cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ectomycorrhizal fungi of whitebark pine (a tree in peril) revealed by sporocarps and molecular analysis of mycorrhizae from treeline forests in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) is unique as the only stone pine in North America. This species has declined 40%–90% throughout its range owing to blister rust infection, mountain pine beetle, fire suppression, and global climate change. However, intact mature and old growth forests still exist in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) at high timberline elevations. This study addresses the urgent need to discover the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi critical to this tree species before forests are further reduced. A study of mature whitebark pine forests across five mountain ranges in the Northern GYE confirmed 32 ECM species of fungi with the pine by sporocarp occurrence in pure stands or by identification of mycorrhizae with ITS-matching. Boletales and Cortinariales (Cortinarius) comprise 50% of the species diversity discovered. In Boletales, Suillus subalpinus M.M. Moser (with stone pines), Suillus sibericus Singer (stone pines), Rhizopogon evadens A.H. Sm. (five-needle pines), Rhizopogon spp. (...
125Mbps ultra-wideband system evaluation for cortical implant devices

This paper evaluates the performance of a 125Mbps Impulse Ratio Ultra-Wideband (IR-UWB) system for cortical implant devices by using low-Q inductive coil link operating in the near-field domain. We examine design tradeoffs between transmitted signal amplitude, reliability, noise and clock jitter. The IR-UWB system is modeled using measured parameters from a reported UWB transceiver implemented in 90nm-CMOS technology. Non-optimized inductive coupling coils with low-Q value for near-field data transmission are modeled in order to build a full channel from the transmitter (Tx) to the receiver (Rx). On-off keying (OOK) modulation is used together with a low-complexity convolutional error correcting code. The simulation results show that even though the low-Q coils decrease the amplitude of the received pulses, the UWB system can still achieve acceptable performance when error correction is used. These results predict that UWB is a good candidate for delivering high data rates in cortical implant devices.
Solutions Development for Renewable and CHP Projects for the Federal Government

ABSTRACT Many federal energy-savings performance contract (ESPC) projects have more opportunities than the traditional demand-side energy conservation measures (ECMs). Federal organizations can incorporate more advanced technologies, like renewable energy sources, into their project bundles when the energy services company (ESCO) takes advantage of creative financing, incentives and rebates available. This article will cover the following aspects of solutions development for renewable and combined heating and power (CHP) projects for the federal government. Included will be a discussion of more advanced ECMs available to a particular location. Solutions development process overview Samples of conventional ECM projects Samples of advanced ECM technologies CHP projects Renewable projects
EXPERIMENTAL MOLECULAR EVOLUTION OF BACTERIOPHAGE T7.

We present an analysis of molecular evolution in a laboratory-generated phylogeny of the bacteriophage T7, a virus of 40 kilo-base pairs of double-stranded DNA. The known biology of T7 is used in concert with observed changes in restriction sites and in DNA sequences to produce a model of restriction-site convergence and divergence in the experimental lineages. During laboratory propagation in the presence of a mutagen, the phage lineages changed an estimated 0.5%-1.5% in base pairs; most change appears to have been G → A or C → T, presumably because of the mutagen employed. Some classes of restriction-site losses can be explained adequately as simple outcomes of random processes, given the mutation rate and the bias in mutation spectrum. However, some other classes of sites appear to have undergone accelerated rates of loss, as though the losses were selectively favored. Overall, the wealth of knowledge available for T7 biology contributes only modestly to these explanations of restriction-site evolution, but rates of restriction-site gains remain poorly explained, perhaps requiring an even deeper understanding of T7 genetics than was employed here. Having measured these properties of molecular evolution, we programmed computer simulations with the parameter estimates and pseudo-replicated the empirical study, thereby providing a data base for statistical evaluation of phylogeny reconstruction methods. By these criteria, replicates of the experimental phylogeny would be correctly reconstructed over 97% of the time for the three methods tested, but the methods differed significantly both in their ability to recover the correct topology and in their ability to predict branch lengths. More generally, the study illustrates how analyses of experimental evolution in bacteriophage can be exploited to reveal relationships between the basics of molecular evolution and abstract models of evolutionary processes.
High pressure excess isotherms for adsorption of oxygen and nitrogen in zeolites.

High-pressure oxygen is an integral part of fuel cell systems, many NASA in situ resource utilization concepts, and life support systems for extravehicular activity. Due to the limited information available for system designs over wide ranges of temperature and pressure, volumetric methods are applied to measure adsorption isotherms of O2 and N2 on NaX and NaY zeolites covering temperatures from 105 to 448 K and pressures up to 150 bar. Experimental data measured using two apparatuses with distinctly different designs show good agreement for overlapping temperatures. Excess adsorption isotherms are modeled using a traditional isotherm model for absolute adsorption with a correction for the gas capacity of the adsorption space. Comparing two models with temperature-dependent coefficients, a virial isotherm model provides a better description than a Toth isotherm model, even with the same number of parameters. With more virial coefficients, such as a cubic form in loading and quadratic form in reciprocal te...
On the characterisation of Mal'tsev and Jónsson-Tarski algebras

There are very strong parallels between the properties of Mal’tsev and Jonsson-Tarski algebras, for example in the good behaviour of centrality and in the factorisation of direct products. Moreover, the two classes between them include the majority of algebras that actually arise “in nature”. As a contribution to the research programme building a unified theory capable of covering the two classes, along with other instances of good centrality and factorisation, the paper presents a common framework for the characterisation of Mal’tsev and Jonsson-Tarski algebras. Mal’tsev algebras are characterised by simplicial identities in the product complex of an algebra. In the dual of a pointed variety, a simplicial object known as the pointed complex is then constructed. The basic simplicial Mal’tsev identity in the pointed complex characterises Jonsson-Tarski algebras. Higher-dimensional simplicial Mal’tsev identities in the pointed complex are characteristic of a class of algebras lying properly between Goldie and Jonsson-Tarski algebras.
Students' Perceptions and Experiences of Social Media in Higher Education.

Recent research has discussed the opportunities associated with the use of social media tools in the classroom, but has not examined the perceptions students themselves hold about its usefulness in...
Academic Status of Plastic Surgery in the United States and the Relevance of Independence.

Background: The basic administrative structures at most academic institutions were implemented more than 50 years ago and have remained largely unchanged. Since the surgical specialties were in nascent stages during that time, they were clubbed together within the department of surgery. There has been extensive growth in the breadth and depth of plastic surgery over the past few decades and current administrative structures might not truly reflect the current standing of plastic surgery. Objectives: The goal of this article was to review the academic status of Plastic Surgery in the United States and assess the relevance of independence from the department of surgery. Results: A national survey of 94 hospitals with plastic surgery residency training programs in the United States was conducted to investigate the academic status of plastic surgery. 25 out of those 94 programs had department status with their respective hospitals while another 9 programs were actively planning on transitioning to department status. Out of the 25 plastic surgery hospital departments, 17 programs were also University departments . The number of plastic surgery departments has more than doubled over the past 10 years and continues to rise as more plastic surgery division s seek department status. Conclusions: There are multiple advantages to seeking department status such as financial and administrative autonomy, ability to participate in medical school curricula, easier access to interdepartmental institutes and faculties, parity with other specialties, and increased control of resident education. There has been concerted advocacy for separating from surgery department s and seeking independent departmental status for plastic surgery. However, the transition from a division to department is a slow and demanding process and requires a well-planned strategy.
Toward an interdisciplinary approach to understanding sensory function in autism spectrum disorder.

Heightened interest in sensory function in persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents an unprecedented opportunity for impactful, interdisciplinary work between neuroscientists and clinical practitioners for whom sensory processing is a focus. In spite of this promise, and a number of overlapping perspectives on sensory function in persons with ASD, neuroscientists and clinical practitioners are faced with significant practical barriers to transcending disciplinary silos. These barriers include divergent goals, values, and approaches that shape each discipline, as well as different lexical conventions. This commentary is itself an interdisciplinary effort to describe the shared perspectives, and to conceptualize a framework that may guide future investigation in this area. We summarize progress to date and issue a call for clinical practitioners and neuroscientists to expand cross-disciplinary dialogue and to capitalize on the complementary strengths of each field to unveil the links between neural and behavioral manifestations of sensory differences in persons with ASD. Joining forces to face these challenges in a truly interdisciplinary way will lead to more clinically informed neuroscientific investigation of sensory function, and better translation of those findings to clinical practice. Likewise, a more coordinated effort may shed light not only on how current approaches to treating sensory processing differences affect brain and behavioral responses to sensory stimuli in individuals with ASD, but also on whether such approaches translate to gains in broader characteristics associated with ASD. It is our hope that such interdisciplinary undertakings will ultimately converge to improve assessment and interventions for persons with ASD. Autism Res 2016, 9: 920–925. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation and analysis on the present management status of infectious diseases in medical institutions in Lu'an city from 2012 to 2013

Objective To understand the quality of notifiable infectious disease report in medical institutions at all levels in Lu'an city at present,and provide effective measures for infectious disease management. Methods A total of 62medical institutions were sampled using the stratified sampling method. Comprehensive analysis and evaluation were carried out on the management of infectious diseases report. Results 692 cases among 17 kinds of infectious diseases were investigated,in which,97 cases were false negative,the false negative rate was 14. 02%. The false negative rate of class B,class C and other statutory management and key monitoring infectious diseases were 10. 87%,14. 74% and 27. 59%. The false negative rates were different between different kinds of infectious diseases( P = 0. 003). There were significantly difference( P 0. 01) on the false negative rate,report accuracy rate,and integrity rate between different types of medical institutions,Conclusion The false negative rate of infectious diseases among at all levels medical institutions in Lu'an city was high,and with the existences of non-standardized outpatient log and insufficient hospital management,the further management should be taken on infectious disease report. It is necessary to adopt the measures of unified issued outpatient service logs,strengthened supervision and training,to improve the quality of infectious diseases report.
Abstract 4195: Targeting the immune microenvironment to improve colorectal cancer anti-angiogenic therapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Anti-angiogenic therapy with bevacizumab has been proven efficacious in metastatic CRC. However, the improvement in overall survival has been modest and rather disappointing. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify the underlying mechanisms responsible for the resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy and develop strategies to overcome it. Clinical and preclinical interest in tumor immunotherapy has been renewed in a significant manner recently. However, the role of the immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy is not well understood. We have developed miniaturized confocal endomicroscopy technique for spontaneous CRC models in mice. We also established a novel cecum window recently. These unique systems enable us to monitor the CRC and its immune microenvironment longitudinally with a video-rate intravital multi-photon microscope. Using these CRC models and in vivo imaging methods, we found that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) antibody increases infiltration of Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and they alter the tumor microenvironment toward an immune-suppressive condition to avoid attack of the host immune system. We also found that the Gr1+ MDSCs express CXCR4, which has important roles in cell-autonomous survival and chemotaxis, through its downstream signaling pathways. When we treat the VEGF signaling blocker together with a CXCR4-specific inhibitor, the level of the Gr1+ MDSC infiltration is dramatically decreased nearly to that of control group, and subsequently, tumor growth is significantly delayed compared to separate treatment of each inhibitor. Taken together, we identified Gr1+ MDSCs as key players in tumor resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy in CRCs, and the blockade of CXCR4 signaling has a synergistic effect with anti-VEGF therapy, proven by state-of-the-art in vivo imaging modalities. Citation Format: Keehoon Jung, Takahiro Heishi, Andy Yun, Timothy P. Padera, Rakesh K. Jain, Dai Fukumura. Targeting the immune microenvironment to improve colorectal cancer anti-angiogenic therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4195.
Team Management in Healthcare: Basics

Developing effective teamwork is a critical part of improving quality of care. Here we present basic team management strategies and tools.
Pilot and feasibility study of a parenting intervention delivered by parent peers.

ABSTRACTPreventive parenting interventions delivered by parent peer specialists may be a viable alternative to professional-led interventions and offer an advantage of increasing access in medically underserved areas. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a 10-session, peer specialist-delivered preventive parenting intervention (Smart and Secure Children) for child disruptive behavior. The intervention was evaluated among a small sample of parents (N = 15) of preschoolers (2–5 years) residing in medically underserved communities. Pediatricians referred families to the intervention, which was delivered in primary care practices within medically underserved communities. To determine feasibility, we calculated percentages of pediatricians who referred parents to the intervention, parent peer specialists who completed 40-h interventionist and leadership training, and the average number of sessions attended by parents. Enrolled parents completed questionnai...
Leveraging a team-centric approach to diagnosing multiteam system functioning: The role of intrateam state profiles

Abstract The increased reliance on team-based structures within 21st century organizations has sparked a stream of research investigating the drivers of collaboration within and across multiteam systems (MTS), comprised of distinct, interdependent component teams. To date, MTS research tends to rely on the simplified—and potentially inaccurate—assumption that component teams within a MTS are homogenous with regard to their emergent intrateam properties (e.g., team attitudes, behaviors, cognitions). We suggest that team-centric approaches may better characterize the ways in which emergent intrateam properties might vary across different MTS component teams—operationalized with what we term ‘intrateam state profiles.’ Leveraging cancer care MTSs as an illustrative example, we detail the need for team-centric approaches as complementary to traditional, variable-centric approaches to studying collective phenomena. Specifically, we explore intrateam state profiles as a mechanism for understanding complex interactions of emergent properties within teams that may profoundly affect system functioning and associated HRM practices.
The Role of Self-Regulation in Academic and Behavioral Paths to a High School Diploma.

This study’s goal was to examine academic and behavioral paths to obtaining a high school diploma. Data were drawn from a gender-balanced, ethnically diverse longitudinal sample of 808 youth from 18 Seattle public elementary schools serving high crime neighborhoods. Structural equation modeling was used to simultaneously estimate longitudinal academic and behavioral paths to a high school diploma. Results showed support for an academic path whereby higher academic performance in middle school predicted higher academic performance in high school which, in turn, increased the likelihood of obtaining a high school diploma. Results also supported a unique behavioral path whereby poor self-regulation during middle school predicted increased antisocial behavior in high school which, in turn, reduced the likelihood of obtaining a high school diploma. A third path emerged showing that higher family socioeconomic resources directly increased the likelihood of obtaining a high school diploma after accounting for academic performance, poor self-regulation, antisocial behavior, poor family functioning, and school prosocial development. Mediation analyses showed that high school antisocial behavior was a mechanism connecting middle school self-regulation and obtaining a high school diploma. Results suggest that poor self-regulation is linked to academic attainment through its connection with antisocial behavior. Interventions seeking to improve rates of high school graduation and reduce antisocial behavior may enhance their impact by focusing on self-regulation in conjunction with supporting academic success and family socioeconomics.
Conditional Probability and Education Reform: Are They Compatible?

We demonstrate that one can teach conditional probability in a manner consistent with many features of the statistics education reform movement. Presenting a variety of applications of conditional probability to realistic problems, we propose that interactive activities and the use of technology make conditional probability understandable, interactive, and interesting for students at a wide range of levels of mathematical ability. Along with specific examples, we provide guidelines for implementation of the activities in the classroom and instructional cues for promoting curiosity and discussion among students.
China's War Reporters: The Legacy of Resistance Against Japan: By Parks M. Coble Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2015, 267 pp.

Despite its title, China's War Reporters is not primarily about war reporting, but rather about the politics of war, ideology, nationalism, and memory, through the lens of journalism. The first fiv...
The ecology of Western Gulls in habitats varying in degree of urban influence

We studied reproductive performance, diet choice, and habitat selection in Western Gulls, Larus occidentalismover a 22-year period in five colonies along the coast of California. These included colonies with heavy (Alcatraz, Anacapa), moderate (Moss Landing), and relatively little (Southeast Farallon, Santa Barbara Island) urban influence. General aspects of habitat selection were similar on all colonies, with birds seeking nest sites sheltered from the prevailing wind, and generally avoiding grassy areas. Important differences in diet choice and habitat selection were found between urban and non-urban sites, with urban gulls relying more heavily on human refuse as food, and often locating nests adjacent to human debris and artifacts. In all colonies, Western Gulls relied heavily on fish as a primary diet item, especially when rearing offspring, and birds that took predominantly fish and other pelagic prey showed superior breeding performance. Diets of less successful birds varied among sites, with urban birds dependent on human refuse, and non-urban birds being more dependent on other seabirds and scavenging. During major El Nino/Southern Oscillation events, less successful birds on non-urban sites (i.e., Southeast Farallon) flew long distances to obtain human refuse. A captive rearing experiment in which chicks were fed diets comprised of either fish or refuse, revealed that refuse was nutritionally inadequate for normal chick development. In all colonies, only a small percentage of pairs were successful as first-time breeders, and these pairs continued to be successful over many years. In contrast, most pairs were unsuccessful in their first year, only breed for 1–2 years, and showed poor performance, on both an annual and long-term basis.
Adaptation and Survival of Plants in High Stress Habitats via Fungal Endophyte Conferred Stress Tolerance

From the Arctic to the Antarctic, plants thrive in diverse habitats that impose different levels of adaptive pressures depending on the type and degree of biotic and abiotic stresses inherent to each habitat (Stevens, 1989). At any particular location, the abundance and distribution of individual plant species vary tremendously and is theorized to be based on the ability to tolerate a wide range of edaphic conditions and habitat-specific stresses (Pianka, 1966). The ability of individual plant species to thrive in diverse habitats is commonly referred to as phenotypic plasticity and is thought to involve adaptations based on changes in the plant genome (Givnish, 2002; Pan et al., 2006; Robe and Griffiths, 2000; Schurr et al., 2006). Habitats that impose high levels of abiotic stress are typically colonized with fewer plant species compared to habitats imposing low levels of stress. Moreover, high stress habitats have decreased levels of plant abundance compared to low stress habitats even though these habitats may occur in close proximity to one another (Perelman et al., 2007). This is particularly interesting because all plants are known to perceive, transmit signals, and respond to abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, and salinity (Bartels and Sunkar, 2005; Bohnert et al., 1995). Although there has been extensive research performed to determine the genetic, molecular, and physiological bases of how plants respond to and tolerate stress, the nature of plant adaptation to high stress habitats remains unresolved (Leone et al., 2003; Maggio et al., 2003; Tuberosa et al., 2003). However, recent evidence indicates that a ubiquitous aspect of plant biology (fungal symbiosis) is involved in the adaptation and survival of at least some plants in high stress habitats (Rodriguez et al., 2008).
The pulse of morphogenesis: actomyosin dynamics and regulation in epithelia

ABSTRACT Actomyosin networks are some of the most crucial force-generating components present in developing tissues. The contractile forces generated by these networks are harnessed during morphogenesis to drive various cell and tissue reshaping events. Recent studies of these processes have advanced rapidly, providing us with insights into how these networks are initiated, positioned and regulated, and how they act via individual contractile pulses and/or the formation of supracellular cables. Here, we review these studies and discuss the mechanisms that underlie the construction and turnover of such networks and structures. Furthermore, we provide an overview of how ratcheted processivity emerges from pulsed events, and how tissue-level mechanics are the coordinated output of many individual cellular behaviors.
Metagenomic Sequencing Detects Respiratory Pathogens in Hematopoietic Cellular Transplant Patients

RATIONALE: Current microbiologic diagnostics often fail to identify the etiology of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in hematopoietic cellular transplant recipients (HCT), which precludes the implementation of targeted therapies. OBJECTIVES: To address the need for improved LRTI diagnostics, we evaluated the utility of metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to detect microbial pathogens in HCT patients with acute respiratory illnesses. METHODS: We enrolled 22 post-HCT adults ages 19-69 years with acute respiratory illnesses who underwent BAL at the University of Michigan between January 2012 and May 2013. mNGS was performed on BAL fluid to detect microbes and simultaneously assess the host transcriptional response. Results were compared against conventional microbiologic assays. MEASUREMENTS & MAIN RESULTS: mNGS demonstrated 100% sensitivity for detecting respiratory microbes (human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, human herpesvirus 6 and cytomegalovirus) when compared to standard testing. Previously unrecognized LRTI pathogens were identified in six patients for whom standard testing was negative (human coronavirus 229E, human rhinovirus A, Corynebacterium propinquum and Streptococcus mitis); findings were confirmed by independent PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. Relative to patients without infection, patients with infection had increased expression of immunity related genes (p=0.022) and significantly lower diversity of their respiratory microbiome (p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to conventional diagnostics, mNGS enhanced detection of pathogens in BAL fluid from HCT patients. Furthermore, our results suggest that combining unbiased microbial pathogen detection with assessment of host gene biomarkers of immune response may hold promise for enhancing the diagnosis of post-HCT respiratory infections.
Caputo Nabla Fractional Boundary Value Problems

We study boundary value problems with the Caputo nabla difference in the context of discrete fractional nabla calculus, especially when the right boundary condition has a fractional order. We first construct the Green’s function for the general case and study the properties of the Green’s function in several cases. We then apply the cone theory in a Banach space to show the existence of positive solutions to a nonlinear boundary value problem.
Geophysics, natural selection, and hydrological forecasting

This paper demonstrates how to reduce the uncertainty in long range hydrological forecasting through the use of models based on the interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere, and the land surface and the atmosphere. The numerical models are on a regional and global scale and provide the geophysical justification necessary for the confident use of these ‘teleconnections’ for climate/hydrological forecasts.
Sound-Adapter: Multi-Source Domain Adaptation for Acoustic Classification Through Domain Discovery

The accuracy of an audio classifier drops when it is trained and tested in different conditions aka domains, e.g., different devices, different environments, or their combinations. Previous works have proposed audio domain adaptation techniques for a special case where the training data are recorded with a single source microphone and the model is applied to test data recorded with a different but single target microphone (i.e., single source to single target domain adaptation). In this paper, we solve a more generic and practical problem where the goal is to adapt models that are trained on data from more than one acoustic (i.e., multi-source domain adaptation). Unlike previous works, the proposed method does not assume availability of recording metadata (i.e., domain labels) in the training data---which makes the adaptation problem harder. To solve this, we propose the first multi-task deep neural network architecture to cluster audio samples according to their domain in an unsupervised way. Using the inferred domain information, we perform domain adaptation to remove biases due to domain heterogeneity from the machine learning model. We conduct extensive experiments on an empirical dataset that we collect from five domains as well as on a public dataset. Our results show that the proposed technique has a mean accuracy of 87% for domain discovery in a five domain scenario and its model adaptation step improves acoustic event classification accuracy by up to 21% when compared to state-of-the-art algorithms on datasets containing samples from multiple source domains.
The AKT modulator A-443654 reduces α-synuclein expression and normalizes ER stress and autophagy.

Accumulation of α-synuclein is a main underlying pathological feature of Parkinson's disease and α-synucleinopathies, for which lowering expression of the α-synuclein gene (SNCA) is a potential therapeutic avenue. Using a cell-based luciferase reporter of SNCA expression we performed a quantitative high-throughput screen of 155,885 compounds and identified A-443654, an inhibitor of the multiple functional kinase AKT, as a potent inhibitor of SNCA. HEK-293 cells with CAG repeat expanded ATXN2 (ATXN2-Q58 cells) have increased levels of α-synuclein. We found that A-443654 normalized levels of both SNCA mRNA and α-synuclein monomers and oligomers in ATXN2-Q58 cells. A-443654 also normalized levels of α-synuclein in fibroblasts and iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons from a patient carrying a triplication of the SNCA gene. Analysis of autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers showed that A-443654 successfully prevented α-synuclein toxicity and restored cell function in ATXN2-Q58 cells, normalizing the levels of mTOR, LC3-II, p62, STAU1, BiP, and CHOP. A-443654 also decreased the expression of DCLK1, an inhibitor of α-synuclein lysosomal degradation. Our study identifies A-443654 and AKT inhibition as a potential strategy for reducing SNCA expression and treating Parkinson's disease pathology.
African Regional Trade Agreements as Legal Regimes

African regional trade integration has grown exponentially in the last decade. This book is the first comprehensive analysis of the legal framework within which it is being pursued. It will fill a huge knowledge gap and serve as an invaluable teaching and research tool for policy makers in the public and private sectors, teachers, researchers and students of African trade and beyond. The author argues that African Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) are best understood as flexible legal regimes particularly given their commitment to variable geometry and multiple memberships. He analyzes the progress made toward trade liberalization in each region, how the RTAs are financed, their trade remedy and judicial regimes, and how well they measure up to Article XXIV of GATT. The book also covers monetary unions as well as intra-African regional integration, and examines free trade agreements with non-African regions including the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union.
The neurophysins: production and turnover.

Publisher Summary In mammals, vasopressin neurons appear to produce one type of neurophysin together with vasopressin, and oxytocin neurons produce another type of neurophysin with oxytocin. This chapter presents information about the evolution of the magnocellular system, the processing of prohormones, and the responsiveness of vasopressin and oxytocin neurons to different stimuli. The study of neurophysins proves useful for elucidating the pathways for the processing of secretory products within magnocellular neurons. Comparison between the primary structures of the neurophysins may provide clues to the manner in which oxytocin and vasopressin neurons have evolved from an ancestral neurone that produced a provasotocin. Processing of a common precursor for vasopressin and vasopressin-associated neurophysins (VP-NP) within neurosecretory granules (NSG) may involve the intermediate formation of proneurophysin, which is then converted into neurophysin by proneurophysinase(s). On the assumption that plasma neurophysins provide an index of activity within magnocellular neurons, it would seem that pentobarbital anaesthesia does not significantly change the responsiveness of these neurons to acute changes in plasma osmolality.
High Frequency in Vivo Loss of Heterozygosity Is Primarily a Consequence of Mitotic Recombination

We have used the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase gene (APRT; 16q24) to investigate the mechanisms of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in normal human somatic cells in vivo. APRT-deficient (APRT-/-, APRT-/0) T lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of four obligate APRT heterozygotes (APRT+/-) with characterized germ-line mutations were selected in medium containing 100 microM 2,6-diaminopurine. A total of 80 2,6-diaminopurine-resistant T-cell clones from 2 of the heterozygotes were analyzed for this study. The presence or absence of LOH of proximal linked microsatellite repeat markers was used to divide the clones into two groups: (a) those in which LOH was likely due to localized changes in APRT (e.g., point mutations); and (b) those with LOH at additional loci. A total of 61 clones (76%) exhibited LOH of linked microsatellite repeat markers at different locations on 16q, which extended from the smallest measured region (<5.5 cM) to the entire 16q arm. The remaining 19 clones (24%) had point mutations in APRT or other relatively minor alterations. Ten clones with LOH encompassing different regions of 16q were examined by conventional cytogenetics and by fluorescence in situ hybridization using an APRT cosmid probe. All clones exhibited a normal diploid karyotype, and nine exhibited two copies of APRT. The one clone that was hemizygous for APRT had the smallest observed region of LOH in clones from that individual. These results indicate that mitotic recombination and, to a much lesser extent, deletion may be the primary mechanisms for the relatively high frequency of in vivo LOH observed in normal human T cells. Because LOH leads to the expression of recessive tumor suppressor genes in many cancers, these data have significant implications for the role of LOH in the early stages of tumor development, especially in breast cancer.
Spectroscopic Observations of Be Stars in the near Infrared

The results of near infrared spectroscopic observations of over 120 Be stars are presented. In particular, the O I lines at λ 7774 and λ 8446 A and the Ca II triplet (λ 8498 A, λ 8542 A, and λ 8662 A) are discussed. The presence of emission at O I λ 7774A is shown to correlate with Fe II emission. Shell absorption at this line is found to be similar in appearance to that found in the photospheric spectra of supergiants. The O I λ 8446 A line, the result of a fluorescence with Lyman β, is briefly discussed in connection with Be envelope dimensions. The paradox presented by the presence of strong Ca II triplet emission without H and K emission is discussed. The implications of this phenomenon on the structure of Be envelopes and possibly the binary nature of some Be stars is discussed.
Rebar Corrosion—FBECR: The Fight to Cure the Problem

The recent history of rebar corrosion on bridges in the UK and North America due to ingress of chlorides from road deicing is outlined. The UK investigation into the solution using fusion-bonded epoxy-coated reinforcement (FBECR) by both TRRL and the author’s company are referred to. The main problems and faults to the reinforcement and concrete on bridges is outlined together with general remedial measures.
Mediterranean trade in biblical times

This paper demonstrates the presence of Heckscher-Ohlin type trade in bulk commodities in the early Iron Age. I study the trade going across the Mediterranean Sea, where costs of transport were low. I combine evidence from under-water archaeology for the existence of this trade with literary evidence about its organization. I argue that international trade was effected by market transactions well before the invention of coinage. The forces for trade analyzed by Heckscher were strong almost three millennia before he wrote, and they produced extensive trade in Biblical times.
Involvement of intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal in neuroeffector transmission in the gastrointestinal tract

Specialized cells known as interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are distributed in specific locations within the tunica muscularis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. ICC serve as electrical pacemakers, provide pathways for the active propagation of slow waves, are mediators of enteric motor neurotransmission and play a role in afferent neural signalling. Morphological studies have provided evidence that motor neurotransmission in the GI tract does not occur through poorly defined structures between nerves and smooth muscle, but rather via specialized synapses that exist between enteric nerve terminals and intramuscular ICC or ICC-IM. ICC-IM are coupled to smooth muscle cells via gap junctions and post-junctional responses elicited in ICC-IM are conducted to neighbouring smooth muscle cells. Electrophysiological studies from the stomachs and sphincters of wild-type and mutant animals that lack ICC-IM have provided functional evidence for the importance of ICC in cholinergic excitatory and nitrergic inhibitory motor neurotransmission. Intraperitoneal injection of animals with Kit neutralizing antibody or organ culture of gastrointestinal tissues in the presence of neutralizing antibody, which blocks the development and maintenance of ICC, has provided further evidence for the role of ICC in enteric motor transmission. ICC-IM also generate an ongoing discharge of unitary potentials in the gastric fundus and antrum that contributes to the overall excitability of the stomach.
Role of pretransplant echocardiographic evaluation in predicting outcomes following liver transplantation

Maintenance of cardiac function is critical to the survival of patients with end-stage liver disease after liver transplantation (LT). We sought to determine whether pre-LT echocardiographic indices of right heart structure and function were independently predictive of morbidity and mortality post-LT. We retrospectively studied 216 consecutive patients who underwent pre-LT 2-dimensional/Doppler echocardiography with subsequent LT from 2007 to 2010. A blinded reader analyzed multiple echocardiographic parameters, including right ventricular structure and function, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and the presence and severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). On univariate analysis, Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, PASP, presence of ≥mild TR, post–operative renal replacement therapy (RRT) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were found to be significant predictors of adverse outcomes. On multivariate analysis, only ≥mild TR was found to predict both patient mortality (p = 0.0024, HR = 3.91, 95% CI: 1.62–9.44) and graft failure (p = 0.0010, HR = 3.70, 95% CI: 1.70–8.06). PASP and MELD correlated with post-LT intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) and, along with hemodialysis, were associated with hospital LOS and time on ventilator. In conclusion, pre-LT echocardiographic assessments of the right heart may be useful in predicting post-LT morbidity and mortality and guiding the selection of appropriate LT candidates.
The Halogens: Discovery, Occurrence, and Biochemistry of the Free Elements

The halogens—fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At)—make up group 17 (VIIA) of the elements. Because of their propensity to form salts [the standard potentials (E 0, volts) for the oxidation of halides (2X−→X2 + 2e −) are −3.06, −1.36, −1.07, and −0.54 for fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, respectively], Berzelius designated these elements as “halogens” (Greek hals, sea salt; gennao, I beget). The halogens make up a particularly well defined family, having the most regular gradation of physical properties of all the families of elements. Thus, an almost perfect doubling of atomic weights on going from one halogen to the next down the periodic table is accompanied by an increase in specific gravity, melting points, and boiling points, and a decrease in water solubility and chemical reactivity (Table 1–1) (Stokinger, 1981). The concentrations of the halogens found in seawater and in the lithosphere are given in Table 1–2.
Marital Status, Religiosity, And Experience As A Predictor Of Ethical Awareness Among Accounting Professionals

Many corporations and their accountants have taken ethics for granted. This oversight has led to the closing of companies such as Enron and WorldCom. Accountants are placed in positions of having to render ethical decisions daily, and when they lose sight of ethical values, the dissolution of corporations can occur. The goal in this quantitative research is to investigate the relationship between the independent variables of marital status, religiosity, and years of work experience and the dependent variable of ethical decision-making. Eighty-three members of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) completed an internet-delivered survey on ethical dilemmas. Because they were contacted through the MACPA weekly E-newsletter, the respondents were those members who chose to accept the weekly electronic newsletter and who read it. The 83 participant responses were saved within Survey Monkey and extracted by the authors. A nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test examined differences in mean rank order of ethical decisionmaking scores among the marital status groupings and revealed no significant differences in mean ranks (χ 2 (4, N=83) = 3.810, p = .432) or among the years of work experience (χ 2 (5, N = 83) = 7.768, p = .170). Based on results of the tests, the hypothesis that there is no relationship between ethical decision-making and marital status and between ethical decision-making and years of work experience cannot be rejected. A Spearman correlation analysis revealed no significant association (rho = -0.084, p = 0.226, n = 83) between ethical decision-making and religiosity. Based on the results of these and related tests, the hypothesis that there is no relationship between ethical decision-making and religiosity could not be rejected. The results from this study have added to the limited literature on ethical decision-making and three variables of marital status, religiosity, and years of work experience. The authors’ recommendation for future research is to conduct studies within different professional organizations and with additional variables including gender, sexual orientation, age, and self-assessments. Also, given the small response size of this study, a larger, more representative sample size would give the study more credibility.
Firm Valuation and Accounting for Employee Stock Options

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued a new standard changing the accounting treatment for employee stock options. For some firms, the new method may significantly affect the bottom line. Although seeking to require better recognition of an important item, the new standard also leaves much room for individual judgment in determining the amount of that item. We apply the new standard to six publicly traded corporations and demonstrate that, in some cases, significant differences in valuation may result when different, yet equally acceptable, calculation methods are used. As a result, financial statements of firms using the new standard should be interpreted with caution.
Acoustics as a tool for the assessment of Great Lakes forage fishes

Abstract Sharp reductions in forage fish populations in Lake Michigan have raised concerns about the continued ability of the forage stocks to support large populations of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush and other salmonid predators. There was a need for a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of forage fish abundance and distribution to evaluate these concerns. In response, cooperative diel surveys of the Lake Michigan forage species were conducted in late summer 1987 and spring 1989 with acoustics, midwater and bottom trawls. In late summer 1987, the acoustic estimate (night) of the midwater standing stock of alewives Alosa pseudoharangus, rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, and bloaters Coregonus hoyi was 366 900 ± 73 600 (95% CI) t. In comparison, bottom-trawl catches estimated the stocks at 235 500 t (day) and only 23 500 t (night). In spring 1989, the acoustic estimate was 435 000 ± 110 000 t and the bottom-trawl estimates were 269 300 t (day) and 25 400 t (night). The composition of the stock (by weight) was similar both years; bloaters dominated the catches with alewives and smelt represented in roughly equal proportions. The target strength-length (cm) relationship, TS = 18.2 log10(L)−67.5, was determined for rainbow smelt, based on midwater trawling data. As most of the fish caught in midwater were rainbow smelt, the equation was not representative of the mixed-species population so the average backscattering cross-section per unit weight was used to scale the echo-integrator for biomass computations. Data from the acoustic surveys appeared to provide a more accurate estimate of the size of the mixed-species populations in Lake Michigan than did the trawl catches.
Synthesis, biologic activity, and protein binding characteristics of a new vitamin D analog, 22-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Abstract We synthesized a novel vitamin D analog, 22-hydroxyvitamin D 3 9 and tested its biologic activity (and antivitamin properties) in vivo in vitamin D-deficient rats, and in vitro in the chick embryonic duodenum. We examined its ability to bind to the sterol carrier protein, vitamin D binding protein and the chick intestinal cytosol receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 . The new vitamin 9 was synthesized from 3β-hydroxy-22,23-dinorcholenic acid 1 in 12 steps. The vitamin 9 displayed no vitamin D agonist activity in the intestine or in bone in vivo and did not block the activity of vitamin D 3 or 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 . It was a weak vitamin D 3 agonist in the chick embryonal duodenum in vitro . It did not antagonize the activity of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 . Vitamin 9 bound to the chick intestinal cytosol receptor with low affinity. 22-Hydroxyvitamin D 3 and various vitamin D sterols were bound to vitamin D binding protein in the following order: 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 , (24R)-24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 , and (25S)-25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 >22-hydroxyvitamin D 3 >11α -hydroxyvitamin D 3 >1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D 3 >vitamin D 3 . We conclude that the introduction of a hydroxyl group at C-22 in the side chain of the vitamin D 3 molecule decreases its biological activity.