cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AMPA-Type Glutamate Receptor Conductance Changes and Plasticity: Still a Lot of Noise.

Twenty years ago, we reported from the Collingridge Lab that a single-channel conductance increase through α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPARs) could mediate one form of plasticity associated with long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus (Benke et al., Nature 395:793–797, 1998). Revealed through peak-scaled non-stationary fluctuation analysis (PS-NSFA, also known as noise analysis), this component of LTP could be exclusively mediated by direct increases in channel conductance or by increases in the number of high conductance synaptic AMPARs. Re-evaluation of our original data in the light of the molecular details regarding AMPARs, conductance changes and plasticity suggests that insertion of high-conductance GluA1 homomers can account for our initial findings. Any potential cost associated with manufacture or trafficking of new receptors could be mitigated if pre-existing synaptic AMPARs also undergo a modest conductance change. The literature suggests that the presence of high conductance AMPARs and/or GluA1 homomers confers an unstable synaptic state, suggesting state transitions. An experimental paradigm is proposed to differentiate these possibilities. Validation of this state diagram could provide insight into development, disease pathogenesis and treatment.
Semantic Competence, Funny Functors, and Truth-Conditions

It is often said that a person P knows the meaning of a sentence S if P knows S’s truth-conditions, in the sense that given any possible world (or possible situation), P knows whether S is true in that world (or situation). This idea of sentence-meaning corresponds fairly closely to what Frege, Russell, Carnap, and other philosophers have had in mind in speaking of the senses, prepositional contents, or “locutionary” meanings of sentences; and, not unnaturally, it has encouraged semanticists such as David Lewis, Robert Stalnaker and Max Cresswell to suggest that sentence-meanings or propositions simply are functions from the set of possible worlds onto the truth-values.1
Mechanisms in the Low Pressure Growth of SiC-on-Si by RTCVD

β-SiC thin films have been grown on (100) Si by RTCVD at reduced pressures (LP-RTCVD) as low as 1 Torn The growth process involved the carbonization of the Si surface by reaction with propane. The effect of propane partial pressure (fraction) on film morphology and growth rate at 5 Torr is similar to that observed at 760 Torr, but with a shift to higher propane fraction. This shift can be related to a lower density of C atoms on the growth surface at low pressure. Carbonization growth at 5 Torr using 100 sccm of C3H8 (5% in H2) and 0.9 1pm H2 resulted in a growth rate ranging from ∼3 A/sec at 1050°C to ∼18 A /sec at 1300°C, yielding an activation energy for the process of 1.5 ± 0.25 eV. A dramatic improvement in film thickness uniformity was observed at low pressure, resulting in a standard deviation of less than 5% over an entire 7.5 cm diameter wafer.
Predicting Drug Binding to Human Serum Albumin and Alpha One Acid Glycoprotein in Diseased and Age Patient Populations.

Abstract Plasma protein binding, namely the fraction unbound (fu), can be an important determinant of the disposition and response of drugs. The primary objective of this study was to predict fu values of 183 drugs utilizing either a single binding protein model, where the predominant binding protein had been established, or a multiple binding protein model (MBPM), where the relative binding contribution of human serum albumin (HSA) or alpha 1 acid glycoprotein (AAG) is known. Mean protein concentrations, dependent on disease or age, were used to account for changes in fu. A simple scaling approach for binding protein concentration was employed to account for quantitative changes in molar concentrations of either HSA or AAG in their respective conditions. The MBPM predictive model works best if the relative binding contribution of HSA and AAG is known, and a scaler for the change in protein concentration can be adjusted accordingly. The value of MBPM was most evident when considering reported changes in lidocaine binding because of increasing AAG concentration in response to trauma. The present approach enhances the ability to predict fu in diseased and age populations because of quantitative changes in major binding proteins.
Integrating CRISPR screening with tumor genomic analyses to identify therapeutic targets in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) independent of P53.

e14659Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive subtype of liver cancer with few effective treatments. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms that drive HCC pathogenesis remain poorl...
Decrease of protein synthesis and breakdown of polyribosomes by elevated temperature in Physarumpolycephalum

Abstract The plasmodium of the myxomycete, Physarum polycephalum , which grows rapidly at 27°, was subjected to heat shocks at 40° for periods of either 10 or 30 min. During these shocks, protein hydrolysates labeled with tritium were added to the nutrient media for a 10-min period; with the plasmodia that were shocked for 30 min, the hydrolysate was added during the last 10 min. the heat shock reduced the uptake of amino acids into protein by approximately 40% with the 10-min shock and by more than 70% with the 30-min shock. The heat shock also caused a reduction of polyribosomes of more than 50%. These results are consistent with the suggestion that heat shock interferes with protein synthesis by decreasing the amount of polyribosomes.
Family Religiosity and Socioemotional Wealth Stock Accumulation in the Family Firm

This paper offers theory on how family firms collect and maintain inflows of socioemotional wealth (SEW). Using dimensions of SEW and the notion of intrinsic-extrinsic religiosity, we propose sever...
Progress and 'Acts of God' in the age of climate change virility

Notions of progress have changed over the last two centuries; however, attempts at improving living conditions have remained. Since there has been a change toward more urban living, notions of progress have changed from the collective to the individual. What are the implications of various notions of progress, especially when they are at odds with foundational collective articulations of the common good? The purpose of this article is to analyse the evolution of notions of progress and to discuss their most recent iterations in contexts of the Anthropocene. It is hypothesised that progress in the Anthropocene has generated a double awareness of plenty and scarcity. The argument is that planning professionals are severely burdened by their background, moral and ethical responsibility to think and lead collective transformations, which go beyond self. The key finding includes the identification of implications for professional planning practice.
Competing orders in an extended Falicov-Kimball model

We study the interplay between superconducting pairing, exciton and charge-density wave in a correlated electron model, the Falicov-Kimball model, extended by a hybridization term between spinless fermions and also by an attractive pairing in the particle channel. A self-consistent Hartree-Fock BdG mean-field calculation shows that the hybridization V and Coulomb repulsion U favour in binding an exciton but both are detrimental to the formation of superconducting pairing, whereas, CDW is favoured by Coulomb interaction and disfavoured by V . There is a coexistence regime for superconductivity, CDW and excitonic order in the parameter space.
Culturally adapted depression education and engagement in treatment among Hispanics in primary care: outcomes from a pilot feasibility study

Low use of anti-depressant medication, poor doctor-patient communication, and persistent stigma are key barriers to the treatment of depression in Hispanics. Common concerns include fears about the addictive and harmful properties of antidepressants, worries about taking too many pills, and the stigma attached to taking medications and seeking mental health treatments. In 2014, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) funded the Depression Screening and Education: Options to Reduce Barriers to Treatment (DESEO) project to implement an education intervention designed to increase disease literacy and dispel myths about depression and its treatment among Hispanic patients thus reducing stigma and increasing treatment engagement. The DESEO study utilized a one-group pretest-posttest design to assess the effects a culturally-adapted Depression Education Intervention’s (DEI) on depression knowledge, stigma, and engagement in treatment in a sample of 350 Hispanic primary care patients with depression. The DEI utilized a fotonovela, a health education tool available in English and Spanish that uses posed photographs, captions, and soap opera narratives to raise awareness about depression and depression treatments. Participants reported significant decreases in depression symptoms and reported stigma about mental health care. Additionally, participants reported increased knowledge of depression yet greater negative perceptions about antidepressant medication. Finally, 89.5% of participants reported entering some form of treatment at follow-up. Culturally adapted depression education shows promise in increasing understanding of depression, decreasing stigma, and increasing treatment engagement among Hispanic patients in a community-based health center. Results have implications for practice in addressing common concerns about depression treatments which include fears about the addictive and harmful properties of antidepressants, worries about taking too many pills, and the stigma attached to taking psychotropic medications. The study was retrospectively registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov : NCT02491034 July 2, 2015.
Multiple Input Sensing and Signal Integration Using a Split Cas12a System.

The ability to integrate biological signals and execute a functional response when appropriate is critical for sophisticated cell engineering using synthetic biology. Although the CRISPR-Cas system has been harnessed for synthetic manipulation of the genome, it has not been fully utilized for complex environmental signal sensing, integration, and actuation. Here, we develop a split dCas12a platform and show that it allows for the construction of multi-input, multi-output logic circuits in mammalian cells. The system is highly programmable and can generate expandable AND gates with two, three, and four inputs. It can also incorporate NOT logic by using anti-CRISPR proteins as an OFF switch. By coupling the split dCas12a design to multiple tumor-relevant promoters, we provide a proof of concept that the system can implement logic gating to specifically detect breast cancer cells and execute therapeutic immunomodulatory responses.
Finding the “both/and”: Balancing informal and formal music learning:

This article explores the informal and formal learning experiences of 20 activist-musicians. Multiple activist-musicians utilized the informal learning strategies Green identifies. More than half o...
Deposition of EDOT-Decorated Hollow Nanocapsules into PEDOT Films for Optical and Electrochemical Sensing

Hollow nanocapsules (NCs) with ∼1 nm thin porous walls offer unique possibilities for chemical and biosensor design. When used as containers for reagents for optical or electrochemical sensors, e.g., a catalyst, an indicator dye, or a redox mediator, their nanometer-thin porous wall holds and protects the valuable cargo but, at the same time, warrants unhindered bidirectional transport for analyte, substrate, and reaction product molecules. However, the practical utility of such NCs requires an immobilization method that retains the inherent advantages of the reagent loaded NCs. Here, we report an immobilization possibility, namely, the covalent attachment of the reagent loaded NCs to a conductive polymer (PEDOT) film, that overcomes the disadvantages of the incorporation of the NCs in a gel-like supporting matrix which is the most common immobilization method. It required the decoration of the NC surfaces with EDOT moieties that could be copolymerized with free EDOT molecules electrochemically onto electrode surfaces. The EDOT-substituted nanocapsules used in this work were loaded with the indicator dye Nile Blue or an in situ synthesized iron­(II) tris­(2,2′-bipyridine) complex (Fe­(bpy)3) prior to their immobilization. The presence and distribution of the nanocapsules in electrochemically deposited PEDOT films were demonstrated by digital microscopy, SEM, and XPS depth profiling.
Degenerated TAVR Within Degenerated Surgical Bioprosthetic Valve Treated With Second TAVR.

Abstract Transcatheter aortic valve replacement within a degenerated surgical bioprosthetic aortic valve is increasing in frequency. We present a rare case of a patient requiring a second TAVR placed within a previous placed degenerated transcatheter aortic valve, which was implanted in a degenerated surgical bioprosthetic aortic valve. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)
Simulation of diblock copolymer surfactants. III. Equilibrium interfacial adsorption.

Monte Carlo simulations are used to study adsorption of highly asymmetric diblock copolymers to a polymer-polymer interface, and the results compared to self-consistent field theory (SCFT) predictions. The simulation model used here is a bead-spring model that has been used previously to study equilibrium and kinetic properties of spherical micelles [J. A. Mysona et al., Phys. Rev. E 100, 012602 (2019); Phys. Rev. E 100, 012603 (2019); Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 038003 (2019)]. Interfacial copolymer concentration $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ and interfacial tension $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ are measured as functions of bulk copolymer concentration at concentrations up to the critical micelle concentration over a range of values of the Flory-Huggins $\ensuremath{\chi}$ parameter. The dependence of interfacial pressure $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}$ = ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{0}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ on $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ (where ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{0}$ is the interfacial tension in the absence of copolymer) is found to be almost independent of $\ensuremath{\chi}$ and to be accurately predicted by SCFT. The bare interfacial tension ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{0}$ and total interfacial tension $\ensuremath{\gamma}(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}})$ can also be accurately predicted by SCFT using an estimate of $\ensuremath{\chi}$ obtained from independent analysis of properties of symmetric diblock copolymer melts. SCFT predictions obtained with this estimate of $\ensuremath{\chi}$ do not, however, adequately describe the thermodynamics of the coexisting bulk copolymer solution, as a result of contraction of the strongly interacting core block of dissolved copolymers. Accurate predictions of the relationship between bulk and interfacial properties can thus only be obtained for this system by combining SCFT predictions of the interfacial equation of state with a fit to the measured equation of state for the bulk solution.
Did Illegal Overseas Absentee Ballots Decide the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election

Although not widely known until much later, Al Gore received 202 more votes than George W. Bush on election day in Florida. George W. Bush is president because he overcame his election day deficit with overseas absentee ballots that arrived and were counted after election day. In the final official tally, Bush received 537 more votes than Gore. These numbers are taken from the official results released by the Florida Secretary of State’s office and so do not reflect overvotes, undervotes, unsuccessful litigation, butterfly ballot problems, recounts that might have been allowed but were not, or any other hypothetical divergence between voter preferences and counted votes. After the election, the New York Times conducted a six-month investigation and found that 680 of the overseas absentee ballots were illegally counted, and almost no one has publicly disagreed with their assessment. In this article, we describe the statistical procedures we developed and implemented for the Times to ascertain whether disqualifying these 680 ballots would have changed the outcome of the election. These include adding formal Bayesian model averaging procedures to models of ecological inference. We present a variety of new empirical results that delineate the precise conditions under which Al Gore would have been elected president and offer new evidence of the striking effectiveness of the Republican effort to prevent local election officials from applying election law equally to all Florida citizens.
Role of Lithospheric Buoyancy Forces in Driving Deformation in East Africa From 3D Geodynamic Modeling

National Science Foundation (NSF)National Science Foundation (NSF) [EAR-1551864]; NSFNational Science Foundation (NSF) [EAR-0949446, EAR-1550901]
Anatomy of density: measurable factors that constitute urban density

Serious concerns about global warming have been translated into urgent calls for increasing urban densities, as higher densities are associated with lower carbon emissions from both vehicles and buildings. However, attempts at effective densification have generally failed and urban densities continue to decline in cities across the world. Calls for densification without making room for it have resulted in serious housing supply bottlenecks in many cities and have rendered their housing unaffordable. If affordable densification is to be successful, it is necessary to understand the factors that constitute urban density. A novel way is presented for factoring the average density of cities into constituent factors—three or seven factors—that when multiplied together reconstitute urban density. This factoring methodology is presented together with the preliminary measurement of these factors in 10 cities in 10 world regions. This approach allows, for the first time, a clear understanding of how different cities acquire their density: Hong Kong gets its density from building height; Kinshasa from crowding; and Dhaka and Bogota from residential coverage. This anatomy of density offers a new outline for a comprehensive strategy for city densification: one that addresses each and every one of the factors that constitute urban density. Practice relevance Urban density is usually defined as the ratio of the total population of a city and its total area. This is the most appropriate single metric for measuring progress in densification in cities and is now a central objective of the global climate change agenda. However, this metric is rather crude and often hides more than it reveals. The anatomy of density offers a new, simple method for factoring urban density into its constituent factors that when multiplied together reconstitute urban density. This approach offers city leaders and urban planners a new way to consider and develop comprehensive policy options and strategies for city densification that addresses each and every one of the factors that constitute urban density and the tradeoffs between them.
Consonant voicing in the Buckeye corpus.

Many claims about the prevalence of phonetic voicing in English obstruents have been made in the literature over the decades, particularly concerning the stops and affricate [b, d, ɡ, ʤ]. An examination of this literature reveals that many of these claims are based on a paucity of speech data and measurements. For the present study, voiced consonants in the Buckeye corpus of American English (39 speakers) have been measured to determine the percentage of their duration that shows vocal cord vibrations. The prevalence of voicing in the 53 690 voiced stop and affricate tokens has been examined in all contexts, including the initial, intervocalic, and final positions. The results generally contradict the common notion that the nominally “voiced” stops of English are phonetically unvoiced in all positions but intervocalic. Here, they are found to be mostly voiced in final position as well as intervocalically, but usually less than 50% voiced in initial position. A significant proportion of these stops, however, were found to be nearly 100% voiced in the initial position, and this could not be explained by interspeaker variation.
The Novel Coronavirus and Enforcement of the New Separate System in Prisons

Coronavirus has had a significant impact on daily life. Prisons are not exempt from the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prisons are particularly at risk due to their secure environme...
Relationships among tau burden, atrophy, age, and naming in the aphasic variant of Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION Examination of pathologic, anatomic, and cognitive relationships has been limited in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) with underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. METHODS Spatial relationships between tau positron emission tomography (PET), cortical thickness, age, and naming on the Boston Naming Test (BNT) in PPA with biomarker evidence of AD (PPA-AD) were examined. RESULTS Higher tau PET burden was associated with atrophy and younger age. There was a significant left-lateralized relationship between lower BNT and more atrophy, and between lower BNT and increased tau burden. Variance in naming was primarily shared between tau and atrophy (51%), but naming was uniquely explained more by atrophy (32%) than tau (16%). Higher left anterior temporal tau burden was associated with greater 1-year rate of decline in naming. DISCUSSION PPA-AD has a similar relationship between abnormal biomarkers as first described in amnestic AD, with differing spatial extent, reflecting the left-lateralized nature of the language network.
Podocyte Foot Process Effacement Precedes Albuminuria and Glomerular Hypertrophy in CD2-Associated Protein Deficient Mice.

ABSTRACT Background: Podocyte foot process effacement is a key histologic finding in proteinuric kidney disease. We previously showed that 3-week old CD2AP-deficient mice have significant proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial expansion. The goal of this study is to use morphometry to establish the temporal sequence of podocyte foot process effacement, glomerular volume expansion and albuminuria in Cd2ap-/- mice by measuring these parameters at the 2-week time point. Methods: Wild-type mice age 14±1days with the Cd2ap gene (WT, N=5) and mice deficient for Cd2ap (Cd2ap KO, N=5) were generated. Kidneys were harvested and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and processed for examination by light and electron microscopy. An average of 415.2 (range 268-716) grid points were counted for all the glomeruli, and quantification of glomerular volume from each kidney. Urine was collected the day prior to sacrifice for urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) measurements. Results: There was no difference in albuminuria (median [range] mg/g) between WT (212.2 [177.6-388.4] mg/g) versus Cd2ap KO mice (203.3 [164.7-910.2] mg/g), P = 0.89; or glomerular volume 68,307[10,931] versus 66,844[13,022] µm3, p = 0.92. The volume densities glomerular components of the podocyte, capillary lumen and mesangium were not different for the two groups, P = 0.14, 0.14 and 0.17 respectively. However, foot process width was increased in Cd2ap KO 1128[286] versus WT [374±42) nm, P = 0.02. Conclusion: Here we show that while 2-week old WT and Cd2ap KO mice have similar levels of albuminuria, glomerular and mesangial volume, Cd2ap KO mice have more extensive podocyte foot process effacement. The data suggests that podocyte injury is the initiating event leading to mesangial expansion and albuminuria in this model.
A Pilot Study of Dalfampridine for Improving Upper Extremity Function in Multiple Sclerosis Patients (P1.124)

OBJECTIVE: To determine if dalfampridine improves upper extremity (UE) function in MS patients. BACKGROUND: Dalfampridine enhances conduction of action potentials in demyelinated nerve fibers in animal models. Based on its mechanism of action and beneficial effects on walking in MS, it seems plausible dalfampridine might improve UE function in MS patients. DESIGN/METHODS: An open-label study was conducted in 20 MS patients with UE weakness. After a 1-week baseline period, subjects received dalfampridine extended release (D-ER) 10 mg b.i.d. for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the TEMPA (Test d’Evaluation de la performance des Membres Superieurs des Personnes Âgees), which has been validated in MS. Secondary outcome measures included grip strength, 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Box and Blocks Test (BBT), motricity index (MI), and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH). RESULTS: 20 subjects (80[percnt] female, mean age 52.5±12 years) with average disease-duration of 12.8±10.5 years and median EDSS of 7 were enrolled; 7 had RRMS, 12 SPMS, and 1 PPMS. During D-ER treatment, there was improvement for the entire cohort in the mean TEMPA functional rating (right (P=0.064), left (P=0.004), bilateral (P=0.057), and combined (P=0.002)) and speed of execution (right (P=0.031), left (P=0.048), bilateral (P=0.170)); MI (right (P=0.001), left (P=0.001)), grip strength (right (P=0.021), left (P=0.042)), BBT (dominant hand (P=0.016), non-dominant hand (P=0.002)) and DASH (P=0.006). We also analyzed the proportion of subjects who improved during D-ER treatment. 72-83[percnt] of subjects showed improvement in the mean TEMPA speed of execution (right (P=0.018), left (P=0.005), bilateral (P=0.018)), MI (right (P=0.059), left (P=0.018)), grip strength (right (P=0.005), left (P=0.059)), BBT (dominant hand (P=0.005), non-dominant hand (P=0.018)), and DASH (P=0.018). Additional data will be presented. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence for D-ER to improve UE function in MS patients. Study Supported by: Investigator-initiated study supported by Acorda Therapeutics. Disclosure: Dr. Tullman has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Inc., Acorda Therapeutics, Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Novartis, Pfizer Inc. Questcor, Teva Neuroscience, and Genzyme Corporation as a consultant and/or speaker. Dr. Knetzer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Maranzana has nothing to disclose. Dr. Payne-Gates has nothing to disclose. Dr. Popham has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis, EMD Serono, Genzyme, and Teva Neuroscience as a speaker and/or consultant. Dr. Salter has received personal compensation for activities with GlaxoSmithKline as a consultant. Dr. Singer has received personal compensation for activities with Acorda Therapeutics, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Genentech, Inc., Genzyme Corporation, Novartis, Pfizer Inc., and Teva Neuroscience.
A System for Interpretation and Short-Range Forecast of Radiation Background in North-West Bulgaria (RINFOR)

After the Chernobyl accident and some major industrial accidents such as in Ceveso (Italy), Bopal (India) etc., the requirements for monitoring background measurement and pollution distribution forecasting substantially increased. Various radiation control measurement and computer systems were developed. A lot of pollutant transport models were developed in a number of countries, their output utilized for decision making in case of accidental release of chemical or radioactive material. Different projects have been launched out, like ATMES (Atmospheric Transport Model Evaluation Study), ETEX (European Tracer EXperiment) - 1st and 2nd stage, RTMOD (Real-Time MODeling project), ENSEMBLE (FP5 project) etc., aimed at studying the long-range transport of pollutants, on the one hand, and assessing the participating countries capabilities to response promptly in case of potential hazardous situation, on the other.
Vegetation and Soil Development in Compost-Amended Iron Oxide Precipitates at a 50-Year-Old Acid Mine Drainage Barrens

Acid mine drainage (AMD) barrens result from destruction of vegetation within AMD flow paths. When exposed to air, soluble iron in AMD undergoes oxidation and hydrolysis to form ferric iron (oxyhydr)oxides which accumulate on soil surfaces. A restoration experiment was conducted at a 50-year-old AMD barrens created by discharge from an abandoned underground coal mine. The objective was to determine whether vegetation could be established by altering rather than removing surface layers of acidic precipitates at a site representative of other mining-degraded areas. Three zones in the barrens were identified based on moisture content, pH (2.7–3.3), and thickness of precipitates (0–35 cm). Our hypothesis was that application of the same reclamation method to all zones would fail to sustain >70% vegetative cover in each zone after four growing seasons. The method consisted of applying 11 t/ha lime and 27 or 54 t/ha compost before rototilling (top 15 cm) and mulching with oat straw containing viable seeds for a nurse crop. Lime-only plots were included for comparison, and all amended plots were sown with a mine reclamation seed mix. Oats, sown species, and indigenous species dominated cover in the first, second, and fourth growing seasons, respectively. In the fourth year following reclamation, compost-amended plots had >70% cover and improved soil properties in all three zones, providing evidence to reject our hypothesis. Vegetative restoration of AMD barrens did not require removal of highly acidic precipitates, since they could be transformed at low-cost into a medium that supports indigenous plants.
Small RNA Control of Cell-to-Cell Communication in Vibrio Harveyi and Vibrio Cholerae

Quorum sensing is a process of cell-to-cell communication, by which bacteria coordinate gene expression and behavior on a population-wide scale. Quorum sensing is accomplished through production, secretion, and subsequent detection of chemical signaling molecules termed autoinducers. The human pathogen Vibrio cholerae and the marine bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio harveyi incorporate information from multiple autoinducers, and also environmental signals and metabolic cues into their quorum-sensing pathways. At the core of these pathways lie several homologous small regulatory RNA molecules, the Quorum Regulatory RNAs. Small noncoding RNAs have emerged throughout the bacterial and eukaryotic kingdoms as key regulators of behavioral and developmental processes. Here, I review our present understanding of the role of the Qrr small RNAs in integrating quorum-sensing signals and in regulating the individual cells response to this information.
Space-time coded OFDM with low PAPR

Multiple input multiple output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems employing space-time coding have been proposed for providing high-data rate services over wireless channels. These schemes combine the advantages of space-time coding and OFDM, resulting in a spectrally efficient wideband system. However, current MIMO-OFDM systems do not consider the problem of inherent high peak to average power ratio (PAPR). In this paper, we propose a general framework for PAPR reduction for space-time coded OFDM systems. We show that with the new scheme, significantly reduced PAPRs can be obtained at the cost of a slight decrease in the spectral efficiency of the system. In particular, using trellis shaping before space-time coding, examples show that a PAPR reduction of 4.5 dB is possible.
An Optimality Condition for Approximate Inertial Manifolds

In this paper, we present a basic theoretical framework for interpreting essentially all known methods for constructing approximate inertial manifolds for any of a large class of nonlinear evolutionary equations. This class includes the 2D Navier-Stokes equations and many systems of reaction diffusion equations. We prove that, under reasonable assumptions, every approximate inertial manifold for a given equation is an actual inertial manifold of an approximate equation. This new theoretical framework allows one to introduce certain optimality conditions for approximate inertial manifolds. Finally we introduce a new method, the Gamma Method, for the construction of approximate inertial manifolds.
Omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease: a critical review and evaluation of the literature

The precipitous decline of memory and independence associated with cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is emotionally and financially devastating to patients, their families, and caretakers. Studies from animal models and cell cultures have shown that omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) are neuroprotective during development and aging. Numerous epidemiologic, postmortem, and clinical trials have been published on fish or n-3 FAs and Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or cognitive decline. Yet results across the literature in humans are inconsistent and thus difficult to interpret. This review provides background and context needed for interpretation of the findings, summaries of the literature grouped by longitudinal studies of fish, dietary n-3 FAs, blood levels of fatty acids, postmortem studies, and clinical trials, and subsequent interpretation of findings. Possible reasons for discrepancies in the literature are presented throughout, and conclusions suggest directions for future research.
Crohn's disease patients find new relief from old drug

Budesonide, formerly used for asthma and allergies, is now approved for treating mild Crohn's disease
Activation of human neutrophils through L-selectin and Mac-1 molecules.

The effect of selective cell activation through L-selectin and Mac-1 molecules cross-linking on neutrophil superoxide anion (O2-) generation and changes in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i was investigated. Cross-linking of L-selectin using different mAbs induced a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i and O2- generation by neutrophils that were dependent on the extent of L-selectin cross-linking and mAb epitope binding. In addition, cross-linking of L-selectin induced an up-regulation of surface Mac-1 expression on neutrophils. Cross-linking of Mac-1 molecules with mAb also induced significant changes in [Ca2+]i levels and O2- generation by neutrophils, which was also dependent on the epitope binding by mAb. Pretreatment of neutrophils with LPS caused a marked decrease in the expression of L-selectin molecules and significant inhibition (i.e., 59 +/- 4%) of anti-L-selectin mAb-dependent O2- generation and [Ca2+]i signal. In contrast, LPS pretreatment caused a significant up-regulation of Mac-1 molecules on neutrophil and enhanced O2- generation by neutrophils. The data indicate that cross-linking of L-selectin and Mac-1 initiates changes in [Ca2+]i and O2- production in neutrophils and suggest that these distinct adhesion molecules independently may play important regulatory roles in modulating neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions, transmigration, and neutrophil function at sites of tissue injury.
Implementation of high-side, high-voltage RESURF LDMOS in a sub-half micron smart power technology

55 V high-side RESURF LDMOS has been integrated successfully in 0.35 /spl mu/m smart power technology by carefully arranging the lateral doping profile. This device has Rds.on/spl times/area of 0.55 m/spl Omega/.cm/sup 2/ with excellent safe operating area. With proper device terminal biasing scheme, this device can also be used as an isolated device. Techniques and issues related to the isolation is considered and discussed.
Robust estimates of ordered means in normal models

In this paper we consider the problem of estimating the locations of several normal populations when an order relation between them is known to be true. We compare the maximum likelihood estimator, the M-estimators based on Huber’s ψ function, a robust weighted likelihood estimator, the Gastworth estimator and the trimmed mean estimator. A Monte-Carlo study illustrates the performance of the methods considered.
Rising atmospheric CO2 and human nutrition: toward globally imbalanced plant stoichiometry?

Abstract Terrestrial vascular plants obtain their major constituent – carbon (C) – from atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), but draw all other chemical elements largely from the soil. Concentrations of these elements, however, do not change in unison with steadily increasing concentrations of CO 2 [CO 2 ]. Thus, relative to pre-industrial times, modern plants are experiencing a global elemental imbalance. Could this imbalance affect the elemental composition of plants, the most important food source on Earth? Apart from an overall decline in nitrogen concentration, very little is known about the effects of high [CO 2 ] on other chemical elements, such as iron, iodine and zinc, which are already deficient in the diets of the half of human population. Here, I apply stoichiometric theory to argue that high [CO 2 ], as a rule, should alter the elemental composition of plants, thus affecting the quality of human nutrition. The first compilation, to my knowledge, of published data supports the claim and shows an overall decline of the (essential elements):C ratio. Therefore, high [CO 2 ] could intensify the already acute problem of micronutrient malnutrition.
Radiation Absorption between the Ultraviolet and X-ray Bands

The recent initial exploration of photoabsorption in a previously unmapped portion of the spectrum, photon energies between approximately 20 and 500 electron volts or wavelengths between 20 and 600 angstroms, is reviewed.
Abstract 4495: Treatment effects of the novel mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055 in prostate cancer cell models

The mTOR pathway is frequently hyperactivated in prostate cancer due to PTEN loss of function, hence rendering prostate cancer cells sensitive to mTOR inhibitors. Although the classic allosteric mTOR inhibitor rapamycin has shown considerable preclinical efficacy, clinical results suggest that rapamycin alone is insufficient to inhibit tumor growth in prostate cancer patients. AZD8055 is an ATP-competitive mTOR kinase inhibitor that efficiently blocks activation of both mTOR complex (mTORC) 1 and 2. In this study we evaluated the effects of AZD8055 in prostate cancer cell models. Cell proliferation after drug treatment was determined by MTT assay and cell cycle was analyzed using propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry. Protein expression was detected by Western blot. In both PC-3 (PTEN null) and DU145 (PTEN wildtype) cells, AZD8055 suppressed cell proliferation at the nanomolar level in a dose dependent manner. At the same concentration (100 nM), AZD8055 induced greater G1 phase arrest than rapamycin and the expression of proteins related to G1 progression (cyclin D1, c-Myc) was significantly decreased by AZD8055 while only slightly reduced by rapamycin. Mechanistically, although both drugs blocked phosphorylation of mTORC1 downstream targets S6K and S6, only AZD8055 inhibited phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, another mTORC1 downstream molecule, and Akt, a typical target of mTORC2. Importantly, cells that were able to survive and proliferate under rapamycin (100 nM) selective pressure remained responsive to AZD8055, even at the lowest dose (10 nM). Furthermore in a PC-3 cell line established to be highly resistant to rapamycin (PC-3RR), AZD8055 could still potently decrease cell proliferation, with an IC50 of 0.5 nM. Taken together, these findings indicate that a) AZD8055 is superior to rapamycin in growth inhibition of prostate cancer cells irrespective of PTEN status, b) AZD8055 is able to deactivate rapamycin-insensitive complexes involved in the mTOR signaling, and c) AZD8055 treatment can overcome rapamycin treatment-associated resistance. In summary, the novel mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055 may have significant therapeutic potential in prostate cancer treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4495. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4495
Breast cancer: risk of heart disease after radiotherapy-cause for concern.

Radiotherapy is known to cause heart disease. A recent analysis challenges several long-held tenets, indicating that radiation-induced cardiotoxicity might occur at lower doses, and earlier, than generally believed. We must be mindful of this toxicity and limit cardiac radiation dose as much as possible.
Max Weber and American Protestantism

IT IS now almost seventy years since Max Weber visited the United States and was inspired to write his delightful and significant essay entitled "The Protestant Sects and the Spirit of Capitalism." (Weber, 1946) I would like to comment on what Weber had to say in that essay concerning American Protestantism, and I would also like to assess Weber's predictions about the future of American Protestantism in the light of certain events since 1904, events that Weber himself might think important to reflect upon were he to come to life again and pay a second visit to this country.
Implications of college-age narcissism for psychosocial functioning at midlife: Findings from a longitudinal study of women

Positive and negative implications of two types of college-age narcissism on psychosocial functioning at midlife were studied in a longitudinal sample of women. Both types were scored with self-report measures when the women were, on the average, age 21. Throughout the first half of their adult life, high scorers on covert narcissism presented themselves as lacking in confidence and having low morale; high scorers on overt narcissism described themselves as wanting admiration, being independent, and being forceful. Positive outcomes associated with covert narcissism included the development of insight and of a differentiated sense of the self and, in the case of overt narcissism, entailed an involvement in high-status and creative work careers. At midlife, high scorers on covert narcissism experienced negative affect and feelings of being neglected, whereas high scorers on overt narcissism experienced family conflict and problems with impulse control. The personality characteristics associated with both types of narcissism remained stable from the early 20s to early 50s.
Index-based hyperlinks

We propose a new mechanism for implicitly specifying hyperlinks in HTML documents using indices. Indices are dictionaries that associate keys (words or phrases) with one or more attributes. Indices maintain these key/attribute bindings over all or part of a document, and are used by browsers to create hyperlinks dynamically. Indices may also include bindings of other indices, in a hierarchical fashion. We argue that indices are both simpler and more general than the current HTML hyperlink mechanism. We have developed a prototype browser that uses index-based hyperlinks.
A Theory of Black Political Participation in the United States

Recently "indirect effects," "isolation," and "ethnic community" arguments have been offered to explain the political participation rates of black Americans. Each of these theories is criticized on the basis of both contemporary and historical evidence and because of the severely limiting assumptions underlying the arguments. In their stead, a political climate theory of participation is presented as a defensible alternative. Historical support is offered, underlying assumptions are discussed, and alternative methods of testing the thesis are suggested. For at least half a century, discussions of black political participation in the U.S. have arisen out of political research on cities (e.g., Gosnell; Olsen; Orum; Wilson), specific geographic regions (e.g., Matthews and Prothro), and representative samples from the country as a whole (e.g., A. Campbell et al.; Connelly and Field; Greeley; Lazarsfeld et al.; Woodward and Roper). Especially since World War 2, all investigations of black politics have benefited from the application of computer technology and relatively sophisticated techniques of data analysis to problems in the social sciences. Advanced methods of investigation notwithstanding, the twofold thesis of this paper is that contemporary and historical evidence show the theoretical arguments emanating from this research to be particularly narrow and limited in their application and that a historically based theory of black participation which incorporates the strengths and avoids the limitations of these contemporary arguments can be constructed. Before the evidence for these assertions is presented, however, the meaning of political participation in this paper should be clarified. While politics has come to be interpreted broadly-and rightfully so-a necessary first step toward any theory of black politics ought to examine carefully the much studied but little understood phenomenon of minority voting and its relation to conventional political behavior. By itself, voting by blacks is often not sufficient to effect lasting social change, but in the recent past, at *Special thanks to Wen-lung Chang and Peter Yeager both for helpful insights offered about important aspects of the paper and for moral support.
Recent developments in neutralization of meteorological rocket falling mass hazards.

Sounding rocket disintegration studies to avoid falling mass hazards, noting design of pyrotechnic core in sandwich construction
Measurements and modeling of D, He and Li sputtering of liquid lithium

Abstract The absolute sputtering yields of D + , He + and Li+ on solid lithium have been measured and modeled at low energies in the ion-surface interaction experiment (IIAX). The experiment has been extended to measure physical sputtering from liquid lithium surfaces bombarded by D + , He + and Li+. A Colutron ion source is used to create and accelerate gaseous or metal ions onto the liquid metal target. A plasma cup removes any oxides and saturates the surface with deuterium. A small high-temperature, HV substrate heater is used to heat the 0.76 g lithium sample past its melting point to 200°C. Upon melting, a thin oxide layer is formed on the exposed lithium surface, which is cleaved by an in situ arm rotated in front of the target. Results suggest that the absolute sputtering yield of lithium is less than unity. In addition, the behavior of liquid lithium self-sputtering suggests stratification of the top liquid metal surface. This is consistent with VFTRIM-3D modeling, where D atoms migrate into the bulk while the first few monolayers remain mostly lithium.
Primary Prevention and Practical Techniques to Encourage Mental Wellness

Women patients must be made aware that they need to train and perhaps readjust their attitudes and minds to handle and improve their mental wellness. Being their own person, with awareness of whom and how they want to be, strengthens their sense of self and simplifies their lives with awareness and understanding of the choices unique to them as individuals.
AKAP79/150 Anchoring of Calcineurin Controls Neuronal L-Type Ca2+ Channel Activity and Nuclear Signaling

Neuronal L-type calcium channels contribute to dendritic excitability and activity-dependent changes in gene expression that influence synaptic strength. Phosphorylation-mediated enhancement of L-type channels containing the CaV1.2 pore-forming subunit is promoted by A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) that target cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) to the channel. Although PKA increases L-type channel activity in dendrites and dendritic spines, the mechanism of enhancement in neurons remains poorly understood. Here, we show that CaV1.2 interacts directly with AKAP79/150, which binds both PKA and the Ca2+/calmodulin-activated phosphatase calcineurin (CaN). Cotargeting of PKA and CaN by AKAP79/150 confers bidirectional regulation of L-type current amplitude in transfected HEK293 cells and hippocampal neurons. However, anchored CaN dominantly suppresses PKA enhancement of the channel. Additionally, activation of the transcription factor NFATc4 via local Ca2+ influx through L-type channels requires AKAP79/150, suggesting that this signaling complex promotes neuronal L channel signaling to the nucleus through NFATc4.