cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fas Ligand-Fas Signaling Participates in Light-Induced Apoptotic Death in Photoreceptor Cells

Purpose We investigated the function of Fas in photoreceptors. Methods Postmortem human eyes and mouse-derived photoreceptor cells (661W) were examined for Fas expression by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. 661W cells were treated with FasL or Fas agonistic antibody, or exposed to light with/without pharmacological manipulation of Fas signaling, followed by apoptosis detection by TUNEL, immunofluorescence and fluorescence activated cell scanning (FACS). Fractionated cellular extracts were used to detect protein expression or protein phosphorylation after immunoprecipitation by Western blot. Results Fas was expressed in the photoreceptor layer of human retina. Fas and a cleaved form of FasL were found on the cell surface of 661W cells. Treatment with FasL or Fas agonistic antibody induced apoptosis in 661W cells. Blocking the activity of FasL or administration of caspase-8 inhibitor z-IETD inhibited light-induced apoptosis. However, it simultaneously caused induction of necroptosis, which could be blocked by the receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) inhibitor, necrostatin-1. Light exposure in the presence of z-IETD caused hyper-phosphorylation of RIP1. Light exposure did not elevate the expression of Fas, FasL, or the Fas-associated death domain adaptor protein (FADD). Cells or conditioned medium after light exposure induced apoptosis in dark-adapted cells, which could be attenuated by blockade of Fas. Conclusions Fas has a pro-apoptotic role in photoreceptors. Under light stress, soluble and membrane-bound FasL can bind to Fas, inducing apoptosis via a paracrine mechanism. Although blocking Fas signaling inhibits apoptosis, it does not improve the overall photoreceptor survival due to a compensatory activation of necroptosis. Hence, prevention of photoreceptor loss from retinal photo-oxidative stress should target Fas and RIP1.
Geometry and reproducibility in 360° fundoplication

Background: In this study, we set out to precisely define two symmetrical points—a on the anterior fundic wall and b on the posterior fundic wall. These points, when advanced around a 60-Fr bougie-filled esophagus, will meet on the right side, to the right of the anterior vagus nerve, to create a reliable, reproducible, loose (i.e., or “floppy”) 360° fundoplication (FP). Methods: For the terms of this study, circumference=c; diameter=d; c/d=π; π=3.14; and d(cm)=Fr/30. Using a flexible plastic ruler, we measured, in cadavers (n=5) and intraoperatively (n=16), esophageal c at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) with a 60-Fr bougie in place; d was calculated from c. Results: The smallest measured value for c was 7.5 cm (d=2.39 cm); the largest value for c was 10.0 cm (d=3.18 cm). The mean value was 8.35 cm (d=2.66 cm). Points a and b are established by measuring laterally from a point where the greater curve meets the GEJ in the bougie-filled esophagus. Point a is 6.0 cm laterally and 6.0 cm below the short gastric vessels on the anterior fundus; point b is 6.0 cm laterally in a symmetrical position on the posterior fundus. Connecting these three points as a line defines the inner c of the completed FP and measures 12.0 cm. This gives an internal d of 3.82 cm for the FP. This is >1 cm larger than d for the mean measured external esophageal c of 8.35 cm where d=2.66 cm. This technique creates a correctly oriented, symmetrical, “floppy,” true fundoplication. It avoids wrapping or twisting the fundus around the GEJ. The technique is easily taught and reproducible. Conclusions: Two points, measured a horizontal distance of 6.0 cm from the GEJ, symmetrically placed on the anterior (point a) and posterior (point b) fundus can be brought anterior (a) and posterior (b) to the esophagus and sutured to the right of the anterior vagus nerve to reliably and reproducibly create a “floppy” 360° fundoplication.
Multicentric giant cell tumor of bone. Clinicopathologic analysis of thirty cases.

Background: Giant cell tumor of bone accounts for 4% to 5% of primary bone tumors. Approximately 1% of cases present as multiple synchronous or metachronous lesions. In this study, we describe the clinicopathologic features of thirty cases of multicentric giant cell tumor. Methods: Thirty patients who had two or more separate lesions that had been pathologically confirmed to be giant cell tumors were identified. Radiographs were reviewed to evaluate the characteristics and locations of the tumors. Histologic reexamination was performed to document morphologic features. Clinical information and follow-up data were obtained from the medical records. Results: The male:female ratio was 1:2, with an average age at presentation of twenty-one years. Fifty-nine percent of the patients were younger than twenty years of age. There were ninety-four tumors in the series, with an average of three (range, two to nine) per patient. Most tumors had arisen in the long bones. Six patients had synchronous ipsilateral involvement of the distal part of the femur and the proximal part of the tibia. Radiographically, the tumors in long bones manifested as expansive lytic lesions involving the metaphysis and extending into the epiphysis. A minority of the tumors were confined to the metaphysis, had features of a fibro-osseous or bone-forming lesion, or arose in skeletally immature patients. Secondary histopathologic changes including fibrohistiocytic regions, reactive bone formation, or aneurysmal bone cyst-like changes were not uncommon. Most tumors were treated with curettage (64%) or resection (22%). The recurrence rate was similar to that of solitary giant cell tumors. Metastatic disease developed in three patients, and two patients had malignant transformation. Conclusions: Multicentric giant cell tumors occur more often in younger patients than do solitary giant cell tumors, and they frequently present as synchronous lesions around the knee. Some tumors appear as bone-forming or fibroosseous tumors on imaging studies as a result of fibrohistiocytic regions and reactive bone formation. The risk of recurrence depends on the type of surgery that is performed. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Evaluating the internal consistency of recovery plans for federally endangered species

We assessed the internal consistency of the planning process for endangered species by analyzing over 150 recovery plans. We evaluated consistency within recovery plans in three key areas: threats to species, gaps in information, and monitoring of species recovery. Our analyses revealed that recovery plans typically have high levels of internal consistency in all key areas, with mean consistency >50% for eight of the nine comparisons conducted. The only area with relatively low consistency was monitoring. Specifically, we found low consistency in monitoring threats (25.7 ± 1.76%, mean ± 1 se) and monitoring of recovery criteria (consistency 51.3 ± 3.35%). In general, multi-species plans were more consistent than single-species plans in monitoring identified threats. Our results suggest that recovery plans are effectively maintaining a consistent focus in their recommendations for endangered species recovery, with the exception of monitoring. We emphasize, however, that internal consistency alone is not sufficient to assure that a recovery plan will be effective.
Two-phase elasto-plastic seismic response of earth dams: theory

Abstract A simplified, efficient and cost-effective numerical procedure to perform the phenomenological elasto-plastic seismic response analysis of earth dams is developed. The procedure is applicable to long dams with nearly symmetrical triangular cross-sections made of homogeneous horizontal layers and accounts for the presence of water in the dam material. The method is based on a two-dimensional Galerkin formulation of the equations of motion for the dam material, and fully coupled soil skeleton and pore water equations are used in the saturated portion of the dam. The soil skeleton nonlinear hysteretic response is modelled using an effective stress multi-surface elasto-plastic constitutive model.
The Electronic Energy Band Structure of Silicon and Germanium

This article, which is of a tutorial character, is concerned with three broad subjects: (a) the theory of electronic energy bands in a perfect crystal; (b) the electronic energy band structure of silicon and germanium crystals; and (c) the relationship between some of the electrical and optical properties of these crystals and their energy band schemes. The article is essentially an introduction to the quantum theory of crystals, with silicon and germanium serving as illustrative examples. As such, the article should appeal particularly to electronic engineers and physicists working in the field of solid state electronics. A knowledge of quantum mechanics is probably not essential to the understanding of major portions of this paper. The following topics are treated: crystal symmetry and crystal geometry; electronic quantum states in a perfect crystal; the energy band scheme; occupancy of the electronic quantum states; the hole concept; the effective mass tensor; velocity and acceleration of electrons and holes; the spin-orbit interaction and its consequences; the energy band structures of silicon and germanium; the band structure of germanium-silicon alloys; theory of lattice vibrations; the phonon concept; collisions between electrons or holes and phonons; the electrical conductivity; optical absorption and emission processes.
A Gatekeeper Chaperone Complex Directs Translocator Secretion during Type Three Secretion

Many Gram-negative bacteria use Type Three Secretion Systems (T3SS) to deliver effector proteins into host cells. These protein delivery machines are composed of cytosolic components that recognize substrates and generate the force needed for translocation, the secretion conduit, formed by a needle complex and associated membrane spanning basal body, and translocators that form the pore in the target cell. A defined order of secretion in which needle component proteins are secreted first, followed by translocators, and finally effectors, is necessary for this system to be effective. While the secreted effectors vary significantly between organisms, the ∼20 individual protein components that form the T3SS are conserved in many pathogenic bacteria. One such conserved protein, referred to as either a plug or gatekeeper, is necessary to prevent unregulated effector release and to allow efficient translocator secretion. The mechanism by which translocator secretion is promoted while effector release is inhibited by gatekeepers is unknown. We present the structure of the Chlamydial gatekeeper, CopN, bound to a translocator-specific chaperone. The structure identifies a previously unknown interface between gatekeepers and translocator chaperones and reveals that in the gatekeeper-chaperone complex the canonical translocator-binding groove is free to bind translocators. Structure-based mutagenesis of the homologous complex in Shigella reveals that the gatekeeper-chaperone-translocator complex is essential for translocator secretion and for the ordered secretion of translocators prior to effectors.
The oxidation of halogenated ethylenes by ozone and applications in waste water treatment

Abstract Ozone oxidation reactions of halogenated ethylenes such as trichloroethylene[l], 1,1-dichloroethylene[2], cis-1,2-dichloroethylene[3], trans1,2-dichloroethylene[4], trans-1,2-dibromoethylene[5], cis-1,2-dibromoethylene[6] and tetrachloroethylene[7] in aqueous media were investigated. The trends in reactivity of them toward ozone appeared to be the following order; [5], [4] > [2], [6] > [3] > [1] > [7]. The products identified in the ozone oxidation reactions were formic acid, chloride ion and bromide ion. The yields of formic acid, chloride ion and bromide ion depended on the kind of halogenated ethylene and on the reaction temperature. The maximum yields of these products were 59 % ([4], 10 c°), 100% ([4], 10 c°) and 87% (mixture of [5] and [6], 25 c° ),respectively. These products seemed to be further oxidized to carbon dioxide, water, chlorine and bromine. Based on the results of these experiments, the bench scale plant for the treatments of waters contaminated with halogenated alkenes was developed. Removals of halogenated alkenes in waters were achieved with satisfactory efficiency by this plant.
The Simple Rectification to Cartesian Space of Folded Radial Velocities from Doppler Radar Sampling

Abstract Periodic sampling of the Doppler radar return signal at the pulse repetition frequency causes measured velocities to be ambiguous (folded) when true meteorological velocities along the radial direction exceed the Nyquist or folding value. Furthermore, mean radial velocity estimates become more uncertain as the spatial variability of velocity increases or the returned signal strength decreases. These data have conventionally been prepared for such uses as multiple-Doppler radar wind synthesis by unfolding and editing them in the sampling domain (range-azimuth-elevation spherical coordinates). An alternative method of locally (to the output grid point) unfolding the unedited radial velocities during their linear interpolation to a regular Cartesian grid is presented. The method preserves the spatial discontinuities of order twice the Nyquist value associated with velocity folding. A nondimensional velocity quality parameter is also computed which serves to identify interpolated values that contain ...
Public transportation disability and the elderly: An assessment based on 1980 census data

Lack of an adequate measure of disability for specific subpopulations and geographic areas has long been a problem for planners, in particular those concerned with the growing needs of aging people. This paper first assesses the quality and utility of the query on public transportation disability (PTD) in the 1980 census for the noninstitutional population aged 75 and older. Next, patterns of disability by age, sex, race, educational attainment, family income, area of residence, and availability of transportation are analyzed for reasonableness and internal consistency. Finally, the implications of the findings for transportation policy are discussed in light of data availability, policy goals, and the observed heterogeneity of the 75+ population.
ICP-AES as a Multiple Element Detector for Metal Chelates Separated by HPLC

ICP-AES was used for the simultaneous multiple element detection of trace metals species separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The technique is demonstrated for the determination of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelates of copper, zinc, calcium, and magnesium. Multi-element chromatograms were obtained using a 32-channel polychromator programmed to perform a series of time-resolved intensity integrations. Data were retrieved channel-by-channel and plotted in histographic form. Comparison with UV absorbance and single-channel ICP-AES tracings reveals that the histograms reflect reliable chromatographic data. Linearity and precision of the system were found to be good in the 20 to 2000 ng range.
Buffer block planning for interconnect planning and prediction

This paper studies buffer block planning (BBP) for interconnect planning and prediction in deep submicron designs. We first introduce the concept of a feasible region for buffer insertion, and derive its closed-form formula. We observe that the feasible region for a buffer is quite large in general even under fairly tight delay constraint. Therefore, it gives a lot of flexibility to plan for buffer locations. We then develop an effective BBP algorithm to perform buffer clustering such that design objectives such as overall chip area and the number of buffer blocks can be minimized. Effective BBP can plan and predict system-level interconnect by construction, so that accurate interconnect information can be used in early design stages to ensure design closure.
Discontinuities and overlaps in patterning within single cells.

Ciliates such as Tetrahymena manifest longitudinal vegetative growth and periodic equatorial subdivision. Evidence is presented suggesting that this subdivision involves the formation of discontinuities associated with the fission zone that closely resemble expressions of the segment border in multicellular organisms. Unlike latitudes, cellular longitudes can potentially maintain clonal continuity. Features of the system of longitudinal positioning of contractile vacuole pores (c.v.ps) in wild-type cells are suggestive of a circular positional system wrapped around the cell circumference, with a reference border coinciding with the axis of oral development. This border marks a discontinuity that, unlike the fission zone, can be clonally propagated. A recessive mutant, janus( jan) , brings about alterations in c.v.p. positioning that suggest that a second longitudinal reference border is located about 45 % of the cell circumference to the cell’s right of the first. This second border, along which abnormal oral structures sporadically appear, seems to maintain a positional system oriented in a direction opposite to the primary system. When jan first comes to expression in cells previously jan + , the pattern of c.v.p. longitudes changes gradually from that characteristic of wild-type cells to the jan pattern; this change begins before abnormal oral structures first appear along the second reference border. We suggest that the two reference borders, and the positional systems that they control, might be present in wild-type as well as jan cells. The oppositely directed positional systems are likely to overlap. A simple model is proposed to illustrate how overlapping positional systems might cooperate to generate patterns such as those observed.
ANSYS-based detailed thermo-mechanical modeling of complex thermoelectric power designs

Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) via ANSYS Workbench simulation software, complicated coupled-field analyses of thermoelectric devices can be performed. This is effective in examining the thermo-mechanical stresses introduced in these devices through their operation. Due to the large temperature gradients inherent in their operation, as well as the mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion, large stresses can be present during power generation. This stress can lead to device failure in several ways; the device may break, bowing of the system may lead to a loss in thermal contact between layers and subsequent reduction in heat transfer. FEA simulations examined the mechanical behavior of the device at operating temperatures, including; determination of the optimum pellet length for shear stress minimization, and modeling the behavior of Niobium compliance pads in the system.
TLR4 Is a Novel Determinant of the Response to Paclitaxel in Breast Cancer

Overexpression of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) in human tumors often correlates with chemoresistance and metastasis. We found that TLR4 is overexpressed in the majority of clinical breast cancer samples and in 68% of the examined breast cancer lines. TLR4 is activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and other ligands including the widely used drug paclitaxel. LPS is frequently used to show a tumor-promoting role of TLR4 although this bacterial component is unlikely to be found in the breast cancer environment. We reasoned that paclitaxel-dependent activation of TLR4 is more relevant to breast cancer chemoresistance that could be mediated by activation of the NF-κB pathway leading to upregulation of prosurvival genes. To test this hypothesis, we correlated TLR4 expression with resistance to paclitaxel in two modified breast cancer lines with either depleted or overexpressed TLR4 protein. Depletion of TLR4 in naturally overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cells downregulated prosurvival genes concomitant with 2- to 3-fold reduced IC(50) to paclitaxel in vitro and a 6-fold decrease in recurrence rate in vivo. Conversely, TLR4 overexpression in a negative cell line HCC1806 significantly increased expression of inflammatory and prosurvival genes along with a 3-fold increase of IC(50) to paclitaxel in vitro and enhanced tumor resistance to paclitaxel therapy in vivo. Importantly, both tumor models showed that many paclitaxel-upregulated inflammatory cytokines were coinduced with their receptors suggesting that this therapy induces autocrine tumor-promoting loops. Collectively, these results show that paclitaxel not only kills tumor cells but also enhances their survival by activating TLR4 pathway. These findings suggest that blocking TLR4 could significantly improve response to paclitaxel therapy.
Cocaine-associated violence and relationship to route of administration

The relationship between route of cocaine administration, that is, free base/crack smoking (FB), intravenous injection (IV), and nasal insufflation (NS) and level of violence was studied. The authors hypothesized that the route that produced the most intense effects (i.e., FB > IV > NS) would produce the highest level of violence. Over a 12-month period, 194 cocaine users were screened. After excluding polydrug users, 101 patients of both sexes participated in this study for the evaluation of expressions of violence. Evaluations were conducted by a structured questionnaire. The order of level of increased violence matched that of the most "intense" route of administration for some measures only. FB and IV use generally produced the same level of violence for most measurements. Both FB and IV routes produced more violence than NS. Violent actions requiring sustained activity (e.g., rape, burglary, and armed robbery) showed no relationship to route. The difference in levels in violence between males and females varied according to circumstance, not route of administration.
Plastic Tote Distribution

Plastic totes have been commonly used to transport healthcare products from a distribution center to a retail store. Damages often occur in partially-filled totes. This article reviews the research performed at the Healthcare Packaging Consortium, including problem validation, the use of a bubble wrap sheet at the bottom of a plastic tote to cut down potential damages, the use of air pillows at the top of the a tote to reduce immediate and subsequent impact accelerations, and equations developed to predict drop height and impact acceleration at the interior tote bottom based on peak accelerations logged from a shock recorder.
Making Tough Choices: A Decision Support Tool Helps Managers Develop Malaysia's Furniture Industry

The article reports on a study relating to a decision support tool designed to aid managers in Malaysia's furniture industry. The decision tool program set goals for annual allocation including meeting the overall furniture demand, achieving a desired level of average quality for all furniture produced, and achieving a desired level of average firm performance. The tool was also utilized to investigate the possible impact of different allocation strategies. The study indicates that the tool helped program managers in Malaysia by shedding light on previous allocation decisions by clarifying the specific rules that managers used.
Spatial and temporal patterns of territory use of male California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Little is known about the spatial distribution patterns of territory use throughout the breeding season and the po- tential influence of these patterns on male behavior and fitness for California sea lions (Zalophus californianus (Lesson, 1828)). We used empirical data from behavioral observations to document the distribution of 1271 territories during the 2004-2006 breeding seasons at three breeding colonies in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Territories were depicted as cir- cular objects and overlaid over one another in ArcINFO 1 , separated by island and year. Areas with consistent overlap in territory use were identified among years. Territory boundaries and locations were spatially distinct within breeding sea- sons and at each of the breeding colonies. Males occurring in these areas were partially influenced by island, year, territory size, number of females, aggressive interactions, and distance to nearest neighbor (best fitting model — AIC = 1273.09, !i = 0.99). However, the best model only accounted for 30% of the variation, indicating that other variables are needed to explain the occurrence of these ''hot spots''. Territory site selection, therefore, may be influenced by extrinsic factors under which female choice may be operating resembling a lek-like mating system. Resume´ : Chez les lions de mer de Californie (Zalophus californianus (Lesson, 1828)), on connaoˆt mal les patrons de re ´- partition spatiale de l'utilisation du territoire durant la saison de reproduction et l'influence potentielle de ces patrons sur le comportement et la fitness des males. Des donnees empiriques provenant d'observations du comportement nous ont servi aetablir la repartition de 1271 territoires durant les saisons de reproduction de 2004-2006 dans trois colonies repro- ductives du golfe de Californie, Mexique. Nous avons representeles territoires comme des objets circulaires et superposes dans ArcINFO 1 et les avons separes par o
Pivotal Advance: The pattern recognition receptor ligands lipopolysaccharide and polyinosine-polycytidylic acid stimulate factor B synthesis by the macrophage through distinct but overlapping mechanisms

TLRs and complement are critical to the host response in sepsis, trauma, and ischemia/reperfusion. We hypothesize that TLR stimulation leads to synthesis and release of complement components by macrophages, an important source of extrahepatic complement. RAW264.7 macrophages or peritoneal macrophages from WT and TLR4-, TLR3-, TRIF-, or MyD88-deficient mice were cultured under standard conditions. In some experiments, cells were pretreated with inhibitors of MAPKs or a NF-κB inhibitor. Cells were stimulated with TLR ligands at known stimulatory concentrations. Intratracheal and i.p. injections were also performed in mice. RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were used for analysis. Using a RT-PCR-based panel, we demonstrate that of 18 complement components tested, factor B of the alternative pathway is the most robustly up-regulated complement component in macrophages in response to LPS. This up-regulation results in release of factor B into the media. Up-regulation of factor B by LPS is dependent on TLR4, TRIF, JNK, and NF-κB. A screen of other TLR ligands demonstrated that stimulation with poly I:C (dsRNA analog) also results in up-regulation of factor B, which is dependent on JNK and NF-κB but independent of TLR3 and TRIF. Up-regulation of factor B is also observed after intratracheal and i.p. injection of LPS or poly I:C in vivo. PRR stimulation profoundly influences production and release of factor B by macrophages. Understanding the mechanisms of PRR-mediated complement production may lead to strategies aimed at preventing tissue damage in diverse settings, including sepsis, trauma, and ischemia/reperfusion.
My Dream Is a Wish

What a wonderful place for us to be in … Orlando, Florida, the second home of Mickey Mouse and the dream of the world's greatest creative mind—and of the biggest kid the world has known, Walt Disney. In this fantasyland of the Magic Kingdom and of make-believe that was created by the great visionary, Walt Disney, it's easy to return to our childhood and the joy of wish making. One of Walt Disney's greatest classics is the story of Cinderella, a rags-to-riches story. Disney portrays the story of this beautiful, loving girl whose father remarries after Cinderella's mother dies. The woman he marries has 2 older daughters of her own. They would all have lived happily ever after had it not been for the fact that Cinderella's father becomes ill and dies. It is then that the story truly begins to unfold.…
Media Discourse and the Social Construction of Risk

A sociological approach to the study of risk assumes that risk and safety exist in and through social organization rather than as objective conditions that individuals simply perceive either more or less accurately. A research agenda based on this assumption must identify who influences the social construction of risk and how they do so. This paper focuses on media discourse in the aftermath of a dramatic event. It deals with news accounts of a bridge collapse and of the apparent deterioration of the nation's bridges contained in articles published in the national edition of the New York Times. I identify and compare causes of the problematic condition of bridges advanced by experts and other news sources with causes that were conspicuously absent from these news accounts to suggest why some conceptions of risk but not others enter into public discourse.
Joint Products and Responses To a Profit Tax: the Case of Endogenous Cost Allocation

With a simple assumption on the cost function, an earlier article shows that an increase in profit tax will increase the joint production. This note provides a complement to that study by consideri...
Caecal pneumatosis is not an absolute contraindication for endoluminal stenting in patients with acute malignant large bowel obstruction.

Background The computed tomographic (CT) finding of caecal pneumatosis in patients with malignant large bowel obstruction has been associated with ischaemia and impending perforation. Emergency surgery is then usually performed without consideration of endoluminal stenting. The aim of our study was to correlate caecal viability to the CT finding of caecal pneumatosis in patients with acute malignant large bowel obstruction. Methods A retrospective review of the CT scans of all patients presenting with acute malignant large bowel obstruction was performed. Patients with CT evidence of caecal pneumatosis were identified and this was correlated with intraoperative and histopathological findings. Results There were 10 patients who had caecal pneumatosis on their CT scans between 2007 and 2010. Five underwent immediate surgery while the other five had emergency endoluminal stenting performed. One failed the stenting procedure and proceeded to emergency surgery. The other four were stented successfully and underwent interval surgery in an elective setting. In the six patients who underwent emergency surgery, four were found to have a viable caecum intra-operatively and underwent a segmental resection. The remaining two had an ischaemic caecum – one had curvilinear pneumatosis and the other had a predominantly bubbly pattern of pneumatosis on their CT scans. Conclusion Caecal pneumatosis alone is not a reliable predictor of caecal viability in patients with acute malignant large bowel obstruction. Such a finding on CT scan should be correlated clinically before excluding the role of endoluminal stenting.
Work in progress - Developing a curriculum for a minor in ‘sustainability’ by the incorporation of quality function deployment (QFD) techniques

Recently, there has been considerable focus on incorporating the concept of sustainability into academic curricula across the United States. In keeping with this trend, Georgia Southern University has sought to introduce a minor in Sustainability that will be offered to students on campus. This aforementioned effort has been presented in this paper though the development of a systematic methodology. The proposed minor in sustainability will encompass factors such as carbon footprint, limited resources, renewable energy, and will critically examine in detail the business case for sustainability. A capstone course would seek to expose students to hands on experience in designing sustainable systems for both products as well as services. A multifaceted issue such as sustainability is bound to have many interdisciplinary as well as cross disciplinary aspects which are addressed through the proposed minor. A QFD approach has been utilized for this purpose to ensure objectivity of instruction and quality of course material.
T1-hyperintense renal lesions: can high signal predict lack of enhancement?

To establish highly specific criteria for predicting non-enhancement in T1-hyperintense non-fat-containing (T1-high) renal lesions using unenhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted (T1-FS) images. This IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study included T1-high renal lesions found between 7/1/2012 and 7/1/2014. The largest lesion diameter and heterogeneity, mean signal intensity of lesion, and adjacent renal cortex were recorded from T1-FS images. The presence/absence of lesion enhancement was determined from subtraction images. T1 signal ratio (T1-SR) was calculated as (mean SI of lesion)/(mean SI of cortex). Logistic regression with binary outcome of the presence or absence of lesion enhancement was performed. Cut-off T1-SR to maximize specificity was established from receiver operator curve analysis. There were 101 patients (58 [57.4%] male) with non-enhancing lesions and 80 patients (51 [63.8%] male) with enhancing lesions, mean ages 64.0 ± 13.3 and 62.1 ± 13.8 years, respectively. Median sizes were 11 mm (IQR 8–16) and 20.5 mm (IQR 15–29) for non-enhancing and enhancing lesions, respectively (p < 0.0001). 19/101 (18.8%) of non-enhancing and 56/80 (70.0%) of enhancing lesions were heterogeneous (p < 0.0001). T1-SR was 1.77 ± 0.6 and 1.25 ± 0.42 for non-enhancing and enhancing lesions, respectively (p < 0.0001). For each increase of 0.5 in T1-SR, odds ratio for non-enhancement was 3.3 (95% CI 1.85–5.79), adjusted for lesion size and heterogeneity. T1-SR alone had area under the curve of 0.88 (95% CI 0.78–10.89) for non-enhancement. T1-SR ≥2.15 had positive likelihood ratio of 9.5 for non-enhancement. Signal ratio of lesion to cortex ≥2.15 on unenhanced T1-weighted images is a highly specific predictor for non-enhancement.
Lithium isotopes and light lithophile element abundances in shergottites: Evidence for both magmatic degassing and subsolidus diffusion

Degassed magmatic water was potentially the major source of surficial water on Mars. We measured Li, B, and Be abundances and Li isotope profiles in pyroxenes, olivines, and maskelynite from four compositionally different shergottites—Shergotty, QUE 94201, LAR 06319, and Tissint—using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). All three light lithophile elements (LLE) are incompatible: Li and B are soluble in H2O-rich fluids, whereas Be is insoluble. In the analyzed shergottites, Li concentration decreases and Be concentration increases from cores to rims in pyroxenes. However, B concentrations do not vary consistently with Li and Be abundances, except in QUE 94201 pyroxenes. Additionally, abundances of these three elements in olivines show a normal igneous-fractionation trend consistent with the crystallization of olivine before magma ascent and degassing. We expect that kinetic effects would lead to fractionation of 6Li in the vapor phase compared to 7Li during degassing. The Li isotope profiles, with increasing δ7Li from cores to rims, as well as Li and B profiles indicate possible degassing of hydrous fluids only for the depleted shergottite QUE 94201, as also supported by degassing models. Conversely, Shergotty, LAR 06319, and Tissint appear to have been affected by postcrystallization diffusion, based on their LLE and Li isotope profiles, accompanied by diffusion models. This process may represent an overlay on a degassing pattern. The LLE profiles and isotope profiles in QUE 94201 support the hypothesis that degassing of some basaltic shergottite magmas provided water to the Martian surface, although evidence may be obscured by subsolidus diffusion processes.
Novels Before Nations: How Early US Novels Imagined Community

"In this essay, we propose an alternative to the mainstream of novel criticism, which links the novel to the modern nation—whether as a symptom of the nation’s emergence, as the means of producing subjects to inhabit it, or as a representation of the nation that makes that nation seem necessary to the existence of its population. To accomplish this objective, we identify the narrative moves by which novels of the early US republic, roughly the period from 1780 to 1830, brought intelligibility to what in European terms was most certainly a mess—namely, the colonies of North America."
Individual Traders and the Allocation of Scarce Attention

I consider a rational expectations model in which individual investors become informed by allocating limited attention to stocks. A single informed individual provides no measurable effects. However, individuals' equilibrium attention allocations are identical. Consequently, there exists an informed herd that crowds out institutions in some stocks. Recent empirical work indicates that some individual traders are informed, their actions are measurable, and their trades appear coordinated. My model explains the data and provides new cross sectional and time series predictions regarding investor clienteles and attentiveness. The model challenges the standard assumption that the actions of informed individuals are subsumed by institutions.
Partial Gapping of the Fermi Surface and Superconductivity in Eu x Mo 6 S 8

The thermoelectric power and resistance of ${\mathrm{Eu}}_{x}{\mathrm{Mo}}_{6}{\mathrm{S}}_{8}$ have been measured as functions of temperature and pressure. Anomalies are found that resemble a smeared charge-density-wave transition which opens a gap over part of the Fermi surface. From the competition of this transition and superconductivity for states at the Fermi surface, the pressure dependence of the superconducting transition temperature can be quantitatively explained.
Structure of Transmembrane Pores Stabilized by Antimicrobial Peptides Magainin and PGLa

Antimicrobial peptides are found in many organisms as part of their defense system against bacterial infections. They have similar structural and functional features: most consist of amphiphilic helices that bind to a membrane and disrupt it by diverse methods. Among these peptides, magainin 2 and PGLa are found in the frog skin and exhibit synergistic effects in lipid bilayer disruption by the formation of transmembrane pores [1]. Experimental methods, such as solid-state NMR, have shed light on the relative orientation of magainin 2 and PGLa on membranes with different lipid composition [2,3], but there is a general lack of information on the structure of the pore and the specific interactions that lead to its stabilization. In the present work, we studied the structure and dynamics of transmembrane pores formed by magainin 2 and magainin 2/PGLa (2:2) tetramers by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations performed at the Anton supercomputer (Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center). For both systems we observed stabilization of a pore. The 9-μs simulation time allows a detailed analysis of its structure and properties, the role of the lipids surrounding it, and the relative orientation of magainin 2 and PGLa in the membrane.References[1] Matsuzaki, Mikani, Akada et al. Biochemistry (1998) 37:15144-15153[2] Tremouilhac P, Strandberg E, Wadhwani P and Ulrich AS. J. Biol. Chem. (2006) 281:32089-32094[3] Strandberg E, Zerweck J, Wadhwani P and Ulrich AS. Biophys. J. (2013) 104: L09-L011
Burn wound management.

Advances in burn wound management have lead to a marked improvement in the prognosis for extensively burned patients. The primary goal of burn wound care is to control the incidence of infection until the wound either heals spontaneously or is closed by surgical intervention. Critical care nurses play a major role in accomplishing this goal by implementing a comprehensive plan of wound management. Issues to be considered in this plan include wound healing, infection control, wound assessment and documentation, hydrotherapy, debridement, surgical management, and pain control.
Clinical contribution of the newer fluoroquinolones in acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Acute exacerbations occur frequently in patients with chronic bronchitis and the majority of these patients benefit from antimicrobial therapy. The ideal antimicrobial agent for the management of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) should have good activity against the common bacterial pathogens associated with these exacerbations (non-typable Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and pneumococci); it should be resistant to bacterial betalactamases; penetrate well into pulmonary tissues and secretions; kill bacteria without inducing excessive airway inflammation; be easy to take (given once or twice a day) in order to ensure high patient compliance, and be cost-effective. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of AECB, but because of the limited activity of certain older agents in this class when administered in standard doses against Streptococcus pneumoniae, they have not be extensively used for this indication. Newer agents including levofloxacin, grepafloxacin, sparfloxacin and trovafloxacin have excellent activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens likely to be involved in AECB. These agents can be administered once daily, making patient compliance and a successful therapeutic outcome more likely. The new quinolones offer promising alternatives for antimicrobial therapy in outpatients with AECB, particularly those with underlying co-morbidity and severe obstruction.
Decoupling light reflex from pupillary dilation to measure emotional arousal in videos

Predicting the exciting portions of a video is a widely relevant problem because of applications such as video summarization, searching for similar videos, and recommending videos to users. Researchers have proposed the use of physiological indices such as pupillary dilation as a measure of emotional arousal. The key problem with using the pupil to measure emotional arousal is accounting for pupillary response to brightness changes. We propose a linear model of pupillary light reflex to predict the pupil diameter of a viewer based only on incident light intensity. The residual between the measured pupillary diameter and the model prediction is attributed to the emotional arousal corresponding to that scene. We evaluate the effectiveness of this method of factoring out pupillary light reflex for the particular application of video summarization. The residual is converted into an exciting-ness score for each frame of a video. We show results on a variety of videos, and compare against ground truth as reported by three independent coders.
Chapter 127 - Store-operated Ca 2+ Channels

Capacitative calcium entry is a process whereby depletion of Ca 2+ from intracellular stores leads to the activation of Ca 2+ channels in the plasma membrane and accelerated entry of Ca 2+ into the cytoplasm of cells. Current research focuses on the molecular nature of the channels and the mechanism of coupling the channels to Ca 2+ store depletion. Leading contenders for the store-operated channels are members of the trp gene family, although no one gene has been definitively linked to a specific store-operated channel. The mechanism of activation of the channels may involve interactions between the plasma membrane channels and endoplasmic reticulum IP 3 receptors in some instances or a diffusible Ca 2+ influx factor in others. Continued work is needed to clarify and resolve these important issues.
Acute Fear & Survey Behaviors: A Mogadishu Case Study

For the chronically vulnerable, does acute insecurity increase or decrease subjects’ willingness to take part in a telephone survey? The proliferation of cellular phones to places like Mogadishu makes this question salient. In 2012, the first representative face-to-face survey in 25 years was conducted in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. This was followed by a longitudinal panel telephone survey over multiple rounds in 2013 and 2014. We exploit an unusual natural experiment – a major attack on the Somali Parliament on the last day of the third wave of our survey – to observe that the most vulnerable members of Mogadishu society were more willing to answer survey questions in the immediate wake of a psychologically jarring violent event.
Effects of GO 4 IT . . . NOW! Strategy Instruction on Expository Writing Skills for Students with Disabilities.

Students with disabilities trail behind their peers without disabilities while in school, as well as in post-secondary outcome areas. Given that self-determination and enhanced academic skills are ...
Defect States and Charge Transport in Quantum Dot Solids

Defects at the surface of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) give rise to electronic states within the gap, which are detrimental to charge transport properties of QD devices. We investigated charge transport in silicon quantum dots with deep and shallow defect levels, using ab initio calculations and constrained density functional theory. We found that shallow defects may be more detrimental to charge transport than deep ones, with associated transfer rates differing by up to 5 orders of magnitude for the small dots (1–2 nm) considered here. Hence, our results indicate that the common assumption, that the ability of defects to trap charges is determined by their position in the energy gap of the QD, is too simplistic, and our findings call for a reassessment of the role played by shallow defects in QD devices. Overall, our results highlight the key importance of taking into account the atomistic structural properties of QD surfaces when investigating transport properties.
Protein intake and physical activity are associated with body composition in individuals with phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency

Abstract Objective Determine whether body composition as it relates to dietary protein in patients with phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency is associated with genotype, dietary factors, and lifestyle choices. Methods We examined associations between protein intake (intact and medical foods: MF) and body composition in PAH-deficient patients along with, physical activity, and genotype. Protein intakes (total, intact, and MF) were analysed from three-day food records with Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) in 59 children and 27 adults (N = 86, median age = 16.0 years). The severity of PAH deficiency was classified using the genotype assigned value method (AV sum). Physical activity was assessed using a study-developed question (light vs. intense activity). Body composition was measured by DXA, including android:gynoid ratio (A:G), fat-free mass index (FFMI), fat mass index (FMI), and FMI:FFMI ratio. Results High intact protein intake was associated with high FFMI (rs = 0.75, p = 0.008) and low FMI:FFMI (rs = − 0.59, p = 0.04) in adults. Only in children, MF protein (rs = 0.38, p = 0.04) was directly proportional to FFMI. Median intact protein intakes of adults (25.1 vs. 9.9 g/d, p Conclusions Although fat-free mass in adults was positively associated with intact protein intake, it should be consumed as prescribed per individual tolerance to maintain plasma Phe concentrations within treatment range. In children, total protein maximized with MF should be encouraged to promote lean mass. Nutrition counselling could be complemented with physical activity recommendations for optimal clinical outcomes.
Customer Reactions and Analyst Stock Recommendations

The importance of firm-stakeholder relationships is gaining increasing attention. Although a theory of the drivers and consequences of stakeholder pressure has been developing, it focuses on pressu...