cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global gene expression in two potato cultivars in response to 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' infection.

Transcriptomic analyses were performed to compare the molecular responses of two potato varieties previously shown to differ in the severity of disease symptoms due to infection by “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” (Lso), the causative agent of Zebra Chip in potato. A factorial design utilizing the two varieties and psyllids either harboring Lso or without bacteria was used to discriminate varietal responses to pathogen infection versus psyllid feeding. Plant response was determined from leaf samples 3 weeks after infection. In response to Lso infection, 397 genes were differentially expressed in the variety Atlantic (most susceptible) as compared to 1027 genes in Waneta. Over 80% of the transcriptionally-changed genes were down-regulated in both varieties, including genes involved in photosynthesis or primary and secondary metabolism. Many of the Lso-responsive genes involved in stress responses or hormonal pathways were regulated differently in the two potato varieties. This study focused on the time point just prior to the onset of symptom development and provides valuable insight into the mechanisms of Liberibacter pathogenicity, especially the widespread suppression of plant gene expression, including genes involved in plant defenses.
Reflections on the researcher-researched relationship : A woman interviewing men

The enactment of gender in interviews with the men in my recent study of divorced fathers is the focus of this paper. Neither the role of gender in the qualitative research process nor its influence on research products has been given much descriptive or analytical attention, especially with respect to studies of men by women. While contextually situated, the relationships which evolve during the research process are influenced by the identities and histories of those involved, including those of gender. Such questions about the researcher-researched relationship and interactional dynamics which emerge during interviewing are ones of reflexivity. This paper, then, retrospectively examines men's assertions of gender identities and the gender hierarchy during interviews with me, and suggests that the negotiation of gender in research warrants much more attention.
Comprehensive review of chemical strategies for the preparation of new aminoglycosides and their biological activities

A systematic analysis of all synthetic and chemoenzymatic methodologies for the preparation of aminoglycosides for a variety of applications (therapeutic and agricultural) reported in the scientific literature up to 2017 is presented. This comprehensive analysis of derivatization/generation of novel aminoglycosides and their conjugates is divided based on the types of modifications used to make the new derivatives. Both the chemical strategies utilized and the biological results observed are covered. Structure-activity relationships based on different synthetic modifications along with their implications for activity and ability to avoid resistance against different microorganisms are also presented.
Equilibrium and Process Analysis in the Traditional Theory of the Firm

At an early point in the Economics of Imperfect Competition Mrs. Robinson assures us that her attention is to be confined to equilibrium analysis only and that she proposes to make no study of the process of inter-equilibrium adjustment. “The technique set out in this book is a technique for studying equilibrium positions. No reference is made to the effects of the passage of time. Short-period and long-period equilibria are introduced into the argument to illustrate various technical devices, but no study is made of the process of moving from one position of equilibrium to another ….” There are two alternatives open to the theorist who has adopted a methodological precept involving the complete separation of equilibrium and process analysis. It is possible, on the one hand, to follow the precept with the utmost rigour, in which case the equilibrium theory will be almost purely formal and hardly constitute an explanation of the equilibrium. Or the theorist can in practice relax his rule and introduce process propositions into the equilibrium theory. Few writers have been able fully to resign themselves to the first alternative and most have in greater or less degree followed the second. Thus there has been elaborated, largely unconsciously, a theory of the process of interequilibrium adjustment which forms an integral part of the accepted theory of the equilibrium of the firm in its usual form. It is the purpose of this paper to bring this adjustment theory explicitly to view and to determine the degree to which the validity of the equilibrium propositions is dependent upon it. It is emphasized that the discussion is restricted to the questions of internal logical consistency and formal generality of the theory.
The Influence of Polygonized Structure on the Properties of Heat-Treated Beta Titanium Alloys

It has been shown in some papers that a polygonized structure in titanium beta alloys is formed after hot deformation. For example, a polygonized structure was obtained by upsetting the BT15 alloy at 860oC with 50% reduction (1) and by extruding the Beta-III alloy at 760oC.(2) The authors indicate a favorable effect of sub-grains on the mechanical properties of aged beta-alloys. However, up till now no systematic investigations of the effect of various deformation conditions (temperature, reduction in area) on the character of polygonized structure and its influence on mechanical properties of heat-treated alloys has been carried out.
13.3 – Stable Isotope Geochemistry of Mineral Deposits

In this chapter, the intent is to summarize the results of traditional stable isotope studies (mainly H, B, O, C, and S) that have greatly contributed to the understanding of ore-forming processes over the last 60 years and to provide an up-to-date assessment of the application of new nontraditional isotope systems (Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Hg, and Tl).
PKA phosphorylation underlies functional recruitment of sarcolemmal SK2 channels in ventricular myocytes from hypertrophic hearts

Key points Small-conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ (SK) channels expressed in ventricular myocytes are dormant in health, yet become functional in cardiac disease. SK channels are voltage independent and their gating is controlled by intracellular [Ca2+ ] in a biphasic manner. Submicromolar [Ca2+ ] activates the channel via constitutively-bound calmodulin, whereas higher [Ca2+ ] exerts inhibitory effect during depolarization. Using a rat model of cardiac hypertrophy induced by thoracic aortic banding, we found that functional upregulation of SK2 channels in hypertrophic rat ventricular cardiomyocytes is driven by protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we identified serine-465 as the site conferring PKA-dependent effects on SK2 channel function. PKA phosphorylation attenuates ISK rectification by reducing the Ca2+ /voltage-dependent inhibition of SK channels without changing their sensitivity to activating submicromolar [Ca2+ ]i . This mechanism underlies the functional recruitment of SK channels not only in cardiac disease, but also in normal physiology, contributing to repolarization under conditions of enhanced adrenergic drive. Abstract Small-conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ (SK) channels expressed in ventricular myocytes (VMs) are dormant in health, yet become functional in cardiac disease. We aimed to test the hypothesis that post-translational modification of SK channels under conditions accompanied by enhanced adrenergic drive plays a central role in disease-related activation of the channels. We investigated this phenomenon using a rat model of hypertrophy induced by thoracic aortic banding (TAB). Western blot analysis using anti-pan-serine/threonine antibodies demonstrated enhanced phosphorylation of immunoprecipitated SK2 channels in VMs from TAB rats vs. Shams, which was reversible by incubation of the VMs with PKA inhibitor H89 (1 μmol L-1 ). Patch clamped VMs under basal conditions from TABs but not Shams exhibited outward current sensitive to the specific SK inhibitor apamin (100 nmol L-1 ), which was eliminated by inhibition of PKA (1 μmol L-1 ). Beta-adrenergic stimulation (isoproterenol, 100 nmol L-1 ) evoked ISK in VMs from Shams, resulting in shortening of action potentials in VMs and ex vivo optically mapped Sham hearts. Using adenoviral gene transfer, wild-type and mutant SK2 channels were overexpressed in adult rat VMs, revealing serine-465 as the site that elicits PKA-dependent phosphorylation effects on SK2 channel function. Concurrent confocal Ca2+ imaging experiments established that PKA phosphorylation lessens rectification of ISK via reduction Ca2+ /voltage-dependent inhibition of the channels at high [Ca2+ ] without affecting their sensitivity to activation by Ca2+ in the submicromolar range. In conclusion, upregulation of SK channels in diseased VMs is mediated by hyperadrenergic drive in cardiac hypertrophy, with functional effects on the channel conferred by PKA-dependent phosphorylation at serine-465.
Victim or Villain? Racial/Ethnic Differences in News Portrayals of Individuals with Mental Illness Killed by Police

As a social problem, little is known about how individuals are portrayed in the news when race/ethnicity and mental illness intersect. This is important because of the agenda-setting ability of the...
On the Semantics and Operations of Primary Prevention and Wellness Enhancement (Or Will the Real Primary Prevention Please Stand Up

Compared two recent, major reviews of primary prevention program evaluation research (i.e., Durlak and Wells' meta-analysis of 177 such studies and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report's summary of research studies of preventive intervention programs) with respect to specific studies included and input sources used. Whereas the IOM Report defined the goal of primary prevention as reducing the occurrence of new cases of mental disorder, Durlak and Wells' broader definition included both that goal and the promotion of psychological wellness. Overlap in journal sources used by the two reviews was modest and overlap in the actual primary prevention program evaluation studies included was minimal (≅7%). These findings bespeak somewhat different views of primary prevention and suggest a need for the complementary development of both the above approaches as alternatives, individually and collectively, to mental health's past established restorative ways.
Convergence of the Collatz Sequence

For any natural number was created the supplement sequence, that is convergent together with the original Collatz sequence. The numerical parameter - index was defined, that is the same for both sequences. This new method provides the following results: All natural numbers were distributed into six different classes; The properties of index were found for the different classes; For any natural number was constructed the bounded sequence of increasing numbers, that is convergent together with the regular Collatz sequence.
Statement by Michael A. Carrier to Health Subcommittee of House Committee on Energy & Commerce

My testimony to the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee supports legislation being considered to lower high drug prices. First, I support the CREATES Act and FAST Generics Act, which would ensure that generic companies receive the samples they need to enter the market. Second, I support the FAIR Generics Act, which would ensure that the 180-day exclusivity period is serving the purpose it was intended to by rewarding not just the first generic filer (who could settle with the brand by agreeing to delay entering for years) but also the first generic to win in court, demonstrating that the patent is invalid. I also favor the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019, which would make clear that pay-for-delay settlements are illegal. Finally, I support legislation that would bring the Purple Book into the 21st century by making it searchable. And I favor amendments to the Orange Book that would (1) incorporate appellate court and PTAB decisions finding patents invalid and (2) not list patents in the Orange Book on drug delivery devices such as the EpiPen.
Association Between Clinically Meaningful Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Improvement and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Importance Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Improvement in PTSD has been associated with improved self-reported physical health and hypertension; however, there is no literature, to our knowledge, on whether PTSD improvement is associated with T2D risk. Objective To examine whether clinically meaningful PTSD symptom reduction is associated with lower risk of T2D. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study examined Veterans Health Affairs medical record data from 5916 patients who received PTSD specialty care between fiscal years 2008 and 2012 and were followed up through fiscal year 2015. Eligible patients had 1 or more PTSD Checklist (PCL) scores of 50 or higher between fiscal years 2008 and 2012 and a second PCL score within the following 12 months and at least 8 weeks after the first PCL score of 50 or higher. The index date was 12 months after the first PCL score. Patients were free of T2D diagnosis or an antidiabetic medication use for 12 months before the index date and had at least 1 visit after the index date. Data analyses were completed during January 2019. Exposures Reduction in PCL scores during a 12-month period was used to define patients as those with a clinically meaningful improvement (≥20-point PCL score decrease) and patients with less or no improvement ( Main Outcomes and Measures Incident T2D diagnosed during a 2- to 6-year follow-up. Results Medical records from a total of 1598 patients (mean [SD] age, 42.1 [13.4] years; 1347 [84.3%] male; 1060 [66.3%] white) were studied. The age-adjusted cumulative incidence of T2D was 2.6% among patients with a clinically meaningful PCL score decrease and 5.9% among patients without a clinically meaningful PCL score decrease (P = .003). After control for confounding, patients with a clinically meaningful PCL score decrease were significantly less likely to develop T2DM compared with those without a clinically meaningful decrease (hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.26-0.98). Conclusions and Relevance The findings suggest that clinically meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms are associated with a lower risk of T2D. A decrease in PCL score, whether through treatment or spontaneous improvement, may help mitigate the greater risk of T2D in patients with PTSD.
Hidden Hunger: Understanding the Complexity of Food Insecurity Among College Students.

The aim of this research was to explore the complexity of college student food insecurity through eating patterns, food assistance, and health of food-insecure university students. A mixed-methods ...
Three New Species in the Desmopachria striola Species-Group of Desmopachria Babington, 1841 (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae: Hyphydrini)

Three new species are described in the Desmopachria striola species-group in the Neoptropical genus Desmopachria Babington: D. atropos Miller and Wolfe, new species (Venezuela), D. clotho Miller and Wolfe, new species (Suriname), and D. lachesis Miller and Wolfe, new species (Guyana). The male genitalia of all species in the D. striola species-group are illustrated except that of D. ferrugata Regimbart. The aedeagi of the new species are illustrated from specimens, whereas those of previously described species are redrawn from published illustrations.
Color Doppler ultrasound twinkling in pathological biomineralizations

The color Doppler ultrasound twinkling artifact has been observed on some kidney stones as well as various sites in the body where pathological biomineralization can occur. On kidney stones, twinkling was recently attributed to stabilized crevice microbubbles, which suggests that microbubbles may also be present on other minerals. However, it is unknown how crystal structure, composition, and the surrounding environment influences the presence and location of microbubbles and twinkling. Here, crystals found in pathological biomineralization (i.e., uric acid, cholesterol, calcium phosphate, and calcium oxalate), were grown in vitro, embedded in a tissue-mimicking phantom, and imaged with a research ultrasound system at 5 and 18.5 MHz. Doppler power was quantified and compared between crystal composition (n = 5 per type). We found twinkling was strongest in cholesterol crystals and weakest in calcium phosphate crystals. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) of an ex vivo calcium oxalate kidney stone (i.e., a heterogeneous crystal) submerged in water revealed the presence of gas within internal microcracks, which was confirmed by reducing the hydrostatic pressure in a subsequent µCT scan. Future work includes exposing pure in vitro crystals to µCT and ultrasound with changes in hydrostatic pressure to evaluate for internal gas pockets that may contribute to twinkling.The color Doppler ultrasound twinkling artifact has been observed on some kidney stones as well as various sites in the body where pathological biomineralization can occur. On kidney stones, twinkling was recently attributed to stabilized crevice microbubbles, which suggests that microbubbles may also be present on other minerals. However, it is unknown how crystal structure, composition, and the surrounding environment influences the presence and location of microbubbles and twinkling. Here, crystals found in pathological biomineralization (i.e., uric acid, cholesterol, calcium phosphate, and calcium oxalate), were grown in vitro, embedded in a tissue-mimicking phantom, and imaged with a research ultrasound system at 5 and 18.5 MHz. Doppler power was quantified and compared between crystal composition (n = 5 per type). We found twinkling was strongest in cholesterol crystals and weakest in calcium phosphate crystals. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) of an ex vivo calcium oxalate kidney stone (i.e., a hete...
‘I don’t know if America would have picked me:’ athletic, national, and racial identities of the U.S. Men’s Kabaddi Team

Prior research efforts have investigated distinct athletic, national, and racial identities in athletes, but there remains a need to connect these bodies of knowledge. This study asks: how do athle...
Impact of a Best Practice Advisory for Pediatric Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

BACKGROUND Infectious diseases (ID) consultation and optimal antibiotic therapy improve outcomes in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). Data on strategies to improve adherence to these practices in children are limited. METHODS This was a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of an electronic medical record (EMR)-based best practice advisory (BPA) for SAB, recommending ID consult and optimal antibiotic therapy based on rapid mecA gene detection. Inpatients < 21 years old with SAB before (January 2015-July 2017) and after (August 2017-December 2018) BPA implementation were included. Primary outcome was receipt of ID consult. Secondary outcomes included receipt of optimal therapy, time to ID consult and optimal therapy, recurrent SAB, and 30-day all-cause mortality. ID consultation rates pre- and postimplementation were compared using interrupted time series (ITS) analysis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for time to optimal therapy were calculated using Cox regression. RESULTS We included 99 SAB episodes (70 preintervention, 29 postintervention). Preintervention, 48 (68.6%) patients received an ID consult compared to 27 (93.1%) postintervention, but this was not statistically significant on ITS analysis due to a preexisting trend of increasing consultation. Median hours to optimal therapy decreased from 26.1 to 5.5 (P = .03), most notably in patients with methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) (42.2 to 10.8; P < .01). On Cox regression, BPA implementation was associated with faster time to optimal therapy (HR, 3.22 [95% CI, 1.04-10.01]). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of an EMR-based BPA for SAB resulted in faster time to optimal antibiotic therapy, particularly for patients with MSSA. ID consultation increased throughout the study period and was not significantly impacted by the BPA.
Evaluation of initial atypical antipsychotic monitoring parameters in children and adolescents.

Introduction Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) are associated with serious cardiometabolic disturbances, including hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and weight gain. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Practice parameter for the use of AAPs in children and adolescents encourages that the same monitoring schedule as recommended by the American Diabetes Association be applied to the pediatric population. This study assessed adherence to these monitoring recommendations for AAPs in children and adolescents admitted to a community teaching hospital's inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry unit. Methods Patients age <18 years were included if therapy was initiated with an AAP during an inpatient admission to the child and adolescent psychiatry unit. Patients were excluded if prescribed an AAP prior to admission or if the AAP was ordered as needed. The presence of the following was collected upon initiation: body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP), fasting lipids, heart rate (HR), waist circumference, electrocardiogram when indicated, and assessment of efficacy and extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Any adverse effects and means of mitigation of those adverse effects were also collected. Results In the 45 patients included, the following monitoring parameters were collected: 91.1% had BMI, 84.4% had FBG, 46.6% had fasting lipids, and 0% had waist circumference recorded. Additionally, 100% of patients had an assessment of efficacy and EPS and BP and HR documented. Discussion Although this study included a small number of patients, there is area for improvement in obtaining baseline monitoring parameters in children and adolescents initiated on AAPs during an inpatient admission.
Our Shimmering and Ephemeral DNA

Following an ita life-reading, the author reaches out to a father he hasn’t seen for years. Still Guido appreciates that his father has given him his name, that of the beloved author of The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran. The author also conceptualizes the sharing of DNA with his father as more than just a chemical trait, but rather as spiritually telling of “microscopic life patterns.” When they reunite, they begin a mixed but gentle process of catching up on years of lost time. Guido’s brother takes part in this reconciliation having defended him against the father long ago. But the brothers have different reasons for appeasement with the father, one is linked to religious calling, the other is open to the spiritual healing of acceptance.
Development of CRISPR-Cas9 knock-in tools for free fatty acid production using the fast-growing cyanobacterial strain Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973.

Abstract Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 has one of the fastest measured doubling time of cyanobacteria making it an important candidate for metabolic engineering . Traditional genetic engineering methods, which rely on homologous recombination , however, are inefficient, labor-intensive, and time-consuming due to the oligoploidy or polyploidy nature of cyanobacteria and the reliance on unique antibiotic resistance markers. CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as an effective and versatile editing platform in a wide variety of organisms, but its application for cyanobacterial engineering is limited by the inherent toxicity of Cas9 resulting in poor transformation efficiencies. Here, we demonstrated that a single-plasmid CRISPR-Cas9 system, pCRISPOmyces-2, can effectively knock-in a truncated thioesterase gene from Escherichia coli to generate free fatty acid (FFA) producing mutants of Syn 2973. To do so, three parameters were evaluated on the effect of generating recipient colonies after conjugation with pCRISPOmyces-2-based plasmids: 1) a modified conjugation protocol termed streaked conjugation, 2) the deletion of the gene encoding RecJ exonuclease , and 3) single guide RNA (sgRNA) sequence. With the use of the streaked conjugation protocol and a Δ recJ mutant strain of Syn2973, the conjugation efficiency for the pCRISPomyces-2 plasmid could be improved by 750-fold over the wildtype (WT) for a conjugation efficiency of 2.0 × 10−6 transconjugants/recipient cell. While deletion of the RecJ exonuclease alone increased the conjugation efficiency by 150-fold over the WT, FFA generation was impaired in FFA-producing mutants with the ΔrecJ background, and the large number of poor FFA-producing isolates indicated the potential increase in spontaneous mutation rates . The sgRNA sequence was found to be critical in achieving the desired CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knock-in mutation as the sgRNA impacts conjugation efficiency, likelihood of homogenous recombinants, and free fatty acid production in engineered strains.
The Socialized Medicine Debaser

It is particularly important to end this system while we are still under the (hopefully decreasing) threat of the corona virus. The fates willing we will soon have fully successful cures and vaccines for Covid 19 (it is too early to make any such determination at the time of this writing).
Programming in Mathematics Classrooms: Changes in Pre-service Teachers’ Intentions to Integrate Robots in Teaching

While programming was introduced to mathematics classrooms in the 1980s, emerging robotic technologies have encouraged more widespread integration of these technologies to support the development of K–12 students’ mathematical reasoning. The recent emphasis of programming and computational thinking in K–12 education has highlighted the need to prepare future teachers appropriately to incorporate these technologies in their teaching. This study draws from the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior to examine how pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) interaction with robots might influence their intent to use them in teaching. Two groups of such participants engaged in solving mathematical problems using robots in this quasi-experimental pre-/post-test study. Additionally, one of these groups had the chance to design and implement activities that integrated robots with first-grade students. The robots used in this study were Bee-Bots, simple programmable robots that can store up to 40 commands. At the beginning and end of a semester, both groups of participants completed a questionnaire about their perceptions, attitudes, and intentions towards using robots in teaching. In addition, the group who designed and implemented activities with robots provided qualitative reflections about their experience. The study’s quantitative and qualitative findings show that both groups of participants reported significant increases in their intention to use robots in teaching. These findings highlight that opportunities for PSTs to explore, ponder, and experience robotic technologies can promote the integration of these tools in their future teaching.
Life History Evolution and Population Dynamics in Variable Environments: Some Insights from Stochastic Demography

What are the evolutionary consequences of environmental fluctuations? In this paper, I present results from the theory of stochastic demography which provide a partial answer to this central question in the evolutionary analysis of life histories.
Abstract 455: Increased copy number of Septin 9 (SEPT9) in women with high grade endometrial adenocarcinoma(EMCA): Is there a potential link to paclitaxel resistance

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Septins are a unique family of GTPases that are important in the regulation of a variety of essential cellular functions. Specifically, SEPT9 has been demonstrated to be vital in normal development in a mouse model. When a full knockout is generated, the phenotype is embryonically lethal. SEPT9 has also been implicated in tumorigenesis and our group has identified SEPT9 as an oncogene which is amplified and overexpressed in breast cancer. We have demonstrated that in high grade breast carcinomas, the subtype with the worst clinical outcome, exhibit significant increases in SEPT9 copy number variation (CNV) when compared to other breast tumor grades. Therefore to explore a possible biomarker role of SEPT9 in other tumor types, we have investigated the CNV status of SEPT9 in EMCA using data from the publically available Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Within the published dataset, 7.8% of patients have an increased CNV of the gene. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves between the 2 groups show a decreased overall survival in the EMCA patients who exhibit CNV (n=18) with a 5-year survival of 44% compared to 83% (p = 0.003) in the remaining EMCA patients without an alteration in CNV (n=214). Septins assemble into filaments that interact with the cytoskeleton. Published data on established cell lines with an overexpression of specific isoforms suggest an association between the overexpression and resistance to paclitaxel. Many high grade EMCA patients are treated with adjuvant paclitaxel-based regimens. We hypothesize that an increased CNV and overexpression of SEPT9 is associated with paclitaxel resistance on a molecular level and a worse clinical prognosis. To support our hypothesis, we will test established uterine papillary serous carcinoma cell lines (UPSC), an aggressive high grade EMCA, for CNV variation of SEPT9 and resistance to paclitaxel. In addition, tumor samples from patients with advanced stage (III-IV) UPSC will be investigated for an increased CNV of SEPT9. Citation Format: Jenna R. Zechmeister, Gary L. Goldberg, Cristina Montagna. Increased copy number of Septin 9 (SEPT9) in women with high grade endometrial adenocarcinoma(EMCA): Is there a potential link to paclitaxel resistance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 455. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-455
The Johnson GEO CENTRE: Earth’s Geological Showcase

The Johnson GEO CENTRE is a geological museum in St. John’s. It was built by Mr. Paul Johnson, a retired St. John’s businessman and philanthropist, after he became captivated by geology. The uniquely constructed CENTRE has several exhibits that explain the fundamentals of geoscience, demonstrate Earth history through the geology of Newfoundland and Labrador, show the evolution and world-wide migration of human beings, and emphasize the importance of Earth resources and good stewardship to the future of Earth’s peoples. Students are welcomed by entertaining, curriculum-based, geo-education programs. These and other public-awareness-of-geo-science activities are the main focus for GEO’s dedicated staff and volunteers. SOMMAIRE Le Johnson Geo Centre est un musee geologique situe a St. John’s. Il a ete construit par M. Paul Johnson, un homme d’affaire a la retraite et philanthrope, apres qu’il se fut passionne pour la geologie. La construction unique du Centre comporte plusieurs expositions qui expliquent les principes de base des geosciences; decrivent l’histoire de la Terre en s’appuyant sur la geologie de Terre-Neuve et Labrador; montrent l’evolution humaine et ses grandes migrations; et soulignent l’importance des ressources terrestres et la necessite d’une bonne intendance a cet egard, pour l’avenir des peuples de la Terre. Les programmes de geo-education du Centre offrent aux etudiants des contenus amusants et adaptes a leur niveau academique. Ces programmes et autres activites de sensibilisation du public aux geosciences constituent le principal centre d’interet des employes et benevoles devoues du Geo .
The Wingman Project: An Exploratory Study of School-Based Communication with Grandparents

In this paper, I explain the design and implementation of an e-newsletter created to engage grandparents with public schools. A brief literature review, the process for creating the e-newsletter, and my data collection methods are explained. The conclusions and implementations offered provided insight into how public schools can engage grandparents as important members of their school communities.
Rethinking the Political Participation Paradigm: The Case of Women and Gun Control

Abstract Political-participation studies have paid too little attention to the cognitive and emotional motivations for citizen engagement. This study uses a natural experiment in issue-centered mobilization, a women's march for stricter gun control, to construct a fuller model of political participation, one that focuses on the interaction between individuals and issues. I find that reframing political issues to resonate with social roles and responsibilities-in this case, reframing gun control as a child-protection issuelegitimizes participation by new groups of people-in this case, women. The more citizens internalize these frames, the more intensively they participate over time.
Fine-grained precursors dominate the micrometeorite flux

We optically classified 5682 micrometeorites (MMs) from the 2000 South Pole collection into textural classes, imaged 2458 of these MMs with a scanning electron microscope, and made 200 elemental and eight isotopic measurements on those with unusual textures or relict phases. As textures provide information on both degree of heating and composition of MMs, we developed textural sequences that illustrate how fine-grained, coarse-grained, and single mineral MMs change with increased heating. We used this information to determine the percentage of matrix dominated to mineral dominated precursor materials (precursors) that produced the MMs. We find that at least 75% of the MMs in the collection derived from fine-grained precursors with compositions similar to CI and CM meteorites and consistent with dynamical models that indicate 85% of the mass influx of small particles to Earth comes from Jupiter family comets. A lower limit for ordinary chondrites is estimated at 2–8% based on MMs that contain Na-bearing plagioclase relicts. Less than 1% of the MMs have achondritic compositions, CAI components, or recognizable chondrules. Single mineral MMs often have magnetite zones around their peripheries. We measured their isotopic compositions to determine if the magnetite zones demarcate the volume affected by atmospheric exchange during entry heating. Because we see little gradient in isotopic composition in the olivines, we conclude that the magnetites are a visual marker that allows us to select and analyze areas not affected by atmospheric exchange. Similar magnetite zones are seen in some olivine and pyroxene relict grains contained within MMs.
Morphology and biochemistry of bone remodeling: possible control by vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and other substances.

Abnormal levels of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D and its metabolites play important roles in the pathogenesis of a morphologically diversified spectrum of clinically important metabolic bone diseases. Deficiency of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 has been associated with osteomalacia (95, 197, 309, 310), types I and II osteoporosis (265), and osteitis fibrosa with osteopenia (166) or osteosclerosis (2, 129, 145). Experimentally, high levels of parathyroid (PTH) cause osteitis fibrosis in association with either osteopenia (304) or osteosclerosis (294, 304) depending on how the PTH is administered (304). Chronic exposure to 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 can also cause osteosclerosis (337) or osteopenia and, paradoxically, osteomalacia (136, 337). Thus, perturbations of calcitropic hormones in the same direction can produce diverse morphologic responses, and conversely, similar morphologic responses can occur in response to perturbations of calcitropic hormones in the opposite direction.
Extension of Scalars

We will be interested in complex representations of both real and complex Lie algebras. There is an important distinction to be made. If \(\mathfrak{g}\) is a real Lie algebra, then a complex representation is an \(\mathbb{R}\)-linear homomorphism \(\mathfrak{g}\longrightarrow \mathrm{End}(V )\), where V is a complex vector space. On the other hand, if \(\mathfrak{g}\) is a complex Lie algebra, we require that the homomorphism be \(\mathbb{C}\)-linear. The reader should note that we ask more of a complex representation of a complex Lie algebra than we do of a complex representation of a real Lie algebra.
Volume of food consumed affects satiety in men

This study tested the hypothesis that the amount (weight or volume) of food consumed affects the satiating potency of a food, independent of its energy content. Normal-weight young men (n = 20) were tested in a within-subjects design. Subjects were served a milk-based drink or no drink (control), followed 30 min later by a self-selected lunch and > 4 h later by a self-selected dinner. Milk drinks were equal in energy content (2088 kJ, or 499 kcal) and had similar proportions of fat (30.3%), carbohydrate (54.7%), and protein (15%) across three volumes: 300, 450, and 600 mL. Ratings of palatability, sensory properties, and energy content of the drinks and of hunger completed before consumption of the preloads were not significantly different among conditions. The results showed that preload volume affected energy intake at lunch (P < or = 0.009) such that energy intake was less after the 600-mL preload than after the 300-mL preload. This effect was still present when energy intake at dinner was included (P < or = 0.022). At lunch, including energy from the preload, subjects overate relative to the control condition (4323 +/- 322 kJ) after the 300- (5263 +/- 321 kJ) and 450-mL (5011 +/- 300 kJ) preloads but not after the 600-mL (4703 +/- 353 kJ) preload. Thus, the best adjustment for the energy in the preloads was with the largest, least energy-dense drink. Consistent with the effects on intake, the volume of the drinks affected ratings of hunger and fullness. These results indicate that the volume consumed is an important determinant of satiety after milk drinks under these conditions.
Eye movements in recovering substance abusers: A prospective study☆

Abstract Smooth-pursuit (SPEM) and saccadic (SEM) eye movements were studied in 11 cocaine-dependent and 4 alcohol-dependent patients after 1, 3, and 12 weeks of verified abstinence. Sixteen non-drug-dependent controls were studied after comparable intervals. SPEM tracking accuracy, estimated by the Ln (S/N) statistic, was higher among cocaine- dependent patients than among alcohol-dependent patients and normal controls. A micro- analysis of SPEM tracking revealed that the superior accuracy of the cocaine-dependent group was due to a small increase in eye movements at the target frequency (0.4 Hz) and a small compensatory decrease in higher frequency eye movements (i.e., saccades). In contrast to the findings of the SPEM study, the findings of the SEM study revealed that alcohol-dependent patients constituted the only abnormal group. Alcohol-dependent patients exhibited slower saccade onset latencies than the other groups. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to saccade velocity, amplitude, or duration.
Apoptosis hots up from the cold

Abstract The Keystone Symposium on Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis was held on 16–22 January 2001 in Keystone, Colorado, USA.
Nuclear events during early development in gametophytes of Macrocystis pyrifera, and the temporal effects of a marine contaminant

The time course of DNA synthesis in developing haploid gametophytes of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera was determined, and the effects of arsenic (As) on the temporally distinct nuclear events, DNA synthesis and subsequent nuclear division/translocation, were investigated to establish which of these specific events may be disrupted by this contaminant. Experiments were carried out on material collected from kelp beds near Santa Barbara, California from 1993–1994. Timing of DNA synthesis was determined during development by use of the fluorochrome, DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), and single-cell microspectrofluorometry. Zoospores, which result from meiosis, had already undergone two rounds of DNA synthesis at the time of release. The developing gametophytes underwent an additional two rounds of replication of DNA by 16 h of development, and following the first nuclear division/translocation, the gametophyte contained eight times the minimum DNA level throughout subsequent development. Both DNA synthesis and nuclear division/translocation, were found to be inhibited by As. Phosphate enrichment reduced the inhibitory effects of As on division/translocation of the nucleus, supporting the hypothesis that As interferes with phosphorylation. Gametophytes were more severely affected by As under light conditions, as opposed to dark, suggesting that photosynthesis may be more sensitive than dark metabolism.
Spontaneous Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum limits Ca2+-dependent twitch potentiation in individual cardiac myocytes. A mechanism for maximum inotropy in the myocardium.

We hypothesized that the occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), in diastole, might be a mechanism for the saturation of twitch potentiation common to a variety of inotropic perturbations that increase the total cell Ca. We used a videomicroscopic technique in single cardiac myocytes to quantify the amplitude of electrically stimulated twitches and to monitor the occurrence of the mechanical manifestation of spontaneous SR Ca2+ release, i.e., the spontaneous contractile wave. In rat myocytes exposed to increasing bathing [Ca2+] (Cao) from 0.25 to 10 mM, the Cao at which the peak twitch amplitude occurred in a given cell was not unique but varied with the rate of stimulation or the presence of drugs: in cells stimulated at 0.2 Hz in the absence of drugs, the maximum twitch amplitude occurred in 2 mM Cao; a brief exposure to 50 nM ryanodine before stimulation at 0.2 Hz shifted the Cao of the maximum twitch amplitude to 7 mM. In cells stimulated at 1 Hz in the absence of drugs, the maximum twitch amplitude occurred in 4 mM Cao; 1 microM isoproterenol shifted the Cao of the maximum twitch amplitude to 3 mM. Regardless of the drug or the stimulation frequency, the Cao at which the twitch amplitude saturated varied linearly with the Cao at which spontaneous Ca2+ release first occurred, and this relationship conformed to a line of identity (r = 0.90, p = less than 0.001, n = 25). The average peak twitch amplitude did not differ among these groups of cells. In other experiments, (a) the extent of rest potentiation of the twitch amplitude in rat myocytes was also limited by the occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ release, and (b) in both rat and rabbit myocytes continuously stimulated in a given Cao, the twitch amplitude after the addition of ouabain saturated when spontaneous contractile waves first appeared between stimulated twitches. A mathematical model that incorporates this interaction between action potential-mediated SR Ca2+ release and the occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ release in individual cells predicted the shape of the Cao-twitch relationship observed in other studies in intact muscle. Thus, the occurrence of spontaneous SR Ca2+ release is a plausible mechanism for the saturation of the inotropic response to Ca2+ in the intact myocardium.
An Alternative Perspective on Utility Maximization in Energy-Harvesting Wireless Sensor Networks

We present an analysis of optimization problems in energy-harvesting wireless sensor networks (EH-WSNs), and motivated by the underlying structure of these problems, we provide an intuitive algorithmic solution. Although, on one hand, there exist excellent analytic solutions for EH problems cast in a utility maximization framework and, on the other hand, there are many efficient numerical iterative solutions for solving complex or unstructured constrained utility maximization problems, neither of these approaches provides analytical intuition concerning the behavior of a more general (complex many varied constraints) constrained utility maximization problem. We deliver our general solution to the concave utility maximization problem for EH-WSNs and illustrate the well-known solutions of special equivalent problems. Both distributed estimation and rate allocation find solutions in our constrained utility maximization method for EH-WSNs. We extract some of the analytical insights to be gained from these problems and simulate several example scenarios.
SU‐E‐T‐01: 2‐D Characterization of DLG Among All MLC Leaf Pairs

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the variation of dosimetric leaf-gap (DLG) along the travel path of each MLC leaf pair. This study evaluates whether the spatial variations in DLG could cause dose differences between TPS-calculated and measured dose. Methods: The 6MV DLG values were measured for all leaf pairs in the direction of leaf motion using a 2-D diode array and 0.6cc ion chamber. These measurements were performed on two Varian Linacs, employing the Millennium 120-leaf MLC and a 2-D-DLG variation map was created via in-house software. Several test plans were created with sweeping MLC fields using constant gaps from 2mm to 10mm and corrected for 2-D variation utilizing in-house software. Measurements were performed utilizing the MapCHECK at 5.0cm depth for plans with and without the 2-D DLG correction and compared to the TPS calculated dose via gamma analysis (3%/3mm). Results: The measured DLGs for the middle 40 MLC leaf pairs (0.5cm width) were very similar along the central superior-inferior axis, with maximum variation of 0.2mm. The outer 20 MLC leaf pairs (1.0cm width) have DLG values from 0.32mm (mean) to 0.65mm (maximum) lower than the central leaf-pair, depending on off-axis distance. Gamma pass rates formore » the 2mm, 4mm, and 6mm sweep plans increased by 23.2%, 28.7%, and 26.0% respectively using the 2-D-DLG correction. The most improved dose points occur in areas modulated by the 1.0cm leaf-pairs. The gamma pass rate for the 10mm sweep plan increased by only 7.7%, indicating that the 2D variation becomes less significant for dynamic plans with larger MLC gaps. Conclusion: Fluences residing significantly off-axis with narrow sweeping gaps may exhibit significant variations from planned dose due to large differences between the true DLG exhibited by the 1.0cm leaf-pairs versus the constant DLG value utilized by the TPS for dose calculation.« less
DNA binding and adduct formation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene by rat mammary epithelial cell aggregates in vitro

Freshly isolated mammary epithelial cell aggregates from female Sprague-Dawley rats metabolized 7,12-dimethylbenz-[a]anthracene (DMBA) to bay-region anti- and syn-dihydrodiolepoxides that bound to deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine residues in cellular DNA. After 24 h of incubation 68% of the DMBA (0.4 micrograms/ml) was metabolized and 58% of the extracellular metabolites were water-soluble. DMBA-DNA binding increased rapidly during the initial 24 h of incubation. Formation of the bay-region syn-dihydrodiolepoxide:deoxyadenosine adduct increased linearly throughout the 24 h, whereas formation of deoxyadenosine and deoxyguanosine adducts with the bay-region anti-dihydrodiolepoxide increased rapidly following a delay of 12 h.