cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate at phospholipid Langmuir monolayers

Abstract Calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals have been nucleated from metastable solutions at Langmuir monolayers of the phospholipids dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG), dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and the fatty acid arachidic acid. The phospholipid monolayers were used as model systems for domains of pure lipid in cellular media as part of investigations of their potential role in the nucleation of calcium oxalate in the urinary tract. Crystal formation was monitored at the air/water interface using Brewster angle microscopy and in transferred films using SEM and TEM. For each Langmuir monolayer, it was observed that nucleation is heterogeneous and is selective with respect to the orientation and morphology of the precipitated crystals with up to 90% of crystals growing with the ( 1 0 1 ) face oriented towards the monolayer interface. The selectivity is attributed to calcium binding at the lipid monolayer favoring formation of the calcium-rich ( 1 0 1 ) face. The behavior at each monolayer was similar, although a higher rate of crystal formation was observed at the anionic DPPG interface.
Venipuncture and vaginal swabbing in an enclosure occupied by a mixed-sex group of stumptailed macaques (Macaca arctoides)

Procedures are described for vaginal swabbing and venipuncture in a gang-caged, mixed-sex group of stumptailed macaques. The design of the gang cages facilitated venipuncture and swabbing which were done without undue disturbance of the vivarium routine, without seriously stressing colony members, and without interfering with the monkeys' established social relationships.
Affinity labeling of anti-DNP, anti-DNP-glycylglycylglycine and anti-DNP-p-aminobenzoylglutamanate antibodies with 2,4-dinitrophenyl-ϵ-aminocaproyl diazoketone and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-p-aminobenzoyl diazoketone

Abstract Specifically purified antibodies to DNP-bovine gamma globulin (DNP-BGG), DNP- glycylglycylglycine-BGG (DNP-Gly 3 ) and DNP- p -aminobenzoylglutamate-BGG (DNP- p -ABG) were affinity labeleld with the protoactive label 2,4-dinitrophenyl-ϵ-aminocaproyl diazoketone (DNP-ϵ-ACDK). The labeling of the antibody preparations as measured by the ratios of heavy to light chains (H:L) labeled were 2·9 and 0·7 for the two anti-DNP antibody samples, 2·2 for the anti-DNP-Gly 3 antibody preparation and the H:L labeling ratio for the anti- p ABG antibodies were 1·1 and 4·0. A sample of anti-DNP- p ABG antibodies was also labeled with the label, 2,4-dinitrophenyl- p -aminobenzoyl diazoketone DNP- p ABDK). The ratio of heavy to light chain (H:L) labeled resulting from the labeling of anti-DNP- p ABG antibodies with DNP- p ABDK was 1·8. Heavy chains from the DNP- p ABDK labeled anti-DNP- p ABG antibody preparation were treated with nagarse and the peptides containing covalently bound label were isolated and analyzed by Edman degradation and mass spectrometry. The analytical results suggested that the label was primarily localized on histidine and glycine residues. This is in contrast with the results of affinity labeling of anti-DNP antibodies using DNP containing bromoacetyl, fluoroborate and DNP-1-azide labels which label primarily tyrosine, lysine, tyrosine and alanine residues respectively. The labeling differences may reflect differences in molecular size and reactivities of the three labels for different amino acids.
Critical features of a conserved RNA stem-loop important for feedback regulation of RNase E synthesis.

RNase E is an important regulatory enzyme that governs the principal pathway for mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli. This endonuclease controls its own synthesis via a feedback mechanism in which the longevity of rne (RNase E) mRNA is modulated by a cis-acting sensory element that responds to changes in cellular RNase E activity. Previous research has shown that this element is an RNA stem-loop (hp2) within the 5′-untranslated region of the rne transcript. Here we report studies involving mutational analysis and phylogenetic comparison that have identified the features of rne hp2 important for its function. These comprise an internal loop flanked on one side by a 2-bp stem and a hairpin loop and on the other side by a longer stem whose sequence is inconsequential. A search of bacterial genome sequences suggests that regulation by an hp2-like element may be a unique evolutionary adaptation of the rne transcript that is not shared by other mRNAs.
In credit we trust: Building social capital by Grameen Bank in Bangladesh

Abstract In this paper we examine how a third-party – Grameen Bank in Bangladesh – created social capital that has been a boon to the explosive growth of Microfinance in Bangladesh and elsewhere. Using Putnam's definition, we show how Grameen Bank created social capital by forming horizontal and vertical networks, establishing new norms and fostering a new level of social trust to solve the collective action problems of poor people's access to capital. The fact that a Microfinance Institution (MFI) can create social capital has strong policy implications. Since social capital is a public good – non-excludable and non-rivalrous – the market will underprovide such good. This paper shows that Microfinance corrects another type of market failure—under provision of a public good, in addition to correcting the failure of the credit market. The social capital building aspects of an MFI need to be taken into account in the whole debate about the need for subsidy.
A Feminist Cognitive Anthropology: The Case of Women and Mathematics

This article is an exploration of the insights that a marriage between feminist and cognitive anthropology offers for understanding the scientific gender gap. Using comparative ethnographic and questionnaire data from India, I argue that Indian cultural models of family, gender, and schooling interact with macrostructural features of Indian society (educational, socioeconomic, and occupational) to frame academic decisions, producing a gender-stratified scientific community. I then evaluate the applicability of Western theories to India. I suggest American individualistic models that emphasize internal, female mathematic deficiencies and gender-identity conflicts embody American cultural models of gender and schooling not shared by Indian informants. Indian patrifocal family institutions also do not imply essentialist gender concepts. Finally, I argue American theories of gendered science embody long-standing American cultural models that warrant critical scrutiny.
Beam propagation through parabolic-index waveguides with distorted optical axis

An integral expression is derived for the fields in parabolic-index waveguides with distorted optical axis. It is based on well-known ray matrix techniques and generalized Huygens integrals. The distortions give rise to beam oscillations which in turn are identified as the excitation mechanism for radiation modes. The model gives some better understanding of the transition regions between waveguides.
Responses of urban preschool children to a developmental screening test.

Developmental examinations of 4- to 6-year-old children using the Denver Developmental Screening Test were carried out by medical students in an urban lower class neighborhood. Results of the testing of 104 children are presented and compared with previously published norms. The children studied had considerable delay in acquisition of language and specific aspects of conceptual functioning. It is suggested that in the pediatric setting, a descriptive evaluation of behavioral functioning provides very limited data in screening procedures, unless information regarding the family background is considered.
Separation and metrology of nanoparticles by nanofluidic size exclusion

A nanofluidic technology for the on-chip size separation and metrology of nanoparticles is demonstrated. A nanofluidic channel was engineered with a depth profile approximated by a staircase function. Numerous stepped reductions in channel depth were used to separate a bimodal mixture of nanoparticles by nanofluidic size exclusion. Epifluorescence microscopy was used to map the size exclusion positions of individual nanoparticles to corresponding channel depths, enabling measurement of the nanoparticle size distributions and validation of the size separation mechanism.
THE CREATION OF MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF STRATEGIC ISSUE DIAGNOSIS

This paper presents a model of how decision-makers interpret stategic issues. The model of strategic issue diagnosis identifies three critical events: activation, assessments of urgency and assessments of feasibility. The relationship of each of these interpretive assessments to the creation of momentum for change allows one to predict if and how organizations will respond to a changed decision environment. The paper further links strategic issue diagnosis to organizational responses by highlighting the systematic effect of two contextual variables—the organization's belief structure and its resources—upon the assessments in diagnosis. In this way, the model of issue diagnosis provides a framework for understanding how and why organizations respond differently to strategic issues.
Influence of gap-scale disturbance on developmental and successional pathways in Quercus-Pinus stands

Quercus-Pinus forests of the eastern USA cover millions of hectares and span a variety of ecoregions. Understanding the influence of natural disturbance on developmental and successional pathways is important for managers that wish to sustain Pinus spp. in these mixtures. Quantifying developmental and successional patterns in this forest type can help assess the need to actively manage natural processes and inform silvicultural prescriptions to achieve management goals. Little research has been conducted on natural, gap-scale disturbance processes in Quercus stands with strong components of Pinus taeda, Pinus virginiana, and Pinus echinata. We examined 60 canopy gaps in a Quercus-Pinus forest on the southern Cumberland Plateau in Alabama to document gap formation, closure, and other characteristics and to analyze the influence of localized disturbance on development and succession. The majority of gapmaker trees (56%) were Pinus individuals and 44% were hardwoods. Most gaps (58%) closed by height growth of subcanopy trees. The majority of these gap filler taxa were hardwoods: Quercus (39%), Carya (14%), Nyssa sylvatica (12%), and other hardwoods (15%), with Pinus representing 14%. The number of Pinus gapmakers and the number of gaps projected to fill by subcanopy recruitment of hardwoods indicated the forest was in the latter stages of a composition shift from Pinus to a much stronger Quercus component. Significant positive relationships existed between gap size and sapling diversity (r 2 = 0.15, P = 0.002), tree diversity (r 2 = 0.21, P = 0.0002), and total stem diversity (r 2 = 0.29, P < 0.0001) indicating a positive relationship may exist between gap size and diversity on xeric ridge tops where shade-tolerant species are less competitive. We speculated the ridge top positions contributed to the relatively high gap formation rates noted in this study. Pinus composition was found to be patchy, indicating a gap-based approach may be used to manage for Pinus recruitment in hardwood dominated systems. 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
LEGENDS AS A MIRROR TO CULTURAL IDENTITY AND QUALITY PRACTICE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

This study is one in a series of investigations into quality improvement practices and trends in Europe. In the present piece, historical influences on quality in the Czech Republic are examined. Examples from various business sectors are provided. The ..
Facies Relations in Holocene-Pleistocene Coastal Sediments: Model for Interpretation of Ancient Transgressive-Regressive Sequences: ABSTRACT

A correlation model of adjacent coastal sedimentary lithosomes in a Holocene transgressive sequence and Pleistocene regressive sequence has been formed for use in the interpretation of ancient transgressive-regressive coastal sequences. During the present Holocene marine transgression in the mid-Atlantic coastal area, sedimentary lithosomes are forming in a series of coastal sedimentary environments in a typical transgressive vertical and horizontal sequence pattern. These transgressive coastal environments are directly adjacent to and over a mid-Wisconsin or Sangamon high sea regressive coastal environment sequence. Diagnostic sedimentary structures and textures presently forming in the Holocene coastal sedimentary environments are used to identify adjacent Pleistocene coastal sediment lithosomes. These include beach, berm?, tidal delta, dune, and other barrier subenvironments, and fringing marsh, lagoonal and shallow marine-estuarine environments. Trends of Holocene and Pleistocene barriers diverge 25-35° with additional complexity in areas of major spit development. In applying the concept "the present is a key to the past," studies of Holocene-Pleistocene transgressive-regressive coastal environmental relations suggest that great caution should be used in attempts to project coastal trends in ancient rocks. Transgressive-regressive vertical and horizontal sedimentary sequences formed during fluctuating sea-level conditions may occur adjacent to each other and appear to correlate. Accordingly, models of lateral and vertical facies relations in adjacent Holocene transgressive and Pleistocene regressive coastal sequences should be of use in facies correlation in similar but ancient geologic settings. End_of_Article - Last_Page 634------------
An Areal Study of the German Electorate, 1930–1933.

A great deal has been said as to whether Hitler is really representative of the German people. Books have been written to show that he is merely the latest in a long line of German romanticists, racialists, and Pan-Germans. In most of these studies, the German people are lumped together in one mass without much differentiation. In analyzing public attitudes, however, it is desirable to be as particular and specific as possible, and to break up opinion groups into all their component parts. Therefore, without desiring to minimize the emphasis already placed on the evil influences which have had such a strong and continuing effect upon the generality of Germans and the course of their history, it is proposed here to study German political opinions district by district during a critical period. It is the purpose of this investigation to ascertain whether German voters reacted uniformly as a mass when they were presented with a crucial decision. Did the reawakening of German nationalism and Pan-Germanism by Hitler evoke a uniformly strong response throughout the length and breadth of the country, or were the German people genuinely divided in their attitude toward Nazism—the latest version of rampant German nationalism?
Postgrowth processing of carbon nanotube arrays-enabling new functionalities and applications

Highly ordered carbon nanotube arrays were fabricated by pyrolysis of acetylene using anodic-aluminum-oxide templates. To avoid the natural tendency of the nanotubes sticking together and forming haystack-like bundles when exposing the nanotubes from the growth template, a new postgrowth treatment process using a mixture of 6 wt% phosphoric acid and 1.8 wt% chronium oxide as the etchant, and 0.1 wt% Gum Arabic or 5 wt% polymethacrylic acid as the dispersant, was developed yielding for the first time well aligned and spatially free-standing carbon nanotube arrays. The dispersants can be adsorbed on both the surface of carbon nanotubes and that of the alumina film resulting in the elimination of aggregation of exposed carbon nanotubes, a more uniform dissolution of alumina, and a lower, thereby, more controllable etching rate. The as-prepared carbon nanotube arrays, which are vertically aligned and well separated could be used for many applications such as mechanical oscillators, field emission, and sensors, and the exposed nanotubes offer a good platform for study on collective behavior of electrical and magnetic nano arrays.
Simple word rules for the determination of gear force directions

Gear force directions for transmitted, radial, and axial gear forces can be easily determined by following simple word rules. The word rules presented here have been applied to spur, bevel, helical and worm gear sets, with illustrations to clarify their use. The gear force word rules can help eliminate problems and confusion typically encountered by engineering and engineering technology students when drawing free body diagrams of shafts with mounted gears. >
Paecilomyces lilacinus Vaginitis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Paecilomyces lilacinus, an environmental mold found in soil and vegetation, rarely causes human infection. We report the first case of P. lilacinus isolated from a vaginal culture in a patient with vaginitis.
Iterative decoding: A novel re-scoring framework for confusion networks

Recently there has been a lot of interest in confusion network re-scoring using sophisticated and complex knowledge sources. Traditionally, re-scoring has been carried out by the N-best list method or by the lattices or confusion network dynamic programming method. Although the dynamic programming method is optimal, it allows for the incorporation of only Markov knowledge sources. N-best lists, on the other hand, can incorporate sentence level knowledge sources, but with increasing N, the re-scoring becomes computationally very intensive. In this paper, we present an elegant framework for confusion network re-scoring called ‘Iterative Decoding’. In it, integration of multiple and complex knowledge sources is not only easier but it also allows for much faster re-scoring as compared to the N-best list method. Experiments with Language Model re-scoring show that for comparable performance (in terms of word error rate (WER)) of Iterative Decoding and N-best list re-scoring, the search effort required by our method is 22 times less than that of the N-best list method.
Placement of a take-out container during meal influences energy intake

A growing body of research suggests that increased portion sizes are contributing to the rising rates of obesity. However, studies that focus on environmental cues to promote portion control are relatively limited. Thus, a randomized study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting to determine if the presence of a take-out container, given at the start of a meal, would prompt experimental group participants to decrease the portion of food consumed and reduce energy intake. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and analysis of covariance. Results showed that placing a take-out container with the test meal led to a significant difference in energy intake (p=0.000) when compared to the control group. Participants (n=25) who were given a take-out container with their test meal consumed an average of 90 kcal less than participants (n=25) who were not given the condition. These findings suggest that a to-go container may be utilized as an effective environmental cue for guiding consumers to control serving size when faced with over-sized portions at restaurants or other food outlets.
Deuterium-Labeled Phylloquinone Has Tissue-Specific Conversion to Menaquinone-4 among Fischer 344 Male Rats

Phylloquinone (PK) is converted into menaquinone-4 (MK-4) via side chain removal-addition. Stable isotope use is an effective approach to identify the tissue location of this conversion, which is currently unknown. Following a 14-d PK-deficient diet, male Fischer 344 rats (8 mo; n = 15) were fed 1.6 mg deuterium-labeled PK (L-PK) per kg diet for 0 (control), 1 d (PK-1d), and 7 d (PK-7d). Both L-PK and deuterium-labeled MK-4 (L-MK-4) were detected in tissues in PK-1d and PK-7d, although the results varied. Whereas some tissues had an overall increase in MK-4 in response to L-PK, total brain, testes, and fat MK-4 concentrations did not. In contrast, L-MK-4 concentrations increased in all 3 tissues. The deuterium label was found only on the L-MK-4 naphthoquinone ring, confirming the need for side chain removal for the formation of MK-4. Labeled menadione (MD) was detected in urine and serum in PK-1d and PK-7d, confirming its role as an intermediate. A Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to study the role of the enterocytes in the conversion process. Neither MK-4 nor MD was detected in Caco-2 cells treated with PK. However, when Caco-2 cells were treated with MD, MK-4 was formed. Similarly, MK-4 was formed in response to MD-treated 293T kidney cells, but not HuH7 liver cells. These data demonstrate that MK-4 is the predominant form of vitamin K in multiple tissues, but there appears to be a tissue-specific regulation for the conversion of PK to MK-4.
Multifunctional Barium Titanate Coated Carbon Fibers

Multifunctional materials have received significant research interest due to the potential for performance enhancements over traditional materials through the integration of responsive properties. Composite materials are ideally suited for use as multifunctional materials due to their use of two or more phases and the ease at which their properties can be anisotropically tailored. Here, a methodology for the integration of ferroelectricity into a fiber reinforced polymer composite is presented by synthesizing a barium titanate nanowire film on the surface of carbon fibers using a novel two-step hydrothermal process. A refined piezoelectric force microscopy method is used to quantify the piezoelectric properties of the core–shell fiber resulting in an average d33 of 31.6 ± 14.5 pm V−1 and an average d31 of −5.4 ± 3.2 pm V−1. The multifunctionality of this piezoelectric coated fiber is demonstrated through excitation of a cantilevered fiber with a 0.5 g sinusoidal base acceleration at the fiber's fundamental resonant frequency, producing a root-mean-square voltage of 16.4 mV. This result demonstrates the ferroelectric properties of the multifunctional structural fiber and its application for sensing and energy harvesting.
Similarity indexing with the SS-tree

Efficient indexing of high dimensional feature vectors is important to allow visual information systems and a number other applications to scale up to large databases. We define this problem as "similarity indexing" and describe the fundamental types of "similarity queries" that we believe should be supported. We also propose a new dynamic structure for similarity indexing called the similarity search tree or SS-tree. In nearly every test we performed on high dimensional data, we found that this structure performed better than the R*-tree. Our tests also show that the SS-tree is much better suited for approximate queries than the R*-tree.
Random Walks on Dicyclic Group

This paper works out the rate of convergence of two "natural" random walks on the dicyclic group.
The Joiners' Scale: Validation of a Measure of Social-Complexity:

This report concerns the validation of a questionnaire designed to assess social-complexity or the extent to which individuals attempt to join and maintain memberships in a number of diverse groups. Three studies (ns of 118, 63, and 125) attest to the single-factor instrument's internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity. In addition, higher scores on the joiners' social-complexity measure were significantly correlated with positive scores on several measures of psychological adjustment. Suggestions for use of the instrument are provided
Library spaces in the 21st century: Meeting the challenges of user needs for information, technology, and expertise

Purpose – Libraries and library professionals face multiple challenges in meeting user needs in the second decade of the new millennium. This is particularly true in academic libraries where students and faculty demand and expect fast, easy, and seamless access to information as well as flexible, comfortable places to work alone as well as collaboratively with colleagues, friends, classmates, and instructors. These same patrons often require the assistance of information specialists to navigate a library’s increasingly large array of online resources. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides historical context and reviews recent trends in the area in the area of learning and study spaces in academic libraries. It also cites the successful information commons at the author’s home institution, Loyola University Chicago, examining its first six years of operation and projecting changes in its next half decade. Findings – The past 15 plus years have seen a majo...
Transparency in the Security Sector

This paper describes tensions between demands for governmental transparency and the requirements of national security and reviews developments in policy in post-Cold War era.
Recurrent clinically-occult pulmonary embolism and sudden death in patients with ventriculoatrial shunts

Pulmonary embolism as a cause of sudden and unexpected death In childhood has a reported autopsy rate of 0.05%. A significant point is that predisposing factors for thromboembolism In children are the same as for adults. These include immobilisation and the presence of indwelling vascular lines. The following 2 patients (including 1 young adult) with repaired lumbosacral meningomyeloceles and ventriculoatrial shunts for Arnold-Chiari malformations, demonstrate difficulties that may arise in the clinical diagnosis of recurrent embolism, and the potential that exists for sudden death In such patients. Case I: A 3 y.o. previously well girl presented with a 1 day history of peripheral oedema. Right sided heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed. Death occurred soon after angiography. Autopsy findings included'. R. ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy, organising thrombus around the tip of the R. atrial catheter, recent R. upper lobe Infarction, recent and remote L. lower lobe infarction, and pulmonary vascular hypertensive changes with organised occlusive thrombi within arterioles. Case II: A 21 y.o. man who was a competitive wheel chair athlete, died suddenly following an episode of wheezing without chest pain. His past history included 1 year of "asthma" treated with bronchodilators. Autopsy findings included: a large occlusive thrombus of the R. main pulmonary artery with recent Infarction of portions of the R. lung, and pulmonary vascular hypertensive changes with organised occlusive thrombi within pulmonary arterioles. There were no changes of asthma present. The origin of the thromboemboli in the first patient was the Intra-atrial catheter, and in the second patient may have been either the catheter, or the deep leg veins which were not examined at autopsy. Longstanding disease In both of these patients had either been clinically inapparent, or had given rise to only mild symptoms. Evidence of acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism should, therefore, be sought at autopsy in all spina bifida patients with ventriculoatrial shunts, even In the absense of a prolonged history of significant cardiorespiratory symptoms and signs.
Auricular Reconstruction After Human Bite Amputation Using the Baudet Technique

Objective:This study aimed to present a case of a successful re-implantation of an amputated auricle following a human bite using the Baudet technique.Methods:Case report and review of the literature.Results:The patient had a very satisfactory postoperative result in terms of appearance and function of the reattached auricle. Cartilage loss was minimal.Conclusion:Reattachment of an amputated auricle as a composite graft following a traumatic human bite is feasible. The Baudet technique is a simple alternative that avoids the complexity of microsurgical anastomosis while improving upon the high failure rate associated with simple reattachment.
The fMRI research on human brain responses to the event-related visual stimulation of food in fasting state

Objective To research the human brain responses to the event-related visual stimulation of food in fasting state with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods A natural reward pathway which consists of some interconnected brain regions relates to the craving of food in the fasting state of human being. fMRI has high time resolution,low cost and less harm,the data acquired by fMRI can be processed and analyzed in single case. A pre-experiment was implemented with the echo planar imaging scan in the event-related design modality for two healthy volunteers. After fasting for 12 hours,the subjects accepted stimulations by the randomly presented pictures of food,non-food and blur objects during fMRI scanning. The functional data was processed with software statistical parameter mapping 2 (SPM2). After a t test to the region of interest (ROI) activated respectively by the three kinds of stimulation pictures. Results It found that the ROIs acquired were contained in the regions of amygdala,orbitofrontal cortex. These regions were much more corresponding to the ROIs acquired by positron emission tomography. Conclusion Confirming the reward pathway which related to visual stimulation of food is helpful for further finding the means of effectively controlling feeding action.
Effects of amino acid isomers on canine renal hemodynamics

The major objective of this study was to ascertain whether the renal hemodynamic response to amino acid infusion in dogs is stereospecific. To test this hypothesis, we examined the renal hemodynamic effects of two isomers (L and D) of an amino acid mixture of serine, alanine, and proline (SAP; 0.051 mmol.kg-1.min-1) in anesthetized dogs. Intravenous infusion of L-SAP (n = 6) significantly elevated renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by 33 +/- 3 and 30 +/- 5%, respectively, over 1 h. DL-SAP (n = 6) elevated RBF and GFR by only 14 +/- 3 and 13 +/- 3%, respectively. Yet D-SAP (n = 6) failed to elevate either RBF or GFR over 1 h. Intravenous mannitol (940 mos-mol/kg; osmotic control; n = 6) also failed to elevate renal hemodynamics. In six other dogs, intrarenal infusion of L-, but not D-, SAP marginally elevated RBF and GFR by 13 +/- 2 and 12 +/- 2%, respectively, over 1 h. Infusion of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (0.051 mmol.kg-1.min-1; n = 6), an amino acid analogue that is cotransported with sodium but not metabolized by renal cells, elevated RBF and GFR by 22 +/- 5 and 18 +/- 6%, respectively, over 1 h. These data indicate that vascular infusion of L, but not D, isomers of amino acids elevate RBF and GFR. We therefore suggest the importance of amino acid stereospecificity in the renal vascular response to amino acid infusion in dogs.
Mentoring and Self-Efficacy: Implications for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Workforce.

Background:Mentoring facilitates positive self-efficacy. Individuals with high self-efficacy emulate professional resiliency and possess a strong sense of optimism in their ability to adapt, overcome, and persevere in the professional arena.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to identify character
Impact of marital status, insurance status, income, and race/ethnicity on the survival of younger patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the United States.

BACKGROUND Recent advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) have been associated with improved survival, predominantly among young and white patients. The authors hypothesized that sociodemographic factors, adjusted for race/ethnicity, influence the survival of younger patients with MM. METHODS Overall survival (OS) data were obtained for individuals included in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-18) program who were diagnosed with MM before the age of 65 years between 2007 and 2012. The sociodemographic variables addressed were marital status, insurance status, median household income, and educational achievement in the county of residence. Race/ethnicity was defined as a self-reported construct including Hispanic (regardless of race), non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and other. RESULTS There were 10,161 cases of MM included with a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 0-71 months; 22,179 person-years). Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, SEER registry; age; male sex; and 3 sociodemographic factors including marital status (other than married), insurance status (uninsured or Medicaid), and county-level income (lowest 2 quartiles), but not race/ethnicity, were found to be associated with an increased risk of death. The 4-year estimated OS rate was 71.1%, 63.2%, 53.4%, and 46.5% (P<.001), respectively, for patients with 0, 1, 2, or 3 adverse sociodemographic factors. Hispanic and non-Hispanic black individuals were found to have more adverse sociodemographic factors and worse OS. However, when the population was stratified by the cumulative number of sociodemographic factors, no consistent association between race/ethnicity and OS was observed after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS Sociodemographic factors that potentially affect care, but not race/ethnicity, were found to influence the survival of younger patients with MM. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Cardiac subtype characterization using all-optical action potential imaging.

This editorial refers to ‘Subtype-specific promoter-driven action potential imaging for precise disease modelling and drug testing in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes’, by Z. Chen et al. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw189. Cellular modelling of human heart disease has been hampered by several limitations, including difficult accessibility of human cardiac tissues and low proliferative capacity of freshly dissociated human cardiomyocytes (CMs). The advent of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which include both human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has provided an unprecedented opportunity to generate potentially limitless quantities of hPSC-derived somatic cell types (including human CMs) for studying disease mechanisms, identifying novel drug targets, and accelerating drug screening.1 However, two major limitations must be overcome before such wide-ranging application of iPSC-CM technology is possible. The first problem is that current cardiac differentiation methods produce a heterogeneous population of ventricular-, atrial-, and nodal-like cells.2–4 Despite efforts to produce a more enriched population of a specific cardiac phenotype to model specific cardiac diseases (e.g. atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, etc.), no effective and validated strategies are yet available. A second limitation is that iPSC-CMs are assessed by low-throughput functional assays, primarily the labour-intensive patch-clamp electrophysiology, which considerably slows the pace of identification and characterization of the disease and/or drug-induced cellular phenotypes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop sensitive, scalable, and high-throughput functional assays to capitalize fully on our ability to generate iPSC-CMs at an industrial scale.5,6 Over the past two decades, membrane voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) have been used as an alternative to patch-clamp electrophysiology to record both cardiac action potential (AP) and calcium transients. However, the use of VSDs in AP recordings is limited by the indiscriminate cell staining and dye-mediated acute phototoxicity, especially in the setting of repeated single-cell measurement. …
FMRI signal source analysis using diffusion-weighted spiral-in acquisition

Despite the tremendous growth in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), susceptibility induced static field inhomogeneity at air/tissue interface have limited the study of ventral brain regions engaged in object recognition and other processes. Furthermore, the spatial extent of fMRI activations in this region may be obscured by contribution of large vessels distant from the precipitating neural events. In this report, a diffusion weighted spiral-in image acquisition was employed to recover fMRI signal in the ventral brain during object recognition with high temporal resolution, as well as to suppress large vessel contributions. The combined methodology of the ventral signal recovery and vascular signal reduction can thus be advantageous for fMRI investigations at the statically inhomogeneous areas.
Clamgulchian (Miocene–Pliocene) pollen assemblages of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska, and the persistence of the family Podocarpaceae

Pollen diagrams from three areas of the Kenai Lowland of Alaska demonstrate the pollen floras of the Clamgulchian Stage (∼8–2.5 Ma) of Late Miocene/Early Pliocene age. These sections, originally de...
Proposed modification of a school-wide bully prevention program to support all children

ABSTRACTBullying prevention programs in the United States are being implemented in schools from kindergarten through high school to reduce rates of bullying behaviors. The bully prevention in positive behavior support (PBIS) model is an evidence-based, whole school intervention program. The PBIS model trains teachers, school staff, and administrators to model and provide positive reinforcement for children to decrease bullying amongst peers. This article addresses gaps in the current bullying prevention research by exploring challenges and potential modifications to the PBIS model based on staff perspectives of specific student needs. Utilizing focus group methodology, administrators, teachers, and support staff in a northeastern urban elementary school identified challenges experienced by students who were English language learners, impulsive, shy or sensitive, and female. The findings highlight the critical nature of school–parent relationships in addressing student, family, and cultural factors that in...
Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and Oligodendrogenesis: Significance in Alcohol Use Disorders

Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder with few therapeutic strategies that address the core pathophysiology. Brain tissue loss and oxidative damage are key components of alcoholism, such that reversal of these phenomena may help break the addictive cycle in alcohol use disorder (AUD). The current review focuses on platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), a key modulator of the cerebral endothelial integrity and neuroinflammation, and a targetable transmembrane protein whose interaction within AUD has not been well explored. The current review will elaborate on the function of PECAM-1 in physiology and pathology and infer its contribution in AUD neuropathology. Recent research reveals that oligodendrocytes, whose primary function is myelination of neurons in the brain, are a key component in new learning and adaptation to environmental challenges. The current review briefly introduces the role of oligodendrocytes in healthy physiology and neuropathology. Importantly, we will highlight the recent evidence of dysregulation of oligodendrocytes in the context of AUD and then discuss their potential interaction with PECAM-1 on the cerebral endothelium.
Generalized Taylor’s Formula for Polynomials

In the ordinary calculus, a function, f(x) that possesses derivatives of all Orders is analytic at x = a if it can be expressed as a power series about x = a. Taylor’s theorem teils us the power series is $$ f(x) = \sum\limits_{n = 0}^\infty {f^{(n)} (a)} \frac{{(x - a)^n }} {{n!}}. $$ (2.1) The Taylor expansion of an analytic function often allows us to extend the definition of the function to a larger and more interesting domain. For example, we can use the Taylor expansion of e x to define the exponentials of complex numbers and Square matrices. We would also like to formulate a q-analogue of Taylor’s formula. But before doing so, let us first consider a more general Situation.
Cerebellar long-term potentiation: cellular mechanisms and role in learning

Activity-dependent long-term plasticity of synaptic transmission, such as in long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), provides a cellular correlate of experience-driven learning. While at excitatory synapses in the hippocampus and neocortex LTP is seen as the primary learning mechanism, it has been widely assumed that cerebellar motor learning is mediated by LTD at parallel fiber (PF)-Purkinje cell synapses instead. However, recent work on mouse mutants with deficits in AMPA receptor internalization has demonstrated that motor learning can occur in the absence of LTD, suggesting that LTD is not essential. Another recent study has shifted attention toward LTP at PF synapses, showing that blockade of LTP severely affects motor learning. Here, we review the cellular and molecular events that are involved in LTP induction and discuss whether LTP might indeed play a more significant role in cerebellar learning than previously anticipated.
Preclinical PET/CT imaging in a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) biocontainment environment

2034 Objectives Discuss the challenges of performing preclinical nuclear medicine imaging on non-human primates (NHP) within a BSL3 environment and specific instrumentation features necessary to achieve desired results. Methods BSL3 refers to a set of practices required to safely isolate pathogens with the potential to cause lethal disease via inhalation, such as m. tuberculosis and b. anthracis. In this environment, specialized garb is required to enter the BSL3, including a chemical suit, powered air-purifying respirator, and double nitrile gloves. A prototype primate PET/CT platform was developed consisting of a Siemens microPET F220 and a neuro CT scanner (Neurologica CereTom). The imaging suite has also been outfitted with a hot lab, anesthesia equipment, and vital signs monitors. NHP’s are transported in a custom designed HEPA filtered transport cart to and from the imaging suite and the housing area. NHP’s are catheterized and intubated inside the imaging suite after arrival. After injection of the PET isotope, the NHP is positioned on a custom imaging bed designed to transport the NHP completely through both the PET and CT gantry. Results BSL3 presents unique challenges compared to a traditional nuclear medicine setting. To date, our facility has completed over 190 scans of non-human primates in the BSL3. We are continuing to adjust and improve our imaging protocols based on scan results. Conclusions Performing preclinical PET/CT imaging within a BSL3 environment is a new and exciting aspect of nuclear medicine. The environment is challenging yet has the ability to open up a potentially important aspect of molecular imaging, including vaccine research. Research Support Bill and Melinda Gates Fdn.
Clearance of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: effect of smoking (United States).

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the association between smoking and clearance of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Methods: A prospective cohort study of 346 women aged 18–35 years was conducted. HPV testing was conducted with the Hybrid Capture II (HC II) system and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with genotyping using the reverse line blot method. At each visit tobacco exposure, reproductive, and sexual histories were assessed. Probability of clearing an oncogenic HPV infection and duration of oncogenic HPV infections by smoking status was assessed. Results: Regardless of method used, HC II or PCR, ever smokers maintained an HPV infection significantly longer (median duration of 8.5 months vs 10.7 months, never vs ever smokers), and had a lower probability of clearing an oncogenic infection compared with women who never smoked. Smoking duration was significantly associated with HPV clearance, and a dose response was observed. Older age (> 13 years) at smoking initiation was significantly associated with a reduced probability of clearing an oncogenic HPV infection. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate that smoking promotes early cervical carcinogenic events by increasing duration of oncogenic HPV infections and decreasing probability of clearing oncogenic infections.
French Body-Parts and the Semantics of Binding

This paper discusses the grammar of the French Inalienable Possession Construction (IPC). It is argued that the IPC involves an unexpressed reflexive anaphor. The antecedent of this reflexive anaphor must satisfy a semantic condition which requires consideration of thematic lexical entailments. The model-theoretic nature of this constraint suggests that the range of semantic information relevant to syntactic processes goes beyond the formal configuration of semantic metalanguages. It also shows that the semantic conditions which anaphors can impose on their antecedents are not restricted to thematic ranking or center of perspective restrictions. An analysis of the construction within Head-driven Phrase-Structure Grammar is provided.
Working With(in) the Shadow of Experiential Learning.

This article explores the shadow dynamics of experiential learning using a psychodynamic perspective. It reviews the concept of shadow at the individual, group, and intergroup levels and draws on a...
Designing Creative Assessments for Online Computer Science and IT Courses

In this panel proposal, the goal is to provide a platform for CS and IT educators teaching online courses, to share their experience on designing creative assessment strategies for content heavy CS and IT courses. In the present postsecondary education, it is difficult to find a college or university that does not offer some form of online learning opportunity. Today's college students have grown up expecting everything to be available online and educational system has responded to these expectations by offering a variety of online options. Many are developing fully online programs designed to meet both student demand and institutional goals while others are offering numbers of courses in online format. The success of many online courses are measured based on how well the students are performing or student assessments. In typical class setting, the word assessment usually refers to long, arduous exam. However, online learning has broadened the possibilities of assessment beyond exams because it gives a wide variety of tools that can be used to help students interact with materials in new and exciting ways. Hence, any task or activity that evaluates students' progress toward a course's learning outcomes can be considered as assessment. Traditional examples include papers, projects, reflective reports, group work, quizzes, and much more. Faculty new to online teaching may feel that assessment in online courses is limited to multiple-choice quizzes. However, through careful design and technology use, one can have other assessment options to effectively assess how well students achieve learning outcomes in an online course. Hence, the purpose of this session is to provide a platform for CS and IT educators, teaching online courses, to share their experience on designing creative assessment strategies for content heavy CS and IT courses.
Overseas Trips of Alladi Ramakrishnan

Professor Alladi Ramakrishnan believed that close interaction with the leading scientists around the world was essential for fundamental research. He traveled annually to present his work at conferences and universities worldwide. He has lectured at more than 30 international conferences, and given talks at about 200 centers of higher learning in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In doing so, not only did he disemminate his research work and those of his group, but also used it as an opportunity to make new contacts and invite active researchers to Madras. Among his many trips abroad, we mention a few that were especially significant in terms of his career.