cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistence of hybrid fibers in rat soleus after spinal cord transection

The effects of a chronic (up to 360 days) reduction in neuromuscular activity (defined as electrical activation and loading) on myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression in the rat soleus muscle were studied. A complete mid-thoracic (T7-T8) spinal cord transection (ST) was used to induce a reduction in soleus muscle neuromuscular activity. Electrophoretic analyses revealed that MHC-I was progressively decreased after ST, accounting for approx. 90% of the total soleus MHC in controls and only approx. 12% 1 year after ST. The reductions in the proportion of MHC-I were countered by increases in MHC-IIa and MHC-IIx with the increase in MHC-IIx preceding the increase in MHC-IIa. Curiously, MHC-IIb was expressed only at very low levels. Thus, a complete transformation from predominantly MHC-I to MHC-IIb did not occur. Many fibers (up to approx. 80%) contained multiple MHCs (hybrid fibers) after ST. The proportion of hybrid fibers was maintained at a high level (approx. 50%) 1 year after ST. These data suggest that: 1) a prolonged reduction in neuromuscular activity was not sufficient to induce high level MHC-IIb expression by the soleus muscle; and 2) hybrid fibers were not simply transitional fibers. Thus, it appears that under appropriate conditions hybrid fibers may represent a ‘‘stable’’ fiber phenotype. Anat Rec 255:188‐201, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An improved electronic system for monitoring feeding of aphids

Detailed descriptions and diagrams of an improved electronic system for recording the feeding activity of aphids are presented and compared with previous designs. The most significant improvement involves the use of a sharply tuned 20 Hz high gain amplifier for selectively amplifying the test signal while rejecting other frequencies. This amplifier design and the use of solid-state integrated circuitry has resulted in a compact monitoring unit with a high immunity to extraneous electrical interference.
Gender Identity Disorder in Young Boys: A Parent- and Peer-Based Treatment Protocol:

Gender identity disorder (GID) as a psychiatric category is currently under debate. Because of the psychosocial consequences of childhood GID and the fact that childhood GID, in most cases, appears...
Global Governance over the Long Haul

Wilkinson and Weiss (WW (ii) identifying and explaining both the largest structures of authority in any epoch as well as their interaction with more local systems; (iii) focusing our attention on power, interests, and on ideas—both those through which actors of a particular epoch come to understand their interests and those that reinforce, perhaps legitimately, the systems of authority of the day; and (iv) searching for ways to account for change both within and between epochs. This argument makes a great deal of sense, however “anomalous” (W&W, p. 6) it once may have been to use “global governance” to describe the world before the 1990s. This response illustrates some of the implications of W&W's argument by proposing some hypotheses about global governance across different epochs. That exercise leads me to raise two cautions about W&W's proposed approach: One is about the possibility of accounting for changes within and between epochs with a focus on human powers, interests, and ideas alone. The other is a concern that, even while we investigate global governance across time, we recognize that global governance today is something quite different than ever before. Based on the recent work of archeologists and …
Enzymatic activity of quinonoid dihydropterin reductase and tetrahydropterin content in human ocular tissues and senile cataracts.

Abstract The quinonoid dihydropterin reductase (DHPR) activity and tetrahydropterin content were determined in human ciliary body-iris, retina, normal lens and senile cataracts. The DHPR activity was higher in the retina [120·56±12·46 nmol NADH oxidized min−1 (mg soluble protein)−1] than in the ciliary body-iris [46·10±7·46 nmol NADH oxidized min−1 (mg soluble protein)−1] and lens [2·79±0·15 nmol NADH oxidized min−1 (mg soluble protein)−1]. In the distribution of DHPR activity in the lens, the capsule-epithelium showed 1·5 and 10 times more activity than the cortex and nucleus, respectively. The apparent Km values for each of the substrates of DHPR activity in lens were obtained by Lineweaver-Burke plots. The tetrahydropterin content was found to be higher in the retina [826±76 pmol (g protein)−1] than in the ciliary body-iris [584±48 pmol (g protein)−1] and lens [82±16 pmol (g protein)−1]. The DHPR activity and tetrahydropterin content were decreased significantly in senile cataracts as compared with the values of age-matched clear lenses. The importance of the DHPR activity in the maintenance of tetrahydropterin in its reduced form in ocular tissues is discussed.
Radiopharmaceuticals for Pancreatic Imaging

Over the past few decades cancer of the pancreas has emerged as one of the most important neoplasias in human beings. It now accounts for approximately 20,000 deaths annually in the United States. Diseases of the pancreas are difficult to diagnose by standard clinical or medical imaging techniques. In spite of the introduction of the CT scanner and ultrasonography, there is a lack of suitable diagnostic agents for pancreatic carcinoma which is the most difficult abdominal tumor to diagnose and, in only 30% of autopsied cases, the clinical diagnosis was correct. As the existing diagnostic procedures confirm the pathological condition too late for proper treatment, the prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma is poor. In 1929 acid dyes such as acid fuchsin, fast yellow fluorescein and methyl orange. and basic dyes such as basic fuchsin, methylene blue, rhodomin B. safarino and safrin extra bluish were used to measure pancreatic function, as these dyes concentrated moderately selectively in the pancreas. In this paper, radioisotope labeled agents such as 35 S-methionine, 75 Seselenomethionine, 11 C-methionine radioiodine labeled paraiodo-phenyl alanine, 99 mTc-labeled methionine, 131 Cs-cesium acetate, etc. used to image the pancreas will be presented.
Sociodemographic and Lesbian-Specific Factors Associated with Physical Activity Among Adult Lesbians

Abstract Background Although participation in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) results in health benefits, the majority of adult lesbians are not sufficiently active. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between sociodemographic factors (age, education level, body mass index [BMI], race, partner status, employment status, annual household income, general health status, diagnosis of chronic conditions, children under 18 years living at home) and lesbian-specific factors (connection with the lesbian community, public identification as a lesbian) to participation in MVPA. Methods Participants included 847 self-identified lesbians 18 to 74 years old (Mage = 40.5; SD = 11.6) who completed a 20-minute, web-based survey. Findings The binary logistic regression model that included the 10 demographic factors was significantly associated with MVPA, χ2 (15, N = 847) = 105.62, p Conclusions Future research should extend on this study by utilizing sampling methods that target the recruitment of lesbian women not actively involved in lesbian-related activities.
Estimating thermal degradation kinetics parameters from the endpoints of non-isothermal heat processes or storage

Abstract Where specimen retrieval for chemical analysis is not an option, as during a UHT process, or impeded by logistic considerations as in storage studies, a thermal degradation reaction's kinetic parameters can be estimated from the nutrient's or other compound's final concentrations after three or more known but different non-isothermal temperature histories. Provided the reaction follows fixed yet unknown order kinetics and its rate constant's temperature dependence follows a two-parameter algebraic model, the kinetic parameter estimation can be done by solving three simultaneous equations, themselves being the numerical solutions of three corresponding differential rate equations. In computer simulations of heat sterilization processes and storage under oscillating temperatures that include small experimental scatter, the reaction's kinetic order, its rate at a reference temperature, and the rate's temperature dependence were estimated from the final concentrations and correctly predicted dynamic degradation curves not used in their determination. The method's predictive ability was also tested with published experimental isothermal degradation data on ascorbic acid, patulin, sulforaphane, and thiamine, where the final concentrations at temperatures not used in the parameters determination were estimated from three endpoints. The described method only works where the above mentioned conditions are fully satisfied. Where applicable, it eliminates the need to experimentally determine sets of complete isothermal degradation curves, which might be impractical or too costly.
Are psychological characteristics related to risk of the metabolic syndrome? A review of the literature.

Backround: We evaluate the evidence that depression, anger, hostility, and anxiety are related to risk for the metabolic syndrome, focusing as well on its components of central adiposity and insulin resistance. In addition, we identify possible moderators of these associations and summarize plausible underlying biobehavioral pathways.Methods: Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science searches were conducted using the keywords metabolic syndrome, syndrome x, central adiposity/obesity, visceral adiposity/obesity, body fat distribution, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, insulin resistance/sensitivity, glucose tolerance, psychological, depression, hostility, anger, cynicism, and anxiety.Results: The current literature provides cross-sectional evidence for an association between psychological characteristics and the metabolic syndrome. Prospective data, though limited, suggest that depression, hostility, and anger predict increased risk for the metabolic syndrome. Data on modifiers are too limited to permit definitive conclusions. Negative health behaviors and hypothalamic and sympathetic dysregulation are identified as plausible underlying pathways.Conclusions: More prospective studies, conducted with diverse samples, are needed to delineate the direction of this relationship and the proposed biobehavioral mechanisms; experimental investigations are needed to test for causality. Nevertheless, findings suggest that psychological characteristics, especially depression, hostility, and anger, may increase risk for the metabolic syndrome, providing a novel direction for prevention and treatment interventions.
Influence of Lysine Supplementation on the Reproductive Performance of Turkey Breeders

Abstract THERE is a limited amount of experimental data available on the protein level required by turkey breeders for optimum reproductive performance. Protein requirements varying from 15 to 22 percent have been reported. Atkinson et al. (1960) reported that higher egg production and best feed efficiency were obtained with turkey breeder diets containing 22 percent protein. Carter et al. (1957) found that fertility and hatchability were slightly better with higher protein levels. They compared 16 and 18 percent protein in combination with productive calorie levels of 800, 900, and 1,000 per pound. Robblee and Clandinin (1959) found no advantage for using a 17 percent protein diet over a diet containing 15 percent. Jensen and McGinnis, (1961) using rations as low as 10 percent protein observed no protein deficiency symptoms. They felt that 15 percent protein was adequate for the turkey hen. The difference in protein requirement reported by these authors many…
What can be learned about childhood cancer from "Cancer statistics review 1973-1988".

Background. National data on childhood cancer is becoming more available, but there continues to be a paucity of information, Methods. The 1991 edition of Cancer Statistics Review was scrutinized for information on the status of pediatric cancers in the United States. Results. The evidence indicates that in the United States, cancer among children younger than 15 years of age is increasing in incidence. In this age group, cancer is increasing equally among whites and blacks and among girls and boys. In white children, the increase appears to be largely due to increases in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and tumors of the brain and nervous system, and not to changes in Wilms tumor, soft tissue and bone sarcomas, lymphomas and Hodgkin disease, or other common malignancies of childhood
Acidic Hydrolysis as a Mechanism for the Cleavage of the Glu298 → Asp Variant of Human Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase

The 894G→T polymorphism within exon 7 of the human endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) gene codes for glutamate or aspartate, respectively, at residue 298 and has been associated with several diseases of cardiovascular origin. A recent report indicates that Asp298-eNOS (E298D) is cleaved intracellularly to 100- and 35-kDa fragments, suggesting a mechanism for reduced endothelial function. Here we have documented the precise cleavage site of the E298D variant as a unique aspartyl-prolyl (Asp298–Pro299) bond not seen in wild-type eNOS (Glu298). We show that E298D-eNOS, as isolated from cells and in vitro, is susceptible to acidic hydrolysis, and the 100-kDa fragment can be generated ex vivo by increasing temperature at low pH. Importantly, cleavage of E298D was eliminated using a sample buffer system designed to limit acidic hydrolysis of Asp–Pro bonds. These results argue against intracellular processing of E298D-eNOS and suggest that previously described fragmentation of E298D could be a product of sample preparation. We also found that eNOS turnover, NO production, and the susceptibility to cellular stress were not different in cells expressing WTversus E298D-eNOS. Finally, enzyme activities were identical for the respective recombinant enzymes. Thus, intracellular cleavage mechanisms are unlikely to account for associations between the exon 7 polymorphism and cardiovascular diseases.
Factors regulating the height of spawning ascents in trunk fishes (Ostraciidae)

This study examined the potential causes of the difference in spawning ascent height between two species of trunk fishes, Ostracion meleagris (mean height 3.3 m) and O. whitleyi(mean height 1.5 m), above a coral reef at Johnston Atoll (central Pacific). One hypothesis proposes that ascent height is influenced by the risk of predation, and predicts that species most susceptible to predation should spawn closer to the substrate. Differences in toxicity levels were analysed to assess the potential susceptibility of each species to predation: O. whitleyi was more toxic than O. meleagris, thus refuting the predation-risk hypothesis. A second hypothesis proposes that spawning pairs can use long ascents to avoid disturbances by male conspecifics. During spawning, males were frequently involved in fighting episodes and high rates of male sneaking were observed in O. meleagris, but not for O. whitleyi. Thus, the larger spawning height from the substrate may be an attempt by pairs of O. meleagris to reduce the possibility of interference by other male conspecifics, in support of the male disturbance hypothesis.
Nanovoid deformation in aluminum under simple shear

We analyze the mechanisms underlying the deformation of a nanovoid in an Al crystal subjected to cyclic shear deformation using numerical simulations. Boundary and cell-size effects have been minimized by means of the quasicontinuum method. The deformation of the void entails a noticeable reduction in volume. During the loading phase, our analysis reveals several stages of stress buildup separated by yield points. The main mechanisms underlying the deformation of the crystal are: glide of primary and secondary partial dislocation loops with mixed edge-screw character; intersection of primary and secondary loops to form jogs and junctions; cross-slip; and dislocation multiplication and annihilation. Cross-slip occurs by the Fleischer mechanism and not by the more commonly assumed Friedel–Escaig mechanism. During unloading, most of the dislocation population and void volume reduction is recovered by re-absorption of dislocation loops and annihilation mediated by cross slip. However, a residual dislocation density remains around the void at the end of the unloading process.
Fatiguing exercise reduces DNA binding activity of NF-κB in skeletal muscle nuclei

This study tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle contraction activates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a putative regulator of muscle protein breakdown. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastu...
Deconstructing Visual Scenes in Cortex: Gradients of Object and Spatial Layout Information

Real-world visual scenes are complex cluttered, and heterogeneous stimuli engaging scene- and object-selective cortical regions including parahippocampal place area (PPA), retrosplenial complex (RSC), and lateral occipital complex (LOC). To understand the unique contribution of each region to distributed scene representations, we generated predictions based on a neuroanatomical framework adapted from monkey and tested them using minimal scenes in which we independently manipulated both spatial layout (open, closed, and gradient) and object content (furniture, e.g., bed, dresser). Commensurate with its strong connectivity with posterior parietal cortex, RSC evidenced strong spatial layout information but no object information, and its response was not even modulated by object presence. In contrast, LOC, which lies within the ventral visual pathway, contained strong object information but no background information. Finally, PPA, which is connected with both the dorsal and the ventral visual pathway, showed information about both objects and spatial backgrounds and was sensitive to the presence or absence of either. These results suggest that 1) LOC, PPA, and RSC have distinct representations, emphasizing different aspects of scenes, 2) the specific representations in each region are predictable from their patterns of connectivity, and 3) PPA combines both spatial layout and object information as predicted by connectivity.
Evaluation of human polyomavirus BK as a potential cause of villitis of unknown etiology and spontaneous abortion

Polyomavirus BK (BKV) is a widely latent pathogen in man. Although viral reactivation during pregnancy has been demonstrated, and polyomaviruses have been linked to chromosomal abnormalities, a pathogenic role for BKV in fetoplacental disease has not been explored. We performed in situ hybridization studies with BKV probes on cases of villitis of unknown etiology (102), diffuse villitis (25), and spontaneous abortion (22). We found no evidence that BKV plays a role in the pathogenesis of these common fetoplacental disorders.
Small-molecule inhibition of bacterial two-component systems to combat antibiotic resistance and virulence

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are a considerable and increasing global problem. The development of new antibiotics is not keeping pace with the rapid evolution of resistance to almost all clinically available drugs, and novel strategies are required to fight bacterial infections. One such strategy is the control of pathogenic behaviors, as opposed to simply killing bacteria. Bacterial two-component system (TCS) signal transduction pathways control many pathogenic bacterial behaviors, such as virulence, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance and are, therefore, an attractive target for the development of new drugs. This review presents an overview of TCS that are potential targets for such a strategy, describes small-molecules inhibitors of TCS identified to date and discusses assays for the identification of novel inhibitors. The future perspective for the identification and use of inhibitors of TCS to potentially provide new therapeutic options for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections is discussed.
The Unraveling of the Union-Capital Truce and the U.S. Industrial Productivity Crisis

This paper historically and econometrically explores the hypothesis that the productivity slowdown is in part due to the secular increase in industrial conflict, and that this increase derives from the unraveling of the postwar structure of union-management relations (or truce) and historically low unemployment. The empirical investigation of conflict outside the truce and secular productivity growth provides statistical evidence for this hypothesis.
A Surrogate Leaf for Oviposition by the Tobacco Hornworm

A surrogate leaf for oviposition developed for Manduca sexta (Johannson) compared favorably with host plants, wild moths preferred the surrogate leaves treated with tobacco extract to those treated with tomato extract, but otherwise the responses of wild and colony moths were similar. A comparison between artificial and winter-grown plants indicated that a relationship existed between plant vigor and the oviposition response of tobacco hornworm moths.
Silence speaks volumes: Parental sexual communication among asian american emerging adults

Although parents greatly influence children’s early understandings of sexuality, little is known about how sexual communication transpires in Asian American families. Accordingly, the authors examined the amount and type of parental sexual communication recalled by 165 Asian American college students. Parents were perceived as providing very little information about a range of sexual topics. Communication was most minimal from fathers, among sons, and in homes marked with language barriers. At the same time, however, most participants could recall receiving restrictive sexual messages, in particular, daughters and participants having less acculturated parents. Qualitative results shed light on the specific types of sexual messages that parents provided. Together, results suggest that Asian American parents use implicit and nonverbal ways to communicate their sexual values.
Clinical significance of the length of the pterygopalatine fissure in dental anesthesia.

Abstract Objective: This study determined the average length of the pterygopalatine fissure by using human cadavers. Recommendations are made to improve the success of maxillary nerve block injections. Material And Methods: Pterygopalatine fissures were dissected, exposing the maxillary nerve trunk in 47 human cadavers. The length of the fissure was measured from the maxillary nerve to the buccal sulcus. The angle between the fissure and the occlusal plane was also recorded. Results: The average fissure length was 36.7 mm, making an approximately 60° angle to the occlusal plane. Fissures from females were statistically significantly shorter than those from males. There was no difference with respect to ethnic group. Cadaver length was the best predictor of fissure length. Conclusions: Depth of penetration with a needle that is longer than that normally available is necessary to predictably ensure a successful maxillary nerve block. (ORAL Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;92:325-8)
The multidirectional bending properties of the human lumbar intervertebral disc.

Abstract Background context While the biomechanical properties of the isolated intervertebral disc have been well studied in the three principal anatomic directions of flexion/extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending, there is little data on the properties in the more functional directions that are combinations of these principal anatomic directions. Purpose To determine the bending flexibility, range of motion (ROM), and neutral zone (NZ) of the human lumbar disc in multiple directions and to determine if the values about the combined moment axes can be predicted from the values about principal moment axes. Study design/setting Three-dimensional biomechanical analysis of the elastic bending properties of human lumbar discs about principal and combined moment axes. Methods Pure, unconstrained moments were applied about multiple axes. The bending properties (flexibility, ROM, and NZ) of isolated lumbar discs (n=4 for L2/L3 and n=3 for L4/L5) were determined in the six principal directions and in 20 combined directions. The experimental values were compared with those predicted from the linear combination of the six principal moment axes. Results The maximum and minimum values of the biomechanical properties were found at the principal moment axes. Among combined moment axes, ROM and NZ (but not flexibility) values were predicted from the principal moment axis values. Conclusions The principal moment axes coincide with the primary mechanical axes of the intervertebral disc and demonstrate significant differences in direction for values of flexibility, ROM, and NZ. Not all combined moment axis values can be predicted from principal moment axis values.
Queering the Adult Gaze: Young Male Hustlers and Their Alliances with Older Gay Men

Based on ethnographic data collected at a gay bar with sexual minority youths as dancers or strippers, this study calls attention to the gazes through which adults view and position male youths. It highlights a dancer named Austin, who at times engaged in the underground hustling economy centered in the bar. The findings suggest that the social assets he developed allowed Austin to leverage certain advantages. An argument is presented for rethinking (or queering) the use of the administrative gaze of professionals who work with sexual minority youths. Implications for educators, youth workers, and researchers are discussed.
Joint-level kinetic redundancy is exploited to control limb-level forces during human hopping

Compensatory mechanisms can take advantage of neuromechanical redundancy to meet global task goals in spite of local injuries or perturbations. We hypothesized that joint-level kinetic redundancy is also exploited during intact, unperturbed human locomotion to accomplish limb-level force goals. The limb-level force goals of hopping in place at a constant frequency are minimizing cycle-to-cycle variance of vertical ground reaction force and varying horizontal (fore-aft) ground reaction force to make backward and forward corrections in position from cycle to cycle. Uncontrolled Manifold analysis of joint torque variance showed that hoppers exploited redundancy to minimize vertical force variance at landing, mid-stance, and takeoff, and to vary horizontal force at landing and takeoff. Timing fluctuations, however, increased vertical force variance. We conclude that joint torque variance is not random noise, but has functional relevance and is purposefully structured to meet specific locomotor goals.
Identifying obstacles in the shift to electronic media by professional societies: a Delphi study of the IEEE

A Delphi panel of 30 experts and stakeholders of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) was formed in order to assess the impact of IEEE's shift to electronic communication and information dissemination. The panel designed to reflect the organization's diverse areas of interests, included representatives from IEEE's leadership, staff, membership and customers, across a wide range of geographical location, technical field of interest, and leadership experience with IEEE. The Round One survey, which used as a framework IEEE's 1993 strategic plan, revealed a positive disposition on the part of the panel toward increased use of electronic communication and information dissemination by IEEE. Content analysis of the Round One responses, however, revealed 71 obstacles to IEEE's increased utilization of electronic media. These obstacles include characteristics of IEEE as technology initiator, individual and organizational adopters, electronic media technology, the environment, and outcomes.
Opportunistic use of radio-frequency spectrum: a network perspective

We address opportunistic use of RF spectrum for communication among frequency-agile nodes composing a network, under the assumptions that the network and its environment are time-varying and users external to the network may have precedence in access and use of certain frequencies under certain conditions. We consider three different frequency assignment problems: (1) finding a common broadcast frequency for a set of nodes, (2) finding a frequency assignment for node pairs that permit interference-free communication, and (3) finding a frequency assignment that enables direct communication between an arbitrary pair of nodes. In all cases, the assignments should yield channels of sufficient quality to permit formation of a connected network and to transport traffic according to services desired, and should not cause unacceptable interference at other users. To solve each problem, we offer both a centralized algorithm that uses global information and a distributed algorithm that uses local information, and we discuss the performance of each
Elementary scattering theory of the Si MOSFET

A simple one-flux scattering theory of the silicon MOSFET is introduced. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics are expressed in terms of scattering parameters rather than a mobility. For long-channel transistors, the results reduce to conventional drift-diffusion theory, but they also apply to devices in which the channel length is comparable to or even shorter than the mean-free-path. The results indicate that for very short channels the transconductance is limited by carrier injection from the source. The theory also indicates that evaluation of the drain current in short-channel MOSFETs is a near-equilibrium transport problem, even though the channel electric field is large in magnitude and varies rapidly in space.
Smart, useful, scary, creepy: perceptions of online behavioral advertising

We report results of 48 semi-structured interviews about online behavioral advertising (OBA). We investigated non-technical users' attitudes about and understanding of OBA, using participants' expectations and beliefs to explain their attitudes. Participants found OBA to be simultaneously useful and privacy invasive. They were surprised to learn that browsing history is currently used to tailor advertisements, yet they were aware of contextual targeting.Our results identify mismatches between participants' mental models and current approaches for providing users with notice and choice about OBA. Participants misinterpreted icons intended to notify them about behavioral targeting and expected that they could turn to their browser or antivirus software to control OBA. Participants had strong concerns about data collection, and the majority of participants believed that advertisers collect personally identifiable information. They also misunderstood the role of advertising networks, basing their opinions of an advertising network on that company's non-advertising activities. Participants' attitudes towards OBA were complex and context-dependent. While many participants felt tailored advertising could benefit them, existing notice and choice mechanisms are not effectively reaching users.
From the Editor: “Building a Better Teacher” in Early Childhood Education

On June 16 of this year, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation announced the creation of the Woodrow Wilson Academy for Teaching and Learning, a competency-based alternative teacher education program. Nota...
Influence of Fat-Hippo and Notch signaling on the proliferation and differentiation of Drosophila optic neuroepithelia

The Drosophila optic lobe develops from neuroepithelial cells, which function as symmetrically dividing neural progenitors. We describe here a role for the Fat-Hippo pathway in controlling the growth and differentiation of Drosophila optic neuroepithelia. Mutation of tumor suppressor genes within the pathway, or expression of activated Yorkie, promotes overgrowth of neuroepithelial cells and delays or blocks their differentiation; mutation of yorkie inhibits growth and accelerates differentiation. Neuroblasts and other neural cells, by contrast, appear unaffected by Yorkie activation. Neuroepithelial cells undergo a cell cycle arrest before converting to neuroblasts; this cell cycle arrest is regulated by Fat-Hippo signaling. Combinations of cell cycle regulators, including E2f1 and CyclinD, delay neuroepithelial differentiation, and Fat-Hippo signaling delays differentiation in part through E2f1. We also characterize roles for Jak-Stat and Notch signaling. Our studies establish that the progression of neuroepithelial cells to neuroblasts is regulated by Notch signaling, and suggest a model in which Fat-Hippo and Jak-Stat signaling influence differentiation by their acceleration of cell cycle progression and consequent impairment of Delta accumulation, thereby modulating Notch signaling. This characterization of Fat-Hippo signaling in neuroepithelial growth and differentiation also provides insights into the potential roles of Yes-associated protein in vertebrate neural development and medullablastoma.
Photonic Applications of Bipolaron Formation in Bis-(Diphenylamino)Diphenylpolyene

Bis-(dialkylamino) and bis-(diphenylamino) substituted diphenylpolyenes have recently been shown to have exceptionally large two-photon cross-sections, and have also been used in optical power limiting (OPL) applications. Another potential mechanism for OPL in these materials involves the photogeneration of highly absorbing polaronic radical-cations or bipolaronic dications which can then function as highly absorbing reverse saturable absorbers (RSAs). The synthesis of series of these unique polyenes has been carried out, as well as studies of chemically induced bipolaron formation in solution. In order to actually be used in OPL devices, it is probable that these chromophores will need to be incorporated into polymer formulations, In this paper we describe three distinct ways that these chromophores can be incorporated in polymer structures: (1) as pendant groups attached to a PMMA backbone, (2) as formal repeat units in a copolymer, and (3) perhaps the most interesting, as surface attached functionalities in dendrimer formulations. The formation of bipolaron charge species in these polymers will be addressed.
Shared virtual memory and generalized speedup

Generalized speedup is defined as parallel speed over sequential speed. In this paper the generalized speedup and its relation with other existing performance metrics, such as traditional speedup, efficiency, scalability, etc., are carefully studied. In terms of the introduced asymptotic speed, it is shown that the difference between the generalized speedup and the traditional speedup lies in the definition of the efficiency of uniprocessor processing, which is a very important issue in shared virtual memory machines. A scientific application has been implemented on a KSR-1 parallel computer. Experimental and theoretical results show that the generalized speedup is distinct from the traditional speedup and provides a more reasonable measurement. In the study of different speedups, various causes of superlinear speedup are also presented. >
ON THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL COHOMOLOGY

We examine the question of whether the support of an arbitrary local coho- mology module of a finitely generated module over a Noetherian ring with support in a given ideal must be closed in the Zariski topology. Several results giving an armative answer to this question are given; in particular, we show that the support is closed when the given ideal has cohomological dimension at most two or the ambient ring is local of dimension at most four.
Continental Shelf Waves: Low-Frequency Variations in Sea Level and Currents Over the Oregon Continental Shelf

Abstract Sea level variations and currents on the Oregon continental shelf exhibit wavelike characteristics in a frequency band from approximately 0.15 to 0.45 cycle per day (cpd). Shelf wave dispersion curves and eigenfunctions for the Oregon continental shelf profile computed using a numerical technique are compared with a low-frequency (∼0.03–0.75 cpd) spectral analysis of the current, sea level, and atmospheric pressure records. In a narrow band around 0.22 cpd the current, sea level relationship is consistent with the predicted values for free barotropic continental shelf waves.
Two layer metamaterials for selective frequency transmission in the terahertz region (Presentation Recording)

We have fabricated a metamaterial tunable filter for dynamic frequency selection in the terahertz region. The metamaterial consists of a sandwich of two meta-surfaces grown on high resistivity silicon wafers. The first meta-surface consists of a two-dimensional array of gold double split ring resonators and the second meta-surface consisits of an array of gold cut rods. Both meta-surfaces are fabricated for a response in the terahertz region. Our terahertz pulses are produced using the standard Austin switch technique. The terahertz pulse is focused onto the two meta-surfaces which are sandwiched together to produce a transmission window. Together, with the right orientation, translation, and parallelism of the two meta-surfaces, we achieve filtering of terahertz pulses. Since the unit cells for the inclusions are on the order of 100 microns, control of the translation, orientation, and parallelism of the two meta-surfaces with respect to each other and with respect to the orientation and direction of the impinging terahertz field is a challenge. We describe our technique for doing this and present data on our frequency filtering in the terahertz.
Detection of Exosomal miRNAs in the Plasma of Melanoma Patients

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of 22-25 nucleotide RNAs that control gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs have potential as cancer biomarkers. Melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer accounting for almost 4% of cancers among men and women, and ~80% of skin cancer-related deaths in the US. In the present study we analyzed plasma-derived exosomal miRNAs from clinically affected and unaffected familial melanoma patients (CDKN2A/p16 gene carriers) and compared them with affected (nonfamilial melanoma) and unaffected control subjects in order to identify novel risk biomarkers for melanoma. Intact miRNAs can be isolated from the circulation because of their presence in exosomes. A number of differentially regulated miRNAs identified by NanoString human V2 miRNA array were validated by quantitative PCR. Significantly, miR-17, miR-19a, miR-21, miR-126, and miR-149 were expressed at higher levels in patients with metastatic sporadic melanoma as compared with familial melanoma patients or unaffected control subjects. Surprisingly, no substantial differences in miRNA expression were detected between familial melanoma patients (all inclusive) and unaffected control subjects. The miRNAs differentially expressed in the different patient cohorts, especially in patients with metastatic melanoma, may play important roles in tumor progression and metastasis, and may be used as predictive biomarkers to monitor remission as well as relapse following therapeutic intervention.
The CASES Approach to Ethics Consultation: The Centrality of the Ethics Question

If we were the ethics consultants called to respond to this ethical dilemma, as members of local and national Veterans Affairs (VA) ethics consultation services, we would have the advantage, and th...
Comparison of Caribbean Coral Reef Communities before and after Plio-Pleistocene Faunal Turnover: Analyses of Two Dominican Republic Reef Sequences

Abstract The extent to which origination and selective extinction influenced the structure and dynamics of Caribbean coral reef communities is evaluated by comparing the diversity and distributional patterns of coral species in two Dominican Republic reef sequences prior to and following late Cenozoic Caribbean faunal turnover. The two sequences consist of the late Miocene Arroyo Bellaco reef of the Cibao Valley, northern Dominican Republic, and the late Pleistocene 125-ka reef terrace of the southern Dominican Republic. Samples were collected along 20-meter transects (10 Miocene, 10 Pleistocene); species identifications were made using standard sets of characters and morphometrics. In particular, species of Montastraea annularis-like corals were distinguished within each sequence using a 2-dimensional landmark technique involving average linkage cluster analysis, discriminant analyses, and non-parametric tests. Four Miocene and four Pleistocene species were recognized. Subsequent community analysis was t...
Ruxolitinib synergizes with DMF to kill via BIM+BAD-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and via reduced SOD2/TRX expression and ROS

// Mehrad Tavallai 1 , Laurence Booth 1 , Jane L. Roberts 1 , William P. McGuire 2 , Andrew Poklepovic 2 and Paul Dent 1 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA 2 Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA Correspondence to: Paul Dent, email: // Keywords : ruxolitinib, JAK-STAT, DMF, tecfidera, ROS Received : January 28, 2016 Accepted : February 29, 2016 Published : March 15, 2016 Abstract We determined whether the myelofibrosis drug ruxolitinib, an inhibitor of Janus kinases 1/2 (JAK1 and JAK2), could interact with the multiple sclerosis drug dimethyl-fumarate (DMF) to kill tumor cells; studies used the in vivo active form of the drug, mono-methyl fumarate (MMF). Ruxolitinib interacted with MMF to kill brain, breast, lung and ovarian cancer cells, and enhanced the lethality of standard of care therapies such as paclitaxel and temozolomide. MMF also interacted with other FDA approved drugs to kill tumor cells including Celebrex ® and Gilenya ® . The combination of [ruxolitinib + MMF] inactivated ERK1/2, AKT, STAT3 and STAT5; reduced expression of MCL-1, BCL-XL, SOD2 and TRX; increased BIM expression; decreased BAD S112 S136 phosphorylation; and enhanced pro-caspase 3 cleavage. Expression of activated forms of STAT3, MEK1 or AKT each significantly reduced drug combination lethality; prevented BAD S112 S136 dephosphorylation and decreased BIM expression; and preserved TRX, SOD2, MCL-1 and BCL-XL expression. The drug combination increased the levels of reactive oxygen species in cells, and over-expression of TRX or SOD2 prevented drug combination tumor cell killing. Over-expression of BCL-XL or knock down of BAX, BIM, BAD or apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) protected tumor cells. The drug combination increased AIF : HSP70 co-localization in the cytosol but this event did not prevent AIF : eIF3A association in the nucleus.
The tolerance of normal and phlorhizinized dogs for acetoacetic acid

Intravenous injections of neutral freshly aerated sodium acetoacetate solutions, injected into dogs at a constant rate and over a long period of time, showed that the tolerance for acetoacetate is very great. Acetoacetate is almost completely tolerated (i. e., disappears) in normal dogs when injected at a rate up to 5 or 6 millimols per kilo body weight per hour, the amount disposed of (oritolerated) being roughly proportional to the amount injected. A small portion of that injected is excreted as B-oxybutyric acid and acetoacetic acid in the urine, in the ration of from 1:1 to 2:1, and as acetone in exhaled air. Long continued phlorhizination and starvation does not abolish the tolerance, but does decrease it about 30 to 50 per cent below the normal. Injection of insulin into a phlorhizinized dog caused an immediate increase of tolerance which became normal in about three hours.
Design and Tool Flow of IBM's TrueNorth: an Ultra-Low Power Programmable Neurosynaptic Chip with 1 Million Neurons

Developing scalable real-time systems that can simultaneously process massive amounts of noisy multi-sensory data, while being energy efficient, is a dominant challenge in the new era of cognitive computing. Low-power, flexible neurosynaptic architectures offer tremendous promise in this area. To this end, we developed TrueNorth, a 65mW brain-inspired processor that implements a non-von Neumann, parallel, distributed, event-driven, modular, scalable, defect-tolerant architecture. With 4096 neurosynaptic cores, the TrueNorth chip contains 1 million digital neurons and 256 million synapses tightly interconnected by an event-driven routing infrastructure. The fully digital 5.4 billion transistor implementation leverages existing CMOS scaling trends, while ensuring one-to-one correspondence between hardware and software.Given that the TrueNorth architecture breaks path with prevailing architectures, conventional tool flows could not be used for the design. Therefore, we developed a novel design methodology that includes mixed asynchronous-synchronous circuits, interfaces, and a complete tool flow for building an event-driven, low-power neurosynaptic chip. Further, we have adapted existing VLSI CAD placement tools for mapping logical neural networks to the physical core locations on the TrueNorth chip to reduce the network's communication energy.The TrueNorth chip's low power consumption is ideal for use not only in large-scale computationally intensive applications, but also for embedded battery-powered mobile applications. The chip is fully configurable in terms of connectivity and neural parameters to allow custom configurations for a wide range of cognitive and sensory perception applications. We have successfully demonstrated the use of TrueNorth chips in multiple applications, including visual object recognition, with higher performance and orders of magnitude lower power than the same algorithms run on von Neumann architectures.
The Temperature Dependence of Yield Stress and Fracture Toughness in Unstabilized Zirconia Crystals

The flexural strength and the single edge notch beam fracture toughness of undoped ZrO 2 crystals, grown by the skull melting technique, were examined from room temperature to 1400°C. On heating the toughness increased with test temperature to a maximum of 4.0 MPajm at 1225°C then gradually decreased to 2.6 MPa/m. Upon cooling after a 20 minute hold at 1250°C an increase in toughness to 5 MPa/m was observed at 1200°C; upon cooling to lower temperatures Kic gradually diminished. The loaddeflection curves for the flexural strength tests showed marked nonlinearity before failure for samples tested on cooling. The temperature dependence of the apparent yield stress suggests that initial yielding occurs by slip above 1200°C but that from 1200°C to 1050°C the observed yielding is due to stress induced tetragonal to monoclinic transformation.
X-ray Transparent Microfluidic Chip for Mesophase-Based Crystallization of Membrane Proteins and On-Chip Structure Determination

Crystallization from lipidic mesophase matrices is a promising route to diffraction-quality crystals and structures of membrane proteins. The microfluidic approach reported here eliminates two bottlenecks of the standard mesophase-based crystallization protocols: (i) manual preparation of viscous mesophases and (ii) manual harvesting of often small and fragile protein crystals. In the approach reported here, protein-loaded mesophases are formulated in an X-ray transparent microfluidic chip using only 60 nL of the protein solution per crystallization trial. The X-ray transparency of the chip enables diffraction data collection from multiple crystals residing in microfluidic wells, eliminating the normally required manual harvesting and mounting of individual crystals. We validated our approach by on-chip crystallization of photosynthetic reaction center, a membrane protein from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, followed by solving its structure to a resolution of 2.5 A using X-ray diffraction data collected on-chip under ambient conditions. A moderate conformational change in hydrophilic chains of the protein was observed when comparing the on-chip, room temperature structure with known structures for which data were acquired under cryogenic conditions.
Generation and phenotype of cell lines derived from CF and non-CF mice that carry the H-2Kb-tsA58transgene

Tracheal, renal, salivary, and pancreatic epithelial cells from cystic fibrosis [CF; cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) −/−] and non-CF mice that carry a temperature-sensiti...