cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo radiolabeling and turnover of sn‐glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase in Drosophila melanogaster: Gene dosage effects

In vivo radiolabeling of Drosophila melanogaster sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.8; GPDH) has been accomplished by microinjection of 3H-leucine into anesthetized flies. Comigration of immunoprecipitated radiolabeled GPDH with purified 14C-labeled GPDH-1 in SDS polyacrylamide disc gels has established the monospecificity of our immunoprecipitation technique. Short-term uptake experiments have demonstrated that maximum radiolabel incorporation of total TCA precipitable protein and immunoprecipitable GPDH-1 occurs within 4 hours postinjection, with GPDH-1 accounting for approximately 1% of the total radiolabeled TCA precipitable protein. In order to develop the parameters for turnover studies of GPDH in Drosophila, a comparative analysis of the rates of synthesis and degradation of GPDH-1 in flies bearing two and three doses of the structural gene have been conducted by the construction of adult flies aneuploid and euploid for the cytogenetic region 25F-26B on the left arm of chromosome II. Short-term uptake studies have demonstrated that the rate of GPDH-1 synthesis in the three-dose flies is approximately 1.58 times that found in the two-dose euploid flies. This value is in close agreement with data obtained for steady-state levels of CRM by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. In contrast, longterm pulse-chase experiments have revealed that rates of GPDH-1 degradation in these aneumploid and euploid flies appear to be identical. These data suggest that the rate of GPDH-1 synthesis in Drosophila is primarily regulated by a tightly linked cis-acting element which appears to act autonomously with respect to gene copy number as well as steady-state GPDH protein levels.
Dielectric properties of nanoscale multi-component systems: A first principles computational study

A new method has been developed within the framework of density functional theory to aid in the study of the dielectric properties of multi-component systems, with explicit treatment of surface and interface effects. Specially, we have determined the position dependent dielectric constant profiles for Si–SiO2 and SiO2-polymer systems. We find that at regions close to surfaces and interfaces, the dielectric constant is enhanced compared to the corresponding bulk values. In interior regions, the dielectric constant approaches the corresponding bulk values. The calculated optical and static dielectric constant values of these systems are in excellent agreement with experimental results, and other more involved computational treatments.
Behavioral effects of telestimulating hypothalamic reinforcement sites in freely moving rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Five self-stimulation sites in 3 rhesus monkeys were found in the anterior and anterolateral hypothalamic areas. When the monkeys received telestimulation non-contingently at these points they showed initial behavioral hyperalerting and cessation of ongoing activity, followed by poststimulation decreases in exploratory and locomotor behavior. When paired with a more dominant monkey, non-contingent stimulation caused a marked shift to dominance behavior by the initially submissive implanted monkey. When paired with a submissive monkey, non-contingent stimulation produced much less increase in dominance behavior in the implanted animal. Pairs with initial high scores of social closeness became more distant as the stimulated animal expressed more dominance behavior. Because expression of dominance behavior appeared highly context-dependent, it was hypothesed that the primary stimulation effect was fear reduction, not induction of aggression. Further evidence for this hypothesis was obtained by demonstrating that non-contingent stimulation would reduce snake-induced fear when monkeys were tested in an avoidance-conflict paradigm. Self-stimulation at these points was unchanged by manipulation of food, water, or sex hormone levels, and the results reported were not due to poststimulus seizure activity.
Effects of interaction topology, sign and strength on hysteretic losses

Behavior of energy losses in disordered systems with quasi-static hysteresis is analyzed in this paper. Random coercivity interacting switch model with local (short range) and global (infinite range) interactions is taken as a paradigm for such systems. The possibility to separate that part of energy loss, which is due to interactions, is demonstrated. It is shown that these excessive losses play an important role in systems with positive local interactions and relatively minor role when local interactions are negative. It is also shown that disorder decreases excess losses in systems with local interactions and that excess losses disappear entirely in systems with global interactions.
Erratum to: Identity-by-descent-based heritability analysis in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort

The online version of the original article can be found under doi:10.1007/s00439-012-1230-y.
Th17 Cells in Immunity to Candida albicans

Our understanding of immunity to fungal pathogens has advanced considerably in recent years. Particularly significant have been the parallel discoveries in the C-type lectin receptor family and the Th effector arms of immunity, especially Th17 cells and their signature cytokine, IL-17. Many of these studies have focused on the most common human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, which is typically a commensal microbe in healthy individuals but causes various disease manifestations in immunocompromised hosts, ranging from mild mucosal infections to lethal disseminated disease. Here, we discuss emerging fundamental discoveries with C. albicans that have informed our overall molecular understanding of fungal immunity. In particular, we focus on the importance of pattern recognition receptor-mediated fungal recognition and subsequent IL-17 responses in host defense against mucosal candidiasis. In light of these recent advances, we also discuss the implications for anticytokine biologic therapy and vaccine development.
Feedback from Classroom Research Projects.

A survey of faculty and administrators who successfully completed a staff development course on classroom feedback/ research techniques is reported. The results indicate two directions which classroom research activities appear to have taken. The first is an emphasis on the assessment of teaching over student achievement and learning skills. The second one involves a positive use of feedback results in the planning of follow‐up instructional activities. The value of classroom research endeavors appears to have outweighed the time it takes to prepare the assessment instruments, to implement the activities and to analyze the results. The paper concludes with a discussion of the need for institutional support systems to develop classroom research activities.
Parametric Instability of Axially Moving Media Subjected to Multifrequency Tension and Speed Fluctuations

This work investigates the stability of axially moving media subjected to parametric excitation resulting from tension and translation speed oscillations. Each of these excitation sources has spectral content with multiple frequencies and arbitrary phases. Stability boundaries for primary parametric instabilities, secondary instabilities, and combination instabilities are determined analytically through second-order perturbation. The classical result that primary instability occurs when one of the excitation frequencies is close to twice a natural frequency changes as a result of multiple excitation frequencies. Unusual interactions occur for the practically important case of simultaneous primary and secondary instabilities. While sum type combination instabilities occur, no difference type instabilities are detected. The nonlinear limit cycle amplitude that occurs under primary instability is derived using the method of multiple scales.
Theoretical basis for the Dubinin-Radushkevitch (D-R) adsorption isotherm equation

The Dubinin-Radushkevitch (D-R) equation, which was originally proposed as an empirical adaptation The Polanyi adsorption potential theory, has been the fundamental equation to quantitatively describe the adsorption gases and vapors by microporous sorbents. The equation, based on the postulate that the mechanism for adsorption in micropores is that of pore-filling rather than layer-by-layer surface coverage, generally applies well to adsorption systems involving only van der Waals forces and is especially useful to describe adsorption on activated ???. The ability of the D-R equation to describe gas adsorption on porous materials has inspired many to undertake studies, both experimental and theoretical, to explain the source of the success of the D-R equation in ??? of molecular properties at the gas-solid interface. In many cases, these studies have led to extensions or modifications of the original D-R equation. Many of these attempts and the resulting extensions are reviewed and discussed here. Recently, an isotherm equation was derived for adsorption of gases and vapors on microporous ??? from statistical mechanical principles. It was shown that the D-R equation is an approximated form of this potential theory isotherm. This development is also reviewed and discussed.
Diabetic microangiopathy in patients with pancreatitic diabetes mellitus.

Clinically evident diabetic microangiopathy (retinopathy and nephropathy) occurred in 18% of diabetic patients with acute pancreatitis and 14% of diabetic patients with chronic pancreatitis. The presence of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy in patients with pancreatitic diabetes without a family history of diabetes mellitus suggests that these patients have “primary” diabetes mellitus unmasked by the pancreatitis. The occurrence of diabetic microangiopathy is significantly correlated with the duration of diabetes. The frequency of these diabetic complications seems to increase when there is a family history of diabetes in patients whose pancreatitis is simultaneous with or precedes the onset of diabetes. The majority of patients with diabetic microangiopathy were on insulin therapy, but the need for insulin treatment is an indication of the severity of the diabetes, rather than the insulin being a causative factor of the microangiopathy. The degree of steatorrhea in diabetic patients with chronic pancreatitis did not protect against the development of microangiopathy.
Jewish and Roman Catholic Approaches to Access to Health Care and Rationing

In addressing issues of access to health care and rationing, Jewish and Roman Catholic writers identify similar guiding values and specific concerns. Moral thinkers in each tradition tend to support the guarantee of universal access to at least a basic level of health care for all members of society, based on such values as human dignity, justice, and healing. Catholic writers are more likely to frame their arguments in terms of the common good and to be more accepting of rationing that denies beneficial and needed health care to some persons. Jewish writers are more likely to consider individual responsibility for illness in allocation decisions and to accept differences in health care that different members of society receive. The article considers the relevance of both shared and complementary perspectives for deliberations in nations such as the United States.
Holographic reciprocity law failure.

Previous authors have reported a falloff in diffraction efficiency of reconstructed images in multiple-exposure holograms. We call this phenomenon holographic reciprocity law failure. We propose an explanation for this phenomenon based on latent image formation in photographic materials and discuss a method for superimposing holograms that reconstruct images of equal brightness.
Coordination of Multiple Motors Bound to Intracellular Cargos

The movement of organelles and vesicles along the cellular cytoskeleton is often driven by multiple motor types, including kinesins, dynein, and myosins. Both in vitro and cellular studies suggest that multiple motors are bound simultaneously to intracellular cargos. For some cargos, such as late endosomes/lysosomes, we find that opposing motors may be active simultaneously, leading to stochastic directional switching best characterized as a tug-of-war. Run lengths are generally short and apparent diffusive movement predominates. For other cargos, such as autophagosomes, both kinesin and dynein motors remain stably bound but motility is highly processive in a single direction, suggesting motor activities are regulated. Intracellular transport is also regulated at the level of the track, as dictated by the complex organization of the intracellular cytoskeleton, characterized by microtubule-microtubule and microtubule-actin filament intersections as well as filament dynamics and filament-binding proteins. By analyzing motility at multiple levels, including: (1) in vitro with purified motors bound to beads at filament intersections; (2) in vitro with motors that co-purify with isolated organelles; (3) in the cell using high resolution tracking of endocytosed quantum dots; and (4) intracellular manipulation of phagocytosed beads using an optical trap, we can investigate the mechanisms that coordinate the interactions of multiple motors in intracellular organelle transport. Supported by NIH GM087253.
Arbitrary waveform synthesis for communication applications

Feature Issue on Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) For optical wireless laser transmissions we take advantage of a specific comblike structure of the spectrum of mode-locked laser ultrashort pulse trains and present a pulse-shaping technique for arbitrary waveform synthesis. The shaped pulses are free of space-time coupling effects and high-order spatial modes. As examples, we provide simulation results for the synthesis of waveforms that are of particular interest for optical communications, namely, square-root-raised cosines and Meyer wavelets.
Communication Architectures for Massive Multi-Player Games

Massive multi-player games are characterized by a large number of participating players. It is therefore essential that an appropriate communication architecture is deployed in order to support an ever growing number of players. Several such architectures have been proposed, including client-server and peer-to-peer architectures. In this paper, we propose a systematic method to assess the scalability of different architectures in order to identify the most appropriate one for specific game types. The model proposed is very general in that it covers centralized, distributed, and hybrid architectures and it is applied to the client-server, peer-to-peer and the newly introduced federated peer-to-peer architecture. Quantitative expressions that capture the effect of various game types are derived, and the trade-offs among the architectures are identified.
Information and party voting in “semipartisan” judicial elections

Research on the relationship between the quantity of information that voters possess and their party voting behavior in partisan elections has produced mixed and confusing empirical results. In an effort to provide a broader perspective, this paper explores that relationship in nonpartisan elections contested by candidates of opposing parties. The paper analyzes survey data on two 1984 contests for seats on the Ohio Supreme Court, using the presidential race for comparison. Despite a highly partisan campaign, party defections by voters were far more common in the supreme court races than in the presidential race, reflecting the importance of party designations on the ballot as a source of information on candidates' party affiliations. At the individual level, levels of information had differing effects in the two supreme court races and for Democratic and Republican voters; this finding suggests that the impact of imformation levels on voters' choices is conditioned by the content of information in particular campaigns.
Dental Amalgam Update—Part II: Biological Effects

Dental amalgam restorations have been controversial for over 150 years. In Part I of this Critical Appraisal, the clinical efficacy of dental amalgam was updated. Here in Part II, the biological effects of dental amalgam are addressed.
Latent learning - What your net also learned

A neural net can learn to discriminate among a set of classes without explicitly training to do so. It does not even need exposure to any instances of those classes. The learning occurs while the net is being trained to discriminate among a set of related classes. This form of transfer learning is referred to as ‘Latent Learning’ by psychologists, because until specifically elicited, the knowledge remains latent. Evidence that latent learning has occurred lies in the existence of consistent, unique responses to the unseen classes. Standard supervised learning can improve the accuracy of those responses with exceedingly small sets of labeled images. In this paper, we use a convolutional neural net (CNN) to demonstrate not only a method of determining a net's latent responses, but also simple ways to optimize latent learning. Additionally, we take advantage of the fact that CNN's are deep nets in order to show how the latently learned accuracy of the CNN may be greatly improved by allowing only its output layer to train. We compare our results both to those obtained with standard backpropagation training of the CNN on small datasets without any transfer learning and to a related set of current published results.
Limitations of the unique-attribute representation for a learning system

Two problems faced by many learning systems are that learning can result in an overall increase in system performance time and that overgeneral knowledge can be learned, leading to incorrect system performance. The authors address these problems in an empirical study in the context of the Soar architecture. In this context, they discuss the development of a general unique-attribute representation of annotated models which is used to build a large application with learning capabilities. Besides verifying, on a large application, the previously-reported results regarding the efficiency benefits of a unique-attribute representation, it is shown that the unique-attribute representation can prevent learning overgeneral knowledge. However, the study also reveals the limitations of such a representation. The limitations revealed are that overspecific knowledge can be learned due to the representation; programming within such a representation is more difficult than that within a multi-attribute representation; and proposing operators in parallel, which is essential for flexible problem solving, is problematic. >
Finding combinatorial histone code by semi-supervised biclustering.

Combinatorial histone modification is an important epigenetic mechanism for regulating chromatin state and gene expression. Given the rapid accumulation of genome-wide histone modification maps, there is a pressing need for computational methods capable of joint analysis of multiple maps to reveal combinatorial modification patterns. We present the Semi-Supervised Coherent and Shifted Bicluster Identification algorithm (SS-CoSBI). It uses prior knowledge of combinatorial histone modifications to guide the biclustering process. Specifically, co-occurrence frequencies of histone modifications characterized by mass spectrometry are used as probabilistic priors to adjust the similarity measure in the biclustering process. Using a high-quality set of transcriptional enhancers and associated histone marks, we demonstrate that SS-CoSBI outperforms its predecessor by finding histone modification and genomic locus biclusters with higher enrichment of enhancers. We apply SS-CoSBI to identify multiple cell-type-specific combinatorial histone modification states associated with human enhancers. We show enhancer histone modification states are correlated with the expression of nearby genes. Further, we find that enhancers with the histone mark H3K4me1 have higher levels of DNA methylation and decreased expression of nearby genes, suggesting a functional interplay between H3K4me1 and DNA methylation that can modulate enhancer activities. The analysis presented here provides a systematic characterization of combinatorial histone codes of enhancers across three human cell types using a novel semi-supervised biclustering algorithm. As epigenomic maps accumulate, SS-CoSBI will become increasingly useful for understanding combinatorial chromatin modifications by taking advantage of existing knowledge. SS-CoSBI is implemented in C. The source code is freely available at http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/labs/tan/SS-CoSBI.gz .
When Jobs Play Nice: The Case For Symbiotic Space-Sharing

Using a large HPC platform, we investigate the effectiveness of "symbiotic space-sharing", a technique that improves system throughput by executing parallel applications in combinations and configurations that alleviate pressure on shared resources. We demonstrate that relevant benchmarks commonly suffer a 10-60% penalty in runtime efficiency due to memory resource bottlenecks and up to several orders of magnitude for I/O. We show that this penalty can be often mitigated, and sometimes virtually eliminated, by symbiotic space-sharing techniques and deploy a prototype scheduler that leverages these findings to improve system throughput by 20%
Distinct signaling pathways mediate touch and osmosensory responses in a polymodal sensory neuron.

The Caenorhabditis elegans ASH sensory neurons mediate responses to nose touch, hyperosmolarity, and volatile repellent chemicals. We show here that distinct signaling pathways mediate the responses to touch and hyperosmolarity. ASH neurons distinguish between these stimuli because habituation to nose touch has no effect on the response to high osmolarity or volatile chemicals (1-octanol). Mutations in osm-10 eliminate the response to hyperosmolarity but have no effect on responses to nose touch or to volatile repellents. OSM-10 is a novel cytosolic protein expressed in ASH and three other classes of sensory neurons. Mutations in two other osmosensory-defective genes, eos-1 andeos-2, interact genetically with osm-10. Our analysis suggests that nose touch sensitivity and osmosensation occur via distinct signaling pathways in ASH and that OSM-10 is required for osmosensory signaling.
Lossless systems in wavelet transforms

A brief review of wavelet transforms and their relation to paraunitary filter banks is given. Proofs of these relations are presented, using standard multirate signal processing notations. >
Assuring the Future? A Look at Validating Climate Model Software

The scientific community studying climate change uses a variety of strategies to assess the correctness of their models. These software systems represent large, sophisticated, fine-grained scientific tools. The validation practices described are thus tailored to a domain in which software and software engineering practices are useful but cannot be allowed to get in the way of the science. In audio interviews, two scientists--Robert Jacob, a computational climate scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, and Gavin Schmidt, a climatologist and climate modeler at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies--discuss what it means to develop and communicate ground-breaking results.
Detection heterogeneity in underwater visual‐census data

This study shows how capture–mark–recapture (CMR) models can provide robust estimates of detection heterogeneity (sources of bias) in underwater visual-census data. Detection biases among observers and fish family groups were consistent between fished and unfished reef sites in Kenya, even when the overall level of detection declined between locations. Species characteristics were the greatest source of detection heterogeneity and large, highly mobile species were found to have lower probabilities of detection than smaller, site-attached species. Fish family and functional-group detectability were also found to be lower at fished locations, probably due to differences in local abundance. Because robust CMR models deal explicitly with sampling where not all species are detected, their use is encouraged for studies addressing reef-fish community dynamics.
Density Functional Methods in Hot Dense Plasmas

A plasma or a liquid metal is simply a mixture of electrons and nuclei interacting via the Coulomb potential. Here we further assume that the system is in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) at a temperature T, taken for simplicity to be the same for ions and for the electrons. We further assume that the system as a whole is electrically neutral and that there is only one nuclear species of charge Z. This does not of course imply that there is only one ionic species since the nuclei will support many different bound electron configurations leading to a distribution of effective charge states Zc ≤ Z. The weighted mean of these charge states, will be called the effective charge ζ Since the plasma is charge neutral, this somewhat artificial concept of “mean ions” of charge ζ allows us to write the electro-neutrality condition in the form $$ {\rm{\bar n = \zeta \bar \rho }} $$ (1.1) where p is the mean density of ions (or equivalently, nuclei) while n is the free electron density in the plasma.
Transfection of glucosylceramide synthase antisense inhibits mouse melanoma formation

MEB4 murine melanoma cells synthesize G M 3 as the major ganglioside. Inhibition of G M 3 synthesis by a specific glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor resulted in reduced tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of these cells. We used a molecular approach-antisense transfection targeting the glucosylceramide synthase gene-to regulate glycosphingolipid synthesis by MEB4 cells and examine the influence on tumor formation. Antisense transfection inhibited the synthesis of the direct product of glucosylceramide synthase, glucosylceramide, and consequently G M 3 ganglioside, by MEB4 cells, reducing the concentration of G M 3 in the transfectants by up to 58%. Although neither morphology nor proliferation kinetics of the cultured cells was affected, the inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis and reduction of total ganglioside content caused a striking reduction in melanoma formation in mice. Only 1/60 (2 %) of mice injected ID with 10 4 antisense-transfected MA173 cells formed a tumor, compared to 31/60 (52%) of mice receiving MEB4 cells and 7/15 (47 %) of mice receiving the MS2 sense-transfected cells (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). These findings demonstrate that stable transfection of glucosylceramide synthase antisense reduces cellular glycosphingolipid levels and reduces tumorigenicity, providing further experimental support for an enhancing role of gangliosides in tumor formation.
Structural breaks and GARCH models of exchange rate volatility

We investigate the empirical relevance of structural breaks for GARCH models of exchange rate volatility using both in-sample and out-of-sample tests. We find significant evidence of structural breaks in the unconditional variance of seven of eight US dollar exchange rate return series over the 1980–2005 period—implying unstable GARCH processes for these exchange rates—and GARCH(1,1) parameter estimates often vary substantially across the subsamples defined by the structural breaks. We also find that it almost always pays to allow for structural breaks when forecasting exchange rate return volatility in real time. Combining forecasts from different models that accommodate structural breaks in volatility in various ways appears to offer a reliable method for improving volatility forecast accuracy given the uncertainty surrounding the timing and size of the structural breaks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Achromatopsia-associated mutation in the human cone photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated channel CNGB3 subunit alters the ligand sensitivity and pore properties of heteromeric channels

Abstract Cone photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are thought to form by assembly of two different subunit types, CNGA3 and CNGB3. Recently, mutations in the gene encoding the CNGB3 subunit have been linked to achromatopsia in humans. Here we describe the functional consequences of two achromatopsia-associated mutations in human CNGB3 (hCNGB3). Co-expression in Xenopus oocytes of human CNGA3 (hCNGA3) subunits with hCNGB3 subunits containing an achromatopsia-associated mutation in the S6 transmembrane domain (S435F) generated functional heteromeric channels that exhibited an increase in apparent affinity for both cAMP and cGMP compared with wild type heteromeric channels. In contrast, co-expression of a presumptive null mutation of hCNGB3 (T383f.s.ΔC) with hCNGA3 produced channels with properties indistinguishable from homomeric hCNGA3 channels. The effect of hCNGB3 S435F subunits on cell-surface expression of green fluorescent protein-tagged hCNGA3 subunits and of non-tagged hCNGA3 subunits on surface expression of green fluorescent protein-hCNGB3 S435F subunits were similar to those observed for wild type hCNGB3 subunits, suggesting that the mutation does not grossly disturb subunit assembly or plasma membrane targeting. The S435F mutation was also found to produce changes in the pore properties of the channel, including decreased single channel conductance and decreased sensitivity to block by l-cis-diltiazem. Overall, these results suggest that the functional properties of cone CNG channels may be altered in patients with the S435F mutation, providing evidence supporting the pathogenicity of this mutation in humans. Thus, achromatopsia may arise from a disturbance of cone CNG channel gating and permeation or from the absence of functional CNGB3 subunits.
VEGF and soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sFlt-1) distributions in peripheral arterial disease: an in silico model

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis, the growth of new capillaries from existing microvasculature. In peripheral arterial disease (PAD), lower extremity mus...
The Development of Children in Mother-Headed Families

The incidence of children growing up in a mother-headed single-parent home in the United States is increasing. Over 10 million children currently are living in fatherless homes, largely because of the rapidly accelerating divorce rate, particularly in families that have young children. Fewer parents are “staying together for the sake of the children.” In 1975, there were more than 1 million divorces, and in each divorce an average of 1.22 children were involved. In contrast to the increasing divorce rate, the marriage rate has begun to drop. The ratio of divorces to marriages in the United States in 1975 was about 1:2, with 1,026,000 divorces and 2,126,000 marriages.
North American Influences on the Circulation and Climate of the North Atlantic Sector

Abstract During the post-war period the pressure field at Greenland has been characterized by long-sustained winter regimes of alternating high and low pressure, with important effects on the winter climate of Europe. Although these alternations of pressure anomaly at Greenland may be shown to be associated with periods when the pattern of long waves in the upper westerlies showed a general reversal over much of the Northern Hemisphere, it is also suggested that within this hemispheric pattern of change, contemporary variations of winter climate along the Atlantic seaboard of North America have exerted an important influence on the pressure field at Greenland and, through teleconnections, elsewhere (e.g., the North Atlantic and Europe). Comparing months of extreme winter warmth and cold over the southeastern United States it is shown that changes in the strength of the baroclinic field at the coast are associated with major changes in the distribution of winter storms. More specifically, during winters of...
Quality and Equality in American Education: Systemic Problems, Systemic Solutions

After briefly reviewing the unequal opportunities outside schools that contribute to the disparities in educational achievement, attainment, and various indicators of adult success, this chapter zeroes in on addressing inequities within K-12 education. We argue that disparities within the educational system are the product of institutional structures and cultures that both disenfranchise certain groups of students and depress quality overall. Systemic causes require systemic solutions, and we envision a three-pronged systemic remedy: a continuous improvement approach for addressing the quality of educational opportunities for underserved students as well as of the system as a whole; targeted high-leverage interventions consistent with the overall approach but focused on key transition points and needs; and stronger connections between schools and other institutions and systems affecting the development and well-being of children and youth. We then outline a change strategy that incorporates both pressure and support for improvement from three distinct but interacting sources: government and administrative policy (federal, state, and local); professional accountability and networking; and collective engagement of parental, community, and advocacy organizations. We end the chapter with a consideration of recent developments in California and the degree to which they lay the groundwork for moving an equity agenda in the state.
Effect of Ca2+ influx on intracellular free Ca2+ responses in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells

We undertake a quantitative investigation of changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in antigen-stimulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells, which include contributions of both Ca2+ store release and Ca2+ influx from the medium. Following Keizer and De Young (J. Keizer and G. De Young. Biophys. J. 61: 649-660, 1992), we develop a highly constrained mathematical model for [Ca2+]i oscillations in RBL-2H3 cells, which includes activation of the inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) by inositol 1,4,5-trisphospate, indirect Ca2+ activation of the IP3R via Ca2+ -dependent activity of phospholipase C-gamma, slow inhibition of the IP3R by cytosolic Ca2+, refilling of Ca2+ stores by a Ca2+ -ATPase (SERCA)-type pump, and a simple representation of the dependence of plasma membrane (PM) fluxes on experimental conditions. Using this full (open cell) model, we simulate [Ca2+]i responses for protocols in which antigen concentration and external Ca2+ are manipulated and compare out calculations with experimental data. In protocol A, cells are stimulated in the presence of external Ca2+, in protocols B and C, cells are stimulated in the absence of external Ca2+, with external Ca2+ later reapplied in protocol C. We are able to reproduce quantitatively the important features of all three protocols, including the dose response of protocol B, the [Ca2+]i response to thapsigargin, and lag time results, and we provide qualitative explanations for the responses derived from our calculations. We also develop a simplified (closed cell) version of the model in which PM fluxes are neglected and total free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]T) is a slowly varying parameter. This permits us to explain in a simple graphical fashion how PM fluxes may influence [Ca2+]i responses in RBH-2H3 cells through modulation of [Ca2+]T.
Airfoil Boundary-Layer Flow Control Using Fluidic Oscillators

Experiments were conducted to explore the use of fluidic oscillators for improving the aerodynamic performance of the S903 airfoil. The tests were conducted at chord Reynolds numbers ranging from 4 x 10 5 to 1 x 10 6 in the Low-Speed, Mid-Size Tunnel at the Pennsylvania State University. The improvement in lift coefficient range from 10% to 20% and depends on the Reynolds number and the actuation level. It was observed that the higher the oscillator jet velocity with respect to the free stream velocity, the higher the gain in aerodynamic performance at a given Reynolds number. It was also observed that the gain in maximum lift was nearly constant for varying Reynolds numbers if the ratio of jet velocity to the free stream velocity is kept constant. Numerical simulations were performed to study the effect of frequency of actuation for a given velocity ratio and to better understand the physics of the flow control mechanism involved.
Transmission of Potato Leaf Roll Virus by the Green Peach Aphid

An electronic monitoring system was used to record, on indicator plants, the feeding behavior of individual green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), that had been reared on excised leaflets of potato plants known to be infected with potato leaf roll virus. Transmission of the PLRV to the indicator plants, Physalis pubescens (L.), was proportional to the amount of salivation–ingestion recorded, 4% infected after 1 min of such activity to 74% at 15 min.
Systematic applications of gas-liquid chromatography in toxicology

Abstract A rapid method for (a) the extraction of a number of alkaloids from blood after ingestion of lethal or near-lethal doses, and (b) their subsequent gas chromatographic identification is described. Extraction is done at the pH of blood by a mixture of equal volumes of acetone and ether. A 3-foot long glass column packed with 1% Hi-Eff-8B on 100 120 mesh silanized Gas Chrom P (Gas Chrom Q) is used in conjunction with a flame ionization detector, and the relative retention times of the 18 alkaloids at four different temperatures are recorded. To test the direct applicability of the method in forensic cases, animal experiments were carried out. Toxic or lethal doses of the six common alkaloidal drugs were administered; bloods were drawn at varying intervals and the concentration of the drug found in blood was recorded. Recovery data obtained by this method on adding known quantities of drugs to blood are also described.
Further Studies on Staphylococcus Bacteriophage

In 1922, 11 reported studies on the phenomenon of d'Herelle with Staphylococcus aureus and called attention to the fact that a bacteriophage or lytic substance, specific for one or more strains of staphylococcus, can be isolated directly from acute staphylococcus boils. It was possible in only two cases' of the ten reported to demonstrate direct action on the autogenous strain with a given lytic agent, thus calling attention to the apparent insusceptibility of the organisms directly involved to the lytic substance. These experiments, as also the work of most of the earlier writers, seemed to indicate that the initiation of bacteriophage activity is the result of contact of the organisms with body cells. However, the later work of Bail,2 Otto and Munter,3 Kuttner 4 and others who isolated bacteriophages from old broth cultures of organisms of the colon-typhoid group was of paramount importance because it suggested that the lytic principle might be derived from the organisms themselves without contact with body cells. To multiply if possible the facts concerning the isolation of these materials from pure cultures this method of investigation was extended to Staphylococcus aureus. As a necessary introduction to the main part of this paper, I shall summarize briefly certain outstanding facts (heretofore unpublished) which developed in the early experiments.
Lost & found: C9ORF72 and the autophagy pathway in ALS/FTD

C9ORF72 expression is reduced in a substantial number of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which may contribute to disease pathogenesis. However, its normal molecular function remains unknown. In this issue of The EMBO Journal , Sellier et al (2016) identified a novel protein complex consisting of C9ORF72, WDR41, and SMCR8 that acts as a GDP‐GTP exchange factor (GEF) for RAB8a and RAB39b and is regulated by TBK1, whose partial loss of function also causes ALS and FTD. They further reveal a potential modulatory role for this novel complex in macroautophagy (autophagy), especially in the context of ataxin‐2 toxicity.
Steam-flood program optimization for M heavy oil reservoir

M heavy oil reservoir has high porosity and permeability. In order to improve steam-flood development response, injection parameters are optimized by using numerical simulation. The result shows that intermittent injection program is more optimum than other programs and has better economic revenue.
Clinical effect of digestive endoscopy combined with quadruple therapy in treatment of gastric ulcer bleeding and rebleeding

Objective To explore the clinical effect of digestive endoscopy combined with quadruple therapy in treatment of gastric ulcer bleeding and rebleeding. Methods 80 cases of patients with gastric ulcer hemorrhage from May 2012 to May 2014 in our hospital were randomly divided into study group and control group with 40 cases in each. The clinical effects of two groups were compared, eradication of the Hp standard, single factor and multi factors of rebleeding. Results The total efficiency rate of research group was 92.5%, significantly higher than that of the control group 80.0%, there were significant differences between the two groups(P 0.05). Two consecutive urea breath test negative determine theeradication of the Hp, observation of 38 cases of clearance, clearance rate was 95.0%; the control group of 33 cases of clearance, clearance rate was 82.5%, comparing the two groups had significant difference(x2 =7.654, P 0.05). Single factor influencing factors of rebleeding in A, B two groups in age, sex ratio, the difference was not significant(P 0.05), A group the amount of bleeding, ulcer stage A1 percentage was higher than B group(P 0.05), group A hemoglobin platelet, whether endoscopic treatment were small percentage in group B(P 0.05). Many factors affect the re bleeding, endoscopic therapy, lower hemoglobin, ulcer stage A1 were risk factors of rebleeding. Conclusion Endoscopy combined with quadruple therapy in treatment of gastric ulcerbleeding, rebleeding risk factors including endoscopic therapy, lower hemoglobin, ulcer stage A1.
Light in the Darkness

The story of an El Salvadorian women made pregnant by a rape while immigrating to the United States is discussed from a humanbecoming paradigm perspective. Nursing practice from such a paradigm is seen as the opposite of such a violent crime and injustice, because it seeks to tenderly respect and provide for the dignity and freedom of all people.
The remote effects of cancer on the nervous system.

Neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders that may affect any part or parts of the central or peripheral nervous systems. The majority of paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with specific tumor types, most notably small cell lung cancer. The neurologic symptoms frequently antedate the discovery of a neoplasm and are often more disabling than the tumor itself. Recent evidence has implicated autoimmunity as the cause of Lambert-Eaton syndrome and of several other "remote effects."
Transient characteristics of post-welding shift of TO-can pigtail package

The dynamic properties of laser welding post-welding shift (PWS) for a TO-can pigtail package are studied. We use non-contact capacitive displacement sensors to measure the transient movement of the welding parts right after firing the laser pulse(s) for the welding configurations using (i) a single and (ii) three-symmetric laser beams. We measure the transient behaviour of the PWS of the welded posts at various time scales. From our result, multiple time scale dynamic behaviours of the PWS are observed and this gives us some insight on the possible physical processes contributing to the PWS.
Management of Complicated Cataracts Using Vitrectomy Instruments

Complicated congenital cataracts such as those associated with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) were previously thought to be inoperable. However, utilizing the instrumentation and techniques developed for pars plana surgery (1, 2, 3) we are now able to successfully treat a variety of problems affecting the anterior segment. These techniques utilize a “closed eye” system which maintains the normal configuration of the globe and provides normal or elevated intraocular pressure during surgery. Modern instrumentation permits precise control for excising intraocular tissue, enabling one to remove lens material without damaging other tissues. Direct visualization of intraocular structures is provided by fiberoptic intraocular illumination. Other techniques such as intraocular diathermy may be used to dissect tissue planes. Herein we present the surgical techniques we have utilized in treating PHPV, our postoperative results, and our views on the surgical management of uncomplicated congenital cataracts.
Inherited and acquired disorders of magnesium homeostasis.

Purpose of reviewMagnesium (Mg2+) imbalances are frequently overlooked. Hypermagnesemia usually occurs in preeclamptic women after Mg2+ therapy or in end-stage renal disease patients, whereas hypomagnesemia is more common with a prevalence of up to 15% in the general population. Increasing evidence
Exploring stigma of “extreme” weight gain: The terror of fat possible selves in women's responses to hypothetically gaining one hundred pounds

Abstract As insidious fat-phobia, fat talk, and fat-negative attitudes and behaviors permeate women's narratives about their bodies, fear of fatness and disdain for fat bodies has become a normative part of women's lives. That said, little is known about how women imagine their future selves and future weight gain, or how they would react to hypothetically imagining major weight gain despite the fact that over a third of American women are labeled as “obese” and many of them have gained at least 100 lb. This study analyzed semi-structured interviews with twenty women from a diverse 2014 community sample (mean age: 35.35, SD: 12.01) collected in a large Southwestern U.S. city in order to examine U.S. women's subjective feelings about hypothetically gaining significant weight. Results, centered on five themes, connected hypothetical weight gain to severe fat negativity: 1) Weight blame: Anger and disgust directed toward self; 2) Familiarity of gaining weight; 3) Fear of physical limitations; 4) Loss of “sexiness” and loss of male gaze; and 5) Severely distressed feeling that life is over. Tensions about the meaning of fatness and its physical and emotional implications for women were explored, alongside an analysis of how the hypothetically fat body produced visceral reactions, concerns about health, beliefs that attractiveness and eroticism were in danger, and, for some women, severely phobic reactions about fat bodies. Tensions between weight gain that are seen as “extreme” and mundane are also discussed. Methodological implications for how hypothetical questions can elicit strong emotional content are also discussed.
Revised Variables Acceptance Sampling Standards—ANSI Z1.9(1980) and ISO 3951(1980)

The civilian versions of the military variables acceptance sampling system MlL-STD-414 are United States national standard ANSI/ASQC Z1.9(1980) and the international standard ISO 3951(1980). Both t...
The Cartesian Heritage of Bloom’s Taxonomy

This essay seeks to contribute to the critical reception of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives by tracing the Taxonomy’s underlying philosophical assumptions. Identifying Bloom’s work as consistent with the legacy of Cartesian thought, I argue that its hierarchy of behavioral objectives provides a framework for certainty and communicability in ascertaining student learning. However, its implicit rejection of intuitive knowledge as well as its antagonism between the human subject and the known object promote the Enlightenment ideal of education as “intellectual work.” When embodied in the Taxonomy, Cartesian assumptions foster a fundamental disposition in front of reality that is ultimately alienating. The paper begins with an explication of the Taxonomy’s affordances and philosophical assumptions. I then identify the Cartesian elements of these assumptions, particularly the Taxonomy’s inherent mind–body dualism and primacy of method. Finally, the paper employs these elements as an explanatory factor for the predominant critiques of the Taxonomy in educational theory literature. An addendum questions the possibility or plausibility of distance from objectives frameworks in the contemporary classroom.