cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucose-induced inhibition of in vitro bone mineralization

Patients with diabetes tend to have an increased incidence of osteopenia that may be related to hyperglycemia. However, little is known about how glucose may alter bone formation and osteoblast maturation. To determine whether glucose affects osteoblastic calcium deposition, MC3T3-E1 cells were incubated in media containing either a normal (5.5 mmol/L) or high glucose concentration (15 mmol/L) or mannitol (15 mmol/L), and bone nodule formation was examined. Net calcium flux was measured thrice weekly and cumulative calcium uptake was determined. Compared with control incubations, glucose significantly inhibited daily and cumulative calcium uptake into the nodules. At the time of matrix maturation, cultures undergo a rapid phase of increased calcium deposition; this was significantly inhibited by the presence of glucose. Total calcium uptake, determined by acid digestion, was also significantly inhibited by glucose. Area and number of nodules were quantitated at the end of the incubation period (day 30) by staining with Alizarin Red S calcium stain. Compared with both control and mannitol-treated cultures, the number of nodules was increased by incubation with glucose. Furthermore, both the average total nodular area and calcified nodular area of large nodules were increased by glucose. Cellular proliferation as well as the release of markers of osteoblast activity (osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase) were determined at the end of the experimental period (day 30). Cellular proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased in the presence of glucose, however, the release of osteocalcin into culture media was similar in all three groups. In conclusion, the present study shows that elevated glucose concentration present throughout the development of murine osteoblasts stimulates cellular proliferation while inhibiting calcium uptake. The result of glucose inhibition of calcium uptake suggests that bone could be structurally altered in diabetes.
Free Radicals, Oxidants, and Antioxidants

Free radicals are species with one or more unpaired electrons. The unpaired electron results in a species that is often highly reactive. Free radicals have a wide range of reactions; two broad classes of reactions are electron transfer and addition reactions resulting in covalent bond formation. Free radicals can be classified as reducing (donating an electron to an acceptor) or oxidizing (accepting an electron from a donor). Because of the wide range of reactivities of radicals, there is a thermodynamic hierarchy or pecking order for electron transfer reactions (Buettner, '93). Table 1 is arranged with the most oxidizing radicals at the top and most reducing at the bottom. This pecking order predicts the flow of electrons. This thermodynamic hierarchy helps to predict which species might react with each other. In general, the radical species higher in the pecking order steal electrons from the reduced species lower in the pecking order. The pecking order predicts that peroxyl radicals will react with vitamin E (tocopherol):
Climate change biology as a predictive science

A field has come of age with the recent publication of two text books, both entitled Climate Change Biology. Previous books have largely summarized climate science and conservation concerns rather than addressing the drivers and implications of biological responses to climate change. Ultimately, global change biology aims to be a predictive science [1,2]. Here, I consider the progress of this burgeoning field toward this goal, as reflected in these books.
Limitations of Using Students' Self-Reports of Academic Development as Proxies for Traditional Achievement Measures.

An important issue in national assessment efforts is how best to measure the outcomes of college. While initial discussions about a national collegiate assessment focused on the reliability, validity, and feasibility of using achievement tests to measure student learning, subsequent discussions have raised the possibility of using students' self-reports of academic development as proxies for achievement test scores. The present study examines the stability of the relationships among self-reports and test scores across samples of two- and four-year colleges and universities. Multitrait-multimethod analyses indicated that self-reports and test scores developed from the same set of test specifications do measure the same constructs, although the scores from one type of measurement may not be “substitutable” for scores from the other type of measurement. In addition, the analyses produced ambiguous results concerning the stability of relationships across different types of institutions.
A Study of Factors Influencing the Separation of Whey in Ice Cream Mixes Containing Vegetable Stabilizers

Summary 1.Whey separation was observed in samples containing as little as 0.1 per cent of the vegetable stabilizer after 96 hours of storage at 42°–46° F. 2.Using normal amounts of the stabilizer, i.e. , from 0.3 per cent to 0.5 per cent, and under the conditions of the experiment, a whey separation of approximately 50 per cent was noted after four days' storage. 3.Pasteurization of the mix was carried out at temperatures of 145° F., 165° F. and 175° F. for 30 minutes. The use of higher temperatures for pasteurization caused less whey separation. After 96 hours of storage the samples pasteurized at 145° F. showed 26 per cent separation, and those pasteurized at 175° F. showed an average of 4.7 per cent whey separation. The higher temperatures also retarded the rapidity with which the whey separation appeared. 4.Drying of the powdered stabilizer at 100° C. and under 20 inches of vacuum for as long as one hour did not affect its property of causing whey separation. 5.Heating a water suspension of the stabilizer to 205° F. for two hours retarded the rate and diminished the total amount of whey separation appearing in the mix when the stabilizer was used. It was, however, not reduced to the extent expected. An average of about 18 per cent of whey was observed after 96 hours of storage. 6.Pasteurization of the milk products to 165° F. or 175° F. for 30 minutes before adding the stabilizer, brought about a reduction in the whey separation which was not greatly different from the results obtained by pasteurization of the products plus the stabilizer at similar temperatures. 7.The greatest reduction in whey separation was obtained when the milk products used in the mix, i.e. , milk, cream, and skimmilk powder, were heated to 205° for one hour before the stabilizer was stirred in at 145° F. By this method the separation of whey was negligible after 72 hours of storage, and showed an average of less than one per cent after 96 hours. 8.The percentage of serum solids in the ice cream mix had no effect on the whey separation. 9.A mix having a low percentage of fat seemed to favor the separation of whey more than a 12 or 14 per cent fat mix. 10.Incomplete cooling of the mix had no influence on the whey separation provided the mix was cooled to about 65° F. after pasteurization.
Effect of an Environmental School-Based Obesity Prevention Program on Changes in Body Fat and Body Weight: A Randomized Trial

This study tested the efficacy of two school-based programs for prevention of body weight/fat gain in comparison to a control group, in all participants and in overweight children. The Louisiana (LA) Health study utilized a longitudinal, cluster randomized three-arm controlled design, with 28 months of follow-up. Children (N = 2,060; mean age = 10.5 years, SD = 1.2) from rural communities in grades 4–6 participated in the study. Seventeen school clusters (mean = 123 children/cluster) were randomly assigned to one of three prevention arms: (i) primary prevention (PP), an environmental modification (EM) program, (ii) primary + secondary prevention (PP+SP), the environmental program with an added classroom and internet education component, or (iii) control (C). Primary outcomes were changes in percent body fat and BMI z scores. Secondary outcomes were changes in behaviors related to energy balance. Comparisons of PP, PP+SP, and C on changes in body fat and BMI z scores found no differences. PP and PP+SP study arms were combined to create an EM arm. Relative to C, EM decreased body fat for boys (−1.7 ± 0.38% vs. −0.14 ± 0.69%) and attenuated fat gain for girls (2.9 ± 0.22% vs. 3.93 ± 0.37%), but standardized effect sizes were relatively small (<0.30). In conclusion, this school-based EM programs had modest beneficial effects on changes in percent body fat. Addition of a classroom/internet program to the environmental program did not enhance weight/fat gain prevention, but did impact physical activity and social support in overweight children.
At the Intersection of Church and Gay: A Review of the Psychological Research on Gay and Lesbian Christians

While the psychological research literature on gay and lesbian Christians is rich and continually expanding, it is also quite fragmented-consisting mainly of studies with small sample sizes that focus narrowly on specific subgroups within the phenomena. Furthermore, the recent research and theories assessing and underlying the integration of these two identities have never been presented in one cohesive review. Therefore, working within a new theoretical paradigm that views gays and lesbians as spiritual and religious beings in and of themselves, the purpose of this article is threefold: 1) to integrate a fractured body of literature on gay and lesbian Christians; 2) to review and critique relevant psychological theories currently in use in this area; and 3) to introduce to the field the relevant theoretical concepts of integration as process and empowerment to better outline comprehensive pathways for future research on not just the lives of gay and lesbian Christians, but of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender people of faith.
Supersonic effects and shock waves in a Bose–Einstein condensate

An analysis of sub- and supersonic waves as well as a mechanism of transformation of sound waves into shock waves is described. Based upon that, a theoretical possibility of shock wave formation in a high density Bose condensate with strong repulsive interaction is obtained. The speed of shock waves as well as relationships between jumps of velocity and density at the front of surface of discontinuity are derived. The theory is illustrated by the analytical solution for shock wave propagation in a dense condensate cloud.
Sources of Solar Total Irradiance Variations

The daily images and magnetograms acquired by MDI are a rich source of information about the contributions of different types of solar regions to variations in the total solar irradiance (TSI). These data have been used to determine the temporal variation of the MDI irradiance, the mean intensity of the solar disk in the continuum at 676.8 nm. The short-term (days to weeks) variations of the MDI irradiance and TSI are in excellent agreement with rms differences of 0.011%. This indicates that MDI irradiance is an excellent proxy for short-term variations of TSI from the competing irradiance contributions of regions causing irradiance increases, such as plages and bright network, and regions causing irradiance decreases, such as sunspots. However, the long-term or solar cycle variation of the MDI proxy and TSI differ over the 11-year period studied. The results indicate that the primary sources of the long-term (several months or more) variations in TSI are regions with magnetic fields between about 80 and 600 G. The results also suggest that the difference in the long-term variations of the MDI proxy and TSI is due to a component of TSI associated with sectors of the solar spectrum where the contrast in intensity between plages and the quiet Sun is enhanced (e.g., the UV) compared to the MDI proxy. This is evidence that the long-term variation of TSI is due primarily to solar cycle variations of the irradiance from these portions of solar spectrum, a finding consistent with modeling calculations indicating that approximately 60% of the change in TSI between solar minimum and maximum is produced by the UV part of the spectrum shortward of 400 nm (Solanki and Krivova, Space Sci. Rev. 125, 53, 2006).
Improving performance of PRML/EPRML through noise prediction

Sequence estimation detectors for the digital magnetic recording channel based on noise-predictive partial-response equalization are described. Called noise-predictive maximum-likelihood (NPML) detectors, they imbed a noise prediction/whitening process into the branch metric computation of a Viterbi detector. Simulation results show that a judicious tradeoff between system parameters leads to substantial performance gains over both PRML and EPRML systems. A programmable 8-state NPML detector without decision feedback is presented.
Effects of cognitive monitoring strategies on the test anxieties of elementary students

Sixty-six anxious fourth and fifth graders were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (a) cognitive monitoring training, or (b) control group. Pretreatment, post-treatment, and six-week follow-up measures were obtained on both self-report measures of test anxiety and performance on two separate subtests of the Metropolitan Achievement Test. Analysis of covariance results indicated that there were no significant differences between groups on either the self-report measure of test anxiety or the MAT subtests.
Thermally activated grain boundary unpinning

Abstract The influence of thermal activation on the nature of the interactions between an array of particles and a migrating grain boundary is considered, adapting concepts from the theory of thermally activated deformation. Thermally activated unpinning of boundaries is found to become significant at small particle sizes and high temperatures. For a given particle array, this leads to a time dependent average grain size which is coarser than the predictions of the traditional “Zener-Gladman” static equilibrium model. For grain sizes and temperatures of interest in ferrous alloys, substantial reductions in particle size and volume fraction of grain refining dispersions can be achieved before thermal activation interferes with the effectiveness of boundary pinning.
NHE3 KINASE A REGULATORY PROTEIN E3KARP BINDS THE EPITHELIAL BRUSH BORDER NA+/H+ EXCHANGER NHE3 AND THE CYTOSKELETAL PROTEIN EZRIN

Cyclic AMP is a major second messenger that inhibits the brush border Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3. We have previously shown that either of two related regulatory proteins, E3KARP or NHERF, is necessary for the cAMP-dependent inhibition of NHE3. In the present study, we characterized the interaction between NHE3 and E3KARP using in vitro binding assays. We found that NHE3 directly binds to E3KARP and that the entirety of the second PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain plus the carboxyl-terminal domain of E3KARP are required to bind NHE3. E3KARP binds an internal region within the NHE3 C-terminal cytoplasmic tail, defining a new mode of PDZ domain interaction. Analyses of cellular distribution of NHE3 and E3KARP expressed in PS120 fibroblasts show that NHE3 and E3KARP are co-localized on the plasma membrane, but not in a distinct juxtanuclear compartment in which NHE3 is predominantly expressed. The distributions of NHE3 and E3KARP were not affected by treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP. As shown earlier for the human homolog of NHERF, we also found that the cytoskeletal protein ezrin binds to the carboxyl-terminal domain of E3KARP. These results are consistent with the possibility that E3KARP and NHERF may function as scaffold proteins that bind to both NHE3 and ezrin. Since ezrin is a protein kinase A anchoring protein, we suggest that the scaffolding function of E3KARP binding to both ezrin and NHE3 localizes cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the vicinity of the cytoplasmic domain of NHE3, which is phosphorylated by elevated cAMP.
The neutron interferometer as a device for illustrating the strange behavior of quantum systems

The neutron interferometer is a unique instrument that allows one to construct a neutron wave packet of macroscopic size, divide it into two components separated by centimeters, and then coherently recombine them. A number of experiments clearly showing the difference between quantum and classical theory have been performed with it, which are suitable for presentation in elementary quantum courses. This article presents a simple mathematical model of the interferometer, which can be used to illustrate clearly many of the surprising features of quantum systems. For example, one can describe an experiment to determine which component beam the neutron takes (an analog of the two-slit electron experiment). One can then trace in detail the loss of coherence of the wave function, rather than merely invoke the usual "handwaving" uncertainty arguments. The author discusses the effect of gravity on the neutron beam [the classic COW (Colella, Overhauser, and Werner) experiment], including a simple analysis in an accelerated reference frame, and its relation to the equivalence principle, the red shift, and the twin paradox. Also described are the effect of rotation of the neutron by 360\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to change its phase, the effect on the wave function of measuring the absence of the particle from a beam ("Dicke's paradox"), and a realizable version of Wheeler's "delayed-choice" experiments, as well as their relation to the problem of "Schr\"odinger's cat." The treatment is suitable for bright undergraduates and first-year graduate students.
Social Control of Voluntary Work Activity The Gift Horse Syndrome

Work activities which are highly valued are often reserved for performance by "pro fessional" workers. The presumption is that such workers perform at higher levels, are more highly motivated, and are subject to strong mternal social control. A notable exception to this pattern is found in the prevalence of voluntary first aid squads. The examination of such squads allows numerous theoretical and pragmatic questions to be raised concerning the exercise of social control over important, but voluntarily performed, work. At the theoretical level, the issues ofprofessionalism, motivations, and social control are examined. On a more practical plane, various costs and benefits associated with voluntary provisions of emergency medical services are discussed. Finally, conclusions are offered concerning the theoretical nature of the so-called "gift horse syndrome," and other applications are identified.
Targeting the farmer decision making process: A pathway to increased adoption of integrated weed management

Abstract The readily measured benefits of herbicides must be balanced against the risks imposed upon society, the environment, and the long-term sustainability of agricultural economies. Integrated weed management (IWM) approaches are one means to achieve this balance. The decision models of weed scientists and Ohio farmers were developed and compared to identify gaps in knowledge. The results indicate that farmers understand but do not practice IWM. The failure to adopt may be attributable to gaps in their understanding of the human role in weed dispersal, their focus on the risks associated with weeds without recognition of their ecological benefits, and the tendency to overlook risks associated with management. However, educators may also fail to promote IWM within the frame of farmers' experience and belief structure. Targeted communication efforts that address key misperceptions, and highlight the cost-effective nature of integrated approaches, may increase adoption of IWM and ultimately increase sustainability of the agro-ecosystem.
Racial Microaggressions Against Black Counseling and Counseling Psychology Faculty: A Central Challenge in the Multicultural Counseling Movement

This article reports on the results of a qualitative study of Black faculty working in counseling and counseling psychology programs. This investigation involved the use of semistructured interviews to explore the racial microaggressions Black faculty members reportedly experienced in academia. Results of the analysis indicated that 7 primary microaggression themes were perceived by the participants, including alternating feelings of invisibility and hypervisibility, receiving inadequate mentoring, and difficulties determining whether discrimination was race or gender based.
Selective Shunting for Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients with Recent Stroke

Objective Many surgeons favor routine shunting during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with recent stroke who otherwise prefer selective shunt placement for other indications of CEA. We analyzed the results of CEA in this group of patients with the strategy of selective shunting. Methods A retrospective review was performed of 59 patients (group A) undergoing CEA ≤8 weeks of a stroke (2000-2014) from two midsized teaching hospitals with stroke certification; of these, 38 patients had CEA ≤2 weeks and 21 other had CEA >2 weeks but Results The study population consisted of 59 patients (36 males and 23 females) in group A with mean age of 70.5 ± 10.7 years. Carotid duplex imaging revealed contralateral internal carotid artery stenosis of P P > .05). Conclusions Shunt requirement during CEA for acute stroke is similar to other indications of CEA. Patients undergoing CEA for recent stroke had similar incidence of postoperative new neurologic deficit/mortality, MI, and cranial nerve palsy compared with other indications of CEA but had a higher incidence of perioperative seizures.
Frequency-Dependent Breakdown of Wave Propagation Into Fibrillatory Conduction Across the Pectinate Muscle Network in the Isolated Sheep Right Atrium

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may result from stationary reentry in the left atrium (LA), with fibrillatory conduction toward the right atrium (RA). We hypothesize that periodic input to the RA at an exceedingly high frequency results in disorganized wave propagation, compatible with fibrillatory conduction. Simultaneous endocardial and epicardial optical mapping (di-4-ANEPPS) was performed in isolated, coronary-perfused sheep RA. Rhythmic pacing of Bachmann's bundle allowed well-controlled and realistic conditions for LA-driven RA. Pacing at increasingly higher frequencies (2.0 to 6.0 Hz) led to increasing delays in activation distal to major branching sites of the crista terminalis and pectinate bundles, culminating in spatially distributed intermittent blockade at or above approximately 6.5 Hz. At this "breakdown frequency," the direction of RA propagation became completely variable from beat to beat and thus transformed into fibrillatory conduction. Such frequency-dependent changes were independent of action potential duration. Rather, the spatial boundaries between proximal and distal frequencies correlated well with branch sites of the pectinate musculature. Thus, there exists a breakdown frequency in the sheep RA below which activity is periodic throughout the atrium and above which it is fibrillation-like. The data are consistent with the ideas that during AF, high-frequency activation initiated in the LA undergoes fibrillatory conduction toward the RA, and that sink-to-source effect at branch points of the crista terminalis and pectinate muscles is important in determining the complexity of the arrhythmia.
Conformational analysis and molecular dynamics simulation of cellobiose and larger cellooligomers

The conformational behavior of cellobiose (n-glc-β(1→4)-n-glc), cellotetraose, and cellooctaose was studied by a combination of energy minimization and molecular dynamics simulations in vacuo at 400 K. These di- and oligosaccharide models have considerable flexibilily and exhibit avariety of different motions in glycosidic and exocyclic torsions. The glycosidic O, ψ torsions moved frequently between two local minima on the cellobiose energy surface in the region of known crystal structures. Transitions of the hydroxymethyl side chain were observed between gt, gg, and tg conformations accompanied by changes in intramolecular hydrogen bonding patterns. A reasonable fit to the experimental optical rotation and nuclear magnetic resonance vicinal coupling data of cellobiose in solution required a distribution of its conformations
IOOS data management activities

The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) will provide information about open oceans and US coastal waters and Great Lakes to scientists, managers, businesses, governments, and the public in order to support research, to inform decision-making, and to enable new applications and derived products beyond the original intent of the data gathering. Programmatically, IOOS is a component of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been assigned the role of lead federal agency in this endeavor. Technically, IOOS includes or interfaces with existing observing systems, data providers and archives, and collaborates in developing additional capabilities in observations, data management and data use. The NOAA IOOS office has established a limited-scope data-management prototype and is developing an architecture to extend and augment that prototype. This paper introduces a general architecture for IOOS and discusses specific standardization and implementation activities in that context.
Technology and the news: what we don't know

It is the contention of the News in the Future research consortium at the MIT Media Laboratory that effective communication requires messages rich in description. These descriptions, when created with consideration of the context of both the individual and the community receiving them, can result in an engaging and useful message. The critical underlying technologies of information technology are those that give the user access and relevancy. These technologies include machine understanding of content, observation of context, and instructive mediation between message provider and message recipient. Just as critical as the engineering issues are questions of how information technology becomes: a part of the social fabric within communities; a catalyst for creating communities of interest; and a means of facilitating community introspection. The author poses questions of what is not known about the impact of technology on news. The discussion of what is not known is organized into five categories: cognition, context, communication, community, and commerce. In articulating questions, he briefly mentions some of the working systems being developed at MIT that hopefully will provide the insight necessary to answer these questions.
A study on speech feature extraction and application in mandarin LVCSR

Noise is a pivotal factor that reduces recognition accuracy of a speech recognition system. So how to extract effective speech characters is very important for a speech recognition system to increase accuracy. The paper analyses speech feature extraction and improves it. The experiments indicate that the algorithm combination LDA+MLLT+CMS has a better robustness than other combinations. Average syllable recognition rate reach 43.88% by using it in conditions with noise. The algorithm combination has also a good performance in Mandarin large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR). Syllable recognition accuracy achieves 83.68%. Therefore the combination has a good effect on speech recognition system.
Pentoxifylline attenuates stored blood-induced inflammation: A new perspective on an old problem

Background Blood transfusion is a risk factor for many inflammatory processes. Its supernatant fraction has been proven to activate neutrophils. We hypothesized that pentoxifylline (PTX) would attenuate stored blood-induced neutrophil activation and pro-inflammatory mediator production. Methods Whole blood was incubated with HBSS, LPS (100 μg/mL), leukoreduced PRBC supernatant + LPS, or supernatant + LPS + PTX (2 mmol/L). TNF-α levels were measured by ELISA. MMP-9 was evaluated with zymography. Neutrophil CD66b expression was determined by flow cytometry in blood treated with HBSS, fMLP (1 μmol/L), supernatant + fMLP, or supernatant + fMLP + PTX. Results TNF-α levels were elevated in both the LPS and supernatant + LPS groups (100%; P Conclusions PTX downregulates CD66b and TNF-α expression in supernatant-induced whole blood. Because blood transfusion can contribute to inflammatory injury, the adjunctive use of PTX may have therapeutic potential.
Uric acid, urea, and ammonia concentrations in serum and uric acid concentration in excreta as indicators of amino acid utilization in diets for broilers

Five experiments were conducted to determine if serum uric acid, serum urea N (SUN), serum ammonia, and the uric acid content of the excreta (UAE) could be used to determine the efficacy of amino acid (AA) utilization in diets for broilers. All experiments were conducted with Ross x Ross 308 or 708 broilers from 0 to 14 or 0 to 18 d posthatching in brooder batteries. Treatments had 6 or 7 replications with at least 6 broilers per replicate pen. All diets were corn and soybean meal-based and formulated to contain 1.0% Ca and 0.45% nonphytate P and to meet or exceed the requirements of all nutrient requirements except total Lys, Met, and Thr (experiment 1) or Met (experiments 2 to 5). Experiment 1 consisted of 2 dietary treatments. Diet 1 was formulated to be deficient in Lys, Thr, and Met and diet 2 was formulated to be adequate in all nutrients. Broilers fed the AA-adequate diet had increased (P<0.01 to 0.03) ADG, ADFI, and G:F compared with broilers fed the AA-deficient diet. Serum uric acid, SUN, serum ammonia, and UAE were not affected (P=0.34 to 0.70) by dietary treatment. In experiments 2 to 5, diets contained 1.35% total Lys, 2 levels of Met (0.50 or 0.76 TSAA:Lys), and without or with Gly supplementation up to 2.32% Gly+Ser. Broilers fed diets containing supplemental Met in experiments 2 to 5 had increased (P=0.01 to 0.03) ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Gain:feed was increased (P=0.01 to 0.07) in broilers fed supplemental Gly. Serum uric acid and SUN were decreased (P<0.01) after a 2-h fast in broilers fed supplemental Met and Gly. Serum uric acid and SUN also were decreased at other times after fasting, but the 2-h fast gave the most consistent response. Uric acid content of the excreta was decreased (P<0.01) in broilers fed supplemental Met. Serum ammonia was decreased (P<0.01 to 0.02) in experiments 2, 3, and 4 at varying times postfeeding but was not affected by diet in experiment 5. The results of this research indicate that serum uric acid, SUN, and UAE concentrations can be used as an indicator of AA utilization in broilers fed AA-adequate and AA-deficient diets.
Curology: A Basic Science Related to Nursing

Basic sciences focus on specific types of variables. At present nursing must draw from a number of sciences to create the variables and measurements for research. It is proposed that the cluster of variables needed to advance nursing research is so unique that a new basic science should be developed to study the integration of the variables prior to application in studies of patient care. Curology would be that science. Nursing is thus unusual among professions in that it must generate its own basic science as well as applied science. This is a result of the unusual clusters of interacting variables that come into play in the science of care. This paper is intended to provide a framework for thought about a basic science of variables related to patient care. Some ideas are suggested as beginning points for future development.
Moisture relationships of the egg of the southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

The weight of eggs of the southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, nearly doubled during embryogenesis (7–8 days). Most of the water uptake of the eggs occurred between 24 and 72 hr of age. The period of maximal permeability of the egg and the time of maximum susceptibility to death from desiccation corresponded to the period of rapid water uptake. It is suggested that these phenomena are causally related. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG FEUCHTIGKEITSBEZIEHUNGEN DES EIES VON DIABROTICA UNDECIMPUNCTATA HOWARDI (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) Das Ei von Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi wiegt 48,1 ± 2 μg zur Zeit der Eiablage und 84,6 ± 5 μg im Zeitpunkt des Schlupfens, 7–8 d spater. Die Hauptwasseraufnahme liegt zwischen 24 und 72 h nach der Eiablage. Die Permeabilitat des Eis ist maximal zwischen 24 und 72 h. Setzt man Eier verschiedenen Alters verschiedenen RF aus, so ergibt sich folgendes: Eier jeden Alters uberleben, wenn sie bei 100% RF bebrutet werden; dagegen uberleben keine Eier, wenn sie bei weniger als 100% RF (d.h. bei 98; 97,5; 96; 85 oder 75%) bebrutet werden, falls sie in diese Feuchtigkeiten gebracht werden bevor sie 72 h alt sind. In jeglichem Alter nach 72 h nimmt die uberlebensrate mit zunehmender RF zu. Eier, die trockener Luft ausgesetzt werden, sind maximal empfindlich gegenuber Tod durch Austrocknen im Alter von 48 h. Die Perioden maximaler Permeabilitat des Eies und die Zeit der hochsten Austrocknungsempfindlichkeit korrespondieren mit der Periode der raschen Wasseraufnahme.
Induction of nitric oxide synthase mRNA in coronary resistance arteries isolated from exercise-trained pigs

The purpose of this study was to develop a method by which endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) mRNA expression could be measured in single coronary resistance arteries and to test the hy...
Scientific Visualization of Multidimensional Data: Genetic Likelihood Visualization

Although many computer graphic technologies have been developed for visualizing multidimensional multivariate data, the scientific visualization used by research scientists to interpret genetics data is very promising technique. In this paper, we present our research in a scientific visualization on linkage analysis data to enhance the performance or the efficiency of genetic likelihood research.
Understanding dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the lungs during primary infection.

Understanding how inhaled Mycobacterium tuberculosis achieves dramatic replication and crosses the alveolar barrier to establish systemic latent infection, before adaptive immunity is elicited in humans, is limited by the small infecting inoculum carried in aerosol droplets (1–5 μm diameter) and the inability to identify the time of infection. M. tuberculosis is believed to disseminate via infected macrophages. However, like other invasive bacterial pathogens, M. tuberculosis could also cross the barrier directly using adhesins and toxins. An in vitro alveolar barrier mimicking the gas-exchange regions of the alveolus was devised comprising monolayers of human alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells cultured on opposing sides of a basement membrane. Migration of dissemination-competent strains of M. tuberculosis, and dissemination-attenuated M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis mutant strains lacking adhesin/toxin ESAT-6 and adhesin HBHA were tested for macrophage-free migration across the barrier. Strains that disseminate similarly in vivo migrated similarly across the in vitro alveolar barrier. Strains lacking ESAT-6 expression/secretion were attenuated, and absence of both ESAT-6 and HBHA increased attenuation of bacterial migration across the barrier. Thus, as reported for other bacteria, M. tuberculosis utilizes adhesins and toxins for macrophage-independent crossing of the alveolar barrier. This in vitro model will allow identification and characterization of molecules/mechanisms employed by M. tuberculosis to establish systemic latent tuberculosis infection during primary infection.
Wound Ballistics Modeling for Blast Loading Blunt Force Impact and Projectile Penetration.

Light body armor development for the warfighter is based on trial-and-error testing of prototype designs against ballistic projectiles. Torso armor testing against blast is nonexistent but necessary to protect the heart and lungs. In tests against ballistic projectiles, protective apparel is placed over ballistic clay and the projectiles are fired into the armor/clay target. The clay represents the human torso and its behind-armor, permanent deflection is the principal metric used to assess armor protection. Although this approach provides relative merit assessment of protection, it does not examine the behind-armor blunt trauma to crucial torso organs. We propose a modeling and simulation (M&S) capability for wound injury scenarios to the head, neck, and torso of the warfighter. We will use this toolset to investigate the consequences of, and mitigation against, blast exposure, blunt force impact, and ballistic projectile penetration leading to damage of critical organs comprising the central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. We will leverage Sandia codes and our M&S expertise on traumatic brain injury to develop virtual anatomical models of the head, neck, and torso and the simulation methodology to capture the physics of wound mechanics. Specifically, we will investigate virtual wound injuries to the head, neck, and torsomore » without and with protective armor to demonstrate the advantages of performing injury simulations for the development of body armor. The proposed toolset constitutes a significant advance over current methods by providing a virtual simulation capability to investigate wound injury and optimize armor design without the need for extensive field testing.« less
Beetle ( Xyletinus peltatus ) and Parasite Exit Hole Densities and Beetle Larval Populations in Southern Pine Floor Joists

Mean densities were determined for Xyletinus peltatus (Harris) exit holes, parasite holes, and beetle larvae per 0.0929 m2 (ft2) of joist surface in 19 naturally infested buildings built during World War II. Maximum densities for individual samples were 381 for beetles, 72 for parasites, and 65 for larvae. Only 4 buildings had mean beetle hole densities >26. After >30 yr of exposure, over 66% of the 1550 samples had <10 holes but 16% had 70 holes/0.0929 m2. Number of larvae within wood was not significantly correlated with number of adult exit holes. Braconid parasites probably reduced beetle populations, but did not control infestations. Factors influencing the activity and spread of an infestation are discussed.
Evidence for an impairment in the conversion of methionine to cysteine in the selenium-deficient chick.

AbstractExperiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary sulfur-containing amino acids on the etiology of nutritional pancreatic atrophy (NPA) in the Se-deficient chick. Supplementation of a crystalline amino acid diet containing 0.82% methionine with 0.4% L-cystine resulted in significant improvements in growth, efficiency of feed utilization and chick survival, whereas supplementation with 0.4% L-methionine had no effect. L-Cystine supplementation did not significantly affect plasma Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity, or prevent NPA. The addition of graded levels of L-cystine to a diet marginally adequate in methionine resulted in maximal gain in body weight and efficiency of feed utilization with 45 mmole half-cystine equivalents per kilogram. Supplementation of the same diet with equimolar amounts of L-methionine did not show significant improvements in these parameters unless the diet was also supplemented with Se. Plasma-free amino acid analyses showed significant reductions ...
Structural Behavior of Rail Fastening System Used for Recycled Plastic Composite Crossties

Currently, the railroad industry is leaning towards alternative solutions to hardwood timber for crossties applications. This trend is part of an effort to increase train speeds beyond the wooden crossties capacity and minimize the negative environmental effects associated with them. Among the available alternatives are recycled plastic composite crossties. Their sustainably, environmental benefits, durability performance and ease of installation or one to one replacement of timber crossties render them an attractive and competitive solution. Several research programs have studied this material in the past. However, additional research is required to fully understand the behavior of these materials. This study aims to investigate the performance of fastening system used for recycled High Density Polyethylene crossties. The study encompasses comprehensive experimental investigations and analytical finite element modeling. The testing program evaluated each of the fastening system components using static test methods recommended by the AREMA manual. These tests addressed the spike pullout and lateral restraint for both screw and cut spikes as well as the fastening system uplift behavior. Moreover cyclic testing was also conducted on the full system to study the interactions of the fastening system components with the plastic composite crosstie. Finite element models were constructed and calibrated using the experimental data in order to extrapolate on the experimental results and predict different scenarios. The results observed in this study showed great promise highlighting the potential of these material if properly optimized and engineered.© 2015 ASME
Mining the Grand Canyon to Save It: The Orphan Lode Uranium Mine and National Security

The Orphan Lode Uranium Mine, on the Grand Canyon's South Rim, offers a case study of the changing definition of national security in the Cold War American West. At the nexus of changing environmental, economic, energy, and national defense values, the mines history complicates current views on nuclearism, interregional colonialism, and resource exploitation in national parks.
Numerical simulation on static aerodynamic forces of vehicles and bridges under cross winds

The exact identification of the aerodynamic parameters of vehicles and bridges needed for the coupling vibration analysis of the wind-vehicle-bridge system.The model of bridge and the model of coupled system of bridges and vehicles were built and the static aerodynamic forces of bridges and vehicles at different wind attack angles in high and low turbulence wind fields were calculated by the method of computational fliud dynamics(CFD) in this paper.The influence of vehicles on the static aerodynamic forces of bridge,the influence of wind attack angles on the static aerodynamic forces of vehicle and the influence of turbulent characteristics on the static aerodynamic forces of vehicle and bridge were investigated.The results show that the static aerodynamic forces of bridge at different wind attack angles are larger due to the interference of the vehicle.The wind attack angles have great influence on the static aerodynamic force/moment coefficients of the vehicle.The turbulence has some influence on the force/moment coefficients,but almost has no influence on those of the bridge.
Effect of incident angle on crack propagation at interfaces

Abstract The effect of incident angle on crack deflection versus penetration has not been widely studied using a combined stress-and-energy criterion. This work does so by using a cohesive-zone method and dimensionless parameters. Results show deflection becomes more likely as angle decreases with greatest sensitivity to angular change at large angles. Deflection becomes increasingly strength-ratio dependent at small angles due to a shared crack-tip stress field. As fracture length scale decreases, deflection becomes more likely. Normalized toughness is shown to have a small effect on results. Significant is the insight provided on propagation behavior and the simplification in the use of a stress-and-energy criterion.
A supportive care clinic for cancer patients embedded within an oncology practice.

BACKGROUND Most cancer patients have symptoms from their disease or treatment. Symptoms are not ideally managed in the context of busy clinics, resulting in potentially avoidable emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Adjunct supportive care clinics (SCCs) may more effectively address patient needs, but they contribute to fractionation of care if different personnel are involved. OBJECTIVE We describe an SCC embedded within a physician practice in which an employed nurse practitioner delivered most of the care. We measured the disposition of patients from the SCC to the ED, and the effect on ED visits and admissions for symptom management. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of the patients attending the SCC over a period of 11 months. Demographics and disposition outcomes were tracked and compared with pre-intervention controls. RESULTS In all, 340 visits were recorded from 330 unique patients. Same-day and next-day appointments with a nurse practitioner were arranged for 62% and 25% of patients, respectively. The most common complaints related to pain and gastrointestinal issues. Most of the patients were discharged home. A few needed hospitalization or ED-level care. Admissions for symptom-related care fell by 31%. An estimated 66 ED visits were avoided by patients accessing the SCC. LIMITATIONS The study was retrospective. It did not include detailed fnancial data. Results may not be generalizable because of the high level of central planning and use of a shared electronic medical record system, which may be lacking in some practices. CONCLUSIONS An embedded supportive care clinic allowed rapid access to experienced oncology care under supervision by the patient's own oncologists. The clinic was associated with less use of the ED and need for hospitalization. New methods of reimbursing medical care will increasingly require oncology practices to improve patient access to symptom-related care to avoid unnecessary admissions. An embedded SCC can accomplish these goals while avoiding further fractionation of care.
Transglutaminase-Catalyzed Formation of Alzheimer-Like Insoluble Complexes from Recombinant Tau

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease in which abnormal filamentous inclusions accumulate in dystrophic and dying nerve cells. These inclusions have been described as neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of which paired helical filaments (PHFs) are the primary constituents (1-3). The PHFs primarily are composed of the microtubule-associated protein tau, which has undergone posttranslational modification such as phosphorylation (4,5), glycation (6-9), and crosslinking by transglutaminase (TGase) (10-16). Crosslinking of proteins catalyzed by TGase results in the deposition of these proteins into insoluble matrices that are resistant to proteolytic digestion and chaotropic denaturation (for review see ref. 17). In this regard, TGase has been demonstrated to be associated with NFTs from the Alzheimer brain (13,14) and to exhibit elevated activity in the AD brain as compared with normal aged-matched control subjects (16). Here we discuss important aspects of TGase and in vitro experimental approaches that address its ability to catalyze the tau protein into insoluble complexes exhibiting biophysical and immuno-logical properties similar to those of the Alzheimer PHFs and NFTs.
Effects of Fasciola hepatica infection on responses of rats to reinfection with Salmonella dublin.

The survival rate of rats given potentially lethal doses of 7·6 × 10 8 to 10 9 Salmonella dublin intraperitoneally was enhanced in those which had been infected six weeks previously with 10 2 S dublin by the same route. Fasciola hepatica given six weeks before or one week after 10 2 S dublin did not alter the survival rate of rats reinfected with S dublin. However high levels (10 4 to 10 6 per g) of 5 dublin persisted in the tissues and faeces of fluke-infected but not of fluke-free rats. Agglutinating antibody responses to S dublin were unimpaired in fluke-infected rats but cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reactions were slightly reduced. The humoral agglutinating antibody response may be important for survival of the host but other responses may be necessary for elimination of S dublin from the tissues.
A Mechatronics-Based Platform for In Situ Strain Measurement Through Mechanochromic Polymers

Mechanochromic polymers are a new class of active materials, whose fluorescence emission is controlled by their mechanical deformation. In this paper, we present a mechatronics-based platform for fluorescence detection and on-site testing of mechanochromic polymers. We envision the use of this technology in the development of new sensing systems, with applications in soft robotics and environmental engineering.