cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in intracortical microporosities induced by pharmaceutical treatment of osteoporosis as detected by high resolution micro-CT

Bone's microporosities play important biologic and mechanical roles. Here, we quantified 3D changes in cortical osteocyte-lacunae and other small porosities induced by estrogen withdrawal and two different osteoporosis treatments. Unlike 2D measurements, these data collected via synchrotron radiation-based μCT describe the size and 3D spatial distribution of a large number of porous structures. Six-month old female Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into four groups of age-matched controls, untreated OVX, OVX treated with PTH, and OVX treated with Alendronate (ALN). Intracortical microporosity of the medial quadrant of the femoral diaphysis was quantified at endosteal, intracortical, and periosteal regions of the samples, allowing the quantification of osteocyte lacunae that were formed primarily before versus after the start of treatment. Across the overall thickness of the medial cortex, lacunar volume fraction (Lc.V/TV) was significantly lower in ALN treated rats compared to PTH. In the endosteal region, average osteocyte lacunar volume ( ) of untreated OVX rats was significantly lower than in age-matched controls, indicating a decrease in osteocyte lacunar size in bone formed on the endosteal surface after estrogen withdrawal. The effect of treatment (OVX, ALN, PTH) on the number of lacunae per tissue volume (Lc.N/TV) was dependent on the specific location within the cortex (endosteal, intracortical, periosteal). In both the endosteal and intracortical regions, Lc.N/TV was significantly lower in ALN than in untreated OVX, suggesting a site-specific effect in osteocyte lacuna density with ALN treatment. There also were a significantly greater number of small pores (5-100 μm(3) in volume) in the endosteal region for PTH compared to ALN. The mechanical impact of this altered microporosity structure is unknown, but might serve to enhance, rather than deteriorate bone strength with PTH treatment, as smaller osteocyte lacunae may be better able to absorb shear forces than larger lacunae. Together, these data demonstrate that current treatments of osteoporosis can alter the number, size, and distribution of microporosities in cortical rat lamellar bone.
Lithium responders: an evaluation of psychological test characteristics.

Abstract The MMPI was administered to 29 acutely disturbed inpatients who had various psychiatric diagnoses prior to treatment with lithium carbonate. The patient's response to lithium was rated and correlations with pretreatment MMPI scores were determined. The Ac scale, a measure of acquiescence response set, was found to the best correlated of response to lithium. While other scales such as Ma, X, F and R were associated with response to lithium, multiple regression analysis indicated that this association may have been a function of acquiescence in these scales. It was suggested that the Ac scale may reflect an activation disorder common to a number of psycholic syndromes.
Ferritin gene expression is developmentally regulated and induced by heat shock in sea urchin embryos

A 20-kD protein identified as a subunit of the iron-binding protein ferritin is present in S. purpuratus and L. pictus sea urchin embryos. The synthesis of the protein is stimulated by an elevation in temperature or by an increase in iron supply. The developmental expression of this protein and its regulation during normal development and upon heat shock was investigated. In L. pictus, ferritin is present in the unfertilized egg and, as determined by Western blot analysis, its concentration remains approximately constant after fertilization up to the gastrulc-pluteus stage; there is a small transient decrease in the level of the protein in the early blastula at a time coinciding with the first clear indication of its de novo synthesis. Northern blots reveal no cytoplasmic ferritin transcripts in the unfertilized egg, but there occurs a dramatic increase in the RNA level from the late morulaearly blastula stage (12–14 hr) to the mesenchyme blastula-early gastrula (25–30 hr) stage. This developmentally regulated increase in the constitutive concentration of ferritin RNA is correlatable with the normal onset of synthesis of the protein. The overall degree and nature of induction of ferritin by heat is dependent on the developmental stage: at 10–16 hr postfertilization heat shock elicits an increase in both the concentration of RNA and the synthesis of the protein; in hatched blastula (18 hr) and in later embryos heat shock increases ferritin synthesis, without a corresponding increase in the mRNA level. It appears that different mechanisms operate in the developing sea urchin embryo to regulate the expression of ferritin during normal development and on exposure to heat stress, one dependent on the concentration of ferritin transcripts and another operating at the level of translational control. © 1993Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cysteine proteases in phytopathogenic bacteria: identification of plant targets and activation of innate immunity

Phytopathogenic bacteria use the type-III secretion system (TTSS) to inject effector proteins into plant cells, presumably to colonize their hosts. The function of these proteins inside plant cells has remained a mystery for years. The recent discovery that the effectors XopD, AvrXv4, AvrPphB, and AvrRpt2 have cysteine protease functions reveals that the proteolysis of host substrates is an important strategy employed by pathogens to alter plant physiology. Moreover, the characterization of these proteases and their targets provides new insight to mechanisms of bacterial virulence and the activation of plant immunity.
Intrapericardial teratoma in a twin fetus: Diagnosis and management

Background : A rare cause of hydrops fetalis, intrapericardial teratoma is invariably associated with a pericardial effusion. In fetal life, the effusion or mass effect may cause cardiac tamponade, hydrops, and death. After delivery, ventilation and cardiac output may be compromised. Case : One fetus of twins was diagnosed at 20 weeks' gestation with an intrapericardial teratoma. The affected twin underwent two intrauterine pericardiocenteses and had the tumor resected after delivery at 35 weeks' gestation. One year later, both twins are alive and well and have no evidence of tumor recurrence. Conclusion : Pericardiocentesis for tamponade secondary to a fetal intrapericardial teratoma, even when complicating a twin pregnancy, may prevent fetal death and allow delay of delivery until adequate fetal lung maturity has been achieved.
A Note on Bivariate Distributions That are Conditionally Normal

Abstract It is possible for a nonnormal bivariate distribution to have conditional distribution functions that are normal in both directions. This article presents several examples, with graphs, including a counterintuitive bimodal joint density. The graphs simultaneously display the joint density and the conditional density functions, which appear as Gaussian curves in the three-dimensional plots.
The cause of infant categorization

We asked whether infants are sensitive to causal relations between objects and outcomes and whether this sensitivity supports categorization. Fourteen- and 18-month-old infants were familiarized with objects from a novel category. For some, the objects caused an electronic toy to activate. For others, the objects were present during activation of the toy, but did not cause the event. For the remaining infants, the events were never activated. Infants were asked to select another category member from a pair of previously unseen objects (one from the familiar, and one from a novel, category). Infants were more likely to select the category match in the causal than the non-causal and no outcome conditions, suggesting that they capitalize on causal information in forming object categories.
Business Ethics Research: A Global Perspective.

Using 10 years of publication data (1999-2008) from 10 leading business ethics journals, we examine global patterns of business ethics research and contributing institutions and scholars. Although U.S. academic institutions continue to lead in the contribu- tions toward business ethics research, Asian and European institutions have made significant progress. Our study shows that business ethics research output is closely linked to the missions of the institutions driven by their values or religious belief. An additional analysis of the productivity of each highly ranked institution suggests that business ethics research is highly concentrated in a limited number of eminent scholars within each institution.
Accelerated Evolution of Nervous System Genes in the Origin of Homo sapiens

Human evolution is characterized by a dramatic increase in brain size and complexity. To probe its genetic basis, we examined the evolution of genes involved in diverse aspects of nervous system biology. We found that these genes display significantly higher rates of protein evolution in primates than in rodents. Importantly, this trend is most pronounced for the subset of genes implicated in nervous system development. Moreover, within primates, the acceleration of protein evolution is most prominent in the lineage leading from ancestral primates to humans. Thus, the remarkable phenotypic evolution of the human nervous system has a salient molecular correlate, i.e., accelerated evolution of the underlying genes, particularly those linked to nervous system development. In addition to uncovering broad evolutionary trends, our study also identified many candidate genes--most of which are implicated in regulating brain size and behavior--that might have played important roles in the evolution of the human brain.
Electrodermal Activity in Hyperactive Boys Who Are Methylphenidate Responders

Hyperactive boys being treated with methylphenidate medication were randomly divided into two groups. In one of the hyperactive groups (n = 18) methylphenidate was withheld for approximately 72 hrs before testing. Boys in the other hyperactive group (n = 20) continued to take their usual daily doses of methylphenidate. Normal boys formed a third group (n = 20). The following electrodermal measures were taken: basal resistance, frequency of non-specific responses, specific response amplitude to an auditory signal, and number of trials to habituation. Normal and off-drug hyperactive groups differed significantly on specific response amplitude, and trials to habituation. In addition, frequency of non-specific responses approached significance. These differences indicated lower reactivity in the off-drug hyperactive group. Off-drug and on-drug hyperactive groups differed significantly on frequency of non-specific responses. In addition, trials to habituation approached significance. These differences again indicated lower reactivity in the off-drug hyperactive group.
Topical capsaicin therapy for osteoarthritis pain: Achieving a maintenance regimen

Although topical capsaicin therapy has been shown clinically to relieve arthritis pain, the recommended four times a day (QID) application schedule is difficult for some patients to maintain. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine if the analgesic effect achieved on a QID regimen could be maintained with a twice-daily (BID) regimen. Fifty-nine adults with primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand were enrolled in this 9-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled study consisting of two phases: phase I, QID; and phase II, BID. Patients were treated with either 0.025% capsaicin cream or vehicle cream in the standard regimen (ie, QID) for 3 weeks, and then switched to a "maintenance" regimen of BID for the duration of the study. Capsaicin administered QID was significantly better than vehicle in relieving articular tenderness at weeks 1 and 3 (P = .046 and .018 respectively). When the BID maintenance regimen was begun. capsaicin-treated patients experienced a transient increase in articular tenderness and a decrease in pain relief (visual analog scale). Pain control was reestablished by week 9 as evidenced by a significant reduction (P = .013) in articular tenderness and pain relief (visual analog scale). Local stinging and burning, which were self-limited, were the most common adverse effects. No systemic side effects were noted. Given these findings, it may be prudent to taper the regimen gradually to avoid the decrease in pain relief seen with an abrupt decrease in dosage. This maintenance regimen will likely enhance long-term patient compliance and also result in cost savings to the patient.
Monomolecular film properties of some cellulose esters.

Abstract Cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate stearate, and cellulose acetate phthalate have been studied as monolayers at the air‐water interface.Monolayers of the first two were virtually unaffected by changes in subphase pH, whereas the last one, cellulose acetate phthalate, exhibited large differences under the same conditions.Certain monolayer properties of the cellulose esters have been used to interpret the behavior of these polymers as free films and enteric coatings.
Flow Injection Analysis of Nitrite Generated by Neutrophils and Endothelial Cells

Abstract A flow injection method is described for the determination of low levels of nitrite ion in cell culture solutions. Nitrite-containing solutions are injected into a flowing stream containing phosphoric acid and iodide ion, which reduces nitrite to nitric oxide. The solution is directed through a microporous tube out of which nitric oxide gas diffuses for detection by chemiluminescence. The method has been applied to analysis of nitrite generated by cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells and human neutrophils.
PUTATIVE INTERHELIX ION PAIRS INVOLVED IN THE STABILITY OF MYOGLOBIN

An earlier theoretical study predicted that specific ion pair interactions between neighboring helices should be important in stabilizing myoglobin. To measure these interactions in sperm whale myoglobin, single mutations were made to disrupt them. To obtain reliable ¢G values, conditions were found in which the urea induced unfolding of holomyoglobin is reversible and two-state. The cyanomet form of myoglobin satisfies this condition at pH 5, 25 °C. The unfolding curves monitored by far-UV CD and Soret absorbance are superimposable and reversible. None of the putative ion pairs studied here makes a large contribution to the stability of native myoglobin. The protein stability does decrease somewhat between 0 and 0.1 M NaCl, however, indicating that electrostatic interactions contribute favorably to myoglobin stability at pH 5.0. A previous mutational study indicated that the net positive charge of the A(B)GH subdomain of myoglobin is an important factor affecting the stability of the pH 4 folding intermediate and potential ion pairs within the subdomain do not contribute significantly to its stability. One of the assumptions made in that study is tested here: replacement of either positively or negatively charged residues outside the A(B)GH subdomain has no significant effect on the stability of the pH 4 molten globule.
The optimal control of a periodic adsorber: Part I. Experiment

Cyclic pressure variations in a fixed bed adsorber can cause significant separation of gaseous mixtures. Feed pressure changes are the driving force in this parametric pumping process. The optimal feed sequence is maximum (maximum flow in) pressure, zero flow (variable pressure), maximum flow out (minimum pressure). For the nitrogen-methane feed gas at 168 k N/m2 and a 1.22 m bed of adsorbent, the optimal cycle time is 3 seconds, and feed is sustained 50% of the time. The zero flow mode is unnecessary if product purity is the sole objective.
Modulation of mitochondrial protein phosphorylation by soluble adenylyl cyclase ameliorates cytochrome oxidase defects

Phosphorylation of respiratory chain components has emerged as a mode of regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism, but its mechanisms are still largely unexplored. A recently discovered intramitochondrial signalling pathway links CO2 generated by the Krebs cycle with the respiratory chain, through the action of a mitochondrial soluble adenylyl cyclase (mt-sAC). Cytochrome oxidase (COX), whose deficiency causes a number of fatal metabolic disorders, is a key mitochondrial enzyme activated by mt-sAC. We have now discovered that the mt-sAC pathway modulates mitochondrial biogenesis in a reactive oxygen species dependent manner, in cultured cells and in animals with COX deficiency. We show that upregulation of mt-sAC normalizes reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby restoring mitochondrial function. This is the first example of manipulation of a mitochondrial signalling pathway to achieve a direct positive modulation of COX, with clear implications for the development of novel approaches to treat mitochondrial diseases.
Dual-Domain, Dual-Targeting Organellar Protein Presequences in Arabidopsis Can Use Non-AUG Start Codons

The processes accompanying endosymbiosis have led to a complex network of interorganellar protein traffic that originates from nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial and plastid proteins. A significant proportion of nucleus-encoded organellar proteins are dual targeted, and the process by which a protein acquires the capacity for both mitochondrial and plastid targeting may involve intergenic DNA exchange coupled with the incorporation of sequences residing upstream of the gene. We evaluated targeting and sequence alignment features of two organellar DNA polymerase genes from Arabidopsis thaliana. Within one of these two loci, protein targeting appeared to be plastidic when the 5′ untranslated leader region (UTR) was deleted and translation could only initiate at the annotated ATG start codon but dual targeted when the 5′ UTR was included. Introduction of stop codons at various sites within the putative UTR demonstrated that this region is translated and influences protein targeting capacity. However, no ATG start codon was found within this upstream, translated region, suggesting that translation initiates at a non-ATG start. We identified a CTG codon that likely accounts for much of this initiation. Investigation of the 5′ region of other nucleus-encoded organellar genes suggests that several genes may incorporate upstream sequences to influence targeting capacity. We postulate that a combination of intergenic recombination and some relaxation of constraints on translation initiation has acted in the evolution of protein targeting specificity for those proteins capable of functioning in both plastids and mitochondria.
Active disturbance rejection control: a paradigm shift in feedback control system design

The question addressed in this paper is: just what do we need to know about a process in order to control it? With active disturbance rejection, perhaps we don't need to know as much as we were told. In fact, it is shown that the unknown dynamics and disturbance can be actively estimated and compensated in real time and this makes the feedback control more robust and less dependent on the detailed mathematical model of the physical process. In this paper we first examine the basic premises in the existing paradigms, from which it is argued that a paradigm shift is necessary. Using a motion control metaphor, the basis of such a shift, the active disturbance rejection control, is introduced. Stability analysis and applications are presented. Finally, the characteristics and significance of the new paradigm are discussed.
Preparing Preservice Teachers to Implement Class Wide Peer Tutoring

This study focused on preservice general education teachers who were prepared to use an evidence-based teaching practice and the effects the practice had on their pupils' academic performance. Participants learned to use Juniper Gardens Children's Project's Class Wide Peer Tutoring (CWPT) program through a two-hour workshop and with in class assistance. The amount of time required for each preservice teacher to reach a pre-established training criterion (i.e., unassisted use of CWPT for three consecutive sessions with fidelity ratings of 85% and above) was calculated and specific implementation comments and concerns were recorded. Academic effects on pupils' spelling test performance were assessed using weekly pretests and posttests and social validity data were collected from all primary consumers. Key outcomes were that (a) preservice teachers were able implement CWPT with a high degree of accuracy with about 60 minutes of in class assistance, (b) use of CWPT resulted in high spelling grades on weekly p...
“Cooking with Gordon”: Food, Health, and the Elasticity of Evangelical Gender Roles (and Belt Sizes) on The 700 Club

This article examines evangelical gender paradigms as expressed through a 700 Club cooking segment facilitated by Gordon Robertson, the son of Pat Robertson—founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), The 700 Club , Christian Coalition, and one-time presidential candidate. Several themes converge within this cooking show, including health and nutrition, family ritual, and gender roles. Using the cooking segment as data, I draw on scholarship on body, gender, family and ritual to argue that evangelical discourses are labile in their responses to recent socio-cultural shifts and suggest that “Sunday Dinners: Cooking with Gordon” defies caricatures of evangelical gender formation and signals a possible shift to soft-patriarchy and quasi-egalitarianism, at least within public, visual discourse. “Sunday Dinners” underscores the centrality of the family in evangelical discourse—even as conceptions of gender are in flux—as it seeks to facilitate everyday rituals via cooking and eating together.
Microfluidic affinity and ChIP-seq analyses converge on a conserved FOXP2-binding motif in chimp and human, which enables the detection of evolutionarily novel targets

The transcription factor forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) is believed to be important in the evolution of human speech. A mutation in its DNA-binding domain causes severe speech impairment. Humans have acquired two coding changes relative to the conserved mammalian sequence. Despite intense interest in FOXP2, it has remained an open question whether the human protein's DNA-binding specificity and chromatin localization are conserved. Previous in vitro and ChIP-chip studies have provided conflicting consensus sequences for the FOXP2-binding site. Using MITOMI 2.0 microfluidic affinity assays, we describe the binding site of FOXP2 and its affinity profile in base-specific detail for all substitutions of the strongest binding site. We find that human and chimp FOXP2 have similar binding sites that are distinct from previously suggested consensus binding sites. Additionally, through analysis of FOXP2 ChIP-seq data from cultured neurons, we find strong overrepresentation of a motif that matches our in vitro results and identifies a set of genes with FOXP2 binding sites. The FOXP2-binding sites tend to be conserved, yet we identified 38 instances of evolutionarily novel sites in humans. Combined, these data present a comprehensive portrait of FOXP2's-binding properties and imply that although its sequence specificity has been conserved, some of its genomic binding sites are newly evolved.
The Triplet Repeats of the Sin Nombre Hantavirus 5′ Untranslated Region Are Sufficient in cis for Nucleocapsid-Mediated Translation Initiation

Hantavirus nucleocapsid protein (N) can replace the cellular cap-binding complex, eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F), to mediate translation initiation. Although N can augment translation initiation of nonviral mRNA, initiation of viral mRNA by N is superior. All members of the Bunyaviridae family, including the species of the hantavirus genus, express either three or four primary mRNAs from their tripartite negative-sense genomes. The 5' ends of the mRNAs contain nonviral heterologous oligonucleotides that originate from endonucleolytic cleavage of cellular mRNA during the process of cap snatching. In the hantaviruses these caps terminate with a 3' G residue followed by nucleotides arising from the viral template. Further, the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of viral mRNA uniformly contains, near the 5' end, either two or three copies of the triplet repeat sequence, UAGUAG or UAGUAGUAG. Through analysis of a panel of mutants with mutations in the viral UTR, we found that the sequence GUAGUAG is sufficient for preferential N-mediated translation initiation and for high-affinity binding of N to the UTR. This heptanucleotide sequence is present in viral mRNA containing either two or three copies of the triplet repeat.
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Are More Likely than Commensal E. coli to Be Shared between Heterosexual Sex Partners

Because uropathogenic Escherichia coli are better adapted than other E. coli to the urethra, periurethra, and vagina, the authors reasoned that uropathogenic E. coli would be more likely than commensal E. coli to be shared between sex partners. In this 1996-1999 Michigan study, the genetic identity of E. coli isolated from 166 women with E. coli urinary tract infection (UTI) and 94 women without UTI and their sex partners was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Rectal isolates were considered uropathogenic E. coli if genetically identical to the urinary isolate causing UTI. All eight urinary isolates from men with UTI partners were identical to the E. coli found in the urine or vagina of their sex partner. When the 550 unique rectal E. coli isolates from couples were considered the unit of analysis, E. coli that caused UTI were nine times (odds ratio (OR) = 8.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.41, 14.54) more likely than other E. coli to be shared between sex partners. Sharing occurred twice as frequently (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.08) if the E. coli had P pili or if the couples engaged in oral sex (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.09, 4.00). Uropathogenic E. coli are more likely than commensal E. coli to be shared with a current heterosexual sex partner. Both sexual behaviors and a bacterial virulence factor, P pili, modified sharing.
On Predictability of System Anomalies in Real World

As computer systems become increasingly complex, system anomalies have become major concerns in system management. In this paper, we present a comprehensive measurement study to quantify the predictability of different system anomalies. Online anomaly prediction allows the system to foresee impending anomalies so as to take proper actions to mitigate anomaly impact. Our anomaly prediction approach combines feature value prediction with statistical classification methods. We conduct extensive measurement study to investigate anomalous behavior of three systems in the real world: PlanetLab, SMART hard drive data, and IBM System S. We observe that real world system anomalies do exhibit predictability, which can be predicted with high accuracy and significant lead time.
Optical OFDM Scheme Using Uniform Power Transmission to Mitigate Peak-to-Average Power Effect Over 1040 km Single-Mode Fiber

We investigate the nonlinear effects resulting from the high peak-to-average power ratio of optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals in the optical fiber transmission. To mitigate this nonlinear impairment of optical signals in long-haul communication systems, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a new scheme of the uniform power transmission of 10 Gb/s OFDM signals over 1040 km single-mode fibers in the direct-detection optical OFDM system.
Effect of carbon ion irradiation on Ag diffusion in SiC

Transport of Ag fission product through the silicon-carbide (SiC) diffusion barrier layer in TRISO fuel particles is of considerable interest given the application of this fuel type in high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) and other future reactor concepts. The reactor experiments indicate that radiation may play an important role in release of Ag; however so far the isolated effect of radiation on Ag diffusion has not been investigated in controlled laboratory experiments. In this study, we investigate the diffusion couples of Ag and polycrystalline 3C–SiC, as well as Ag and single crystalline 4H–SiC samples before and after irradiation with C2+ ions. The diffusion couple samples were exposed to temperatures of 1500 °C, 1535 °C, and 1569 °C, and the ensuing diffusion profiles were analyzed by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). We found that diffusion coefficients calculated from these measurements indicate that Ag diffusion was greatly enhanced by carbon irradiation due to a combined effect of radiation damage on diffusion and the presence of grain boundaries in polycrystalline SiC samples.
Methane Seep Carbonates Host Distinct, Diverse, and Dynamic Microbial Assemblages

Marine methane seeps are globally distributed geologic features in which reduced fluids, including methane, are advected upward from the subsurface. As a result of alkalinity generation during sulfate-coupled methane oxidation, authigenic carbonates form slabs, nodules, and extensive pavements. These carbonates shape the landscape within methane seeps, persist long after methane flux is diminished, and in some cases are incorporated into the geologic record. In this study, microbial assemblages from 134 native and experimental samples across 5,500 km, representing a range of habitat substrates (carbonate nodules and slabs, sediment, bottom water, and wood) and seepage conditions (active and low activity), were analyzed to address two fundamental questions of seep microbial ecology: (i) whether carbonates host distinct microbial assemblages and (ii) how sensitive microbial assemblages are to habitat substrate type and temporal shifts in methane seepage flux. Through massively parallel 16S rRNA gene sequencing and statistical analysis, native carbonates are shown to be reservoirs of distinct and highly diverse seep microbial assemblages. Unique coupled transplantation and colonization experiments on the seafloor demonstrated that carbonate-associated microbial assemblages are resilient to seep quiescence and reactive to seep activation over 13 months. Various rates of response to simulated seep quiescence and activation are observed among similar phylogenies (e.g., Chloroflexi operational taxonomic units) and similar metabolisms (e.g., putative S oxidizers), demonstrating the wide range of microbial sensitivity to changes in seepage flux. These results imply that carbonates do not passively record a time-integrated history of seep microorganisms but rather host distinct, diverse, and dynamic microbial assemblages.
A non-excitatory paradigm of glutamate toxicity.

Retinal ganglion cells are driven by glutamatergic synapses, but they are also very susceptible to glutamate toxicity. Whereas the conventional excitotoxicity model of glutamate-induced cell death requires membrane depolarization, we have found that glutamate toxicity need not be linked with excitation. A large subset of ganglion cells possesses high-affinity kainate receptors that are calcium permeable. At 1–5 μM, kainate produced elevation of internal calcium but did not significantly depolarize ganglion cells. This low concentration of kainate caused ganglion cell death, which could be inhibited by specific kainate receptor antagonists. The toxic effect of kainate may be associated with calcium influx, because toxicity was reduced by polyamines that suppress calcium influx and by an inhibitor of calcium phosphatase. Thus activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors can produce neurotoxicity uncoupled from neuroexcitation.
Bacteria from Granary Weevils Collected from Laboratory Colonies and Field Infestations

Granary weevils, Sitophilus granarius (L.), were collected from laboratory colonies and field infestations in 1966. Adult, pupal, and larval stages of the weevil were surface disinfected, macerated, and cultured at 37°C on blood agar, dextrose-starch agar, and nutrient agar plus wheat infusion. Larvae, pupae, and pre-emergence adults were bacteriologically sterile. Bacteria isolated from emerged adult weevils included Escherichia intermedia (Werkman and Gillen 1932), Proteus rettgeri (Hadley, Elkins, and Caldwell 1918), P. vulgaris Hauser 1885, Bacillus subtilis Cohn 1872, Serratia marcescens Bizio 1823, Streptococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., and members of the Klebsiella-Aerobacter group. The weevil is a potential source of bacteria for the contamination of grain and cereal products. Some of these bacteria are pathogenic to man.
Social Networking Site Use While Driving: ADHD and the Mediating Roles of Stress, Self-Esteem and Craving

Background: Adults who present ADHD symptoms have an increased risk for vehicle accidents. One conceivable overlooked account for this association is the possibility that people with ADHD symptoms use rewarding technologies such as social networking sites (SNS) while driving, more than others. The objective of this study was to understand if and how ADHD symptoms can promote SNS use while driving and specifically to conceptualize and examine mechanisms which may underlie this association. To do so, ADHD is viewed in this study as an underlying syndrome that promotes SNS use while driving in a manner similar to how addictive syndromes promote compulsive seeking of drug rewards. Methods: Time-lagged survey data regarding ADHD, stress, self-esteem, SNS craving experience, SNS use while driving and control variables were collected from a sample of 457 participants who use a popular SNS (Facebook) and drive, after face-validity examination with a panel of five users and pretest with a sample of 47. These data were subjected to structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses using the frequency of ADHD symptoms measured with ASRS v1.1 Part A as a continuous variable, as well as multivariate analysis of variance using ADHD classification based on ASRS v1.1 scoring guidelines. Results: ADHD symptoms promoted increased stress and reduced self-esteem, which in turn, together with ADHD symptoms, increased one's cravings to use the SNS. These cravings ultimately translated into increased SNS use while driving. Using the ASRS v1.1 classification, people having symptoms highly consistent with ADHD presented elevated levels of stress, cravings to use the SNS, and SNS use while driving, as well as decreased levels of self-esteem. Cravings to use the SNS among men were more potent than among women. Conclusion: SNS use while driving may be more prevalent than previously assumed and may be indirectly associated with ADHD symptoms. It is a new form of impulsive and risky behavior which is more common among people with symptoms compatible with ADHD than among others. Consistent with addiction and decision making models, SNS use while driving can be viewed as a form of a compensatory reward seeking behavior. As such, prevention and reduction
Comments on Piero Quarati et al. Negentropy in Many-Body Quantum Systems. Entropy 2016, 18, 63

The purpose of this note is to express my concerns about the published paper by Quarati et al. (Entropy 2016, 18, 63). It is hoped that these comments will stimulate a constructive discussion of the issues involved.
Investigating Global and Traditional Hispanic Culture in Hispanic TV Advertisements

The main goal of this study was to respond to the call for researchers inside the advertising discipline to explore Hispanic advertising research and globalization. To address this theoretical gap in the advertising literature, we draw knowledge from semiology to evaluate the plots and stories used in promoting local traditional Hispanic culture and global culture in advertisements from Spanish language network television in the United States.
Abstract B42: The sigma-2 receptor as a target for therapeutic drug delivery in triple negative breast cancer

Introduction: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer and typically results in poor patient prognosis. While other breast cancer subtypes benefit from targeted therapies, TNBC currently has no approved agents. The sigma-2 receptor has been validated as a proliferation marker and also a site for therapeutic drug delivery in ovarian and pancreatic cancer. In this study we evaluated the sigma-2 receptor as a target for therapeutic drug delivery in TNBC using a sigma-2 targeting vehicle conjugated to a small molecule activator of caspases(SMAC) mimetic, SW-IV-134. Methods: Triple negative breast cancer cell lines; MDA-MB-231, HCC1937 and HCC1806 were tested for sensitivity to sigma-2 targeted compound SW-IV-134 vs. Taxol or the deconstructed conjugate subparts. 2 hr and 48 hr treatments we assessed to determine whether there was a significant in vitro targeting effect. Sigma-2 expression was quantified through radioligand saturation studies using cell homogenate tissue and the Ki value of SW-IV-134 for the sigma-2 receptor was calculated through competitive inhibition studies. Caspase 3/7 activation was assessed after 2 or 48 hr treatments. Results: SW-IV-134 was the most potent treatment in MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937, while no difference from taxol was found in HCC1806. Sigma-2 receptor expression was found to be the highest in the MDA-MB-231 and no difference was found in HCC1937 and HCC1806. The Ki of SW-IV-134 for the sigma-2 receptor was 23 nM and is consistent with previously reported values. Caspase 3/7 activation was detected in all cell lines following treatment at 2 and 48 hr. The greatest caspase 3/7 activation was observed in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Conclusion: The sigma-2 receptor is expressed at different levels on the three TNBC cell lines and the receptor expression corresponds to therapeutic efficacy. SW-IV-134 was the most potent therapeutic tested in two of the three cell lines with no difference between taxol observed in HCC1806. This study shows the sigma-2 receptor is a target that can be exploited for therapeutic drug delivery in three TNBC cell lines and may provide a platform for future targeted therapy development for TNBC. Citation Format: Mehran Makvandi, Estifanos D. Tilahun, Brian P. Lieberman, Kuiying Xu, Chenbo Zeng, Catherine Hou, Robert H. Mach. The sigma-2 receptor as a target for therapeutic drug delivery in triple negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B42.
BMP signaling turns up in fragile X syndrome: FMRP represses BMPR2.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and results from a loss of function of the translational repressor FMRP. In this issue of Science Signaling , Kashima et al . find that FMRP binds to and represses a specific isoform of BMPR2, a type II bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor. Reducing signaling through this BMP pathway reverses neuroanatomical defects observed in fragile X models.
Do Juvenile Curfew Laws Reduce Underage Drinking

OBJECTIVE: Although not originally enacted to deter the problem of underage drinking in the United States, one set of laws that may influence this behavior is juvenile curfew laws. This research asked the following: (a) What is the effect of enacting a juvenile curfew law on youth drinking, and (b) do demographic variables moderate the relation between juvenile curfew law enactment and drinking? This study examined the effect of juvenile curfew laws on underage drinking, using data from 46 U.S. cities from 1991 to 2005. METHOD: In 2014, we compiled a data set containing alcohol and curfew law data by zip code. It included 63,081 minors (ages 12-17 years) from 1,081 zip codes. We used difference-in-difference regressions to analyze the data. RESULTS: The effect of the enactment of a curfew law on the likelihood of consuming alcohol in the past year or past 30 days or of heavy episodic drinking in the past 2 weeks was not significant when compared with cities without curfew laws during the same periods. Although the likelihood of consuming alcohol over the past year differed depending on an individual's characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, and gender), none of the interaction terms between these characteristics and curfew laws were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Curfew laws appear to have a nonsignificant effect on youth drinking, but these results are unclear without more knowledge as to where and when youth are drinking both before and after the enactment of curfew laws and how these laws are being enforced. Language: en
The Detection of Reflux Nephropathy in Infants by 99mtechnetium Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Studies

Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) studies were performed in 113 infants less than 1 year old at risk of renal scarring. Of these patients 86 presented with urinary tract infection and 27 were asymptomatic. A voiding cystourethrogram was performed in all cases and excretory urography (IVP) was done in 99. More abnormalities were detected by DMSA study when compared to scars on IVP. When both studies were abnormal there was an excellent correlation on a site by site basis. Fever or systemic disorder was not a reliable sign to determine whether there was upper tract involvement with infection. The incidence of DMSA abnormalities in infants increased with high grade vesicoureteral reflux and decreased with low grade reflux. There was no significant difference in the incidence of abnormal kidneys between the infected and noninfected groups, suggesting that renal scarring may occur with sterile reflux.
Perron’s method

In the last section we saw a way of solving the Dirichlet problem for smoothly bounded domains. We shall now consider the same problem for an arbitrary bounded domain, making use of a method given by O. Perron in 1923.
Two characterizations of the context-sensitive languages

An n-dimensional bug-automation is generalization of a finite state acceptor to n-dimensions. With each bug B, we associate the language L(B) which is the set of top rows of the n-dimensional rectangular arrays accepted by B. One-dimensional bugs define trivially the regular sets. Twodimensional bugs define precisely the context-sensitive languages, while bugs of dimension 3 or greater define all the recursively enumerable sets. We consider also finite state acceptors with n two-way non-writing input tapes. For each such machine M, let domain (M) be the set of all strings which are the first component of some n-tuple of tapes accepted by M. For any n ≥ l, the domains of n-tape two-way finite state acceptors are precisely the same as the languages definable by n-dimensional bugs, so as a corollary, the domains of two-tape two-way finite state acceptors are precisely the context-sensitive languages.
β-ENaC associated with cilia indicates the distribution of absorptive epithelial cells in the lumen of small airways

Airway surface liquid (ASL) is crucial for optimal clearance of mucus, pathogens and debris from the pulmonary bronchial tree and is managed by a balance between secretory and absorptive activities...
Fundamental investigation of microsecond breakdown near a high permittivity dielectric

A 3 microsecond risetime, 300 μs fall time, 25 kV high voltage pulse, chosen to emulate lightning discharges is used to investigate breakdown in close proximity to a high permittivity rutile dielectric (Er ~ 100) cylinder with 1 cm diameter. A needle-plane electrode structure is utilized with 1.05 cm electrode separation. The dielectric location is varied from immediately under the needle, to more than a 1 cm away from the needle axis. Basic system design and simulation are presented, along with simulations of the electric field distribution for various dielectric locations. The dependence of breakdown voltage on dielectric proximity is presented in detail. For instance, a minimum in breakdown voltage is observed when the dielectric cylinder is placed slightly off-center from the needle’s center axis. Using high speed imaging, discharge inception and growth are presented with ~10 ns resolution.
Last Word on Viewpoint: Why do some patients stop breathing after taking narcotics? Ventilatory chemosensitivity as a predictor of opioid-induced respiratory depression

to the editor: We are pleased at the interest in this important issue ([4][1]) and appreciate the insightful comments. Drs. Luehrs and Bates (see Ref. [7][2]) have made two excellent points. Although increasing numbers of opioid-related deaths in the community may be partly due to recreational use
A Comparative Analysis of the Bad Asset Management Companies of Spain and Hungary: The Devil is in the Details

Bad asset management companies -- also called 'bad banks' -- were created in many states on both sides of the Atlantic as a consequence of the 2007 global financial crisis. In Spain, the SAREB was created in 2012 and in Hungary, MARK Ltd. was created in 2014 in order to clean the contaminated portfolios of Hungarian banks and manage the purchased bad assets. Through a comparative analysis, this paper answers the questions; how does the creation of bad banks change the delicate balancing of interests between the different stakeholders? Are these companies in compliance with the EU competition law and State aid rules? How does their operation interplay with the new bank restructuring rules of the EU? This paper argues that the creation of bad banks may have had positive short-term effects, such as the enhanced protection of the interests of investors and shareholders, restoration of confidence in the banking sector and the promotion of the stability of the banking system. However, this paper is of the view that, in the long term, bad banks create a burden on the public, increase sovereign risk and contribute to the increase of sovereign debt and therefore to the long-run instability of the EU too.
Effects of an Educational Gymnastics Course on the Motor Skills and Health-Related Fitness Components of PETE Students

Many physical education teacher education (PETE) programs seek to develop teacher candidates’ content knowledge through various physical activity courses. However, limited empirical evidence exists linking college physical activity courses to the development of skill or fitness. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of an educational gymnastics course on PETE students’ motor skill proficiency and health-related fitness components. Participants (N = 22) were PETE students enrolled in an educational gymnastics course. Data were collected from two primary sources: (1) four individual skills tests and the South Carolina Physical Education Assessment Program (SCPEAP) Elementary School Educational Gymnastics assessments and (2) the FitnessGram test battery. Findings suggest that an educational gymnastics course can improve PETE students’ content knowledge/motor skill proficiency. Additionally, a relationship may exist between certain fitness indicators and motor skill level in educational gymnastics. This study may guide PETE programs in making decisions regarding the inclusion of educational gymnastics as a content course in their programs, as such a course may help ensure that teacher candidates are physically educated individuals who are able to demonstrate competent movement performance. Subscribe to TPE