cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microscopic studies of Mylar film and its low molecular weight extracts

Mylar polyester film has some low molecular weight material which may be extracted by various organic solvents as well as oil. This extract crystallizes in different crystal forms depending upon conditions of crystallization. Regardless of the crystal form, the Mylar extracts act alike on a hot stage, subliming without melting at 300°C. to form a sublimate which will melt sharply at 322°C. This characteristic behavior, as well as its crystallization from chloroform, forms a basis for microscopic identification of very small quantities of low molecular weight Mylar. The presence of a sublimate of low molecular weight material from raw Mylar film and the complete absence of any sublimate from extracted Mylar film makes possible rapid differentiation between raw and extracted films. This sublimate has characteristics similar to those of low molecular weight material obtained by solvent extraction. There exist in Mylar film minute areas of different refractive index which make a definite contribution to the haze level of the film. These areas are assumed to be different in crystallinity than the matrix in which they exist.
Development of a Chinook Salmon Sex Identification SNP Assay Based on the Growth Hormone Pseudogene

Abstract Genotypic sex identification assays can provide valuable information about fish populations when phenotypic sex determination is difficult. Here we describe the development of a TaqMan® assay (Ots_SexID) designed to identify the genotypic sex by targeting a region previously examined in the growth hormone pseudogene for winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) collected from the Sacramento River and spawned at the Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery. Accuracy of the marker was assessed by comparing genotypic sex assignments for Chinook salmon spawned at Livingston Stone National Fish hatchery in 2012 (n = 84) with phenotypic sex recorded during spawning. Genotypic sex was observed to be concordant with phenotypic sex identified using Ots_SexID in 83/84 individuals, suggesting that the assay could be used to predict phenotypic sex with ∼99% accuracy. To evaluate the utility of the TaqMan assay in other parts of the species’ range, we examined collections from 29 other populations r...
Bottle-weaning intervention and toddler overweight.

Objective To evaluate 3 research questions: (1) Does a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-based counseling intervention reduce (milk) bottle use?; (2) Does this intervention reduce energy intake from bottles?; and (3) Does this intervention reduce the risk of a child being >85th percentile weight-for-length? Study design Parents of n=300 12-month-olds consuming >2 bottles/d were randomized to a bottle-weaning intervention or control group. Nutritionists at WIC Supplemental Feeding Program sites delivered the intervention. Researchers assessed dietary intake and beverage container use via computer-guided 24-hour recalls, and anthropometrics at 15, 18, 21, and 24 months old. Intent-to-treat analyses controlled for baseline measures of outcomes and months post-baseline. Results At 1 year follow-up, the intervention group had reduced use of any bottles (OR = 0.23, 95% CI=0.08-0.61), calories from milk bottles (OR = 0.36, 95% CI=0.18-0.74), and total calories (β = −1.15, P = .043), but did not differ from controls in risk of overweight status (ie, >85th percentile weight-for-length (OR = 1.02, 95% CI=0.5-2.0). The intervention group's decreased bottle usage at 15 and 18 months was paralleled by increased "sippy cup" usage. Conclusion A brief intervention, during WIC routine care, reduced early childhood risk factors for overweight—bottle use and energy intake—but not risk of overweight. The intervention group's increased use of sippy cups may have attenuated an intervention effect upon risk of overweight. Toddlers consume a high proportion of their calories as liquid. Parents should be counseled about excess intake from bottles and sippy cups. WIC is an ideal setting for such interventions.
Effects of boundary artifacts in parallel implementations of wavelet compression for large-format digital framing reconnaissance camera systems

Summary form only given. Large-format digital reconnaissance sensors (10k/spl times/10k) will soon operate at rates exceeding 100 Megapixels/sec. Operation of these airborne sensors requires lossy compression prior to real-time recording or transmission to a ground station. Wavelets have been shown to reproduce high quality imagery at both low and high compression ratios while being robust enough to efficiently compress different image classes without modifying algorithms or updating codebooks. One current implementation problem is that a full image frame is too large to compress on-board in real-time. Although parallel hardware implementations increase compression speed, undesirable reconstruction boundary artifacts can be introduced which can adversely affect the desired image analysis. This paper analyzes the effects of reconstruction artifacts on image quality.
Cyclical output, cyclical unemployment, and Okun's coefficient: A new approach

Estimates of Okun's coefficient are obtained using new estimates of cyclical GNP and cyclical unemployment rates for the post-war USA. Empirical estimates of the coefficient are near —0.25, somewhat smaller in magnitude than other recent estimates obtained applying similar econometric techniques to different estimates of cyclical output and unemployment. Tests fail to reject the hypothesis of parameter stability across an hypothesized break between the third and fourth quarters of 1973, suggesting similar relationships between cyclical output and unemployment both before and after the supply shocks of the 1970s.
Abandoned and Street Children

In virtually every corner of the globe one can find children who have been abandoned or, for various reasons, have made the street their home. Street children are by no means all alike, and counting them worldwide remains exceedingly difficult. In some societies they are highly visible and numerous. But in others they are largely hidden from public view and remain largely anonymous. The central topic of this discussion is the question: “Why are they there?” The varieties of young people commonly found on the streets of the world are described, statistical estimates of their numbers provided, and an inside look at the real children behind these numbers is offered. Focus is on the diverse factors and processes worldwide that forced these children to make the street their abode and the survival strategies they have adapted. The unique social networks these children have devised in various societies to help them survive are analyzed. Being abandoned, or lacking the protection of family and adults, street children everywhere are subjected to numerous and unrelenting victimizations from authorities, exploitative employers, sundry adults, and fellow street children often making their lives short and miserable. Instances of these victimizations are described in depth. Few societies have systematic and organized programs to reduce their numbers or help them, especially in those countries where the need is greatest. Barriers to meaningfully eradicating the problem worldwide are addressed. Programs in some countries that show some promise in alleviating the misery of homeless children are described.
Laminin directs and facilitates migration and fiber growth of transplanted serotonin and norepinephrine neurons in adult brain.

Publisher Summary Laminin is a strong adhesive glycoprotein present in basement membrane, where it provides attachment for many cell types. This chapter describes and provides direct evidence that laminin has effects on neurite outgrowth of developing neurons in vivo , and demonstrates that laminin can be applied to increase fiber outgrowth of transplanted neurons and to guide the growing fibers in a given target direction, using transplantation of fetal neurons. The hypothesis of neuronal migration guided by glia in the cerebellum may be mediated by laminin, which is produced by glia in the cerebellum during development. The results presented in this chapter are consistent with the hypothesis that laminin provides adhesion for neuronal attachment and promotes neurite outgrowth. Laminin placed in the brain evidently provides preferential adhesion for developing neurons and their extending fibers. Laminin may prove to be clinically significant, as it can provide a means to stimulate and direct the growth of neuronal systems into selected target areas.
Hemiarthroplasty Versus Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Shoulder Osteoarthritis A Matched Comparison of Return to Sports

Background:Return to activity is a commonly used indication for shoulder hemiarthroplasty (HA) compared with total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Despite clinical studies demonstrating better functional outcomes after TSA, the literature has failed to show a difference in return to sports.Purpose:To compare rates of return to sports in a matched cohort of TSA and HA patients with a preoperative diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA).Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A prospectively collected registry was queried retrospectively for consecutive patients who underwent HA. Inclusion criteria were preoperative diagnosis of OA and more than 2 years of follow-up. After meeting the inclusion criteria, all HA patients were statistically matched to a TSA patient. All patients had end-stage OA with significant glenohumeral joint space narrowing.Results:At final follow-up, 40 HA patients and 40 TSA patients were available. The average (±SD) age at surgery was 65.7 ± 10.5 years and 66.2 ± 9...
Amplitude Modulation by Coherent Perfect Loss

We propose a new type of phase-controllable modulator using coherent perfect loss (CPL) from a resonator. Device operation is described with temporal coupled-mode theory, and is verified by finite-difference time-domain simulations of two devices.
Medicare Advantage — Lessons for Medicare's Future

One proposed solution to the problem of high and rising Medicare costs is to expand the use of private plans and market competition. What lessons for current Medicare policy can be gleaned from the history of Medicare Advantage plans?
Ischemic Colitis as a Complication of Medication Use: An Analysis of the Federal Adverse Event Reporting System

More than one decade ago, rising cases of ischemic colitis (IC) prompted the Federal Drug Administration to revoke alosetron’s approval as treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to identify medical therapies associated with development of IC. The Federal Adverse Event Reporting System was queried for the time between January 2004 and September 2015. We identified reports listing IC as treatment complication and extracted suspected causative and concomitantly administered drugs, indications for their use and outcomes. After eliminating duplicates, we found 2811 cases of IC (68.4 % women; 59.4 ± 0.4 years). Patients with IBS accounted for 3.9 % of the cases, mostly attributed to tegaserod or alosetron. Chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive drugs, sex hormones, and anticoagulants were the most commonly suspected causes. Bisphosphonates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antipsychotics, triptans, interferon therapy, and laxative use prior to colonoscopy were among the more commonly listed treatments. In 8 %, the adverse event contributed to the patient’s death with male sex and older age predicting fatal outcomes. Beyond confirming known risks of IC, the results identified several potential culprits of ischemic colitis. This information may not only explain the development of this serious adverse event, but could also guide treatment decisions, cautioning healthcare providers when considering these agents in persons with known risk factors or other drugs that may increase their risk of IC.
Piezoresistive cantilevers for readback

The piezoresistive cantilevers in our AFM data storage system are subject to several design requirements. First, the cantilevers need to have sufficiently low mechanical stiffness to enable low-wear operation on polycarbonate. Second, the cantilevers need to have sufficiently high piezoresistive sensitivity to be able to detect topographic steps on the order of 100 A. Third, the cantilevers need to have as high a resonant frequency as possible for high readback rate. To satisfy these requirements, cantilevers of thickness 1 μm or below have been fabricated. This is at least two times thinner than previously reported piezoresistive cantilevers, such as those of Tortonese, et al. [4.1, 4.2]. The fabrication process of Tortonese, et al., had to be modified before it could be applied to 1 μm thick cantilevers. The modifications involved, as well as the measured performance of the fabricated cantilevers, will be described.
CXC Chemokine Receptor 3 Alternative Splice Variants Selectively Activate Different Signaling Pathways

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) is a potential drug target that mediates signaling involved in cancer metastasis and inflammatory diseases. The CXCR3 primary transcript has three potential alternative splice variants and cell-type specific expression results in receptor variants that are believed to have different functional characteristics. However, the molecular pharmacology of ligand binding to CXCR3 alternative splice variants and their downstream signaling pathways remain poorly explored. To better understand the role of the functional consequences of alternative splicing of CXCR3, we measured signaling in response to four different chemokine ligands (CXCL4, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11) with agonist activity at CXCR3. Both CXCL10 and CXCL11 activated splice variant CXCR3A. Whereas CXCL10 displayed full agonistic activity for Gαi activation and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation and partial agonist activity for β-arrestin recruitment, CXCL9 triggered only modest ERK1/2 phosphorylation. CXCL11 induced CXCR3B-mediated β-arrestin recruitment and little ERK phosphorylation. CXCR3Alt signaling was limited to modest ligand-induced receptor internalization and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to chemokines CXCL11, CXCL10, and CXCL9. These results show that CXCR3 splice variants activate different signaling pathways and that CXCR3 variant function is not redundant, suggesting a mechanism for tissue specific biased agonism. Our data show an additional layer of complexity for chemokine receptor signaling that might be exploited to target specific CXCR3 splice variants.
Modulation of shark prey capture kinematics in response to sensory deprivation

The ability of predators to modulate prey capture in response to the size, location, and behavior of prey is critical to successful feeding on a variety of prey types. Modulating in response to changes in sensory information may be critical to successful foraging in a variety of environments. Three shark species with different feeding morphologies and behaviors were filmed using high-speed videography while capturing live prey: the ram-feeding blacktip shark, the ram-biting bonnethead, and the suction-feeding nurse shark. Sharks were examined intact and after sensory information was blocked (olfaction, vision, mechanoreception, and electroreception, alone and in combination), to elucidate the contribution of the senses to the kinematics of prey capture. In response to sensory deprivation, the blacktip shark demonstrated the greatest amount of modulation, followed by the nurse shark. In the absence of olfaction, blacktip sharks open the jaws slowly, suggestive of less motivation. Without lateral line cues, blacktip sharks capture prey from greater horizontal angles using increased ram. When visual cues are absent, blacktip sharks elevate the head earlier and to a greater degree, allowing them to overcome imprecise position of the prey relative to the mouth, and capture prey using decreased ram, while suction remains unchanged. When visual cues are absent, nurse sharks open the mouth wider, extend the labial cartilages further, and increase suction while simultaneously decreasing ram. Unlike some bony fish, neither species switches feeding modalities (i.e. from ram to suction or vice versa). Bonnetheads failed to open the mouth when electrosensory cues were blocked, but otherwise little to no modulation was found in this species. These results suggest that prey capture may be less plastic in elasmobranchs than in bony fishes, possibly due to anatomical differences, and that the ability to modulate feeding kinematics in response to available sensory information varies by species, rather than by feeding modality.
A 65nm 95W Dual-Core Multi-Threaded Xeon® Processor with L3 Cache

This paper describes a 95 W dual-core 64-bit Xeonreg MP processor implemented in a 65 nm 8 metal layer process. Each processor core has a unified 1MB L2 cache and supports the Intelreg Extended Memory 64 Technology and the Hyper-Threading Technology. The shared L3 cache has extensive RAS features including the Intelreg Cache Safe Technology and Error Correction Codes (ECC). The processor is designed and optimized to operate at a 95W thermal design power envelope at the target product frequency. The front-side bus operates at 667 MT/s or 800 MT/s in a 3 load topology that is compatible with existing platforms.
Stress field design in vibro-acoustography beam forming

Vibro-acoustography produces images of the acoustic response of a material to a localized harmonic motion generated by ultrasound radiation force. Proper beam forming for the stress field of the probing ultrasound is very important because it determines the resolution of the imaging system. Three beam forming geometries are studied: amplitude modulation, confocal, and x-focal. The profiles of radiation stress amplitude on focal plane and beam axis are derived from each geometry's pressure field. The theory is validated by experiments where a small sphere is scanned in all geometries. Sphere motion measured by a laser vibrometer is used to infer the exerted radiation stress. The theory and experimental technique may be useful in future transducer design for vibro-acoustography.
Platforms for hyperspectral imaging, in-situ optical and acoustical imaging in urbanized regions

Hyperspectral measurements of the water surface of urban coastal waters are presented. Oblique bidirectional reflectance factor imagery was acquired made in a turbid coastal sub estuary of the Indian River Lagoon, Florida and along coastal surf zone waters of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Imagery was also collected using a pushbroom hyperspectral imager mounted on a fixed platform with a calibrated circular mechatronic rotation stage. Oblique imagery of the shoreline and subsurface features clearly shows subsurface bottom features and rip current features within the surf zone water column. In-situ hyperspectral optical signatures were acquired from a vessel as a function of depth to determine the attenuation spectrum in Palm Bay. A unique stationary platform methodology to acquire subsurface acoustic images showing the presence of moving bottom boundary nephelometric layers passing through the acoustic fan beam. The acoustic fan beam imagery indicated the presence of oscillatory subsurface waves in the urbanized coastal estuary. Hyperspectral imaging using the fixed platform techniques are being used to collect hyperspectral bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) measurements from locations at buildings and bridges in order to provide new opportunities to advance our scientific understanding of aquatic environments in urbanized regions.
“The Reward was Worth the Sacrifice”: How Membership in Black Greek Letter Fraternities (BGLFs) Redefines Black Men’s College Experiences

This study examines how membership in black Greek letter fraternities (BGLFs) significantly impacts black men’s college experiences at a predominantly white institution (PWI) of higher learning. Utilizing twenty semi-structured, open-ended interviews with black male college students, this paper describes the benefits and costs of belonging to black fraternities. Membership in black fraternities fosters members’ sense of personal growth and maturity, playing a pivotal role in their transformation from adolescents into young college men. On the other hand, belonging to such fraternities often consumes the majority of respondents’ personal time and leads to a loss of individualism and decreased quality in personal relationships, particularly in relationships with women. This study expands upon the emerging literature on the influence that black fraternities have on their members’ college experiences by capturing fraternity brothers’ own nuanced accounts of the rewards and sacrifices that are associated with membership in BGLFs. Taken together, their stories serve to counteract a host of negative stereotypes about young black men in America.
An efficient and practical near and far field fur reflectance model

Physically-based fur rendering is difficult. Recently, structural differences between hair and fur fibers have been revealed by Yan et al. (2015), who showed that fur fibers have an inner scattering medulla, and developed a double cylinder model. However, fur rendering is still complicated due to the complex scattering paths through the medulla. We develop a number of optimizations that improve efficiency and generality without compromising accuracy, leading to a practical fur reflectance model. We also propose a key contribution to support both near and far-field rendering, and allow smooth transitions between them. Specifically, we derive a compact BCSDF model for fur reflectance with only 5 lobes. Our model unifies hair and fur rendering, making it easy to implement within standard hair rendering software, since we keep the traditional R, TT, and TRT lobes in hair, and only add two extensions to scattered lobes, TTs and TRTs. Moreover, we introduce a compression scheme using tensor decomposition to dramatically reduce the precomputed data storage for scattered lobes to only 150 KB, with minimal loss of accuracy. By exploiting piecewise analytic integration, our method further enables a multi-scale rendering scheme that transitions between near and far field rendering smoothly and efficiently for the first time, leading to 6 -- 8× speed up over previous work.
THE INFLUENCE OF LEARNING APPROACH TOWARD LEARNING OUTCOMES IN MATHEMATICS BASED ON PRIOR ABILITY AND SELF CONFIDENCE OF GRADE VIII STUDENTS AT SMPN 6 MONCONGLOE IN MAROS DISTRICT

This study aims to determine the effect of learning approaches Problem Posing and Problem Solving, initial ability, student self-confidence, and interaction to mathematics learning outcomes. This type of research is a quasi-experimental research with 2x2x2 factorial design. The population in this study were students of class VIII SMPN 6 Moncongloe academic year 2015/2016 with the number of 175 students. The sample was obtained by cluster random sampling technique consisting of 4 classes, 2 classes for Problem Posing approach with 116 students and 2 classes for Problem Solving approach with 116 students. First class experiment class VIII 2 and VIII 5 were treated by applying Problem Posing approach and second experiment that class VIII 3 and VIII 4 were treated by applying Problem Solving approach. The instrument used is the test of learning outcomes, self-confidence questionnaires, instructional observation sheets of learning, and student activity sheets. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis using two way ANOVA analysis with SPSS 18. The result of the research showed that (1) the interaction between the learning approach and the students' initial ability did not influence the students' learning outcomes, (2) the interaction between the learning approach and the students' self-confidence did not affect the students' learning outcomes, (3) the interaction between the students' (4) the interaction between the learning approach, the students' initial ability, and the students' self-confidence does not affect the student's learning outcomes, (5) there is no difference in the students' learning outcomes that are taught using cooperative model with Problem Posing approach With student learning outcomes taught using cooperative model with Problem Solving approach, (6) student learning outcomes with high initial ability higher than student learning outcomes with low initial ability, and (7) student learning outcomes that have higher confidence than Results of student learning I low confidence
Training on the poles for review sentiment polarity classification

Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are well-known tools for the task of big data text classification. This research studies the effects of omitting non-polar training samples on the performance of a SVM-based binary text classifier. The classifier operates on a large corpus of Amazon product review text bodies, sampled from various product categories and predicts the polarity of reviews. Our results show that training on a smaller, more concise training set of only 1 and 5-star reviews offers similar performance to training on a much larger dataset that includes 1, 2, 4, and 5-star reviews, without sacrificing much in terms of precision or recall. These results hold true using both count-based and TF-IDF vectorization methodologies. The technique of training on the poles is demonstrated to offer efficient means to build a high-performing SVM-based review sentiment polarity classifier, especially in cases where labeled data may not be readily available and training time is constrained.
The genomics of renal cell carcinoma and its role in renal mass biopsy.

Purpose of review Large-scale genomic profiling has shed new light on the molecular underpinnings of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), spurring a much needed refinement of RCC subclassification based on an integrative assessment of histopathologic features and molecular alterations. At the same time, renal mass biopsies have become increasingly commonplace, necessitating ancillary tools to help guide clinical management. Herein, we briefly review our current understanding of RCC genomics, highlighting areas of possible clinical utility, as well as potential limitations, for renal mass biopsies. Recent findings Distinct RCC subtypes harbor characteristic molecular features, including somatic mutations, copy number alterations, and genomic rearrangements. Existing ancillary tools, including fluorescent in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, may be useful for diagnostic subclassification. Recurrent secondary molecular alterations in clear cell RCC (BAP1, SETD2, PBRM1, and TP53) and papillary RCC (CDKN2A) may be associated with poor prognosis; however, intratumoral genomic heterogeneity may limit the clinical utility of these molecular biomarkers in renal mass biopsies. Summary Recent technological advances have the potential to fundamentally alter the clinical management of RCC by leveraging our increasing understanding of RCC genomics to assess hundreds of molecular biomarkers simultaneously. Additional focused molecular analyses of renal mass biopsy cohorts are needed prior to widespread implementation of molecular biomarker assays.
Nutrient Limitation of New Production in the Sea

Light and nutrients are the two well-known basic requirements for primary production in the sea and are usually supplied in opposing vertical gradients. When radiant energy of correct wavelengths is available, the vertical advection of nutrients from below the euphotic zone sets the maximum rate of absorption of these new nutrients and the ensuing primary production is considered to be new production (Dugdale and Goering, 1967) in contrast to the regenerated production based upon recirculating nutrients. When Sverdrup (1955) presented a map of world ocean primary production based upon his understanding of the vertical advective regimes of nutrients in various regions, he was actually providing the first global map of new production. Dinitrogen fixation also fuels new production, but this source of new nutrient (along with atmospheric and terrestrial inputs of nitrate and ammonium) is relatively minor compared to the advection of nitrate (e.g., Carpenter, 1983). The fractionation of nitrogen species from new into regenerated forms, through grazing and bacterial activity, and the existence of a practical tracer for nitrogen, the stable isotope 15N (e.g., Dugdale and Wilkerson, 1986), has made it possible to investigate the new and regenerated pathways in the marine ecosystem. The flow of nitrogen through the euphotic zone ecosystem has proved more complex than originally suggested (Dugdale and Goering, 1967) and is more realistically described by several possible schemes, including that of Michaels and Silver (1988), where the size fractions of the phytoplankton and bacteria are included explicitly along with other elements of the microbial loop. Their analysis showed that the microautotrophs provided the major source of new nitrogen for sinking particle formation, with the picoplankton participating primarily within the microbial grazing loop. However, both nanoplankton and picoplankton are capable of new production. For example, unicellular cyanobacteria (Glibert and Ray, 1990) and bacteria (Brown et al., 1975) may use nitrate and were shown to fix dinitrogen (e.g., Mitsui et al., 1986; Martinez et al., 1983).
Enhancement of Human Erythroid Progenitor Cell Growth by Media Conditioned by a Human T-Lymphocyte Line

Recent studies have shown that soluble factors elaborated by human T lymphocytes enhance erythroid burst formation by human peripheral blood null cells. This study demonstrates that media conditioned by a long- term T lymphocyte line augmented the growth of erythroid colonies in vitro in the presence of erythropoietin (Ep). ATCC.CCl 119 (CCRF-CEM) was derived from a patient with ALL of T-lymphoblast origin. Cells from the stocks used in these experiments maintained T-cell characteristics as determined by histochemical and rosetting techniques. Increased numbers of 16 day BFU-E were seen when Ficoll-Hypaque separated peripheral blood leukocytes were cultured in the presence of a 10% (v/v) concentration of CCL 119 conditioned medium (CM). CM increased the number of BFU-E even when Ep or fetal calf serum were not growth limiting. CM also increased the number of late BFU-E observed in cultures of nonadherent bone marrow cells. When peripheral blood mononuclear cells were depleted of E-rosetting cells, only small numbers of BFU-E grew. Addition of 119 CM increased the numbers of BFU- E in E-rosette-depleted cultures. CM from B-cell, macrophage, or other T-cell lines tested did not stimulate BFU-E growth as consistently. These studies indicate that CM obtained from ATCC.CCL 119 cells contained burst-promoting activity, one of the factors required for proliferation of early erythroid progenitors.
Animal Handling and Preparation for Imaging

Molecular Imaging refers to observations and measurements of molecular processes in living cells or animals [1]. Anything that alters physiological processes can change molecular pharmokinetics (PK) and pharmodynamics (PD), thus these factors are important to understand, control or eliminate wherever possible. Even with in-vitro or ex-vivo measurements, the environment during formation of the molecular target and conditions during exposure to the imaging probe may alter the experimental results. The capacity for biological systems to modify themselves, sometimes very quickly, means that the biological status is a potentially changeable condition.
What About Adding Marketing Controls for Food

Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, you’re likely to come to some of the same conclusions about the food surplus. One of these conclusions is the need for closer matching of the quantities of food and fiber produced by the farmer with the quantities that can be processed and marketed. Changing the prices paid to farmers isn’t likely to bring about this matching. We can’t ignore these prices, of course, but we can’t rely on them to do the whole job of surplus reduction.
A Liquid-Nitrogen-Operated Refrigerator for Temperatures Below 77°K

Most devices refrigerated to below 20°K are provided with radiation shielding at some higher temperature, say 77°K, to intercept the radiation heat load from normally room-temperature bounding surfaces, and the refrigeration required at the radiation shield is generally many times that required at the lower temperatures. This is, of course, the reason for using a shield. In many applications, such as cryopumped space simulation chambers or helium liquefiera, the refrigeration for the radiation shield is provided by a liquid-nitrogen phase change.
Some Point Estimates and Confidence Regions for Multivariate Inter-laboratory Data Analysis

The problem of analyzing multivariate data from inter-laboratory studies is considered when the data are modeled using the heteroscedastic multivariate one-way random effects model. The primary problem of interest is inference concerning the common mean vector, and a secondary problem of interest is inference concerning the inter-laboratory variance component. Under the usual multivariate normality assumption, this work investigates the point estimation of the inter-laboratory variance component, and the computation of a confidence region for the common mean vector. Noting that a full likelihood based analysis presents computational challenges, some computationally tractable solutions are presented, and illustrated with an example.
Correction to: Bone Scintigraphy and Tenofovir-Induced Osteomalacia in Chronic Hepatitis B.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of the author names was incorrect. The correct information is given here.
Comparative Study of the Effects of Temperature and Pressure on the Water-Mediated Interactions between Apolar Nanoscale Solutes.

We perform molecular dynamics simulations to study the effects of temperature and pressure on the water-mediated interaction (WMI) between two nanoscale (apolar) graphene plates at 240 ≤ T ≤ 400 K ...
A single-blind, dose-escalation, phase I study of high-fluence light-emitting diode-red light on Caucasian non-Hispanic skin: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Visible light (400 to 700 nm) is common in our environment, comprising 44% of total solar radiation and a large component of environmental light exposure. The effects of visible light on skin remain undefined. The red light portion of the visible spectrum (600 to 700 nm) may be used to treat skin diseases as a monotherapeutic modality or in combination with other agents. Light-emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) phototherapy may represent an important advance in light-based treatment modalities because it is non-invasive, inexpensive, portable, and easily combinable with other therapies. We previously determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of high-fluence LED-RL (HF-LED-RL) in skin of color individuals to be 320 J/cm2. To the best of our knowledge, no clinical trials have been performed to determine the safety of higher doses of HF-LED-RL in Caucasian non-Hispanic individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of HF-LED-RL at doses of 480 and 640 J/cm2 in healthy Caucasian non-Hispanic individuals. This is a single-blind, dose-escalation, randomized, controlled, phase I trial titled Safety Trial Assessing Red-light on Skin (STARS) 2. Healthy subjects will be randomly assigned to groups of five (three subjects randomly assigned to HF-LED-RL phototherapy and two subjects randomly assigned to mock therapy). Subjects in group 1 will receive HF-LED-RL or mock irradiation at the starting dose of 480 J/cm2, and the dose will be escalated in the subsequent group (group 2) to 640 J/cm2. The MTD is defined as the dose level below the dose at which two or more subjects (>20% of the cohort) experience a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). After either the MTD is established or the study endpoint of 640 J/cm2 is achieved, additional HF-LED-RL phototherapy subjects and mock therapy subjects will be enrolled at that fluence (group 3) for a total number of up to 60 subjects. Each subject will receive a total of nine irradiation sessions, three times per week for three consecutive weeks. This follow-up study aims to provide important knowledge about safety and cutaneous effects of HF-LED-RL phototherapy of 480 and 640 J/cm2 in Caucasian non-Hispanic subjects. The importance of this clinical trial is that it may establish new treatment paradigms and a safety profile for LED-RL based on race and ethnicity. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03433222 . Registered on February 1, 2018 - Retrospectively registered. Protocol date and version: January 12, 2018; version 1.
Clonal Stability of RAPD Markers in Three Rhododendron Species

Abstract Amplification profiles produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA sequences (RAPD) have the potential for species and cultivar identification. Since most rhododendron plants are vegetatively propagated, it is imperative that RAPD profiles be stable during this propagation. Three species of rhododendron, Rhododendron arborescens, R. atlanticum and R. yedoense var. poukhanense were used to produce species specific amplification profiles. Stability of amplification profiles among individually cloned plants of each species were studied. Ten plants of R. atlanticum, 9 of R. arborescens, and 10 of R. yedoense var. poukhanense were studied with 10 random primers. No polymorphism was observed among individual plants of R. atlanticum and R. arborescens with all the primers. The amplification product of one plant of R. yedoense var. poukhanense showed a difference of one band with one primer. The rest of the profiles with 9 primers were identical in all plants of t...
Drug Regulation in the Era of Individualized Therapies

Kim et al., in a report now published in the Journal, describe the discovery, development, and administration of an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy specifically designed for a single patien...
Subverting the Organizational Cartel: Explaining Cross-Party Leadership Selection in U.S. State Houses:

In the U.S. House of Representatives, the majority party constitutes an organizational cartel that monopolizes the selection of chamber leaders. But in state legislatures, that cartel power is some...
Excitation of collective modes in superfluid 3He B by magnetic resonance techniques.

Using a phenomenological set of equations we argue that the real squashing and other collective modes of superfluid {sup 3}He {ital B} may be excited by a radiofrequency excitation which acts on the {ital J}=1, {ital J}{sub 2}=0 static, field-induced nuclear polarization of the liquid.
Investigation of the structure‐activity relationship in ponericin L1 from Neoponera goeldii

Naturally derived antimicrobial peptides have been an area of great interest because of high selectivity against bacterial targets over host cells and the limited development of bacterial resistance to these molecules throughout evolution. There are also a significant number of venom-derived peptides that exhibit antimicrobial activity in addition to activity against mammals or other organisms. Many venom peptides share the same net cationic, amphiphilic nature as host-defense peptides, making them an attractive target for development as potential antibacterial agents. The peptide ponericin L1 derived from Neoponera goeldii was used as a model to investigate the role of cationic residues and net charge on peptide activity. Using a combination of spectroscopic and microbiological approaches, the role of cationic residues and net charge on antibacterial activity, lipid bilayer interactions, and bilayer and membrane permeabilization were investigated. The L1 peptide and derivatives all showed enhanced binding to lipid vesicles containing anionic lipids, but still bound to zwitterionic vesicles. None of the derivatives were especially effective at permeabilizing lipid bilayers in model vesicles, in-tact Escherichia coli, or human red blood cells. Taken together the results indicate that the lack of facial amphiphilicity regarding charge segregation may impact the ability of the L1 peptides to effectively permeabilize bilayers despite effective binding. Additionally, increasing the net charge of the peptide by replacing the lone anionic residue with either Gln or Lys dramatically improved efficacy against several bacterial strains without increasing hemolytic activity.
The CopterSonde: an insight into the development of a smart unmanned aircraft system for atmospheric boundary layer research

Abstract. The CopterSonde is an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developed in house by a team of engineers and meteorologists at the University of Oklahoma. The CopterSonde is an ambitious attempt by the Center for Autonomous Sensing and Sampling to address the challenge of filling the observational gap present in the lower atmosphere among the currently used meteorological instruments such as towers and radiosondes. The CopterSonde is a unique and highly flexible platform for in situ atmospheric boundary layer measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution, suitable for meteorological applications and research. Custom autopilot algorithms and hardware features were developed as solutions to problems identified throughout several field experiments carried out since 2017. In these field experiments, the CopterSonde has been proven capable of safely operating at wind speeds up to 22 m s−1 , flying at 3050 m above mean sea level, and operating in extreme temperatures: nearly −20 ∘C in Finland and 40 ∘C in Oklahoma, United States. Leveraging the open-source ArduPilot autopilot code has allowed for seamless integration of custom functions and protocols for the acquisition, storage, and distribution of atmospheric data alongside the flight control data. This led to the development of features such as the “wind vane mode” algorithm, which commands the CopterSonde to always face into the wind. It also inspired the design of an asymmetric airframe for the CopterSonde, which is shown to provide more suitable locations for weather sensor placement, in addition to allowing for improvements in the overall aerodynamic characteristics of the CopterSonde. Moreover, it has also allowed the team to design and create a modular shell where the sensor package is attached and which can run independently of the CopterSonde's main body. The CopterSonde is on the trend towards becoming a smart UAS tool with a wide possibility of creating new adaptive and optimized atmospheric sampling strategies.
University students presenting for psychiatric emergency services: Socio-demographic and clinical factors related to service utilization and suicide risk.

Objective: Given increases in mental health utilization among college and university students, this study examines clinical and socio-demographic characteristics in students presenting to psychiatr...
Laboratory Evaluation of Hypoglycemia

The evaluation of pediatric hypoglycemia begins with obtaining a meticulous history and physical exam, and once hypoglycemia has been confirmed, the laboratory evaluation has a critical role in identifying the underlying cause. In children, persistent hypoglycemia is more likely to represent congenital or genetic disorders such as inborn errors of metabolism, abnormalities in insulin secretion, or endocrine deficiencies of cortisol and/or growth hormone. In a recent chart review of children who presented to the emergency room with hypoglycemia without an associated known etiology who had undergone diagnostic evaluation, almost 11% were found to have an underlying high-risk disorder (White K, Truong L, Aaron K, Mushtaq N, Thornton PS. The incidence and etiology of previously undiagnosed hypoglycemic disorders in the emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEC.0000000000001634. [Publish Ahead of Print]). The diagnostic blood tests, commonly referred to as the “critical sample,” are pivotal not only for the differential diagnosis of these conditions but also to exclude life-threatening conditions such as fatty acid oxidation defects, hyperinsulinism, and adrenal insufficiency and to provide prompt and appropriate care. In young infants, early recognition and evaluation of recurrent hypoglycemia is imperative to prevent the unwanted neurocognitive sequala that can occur in the setting of hypoglycemia due to congenital hyperinsulinism (Steinkrauss L, Lipman TH, Hendell CD, Gerdes M, Thornton PS, Stanley CA. Effects of hypoglycemia on developmental outcome in children with congenital hyperinsulinism. J Pediatr Nurs. 2005;20(2):109–18; Meissner T, Wendel U, Burgard P, Schaetzle S, Mayatepek E. Long-term follow-up of 114 patients with congenital hyperinsulinism. Eur J Endocrinol. 2003;149(1):43–51). In certain cases, properly planned diagnostic fasts, conducted in a hospital setting, are required for further evaluation. This chapter focuses on the laboratory diagnostic evaluation of hypoglycemia and on the interpretation of the critical sample.
The Anticipatory Competent Student

In this chapter, the lessons learned from the students’ stories are tied together in discussing the importance of developing anticipatory competence in students beginning in elementary school. A theoretical model of the anticipatory competent student is presented, which posits that developing anticipatory competence in students early in their educational journeys may be a key element of cumulative academic achievement. This model suggests that a student’s framework of supportive relationships encompassing parents, teachers, school administrators and staff, peers, and other adults is essential in helping them frame positive anticipatory images and in assisting them in bringing their visions to reality. Since this is a qualitative study involving ten students it cannot be generalized to all students. Anticipatory competence is not presented as the answer to low academic achievement in America’s urban schools; however, developing anticipatory competence in students may be another tool in the toolbox for elevating the academic success and life goals of a greater number of students just like the students in this book.
Generating Diverse Test Suites for Gson Through Adaptive Fitness Function Selection

Many fitness functions—such as those targeting test suite diversity—do not yield sufficient feedback to drive test generation. We propose that diversity can instead be improved through adaptive fitness function selection (AFFS), an approach that varies the fitness functions used throughout the generation process in order to strategically increase diversity. We have evaluated our AFFS framework, EvoSuiteFIT, on a set of 18 real faults from Gson, a JSON (de)serialization library. Ultimately, we find that AFFS creates test suites that are more diverse than those created using static fitness functions. We also observe that increased diversity may lead to small improvements in the likelihood of fault detection.