cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring new topography-based subgrid spatial structures for improving land surface modeling

Abstract. Topography plays an important role in land surface processes through its influence on atmospheric forcing, soil and vegetation properties, and river network topology and drainage area. Land surface models with a spatial structure that captures spatial heterogeneity, which is directly affected by topography, may improve the representation of land surface processes. Previous studies found that land surface modeling, using subbasins instead of structured grids as computational units, improves the scalability of simulated runoff and streamflow processes. In this study, new land surface spatial structures are explored by further dividing subbasins into subgrid structures based on topographic properties, including surface elevation, slope and aspect. Two methods (local and global) of watershed discretization are applied to derive two types of subgrid structures (geo-located and non-geo-located) over the topographically diverse Columbia River basin in the northwestern United States. In the global method, a fixed elevation classification scheme is used to discretize subbasins. The local method utilizes concepts of hypsometric analysis to discretize each subbasin, using different elevation ranges that also naturally account for slope variations. The relative merits of the two methods and subgrid structures are investigated for their ability to capture topographic heterogeneity and the implications of this on representations of atmospheric forcing and land cover spatial patterns. Results showed that the local method reduces the standard deviation (SD) of subgrid surface elevation in the study domain by 17 to 19 % compared to the global method, highlighting the relative advantages of the local method for capturing subgrid topographic variations. The comparison between the two types of subgrid structures showed that the non-geo-located subgrid structures are more consistent across different area threshold values than the geo-located subgrid structures. Overall the local method and non-geo-located subgrid structures effectively and robustly capture topographic, climatic and vegetation variability, which is important for land surface modeling.
Virtual Mentor and the Lab System — Toward Building an Interactive, Personalized, and Intelligent E-Learning Environment

Internet has been universally recognized as a medium for network-enabled transfer of information and knowledge in various areas. E-Learning technology, which delivers educational material electroni...
A commentary on Chen and Campbell (2017): Is there a clear case for addition fact recall?

In their review of Uittenhove, Thevenot and Barrouillet (Cognition, 146, 289–303, 2016), Chen and Campbell (Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 2017 https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-017-1328-2 ) concluded that existing evidence supports the conventional wisdom that basic non-zero addition combinations are stored and retrieved as discrete facts and that compacted reconstructive strategies play no role in expert mental addition. One aim of the present commentary is to detail why their evidence supporting these conclusions is not unequivocal. A second aim is to delineate key issues that still need to be addressed to build an accurate model of how basic sums are represented and retrieved.
Conflict and Bonding Between the Sexes

The derivation of human universals from nonhuman data is complicated by the immense diversity of patterns exemplified by both human and nonhuman primates. One approach is to elucidate processes that may operate universally, though the particular phenotypic patterns that result may differ, depending upon the distinctive features of species biology. Below, I argue that sexual conflict and its corollary, sexually antagonistic coevolution, are of central importance for understanding the evolution of reproductive strategies in nonhuman primates. Because sexual conflict is a relatively new area of theory and research, and because primate life histories limit the kinds of data that can be collected, relevant primate data are limited (with the possible exception of one form of conflict: infanticide). Consequently, I review sexual conflict theory, relevant comparative data from nonprimates, and preliminary evidence from select primate studies. Theoretical considerations and empirical evidence suggest significant potential for the widespread action of sexual conflict in nonhuman primates, in both precopulatory and postcopulatory domains of reproduction, and affecting characters ranging from morphology and physiology to sociosexual behavior. Female counterstrategies to male-imposed costs are diverse, but male–female association has been argued to forestall sexual conflict both in the form of precopulatory coercion and of infanticide. In light of evidence for pervasive and diverse effects of sexual conflict in nonhuman primate biology, it is likely that it also constitutes a universal process underlying human reproduction. I briefly explore several potential sources of human sexual conflict suggested by the nonhuman data.
Thermal Diffusivity of Heterogeneous Materials and Non-Fibrous Insulators

The flash technique has proven to be a fast and accurate method for determining the thermal diffusivity (and hence conductivity of a wide range of homogeneous materials from cryogenic temperatures into the molten region. The applicability of this technique has been extended to many heterogeneous materials including certain layered, dispersed and fiber-reinforced composites. Extensions of its use for some types of insulators has been limited due to the larger temperature rise which occurs on the front face of highly insulating materials, partial in-depth absorption of the laser energy by porous or translucent samples and problems associated with rear face temperature transient measurements on such materials. There are also difficulties involved in measuring the thermal diffusivity of large-grain heterogeneous materials where the grain size is of the order of the usual sample thicknesses used. Substituting step heating for the laser pulse tended to overcome problems associated with both large-grain heterogeneous materials and many insulating materials.
Bidirectional constraint satisfaction in rational strategic decision making

Abstract We describe the properties of a constraint satisfaction network that is able to reason and decide rationally in strategic games. We use the structure of Bidirectional Associative Memory (BAM), a minimal two-layer recurrent neural network, and assume that network layers represent self and other strategies, whereas connection weights encode best responses. We apply BAM to finite-strategy two-player games, and show that network activation in the long run is restricted to the set of rationalizable strategies. The network is not guaranteed to reach a stable activation state, but any pure strategy profile that constitutes a stable state in the network must be a pure strategy Nash equilibrium. We illustrate the properties of the network using the traveler’s dilemma, the rock–paper–scissors game, and coordination games. The network’s behavior also depends on starting activation states, and we show how biases in these starting states can resolve equilibrium selection problems. Strategic decision making is a key part of complex social behavior, and our results illustrate how bidirectional constraint satisfaction networks can perform rational computations in this domain.
Conceptions of design by transdisciplinary educators: disciplinary background and pedagogical engagement

In this study, we describe similarities and differences in how faculty members from across disciplinary backgrounds conceptualize design. The study is situated in an innovative transdisciplinary undergraduate degree program centered on a studio-based learning experience co-taught by multi-disciplinary faculty. While faculty celebrated the opportunity to integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives, they showed a lack of awareness about differences in how they conceptualized design and design pedagogy, especially early on. In-depth interviews and sketches of eight faculty members provided insights on alignment around core concepts of design, design process, and design instruction. Common themes in design definitions included creation of something new, human-centered design, and focus on problem framing over solution development. There was disagreement on the relationship between design and other ways of knowing, such as problem solving and scientific reasoning. Most used process models incorporating non-linearity, iteration, prototyping, and balance between research and design ideation. While there were many similarities in teaching approach, the rationale given for decisions varied, highlighting underlying differences in how participants thought about teaching design. Instructional alignment is an important consideration in designing a transdisciplinary learning experience, but may be hard to achieve due to cultural and institutional disciplinary boundaries. Collaborative teaching efforts benefit when faculty engage in self-reflection, discussion, and engagement in meaningful synthesis work related to understanding what design is and how it can be taught. Such work will enable a team to create purposeful learning experiences which leverages the benefits of exposure to a range of design problems, contexts, users, and design “flavors.”
Zwitterionic polymer/polydopamine coating reduce acute inflammatory tissue responses to neural implants

Abstract The inflammatory brain tissue response to implanted neural electrode devices has hindered the longevity of these implants. Zwitterionic polymers have a potent anti-fouling effect that decreases the foreign body response to subcutaneous implants. In this study, we developed a nanoscale anti-fouling coating composed of zwitterionic poly (sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSB) and polydopamine (PDA) for neural probes. The addition of PDA improved the stability of the coating compared to PSB alone, without compromising the anti-fouling properties of the film. PDA-PSB coating reduced protein adsorption by 89% compared to bare Si samples, while fibroblast adhesion was reduced by 86%. PDA-PSB coated silicon based neural probes were implanted into mouse brain, and the inflammatory tissue responses to the implants were assessed by immunohistochemistry one week after implantation. The PSB-PDA coated implants showed a significantly decreased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for reactive astrocytes, within 70 μm from the electrode-tissue interface (p
When are emotional online product reviews persuasive? Exploring the effects of reviewer status and valence in consumer purchase decisions

This study investigates how features of online product reviews affect persuasive outcomes. In particular, we focus on how emotional reviews can exert significant influence on how people process and...
Mitochondrial connexin 43 in sex-dependent myocardial responses and estrogen-mediated cardiac protection following acute ischemia/reperfusion injury

Preserving mitochondrial activity is crucial in rescuing cardiac function following acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). The sex difference in myocardial functional recovery has been observed after I/R. Given the key role of mitochondrial connexin43 (Cx43) in cardiac protection initiated by ischemic preconditioning, we aimed to determine the implication of mitochondrial Cx43 in sex-related myocardial responses and to examine the effect of estrogen (17β-estradiol, E2) on Cx43, particularly mitochondrial Cx43-involved cardiac protection following I/R. Mouse primary cardiomyocytes and isolated mouse hearts (from males, females, ovariectomized females, and doxycycline-inducible Tnnt2-controlled Cx43 knockout without or with acute post-ischemic E2 treatment) were subjected to simulated I/R in culture or Langendorff I/R (25-min warm ischemia/40-min reperfusion), respectively. Mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial superoxide production were measured in cardiomyocytes. Myocardial function and infarct size were determined. Cx43 and its isoform, Gja1-20k, were assessed in mitochondria. Immunoelectron microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation were also used to examine mitochondrial Cx43 and its interaction with estrogen receptor-α by E2 in mitochondria, respectively. There were sex disparities in stress-induced cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function. E2 partially restored mitochondrial activity in cardiomyocytes following acute injury. Post-ischemia infusion of E2 improved functional recovery and reduced infarct size with increased Cx43 content and phosphorylation in mitochondria. Ablation of cardiac Cx43 aggravated mitochondrial damage and abolished E2-mediated cardiac protection during I/R. Female mice were more resistant to myocardial I/R than age-matched males with greater protective role of mitochondrial Cx43 in female hearts. Post-ischemic E2 usage augmented mitochondrial Cx43 content and phosphorylation, increased mitochondrial Gja1-20k, and showed cardiac protection.
Climate action versus inaction: balancing the costs for Gulf energy exporters

ABSTRACTClimate change poses a strategic dilemma for oil-exporting states of the Gulf. By sapping global demand for crude oil, climate action threatens the economic rents that underpin their govern...
Presence of asymptomatic cytomegalovirus and Epstein--Barr virus DNA in blood of persons with HIV starting antiretroviral therapy is associated with non-AIDS clinical events.

Author(s): Gianella, Sara; Moser, Carlee; Vitomirov, Andrej; McKhann, Ashley; Layman, Laura; Scott, Brianna; Caballero, Gemma; Lada, Steven; Bosch, Ronald J; Hoenigl, Martin; Lurain, Nell; Landay, Alan; Lederman, Michael M; Hunt, Peter W; Smith, Davey | Abstract: BACKGROUND:Even with antiretroviral therapy (ART), persons with HIV (PWH) experience increased morbidity/mortality. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) co-infections likely exacerbate inflammatory-related diseases. OBJECTIVE:To determine if presence of detectable CMV or EBV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is associated with non-AIDS events among PWH receiving modern ART. DESIGN:We performed a case-control study of PWH starting ART and HIV-suppressed at year 1 and thereafter, 140 cases who experienced non-AIDS events and 305 matched controls. Events included myocardial infarction, stroke, malignancy, serious bacterial infection or death. METHODS:Blood samples were studied pre-ART, 1-year post-ART and pre-event. Controls had an event-free follow-up equal or greater than cases. CMV and EBV levels were measured in PBMC. Conditional logistic regression analysis assessed associations and adjusted for relevant covariates; Spearman's correlations compared CMV and EBV levels with other biomarkers. RESULTS:CMV was detected in PBMC of 25% of participants, EBV was detected in g 90%. Higher EBV levels were associated with increased risk of events at all time points (odds ratio (OR) per one IQR = 1.5-1.7, all p l 0.009). At year 1, detectable CMV was associated with increased risk of events in most adjusted models (OR = 1.4-1.8, p-values ranging 0.03-0.17). Higher levels of CMV and EBV correlated with multiple inflammatory markers and lower CD4/CD8 ratio. CONCLUSIONS:In PWH starting ART, CMV and EBV in PBMC were associated with development of non-AIDS events. Clinical trials will be needed to understand causal mechanisms and ways to interrupt them.
Sexual signaling and the persistence of alternative reproductive tactics: a test of game theoretic predictions

In many species, males produce signals to attract females. However, in some species and populations, only some males produce these signals with other males competing for and "sneaking" reproductive opportunities. In these systems, at least three tactics are expected: always signal, signal only when others are not (assessors), and never signal. The representation of these tactics within a population is unknown in part because the costs of signaling (C) and the fitness value of a single reproductive bout (V) are unknown. Using a game-theoretic model we predict that the always signal strategy only persists if the fitness value of calling is greater than twice the cost. We also show that always signal males are apparently absent in decorated crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus). Moreover, males of this species were not strict assessors and instead signaled infrequently (30% of the time) when signaling by others was constant. Males also exhibited substantial among-individual variation in the propensity to call when other males were not signaling (τ = 0.3). Our results suggest a high relative cost of signaling (2C > V) in this species. The presence of among-individual variation is indicative of underlying genetic variation and a mixed evolutionary stable strategy.
Shades of Privilege: The Relationship Between Skin Color and Political Attitudes Among White Americans

Shifting racial dynamics in the U.S. have heightened the salience of White racial identity, and a sense that Whites’ social status and resources are no longer secure. At the same time, the growing size of non-White populations has also renewed attention to skin color-based stratification and the potential blurring of racial boundaries. We theorize that Whites with darker skin will be motivated to protect the boundaries of Whiteness due to the loss of status they would face from blurring racial boundaries. Consistent with growing evidence of skin color’s importance for Whites, we demonstrate that darker-skinned Whites—measured via a light-reflectance spectrophotometer—identify more strongly with their White racial identity and are more likely to hold conservative political views on racialized issues than lighter-skinned Whites. Together, these findings offer new insights into the evolving meaning of race and color in American politics.
Identifying and targeting the Achilles heel of a recalcitrant cancer

Targeting replication stress response proteins in small cell lung cancer activates the innate immune cGAS-STING pathway leading to augmentation of immunotherapy’s antitumor response.
Hearing Aid Technology to Improve Speech Intelligibility in Noise

Understanding speech in noise is difficult for individuals with normal hearing and is even more so for individuals with hearing loss. Difficulty understanding speech in noise is one of the primary reasons people seek hearing assistance. Despite amplification, many hearing aid users still struggle to understand speech in noise. In response to this persistent problem, hearing aid manufacturers have invested significantly in developing new solutions. Any solution is not without its tradeoffs, and decisions must be made when optimizing and implementing them. Much of this happens behind the scenes, and casual observers fail to appreciate the nuances of developing new hearing aid technologies. The difficulty of communicating this information to clinicians may hinder the use or the fine-tuning of the various technologies available today. The purpose of this issue of Seminars in Hearing is to educate professionals and students in audiology, hearing science, and engineering about different approaches to combat problems related to environmental and wind noise using technologies that include classification, directional microphones, binaural signal processing, beamformers, motion sensors, and machine learning. To accomplish this purpose, some of the top researchers and engineers from the world's largest hearing aid manufacturers agreed to share their unique insights.
Safety in Chemical and Biomedical Laboratories: Guidelines for the Use of Head Covers by Female Muslim Scientists

Introduction: Personal protective equipment (PPE) complements the safety measures required for working in various laboratories. The main purpose of PPE is to limit the exposure of laboratory person...
Evaluation of Treatment Practices for Urinalyses and Urine Cultures at an Outpatient Multiple Sclerosis Clinic.

Background Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience disease flares that can be precipitated by the presence of infection. Discerning asymptomatic bacteriuria from urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with MS is complicated by lower urinary tract dysfunction, leading to potentially inappropriate antimicrobial use. In this study the antimicrobial treatment practices for positive urine cultures in patients with MS were evaluated. Methods In this single-center, retrospective study, positive cultures in patients with MS were included. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients appropriately treated with or without antimicrobial therapy. Secondary end points included antimicrobial selection and urinalysis positivity. Results Two hundred thirty-six cultures from 139 patients were evaluated. Treatment was inappropriate in 81 of 201 treated cultures (40%). Frequency, nocturia, dysuria, and foul-smelling urine were reported by patients in 54 (23%), 10 (4%), 25 (11%), and 14 (6%) cultures, respectively. The antimicrobial selected was too broad in spectrum for 35 of 201 (17%). Of those, fluoroquinolones were the agents used in 33 of 35 cases (94%). A urinalysis was sent in 203 cases (86%), with 197 (84%) positive for at least one predefined positivity criteria. Conclusions Urinalyses and urine cultures are performed frequently in patients with MS, often independent of symptoms. Patients with MS could be treated for asymptomatic bacteriuria at higher rates than the general population, and traditional urinary symptoms may not be appropriate indicators of infection. Empirical therapy for UTI is frequently used in this population, often resulting in inappropriate and/or too broad of antimicrobial therapy.
Growth Factors Affecting Normal and Malignant Prostatic Cells

The growth of any tissue, whether normal or malignant, depends upon the quantitative relationship between the rate of cell proliferation and cell death. In normal adult tissues, these rates are balanced such that a steady state (i.e., self-renewing) relationship is maintained in which the size of the normal tissue does not increase continuously with time. Studies in a variety of different tissues have demonstrated that this steady state balance is regulated by a series of both systemic and local growth factors. A fundamental characteristic of cancer is that unlike their normal counterparts, their rate of cell proliferation exceeds their rate of cell death, thus resulting in continuous net growth of the cancer. This does not mean, however, that cancer cells are unresponsive and therefore autonomous to such growth factors. On the contrary, many types of cancer cells respond to normal growth factors and often in a manner very similar to that of the normal cell of origin.
Model Reduction in the Presence of Parameter Uncertainty

Covariance equivalent realizations have been used recently to produce reduced-order models that match a specified number of output covariances and Markov parameters of the original model. This paper extends this theory to models with uncertain parameters. The approach is to take an nth order nominal system with h uncertain parameters, form its (n+nh) sensitivity model, then reduce the sensitivity model to size (n+?lh), where l is the number of outputs and ? is an integer chosen by the designer. The reduced-order model then matches (?+l) output covariances and ? Markov parameters of the original sensitivity system. This method leaves the nominal system unchanged, and hence 1) retains all dynamical information of the nominal system, 2) maintains the correct cross-correlation between nominal outputs and sensitivity outputs, and 3) preserves the distinction between plant and sensitivity states in the reduced model. This last property enables one to use the reduced model to generate a controller which minimizes a cost function that includes output (trajectory) sensitivity and input (control) sensitivity terms.
Toxoplasma gondii Dysregulates IFN-γ-Inducible Gene Expression in Human Fibroblasts: Insights from a Genome-Wide Transcriptional Profiling

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that persists for the life of a mammalian host. The parasite’s ability to block the potent IFN-γ response may be one of the key mechanisms that allow Toxoplasma to persist. Using a genome-wide microarray analysis, we show here a complete dysregulation of IFN-γ-inducible gene expression in human fibroblasts infected with Toxoplasma . Notably, 46 of the 127 IFN-γ-responsive genes were induced and 19 were suppressed in infected cells before they were exposed to IFN-γ, indicating that other stimuli produced during infection may also regulate these genes. Following IFN-γ treatment, none of the 127 IFN-γ-responsive genes could be significantly induced in infected cells. Immunofluorescence assays showed at single-cell levels that infected cells, regardless of which Toxoplasma strain was used, could not be activated by IFN-γ to up-regulate the expression of IFN regulatory factor 1, a transcription factor that is under the direct control of STAT1, whereas uninfected cells in the same culture expressed IFN regulatory factor 1 normally in response to IFN-γ. STAT1 trafficked to the nucleus normally and indistinguishably in all uninfected and infected cells treated with IFN-γ, indicating that the inhibitory effects of Toxoplasma infection likely occur via blocking STAT1 transcriptional activity in the nucleus. In contrast, a closely related apicomplexan, Neospora caninum , was unable to inhibit IFN-γ-induced gene expression. A differential ability to interfere with the IFN-γ response may, in part, account for the differences in the pathogenesis seen among Toxoplasma and Neospora parasite strains.
Endogenous hydrogen sulfide decreases Rho kinase and cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) activity and induces relaxation of colonic smooth muscle (1110.3)

H2S, synthesized endogenously from L-cysteine via cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), play a role in the regulation of gastrointestinal (GI) motility and secretion. Neither the expression of enzymes nor the mechanism of action of H2S in GI smooth muscle is fully known. Methods: Expression of CSE and CBS was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blot. The effect of H2S on carbachol (CCh)-induced Rho kinase activity and sustained contraction, and nitric oxide-induced PDE5 activity, cGMP formation and muscle relaxation was examined using L-cysteine (activator of CSE) or NaHS (H2S donor). Results: CSE, but not CBS was expressed in colonic smooth muscle cells of mouse, rabbit and human. CCh-induced contraction in muscle strips and cells, and increased Rho kinase activity were inhibited by L-cysteine and NaHS in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of Rho kinase activity and muscle contraction by L-cysteine (but not NaHS) was blocked by CSE siRNA and CSE inhibitor, propargylglycine,...
Effect of BeG (lice Strain) on Primary Sensitization to 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene and on Established Delayed Hypersensitivity in Human Malignant Melanoma

Studies of primary sensitization and delayed hypersensitivity reactions to 2,4-dintrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and recall antigens were conducted in 71 patients with melanoma who were receiving BCG (Tice strain) immunotherapy by scarification. Similar studies were conducted in 32 control patients with melanoma who did not receive BCG. No significant differences were observed, in the various clinical stages, between patients receiving and those not receiving BCG, in terms of the frequency or intensity of primary sensitization to DNCB. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in delayed hypersensitivity to recall antigens between these groups of patients. The apparent discrepancy between the clinical benefit from BCG immunotherapy and its failure to stimulate certain parameters of cellular immunity in patients with melanoma is discussed.
Bone morphogenetic protein-7 antagonizes tumor necrosis factor-α-induced activation of nuclear factor κB and up-regulation of the ADAMTS, leading to decreased degradation of disc matrix macromolecules aggrecan and collagen II.

Abstract Background context Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a regulatory cytokine that can increase the activity of enzymes such as ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs), which degrade disc matrix. ADAMTS are enzymes that break down disc matrix and thereby mediate disc degeneration. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), on the other hand, stimulates synthesis of the disc extracellular matrix and is a potential therapeutic molecule for the treatment of disc degeneration. However, the effects of BMP-7 on TNF-α and ADAMTS are unknown. Purpose We investigated the effects of BMP-7 on the catabolic regulators such as TNF-α and ADAMTS and evaluated the molecular mechanism by which BMP-7 affects the catabolic regulators. Study design This was an in vitro study in which we used human intervertebral disc cells cultured in alginate beads. Methods Human intervertebral disc cells were cultured in alginate beads, and treated with TNF-α, or TNF- α plus BMP-7, pharmacological inhibitor of ERK1/2 (U0126), p38 (SB203580), or NFκB (BAY 11-7082). The mRNA levels of target genes were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the protein levels were determined by the Western blots. The nuclear factor (NF)κB activity was analyzed by measured phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the NFκB protein p65. Results TNF-α activated NFκB signaling and induced up-regulation of the catabolic regulators ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5, contributing to degradation of the disc matrix macromolecules aggrecan and collagen II. BMP-7 antagonized the TNF-α–induced activation of NFκB protein p65 and blocked TNF-α–induced up-regulation of ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5, leading to reversing TNF-α–mediated degradation of aggrecan and collagen II. Moreover, BMP-7 antagonized the TNF-α–induced activation of NFκB signaling by suppressing phosphorylation and nucleus translocation of NFκB protein p65. Conclusion BMP-7 antagonizes TNF-α–induced activation of NFκB and up-regulation of ADAMTS, leading to decreased degradation of disc matrix macromolecules. These data indicate that BMP-7 has a dual mechanism of action on disc metabolism: (1) the previously well-described positive effect on disc matrix synthesis and (2) an anticatabolic effect that is described here. This understanding is important as BMP-7 is being considered for treatment of disc degeneration.
SNPxGE 2 : a database for human 3-way SNP-expression associations

Recently, gene co-expression relationships have been found to be often conditional and dynamic. Besides, many studies have suggested that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have impacts on gene expression variations in human populations. The SNPxGE2 database contains the computationally predicted human 3-way SNP-expression associations, that is, the differential co-expression between 2 genes is associated with a genotype/SNP. This data was generated from a large scale association study that was based on the HapMap data, which covered 269 individuals from 4 human populations, 701,202 SNPs and 15,000 gene expression profiles. Two models of 3-way SNP-expression associations were considered: gap/substitution and on/off. The implementation was carried out using 64 Linux cluster nodes in ~30 days and assessed SNP-expression combinations. The results, including 4,713 on/off associations and 36,170 gap/substitution associations at a p-value cutoff of 0.001, can be queried in the SNPxGE2 database via either gene name or reference SNP ID. For each reported association, a detailed information page is provided. The SNPxGE2 database can be freely accessed at http://tunisia.ads.uga.edu/SNPxGE2/index.php.
Urethral Obstructive Pathology in Boys Can Not be Predicted by a Statistical Model

Purpose In boys presenting with voiding disorders in tertiary care centres, urethral obstructive pathology ideally has to be excluded before conservative treatment is continued. As MCUG is bothersome and cystoscopy needs general anesthesia, we tried to construct a statistical model predictive for boys needing this examinations. Material and Methods All 27 boys aged > 5 years who underwent a cystoscopy during the last 2 years were included. Anamnesic parameters included history of UTI, hematuria, painful micturition, constipation and urinary incontinence. The 48-h voiding chart was screened for frequency, total output, morning voided volumes, maximum voided volume and average voided volume during daytime, related to bladder volume expected for age. Voiding time, maximum flow rate, and time to maximum flow were extracted manually from minimally 3 uroflows and related to total voided volume. Bladder wall thickness and post void residual urine was measured by ultrasound. Results Boys with or without urethral pathology did not differ significantly concerning presence of UTI, hematuria, constipation, urinary incontinence, or urinary frequency. Nor the average flow rate, nor time to maximum flow or total voiding time related to voided volume made uroflowmetry predictive. Bladder wall thickness of > 4 mm or a post-void residual of > 10% of the average bladder capacity couldn't predict obstruction. The odds for having obstruction is 3 in case of post-void residual, 4.5 for a thick bladder wall, and 2.8 for a non-bell-shaped uroflow. The log-linear model was unable to construct a predictive model for the parameters registered. Conclusions We were unable to construct a predictive model for urethral pathology for boys presenting with obstructive voiding. Performing a diagnostic cystoscopy in all boys with voiding disorders would maybe help, but we feel this unethical.
Comparative effects of polymyxin B, phorbol ester and bryostatin on protein phosphorylation, protein kinase C translocation, phospholipid metabolism and differentiation of HL60 cells.

Abstract The effects of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor polymyxin B (PMB) and PKC activators 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and bryostatin on intact HL60 cells were examined. It was found that each of the three agents exhibited similar effects on phosphorylation of certain endogenous proteins, PKC translocation from cytoplasm to plasma membrane and formation of CDP-choline. TPA, however, was the only agent that stimulated phosphatidylcholine formation. Differentiation of HL60 cells was potently induced by TPA; in comparison bryostatin was a relatively weaker inducer and PMB was without effect. The data indicated that the effects of the PKC inhibitor PMB on intact cells could not be predicted by its in vitro activity, and that certain TPA-dependent but PKC-independent reactions might be crucial in HL60 cell differentiation.
Making desegregation work: Extracurricular activities

Southern desegregated high schools with high levels of black or white student extracurricular participation have students who report more interracial contact, higher self-esteem, more positive attitudes toward school, more parent visits to schools, and more personal contact with teachers. The results are derived from regression equations based on responses from 10,000 students in 200 schools, controlling on student and school background factors. The author recommends that secondary schools place high priority on encouraging extracurricular participation and argues that this enhances the school's ability to teach because it increases student attachment to the school, reduces student alienation, provides alternative channels for students to develop self-esteem, and increases the opportunity for positive interracial contact.
Anorectic response to amino acid imbalance: a selective serotonin3 effect?

Abstract The anorectic responses to imbalanced amino acid diets (IMB) are ameliorated by pretreatment with large (mg/kg) doses of the serotonin antagonists, tropisetron [3-α-tropanyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester, formerly known as ICS-205, 930 (ICS)] and MDL 72,222 [1αH,3α,5α-H-tropan-3-yl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate (MDL)], effects earlier attributed to the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor. Subsequent identification of the 5-HT4 receptor, and recognition that ICS and MDL also bind to 5-HT4 receptors, led us to question whether the results seen with these drugs were due to activity at the 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 receptor subtype. 1,2,3,9-Tetrahydro-9-methyl-3 [(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl) methyl] 4H-carbazol-4-one) [ondansetron (OND)], a reportedly 5-HT3-selective receptor antagonist, has been used to block 5-HT3 receptors in demonstrating the 5-HT4 receptor, and so seems securely selective for the 5-HT3 receptor type. Therefore, we tested the effects of OND on the rat's feeding responses to IMB. Pretreatment with 0.1 or 1 μg/kg OND fully restored intake of IMBto > 100% of control between 6 and 12 h after introduction of IMB. We conclude that the previous similar increases in IMB intake seen after ICS and MDL were due to their antagonist activity at the 5-HT3 receptor and that the 5-HT3 receptor may have an important role in mediating therat's anorectic responses to IMB.
Study of in-plane structure in lead-fatty acid LB films using X-ray diffraction☆

Abstract We have observed several (11 l ) diffraction peaks in Langmuir-Blodgett films of lead myristate, lead stearate and lead behenate. We find that all three types of films appear to have the same in-plane structure, and that alternate planes of lead ions are shifted laterally by half of an in-plane lattice spacing (as in the structure proposed earlier for bulk lead stearate).
Extracellular enzyme production byThermomonospora curvata grown on bagasse

Extracellular enzyme production by the actinomycete,Thermomonospora curvata, was characterized during growth at 55°C on bagasse as sole carbon source. Mycelia adhered to the bagasse fibers during early growth and were released in mature cultures. Extracellular protein reached a maximum on 4% (w/v) bagasse and yielded an electrophoretic profile similar to those produced on purified cellulose. Cellulase production on bagasse exceeded that observed forT. curvata on any previously employed substrate. Amylase and pectinase, which were diminished by their instability in culture fluid at growth temperature and by the lack of inducing substrate, were readily inducible by addition of starch or pectin, respectively. Extracellular activities of β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase remained insignificant throughout growth. Xylanase production equaled or exceeded that observed on a variety of other substrates. The combined activity of extracellular enzymes from bagasse-grownT. curvata caused a 27% solubilization of the fiber, yielding a mixture of cellooligosaccharides, cellobiose, xylobiose, glucose, xylose, fructose, arabinose and mannitol. Fractionation of concentrated extracellular proteins by size exclusion chromatography yielded single peaks for amylase and pectinase (estimated molecular weights of 58 K and 34 K respectively), while cellulase and xylanase activities were distributed throughout a series of multiple unresolved peaks spanning a molecular weight range of 26–180 K.
Gametocidal properties of RH-531, RH-532, RH-2956, and RH-4667 on spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)

Several chemicals were evaluated for their gametocidal properties to control pollination in hybrid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) seed production. In a preliminary study, four chemicals were applied to three cultivars of spring wheat at two application times. RH-532 was the most effective of the four gametocides, reducing fertility to a 0 10% level for all three cultivars. In a second experiment, RH-532 was applied to one cytoplasmic male-sterile and three normal spring wheats at four rates (0.56, 1.12, 2.24, and 4.48 kg/ha) and at two times of application. Alternate strips of pollinator were planted throughout the experiment. All treatments decreased fertility. plant height, and spike length of the three normal wheats. RH-532 did not inhibit spike emergence of two semidwarf cultivars or one of conventional height. Cultivars did not respond similarly to treatments. Yields of cross-pollinated seed were only 1 21% of the normal yield when fertility levels on treated plants reached 0 10%. Hybrid seed content of the harvested seed ranged from 2 55%. On the treated male-sterile line, yield was significantly reduced in comparison with the open-pollinated check. Inhibitory properties of this chemical suppressed the fertilization potential of the female as well as inducing male sterility. The differential response of genotypes to treatments indicates that cultivars should be screened for male and female sensitivity to this chemical. If differential sensitivity is found, breeding and selection to improve this trait may be possible. Different environmental conditions may alter the response of cultivars to this chemical, with less effect on the female structures.
The Technological Fix Criticisms and the Agricultural Biotechnology Debate

A common tactic in public debates over science and technology is to dismissively label innovations as mere technological fixes. This tactic can be readily observed in the long debate over agricultural biotechnology. While these criticisms are often superficial rhetorical tactics, they point to deeper philosophical disagreements about the role of technology in society. Examining the technological fix criticism can clarify these underlying philosophical disagreements and the debate over biotechnology. The first part of this essay discusses the origins of the notion of a technological fix and distinguishes two types of technological fix criticisms, philosophical and practical. These distinctions are then applied to clarify and evaluate arguments for and against agricultural biotechnology. This analysis should clarify the debates over agricultural biotechnology and bring to light fundamental philosophical differences over the role of technology in agriculture.
Daytime sleep and the threat to well-being of persons with dementia

Sleep dysfunction is common among persons with dementia. The relationship of daytime sleep to the quality of life and social engagement of persons with dementia has not been examined. The present s...
Prophylactic mastectomy of the contralateral breast

The use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is increasing in the United States. Tuttle et al., using SEER data, reported that the percentage of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing CPM increased from 6% to 18% between 1998 and 2005. During the period from 1998 through 2003, rates of CPM among women with invasive cancer increased from 4% to 11%. The use of CPM was most frequent in Stage I breast cancer, increasing from 5% to 12% of cases, but rates were observed to increase in women with Stage II and III disease as well. The increase in the use of CPM is somewhat surprising since the incidence of contralateral breast cancer has declined with the widespread use of adjuvant systemic therapy and second primary breast cancer is now an infrequent event.
Prolactin and thyroid hormone interactions in salt and water balance in the newt Notophthalmus viridescens.

Abstract Hypophysectomy lowered plasma sodium in summer newts to approximately 80% of control levels. Treatment of hypophysectomized animals with corticosterone, prolactin, or corticosterone + prolactin did not correct the pituitary deficiency. Thyroxine treatment (0.1 or 0.5 μg every other day for 2 weeks) of intact summer newts depressed plasma sodium to approximately 40% of control values. Thyroxine treatment of winter animals (0.1 μg every other day for 2 weeks) depressed plasma sodium to 90% of control values. In addition, thyroxine treatment of winter animals depressed urine sodium, more than doubled the rate of molting, and increased the osmotic permeability of the skin from 71 to 103 μl water/cm 2 /hr. Newts treated with both thyroxine (0.1 μg every other day) and prolactin (10 μg every other day) had levels of plasma sodium identical to controls in both summer and winter experiments. In the winter experiment, prolactin + thyroxine treatment lowered urine sodium, more than doubled molting rate, decreased osmotic permeability of the skin (from 70 to 48 μl water/cm 2 /hr) and decreased short-circuit current (from 30 to 16 μA/cm 2 ) in isolated skin preparations. In addition, the skin of animals receiving both prolactin and thyroxine was more slippery than the skin of control animals or of animals treated with thyroxine alone, suggesting that they were secreting excess mucus. It is suggested that the effects of these hormones on the skin may at least partially account for their effects on plasma and urine sodium.
Electronic structure of tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) and Nb by the pseudofunction energy-band technique

The pseudofunction energy-band method is a full potential, ab initio technique with no adjustable parameters. The basis function is related to the pseudofunction used to create ab initio pseudopotentials. Orthogonalization of the pseudofunction to the core states is accomplished as in the augmented plane-wave method (APW) or linear augmented plane-wave method. The applicability of the pseudofunction method to both localized bonding as in molecules or to delocalized bonding as in metals is demonstrated with application to Nb and tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ). The electronic and structural properties calculated for Nb agree well with that of the APW and Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) methods. The energy bands obtained from an ab initio self-consistent energy-band calculation for TTF-TCNQ are successful in providing new insight into the properties of TTF-TCNQ. The computed optical properties, Fermi surface wave vector, and charge transfer agree quantitatively with experiment for TTF-TCNQ.
A NEURAL NETWORK-WAVELET MODEL FOR GENERATING ARTIFICIAL ACCELEROGRAMS

In earthquake-resistant design of structures, for certain structural configurations and conditions, it is necessary to use accelerograms for dynamic analysis. Accelerograms are also needed to simulate the effects of earthquakes on a building structure in the laboratory. A new method of generating artificial earthquake accelerograms is presented through adroit integration of neural networks and wavelets. A counterpropagation (CPN) neural network model is developed for generating artificial accelerograms from any given design spectrum such as the International Building Code (IBC) design spectrum. Using the IBC design spectrum as network input means an accelerogram may be generated for any geographic location regardless of whether earthquake records exist for that particular location or not. In order to improve the efficiency of the model, the CPN network is modified with the addition of the wavelet transform as a data compression tool to create a new CPN-wavelet network. The proposed CPN-wavelet model is trained using 20 sets of accelerograms and tested with additional five sets of accelerograms available from the U.S. Geological Survey. Given the limited set of training data, the result is quite remarkable.
Multi-static passive SAR imaging based on Bayesian compressive sensing

Passive radar systems, which utilize broadcast and navigation signals as sources of opportunity, have attracted significant interests in recent years due to their low cost, covertness, and the availability of different illuminator sources. In this paper, we propose a novel method for synthetic aperture imaging in multi-static passive radar systems based on a group sparse Bayesian learning technique. In particular, the problem of imaging sparse targets is formulated as a group sparse signal reconstruction problem, which is solved using a complex multi- task Bayesian compressive sensing (CMT-BCS) method to achieve a high resolution. The proposed approach significantly improves the imaging resolution beyond the range resolution. Compared to the other group sparse signal reconstruction methods, such as the block orthogonal matching pursuit (BOMP) and group Lasso, the CMT-BCS provides significant performance improvement for the reconstruction of sparse targets in the redundant dictionary with high coherence. Simulations results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed approach.