cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Initiation of DNA Base Excision Repair of Dipyrimidine Photoproducts

One of the major DNA repair pathways is base excision repair, in which DNA bases that have been damaged by endogenous or exogenous agents are removed by the action of a class of enzymes known as DNA glycosylases. One subset of the known DNA glycosylases has an associated abasic lyase activity that generates a phosphodiester bond scission. The base excision pathway is completed by the sequential action of abasic endonucleases, DNA polymerases, and DNA ligases. Base excision repair of ultraviolet (UV) light-induced dipyrimidine photoproducts has been described in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and phages. These enzymes vary significantly in their exact substrate specificity and in the catalytic mechanism by which repair is initiated. The prototype enzyme within this class of UV-specific DNA glycosylases is T4 endonuclease V. Endonuclease V holds the distinction of being the first glycosylase (1) to have its structure solved by X-ray diffraction of the enzyme alone as well as in complex with pyrimidine dimer-containing DNA, (2) to have its key catalytic active site residues identified, and (3) to have its mechanism of target DNA site location determined and the biological relevance of this process established. Thus, the study of endonuclease V has been critical in gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of all DNA glycosylases.
Warm versus cold blood cardioplegia : is there a difference ?

This experimental study sought to compare the effectiveness of warm blood cardioplegia versus cold blood cardioplegia in protecting areas of ischemic myocardium during urgent coronary revascularization. In 40 adult pigs, the second and third diagonal vessels were occluded with snares for 90 minutes. All animals were then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and underwent 45 minutes of cardioplegic arrest followed by 3 hours of reperfusion during which time the coronary snares were released. During the period of cardioplegic arrest, 10 pigs received antegrade continuous warm blood cardioplegic solution (37° C) at 100 ml/min; 10 animals received retrograde warm blood cardioplegic solution at 100 ml/min; 10 received intermittent, antegrade cold blood cardioplegic solution (4° C), and 10 animals received intermittent, antegrade/retrograde cold blood cardioplegic solution. Hearts protected with antegrade warm blood cardioplegic solution had the lowest pH values in the area at risk (6.59 ± 0.10 antegrade warm blood cardioplegia versus 6.80 ± 0.10 retrograde warm blood cardioplegia versus 6.72 ± 0.18 antegrade cold blood cardioplegia versus 6.85 ± 0.15 antegrade/retrograde cold blood cardioplegia and the highest area of necrosis (42 % ± 3 % antegrade warm blood cardioplegia versus 26% ± 2% [p
The COSE ontology: bringing the semantic web to smart environments

The number of smart appliances and devices in the home and office has grown dramatically in recent years. Unfortunately, these devices rarely interact with each other or the environment. In order to move from environments filled with smart devices to smart environments, there must be a framework for devices to communicate with each other and with the environment. This enables reasoners and automated decision makers to understand the environment and the data collected from it. Semantic web technologies provide this framework in a well-documented and flexible package. In this paper we present the Casas Ontology for Smart Environments (COSE) and accompanying data from a test smart environment and discuss the current and future challenges associated with a Smart Environment on the Semantic Web.
Communication: Multidimensional triple sum-frequency spectroscopy of MoS2 and comparisons with absorption and second harmonic generation spectroscopies

Triple sum-frequency (TSF) spectroscopy is a recently developed methodology that enables collection of multidimensional spectra by resonantly exciting multiple quantum coherences of vibrational and electronic states. This work reports the first application of TSF to the electronic states of semiconductors. Two independently tunable ultrafast pulses excite the A, B, and C features of a MoS2 thin film. The measured TSF spectrum differs markedly from absorption and second harmonic generation spectra. The differences arise because of the relative importance of transition moments and the joint density of states (JDOS). We develop a simple model and globally fit the absorption and harmonic generation spectra to extract the JDOS and the transition moments from these spectra. Our results validate previous assignments of the C feature to a large JDOS created by band nesting.
Differences in Obesity Among Black and White Children, Adolescents, and Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) survivors have an elevated risk for obesity-related comorbidities, but little is known about racial differences in obesity rates for this population. Objective The authors aimed to compare rates of obesity in CHD survivors to national estimates using National Health and Nutrition Examination Assessment Survey (NHANES) and to characterize racial disparities in obesity among CHD survivors across age ranges. Methods Retrospective chart review included 4496 CHD survivors (4050 white and 446 black) with a range of lesion severities from a pediatric and an adult medical center. Results White children with CHD had a higher prevalence of obesity compared with NHANES estimates. In contrast, white young adults with CHD had a lower prevalence of obesity compared with NHANES. Blacks with CHD had a 58% increased risk of obesity in young adulthood and a 33% increased risk in late adulthood compared with whites with CHD. Conclusions Obesity interventions are needed among CHD survivors across the lifespan, particularly among adult non-Hispanic blacks.
The Story of the Queen Anne Memorial Garden: Resisting a Dominant Cultural Narrative

My purpose was to offer a counter-narrative of a group of urban residents who were dealing with a negative portrayal of their neighborhood, by retelling the “success story” of the Queen Anne Memori...
An update on the central nervous system manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that presents with variable phenotypes as a result of mutations in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene and subsequently, abnormal function of the protein product, neurofibromin. Patients with NF1 are at increased risk for central nervous system (CNS) manifestations including structural, functional, and neoplastic disease. The mechanisms underlying the varied manifestations of NF1 are incompletely understood, but the loss of functional neurofibromin, resulting in sustained activation of the oncoprotein RAS, is responsible for tumorigenesis throughout the body, including the CNS. Much of our understanding of NF1-related CNS manifestations is from a combination of data from animal models and natural history studies of people with NF1 and CNS disease. Data from animal models suggest the importance of both Nf1 mutations and somatic genetic alterations, such as Tp53 loss, for development of neoplasms, as well as the role of the timing of the acquisition of such alterations on the variability of CNS manifestations. A variety of non-neoplastic structural (macrocephaly, hydrocephalus, aqueductal stenosis, and vasculopathy) and functional (epilepsy, impaired cognition, attention deficits, and autism spectrum disorder) abnormalities occur with variable frequency in individuals with NF1. In addition, there is increasing evidence that similar appearing CNS neoplasms in people with and without the NF1 syndrome are due to distinct oncogenic pathways. Gliomas in people with NF1 show alterations in the RAS/MAPK pathway, generally in the absence of BRAF alterations (common to sporadic pilocytic astrocytomas) or IDH or histone H3 mutations (common to diffuse gliomas subsets). A subset of low-grade astrocytomas in these patients remain difficult to classify using standard criteria, and occasionally demonstrate morphologic features resembling subependymal giant cell astrocytomas that afflict patients with tuberous sclerosis complex ("SEGA-like astrocytomas"). There is also emerging evidence that NF1-associated high-grade astrocytomas have frequent co-existing alterations such as ATRX mutations and an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) phenotype responsible for unique biologic properties. Ongoing efforts are seeking to improve diagnostic accuracy for CNS neoplasms in the setting of NF1 versus sporadic tumors. In addition, MEK inhibitors, which act on the RAS/MAPK pathway, continue to be studied as rational targets for the treatment of NF1-associated tumors, including CNS tumors.
Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the C15 Intermetallic Compound NbCr2

The electronic structure and total energy of the C15 NbCr{sub 2} have been calculated using the linear muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) method with the atomic sphere approximation (ASA). The total energy vs. volume curve, band structure, density of states and Fermi surface were obtained. The calculated results were used to examine several features of the C15 phase, including the elastic properties, phase formation and stability, and solubility of the C15 phase. The theoretical results are compared to experimental studies on the C15 NbCr{sub 2} phase. For example, the elastic moduli, phase stability, and homogeneity range have been characterized with a variety of experimental techniques. Comparison of the experimental and theoretical results will be discussed.
Policy Denial of New Gang Cities

The chapter presents the findings of empirical research commissioned by a police service in a northern county at a time of gang denial. The data collected clearly demonstrated that groups, which accorded with the definition of youth gangs in Dying To Belong (A relatively durable, predominantly street based group of young people who (1) see themselves (and are seen by others) as a discernable group, (2) engage in a range of criminal activity and violence, (3) identify with or lay claim over territory, (4) have some form of identifiable structural feature, and (5) are in conflict with other similar gangs) (CSJ in Dying to belong: An in-depth review of street gangs in Britain. Author, London, UK, 2009), existed and were active in the area. However, the regional multi-agency group tasked with addressing serious youth group offending in the research area at that time had little choice but to effectively disregard the research findings in favour of the dominant policy approach of the Youth Justice Board (YJB). At that time the YJB favoured a more idealistic approach, which discouraged the use of the term “gangs” as it feared that by labelling groups in this way young people would be encouraged to participate in gang culture, (Young et al. 2007). The chapter considers the connections made between theory and policy by the YJB in defining gangs and the impact this had for local practice. It is interesting to note that in 2018 subsequently 9 years following the disregarded research which identified significant gang activity and identified youth pedagogical practices to ameliorate harm the Home office awarded “The County” £1,121,395, for a youth intervention project to target vulnerable young people or those linked with gangs, while other measures planned focus on employing key-workers and engaging communities to reduce gang related violence.
Improved Severe Weather Forecasts Using LEO and GEO Satellite Soundings

AbstractIt is shown here that improvements in NWP model predictions of hazardous weather can be obtained by assimilating profile retrievals obtained in real-time from combined Direct Broadcast Syst...
Classification Shifting and Earnings Predictability

The literature on classification shifting finds that managers use their discretion to classify certain core expenses as special items. One implication from this literature is that managers are attempting to manipulate financial statement users’ perception of core performance to achieve self-motivated reporting objectives. However, an additional possibility is that managers use their reporting discretion to signal which core expenses are less likely to persist. By reporting less persistent core expenses as nonrecurring special items, managers potentially improve investors’ ability to predict future earnings. We find evidence of this additional explanation for classification shifting. Specifically, we find a positive relation between classification shifting and the extent to which prices lead core earnings (i.e., the future earnings response coefficient). Further analysis reveals that managers’ reporting discretion to inform investors is greater when the firm faces greater uncertainty in future performance. Our study provides new evidence of an additional incentive for managers’ discretionary classification of expenses—improved earnings predictability.
Creating the Capacity to Screen Deaf Women for Perinatal Depression: A Pilot Study.

Abstract Objective Compared to hearing women, Deaf female sign language users receive sub-optimal maternal health care and report more dissatisfaction with their prenatal care experiences. As healthcare providers begin to regularly screen for perinatal depression, validated screening tools are not accessible to Deaf women due to severe disparities in English literacy and health literacy. Design and Setting We conducted a one-year, community-engaged pilot study to create an initial American Sign Language (ASL) translation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); conduct videophone screening interviews with Deaf perinatal women from across the United States; and perform preliminary statistical analyses of the resulting pilot data. Participants We enrolled 36 Deaf perinatal women between 5 weeks gestation up to one year postpartum. Measurements and Findings Results supported the internal consistency of the full ASL EPDS, but did not provide evidence of internal consistency for the anxiety or depression subscales when presented in our ASL format. Participants reported a mean total score of 5.6 out of 30 points on the ASL EPDS (SD = 4.2). Thirty-one percent of participants reported scores in the mild depression range, six percent in the moderate range, and none in the severe range. Key Conclusions and Implications Limitations included small sample size, a restricted range of depression scores, non-normality of our distribution, and lack of a fully-standardized ASL EPDS administration due to our interview approach. Informed by study strengths, limitations, and lessons learned, future efforts will include a larger, more robust psychometric study to inform the development of a Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing version of the ASL EPDS with automated scoring functions that hearing, non-signing medical providers can use to screen Deaf women for perinatal depression.
Rapid Conversion of a Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic to Telehealth.

PURPOSE: The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the practice of medicine, forcing a rapid transition to telehealth. As a specialty, palliative care relies upon expert-level communication and inte...
Improving Cloud Storage Search with User Activity

Cloud-based file storage platforms such as Google Drive are widely used as a means for storing, editing and sharing personal and organizational documents. In this paper, we improve search ranking quality for cloud storage platforms by utilizing user activity logs. Different from search logs, activity logs capture general document usage activity beyond search, such as opening, editing and sharing documents. We propose to automatically learn text embeddings that are effective for search ranking from activity logs. We develop a novel co-access signal, i.e., whether two documents were accessed by a user around the same time, to train deep semantic matching models that are useful for improving the search ranking quality. We confirm that activity-trained semantic matching models can improve ranking by conducting extensive offline experimentation using Google Drive search and activity logs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to examine the benefits of leveraging document usage activity at large scale for cloud storage search; as such it can shed light on using such activity in scenarios where direct collection of search-specific interactions (e.g., query and click logs) may be expensive or infeasible.
Spectral cluster estimates for Schrödinger operators of relativistic type

Abstract This paper is dedicated to L p bounds on eigenfunctions of a Schrodinger-type operator ( − Δ g ) α / 2 + V on closed Riemannian manifolds for critically singular potentials V. The operator ( − Δ g ) α / 2 is defined spectrally in terms of the eigenfunctions of − Δ g . We obtain also quasimodes and spectral clusters estimates. As an application, we derive Strichartz estimates for the fractional wave equation ( ∂ t 2 + ( − Δ g ) α / 2 + V ) u = 0 . The wave kernel techniques recently developed by Bourgain-Shao-Sogge-Yao [4] and Shao-Yao [27] play a key role in this paper. We construct a new reproducing operator with several local operators and some good error terms. Moreover, we shall prove that these local operators satisfy certain variable coefficient versions of the “uniform Sobolev estimates” by Kenig-Ruiz-Sogge [18] . These enable us to handle the critically singular potentials V and prove the quasimode estimates.
An economic theory of optimal enactment and enforcement of laws

Abstract We consider a government’s interrelated decisions of enacting laws prohibiting harmful behavior and choosing how aggressively to enforce those laws. There are three broad policies available to the government in this regard: not prohibiting the act at all, enacting a law and enforcing it, and enacting a law and not enforcing it. When enactment is costly and a fraction of the population reflexively complies with the law once its enactment has been announced (reflecting an expressive function of law), all three policies may be optimal, depending on the severity of the harm from the act and the fraction of reflexive compliers.
The effectiveness of physical therapy interventions in reducing falls among people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Falls are common among People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) and can result in significant consequences. Summary of the evidence of effectiveness of Physical Therapy (PT) to manage fall risks is needed. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of PT interventions to reduce fall related outcomes in PwMS. Methods Electronic databases of PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscuss and CINAHL were searched. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and pre-post studies that examined the effectiveness of any PT interventions to target falls in PwMS were included. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and the quality assessment tool for before-after studies were used for RCTs and pre-post studies, respectively. The Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation- GRADE was used to rate the overall quality of evidence. Results Twenty articles with 819 participants were included in the review and 16 articles in meta-analysis. Only home-based exercise was found to significantly reduce the number of fallers (risk ratio = 0.53, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.91, P = 0.02) in ambulatory PwMS. Limited evidence exists on PT interventions to reduce falls among non-ambulatory PwMS. Conclusion The overall very low to moderate quality of evidence presented showed the effectiveness of PT interventions to reduce fall outcomes in PwMS is limited. However, home-based exercise showed potential to reduce fall outcomes in ambulatory PwMS. There is a need to develop PT interventions to reduce fall outcomes in non-ambulatory PwMS due to a scarcity of evidence in this population. Registration The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD 42020150297)
Where Good Ideas Come from: The Natural History of Innovation

A review of Steven Johnson's Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation.
A selective medium for the detection ofAlternaria dauci andAlternaria radicina

A selective medium to detectAlternaria dauci andA. radicina on seed, plant debris and other substrates was developed. Growth and sporulation by most undesired organisms was reduced, but adequate mycelial growth and sporulation byA. dauci andA. radicina was maintained so they could be identified by their unusual mycelial growth or characteristic spores. The medium is based upon carrot leaf extract, which promotes profuse sporulation by both pathogens. Glucose, sodium polypectate and mineral salts further enhanced spore and mycelial production. Streptomycin sulfate and metalaxyl (or mefenoxam), combined with either benomyl or thiophanate-methyl, reduced growth and sporulation of unwanted organisms. There were strong interactions among the fungicides, bactericide, and most other medium components. There were also significant effects on the type of mycelial growth produced by some medium components. If the unique, dark mycelia produced by both pathogens is the desired detection method, the medium components must be optimized for eitherA. dauci orA. radicina because the two fungi responded differently in this regard. All medium configurations allowed both fungi to be identified by their characteristic spores. The sensitivity of theAlternaria dauci-radicina selective medium (ADRSM) to detectA. radicina on carrot seeds was similar to other methods presently in use, but ADRSM was more sensitive than the other methods for detectingA. dauci on infested carrot seeds.
Surveys as a method for improving the development process

Traditionally, project teams wait until the product has been shipped to customers before surveying the project participants for their thoughts on what went right and what went wrong. These surveys are usually called "postmortems" and the cadaver analogy is appropriate: it is too late to do anything to help the patient.A solution is to check the patient's vital signs at regular intervals and prescribe treatment as required. This was the approach taken in a pilot study run recently in the Image Systems Center of the IBM' PRGS Toronto Laboratory. At predefined project checkpoints, a survey was sent to all participants of the pilot project to solicit their anonymous feedback about what was working well and what needed changing.The questions in the survey were designed to be generic so that the same set of questions could be used for each checkpoint, in order that comparisons could be made between checkpoints. Groups of related questions were created, each having several multiple-choice questions and one free-form text question so that both qualitative and quantitative feedback was obtained. The quantitative results were analyzed for trends, and the qualitative results were examined for evidence of specific process defects. In the later stages of thg pilot study, a follow-up meeting was held so that project members could discuss the identified process defects and suggest action items to avoid the defect in the future.The results of this pilot study were positive, and there is good reason to extend this survey approach to other areas of the Laboratory. It is a natural enhancement to the Defect Prevention Process, and an aid for meeting the corrective action procedures requirement of ISO 9000 registration.
Francisella infection triggers activation of the AIM2 inflammasome in murine dendritic cells.

The intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia, a potentially fatal disease. In macrophages, Francisella escapes the initial phagosome and replicates in the cytosol, where it is detected by the cytosolic DNA sensor AIM2 leading to activation of the AIM2 inflammasome. However, during aerosol infection, Francisella is also taken up by dendritic cells. In this study, we show that Francisella novicida escapes into the cytosol of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) where it undergoes rapid replication. We show that F. novicida activates the AIM2 inflammasome in BMDC, causing release of large amounts of IL-1β and rapid host cell death. The Francisella Pathogenicity Island is required for bacterial escape and replication and for inflammasome activation in dendritic cells. In addition, we show that bacterial DNA is bound by AIM2, which leads to inflammasome assembly in infected dendritic cells. IFN-β is upregulated in BMDC following Francisella infection, and the IFN-β signaling pathway is partially required for inflammasome activation in this cell type. Taken together, our results demonstrate that F. novicida induces inflammasome activation in dendritic cells. The resulting inflammatory cell death may be beneficial to remove the bacterial replicative niche and protect the host.
Female-predominant expression of testosterone 16α-hydroxylase (“I”-P-45016α) and its repression in strain 129/J

Using specific testosterone 16 alpha-hydroxylase activity as the basis for selection of fractions during purification, the cytochrome P-450 ("I"-P-450(16)alpha) has been isolated from livers of phenobarbital-treated 129/J female mice [K. Devore, N. Harada, and M. Negishi (1985) Biochemistry, 24, 5632-5637]. An antibody elicited in rabbits to "I"-P-450(16)alpha was used to determine the amount of hepatic microsomal 16 alpha-hydroxylase activity due to "I"-P-450(16)alpha in untreated females and males of the two mouse strains, 129/J and BALB/cJ. The activities inhibited were 0.03 and 0.3 nmol/min/mg protein in the 129/J and BALB/cJ females, respectively. No significant level of "I"-P-450(16)alpha-dependent activity was detected in the microsomes from males of either mouse strain. Immunoblotting of microsomal proteins with the antibody to "I"-P-450(16)alpha revealed approximately a 10-fold greater amount of a 54-kDa protein in the microsomes from BALB/cJ than from 129/J females (0.03 and 0.26 pmol/micrograms protein, respectively). A cDNA clone (R17) for phenobarbital-inducible rat cytochrome P-450 selected "I"-P-450(16)alpha mRNA of mice, indicating a high degree of homology between the mRNAs of mouse "I"-P-450(16)alpha and phenobarbital-inducible rat cytochrome P-450s. Northern and dot hybridization of total mouse liver poly(A)+ RNA with the R17 cDNA probe indicated that the specific content of the hybridizable mRNA was more than 10 times higher in BALB/cJ females than in males, and that the mRNA level in female 129/J mice was very similar to that of 129/J and BALB/cJ males. The repression of "I"-P-450(16)alpha in 129/J females was inherited as an autosomal recessive trait in 129/J and BALB/cJ pairs as indicated by the levels of mRNA in female F1 offspring and the "I"-P-450(16)alpha-dependent hydroxylase activity. Female and male mice of eight more inbred strains (AKR/J, DBA/2J, C57BL/6J, C3H/HeJ, NZB/J, A/J, CBA/CaJ, and P/J) were tested for levels of mRNA. The results showed that the levels of mRNA were always 5- to 10-fold greater in the females than in the corresponding males, although there was some variation in the mRNA content in the males from the different strains. 129/J females appear to be a genetic variant where the female-predominant expression of the mRNA is repressed.
Freud's Therapeutic Mistake with Jung's Disclosure of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Narrative Lessons in the Do's and Don'ts of Validation

Amid the swirling controversy surrounding adult recollections of childhood sexual abuse, the clinical technique of validation is of paramount importance. Helping professionals must be able to give clients the opportunity to share their stories in an atmosphere conducive to the integration of those painful memories into a functional life narrative. This study is a systematic analysis of the life narratives of over 25 “victims” and “survivors” of sexual victimization, including that of Carl Jung. These life narratives of traumatic experiences—some of which are successfully resolved, some are not—illuminate validation in a variety of guises. Concrete therapeutic techniques are discussed.
Tipping the Balance from Expert to Facilitator: Examining Myths about Being a Teacher Educator.

This self-study addresses two questions: (1) how did self-study aid the teacher educator in interrogating her beliefs about and mediate her projection of teacher-as-facilitator versus teacher-as-expert? and (2) in what ways did prospective elementary teachers in an undergraduate, interdisciplinary science course exert control over their learning as a result of the teacher educator's self-interrogation of practices? In her teaching role with prospective teachers, Nicole explored a major myth about teaching concerning the image of the professor as the primary expert in the classroom. Critical events analysis revealed instances where she exerted power as an expert or assumed the role of facilitator. Instead of clearly marked instances where she took actions to exert her various roles in the classroom, she found that classroom events could not be categorized neatly. There were cases where she acted as an expert and students felt free to make their own decisions about their learning. When she was uncertain or ...
Selective penetration of ammonia and alkylamines into Streptococcus fecalis and their effect of glycolysis

Abstract Evidence was presented for the selective penetration of free base into Streptococcus fecalis cells suspended in solutions of NH 4 Cl, CH 3 NH 3 Cl, (CH 3 ) 2 NH 2 Cl and (CH 3 ) 3 NHCl at pH 7.0 or below. The selective penetration was measured by automatic continuous titration of the appearance of H + and was found to be practically instantaneous. Selective penetration of NH 3 was freely reversible and led to passive accumulation of NH 4 + . A mathematical equation was developed which satisfactorily describes the observed relation between amine uptake and extracellular amine concentration at constant pH. This equation permits an estimation of the intracellular pH and the rise in intracellular pH following penetration of free amine. Tentatively the intracellular pH of S. fecalis cells obtained from stationary growth phase is estimated to be about 5.0. Glycolysis in “aged” cells is retarded but is restored immediately following selective penetration of NH 3 or alkylamines at constant extracellular pH. K + and Na + also restored glycolysis but their action was slower. K + and Na + were found to elicit an efflux of H + at constant extracellular pH from non-glycolyzing cells possibly by ion exchange. It is concluded from these findings and a number of others as well that glycolysis in “aged” cells is inhibited by their low intracellular pH and is restored when the intracellular pH is raised.
Normal postnatal development of medial superior olivary neurons in the albino rat: A Golgi and Nissl study

Bipolar neurons in the medial superior olivary (MSO) nucleus of albino rats were studied at various ages (0-75 days) during development in order to elucidate normal neuronal growth patterns. Neurons, visualized in celloidin embedded Golgi/Nissl- and frozen Nissl-stained sections, were analyzed quantitatively for cell size and extent of dendritic arborization. These parameters, from both sets of data, showed a consistent developmental trend with the existence of two major stages in the ontogenetic process: a rapid developmental and a stabilization stage. The first stage, encompassing postnatal days 0 through approximately 14, was characterized by a rapidly increasing cell size, as observed in frozen sections. At the peak of this rapid growth, Golgi-stained neurons possessed thick dendrites with many appendages, growth cones, and filopodia. The peak in neuronal development coincided with the initiation of ear opening. Morphological features attained a more mature form in the second, stabilizing stage of development, which began at approximately postnatal day 14. This phase was distinguished by a decrement in cell size and dendritic branching. Also, dendrites possessed more regularly distributed varicosities and fewer appendages, growth cones, and filopodia in this period. It was observed that dendritic branching trends paralleled those of cell diameter growth.
Experimental comparison of extreme-ultraviolet multilayers for solar physics

We compare the reflectance and stability of multilayers comprising either Si/Mo, Si/Mo2C, Si/B4C, Si/C, or Si/SiC bilayers, designed for use as extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) reflective coatings. The films were deposited by using magnetron sputtering and characterized by both x-ray and EUV reflectometry. We find that the new Si/SiC multilayer offers the greatest spectral selectivity at the longer wavelengths, as well as the greatest thermal stability. We also describe the optimization of multilayers designed for the Solar-B EIS instrument. Finally, we compare experimental reflectance data with calculations and conclude that currently available optical constants cannot be used to adequately model the performance of many of these multilayers.
Histochemical Analysis of Liver Cells from Short Term, Aflatoxin-Dosed and Nondosed Coturnix coturnix japonica 1. Aflatoxin-Sensitive Quail

Although aflatoxicosis in Coturnix coturnix japonica has been described, the histochemical localization of liver chemicals and the occurrence of ingested aflatoxins within blood, feces, and liver have not been described. Six to 8-week-old quail, which were intubated with a carrier with or without .3 mg mixed aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2)/kg body weight were sacrificed within .25 to 5 days of intubation. Deparaffinized sections of livers were stained for lipids, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and proteins. Other livers and excrement were homogenized and filtered homogenates as well as blood partitioned against chloroform. The aqueous phase was treated with pepsin and then partitioned, but the organic phase was analyzed directly. Organic phases of .25 to 5 day blood, feces, and liver lacked aflatoxins. Pepsin digesta of blood from males and females dosed 6 hr appeared to contain aflatoxicol (disappeared by 24 hr) and an unknown fluorescent compound, respectively. Whereas an unidentified fluorescent compound was observed within excrement of males dosed 6 hr, female excrement contained a fluorescent compound with an AFB1 Rf (disappeared by 24 hr). Although the liver of males dosed 6 hr had three fluorescent compounds (Rfs for AFB1 and AFB2a), only one was seen within dosed females. Ultra violet absorption spectra of presumed AFB2a and aflatoxicol failed to yield their reported absorption maxima. Livers from dosed quail exhibited bile duct proliferation, cellular necrosis, vacuolization, congestion, fatty changes and mild hepatitis. Sinusoidal membranes were thickened and contained abundant periodic acid-Schiff's (PAS)-positive substances. Although livers of nondosed quail abounded with regularly shaped and uniformly distributed, Sudan IV-positive droplets, livers of dosed quail accommodated few, irregularly-shaped and positioned droplets. Hepatocyte nuclei and nucleoli of dosed quail displayed marked affinities for the Feulgen reagent and toluidine blue O, respectively. Lobules of dosed quail possessed concentrations of cells in which their entire cytoplasm was PAS positive. Treatment of sections with alpha-amylase reduced staining suggesting the presence of glycogen. Ninhydrin-positive substances were distributed throughout the liver in both DQ and non DQ with no apparent difference in intensities between the two livers. Generally the DQ showed mild hepatitis due to aflatoxicosis and the toxin altered liver histochemistry for the major classes of cellular chemicals.
Simple trend-following strategies in currency trading

Jessica James discusses how simple trading rules, applied systematically, can yield interesting results.
Multiple roles for Sox2 in the developing and adult mouse trachea

The esophagus, trachea and lung develop from the embryonic foregut, yet acquire and maintain distinct tissue phenotypes. Previously, we demonstrated that the transcription factor Sox2 is necessary for foregut morphogenesis and esophagus development. We show that Sox2 is also required for the normal development of the trachea and lung. In both the embryo and adult, Sox2 is exclusively expressed in the epithelium of the trachea and airways. We use an Nkx2.5-Cre transgene and a Sox2 floxed allele to conditionally delete Sox2 in the ventral epithelial domain of the early anterior foregut, which gives rise to the future trachea and lung buds. All conditional mutants die of respiratory distress at birth, probably due to abnormal differentiation of the laryngeal and tracheal cartilage as a result of defective epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. About 60% of the mutants have a short trachea, suggesting that the primary budding site of the lung shifts anteriorly. In the tracheal epithelium of all conditional mutants there are significantly more mucus-producing cells compared with wild type, and fewer basal stem cells, ciliated and Clara cells. Differentiation of the epithelium lining the conducting airways in the lung is abnormal, suggesting that Sox2 also plays a role in the differentiation of embryonic airway progenitors into specific lineages. Conditional deletion of Sox2 was then used to test its role in adult epithelium maintenance. We found that epithelial cells, including basal stem cells, lacking Sox2 show a reduced capacity to proliferate in culture and to repair after injury in vivo. Taken together, these results define multiple roles for Sox2 in the developing and adult trachea.
A longitudinal study of real‐life decision making: Choosing a college

Three hundred and twenty two college-bound high school students described aspects of their college decision-making processes. Students listed their criteria as well as the alternatives (i. e., schools) under consideration, rated the importance of each criterion, and rated each alternative with respect to each criterion. They also gave their overall impressions of each alternative. Finally, students rated their comfort with the decision-making process and, at the conclusion of the study, reported on how many schools they had applied to, had or had not been accepted at, were waiting to hear from, or were waitlisted at. Students consider four or five alternatives, and use eight to ten criteria in evaluating them. These figures do not change appreciably over the course of the process, although only about half the criteria or/and slightly more than half of the schools considered at one time are considered again 6 months later, and there are several changes in the kinds of criteria considered at different points in time. There was a marginally significant trend for higher ability and average ability students to consider more criteria, more distinct types of criteria, and more alternatives than do lower ability students. There were no gender differences in this regard. Gender differences and academic ability group differences were apparent, however, in the types of criteria students reported. Participation in multiple sessions in this study had few reliable effects on decision-making performance. Students were given a list of 34 standard criteria at each session, and incorporated some of these into their own lists of criteria during subsequent sessions. However, there was no indication that repeated participation led students to adopt a more analytical strategy than they would have otherwise. Data were compared with three linear models of information integration. Models using data with multiple criteria better fit the students' data than did a model using only the most important criterion. Higher ability students were particularly better able to integrate information according to linear models.
Mechanisms of S-nitrosothiol formation and selectivity in nitric oxide signaling

Although it is widely accepted that S-nitrosation occurs in vivo, questions remain regarding S-nitrosation as a signaling mechanism. The chemistry of S-nitrosation includes NO oxidation to N(2)O(3) followed by reaction with thiolates, radical recombination of NO and thiyl radicals, and transition metal catalyzed pathways. Once formed, nitrosothiols can be transferred between small molecule or protein thiols through transnitrosation reactions. The pathways that lead to selective S-nitrosation of only a subset of cellular cysteines remain largely unknown. Selectivity may be conferred through colocalization with NOS isoforms, protein-protein interaction driven transnitrosation reactions, regulation of S-nitrosoglutathione levels, or directed denitrosation of protein nitrosothiols.
The Costumbrismo of the Pensador Mexicano and Micrós

T HE Pensador Mexicano and Micr6s with their sketches of human types and characteristic scenes make evident the factors of strength and interest inherent in costumbrismo as a literary medium. Fernandez de Lizardi brings into focus the manner of living in all parts of the land with his Periquillo Sarniento1 and other writings.2 Lizardi, who took an active part in the struggle for the independence of New Spain in 1810, and whose spirit of realistic interpretation was as profound as his apostolic zeal, gives us a "true picture of the sprawling, teeming, swarming people of Mexico."3 Angel de Campo concerns himself with delineations of the types of the populace of Mexico City, which in the eighteen nineties, was passing from the status of a somewhat provincial capital to that of a more cosmopolitan center. The "Semanas Alegres,"4 Cartones,5 Cosas vistas,6 and Ocios y apuntes7 of Angel de Campo mirror faithfully, though not without their touches of satire, public and private aspects of society in changing Mexico City, and remain of permanent value for one who would study political, social and literary activities in the heart of Mexican national life of the time.
DOES SIZE MATTER? FITNESS‐RELATED FACTORS IN STEELHEAD TROUT DETERMINED BY GENETIC PARENTAGE ASSIGNMENT

Estimates of reproductive success and the factors that affect it can be inferred from observations of behavior or data on life history traits (e.g., dominance hierarchies, clutch size). Genetic parentage analysis, however, can precisely determine the number of offspring attributable to individual parents. We coupled multilocus microsatellite genotype-based parentage assignment exclusion testing with morphological and behavioral data to test hypotheses concerning the effects of specific traits on fitness of naturally spawning steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). With eight microsatellite loci (mean heterozygosity = 89%), we examined two parental generations (n1 = 198, n2 = 226) and their offspring as smolts (age 2: n1 = 365, n2 = 285) and as adults (n1 = 81, n2 = 77) to determine the effects of size, reproductive timing, and origin (hatchery or wild) on reproductive success. The mating system was complex; monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, polygyny, and polygynandry were all observed. Males had a greater var...
Summary of Theoretical Physics for ICPAQGP 2010

Abstract This talk includes a discussion of recent theory developments in the areas related to ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. It includes the topics of the Quark Gluon Plasma, Color Glass Condensate, Glasma and Quarkyonic Matter.
SU‐FF‐T‐306: Optically Stimulated Light Dosimetry: Commissioning of An Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) System for Remote Dosimetry Audits, the Radiological Physics Center Experience

For the last 30 years the Radiological Physics Center (RPC) has used TLDdosimetry to conduct remote audits of beam output of photon and electron beams and energy checks for electron beams. Acrylic blocks containing capsules of TLDpowder were sent for each beam. Powder was used as a single‐use disposable dosimeter. The RPC has previously described the use of the remote audits to identify units with beam measurements exceeding 5% and 5 mm. The system uncertainty is 1.5% (1 standard deviation) indicating high confidence in the 5% threshold for acceptability. OSLdosimeters have been available since 1992. Several publications have described their use for dose measurements at therapeutic levels. After a promising initial evaluation, the RPC decided to purchase and commission OSLdosimeters and instrumentation with the goal of implementing an OSL‐based system into the remote audit program. As part of the commissioning procedure, the depletion characteristics of OSLdosimeters were studied as they relate to the number of readings, the reader and the changes after annealing. Dark current and standard signal characteristics of the reader were evaluated and compared against factory specifications. The mechanical properties of the reader positioning characteristics were also tested. Because OSLdosimeters have unique sensitivities, response factor was determined and analyzed in terms of its variability with each reader, annealing cycle and cumulative dose.Dose dependence was also tested against annealing and accumulated dose. Energy dependence factors and fading characteristics were determined. A group of dosimeters from a single production was purchased and commissioned for use. Dose response, energy and fading characteristics for the batch were defined together with the design of a reading session and a quality assurance program. This work was supported by PHS CA010953 awarded by NCI, DHHS
Explosive gas pressure and work

The inference is that work produced by an explosive tends to be a result of explosive generated gas pressure rather than the more constant shock energy. The breakage and adiabatic work respond to calculated borehole pressure relationships with a very high correlation. This indicates that the primary mechanism for rock breakage is explosive generated gas pressure.
A high-order immersed boundary method for unsteady incompressible flow calculations

Immersed boundary methods are becoming increasingly popular for the computation of unsteady flows around complex geometries using a Cartesian grid. While good results, both qualitative and quantitative, have been obtained, many of the methods rely on low-order corrections to account for the immersed boundary. The objective of the present work is to present a high-order immersed boundary method for the 2-D, unsteady, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in stream function–vorticity formulation. The method employs an explicit Runge-Kutta (second or fourth order) time integration scheme, fourth-order compact finite-differences for computation of spatial derivatives, and a nine-point, fourth-order compact discretization of the Poisson equation for computation of the stream function. Corrections to the finite-difference stencils are used to maintain high formal accuracy at the immersed boundary, as confirmed by analytical tests. To validate the method in its application to incompressible flows, several physically relevant test cases are computed, including uniform flow past a circular cylinder and Tollmien-Schlichting waves in a boundary layer.
Reference System Model Predictive Control. 1. Continuous Time Formulation and Case Studies on Performance

Reference system model predictive control (RS-MPC) aims to fill a void in predictive control technology that is caused mainly by the lack of intuitiveness of tuning of currently popular MPC schemes. It addresses the two main drawbacks of weight-based approaches: (1) the absence of clear easy-to-follow guidelines for the selection of such weights to obtain the desired closed-loop response; (2) the lack of a uniform closed-loop response over a wide operating range without the need to retune the controller. Because the determination of tuning parameter values is based on a specification of the desired closed-loop response, RS-MPC offers significant advantages, particularly in the context of nonlinear systems. Presented herein is the development of the RS-MPC algorithm as well as some representative example cases demonstrating its tuning advantages. It is shown herein that RS-MPC consistently delivers the asked performance without needing retuning at different operating conditions. This is in sharp constrast...