cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
34. Stromal Vascular Fraction as a Novel Stem Cell-Based Therapy for a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting young adults worldwide and remains an unmet clinical challenge. MS is caused by an autoimmune reaction against constituents of the central nervous system (CNS). Subsequent immune cell infiltration into CNS tissues lead to widespread inflammation, demyelination, and pathological lesions causing debilities such as tremors, fatigue, and progressive loss of motor functions. These pathological hallmarks are reproducible in the mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. Several clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-based therapies in treating various disorders. ASC-based therapies are considered favorable due to their abundance in adult human adipose depots, less invasive harvest protocol, and potent immune-modulatory capabilities. However, due to the requisite for ex vivo culture isolation and expansion, alternative therapies are necessary. As such, the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue has been considered a potential alternative to ASC-based therapies. The SVF consists of ASCs, adipocytes, and numerous leukocytes. The combination of cell types is believed to provide enhanced effectiveness by reducing inflammation and repairing damage. Currently, the SVF has advanced to clinical trials as a promising therapy for various medical indications including neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, the efficacy of SVF therapy for MS patients or EAE mice has not been investigated. In this study, 1×106 SVF cells or ASCs were administered by intraperitoneal injected into EAE mice during the progression of disease, i.e. early, mid-stage, and chronic phases. Immune-modulatory activities of injected SVF and ASCs were analyzed using flow cytometry and qRT-PCR of lymphoid and CNS tissues and blood at the endpoint of the study. Both SVF and ASC treatments reduced pathological infiltrates and levels of inflammatory cytokines. Results show greater efficacy for reducing disease severity, recovery of motor functions, and improvement in histological examinations from EAE mice injected with SVF than ASCs, regardless of the timing. Together, SVF cells are more comprehensive at treating the immunopathogenesis of EAE by producing robust immune-modulatory effects. The translational aspects of this study support the use of SVF over ASCs as a prospective therapy for MS due to these promising results.
A Health System-wide Moral Distress Consultation Service: Development and Evaluation

Although moral distress is now a well-recognized phenomenon among all of the healthcare professions, few evidence-based strategies have been published to address it. In morally distressing situations, the “presenting problem” may be a particular patient situation, but most often signals a deeper unit- or system-centered issue. This article describes one institution’s ongoing effort to address moral distress in its providers. We discuss the development and evaluation of the Moral Distress Consultation Service, an interprofessional, unit/system-oriented approach to addressing and ameliorating moral distress.
Review of Tremain, Foucault and the Government of Disability

This reissue of Shelley Tremain’s vital collection of essays continues to focus on the importance of disability studies and while it has all the weight and significance of the original publication it also extends and builds upon those original essays. Tremain, rightly and accurately, characterizes the anniversary volume, like the original, as “a classic text in…critical disability theory and research” (9). It is, quite simply, a must read.
Rational design of charged peptides that self-assemble into robust nanofibers as immune-functional scaffolds

Abstract Self-assembling peptides programed by sequence design to form predefined nanostructures are useful for a variety of biomedical applications. However, assemblies of classic ionic self-complementary peptides are unstable in neutral pH, while charged peptide hydrogels have low mechanical strength. Here, we report on the rational design of a self-assembling peptide system with optimized charge distribution and density for bioscaffold development. Our designer peptides employs a sequence pattern that undergoes salt triggered self-assembly into β-sheet rich cationic nanofibers in the full pH range (pH 0–14). Our peptides form nanofibrils in physiological condition at a minimum concentration that is significantly lower than has been reported for self-assembly of comparable peptides. The robust fiber-forming ability of our peptides results in the rapid formation of hydrogels in physiological conditions with strong mechanical strength. Moreover, fiber structure is maintained even upon dense conjugation with a model bioactive cargo OVA 257-264 peptide. Nanofibers carrying OVA 257-264 significantly enhanced CD8 + T cell activation in vitro. Subcutaneous immunization of our peptide fiber vaccine also elicited robust CD8 + T cell activation and proliferation in vivo. Our self-assembling peptides are expected to provide a versatile platform to construct diverse biomaterials. Statement of Significance This work is an attempt of rational design of materials from molecular level for targeted properties and an exploration in molecular self-assembly. Current widely studied self-assembling peptides do not have stable nanofiber structures and form weak hydrogels under physiological conditions. To address this issue, we develop charged self-assembling peptides with a novel sequence pattern for strong fiber-forming ability under physiological conditions. Our designer peptides can undergo salt-triggered self-assembly into nanofibers that are ultrastable in extreme pH (0–14) and dilute solutions, and into hydrogels with strong mechanical strength. Upon conjugation with a model bioactive cargo, our self-assembled peptides exhibit great potential as bioscaffolds for multiple applications.
Lower Extremity Angular Deformities

The pediatric orthopedist must determine whether or not a lower extremity deformity is part of a normal physiologic progression or is pathologic. The knowledge of the natural history of physiologic lower extremity angulation and rotation is critical to establishing what is normal from the pathologic.
Instantaneous phase mapping deflectometry for dynamic deformable mirror characterization

We present an instantaneous phase mapping deflectometry (PMD) system in the context of measuring a continuous surface deformable mirror (DM). Deflectometry has a high dynamic range, enabling the full range of surfaces generated by the DM to be measured. The recent development of an instantaneous PMD system leverages the simple setup of the PMD system to measure dynamic objects with accuracy similar to an interferometer. To demonstrate the capabilities of this technology, we perform a linearity measurement of the actuator motion in a continuous surface DM, which is critical for closed loop control in adaptive optics applications. We measure the entire set of actuators across the DM as they traverse their full range of motion with a Shack-Hartman wavefront sensor, thereby obtaining the influence function. Given the influence function of each actuator, the DM can produce specific Zernike terms on its surface. We then measure the linearity of the Zernike modes available in the DM software using the instantaneous PMD system. By obtaining the relationship between modes, we can more accurately generate surface profiles composed of Zernike terms. This ability is useful for other dynamic freeform metrology applications that utilize the DM as a null component.
Preaching Conservation to Andean Pentecostal Communities: A Case of Engaging Key Stakeholders of Religious Communities in Peruvian Tropical Forests

In Latin America, Pentecostal churches have an important presence in local Andean communities. I explored the opinions that rural people of the Pentecostal faith in the Peruvian Andes have on nature and conservation and tested the Evangelical principle of Creation Care as an effective method to approach them and get them interested in conservation issues. I attended special meetings of rural Pentecostal churches in Huanuco, Peru, in 2012 and 2013; the congregations allowed me to share the importance of nature conservation, and Creation Care facilitated this communication. I discuss the details of one of the events where I participated as an invited speaker to talk about nature conservation. For those who wish to foster a dialogue with Pentecostals and Evangelical residents of the Andes on the rationale for environmental stewardship, I recommend becoming familiar with the principle of Creation Care and looking for its application in specific environmental problems of the region.
Bridging cultural gaps: interdisciplinary studies in human cultural evolution.

Within the blink of an eye on a geological timescale, humans advanced from using basic stone tools to examining the rocks on Mars; however, our exact evolutionary path and the relative importance of genetic and cultural evolution in directing it remain a mystery. Our cultural capacities—to generate new ideas, to communicate and learn from one another, and to form vast social networks—together make us uniquely human, but the origins, the mechanisms and the evolutionary impact of these capacities are not well understood. This special issue comprises studies that bring together perspectives from anthropology, archaeology, biology, computer science, ecology and psychology to help elucidate the cultural forces affecting human evolution. These studies explore avenues in which approaches and insights from different fields may inform one another or be brought together to generate novel interdisciplinary research agendas, with the goal of advancing the study of human uniqueness and its pre-hominid origins. The aim of this issue is to advance interdisciplinary discussion of the roles that culture plays in shaping the course of human evolution, exploring the mechanisms of cultural evolution from their cognitive underpinnings in individuals, through the behavioural ecology of learning from others, to the dynamics of transmission at the level of individuals and populations. The articles in this issue bring insights from disparate disciplines to bear on major questions in cultural evolution [1–11] and suggest broad-scale ways in which the study of cultural evolution can be synthesized with other disciplines [12–14]. In the introduction to this issue [15], we outline how integrative studies are poised to move the field of cultural evolution forward; we demonstrate the utility of this …
The Architecture of International Cooperation: Transgovernmental Networks and the Future of International Law

The prevailing form of international cooperation in the 20th century, known as liberal internationalism, is increasingly under attack. Based on multilateral treaties, often coupled to formal organizations, liberal internationalism has drawn fire from many quarters. Some critics argue that international organizations threaten national sovereignty and ought to be curtailed. Others claim that globalization and the rise of NGOs are eclipsing state power. In response, transgovernmentalists argue that while that liberal internationalism is dying, the state is here to stay. Much contemporary international cooperation is not international at all: rather, it is occurring among discrete, specialized domestic agencies. These "transgovernmental networks" are expanding rapidly, particularly in regulation. Proponents believe that networks are "the blueprint for the international architecture of the 21st century". This article assesses the future of international cooperation by examining transgovernmental networks and evaluating their relationship to liberal internationalism. My central claim is that networks are a significant development in international law, but one likely to supplement and strengthen, rather than supplant, liberal internationalism. I make four subsidiary claims. First, an empirical examination of three networks - in securities, competition, and environmental regulation - demonstrates that networks are active and growing. Second, I argue three factors are driving the evolution of networks: the expansion of domestic regulation, increased economic interdependence, and technological innovation. Third, while regulatory enforcement has been a key driver of networks, networks also promote the export of regulatory rules and practices from major powers to weaker states, which in turn promotes policy convergence. I offer a theory of this process which builds upon the insights of network economics. Fourth, and most importantly, the cooperation that networks foster and the convergence that they facilitate have important implications for liberal internationalism. Networks smooth the negotiation of new treaties. They act as gap-fillers where treaties are politically precluded. And by building bureaucratic capacity, networks can improve domestic regulation and thereby enhance treaty compliance and effectiveness. Put differently, there are good reasons to believe networks will make treaties more effective by making governments more effective.
Mobile Complex Care Plans to Enhance Parental Engagement for Children With Medical Complexity

Care plans can reduce care fragmentation for children with medical complexity (CMC); however, implementation is challenging. Mobile health innovations could improve implementation. This mixed methods study's objectives were to (1) evaluate feasibility of mobile complex care plans (MCCPs) for CMC enrolled in a complex care program and (2) study MCCPs' impact on parent engagement, parent experience, and care coordination. MCCPs were individualized, updated quarterly, integrated within the electronic health record, and visible on parents' mobile devices via an online portal. In 1 year (September 1, 2016, to August 31, 2017), 94% of eligible patients (n = 47) received 162 MCCPs. Seventy-four percent of parents (n = 35) reviewed MCCPs online. Forty-six percent of these parents (n = 16) sent a follow-up message, and the care team responded within 8 hours (median time = 7.2 hours). In interviews, parents identified MCCPs as an important reference and communication tool. MCCPs for CMC in a complex care program were feasible, facilitated parental engagement, and delivered timely communication.
Draft genome sequence of a human-associated streptogramin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract Objectives Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Treatment of these infections with macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin (MLS) antibiotics has led to resistance to these antibiotics via various mechanisms. S. aureus strain CIP108540, isolated from a human in France, has been previously shown to exhibit resistance to the streptogramins quinupristin and dalfopristin; the presence of streptogramin resistance genes was verified by PCR. However, the extent of MLS resistance genes in this strain is unknown. This study analysed the genome sequence of S. aureus CIP108540 to assess genes associated with antimicrobial resistance, including to streptogramins. Methods Genomic DNA of S. aureus CIP108540 was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. The generated sequencing reads were de novo assembled using A5-miseq. Results The draft genome size was 3 014 273 bp with a GC content of 32.72%. There were 3063 predicted coding sequences with 59 tRNAs. Several antimicrobial resistance genes were identified conferring resistance to various antibiotics. Conclusion The draft genome sequence of S. aureus CIP108540 released here will provide valuable information for a better understanding of its genetic makeup and resistome.
Risk factors and outcome of acute kidney injury in elderly trauma patients

Abstract Background Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is associated with significant morbidity. The risk factors for AKI in elderly trauma patients have not been defined. Methods Injured patients 75 years old or older from 2014 to 2016 were evaluated. AKI was identified by RIFLE criteria. Patients with and without AKI were compared with chi square, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Results 836 patients were 75 years old or older. Patients with AKI were more commonly male, hypotensive on admission with a greater Injury Severity Score but age, diabetes, hypertension and baseline creatinine were similar. Patients with AKI had a higher mortality that did not increase with RIFLE stage. Male sex, ISS, hypotension on admission and presence of an extremity injury were independently associated with AKI by logistic regression. Conclusion AKI in elderly trauma patients is associated with magnitude of injury and shock but not pre-existing medical comorbidities and it significantly increased the risk of death.
Pope Francis and Catholic Healthcare Ethics

This article examines the influence of Pope Francis on Catholic healthcare ethics. The first section offers an analytical summary of his ethics. The second section reviews a “Franciscan” approach t...
On the non-singularity of the thermal conductivity tensor and its consequences

In this paper, the symmetric character of the thermal conductivity tensor for linear anisotropic material is established as the result of arguments from tensor analysis for Duhamel’s generalization of Fourier’s heat conduction. The non-singular nature of the conductivity tensor plays the fundamental role in establishing this symmetry, as well as its positive (or negative) definiteness. Significantly, the second law of thermodynamics does not contribute here in establishing these characteristics, but does ultimately decide that the conductivity tensor is indeed positive definite.
Acoustophoretic rapid media exchange and continuous-flow electrotransfection of primary human T cells for applications in automated cellular therapy manufacturing

Autologous cellular therapies based on modifying T cells to express chimeric antigen receptor genes have been highly successful in treating hematological cancers. Deployment of these therapies is limited by the complexity and costs associated with their manufacturing. Transitioning these processes from virus-based methods for gene delivery to a non-viral method, such as electroporation, has the potential to greatly reduce cost and manufacturing time while increasing safety and efficacy. Major challenges with electroporation are the negative impacts on cell health associated with exposure to high-magnitude electric fields, and that most commercial bulk electroporators are low-precision instruments designed for manually-operated, lower-throughput batch processing of cells. Negative effects on cell health can be mitigated by use of specialized electroporation medias, but this adds processing steps, and long-term exposure to these medias can reduce transfection efficiency and post-transfection viability. To enable automated, clinical-scale production of cellular therapies using electrotransfection in specialized medias, we developed a high-precision microfluidic platform that automatically and continuously transfers cells from culture media into electroporation media using acoustophoresis, and then immediately applies electric fields from integrated electrodes. This limits cell residence time in electroporation media to seconds, and enables high transfection efficiency with minimum impact on cell viability. We tested our system by transferring primary human T cells from a standard cell media to electroporation media, and then transfecting them with mRNA encoding an mCherry fluorescent protein. We achieved a media exchange efficiency of 86% and transfection efficiency of up to 60%, with less than a 5% reduction in viability.
Sustaining an intimate and sexually fulfilled marriage or partnership in older adulthood with a disability: Perspectives of social workers

The American portrayal of sex is often left for only the young, attractive, and able-bodied. In contrast many studies have found that older adults with disabilities in marriages and intimate partne...
Metodología de enseñanza basada en el diseño universal para el aprendizaje de la biología evolutiva (DUABE)

El objetivo del DUABE, es implementar una propuesta de ensenanza que propen­da al aprendizaje significativo de los estudiantes (Ausubel), mediante trabajo colaborativo (Vygotsky), considerando variabilidad cognitiva, al abordar la Biologia Evolutiva. La investigacion tiene como pregunta central: ?Como afecta en el rendimiento, aprendizaje significativo, grado de satisfaccion y actitud escolar de los estudiantes, la implementacion de una propuesta de en­senanza basada en el Diseno Universal para el Aprendizaje de la Biologia Evolutiva (DUABE)? La investigacion se resuelve mediante metodologia mixta cualitativa-cuantitativa, experimental (pre experimento) para rendimiento y aprendizaje, y una metodologia no experimental (ex post facto) para las variables el grado de satisfaccion y actitud escolar de estudiantes de primer ano de ensenanza media de un liceo municipal mixto de Santiago, Chile. Se aplican prueba de ensayo, confeccion de mapa conceptual, analisis de discurso de entrevistas individuales, encuestas de apreciacion sobre actitud escolar y grado de satisfaccion. Como resultados los estudiantes logran avanzar en un 45% en el rendimiento academico entre el estado inicial y final y un 70% de ellos logrando aprendizaje significativo. DUABE es altamente aceptado por los estudiantes superior al 80% en sus tres categorias: experiencia academica, didactica y practica docente, y frente a la actitud escolar un logro sobre el 70%. PALABRAS CLAVE. Metodologia de ensenanza; diseno universal de aprendizaje; aprendizaje significativo; rendimiento academico; teorias evolutivas. Doi: 10.21703/rexe.20191838silva2
In Lieu of a Conclusion

This chapter attempts to compare and contrast what has taken place in mathematics education in the different countries discussed in this book while taking into account the political and social-economic changes of recent decades. The need for further studies is emphasized, since many topics are still difficult to discuss due to the absence of reliable data. At the same time, this chapter identifies certain similarities between what has taken place in different countries that have attempted to change approaches to mathematics education and that have sometimes attempted in certain respects (and sometimes in many respects) to return to the past.
ATP-binding cassette protein ABCF1 couples gene transcription with maintenance of genome integrity in embryonic stem cells

OCT4 and SOX2 confer pluripotency by recruiting coactivators to activate stem cell-specific gene expression programs. However, the composition of coactivator complexes and their roles in maintaining stem cell fidelity remain unclear. Here we report the identification of ATP-binding cassette subfamily F member 1 (ABCF1) as a critical coactivator for OCT4/SOX2. ABCF1 is required for pluripotency gene expression and stem cell self-renewal. ABCF1 binds co-dependent coactivators XPC and DKC1 via its intrinsically disordered region and stimulates transcription by linking SOX2 to the transcription machinery. Furthermore, in response to pathogen infection and DNA damage, ABCF1 binds intracellular DNAs accumulated in cells, concomitant with loss of SOX2 interaction and pluripotency gene transcription. This results in spontaneous differentiation of compromised stem cells and elimination from the self-renewing population. Thus, ABCF1 directly couples pluripotency gene transcription with sensing aberrant DNAs and acts as a checkpoint for self-renewal to safeguard stem cell fidelity and genome integrity.
Characteristics of Twitter Use by State Medicaid Programs in the United States: Machine Learning Approach.

Background: Twitter is a potentially valuable tool for public health officials and state Medicaid programs in the United States, which provide public health insurance to 72 million Americans. Objective: We aim to characterize how Medicaid agencies and managed care organization (MCO) health plans are using Twitter to communicate with the public. Methods: Using Twitter’s public application programming interface, we collected 158,714 public posts (“tweets”) from active Twitter profiles of state Medicaid agencies and MCOs, spanning March 2014 through June 2019. Manual content analyses identified 5 broad categories of content, and these coded tweets were used to train supervised machine learning algorithms to classify all collected posts. Results: We identified 15 state Medicaid agencies and 81 Medicaid MCOs on Twitter. The mean number of followers was 1784, the mean number of those followed was 542, and the mean number of posts was 2476. Approximately 39% of tweets came from just 10 accounts. Of all posts, 39.8% (63,168/158,714) were classified as general public health education and outreach; 23.5% (n=37,298) were about specific Medicaid policies, programs, services, or events; 18.4% (n=29,203) were organizational promotion of staff and activities; and 11.6% (n=18,411) contained general news and news links. Only 4.5% (n=7142) of posts were responses to specific questions, concerns, or complaints from the public. Conclusions: Twitter has the potential to enhance community building, beneficiary engagement, and public health outreach, but appears to be underutilized by the Medicaid program.
The Clustering of Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei

Based on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR2 sample, we present a multiparameter analysis of the spatial clustering of nearby active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Estimates of the redshift-space two-point correlation function reveal that Seyferts are less clustered than normal galaxies, while LINERs' clustering amplitude (s0) is consistent with that of the parent galaxy population. This difference in clustering is not driven by the morphology-density relation, as colors and concentration indices follow similar distributions. The fact that objects of given spectral types are clustered differently seems correlated with a variety of their physical properties, including L, L, the emitting gas density ne, and the obscuration level. LINERs, which exhibit high s0, show the lowest luminosities and obscuration levels, and relatively low ne, suggesting that these objects harbor relatively massive black holes that are weakly active or inefficient in their accretion, probably due to the insufficiency of their fuel supply. Seyfert galaxies, which have low s0, are very luminous and show large ne, suggesting that their black holes are less massive but accrete quickly and efficiently enough to clearly dominate the ionization. Star-forming galaxies, the H IIs, are weakly clustered; this trend can be understood as a consequence of both the morphology-density and star formation rate-density relations. The spectral properties of the H II galaxies suggest, however, that they hide in their centers, amid large amounts of obscuring material, black holes of generally low mass whose activity remains relatively feeble. Our own Milky Way may be such a case.
Red Cell Depletion of Major ABO Incompatible Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells HPC(M) with the Spectra Optia

Objective Major ABO incompatible hematopoietic progenitors from bone marrow (HPC(M)) donor collections that are destined for clinical transplantation are typically processed to deplete products of red blood cells (RBCs). The purpose of this study was to compare RBC depletion when using the Spectra Optia® relative to a 2-step method involving a COBE2991 instrument to obtain a buffy coat followed by a hydroxyethyl starch (HES) density gradient (COBE+HES) of the buffy coat. Methods Post-processing recoveries of products undergoing 4, 8, and 10 bone marrow processing (BMP) cycles (i.e. 1 cycle=1 volume of HPC(M)) with the Spectra Optia® were determined for volume, RBC content, viable total nucleated cells (vTNC), viable CD34+ cells (vCD34), viable CD3+ cells (vCD3) and colony-forming-cells (CFC). Subsequent RBC depletions with Spectra Optia® were then performed with 10 BMP cycles on additional HPC(M) collections and were compared against a retrospective analysis of historical COBE+HES post-processing data. Results Ten BMP cycles of HPC(M) (n=6) products were identified as optimal with volume reductions of 81.3±1.6 % and RBC reductions of 97.0±0.6 % with the Spectra Optia®. This also resulted in an average of 0.28 ±0.14 mL of RBC/kg (mean±SD; n=6) with vTNC yields of 65.0±10.9%, vCD34+ yields of 98.5±12.7%, and vCD3+ yields of 90.6±10.0%. Recoveries with the COBE+HES methodology resulted in vTNC recoveries of 62.9±20.5% (mean±SD; n=30) and 0.63±0.71 mL of RBC/kg (mean±SD; n=30). Conclusions The Spectra Optia® is a viable option for depleting HPC(M) harvests of contaminating RBC in situations of ABO incompatibility. Target cells from a MNC rich fractionation were preserved through processing while eliminating RBC contaminants.
Multi-Scale Coarse Grained Model for the Stepping of Molecular Motors with application to Kinesin

Abstract Conventional kinesin, a motor protein that transports cargo within cells, walks by taking multiple steps towards the plus end of the microtubule (MT). While significant progress has been made in understanding the details of the walking mechanism of kinesin there are many unresolved issues. From a computational perspective, a central challenge is the large size of the system, which limits the scope of time scales accessible in standard computer simulations. Here, we create a general multi-scale coarse-grained model for motors that enables us to simulate the stepping process of motors on polar tracks (actin and MT) with focus on kinesin. Our approach greatly shortens the computation times without a significant loss in detail, thus allowing us to better describe the molecular basis of the stepping kinetics. The small number of parameters, which are determined by fitting to experimental data, allows us to develop an accurate method that may be adopted to simulate stepping in other molecular motors. The model enables us to simulate a large number of steps, which was not possible previously. We show in agreement with experiments that due to the docking of the neck linker (NL) of kinesin, sometimes deemed as the power stroke, the space explored diffusively by the tethered head is severely restricted allowing the step to be in a tens of microseconds. We predict that increasing the interaction strength between the NL and the motor head, achievable by mutations in the NL, decreases the stepping time but reaches a saturation value. Furthermore, the full 3-dimensional dynamics of the cargo are fully resolved in our model, contributing to the predictive power and allowing us to study the important aspects of cargo-motor interactions.
The Earth’s surface controls the depth-dependent seismic radiation of megathrust earthquakes

Megathrust earthquakes exhibit a ubiquitous seismic radiation style: low-frequency (LF) seismic energy is efficiently emitted from the shallowest portion of the fault, whereas high-frequency (HF) s...
A Review of Behavior-Based Interventions that Address Bullying, Aggressive, and Inappropriate Student Behavior during Recess

The purpose of this literature review is to examine the research base of interventions focused on reducing bullying, aggressive, or inappropriate behavior in recess settings through behavioral-based interventions. This review extends the literature by synthesizing findings from experimental, quasi-experimental, and single-case research on the characteristics and components of effective interventions. Many of the interventions focused on social skills training of the students, with a few addressing the adult behavior of active supervision. Findings suggest that more research is needed in school recess settings to determine the effective components of interventions for students, especially for social skills, and to address the adult behavior of active supervision.
Fibrinogen activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) promoting colorectal adenocarcinoma growth

Background We previously showed that fibrinogen is a major determinant of the growth of a murine model of colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective Our aim was to define the mechanisms coupling fibrin(ogen) to CRC growth. Results CRC tumors transplanted into the dorsal subcutis of Fib- mice were less proliferative and demonstrated increased senescence relative to those grown in Fib+ mice. RNA-seq analyses of Fib+ and Fib- tumors revealed 213 differentially regulated genes. One gene highly upregulated in tumors from Fib- mice was stratifin, encoding 14-3-3σ, a master regulator of proliferation/senescence. In a separate cohort, we observed significantly increased protein levels of 14-3-3σ and its upstream and downstream targets (i.e., p53 and p21) in tumors from Fib- mice. In vitro analyses demonstrated increased tumor cell proliferation in a fibrin printed three-dimensional environment compared with controls, suggesting that fibrin(ogen) in the tumor microenvironment promotes tumor growth in this context via a tumor cell intrinsic mechanism. In vivo analyses showed diminished activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a key negative regulator of p53, in Fib- tumors. Furthermore, nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics demonstrated significantly reduced metabolic activity in tumors from Fib- relative to Fib+ mice. Together, these findings suggest that fibrin(ogen)-mediated engagement of colon cancer cells activates FAK, which inhibits p53 and its downstream targets including 14-3-3σ and p21, thereby promoting cellular proliferation and preventing senescence. Conclusions These studies suggest that fibrin(ogen) is an important component of the colon cancer microenvironment and may be exploited as a potential therapeutic target.
REDUCED TOXICITY AND BROAD SPECTRUM RESISTANCE TO VIRAL AND FUNGAL INFECTION IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS EXPRESSING POKEWEED ANTIVIRAL PROTEIN II

Pokeweed antiviral protein II (PAPII), a 30 kDa protein isolated from leaves of Phytolacca americana, inhibits translation by catalytically removing a specific adenine residue from the large rRNA of the 60S subunit of eukaryotic ribosomes. The protein sequence of PAPII shows only 41% identity to PAP and PAP-S, two other antiviral proteins isolated from pokeweed. We isolated a cDNA corresponding to PAPII and introduced it into tobacco plants. PAPII expressed in transgenic tobacco was correctly processed to the mature form as in pokeweed and accumulated to at least 10-fold higher levels than wild-type PAP. We had previously observed a significant decrease in transformation frequency with PAP and recovered only two transgenic lines expressing 1–2 ng per mg protein. In contrast, eight different transgenic lines expressing up to 250 ng/mg PAPII were recovered, indicating that PAPII is less toxic than PAP. Two symptomless transgenic lines expressing PAPII were resistant to tobacco mosaic virus, potato virus X and the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. The level of viral and fungal resistance observed correlated well with the amount of PAPII protein accumulated. Pathogenesis-related protein PR1 was constitutively expressed in transgenic lines expressing PAPII. Although PR1 was constitutively expressed, no increase in salicylic acid levels was detected, indicating that PAPII may elicit a salicylic acid-independent signal transduction pathway.
Functional Representation, Approximation, Bases and Wavelets

After stressing the importance of analyzing the various basis spaces, the exposition evaluates the alternative bases available to wavelet researchers. The next step is to demonstrate the impact of choice of basis for the representation or projection of the regressand. The similarity of formulating a basis is explored across a variety of alternative representations. This development is followed by a very brief overview of some articles using wavelet tools. The comparative advantage of wavelets relative to the alternatives considered is stressed.
Beam quality and thermal stability in field emitter arrays

Summary form only given, as follows. The emerging field of vacuum microelectronics offers exciting possibilities in miniature coherent radiation sources, flat panel displays, and ultra-fast logic circuits. The crucial component is the electron emitter, which consists of an array of sharp tips from which electrons undergo field emission according to the Fowler-Nordheim (FN) relation. In this paper, we present a theoretical analysis of the beam emittance and of the beam brightness expected from a field emitter array. Scaling laws for these quantities are constructed that take into account the electric field enhancement factors that accompany the sharp tips, and they are derived in a manner consistent with the FN relation. These scaling laws can be used immediately once the following parameters are given: the width and height, as well as the packing density, of the field emitter array, the anode-cathode (A-K) spacing, the A-K voltage drop, and the FN coefficients A, and B. Results of the ongoing study of the thermal stability of field emitters are reported.
AMN107: Inhibitory profile against non-mutated and mutated forms of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 5985 Imatinib (Gleevec®, Novartis Pharma AG) is an effective first line therapy for CML, although in advanced stage CML and Ph+ ALL, but relapse can occur due to the development of resistance. Relapse often results from the clonal expansion of cells expressing Bcr-Abl kinase domain mutants, which are resistant to inhibition by imatinib. Utilising the crystal structure of the Abl-imatinib complex, AMN107 (4-methyl- N -[3-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-3-[[4-(3-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]-benzamide) was designed as more potent and highly selective inhibitor of Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase. AMN107 reduces the cellular Bcr-Abl autophosphorylation and the proliferation of Ba/F3 Bcr-Abl cells with a mean IC50 values of 21 and 25 nM, respectively (Imatinib: 220 and 649 nM). In addition to inhibiting the non-mutated enzyme, AMN107 potently inhibits the Bcr-Abl activity of many imatinib-resistant mutants in transfected Ba/F3 cells (mean autophosphorylation / mean proliferation IC50; nM): G250E (n.d. / 54), E255K (150 / 566), E255V (246 / 681), E292K (31 / 94), F317L (41 / 80), M351T (31 / 33) and F486S (43 / 87), but does not inhibit the T315I mutant. Like imatinib, AMN107 also inhibits the c-Kit and PDGFR receptor kinases, with mean anti-proliferative IC50 values of 160 nM (exon13 mutant Kit expressing GIST cells), 26 nM (del 560-561 expressing Ba/F3 cells), 3.5 nM (FIPL1-PDGFRα expressing Ba/F3 cells) and 57 nM (Tel-PDGFRβ expressing Ba/F3 cells). As in the case of T315I Bcr-Abl mutant, the corresponding FIPL1-T674I-PDGFRα gatekeeper mutant is less sensitive to AMN107 (IC50 1340 nM). AMN107 shows an attractive kinase selectivity profile, having no effect on the viability of Ba/F3 cell lines engineered to express a panel of other receptor and non-receptor tyrosinse kinases, or on parental Ba/F3 cells grown in the presence of IL-3. AMN107 shows a good pharmacokinetic profile is well tolerated in rodents and dogs, and represents a promising new Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor which is currently undergoing evaluation in Phase I clinical trials.
Foundations of Morphological Image Processing

The basic morphological operations of erosion, dilation, opening, and closing are a part of every image processing toolbox. So too are many basic algorithms such as the watershed and top-hat transforms. This article reviews the fundamental algebraic theory of mathematical morphology as applied to Euclidean set theory, the context in which it was originally conceived by Matheron and Serra from mathematical operations dating back to Minkowski and Hadwiger. Thorough knowledge of basic algebraic theory is required for anyone engaged in serious research in morphological image processing and is very beneficial for anyone interested in advanced applications. Since its original set-theoretic formulation, mathematical morphology has been extended to real-valued functions and to lattice-valued functions. These extensions take note of the fact that the operations and propositions of the algebraic theory depend on order relations. This can be seen in the direct generalization of many binary definitions and properties to lattices based on the partial order relation among sets. In many cases, the definitions in this article are extended to lattices (including real-valued and integral-valued functions) by changing the subset relation ⊂ to the order relationship ≤. This article restricts attention to binary morphology. Keywords: euclidean granulometries; deconstructive granulometries; translation variant operators; increasing operators; nonincreasing operators; representation; opening; closing; convexity
Teacher knowledge and classroom practice: examining the connection

This paper extends existing research regarding content knowledge for teaching (CKT) and the role it plays in advancing student learning. Two teachers, with high and low measured CKT respectively, are observed on the same day teaching similar content. Many studies have recently been published linking student achievement to teacher’s CKT and many US schools have begun including CKT measures in teacher hiring and retention decisions. Teaching observed for this study illustrates that content can be taught effectively by teachers across the spectrum of CKT levels, but observable and significant differences in teaching leads to important questions for in-service and pre-service teacher educators. Conocimiento del profesor y practica en el aula: estudio de su conexion Este articulo amplia la investigacion existente sobre el conocimiento del contenido para la ensenanza (CKT) y su papel en el progreso del aprendizaje del alumno. Dos profesores, con medidas altas y bajas de CKT respectivamente, fueron observados el mismo dia ensenando contenidos similares. Numerosos estudios publicados recientemente relacionan el logro de los estudiantes con el CKT del profesor y muchos colegios estadounidenses han empezado a considerar medidas de CKT en la toma de decisiones para la contratacion y permanencia de profesores. La ensenanza observada en este estudio muestra que el contenido puede ser ensenado efectivamente por profesores con niveles distintos de CKT. No obstante, se observan diferencias significativas en la ensenanza que conducen a cuestiones importantes para formadores de profesores en formacion y en ejercicio. Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10481/22366
Accessory minerals and the geochemical evolution of crustal magmatic systems: a summary and prospectus of experimental approaches

It has recently been recognized that accessory minerals in continental rocks may contain a substantial fraction of the whole-rock complement of trace elements and geochemically important isotopes. This observation is in itself interesting, but its importance is magnified many fold when one considers the possible consequences to the geochemical rearrangement that accompanies crustal melting. If, for example, an accessory phase is insoluble in early-formed partial melts, it may effectively retain in the residue many incompatible elements (e.g., REE) and daughter isotopes (e.g., radiogenic Pb) that would otherwise be partitioned into the melt. In addition, should an unmelted accessory mineral (e.g., zircon) be entrained in a departing melt fraction, it may carry with it radiogenic components (Pb∗, Nd143, Hf176) characteristic of the source region. The effectiveness of phases such as zircon, apatite, sphene, allanite-epidote, and monazite in the roles noted above can only be gauged from knowledge of the three “fundamental accessory-phase parameters,” i.e. (1) the solubilities of the accessory minerals in crustal melts; (2) the equilibrium mineral/liquid partition coefficients for the trace element and isotopes of interest; and (3) the diffusivities that govern the rates at which equilibrium will be approached. In general, these parameters can only be measured in laboratory experiments, and relatively few data have been accumulated to date. It does seem clear, however, that apatite generally is residual (insoluble) during crustal melting and zircon can be, depending on melting conditions and abundance of zircon in the source. Petrographic and geochemical studies indicate that monazite, allanite, and epidote may also be highly insoluble in some cases, but the specific circumstances that promote insolubility remain unknown. The few experimentally-determined partition coefficients now available for apatite and zircon agree qualitatively with natural rock data on mineral separates. However, preliminary diffusion measurements and inferences from natural systems suggest that trace-element and isotopic equilibrium between undissolved accessories and crustal melts is in fact rarely approached. Ironically, it is this very disequilibrium in the form of preserved diffusion profiles, that may afford the most information on time-temperature histories of melting events. Continued experimental interest in the fundamental accessory-phase parameters will eventually provide the tools that will enable rigorous assessment not only of the timing and duration of crustal melting episodes, but also of the extent of melting and re-distribution of trace elements and radiogenic isotopes.
Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among persons with diagnosed diabetes mellitus in the United States, 1999-2010.

Summary. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among persons with diabetes has not been assessed among the US population, despite increasing reports of HBV transmission in institutional care settings. Using national survey data, we found a 60% higher prevalence of HBV infection among persons with (vs without) diagnosed diabetes.
Bounding convergence rates for Markov chains: An example of the use of computer algebra

Kolassa and Tanner (J. Am. Stat. Assoc. (1994) 89, 697–702) present the Gibbs-Skovgaard algorithm for approximate conditional inference. Kolassa (Ann Statist. (1999), 27, 129–142) gives conditions under which their Markov chain is known to converge. This paper calculates explicity bounds on convergence rates in terms calculable directly from chain transition operators. These results are useful in cases like those considered by Kolassa (1999).
HETERODYNE HOLOGRAPHIC INTERFEROMETRY: HIGH-RESOLUTION RANGING AND DISPLACEMENT MEASUREMENT

This chapter describes heterodyne holographic interferometry (HHI), which provides a means to map out-of-plane displacements and surface contours in full field with an out-of-plane resolution on the order of Angstroms. To gain an understanding of how this is done, three types of holographic interferometry are considered, such as classical (homodyne) interferometry (HI), quasi-heterodyne interferometry (Q-HHI), and finally heterodyne interferometry (HHI). Each type of interferometry represents an improvement, not only in resolution, but also in the dynamic range of the measurement. This chapter provides a list of potential applications that come from a greater familiarity with holographic measurement technology than with electronic packaging and assembly. These techniques actually measure optical path length differences; they could be applied to measure nonuniformities in the composition or stress distribution of optically transparent materials. It also discusses several advantages and limitations.