cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PL-2: Vacuum electronics research perspective at the naval research laboratory

The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is actively engaged in research and development of key technologies for vacuum electronics high-power amplifiers at frequencies ranging from 30 GHz to 1000 GHz. This work includes the development and application of physics-based modeling and simulation tools, the design and development of emittance dominated pencil and spatially distributed electron beams and associated slow-wave interaction structures, research on high-current-density emitters, the development and application of pre-cise micro-fabrication techniques and thermal management schemes, and the development of metrology techniques in the THz regime. An overview of these activities will be presented, including a discussion of the technological advances required to achieve order-of-magnitude increases in amplifier performance. A summary of the approaches being pursued and the status of these efforts will also be presented. Future research opportunities for vacuum electronics at NRL will also be discussed.
HMM-Based Multipitch Tracking for Noisy and Reverberant Speech

Multipitch tracking in real environments is critical for speech signal processing. Determining pitch in reverberant and noisy speech is a particularly challenging task. In this paper, we propose a robust algorithm for multipitch tracking in the presence of both background noise and room reverberation. An auditory front-end and a new channel selection method are utilized to extract periodicity features. We derive pitch scores for each pitch state, which estimate the likelihoods of the observed periodicity features given pitch candidates. A hidden Markov model integrates these pitch scores and searches for the best pitch state sequence. Our algorithm can reliably detect single and double pitch contours in noisy and reverberant conditions. Quantitative evaluations show that our approach outperforms existing ones, particularly in reverberant conditions.
Modeling oncology gene pathways network with multiple genotypes and phenotypes via a copula method

Identification of interactions between molecular features (e.g. mutation, gene expression change) and gross phenotypes in diseases and other biological processes is one of the important challenges in genomic research. Popular approaches such as GSEA are limited to hypothesis tests of bivariate association. However, a specific phenotype is often dependent upon multiple molecular features. It is thus worth considering all possible interactions jointly for a more precise and realistic representation of the cellular network. In this article, a semiparametric copula model is developed to jointly model genotypes, pathways and phenotypes to accomplish this object. A two-step procedure for reconstruction of the network is described. Simulation studies indicate that the method is effective and accurate for the network reconstruction. Application using NCI60 cancer cell line data identifies several subsets of molecular features that jointly perform as the predictors of clinical phenotypes. The copula model is expected to have a broad impact on biomedical research, ranging from cancer treatment to disease prevention.
A taxonomy of face-models for system evaluation

Generating statistically significant datasets for face matching system evaluation is a laborious and expensive process. Capturing variables such as atmospheric turbulence and other weather conditions especially with respect to face recognition at a distance exacerbate the problem further. It is even more difficult to work on system issues for long-range systems that impact the collection phase such as automated control loops for gain, focus or zoom, as they directly impact the collected data. And since system performance is confounded with variations in subject selection, pose, lighting, expression, etc., formal evaluation of second order effects are difficult without extremely large collections. This paper describes a taxonomy of face-models for controlled experimentation that overcome these challenges. We show that a gap has existed in experimental design and how a range of model-based approaches can partially fill that gap. Methods for generating 3D models that can be easily manipulated to create variations in pose are presented. Additionally described are techniques for validating and capturing model-based data for use in developing and testing outdoor long-range face matching systems.
Better Management of Renewable Resources Can Avert a World Crisis

Today, five billion people live in developing countries. A total of 37% of the population lives in low-income countries and more than half of them earn their livelihood from agriculture. About 16% of the world’s population is undernourished. In 35 countries, more than half of the population lives on less than $2.00 a day World Bank 2005 . About 40% of the world’s food comes from 18% of the cropland that is irrigated Postel 2005 . Unfortunately, the so-called green revolution that increased production on irrigated lands also created significant ecological disruptions. Poor water management is the problem. In the next 30 years, the world’s population is expected to grow by 2 billion. Most will live in today’s developing countries World Bank, 2002 . The world’s food production depends on maintaining and increasing the productivity of the rural population engaged in agriculture. Agricultural production requires water availability, ambient air temperatures that are conducive for photosynthesis, and good resource-management. Global warming will have a significant impact on food production. Without good water management the world will face a water crisis. Water stress is expected to increase in 60% of the world. Current practices business and water management must change. Management is the key issue UNESCO 2003 . In addition to other resources, development requires energy. Hydropower has formed the basis for major development with large benefits to the poor. Industrialized countries have developed 70% of the economically feasible hydropower potential. Developing countries have developed only about 15%. Hydro-based development is very important for the world’s poorest nations UNESCO 2003 . Costs of producing electricity including external costs in the order of lowest to highest are: wind, hydropower, natural gas, biomass, nuclear, coal, and photovoltaic. Current use of global electrical potential renewable energy is hydropower–20%, biomass–20%, solar 0.01%, wind 0.01%, geothermal–0.04%, total renewable–0.8% Sawin 2004 . Oil is not included in the above list, because an evaluation of the total cost from oil would be difficult due to the large subsidies given to electricity gener-
Overlapping Sites of Tetratricopeptide Repeat Protein Binding and Chaperone Activity in Heat Shock Protein 90

The sequential binding of different tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) proteins to heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) is essential to its chaperone function in vivo. We have previously shown that three basic residues in the TPR domain of PP5 are required for binding to the acidic C-terminal domain of hsp90. We have now tested which acidic residues in this C-terminal domain are required for binding to three different TPR proteins as follows: PP5, FKBP52, and Hop. Mutation of Glu-729, Glu-730, and Asp-732 at the C terminus of hsp90 interfered with binding of all three TPR proteins. Mutation of Glu-720, Asp-722, Asp-723, and Asp-724 inhibited binding of FKBP52 and PP5 but not of Hop. Mutation of Glu-651 and Asp-653 did not affect binding of FKBP52 or PP5 but inhibited both Hop binding and hsp90 chaperone activity. We also found that a conserved Lys residue required for PP5 binding to hsp90 was critical for the binding of FKBP52 but not for the binding of Hop to hsp90. These results suggest distinct but overlapping binding sites on hsp90 for different TPR proteins and indicate that the binding site for Hop, which is associated with hsp90 in intermediate stages of protein folding, overlaps with a site of chaperone activity.
Different Contributions of Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptor Activity to Alcohol Potentiation of Brain Stimulation Reward in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J Mice

C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/2J (DBA) mice respond differently to drugs that affect dopamine systems, including alcohol. The current study compared effects of D1 and D2 receptor agonists and antagonists, and the interaction between D1/D2 antagonists and alcohol, on intracranial self-stimulation in male C57 and DBA mice to determine the role of dopamine receptors in the effects of alcohol on brain stimulation reward (BSR). In the initial strain comparison, dose effects on BSR thresholds and maximum operant response rates were determined for the D1 receptor agonist SKF-82958 (±-6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine; 0.1–0.56 mg/kg) and antagonist SCH 23390 (+-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepinehydrochloride; 0.003–0.056 mg/kg), and the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole (0.1–3.0 mg/kg) and antagonist raclopride (0.01–0.56 mg/kg). For the alcohol interaction, SCH 23390 (0.003 mg/kg) or raclopride (0.03 mg/kg) was given before alcohol (0.6–2.4 g/kg p.o.). D1 antagonism dose-dependently elevated and SKF-82958 dose-dependently lowered BSR threshold in both strains; DBA mice were more sensitive to SKF-82958 effects. D2 antagonism dose-dependently elevated BSR threshold only in C57 mice. Low doses of quinpirole elevated BSR threshold equally in both strains, whereas higher doses of quinpirole lowered BSR threshold only in C57 mice. SCH 23390, but not raclopride, prevented lowering of BSR threshold by alcohol in DBA mice. Conversely, raclopride, but not SCH 23390, prevented alcohol potentiation of BSR in C57 mice. These results extend C57 and DBA strain differences to D1/D2 sensitivity of BSR, and suggest differential involvement of D1 and D2 receptors in the acute rewarding effects of alcohol in these two mouse strains.
Litologia osadów siarczanowych miocenu w rejonie staszowskim

Przedstawiono wyniki badan litologicznych osadow siarczanowych miocenu na obszarze miedzy Chmielnikiem a Staszowem. Daly one podstawe dla wyroznienia dwudziestu odmian litologicznych skal gipsowych i towarzyszących im utworow pogipsowych. Tworzą one w obrebie kompleksu gipsowego sekwencje szesnastu (oznaczonych ad a do o), scharakteryzowanych dokladniej litotypow. LITHOLOGY OF THE MIOCENE SULFATE DEPOSITS IN THE STASZOW REGION Based on lithologic testing sixteen lithotypes (marked a to o in Fig. 2) have been distinguished in the sulfate deposits in the exploratory boreholes carried out by State Geologic Institute in the Staszow region (between Chmielnik and Staszow - Fig. 1). The lithotypes are represented by various lithologic types of gypsum rocks interbedded with clayay rocks and claysilty rocks. Gypsum rocks are characterised by a richness of structures and various chemical compositions (Tabs. 2. 3). Average mass fractions of CaSO 4 • 2H 2 O, CaCO 3 and HCl-insoluble parts in rocks tested have been determined on the base of chemical analyses as 83,87%, 3,58% and 6,47% respectively. Basic lithological types are represented by the following gypsum rocks: selenitic rocks. selenic-micritic rocks, micritic rocks and gypsum breccia, including a series of other lithologic types of gypsum rocks (Tab. I). A sequence of sulfate deposits in the Stasz6w region begins with glassy selenitic gypsum rocks (lithotype a, Fig. 2). They are covered. with a complex of micritic beds and selenitic gypsum rocks inter-bedded with stromatolite gypsum rocks (lithotypes: b-e; Tabl. I. Figs. 4, 5; Tabl. II, Figs. 6, 7). Above in the profile occur skeletal selenitic gypsum rocks (lithotype f) composed of selenites some centimeters in size interbedded and intergrown chaotically (Tabl. II, Fig. 8; Tabl. Ill, Fig. 9). Towards the top the rocks alternate gradually into sabre-like selenitic gypsum rocks (lithotypes g, i), consisting of highly elongated (of 20 cm or more), unidirectionally curved selenites (Tabl. III, Fig. 10; Tabl. IV, Fig. 13), inter-bedded with mictitic gypsum rocks laminated undulatedly (the tickest interbed makes up lithotype h; Tabl. Ill, Figs. 11, 12). Micritic gypsum rocks (lithotypes j and I; Tab!. IV, Figs. 14, 15) interbedded with clayay, silty-clayay rocks, gypsum breccia, or highly clayed gypsum rocks (lithotypes k. l; Tabl. IV, Fig. 16) occur higher in the profile. The upper part of the gypsum sequence in the Staszow region comprises micritic and sclenitic-micritic gypsum rocks with gypsum breccia beds (lithotypes m-o: Tabl. V, Figs 17-20; Tabl. VI, Fig. 21). Above the complex of gypsum rocks past gypsum formations - represented by porous limestones, breccia limestones, limestones coarse liminated with clay and marls (Tabl. VI, Figs 22-24) are found in several boreholes. Texture and structure of the primary gypsum rocks. are maintained. Lithotypes distinguished (from a to o) have their lithologic homologues in the profile of gypsum rocks in the Nida region (A. Wala. 1979).
Numerical studies of blood flow in healthy, stenosed, and stented carotid arteries

Numerical analysis of pulsatile blood flow in healthy, stenosed, and stented carotid arteries is performed with the aim of identifying hemodynamic factors in the initiation, growth, and the potential of leading to severe occlusions of a diseased artery. The Immersed Finite Element Method is adopted for this study to conveniently incorporate various geometrical shapes of arteries without remeshing. Our computational results provide detailed quantitative analysis on the blood flow pattern, wall shear stress, particle residence time, and oscillatory shear index. The analysis of these parameters leads to a better understanding of blood clot formation and its localization in a stenosed and a stented carotid artery. A healthy artery is also studied to establish a baseline comparison. This analysis will assist in developing treatments for diseased arteries and novel stent designs to reduce restenosis.
PP1γ2 and PPP1R11 Are Parts of a Multimeric Complex in Developing Testicular Germ Cells in which their Steady State Levels Are Reciprocally Related

Mice lacking the protein phosphatase 1 gamma isoforms, PP1c1 and PP1c2, are male-sterile due to defective germ cell morphogenesis and apoptosis. However, this deficiency causes no obvious abnormality in other tissues. A biochemical approach was employed to learn how expression versus deficiency of PP1c2, the predominant PP1 isoform in male germ cells, affects spermatogenesis. Methods used in this study include column chromatography, western blot and northern blot analyses, GST pull-down assays, immunoprecipitation, non-denaturing gel electrophoresis, phosphatase enzyme assays, protein sequencing, and immunohistochemistry. We report for the first time that in wild-type testis, PP1c2 forms an inactive complex with actin, protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 7 (PPP1R7), and protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 11 (PPP1R11), the latter, a potent PP1 inhibitor. Interestingly, PPP1R11 protein, but not its mRNA level, falls significantly in PP1c-null testis where mature sperm are virtually absent. Conversely, both mature sperm numbers and the PPP1R11 level increase substantially in PP1c-null testis expressing transgenic PP1c2. PPP1R11 also appears to be ubiquitinated in PP1c-null testis. The levels of PP1c2 and PPP1R11 were increased in phenotypically normal PP1a-null testis. However, in PP1a-null spleen, where PP1c2 normally is not expressed, PPP1R11 levels remained unchanged. Our data clearly show a direct reciprocal relationship between the levels of the protein phosphatase isoform PP1c2 and its regulator PPP1R11, and suggest that complex formation between these polypeptides in testis may prevent proteolysis of PPP1R11 and thus, germ cell apoptosis.
Ability of adaptive filters to track carrier offsets and channel nonstationarities

This paper studies the tracking performance of adaptive filters operating in the presence of two sources of nonstationarities: carrier frequency offsets and random channel variations. Both impairments are common in digital communications due to mismatches between transmitter and receiver carrier generators and channel fading. The paper derives expressions for the mean-square error and shows how filter performance is degraded under such nonstationary conditions. Selections of step sizes for optimal tracking performance are derived, different adaptive algorithms are compared, and supporting simulation results are provided.
The Role of High-Latitude Waves in the Intraseasonal to Seasonal Variability of Tropical Upwelling in the Brewer-Dobson Circulation

The forcing of tropical upwelling in the Brewer‐Dobson circulation (BDC) on intraseasonal to seasonal time scales is investigated in integrations of an idealized general circulation model, ECMWF Interim ReAnalysis, and lower-stratospheric temperature measurements from the (Advanced) Microwave Sounding Unit, with a focus on the extended boreal winter season. Enhanced poleward eddy heat fluxes in the high latitudes (458‐908N) at the 100-hPa level are associated with anomalous tropical cooling and anomalous warming on the poleward side of the polar night jet at the 70-hPa level and above. In both the model and the observations, planetary waves entering the stratosphere at high latitudes propagate equatorward to the subtropics and tropics at levels above 70 hPa over an approximately 10-day period, exerting a force at sufficiently low latitudes to modulate the tropical upwelling in the upper branch of the BDC, even on time scales longer than the radiative relaxation time scale of the lower stratosphere. To the extent that they force the BDCviadownwardasopposedtosidewayscontrol,planetarywavesoriginatinginhighlatitudescontributeto the seasonally varying climatological mean and the interannual variability of tropical upwelling at the 70-hPa level and above. Their influence upon the strength of the tropical upwelling, however, diminishes rapidly with depth below 70 hPa. In particular, tropical upwelling at the cold-point tropopause, near 100 hPa, appears to be modulated by variations in the strength of the lower branch of the BDC.
In-Home Air Pollution Is Linked to Respiratory Morbidity in Former Smokers with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Rationale: The effect of indoor air pollutants on respiratory morbidity among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in developed countries is uncertain.Objectives: The first longitudinal study to investigate the independent effects of indoor particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations on COPD morbidity in a periurban community.Methods: Former smokers with COPD were recruited and indoor air was monitored over a 1-week period in the participant’s bedroom and main living area at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. At each visit, participants completed spirometry and questionnaires assessing respiratory symptoms. Exacerbations were assessed by questionnaires administered at clinic visits and monthly telephone calls.Measurements and Main Results: Participants (n = 84) had moderate or severe COPD with a mean FEV1 of 48.6% predicted. The mean (± SD) indoor PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations were 11.4 ± 13.3 µg/m3 and 10.8 ± 10.6 ppb in the bedroom, and 12.2 ± 12.2 µg/m3 and 12....
Principles of Simulation

Modeling is a useful way to summarize and characterize data, but modeling truly becomes powerful when it is used to answer questions that could not be answered without otherwise having to perform an experiment or to answer questions for which there is no means to answer the question experimentally. This is the realm of simulation, which can be thought of as applied modeling. This chapter introduces the principles of simulation, both deterministic (when there is no random component in the simulation) and Monte Carlo (when random variation is considered a component in the model). This chapter introduces simulation from nuts to bolts from choosing the appropriate stochastic distribution(s) to analysis of simulation data. Particular attention is spent illustrating how to simulate various covariate distributions common to pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics, e.g., age, sex, weight, and laboratory values, as well as simulation of clinical studies. A case study in simulation is presented using sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in cancer.
Screening for Chemical Mutagens Using the Mouse Lymphoma Assay

The mouse lymphoma assay (MLA) using the thymidine kinase (Tk1) gene is widely used to detect the potential genotoxicity of a wide variety of chemical agents. The assay is recommended as a part of the core battery of genetic toxicology tests. Although the assay was developed more than 30 yr ago, there have been some technical modifications and also an evolution of the guidelines for the proper conduct and interpretation of data from the assay. In this chapter, the authors provide the details for the conduct of both the agar and microwell versions of the assay. They include their strategy for test chemical concentration selection and also provide a summary of the recommendations of an expert MLA Workgroup of the International Workshop for Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT). This group has been working over the past few years to discuss and reach consensus on a number of important aspects of the assay. Issues addressed include the appropriate measure for cytotoxicity, 24-h treatment, acceptance criteria for valid assays, and a new strategy for interpreting data.
Attenuated Salmonella enterica Typhimurium reduces tumor burden in an autochthonous breast cancer model.

Background/aim Cancer treatment with attenuated Salmonella enterica Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) has gained momentum in recent years. However, the effectiveness of this treatment has not been explored in autochthonous models. We report the efficacy of S. Typhimurium in mice with autochthonous mammary tumors. Materials and methods S. Typhimurium attenuated by deletion of cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling, SalpNG.1, was injected into female BALB-neuT tumor-bearing mice. Mice were monitored for efficacy and sacrificed for mechanistic studies. Results In treated mice, seven-week post-treatment tumor burden was reduced by 85% and median survival was increased by 88%. Efficacy was correlated with increased tumor-infiltrating CD8 and natural killer cells. In addition, SalpNG.1 treatment caused a systemic increase of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells that accumulated to high numbers within tumor tissue. Bacteria were not detected in tumor tissue, suggesting that the observed efficacy was due to a systemic rather than a tumor-specific effect of the bacteria. Conclusion S. Typhimurium treatment reduces tumor burden and increases survival in an autochthonous breast cancer model.
Ovipositional and Feeding Deterrent from Chinese Prickly Ash Against Angoumois Grain Moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

As alternatives to synthetic organic insecticides, botanical materials are being investigated to control stored-product insects. To determine the bioactive components in Chinese prickly ash, Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim, against Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), 4 fractions were separated from extract of locally purchased Chinese prickly ash using silica gel column chromatography. Gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy were used to identify the compounds in the fractions. The results of choice tests showed that only the fraction containing 1 of the major components (xanthoxylin) had significant deterrent effects on ovipositional behavior. This compound also had strong antifeedant properties on larvae of S. cerealella in a no-choice bioassay. The results indicate that xanthoxylin has potential as a pest-control agent because it significantly deters oviposition as well as larval feeding, 2 critical life history stages of S. cerealella . More tests on other species of stored-product insects are needed to evaluate the potential of xanthoxylin as a general protectant against stored-product insects.
Curative effect observation on 19 cases of contact granuloma of larynx

Objective:To investigate the effect of operation combined with medicine in treating contact granuloma of larynx.Methods:Among 19 surgical patients with contact granuloma of larynx in tracheal intubation under general anesthesia,18 cases were performed lesion resection combined with plasma ablation by support laryngoscopy and 1 case was performed laryngofissure plus wound suture.All patients were followed up from 6 months to 1 year.Results:Among 19 cases,hoarseness was significantly improved with smooth wound surface in 13 cases,2 cases had slight edema in wound surface and 4 cases recurred.The cure rate was 79%.After 3-month conservative treatment,lump was disappeared in 2 cases and 2 cases lost follow up.Conclusion:Lesion resection plus plasma ablation and laryngofissure for treating contact granuloma of larynx has definite effects.The postoperative recurring rate is not high.
Fugui's-Living-Style in the Novel "To Live" in the Comparative View

"To Live",written by YU Hua,is believed as the most influencial novel of China in 1990's.Up till now,the connotative meaning of Fugui's-living-style is controversial.Putting Fugui into the comparative analysis with A.Q and the famous female writer Sanmao,we can make out the positive significance of Fugui's-living-style.Before all those sufferings in life,he is still compassionate,and tries his best to construct individual value and dignity through keeping dialogues with Others.He is different with Ah.Q in spiritual realm.No matter what happens,Fugui keeps his life down-to-earth,and manifes the strength of lif itself.For intellectuals who insist that Life is elsewhere and perplexed by the sense of Homeless,should draw some enlightments from Fugui's-living-style.In these senses,the novel has displayed nobility,just as the writer declared.
A Robot Capable of Autonomous Robotic Team Repair: The Hex-DMR II System

Robotic systems are increasingly being used in hazardous environments and remote locations to safely extend human reach. However, these systems can be faced with unexpected events or system faults. Currently, the standard paradigm is to either leave a damaged robot in the field, or to rely on human invention for repair or retrieval. Therefore, a need exists for systems that offer long-term robustness in the face of such failures. In this paper, we present the Hexagonal Distributed Modular Robot (Hex-DMR) II System which is comprised of a team of several autonomous mobile robots capable of performing repair procedures on individual robots in the team. Hex-DMR II represents a potential solution to the longstanding problem of fragility in robotic systems in remote environments. First, we introduce the design elements of the second-generation system and contrast them to its first-generation counterpart. Then we describe the modular team members that result and summarize the repair process. Finally, we experimentally demonstrate the functionality of our system by performing two autonomous procedures necessary for repair.
Blunt neck injury.

Emergency physicians must diagnose or exclude cervical spine trauma in daily practice. This is a complicated task, as the presentation may be subtle and the manifestations obscured, and no imaging modality is completely sensitive or specific. The research of the past two decades serves as a guide as to which types of patients require cervical radiologic evaluation and which modalities of evaluation are appropriate.
Polidocanol induced tubal occlusion in nonhuman primates: Immunohistochemical detection of collagen I-V.

Objective Intrauterine administration of polidocanol foam (PF) can create fallopian tube occlusion in nonhuman primates. The objective of this study was to determine if PF-induced tubal obstructions contain collagen in the extracellular matrix.
Variation of Soil Properties in a Mollisol Profile Wall

Soil variation was investigated in a Mollisol soil profile wall in south central Wisconsin, USA. The soil was classified as a fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Pachic Argiudolls. Data were collected from a 1 × 1 m soil profile wall that was divided into a 10 × 10 cm raster. The following measurements were made: volumetric moisture content, soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration, and elemental analysis of Al, Ca, Fe, Mn, P, Si, Ti, and Zr by portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Spatial variation of soil properties was analyzed and mapped. All the soil properties demonstrated horizontal variation within the soil profile. The extent of horizontal variation changed with depth. The magnitude and direction of these changes showed no general pattern, differing between the soil properties. The SOC concentration showed constant horizontal variation at all depths except 70–80 cm. The soil pH demonstrated the lowest horizontal variation in the top 30 cm of the profile. The horizontal variation of Fe concentration tended to increase with depth. Soil property depth functions showed considerable variation between vertical transects. Only the SOC concentration and the soil pH demonstrated fairly consistent responses to changes in depth. The soil showed spatial variation within soil horizons. The soil pH and the Fe concentration showed low within-horizon variation in all soil horizons. SOC concentration showed moderate within-horizon variation in the Ap1 horizon and high within-horizon variation in the Bt horizon. Overall, the Bt horizon contained the greatest spatial variation. All soil horizons contained high within-horizon variation of at least one soil property. These results have some implications for sampling pedons.
Isolated effect of material stiffness on valvular interstitial cell differentiation

Previous methods for investigating material stiffness on cell behavior have focused on the use of substrates with limited ranges of stiffness and/or fluctuating surface chemistries. Using the co-polymer system of n-octyl methacrylate crosslinked with diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA/nOM), we developed a new cell culture platform to analyze the isolated effects of stiffness independent from changes in surface chemistry. Materials ranging from 25 kPa to 4,700 kPa were fabricated. Surface analysis including goiniometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed consistent surface chemistry across all formulations examined. The mechanosensitive cell type valvular interstitial cell (VIC) was cultured DEGDMA/nOM substrates of differing stiffness. Results indicate that order of magnitude changes in stiffness do not increase gene expression of VIC alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA). However, structural organization of αSMA is altered on stiffer substrates, corresponding with the appearance of the osteoblastic marker osteocalcin and nodule formation. This research presents the co-polymer DEGDMA/nOM as ideal substrate to investigate the influence of stiffness on VIC differentiation without the confounding effects of changing material surface chemistry. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 51-61, 2017.
Ms. Robot Will Be Teaching You: Robot Lecturers in Four Modes of Automated Remote Instruction

Methods and materials are described for employing a human-shaped robot as a lecturer in automated remote instruction. Video segments from the stimuli of a 2 (participant substrate: VR or non-VR) x 2 (robot embodiment: copresent or screen) balanced between-participants experiment are provided. In each condition, a robot delivers the content for a lecture on the nutrition of carbohydrates. The robot uses identical speech and body movement while the same set of slides plays on an adjacent computer, thereby controlling for such factors as educational content, robot appearance and robot size. The experiment employs Aldebaran’s 25-degrees-of-freedom Nao as the robot and the Oculus Rift as the immersive VR system. The lecture speech and slides were obtained with permission from a Mandarin Chinese-language online course and translated into English. The setup for different delivery modes for automated remote instruction are illustrated using a robot delivering foreign language online content. These methods support the design and evaluation of robots that perform the role of lecturer.
Polyamine-derived post-translational modification of glutamine residues in intracellular proteins

We present evidence for the covalent incorporation of polyamines into glutamine-containing proteins as the corresponding γ-glutamyl adducts. This novel type of post-translational protein modification has been investigated in human integuments. It is well known that the chemical stability of the insoluble protein components of skin and hair is attributable to a high degree of e-(γ-glutamyl)lysine crosslinking arising from cellular transglutaminase activity. We found that urea-insoluble fractions obtained from human callus, nail and hair contain an additional type of crosslink formed through the polyamine spermidine. Further more, the precursors of the spermidine crosslinks, namely mono-(γ-glutamyl)spermidines, have been identified in the urea-soluble fraction of all the integuments under investigation. These data suggest that polyamines play a role in the assembly of the insoluble intracellular structures of human integuments through a transglutaminase-catalyzed post-translational modification of the precursor proteins.
Abstract 229: Follistatin-like 1 Protects Heart From Post-infarction Rupture by Modulating Fibrogenesis

Rationale: Stress injured heart secretes several cardiokines, including Follistatin-like 1 (Fstl1). Fstl1 is a member of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) family. Fstl1 is strongly overexpressed in ischemic lesion and secreted to blood circulation in acute coronary syndrome. However, roles and mechanisms of Fstl1 in acute myocardial infarction have not been elucidated yet. Methods and results: To assess Fstl1 expression after myocardial infarction (MI), C57BL6 WT mice were underwent LAD permanent ligation. Heart and serum Fstl1 protein levels were increased after day 1 and peaked at 7 days after MI. Immunohistochemistry revealed that fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were the major Fstl1 expressing cells in infarcted area and border zone. However, neither cardiomyocytes nor leukocytes (neutrophil, macrophage) produced Fstl1. Fstl1 deleted mice in fibroblasts lineage (Fstl1-CKO mice) were generated by S100a4cre+/- xFstl1flox/flox mice. S100a4cre-/- xFstl1flox/flox mice were used as control. Fstl1 protein overexpression after MI was reduced 50% in Fstl1-CKO mice heart compared to control mice. Mortality rate after MI was significantly higher in Fstl1-CKO mice than control mice (50%;15 of 30 vs 34.8%; 8 of 23, respectively, log-rank test p=0.031). The majority of causes of death were cardiac rupture in acute period. Cardiac function, blood pressure and severity of inflammation were comparable between Fstl1-CKO and control mice. However, amount of myofibroblasts in Fstl1-CKO heart was significantly less than control mice. Overexpression of extracellular matrix proteins (collagen and fibronectin) in infarcted area was also diminished in Fstl1-CKO mice. Autocrine and paracrine functions of Fstl1 for fibroblasts were assessed in vitro study. Endogenous Fstl1 protein in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFBs) was knocked down by siRNA fstl1. Migratory activity of NRCFBs was attenuated by Fstl1 ablation. Moreover, Fstl1 augmented TGF-β1 activated Smad2/3 signaling pathway in vivo and vitro. Conclusions: Increased Fstl1after MI prevents heart from cardiac rupture. This study revealed a novel function of Fstl1, promotes extracellular matrix generation to repair infarcted lesion.
Stress, Adaptive Coping, and Life Satisfaction.

The authors examined the relationship between stress, adaptive coping, and life satisfaction among college students who reported having a friend or family member with eating disorder symptomatology. A hierarchical regression confirmed the study's hypotheses. Higher stress was linked with less life satisfaction. After stress was controlled, plan coping had a beneficial influence on life satisfaction. College counselors can use these findings when choosing interventions for clients who are close to someone with an eating disorder.
Association of Short-term Exposure to Air Pollution With Mortality in Older Adults

Importance The US Environmental Protection Agency is required to reexamine its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) every 5 years, but evidence of mortality risk is lacking at air pollution levels below the current daily NAAQS in unmonitored areas and for sensitive subgroups. Objective To estimate the association between short-term exposures to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, and at levels below the current daily NAAQS, and mortality in the continental United States. Design, Setting, and Participants Case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression to estimate the association between short-term exposures to PM2.5and ozone (mean of daily exposure on the same day of death and 1 day prior) and mortality in 2-pollutant models. The study included the entire Medicare population from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2012, residing in 39 182 zip codes. Exposures Daily PM2.5and ozone levels in a 1-km × 1-km grid were estimated using published and validated air pollution prediction models based on land use, chemical transport modeling, and satellite remote sensing data. From these gridded exposures, daily exposures were calculated for every zip code in the United States. Warm-season ozone was defined as ozone levels for the months April to September of each year. Main Outcomes and Measures All-cause mortality in the entire Medicare population from 2000 to 2012. Results During the study period, there were 22 433 862 million case days and 76 143 209 control days. Of all case and control days, 93.6% had PM2.5levels below 25 μg/m3, during which 95.2% of deaths occurred (21 353 817 of 22 433 862), and 91.1% of days had ozone levels below 60 parts per billion, during which 93.4% of deaths occurred (20 955 387 of 22 433 862). The baseline daily mortality rates were 137.33 and 129.44 (per 1 million persons at risk per day) for the entire year and for the warm season, respectively. Each short-term increase of 10 μg/m3in PM2.5(adjusted by ozone) and 10 parts per billion (10−9) in warm-season ozone (adjusted by PM2.5) were statistically significantly associated with a relative increase of 1.05% (95% CI, 0.95%-1.15%) and 0.51% (95% CI, 0.41%-0.61%) in daily mortality rate, respectively. Absolute risk differences in daily mortality rate were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.29-1.56) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53-0.78) per 1 million persons at risk per day. There was no evidence of a threshold in the exposure-response relationship. Conclusions and Relevance In the US Medicare population from 2000 to 2012, short-term exposures to PM2.5and warm-season ozone were significantly associated with increased risk of mortality. This risk occurred at levels below current national air quality standards, suggesting that these standards may need to be reevaluated.
Change in liver, spleen and bone marrow magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity over time in children with solid abdominal tumors

Reticuloendothelial system MRI signal hypointensity is common in pediatric oncology patients with solid abdominal tumors. To assess changes in liver, spleen and bone marrow T2-weighted MRI signal intensity over time and their relationship to blood transfusion history in children with solid abdominal tumors. In this retrospective study we measured liver, spleen and bone marrow signal intensity on axial T2-weighted MR images obtained December 2009 through February 2016 in children with hepatoblastoma, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma and Wilms tumor. All signal intensity measurements were normalized to paraspinal muscle signal intensity. We used linear mixed models (including a day*day quadratic term) to determine whether organ signal intensity changed over time and whether change was associated with blood transfusion volume or tumor type. We included 133 children (mean age at diagnosis =2.9 years); 56 had neuroblastoma, 42 hepatoblastoma, 28 Wilms tumor and 7 ganglioneuroblastoma. Seventy-nine (59.4%) children received transfusions (median: 8 transfusions, range: 1–30; mean volume: 1,148.5 mL). Hepatic, splenic and bone marrow signal intensity ratios changed quadratically over time for the study population, initially decreasing and then increasing (P<0.0001). Children receiving less than the mean blood transfusion volume showed no significant change in tissue signal intensity, while those receiving more than the mean volume showed significant changes in signal intensity over time (P<0.0001). Compared to children with Wilms tumor, those with neuroblastoma exhibited significantly lower hepatic (P=0.03) signal intensity ratios. Liver, spleen and bone marrow T2-weighted MRI signal intensity ratios change over time in some pediatric patients with solid abdominal tumors, likely from tissue iron deposition related to blood transfusions and perhaps because of tumor type.
Best Practices in Counseling Grief and Loss: Finding Benefit from Trauma

Grief may be a primary presenting concern of clients or may form a background to another presenting concern. In either case, use of best practices in assessing and treating grief is essential. In this article I review what best practices are in general and in assessment and treatment. I also evaluate ways to measure grief and describe domains of the grief experience. The article also discusses controversies within the literature on grief counseling, including the potential for deterioration after treatment. It concludes with a view of counseling grief that promotes finding benefit from trauma.
Anesthesiology Consults at the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office

Abstract The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner has employed an as-needed anesthesia consultant since 1991. This chapter briefly describes the rapid changes in anesthesiology and its practice standards, reviews reasons to get an anesthesia consult, describes the process of an anesthesia consult, notes records needed for a consult, lists other activities of the consultant, and suggests qualifications for an anesthesia consultant. Using data from the 80 consults done from 2009 to 2014, the chapter gives examples of consult cases, of interactions between pathologists and the consultant and reviews the value of consult data for both groups. More collaboration between forensic pathologists and anesthesiologists will be useful for both specialties.
Student Performance Online vs Onground: A Statistical Analysis of IS Courses

In previous papers, the authors reported results of smaller-scale studies. The purpose of this study is to combine and expand those individual smaller scaled studies, to determine if significant differences exist between student performance in online and traditional classroom environments. The study includes more than 1300 observations spread across seven courses that are part of the computer science and information systems curriculum at Northwest Missouri State University. Student performance was compared by grade point average, ACT composite scores, number of credit hours completed, instructor, and delivery method. The only significant difference found was between student performance and delivery method in three high volume courses that serve multiple majors and minors. Online students in these three courses obtained a significantly lower average grade than onground students. In four other courses that service upper-level computer science majors no significant differences in performance were found. The varied results of the study could be a simple statement of fact. Different courses in different programs might have different performance results. It could be concluded that online students are simply satisfied with a little lower grade in particular courses or that traditional students perform better because of the availability of added resources planned and implemented for online curriculum. It could be concluded that faculty continue to deal with problems in effectively transferring traditional classroom learning to the online environment. It could also be speculated that the difference is any combination of the above conclusions.
Features of Engaging and Empowering Experiential Learning Programs for College Students.

This study describes three collegiate programs that have a high interest in creating engaging learning environments outside of the classroom. The three settings in this study are a three-year degree granting college focusing on internship-based learning, a nationally recognized service-learning program at a private university, and a small private college emphasizing work and service. Research was guided by two exploratory questions: (1) How can students, faculty, administrators, and community partners’ work together to create engaging learning experiences? (2) How can students feel empowered through experiential learning programs? Three themes emerged as important aspects of experiential programs that foster engagement and empowerment: learner autonomy, accountability, and peer support. These features are discussed and presented as important components to experiential learning programs.
Concluding Comments on Cetacean Hearing and Echolocation

About forty years ago biologists began to learn that dolphins have an extraordinary ability to use sound to find food and get precise information about their environment. That line of research proved to be very fruitful. Hundreds of studies cover a range of topics from simple descriptions of sounds to complex theoretical models of cetacean echolocation and hearing. The result of all that effort is that we know quite a bit about some aspects of echolocation and hearing in a few odontocete species but almost nothing about it in most cetacean species, especially the mysticetes.
Surprising conservation of schizophrenia risk genes in lower organisms reflects their essential function and the evolution of genetic liability

Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric illness that affects approximately 1% of the population. Genetic variation in multiple genes causes elevated risk for the disorder, but the molecular basis is inadequately understood and it is not clear how risk genes have evolved and persisted in the genome. To address these issues, we have identified orthologs/homologs of 344 schizophrenia risk genes (from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium dataset) in lower organisms, including C. elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish, along with phenotypes produced by genetic disruption in C. elegans. Schizophrenia risk genes were evolutionarily conserved at significantly higher rates in C. elegans (81%) and zebrafish (88%) than genes in general for these two species (40-70%). The risk-gene equivalents were highly (~3-fold) enriched for essential genes consistent with polygenic mutation threshold models, which propose that genetic susceptibility results from the inevitable expression of harmful combinations of risk variants in the population. Most notably, numerous examples of cross-species synteny revealed how blocks of risk genes geared toward a shared biological purpose coalesced into proximity during evolution. We obtained initial evidence that schizophrenia risk genes affected different stages of development, potentially allowing differential modulation by the environment. Taken together, studies of the conservation of schizophrenia risk genes in simple model organisms provided novel insights into the molecular basis for genetic susceptibility to a complex human psychiatric disorder.