cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel serum free primary astrocyte culture method that mimic quiescent astrocyte phenotype.

Abstract Background Primary astrocyte cultures have been used for decades to study astrocyte functions in health and disease. The current primary astrocyte cultures are mostly maintained in serum-containing medium which produces astrocytes with a reactive phenotype as compared to in vivo quiescent astrocytes. The aim of this study was to establish a serum-free astrocyte culture medium that maintains primary astrocytes in a quiescent state. New method Serum free astrocyte base medium (ABM) supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) (ABM-FGF2-EGF) or serum supplemented DMEM (MD-10%FBS) was used to culture primary astrocytes isolated from cerebral cortex of postnatal day 1 C57BL/6 mice. Results Compared to astrocytes cultured in MD-10%FBS medium, astrocytes in ABM-FGF2-EGF had higher process bearing morphologies similar to in vivo astrocytes. Western blot, immunostaining, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and metabolic assays revealed that astrocytes maintained in ABM-FGF2-EGF had enhanced glycolytic metabolism, higher glycogen content, lower GFAP expression, increased glutamine synthase, and glutamate transporter-1 mRNA levels as compared to astrocytes cultured in MD-10% FBS medium. Comparison to existing methods These observations suggest that astrocytes cultured in ABM-FGF2-EGF media compared to the usual FBS media promote quiescent and biosynthetic phenotype similar to in vivo astrocytes. Conclusion This media provides a novel method for studying astrocytes functions in vitro under physiological and pathological conditions.
Complete Genome Sequence of Halorubrum ezzemoulense Strain Fb21

ABSTRACT Isolated from Aran-Bidgol Lake in Iran, and reported here, Halorubrum ezzemoulense strain Fb21 represents the first complete genome from this archaeal species. Local recombination in this genome is in stark contrast to equidistant recombination events in bacteria. The genome’s GC bias, however, points to a genome architecture and origin that resemble those of a bacterium. Its availability, genome signatures, and frequent intragenomic recombination mean that Fb21 presents an attractive model organism for this species.
Welcoming the Outsider: The Practices of Public Libraries Towards Immigrants

Studies of the actions of local public agencies towards immigrants show that bureaucratic agencies play an important role in the integration of immigrants into the community. Much of the research has focused on the actions of street-level bureaucracies such as local law enforcement agencies and schools in specific geographic areas. Other public agencies and organizations also provide services to immigrants. Public libraries have historically provided important information and services to immigrants and continue to do so. Results from a nationwide survey of public library systems show many libraries actively engage with immigrants in their community to provide critical services and have consciously and deliberately developed practices that are intended to develop positive relationships between the library and immigrants and to help immigrants integrate into the community.
The Bidirectional Spirituality Scale: Construction and Initial Evidence for Validity

This study presents the development and construction of the 16-item Bidirectional Spirituality Scale (BSS), which is based on the theory of vertical and horizontal spirituality. Vertical spirituality focuses on that involving one’s relationship with God, whereas horizontal spirituality is concerned with one’s relations with people and attunement to meaning and purpose. Using data from 239 USA participants, exploratory factor analysis has produced three factors: vertical spirituality (VS; 8 items); horizontal spirituality-others (HS-O; 4 items); and horizontal spirituality-existential (HS-E; 4 items). A partial confirmatory factor analysis has confirmed the three-factor model. For research purposes, HS-O and HS-E can be combined to produce an 8-item horizontal spirituality scale to complement the 8-item VS scale. Further analyses have found preliminary evidence for both convergent and discriminant validity. Because of its sound psychometric properties, the BSS appears to be a useful, brief instrument for discriminating both religious and non-religious spirituality.
A Study of the Diagnostic Accuracy of an Existing Multivariable Test to Predict Shoulder Dystocia.

Objectives To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a multivariable prediction model, the Shoulder Screen (Perigen, Inc.), and compare it with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines to prevent harm from shoulder dystocia. Study Design The model was applied to two groups of 199 patients each who delivered during a 4-year period. One group experienced shoulder dystocia and the other group delivered without shoulder dystocia. The model's accuracy was analyzed. The performance of the model was compared with the ACOG guideline. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of the model were 23.1, 99.5, 97.9, and 56.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of the ACOG guideline was 10.1%. The false-positive rate of the model was 0.5%. The accuracy of the model was 61.3%. Conclusion A multivariable prediction model can predict shoulder dystocia and is more accurate than ACOG guidelines.
One-to-one correspondence without language

A logical rule important in counting and representing exact number is one-to-one correspondence, the understanding that two sets are equal if each item in one set corresponds to exactly one item in the second set. The role of this rule in children's development of counting remains unclear, possibly due to individual differences in the development of language. We report that non-human primates, which do not have language, have at least a partial understanding of this principle. Baboons were given a quantity discrimination task where two caches were baited with different quantities of food. When the quantities were baited in a manner that highlighted the one-to-one relation between those quantities, baboons performed significantly better than when one-to-one correspondence cues were not provided. The implication is that one-to-one correspondence, which requires intuitions about equality and is a possible building block of counting, has a pre-linguistic origin.
Time-domain analysis of multiple scattering effects on the radar cross section (RCS) of objects in a random medium

This paper presents a theory of the time-domain radar cross section (RCS) of objects in discrete random media. The time-domain formula is obtained by applying the inverse Fourier transform of the t...
Comparison of AHP-TOPSIS and AHP-AHP methods in multi-criteria decision-making problems

Decision-making is a highly researched topic and various methods have been developed to facilitate a decision-maker (DM) in choosing the best alternative. Saaty's analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been very popular since 1977 and has been adapted all over the world. However, AHP is a highly-debated topic. Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is another multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method developed by Hwang and Yoon in 1981 as a ranking method. This research is focused on identifying which is the MCDM method between AHP and TOPSIS. Since TOPSIS is a ranking method, the authors propose to combine AHP and TOPSIS methods and determine which method's ranking (AHP, AHP-TOPSIS combination, and TOPSIS with equal weights) aligns more closely with the DM's initial preference. Moreover, this research states the efficiency of the method by comparing the time it takes to make a decision and its reliability.
Impact of Visible-Solar-Light-Driven photocatalytic pavement on air quality improvement

Abstract Photocatalytic pavement has attracted significant interest in the past decades by both the academia and industry for its ability of spontaneous cleaning of air pollutants, such as motor vehicle exhaust gas. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used as the photocatalyst that is mixed into pavement materials or coated on the pavement to remove motor vehicle exhaust gases, e.g., carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), under the irradiation of the solar light. However, the pure TiO2 additive only absorbs the light within the ultraviolet region due to its large bandgap. One approach to increase the ability of TiO2 to the utilization of the full spectrum of the solar light is doping TiO2. Therefore, this visible-solar-light-driven photocatalytic pavement embedded with doped-TiO2 will exhibits a better cleaning efficiency of exhaust gas. This work conducted computational simulations of the cleaning efficiency on reducing exhaust gas NO2 by photocatalytic pavement with doped-TiO2, and its subsequent influence on the air quality in the surrounding environment. A three-dimensional model was developed for a section of pavement and its vicinal region. Effects of weather conditions, doped-TiO2 coverages, road widths and traffic flow conditions on the removal of NO2 and its influence to the adjacent environment were studied. Results indicate that visible-solar-light-driven photocatalytic pavement with doped-TiO2 features a significantly higher removal efficiency of exhaust gas compared with the normal photocatalytic pavement. Moreover, the doped-TiO2 embedded pavement is effective to remove NO2 with different traffic densities and wind conditions, and consequently improve the air quality of the surrounding environment.
Systematic Review of Current Ultrasound Use in Education and Simulation in the Field of Urology.

We investigate articles in the literature published in the last 5 years (2014–2019) regarding ultrasound education in the specialty of urology. Ultrasound has been touted as the modern day stethoscope. Medical educational governing bodies have encouraged the incorporation of ultrasound in medical school education. However, in this review, we find that there are gaps in educational opportunities and standardization in residency and continuing education for urology practitioners. We have identified several new tools for procedure-specific training published in the last 5 years including MRI fusion prostate biopsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. New technology is being fused with traditional ultrasound training to provide procedure-specific ultrasound knowledge. There is a need to incorporate new technology and standards into resident and continuing medical education.
Pre-exposure of adolescent mice to morphine results in stronger sensitization and reinstatement of conditioned place preference than pre-exposure to hydrocodone.

Background:Opioids are commonly prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain. However, their use can trigger the development of opioid use disorder. A major problem in treating opioid use disorder r...
Physical activity-mediated associations between perceived neighborhood social environment and depressive symptoms among Jackson Heart Study participants.

Little is known about the associations between perceived neighborhood social environment (PNSE) and depressive symptoms among African Americans. Furthermore, the role of physical activity (PA) as a mediator of this association has not been investigated. The two-fold objectives of this study, therefore, were (1) to examine the associations between PNSE and depressive symptoms among African Americans, and (2) to test the degree to which these associations were mediated by total PA. We used baseline data from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS), a single-site, prospective, community-based study of African-American adults (n = 2209) recruited from Jackson, Mississippi. PNSE variables included scores for neighborhood violence (i.e., higher score = more violence), problems (higher score = more problems), and social cohesion (higher score = more cohesion). Depressive symptoms were measured by the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) score. First, multilevel modeling, controlling for census tract clustering effects, was used to estimate associations between each PNSE variable and CES-D score, adjusting for covariates, including demographic, health-related, and population density. Second, validated, self-reported total PA, based on active living, sport, and home indices, was tested as the mediator. Multivariable linear regressions with bootstrap-generated 95% bias-corrected confidence intervals (BC CIs) were estimated to test for significant unstandardized indirect effects, controlling for all covariates. Our participants were 64.2% female with a mean age of 52.6 (SD = 12.2) and a mean CES-D score of 10.8 (SD = 8.1). In the fully-adjusted model, neighborhood violence and problems were positively related to depressive symptoms (B = 3.59, 95%CI = 0.93, 6.26, and B = 3.06, 95%CI = 1.19, 4.93, respectively). Neighborhood violence and problems were also indirectly related to depressive symptoms via total PA (B = 0.26, 95%BC CI = 0.05, 0.55; and B = 0.15, 95%BC CI = 0.02, 0.34, respectively). Social cohesion was neither directly nor indirectly related to depressive symptoms. We found that higher levels of perceived neighborhood problems and violence were directly and positively associated with depressive symptoms. These associations may be explained in part by lower total PA levels. Future interventions to reduce depressive symptoms attributed to neighborhood features should consider emphasizing built environment features that facilitate PA increases in conjunction with community efforts to reduce neighborhood violence and problems.
College as a Growth Opportunity: Assessing Personal Growth Initiative and Self-determination Theory

Although college presents a time for personal and vocational development, little research has examined individuals’ intentional use of college as a growth opportunity. Consequently, the current study assessed relationships among personal growth initiative (an individual’s active desire to grow in personally relevant domains), basic needs satisfaction at college, and positive outcomes in samples of students from a large, public, predominantly White institution (n = 818) and a small, private, minority-majority college (n = 195). Using structural equation modeling, we examined a hypothesized model in which personal growth initiative was indirectly related to the two outcomes (psychological well-being and vocational commitment) through the satisfaction of the basic needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness; this was compared to a reverse model. The hypothesized model was a better fit for the data in the university sample, and both models had similar fit for the college sample. Tests of indirect effects using the hypothesized model showed evidence of mediation, with similarities and differences between the samples. Finally, the two models were invariant across institutions at the structural level. PGI and basic needs satisfaction explained over half of the variance in psychological well-being and approximately one-quarter of the variance in vocational commitment in both samples.
Education, Research, and Dishwashers in the Time of COVID-19

The effect of COVID-19 on supply chains is introduced and some parallels are drawn with its effects on education and research. The default option in education seems to be distance education, which is already difficult for colleges and universities, but much more so for K-12. The effect of COVID-19 on research is much more varied. Some areas, like health sciences, are intensified while others, such as academic research, are anticipating declines in activity. It is expected that international graduate students will be more adversely affected than other groups. Some thoughts on the “new normal” are presented.
Condensing smooth layers into singular sheets by weighted coordinate smoothing

Abstract A formal filtering process is used to simplify fields consisting of smooth layers by concentrating them into singular sheets, filaments and points. The approach is based on weighted coordinate smoothing, where the coordinates of nearby material points possessing non-zero values of the field are smoothed, using a nonlinear diffusion equation, thus moving them together. Examples for two and three-dimensional vorticity fields and the simplification of an interface identified by an index function are shown.
Abstract IA-026: Gaps alone kill BRCA deficient cancer cells

Defects in DNA repair and/or the protection of stalled DNA replication forks are thought to underlie the chemosensitivity of tumors deficient in the hereditary breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA). Challenging this assumption, recent findings indicate that chemotherapies such as cisplatin used to treat BRCA-deficient tumors do not initially cause DNA double-strand-breaks (DSBs). Here, we show that single stranded DNA (ssDNA) replication gaps underlie the hypersensitivity of BRCA-deficient cancer, and we propose that defects in homologous recombination (HR) or fork protection (FP) do not. Specifically, in BRCA-deficient cells, ssDNA gaps develop because replication is not effectively restrained in response to stress. Gap suppression by either restoration of fork restraint or gap filling confers therapy resistance in tissue culture and BRCA patient tumors. In contrast, restored FP and HR can be uncoupled from therapy resistance when gaps are present. Moreover, we find that DSBs are not detected after therapy when apoptosis is inhibited, supporting a framework in which DSBs are not directly induced by genotoxic agents, but rather from cell death nucleases. Together, this data indicate that ssDNA replication gaps underlie the BRCA cancer phenotype, “BRCAness,” and we propose are fundamental to the mechanism-of-action of genotoxic chemotherapies. Citation Format: Sharon B. Cantor, Nicholas Panzarino. Gaps alone kill BRCA deficient cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Radiation Science and Medicine; 2021 Mar 2-3. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA-026.
White Matter Disease-The True Source of Triphasic Waves?

SUMMARY Triphasic waves are EEG phenomena typically seen in patients with acute encephalopathy and have importance in diagnosis and prognosis in these cases. The underlying metabolic disturbances associated with their incidence have been described previously, but neuroimaging characteristics are not well delineated. There are a few small studies that define neuroimaging results in patients with triphasic waves. This review highlights the most common neuroimaging findings in these patients, including subcortical white matter disease, which itself may be a risk factor for triphasic waves.
Cognitive functioning and dementia prevalence in baby boomers and adjacent cohorts: Longitudinal and cohort effects

Abstract In the next 30 years, there will be substantial changes in the older adult population in the United States. The number of older adults is predicted to double, and many older adults will live into advanced old age. In addition, racial and ethnic diversity in the aging population is increasing. The major aim of this chapter is to examine changes in cognitive functioning and in cognitive impairment and terminal decline in current and future US elderly. Cognitive change and impairments occur not only in the context of chronological ageing but is also associated with the historical time in which a person lives. The baby boomers (birth cohorts 1946–64) have been the largest birth cohort in the US history and are largely responsible for the rapid increase in US older populations. This chapter will briefly review research on cohort difference in cognitive aging as it may provide information on changes in prevalence of impairment and dementia.
Predict and Suspect: The Emergence of Artificial Legal Meaning

Recent theoretical writings on the possibility that algorithms would someday be able to create law have delayed algorithmic law-making, and the need to decide on its legitimacy, to some future time in which algorithms would be able to replace human lawmakers. This Article argues that such discussions risk essentializing an anthropomorphic image of the algorithmic lawmaker as a unified decision-maker and divert attention away from algorithmic systems that are already performing functions that together have a profound effect on legal implementation, interpretation, and development. Adding to the rich scholarship of the distortive effects of algorithmic systems, the Article suggests that state-of-the-art algorithms capable of limited legal analysis can have the effect of preventing legal development. Such algorithm-induced ossification, the Article argues, raises questions of legitimacy that are no less consequential than those raised by some futuristic algorithms that can actively create norms. To demonstrate this point, the Article puts forward a hypothetical example of algorithms performing limited legal analysis to assist healthcare professionals in reporting suspected child maltreatment. Already in use are systems performing risk analysis to aid child protective services in screening maltreatment reports. Drawing on the example of algorithms increasingly used today in social media content moderation, the Article suggests that similar systems could be used for flagging cases that show signs of suspected abuse. Such assistive systems, the Article argues, will likely cement the prevailing legal meaning of maltreatment. As mandated reporters increasingly rely on such systems, the result would be the absence of legal evolution, preventing changes to contentious elements in the legal definition of reportable suspicion, including the scope of acceptable physical disciplining. Together with the familiar effect of existing systems, the effect of this hypothetical system could have a profound effect on the path of the law on child maltreatment, equivalent in its significance to the effect autonomous algorithmic adjudication would have.
An Unusual Case of an Ethmoidal Arteriovenous Fistula Draining Into the Superior Ophthalmic Vein: Technical Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Ethmoidal arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are uncommon and are characterized by an aggressive clinical course. Typical venous drainage is into the frontal cortical veins. We present the case of a 76-year-old male patient who was found to have a right ethmoidal AVF draining directly into the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV), with no cavernous sinus involvement and an associated SOV aneurysm and was successfully treated using surgical cutdown of the SOV followed by endovascular embolization. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 76-year-old man presented with chemosis, proptosis, and lid lag with occasional diplopia. Based on the clinical presentation, there was a suspicion of a carotid cavernous fistula. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a right ethmoidal to SOV fistula, without any involvement of the cavernous sinus, and a SOV aneurysm. Transarterial embolization of the fistula was attempted but was unsuccessful. An SOV approach was performed using SOV cutdown followed by endovascular embolization of the fistula from a transocular route using coils and Onyx embolic agent. There was complete obliteration of the fistula and associated venous aneurysm. The patient had a remarkable recovery. CONCLUSION In rare cases, ethmoidal AVFs can present with an unusual venous drainage. Clinical presentation may be similar to carotid cavernous fistulae, and proper identification of the lesion using an angiogram is essential to guide treatment. In cases in which other approaches fail to treat the fistula, direct surgical exposure of the SOV followed by embolization using coiling and Onyx may be successful in achieving AVF occlusion.
Automated measurement and analysis of effectiveness of teaching selected Excel topics in an introductory IS class

Measuring the effectiveness of teaching is a challenging task. This paper presents the initial results of an effort to measure the effectiveness of teaching core Excel topics in an "Introduction to Information Systems (IS)" Class. To do this, a lab-based pretest was administered before Excel was covered in class, and the same test was given after the topic was complete. A custom software was developed to analyze these tests in an attempt to understand which Excel skills the students acquired or improved during the course. The second half of the paper describes the design of this custom software as well as the lessons learned during the development and deployment of the Excel module.
Anatomical evidence for androdioecy in the clam shrimp Eulimnadia texana

Recent genetic evidence suggests that the clam shrimp Eulimnadia texana exhibits androdioecy, a rare mating system. In this system, individuals are either hermaphrodites or males, pure females not being found. Through the use of light microscopy, this study provides anatomical evidence that egg-bearing individuals are, indeed, hermaphrodites. All such individuals observed possess ovotestes with testicular tissue restricted to the posterior region of the gonad. Developing sperms in hermaphrodites are similar in appearance to those seen in male-only individuals.
Sites of synthesis of chloroplast membrane polypeptides in Chlamydomonas reinhardi y-1.

Abstract Chloroplast disc membranes were prepared from Chlamydomonas reinhardi y-1 after etiolated cells were exposed to light and allowed to produce chlorophyll and disc membranes for 8 to 8½ hours in liquid culture. Most, and possibly all, of the disc membrane proteins were synthesized during this period of membrane formation. The following results showed that both chloroplast and cytoplasmic ribosomes were involved in synthesizing these proteins. (a) Inhibition by chloramphenicol of the synthesis of polypeptides by chloroplast ribosomes did not prevent formation of the membrane structure in the cells. These membranes therefore contained primarily polypeptides synthesized in the cytoplasm, which became labeled when 14C-arginine was added to the cell culture along with chloramphenicol. (b) After 8½ hours in the presence of chloramphenicol the cells were transferred to medium containing cycloheximide, which inhibited protein synthesis by cytoplasmic ribosomes and prevented further membrane formation. During the following 2 hours in the light, the existing membranes became labeled when 3H-arginine was added to the culture medium, indicating that polypeptides were synthesized by chloroplast ribosomes and were incorporated into the membranes. The site of synthesis of individual membrane polypeptides was identified in such experiments by the distribution of 14C and 3H in fractions separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Several membrane polypeptides were synthesized apparently only in the chloroplast, whereas most were synthesized in the cytoplasm. Among those synthesized in the cytoplasm were two fractions that together accounted for about 36% of the total protein stain on gels containing membrane proteins from control cells but about 43% of the total protein stain on gels containing membrane proteins from cells treated sequentially with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. About one-half of the labeled arginine incorporated into protein in the cytoplasm was contained in these two fractions. These fractions were estimated to have molecular weights of 2.1 and 2.4 x 104. During the incubation of the cells in the presence of cycloheximide the density of the membranes decreased from 1.18 g per cm3 to 1.15 to 1.16 g per cm3, apparently as the result of the continued incorporation of lipids into existing membranes under these conditions.
Identification of the ATP-binding domain of vaccinia virus thymidine kinase.

Abstract Although small in size (20 kDa), the vaccinia virus (VV) thymidine kinase protein (EC 2.7.1.21 TK) is a relatively complex enzyme which must contain domains involved in binding both substrates (ATP and thymidine) and a feedback inhibitor (dTTP), as well as sequences directing the association of individual protein monomers into a functional tetrameric enzyme. Alignment of predicted amino acid sequences of the thymidine kinase genes from a variety of sources was used to identify highly conserved regions as a first step toward locating potential regions housing essential domains. A conserved domain (domain I) near the amino terminus of VV TK protein had characteristics consistent with a nucleotide-binding site. Analysis of the nucleotide substrate specificity of VV TK indicated that ATP acts as the major phosphate donor for thymidine phosphorylation while GTP, CTP, and UTP were inefficient substrates. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed on domain I to generate 11 mutant enzymes. Comparison of the wild-type and mutant proteins with regard to enzyme activity revealed that two of the mutant enzymes, T18 and S19, exhibited enhanced enzyme activity (3.73-fold and 1.35-fold, respectively) relative to the control. The other mutations introduced led to greatly reduced levels of enzyme activity which correlated with a reduced or altered ability of the mutant enzymes to bind ATP as determined by ATP-agarose affinity chromatography. Wild-type VV TK bound to an ATP affinity column could also be eluted with dTTP. Glycerol gradient separation of wild-type TK in the presence or absence of dTTP indicated that dissociation of the tetrameric complex was not the means by which enzymatic inhibition was achieved. Taken together, these results suggest that (i) domain I (amino acids 11-22) of the VV TK corresponds to the ATP-binding site, and (ii) that dTTP is able to interfere with ATP binding, either directly or indirectly, and thereby inhibit enzymatic activity without dissociating the native enzyme.
The Relationship Between Hydrogen Fugacity and Copper Partitioning at Magmatic Conditions

I discuss the results of experiments performed to elucidate the effects of hydrogen (fH2) and sulfur fugacity (fS2) on Cu partitioning between pyrrhotite and water‐saturated rhyolite melt. The fH2 was controlled at values equivalent to the nickel‐nickel oxide buffer (NNO; this study), at 0.25 log units below NNO[1] and 0.5 log units above NNO[2]. The presence of pyrrhotite and magnetite in the assemblages fixes the fS2 at each fH2. The calculated log fS2 values are −3.0 at NNO, −1.0 at NNO−0.25 and −2 at NNO+0.5. The measured concentration of Cu in the reacted pyrrhotite and melt was used to calculate Nernst‐type partition coefficients for Cu between the crystals and melt. These partition coefficients (±1σ) are DCupo/melt = 174±25 at NNO and log fS2 = −3.0, DCupo/melt = 550±220 at NNO−0.25 and log fS2 = −2.0 and DCupo/melt = 2600±300 at NNO+0.5 and log fS2 = −1.0. The partition coefficients are used to model the effect of crystal fractionation on the concentration of Cu in an evolving magmatic system. At ...
B Cells Promote Resistance to Heterosubtypic Strains of Influenza via Multiple Mechanisms

Immunity to heterosubtypic strains of influenza is thought to be mediated primarily by memory T cells, which recognize epitopes in conserved proteins. However, the involvement of B cells in this process is controversial. We show in this study that influenza-specific memory T cells are insufficient to protect mice against a lethal challenge with a virulent strain of influenza in the absence of B cells. B cells contribute to protection in multiple ways. First, although non-neutralizing Abs by themselves do not provide any protection to challenge infection, they do reduce weight loss, lower viral titers, and promote recovery of mice challenged with a virulent heterosubtypic virus in the presence of memory T cells. Non-neutralizing Abs also facilitate the expansion of responding memory CD8 T cells. Furthermore, in cooperation with memory T cells, naive B cells also promote recovery from infection with a virulent heterosubtypic virus by generating new neutralizing Abs. These data demonstrate that B cells use multiple mechanisms to promote resistance to heterosubtypic strains of influenza and suggest that vaccines that elicit both memory T cells and Abs to conserved epitopes of influenza may be an effective defense against a wide range of influenza serotypes.
Dislocated and Oriented Media

A continuum model of perfect or dislocated crystals is considered, and it is shown how one can view such a crystalline medium as an oriented medium, and as a material manifold with an irrotational law of distant parallelism. In dislocated crystals with twist, the Burgers vectors of homologous cycles are not independent of the cycles unless the amount of twist is restricted.
Circuit model of neuronal spatial-temporal processing

A circuit model for the membrane of the input region of a neuron is developed for SPICE simulation. The model incorporates multiple synaptic inputs, which arise from the spatial distribution of transmitter-gated ion channels in the postsynaptic membrane. The activation of groups of ion channels is simulated in a temporally distributed sequence. The circuit provides a plausible representation of spatial and temporal processing in an individual neuron and thereby can serve as a model for developing a sophisticated processing element in a biological neural network. >
The Handbook of Human Services Management by Rino Patti

This Handbook reflects a significant contribution to the field of human services management. All of the chapters have been significantly revised; eight new chapters have been added, and others dele...
Discovery of Staphylococcus aureus Sortase A Inhibitors Using Virtual Screening and the Relaxed Complex Scheme

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections in the United States. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of S. aureus has created an urgent need for new antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus uses the sortase A enzyme to display surface virulence factors suggesting that compounds that inhibit its activity will function as potent anti-infective agents. Here, we report the identification of several inhibitors of sortase A using virtual screening methods that employ the relaxed complex scheme, an advanced computer-docking methodology that accounts for protein receptor flexibility. Experimental testing validates that several compounds identified in the screen inhibit the activity of sortase A. A lead compound based on the 2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidine scaffold is particularly promising, and its binding mechanism was further investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and conducting preliminary structure-activity relationship studies.
The History of Imposed Democracy and the Future of Iraq and Afghanistan

What does history tells us about the prospects for democracy in post-invasion Iraq and Afghanistan? American policy makers frequently referenced the post-World War II success stories of Germany and Japan as plausible futures for the imposed democratic regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. To evaluate the historical validity of this comparison, we examine the durability of 43 imposed democratic regimes during the period 1800–1994, given several political, economic, and social dimensions, as well as the long-term impact of these foreign cultivated regimes on subsequent polity performance. Our analysis suggests that the survival of imposed democracy is by no means assured. Instead, the survival of democracy is strongly conditioned by the process by which the regime is imposed and the social and economic conditions present in the state hosting the imposed polity. We discuss the prospects for the survival of democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan in light of these findings.
α1-Adrenergic Inhibition of the β-Adrenergically Activated Cl− Current in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes

alpha-Adrenergic receptor stimulation regulates the activity of a number of different cardiac ion channels, including those underlying one or more distinct Cl- conductances. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used in the present study to investigate the effects of alpha-adrenergic stimulation on the beta-adrenergically regulated Cl- current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Neither alpha 1-adrenergic receptor stimulation with methoxamine (25 to 500 mumol/L) nor direct activation of endogenous protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 100 nmol/L) evoked a Cl- current. On the contrary, the Cl- current activated by 30 nmol/L isoproterenol was inhibited by methoxamine, with an EC50 of 6.7 +/- 2.6 mumol/L, and this response was blocked by prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Prazosin also decreased the EC50 for current activation by norepinephrine from 53 +/- 7.1 to 18 +/- 3.8 nmol/L, demonstrating that the ability of this endogenous neurotransmitter to activate the Cl- current through beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation is limited by its intrinsic ability to also activate alpha-adrenergic receptors. Methoxamine did not inhibit the Cl- current evoked by either direct activation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin or inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, indicating that alpha-adrenergic stimulation inhibits beta-adrenergic responses at a point upstream of adenylate cyclase activation. Methoxamine also did not inhibit the Cl- current activated by histamine, suggesting that alpha-adrenergic stimulation specifically inhibits beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated responses. The inhibitory effect of methoxamine was not mimicked by PDBu, and it persisted in the presence of bisindolylmaleimide, a selective PKC inhibitor. However, methoxamine inhibition of the isoproterenol-activated Cl- current was sensitive to pertussis toxin. These results suggest that alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation inhibits the beta-adrenergically activated Cl- current, demonstrating a novel mechanism by which alpha-adrenergic receptors may regulate ion channel activity in the heart.
Implications Of Group Technology

The concept of group technology (GT) is drawing increasing interest from manufacturing industry for its potential to enhance productivity and efficiency. This paper identifies the major areas of manufacturing and operations management where GT can be of significance. GT may have a sizable impact inparts design, by standardizing the design and eliminating redundancies. Computer‐aided process planning together with GT can vastly improve the productivity of process designers and also simplify the design. The benefits derived from GT in the area of production planning and control are reduced queue time, smaller lot‐sizes, less work‐in‐process, better scheduling and so on. The limitations of GT are the relative lack of experience with GT and the initial cost of change‐over to GT. It is suggested that implementations of GT should be a slow gradual shift rather than a sudden change of functional lay‐out.
The tholeiite to alkalic basalt transition at Haleakala Volcano, Maui, Hawaii

Previous studies of alkalic lavas erupted during the waning growth stages (<0.9 Ma to present) of Haleakala volcano identified systematic temporal changes in isotopic and incompatible element abundance ratios. These geochemical trends reflect a mantle mixing process with a systematic change in the proportions of mixing components. We studied lavas from a 250-m-thick stratigraphic sequence in Honomanu Gulch that includes the oldest (∼1.1 Ma) subaerial basalts exposed at Haleakaka. The lower 200 m of section is intercalated tholeiitic and alkalic basalt with similar isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb) and incompatible element abundance ratios (e.g., Nb/La, La/Ce, La/Sr, Hf/Sm, Ti/Eu). These lava compositions are consistent with derivation of alkalic and tholeiitic basalt by partial melting of a compositionally homogeneous, clinopyroxene-rich, garnet lherzolite source. The intercalated tholeiitic and alkalic Honomanu lavas may reflect a process which tapped melts generated in different portions of a rising plume, and we infer that the tholeiitic lavas reflect a melting range of ∼10% to 15%, while the intercalated alkalic lavas reflect a range of ∼6.5% to 8% melting. However, within the uppermost 50 m of section. 87Sr/86Sr decreases from 0.70371 to 0.70328 as eruption age decreased from ∼0.97 Ma to 0.78 Ma. We infer that as lava compositions changed from intercalated tholeiitic and alkalic lavas to only alkalic lavas at ∼0.93 Ma, the mixing proportions of source components changed with a MORB-related mantle component becoming increasingly important as eruption age decreased.
Nitrogen source and pCO2 synergistically affect carbon allocation, growth and morphology of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi: potential implications of ocean acidification for the carbon cycle

Coccolithophores are unicellular phytoplankton that produce calcium carbonate coccoliths as an exoskeleton. Emiliania huxleyi, the most abundant coccolithophore in the world’s ocean, plays a major role in the global carbon cycle by regulating the exchange of CO2 across the ocean-atmosphere interface through photosynthesis and calcium carbonate precipitation. As CO2 concentration is rising in the atmosphere, the ocean is acidifying and ammonium (NH4 + ) concentration of future ocean water is expected to rise. The latter is attributed to increasing anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition, increasing rates of cyanobacterial N2 fixation due to warmer and more stratified oceans, and decreased rates of nitrification due to ocean acidification. Thus, future global climate change will cause oceanic phytoplankton to experience changes in multiple environmental parameters including CO2, pH, temperature and nitrogen source. This study reports on the combined effect of elevated pCO2 and increased NH4 + to nitrate (NO3 ) ratio (NH4 + /NO3 ) on E. huxleyi, maintained in continuous cultures for more than 200 generations under two pCO2 levels and two different N sources. Herein, we show that NH4 + assimilation under N-replete conditions depresses calcification at both low and high pCO2, alters coccolith morphology, and increases primary production. We observed that N source and pCO2 synergistically drive growth rates, cell size, and the ratio of inorganic to organic carbon. These responses to N source suggest that, compared to increasing CO2 alone, a greater disruption of the organic carbon pump could be expected in response to the combined effect of increased NH4 + /NO3 ratio and CO2 level in the future acidified ocean. Additional experiments conducted under lower nutrient conditions are needed prior to extrapolating our findings to the global oceans. Nonetheless, our results emphasize the need to assess combined effects of multiple environmental parameters on phytoplankton biology to develop accurate predictions of phytoplankton responses to ocean acidification.
Evaluating the Effects of Transportation—Land-Use Policies on Housing Values and Household Welfare:

In a previous article published in this journal (Anas, 1979a), a simulation model developed by the author was used to examine the impact of transit investment on property values in an urban transpo...
Ribosomes from Rauscher leukemia virus-infected cells and their response to Rauscher viral RNA and polyuridylic acid.

Abstract A detailed description of the methods used to prepare polyribosomes, ribosomes, and ribosomal subunits from Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) infected cells is presented. The various ribosome preparations were analyzed by rate-zonal centrifugation on sucrose gradients, assayed for endogenous polypeptide synthesis and tested for their response to polyuridylic acid (poly(U)) and RLV-RNA. A “Mg2+-shift” assay for protein synthesis initiation factors was established in this system. The 65-S 3H-labeled RLV-RNA binds to ribosomes and forms dimeric through tetrameric polyribosome-like structures in a cell-free system. The ribosome binding requires purified ribosomal subunits, GTP, tRNA, and 0.5 M KCl wash of whole cell polyribosomes, and can be accomplished under conditions where no acid precipitable polypeptides are formed. The 0.5 M KCl wash was active in the “Mg2+-shift” assay with poly(U) indicating that it contains initiation factors M1 and M2. The formation of 3H-labeled RLV-RNA polyribosomes was indicated by their density in CsCl gradients after glutaraldehyde fixation, their binding to cellulose nitrate filters, and their sedimentation properties in sucrose gradients. Heat-dissociated 65-S 3H-labeled RLV-RNA (35 S and lower s forms) formed mainly monosomes. The protein product made in response to 65-S RLV-RNA in preincubated 30-S extracts contained two high molecular weight polypeptides estimated at 185 000 and 125 000. All of these data taken together lead to several possible conclusions: 1. 1. Each 65-S RLV-RNA has three to four ribosomal binding sites. 2. 2. Each 35-S RLV-RNA subunit contains one ribosomal binding site. 3. 3. The 65-S RLV-RNA is translated as a large polypeptide which could be analogous to the precursor “polyprotein” seen in picornavirus-infected cells.
Pyrolysis fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry characterization of coals

Abstract The objective of this study is to combine pyrolysis with various mass spectrometric techniques to characterize a set of the Argonne Premium coals. Pyrolysis high-resolution mass spectrometry (Py-HRMS) rapidly provides elemental compositions, while fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry (MS) yields information on higher molecular weight species. Structural information for either of the approaches can be obtained by fragmentation of individual ions in a collision gas followed by mass analysis of the fragments. The MS/MS approach provides a wealth of information on very complex mixtures. These various techniques are examined and their advantages and limitations discussed. The emphasis will be placed on characterization of large and polar molecules.
Spectroscopic and Functional Characterization of Nitrophorin 7 from the Blood-Feeding Insect Rhodnius prolixus Reveals an Important Role of Its Isoform-Specific N-Terminus for Proper Protein Function

Nitrophorins (NPs) are a class of NO-transporting and histamine-sequestering heme b proteins that occur in the saliva of the bloodsucking insect Rhodnius prolixus. A detailed study of the newly described member, NP7, is presented herein. NO association constants for NP7 [ (NO)] reveal a drastic change when the pH is varied from 5.5 (reflecting the insect's saliva) to slightly above plasma pH (7.5) (>109 M-1 → 4.0 × 106 M-1); thus, the protein promotes the storage of NO in the insect's saliva and its release inside the victim's tissues. In contrast to the other nitrophorins, NP1−4, histamine sequestering cannot be accomplished in vivo due to the low binding constant [ (histamine)] of 105 M-1 compared to the histamine concentration of 1−10 × 10-9 M in the blood. A major part of this study deals with the N-terminus, 1Leu-Pro-Gly-Glu-Cys5 of NP7, which is not found in NP1−4. Since NP7 has not been isolated from the insects but was recognized in a cDNA library instead, the N-terminal site of signal peptidase c...
Rescuing America’s literary heritage: The story of the library of America

The Library of America is a nonprofit publishing company whose mission is to renew and preserve the literary heritage of the United States. To accomplish this, the Library publishes the best American writing of the past. As part of the historic preservation movement, the Library attempts to make permanently available, at moderate cost, those books that have remained crucial to the formation of American culture.
Microprocessors: Applications to Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy

Automation techniques based upon the latest microprocessor computer technology are described in general terms for applications in light scattering spectroscopy. Two practical systems are described in detail. The first system operates a Raman spectrometer and handles the data collection automatically, storing the spectrum in digital form on disc and providing visual displays simultaneously. The second controls the alignment and scanning of a multi-pass Fabry-Perot spectrometer as well as data acquisition. Finally, prospects for future systems are reviewed.