cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a Mobile Health Intervention to Promote Papanicolaou Tests and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in an Underserved Immigrant Population: A Culturally Targeted and Individually Tailored Text Messaging Approach

Background: Disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality signify the need for intervention efforts targeting Korean American immigrant women. Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how a culturally targeted and tailored mobile text messaging intervention, mobile screening (mScreening), was developed to promote the uptake of Papanicolaou tests and human papillomavirus vaccine among young Korean American immigrant women. Methods: Guided by the Fogg behavior model, the mScreening intervention was developed through a series of focus groups. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis was used to identify core themes. Results: Overall, 4 themes were identified: (1) tailored message content (ie, basic knowledge about cervical cancer), (2) an interactive and visual message format (ie, age-appropriate and friendly messages using emoticons), (3) brief message delivery formats to promote participant engagement, and (4) use of an incentive to motivate participation (ie, gift cards). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the processes of gathering culturally relevant information to develop a mobile phone text messaging intervention and incorporating the target population’s perspectives into the development of the intervention. The findings of the study could help guide future intervention development targeting different types of cancer screening in other underserved racial or ethnic groups.
Methods for renal lineage tracing: In vivo and beyond

Lineage tracing has resulted in fundamental discoveries in kidney development and disease and remains a powerful technique to study mechanisms of organogenesis, homeostasis, and repair/regeneration. Following decades of research on the cellular and molecular regulation of renal organogenesis, the kidney has become one of the most well-characterized organs, resulting in exciting advancements in pluripotent stem cell differentiation, tissue bioengineering, and the potential for developing novel regenerative therapies for kidney disease. Lineage tracing, or the labeling of progeny cells arising from a single cell or group of cells, allows for spatial and temporal analyses of dynamic in vivo and in vitro processes. As lineage tracing techniques expand across disciplines of developmental biology, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine, careful experimental design and interpretation, along with an understanding of the basic principles and technical limitations, are essential for utilizing genetically complex lineage tracing models to further understand kidney development and disease.
Distributed Environmental Monitoring With Finite Element Robots

We introduce a distributed finite element algorithm that allows swarms of mobile robots to persistently monitor environmental quantities such as temperature or salinity. The robots deploy themselves into the environment, covering the domain and dividing it into nonoverlapping regions. Each robot estimates the environment over its own region using local measurements and communication with nearby robots. The algorithm ensures that each robot's estimate constitutes a piece of a global estimate that spans the entire domain, fuses the whole swarm's measurements, and accounts for the spatial correlation between measurement and estimation locations. By incorporating spatial correlation without requiring the transmission of measurements or measurement locations, the algorithm decouples its communication requirements from the spatial statistics of the environment and enables robots with fixed capabilities to monitor environments with different spatial correlation lengths. Analysis and simulation demonstrate that, as the number of robots increases, the memory and communication requirements of each individual robot decrease until reaching a minimum, after which the resolution of the environmental model increases. Additional robots, therefore, add computational resources to the swarm rather than introducing extra computational burdens.
Did the Recognition of Operating Leases Cause a Decline in Equity Valuations

We examine whether investors react to a significant change in balance sheets, absent a significant change in underlying economics. Beginning in 2019, ASC 842 requires the recognition of operating leases, which were previously only disclosed in the footnotes to the financial statements. This change in accounting standard results in firms with significant operating leases recognizing a considerable increase in debt. We find that firms with significant operating leases, on average, earn negative returns around the initial recognition of their operating leases. For example, firms in the top decile of operating lease intensity experience a mean abnormal return of -3.10% around their first quarter 2019 earnings announcements. We do not find that concurrent trade tensions between the United States and China explain the valuation decline. Our results provide timely, new evidence consistent with equity market prices reflecting an inadequate level of fundamental analysis.
Climate change winners and losers: The effects of climate change on five palm species in the Southeastern United States.

Palms (Arecaceae) are a relatively speciose family and provide materials for food, construction, and handicraft, especially in the tropics. They are frequently used as paleo-indicators for megathermal climates, and therefore, it is logical to predict that palms will benefit from predicted warmer temperatures under anthropogenic climate change. We created species distribution models to explore the projected ranges of five widespread southeastern North American palm species (Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Sabal etonia, Sabal minor, Sabal palmetto, and Serenoa repens) under four climate change scenarios through 2070. We project that the amount of habitat with >50% suitability for S. etonia will decline by a median of 50% by 2070, while the amount of habitat with >50% suitability S. minor will decline by a median of 97%. In contrast, the amount of suitable habitat for Rhapidophyllum hystrix will remain stable, while the amount of suitable habitat for Serenoa repens will slightly increase. The projected distribution for S. palmetto will increase substantially, by a median of approximately 21% across all scenarios. The centroid of the range of each species will shift generally north at a median rate of 23.5 km/decade. These five palm species have limited dispersal ability and require a relatively long time to mature and set fruit. Consequently, it is likely that the change in the distribution of these palms will lag behind the projected changes in climate. However, Arecaceae can modify physiological responses to heat and drought, which may permit these palms to persist as local conditions become increasingly inappropriate. Nonetheless, this plasticity is unlikely to indefinitely prevent local extinctions.
Trends in Treatment Strategies and Comparison of Outcomes in Lymph Node Positive Bladder Cancer: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

OBJECTIVE To utilize a national dataset to compare outcomes and demonstrate trends in treatment for lymph node positive bladder cancer (N+ BC). METHODS The National Cancer Database (2006-2014) was queried for cT2-4N1-3M0 N+ BC patients treated with radical cystectomy alone (RC), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), adjuvant chemotherapy (AC), chemoradiation (CRT), chemotherapy alone (CT), or no definitive treatment (NT). Survival by treatment was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox-proportional hazards regression. Pathologic down-staging was analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. A univariable logistic regression model of treatment by year identified treatment trends. RESULTS Among 3241 patients (cN1, 46%; cN2, 44%; cN3 10%), the majority underwent combined chemotherapy and RC (NAC, 418; AC, 591; RC, 567; CRT, 392; CT, 1068; NT, 205). Overall survival did not differ between NAC and AC, but both had improved survival compared to RC. All other treatment groups had worse survival outcomes compared to NAC. Down-staging to pT0 (adjusted odds ratio = 26.39) and pN0 (adjusted odds ratio = 6.88) was higher for NAC than RC. Utilization of NAC has increased, AC and RC has declined, and CRT and NT is unchanged. CONCLUSION Combined chemotherapy and RC demonstrates best survival outcomes for N+ BC, with complete pathologic response to pT0N0 after NAC associated with a 5-year overall survival rate of ∼85%. However, there is no significant difference between NAC and AC. CRT is associated with worse oncologic outcomes compared to RC with perioperative chemotherapy, but improved survival compared to RC or CT.
Parent perceptions regarding literacy instruction for students with intellectual disability.

Background Parents offer a unique perspective as they may view literacy instruction through the lens of its direct impact on their child's daily life. Further, they are likely to provide insight into the interactions between the perceived effectiveness of instruction and their expectations for their child's success. The purposes of the current investigation were to explore perceptions of parents of children with intellectual disability (ID) related to their child's literacy instruction in schools and understand parental expectations for their child's literacy performance. Methods In the current investigation, we surveyed 211 parents of children with ID in one state within the USA to identify their perceptions related to their child's literacy outcomes and instruction. The survey instrument contained 25 items including 9 multiple-choice, 12 multiple-selection, 2 open-response and 2 rank order items. Results Data indicated significant differences across grade bands related to the type of skills students engage in learning, the importance of specific literacy skills and the challenges or barriers for students to engage in literacy instruction. The overwhelming majority of parents reported their child learning to read as very important and believe there is a difference in life outcomes between children who can read written words and those who cannot. Parents of elementary school children report barriers of disruptive behaviour, the inability of children to remain seated and distractibility more so than parents of secondary students. Parents of high school students reported a lack of instructional time more often than parents of middle and elementary school. Conclusions While parents across grade bands reported the importance of literacy skills for students with ID and instruction in reading comprehension, listening comprehension and vocabulary, some differences were noted. Only half the parents reported an increased focus on literacy instruction, including on essential skills (e.g. decoding), in the earlier grades. Problem behaviour and motivation served as barriers to literacy for elementary students, and a lack of instructional time served as a barrier to writing for high school students.
Cyber Attacks Detection based on Deep Learning for Cloud-Dew Computing in Automotive IoT Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology is exponentially becoming more relied on in different industrial disciplines including automotive mobility applications. It is an integral component of the transportation mobility with the vision to acquire and process data for improving traffic safety. However, it has not matured, yet, considering the threats of network intrusion, and the level of autonomy the technology is aiming to achieve. This is a criticalfactor in terms of the user’s physical and cyber safety. In this paper, we evaluate the case of transferring data between the cloud and the enduser dew devices integrated into the connected vehicle. We analyze the implementation and organizational approaches related to Dew Computing, where the processing is brought even closer to the user compared to other IoT computing paradigms. This paper aims to present a threat analysis of the IoT and to use a deep learning approach to counter cyber anomalies, then validate it by analyzing its metrics. We use a modified version of the Stacked Autoencoder that improves the accuracy of detecting the defined attacks, using the loss over the training data as a threshold. Our approach gives an ameliorated outcome, matching 90% accuracy, compared to previous models.
Writing in Spanish as a heritage language: A multidimensional analysis

Spanish heritage speakers in the United States exhibit a wide range of linguistic profiles due to a combination of political, social, and educational factors. Most of them acquire Spanish at home without formal instruction in writing. Although previous research has explored the main challenges faced by these learners in Spanish writing courses, no current research has examined the linguistic features that characterize their writing using a corpus‐based approach that would facilitate the identification of their actual patterns of language use. This study presents the findings of a multidimensional analysis of the writing produced by Spanish heritage learners in three composition classes at the college level. The findings show how 47 lexical and grammatical features co‐occur in four distinctive discourse types: informational, descriptive, narrative, and detached, with some variation observed across proficiency levels.
Investigation of Multiple-valued Logic Technologies for Beyond-binary Era

Computing technologies are currently based on the binary logic/number system, which is dependent on the simple on and off switching mechanism of the prevailing transistors. With the exponential increase of data processing and storage needs, there is a strong push to move to a higher radix logic/number system that can eradicate or lessen many limitations of the binary system. Anticipated saturation of Moore’s law and the necessity to increase information density and processing speed in the future micro and nanoelectronic circuits and systems provide a strong background and motivation for the beyond-binary logic system. In this review article, different technologies for Multiple-valued-Logic (MVL) devices and the associated prospects and constraints are discussed. The feasibility of the MVL system in real-world applications rests on resolving two major challenges: (i) development of an efficient mathematical approach to implement the MVL logic using available technologies, and (ii) availability of effective synthesis techniques. This review of different technologies for the MVL system is intended to perform a comprehensive investigation of various MVL technologies and a comparative analysis of the feasible approaches to implement MVL devices, especially ternary logic.
Impacts of increasing fine fuel loads on acorn germination and early growth of oak seedlings

Prescribed fire is increasingly used to restore and maintain upland oak (Quercus L. spp.) ecosystems in the central and eastern US. However, little is known about how prescribed fire affects recently fallen acorns under different fine fuel loads, which can vary with stand composition and basal area, burn season, and fire frequency. We conducted plot-level (1 m2) burns in an upland oak stand in northern Mississippi, USA, during December 2018, using single (i.e., ambient), double, and triple fine fuel loads, representative of those in nearby unburned and recently fire-treated, closed-canopy stands. Pre burn, we placed 30 acorns each of white oak (Quercus alba L.) and Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii Buckley) ~1 cm below the litter surface in five plots of each fuel treatment. Immediately post burn, we planted unburned and burned acorns in a greenhouse. After ~50% of each species’ unburned acorns germinated, we measured percent germination and height, basal diameter, and leaf number of germinating seedlings weekly for 11 weeks. Then, we harvested seedlings to determine above- and belowground biomass. The single fuel treatment reduced acorn germination rates of both species to ~40% compared to ~88% in unburned acorns. When burned in double and triple fuel loads, acorns of both species had a <5% germination rate. There was no difference in basal diameter, leaf number, or biomass of seedlings from burned versus unburned acorns for either species. However, seedlings originating from burned acorns of both species were ~11% shorter than those from unburned acorns. Thus, both species responded similarly to fuel load treatments. Acorns of both species exhibited greater survival with lower fine fuel loads, and consequently lower percent fuel consumption. Acorns germinating post fire generally produced seedlings with growth patterns similar to seedlings originating from unburned acorns. These findings indicate that regular, repeated prescribed fires or canopy reductions that limit fine fuel accumulation and create heterogeneous fuel beds are likely to increase acorn germination rates relative to unburned sites or those with recently introduced fire.
Adaptive Gamification and Its Impact on Performance

The objective of this work is to measure the effects that adaptive and counter-adaptive gamified applications have on individuals’ performance. Researchers have sought to explore how individuals’ player type can be used to tailor gamification. However, existing studies do not measure the impact that adaptive gamification has on individuals’ performance since they tend to focus on exploring the relationship between individuals’ player type and their game element preferences. Consequently, a designer may spend valuable resources creating a gamified application and yet, not see any positive effects or even see negative effects on individuals’ performance. In light of this gap, a randomized experiment was conducted in which participants’ performance on (i) an adapted gamified application, (ii) a non-adapted gamified application, (iii) a non-gamified application, and (iv) a counter-adapted gamified application was analyzed. In this work, the game elements in the adapted and counter-adapted gamified applications were selected based on individuals’ Hexad player type dimensions. The results revealed that the performance of individuals who interacted with the adapted gamified application was greater than any other group. In contrast, the performance of individuals who interacted with the counter-adapted gamified application was worse than any other group. This work provides empirical evidence on the effectiveness of adaptive gamification. Moreover, the results highlight the need to consider individuals’ player type when designing gamified applications and the latent detrimental effects of not doing so.
Using ICLite for deconvolution of bulk transcriptional data from mixed cell populations.

Summary Bulk expression data from heterogeneous cell populations pose a challenge for investigators, as differences in cell numbers and transcriptional programs may complicate analysis. To improve the performance of bulk RNA sequencing on mixed populations, we created Immune Cell Linkage through Exploratory Matrices (ICLite). The ICLite package for R constructs modules of correlated genes and identifies their relationship to specific lineages in mixed cell populations. This protocol details formatting, optimization of run parameters, and interpretation of results following implementation of ICLite. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Camiolo et al. (2021) .
Trends in head and neck cancer incidence in relation to smoking prevalence: An emerging epidemic of human papillomavirus-associated cancers?

The trends in head and neck cancer incidence and smoking prevalence are reviewed, discussing where such trends parallel but also how and why they may not. In the U.S., public health efforts at tobacco control and education have successfully reduced the prevalence of cigarette smoking, resulting in a lower incidence of head and neck cancer. Vigilance at preventing tobacco use and encouraging cessation should continue, and expanded efforts should target particular ethnic and socioeconomic groups. However, an unfortunate stagnation has been observed in oropharyngeal cancer incidence and likely reflects a rising attribution of this disease to oncogenic human papillomavirus, in particular type 16 (HPV-16). For the foreseeable future, this trend in oropharyngeal cancer incidence may continue, but with time the effects of vaccination of the adolescent and young adult female population should result in a lower viral prevalence and hopefully a reduced incidence of oropharyngeal cancer. To hasten the reduction of HPV-16 prevalence in the population, widespread vaccination of adolescent and young adult males should also be considered.
Structure and lattice dynamics of Sr 2 Cu O 2 Cl 2 ( 001 ) studied by helium-atom scattering

Structure and lattice dynamics of the (001) surface of Sr$_2$CuO$_2$Cl$_2$ have been studied by helium atom scattering (HAS). Analysis of diffraction patterns obtained by elastic HAS revealed a surface periodicity consistent with bulk termination, and confirms that the surface is non-polar and stable which favors a SrCl surface termination. Bulk and surface lattice dynamical calculations based on the shell-model were carried out to characterize the experimental phonon dispersions obtained by inelastic HAS. No experimental surface mode was observed above 200 cm$^{-1}$. Comparison between the experimental data and theoretical results for two different slabs with SrCl and CuO$_2$ terminations showed that the experimental data conforms exclusively with the SrCl surface modes.
General Gregariousness and Specific Social Preferences among Wild Chimpanzees

Wild chimpanzees form temporary parties that vary in size and composition. Previous studies have revealed considerable intraspecific variation in party compositions. We examined patterns of association among age, sex, and reproductive classes of chimpanzees at Ngogo in the Kibale National Park, Uganda. We employed a class-based association index and a randomization procedure to control for confounding factors and to test for differences between classes. Results indicate that males associated with other males significantly more than expected if all classes behaved equivalently, while females generally associated with individuals of the same sex less than expected. To interpret these patterns we used two additional indices that separate associations into two components: general gregariousness and preference for particular classes of associates. Males and estrous females were more gregarious than other classes, while anestrous females were less so. After controlling for general gregariousness, adult males as a class showed no specific preference for associating with each other. Anestrous females preferred each other as party members, and estrous females avoided each other. These results are consistent with previous findings that adult males are more gregarious than females. They diverge from the standard picture of chimpanzee society, however, by suggesting a mutual affinity among anestrous females, but not among adult males as a class.
Glycogen, Starch and Sucrose Synthesis

Glucose constitutes a universal energy-providing molecule. It is the primary fuel substance for a wide array of organisms from bacteria to man. Its great utility as an energy source is that it can be oxidised for the production of the high energy molecule, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), even in the absence of oxygen. Within humans, certain tissues, in particular red blood cells, derive all of their energy from the anaerobic oxidation of glucose. The human brain prefers glucose for energy and consumes the largest percentage of glucose on a daily basis. For these reasons the consumption of glucose or glucose containing sugars, such as sucrose, is important for life processes. Given the importance of glucose, it is not surprising that organisms store this carbohydrate for easy access for ATP production. Storage of glucose is in the form of a polymer composed of long linear chains and occasional branched chains termed glycogen in animals and starch in plants. Due to its highly important role in cellular viability, glucose storage and utilisation in humans is stringently controlled by hormones and neurotransmitters. Key Concepts: Glucose represents a key energy molecule for the majority of phyla. Glucose uptake from dietary sources (e.g. starch and sucrose) involves both sodium-dependent and -independent intestinal enterocyte membrane transporters. Ready access to glucose is ensured via its storage as a highly polymeric molecule in plants and animals. Storage and release of glucose, from cellular stores such as glycogen, is highly regulated by hormones and neurotransmitters. Key hormones in the overall regulation of glycogen homeostasis include insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine. Abnormalities in the genes encoding the enzymes that regulate glucose storage and release in humans result in a family of disorders called glycogen storage diseases. Keywords: carbohydrates; glucose; glycogenolysis; glucagon; insulin; epinephrine
Chain Transitivity, Attractivity, and Strong Repellors for Semidynamical Systems

Some properties of internally chain transitive sets for continuous maps in metric spaces are presented. Applications are made to attractivity, convergence, strong repellors, uniform persistence, and permanence. A result of Schreiber on robust permanence is improved.
Contamination effects on soil density fractions from high N or C content sodium polytungstate

Sodium polytungstate (SPT) is currently the material of choice for soil density fractionation (DF). We recently detected high levels of N in several types of commercially available SPT (0.74–1.4 mg g−1), raising a concern that undesirable chemical effects on soils may occur during the DF procedure. To address this concern, we conducted two experiments to examine effects of SPT on C and N in the resulting soil fractions. First we suspended A-horizon material from three soil types of greatly differing mineralogy for 24 h in solutions containing three types of commercially obtained SPT and commercial SPT that had been passed through cation exchange resin columns. We compared %C, %N, 15N and 13C values in treated and untreated soils. We also spiked SPT with tracer-level 15NH4 + to measure potential NH4 + absorption by the soil fractions. Results suggest that the N-rich commercially available SPT can have a considerable effect on δ15N values, likely due to the presence of 15N-enriched NH4 + in the SPT. In one of our soils, 15N enrichment of 3‰ was observed associated with overnight soaking in N-rich SPT (0.74 mg g−1). By contrast, when using SPT with low levels of N (0.05 mg g−1), no significant changes in 15N were observed. The remaining soil (after suspension and rinsing) was similar in %C, %N, 15N and 13C to the untreated bulk soil, suggesting that suspension of soil in SPT with low N levels purchased from the manufacturer or else through treatment with cation exchange resins does not greatly alter these variables. Low-N SPT is available commercially although it must be specifically requested from the manufacturer and is currently more expensive to purchase. Our results confirm that SPT tested and known to be low in C and N ( 0.5 mg g−1.
The Life History of Isonychia sicca (Ephemeroptera:Oligoneuriidae) in an Intermittent Stream in North Central Texas

The life history of Isonychia sicca (Walsh) was determined from samples collected in intermittent Clear Creek, Oct. 1976–June 1978, Denton Co., TX. Fall hatching nymphs formed a small overwintering brood, grew slowly through the winter and emerged in late Apr. A spring brood hatched in Mar. and emerged late May–early June. Adults from overwintering and spring broods supplied eggs which formed a 2nd generation that emerged late Juneâearly July. Emergence began ca. 20 min after sunset and continued for ca. 2 h. The emergence period was continuous, Apr.–July 1977, with both broods and generations overlapping considerably. Average subimaginal fecundity decreased through the emergence period from 4440 to 621 eggs/female, and was positively correlated with abdominal volume. A decrease in body size was noticeable for nymphs, subimagos and imagos. The sex ratio differed for each stage: 1♂:1.6♀, nymphs; 1.4♂:1♀, subimagos; and, 1♂:3.4♀, imagos. Nymphs filter paniculate matter from water using long foreleg hairs as a seine. Isonychia sicca appears to diapause in the egg stage through dry periods. Upon fall rehydration, eggs slowly break diapause differentially through the fall with those breaking early producing the overwintering brood. Eggs breaking diapause in late fall and winter experience cool water temperatures which probably induce quiescence. Hatching begins again in spring. In a permanent stream, eggs continue to hatch through summer and fall until cool winter temperatures probably induce quiescence and resume hatching in spring.
Orders and Order Closures for Not Necessarily Formally Real Fields

Abstract "Closures" and "orders" of fields which are not necessarily formally real are introduced here. The closed fields include real closed fields, algebraically closed fields, and the p-adically closed fields of arbitrary p-rank. The theorem of Artin and Schreier on the bijective correspondence between orderings and isomorphism classes of real closures is generalized. An isomorphism theorem for Henselian extensions is proved which generalizes theorems of Becker and of Prestel and Roquette for generalized real closed fields and Henselian p-adic fields, respectively. A basic tool is the theory of Henselizations of fields with respect to "extended" absolute values, i.e., ones which can take the value ∞.
An approximation for the mean response time for shortest queue routing with general interarrival and service times

In this paper we derive an approximation for the mean respone time of a multiple queue system in which shortest queue routing is used. We assume there are K identical queues with infinite capacity. Interarrival and service times are generally distributed, and an arriving job is routed to a queue of minimal length. Our approximation is a simple closed form equation that requires only the mean and coefficient of variation of job's interarrival and service times. The approximation is extensively compared to simulated values for values of K ⩽ 8, and has small relative errors, typically less than 5%, for systems where the coefficient of variation of interarrival and serivce times are both ⩽ 1. For the system consisting of Poisson arrivals and exponential service times, we extend the approximation so that the error is less than one half of one percent for K ⩽ 8.
Molecular and structural characterization of NADPH-dependent D-glycerate dehydrogenase from the enteric parasitic protist Entamoeba histolytica

Putative NADPH-dependent GDH (L-glycerate dehydrogenase) of the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica (EhGDH) has been characterized. The EhGDH gene encodes a protein of 318 amino acids with a calculated isoelectric point of 6.29 and a molecular mass of 35.8 kDa. EhGDH showed highest identities with GDH from epsilon-proteobacteria. This close kinship was also supported by phylogenetic analyses, suggesting possible lateral transfer of the gene from epsilon-proteobacteria to E. histolytica. In contrast with the implications from protein alignment and phylogenetic analysis, kinetic studies revealed that the amoebic GDH showed biochemical properties similar to those of mammalian GDH, i.e. a preference for NADPH as cofactor and higher affinities towards NADPH and beta-hydroxypyruvate than towards NADP+ and L-glycerate. Whereas the amino acids involved in nucleotide binding and catalysis are totally conserved in EhGDH, substitution of a negatively charged amino acid with a non-charged hydroxy-group-containing amino acid is probably responsible for the observed high affinity of EhGDH for NADP+/NADPH. In addition, the amoebic GDH, dissimilar to the bacterial and mammalian GDHs, lacks glyoxylate reductase activity. Native and recombinant EhGDH showed comparable subunit structure, kinetic parameters and elution profiles on anion-exchange chromatography. We propose that the GDH enzyme is likely to be involved in regulation of the intracellular concentration of serine, and, thus, also in controlling cysteine biosynthesis located downstream of serine metabolic pathways in this protist.
Compromised gastrointestinal integrity in pigtail macaques is associated with increased microbial translocation, immune activation and IL-17 production in the absence of SIV infection

Pigtail macaques (PTMs) rapidly progress to AIDS after simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. Given the strong association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and SIV disease progression and microbial translocation and immune activation, we assessed whether high basal levels of immune activation and microbial translocation exist in PTMs. We found that before SIV infection, PTMs had high levels of microbial translocation that correlated with significant damage to the structural barrier of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, this increased microbial translocation correlated with high levels of immune activation and was associated with high frequencies of interleukin-17-producing T cells. These data highlight the relationship among mucosal damage, microbial translocation and systemic immune activation in the absence of SIV replication, and underscore the importance of microbial translocation in the rapid course of disease progression in SIV-infected PTMs. Furthermore, these data suggest that PTM may be an ideal model to study therapeutic interventions aimed at decreasing microbial translocation-induced immune activation.
Melting near line and point defects

Abstract Power-law exponents are derived for the anomalous thermal properties of solids in which crystal defects act as the centres of nucleation and growth for the transition to the molten or liquid crystalline state. The predictions are borne out by piezothermal or calorimetric data on n-hexadecane, p-azoxyanisole, bismuth and selenium.
OLIGONUCLEOTIDE ADJUVANTS FOR T HELPER 1 (TH1)-SPECIFIC VACCINATION

Thelper cell 1 (Th1)-dependent delayed hypersensitivity reactions are an important part of host defenses against intracellular infections. Yet, more than two centuries after Jenner's successful inoculation against smallpox, we still do not know exactly how to produce safe vaccines that stimulate Th1
Young children’s talk about learning events

Abstract In order to understand children’s conception of knowledge acquisition better, everyday uses of the terms “learn” and “teach” were examined. Longitudinal data obtained from CHILDES (MacWhinney & Snow, 1990) included 329 target term uses and related references by children (N=5, aged 2;4–7;3) and 431 by adults talking with them. Each reference was coded for mention of what was learned, when, how, and where learning occurred, who learned, and who taught/told, among other topics. Children and adults referred most frequently to what was learned and who learned/taught, and less frequently to when, how, and where learning occurred, a pattern that did not change as children aged. Consistent with earlier experimental reports, children talked mostly about their own learning, rarely mentioning sources of knowledge besides other people (e.g., teachers). Behavior learning was mentioned more than fact learning. Implications for characterizations of children’s developing conceptions of knowledge acquisition, for past and future experimental research, and for education were discussed.
Effects of tetrazotized diorthoanisidine on depressor response to 5-hydroxytryptamine in the rabbit.

SummaryThe tetrazo compound, tetrazotized diorthoanisidine (TDA) reduced or abolished depressor response to 5-HT in the rabbit but did not alter the pyretogenic effects of combined treatment with iproniazid and 5-hydroxytryptophane. The mechanism by which TDA modified blood pressure response to 5-HT is discussed.
Comparative studies on localized leukocyte mobilization in patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Using autologous s e r u m as medium, localized leukocyte mobilization into a plastic chamber at the site of mechanical abrasion was quantified in 5 patients with florid CML, one patient with chronic eosinophilic leukemia in the florid state, 3 patients (5 studies) with CML and partial response (remission or relapse), 6 patients with CML in good remission, and in 7 patients with CML in the blastic phase. The cumulative total number of cells was expressed as totaI leukocyte mobilization (TLM) x lOS/cm~ at 24 hrs. Leukocyte dearance/cm2 in 24 hrs. was expressed in milliliters of blood and was obtained by dividing TLM (corrected for non-granulocytes) by the absolute granulocyte count in the peripheral blood. Although the median TLM was found to be elevated in CML with florid disease (130 x 106/cm2 at 24 hrs.) and in CML with partial remission and relapse (104 x lw), it fell to 74 x 106 in 6 patients in remission. This is to be compared with the median TLM for 46 normal subjects (76 x IW/cm2 at 24 hrs.). Median leukocyte clearances showed the lowest values in CML in the florid state (1.0 ml/cmz in 24 hrs), improving to 4.4 ml when a partial response was present, and to 9.3 ml in remission. This compares with 19.7 ml/cm2 in 24 hours for 46 normal subjects. The median T L M in 7 patients with CML in blastic phase was 14 x 1Oe/cm2 a t 24 h, and the leukocyte clearance was reduced to 1.4 ml. These data suggest a defeft in cell-migration in all stages of CML, which is inversely correlated with clinical state. The data reinforce the reported prolongation of circulation time of leukocytes in CML, and suggest a mechanism for this in the impaired ability of CML leukocytes to migrate across the vessel wall.
Manager as Learning Champion.

A classic question facing every organization is, “Who should be responsible for the training/learning process?” Some contend HRD professionals should be responsible for this because they possess advanced knowledge of adult learning theory and maintain excellent instructional skills. Thus, many organizations still rely on HRD (human resource development) professionals to provide training to their employees. These individuals typically are experts in the design, development, and presentation of training programs. Most possess excellent interpersonal and communications skills, relate well to others, possess outgoing and enthusiastic personalities, the ability to engage people for long periods of time, and a solid foundation in adult learning, theory, and practice (Galbraith, 1991), While most trainers are highly talented professionals and are dedicated to employee well-being, learning, and change, they have a limited impact on improving organizational performance. One reason is that most HRD practitioners are not held accountable for improving employee performance, nor are they responsible for conducting performance appraisals used to improve employee performance. Furthermore, HRD professionals are not in a position to provide performance feedback and reinforcement so critical to learning transfer. As a result, some contend that managers should be responsible for employee learning because they are accountable for their performance output and quality. Thus, providing strategies used to transform managers into learning champions as well as an examination of alternative roles for HRD professionals will be provided.
Living cationic sequential block copolymerization of isobutylene with 4-tert-butoxystyrene : Synthesis and characterization of poly(p-hydroxystyrene-b-isobutylene-b-p-hydroxystyrene) triblock copolymers

The living polymerization of p‐tert‐butoxystyrene (tBuOS) was studied in methylcyclohexane (MeChx)/methylchloride (MeCl) 60/40 v/v solvent mixture at –80°C. The model initiator 1,1,‐ditolylethylene (DTE) capped 2‐chloro‐2,4,4‐trimethylpentane (TMPCl) was formed in situ in conjunction with TiCl4. Lowering the Lewis acidity by the addition of Ti(OIp)4 was necessary to induce a rapid and controlled polymerization of tBuOS. Well‐defined polymers with controlled molecular weights, however, were only obtained at a narrow [Ti(OIp)4]/[TiCl4]=0.83–0.86 ratio. Above this ratio, the polymerization of tBuOS was slow and became absent at [Ti(OIp)4]/[TiCl4]≥1.18. At ratios lower than 0.83, the polymerization was too rapid and the initiator efficiency was lower than 100%. The living polymerization of tBuOS was also studied with SnBr4 as Lewis acid. After capping TMPCl with DTE, Ti(OIp)4 was added to reach [Ti(OIp)4]/[TiCl4]=1.2, followed by the addition of tBuOS and SnBr4. SnBr4 induced a well‐controlled living polymeri...
Impurities in indicators used for spectrophotometric seawater pH measurements: Assessment and remedies

Abstract Spectrophotometric pH measurements have been widely used in oceanic CO2−system research. However, impurities in indicator dyes from different manufacturers may cause uncertainty in measured pH values. In this work we report initial findings surrounding the potential significance of indicator sources (manufacturers) on pH measurements obtained with the sulfonephthalein indicator m-cresol purple. HPLC analyses were used for comparative assessments of impurities in m-cresol purple obtained from a range of manufacturers. Results indicate that m-cresol purple from different manufacturers, and perhaps from different batches of the same manufacturer, have different types and quantities of light-absorbing impurities. Impurities can contribute to pH offsets as large as 0.01 pH units. The pH offset caused by impurities decreases with decreasing sample pH. Indicators can be purified using preparative HPLC. Until purified indicators and refined indicator calibrations become available, we suggest that investigators should reserve some portion of each indicator batch for comparison with the properties of purified indicators.
Insulin Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases Erk1,2 Is Amplified via β-adrenergic Receptor Expression and Requires the Integrity of the Tyr350 of the Receptor

Insulin activates a complex set of intracellular responses, including the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk1,2. The counterregulatory actions of insulin on catecholamine action are well known and include phosphorylation of the β2-adrenergic receptor on Tyr350, Tyr354, and Tyr364 in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain, as well as enhanced sequestration of the β2-adrenergic receptor. Both β-adrenergic agonists and insulin provoke sequestration of β2-adrenergic receptors in a synergistic manner. In the current work, cross-talk between insulin action and β2-adrenergic receptors revealed that insulin activation of Erk1,2 was amplified via β2-adrenergic receptors. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, expression of β2-adrenergic receptors enhanced 5–10-fold the activation of Erk1,2 by insulin and prolonged the activation, the greatest enhancement occurring at 5 min post-insulin. The potentiation of insulin signaling on Erk1,2 was proportional to the level of expression of β2-adrenergic receptor. The potentiation of insulin signaling requires the integrity of Tyr350 of the β2-adrenergic receptor, a residue phosphorylated in response to insulin. β2-adrenergic receptors with a Y350F mutation failed to potentiate insulin activation of Erk1,2. Expression of the C-terminal domain of the β2-adrenergic receptor (Pro323-Leu418) in cells expressing the intact β2-adrenergic receptor acts as a dominant negative, blocking the potentiation of insulin activation of Erk1,2 via the β2-adrenergic receptor. Blockade of β2-adrenergic receptor sequestration does not alter the ability of the β2-adrenergic receptor to potentiate insulin action on Erk1,2. We propose a new paradigm in which a G-protein-linked receptor, such as the β2-adrenergic receptor, itself acts as a receptor-based scaffold via its binding site for Src homology 2 domains, facilitating signaling of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by insulin.
The mitotic spindle checkpoint.

Fantastic progress has been made in understanding the spindle checkpoint, the guardian of balanced chromosome segregation. However, several basic questions and many details remain to be worked out. In the meantime, the use of chimeric fluorescent proteins and ever better imaging technology has enhanced the stunning videos of mitosis made today, revealing ever more fascinating details of cell division and evoking greater gasps of wonder from seminar audiences. Keep watching.
A Finite-Difference Logical-Coordinate Evaluation Method for Particle Localization

Particle methods require robust and efficient advection and localization methods which include logical-coordinate evaluation. The ability to compute logical coordinates with existing methods is, however, not guaranteed within grids that contain nonlinear elements. This note presents a new logical-coordinate evaluation method, based on finite-differences, that provides a robust and efficient solution for coordinate transformation. The new methods enhancedcapabilities are d emonstratedon a simple test problem. Particle methods, computational models of particle dynamics, require robust and efficient advection and localization methods. Localization methods 1) - 6) combine cell-searching and logical-coordinate evaluation methods to define particle-grid connectivity. This connectivity data consist of the identity of the grid cell in which the particle resides and the particle’s position relative to that cell, its transformed or logical coordinates. Cell-searching or guessing methods typically use the particle’s logical coordinates to both direct and halt the search. Particle methods are, therefore, predicated on robust and efficient logical-coordinate evaluation methods. Existing logical-coordinate evaluation methods are generalized in Ref. 6). Solutions usingthis technique are g uaranteed, and the coordinate vector is bound between known transformation limits, if the particle resides within the guessed cell. In contrast, an unbound coordinate solution may fail to exist for nonlinear grid element transformations. The problem of interest, however, occurs when these coordinates are unbound because only then will the particle have exited the cell duringadvection. This note continues by presentinga new evaluation method that is less sensitive to coordinate transformation. A test problem concludes this note. §2. Finite-difference evaluation method
Effects of ELF (1–120 Hz) and modulated (50 Hz) RF fields on the efflux of calcium ions from brain tissue in vitro

We have previously shown that 16-Hz, sinusoidal electromagnetic fields can cause enhanced efflux of calcium ions from chick brain tissue, in vitro, in two intensity regions centered on 6 and 40 Vp-p/m. Alternatively, 1-Hz and 30-Hz fields at 40 Vp-p/m did not cause enhanced efflux. We now demonstrate that although there is no enhanced efflux associated with a 42-Hz field at 30, 40, 50, or 60 Vp-p/m, a 45-Hz field causes enhanced efflux in an intensity range around 40 Vp-p/m that is essentially identical to the response observed for 16-Hz fields. Fields at 50 Hz induce enhanced efflux in a narrower intensity region between 45 and 50 Vp-p/m, while radiofrequency carrier waves, amplitude modulated at 50 Hz, also display enhanced efflux over a narrow power density range. Electromagnetic fields at 60 Hz cause enhanced efflux only at 35 and 40 Vp-p/m, intensities slightly lower than those that are effective at 50 Hz. Finally, exposures over a series of frequencies at 42.5 Vp-p/m reveal two frequency regions that elicit enhanced efflux--one centered on 15 Hz, the other extending from 45 to 105 Hz.