cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Fossorial Mammal of Unknown Affinities from the Middle Miocene Fauna of Nevada

A reconnaissance collecting trip in the fall of 1953, by personnel of the Los Angeles County Museum at the type locality of the Stewart Spring, late Middle Miocene fauna of western Nevada, resulted in the recovery of a collection of small mammal remains. Among these remains is an incomplete left humerus of an unknown genus of fossorial mammal (L.A.C.M. No. 1380). The junior author collected the specimen and assumed at the time that it was a mole-like animal. However, further examination and comparison by the authors (Reed in particular) revealed that this likeness is indicated only in the antero-posterior flatness of the shaft of the bone. Details of the structure are unique and are not known in any genus of mammal so far described, including the equally distinctive and more ancient Cryptoryctes and Arctoryctes , and the members of the family Talpidae. However, we consider it unwise to describe a new genus on the basis of this one fragmentary humerus. The specimen was taken at the original University of California Museum of Paleontology loc. V2027 (L.A.C.M. loc. 1104), Esmeralda County, Nevada; in the Esmeralda formation near Stewart Spring and Finger Rock Wash; Tonopah quadrangle, T. 8 N, R. 36 E. It shows evidence of polishing from some type of abrasive-wearing action, probably during deposition in water. Other mammals collected show similar effects of deposition and wear. Previous authors (e.g., Stirton, 1939) have reported the following mammals from Stewart Spring: Insectivora, ? Meterix ; Carnivora, Cynodesmus cf. kelloggi, Bassariscus parvus Hall; Rodentia, Liodontia, Monosaulax cf. pansus, Mylagaulus ; Perissodactyla, Hypohippus cf. osborni, Merychippus brevidontus Bode, Merychippus cf. californicus; Chalicotheriidae; Artiodactyla, Merycodus nevadensus . Although close study now reveals certain definitive mammalian characters of this humerus, the allocation to the Class Mammalia was not at first clearly evident. The humerus to be …
Comparison of Tensile Behavior of Plain-Woven Carbon/Silicon Carbide Composites at Room Temperature and High Temperature

Monotonic tensile experiments at room temperature and 1300℃ were performed to investigate the macro-mechanical behavior of plain-woven C/SiC ceramic matrix composites(CMCs) produced with CVI technique.Two environments including inert atmosphere and wet oxygen atmosphere were simulated at 1300℃.The microstructure of specimens were observed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope to analyse its damage mechanism.The results indicate that,the responses of C/SiC composite under tensile loading at both room temperature and 1300℃ are nonlinear to rupture and damage appears at very low stress level.The tensile strength and failure strain at room temperature are lower than at 1300℃ in inert atmosphere but higher than at 1300℃ in wet oxygen atmosphere,respectively.The main reason of the former is the decrease of interfacial sliding resistance at 1300℃ in inert atmosphere.The main reason of the latter is fiber oxidation at 1300℃ in wet oxygen atmosphere.The tensile specimens all break in a ductile manner.Fractography analysis shows that the fracture surfaces are almost the same in the three environments except the obviously oxidative trace in wet oxygen atmosphere.The specimens in inert atmosphere have the longest pull-out length of fiber.Matrix cracks around the 0° fiber bundles,interlaminar cracks,fracture and pullout of 0° fiber and 0° bundles along with the pullout of 90°bundles are the main damage mechanisms.
Radiation-induced changes in intestinal and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase: implications for recovery after radiation therapy.

Abstract Background Exogenous replacement of depleted enterocyte intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) decreases intestinal injury in models of colitis. We determined whether radiation-induced intestinal injury could be mitigated by oral IAP supplementation and the impact on tissue-nonspecific AP. Methods WAG/RjjCmcr rats (n = 5 per group) received lower hemibody irradiation (13 Gy) followed by daily gavage with phosphate-buffered saline or IAP (40 U/kg/d) for 4 days. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, AP activity, and microbiota analysis were performed on intestine. Lipopolysaccharide and cytokine analysis was performed on serum. Data were expressed as a mean ± SEM with P greater than .05 considered significant. Results Intestine of irradiated animals demonstrates lower hemibody irradiation and is associated with upregulation of tissue-nonspecific AP, downregulation of IAP, decreased AP activity, and altered composition of the intestinal microbiome. Conclusions Supplemental IAP after radiation may be beneficial in mitigating intestinal radiation syndrome as evidenced by improved histologic injury, decreased acute intestinal inflammation, and normalization of intestinal microbiome.
Effect of Oxalate on Kidney Mitochondrial Function

We have previously shown that oxalate is transported into mitochondria by the dicarboxylate carrier (1). Since we had postulated that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to renal stone formation, we predicted that oxalate would affect mitochondrial function in kidney cells to a greater extent than in the liver since calcium-oxalate stones occur only in the kidney. This prediction was examined by comparing the effects of oxalate on two distinct mitochondrial processes - dicarboxylate transport and respiration - in both liver and kidney cortical mitochondria.
Review: African Vernacular Architecture Data Base, by Jon Sojkowski

Jon Sojkowski, creator African Vernacular Architecture Data Base http://www.africavernaculararchitecture.com The African Vernacular Architecture Data Base, an online project initiated and maintained by architect Jon Sojkowski, is an important and welcome new source of information about vernacular building practices in Africa. Conceived as a visual database of building types categorized by location, it includes photographs submitted by numerous contributors. Although sparsely annotated and lacking a comprehensive scientific methodology, this online project is an important contribution to the field of architectural history and will prove valuable to practicing architects and social scientists interested in the vernacular building traditions of Africa. Sojkowski, a registered architect based in Beaufort, South Carolina, began collecting images of vernacular architecture in Africa in 1997–98 while he was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia. During his time in that Southern African country, he found few resources to help him understand the wealth of native building traditions across the continent, which he hoped to integrate into his design courses at Copperbelt University in Kitwe. Sojkowski, who also goes by the nom de plume Jon Twingi, began assembling a visual database of Zambian vernacular architecture, using photographs he took as he traveled the country. He collected this work in the online database Zambia Vernacular Architecture (http://www.zambiaarchitecture.com), which …
A New Design Strategy and Diagnostic to Tailor the DNA-Binding Mechanism of Small Organic Molecules and Drugs

The classical model for DNA groove binding states that groove binding molecules should adopt a crescent shape that closely matches the helical groove of DNA. Here, we present a new design strategy that does not obey this classical model. The DNA-binding mechanism of small organic molecules was investigated by synthesizing and examining a series of novel compounds that bind with DNA. This study has led to the emergence of structure–property relationships for DNA-binding molecules and/or drugs, which reveals that the structure can be designed to either intercalate or groove bind with calf thymus dsDNA by modifying the electron acceptor properties of the central heterocyclic core. This suggests that the electron accepting abilities of the central core play a key role in the DNA-binding mechanism. These small molecules were characterized by steady-state and ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopies. Bioimaging experiments were performed in live cells to evaluate cellular uptake and localization of the novel small mo...
Constant Sensitivity Differential Thermal Analysis: Development and Evaluation

One of the sources of error in quantitative DTA is the variation of E, the calibration coefficient, with temperature. An apparatus has been designed and constructed in which E is invariant with temperature. By increasing the △T amplifier gain at a known rate compatible with the furnace heating rate, a constant sensitivity DTA instrument is obtained. The application of this instrument to quantitative calorimetric measurements is discussed.
Teaching Abnormal Psychology with Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle discusses what happens when people do not develop good character and so fail to cultivate and exercise the virtues. He catalogues various abnormalities or bad states of character in ascending order of seriousness. Students also read sections from the introductory text dealing with Abnormal Psychology. Class time is devoted to discussing examples of the major disorders and their etiology. Then we try to compare and contrast Aristotle’s position that human misery stems from various states of bad character with the modern understanding presented in Abnormal Psychology.
The Time Varying Lambda Factor in Nelson-Siegel Model and Its Predictive Power for the Real Economic Activity

There are typically three factors in the Nelson-Siegel model, namely level (β1), slope (β2), and curvature (β3). The λ parameter governs how much the slope and curvature factor contribute to the yield curve relative to the level factor. In most of the past literature, λ is usually fixed (for example, see Diebold and Li (2006)). In this study, we allow λ to vary over time in a simplistic way analogous to what was originally experimented by Nelson and Siegel (1987). We find that the λ volatility spikes up before recessions and then declines during or after the recessions. We propose various measures of the λ volatility and find they significantly predict recessions and the predictive power often appears stronger than the typical indicator, yield spread. We also conduct out-of-sample forecast exercises for the real economic activity at numerous forecasting horizons, and find that measures of λ volatility have strong prediction power. In particular, the forecasts of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) growth rate using our λ volatility measures are much more accurate than those from the benchmark model, especially at long horizon.
The world is not flat: Examining the interactive multidimensionality of culture and virtuality in teams

Abstract As organizations continue to spread their influence into foreign countries and take on increasingly complex tasks, the need for an accurate understanding as to how global, virtual teams function becomes more integral. At this time, although there are many organizations utilizing global, virtual teams, there is a dearth of literature that examines the impact of cultural differences within these teams. This paper aims to bridge this gap by offering an integrative interdisciplinary theoretical review, merging a lens of relevant cultural values, including Hofstede's five dimensions and extending to other conceptualizations such as the Triandis (1995) typology, with the Kirkman and Mathieu (2005) conceptualization of virtuality. Ultimately, theoretical propositions are provided for future examination of each cultural dimension. Finally, implications and future research are discussed in the hopes of providing invaluable insight as to the currently under-researched ‘global’ aspect of global, virtual teams.
Polarization ray tracing

A method of polarization ray tracing for calculating the instrumental polarization function of an optical system using the Jones calculus is presented. Polarization ray tracing supplements the equations of ray tracing to include amplitude, phase, polarization and retardance effects of thin films, polarization elements and polarizing materials. Results of a polarization ray trace analysis of a Cassegrain telescope are presented.
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation With or Without Contact Force Sensing.

Introduction Arrhythmia recurrences remain common after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF). Contact force (CF)-sensing catheters have been introduced for objective assessment of contact during radiofrequency application and have been suggested to improve outcomes in ablation of paroxysmal AF, but little is known about their role in PersAF ablation. We aimed to compare the procedural profiles and outcomes of (PersAF) ablation with or without using CF-sensing catheters. Methods All consecutive patients undergoing first time ablation for PersAF between April 2014 and January 2015 at the Cleveland Clinic were included. Substrate modification was performed in addition to isolation of the pulmonary veins. Success rates were determined off antiarrhythmics over 1 year of follow-up. Results The study included 174 patients (77 CF and 97 non-CF). Ablation with CF-sensing catheters resulted in shorter procedures (median 204 vs. 216 minutes, P = 0.04) and shorter fluoroscopy time (36 vs. 48 minutes, P = 0.0005), without statistical difference in radiation dose (225 vs. 270 milligrays, P = 0.1). Arrhythmia recurrences were less likely to be observed in the CF-sensing group (27.6% vs. 46.4%, P = 0.01, log-rank P = 0.004). In multivariable Cox analyses, the use of CF-sensing catheters was associated with a lower risk of arrhythmia recurrence (hazard ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.27-0.85, P = 0.01). Conclusions Compared to non-CF sensing, the use of CF-sensing catheters for PersAF ablation is associated with shorter procedures, shorter fluoroscopy time, and reduction in arrhythmia recurrences.
Dual-Hormone (Insulin and Glucagon) AP Systems

AP systems that use both insulin and glucagon to regulate BCG can provide control that mimics the performance of the pancreas more realistically. The added complexity of control algorithms and hardware, the current stage of development of long-term stable glucagons provide challenges to the dual-hormone AP system. The progress made by various research groups is reported.
Islet Long Noncoding RNAs: A Playbook for Discovery and Characterization

Diabetes is a complex group of metabolic disorders that can be accompanied by several comorbidities, including increased risk of early death. Decades of diabetes research have elucidated many genetic drivers of normal islet function and dysfunction; however, a lack of suitable treatment options suggests our knowledge about the disease remains incomplete. The establishment of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), once dismissed as "junk" DNA, as essential gene regulators in many biological processes has redefined the central role for RNA in cells. Studies showing that misregulation of lncRNAs can lead to disease have contributed to the emergence of lncRNAs as attractive candidates for drug targeting. These findings underscore the need to reexamine islet biology in the context of a regulatory role for RNA. This review will 1) highlight what is known about lncRNAs in the context of diabetes, 2) summarize the strategies used in lncRNA discovery pipelines, and 3) discuss future directions and the potential impact of studying the role of lncRNAs in diabetes.
Evidence for the Activation of 3-Methylcholanthrene as a Carcinogen in vivo and as a Mutagen in vitro by P1-450 from Inbred Strains of Mice

Genetic differences in aromatic hydrocarbon “responsiveness” exist among various mouse strains. New formation of cytochrome P1–450 and the induction of aryl hydrocarbon (benzo [a]pyrene) hydroxylase (as well as numerous other monooxygenase activities) appear to be associated ultimately with genes that cosegregate at a small number of genetic loci. By comparing “responsive” and “nonresponsive” siblings, we can evaluate the susceptibility of each individual to various mutagenic chemicals in vitro or carcinogenic agents in vivo.
Developing Anchor Points to Enhance the Meaning of the Mathematical and Mathematical Pedagogy Score Scales from the TEDS-M Study

The Teacher Education and Development Study (TEDS-M), a cross-national study of teacher education programs that prepare future primary and secondary mathematics teachers, included a series of measures of mathematics achievement designed to determine what prospective teachers knew and could do concerning the mathematics that they would likely teach. One of the goals of the study was to report the information about prospective teachers’ knowledge and skills in a way that is easy to understand by the numerous audiences for the results of the study. The values that are reported are often obtained using an item response theory (IRT) model that gives estimates of a location on the latent scale for a hypothetical construct. For any of these numerical values, it is difficult to interpret what a person knows or can do. At best, the numbers can be used to order persons or groups according to the magnitude of what they know or can do, but not whether they have particular capabilities such as being able to solve systems of linear equations. Meaning was added to the reporting scales by attaching detailed substantive descriptors to selected points on the scale called anchor points. The logic and methodology used to add descriptions to anchor points is similar in many ways to methodologies used elsewhere, such as item mapping or scale anchoring. However, there are some important differences between the procedure used for TEDS-M and those used with other testing programs such as NAEP, TIMSS, and PISA. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how the descriptive information was added to the scales using the TEDS-M anchor points, and to discuss how the interpretations derived from these descriptions differ from those used with other assessment programs.
Hydrocephalus and Brain Tumors

Brain tumors may be associated with hydrocephalus by several mechanisms. Be it obstructive, absorptive, or overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), CSF physiology may be affected by various brain tumor pathologies and locations. The association between brain tumors and hydrocephalus exists across age groups, with typical lesions presenting at different age groups.
Carbon taxes and the double dividend hypothesis in a recursive-dynamic CGE model for Spain

A carbon tax is potentially a policy that can reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate climate risks, at lowest economy-wide costs. We develop a dynamic CGE model for Spain to assess the economic and envi...
Preparation of a core-double shell chitosan-graphene oxide composite and investigation of Pb (II) absorption

The need for new and impactful materials to address the global problem of water pollution continues to be driving force in chemical research. This report presents the preparation of a core-double shell composite consisting of sand base substrate onto which sequential layers of chitosan and graphene oxide (GO) are deposited. The adsorption characteristics of this material for Pb (II) from aqueous solutions is investigated. Specifically, different initial lead concentrations are allowed to reach equilibrium with the chitosan-graphene oxide composites, after which the remaining abundance of lead in the aqueous phase is analyzed by atomic emission spectrometry. In many cases, the resulting equilibrium lead concentration of the treated water reached below the detection limit of the method used (<15 ppb) in less than three hours. Furthermore, the data from the adsorption experiments are plotted for comparison against two different isotherm models. This study suggests that the interaction between lead and the GO-chitosan composite more closely resembles characteristics anticipated by the Freundlich adsorption isotherm than that expected by Langmuir-like properties.
Efficacy of ruxolitinib in patients with chronic neutrophilic leukemia and atypical chronic myeloid leukemia

PURPOSEColony-stimulating factor-3 receptor (CSF3R)-T618I is a recurrent activating mutation in chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) and to a lesser extent in atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML...
Circular External Fixation of the Spine and Pelvis for Insoluble Spinal Deformities

Most spinal deformities, even of great severity, can be managed by modern surgical techniques and implants. Some may be amenable to long-term preliminary halo-gravity traction (Sink et al., J Pediatric Orthop 21(4):519–524, 2001) preceding definitive spinal instrumentation. On a rare occasion, the severity of the spinal deformity, with or without infection and/or inadequate soft tissue coverage, will not allow the safe or effective implementation of these standard techniques. Dubousset (Rev Chir Orthop Suppl 177:144, 1991) was the first to describe the use of circular external stabilization of the spine and pelvis using fine-wire fixation in a patient with myelomeningocele and recalcitrant lumbar spinal deformity. We have treated seven patients with infected, unstable, and life-threatening pseudarthrosis, activities-of-daily-living-impeding hyperlordosis, or severe kyphosis and skin breakdown in the lumbar spine by hybrid circular fixation of the spine and pelvis, with or without gradual reduction of deformity and expert postoperative care. We here describe the evolution of our surgical and postoperative management techniques in these rare, otherwise, unsalvageable cases.
Beyond cold feet: Experiences of ending engagements and canceling weddings:

The engagement period is a critical window to understand stay–leave decisions because it marks a stage when individuals are moving toward lifelong commitment, but do not have the obligations of leg...
Aggregation site fidelity and movement patterns of the protected marine predator giant sea bass ( Stereolepis gigas )

Giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas, Polyprionidae) are the largest reef-associated teleost in the northeastern Pacific, considered an important predator in Macrocystis kelp forest and rocky reef ecosystems. Because of the predictability of annual aggregations, giant sea bass (GSB) were fished throughout the twentieth century until they were nearly extirpated from southern California and Baja California, Mexico. To assess population recovery, acoustic telemetry was used to quantify spatiotemporal rhythmicity of GSB aggregations at Santa Catalina Island, California, USA. Thirty-two individuals were tracked for 498 days over two consecutive spawning seasons in 2017–2018 and visual surveys were conducted monthly to estimate aggregation sizes. Aggregation behavior was documented from June–October and spawning most likely occurred at a pinnacle promontory from July–September. GSB exhibited residency to specific sites throughout the year and individuals showed fidelity to suspected spawning aggregation sites during the summer months. Ten (31%) GSB were detected at Santa Catalina Island year-round and 11 (34%) exhibited suspected annual spawning site fidelity. Four individuals (12%) were documented leaving the island during late fall/winter 2017 and returning in spring/early summer 2018, indicating partial seasonal migration and year-round fidelity to specific sites at Santa Catalina Island. This study provides a baseline of spatiotemporal movements and behavioral patterns that can be used to improve our understanding of GSB and enhance management for these and other large-bodied predatory fish species.
Balancing orbital effects and on-site Coulomb repulsion through Na modulations in Na x V O 2

A common Na density wave pattern is found to evolve in Na${}_{x}$TiO${}_{2}$, Na${}_{x}$VO${}_{2}$, and Na${}_{x}$CrO${}_{2}$, where the separation of antiphase boundary within the pattern continuously changes with Na composition, corresponding to the incommensurate peak shift found in the $i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n$ $s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}u$ x-ray diffraction. More details disclosed by x-ray diffraction analysis, $a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}b$ $i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o$ simulation and theoretical modeling suggest that the unique trimer structure in the P2 stacking of Na${}_{x}$VO${}_{2}$ is a delicate balance between strong electronic correlations and orbital effects, well explaining the metal insulator transition of the material. On the contrary, the remaining materials, due to the lack of such a delicate balance, share a sodium-modulated Peierls-like transition for the dimer formation instead.
Sedative-Hypnotic Agents That Impact Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors: Focus on Flunitrazepam, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid, Phenibut, and Selank

There are many nonopioid central nervous system depressant substances that share a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-related mechanism of action. These sedatives-hypnotics can be indicated to treat anxiety, seizures, depression, and insomnia but are also used as substances of abuse and used to facilitate sexual assault. Barbiturates, methaqualone, and glutethimide were among the first type A GABA receptor-mediated sedative-hypnotics. Their clinical use was limited for most indications by serious adverse events and strong abuse potential but continue to be used illicitly around the world. The benzodiazepines supplanted barbiturates for most indications because they were less likely to cause severe adverse events in monotherapy. Flunitrazepam is a newer benzodiazepine that is preferentially used recreationally and to facilitate sexual assault. Flunitrazepam has greater potency and higher affinity for the type A GABA receptor than most benzodiazepines. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is sought illicitly for its hypnotic, euphoric and anabolic effects as well as to facilitate sexual assault. When any of these GABAergic drugs are used in high doses or with other sedative hypnotic agents, respiratory depression, coma, and death have occurred. Chronic use of these GABAergic drugs can lead to significant withdrawal syndromes. Phenibut and selank are poorly studied Russian drugs with GABAergic mechanisms that are inexplicably sold to US consumers as dietary supplements. Poison control center calls regarding phenibut have increased substantially over the past 5 years. Desired euphoriant effects account for the recreational and illicit use of many GABA-modulating agents. However, illicit use can lead to significant toxicities related to abuse, dependence, and subsequent withdrawal syndromes. Significant evaluation of developing agents with GABA properties should be conducted to determine abuse potential before public access ensues.
Proposal: Compulsory Bond Purchase as Compromise to Income Tax Rate Increases

It is a common-held expectation that the U.S. federal government will need to increase cash receipts over the next decade. While the highest marginal income tax rates for many years were more than twice what they have been in the last three decades, it is expected that political pressures will not allow more than a modest increase in the current marginal tax rates. This Article proposes that the formerly prevalent higher marginal rates be reinstated on excessive personal services income, which is least likely to be subject to disincentive effects. However, to address probable insurmountable political resistance, the portion of the rate in excess of the 39.6% tax rate should be converted to an asset for the taxpayer U.S. savings bonds. Besides providing the government with an injection of cash, these bonds are a form of compulsory savings, along the lines of the Keynesian "deferred pay" proposal. The approach provides a way for financially fortunate Americans to reinvest in their country, a patriotic theme reminiscent of War Bond drives of the last century, as well as a tangible commitment to global lenders that such Americans share their financial risk.
Chronic Absenteeism: Risks and Protective Factors Among Low-Income, Minority Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND Low-income and racial/ethnic minority students often face distinct challenges in attending school eading to lower academic performance, low graduation rates, and overall, an indicator of diminished long-term social and financial stability. Chronic absenteeism is a national problem and to address this, a better understanding of risks and points of intervention for the students most at risk is needed. This cross-sectional study sought to assess risks and protective factors associated with chronic absenteeism in a predominantly low-income minority school district in Southern. METHODS Conducted in southern California, students (N = 24,439) ages 9 to 21 years were recruited. A logistic regression was used to assess the role poor physical and mental health, safety, bullying, and family risk factors attributed to chronic absenteeism. RESULTS Results revealed that asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, p < .001), being overweight/obese (OR = 1.38, p < .01), presence of family risk factors (OR = 1.49, p < .001), bullying (OR = 0.84, p < .05) and perceptions of safety at school (OR = 1.24, p < .05) increased the odds of chronic absenteeism, while protective factors such as support (OR = 1.30, p < .001), increased sleep (OR = 0.96, p < .001) and positive growth mindset (OR = 0.96, p < .001), mitigated it. CONCLUSION This study not only identifies risk but protective factors worth adhering to, to promote school attendance. Future research should further examine the role of mental health in chronic absenteeism.
The Future of University Teaching: Bleak or Promising?

In this essay I reflect on what university teaching might be like in the future. I first consider the context in which universities exist in the twenty-first century and identify some of the pressures for change that currently face them. These include the changing demographics among students, the calls by various stakeholders for increased access, quality and accountability, and the rapidly changing technological environment. I suggest that a dismal future would be one where university teaching fails to adapt to these changes and I then envisage a scenario in which many of the changes already begun through the SoTL movement take firm hold and transform university teaching for the better.
p62 links autophagy and Nrf2 signaling

The Nrf2-Keap1-ARE pathway is a redox and xenobiotic sensitive signaling axis that functions to protect cells against oxidative stress, environmental toxicants, and harmful chemicals through the induction of cytoprotective genes. To enforce strict regulation, cells invest a great deal of energy into the maintenance of the Nrf2 pathway to ensure rapid induction upon cellular insult and rapid return to basal levels once the insult is mitigated. Because of the protective role of Nrf2 transcriptional programs, controlled activation of the pathway has been recognized as a means for chemoprevention. On the other hand, constitutive activation of Nrf2, due to somatic mutations of genes that control Nrf2 degradation, promotes carcinogenesis and imparts chemoresistance to cancer cells. Autophagy, a bulk protein degradation process, is another tightly regulated complex cellular process that functions as a cellular quality control system to remove damaged proteins or organelles. Low cellular nutrient levels can also activate autophagy, which acts to restore metabolic homeostasis through the degradation of macromolecules to provide nutrients. Recently, these two cellular pathways were shown to intersect through the direct interaction between p62 (an autophagy adaptor protein) and Keap1 (the Nrf2 substrate adaptor for the Cul3 E3 ubiquitin ligase). Dysregulation of autophagy was shown to result in prolonged Nrf2 activation in a p62-dependent manner. In this review, we will discuss the progress that has been made in dissecting the intersection of these two pathways and the potential tumor-promoting role of prolonged Nrf2 activation.
Organosilanes as Process Compatible Adhesion Promoters for Resist Materials

Improved photoresist adhesion has been obtained for several halogen, amine, or alkoxy substituted organosilanes under both wet etching induced “undercutting” and simple wet development resist “lifting” conditions. The increased adhesion is attributed to the change in chemical nature of the substrate created by the chemical reaction between the organosilanes and the surface silanols of the substrate. Adhesion enhancement is found to depend upon the substrate condition, silane promoter and spinning solvent, silane cure temperature, and the photoresist employed.
Store-operated calcium entry in human neutrophils reflects multiple contributions from independently regulated pathways.

Human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) responses to G protein-coupled chemoattractants are highly dependent upon store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Recent research suggests that SOCE currents can be mediated by a variety of related channel proteins of the transient receptor potential superfamily. SOCE has been regarded as a specific response to depletion of cell calcium stores. We hypothesized that net SOCE might reflect the contributions of more than one calcium entry pathway. SOCE was studied in normal human PMN using Ca2+ and Sr2+ ions. We found that PMN SOCE depends on at least two divalent cation influx pathways. One of these was nonspecific and Sr2+ permeable; the other was Ca2+ specific. The two pathways show different degrees of dependence on store depletion by thapsigargin and ionomycin, and differential sensitivity to inhibition by 2-aminoethyoxydiphenyl borane and gadolinium. The inflammatory G protein-coupled chemoattractants fMLP, platelet-activating factor, and IL-8 elicit unique patterns of Sr2+ and Ca2+ influx channel activation, and SOCE responses to these agonists displayed differing degrees of linkage to prior Ca2+ store depletion. The mechanisms of PMN SOCE responses to G protein-coupled chemoattractants are physiologically diverse. They appear to reflect Ca2+ transport through a variety of channels that are independently regulated to varying degrees by store depletion and by G protein-coupled receptor activation.
TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE US HEALTH POLICY: LOCAL CONGRUITIES AND GLOBAL INCONGRUITIES

The United States health care system is congruous with the US economy and with prevailing local values: it is resource intensive, technology-focused, consumer-oriented, individualistic, and unequally available. However, the US health system is incongruous not only with other health care systems around the world, but also with the increasingly global nature of health care concerns. Indeed the US system, according to the World Bank, stands out as strikingly expensive and ineffective in its public health impact.
The message isn't as mean as we may think.

Prognostication means informing patients what the outcome of their illnesses and treatments are expected to be, based on the best available evidence. Prognosticating in a way that helps patients in decision making about treatment is difficult for physicians to do.
THE UPTAKE, RETENTION, AND EXCRETION OF INHALED EUROPIUM OXIDE IN TWO HEALTHY ADULT MALES.

Body burdens and activity excreted were repeatedly measured following an accidental europium oxide inhalation by two adult males at Purdue University. Isotopic composition of the europium involved was determined to be 93.4% 156 Eu, 3.25% 155 Eu, 2.9% 154 Eu and 0.35% 152 Eu. Initial body burdens were found to be 55 μ Ci and 38 μ Ci of the mixed europium isotopes. Retention following the early rapid elimination processes was described by a power function: R ( t ) = At −n . One subject cleared 80% of his initial respiratory tract burden during the first day; the second cleared 89% of his burden. Based on the recent lung model of the ICRP, integral lung doses for the two subjects were calculated to be 6.8 rad and 2.2 rad; lower large intestine doses resulting from early rapid clearance were 3.1 and 2.2 rad.
Navigating the circuitry of the brain's GPS system: Future challenges for neurophysiologists

The discovery of the brain's navigation system creates a compelling challenge for neurophysiologists: how do we map the circuitry of a system that can only be definitively identified in awake, behaving animals? Do grid and border cells in the entorhinal cortex correspond to the two classes of principal cell found there, stellate and pyramidal cells? In the hippocampus, does the diversity seen in pyramidal cell subtypes have functional correlates in the place cell system? How do interneurons regulate the activity of spatially tuned principal cells in the hippocampal and entorhinal circuits? Here, we discuss recent literature relating the cellular circuitry of these circuits to in vivo studies of the brain's navigation system, and the role that interneurons have in regulating the activity of principal cells in these circuits. We propose that studying in vitro models of neuronal oscillations in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus can provide useful insights for bridging the gap in understanding that exists in relating in vivo and behavioral studies to circuit function at the cellular level.
The Politics of Necessity: Doctrines and Discourses of the 'Salus Populi' in Public International Law

This is an early draft of an uncompleted dissertation unpacking doctrines of "necessity" in public international law from 1919 to present. Please do not quote or cite.
Data acquisition and protection for new DIII-D in-vessel coils

The installation of new internal magnetic coils (I-Coils) in the DIII-D tokamak at General Atomics required extensive additions to the experiment data acquisition and protection capabilities. This set of 12 coils (up to 7 kA each) is designed to allow improved feedback stabilization of resistive wall modes which limit the plasma performance. The acquisition and signal conditioning needs of the I-Coil power system presented an opportunity to try a new data acquisition approach which increased both the sampling rate and sample size per channel compared to the standard DIII-D CAMAC acquisition equipment. A 96 channel compact-PCI (cPCI) digitizer system was purchased for the I-Coil project to acquire up to approximately 380 MB of power supply and coil current data per plasma discharge. Additional instrumentation and control was provided to protect personnel, the new coils, the tokamak, the facility and improve machine availability. This paper will present discussions of technical and programmatic requirements, bases for requirements, the design selection outcome, installation experience, integration issues, commissioning experience, and lessons learned. The data acquisition system is described in detail including a conservative signal isolation scheme, signal grounding standards, anti-aliasing filters, and synchronization of acquisition. Protection interlocks are described, including high voltage isolation, water flow measurement, and the coil grounding-shorting switches.
Intimacy, communication, and aggressive behaviors: Variations by phases of romantic relationship development

This study examined how phases of romantic relationship development (honeymoon, defining, and established) were related to positive and negative relationship qualities. Participants (N = 136) completed self-report measures. Results found significant differences between phases of romantic relationship development for all three positive relationship qualities, but each had a unique pattern of variation: (a) levels of intimacy had a linear increase across phases, (b) constructive communication strategies were higher in the established phase as compared with the earlier phases, and (c) negotiation was higher in both the defining and established phases as compared to the honeymoon phase. Results for negative relationships qualities found an inverted U-shaped pattern for both destructive communication strategies and psychological aggression.
Is dominantly inherited Alzheimer disease a clone of sporadic Alzheimer disease

Is autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) a good model for understanding sporadic late-onset AD (SpAD)? On the face of it, the answer seems obvious, but are appearances deceiving? The similarities between ADAD and spAD are many.1 Until recently, the study of individuals with spAD was limited to the symptomatic phase of the disease or to the retrospective review of antecedent events in persons diagnosed with spAD. An invaluable advantage of studying ADAD has been the ability to identify persons at risk while they are not yet symptomatic and to relate the findings to their expected age at symptom onset.
Transmural distribution of intrinsic and transmitted left ventricular diastolic intramyocardial pressure in dogs

The left ventricular transmural distribution of steady diastolic blood flow was measured with microspheres at three constant coronary perfusion pressures and two constant diastolic transmural pressures. The pressure-flow ratio in each layer was near linear allowing calculation of an apparent downstream pressure at zero diastolic transmural pressure (or intrinsic myocardial pressure) of 2.0 to2.4kPa(15 to 18 mmHg). When the transmural pressure was 2.67 kPa (20 mmHg), the increment of pressure in the outer 4/5 of the ventricular wall was 0.80 kPa (6 mmHg) (interpreted as transmitted intramyocardial pressure). Thus, intrinsic intramyocardial pressure is large and is a major determinant of diastolic coronary blood flow, and transmitted intramyocardial pressure has its major effect in the subendocardium.
IMMUNIZATION OF CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SCD) WITH HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE B (HIB) VACCINE

There are no data concerning safety and immunogenicity of Hib polysaccharide vaccine in children with SCD. 89 patients with SCD (SS:60, SC:24, STnal:5) age 18mo to 20y were given 25mg vaccine SQ (b CAPSA-I, Praxis Biologies). The vaccine was well tolerated; mild side effects were observed in 4/89 (4.5%). In addition, 2 patients with previous vaso-occlusive crises were hospitalized with crisis within 72h of vaccination. Prevaccination anti-PRP antibody (by RIA) was 1mcg/ml Ab was present in the 2 hyporesponders age 6-20y, but not in 4 hyporesponders age 2-5y. In the 2-5y group, there was no significant correlation of log postvaccination Ab level with age, sex, disease type, disease severity, log prevaccination Ab level, history of transfusion, serum IgG, IgM, or IgA. In the 2-20y group, there was no significant difference between geo mean postvaccination Ab of patients with or without Howell-Jolly bodies on blood smear. In contrast to the good response of SCD pts age > 5y and of normal children age 2-5y, Hib polysaccharide vaccine is not reliably immunogenic in children <6y of age with SCD and cannot be relied upon for protection of this age group from Hib disease.
Addressing the energy-delay tradeoff in wireless networks with load-proportional energy usage

Hardware techniques such as dynamic voltage and frequency scaling may be used to reduce the energy consumption of network interfaces and achieve load-proportional energy usage. These techniques slow down the operation of the hardware and thus their power savings come at the cost of increased packet delays. This paper presents a methodology to address the energy-delay tradeoff while achieving load-proportional energy usage in wireless networks. The proposed system uses a pipelined implementation of the functional blocks of the medium access control (MAC) layer. Each functional block has its own job queue and is treated as an individual system with an independent clock. The clock frequency of each functional block is dynamically selected based on the length of its job queue. While the pipelined implementation reduces the MAC layer processing delays, the use of queue-length based frequency scaling provides load-proportional energy usage and enhances the overall stability of the system. The performance of the proposed system has been verified through extensive simulations.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CONDUCTOMETRIC PHASE TRANSITION POROSIMETRY: 1. CAPILLARY FREEZING AND MELTING

ABSTRACT This is the first of two papers which discuss the strengths and weaknesses of conductometric phase transition porosimetry. CPTP is one of several recently introduced methodologies which are based on observations of the liquid-solid phase transition in capillaries. The paper briefly reviews CPTP and contrasts it with other phase transition methodologies. The plastic ice theory of capillary freezing and thawing, upon which CPTP is based, is reviewed and expanded to include capillaries saturated with non-volatile solutes. Limitations of the plastic ice model are discussed as they apply to the measurement of pore sizes and pore ize distributions.
A magnetization model for soft ferromagnetic wires

When a short segment of a long soft ferromagnetic wire is magnetized, its length and form depend upon the demagnetizing field created by the magnetization reversal in conjunction with the solenoid configuration and certain wire properties. It is shown that a satisfactory explanation of the form of the observed magnetization of such a segment can be developed without considering details of the segment's domain structure. The magnetization form can be explained with a model in which only axial field components averaged over the wire cross section need be considered, the first derivative of M(z) must be continuous, and the demagnetizing part of the magnetizing field is given by the classical Green's solution of Poisson's equation. The wire is characterized by a function M(H) , assumed to hold everywhere. An attempt at experimental verification was made, which is neither conclusive nor in disagreement with the model. Directly computed M(z) functions closely resemble those found experimentally. With the allied magnetizing fields, such a calculation has shed light on the properties of short magnetized bits on a wire of interest to memory designers.
Steroid dynamics in the rabbit

Male rabbits were infused at a constant rate with /sup 3/H-androstenedione//sup 14/C-estrone (n . 5) or /sup 3/H-testosterone//sup 14/C-estradiol-17 beta (n . 3) for 3 1/2 hr and blood samples were obtained over the last hour and analyzed for radioactivity as androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), estrone (E1), estradiol-17 beta (E2 beta) and estradiol-17 alpha (E2 alpha). The mean value for the metabolic clearance rate of androstenedione (MCRA) was 85 +/- 10 l/day/kg, which was significantly greater than the mean MCRE1 59 +/- 10 l/day/kg. MCRT, 42 +/- 8 l/day/kg, and MCRE2 beta, 45 +/- 9 l/day/kg were not different. The conversion ratio of androstenedione to testosterone (CRA,T) was greater than CRT,A but for the estrogens, CRE2 beta, E1 was greater than CRE1,E2 beta. CRE2 beta, E2 alpha was greater than CRE1,E2 alpha. The overall aromatization of androstenedione to estrone, the fraction of /sup 3/H-androstenedione infused into the blood and measured as /sup 3/H-estrone in blood (( rho)A,E1BB) was 0.0005 +/- 0.0001 and for (rho)T,E2 beta BB was 0.0012 +/- 0.0006. In the rabbit both sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin binding may effect the MCRs, and peripheral aromatization of androgens occurs to a far lesser degree than in humansmore » and primates.« less
Robust two-sample m -interval partition detectors with application to image processing

The theory of the m-interval partition detector is proposed for the two-sample test. The locally most powerful scores are derived for the test, and the performance of the partition detector is investigated using these scores. The detector operates at near optimum level for the underlying noise distributions, and maintains its robustness in the changing intrinsic noise environments. In addition, the detector is applied to retrieve edges from noisy images corrupted by Gaussian noise and salt-and-pepper noise.
“LIFERS” and “GRUNTS”: A Reply to L. F. Urwick

The article presents comments on the article “Lifers” and “Grunts,” by L. F. Urwick in the December 1971 issue. In the original article, Urwick suggested that the quality of the field and general g...