cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Yiddish, the Mame-Loshn: ‘Mensch tracht, Gott lacht’

At the start of the twentieth century, the vast majority of Jews in the world spoke Yiddish, most often as their native language. The case of Yiddish is interesting in many ways, but it is included here because of the debates that took place about it historically in Europe and the US. Although today Yiddish tends to be seen as a kind of linguistic Fiddler on the Roof, for many in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Yiddish was widely rejected and denigrated by educated and assimilated Jews as an inferior and backward language, which should be replaced with modern European languages such as German, Russian, French and English as quickly as possible.
Emplazando afectos: activismo y colectividad en las poéticas españolas y saharauis recientes

De ciertas narrativas en la orbita del 15-M hasta figuras del activismo americano como Noam Chomsky, las nuevas insurgencias populares del siglo XXI han senalado el campamento saharaui de Gdeim Izi...
Mindfulness Training and Attentional Control in Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Mindfulness-based interventions have been found to improve facets of attentional control. However, comparison with active control groups has been scarce, and few studies have examined mindfulness as a means to ameliorate age-related cognitive deficits. This rigorously designed randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of mindfulness-based attention training (MBAT) on attentional control in older adults relative to an active control group. Seventy-four community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 weeks of MBAT or an active lifestyle education control group. Pre- and post-intervention, participants completed two computerized measures of attentional control with intermittent assessments of self-reported mind-wandering, with metrics of attentional control and mind-wandering being the primary outcome variables for the study. Additionally, participants completed trait and state measures of mindfulness, the positive and negative affect scale, and homework logs to assess intervention-related engagement. Although we found some evidence for greater reductions in mind-wandering in the MBAT than the active control group, the MBAT group did not exhibit greater improvements in attentional performance. Exploratory analyses revealed working memory as a significant moderator of the observed effects, such that those in the MBAT group with higher working memory showed greater improvement in attentional control. We found partial evidence that brief mindfulness training improves mind-wandering, but not attentional control in older adults. Our study provides preliminary support for working memory as an important moderator of short-duration mindfulness training; however, given the exploratory nature of these effects, replication is warranted.
Factors associated with incomplete toxicology reporting in drug overdose deaths, 2010-2016.

Abstract Purpose Classification of overdose deaths is often geographically and demographically inconsistent. Incomplete surveillance records may distort estimates of drug overdose rates across time and place. We examined incomplete toxicology reporting among drug overdose decedents by demographic and geographic characteristics, measuring changes in missingness rates and their associations with decedent characteristics over time. Methods We estimated the percentage of overdose deaths reported in the National Vital Statistics System with missing toxicology results from 2010 to 2016, overall and by decedents’ demographic and geographic characteristics. Multilevel logistic regression models evaluated prevalence of missingness by decedent characteristics, accounting for geographic clustering. Results Overall, 20.3% of death certificates did not indicate a specific drug, declining from 24.4% in 2010 to 14.6% in 2016. Deaths were less likely to have missing information if they occurred in counties with medical examiners versus coroners. Female decedents were more likely to have missing information than males, as were non-Hispanic whites compared with Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks. Conclusions The percentage of deaths with missing toxicology information declined over time, but demographic and geographic differences in missingness persist. This yields detection biases that skew temporal trends and understanding of groups impacted by the opioid epidemic.
A Framework for Quantifying Resilience to Forest Disturbance

The concept of ecological resilience is an invaluable tool to assess the risk of state transitions and predict the impact of management on an ecosystem’s response to future disturbances. However, resilience is difficult to quantify and the factors contributing to resilience are often unknown in systems subject to multiple disturbances. Here, we develop and demonstrate a framework to assess the potential of ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer forests to be resilient to future disturbance (recover as the same forest type within a managerially significant timeframe) by combining indicators of short-term resilience (ability to withstand disturbance) to fire, insect, and drought disturbances using data from the Rio Tusas-Lower San Antonio landscape in northern New Mexico. The dry mixed conifer forests displayed an average resilience score of 4.54, while ponderosa pine forests had an average score of 3.45 (total possible of nine points) Stand density index was the most important driver of the overall score in the dry mixed conifer type. In the ponderosa pine type, overall basal area was the strongest driver of the overall score. These indicators have the greatest impact on the resilience score and provide the most effective targets for management to increase the possibility of resilience in these forest types. We applied the model in both forest types by comparing individual stands to an ‘ideal’ score for a stand that is within the historic range of variation (HRV) of forest structure for each forest type and confirmed that stands outside of HRV had a low possibility of resilience and stands that had received restoration-based treatments were more likely to be resilient. Our results provide evidence that the changes to forest structure and species composition that have occurred since the onset of fire exclusion have degraded the potential of these forest types to be resilient to future fire, insect, and drought-related disturbances. By modifying disturbances and resilience indicator thresholds this model can be applied to assess resilience to other disturbances within these forest types and across various regions and ecosystem types.
Predictive Genetic Counseling for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Past, Present, and Future

Predictive genetic counseling for neurodegenerative diseases commenced with Huntington's disease (HD). Because the psychological issues and outcomes have been best studied in HD, the HD genetic counseling and testing protocol is still accepted as the gold standard for genetic counseling for these diseases. Yet, advances in genomic technology have produced an abundance of new information about the genetics of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. The resulting expansion of genetic tests together with the availability of direct-to-consumer testing and clinical trials for treatment of these diseases present new ethical and practical issues requiring modifications to the protocol for HD counseling and new demands on both physicians and genetic counselors. This work reviews the history of genetic counseling for neurodegenerative diseases, its current practice, and the future direction of genetic counseling for these conditions.
3 – Compressor and Turbine Performance Characteristics

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the overall performance characteristics of compressors and turbines, which are together classified under the broad term “turbomachinery.” Pumps and compressors are used to produce pressure, whereas turbines produce power. These machines have some common characteristics. The main element is a rotor with blades or vanes, and the path of the fluid in the rotor may be axial, radial, or a combination of both. To understand the flow in turbomachines, an understanding of the basic relationships of pressure, temperature, and type of flow must be acquired. Ideal flow in turbomachines exists when there is no transfer of heat between the gas and its surroundings, and the entropy of the gas remains unchanged. This type of flow is characterized as a reversible adiabatic flow. The work in a compressor or turbine under ideal conditions occurs at constant entropy. Polytropic efficiency is another concept of efficiency often used in compressor evaluation, and is often referred to as small stage or infinitesimal stage efficiency. Turbomachines can be compared with each other by dimensional analysis, in which variables representing a physical situation are reduced into dimensionless groups. These groups can then be used to compare performance of various types of machines with each other. Dimensional analysis is used to compare data from various types of machines, select various types of units based on maximum efficiency and pressure head required, and predict a prototype's performance from tests conducted on a smaller scale model or at lower speeds.
Use of Human Amniotic Membrane to Achieve Permissive Hypovolaemia in Burn Patients

In thermal burn patients, epidermis and dermis are damaged and the barrier function of the skin is lost. This leads to fluid, nutrients and heat loss along with the increased risk of microbial contamination. Both inadequate resuscitation and over resuscitation are deleterious to health. The increasing trend of overhydrating patients is well reported, and various guidelines to prevent this are in practice. Given its easy availability and cost-effectiveness, the human amniotic membrane can be used as a temporary barrier dressing. The aims of this study are (1) to evaluate the efficacy of amniotic membrane in decreasing the amount of replacement fluid in burn patients and (2) to measure the difference of fluid requirement by application of amniotic membrane compared with Parkland formula. Patients admitted to our institution between December 2016 and January 2018, who underwent early burn blister debridement with human amniotic membrane application, were included in this study. In this case-control study of thermal burn patients (including both adults and children), comparisons were made between historical patients from hospital record who also had equivalent burns and were managed by conventional prevailing dressing (cotton gauze dressings) against prospectively collected patients in whom entire burn surface was completely covered with human amniotic membrane dressing. The intravenous requirement in the historical group was generally based on Parkland formula calculation and strict urinary output maintenance. In the prospective group, the desired urinary output was maintained, and accordingly intravenous fluid was titrated to the necessary minimum. The fluids administered in the first 24 and 48 h were compared against the fluid requirement as per the Parkland formula. In our study, we found a mean reduction of 25.52% requirement of resuscitation fluid in the first 24 h after application of the human amniotic membrane. Our study provides evidence that the application of human amniotic membrane allows us to successfully resuscitate burn victims with lesser intravenous fluid than prescribed by Parkland formula. Human amniotic membrane dressing can be a good addition to colloid infusion in preventing fluid creep.
Abstract TMP89: Impaired Cerebral Autoregulation Increases Risk of Worse Outcome After Endovascular Thrombectomy in Stroke Patients With High Blood Pressure Variability

Introduction: Both increased blood pressure (BP) variability and impaired autoregulation have been associated with increased risk of poor outcome after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). The combined...
The Civilian Conservation Corps in Wisconsin: Nature's Army at Work

Review of: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Wisconsin: Nature’s Army at Work, by Jerry Apps.
Traumatic Brain Injury Diminishes Feedforward Activation of Parvalbumin-Expressing Interneurons in the Dentate Gyrus.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with aberrant network hyperexcitability in the dentate gyrus. GABAAergic parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs) in the dentate gyrus regulate network excitability with strong, perisomatic inhibition, though the post-traumatic effects on PV-IN function after TBI are not well understood. In this study, we investigated physiological alterations in PV-INs one week after mild lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI) in mice. PV-IN cell loss was observed in the dentate hilus after LFPI, with surviving PV-INs showing no change in intrinsic membrane properties. Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings in PV-INs revealed alterations in both excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs/IPSCs). Evoked EPSCs in PV-INs from perforant path electrical stimulation were diminished after injury but could be recovered with application of a GABAA-receptor antagonist. Furthermore, current-clamp recordings using minimal perforant path stimulation demonstrated a decrease in evoked PV-IN action potentials after LFPI, which could be restored by blocking GABAAergic inhibition. Together, these findings suggest that injury alters synaptic input onto PV-INs, resulting in a net inhibitory effect that reduces feedforward PV-IN activation in the dentate gyrus. Decreased PV-IN activation suggests a potential mechanism of dentate gyrus network hyperexcitability contributing to hippocampal dysfunction after TBI. Significance Statement Traumatic brain injury (TBI) damages the hippocampus and causes long-lasting memory deficits. After TBI, the dentate gyrus, a crucial regulator of cortical input to the hippocampus, undergoes a dysfunctional net increase in excitation, though the circuit mechanisms underlying this network excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) imbalance are unclear. In this study, we found that TBI alters synaptic inputs onto an inhibitory interneuron population (PV-INs) in the dentate gyrus which results in the decreased firing activity of these neurons due to a net inhibitory influence. The inhibition of PV-INs demonstrates a potential mechanism contributing to dentate gyrus network hyperexcitability and hippocampal dysfunction after TBI.
Review on soft magnetic metal and inorganic oxide nanocomposites for power applications

Abstract Oxide-based nanocomposites have potential to offer much higher switching frequencies compared with state-of-the-art soft magnetic materials for applications in power electronics. However, scalable techniques for synthesizing high performance bulk oxide-based nanostructured and nanocomposite systems with superior performance compared to traditional materials are limited. This review aims at identifying existing and potential opportunities for the development of high performance nanocomposite systems through microstructure engineering specific to soft magnetic property optimization by traditional processing routes. The review begins with general introduction about soft magnetic properties of different classes of materials, followed by a detailed description of crystal structures and the underlying physics responsible for their magnetic performance. These include; soft ferrites, bulk crystalline alloys, metal-amorphous nanocomposites, and metal-oxide nanocomposites of various nature such as metal-insulator and insulator-insulator type composites. An overview on powder metallurgy techniques is provided and aspects relevant to optimizing the balance between competing requirements of high effective electrical resistivity to mitigate eddy current losses and high saturation magnetization are highlighted.
Reassessing the Contributions of African American Inventors to the Golden Age of Innovation

During the Industrial Revolution and subsequently, it is widely believed that African Americans contributed disproportionately little to the economic development of the United States, especially in comparison to European Americans and immigrants from Europe. Yet, African Americans lived in entirely different institutional environments than other Americans, particularly in the South under Jim Crow laws. Using a new database that matches inventors to census records, we find that the share of patents invented by Black Americans living in the North matched their share of the U.S. population from 1870 to 1940 and exceeded it in some decades and in some Northern states throughout the period. We find that Black Americans from all regions were responsible for more patents than immigrants from all but two countries (Germany and England). Northern Black Americans patented at rates that exceeded Southern White Americans and were comparable to the highest patenting groups. In total, we estimate that African Americans were the identified inventors of 50,000 patents over the period. Thus, when freed of extreme political oppression, African American demonstrated level of inventiveness that matched the most inventive groups in U.S. history.
Robust Stochastic Linear Contextual Bandits Under Adversarial Attacks.

Stochastic linear contextual bandit algorithms have substantial applications in practice, such as recommender systems, online advertising, clinical trials, etc. Recent works show that optimal bandit algorithms are vulnerable to adversarial attacks and can fail completely in the presence of attacks. Existing robust bandit algorithms only work for the non-contextual setting under the attack of rewards and cannot improve the robustness in the general and popular contextual bandit environment. In addition, none of the existing methods can defend against attacked context. In this work, we provide the first robust bandit algorithm for stochastic linear contextual bandit setting under a fully adaptive and omniscient attack. Our algorithm not only works under the attack of rewards, but also under attacked context. Moreover, it does not need any information about the attack budget or the particular form of the attack. We provide theoretical guarantees for our proposed algorithm and show by extensive experiments that our proposed algorithm significantly improves the robustness against various kinds of popular attacks.
A Framework for Modeling a Real-Time Radar System

Models are useful mathematical abstractions of real-world systems. These models are parameterized, to the detail necessary, to enable the study of systems dynamics under a wide variety of different conditions that would be difficult, if not impossible, to create otherwise. In this paper, we present the Mixed Reality Simulation Platform (MIXR). This framework facilitates modeling radar systems with sufficient detail to support typical real-time interactive military training exercises and experiments. MIXR has been in development and use since the late 1980s, with the current incarnation being written in the object-oriented C++ programming language. The framework’s usefulness to help engineers and software developers rapidly prototype both standalone and distributed applications has proven itself over the years, as many different simulation products have been created and used within the military domain. In this seminal paper, we focus exclusively on modeling radar systems within the MIXR code-base.
Does Medicaid Cover Penile Prosthesis Surgery? A State-by-State Analysis.

ABSTRACT Background Malleable [MPP] and inflatable [IPP] penile prosthesis surgery for the management of erectile dysfunction is a reliable treatment option with high success rates and excellent patient satisfaction; however, Medicaid coverage transparency is poor leaving a knowledge gap in this population. Aim The present study seeks to assess Medicaid coverage for MPP and IPP by state as evidenced by inclusion in publicly available physician fee schedules. Methods State Medicaid websites were utilized to access public physician fee schedules. Individual search queries were performed for CPT codes 54400 and 54405 which represent insertion of MPP and IPP, respectively. Data were recorded for each device, including the coverage status, physician fees, and the presence of clear documentation of a prior authorization requirement. Outcomes Medicaid physician fee schedules were accessible for 49 out of 50 US states, and 28 states reported coverage for at least one type of penile prosthesis. Results Two states reported coverage for MPP only, one state reported coverage for IPP only, and 24 states reported coverage for both devices. One state reported that it did not cover either device, but listed coverage for a self-contained IPP (CPT 54401) only. Mean physician reimbursement was $477.15 (290.82–$1175.50) for MPP placement and $691.76 (421.68–$1794.27) for IPP. Eleven states documented prior authorization requirements within their fee schedules, while the remaining 17 states did not. Criteria for approval for prior authorization were not clearly stated in any fee schedule. Clinical Implications Efforts to clearly document approval criteria and educate Men's Health providers on available coverage could result in a significant improvement in sexual satisfaction in the Medicaid population. Strengths and Limitations Graphical representation of states offering Medicaid penile prosthetic coverage and physician reimbursement ranges are provided with comparison to Medicare rates. Limitations include heterogeneity in fee schedules, lack of prior authorization requirement details, inability to correlate to successful claims data, and the evolving nature of Medicaid coverage for the given procedures. Conclusions Medicaid coverage exists for penile prosthetic surgery in 28 states, although often with significant, non-transparent prior authorization criteria. Barnard JT, Grimaud L, Yafi FA. Does Medicaid Cover Penile Prosthesis Surgery? A State-by-State Analysis. J Sex Med 2021;18:1455–1460.
A Critical Review of Challenges Faced by Converting Food Waste to Bioenergy Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Liquefaction

The conventional approaches for handling food waste has been incineration, composting, landfilling, and anaerobic digestion for producing biogas. In light of organic waste bans and newly discovered presence of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in food, food packaging materials, and compost, this review provides a critical summary of what has been investigated and reported and what needs to be considered when choosing suitable pathways for food waste. In addition to the fundamental principles inherent to anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal liquefaction, challenges for each process are identified followed by discussion of potential solutions to resolve the bottlenecks.
Integrative analysis reveals aged clonal B cells, microenvironment and c-Myc activation in the origin of age-related lymphoma

While cancer is an age-related disease, most studies focus on genetically engineered younger mouse models. Here, we uncover how cancer develops as a consequence of the naturally aged immune system in mice. B-cell lymphoma frequently occurs in aged mice and is associated with increased cell size, splenomegaly, and a novel clonal B-cell population. Age-emergent B cells clonally expand outside of germinal centers driven by somatic mutations, activated c-Myc and hypermethylated promoters, and both genetically and epigenetically recapitulate human follicular and diffuse-large B-cell lymphomas. Mechanistically, mouse cancerous B cells originate from age-associated B cells, which are atypical memory B cells. Age-associated B cells secrete a spectrum of proinflammatory cytokines and activate paracrinally the expression of c-Myc in surrounding B cells. Although clonal B cells are a product of an aging microenvironment, they evolve being self-sufficient and support malignancy when transferred into young mice. Inhibition of mTOR and c-Myc attenuates premalignant changes in B cells during aging and emerges as a therapeutic strategy to delay the onset of age-related lymphoma. Together, we uncover how aging generates cancerous B cells, characterize a model that captures the origin of spontaneous cancer during aging and identify interventions that may postpone age-associated lymphoma.
KDM6B promotes activation of the oncogenic CDK4/6-pRB-E2F pathway by maintaining enhancer activity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma

The H3K27me2/me3 histone demethylase KDM6B is over-expressed in neuroblastoma and is essential to neuroblastoma cell survival. While the KDM6B inhibitor, GSK-J4, has shown activity in in vitro and in vivo preclinical models, the mechanism of action remains poorly defined. We demonstrate that genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of KDM6B downregulates the pRB-E2F transcriptome and MYCN expression. Chemical genetic analyses show that high expression of the E2F transcriptome is positively correlated with sensitivity of cancer cells to GSK-J4. Mechanistically, inhibition of KDM6B activity 1) reduces the chromatin accessibility of E2F target genes and MYCN, 2) selectively leads to an increase of H3K27me3 but a decrease of the enhancer mark H3K4me1 at the CTCF and BORIS binding sites, which may, consequently, disrupt the long-range chromatin interaction of MYCN and E2F target genes, and 3) phenocopies the transcriptome induced by the specific CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib. Overexpression of CDK4/6 or Rb1 knockout confers neuroblastoma cell resistance to both palbociclib and GSK-J4. A gene signature targeted by KDM6B inhibition is associated with poor survival of patients with neuroblastoma regardless of the MYCN status. These data indicate that KDM6B activity promotes an oncogenic CDK4/6-pRB-E2F pathway in neuroblastoma cells via H3K27me3-dependent enhancer-promoter interactions, providing a rationale to target KDM6B for high-risk neuroblastoma.
Why school health education: a synthesis.

Abstract “Human beings inevitably alter the course of events and make mockery of any attempt to predict the future from an extrapolation of existing trends. In human affairs, the logical future, determined by past and present conditions, is less important than the willed future, which is largely brought about by deliberate choices—made by the human free will. Our societies have a good chance of remaining prosperous because they are learning to anticipate, long in advance, the shortages and dangers they might experience in the future if they do not take technologically sound preventive measures.” (Rene Dubos, 1982).
Abstract #877: Tamoxifen rescues the ovarian follicular reserve following exposure to multiple classes of ovotoxic drugs including cancer chemotherapy.

Over 400,000 premenopausal women are diagnosed with cancer each year in the US. 50-80% of patients that receive cytotoxic chemotherapy suffer premature ovarian failure and infertility due to a rapid and permanent loss of ovarian follicles. Chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage was previously viewed by physicians and cancer patients as an acceptable cost of curative chemotherapy and radiation regimens. However, as more women survive their cancers and strive to resume normal family life, sterilization and premature menopause from cancer therapy has become a major survivorship issue. Currently embryo freezing and GnRH suppression are the only options to preserve fertility and each has significant limitations. Recently, we serendipitously discovered a protective effect of the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen against the destruction of oocytes by toxic chemicals. To explore this novel ovoprotective property of tamoxifen further , 5-week-old rats received placebo or tamoxifen pellets (5mg) followed by weekly injections of vehicle, 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA, a well characterized ovotoxicant; 10mg) or cyclophosphamide (Cy, the most ovotoxic cancer drug; 50mg/kg). Following 2 or 4 weeks of DMBA or Cy treatment, respectively, ovaries were collected and processed for histological evaluation. In vitro , ovulated oocytes were incubated with doxorubicin (another ovotoxic cancer drug), with or without the active metabolite of tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen for 24 hours. In an organ culture experiment, postnatal day 4 ovaries were treated with DMBA or vehicle with or without 4-hydroxytamoxifen for 7 days and processed for histological examination. Follicle populations were classified and counted in every 10 th sections of the ovaries obtained from in vivo and organ culture studies. For cultured oocytes, morphological changes indicative of apoptosis were examined. Both in vivo and in vitro studies confirmed that primordial and total follicles are depleted by DMBA and Cy (p in vivo and in vitro studies. Tamoxifen may provide a novel and safe molecular shield to the ovary against chemotherapy-induced infertility in young cancer patients. Clinically, tamoxifen has already been tested for safe first-line use for several cancers allowing these observations to be readily translated from bench to bedside. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 877.
Finding the Intersection of the Learning Organization and Learning Transfer: The Significance of Leadership.

Purpose – This article aims to develop a conceptual framework delineating the key dimension of the learning organization which significantly influences learning transfer. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual framework was developed by analyzing previous studies and synthesizing the results associated with the following four relationships: the learning organization and learning transfer; the learning organization and organizational performance; the Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) and learning transfer; and the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) and the LTSI. Findings – This paper developed the learning transfer framework of the learning organization, which emphasizes the significance of leadership for learning on facilitating learning transfer in the learning organization. Research limitations/implications – First, empirical-analytical research needs to be accumulated to verify the conceptual framework developed in the present paper. Second, instruments to measure th...
Post-translational modification of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 by intermittent hypoxia: evidence for the involvement of dopamine D1 receptor signaling

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 1568–1578. Abstract Intermittent hypoxia (IH) associated with sleep apnea leads to cardio-respiratory morbidities. Previous studies have shown that IH alters the synthesis of neurotransmitters including catecholamines and neuropeptides in brainstem regions associated with regulation of cardio-respiratory functions. GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, has been implicated in cardio-respiratory control. GABA synthesis is primarily catalyzed by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that IH like its effect on other transmitters also alters GABA synthesis. The impact of IH on GABA synthesis was investigated in pheochromocytoma 12 cells, a neuronal cell line which is known to express active form of GAD67 in the cytosolic fraction and also assessed the underlying mechanisms contributing to IH-evoked response. Exposure of cell cultures to IH decreased GAD67 activity and GABA level. IH-evoked decrease in GAD67 activity was caused by increased cAMP – protein kinase A (PKA) – dependent phosphorylation of GAD67, but not as a result of changes in either GAD67 mRNA or protein expression. PKA inhibitor restored GAD67 activity and GABA levels in IH treated cells. Pheochromocytoma 12 cells express dopamine 1 receptor (D1R), a G-protein coupled receptor whose activation increased adenylyl cyclase activity. Treatment with either D1R antagonist or adenylyl cyclase inhibitor reversed IH-evoked GAD67 inhibition. Silencing D1R expression with siRNA reversed cAMP elevation and GAD67 inhibition by IH. These results provide evidence for the role of D1R-cAMP-PKA signaling in IH-mediated inhibition of GAD67 via protein phosphorylation resulting in down-regulation of GABA synthesis.
PARENT EDUCATION'S SECOND GENERATION

Parent education programs are proliferating rapidly throughout North America and elsewhere. A number of new programs address targeted populations such as violent or high conflict families. Specialized programs for violent or high conflict parents have inherent difficulties in screening and availability. The authors urge parent educators not to assume that generic or “mainstream” programs will not have victims or perpetrators of violence in attendance. The authors provide specific advice for making all mainstream programs safe and appropriate for violent families.
Nutritional status and mortality: a prospective validation of the Quac stick.

In December 1970, 8,292 rural Bengali children the ages of 1 and 9 had their height and arm circumference measured. Eighteen months later the fate of 98.8% of these children was ascertained. Overall, 2.3% of the children had died. Those the 9th and between the 10th and 50th percentiles of arm circumference for height were at 3.4 1.5 times greater risk of dying, respectively, than those above the 5oth percentiles. A gradient was present at every age, although it was greatest for the bulnerable 1- to 4-year age group, for whom the relative risks were 4.5, 1.6, and 1.0, respectively. The discriminant efficiency of these categories was greatest immediately following measurement and decreased with time. During the first postmeasurement month the risk of dying the poorest nutritional category was 19.8 times that of the best, and for the first 3 months, 12.2 times. By the last 3 months of followup it was only twice that of the best. Females in all three categories fared slightly worse than males, being at 1.1 times the risk of dying. This same vulnerable group of 1. to 4-year olds could be identified without knowing their age. Limiting the analysis to children whose heights were between 65 and 89 cm resulted in relative risks, for the three categories, of 4.1, 1.6, and 1.0, respectively. These arm circumference to height categories and the QUAC stick survey technique for which they were devised appear to be valid tools for identifying nutritionally disadvantaged individuals and populations at high risk of death.
The Vetmousetrap: A Device For Computed Tomographic Imaging Of The Thorax Of Awake Cats

The VetMousetrap, a novel device that allows computed tomography (CT) of awake cats and provides a clinically supportive environment, is described. Ten normal cats were used to test the device for ambient internal oxygen, carbon dioxide levels, and temperature. Twenty-two awake normal cats were imaged using a 16-multislice helical CT unit to evaluate dose-equivalent protocols. Two different X-ray tube potentials (kV), 80 and 120, and two different helical pitches, 0.562 and 1.75, were evaluated. The signal intensity of the pulmonary parenchyma (SIlung), signal intensity of background (SIbackgr), contrast, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Three evaluators ranked the images for sharpness of liver margins, motion, helical, and windmill artifacts. CT was successfully completed in 20 of 22 cats. No artifacts directly related to the device were detected. Overall, 75 of 80 (94%) examinations were judged to have absent or minimal motion artifact. A statistically significant difference was found for SNR (P = 0.001) and CNR (P = 0.001) between all protocols. The higher pitch protocols had significantly lower noise and higher SNR and CNR, lower motion artifact but greater helical artifacts. A protocol using 80 kV, 130 mA, 0.5s, and 0.562 pitch with 1.25mm slice thickness, and 0.625 mm slice reconstruction interval is recommended. The VetMousetrap appears to provide the opportunity for diagnostic CT imaging of the thorax of awake cats.
Retinogeniculate axons undergo eye-specific segregation in the absence of eye-specific layers.

Spontaneous retinal activity mediated by cholinergic transmission regulates the segregation of retinal ganglion cell axons in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus into eye-specific layers. The details of how the layers form are unknown. Mice lacking the β2 subunit of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor lack ACh-mediated waves and as a result, do not form eye-specific layers at any stage of development. However, during the second postnatal week, β2−/− mice have glutamate-mediated waves. Here we show that after the first postnatal week, even in the absence of layers, retinothalamic axons segregate into an unlayered, patchy distribution of eye-specific regions. These results indicate that spontaneous neural activity may independently regulate eye-specific segregation and the formation of layers at the developing retinothalamic projection.
Nonsense codons in human beta-globin mRNA result in the production of mRNA degradation products.

Human beta zero-thalassemic beta-globin genes harboring either a frameshift or a nonsense mutation that results in the premature termination of beta-globin mRNA translation have been previously introduced into the germ line of mice (S.-K. Lim, J.J. Mullins, C.-M. Chen, K. Gross, and L.E. Maquat, EMBO J. 8:2613-2619, 1989). Each transgene produces properly processed albeit abnormally unstable mRNA as well as several smaller RNAs in erythroid cells. These smaller RNAs are detected only in the cytoplasm and, relative to mRNA, are longer-lived and are missing sequences from either exon I or exons I and II. In this communication, we show by using genetics and S1 nuclease transcript mapping that the premature termination of beta-globin mRNA translation is mechanistically required for the abnormal RNA metabolism. We also provide evidence that generation of the smaller RNAs is a cytoplasmic process: the 5' ends of intron 1-containing pre-mRNAs were normal, the rates of removal of introns 1 and 2 were normal, and studies inhibiting RNA synthesis with actinomycin D demonstrated a precursor-product relationship between full-length mRNA and the smaller RNAs. In vivo, about 50% of the full-length species that undergo decay are degraded to the smaller RNAs and the rest are degraded to undetectable products. Exposure of erythroid cells that expressed a normal human beta-globin transgene to either cycloheximide or puromycin did not result in the generation of the smaller RNAs. Therefore, a drug-induced reduction in cellular protein synthesis does not reproduce this aspect of cytoplasmic mRNA metabolism. These data suggest that the premature termination of beta-globin mRNA translation in either exon I or exon II results in the cytoplasmic generation of discrete mRNA degradation products that are missing sequences from exon I or exons I and II. Since these degradation products appear to be the same for all nonsense codons tested, there is no correlation between the position of translation termination and the sites of nucleolytic cleavage.
Radiation as a weapon of mass destruction

Abstract Recent events in the United States and abroad have heightened the awareness of the vulnerability of society to terrorist attacks. With the exception of the atomic bombs used during World War II at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, no attempt using radiation as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) has been successful. The increasing applications of radiation in industry, laboratories, and safeguards among unstable governments, offer increased opportunities for terrorist acquisition and dispersal of toxic radiation into civilized society. This article reviews the basics of radiation biology as well as common radioactive isotopes and their target organs. In addition, scenarios presenting the various mechanisms of how radiation could be used as a WMD are explored.
Ratiometric-pericam-mt, a novel tool to evaluate intramitochondrial zinc

Zn(2+) can enter mitochondria and promote a plethora of physiological and patho-physiological effects. The issue of measuring changes in intramitochondrial levels is therefore critical. Past studies have employed fluorescent Zn(2+) indicators, like Rhod-2 and RhodZin-3, however, the use of these probes is impaired by their extramitochondrial sequestration. In this study, we show that the ratiometric mitochondria-targeted pericam, RPmt, can be employed to detect changes of intramitochondrial free Zn(2+) ([Zn(2+)](m)) levels. Using RPmt in neuronal and non neuronal cell lines we demonstrate that mitochondria can take up the cation mobilized from the cytosolic pool of protein-bound Zn(2+) and that mitochondrial Zn(2+) sequestration is largely mediated by the activity of the Ca(2+) uniporter.
The synthesis of N-substituted tetrahydropyridines using the hetero-cope rearrangement

Abstract Several imines have been prepared from methacrolein dimer. Thermal rearrangement of these molecules resulted in the formation of N-substituted tetrahydropyridines.
On Participation in Political Protest Movements

Laymen and social scientists alike often believe that people are inspired to participate in political or social movements because of certain dislocating or frustrating personal experiences. The pol...
Tailoring of low chromatic dispersion over a broadband in silicon waveguides using a double-slot design

We propose horizontal double-slot silicon waveguide to tailor the dispersion and achieve flattened and low dispersion with a bandwidth of 878 nm from −17 to 23 ps/(km·nm). Supercontinuum in all-normal dispersion with 3 dB bandwidth of 188 nm is generated in doubleslot waveguide.
Research With Latino Early Adolescents: Strengths, Challenges, and Directions for Future Research

This article reflects on the state of the literature with respect to Latino early adolescents. An overview of the studies included in the special issue is provided and their unique contributions to...
Characteristics of Glottis-Induced Turbulence in Oscillatory Flow: An Empirical Investigation

Turbulence inducement from the glottis was scrutinized by employing an idealized model of the larynx and trachea for oscillatory flow conditions. The characterization of turbulence was achieved with the two-component velocity measurements of split-film probe anemometry and with the flow visualization of a smoke-wire technique. The apertures of two different (triangular and circular) shapes were utilized in the airway model to address the distinct effects of the triangular-shaped glottal aperture on the generation, development, and decay of turbulence. One of the salient turbulence characteristics for the triangular aperture case was found to be the relatively high turbulence levels around the center region (2r/D approximately 0) in conjunction with the asymmetric mean axial velocity across the frontal-rear (A-O-P) plane of the trachea at one tracheal diameter (x/D = 1) downstream from the glottis. The detailed turbulence properties such as the Reynolds shear stresses and turbulence intensities for the triangular aperture case differed significantly from those for the circular aperture case within a few tracheal diameters (x/D < 7) downstream from the apertures. The glottis-induced turbulence was incipient during the acceleration phase of inspiration and convected downstream with the traits of decaying turbulence.
Macromolecular carbonyls in human stratum corneum: A biomarker for environmental oxidant exposure?

The presence of stratum corneum carbonyls may serve as an intrinsic dosimeter for environmental oxidative damage to skin. To investigate the accumulation of carbonyls in human stratum corneum, skin was tape-stripped, then tapes were sequentially incubated with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH), rat anti-DNP, mouse anti-rat IgG conjugated with alkaline phosphatase, p-nitrophenyl phosphate and absorbance (405 nm) measured and carbonyls estimated. Stratum corneum exposed in vitro to oxidants: hypochlorous acid (1, 10, 100 mM), ozone (0, 1, 5, 10 ppm for 2 h) or UV light (280–400 nm; 0, 4, 88, or 24 J/cm2) contained increased carbonyls. Furthermore, stratum corneum carbonyls were elevated in tanned compared with untanned sites: dorsal hand (0.43±0.06 nmol/cm2) vs. lower arm (0.32±0.04, mean±S.E.M., n=11; P<0.003) and lower back (0.26±0.02) vs. buttock (0.21±0.02; n=6, P<0.01) indicating in vivo oxidative damage.
Microwave Emissions from Police Radar

This study evaluated police officers' exposures to microwaves emitted by traffic radar units. Exposure measurements were taken at approximated ocular and testicular levels of officers seated in patrol vehicles. Comparisons were made of the radar manufacturers' published maximum power density specifications and actual measured power densities taken at the antenna faces of those units. Four speed-enforcement agencies and one transportation research institute provided 54 radar units for evaluation; 17 different models, encompassing 4 frequency bands and 3 antenna configurations, were included. Four of the 986 measurements taken exceeded the 5 mW/cm2 limit accepted by the International Radiation Protection Association and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement, though none exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, American National Standards Institute, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard...
Numerical Simulation and Modelling of Electronic and Biochemical Systems

Numerical simulation and modelling have been growing in importance and seeing steadily increasing practical application. The proliferation of applications and physical domains for which simulation technologies are now needed, compounded by generally increased complexity, has expanded the scope of numerical simulation and modelling within CAD and spurred new research directions. Numerical Simulation and Modelling of Electronic and Biochemical Systems provides an introduction to the fundamentals of numerical simulation, and to the basics of modelling electronic circuits and biochemical reactions. The emphasis is on capturing a minimal set of important concepts succinctly, but concretely enough that the reader will be left with an adequate foundation for further independent exploration. Starting from mathematical models of basic electronic elements, circuits are modelled as nonlinear differential-algebraic equation (DAE) systems. Two basic techniques - quiescent steady state and transient - for solving these differential equations systems are then developed. It is then shown how biochemical reactions can also be modelled deterministically as DAEs. Following this, frequency domain techniques for finding sinusoidal steady states of linear DAEs are developed, as are direct and adjoint techniques for computing parameter sensitivities and the effects of stationary random noise. For readers interested in a glimpse of topics beyond these basics, an introduction to nonlinear periodic steady state methods (harmonic balance and shooting) and the multitime partial differential equation formulation is provided. Also provided is an overview of model order reduction, an important topic of current research that has roots in numerical simulation algorithms. Finally, sample applications of nonlinear oscillator macromodels - in circuits (PLLs), biochemical reaction-diffusion systems and nanoelectronics - are presented.