cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jasmonic Acid: A Vaccine Against Leafminers (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Celery

Plant resistance to herbivores can be induced by application of elicitors such as jasmonic acid, which is a signal molecule that increases naturally in plants that have been damaged. The use of elicitors to induce resistance of crop plants against herbivores has been successful in small scale experiments but has not been developed in commercial agriculture. We tested jasmonic acid sprays as elicitors of resistance against leafminers and other pests on commercial celery fields in the central coast region of California. In two of three trials, significantly fewer leafminer adults emerged from the plants sprayed with jasmonic acid than the plants that were left untreated. In these two trials, aphid control was erratic, and thrips were not significantly reduced on the treated plants although thrips were not common during the trials. Leafminer parasitoid population densities tracked the number of available leafminer hosts regardless of treatment. The only effect found in the third trial was that conventionally grown celery had more leafminer oviposition stings than either the plants treated with jasmonic acid or untreated control plants. Treatment of plants with jasmonic acid seems to hold promise as an alternative pest management tool.
Right brain: a descriptive account of two patients' experience with and adaptations to Balint syndrome.

We provide a narrative account of 2 patients' experiences with Balint syndrome, a rare and debilitating neurologic disorder characterized by optic ataxia, ocular apraxia, and simultanagnosia. It was a quiet Thursday afternoon when A.S., a 68-year-old woman from a suburb of Chicago, awakened from a nap to the realization that something was terribly wrong. “I went to lie down, and when I got up, I couldn't find where the cabinets were, or the doors,” she remembers. Over the next 2 days, A.S.'s confusion heightened as she increasingly lost her ability to name or even distinguish household objects that she'd been surrounded by for years. Unable to read the numbers on her telephone or to see where the bedroom wall ended and the bedroom door began, A.S. naturally thought that there was something wrong with her eyes and made an appointment with the ophthalmologist later in the week. She then did what so many stroke victims do; she put herself to bed early, hoping that everything would be better in the morning. When the meeting finally came, it became clear that whatever A.S. was afflicted with, it was not a simple matter of visual impairment. “We took her to an eye doctor, because we didn't know what it was at the time,” recalls her husband, Michael. “They ran tests on her eyes, and she passed …
Synergistic Roles of Microorganisms in Mineral Precipitates Associated with Deep Sea Methane Seeps

The discovery of huge deep sea methane reservoirs in the form of ice-like solid crystals of methane clathrate hydrates (methane hydrates or gas hydrate for short) and carbonate deposits at the Hydrate Ridge in the Cascadia subduction zone (Suess et al. 1985) has stimulated global exploration and extensive studies of cold methane seeps and vents associated with the hydrate deposits (Paull and Dillon 2001; Trehu et al. 2004). Many deep sea methane hydrate deposits have been discovered around the world, for instance, in the Gulf of Mexico (Pohlman et al. 2008; Sassen et al. 1998, 2004), Monterey Bay of California (Gieskes et al. 2005; Lorenson et al. 2002; Stakes et al. 1999), Black Sea (Peckmann et al. 2001), Sea of Okhotsk, Eastern Siberia (Greinert and Derkachev 2004), the Gulf of Cadiz (Stadnitskaia et al. 2008), the Kuroshima Knoll of southern part of the Ryukyu Arc (Takeuchi et al. 2007), and South China Sea (Han et al. 2008; Lu 2007). It has been estimated that there are about 1,000 ∼24,000 Gt of carbon in global methane hydrate zones (Dickens et al. 1997; Harvey and Huang 1995; Kvenvolden 1988; MacDonald 1990; Makogon and Makogon 1997). Methane hydrates have the potential to be a future energy source however methane is also a greenhouse gas. The release of methane from the methane hydrate can have a profound effect on the global climate (Kvenvolden 1998). In geological record, the rapid global temperature change at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary at ∼55 millions of years ago, the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), may be related to catastrophic methane release from sea sediments (Dickens et al. 1995; Katz et al. 2001; Zachos et al. 2005). At the interface between uprising methane from dissociation of methane hydrate and sulfate from sea water, a distinct microbial consortium mediates anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) through a net reaction of $$ {\text{CH}}_{4}+{\text{SO}}_{4}{}^{2-}\to {\text{HS}}^{-}+{\text{HCO}}_{3}{}^{-}+{\text{H}}_{2}\text{O}.$$ (15.1)
Comment on Scientific validation of fingerprint evidence under Daubert

I have been asked to comment on the strangest article. Lyn and Ralph Haber describe a forensic assay that apparently has been offered in court at least 100 000 times over the last century in the United States alone; that offers conclusions of ‘individualization’ linking trace evidence to a single individual, to the exclusion of all other potential sources in the universe; and whose rate of error, proponents have claimed in sworn testimony, is ‘zero’. Yet, the article reports, there has been no empirical validation of this assay or even of its component steps. Worse still, the necessary preliminary steps for carrying out validation, such as producing an agreed upon published protocol, developing a standardized form for reporting conclusions and developing a metric of trace similarity, have not yet been done—100 years after the assay was first made the subject of sworn expert testimony in court. In place of empirical validation data, the proponents of this technique and the attorneys who employ it muster obviously bankrupt and deceptive arguments, such as the assay is valid because it has been accepted by courts and its own practitioners for 100 years; the assay is valid because each case in which it was used constituted a de facto test of its validity; the assay is valid because multiple analysts ‘usually’ (but how often is not specified) reach consistent conclusions; and the assay is valid when used by a competent analyst (an argument that is sustained by deeming all analysts implicated in exposed errors as ‘incompetent’ in post hoc fashion). I must admit that I was surprised and perplexed by the Habers’ claims and even a bit incredulous as to whether the situation they described was real or some sort of figment of their joint imagination. How could such a state of affairs exists? All confusion dissipated, however, when I realized that the technique they were describing was ‘Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation–Verification’ (ACE-V), the current term favoured by North American latent print examiners (LPEs) for the ‘methodology’ of latent print individualization, a forensic technique that has demonstrated an astonishing ability to defy one’s expectations of both science and law. Readers of an older generation who received some training in latent print identification may find themselves surprised by the reference to ‘ACE-V’ to describe a process which may have been taught to them simply as ‘latent print comparison’. One’s training in latent prints need not be that old for one to have never heard the term ‘ACE-V’. As recently as 2001, Olsen and Lee (2001) saw no need to name ‘the dominant method’ of latent print analysis other than to call it ‘the conventional method’. Readers with backgrounds in science, meanwhile, may find themselves perplexed by references to ACE-V as a ‘methodology’ when ACE-V, which essentially lays out loosely defined steps of analysing prints, comparing their features, evaluating whether there is sufficient consistency to warrant a conclusion of ‘individualization’ and then repeating the process (‘verification’), would seem to
Mechanisms of Resistance to Daptomycin in Enterococcus faecium

In this study, we investigated the clonal emergence of daptomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from a patient with leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome. The resistance mechanism in these strains is independent of either equivalent point mutations previously described for Staphylococcus aureus or daptomycin inactivation mechanisms identified in soil bacteria.
Condition of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) overstory and regeneration at three stages of the emerald ash borer invasion wave

Assessing emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) impacts in North American forests is essential for projecting future species composition of stands invaded by this phloem-feeding pest. W...
Alveolar soft-part sarcoma in the sacrum: a case report and review of the literature

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare disease of the soft tissue. Although the disease is rare, it is refractory to chemotherapy and radiation. En bloc surgical resection offers the best chance of cure. In this article we report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with buttock and leg pain, bowel, bladder and gait impairment and a large mass in the sacrum. Following surgical excision, the lesion was proven to be ASPS. On pathology, the mass was TFE3 (transcription factor E3) positive, indicating the presence of the ASPL-TFE3 (novel gene-transcription factor) translocation. Following surgery, the patient had improvement in her pain and ambulation; however, she refused adjuvant therapy to pursue hospice care and succumbed to her disease 2 years after surgery. On a review of the literature, it was found that ASPS of the bone constitutes a rare and formidable subset of this disease. Further, metastases related to ASPS are common in the lungs, liver, brain, and lymph nodes. The degree of dissemination is a predictor of outcome, with 5-year survival of 81–88 % in patients with local disease and only 20–46 % in patients with metastatic disease at the time of presentation. Brain metastases at the time of presentation portend the worst prognosis.
New pathogens in neutropenic patients with cancer : an update for the new millennium

Abstract As patients with malignant diseases are treated with increasingly potent agents it is likely that they will be subject to infection with an ever broadening array of microorganisms. As a result of the prompt institution of empirical antibiotics at the onset of fever in neutropenic patients, mortality has been reduced but new problems have emerged. First, there has been a shift in the type of infecting organisms responsible for bacteraemia in these patients from predominantly Gram-negative organisms to Gram-positive cocci. Secondly, perhaps as a consequence of the effectiveness of antibiotics, there is increasing concern about infections with antibiotic-resistant organisms. As an example, viridans streptococci are becoming increasingly resistant to penicillin. Thirdly, organisms previously thought to be non pathogens or ‘commensals’ are now being reported as agents of serious invasive infections in neutropenic patients with cancer. This review will highlight these changes and discuss ‘new’ pathogens in these patients.
A rare cause of gastro-intestinal hemorrhage in a patient with a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

This case illustrates a rare cause of gastro-intestinal bleeding following bariatric surgery. Though it is essential to rule out common causes of variceal formation accompanied by intermittent, profuse bleeding, there should be a high degree of suspicion of this rare etiology in patients who have previously undergone alteration of their anatomy, especially Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The case emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary medical-surgical team in evaluating and treating patients who present with complex intra-abdominal pathology.
Conversation and Silence: Transfer of Learning Through the Arts

This article explores transfer of learning in the arts to non-arts learning. The analysis is presented in the context of theories of knowledge acquisition more generally. Behavioral and neuro-function processes are discussed.
Severe Leptin Resistance in Brown Fat-Deficient Uncoupling Protein Promoter-Driven Diphtheria Toxin A Mice Despite Suppression of Hypothalamic Neuropeptide Y and Circulating Corticosterone Concentrations

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has the capacity for uncoupled mitochondrial respiration and is proposed to be a key site for regulating energy expenditure in rodents. To better define the role of BAT in energy homeostasis, we previously created a line of transgenic mice with deficiency of BAT (UCP promoter-driven diphtheria toxin A transgenic mice [UCP-DTA]) mice. These mice develop obesity that initially is due to decreased energy expenditure and later accompanied by hyperphagia despite increased levels of circulating leptin. In addition, the obesity of these mice is accompanied by severe insulin-resistant diabetes and hyperlipidemia. To better define the basis for leptin resistance in this model, we treated UCP-DTA mice with leptin (300 ug i.p., b.i.d.) and compared their response with that of leptin-treated ob/ob and FVB control mice (30 μg i.p., b.i.d.). Leptin treatment of FVB and ob/ob mice decreased their body weight and food intake and improved their glucose homeostasis. In contrast, tenfold higher dosages of leptin had no effect on body weight, food intake, or circulating insulin or glucose concentrations of UCP-DTA mice. Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA expression was lower in UCP-DTA mice than in littermate control FVB mice in the fed state, and increased progressively in response to food restriction as leptin levels fell. In parallel to the levels of hypothalamic NPY, corticosterone levels were initially suppressed and rose with food restriction. Thus food intake, body weight, and insulin and glucose homeostasis of UCP-DTA mice are all extraordinarily resistant to leptin, whereas hypothalamic NPY and the hypothalamopituitary adrenal (HPA) axis may remain under leptin control. Further elucidation of the mechanisms underlying leptin resistance in UCP-DTA mice may provide valuable insights into the basis for leptin resistance in human obesity.
Metanephric adenoma: Management in a 7-year-old child

Abstract We report the case of a 7-year-old girl in whom a left renal mass was incidentally discovered on computerized tomography (CT) scan during evaluation for acute perforated appendicitis. The presence of polycythemia and the radiographic characteristics of the mass suggested a metanephric adenoma but a Wilm's tumor could not be excluded with preoperative studies. Gross inspection and intra-operative ultrasound of the tumor supported the suspicion of a metanephric adenoma and a partial nephrectomy was performed. Frozen section and permanent pathologic analysis confirmed a benign metanephric adenoma. At current date, patient is recovering well and polycythemia has resolved. A review of the management of metanephric adenoma in the child is presented.
Chapter 12 Reversal Theory and Smoking Cessation

Publisher Summary Reversal theory is significantly useful for understanding addictive behaviors, especially the phenomenon of relapse. This chapter discusses some of the research on smoking from a reversal theory perspective to illustrate the usefulness of reversal theory for explaining smoking cessation and relapse. It reviews various approaches used for studying smoking cessation and presents some of the inadequacies of these approaches. The telic-paratelic metamotivational states have special relevance to relapse to smoking, especially when the pharmacological effects of nicotine are taken into account. Smokers report that nicotine induces relaxation. A reversal theory interpretation is that the “relaxation” is the reduction of the discrepancy between the preferred high arousal of the paratelic state and the actual low arousal a person is experiencing prior to smoking the cigarette. Low arousal is preferred in the telic state and high arousal is preferred in the paratelic state. As cigarette smoking functions to regulate arousal levels, it seems likely that ex-smokers will be tempted to use cigarettes to achieve preferred arousal levels. In addition, the effect of smoking on arousal levels varies with metamotivational states.
Self-Diffusion by Place Exchange on Smooth Surfaces

Theory and experiment show that a substitutional mode dominates self-diffusion on several fcc(00l) metal surfaces—Al, for which the calculations were performed, and Pt and Ir, for which the unusual signature of substitutional diffusion has been observed—namely a preference for motion in [100] and [010] directions. The first principles electronic structure calculations for A1 show that the dominance of substitutional over ordinary hopping diffusion stems from the fact that higher bond-order can be maintained in the substitutional process.
FY16-20 Strategic Plan.

Welcome to our FY16–FY20 Strategic Plan, which both refects our continued dedication to the work we do and reinforces the importance of the integrated Laboratories’ strategic framework to our future. This document is the result of the leadership team’s journey over the past few years in response to the needs of our nation. In an external environment that continues to change, sometimes in unexpected ways, it is critical that our mission areas and our foundation become increasingly synergistic, forming a whole whose parts are interdependent.
Biomaterials for pluripotent stem cell engineering: from fate determination to vascularization

Recent advancements in materials science and engineering may hold the key to overcoming reproducibility and scalability limitations currently hindering the clinical translation of stem cell therapies. Biomaterial assisted differentiation commitment of stem cells and modulation of their in vivo function could have a significant impact on stem cell-centred regenerative medicine approaches and next generation technological platforms. Synthetic biomaterials are of particular interest as they provide a consistent, chemically defined, and tunable way of mimicking the physical and chemical properties of the natural tissue or cell environment. Combining the emerging biomaterial and biofabrication advancements may finally give researchers the tools to modulate spatiotemporal complexity and engineer more hierarchically complex, physiologically relevant tissue mimics. In this review we highlight recent research advancements in biomaterial assisted pluripotent stem cell (PSC) expansion and three dimensional (3D) tissue formation strategies. Furthermore, since vascularization is a major challenge affecting the in vivo function of engineered tissues, we discuss recent developments in vascularization strategies and assess their ability to produce perfusable and functional vasculature that can be integrated with the host tissue.
Abstract 3351: Cord blood stem cells inhibit epidermal growth factor receptor translocation to mitochondria in glioblastoma

Overexpression of EGFR is one of the most frequently diagnosed genetic aberrations of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). EGFR signaling is involved in diverse cellular functions and is dependent on the type of preferred receptor complexes. EGFR translocation to mitochondria has been reported recently in different cancer types. However, mechanistic aspects of EGFR translocation to mitochondria in GBM have not been evaluated to date. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of EGFR in GBM-patient derived specimens using immunohistochemistry, reverse-transcription based PCR and Western blotting techniques. In clinical samples, EGFR co-localizes with FAK in mitochondria. We evaluated this previous observation in standard glioma cell lines and in vivo mice xenografts. We further analyzed the effect of human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSC) on the inhibition of EGFR expression and EGFR signaling in glioma cells and xenografts. Treatment with hUCBSC inhibited the expression of EGFR and its co-localization with FAK in glioma cells. Also, hUCBSC inhibited the co-localization of activated forms of EGFR, FAK and c-Src in mitochondria of glioma cells and xenografts. In addition, hUCBSC also inhibited EGFR signaling mechanisms in glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo. We have shown that hUCBSC treatments inhibit phosphorylation of EGFR, FAK and c-Src forms. Our findings associate EGFR expression and its localization to mitochondria with specific biological functions in GBM cells and provide relevant preclinical information that can be used for the development of effective hUCBSC-based therapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3351. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3351
Effect of excluding pancreatic juice from duodenum on secretory response of pancreas to a meal.

Conclusion1. When canine pancreatic juice secreted in response to a meal was permanently removed by the method used in these experiments, the total volume of juice secreted was significantly greater than was the case when the juice was replaced in the duodenum. 2. A similar reduction in the volume of postprandial pancreatic secretion occurred when tenth normal sodium bicarbonate solution was instilled into the duodenum in place of pancreatic juice. 3. No similar reduction in secretion occurred when equivalent volumes of isotonic saline solution were substituted for pancreatic juice.
The Ant-like Venom Apparatus of Typhoctes peculiaris a Primitive Mutillid Wasp

The venom apparatus of Typhoctes peculiaris (Cresson), a primitive mutillid wasp, is ant-like in a number of ways, appearing to be similar in general structure to the apparatuses of ants in the subfamilies Myrmeciinae and Ponerinae. The venom apparatus of most mutillids appears to be coiled or strongly decurved. The venom apparatus of tiphiid and scoliid wasps examined are distinctly wasp-like and the sting shaft is decurved. The general structure of the gonostyli appears to be an important point of reference in determining the relationships among the Hymenoptera at the family level.
Intracerebral inoculation of mice with Newcastle disease virus. III. Serial passage of NDV in suckling mice.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) may elicit nervous system response in mice of all ages,1 but the character of the response differs according to the age. Weanling mice have supported growth of American strains of NDV only after initial adaptation to hamsters2 or suckling mice.3 The reported transmission of 2 strains of NDV in suckling mice4 suggested that the adaptability of several additional strains of the virus should be studied. Four strains representing virus of both high and low neuropathogenicity for weanling mice were selected for serial passage in suckling mice.
Studies on theophylline induced activation of glycogen phosphorylase in rat uteri. 1.

SummaryTheophylline at 5 × 10-3M concentration acting for 20 min produced a greater net increase in phosphorylase a activity in isolated estrogen-primed uteri than in uteri from ovariectomized rats. This difference cannot be explained only by the reported elevated amounts of epinephrine in uteri stimulated by estrogen. Theophylline potentiated the effect of epinephrine treatment in vitro to increase uterine phosphorylase a activity but did not potentiate the effect of oxytocin. Pretreatment with reserpine which is reported to lower endogenous catecholamine levels in the uterus, did not decrease the effect of theophylline on the activity of the enzyme. Cyclic-AMP which mediates the effect of catecholamines to inhibit uterine motility and to increase phosphorylase a activity in other tissues, increased the activity of the enzyme only in the estrogen-primed uteri. Theophylline is reported to produce its effect by permitting an accumulation of C-AMP in responsive tissues.
Dynamic Changes in Expression of CHOP in Juvenile Rat Hippocampus after Status Convulsion and Effects of Edaravone on Its Expression

Objective To investigate the dynamic expressions of CHOP in juvenile rat hippocampus after status convulsion,and the changes in apoptosis of nerve cells,and to explore the effects of edaravone(ED) on them. Methods One hundred and ninety-five juvenile male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into 3 groups.Each group were further divided into 5 subgroups in different executed time points(2 h,12 h,24 h,48 h,72 h),including 9 g·L-1 saline control group(NS group),status epilepticus group(SC group)and ED treatment group(ED group) after SC.The rats in SC group were kindled into epilepsy by lithium-pilocarpine chemical method.The expression of CHOP mRNA was detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)method.Expression of CHOP protein was detected with immunohistochemistry methods.The neuron apoptosis was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. Results 1.After RT-PCR assay,the expression of CHOP mRNA in the hippocampus in SC group began increasing at 2 h,and reached a maximum at 12 h,and then began decreasing at 24 h.There were significant differences between SC group and NS group(Pa0.01).And the expression of CHOP mRNA in ED group was much lower than that in SC group(Pa0.05,0.01).2.Measured by immunohistochemistry,the value of optical density of CHOP positive cells began increasing in SC group at 2 h,and reached a maximum at 12 h,and decreased remarkably at 24 h.There was significant difference compared with NS group(Pa0.01).And the value of optical density of CHOP positive cells in ED group was much lower than that in SC group(Pa0.01,0.05).3.The TUNEL positive cells in hippocampus CA1 of SC group were more than those in NS group after the SC 12 h(Pa0.01),TUNEL positive cells showed a significant drop in SC group at 12-48 h time points,and reached its highest level at 48 h(P0.01,0.05).There were different degrees degeneration and cell loss in hippocampus neurons in SC group,and the changes were similar with the TUNEL. Conclusions Earlier brain injury induced by SC may trigger the apoptotic signal pathway mediated by CHOP in the endoplasmic reticulum stress.ED decreased expression of CHOP by pilocarpine-induced seizures in rat hippocampus,suggesting that ED may have protective effect against the hippocampal damage caused by SC.
Isotope-Labeled Amyloids via Synthesis, Expression, and Chemical Ligation for Use in FTIR, 2D IR, and NMR Studies

This chapter provides protocols for isotope-labeling the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP or amylin) involved in type II diabetes and γD-crystallin involved in cataract formation. Because isotope labeling improves the structural resolution, these protocols are useful for experiments using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), two-dimensional infrared (2D IR), and NMR spectroscopies. Our research group specializes in using 2D IR spectroscopy and isotope labeling. 2D IR spectroscopy provides structural information by measuring solvation from 2D diagonal lineshapes and vibrational couplings from cross peaks. Infrared spectroscopy can be used to study kinetics, membrane proteins, and aggregated proteins. Isotope labeling provides greater certainty in the spectral assignment, which enables new structural insights that are difficult to obtain with other methods. For amylin, we provide a protocol for (13)C/(18)O labeling backbone carbonyls at one or more desired amino acids in order to obtain residue-specific structural resolution. We also provide a protocol for expressing and purifying amylin from E. coli, which enables uniform (13)C or (13)C/(15)N labeling. Uniform labeling is useful for measuring the monomer infrared spectrum in an amyloid oligomer or fiber as well as amyloid protein bound to another polypeptide or protein, such as a chaperone or an inhibitor. In addition, our expression protocol results in 2-2.5 mg of amylin peptide per 1 L cell culture, which is a high enough yield to straightforwardly obtain the 2-10 mg needed for high resolution and solid-state NMR experiments. Finally, we provide a protocol to isotope-label either of the two domains of γD-crystallin using expressed protein ligation. Domain labeling makes it possible to resolve the structures of the two halves of the protein in FTIR and 2D IR spectra. With modifications, these strategies and protocols for isotope labeling can be applied to other amyloid polypeptides and proteins.
Neural induction of embryonic stem/induced pluripotent stem cells

Abstract Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), both the preimplantation embryo-derived embryonic stem cells and the reprogrammed somatic cell–derived induced PSCs, are potentially instrumental in revealing the process and the milestones of early human development, which are otherwise experimentally inaccessible. Human PSCs (hPSCs) maintain the ability to self-renew and generate many cell and progenitors types in vitro and are capable of differentiating into all terminally differentiated cell types present in the adult. They represent a virtually unlimited source of several classes of live human cells for study. hPSCs have tremendous potential as tools for scientific research, including neuroscience and disease modeling research. Researchers have been using hPScs to generate neural cells to investigate cellular and molecular substrates of several neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders. The hPSCs have also been proven to be a reasonable approach for cell-based therapies for the treatment of several human diseases. In vitro differentiation of hPSCs closely mimics the cellular and molecular aspects of early mammalian development. Differentiation into specialized cell types in vitro depends upon our ability to guide them toward functionally and molecularly specialized daughter cell types in a robust manner. Over the past few decades, enormous advancements have been made in directed differentiation of hPSCs to certain functional cell types, essentially recapitulating mammalian embryonic development.
Chapter 8 – Nanotechnology and Magnetic Memories

Publisher Summary As dimensions of magnetic memory cells are reduced in size, fundamental limits come into play which must be considered. The first is that the energy well depth of the storage states needs to be large enough so that thermal agitation will not disturb the stored information in the memory's lifetime. Secondly, the signal level from the memory cell must be large enough so that thermal noise and other disturbances do not corrupt the output signal. This chapter focuses the limits in regard to magnetic memories; they apply to all other memories. Ferromagnetic materials such as iron, cobalt, and nickel are ferromagnetic because the lattice spacing is just right so that a quantum effect termed ''exchange" makes it favorable for the spins of the outer shell electrons from one atom to align with the outer electrons spins from neighboring atoms giving rise to a region called a domain in which all of the net magnetization points in one direction. In a typical bulk material, there are many random domains and the magnetization in all of the domains only gets aligned when a large field is applied. The magnetic moment per unit volume when all of the domains are aligned is labeled as the saturated magnetic moment per unit volume (Ms).
Civic engagement and a communication research agenda

Civic engagement has long been a pedagogical and societal goal for communication scholars (Arnett & Arneson, 1999; Bennett, Wells, & Freelon, 2011). Kidd and Parry-Giles (2013) point out that belie...
Inline process characterization and control for robust BEOL reliability

In advanced technology node, the complexity of process, materials selection and limitation of tools' capability, becomes very challenging with respect to meet tight reliability targets. In our fabrication of low-k based BEOL integration scheme, we have demonstrated that by proper inline process characterization, feedback and control at critical process modules, a robust Time Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB) and Electromigration (EM) performance can be achieved. In this paper, we proposed a working model with inline process parameters characterization, reliability performance evaluation, root causes identification and solutions, to establish a relationship between inline process parameters and BEOL TDDB, EM performance. Our data shows that, to pass TDDB E-model (field driven), Mx final critical dimension (FCD) must be within very tight control of less than FCD target + 0.5nm, and greater than FCD target − 2nm. On the other hand, to pass TDDB SQRT E-model, FCD target − 2nm FCD target − 2nm is needed. Through this working model, we are able to justify and identify the critical process modules and to determine the process window to achieve robust BEOL TDDB and EM performance.
The Art of Living: An Oral History of Performance Art by Dominic Johnson

It is a provocative question. If artists have succeeded in breaking down the barriers between art and life, as Allan Kaprow foretold nearly 60 years ago – if living is itself a form of art – how ca...
The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer properties of three imine-linked two-dimensional porous organic polymers

We report the synthesis and excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) properties of three tris(N-salicylideneaniline)-based (TSA) imine-linked porous organic polymers (POPs) containing C3-symmetric 1,3,5-triarylbenzene (TAB), -tristyrylbenzene (TSB), and -tris(arylethynyl)benzene (TAE) monomer units. The TSA–POPs are fluorescent in the solid-state and responsive to Cu2+ and Pd2+.
The influence of teachers’ self-efficacy on perceptions: Perceived teacher competence and respect and student effort and achievement

Abstract In the current study the authors examine how teachers' self-reported level of self-efficacy influences students' perceptions of two aspects of the instructional environment, perceived teaching competence and perceived teacher respect. The relationship of teacher self-efficacy to teachers' perceptions of their students' achievement and effort is also considered. Data were collected at two time points from 51 teachers and 427 students in high school mathematics and science classrooms. A series of multi-level models found that teaching self-efficacy and course level were significantly associated with students' perceived teacher competence and perceived teacher respect as well as teachers’ ratings of student characteristics.
Control of Pneumatic Actuators with Long Transmission Lines for Rehabilitation in MRI

This study presents methods for understanding, modeling and control of tele-operated pneumatic actuators for rehabilitation in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Pneumatic actuators have excellent MRI-compatibility as opposed to conventional electro-mechanical systems; however, the actuator and the system drivers cannot be co-located due to the MRI-compatibility requirements. The actuators are driven via long transmission lines, which affect the system dynamics significantly. Methods provided in this work produced accurate pressure estimation and control by accounting for the pressure dynamics in the lines, which has been neglected by previous work in this area. The effectiveness of the presented modeling and control methods were demonstrated on tele-operation test setups. This study also includes the design of necessary system components for the developed algorithms. An MRI-compatible optical sensor was developed for force feedback and its design was analyzed for high precision.
Initiation of Noninvasive Ventilation for Sleep Related Hypoventilation Disorders: Advanced Modes and Devices

Although noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been used since the 1950s in the polio epidemic, the development of modern bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) devices did not become a reality until the 1990s. Over the past 25 years, BPAP technology options have increased exponentially. The number of patients receiving this treatment both in the acute setting and at home is growing steadily. However, a knowledge gap exists in the way the settings on these devices are adjusted to achieve synchrony and match the patient's unique physiology of respiratory failure. This issue is further complicated by differences in pressure and flow dynamic settings among different types of NIV devices available for inpatient and home care.
The Oral Health Care Delivery System in 2040: Executive Summary

This executive summary for Section 4 of the "Advancing Dental Education in the 21st Century" project examines the projected oral health care delivery system in 2040 and the likely impact of system changes on dental education. Dental care is at an early stage of major changes with the decline in solo practice and increase in large group practices. These groups are not consolidated at the state level, but further consolidation is expected as they try to increase their negotiating leverage with dental insurers. At this time, there is limited integration of medical and dental care in terms of financing, regulation, education, and delivery. This pattern may change as health maintenance organizations and integrated medical systems begin to offer dental care to their members. By 2040, it is expected that many dentists will be employed in large group practices and working with allied dental staff with expanded duties and other health professionals, and more dental graduates will seek formal postdoctoral training to obtain better positions in group practices.
Linear Platform Evaluation in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Equipment productivity in semiconductor manufacturing has become a major topic due to high equipment prices. It is easier and more precise to calculate productivity based on the running logs; however, engineers may often be assigned to estimate the productivity of the equipment in the design phase to predict project benefits so that investment decisions can be made. In such situations, no running log is available to calculate equipment productivity. If the architecture of the equipment and the wafer flow are simple, equipment productivity still can be evaluated using algebra-based solutions. Unfortunately, with rapidly shrinking IC dimensions equipment architecture becomes more and more complicated so a linear platform is typically used. In a linear platform, multiple mainframes are used to install more chambers. In each main-frame, there may be multiple robots to enable efficient wafer transmission. It is very difficult to estimate the productivity of a linear platform using simple algebra-based solutions; however, accurate productivity estimation of a linear platform is critical due to its higher price. To address this problem, a novel estimative methodology is proposed in this paper. This method analyzes the potential wait time of a chamber and then identifies the productivity bottleneck of the platform. The proposed methodology is designed for calculating wafers per hour for the linear platform. The accuracy of the proposed methodology is then verified by a simulation model. By applying this methodology to estimate the productivity for a semiconductor manufacturing line incorrect equipment investment can be reduced, therefore enhancing market competitiveness.
Forever Young: Generational Subculture and Self-Employment

Self-employment is a form of occupation that is becoming increasingly popular with older individuals. However, most research regarding the self-employment activities of older individuals to a limit...
Chapter 10 Retinal Ganglion Cells and Glaucoma: Traditional Patterns and New Possibilities

Publisher Summary A mismatch between the rate of aqueous humor production and drainage can reduce the well being of retinal ganglion cells. The mechanisms linking elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and ganglion cell distress vary with the magnitude of the pressure increase, the duration of the insult, and a variety of endogenous and environmental influences. Some suspects have been acknowledged for decades, such as a distortion of the lamina cribrosa, changes in the vascular supply, and altered levels of neurochemicals. The role of extracellular purines places a novel spin on the theory of neurochemical imbalance, with extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released through pressure-sensitive pathways either stimulating lethal P2X 7 receptors on ganglion cells, or being converted to adenosine and protecting them. Additional theories propose a role for reactive astrocytes, compressive forces, and even increased age itself in weakening ganglion cells to the point where they eventually die. Many of the basic patterns may not be restricted to the posterior of the eye, but may hold lessons for the study on the anterior chamber.
How the Ciliary Membrane Is Organized Inside-Out to Communicate Outside-In.

Cilia, organelles that move to execute functions like fertilization and signal to execute functions like photoreception and embryonic patterning, are composed of a core of nine-fold doublet microtubules overlain by a membrane. Distinct types of cilia display distinct membrane morphologies, ranging from simple domed cylinders to the highly ornate invaginations and membrane disks of photoreceptor outer segments. Critical for the ability of cilia to signal, both the protein and the lipid compositions of ciliary membranes are different from those of other cellular membranes. This specialization presents a unique challenge for the cell as, unlike membrane-bounded organelles, the ciliary membrane is contiguous with the surrounding plasma membrane. This distinct ciliary membrane is generated in concert with multiple membrane remodeling events that comprise the process of ciliogenesis. Once the cilium is formed, control of ciliary membrane composition relies on discrete molecular machines, including a barrier to membrane proteins entering the cilium at a specialized region of the base of the cilium called the transition zone and a trafficking adaptor that controls G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) localization to the cilium called the BBSome. The ciliary membrane can be further remodeled by the removal of membrane proteins by the release of ciliary extracellular vesicles that may function in intercellular communication, removal of unneeded proteins or ciliary disassembly. Here, we review the structures and transport mechanisms that control ciliary membrane composition, and discuss how membrane specialization enables the cilium to function as the antenna of the cell.
[84-OR]: Differential DNA methylation in placental and maternal angiogenic genes is not altered in preeclampsia

Objectives Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-associated complex condition associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and angiogenic imbalance. Stress sensitive transcription factors nuclear factor-erythroid 2-like 1 (Nrf1) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) are involved in regulation of angiogenic, inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. Recent evidence suggests a link between Nrf2 and angiogenic factor balance in preeclampsia though the degree to which maternal and placental DNA methylation contributes to disruption of Nrf pathways among women with preeclampsia is unknown. Our central hypothesis is that distinct patterns of DNA methylation in Nrf pathway and angiogenic genes contribute to altered angiogenic balance in preeclampsia. Methods Prospectively, we collected blood in each of three trimesters of pregnancy, maternal white blood cells in the first trimester of pregnancy and placental tissue at delivery from nulliparous women. We analyzed DNA methylation at individual CpG dinucleotides (Illumina Infinium) in Nrf and angiogenic (VEGFA, VEGFB, VEGC, FLT1, KDR, NRF1, PlGF) genes in maternal peripheral blood cells and placenta and circulating angiogenic factors (Millipore Bioplex) from women who developed preeclampsia and normotensive controls ( n = 6/group). Differences in average methylation beta scores (change in beta score >0.2 indicated significant gain of methylation; >−0.2 indicated significant loss of methylation) determined significant differences between groups. Results DNA methylation patterns in Nrf and angiogenic genes in maternal white blood cells and placenta were not significantly different in cases/controls. Among women with preeclampsia, PlGF was significantly lower across pregnancy and sFLT1 was significantly higher in the third trimester among women with preeclampsia. Conclusions DNA methylation in Nrf and angiogenic genes was not associated with altered angiogenic balance in women who developed late onset preeclampsia. Differences in DNA methylation may occur later in pregnancy when circulating factors differed between groups. Disclosures C.M. Anderson: None. J.L. Ralph: None. J.E. Ohm: None.
Investigation of the abrupt phase transition in 1T-TaS 2 /MoS 2 heterostructures

Electrically induced phase transitions are being investigated for applications in steep-slope transistors, neuromorphic computing, and coupled oscillator networks. Here, we present an avenue to integrate a layered 2D phase transition material 1T-TaS 2 with monolayer MoS 2 via direct synthesis. We experimentally demonstrate that the charge density wave (CDW) based phase transition is preserved when grown directly on MoS 2 , however a 42% reduction in the ON/OFF ratio compared to exfoliated devices is observed. First principles calculations of the 1T-TaS 2 /MoS 2 heterostructure reveal a 39% reduction in the bandgap of 1T-TaS 2 compared to the free-standing 1T-TaS 2 case.
Constipation: Beyond the Old Paradigms

Constipation is a common problem in children. Although most children respond to conventional treatment, symptoms persist in a minority. For children with refractory constipation, anorectal and colonic manometry testing can identify a rectal evacuation disorder or colonic motility disorder and guide subsequent management. Novel medications used in adults with constipation are beginning to be used in children, with promising results. Biofeedback therapy and anal sphincter botulinum toxin injection can be considered for children with a rectal evacuation disorder. Surgical management of constipation includes the use of antegrade continence enemas, sacral nerve stimulation, and colonic resection.
Intrinsic and extrinsic operators for shape analysis

Abstract Geometric operators are common objects in surface-based shape analysis and geometry processing. While the intrinsic Laplace–Beltrami operator has been a ubiquitous choice thanks to its intuitive and often desirable properties, it fails to capture the spatial embedding of a shape because it discards extrinsic information; furthermore, it is not always sensitive to the geometric features relevant for a given shape analysis task. To address these challenges, several alternative operators for shape analysis have been proposed in recent work, with an emphasis on operators sensitive to extrinsic features. Many operators appearing in previous work on other problems also encode aspects of extrinsic geometry and are potentially suitable for shape analysis. In this survey, we unify discussion of operators for shape analysis, highlighting key theoretical properties as well as their numerical discretizations. Additionally, we provide numerical experiments on model tasks in the operator-based shape analysis pipeline, including computation of descriptors, distances, and segmentations, to demonstrate the effect of using different operators on the qualitative behaviour of algorithms in this space.
Audience role in mathematical proof development

The role of audiences in mathematical proof has largely been neglected, in part due to misconceptions like those in Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca (The new rhetoric: A treatise on argumentation, University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, 1969) which bar mathematical proofs from bearing reflections of audience consideration. In this paper, I argue that mathematical proof is typically argumentation and that a mathematician develops a proof with his universal audience in mind. In so doing, he creates a proof which reflects the standards of reasonableness embodied in his universal audience. Given this framework, we can better understand the introduction of proof methods based on the mathematician’s likely universal audience. I examine a case study from Alexander and Briggs’s work on knot invariants to show that we can fruitfully reconstruct mathematical methods in terms of audiences.