cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of nitric oxide synthesis inhibition on mesenteric perfusion in young pigs

We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) modulates postprandial hyperemia in young pigs. To test this hypothesis, we studied five groups of 3-wk-old pigs: group 1: milk fed, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and L-arginine (L-Arg) treated (n = 10); group 2: milk fed, placebo treated (n = 8); group 3: water fed, L-NMMA and L-Arg treated (n = 6); group 4: water fed, placebo treated (n = 4); and group 5: fasted sham fed, L-NMMA and L-Arg treated (n = 6). After catheter placement and electromagnetic flow probe instrumentation of the mesenteric artery, systemic blood pressure and mesenteric artery blood flow were measured during preprandial baseline, postprandial, and postprandial intra-arterial L-NMMA- and L-Arg-infused study periods. The same measurements were made in the milk- and water-fed placebo-treated groups except that diluent replaced the L-NMMA and L-Arg infusions. In the milk- and water-fed placebo-treated groups, a significant (analysis of variance, P < 0.05), postprandial hyperemia was observed. The change in blood flow was greater (P < 0.05) in the milk-fed group than in the water-fed group. Inhibition of NO synthesis with L-NMMA diminished (P < 0.05) the hyperemic responses to both water and milk feeding and resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in mesenteric artery perfusion in the fasted sham-fed state. We conclude that, in young pigs, NO is a modulator of mesenteric vascular tone in both the postprandial and fasted states.
Effect of Nitric Acid Vapor on the Response to Inhaled Ozone

AbstractStudies concerned with the adverse health effects of acidic atmospheres have focused primarily on sulfuric acid aerosols and other acid sulfates. Little information is available on the health effects of nitric acid (HNO3), an important atmospheric pollutant in southern California. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to nitric acid vapor, alone and in combination with ozone (O3), on the rat lung. Groups of rats were exposed once for 4 h to purified air, 0.6 ppm O3, 7.0 mg/m3 HNO3 or 0.6 ppm O3 plus 1.0 mg/m3 HNO3. Other rats were exposed for 4 days, 4 h/day to purified air, 0.15 ppm O3 0.25 mg/m3 HNO3, or 0.15 ppm O3 plus 0.25 mg/m3 HNO3 The animals were lavaged 18 h after exposure, and cells and fluid were assayed for changes in lavage cell population and lavage fluid protein content, pulmonary macrophage respiratory burst activity and leuko-triene production, and elastase inhibitory capacity of lavage fluid. A separate series of rats was lavaged 2 h after exposure...
Incumbents and Challengers on a Level Playing Field: Assessing the Impact of Campaign Finance in Brazil

This article assesses the impact of campaign spending on incumbent and challenger vote shares in elections to the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. I argue that incumbents and challengers gain equally from campaign spending. This contrasts with the prominent argument about U.S. House elections that incumbents gain little from spending while challengers gain a great deal. In the U.S., incumbents gain little because being in office generates significant name recognition and additional spending suffers quickly from diminishing returns. In contrast, challengers gain a lot because they start the campaign from scratch. In Brazil, because incumbency provides fewer benefits than in the U.S., both incumbents and challengers must spend money to increase their name recognition and both benefit from spending. My findings imply that campaign spending limits in Brazil would encourage rather than restrict competition, and they point to the importance of assessing the relative advantages of incumbency when assessing the imp...
Fine‐needle aspiration of a well‐differentiated papillary mesothelioma in the inguinal hernia sac: A case report and review of literature

Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM) is an uncommon subtype of epithelioid mesothelioma. In contrast to malignant epithelioid mesothelioma, WDPM has a low malignant potential and an indolent clinical course. WDPM may be difficult to diagnose and differentiate from benign reactive mesothelial cells and other malignant neoplasm on cytology specimens due to the presence of papillary or tubulopapillary clusters of tumor cells. We report a case of a 63-year-old Asian male with a slowly growing left inguinal hernia mass for several years and a concurrent 8 cm mass in the peritoneal wall. The cytology of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the left inguinal hernia and peritoneal masse reveal cellular specimens with numerous individual and tubulopapillary clusters of epithelioid mesothelial cells in a background of scant hyalinized material. Tumor cells show minimal cytological atypia. The differential diagnoses are broad and include reactive mesothelial cells, WDPM, and other malignant neoplasm. The follow-up surgical resection of masses reveals features of WDMP. It is important to recognize this entity in the differential diagnosis, because the clinical management of WDPM is quite different from that of malignant neoplasm. On the basis of the published data in the literature, it suggests that in male patients, the WDPM occurs predominantly in pleural cavity of older men in their 50s, and about half of the patients have history of asbestos exposure. However, the data is limited and insufficient for a definitive conclusion.
Sub-weekly to interannual variability of a high-energy shoreline

Abstract Sixty-one Global Positioning System (GPS), sub-aerial beach surveys were completed at 7 km long Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA (USA), between April 2004 and March 2009. The five-year time series contains over 1 million beach elevation measurements and documents detailed changes in beach morphology over a variety of spatial, temporal, and physical forcing scales. Results show that seasonal processes dominate at Ocean Beach, with the seasonal increase and decrease in wave height being the primary driver of shoreline change. Storm events, while capable of causing large short-term changes in the shoreline, did not singularly account for a large percentage of the overall observed change. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis shows that the first two modes account for approximately three-quarters of the variance in the data set and are represented by the seasonal onshore/offshore movement of sediment (60%) and the multi-year trend of shoreline rotation (14%). The longer-term trend of shoreline rotation appears to be related to larger-scale bathymetric change. An EOF-based decomposition technique is developed that is capable of estimating the shoreline position to within one standard deviation of the range of shoreline positions observed at most locations along the beach. The foundation of the model is the observed relationship between the temporal amplitudes of the first EOF mode and seasonally-averaged offshore wave height as well as the linear trend of shoreline rotation. This technique, while not truly predictive because of the requirement of real-time wave data, is useful because it can predict shoreline position to within reasonable confidence given the absence of field data once the model is developed at a particular site.
Aminium cation radical mechanism proposed for monoamine oxidase B catalysis : are there alternatives ?

1. The interaction of bovine liver mitochondrial monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) with a series of benzylamine analogues was investigated to provide mechanistic information relative to the proposed cation radical mechanism and to provide information on the structural requirements of the substrate binding site.2. Steady-state kinetic analysis of MAO B with 11 ring-substituted benzylamine analogues showed substitution does not alter the reaction pathway. All amine analogues tested exhibit sizeable deuterium kinetic isotope effects.3. Anaerobic stopped-flow kinetic studies showed (1) C-H bond cleavage is rate-limiting in enzyme-bound flavin reduction and (2) that no specially detectable flavin radicals are observed.4. The binding affinity of para-substituted benzylamine analogues to MAO B increased as the hydrophobicity of the substituent increased. In contrast, meta-substitution of the ring showed reduced affinity with an increase in the van der Waals volume of the substituent.5. The rate of enzyme reduction by ...
Electron emission from direct bandgap heterojunction capacitors

The rate of emission of electrons from an inversion layer at the interface between p-type GaAs and undoped Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As (x=0.38) is measured using a transient capacitance technique at temperatures from 49.8 to 84.4 K and at various gate biases. A model based on physical mechanisms is developed that accurately describes the inversion charge leakage. The model parameters are adjusted within their limits of uncertainty to obtain the optimal fit of present theory to experiment. The fit results in estimation of delta E/sub c/=0.28 eV and tunneling effective mass m*=0.08 m/sup O/, for Al/sub 0.38/Ga/sub 0.62/As. The model is used to predict the storage characteristics of similar devices with lower GaAs doping and with an alternate barrier material. >
Endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy: Theory, technique, and patency†‡

Ostial obstruction is a major factor in the pathogenesis of sinusitis. Detailed diagnostic evaluation in patients with maxillary sinusitis demonstrates the prominence of disease in the ethmoidal infundibulum and in adjacent ethmoid cells. Surgical procedures performed to improve maxillary sinusitis by inferior meatal antrostomy leave residual disease in the ostiomeatal area and may result in persistent mucociliary obstruction. Historically, the possibility of closure following ostial manipulation and the importance of dependent drainage of the maxillary sinus have been cited as arguments against the middle meatal approach. In this study of middle meatal antrostomies the patency rate was 98% between 4 and 32 months. The postoperative endoscopic findings and symptomatic improvement suggest that mucociliary clearance occurs through the surgically widened ostium. We conclude that endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy does not lead to ostial stenosis.
PRINCIPAL DIFFERENTIAL IDEALS AND A GENERIC INVERSE DIFFERENTIAL GALOIS PROBLEM FOR GLn

ABSTRACT We characterize the principal differential ideals of a polynomial ring in indeterminates with coefficients in the ring of differential polynomials in indeterminates and derivation given by a “general” element of and use this characterization to construct a generic Picard-Vessiot extension for . In the case when the differential base field has finite transcendence degree over its field of constants we provide necessary and sufficient conditions for solving the inverse differential Galois problem for these groups via specialization from our generic extension.
On the Stability of Web Crawling and Web Search

In this paper, we analyze a graph-theoretic property motivated by web crawling. We introduce a notion of stable cores, which is the set of web pages that are usually contained in the crawling buffer when the buffer size is smaller than the total number of web pages. We analyze the size of core in a random graph model based on the bounded Pareto power law distribution. We prove that a core of significant size exists for a large range of parameters 2 < α< 3 for the power law.
Trends in the risks and benefits to patients with cancer participating in phase 1 clinical trials.

ContextIn the past, cancer patients entering phase 1 studies confronted the prospects of high risk and unlikely benefit. Over the last decade, cancer drugs under development have become more targeted, and the clinical research environment has become more scrutinized. The impact of these changes on the risks and benefits to patients who participate in phase 1 cancer trials is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine trends in the rates of treatment-related (toxic) death, objective response, and serious toxicity and to identify factors associated with these outcomes.Data SourcesWe searched abstracts and journal articles reporting the results of phase 1 cancer treatment trials originally submitted to annual meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) from 1991 through 2002.Study SelectionWe focused on published single-agent trials that enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors and excluded studies testing agents already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration at the time of the ASCO presentation.Data ExtractionMultiple observers independently extracted information on trial design, location, sponsorship, types of tumors treated, drug class, route of administration, and clinical outcomes.Data SynthesisThe overall toxic death rate for 213 studies (involving 6474 cancer patients) published in peer-reviewed journals was 0.54%, while the overall objective response rate was 3.8%. Toxic death rates decreased over the study period, from 1.1% over the first 4 years of the study (1991-1994) to 0.06% over the most recent 4-year period (1999-2002) (P<.01). Response rates also decreased but by proportionally much less. After adjusting for characteristics of the experimental trials and the investigational agents, the odds of a patient dying from an experimental treatment while participating in a trial submitted during the most recent 4-year period were less than one tenth those of a patient participating in a trial submitted during the first 4-year period (odds ratio, 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.67; P = .009). In comparison, the adjusted odds of a patient experiencing an objective response over the same time periods decreased by approximately half (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.66; P<.001).ConclusionsThe level of risk experienced by cancer patients who participate in phase 1 treatment trials appears to have improved over the 12-year period from 1991 through 2002. Because toxic death rates have decreased more quickly than have objective response rates, the ratio of risk to benefit may have also improved. These changes relate in part to the targeted and less-toxic nature of newer cancer drugs and are coincident with the increased attention that has been paid to the safety of clinical research over the time period we analyzed.
Myocardial Perfusion Using First-Pass Gadolinium-Enhanced Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Although cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can image myocardial perfusion with many methods, first-pass perfusion studies using gadolinium contrast have the highest signal-to-noise ratio and most extensive published experience. This chapter focuses primarily on the basic principles and clinical applications of first-pass myocardial perfusion studies.
Self-Directed Learning: A Cognitive and Computational Perspective.

A widely advocated idea in education is that people learn better when the flow of experience is under their control (i.e., learning is self-directed). However, the reasons why volitional control might result in superior acquisition and the limits to such advantages remain poorly understood. In this article, we review the issue from both a cognitive and computational perspective. On the cognitive side, self-directed learning allows individuals to focus effort on useful information they do not yet possess, can expose information that is inaccessible via passive observation, and may enhance the encoding and retention of materials. On the computational side, the development of efficient “active learning” algorithms that can select their own training data is an emerging research topic in machine learning. This review argues that recent advances in these related fields may offer a fresh theoretical perspective on how people gather information to support their own learning.
The Astigmatism of the Concave Grating as a Means of Calibrating Photographic Plates in Intensity Measurements

The intensity of the astigmatic spectral image formed by a concave grating is a maximum at the center and drops off to zero at the ends of the line. Inasmuch as the intensity distribution can be known from the value of the astigmatism factor, G. H. Dieke has suggested using such an image as a means for calibrating a photographic plate in intensity measurements. It has been the purpose of this investigation to develop the method in detail, to apply it to the calculation of relative intensities, and to compare the results with those obtained from one or another of the standard methods now in use. Under proper conditions the astigmatism method has the great advantage of simplicity, and it was found to yield results which compare favorably with those obtained by other means.
The prediction of Fe Mössbauer parameters by the density functional theory: a benchmark study.

We report the performance of eight density functionals (B3LYP, BPW91, OLYP, O3LYP, M06, M06-2X, PBE, and SVWN5) in two Gaussian basis sets (Wachters and Partridge-1 on iron atoms; cc-pVDZ on the rest of atoms) for the prediction of the isomer shift (IS) and the quadrupole splitting (QS) parameters of Mossbauer spectroscopy. Two sources of geometry (density functional theory-optimized and X-ray) are used. Our data set consists of 31 iron-containing compounds (35 signals), the Mossbauer spectra of which were determined at liquid helium temperature and where the X-ray geometries are known. Our results indicate that the larger and uncontracted Partridge-1 basis set produces slightly more accurate linear correlations of electronic density used for the prediction of IS and noticeably more accurate results for the QS parameter. We confirm and discuss the earlier observation of Noodleman and co-workers that different oxidation states of iron produce different IS calibration lines. The B3LYP and O3LYP functionals have the lowest errors for either IS or QS. BPW91, OLYP, PBE, and M06 have a mixed success whereas SVWN5 and M06-2X demonstrate the worst performance. Finally, our calibrations and conclusions regarding the best functional to compute the Mossbauer characteristics are applied to candidate structures for the peroxo and Q intermediates of the enzyme methane monooxygenase hydroxylase (MMOH), and compared to experimental data in the literature.
Efficient tracking of time-varying signal subspaces

An algorithm for tracking d principal eigenvectors of an M-dimensional sample data covariance matrix is described. This algorithm requires O(Md/sup 2/) multiplications per iteration yet has performance comparable to algorithms having O(M/sup 2/d/sup 2/) complexity. A proof of the algorithm's convergence is given along with the results of several computer simulations. >
A comparative study of the role of the Saharan air layer in the evolution of two disparate Atlantic tropical cyclones using WRF model simulations and energetics calculations

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model 5-day simulations of Major Hurricane Julia (2010) and Tropical Storm Florence (2012), both of which developed from African easterly waves, are used to conduct a complete energetics study to explain why one storm became a major hurricane while the other weakened to a wave. The disparate intensity outcomes are caused by significant differences in the energetics of the two systems that emerge in their storm stages due to differences in the impact of the Saharan air layer (SAL). In their wave stages both waves exhibit a convectively driven energy production cycle, in which the regions of positive barotropic and baroclinic energy conversion and of diabatic heating and rainfall are all superimposed. Convection induces barotropic instability which then enhances the baroclinic overturning through a resonance of the two instabilities, which together produce the eddy kinetic energy. Diabatic heating in the convection generates eddy available potential energy which, along with the eddy kinetic energy, defines the total eddy energy of the system. Florence loses the convectively driven energy production cycle in the storm stage and begins to weaken, while Julia maintains this cycle and becomes a major hurricane. The disruption of the convection in Florence is due to the drying, stabilizing, and vertical shearing effects of an expansive SAL to the north of the storm, effects not present in the Julia case. Consideration is given to the different effects of the SAL on 6–10 day waves (Florence wave) versus 3–5 day waves (Julia wave).
Mineral assemblage transformation of a metakaolin-based waste form after geopolymer encapsulation

Abstract Mitigation of hazardous and radioactive waste can be improved through conversion of existing waste to a more chemically stable and physically robust waste form. One option for waste conversion is the fluidized bed steam reforming (FBSR) process. The resulting FBSR granular material was encapsulated in a geopolymer matrix referred to here as Geo-7. This provides mechanical strength for ease in transport and disposal. However, it is necessary to understand the phase assemblage evolution as a result of geopolymer encapsulation. In this study, we examine the mineral assemblages formed during the synthesis of the multiphase ceramic waste form. The FBSR granular samples were created from waste simulant that was chemically adjusted to resemble Hanford tank waste. Another set of samples was created using Savannah River Site Tank 50 waste simulant in order to mimic a blend of waste collected from 68 Hanford tank. Waste form performance tests were conducted using the product consistency test (PCT), the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), and the single-pass flow-through (SPFT) test. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed the structure of a previously unreported NAS phase and indicate that monolith creation may lead to a reduction in crystallinity as compared to the primary FBSR granular product.
The Analysis of Heterogeneity for Indirect Standardized Mortality Ratios

SUMMARY Statistical methods analogous to analysis of variance are given for analysing hetero- geneity among standardized mortality ratios. Both the case in which an external standard reference population is to be used and the case in which such a standard must be estimated from the sample data are treated. As an example, grouping populations by latitude is shown to account for 93-9 per cent of melanoma standard mortality ratio heterogeneity among nine U.S. populations, and the between-group heterogeneity was highly statistically significant. THIs paper gives methods for analysing heterogeneity among standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). The methods are analogous to analysis of variance and can be applied to any epidemiologic hypothesis which partitions populations into groups. As an example we show that grouping nine U.S. populations into four northern, two middle latitude and three southern populations accounts for 93 9 per cent of the melanoma SMR heterogeneity and that the corresponding between group heterogeneity is highly statistically significant. The analysis of heterogeneity is based on an assumed product model which has been used by Kilpatrick (1962), Bjarnason et al. (1974), Gart (1974), Breslow and Day (1975) and Osborn (1975). In Section 2 we point out that the SMR is a good summary index of population mortality precisely when the product model holds, and we review methods for testing this model. Section 3 contains the methods needed for an analysis of heterogeneity based on the product model. For completeness we give methods both for the case in which an external standard reference population is to be used and for the case in which an internal standard is to be estimated from the observed populations.
In Vitro Inhibition of Tritiated Thymidine Uptake in Morris Hepatoma Cells by Normal Rat Liver Extract: A Possible Liver Chalone

A phosphate-buffered saline extract of normal rat liver tissue almost completely inhibited DNA synthesis in Buffalo rat Morris hepatoma 7777 cells in vitro. This effect was tissue-specific because it did not occur with extracts of kidney, spleen, heart, lung, muscle, and hepatoma. The liver extracts did not inhibit in vitro human prostate carcinoma or phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human and rat peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. The addition of 10% fetal calf serum in the incubation medium had no effect on this inhibition. We determined that doses of liver extract that inhibit thymidine incorporation were not toxic inasmuch as treated cells remained viable, as indicated by trypan blue exclusion. The liver extract may thus contain a cell-specific mitotic inhibitor, a chalone for hepatoma cells.
Dynamic Impact Characterization of Al+Fe2O3+30% Epoxy Composites Using Time Synchronized High-Speed Camera and VISAR Measurements

Reverse Taylor anvil-on-rod impact experiments were conducted on Al+Fe2O3+30% epoxy composites to measure their viscoelastic and fracture response to dynamic loading. Impact velocities ranged from 80 to 200 m/s. High-speed camera images capturing transient deformation reveal these materials exhibit significant elastic recovery in both the longitudinal and radial directions. Images were time synchronized with free surface velocity measurements, using VISAR, to track elastic/plastic wave interactions attributed to the material’s dynamic loading response. Some specimens underwent brittle fracture once a critical areal strain was exceeded while the axial strain response appeared unaltered.
Resistance of Bermudagrass Selections to the Tropical Sod Webworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Seven clonal selections of bermudagrass. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and C. × magenissii (Hurcombe), were exposed simultaneously to adults of the tropical sod webworm, Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Guenee, Fewer larvae subsequently completed development to the adult stage on bermudagrass selections PI-289922 and PI-289912 relative to commercial cultivars ‘Ormond,’ ‘Tifgreen,’ and ‘Tifway,’ Although similar numbers of adults emerged from ‘Common.’ FB-119. ‘Ormond,’ ‘Tifgreen,’ and ‘Tifway,’ less damage was observed on ‘Common’ and FB-119 than on ‘Tifway’ and ‘Tifgreen.’ Thus, tolerance was indicated.
Wernicke's Encephalopathy or Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease? Report of Cases with Non-classic Presentation of Thiamine Deficiency and Challenging Brain MRI Findings (P4.042)

Objective: To report two unusual cases of thiamine deficiency presenting as acute on chronic cognitive/psychiatric impairment. In both cases, brain MRI also suggested Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD). Background: Thiamine is needed to sustain osmotic gradient and it is crucial for glucose metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis. Daily thiamine requirement is about 2 mg; without thiamine intake, the reserves could be depleted in 4-6 weeks. Thiamine deficiency classically presents as acute Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) with the triad of altered mental status, ataxia, and ocular signs. CJD is a rapidly progressive dementia that can also present acutely with psychiatric prodrome and altered mental status. We present two WE cases which posed diagnostic challenge due to prior cognitive/psychiatric impairment, non-classic presentation, and challenging MRI findings. Design/Methods: Case series. Results: Our cases include two women, ages 58 and 62 years old with underlying schizophrenia and Alzheimer disease respectively. Both stopped eating due to their underlying conditions and presented with acute changes in mental status. Neither patient had ocular signs or ataxia. In both cases, brain MRIs showed diffusion restriction and FLAIR hyperintensity in bilateral thalami, which suggested CJD as the underlying cause. Both patients were later diagnosed with thiamine deficiency, and CJD was ruled out. Conclusions: Both of our patients presented as worsening of their underlying disease, in a setting of decreased nutritional intake. However, since both did not present with the full WE triad, and brain MRI highly suggested CJD, further work up was necessary to rule out the possibility of CJD. WE is likely underrecognized as the classic triad occurs in only 16-38[percnt] of patients. It should be in the differential of acute cognitive decline in patients with underlying conditions that can result in decreased nutritional intake. Early recognition is crucial as with early treatment prognosis is usually favorable. Disclosure: Dr. Mikhaeil-Demo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schuele has received personal compensation for activities with Sunovion and Eisai as a speaker. Dr. Srivastava has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bonakdarpour has nothing to disclose.
Quality of Life, Mood, and Prognostic Understanding in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract Background: Although breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women in the United States, few studies focus on the supportive care needs of patients living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Objective: We studied quality of life (QOL), depression, anxiety, and prognostic understanding of patients with MBC. Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 140 patients with MBC, stratified by receipt of endocrine therapy or chemotherapy. Measurements: We evaluated anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We assessed QOL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), specifically measuring the FACT-B Trial Outcome Index (TOI), which includes physical and functional well-being and breast cancer-specific symptoms. Higher FACT-B TOI scores represent better QOL. We used a 12-item questionnaire to assess patients' perceptions of their prognosis and goals of therapy. Results: Compared to those taking endocrine thera...
Toward Quantified Small-Scale Farms in Africa

Developing and implementing a frugal Internet of Things can improve the monitoring and management of small-scale farms. The ultimate goal of such work is to bring farmers closer to the market and improve the prospects for food security across Africa.
Where to Put the Port? The Free Harbor Fight and the Historical Development of Los Angeles

Los Angeles lacks a natural harbor. Moreover, in the 1880s, the rail line to its inadequate port at San Pedro was controlled by railroad magnate Collis P. Huntington. When his monopoly was threaten...
A phase II trial of thalidomide (Thal) and procarbazine (Pro) in adults with recurrent or progressive malignant gliomas (MG)

2067 Background: Thal and Pro are among the few agents with demonstrated activity against MG. A two-stage, phase II trial was initiated within the WFURB to establish the response rate of combinatio...
Mimicking explosive heating profiles: feedback controlled sub-second laser heating using a three-color NIR pyrometer

We develop a feedback controlled sub-second laser heating system to subject materials to temperature profiles mimicking those inside of explosions.
GSK-3β Inhibition Activates WNT, Delays Division and Preserves the Function in Hematopoietic Stem Cell

Abstract Wingless (Wnt) signaling appears to play an integral role in expansion and quiescence of stem and progenitor hematopoietic cell populations. To better understand this dichotomous role and aid in the translation of therapeutic goals including cellular therapies, greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate Wnt/β-catenin in the bone marrow niche are needed. We explored the impact of Wnt signalling in the context of the human HSC niche by using co-culture of human cord blood or bone marrow derived HSC with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) together with pharmacological inhibition of GSK-3β (iGSK-3β). We have previously shown that activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway using pharmacological inhibition of GSK-3β (iGSK-3β) in human cord blood derived HSCs acts to preserve their primitive status, often lost during the ex-vivo expansion process ( 1 ). Here we show using cell division tracking that iGSK-3β delays stem cell divisions induced by cytokines in co-culture with MSCs. Functional analysis of iGSK-3β-treated cells revealed an increased proportion of primitive cells producing mixed Colony Forming Units (CFU-GEMMs) formed in the methylcellulose cultures and Cobblestone Area Forming Cells identified in long-term co-cultures with the bone marrow stroma MS5 cells. In addition, iGSK-3β-treated cells exhibited a higher frequency of SCID Repopulating Cells. We also show that the iGSK-3β effect, at least in part, is mediated through VLA4 integrin engagement by fibronectin. Importantly, iGSK-3β also induced niche-independent delay in stem cell divisions seen in cytokine supported suspension cultures. Up-regulation of HoxB4 and p21Waf1 and down-regulation of cyclin D1 was observed in HSCs treated with iGSK-3β. These findings confirm that iGSK-3β– regulated Wnt/β-catenin activity is crucial for the maintenance of HSC quiescence, both in the MSC niche and in a niche-independent environment and that iGSK-3β can circumvent the requirement of exogenous Wnt ligand for the induction of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in MSC niche. Our results are consistent recent data showing that blocking of canonical Wnt signaling, by over-expression of dickkopf1 (Dkk1) increases the number of proliferating HSCs in the murine marrow microenvironment but reduces the ability to reconstitute the hematopoietic system of irradiated recipient transgenic mice ( 2 ). These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating the balance between self renewal and quiescence and help to facilitate progress towards clinical application of Wnts as mediators of ex-vivo stem cell expansion or interruption of the Wnt pathway as potential anti-leukemic therapeutic strategy.
Habit strength parameters in eyelid conditioning as a function of UCS intensity

Previous studies which indicated that habit strength was a function of the intensity of the UCS in eyelid conditioning did not carry conditioning sufficiently far to determine whether the asymptote or the rate of growth parameter of habit strength was related to UCS intensity. The present study replicated a previously used procedure but extended the number of conditioning trials so that stable asymptotes would be reached. It was found that groups equated for drive level but receiving differential reinforcement conditions went to significantly different asymptotes. Since the rate of approach was apparently the same for both groups the results were interpreted as indicating that the asymptote but not the rate of approach parameter of habit strength is a function of UCS intensity in eyelid conditioning.
The Research Process Revealed in Fully Plotted Short-Short Fiction

Fully plotted 'short-short' fiction can be keyed to the theme of individual textbook chapters. By "fully-plotted" we mean stories in which something is at stake and there are characters interesting enough for the reader to persist and discover the outcome of the story. An example is provided.
Induction of Allergen-Specific Tolerance via Mucosal Routes

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only curative treatment of allergies against insect venom, house dust mites, tree/grass pollens, or cat dander. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is successful to reorient the immune system and re-establish long-term tolerance. However, major drawbacks for using this route include: repeated injections, as well as the risk of anaphylaxis. In this context, alternative mucosal routes of administration are being considered together with the combined use of adjuvants/vector systems and recombinant allergens or peptide fragments. Herein, we review the current status in the use of mucosal routes (i.e., sublingual, oral, intranasal) for allergen-specific immunotherapy, as well as the latest understanding with respect to underlying mechanisms of action.
Biological Control of the Artillery Fungus, Sphaerobolus stellatus, with Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Three strains of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum Rifai and two strains of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis (Ehrenberg) Cohn were evaluated for their ability to suppress colonization and sporulation of the artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus Tode:Pers.) on oatmeal agar. All five biological control agents inhibited growth of S. stellatus, but efficacy depended on time of application. Simultaneous inoculation of agar with S. stellatus and the biocontrol agents, as well as inoculation of biocontrol agents 14 days prior to S. stellatus, resulted in complete inhibition of S. stellatus. Inoculation of agar with biocontrol agents 14 days after inoculation with S. stellatus reduced, but did not completely suppress S. stellatus colonization and sporulation. In this experiment, gleba (spore masses) treated with all strains of T. harzianum and strain GBO3 of B. subtilis did not germinate, but 13% of gleba treated with strain MBI 600 of B. subtilis did germinate. Trichoderma harzianum was more effective ...
Gastric Adenocarcinoma in a Carpet Python, Morelia spilota variegata

ABSTRACT Gross pathology of a carpet python, Morelia spilota variegata, revealed three oval raised masses with necrotic, ulcerated centers at the pylorus. Histopathological findings of the masses revealed a gastric adenocarcinoma.
Optia® continuous mononuclear collection (CMNC) system is a safe and efficient system for hematopoietic progenitor cells-apheresis (HPC-a) collection and yields a lower product hematocrit (HCT%) than the COBE® spectra system: A retrospective study.

PURPOSE We evaluated the Optia® continuous mononuclear collection (CMNC) system for hematopoietic progenitor cell-apheresis (HPC-A) collection (Terumo BCT, Lakewood, CO) compared to the COBE® Spectra (Terumo BCT, Lakewood, CO), including both large volume leukapheresis (LVL) and non-LVL collections. METHODS We performed a retrospective data analysis of all autologous HPC-A collections with the Optia® CMNC system (n = 93; LVL = 59, non-LVL = 34) since implementation at our institution and compared it with a similar number of concurrent collections utilizing the COBE® Spectra (n = 96; LVL = 68, non-LVL = 28). The population studied included multiple myeloma (62 patients/171 collections) and lymphoma (5 patients/18 collections). Mobilization was achieved using chemotherapy + G-CSF (n = 108), chemotherapy + G-CSF + plerixafor (n = 67), G-CSF alone (n = 10), or G-CSF + plerixafor (n = 4). Based on our minimum predicted collection formula and the collection goal, 7-30 L of whole blood was processed. Per protocol, a minimum of 2 days of collection was performed. RESULTS HPC-A collected on Optia® CMNC had lower %HCT than those collected on COBE® Spectra (3.7 versus 4.3%, P = .029). There were no statistically significant differences between the two devices for other variables examined, including preapheresis WBC count and CD34+ cell count, procedure time, whole blood volume processed, collection efficiency (CE2), % platelet loss and throughput. CE2 for both devices was higher when <30 L of whole blood volume was processed. A linear correlation was noted between the preapheresis CD34+ cell count and CD34+ cells collected. No adverse events or bleeding episodes were noted, even when acetyl salicyclic acid (ASA) was given. CONCLUSIONS Optia® CMNC system is equivalent to the COBE® Spectra, with significantly lower product HCT%.
Functional Organization of the Avian Telencephalon

The brain mechanisms which underlie birds’ remarkable behavioral capacities have been a subject of interest since the early nineteenth century. Beginning with the pioneering work of Rolando and Flourens, numerous investigators have used brain lesions to explore the functional significance of various elements in the avian central nervous system (for review, see Pearson, 1972; Ten Cate, 1965). From this research emerged the idea that, as in mammals, birds’ cerebral hemispheres play a critical role in the organization of complex behavioral patterns, particularly those which involve learning (see especially Rogers, 1922). Consistent with such notions, comparative morphological studies have indicated a strong correlation between a species’ behavioral complexity and plasticity and the relative size of its forebrain hemispheres (Portmann and Stingelin, 1961; Stettner, 1974). Yet, at a more fundamental level, the mechanisms by which the telencephalon might participate in various behavioral capacities had remained unfathomable. Until fairly recently, standard anatomical descriptions included both correct and incorrect notions generously mixed together, a situation which precluded any understanding of the brain’s functional organization or any interpretation of brain lesion studies. Within the past 15 years, however, specific connections, general organizational principles, and mammalian homologies for much of the avian cerebrum have been established through the use of modern neuroanatomical tracing techniques. From this work has emerged a picture showing clearly delineated sensory-specific projection areas, skeletal autonomic effector zones, and interposed associative networks.
The Architecture of the Cornell Knowledge Broker

Intelligence applications have to process massive amounts of data in order to extract relevant information. This includes archived historical data as well as continuously arriving new data. We propose a novel architecture that addresses this problem - the Cornell Knowledge Broker. It will not only support knowledge discovery, but also security, privacy, information exchange, and collaboration.
Electron transport components localized in a lipid-depleted sheet isolated from Micrococcuslysodeikticus membranes by deoxycholate extraction☆

Abstract Extraction of isolated membranes from Micrococcus lysodeikticus with 1% deoxycholate in 0.05M tris buffer yields an insoluble residue which accounts for 15% of the dry weight of the membrane. This fraction is composed largely of protein and contains 3–5% residual lipid compared to 23–26% for the initial membrane lipid and consequently has a higher density than the membranes on gradient centrifugation. These lipid-depleted residues are in the form of a membranous sheet when examined in the electron microscope. Cytochromes a, b and c and succinic dehydrogenase activity were localized almost exclusively in this deoxycholate insoluble fraction of the membrane.
Nonlinearly Sampled Video Streaming

Over low-bit-rate channels, we adopt the streaming of nonlinearly sampled video frames (i.e., key-frame slideshow) synchronized with the audio stream. Given the channel and buffer limits, we wish to obtain a set of sampled frames that is not only feasible (i.e., streamable) but also optimal in terms of maximal information flow (given that the semantic information contents of each frame can be quantified in a way either automatically or manually). Different application scenarios are considered and modeled in a principle way, for which we propose computationally efficient algorithms for finding the global optimal solution.
A Drug Eluting Scaffold for the Treatment of Arthrofibrosis.

Introduction: The inflammatory cascade and production of prostaglandins may play a role in the pathogenesis of arthrofibrosis, a debilitating condition after joint replacement and other orthopedic ...
A Qualitative Case Study of a High Performing Practical Nursing Program in Pennsylvania

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of what contributes to NCLEX-PN success rates within a high performing Practical Nursing program in Pennsylvania. To satisfy this purpose, the top rated Practical Nursing program in Pennsylvania was selected for the case study based upon a NCLEX-PN success rate of 100% for the past 11 out of 12 years. Thematic analysis of the data unveiled eight themes of program similarity, communication, collaborative intellect, meaningful purpose, passion, binding relationships, intellectual aerobics, and altruism which tell the story of one program's success.
Distribution of hepatitis A antibodies in US blood donors.

BACKGROUND Recently, there has been an increase in the number of hepatitis A outbreaks in the United States. Although the presence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) RNA in blood donors is known to be low, HAV antibody prevalence in this population is unknown. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Samples from 5001 US blood donors collected primarily in the midwestern United States in 2015 were tested for the presence of HAV IgG antibodies using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays on the ARCHITECT platform (Abbott Laboratories). RESULTS The overall prevalence of IgG anti-HAV was 60%. Only one specimen was IgM anti-HAV positive, for an incidence of 0.02%. IgG anti-HAV prevalence among donors aged 16 to 19 years was 67%, decreased to 54% among donors aged 40 to 49 years and increased to 70% among donors aged 80 to 93 years. No differences were seen by sex with overall IgG anti-HAV prevalence of 61% and 60% for males and females, respectively. Among the five states (Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri) with the highest number of donors tested, IgG anti-HAV prevalence in Missouri (65%) was significantly higher (p <0.01) than that in Illinois (52%) or Kentucky (59%). No other significant differences between states were noted. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the overall high rates of IgG anti-HAV in US blood donors, with the low associated risk of HAV transfusion transmission likely the result of low incidence and effective vaccination.
Exploiting the Abrupt 4 × CO2 Scenario to Elucidate Tropical Expansion Mechanisms

AbstractFuture emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere are projected to result in significant circulation changes. One of the most important changes is the widening of the tropical belt, ...
High Stakes, Student Achievement, and Elementary Principals’ Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Study of the Reform State of California:

Recognizing the inherent tension of leading for change amid the current reform environment, this study focused squarely on the relationship between public elementary school principals’ perceptions ...
Burn and thoracic trauma alters fracture healing, systemic inflammation, and leukocyte kinetics in a rat model of polytrauma

Singular traumatic insults, such as bone fracture, typically initiate an appropriate immune response necessary to restore the host to pre-insult homeostasis with limited damage to self. However, multiple concurrent insults, such as a combination of fracture, blunt force trauma, and burns (polytrauma), are clinically perceived to result in abnormal immune response leading to inadequate healing and resolution. To investigate this phenomenon, we created a model rat model of polytrauma. To investigate relationship between polytrauma and delayed healing, we created a novel model of polytrauma in a rat which encompassed a 3-mm osteotomy, blunt chest trauma, and full-thickness scald burn. Healing outcomes were determined at 5 weeks where the degree of bone formation at the osteotomy site of polytrauma animals was compared to osteotomy only animals (OST). We observed significant differences in the bone volume fraction between polytrauma and OST animals indicating that polytrauma negatively effects wound healing. Polytrauma animals also displayed a significant decrease in their ability to return to pre-injury weight compared to osteotomy animals. Polytrauma animals also exhibited significantly altered gene expression in osteogenic pathways as well as the innate and adaptive immune response. Perturbed inflammation was observed in the polytrauma group compared to the osteotomy group as evidenced by significantly altered white blood cell (WBC) profiles and significantly elevated plasma high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) at 6 and 24 h post-trauma. Conversely, polytrauma animals exhibited significantly lower concentrations of plasma TNF-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) at 72 h post-injury compared to OST. Following polytrauma with burn injury, the local and systemic immune response is divergent from the immune response following a less severe singular injury (osteotomy). This altered immune response that follows was associated with a reduced capacity for wound healing.