cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of atmospheric turbulence simulations of extended scenes

Atmospheric turbulence causes blur, distortion and intensity fluctuations that can severely degrade image quality of electro-optic and thermal imaging systems. Realistic simulated imagery is needed to evaluate the effects of turbulence and provide input for the evaluation of mitigation and image processing algorithms, since turbulence-based data collections can be cost prohibitive and time consuming. In this work we validate an existing turbulence image simulator against a well-characterized dataset, including resolution targets. The robust dataset was collected through a diurnal cycle for a variety of ranges.
An improved preparation of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids using microwaves☆

An efficient microwave protocol is described for the preparation of room temperature ionic liquids consisting of alkyl imidazolium cations bearing tetrafluoroborate as anions.
Host search behaviour of neonate western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera)

Abstract Paths made by neonate western corn rootworm larvae in an arena were analysed to determine host-finding behaviour. Larvae shifted from long distance ranging behaviour to localized search behaviour after 5 min of contact with the roots of maize and wheat, but not contact with oats, giant foxtail, or soybean. This shift from ranging to localized search is initiated by contact cues, because exposure to germinating maize plant volatiles for 10 min or for 1 h did not result in a similar switch. After time, unrewarded larvae shifted back to ranging behaviour. Response to contact cues dominated over response to volatile cues because immediately after contact with maize roots, larvae were no longer attracted to carbon dioxide.
Quantum fluctuations and inertia

Abstract One of the three key assumptions involved in the stochastic formulation of quantum mechanics, the inverse proportionality of the quantum diffusion constant to the inertial mass, is shown to be amenable to experimental test. By relaxing this assumption, a non-linear generalization of the Schrodinger equation is found. The present experimental uncertainty in the measurement of the Lamb shift is then used to bound the deviation from the aforementioned inverse proportionality to be less than 4 × 10 −13 .
Interpolation Method for Calculation of Computed Tomography Dose from Angular Varying Tube Current

The scope and magnitude of radiation dose from computed tomography (CT) examination has led to increased scrutiny and focus on accurate dose tracking. The use of tube current modulation (TCM) results complicates dose tracking by generating unique scans that are specific to the patient. Three methods of estimating the radiation dose from a CT examination that uses TCM are compared: using the average current for an entire scan, using the average current for each slice in the scan, and using an estimation of the angular variation of the dose contribution. To determine the impact of TCM on the radiation dose received, a set of angular weighting functions for each tissue of the body are derived by fitting a function to the relative dose contributions tabulated for the four principle exposure projections. This weighting function is applied to the angular tube current function to determine the organ dose contributions from a single rotation. Since the angular tube current function is not typically known, a method for estimating that function is also presented. The organ doses calculated using these three methods are compared to simulations that explicitly include the estimated TCM function.
Choices and Consequences: Reply

In their "Comment," Green and Hassan note that the choice of a model involves trade-offs, that model results are to be used rather than believed, and that a single model may not be best for all purposes. These points cannot be stressed too often. However, they raise a number of concerns that warrant further clarification. Green and Hassan have managed to smoke out the real reason I selected the example of simultaneous demand systems when discussing the general problem of identifying benefits and costs of alternative models. The reason is simply that the results reported by many economists using these models seem implausible to me. I set out to discover why these models produce estimated income elasticities that are consistently higher than the absolute value of direct price elasticities. The result of this search was to uncover what I
Visible light enhanced removal of a sulfur mustard gas surrogate from a vapor phase on novel hydrous ferric oxide/graphite oxide composites

In this work, novel composites of iron hydroxide and graphite oxide (GO), initial or modified with urea, were synthesized and used as media for a 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) removal/decontamination process. The results of surface characterization, using various physical and chemical methods, indicated that oxygen groups in GO act as nucleation centers for the hydrous ferric oxide formation/aggregation. Addition of the graphene phase increased the surface area and the amount of reactive adsorption centers. The iron hydroxide particles were highly dispersed between and on the graphene layers. Mesoporous 2 and 6-line ferrihydrites with a surface area higher than 200 m2 g−1 were identified as the main inorganic phase of the composites. An alteration in the optical band gap was found, depending on the chemical properties of the graphite oxide. The composites demonstrated a marked CEES adsorption capacity and outperformed the unmodified iron hydroxide. Visible light enhanced the removal of CEES owing to its photocatalytic properties. As a result of this, CEES degradation products migrate to very small pores of the composites, releasing the adsorption centers for further reactive adsorption of the CEES molecules.
The SOCS box protein STOPS is required for phototransduction through its effects on phospholipase C

Summary Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes play roles in a diversity of processes including Drosophila phototransduction. In fly photoreceptor cells, the PLCβ encoded by norpA is critical for activation of TRP channels. Here, we describe a PLCβ regulator, STOPS, which encodes a SOCS box protein. Mutation of stops resulted in a reduced concentration of NORPA and a defect in stopping signaling following cessation of the light stimulus. NORPA has been proposed to have dual roles as a PLC- and GTPase-activating protein (GAP). We found that the slow termination resulting from expressing low levels of wild-type NORPA was suppressed by addition of normal amounts of an altered NORPA, which had wild-type GAP activity, but no PLC activity. STOPS is the first protein identified that specifically regulates PLCβ protein concentration. Moreover, this work demonstrates that a PLCβ derivative that does not promote TRP channel activation, still contributes to signaling in vivo.
Evolution of entrepreneurship and organizational configurations at Zildjian, 1623–2010

This work uses a case-based research approach and Siggelkow’s (Acad Manag J 47:125–159, 2002) four-phase organizational configuration model to analyze Zildjian’s evolutionary growth and entrepreneurial initiatives in the global music industry. Zildjian is a unique and well-respected cymbal manufacturer that originated out of Turkey in 1623 and continues to be a major force in the music instruments sector. Turkey was a growing market during the periods of 1700 and 1800 that helped Zildjian to become an increasingly successful company. This also led to creating 13 generations of a successful family business. The work discusses Zildjian’s 387-year family genealogy and its growth within the domains of entrepreneurship, organizational configurations, and strategic inertia. The work finds that behind Zildjian’s marvelous expansion and well-known cymbals, there is a tightly knit family firm that continues to operate like an entrepreneurial venture, dealing with thousands of artists, musicians, educators, orchestras, and bands worldwide. As of 2011, the company may not be a large multinational corporation but its business model is a classic addition to the international entrepreneurship literature. Staunchly traditional in its family business, Zildjian thrives as a privately held company and protects its closely guarded metallurgical formula. The significance of this work lies in its unique methodology within the evolution of Zildjian’s entrepreneurial growth and organizational configurations.
Left ventricular and myocyte structure and function following chronic ventricular tachycardia in rabbits.

Recent studies have shown that chronic pacing induced tachycardia in large animals such as dogs and pigs causes congestive heart failure accompanied by myocyte contractile abnormalities, neurohormonal activation, alterations in sarcolemmal receptor systems, and changes in myocardial structure. However, fundamental studies directed at identifying basic contributory mechanisms responsible for the development of this form of heart failure are problematic in these large animals. Accordingly, the present study examined the direct effects of pacing induced tachycardia upon LV and myocyte structure and function in the adult rabbit. Twelve adult rabbits (New Zealand White; 3.5–4.5 Kg) underwent 30 days of pacing induced ventricular tachycardia (VT; right ventricular paced, 400 bpm) and 12 additional age and weight matched rabbits served as controls. Echocardiography revealed increased LV end-diastolic dimension (1.92±0.04 vs 1.10±0.20 cm;p<0.05) and decreased fractional shortening (41.5±3 vas 22.3±4%;p<0.05) in the VT group compared to controls with no change in LV mass. Steadystate isolated myocyte contractile function was significantly reduced in the VT group compared to control. For example, isolated myocyte velocity of shortening was 41±2 μm/s in the VT group compared to 84±5 μm/s for controls (p<0.05). In the presence of 8 mM extracellular Ca2+, myocyte velocity of shortening was 40% lower in the VT group compared to controls. Finally, myocyte contractile responsiveness with β-adrenergic receptor stimulation was reduced by 52% in the VT group compared to controls. Isolated myocyte length significantly increased in the VT group compared to control (157±3 vs 128±2 μm;p<0.05) with a concomitant decrease in cross-sectional area (274±6 vs 400±31 μm2;p<0.05). Myocyte myofibril volume fell by 27% in the VT group compared to control with no change in mitochondrial percent volume. In summary, this study demonstrated that chronic pacing induced tachycardia in rabbits caused: 1) LV dilation and dysfunction, 2) depressed isolated myocyte contractile function and inotropic responsiveness, and 3) alterations in myocyte structure and composition. The changes in LV and myocyte function and structure following chronic tachycardia in rabbits are similar to that reported previously with tachycardia induced heart failure in larger animals. These findings suggest that this rabbit model of chronic tachycardia may provide a useful and practical means by which to examine basic mechanisms responsible for the development of congestive heart failure.
The diffuse gamma-ray background, light element abundances, and signatures of early massive star formation

Attention is drawn to a potentially observable flux of diffuse extragalactic gamma rays produced by inelastic cosmic-ray interactions that is inevitably a by-product of spallation-synthesized Be. The epoch of cosmic ray-induced Population II light element nucleosynthesis is constrained to be at redshift greater than 0.5. A spectral feature in the diffuse extragalactic gamma-ray background with amplitude 0.1 above 10 MeV is predicted if the Be is synthesized at z less than 10. The possibility is discussed that the cosmic-ray flux responsible for Population II Be and B synthesis may be associated with a precursor hypothesized Population III.
Factors in the Determination of Selected Trace Elements in Near-Shore U.S. Waters of Lakes Superior and Huron

Abstract Determinations of total As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb in acidified unfiltered water samples from 48 stations representing the near-shore U.S. waters of Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and selected incoming streams gave overall mean concentrations and standard deviations (μg/L) of 1.0 ± 0.7, 0.9 ± 1.8, 2.0 ± 1.8, 236 ± 819, 14 ± 34, and 0.7 ± 0.8, respectively, using flameless atomic absorption analytical methods. Total concentrations of Ni and Hg were usually less than the instrumental detection limits (μg/L) of 0.8 and 0.02, respectively. Small losses of Hg, As, and Cr from solutions are possible in addition to a molecular spectral interference in the determination of As using the graphite furnace method. River waters usually were only slightly higher in total element concentrations than lake waters, except for Fe andMn. Nearshore waters of both lakes were very similar in elemental composition.
Linking oscillations in cerebellar circuits

In many neuroscience fields, the study of local and global rhythmicity has been receiving increasing attention. These network influences could directly impact on how neuronal groups interact together, organizing for different contexts. The cerebellar cortex harbors a variety of such local circuit rhythms, from the rhythms in the cerebellar cortex per se, or those dictated from important afferents. We present here certain cerebellar oscillatory phenomena that have been recorded in rodents and primates. Those take place in a range of frequencies: from the more known oscillations in the 4-25 Hz band, such as the olivocerebellar oscillatory activity and the granule cell layer oscillations, to the more recently reported slow ( 150 Hz) activity in the Purkinje cell layer. Many of these oscillations appear spontaneously in the circuits, and are modulated by behavioral imperatives. We review here how those oscillations are recorded, some of their modulatory mechanisms, and also identify some of the cerebellar nodes where they could interact. A particular emphasis has been placed on how these oscillations could be modulated by movement and certain neuropathological manifestations. Many of those oscillations could have a definite impact on the way information is processed in the cerebellum and how it interacts with other structures in a variety of contexts.
High level input/output in Modula-2

In this article, a high level I/O system for Modula-2 is presented. This system is designed to be in addition to the current Modula I/O, rather than to replace existing I/O. Its main purpose would be to have an I/O system that would be simple to use in educational settings and in general purpose programming.
Initial segments of the degrees of constructibility

We show that any constructible, constructibly countable, (dual) algebraic lattice is isomorphic to the degrees of constructibility of reals in some generic extension ofL.
Can CMC Teach Teachers Training

The article spells out how computer‐mediated communication (CMC) moves from the idea of learning to use computers to that of using computers to learn, and looks at the effective application of this...
Comparative value of corn distillers dried grains with solubles, soybean oil meal, and linseed oil meal for milk production.

Summary Two experiments were conducted to compare the value for milk production of corn distillers dried grains with solubles, solvent extracted soybean oil meal, and linseed oil meal when these feeds were the primary protein supplements in milking rations. Milk production was significantly higher on the feeds containing corn distillers dried grains or soybean oil meal than on mixtures containing linseed oil meal. The digestibility of the three high protein supplements was measured with lactating cows. The supplements were fed as the only concentrate, along with second cutting alfalfa hay and the digestion coefficients calculated by difference. The total digestible nutrient values on a dry matter basis were 84.8, 85.2, and 67.8% for the corn distillers dried grains with solubles, soybean oil meal, and linseed oil meal, respectively.
Normative expectations and the behavior of significant others : an integration of traditions in research on adolescents' cigarette smoking

Normative expectations for cigarette smoking are considered in the context of the smoking behavior which 854 adolescents in Grade 7 ascribe to their friends and parents.
Graphical Determination of Magnetic Fields Practical Applications to Salient-Pole Synchronous Machine Design

There are three methods of obtaining the flux distribution in a magnetic field. First: By test. Templets or models can be made of the field to be explored and the flux distribution can be obtained by test as described in a companion paper ``Graphical Determination of Magnetic Fields?Comparison of Calculations and Tests'' by Messrs. E. E. Johnson and C. H. Green. Second: By mathematical analysis. This method is accurate and consistent results can be obtained. If the problem is very complicated, however, the mathematical solution is very laborious and sometimes impossible. Third: By the graphical method. This method is quite accurate and it can be used for design calculations. It is comparatively easy and it is the quickest method of the three. The graphical method of plotting magnetic fields used in this paper is described in a companion paper, ``Graphical Determination of Magnetic Fields?Theoretical Considerations'' by Messrs. A. R. Stevenson, Jr. and R. H. Park. This paper shows how the graphical flux plots can be used very successfully in design calculations. In fact, the performance characteristic of a salient-pole synchronous machine can not be predetermined accurately without the use of flux distribution coefficients.
New Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio System Reduces Stage Migration in Patients Undergoing D1 Lymphadenectomy for Gastric Adenocarcinoma

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union Against Cancer (UICC) staging system for gastric cancer incorporates the absolute number of metastatic lymph nodes (N status) and is optimally used when ≥15 nodes are examined. The ratio of metastatic to examined nodes (N ratio) is an effective prognostic tool, but has not been examined in Western patients undergoing primarily D1 lymphadenectomy. Two hundred and fifty seven patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent gastric resection between 1995 and 2005 at our institution were examined. Novel N ratio intervals were determined using the best cutoff approach (Nr0: N ratio = 0 and ≥15 nodes examined; Nr1: 0 ≤ N ratio ≤ 0.3; Nr2: 0.3 0.7). Overall survival was examined according to N status and N ratio. 83% of patients underwent D1 lymphadenectomy with a median of 14 lymph nodes examined. Overall survival stratified by N status was significantly different in patients with <15 nodes examined compared with those with ≥15 nodes examined. When we stratified by N ratio intervals, there was no significant difference in overall survival in patients with <15 versus ≥ 15 nodes examined. On multivariate analysis, N ratio but not N status was retained as an independent prognostic factor. The use of N status for staging patients undergoing primarily D1 lymphadenectomy results in significant stage migration due to varying numbers of nodes examined. Use of N ratio reduces stage migration and may be a more reliable method of staging these patients.
Vaught’s conjecture for superstable theories of finite rank

Abstract In [R. Vaught, Denumerable models of complete theories, in: Infinitistic Methods, Pregamon, London, 1961, pp. 303–321] Vaught conjectured that a countable first order theory has countably many or 2 ℵ 0 many countable models. Here, the following special case is proved. Theorem If T is a superstable theory of finite rank with 2 ℵ 0 many countable models, then T has countably many countable models. The basic idea is to associate with a theory a ⋀ -definable group G (called the structure group) which controls the isomorphism types of countable models of the theory. The theory of modules is used to show that for M ⊧ T , G ∩ M is, essentially, the direct sum of copies of finitely many finitely generated subgroups. This is the principal ingredient in the proof of the following main theorem, from which Vaught’s conjecture follows immediately. Structure Theorem Let T be a countable superstable theory of finite rank with 2 ℵ 0 many countable models. Then for M a countable model of T there is a finite A ⊂ M and a J ⊂ M such that M is prime over A ∪ J , J is A -independent and { stp ( a / A ) : a ∈ J } is finite.
INNER SPEECH, ORAL LANGUAGE, AND READING: HUEY AND VYGOTSKY REVISITED

The paper summarizes Huey's and Vygotsky's characterization of inner speech and posits that Vygotsky's description of the inner mental process is optimal for explaining the role of oral language during the reading process despite objections from psycholinguists regarding the disparity of speed between silent and oral reading. Contrasted as well are Piaget's and Vygotsky's view of the evolution of early speech behavior, and again, Vygotsky's analysis is taken to be a more appropriate description of the eventual function of spoken language in the act of reading. Specific conclusions are drawn for the teaching of reading based upon the hypothesis presented that inner speech plays a central role in learning how to read.
Phase I study of weekly (day 1 and 8) docetaxel in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

Purpose Capecitabine in combination with docetaxel given every 3 weeks has shown a high degree of activity in a number of tumor types, but at the expense of significant toxicity. To improve the therapeutic index, we evaluated a weekly regimen of docetaxel in combination with capecitabine, and determined the maximum tolerated dose, toxicities and pharmacokinetics of this combination.
Treatment options for status epilepticus

Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency requiring prompt pharmacological intervention. Recent advances in the treatment of this condition include the introduction of treatment algorithms that are tailored more specifically to clinical situations, a trend towards more aggressive therapies if initial treatment with front-line agents fail, and a better understanding of the role of treatment for patients in status epilepticus in the out-of-hospital setting.
Abdominoperineal Proctectomy for Benign Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis with intractable rectal involvement
A nonreflecting plane boundary for wave propagation problems

Abstract Reflections from the boundary of a model may be completely eliminated by adding together the solutions of the Dirichlet and Neumann problems. The formulation is applicable to the solution of the scalar and vector wave equations, to dilatational elastic waves where mode conversion can occur, and to surface waves. When there is more than one component of displacement, the Dirichlet and Neumann conditions are applied to alternate components at the boundary. The technique is easily implemented for “finite element” or “finite difference” calculations.
Analysis of outcomes after functional rhinoplasty using a disease-specific quality-of-life instrument.

Objective: To measure the efficacy of functional rhinoplasty techniques with a validated quality-of-life instrument. Design: Prospective observational outcomes study of patients with severe nasal o...
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks following cervical spine surgery.

Background: A cerebrospinal fluid leak during cervical spine surgery is a feared complication. However, little is known about the prevalence, management, and long-term course of these events. Methods: The medical records of 1994 patients who had elective cervical spine surgery during an eleven-year period (1994 through 2005) were reviewed. Patients with cervical cerebrospinal fluid leaks identified at the time of surgery were followed both clinically and radiographically for an average of 5.4 years postoperatively. The prevalence, etiology, management, and outcome of all of the cervical cerebrospinal fluid leaks were analyzed. Results: The overall prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid leaks was 1%. The prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid leaks was higher in patients with a diagnosis of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (12.5%), patients having a revision anterior procedure (1.92%), men (1.56%), and patients undergoing an anterior cervical corpectomy and arthrodesis (1.77%). Conclusions: Many cervical dural tears can be managed by observation alone or by placement of a lumbar cerebrospinal fluid shunt either during the index procedure or in the postoperative period. At an average follow-up of 5.4 years, there were no long-term sequelae of the cervical dural tears in our series. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Shovelomics: high throughput phenotyping of maize ( Zea mays L.) root architecture in the field

We present a method to visually score 10 root architectural traits of the root crown of an adult maize plant in the field in a few minutes. Phenotypic profiling of three recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations of maize (Zea mays L.; B73xMo17, Oh43xW64a, Ny821xH99) was conducted in 2008 in a silt loam soil in Pennsylvania and in a sandy soil in Wisconsin, and again in 2009 in Pennsylvania. Numbers, angles and branching pattern of crown and brace roots were assessed visually at flowering. Depending on the soil type in which plants were grown, sample processing took from three (sand) to 8 min (silt-loam). Visual measurement of the root crown required 2 min per sample irrespective of the environment. Visual scoring of root crowns gave a reliable estimation of values for root architectural traits as indicated by high correlations between measured and visually scored trait values for numbers (r2 = 0.46–0.97), angles (r2 = 0.66–0.76), and branching (r2 = 0.54–0.88) of brace and crown roots. Based on the visual evaluation of root crown traits it was possible to discriminate between populations. RILs derived from the cross NY821 x H99 generally had the greatest number of roots, the highest branching density and the most shallow root angles, while inbred lines from the cross between OH43 x W64a generally had the steepest root angles. The ranking of genotypes remained the same across environments, emphasizing the suitability of the method to evaluate genotypes across environments. Scoring of brace roots was better correlated with the actual measurements compared to crown roots. The visual evaluation of root architecture will be a valuable tool in tailoring crop root systems to specific environments.
[URE3] Prion Propagation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Requirement for Chaperone Hsp104 and Curing by Overexpressed Chaperone Ydj1p

The [URE3] nonchromosomal genetic element is an infectious form (prion) of the Ure2 protein, apparently a self-propagating amyloidosis. We find that an insertion mutation or deletion of HSP104 results in inability to propagate the [URE3] prion. Our results indicate that Hsp104 is a common factor in the maintenance of two independent yeast prions. However, overproduction of Hsp104 does not affect the stability of [URE3], in contrast to what is found for the [PSI(+)] prion, which is known to be cured by either overproduction or deficiency of Hsp104. Like Hsp104, the Hsp40 class chaperone Ydj1p, with the Hsp70 class Ssa1p, can renature proteins. We find that overproduction of Ydj1p results in a gradual complete loss of [URE3]. The involvement of protein chaperones in the propagation of [URE3] indicates a role for protein conformation in inheritance.
Associate Editor's Introduction to the Issue

This has been an exciting year at Equity & Excellence in Education. Our two special-themed issues—Intergroup Dialogue: Engaging Difference, Social Identities, and Social Justice, guest edited by Xi...
Support vector machine based data classification for detection of electricity theft

Most utility companies in developing countries are subjected to major financial losses because of non-technical losses (NTL). It is very difficult to detect and control potential causes of NTL in developing countries due to the poor infrastructure. Electricity theft and billing irregularities form the main portion of NTL. These losses affect quality of supply, electrical load on the generating station and tariffs imposed on electricity consumed by genuine customers. In light of these issues, this paper discusses the problems underlying detection of electricity theft, previously implemented ways for reducing theft. In addition, it presents the approximate energy consumption patterns of several customers involving theft. Energy consumption patterns of customers are compared with and without the presence of theft. A dataset of customer energy consumption pattern is developed based on the historical data. Then, support vector machines (SVMs) are trained with the data collected from smart meters, that represents all possible forms of theft and are tested on several customers. This data is classified based on rules and the suspicious energy consumption profiles are grouped. The classification results of electricity consumption data are also presented.
Proactive re-optimization with Rio

Traditional query optimizers rely on the accuracy of estimated statistics of intermediate subexpressions to choose good query execution plans. This design often leads to suboptimal plan choices for complex queries since errors in estimates grow exponentially in the presence of skewed and correlated data distributions. We propose to demonstrate the Rio prototype database system that uses proactive re-optimization to address the problems with traditional optimizers. Rio supports three new techniques:1. Intervals of uncertainty are considered around estimates of statistics during plan enumeration and costing2. These intervals are used to pick execution plans that are robust to deviations of actual values of statistics from estimated values, or to defer the choice of execution plan until the uncertainty in estimates can be resolved3. Statistics of intermediate subexpressions are collected quickly, accurately, and efficiently during query executionThese three features are fully functional in the current Rio prototype which is built using the Predator open-source DBMS [5]. In this proposal, we first describe the novel features of Rio, then we use an example query to illustrate the main aspects of our demonstration.
Alternative Splicing Regulated by Butyrate in Bovine Epithelial Cells

As a signaling molecule and an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), butyrate exerts its impact on a broad range of biological processes, such as apoptosis and cell proliferation, in addition to its critical role in energy metabolism in ruminants. This study examined the effect of butyrate on alternative splicing in bovine epithelial cells using RNA-seq technology. Junction reads account for 11.28 and 12.32% of total mapped reads between the butyrate-treated (BT) and control (CT) groups. 201,326 potential splicing junctions detected were supported by ≥3 junction reads. Approximately 94% of these junctions conformed to the consensus sequence (GT/AG) while ∼3% were GC/AG junctions. No AT/AC junctions were observed. A total of 2,834 exon skipping events, supported by a minimum of 3 junction reads, were detected. At least 7 genes, their mRNA expression significantly affected by butyrate, also had exon skipping events differentially regulated by butyrate. Furthermore, COL5A3, which was induced 310-fold by butyrate (FDR <0.001) at the gene level, had a significantly higher number of junction reads mapped to Exon#8 (Donor) and Exon#11 (Acceptor) in BT. This event had the potential to result in the formation of a COL5A3 mRNA isoform with 2 of the 69 exons missing. In addition, 216 differentially expressed transcript isoforms regulated by butyrate were detected. For example, Isoform 1 of ORC1 was strongly repressed by butyrate while Isoform 2 remained unchanged. Butyrate physically binds to and inhibits all zinc-dependent HDACs except HDAC6 and HDAC10. Our results provided evidence that butyrate also regulated deacetylase activities of classical HDACs via its transcriptional control. Moreover, thirteen gene fusion events differentially affected by butyrate were identified. Our results provided a snapshot into complex transcriptome dynamics regulated by butyrate, which will facilitate our understanding of the biological effects of butyrate and other HDAC inhibitors.
Hop on board with safety

Summary form only given. It is only possible to maintain a safe laboratory if all users accept the importance of safety protocols. At the Microlab at the University of California at Berkeley, there is a structure of peer training for users on new machines; this also serves as a conduit to maintain a culture among lab users to encourage one another to be safe. In addition, there are a number of ways that users keep in touch with lab managers about safety concerns: a suggestion box, reports of unsafe usage via the standard problem reporting method on the computer, and a safety committee, comprised of lab staff and lab members. It was from this safety committee that the suggestion of a safety video came. Committee members were concerned about common mistakes made by many current users and they wanted to demonstrate proper procedure to them and new users alike. One person was hired by the lab to shepherd all aspects of the project: script writing and editing, managing the filming, and assisting in post-production. With input from the safety committee, the lab manager and the film's director, plus a sense of what makes information easily retainable (mnemonics, review sections, multiple modes of communicating key ideas) the film was completed in a little over 2 months. The 20 min. safety video, Hop on Board: Safety and Chemical Hygiene in the Microlab, is the result of these efforts.
Current understanding of lumbar disc degeneration

Low back pain continues to be a major cause of morbidity in the United States and the world. Although the exact cause has yet to be found, the intervertebral disc and its age-related changes have been most frequently implicated. The intervertebral disc is a relatively avascular structure made of a small amount of cells interspersed in an extracellular matrix composed primarily of collagen, proteoglycan, and water. The distribution of the matrix components varies with location in the disc, and it is these components that give the disc its characteristic biomechanical properties. The disc undergoes biochemical, structural, and morphologic changes with aging that are believed to be the cause of many of the clinical sequelae seen by clinicians, such as disc herniation and stenosis. The most dramatic effects are in the nucleus pulposus; as a result, many believe it is where disc degeneration is initiated. Profound effects on cell viability and matrix composition have been seen. A variety of factors have been implicated as the cause of these changes, including disc cell nutrition, degradative enzymes, inflammatory mediators, apoptosis, and prolonged mechanical loading. This article presents a brief summary of intervertebral disc structure and function, in both the normal and degenerative states. It also discusses some of the current theories on the causes of intervertebral disc degeneration and their potential roles in low back pain.
Resorption Beneath Silastic Mandibular Implants: Effects of Placement and Pressure

Objective To evaluate the extent to which silicone rubber mandibular implant (Silastic; Dow Corning, Midland, Mich) pressure and placement (supraperiosteal or subperiosteal) affect underlying mandibular resorption. Design A randomized, controlled animal trial. Subjects Ten mixed-breed adult hounds. Interventions Each animal's mandible was implanted with 6 Silastic blocks, 3 inserted supraperiosteally and 3 subperiosteally. Within each grouping of 3 implants, pressure was varied from "minimum" to "moderate" to "maximum" by compressing the implant with titanium miniplates. After 4 months, the animals were killed and their mandibles sectioned for microscopic examination. Results Mandibular resorption occurred in varying degrees beneath all implants by the end of the study period. The extent of resorption was consistent with retrospective studies in humans. No statistically significant difference was found between supraperiosteal or subperiosteal placement of the implants. However, higher-pressure implants tended to produce less resorption than lower-pressure implants. Conclusions While some bone resorption seems inevitable with Silastic mandibular implants, these results would seem to suggest that the placement of implants above or below the periosteum need not be a concern for the surgeon attempting to minimize this consequence. On the other hand, increased pressure may actually decrease resorption, contrary to current assumptions.
Cyclic nucleotides during chondrogenesis: concentration and distribution in vivo and in vitro.

This study correlates endogenous levels of cAMP and cGMP with their immunohistochemical localization during chondrogenic differentiation of C57B1/6J mouse limb mesenchyme in vivo and in vitro. A transient decrease in cGMP but not cAMP was found from days 12 to 13 in vivo correlating with early stages of chondrogenesis in the developing limb. Intracellular levels of both cAMP and cGMP in high density limb mesenchyme cultures increased 25% after 24 hr in culture when aggregate and nodule formation was detectable. When cells were seeded at different initial plating densities to delay the onset of aggregate and nodule formation, increased levels of intracellular cAM Pcorrelated temporally with the appearance of nodules. Both cyclic AMP and cGMP were immunohistochemically localized in perichondrial cells and chondrocytes in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, (1) cAMP levels correlated temporally with the appearance of chondrogenic cells and (2) cAMP and cGMP were immunohistochemically localized to chondrogenic cells. These data indicate that fluctuations of both cAMP and cGMP levels may be involved in limb cartilage differentiation. Although increases in both nucleotides were found to correlate with the onset of chondrogenesis in vitro, in vivo data suggest that the amount of cAMP relative to cGMP rather than the absolute amount of an individual cyclic nucleotide may be more significant in modulating differentiation.
Role of the far-upstream sites of the algD promoter and the algR and rpoN genes in environmental modulation of mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The role of several regulatory elements in environmental modulation of mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied. Transcriptional activation of algD, necessary for the mucoid phenotype, was found to depend on FUS, the newly identified far-upstream sites of the algD promoter. The FUS were delimited to a region spanning nucleotides -432 to -332 relative to the algD mRNA start site. Insertional inactivation of algR in PAO568 abolished the algD promoter response to nitrogen availability and greatly diminished but did not completely eliminate reactivity to changes in salt concentration. Insertional inactivation of rpoN (ntrA) in PAO568 did not affect algR and algD transcription. Images
Towards nanoelectronics: possible CNN implementations using nanoelectronic devices

We discuss novel nanoelectronic architecture paradigms based on cells composed of coupled quantum-dots. Boolean logic functions may be implemented in specific arrays of cells representing binary information, the so-called quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA). Cells may also be viewed as carrying analog information and we outline a network-theoretic description of such quantum-dot nonlinear networks (Q-CNN). In addition, we discuss possible realizations of these structures in a variety of semiconductor systems, rings of metallic tunnel junctions, and candidates for molecular implementations.
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Quinine as a Potential Anti-protozoal for the Eastern Oyster Parasite Perkinsus marinus

Abstract Perkinsus marinus is a lethal protozoan that impacts eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations along the eastern seaboard of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the potential advantages of a chemical therapy to effectively treat P. marinus infected oysters for aquaculture and research, no such therapy exists. Given the close taxonomic and phylogenetic proximity of P. marinus to another protozoan parasite, Plasmodium spp., the antimalarial drug quinine was evaluated as a potential chemotherapeutic agent. A concentration of 50 μg/mL (0.13 mM) quinine HCl significantly decreased the viability of six geographic isolates of P. marinus after three hours in vitro. Although quinine HCl effectively decreased P. marinus viability, all concentrations tested decreased oyster hemocyte viability in vitro. Furthermore, concentrations below the effective concentration for P. marinus meronts were either lethal to infected oysters or had no observable effect on parasite infections.
Transport and mixing of eolian sand from local sources resulting in variations in grain size in a gypsum dune field, White Sands, New Mexico, USA

Abstract The White Sands Dune Field, New Mexico (USA), provides a unique opportunity to study sources and eolian transport of sand. End member mixing analysis provides unbiased correlation of the grain size distributions of populations that mix sands from four different local source surface types. Textural differences between sources allow local transport paths to be deduced. In total, 1214 surface samples from 10 dunes and 2 downwind-oriented transects were collected. Neither elevation on the dune, lee or stoss location nor distance downwind correlated with mean grain size, coarsest 10% (D90), or sorting. Instead, grain size distributions are controlled by mixing of locally sourced sand populations. Adjacent dunes can have different mean grain sizes, resulting from different local source populations. Local within-dune and between-dune variability resulting from different sand sources dominates any larger-scale trends across and within dunes. Four sand populations are identified, based on microscopically observable differences in grain size, shape and angularity. Each correlates with high loading of a different statistical factor, derived from End Member Mixing Analysis. End Member 1 (EM1) correlates with well-sorted populations of finer-grained, equant, rounded sands. EM2 correlates with samples that contain moderately sorted populations containing angular blades and crystal aggregates associated with erosional interdunes. EM3 is associated with samples of moderately to poorly sorted fine-grained sand containing fine sand-sized gypsum needles collected from areas of vegetated interdunes, and EM4 is associated with moderately well sorted coarse- and very coarse-grained sands collected from granule ripples. These results suggest that downwind mixing of different populations and segregation by different depositional processes influence grain size distributions in the dune field, rather than by dune-scale or erg-scale transport and sorting.
Virtue: Personal Formation and Social Transformation:

Virtue ethics has an expanded role in contemporary moral theology. While continuing to engage the work of Thomas Aquinas and other historical sources to take up fundamental theological questions su...
Effects of Male Horn Size on Courtship Activity in the Forked Fungus Beetle, Bolitotherus cornutus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Male forked fungus beetles vary greatly in both horn and body sizes. Relative horn size is an important determinant of male access to females among males of equivalent body sizes. Absolute horn size did not affect male courtship vigor, however.
Red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): frequency of sting attacks on residents of Sumter County, Georgia.

A survey of the human sting attack rate of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta , on a sample population in Sumter Co., Georgia, USA, was conducted over a 12-month period. Seventy-seven families (310 individuals) initially participated in the program, but dropouts reduced the average study population to 272 individuals per month. A total of 213 sting attacks were recorded for 95 individuals. A majority (179) of these were recorded for rural residents. The greatest contact occurred from April to September, with the total sting attacks ranging from 18–35 per month. The highest sting attack rate occurred in persons under 20 years of age (50%); the number of stings declined with increased age. Females reported being stung at a slightly higher rate than males. Two individuals (1%) classified their sting reactions as severe, 26 (12%) as moderate, and 183 (87%) as mild.
Rheological Properties of Aqueous Micellar Gels of a Thermo- and pH-Sensitive ABA Triblock Copolymer

This article presents a systematic study of the effect of pH on the rheological properties of aqueous micellar gels formed from 10.0 wt % aqueous solutions of a thermo- and pH-sensitive ABA triblock copolymer, poly(ethoxydi(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-acrylic acid)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ethoxydi(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-acrylic acid) (P(DEGEA-co-AA)-b-PEO-b-P(DEGEA-co-AA)). The block copolymer was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization of DEGEA and tert-butyl acrylate with a molar ratio of 100:5 from a difunctional PEO macroinitiator and subsequent removal of tert-butyl groups using trifluoroacetic acid. PDEGEA is a thermosensitive water-soluble polymer with a cloud point of 9 °C in water. The thermo-induced sol−gel transition temperature (Tsol−gel) of the 10.0 wt % aqueous solution of P(DEGEA-co-AA)-b-PEO-b-P(DEGEA-co-AA) can be continuously and reversibly tuned over a wide temperature range by varying the solution pH. The sol−gel transition became broader with the increase of p...
Preclinical disease and preventive strategies in IBD: perspectives, challenges and opportunities

IBDs, encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and UC, are chronic, relapsing and remitting, inflammatory diseases of the GI tract. IBD is emerging as a globally important disease with epidemiological studies showing that there is a significant increase in IBD’s incidence in most regions of the world.1 In high-incidence areas such as North America, disease already affects around 0.6% of the population.1 As low/middle-income countries continue to become more industrialised, an increasing incidence is also expected to occur in areas of the globe where IBD was previously considered rare.2 ,3 Furthermore, as trends in life expectancy increase globally, the emergence of chronic health conditions, including IBD, will represent a growing proportion of individual and society health impact. The recent acknowledgement that IBD is a progressive disease has changed the focus of therapeutic strategies. It is now widely accepted that treating effectively at earlier stages of disease, before bowel damage occurs, is likely to produce better outcomes, resulting in reduced rates of hospitalisation and surgery.4 Unfortunately, despite ongoing efforts to change therapeutic paradigms, combining early diagnosis with best available effective therapies, drug-free remission or absence of progression of bowel wall damage remains a challenge in many patients.5 ,6 Once the diagnosis of IBD is made, bowel damage has already occurred in a significant number of patients, and the immune dysregulation, dysbiosis and tissue injury associated with full-blown disease is set, and in many cases, irreversible.6 At present, all therapeutic interventions in IBD target well-established disease, and even the most potent agents are not able to prevent or reverse chronic damage often present at diagnosis. In order to truly change the natural history and long-term consequences of IBD, an effective intervention should ideally occur at an earlier phase, targeting the primary biological processes that drive disease …