cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1473: miR-1207-3p regulates c-Myc in aggressive prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death for men in the U.S. A major challenge is understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression from the asymptomatic androgen-dependent PCa to the lethal castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The chromosomal region 8q24 is associated with aggressive PCa and variants of this region have been identified to interact with the PVT1 non-coding gene in PCa. In previous work we demonstrated that microRNA-1207-3p (miR-1207-3p) has prognostic value in PCa, and directly binds to the 3’ UTR of Fibronectin type III domain containing 1 (FNDC1) to regulate a novel FNDC1/fibronectin (FN1)/androgen receptor (AR) pathway upregulated in metastatic PCa. miR-1207-3p is encoded at the PVT1 gene locus, which is located downstream of c-Myc on the 8q24 human chromosomal region. Studies have suggested amplification at the 8q24 human chromosomal region, which includes C-Myc, as a possible prognostic factor for CRPC. c-Myc is a well-established proto-oncogene that is commonly found to be amplified in up to 72% of CRPCs significant amplication of c-myc has been a consequence of antiandrogen treatment, and c-Myc is downstream of AR in some PCa. miRNAs have also been implicated in the regulation of c-Myc. Nevertheless, the mechanisms regulating c-Myc remain unclear in PCa. Using a panel of five PCa cell lines we discovered that c-Myc expression is higher in aggressive CRPC cell lines compared to non-aggressive CRPC and androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell lines. Furthermore, our data reveals that c-Myc expression is higher in the aggressive E006AA-hT PCa cell line when compared to the indolent E006AA PCa cell line. This suggests that c-Myc is associated with aggressive PCa. Moreover, overexpression of miR-1207-3p suppresses the expression of c-Myc in E006AA-hT PCa cells but not E006AA PCa cell line in which c-Myc is underexpressed compared to the normal prostate epithelial cell line, RWPE-1. Next, using a synthetic biotinylated miR-1207-3p duplex, we discovered that overexpression of miR-1207-3p more effictively inhibited migration, inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis in the aggressive E006AA-hT PCa cell line with increased c-Myc expression when compared to the indolent E006AA PCa cell line with decreased c-Myc expression. These data demonstrate that the miR-1207-3p/FNDC1/FN1/AR pathway may regulate c-Myc in aggressive PCa. Citation Format: Dibash K. Das, Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi. miR-1207-3p regulates c-Myc in aggressive prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1473. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1473
Surface energy exchange at the equilibrium line on the Greenland ice sheet during onset of melt

The energy balance was measured at the ETH/CU research camp, located at the equilibrium-line altitude of the Greenland ice sheet (69°34′N, 49°17′W), in spring 1993. Prior to the onset of melt the latent energy flux is the only energy sink, with an average value of 1.18 MJ m−2d−1. This turbulent transfer of moisture is responsible for an average daily snow sublimation of 5 × 10−4 m. The sensible heat flux (0.91 MJ m−2d−1) is the major energy source, and the net radiation only a minor contributor with a positive balance of 0.12 MJ m−2d−1. The residual of the turbulent fluxes and the net radiation is about 0.14 MJ m−2d−1, which agrees surprisingly well with the in situ ground-heat flux measurements of 0.15 MJ m−2d−1 made at the same location. Assuming a 3°C temperature increase in a global-change scenario, and using the information gained from the energy-balance measurements, a simple calculation showed that 5.4 × 10−2 m w.e. of snow would be lost by sublimation for an area of approximately 400 000 km2. The increased sublimation is due to an increase in the net radiation balance caused by an albedo reduction. This would lead to a total annual mass reduction of 22 km3 w.e. of snow for the entire Greenland ice sheet, which is 4.2% of today’s annual accumulation.
How well are U.S. primary care providers assessing whether their male patients have male sex partners

Abstract Identifying patients at-risk for HIV infection, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), is an important step in providing HIV testing and prevention interventions. It is unknown how primary care providers (PCPs) assess MSM status and related HIV-risk factors. We analyzed data from a panel-derived web-based survey for healthcare providers conducted in 2014 to describe how PCPs in the U.S. determined their patients' MSM status. We calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to describe PCP characteristics associated with systematically determining MSM status (i.e., PCP used “a patient-completed questionnaire” or “routine verbal review of sex history”). Among the 1008 PCPs, 56% determined MSM status by routine verbal review of sexual history; 41% by patient disclosure; 39% by questions driven by symptoms/history; 23% by using a patient-completed questionnaire, and 9% didn't determine MSM status. PCPs who systematically determined MSM status (n = 665; 66%) were more likely to be female (aPR = 1.16, CI = 1.06–1.26), to be affiliated with a teaching hospital (aPR = 1.15, CI = 1.06–1.25), to routinely screen all patients aged 13–64 for HIV (aPR = 1.29, CI = 1.18–1.41), and to estimate that 6% or more of their male patients are MSM (aPR = 1.14, CI = 1.01–1.30). The majority of PCPs assessed MSM status and HIV risk factors through routine verbal reviews of sexual history. Implementing a systematic approach to identify MSM status and assess risk may allow PCPs to identify more patients needing frequent HIV testing and other preventive services, while mitigating socio-cultural barriers to obtaining such information.
Comparison of the Relationship between Lying and Standing Ultrasonography Measures of Muscle Morphology with Isometric and Dynamic Force Production Capabilities

The purpose of the current study was (1) to examine the differences between standing and lying measures of vastus lateralis (VL), muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and cross-sectional area (CSA) using ultrasonography; and (2) to explore the relationships between lying and standing measures with isometric and dynamic assessments of force production-specifically peak force, rate of force development (RFD), impulse, and one-repetition maximum back squat. Fourteen resistance-trained subjects (age = 26.8 ± 4.0 years, height = 181.4 ± 6.0 cm, body mass = 89.8 ± 10.7 kg, back squat to body mass ratio = 1.84 ± 0.34) agreed to participate. Lying and standing ultrasonography images of the right VL were collected following 48 hours of rest. Isometric squat assessments followed ultrasonography, and were performed on force platforms with data used to determine isometric peak force (IPF), as well as RFD and impulse at various time points. Forty-eight hours later, one-repetition maximum back squats were performed by each subject. Paired-samples t-tests revealed statistically significant differences between standing and lying measurements of MT (p < 0.001), PA (p < 0.001), and CSA (p ≤ 0.05), with standing values larger in all cases. Further, standing measures were correlated more strongly and abundantly to isometric and dynamic performance. These results suggest that if practitioners intend to gain insight into strength-power potential based on ultrasonography measurements, performing the measurement collection with the athlete in a standing posture may be preferred.
Dirty words, shameful knowledge, and sex research

ABSTRACTDespite changes in the sexual culture over the last century, research on sexualities remains vulnerable to political controversies. Sexuality researchers and educators have been discredited by their association with a stigmatized topic—sex. Critics frequently charge that the sexual knowledge produced by sexuality scholars is pornographic, and insist that it should be censored, denied funding, or otherwise eliminated.
Metabolism and disposition of arsenic species after repeated oral dosing with sodium arsenite in drinking water. II. Measurements in pregnant and fetal CD-1 mice

Arsenic is ubiquitous in the earth's crust, and human diseases are linked with exposures that are similar to dietary intake estimates. Metabolic methylation of inorganic arsenic facilitates excretion of pentavalent metabolites and decreases acute toxicity; however, tissue binding of trivalent arsenic intermediates is evidence for concomitant metabolic activation. Pregnant and fetal CD-1 mice comprise a key animal model for arsenic carcinogenesis since adult-only exposures have minimal effects. This study evaluated inorganic arsenic and its metabolites in pentavalent and trivalent states in blood and tissues from maternal and fetal CD-1 mice after repeated administration of arsenite through drinking water. After 8 days of exposure, DMA species were ubiquitous in dams and fetuses. Despite the presence of MMAIII in dams, none was observed in any fetal sample. This difference may be important in assessing fetal susceptibility to arsenic toxicity because MMA production has been linked with human disease. Binding of DMAIII in fetal tissues provided evidence for metabolic activation, although the role for such binding in arsenic toxicity is unclear. This study provides links between administered dose, metabolism, and internal exposures from a key animal model of arsenic toxicity to better understand risks from human exposure to environmental arsenic.
Adolescent Age of Sexual Initiation and Subsequent Adult Health Outcomes.

Objectives. To examine the mechanisms of the association between age of sexual initiation and adult health.Methods. Data from the Seattle Social Development Project (n = 808), in Seattle, Washington, included outcomes when participants were in their 30s (2005–2014): substance use disorders, depression, poor health, and obesity. Sexual consequence mediators included sexually transmitted infection, adolescent pregnancy, and a high number of sexual partners. We used linear logistic regression to model main effect and mediated associations.Results. Age of sexual initiation was related to nicotine and marijuana disorders, physical health, and obesity, but not alcohol disorder or depression. Mediated association with nicotine disorder was not significant; association with marijuana disorder was reduced; significant relationships with poor health and obesity remained.Conclusions. The relationship between age of sexual initiation and substance use was largely explained by consequences of sexual behavior. Earlier ...
Estimating Coastal Digital Elevation Model Uncertainty

Amante, C.J., 2018. Estimating coastal digital elevation model uncertainty.Integrated bathymetric–topographic digital elevation models (DEMs) are representations of Earth's solid surface that extend across the coastal land–water interface. DEMs are fundamental to the modeling of coastal processes, including tsunami, storm-surge, and sea-level-rise inundation. Vertical errors in coastal DEMs are deviations in elevation values from the actual seabed or land surface, which originate from the (1) elevation measurements, (2) datum transformation that converts bathymetric and topographic measurements to a common vertical reference system, (3) spatial resolution of the DEM, and (4) interpolative gridding technique that estimates elevations in areas unconstrained by measurements. The magnitude and spatial distribution of the vertical errors are typically unknown, and a DEM uncertainty surface is a statistical assessment of the likely magnitude of these errors. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Information develops DEMs for United States' coastal communities. This study describes a methodology to derive uncertainty surfaces that estimate coastal DEM vertical errors at the DEM cell–level. A coastal DEM south of Sarasota, Florida is the case study for deriving uncertainty surfaces. Results indicate that large vertical uncertainty exists in deeper waters offshore with sparse echo-sounder measurements, and small vertical uncertainty exists on flat terrains with dense light detection and ranging measurements. The estimated uncertainty can be propagated into the modeling of coastal processes that utilize DEMs by deriving numerous plausible DEM realizations within the uncertainty bounds. The numerous DEMs realizations can then produce an ensemble of coastal modeling results, and in turn, better-informed coastal management decisions.
A case of IgG4-related renal pseudotumor in a child with history of Wilms tumor

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a novel immune-mediated systemic disease characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and fibrosis of tissues.1 While the pathophysiology has yet to be elucidated, malignancy has been shown to be associated with future development of IgG4-RD.2 IgG4 pseudotumors fall within the scope of IgG4-RD, most commonly presenting as orbital, pancreatic, pulmonary, hepatic, or thyroid masses, although involvement of other organs has been described.3 Originally described in 2003, there is a paucity of literature regarding IgG4-RD in the pediatric population. There have been 3 reported cases of renal IgG4-RD in children, with all cases having multi-organ involvement.3 Herein, we describe the first case of an isolated renal IgG4 pseudotumor in an 11-year-old boy with a history of previously treated Wilms tumor (WT). Case presentation An 11-year-old asymptomatic male presented to clinic with a right upper pole renal mass, found on surveillance imaging in follow up for WT. At age 4 he was treated for stage III WT of the left kidney with nephrectomy, chemotherapy (actinomycin, vincristine, doxorubicin), and flank radiation. He had no concerning findings on surveillance imaging between initial treatment and age 11 years. Surveillance ultrasound followed by computed tomography scan showed a right upper pole 2.3 cm mass concerning for malignancy (Fig. 1). Given his history of solitary kidney and potential local upstaging with biopsy given concern for metachronous WT, the patient underwent right partial nephrectomy with regional lymph node dissection. Open in a separate window Fig. 1 Concerning right upper pole mass (yellow arrows) on CT scan (a and b) and ultrasound (c).
Timing after neoadjuvant therapy predicts mortality in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

157Background: Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) prior to esophagectomy has dramatically improved survival in patients with esophageal cancer. Currently, most surgeons will allow 6-12 weeks after NT prior t...
Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth Through Online Education

Can faith be cultivated, grow succulently, and produce the fruit of the Spirit via online learning, digital evangelism, and the online church? Is it really possible to grow in Christ by connecting ...
Prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in HIV-infected patients admitted to hospital with pneumonia.

BACKGROUND People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) may be particularly vulnerable to the consequences of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) given their defective T cell-mediated immunity and high rates of structural lung disease. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of NTM in PLWH hospitalized with pneumonia and to assess the potential predictors of NTM isolation. METHODS Secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study (2007-2011) of early bronchoscopy in PLWH presenting with suspected pneumonia was undertaken. Subjects with any species of NTM, henceforth described as 'NTM of undetermined significance' (NTM-US), isolated from sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), were included in the analysis. Potential predictors were chosen a priori. RESULTS Among 196 HIV-infected subjects hospitalized with pneumonia, 96 had respiratory samples positive for NTM-US, with 91% of all NTM-US isolated from sputum compared with BALF. The overall prevalence of NTM-US was 49% (96/196). More NTM subjects were smokers (P = 0.08), with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.08). Among those with pathogenic NTM, 39% (34/88) would have met American Thoracic Society microbiologic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease (17% of total cohort). CONCLUSIONS Respiratory cultures, predominantly sputum samples, were positive for NTM-US in 45% of HIV-infected subjects admitted to hospital for pneumonia. Further research is needed to characterize the prevalence of NTM in PLWH and help establish specific diagnostic criteria in this population. .
HIV-Adapted Group Prenatal Care: Assessing Viral Suppression and Postpartum Retention in Care.

Viral suppression and postpartum retention in care have far-reaching health implications for pregnant women living with HIV and their children, yet remain public health challenges. Prenatal care pr...
Emancipation After Hegel: Achieving a Contradictory Revolution: by Todd McGowan, New York, Columbia University Press, 2019, 270 pp., $30.00/£24.00 (cloth)

Todd McGowan is professor of film studies at the University of Vermont and author of The Impossible David Lynch (2007) and Capitalism and Desire: The Psychic Cost of Free Markets (2016). This most ...
Family Functioning and Adjustment in Appalachian Youth: Moderating Role of Extracurricular Participation

Supportive family relationships and parenting practices are linked to healthy adjustment in children and adolescents. We examined the concurrent associations between aspects of family functioning and measures of adjustment in an understudied sample of low-income rural Appalachian adolescents. Also examined was whether school-based extracurricular involvement moderated the associations between these variables. Participants were 367 adolescents from multiple high schools (grades 9–12) in an Appalachian region of rural East Tennessee. Self-report measures were used to assess family relationships, extracurricular activity, internalizing and externalizing problems, and health risk behaviors; truancy data was collected from academic records. As expected, family cohesion and moral-religiosity were associated with positive adjustment in youth, whereas family conflict was associated with worse adjustment. We also found that extracurricular involvement moderated the association between both moral-religiosity and cohesion and adolescent truancy; moral-religiosity and cohesion were negatively associated with truancy when adolescents were involved in extracurricular activity. In addition, the relation between family conflict and substance use was moderated by participation in extracurricular activity; family conflict was positively associated with substance use when adolescents were involved in extracurricular activity. Findings offer preliminary support for the notion that moral-religiosity may serve a particularly important protective role for low-income Appalachian youth. Further exploration is needed with regard to the varied impact of extracurricular involvement on youth adjustment in this sample.
IκBα Nuclear Export Enables 4-1BB-Induced cRel Activation and IL-2 Production to Promote CD8 T Cell Immunity.

Optimal CD8 T cell immunity is orchestrated by signaling events initiated by TCR recognition of peptide Ag in concert with signals from molecules such as CD28 and 4-1BB. The molecular mechanisms underlying the temporal and spatial signaling dynamics in CD8 T cells remain incompletely understood. In this study, we show that stimulation of naive CD8 T cells with agonistic CD3 and CD28 Abs, mimicking TCR and costimulatory signals, coordinately induces 4-1BB and cRel to enable elevated cytosolic cRel:IκBα complex formation and subsequent 4-1BB-induced IκBα degradation, sustained cRel activation, heightened IL-2 production and T cell expansion. NfkbiaNES/NES CD8 T cells harboring a mutated IκBα nuclear export sequence abnormally accumulate inactive cRel:IκBα complexes in the nucleus following stimulation with agonistic anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs, rendering them resistant to 4-1BB induced signaling and a disrupted chain of events necessary for efficient T cell expansion. Consequently, CD8 T cells in NfkbiaNES/NES mice poorly expand during viral infection, and this can be overcome by exogenous IL-2 administration. Consistent with cell-based data, adoptive transfer experiments demonstrated that the antiviral CD8 T cell defect in NfkbiaNES/NES mice was cell intrinsic. Thus, these results reveal that IκBα, via its unique nuclear export function, enables, rather than inhibits 4-1BB-induced cRel activation and IL-2 production to facilitate optimal CD8 T cell immunity.
Temporal Reasoning in Natural Language Inference.

We introduce five new natural language inference (NLI) datasets focused on temporal reasoning. We recast four existing datasets annotated for event duration—how long an event lasts—and event ordering—how events are temporally arranged—into more than one million NLI examples. We use these datasets to investigate how well neural models trained on a popular NLI corpus capture these forms of temporal reasoning.
In Defense of Patient-Centered Theories of Deontology: A Response to Liao and Barry

S. Matthew Liao and Christian Barry argue that the patient-centered approach to deontology that I have developed—the restricting claims principle (RCP)—“is beset with problems.” They think that it cannot correctly handle cases in which a potential victim sits in the path of an agent doing what she needs to do for some greater good, or in which a person’s property is used to benefit others and harm her. They argue that cases in which an agent does what would be permissible but acts on a malicious reason show that agent-intentions, rather than patient-claims, are fundamental to deontology. And they claim that the RCP presupposes the means principle in a way that shows that it is not really offering anything new. I argue here that all of these charges are mistaken. Doing so allows me to offer important refinements to the RCP, to highlight two common mistakes in reasoning about cases, and to set challenges for agent-centered approaches to deontology.
Probability and Random Variables

During World War II the increased need for automatic fire control, radar, and sonar lead to the formal development of statistical communication theory. This new step forward has associated with it the names of Wiener and Shannon, among many others. The basic idea developed was that signals, if they are to convey information, must have associated with them certain characteristics which must be indeterminable by the receiver before reception. As a consequence the signals to be considered in the analysis and synthesis of communication systems should be statistical in nature rather than the deterministic standard signals used heretofore. Thus signals, as well as noises, are to be treated as random processes. The behavior of these random processes in a system can be described in terms of their average properties which frequently are known or can be estimated accurately. The determination of such average properties comprises the fields of probability and statistics, which are essential mathematical background to the study of communication systems. Although a rigorous treatment of probability requires considerable mathematical sophistication and some knowledge of measure and integration theory, it is possible to develop an elementary theory using very simple concepts. Such an approach will be given in this chapter.
Synchrobetatron resonance of crab crossing scheme with large crossing angle and finite bunch length

Crab crossing scheme is an essential collision scheme to achieve high luminosity for the future colliders with large crossing angles. However, when bunch length of one or both colliding beams is comparable with the wavelength of the crab cavity voltage, the nonlinear dependence of the crabbing kick may present a challenge to the beam dynamics of the colliding beams and impact the beam quality and the luminosity lifetime. In this paper, the results of nonlinear dynamics in the crab crossing scheme are presented, using both analytical and numerical approaches. The result indicates that higher-order synchrobetatron resonances may be excited in the crab crossing scheme with large crossing angle, which causes the beam quality deterioration and luminosity degradation. The studies also reveal possible countermeasures to suppress the synchrobeta resonance, hence mitigate the degradation of beam quality and luminosity.
C-Reactive Protein Monitoring Can Predict Neutropenic Fever during Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Mutliple Myeloma

Abstract Background Post-auto transplantation in multiple myeloma, neutropenic infections typically occur earlier than engraftment.It may be difficult to distinguish between infection and other causes of neutropenic fever, such as engraftment syndrome.Early indication of a neutropenic fever helps to identify those patients who are more likely to benefit from a combination of antibiotics, while reducing unnecessary toxicity in patients with a low probability of a neutropenic fever. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein and an important marker of inflammation that is elevated with serious infections, but also with high levels of certain cytokines as typically seen post-transplantation. We retrospectively analyzed the role of serial serum CRP levels in predicting neutropenic fever. Materials and Methods Patients included received auto transplants (first and/or second) for multiple myeloma between January 2014 and March 2017. IRB approval was obtained. One hundred and seventy consecutive transplants received by 121 patients were included. Serum CRP levels were measured regularly during transplant and those obtained between Day 0 and Day 14 post-transplant were analyzed. Patients were started on prophylactic Meropenem on day +5 post-transplant. To assess the prognostic effect of C-reactive protein on onset of neutropenic fever within 14 days post-transplant, a Cox regression model was applied. Time was calculated from transplant to onset of neutropenic fever, defined as neutropenia (ANC 101.0⁰ F or at least two temperature readings > 100.4⁰ F). CRP was analyzed as a time-dependent covariate. A robust sandwich estimator of the standard error was utilized to account for a clustering effect of multiple transplants within a patient. Estimated effects were reported as hazard ratios (HR) along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Additionally, area under the curve and maximum CRP value (either before or after neutropenic fever) were compared between groups using mixed effects regression models. Results Of the 170 transplants, 49 developed neutropenic fever and 121 did not have neutropenic fever. On multivariable analysis, high levels (4.0-42.3 mg/dl) of CRP were associated with a 5.45 times increased risk of neutropenic fever (p-value = 0.02) compared to undetectable levels ( Conclusion CRP monitoring may provide important information about the risk for neutropenic fever during autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Multiple Myeloma. Serial CRPs may also help identifying low-risk patients, who can continue outpatient treatment. Therefore, in our opinion, CRP levels should be part of the daily routine laboratory workup post-autotransplants. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Extracapsular versus intracapsular tonsillectomy: Outcomes in children with a focus on developmental delay.

Abstract Introduction Outcomes following intracapsular tonsillectomy (IT) have not been well established in children with developmental delays. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes and complications between intracapsular and extracapsular tonsillectomy (TT) in pediatric patients with developmental delay (DD) in comparison to non-developmentally delayed children. Methods This is a retrospective study of pediatric patients with DD undergoing tonsillectomy between 2016 and 2019 at a tertiary care hospital. This group included patients with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, other genetic syndromes, and patients with a diagnosis of global developmental delay. Outcomes and complications were analyzed for IT and TT. Results 2267 charts were reviewed, and 320 patients were identified with DD. Of those, 72 patients underwent IT and 248 underwent TT. In the DD cohort, the IT group had a shorter length of stay (0.97 vs 1.7 days, p Conclusion Children with DD undergoing IT have reduced length of stay and reduced inpatient administration of post-operative opioids and steroids. IT has comparable efficacy to TT in treating symptoms of pediatric sleep apnea with a better safety profile. Overall, children undergoing IT return to the operating room less frequently than those undergoing TT. Longer follow-up studies will be needed to evaluate rate of tonsil regrowth, risk of revision surgery and persistence of OSA in these patients.
Shearing Effects on Settling of Activated Sludge

The effects of shearing on the aggregation and breakup of aggregates of activated sludge particles were investigated by studying the settling characteristics of the sludge after the suspension was sheared at a uniform rate. For the activated sludge studied an optimum shearing rate of 15 per sec was found to enhance significantly the aggregation of sludge particles and their separation by settling from the suspending water.
TREHALOSE PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE11‐dependent trehalose metabolism promotes Arabidopsis thaliana defense against the phloem‐feeding insect Myzus persicae

Agricultural productivity is limited by the removal of sap, alterations in source-sink patterns, and viral diseases vectored by aphids, which are phloem-feeding pests. Here we show that TREHALOSE PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE11 (TPS11) gene-dependent trehalose metabolism regulates Arabidopsis thaliana defense against Myzus persicae (Sulzer), commonly known as the green peach aphid (GPA). GPA infestation of Arabidopsis resulted in a transient increase in trehalose and expression of the TPS11 gene, which encodes a trehalose-6-phosphate synthase/phosphatase. Knockout of TPS11 function abolished trehalose increases in GPA-infested leaves of the tps11 mutant plant and attenuated defense against GPA. Trehalose application restored resistance in the tps11 mutant, confirming that the lack of trehalose accumulation is associated with the inability of the tps11 mutant to control GPA infestation. Resistance against GPA was also higher in the trehalose hyper-accumulating tre1 mutant and in bacterial otsB gene-expressing plants, further supporting the conclusion that trehalose plays a role in Arabidopsis defense against GPA. Evidence presented here indicates that TPS11-dependent trehalose regulates expression of the PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4 gene, which is a key modulator of defenses against GPA. TPS11 also promotes the re-allocation of carbon into starch at the expense of sucrose, the primary plant-derived carbon and energy source for the insect. Our results provide a framework for the signaling function of TPS11-dependent trehalose in plant stress responses, and also reveal an important contribution of starch in controlling the severity of aphid infestation.
Hemoglobins: Current Opinion in Structural Biology 1991, 1:915–921

Abstract Recent work on human hemoglobin has provided new insight into the energetics of ligand binding and the requirements for the shift to the quaternary R state. Comprehensive studies of myoglobin by site-directed mutagenesis have delineated the importance of polar interactions with water in the heme pocket for controlling ligand entry. Structural studies of invertebrate hemoglobins show that their subunit interactions and cooperative mechanisms are wholly different from those of vertebrate hemoglobins.
Tendosynovial giant cell tumor of the patellar tendon sheath

A 55-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of anterior pain of the right knee. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined soft tissue mass in the fat pad posteriorly to the patellar tendon. An excisional biopsy was performed. Histologic examination showed tendosynovial giant cell tumor of the patellar tendon sheath. At the latest follow-up, there was no local tumor recurrence.
Principles of glacier mechanics

Why study glaciers? some basic concepts mass balance flow of a crystalline material the velocity field in a glacier temperature distribution in polar ice sheets the coupling between a glacier and its bed water flow in and under glaciers - geomorphic implications stress and deformation stress and velocity distribution in an idealized glacier applications of stress and deformation principles to classical problems response of glaciers to changes in mass balance problems.
VERT-verification of real-time programs

The VERT (verification of real-time programs) project is surveyed. The goal of the project is to assist the development of correct real-time programs. VERT is based on modeling concurrent programs with colored Petri nets. The investigations of the net model of the program reveal static and dynamic properties of the original program. In particular critical path analysis of the nets is used to determine if the program meets the timing constraints. Several aspects of the VERT project are addressed: translation of concurrent programs into colored Petri net models, algorithms for analysis, and visualization of net models. >
Click-rate Induced Facilitation of the Acoustic Reflex Using Constant Number of Pulses

This investigation was designed to evaluate acoustic reflex thresholds at various repetition rates using a constant number of clicks (constant acoustic energy). Ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were obtained from 19 left ears by presenting 300 clicks at the repetition rates of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300/s. The results showed an improvement in the acoustic reflex thresholds with an increase in the repetition rates (rate integration). Thus for the test conditions used in the study, rate-induced facilitation of the acoustic reflex thresholds can be demonstrated even if the acoustic energy in the stimuli at various rates is held constant. Greater acoustic energy at higher repetition rates is unnecessary for such facilitation.
Impacts from ditching salt marshes in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States

Tidal inundation extent and duration, and water drainage and retention by marsh peat — marsh hydrology — determine most physical and ecological characteristics of salt marsh systems. Ditching, installed across nearly all marshes on the US east coast by 1940 to control mosquitoes, alters marsh hydrology. Two linchpin papers are used here as springboards to review the literature that describes the resulting effects, which clearly include reduced water table height for most marshes and changes in avian populations. Effects on invertebrate populations, including mosquitoes, are generally less, although to a smaller degree than is sometimes reported. Impacts on nekton are not clear, although probably negative. Tidal range and the degree of tide asymmetry appear to have greater effects on intermarsh variations in effects from ditching than has generally been appreciated or studied. Overall, although changed patterns of nutrient releases and promotion of Phragmites australis invasions are important ecological ef...
Assessing recollection and familiarity of similar lures in a behavioral pattern separation task.

The relationship between recollection-mediated recognition memory and behavioral pattern separation is poorly understood. In two separate experiments, we modified a well-validated object discrimination task with previously demonstrated sensitivity to neural pattern separation with instructions to assess recollection and familiarity. In the first experiment, we included a Remember/Know (R/K) judgment, and in the second we included a source memory judgment. We found that both “Remember” and correct source judgments were higher for lures labeled “similar” (where pattern separation is engaged) but also higher on lures called “old” (where pattern separation is absent), suggesting that false alarms in pattern separation tasks are frequently mediated by recollection. As one might expect, “Remember” judgments and correct source decisions increased with greater dissimilarity for “similar” responses and increased with greater similarity for “old” responses. This suggests that recollection can occur in the presence and in the absence of pattern separation and that false alarms to similar lures are not simply driven by familiarity.
EFFECT OF VANISHING TEXTUAL STIMULI ON MEMORIZATION

This study was designed as one test for the assumption made by B. F. Skinner and other authors of programmed material that vanishing textual stimuli increase the efficiency of memorization. 34 fourth grade pupils were differentially treated using vanishing textual stimuli as the variable. The difference in retention between the two groups was not significant.
The use of integrated soil microcosms to predict effects of pesticides on soil ecosystems

Most studies that aim at assessing the effects of pesticides on soil organisms or soil ecosystem processes are related to a single species of organism or soil process. Such individual studies are usually performed according to standard test guidelines, prepared by national or international authorities or approved test organizations and used in risk assessment. Over the last four years, with scientists from Germany and Russia, we have tested integrated soil microcosms, as model terrestrial ecosystems, to assess simultaneously the overall effects of a single pesticide, on a range of representative soil organisms, ecosystem processes, and environmental fate. This integrated approach takes account of interactions between organisms and processes which may influence the overall environmental impact and fate of a pesticide. Results from a detailed study of the environmental impact of the fungicide carbendazim are presented and some results on the impact of copper on soil systems are also reviewed. Some ecosystem structural parameters that were affected include: microbial activity, nematode communities, earthworm numbers and masses and plant growth. Some of the ecosystem processes affected include: nitrogen mineralization, and nutrient transformations.
Organic Electroluminescence Displays

Recently, organic light emitting diodes have received a lot of attention in different research laboratories world-wide. Red, green and blue emitting devices are readily available. Devices with luminous efficiencies greater than 15 lm/W and lifetimes longer than 10,000 hours have been demonstrated. In this article, we will discuss the basic devices used in physics, materials used in organic light emitting diodes, device degradation mechanisms, and the opportunities of using this technology for commercial display applications.
State of the Art and Future Developments for Surgical Planning in LDLT

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a well-established strategy to decrease transplant waiting list mortality. The challenges facing the field relate primarily to donor risk and recipient graft function. The transplant community has developed medical and surgical innovations to address these challenges. This article describes the state of the art and future directions for LDLT surgical planning.
Medical and biological engineering: Research strategies in the united states

Health care, including the quality of the care being delivered and the cost associated with this care, has become a major issue in many countries. This is certainly true in the United States, and included in this is the role of technology as related to the rising cost of health care. Equally important are the medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and pharmaceuticals as a factor in the U.S.'s trade balance. Intrinsic to these is the role of medical and biological engineering as related to our health care system, a role that ranges from basic biomedical research to clinical engineering in the hospital to the development and manufacturing of new products and devices. In order to chart a future course, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a year ago embarked on a process to develop a strategic plan. The medical and biological engineering community has worked together to influence the development of this NIH plan, attempting to bring both recognition to the contributions of engineers in medicine and biology and more importantly to develop a strategy for fostering the field. Such a strategy must include research at the forefront of biomedical developments, but also directly related to furthering medical and biological engineering. Future directions will range from biosensors to bioactive materials to nanotechnol­ogy. It also will include advanced diagnostic techniques, and it will focus on the application of engineering to biotechnology, i.e. the making of products using living cells. The latter includes both tissue engineering, i.e. the making of biological substitutes, and bioprocess engineering as applied to the genetic engineering industry. As biomedical engineers have directed themselves to the cellular and subcellular levels and as bioprocess engineers have moved from microbial organisms to mammalian cell host systems, common intellectual interests have emerged, thus joining these two fields. However, it is clear that any strategy for biomedical engineering must go beyond advanced research. It also must include the assessment of health care technology, research into ways in which technology can be used to reduce health care costs, and efforts aimed at the enhancement of the country's competitiveness in the international health care technology marketplace. In any final analysis, the real issue is how can biomedical engineers contribute to the improvement of the health care system, not only in the United States, but worldwide. Any successful strategy must be motivated by this, and in these efforts the international community should work together.
Effects of a negative quaternary ion-sodium tetraphenylboron (TPB) on the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation.

Abstract The effects of the negatively charged quaternary ion tetraphenylboron (TPB) on the rat hemidiaphragm resembled those of acetylcholine (ACh), including relief of curare block. They appeared to be on the post-synaptic membrane since TPB affected neither nerve conduction nor the systems for synthesis and destruction of ACh. Pretreatment with TPB enhanced blocking by choline (Ch), d-tubocurarine (TC) and decamethonium, but decreased the blocking potency of ACh to that of Ch. Enhancement of block depended on pretreatment concentrations of TPB. Regardless of initial tissue sensitivity, the same concentration of TPB induced constant degrees of block by TC and Ch. We conclude that its negative charge and electron donating properties cause TPB to react with electrophilic sites (ES). We suggest that cholinergic receptors are activated by disruption of an equilibrium that exists between ES and anionic sites (AS) by reaction at either site.
Controversy and Compromise in the Code's Waning Years: Hollywood Takes a Walk on the Wild Side

This essay focuses on a curious and overlooked film, Walk on the Wild Side (Edward Dmytryk, 1962), released on the eve of the classical Hollywood studio system era and noteworthy in two main respec...
Chronic hyponatremia exacerbates ammonia-induced brain edema in rats after portacaval anastomosis

Abstract Background/Aim: Abnormalities in brain organic osmolytes are associated with hepatic encephalopathy and with chronic hyponatremia. In spite of the high frequency of hyponatremia in acute and chronic hepatic failure, its role in the development of neurological complications in liver disease is poorly understood. We aimed to study the effect of prior hyponatremia on the development of ammonia-induced brain edema in rats after portacaval anastomosis. In this model, brain swelling is mediated in part through an increase in brain glutamine, an organic osmolyte. Methods: Hyponatremia was induced in rats with 1-desamino—8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) administered through an osmotic minipump for 1 week. This was followed by performance of a portacaval anastomosis and ammonia infusion. At the end of the infusion, brain water (density gradient) and key brain organic osmolytes (HPLC) were measured. Results: Rats with hyponatremia showed a decrease in all three brain organic osmolytes measured: glutamine, myo-inositol and taurine. Hyperammonemia resulted in the expected rise in glutamine, with a reduction to myo-inositol and taurine. In the combined group (hyponatremia plus hyperammonemia), the rise in brain glutamine induced by ammonia infusion was attenuated (10.6±0.9 mM/kg vs. 15.5±0.8 mM/kg hyperammonemia alone; p vs. 80.6±0.1%; p Conclusion: Hyponatremia worsens brain swelling in a model of ammonia-induced brain edema. The decrease in the concentration of brain organic osmolytes induced by hyponatremia does not protect the brain from the development of ammonia-induced brain edema.
Effect of methylmercuric chloride on gene expression in neuroblastoma and glioma cells after acute and chronic treatments.

Abstract To understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms ofmethylmercuric chloride (CH 3 HgCl)-induced damage to nerve tissue, monolayer cultures of glioma cells (C-6) and of neuroblastoma cells (NBP2) were used in this study. Chronic (6–8 weeks) and acute (5 days) treatment of glioma cells with low concentrations (0.05 to 0.1 μM) of CH 3 HgCl produced marked increases and decreases in the amounts and net phosphorylation profiles of specific proteins. Chronic treatment of neuroblastoma cells (0.1 and 0.2 μM) did not produce any significant alterations in the amounts of specific proteins, but it caused marked changes in the phosphorylation levels of cellular proteins. The morphology and doubling time of chronically treated glioma and neuroblastoma cells did not change. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-stimulating agents produced morphological changes in chronically treated glioma and neuroblastoma cells similar to those produced in untreated cells.
Cellular Morphology and Distribution on a Stretching Blood-Material Interface

In order to investigate the interactions of cellular elements and protein on constantly deforming (fatiguing) blood contact surfaces, a series of ex vivo canine arteriovenous shunt experiments were conducted. While fresh blood was flowing through Silastic tubing shunts, portions of the tubing were stretched 20 to 60% at a frequency of 20 to 90 cycles per minute for 10 to 90 min. The surfaces of the tubing that were stretched were compared with control tubing surfaces taken from the arterial side of the test segment using scanning electron microscopy and interference phase contrast microscopy. Approximately the same number of platelets were deposited on the stretched as on the unstretched portions of the tubing in the ten minute experiments. On the control portions of the tubing, the platelets were deposited singly and uniformly in what appeared to be a fairly inactivated state. On the stretched tubing, more pseudopod extension and aggregation was observed. In these preliminary experiments, no differences were noted as a function of frequency of stretch. As the blood contact time and the percent stretch were increased, only nonuniform, scattered aggregations of platelets, and platelets mingled with fibrin were seen. Significant numbers of spread white blood cells were observed on many of the segments of Silastic tubing stretched 20% for as short a time as 15 min. Granulocytes have occasionally been reported on less hemocompatible biomaterials after exposure to canine blood. This helps to confirm that substrate stretching of 20–60% had an adverse effect on the blood compatibility of the Siliastic tubing.
Share and Share Alike? A Review of Empirical Evidence Concerning Information Sharing Among Researchers

The conduct of scientific research is supposed to be a collective, public enterprise requiring the cooperation of all those involved. As Sieber (1991, p. 1) observes: