cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemistry and Physiology of the Calcitonins: Some Recent Advances

This chapter discusses the chemical and physiological properties of calcitonins. Porcine calcitonin disappears with an initial half-time of 2–5 min, compared with 21 min for salmon calcitonin. Comparable studies including human calcitonin as well as porcine and salmon show that the disappearance rate of human hormone was intermediate between the other two. In all cases, the in vivo half-times are very much faster than those observed during in vitro plasma incubation. Hence, breakdown in peripheral plasma cannot alone be responsible for degradation of calcitonins in vivo. These studies all suggest, however, that at least a part of the explanation for the increased potency of salmon calcitonin may be increased resistance to destruction, leading to longer maintenance of effective blood levels of calcitonin.
Advance care planning for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Purpose: To determine whether an advance care planning (ACP) decision-aid could improve communication about end-of-life treatment wishes between patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) an...
Putting the green into corrections: Improving energy conservation, building function, safety and occupant well-being in an American correctional facility

Abstract Correctional facilities are some of the most energy intensive buildings and therefore offer a great opportunity for savings from high performance design. We ask the question, can integrative design positively affect building energy consumption, function, safety, and occupant well-being in a corrections building? From 2011–2015, we utilized mixed methods including: document analysis, social network analysis, interviews, focus groups, and surveys to study one correctional facility through the process of design, construction, and operations. We found that adhering to the principles of integrative design resulted in the design of a high performance building that reduced energy consumption, improved building function, increased staff productivity, increased safety and occupant well-being for both staff and offenders. We also found that the design flaws in the building were the direct result of excluding a key building occupant group, offenders. This case illustrates the potential and necessity of integrative design processes to achieve aggressive performance standards.
Fully-scalable 2D THz radiating array: A 42-element source in 130-nm SiGe with 80-µW total radiated power at 1.01 THz

This paper presents a 1-THz radiating array using IHP 130-nm SiGe process. It is based on a highly-scalable 2D structure that uses a square grid of slots to simultaneously (1) maximize and synchronize the fundamental oscillation (ƒ 0 =250 GHz) and 4th-harmonic generation (4ƒ 0 =1 THz) of a large array of transistors, (2) synthesize standing-wave patterns with near-field cancellation at ƒ 0 , 2ƒ 0 and 3ƒ 0 and efficient radiation at 4ƒ 0 . The compact design enables implementation of 42 coherent radiators on a 1-mm2 area. The chip consumes 1.1-W DC power and generates 80-µW total radiated power with 13-dBm EIRP.
Early Postimplant Speech Perception and Language Skills Predict Long-Term Language and Neurocognitive Outcomes Following Pediatric Cochlear Implantation.

Purpose We sought to determine whether speech perception and language skills measured early after cochlear implantation in children who are deaf, and early postimplant growth in speech perception a...
Ewing's Sarcoma of the Cervical Spine

In this article, we present the case of a 6-year-old female presented to the emergency department with progressive ascending motor weakness leading to cardiac arrest. The recent medical history included neck trauma 1 month prior to admission, 2 weeks of subjective fevers, and 1 day of urinary incontinence. After stabilization, and a review of the recent signs and symptoms, a magnetic resonance imaging of the neck revealed a posterior neck mass from C2 to T2. Neurosurgical removal of the mass was consistent with Ewing's sarcoma. Neck pain is a common presentation in the pediatric population, with the most common cause being traumatic. When coupled with neurological deficits, further studies are warranted to evaluate for organic causes.
Endovascular Repair of Three Concurrent Mycotic Pseudoaneurysms.

Introduction:Mycotic pseudoaneurysm has traditionally been repaired surgically with excision of the infected artery and revascularization via extra-anatomical or in situ bypass. There have been rep...
The Xiphosurida: Archetypes of Bradytely?

The Xiphosurida, or horseshoe crabs, are often cited as a classic example of arrested evolution. They have been so consistently associated with this concept, in both professional and popular literature, that their reputation for extreme conservatism in form and behavior is probably more widely known than any other single aspect of their biology or history. Ironically, however, there have been no published measurements of evolutionary rates (either morphologic or taxonomic) for horseshoe crabs, let alone any rigorous comparisons of evolutionary rates between horseshoe crabs and groups that supposedly evolve more rapidly. Rather, their status as an archetypal bradytelic group has been founded primarily on the judgment and authority of specialists who have perceived only minor morphologic differences between the living forms and certain fossil relatives (Fig. 1A-D).
Opening Young Minds and Hearts: Employing Technology-infused Critical Pedagogy in Hybrid Border Spaces

The large influx of immigrant children in the American classroom is deepening the ethnic texture and the linguistic and cultural diversity of classrooms. Given that 70 % of the world’s cultures have a more collaborative, interdependent orientation than is found in the dominant culture in some regions, early childhood educators worldwide need to create learning spaces that support acculturation in all rather than assimilation in those who identify with non-dominant groups. In this chapter, the author provides the reader with a minoritized perspective which is often absent from the mainstream discourse in teacher education. She describes ways in which educators and caregivers of young children can create technology-infused hybrid border spaces where effective cross-cultural interaction and transformative learning can take place.
The cost of age related hearing loss: to treat or not to treat?

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is acknowledged as a public health challenge due to its increasing prevalence and associated negative health consequences. ARHL often goes unidentified and untreated...
Cardiac CaMKII activation promotes rapid translocation to its extra-dyadic targets

Calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase IIδ (CaMKIIδ) is an important regulator of cardiac electrophysiology, calcium (Ca) balance, contraction, transcription, arrhythmias and progression to heart failure. CaMKII is readily activated at mouths of dyadic cleft Ca channels, but because of its low Ca-calmodulin affinity and presumed immobility it is less clear how CaMKII gets activated near other known, extra-dyad targets. CaMKII is typically considered to be anchored in cardiomyocytes, but while untested, mobility of active CaMKII could provide a mechanism for broader target phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. We therefore tested CaMKII mobility and how this is affected by kinase activation in adult rabbit cardiomyocytes. We measured translocation of both endogenous and fluorescence-tagged CaMKII using immunocytochemistry, fluorescence recovery after photobleach (FRAP) and photoactivation of fluorescence. In contrast to the prevailing view that CaMKII is anchored near its myocyte targets, we found CaMKII to be highly mobile in resting myocytes, which was slowed by Ca chelation and accelerated by pacing. At low [Ca], CaMKII was concentrated at Z-lines near the dyad but spread throughout the sarcomere upon pacing. Nuclear exchange of CaMKII was also enhanced upon pacing- and heart failure-induced chronic activation. This mobilization of active CaMKII and its intrinsic memory may allow CaMKII to be activated in high [Ca] regions and then move towards more distant myocyte target sites.
Specificity in invitro complementation of β-galactosidase from mutant M15 of E. coli

Abstract A crude extract of Escherichia coli mutant M15, which has a deletion in the α-region of the z gene, was fractionated on gel filtration columns. A number of peaks appeared, each showing in vitro complementation activity of β-galactosidase. These active peaks were specific for three different complementing polypeptide sources. Molecular weight (m.w.) calculations revealed that the complementing fractions from M15 ranged in size from 4 subunits to about 1 6 of a subunit. These observations suggest that the “inactive” β-galactosidase in mutant M15 consists of a number of polypeptides smaller than m.w. 135,000, the molecular weight of one subunit.
English as a Lingua Franca: The Pragmatic Perspective

English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) is a term used to describe the use of English as a common language for communication between speakers whose first language is not English. Providing a unique and original perspective on this subject, Istvan Kecskes explains the language behaviour of ELF speakers, through the lens of Gricean pragmatics. This study successfully brings together the main viewpoints of the Gricean paradigm into ELF research, to discuss and better understand the nature of ELF interactions, as well as explaining how Gricean pragmatics can benefit from investigating and analysing ELF. Each chapter presents intriguing ideas that put existing knowledge into a new perspective, such as interactional competence, intention, implicatures, the semantics-pragmatics interface, and modality. New terms and viewpoints such as language use mode, deliberate creativity, temporary extension of the system, emergent common ground and modality continuum are introduced into the ELF debate.
GOT1 Inhibition Primes Pancreatic Cancer for Ferroptosis through the Autophagic Release of Labile Iron

Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the deadliest solid malignancies, with a 5-year survival rate at ten percent. PDA have unique metabolic adaptations in response to cell-intrinsic and environmental stressors, and identifying new strategies to target these adaptions is an area of active research. We previously described a dependency on a cytosolic aspartate aminotransaminase (GOT1)-dependent pathway for NADPH generation. Here, we sought to identify metabolic dependencies induced by GOT1 inhibition that could be exploited to selectively kill PDA. Using pharmacological methods, we identified cysteine, glutathione, and lipid antioxidant function as metabolic vulnerabilities following GOT1 withdrawal. Targeting any of these pathways was synthetic lethal in GOT1 knockdown cells and triggered ferroptosis, an oxidative, non-apoptotic, iron-dependent form of cell death. Mechanistically, GOT1 inhibition promoted the activation of autophagy in response to metabolic stress. This enhanced the availability of labile iron through ferritinophagy, the autolysosome-mediated degradation of ferritin. In sum, our study identifies a novel biochemical connection between GOT1, iron regulation, and ferroptosis, and suggests the rewired malate-aspartate shuttle plays a role in protecting PDA from severe oxidative challenge. Highlights PDA exhibit varying dependence on GOT1 for in vitro and in vivo growth. Exogenous cystine, glutathione synthesis, and lipid antioxidant fidelity are essential under GOT1 suppression. GOT1 inhibition sensitizes pancreatic cancer cell lines to ferroptosis. GOT1 inhibition represses anabolic metabolism and promotes the release of iron through autophagy.
Culture and social hierarchy: Collectivism as a driver of the relationship between power and status

Abstract Power and status are distinct bases of social hierarchy with unique effects. Yet evidence suggests wide variation in whether perceptions of status and power are highly correlated versus relatively distinct. We use a cross-cultural lens to explain this variation and suggest cultural orientation shapes the effect of power on perceived status and vice versa. Six studies using various methodologies and samples demonstrate that: (1) individuals high (versus low) on vertical collectivism are more likely to perceive high power targets as also high in status; (2) individuals high (versus low) on horizontal collectivism are more likely to perceive high status targets as also high in power; and (3) cultural differences in the power-status relationship qualify prior conclusions regarding established effects of power and status on one downstream consequence—namely, fairness enacted towards others. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are discussed.
Hormonal Regulation of Avian Auditory Processing

This chapter explores the current understanding of the hormonal regulation of auditory function in songbirds by focusing on three themes. The first section is an overview of seasonal changes in the auditory pathway that are regulated by hormones. Next, the concept of the songbird brain as both a source and a target of neuromodulatory steroid hormones is discussed in the context of auditory function. Finally, the way that hormones interact with classical neurotransmitter systems (the biogenic amines dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) to modulate auditory processing is presented. Reflecting on the sum total of these studies, understanding of the hormonal regulation of auditory function in songbirds has progressed considerably in the past few decades. More broadly, the field of songbird neuroethology has been continually propelled by an integrative perspective that examines the development, evolution, and hormonal modulation of neural circuits for song production, learning, and processing. This holistic approach to songbird neuroethology research, inspired by Niko Tinbergen and Peter Marler, will continue to be important as an increasing number of tools become available to explore the brain and behavior of songbirds.
Verification of dosimetric methodology for auditing radiotherapy quality under non-reference condition in Hubei province

Objective To verify the reliability of TLD-based quality audit for radiotherapy dosimetry of medical electron accelerator in non-reference condition by monitoring the dose variations from electron beams with different field sizes and 45° wedge and the dose variations from photon beams with different field sizes and source-skin distance.Methods Both TLDs and finger ionization chambers were placed at a depth of 10 cm in water to measure the absorbed dose from photon beams,and also placed at the depth of maximum dose from electron beams under non-reference condition.TLDs were then mailed to National Institute for Radiological Protection,China CDC for further measurement.Results Among the 70 measuring points for photon beams,58 points showed the results with a relative error less than ± 7.0％ (IAEA's acceptable deviation:± 7.0％) between TLDs and finger ionization chambers measurements,and the percentage of qualified point numbers was 82.8％.After corrected by P,value,62 points were qualified and the percentage was up to 88.6％.All of the measuring points for electron beams,with the total number of 24,presented a relative error within ± 5.0％ (IAEA's acceptable deviation:± 5.0％) between TLDs and finger ioization cylindrical chambers measurements.Conclusions TLD-based quality audit is convenient for determining radiotherapy dosimetric parameters of electron beams in non-reference condition and can improve the accuracy of the measuring parameters in connection with finger chambers.For electron beams of 5 MeV ＜ E0 ＜ 10 MeV,the absorbed dose parameters measured by finger ionization chambers,combined with TLD audit,can help obtain the precise and reliable results. Key words: Non-reference condition ; Finger ionization chamber; Photon beams ; Electron beams; Absorbed dose
Lung Function and Gene Expression of Pathogen Recognition Pathway Receptors: the Cardia Lung Study

Activation of toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR5, TLR6) and downstream markers (CCR1, MAPK14, ICAM1) leads to increased systemic inflammation. Our objective was to study the association between the gene expression levels of these six genes and lung function (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC). We studied gene expression levels and lung function in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. Spirometry testing was used to measure lung function and gene expression levels were measured using the Nanostring platform. Multivariate linear regression models were used to study the association between lung function measured at year 30, 10-year decline from year 20 to year 30, and gene expression levels (highest quartile divided into two levels – 75th to 95th and>95th to 100th percentile) adjusting for center, smoking and BMI, measured at year 25. Year 30 FEV1 and FVC were lower in the highest level of TLR5 compared to the lowest quartile with difference of 4.00% (p for trend: 0.04) and 3.90% (p for trend: 0.05), respectively. The 10-year decline of FEV1 was faster in the highest level of CCR1 as compared to the lowest quartile with a difference of 1.69% (p for trend: 0.01). There was no association between gene expression and FEV1/FVC. Higher gene expression levels in TLR5 and CCR1 are associated with lower lung function and faster decline in FEV1 over 10 years, in a threshold manner, providing new insights into the role of inflammation in lung function.
Making Sense of Atonement: What Kind of Sense?

Scholars in recent decades have attempted to rethink a theology of the atonement in light of feminist and pacifist critiques. This article addresses, not the substance of atonement, but the questio...
Understanding students’ decision-making process when considering a sales career: a comparison of models pre- and post-exposure to sales professionals in the classroom

Businesses face a challenge recruiting and maintaining a high-quality salesforce. Increasingly, recruiting focus for entry-level sales positions has turned to university business students and sales...
Genetic Discrimination in the United States: What State and National Government Are Doing to Protect Personal Information

This chapter explores the debate in the US over the use of genetic information by employers and insurers. It describes the passage and content of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), discusses the Act’s definition of genetic discrimination, and provides an overview of state laws aimed at preventing genetic discrimination. The chapter then turns to the use of genetic information in the workplace and examines how GINA limits the ability of employers to obtain, and use, genetic information when making hiring and other employment decisions. The discussion of employment is followed by an analysis of GINA’s impact on the use of genetic information in the health insurance context, which is contrasted to life, long-term care, and disability insurance, all unaffected by GINA. The final section of the chapter highlights a few of GINA’s accomplishments and speculates about how current policy is likely to be affected by changes in the science of genetic testing.
Globally resolved surface temperatures since the Last Glacial Maximum.

Climate changes across the past 24,000 years provide key insights into Earth system responses to external forcing. Climate model simulations1,2 and proxy data3–8 have independently allowed for study of this crucial interval; however, they have at times yielded disparate conclusions. Here, we leverage both types of information using paleoclimate data assimilation9,10 to produce the first proxy-constrained, full-field reanalysis of surface temperature change spanning the Last Glacial Maximum to present at 200-year resolution. We demonstrate that temperature variability across the past 24 thousand years was linked to two primary climatic mechanisms: radiative forcing from ice sheets and greenhouse gases; and a superposition of changes in the ocean overturning circulation and seasonal insolation. In contrast with previous proxy-based reconstructions6,7 our results show that global mean temperature has slightly but steadily warmed, by ~0.5 °C, since the early Holocene (around 9 thousand years ago). When compared with recent temperature changes11, our reanalysis indicates that both the rate and magnitude of modern warming are unusual relative to the changes of the past 24 thousand years. Paleoclimate datasets are integrated with a climate model to reconstruct global surface temperature since the Last Glacial Maximum, showing sustained warming until the mid-Holocene.
Genome-wide association studies and neurodevelopment: autism spectrum disorders and related traits

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental neuropsychiatric conditions affecting communication skills and social interactions with an onset prior to 3 years of age and a 4:1 male-to-female ratio. The current estimate of male prevalence is 1/37. Consensus indicates ASDs are genetically complex and polygenic, with as many as 1000 predisposing genes. Robust detection of these common risk genes is contingent upon continuing development of large study samples that enable a well-powered genome-wide association study (GWAS). A GWAS tests the genome in an unbiased fashion for chromosome regions and genes likely to harbor risk alleles. A recent GWAS meta-analysis of approximately 45,000 Danes identified five genetic loci for ASDs, a marked improvement over previous studies. Using rigorous criteria, a search for concordance in bioinformatics databases implicated GRIN2A, MACROD2, and PHB as likely risk genes for ASDs and their related traits. Improving technologies and increasing samples will provide a greater understanding of the etiologies of ASDs.
One Size Doesn't Fit All in Early Pediatric Oncology Bereavement Support.

Introduction Parents who experience the death of a child have significantly higher rates of psychological distress compared to non-bereaved parents. The effectiveness of current bereavement supports, and ideal types and timing of future supportive interventions aimed at improving negative sequalae are relatively unknown. This interview-based study explored the early bereavement needs of 15 parents of children who died from cancer, including the bereavement support received, perceived barriers to support, and desired additional supportive interventions. Methods Parents who previously participated in a survey-based study examining the early grief experience were invited to partake in a semi-structured interview. Interviews focused on examining bereavement support for parents within the first three years following the child's death and barriers to adequate support; transcribed interviews underwent thematic analysis. Results Fifteen parents completed the interview; fourteen parents (93%) were White and non-Hispanic, five were male. Parents participated on average 19 months (range 12-34) following their child's death. Parents identified numerous supports that were and were not helpful. Augmented informative materials, professional, organized, and religious/spiritual support, and connections with others were identified as key elements in a supportive intervention. Conclusion Bereaved parents identified many supportive needs, most of which already exist at the community and institution level. Suggestions outlined by parents may provide a useful framework for developing novel supportive interventions and ways to tailor strategies to support bereaved parents. Researchers must continue to seek feedback from bereaved parents and families about their met and unmet needs and use this information to design early supportive bereavement interventions.
A gene–environment interaction model of social trust: The 5-HTTLPR S-allele prevalence as a moderator for the democracy–trust linkage

Abstract Adopting a gene–environment interaction view, the current research investigated the 5-HTTLPR S-allele prevalence as a moderator for the linkage between democracy and social trust at the societal level. The empirical analysis of 58 societies reveals that the interaction of democracy and the 5-HTTLPR S-allele prevalence is negatively related to social trust, even when a climatoeconomic (climatic demands × wealth) model of social trust is accounted for. The positive relationship between democracy and social trust exists only in societies with a lower level of the 5-HTTLPR S-allele prevalence and is absent in societies with a higher level of the 5-HTTLPR S-allele prevalence. The current findings not only provide important implications for research on social trust across cultures but also add to the emerging literature on gene–environment interactions.
Direct Detection Doppler Lidar for Spaceborne Wind Measurement

Aerosol and molecular based versions of the double-edge technique can be used for direct detection Doppler lidar spaceborne wind measurement. The edge technique utilizes the edge of a high spectral resolution filter for high accuracy wind measurement using direct detection lidar. The signal is split between an edge filter channel and a broadband energy monitor channel. The energy monitor channel is used for signal normalization. The edge measurement is made as a differential frequency measurement between the outgoing laser signal and the atmospheric backscattered return for each pulse. As a result the measurement is insensitive to laser and edge filter frequency jitter and drift at a level less than a few parts in 10(exp 10). We have developed double edge versions of the edge technique for aerosol and molecular-based lidar measurement of the wind. Aerosol-based wind measurements have been made at Goddard Space Flight Center and molecular-based wind measurements at the University of Geneva. We have demonstrated atmospheric measurements using these techniques for altitudes from 1 to more than 10 km. Measurement accuracies of better than 1.25 m/s have been obtained with integration times from 5 to 30 seconds. The measurements can be scaled to space and agree, within a factor of two, with satellite-based simulations of performance based on Poisson statistics. The theory of the double edge aerosol technique is described by a generalized formulation which substantially extends the capabilities of the edge technique. It uses two edges with opposite slopes located about the laser frequency at approximately the half-width of each edge filter. This doubles the signal change for a given Doppler shift and yields a factor of 1.6 improvement in the measurement accuracy compared to the single edge technique. The use of two high resolution edge filters substantially reduces the effects of Rayleigh scattering on the measurement, as much as order of magnitude, and allows the signal to noise ratio to be substantially improved in areas of low aerosol backscatter. We describe a method that allows the Rayleigh and aerosol components of the signal to be independently determined using the two edge channels and an energy monitor channel. The effects of Rayleigh scattering may then subtracted from the measurement and we show that the correction process does not significantly increase the measurement noise for Rayleigh to aerosol ratios up to 10. We show that for small Doppler shifts a measurement accuracy of 0.4 m/s can be obtained for 5000 detected photon, 1.2 m/s for 1000 detected photons, and 3.7 m/s for 50 detected photons for a Rayleigh to aerosol ratio of 5. Methods for increasing the dynamic range of the aerosol-based system to more than +/- 100 m/s are given.
MOOC performance prediction via clickstream data and social learning networks

We study student performance prediction in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), where the objective is to predict whether a user will be Correct on First Attempt (CFA) in answering a question. In doing so, we develop novel techniques that leverage behavioral data collected by MOOC platforms. Using video-watching clickstream data from one of our MOOCs, we first extract summary quantities (e.g., fraction played, number of pauses) for each user-video pair, and show how certain intervals/sets of values for these behaviors quantify that a pair is more likely to be CFA or not for the corresponding question. Motivated by these findings, our methods are designed to determine suitable intervals from training data and to use the corresponding success estimates as learning features in prediction algorithms. Tested against a large set of empirical data, we find that our schemes outperform standard algorithms (i.e., without behavioral data) for all datasets and metrics tested. Moreover, the improvement is particularly pronounced when considering the first few course weeks, demonstrating the “early detection” capability of such clickstream data. We also discuss how CFA prediction can be used to depict graphs of the Social Learning Network (SLN) of students, which can help instructors manage courses more effectively.
Molecular Clouds and CO Emission In Low-Metallicity Galaxies

Irregular and dwarf galaxies are probably the most numerous actively starforming galaxies. They are generally gas-rich (in neutral hydrogen) and metal-poor, with gas-phase metallicity Z ≲0.25 solar and similarly low dust-to-gas ratios. The nearest examples are the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, but there are many others within a few Mpc (e.g., NGC 1569, NGC 4449). Irregular and dwarf galaxies are notoriously poor in CO emission and the resulting high ratios of infrared to CO luminosities have been interpreted as a high star formation efficiency. Here we show that CO emission is not generally a reliable tracer of molecular mass in low-Z objects, and discuss alternative tracers of the molecular gas content.
Application of intelligent control agents in power systems with distributed generators

This paper introduces the application of intelligent agents to the control and operation of distribution systems that contain distributed generators (DGs). The proposed control architecture is hierarchical with one supervisor that optimizes the overall process and a distributed number of local control agents associated with each DG. Control and protection actions need a fast reaction time and are taken by the control agents. They consist of fixed sets of parameters. Coordination, modifications of the criteria and parameters for the control and protection equipment, are performed at the control center. The proposed intelligent control agent based architecture is illustrated using a test system with two microturbines as DGs.
Enzyme Electrophoresis and Plant Systematics

This chapter discusses the use of enzyme electrophoresis for addressing questions in plant systematics. The present treatment updates previous reviews (Gottlieb, 1977a, 1981a, 1982, 1983, 1984a, 1986; Crawford, 1983, 1985; Giannasi and Crawford, 1986) and also discusses: (1) the factors involved in the initial applications of enzyme electrophoresis to plant systematics; (2) the kinds of studies employing electrophoresis to be emphasized in the future; and (3) the future of enzyme electrophoresis in plant systematics in light of the increasing emphasis on comparative studies of DNA.
K2: a system for campaign deployments of wireless sensor networks

Environmental scientists frequently engage in "campaignstyle" deployments, where they visit a location for a relatively short period of time (several weeks to months) and intensively collect measurements with a combination of manual and automatic methods. We present K2, a mote-based system which brings high-quality automated monitoring to deployments of this nature. We identify key application requirements, describe the design and evolution of K2, and present performance results from two field deployments (the largest lasting ∼ 5 weeks and including 50 sensing nodes). Our results indicate that K2 is a viable scientific tool, achieving data yield > 99% and producing accurately time-stamped data, even in the absence of a persistently available reliable clock source. These results point a path towards WSN deployments managed by non-CS specialists.
Potential and Foetal Value

The argument from potential has been hard to assess because the versions presented by friends and those presented by enemies have born very little resemblance to each other. I here try to improve this situation by attempting to bring both versions into enforced contact. To this end, I sketch a more detailed analysis of the modern concept of potential than any hitherto attempted. As one would expect, arguments from potential couched in terms of that notion are evident non-starters. I then ask how the modern notion of potential needs to be supplemented in order to produce a more convincing argument. I then enquire whether the supplementations utilised in the most distinguished recent presentations of the argument have anything better than an ad hoc role to play in contemporary metaphysics. I conclude that the rehabilitation of the argument is unlikely; in any event, the onus of proof seems to be on the friend of that argument to show that it is uncontrived. Finally, I argue that the (modern) notion of potential has an important role to play in any plausible account of foetal value.
Tiwanaku: Ancestors of the Inca

Tiwanaku: Ancestors of the Inca. MARGARETYOUNG-SANCHEZ. Denver Art Museum and University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln and London, 2004. 215 pgs; 232 color plates,. maps, ISBN: 0-8032-4921-7.
Karyology of the Marine Catfish Bagre marinus (Ariidae) with an Analysis of Chromosome Numbers among Siluriform Fishes

Bagre marinus has a diploid complement of 54 chromosomes composed of 12 metacentrics, 8 submetacentrics, and the remainder with terminal or near-terminal centromeres. Karyotypes for three species of ariid catfishes (Arius dussumieri, A. felis, andBagre marinus) indicate the same diploid number, but each species has a different arm number. Data for 132 species in 14 families of catfishes show a predominance of 56±2 chromosomes in the diploid set. This range in diploid number is most common in the Ariidae, Bagridae, Ictaluridae, and Pimelodidae, which, together with the Doradidae (no karyotypes available), have been suggested, from osteology, as forming a group close to ancestral stock from which living catfishes evolved.
An Innovative Strategy for Teaching Health-Related Fitness Knowledge in Elementary Physical Education Classes

For many decades, children and adolescents have had a deficient level of health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK). This is worrisome, since HRFK acquisition has been found to be fundamental for individuals' decision-making as it relates to healthy living. Consequently, Knowledge in Action (KIA) fitness was developed to offer elementary teachers an effective HRFK instructional tool that can be implemented during physical education class. With the use of a four-station lesson design, KIA fitness takes no more than 10 minutes to complete and aligns directly with the National Standards. The effectiveness of the newly developed program was examined in a large-scale intervention study, and the researchers found that the KIA fitness lessons significantly raised students' pre and post HRFK scores by 20% while maintaining high physical activity levels. This article describes how this method or similar programs can help combat students' lack of physical activity and increase teacher effectiveness during limited clas...
Exploring the Link between Reformed Teaching Practices and Pupil Learning in Elementary School Mathematics

This study examined the classroom practices of beginning elementary school teachers' instruction of mathematics and how it connected to their pupils' learning. The Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP) was used to measure the extent to which beginning teachers used reformed teaching practices. As a measure of pupil learning, we utilized assessment scores specific to the mathematics unit observed and correlated them with teachers' RTOP scores. We found that beginning teachers who implemented reformed teaching practices tended to have pupils who scored higher on the district mathematics test with a statistically significant correlation of 0.56 (p < .05). Implications of these findings and others are discussed in terms of using the RTOP to improve practice at the elementary school level and for future school-based research.
Periodic dispersion compensation induced by photo-sensitivity for achieving quasi-phase matching in holey fibers

To achieve quasi-phase matching nonlinear process in one piece of holey fiber, a novel highly nonlinear holey fiber with doped photosensitive regions is proposed, which periodically compensates dispersion and phase mismatching in nonlinear interactions.
Senate Responsiveness to Minority Constituencies: Latino Electoral Strength and Representation

Objective. While most research on minority representation in Congress finds that the African-American constituency size influences representation of the group’s interests, most recent studies examining Latinos find no such relationship. We argue that the failure to find a relationship stems from the focus of prior research on the proportion of the Latino population in the total geographic constituency rather than the proportion of Latinos in the electoral constituency, what we term “Latino electoral strength” (LES). Methods. Using data on Latino turnout at the state level, we examine the effect of LES on representation of Latino interests in the U.S. Senate. We use ordinary least squares (OLS) regression that accounts for the time serial, cross-sectional (TSCS) nature of our data. Results. Consistent with other studies, we find no influence of Latino population size on Latino representation. However, LES has a significant, negative effect on Latino representation. Conclusions. Our results suggest that greater LES leads to worse representation of their interests, and that this relationship increases as LES grows. This is consistent with existing studies of racial threat theory.
Methionine and serine formation in control and mutant human cultured fibroblasts: evidence for methyl trapping and characterization of remethylation defects.

The conversion of labeled formate to methionine and serine, as a measure of remethylation of homocysteine to methionine and folate coenzyme cycling, has been studied in control and mutant human fibroblasts. Fibroblasts in monolayer culture were incubated with [14C]formate, and labeled methionine sulfone and serine were determined in hydrolysates of oxidized cell proteins. In control cells, methionine and serine were clearly measurable (n = 21, 1.7-5.5 and 2.4-9.7 nmol/mg protein/16 h, respectively). In contrast, methionine formation was reduced in cells from patients with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MR) deficiency (MR mutant, n = 11, 0.05-0.44), combined methylmalonic aciduria/homocystinuria[cobalamin(cbl)C/D mutant, n = 12, 0.014-0.13), and methionine synthase deficiency (MS mutant, n = 3, 0.04-0.23). Furthermore, serine formation was low in cblC/D mutant (0.08-0.98) and MS mutant(0.17-0.94) cells, but normal or high in MR mutant cells (5.2-11.4). Growth of cblC/D mutant cells in medium supplemented with high concentrations of hydroxo-cbl resulted in significant increases of both methionine and serine formation. Taken together these findings provide clear evidence for the existence of the formate to serine pathway described by W. B. Strong and V. Schirch in cultured fibroblasts and indicate that disturbed MS function due to a specific genetic disorder is associated with reduced serine formation in vitro, which reflects availability of reduced folate coenzymes. The correction of this defect by vitamin B12 alone, in cblC/D mutant cell lines, correlates well with the clinical response in the patients and fits in well with the idea that reduced availability of folate coenzymes occurs in functional MS deficiency, in agreement with the methyl trap hypothesis.
Evaluation of the RAMS model for estimating turbulent fluxes over the Chesapeake Bay

Abstract This study has examined the ability of a mesoscale model to compute pollutant deposition velocity and surface fluxes over water with the accuracy needed for air pollution studies. The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) was evaluated against buoy data over the Chesapeake Bay. Turbulence and surface layer variables (e.g., surface fluxes, friction velocity) and ultimately deposition velocities were primarily examined against the buoy data for 23 cases in 1994. Sensible heat fluxes and temperatures compared well with observations when the model horizontal resolution was reduced to 5 km or less and the first model level were 12 m. Other turbulent variables compared poorly especially under stable stratifications. Overall, latent heat fluxes and deposition velocities were significantly under predicted even with these finer resolutions. Results degraded when the effects of clouds on short- and long-wave radiation were incorporated. Results were also insensitive to increase in the initial sea surface temperature (SST) over the observed daytime range (1°C), and to the use of an improved roughness length parameterization over water. Errors were much larger during stably stratified conditions, therefore, substantial under prediction of pollutants to the bay would be expected by RAMS during stable periods. However, RAMS would be a reliable predictor of fluxes and deposition velocity during unstable conditions. Further experiments were done to help explain the poor predictions during the daytime for stable conditions. Fluxes over water were strongly sensitive to the soil moisture content of the surrounding land masses for stable atmospheric conditions and improved when geostrophic forcing terms were added to the momentum equations. However, the improved results given with geostrophic forcing were either representative of synoptic forcing or a decoupled layer from the surface that could not be resolved.
Toll-like receptors promote mutually beneficial commensal-host interactions.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are evolutionarily conserved trans-membrane receptors that detect micro-organisms through the recognition of conserved molecular motifs. With each TLR able to recognize a discrete set of microbial ligands, TLRs represent an important mechanism by which the host detects a variety of microorganisms. Triggering of TLRs by pathogens is classically understood to result in an inflammatory immune response that supports the subsequent clearance of the offending microbe. However, animals are stably colonized by a consortium of symbiotic microbes (the microbiota) that possess many of the same structural motifs as pathogens, which raises the question of how the host is able to peacefully coexist with this community of organisms without suffering from chronic inflammatory disease. Paradoxical to its pro-inflammatory role during infection, recent studies have suggested that commensal bacterial recognition by TLRs is important for limiting inflammation within the intestine. While TLR expression on cells of the innate immune system (macrophages and dendritic cells) is largely thought to account for TLR function, cells of the adaptive immune system (T and B cells) and non-hematopoietic (epithelial) cells also express TLRs. Recent evidence has uncovered that the functional consequence of TLR engagement depends largely on the responding cell type and does not always result in inflammation. Here we will highlight how TLR engagement on epithelia, B and T cells promotes mutually beneficial interactions between hosts and their resident microbes.
Emerging targets in the AKT pathway for treatment of androgen-independent prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Prostatic adenocarcinoma (CaP) is the most common, non-cutaneous malignancy and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. The disease has two distinct phases: the androgen-dependent phase, which can be treated effectively with androgen ablation therapies, and the androgen-independent phase, for which there is no effective life-prolonging therapy. An estimated 32,000 men will die this year from androgen-independent, metastatic CaP. Efforts to understand the metastatic progression of CaP and the emergence of androgen-independent disease have begun to illuminate the molecular events involved. Recent work suggests that CaP progression to androgen-independent, metastatic disease involves a dampened apoptotic response, a release from the cell cycle block that initially follows androgen withdrawal and a shift from dependence on paracrine-derived growth and survival factors to autonomous production of these key proteins. Functional loss of the tumour suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on c...
Ordering in InGaAs/InAlAs layers

The structure of InCaAs/InAlAs layers lattice matched to an InP substrate, grown on either (100) or on (110) with a 4° tilt toward [111] at 500 and 300°C has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. High perfection resulted for the layers grown on [001] oriented substrates whereas growth on the near [110] substrates resulted in compositional nonuniformities, macrosteps formation, and ordering of the group III elements. This difference in structural perfection between the two sets of samples was also reflected in differences in electrical properties.
Cross-cultural consumer and business research: an introduction to the special section

Abstract This special section consists of four key articles and three research notes selected from papers presented at the 8th Cross-Cultural Research Conference, held on the north shore of Oahu in December 2001. The 72 presentations covered topics in cross-cultural business ethics and education, communications and consumer research, and management, marketing, and methodology. Presenters and co-authors came from 21 different countries. Papers considered for the special section were subjected to a new round of double-blind reviews and revisions. Those chosen represent some of the finest research presented at the conference and all advance knowledge in the field of cross-cultural consumer and business studies.
Improvised Traction Splints: A Wilderness Medicine Tool or Hindrance?

Objectives To investigate whether a traction splint made from improvised materials is as efficacious as commercially available devices in terms of traction provided and perceived comfort and stability. Methods This was a prospective randomized crossover study utilizing 10 healthy, uninjured volunteers. The subjects were randomized to be placed in 4 different traction devices, in differing order, each for 30 minutes. Three of the traction splints are commercially available: The HARE, Sager, and Faretech CT-EMS. The fourth traction device was an improvised splint made as described in Medicine for the Backcountry: A Practical Guide to Wilderness First Aid. At the end of 30 minutes the pounds of force created by each device was measured. The volunteers were also asked at that time to subjectively report the comfort and stability of the splint separately on a scale from 1 to 10. Results All traction splints performed similarly with regard to the primary outcome measure of mean pounds of traction created at the end of 30 minutes of application with results ranging from 10.4 to 13.3 pounds. There was little difference reported by participants in regard to stability or comfort between the 4 traction devices. Conclusions In this small pilot study, an improvised traction splint was not inferior to commercially available devices. Further research in needed in this area.
Cloned transgenic heart-healthy pork?

Here I comment on the production and uses of swine that express a humanized fat-1 gene. The gene product is a fatty acid desaturase that converts ω-6 fatty acids to ω-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been implicated as being important for reproductive success, maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, sustaining a functional immune system, and even preventing depression and cancer. The descendants of these hfat-1 transgenic swine will be very useful as models of the human condition, and if they are permitted to enter the food chain, they may improve human health.