cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria-Targeted Molecules as Potential Drugs to Treat Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common multifactorial mental illness affecting the elderly population in the world. Its prevalence increases as person ages. There is no known drug or agent that can delay or prevent the AD and its progression. Extensive research has revealed that multiple cellular pathways involved, including amyloid beta production, mitochondrial structural and functional changes, hyperphosphorylation of Tau and NFT formation, inflammatory responses, and neuronal loss in AD pathogenesis. Amyloid beta-induced synaptic damage, mitochondrial abnormalities, and phosphorylated Tau are major areas of present research investigations. Synaptic pathology and mitochondrial oxidative damage are early events in disease process. In this chapter, a systematic literature survey has been conducted and presented a summary of antioxidants used in (1) AD mouse models, (2) elderly populations, and (3) randomized clinical trials in AD patients. This chapter highlights the recent progress in developing and testing mitochondria-targeted molecules using AD cell cultures and AD mouse models. This chapter also discusses recent research on AD pathogenesis and therapeutics, focusing on mitochondria-targeted molecules as potential therapeutic targets to delay or prevent AD progression.
Epidemiology of varicella in Haidian district, Beijing, China-2007-2015.

Abstract Background 1-Dose varicella vaccination was recommended for children in Beijing before November 2012. To further control school-based outbreaks and decrease incidence, a 2-dose vaccination was implemented in 2013. We described the varicella epidemiology and assessed impact of the 2-dose vaccination in Haidian district, Beijing, 2007–2015. Methods We examined the estimated incidence and disease characteristics of varicella during 2007–2015 and obtained the 1-dose vaccination coverage for children born during 2005–2013. Number of vaccine doses given was used to indirectly reflect the second-dose vaccination coverage. Overall and age-specific estimated incidences were compared between 2007–2012 and 2013–2015. Results A total of 23,497 cases were reported during 2007–2015. Of the 23,497 cases, 13,440 (57.20%) were male, and 68.40% were Conclusions The overall incidence of varicella has decreased substantially in Haidian district since 2013, with largest decline in children aged 5–9 years. The 2-dose varicella vaccination might not lead to increase in incidence in adults. Long-term surveillance is needed to fully evaluate the long-term impact of the 2-dose varicella vaccination.
Parallel imaging of Drosophila embryos for quantitative analysis of genetic perturbations of the Ras pathway

The Ras pathway patterns the poles of the Drosophila embryo by downregulating the levels and activity of a DNA-binding transcriptional repressor Capicua (Cic). We demonstrate that the spatiotemporal pattern of Cic during this signaling event can be harnessed for functional studies of mutations in the Ras pathway in human diseases. Our approach relies on a new microfluidic device that enables parallel imaging of Cic dynamics in dozens of live embryos. We found that although the pattern of Cic in early embryos is complex, it can be accurately approximated by a product of one spatial profile and one time-dependent amplitude. Analysis of these functions of space and time alone reveals the differential effects of mutations within the Ras pathway. Given the highly conserved nature of Ras-dependent control of Cic, our approach provides new opportunities for functional analysis of multiple sequence variants from developmental abnormalities and cancers.
A distributed middleware architecture for attack-resilient communications in smart grids

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are being increasingly accepted as an excellent complement to traditional energy sources in smart grids. As most of these generators are geographically dispersed, dedicated communications investments for every generator are capital cost prohibitive. Real-time distributed communications middleware, which supervises, organizes and schedules tremendous amounts of data traffic in smart grids with high penetrations of DERs, allows for the use of existing network infrastructure. In this paper, we propose a distributed attack-resilient middleware architecture that detects and mitigates the congestion attacks by exploiting the Quality of Experience (QoE) measures to complement the conventional Quality of Service (QoS) information to detect and mitigate the congestion attacks effectively. The simulation results illustrate the efficiency of our proposed communications middleware architecture.
Highly anisotropic magneto-transport and field orientation dependent oscillations in aligned carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely investigated as additive materials for composites with potential applications in electronic devices due to their extremely large electrical conductivity and current density. Here, highly aligned CNT composite films were created using a sequential layering fabrication technique. The degree of CNT alignment leads to anisotropic resistance values which varies >400× in orthogonal directions. Similarly, the magnetoresistance (MR) of the CNT composite differs depending upon the relative direction of current and the applied magnetic field. A suppression of negative to positive MR crossover was also observed. More importantly, an overall positive magnetoresistance behavior with localized +/− oscillations was discovered at low fields which persists up to room temperature when the current (I) and in-plane magnetic field (B) were parallel to the axis of CNT (B∥I∥CNT), which is consistent with Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in our CNT/epoxy composites. When the current, applied ma...
Cellular Cyborgs: On the Precipice of a Drug Delivery Revolution.

Cell-based drug delivery systems offer the prospect of biocompatibility, large-loading capacity, long in vivo lifespan, and active targeting of diseased sites. However, these opportunities are offset by an array of challenges, including safeguarding the integrity of the drug cargo and the cellular host, as well as ensuring that drug release occurs at the appropriate time and place. Emerging strategies that address these, and related, issues, are described herein.
Average Vector Field Integration for St. Venant-Kirchhoff Deformable Models

We propose Average Vector Field (AVF) integration for simulation of deformable solids in physics-based animation. Our method achieves exact energy conservation for the St. Venant-Kirchhoff material without any correction steps or extra parameters. Exact energy conservation implies that our resulting animations 1) cannot explode and 2) do not suffer from numerical damping, which are two common problems with previous numerical integration techniques. Our method produces lively motion even with large time steps as typically used in physics-based animation. Our implicit update rules can be formulated as a minimization problem and solved in a similar way as optimization-based backward Euler, with only a mild computing overhead. Our approach also supports damping and collision response models, making it easy to deploy in practical computer animation pipelines.
Postglacial Climate on the Olympic Peninsula

Paleoecological studies reveal how biota responded to past climate changes, some of which were rapid and others of which were gradual. Hence, it is essential to understand the climate changes that drive the biotic response. This chapter begins with a concise review of the global-to-local causes of climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum. It then presents a review of paleoclimatic change on the Olympic Peninsula during and following deglaciation. Paleoclimatologists use a variety of proxies and attribute the fluctuations in proxies to certain climate parameters (e.g., summer drought). Through careful analysis of the literature, this chapter presents a “best-evidence” synthesis of climate proxies taken from the broader Pacific Northwest region but with clear implications for understanding changing environments on the peninsula. Changes in vegetation and fire occurrence are purposely avoided in this chapter because they are responses to climate change and may lag behind actual climate changes by more than 100 years. In contrast, other proxies of climate, such as the temperature tolerances of beetles or midges or the isotopic composition of carbonates, should respond with much shorter lag times and are normally more straightforward in their climatic interpretation compared to vegetation proxies. A particularly useful climate proxy in the Pacific Northwest is the record of glacial advances and retreat. This chapter is presented in chronological order with a focus on regional coherence among various climate proxies, timing of events, and which seasonal temperature or moisture variables underlay the observed climate proxies.
Contact Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Diabetic Traction Retinal Detachment Associated with Vitreous Haemorrhage

In ultrasonographic evaluation of the diabetic patient with dense vitreous haemorrhage, the recognition and localization of traction retinal detachment is critical in management since one major indication for immediate vitreous surgical intervention is detachment of the macula. Vitreo-retinal drawings created from contact combined A- and B-mode ultrasound scans are useful in the preoperative evaluation of diabetic patients with opaque media. In this study the overall accuracy in 79 cases assessed at surgery was found to be 93%. Errors resulted from the resolution limitations of the ultrasound equipment and from proliferative disease simulating detached macular retina.
THE MAKING OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM WRITER

This paper identifies knowledge and skills that writers of instructional programs for use in microcomputers should have. The role of the teacher in the production of instructional programs is emphasized. The need for training of program writers is compared to similar needs two decades ago when schools were involved with teaching machines and programmed learning.
Between Urban Ecology and Social Construction: Environment and the Ethics of Representation in Zadie Smith’s NW

Zadie Smith’s novel NW investigates the ethical dimensions of urban habitation and interaction. This chapter argues that central to this investigation is the use of self-reflexive novelistic techniques that make possible a critical examination of the ethics of representation as well as ideologies that construct the self, the human, and the environment. By putting NW into conversation with Frankfurt School philosophers, object-oriented ontologists, and earlier anti-mimetic art movements, this chapter considers Smith’s ethical project of seeking out a critical and moral relationship between art and environment in urban spaces of the twenty-first-century.
Neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

e20556Background: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) recommend a combination of surgery and chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) for pat...
A Numerical Method for Solving Incompressible Viscous Flow Problems1

A numerical method for solving incompressible viscous flow problems is introduced. This method uses the velocities and the pressure as variables, and is equally applicable to problems in two and three space dimensions. The principle of the method lies in the introduction of an artificial compressibility δ into the equations of motion, in such a way that the final results do not depend on δ. An application to thermal convection problems is presented.
Reverse Micelle Encapsulation of Proteins for NMR Spectroscopy.

Abstract Reverse micelle (RM) encapsulation of proteins for NMR spectroscopy has many advantages over standard NMR methods such as enhanced tumbling and improved sensitivity. It has opened many otherwise difficult lines of investigation including the study of membrane-associated proteins, large soluble proteins, unstable protein states, and the study of protein surface hydration dynamics. Recent technological developments have extended the ability of RM encapsulation with high structural fidelity for nearly all proteins and thereby allow high-quality state-of-the-art NMR spectroscopy. Optimal conditions are achieved using a streamlined screening protocol, which is described here. Commonly studied proteins spanning a range of molecular weights are used as examples. Very low-viscosity alkane solvents, such as propane or ethane, are useful for studying very large proteins but require the use of specialized equipment to permit preparation and maintenance of well-behaved solutions under elevated pressure. The procedures for the preparation and use of solutions of RMs in liquefied ethane and propane are described. The focus of this chapter is to provide procedures to optimally encapsulate proteins in reverse micelles for modern NMR applications.
Abstract P5-15-03: Imaging is not indicated in staging of asymptomatic patients with early breast cancer – Are we following current recommendations?

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women with estimated care costs of $20.50 billion/year by 2020. In 2012, ASCO released the Choosing Wisely Initiative which recommended against the use of routine staging imaging in patients with newly diagnosed early stage breast cancer. We examined physician9s adherence rate and factors associated with non-adherence to current guidelines in patients with early stage breast cencer treated within a large urban health care system. We identified all women with stage I-II breast cancer diagnosed between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015 from the Cancer Registry of the Mount Sinai Health System. Patients with history of prior malignancy or symptom-triggered imaging were excluded. Demographic, clinical and treatment related factors were collected. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients who had routine staging scans. Data of initial and follow-up imaging over 1-year period were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from logistic regression models. Among 917 breast cancer patients, the median age at diagnosis was 59 years (range 26-98). One hundred seventy one patients (18.6%) had routine staging imaging with a mean number of initial scans of 1.48. Eighty-two patients (48%) had at least 1 subsequent scan in the 1-year follow up (range 1-4 scans/year). PET/CT was the most frequent modality (49%), followed by CT scan (33%). The medical oncologist was the ordering provider in 50.3% of the cases and surgical oncologist in 43.2%. Routine staging scans identified no cases of metastatic disease. False-positive findings were identified in 49.7% and incidental findings in 9.3% of cases. Total cost of imaging in this group was $3990/patient. Young age ( 2cm, positive lymph nodes, and triple negative disease were associated with presence of routine staging scans on univariate and multivariate analysis (Table 1). Our study highlights the prevalence of unnecessary staging scans in up to 18.6% of patients with early stage I-II breast cancer. Routine imaging resulted in increased radiation exposure, multiple subsequent imaging, and increased economical burden particularly for those of young age, T2 tumors, positive lymph nodes, and triple negative disease. Further educational efforts are needed to avoid unnecessary scans in patients with early stage breast cancer and improve high-value practices among medical and surgical oncologists. Citation Format: Velazquez AI, Nguyen NT, Rodriguez-Bonilla C, Shao T. Imaging is not indicated in staging of asymptomatic patients with early breast cancer – Are we following current recommendations? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-15-03.
Thermokarst and precipitation drive changes in the area of lakes and ponds in the National Parks of northwestern Alaska, 1984–2018

Lakes and ponds are important ecosystem components in arctic lowlands, and they are prone to rapid changes in surface area by thermokarst expansion and by sudden lake drainage. The 30 m resolution ...
Demonstration of a Frequency-Agile Quantum Well Based THz Heterodyne Detector

The field of THz mixers for astrophysics is dominated by superconducting hot-electron bolometers (HEBs), whereas Schottky-diode mixers have been the only devices suitable for planetary instruments. The Schottky mixers operate at ambient temperature, which is a great advantage for planetary applications, but are much less sensitive than the state-of-the art HEBs and require a 103 higher local oscillator (LO) power. Here, we have demonstrated a novel THz mixer which offers the best of both worlds: it operates at $\sim60\mathrm{K}$ (accessible by passive cooling on space), requires $\sim {\mu} \mathrm{W}$ LO power, and has a potential to be as sensitive as the HEB mixer.
Clostridium difficile Diagnostics in Long-Term Care Facilities

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is an increasing common healthcare-associated infection and disproportionally affects our elderly patients and patients in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) (Asempa and Nicolau, Clin Interv Aging. 12:1799, 2017). As described in other chapters of this book, patients with CDI can have multiple loose or watery stools in 1 day causing extreme dehydration, electrolyte disarray, sepsis, toxic megacolon, and even death. With the increasing prevalence and severity of CDI over the past decade, clinicians are understandably concerned when suspecting CDI in one of their patients and keen to test to see if C. difficile is present in the stool. However, the presence of C. difficile in the stool is not sufficient to diagnose CDI, and the current diagnostic tests commercially available are complex. CDI is a toxin-mediated infection and therefore, diagnostic assays often focus on the presence of toxin as a necessary component to develop infection, as opposed to colonization with non-toxigenic C. difficile strain. Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and cytotoxigenic culture (CC) and cell cytotoxicity assay (CCTA) are available options. A multistep algorithmic approach has been recommended to utilize the above-mentioned testing. Diagnostics are challenged by decreased immune response in the elderly and delays in an LTCF setting. In this chapter, we will describe the different C. difficile diagnostic tests and their appropriate use in clinical practice in long-term care patients.
Too Close to Eat? Solidarity with Animals, Animal Welfare and Meat Consumption

Meat consumption is influenced by a variety of factors including of empathy and feelings on affinity towards farm animals. The goal of this study was to examine the role of solidarity with animals on meat consumption and attitudes towards the treatment of animals. Data was drawn from a sample of 265 respondents in the US. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed. The results of the correlation analysis indicate a moderate but positive correlation between solidarity with animals and proecological beliefs. The association between attitudes towards the treatment of farm animals and antibiotic use and solidarity with animals was also positive. Relative to meat consumption, the results indicate that proecological beliefs and concerns about the treatment of farm animals negatively influenced consumption. The effect of attitudes towards antibiotic use and solidarity with animals on consumption were however fully mediated by proecological beliefs. The results indicate that social identification with animals can play a significant role in food choice. However, its relationship with proecological beliefs implies that holistic approaches are required to address current livestock production practices that are considered unnatural.
Role of molecular approaches in improving genetic variability of micronutrients and their utilization in breeding programs

Abstract Genetic variability in a crop species for a particular trait symbolizes the prospect of its improvement. In today's modern world with continuously increasing population, enhancing crop production has become the main target of breeders and scientists; while the nutritional value of the crops remained ignored. Although preferential breeding during and after the green revolution supplied the required yield, nutritional diversity of crops suffered in the process. However, the revelation of nutritional deficiencies around the world during the last decade has tremendously accelerated genetic biofortification based research. Progression of molecular techniques has given a different pace to this research. Adequate natural variations in micronutrient content of both barley and wheat genotypes have been revealed. This chapter discusses the role of molecular advancement in the estimation of existing genetic variability; and consequently, its contribution in enhancement of genetic variation of micronutrients in wheat and barley genetic pool. Human health largely depends on the nutrient content of a crop that subsequently relies on the availability of nutrients from soil to plants. Hence, the genetic pathways engaged in the movement of these nutrients from soil to grain and their bioavailability will be outlined. Additionally, this chapter highlights the importance of genetic information in developing nutritionally balanced crops via conventional breeding methods, transgenic/cisgenic strategies and genome editing tools.
Epigenetic control of breast cancer susceptibility.

1560Background: Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are important regulators of gene expression and are frequently dysregulated early in breast carcinogenesis. The relationship between DN...
CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing Technology: A Valuable Tool for Understanding Plant Cell Wall Biosynthesis and Function.

For the past 5 years, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology has appeared in the molecular biology research spotlight. As a game-changing player in genome editing, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized animal research, including medical research and human gene therapy as well as plant science research, particularly for crop improvement. One of the most common applications of CRISPR/Cas9 is to generate genetic knock-out mutants. Recently, several multiplex genome editing approaches utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 were developed and applied in various aspects of plant research. Here we summarize these approaches as they relate to plants, particularly with respect to understanding the biosynthesis and function of the plant cell wall. The plant cell wall is a polysaccharide-rich cell structure that is vital to plant cell formation, growth, and development. Humans are heavily dependent on the byproducts of the plant cell wall such as shelter, food, clothes, and fuel. Genes involved in the assembly of the plant cell wall are often highly redundant. To identify these redundant genes, higher-order knock-out mutants need to be generated, which is conventionally done by genetic crossing. Compared with genetic crossing, CRISPR/Cas9 multi-gene targeting can greatly shorten the process of higher-order mutant generation and screening, which is especially useful to characterize cell wall related genes in plant species that require longer growth time. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9 makes it possible to knock out genes when null T-DNA mutants are not available or are genetically linked. Because of these advantages, CRISPR/Cas9 is becoming an ideal and indispensable tool to perform functional studies in plant cell wall research. In this review, we provide perspectives on how to design CRISPR/Cas9 to achieve efficient gene editing and multi-gene targeting in plants. We also discuss the recent development of the virus-based CRISPR/Cas9 system and the application of CRISPR/Cas9 to knock in genes. Lastly, we summarized current progress on using CRISPR/Cas9 for the characterization of plant cell wall-related genes.
Sensitivity to Issue Framing on Trade Policy Preferences: Evidence from a Survey Experiment

We explore the impact of issue framing on individual attitudes toward international trade. Based on a survey experiment fielded in Argentina during 2007, which reproduces the setup of earlier studies in the United States, we show that individuals' position in the economy and their material concerns define the strength of their prior beliefs about international trade, and thereby mitigate their sensitivity to the new dimensions introduced in informational cues. Extending the analysis beyond the United States to a country with different skill endowments allows us to better explore the role of material and nonmaterial attributes on individual attitudes toward trade. We find that skill is a central predictor of support for openness. The effect is strongest for individuals in the service sector and in cities that cater to the producers of agricultural commodities. Our findings suggest that the pattern of support for economic integration reflects the predictions from recent literature in international economics that emphasizes trade's impact on the relative demand for skilled labor regardless of factor endowments. Our findings also amend recent empirical contributions that suggest socialization is the main factor explaining individual sensitivity to issue framing on trade preferences. We suggest that material conditions associated with income and price effects are crucial, both in shaping trade preferences and in affecting the malleability of attitudes to issue framing. Hence, our results provide a crucial contribution to our general understanding of the attributes shaping susceptibility to political framing in policy debates.
Detection of precisely edited CRISPR/Cas9 alleles through cointroduced restriction-fragment length polymorphisms

ABSTRACT CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful tool for producing genomic insertions and deletions (indels) to interrogate gene function. Modified CRISPR/Cas9 protocols can produce targeted genetic changes that are more precise than indels, but founder recovery is less efficient. Focusing on producing missense mutations in zebrafish using single-stranded oligo deoxynucleotide (ssODN) donor templates, we pioneered a strategy of adding synonymous changes to create novel restriction-enzyme (RE) sites, allowing detection of rare precise edits in a modified fluorescent-PCR fragment assay. We have named this process TIARS (test for incorporation of added recognition sites). Aided by TIARS, we induced two distinct amino-acid substitutions (T979I and P1387S) in the atp7a gene among somatic tissues of CRISPR-Cas9-treated F0 zebrafish. One of these F0s transmitted the allele to atp7aT979I/+ F1 progeny, and trans-heterozygosity of this allele against a null atp7a allele causes hypopigmentation, consistent with more severe pigment deficits in zebrafish or humans carrying only null mutations in atp7a/ATP7A. Design of ssODNs with novel RE recognition sites is labor-intensive, so we developed an in silico tool, TIARS Designer, and performed bioinformatic validation indicating that TIARS should be generalizable to other genes and experimental systems that employ donor template DNA.
Sentimental biopower: rereading the Spanish nineteenth century

Drawing on the theorization by Luisa Passerini and Kyla Schuller of Eurocentric notions that linked racial superiority to emotional refinement, the article will trace a substratum of biopolitical t...
Towards Graphene Remote Plasma Interfacial Growth and Auger Spectra Simulation

Graphene, the single layer of carbon atoms which form a honeycomb lattice, has excellent physical properties that make it an well known material for fundamental and applied research. A surface sensitive technique known as Auger electron spectroscopy is ideal for studying graphene due to the thickness of the graphene. A complete understanding of how the various peak in the graphene Auger spectra occur is not yet available. Towards explaining these peaks, a simulation which predicts the Auger energies of neutral free carbon has been scripted. Growth of graphene, which is mostly likely to see the greatest implementation in industry occurs in chemical vapor deposition systems. In order to avoid time-consuming and potentially damaging transfer processes, a type of graphene growth which occurs at the interface of a nickel catalyst and the underlying substrate which requires no transfer is experimented with. Here, growths have occurred on a remote plasma inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition system at various gas ratios of methane to hydrogen, temperatures, and plasma conditions to explore growth optimization. The growths are subsequently analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy. In general growths without plasma tended to be more graphite-like and growths with plasma tended to be more
Functional organization of GABAergic circuitry in ectotherm retinas.

Publisher Summary The best-studied neurotransmitter in the lateral synaptic pathway is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). At least in ectotherms, GABA is used by the subpopulations of horizontal cells (HCs) and amacrine cells as their neurotransmitter and it exerts postsynaptic actions on cones, bipolar cells, and ganglion cells. This chapter reviews some of the studies concerning GABA-releasing (GABAergic) synapses in ectotherm retinas. These studies not only help with the understanding of the way GABAergic synapses work but also provide important information on the way lateral synapses (GABAergic or not) function and the way the center-surround antagonistic receptive fields are formed in the retina. In the ectotherm retina, GABA is used by the populations of HCs as their neurotransmitter. HC outputs are probably mediated by the HC–cone feedback synapse and the HC-bipolar cell feedforward synapse. The chapter focuses on two ectotherms, the tiger salamander and the teleost fish, with emphasis on basic synaptic mechanisms in the former and the circuitry mediating color-information processing in the latter.
Pieces of the Geologic Frame, Assembled

Annals of the Former World. John McPhee. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, New York, 1998. 704 pp. $35, C$51. ISBN 0-374-10520-0. McPhee assembles a geologic cross section of North America at about the 40th parallel by combining slightly revised and edited versions of four earlier books with a thematic overview and a new section that explores the midcontinent9s buried Precambrian basement. Through a melange of journeys, set pieces, biographical sketches, and histories of humans and rocks, the resulting many-layered tale provides a primer on geology, plate tectonics, and geologic time.
Sex roles and leadership: Perceptions of the leaders and the led

Abstract In order to investigate the effect of traditional sex roles on perceptions of performance in a leadership situation, groups of subjects worked on a task which involved the placement of dominoes into a predetermined pattern. Sex of the leader and sex of the followers were varied factorially. Since leadership is traditionally a masculine entity, subjects should have differential expectations for males and females in roles of leadership and followership. When performance level does not meet expectations, the individual should be negatively evaluated. As predicted, males are judged more harshly than females when they are leaders, but more leniently than females when they are followers. Contrary to prediction, males and females did not differ as to how much they enjoyed leadership. Implications for organizational settings are discussed.
Shear stress-sensitive TRP channels modulate calcium influx in activated T cells

Mechanosensitve calcium channels have been implicated in early stage lymphocyte activation. The potential role of TRP channels in regulating shear stress-sensitive calcium influx was assess in acti...
Dendritic cells signal T cells in the absence of exogenous antigen

Interactions with self–major histocompatibility complex molecules on dendritic cells (DCs) are important for the survival of mature CD4+ T cells. We have followed the DC-mediated signal from the T cell surface to the nucleus and identified a pattern of activation that correlates with increased in vitro survival. This response is induced exclusively by DCs and is likely associated with a modulation of the T cell activation threshold. We have also found that DC-mediated activation results in antigen-independent cytokine gene expression, which points to a new role for DCs in shaping the cytokine milieu. Such antigen-independent activation of T cells may play a role in protective immunity, but may also induce and perpetuate autoimmune states such as multiple sclerosis.
Lie Groups, Physics, and Geometry: An Introduction for Physicists, Engineers, and Chemists

1. Introduction 2. Lie groups 3. Matrix groups 4. Lie algebras 5. Matrix algebras 6. Operator algebras 7. Exponentiation 8. Structure theory for Lie algebras 9. Structure theory for simple Lie algebras 10. Root spaces and Dykin diagrams 11. Real forms 12. Riemannian symmetric spaces 13. Contraction 14. Hydrogenic atoms 15. Maxwell's equations 16. Lie groups and differential equations References Index.
“I Like to Plan Events”: A Document Analysis of Essays Written by Applicants to a Public Relations Program

A document analysis of 249 essays written during a 5-year period by applicants to a public relations program at a major state university in the southeast suggests that there are enduring reasons why students choose to major in public relations. Public relations is described as a major that allows for and encourages creative expression and that fits the personality of the student. Public relations is also seen as demanding management and organizational skills. Students see public relations consisting primarily of relationship building, event planning, media relations, awareness building, and fund raising. Students perceive public relations as an exciting, challenging, and rewarding profession and that there is a direct connection between majoring in public relations and being successful in the public relations business.
Kcnh2 and Kcnj8 Interactively Regulate Skin Wound Healing and Regeneration

Previous studies indicate that ion channels are mediators of bioelectricity promoting wound closure/regeneration in nonmammalian, lower vertebrate systems. The role of ion channels however in regeneration of wounds in mammalian systems that do not regenerate as adults is not yet defined. Using a mammalian model system that allows us to determine differentially expressed genes when skin regenerates and when skin does not regenerate after wound induction, we identified two potassium channels, kcnh2 and kcnj8, to be (1) differentially expressed between the two states and (2) highly expressed after wound induction at the nonregenerative state. We also found that kcnh2 small molecule inhibitor enhanced wound healing while kcnj8 small molecule inhibitor did not. In contrast, kcnj8 activator accelerated wound healing and even augmented the effect of kcnh2 inhibition. These results provide evidence for the first time that potassium channels may mediate skin wound healing and regeneration interactively.
Syntheses of Isoquinoline and Substituted Quinolines in Charged Microdroplets

A Pomeranz-Fritsch synthesis of isoquinoline and Friedlander and Combes syntheses of substituted quinolines were conducted in charged microdroplets produced by an electrospray process at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. In the bulk phase, all of these reactions are known to take a long time ranging from several minutes to a few days and to require very high acid concentrations. In sharp contrast, the present report provides clear evidence that all of these reactions occur on the millisecond timescale in the charged microdroplets without the addition of any external acid. Decreasing the droplet size and increasing the charge of the droplet both strongly contribute to reaction rate acceleration, suggesting that the reaction occurs in a confined environment on the charged surface of the droplet.
On variance estimation in a negative binomial time series regression model

We study variance estimation in a negative binomial regression model for analyzing time series of counts, where serial dependence among the observed counts is introduced by an autocorrelated latent process. The regression coefficient vector is estimated by maximizing the pseudo-likelihood with the latent process suppressed. The resulting estimator is referred to as the generalized linear model estimator, and its consistency and asymptotic normality have been established by Davis and Wu [R.A. Davis, R. Wu, A negative binomial model for time series of counts, Biometrika 96 (2009) 735-749] when the latent process is stationary and strongly mixing. However, in order to perform valid statistical inferences about the regression coefficients, it is essential to develop a consistent estimation procedure for the asymptotic covariance matrix of the generalized linear model estimator. We propose two types of estimators using kernel-based and subsampling methods, and establish their consistency property. The results can be generalized straightforwardly to time series following a parameter-driven generalized linear model. Simulation study is conducted to evaluate the finite sample performance of the estimation methods.
Deranged alpha-adrenergic regulation of growth hormone secretion in poorly controlled diabetes: reversal of the exaggerated response to clonidine after continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

Deranged α-Adrenergic Regulation of Growth Hormone Secretion in Poorly Controlled Diabetes: Reversal of the Exaggerated Response to Clonidine after Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion
Percutaneous Column Fixation and Total Hip Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Acute Acetabular Fracture in the Elderly

We used our database of primary total hip arthroplasties to identify those patients who had acetabular fractures fixed with percutaneous screws under the same anesthesia as for the arthroplasty procedure. There were 19 patients with the average follow-up of 22 months. Fourteen patients sustained the fracture secondary to a low-energy trauma, while the remaining patients were involved in a high-energy trauma accident. The mean survival time was calculated to be 2.5 ± 0.6 years for the low-energy group and 4 ± 1.4 years for the high-energy group. We believe that this unique treatment of acetabular fractures has a role in carefully selected patients and provides the necessary reduction and immediate stability of the fracture needed to ensure adequate fit for the acetabular cup in the subsequent THA.
Effect of kidney beans and taurocholate on serum tocopherol and nutritional muscular dystrophy in chicks.

SummaryTwo trials were conducted with 370 chicks to study dystrophogenic action of raw kidney beans. The addition of 40% raw kidney beans to the basal diet decreased plasma tocopherol levels and induced NMD in chicks fed 30 ppm of vitamin E and decreased plasma tocopherol levels in chicks fed 200 ppm of vitamin E but NMD was induced in the latter chicks. The beans did not significantly affect the selenium content of the carcass. The addition of sodium taurocholate alleviated the dystrophogenic action. Therefore, it is suggested that at least some of the dystrophogenic effect of raw beans in chicks is due to decreased absorption of vitamin E.
Adaptive e-learning using ECpAA rules, Bayesian models, and group profile and performance data

An e-learning system must be capable of gathering and correctly evaluating a learner's profile and performance data in order to deliver individualised instruction to the learner. However, the learner's data can be incomplete, inaccurate and/or contradictory. They can also be correlated. This paper aims to alleviate these data problems by evaluating the data of each new learner probabilistically based on the data of earlier learners. Our probabilistic rule model allows our system to apply adaptation rules to examine learners' data at various stages of a learning activity, and determine the suitable actions to take to personalise the instruction. Adaptation rules are processed by a rule engine and a Bayesian model processor to achieve adaptive content search and selection, adaptive processing of learning objects, and continuous improvement on the accuracy of learner evaluation.
Scanning pulsed-polarization spectrometer applied to Na 2

We report on a computer-controlled system for pulsed-polarization-labeling spectroscopy using a Fizeau-wedge wavemeter and a scanned narrow-band probe. Constants for n=3-7 Σ1g+ states in Na2 are presented.
Experimental scaling of fluctuations and confinement with Lundquist number in the reversed-field pinch

The scaling of the magnetic and velocity fluctuations with Lundquist number (S) is examined experimentally over a range of values from 7×104 to 106 in a reversed-field pinch (RFP) plasma. Magnetic fluctuations do not scale uniquely with the Lundquist number. At high (relative) density, fluctuations scale as b∝S−0.18, in agreement with recent numerical results. Fluctuations are almost independent of S at low (relative) density, b∝S−0.07. The range of measured exponents is narrow and is in clear disagreement with theories predicting b∝S−1/2. At high relative density, the scaling of the energy confinement time follows expectations for transport in a stochastic magnetic field. A confinement scaling law (nτE∝β4/5⋅T−7/10⋅a−3/5⋅Iφ2) is derived, assuming the persistent dominance of stochastic magnetic diffusion in the RFP and employing the measured scaling of magnetic fluctuations. The peak velocity fluctuations during a sawtooth cycle scale marginally stronger than magnetic fluctuations but weaker than a simp...
The Binding of Receptor-recognized α2-Macroglobulin to the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein and the α2M Signaling Receptor Is Decoupled by Oxidation

Abstract Receptor-recognized forms of α2-macroglobulin (α2M*) bind to two classes of cellular receptors, a high affinity site comprising approximately 1500 sites/cell and a lower affinity site comprising about 60,000 sites/cell. The latter class has been identified as the so-called low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). Ligation of receptors distinct from LRP activates cell signaling pathways. Strong circumstantial evidence suggests that the high affinity binding sites are responsible for cell signaling induced by α2M*. Using sodium hypochlorite, a powerful oxidant produced by the H2O2-myeloperoxidase-Cl− system, we now demonstrate that binding to the high affinity sites correlates directly with activation of the signaling cascade. Oxidation of α2M* using 200 μm hypochlorite completely abolishes its binding to LRP without affecting its ability to activate the macrophage signaling cascade. Scatchard analysis shows binding to a single class of high affinity sites (K d − 71 ± 12 pm). Surprisingly, oxidation of native α2-macroglobulin (α2M) with 125 μm hypochlorite results in the exposure of its receptor-binding site to LRP, but the ligand is unable to induce cell signaling. Scatchard analysis shows binding to a single class of lower affinity sites (K d − 0.7 ± 0.15 nm). Oxidation of a cloned and expressed carboxyl-terminal 20-kDa fragment of α2M (RBF), which is capable of binding to both LRP and the signaling receptor, results in no significant change in its binding K d, supporting our earlier finding that the oxidation-sensitive site is predominantly outside of RBF. Attempts to understand the mechanism responsible for the selective exposure of LRP-binding sites in oxidized native α2M suggest that partial protein unfolding may be the most likely mechanism. These studies provide strong evidence that the high affinity sites (K d − 71 pm) are the α2M* signaling receptor.
The information content of powder lineshapes in the fast motion limit

Currently there is considerable interest in analyzing solid-state NMR lineshapes (powder patterns) to obtain information about molecular motion in samples ranging from small molecules to biological macromolecules (Z-5). In the fast motion limit, data analysis normally consists of finding a physically reasonable model for the orientational distribution function of the molecule that yields a calculated powder pattern in agreement with experiment. The purpose of this note is to establish the model-independent information on the orientational distribution function that is contained in a fast-limit powder pattern. Powder lineshapes result from orientation-dependent interactions such as chemicalshift anisotropy (CS) for a spin Z = i nucleus, electric quadrupole coupling (Q) for a spin Z = 1 nucleus, and magnetic dipole-dipole coupling between two spin Z = i nuclei. These distinct physical interactions can all be represented as second-rank tensors p’, h = CS, Q, D, and consequently the position (frequency) of the NMR signal has the same orientation dependence for all three interactions (6-9):
Partition characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on soils and sediments

The partition behavior was determined for three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), i.e., naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, from water to a range of soil and sediment samples. The measure...
Perceived self-efficacy in the exercise of personal agency

(1990). Perceived self-efficacy in the exercise of personal agency. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 128-163.
Coexistence and Coupling of Two Distinct Charge Density Waves in Sm2Te5

Sm2Te5 is an example of compound that has two separate charge density wave (CDW) distortions of its square nets of tellurium. The two CDWs originate from electronic instabilities in two distinct parts of the structure but create unique structural patterns due to mutual interference.
Further exploration: maturity and adherence in adolescent and young adult heart transplant recipients.

Context—Pediatric transplant clinicians note high rates of nonadherence with medications, appointment keeping, and laboratory tests and high rates of engagement in high-risk behaviors among older adolescents and young adult recipients. The caregivers also report symptoms of identity confusion, social immaturity, and failure to appreciate consequences of risky behavior among recipients.Objective—To build on an earlier study that identified developmental characteristics that distinguish poor from good adherers.Design—Qualitative methods were used to explore key themes identified in the first study with heart transplant recipients and their significant others.Results—This research confirmed the themes of developmental maturity suggested by the first study: good adherers were able to integrate the transplant into sense of self, become independent adults, and achieve normalcy; poor adherers continued to "push away" the transplant experience and worried that they would never be normal. The good adherers, their ...