cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Promotion or Inhibition of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregation by Zinc Coordination Depends on Its Relative Concentration

Zinc is reported to play a complex role in islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) aggregation, which is associated with β-cell death in type II diabetes (T2D). Depending on their relative concentrations in vitro, zinc could either promote or inhibit IAPP aggregation. Interestingly, genomewide association studies suggested both positive and negative correlations between T2D risks and activities of a β-cell-specific zinc transporter upon mutations, which determines zinc concentration in vivo. To decipher the effect of zinc coordination on IAPP aggregation, we performed atomistic discrete molecular dynamics simulations to systemically study aggregation propensities of zinc-coordinated IAPP oligomers with different molecular weights (MWs), whose populations are determined by zinc concentration. We find that at low zinc:IAPP stoichiometry, zinc coordination promotes aggregation by forming high-MW oligomers. The aggregation is inhibited when the stoichiometry increases and zinc binds individual peptides. Our computationally derived predictions are validated by the complementary thioflavin-T fluorescence assay measuring the dependence of IAPP aggregation on a wide range of zinc concentrations. Our combined computational and experimental study offers detailed mechanistic insight into the complex role of zinc on IAPP aggregation and T2D development.
Advances in EGFR as a Predictive Marker in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Background Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common cause of mortality. Toxins from tobacco smoke are known to increase the risk of lung cancer; however, up to 15% of lung cancer-related deaths in men and up to 50% of lung cancer-related deaths in women occur in people who do not smoke. Despite the fact that chemotherapy generally provides a survival benefit for non-small-cell lung cancer, not every patient will respond to therapy and many experience therapy-related adverse events. Thus, predictive markers are used to determine which patients are more likely to respond to a given regimen. Methods We reviewed the current medical literature in English relating to predictive markers that may be positive, such as the presence of an activating EGFR mutation. Results The advances in using EGFR as a molecular predictive marker were summarized. This biomarker influences therapeutic response in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Clinical evidence supporting its value is also reviewed. Conclusions The use of EGFR as a predictive factor in lung adenocarcinoma may help target therapy to individual tumors to achieve the best likelihood for long-term survival and to avoid adverse events from medications unlikely to be effective.
Transcriptional control of cell phenotypes in the neuroendocrine system

A fundamental aspect of the development of complex organ systems is a requirement for precise temporal and spatial coordination in the genesis of tissues of distinct embryonic origins, in order to form functional units required for physiological homeostasis and survival. Such a requirement is particularly well exemplified in mammalian development in the formation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Neuronally expressed POU domain factors might exert effects on terminal differentiation events similar to those of Pit-1 in the maturation of anterior pituitary gland cell phenotypes. Neurons comprising the endocrine hypothalamus develop in tandem with their ultimate target, the pituitary gland, and arise from a primordium in which three related class III POU domain factors-Brn-2, Brn-4, and Brn-1-are initially co-expressed. These factors subsequently exhibit stratified patterns of ontogenic expression, correlating with the appearance of distinct neuropeptides that define three major endocrine hypothalamic cell types. Deletion of the Brn-2 genomic locus affects terminal differentiation and/or maintenance of hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons and development of the posterior pituitary gland. Thus, both neuronal and endocrine components of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis are critically dependent upon the action of specific POU domain factors at a penultimate step in the sequential events that underlie the appearance of mature cellular phenotypes.
Show Me the Money: Part One

The discussion about how to ethically monetize “the value added” that settlement-savvy attorneys bring to the client has been one of the few remaining taboos that is rarely, candidly discussed among lawyers. Especially during these constricted economic times, when consumers of legal services are scrutinizing more than ever the value of legal services, this column invites a timely re-consideration of different, more creative billing paradigms beyond the “hourly billing.”
A Group-Based Intervention for Persons Living in Poverty: Psychosocial Improvements Noted among Participants of “Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by World”

ABSTRACTThis study reviews the results of a national study of Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World (“GA”), a widely used group-based intervention for helping persons in poverty assess their resources and create a plan for increasing them. Findings from a national study of a diverse sample (N = 215) suggest that the program is facilitating positive changes in poverty-related knowledge, perceived stress, mental health and well-being, social support, hope, and goal-directed behavior and planning. Implications of these findings for practice and future research are discussed.
BOLD quantified renal pO2 is sensitive to pharmacological challenges in rats

Purpose Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI has been effectively used to monitor changes in renal oxygenation. However, R2* (or T2*) is not specific to blood oxygenation and is dependent on other factors. This study investigates the use of a statistical model that takes these factors into account and maps BOLD MRI measurements to blood pO2. Methods Spin echo and gradient echo images were obtained in six Sprague-Dawley rats and R2 and R2* maps were computed. Measurements were made at baseline, post-nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), and post-furosemide administration. A simulation of each region was performed to map R2′ (computed as R2*–R2) to blood pO2. Results At baseline, blood pO2 in the outer medulla was 30.5 ± 1.2 mmHg and 51.9 ± 5.2 mmHg in the cortex, in agreement with previous invasive studies. Blood pO2 was found to decrease within the outer medulla following L-NAME (P < 0.05) and increase after furosemide (P < 0.05). Blood pO2 in the cortex increased following furosemide (P < 0.05). Conclusions Model-derived blood pO2 is sensitive to pharmacological challenges, and baseline pO2 is comparable to literature values. Reporting pO2 instead of R2* could lead to a greater clinical impact of renal BOLD MRI and facilitate the identification of hypoxic regions. Magn Reson Med 78:297–302, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Determination of activity coefficient of lanthanum chloride in molten LiCl-KCl eutectic salt as a function of cesium chloride and lanthanum chloride concentrations using electromotive force measurements

Abstract The thermodynamic behavior of lanthanides in molten salt systems is of significant scientific interest for the spent fuel reprocessing of Generation IV reactors. In this study, the apparent standard reduction potential (apparent potential) and activity coefficient of LaCl3 were determined in a molten salt solution of eutectic LiCl-KCl as a function of concentration of LaCl3. The effect of adding up to 1.40 mol % CsCl was also investigated. These properties were determined by measuring the open circuit potential of the La—La(III) redox couple in a high temperature molten salt electrochemical cell. Both the apparent potential and activity coefficient exhibited a strong dependence on concentration. A low concentration (0.69 mol %) of CsCl had no significant effect on the measured properties, while a higher concentration (1.40 mol %) of CsCl caused an increase (become more positive) in the apparent potential and activity coefficient at the higher range of LaCl3 concentrations.
Mathematical theory of molecular motors and a new approach for uncovering motor mechanism.

Molecular motors operate in an environment dominated by thermal fluctuations. A molecular motor may produce an active force at the reaction site to directly move the motor forward. Alternatively a molecular motor may generate a unidirectional motion by rectifying thermal fluctuations. In this case, the chemical reaction establishes free energy barriers to block the backward fluctuations. The effect of the chemical reaction on the motor motion can be represented by the motor potential profile (rectifying barrier and/or active driving force). Different motor mechanisms are characterised by different motor potential profiles. The mathematical theory and properties of molecular motors are discussed and a mathematical framework is developed for extracting the motor potential profile from measured time series of motor position. As an example, we discuss the binding zipper model for the F1 ATPase, which was motivated mainly by the fact that the motor potential profile of the F1 ATPase is nearly a constant slope.
Electronic Health Records and Genomic Medicine

Abstract This chapter addresses the desirable characteristics of clinical information systems for genomic and personalized medicine. These characteristics follow from the nature of the data representing personal molecular variation and the processes associated with creating and interpreting it. Limitations of currently available electronic health record (EHR) systems are described. The chapter offers recommendations for choosing an EHR system that will provide currently needed functionality and the capacity for future enhancements, as well as technical requirements for effective integration of genomic data into EHRs. Also described are current efforts in data standards, and a path forward for improving the state of the art in clinical information systems and for creating a shared knowledge base of genomic clinical decision support for a learning healthcare system.
CD117 Expression May Signify Enduring Proliferative Capacity of Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC).

INTRODUCTION: Recent publications have suggested that a highly pluripotent stem cell population may be derived from the cellular fraction of amniotic fluid. During the surgical correction of twin to twin transfusion syndrome by fetoscopic laser ablation, large amounts of amniotic fluid are harvested, the cellular component of which could serve as a potentially rich source of amniotic fluid-derived pluripotent stem cells. To explore this hypothesis, we collected large amounts of amniotic fluid following fetoscopic laser ablation procedures and sought to generate and characterize amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFS) as described previously.1 METHODS: Amniotic fluid was collected following fetoscopic laser ablation with IRB approval. The total cellular component was cultured in α-MEM (Hyclone) supplemented with 15% ES FBS (Invitrogen), 100 U/ml penicillin G/streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine, 18% Chang Basal Medium, and 2% Chang C Medium (both from Irvine Scientific). Adherent cells were expanded and selected with CD117 microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec). Cells were characterized by flow cytometry, and hematologic pluripotence was assessed by culture in 100 ng/ml GM-CSF, co-culture with OP-9 cells, or co-culture with primary human bone-marrow stroma. Proliferative capacity was assessed and doubling times were determined for all serial passages. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid derived cells were typically CD90posCD105posHLA-DRneg with minority populations that were HLA-DRlow and CD133pos. This phenotype is consistent with that of bone marrow-derived MSCs. Cellular morphology was also consistent with that of bone marrow-derived MSCs. We did not detect any expression of CD34, CD45, or CD38 either pre- or post-CD117 selection. Some samples were fully devoid of CD117pos cells; however, others did exhibit CD117-expressing cells which could be selected. Attempts at transdifferentiation of either CD117pos or CD117neg cells by ES cell methods were unsuccessful; the AFS cell phenotype remained consistent throughout the addition of exogenous cytokines or co-culture with bone marrow stroma. CD117neg AFS cell lines began to divide more slowly, exhibiting doubling times of 90 hours by post-selection passage 10. In contrast, CD117pos AFS cell lines maintained a doubling time of 25–30 hours through post-selection passage 10. CONCLUSIONS: The AFS cells derived from fetoscopic laser ablation procedures exhibited an MSC phenotype and did not appear to have pluripotent plasticity. We hypothesize that AFS cells with greater plasticity might exist at the time of diagnostic amniocentesis (week 14–16) but appear to be absent in the fluid samples that we obtained on weeks 24–26. The AFS MSCs had a proliferative potential greater than that exhibited by bone marrow MSCs, and the presence of surface CD117 (SCF receptor) seemed to be predictive of an enduring proliferative ability. Further study will be necessary to determine the validity and significance of this correlation.
Medicare Telehealth Services and Nephrology: Policies for Eligibility and Payment.

The criteria for Medicare payment of telehealth nephrology services, and all other Medicare telehealth services, are set forth in section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act. There are just over 80 professional physician or practitioner services that may be furnished via telehealth and paid under Medicare Part B, when an interactive audio and video telecommunication system that permits real-time communication between a beneficiary at the originating site and the physician or practitioner at the distant site substitutes for an in-person encounter. These services include 16 nephrology billing codes for furnishing ESRD services for monthly monitoring and assessment and two billing codes for chronic kidney disease education. In recent years, many mobile health devices and other web-based tools have been developed in support of monitoring, observation, and collaboration for people living with chronic disease. This article reviews the statutory and program guidance that governs Medicare telehealth services, defines payment policy terms (e.g., originating site and distant site), and explains payment policies when telehealth services are furnished.
A Feminist Perspective on the Follow-Up Process for Financing for Development

The FfD follow-up needs to be the space where UN member states seek to transform the relationship among financial, productive, and socially reproductive spheres of activities into one that fulfills human rights, generates capabilities and reduces global inequality. Enhancing the integration of the various parts of the UN system dealing with human rights and with other key development issues is pivotal to the reform of the international financial architecture. More importantly, women’s empowerment and the meaningful participation of feminists and women’s organizations contribute to the strengthening of the accountability of the multilateral system to humanity.
Micro-level perception to climate change and adaptation issues: A prelude to mainstreaming climate adaptation into developmental landscape in India

Climate change adds another dimension of challenges to the growth and sustainability of Indian agriculture. The growing exposure to livelihood shocks from climate variability/change and limited resource base of the rural community to adapt has reinforced the need to mainstream climate adaptation planning into developmental landscape. However, a better understanding of micro-level perceptions is imperative for effective and informed planning at the macro-level. In this paper, the grass-root level perspectives on climate change impacts and adaptation decisions were elicited at farm level in the Moga district of Punjab and Mahbubnagar district of Telangana, India. The farmers opined that the climatic variability impacts more than the long-term climate change. They observed change in the quantum, onset and distribution of rainfall, rise in minimum as well as maximum temperature levels, decline in crop yield and ground water depletion. The key socio-economic effects of climate change included decline in farm income, farm unemployment, rural migration and increased indebtedness among farmers. In order to cope with climate variability and change thereon, farmers resorted to adaptation strategies such as use of crop varieties of suitable duration, water conservation techniques, crop insurance and participation in non-farm activities and employment guarantee schemes. Farmers’ adaptation to changing climate was constrained by several technological, socio-economic and institutional barriers. These include limited knowledge on the costs–benefits of adaptation, lack of access to and knowledge of adaptation technologies, lack of financial resources and limited information on weather. Besides, lack of access to input markets, inadequate farm labour and smaller farm size were the other constraints. Further, on the basis of the grass-root elicitation a ‘Need-Based Adaptation’ planning incorporating farmers’ perceptions on climate change impacts, constraints in the adoption of adaptation strategies and plausible adaptation options were linked with the most suitable ongoing programmatic interventions of the Government of India. The study concluded that micro-level needs and constraints for various adaptation strategies and interventions should be an integral part of the programme development, implementation and evaluation in the entire developmental paradigm.
Rigid Internal Fixation for Traumatic Cranio-Cervical Dissociation in Infants and Young Children

Study design Retrospective review. Objective Evaluate radiographic and clinical outcomes for infants and children, who underwent rigid occipito-cervical fixation for traumatic craniocervical dissociation (tCCD). Summary of background data Traumatic craniocervical dissociation is devastating. Children are at high risk but make up a large number of survivors. Non-rigid fixation has traditionally been favored over screw and rod constructs due to inherent challenges involved with instrumenting the pediatric craniocervical junction. Therefore, outcomes for rigid occipito-cervical instrumentation in infants and young children with tCCD remain uncertain. Methods Retrospective review of children who survived tCCD between 2006 and 2016 and underwent rigid occipito-cervical fixation. Results Fifteen children, from 8 months to 8 years old (mean, 3.8 yr), were either a passenger (n = 11) or a pedestrian (n = 4) in a motor vehicle accident. Seven patients had weakness: five with quadriplegia, one with hemiparesis, and one with bilateral upper extremity paresis. Ten patients had concurrent C1-2 instability. At last follow-up, four patients had improved motor function: one with bilateral upper extremity paresis and one with hemiparesis regained full strength, one with quadriplegia regained function on one side while another regained function in bilateral upper extremities. All underwent rigid posterior occipito-cervical fixation, with two patients requiring additional anterior and posterior fixation at non-contiguous levels. Fourteen patients were stable on flexion-extension x-rays at a mean follow-up of 31 months (9-1 yr or longer, 7-2 yr or longer). There were no cases of deformity, growth disturbance, or subaxial instability. Conclusion Children who survive tCCD may regain function after stabilization. Rigid internal rod and screw fixation in infants and young children safely provided long-term stability. We advocate using C2 translaminar screws to exploit the favorable anatomy of pediatric lamina to minimize the risks of occipitocervical (OC) instrumentation. Level of evidence 4.
Cigarette smoking duration mediates the association between future thinking and norepinephrine level.

Fixating on the present moment rather than considering future consequences of behavior is considered to be a hallmark of drug addiction. As an example, cigarette smokers devalue delayed consequences to a greater extent than nonsmokers, and former smokers devalue delayed consequences more than nonsmokers, but less than current smokers. Further, cigarette smokers have higher norepinephrine levels than nonsmokers, which is indicative of poor future health outcomes. It is unclear how duration of cigarette smoking may impact these associations. The current secondary analysis of publicly available data investigated whether extent of future thinking is associated with smoking duration, as well as norepinephrine level, in a large national US sample (N = 985) of current, former, and never smokers. Individuals scoring lower on future thinking tended to smoke for longer durations and had higher norepinephrine levels relative to individuals scoring higher on future thinking. In addition, duration of cigarette abstinence interacted significantly with future thinking and smoking duration for former smokers. Specifically, the mediation relationship between future thinking, smoking duration, and norepinephrine level for former smokers was strongest at shorter durations of cigarette abstinence and decreased as a function of increasing duration of cigarette abstinence. Overall, results from this study suggest the potential importance of implementing smoking cessation treatments as early as possible for smokers and support future thinking as a potential therapeutic target for smoking cessation treatment.
A Faster Katz Status Score Algorithm

A new graph theoretical algorithm to calculate Katz status scores reduces computational complexity from time i>O(i>n3) to i>O(i>n + i>m). Randomly-generated graphs as well as data from a large empiric study are used to test the performance of two commercial network analysis packages (GRADAP and UCINET V), compared to the performance achieved by the authors' algorithm, implemented in Visual Basic.
Using Open Standards for Behavior Models to Gain Performance in the Virtual Commissioning Simulation

Abstract In actual engineering processes of new plants in the discrete manufacturing, Virtual Commissioning (VC) is one of the last process steps, which can only start if all manufacturing components are known and well described. If the behavior models of the manufacturing cells are not fully known, a complete VC cannot be performed. In terms of efficiency, a standardized description of behavior models from the component supplier’s side would bring the VC to new level. Overall, it affects a raise in quality, better component integration in the engineering process and a faster modification of factory plant. This paper describes a way to describe behavior models and how these models can be integrated into an exemplary VC tool.
Effective Treatments for Older Adult Baby Boomers with Alcohol-Use Disorders: A Literature Review

Research on patterns of alcohol use among the older adult baby boomer birth cohort suggests considerable challenges to the health care system in the coming decades. This review contributes to the g...
Operational Reliability of Radar Systems

We define “operational reliability” of a radar system as a measure of its ability to perform reliably in various operational scenarios, as opposed to end-of-life reliability. We apply and analyze this concept to detection of a target in various types of clutter, using formulations based on probabilities of detection and false alarm. Such a formulation allows the optimization of radar performance under varying target and clutter scenarios.
Phase I Trials of Murine Monoclonal Antibodies to Tumor Associated Antigens: Preliminary Observations

Abstract Murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to tumor-associated antigens were infused into human subjects with advanced malignancy. Two patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) received four infusions; two melanoma patients each received one treatment. In CLL, MoAb binding to circulating cells in vivo was associated with a marked decrease in lymphocytes. Serum MoAb levels were demonstrable up to 4 hours after treatment. In melanoma, no in vivo binding to tumor was demonstrated by immunofluorescence techniques, although serum MoAb levels persisted beyond 24 hours. Rapid infusions of over 10 mg of anti-CLL MoAb were associated with reversible systemic complications in both patients. Two hour infusions of anti-melanoma MoAb were well-tolerated. Additional trials examining schedules and rates of infusions, biologic effects and metabolism of MoAbs are indicated.
Lessons learned about empathy during our interview seasons.

AbstractEmpathy is one of the most valuable skills sought by patients from their physicians as well as by educators from their trainees. However, in medical education there is a general concern tha...
The Deleuzian Revolution: Ten Innovations in Difference and Repetition

Difference and Repetition might be said to have brought about a Deleuzian Revolution in philosophy comparable to Kant's Copernican Revolution. Kant had denounced the three great terminal points of ...
Machine Learning in the Assessment of Meat Quality

We compare two approaches to automate carcass quality grading using different artificial intelligence methods. The first is based on image analysis, and the second uses state-of-the-art Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Both employ machine learning (ML) to increase the speed and accuracy of carcass quality evaluation. The image analysis method increased speed and accuracy for all quality measures except marbling when compared to human meat inspectors. The mass spectrometry method tested eight ML algorithms, and achieved an impressive 81.5% to 99% accuracy in predicting carcass quality traits. However, this accuracy was dependent on the trait examined, so ML algorithms were not the answer for all traits.
MFTs: Confidence, Comfort, and Training to Address Client Financial Concerns

Research is limited regarding the training marriage and family therapists (MFTs) receive in the area of financial problems couples and families experience. We surveyed 293 professional MFTs to gain...
The Economist's View of the World: And the Quest for Well-Being

Released in 1984, Steven E. Rhoads' classic was considered by many to be among the best introductions to the economic way of thinking and its applications. This anniversary edition has been updated to account for political and economic developments - from the greater interest in redistributing income and the ascendancy of behaviorism to the Trump presidency. Rhoads explores opportunity cost, marginalism, and economic incentives and explains why mainstream economists - even those well to the left - still value free markets. He critiques economics for its unbalanced emphasis on narrow self-interest as controlling motive and route to happiness, highlighting philosophers and positive psychologists' findings that happiness is far more dependent on friends and family than on income or wealth. This thought-provoking tour of the economist's mind is a must read for our times, providing a clear, lively, non-technical insight into how economists think and why they shouldn't be ignored.
Use of Electronic Medical Records to Estimate Changes in Pregnancy and Birth Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility rates has been suggested in the lay press and anticipated based on documented decreases in fertility and pregnancy rates during previous major societal and economic shifts. Anticipatory planning for birth rates is important for health care systems and government agencies to accurately estimate size of economy and model working and/or aging populations. Objective To use projection modeling based on electronic health care records in a large US university medical center to estimate changes in pregnancy and birth rates prior to and after the COVID-19 pandemic societal lockdowns. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included all pregnancy episodes within a single US academic health care system retrospectively from 2017 and modeled prospectively to 2021. Data were analyzed September 2021. Exposures Pre– and post–COVID-19 pandemic societal shutdown measures. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was number of new pregnancy episodes initiated within the health care system and use of those episodes to project birth volumes. Interrupted time series analysis was used to assess the degree to which COVID-19 societal changes may have factored into pregnancy episode volume. Potential reasons for the changes in volumes were compared with historical pregnancy volumes, including delays in starting prenatal care, interruptions in reproductive endocrinology and infertility services, and preterm birth rates. Results This cohort study documented a steadily increasing number of pregnancy episodes over the study period, from 4100 pregnancies in 2017 to 4620 in 2020 (28 284 total pregnancies; median maternal [interquartile range] age, 30 [27-34] years; 18 728 [66.2%] White women, 3794 [13.4%] Black women; 2177 [7.7%] Asian women). A 14% reduction in pregnancy episode initiation was observed after the societal shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic (risk ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79-0.92;P Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study using electronic medical record surveillance found an initial decline in births associated with the COVID-19 pandemic societal changes and an anticipated increase in birth volume. Future studies can further explore how pregnancy episode volume changes can be monitored and birth rates projected in real-time during major societal events.
The Rise of the ‘Quarantine Bar Simulator’: The Uses and Gratifications of Social VR During the COVID-19 Pandemic

On January 9th, 2020 a new and mysterious disease emerged out of Wuhan, China. This virus, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID), would sweep across the planet sparking a wave of lockdowns. During this time the Social VR platform VRChat saw unprecedented user numbers that coincided with social distancing restrictions established in the United States. By using uses and gratifications 2.0 and computer assisted content analysis of 259 Steam reviews this study found five key uses of the VRChat platform that were supported by seven affordances provided by the social media and virtual reality aspects of the platform.
Cement stress and microstructure evolution during curing in semi-rigid high-pressure environments

Abstract The process of cement slurry curing into a solid has a direct effect on the initial state of stress in a composite concrete and steel structure. Failure models for critical infrastructure and wellbores could benefit from measurements of this initial stress because it greatly influences structural performance. Here, we present measurements of the initial stress state (total stress, effective stress, and pore pressure) of multiple cement formulations cured under a high-pressure of 40 MPa within a semi-rigid steel pipe. Our results show that cements cured in this restrained environment exhibit dense microstructures with low permeability (nano-Darcy), develop an anisotropic stress state greater than zero and less than the curing pressure, and undergo a staged curing process where hydration and mechanical behaviors evolve from a slurry into a pre-stressed porous medium. Both drained and undrained scenarios were investigated, revealing a feedback from the semi-rigid boundary towards improved cement performance.
Emerging from the haze: Feasibility pilot of a virtual multi-dimensional psycho-educational cognitive rehabilitation intervention for cancer survivors with decreased perceived cognitive function after cancer therapy.

276Background: Standardized, effective cognitive rehabilitation interventions that can be widely disseminated are urgently needed for cancer-related cognitive impairment. The purpose of this single...
Israel Scheffler's Ethics: Theory and Practice

Evincing his not uncritical allegiance to pragmatic philosophy, Isreal Scheffler's notion of ethics and its role in education is one which attempts to dissolve inherited distinctions in the field. For Scheffler's ethics, aimed always at justifiable conduct, is conduct guided by rationality, powered by emotion, responsive the needs of it agents' community, learned through moral education, practiced habitually, and ultimately justified by individual commitment to action. Scheffler's primary desideratum is to arrive at an ethics that is justifiable because it is reasonable and so can gain our commitment.
Control of Plants with Input Saturation Nonlinearities

This paper considers control design for systems with input magnitude saturation. Four examples, 2 SISO and 2 MIMO, are used to illustrate the properties of several existing schemes. A new method based on a modification of conventional antiwindup compensation is introduced. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the problem of integral windup for saturating plants and conventional schemes for dealing with it.
Electrochemical evaluation of alternate anode materials for ambient temperature secondary Li cells

Some progress has been made at JPL to identify alternative anode materials to improve the cycle life and safety of ambient temperature secondary lithium cells. Graphite is one of the materials under investigation. Experimental results showed that graphite was able to accommodate the interstitial addition of 0.16 mole of lithium per mole of graphite, and the amount of Li corresponding to the capacity from x=0.045 to x=0.16 in Li/sub x/ can be reversibly cycled with negligible capacity loss. This reversible composition region is also a region with very low open circuit potential. In addition, electrode fabrication and the intercalation technique are also discussed. This information and electrochemical studies on other materials, such as Li/sub x/Mg/sub 2/Si and C/sub 60/, are presented. >
Progress in using coral as a model to study intrinsic and innate immune responses to herpes-like viruses (VET2P.1032)

Corals have been shown to produce herpes-like viruses when triggered by abiotic stressors. In addition, new associations are being discovered between known coral diseases and viral pathogens. We intend to use coral as a model species to study invertebrate anti-viral immune responses in organisms critical to the resilience of the coral reef ecosystem. Our long-term goals include identifying possible immune genes in corals and measuring changes in gene expression in response to virus production. Fragments of Acropora were propagated in controlled aquarium systems mimicking fundamental properties of shallow reef with live rock, live sand, and artificial seawater. We acclimatized corals by providing sufficient photosynthetic active radiation, feeding, and periodic replenishment of macro- and microelements. RNA extractions were performed on coral specimens to synthesize cDNA for qPCR. Known human innate immune pathways such as STING, cGAS, Factor X, and NF-kB are under investigation using primers targeting the coral orthologs of critical human genes in these pathways. We are optimizing qPCR as a tool to amplify and quantify target genes from cDNA. We are also investigating western blot anaylsis of NF-kB to assess levels of immune activation in coral cells. Eventually, we hope to develop minimally-invasive tests to provide leading indicators of coral stress to help identify and manage threats to reef ecosystem health.
Religion, Race, and the Making of Confederate Kentucky, 1830-1880

This book sheds new light on the role of religion in the nineteenth-century slavery debates. Luke E. Harlow argues that the ongoing conflict over the meaning of Christian 'orthodoxy' constrained the political and cultural horizons available for defenders and opponents of American slavery. The central locus of these debates was Kentucky, a border slave state with a long-standing antislavery presence. Although white Kentuckians famously cast themselves as moderates in the period and remained with the Union during the Civil War, their religious values showed no moderation on the slavery question. When the war ultimately brought emancipation, white Kentuckians found themselves in lockstep with the rest of the Confederate South. Racist religion thus paved the way for the making of Kentucky's Confederate memory of the war, as well as a deeply entrenched white Democratic Party in the state.
Identification of Terrain Cover Using the Optimum Polarimetric Classifier

A systematic approach for the identification of terrain media such as vegetation canopy, forest, and snow-covered fields is developed using the optimum polarimetric classifier. The covariance matrices for various terrain cover are computed from theoretical models of random medium by evaluating the scattering matrix elements. The optimal classification scheme makes use of a quadratic distance measure and is applied to classify a vegetation canopy consisting of both trees and grass. Experimentally measured data are used to validate the classification scheme. Analytical and Monte Carlo simulated classification errors using the fully polarimetric feature vector are compared with classification based on single features which include the phase difference between the VV and HH polarization returns. It is shown that the full polarimetric results are optimal and provide better classification performance than single feature measurements.
Operator newton iterative convergence for time dependent density functional theory

In a recent publication, the author has established the existence of a unique weak solution of the initial/boundaryvalue problem for a closed quantum system modeled by time dependent density function theory (TDDFT). We describe a Newton iteration, based upon the technique used to prove (unique) existence for the TDDFT model.We show that successive approximation at the operator level, based upon the evolution operator, is sufficient to obtain a ‘starting iterate’ for Newton’s method. We discuss the so-called quadratic convergence associated with Newton’s method. In the process, we obtain a Kantorovich type theorem for TDDFT.
Is tau aggregation toxic or protective

Abnormal protein deposits are a common feature of many human diseases including Alzheimer's disease. In Alzheimer's disease, the appearance of tangles, composed of the microtubule associated protein tau, correlates with both cell death and symptom severity. However, are tau filaments simply markers of disease progression, or are they directly responsible for cell death? Due to conflicting findings from cell and animal models, it remains controversial whether tau polymers or smaller pre-fibrillar aggregates or tau monomers are the toxic species. Indeed, if monomeric or oligomeric species are mediators of disease, formation of larger tau filaments may prove beneficial to affected cells. This review will examine the findings regarding the toxicity of various tau species.
Formaldehyde-induced acentric chromosome fragments and chromosome stickiness in Chortophaga neuroblasts

Embryos of the grasshopper Chortophaga viridifasciata were exposed in vitro to formaldehyde (FA), as formalin, at concentrations ranging from 10/sup -8/ M (0.0003 ppm) to 10/sup -3/ M (30 ppm) at 38/sup 0/C. A low frequency of distinct acentric chromosome fragments was observed in the neuroblasts after 1 hr exposure to 7.5 x 10/sup -4/ or 10/sup -3/ M FA plus 3 hr recovery, but not at lower concentrations, even with 4 hr exposure. Neuroblasts with sticky chromosomes were observed at 10/sup -4/, 7.5 x 10/sup -4/, and 10/sup -3/ M FA, the percent of cells with slight, moderate, or severe stickiness varying with FA concentrations. Fragments were associated with the sticky chromosomes. It is concluded that the distinct acentric fragments induced by FA result from breakage at a single sticky point (slight stickiness) between separating sister chromatids. The chromosome effects observed probably result from the action of daughter products that are formed by the interaction of FA with culture medium components, especially the fetal calf serum.
Interaction of the sea breeze with a river breeze in an area of complex coastal heating

A three-dimensional finite-element mesoscale model is used to study the interaction of two different but related mesoscale phenomena in an area having a complex pattern of surface heating. The model simulations have been compared with temperature and wind fields observed on a typical fall day during the Kennedy Space Center Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment on the east coast of Florida.
Average satellite and hypersatellite fluorescence yields

Abstract Average satellite and hypersatellite fluorescence yields for different electron configurations are presented for atomic numbers, Z = 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14.
Anthropology: Shades of the savannah.

Whether African savannahs had an impact on the evolution of our early ancestors has been a matter of debate. A study of carbon isotopes from ancient soils provides fresh clues. See Article p.51 It is widely recognized that the last common ancestor we share with modern chimpanzees inhabited wooded environments, and that hominin habitats became less wooded after this divergence some 5 million to 8 million years ago. What happened to our ancestors next is less clear, although it is speculated that bipedality and a change of diet may reflect a transition to open savannah grasslands. Thure Cerling and colleagues demonstrate that the fraction of woody cover can be quantified in modern tropical ecosystems and that the method can be extended into the geological past. Analysis of fossil soils from many localities associated with early hominins, such as Ardipithecus, shows a savannah-like environment with less than 40% tree cover, rather than the closed woodland commonly assumed. Moreover, woodland became more closed, rather than less, after hominins became more fully bipedal.
Managing the transition to bricks and clicks

Egghead, a brick-and-mortar computer retailer, with stores across 200 locations, abandoned its brick establishments to become a pure Internet set-up, Egghead.com.Charles Schwab was quick to react to the strategies of E*Trade and other competitors and moved its brokerage services to the Web. It gradually expanded its Web services to many areas, integrated its offline and online operations and became a brick-and-click set-up.Through effective use of the Internet, UPS has been able to offer all of its services on the Web, as well as extend them. Apart from offering Web-based package tracking and delivery confirmation services, UPS offers document exchange service through which its business clients can transmit documents over the Net.
Murine leukemia inhibitory factor gene disruption attenuates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response.

Recently, we have shown that human fetal pituitary, mouse corticotroph AtT20 cells, and murine hypothalamus and pituitary express leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). LIF knockout mice (LIFKO), heterozygous and wild type (wt), of B6D2F1 genetic background were used to examine whether LIF may play a role in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in vivo. Resting levels of plasma ACTH and corticosterone were similar in all three genotypes. However, LIFKO mice did not respond to 30-min restraint and 45-min immobilization stress with increased plasma ACTH. Increased circulating ACTH was only observed in LIFKO mice after very short immobilization stress (15 min), but this ACTH level was lower than in wt animals (P < 0.05). Injection of mycobacterial adjuvant resulted in a 2-fold increase of corticosterone levels 7 days after treatment in wt, but not LIFKO, mice (P < 0.05). Pituitary POMC messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were very low in LIFKO animals. Although 15 and 45 min of immobilization stress r...
The effects of summated stimuli with retarded children.

Abstract This study was designed to test the stimulus summation hypothesis which states that if two conditioned stimuli each of which controls a certain degree of response strength, are presented in combination, their response strengths summate and the strength of the response controlled by the compound stimulus is greater than that of the strength of the responses controlled by the individual stimuli. Twelve moderately retarded S s were given discrimination training under three different stimuli, two correlated with reinforcement and one with extinction. Stimuli were combined in all possible combinations of two during testing which was conducted under extinction and reinforcement conditions. The results supported the summation hypothesis.
Two classes of estrogen receptors which differ in their activation mechanisms.

Summary Studies on the mechanism of activation of estrogen receptor (ER) have led us to identify two classes of receptors. Effect of molybdate on the activation of ER was determined by their affinity for nuclei or DNA-cellulose. Molybdate caused inhibition of nuclear binding with rat uterine ER, but an increase in the binding was observed with rabbit uterine ER. Similar results were observed when DNA-cellulose was used instead of nuclei. To further test the diversity in ER activation, DNA-cellulose binding of ER from 10 primary breast cancer tissues was determined in the presence or absence of molybdate. ER from 8 tissues showed inhibition of binding, one showed an increase, and one was not affected by molybdate. These results indicate the presence of two classes of ER, one whose activation is inhibited by molybdate and another whose activation is either unaffected or stimulated by molybdate. Other differences between rat and rabbit uterine ER are also discussed.
Modulation of Cell Surface Expression of Nonactivated Cholecystokinin Receptors Using Bivalent Ligand-Induced Internalization

CCK(2) receptor antagonists potentiate pain relief by MOP receptor agonists. In an attempt to enhance this effect, we prepared bivalent ligands incorporating CCK(2) receptor antagonist and MOP receptor agonist pharmacophores. (9) Ligands with 16- to 22-atom spacers could simultaneously bind both receptors but provided no advantage in activity over individual ligands. We now examine the effect of these ligands on receptor internalization as a mechanism of receptor regulation. We prepared CHO cell lines expressing nonfluorescent halves (YN and YC) of yellow fluorescent protein attached to each receptor. Spatial approximation of constructs was needed to yield fluorescence. Monovalent MOP agonist 1 signaled normally and internalized the MOP receptor. Monovalent CCK(2) antagonist 2 did not stimulate receptor internalization. In the dual receptor-bearing cells, bivalent ligands 3a-c capable of simultaneously binding both receptors resulted in cell surface fluorescence and internalization of the fluorescent complex in a time- and temperature-dependent manner. Bivalent ligand 4 with spacer too short to occupy both receptors simultaneously yielded no signal. Receptor tethering with appropriate bivalent ligands can down-regulate signaling by moving a nonactivated receptor into the endocytic pathway.
Monthly sequence of sea-surface temperature on the New York-San Juan steamship route

Since April, 1926, the steamship Coamo of the Puerto Rico Line, New York to San Juan, has carried for the United States Weather Bureau a Negretti and Zambra sea-water thermograph, recording surface-temperatures at the depth of the ship's sea-water intake. With but few interruptions it has produced a continuous record of surface-temperature for each of its weekly passages, providing a fairly complete picture of the march of temperature in the ocean-surface along its route. The Coamo thermograms have been studied and charted at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and at Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory of Harvard University under the direction of Charles F. Brooks. By means of the charted temperatures of this and other steamship lines, the area from New York to San Juan has been divided into six regions of different characteristics and varying size (Fig.1). These are the same as the regions discussed by Church a year ago (Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, 13th annual meeting, 244–249, 1932) except that (l) his very narrow “Upwelllng-Zone” just north of the “Cold Wall” and his adjoining “Cool-Water” region have been combined into a “Slope-Water” division, (2) his “Warm Area” has been renamed “Central-Atlantic Water,” and (3), beyond the limit of his study,-another zone, “Antilles Water,” has been added.