cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
F-region drift velocities in the dusk sector mid-latitude trough

Abstract Analysis of 6 months of ground-based ionosonde data from mid/high-latitude Digisonde stations at Millstone Hill, Argentina and Goose Bay, shows the relation between the formation of the mid-latitude trough in the dusk sector and the measured F-region drift velocities. The observed westward drift velocities in the trough are comparable in magnitude with the velocity of the Earth's rotation as required by the stagnation theory of trough formation. Using the Digisonde database of 15 min samples of electron density profiles and F-region drifts, a new trough detection algorithm automatically identifies the occurrence of the trough at any of the three stations. Correlating trough occurrence with the measured drift velocities indicates that troughs develop due to an increase in the horizontal westward velocity component. The extent of the trough formation relates to the magnitude of the horizontal velocity.
In vitro studies of human seminal plasma allergy

Abstract A 23-yr-old woman experienced generalized urticaria, angioedema, and respiratory obstruction after intercourse. Reactions increased in frequency and severity over a 2-yr period; sexual exposures were limited to her husband. Fresh, centrifuged seminal plasma samples from four donors, including her husband, evoked positive immediate puncture skin-test reactions in dilutions of 1:100 or 1:1,000; no reactions were seen in normal control males. A borderline elevation in serum IgE antibodies to seminal plasma was noted by the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). However, the patient had elevated IgE antibodies to a partially purified seminal plasma fraction (IV) obtained by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Seminal plasma from all four donors showed similar allergenic activity when tested in fraction IV RAST inhibition experiments. Further in vitro studies have characterized the allergenic components infraction IV. Allergenic components (pool III) (1) are distinct from acid phosphatase; (2) have an apparent molecular weight range from 20,000 to 30,000 daltons; (3) by isoelectrofocusing produced multiple bands with pi of 6.6, 7.0, and 7.5; and (4) produced multiple bands in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating a heterogeneous group of antigens. Comparison of pool III with seminal vesicle secretions and prostatic homogenate via thin-layer isoelectrofocusing revealed protein bands which appeared to be common to all three materials. Thus, it remains uncertain as to whether allergenic proteins are derived from seminal vesicle or prostatic secretions. Condom usage by the patient's husband has essentially prevented subsequent allergic reactions. However, serum IgE antibodies to fraction IV remained consistently elevated during a 28-mo follow-up period.
Clinical Evaluation of Chlorothiazide

In the 2 years chlorothiazide has been available, it has been demonstrated to have many of the characteristics of the ideal diuretic agent. It has become an important drug in the treatment of patients with edema and hypertension. Experience has indicated that the side effects and toxic reactions are not severe nor do they prohibit long-term use of the drug. In the vast majority of patients, clinical effectiveness has persisted for the duration of the study, up to 2 years in some and more than a year in many. Chlorothiazide is a new type of powerful diuretic agent. Surely other similar compounds will be introduced. For these reasons, it is especially important that we understand its mechanism of action and shortcomings. Interest in the pharmacology of chlorothiazide already has brought us new information about certain fundamental problems of kidney function and systemic arterial hypertension.
Nordihydroguaiaretic acid-mediated inhibition of ultraviolet B-induced activator protein-1 activation in human keratinocytes.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a polyphenolic compound from the Larrea tridentata bush that has been identified as a chemopreventive drug in animal studies. Topically applied NDGA has been shown to prevent phorbol ester promotion of tumors in mouse skin, suggesting that NDGA may be a candidate drug for the chemoprevention of skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation from sunlight exposure is the major cause of human skin cancer. UVB irradiation causes epigenetic alterations in target keratinocytes, such as the upregulation of signal transduction pathways that induce the expression of transcription factors. Specifically, UVB induces activator protein-1 (AP-1), a transcription factor complex that alters normal cellular gene expression. A component of the UVB-induced AP-1 complex, c-fos, also was identified as a mediator of the signaling pathway that leads to AP-1 activation. Thus, NDGA was investigated as a potential inhibitory agent for UVB-induced signaling pathways in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. NDGA significantly inhibited UVB-induced c-fos and AP-1 transactivation. In addition, NDGA was found to inhibit activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), a UVB-inducible enzyme that contributes to the induced expression of c-fos and AP-1. Therefore, NDGA prevents UVB-induced c-fos expression and AP-1 transactivation by inhibiting the PI 3-kinase signaling pathway. Effective skin chemoprevention strategies may incorporate NDGA to inhibit components of the UVB-induced cell signaling pathways that increase AP-1 activity.
Giant Testicular Seminoma

Primary testicular germ cell tumors typically present with painless testis enlargement and have a propensity to spread to the retroperitoneal lymphatics. Delays in seeking treatment are unfortunately common and may lead to metastatic spread. Pure seminomas are the most commonly seen on histology and are not associated with elevations in serum alpha-fetoprotein. Mild elevations in alpha-fetoprotein in the setting of a pure seminoma may be due to unrecognized nonseminomatous elements and rarely other benign etiologies. We present the case of a 42-year-old man with a large 31 cm stage I pure seminoma and mildly elevated alpha-fetoprotein level at presentation.
Conformational changes induced in Na+, K+-ATPase by ouabain through a K+-sensitive reaction: Kinetic and spectroscopic studies

Abstract Inorganic phosphate-32 ( 32 P i ) incorporation into Na + ,K + -ATPase occurs in the presence of Mg 2+ and ouabain and is selectively inhibited by K + and Rb + . Similar results were obtained for 3 H-ouabain binding to Na + ,K + -ATPase in the presence of Mg 2+ + P i . Potassium was found to decrease the rate of 3 H-ouabain binding, but did not appear to alter the maximal capacity of the enzyme for binding. It is concluded that the formation of a phosphoenzyme from inorganic phosphate reflects either a partial reversal of the Na + ,K + -ATPase reaction, or activation of an alternate pathway leading to a common phosphoenzyme. Analysis of circular dichroism spectra revealed a specific conformational change induced by ouabain on active Na + ,K + -ATPase preparations exposed to Mg 2+ + P i . In the absence of the latter two ligands, no effect was seen. These data support a flexible-site model for ion transport and an allosteric-like action for ouabain.
Dedication of hands to nursing: A ceremony of caring

Formerly, nursing schools held capping ceremonies for nursing students before their first clinical experience. Since nurses no longer wear caps, capping ceremonies with their rite of passage from regular student to student nurse have vanished. To bring back a ceremonial rite of passage for beginning student nurses, a ceremony of caring emphasizing the import of all that nurses’ hands can convey as they provide nursing care was conceived. Undergirded by Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring, the Hand Dedication Ceremony is an act of caring provided to first semester nursing students before their first clinical experience with patients. During the ceremony, students are charged to allow their hands to be guided not only by their new knowledge and skills but also by their hearts and spirits to transform skilled nursing tasks into skilled holistic nursing care. Students formally dedicate their hands to nursing and human caring as faculty ceremonially wash, dry, and apply oil to the students’ hands.
On second-order properties of minimum redundancy block codes

This paper presents the second-order properties of minimum redundancy block codes. A block Huffman code constructed for a binary memoryless source with probabilities is considered. The result proves that the variance of its redundancy distribution of block Shannon and Huffman code is distributed very uniformly between its codewords.
A Meteorological System for Planning and Analyzing Soaring Flights in Colorado USA

The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) at the Colorado State University was adapted to produce meteorological predictions for the Analysen and Konzepte TopTask Competition (TTC) soaring flight planning and analysis algorithm. The predictions were for regions surrounding the major gliderports in Colorado USA. The TTC algorithm required predictions, at 30 minute intervals through the daily convective-cycle, of the height of the convective boundary layer (CBL), the climb rates and the horizontal winds at 1000 m AGL. The RAMS-TTC system was tested using flight records from the On-line Contest. The system was found to be particularly sensitive to the climb rate predictions. Using the longest flights from May 2006 (average flight 553 km), the predictions of the flight speeds, CBL heights and climb rates were verified: the average predicted and actual speeds were 107+/-3 kph and 112+/-6 kph, the average CBL height and climb rates were predicted to be, respectively, 5.3+/-0.2 km MSL and 2.0+/-0.1 m/s while the average actual height and rates were 5.1+/-0.2 km MSL and 2.0+/-0.1 m/s. The average 1000 m AGL horizontal wind predictions were not as accurate. These results demonstrate that the RAMS predictions can be used with the TTC algorithm for planning and analyzing soaring flights in Colorado and, no doubt, elsewhere in the USA.
The role of physical content in piagetian spatial tasks: Sex differences in spatial knowledge?

Sex-related differences on Piagetian horizontality (water level) and verticality (plumb line) tasks were examined in 64 college students. It was hypothesized that females' difficulties on these Euclidean spatial problems are due not to differences in underlying spatial competence, but rather to differences in knowledge of task specific information about the physical properties of water levels and plumb lines. This was tested by presenting subjects with the standard water level and plumb line problems and also modified problems not requiring knowledge of physical principles (i.e., drawing “straight up and down” or “straight across” lines inside tipped rectangles). While males were expected to outperform females on the standard tasks, no sex differences were expected on the modified tasks. Results of an ANOVA on scores for horizontality and verticality each showed main effects for sex and task version but failed to reveal the hypothesized interaction. However, performance on the Euclidean spatial tasks was also considered in terms of overall success versus failure. While males were more successful than females in the standard format, males and females were equally successful in the modified, nonphysical, format. Hence, college aged males and females generally do not differ in spatial competence although they may be differentially influenced by task content. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and practice. It is emphasized that science educators must be especially aware of such task influences for females so that performance deficits are not mistaken for competence deficits.
Cardiac and Respiratory Effects of Aortic Arch Baroreceptor Stimulation

The reflex cardiac and respiratory effects of stepwise pressure variations in the isolated aortic arch were determined in anesthetized dogs. Elevation of pressure in the aortic arch depressed respiratory movements, decreased heart rate in the unpaced heart, and diminished peak pressure in the paced, isovolumetric left ventricle preparation. The threshold for these reflex effects was an aortic arch pressure of approximately 100 mm Hg. The maximum rate of change of these variables as a function of aortic arch pressure occurred at a pressure of about 175 mm Hg. Aortic arch pressures of 300 mm Hg or more were necessary to achieve maximal reflex effects. Heart rate changes were mediated by parasympathetic pathways predominantly, although reciprocal sympathetic influences were also involved. Both divisions of the autonomic nervous system mediated the effects upon ventricular performance.
Deformation of the Aniakchak caldera, Alaska, mapped by InSAR

The deformation of Aniakchak volcano is investigated using 19 ERS-1/2 interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data from 1992 through 2002. InSAR images from the different time intervals, reveal that the 10-km-wide caldera has been subsiding during the time of investigation. The pattern of subsidence does not following the pyroclastic flows from the last eruption of the caldera in 1931. The maximum subsidence is near the center of the caldera, with a rate of up to 13 mm/yr. Deformation outside the caldera is insignificant. Least squares inversion of the multitemporal deformation maps indicates that the subsidence rate has been relatively constant. Field observations have identified numerous fumaroles inside the caldera. In 1973, temperatures of 80/spl deg/ C were measured at a depth of 15 cm in loose volcanic rubble adjacent to the small cinder cone (about 1.5 km northeast of the vent of the 1931 eruption), whereas springs near a caldera lake had a temperature of 25/spl deg/ C in July 1993, Therefore, we suggest the observed subsidence at Aniakchak caldera is most likely caused by the reduction of pore fluid pressure of a hydrothermal system located a few kilometers beneath the caldera.
Microcavity optoelectronic devices

Over the past few years vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and modulators have emerged as viable devices with interesting performance characteristics. One of their key features is that they occupy very little substrate area as compared to most optoelectronic devices. As a result, they also require relatively low drive powers. These aspects together with their suitability for wafer-scale fabrication and testing make them appear suitable for low-cost production as well as high performance. In this paper we shall review recent progress on these devices with emphasis on the vertical-cavity laser. Vertical-cavity lasers with cw powers exceeding 110 mW, overall efficiencies exceeding 17%, operating temperatures exceeding 120/spl deg/C, and output powers insensitive to temperature over ranges exceeding 60/spl deg/C will be illustrated. In addition, devices have operated cw down to diameters of 2 /spl mu/m, including a 6 /spl mu/m device that delivers nearly 2 milliwatts of single-mode output power with greater than 30 dB of spurious mode suppression. In the vertical-cavity modulator area, reflective asymmetric Fabry-Perot structures have given up to 37 GHz of modulation bandwidth. Insertion losses are about 3 dB, and required voltage swings for 100:1 modulation are /spl simspl plusmn/2V. >
Human Memory/Learning Inspired Approach for Attitude Control of Crew Exploration Vehicles (CEVs)

This paper addresses the problem of attitude control of crew exploration vehicle (CEV). Unlike traditional spacecraft with surface deflections for attitude control, CEV uses RCS jet engines for attitude adjustment, which calls for control algorithms for firing the small propulsion engines mounted in the vehicle. In this work, by combining both actuation and attitude dynamics, we develop a strategy to control the vehicle attitude via adjusting reaction control system (RCS) throttle angles. Since the resultant (combined) dynamics of the vehicle are highly nonlinear and coupled with significant uncertainties, we explore a control approach based on human memory and learning mechanism, which does not reply on precise system information dynamics. Furthermore, the overall control scheme has simple structure and demands much less computation as compared with most existing methods, making it attractive for real-time implementation. The effectiveness of this approach is also verified via simulation.
Personalized therapeutic strategies for patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Introduction: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) encompasses many different hereditary retinal degenerations that are caused by a vast array of different gene mutations and have highly variable disease presentations and severities. This heterogeneity poses a significant therapeutic challenge, although an answer may eventually be found through two recent innovations: induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas genome editing.Areas covered: This review discusses the wide-ranging applications of iPSCs and CRISPR–including disease modelling, diagnostics and therapeutics – with an ultimate view towards understanding how these two technologies can come together to address disease heterogeneity and orphan genes in a novel personalized medicine platform. An extensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar, with a particular focus on high-impact research published within the last 1 – 2 years and centered broadly on the subjects of r...
The role of the author in topical blogs

Web logs, or blogs, challenge the notion of authorship. Seemingly, rather than a model in which the author's writings are themselves a contribution, the blog author weaves a tapestry of links, quotations, and references amongst generated content. In this paper, I present a study of the role of the author plays in the construction of topical blogs, in particular focusing on how blog authors make decisions about what to post and how they judge the quality of posts. To this end, I analyzed the blogs and blogging habits of eight participants using a quantitative analysis tool that I developed, a diary study, and interviews with each participant. Results suggest that authors of topical blogs often do not create new content but strive to, often follow journalistic conventions, use the content of their blogs as a reference tool for other work practices, and are connected as a community by a set of source documents. Results also show that Instant Messaging is useful as an interview medium when questions center around online content.
Concept and Clinical Evaluation of Carrier-Mediated Anticancer Agents

Major advances in the use of carrier vehicles delivering pharmacologic agents and enzymes to sites of disease have occurred over the past 10 years. This review focuses on the concepts and clinical evaluation of carrier-mediated anticancer agents that are administered i.v. or orally. The primary types of carrier-mediated anticancer agents are nanoparticles, nanosomes, which are nanoparticle-sized liposomes, and conjugated agents. Nanosomes are further subdivided into stabilized and nonstabilized or conventional nanosomes. Nanospheres and dendrimers are subclasses of nanoparticles. Conjugated agents consist of polymer-linked and pegylated agents. The theoretical advantages of carrier-mediated drugs are greater solubility, longer duration of exposure, selective delivery of entrapped drug to the site of action, superior therapeutic index, and the potential to overcome resistance associated with the regular anticancer agent. The pharmacokinetic disposition of carrier-mediated agents depends on the physiochemical characteristics of the carrier, such as size, surface charge, membrane lipid packing, steric stabilization, dose, and route of administration. The primary sites of accumulation of carrier-mediated agents are the tumor, liver, and spleen, compared with noncarrier formulations. The drug that remains encapsulated in or linked to the carrier (e.g., the nanosome or nanoparticle) is an inactive prodrug, and thus the drug must be released from the carrier to be active. The factors affecting the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability of these agents remain unclear, but most likely include the reticuloendothelial system, which has also been called the mononuclear phagocyte system. Future studies need to evaluate the mechanism of clearance of carrier-mediated agents and identify the factors associated with the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability of carrier agents in patients and specifically in tumors.
Self-reported ability to perform procedures: a comparison of allopathic and international medical school graduates.

Background: Graduates of US allopathic and international medical schools comprise the majority of physicians who began family medicine residency in July 2011. Different procedural skills may be taught in allopathic and international medical schools leading to variation in the procedures that graduates can perform independently at the beginning of residency training. A mismatch between assigned resident tasks and procedural skills mastered during medical school may jeopardize patient safety. Methods: A survey was distributed nationwide to 3287 family medicine residents in July 2011 to determine the proportion of graduates of allopathic and international medical schools who self-reported the ability to perform each of 41 procedures independently. Results: Surveys were completed by 681 residents (response rate = 21%). The proportion of allopathic and international graduates self-reporting the ability to perform 7 ambulatory, 4 inpatient and 4 maternity care procedures was statistically significantly different. Conclusions: All graduates self-reported the ability to perform few procedural skills independently upon entry to residency. More allopathic graduates self-reported the ability to perform ambulatory procedures, whereas more international graduates self-reported the ability to perform inpatient and maternity care procedures. Evaluation of individual resident competencies is key to tailor patient care responsibilities and supervision appropriately to resident abilities.
Scalable libraries for graph partitioning

The key problem in efficiently executing irregular and unstructured data parallel applications is partitioning the data to minimize communication while balancing the load. Partitioning such applications can be posed as a graph-partitioning problem based on the computational graph. The partitioning problem is in the class of NP-complete problems; hence exact solutions are computationally intractable for large problems. However, good suboptimal solutions are sufficient for effective parallelization of a large class of these applications. We are currently developing a library of partitioners based on physical optimization and related methods. In this paper, we describe an outline of the different methods and current status of our library. >
Deciphering the glycogenome of schistosomes.

Schistosoma mansoni and other Schistosoma sp. are multicellular parasitic helminths (worms) that infect humans and mammals worldwide. Infection by these parasites, which results in developmental maturation and sexual differentiation over a period of five to six weeks, induces antibodies to glycan antigens expressed in surface and secreted glycoproteins and glycolipids. There is growing interest in defining these unusual parasite-synthesized glycan antigens and using them to understand immune responses, their roles in immunomodulation, and in using glycan antigens as potential vaccine targets. A key problem in this area, however, has been the lack of information about the enzymes involved in elaborating the complex repertoire of glycans represented by the schistosome glycome. Recent availability of the nuclear genome sequences for Schistosoma sp. has created the opportunity to define the glycogenome, which represents the specific genes and cognate enzymes that generate the glycome. Here we describe the current state of information in regard to the schistosome glycogenome and glycome and highlight the important classes of glycans and glycogenes that may be important in their generation.
Histograms of Sparse Codes for Object Detection

Object detection has seen huge progress in recent years, much thanks to the heavily-engineered Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG) features. Can we go beyond gradients and do better than HOG? We provide an affirmative answer by proposing and investigating a sparse representation for object detection, Histograms of Sparse Codes (HSC). We compute sparse codes with dictionaries learned from data using K-SVD, and aggregate per-pixel sparse codes to form local histograms. We intentionally keep true to the sliding window framework (with mixtures and parts) and only change the underlying features. To keep training (and testing) efficient, we apply dimension reduction by computing SVD on learned models, and adopt supervised training where latent positions of roots and parts are given externally e.g. from a HOG-based detector. By learning and using local representations that are much more expressive than gradients, we demonstrate large improvements over the state of the art on the PASCAL benchmark for both root-only and part-based models.
Volume regulation in aquatic invertebrates

Volume regulation in marine and estuarine invertebrates is usually assessed by the extent of restoration of original weight following a salinity transfer. However, volume regulation also includes the limitation of osmotic water movements. Mechanisms of volume regulation include (1) reduction of permeability of the body wall to water, reducing the rate of osmotic water movement; euryhaline species are less permeable to water than stenohaline species, and may show further adaptive reduction when in low salinities; (2) expulsion of excess water following osmotic influx, primarily as bulk elimination in the urine; and (3) changes in the numbers of extracellular osmolytes, also reducing the osmotic gradient, the major route being loss of solutes to the medium across the body wall and through the urine. Two theoretical approaches to analysis of volume regulation are discussed (Machin, '75; Oglesby, '75) and it is concluded that while both are somewhat imprecise, the approach of Oglesby ('75) has more versatility and resolving power in dealing with both osmoregulators and osmoconformers.
Leukemia, lymphoma, embryonic carcinoma and hepatoma induced in transgenic rabbits by the c-myc oncogene fused with immunoglobulin enhancers

Transgenic rabbits were developed with the rabbit c-myc proto oncogene fused to the immunoglobulin heavy or light chain enhancers, E µ or E κ .Rabbits transgenic for E µ -mycdeveloped leukemia very early in life, 17–21 days of age, and were terminally ill. The disease was diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia resembling childhood leukemia. The white blood cell counts were increased as much as 100-fold, the spleens were enlarged and various organs were infiltrated by the neoplastic lymphocytes. Analysis of the DNA showed that immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes were rearranged, showing the leukemia to be of the B cell type. Since several different rearranged VDJ genes could be cloned from each of three rabbits we concluded that the leukemias were polyclonal. The blood lymphocytes, as well as the cells cloned from various tissues, appear to be lymphoblastic, that is, they are large, have a large nucleus and have very little cytoplasm. These cells do not express surface immunoglobulin, but they have a low concentration of cytoplasmic IgM and they secrete small amounts of light chain.
Quinoline-annulated chlorins and chlorin-analogs

The OsO4-mediated dihydroxylation of quinoline-annulated porphyrin generates a quinoline-annulated dihydroxychlorin in a regioselective fashion. Its dihydroxypyrroline moiety, located at the opposite of the annulated pyrrole, is susceptible to the same functional group interconversions we previously demonstrated for non-annulated dihydroxychlorins: oxidations to the corresponding dione, lactone, and dialkoxymorpholine derivatives. The quinoline-annulated chlorin and derivatives are all characterized by absorption spectra that are much broadened and between 130 and 220 nm red-shifted compared to their non-annulated analogs. Absorbance maxima in the NIR up to well above 800 nm were recorded. We attribute the bathochromic shift to their extended π-systems and inferred non-planarity, highlighting that quinoline-annulation is a particularly effective and simple strategy to red-shift the absorption spectra of chlorins and chlorin analogs.
Fourteen days of bed rest induces a decline in satellite cell content and robust atrophy of skeletal muscle fibers in middle-aged adults

Bed rest, a ground-based spaceflight analog, induces robust atrophy of skeletal muscle, an effect that is exacerbated with increasing age. We examined the effect of 14 days of bed rest on skeletal muscle satellite cell content and fiber type atrophy in middle-aged adults, an understudied age demographic with few overt signs of muscle aging that is representative of astronauts who perform long-duration spaceflight. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis of healthy middle-aged adults [n= 7 (4 male, 3 female); age: 51 ± 1 yr] before (Pre-BR) and after (Post-BR) 14 days of bed rest. Immunohistochemical analyses were used to quantify myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform expression, cross-sectional area (CSA), satellite cell and myonuclear content, and capillary density. Peak oxygen consumption, knee extensor strength, and body composition were also measured Pre-BR and Post-BR. Post-BR MyHC type 2a fiber percentage was reduced, and mean CSA decreased in all fiber types (-24 ± 5%;P< 0.05). Satellite cell content was also reduced Post-BR (-39 ± 9%;P< 0.05), and the change in satellite cell content was significantly correlated with the change in mean fiber CSA (r(2)= 0.60;P< 0.05). A decline in capillary density was observed Post-BR (-23 ± 6%;P< 0.05), and Post-BR capillary content was significantly associated with Post-BR peak aerobic capacity (r(2)= 0.59;P< 0.05). A subtle decline in myonuclear content occurred during bed rest (-5 ± 1%;P< 0.05). The rapid maladaptation of skeletal muscle to 14 days of mechanical unloading in middle-aged adults emphasizes the need for robust countermeasures to preserve muscle function in astronauts.
Sequence of epiphyseal fusion in the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep

Sequence and timing of epiphyseal fusion of the postcranial skeleton of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis canadensis ) was examined. Ages up to four years can be determined. Slight differences were found in the time of fusion between males and females. These do not prevent determining the age of a skeleton within a period of two or three months, an accuracy comparable to existing techniques that involve tooth eruption schedules, horn annulations, or incisor cemental annulations.
Effect of size and concentration of latex particles on respiration of human blood leucocytes.

SummaryRigorously standardized polystyrene latex particles of graded sizes were added to whole blood, and oxygen uptake by leucocytes as they ingested these particles was measured by the direct method of Warburg. The importance of both size and concentration of particles was established.
Social interaction in water demand management implementation

This article describes a successful awareness and education project undertaken in an East Rand township by the Water Cycle Management Section of Rand Water. The Project's focus was to create awareness in the community of the broad concept of water cycle management within an environment and to transfer skills to community members (facilitators) who could then assist in ensuring effective and efficient water use.
Effect of Bovine colostrums in treating hyperlipidemia of children with nephrotic syndrome

Objective To investigate the effect of Bovine colostrums in treating heperlipidemia of patients with primary nephrotic syndrome. Methods 66cases with primary nephrotic syndrome were studied and divided into two groups randomly. The control group(total 36 cases) were treated with low salt, low lipid, prime protein diet and prednisone, the treated group(30 cases) were orally administered Bovine colostrums powder 15g per day for three months additionally. Serum lipid and albumin were detected before and after Bovine colostrums treatment. Results After Bovine colostrums treatment,the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein B100 were significantly lower than those of the control group ,The levels of high density lipoprotein, lipoprotein A, ,CⅡ,albumin were significant higher than those of the control group, no significant difference was observed between two groups on serum Lp(a). Conclusions Bovine colostrums is helpful in treating hyperlipidemia of patients with nephrotic syndrome. Bovine colostrums can improve level of serum albumin, improve nutritional status of patient and reduce the danger of developing into arteriosclerosis.
Photovoltaic Power Generation Short-Term Power Forecasting Based on Adaptive Fuzzy Time Sequence Method

To forecast the power of grid connected photovoltaic power generation system this paper proposes a short-term power forecasting model based on adaptive fuzzy time series method. Based on the historical generation data of photovoltaic power generation system, the adaptive algorithm is adopted to match the data structure with the forecasting model, and determine the number of clustering and domain interval Historical data is fuzzified to determine each fuzzy relation set. The weight vector of fuzzy relation groups is accordingly calculated. Photovoltaic power is forecast by making use of fuzzy time series method, and the real forecast result is obtained after it is defuzzified. The results show that compared with ARIMA model, this forecasting model can reduce the error rate from 13. 66 % to 11. 34 %, and that dramatic advances in handling mutation data are made.
Subject specific coordination of two- and one-joint muscles during landings suggests multiple control criteria.

The target article, thoughtfully constructed by Dr. Prilutsky, effectively synthesizes available data on multijoint movements regarding coordination patterns of major two- and one-joint muscles, provides evidence for an optimization criterion that predicts critical features of muscle activation patterns, and explores the functional consequences of muscle coordination. This work also provides a clear set of definitions and an organizational framework that is currently needed for a productive interdisciplinary discussion regarding the underlying control mechanisms used during realistic multijoint movements. Although identification of an optimization criterion that predicts muscle recruitment strategies would greatly simplify control logic required for rehabilitation and musculoskeletal modeling, our experimental data during landings indicate more than one criterion may exist. Preliminary review of our experimental landing data suggests the rules identified by Prilutsky apparently hold for some subjects duri...
Insulin and IGF-I inhibit calcium-dependent chloride secretion by T84 human colonic epithelial cells.

d-Myo-inositol (3,4,5,6) tetrakisphosphate [Ins(3,4,5,6)P4] or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity acts to inhibit calcium-dependent chloride secretion in T84 colonic epithelial ce...
An Examination of Students' Use of Technology for Non-Academic Purposes in the College Classroom

Previous research has shown that students who use technology in the classroom for non-academic purposes suffer decrements to their academic performance. These findings are consistent with theories and research in cognitive science. However, no current study has examined the sorts of technology that students use in class, their reasons for using it, and whether they feel that it is acceptable to use it. The current study sought to qualitatively explore these questions across a sample ( N = 105) of college students. Results reveal that the most common use of technology in the classroom is text messaging and emailing, and that students regularly use technology for a variety of non-academic reasons. Limitations of this study include the homogeneity of the participant sample. Future research should determine what factors lead students to use technology for non-academic purposes and also identify effective strategies for preventing or managing students’ use of technology for non-academic purposes in the college classroom.
Abstract 4847: Discovery, semisynthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of hirsutinolide derivatives as new STAT3 inhibitors and anti-glioma agents

Clinically, natural product has played a pivotal role in anticancer drug discovery and development. Cancer chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy due to glioma treatment are not ideal, frequently cause unwanted adverse effects, and justify further research and development of alternative, novel, safe, and effective agents. In our continued efforts to identify new signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and antiglioma agents with enhanced efficacy and specificity, we have initiated a collaborative and multidisciplinary natural product drug discovery project and the goal was to isolate, semisynthesize, and evaluate the potential of Vernonia cinerea-derived phytochemicals as STAT3 inhibitors with therapeutic remedy of human glioma and may be even more effective than the existing ones. To date, our preliminary studies have been conducted and resulted in the discovery of a class of sesquiterpene lactone hirsutinolide series with an a,â-unsaturated-a-lactone ring as new STAT3 inhibitors. Specifically, on the basis of encouraging biological data and to expand the existing structure activity relationship (SAR) of isolated natural hirsutinolide analogues, chemical modifications were performed using conventional Steglich esterification protocol to produce a series of semisynthetic hirsutinolide derivatives in moderate to high yields. Thus far, biological evaluation revealed that several semisynthetic analogues showed low micromolar inhibitory activities against constitutively-active STAT3 and malignant glioma phenotype. SAR showed that a bulky and lipophilic ester functionality at position 13 is essential for STAT3 inhibition as well as whole cell based anticancer activity. A lipophilic side chain at position 8 also plays an important role in anticancer activity and may contribute a detrimental effect on specificity. In addition, the methoxy group at position 1 enhances the cell-type specificity and selectivity. Finally, selected promising lead candidates also demonstrated in vivo efficacy following oral gavage delivery, inhibiting human glioma tumor growth in subcutaneous mouse xenografts. Together, natural and chemically modified hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpene lactones represent a promising natural product class of new anticancer agents for the treatment of malignant human glioma. Citation Format: Mingming Zhang, Ui Joung Youn, Gabriella Miklossy, Supakit Wongwiwatthananukit, James Turkson, Leng Chee Chang, Dianqing Sun. Discovery, semisynthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of hirsutinolide derivatives as new STAT3 inhibitors and anti-glioma agents. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4847.
Phase-field modeling of chemical control of polarization stability and switching dynamics in ferroelectric thin films

Phase-field simulation (PFS) have revolutionized the understanding of domain structure and switching behavior in ferroelectric thin films and ceramics. Generally, PFS is based on solution of a (set) of Ginzburg-Landau equations for a defined order parameter field(s) under physical boundary conditions (BCs) of fixed potential or charge. While well-matched to the interfaces in bulk materials and devices, these BCs are generally not applicable to free ferroelectric surfaces. Here, we developed a self-consistent phase-field model with boundary conditions based on electrochemical equilibria. We chose Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 ultrathin film consisting of (001) oriented single tetragonal domain (Pz) as a model system, and systematically studied the effects of oxygen partial pressure, temperature and surface ion on the ferroelectric state, and compared it with the case of complete screening. We have further explored the polarization switching induced by the oxygen partial pressure and observed pronounced size effect induced by chemical screening. Our work thus helps to understand the emergent phenomena in ferroelectric thin films brought about by the electrochemical ionic surface compensations.
Risk of Emergency Intracranial Pathology after First Complex Febrile Seizure

The outcome of 71 neurologically normal children after a first complex febrile seizure (CFS) was determined by review of neuroimaging findings, telephone interviews, and medical records, in a prospective study at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.
Provisional seismic zoning for ground failures in portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties following the 17 January 1994 Northridge earthquake

Abstract Provisional seismic hazard zones for earthquake-induced ground failures have been delineated for portions of the three-county area most affected by the Northridge earthquake using a simplified hazard assessment methodology. The procedure integrates surface geology, topography, and groundwater information using GIS technology. While not a replacement for “official” seismic hazard zones, which are based on a more detailed and comprehensive analysis of hazard, these provisional zones will assist in the immediate and cost-effective distribution of postearthquake hazard mitigation funds.
Nondestructive spectroscopic characterization of building materials

The purpose of this research project is to demonstrate the application of Raman spectroscopy technique for characterization and identification of the distinct Raman signatures of construction materials. The results reported include the spectroscopic characterization of building materials using compact Raman system with 785 nm wavelength laser. The construction materials studied include polyblend sanded grout, fire barrier sealant, acrylic latex caulk plus and white silicone. It is found that, both fire barrier sealant and acrylic latex caulk plus has a prominent Raman band at 1082 cm-1, and three minor Raman signatures located at 275, 706 and 1436 cm-1. On the other hand, sand grout has three major Raman bands at 1265, 1368 and 1455 cm-1, and four minor peaks at 1573, 1683, 1762, and 1868 cm-1. White silicone, which is a widely used sealant material in construction industry, has two major Raman bands at 482 and 703 cm-1, and minor Raman characteristic bands at 783 and 1409 cm-1.
Ligand induced structural isomerism in phosphine coordinated gold clusters revealed by ion mobility mass spectrometry

Structural isomerism in ligated gold clusters is revealed using electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry. Phosphine ligated Au8 clusters are shown to adopt more extended type structures with increasing exchange of methyldiphenylphosphine (MePPh2) for triphenylphosphine (PPh3). These ligand-dependant structure–property relationships are critical to theoretical modeling of clusters as well as their applications in catalysis and photovoltaics.
ELM-free and inter-ELM divertor heat flux broadening induced by edge harmonics oscillation in NSTX

A new n = 1 dominated edge harmonic oscillation (EHO) has been found in NSTX. The new EHO, rotating toroidally in the counter-current direction and the opposite direction of the neutral beam, was observed during certain inter-ELM and ELM-free periods of H-mode operation. This EHO is associated with a significant broadening of the integral heat flux width () by up to 150%, and a decrease in the divertor peak heat flux by >60%. An EHO induced filament was also observed by the gas puff imaging diagnostic. The toroidal rotating filaments could change the edge magnetic topology resulting in toroidal rotating strike point splitting and heat flux broadening. Experimental result of the counter current rotation of strike points splitting is consistent with the counter-current EHO.
Calculation of secondary electron emission yields from low-energy electron deposition in tungsten surfaces

Abstract We present calculations of secondary electron emission (SEE) yields in tungsten as a function of primary electron energies between 100 eV and 1 keV and incidence angles between 0 and 90 ° . We conduct a review of the established Monte Carlo methods to simulate multiple electron scattering in solids and select the best suited to study SEE in high-Z metals. We generate secondary electron yield and emission energy functions of the incident energy and angle and fit them to bivariate fitting functions using symbolic regression. We compare the numerical results with experimental data, with good agreement found. Our calculations are the first step towards studying SEE in nanoarchitected surfaces for electric propulsion chamber walls.
Antimicrobial Stewardship: Efficacy and Implementation of Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Overuse and Resistance

Abstract The overuse of antibiotics has greatly contributed to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, which are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) play a vital role in enhancing the appropriate and judicious use of antibiotics, with the goals of curbing the emergence of resistance, improving patient safety and outcomes, and reducing hospital and patient costs. Previous studies, including multiple well-designed randomized trials, have established the efficacy of a broad range of stewardship strategies in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, inhibiting subsequent emergence of resistant organisms and C. difficile infection, and reducing antibiotic and hospital costs. Recent studies have further demonstrated that stewardship interventions, previously evaluated mainly in acute care hospitals, can also be successfully generalized to ambulatory and long-term care settings. Regardless of setting, the successful implementation of an ASP requires the cooperation of a multidisciplinary team.
Abraham and Isaac

The pivotal story of the akedah (the ‘‘binding’’ of Isaac) occurs in Genesis 22 wherein God commands Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited and only son with his wife, Sarah. This divine dictum is considered a test, since at the last minute when Abraham draws the knife to kill Isaac, God sends an angel to stay the sacrifice, and a ram is substituted in place of his son. God rewards Abraham for not withholding his only son from God and therefore passing the test, and promises Abraham numerous offspring, guaranteeing Abraham that he will be the ‘‘father of nations’’ blessed by God. It is Abraham’s absolute faith in God that makes him willing to sacrifice Isaac, and it is precisely this strict obedience that renews Abraham’s covenant with God and, in turn, God’s covenant with the patriarch, Abraham (which begins with God’s first call to Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3) and his subsequent generations. The akedah constitutes the foundation of the three monotheistic (also called Abrahamic) traditions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It is Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son that establishes his absolute faith in God, while simultaneously defining faith within the context of these monotheistic traditions.