cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
S-carboxymethylcysteine sulfone: instability to acid hydrolysis and unreactivity with N-terminal reagents.

An examination of the properties and reactivity of S-carboxymethylcysteine sulfone indicated that, unlike S-carboxymethylcysteine, the sulfone is not stable under acid hydrolysis conditions and decomposes to yield alanine. Unlike S-carboxymethylcysteine, the sulfone is resistant to N-derivatization by the dansyl reagent or by phenylisothiocyanate. Efforts were made to determine if spontaneous cyclization of the sulfone to the corresponding thiazane (lactam) accounts for lack of reactivity. These included i.r. spectroscopy, natural abundance 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, but yielded equivocal results concerning the existence of the cyclic form in solution. Solubility behavior of the sulfone after lyophilization from strongly acid solutions was consistent with conversion of the open chain form to the cyclic form on addition of water.
Right hemisphere superiority for initial stages of letter processing.

Abstract When single letters, which could be perfectly recognized when presented alone, were embedded in an overlapping masking stimulus, observers recognized more letters from the left than from the right visual field. This left visual field-right hemisphere advantage persisted over short time intervals between the letter and the mask, regardless of which stimulus occurred first. Such results suggest that the right cerebral hemisphere is more efficient than the left at extracting relevant visual features of letters when the letters are perceptually degraded, even though letters are highly associated with language and, therefore, readily processed along verbal-analytic dimensions.
The History of the Interplanetary Society (Pus Club), 1956/7–1997

I was deeply honored to be invited to speak of the history of this esteemed society. As I reflected upon it, the subject that at first seemed simple took on a deeper and more complex meaning. An important quest for me, in giving a talk about any subject, has always been to be able to respond to a personal, silent question: Why am I giving this talk? Today, the answer came readily. To be present at, and participate in, the meetings that our society held over the years has had a profound formative impact on all of us, irrespective of the stage of "professional maturity" in which we held ourselves?so profound, in fact, that I wish to elicit, during this meeting, a discussion about whether it would be desirable or even possible to reactivate what this society stood for: warmth of friendship combined with the trust and generosity that the three extraordinary personalities who started this society radiated and, thus, stimulated in all of us.
Interaction of Gun Exhaust Flowfields

I between the air column forced out ahead of a projectile and the subsequent propellant gas exhaust are observed experimentally. By comparing data taken at fully ambient conditions with that acquired in firings from an evacuated gun tube, the interactions are demonstrated to significantly influence the near muzzle flow, a region through which the projectile passes and within which muzzle devices are located.
Annealing effect on the p-type carrier concentration in low-temperature processed arsenic-doped HgCdTe

We report the results of annealing effects on the As-doped alloy HgCdTe grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), arsenic (As) diffusion in HgCdTe from Hg-rich solutions at low temperatures, and As ion implantation at room temperature. Hall-effect measurements, secondary ion mass spectrometry and p-on-n test photodiodes were used to characterize the As activation. High As-doping levels (1017−1019 cm−3) could be obtained using either MBE growth, As diffusion or As ion-implantation. Annealed below 400°C, As doping in HgCdTe shows n-type characteristics, but above 410°C demonstrates that all methods of As doping exhibit p-type characteristics independent of As incorporation techniques. For example, for samples annealed at 436°C (PHg≈2 atm), in addition to p-type activation, we observe a significant improvement of p/n junction characteristics independent of the As source; i.e. As doping either in situ, by diffusion, or ion implantation. A study of this As activation of As-doped MBE HgCdTe as a function of anneal temperature reveals a striking similarity to results observed for As diffusion into HgCdTe and implanted As activation as a function of temperature. The observed dependence of As activation on partial pressure of Hg at various temperatures in the range of 250 to 450°C suggests that As acts as an acceptor at high Hg pressure (>1 atm) and as a donor at low Hg pressure (<1 atm) even under Hg-rich conditions.
“Reirdit on ane riche roche beside ane riveir”: Martial Landscape and James IV of Scotland in The Knightly Tale of Golagros and Gawane

In 1508, the Scottish printers Walter Chepman and Androw Myllar published a small book containing the alliterative romance Golagros and Gawane, which follows the adventures of King Arthur on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This article argues that its publication in 1508 sheds light on how this poem may have been read by its Scottish audiences, specifically in terms of anxieties caused by the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent expansion of the Ottoman Empire. Although other scholars argue that Arthur suffers from excessive pride and greed, This article argues that the narrator’s descriptions of landscape, particular the situation of castles, offer another interpretation: Golagros’s castle appeals to Arthur because of its military fortifications, a potential holding point should the Ottoman Turks penetrate that far into France. More importantly, This article argues that Golagros and Gawane reflects James IV’s interest in crusading and European diplomacy. The 1508 publication of Golagros and Gawane places the text’s distribution firmly in the reign of James IV of Scotland, a figure described by C.S. Lewis as a man “much like Arthur himself.” This article draws parallels to Arthur with James IV by examining Arthur’s perception of the second castle and his interactions with Golagros in order to establish Arthur, traditionally viewed in this poem as a secular king, as a defender of sacred interests. Here, in the body of Arthur, and by extension James IV, is a king who can unite the lands of Christendom against the Ottomans.
Shapes of the /sup 16/N and /sup 15/C beta spectra and extraction of matrix elements for /sup 15/C(. beta. /sup -/)/sup 15/N(g. s. )

The /sup 16/N and /sup 15/C spectra measured by Alburger, Gallmann, and Wilkinson were reanalyzed to obtain more accurate branching ratios as well as a shape factor for the first-forbidden, nonunique /sup 15/C(1/2/sup +/)..-->.. /sup 15/N( 1/2/sup -/) decay. /sup 16/N ..beta../sup -/ branches were derived to the levels at 0 and 6.13 MeV of 27.9(5)% and 66.3(6)%, respectively; /sup 15/C ..beta../sup -/ branches were found to /sup 15/N levels at 0 and 5.30 MeV of 36.8(8)% and 63.2(8)%, respectively. The /sup 15/C shape factor was found to deviate significantly from the allowed shape. Analysis of the shape factor results in the determination of the rank zero component of the transition and determination of the two independent matrix elements which contribute to the rank one component. The possible role of muon capture in determining the rank zero matrix elements is considered. Comparisons, for both the /sup 15/C(1/2/sup +/)..-->.. /sup 15/N( 1/2/sup -/) and /sup 16/N(0/sup -/)..-->.. /sup 16/O(0 +) transitions, are made to shell-model calculations with particular emphasis on the sensitivity of the nuclear matrix elements to the choice of the single particle wave function. It is found that rank zero rates calculated with Woods-Saxon wave functions are much smallermore » than those calculated with harmonic oscillator wave functions. Possible meson-exchange contributions to the rank zero rates are discussed in light of this finding.« less
Too Much of a Good Thing

This paper explores a seemingly paradoxical phenomenon associated with the use of expected-utility theory in capital-budgeting and risk-sharing decisions under uncertainity. As an investment prospect becomes better and better, decision makers using classic decision-analysis techniques may, in fact, prefer less and less of it. We explore this phenomenon in the very real context of petroleum company drilling-investment decisions and demonstrate that the phenomenon is pervasive. When we examined the prospect inventory of a major oil company, we found that an increase in the upside payoff would lead to a lower optimal working interest for the grand majority of its prospects. We also explore the underlying factors leading to this phenomenon to develop both intuition and understanding. These factors have to do with degree of risk aversion (the more risk averse you are, the less likely you are to increase your holdings of an improving prospect) and managerial perspectives on risk. Once understood, the results no longer seem surprising.
In Search of a Christian Work Ethic for the Corporate Worker

Work in the corporate world has always been problematical, from the inhu mane working conditions of factories early in the industrial revolution to the accounting scandals that fill the news today. Yet the modern corporation has also held great potential for good, both for the individual worker and society at large. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive of life today without the economic benefits of the corporation. This essay has as its aim to propose a work ethic for the corporate worker. Such a work ethic will need to be fleshed out in a context that in many ways resists it. It is beyond the scope of the present essay to explore these resistant forces in the contemporary corporate world, but they are well attested by corporate workers themselves, by those who interact with corpo rate workers, and by a body of published scholarship.1 The most salient problems related to work in the corporation include these: on the part of some, an anemic work ethic coexisting with an undervaluing of work; among these same people, a sense of alienation from corpo rate goals, often accompanied by resentment against the cor poration as employer; on the part of others, an overvaluing of work that takes the form of workaholism; a sacrifice of personal freedom and life interests to the cor porate machine;
Differential effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 and atheroma-associated cytokines on cell proliferation and apoptosis in plaque smooth muscle cells of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis

Morbidity and mortality from atherosclerosis are associated with complicated atherosclerotic lesions due to plaque rupture, which is regulated by a balance between proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We examined insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-induced survival of plaque VSMC from carotid endarterectomy specimens and investigated the underlying cellular mechanisms in the presence and absence of IL-12 and IFN-gamma. Both IL-12 and IFN-gamma were strongly expressed in symptomatic atherosclerotic plaques as compared with asymptomatic plaques. In asymptomatic plaque VSMC, IGF-1 induced the survival and proliferation of VSMC and accelerated VSMC into S-phase. IL-12 or IFN-gamma inhibited proliferation and VSMC were arrested in the G0-G1 phase. IGF-1 markedly inhibited the expression of p27(kip) and p21(cip) and significantly induced cyclin E and cyclin D. Both cytokines by themselves increased the expression of p27(kip) and p21(cip) and inhibited cyclin E and cyclin D. On the contrary, in symptomatic VSMC there was already increased apoptosis of VSMC and there was no significant effect of IGF-1 or inflammatory cytokines on proliferation, apoptosis or the expression of p27(kip) and p21(cip) and cyclin D and E. These data suggest that IGF-1 is more potent in inducing the survival of VSMC from the endarterectomy specimens of asymptomatic patients as compared to that of symptomatic subjects and cytokines associated with atheroma lesions decrease the activity of IGF-1-induced survival in the VSMC of asymptomatic plaques. The different expression and activity of cell cycle regulatory proteins could be responsible for apoptosis of VSMC and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques.
Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. PI electrons as proton acceptors

Abstract Ab initio SCF calculations with minimal STO-3G and slightly extended 4-31G basis sets have been performed on dimers having HF and H 2 O as proton donors, and the π electrons of C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , HCN, and H 2 CO as proton acceptors. The equilibrium dimers with C 2 H 2 and C 2 H 4 have relatively weak hydrogen bonds which form preferentially at or near the midpoint of the C–C π bond. However, distortions of these dimers which move the hydrogen bonded proton away from the midpoint are associated with only a small amount of destabilization. With HCN and H 2 CO as proton acceptors, pi hydrogen bonding is most favorable at the negative end of the π bonds. However, these pi dimers are not equilibrium structures on the intermolecular potential surfaces, but relax to structures in which hydrogen bond formation occurs through a lone pair of electrons.
Modulation of the major histocompatibility complex antigen and the immunogenicity of islet allografts

Modulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen by parenchymal cells and "passenger leukocytes" is a common feature of allograft rejection. To assess its significance we have examined the fate of antigen-presenting cell (APC)-depleted pancreatic islet allografts subsequent to increasing their expression of MHC antigens by in vitro exposure to the lymphokine interferon-gamma (gIFN). While most untreated grafts survived indefinitely, gIFN-exposed grafts were acutely rejected. Using in vitro islet cell-lymphocyte coculture assays, we attempted to dissect the underlying mechanism of enhanced islet cell immunogenicity resulting from gIFN treatment. We determined that gIFN exposure did not affect the capacity of islet cells to serve as APC for T lymphocytes, however islet cell exposure to gIFN was associated with enhanced vulnerability to allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) lysis in vitro by an CD5+ (OX-19+), CD8+ (OX-8+), CD4- (W3/25-), class I-restricted CTL. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that antigenic modulation can be a decisive factor in the survival of engrafted tissues by augmenting the interaction of the graft antigens with cytolytic effector T lymphocytes.
Inhibition of Binding of Tritiated Digoxin to Myocardium by Sodium Depletion in Dogs

Ten intact dogs were subjected to hemodialysis against a solution of low-sodium content to determine the influence of sodium depletion on myocardial binding of digoxin-3H. Serial determinations of serum sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, pH, and osmolality, of cardiac output, and of cardiac rhythm were obtained in these and in 10 control dogs dialyzed against the standard solution. A dose of digoxin-3H (0.05 mg/kg) was given intravenously after start of the dialysis and the animals were killed 1 hour afterward for measurement of myocardial radioactivity, potassium, and sodium. Significant depletion of serum sodium and chloride and myocardial sodium (P < 0.001) occurred in all animals dialyzed against the low-sodium solution. No significant changes occurred in other serum electrolytes or pH; osmolality was maintained constant by a slow intravenous drip of 25% urea or mannitol. Myocardial radioactivity was reduced in sodium-depleted animals by 50% (P < 0.001). The Na-K ratio was 0.40 in the myocardiu...
Cellular immune responses of human cadaver donor bone marrow cells and their susceptibility to commonly used immunosuppressive drugs in transplantation.

Background. The cascade of immunological effects brought about by donor bone marrow cell (DBMC) infusions in human organ transplantation, especially in the context of continuous pharmacologic immunosuppression, is not fully understood. Yet, in inbred rodents and even primates, administration of specific bone marrow cells has caused a state of acquired immunologic tolerance. Methods. In vitro mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) culture systems were used to compare the responding and regulatory properties of DBMC and individual bone marrow cell subsets versus spleen cells in the presence or absence of pharmacologic immunosuppression. Results. In the absence of immunosuppressive drugs, the DBMC proliferated in MLC and in response to phytohemagglutinin, but to a lower magnitude than donor spleen cells. In CML assays, DBMC failed to function as cytotoxic cells. Removal of both CD3 + and CD34 + cells together (not just singly) had to occur for complete abrogation of the proliferative response of DBMC evoked in the presence of allogeneic stimulating cells. Testing several experimental variables using flow cytometric analysis led to the conclusion that when purified DBMC CD34 + cells were placed in co-culture with irradiated allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells, such CD34 + cells give rise both to CD3 - TCRαβ + as well as to dimly staining CD3 + TCRαβ + cells. Low pharmacologic concentrations of tacrolimus/cydosporine (CsA) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) singly or in combination had no effect on the spontaneous proliferation of DBMC and had significantly less inhibitory activity on MLC responses of DBMC and its purified CD3 + or CD34 + subpopulations, compared with the responses of spleen cells. Moreover, the previously described regulatory effects of DBMC on the MLC responses of peripheral blood or splenic responding cells were not inhibited by these immunosuppressive drugs. Conclusions. Taken together, these results support the notion that in vitro DBMC subpopulations, which proliferate as responding cells in co-culture with x-irradiated allogeneic cells and which cause regulatory effects when added as a third component to MLC reactions, seem to be culture-generated lymphoid cell lineage(s) progeny of CD34 + cells. This possibly includes unique CD3 + primitive (dimly staining) T cells, which are not as inhibited in their function by tacrolimus(CsA and MPA, as are postthymic (splenic) T cells.
The hypoxic ventilatory response of rats with increased blood oxygen affinity

Abstract Experimental work has established an interspecific relationship between the threshold for the hypoxic ventilatory response and the ‘knee’ of the Hb-O 2 dissociation curve. However, whether this relationship exists intraspecifically remains unclear. To examine the problem further rats were treated with sodium cyanate (NaOCN)_to lower P 50 and their hypoxic ventilatory response was measured. NaOCN treated rats had a lower Pa O 2 and higher Hct than control rats. There was no difference between the control and lowered P 50 condition in the ventilatory response to hypoxia when %ΔV I was plotted against Pa O 2 . The results are consistent with Pa O 2 sensing chemoceptors.
Secondary Malignant Neoplasms Following Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Childhood

Improving survival rates in children with malignancy have been achieved at the cost of a high frequency of late adverse effects of treatment, especially in intensively treated patients such as those undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), many of whom suffer the high burden of chronic toxicity. Secondary malignant neoplasms (SMNs) are one of the most devastating late effects, cause much morbidity and are the most frequent cause of late (yet still premature) treatment-related mortality. They occur in up to 7% of HSCT recipients by 20 years post-HSCT, and with no evidence yet of a plateau in incidence with longer follow-up. This review describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and risk factors of the three main categories of post-HSCT SMNs. A wide range of solid SMNs has been described, usually occurring 10 years or more post-HSCT, related most often to previous or conditioning radiotherapy. Therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia/myelodysplasia occurs earlier, typically three to seven years post-HSCT, mainly in recipients of autologous transplant and is related to previous alkylating agent or topoisomerase II inhibitor chemotherapy. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders occur early (usually within two years) post-HSCT, usually presenting as Epstein-Barr virus-related B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Comparison of the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for men and women in an enterprising occupation

Abstract This study examined the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for men and women employed in an enterprising occupation. Using Holland-theme scores obtained from both the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII), the degree of personality-environment correspondence and the relationships of personality type to job satisfaction were examined in a sample of 45 male and 43 female sales managers. In general, the findings suggested that, at least within an employed sample, Holland's theory is valid for women as well as for men. Using both the SDS and the SCII, women and men obtained their highest scores on the enterprising theme, and the mean E-theme scores of women were at least as high as were those of men. Significant sex differences on the Realistic, Artistic, and Social scales, found using SDS scores and SCII standard scores, were in the direction of generally-found sex differences. Both men and women were highly satisfied with their jobs, and moderate relationships between job satisfaction and enterprising and social scores were also found. While the results of this study suggest optimism regarding the theoretical and practical utility of Holland's theory for women as well as for men, differences in results as a function of different instruments and scoring methods suggest the need for further studies of this kind.
A Quantitative Pressure and Microbubble-Size Dependence Study of Focused Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening Reversibility in vivo Using MRI

Focused ultrasound in conjunction with the systemic administration of microbubbles has been shown to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) selectively, noninvasively and reversibly. In this study, we investigate the dependence of the BBB opening's reversibility on the peak-rarefactional pressure (0.30-0.60 MPa) as well as the microbubble size (diameters of 1-2, 4-5, or 6-8 μm) in mice using contrast-enhanced T(1)-weighted (CE-T(1)) MR images (9.4 T). Volumetric measurements of the diffusion of Gd-DTPA-BMA into the brain parenchyma were used for the quantification of the BBB-opened region on the day of sonication and up to 5 days thereafter. The volume of opening was found to increase with both pressure and microbubble diameter. The duration required for closing was found to be proportional to the volume of opening on the day of opening, and ranged from 24 h, for the smaller microbubbles, to 5 days at high peak-rarefactional pressures. Overall, larger bubbles did not show significant differences. Also, the extent of BBB opening decreased radially towards the focal region until the BBB's integrity was restored. In the cases where histological damage was detected, it was found to be highly correlated with hyperintensity on the precontrast T(1) images.
MOLYBDENUM AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR HIGHER PLANTS.

The preliminary findings that molybdenum, in minute amounts, improved the growth of barley plants in a culture solution supplied with ammonium salts as the sole source of nitrogen (1), and that a group of seven heavy metals including molybdenum increased the growth of lettuce and asparagus (2), supported the view that the list of essential elements for higher plants is incomplete and suggested the desirability of determining whether or not molybdenum is essential in the nutrition of higher plants. The essential nature of molybdenum for higher plants was established according to the criteria set up for other elements required by higher plants in minute quantity (3) as follows: (A) When tomato plants were grown from the seedling stage in rigidly purified nutrient solutions (13) containing all of the eleven nutrient elements now regarded as essential (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, ?, ??, Zn, and Cu) characteristic deficiency symptoms became apparent in a few weeks. The lower leaves developed a distinct mottling different from any other deficiency symptom yet observed in the tomato (fig. 1 A). In later stages necrosis at the margins and a characteristic involution of the laminae was evidenced (fig. IB). Almost all of the blossoms abscissed without setting fruit. These deficiency symptoms were produced in six successive experiments at various seasons extending over a period of a year and a half, using both purified and unpurified nutrient solutions; the results, however, were consistent only if the nutrient medium was rigidly purified by procedures efficacious in removing minute metal contaminants (13). Ordinary distilled water and C. P. chemicals contained molybdenum as a contaminant in amounts, adequate at times, to supply plant needs. (B) The development of these deficiency symptoms was prevented by adding 1 part of molybdenum as molybdic acid to 100,000,000 parts of nutrient solution. This was effective whether added singly or jointly with 19 other elements,1 none of which were capable of replacing molybdenum [The supplementary microelements' solutions B7 and C13 (2)]. (C) To test the direct effect of molybdenum on the plant as distinguished from its possible effect on the root environment, molybdenum-deficient plants, were sprayed with a dilute solution of molybdic acid (0.05 p.p.m. Mo) so as to bring about absorption only through the aerial parts of the plant. Re-
Look who's talking: A comparison of lecture and group discussion teaching strategies in developing critical thinking skills

This study compares the effectiveness of traditional lecture methods of instruction to group discussion methods of instruction in developing critical thinking skills. The participants in this study were 118 students enrolled in introductory interpersonal communication classes. No significant difference was found between the two instructional methods in developing critical thinking skills. However, significant gains were found from the pretest to the posttest for both instructional strategies. Specifically, the lecture method of instruction produced significant learning with regard to total score, low‐level thinking items, and high‐level thinking items. Group discussion, however, produced significantly more learning with regard to higher‐level items. These findings indicate that face‐to‐face instructional methods make a significant difference in student learning.
Abstract 84: The role of redox state in human breast cancer progression.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC We are investigating the role of reduction-oxidation (redox) state in human breast cancer progression. Physiologic levels of oxidants and antioxidants within subcellular compartments regulate and coordinate normal cell functions. Cells in a state of redox imbalance undergo adaptation and/or altered behavior. We propose to investigate the thioredoxin 1 (TRX1) redox couple in human breast cancer progression. This molecule is known to interact with several molecules involved in breast carcinogenesis, including redox-sensitive transcription factors and estrogen receptor (ER) alpha. We hypothesize human breast cancer tissues are in a state of redox imbalance favoring a more reducing environment, and post-translational redox modifications involving TRX1, thioredoxin reductase 1 (TRXR1), and thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) are involved. Preliminary data demonstrated redox imbalance in comparisons of breast cancers to surrounding tissues. TRX1 protein levels were 1.5-fold increased, while TRXR1 and TXNIP were 10-fold and 2.4-fold decreased, respectively. The redox state of TRX1 demonstrated a 4.7-fold increase in the reduced form versus the oxidized, and TRX1 activity was 2.1-fold increased. Our future plans involve analyzing redox-regulated protein subcellular distribution patterns of TRX1, TRXR1, TXNIP, and ER alpha utilizing immunohistochemistry in human breast cancer tissue microarrays varying in histological grade; determine protein levels of TRX1, TRXR1, and TXNIP, redox state of TRX1, and activities of TRX1 and TRXR1 in human breast cancer cell lines relative to normal primary epithelial cells in cell culture; and investigating the effects of modulating the extra- and intracellular redox state on cell invasion in hormone dependent/independent breast cancer cell lines. Citation Format: Tonia C. Jorgenson, Weixiong Zhong, Terry D. Oberley. The role of redox state in human breast cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 84. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-84
Effects of nutritional modifications on the water-holding capacity of fresh pork: a review

Although genetics and preslaughter handling and management have the greatest impact on pork quality - especially water-holding capacity (WHC) - modifications to swine diets may offset the negative effects of genotype and/or pig handling on pork quality or improve quality attributes of pork from pigs with the genetic potential for good quality. There is little evidence that pork WHC is altered by the lysine or protein level (and source), cereal grain, or fat source used in growing-finishing diets. Yet, recent research indicates that feeding low-starch, high-fibre, high-fat, glycogen-reducing diets effectively improves the WHC of pork. Moreover, meta-analysis of the available information indicated that including 100, 200, or 400+ mg of alpha-tochopherol per kilogram of diet reduced pork drip losses by 10.1%, 30.5%, and 25.9%, respectively, whereas supplementing swine diets with magnesium for 1-2 days, 3-4 days, or 5-7 days reduced drip losses by 23.1%, 13.7%, or 15.9%, respectively. Some swine nutritionists have advocated the removal of vitamins and trace minerals from finishing diets; however, deletion of vitamin/trace mineral premixes actually reduced the WHC of pork, whereas drip losses were reduced by elevating the dietary inclusion levels of vitamins and trace minerals 150-250% of the recommended levels. Additionally, there is no evidence that feeding pigs ractopamine hydrochloride or injections of porcine somatotropin affect pork WHC. There may not be a single 'silver bullet' that will remedy poor quality genetics or poor animal management, but improvements in pork WHC can be achieved with some modifications to swine finishing diets.
COMMENTARY: Silver Bullet Junkies and the Codifiers That Love Them: Behavioral Roots Behind a Legacy of Bad Modeling and Use

As research continues to evolve, it is important to look back with a critical eye on its impact on practice and what is guiding its trajectory into the future. In this work we discuss some of the key behavioral drivers that taken as a whole have made for a less than ideal relationship between research, model development, and use/reliance in practice. From a general public-good perspective, there is an obvious need for academics to take on a greater role of responsibility when it comes to both research and curriculum in an effort to avoid some of the failings that our past work has inevitably encouraged to date.
Recent advances in IL-22 biology

Several cell types, in particular epithelial cells, express the receptor for the cytokine IL-22 and upon its recognition produce molecules that are active both locally and systemically. Many different types of lymphocyte secrete IL-22. Th17 cells produce IL-22 although the optimal conditions for secretion of IL-17 or IL-22 by Th17 cells differ, as do the transcription factors involved. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor is required for IL-22 production by Th17, Th22 and gd T cells. Th22 cells produce IL-22 in response to IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), particularly in the skin, whereas gd T cells produce IL-22 in response to IL-23, particularly in the lung. NK cells produce IL-22 in response to IL-12 and IL-18 or IL-23. Retinoic acid-related orphan receptorgt-positive innate lymphoid cells, including lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) and LTi-like cells express IL-22 with IL-23 again enhancing expression. IL-22 is known to be expressed in many chronic inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, and its up-regulation often correlates with disease activity. IL-22 is known to be protective in the gastrointestinal tract in inflammatory bowel disease but may mediate either harmful or helpful inflammatory responses in different models of intestinal infection. Finally, IL-22 may also play an important role in tissue repair.
A constitutive law for the failure behavior of medial collateral ligaments.

A constitutive model is proposed for the description of the tensile properties of medial collateral ligaments (MCLs). The model can reproduce the three regions – the toe region, the linear region, and the failure region – of the stress–stretch curve of ligamentous tissues. The collagen fibers are assumed to be the only load-bearing component of the tissues. They are all oriented along the physiological loading direction of the ligament. They are crimped in the slack configuration and are unable to sustain load. After becoming taut and before failing, each collagen fiber exhibits a linear elastic behavior. The fiber straightening and failure processes are defined stochastically by means of Weibull distributions. Published experimental data for the MCLs are employed to validate the constitutive relationship. Finally, the constitutive model is generalized in order to describe the three-dimensional mechanical behavior of the ligaments by following he structural approach.
Outcome of acute limb ischemia in cancer patients

The optimal management strategy for acute limb ischemia (ALI) in patients with a concomitant malignancy is not well established. A very high mortality rate (83-100%) at 1 year has been reported in those who are treated surgically. Accordingly, a conservative management approach has been suggested as the main therapeutic modality. Our aim was to evaluate the survival outcomes of cancer patients treated for ALI at our cancer center. Cancer patients treated for ALI at the MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2001 to 2011 were included in this study. Overall survival and amputation-free survival rates were calculated. A total of 74 cancer patients with concomitant ALI were included in the study. Surgery was the most common therapy (36 patients; 49%). Percutaneous catheter-based interventions were used in 21 patients (28%). Eighteen patients (24%) received anticoagulation therapy only, and six patients (8%) received no therapy. The 30-day, 6-month, and 1-year overall survival rates were 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69% to 87%), 59% (95% CI, 47% to 69%), and 48% (95% CI, 36% to 59%), respectively. Eight patients (11%) underwent amputation. The 1-year amputation-free survival rate was 47% (95% CI, 35% to 58%). In conclusion, we did not find an invasive approach for the treatment of ALI in cancer patients to be associated with the very high mortality rates previously reported. In our opinion, the indications for surgery or catheter-based intervention in these patients should not differ from patients without cancer.
Adult Attachment as a Risk Factor for Intimate Partner Violence The “Mispairing” of Partners' Attachment Styles

This study examined the relationship between intimate partner violence and adult attachment in a sample of 70 couples. The attachment style of each partner and the interaction of the partners' attachment styles were examined as predictors of intimate partner violence. Additional analyses were conducted to examine violence reciprocity and to explore differences in the relationship between attachment and violence using continuous and dichotomous violence measures. Results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated the "mispairing" of an avoidant male partner with an anxious female partner was associated with both male and female violence. When controlling for partner violence, the relationship between attachment and violence was significant for males only. In addition, analyses using a dichotomized violence variable produced different results from analyses using a continuous violence measure. Clinical implications include focusing on the discrepancy between partners' needs for intimacy and distance within the couple as a strategy for treating intimate partner violence.
Transcatheter closure of paraprosthetic valve leaks after surgical mitral and aortic valve replacements

Prosthetic valve replacement surgery is performed in approximately 210,000 patients annually worldwide. At least 3%, and possibly as many as 12.5%, of these valves will eventually demonstrate a clinically important paravalvular leak. Most of the significantly symptomatic leaks are currently repaired surgically, but the risks of repeat operation and re leak are significantly higher than the original valve-replacement surgical risks. Transcatheter closure of paravalvular leaks has been accomplished using a number of different devices in a relatively small number of centers over the last 16 years. Transcatheter paravalvular leak-closure procedures are still evolving. They are associated with very low procedural mortality rates but are technically challenging, variably effective and may require multiple interventions to be clinically successful. Advances in imaging, such as live 3D transesophageal echocardiography, and the development of better occlusion devices that are specifically designed for closing paravalvular leaks may improve procedure times and outcomes. Further development of effective systems for transcatheter paravalvular leak closure could potentially improve the outlook for a significant population of patients with this difficult and sometimes devastating complication of prosthetic valve replacement.
Four-band frequency selective surface with double-square-loop patch elements

Design and experimental verifications are presented for a four-band frequency selective surface (FSS) with perfectly conducting double-square-loop (DSL) patch elements. A single screen DSL element FSS is demonstrated for (1) a four-band FSS which reflects the X- and Ka-band signals while passing the Sand Ku-band signals, and (2) a low-pass (or Ka-add-on) FSS that reflects the Ka-band signal while passing the S-, X-, and Ku-band signals. Cascading the above low-pass FSS with a previously published single screen tri-band FSS, a double screen FSS is also successfully demonstrated for the Cassini four-band application. The good agreement obtained between the measured and the computed results verified both the single and double screen four-frequency FSS approaches for the Cassini Project. >
Erratum to: On the Stability of the Flux Reconstruction Schemes on Quadrilateral Elements for the Linear Advection Equation

The flux reconstruction (FR) approach to high-order methods has proved to be a promising alternative to traditional discontinuous Galerkin (DG) schemes since they facilitate the adoption of explicit time-stepping methods suitable for parallel architectures like GPUs. The FR approach provides a parameterized family of schemes through which various classical schemes like nodal-DG and spectral difference methods can be recovered. Further, the parameters can be varied to obtain schemes with a maximum stable time-step, or minimum dispersion or dissipation errors etc., providing us a single powerful framework unifying high-order discontinuous Finite Element Methods. There have been various studies on the accuracy and the stability of these schemes and in particular, a subset of the FR schemes known as ESFR or VCJH schemes have been shown to be stable in 1D and on simplex elements in 2D and 3D for the linear advection as well as the advection---diffusion equations. However, the stability of the FR schemes on tensor product quadrilateral elements has remained an open question. Although it is the most natural extension of the 1D FR approach, it has posed a significant challenge, especially for general quadrilateral elements. In this paper, we investigate the stability of the VCJH-type FR schemes for linear advection on Cartesian quadrilateral meshes and show that the schemes could become unstable under certain conditions. However, we find that the VCJH scheme recovering the DG method is stable on all Cartesian meshes. Although we restrict ourselves to Cartesian meshes in order to circumvent the algebraic complexity posed by the variation of the Jacobian matrix inside general tensor-product quadrilateral elements, our analysis offers significant insight into the possible origins of instability in the FR approach on general quadrilaterals.
Parameterized descriptions of the joint space obstacles for a 5R closed chain robot

An examination is made of the equations for the boundaries of the joint-space obstacles in the workspace of a 5R closed-chain robot. This two-degree-of-freedom chain appears in many robotics applications. The equations describing the joint-space obstacle boundaries are derived, using three different sets of parameters, and the obstacles are graphically displayed. The boundaries of polygonal obstacles in contact with the polygonal links of a robot arm are studied using the 4D image space of planar displacements. The obstacles are mapped into the image space as the surface representing the position and orientation that a body assumes while maintaining contact with the obstacle. The intersection of the available robot positions and the obstacle contact positions is a representation of the obstacles in the robot's workspace. Three parameterizations of joint-space obstacles are determined from the image-space representation: the joint angles of one of the 2R robots, the end effector position, and the base joint angles of the 5R chain. The first and third parameter sets define two possible configurations for the 5R chain, and the second defines four possible configurations. >
Screening and diagnostic modalities for connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review.

Objective Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a frequent complication in connective tissue diseases (CTD), especially in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and is associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. We undertook a systematic review for the screening tests for CTD-PAH. Methods A systematic literature search of PAH in CTD was performed in available databases through June 2012. Our evaluation of diagnostic tests was focused on patients with PAH confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC). Results The search resulted in 2805 titles and 838 abstracts. Our final inclusion encompassed 22 articles-six of which were case-control studies and 16 were cohort studies. Twelve studies assessed the tricuspid regurgitation velocity (VTR) or equivalent right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) using transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) as a threshold for RHC in patients suspected as having PAH. The screening threshold for RHC was VTR from >2.73 to >3.16 m/s without symptoms or 2.5-3.0m/s with symptoms and resulted in 20-67% of patients having RHC-proven PAH. Three studies looked at pulmonary function tests and found that a low lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (45-70% of predicted) is associated with a 5.6-7.4% development of PAH, and a decline in DLCO% is associated with an increase in the specificity (for DLCO ≤ 60%, spec = 45%; and for DLCO ≤ 50%, spec = 90%) for PAH. Five studies assessed N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), where a cutoff >239 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 90-100%. Conclusions Our systematic review revealed that most evidence exists for TTE, pulmonary function tests, and NT-ProBNP for screening and diagnosis of SSc-PAH; however, more robust studies are needed.
Recovery-oriented computing: building multitier dependability

Building systems to recover fast may be more productive than aiming for systems that never fail. Because recovery is not immune to failure either, the authors advocate multiple lines of defense in managing failures.
A look at signal analysis in resource-constrained medical-sensor applications

Given the increasing emphasis on data-driven medicine, this overview paper explores how healthcare functions can be extended to on-patient sensor platforms. While the functions that will be of interest in this context are not precisely known, the approaches within data-driven medicine are becoming clear. This guides us to the algorithms that will be used for diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy. In particular, there is an emphasis on machine-learning algorithms, which enable the creation of robust models for signal analysis from data. Focusing on such algorithms, this paper looks first at digital platforms for signal analysis that provide adequate programmability while addressing computational energy. Then, it considers approaches to signal acquisition that focus on acquiring the specific information needed within algorithms for signal analysis, with the aim that such focus relaxes both the specifications for mixed-signal interfaces and the subsequent computations required. The ideas presented reference hardware prototype demonstrations.
Calibrated structured prediction

In user-facing applications, displaying calibrated confidence measures— probabilities that correspond to true frequency—can be as important as obtaining high accuracy. We are interested in calibration for structured prediction problems such as speech recognition, optical character recognition, and medical diagnosis. Structured prediction presents new challenges for calibration: the output space is large, and users may issue many types of probability queries (e.g., marginals) on the structured output. We extend the notion of calibration so as to handle various subtleties pertaining to the structured setting, and then provide a simple recalibration method that trains a binary classifier to predict probabilities of interest. We explore a range of features appropriate for structured recalibration, and demonstrate their efficacy on three real-world datasets.
Effect of flexibility on the growth of concentration fluctuations in a suspension of sedimenting fibers: Particle simulations

Three-dimensional numerical simulations are performed to study the stability of a sedimenting suspension of weakly flexible fibers. It is well known that a suspension of rigid rods sedimenting under gravity at low Reynolds number is unstable to concentration fluctuations owing to hydrodynamic interactions. Flexible fibers, however, reorient while settling and even weak flexibility can alter their collective dynamics. In our recent work [Manikantan et al., “The instability of a sedimenting suspension of weakly flexible fibres,” J. Fluid Mech. 756, 935–964 (2014)], we developed a mean-field theory to predict the linear stability of such a system. Here, we verify these predictions using accurate and efficient particle simulations based on a slender-body model. We also demonstrate the mechanisms by which flexibility-induced reorientation alters suspension microstructure, and through it, its stability. Specifically, we first show that the anisotropy of the base state in the case of a suspension of flexible fib...