cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Reproductive Isolating Barriers Between Two Naturally Hybridizing Killifish Species

Understanding the relative importance of various reproductive barriers to the early stages of speciation is an essential question in evolutionary biology. The closely related killifishes Fundulus heteroclitus and F. grandis occasionally hybridize in a small region in coastal Northeastern Florida showing that while barriers to reproduction exist, they are incomplete. The objective of this study was to elucidate barriers to reproduction between F. heteroclitus and F. grandis in the lab, as well as to quantify their strengths and relative contributions to reproductive isolation. Pre-zygotic (mating and fertilization) and post-zygotic (hatching) barriers were investigated by performing a variety of choice and no-choice laboratory mating experiments. Under no-choice conditions, barriers to mating had the greatest influence on hybrid production in F. grandis, whereas hatching barriers contributed to the majority of reproductive isolation in F. heteroclitus. Under choice conditions, however, pre-zygotic barriers had the greatest influence on hybrid production in both species. The total reproductive isolation that was observed in females of each species was stronger in F. heteroclitus than in F. grandis, and was nearly complete in F. heteroclitus females under choice conditions and was of moderate strength in F. grandis females. These results reveal an asymmetry in the potential gene flow between these two species, with F. grandis being more likely to hybridize than F. heteroclitus in the absence of environmental influences. No-choice backcrosses were also conducted and showed that at least some F1 hybrids are fertile. The observation that pre-zygotic barriers tend to be stronger than post-zygotic barriers in the early stages of speciation is consistent with similar studies in other organisms.
Synthesis and crystal structure of catena-poly[Rh2(OAc)4(C27H15N3)]⋅2CH2CL2, a novel Rh(II) organic/inorganic coordination polymer

A new coordination polymer, catena-poly[Rh2(OAc)4(C27H15N3)]⋅2CH2Cl21 has been synthesized by self-assembly from Rh2(OAc)4 dimer units and the new ligand, 1,3,5-tris[(2-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene 2. The compound was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and was found to crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1, with a = 10.8206(9) A, b = 14.0331(12) A, c = 15.0901(12) A, α = 113.965(2)°, β = 100.250(2)°, γ = 90.462(2)°, and Z = 2. The one-dimensional polymer contains two crystallographically different Rh-dimer units, both located about crystallographic inversion centers. Each Rh2(OAc)4 unit connects in a trans fashion with the potentially tridentate ligand giving an overall 1:1 metal dimer-to-ligand ratio. This arrangement leaves a third nitrogen donor site on the ligand uncoordinated.
Development and validation of a comprehensive patient-specific quality assurance program for a novel stereotactic radiation delivery system for breast lesions.

PURPOSE The GammaPod is a dedicated prone breast stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) machine composed of 25 cobalt-60 sources which rotate around the breast to create highly conformal dose distributions for boosts, partial-breast irradiation, or neo-adjuvant SRS. We describe the development and validation of a patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA) system for the GammaPod. METHODS We present two PSQA methods: measurement based and calculation based PSQA. The measurements are performed with a combination of absolute and relative dose measurements. Absolute dosimetry is performed in a single point using a 0.053-cc pinpoint ionization chamber in the center of a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) breast phantom and a water-filled breast cup. Relative dose distributions are verified with EBT3 film in the PMMA phantom. The calculation-based method verifies point doses with a novel semi-empirical independent-calculation software. RESULTS The average (± standard deviation) breast and target sizes were 1263 ± 335.3 cc and 66.9 ± 29.9 cc, respectively. All ion chamber measurements performed in water and the PMMA phantom agreed with the treatment planning system (TPS) within 2.7%, with average (max) difference of -1.3% (-1.9%) and -1.3% (-2.7%), respectively. Relative dose distributions measured by film showed an average gamma pass rate of 97.0 ± 3.2 when using a 3%/1 mm criteria. The lowest gamma analysis pass rate was 90.0%. The independent calculation software had average agreements (max) with the patient and QA plan calculation of 0.2% (2.2%) and -0.1% (2.0%), respectively. CONCLUSION We successfully implemented the first GammaPod PSQA program. These results show that the GammaPod can be used to calculate and deliver the predicted dose precisely and accurately. For routine PSQA performed prior to treatments, the independent calculation is recommended as it verifies the accuracy of the planned dose without increasing the risk of losing vacuum due to prolonged waiting times.
Acarbose improved survival for Apc+/Min mice

Acarbose blocks the digestion of complex carbohydrates, and the NIA Intervention Testing Program (ITP) found that it improved survival when fed to mice. Yet, we do not know if lifespan extension was caused by its effect on metabolism with regard to the soma or cancer suppression. Cancer caused death for ~80% of ITP mice. The ITP found rapamycin, an inhibitor to the pro-growth mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) pathway, improved survival and it suppressed tumors in Apc+/Min mice providing a plausible rationale to ask if acarbose had a similar effect. Apc+/Min is a mouse model prone to intestinal polyposis and a mimic of familial adenomatous polyposis in people. Polyp-associated anemia contributed to their death. To address this knowledge gap, we fed two doses of acarbose to Apc+/Min mice. Acarbose improved median survival at both doses. A cross-sectional analysis was performed next. At both doses, ACA fed mice exhibited reduced intestinal crypt depth, weight loss despite increased food consumption and reduced postprandial blood glucose and plasma insulin, indicative of improved insulin sensitivity. Dose-independent and dose-dependent compensatory liver responses were observed for AMPK and mTORC1 activities, respectively. Only mice fed the high dose diet exhibited reductions in tumor number with higher hematocrits. Because low-dose acarbose improved lifespan but failed to reduced tumors, its effects seem to be independent of cancer. These data implicate the importance of improved carbohydrate metabolism on survival.
Sleep and Organizational Behavior: Implications for Workplace Productivity and Safety

The interaction between sleep and work-related behaviors influence many aspects of employee performance, safety, and health as well as organizational-level success. Although it is well established that quantity and quality of sleep can affect different types of task performance and personal health, the interactions between sleep habits and organizational behaviors have received much less attention. It is important to examine how sleep habits and workplace behaviors relate and the role of the underlying circadian rhythm on the potential impact of sleep and sleepiness in the workplace. Developing a deeper understanding of how sleep habits and sleepiness impact workers and the organization can help provide the necessary background for human resource management to develop more progressive support networks for employees that benefit both the worker and the organization. Human resources and employees should emphasize the impact of good sleep and sleep habits on organizational and individual productivity and safety.
Multisectoral Integration of Nutrition, Health, and Agriculture: Implementation Lessons From Ethiopia:

Background:The Government of Ethiopia and development partners have invested heavily in nutrition through multisectoral nutrition programs and the recently announced Food and Nutrition Policy. By m...
Integrative structure and function of the yeast exocyst complex.

Exocyst is an evolutionarily conserved hetero-octameric tethering complex that plays a variety of roles in membrane trafficking, including exocytosis, endocytosis, autophagy, cell polarization, cytokinesis, pathogen invasion, and metastasis. Exocyst serves as a platform for interactions between the Rab, Rho, and Ral small GTPases, SNARE proteins, and Sec1/Munc18 regulators that coordinate spatial and temporal fidelity of membrane fusion. However, its mechanism is poorly described at the molecular level. Here, we determine the molecular architecture of the yeast exocyst complex by an integrative approach, based on a 3D density map from negative-stain electron microscopy (EM) at ~16 A resolution, 434 disuccinimidyl suberate and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride cross-links from chemical-crosslinking mass spectrometry, and partial atomic models of the eight subunits. The integrative structure is validated by a previously determined cryo-EM structure, cross-links, and distances from in vivo fluorescence microscopy. Our subunit configuration is consistent with the cryo-EM structure, except for Sec5. While not observed in the cryo-EM map, the integrative model localizes the N-terminal half of Sec3 near the Sec6 subunit. Limited proteolysis experiments suggest that the conformation of Exo70 is dynamic, which may have functional implications for SNARE and membrane interactions. This study illustrates how integrative modeling based on varied low-resolution structural data can inform biologically relevant hypotheses, even in the absence of high-resolution data.
Podcast Advocacy Field Report

As a psychologist during the current political climate, I felt a sense of responsibility to learn more about social justice issues, and to support my clients in their efforts to try to remain optim...
Correlation of ThyroSeq Results with Surgical Histopathology in Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules

The ThyroSeq next-generation sequencing test refines the risk of malignancy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Specific genetic alterations have distinct cancer probabilities and clinical phenotypes. There is limited data on the association between specific genetic alterations and histopathologic features. The aim of this study was to evaluate specific ThyroSeq alterations in prognosticating high-risk histopathologic characteristics. We performed a retrospective single-institution study of all patients diagnosed with indeterminate thyroid nodules (May 2016-December 2019) who had a mutation identified with ThyroSeq v2 or v3 and underwent surgical resection. Specific genetic alterations were correlated with surgical histopathology. The main outcomes were risk of malignancy and structural recurrence risk based on histopathologic features and the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification. Of the 78 nodules, 50 (64%) were thyroid cancer or noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) on surgical histopathology. Nodules with high-risk TERT or TP53 combination mutations (TERT/TP53) and those with BRAF-like mutations were associated with a 100% probability of cancer and higher rates of extrathyroidal extension and regional nodal involvement than nodules with RAS-like mutations. Among nodules with RAS-like mutations, there was an even distribution between benign, NIFTP, and malignant results, the latter of which were all ATA low risk for structural disease recurrence. Overall, TERT/TP53 and BRAF-like ThyroSeq mutations are associated with an increased cancer probability and risk of recurrence defined by histopathologic features, while RAS-like mutations are associated with lower cancer probability and indolent disease. Individualized management, including extent of surgery, should be considered based on specific genetic alterations found in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Conflicting Perspectives on the Value of Neprilysin Inhibition in Heart Failure Revealed During Development of a Decision Aid Focusing on Patient Costs for Sacubitril/Valsartan

Background: Despite concerns about rising costs in health care, cost is rarely an issue discussed by patients and clinicians when making treatment decisions in a clinical setting. This study aimed ...
Simon, Robert. Blanca Andreu, Galicia, and the New Iberian Mysticism: From Post-Mortem to Post-Mystic. Lexington, 2019.

The poetry of Galician-born Spanish-language author Blanca Andreu has garnered increasing critical attention as of late, particularly from a postmodernist perspective that concentrates on issues such as linguistic choice, nationalism, and her role as a female poet. This 2019 study by Georgia’s Kennesaw State University professor Robert Simon takes a markedly different approach to Andreu’s work by focusing on the mystical elements present in her poetry and inscribing her within the wider framework of a so-called New Iberian Mysticism.
Evaluating the utility of pre-operative airway assessment for intubation management in difficult airway patients.

Objective To assess intubation management in difficult airway patients by performing a multidisciplinary pre-operative examination of the airway using a flexible fibre-optic laryngoscope. Methods Patients with a known but stable difficult airway were evaluated prior to surgery in the pre-operative holding suite by both an ENT surgeon and an anaesthesiologist via a fibre-optic laryngeal examination. Results Performing a pre-operative fibre-optic examination of the difficult airway led to a change in intubation strategy in 6 out of 12 cases. Intubation ‘first-pass’ success occurred in 9 out of 12 (75 per cent) of our patients. Conclusion By performing a multidisciplinary airway examination immediately prior to surgery, a safe plan to intubate on the initial attempt was developed. This resulted in improved first-pass success at intubation compared to historical data.
Catalytic upgrading of biomass derived furans

Abstract The current interest in biomass derived renewable furan derivatives furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural commonly known as biofurans is due to their ready accessibility through dehydration of abundant cellulosic biomass derived monosaccharides. However, an upgrading to more stable compounds is an essential step for these materials in many sustainable fuel and chemical industry applications due to their instability and facile polymerization to humins. The aim of this article is to cover all aspects of catalytic upgrading reactions of biofurans, especially focusing on the developments in the last five years. The importance of this class of renewable feedstocks, preparation from monosaccharides as well as the diversity of possible transformations are discussed in the introduction sections of this review. The recent advances in catalytic reductions and oxidations of biofurans at CHO, OH functional groups, in ring system as well as rearrangements to form more stable value-added derivatives are reviewed. In addition, recently developed catalytic methods in carbon number upgrading of biofurans through condensation reactions and further conversions to renewable synthetic fuel range molecules are discussed in the article.
Outcomes of Supplementary Spring Wire Fixation With Volar Plating for Volar Lunate Facet Fragments in Distal Radius Fractures.

BackgroundIntra-articular distal radius fractures with small volar lunate facet fragments can be challenging to address with volar plate fixation alone. Volar locked plating with supplementary spri...
Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression is Enhanced by Ischemia and Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Induces Hemorrhage, Disability and Mortality in Experimental Stroke.

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) degrades collagen and other cellular matrix proteins. After acute ischemic stroke, increased MMP-9 levels are correlated with hemorrhage, lack of reperfusion and stroke severity. Nevertheless, definitive data that MMP-9 itself causes poor outcomes in ischemic stroke are limited. In a model of experimental ischemic stroke with reperfusion, we examined whether ischemia and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) therapy affected MMP-9 expression, and we used specific inhibitors to test if MMP-9 affects brain injury and recovery. After stroke, MMP-9 expression increased significantly in the ischemic vs. non-ischemic hemisphere of the brain (p
Quantifying Cloud Misbehavior

Clouds have gained popularity over the years as they provide on-demand resources without associated long-term costs. Cloud users often gain superuser access to cloud machines, which is necessary to customize them to user needs. But superuser access to a vast amount of resources, without support or oversight of experienced system administrators, can create fertile ground for accidental or intentional misuse. Attackers can rent cloud machines or hijack them from cloud users, and leverage them to generate unwanted traffic, such as spam and phishing, denial of service, vulnerability scans, drive-by downloads, etc. In this paper, we analyze 13 datasets, containing various types of unwanted traffic, to quantify cloud misbehavior and identify clouds that most often and most aggressively generate unwanted traffic. We find that although clouds own only 5.4% of the routable IPv4 address space (with 94.6% going to non-clouds), they often generate similar amounts of scans as non-clouds, and contribute to 22–96% of entries on blocklists. Among /24 prefixes that send vulnerability scans, a cloud's /24 prefix is 20–100 times more aggressive than a non-cloud's. Among /24 prefixes whose addresses appear on blocklists, a cloud's /24 prefix is almost twice as likely to have its address listed, compared to a non-cloud's /24 prefix. Misbehavior is heavy-tailed among both clouds and non-clouds. There are 25 clouds that contribute 90% of all the cloud scans, and 10 clouds contribute more than 20% of blocklist entries from clouds.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the genitourinary tract.

SUMMARY MRI is in its infancy as a clinical imaging tool.1 It is undergoing intensive investigation in various areas of the body. Evaluation of the brain and spine is superb, and in some areas of the brain, like the posterior fossa, it is thought to be superior to CT.3 Evolving indications for body scanning include staging of pelvic malignancies,17 evaluation of liver malignancy,34 evaluation and staging of musculoskeletal problems, and, to a lesser degree, staging of renal malignancies and evaluation of vascular disease. The main problem in body imaging stems from image degradation because of respiratory motion that is transmitted to upper abdominal organs. Respiratory gating of image acquisition or utilization of short heavily T1-weighted pulse sequences will likely overcome this problem in due time. Minimizing motion artifact will make MR images comparable to, if not better than, CT images with regard to transverse anatomic display, and MR images have the added advantage of multiplanar scanning, which can be done directly, without need of additional computer reconstruction time and without having to move the patient. The second major problem in MRI is the lack of understanding of equipment potential. Unlike conventional radiography and CT, in which the behavior of the x-ray beam is understood with regard to image formation, in MRI new parameters are used to generate images. As stated earlier, MR signal intensity is due to hydrogen concentration, T1 and T2 relaxation times of the tissue, and flow of protons through the imaged volume. How these factors are weighted depends on pulse sequence selection, and thus image contrast and information content of the scans change. On the surface, these images display anatomic information as do other imaging modalities, but manipulation of pulse sequences may ultimately lead to the ability to demonstrate physiologic and chemical parameters previously unavailable in imaging. Current research is geared to help extract this data by testing new pulse sequences, using different types of receiver RF coils, and using MR-specific contrast materials. Minor MRI problems such as long scan times are being dealt with to decrease time to an acceptable length. The nonvisualization of soft tissue calcifications will probably remain a problem that may have to be weighed against other known advantages. At this time further research and clinical experience are the key to what is needed in MRI, to gain further knowledge with regard to imaging physiologic phenomena, such as flow and spectroscopy,33 and possibly to monitor the chemical basis of disease. Clinical experience is needed to answer unsolved questions regarding accuracy, efficacy, and specificity of MRI diagnosis and to establish indications of the use of MRI in a clinical setting. We are certain that continuing developments and experience will solve current problems and prove MRI an interesting, unique, and useful modality in the diagnosis of genitourinary problems, providing new anatomic data and previously unavailable physiologic data.
'Perfect' asymmetry: variation in Judeo-Spanish as a window into the diachrony of perfect auxiliaries

Examples of variation and change in Romance periphrastic perfects are numerous, from dichotomies between have and be auxiliaries, to the specialization of particular auxiliaries. The current study analyzes periphrastic perfect variation in Judeo-Spanish (JS) auxiliaries. Results suggest that language internal considerations of tense, transitivity, and morphology contribute to the variable selection of two have auxiliaries, aver and tener. While aver appears in 90% of periphrases overall, constructions in the present tense, with transitive verbs, or with irregular participles favored use of the rarer tener auxiliary. The results for present tense relate to different semantic meanings between aver and tener in Old Spanish. The findings for transitivity and irregular participles can be accounted for in terms of retention in the face of analogical change and effects of frequency, respectively. The present study also utilizes the findings on JS auxiliary variation to provide insight into diachronic change in Spanish and Portuguese. Present day Spanish perfects use haber (related to aver) and Portuguese uses ter (related to tener) following centuries of variation between these forms. This diachronic divergence is reflected in JS synchrony, and possibly driven by the specific semantic meanings of perfect constructions in Spanish and Portuguese.
GCD of sums of $k$ consecutive Fibonacci, Lucas, and generalized Fibonacci numbers.

We explore the sums of $k$ consecutive terms in the generalized Fibonacci sequence $\{G_n\}_{n=0}^\infty$ given by the recurrence $G_n = G_{n-1} + G_{n-2}$ for all $n \geq 2$ with integral initial conditions $G_0$ and $G_1$. In particular, we give precise values for the greatest common divisor (GCD) of all sums of $k$ consecutive terms of $\{G_n\}_{n=0}^\infty$. When $G_0 = 0$ and $G_1 = 1$, we yield the GCD of all sums of $k$ consecutive Fibonacci numbers, and when $G_0 = 2$ and $G_1 = 1$, we yield the GCD of all sums of $k$ consecutive Lucas numbers. Denoting the GCD of all sums of $k$ consecutive generalized Fibonacci numbers by the symbol $\mathcal{G}_{G_0, G_1}\!(k)$, we give two tantalizing characterizations for these values, one involving a simple formula in $k$ and another involving generalized Pisano periods: $$\mathcal{G}_{G_0, G_1}\!(k) = \gcd(G_{k+1}-G_1,\, G_{k+2}-G_2)\; \text{and}$$ $$\mathcal{G}_{G_0, G_1}\!(k) = \mathrm{lcm}\{m \mid \pi_{G_0,G_1}\!(m) \text{ divides } k\},$$ where $\pi_{G_0,G_1}\!(m)$ denotes the generalized Pisano period of the generalized Fibonacci sequence modulo $m$. The fact that these vastly different-looking formulas coincide leads to some surprising and delightful new understandings of the Fibonacci and Lucas numbers.
Catholic Revival in Mbanza Kongo, 1876-1909

Using church records from Mbanza Kongo, this paper studies the revival of Catholic rituals in the Kongo capital in the early colonial period. Since the 1500s Kongo nobles had developed a Christian cult to gain prestige and manage power in society. But this cult was always dependent on white priests to administer the sacraments, and their irregular presence since about 1800 threatened to undermine the legitimacy of aristocratic rule in Kongo. The establishment of a permanent Catholic mission in Mbanza Kongo in 1881 was therefore welcomed by the local ruling class. / Baptismal and death records from Mbanza Kongo and surrounding villages shed light on the question who participated in Catholic rituals and the Catholic community more generally. The new Catholic mission reached out to some underprivileged members of society, but mainly children from elite marriages received baptism, while mostly persons of high economic or political standing called on priests to commend their souls. Marriage records show that elite families in Kongo still intermarried in the early colonial period, and that they used the Church to sanctify their marriages. Kongo’s ruling class thus embraced the opportunities the renewed presence of Catholic missionaries offered to increase their standing and respectability in society.
Mitigating the Impact of Blockages in Millimeter-Wave Vehicular Networks Through Vehicular Relays

With the high data rates and ultra-low latency it provides, millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications will be a key enabler for future vehicular networks. However, due to high penetration losses and high mobility, mmWave links experience frequent blockages. We present an analytical framework to evaluate the performance of vehicular relaying, where vehicles on a highway exchange data with the network, either over direct vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) links with roadside units or a combination of a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) sidelink and a V2I link. Both V2V and V2I line-of-sight links can be blocked by other vehicles. We establish continuous-time Markov chain models of the blockage events that V2I links and vehicular relays experience, and use their steady-state solution to obtain analytical expressions for the blockage probability, average blockage duration and the SINR distribution. We demonstrate through numerical examples that relays are helpful, especially when the traffic density is high, since they can provide intermittent but more frequent connection opportunities and reduce the blockage duration. We show that relays that are far from a vehicle only have a marginal benefit since they are blocked with higher probability, compared to the closer relays. The proposed analytical framework enables fast and accurate assessment of a given deployment scenario, which will benefit researchers exploring mmWave-enabled vehicular networks.
Fracking and environmental (in)justice in a Texas city

Abstract Shale gas development (SGD) via horizontal drilling and fracking is touted for economic benefits and spurned for health and environmental impacts. Despite SGD's socioecological salience, few peer-reviewed, empirical studies document the distribution of positive and negative effects. The City of Denton, Texas has ~ 280 active gas wells and over a decade of SGD. Here we use an environmental justice framework to analyze the distribution of SGD's costs and benefits within Denton. Using data on mineral property values from 2002 to 2013 and gas well locations, we ask: who owns Denton's mineral rights (i.e. the greatest financial beneficiaries) and how does this ownership pattern relate to who lives near gas wells (i.e. those who shoulder the nuisances and health impacts)? Our results show that Denton's mineral wealth is widely distributed around the U.S., residents own 1% of the total value extracted, and the city government is a large financial beneficiary. In addition to distributional inequities, our analysis demonstrates that split estate doctrine, legal deference to mineral owners, and SGD's uniqueness in urban centers create disparities in municipal SGD decision-making processes. The environmental justice issues associated with fracking in Denton also provide one possible explanation for residents' November 2014 vote to ban hydraulic fracturing.
Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Integrated vs. Discipline-Based Digital Learning Resources

The continuing trend of integration and the consequent decrease in student-instructor contact hours in basic science curricula in professional schools makes digital ancillary resources increasingly...
The Atmospheric Characterization for Exploration and Science (ACES) instrument suite for Mars

The Atmospheric Characterization for Exploration and Science (ACES) instrument suite was designed to address the highest priority lower atmosphere goals and investigations identified by the Mars Exploration Program[1], and to address both exploration technology Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) and science goals identified for the Mars 2020 mission[2][3]. The ACES Mars surface in situ instrument suite measures atmospheric dust properties, fundamental atmospheric parameters, and the energy inputs that drive the atmosphere in ways that far exceed previous landed experiments.
Estimation of single-kidney glomerular filtration rate without exogenous contrast agent.

Purpose Measurement of single-kidney filtration fraction and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) without exogenous contrast is clinically important to assess renal function and pathophysiology, especially for patients with comprised renal function. The objective of this study is to develop a novel MR-based tool for noninvasive quantification of renal function using conventional MR arterial spin labeling water as endogenous tracer. Theory and Methods The regional differentiation of the arterial spin labeling water between the glomerular capsular space and the renal parenchyma was characterized and measured according to their MR relaxation properties (T1ρ or T2), and applied to the estimation of filtration fraction and single-kidney GFR. The proposed approach was tested to quantify GFR in healthy volunteers at baseline and after a protein-loading challenge. Results Biexponential decay of the cortical arterial spin labeling water MR signal was observed. The major component decays the same as parenchyma water; the minor component decays much slower as expected from glomerular ultra-filtrates. The mean single-kidney GFR was estimated to be 49 ± 9 mL/min at baseline and increased by 28% after a protein-loading challenge. Conclusion We developed an arterial spin labeling-based MR imaging method that allows us to estimate renal filtration fraction and singe-kidney GFR without use of exogenous contrast. Magn Reson Med 71:257–266, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An investigation of creep and substructure formation in 2124 Al

Abstract The effect of stress on the creep behavior of powder metallurgy (PM) 2124 Al was investigated in the temperature range 618–678 K. In addition, substructure that developed during creep was examined by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The creep data, which extend over seven orders of magnitude of strain rate, show that the apparent stress exponent, n a , for creep is high and variable, and that the apparent activation energy for creep, Q a , is much higher than that for self-diffusion in aluminum, Q D . Analysis of the creep data reveals the existence of a threshold stress, τ 0 may be related to the interaction between moving dislocations and dispersion particles; such dispersion particles most likely represent oxide particles that are introduced in 2124 Al as a result of processing the alloy by powder metallurgy. While the equation describing the strong temperature dependence of τ 0 in 2124 Al cannot be accounted for by available threshold stress models, examination of creep data on some dispersion-strengthened (DS) alloys suggests that such an equation may represent general behavior. By considering the effect of τ 0 and its temperature dependence on the creep behavior of 2124 Al, it is shown that the alloy behaves as a class II alloy (metal class). Evidence in support of this finding is provided by two experimental observations: (a) the creep rate in the transient region after a stress increase is faster than the new steady-state creep, and (b) regular arrays of equiaxed subgrains are developed in crept specimens.
Male factor infertility: Evaluation and management

There is a male factor involved in up to half of all infertile couples. Potential etiologies in male factor infertility are many and require thorough evaluation for their accurate identification. A complete medical history in conjunction with a focused examination can allow for an appropriate choice of laboratory and imaging studies. The semen analysis is a crucial first step, but by no means is it sufficient to determine a specific etiology or dictate therapy. A systematic approach is necessary to help guide the work-up and rule out less likely causes. The etiologies discussed within this article are tremendously broad, and the prognosis for any given couple depends, in large part, on the etiology. Without a firm understanding of the genetics, anatomy, physiology, and complex interplay of the male reproductive system, the evaluation becomes an inefficient exercise that often fails to define the precise etiology. Couples with male factor infertility need a systematic approach with the efficiency of ultimate treatment determined largely by the physician's ability to identify the specific cause of the man's reproductive failure.
Incremental exchange theory: a formal model for progression in dyadic social interaction.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a general model of dyadic social interaction stated in the language of computation science called “RELATE” and the theory underlying it “incremental exchange theory.” RELATE is a general framework within which many theories can be formulated about particular instances of pair involvement. The RELATE program brings two hypothetical actors together for an interaction. It simulates the development of the actors' relationship in accord with the basic tenets of the theory and the user's own sub-theory. Since RELATE does not understand English, it can only accept specific theories stated in the language of computation science. Hence, RELATE discourages “hand waving” by its users or comments such as “you know,” “sort of,” and “generally.” Indeed, RELATE's value to social psychology may stem as much from the theorizing behaviors it forces upon its users as from its own substantive theory. Several frameworks have been used in the past for modeling pair behavior. The chapter draws upon them in constructing the RELATE model. It reviews the most relevant of these approaches and describes the incremental exchange theory and RELATE.
Preinjury family environment as a determinant of recovery from traumatic brain injuries in school-age children

Previous studies of childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) have emphasized injury-related variables rather than environmental factors as predictors of recovery. We addressed this concern using data collected during a prospective study of children with either TBI or orthopedic injuries (OI) and their families. Participants included 53 children with severe TBI, 56 with moderate TBI, and 80 with OI, all from 6 to 12 years of age at the time of injury. Measures of the preinjury family environment were collected shortly after the injury (baseline). Child cognitive and behavioral outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Individual growth curve analyses showed that measures of the preinjury family environment consistently predicted both the level of cognitive and behavioral functioning at 12 months postinjury and the rate of intraindividual change during the 12-month follow-up period, even after taking into account group membership and injury severity. In some cases, the preinjury family environment was a significant moderator of the effect of TBI, buffering its impact in high-functioning families and exacerbating it in low-functioning families. Thus, preinjury environmental factors predict recovery following TBI in children, even after accounting for injury-related variables.
A voltage-type single-gate CID readout: read and clear-analysis, modeling, and experiment

The read-and-clear technique for a single-gate charge-injection-device (CID) array that eliminates the readout lag in the voltage-type sensing mode is discussed. The readout physical mechanisms along with characteristics of the device as a photon detector are analyzed based on a piecewise linear charge-voltage (Q-V) model. The readout scheme decouples the function of CID readout from that of refreshing the pixel storage capacity following injection pulses. Consequently, readout lag is eliminated, and a low-noise equivalent charge through minimized readout capacitance is achieved. In addition, the scheme facilitates a simple implementation of background charge skimming. Empirical results on an InSb CID linear array that in good agreement with theoretical predictions are presented. >
An examination of golf vacationers' novelty.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the novelty scale and to examine its usefulness for assessing the market of golf vacationers. Findings revealed that the novelty scale can be effectively used to assess golf vacationers, that younger golf vacationers are more apt to be novelty seekers than older ones, that golfers who play more frequently are more apt to be novelty avoiders than those who play less frequently, and that golf vacationers who seek boredom-alleviation are more apt to feel they received good quality for the money spent, on a golf vacation. Specific managerial and theoretical implications are discussed.
Isoflavone-mediated inhibition of tyrosine kinase: a novel antiinflammatory approach.

Tyrosine kinase (TK)-mediated phosphorylation regulates signal transduction pathways resulting in the expression of a variety of inflammatory genes. Inhibition of TK activity in vivo has been shown to increase survival in a lethal model of murine endotoxemia, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach to inflammation and circulatory shock. We examined the role of TK activity on the expression of the inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS). Under resting conditions, iNOS is not expressed in human cells. In response to various proinflammatory stimuli, however, iNOS expression is upregulated, resulting in high-output NO synthesis. iNOS-derived NO plays a critical role as a cytotoxic effector species and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many clinical inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, transplant rejection, diabetes, and sepsis. We examined the signaling pathways governing iNOS expression in monolayers of DLD-1 cells, a human epithelial cell line derived from a...
Measurement-based real-time traffic model classification

A new method for real-time traffic model classification is proposed and evaluated. The method classifies the current measured traffic to a "best-fit" model selected from a library of candidate models using statistical estimation techniques. A two-model system has been prototyped and evaluated through simulation experiments. The experimental system consists of a short-range dependent model and long-range dependent model, and uses the estimated Hurst parameter to select between the two models to choose the model requiring an equivalent bandwidth (EB) that is closest to the actual required EB. Results have demonstrated that the two-model system can classify the observed traffic to the correct model with fair accuracy, and can automatically detect a change in traffic characteristics after a delay. The design parameters affecting the classification accuracy and delay to detect traffic changes are discussed.
Anterior wrist ganglia from the scaphotrapezial joint.

Abstract In this series of 104 anterior wrist ganglia evaluated, 35 were found to arise from the scaphotrapezial joint, 1 from the metacarpotrapezial joint, and 68 from the radioscaphoid joint. After dissection of the cyst and identification of the joint of origin, the ganglion was removed and the joint was incised. Of the patients with scaphotrapezial ganglia, 29 were available for follow-up evaluation with a mean follow-up time of 67 months. Relief of symptoms was noted in 93 %, wrist motion was maintained in all patients, and there were two recurrences.
On the ratio (Φ) of the J-integral to the total work done per unit uncracked area

Abstract The ratio (Φ) of the J-integral to the total work done per unit uncracked area is shown to be dependent upon Poisson's ratio (v) in both plane stress and plain strain conditions. An expression for Φ in three-point-bending of linear elastic materials is derived analytically as a function of a/W (initial crack size/width), S/W (span/width) and v. The variation of Φ on the Poisson's ratio and a/W is illustrated in both graphical and tabulated fonns for S/W = 4. Error margins are discussed when Φ is taken as 2.00 universally for all materials exhibiting linear elastic behavior when a/W exceeds 0.5. The Φ value is experimentally detennined for several a/W ratios using a polymeric material. This experimental result is compared with an analytic prediction shown in the present study. The prediction is in good agreement with the experimental result.
Quercetin up-regulates paraoxonase 1 gene expression via sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 that translocates from the endoplasmic reticulum to the nucleus where it specifically interacts with sterol responsive element-like sequence in paraoxonase 1 promoter in HuH7 liver cells.

We previously showed that quercetin expresses its antiatherogenic effects by up-regulating paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene and high-density lipoprotein's protective capacity against low-density lipoprotein oxidation. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of action of quercetin, we have now determined the effects of quercetin on PON1 gene expression, activity, protein level, nuclear mature sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) level, and its translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus and its interaction with PON1 promoter in human HuH7 liver cells using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, spectrophotometry, immunoblot, confocal microscopy, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay techniques, respectively. Quercetin (20 μmol/L) treatment increased PON1 messenger RNA by 75% (P < .02), with a concomitant 2-fold (P < .05) increase in PON1 activity accompanied by 60% (P < .01) increase in PON1 protein level. There was parallel to the 1.5- to 2.0-fold increase (P < .05) in mature SREBP2 in the cell nuclei that was verified by increased immunolocalization of the mature SREBP2 (65-kd species) in the nuclei of quercetin-treated cells by confocal microscopy. Evaluation of the binding of biotin-labeled sterol responsive element (SRE)–like element of the PON1 promoter to the nuclear extract from the 24-hour quercetin (20 μmol/L)–treated HuH7 cells by electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that the SREBP2 specifically binds to the SRE-like element that was abolished by prior incubation with anti-SREBP2 or significantly decreased by 200-fold molar excess of unlabeled SRE-like sequence. Based on these results, we conclude that quercetin exhibits its antiatherogenic property by eliciting the translocation of the mature SREBP2 from endoplasmic reticulum to the nucleus, where it binds to SRE-like sequence in the PON1 promoter and up-regulates PON1 gene transcription and PON1 activity.
Molecular forceps from combinatorial libraries prevent the farnesylation of Ras by binding to its carboxyl terminus.

Introduction Ras is one of the major oncogenes. In order to function properly it has to undergo post-translational processing at its carboxyl terminus. It has been shown that inhibitors of farnesyl transferase, the first enzyme in the processing chain, can suppress the transforming activity of oncogenic Ras. Results We have identified molecular forceps, branched peptidic molecules, from combinatorial libraries that bind to the carboxyl terminus of Ras and interfere with its farnesylation without inhibiting the farnesyl transferase. The active molecules were selected by a screening against the carboxy-terminal octapeptide of Ras. Conclusions The implications of our findings are twofold. First, we demonstrate that it is possible to prevent enzymatic transformations by blocking the enzyme's access to its substrate using a synthetic small molecule to mask the substrate. Second, we show that it is feasible to derive molecules from combinatorial libraries that bind a specific epitope on a protein by selecting these molecules with the isolated peptide epitope.
Polar survey of magnetic field in near tail: Reconnection rare inside 9 RE

[1] We have examined the magnetic field at the apogee of the Polar spacecraft for three seasons during which time apogee was close to the equatorial plane and within 2 hours of midnight. The magnetic field magnitude in this region is rarely below 5 nT. However, when it is low, the magnetic field is very dynamic, with current sheet thinnings, plasma sheet expansions, and magnetic field dipolarizations. At times of low magnetic field strength we have examined the component normal to the magnetospheric equator for the presence of southward magnetic fields. However, in the period studied only northward fields were present in this region with one brief exception due to a bent current layer and not due to local reconnection. Thus it is very rare that the neutral point is as close as 9 RE.