cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmembrane potential of GlyCl-expressing instructor cells induces a neoplastic-like conversion of melanocytes via a serotonergic pathway

SUMMARY Understanding the mechanisms that coordinate stem cell behavior within the host is a high priority for developmental biology, regenerative medicine and oncology. Endogenous ion currents and voltage gradients function alongside biochemical cues during pattern formation and tumor suppression, but it is not known whether bioelectrical signals are involved in the control of stem cell progeny in vivo. We studied Xenopus laevis neural crest, an embryonic stem cell population that gives rise to many cell types, including melanocytes, and contributes to the morphogenesis of the face, heart and other complex structures. To investigate how depolarization of transmembrane potential of cells in the neural crest’s environment influences its function in vivo, we manipulated the activity of the native glycine receptor chloride channel (GlyCl). Molecular-genetic depolarization of a sparse, widely distributed set of GlyCl-expressing cells non-cell-autonomously induces a neoplastic-like phenotype in melanocytes: they overproliferate, acquire an arborized cell shape and migrate inappropriately, colonizing numerous tissues in a metalloprotease-dependent fashion. A similar effect was observed in human melanocytes in culture. Depolarization of GlyCl-expressing cells induces these drastic changes in melanocyte behavior via a serotonin-transporter-dependent increase of extracellular serotonin (5-HT). These data reveal GlyCl as a molecular marker of a sparse and heretofore unknown cell population with the ability to specifically instruct neural crest derivatives, suggest transmembrane potential as a tractable signaling modality by which somatic cells can control stem cell behavior at considerable distance, identify a new biophysical aspect of the environment that confers a neoplastic-like phenotype upon stem cell progeny, reveal a pre-neural role for serotonin and its transporter, and suggest a novel strategy for manipulating stem cell behavior.
Establishment of Chamaecyparis thyoides on an Extremely Low-Nutrient Sandy Site on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, U.S.A.

Sustained-release fertilizer and two kinds of mulch treatments were tested to determine their effects on survival and growth of planted Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar) on a sandy extremely nutrient-deficient site. Height, basal trunk diameter, dry weight, and concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were measured for each treatment. After two growing seasons, survival was very high in untreated controls (mean, 86%) and was not significantly increased by any treatment (significance was assessed at p = 0.05 throughout this work). Stem height and cross-sectional area doubled in unamended plots during the course of the study. Fresh mulch alone caused no additional increase in growth, compared with unamended plots. Decomposed mulch caused a slight but significant increase. Sustained-release fertilizer caused significant increases in height (threefold) and dry weight (approximately sixfold). Combined treatment with fertilizer and mulch gave significantly greater growth responses than did other treatments, increasing heights 4- to 5-fold, trunk cross-sectional areas 4-fold, and dry weights 11- to 21-fold over no-treatment controls. Tissue concentrations of N and P correlated with growth trends, with combinations of mulch and timed-release fertilizer providing the highest values. Though statistically different, the two mulch treatments were similar in their effects on tissue nutrient concentrations. When combined with fertilizer, undecomposed mulch stimulated increases in height and dry weight significantly more than did decomposed mulch. Thus, establishment of C. thyoides on low-nutrient sandy soils is improved by combined soil amendment with sustained-release nutrients and organic mulch.
The Up-and-Down Method for Small Samples with Two Specimens “in Series”

Abstract A modification of the small sample up-and-down method is studied for the normal, logistic, and extreme value distributions. Two specimens are tested “in series” (i.e., simultaneously) at each stimulus level, and the decision to increase or decrease the stimulus level for the next test is made as soon as the first specimen responds. This procedure can markedly reduce the total test time in certain situations. Overall, the efficiency of the new procedure, as judged using Dixon's E f criterion, is sufficiently high to warrant its consideration when overall test time is much more critical than specimen cost.
Expression of Defensins in Gingiva and Their Role in Periodontal Health and Disease

Oral epithelium is a stratified squamous epithelium that functions as the barrier between the outside environment and the host. In the oral cavity, epithelial tissues are constantly exposed to a variety of bacteria, but most individuals maintain healthy homeostasis. Epithelial cells contribute to the innate host response, and antimicrobial peptide expression in all human epithelia, including oral epithelia, is an important part of this epithelial function. These antimicrobial peptides have a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against yeast and viruses. In humans these antimicrobial peptides include defensins and a cathelicidin family member LL-37 in skin and oral mucosa and other epithelia. The human defensins include the alpha-defensins of intestinal and neutrophil origin, and the beta-defensins of skin and oral mucosa and other epithelia. Present studies have identified specific signaling routes that pathogens and commensals take in stimulating these innate immune responses, and this may open the way for development of new therapeutic agents for periodontal diseases.
Exhibiting experimental art in China

This text raises questions about artistic freedom and censorship. Wu Hung uses the Chinese government's cancellation of the exhibition "It's Me", Beijing 1998, to anchor his analysis of the challenges face by contemporary Chinese artisits and curators. Mainland China is experiencing many rapid changes, and many artists and curators are seeking new ways to show work, and find new allies, patrons and audiences. These people are investigating ways to respond to official antagonism and realize the potential of experimental art in the public sphere, as well as how to maintain the independence of this art in a commercialized society. These issues are addressed by Wu Hung through a survey of exhibition practices, a discussion of the Smart Museum exhibition "Canceled: Exhibiting Experimental Art in China", a case study of "It's Me", and a collection of materials from 11 other exhibitions.
Predicting the node negative mesorectum after preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) for locally advanced rectal carcinoma

Preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer allows for radical surgery with sphincter preservation in many patients. To determine whether patients downsized with preoperative CRT may be potential candidates for local excision, we investigated residual disease patterns after neoadjuvant treatment. A retrospective analysis was carried out of patients with T3 or T4 rectal adenocarcinoma who were treated with neoadjuvant CRT. Clinical and pathologic data were analyzed to (1) determine the response rates to preoperative CRT in the tumor bed and regional nodal basin and (2) identify the incidence of residual disease in the mesorectum in patients downsized to ≤T2. A total of 219 patients met the inclusion criteria. Preoperatively 193 patients (88%) were staged as T3, and 99 patients (47%) had clinical N1 disease. The pathologic complete response rate was 20% (43 of 219 patients). T stage was downsized in 64% of the patients (140 of 219), and 69% (67 of 97) of the patients with clinical N1 disease were rendered node negative. Seventeen percent (21 of 122) of patients downsized to ≤T2 had residual disease in the mesentery. With a median follow-up of 40 months, 182 patients (83%) remain alive and free of disease. Nine patients (4.1%) have had a local recurrence. Although tumor response rates to preoperative CRT within the bowel wall and lymph node basin are similar, one in six patients with pT0-2 tumors will have residual disease in the rectal mesentery and nodes. Despite a substantial reduction in tumor volume with neoadjuvant CRT, local excision should be recommended with caution in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.
Nanoindentation Characterization of Submicro- and Nano-Sized Liquid-Phase-Sintered SiC Ceramics

Submicro- and nano-sized liquid-phase-sintered SiC ceramics were mechanically tested by nanoindentation in the peak load range 5–400 mN. The submicro-sized sample showed a marked indentation size effect which the nano-sized samples did not exhibit. The relevance of indentation depth with respect to the microstructural scale has been outlined. In the investigated grain-size range, the hardness dependence on the grain size could be described by a load-dependent inverse Hall–Petch relation. Young's modulus was less microstructure- and load-dependent. Because of the very fine microstructure, the nano-sized SiC materials gave lower elastic values than the submicro-sized SiC ceramic.
Extensive strain-level copy number variation across human gut microbiome species

Within each bacterial species, different strains may vary in the set of genes they encode or in the copy number of these genes. Yet, taxonomic characterization of the human microbiota is often limited to the species level or to previously sequenced strains, and accordingly, the prevalence of intra-species variation, its functional role, and its relation to host health remain unclear. Here, we present a comprehensive large-scale analysis of intra-species copy-number variation in the gut microbiome, introducing a rigorous computational pipeline for detecting such variation directly from shotgun metagenomic data. We uncover a large set of variable genes in numerous species and demonstrate that this variation has significant functional and clinically relevant implications. We additionally infer intra-species compositional profiles, identifying population structure shifts and the presence of yet uncharacterized variants. Our results highlight the complex relationship between microbiome composition and functional capacity, linking metagenome-level compositional shifts to strain-level variation.
Development and the Urban and Rural Geography of Mexican Emigration to the United States

Past research on international migration from Mexico to the United States uses geographically-limited data and analyzes emigrant-sending communities in isolation. Theories supported by this research may not explain urban emigration, and this research does not consider connections between rural and urban Mexico. In this study we use national data from Mexico to investigate rural and urban emigration. We find that a central motivation for emigration – self-insurance through labor market diversification – is most relevant to less rural, non-metropolitan places. Paradoxically, while Mexican cities have the lowest rates of emigration, the rural places that are spatially proximate to cities have the highest rates. These findings suggest that while urban development retains emigrants within city borders, it may generate emigration out of neighboring rural places.
Alloying effects on dislocation substructure evolution of aluminum alloys

Abstract The constitutive response of aluminum alloys is controlled by the evolution of dislocation substructure including mobile and forest dislocation density, cell size distribution and morphology, and misorientation angle between neighboring cells. The present study focuses upon the small strain regime and compares the measured microstructural evolution of 3003, 5005, and 6022 aluminum alloys during deformation. Room temperature tensile deformation experiments were performed on industrially manufactured specimens of each alloy and the evolving microstructure was compared with the mechanical response. The dislocation structure evolution was characterized using transmission electron microscopy and orientation imaging of deformed specimens. It was observed that structural evolution is a function of lattice orientation and the character of neighboring grains. In general, the dislocation cell size and misorientation angle between dislocation cells evolves systematically with deformation at relatively small strain levels.
Surface-wave radiation loss from curved dielectric slabs and fibers

A newly developed systematic procedure to calculate the real and imaginary parts of the change in propagation constant of a surface-wave mode on a curved open waveguide of general cross section is used here to determine these quantifies for the TE modes of an asymmetric slab waveguide and for all the modes of an optical fiber. Comparison of these results with the existing literature points up the care which must be taken in making approximations in this problem, since errors of significant factors in the radiation loss have been made in previous work.
Rebates: Do the big four need an ethics audit?

The rebate behavior of some of the Big Four accounting firms would not pass a best-practice self-audit checklist, charges the author. It's the latest headache for big accounting firms struggling with questions about their business ethics. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of thin oxide damage during aluminum etching and photoresist ashing processes

Plasma-induced damage can be simulated and modeled as damage produced by constant voltage electrical stress. The voltage produced by plasma process increases with the 'antenna' size of the device structure. Photoresist ashing is capable of degrading oxide integrity even more rapidly than Al etching. However, the stress voltage produced during ashing exhibits a large spread and is randomly distributed across the wafer. CV measurement is shown to be a more sensitive technique for characterizing plasma-etching induced damage than oxide breakdown. >
Determining relationships among attributes for interoperability of multi-database systems

The interoperability among databases is of increasing interest. Understanding the real semantics of data is essential in schema integration in fully integrated heterogeneous database systems as well as in the interoperability of federated database systems. It has been pointed out that success in schema integration depends on understanding the semantics of the schema components (for example, attributes, relations, entity sets, relationship sets), and the ability to capture and reason with the semantics. Traditionally, the determination of attribute relationships is an 'artcraft work', which is done manually by database administrators (DBAs). The objective of this paper is to determine attribute relationships semi-automatically. >
The Effects of Acute Alcohol Intoxication, Partner Risk Level, and General Intention to Have Unprotected Sex on Women's Sexual Decision Making With a New Partner

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women account for a quarter of all HIV/AIDS cases, and approximately 65% of American women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2007 were infected through heterosexual contact (CDC, 2008). Because using male condoms is an effective way to prevent transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is important to understand what influences women’s ability to negotiate for use of a condom if their male partners are reluctant to use one, and ultimately whether to have unprotected sex. Sexual decisions occur within particular situations, but situational decisions are influenced by individuals’ past experiences and attitudes. Therefore, it is important to understand how such background factors interact with situational variables. Previous research has found that general intention to use a condom is strongly related to condom use overall; however, this variable has not been examined in specific contexts (Sheeran, Abraham, & Orbell, 1999). Situational alcohol consumption has been shown to influence several aspects of sexual decision making, including risk perception (Fromme, D’Amico, & Katz, 1999; Monahan, Murphy, & Miller, 1999; Murphy, Monahan, & Miller, 1998); appraisal of sexual potential (Norris et al., 2009); condom negotiation skills (Maisto, Carey, Carey, & Gordon, 2002; Maisto, Carey, Carey, Gordon, & Schum, 2004; Maisto et al., 2004); and unprotected sex intentions (Abbey, Saenz, Buck, Parkhill, & Hayman, 2006; MacDonald, MacDonald, Zanna, & Fong, 2000; Davis, Hendershot, George, Norris, & Heiman, 2007; Maisto et al., 2004; Stoner, George, Peters, & Norris, 2007). In addition, the amount and type of risk information about a partner may influence women’s in-the-moment decisions, although the evidence is mixed (Abbey et al, 2006; Comer & Nemeroff, 2000; Reisen & Poppen, 1999). Thus, the purpose of this experiment was to investigate interactions among general intention to have unprotected sex, alcohol consumption, and partner risk on the process by which women make sexual decisions.
Hyperostosis with hyperphosphatemia: evidence of familial occurrence and association with tumoral calcinosis.

Hyperostosis with hyperphosphatemia was first described in 19701 and subsequently in eight additional patients.2-5 It presents as recurrent painful swelling of the long bones associated with hyperphosphatemia, normal renal function and serum parathormone level, and radiologic evidence of cortical hyperostosis and periosteal reaction in affected bones. Still not described in standard pediatric textbooks, hyperostosis with hyperphosphatemia is often unrecognized, leading to delay in diagnosis and subjecting patients to unnecessary and potentially harmful diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical procedures. This report describes two sisters and an unrelated girl with hyperostosis and hyperphosphatemia and reviews previous cases in the literature. For the first time, we document the condition's familial and possible Middle Eastern prevalence and confirm its association with tumoral calcinosis,6 which might represent a continuous spectrum of the same pathogenic mechanism. The clinical and laboratory data are summarized in Table1. View this table: Table 1. Patient Details ### Case 1 An 8-year-old Saudi Arab girl presented with a 2-week history of right leg pain and fever. She had been treated at another facility with antibiotics for suspected osteomyelitis. She was the fifth of 13 children born to a consanguineous marriage. Her 5-year-old sister subsequently had a diagnosis of hyperostosis with hyperphosphatemia (case 2). She was afebrile and did not look toxic. There was a warm and tender swelling on the lower third of her …
Life on the edge for limber pine: Seed dispersal within a peripheral population

Interactions within populations at the periphery of a species' range may depart from those in populations more centrally located. Throughout its core range, limber pine (Pinus flexilis, Pinaceae) depends on Clark's nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana, Corvidae) for seed dispersal. Nutcrackers, however, rarely visit the Pawnee National Grassland peripheral population of limber pine on the eastern Colorado plains. Using live mammal trapping, fluorescent pigment tracking of disseminated seeds, and limber pine seed germination experiments in the field, we tested the hypothesis that limber pine seeds in this peripheral isolate are dispersed by nocturnal rodents. Live trapping and tracking indicated that deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus, Muridae) and Ord's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ordii, Heteromyidae) are the likely seed dispersers in this population. Rodents cached seeds in surface caches on tree leaf litter, rock, or soil substrate or buried them under soil, tree litter, or plants. Seeds cached under soil and plants, as opposed to surface caches, accounted for the greater number of stored seeds. Numbers of seeds per cache for buried caches was significantly higher than numbers of seeds for surface caches. The largest caches on average were those buried under plants. Also, we found that some rodent caches contained one or more seeds up to 27 d after the caches were made. In experiments simulating observed cache types, we determined that most cache types, but especially buried caches, had some germination potential. Rodents disseminated seeds over shorter distances than do nutcrackers, possibly explaining previously observed genetic substructuring in the Pawnee population. Seed dispersal by rodents also precludes the metapopulation dynamics typical of limber pine in its core range, and may lead to the loss of peripheral populations over time.
Discretion Versus Commitment with Information Acquisition

This paper revisits the classic discretion versus commitment debate when a policymaker issues signals and agents choose to ignore them or not. Besides responding with discretion to agents’ actions or committing to a plan ex ante, a policymaker can also choose an adaptation policy, where she commits after agents make learning decisions but before agents take actions. Two mechanisms are at work in the choice of monetary policy. First, the policymaker could give agents incentives to learn if she commits before agents make learning decisions. Second, a discretionary policy can react to the aggregate shock exibly, track agents’ actions closer, and
Future Demand For Long-Term Care Workers Will Be Influenced By Demographic And Utilization Changes

A looming question for policy makers is how growing diversity of the US elderly population and greater use of home and community-based services will affect demand for long-term care workers. We used national surveys to analyze current use and staffing of long-term care, project demand for long-term care services and workers through 2030, and assess how projections varied if we changed assumptions about utilization patterns. If current trends continue, the occupations anticipated to grow the most over the period are counselors and social workers (94 percent), community and social services workers (93 percent), and home health and personal care aides (88 percent). Alternative projections were computed for scenarios that assumed changing racial and ethnic patterns of long-term care use or shifts toward noninstitutional care. For instance, if Hispanics used services at the same rate as non-Hispanic blacks, the projected demand for long-term care workers would be 5 percent higher than if current trends continued. If 20 percent of nursing home care were shifted to home health services, total employment growth would be about 12 percent lower. Demographic and utilization changes would have little effect on projections of robust long-term care employment growth between now and 2030. Policy makers and educators should redouble efforts to create and sustainably fund programs to recruit, train, and retain long-term care workers.
Detection of vibrational bending mode ν8 and overtone bands of the propargyl radical, HCCCH2 X̃ 2B1.

Infrared (IR) absorption spectra of matrix-isolated HCCCH2 have been measured. Propargyl radicals were generated in a supersonic pyrolysis nozzle, using a method similar to that described in a previous study (Jochnowitz, E. B.; Zhang, X.; Nimlos, M. R.; Varner, M. E.; Stanton, J. F.; Ellison, G. B. J. Phys. Chem. A 2005, 109, 3812−3821). Besides the nine vibrational modes observed in the previous study, this investigation detected the HCCCH2 X 2B1 out-of-plane bending mode (ν8) at 378.0 (±1.9) cm−1 in a cryogenic argon matrix. This is the first experimental observation of ν8 for the propargyl radical. In addition, seven overtone and combination bands have also been detected and assigned. Ab initio coupled-cluster anharmonic force field calculations were used to guide the analysis. Furthermore, ν12, the HCCCH2 in-plane bending mode, has been assigned to 333 (±10) cm−1 based on the detection of its overtone (2ν12, 667.7 ± 1.0 cm−1) and a possible combination band (ν10 + ν12, 1339.0 ± 0.8 cm−1). This is the...
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: MOON Guidelines.

Context:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction rehabilitation has evolved over the past 20 years. This evolution has been driven by a variety of level 1 and level 2 studies.Evidence Acquis...
Some factors influencing potentiation of cardiac contractility following an extrasystolic beat.

SummaryPost-extrasystolic potentiation (PEP) of cardiac contractility was studied in rabbit auricular muscle. It is shown that potentiation is related to the interval between basal beat and extrasystolic beat. An increase in driving rate up to about 3 per second increased the extent of potentiation and decreased the interval between basal beat and the extrasystole necessary for the production of maximal potentiation. Quinidine increased the effective refractory period and the interval for producing PEP and decreased the degree of potentiation produced by the extra-systole.
Lebrikizumab in the treatment of asthma

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Severe asthma continues to be a major clinical problem despite the availability of effective asthma medications such as inhaled corticosteroids. Several targeted biologic therapies are emerging to treat patients with severe asthma.Areas covered: This review provides an update of information on lebrikizumab, a novel monoclonal antibody that targets IL-13 and is currently in advanced stages of development. It describes the role of IL-13, a key effector cytokine in Type 2 (T2) airway inflammation in asthma and discusses the results of recent phase 2 trials investigating lebrikizumab’s efficacy and safety in patients with severe asthma. Furthermore, it provides insight into the current ongoing trials with lebrikizumab and outlines future research needs.Expert opinion: Several emerging therapeutic targets have been identified for patients with severe asthma. By specifically targeting IL-13, lebrikizumab has the potential to block several downstream signals that play a role in disease prog...
Stimulation of unitary T-type Ca2+ channel currents by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

The effect of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) stimulation on unitary low voltage-activated (LVA) T-type Ca2+ channel currents in isolated bovine adrenal glomerulosa (AG) cells ...
Differentiation of Muramidase and β-Lysin

SummaryAlthough β-lysin and muramidase are similar in their bacterial spectrum, heat stability, and adsorption by bentonite on an asbestos-cellulose filter pad of the Seitz type, they differ in other respects. β-lysin is relatively more effective as a bactericidal agent for Bacillus subtilis than for Micrococ-cus lysodeikticus. This quantitative relationship is reversed with muramidase. Unlike muramidase, purified β-lysin did not reduce the optical density of killed suspensions of bacteria, Anti-β-lysin serum did not neutralize the bactericidal activity of muramidase. Serum β-lysin and muramidase were separated by gel filtration with a Sephadex G-75 column.
Cyclic density functional theory: A route to the first principles simulation of bending in nanostructures

Abstract We formulate and implement Cyclic Density Functional Theory (Cyclic DFT) — a self-consistent first principles simulation method for nanostructures with cyclic symmetries. Using arguments based on Group Representation Theory, we rigorously demonstrate that the Kohn-Sham eigenvalue problem for such systems can be reduced to a fundamental domain (or cyclic unit cell) augmented with cyclic-Bloch boundary conditions. Analogously, the equations of electrostatics appearing in Kohn-Sham theory can be reduced to the fundamental domain augmented with cyclic boundary conditions. By making use of this symmetry cell reduction, we show that the electronic ground-state energy and the Hellmann-Feynman forces on the atoms can be calculated using quantities defined over the fundamental domain. We develop a symmetry-adapted finite-difference discretization scheme to obtain a fully functional numerical realization of the proposed approach. We verify that our formulation and implementation of Cyclic DFT is both accurate and efficient through selected examples. The connection of cyclic symmetries with uniform bending deformations provides an elegant route to the ab-initio study of bending in nanostructures using Cyclic DFT. As a demonstration of this capability, we simulate the uniform bending of a silicene nanoribbon and obtain its energy-curvature relationship from first principles. A self-consistent ab-initio simulation of this nature is unprecedented and well outside the scope of any other systematic first principles method in existence. Our simulations reveal that the bending stiffness of the silicene nanoribbon is intermediate between that of graphene and molybdenum disulphide — a trend which can be ascribed to the variation in effective thickness of these materials. We describe several future avenues and applications of Cyclic DFT, including its extension to the study of non-uniform bending deformations and its possible use in the study of the nanoscale flexoelectric effect.
Extensive Analysis of Mosaicism in a Case of Turner Syndrome The Experience of 287 Cytogenetic Laboratories

Abstract Objective.—To assemble and interpret karyotype data provided as part of the College of American Pathologists/American College of Medical Genetics Cytogenetics Proficiency Testing Program. Data Sources, Extraction, and Synthesis.—The Cytogenetics Resource Committee requested data on all cells analyzed in a 1994 whole-blood specimen challenge. In that study, 287 participating laboratories analyzed a total of 14297 cells derived from a sample drawn from an adult donor with Turner syndrome. This individual had previously been found to have mosaicism, including cell lines with X structural anomalies along with monosomy X, making this an excellent challenge for a multicenter cytogenetic survey. Results and Conclusions.—Analysis of the data from this extensive study revealed mosaicism of up to 10 different sex chromosome complements involving the X chromosome with and without a small ring X or a derivative X chromosome. In the routine cytogenetic analysis performed by the participating laboratories, cel...
Grit: An important characteristic in learners.

Grit, or the perseverance and passion for long-term goals, has been associated with successful pursuits in academics, competitions, and professions outside of pharmacy. The fortitude needed to withstand tremendous physical, mental, and emotional stressors may be better predicted by grit than other factors. In those who demonstrate grit, a combination of factors may reflect academic achievement. It appears that achievement results when talent and effort are combined, with particular attention being paid to effort, as it is a function of the direction, duration, and intensity of a personʼs actions toward a goal. It appears that grit may be a good discriminating factor when evaluating individuals in other professions. The objective of this short commentary is to provide an introduction to the non-pharmacy literature surrounding grit and to suggest its applications in pharmacy.
On automorphisms of groups, rings, and algebras

ABSTRACTWe consider the structure of groups and algebras that can be represented as automorphisms, respectively derivations, of bilinear maps. Representations of that sort arise when we attempt to describe the automorphisms of groups, rings, and algebras that are nilpotent. We introduce exact sequences that capture structure and prove theorems of Morita and Skolem–Noether type. We apply these results to compute automorphisms of groups and rings.
Electronic nose as the rapid technique for aroma assesment of vegetable oils

Vegetable oil of various types and sources may produce different aroma. This study explores the application of electronic nose for aroma analysis, mainly for characterization and classification of different types of vegetable oils. The electronic nose system comprises of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors which is used to extract the fingerprint of volatile compounds that is present in the samples. In this study, a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was applied for electronic nose data processing and recognition. Analysis of the LDA showed that the percentage performance for the training group was 100%, while for test group was 93.6% and 85.4% validated. Based on the results obtained, the electronic nose was able to classify the aroma of different types of vegetable oil.
Invasive Plant Species

Invasive weed species are introduced plants (nonnative) that can spread and invade new habitats. Thus, the term ‘invasive’ is most often utilized for any introduced species (‘nonindigenous’ or ‘nonnative’) that can degrade the habitats they invade. Other commonly used synonyms are exotic pest plants, alien species, invasive exotics, or noxious weeds. The best way to avoid problems is to prevent introductions of invasive species in the first place. Once introduced, invasive species can be managed by a variety of methods so that their populations remain restricted and their impacts are minimized. Control methods should be based on the principles of integrated weed management, which is as a combination of preventive, cultural, mechanical, and chemical practices.
Patterning of sharp cellular interfaces with a reconfigurable elastic substrate.

Micropatterned cocultures are a useful experimental tool for the study of cell–cell interactions. Patterning methods often rely on sequential seeding of different cell types or removal of a barrier separating two populations, but it is difficult to pattern sharp interfaces between pure populations with low cross-contamination when using these approaches. Patterning by the use of reconfigurable substrates can overcome these limitations, but such methods can be costly and challenging to employ in a typical biology laboratory. Here, we describe a low-cost and simple-to-use reconfigurable substrate comprised of a transparent elastic material that is partially cut to form a slit that opens when the device is stretched. The slit seals back up when released, allowing two initially separate, adherent cell populations to be brought together to form a contact interface. Fluorescent imaging of patterned cocultures demonstrates the early establishment of a sharp cellular interface. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate the use of this device to study competition at the interface of two stem cell populations.
The influence of sex and age on prevalence rates of comorbid conditions in autism

Individuals with ASD frequently experience one or more comorbid conditions. Here, we investigate the influence of sex and age-two important, yet understudied factors-on ten common comorbid conditions in ASD, using cross-sectional data from 4790 individuals with ASD and 1,842,575 individuals without ASD. Epilepsy, ADHD, and CNS/cranial anomalies showed exceptionally large proportions in both male (>19%) and female (>15%), children/adolescents with ASD. Notably, these prevalence rates decreased drastically with age in both males and females. In contrast, the prevalence of schizophrenia increased with age affecting a disproportionately large number of older (≥35 year) adult males (25%), compared to females (7.7%), with ASD. Bowel disorders showed a complex U-pattern accompanied by changes in sex disparity with age. These results highlight crucial differences between cross-sectional comorbidity patterns and their interactions with sex and age, which may aid in the development of effective sex- and age-specific diagnostic/treatment strategies for ASD and comorbid conditions. Autism Res 2017, 10: 778-789. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Six-Food Elimination Diet and Topical Steroids are Effective for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Meta-Regression

Topical corticosteroids or six-food elimination diet is recommended as initial therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to summarize published manuscripts that report outcomes of these therapies for EoE. We performed a systematic review in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase of published manuscripts describing topical fluticasone, topical budesonide, and six-food elimination diet as therapies for EoE. We conducted meta-analysis of symptom improvement and the change in peak mucosal eosinophil count, with heterogeneity between studies examined with meta-regression analysis. Systematic review yielded 51 articles that met inclusion criteria. Summary histologic response rates were 68.3% [95% prediction limits (PL) 16.2–96.0%] for fluticasone, 76.8% (95% PL 36.1–95.1%) for budesonide, and 69.0% (95% PL 31.9–91.4%) for six-food elimination diet. Corresponding decreases in eosinophil counts were 37.8 (95% PL 19.0–56.7), 62.5 (95% PL 125.6 to −0.67, and 44.6 (95% PL 26.5–62.7), respectively. Symptom response rates were 82.3% (95% PL 68.1–91.1%), 87.9% (95% PL 42.7–98.6%), and 87.3% (95% PL 64.5–96.3%), respectively. Meta-regression analyses decreased the initially large estimate of residual heterogeneity and suggested differences in histologic response rate associated with study populations’ baseline eosinophil count and age. The literature describing topical corticosteroids and six-food elimination diet consists of small studies with diverse methods and population characteristics. Meta-analysis with meta-regression shows initial histologic and symptomatic response rates on the same order of magnitude for topical corticosteroids and six-food elimination diet, but heterogeneity of study designs prevents direct comparison of modalities.
The Cytotoxic Effect of Chabahar Coast Marine Algae Gelidiella Acerosa Organic Extracts on Breast (MCF-7) and Colorectal (HT-29) Cancer Cell Lines

Background and Objectives: Marine algae are one of the natural resources which produce a wide range of new secondary metabolites with various biological activities such as antitumor and anticancer properties. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the invitro cytotoxic effect of marine algae Gelidiella acerosa organic extracts against breast (MCF-7) and colorectal (HT-29) cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, cell lines of breast (MCF-7) and colorectal (HT-29) were cultured in RPMI medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The cytotoxic effect of different concentrations (125, 250, 500 ,and 1000 μg/ml) of algae extracts cultured cells were evaluated by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and trypan blue assay. DNA fragmentation activity of the cells was evaluated by the 2% agarose gel after cell culturing by the different concentration of the algae extracts, trypsination ,and precipitation by RNAase. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test. Results: Survival of cancer cells in both methods was inversely correlated with the concentration and the percentage of survival decreased with increasing concentration. Concentration of 1000 µg/ml of methanol extract showed the greatest effect compared with the controls (p less-than 0.05). The methanolic extract LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50) on colorectal and breast cancer cells was 724.48±25.52 and 845.36±41.05 µg/ml, respectively. Also, methanolic extract of algae was able to fragment the DNA of cancer cells and induce apoptosis dose dependent (p less-than 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, results showed seaweed extract can be the basis for further studies in order to recognize the chemical compounds of the extracts. Also, after invivo, preclinical, and clinical studies the extract can be used in food and pharmaceutical industries. Key words: Cytotoxicity, MTT assay, Marine algae, Apoptosis, Breast cancer, Colorectal cancer Funding: This study was funded by the Iranian Science, Research ,and Technology Ministry for Research number 3.82601. Conflict of interest: None declared. Ethical approval: The Ethical Committee of Chabahar Maritime University approved the study. How to cite this article: Bavi Z, Ghaffari M, Taheri A, Soheili F. The Cytotoxic Effect of Chabahar Coast Marine Algae Gelidiella Acerosa Organic Extracts on Breast (MCF-7) and Colorectal (HT-29) Cancer Cell Lines. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2017; 16(8): 757-68. [Farsi]
Medial Axis Transform (MAT) of General 2D Shapes and 3D Polyhedra for Engineering Applications

Medial Axis Transform (MAT) is a representation that encodes an object with symmetric (medial) axes in the object interior. MAT has been employed in a variety of applications such as pattern recognition of digital images, biological shape analysis and robotic motion planning. Although numerous algorithms have been proposed to determine MAT of polygonal objects, a robust model for arbitrarily shaped regions, especially suitable for engineering designs, is still an active area of research. In this paper, a 2D approach capable of efficiently constructing MAT for arbitrarily shaped 2D regions is proposed. This method can be utilized to evaluate 3D objects for a variety of applications though it does not produce a 3D MAT. Alternatively, an algorithm for calculating the MAT of 3D polyhedra is also presented.
Growth path envelope analysis of ostwald ripening

Optimized procedures for performing growth path envelope (GPE) analysis of processes involving growth or shrinkage of particles have been developed, and the process has been automated using computerized statistical curve fitting and numerical analysis. The Weibull function was found to represent accurately the initial cumulative size distribution data, while a nonlinear function was found best for fitting ther-tgrowth paths for coarsening. A strategy for efficient selection of constant Nv> values for the analysis is described. The optimized methods have been applied to the analysis of Ostwald ripening during liquid-phase sintering of Cu-20Co alloy, and means for obtainingr* and growth velocities and testing coarsening theories are presented. Results from the automated procedure compare favorably with those from manual analysis but are obtained with considerably reduced effort.
Regulation of hormone receptors and adenylyl cyclases by guanine nucleotide binding N proteins.

Publisher Summary Receptors that affect cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) are sub-classified into two subtypes: Rs receptors, which increase cAMP levels by stimulating the enzyme adenylyl cyclase, and Ri receptors, which decrease cAMP levels by inhibiting the cAMP-forming enzyme. This chapter discusses the transduction mechanism to which Rs- and Ri-type receptors couple to modulate adenylyl cyclase activity. At the center of this transduction mechanism are two oligomeric coupling proteins called N or G proteins. These proteins have properties to bind and hydrolyze guanosine triphosphate and regulate hormone affinity for receptors and the catalytic activity of the cAMP-forming enzyme. This complex receptor-coupling protein-adenylyl cyclase system is approached by first reviewing structural and functional aspects that regulate cAMP formation. The chapter also discusses the basic structure and regulation of adenylyl cyclase by nucleotides and magnesium. It also discusses action of hormones on the nucleotide-regulated system. It analyzes the known regulation of hormone-receptor interaction by the coupling proteins. The analysis of affinity regulation of receptors leads to conclusions that point toward the existence of at least two conformational states of receptors interacting with at least three conformational states or forms of the coupling proteins.
Off-Grid System Architectures

The architecture of an off-grid system refers to how the various energy sources, energy storage, controllers, converters, and load are connected together. This chapter defines and describes off-grid system architectures. Examples of mini-grid architectures using conventional generators, solar power, wind power, hydropower, and hybrid combinations thereof are presented. Definitions of basic off-grid components are given.
STRUCTURE AND REPLICATION OF PLANT VIROIDS

ABSTRACT. A novel class of pathogenic RNA's, the viroids, isolated from diseased plant tissues has been characterized as low molecular weight (∼ 10 5 daltons) highly-structured molecules that exhibit unusual thermal stability and high specific activity. A nuclear site of synthesis is suggested by the recovery of viroid RNA as well as the detection of DNA complementary to the citrus exocortis viroid. Aberrations of the plasma membrane which are correlated with the presence of the viroid RNA constitute the only subcellular pathology. Since no evidence exists for the translation of the viroid, pathogenesis may result from the action of the viroid as a direct regulator of genetic expression of the host. Extension of viroid diseases to animal systems have not yet been reported, however, remain a distinct possibility.
Frames and interaction on the air

Drawing on frames theory as an analytical framework, this study examines discourse interaction of a radio phone-in programme in Shanghai, during which professionals specialised in psychology or a related field provide advice to audience callers by answering questions and addressing concerns on the phone. It aims to describe and analyse what frames are constructed, and how these frames are linguistically and discursively accomplished at a local level in institutional settings. Identifying three major frames (Host, Professional, and Community), the author demonstrates how participants create, shift, and blend frames in response to the contingency of the local discursive and interactional context. This study also underlines the benefits of incorporating multiple perspectives in examination of discursive interaction.
U.S. combat veterans' responses to suicide and combat deaths: A mixed-methods study.

Abstract Rationale Limited research has examined how combat veterans experience deaths of comrades to combat or suicide. We sought to investigate the process and identify factors that predict the level of grief among post-9/11 U.S. veterans. Methods Using a mixed-methods study design during 2016–2017, U.S. combat veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts who lost comrades to both combat and suicide (N = 28) participated in semi-structured interviews, and veterans who lost a comrade in combat or to suicide (N = 178) completed online surveys that assessed grief, combat exposure, unit cohesion, anger, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and past diagnoses of PTSD and depression. Results Text analyses of interview transcripts revealed seven themes: 1) Suicide death is unexpected and can make acceptance of loss harder; 2) Combat death is expected and can ease acceptance of loss; 3) Combat death is heroic and can make acceptance of loss easier; 4) Brotherhood forged in combat intensifies the emotional response; 5) Guilt over the inability to prevent a comrade's death makes acceptance harder; 6) Attribution of blame for a death creates anger; and 7) Detachment from the civilian world may make it more difficult to cope with comrades' deaths. Regression analyses of survey data indicated: 1) suicide loss predicted non-acceptance of the loss; 2) mode of death moderated the association between unit cohesion and grief; 3) combat exposure, anger, closeness to the deceased, and having a past diagnosis of depression predicted the level of grief; and 4) combat exposure is a similarly strong predictor of grief and PTSS. Results highlight how veterans' grief further delineates war's toll. Conclusion The mixed-methods design tells a rich story about a previously unexplored consequence of war. These findings have important public health implications because outcomes impact not only veterans but also their families and communities.