cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Should employees be “dooced” for a social media post? The role of social media marketing governance

Abstract Instances of employees being ‘dooced’ because of a social media post are becoming commonplace. Three research questions are presented to better understand workplace firings due to social media posts using justice theory and social convergence to fit within the nomological net. The first question examines employees' awareness of their employer's social media policy. The second question examines the role of offensiveness in the perceived fairness of the termination. The third question asks whether work-related posts (social convergence) and the presence of a social media policy (social media governance) influence the perception of termination fairness. Two data collection efforts are presented to test the research questions. The research findings extend the social media marketing governance literature by incorporating role theory and script theory. Managerial implications include the importance of developing and communicating to employees the organization's social media policies.
On the Teaching of Meaning

Perhaps one of the most often criticized parts of the audiolingual method is the dialogue. It is widely claimed that students are able to recite dialogues fluently, with excellent pronunciation (fr...
Understanding Structure-Property Relationships of MoO3-Promoted Rh Catalysts for Syngas Conversion to Alcohols.

Rh-based catalysts have shown promise for the direct conversion of syngas to higher oxygenates. Although improvements in higher oxygenate yield have been achieved by combining Rh with metal oxide p...
Implementation of system-wide change in child welfare and behavioral health: The role of capacity, collaboration, and readiness for change

Abstract Children who enter out-of-home care are at risk for trauma and behavioral problems, however the child welfare and behavioral health systems do not effectively communicate to provide evidenced-based treatment. This case study describes the implementation of Project SAFESPACE to address these concerns. The project was driven by shared recognition in child welfare, behavioral health and their stakeholders that the system was not adequately identifying and responding to the behavioral health needs of children in out-of-home care. Utilizing survey research, we present findings from four cohorts of child welfare and behavioral health staff as they began implementation of the intervention (N = 1370). Guided by the implementation stages framework, this five-year project was required to examine capacity, collaboration, and readiness in the needs assessment phase, and chose to identify these constructs as outcomes in themselves. As such, we were able to trend data in our implementation teams and other periodic dissemination efforts to show progress and support recommendations for course correction as needed. This study revealed statistically significant differences in the perceptions of workers from each system in capacity for trauma-informed knowledge, collaboration (in the interaction between cohort and provider type), and organizational readiness for change. While our study found differences between cohorts and providers in the perception of these factors, it is certain that implementation in real world child welfare and behavioral health settings present a vast array of contextual factors that may influence them, both related to and totally external to the project being implemented. Leadership and policy change can facilitate growth in these implementation drivers throughout stages to full implementation and ultimately sustainability.
Review of Jesse Choper, Securing Religious Liberty: Principles for Judicial Interpretation of the Religion Clauses (1995)

This review analyzes Jesse Choper’s theory of religious liberty, built on the principles of equality, neutrality, accommodationism, and separationism. Choper argues that government should permit innocuous displays of religion. Choper suggests that traditional bans on prayer and Bible reading in schools. Likewise, legislative chaplains and religious tax exemptions would be outlawed. However, Choper advocated that parochial schools and religious charities should be permitted. Choper recognizes that his ideas would not be easily received. However, he is firm in his belief that such an interpretation of the Religion Clause would best serve American society. His book should serve as a guide and enlighten courts regarding religious liberty.
Gut microbiota mediated molecular events and therapy in liver diseases

Gut microbiota is a community of microorganisms that reside in the gastrointestinal tract. An increasing number of studies has demonstrated that the gut-liver axis plays a critical role in liver homeostasis. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota can cause liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. Preclinical and clinical investigations have substantiated that the metabolites and other molecules derived from gut microbiota and diet interaction function as mediators to cause liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and final cancer. This effect has been demonstrated to be associated with dysregulation of intrahepatic immunity and liver metabolism. Targeting these findings have led to the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying gut microbiota-mediated impact on liver disease. We also summarize the advancement of gut microbiota-based therapeutic strategies in the control of liver diseases.
The MHVSR technique as a rapid, cost-effective, and noninvasive method for landslide investigation: case studies of Sand Gap and Ozark, AR, USA

Landslides with a shallow and complex bedrock layer, where bedrock topography affects the stability of the slide, are a widespread phenomenon. The current methods for evaluating such landslides include conventional in situ methods and array-based geophysical methods. However, these methods are not capable of characterizing the complete spatial extent of the bedrock layer cost-effectively and are difficult to conduct for steep slopes. Therefore, in this study, microtremor horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (MHVSR) is proposed as an effective tool when used in conjunction with other methods to improve our understanding of the landslide. In this study, the method is used to make a tight grid of MHVSR measurements within the landslide. Using this method, a 3D image of bedrock topography can be created over a larger spatial extent to reveal the potential critical landslide zones. This method is employed for two active landslides that have recently experienced considerable movements. Using the MHVSR, several bowl-shaped features were detected in the bedrock layer, which were not detected using conventional invasive in situ methods. These features play a key role in landslide behavior as they can trap water and create a fully saturated soft zone within the critical slide. Missing such key features in the geologic model of the landslide can lead to errors in the slope stability models and cost overruns in rehabilitation efforts. The grid pattern MHVSR method used in this study offers a simple, rapid, and cost-effective tool for landslide site characterization for sites with shallow and complex bedrock topography.
Uncertainty analysis of the future cost of wind energy on climate change mitigation

We conduct uncertainty analysis on the impacts of the future cost of wind energy on global electricity generation and the value of wind energy to climate change mitigation. We integrate data on global onshore and offshore wind energy cost and resources into the Global Climate Assessment Model (GCAM), and then propagate uncertainty based on distributions derived from an expert elicitation study on the future cost of onshore and offshore wind energy. The share of wind energy electricity generation in 2035, without a global policy on CO2 emissions, ranges between 4% and more than triple the 2019 share of 5.3%. Under a 1.5°C cap, this range is wider, with shares up to 34%. This range of uncertainty implies the need for flexible systems and policies, allowing large amounts to be deployed if needed. We explore whether a breakthrough in wind energy could prevent the demand for natural gas as a bridge technology to a low carbon economy, and find that uncertainty in wind energy is only pertinent for medium-stringency policies, such as a $60/t carbon tax. Under this scenario, there is a 95% chance that the cost of wind energy will be low enough to lead to an immediate reduction in the share of natural gas. In contrast, under a business-as-usual scenario without a breakthrough in cost, natural gas is highly likely to continue increasing in share of electricity generation. Under a 1.5°C cap, natural gas will decrease in share regardless of wind energy cost.
Teachers’ Perceptions of Principal Leadership Practices That Influence Teacher Turnover:

Teacher turnover is associated with administrative leadership; however, there is an empirical gap in the practices that principals enact that influence teacher turnover. This article uses in-depth ...
Patterns of Legume Purchases and Consumption in the United States.

Background: Legumes are an inexpensive, healthy source of protein, fiber, and micronutrients, have low greenhouse gas and water footprints, and enrich soil through nitrogen fixation. Although higher legume consumption is recommended under US dietary guidelines, legumes currently comprise only a minor part of the US diet. Objectives: To characterize the types of legumes most commonly purchased by US consumers and patterns of legume purchases by state and region, seasonality of legume purchases, and to characterize adults that have a higher intake of legumes. Methods: We examined grocery market, chain supermarket, big box and club stores, Walmart, military commissary, and dollar store retail scanner data from Nielsen collected 2017-2019 and dietary intake from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2017-2018. Results: The five leading types of legumes purchased in the US were pinto bean, black bean, kidney bean, lima bean, and chickpea. The mean annual per capita expenditure on legumes based on grocery purchases was $4.76 during 2017-2019. The annual per capita expenditure on legumes varied greatly by state with highest expenditure in Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and lowest expenditure in Washington, New York, and Wisconsin. There were large regional differences in the most commonly purchased legumes. Of 4,741 adults who participated in the 24-hour dietary recall in NHANES, 2017-2018, 20.5% reported eating any legumes in the previous 24 hours. Those who consumed legumes were more likely to be Hispanic, with a higher education level, with a larger household size (all P<0.05), but were not different by age, gender, or income level compared to those who did not consume legumes. Conclusions: Although legumes are inexpensive, healthy, and a sustainable source of protein, per capita legume intake remains low in the US and below US dietary guidelines. Further insight is needed into barriers to legume consumption in the US.
Combining simulated academic detailing with naloxone training to prepare student pharmacists for opioid risk mitigation strategies

Abstract Background and purpose Academic detailing (AD) is an educational outreach intervention designed to provide clinicians with current evidenced-based education to improve patient care and is effective in mitigating opioid risks. Student pharmacists' abilities to apply naloxone training can benefit from concomitant AD training by highlighting skills needed to effectively assess patient and provider needs and handle objections in a non-biased, evidence-supported manner while reinforcing the application of naloxone administration. Most states have a standing order for pharmacist prescribed naloxone. School of pharmacy clinical science faculty sought to create a combined educational activity teaching naloxone AD in conjunction with hands-on naloxone training to better prepare students to apply the standing order in their future careers. Educational activity and setting Students in an accelerated pharmacy program applied their AD skills during pharmaceutical skills laboratory activities, emphasizing the use of naloxone administration under the standing order. Students then demonstrated their ability to administer naloxone to a “patient” who experienced an emergency after opioid use. Findings While many schools of pharmacy offer either naloxone or AD training to students, none were identified that offered both trainings combined for use with mitigation strategies for opioid management. Summary The combination of simulated AD with naloxone administration training was designed as a unique opportunity to foster naloxone education and enhance student understanding and demonstration of naloxone administration. School of pharmacy programs should recognize the opportunity to combine these activities to prepare students for application of statewide naloxone standing orders.
Teach analysis through writing

Our students can be made comfortable designing, implementing, and testing a viable project once it is well understood but the investigation and analysis phases are much more intimidating. While the techniques are being studied, structured practice helps comprehension and better prepares a student for the first attempt on a real project. The author describes using a writing intensive approach to help students understand the needs, problems, and some techniques of investigation and analysis.
Inherited factor-VII defect in a Negro family.

A case of factor-VII deficiency of a congenital nature in a Negro male child has been reported. As far as can be determined, this is the first case reported in this race. The defect was detected at 6 hours of age. Prothrombin, as contrasted to factor VII, after initially low levels normally found in infants, rose to adult levels. The patient9s one-stage prothrombin time has ranged between 25 to 35 second (normal 11 to 12 seconds). In spite of this, he has never shown any manifestations of hemorrhage. The patient9s family was studied and the findings indicate that the patient9s defect represented a homozygous state and that both parents with a less severe deficiency were heterozygous for the trait. The defect is an autosomal disorder directly inherited. It is clinically apparent and easily detected only in the homozygous state. The heterozygous state is characterized by a very slight prolongation of the one-stage prothrombin time, the difference from the control value being so minimal as to be overlooked. In one subject studied, an aunt of the propositus, the quantitative defect (42% of normal) could not be regularly detected by the usual methods. Only by using the plasma of the propositus as the test plasma, was the defect in her plasma detected, thus explaining the transmission of the trait to her offspring. These findings explain the difficulties previously encountered in understanding the inheritance of the disorder.
Improved high-speed counter-current chromatograph with three multilayer coils connected in series. I. Design of the apparatus and performance of semipreparative columns in 2,4-dinitrophenyl amino acid separation.

Abstract A compact desktop model of a high-speed counter-current chromatograph holds three identical multilayer coils in the symmetrical positions around the rotary frame to maintain perfect balance of the centrifuge system without the use of a counterweight. These multilayer coils are connected in series to make up a total capacity of 400 ml while the unique gear arrangement on the rotary frame establishes a twist-free mechanism of the flow tubes so that continuous elution can be performed without the use of rotary seal. The high performance of the present system was successfully demonstrated in separations of 10–250 mg of 2,4-dinitrophenyl amino acid mixtures in a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform—acetic acid—0.1 M hydrochloric acid (2:2:1, v/v/v).
Nuclear respiratory factor 2 induces SIRT3 expression

The mitochondrial deacetylase SIRT3 regulates several important metabolic processes. SIRT3 is transcriptionally upregulated in multiple tissues during nutrient stresses such as dietary restriction and fasting, but the molecular mechanism of this induction is unclear. We conducted a bioinformatic study to identify transcription factor(s) involved in SIRT3 induction. Our analysis identified an enrichment of binding sites for nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF-2), a transcription factor known to play a role in the expression of mitochondrial genes, in the DNA sequences of SIRT3 and genes with closely correlated expression patterns. In vitro, knockdown or overexpression of NRF-2 modulated SIRT3 levels, and the NRF-2α subunit directly bound to the SIRT3 promoter. Our results suggest that NRF-2 is a regulator of SIRT3 expression and may shed light on how SIRT3 is upregulated during nutrient stress.
Principled Exploitation of Heuristic Information

My research focuses on combinatorial search and optimization. I am particularly interested in trying to outline general principles that would be of use to practitioners who are confronting a new optimization problem. What are the important characteristics of the problem that will determine which algorithm performs best? My intuition is that the most important questions one should ask about a new problem concern the available sources of heuristic information. It is a truism in AI that knowledge reduces search. Following this line of thinking, I have been focusing on how best to exploit sources of heuristic information.
Using Picture Books To Support Middle School Curricula.

At a local middle school, a group of teach ers has been placed on an interdiscipli nary team and asked to plan integrated lessons and units. However, these teachers have never worked together and have no prior knowledge about the process of integrating various curricular areas. At first, they begin to experience a sense of loss, which later becomes frustration. After several group meetings where the teachers look at the entire curriculum, they discover ways to make connections among the subject areas through the use of picture books. While they are quite successful in making these connections for them selves and the learners, they realize they need more information on integrated curricula and the selection and use of picture books.
Social Welfare Functions that Satisfy Pareto, Anonymity, and Neutrality, but not IIA

In the presence of Pareto, non-dictatorship, full domain, and transitivity, an extremely weak independence condition disallows both anonymity and neutrality.
Controlled central fueling for ARIES-III by compact-toroid injection

An alternative fueling scheme for ARIES-III using accelerated compact-toroids (CT) is studied. The methodology of L.J. Perkins et al. (1988) for modeling CT penetration and deposition is followed. The calculations are performed using a self-consistent, radial-zoning scheme which includes several interrelated constraints such as CT ring decay, tilting, field-line reconnection, deceleration in the external field gradient, and ring expansion/contraction. The CT injection parameters optimized for fueling of ARIES-III are presented. Advantages of CT fueling with respect to other aspects of tokamak operations and uncertainties in the CT injection modeling are also discussed. From the conservative upper-limit estimation, CTs of 40 mg with 40 cm diameter can deposit fuel directly into the center and half-way of the plasma, requiring 49 MW and 14 MW, respectively. >
New Orbits for Enceladus and Dione Based on the Photographic Observation

A program is underway at the McDonald Observatory to extend the series of photographic observations of the satellites of the outer planets (Abbot, Mulholland and Shelus, A.J. 80, 1975), and concurrent theoretical studies have led to a new orbital theory for the resonant pair of satellites, Enceladus and Dione (Jefferys and Ries, A.J. 80, 1975). The construction of the new theory, using the computer software system TRIGMAN, has provided Fortran subroutines for the computation of the planetocentric coordinates of the two satellites, as well as partial derivatives for the orbit elements and certain other physical parameters of the orbit problem, including some of the harmonics of the gravitational field of Saturn. The available photographic observations for these two objects are currently being discussed with the new theory, and improved values of the orbital parameters are expected in the near future.
Male‐female patient differences in the association between end‐of‐life discussions and receipt of intensive care near death

BACKGROUND Patient gender plays a significant role in patient-physician communication, patients’ understanding of illness, and the aggressiveness of end-of-life (EoL) care. However, little is known about the extent to which gender differences in the effects of EoL discussions on EoL care contribute to gender differences in EoL care. The current study was aimed at determining whether gender differences exist in the receipt of intensive care unit (ICU) care near death and in the association between EoL discussions and the receipt of EoL ICU care. METHODS This was a multisite, prospective cohort study of patients (n = 353) with metastatic cancers who were identified as terminally ill at study enrollment and were interviewed at a median of 4.1 months before their deaths. Postmortem chart reviews and caregiver interviews documented ICU stays in the last week of life. RESULTS Patients who received ICU care at the EoL were more likely to be male than those who did not (73% vs 52%, P = .02). After adjustments for potential confounders, male patients reporting an EoL discussion were less likely to have an ICU stay in the last week of life than male patients with no EoL discussion (adjusted odds ratio, 0.26, 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.91; P = .04). There was no association between EoL discussions and ICU stays near death among female patients. CONCLUSIONS Men with advanced cancers are more likely than women to receive aggressive, nonbeneficial ICU care near death. Gender differences in the effects of EoL discussions on EoL care likely contribute to and may even explain gender differences in the receipt of ICU care in the last week of life. Cancer 2015;121:2814-2820. © 2015 American Cancer Society
RGD capsid modification enhances mucosal protective immunity of a non-human primate adenovirus vector expressing Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprF.

Summary Replication-deficient adenoviral (Ad) vectors of non-human serotypes can serve as Ad vaccine platforms to circumvent pre-existing anti-human Ad immunity. We found previously that, in addition to that feature, a non-human primate-based AdC7 vector expressing outer membrane protein F of P. aeruginosa (AdC7OprF) was more potent in inducing lung mucosal and protective immunity compared to a human Ad5-based vector. In this study we analysed if genetic modification of the AdC7 fibre to display an integrin-binding arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) sequence can further enhance lung mucosal immunogenicity of AdC7OprF. Intratracheal immunization of mice with either AdC7OprF.RGD or AdC7OprF induced robust serum levels of anti-OprF immunoglobulin (Ig)G up to 12 weeks that were higher compared to immunization with the human vectors Ad5OprF or Ad5OprF.RGD. OprF-specific cellular responses in lung T cells isolated from mice immunized with AdC7OprF.RGD and AdC7OprF were similar for T helper type 1 (Th1) [interferon (IFN)-γ in CD8+ and interleukin (IL)-12 in CD4+], Th2 (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in CD4+) and Th17 (IL-17 in CD4+). Interestingly, AdC7OprF.RGD induced more robust protective immunity against pulmonary infection with P. aeruginosa compared to AdC7OprF or the control Ad5 vectors. The enhanced protective immunity induced by AdC7OprF.RGD was maintained in the absence of alveolar macrophages (AM) or CD1d natural killer T cells. Together, the data suggest that addition of RGD to the fibre of an AdC7-based vaccine is useful to enhance its mucosal protective immunogenicity.
Rsp5 Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Mediates DNA Damage-Induced Degradation of the Large Subunit of RNA Polymerase II in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Rsp5 is an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that belongs to the hect domain family of E3 proteins. We have previously shown that Rsp5 binds and ubiquitinates the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, Rpb1, in vitro. We show here that Rpb1 ubiquitination and degradation are induced in vivo by UV irradiation and by the UV-mimetic compound 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) and that a functional RSP5 gene product is required for this effect. The 26S proteasome is also required; a mutation of SEN3/RPN2 (sen3-1), which encodes an essential regulatory subunit of the 26S proteasome, partially blocks 4-NQO-induced degradation of Rpb1. These results suggest that Rsp5-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of Rpb1 are components of the response to DNA damage. A human WW domain-containing hect (WW-hect) E3 protein closely related to Rsp5, Rpf1/hNedd4, also binds and ubiquitinates both yeast and human Rpb1 in vitro, suggesting that Rpf1 and/or another WW-hect E3 protein mediates UV-induced degradation of the large subunit of polymerase II in human cells.
The capacitated dynamic lot-sizing problem with startup and reservation costs: A forward algorithm solution

Abstract Often in production environments, there are several products available to be processed on a machine. The decisions that must be made are: 1) which product should be processed next, and 2) how much time should elapse before a changeover occurs and a different product is chosen for processing. This problem is known as the multiple product cycling problem. The single product variation of this problem is addressed in this paper. It is assumed that the product to be processed next has already been chosen (decision #1). The second decision concerning production run length must now be determined. In the single product problem, there is a fixed startup cost associated with turning the machine on in a period when the machine was off in the previous period and a fixed reservation cost incurred in each period in which the machine is on. Ending inventory in a period is assessed a holding cost. The relationship of the single product problem to the multiple period problem is as follows. The startup cost is identical to the changeover cost in the multiple product problem. By processing a particular product, other products must wait. This effect is captured by the reservation cost which is the opportunity cost one would incur by having the machine dedicated to processing a particular product. A forward dynamic programming algorithm is presented which uses heuristic rules to detect empirical decision horizons. The entire problem is partitioned into smaller Subproblems which are then easily solved. The subproblems are created by the occurrence of startup regeneration points. These are periods where there is no ending inventory and the following period contains a machine startup. Computational experience is reported which shows that reductions in computational effort (measured in CPU time and the number of nodes in the decision tree evaluated) can be as high as 95 to 99% when using the decision horizon techniques and bounding procedures described in this paper. These results are based on the solution of 28 test problems that were each 20 periods in length. Because a forward algorithm was used, not only were the solutions to the 20-period problems obtained, but the solutions to the one-period problems through 19-period problems were obtained as well. Even though the procedure described in this paper cannot guarantee that it will always find the optimal solution, it did find the optimal solution in every problem tested. By being able to solve the single product problem presented in this paper quickly, the ability to rapidly generate optimal or near optimal solutions to the multiple product problem (which uses the procedure described in this paper as a subroutine) appears closer to realization.
701-2 The Final % Cross-sectional Narrowing (Residual Plaque Burden) is the Strongest Intravascular Ultrasound Predictor of Angiographic Restenosis

We analyzed clinical, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and angiographic predictors of restenosis (follow-up quantitative angiographic % diameter stenosis g 50) in 384 lesions (133 LAD, 42 LCX, 121 RCA, 88 SVG) in 322 pts (259 males, ages 59 ± 11 yrs). Transcatheter devices were 56 PTCA; 126 directional, 70 rotational, and 3 extraction atherectomy; 56 stents; and 73 excimer laser angioplasty. Univariate IVUS parameters tested included reference site and target lesion pre- and post-intervention external elastic membrane (EEM), lumen, and plaque areas; % cross-sectional narrowing (%CSN = plaque/EEM area); and lesion morphology (eccentricity, plaque composition, calcium, and dissections). Using multivariate analyses, the most consistent predictor of follow-up angiographic findings was the IVUS final % CSN. Using logistic regression analysis, the final %CSN predicted restenosis (odds ration 2.09; 95% confidence interval = 1.50-2.92, P l 0.001, Figure); using linear regression analysis, %CSN predicted both the follow-up angiographic % diameter stenosis (r = 0.371, P l 0.001) and minimum lumen diameter (r = 0.396, P l 0.001). In addition, various referencesegment measurements (eg., angiographic lumen diameter or IVUS EEM or lumen area or %CSN) were included in some of the multivariable models; but no one measure of reference vessel size or disease consistently predicted follow-up results. Importantly, the following did not predict restenosis: (1) lesion morphology and (2) mechanisms of lumen enlargement (increase in EEM or decrease in plaque). We Conclude The final IVUS %CSN was a more powerful predictor of restenosis than clinical or angiographic variables. Eitheran increase in EEM (vessel expansion) ora decrease in plaque (tissue removal) will reduce the final % CSN. Thus, it is the magnitude, not the mechanism, of successful transcatheter therapy that is related to freedom from restenosis. Download : Download high-res image (95KB) Download : Download full-size image
Electric Field Dependence of Crystallinity in Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride)

It is shown that the crystallinity of poled films of poly(vinylidene fluoride) can be changed by the application of an electric field. This is the first time that electric-field-induced changes of crystallinity in a polymer have been reported, and this observation confirms the hypothesis that reversible changes in crystallinity with temperature contribute significantly to the pyroelectric effect in poly(vinylidene fluoride).
Microsystems for biomimetic stimulation of cardiac cells

The heart is a complex integrated system that leverages mechanoelectrical signals to synchronize cardiomyocyte contraction and push blood throughout the body. The correct magnitude, timing, and distribution of these signals is critical for proper functioning of the heart; aberrant signals can lead to acute incidents, long-term pathologies, and even death. Due to the heart's limited regenerative capacity and the wide variety of pathologies, heart disease is often studied in vitro. However, it is difficult to accurately replicate the cardiac environment outside of the body. Studying the biophysiology of the heart in vitro typically consists of studying single cells in a tightly controlled static environment or whole tissues in a complex dynamic environment. Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) allow us to bridge these two extremes by providing increasing complexity for cell culture without having to use a whole tissue. Here, we carefully describe the electromechanical environment of the heart and discuss MEMS specifically designed to replicate these stimulation modes. Strengths, limitations and future directions of various designs are discussed for a variety of applications.
The genome and transcriptome of the zoonotic hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum identify infection-specific gene families

Hookworms infect over 400 million people, stunting and impoverishing them. Sequencing hookworm genomes and finding which genes they express during infection should help in devising new drugs or vaccines against hookworms. Unlike other hookworms, Ancylostoma ceylanicum infects both humans and other mammals, providing a laboratory model for hookworm disease. We determined an A. ceylanicum genome sequence of 313 Mb, with transcriptomic data throughout infection showing expression of 30,738 genes. Approximately 900 genes were upregulated during early infection in vivo, including ASPRs, a cryptic subfamily of activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs). Genes downregulated during early infection included ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors; this downregulation was observed in both parasitic and free-living nematodes. Later, at the onset of heavy blood feeding, C-lectin genes were upregulated along with genes for secreted clade V proteins (SCVPs), encoding a previously undescribed protein family. These findings provide new drug and vaccine targets and should help elucidate hookworm pathogenesis.
Use of the field vole (M. agrestis) for monitoring potentially harmful elements in the environment

Abstract The behaviour and life-cycle of the field vole (M. agrestis) suggested that it might be a promising indicator species by which to estimate the hazards to wild life or grazing animals of heavy metal pollution. However, the differences between the Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Pb and Cr contents of the liver, kidney, brain, femur and remaining carcase of voles from a sewage farm (5), unpolluted grassland (9) and a laboratory stock (6) were small and erratic and the response of the voles to pollution was substantially less than that of the herbage on which they subsisted.
Substrate Modification Approach to Achieve Efficient Resolution: Didesmethylcitalopram: A Key Intermediate for Escitalopram#

Research work presented here describes an approach to achieve the enantiopure escitalopram (1) via didesmethyl escitalopram (4), which is easily resolvable compared to citalopram (1a) through diastereomeric salt crystallization. The resolved intermediate (didesmethylcitalopram) was subsequently used for the preparation of the desired drug. This simple modification of the substrate makes a remarkable difference in the chemical resolution process. The first resolution of didesmethylcitalopram (±)-4 to furnish (+)-4, a novel key intermediate to assemble escitalopram (1) was achieved via diastereomeric salt resolution using (−)-di-p-toluoyltartaric acid (DPTTA). The resolution conditions were optimized; a key feature of this process is the addition of specific quantity of water at a specific temperature to the reaction mixture.
First and Second Order Phase Transitions in Potts Models: Renormalization - Group Solution

A generalization of the Niemeijer-van Leeuwen renormalization-group transformation treating disordered cells of spins as vacancies is introduced and applied to the two-dimensional $q$-state Potts model. Finite-lattice approximations yield the changeover from continuous to first-order phase transitions predicted by Baxter but not observed in previous renormalization-group calculations. Exact results are conjectured for the tricritical exponents of dilute Potts models.
Reduced gravitational loading does not account for the skeletal effect of botulinum toxin-induced muscle inhibition suggesting a direct effect of muscle on bone.

Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin (botox) into rodent hindlimbs has developed as a useful model for exploring muscle–bone interactions. Botox-induced muscle inhibition rapidly induces muscle atrophy and subsequent bone loss, with the latter hypothesized to result from reduced muscular loading of the skeleton. However, botox-induced muscle inhibition also reduces gravitational loading (as evident by reduced ground reaction forces during gait) which may account for its negative skeletal effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the skeletal effect of botox-induced muscle inhibition in cage control and tail suspended mice, with tail suspension being used to control for the reduced gravitational loading associated with botox. Female C57BL/6J mice were injected unilaterally with botox and contralaterally with vehicle, and subsequently exposed to tail suspension or normal cage activities for 6 weeks. Botox-induced muscle inhibition combined with tail suspension had the largest detrimental effect on the skeleton, causing the least gains in midshaft tibial bone mass, cortical area and cortical thickness, greatest gains in midshaft tibial medullary area, and lowest proximal tibial trabecular bone volume fraction. These data indicate botox-induced muscle inhibition has skeletal effects over and above any effect it has in altering gravitational loading, suggesting that muscle has a direct effect on bone. This effect may be relevant in the development of strategies targeting musculoskeletal health.
Regulation of insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake in the conscious mouse: role of glucose transport is dependent on glucose phosphorylation capacity.

Previous work suggests that normal GLUT4 content is sufficient for increases in muscle glucose uptake (MGU) during hyperinsulinemia, because glucose phosphorylation is the more formidable barrier to insulin-stimulated MGU. It was hypothesized that a partial ablation of GLUT4 would not impair insulin-stimulated MGU when glucose phosphorylation capacity is normal but would do so when glucose phosphorylation capacity is increased. Thus, chow-fed C57BL/6J mice with a GLUT4 partial knockout (GLUT4+/–), hexokinase II overexpression (HKTg), or both (HKTg + GLUT4+/–) and wild-type littermates were studied. Carotid artery and jugular vein catheters were implanted for sampling and infusions at 4 months of age. After a 5-d recovery, 5-h fasted mice (n = 8–11/group) underwent a 120-min saline infusion or insulin clamp (4 mU/kg·min insulin with glucose maintained at 165 mg/dl) and received a 2-deoxy[3H]glucose bolus to provide an index of MGU (Rg) for the soleus, gastrocnemius, and superficial vastus lateralis. Basal ...
No understanding without explanation

Abstract Scientific understanding, this paper argues, can be analyzed entirely in terms of a mental act of “grasping” and a notion of explanation. To understand why a phenomenon occurs is to grasp a correct explanation of the phenomenon. To understand a scientific theory is to be able to construct, or at least to grasp, a range of potential explanations in which that theory accounts for other phenomena. There is no route to scientific understanding, then, that does not go by way of scientific explanation.
Do people with rheumatoid arthritis develop illness-related schemas?

Objective. To assess, using both qualitative/inductive and quantitative data, whether people with rheumatoid arthritis (FLA) have schemas related to arthritis. Methods. Themes identified from interview and focus group transcripts were used to develop 1) questionnaire items, and 2) statements participants were asked to recall during home interviews. Two hundred one people with FLA completed questionnaires and recall tasks of the type used in cognitive research, followed 10 days later by another recall assessment by telephone. Results. Qualitative methods, item-level questionnaire data, and category-level recall data yielded convergent results supporting 4 final categories: mastery, support, loss of independence, and depression. Regression analyses indicated that category of earlier recollections predicted subsequent recollections assessed via phone. Conclusions. Results from widely different methods offer at least partial support for arthritis schemas and suggest that the concepts identified are meaningful to patients as well as to researchers.
Quantitative autoradiography of hippocampal GABAB and GABAA receptor changes in Alzheimer's disease

GABAB and GABAA receptors were examined by quantitative [3H]GABA autoradiography in postmortem human hippocampus from 6 histopathologically verified cases of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and 6 normal controls. Significant decrements in the Bmax for both types of GABA receptors were observed in DAT hippocampus as compared to normal controls. No significant differences in Kd values were revealed. As compared to controls, DAT hippocampus exhibited fewer GABAB receptors in stratum moleculare of the dentate gyrus, stratum lacunosum-moleculare and stratum pyramidale of CA1. Significant loss of GABAA receptors in DAT hippocampus was also observed in the CA1 pyramidal cell region. These changes could not be correlated with differences in age nor in postmortem delay between the two groups. These findings may reflect the neuronal pathologies in CA1 region, in dentate gyrus, and in projections from the entorhinal cortex which are associated with the memory impairment in DAT.
Using Activity Theory to Understand Intergenerational Play: The Case of Family Quest.

We implemented a five-week family program called Family Quest where parents and children ages 9 to 13 played Quest Atlantis, a multiuser 3D educational computer game, at a local after-school club for 90-minute sessions. We used activity theory as a conceptual and an analytical framework to study the nature of intergenerational play, the collaborative activity between parents and children in the context of role-playing virtual game environment, and the opportunities and challenges of bringing parents and children together around an educational video game. Our analyses of five parent-child dyads revealed that the nature of intergenerational play is different for different parent-child dyads, but has positive outcomes. Implications of the study for supporting family learning and bonding through video games are discussed.
Currents Carried by Point-Discharges beneath Thunderclouds and Showers

1.— Introduction. The present paper describes experimental methods employed for investigating the sign and magnitude of the vertical current due to the point-discharge of electricity from an elevated metal point, during the intense electric fields associated with thunderstorms and showers. The results of preliminary observations extending over a period of about eight months are tabulated. It is found that there is a considerable net transfer of positive electricity upwards from the earth to the atmosphere by the discharge currents. The vertical discharge current is thus in the opposite direction to the normal fine-weather ionization current and to the convection current carried by various forms of precipitation. A comparison of the magnitude of the observed quantities with that of the fine-weather current indicates the important part played by the point-discharge currents in the total exchange of electricity between the earth and the atmosphere. Finally, the distribution of electric field below a cumulo-nimbus cloud deduced from the observed variations in magnitude and direction of the current, as the cloud passes overhead, strongly suggests that the great majority of shower-clouds and thunder-clouds observed were bipolar clouds of positive polarity, the upper charge was positive. 2.— The Discharging System. The discharging apparatus is carried at the top of a vertical wooden pole, whose base is attached by a hinge to a stout wooden stake, fixed vertically in the ground. The pole can thus be lowered to the ground for inspection of the insulation. When the pole is in its vertical position, the height of the discharging point above the surface of the ground is 8·3 metres. The lead carrying the current to the measuring apparatus consists of about 30 metres of lead-covered rubber insulated cable, of external diameter 5·6 mm. The able travels down the pole and thence, underground, to the hut containing the observing apparatus. The distance from the base of the pole to the hut is about 14 metres. Any disturbance of the field at the top of the pole, due to the presence of the hut is negligible.
Evolutionary expansion of a regulatory network by counter-silencing

Horizontal gene transfer plays a major role in bacterial evolution. Successful acquisition of new genes requires their incorporation into existing regulatory networks. This study compares the regulation of conserved genes in the PhoPQ regulon of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium with that of PhoPQ-regulated horizontally acquired genes, which are silenced by the histone-like protein H-NS. We demonstrate that PhoP upregulates conserved and horizontally acquired genes by distinct mechanisms. Conserved genes are regulated by classical PhoP-mediated activation and are invariant in promoter architecture, whereas horizontally acquired genes exhibit variable promoter architecture and are regulated by PhoP-mediated counter-silencing. Biochemical analyses show that a horizontally acquired promoter adopts different structures in the silenced and counter-silenced states, implicating the remodelling of the H-NS nucleoprotein filament and the subsequent restoration of open-complex formation as the central mechanism of counter-silencing. Our results indicate that counter-silencing is favoured in the regulatory integration of newly acquired genes because it is able to accommodate multiple promoter architectures.
J. Edgar Hoover Goes to the Movies: The FBI and the Origins of Hollywood's Cold War

John Sbardellati (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2012), viii+256 pp John Sbardellati's research has transformed the way historians write about the cultural history of the Cold War. He gained acc...
Clinical presentation of enterocele

Objective: To characterize preoperative signs and symptoms in women with and without enteroceles. Methods: Three hundred ten women completed preoperative questionnaires and had prolapses graded according to the International Continence Society system. Signs and symptoms in 77 women (25%) with enteroceles confirmed at surgery were compared with those in 233 women without enteroceles. Comparisons were tested for statistical significance with χ2 tests, Fisher exact tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and analysis of covariance. Results: Women with enteroceles were statistically significantly older (median 67 versus 59 years, P < .001) and more likely to be postmenopausal (88% versus 76%, P = .04). More women with enteroceles had histories of hysterectomies (76% versus 39%, P = .001) and vaginal prolapse repairs (24% versus 11%, P = .008). Women with enteroceles had more advanced prolapses at points Ap, Bp, and C (all P < .001) but not point D. There were no significant differences in symptoms related to bowel function (infrequent bowel movements, straining, manual evacuation, and fecal incontinence) in women with and without enteroceles. Women with enteroceles were more bothered by symptoms caused by vaginal prolapse than women without enteroceles, but not after we controlled for stage of prolapse. Conclusion: Women with enteroceles have more advanced apical and posterior vaginal prolapses than women without enteroceles, but do not differ from them in bowel function.
CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRY STUDIES OF POLYNUCLEOTIDE BINDING AND OXIDATION BY METAL COMPLEXES : HOMOGENEOUS ELECTRON-TRANSFER KINETICS

The cyclic voltammetry of Ru(bpy)32+ in the presence of calf thymus DNA has been studied. Theoretical simulations using DigiSim were performed for the voltammetry of the metal complex in the presence of DNA where the only interaction between the metal complex and DNA was electrostatic binding to the polyanion. The expected binding isotherm was obtained from the simulated voltammetry with input affinities similar to that of Ru(bpy)32+. The expected binding isotherm was not obtained for simulations with high affinities (>106 M-1) expected for intercalating complexes that exhibit neighbor exclusion, because the commercially available version of DigiSim treats only simple equilibria and cannot treat exclusion of binding to adjacent sites. Simulations were then performed for the case where the +3 state of the metal complex oxidizes the guanine base in DNA in a catalytic mechanism. The dependence of icat/id on scan rate and the second-order rate constant for the homogeneous chemical step was determined for the ...