cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hands-On Laboratory Experience Using Adhesives for Remote Learning of Polymer Chemistry

Teaching chemistry without access to a traditional laboratory space is an ongoing challenge that has become especially relevant because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. While several remote learning options exist for covering general chemistry concepts (including kitchen-based experiments, online modules, and virtual reality), few options provide opportunities for hands-on learning about the chemistry of synthetic polymer materials. Here, we offer remote learning modules that use household adhesives as a platform for teaching polymer chemistry outside of the laboratory. These modules are designed for students who have taken at least one semester of organic chemistry and have varied hands-on time commitments, ranging from 2 to 10 total hours each. Concepts covered include polymer synthesis, intermolecular interactions, thermomechanical properties, structure–function relationships, and molecular design. The experiments described in these modules also give students a chance to practice research-relevant skills such as searching for primary literature sources, fabricating test samples, explaining unexpected experimental results, and revising experimental procedures to improve methodologies. Ultimately, these modules provide educators with an additional tool for teaching experimental chemistry outside of the laboratory.
Super-Regenerative Oscillator Integrated Metamaterial Leaky Wave Antenna for Multi-Target Vital Sign and Motion Detection

A new kind of metamaterial (MTM) leaky wave antenna (LWA) integrated with a super-regenerative oscillator (SRO) architecture is proposed for the first time. As a proof of concept, the proposed radar sensor, including a one-dimensional (1D) MTM LWA and a tunable voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), is designed to perform frequency-dependent space mapping with the main-beam angle sweeping from −50 $^\circ $ to +30 $^\circ $ with respect to the varying frequency from 1.85 to 2.85 GHz. The proposed SRO-integrated MTM LWA system is operated in the logarithmic mode with a quench signal imposed at the drain port of transistor. Experiments have been conducted to show that vital sign information for two human targets can be successfully detected when they are located along different scanning angles of −10 $^\circ $ and −30 $^\circ $ , respectively. Furthermore, compared with MTM LWA radar sensor based on the self-injection-locked (SIL) architecture, vibrating motion at a farther distance can be detected accurately using the proposed radar sensor, indicating a higher sensitivity with reduced system complexity.
The Role of Urate and Allopurinol in Stone Disease: A Review

In the past 20 years, many investigators have endeavored to shed light on the role of urate and allopurinol in stone disease. This discussion attempts to define what has been established.
30-Year Land Surface Trend from AVHRR-Based Global Vegetation Health Data

The past 30 years of environmental observations showed considerable global temperature increase and global changes in snow and ice cover, sea level, biological systems timing (plants, birds etc.) and others. It was also shown with 20-year satellite records that Earth vegetation has an early greening, especially in the northern latitudes. Currently, 10 more years were added to the satellite records requiring re-evaluation of vegetation trends. NOAA/NESDIS has recently updated long-term satellite records produced from AVHRR data. These innovations permitted to develop the new 30-year Global Vegetation Health (GVH) dataset and products. The GVH were processed comprehensively to remove noise even those which had not been removed before. This paper investigates the 30-year no-noise NDVI time series for the purpose of trend detection. Data showed that the 30-year trend both global and latitudinal is very negligible.
Weak Solutions for the Cahn–Hilliard Equation with Degenerate Mobility

In this paper, we study the well-posedness of Cahn–Hilliard equations with degenerate phase-dependent diffusion mobility. We consider a popular form of the equations which has been used in phase field simulations of phase separation and microstructure evolution in binary systems. We define a notion of weak solutions for the nonlinear equation. The existence of such solutions is obtained by considering the limits of Cahn–Hilliard equations with non-degenerate mobilities.
Enzymatic joining of polynucleotides. IX. A simple and rapid assay of polynucleotide joining (ligase) activity by measurement of circle formation from linear deoxyadenylate-deoxythymidylate copolymer.

A new method for the assay of polynucleotide joining activity is described; it measures the conversion of 3H-labeled d(A-T) copolymer with 3'-hydroxyl and 5'-phosphoryl termini to a form resistant to exonuclease III. The method is rapid and precise and is suitable for assay of crude cell extracts. The product of the action of joining enzyme on the d(A-T) copolymer has the properties of a circular molecule. The optimal chain length of the d(A-T)n substrate is approximately 1000 nucleotides.
Lightning and electrical injuries.

This article is divided into two parts: the first covers injuries caused by lightning; the second covers injuries caused by electricity. Each part has sections discussing the epidemiology, types of injuries, nervous system effects, management, and prevention.
Chapter 4 Analytics of development: Dualism

Publisher Summary The concept of dualism discussed in this chapter is both more narrowly economic and dynamic. It focuses on the coexistence of two sectors that are asymmetrical—and thus dualistic—in terms of both product and organizational characteristics. The production asymmetry relevant here is that while traditional agriculture disposes over something approaching “fixed” inputs of land, very little capital, with large pre-existing inputs of labor, the modernizing manufacturing sector requires virtually no land, while capital can be accumulated and labor absorbed as needed. The concept of dualism discussed is intrinsically dynamic, because the interactions between the two sectors over time in the closed economy context and, ultimately, with each other and the rest of the world, in the open economy context is discussed. The chapter reviews in brief the place of dualism in economic history and in the history of economic thought. The chapter presents an examination of modern day dualism in the closed economy, focusing on the main elements of linkage between the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors as well as on the normative problem of defining developmental success and non-success with the help of the concept of dualism in its dynamic version. The chapter also discusses open dualism, focusing on the triangular relationships between domestic agriculture, domestic non-agriculture, and the rest of the world, distinguishing between dualism in a colonial context from dualism in a developmental context.
The Effects of Electronic Signatures on the Petitioning Process and Democracy

The right to petition the government, which is guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is a powerful tool by which people can keep a check on their government leaders. Recently in the state of Utah, activist organizations and citizens demanding a greater voice in politics have pushed for government to permit the use of electronic signatures on petitions. Acceptance of electronic signatures on government petitions would fundamentally transform the way that petitions are organized and executed; this, in turn, could change the nature of democracy in the United States by giving more direct political power to the people. This paper provides a background on the constitutionality of the right to petition, examines the recent debate between Utah politicians and activist groups over the use of electronic signatures in the petitioning process, and arrives at a conclusion on whether the acceptance of electronic signatures will be a benefit or hindrance to democracy. I propose that this new mechanism to gather and collect signatures for petitions, with cooperation from government leaders, could enhance the system of democracy by lending more direct power to the people and making it possible for citizens to make an educated decision to sign a petition rather than a quick one.
Short-Term Outcome of Multiple Port Laparoscopic Splenectomy in 10 Dogs.

Objective To describe surgical techniques for multiple port laparoscopic splenectomy (MLS) in dogs and report short-term outcome. Study design Retrospective case series. Animals Dogs (n = 10) with naturally occurring splenic disease. Methods Medical records (March 2012–March 2013) of dogs that had MLS were reviewed. Data retrieved included signalment, weight, clinical signs, physical examination findings, preoperative laboratory and ultrasonographic findings, port number, size, and location, patient positioning, additional procedures performed, surgical duration, histopathologic diagnosis, duration of hospitalization, and perioperative complications. Results Ten dogs (median weight, 28.7 kg; range, 20.2–46.0 kg) had MLS using a 3 or 4 port technique and a vessel-sealing device for tissue dissection along the splenic hilus. Dog positioning varied because of additional laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted procedures including adrenalectomy (n = 2), ovariectomy (1), gastropexy (1), and intestinal resection and anastomosis (1). Conversion to an open approach was necessary in 1 dog because of inadequate visibility caused by omental adhesions. One dog had hemorrhage from an omental vessel, but open conversion was not required. Conclusions MLS was associated with little perioperative morbidity and few complications in this cohort of dogs and may be a reasonable option for surgical management of dogs requiring elective splenectomy.
Quantifying Metabolite Ratios and Concentrations by Non‐1H MRS

Practical noninvasive methods for the measurement of absolute concentrations are critical for assessing depletion of metabolite pools in healthy and diseased heart, brain, and other organs. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) offers unique noninvasive access to many metabolites, but the reproducibility of metabolite measurements is often confounded by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation, nonuniform excitation and sensitivity, and partial volume effects in the typically large and often poorly defined voxels that are commonly used for localized MRS with nonhydrogen (1H) nuclei. Here, practical acquisition and analysis protocols are presented for the quantification of endogenous metabolite ratios and concentrations using non-1H MRS. Starting with the theoretical basis that links NMR signal and concentration, methods of measuring relative metabolite ratios with corrections for T1 and T2 relaxation, nonuniform excitation, and partial volume effects are examined. This is extended to absolute concentration measurements using an internal concentration reference or metabolite ‘candle’; using a homonuclear concentration reference located either within the field-of-view of the MRS exam or measured in a separate calibration study; and heteronuclear concentration referencing based on the 1H MRS tissue water signal as the reference. MRS-based methods of partial volume correction that employ spectral markers, and those based on MRI tissue segmentation with intravoxel sensitivity weighting, are also presented. Finally, five protocols for measuring metabolite ratios and concentrations in the human heart and the brain at 1.5 and 3 T with 31P MRS are exemplified. Keywords: localized NMR; quantification; metabolite; concentration; metabolite ratios; phosphorus; MRS
Vertex-disjoint routings in star graphs

We show the necessary and sufficient condition for any two nodes in an n-dimensional star graph to have n-1 vertex-disjoint paths with length less than or equal to the minimum distance plus 2. We also provide an algorithm to generate these n-1 vertex-disjoint paths. >
Narrating Our Pasts: The Social Construction of Oral History

Narrating Our Pasts: The Social Construction of Oral History. Elizabeth Tonkin. Cambridge Studies in Oral and Literate Culture, 22. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1992. 171 pp.
Inferred vs Realized Patterns of Gene Flow: An Analysis of Population Structure in the Andros Island Rock Iguana

Ecological data, the primary source of information on patterns and rates of migration, can be integrated with genetic data to more accurately describe the realized connectivity between geographically isolated demes. In this paper we implement this approach and discuss its implications for managing populations of the endangered Andros Island Rock Iguana, Cyclura cychlura cychlura. This iguana is endemic to Andros, a highly fragmented landmass of large islands and smaller cays. Field observations suggest that geographically isolated demes were panmictic due to high, inferred rates of gene flow. We expand on these observations using 16 polymorphic microsatellites to investigate the genetic structure and rates of gene flow from 188 Andros Iguanas collected across 23 island sites. Bayesian clustering of specimens assigned individuals to three distinct genotypic clusters. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicates that allele frequency differences are responsible for a significant portion of the genetic variance across the three defined clusters (Fst= 0.117, p%0.01). These clusters are associated with larger islands and satellite cays isolated by broad water channels with strong currents. These findings imply that broad water channels present greater obstacles to gene flow than was inferred from field observation alone. Additionally, rates of gene flow were indirectly estimated using BAYESASS 3.0. The proportion of individuals originating from within each identified cluster varied from 94.5 to 98.7%, providing further support for local isolation. Our assessment reveals a major disparity between inferred and realized gene flow. We discuss our results in a conservation perspective for species inhabiting highly fragmented landscapes.
Body size effects on pursuit success and interspecific diet differences in Cnemidophorus lizards

We examined the relationship between body size and pursuit success in the lizard Cnemidophorus uniparens . Using grasshoppers as prey in experimental feeding trials, we found a significant positive relationship between lizard body size and pursuit time. In addition, larger individuals were significantly more likely to be unsuccessful at capturing the grasshoppers. We also examined the relationship between the mean body size of Cnemidophorus populations and diet composition. We found a significant negative relationship between mean body size and the proportion of grasshoppers in the diet and a significant positive relationship between mean body size and the proportion of termites in the diet.
Terpenes of ponderosa pine and feeding preferences by pocket gophers.

Yield and composition of essential oils were compared in foliage, stems, and roots of ponderosa pine seedlings, and preferences for the trees by pocket gophers were determined. Test seedlings represented nine widely separated provenances in the western United States. Seed source of the trees influenced gopher feeding preferences and resulted in varied tree damage. The damage ranged from 0 to 31%, suggesting that some sources might possess sufficient natural resistance to give trees practical protection from gophers in the field. There were no morphological differences among sources to explain differential tree damage. All sources contained essential oils in all tissues examined, but oil yield varied among and within tissue types. Oils were predominantly (76–97%) composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons. Oil composition varied by source, and different tissue types varied greatly in the yield and composition of their oils. Neither yield nor constituents of foliage oils were significantly correlated with gopher damage (or preference). In contrast, some components of stem and root oils were strongly related to preference. Results of correlation and discriminant analyses showed that some oil constituents could serve as indicators of resistance (or susceptibility) to gopher damage. Such important chemical variables, when verified, could be used in selections for ponderosa pine resistant to gophers.
Functional fecal retention with encopresis in childhood.

Objectives: The most common cause of encopresis in children is functional fecal retention (FFR). An international working team suggested that FFR be defined by the following criteria: a history of >12 weeks of passage of <2 large-diameter bowel movements (BMs) per week, retentive posturing, and accompanying symptoms, such as fecal soiling. These criteria are usually referred to as the ROME II criteria. The aims of this study were to evaluate how well the ROME II criteria identify children with encopresis; to compare these patients to those identified as having FFR by historical symptoms or physical examination; to determine whether 1-year treatment outcome varied depending on which definition for FFR was used; and to suggest improvements to the ROME II criteria, if necessary. Methods: Data were reviewed from the history and physical examination of 213 children with encopresis. One-year outcomes identified were failure, successful treatment, or full recovery. Results: Only 88 (41%) of the patients with encopresis fit the ROME II criteria for FFR, whereas 181 (85%) had symptoms of FFR by history or physical examination. Thirty-two (15%) patients did not fit criteria for FFR, but only 6 (3%) appeared to have nonretentive fecal soiling. Rates of successful treatment (50%) and recovery (39%) were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusions: The ROME II criteria for FFR are too restrictive and do not identify many children with encopresis who have symptoms of FFR. The author suggests that the ROME II criteria for FFR could be improved by including the following additional items: a history of BMs that obstruct the toilet, a history of chronic abdominal pain relieved by enemas or laxatives, and the presence of an abdominal fecal mass or rectal fecal mass.
HIV, STD and hepatitis prevention among women in methadone maintenance: a qualitative and quantitative needs assessment

In the USA, as well as internationally, rates of HIV infection among women continue to grow. In addition, women who inject drugs are at further increased risk for hepatitis C co-infection. The purpose of this study was to conduct qualitative and quantitative needs assessments for HIV/STD/hepatitis prevention among women in methadone maintenance programmes. Qualitative interviews and a quantitative, self-administered questionnaire were used to develop an understanding of their needs, and perceptions of what they believed would constitute effective prevention intervention programmes. Results supported women's interest in these services and provided feedback on how to structure prevention programmes by placing them in the context of women's lives and addressing concrete barriers (e. g. transportation, child care, confidentiality concerns) to facilitate adherence to these programmes. Respondents indicated a desire for HIV prevention information, but also wanted information on hepatitis, relapse prevention, st...
The subunit structure of lamprey fibrinogen and fibrin

Fibrinogen has been purified from the blood plasma of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and its subunit structure examined on polyacrylamide gels. Although it has three non-identical chains like other vertebrate fibrinogens, the α-chains are significantly larger than has previously been found. The subunit structure of the fibrin and crosslinked fibrin formed from this fibrinogen follow the general pattern observed in other species, including the formation of γ-γ dimers under conditions favoring the activation of intrinsic Factor XIII.
Transmission Network Expansion Planning With Complex Power Flow Models

In recent years, the transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) problem has become increasingly complex. As this problem is a nonlinear and nonconvex optimization problem, researchers have traditionally focused on approximate models of power flows to solve the TNEP problem. Until recently, these approximations have produced results that are straightforward to adapt to the more complex problem. However, the power grid is evolving towards a state where the adaptations are no longer as easy (e.g., large amounts of limited control, renewable generation), necessitating new approaches. In this paper, we propose a discrepancy-bounded local search (DBLS) that encapsulates the complexity of power flow modeling in a black box that may be queried for information about the quality of a proposed expansion. This allows the development of an optimization algorithm that is decoupled from the details of the underlying power model. Case studies are presented to demonstrate cost differences in plans developed under different power flow models.
Initial Experience with Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography

A new tool has been recently introduced to the echocardiography armamentarium, live/real time three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). In these cases, we describe our initial experience in 13 patients studied intraoperatively and in the echocardiography suite. This important technology promises improved anatomic definition, diagnostic confidence, and novel views of the complicated cardiovascular pathology encountered in common clinical practice.
The effect of short-term stress (tournament bridge playing and performance of surgery) on serum lipids

Summary Tournament bridge playing and surgery were used to study the effects of “stress” on normal people. The lipoprotein levels in blood were not altered significantly by 4 to 8 hours of such stress. Total cholesterol increased significantly after the performance of surgery and approached significance after bridge playing. However, control subjects, under no stress during a comparable period to that of the bridge playing, also showed a significant increase in cholesterol. There was little change in the mean triglyceride level, but in individuals, both bridge players and controls, elevation or depression of the triglyceride concentrations from the initial levels was observed; these changes were not related to stress. The results show that severe stress of 4 to 8 hours' duration need not be associated with changes in the levels of cholesterol, lipoproteins or triglycerides, and do not therefore support the concept that short-term stress necessarily contributes to atherogenesis by the mechanism of temporary serum lipid elevations. The possible longterm effects of nervous overactivity on lipid metabolism were not considered.
Byzantine fault tolerant collaborative editing

In this paper, we describe a lightweight solution for protecting real-time collaborative editing systems against Byzantine faults. We observe that a centralized coordination algorithm not only reduces the complexity of the editing system, it makes easier to harden the system with Byzantine fault tolerance. We perform a comprehensive analysis of the potential threats towards collaborative editing systems and introduce a set of Byzantine fault tolerance mechanisms without requiring any additional redundant resources. If the system has sufficient redundancy, such mechanisms can be used to ensure strong protection against various malicious faults. Even without sufficient redundancy in the system, our mechanisms would still help limit the damages caused by a faulty user.
Endothelin-A receptor blockade slows the progression of renal injury in experimental renovascular disease

Endothelin (ET)-1, a potent renal vasoconstrictor with mitogenic properties, is upregulated by ischemia and has been shown to induce renal injury via the ET-A receptor. The potential role of ET-A b...
Reliability and Validity Data for a Chinese Translation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression

A translated version of the CES-Depression scale attained a reliability coefficient alpha of 0.92 in a group of 30 adult Chinese persons with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Fifteen percent of the sample scored 16 or above, which has been noted as indicative of depression in U.S. samples. The validity of the instrument was assessed through an in-depth content analysis and through convergent validity analyses. Comparison of depression scores of this sample with those from English-speaking Occidentals shows that diabetes disease-related factors may be an important influence on depression.
The microtubule cytoskeleton participates in control of beta2 integrin avidity.

Leukocyte avidity is regulated by cytoskeletal constraints, which keep β2 integrins in an inactive mode. Releasing these constraints results in increased lateral mobility and clustering of integrins, effectively activating adhesion. At least part of the constraint on β2 integrins is due to actin; whether other cytoskeletal components are involved has not previously been investigated. Microtubules are a candidate for control of integrin rearrangement, because they modulate focal adhesions, which are sites of interaction between integrins and the cytoskeleton. Here we report that both depolymerization of microtubules by colchicine or nocodazole and stabilization of microtubules by taxol increased the lateral mobility of β2 integrins, activating adhesion. Increased integrin mobility was accompanied by an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin, a biochemical event associated with activation of β2 integrins. Further, C3 exoenzyme, an inhibitor of Rho, blocked induction of integrin mobility by nocodazole, but not by taxol, suggesting that there are multiple microtubule-dependent pathways to integrin rearrangement, only some of which require Rho activity. Taken together, our data suggest that a dynamic microtubule system is required to regulate integrin-cytoskeleton interactions. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that microtubules participate in control of integrin rearrangement, one of the earliest steps in activation of integrin-mediated adhesion.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging in schizophrenia: initial methodology and evaluation of the motor cortex

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the differential activation of the motor cortex during finger tapping in patients with schizophrenia using the newly available imaging method of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Nine patients with DSMIII-R schizophrenia and 9 well-matched healthy volunteer subjects underwent fMRI examination on a conventional MR unit; activation of the primary motor cortex was evaluated during performance of a finger motion task. Localized activation of the motor cortex was observed in 17 of 18 subjects during fMRI. Patients and controls were, however, indistinguishable with respect to signal intensity or area thereof within the motor cortex. fMRI did not reveal motor cortical dysfunction in schizophrenia. Despite its infancy, fMRI holds considerable promise to advance understanding of the neurodynamics of psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia.
Postexposure bake characterization and parameter extraction for positive deep-UV resists through broad-area exposure experiments

This paper presents a methodology for extracting post exposure bake reaction and diffusivity parameters through broad area exposures, without the need for FTIR measurements. The parameter estimates are obtained by varying processing conditions as to achieve the same dissolution rate, and hence the same level of deprotection. Experiments conducted with APEX-E resulted in the following reaction parameter estimates, K1 equals 2.31/sec, K2 equals 0.0038/sec and m equals 1.71, which are in close agreement with values obtained with FTIR data. To calibrate the acid diffusion, top-to-top contact diffusion experiments can be used. Results for APEX-E gave diffusivity estimates for an exponential diffusion model of Do equals 5.6e-6 and (omega) equals 5.8. An analysis of variance conducted on the data shows a constant diffusion model has considerable lack of fit.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dynamic tree aggregation patterns in a species-poor temperate woodland disturbed by fire

Question: How does fire affect the aggregation patterns of trees in a species-poor oak woodland? Location: East-central Minnesota, USA. Methods: More than 10 000 trees with DBH > 2 cm (comprising more than 11 000 stems) were monitored in a 16-ha grid on an annual basis from 1995- 2001 in a species-poor temperate woodland. Different portions of the grid experienced different frequencies of controlled burns. Aggregation indices were calculated for individual species and individual size classes within species. A community-wide aggregation index was also calculated for different burn units. Spatial data were managed, and many of the aggregation indices calculated using a GIS ArcInfo™ (ESRI). Results: Fire initially increased clumping, although repeated fires reduced it, a finding that suggests a corollary to the intermediate-disturbance hypothesis, the corollary stating that intermediate levels of disturbance are expected to maximize community-wide patterns of aggregation. Analyses also showed that all species are aggregated at small scales, that the degree of aggregation of a stem type (species or size) declines with distance from individual stems, that the degree of aggregation of large stems is usually less than that of small stems, and that rare species are more aggregated than common species. Findings from this study are consistent with those from similar studies in other temperate and tropical forests, woodlands, and savannas. Conclusion: The spatial patterns of trees in this woodland are dynamic, continually changing in response to the relative strengths of the often opposing forces of competition, which tends to reduce clumping, and disturbance, which, at low and intermediate frequencies, tends to increase it.
Norepinephrine release from the lung by sympathetic nerve stimulation inhibition by vagus and methacholine.

Abstract A procedure to isolate the sympathetic nerve supply to the lung has been developed in the rabbit. Electrical stimulation (50V, 1ms, 10Hz) of these nerves released norepinephrine (NE) which could be measured in the outflows from lungs perfused via the pulmonary artery. On the average 19 ng NE/stimulation period were found in the perfusates. The release of NE from the lung by nerve stimulation is thereby demonstrated by direct measurement of the amine. Infusion of methacholine (1 or 10 ug/ml) and excitation of the vagus nerves inhibited the output of NE. These data suggest existence of a sympathetic-parasympathetic presynaptic balance in the lung.
Theatre, performance and analogue technology: historical interfaces and intermedialities

For a seemingly conservative art form, theatre history is nevertheless full of technological futurism. Robots, for instance, first appear in Karel Capek’s 1920 play, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robo...
Förster resonance energy transfer - an approach to visualize the spatiotemporal regulation of macromolecular complex formation and compartmentalized cell signaling.

Background Signaling messengers and effector proteins provide an orchestrated molecular machinery to relay extracellular signals to the inside of cells and thereby facilitate distinct cellular behaviors. Formations of intracellular macromolecular complexes and segregation of signaling cascades dynamically regulate the flow of a biological process.
Spatial distribution of solutes, K, Na, Ca and their deposition rates in the growth zone of primary cotton roots: Effects of NaCl and CaCl2

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Acala SJ-2) seedlings were grown in modified Hoagland nutrient solution with or without 150 mM NaCl and supplemental 10 mM CaCl2. The spatial distribution of bulk-tissue osmotic potential (ΨS) and total osmotica, K, Na and Ca contents were determined in the growth zone of the primary root. This information was combined with the growth-velocity data from an earlier study (Zhong and Lauchli 1993) to estimate net deposition rates of osmoticum, water, K, Na and Ca by using the continuity equation. The ΨS was essentially uniform along the growth region for all treatments and considerably lowered by 150 mM NaCl in the medium. Total osmotica deposition was well synchronized with growth and deposition rates were enhanced by 150 mM NaCl. Osmoregulation in the treatments with 150 mM NaCl was indicated by an apparent solute accumulation which appeared to be due to the enhancement of osmoticum deposition rates. The presence of 150 mM NaCl greatly reduced the deposition rates of K and Ca throughout the growth zone; 10 mM Ca mitigated this effect only on K deposition in the apical 2.5-mm region. The deposition rate of Na was increased greatly by 150 mM NaCl; the increase was reduced by 10 mM Ca. At 150 mM NaCl, selectivity of K versus Na of the root was enhanced greatly in the apical 2mm region by the presence of 10 mM Ca; this mitigating effect by Ca declined rapidly with distance from the root tip. We conclude that one possible mechanism by which supplemental Ca alleviates the inhibitory effects of NaCl on cotton root growth is by maintaining plasma-membrane selectivity of K over Na.
Twelve-Month Physical Activity Outcomes in Latinas in the Seamos Saludables Trial

Background Physical activity interventions designed for Latinas have shown short-term behavior change, but longer-term change and maintenance is rarely measured. Purpose To assess physical activity change at 12 months, following 6-month tapered completion of an RCT of a physical activity intervention for Latinas. Methods Two hundred sixty-six underactive ( Results At 12 months, increases in moderate to vigorous physical activity were significantly greater in the intervention than in the wellness group (mean difference=52 minutes/week, SE=9.38, p p =0.01). Conclusions The intervention was more effective than the wellness control at 12 months, and physical activity increases from baseline to 6 months were maintained, suggesting the intervention may lead to sustainable behavior change. Trial registration This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01583140.
Gifted Programs and Services: What Are the Nonnegotiables?

(2005). Gifted Programs and Services: What Are the Nonnegotiables? Theory Into Practice: Vol. 44, Gifted Education, pp. 90-97.
Time of duplication of ribosomal RNA cistrons in a cell line of Potorous tridactylis (rat kangaroo)

By the use of DNA-RNA hybridization it has been possible to show that ribosomal RNA cistrons of the cell line Pt-K1 of Potorous tridactylis duplicate late in the DNA duplication phase of the cell cycle (S-phase).
Beyond Tokenism: The Making of Racially Diverse Feminist Organizations

In the past 30 years, many white-dominated feminist organizations have struggled to achieve the goal of racial diversity. Research tells us that most have failed. We know much from the literature about the conflicts over race, class, and sexuality in feminist organizations, but little about whether it is possible to succeed in creating racially diverse organizations, and if so, how. In this article, I use qualitative data collected in the early 1990s to examine the process through which a battered women's shelter and a rape crisis center became racially diverse. Their stories elucidate the relationship between sustained ideological commitment, and structural opportunities and means that enabled feminists in two organizations to end long histories of white domination and to begin a new era of power and control in the hands of a racially diverse group of women. Because racial diversity has been a central yet often unmet goal within the feminist movement, it is important to understand the conditions of these anomalous successes.
Phospholipases and activation of the NADPH oxidase

The signal transductional mechanisms regulating the activation of NADPH oxidase, the respiratory burst enzyme in phagocytic cells, are not completely understood. Receptors for most physiologic stimuli trigger the activation of various phospholipases, including phospholipases A 2 , C, and D. The lipid mediators formed (arachidonic acid, 1,2-diacylglycerol, and phosphatidic acid) have been implicated as second messengers in the induction of the respiratory burst. In intact cells, we have correlated phospholipase D activation and the production of phosphatidic acid with the activation of NADPH oxidase, using the drug propranolol. Phosphatidic acid activated NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system, but the level of activation was low
Enhancing communication skills in ESL students within a community college setting

Abstract The emerging diversity of the United States (US) population will require an equally diverse workforce to effectively meet its healthcare needs. As a result, the ability of nursing programs across the nation to recruit, admit, retain, and to graduate students who have English as a second language (ESL) will be critical (Abriam-Yago, Yoder, & Kataoka-Yahiro, 1999). This article describes salient strategies to improve oral and written communication skills through the collaborative efforts of Nursing, Language Immersion, and the Basic Skills departments.
Proteasome inhibitor–induced model of Parkinson's disease

We recently reported that systemic administration of a proteasome inhibitor induced a progressive levodopa-responsive, bradykinetic syndrome in rats with imaging, pathological, and biochemical features that strikingly resemble what is found in PD. This model has the potential to be a useful tool for studying the mechanism of cell death in Parkinson's disease and for testing putative neuroprotective agents. Since publication of these findings, several laboratories have sought to reproduce the model; some have been successful in replicating our findings, but others have not. The reason for this variability is not known, but resolution is critically important given the potential utility of this model. We have begun to examine various factors that alone or in combination might explain these differences, and we present in this article preliminary results from these studies.
Using Intentional Mistuning in the Design of Turbomachinery Rotors

The maximum blade forced response amplitudes for mistuned turbomachinery rotors are generally much greater than those of their tuned counterparts. However, it is known that the ratio of mistuned to tuned maximum vibration amplitudes, the amplitude magnification, is often largest at a relatively small level of mistuning. Increasing the level of mistuning beyond this critical value actually leads to a decrease in the amplitude magnification. This suggests that it might be beneficial to introduce some level of mistuning into the nominal design of the system intentionally. In this study, the effectiveness of this intentional mistuning strategy is investigated. Intentional mistuning is introduced into the rotor design by varying the nominal blade stiffnesses in harmonic and square-wave patterns. In addition, the unavoidable, random mistuning of the blades is included in the model as usual. The statistics of the forced response are examined for lumped parameter models, as well as for a finite element based reduced-order model of an industrial rotor. For the cases considered, it is found that intentional mistuning can greatly reduce a rotor's sensitivity to random mistuning.
Nitric oxide–mediated chondrocyte cell death requires the generation of additional reactive oxygen species

Objective Chondrocyte cell death, possibly related to increased production of endogenous nitric oxide (NO), has been observed during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of NO in causing chondrocyte cell death and to determine the contribution of other reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methods Cell death and cytotoxicity were evaluated in human articular chondrocytes in response to various NO donor compounds with and without agents that stimulate or inhibit the production of additional ROS using both the alginate bead and the monolayer culture systems. Cell death was quantified by a total cell count with fluorescent labels, and cytotoxicity was measured as a function of cellular NADH- and NADPH-dependent dehydrogenase activity. To determine if the redox status of the chondrocyte could influence the observed effect of NO, cells were preincubated for 24 hours in L-cystine– and glutathione (GSH)–depleted media to reduce intracellular GSH levels, a major defense mechanism against oxidative stress. Apoptosis was analyzed with the quantification of histone-associated DNA fragments. Results Treatment of chondrocytes with peroxynitrite (ONOO−), 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) resulted in apoptotic cell death at concentrations of 0.5 mM, 1.0 mM, and 0.5 mM, respectively. In contrast, treatment of chondrocytes with diazeniumdiolates (or the “NOC” compounds, NOC-5 and NOC-12) at concentrations as high as 2.0 mM did not cause cell death. Furthermore, NOC-5 and NOC-12, at all concentrations tested (0.125–2.0 mM), could prevent cell death caused by oxidative stress. Selective ROS scavengers protected against cell death caused by either SIN-1 or ONOO−; however, no protection could be afforded against the cytotoxicity of SNP with any of the ROS scavengers tested. Conclusion These results show that NO by itself is not cytotoxic to cultured chondrocytes and can even be protective under certain conditions of oxidative stress. Chondrocyte cell death from NO occurs under conditions where other ROS are also generated.
A general optimality criteria algorithm for a class of engineering optimization problems

An optimality criteria (OC)-based algorithm for optimization of a general class of nonlinear programming (NLP) problems is presented. The algorithm is only applicable to problems where the objective and constraint functions satisfy certain monotonicity properties. For multiply constrained problems which satisfy these assumptions, the algorithm is attractive compared with existing NLP methods as well as prevalent OC methods, as the latter involve computationally expensive active set and step-size control strategies. The fixed point algorithm presented here is applicable not only to structural optimization problems but also to certain problems as occur in resource allocation and inventory models. Convergence aspects are discussed. The fixed point update or resizing formula is given physical significance, which brings out a strength and trim feature. The number of function evaluations remains independent of the number of variables, allowing the efficient solution of problems with large number of variables.
Estimation of global vehicular methyl bromide emissions: Extrapolation from a case study in Santiago, Chile

Between June 1 and June 8, 1996, 144 whole air samples were collected in Santiago, Chile. The temporal and geographical enhancement of CH3Br correlated with incomplete combustion tracers emitted from vehicles during the morning commute. From these, a city-wide CH3Br/CO volume emission ratio of 2.2 × 10−6 was measured in ambient air. Without using the CO measurements, we estimate an annual release of 8.9 tons of CH3Br in Santiago based solely upon enhanced concentrations observed throughout the study area during the morning traffic period. This enhancement corresponds to 8.0 × 10−6 kg CH3Br emitted for each liter of gasoline used (leaded and unleaded). By scaling the annual gasoline usage in Santiago to countries still using leaded gasoline, and assuming the above 8.0 × 10−6 kg/L value holds true, a global vehicular CH3Br emission of 4 ± 3 Gg/year is calculated. This small vehicular CH3Br emission source strength will not improve the current CH3Br budget imbalance.
Targeted therapy in the treatment of uterine serous carcinoma.

Endometrial cancer is the most common of gynecologic malignancies in the US with nearly 52,630 diagnoses and 8590 deaths in 2014 [1]. Endometrial cancers are thought of in two broad categories; type I and type II. Type I tumors make up the majority of all new diagnoses and are estrogen and progesterone receptor positive. These hormonally driven tumors are typically diagnosed at an early stage, are endometrioid in histology and are highly curable. Type II endometrial cancers are characterized by more aggressive histotypes including serous, clear cell, mucinous, squamous, transitional cell, mesonephric and undifferentiated. Type II endometrial cancers are responsible for the majority of deaths from endometrial cancer [2]. Unlike type I endometrial cancers, these carcinomas are generally not hormonally driven or responsive to hormonal treatments making potentially available treatments more limited. Out of these aggressive histologic types, uterine serous cancers (USC) are the most common and most aggressive variant. If these cancers recur, they are less responsive to chemotherapy and usually fatal. Initial treatment for USC comprises surgical staging usually followed by cytotoxic chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. Despite aggressive treatment, uterine serous carcinomas carry a far worse prognosis (5-year survival of 30% ± 9) and recurrence rate with 50–80% of patients developing recurrence after initial treatment [2–4]. The aggressive nature of uterine serous carcinoma has led to extensive study of molecular characteristics to better understand the tumor biology and what drives their proliferation. Data suggest a number of molecular alterations are found in USC with mutations affecting genomic stability and cell cycle regulation including the deletion or mutation of TP53 tumor suppressor gene among a number of other mediators, chromatin remodeling genes involved in the NuRD pathway and proliferation signaling mediated through both amplification and/or mutations in HER2/neu and PIK3CA [5]. While a number of different molecular targets have been identified in USC, the HER2/neu regulated PIK3CA/AKT/mTOR pathway remains the most promising target for therapy at this time. Uterine serous carcinoma harboring HER2/neu gene amplification has been identified in up to 35% of newly diagnosed USC patients [6]. While amplification has been associated with overall worse prognosis, it may provide an ideal target for therapy. The Gynecologic Oncology Group assessed the use of single-agent trastuzumab in patients with endometrial cancer and Targeted therapy in the treatment of uterine serous carcinoma
Speech for international students

(1951). Speech for international students. Central States Speech Journal: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 27-31.