cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time course of serum FSH suppression in ovariectomized rats injected with porcine follicular fluid (folliculostatin): effect of estradiol treatment.

A semipurified fraction of porcine follicular fluid (�10,000 daltons), injected i.p., lowered serum FSH in rats tested 7 days after ovariectomy. The decrease was dose-dependent and showed a latency of more than 3 h;suppression lasted between 5-14 h and was lost by 24 h. Serum LH was not suppressed by the fluid. Superimposition of estradiol from Silastic implants suppressed LH to basal levels found during the estrous cycle, but did not lower FSH to basal levels in porcine serum injected controls. Follicular fluid further reduced FSH in estradiol treated animals to the low levels seen on nonproestrous days of the estrous cycle.
Does the evidence support the use of spinal and epidural anesthesia for surgery

When spinal and epidural anesthesia were introduced into clinical practice, their primary use was as an alternative to general anesthesia. Later, largely as a result of the realization that opioids could be safely and effectively used to produce selective spinal analgesia, spinal and epidural (neuraxial) analgesia began to be used specifically for the treatment of perioperative pain. We present a systematic review of the literature on neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia, new meta-analyses that illustrate the powerful effect of improvements in perioperative safety in general on the ability of neuraxial techniques to make a difference, and a consideration of why a literature analysis does not provide clear answers.
Dietary prenatal choline supplementation alters postnatal hippocampal structure and function

Choline, a compound present in many foods, has recently been classified as an essential nutrient for humans. Studies with animal models indicate that the availability of choline during the prenatal period influences neural and cognitive development. Specifically, prenatal choline supplementation has been shown to enhance working memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in adult offspring. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Here we report that choline supplementation, during a 6-day gestational period, results in greater excitatory responsiveness, reduced slow afterhyperpolarizations (sAHPs), enhanced afterdepolarizing potentials (ADPs), larger somata, and greater basal dendritic arborization among hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells studied postnatally in juvenile rats (20-25 days of age). These data indicate that dietary supplementation with a single nutrient, choline, during a brief, critical period of prenatal development, alters the structure and function of hippocampal pyramidal cells.
Comparison of Hybrid-III and postmortem human surrogate response to simulated underbody blast loading

Abstract Response of the human body to high-rate vertical loading, such as military vehicle underbody blast (UBB), is not well understood because of the chaotic nature of such events. The purpose of this research was to compare the response of postmortem human surrogates (PMHS) and the Hybrid-III anthropomorphic test device (ATD) to simulated UBB loading ranging from 100 to 860 g seat and floor acceleration. Data from 13 whole body PMHS tests were used to create response corridors for vertical loading conditions for the pelvis, T1, head, femur, and tibia; these responses were compared to Hybrid-III responses under matched loading conditions.
Can Ethnographic Techniques Tell Us Distinctive Things About World Politics

Iver Neumann's paper on speech-writing practices in the Norwegian foreign ministry, besides presenting a fascinating glimpse of a side of official political action that we scholars don't often see, implicitly raises a broader methodological question: can ethnographic techniques tell us distinctive things about world politics? What is the benefit of pursuing an ethnographic approach to IR research? To begin with, we should distinguish between ethnographic methods and ethnography as a form of interpretive methodology . Methods are techniques for the collection of data, while methodology deals with how epistemological and ontological considerations are incorporated into the research process (Schwartz-Shea and Yanow, 2002:459–460). “Ethnography” conventionally implies both a method and a methodology: the method of participant-observation, and the methodology of endeavoring to make sense of how others make sense of the world (Geertz 2000:56–58). The two are linked, of course. The methodological goal of abandoning attempts to account for the world “as it really is in itself” in favor of a focus on sense-making practices—a goal which stems from a philosophical rejection of both the mind-body duality and the correspondence theory of truth—calls for some kind of data collection technique that respects the involvement of the researcher in and with the object researched (Jackson 2006). But it is …
Non-toxic concentrations of cadmium inhibit systemic movement of turnip vein clearing virus by a salicylic acid-independent mechanism

Summary Systemic movement of plant viruses is a central event in viral infection. To better understand this process, the heavy metal cadmium was used to inhibit systemic spread of turnip vein clearing virus (TVCV), a tobamovirus, in tobacco plants. Study of the mechanism by which cadmium exerts this inhibitory effect may provide insights into the essential steps of the TVCV systemic movement pathway. Our results demonstrated that cadmium treatment did not affect TVCV transport from the inoculated non-vascular tissue into the plant vasculature but blocked viral exit into uninoculated non-vascular tissues. Thus, TVCV virions may enter and exit the host plant vascular system by two different mechanisms. We also showed that cadmium-treated plants still supported systemic spread of an unrelated tobacco etch virus (TEV), suggesting multiple pathways for systemic infection. Finally, cadmium-induced arrest in TVCV systemic infection was shown to occur by a salicylic acid-independent mechanism.
Field and laboratory studies of littering

The idea that a great deal of individual behavior is regulated by social norms is something of a sociological homily. In virtually any social aggregate it is necessary that individuals adhere to a set of rules specifying what each properly may and may not do, especially as their actions affect others.
Revolutionizing education: Youth participatory action research in motion

This article reviews 'Revolutionizing education', a deeply reflective and retrospective book of scholarship on critical questions about youth participatory action research. The book contains a series of case study chapters that examine how youth participatory action research transforms young people and the social contexts in which they live as well as the learnings and implications yielded from this research. The book examines youth participatory action research both for its radical and revolutionary challenge to 'traditional research' practices but also for its active focus on research as a vehicle for increasing critical consciousness, developing knowledge for 'resistance and transformation' and for creating social change. It represents an important contribution to the field of youth participatory action research and community-based research.
Constitutional Law in 1919–1920. I: The Constitutional Decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States in the October Term, 1919

The work of the Supreme Court during the term concluded last June was quite unusual both in the nature of the problems involved and the importance of certain of the results achieved. The center of interest in constitutional interpretation has swung, for the time being at least, decidedly from questions of state power to those of national power. This is partly the aftermath of the war, partly the corollary of recent amendments to the Constitution. By the same sign, the court has been confronted in recent months with not a few problems of considerable novelty—some indeed being questions of first impression—with the result that it has been called upon to enunciate principles which must guide its interpretation of important provisions of the Constitution for years to come. In preparing this review, the unique quality of the court's work during the period under consideration ought to determine the procedure. Accordingly the greater part of the space is devoted to a few outstanding cases, all of which involve questions of national power, while less striking results have received much briefer consideration, often only cursory mention.
Promising novel therapies for the treatment of endometrial cancer

Objectives To discuss the novel agents which are being developed for the treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma and to review other molecular targets that may be interesting in the treatment of this disease. While the majority of women with endometrial cancer enjoy a relatively good prognosis, the options for those women who suffer from a disease recurrence are limited and there is a need to identify novel agents.
Overview of Automated Immunohistochemistry

Context.— The increasing demand for immunohistochemistry for clinical diagnostics, in combination with an ongoing shortage of staff in the histology laboratory, has brought about a need for automat...
Are there opportunities for strategic buyers

Despite the economic downturn and continuing uncertainty, there are still some opportunities for strategic buyers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trends in cancer mortality: US white males and females, 1968-83.

Abstract From 1968 to 1983, age-specific cancer mortality for all cancers fell by 2·1% annually for men and women aged 35-44 and rose by 1·1% annually for men and 0·3% for women aged 75-84.In the 75-84 age group brain cancer mortality rose by 8% annually and multiple myeloma by 2·75%. Lung cancer mortality rose in men and women aged 45-84 (by 8·2% annually in 65-74 year-old women) but fell by over 3% annually in men aged 35-44. Stomach cancer declined by 4% annually in 75-84 year-olds and about 3% annually in 55-74 year-olds. These trends do not support the hypothesis that recent increases in specific cancers in the elderly chiefly reflect improved diagnosis of cases that would formerly have been misrepresented or miscoded.
Grid-based simulation and the method of conditional least squares

This paper is concerned with the use of simulation to compute the conditional expectations that arise in the method of conditional least squares. Our approach involves performing simulations at each point on a discrete grid imbedded within a statistical parameter space. Our main result concerns the number of grid points and amount of simulation necessary in order to obtain a degree of accuracy comparable to that in the case in the which the conditional expectations are available in closed form.
Transistor chaining in CMOS leaf cells of planar topology

A technique for chaining the transistors in the layouts of static CMOS leaf cells is presented and analyzed. This new method is superior to existing techniques, since it can operate on a more general class of circuits and is very efficient. It is shown that the layout width of a CMOS leaf cell can be significantly reduced (nearly 40% in the average case) by transistor chaining. Moreover, more than half of the switching functions of four variables have optimal CMOS circuit implementations with non-series/parallel topologies. Therefore, the use of non-series/parallel circuits can have a positive global impact on layout area and performance. The transistor chaining technique presented in this paper produces the optimal solution for 82% of the circuits tested, and has linear time complexity.
A Novel Method for In Situ Uniaxial Tests at the Micro/Nano Scale—Part I: Theory

A novel MEMS-based uniaxial testing apparatus and a specimen design are presented for measuring the mechanical response of material samples in situ in scanning electron microscope (SEM). The stage adopts an assembly approach, where specimens are fabricated independently, allowing testing of a variety of materials. The assembly approach, however, involves intrinsic challenges in achieving pure uniaxial loading at the micro/nanoscale due to off-axis loading (misalignment) errors. The effect of misalignment in stress evaluation increases with decreasing size scale of the sample-an issue that has received limited attention in the literature. Here, the source of intrinsic misalignment and its influence on the stress nonuniformity are explored analytically and numerically. This paper reveals substantial bending of the microspecimen due to small and often unavoidable off-axis loading. The proposed stage and the specimen ensure uniaxial loading by introducing hingelike self-aligning mechanisms both in the stage as well as in the specimen. The analysis offers the parameter space to design and optimize uniaxial tests at the micro/nanoscale.
Development and Evaluation of a Measure of Dangerous, Aggressive, Negative Emotional, and Risky Driving

The Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI) was created to measure drivers’ self-reported likelihood to drive dangerously. Each DDDI scale (DDDI Total, Aggressive Driving, Negative Emotional Driving, and Risky Driving scales) had strong internal reliability and there was also evidence for the construct validity of the scales. The DDDI was used to examine the relation between dangerous and aggressive driving and dispositional aggression and anger among 119 college students. Males reported significantly more aggressive, risky, and angry driving than did females. Males and females reported similar levels of dangerous driving and negative emotions while driving. Dangerous driving was positively related to traffic citations and causing accidents. The DDDI will be useful as a research instrument to examine dangerous driving.
STAT3 NH2-Terminal Acetylation Is Activated by the Hepatic Acute-Phase Response and Required for IL-6 Induction of Angiotensinogen

Background & Aims: The signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are cytoplasmic transcription factors mediating acute-phase response (APR) of the human angiotensinogen (hAGT) gene in hepatocytes. The mechanisms of how STAT3 activates target genes are unknown. Here we analyzed the biochemistry of STAT3 activation by interleukin (IL)-6 in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and Balb/C mice. Methods: Immunoprecipitation-Western assays and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption-Time of Flight mass spectrometry determined sites of STAT3 acetylation by the 300-kilodalton target of E1A (p300) co-activator. The subcellular localization of acetylation-deficient STAT3 molecules were studied by microscopic imaging, effects on DNA binding measured by gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, and gene transactivation by Northern blot and reporter assays. Results: Two Lys residues at amino acids 49 and 87 in the STAT3 NH2 terminus are acetylated by p300. Lys-to-Arg point mutations (STAT3 K49R/K87R) had no effect on inducible DNA binding, but blocked p300-mediated acetyl(Ac)-STAT3 formation and abrogated IL-6–induced hAGT activation. Although STAT3 K49R/K87R rapidly translocated into the nucleus, it did not bind p300 and had delayed cytoplasmic redistribution. ChIP assays show IL-6–inducible acetylated STAT3 and p300 binding to the native hAGT promoter. Activation of the APR in mice induces nuclear Tyr phosphorylated and acetylated STAT3 in hepatic nuclei. We also observed that STAT3 interacts with histone deacetylases (HDACs), specifically HDAC 1, that down-regulate IL-6–induced hAGT transactivation. Conclusions: IL-6–induced target gene activation requires p300-mediated STAT3 acetylation, and HDACs are involved in the termination of STAT3 action. These studies indicate the acetylation-deacetylation reaction as a novel signaling mechanism controlling the IL-6–STAT3 pathway in the hepatic APR.
Maximum likelihood estimation of the angle of arrival of plane waves propagating in a random media

The problem of angle of arrival estimation of plane waves is well studied. While beamforming is the classical technique, the most recent methods use parametric models of the signals, and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). We investigate the advantages of using the correct second moment for waves propagating in a random media (WPRM) to model the fluctuations of the arriving signals. In this way, the physics of WPRM is incorporated in our parametric model of the observations. This model is then used as the basis for the MLE. Simulation results show a dramatic improvement in the precision of the estimated angle of arrival.
Self-rated health among U.S. adolescents.

Abstract Purpose This article investigates the meaning of subjective health assessments for younger respondents by examining the temporal stability of self-rated health (SRH) among adolescents. Two competing understandings of SRH are tested: SRH as a spontaneous health assessment or as an enduring self-concept. Methods Using data from two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 13,511), an intra-class correlation coefficient and a weighted Kappa estimate are calculated to assess the test-retest reliability for SRH. Self-rated health (T2) is then modeled as a function of SRH (T1), physical health (T1), and mental health (T1), and changes in physical and mental health (T2–T1). Results SRH is found to be moderately stable over repeated observations (K = .40; ρ = .55) among adolescents. Findings from multivariate analyses suggest that SRH (T2) is largely determined by SRH (T1) and less so by changes in physical or psychological health status (T2-T1). Conclusions SRH among adolescents is in part a spontaneous health assessment but it is best understood as an enduring self-concept.
A coupled observation - modeling approach for studying activation kinetics from measurements of CCN activity

Abstract. This paper presents an approach to study droplet activation kinetics from measurements of CCN activity by the Continuous Flow Streamwise Thermal Gradient CCN Chamber (CFSTGC) and a comprehensive model of the instrument and droplet growth. The model, which can be downloaded from http://nenes.eas.gatech.edu/Experiments/CFSTGC.html , is evaluated against a series of experiments with ammonium sulfate calibration aerosol. Observed and modeled droplet sizes are in excellent agreement for a water vapor uptake coefficient ~0.2, which is consistent with theoretical expectations. The model calculations can be considerably accelerated without significant loss of accuracy by assuming simplified instrument geometry and constant parabolic flow velocity profiles. With these assumptions, the model can be applied to large experimental data sets to infer kinetic growth parameters while fully accounting for water vapor depletion effects and changes in instrument operation parameters such as the column temperature, flow rates, sheath and sample flow relative humidities, and pressure. When the effects of instrument operation parameters, water vapor depletion and equilibrium dry particle properties on droplet size are accounted for, the remaining variations in droplet size are most likely due to non-equilibrium processes such as those caused by organic surface films, slow solute dissociation and glassy or highly viscous particle states. As an example of model application, data collected during a research flight in the ARCTAS 2008 campaign are analyzed. The model shows that water vapor depletion effects can explain changes in the observed average droplet size.
The hemophilias and their clinical management

Outcomes for patients with hemophilia have improved dramatically over the past 50 years. With the increased availability of safe clotting factor concentrates, the primary focus in clinical management is now the prevention of long-term complications, most notably the debilitating hemophilic arthropathy that is associated with severe disease. This article reviews evidence-based approaches for managing both children and adults with hemophilia. Definitive evidence of improved clinical results from primary prophylaxis started in young patients with severe hemophilia A and a minimal bleeding history is presented. Furthermore, recent studies showing benefits for initiating prophylaxis in older adolescents and adults with established joint disease are examined. Inhibitors to factor VIII are the most problematic complication of factor replacement therapy. Patient-specific and treatment-related factors that contribute to the risk of inhibitor formation are discussed and controversies and clinical evidence related to approaches for tolerance induction are reviewed.
A computational analysis of flanker interference in depression.

Background. Depression is characterized by poor executive function, but – counterintuitively – in some studies, it has been associated with highly accurate performance on certain cognitively demanding tasks. The psychological mechanisms responsible for this paradoxical finding are unclear. To address this issue, we applied a drift diffusion model (DDM) to flanker task data from depressed and healthy adults participating in the multi-site Establishing Moderators and Biosignatures of Antidepressant Response for Clinical Care for Depression (EMBARC) study. Method. One hundred unmedicated, depressed adults and 40 healthy controls completed a flanker task. We investigated the effect of flanker interference on accuracy and response time, and used the DDM to examine group differences in three cognitive processes: prepotent response bias (tendency to respond to the distracting flankers), response inhibition (necessary to resist prepotency), and executive control (required for execution of correct response on incongruent trials). Results. Consistent with prior reports, depressed participants responded more slowly and accurately than controls on incongruent trials. The DDM indicated that although executive control was sluggish in depressed participants, this was more than offset by decreased prepotent response bias. Among the depressed participants, anhedonia was negatively correlated with a parameter indexing the speed of executive control (r=�0.28, p = 0.007). Conclusions. Executive control was delayed in depression but this was counterbalanced by reduced prepotent response bias, demonstrating how participants with executive function deficits can nevertheless perform accurately in a cognitive control task. Drawing on data from neural network simulations, we speculate that these results may reflect tonically reduced striatal dopamine in depression.
COMPUTER‐ASSISTED MEASUREMENT OF WOUND SIZE ASSOCIATED WITH SELF‐INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR

We evaluated an inexpensive, efficient, and noninvasive technique for measuring tissue damage produced by self-injurious behavior (SIB). The technique involved computerized measurement of wound surface area (WSA) based on digital photographs. In Study 1, we compared photographic measurement to a more commonly used procedure, transparency measurement, in estimating WSA of 20 wound models. Results showed that both methods were reliable and that there was a high degree of correspondence between the 2 sets of measures. In Study 2, we compared photographic WSA measures to direct-observation measures in documenting changes over time in the SIB exhibited by a woman with Prader-Willi syndrome. Results showed that increases and decreases in observed SIB during baseline and treatment conditions corresponded with changes in WSA measures, indicating that the computer-assisted photographic technique may be useful as a corroborative measure or as a primary measure when direct observation of SIB is not feasible.
The association between cardiac autonomic neuropathy with metabolic and other factors in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common diabetes complication associated with poor prognosis. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine for associations between CAN and metabolic and other parameters in patients with either type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 (T2DM) diabetes. Patients and Methods A total of 600 patients (T1DM, n =200; T2DM, n =400) were recruited. Participants with overt nephropathy, macrovascular complications, and treated hypertension were excluded. CAN was diagnosed when two of the four classical autonomic function tests were abnormal. Results CAN was diagnosed in 42.0% and in 44.3% of the participants with T1DM and T2DM, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that, in T1DM, the odds [OR (95% confidence intervals)] of CAN increased with higher waist circumference [1.36 (1.01–2.02)], systolic blood pressure [1.16 (1.03–1.31)], hypertension [1.19 (1.03–2.67)], smoking [1.10 (1.12–1.40], fasting glucose [1.01 (1.00–1.01)], HbA 1c [1.69 (1.07–2.76)], pubertal diabetes onset [1.08 (1.03–1.24)], LDL cholesterol [1.01(1.00–1.02)], triglycerides [1.58 (1.24–1.48)], retinopathy [1.13 (1.04–1.41)], peripheral neuropathy [2.53 (1.07–2.99)], glomerular filtration rate [0.93 (0.87–0.99)], and microalbuminuria [1.24 (1.12–1.36)]. The same analysis in T2DM demonstrated that the odds of CAN increased with higher waist circumference [1.08 (1.00–1.39)], systolic blood pressure [1.06 (1.02–1.12)], hypertension [1.50 (1.24–2.03)], smoking [1.22 (1.14–1.49)], diabetes duration [1.20 (1.09–1.34)], fasting glucose [1.21 (1.12–1.31)], HbA 1c [1.25 (1.08–1.45)], LDL cholesterol [1.35 (1.04–1.75)], triglycerides [1.30 (1.00–1.68)], retinopathy [1.24 (1.16–1.35)], peripheral neuropathy [1.79 (1.07–2.01)], glomerular filtration rate [0.96 (0.95–0.97)], and microalbuminuria [1.20 (1.14–1.36)]. Conclusions CAN is common in diabetes and is associated with modifiable factors including central fat distribution, hypertension, dyslipidemia, worse diabetes control, and smoking, and with the other microvascular complications of diabetes. Our findings emphasize the need for a multifactorial intervention for the prevention of CAN.
INTER-GENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN WOMEN'S FERTILITY, ASPIRATIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND SCHOOL COMPLETION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Women's education is associated with positive social and health outcomes for women and their families, as well as greater opportunities and decision-making power for women. An extensive literature documents ways in which broader, societal changes have facilitated roles for women beyond reproduction, yet there is minimal exploration at the family level. This study used inter-generational cohort data from the Philippines to examine mothers' aspirations for their children's education, and how these aspirations predict children's subsequent educational attainment. Mothers' education, household wealth and a locally developed measure of women's status were positively associated with higher educational aspirations for children; however, only mothers with the highest fertility were less likely to desire their children to attend college or higher. Mothers' fertility and aspirations both significantly and independently predicted children's school completion. Together, these findings indicate that increased opportunities for Filipina women beyond childbearing may not only positively benefit these women themselves, but also future generations.
Fast identification of primitive polynomials over Galois fields: results from a course project

In this paper, we present the format of a graduate course in digital communications fostering course projects, active student participation, and communication among students. We illustrate how electrical engineering students show increased interest in theoretical mathematical concepts, if motivated by a design problem, and are actually able to improve the performance of a state-of-the-art software package.
The Dimensional Characteristics of Ice Crystal Aggregates from Fractal Geometry

Abstract Ice crystal aggregates imaged by aircraft particle imaging probes often appear to be fractal in nature. As such, their dimensional properties, mass, and projected area can be related using fractal geometry. In cloud microphysics, power-law mass (m)– and area (A)–dimensional (D) relationships (e.g., m = aDb) incorporate different manifestations of the fractal dimension as the exponent (b). In this study a self-consistent technique is derived for determining the mass and projected area properties of ice particles from fractal geometry. A computer program was developed to simulate the crystal aggregation process. The fractal dimension of the simulated aggregates was estimated using the box counting method in three dimensions as well as for two-dimensional projected images of the aggregates. The two- and three-dimensional fractal dimension values were found to be simply related. This relationship enabled the development of mass–dimensional relationships analytically from cloud particle images. This t...
Eculizumab Salvage Therapy for Antibody‐Mediated Rejection in a Desensitization‐Resistant Intestinal Re‐Transplant Patient

The presence of elevated calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) and anti-HLA donor specific antibodies (DSA) are high risk factors for acute antibody-mediated rejection (AAMR) in intestinal transplantation that may lead to graft loss. Eculizumab has been used for the treatment of AAMR in kidney transplantation of sensitized patients that do not respond to other treatment. Here, we report a case where eculizumab was used to treat AAMR in a desensitization-resistant intestinal re-transplant patient. A male patient lost his intestinal graft to AAMR 8.14 years after his primary transplant. He received a second intestinal graft that had to be explanted a month later due to refractory AAMR. The patient remained highly sensitized despite multiple treatments. He received a multivisceral graft and presented with severe AAMR on day 3 posttransplantation. The AAMR was successfully treated with eculizumab. The patient presently maintains an elevated cPRA level above 90% but his DSAs have decreased from 18 000 MFI (mean fluorescent intensity) to below the positive cut-off value of 3000 MFI and remains rejection free with a 2-year follow-up since his multivisceral transplant. Eculizumab offers an alternative to treat AAMR in intestinal transplantation in desensitization-resistant patients.
The MADS-Box Gene Family of the Basal Eudicot and Hybrid Aquilegia coerulea ‘Origami' (Ranunculaceae)1

Abstract The MADS-box genes form a large family of pan-eukaryotic transcription factors that are involved in various aspects of plant growth and development, particularly reproduction. To understand the extent of their conservation and divergence in the emerging model genus Aquilegia L. (Ranunculaceae), we have annotated 47 MADS-box containing loci from the recently released hybrid A. coerulea E. James ‘Origami' genome sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences along with those previously identified from Arabidopsis (DC.) Heynh. and Oryza L. demonstrates that we were able to recover members of all major subfamilies with the exception of clear Mβ representatives. The evolution of the Aquilegia type I loci is similar to what has been observed for other angiosperms in exhibiting relatively recent gene radiation events. In contrast, the type II loci are distributed across 12 subfamilies that were established before the diversification of the angiosperms. Overall, expressed sequence tag (EST) data exis...
It's about time: the relationships between coverage and instructional practices in college calculus

This paper is based on a large-scale empirical study designed to investigate Calculus I programmes across the United States to better understand the relationship between instructors' concerns about coverage, instructional practices, and the nature of the material covered. We found that there was no association between instructors feeling pressured to go through material quickly to cover all the required topics and intended pacing. Furthermore, our results suggest that both intended pacing and feelings of pressure are poor indicators of instructional practices.
The Maverick Nanny with a Dopamine Drip: Debunking Fallacies in the Theory of AI Motivation

We examine the validity of various widely publicized scenarios that predict dire and almost unavoidable negative behavior from future artificial general intelligences, even if they are programmed to be friendly to humans. This entire class of doomsday scenarios is found to be logically incoherent at such a fundamental level that they can be dismissed as extremely implausible. In addition, we find that the most likely outcome of attempts to build such unstable AGI systems would be that the system itself would immediately detect the offending logical contradiction in its design, and spontaneously self-modify to make itself safe.
Antinociceptive effect of a genomic herpes simplex virus-based vector expressing human proenkephalin in rat dorsal root ganglion.

Endogenous opiate peptides acting pre- and post-synaptically in the dorsal horn of spinal cord inhibit transmission of nociceptive stimuli. We transfected neurons of the dorsal root ganglion in vivo by footpad inoculation with 30 microl (3 x 10(7) p.f.u.) of a replication-incompetent (ICP4-deleted) herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector with a cassette containing a portion of the human proenkephalin gene coding for 5 met- and 1 leu-enkephalin molecules under the control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter (HCMV IEp) inserted in the HSV thymidine kinase (tk) locus. Vector-directed expression of enkephalin produced a significant antinociceptive effect measured by the formalin footpad test, that was most prominent in the delayed ("tonic") phase 20-70 min after the administration of formalin. The magnitude of the antinociceptive effect diminished over 4 weeks after transduction, but reinoculation of the vector reestablished the analgesic effect, without evidence for the development of tolerance. The antinociceptive effect was blocked completely by intrathecal naltrexone. These results suggest that gene therapy with an enkephalin-producing herpes-based vector may prove useful in the treatment of pain.
Properties of Thin Films of Yba2Cu3O7 Prepared by Coevaporation of Y, Cu and Baf2

The properties of thin films prepared by coevaporation of Y, Cu and Ba.F2, followed by post anneals in O2/H2O, are described. In particular, we emphasize what is known about. the relationship between the processing variables and the physical and chemical structure of the resulting films.
Host Plants of Nilaparvata muiri China and N.bakeri (Muir),Two Sibling Species of N.lugens(Stl)

The adult fecundity,egg hatchibility and nymph development of N.muiri China and N.bakeri(Muir),two sibling species of Nilaparvata lugens(Stl) were studied on several common gramineous crops or weeds by using the cage method in laboratory.The results indicated that the suitable hosts of N.muiri and N.bakeri were Leersia hexandra Swart and Leersia sayanuka Ohwi which are different from N.lugens whose suitable host was Oryza sativa.Both N.muiri and N.bakeri could complete their life cycle on rice but could not continue to propagate because the population trend indexes were only 0.2 and 0.02,respectively.The fecundity of N.lugens was significantly higher than N.muiri and N.bakeri.The highest population trend indexes of the three Nilaparvata species were 333.82 of N.lugens on rice,82.06 of N.muiri on L.hexandra and 39.28 of N.bakeri on L.sayanuka,respectively.
Enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. in cats with non-haematopoietic intestinal carcinoma: a survey of 55 cases.

Several enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. (EHS) have been isolated from cats. Despite the reported association between EHS infection and intestinal neoplasia in other species, this association has not been explored in cats. In this study, 55 non-haematopoietic feline intestinal carcinoma cases were histopathologically evaluated. In contrast with prior reports, large intestinal (LI) carcinoma was observed with greater frequency (61 %) relative to small intestinal (SI) carcinoma (35 %). There was a significant association between intestinal location and animal gender. Of males examined, 83 % had LI carcinoma, while no such trend was observed in females. Previously described associations between Siamese breed and intestinal carcinoma could not be definitively confirmed, although the Siamese breed may be predisposed to SI carcinoma location. Of all carcinomas examined in this study, 62 % were classified as adenocarcinoma, although mucinous adenocarcinoma (28 %) and solid carcinoma (11 %) were also identified. Tumours were all moderately or poorly differentiated. When considered by intestinal location and histopathologic classification, LI adenocarcinoma was associated with significantly advanced mean age (13 years) when compared to SI adenocarcinoma and LI mucinous adenocarcinoma (mean, 9 years in both cases), which were also frequently encountered. To determine whether EHS might play a role in feline intestinal neoplasia, Helicobacter genus- and species-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed. Of these carcinoma cases, 56 % were positive for Helicobacter spp. and one or more species-specific assay for Helicobacter bilis, Helicobacter canis or Helicobacter marmotae. The presence of EHS was significantly associated with both LI location (68 %) and mucinous adenocarcinoma (92 %). These findings suggest a role for intestinal bacteria in non-haematopoietic feline intestinal neoplasia.
Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming and Activity Enjoyment.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) on physical activity enjoyment in children from low-income schools. METHODS Participants were 758 children recruited from the 3rd-6th grade (mean age = 10.1 ± 0.5 years; 376 girls and 382 boys) from 3 schools receiving governmental financial assistance in the US. CSPAP was implemented over one semester during the 2014-2015 school year. We assessed physical activity enjoyment at baseline and at a 12-week follow-up using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. We used a mixed-design 4 × 2 × 2 analysis of covariance test with repeated measures to examine the effect of grade, sex, and time (baseline, follow-up) on enjoyment scores, adjusting for the clustering of students within classrooms and schools. RESULTS There were greater enjoyment scores at follow-up compared to baseline (Mean Difference = 7%, p < .001); however, the increase only represented a small sized effect (d = 0.26). Post hoc tests revealed that greater improvements in enjoyment were seen in older children compared to third graders (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS The CSPAP marginally improved enjoyment levels in children from low-income schools and we found greater improvements in older children.
Chapter II: Tables of dielectric constats, dipole moments, dielectric relaxation times

This year's tables provide a continuation from last year's without any break in coverage. As in the past, Chemical Abstracts was the sole source of references. All papers found in the 1964 volumes were included in these tables, irrespective of their actual date of publication. Only papers dealing with dielectric measurements on pure materials were covered and ones dealing exclusively with mixtures, radiation damaged or doped materials, or resistivity measurements were excluded.
Minerals Which Alternate with the Seasons: Epsomite versus Hexahydrite versus Starkeyite

(1978). Minerals Which Alternate with the Seasons. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 53, No. 4, pp. 174-175.
An Introduction to Using Theory in Social Work Practice and Skills for Using Theory in Social Work by James A. Forte

Social workers routinely call on some combination of theory, research, and experience to explain what causes or continues a problem and to organize interventions. As familiar as this process is, an...
Aggregate Business Failures and Federal Credit Activity

We build and test a model of aggregate business failures that explicitly accounts for the role of federal credit programs, as well as private lending decisions. The model focuses on federal credit activities directed at potentially failing firms as well as forecasting errors by lenders, business balance sheet fragility, and business starts. We construct an adjusted business failure rate with two multiplicative componentsâ€”the unadjusted business failure rate and the average size of failing firms. Our results suggest that federal credit activities have two unintended effects: Direct loan programs allocate funds to firms that are more viable than those crowded out, and loan guarantee programs increase the average size of failing firms by permitting small firms to grow and become larger failures. In addition, we find that balance sheet fragility interacted separately with both firm-specific errors and errors concerning aggregate profitability and that credit availability explains the adjusted business failure rate.
Direct Adaptive Control of Partially Known Nonlinear Systems

Abstract A direct adaptive control strategy for minimum-phase nonlinear systems is presented. The major advantage of the proposed method is that controller design is not based on a detailed nonlinear model. The only information required about the plant is the state vector, the relative degree, and the sign of a Lie derivative which appears in the associated input-output linearizing control law. Unknown controller functions are approximated via locally supported radial basis functions that are introduced only in regions of the state space where the closed-loop system actually evolves. Lyapunov stability analysis is used to derive parameter update laws which ensure (under certain assumptions) the state vector remains bounded and the plant output asymptotically tracks the output of a linear reference model. The technique is successfully applied to a nonlinear bioreactor model.
Abstract 320: Roles of Estrogen, AMPK and Micro RNAs in the Progression of Cardiac Hypertrophy

In industrialized countries, the prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF) is increasing steadily and has become one of the leading causes of hospitalization. In addition, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases in post-menopausal women. Yet, the association between estrogen and the risk of CHF has not been adequately studied. Recently, MicroRNAs (miR) and AMP-kinase (AMPK) have emerged as prominent players in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Our on-going studies indicate differential AMPK regulation through two miR species (miR195 and miR451) in a mouse model harboring a missense mutation (R403Q) in alpha-myosin heavy chain (αMHC) causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Using bioinformatic algorithms (TargetScanMouse, 5.2), we were able to predict miR candidates that potentially target the AMPK axis. In addition, Altered expression of miRs that target AMPK axis was found in phenylephrine induced hypertrophic neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM). However, Estradiol treatment of NRCM blocked the hypertrophic changes induced by phenylephrine treatment. It was known that the activation of AMPK pathway inhibits cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Our data showed that AMPK pathway was activated by Estradiol treatment, which can be blocked by estrogen receptor (ER) β antagonist. Therefore, estradiol increase AMPK pathway activation which in turn attenuate phenylephrine induced increase in cardiomyocyte cell size. Further studies are need to further explore the role of estrogen in the regulation of miR expression in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes, and the role of the expression changes of miRs regulated by estrogen in the development of hypertrophic phenotype.
“God always provides”: Challenges and barriers in food assistance delivery in Mississippi

AbstractThis exploratory research project identifies critical needs for food pantry delivery in rural Mississippi. Our study describes the experiences of food pantry operators and volunteers while documenting the challenges these pantry providers encounter when attempting to meet the needs of pantry patrons. We interviewed 25 food pantry providers/volunteers at 14 food pantries located in nine counties in Mississippi, representing four geographic areas of the state (North Central, Central, Delta (West), and Southwest). Findings suggest that growing demand for services, coupled with stricter reporting requirements and infrastructure barriers are key challenges that food pantry service providers face. These issues are important to community development studies that focus on how coalition building facilitates community partnerships that support food assistance programs.
At the Edge of the World. The Heroic Century of the French Foreign Legion

The Legion etrangere was founded on March 9, 1831, as a temporary solution to a refugee crisis. Unfortunately for the government of King Louis-Philippe and its successors, unwelcome and potentially...
How Can We Identify the Presence of Metastases

Rectal cancer most commonly metastasizes to the liver, developing hepatic metastases either synchronously or metachronously. The lung is the second most common organ to harbor rectal cancer metastases. Brain and bone metastases are uncommon. Imaging plays an important role in the workup of patients with mRC by helping enumerate the number and sites of metastases, determine resectability, assess response to systemic and liver-directed therapies, and detect disease recurrences. Concurrent with advances in the treatment of rectal cancer, there have been major advances in radiology, with the development of new imaging modalities, functional imaging techniques, and contrast media.
Luria–Delbrück Experiment

In 1943, Salvador Luria and Max Delbruck devised a novel experimental design to answer two key genetic questions: Do mutations (to bacteriophage resistance) occur randomly in the absence of the selective agent and, if so, how can the mutation rate be estimated? They realized that because of the clonal, exponential growth of bacteria from a single cell, any mutation which appears at some stage in the exponential growth of the population is propagated exponentially as well, and, thus, a large population contains all the mutant progeny descended from each mutation event that occurred in the culture. If a mutation event occurred early in the history of a culture, a high proportion of the population would be mutant, whereas if a mutation event occurred late in the history of a culture, it would be represented by a very tiny proportion of the total population. In a series of replicate populations, they observed that the variation in the proportions of bacterial mutants among the replicate cultures was only consistent with spontaneous mutation in the absence of the selective agent. This result confirmed a key neo-Darwinian principle.
A Conceptual Framework for Continuous Assessment of Clients

This article presents some of the dimensions of continuous assessment of clients and illustrates how continuous assessment can be integrated in the process of counseling. The intent of continuous a...