cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of the Maternal Care of Females within Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster) Communal Groups

Communal rearing, the shared rearing of offspring by multiple individuals or mothers, may improve the fitness of individuals in group-living species. To date, many studies have focused on these potential fitness consequences. Fewer studies have emphasized the relative contributions to care of offspring by mothers and non-breeding alloparents in singularly breeding groups (i.e., one female breeds) and mothers within plurally breeding groups (i.e., more than one female breeds). We compared the care provided by prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) mothers and alloparents in singularly breeding groups and mothers in plurally breeding groups. Subjects were littermate siblings in both types of social groups. Specifically, we quantified the amount of time that mothers and alloparents were away from pups during 6 h observational trials and the amount of time that females tactilely stimulated pups (licking and grooming) during 20 min trials. We also compared the quality of milk, measured as total solids, produced by mothers in plurally breeding groups. In singularly breeding groups, mothers spent significantly more time out of the nest but tactilely stimulated pups more than alloparents. In plurally breeding groups, focal mothers (i.e., the first mother to produce a litter) spent significantly more time out of the nest than second mothers (i.e., the second female to produce a litter) but licked and groomed pups an equal amount as second mothers. In plurally breeding groups, focal and second mothers produced milk with a similar concentration of total solids. These results suggest that communal rearing in groups is more beneficial to focal mothers than to other breeding or non-breeding adult females. We discuss fitness-based hypotheses that may explain the observed differences in the amount of care provided by mothers and alloparents.
SELF-PERCEPTIONS OF PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS '

Since the late 1960s, thousands of studies have examined the nature of and the influence of physical attractiveness on the perceptions and behavior of individuals. The resulting proliferation of studies has concluded that physical attractiveness has psychological effects "pervasive in frequency, considerable in strength, and generally monolithic in nature" (Berscheid, 1981). Numerous studies report the positive consequences of and advantages associated with physical attractiveness. Dion, Berscheid, and Walster (1972), for instance, reported that perceivers hold beliefs that attractive people have more socially desirable traits than those who are relatively unattractive. These attributes are also documented to be prevalent in perceptions about attractive people in other interpersonal domains such as dating (Berscheid, Dion, Walster, & Walster, 1971; Shepherd & Ehs, 19721, politics (Efran & Patterson, 1974), advertising (Pallak, Murroni, & Koch, 1983), employment settings and evaluations (Benassi, 1982; Dipboye, Fromkin, & Wiback, 1975), educational systems (Morrow & McElroy, 19841, and even in a court setting (Feild, 1979). The data indlcate that attractive people have been perceived as most sued in areas involving heterosocial interactions (Calvert, 1988). Additional support for the latter has been reported in rneta-analytic articles (Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani, & Longo, 1991; Feingold, 1992). Studies have also shown that perceivers' perception of physically attractive targets also affect their own behavior toward these individuals. For example, Snyder, Tanke, and Berscheid (1977) showed that, when men received photographs of their supposedly attractive female partner in an interaction, the men reported enjoying the interaction more than men who interacted with supposedly unattractive women. In Garcia, Stinson, Ickes, Bissonnette, and Briggs' study (1991), women interacting with attractive men estab
Localization of technetium 99m–ethylenediamine-N,N′-bis(α-2-hydroxy-5-bromophenyl)acetic acid and technetium 99m–N-(2-Mercapto-1-oxopropyl)glycine in hepatobiliary system

Two radiopharmaceuticals, technetium 99m–N-(2-mercapto-1-oxopropyl)glycine (99mTc-I) and technetium 99m-ethylenediamine-N,N′-bis(α-2-hydroxy-5-bromophenyl)acetic acid (99mTc-II), were prepared and evaluated in dogs, rabbits, and rats. Both agents gave good scintigraphic images of the liver and gallbladder in dogs. The cumulative amount of 99mTc-I and 99mTc-II excreted in the bile of dogs and the physiological disposition data in rats revealed slight, inconclusive differences in their distributions. However, the scintigraphic images and physiological disposition data in rabbits revealed gross differences in the distribution pattern of the two agents. The observed similarities in the biliary excretion of both agents in dogs and rats were attributed to the fact that these species are relatively good biliary excretors, and both agents therefore were excreted extensively. However, rabbits, which are poor biliary excretors relative to dogs and rats, excreted 99mTc-II more extensively than 99mTc-I because of the favorable molecular characteristics of 99mTc-II.
Pre-earthquake signals: Underlying physical processes

Abstract Prior to large earthquakes the Earth sends out transient signals, sometimes strong, more often subtle and fleeting. These signals may consist of local magnetic field variations, electromagnetic emissions over a wide range of frequencies, a variety of atmospheric and ionospheric phenomena. Great uncertainty exists as to the nature of the processes that could produce such signals, both inside the Earth’s crust and at the surface. The absence of a comprehensive physical mechanism has led to a patchwork of explanations, which are not internally consistent. The recognition that most crustal rocks contain dormant electronic charge carriers in the form of peroxy defects, O 3 Si / OO ⧹ SiO 3 , holds the key to a deeper understanding of these pre-earthquake signals from a solid state physics perspective. When rocks are stressed, peroxy links break, releasing electronic charge carriers, h·, known as positive holes. The positive holes are highly mobile and can flow out of the stressed subvolume. The situation is similar to that in a battery. The h· outflow is possible when the battery circuit closes. The h· outflow constitutes an electric current, which generates magnetic field variations and low frequency EM emissions. When the positive holes arrive at the Earth’s surface, they lead to ionization of air at the ground–air interface. Under certain conditions corona discharges occur, which cause RF emission. The upward expansion of ionized air may be the reason for perturbations in the ionosphere. Recombination of h· charge carriers at the surface leads to a spectroscopically distinct, non-thermal IR emission.
Robust node localization for wireless sensor networks

The node localization problem in Wireless Sensor Networks has received considerable attention, driven by the need to obtain a higher location accuracy without incurring a large, per node, cost (dollar cost, power consumption and form factor). Despite the efforts made, no system has emerged as a robust, practical, solution for the node localization problem in realistic, complex, outdoor environments. In this paper, we argue that the existing localization algorithms, individually, work well for single sets of assumptions. These assumptions do not always hold, as in the case of outdoor, complex environments. To solve this problem, we propose a framework that allows the execution of multiple localization schemes. This "protocol multi-modality" enables robustness against any single protocol failure, due to its assumptions. We present the design of the framework, and show a 50% decrease in localization error in comparison with state of art node localization protocols. We also show that complex, more robust, localization systems can be build from localization schemes that have limitations.
Dienstleistungsmarketing fängt beim Mitarbeiter an

Ein Dienstleistungsunternehmen kann immer nur so gut sein wie sein Personal. Wenn die Mitarbeiter nicht begeistert sind, werden auch die Kunden nicht zu begeistern sein. Die meisten Dienstleistungen kann man nicht von den Personen trennen, die sie erbringen. Der Steuerberater selbst ist ein unentbehrlicher Bestandteil der Steuerberatung, der Makler ein wesentliches Element des Immobiliengeschafts und der Lehrer ein zentraler Teil der Ausbildung. Wenn Kunden eine Dienstleistung erwerben, „kaufen“sie in Wirklichkeit Mitarbeiter. Dienstleistungen sind vor allem Aktivitaten, und diese sind haufig arbeitsintensiv.
Generic, Brand, and Private Label Advertising and Promotion

Advertising and promotion play an important role in marketing fresh fruits and vegetables. Advertising generally refers to the use of various mass media to deliver a message to potential buyers, usually but not always the final consumer. Promotion is the broader category of selling efforts that include issuing coupons, sponsoring contests, providing point-of-sale material, offering price discounts to retailers, building displays, and other activities that encourage product sales.
Climate and Water in Transboundary Contexts

In many parts of the world, population growth, urbanization trends, and economic development and restructuring have elevated water resource issues to unprecedented importance. Even modest variations in supply or demand can generate large social consequences. As management and control of water resources has grown as a political and economic force in most parts of the world, understanding the potential impacts of current and future climate conditions on hydrologic processes and water supplies has become ever more critical.
What's New in Telecom Challenges What's Old in Taxes

The nature of telecommunications has changed dramatically in the past several years and ongoing innovation will unquestionably lead to even more changes. Cell phones are everywhere and phone calls can be made over the Internet. A business can provide telephone services to customers even though it has no traditional telephone network. Changes have called into question certain federal, state, and local taxes that will likely lead to the need for replacement taxes or law changes to protect existing tax bases. This article explores some of the more high profile telecommunication changes that pose tax questions. Recent issues and developments in state taxation, as well as the 3% federal telecom excise tax that has gained new notoriety due to several successful taxpayer challenges are covered as well.
Abstract 256: Distinct roles for gain and loss of function p53 mutations in medullary thyroid cancer

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 5-10% of all thyroid cancers and presents as metastatic diseases in ∼50% of patients. Patients with metastatic MTC are typically incurable because of the poor tumor response to current chemotherapeutics and radiation treatment. MTC occurs as sporadic tumors in ∼75% of cases. The remaining cases are familial and associated with either multiple neuroendocrine neoplasia syndromes or familial MTC syndrome. The Rearranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene plays a key role in MTC development: however, the absence of RET mutations in ∼50% of sporadic cases and the variable clinical manifestations in patients with the same RET mutation provide compelling evidence that other genetic alterations are involved in MTC pathogenesis. Recent studies in human tumors and mouse models suggest that the Rb and p53 pathways cooperate to suppress MTC evolution. Although some p53 mutations cause a loss of function, most p53 mutations detected in human cancers result in expression of a mutant p53 protein which may exhibit gain of function properties. The objective of this study was to identify the function of p53 mutant proteins commonly expressed in human cancers in MTC pathogenesis. A conditional mouse model was generated in which MTC is initiated by Rb inactivation. Using this model, the consequences of p53 mutant protein expression on MTC initiation and progression were compared to p53 deletion. Loss of a single copy of p53 led to accelerated medullary thyroid tumor progression resulting in decreased survival. Loss of both p53 alleles resulted in a markedly more severe phenotype leading to a median survival of 4 months. Expression of the structural p53 R172H mutant, but not the DNA contact p53 R270H mutant, resulted in accelerated death compared with p53 deletion demonstrating that p53 R172H has a gain of function property. Interestingly, mice heterozygous for p53 R172H/+ and p53 R270H/+ showed similar survival as mice with loss of a single p53 allele providing evidence that neither p53 mutant protein functions in a dominant negative fashion to promote MTC initiated by Rb loss. These results clearly demonstrate that p53 suppresses the progression of MTC initiated by Rb loss and indicate that gain of function p53 mutations confer poorer prognosis than p53 loss. Given the critical roles played by the Rb and p53 pathways in tumor response to therapy, identifying key Rb and p53 functions in MTC pathogenesis is important for future design of therapies to combat these currently treatment resistant malignancies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 256.
Mutants on Linkage Groups 3 and 4 of the House Fly

Two recessive mutants of the house fly, Musca domestica L., on linkage group 3, damaged wing ( dw ) and orange eye ( oe ), were assigned map positions 4.3 and 60.0, respectively. Four morphological mutants, 3 recessives and a dominant of linkage group 4, were assigned map positions as follows: fragmented medius ( ftm ) 0.0, yellow eye ( ye ) 7.6, curly wing ( cyw ) 25.1, and Bald abdomen ( Ba ) 60.8.
Ring Modulators in Standing-wave and Partial Standing Wave Operation on a Matched Interdigitated p-n Junction for Enhanced Efficiency

We propose microring modulators in (quasi)standing-wave operation with inter-digitated p-n junctions matched to optical field nodes/antinodes, allowing higher modulation efficiency and speed than traveling-wave designs. Full-standing-wave and grating assisted, quasi-traveling-wave geometries are proposed.
Back to the Drawing Board

“Peacekeeping” hasn't worked out well; now it's time to try “peace maintenance,” as the framers of the Charter intended.
Continued Use of Mobile Technology Mediated Services: A Value Perspective

This study incorporates insights from services marketing and information systems (IS) usage research, and proposes a service value perspective of continued use of Mobile Technology Mediated Services (MTMS). Our study illustrates that customers strongly recognize the value of MTMS in building utilitarian and hedonic benefits, which influences their intentions to continue using the service. Our study shows that, when assessing value of MTMS, customers are less concerned with effort-based cost for the service use. Instead, the effort-based cost is recognized as a negative predictor of utilitarian and hedonic benefits of MTMS usage. Accounting for the dual role of MTMS patrons as a service customer and a user of IT artifacts, our study contributes to IS theory by incorporating the value perspective into IS usage literature in the service context. The findings provide practical guidelines for MTMS managers to develop value-based strategies for business survival and marketing extension.
Enhancing performance of PEM fuel cells: Using the Au nanoplatelet/Nafion interface to enable CO oxidation under ambient conditions

Abstract We have developed a method for fabrication of Au nanoparticle platelets which can be coated onto the Nafion membranes of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells simply by Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) trough lift off from the air water interface. Incorporating the coated membranes into fuel cells with one membrane electrode assembly (MEA) enhanced the maximum power output by more than 50% when operated under ambient conditions. An enhancement of more than 200% was observed when 0.1% CO was incorporated into the H2 input gas stream and minimal enhancement was observed when the PEM fuel cell was operated with 100% O2 gas at the cathode, or when particles were deposited on the electrodes. Density function theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to understand the origin of improved output power. Au NPs with 3-atomic layer in height and 2 nm in size were constructed to model the experimentally synthesized Au NPs. The results indicated that the Au NPs interacted synergistically with the SO3 groups, attached at end of Nafion side chains, to reduce the energy barrier for the oxidation of CO occurring at the perimeter of the Au NPs, from 1.292 eV to 0.518 eV, enabling the reaction to occur at T 300 K.
Measuring tactile cues at the fingerpad for object compliances harder and softer than the skin

Distinguishing an object's compliance, into percepts of "softness" and "hardness," is crucial to our ability to grasp and manipulate it. Biomechanical cues at the skin's surface such as contact area and force rate have been thought to help encode compliance. However, no one has directly measured contact area with compliant materials, and few studies have considered compliances softer than the fingerpad. Herein, we developed a novel method to precisely measure the area in contact between compliant stimuli and the fingerpad, at given levels of force and displacement. To determine the method's robustness, we conducted psychophysical and biomechanical experiments with human subjects. The results indicate that cues including contact area at stimulus peak force of 3 Newtons, force rate over stimulus movement and at peak force, displacement and/or time to reach peak force may help in discriminating compliances while the directional spread of contact area is less important. Between softer and harder compliances, some cues were slightly more evident, though not yet definitively. Based upon the method's utility, the next step is to conduct broader experiments to distill the mixture of cues that encode compliance. The importance of such work lies in building haptic displays, for example, to render virtual tissues.
Therapy of severe aplastic anemia in young adults and children with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

During an 8-year period, 28 young adults (median age 27 years) and 30 children (median age 10 years) with severe aplastic anemia have received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from major histocompatibility locimatched sibling donors after preparation with cyclophosphamide and total lymphoid irradiation (TLI). All recipients were previously transfused. Comparison of post-bone marrow transplantation events in adults and children reveals equivalent median time to engraftment, median duration of hospitalization, median Karnofsky assessment of activity, and equivalent low rejection rate. Although the incidence of moderate and severe acute graft-v-host disease (GVHD) and of extensive chronic GVHD was greater in adults than in children, the projected survival at 4 years of adults (67%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 49% to 85%) and of children (73%; 95% CI 57% to 89%) was equivalent. All survivors are transfusion-free and have normal peripheral blood counts. One of 28 adults and 2 of 30 children have experienced rejection, and 1 of these patients survives after a second transplant. No malignancies have been identified following transplantation. An unexpectedly high incidence of hypothyroidism has been detected and may be attributable to preparation of recipients with TLI. Therapy of severe aplastic anemia with allogeneic BMT after preparation with cyclophosphamide and TLI offers a high rate of transfusion-free survival and a low rejection rate in previously transfused young adults and children.
Fetal and neonatal cytopenias: What have we learned?

Rh disease has largely disappeared as a result of prophylaxis with anti-D. However, the cases that remain are more complicated with a combination of novel challenges with regard to in utero management with transfusion and its effects on the course of the neonate, both early and late. Thrombocytopenia in the neonate can be severe and recurrent if it is a result of alloimmunization. Newer techniques in the laboratory have improved the security of diagnosis. Antenatal management of affected fetuses with treatment administered to the mother is now well established although studies are ongoing. Neutropenia is a complication of pre-eclampsia; the mechanism is still not well understood.
Bielschowsky bodies: Lafora-like inclusions associated with atrophy of the lateral pallidum

Peculiar amylaceous bodies were found within the lateral pallidum of the brain of a 93 year old patient with an athetoid form of cerebral palsy. The bodies were numerous and mostly confined to the neuropile. Occasional bodies were seen within the perikarya of pallidal neurons; many were shown inside nerve processes. The shape of the bodies was quite variable; some were round, ovoid or pear-shaped; others were elongated in the shape of sausages, rods or threads of variable width and lenght. They tended to form chains which often branched along nerve processes. In paraffin embedded sections, the bodies presented a dense central core, and a paler peripheral zone which exhibited a characteristic foamy appearance. They seem identical to bodies previously described by Bielschowsky (1912) and Vanderhaeghenet al. (1967). Their nature and staining properties are very similar to those of Lafora bodies and corpora amylacea. However, in view of their location and striking morphologic characteristics they should be considered as a distinct type of structure. It is fair and convenient to name them after Bielschowsky, their, original discoverer.
Sitting position to reduce postoperative shoulder pain associated with intraperitoneal dextran

Having the sitting position begun at the time of intraperitoneal instillation of dextran and maintained for 48 hours postoperatively was found to significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of shoulder pain in 40 (+/- 42) women undergoing fertility surgery.
The Evaporation Resistances of Monolayers of Long-Chain Acids and Alcohols and Their Mixtures

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the evaporation resistances of monolayers of long-chain acids and alcohols and their mixtures. The ability of a monomolecular film to retard the evaporation of the water on which it is spread has been the subject of spasmodic interest in the laboratory for many years but has only recently been used in a practical way to conserve water in reservoirs. The evaporation rate is determined by measuring the rate of uptake of water by a desiccant suspended a few millimeters above the water surface. The specific evaporation resistance is a property of the monolayer alone: it does not depend on any apparatus constant, and it is expressed in absolute units (sec/cm). The formation of holes in the monolayer through which water molecules can escape is treated by transition state theory based on the Gibbs free energy of activation. For monolayers of two components, a mixture rule is deduced, which enables the evaporation resistance of an ideal mixture to be calculated from the resistances of the components and the composition. An analysis of the evaporation process indicates that the water molecules penetrate the monolayer in one step rather than in a series of small steps.
Heat Transfer in a Nutshell

No other fundamental science has more relevancy to the topics of energy, building and its HVAC systems than heat transfer. We use basics of convective, radiative, and conductive heat transfer to calculate the amount of heat or cool imposed by the exterior environment and internal elements on our buildings. We use basics of all the three types of heat transfer to calculate how much of this heat or cool is going to be transferred to inside air or out of our buildings. We use conduction mode laws to size our insulations inside the walls of our buildings and around our equipment to reduce the unwanted heat transfer from or to our buildings and systems. We add (deduct) the internal heat load which is transferred to the space in form of part radiation (sensible portion) and part convection to our heat gain (loss) calculations.
A Study of Integration: The Role of Sensus Communis in Integrating Disciplinary Knowledge

Integration is an important notion for interdisciplinary studies. Achieving this shows that the interdisciplinary learner has successfully understood the commonalities among disciplines, as well as exercised crucial cognitive skills. This chapter attempts to elucidate how students integrated various disciplinary perspectives in the interdisciplinary course, Weird Science: Interpreting and Redefining Humanity. The study uses Hans-Georg Gadamer’s notion of the sensus communis to clarify how it was that students were processing and accomplishing the goal of integrating different disciplinary perspectives as evidenced in class observation, discussion, and especially student papers. The study demonstrates the ways in which common sense knowledge conditions and enables the integration process.
Der intramedulläre Abszess des Rückenmarks — Falldarstellungen und Behandlungskonzept

Obwohl intramedullare Abszesse des Ruckenmarks eine seltene Entitat darstellen, sollte das Vorliegen eines neurologisches Defizits mit progredienter Querschnittsymptomatik die Differentialdiagnose einer intramedullaren Abszedierung in das therapeutische Handeln miteinbeziehen. Wir berichten uber 2 Patienten, die bereits mit vorliegender Querschnittsymptomatik zur stationaren Aufnahme vorgestellt wurden und bei denen MR-tomographisch eine intramedullare nodulare Raumforderung nachgewiesen werden konnte. Anhand der prasentierten Falle soll eine Ubersicht uber die Pathogenese, die klinische Symptomatik, die Behandlungsstrategie und das zu erwartende therapeutische Outcome der intramedullaren Abszesse gegeben werden. Die Diagnosesicherung mittels MR-Tomographie und eine rasche chirurgische Sanierung sind fur die betroffenen Patienten essentiell. Eine fruhzeitige Diagnose und schnellstmogliche operative Therapie stellen unabhangig von der Genese des Infektes die entscheidenden prognostischen Faktoren dar.
Multidisciplinary adaptive wireless communication systems: reconfigurable MEMS integrated antennas and coding/decoding structures

Summary form only given. A multidisciplinary research effort focusing on indoor communication systems, motivated by the fact that the solutions to next-generation communications systems lie in a multidisciplinary research approach formed by electromagnetics, micro systems, and information theory, is presented. To this end, we first study the interrelationships between a given coding/decoding structure and multiple antenna elements used to transmit signals in a multipath propagation environment. We consider different antenna structures such as omnidirectional antennas, patches and dipoles in conjunction with different space-time block codes. For maintaining the best system level performance at all times, the antenna elements and associated coding/decoding design must be reconfigured dynamically. We provide a novel solution for antenna reconfigurability by making use of a printed circuit board (PCB) compatible radiofrequency microelectromechanical system (RF MEMS) technology developed by the author's group. This technology allows monolithic fabrication of MEMS and antenna elements on a PCB substrate with desired electrical features for the intended application. We present both experimental and theoretical results for this system.
How do people share their positive events? Individual differences in capitalizing, bragging, and mass-sharing.

Abstract. Research suggests that sharing positive events with others is beneficial for well-being, yet little is known about how positive events are shared with others and who is most likely to share their positive events. The current study expanded on previous research by investigating how positive events are shared and individual differences in how people share these events. Participants (N = 251) reported on their likelihood to share positive events in three ways: capitalizing (sharing with close others), bragging (sharing with someone who may become jealous or upset), and mass-sharing (sharing with many people at once using communication technology) across a range of positive scenarios. Using cluster analysis, five meaningful profiles of sharing patterns emerged. These profiles were associated with gender, Big Five personality traits, narcissism, and empathy. Individuals who tended to brag when they shared their positive events were more likely to be men, reported less agreeableness, less conscientiou...
A phase I/II trial of MEK162 in combination with gemcitabine (G) and cisplatin (C) for patients (pts) with untreated advanced biliary cancer (ABC).

290Background: Activating mutations in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway are commonly found in ABC. MEK162 is an oral, selective small molecule inhibitor of MEK1/2; single agent activity of MEK162 in ABC has previously been observed. Preclinical data support anti-tumor synergy for MEK inhibition (MEKi) when combined with G & C, only when MEKi is held for 2 days prior to and on day of each G and C infusion. Methods: A Single arm, non-randomized, open-label, phase I/II,evaluated oral MEK162 twice daily with G and C IV infusions day 8 and 15 of a 21 day cycle. MEK162 was. Eligibility criteria were: untreated ABC, with advanced measurable disease, ECOG 0-1, adequate hematologic, renal, hepatic and cardiac function. The primary endpoints were to determine the MTD (phase 1); and 6 month PFS and response rate (RR) (phase II). Tumor tissue for targeted somatic mutational sequencing was evaluated. Results: Between 09/13 and 09/15, 12 pts were enrolled on phase 1, the MTDs were MEK162 45mg PO BID, in combinatio...
Soluble factor(s) produced by human bone marrow stroma increase cytokine-induced proliferation and maturation of primitive hematopoietic progenitors while preventing their terminal differentiation

We have recently shown that conservation and differentiation of primitive human hematopoietic progenitors in in vitro long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) occurs to a greater extent when hematopoietic cells are grown separated from the stromal layer than when grown in direct contact with the stroma. This finding suggests that hematopoiesis may depend mainly on soluble factors produced by the stroma. To define these soluble factors, we examine here whether a combination of defined early-acting cytokines can replace soluble stroma-derived biologic activities that induce conservation and differentiation of primitive progenitors. Normal human Lineage-/CD34+/HLA-DR- cells (DR-) were cultured either in the absence of a stromal layer ("stroma-free") or in a culture system in which DR- cells were separated from the stromal layer by a microporous membrane ("stroma-noncontact"). Both culture systems were supplemented three times per week with or without cytokines. These studies show that culture of DR- cells for 5 weeks in a "stroma-free" culture supplemented with a combination of four early acting cytokines (Interleukin-3 [IL-3], stem cell factor [SCF], leukemia-inhibitory factor [LIF], and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]) results in a similar cell expansion as when DR- cells are cultured in "stroma-noncontact" cultures supplemented with the same cytokines. However, generation of committed progenitors and conservation of the more primitive long-term bone marrow culture initiating cells (LTBMC-IC) was far superior in "stroma-noncontact" cultures supplemented with or without IL-3 than in "stroma-free" cultures supplemented with IL-3 alone or a combination of IL-3, LIF, G-CSF, and SCF. These studies indicate that human BM stroma produces soluble factors that can either alone or in synergy with defined cytokines (1) conserve primitive LTBMC-IC, (2) induce early differentiation of a fraction of the primitive progenitors, and (3) prevent their terminal differentiation. We show here that these stroma-derived factors are not likely to be the known early acting cytokines IL-3, SCF, LIF, or G-CSF. Characterization of the stroma-derived factor(s) may have important implications for clinically relevant studies, such as in vitro stem cell expansion in cancer treatment and gene therapy.
Levels of Cognitive Control: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Test of an RDoC Domain Across Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia

In recent years, the boundaries of psychopathology as defined by diagnostic categories have been criticized as inadequately ‘carving nature at its joints’ with respect to the neurobiology of major mental disorders. In 2010 the NIMH launched the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework for understanding mental illnesses as brain circuit disorders that extend beyond DSM-defined diagnoses. In the present study we focus on cognitive dysfunction, a core feature of schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD), and use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a cognitive control (CC) task in recent onset patients to test the hypothesis that at a behavioral and underlying neural circuitry level these deficits exist on a continuum (as opposed to showing categorical differences) across the two disorders. In total, 53 healthy controls, 24 recent (<1 y) onset patients with BPD Type I with psychotic features, and 70 recent onset patients with SZ performed the AX-Continuous Performance Task while undergoing event-related fMRI at 1.5 T. In addition to behavior task-associated response was examined in frontoparietal regions-of-interest. In an a priori contrast-based analysis, significant deficits across patient groups (vs controls) were observed on CC-associated performance as well as frontoparietal response. These analyses further revealed a continuum of deficits in which BPD showed intermediate levels of CC relative to controls and SZ. Poor CC was associated with poverty and disorganization symptoms across patient groups. These results support the hypothesis that CC dysfunction in BPD and SZ reflects a continuum of deficits that cuts across traditional, DSM-based classification. Implications for the neurobiology of these diseases are discussed.
Trajectories of Early Parenting Practices among Low-Income Ethnically Diverse Women

Responsive and consistent parenting practices are essential to child social, emotional, and mental well-being, yet little is known about how parenting behaviors change over time among low income, urban families who may experience environmental instability and other stressors that make these practices more variable. This study examined maternal parenting trajectories and economic, social and health resources associated with these trajectories among low-income predominantly Black and Hispanic mothers over time using three waves of data from the Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study (N = 1140). Growth trajectories of maternal parenting practices (including family routines, firm-responsive parenting, and corporal punishment) were modeled using linear random effects models. Stratified trajectory analyses were conducted to examine the differences in effects of maternal resources on parenting practices over time by child developmental status. On average, mothers’ parenting practices improved over time as the children aged. Trajectory analyses revealed that maternal resources were associated with baseline levels of parenting rather than changes in trajectories over time. Mothers with more social and health resources reported more positive parenting practices and lower levels of corporal punishment at each time point. Results suggest the value of intervening early to enhance maternal education, health, and mental health to improve parenting practices among low-income ethnically diverse mothers.
Genome diversity of tuber-bearing Solanum uncovers complex evolutionary history and targets of domestication in the cultivated potato

Cultivated potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), domesticated from wild Solanum species native to the Andes of southern Peru, possess a diverse gene pool representing more than 100 tuber-bearing relatives (Solanum section Petota). A diversity panel of wild species, landraces, and cultivars was sequenced to assess genetic variation within tuber-bearing Solanum and the impact of domestication on genome diversity and identify key loci selected for cultivation in North and South America. Sequence diversity of diploid and tetraploid Stuberosum exceeded any crop resequencing study to date, in part due to expanded wild introgressions following polyploidy that captured alleles outside of their geographic origin. We identified 2,622 genes as under selection, with only 14-16% shared by North American and Andean cultivars, showing that a limited gene set drove early improvement of cultivated potato, while adaptation of upland (Stuberosum group Andigena) and lowland (S. tuberosum groups Chilotanum and Tuberosum) populations targeted distinct loci. Signatures of selection were uncovered in genes controlling carbohydrate metabolism, glycoalkaloid biosynthesis, the shikimate pathway, the cell cycle, and circadian rhythm. Reduced sexual fertility that accompanied the shift to asexual reproduction in cultivars was reflected by signatures of selection in genes regulating pollen development/gametogenesis. Exploration of haplotype diversity at potato's maturity locus (StCDF1) revealed introgression of truncated alleles from wild species, particularly Smicrodontum in long-day-adapted cultivars. This study uncovers a historic role of wild Solanum species in the diversification of long-day-adapted tetraploid potatoes, showing that extant natural populations represent an essential source of untapped adaptive potential.
Reparative Effects of Poloxamer P188 in Astrocytes Exposed to Controlled Microcavitation.

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a neurological dysfunction that can result from a sudden exposure to shockwave and lead to adverse health consequences. Currently, there are no preventive measures that specifically target bTBI. Several hypotheses have been formulated to explain such injuries, including the generation of microcavitation (e.g., microbubbles) in the brain that subsequently collapses with high pressure. This study was designed to explore and elucidate potential therapeutic effects of surfactants (poloxamers P188) to partially repair the damaged brain tissue due to bTBI. A controlled electrical discharge system was designed and validated to generate microbubbles of 20–30 μm in size. Using this system, we tested the hypothesis that the P188 can partially rescue astrocytes exposed to collapsing microbubbles. The immediate impact of the collapse of microbubbles created a crater-like region in which astrocytes detached from the substrate. Of those cells that survived the initial mechanical assault, the poloxamer P188 demonstrated reparative potential by partially restoring calcium spiking and minimizing the production of reactive oxygen species. The FDA-approved P188 may offer a potential therapeutic treatment for those exposed to a blast and suffered bTBI.
Energy-Efficient Computation Offloading for Multicore-Based Mobile Devices

Modern mobile devices are equipped with multicore-based processors, which introduce new challenges on computation offloading. With the big.LITTLE architecture, instead of only deciding locally or remotely running a task in the traditional architecture, we have to consider how to exploit the new architecture to minimize energy while satisfying application completion time constraints. In this paper, we address the problem of energy-efficient computation offloading on multicore-based mobile devices running multiple applications. We first formalize the problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem that is NP-hard, and then propose a novel heuristic algorithm to jointly solve the offloading decision and task scheduling problems. The basic idea is to prioritize tasks from different applications to make sure that both application time constraints and task-dependency requirements are satisfied. To find a better schedule while reducing the schedule searching overhead, we propose a critical path based solution which recursively checks the tasks and moves tasks to the right CPU cores to save energy. Simulation and experimental results show that our offloading algorithm can significantly reduce the energy consumption of mobile devices while satisfying the application completion time constraints.
An Overview of Design Challenges and Methods in Aerospace Engineering

Today’s new designs have increased in complexity and need to address more stringent societal, environmental, financial and operational requirements. Hence, a paradigm shift is underway that challenges the way complex systems are being designed. Advances in computing power, computational analysis, and numerical methods have also significantly transformed and impacted the way design is conducted. This paper presents an overview of the challenges and enablers as they pertain to the Conceptual, Preliminary and Detailed design phases. It discusses the benefits of advances in design methods, as well as the importance of visualization and knowledge management in design. Finally, it addresses some of the barriers to the transfer of knowledge between the research community and the industry.
The role of T cells in corona-virus-induced demyelination

Mice infected with neurotropic strains of coronavirus develop acute encephalomyelitis and eliminate infectious virus. However, control of acute infection is incomplete resulting in persistence of viral RNA in the central nervous system (CNS) associated with ongoing primary demyelination. A high prevalence of virus specific CD8 and CD4 T cells within the CNS correlates with ex vivo cytolytic activity and IFN-γ secretion, which are both required for virus reduction during the acute infection. Although most infected cell types are susceptible to perforin mediated clearance, IFN-γ is required for controlling infection of oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, by enhancing class I expression and inducing class II expression within resident CNS cells IFN-γ optimizes T cell receptor dependent functions. In addition to its direct anti viral activity, these multifactorial effects make IFN-γ more essential than perforin for viral control. CD4 T cells enhance CD8 T cell expansion, survival and effectiveness. Although both CD8 and CD4 T cells are retained within the CNS during persistence, they cannot control viral recrudescence in the absence of humoral immunity. Demyelination can be mediated by either CD8 or CD4 T cells; however, although a variety of effector molecules have been excluded, a dominant common denominator remains elusive. Thus concerted efforts to control infection coincide with a variety of potential mechanisms causing chronic demyelinating disease.
The effect of traditionally marginalized groups in advertising on consumer response

Increasingly, national brands have cast people from marginalized groups in advertising. It is important to understand the elements that influence consumers’ responses to advertisements featuring groups who have been traditionally excluded from advertising campaigns. Although consumers may wish to buy brands that support their own views on human rights and equality, we propose that consumers in the target market may be uncomfortable if the group portrayal contradicts their beliefs about the topic, concept, or social groups in the ad. Across two studies, we show that when an ad creates this type of internal contradiction within consumers, it may elicit a more negative response than an ad portraying a more traditional model. However, we also find preliminary evidence that using models from marginalized groups can be more effective than using more traditional models—as long as such portrayals do not violate certain target consumers’ schemas. The implications of these results will be discussed.
Tunable and Active Metamaterials

Tunable and active metamaterials can enable a new powerful paradigm of engineering space for light with transformation optics, leading to a family of new applications ranging from a planar hyperlens to optical black hole.
Analytical solution for converging elliptic shear wave in a bounded transverse isotropic viscoelastic material with nonhomogeneous outer boundary.

Dynamic elastography methods—based on optical, ultrasonic, or magnetic resonance imaging—are being developed for quantitatively mapping the shear viscoelastic properties of biological tissues, which are often altered by disease and injury. These diagnostic imaging methods involve analysis of shear wave motion in order to estimate or reconstruct the tissue's shear viscoelastic properties. Most reconstruction methods to date have assumed isotropic tissue properties. However, application to tissues like skeletal muscle and brain white matter with aligned fibrous structure resulting in local transverse isotropic mechanical properties would benefit from analysis that takes into consideration anisotropy. A theoretical approach is developed for the elliptic shear wave pattern observed in transverse isotropic materials subjected to axisymmetric excitation creating radially converging shear waves normal to the fiber axis. This approach, utilizing Mathieu functions, is enabled via a transformation to an elliptic coordinate system with isotropic properties and a ratio of minor and major axes matching the ratio of shear wavelengths perpendicular and parallel to the plane of isotropy in the transverse isotropic material. The approach is validated via numerical finite element analysis case studies. This strategy of coordinate transformation to equivalent isotropic systems could aid in analysis of other anisotropic tissue structures.