cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary ecology along invasion fronts of the annual grass Aegilops triuncialis

Over the last two decades, Aegilops triuncialis (barbed goatgrass) has rapidly spread into many annual grassland and serpentine soil sites within California, USA. The capacity of this species to invade edaphically stressful serpentine soil is especially unusual. It is unclear whether genetic differentiation, phenotypic plasticity, or both have allowed A. triuncialis to invade competitive (i.e. high productivity non-serpentine annual grassland) and edaphically stressful (i.e. low productivity serpentine) environments. We used a reciprocal transplant field experiment to examine the effects of plasticity and genetic variation on A. triuncialis phenology and demography along invasion fronts associated with interspecific competition and edaphic gradients. We reciprocally transplanted seeds collected behind invasion fronts (core subpopulations) and along invasion fronts (edge subpopulations). For both gradient types we measured higher reproduction and population growth at invasion front edges. This was true for both edge and core subpopulation seed sources, suggesting that phenotypic plasticity may facilitate invasive spread. Consistent planting site effects indicated that phenotypic plasticity is a primary contributor to A. triuncialis demographic responses along interspecific competition gradients. In contrast, significant seed source effects suggest genetic differentiation along invasion fronts in serpentine edaphic gradients. Although persistent maternal environmental effects cannot be ruled out entirely, seed source effects suggest genetic differences between serpentine subpopulations located behind and beyond the invasion fronts for plant survival, plant size, total seed production, and individual seed size. Rapid expansion of A. triuncialis in California may reflect an evolutionary capacity in this species for both phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation.
Long-term effects of dexamethasone and nerve growth factor on adrenal medullary cells cultured from young adult rats

Normal postnatal rat chromaffin cells and rat pheochromocytoma cells are known to show extensive Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)-induced process outgrowth in culture, and this outgrowth from the postnatal chromaffin cells is abolished by the corticosteroid dexamethasone. To determine whether adult rat chromaffin cells respond to NGF and dexamethasone, dissociated adrenal medullary cells from 3-month-old rats were cultured for 30 days in the presence or absence of these agents. Such cultures contained typical chromaffin cells, chromaffin cells with processes, and neurons. Fewer than 2 % of normal adult chromaffin cells formed processes under any of the conditions studied, and statistically significant changes in this proportion were not detectable in the presence of NGF or dexamethasone. Adrenal medullary neurons, however, were observed only in the presence of NGF, in cultures with or without dexamethasone, and thus appear to be previously unreported NGF targets which require NGF for survival or process outgrowth. Dexamethasone markedly increased total catecholamine content, total content of epinephrine, and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in cultures with or without NGF. In contrast, postnatal rat chromaffin and rat pheochromocytoma cells which have been studied in culture do not produce epinephrine under any of these conditions. It is concluded that rat adrenal chromaffin cells undergo age-related changes in both structural and functional plasticity. The in vitro characteristics of rat pheochromocytoma cells more closely resemble those of postnatal than of adult rat chromaffin cells, but may not entirely reflect the properties of the majority of chromaffin cells in either age group.
Topical Review: Brain Abscess in Children: Microbiology and Management:

Brain abscess is a serious, life-threatening infection. The infection can originate from contiguous sites of existing infections, such as chronic otitis media, dental infection, mastoiditis, or sinusitis, where anaerobic bacteria predominate. The infection can also occur in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease, in whom the predominant organisms are viridans, microaerophilic, or anaerobic streptococci, or after head trauma, in which case Staphylococcus aureus, viridans cocci, and Streptococcus pneumoniae are the most prevalent isolates. Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, yeast, fungi, and mycobacteria are prevalent in the immunocompromised. Radioisotope brain scans, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are important tools that enable accurate diagnosis of the infection. Proper selection of antimicrobial with good intracranial penetration is essential in the management of intracranial infection. Delay in surgical drainage can be associated with high mortality or morbidity....
Role for the Paramyxovirus Genomic Promoter in Limiting Host Cell Antiviral Responses and Cell Killing

The parainfluenza virus simian virus 5 (SV5) is a poor inducer of innate immune responses. In contrast, the naturally occurring SV5 variant Wake Forest parainfluenza virus (WF-PIV) activates the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and beta interferon (IFN-β). Comparison of SV5 and WF-PIV genome sequences revealed nine nucleotide differences within the viral genomic promoter, including two substitutions (U5C and A14G) in the most highly conserved 3′-end promoter element. To test the consequences of these promoter variations, a recombinant SV5 mutant [Le-(U5C, A14G)] was engineered to harbor the two WF-PIV genomic promoter substitutions in an otherwise wild-type (WT) SV5 background. Human lung epithelial cells infected with the Le-(U5C, A14G) mutant had higher rates of viral protein synthesis and levels of mRNA than cells infected with WT SV5, but levels of genomic RNA were not changed. Unlike WT SV5, the Le-(U5C, A14G) mutant was a potent inducer of interleukin-6 and IFN-β synthesis, despite expressing a functional V protein antagonist. Cytokine responses to Le-(U5C, A14G) infection were reduced either by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) or after infection of cells that were engineered to express the reovirus sigma3 double-stranded RNA-binding protein. Le-(U5C, A14G) induced cytopathic effects not seen with WT SV5, and the extent of cell killing correlated with elevated levels of viral F protein and cell-cell fusion. Our results support a model whereby the SV5 promoter has evolved to function at an attenuated level in order to limit (i) synthesis of aberrant RNAs which induce RIG-I-mediated responses and (ii) overproduction of mRNA for potentially toxic gene products, such as the F protein. Control of genomic promoter activity may be particularly important for viruses such as SV5, that express a V protein targeting mda-5 but do not encode antagonists such as the paramyxovirus C proteins, that specifically target RIG-I.
Concerning high-spin negative parity states in 20Ne

Abstract Unambiguous spin and parity assignment have been made from angular correlation measurements to states in 20 Ne at 15.18 MeV (6 + ) and 17.40 MeV (9 − ). Our results are in disagreement with an earlier 9 − assignment to the 15.18 MeV state. The 17.40 MeV state is assigned to the K = 2 − rotational band based on the 2 − state at 4.97 meV.
Topologically Weakly Mixing Homeomorphisms of the Klein bottle that are Uniformly Rigid

Abstract In this paper we prove that there is a large family of topologically weakly mixing homeomorphisms of the Klein bottle that are uniformly rigid. We do this by viewing the Klein bottle as the quotient of the two-torus by an appropriate group action and producing topologically weakly mixing homeomorphisms of the two-torus that are uniformly rigid and equivariant with respect to the action.
Still a Man's Game: Gender Representation in Online Reviews of Video Games

Despite the rising popularity of video games, the majority of the medium's audience continues to be male. One reason may be that character representations in video games are geared toward male players. This content analysis used video game reviews from a heavily trafficked Internet site to investigate the prevalence and portrayal of male and female video game characters. Consistent with the findings of previous studies, female characters were found to be underrepresented and proportionally more often sexualized in comparison to their male counterparts. In addition to these findings, the study's innovative method-the use of online video game reviews as an indirect measure of video game content-shows promise as a tool for future content analyses of video games.
Origin of differentiated meteorites

The larger asteroids with low inclination in the inner portion of the asteroid belt are evaluated as sources of differentiated meteorites (irons, stony irons and achondrites). It is found that the calculated earth impact rate is in agreement with the observed flux of these bodies. The frequent occurrence of elapsed times before impact of 0-1000 m.y. is in agreement with the observed typical exposure ages of iron meteorites, and the observed occurrence of some very young (less than 100 m.y.) exposure ages. The absence of many greater than 1000 m.y. iron meteorite exposure ages and greater than 50 m.y. achondrite exposure ages must be attributed to collisional destruction as the calculations predict a significant number of these older ages. Chemical and isotopic data on these bodies suggest a relationship to the earth and moon, and it may be that they represent residual material from earth's accretional zone.
Impact of Online Professional Development on Teacher Quality and Student Achievement in Fifth Grade Mathematics

AbstractDespite the ever-increasing number of online professional development (OPD) programs, relatively few studies have been conducted to examine the efficacy of such programs for teachers and students. This manuscript presents findings from an impact study of OPD courses infractions, algebraic thinking, and measurement on 79 fifth grade teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge and pedagogical practices as well as their students’ mathematics achievement. The OPD courses were offered one course per semester for three semesters, and each course comprised 1 week of orientation and 6 weeks of course content. Overall, teachers participated in more than approximately 70 hours of OPD. The research findings showed that teachers who had been randomly assigned to the experimental group had significantly greater gains in scores for pedagogical content knowledge and pedagogical practices than teachers in the control group. Nevertheless, the positive changes in teacher outcomes did not translate to any meaningful dif...
Interview with Dr. Maurizio C. Capogrossi regarding Pivotal Advance: High-mobility group box 1 protein—a cytokine with a role in cardiac repair

Advance: High-mobility group box 1 protein—a cytokine with a role in cardiac repair Helene F. Rosenberg* and Joost J. Oppenheim *Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and Laboratory of Molecular Immunoregulation, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
Specificity of Interaction Between the First Enzyme for Histidine Biosynthesis and Aminoacylated Histidine Transfer Ribonucleic Acid

The specificity of the interaction between phosphoribosyltransferase and partially purified preparations of various species of transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) was investigated with the use of a filter binding assay. The enzyme showed a higher affinity for histidyl-tRNA than for arginyl- or glutamyl-tRNA. Competition experiments revealed that the enzyme does not distinguish between the aminoacylated and deacylated forms of arginine tRNA or glutamic acid tRNA, since all the binding of the aminoacylated tRNA could be inhibited by deacylated tRNA. The enzyme does, however, distinguish between the aminoacylated and deacylated forms of histidine tRNA. Approximately 70% of the binding of aminoacylated histidine tRNA is specific, since only 30% of the binding could be inhibited by deacylated tRNA. The possibility that the regulatory role of phosphoribosyltransferase is carried out as a complex with histidyl-tRNA is consistent with these data.
Prevalence of Salmonella in Raw Meat used in Diets of Racing Greyhounds

One hundred twelve samples of commercial raw meat used in greyhound diets were collected and cultured for Salmonella using standard procedures. Fifty (44.64%) of these samples were positive for Salmonella. Salmonella typhimurium was the most frequently isolated serovar (48%), followed by S. newport (12.76%), S. agona (8.51%), and S. muenster (6.38%). The remaining 10 serovars recovered in this study represented 27.59% of the total Salmonella isolates. In addition, the meat samples were screened for Salmonella using a commercial DNA probe. Of the 106 samples tested, 70 (66.03%) were positive for Salmonella, which indicated that the DNA probe assay was more sensitive than the culture method for screening of Salmonella in raw meat. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that most of the Salmonella isolates were sensitive to a variety of antimicrobials, particularly amikacin and apramycin, and resistant to some others, such as clindamycin, eryth- romycin, penicillin, and sulfadimethoxine. The cumulative percentages of susceptibility (MIC,, and MIC,,) of the Salmonella isolates were also determined. Most isolates were susceptible (MIC,,) to low concentrations of gentamicin (2.0 &ml), imipenem (≤0.25 µg/ml), and ciprofloxacin (≤0.5 µg/ml). Marked resistance was found with the other antimicrobial agents. However, the high MIC values found for these isolates would not be achievable in vivo with the normal recommended doses of antimicrobial agents, so their use would not be beneficial. Numerous plasmid patterns were found in 17 randomly selected Salmonella isolates. Eight of the 17 isolates had 2-7 plasmids ranging from 2.4 to 15 kilobases in size. Eight isolates also exhibited large plasmids in the range of 50-60 and 95-105 kilobases. Large plasmids migrated above the chromosal DNA. Six isolates did not demonstrate any visible plasmids.
Getting away with murder: the twentieth-century struggle for civil rights in the U.S. Senate

The quest for civil rights related to racial equality and justice, especially for Blacks in the USA, has been an arduous battle in terms of both everyday social life and the legal-political sphere....
Tumor Necrosis Factor Binding Protein Improves Incisional Wound Healing in Sepsis

Background.Sepsis is associated with poor wound healing; however, the exact role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as a mediator of sepsis-induced alterations in different types of tissue repair is unknown. This study examines the effects of a specific TNF antagonist (TNFbp) on the healing of intestinal anastomoses, incisional wounds, and polyvinyl (PVA) sponge implants in chronic abdominal sepsis. Methods.Three groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats were studied: control, sepsis, and sepsis + TNFbp. Jejunal resection and anastomosis were performed through a 4-cm upper midline incision on day 1. On day 3, sepsis was induced by creation of a chronic abdominal abscess. Saline (0.1 ml) or TNFbp (1.0 mg/kg, 0.1 ml) was injected subcutaneously every day starting 4 h prior to sepsis. On day 7, the wound-breaking strength (WBS) of the skin incision and intestinal anastomoses was determined using a tensiometer. Wound histology and collagen deposition were evaluated by comparison of Sirius red-stained sections. The hydroxyproline content of PVA sponges was used to quantitate collagen content under the different experimental conditions. Results.Septic mortality (20% vs 26%) was not significantly altered by TNFbp. Septic animals demonstrated a reduction in food consumption on days 3 to 5 that was not affected by TNFbp administration. Neither sepsis nor TNFbp altered the breaking strength or histologic appearance of intestinal anastomoses. However, the breaking strength of incisional wounds was decreased by 40% in septic rats (P< 0.001 vs controls). Administration of TNFbp to septic rats significantly improved incisional WBS (P< 0.01 vs sepsis), but not to control levels. Serius red staining of incisional wounds and PVA sponges demonstrated a decrease in collagen organization and deposition in septic rats that was ameliorated by TNFbp. Similarly, the reduction in hydroxyproline content of PVA sponges from septic animals was prevented by TNFbp. Conclusions.The process of tissue repair in intestine and skin wounds appears to be significantly different following the septic insult. The healing of jejunal anastomoses was refractory to the catabolic effects of sepsis. In contrast, collagen deposition and organization are significantly decreased in cutaneous wounds during chronic sepsis. TNFbp significantly ameliorated the inhibitory effects of sepsis on cutaneous wound healing. These results suggest that TNF is an important mediator of the decrease in collagen deposition observed in cutaneous wounds during the septic state.
Dating, Drinking, and Rape: Effects of Victim's and Assailant's Alcohol Consumption on Judgments of Their Behavior and Traits

Effects of an acquaintance rape victim's and her assailant's alcohol consumption on judgments of their behavior and traits were examined in a 2 × 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial experiment. Sixty-eight women and 64 men, 21 or older, read one of four stories in which only the victim, only the assailant, both victim and assailant, or neither victim nor assailant consumed alcohol. One individual difference trait, rape attitudes, was also measured. The interaction of victim and assailant drinking diminished the view that a rape had occurred and that the victim responded negatively, whereas it enhanced judgments of the assailant's likability and sexuality. The portrayal of only the victim drinking resulted in a more negative view of the assailant's behavior and traits. Evaluations of the victim depended on the assailant's drinking behavior rather than on her own. Implications for treatment of rape victims and establishing assailant accountability are discussed.
Let's mine asteroids — for science and profit

The commercial dream of trawling space for valuable minerals could bring enormous benefits to a wide range of sciences, argues Martin Elvis.
Effects of Chromium Picolinate Supplementation on Insulin Sensitivity, Serum Lipids, and Body Composition in Healthy, Nonobese, Older Men and Women

Background Chromium is an essential nutrient required for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Chromium supplementation in humans has been reported to improve glucose metabolism and improve serum lipid parameters and to reduce body fat; parameters that worsen with aging. As a result, chromium picolinate has been widely promoted as a health aid for the general population. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, and body composition in nonobese, healthy men and women of advanced age. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 19 subjects (9 men and 10 women), aged 63-77, were given either chromium picolinate, 1,000 microg/d, or a placebo for 8 weeks. Serum lipids were measured at baseline and 8 weeks. Insulin sensitivity and body composition were measured with the minimal-model intravenous glucose tolerance test and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, respectively, at baseline and after 8 weeks of chromium or placebo supplementation. Results No significant change in serum lipids, insulin sensitivity, or body composition was observed in the chromium group compared with the placebo group. Conclusions Chromium picolinate supplementation alone does not appear to improve insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, or change body composition in nonobese, healthy men and women of advanced age.
On-chip cell culture biosensing with microfluidic feedback control

We present work towards expanding the capabilities of microfluidic cell culture devices through the incorporation of microelectronic sensing systems. A system has been fabricated that includes four sensing regions each consisting of a pH sensor, capacitance sensor, and photodiode. We have demonstrated the incorporation of feedback control systems using computer controlled microfluidics for a pH sensor. Preliminary data for photodiode characterization, pH detection using ISFETs, and capacitance sensing of cell density is presented. Results from this work will be used towards creating a single system that can function as a cell culture platform with programmable control over all of these variables.
Mutations in the glycine receptor α1 subunit (GLRA1) gene in hereditary hyperekplexia pedigrees: evidence for non-penetrance of mutation Y279C

Editor—Hereditary hyperekplexia, or familial startle disease (OMIM 149400), is a rare neurological disease that is characterised by marked muscular hypotonia in affected infants and an exaggerated response or “startle” reflex to an unexpected stimulus. Positional candidate analysis has successfully identified the gene coding for the α1 subunit of the inhibitory glycine receptor ( GLRA1 ) on chromosome 5q33-35 as the disease gene.1 The glycine receptor (GlyR) is a ligand gated chloride channel which mediates synaptic inhibition in the spinal cord and other brain regions.2 The majority of inherited mutations have been found in exons 6 and 7 of the GLRA1 gene, which code for the first and second transmembrane (TM) domains of the receptor. At present, six missense mutations, P250T,3 Q266H,4R271L,1 6 R271Q,1 6 K276E,5and Y279C,6 are inherited in a dominant manner. Two mutations, I244N7 and a deletion of exon 1 to 6 of the GLRA1 gene,8 can also result in a recessive phenotype, as detected in affected offspring of consanguineous parents. Finally, there are compound mutations (R252H and R392H) which, when inherited from the two parental alleles, give rise to hyperekplexia.9 In this report, we analysed the GLRA1 gene as the candidate for the disease locus in two families with hereditary hyperekplexia. The first pedigree (Fam-1) contains 20 members over three generations with 10 affected subjects (fig 1A). The female proband (III.13) from family 1 was prone to fall in …
A range‐wide genetic bottleneck overwhelms contemporary landscape factors and local abundance in shaping genetic patterns of an alpine butterfly (Lepidoptera: Pieridae: Colias behrii)

Spatial and environmental heterogeneity are major factors in structuring species distributions in alpine landscapes. These landscapes have also been affected by glacial advances and retreats, causing alpine taxa to undergo range shifts and demographic changes. These nonequilibrium population dynamics have the potential to obscure the effects of environmental factors on the distribution of genetic variation. Here, we investigate how demographic change and environmental factors influence genetic variation in the alpine butterfly Colias behrii. Data from 14 microsatellite loci provide evidence of bottlenecks in all population samples. We test several alternative models of demography using approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), with the results favouring a model in which a recent bottleneck precedes rapid population growth. Applying independent calibrations to microsatellite loci and a nuclear gene, we estimate that this bottleneck affected both northern and southern populations 531-281 years ago, coinciding with a period of global cooling. Using regression approaches, we attempt to separate the effects of population structure, geographical distance and landscape on patterns of population genetic differentiation. Only 40% of the variation in F(ST) is explained by these models, with geographical distance and least-cost distance among meadow patches selected as the best predictors. Various measures of genetic diversity within populations are also decoupled from estimates of local abundance and habitat patch characteristics. Our results demonstrate that demographic change can have a disproportionate influence on genetic diversity in alpine species, contrasting with other studies that suggest landscape features control contemporary demographic processes in high-elevation environments.
Trust framework for P2P networks using peer-profile based anomaly technique

Popularity of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks exposed a number of security vulnerabilities including the problem of finding reliable communication partners. In this paper, we present an integrated trust framework for P2P networks that quantifies the trustworthiness of a peer using reputation-based trust mechanism and anomaly detection technique. We describe anomaly detection procedure that analyzes peer activity on the network and flags potentially malicious behavior by detecting deviation from peer profile. We study the performance of our trust framework using simulation and compare it with the existing reputation-based system which does not employ an anomaly detection mechanism.
Examining the festival attributes that impact visitor experience, satisfaction and re-visit intention:

The purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of a downtown festival’s attributes (programs, amenities and entertainment quality) on visitors’ overall experience, their levels of satisfaction and intentions to return. A theoretical model depicting the relationships among festival attributes, experience quality, overall satisfaction and revisit intention was examined using path analysis. The fi nal model suggests entertainment quality of the festival had the strongest impact on visitors’ overall experience at the festival, their satisfaction and intentions to return. All three festival attribute categories studied had direct impacts on visitors’ overall experience, but only entertainment quality directly contributed to visitor satisfaction and re-visit intention. Implications and limitations of the study were also discussed.
Metal-binding chimeric antibodies expressed in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Metallothionein, a well-characterized biological chelator of metals, has been genetically fused to the binding domain of an antibody and expressed in the periplasm of Escherichia coli. Specific delivery of 109Cd to immobilized hapten or to haptenated cells was demonstrated directly in periplasmic extracts. This approach is potentially useful for targeted radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging. We find six to seven atoms of metal per active antigen-combining site. Absence of the Fc portion of the immunoglobulin along with low immunogenicity of metallothionein-metal complexes should reduce immunologic reactions.
Complementary solutions to the binding problem in vision: Implications for shape perception and object recognition

Behavioural, neural, and computational considerations suggest that the visual system may use (at least) two approaches to binding an object's features and/or parts into a coherent representation of shape: Dynamically bound (e.g., by synchrony of firing) representations of part attributes and spatial relations form a structural description of an object's shape, while units representing shape attributes at specific locations (i.e., a static binding of attributes to locations) form an analogue (image-like) representation of that shape. I will present a computational model of object recognition based on this proposal and empirical tests of the model. The model accounts for a large body of findings in human object recognition, and makes several novel and counter intuitive predictions. In brief, it predicts that visual priming for attended objects will be invariant with translation, scale, and left-right reflection, whereas priming for unattended objects will be invariant with translation and scale, but sensiti...
Education and training in physical activity research and practice

article i nfo Available online 7 July 2009 Despite rapid growth in resources devoted to physical activity promotion, the public health capacity to address physical inactivity is insufficient. Too few public health practitioners have the necessary skills to implement and evaluate evidence-based physical activity interventions, and schools of public health typically do not have adequate course content in physical activity. This commentary discusses the types of initiatives needed to improve the education and training of physical activity practitioners and researchers to effectively address one of the 21st century's greatest health problems—an inactive lifestyle.
A journey to the end of the message

As do many good things, my interest in how mRNA 3′ ends are made came about serendipitously. Ever since I was an undergrad here at Columbia in the early 1970s, I had been interested in figuring out how RNA polymerase (RNAP) begins transcription. This fascination began while I worked in the lab of the late Geoffrey Zubay, who had just developed the “Zubay system,” which for the first time allowed accurate transcription, and then translation, of exogenous DNA (a lacZ gene carried in a transducing λ phage; this was in the days before recombinant DNA) in an extract of Escherichia coli. I continued studies on translation using the Zubay system as a graduate student with Ray Gesteland at Cold Spring Harbor (this involved a detour into something called “protein splicing,” but that's another story…). However, I remained fascinated with how RNAP initiates transcription, especially in mammalian cells. This was at the time a challenging problem, and it was even thought in some circles that RNAP II might initiate transcription randomly, with mature mRNAs made entirely by RNA processing.
Mechanical properties of open-cell rhombic dodecahedron cellular structures

A series of analytical relationships is presented to predict the mechanical properties and response of open three-dimensional Voronoi tessellation of face-centered cubic structures called rhombic dodecahedrons. The cell edge material was assumed to be elastic–perfectly plastic, and the effective mechanical properties of the cellular structure were related to the cell edge material properties and the relative density of the cellular structure. Detailed finite element models were carried out to establish the validity of the analytical models. In the elastic regime, the monodisperse cellular structure is orthotropic and near-incompressible in all loading directions, and its response is governed by bending deformation of the cell edges. The yield strength of the cellular structure in all loading directions is equal. We also studied the role of irregularity in the organization of the cellular structure on its mechanical properties. The irregularity in the cellular structure organization was introduced by moving the vertices of a regular cellular structure in three orthogonal directions by a random value within a predefined range called the “irregularity index”. At a constant overall relative density, increasing the level of irregularity increases the effective elastic modulus and significantly decreases the effective yield strength of the cellular structure. We also studied the mechanical properties of the cellular structure tied to rigid plates, in view of the application of cellular structure as the core construction of sandwich panels. In this case, the cellular structure is significantly stiffer and its mechanical response is dominated by cell wall stretching.
'A lockdown facility…with the feel of a small, private college': Liberal politics, jail expansion, and the carceral habitus

While scholarship has identified neoliberalism, punitive and racialized public policy, and a supportive culture of punishment as giving rise to mass incarceration in the United States, little work has examined how communities come to participate in the production of the carceral state. Using an ethnographic case study of a proposed ‘justice campus’, a carceral expansion project in a politically progressive Midwestern city, this article illuminates the capacity of mass incarceration to structure individual and community dispositions and, in doing so, to imbue even oppositional politics. At the same time, communities may adopt, reformulate, and rearticulate the symbolic work and material manifestations of mass incarceration in order to fit specific political-cultural contexts. As such, this article argues that mass incarceration is both more forceful and more subject to diverse and context-specific formulations than has been previously argued. The corporal and discursive inscription of carcerality into indi...
Continuous unfolding of polyhedra - a motion planning approach

Cut along the surface of a polyhedron and unfold it to a planar structure without overlapping is known as Unfolding Polyhedra problem which has been extensively studied in the mathematics literature for centuries. However, whether there exists a continuous unfolding motion such that the polyhedron can be continuously transformed to its unfolding has not been well studied. Recently, researchers started to recognize continuous unfolding as a key step in designing and implementation of self-folding robots. In this paper, we model the unfolding of a polyhedron as multi-link tree-structure articulated robot, and address this problem using motion planning techniques. Instead of sampling in continuous domain which traditional motion planners do, we propose to sample only in the discrete domain. Our experimental results show that sampling in discrete domain is efficient and effective for finding feasible unfolding paths.
Efficient red light photo-uncaging of active molecules in water upon assembly into nanoparticles

We introduce a means of efficiently photo-uncaging active compounds from amino-1,4-benzoquinone in aqueous environments. Aqueous photochemistry of this photocage with one-photon red light is typically not efficient unless the photocaged molecules are allowed to assemble into nanoparticles. A variety of biologically active molecules were functionalized with the photocage and subsequently formulated into water-dispersible nanoparticles. Red light irradiation through various mammalian tissues achieved efficient photo-uncaging. Co-encapsulation of NIR fluorescent dyes and subsequent photomodulation provides a NIR fluorescent tool to assess both particle location and successful photorelease.
[The nutritional status among children under 60 months year-old after one year of the Earthquake in Wenchuan].

Objective To evaluate the effects of Wenchuan Earthquake on the nutritional status,growth, and the prevalence nutritional anemia, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and vitamin D deficiency among children under 60 months old living in the disaster areas. Methods A nutritional survey was conducted in April 2009. The survey recruited 466 under 60 months old children,including 162 children aged 0 months old and 304 children aged 24 -59 months old. The children's growth status, prevalence of anemia, and the iron deficiency prevalence, vitamin A, D, B12, folic acid status were measured. The study findings were compared to the results from 2002 Chinese Nutritional and Health Survey. Results The exclusive breast milk feeding rate among infants under 6 - months was 58. 8% ( 30/51 ). Among the 0 - 23 months old children, only 10. 7% (16/150) got breast feeding within one hour after delivery. Ninety-two per cent (149/162) 0 -23 months old children never received any nutrient supplements. The average cereals and roots intakes of the 24 -59 months old children living in the disaster area were (267.2 ± 154. 3) g/d,higher than the result of rural children average( 178. 75 g/d) of 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey( u = 9. 995 ,P ＜ 0. 01 ).The average intakes of vegetables,aquatic products,meat and poultries were (63. 6 ±56. 7), (2. 6 ±7. 9),( 19.4 ± 24. 0) g/d, respectively, significantly lower than 2002 results 135.05,8. 82 and 32. 23 g/d ( u =21.971,13. 728 and 9. 321, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Fruits, dairy products and legumes intakes were ( 102. 2 ± 110. 8 ),(65.2 ± 123. 8)and (20. 5 ±29. 0) g/d,respectively,higher than 2002 results (32. 81,2. 87 and 6. 50 g/d;u = 10. 919,8. 778 and 8. 417, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency was 15.4% ( 29/188 ) and 30. 3% ( 57/188 ), respectively. The sum of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 92. 0% (183/199). The prevalence of anemia of the 0 - months old children and 24 -59 months old children was 47.5% (77/162) and 21.5% (60/279) ,respectively. The prevalence of iron and zinc deficiencies was 45.7% ( 86/188 ) and 65.5% ( 127/197 ). The prevalence of stunt was 13.6% (38/279) among the 24 - 59 months old children. Conclusion The results indicated that the dietary structure of the children living in the disaster area was not ideal. Although, the intakes of energy and protein supporting foods could meet the requirements, but the dietary lacks of meats, poultries, dairy products,legume products, aquatic products and vegetables. The vitamin A, vitamin D deficiency, iron and zinc deficiencies are of a high prevalence in the disaster area. Key words: Natural disasters; Children; Nutritional status; Nutrition survey
The Use of Aphids in The Search for the Hormonal Factors Controlling flowering

The chemical basis for the hormonal control of flowering has been the subject of numerous investigations in which a wide variety of extraction procedures has been used in efforts to isolate a chemical substance (or substances) that could induce flowering in test plants kept under non-photoinductive conditions (Bonner and Bonner, 1948; Hamner and Bonner, 1938; Lincoln et al., 1964). However, except for a recent encouraging report (Hodson and Hamner, 1970) these studies have generally met with little or no success. Consequently, a different approach has been employed in the present study.
Multiplexed LC-MS/MS Assay for Urine Albumin

Urinary excretion of albumin is a major diagnostic and prognostic marker of renal dysfunction and cardiovascular disease; therefore, accurate measurement of urine albumin is vital to clinical diagnosis. Although intermethod differences and analyte heterogeneity have been reported for urine albumin measurements, accuracy assessments of the available methods have been hindered by the lack of a reference system, including reference measurement procedures and reference materials, for this clinical analyte. To address the need for a reference measurement system for urine albumin, we have developed a candidate reference measurement procedure that utilizes isotope dilution–mass spectrometry (ID–MS) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) to quantify full-length urine albumin in a targeted mass spectrometric-based approach. The reference measurement procedure incorporates an isotopically labeled (15N) full-length recombinant human serum albumin (15N-rHSA) material as the internal standard, which permits the absolu...
Phthalates and Vitamin K.

SummaryWhen tested by oral administration to baby chicks, no vitamin K activity was observed for dipropyl, di-isopropyl, or dibutyl phthalate at a level of 10 mg per chick, or for diethyl phthalate in doses as high as 100 mg per chick. These results differ from those reported in some rat experiments, in which diethyl phthalate was considered active. When tested by a single dose method in depleted chicks, diethyl phthalate did not show anti-vitamin K activity.
Stylistic communication and the second opinion

One's style of communicating is vitally important to both the message being sent as well as to the message being received. We have often heard that how something is said is far more important than what actually was said. With this in mind, this piece deals with the essence of stylistic communication and this type of communication in proffering a second opinion. There are many reasons that people seek second opinions just as there are many reasons why doctors offer them. These reasons will be discussed in detail. This article will go into a detailed protocol for how to offer a second opinion. There are 3 types of second opinions that will be discussed. The first is the pre-treatment consultation. The second is the mid-treatment second opinion. The final one is the second opinion offered when one is acting as an expert witness. The offering of a second opinion is an art that needs to be studied and when expressed is truly a communications masterpiece.
Increased Excitability and Inward Rectification in Layer V Cortical Pyramidal Neurons in the Epileptic Mutant Mouse Stargazer

Di Pasquale, Eric, Karl D. Keegan, and Jeffrey L. Noebels. Increased excitability and inward rectification in layer V cortical pyramidal neurons in the epileptic mutant mouse stargazer. J. Neurophy...
Chronic active hepatitis and Behçet's syndrome

In a patient with Behcet's syndrome the finding of five times the normal level of serum transaminase accompanied by weakness may be correlated to the syndrome itself. We performed needle biopsy of the liver in our patient which showed piecemeal necrosis and portal lympho-monocytic infiltration extending into the lobule. It is interesting that HLA B5 and B27 antigens were present. Simultaneous occurrence of chronic active hepatitis and Behcet's syndrome may imply the same autoimmune pathogenesis, as we suggest in this work.
Circulating levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptors are elevated in the sera of humans with spinal cord injury.

ABSTRACTA unique molecular regulatory mechanism or final common molecular pathway mediating the autonomic dysfunction and several pathobiologic sequelae of spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans has not been delineated. Although seemingly disparate in etiopathogenesis, much of the pathology caused by traumatic disruption of the spinal cord may be attributable to the pleiotropism demonstrated by a unique family of endogenous bioactive molecules, the interleukins. To begin testing this hypothesis, we examined the sera of patients with chronic SCI for elevations in interleukin 1β (IL -1β) and interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) and compared them to a control population of able-bodied subjects. In comparison to control subjects, a statistically significant increase in IL-2R was observed in patients with cervical spinal myelopathy. Elevated levels of IL-2R were not seen in paraplegic patients. Significant differences between the means and variances of serum IL -1β could not be detected among the study groups. We conclu...
C–O Bond Formation through Transition Metal-mediated Etherification

This chapter presents a summary of various etherification reactions that are effected by transition metal complexes. Representative examples from the literature published between 1993 and 2005 have been described to highlight their mechanisms and applications in organic synthesis.
Topographic Organization of Inner Hair Cell Synapses and Cochlear Spiral Ganglion Projections to the Ventral Cochlear Nucleus

In the mammalian cochlea, the somata of the primary afferent auditory neurons are arranged in an irregular spiral channel (Rosenthal’s canal) within the bone of the modiolus, and comprise the spiral ganglion. The spiral organization of the ganglion parallels that of the basilar membrane. Approximately 95% of the cells are myelinated type I ganglion cells which exclusively innervate the inner hair cells of the organ of Corti (Spoendlin,’ 71; Spoendlin,’ 83). Each inner hair cell receives up to 30 afferent terminals, with each terminal connecting via an unbranched radial nerve fiber to a single spiral ganglion cell (Spoendlin,’ 71; Spoendlin,’ 73; Kiang et al.,’ 82; Kiang et al.,’ 84; Liberman et al.,’ 90). The central axons of the bipolar type I spiral ganglion cells come together within the core of the modiolus to form the auditory nerve, which projects in a highly organized manner to each subdivision of the cochlear nuclear complex (Lorente de No,’ 81; Powell and Cowan,’ 62; Arnesen and Osen,’ 78). Within the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN), auditory nerve fibers from the base of the cochlea project dorsally, and progressively more apical cochlear sectors project more ventrally, thus providing the morphological basis for the tonotopic organization of the VCN which is well-known from electrophysiological recording experiments. That is, neurons in the dorsal part of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) respond best to high-frequency tonal stimuli, while those in progressively more ventral areas respond maximally to progressively lower frequencies (Rose et al.,’ 60; Bourk et al.,’ 81). A detailed map of the AVCN frequency organization was provided by Bourk et al.’ 81, and their data suggested that the AVCN is organized in “isofrequency laminae.” Each isofrequency lamina comprises a thin sheet that extends across the AVCN to its boundaries and presumably receives selective input from a spatially restricted cochlear sector. A number of morphological studies have supported this concept of a laminar organization of the VCN, demonstrating that auditory nerve fibers arising from restricted cochlear sectors project in laminae in the VCN in an orderly and sequential arrangement based on cochlear location (i.e., frequency), (Osen,’ 70; Webster,’ 71; Webster et al.,’ 78; Ryan et al.,’ 82; Nudo and Masterton,’ 84).
A Review of "Encyclopedia of Christian Education."

Throughout Christian history, teaching has been central to the work of churches and the Church universal. Encyclopedia of Christian Education (ECE) is a major work that has been several years in th...
A Historical Review of the Discourse of Fangyan in Modern China

This article reviews debates over the nature of fangyan (local language or dialect) vis-a-vis a unified national language and explores the discourse of the local in China's quest for modernity in the early twentieth century. It examines four major literary movements and intellectual debates: the romanized script reform and the national language movement that began in the late Qing period; the vernacular movement, including the folk song collection movement in the May Fourth era; the discussion on mass language and the Latinized New Writing movement in the 1930s; and the debate on “national forms” in the late 1930s and early 1940s during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This paper explores how Chinese intellectuals conceived the role of fangyan in the construction of national language, national literature, and the modern nation-state. It demonstrates that Chinese intellectuals’ primary concern in language debates and movements, for all their differences, lay in building a unified modern national language.
The Ethics of Studying Financial Incentives in Public Health Implementation: Study Design Challenges.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of education about vaccine benefits to financial incentives in increasing hepatitis B vaccine uptake and completion of three vaccine doses among African...
Classical Logic—Basic Tableaus

Several varieties of proof procedures have been developed for firstorder classical logic. Among them the semantic tableau procedure has a considerable attraction, [Smu68, Fit96] . It is intuitive, close to the intended semantics, and is automatable. For higher-order classical logic, semantic tableaus are not as often seen—most treatments in the literature are axiomatic. Among the notable exceptions are [ToI75, Smi93, Koh95, GilOl] . In fact, semantic tableaus retain much of their first-order ability to charm, and they are what I present here. Automatability becomes more problematic, however, for reasons that will become clear as we proceed. Consequently the presentation should be thought of as meant for human use, and intelligence in the construction of proofs is expected.
Taiwan (The Republic of China) 2000–2008

The election of the DPP proved a watershed in Taiwan’s political landscape. Given that the vocally Taiwanese opposition party had been elected to the presidency, the island’s entire political tone and tenor soon changed.