cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting oil and gas compositional yields via chemical structure–chemical yield modeling (CS-CYM): Part 1 – Concepts and implementation

Abstract The ability to predict accurately the thermal conversion of complex carbonaceous materials under a wide range of heating rates and temperatures is of value in both petroleum exploration and refining operations. Modeling the thermal cracking of kerogen and coal under basinal heating conditions improves the pre-drill prediction of oil and gas yields and quality, thereby ultimately lowering exploration risk. Modeling the chemical structure and reactivity of asphaltenes from petroleum residues enables prediction of coke formation and properties in refinery processes, thereby lowering operating cost. Previous compositional yield models based on laboratory yield measurements have been developed for specific materials, such as isolated coals and kerogens, but extrapolation to predict oil and gas generation during geologic burial is problematic. Furthermore, models based on a few reference carbonaceous materials may not simulate varying compositions of kerogen and residues seen in nature. We have developed a method to calculate the amounts and composition of products resulting from the thermal decomposition of a solid complex carbonaceous material. This procedure provides a means of using laboratory measurements of complex carbonaceous solids to construct a representative model of its chemical structure (CS) that is then coupled with elementary reaction pathways to predict the chemical yield (CY) upon thermal decomposition. Data from elemental analysis (C, H, N, O, S), solid state 13C NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), sulfur X-ray absorption structure spectroscopy (XANES), and pyrolysis-gas chromatography (GC) are used to constrain the construction of core molecular structures representative of the complex carbonaceous material. These core structures are expanded stochastically to describe large macromolecules (>104 cores with ∼106 atoms) with bulk properties that match the experimental results. Gas, liquid and solid product yields, resulting from thermal decomposition, are calculated by identifying reactive functional groups within the CS stochastic ensemble and imposing a reaction network constrained by fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics. An expulsion model is added to the decomposition model to calculate the chemical products in open and closed systems. Product yields may then be predicted under a wide range of time–temperature conditions used in rapid laboratory pyrolysis experiments, refinery processes, or geologic maturation.
Concurrent upregulation of postsynaptic L-type Ca2+ channel function and protein kinase A signaling is required for the periadolescent facilitation of Ca2+ plateau potentials and dopamine D1 receptor modulation in the prefrontal cortex

Further understanding of how prefrontal cortex (PFC) circuit change during postnatal development is of great interest due to its role in working memory and decision-making, two cognitive abilities that are refined late in adolescence and become altered in schizophrenia. While it is evident that dopamine facilitation of glutamate responses occurs during adolescence in the PFC, little is known about the cellular mechanisms that support these changes. Among them, a developmental facilitation of postsynaptic Ca2+ function is of particular interest given its role in coordinating neuronal ensembles, a process thought to contribute to maturation of PFC function. Here we conducted whole-cell patch clamp recordings of deep-layer pyramidal neurons in PFC brain slices and determined how somatic-evoked Ca2+-mediated plateau depolarizations change throughout postnatal day (PD) 25 (juvenile) to adulthood (PD 80). Postsynaptic Ca2+ potentials in the PFC increase in duration throughout postnatal development. A remarkable shift from short to prolonged depolarizations was observed after PD 40. This change is reflected by an enhancement of L-type Ca2+ channel function and postsynaptic PKA signaling. We speculate that such a protracted developmental facilitation of Ca2+ response in the PFC may contribute to improvement of working memory performance through adolescence.
Effects of Protein Level and Source and Grain Source on Performance of Egg Production Stock

Abstract IN A typical laying ration cereal grains account for approximately 70% of the total. With the technological advancements made in the grain sorghum industry the substitution of grain sorghum for corn and other cereal grains in laying rations is becoming more evident, especially in the Southwest. However, literature reports of a comparison of the experimental results of substituting grain sorghums for corn and other cereals have been very limited. Adolph and Grau (1956) observed no significant difference in performance between commercial layers on five California poultry ranches for two six-week periods when fed a 17.43% protein predominantly corn ration and an 18.03% protein predominantly milo ration. Berry (1958) compared hens housed in individual cages getting diets with the cereal grain portion (1) all corn, (2) half corn, half milo, and (3) all milo. He reported no significant differences in the performance of the birds receiving these diets. Since the protein…
Metabolism of methylated osmolytes by aerobic bacteria from Mono Lake, a moderately hypersaline, alkaline environment

Three strains of aerobic bacteria were isolated from water and sediment samples of Mono Lake, a moderately hypersaline (90 ppt), alkaline (pH 9.7) lake in California. The organisms, Gram-negative rods, grew fastest at about pH 9.7 with no growth or much slower growth at pH 7.0. All three isolates grew on glycine betaine (GB) and respirometric experiments indicated that catabolism was by sequential demethylation with dimethyl glycine and sarcosine as intermediates. Two of the isolates also grew on dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), one with cleavage of the DMSP to yield dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and acrylate, and the other by demethylation with 3-methiolpropionate (MMPA) as an intermediate and the production of methanethiol from MMPA. The methylated osmolytes supported growth at salinities similar to those in Mono Lake, but, at higher salinities, catabolism was suppressed and GB and DMSP functioned as osmolytes. GB and DMSP probably originate from cyanobacteria and/or phytoplankton in Mono Lake and this report is the first indication of both the DMS and demethylation/methanethiol-producing pathways for DMSP degradation in a nonmarine environment.
Distraction osteogenesis in the surgical treatment of craniostenosis: a comparison of internal and external craniofacial distractor devices

To compare the practical difficulties of external and internal craniofacial distraction devices used in craniofacial advancement in terms of technical surgical limitations and patients’ discomfort. This study involved analysis of the pertinent literature and personal experience on the treatment of patients affected with syndromic craniosynostoses treated with craniofacial distraction advancement. One hundred patients who underwent internal craniofacial distraction were analyzed. This kind of distraction device was found to be adequately tolerated by the patients with regards to physical and psychological aspects. They had relatively little impact on day-life activities. However, a significant drawback of this type of device is represented by the difficulty in controlling the vectors of distraction. Thirty-eight patients were analyzed after having received the implantation of an external craniofacial distraction device. This type of instrumentation was found to have a significant psychological impact and important limitation on recreational activities. External devices, however, offered important advantages in the control of the vectors of distraction, which could be modified according to the patient’s needs during the perioperative and early postoperative clinical course. There were no significant differences among the two types of devices with regard to osteogenesis and degree of facial advancement. Both internal and external devices are effective in distraction craniofacial advancement. However, significant differences do exist concerning the surgical aspects and the practical difficulties experienced by the patients.
Release of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 by a human alveolar epithelial cell line in response to mycobacterium avium.

Clinical strains of Mycobacterium avium isolated from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, but not a non-clinical laboratory strain (ATCC 25291), were found to stimulate the human alveolar epithelial cell line A549, to produce monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. A549 cells were also found to produce elevated levels of MCP-1 in response to sonicates of the clinical strains of M. avium, and surprisingly, the non-clinical strain as well. However, sonic extracts of the clinical strains were found to induce significantly higher levels of MCP-1 production compared to extracts of the non-clinical strain (P<0.001). These data suggest the existence of strain-related differences in antigen expression by M. avium. The clinical and non-clinical strains of M. avium were found to attach and invade, but not replicate in A549 cells indicating that MCP-1 production by A549 cells does require the presence of viable, replicating organisms. Activation of alveolar epithelial cells by exposure to M. avium resulting in the production of chemokines which recruit inflammatory cells to the site of infection may be an important regulatory pathway for the activation of pulmonary host defense.
Lactide Cyclopolymerization Kinetics, X-ray Structure, and Solution Dynamics of (tBu-SalAmEE)Al and a Cautionary Tale Of Polymetalate Formation

The complex (tBu-SalAmEE)Al (tBu-SalAmEEH3 = N,N-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol, 1) catalyzes the ring-expansion polymerization of lactide to form cyclic poly(lactide) (cPLA). The X-ray structure of 1 was determined, its polymerization kinetics were examined and its interactions with Lewis bases were observed. The data from these experiments are consistent with a coordination–insertion mechanism whose rate-determining step is catalyst rearrangement by loss of a hemilabile, datively bound, bridging ligand ether. cPLA was examined by thermogravimetric analysis and found more stable than its linear counterpart. In the course of these studies, we unexpectedly observed the formation of polymetalate (AlMe(tBu-SalAmEE)AlMe2)2 (6), which was characterized (X-ray, EA, and 1H and 13C NMR).
Knowledge and relevant alternatives

Traditionally, skeptics as well as their opponents have agreed that in order to know that p one must be able, by some preferred means, to rule out all the alternatives to p. Recently, however, some philosophers have attempted to avert skepticism not (merely) by weakening the preferred means but rather by articulating a subset of the alternatives to p — the so-called relevant alternatives — and insisting that knowledge that p requires only that we be able (by the preferred means) to rule out members of the set. In this paper I argue that a precise formulation of this new approach reveals it inadequate as a solution to skepticism.
Access to the Cavernous Sinus through the Vertebral Artery: Technical Case Report

The cavernous sinus in 3 of a series of 147 fast-flow direct carotid-cavernous fistulae was best reached through the vertebral artery. All three patients were anatomically cured without morbidity.
It's Mathematical, After All--the Nature of Learning Computer Programming

It is argued that some mathematical skills may be directly linked to learning programming language constructs. It is also argued that problem-solving through programming demands solid foundation in algorithms, and thus should be taught as if it were a process of learning mathematics. An analysis is given showing how mathematical maturity may impact learning programming language constructs. Conclusions are made based on the analysis.
IFN-γ Decreases Translocation and Improves Survival Following Transfusion and Thermal Injury

Abstract The effects of recombinant murine interferon-γ (rmIFN-γ) on survival and host defense were studied during gut-derived sepsis that included transfusion-induced immunosuppression. Balb/c mice (n = 153) were transfused with allogeneic blood and then treated with different doses of rmIFN-γ: 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 U, or sterile saline as control once daily for 3 days. Five days after transfusion they were gavaged with 1010Escherichia coli and given a 20% TBSA burn injury. Survival was significantly higher in groups receiving 10 U compared to control and the group receiving 10,000 U (P
Energy Flow and Species Diversity in a Marine Phytoplankton Bloom

MARGALEF1 has attempted to predict the ways in which certain descriptive (but quantitative) properties of an ecosystem will change during the development of the ecosystem, or when the system is subjected to disturbance. Briefly, the hypothesis he uses states that the transition of an undisturbed ecosystem from a juvenile to a more mature condition is characterized by changes in the system such as the following: an increase in the amount of primary production; an increase in the total biomass; a decrease in the ratio of primary production to biomass; a greater efficiency of production; an increase in the species diversity; a decrease in the ratio of production to respiration; an increase in the importance of stratification and spatial organization. Some of these ideas have been criticized by Slobodkin2 as lacking in empirical justification. The results of our field observations on the energy flow in a marine phytoplankton population3 lend support to the views of Margalef and of Odum4, but certain weaknesses in the hypothesis are exposed when an attempt is made to apply it to real data.
Optimizing Standby Reliability Systems Having Non-Decreasing Failure Rates

In this article we develop a bounding procedure which is applied in an algorithm for determining the number of back-up components to include in a series system. Operating only when original units fail, back-up components increase system reliability. They also add weight, take up space, and cost money. Maximizing the reliability of nuclear power plants, ships, aircraft, life support systems and electronic instruments leads to this class of resource allocation problem. Because the procedure requires only that the rate of failure of individual components remains constant or increases with time, the algorithm can accommodate a wide variety of failure probability distributions. In applications, the failure probability for various types of components might belong to different families and this can be readily handled by the algorithm presented.
Isoenzyme patterns in androgenic, haploidDatura meteloides (Solanaceae)

Leaf tissue isoenzyme patterns of androgenically derived, haploid plants ofDatura meteloides were compared with patterns from diploid parental plants. No isoenzyme patterns unique to the haploid palnts were detected among 5 enzymes studied.
GABAergic gene expression in postmortem hippocampus from alcoholics and cocaine addicts; corresponding findings in alcohol-naïve P and NP rats.

Background: By performing identical studies in humans and rats, we attempted to distinguish vulnerability factors for addiction from neurobiological effects of chronic drug exposure. We focused on the GABAergic system within the hippocampus, a brain region that is a constituent of the memory/conditioning neuronal circuitry of addiction that is considered to be important in drug reinforcement behaviors in animals and craving and relapse in humans. Methodology: Using RNA-Seq we quantified mRNA transcripts in postmortem total hippocampus from alcoholics, cocaine addicts and controls and also from alcohol-naive, alcohol preferring (P) and non-preferring (NP) rats selectively bred for extremes of alcohol-seeking behavior that also show a general addictive tendency. A pathway-targeted analysis of 25 GABAergic genes encoding proteins implicated in GABA synthesis, metabolism, synaptic transmission and re-uptake was undertaken. Principal Findings: Directionally consistent and biologically plausible overlapping and specific changes were detected: 14/ 25 of the human genes and 12/25 of the rat genes showed nominally significant differences in gene expression (global p values: 9610 214 ,7 610 211 respectively). Principal FDR-corrected findings were that GABBR1 was down-regulated in alcoholics, cocaine addicts and P rats with congruent findings in NSF, implicated in GABAB signaling efficacy, potentially resulting in increased synaptic GABA. GABRG2, encoding the gamma2 subunit required for postsynaptic clustering of GABAA receptors together with GPHN, encoding the associated scaffolding protein gephryin, were both down-regulated in alcoholics and cocaine addicts but were both up-regulated in P rats. There were also expression changes specific to cocaine addicts (GAD1, GAD2), alcoholics (GABRA2) and P rats (ABAT, GABRG3). Conclusions/Significance: Our study confirms the involvement of the GABAergic system in alcoholism but also reveals a hippocampal GABA input in cocaine addiction. Congruent findings in human addicts and P rats provide clues to predisposing factors for alcohol and drug addiction. Finally, the results of this study have therapeutic implications. Citation: Enoch M-A, Zhou Z, Kimura M, Mash DC, Yuan Q, et al. (2012) GABAergic Gene Expression in Postmortem Hippocampus from Alcoholics and Cocaine
The mythological sources of Abenaki catholicism: A case study of the social history of power

American Indian religions played a vital role in the history of Indian-White relations and this study explores the way mythological traditions worked in one example of that interaction. It focuses generally on the mythological traditions, historical experience and religious adaptations of the Abenaki peoples ofpresent-day Quebec, Maine and New Brunswick. 1 In particular, it outlines tile seventeenth century social crises and exploratory accommodations of the Abenaki people of the Kennebec River who, in the 1640s and 1670s, sought and harkened to the teachings of Jesuit missionaries in order to resolve tile social disorders which beset them. The Kennebecs' subsequent conversion pretigured the religious change of all the Abenaki peoples who largely remain both Catholic and ethnically distinct to this day. The study therelbre searches for the nascent religious principles through which the Abenaki understood the social implications of Euro-American contact and which allowed them to respond critically even while they urgently reinterpreted their own, faltering traditions. Kennebec Abenaki experience, unlike that of the other seventeenth century Abenaki, can be reconstructed in unusual detail because ofthe convergence of several equally important lines ofevidence. First, there are many seventeenth century descriptions of Abenaki culture and beliefs. Second, mythological and tblkloric traditions gathered in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries corroborate and amplil~' the ideological assumptions which can be glimpsed within tbe cuhural sketches of the early contact period. When they are tmderstood as invahmble records of Abenaki values-the primary existential postulates of
The Stability of Myocilin Olfactomedin Domain Variants Provides New Insight into Glaucoma as a Protein Misfolding Disorder

Myocilin variants, localized to the olfactomedin (OLF) domain, are linked to early-onset, inherited forms of open-angle glaucoma. Disease-causing myocilin variants accumulate within trabecular meshwork cells instead of being secreted to the trabecular extracellular matrix of the eye. We hypothesize that, like in other diseases of protein misfolding, aggregation and downstream pathogenesis originate from the compromised thermal stability of mutant myocilins. In an expansion of our pilot study of four mutants, we compare 21 additional purified OLF variants by using a fluorescence stability assay and investigate the secondary structure of the most stable variants by circular dichroism. Variants with lower melting temperatures are correlated with earlier glaucoma diagnoses. The chemical chaperone trimethylamine N-oxide is capable of restoring the stability of most, but not all, variants to wild-type (WT) levels. Interestingly, three reported OLF disease variants, A427T, G246R, and A445V, exhibited properties indistinguishable from those of WT OLF, but an increased apparent aggregation propensity in vitro relative to that of WT OLF suggests that biophysical factors other than thermal stability, such as kinetics and unfolding pathways, may also be involved in myocilin glaucoma pathogenesis. Similarly, no changes from WT OLF stability and secondary structure were detected for three annotated single-nucleotide polymorphism variants. Our work provides the first quantitative demonstration of compromised stability among many identified OLF variants and places myocilin glaucoma in the context of other diseases of protein misfolding.
Pulmonary 3He magnetic resonance imaging of childhood asthma

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with 3 He does not require ionizing radiation and has been shown to detect regional abnormalities in lung ventilation and structure in adults with asthma, but the method has not been extended to children with asthma. Measurements of regional lung ventilation and microstructure in subjects with childhood asthma could advance our understanding of disease mechanisms. Objective We sought to determine whether 3 He MRI in children can identify abnormalities related to the diagnosis of asthma or prior history of respiratory illness. Methods Forty-four children aged 9 to 10 years were recruited from a birth cohort at increased risk of asthma and allergic diseases. For each subject, a time-resolved 3-dimensional image series and a 3-dimensional diffusion-weighted image were acquired in separate breathing maneuvers. The numbers and sizes of ventilation defects were scored, and regional maps and statistics of average 3 He diffusion lengths were calculated. Results Children with mild-to-moderate asthma had lower average root-mean-square diffusion length ( X r m s ¯ ) values ( P = .004), increased regional SD of diffusion length values ( P = .03), and higher defect scores ( P = .03) than those without asthma. Children with histories of wheezing illness with rhinovirus infection before the third birthday had lower X r m s ¯ values ( P = .01) and higher defect scores ( P = .05). Conclusion MRI with 3 He detected more and larger regions of ventilation defect and a greater degree of restricted gas diffusion in children with asthma compared with those seen in children without asthma. These measures are consistent with regional obstruction and smaller and more regionally variable dimensions of the peripheral airways and alveolar spaces.
Jupiter's outer atmosphere

The current state of the theory of Jupiter's outer atmosphere is briefly reviewed. The similarities and dissimilarities between the terrestrial and Jovian upper atmospheres are discussed, including the interaction of the solar wind with the planetary magnetic fields. Estimates of Jovian parameters are given, including magnetosphere and auroral zone sizes, ionospheric conductivity, energy inputs, and solar wind parameters at Jupiter. The influence of the large centrifugal force on the cold plasma distribution is considered. The Jovian Van Allen belt is attributed to solar wind particles diffused in toward the planet by dynamo electric fields from ionospheric neutral winds, and the consequences of this theory are indicated.
Generalized field-splitting algorithms for optimal IMRT delivery efficiency

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) uses radiation beams of varying intensities to deliver varying doses of radiation to different areas of the tissue. The use of IMRT has allowed the delivery of higher doses of radiation to the tumor and lower doses to the surrounding healthy tissue. It is not uncommon for head and neck tumors, for example, to have large treatment widths that are not deliverable using a single field. In such cases, the intensity matrix generated by the optimizer needs to be split into two or three matrices, each of which may be delivered using a single field. Existing field-splitting algorithms used the pre-specified arbitrary split line or region where the intensity matrix is split along a column, i.e., all rows of the matrix are split along the same column (with or without the overlapping of split fields, i.e., feathering). If three fields result, then the two splits are along the same two columns for all rows. In this paper we study the problem of splitting a large field into two or three subfields with the field width as the only constraint, allowing for an arbitrary overlap of the split fields, so that the total MU efficiency of delivering the split fields is maximized. Proof of optimality is provided for the proposed algorithm. An average decrease of 18.8% is found in the total MUs when compared to the split generated by a commercial treatment planning system and that of 10% is found in the total MUs when compared to the split generated by our previously published algorithm.
Intrahepatic and Peripheral CXCL10 Expression in Hepatitis C Virus–Infected Patients Treated With Telaprevir, Pegylated Interferon, and Ribavirin

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. During the chronic phase of the infection, intrahepatic inflammation is the major driving force of fibrosis progression, which in some patients can lead to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma [1]. Interferon γ (IFN-γ)–inducible protein 10 (IP-10; hereafter referred to as “CXCL10”) is a chemokine that has a crucial role in coordinating intrahepatic inflammatory responses and in the transition from innate to adaptive immunity during HCV infection. Hepatocytes and intrahepatic lymphocytes are the major CXCL10 producers during HCV infection [2]. CXCL10 attracts CXCR3-positive T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and monocytes to the liver. Although CXCL10 is an IFN-stimulated gene, IFNs are not required for its induction during the initial phase of HCV infection. For example, CXCL10 induction during in vitro HCV infection of hepatocytes is delayed and seems to be dependent upon the cellular recognition of HCV replication [3]. In HCV-infected hepatocytes, recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as double-stranded RNAs generated during viral replication, by Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), and by retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I), leads to activation of various transcription factors and pathways that finally induce CXCL10 and other proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines important during HCV infection. Nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB) and IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) were shown to be critical regulators of CXCL10 induction during early HCV infection of hepatocytes [3–5]. During human acute HCV infection, CXCL10 induction is also delayed while subsequent changes in CXCL10 levels closely follow the changes in peripheral HCV RNA levels [6]. Peripheral and intrahepatic CXCL10 levels are elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and increased levels are indicative of greater liver inflammation and advanced fibrosis [2, 7]. CXCL10 is also a predictor of fibrosis progression in African American HCV-infected patients [8]. Finally, CXCL10 has potential as a marker of HCV treatment response in patients treated with an IFN-containing regimen: lower baseline CXCL10 levels and higher CXCL10 induction during treatment have been associated with sustained virological response (SVR) in pegylated IFN (PEG-IFN)– and ribavirin (RBV)–treated patients [9, 10]. However, much less is known about CXCL10's capacity to predict viral response to novel HCV treatment regimens that include direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents. In this study, we analyzed intrahepatic and peripheral changes in CXCL10 levels in patients treated with telaprevir (TVR), PEG-IFN, and RBV.
ON THE 2-ADIC K-LOCALIZATIONS OF H-SPACES

We determine the 2-adic K-localizations for a large class of H-spaces and related spaces. As in the odd primary case, these localizations are expressed as fibers of maps between specified infinite loop spaces, allowing us to approach the 2-primary v1-periodic homotopy groups of our spaces. The present v1-periodic results have been applied very successfully to simply-connected compact Lie groups by Davis, using knowledge of the complex, real, and quaternionic representations of the groups. We also functorially determine the united 2-adic K-cohomology algebras (including the 2-adic KO-cohomology algebras) for all simply-connected compact Lie groups in terms of their representation theories, and we show the existence of spaces realizing a wide class of united 2-adic K-cohomology algebras with specified operations.
Scorbutic and fasted guinea pig sera contain an insulin-like growth factor I-reversible inhibitor of proteoglycan and collagen synthesis in chick embryo chondrocytes and adult human skin fibroblasts

Chick embryo chondrocytes cultured in sera from scorbutic and fasted guinea pigs exhibited decreases in collagen and proteoglycan production to about 30-50% of control values (I. Oyamada et al., 1988, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 152, 1490-1496). Here we show by pulse-chase labeling experiments that in the chondrocyte system, as in the cartilage of scorbutic and fasted guinea pigs, decreased incorporation of precursor into collagen was due to decreased synthesis rather than to increased degradation. There was a concomitant decrease in type II procollagen mRNA to about 32% of the control level. As in scorbutic cartilage, proteoglycan synthesis by chondrocytes in scorbutic serum was blocked at the stage of glycosaminoglycan chain initiation. Scorbutic and fasted guinea pig sera also caused a 50-60% decrease in the rates of collagen and proteoglycan synthesis in adult human skin fibroblasts, which synthesize mainly type I collagen. Decreased matrix synthesis in both cell types resulted from the presence of an inhibitor in scorbutic and fasted sera. Elevated cortisol levels in these sera were not responsible for inhibition, as determined by the addition of dexamethasone to chondrocytes cultured in normal serum. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I, 300-350 ng/ml) reversed the inhibition of extracellular matrix synthesis by scorbutic and fasted guinea pig sera in both cell types and prevented the decrease in type II procollagen mRNA in chondrocytes. Therefore, in addition to its established role in proteoglycan metabolism, IGF-I also regulates the synthesis of several collagen types. An increase in the circulating inhibitor of IGF-I action thus could lead to the negative regulation of collagen and cartilage proteoglycan synthesis that occurs in ascorbate-deficient and fasted guinea pigs.
Autoradiographic deoxyglucose study of visually activated extrastriate cortex in the primate: Three-dimensional reconstruction

Activation of the visual system with a moving black and white geometric pattern resulted in dense patches or columns of 2-deoxyglucose label in primate extrastriate visual cortex. The three-dimensional reconstruction of these metabolic columns showed that they were arranged in irregularly shaped slabs which extended in an essentially rostrocaudal plane. The slabs tended to merge with one another and to subdivide throughout their course in the extrastriate visual cortex.
Role of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), in human and animal diseases.

We reviewed scientific literature pertaining to known and putative disease agents associated with the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Reports in the literature concerning the role of the lone star tick in the transmission of pathogens of human and animal diseases have sometimes been unclear and even contradictory. This overview has indicated that A. americanum is involved in the ecology of several disease agents of humans and other animals, and the role of this tick as a vector of these diseases ranges from incidental to significant. Probably the clearest relationship is that of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and A. americanum. Also, there is a definite association between A. americanum and tularemia, as well as between the lone star tick and Theileria cervi to white-tailed deer. Evidence of Babesia cervi (=odocoilei) being transmitted to deer by A. americanum is largely circumstantial at this time. The role of A. americanum in cases of southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) is currently a subject of intensive investigations with important implications. The lone star tick has been historically reported to be a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever rickettsiae, but current opinions are to the contrary. Evidence incriminated A. americanum as the vector of Bullis fever in the 1940s, but the disease apparently has disappeared. Q fever virus has been found in unfed A. americanum, but the vector potential, if any, is poorly understood at this time. Typhus fever and toxoplasmosis have been studied in the lone star tick, and several non-pathogenic organisms have been recovered. Implications of these tick-disease relationships are discussed.
Evaluation of surgical repair of humeral condylar fractures using self-compressing orthofix pins in 23 dogs.

Objective— To report short- and long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in dogs with humeral condylar fractures repaired using self-compressing Orthofix pins. Study Design— Retrospective evaluation with solicited long-term clinical and radiographic evaluations. Animals— Twenty-three dogs with humeral condylar fractures. Methods— Medical records and radiographs were reviewed. Owners were asked to return dogs for long-term clinical and radiographic evaluation. Results— Dogs were aged 1.5–26 months (mean±SD, 5.8±5.0 months) with 20 dogs weighing <5 kg (mean, 3.6±2.8 kg). Of 21 dogs with immediate post-operative radiographs, 10 had anatomic reduction with the rest having either a step and/or gap at the articular surface. Kirschner wire migration and implant loosening were the most common post-operative complications. All fractures with adequate follow-up radiographic evaluations achieved union. Twelve of 13 dogs returned for long-term evaluation (mean, 19.0±18.5 months) were either sound (10 dogs) or had subtle, weight-bearing lameness (2). Fourteen dogs had radiographs ≥75 days after surgery (mean, 18.7±18.3 months), 8 dogs (57%) had no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA; mean OA score, 0.8; median 0), and all dogs had good or excellent limb function. Conclusions— Self-compressing Orthofix pins are suitable implants for the stabilization of humeral condylar fractures in small breed dogs. Implants were convenient and simple to use and complications were easily resolved. Dogs consistently had good long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes with no or minimal lameness and OA. Clinical Relevance— Self-compressing Orthofix pins should be considered for the repair of humeral condylar fractures in small breed dogs.
CXCR4 Physically Associates with the T Cell Receptor to Signal in T Cells

SDF-1alpha (CXCL12) signaling via its receptor, CXCR4, stimulates T cell chemotaxis and gene expression. The ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase critically mediates SDF-1alpha-dependent migration and prolonged ERK mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in T cells. However, the molecular mechanism by which CXCR4 or other G protein-coupled receptors activate ZAP-70 has not been characterized. Here we show that SDF-1alpha stimulates the physical association of CXCR4 and the T cell receptor (TCR) and utilizes the ZAP-70 binding ITAM domains of the TCR for signal transduction. This pathway is responsible for several of the effects of SDF-1alpha on T cells, including prolonged ERK MAP kinase activity, increased intracellular calcium ion concentrations, robust AP-1 transcriptional activity, and SDF-1alpha costimulation of cytokine secretion. These results suggest new paradigms for understanding the effects of SDF-1alpha and other chemokines on immunity.
Nafenopin-induced hepatic microbody (peroxisome) proliferation and catalase synthesis in rats and mice. Absence of sex difference in response.

Nafenopin (2-methyl-2[p-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl)phenoxy]-propionic acid; Su-13437), a potent hypolipidemic compound, was administered in varying concentrations in ground Purina Chow to male and female rats, wild type (Csa strain) mice and acatalasemic (Csb strain) mice to determine the hepatic microbody proliferative and catalase-inducing effects. In all groups of animals, administration of nafenopin at dietary levels of 0.125% and 0.25% produced a significant and sustained increase in the number of peroxisomes. The hepatic microbody proliferation in both male and female rats and wild type Csa strain mice treated with nafenopin was of the same magnitude and was associated with a two-fold increase in catalase activity and in the concentration of catalase protein. The increase in microbody population in acatalasemic mice, although not accompanied by increase in catalase activity, was associated with a twofold increase in the amount of catalase protein. The absence of sex difference in microbody proliferative response in nafenopin-treated rats and wild type mice is of particular significance, since ethyl-α-p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (CPIB)-induced microbody proliferation and increase in catalase activity occurred only in males. Nafenopin can, therefore, be used as an inducer of microbody proliferation and of catalase synthesis in both sexes of rats and mice. The serum glycerol-glycerides were markedly lowered in all the animals given nafenopin, which paralleled the increase in liver catalase. All the above effects of nafenopin were fully reversed when the drug was withdrawn from the diet of male rats. During reversal, several microbody nucleoids were seen free in the hyaloplasm or in the dilated endoplasmic reticulum channels resulting from a rapid reduction in microbody matrix proteins after the withdrawal of nafenopin from the diet. Because of microbody proliferation and catalase induction with increasing number of hypolipidemic compounds, additional studies are necessary to determine the interrelationships of microbody proliferation, catalase induction, and hypolipidemia.
Reduction of cytochrome c by hydrogen peroxide and its inhibition by superoxide dismutase

Ferricytochrome c is slowly converted by hydrogen peroxide to an equilibrium mixture of ferricytochrome c and ferricytochrome c , and in the process, the hydrogen peroxide is decomposed. The reductant appears to be superoxide anion, produced from the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with oxygen. Because the reduction of ferricytochrome c by hydrogen peroxide is inhibited by superoxide dismutase, we propose that the enzyme acts by converting superoxide anion to a dimerized product that is less active as a reductant.
Accelerometer-based Activity Recognition on Smartphone

Smartphones are ubiquitous and becoming more and more sophisticated, with ever-growing computing, networking and sensing powers. How can we help the users form a healthy habit by sending a reminder if s/he is sitting too long? How can we localize where we are inside a building and/or find the reception desk? Recognizing the physical activities (e.g., sitting, walking, jogging, etc) is a core building block to answer these questions and many more. We present AcRe, a human activity recognition application on smartphone. AcRe takes the motion data from different sensors on smartphones as inputs (e.g., accelerometer, compass, etc), and predicts a user's motion activities (e.g., walking upstairs, standing, sitting, etc) in real-time. It provides some additional functionalities, such as incorporating a user's feedback, daily activity summerization, etc. The application is built on iOS 7.0 and will be released soon in Apple's App Store. We will invite the audience to experiment with our AcRe in terms of its effectiveness, efficiency and applicability to various domains and the potential for further improvements.
White Apple Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) Effect on Fruit Size, Quality, and Return Bloom of Apple

Studies were conducted during 1987 and 1988 on the effect of single season injury by white apple leafhopper, Typhlocyba pomaria McAtee, to the ‘Oregon Spur Delicious’ apple. In 1987, the internal fruit flesh color (yellow) was increased, indicating that fruit from leafhopper-injured trees was slightly more mature than fruit from uninjured trees. In 1988, external fruit skin color was slightly redder (Hunter a) in fruit from injured trees, but titratable acidity was slightly lower. No effect on fruit weight, fruit firmness, soluble solids, percentage red skin color, retum bloom, or retum crop as a result of leafhopper injury occurred in either year, despite high leafhopper populations (≈6.5 nymphs per leaf) and relatively high foliar injury. Current action thresholds for white apple leafhopper are likely too conservative, and the potential for biological control can be explored without economic loss to the producer.
FPGA-based artificial neural network using CORDIC modules

Artificial neural networks have been used in applications that require complex procedural algorithms and in systems which lack an analytical mathematic model. By designing a large network of computing nodes based on the artificial neuron model, new solutions can be developed for computational problems in fields such as image processing and speech recognition. Neural networks are inherently parallel since each neuron, or node, acts as an autonomous computational element. Artificial neural networks use a mathematical model for each node that processes information from other nodes in the same region. The information processing entails computing a weighted average computation followed by a nonlinear mathematical transformation. Some typical artificial neural network applications use the exponential function or trigonometric functions for the nonlinear transformation. Various simple artificial neural networks have been implemented using a processor to compute the output for each node sequentially. This approach uses sequential processing and does not take advantage of the parallelism of a complex artificial neural network. In this work a hardware-based approach is investigated for artificial neural network applications. A Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) is used to implement an artificial neuron using hardware multipliers, adders and CORDIC functional units. In order to create a large scale artificial neural network, area efficient hardware units such as CORDIC units are needed. High performance and low cost bit serial CORDIC implementations are presented. Finally, the FPGA resources and the performance of a hardware-based artificial neuron are presented.
Visine® overdose : case report of an adult with hemodynamic compromise

Imidazole decongestants are present in a variety of over-the-counter medications, including eye drops and nasal sprays. Their primary mechanism of action is vasoconstriction, accomplished by direct stimulation of alpha receptors on blood vessels. Accidental and intentional poisonings involving these substances are increasing, and can cause mental status and respiratory depression, as well as other effects related to alpha receptor stimulation. We present a case of tetrahydrozoline ingestion in an adult who presented with chest pain, bradycardia, mental status depression, miosis, and other signs and symptoms of imidazole compound poisoning. It is important for physicians to be familiar with the adverse effects of these ingestions and to be aware of the potential therapies for management.
Clouds, shadows or twilight? Mayfly nymphs recognise the difference

Summary 1. We examined the relative changes in light intensity that initiate night-time locomotor activity changes in nymphs of the mayfly, Stenonema modestum (Heptageniidae). Tests were carried out in a laboratory stream to examine the hypothesis that nymphs increase their locomotion in response to the large and sustained reductions in relative light intensity that take place during twilight but not to short-term daytime light fluctuations or a minimum light intensity threshold. Ambient light intensity was reduced over a range of values representative of evening twilight. Light was reduced over the same range of intensities either continuously or in discrete intervals while at the same time nymph activity on unglazed tile substrata was video recorded. 2. Nymphs increased their locomotor activity during darkness in response to large, sustained relative light decreases, but not in response to short-term, interrupted periods of light decrease. Nymphs did not recognise darkness unless an adequate light stimulus, such as large and sustained relative decrease in light intensity, had taken place. 3. We show that nymphs perceive light change over time and respond only after a lengthy period of accumulation of light stimulus. The response is much lengthier than reported for other aquatic organisms and is highly adaptive to heterogeneous stream environments.
Glandless Cottonseed Meal for Laying and Breeding Hens and Broiler Chicks

Abstract The Acala C-9 variety of glandless cottonseed meal (GCSM) was tested for available gossypol in a 100-day feeding trial with laying hens. Corn-soybean diets incorporating GCSM at 10 and 20% were compared with diets formulated with Acala SJ-5, a commercially available cottonseed meal (CSM), at 10% and a control diet with no CSM. Each diet was fed to 25 hens. No detectable gossypol was found in the yolks of eggs from hens fed GCSM or the control diet, but gossypol was present when hens were fed the diet with CSM. Egg yolk discoloration in an ammonia atmosphere was noted in all of the eggs tested from the CSM-fed hens but only at a very low incidence in eggs from other groups. There were no differences between any of the four treatments in percent egg production, average egg weight, or hatchabihty. Broiler chicks were fed for 19 days diets with GCSM as the sole source of protein to determine the limiting amino acids. The diets contained 23% protein, 3200 kcal metabolizable energy/kg, and National Research Council levels of vitamins and minerals. Diets were supplemented with lysine, methionine, leucine, and isoleucine from 0 to .5% and were kept isonitrogenous with glutamic acid. Only lysine was limiting in GCSM for chick growth. Chick weights did not differ significantly from those fed an adequate reference diet if .3% lysine was added.
Coffee Intake and Elevated Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein B Levels in Men

Coffee intake from three-day diet records was studied in association with plasma lipoprotein concentrations in a cross-sectional sample of 77 middle-aged American men to determine the significance and form of their interrelationships. The number of cups consumed per day correlated positively with levels of apolipoprotein B (r=.27,P≤.01) and became more strongly correlated when adjusted for age, cigarette use, adiposity, aerobic capacity, nutrient intake, and stress. Coffee intake also correlated with total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels when adjusted for these confounding factors. Graphic analyses revealed that plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein B and LDL-cholesterol were unrelated to intake of up to 2 cups of coffee per day and positively associated with intake exceeding 2 to 3 cups. These results suggest that male heavy coffee drinkers have lipoprotein profiles suggestive of increased cardiovascular disease risk, although the causality remains to be determined. (JAMA1985;253:1407-1411)