cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitrate impacts on groundwater from irrigated-vegetable systems in a humid north-central US sand plain

Abstract Groundwater is frequently susceptible to nitrate pollution in irrigated regions possessing a humid climate, coarse soil, and shallow water table. Such pollution degrades local drinking water resources and increases watershed nitrate export. The irrigated-vegetable production agroecosystem of the Wisconsin Central Sand Plain (WCSP), north-central USA, exemplifies the problem. This study’s research goal was to assess groundwater nitrate loading in this agroecosystem, with a view to manage groundwater quality and nitrate export in the WCSP and similar regions. Nitrate loading was measured beneath a 44 ha field for 4 years using a novel “water-year” method, during three crops of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) and one of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Nitrate-N concentrations averaged 20 mg l−1 in shallow (upper 3 m) groundwater beneath the study field. Nitrate-N loading from the sweet corn ranged from 126 to 169 kg ha−1 per year; loading from potato was 228 kg ha−1 per year. Groundwater loading amounted to 61% of total available N and 77% of fertilizer N. Measured loadings compared well with those calculated using a budget approach, supporting the validity of both methods. N budgets were calculated from average regional harvests and two fertilizer rates: a typical grower rate, and the more conservative University Extension rate. Budget-derived nitrate-N loadings from sweet corn are 151 kg ha−1 per year (typical) and 119 kg ha−1 per year (University Extension). For potato, typical and recommended fertilizer rates are equal, and the budget-derived nitrate-N loading is 203 kg ha−1 per year. Budget-derived loadings imply that limiting the basin-averaged nitrate-N concentration in groundwater to 10 mg l−1 (the US drinking water standard) would require each irrigated-vegetable hectare to be offset by 4.5–6.5 ha of land supplying nitrate-free groundwater recharge. Further, a WCSP watershed with half irrigated-vegetable cover, even with no other nitrate sources, would export 50–74 kg ha−1 per year of nitrate-N. This export is greater on a per-hectare basis than the large maize- and soybean-producing basins of Iowa, USA. Most orthodox nitrate control strategies (e.g., decreasing and splitting fertilizer, irrigation scheduling) have already been implemented in the WCSP, and have little further potential to substantially reduce loading if profitability must be maximized. Better control will require new and unconventional approaches for controlling nitrate leaching from mineralized crop residue as well as additional curbing of direct fertilizer nitrogen leaching.
Long-term memory and the control of attentional control

Task-switch costs and in particular the switch-cost asymmetry (i.e., the larger costs of switching to a dominant than a non-dominant task) are usually explained in terms of trial-to-trial carry-over of task-specific control settings. Here we argue that task switches are just one example of situations that trigger a transition from working-memory maintenance to updating, thereby opening working memory to interference from long-term memory. We used a new paradigm that requires selecting a spatial location either on the basis of a central cue (i.e., endogenous control of attention) or a peripheral, sudden onset (i.e., exogenous control of attention). We found a strong cost asymmetry that occurred even after short interruptions of otherwise single-task blocks (Exp. 1-3), but that was much stronger when participants had experienced the competing task under conditions of conflict (Exp. 1-2). Experiment 3 showed that the asymmetric costs were due to interruptions per se, rather than to associative interference tied to specific interruption activities. Experiment 4 generalized the basic pattern across interruptions varying in length or control demands and Experiment 5 across primary tasks with response-selection conflict rather than attentional conflict. Combined, the results support a model in which costs of selecting control settings arise when (a) potentially interfering memory traces have been encoded in long-term memory and (b) working-memory is forced from a maintenance mode into an updating mode (e.g., through task interruptions), thereby allowing unwanted retrieval of the encoded memory traces.
NA, K-ATPASE ISOFORM GENE EXPRESSION IN NORMAL AND HYPERTROPHIED DOG HEART

Objectives The catalytic α subunit of the sodium-potassium ATPase, the target of digitalis glycosides, has three isoforms is tissuespecific and developmentally regulated. While the effect of pressure overload on Na, K-ATPase isoform expression has been studied in rodent heart, there are no systematic data on this question in hearts of larger animals, which differ from those of rodents both in isoform composition and in glycoside sensitivity. Thus, we investigated the expression of Na, K-ATPase isoforms in normal dog heart; we also examined the effect of experimental left ventricular hypertrophy on isoform expression.
On the Complexities of Complex Economic Dynamics

Complex economic nonlinear dynamics endogenously do not converge to a point, a limit cycle, or an explosion. Their study developed out of earlier studies of cybernetic, catastrophic, and chaotic systems. Complexity analysis stresses interactions among dispersed agents without a global controller, tangled hierarchies, adaptive learning, evolution, and novelty, and out-of-equilibrium dynamics. Complexity methods include interacting particle systems, self-organized criticality, and evolutionary game theory, to simulate artificial stock markets and other phenomena. Theoretically, bounded rationality replaces rational expectations. Complexity theory influences empirical methods and restructures policy debates.
Tests of frequency theory in verbal discrimination transfer with varying paradigms and List 1 trials

In one verbal discrimination transfer paradigm, the incorrect items from List 1 were used as the incorrect items on Last 2 and paired with new correct items. In another paradigm, the correct items from List 1 were used as the incorrect items on List 2 and paired with new correct items. Subjective frequency carryover from List 1 to List 2 was assumed to be greater for the latter paradigm due to the greater frequency buildup of correct items than of incorrect items on List 1. Frequency effects were also assumed to vary as a direct function of number of List 1 trials. Results were in agreement with these assumptions and with the predictions of frequency theory when S’s ability to discriminate recent from remote frequency is taken into account.
Energy shift and structure of the K-absorption edge of vanadium in some vanadium compounds

The energy shift of the K-absorption edge of vanadium and the associated fine structure have been investigated for the following chemical compounds: V, VO, V/sub 2/O/sub 3/, V/sub 2/O/sub 4/, V/sub 2/O/sub 5/, VC, VN, VB/sub 2/, VSi/sub 2/, VF/sub 3/, and VS/sub 3/. All measurements were made with an improved version of a single-crystal high-angle goniometer. All studied samples except V/sub 2/O/sub 5/ exhibit an extended structure on the high-energy side of the absorption edge. Shoulders, on the absorption edge proper, were observed with several samples, and well-resolved ''white'' lines were found on the low-energy side of the edge of vanadium in the following compounds: VO, V/sub 2/O/sub 5/, and V/sub 2/S/sub 3/. The chemical energy shift of the K-absorption edge, which is found to be governed by the effective ionic charge on the absorbing atom, and the structure in the vicinity of the edge are discussed on the basis of the molecular-orbital theory.
Macular translocation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of visual improvement after macular translocation performed for a subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane in a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and angioid streaks. METHODS: The fovea was translocated inferiorly by scleral imbrication, intentional retinal detachment with a small posterior retinotomy, and partial fluid–air exchange. The choroidal neovascular membrane was photocoagulated 1 week later. RESULTS: The visual acuity of the patient improved from 20/125 to 20/40. The center of the foveal avascular zone was moved inferiorly 844 μm. The choroidal neovascular membrane was extrafoveal after translocation and was treated with laser photocoagulation. CONCLUSION: Macular translocation may be considered in the management of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and angioid streaks.
Work in progress - mentoring undergraduate students preparing for graduate study in engineering-a CREATE case study

This paper discusses the Collaborative Research Experiences in Advanced Technology and Engineering (CREATE) undergraduate research program and observations made during the first phase of this case study. CREATE is a program that targets undergraduate students from non-research based universities who are interested in pursuing graduate study in engineering. CREATE is a short-term project that takes place during the summer semester. Since it is a short-term project and the students have little experience with engineering research, the authors posit that a research environment that conforms to the studentpsilas incoming skill-set is needed so that the time needed for the student to learn the experimental environment can be reduced. A solution to this need is the introduction of a rapid research and development environment using software plugin architectures.
Efficient Capacitance Calculations for Three-Dimensional Multiconductor Systems

The design and packaging of integrated circuits requires the calculation of capacitances for three-dimensional conductors located on parallel planes. An integral-equation (IE) computer-solution technique is presented, which provides accurate results. The solution technique minimizes computer storage requirements while maintaining calculating efficiency computation times.
Exact enumeration of ground states in the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick spin glass

Using the discrete ±J bond distribution for the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick spin glass, all ground states for the entire ensemble of the bond disorder are enumerated. Although the combinatorial complexity of the enumeration severely restricts attainable system sizes, here N 9, some remarkably intricate patterns found in previous studies already emerge. The analysis of the exact ground-state frequencies suggests a direct construction of their probability density function. Against expectations, the result indicates that its highly skewed appearance for finite N evolves logarithmically slow towards a Gaussian distribution.
A framework for real‐time glycosylation monitoring (RT‐GM) in mammalian cell culture

Glycosylation is a critical characteristic of biotherapeutics because of its central role in in vivo efficacy. Multiple factors including medium composition and process conditions impact protein glycosylation and characterizing cellular response to these changes is essential to understand the underlying relationships. Current practice typically involves glycosylation characterization at the end of a fed-batch culture, which in addition to being an aggregate of the process, reflects a bias towards the end of the culture where a majority of the product is made. In an attempt to rigorously characterize the entire time-course of a fed-batch culture, a real-time glycosylation monitoring (RT-GM) framework was developed. It involves using the micro sequential injection (μSI) system as a sample preparation platform coupled with an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system for real-time monitoring of the antibody glycan profile. Automated sampling and sample preparations were performed using the μSI system and this framework was used to study manganese (Mn)-induced glycosylation changes over the course of a fed-batch culture. As expected, Mn-supplemented cultures exhibited higher galactosylation levels compared to control while the fucosylation and mannosylation were consistent for both supplemented and control cultures. Overall, the approach presented in the study allows real time monitoring of glycosylation changes and this information can be rapidly translated into process control and/or process optimization decisions to accelerate process development.
Time series analysis of numbers of Lepidoptera caught at light traps in East Africa, and the effect of moonlight on trap efficiency

A time series analysis of noctuid and sphingid moths caught at light traps in East Africa revealed the existence of sources of periodic variation in catch with three different wavelengths: lunar, annual and four-year. A comparison of catches of Spodoptera exempta (Walker) at different sites showed that site characteristics influence a light trap’s catch and confirmed the northward advance in flight period with season in the early part of the year. This species apparently goes through periods of increased abundance every four years. Of eight other species examined, all but one showed signs of a four-year cycle in abundance, although the peaks occurred in different years. Catches of all nine species were reduced by moonlight, but not equally. The size of the insect influenced its susceptibility to interference by moonlight. This was apparently mediated by the height of flight. High and low flying moths were more strongly influenced by moonlight than those at intermediate heights.
Influence of provider and urgent care density across different socioeconomic strata on outpatient antibiotic prescribing in the USA

Results: We found large geographical variation in prescribing, driven in part by the number of physician offices per capita. For an increase of one standard deviation in the number of physician offices per capita there was a 25.9% increase in prescriptions per capita. However, the determinants of the prescription rate were dependent on socioeconomic conditions. In poorer areas, clinics substitute for traditional physician offices, reducing the impact of physician density. In wealthier areas, clinics increase the effect of physician density on the prescribing rate. Conclusions: In areas with higher poverty rates, access to providers drives the prescribing rate. However, in wealthier areas, where access is less of a problem, a higher density of providers and clinics increases the prescribing rate, potentially due to competition.
An improved geometrical optics model for bistatic GPS scattering from the ocean surface

This paper is concerned with the properties of bistatic microwave scattering from a randomly rough surface, and specifically its application to the study of global positioning system (GPS) satellite signals reflected from the ocean. We present a discussion of some recent refinements of Kirchhoff-type models based on second-order iterations of the surface-current integral equation, and the relationship between these models and their high-frequency (geometric optics) limit. In particular, we show that use of these refinements can extend the domain of applicability of the standard geometrical optics (GO) model. It is found that GO can be nearly as accurate as a Kirchhoff-based model provided that the wavenumber cutoff, at which the surface wave spectrum must be filtered in computing the required slope moments, depends on the roughness of the ocean surface (i.e., wind speed) as well as the incident angle and frequency of the radiation. We use a GO model refined in this way to analyze GPS surface reflection data collected from an aircraft equipped with two down-looking antennas for receiving both left- and right-hand circularly polarized reflections. Concurrent measurements of the local wind and wave conditions were collected from a nearby research vessel. Measured waveforms and mean Doppler widths at both polarizations are compared with predictions from our refined GO model, and discussion is given concerning the sensitivity of the reflected radiation to various geophysical parameters and the utility of GPS reflections for remote sensing applications.
Revisional bariatric surgery at a single institution.

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery, although safe, can have long-term complications that require revision. Our series illustrates the spectrum of primary procedures, indications for surgery, and strategies for revision. Methods The study was a retrospective chart review. Sixty-three patients were identified. Of specific interest were complications and percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) during the follow-up period. Results Eighteen patients had a previous vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), 26 had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 18 had a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and 1 had a jejunal-ileal bypass. All VBG patients were revised to RYGB. Seventeen RYGB patients were revised with RYGB. Eight LAGB patients were revised with RYGB. Eight RYGB patients had placement of LAGB. Two LAGB patients were revised with LAGB because of a slipped band. Eight LAGB patients had the band removed. The morbidity rate was 30% with a major morbidity rate of 11%. There were 2 leaks, neither required reoperation. Other major complications included 3 pneumonias, 2 reoperations, and 2 intra-abdominal abscesses. There were no mortalities. In the 15 patients who had conversion of VBG to RYGB, the mean EWL was 50%, with 60% of patients achieving more than 50% EWL. In the 10 patients who had revision of their RYGB, the mean EWL was 51%, with 60% of patients achieving more than 50%. In the 6 patients who had revision of LAGB to RYGB, the mean EWL was 39%, with 33% of patients achieving more than 50% EWL. In the 8 patients who had LAGB after RYGB the mean EWL was −2%, with 0% of patients achieving more than 50%. Conclusions Revisional surgery is effective, although complication rates are higher than primary bariatric surgery. The type of initial and revisional procedure affects EWL.
A Review of: “A Life Shaken: My Encounter with Parkinson' Disease”

By interspersing personal impressions and his doctors' medical notes with basic information about the nature and progress of Parkinson's disease, journalist Joel Havemann offers readers insight int...
Failure of Monoaminergic and Cholinergic Receptor Blockers to Prevent Prostaglandin E2-Induced Luteinizing Hormone Release1

Receptor blocking drugs were used to determine whether adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotoninergic, or cholinergic synapses are involved in mediating the LH release induced by intraventricularly injected PGE2. Prostaglandin E2 (5 µg) was injected into the 3rd ventricle (3rd V) of ovariectomized rats, and plasma LH concentrations before and after treatment were determined by radioimmunoassay. Phentolamine, 20 or 30 µg, or pronethalol, 20 µg (α andµ adrenergic receptor blockers, respectively) injected into the 3rd V failed to alter the elevation of plasma LH evoked by PGE2 injected into the ventricle 10 min later. Likewise, LH release following PGE2 was not changed when a dopaminergic blocker, pimozide (0.63 mg⁄kg, SC), was injected 2 h prior to PGE2. Two antagonists of serotonin, methysergide maleate (3 mg⁄kg, ip) orcinanserin HC1 (1 mg⁄kg, iv) given 2h or 45 min before PGE2, respectively, failed to alter the action of PGE2. Atropine(100or250µg) injected into the 3rd V 10 min prior toPGE2 was also ineffective...
Patients' willingness-to accept risk of medical treatments.

Study objectives: Recent research has brought into question patients willingness to accept immedi­ ate treatment risk for the possibility of increased 5-year survival. This study was designed to assess whether patients are able to identify the probability of initial mortality they would be willing to accept in order to increase their chance of long-term survival. Design: Cross-sectional structured interviews with continuity clinic patients. Setting: A university-based Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center general medicine clinic. Participants: 128 consecutive patients (mean age = 65.4 years (s.d. = 11.27, range of ages = 30-83)), seen in ihe second half of 1992. Measurements and results: In a hypothetical setting, patients were presented with a pair of curves representing expected survival over a 5-year period for I two alternative treatments. The disease and treatments were not identified. In one curve, there was a 10% peri treatment mortality rate and a 37% 5-year survival; in the second curve, there was a 0% peritreatment mortality rate and a 22% 5-year survival. Once patients selected the treatment they preferred based on the curve pair, they were asked whether they were willing to accept an initial risk higher than the one they had selected. Of the 128 patients, 26.6% (34/128) selected the treatment with a 0% mortality in the peritreatment period. For these 34 patients, their mean initial acceptable probability of death was 3.75% (s.d. = 2.32, range 0-9). Of the 94 study patients who selected the 5-year curve with 10% mortality in the peritreatment period, the mean initial risk they were willing to accept was 14.73% (s.d. = 9.12, range = 10-70). Older patients were less willing than younger patients to accept probabilities at higher than the given immediate peritreatment risks for both treatments (chi square = 4.330, d.f. = 1, P < 0.04). Conclusions: Patients are not as uncomfortable at taking immediate risks of death for a 5-year survival benefit. Patients report a willingness to accept risk of immediate death for 5-year survival .benefits.
Multi-angle LUCAS for high-throughput on-chip cytometry

We illustrate that by recording under-sampled diffraction patterns of cells at different illumination angles, we can achieve high-throughput on-chip characterization of a heterogeneous cell solution over an ultra large volume of ∼5 ml. This platform, termed multi-angle LUCAS, is especially promising for cost-effective point-of-care cell counting applications.
Role of mast cells and protease-activated receptor-2 in cyclooxygenase-2 expression in urothelial cells.

Mast cells have been shown to play a role in development and persistence of various inflammatory bladder disorders. Mast cell-derived tryptase specifically activates protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), and PAR-2 is known to be involved in inflammation. We investigated whether mast cells participate in increase of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein abundance in urothelium/suburothelium of bladders of mice subsequent to cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced bladder inflammation. We also used primary cultures of human urothelial cells to investigate cellular mechanisms underlying activation of PAR-2 resulting in increased COX-2 expression. We found that treatment of mice with CYP (150 mg/kg ip) increased COX-2 protein abundance in bladder urothelium/suburothelium 3, 6, and 24 h after CYP (P < 0.01), and increased COX-2 protein abundance was prevented by treatment of mice with the mast cell stabilizer sodium cromolyn (10 mg/kg ip) for 4 consecutive days before CYP treatment. Incubation of freshly isolated mouse urothelium/suburothelium with a selective PAR-2 agonist, 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-amide (3 μM), also increased COX-2 protein abundance (P < 0.05). We further demonstrated that 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-amide (3 μM) increased COX-2 mRNA expression and protein abundance in primary cultures of human urothelial cells (P < 0.01), and the effects of PAR-2 activation were mediated primarily by the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway. These data indicate that there are functional interactions among mast cells, PAR-2 activation, and increased expression of COX-2 in bladder inflammation.
Synthesis of multivariable nonlinear controllers by input/output linearization

This work concerns the synthesis of nonlinear controllers for multivariable nonlinear processes that make the closed-loop system linear in an input/output sense. Necessary and sufficient conditions for input/output linearizability via static state feedback are derived as well as formulas for the feedback law. Once such a static state feedback is applied to the process, an external multivariable linear controller with integral action can control it to set point. The proposed control methodology is tested through simulations in a semibatch copolymerization reactor example.
Diffuse reflectance of sintered and pressed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is widely used in applications requiring a material with a diffuse reflectance factor close to unity. The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of both pressed and sintered samples was measured as a function of wavelength, polarization, and incident and viewing angles. The results for both samples show that the BRDF is constant at wavelengths from 400 nm to 1000 nm and depends on the polarization of the incident beam of radiant flux, that the BRDF varies with viewing angle, and that Helmholtz reciprocity holds for angles from 10 degrees to 60 degrees.
Reading The Lorax, orienting in potentiality

The Lorax by Theodor Seuss Geisel (1971) is a popular children’s book with a strong environmental message. Previous scholarship on The Lorax has focused on questions about the message and the process of its transmission from the Once‐ler to the child. In contrast, in this study I inquire into the activity of transmission itself. Guided by the work of Agamben and Foucault, I analyze The Lorax and the activity of transmission as matters of human potentiality. I first present an analysis of the logic and function of potentiality itself. Then, with The Lorax as an example, I expose and critique the activity of transmission as one orientation in potentiality. I also indicate ways in which environmental education theory and practice maintains itself in this orientation. Beyond this, I show how The Lorax indirectly presents another orientation which offers a different way of conceiving the child, reading and critique.
Tilt Aftereffect and Adaptation-Induced Changes in Orientation Tuning in Visual Cortex

The tilt aftereffect (TAE) is a visual illusion in which prolonged adaptation to an oriented stimulus causes shifts in subsequent perceived orientations. Historically, neural models of the TAE have explained it as the outcome of response suppression of neurons tuned to the adapting orientation. Recent physiological studies of neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) have confirmed that such response suppression exists. However, it was also found that the preferred orientations of neurons shift away from the adapting orientation. Here we show that adding this second factor to a population coding model of V1 improves the correspondence between neurophysiological data and TAE measurements. According to our model, the shifts in preferred orientation have the opposite effect as response suppression, reducing the magnitude of the TAE.
Chromatic Dispersion Compensation using LDPC-Coded Turbo Equalization

We present an iterative equalization scheme suitable for compensation of chromatic dispersion. This scheme is able to compensate for chromatic dispersion over 800 km of standard SMF in an NRZ optical transmission system without optical dispersion compensation operating at 10 Gb/s for only 128 states in corresponding trellis description of the channel.
Prehospitalization Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury during Hospitalization for Serious Infections in the REGARDS Cohort

Background/Aims: Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs in hospitalized patients. In this study, we determined prehospitalization characteristics associated with AKI in community-dwelling adults hospitalized for a serious infection. Methods: We used prospective data from 30,239 participants of the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national cohort of community-dwelling adults ≥45 years old. We identified serious infection hospitalizations between 2003 and 2012. Using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria, we defined AKI as an increase in serum creatinine (sCr) ≥0.3 mg/dl from the first inpatient sCr measurement during the first 7 hospitalization days. We excluded individuals with a history of renal transplant or preexisting end-stage renal disease as well as individuals with Results: Over a median follow-up of 4.5 years (interquartile range 2.4-6.3), we included 2,074 serious infection hospitalizations among 1,543 individuals. AKI occurred in 296 of 2,074 hospitalizations (16.5%). On multivariable analysis, prehospitalization characteristics independently associated with AKI among individuals hospitalized for a serious infection included a history of diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 1.38; 95% CI 1.02-1.89], increased cystatin C (OR 1.73 per SD; 95% CI 1.20-2.50), and increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio (OR 1.19 per SD; 95% CI 1.007-1.40). Sex, race, hypertension, myocardial infarction, estimated glomerular filtration rate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, statin, or antihypertensive medications were not associated with AKI. Conclusions: Community-dwelling adults with a history of diabetes or increased cystatin C or albumin-to-creatinine ratio are at increased risk for AKI after hospitalization for a serious infection. These findings may be used to identify individuals at high risk for AKI.
Safety of Mycoplasma gallisepticum Vaccine Strain 6/85 After Backpassage in Turkeys

The objective of this research was to evaluate the safety of the 6/85 strain vaccine strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in turkeys by backpassing the vaccine strain up to 10 times by contact infection in turkeys and challenging turkeys with the resulting backpassaged strain. The vaccine strain, however, did not spread to in-contact turkeys, and it was necessary to reisolate the organism before challenging turkeys for the next passage. The challenge strain, therefore, was one that had been backpassaged four times in turkeys, with a total in vivo time in turkeys of 66 days. The backpassaged 6/85 vaccine strain was no different in pathogenicity than the original vaccine strain, except that at 10 days postchallenge, it was isolated in higher numbers from air sacs. Both the original 6/85 vaccine strain and the backpassaged strain were apathogenic in turkeys, except for a slightly increased diameter of the tracheal mucosa at 10 days postchallenge; at 20 days postchallenge the tracheal mucosal thickness was no different from that of controls.
Abstract W MP111: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Silent Cerebral Infarcts in Children with Hemoglobin SC Disease

Background: Hemoglobin (Hb) SC disease comprises 22% of all sickle hemoglobinopathies and is the second most common form of sickle cell disease. Silent cerebral infarcts (SCI) are common in Hb SS disease and are associated with male sex, higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), and lower baseline Hb concentration among children with Hb SS. However, SCI prevalence and risk factors are less well characterized in Hb SC disease. We tested the hypothesis that risk factors for SCI in Hb SC and Hb SS are similar. Methods: Retrospective chart review of children with Hb SC seen at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) Sickle Cell Clinic 2004-2012 who had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) available. At SLCH, all children with sickle cell disease undergo screening brain MRI after their 6th birthday; additional MRIs are obtained for concerning symptoms. Cerebral infarctions were identified as T2- or FLAIR-weighted hyperintensities identified in at least 2 planes or decreased diffusion; silent infarcts were diagnosed...
The 'Ultimate' Asset Protection Trust

The "Ultimate" Asset Protection Trust explores the world of pension plans and various types of pension plan designs. These retirement plans are primarily used for retirement, however they are protected from creditors under Federal Bankruptcy law. Pensions are covered in mystery as rules are confusing and only certain individuals such an Enrolled actuary may sign a schedule B on a 5500, the annual report used in a pension plan. Enrolled actuaries are few in number, today only about 4,000 in the United States compared with 1,340,000 attorneys and 2,000,000 who hold doctorate degrees. Hence, few individuals are aware of these plans. This paper provides a brief introduction into the world of pension plans and perhaps the "Ultimate" Asset Protection Trust - a Pension Trust.
Preparation for College General Chemistry: More than Just a Matter of Content Knowledge Acquisition

This study investigates the potential of five factors that may be predictive of success in college general chemistry courses: prior knowledge of common alternate conceptions, intelligence, scientific reasoning ability, proportional reasoning ability, and attitude toward chemistry. We found that both prior knowledge and scientific reasoning ability were significantly correlated with students’ performance on the American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education Examinations Institute First Term General Chemistry Examination. Given that scientific reasoning ability was significantly correlated with final exam performance and that its impact is not broadly known in the chemistry teaching community, we then discuss the implications for facilitating the development of reasoning ability in college preparatory high school chemistry courses and college preparatory chemistry courses.
Filamentous bacterial viruses: II. Killing of bacteria by abortive infection with fd☆

Abstract Although bacteria are not killed by productive infection with filamentous virus, bacteria are killed if release of progeny virions is prevented by any one of a number of methods. Such killing by abortive infection can be averted by preventing the expression of gene 2, the gene responsible for replication of doublestranded viral DNA. After abortive infection, bacterial growth continues until the end of what would have been the latent period. Then there is a complete inhibition of bacterial growth, as measured by bacterial division, DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, production of ATP, and consumption of oxygen. However, if gene 2 is defective, bacterial growth continues as if there were no infection: there is no killing. We suggest that the target of killing is the gene 2 product, which interacts with the bacterial membrane to shut off respiration and thence all bacterial metabolism.
Computational observation of pockets of enhanced water concentration at the 1-octanol/water interface.

Molecular dynamics simulations with polarizable potentials were carried out to investigate the 1-octanol–water interface in which a significant amount of water migrated into the 1-octanol phase. A region of enhanced water concentration, around three times the average concentration in water saturated 1-octanol, was present 18 A from the Gibbs dividing surface into the 1-octanol phase. This coincided with two layers of 1-octanol molecules, forming a somewhat ordered bilayer with the first layer having its hydroxyl group pointed toward the water phase. The second layer of 1-octanol had hydroxy groups pointed in the opposite direction on average. A consequence of this was a region of high alkyl concentration and reduced polarity, as has been previously observed. Water structure in the octanol phase contracted as it approached the 1-octanol phase, opposite what was observed at the n-octane–water interface with polarizable potentials. In contrast, 1-octanol hydroxy structure expanded as it came in contact with ...
Current Situation and Future Trends of Meat Consumption in China

Through the comprehensive analysis on the changes of urban and rural resident's meat consumption quantity and structure,taking into account the current situation of China's economic development,the future trends of our country's meat consumption were analyzed and prospected.
MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION IN AN EX-VIVO SYSTEM FOR LIVER PRESERVATION WITH SUBNORMOTHERMIC MACHINE PERFUSION (SNMP) AND A HEMOGLOBIN BASED OXYGEN CARRIER (HBOC) SOLUTION AT 21°C

Objective: SNMP is superior to Cold Static Preservation (CSP) of the liver and has the potential to increase the donor pool by recovering sub-optimal grafts. We investigated the hepatocyte mitochondrial function during SNMP using a novel HBOC. Methodology: Three swine livers were perfused for 12 hours with SNMP and oxygenated with HBOC at 21°C and compared with historic controls treated by CSP. Tissue samples were obtained at baseline and every 3 hours. Mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation and tested in a sealed Clark-type oxygraph chamber. State 3 and 4 respiration, Respiratory Control ratio (RCR), ATP generation, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) - H2O2 generation values were recorded. Arterial blood gases from the HBOC were obtained. HBOC’s hemoglobin content, oxygen saturation, methemoglobin concentration and p50 were further assessed. Bile production was measured and liver biopsies were obtained. Results: Mitochondria showed sustainable RCR and ATP production during SNMP. ROS generation was limited after a 12 hour period and lower in the SNMP/HBOC group when compared to the CSP group post-reperfusion. SNMP livers cleared lactate and produced limited amounts of bile. Conclusion: SNMP with a HBOC solution provides adequate mitochondrial function and leads to less ROS generation compared to CSP.
Regulation of sympathetic presynaptic components in rat left ventricle during ligation of abdominal aorta

To assess the effects of long-term pressure overload on sympathetic presynaptic components in the left ventricle, young adult male rats were subjected to surgical constriction of the suprarenal abdominal aorta. At 4 and 8 wk postsurgery, but not at 1 wk, left ventricular sympathetic activity, measured by the net fractional norepinephrine (NE) decrease after alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester administration, was elevated in the aortic-banded rats. However, left ventricular NE was reduced only at 8 wk. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding of [3H]nisoxetine, a specific ligand for NE uptake sites, determined that left ventricular NE transporter sites were also reduced at 8 wk, suggesting a relationship between a reduced number of uptake sites and loss of NE stores. In contrast, aortic constriction did not reduce neuropeptide Y (NPY), tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, nervegrowth factor, and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptors at any time point. Thus long-term pressure overload can cause a selective reduction in ventricular NE stores without a reduction in NPY, a colocalized sympathetic neurotransmitter.
Endoscopic Management of Urethral Strictures in Children

AbstractThe management of urethral strictures in children prior to urethroplasty has involved dilation and internal urethrotomy. Low success rates with these modalities led to the evaluation of visual urethrotomy and intralesional steroid injection. Of 12 patients so managed 10 achieved an excellent result, with 2 classified as having good results initially. These 2 cases were ultimately converted into the excellent category following repeat procedures. Non-invasive urinary flow rates proved invaluable in the management and assessment of these patients, and the success of their treatment.
Self-Assembly of Complex DNA Tessellations by Using Low-Symmetry Multi-arm DNA Tiles

Modular DNA tile-based self-assembly is a versatile way to engineer basic tessellation patterns on the nanometer scale, but it remains challenging to achieve high levels of structural complexity. We introduce a set of general design principles to create intricate DNA tessellations by employing multi-arm DNA motifs with low symmetry. We achieved two novel Archimedean tiling patterns, (4.8.8) and (3.6.3.6), and one pattern with higher-order structures beyond the complexity observed in Archimedean tiling. Our success in assembling complicated DNA tessellations demonstrates the broad design space of DNA structural motifs, enriching the toolbox of DNA tile-based self-assembly and expanding the complexity boundaries of DNA tile-based tessellation.
Direct (Nontunneled) Ureterocolonic Reimplantation in Association with Continent Reservoirs

AbstractA total of 190 patients underwent continent urinary diversion using the Florida pouch. Direct mucosa-to-mucosa ureterocolonic reimplantation was used in 165 patients (326 ureters). Of the first 30 ureters in patients who underwent antireflux tunneled reimplantation obstruction occurred in 4 (13.3%). Obstruction developed directly in 16 of the ureters reimplanted (4.9%), and 3 of the 6 plicated and reimplanted megaureters (50%). Among the obstructed units 3 (13%) were treated unexpectedly by autonephrectomy, while the other 20 units (87%) were treated with percutaneous balloon dilation and internal stenting for 6 to 8 weeks. In the latter group 12 units (60%) recovered function, 3 (15%) had pyelonephritis requiring nephrectomy and 5 (25%) stabilized following a new reimplantation. Reflux was demonstrated in 23 units (7%). All units with reflux are being followed conservatively and renal deterioration has not been demonstrated. The incidence of ureteral obstruction with direct reimplantation is lowe...
Fragment Molecular Orbital Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics for Condensed Phase Systems

A method for efficiently simulating nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) of nanoscale and condensed phase systems is developed and tested. The electronic structure, including force and nonadiabatic coupling, are obtained with the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) approximation, which provides significant computational savings by splitting the system into fragments and computing electronic properties of each fragment subject to the external field due to other all other fragments. The efficiency of the developed technique is demonstrated by studying the effect of explicit solvent molecules on excited state relaxation in the Fe(CO)4 complex. The relaxation in the gas phase occurs on a 50 fs time scale, which is in excellent agreement with previously recorded femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy. Adding a solvation shell of ethanol molecules to the simulation results in an increase in the excited state lifetime to 100 fs, in agreement with recent femtosecond X-ray spectroscopy measurements.
Kinase inhibitors as potential agents in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

// Hanley N. Abramson 1 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA Correspondence to: Hanley N. Abramson, email: // Keywords : multiple myeloma, kinase inhibitors Received : March 04, 2016 Accepted : June 30, 2016 Published : July 20, 2016 Abstract Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of therapeutic options available for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) - from immunomodulating agents to proteasome inhibitors to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and, most recently, monoclonal antibodies. Used in conjunction with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, these modalities have nearly doubled the disease’s five-year survival rate over the last three decades to about 50%. In spite of these advances, MM still is considered incurable as resistance and relapse are common. While small molecule protein kinase inhibitors have made inroads in the therapy of a number of cancers, to date their application to MM has been less than successful. Focusing on MM, this review examines the roles played by a number of kinases in driving the malignant state and the rationale for target development in the design of a number of kinase inhibitors that have demonstrated anti-myeloma activity in both in vitro and in vivo xenograph models, as well as those that have entered clinical trials. Among the targets and their inhibitors examined are receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, cell cycle control kinases, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway kinases, protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinase, glycogen synthase kinase, casein kinase, integrin-linked kinase, sphingosine kinase, and kinases involved in the unfolded protein response.
Applications of Graph Scheduling Techniques in Parallelizing Irregular Scientific Computation

Parallelizing irregular scientific computation efficiently is a challenging open research area. In this paper we investigate the applicability of graph scheduling techniques to solving irregular problems in distributed memory machines Our approach is to express irregular computation in terms of a macro-dataflow task model and use an automatic scheduling system to map task graphs and also generate parallel code based on the scheduling result. We study the performance of run-time execution of an irregular static schedule and report our solutions with the automatic scheduling system for sparse matrix computation and hierarchical 2D N-body simulations. We also examine the run-time performance of static mapping for the adaptive n-body simulation. Our preliminary experiments in nCUBE-2 have produced promising results with regard to the practicality of automatic scheduling for irregular problems.
Modern Assessment of Diastolic Function

The goal of this review is to outline the new guidelines released by the ASE/EACVI that seek to simplify the assessment of diastolic function and evaluate the use and potential application of new and emerging technologies. The latest guidelines have decreased the number of parameters needed to evaluate diastolic function to 3. The parameters necessary include peak tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity, average E/e′, and indexed left atrial volume (LAVi). At least 2 out of 3 must be positive to determine diastolic dysfunction. There are certain disease states that limit the application of the new guidelines and diastolic stress testing may be indicated in inconclusive cases. New and emerging technologies such as global longitudinal strain (GLS) may provide new opportunities to determine LV filling pressures. New guidelines issued by the ASE and EACVI have simplified the assessment of diastolic function and should be implemented in daily practice.
General Information: History, Etiology and Theory (e.g., Courtship), Diagnosis, Comorbidity and Prevalence

The descriptions of what we call paraphilias or paraphilic behaviors appear in various texts and pictorial art since the ancient times. Some old cave paintings picture men having sex with animals. One of the oldest texts mentioning paraphilic behavior is the Bible, as pointed out by Aggrawal (J Forensic Leg Med 16: 109–114, 2009). We also know that some paraphilia, e.g., pedophilia and hebephilia, or what some would call pedohebephilia, were fairly benevolently practiced in Ancient Greece and Old Rome. What we now call paraphilias and paraphilic disorders were called by different names and terms by various societies, e.g., sexual deviation, perversion, bestiality, and others. Individual sexual deviations (now paraphilias/paraphilic disorders) have been described in different texts, starting with the Bible (here, e.g., voyeurism, bestiality, exhibitionism, necrophilia-1). A couple of the individual paraphilia names (sadism and masochism) came from the description in fiction literature. The term sadism originated with Marquis Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade, a French nobleman and sexual libertine, who practiced and described in his novellas and other writings various “deviant” sexual practices, including what we call sadism or sadistic practices. Interestingly, de Sade was institutionalized in “lunatic asylums” several times and died in one, where he had what we would call a pedophilic relationship till his death. Masochism is called after an Austrian nobleman Baron Leopold von Sacher-Masoch who also practiced various what we would call paraphilic behaviors (including masochism) and described masochism in his story of Venus in Furs. Interestingly, von Sacher-Masoch was also under psychiatric care in his late life and some even claim that he died in an asylum (unconfirmed). The term masochism was introduced into medical terminology by Austrian psychiatrist/sexologist Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing in his famous book Psychopathia Sexualis (first published in 1886).