cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ager Deletion Enhances Ischemic Muscle Inflammation, Angiogenesis, and Blood Flow Recovery in Diabetic Mice.

Objective— Diabetic subjects are at higher risk of ischemic peripheral vascular disease. We tested the hypothesis that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) block angiogenesis and blood flow recovery after hindlimb ischemia induced by femoral artery ligation through modulation of immune/inflammatory mechanisms. Approach and Results— Wild-type mice rendered diabetic with streptozotocin and subjected to unilateral femoral artery ligation displayed increased accumulation and expression of AGEs and RAGE in ischemic muscle. In diabetic wild-type mice, femoral artery ligation attenuated angiogenesis and impaired blood flow recovery, in parallel with reduced macrophage content in ischemic muscle and suppression of early inflammatory gene expression, including Ccl2 (chemokine [C-C motif] ligand-2) and Egr1 (early growth response gene-1) versus nondiabetic mice. Deletion of Ager (gene encoding RAGE) or transgenic expression of Glo1 (reduces AGEs) restored adaptive inflammation, angiogenesis, and blood flow recovery in diabetic mice. In diabetes mellitus, deletion of Ager increased circulating Ly6C hi monocytes and augmented macrophage infiltration into ischemic muscle tissue after femoral artery ligation. In vitro, macrophages grown in high glucose display inflammation that is skewed to expression of tissue damage versus tissue repair gene expression. Further, macrophages grown in high versus low glucose demonstrate blunted macrophage–endothelial cell interactions. In both settings, these adverse effects of high glucose were reversed by Ager deletion in macrophages. Conclusions— These findings indicate that RAGE attenuates adaptive inflammation in hindlimb ischemia; underscore microenvironment-specific functions for RAGE in inflammation in tissue repair versus damage; and illustrate that AGE/RAGE antagonism may fill a critical gap in diabetic peripheral vascular disease.
Mapping marine habitat suitability and uncertainty of Bayesian networks: a case study using Pacific benthic macrofauna

Resource managers increasingly use habitat suitability map products to inform risk management and policy decisions. Modeling habitat suitability of data-poor species over large areas requires careful attention to assumptions and limitations. Resulting habitat suitability maps can harbor uncertainties from data collection and modeling processes; yet these limitations are not always transparent to resource managers, who increasingly rely on maps for spatial planning and risk assessment purposes. Interpretation of habitat suitability maps can be improved by visually communicating model uncertainty and data foundations. We applied Bayesian networks (BNs) to a small, marine dataset to model the probability of occurrence (PO) of benthic macrofauna. We also used BNs to create maps displaying model parameter uncertainty and data limitations. We developed BN models for three macrofauna species: a marine gastropod, Aystris gausapata, a marine bivalve, Axinopsida serricata, and a marine worm, Sternaspis fossor. We produced three map products from the BN models of each species: (1) a habitat suitability map of the PO projected from regional predictor variables; (2) an uncertainty map, displaying statistical variance of model predictions of occurrence probability; and (3) an experience map, displaying the empirical basis for PO predictions (equivalent sample size). Map results showed occurrence probability to be high and widespread for Ax. serricata, low to moderate and more limited to deeper offshore areas for Ay. gausapata, and low to high in shallow sandy regions and deeper silty regions, respectively, for S. fossor. The uncertainty and experience maps for each species helped identify regions to prioritize for future sampling. Our results are the first to show that BNs can effectively model habitat suitability of benthic macrofauna, and our detailed methods can be applied to a variety of taxa and systems. Visually describing statistical model uncertainty and equivalent sample size in map format improves interpretation of habitat suitability map predictions and supports place-based risk management of marine management.
Physical-biological interactions influencing large toothfish over the Ross Sea shelf

We add comments to a recent series of publications in peer-reviewed journals concerning the distribution of large Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) found over the inner shelf of the Ross Sea. We note that earlier fish ecologists advanced innovative hypotheses invoking physical–biological interactions with life history, and that these, far from being disproved, have been relegated by more immediately pressing management concerns. We argue that, despite the considerable advances achieved by research groups working on D. mawsoni, an understanding of distribution and abundance is incomplete without reference to the physical structure that supports their life history. We briefly consider hypotheses highlighted by the recent literature in the context of major features of the shelf circulation in the Ross Sea, in particular intrusions of modified Circumpolar Deep Water along trough systems. We suggest physical–biological interactions that may be involved and call for improvements in the monitoring programme that can help test between the competing hypotheses.
A standardized extract of Butea monosperma (Lam.) flowers suppresses the IL-1β-induced expression of IL-6 and matrix-metalloproteases by activating autophagy in human osteoarthritis chondrocytes.

Abstract Background/Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of joint dysfunction, disability and poor quality of life in the affected population. The underlying mechanism of joint dysfunction involves increased oxidative stress, inflammation, high levels of cartilage extracellular matrix degrading proteases and decline in autophagy-a mechanism of cellular defense. There is no disease modifying therapies currently available for OA. Different parts of the Butea monosperma (Lam.) plant have widely been used in the traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine system for the treatment of various human diseases including inflammatory conditions. Here we studied the chondroprotective effect of hydromethanolic extract of Butea monosperma (Lam.) flowers (BME) standardized to the concentration of Butein on human OA chondrocytes stimulated with IL-1β. Methods The hydromethanolic extract of Butea monosperma (Lam.) (BME) was prepared with 70% methanol-water mixer using Soxhlet. Chondrocytes viability after BME treatment was measured by MTT assay. Gene expression levels were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using TaqMan assays and immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Autophagy activation was determined by measuring the levels of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II) by immunoblotting and visualization of autophagosomes by transmission electron and confocal microscopy. Results BME was non-toxic to the OA chondrocytes at the doses employed and suppressed the IL-1β induced expression of inerleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3), MMP-9 and MMP-13. BME enhanced autophagy in chondrocytes as determined by measuring the levels of LC3-II by immunoblotting and increased number of autophagosomes in BME treated chondrocytes by transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. BME upregulated the expression of several autophagy related genes and increased the autophagy flux in human OA chondrocytes under pathological conditions. Further analysis revealed that BME activated autophagy in chondrocytes via inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Of importance is our finding that BME-mediated suppression of IL-1β induced expression of IL-6, MMP-3, -9, and -13 was autophagy dependent and was abrogated by inhibition of autophagy. Conclusion The above results show that the Butea monosperma (Lam.) extract has strong potential to activate autophagy and suppress IL-1β induced expression of IL-6 and MMP-3, -9 and -13 in human OA chondrocytes. This study shows that BME or compounds derived from BME can be developed as safe and effective chondroprotective agent(s) that function by activating autophagy to suppress the expression of inflammatory and catabolic factors associated with OA pathogenesis.
Deformable plasmonic metamembrane

In this presentation, we report on the experimental demonstration of a new class of metasurfaces, plasmonic metamembranes. Compared to conventional plasmonic metasurfaces, the demonstrated metamembrane has a mechanically flexible structure offering new designs and operation of plasmonic metasurfaces.
Lithium Niobate Phononic Crystals for Tailoring Performance of RF Laterally Vibrating Devices

This paper reports the first demonstration of phononic crystals (PnCs) in suspended lithium niobate thin films, which exhibit band gaps for tailoring the performance of laterally vibrating devices. Transmission and reflection properties of lithium niobate PnCs for both shear-horizontal (SH0) and length-extensional (S0) modes have been investigated and subsequently explored in two applications. In the first case, PnC-embedded delay lines were designed for filtering with stopbands, while in the second case, PnC-bounded resonators were implemented for spurious mode suppression. Equivalent circuit models incorporating acoustic scattering parameters of the designed PnCs and Mason’s model of the transducers have been built for each application. Benchmarked to reference devices without PnCs, the measured PnCs embedded in delay lines show 20-dB attenuation in the stopbands and less than 2-dB loss in the passbands for the SH0 mode, and 30-dB attenuation in the stopbands and less than 10-dB loss in the passbands for the S0 mode. The fabricated piezoelectric PnC-bounded resonator has shown a quality factor of 434 at 142.7 MHz with undesired spurious modes significantly suppressed. These demonstrations show that lithium niobate PnCs for laterally vibrating devices can potentially lead to wideband and low-loss acoustic functions for radio frequency signal processing.
The Adjoint Representation of a Lie Group

Every group G acts on itself by inner automorphisms: the map associated with an element g is h ↦ ghg −1. If G is a Lie group, the differential of each inner automorphism determines a linear transformation on the tangent space to G at the identity element, because the identity is fixed by any inner automorphism. This gives rise to a linear representation of the group G in the Lie algebra G of G, the adjoint representation of G. If G is a matrix group, the Lie algebra G, too, is realized by matrices, and the adjoint representation τ g maps x ∈ G to gxg −1.
Lehrerfortbildung Informatik in Bayern

Normalerweise hat die Lehrerfortbildung die Aufgabe, Lehrern im Dienst Hilfestellung zu geben. Es werden neuere Erkenntnisse in den Lehrfachern, in der Didaktik und Methodik vermittelt, wobei auf die Kenntnisse aus der Ausbildung aufgebaut werden kann. Im Falle der Informatik ist die Situation heute jedoch anders. In der Regel mus man davon ausgehen, das die Informatik in der Ausbildung noch nicht berucksichtigt wurde. Die Fortbildung mus daher erst die Grundlagen legen. Aufgrund des raschen Eindringens der Informatik in alle Schularten wird sich diese Situation in den nachsten Jahren auch noch nicht andern, insbesondere angesichts der Tatsache, das nur eine kleine Zahl von Lehrern neu eingestellt werden kann.
Emerging Psychobiology of the Avian Song System

This chapter builds on the excellent review of avian song development by [Bottjer and Arnold (1986)] that appeared in an earlier volume of this series ([Blass, 1986]). We first summarize the knowledge and perspectives on the neurobiology of song development and production of that time. We then present an overview of the major advances that have occurred since the earlier review, and finish with a description of the research avenues that we feel are likely to yield significant advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of bird song
Gram-negative bacillary colonization and bacteremia in the compromised host.

A complex interaction of host and microbial factors is unquestionably related to the pathogenesis of gram-negative rod bacteremia in neutropenic, immunocompromised patients. In this paper we summarize evidence that colonization of the gastrointestinal tract often precedes systemic invasion by klebsiellae andPseudomonas aeruginosa, but that the factors directly responsible for the weakening of barriers to colonization remain poorly understood. Additionally, bacteremic isolates ofEscherichia coli appear to segregate into commonly occurring groups by O and K antigens. A broadened investigation ofE. coli surface (fimbrial) antigens indicates several common hemagglutination patterns of bloodstream isolates with various mammalian erythrocytes, but these patterns may also be strongly associated with commonly encountered O and K types. This epidemiologic and microbiologic information may be useful both in clinical management and in following measures to prevent infection in high risk immunocompromised patients.
Suture fistula revisited for long gap esophageal atresia.

Abstract Background Long gap esophageal atresia presents a challenge to pediatric surgeons due to the variability in surgical management when primary anastomosis is not feasible. Mechanical traction procedures enhance tissue growth that allows early anastomosis, before delayed primary closure (DPC) would be attempted to allow for rapid oral feeding, or when operative discoveries require flexibility of the surgical plan. The Suture Fistula procedure, first published by Alan Shafer and Tirone David in 1974, is a simple, effective, but underutilized single-stage procedure which results in spontaneous fistulization of approximated, non-anastomosed esophageal segments using tension sutures. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who underwent the Suture Fistula procedure at a single institution since 1992. A literature review of all published case series of patients who underwent this procedure was also performed. Results There were 5 case series found with a total of 24 patients, and three new cases presented. Patients were noted to have spontaneous fistulization with gastrostomy tube feed reflux noted in the upper esophagus or mouth on average of post-operative day 14, which occurred in over 85% of patients. While nearly all patients required esophageal dilation and anti-reflux procedures, the morbidity of the procedure, including esophageal leak, is very low, and similar to the Foker or Kimura procedures, which have been more popular despite their surgical complexity. Conclusion We propose the Suture Fistula technique to be a simpler, more effective, and safe alternative to other mechanical traction suture procedures in cases where primary anastomosis is not feasible. Level of evidence Level IV.
Genetic loss of proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) in mice is compatible with survival

Abstract Adrenomedullin (AM) and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) are small peptides derived from a common precursor, pre-proadrenomedullin. Although AM and PAMP share hypotensive effects in the cardiovascular system, the peptides also exert diverse and distinct effects on endocrine physiology, innate immunity, cytoskeletal biology and receptor signaling pathways. Tremendous knowledge has been gleaned from the study of several genetic animal models of AM deletion or overexpression, some of which also simultaneously delete the coding region for PAMP peptide. However, deletion of PAMP without concurrent deletion of AM in an animal model is not currently available for the study of PAMP function. Here, we present the generation of AdmΔPAMP/ΔPAMP and AdmΔPAMP/− mice, which lack the coding sequence for PAMP while preserving the coding sequence for AM. AdmΔPAMP/ΔPAMP mice survive to adulthood without any obvious abnormalities and are fertile, though AdmΔPAMP/− females have small litters. Interestingly, these animals express lower levels of Adm mRNA and AM peptide than wild type animals, but these levels are still compatible with survival. Importantly, despite reduced levels, the spatiotemporal expression of AM peptide within the hearts of AdmΔPAMP/− mice remains similar to wild type animals. AdmΔPAMP/ΔPAMP mice are now a publicly available tool for future investigations of PAMP function.
Defining hydroclimatic regions using daily rainfall characteristics in the southern Appalachian Mountains

This paper addresses warm season hydroclimatic variability in the southern Appalachian region of the southeastern U.S., where precipitation can vary as much as 127 mm or more, with maximum seasonal...
Retinyl esters are elevated in progeny of retinol dehydrogenase 11 deficient dams.

Abstract Retinol dehydrogenase 11 (RDH11) is an NADPH-dependent retinaldehyde reductase that was previously reported to function in the visual cycle. Recently, we have shown that RDH11 contributes to the maintenance of retinol levels in extraocular tissues under conditions of vitamin A deficiency or reduced vitamin A availability. RDH11 is also expressed in the embryo. Rdh11 knockout animals do not display embryonic defects and appear to develop normally to the adult stage, but the exact function of RDH11 during development is not yet known. In contrast to RDH11-null mice, animals that lack dehydrogenase/reductase 3 (DHRS3), the enzyme that functions as a retinaldehyde reductase and is essential for the maintenance of retinoid homeostasis during embryogenesis, rarely survive until birth. Here, we investigated whether inactivation of RDH11 together with DHRS3 exacerbates the severity of retinoid homeostasis disruption in embryos that lack both enzymes compared to DHRS3-null mice. The results of this study indicate that in vitamin A sufficient animals, the loss of RDH11 in addition to DHRS3 does not appear to significantly impact the total levels of retinoic acid, free retinol, or retinyl esters in Rdh11−/−/Dhrs3−/− embryos in comparison to Dhrs3−/− embryos. Surprisingly, Rdh11−/− single gene knockout embryos obtained from breeding of Rdh11−/− dams display elevated levels of embryonic retinyl esters compared to wild type embryos. The mechanism of the maternal effect of Rdh11 status on fetal retinoid stores remains to be elucidated.
Bipolar pulse conductometric monitoring of ion-selective electrodes

Abstract Bipolar pulse conductometric monitoring of the calcium and fluoride ion-selective electrodes (i.s.e.'s) in a continuous flow system is evaluated. The location and composition of the counter electrode are critical; an electrochemically poised reference electrode is not necessary. The best scheme for conductometric measurements involves making a rapid series of current measurements at various pulse heights, and extrapolating the resulting linear current—voltage (i/ V ) curve to V = 0. For ionic strengths higher than 10 −3 M, detection limits of about 10 −6 M were obtained with both the calcium and fluoride electrodes, monitored conductometrically and potentiometrically. Relative standard deviations were about 20% and 12% for calcium and fluoride, respectively, for both monitoring methods. Drift problems observed in previous work with conductometric monitoring of i.s.e.'s were reduced significantly. Flow rates of 20 ml min −1 were possible with the calcium electrode. The response time of the calcium electrode is influenced by both diffusion and migration processes. Interfering ions cause the current to overshoot the steady-state current on injection. The conductometric response time of the fluoride electrode is generally faster than the potentiometric response time; both methods have concentration-dependent response times.
A UNITY OF OPPOSITES

During development, cells can affect their neighbours by secreting factors called morphogens. In the fruitfly, one such factor — Sog — affects signalling by another morphogen, Dpp. But how? A clever study of Sog expression indicates that this protein can inhibit Dpp signalling in cells that are close to its source, yet stimulate Dpp in those cells that are further away. This is the first evidence for such a split personality
Multifunctional scaffolds for bone regeneration

Abstract: Biodegradable scaffolds are generally considered as indispensable elements for engineering living tissues as they are used as temporary templates with specific mechanical and biological properties similar to native extracellular matrix (ECM). They allow modulating cell adhesion, invasion, proliferation and differentiation, prior to the regeneration of biologically functional tissue or natural ECM. In the case of bone regeneration, a current challenge is to conceive new process strategies to fabricate composite or hybrid scaffolds able to provide three-dimensional templates and synthetic ECM environments. Here, we will describe current processing technologies used to achieve structural features mimicking the ECM on various levels and successfully emulate cell–ECM interactions in order to promote the regeneration of mineralized tissues such as bone.
The economic average cost Brownian control problem

In this paper we introduce and solve a generalization of the classic average cost Brownian control problem in which a system manager dynamically controls the drift rate of a diffusion process X. At each instant, the system manager chooses the drift rate from a pair {u, v} of available rates and can invoke instantaneous controls either to keep X from falling or to keep it from rising. The objective is to minimize the long-run average cost consisting of holding or delay costs, processing costs, costs for invoking instantaneous controls, and fixed costs for changing the drift rate. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions on the cost parameters to ensure the problem admits a finite optimal solution. When it does, a simple control band policy specifying economic buffer sizes (α, Ω) and up to two switching points is optimal. The controller should invoke instantaneous controls to keep X in the interval (α, Ω). A policy with no switching points relies on a single drift rate exclusively. When there is no cost to change the drift rate, a policy with a single switching point s indicates that the controller should change to the slower drift rate when X exceeds s and use the faster drift rate otherwise. When there is a cost to change the drift rate, a policy with two switching points s < S indicates that the controller should maintain the faster drift rate until X exceeds S and maintain the slower drift rate until X falls below s.
Divergent Controls on Stream Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Across a Land-Use Gradient

Inland waters can be significant sources of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere. However, considerable uncertainty remains in regional and global estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from freshwater ecosystems, particularly streams. Controls on GHG production in streams, such as water chemistry and sediment characteristics, are also poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to quantify spatial and temporal variability in GHG concentrations in 20 streams across a landscape with considerable variation in land use and land cover in New England, USA. Stream water was consistently supersaturated in CO2, CH4, and N2O, suggesting that these small streams are sources of GHGs to the atmosphere in this landscape. Results show that concentrations of dissolved CO2, CH4 and N2O differed in their spatial and temporal patterns and in their relationship to stream chemistry. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed a unique combination of predictor variables for each gas, suggesting variation in the landscape attributes and in-stream processes that control GHG concentrations. Although hydrologic conditions did not explain variation among sites, temporal patterns in GHG concentrations align with seasonal phenologies in flow and temperature. We developed a conceptual model based on these data that describes the spatial variability in GHG production from streams and that can elucidate the dominant controls on each gas. Developing an understanding of the factors controlling GHG dynamics in streams can help assess and predict how fluvial ecosystems will respond to changes in climate and land use and can be used to incorporate emissions from streams into regional and global GHG emission inventories.
Usage of Antibiotics in Children with Renal Insufficiency

The control of infection remains an important aspect of treatment in patients with renal insufficiency. A large fraction of deaths associated with acute renal failure as well as the three phases of end stage renal disease, the period of chronic uremia, dialysis and transplantation, are due to infection. A large fraction of patients with renal disease need antibiotics for treating bacterial infections exclusive of urinary tract infection. Little data is available in children with renal failure on the incidence of infection or its treatment with anti-infectious agents. In a recent survey of our transplantation experience involving 107 transplants at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, positive blood cultures were obtained in 10 patients in the initial 21 days following the transplant (1). Moreover, antibiotics have been administered for a variety of infectious problems to virtually all of our patients with end stage renal disease. In one report of 497 children undergoing maintenance dialysis, infection was responsible for death in 13 percent (2). Thus, the need to understand how best to administer antibiotics to uremic children is obvious.
Corrections to “Optimization and Scaling of Ge-Pocket TFET”

The author would like to make corrections to Fig. 5 – 7 in the above article [1] . The errors occurred due to the incorrect pocket doping concentration in the simulation.
Relationships between the postures of dentists and chairside dental assistants.

Introduction Dental professionals have been encouraged to maintain their neutral postures throughout their workday in order to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system. However, with 4-handed dentistry, maintaining neutral postures becomes more challenging when the dentist and dental assistant work concurrently alongside the patient to complete dental procedures. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether relationships exist between the postures of dentists and dental assistants. Methods Upon institutional review board approval, this study used a cross-sectional research design of a convenience sample of 31 unique pairings of dentists and dental assistants. The Modified-Dental Operator Posture Assessment Instrument (M-DOPAI) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) were used to assess ergonomic scores and ergonomic risks of captured photographs of dentists and dental assistants performing 4-handed dentistry. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlational analysis. Results The dentists and dental assistants demonstrated higher ergonomic scores for the trunk, head, and arm positions and higher ergonomic risk scores for the neck/trunk/leg positions. The head position of dental assistants was positive correlated with hip position of dentists. The shoulder position of dental assistants was negatively correlated with the head position of dentists. Conclusion Ergonomic risks scores indicated further investigations and potential changes in postures to reduce ergonomic risks. Multiple postural components of the dentists and dental assistants were related. Ergonomic training should include consideration of dentists and dental assisting working concurrently in 4-handed dentistry. More ergonomic training is needed with 4-handed dentistry among dental and dental assisting students and faculty members.
In search of time crystalline behavior in Kerr optical frequency combs

Author(s): Taheri, Hossein | Abstract: In this invited article, we report the experimental demonstration of the simultaneous coherent locking of two independent lasers with arbitrary multi-FSR (free spectral range) frequency separation to a Kerr microcomb soliton, resulting in the creation of synthetic microcomb soliton crystals. Each of the two pumps is self-injection-locked to its neighboring microcavity mode and acts as an arbiter linking the microcomb to the cavity. We show that the beating of the two pumps creates a manifest discrete symmetry and that certain microcomb states generated in this pumping scheme spontaneously break this symmetry, thereby realizing \emph{dissipative} discrete time crystals. Apart from introducing a powerful platform leveraging advanced photonics for the creation and scientific exploration of various types of dissipative time crystals and their properties, our results constitute a decisive step towards the two-point locking of Kerr microcombs with moderate bandwidths much smaller than an octave which cannot be self-referenced through standard approaches such as the f-2f technique.
Yoga-induced uveitis glaucoma hyphema syndrome

A 74-year-old pseudophakic white woman with pseudoexfoliation syndrome presented with right eye pain and photophobia and was found to have pseudophacodenesis with recurrent episodes of anterior uveitis, microhyphema, and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). All episodes occurred after yoga sessions with intensive facedown postures. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) performed in supine and prone positions demonstrated significant change in the lens-bag complex position, with lens-iris touch. The patient underwent intraocular lens (IOL) explantation, anterior vitrectomy, and flanged intrascleral haptic-fixated IOL placement via double-needle technique, with resolution of all symptoms.
"I Had to Call Them Out on a Very Tight Rope:" Exercising Voice with K-12 Education Colleagues to Confront Racial Injustice

This paper examines how educators in the U.S. public education system speak to their colleagues about racially oppressive beliefs and practices. Limited research exists that examines the experience...
“PUTTING YOUR POWER ON THE LINE”: TOWARD EMBODIED ALLYSHIP IN MENTOR-MENTEE AND PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Although relational and multicultural feminist mentoring models have interrogated the role of relationships and power in graduate mentor-mentee relationships, less work has examined graduate studen...
MEASURING EMPLOYEES’ PERCEPTION OF THE EXISTENCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS AND JOB SATISFACTION OF DIVINE WORD COLLEGES’ EMPLOYEES IN ILOCOS REGION, PHILIPPINES

The study wanted to determine the relationship between organizational politics and job satisfaction of employees of Divine Word Colleges in the Ilocos Region. The study used descriptive research design and aided by fact-finding inquiry. The population of the study is the employees of the Divine Word Colleges in the Ilocos region, Philippines and since the number of employees was limited, therefore, total enumeration method of sampling was used. Questionnaires were utilized to gather the data and weighted mean was used to determine the level of perception of employees of the existence of organizational politics and job satisfaction. Pearson r was used to determine the relationship between the two variables, between organizational politics and job satisfaction. The finding revealed that employees somewhat agree with the existence of organizational politics of Divine Word Colleges in the Ilocos region but as a whole, there is no correlation between organizational politics and job satisfaction of employees. However, taking it singly, there is a correlation between organizational politics in terms of blaming others and job satisfaction.
A Concise History of Russia: Russia in the Age of Revolution

On his mother's death Paul came to the throne, the first undisputed and male inheritance in seventy years. His first act was to rebury Peter III, whom he believed to be his father, in the church of St. Peter and Paul with the other rulers of Russia from Peter onwards. His next act was to replace most of Catherine's ministers and officials, and send a number of them into exile. Thus began the brief and often bizarre reign of Tsar Paul. Paul's reign began just at the moment that the French revolution, having passed through its most radical phase, began to turn outward, and the new tsar had to respond to the apparent danger from his first days on the throne. Far more conservative than his mother, he made it his priority to strengthen the power and authority of the state. He recentralized the government, reestablishing some of the colleges and reviving the Council of State. He also enlarged the Senate, and saw to it that it exercised more effective supervision of law and administration. To this end he issued an enormous number of new laws, orders, and regulations. In Paul's mind, everything needed a regulation and his job was to compose one where it did not already exist.
High-Resolution Ultrafast Laser Pulse Shaping for Quantum Control and Terabit per Second Communications

High resolution (≈1000 pixels), rapidly updatable fs laser pulse shaping permits a terabit per second communications architecture and quantum control.
A Parallel GRASP for the Steiner Problem in Graphs

A greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP) is a metaheuristic for combinatorial optimization. Given an undirected graph with weights associated with its nodes, the Steiner tree problem consists in finding a minimum weight subgraph spanning a given subset of (terminal) nodes of the original graph. In this paper, we describe a parallel GRASP for the Steiner problem in graphs. We review basic concepts of GRASP: construction and local search algorithms. The implementation of a sequential GRASP for the Steiner problem in graphs is described in detail. Feasible solutions are characterized by their non-terminal nodes. A randomized version of Kruskal's algorithm for the minimum spanning tree problem is used in the construction phase. Local search is based on insertions and eliminations of nodes to/from the current solution. Parallelization is done through the distribution of the GRASP iterations among the processors on a demand-driven basis, in order to improve load balancing. The parallel procedure was implemented using the Message Passing Interface library on an IBM SP2 machine. Computational experiments on benchmark problems are reported.
The Economics of Crime: An Analysis of Crime Rates in America

The purpose of my paper is to determine what factors are significant in determining fluctuations in the crime rate over time. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol10/iss1/13
Comparison of a new, rapid enzyme immunoassay with a latex agglutination test for qualitative detection of rubella antibodies.

A total of 450 sera were tested for rubella virus antibodies by using a new, rapid enzyme immunoassay, SUDS Rubella. The results were compared with those obtained by using the Rubascan test, a well-established latex agglutination method. The sensitivity of the SUDS Rubella was 99.5%, and the specificity was 100%, when compared with Rubascan. The SUDS Rubella test can be performed in 10 min and provides an accurate screening test for the detection of rubella antibodies. Images
Canada must bolster its GM food regulations, not add labels: report.

Canada must boost its regulatory control over genetically modified (GM) foods, but mandatory labelling won't be part of the scheme, a new federal report suggests. “Although the products that have entered the market appear to be safe by all scientific measures, we don't think the system is up to
The histone H3/H4.N1 complex supplemented with histone H2A-H2B dimers and DNA topoisomerase I forms nucleosomes on circular DNA under physiological conditions.

We have fractionated the whole cell extract of Xenopus oocytes (oocyte S-150) and isolated the endogenous components required for DNA supercoiling and nucleosome formation. Histone H2B and the three oocyte-specific H2A proteins were purified as free histones. Histones H3 and H4 were purified 100-fold in a complex with the acidic protein N1. In the presence of DNA topoisomerase I or II, histone H3/H4.N1 complexes supercoil DNA in a reaction that is inhibited by Mg2+, and this inhibition is relieved by NTPs. The supercoiling reaction induced by H3/H4.N1 complexes is enhanced by free histone H2A-H2B dimers, which by themselves do not supercoil DNA. Nuclease digestions and protein analyses indicate that H3/H4.N1 complexes form subnucleosomal particles containing histones H3 and H4. Nucleosomes containing 146-base pair DNA and the four histones are formed when histones H2A and H2B complement the reaction.
{1}/{f} noise in a two-dimensional crystal

Abstract 1 f noise as a function of resistance has been measured in a two-dimensional crystal. A rapid increase in noise was observed in the metallic region, around R □ = 2 k Ω .
Template-Directed Instrumentation Reduces Cost and Improves Efficiency for Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Economic Decision Analysis and Pilot Study

Abstract Template-directed instrumentation (TDI) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may streamline operating room (OR) workflow and reduce costs by preselecting implants and minimizing instrument tray burden. A decision model simulated the economics of TDI. Sensitivity analyses determined thresholds for model variables to ensure TDI success. A clinical pilot was reviewed. The accuracy of preoperative templates was validated, and 20 consecutive primary TKAs were performed using TDI. The model determined that preoperative component size estimation should be accurate to ± 1 implant size for 50% of TKAs to implement TDI. The pilot showed that preoperative template accuracy exceeded 97%. There were statistically significant improvements in OR turnover time and in-room time for TDI compared to an historical cohort of TKAs. TDI reduces costs and improves OR efficiency.
Effects of long-term exercise on the biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendon of guinea fowl

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of long-term exercise on tendon compliance and to ascertain whether tendons adapt differently to downhill running vs. running on a level surfac...
Dimensions of Contemporary Confucian Cosmopolitanism

This paper identifies five dimensions of cosmopolitanism, though doubtless there are many more: cosmopolitanism in decision making, engaging others, attaining personal wholeness, the ultimate value-identity of life, and religious sensibility. These are discussed in terms of the Confucian ideas of the “Four Beginnings,” ritual, life as cultivated education, sagehood, public versus private life, Principle, heart-mind, harmony, value, humaneness, “love with differences,” “roots and branches,” and filiality, among others. In all, it presents Confucianism as a living tradition that is facing up to how it might extend itself in light of the need for cosmopolitanism.
Suggestive evidence for inhibitory action of amiodarone on Na+, K+-pump activity in guinea pig heart.

Abstract 1. 1. Effects of amiodarone, a powerful antiarrhythmic agent, on Na + , K + -pump activity were examined on ventricular papillary muscle of guinea pig, by means of conventional microelectrode technique. 2. 2. The activity of Na + , K + -pump was measured by two methods. One of them was to measure the amplitudes of depolarization observed during overdrive stimulation (3.3 Hz) and of hyperpolarization observed after the overdrive stimulation (post-overdrive hyperpolarization), and the other, to measure the hyperpolarization observed following introduction of 10 mM K + , after exposure to K + free solution for a certain duration. 3. 3. Amiodarone significantly decreased the amplitude of depolarization during overdrive stimulation and the amplitude of post-overdrive hyperpolarization. 4. 4. In the latter method, the deactivation process of hyperpolarization recorded by the introduction of 10 mM K + following K + depletion slowed down by amiodarone. 5. 5. These findings suggest that amiodarone may inhibit, at least in part, the Na + , K + -pump activity in the ventricular muscle of guinea pig.
An open-shell restricted Hartree-Fock perturbation theory based on symmetric spin orbitals

A new open-shell perturbation theory is formulated in terms of symmetric spin orbitals. Only one set of spatial orbitals is required, thereby reducing the number of independent coefficients in the perturbed wavefunctions. For second order, the computational cost is shown to be similar to a closed-shell calculation. This formalism is therefore more efficient than the recently developed RMP, ROMP or RMP-MBPT theories. The perturbation theory described herein was designed to have a close correspondence with our recently proposed coupled-cluster theory based on symmetric spin orbitals. The first-order wavefunction contains contributions from only doubly excited determinants. Equilibrium structures and vibrational frequencies determined from second-order perturbation theory are presented for OH, NH, CH, 02, NH2 and CH2.
Synthesis and Interfacial Behavior of Amphiphilic Hyperbranched Polymers: Poly(ethylene oxide)−Polystyrene Hyperbranches

We report the synthesis of novel hyperbranched amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)−polystyrene (PEO−PS)n copolymers obtained by controlled radical polymerizations: nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) and reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). The macroinimers used to synthesize copolymers have the general structure AB*, where A stands for PEO with a terminal double bond and B* stands for a PS block with a terminal initiating group (TEMPO or RAFT CTA). Bulk NMP yielded copolymers with higher molecular weight and higher polydispersity. RAFT polymerization in solution gave hyperbranched copolymers with higher molecular weight but lower polydispersity. Langmuir monolayers displayed reversible amphiphilic behavior at the air−water interface. The random, mixed character of short hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments results in peculiar surface behavior: unlike regular linear and star block copolymers, the amphiphilic hyperbranched macromolecules with higher PEO content are spread at the air...
Acid tests of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor gating basics.

In this issue of Molecular Pharmacology , Low et al. ([2003][1]) delve into the mechanisms by which pH modulates the glutamate receptor subtype specifically activated by N –methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). Based on a combination of scanning mutagenesis, patch clamp physiology, and molecular modeling,
Topical 5-fluorouracil for treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2: a randomized controlled trial

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravaginal application of 5% 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 in women. Study Design Women aged 18-29 years with CIN 2 were recruited for this randomized controlled trial of observation vs treatment with intravaginal 5-FU. Women in the observation group returned in 6 months for a Papanicolaou smear, colposcopy, and a human papillomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid test. Women in the 5-FU group were treated with intravaginal 5-FU once every 2 weeks for a total of 16 weeks and were similarly evaluated at 6 months. All women who had a baseline visit were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Values of P Results Between August 2010 and June 2013, 60 women were randomized and had a baseline visit for intervention (n = 31) vs observation (n = 29). Of women who had cervical biopsy results at 6 months, regression of disease was demonstrated in 93% of women in the 5-FU group (26 of 28) and 56% of women in the observation group (15 of 27). Under the intention-to-treat analysis, a relative risk for cervical disease regression of 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–2.56) was found between the 5-FU and observation arms ( P = .01). When the cervical biopsy, Papanicolaou smear, and HPV results were combined for the 6 month follow-up visit, 50% of the 5-FU group (14 of 28) had a documented normal biopsy, normal Papanicolaou smear, and negative HPV test compared with 22% in the observation group (6 of 27) (relative risk, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–5.09; P Conclusion Topical 5-FU appears to be an effective medical therapy for CIN 2 in young women. 5-FU is readily available and may be considered as an off-label treatment option for young women with CIN 2 who are interested in the treatment of disease but want to avoid excisional procedures.
Samuel multiplicity and the structure of semi-Fredholm operators

Abstract Two numerical invariants refining the Fredholm index are introduced for any semi-Fredholm operator in such a way that their difference calculates the Fredholm index. These two invariants are inspired by Samuel multiplicity in commutative algebra, and can be regarded as the stabilized dimension of the kernel and cokernel. A geometric interpretation of these invariants leads naturally to a 4×4 uptriangular matrix model for any semi-Fredholm operator on a separable Hilbert space. This model can be regarded as a refined, local version of the Apostol's 3×3 triangular representation for arbitrary operators. Some classical results, such as Gohberg's punctured neighborhood theorem, can be read off directly from our matrix model. Banach space operators are also considered.
Development of Cell Cultures Derived from Lake Trout Liver and Kidney in a Hormone-Supplemented, Serum-Reduced Medium

Abstract Primary cultures of liver cells and kidney cells of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were initiated in a hormone-supplemented, serum-reduced medium in plastic dishes. Cells plated on fibronectin-coated plastic attached with high efficiency (87–93%), in contrast to cells cultured on uncoated or polymer-coated plastic (< 8–52%). Primary cultures were obtained from young lake trout by trypsin-EDTA dissociation at 10–15°C for 40 min; the primary cultures were maintained in a growth medium (either medium 199 or Leibovitz's L-15 medium) supplemented with 2–3% fetal bovine serum, epidermal growth factor, bovine serum albumin, cholera toxin, insulin, transferrin, and selenium. Lake trout liver and kidney cultures currently contain both epithelioid and fibroblastic cells. The cells, cultivated at 18–20°C from primary culture, have been subcultured 32 times over a period of 6 months.
Optimum TiB2 ceramic powder for composite thermistors

On a utilise des poudres conductrices de TiB 2 de 100 μm environ, avec une distribution granulometrique etroite et des surfaces lisses, pour preparer des composites a matrice de polyethylene cristallin ou de resine epoxyde amorphe. On etudie les proprietes electriques de ces materiaux en vue de leur utilisation comme thermistances
An improved procedure for the wherry-winer method for factoring large numbers of items

A technique is presented that differs from the previous one in that the use of variance terms is eliminated from the computations; thus some formulas are simplified. A rationale for the improved method is presented.
Reduction of adverse acute cardiovascular actions of 6-hydroxydopamine in dogs by adrenergic receptor blockade.

Abstract Injection of dogs with 50 mg/kg of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) caused a large increases in blood pressure and heart rate, followed after 1 or 2 hr by severe hypotension. Prior administration of the adrenergic receptor blocking agents phentolamine and propranolol attenuated both the hyper- and hypotensive phases of 6-OHDA. Phentolamine and propranolol did not prevent depletion of norepinephrine or development of the characteristic morphological changes induced in adrenergic fibers by 6-OHDA.