cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth and N2 fixation response of arrowleaf clover to manganese and pH in solution culture.

Arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum L. Savi) is grown in the southern USA where soil acidity and associated toxic ions may reduce growth and N2 fixation. Limited information is available on acid tolerance of this important winter annual forage. Two solution culture experiments were conducted to evaluate the growth and N2 fixation sensitivity of arrowleaf clover to Mn and acidity. In the first experiment, the N2 fixation activity of three strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv trifolii decreased when plants were grown with 250 or 500 μM Mn. The most effective strain was more tolerant of 250 μM Mn than the other two strains. Very little N2 fixation or plant growth occurred for plants at the higher Mn concentration. In the second experiment, half of the plants received 14 mg N pot−1 each week to supplement N2 fixation in addition to Mn (0, 250, and 500 μM) and pH (4.5, 5.5, and 6.5) treatments. pH influenced plant growth only when no additional N or Mn was present. Dry matter yield was 30% lower at pH 4.5 than at pH 6.5. Mineral N more than doubled plant growth and increased N2 fixation 35 to 80% in the absence of Mn. In the presence of Mn, growth and total N were greater for plants receiving mineral N but Mn inhibited growth and N2 fixation of both groups of plants. Arrowleaf clover was moderately tolerant of Mn. The two experiments indicate that the response of arrowleaf clover to Mn is dependent on the N status of the plants and that pH had a minimal affect on its growth.
Structural Relationship Between Cognitive Processing and Syntactic Sentence Comprehension in Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder.

Purpose We assessed the potential direct and indirect (mediated) influences of 4 cognitive mechanisms we believe are theoretically relevant to canonical and noncanonical sentence comprehension of s...
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART: ACUTE CELLULAR GRAFT REJECTION AFTER HEART TRANSPLANTATION COMPLICATED BY CARDIOGENIC SHOCK AND RESCUED WITH EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION

Early recognition of acute severe rejection in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) patients and judicious management with mechanical circulatory support is key to averting a fatal outcome. A 64-year-old male status post OHT 4 months ago presents with 3 days of fevers, chills and lethargy. He was
Associations of Weight Change With Changes in Calf Muscle Characteristics and Functional Decline in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background Among people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease, obesity is associated with faster functional decline than normal weight. The association of weight loss with functional decline in peripheral artery disease is unknown. Methods and Results Adults with an ankle-brachial index <0.90 were identified from Chicago-area hospitals in 2002-2004. Weight and 6-minute walk distance were measured annually. Weight change categories were weight loss or gain (≥5 pounds/year at ≥1 visit) or stable (weight change <5 pounds at each visit). Participants reported whether weight loss was "intentional" or "unintentional." Calf muscle area was measured with computed tomography every 2 years. Associations of weight change with changes in calf muscle area and 6-minute walk distance were analyzed using mixed-effects models and adjusted for age, body mass index, ankle-brachial index, physical activity, and other confounders. Among 389 participants, mean ankle-brachial index was 0.63±0.16, mean age was 74.5±7.8, and mean body mass index was 28.1±5.1 kg/m2. Over 3.23±1.37 years, muscle area declined more in adults with intentional weight loss versus stable or gain (pair-wise comparisons, P<0.001). Intentional weight loss was associated with less annual decline in 6-minute walk distance than weight gain (intentional loss, 3.7 m; stable, -14.0 m; gain, -28.5 m; unintentional loss, -20.8 m; pair-wise comparison intentional loss versus gain, P=0.003). Conclusions Despite a greater loss of calf muscle area, adults with peripheral artery disease who intentionally lost ≥5 pounds experienced less functional decline than those who gained weight. A randomized trial is needed to establish whether benefits of weight loss in peripheral artery disease outweigh potential adverse effects.
Emotions, Sociology of

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by D.D. Franks, volume 7, pp. 4477–4481, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
Resolving the paradoxical effect of activity on synapse elimination

The circuitry of the nervous system emerges by a process of selection during development (Colman and Lichtman, 1993). Synaptic connections are both established and removed based on patterns of neural activity. Such structural changes have been directly observed at the neuromuscular junction, a simple and accessible synapse (Balice-Gordon and Lichtman, 1993; Balice-Gordon et al.,., 1993). Studies of synaptic plasticity at the neuromuscular junction avoid the technical difficulties of locating specific synapses in the central nervous system, but are aimed at understanding synaptic changes throughout the nervous system.
What’s in the box?: A review of The sealed box of suicide: The contexts of suicide by Colin Tatz and Simon Tatz. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2019. 210 pp. (ISBN 978-3-030-28158-8 or ISBN 978-3-030-28159-5 for the eBook). $88.55 hardcover. Reviewed by Lillian M. Range.

Colin Tatz was a Professor of Politics at the University of New England and Macquarie University in Australia. He is now an honorary lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the Australi...
Evidence for nitrogen gas surface doping of the bi2se3 topological insulator

Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy we have studied the effects of nitrogen gas exposure on the bismuth selenide density of states. We observe a shift in the Dirac point which is qualitatively consistent with theoretical modeling of nitrogen binding to selenium vacancies. In carefully controlled measurements, Bi$_2$Se$_3$ crystals were initially cleaved in a helium gas environment and then exposed to a 22 SCFH flow of ultra-high purity N$_2$ gas. We observe a resulting change in the spectral curves, with the exposure effect saturating after approximately 50 minutes, ultimately bringing the Dirac point about 50 meV closer to the Fermi level. These results are compared to density functional theoretical calculations, which support a picture of $N_2$ molecules physisorbing near Se vacancies and dissociating into individual N atoms which then bind strongly to Se vacancies. In this interpretation, the binding of the N atom to a Se vacancy site removes the surface defect state created by the vacancy and changes the position of the Fermi energy with respect to the Dirac point.
Product Review: Steelcase Brody

As libraries are renovated to create more flexible spaces for collaboration and for new services, research shows that productivity can decline in open format workspaces. Often libraries are trying to find a balance in the same room between loud, group spaces and quiet, individual study. The Steelcase Furniture Company has created the Brody model to fit this dichotomy.
Carotid Body Tumors: Pre-operative Management and a Review of the Literature

Carotid body tumors are the most common paraganglioma of the neck. Optimal management is multidisciplinary with various considerations of its biochemical effects, vascular supply, and surgical anatomy. This chapter describes the presentation, work up, and treatment with preoperative embolization and radiosurgery. Special attention is given to the literature on evolving techniques used to minimize the operative morbidity associated with cranial nerve deficit and carotid artery compromise The operative techniques for paragangliomas is addressed in the subsequent chapter.
Revealing transient powder-gas interaction in laser powder bed fusion process through multi-physics modeling and high-speed synchrotron x-ray imaging

Abstract Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an emerging metal additive manufacturing process. The gas-driven powder motions in laser powder bed fusion have significant influence on the build quality. However, the transient powder-gas interaction has not been well understood due to the challenges in quantitative experiment measurements. In this work, the powder-gas interaction for a single pulse laser illuminating on the powder bed is studied. We establish a multi-physics model to simulate the complex liquid/gas flow as well as the gas-driven powder motions, which is substantiated by high-speed synchrotron x-ray imaging. We identify and quantify four characteristic modes of powder-gas interaction in LPBF. The motion of a powder is controlled by one or multiple interaction modes collectively. As revealed by simulations and confirmed by experiments, powders can merge into the molten pool from its rim, be ejected at different divergence angles (powder spattering), or dive into the molten pool to cause significant molten pool fluctuation. Our results provide insights toward the driving forces controlling the dynamic powder behavior, which pave the way for reducing structure defects during the build process.
Kes1p shares homology with human oxysterol binding protein and participates in a novel regulatory pathway for yeast Golgi-derived transport vesicle biogenesis.

Abstract The yeast phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (Sec14p) is required for biogenesis of Golgi-derived transport vesicles and cell viability, and this essential Sec14p requirement is abrogated by inactivation of the CDP-choline pathway for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. These findings indicate that Sec14p functions to alleviate a CDP-choline pathway-mediated toxicity to yeast Golgi secretory function. We now report that this toxicity is manifested through the action of yeast Kes1p, a polypeptide that shares homology with the ligand-binding domain of human oxysterol binding protein (OSBP). Identification of Kes1p as a negative effector for Golgi function provides the first direct insight into the biological role of any member of the OSBP family, and describes a novel pathway for the regulation of Golgi-derived transport vesicle biogenesis.
Protest Event Data from Geolocated Social Media Content

While it is understood that protester identity, violence, and emotions affect the size of protests, these concepts have proved difficult to measure at the protest-day level. Geolocated text and images from social media can improve these measurements. This advance is demonstrated on protests in Venezuela and Chile; it uncovers more protests in Venezuela and generates new measures in both countries. Moreover, the methodology generates daily city-day protest data in 107 countries containing 82.7% of the world’s population and 97.15% of its GDP. These multimodal protest event data complement existing event datasets, though countries’ population and income constrain the reach of any methodology.
Pain Management in Football

Pain management in football athletes is an essential tool clinicians and athletes utilize to treat injuries and possibly continue participation. Although the term pain can be used in a generalized manner, clinician’s focus should be distinguishing the type of pain and making a pathoanatomical diagnosis in order to formulate a treatment plan. This chapter focuses on explaining the physiology of pain and how to assess pain systematically. The chapter presents non-pharmacological and pharmacological pain management options with a discussion regarding evidence-based risks and benefits. With the opioid crisis and increasing cannabis use in the general population, a meaningful discussion is warranted for clinicians regarding opioid prescribing and cannabis use in football athletes. The chapter also highlights the use of injections and pertinent things to keep in mind when considering these interventions. Lastly, there is a focus on ethical issues in managing pain, encouragement for the clinician to first do no harm when making pain management decisions with athletes.
Burden of Decision: Judging Presidential Disability Under the Twenty-Fifth Amendment

This Article offers a new approach to understanding, classifying, and assessing cases of presidential disability. In constitutional terms, “presidential disability” refers to any condition that renders the President of the United States “unable to discharge the powers and duties” of the office. Remarkably, the existing legal infrastructure under the Twenty-Fifth Amendment provides no guidance for determining when a President has become constitutionally disabled. Nor does it explain when the President (under Section 3) should initiate the succession process, and when the Vice President and other senior officials (under Section 4) should take the lead instead. During crises of presidential disability, administrations have felt obliged to devise ad hoc solutions. The framework developed here poses three basic questions to formulate a legal diagnosis of a President’s condition: How severe is the disability? When is the disability expected to end? Where is the disability located? The new framework indicates, based on a given diagnosis, who — either the President or the Vice President with other designated officials — would be best positioned to determine whether to invoke the Twenty-Fifth Amendment. This systematic approach, grounded in historical experience, should mitigate the uncertainties of what has so often proved a politically charged and disorderly process.
Regulated cleavage of glycan strands by the murein hydrolase SagB in S. aureus involves a direct interaction with LyrA (SpdC).

ABSTRACT LyrA (SpdC), a homologue of eukaryotic CAAX proteases that act on prenylated substrates, has been implicated in the assembly of several pathways of the envelope of Staphylococcus aureus. We described earlier the lysostaphin resistance (Lyr) and staphylococcal protein A display (Spd) phenotypes associated with loss of the lyrA (spdC) gene. However, a direct contribution to the assembly of pentaglycine cross bridges, the target of lysostaphin cleavage in S. aureus peptidoglycan or of staphylococcal protein A attachment to peptidoglycan, could not be attributed directly to LyrA (SpdC). These two processes are catalyzed by the Fem factors and Sortase A, respectively. To gain insight into the function of LyrA (SpdC), here we use affinity chromatography and LC-MS/MS analysis and report that LyrA interacts with SagB. SagB cleaves glycan strands of peptidoglycan to achieve physiological length. Similar to sagB peptidoglycan, lyrA peptidoglycan contains extended glycan strands. Purified lyrA peptidoglycan can still be cleaved to physiological length by SagB in vitro. LyrA does not modify or cleave peptidoglycan, and it also does not modify or stabilize SagB. The membrane-bound domain of LyrA is sufficient to support SagB activity, but predicted “CAAX enzyme” catalytic residues in this domain are dispensable. We speculate that LyrA exerts its effect on bacterial prenyl substrates, specifically undecaprenol-bound peptidoglycan substrates of SagB, to help control glycan length. Such an activity also explains the Lyr and Spd phenotypes observed earlier. IMPORTANCE Peptidoglycan is assembled on the trans side of the plasma membrane from lipid II precursors into glycan chains that are cross-linked at stem peptides. In S. aureus, SagB, a membrane-associated N-acetylglucosaminidase, cleaves polymerized glycan chains to their physiological length. Deletion of sagB is associated with longer glycan strands in peptidoglycan, altered protein trafficking and secretion in the envelope, and aberrant excretion of cytosolic proteins. It is not clear whether SagB, with its single transmembrane segment, serves as the molecular ruler of glycan chains or whether other factors modulate its activity. Here, we show that LyrA (SpdC), a protein of the CAAX type II prenyl endopeptidase family, modulates SagB activity via interaction though its transmembrane domain.
New energy for the 133-keV resonance in the Na 23 ( p , γ ) Mg 24 reaction and its impact on nucleosynthesis in globular clusters

Globular cluster stars exhibit star-to-star anticorrelations between oxygen and sodium in their atmospheres. An improved description of the sodium-destroying $^{23}\mathrm{Na}+\mathrm{p}$ reaction rates is essential to understanding these observations. We present an energy analysis of $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ states based on a new measurement of the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(^{3}\mathrm{He},\mathrm{d})^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ reaction. A key resonance in $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(\mathrm{p},\ensuremath{\gamma})^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ is found to be at ${E}_{r}^{\text{c.m.}}=133(3)$ keV, 5 keV lower than previously adopted. This finding has a dramatic effect on the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(\mathrm{p},\ensuremath{\gamma})^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ reaction rate, increasing it by a factor of 2 for the recommended rate. The nucleosynthesis impact of this change is investigated.
Damage to lima beans by Helicoverpa zea larvae treated as different instars with a nucleopolyhedrovirus

Larvae of the corn earworm,Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were caged assecond, third, or fourth instars on lima bean,Phaseolus lunatus L., plants in the fieldwith or without treatment of the plants withlethal concentrations of the H. zeanucleopolyhedrovirus. The virus treatmentprevented over 90% of damage to pods and beansif larvae were second or third instars whenplaced in the cages. Damage to pods and beanswas reduced by 73 and 86%, respectively, ifthe larvae were fourth instars when placed onthe plants. When insects survived to the endof the test (which they did only on controlplants), numbers of pods or beans damaged byeach surviving insect was not affected by thestadium in which the larva was when it wasplaced on the plant. This result indicates thatmost damage was done by fourth or laterinstars. If treatments are to effectivelyprevent damage to lima bean, they should thusbe applied before the insects reach the fourthinstar.
Comparison of pod and seed screening methods on Aspergillus spp. infection of peanut genotypes.

Abstract Six peanut genotypes grown at three locations (sources) were tested in laboratory studies for the influence of pod and seed inoculation methods on seed colonization by Aspergillus parasiticus Speare and/or incidental prior contamination (uninoculated method) in the field or storage by A. flavus Link ex Fr. or A. parasiticus. The genotypes has been identified as having varying levels of resistance to seed colonization by Aspergillus spp. in laboratory screening. There was no difference between the pod and seed inoculation on the mean percentage of seed colonization, but pod inoculation resulted in a noticeable reduction in seed colonization of the more susceptible genotypes when compared to inoculated seed (genotype x method interaction). Uninoculated seed incubated similarly to the inoculated samples exhibited considerably less colonization. For all three methods, seed colonization was consistently less for the resistant genotypes than for the ‘Florunner’ variety or the highly susceptible check P...
Buscando el mito en Jesús Gardea

After a reading in a key cultural, this text identifies the presence of mythical traces in the tales of Jesus Gardea. The emergence of the mythical time, the figure of the woman, or orality are analyzed. Finally this text offered a hypothesis about how the author set a via temporary continuity from these archaic voices to a scene of postmodernism as it is on the northern border of Mexico.
An Unusual Case Of Cadasil With Occipital Lobe Involvement (P6.006)

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of CADASIL demonstrating significant occipital lobe hyperintensities without classic anterior temporal lobe findings and discuss uncommon clinical features associated with NOTCH3 mutations. BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with sub-cortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an autosomal dominant hereditary angiopathy. It is caused by a mutation in the NOTCH3 gene that causes thickening of the muscular wall of small arteries. CADASIL is characterized by adult onset of migraines, multiple strokes, cognitive deficits and progressive dementia. Characteristic neuroimaging findings include anterior temporal lobe hyperintensities, sub-cortical lacunar lesions and cerebral microbleeds. CASE REPORT: We report a 49-year-old previously healthy right-handed man with cataracts and a 2-year history of gradually progressive mental decline, visual impairment, gait imbalance, headaches and emotional lability. His family history was significant for cataracts and stroke in the father. Neurological exam showed word finding difficulty, mild dysarthria, right-sided dysdiodochokinesia, wide-based ataxic gait and cortical release signs. CSF studies were significant only for an elevated protein level. MRI revealed T2 hyperintensity within the periventricular white matter, most prominently involving the occipital lobes with mild extension into the subcortical frontal lobes. The cerebral hemispheres exhibited diffuse atrophy with asymmetric right greater than left white matter volume loss particularly within the occipital lobes. T2 hyperintensity was also present in the splenium of the corpus callosum and the cerebellar white matter. There was no significant signal change in the anterior temporal lobes. Neurogenetic testing revealed a heterozygous c.3691C>T variant in the NOTCH3 gene, confirming the diagnosis of CADASIL. CONCLUSION : We discuss the unique features of a rare case of occipital lobe predominant CADASIL lacking the typical anterior temporal lobe involvement. This case exemplifies the heterogeneity of clinical findings that may be associated with NOTCH3 mutations. Disclosure: Dr. Mishra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rao has nothing to disclose. Dr. Flippen has received personal compensation for activities with MAP Pharmaceuticals/Allergan. Dr. Flippen has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Journal of Graduate Medical Education and Up-To-Date. Dr. Flippen has received Dr. Fogel has received personal compensation for activities with the American Physician Institute for Advanced Professional Studies. Dr. Fogel has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Neurologic Clinics. Dr. Hathout has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thomas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kattan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Trikamji has nothing to disclose.
Evaluation of a hydrogel based breast biopsy marker (HydroMARK®) as an alternative to wire and radioactive seed localization for non-palpable breast lesions.

Background and Objectives:HydroMARK® is a newly available biopsy marker for image-guided needle biopsies of non-palpable breast lesions. Objective was to determine if the marker could be utilized independently for lesion localization using intra-operative ultrasound alone.Methods:A single institutio
Bubble raft-an optical phantom for analyzing artifacts in OCT imaging of lung

Accurate measurement of alveolar volume by lung imaging is crucial to study and understand respiratory mechanics. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which generates cross-sectional microscopic image of tissue structure in real time based on near-infrared interferometry, can image several layers of distal alveoli in intact, ex vivo lung tissue. However, optical effects associated with heterogeneity of lung tissue results in incorrect alveoli shape imaging and inaccurate assessment of lung volume. Due to the irregular cellular shape of lung tissue and the lack of ground truth, these errors are difficult to analyze, as well as remove. To address this, the Bragg-Nye bubble raft, a two-dimensional crystalline arrangement of elements similar in geometry to alveoli has been adapted as an inflated lung phantom to study and analyze these errors.
Natural Law, the Ninth Amendment, and American Judicial Decision Making

This thesis examines some of the primary intersections between Natural Law and the American judicial process. Portions of the paper examine some of the applicable and fundamental principles of Natural Law as presented in the writings of Thomas Acquinas and John Locke. Subsequent portions of the paper present examinations of the rights debates that occurred prior to the “acceptance” of the Constitution and why those arguments were so centrally focused on the issue of “pre-existing and inalienable” rights. A portion of this thesis presents summaries and examinations of the Natural Law debates that occurred between the Senate Judiciary Committee and Clarence Thomas during his nomination proceedings in 1993. The role of Natural Law in the text and meaning of the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution is analyzed. And, finally, the relationship between Natural Law, the Ninth Amendment and the decisions leading to Roe v Wade are examined – showing the impact Natural Law continues to exert in modern times through one of the most controversial Supreme Court decisions published in modern times.
Renormalization group approach to the hierarchical model

The Hierarchical Model is a one dimensional ferromagnetic spin model with long range forces . Using the invariance of this model under a suitable renormalization group , we analyse the temperature behavior of the system . In particular , we prove the existence of a non-trivial fixed point and compute its critical indices using a local linearization of the renormalization transformation around the fixed point . Some global results ( cross-over ) are also described , and they provide a description of the phases near the critical point . This talk summarizes some of the results of joint work with J-P.Eckmann [C.E.].
Src-kinase mediates angiotensin II-induced potentiation in TRPV4 agonist-evoked calcium transients in hypothalamic immortalized neuronal cell line 4B (860.25)

We have previously demonstrated that in bile duct ligated rats, an animal model of inappropriate vasopressin (AVP) release, TRPV4 protein expression and membrane trafficking is increased in AVP neurons. Here, we used an in vitro approach with an immortalized neuronal AVP expressing cell line (4B neurons) to investigate the possible regulation of TRPV4 by angiotensin II (Ang II). We characterized the presence of TRPV4 mRNA and protein in 4B cells. After Ang II (100nM;1 hr) treatment significantly increased TRPV4 levels in crude membrane fractions (p<0.001) and tyrosine phosphorylation of TRPV4 (p<0.001). Using calcium sensitive dye Fura-2AM, we noted that Ang II treated cells exhibited increased calcium transients in response to TRPV4 agonist, GSK1016790A (20nM, p<0.05). This increase was blocked by the Losartan (Ang II receptor antagonist) and Src-kinase inhibitor, PP2, but not by its analog PP3. Our data indicate that Ang II may alter the phosphorylation status of TRPV4 through Src-kinases.Grant Funding ...
The relationship between physical activity and lipoprotein subclasses in postmenopausal women: the influence of hormone therapy.

Objective: This study's objective was to determine if the association between physical activity and lipids and lipoprotein subclasses in postmenopausal women varies by hormone therapy (HT) use. Design: The cross-sectional relationship between physical activity and lipid and lipoprotein subclass relationship was examined before group randomization in 485 postmenopausal (mean age 56.9 [2.9] y) white and African American women from the Woman On the Move through Activity and Nutrition study. This study is a randomized clinical trial designed to test whether a lifestyle intervention will reduce subclinical cardiovascular disease measures. Results: Hormone therapy users (n = 286) were significantly (P < 0.05) younger, less likely to be African American, reported higher levels of physical activity, large very low-density lipoprotein particles (VLDL-P), and medium high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P), had a larger mean HDL-P size, and lower levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, small HDL-P, and small VLDL-P than nonusers (n = 196). Physical activity was significantly associated with favorable lipoprotein and lipid levels, regardless of HT use. Some relationships were found to vary significantly by HT use. In nonusers, mean HDL-P and LDL particles (LDL-P) size was significantly larger (P = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) and total and small LDL-P were significantly lower (both P = 0.02) as activity increased. These relationship were not found in HT users. Conclusions: Physical activity was significantly related to some lipoprotein subclasses regardless of HT; however, several key lipoprotein subclasses were associated with higher levels of activity only among non-HT users.
Cyclins D2 and D1 Are Essential for Postnatal Pancreatic β-Cell Growth

Regulation of adult beta-cell mass in pancreatic islets is essential to preserve sufficient insulin secretion in order to appropriately regulate glucose homeostasis. In many tissues mitogens influence development by stimulating D-type cyclins (D1, D2, or D3) and activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4 or CDK6), which results in progression through the G(1) phase of the cell cycle. Here we show that cyclins D2 and D1 are essential for normal postnatal islet growth. In adult murine islets basal cyclin D2 mRNA expression was easily detected, while cyclin D1 was expressed at lower levels and cyclin D3 was nearly undetectable. Prenatal islet development occurred normally in cyclin D2(-/-) or cyclin D1(+/-) D2(-/-) mice. However, beta-cell proliferation, adult mass, and glucose tolerance were decreased in adult cyclin D2(-/-) mice, causing glucose intolerance that progressed to diabetes by 12 months of age. Although cyclin D1(+/-) mice never developed diabetes, life-threatening diabetes developed in 3-month-old cyclin D1(-/+) D2(-/-) mice as beta-cell mass decreased after birth. Thus, cyclins D2 and D1 were essential for beta-cell expansion in adult mice. Strategies to tightly regulate D-type cyclin activity in beta cells could prevent or cure diabetes.
Hal Varian: Six Forces Shaping the Network Economy

L'A. presente les 6 points que H. Varian aborde dans l'ouvrage Information rules: a strategic guide to the network economy : (1) differencier les prix du produit (un meme produit peut avoir un cout different en fonction des besoins de l'utilisateur), (2) la gestion des droits (la location de livres, de cassettes a ete benefique pour l'edition et les producteurs cinematographiques), (3) l'obligation pour le consommateur de conserver la meme technologie ou de changer tout son materiel, (4) l'influence des reseaux et la retroaction positive (le marketing montre a tout prix que le produit sera un succes, est le meilleur), (5) les normes et l 'interconnexion qui change la competition pour le marche en une competition sur le marche), (6) l'antitrust et la politique de concurrence
Numerical simulations of three-dimensional E-region ion trajectories in realistic tidal wind and E-field structures: layer formation and transport

Abstract We utilise numerical simulations to study three-dimensional (3-D) single ion motion in the ionospheric E-region as described by the classical windshear theory and under the influence of both tidal winds and external DC E-fields. The tidal winds are modelled such that layers occur at typical times and altitudes as observed at Arecibo and in the absence of E-fields. Our simulation approach here (Paper I) is used to find the vertical—and ultimately horizontal (Paper II; Mathews et al., 2001)—ion convergence zones and thus to study the formation of ion layers. The simulation approach utilises a space/time random release of thousands of individual test ions into the upper E-region source zone and then a statistical study of the evolving ion distribution throughout the 3-D E-region as a function of time. Additionally this approach is extended to derive what a narrow-beam (1-D) incoherent scatter radar would “see” in the presence of a given ion space–time distribution. This Monte Carlo method for deriving the “radar-view” of the ionosphere as a function of time is particularly powerful when the ion distribution is very complex due to introduction of ∼10– 100 km horizontal scale E-fields. This application will be explored in detail in the companion paper (Paper II).
Location-Based Services: Foursquare and Gowalla, should libraries play?

Location-based services have been around since 2000, but their popularity increased significantly with the launch of Foursquare and Gowalla in 2009. This column describes location-based services, examines Foursquare and Gowalla, and provides examples of libraries using location-based services to market library services and communicate with their users.
Measuring computer system utilization with a hardware and a hybrid monitor

Computer system utilization is generally measured in terms of the utilization of individual system components and the overlap of activities of two or more system components. This type of data can be used to construct a system performance profile [BONN 69, COCI 71, SUM 70]. Utilization of a system component is obtained as the ratio (unit busy time)/(total elapsed time). If a particular unit performs more than one type of operation, the unit busy time may be further divided into portions corresponding to different activities and an activity profile can be constructed for each such unit. For a storage unit, information about utilization of different portions of storage might be desirable in addition to utilization of this unit as a whole. A space utilization profile Can be developed in this case. To cover both cases, the term unit utilization profile is used.
Frequency tunable microstrip array antenna with polarization reconfiguration

In this paper, a 2×2 planar array antenna employing circular microstrip patches capable of simultaneous frequency tunability and polarization reconfiguration is investigated. Using varactors diodes, the antenna frequency can be tuned between 1.57 GHz and 1.18 GHz (29% tunability), which covers the full L-band communication. By suitably exciting the two feed ports for each array element, the polarization reconfigurations of horizontal linear, vertical linear, left hand circular polarization (LHCP) and right hand circular polarization (RHCP) can be achieved.
MORPHOGENESIS AND EXPERIMENTAL ASPECTS OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MALE GAMETOPHYTE OF GINKGO BILOBA IN VITRO

Morphogenesis in the morphologically complex male gametophyte of the seed plant Ginkgo biloba was investigated in vitro. These studies reveal that although development in vitro is far more variable than in vivo, it is still characterized by the sequential expression of three distinct patterns of growth: initial diffuse growth of the tube cell, initiation and establishment of tip growth (which may be accompanied by branching), and radial swelling of the gametophyte. Time lapse photography shows that branching of the male gametophyte results from two distinct types of initiation events: one apical ("primary branching"), and the other subapical ("secondary branching"). Experimental manipulation of the growth medium indicates that exogenous sucrose levels strongly influence the likelihood of expression of normal morphogenetic processes. High levels of sucrose tend to inhibit both the initiation of tip growth following initial diffuse growth, as well as branching of the gametophyte. Low sucrose levels appear to promote a normal pattern of early establishment of tip growth and subsequent branching of the gametophyte, similar to development of the gametophyte in vivo. THE DESIRE to grow and study development of gymnosperm male gametophytes in vitro extends back well over a century. As early as 1872, Juranyi germinated pollen of Ceratozamia on soft pieces of pear fruit and observed the formation of pollen tubes. During the late
THE EFFECT OF NEURAMINIDASE ON THE FATE OF TRANSFUSED LYMPHOCYTES

Evidence has been obtained that incubation of rat lymphocytes with neuraminidase, prior to intravenous transfusion into allogeneic or syngeneic recipients, alters the distribution of the cells. Many enzyme-treated lymphocytes initially become trapped in the liver, and there is a decrease in the selective accumulation of these cells in the lymph nodes and spleen. Subsequently, many enzyme-altered cells emigrate from the liver, concentrate in lymph nodes, and recirculate to the lymph. The results suggest that sialic acid constituents of the lymphocyte surface play a critical role in ensuring the normal distribution of these cells in the body. The findings also imply that reactions involving surface sialic acid can markedly alter the fate of lymphocytes without "killing" the cells.
Differential effects of glutamate-286 mutations in the aa3-type cytochrome c oxidase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and the cytochrome bo3 ubiquinol oxidase from Escherichia coli

Abstract Both the aa3-type cytochrome c oxidase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RsCcOaa3) and the closely related bo3-type ubiquinol oxidase from Escherichia coli (EcQObo3) possess a proton-conducting D-channel that terminates at a glutamic acid, E286, which is critical for controlling proton transfer to the active site for oxygen chemistry and to a proton loading site for proton pumping. E286 mutations in each enzyme block proton flux and, therefore, inhibit oxidase function. In the current work, resonance Raman spectroscopy was used to show that the E286A and E286C mutations in RsCcOaa3 result in long range conformational changes that influence the protein interactions with both heme a and heme a3. Therefore, the severe reduction of the steady-state activity of the E286 mutants in RsCcOaa3 to ~ 0.05% is not simply a result of the direct blockage of the D-channel, but it is also a consequence of the conformational changes induced by the mutations to heme a and to the heme a3-CuB active site. In contrast, the E286C mutation of EcQObo3 exhibits no evidence of conformational changes at the two heme sites, indicating that its reduced activity (3%) is exclusively a result of the inhibition of proton transfer from the D-channel. We propose that in RsCcOaa3, the E286 mutations severely perturb the active site through a close interaction with F282, which lies between E286 and the heme-copper active site. The local structure around E286 in EcQObo3 is different, providing a rationale for the very different effects of E286 mutations in the two enzymes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Allosteric cooperativity in respiratory proteins.
Time-on-Task: A Look at What Erodes Time For Instruction

Several factors influence how much learning time is available to students. The writer urges administrators to be sensitive to them.
Chronic restraint stress during early Theiler’s virus infection exacerbates the subsequent demyelinating disease in SJL mice: II. CNS disease severity

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection is a well-characterized model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous research has shown that chronic restraint stress (RS) during early TMEV infection exacerbates behavioral signs of the disease. The present data suggest that RS-induced increases in CNS inflammation, demyelination, and axonal degeneration may underlie this exacerbation. In addition, we report that males exhibit greater CNS inflammation and higher numbers of demyelinating lesions while females show greater susceptibility to RS-induced exacerbation. These findings indicate that RS during early TMEV infection increases CNS lesion formation during the late phase and suggest that the effects of RS are sex-dependent.
Differences in perceptions of effective schools processes in differentially effective schools in China

The purpose of this study was to advance our understanding of educational effectiveness processes within contexts where those issues have seldom been studied in the field: rural and urban areas in China. Utilising a mixed methods 'contextually sensitive' school effectiveness research design, we collected questionnaire and other data to address our research hypotheses and questions. Multivariate analyses of variance with traditional school effectiveness indices as the dependent variables revealed consistent results: significant differences between more effective and less effective schools, as well as between urban and rural schools. Qualitative data indicated unique aspects of educational effectiveness in China.
Effects of etanercept are distinct from infliximab in modulating proinflammatory genes in activated human leukocytes.

Proinflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis have been treated by the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists infliximab and etanercept with different degrees of success. Although these agents are widely used in humans, little is known about their mechanisms of action or why etanercept and infliximab have differences in clinical activity. In this study, we define leukocyte genes that are suppressed by etanercept within 24 hours of exposure. Compared to previous work with infliximab, fewer immune-related genes are suppressed by etanercept. Importantly, the range of genes suppressed by these alternative TNF inhibitors is only partially overlapping, suggesting each has unique immune modulating effects. In sharp contrast to etanercept, infliximab strongly suppresses genes associated with "Type 1" immune responses (IFN- γ and the IL-12-receptor beta 2 subunit), providing a clear mechanism for clinically relevant immune suppression.
The interaction of NO2N2O4 and barium, sodium and silver nitrites☆

Abstract The interaction of NO2N2O4 and barium nitrite, sodium nitrite, and silver nitrite respectively was followed as a function of the temperature and time of interaction. It was found that in limited ranges the nitrite ion was oxidized to the nitrate ion at approximately an exponential rate. The region of oxidation was limited by the thermal stability of the co-existing nitrite-nitrate phases. For the barium salt this was in the region of 400°C, for the silver salt ∼300°C, and for the sodium salt some temperature in excess of 450°C.
“Call Me America”: The Construction of Race, Identity, and History in Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s Wonders of the African World

The article analyzes Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s six-part, 12-hour documentary, Wonders of the African World, and the fierce debates that occurred between Africana and African Americans about issues of race, identity, and history in the wake of the video's release. The article explores the ways in which questions about racial identity, the relationship of African Americans to Africa, and the politics of history were framed in the film and how this relates to larger societal debates about Africans and African Americans in the academy, race and citizenship, and identity and narrative authority.
College Students Speak Success

This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to explore college students’ perceptions of noncognitive variables leading to academic success. Twenty-nine public university undergraduate students in their sophomore year or higher were asked to complete a questionnaire asking for their reflections on what leads to college academic success. A controversial issue described in the literature was brought to life during subsequent interviews with select individuals. Achievement and intelligence tests might be an unnecessary barrier for students striving to go to college. An argument was made that intelligence, and intelligence-based testing (i.e., SAT/ACT), was not a major prognosticator of college success.
High resolution mapping of the cardiac transmural proteome using reverse phase protein microarrays

The expression level of proteins governing the electrical excitability of and conduction within ventricular myocardium are known to vary as a function of distance through the heart wall. The expression patterns of a subset of these proteins are altered in disease. Precise measurement of such patterns is therefore essential to understanding structure-function relationships within the heart in health and disease. Here, we report a new experimental approach using reverse-phase protein microarrays to map the left ventricular transmural proteome. This approach can yield submillimeter spatial resolution, and when coupled with the method of array microenvironment normalization, reduces nonbiological components of variability to ∼10% of overall study variability. In addition, the experimental design provides sufficient statistical power to detect small, yet potentially biologically significant expression changes on the order of 1.1-fold. The usefulness of this technique is demonstrated by mapping the transmural expression of Serca2a in the left ventricle of 12 canine hearts, each in one of three states: normal, dyssynchronous heart failure, and dyssynchronous heart failure followed by cardiac resynchronization therapy. We confirm the existence of a 40% transmural gradient (epi>endo) of Serca2a, and demonstrate the ability of this technique to yield highly significant transmural expression differences within each individual heart.
HEVC video encoder & decoder architecture for multi-cores

HEVC is the latest generation of video compression standard promising half bit-rate compared H.264 and enabling transition to 4K/Ultra-HD. The approach of designing a single monolithic engine for Ultra-HD resolution results in complex design due to very deep pipeline as well as non-optimal solution for lower resolution e.g HD or lower. The alternative approach for performance up-scaling using multiple copies of HW engines and/or processor cores has issues in partitioning video frame across these cores due to loop-filtering dependencies across slice and tiles. The prior approaches handling dependencies via disabling loop filtering or degrading video quality or additional frame latencies have un-acceptable disadvantages. This paper proposes a novel solution consisting of algorithmic and implementation ideas to address these limitations. The paper introduces usage of vertical tile strips, customized loop-filter architecture, sharing dependencies across these cores, intelligent scheduling of cores resulting in row synchronous pipeline across cores. The solution is applicable to HEVC encoder as well as decoder. The simulations shows that overall 4X performance lift using 4 processing cores or HW engines with less than 15% additional clocking requirement.
Analyzing the Health Care Cost Curve: A Case Study

Abstract This case study uses data from a self-insured employer plan to perform an analysis into the properties of the health care cost curve. The analysis shows that one statistical property of the health care cost curve is that costs rise continuously, not on an annual or monthly basis. Graphical analysis indicates that managed care techniques used to restrain costs can also smooth utilization, producing the continuously growing cost curve observed. The analysis further illustrates that there is no one “cost curve”—analysis must be segmented by population. Finally, the power of predictive models to fit the cost curve varies by population. To the extent that these results generalize to other health plans, this analysis should be used to inform the implementation of strategies to bend the cost curve. Population health management programs and health policy should be based on continuous analysis and adaption rather than implemented as one-off changes. (Population Health Management 2013;16:341–348)
A new species of Chionaspis (Homoptera : Diaspididae) from Betula nigra.

A new species, Chionaspis betulae (Homoptera: Diaspididae), from Betula nigra L. is described. The description includes both the leaf and bark forms of this dimorphic species. The 2nd-instar male and female which are sexually dimorphic are figured.