288°C Ar atmosphere to 3%, 7% and 12%. After each strain level, the degree of strain localization, as determined by channel height, width and spacing were quantified using SEM and AFM on replicas of the surfaces of the deformed samples. Results were compared to those from SCC tests in simulated LWR environments to determine if localized deformation is a controlling factor in IASCC.
Population Distribution of the Columbian Timber Beetle, Corthylus columbianus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), within a Stand of Red Maple over Seven Generations

In 2 stands of red maple in Greene County, Georgia, during 1965–67, most galleries of Corthylus columbianus Hopkins occurred in the lower portion of the bole, the number per foot decreasing rapidly with increasing height, but with no apparent differences in numbers between aspects. Galleries made during the spring and fall were less concentrated near the base of the tree than those made during summer. Most brood beetles apparently established their galleries on the tree in which they were reared. The success of those beetles and their offspring, rather than an influx of beetles from other trees, was responsible for any population upswing that occurred in that tree. The population within the stand during any one attack period was concentrated on a small number of trees which were distinctly aggregated in distribution. The population increased and expanded within the areas of aggregation as the summer progressed. The population and the number of infested trees decreased over winter, and there was an obvious change in the spatial distribution of the population within the stand from one year to the next. Trees of all sizes above 3 inches diameter at breast height and in all crown classes were infested. Dispersal occurred during every attack period. Most newly infested trees were in the vicinity of trees infested during the previous attack period. The data indicated that most or all the trees in the stand were suitable hosts. The aggregated distribution of the population probably resulted from behavior of the adults within a generally susceptible stand. Because most beetles tended to remain on the tree from which they emerged, large numbers built up in certain trees where survival was good, and dispersing beetles tended to fly mainly to nearby trees to establish galleries. Unexplained declines of subpopulations in individual trees, especially over winter, continuous dispersal, and the buildup of subpopulations in new trees resulted in a continuous change in the pattern of population distribution. Over a period of years, most trees in the stands will have been infested one or more times.
Diagnosis and its discontents: Critical perspectives on psychiatric nosology and the DSM

Recent writings that critically analyze psychiatric diagnostic categories and the practices that are intertwined with them have descriptive, contextualizing and moral dimensions. Descriptive projec...
Interactive visualizations for decision support: Application of Rasmussen's abstraction-aggregation hierarchy

Abstract Data visualization has of late received an enormous amount of attention from both researchers and practitioners. Even the popular press often includes impressive visualizations of various data sets. Interactive visualizations frequently include data visualizations, but they differ in that users employ the visualizations to make inferences, reach conclusions, and make decisions that result in changed and/or new visualizations. Data visualizations emphasize “what is,” but interactive visualizations address “what if.” In this way, interactive visualizations are often intended for decision support. This article addresses the design of interactive visualizations for decision support. An overall methodology is presented; central to this methodology is Jens Rasmussen's abstraction-aggregation hierarchy. The results of two applications and evaluations of the outcomes of using this methodology are discussed. The first application focused on interactive visualizations for helicopter maintenance. The second application addressed “enterprise diagnostics” in the automobile industry where subjects were asked to diagnose the cause of failed automobile brands. The results of these two applications are used to assess the efficacy of the proposed methodology.
Effect of Qige-Shancai compound capsule on mice with high blood glucose

Objective To investigate the effect of Qige-Shancai compound capsule( QSCC,a mixture of astragalus,kudzu root,Gynura divaricata,and wolfberry fruit with total saponins of 350 mg /100 g and puerarin of 1. 5 g /100 g) on mice with high blood glucose. Methods Sixty special pathogen free( SPF) adult Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups( 10 mice in each group) : solvent control,QSCC control,model,and low-,medium-,high-dose groups administered with QSCC of 0. 45,0. 90,1. 35 g / kg by gavage once a day for 30 days. High blood glucose of the mice were induced by injecting alloxan through caudal vein. General growth status and weight change in the mice were observed;fasting blood glucose was measured with glucometer; and changes in the area under the curve of blood glucose determined with glucose tolerance test were compared among the groups. Results Body weight and weight gain showed no significant differences between the solvent control and the other groups. Compared with that of the control group,fasting blood glucose significantly increased in the model group( 21. 15 ± 1. 76 vs. 5. 57 ± 1. 19 mmol / L)( P 0. 01). Compared with the model group,fasting blood glucose of the mice in 0. 90 and 1. 35 g / kg QGCC groups decreased to 15. 96 ± 1. 91 and 15. 43 ± 2. 19 mmol / L significantly( both P 0. 01) with the decrease rates of 19. 97 ± 12. 79% and 24. 22 ±16. 47%. A significant decline in the area under blood glucose curve was observed in the mice treated with 1. 35 g / kg QGCC compared with the model group( 52. 70 ± 5. 44 vs. 57. 22 ± 3. 83)( P 0. 01),but no significant effect of1. 35 g / kg QGCC on fasting blood glucose was observed in normal mice. Conclusion QGCC could reduce fasting blood glucose of mice with high blood glucose and has no significant impact on general growth in mice.
The principal component analysis of polysaccharide and metallic elementsin Chinese wolfberry from different regions

In this paper,the principal component analysis is applied to study the correlation between polysaccharide and metallic elements Cu,Zn,Fe,Mn,Ca,Mg,Na,K in Chinese wolfberry in different regions.The results show that 3 principal components can interpret the correlation between polysaccharide and these metallic elements.Taking the principal component scores as new variables,they are used to the comprehensive evaluation on quality in Chinese wolfberry in different regions.There is a significant correlation between polysaccharide and metallic elements Ca,Mg,Na,K.The polysaccharide and Constants metallic element Ca,Mg,Na,K are the key factors affecting the quality of Chinese wolfberry.Trace elements Cu、Zn、Fe can not be neglected.This study can be considered as a basic work for the further research on Chinese wolfberry in different regions.
An Epidemiological Analysis of Cholera in Chongqing in 2002

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of cholera in Chongqing in 2002 and provide scientific basis for setting preventive and control measures.Methods All cholera cases and the people they had contacted were investigated.Rectal swabs were collected for isolation and identification of V.cholerae.Results 173 cases including 5 cases of death and 101 carriers of V.cholerae were reported.The infection rate,incidence rate,mortality rate and fatality rate were 0.884/100000,0.558/100000,0.016/100000 and 2.89%,respectively.The majority of the cases were occurred in the western part of Chongqing.There was a peak from June to August and most of the cases were farmers.The number of cases transmitted by contaminated food was significantly more than by other means(U=6.62,P0.01).The cholera outbreak was mainly due to Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor,serotype Inaba 1d type and O139 serogroup was isolated for the first time.Conclusion The serotype of epidemic bacteria strain has changed.The disease was mainly transmitted by contaminated food.Effective measures should be taken to control and prevent the epidemic of this disease.
Effect of Basic Characteristics of Iron Ores on Properties of Sinter

The influence of basic characteristics of eight iron ores on properties of sinter was investigated by minisintering and sinter pot test.The results show that the tumbler index of sinter rises with the increasing of the strength of bonding phase and crystal strength.The RDI3.15mm of sinter can be improved when liquid phase fluidity and creating ability of calcium ferrite of iron ores increase.The RI of sinter mainly relates to the kinds of iron ores and sintering technological parameters.The sinter RI of magnetite ores rises with the increasing of liquid phase fluidity and creating ability of calcium ferrite but has little relationship with other basic characteristics of iron ores.
Hypothermia in restraint-induced gastric ulcers in parabiotic rats.

Gastric ulceration in rats had been demonstrated as an effect of physical restraint. The etiology remains undetermined. Evidence is presented that hypothermia plays an important role in the process. Appropriately restrained rats, whether single or parabiosed, develop macroscopic ulcerations and show a significant drop in body temperature during restraint. Unrestrained rats that develop ulcers as a result of parabiosis to restrained rats show similar drops in temperature. Body temperatures of unrestrained parabionts that failed to develop macroscopic ulcers returned to control values after declining slightly during the first third of the restraint period.
Coordination of cellular events that precede reproductive onset in Acetabularia acetabulum: evidence for a 'loop' in development.

Amputated apices from vegetative wildtype cells of the uninucleate green alga Acetabularia acetabulum can differentiate a reproductive structure of ‘cap’ in the absence of the nucleus (Hammerling, J. (1932) Biologisches Zentralblatt 52, 42–61). To define the limits of the ability of wildtype cells to control reproductive differentiation, we determined when during development apices from wildtype cells first acquired the ability to make a cap in the absence of the nucleus and, conversely, when cells with a nucleus lost the ability to recover from the loss of their apices. To see when the apex acquired the ability to make a cap without the nucleus, we removed apices from cells varying either the developmental age of the cells or the cellular volume left with the apex. Cells must have attained the adult phase of development before the enucleate apex could survive amputation and make a cap. Apices removed from cells early in adult growth required more cell volume to make a cap without the nucleus than did apices removed from cells late in adult growth. To define the limits of the cell to recapitulate development when reproduction falters, we analyzed development in cells whose caps either had been amputated or had spontaneously aborted. After loss of the first cap, cells repeated part of vegetative growth and then made a second cap. The ability to make a second cap after amputation of the first one was lost 15–20 days after cap initiation. Our data suggest that internal cues, cell age and size, are used to regulate reproductive onset in Acetabularia acetabulum and add to our understanding of how reproduction is coordinated in this giant cell.
Other Issues: The Mechanics of the Nuclear Deterrent

Discussions of the stability of a START regime also involve a number of issues besides straight comparisons of numbers. The superpowers have not fully evolved positions on a number of issues within START, in particular strategic defences, verification and sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs). If not properly constrained, any of these weapons systems or issues could emerge to undermine the stability so carefully crafted in an accord. These issues are considered below.
Meiosis: concluding remarks.

Professor Darlington opened the meeting by challenging us with the view that chromosomes made the laws of heredity, rather than heredity fashioning the organization of chromosomes. To keep this wheel of logic spinning, it may be said that chromosomes also made the process of meiosis and thus determined the laws of meiotic exchange. I choose this gambit because our discussions lent considerable emphasis to the view that chromosome complexity compels its own sets of distinctive, and perhaps varied, mechanisms to effect the ultimate event of molecular recombination. The complexity that leads molecular recombination to operate in elaborate meiotic moulds is not, it should be emphasized, base sequence complexity. On the contrary, sequence repeats and genetic homoeologies, though adding disproportionately little to the base sequence complexity of a genome, adds considerably to the complexity of effecting chromosome alignment and crossing over. How chromosomes of diverse genetic content manage that complexity and in the process mould the characteristics of meiotic behaviour has been the primary target of our deliberations. That no single pattern of meiotic conduct was perceived in consequence of the discussions, is to be expected. To the extent that genomes differ in various aspects of chromosome organization - and that they do is patent - the particulars of meiotic organization might also differ. Although a strong sentiment was occasionally expressed for a single universal process of meiosis, it is my opinion that sameness and universality may be mistakenly treated as synonyms. Universals provide for diversity; they do not impose sameness. The task of identifying universal threads among different meiotic fabrics is not a straightforward one. The ultimate act of genetic recombination offers no detailed guide to the routes by which it may be achieved. Indeed, it is the structure of the chromosome that dictates the route ; recombination only signals the direction.
Zinc Selectively Blocks Neurosteroid-Sensitive Extrasynaptic δGABAA Receptors in the Hippocampus

Zinc (Zn2+) is an essential cofactor in mammalian cells and neurons. Zn2+ is released from synaptic vesicles of certain nerve terminals in the hippocampus during neuronal activity. Zn2+ has been shown to inhibit synaptic GABAA receptors and alter the hippocampal network excitability. However, the ability of Zn2+ to block extrasynaptic receptors remains unclear. Endogenous neurosteroids, such as allopregnanolone (AP), regulate neuronal excitability by allosteric activation of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. Neurosteroids activate extrasynaptic δGABAA receptor-mediated tonic inhibition in dentate gyrus granule cells (DGGCs), thereby contributing to the regulation of downstream circuit excitability. Here we report a novel inhibitory role of Zn2+ at neurosteroid-sensitive, extrasynaptic δGABAA receptors by electrophysiological recordings in DGGCs from adult mice. Zn2+ displayed a concentration-dependent, reversible noncompetitive blockade of AP-sensitive tonic current in DGGCs (IC50, 16 μm). Tonic current was fully blocked by Zn2+, akin to the GABAA receptor antagonist gabazine. Zn2+ inhibition of tonic current was lacking in DGGCs from δ-subunit knock-out mice. Moreover, AP-activated synaptic receptor-mediated phasic currents were not affected by Zn2+. Finally, intrahippocampal infusion of Zn2+ elicited rapid epileptiform activity and significantly blocked the antiseizure activity of AP in the kindling model of epilepsy. Thus, Zn2+ inhibition of neurosteroid-sensitive, extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in the hippocampus has direct implications in many brain hyperexcitability conditions, such as seizures, epileptogenesis, and epilepsy. Zn2+ interactions may aid to further understand the physiology of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Zn2+ is most abundant in the synaptic vesicles of hippocampal mossy fibers. Zn2+ release occurs with neuronal excitation, including seizure events, and exerts powerful excitability effects in the hippocampus circuits. Zn2+ inhibits synaptic GABAA receptors, but its interaction is less well appreciated at the extrasynaptic receptors, which respond sensitively to endogenous neurosteroids. Here, we describe selective functional blockade by Zn2+ of neurosteroid-sensitive, extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in the mouse hippocampus dentate gyrus, a key region associated with epilepsy and memory disorders. By demonstrating that extracellular Zn2+ prevents neurosteroid augmentation of tonic current and protection against limbic seizures, our findings provide novel implications of this potential antagonistic interaction in a variety of neurological conditions.
Enhancing Scientific Literacy Through the Use of Information Technology in Introductory Geoscience Classes

As technology exerts an ever greater influence in our daily lives, the importance of a sound and contemporary understanding of science becomes critical. Introductory geology classes have traditionally focused on potential majors and in doing so have fallen short in helping all students develop a common understanding of basic concepts and how they integrate with those of other disciplines. In restructuring our own introductory classes around a multi-disciplinary approach based on specific and relevant thematic topics, we have concentrated on providing a level of closure so that the non-major students learn concepts, gain knowledge, and concentrate their energies on the ongoing processes that shape our planet. We have used constructivist methods in the course and feel that they are particularly well suited to topics such as earthquakes and volcanoes for which a number of exciting and stimulating Internet resources are currently available on the World-Wide Web. Advances in information technology allow studen...
Development of Non-contact Physiological Motion Sensor on CMOS Chip and Its Potential Applications

This paper reviews the development of non-contact physiological motion sensor chips. The first chip was developed at Bell Labs during 2000-2002. The research that led to this first demonstration is described. Since then, several different approaches have been taken to improve the performance and to explore potential military and commercial applications. The non-contact sensor chips that can detect physiological motions of humans and animals from a distance away will find a variety of applications including healthcare, security, emergency response, etc. A few examples of applications and their potential impacts to our society are discussed.
Dominance of grain size impacts on seasonal snow albedo at open sites in New Hampshire

Snow cover serves as a major control on the surface energy budget in temperate regions due to its high reflectivity compared to underlying surfaces. Winter in the northeastern United States has changed over the last several decades, resulting in shallower snowpacks, fewer days of snow cover, and increasing precipitation falling as rain in the winter. As these climatic changes occur, it is imperative that we understand current controls on the evolution of seasonal snow albedo in the region. Over three winter seasons between 2013 and 2015, snow characterization measurements were made at three open sites across New Hampshire. These near-daily measurements include spectral albedo, snow optical grain size determined through contact spectroscopy, snow depth, snow density, black carbon content, local meteorological parameters, and analysis of storm trajectories using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model. Using analysis of variance, we determine that land-based winter storms result in marginally higher albedo than coastal storms or storms from the Atlantic Ocean. Through multiple regression analysis, we determine that snow grain size is significantly more important in albedo reduction than black carbon content or snow density. And finally, we present a parameterization of albedo based on days since snowfall and temperature that accounts for 52% of variance in albedo over all three sites and years. Our improved understanding of current controls on snow albedo in the region will allow for better assessment of potential response of seasonal snow albedo and snow cover to changing climate.
Resistance Wisdom and Grassroots Urban Education: Lessons from Detroit

This chapter focuses on how radical educators in Detroit, MI are working through an ecocritical pedagogy to expose the absurdity of the destructive habits of today’s society and to propose grassroots alternatives. Acknowledging the impacts of Western industrial culture on the racially segregated neighborhoods systematically decimated by the racism, sexism, and classism of the North American industrial revolution, this chapter provides an overview of environmental justice and eco-racism in connection with youth engagement in the context of urban education. Drawing on the author’s experiences as a Detroit scholar-activist educator, this chapter shares how—despite the strong efforts of a neoliberal State government to gentrify and privatize land, water, and food in Detroit—activist educators have been able to politically mobilize communities through advocating for rights that ensure access to food and food traditions that support a healthy community and argue that for the importance of an education that supports the best possible standard of living for all. Asserting that activist-educators at the grassroots level in Detroit are exploring education that moves beyond the boundaries of formal schooling, this chapter shares examples of how students, educators, and members of the local community engage in identifying and examining issues relevant to the local neighborhoods while simultaneously developing a worldview supportive of social justice and sustainability.
Radar waveform optimization for ambiguity function properties and dynamic spectral mask requirements based on communication receiver locations

A dynamically determined spectral mask for radar transmission, based on changing wireless communication handset locations and maximum acceptable handset interference power levels, is used to optimize the radar waveform. The alternating projections optimization is based on the spectral mask and a minimization template for the ambiguity function, which provides range/Doppler combinations for which the ambiguity should be minimized. This optimization is continually re-performed as the spectral mask is adjusted based on handset location changes. Several different scenarios are demonstrated in which this optimization is shown to be successful. This algorithm will use information about communication handsets provided through an ad-hoc network to tune the radar waveform.
Factors associated with high-utilization in a safety net setting

Patients with frequent hospital readmissions, or high-utilizer patients (HUPs), are a major driver of rising healthcare costs in the United States. This group has a significant burden of medical illness, but less is known about whether or how social determinants of health may drive their increased healthcare use and poor health outcomes. Our study aimed to define the population of HUPs at a large, safety-net hospital system, to understand how these patients differ from patients who are not HUPs, and to analyze how their demographic, medical, and social factors contribute to their healthcare use and mortality rates. For this case-control study, data were collected via retrospective chart review. We included 247 patients admitted three or more times in a single calendar year between 2011 and 2013 and 247 controls with one or two admissions in a single calendar year matched for age, sex, and year of high-utilization. We used multivariable logistic regression models to understand which demographic, clinical, and social factors were associated with HUP status, and if HUP status was independently associated with mortality. The factors that contributed significant odds of being a HUP included having Medicaid (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.50, 7.44) or Medicare (OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.50, 7.67), having a history of recreational drug use (OR 2.44, 95% 1.36, 4.38), and being homeless (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.69, 8.23) The mortality rate among HUPs was 22.6% compared to 8.9% among controls (p < 0.0001). These data show that social factors are related to high-utilization in this population. Future efforts to understand and improve the health of this population need to incorporate non-clinical patient factors.
Distributionally robust optimization for energy and reserve toward a low-carbon electricity market

Abstract This paper proposes a two-stage distributionally robust model for the optimization of energy and reserve under uncertain wind power. The first-stage model considers a day-ahead market that determines the nominal generation and reserves before the realization of wind power uncertainty. The second-stage decisions are made in a realtime market, after the observation of uncertainty, so that the expected emission factor is constrained below a target level. Case studies are conducted to demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of effectively capturing the ambiguous distribution of wind power generation, and can be tractably solved. The influence of different emission constraints is also discussed, showing the trade-off between lowering the total operating cost and reducing the long-term impact of carbon emissions.
TSPAN12 Is a Norrin Co-receptor that Amplifies Frizzled4 Ligand Selectivity and Signaling

Accessory proteins in Frizzled (FZD) receptor complexes are thought to determine ligand selectivity and signaling amplitude. Genetic evidence indicates that specific combinations of accessory proteins and ligands mediate vascular β-catenin signaling in different CNS structures. In the retina, the tetraspanin TSPAN12 and the ligand norrin (NDP) mediate angiogenesis, and both genes are linked to familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), yet the molecular function of TSPAN12 remains poorly understood. Here, we report that TSPAN12 is an essential component of the NDP receptor complex and interacts with FZD4 and NDP via its extracellular loops, consistent with an action as co-receptor that enhances FZD4 ligand selectivity for NDP. FEVR-linked mutations in TSPAN12 prevent the incorporation of TSPAN12 into the NDP receptor complex. In vitro and in Xenopus embryos, TSPAN12 alleviates defects of FZD4 M105V, a mutation that destabilizes the NDP/FZD4 interaction. This study sheds light on the poorly understood function of accessory proteins in FZD signaling.
The Etiology of Hallux Abductovalgus Described in Six Pieces

The objective of this chapter is to provide a critical analysis of the medical literature with respect to factors historically associated with the development and progression of the hallux abductovalgus deformity. This includes discussion of the symptomatic pathoanatomy, shoegear effects, hereditary factors, evolutionary structural morphology, medial column hypermobility, the flatfoot deformity, the natural course of the deformity, and patient expectations of treatment. Although it is likely that there is neither a definitive nor universal etiology, and that it is instead variable and multifactorial, this chapter defines the contemporary knowledge base and identifies gaps which should be examined by future generations of foot and ankle surgeons.
Variability and Confidence Intervals for the Mean of Climate Data with Short- and Long-Range Dependence

AbstractThis paper presents an adaptive procedure for estimating the variability and determining error bars as confidence intervals for climate mean states by accounting for both short- and long-ra...
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicity Review for the Palliative Care Clinician

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have opened an exciting chapter in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer. For the palliative care clinician, however, ICIs present several new challenges, including new ways to define treatment success, as well as treatment-related toxicities that differ in nature and timing from traditional chemotherapy. In this article, we review the mechanism of action of ICIs, as well as selected published data supporting the efficacy of ICIs in patients with advanced cancer. In addition, we summarize existing data of ICI toxicity prevalence, patterns of severity, and timing of onset. Finally, we briefly review key principles from published guidelines on the management of ICI toxicities.