cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation response of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and human pluripotent stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human pluripotent stem cells are comparable with bone marrow-derived MSCs in their function and immunophenotype. The purpose of this exploratory study was comparative evaluation of the radiation responses of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow- (BMMSCs) and from human embryonic stem cells (hESMSCs). BMMSCs and hESMSCs were irradiated at 0 Gy (control) to 16 Gy using a linear accelerator commonly used for cancer treatment. Cells were harvested immediately after irradiation, and at 1 and 5 days after irradiation. Cell cycle analysis, colony forming ability (CFU-F), differentiation ability, and expression of osteogenic-specific runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), adipogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), oxidative stress-specific dismutase-1 (SOD1) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) were analyzed. Irradiation arrested cell cycle progression in BMMSCs and hESMSCs. Colony formation ability of irradiated MSCs decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Irradiated hESMSCs showed higher adipogenic differentiation compared with BMMSCs, together with an increase in the adipogenic PPARγ expression. PPARγ expression was upregulated as early as 4 h after irradiation, along with the expression of SOD1. More than 70% downregulation was found in Wnt3A, Wnt4, Wnt 7A, Wnt10A and Wnt11 in BMMSCs, but not in hESMSCs. hESMSCs are highly proliferative but radiosensitive compared with BMMSCs. Increased PPARγ expression relative to RUNX2 and downregulation of Wnt ligands in irradiated MSCs suggest Wnt mediated the fate determination of irradiated MSCs.
An NARX-based approach for human emotion identification

This paper presents a Nonlinear AutoRegressive with eXogenous input (NARX)-based approach for human-emotion recognition from an input video. The dynamics of facial expressions are first captured by performing a temporal-spatial analysis by extracting local and spatial features using a pyramid of histograms of oriented gradients (PHOG) descriptor. Then the temporal phases of facial expressions are identified using our proposed Mutual-Information-based Delay Identification Algorithm. Finally, the emotion recognition problem is formulated into a parametric regression context using a recurrent NARX network. This approach enhances the cognitive skills of humanoid robots by adding the ability to recognize and understand affective emotional states of a human. Computer simulations were conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed NARX-based approach with recurrent neural network realization. The proposed recurrent NARX network performed better than other existing human-emotion recognition systems and achieved a 91.5% recognition rate when tested using the Cohn-Kanade database.
Geology of University Waddell Devonian Field, Crane County, Texas: ABSTRACT

The primary production in the University Waddell field in Crane County, Texas, is obtained from Devonian siliceous carbonates. Since its discovery in 1948, the field has produced 42 million bbl of oil through primary and secondary production. The field's structure is an asymmetric anticline created by the upthrown side of a reverse fault. The anticline dips steeply into the fault on the west side of the crest and dips gently away from it on the east. The seal and source rock for the field is the Woodford Shale (Devonian), a black pelagic shale. Updip migration from the Woodford provided the source for the three productive zones in the reservoir rock. Production is directly related to fracture porosity (7 to 12%) in beds with abundant replacement chert. Permeability through the productive zones is discontinuous and generally low (less than 5 md). The fractures in the Devonian siliceous limestones developed as a response to Pennsylvanian compression that created the reservoir structure. The siliceous lithologies make up 60% of the Devonian sequence. The cherts are black, white, or gray and occur in brecciated or massive beds. Associated limestones are light-gray bioclastic packstones. The chert is thought to be of secondary origin. The silica was derived from in-situ spiculites, locally reprecipitated as chert. A basinal environment is interpreted for the Devonian siliceous limestone and carbonate units. The Devonian carbonates deposited after the Silurian pelagic shales indicate a period of shallowing in the basin. End_of_Article - Last_Page 553------------
Disinfection by-products and other emerging contaminants in drinking water

Abstract Although drinking-water disinfection by-products (DBPs) have been studied for the last 30 years, significant, new concerns have arisen. These concerns include adverse reproductive and developmental effects recently observed in human populations, concerns that the types of cancer observed in laboratory animals (for regulated DBPs) do not correlate with the cancers observed in human populations (indicating that other DBPs may be important), and concerns arising from human-exposure studies that show that other routes besides ingestion (i.e., inhalation and dermal adsorption) are also significant sources of DBP exposures. In addition, many drinking-water utilities are changing their primary disinfectant from chlorine to alternative disinfectants (e.g., ozone, chlorine dioxide, and chloramines), which generally reduce regulated trihalomethane and haloacetic acid levels, but can increase the levels of other potentially toxicologically important DBPs. For example, results of a new US Nationwide DBP Occurrence Study (discussed in this review) demonstrated that bromo-trihalonitromethanes, iodo-trihalomethanes, dihaloaldehydes, MX (3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone), and brominated forms of MX were formed at higher levels when alternative disinfectants were used to treat drinking water. Specific DBPs of emerging toxicological interest include brominated and iodinated compounds — including bromonitromethanes, iodo-trihalomethanes, iodo-acids, and brominated forms of MX — as well as nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). In addition to concerns about DBPs, there are also new concerns about the presence of pharmaceuticals, organotins, methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), perchlorate, and algal toxins in drinking water. This article will discuss these drinking-water contaminants of emerging concern and the analytical methods currently being used for their determination.
Implementation of PML for scattering problems using 2-D envelope finite element (EVFE) technique

We propose the implementation of perfect matched layer (PML) boundary conditions for the 2-D envelope finite element (EVFE) technique. The performance of PML is tested for different excitation modes and number of layers. It shows an overall 50 dB absorption with a 16-layer absorber. Furthermore, we employ the EVFE technique with PML boundary condition to solve the scattering problem and the results agree well with the theoretical value.
Topography and wettability control in biocompatible polymer for BioMEMS applications

This paper elucidates the extent of changes in surface wettability as influenced by the surface topography on a conducting polymer, polypyrrole. As-deposited, anion-doped polypyrrole is subjected to a series of incremental redox potentials ranging from -0.6 V to +1.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), and its surface properties are examined via SEM, AFM, and contact angle measurements. A causal relationship is found to exist between the oxidation states of polypyrrole and its surface topography. At redox potential lower than +0.6 V, the polymer is completely hydrophilic (contact angle <90deg) as ascribed partially to its smooth surface. It becomes less hydrophilic in the range of +0.6-+1.0 V and turns totally hydrophobic beyond +1.0 V. Such a change in surface wettability is attributed in part to the increased surface roughness, as measured by AFM. As redox potentials increase from -0.6 V to +1.5 V, the corresponding average surface roughness rises from 3.1 nm to 31.1 nm - a 10-fold increase. Visual inspection by SEM indicates the formation of islets on the polymer during the oxidation process. Based on our experimental results, we hypothesize that as redox potential increases, changes of surface topography decrease the surface wettability of polypyrrole.
Technologies for fast, scalable silicon photonic switches

We present fast Mach-Zehnder-based electrooptic silicon photonic switches. We review our latest results on low-insertion-loss and low-crosstalk broadband 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 switches designed and fabricated in IBM's 90nm photonics-enabled CMOS process. We also highlight the main challenges that need to be addressed in order to enable the scalability of silicon photonics for optical switching.
Comparison of Large Volume Culture to Other Methods for Isolation of Microorganisms from Dialysate

Patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) who reside long distances from a CAPD center often use community medical laboratories to document and manage episodes of peritonitis. We examined the feasibility of using large volume cultures as an alternative to more costly and labor intensive methods and to enhance earlier recovery of microorganisms from these patients. Three methods of processing dialysate from patients on CAPD were compared: (a) inoculation of 400 mL dialysate into a transfer bag (Baxter Healthcare, Inc., Round Lake, IL) containing 100 mL of 5-fold concentrate of trypticase-soy broth: (b) inoculation of 5 mL into each of two Bactec bottles (Johnston Laboratories, Towson, MD): and (c) centrifugation of 50 mL and culture of the sediment without white cell lysis on plated media and two Bactec bottles. Of the 58 specimens cultured, 34 (59%) were positive by one or more methods. Antimicrobial activity was detected in 20158 (34%) dialysates, which represent 54% of all no-growth cultures. Of the 34 culture-positive specimens, microorganisms were recovered on plated media in 22 (65%); by the centrifugation system in 32 (94%); by the routine Bactec system in 28 (82%); and by large volume culture in 30 (88%). The large volume culture system is an acceptable alternative to the more costly Bactec System and the labor intensive centrifugation method but does not significantly improve recovery of microorganisms.
Cement selection for cement-retained crown technique with dental implants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the retentive nature of common dental cements that have been adapted for use in the implant abutment cement-retained crown (CRC) technique with those specifically formulated for this purpose. Materials and Methods: Ten regular diameter implant analogs were embedded in stainless steel disks. Unmodified CRC abutments were attached and torqued to 30 Ncm. Test crowns were waxed and cast with base metal alloy. Castings were fitted, cleaned with aluminum oxide, and steam cleaned prior to application of the cement. The cements used were: (1) Temp Bond, (2) UltraTemp, regular, (3) UltraTemp firm, (4) ImProv with petroleum jelly coating of crown, (5) ImProv without petroleum jelly, (6) Premier Implant with KY Jelly coating of abutment, (7) Premier Implant without KY jelly, (8) TR-2, (9) Fleck's, (10) Ketac Cem Aplicap, and (11) Fuji Plus Capsule. After cementation, assemblies were stored for 24 hours. Each sample was subjected to a pull-out test using an Instron universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5.0 mm/min. Loads required to remove the crowns were recorded, and mean values for each group determined. A one-way ANOVA and a post hoc least square difference (LSD) test were done for pairwise comparison at a confidence interval of 95%. Results: The mean values (±SD) of loads at failure (n = 10) for various cements were as follows (N): Ultratemp, regular 358.6 (±38.2) (Group A), ImProv without petroleum jelly 172.4 (±59.6) (Group B), Fleck's 171.8 (±62.2) (Group B), Ketac Cem 167.8 (±69.1) (Group B), UltraTemp firm 158.8 (±62.7) (Group BC), Fuji Plus 147.5 (±69.7) (Group BC), Premier without KY jelly 131.6 (±31.8) (Group BC), ImProv using petroleum jelly 130.8 (±42.5) (Group BC), Temp Bond 117.8 (±48.3) (Group C), TR-2 41.2 (±16.6) (Group D), and Premier with KY jelly 31.6 (±24.8) (Group D). Groups with the same letter were not significantly different. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it is not suggested that any one cement is better than another at retaining cement-retained crowns (CRCs) to implant abutments or that a threshold value must be accomplished to ensure retention. The ranking of cements presented is meant to be a discretionary guide for the clinician in deciding the amount of desired retention between castings and implant abutments.
Ex Ante Evaluation of the Economic Impact of Agricultural Biotechnology: The Case of Porcine Somatotropin

Advances in biotechnology are leading to the creation of products which are expected to have a significant impact on agricultural production. Much discussion in the literature has focused on possible impacts of biotechnology on agriculture (Kalter and Tauer, Hueth and Just, Stallman and Schmid), but few quantitative estimates of the probable impact exist. This paper examines the impact of a new growth hormone, porcine somatotropin (PST), on the U.S. pork industry. Our approach is generally useful for ex ante analyses of new biotechnologies where experimental estimates of the impact of the technology are available and where the nature of the commodity produced may be affected by the new biotechnology. PST is a naturally occurring somatotropin protein produced in the pig's pituitary. Supplemental PST has been shown in experimental research to lead to improvement in average daily gain, improvement in feed efficiency, and change in carcass composition of the pig by converting fat to lean meat. The purpose of this paper is to simulate the likely impact of supplemental PST use on prices and quantities of pork at the retail and farm levels and on net benefits of producers and consumers. The approach taken here to quantifying the impact of PST is in the spirit of previous ex ante approaches to estimating returns to agricultural research (Norton and Davis). This study explicitly takes into account (a) interrelationships between the domestic hog and pork markets, (b) interrelationships between pork and other meats, (c) interrelationships between the domestic and international mar
Sex Differences in Hospital Mortality After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Evidence for a Higher Mortality in Younger Women

Background — Data are conflicting over whether women have higher mortality than men after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Younger but not older women hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction have higher in-hospital mortality rates than men. We hypothesized that younger women also have higher in-hospital mortality rates after CABG. Methods and Results — We studied 51 187 patients (30% women) included in the National Cardiovascular Network database who received CABG at 23 clinical centers between October 1993 and December 1999. Compared with men, fewer women were white and more women had risk factors and comorbidities. These differences were more apparent in younger patients. In all age groups, however, women had higher left ventricular ejection fraction and fewer diseased vessels. Women had higher in-hospital mortality rates than men, but sex differences in mortality were more marked among younger patients. Women P Conclusions — Younger women undergoing CABG surgery are at a higher risk of in-hospital death than men, but this difference in risk decreases with advancing age. Additional investigation is needed to determine why in-hospital mortality is higher in women after CABG, with particular focus on younger women.
Function and regulation of TRPP2 at the plasma membrane.

The vast majority (∼99%) of all known cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are caused by naturally occurring mutations in two separate, but genetically interacting, loci, p...
Isolated Flying Spot Detection of Radiodensity Dis-Continuities-Displaying the Internal Structural Pattern of a Complex Object

A system is described which monitors a point in space and displays discontinuities of radiodensity as the point is moved in a scanning fashion through a plane. A high degree of isolation of this point from other points in the plane is achieved by putting these changes in radiodensity of the moving point into an electrical form which allows them to be separated from all other discontinuities within the plane.
History of the Word Photosynthesis and Evolution of Its Definition

In 1893, Charles Barnes (1858–1910) proposed that the biological process for ‘synthesis of complex carbon compounds out of carbonic acid, in the presence of chlorophyll, under the influence of light’ should be designated as either ‘photosyntax’ or ‘photosynthesis.’ He preferred the word ‘photosyntax,’ but ‘photosynthesis’ came into common usage as the term of choice. Later discovery of anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and photophosphorylation necessitated redefinition of the term. This essay examines the history of changes in the meaning of photosynthesis.
Inhibition of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Growth by Transgenic Corn Expressing Bt Toxins and Development of Resistance to Cry1Ab

Transgenic corn, Zea mays L., that expresses the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin Cry1Ab is only moderately toxic to Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and has been planted commercially since 1996. Growth and development of H. zea was monitored to determine potential changes in susceptibility to this toxin over time. Small plots of corn hybrids expressing Cry1F, Cry1F × Cry1Ab, Cry1Ab × Cry3Bb1, Cry1A.105 × Cry2Ab2 × Cry3Bb1, Cry1A.105 × Cry2Ab2, and Vip3Aa20 × Cry1Ab × mCry3A were planted in both 2012 and 2013 inNorth and South Carolina with paired non-Bt hybrids from the same genetic background. H. zea larvae were sampled on three time periods from ears and the following factors were measured: kernel area injured (cm(2)) by H. zea larvae, larval number per ear, larval weight, larval length, and larval head width. Pupae were sampled on a single time period and the following factors recorded: number per ear, weight, time to eclosion, and the number that eclosed. There was no reduction in larval weight, number of insect entering the pupal stadium, pupal weight, time to eclosion, and number of pupae able to successfully eclose to adulthood in the hybrid expressing Cry1Ab compared with a non-Bt paired hybrid. As Cry1Ab affected these in 1996, H. zea may be developing resistance to Cry1Ab in corn, although these results are not comprehensive, given the limited sampling period, size, and geography. We also found that the negative impacts on larval growth and development were greater in corn hybrids with pyramided traits compared with single traits.
Perceptions of neighborhood safety and asthma among children and adolescents in Los Angeles: a multilevel analysis.

Background Research examining the impact of neighborhoods on asthma has shown an increased interest in the role of the psychosocial environment. We examined the associations between various measures of neighborhood safety, individual and family characteristics, and asthma outcomes among children in Los Angeles.
Reexamination of the Role of the Amino Terminus of SecA in Promoting Its Dimerization and Functional State

The SecA nanomotor promotes protein translocation in eubacteria by binding both protein cargo and the protein-conducting channel and by undergoing ATP-driven conformation cycles that drive this process. There are conflicting reports about whether SecA functions as a monomer or dimer during this dynamic process. Here we reexamined the roles of the amino and carboxyl termini of SecA in promoting its dimerization and functional state by examining three secA mutants and the corresponding proteins: SecAΔ8 lacking residues 2 to 8, SecAΔ11 lacking residues 2 to 11, and SecAΔ11/N95 lacking both residues 2 to 11 and the carboxyl-terminal 70 residues. We demonstrated that whether SecAΔ11 or SecAΔ11/N95 was functional for promoting cell growth depended solely on the vivo level of the protein, which appeared to govern residual dimerization. All three SecA mutant proteins were defective for promoting cell growth unless they were highly overproduced. Cell fractionation revealed that SecAΔ11 and SecAΔ11/N95 were proficient in membrane association, although the formation of integral membrane SecA was reduced. The presence of a modestly higher level of SecAΔ11/N95 in the membrane and the ability of this protein to form dimers, as detected by chemical cross-linking, were consistent with the higher level of secA expression and better growth of the SecAΔ11/N95 mutant than of the SecAΔ11 mutant. Biochemical studies showed that SecAΔ11 and SecAΔ11/N95 had identical dimerization defects, while SecAΔ8 was intermediate between these proteins and wild-type SecA in terms of dimer formation. Furthermore, both SecAΔ11 and SecAΔ11/N95 were equally defective in translocation ATPase specific activity. Our studies showed that the nonessential carboxyl-terminal 70 residues of SecA play no role in its dimerization, while increasing the truncation of the amino-terminal region of SecA from 8 to 11 residues results in increased defects in SecA dimerization and poor in vivo function unless the protein is highly overexpressed. They also clarified a number of conflicting previous reports and support the essential nature of the SecA dimer.
The development of a non-invasive model to predict the presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced and aggressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which remains difficult to diagnose without a liver biopsy. Hyperferritinemia has increasingly been associated with the presence of NASH. Hence, we sought to explore the relationship between ferritin and NASH and to develop a composite model based on ferritin to predict the presence of NASH. METHODS A total of 405 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were enrolled in the study. Comparison was explored to assess differences between patients with and without NASH, upon which a scoring model was established using variables found to be independent predictors of NASH. RESULTS Among all patients with NAFLD, 291 (72%) had biopsy-proven NASH, and 114 (28%) had non-NASH. Mean age was 48 ± 12 years, and 56% were female. Ferritin was significantly higher in NASH compared with non-NASH patients (184 vs 126, respectively; P < 0.001) but lacked diagnostic accuracy for predicting NASH alone (area under the curve [AUC 0.62]). The addition of other significant variables such as aspartate aminotransferase, body mass index, platelet count, diabetes, and hypertension to ferritin improved the prediction of NASH with an AUC 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.86). Internal validation of the model using imputed data sets demonstrated that AUC did not change materially. CONCLUSIONS While higher ferritin was significantly associated with NASH, ferritin alone lacked diagnostic accuracy to predict NASH. However, incorporating several easily obtainable variables with ferritin allowed the construction of a novel scoring system that can be easily applied in the clinical setting to guide management of NAFLD.
Cement-Treated Bases Containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, Quarry By-Products, and Fibers

A laboratory study was conducted to demonstrate that sustainable cement-treated base courses can be achieved through the application of waste quarry by-products (QB) and fractionated reclaimed asphalt pavement (FRAP). Aggregate packing tests were performed on blends of QB and FRAP to determine an optimal blend that would minimize the void content of the aggregate structure while achieving acceptable strengths. The optimal aggregate packing proportions were found to be 70% QB with 30% FRAP. Modified Proctor samples were prepared to determine the moisture–density relationship with several cement contents (2% to 4% by total volume) on dolomite or FRAP coarse aggregate mixed with QB and 0.4% synthetic macrofibers. Mixture design performances were evaluated through strength (compression and split tension) and modulus tests. As expected, higher cement content increased both the strength and elastic modulus for all mixes tested. Mixtures containing virgin aggregates with QB yielded statistically greater elastic ...
Revision of the Pleurostict Scarabaeidae of Cuba and the Isle of Pines

The earliest writer to make known any member of the Cuban Melolonthinae was E. Blanchard, who, in 1850, published his Catalogue of the entomological collections of the Paris Museum. In it were described four Cuban species, one Anoplosiagum and three Ancylonycha . In 1855 Burmeister added three species of Ancylonycha to the list. The following year, Du Val, who wrote the Coleoptera portion of Sagra's History of Cuba, described as new four species of Ancylonycha , three of which are synonyms of Burmeister species. Nine years later, in 1865, Chevrolat gathered together the descriptions of the previously described species and added to the list one new Anoplosiagum , five new Ancylonycha , and a species of doubtful generic affinities. This work was hardly critical and it is often impossible to tell whether the author had or had not examined a species.
Complications of methylene blue dye infiltration for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.

Abstract #4140 Background: Isosulfan blue has proven invaluable for sentinel lymph node identification in breast cancer. However, an intermittent supply shortage of this agent over the last few years has led to alternative usage of methylene blue. Worldwide, methylene blue is traditionally viewed as a less expensive and safer equivalent to isosulfan, with few reports of significant side effects. Its increased usage has led to anecdotal reports of local skin reactions. This study serves to review the rate of local complications observed following subareolar infiltration of methylene blue for sentinel lymph node identification in breast cancer staging. Material Methods: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data in a university based surgical oncology practice. Records of all patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer between August, 2007 and April, 2008 were reviewed (the switch from Isosulfan to Methylene blue was made in August of 2007). Local complication of fat necrosis was recorded. Tumor stage, neoadjuvant therapy, volume and dilution of dye used were analysed for association with fat necrosis. Results: One hundred and three patients underwent sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer during the study period. Seven (7%) patients developed fat necrosis at the site of injection. The rate of injection site fat necrosis is associated with the volume of methylene blue [0% for 3cc (p = 0.0071)]; there was no association with tumor stage [3.2% for stage Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4140.
Optimal Plantwide Process Control Applied to the Tennessee Eastman Problem

A new plantwide control (PWC) structure procedure is proposed and tested on the Tennessee Eastman (TE) problem. The goal of developing a plantwide control procedure is to enable control engineers to design a process control structure that will run the plant safely and achieve the economic objective of the process. The control structure developed in this study utilizes the self-optimizing control strategy of Skogestad [Comput. Chem. Eng. 2004, 28, 219−234], with an emphasis on elucidation of lower layers in the bottom-up section. It is then tested on the TE problem. For the TE problem, the control variables used for optimization are the stripper steam valve, recycle valve, agitation rate, reactor temperature, reactor pressure, reactor level, and composition B in purge. The control structure developed achieved all the control objectives at each stage including self-optimizing control. The procedure uses mathematical tools such as the generalized relative gain array (GRGA) coupled with steady state simulation.
A possible Hindu Influence at Teotihuacan

The conch shell figured on the Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Teotihuacan, is Turbinella angulata, the West Indian Chank. This species is closely related to the “Sacred Chank” of India, a shell which figures prominently in Hindu mythology, religion, and art. This finding may be interpreted as one more bit of evidence for transpacific influences on prehistoric Mesoamerican culture.
Thermocapillary Flow Analysis of Levitated Thin Liquid Disk

Experiments with thermocapillary flow and temperature measurements in a horizontally levitated, laser-heated thin glycerin disk have been successfully carried out and reported. Such a heated disk has the advantage of a relatively low gravitational potential over the thickness, thus mitigating the buoyancy effects, and helping isolate the thermocapillary driven flows. For the purpose of predicting the thermal properties from these measurements, it is necessary to develop a theoretical model of the thermal processes. Such a model is being developed, and based on the observed shape, the thickness is taken to be a minimum at the center with a gentle parabolic profile at both the top and the bottom surfaces. This minimum thickness is much smaller than the radius of disk drop and the ratio of thickness to radius becomes much less than unity. It is heated by laser beam in normal direction to the edge. A general three-dimensional momentum equation is transformed into a two-dimensional vorticity equation. For the very viscous small liquid drop, the Stokes equation can be used to describe the fluid motion with viscous force and pressure force. Considering boundary conditions on the surface where the surface stresses are balanced with the thermocapillary force corresponding to temperature gradient, we take an average over thickness of disk drop and obtain a two-dimensional momentum equation which includes surface tension terms. To avoid difficulties with handling pressure terms, it is formulated in terms of the vorticity and some additional terms due to a dimpled surface. This vorticity equation has temperature gradient (corresponding to a Marangoni number) in the plane of the disk which brings about its coupling with the energy equation. In the same way, the three-dimensional energy equation is averaged over the disk thickness. With convection boundary condition at the surfaces, we integrate a general three dimensional energy equation to get an averaged two dimensional energy equation which has convection terms, conduction terms, and additional source terms corresponding to a Biot number. A numerical approach is used to solve these steady state governing equations in cylindrical coordinate. These governing equations are discretized into finite difference equations by using central difference approximation. In a cylindrical coordinate system, there could be many singularities at the center. The calculations yield the temperature distribution and the thermally-driven flow field. These results will be used to formulate a model that, in conjuction with experiments, will enable development of a method for the non-contact thermophysical property measurement of liquids.© 2003 ASME
Shear wave observations in the region north of the San Francisco Bay

abstract We have examined local earthquake shear wave travel times from a four-station, intermediate-period, three-component seismograph array located in the Coast Ranges north of San Francisco Bay. Our preferred interpretation of the data indicates an upper crustal layer with a shear velocity of 3.05 ± 0.10 km/sec over a lower crustal layer having a shear velocity of 3.87 ± 0.15 km/sec. We estimate the thickness of the upper crustal layer to be 13.0 ± 3.0 km. The shear velocity of the lower crustal layer, 3.87 km/sec, is higher than crustal shear velocities reported elsewhere in the Coast Ranges and corresponds to the shear velocity of layer three of the oceanic crust.
The Statistical Analysis in a Mixed System of Series and Parallel Connection for Exponential Distribution

The paper presents the moment estimate and the maximum likelihood estimate of the parameters of a product which is a mixed system of series and parallel connection in which the lifetime of every single unit submitted to the same exponential distribution.Moreover,the precisions of the above point estimates are compared by performing a great deal of Monte-Carlo simulation.It can be concluded that the moment estimate is better than the maximum likelihood estimate when the sample size is less than 35 while it's the opposite when the sample size is not less than 35.Furthermore,the precise interval estimate and the approximate interval estimate of the parameters are presented and a large amount of Monte-Carlo simulation is conducted to investigate the precisions of the above interval estimates.
Prophylactic tracheal intubation for upper GI bleeding: A meta-analysis

Aim To evaluate usefulness of prophylactically intubating upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) patients. Methods UGIB results in a significant number of hospital admissions annually with endoscopy being the key intervention. In these patients, risks are associated with the bleeding and the procedure, including pulmonary aspiration. However, very little literature is available assessing the use of prophylactic endotracheal intubation on aspiration in these patients. A comprehensive search was performed in May 2014 in Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane databases, PubMed/Medline, Embase, and published abstracts from national gastroenterology meetings in the United States (2004-2014). Included studies examined UGIB patients and compared prophylactic intubation to no intubation before endoscopy. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 by Mantel-Haenszel and DerSimonian and Laird models with results presented as odds ratio for aspiration, pneumonia (within 48 h), and mortality. Funnel plots were utilized for publication bias and I2 measure of inconsistency for heterogeneity assessments. Results Initial search identified 571 articles. Of these articles, 10 relevant peer-reviewed articles in English and two relevant abstracts were selected to review by two independent authors (Almashhrawi AA and Bechtold ML). Of these studies, eight were excluded: Five did not have a control arm, one was a letter the editor, one was a survey study, and one was focused on prevention of UGIB. Therefore, four studies (N = 367) were included. Of the UGIB patients prophylactically intubated before endoscopy, pneumonia (within 48 h) was identified in 20 of 134 (14.9%) patients as compared to 5 of 95 (5.3%) patients that were not intubated prophylactically (P = 0.02). Despite observed trends, no significant differences were found for mortality (P = 0.18) or aspiration (P = 0.11). Conclusion Pneumonia within 48 h is more likely in UGIB patients who received prophylactic endotracheal intubation prior to endoscopy.
InVitro Polyadenylation of SV40 Early Pre-mRNA

Using a pre-mRNA containing the SV40 early introns and poly(A) addition site, we have investigated several requirements for accurate and efficient mRNA 3′ end cleavage and polyadenylation in a HeLa cell nuclear extract. 3′ end formation and splicing occur under the same conditions in vitro, but do not appear to be coupled in any way. The ATP analog 3′dATP (cordycepin triphosphate) inhibited both cleavage and polyadenylation even in the presence of ATP, perhaps reflecting an interaction between cleaving and poly-adenylating activities. A 5′ cap structure appears not to be required for mRNA 3′ end processing in vitro, because neither the presence nor absence of a 5′ cap on the pre-mRNA nor the addition of cap analogs to reaction mixtures had any effect on the efficiency of 3′ end processing. Micrococcal nuclease pretreatment of the nuclear extract inhibited cleavage and polyadenylation. However, restoration of activity was achieved by addition of purified E. coli RNA, suggesting that the inhibition caused by such a nuclease treatment was due to a general requirement for mass of RNA, rather than to the destruction of a particular nucleic acid-containing component, such as a snRNP.
Language learning and the gendered self: the case of French and masculinity in a US context

In a time of ever-increasing globalisation, the development of diverse linguistic skills has been growing in importance despite a trend of reduced language learning, which is particularly marked in Anglophone countries. Although the need for international interaction is not gender-specific, a growing body of literature has identified gender-related differences in language education. Existing research has demonstrated that different target languages have been gendered by students in different ways. Extending the existing literature, focused primarily on adolescents, a survey was administered to 294 students at four universities in the southeastern US to explore the degree to which young adults perceive languages as gendered and to which taking French is perceived as gender-norm violating. Findings suggest that although there are some similarities in terms of the gendering of languages and language study among adolescent and young adult learners, differences exists in the nature of this gendering.
Abstract 2401: RD3-loss orchestrates GC-signaling independent evolution of progressive neuroblastoma

Recently we recognized the transcriptional/translational loss of Retinal degeneration Protein 3 (RD3) in high-risk progressive neuroblastoma (HR-NB) and defined its novel tumor evolution stabilization function. Studies have shown that RD3 competitively binds to guanylate cyclases (GCs) and maintains GC expression, stability, as well as restores GC localization. Accordingly, we investigated the role of GCs, if any, in RD3-loss associated evolution of HR-NB. Utilizing an in vivo mouse model of spontaneous HR-NB coupled with ex vivo approaches using metastatic site derived aggressive cells (MSDACs), we examined the transcriptional and translational expression of GCs and validated with high-content confocal immunofluorescence. Further, utilizing a cGMP competitive enzyme immunoassay, we investigated both intracellular and soluble GC activity. Whole genome microarray analysis revealed a differential activation of GC signaling transcriptional machinery in three different clones of MSDACs (compared to parental SH-SY5Y cells) ex vivo. Immunoblotting identified a consistent translation of GCs (GC-1 and GC-2) in a manifold of metastatic tumors (compared to non-metastatic primary xenografts) in vivo and in MSDACs ex vivo. Confocal immunofluorescence analysis validated the near-identical expression of GC1 and GC2 both in SH-SY5Y cells and MSDACs. cGMP immunoassay recognized indistinguishable intracellular and soluble GC activity in clones of differentiated/undifferentiated MSDACs as opposed to the clones of SH-SY5Y. For the first time, the results of this study define the transcription and translation blueprint of GCs in HR-NB and, further imply that the RD3-loss may dictate GCs-signaling independent alternate molecular flow-through in the evolution of HR-NB. Acknowledgements: Stephenson Cancer Center, NIH COBRE 1P20GM103639-01, Broken Arrow Lady Elks Auxiliary, and Oklahoma TSET. Citation Format: Singh Meghna, Wolansky Rachel, Terence S. Herman, Natarajan Aravindan. RD3-loss orchestrates GC-signaling independent evolution of progressive neuroblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2401.
Bilateral Staghorn Calculi—Patient Evaluation and Management

A total of 44 patients (17 men and 27 women) with simultaneous bilateral staghorn calculi underwent anatrophic nephrolithotomy with caliceal reconstruction. Excluding patients with urinary tract infection alone all but 3 had identifiable metabolic abnormalities that required treatment postoperatively. Based on numbers of kidneys operated upon the stone recurrence rate was 8.8 per cent for men and 7.4 per cent for women. No patient has required an operation for recurrent stone disease.
Trophic Ecology of the Ant Pachycondyla crassinoda (Formicidae: Ponerinae) in a Lowland Neotropical Forest

ABSTRACT- Pachycondyla crassinoda (Latr. 1902) is one of the largest ant species in the New World tropics. We studied its foraging habits in the field in a lowland forest in Trinidad, West Indies, with supplemental observations in the laboratory. At our study site the density of colonies was estimated at 144/ha. Like other members of its genus, P. crassinoda forages on the forest floor, apparently never climbing trees or other plants. Foraging is mostly limited to periods when the ground is relatively dry and is largely close to the nest. Ants searched under fallen leaves at a high frequency and preyed mostly on small arthropods. They seldom stung prey, never unless the prey struggled vigorously. The only form of food-source recruitment observed was tandem running, with a maximum of two nestmates following the scout.
Why and How the Sustainable Building Community Should Embrace Fire Safety

Sustainable building construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in the USA. Changes in materials, products, designs, and methodologies are occurring to accommodate this green progression. While these changes have energy and environmental benefits, questions have been raised about impacts on fire safety. There are two major reasons to consider the nexus of fire safety and sustainable design. First is a concern for the environment and how a building fire would cause environmental harm. It is possible that a single fire event can negate several, if not all, elements of green design. Second is a concern that sustainable design features will cause unintended increased fire risk or hazards. Sustainable design is a relatively new market with some unconventional materials, techniques, and features that have not yet been proven with time, which introduces risk of unintentional consequences. Moving forward, it would be valuable to integrate green design with fire safety such that they reinforce rather than undermine each other. This article seeks to examine the relationship between fire safety and sustainability in buildings, discuss the status of the fire and sustainability communities, and recommend avenues for development and implementation to promote fire-safe sustainable designs. Such avenues include incorporating greywater and rainwater reuse systems with fire sprinklers, fire alerts and controls in building automation systems, better safety mechanisms and designs for on-site energy production and storage, and less combustible and more resilient structural elements and insulation.
Evolutionary trends in thermal metabolic acclimation patterns in Northean and southern hemisphere crustaceans

Estudos foram conduzidos em caranguejos ecopepodes pertencentes a mesma especie ou especies relacionadas dos hemisferios norte e sul, para determinar se estas especies desenvolveram os mesmos tipos de resposta fisiologica em relacao a temperatura nos extremos de sua distribuicao geografica nos dois hemisferios, ou se ao inves diferentes estrategias funcionais foram desenvolvidas.
Activation of Macrophages in Response to Biomaterials

Macrophages are the initial biologic responders to biomaterials. These highly plastic immune sentinels control and modulate responses to materials, foreign or natural. The responses may vary from immune stimulatory to immune suppressive. Several parameters have been identified that influence macrophage response to biomaterials, specifically size, geometry, surface topography, hydrophobicity, surface chemistry, material mechanics, and protein adsorption. In this review, the influence of these parameters is supported with examples of both synthetic and naturally derived materials and illustrates that a combination of these parameters ultimately influences macrophage responses to the biomaterial. Having an understanding of these properties may lead to highly efficient design of biomaterials with desirable biologic response properties.
Metallothionein: historical review and perspectives.

The detection, isolation and characterization of metallothionein is interwoven inextricably with the search for a biological role and function of cadmium: The discovery of metallothionein is the direct consequence of an inductive search for a biological role of that element. In 1941, D.P. Maliuga was the first to determine cadmium quantitatively in natural products. His publication carried the title: “Cadmium and Organisms”, and appeared in Doklady Akad. Nauk. U.S.S.R., (the official Journal of the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R.) 31, 145–147, No. 2, 1941; it was abstracted briefly in Chemical Abstracts 37.1, 894, 1943. He performed cadmium analyses polaro-graphically and validated the procedure colorimetrically by means of the dithizone procedure. Maliuga analyzed a wide variety of biological materials, among them the bark of the Aspen tree (1.6 × 10-4% dry weight) and a number of algae and certain aquatic species (Table I). In the latter a constant Cd/Zn = 1/20 ratio was found.
A Mediation Analysis Study: The Influence of Mothers’ Dental Anxiety on Children’s Dental Utilization among Low-Income African-Americans

Objectives The aim of this study was to test a hypothesized mediation model to explain associations between mothers' dental anxiety and children's dental utilization through the mothers' own dental utilization. Methods Two hundred and fourteen low-income African American mothers with young children (age 31-59 months) completed a study questionnaire which assessed (i) mothers' dental anxiety; (ii) mothers' dental utilization (seeing a dentist at least once a year) and (iii) children's dental utilization (at least one non-study-related dental visit during the 36-month study period). The hypothesized mediation model consisted of these three elements with both a direct path from mothers' dental anxiety to children's dental utilization and an indirect path from mothers' dental anxiety to children's dental utilization through mothers' dental utilization. Mediation analysis with bootstrapping was conducted to test the hypothesized model. Results The mediation analysis indicated significant total effect of mothers' dental anxiety on children's dental utilization. The standardized total effect of mothers' anxiety on children's dental utilization was -0.172 (SE=.084, P=.041), and the standardized indirect effect of mothers' anxiety on children's dental utilization mediated by mothers' dental utilization was -0.069 (SE=.039, P=.076). The direct effect from mothers' anxiety to children's dental utilization was not statistically significant (P=.261) after adjusting for the mothers' dental utilization. Conclusions In this low-income African American sample, there was a trend for mothers' dental anxiety to be associated with children's dental utilization indirectly through mothers' own dental utilization, while the direct influence of mothers' dental anxiety on children's dental utilization was not seen. This suggests that mothers' dental utilization might explain how mothers' dental anxiety impacts children's early dental utilization.