cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sulfur extraction via carbonated melts from sulfide-bearing mantle lithologies - Implications for deep sulfur cycle and mantle redox

Abstract Transport of sulfur via mantle-derived partial melts from deep Earth to the surface reservoirs is a critical step in the deep global sulfur cycle. Given that sulfur is stored mostly in sulfide phases in mantle lithologies, the critical parameter is sulfur concentration at sulfide saturation (SCSS) of mantle-derived magmas. CO2 ± H2O-induced melting beneath oceanic and continental mantle produces incipient CO2-rich melts. Although, SCSS of silicate melts of a variety of compositions is extensively studied, the SCSS of carbonatitic and carbonated silicate melts have not received much attention. Here we present experiments in graphite capsules at pressures (P) of 2.5–6.0 GPa and temperatures (T) of 1350–1650 °C investigating the SCSS of carbonatitic and carbonated silicate melts. All experiments produced quenched Fe ± Ni-sulfide melt blobs + carbonated melt matrix ± ol ± cpx ± opx ± gt, with melt composition on a CO2-free basis varying from 7 to 40 wt.% SiO2, 0.5 to 7 wt.% Al2O3, and 9 to 17 wt.% FeO* (total FeO). SCSS measured using EPMA increases with SiO2 and T but is not affected by P; the effect of composition being more pronounced than P-T. The composition of sulfide melt phase also affects SCSS. With increasing Ni in the molten sulfide phase, the SCSS changes from 2000 to 4000 ppm (Ni-free) to is 800–3000 ppm (33 wt.% Ni). Comparison of our measured SCSS with the existing SCSS models for nominally CO2-free silicate melts and with one study for carbonated melts show that these parameterizations fail to capture the sulfide saturation values in CO2-rich melts from our study. Using our new SCSS data and previous SCSS data for melt compositions that span the range from carbonatite to basalts via carbonated silicate melts, we develop a new empirical SCSS parameterization. Unlike a previous model, which suggested SCSS of carbonated melt is only affected by melt FeO* (other than P-T) and did not constrain how SCSS evolves from low-silica carbonatitic melt to low-CO2 basaltic melt, our new parameterization captured complex effects of many melt compositional parameters, including silica on SCSS. Using our new SCSS model, we constrained the efficiency of S extraction from the mantle beneath mid-oceanic ridges and continents via low-degree carbonated melts. Deep carbonated melts beneath ridges are expected to mobilize 5–15% of the initial sulfur before nominally-volatile-free peridotite melting begins. In continental mantle, deep kimberlitic melt can act as an agent to mildly enrich the shallow mantle in sulfide as it evolves to a carbonatitic melt upon reactive cooling. Application of our data to subduction zones suggests that low degree carbonatitic melt is not an efficient agent to extract residual sulfide from the subducting oceanic crust.
Providing low-dimensional feedback of a high-dimensional movement allows for improved performance of a skilled walking task

Learning a skilled movement often requires changing multiple dimensions of movement in a coordinated manner. Serial training is one common approach to learning a new movement pattern, where each feature is learned in isolation from the others. Once one feature is learned, we move on to the next. However, when learning a complex movement pattern, serial training is not only laborious but can also be ineffective. Often, movement features are linked such that they cannot simply be added together as we progress through training. Thus, the ability to learn multiple features in parallel could make training faster and more effective. When using visual feedback as the tool for changing movement, however, such parallel training may increase the attentional load of training and impair performance. Here, we developed a novel visual feedback system that uses principal component analysis to weight four features of movement to create a simple one-dimensional 'summary' of performance. We used this feedback to teach healthy, young participants a modified walking pattern and compared their performance to those who received four concurrent streams of visual information to learn the same goal walking pattern. We demonstrated that those who used the principal component-based visual feedback improved their performance faster and to a greater extent compared to those who received concurrent feedback of all features. These results suggest that our novel principal component-based visual feedback provides a method for altering multiple features of movement toward a prescribed goal in an intuitive, low-dimensional manner.
Health information behavior of speakers of endangered languages

With the advent of increased attention towards language endangerment comes the need for a better understanding of how speakers of endangered languages interact with information, specifically health...
Socio-ecological Factors of Zoonotic Diseases Exposure in Colorado Dairy Workers

Objectives: Zoonotic pathogens on dairy farms are a known risk for people who work and live there. Exposure and/or transmission of Salmonella serovars, E. coli (O157; H7), Campylobacter jejuni, and...
When Rivers Were Trails: cultural expression in an indigenous video game

When Rivers Were Trails is a 2D adventure game wherein The Oregon Trail meets Where the Water Tastes Like Wine through an Indigenous lens. The game depicts a myriad of cultures during the player’s ...
Caste/ethnic differences in school dropout among 5-20-year olds in Nepal

Reducing school dropout rates has been a challenging policy problem in an effort to improve educational participation and attainment in developing countries. This paper examines the differences in ...
A RESTful framework design for componentizing the water evaluation and planning (WEAP) system

Abstract The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system, a modeling and simulation tool, offers certain advantages for studying water systems. These systems are modeled as a collection of supply, demand, and transmission entities. Domain experts can construct whole water system models from template model parts (entities) with built-in constraints for combining them. The parameterized entities are simulated with the aid of textual and visual experiment set-ups. A set of scripts are provided for reading and writing data in entities. Lack of access to the source code of these model entities makes using integrating them other kinds of models more difficult. This is a crucial restriction since modeling water systems increasingly need to be used with the models, for example, energy and food systems to improve understanding and predictions of water supply and demand policies. Given the significance of combining water system models with other types of models, this paper proposes developing a Componentized-WEAP (C-WEAP) by embedding the WEAP system in a RESTful framework. The water system entities are mapped to meta-components using the Ecore modeling methodology. Each meta-component is paired with its concrete counterpart in the WEAP system. A complete set of meta-components for the entities is developed. An existing water system model is developed in the C-WEAP RESTful framework. The simulation of this water system demonstrates the computational cost of the proposed framework is negligible. The developed C-WEAP RESTful framework promotes integrating it with other software systems.
A Mathematical Modeling Study: Assessing Impact of Mismatch Between Influenza Vaccine Strains and Circulating Strains in Hajj

The influenza virus causes severe respiratory illnesses and deaths worldwide every year. It spreads quickly in an overcrowded area like the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Vaccination is the primary strategy for protection against influenza. Due to the occurrence of antigenic shift and drift of the influenza virus, a mismatch between vaccine strains and circulating strains of influenza may occur. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of mismatch between vaccine strains and circulating strains during Hajj, which brings together individuals from all over the globe. To this end, we develop deterministic mathematical models of influenza with different populations and strains from the northern and southern hemispheres. Our results show that the existence and duration of an influenza outbreak during Hajj depend on vaccine efficacy. In this concern, we discuss four scenarios: vaccine strains for both groups match/mismatch circulating strains, and vaccine strains match their target strains and mismatch the other strains. Further, there is a scenario where a novel pandemic strain arises. Our results show that as long as the influenza vaccines match their target strains, there will be no outbreak of strain H1N1 and only a small outbreak of strain H3N2. Mismatching for non-target strains causes about 10,000 new H3N2 cases, and mismatching for both strains causes about 2,000 more new H1N1 cases and 6,000 additional H3N2 cases during Hajj. Complete mismatch in a pandemic scenario may infect over 342,000 additional pilgrims (13.75%) and cause more cases in their home countries.
Would you please like my tweet?! An artificially intelligent, generative probabilistic, and econometric based system design for popularity-driven tweet content generation

Abstract An understudied area in the field of social media research is the design of decision support systems that can aid the manager by way of automated message component generation. Recent advances in this form of artificial intelligence has been suggested to allow content creators and managers to transcend their tasks from creation towards editing, thus overcoming a common problem: the tyranny of the blank screen. In this research, we address this topic by proposing a novel system design that will suggest engagement-driven message features as well as automatically generate critical and fully written unique Tweet message components for the goal of maximizing the probability of relatively high engagement levels. Our multi-methods design relies on the use of econometrics, machine learning, and Bayesian statistics, all of which are widely used in the emerging fields of Business and Marketing Analytics. Our system design is intended to analyze Tweet messages for the purpose of generating the most critical components and structure of Tweets. We propose econometric models to judge the quality of written Tweets by way of engagement-level prediction, as well as a generative probability model for the auto-generation of Tweet messages. Testing of our design demonstrates the need to take into account the contextual, semantic, and syntactic features of messages, while controlling for individual user characteristics, so that generated Tweet components and structure maximizes the potential engagement levels.
A catalog of transcription start sites across 115 human tissue and cell types

Abstract Accurate transcription start site (TSS) annotations are essential for understanding transcriptional regulation and its role in human disease. Gene collections such as GENCODE contain annotations for tens of thousands of TSSs, but not all of these annotations are experimentally validated nor do they contain information on cell type-specific usage. Therefore, we sought to generate a collection of experimentally validated TSSs by integrating RNA Annotation and Mapping of Promoters for the Analysis of Gene Expression (RAMPAGE) data from 115 cell and tissue types, which resulted in a collection of approximately 50 thousand representative RAMPAGE peaks. These peaks were primarily proximal to GENCODE-annotated TSSs and were concordant with other transcription assays. Because RAMPAGE uses paired-end reads, we were then able to connect peaks to transcripts by analyzing the genomic positions of the 3’ ends of read mates. Using this paired-end information, we classified the vast majority (37 thousand) of our RAMPAGE peaks as verified TSSs, updating TSS annotations for 20% of GENCODE genes. We also found that these updated TSS annotations were supported by epigenomic and other transcriptomic datasets. To demonstrate the utility of this RAMPAGE rPeak collection, we intersected it with the NHGRI/EBI GWAS catalog and identified new candidate GWAS genes. Overall, our work demonstrates the importance of integrating experimental data to further refine TSS annotations and provides a valuable resource for the biological community.
Abstract 3077: ATRXLoss and IDH1R132H impair self-renewal of glioma stem cells after proton radiotherapy

Background: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM-Grade IV) is the most aggressive form of glioma in the USA carrying only a 15 month median survival time. IDH1R132H is an early onset mutation present in 70-80% of low grade gliomas (LGG-Grade I and II) and secondary GBM patients that causes intracellular oxidative stress and impairment of post-radiation DNA damage repair (DDR) via Homologous Recombination (HR). Although IDH1R132H is associated with improved patient survival and clinical response to chemotherapy, astrocytoma (LGG) patients specifically also harbor ATRXLoss, a genetic alteration that inactivates the ATRX chromatin remodeling protein and impairs DDR via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Importantly, the recent discovery of glioma stem cells (GSCs), a subpopulation of chemoradioresistant, self-renewable, tumor initiating cells known to promote tumor recurrence, presents a new target for therapeutic intervention. However, the mechanisms by which IDH1R132H and ATRXLoss contribute to GSC sensitivity to proton radiotherapy (PRT), a more tumor specific and cytotoxic form of radiation therapy than conventional X-rays (XRT), is not well understood. We hypothesize that both IDH1R132H and ATRXLoss contribute to the impairment of GSC self-renewal after PRT, but not after XRT. Methods: Isogenic MGG18-IDH1WT, MGG18-IDH1R132H, TS543-ATRXWT, and TS543-ATRXLoss patient derived glioma cells were cultured as neurospheres and treated with 3-6 Gy of XRT or PRT. GSC self-renewal, based on neurosphere formation frequency, was quantified using extreme limiting dilution analysis (ELDA). Results: TS543-ATRXLoss significantly inhibited GSC self-renewal over TS543-ATRXWT when subject to PRT (Pairwise Testing Pr(>χ2) χ2) χ2) χ2) Conclusions: We conclude that ATRXLoss and IDH1R132H both substantially contribute to PRT sensitivity in GSCs, thereby supporting the benefits of PRT for astrocytoma patients. Our future experiments will further elucidate the biological mechanisms by which ATRXLoss and IDH1R132H confer PRT sensitivity, especially via dsDNA damage and apoptosis. Citation Format: Angel Adrian Garces, Lawrence Bronk, Krishna P. Bhat, David R. Grosshans. ATRXLoss and IDH1R132H impair self-renewal of glioma stem cells after proton radiotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 3077.
Cracks in the narrative: Black and Latinx pre-service PE teachers in predominantly white PETE programs

PE curricula and pedagogy maintain dominant discourses of whiteness as normalized, lacking in cultural relevancy and disregarding racially minoritized students’ cultural knowledges (Azzarito 2019, ...
Differentiating severe and non-severe lower respiratory tract illness in patients hospitalized with influenza: Development of the Influenza Disease Evaluation and Assessment of Severity (IDEAS) scale.

Background Experimental studies have shown that vaccination can reduce viral replication to attenuate progression of influenza-associated lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI). However, clinical studies are conflicting, possibly due to use of non-specific outcomes reflecting a mix of large and small airway LRTI lacking specificity for acute lung or organ injury. Methods We developed a global ordinal scale to differentiate large and small airway LRTI in hospitalized adults with influenza using physiologic features and interventions (PFIs): vital signs, laboratory and radiographic findings, and clinical interventions. We reviewed the literature to identify common PFIs across 9 existing scales of pneumonia and sepsis severity. To characterize patients using this scale, we applied the scale to an antiviral clinical trial dataset where these PFIs were measured through routine clinical care in adults hospitalized with influenza-associated LRTI during the 2010-2013 seasons. Results We evaluated 12 clinical parameters among 1020 adults; 210 (21%) had laboratory-confirmed influenza, with a median severity score of 4.5 (interquartile range, 2-8). Among influenza cases, median age was 63 years, 20% were hospitalized in the prior 90 days, 50% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 22% had congestive heart failure. Primary influencers of higher score included pulmonary infiltrates on imaging (48.1%), heart rate ≥110 beats/minute (41.4%), oxygen saturation 24 breaths/minute (21.0%). Key PFIs distinguishing patients with severity 24 breaths/minute (7.9% vs 47.1%), heart rate ≥110 beats/minute (29.3% vs 65.7%), oxygen saturation 15,000 (5.0% vs 27.2%), and need for invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (2.1% vs 15.7%). Conclusion We developed a scale in adults hospitalized with influenza-associated LRTI demonstrating a broad distribution of physiologic severity which may be useful for future studies evaluating the disease attenuating effects of influenza vaccination or other therapeutics.
Locating Wh-Traces

This chapter is an initial report of research in progress. It addresses a topic of considerable interest in recent psycholinguistics: the process by which humans locate Wh-traces in the course of word-by-word parsing of incoming sentences (Fodor, 1978; Stowe, 1986; Carlson and Tanenhaus, 1988; Clifton and Frazier, 1989).
Flanking transmission caused by fire stops in wood frame constructions

In multi-family dwellings, the nominal party wall or floor between units is both fire and sound rated. At the joint between two fire rated assemblies, there must exist a fire stop to control smoke and flame spread in the event of a fire. Typically, the fire stop provides a physical connection between building elements thereby causing a flanking path. The degradation of the net sound isolation of a double leaf construction is examined for two types of fire stop materials listed in the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). Fire stops formed from continued room surfaces are examined. A section through the specimen without any fire stopping is shown
The Evolution of Good and Evil

How can we explain why cognitive biases are not wiped away by natural selection? Can other-regarding agents evolve out of self-regarding agents? This article develops a model of the co-evolution of morality (i.e. tendency to internalize externalities of one's own actions) with overconfidence (i.e. tendency to overestimate one's own ability). Nature presents agents with the choice to accept or reject a lottery with randomly drawn parameters. Parameters of the lottery determine its objective expected individual and group payoffs. Each agent's bias parameter determines how the objective expected payoffs of the lottery are transformed into subjective expected payoffs on which the agent's decision rule operates. The agent's morality parameter determines the weight of payoffs to others in the agent's decision rule. The model shows how the individual objective payoff-maximizing level of morality varies with cognitive bias, resulting in a positive level of morality as long as individuals are sufficiently biased and covariance of group and individual payoffs is positive.
Scientific Reasoning Across Different Domains

This study seeks to establish which scientific reasoning skills are primarily domain-general and which appear to be domain-specific. The subjects, 12 university undergraduates, each participated in self-directed experimentation with three different content domains. The experimentation contexts were computer-based laboratories in d.c. circuits (Voltaville), microeconomics (Smithtown), and the refraction of light (Refract), Subjects spent three 1-1/2 hour sessions working with each laboratory and took pretests and posttests that assessed their learning. Specific patterns of strategies used in each laboratory depended primarily on the structural form of the discovery task and the nature of the domain. In a situation that required the discovery of correlational regularities, evidence-generation activities, like the heuristic of controlling variables, were primary. In contexts where the regularities were functional rules, evidence interpretation became important. When the rules were quantitative, mathematical and algebraic heuristics were important. Students appeared very sensitive to the task demands of each laboratory, and adjusted their strategies accordingly. Regardless of this adaptation to specific conditions, they learned more as they proceeded from domain to domain, indicating that they were becoming more effective in planning and carrying out experiments, and in formulating and testing hypotheses based on those experiments. The findings suggest that the most generally useful skills for direct instruction may be those for evaluating the kind of problem at hand and for selecting the most appropriate processes and strategies.
Experience of an Interdisciplinary Pediatric Pain Service

This article is a report of our experience with an interdisciplinary pain service in a large tertiary care pediatric hospital. During the first 2 years of operation, we received 869 consultations and referrals from more than 19 hospital divisions. Postoperative pain was the most frequent reason for consultation (56% of patients). Patients with pain related to cancer and sickle cell disease comprised 25% of the consultations. The remaining patients had a wide variety of primary diagnoses and causes of pain. We calculated the time spent by pain service physicians in direct patient care. The majority (63%) of physician time was spent with a small number of patients (17%). Most of these patients had pain that was unrelated to surgery, cancer, or sickle cell disease, and many posed dilemmas in diagnosis and treatment. Physician time was correlated directly to the use of psychologic and physical therapies for the pain, involving multiple team members. This experience supports the demand for an interdisciplinary pain service in a tertiary care children's hospital. A significant amount of physician time is necessary to provide patient care and to maintain a team approach, however, and pediatricians and other health care professionals who aim to implement such services should be cognizant of the time required.
Literature, gay men's

This entry provides an overview of the presence of gay male narrative from a historical perspective and focuses on literature in the past one hundred and fifty years. It considers ancient sources and explores the various trends in gay male narrative from a global and multigenre perspective. How social and political realities have affected different trajectories of gay male literature are also discussed. Keywords: AIDS ; children's literature; gay marriage; gay rights; grief; homosexuality; miscegenation; same-sex love and desire; sexuality and ethnicity; sexuality and race; young adult literature
Preparation of C5‐Functionalized Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs)

Relative to conventional locked nucleic acids (LNAs), C5-functionalized LNAs with small entities at the C5-position display markedly higher (1) duplex thermostability with complementary single-stranded DNA/RNA targets, (2) target specificity, and (3) 3'-exonuclease stability. C5-Functionalized LNAs carrying a polarity-sensitive fluorophore enable sensitive and efficient discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) under non-stringent conditions. This unit describes protocols for chemical synthesis of an LNA uridine diol and corresponding C5-functionalized LNA uridine phosphoramidites. A procedure for incorporation of C5-functionalized LNA uridine phosphoramidites into oligodeoxyribonucleotides by automated DNA synthesis is also described.
A Discriminative Stimulus Model for Application of Greater Control in Token Economics

Summrry.-The preoccupation with conditioned or generalized reinforcing properties of stimuli used as tokens in applied settings has resulted in a costly neglect of the discriminative (SD) properties of token stimuli. Published data suggest a discriminative stimulus model using Mechner's notation for more carefully establishing discriminative functions of stimuli in token economics and for employing them more efficiently. The preoccupation with conditioned or generalized reinforcing properties of stimuli used as tohns in applied settings has resulted in a costly neglect of the discriminative (SD) properties of tohn stimuli. The practical utility of conditioned reinforcers as illustrated by Kelleher's (1957) demonstraion with chimps that the conditioned stimulus, i.e., token, need only be exchangeable later for the unconditioned reinforcer, such as food, so that the conditioned reinforcer can be used to reinforce behavior when it follows a response, may have directed attention away from SD considerations. Discriminative stimulus is defined by Holland and Skinner (1961) as follows: "When a certain stimulus is the occasion upon which responses are followed by reinforcement, the stimulus is called a discsiminative s6imulus (SD) " (p. 139). Reinforcing stimuli strengthen behavior by increasing the frequency of response classes, or operants, which precede the stimuli. Discriminative stimuli also strengthen behavior by increasing the frequency of operants which succeed the stimuli. The ability of the same stimulus to exert both reinforcing and discrirninacive control was demonstrated qualitatively by Cruse, Vidli, and Dercke ( 1966) and quantitatively by Vidli ( 1967). Their paradigm utilized unconditioned reinforcers in multiple schedules in which food pellets strengthened one rate topography preceding the pellet, while the same pellet strengthened topographiully different rates succeeding it, in rats. The latter study varied parameters associated with the discriminative properties of each pellet, viz., sucrose concentration. The use of objects as tokens with human subjects has included credit cards in Boston
Biosynthesis of phloroglucinol.

Substantial concentrations of phloroglucinol were synthesized by Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 expressing the plasmid-localized phlACBDE gene cluster responsible for biosynthesis of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. Expression in Escherichia coli of a single gene in this cluster, P. fluorescens Pf-5 phlD, led to extracellular accumulation of phloroglucinol. Purification of PhlD to homogeneity afforded an enzyme that catalyzed the conversion of malonyl-CoA into phloroglucinol with Km = 5.6 μM and kcat = 10 min-1. Acetylase and deacetylase activities were observed with the catalyzed interconversions of phloroglucinol, 2-acetylphloroglucinol, and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol when phlACB was expressed in E. coli. Beyond the mechanistic implications attendant with the identification of an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of malonyl-CoA into phloroglucinol, PhlD provides the basis for environmentally benign syntheses of phloroglucinol and resorcinol from glucose.
Urine Stability Studies for Novel Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury

Background The study of novel urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury has expanded exponentially. Effective interpretation of data and meaningful comparisons between studies require awareness of factors that can adversely affect measurement. We examined how variations in short-term storage and processing might affect the measurement of urine biomarkers. Study Design Cross-sectional prospective. Setting & Participants Hospitalized patients from 2 sites: Yale New Haven Hospital (n=50) and University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (n=36). Predictors We tested the impact of 3 urine processing conditions on these biomarkers: (1) centrifugation and storage at 4°C for 48 hours before freezing at −80°C, (2) centrifugation and storage at 25°C for 48 hours before freezing at −80°C, and (3) uncentrifuged samples immediately frozen at −80°C. Outcomes Urine concentrations of 5 biomarkers: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin 18 (IL-18), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), liver-type fatty acid–binding protein (L-FABP), and cystatin C. Measurements We measured urine biomarkers by established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Biomarker values were log-transformed, and agreement with a reference standard of immediate centrifugation and storage at −80°C was compared using concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs). Results Neither storing samples at 4°C for 48 hours nor centrifugation had a significant effect on measured levels, with CCCs higher than 0.9 for all biomarkers tested. For samples stored at 25°C for 48 hours, excellent CCC values (>0.9) also were noted between the test sample and the reference standard for NGAL, cystatin C, L-FABP and KIM-1. However, the CCC for IL-18 between samples stored at 25°C for 48 hours and the reference standard was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.66-0.96). Limitations No comparisons to fresh, unfrozen samples; no evaluation of the effect of protease inhibitors. Conclusions All candidate markers tested using the specified assays showed high stability with both short-term storage at 4°C and without centrifugation prior to freezing. For optimal fidelity, urine for IL-18 measurement should not be stored at 25°C before long-term storage or analysis.
Emerging structural insights into the function of ionotropic glutamate receptors

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate excitatory neurotransmission crucial for brain development and function, including learning and memory formation. Recently a wealth of structural studies on iGluRs including AMPA receptors (AMPARs), kainate receptors, and NMDA receptors (NMDARs) became available. These studies showed structures of non-NMDARs including AMPAR and kainate receptor in various functional states, thereby providing the first visual sense of how non-NMDAR iGluRs may function in the context of homotetramers. Furthermore, they provided the first view of heterotetrameric NMDAR ion channels, and this illuminated the similarities with and differences from non-NMDARs, thus raising a mechanistic distinction between the two groups of iGluRs. We review mechanistic insights into iGluR functions gained through structural studies of multiple groups.
Use of selectively trypsinized nucleosome core particles to analyze the role of the histone “tails” in the stabilization of the nucleosome

Using immobilized trypsin and an appropriate fractionation procedure, we have been able to prepare, for the first time, nucleosome core particles containing selectively trypsinized histone domains. The particles thus obtained: [(H3T-H4T)2-2(H2AT-H2BT)] · DNA; [(H3-H4)2-2(H2AT-H2BT)] · DNA; [H3T-H4T)2-2(H2A-H2B)] · DNA (where T means trypsinized), together with the non-trypsinized controls have been characterized using the following techniques: analytical ultracentrifugation, circular dichroism, thermal denaturation and DNase I digestion. The major aim of this study was to analyze the role of the amino-terminal regions (the histone “tails”) on the stability of the nucleosome in solution. The data obtained from this analysis clearly show that stability of the nucleosome core particle to dissociation (below a salt concentration of 0.7 m-NaCl) is not affected by the presence or the absence of any of the N-terminal regions of the histones. Furthermore, these histone regions make very little contribution, if any, to the conformational transition that nucleosomes undergo in this range of salt concentrations. They play, however, a very important role in determining the thermal stability of the particle, as reflected in the dramatic alterations exhibited by the melting profiles upon selective removal of these tails by trypsinization. The melting data can be explained by a simple hypothesis that ascribes interaction of H2AH2B, and, H3H4 tails to particular regions of the nucleosomal DNA.
Speculations on the mathematics of a second-order temporal difference equation in quantum theory

By considering an additional second-order time difference term in the Schrodinger equation, we study the possible implications of such an additive term in the case of radiative transitions when the discreteness of time becomes manifest and time derivatives are replaced by finite differences.
Toluene inhalation produces regionally specific changes in extracellular dopamine

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of toluene inhalation on dopaminergic transmission in two distinct brain areas presumably involved in mediating the reward processes important for toluene abuse. Extracellular dopamine (DA) levels were measured in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NACC) of freely moving rats using in vivo microdialysis. Inhalation of a behaviorally relevant concentration of toluene (3000 ppm) produced a significant increase in the PFC but not in the NACC. However, the odorant isoamyl acetate, increased PFC DA levels by only 37%, significantly less than the 96% increase observed following toluene exposure. When toluene inhalation was combined with cocaine administration (20 mg/kg i.p.), the response to the combined challenge was not different from the response to toluene alone in the PFC. However, the combination of these two drugs produced a supradditive response of 802% in the NACC, compared with the 450% increase observed following cocaine alone. Recent reports indicate that toluene influences the function of several ionotropic receptors in a subunit specific manner. As further evidence of specific effects, our results indicate regionally specific changes in dopaminergic transmission following toluene exposure.
Heterotopic ossification in the forearm

Heterotopic ossification (HO) resulting in radioulnar cross-union occurs in approximately 2% of all forearm injuries and causes significant functional impairment. Risk factors for cross-union are incompletely understood, however, injuries to the proximal forearm account for the majority of cases. Concomitant central nervous system injury greatly increases the risk for HO after forearm fracture. Although surgical excision of forearm cross-union has produced mixed results in the past, and recurrence of synostosis has been common, more recent treatment attempts have resulted in nearly full recovery of forearm rotation. Questions remain regarding the appropriate timing for excision and the advisability of adjuvant low-dose radiotherapy to prevent recurrence. It would seem that HO resulting from local trauma in the absence of other risk factors can be safely excised 6 to 12 months after injury. Adjuvant radiotherapy may be warranted in more aggressive cases of HO with a greater risk for recurrence, such as those cases involving the proximal forearm or associated with closed head injury.
Effect of an intravenous angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on the electrophysiologic features of normal and hypertrophied feline ventricles

Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia and multiple electrophysiologic abnormalities that normalize with regression of hypertrophy. For patients who have hypertension, treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors produces regression of hypertrophy and a reduction in ventricular arrhythmia. It is unclear whether the reduction in ventricular arrhythmia associated with ACE inhibitor therapy is due to regression of hypertrophy alone, a direct antiarrhythmic effect of ACE inhibition, or both. We performed electrophysiologic studies in normal cats and cats with fixed left ventricular hypertrophy before and after acute intravenous administration of trandolopril. Trandolopril produced a small, consistent prolongation of monophasic action potential duration in normal and hypertrophied ventricles although this prolongation did not reach statistical significance. Trandolopril had no significant effect on effective refractory period, inducibility of arrhythmia, or ventricular fibrillation threshold in normal or hypertrophied ventricles. These data suggest that the reduction in arrhythmia associated with ACE inhibitors is not caused by a direct electrophysiologic effect but is more likely caused by regression of hypertrophy.
Progression from on-site to point-of-care fine needle aspiration service: Opportunities and challenges

Background: Standard-of-care requires the availability of an efficient, economical and accurate on-site fine needle aspiration (FNA) service. Presence of a trained individual during the procedure ensures an improved patient care. Appropriate selection of the equipment, interaction with the clinicians and compliance with the various regulations during the procedure is essential. This is often done by an on-site FNA service. Organization and implementation of such a system in a large academic center is challenging. Method: we reviewed the ambulatory care needs in the new Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (PeCAM). Multiple (9) FNA sites have been established keeping in view the patient's convenience, clinic demands, various regulatory requirements and laboratory staff. Each location has dedicated FNA station with microscopes and supplies. In addition, state- ofthe -art technologies including a mobile FNA cart (Penn-A- Cart), remote specimen evaluation (TeleCyP) have been incorporated. Results: The new set up is extremely efficient and much valued by the patients and the clinicians. It has improved patient care. Conclusion: With necessary investments and resources a point-of-care FNA service has been created which has improved patient care. This, albeit with certain modifications may serve as a model for FNA service.
Unionization and productivity in commercial banking

This paper examines the net effect of unions on productivity in the commercial banking industry. The focus of the study is on three methodological issues. First, an attempt is made to determine whether individual unions have a differential impact on banking productivity. The influence of unions on output per man-hour was initially estimated by including a union dummy variable in a Cobb-Douglas formulation of bank production. Separate binary variables were then entered into alternative specifications of the model to test the heterogeneity hypothesis. This hypothesis postulates differential productivity effects among the individual unions operating in the commercial banking sector. Second, the sample banks were paired on a case-by-case basis to assure the homogeneity of the two groupings: i.e., union and nonunion. Sample homogeneity is necessary because of the assumptions of identical production functions and output prices between the groups. Third, a complete covariance model was specified in order to estimate the impact of unionization on each parameter of the production function. In general, the unionized banks were less productive than their nonunion peers. It should be noted, however, that the standard errors were large in all the specifications. Moreover, the labor relations problems associated with one union had a large impact on the sector results.
Research Methods in Child Disaster Studies: A Review of Studies Generated by the September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks; the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami; and Hurricane Katrina

Background A comprehensive review of the design principles and methodological approaches that have been used to make inferences from the research on disasters in children is needed.
Relativity and the spatiality of mental events

I assume the correctness of special relativity for convenience. The local validity of special relativity (i.e., that spacetime is locally flat) would be sufficient. In order to avoid begging the question at issue, I am assuming only that special relativity gives the correct account of the spatial and temporal relations of (non-mental) psysical events. As for P2, I am simply taking it as an obvious fact of experience that mental events occur in the same field of temporal relations as (non-mental) physical events that a pain, for example, can occur ten minutes after a rain storm began but fifteen minutes before the beginning of the late Show.
Modes of business governance: European management styles and corporate cultures

This article examines the role of corporate culture. It highlights the impact that cultural norms and institutional values may play in shaping managerial decision making in German, French, Swedish and British companies. It is argued that corporate culture is crucial to the ability of such organisations to respond to a more integrated, competitive European economy. Rather than assume, as many economics studies have, that businesses are simply ‘black boxes’ which respond to external markets and regulatory forces, this article focuses on the ‘behavioural side’ of business, which has been little touched upon in previous studies of European integration.
Biochemical and genetic dissection of mitotic chromosome condensation

The molecular mechanisms responsible for mitotic chromosome condensation are unknown. Two independent approaches, biochemical studies in vertebrate cells and genetic analyses in yeasts, have converged recently, leading to the identification of a family of putative ATPases that play a fundamental role in this process. Further characterization of these proteins promises to uncover a highly dynamic aspect of mitotic chromosome architecture.
Vascular remodeling and the local delivery of cytochalasin B after coronary angioplasty in humans

Abstract OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the safety, feasibility and outcome of local delivery of cytochalasin B at the site of coronary angioplasty. BACKGROUND Previous failures in the pharmacologic prevention of restenosis may have been related to inadequate dosing at the angioplasty site as a result of systemic drug administration. Alternatively, although previous experimental protocols have typically targeted control of excess tissue growth (intimal hyperplasia), it now appears that overall arterial constriction (vascular remodeling) is the major contributor to late lumen loss. Cytochalasin B inhibits the polymerization of actin and has proved to be a potent inhibitor of vascular remodeling in animal models. METHODS In this phase I, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, cytochalasin B (or matching placebo) was administered to the site of a successful balloon angioplasty using a microporous local delivery infusion balloon. RESULTS The rate of drug delivery at a constant infusion pressure varied significantly from patient to patient (range 1.7 to 20.2 ml/min), perhaps related to a variable constricting effect of the atherosclerotic plaque on the infusion balloon. The minimal stenosis diameter after the procedure was slightly better in the active drug group (1.86 ± 0.44 vs. 1.49 ± 0.63 mm, p CONCLUSIONS Cytochalasin B can be safely administered by local delivery after successful coronary angioplasty and warrants further study of its efficacy in reducing restenosis.
Thin Laser Light Sheet Microscope for Microbial Oceanography

Despite a growing need, oceanographers are limited by existing technological constrains and are unable to observe aquatic microbes in their natural setting. In order to provide a simple and easy to implement solution for such studies, a new Thin Light Sheet Microscope (TLSM) has been developed. The TLSM utilizes a well-defined sheet of laser light, which has a narrow (23 micron) axial dimension over a 1 mm x 1 mm field of view. This light sheet is positioned precisely within the depth of field of the microscope's objective lens. The technique thus utilizes conventional microscope optics but replaces the illumination system. The advantages of the TLSM are two-fold: First, it concentrates light only where excitation is needed, thus maximizing the efficiency of the illumination source. Secondly, the TLSM maximizes image sharpness while at the same time minimizing the level of background noise. Particles that are not located within the objective's depth of field are not illuminated and therefore do not contribute to an out-of-focus image. Images from a prototype system that used SYBR Green I fluorescence stain in order to localize single bacteria are reported. The bacteria were in a relatively large and undisturbed volume of 4ml, which contained natural seawater. The TLSM can be used for fresh water studies of bacteria with no modification. The microscope permits the observation of interactions at the microscale and has potential to yield insights into how microbes structure pelagic ecosystems.
Comparative transcript analyses of the ovule, microspore, and mature pollen in Brassica napus

Transcriptome data for plant reproductive organs/cells currently is very limited as compared to sporophytic tissues. Here, we constructed cDNA libraries and obtained ESTs for Brassica napus pollen (4,864 ESTs), microspores (i.e., early stage pollen development; 6,539 ESTs) and ovules (10,468 ESTs). Clustering and assembly of the 21,871 ESTs yielded a total of 10,782 unigenes, with 3,362 contigs and 7,420 singletons. The pollen transcriptome contained high levels of polygalacturonases and pectinesterases, which are involved in cell wall synthesis and expansion, and very few transcription factors or transcripts related to protein synthesis. The set of genes expressed in mature pollen showed little overlap with genes expressed in ovules or in microspores, suggesting in the latter case that a marked differentiation had occurred from the early microspore stages through to pollen development. Remarkably, the microspores and ovules exhibited a high number of co-expressed genes (N = 1,283) and very similar EST functional profiles, including high transcript numbers for transcriptional and translational processing genes, protein modification genes and unannotated genes. In addition, examination of expression values for genes co-expressed among microspores and ovules revealed a highly statistically significant correlation among these two tissues (R = 0.360, P = 1.2 × 10−40) as well as a lack of differentially expressed genes. Overall, the results provide new insights into the transcriptional profile of rarely studied ovules, the transcript changes during pollen development, transcriptional regulation of pollen tube growth and germination, and describe the parallels in the transcript populations of microspore and ovules which could have implications for understanding the molecular foundation of microspore totipotency in B. napus.
Application of Support Vector Machines to the Classification of Galaxy Morphologies

Classifying galaxies into categories based on their structure has many practical applications in astronomy. In particular, large catalogues of classified galaxy images have been useful in many studies of the universe. However, one of the premier data sources in astronomy, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), does not provide classification information for the 50 million galaxy images it contains. As there are simply too many objects to classify manually, machine learning and classification algorithms are required to automate this process. This research applies the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm to classify galaxy morphologies. The accuracy of the classification is measured on various categories of galaxies from the survey. A three class algorithm is presented that makes use of multiple SVMs. This algorithm is used to assign the categories of spiral, elliptical, and irregular galaxies.