cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A method for estimating microporosity of fine‐grained sediments and sedimentary rocks via scanning electron microscope image analysis

This study presents a method of two-dimensional scanning electron microscope image analysis that directly quantifies microporosity abundance in clay-rich, fine-grained sediments. The method is novel in that it is specifically designed to circumvent the challenge to porosity quantification posed by mineral surface charging and topographical artifacts created during Ar-ion cross-section polishing. It utilizes the finding that differences in circularity values can be used to distinguish micropores from blemishes in a thresholded image. This method is powerful because it is fast and provides a direct microporosity estimation technique to augment or replace experimental data. The pore size range to which the method is applicable is clear and can be selected depending on the application of the analysis. When used appropriately, the method can be implemented on microporous sediments and sedimentary rock in general. The method is developed using marine muds of Pliocene and Miocene ages from the Nankai margin (burial depths from approximately 200 to 1100 m). The close match between imaging-derived microporosity and bulk N2 microporosity measurements shows that porosity in these young and relatively shallowly buried sediments is dominated by pores of sizes that can be imaged by scanning electron microscopy. In Kumano, forearc basin sediments of the Nankai Trough, results of this method show a significant increase in microporosity with burial depth, probably due to microporosity preservation during compaction and possibly early volcanic ash diagenesis.
Human dynamic orientation model applied to motion simulation

The Ormsby model of dynamic orientation, in the form of a discrete time computer program was used to predict non-visually induced sensations during an idealized coordinated aircraft turn. To predict simulation fidelity, the Ormsby model was used to assign penalties for incorrect attitude and angular rate perceptions. It was determined that a three rotational degree of freedom simulation should remain faithful to attitude perception even at the expense of incorrect angular rate sensations. Implementing this strategy, a simulation profile for the idealized turn was designed for a Link GAT-1 trainer. A simple optokinetic display was added to improve the fidelity of roll rate sensations.
Angiotensin II and the maturation of renal cortical Na+/H+ exchanger activity during fetal life in sheep.

The postnatal rise in renal Na+ reabsorption is associated with an increase in proximal tubule apical membrane Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity in sheep. Inasmuch as circulating angiotensin II (ANG II) levels increase immediately after birth and ANG II is known to upregulate NHE activity in the adult proximal tubule, we postulated that ANG II plays a role in mediating maturational changes in NHE activity. We therefore studied the effects of ANG II infusion (10 micrograms/h) for 24 h on renal cortical NHE activity in chronically instrumented, twin ovine fetuses (129 +/- 2 days gestation, term is 145 days, n = 10 pairs); one twin of each pair served as a control. After 24 h, the fetuses were killed and brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were prepared from the renal cortices. Postinfusion plasma ANG II levels were significantly higher and plasma renin activities were significantly lower in treated fetuses compared with controls. Kinetic analysis revealed an increase in NHE activity after ANG II treatment; however, the difference was not statistically significant: maximal velocity (in nmol.s-1.mg protein-1) control 1.65 +/- 0.50, treated 2.31 +/- 0.66 (P = 0.11, n = 9 pairs); Michaelis constant control 8.29 +/- 1.17 mM, treated 9.84 +/- 1.26 mM (P = 0.11). Northern blots of total RNA from the cortices of these animals were hybridized to a D-[32P]UTP-labeled antisense RNA probe prepared from a 1.3-kb rat NHE3 cDNA fragment. There were no differences between the groups in NHE3 mRNA levels (32P counts were control 413 +/- 54, treated 340 +/- 46). ANG II does not appear to play an important role in the regulation of NHE activity in the proximal tubule of the near-term sheep fetus.
Finite Element Model for Composite Masonry

A two-dimensional composite element is developed in this study that is capable of predicting the out-of-plane interlaminar shearing stresses between the brick and block wythes without using a three-dimensional finite element model. This composite element is utilized in two-dimensional analyses in a plane-strain condition. The results of these analyses are compared with those using the plane-strain finite element models. These comparisons indicate that the two-dimensional composite element models predict interlaminar shearing stresses in the collar joint that are in good agreement with those obtained from the plane-strain models. Although the composite element is initially developed for only elastic conditions in an unreinforced collar joint without any consideration to fracture and failure, these criteria can be easily incorporated in the proposed model.
Effects 10

Effects 10 (Sam Glassenberg): A review the Direct3D 10 Effects System -- a series of APIs to efficiently abstract and manage GPU device state, shaders, and constants. This talk covers the methods to reflect and manage material content as effect (.fx) files. [45 minutes]
Lateral Earth Pressure Against the Facing of Segmental GRS Walls

Current design methods borrowed from the design concepts for externally stabilized retaining walls and adopted the Rankine or Coulomb earth pressure theories for design of segmental Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil (GRS) walls. The earth pressure is used to determine the minimum reinforcement strength, minimum reinforcement length, and required connection strength between facing blocks. There is a myth that the connection strength of the wall facing needs to be sufficiently high in order to resist the Rankine or Coulomb lateral earth pressure. Such a design procedure has encouraged the use of heavy facing blocks and the use of pins and lips to increase resistance to lateral earth pressure on the wall face. This paper addresses the lateral earth pressure against the facing. Case studies on the subject of facing lateral earth pressure are presented and discussed. The bin pressure concept is introduced and recommended for evaluation of facing connection strength requirements in design.
Analysis of the sub-barrier fusion of O 16 + Sm 1 4 8 , 1 5 0 , 1 5 2 , 1 5 4

Recent measurements of the sub-barrier fusion of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ with isotopes of Sm, which span the transition region from spherical to deformed equilibrium shapes, are analyzed in terms of static and dynamic reaction models. The classical equivalent-spheres method of incorporating the effect of nuclear deformation on heavy-ion fusion is shown to overpredict the experimentally observed differences in the fusion cross sections. An approximate, classical estimate of dynamic effects connected with the rotation of the target before fusion removes part, but not all, of this discrepancy. Coupled-channels calculations, which treat dynamic effects through the excitation of the ${2}^{+}$ and ${4}^{+}$ levels, are also presented. An estimate is given of the effects one may expect to observe for fusion with a polarized deformed target.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Barrier-penetration analysis of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{fusion}}$ for $^{16}\mathrm{O}$+$^{148,\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}150,\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}152,\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}154}\mathrm{Sm}$, ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=60\ensuremath{-}75$ MeV, including effects of static deformation. Consideration of dynamic effects. Coupled-channels analysis.
Toward Promotion of the Marketing Planning Process

A survey was conducted to determine whether a lack of executive agreement with published theory is a significant impediment to field implementation of formalized marketing planning in various sized firms. There was substantial agreement regarding the adequacy of published statements about the nature of formalized planning.
The discovery and study on the epidemic focus of Lyme disease in Tientsin,China

To find out the natural focus of Lyme disease in area of Tientsin through investigating the natural population, animal hosts and vectors, Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to investigate the residents of 10 sites in Ji county of Tientsin which were chosen by means of stratified cluster sampling; The animal hosts and vectors were studied by cultivation of pathogen , PCR and indirect Immunofluorescence Assay. The serum samples of 905 residents showed that the infectious rate of natural population was 5.97%. The infectious rates of rats from the areas were 32.00%. There are five positive samples from Apodemus agrarius, Eutamias sibiricus, and Pattusnorvegicus. The sequence analysis shows they are belong to Borrelia garinii. A total number of 1226 ticks were collected from the forest area of Tientsin, including 1 family 2 genus 2 species. Haemaphysalis longicornis is the dominant species. The rate of bacteria borne by Haemaphysalis longicornis is 4.67%. No strains of Borrelia burgdorferi were isolated from rats and ticks. It is the first time to report that the forest area in Jixian of Tientsin maybe is one of the epidemic focus of Lyme disease in China.
Statistical Power in the Detection of Matrix Effects

Matrix-induced biases can adversely affect the performance evaluation a clinical laboratory receives on proficiency testing results. Therefore, it is vital that matrix effects from a matrix-biased system are detected and that laboratories using these systems are not falsely penalized on their proficiency testing results. The College of American Pathologists has developed an experimental protocol to test whether an observed bias is, in fact, due to the proficiency testing sample matrix rather than true performance or calibration problems. The probability of detecting a matrix effect using this protocol given a matrix-biased system is defined as statistical power
Rheumatologic therapy for the 1990s. Evolution or revolution

The 1980s was a decade of immunologic, biochemical, and pharmaceutical advances in the treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases. The therapeutic revolution will continue into the 1990s, and this article reviews several areas of change and controversy that have developed.
Atomic and electronic structure of Lomer dislocations at CdTe bicrystal interface

Extended defects are of considerable importance in determining the electronic properties of semiconductors, especially in photovoltaics (PVs), due to their effects on electron-hole recombination. We employ model systems to study the effects of dislocations in CdTe by constructing grain boundaries using wafer bonding. Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) of a [1–10]/(110) 4.8° tilt grain boundary reveals that the interface is composed of three distinct types of Lomer dislocations. Geometrical phase analysis is used to map strain fields, while STEM and density functional theory (DFT) modeling determine the atomic structure at the interface. The electronic structure of the dislocation cores calculated using DFT shows significant mid-gap states and different charge-channeling tendencies. Cl-doping is shown to reduce the midgap states, while maintaining the charge separation effects. This report offers novel avenues for exploring grain boundary effects in CdTe-based solar cells by fabricating controlled bicrystal interfaces and systematic atomic-scale analysis.
Lipopolysaccharide and IL-1β coordinate a synergy on cytokine production by upregulating MyD88 expression in human gingival fibroblasts

Both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin (IL)-1β activate the MyD88-dependent signaling pathways to stimulate proinflammatory cytokine expression. However, it remains unknown how LPS and IL-1β interact with each other to coordinate the stimulation. In this study, we sought to investigate the interaction between LPS and IL-1β on MyD88-dependent signaling pathways in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Results showed that LPS derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg LPS) and IL-1β cooperatively stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathways, and subsequent expression of proinflammatory cytokine expression. Furthermore, our results showed that Pg LPS and IL-1β exerted a synergy on MyD88 expression and knockdown of MyD88 expression by small interfering RNA diminished the synergistic effect of Pg LPS and IL-1β on IL-6 expression, suggesting that upregulation of MyD88 is involved in the coordinated stimulation by Pg LPS and IL-1β of proinflammatory cytokine expression. Finally, our results showed that pharmacological inhibitors for MAPK and NFκB significantly reduced IL-6 secretion stimulated by Pg LPS and IL-1β, indicating that the MyD88-dependent MAPK and NFκB signaling pathways are essential for the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression by Pg LPS and IL-1β. Taken together, this study showed that LPS and IL-1β coordinate a synergy on cytokine production by upregulating MyD88 expression in HGFs.
Commentary on "A new drug with a nasty bite: A case of krokodil-induced skin necrosis in an intravenous drug user".

To the Editor: In a recent article in JAAD Case Reports, Haskin and colleagues1 implicate krokodil as the cause of skin lesions in a young woman with ongoing intravenous drug abuse. The only evidence supporting krokodil as the cause is the history from the patient. With no analytical confirmation, either from bodily fluids from the patient or from the injected substance, it is difficult to accept that krokodil (illegally synthesized desomorphine) caused the lesions in question. There are no substantiated cases of krokodil use in North America, despite a flurry of lay media reports in 2013 and one similarly unsubstantiated case report here in Saint Louis.2
Synchronous and Asynchronous Distance Delivery Experiences from Two Faculty Members in Special Education at UNC Charlotte

In Special Education at UNC Charlotte, we have been delivering course work in various distance delivery formats (e.g., two-way interactive TV, videoconferencing over the Internet, asynchronous onli...
Heart Rate Variability and Cognitive Function In Middle-Age Adults: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults

BACKGROUND Low heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of cardiac autonomic dysfunction, has been associated with major risk factors of cognitive impairment. Yet, the direct association of HRV with cognitive function remains relatively unexplored, particularly in midlife. METHODS In 2005, 2 measures of short-term HRV, the SD of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), were calculated for participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, and then categorized into quartiles. Five years later, 3 cognitive tests were administered for verbal memory ("Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test", RAVLT, range 0-15), processing speed ("Digit Symbol Substitution Test", DSST, range 0-133), and executive function ("Stroop interference"). RESULTS Two thousand one hundred and eighteen participants (57.7% female, 42.2% Black) with a mean baseline age of 45.3 years were included in this analysis. In demographic-adjusted models, compared to participants with quartile 1 SDNN (lowest quartile), participants in the upper quartiles of SDNN scored better on the DSST (quartile 4: β = 1.83 points better, P = 0.03; and quartile 3: β = 1.95 points better, P = 0.03) and on the stroop (quartile 3: β = 1.19 points better, P < 0.05; and quartile2: β = 1.44 points better, P = 0.02). After adjusting for behavioral and cardiovascular risk factors, higher quartile SDNN remained significantly associated with better stroop score (quartile 3: β = 1.21 points better, P = 0.04; and quartile 2: β = 1.72 points better, P < 0.01) but not with DSST. There was no association between quartile of RMSSD and cognitive function, from fully adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that higher quartile SDDN is associated with better executive function in midlife, above, and beyond cardiovascular risk factors.
Effective Attenuation of Adenosine A1R Signaling by Neurabin Requires Oligomerization of Neurabin.

The adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) is a key mediator of the neuroprotective effect by endogenous adenosine. Yet targeting this receptor for neuroprotection is challenging due to its broad expression throughout the body. A mechanistic understanding of the regulation of A1R signaling is necessary for the future design of therapeutic agents that can selectively enhance A1R-mediated responses in the nervous system. In this study, we demonstrate that A1R activation leads to a sustained localization of regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) at the plasma membrane, a process that requires neurabin (a neural tissue-specific protein). A1R and RGS4 interact with the overlapping regions of neurabin. In addition, neurabin domains required for oligomerization are essential for formation of the A1R/neurabin/RGS4 ternary complex, as well as for stable localization of RGS4 at the plasma membrane and attenuation of A1R signaling. Thus, A1R and RGS4 each likely interact with one neurabin molecule in a neurabin homo-oligomer to form a ternary complex, representing a novel mode of regulation of G protein–coupled receptor signaling by scaffolding proteins. Our mechanistic analysis of neurabin-mediated regulation of A1R signaling in this study will be valuable for the future design of therapeutic agents that can selectively enhance A1R-mediated responses in the nervous system.
Impact of a Modified Jigsaw Method for Learning an Unfamiliar, Complex Topic

Objective: The aim of this study was to use the jigsaw method with an unfamiliar, complex topic and to evaluate the effectiveness of the jigsaw teaching method on student learning of assigned material (“jigsaw expert”) versus non-assigned material (“jigsaw learner”). Innovation: The innovation was implemented in an advanced cardiology elective. Forty students were assigned a pre-reading and one of four valvular heart disorders, a topic not previously taught in the curriculum. A pre-test and post-test evaluated overall student learning. Student performance on pre/post tests as the “jigsaw expert” and “jigsaw learner” was also compared. Critical Analysis: Overall, the post-test mean score of 85.75% was significantly higher than that of the pre-test score of 56.75% (p<0.05). There was significant improvement in scores regardless of whether the material was assigned (“jigsaw experts” pre=58.8% and post=82.5%; p<0.05) or not assigned (“jigsaw learners” pre= 56.25% and post= 86.56%, p<0.05) for pre-study. Next Steps: The use of the jigsaw method to teach unfamiliar, complex content helps students to become both teachers and active listeners, which are essential to the skills and professionalism of a health care provider. Further studies are needed to evaluate use of the jigsaw method to teach unfamiliar, complex content on long-term retention and to further examine the effects of expert vs. non-expert roles. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties. Type: Note
Human papillomavirus (HPV) and somatic EGFR mutations are essential, mutually exclusive oncogenic mechanisms for inverted sinonasal papillomas and associated sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas

ABSTRACT Background Inverted sinonasal (Schneiderian) papilloma (ISP) is a locally aggressive neoplasm often associated with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). While the etiology of ISP is not well understood, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been detected in a subset of cases. Our group recently identified activating somatic EGFR mutations in the majority of ISP and ISP-associated SNSCC. However, the relationship between EGFR mutations and HPV infection has not been explored. Patients and methods We evaluated 58 ISP and 22 ISP-associated SNSCC (including 13 patients with matched ISP/SNSCC samples), as well as 14 SNSCC without clinical or pathologic evidence of an associated ISP. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples were evaluated for EGFR mutations using Sanger sequencing and for HPV infection using GP5+/GP6+ PCR. HPV subtyping based on the L1 sequence was done for HPV positive cases including temporally distinct tumors for four patients. Clinicopathologic data including progression free survival was also analyzed. Results All ISP and ISP-associated SNSCC demonstrated either an EGFR mutation or HPV infection. HPV and EGFR mutation were mutually exclusive in all cases of ISP-associated SNSCC and all but one ISP; this case was only weakly HPV positive, and analysis of a prior temporally distinct ISP specimen from this patient failed to show HPV infection, suggesting transient infection/incidental colonization. HPV subtypes in ISP and ISP-associated SNSCC were predominantly low-risk, in contrast with SNSCC without ISP association, which showed frequent high-risk HPV. All paired ISP and associated SNSCC samples demonstrated concordant HPV status and EGFR genotypes. ISP progression to SNSCC was significantly associated with the presence of HPV infection and the absence of an EGFR mutation (log-rank = 9.620, P = 0.002). Conclusions Collectively our data show that EGFR mutations and HPV infection represent essential, alternative oncogenic mechanisms in ISP and ISP-associated SNSCC.
Amorphic kinds: Cluster’s last stand?

I raise a puzzle case for “cluster” accounts of natural kinds—the homeostatic property cluster and stable property cluster accounts, especially—on the basis of their expected treatment of the metaphysics of certain disease kinds. Some kinds, I argue, fail to exhibit the co-instantiated property clusters these cluster views take to be (partly) constitutive of natural kinds. Some genetic diseases, for example, have archetypical instances with few or none of the pathological processes or symptoms associated with the kind: their instances are typified by a single dispositional property. I dub such kinds ‘amorphic’, owing to their limited morphology, and try out a number of ways in which these kinds might be treated in terms of property clusters, adapting responses cluster theorists have offered to the problem of polymorphic species. Finding these responses wanting, I conclude that cluster accounts are unlikely to be the best account of the metaphysics of amorphic kinds.
Aggregation in aqueous solutions of bovine lens gamma-crystallins: special role of gamma(s).

PURPOSE To study the aggregation of bovine gamma-crystallins in aqueous solutions and the effect of gamma(s)-crystallin on the aggregation of other gamma-crystallins. METHODS Aggregation in aqueous solutions of gamma(s)-, gammaII-, and gammaIVa-crystallin was monitored by quasielastic light scattering. Aggregation in mixtures of gamma(s)- and gammaII-crystallin, and gamma(s)- and gammaIVa-crystallin, was also monitored by light scattering. RESULTS All of the gamma-crystallins studied formed large aggregates (or "megamers") in aqueous solutions. However, each protein differed in the relative rates of formation of megamers. Gamma(s)-crystallin formed megamers much more slowly than gammaII- and gammaIVa-crystallin. In solutions containing mixtures of gammaII and gamma(s), and gammaIVa and gamma(s), gamma(s)-crystallin significantly suppressed the aggregation of gammaII- and gammaIVa-crystallin. Megamerization seemed to be associated with thiol oxidation in these proteins. CONCLUSIONS Gamma-crystallins undergo aggregation in which a small fraction of the proteins form a few large aggregates, whereas the larger proportion of the proteins remain monomeric. This suggests that the megamerization is preceded by an initial modification of the protein. The modification is associated with the thiol groups, and only such modified protein species participate in megamerization. The presence of gamma(s) significantly slows the megamerization of gammaII- and gammaIVa-crystallin. This fact, together with the previous finding that gamma(s) strongly reduces the phase separation temperatures of the gamma-crystallins, suggests that gamma(s)-crystallin plays an important role in suppressing the formation of light-scattering elements and helps maintain lens transparency.
Basalt — Seawater Exchange: A Perspective from an Experimental Viewpoint

The hydrothermal circulation of seawater through the ocean crust near spreading centers is not only responsible for dissipating about 30% of the heat generated by the emplacement of new crustal material (Sclater et al., 1981), but also for substantial chemical exchanges between the crust and the ocean. It has even been suggested that basalt-seawater interactions “buffer” the composition of the ocean with respect to certain elements. Submarine hot springs appear to discharge into the ocean quantities of manganese, rubidium and lithium equivalent to three, seven, and ten times the river fluxes of these three elements (see Table 1; also G. Thompson, this volume). Hydrothermal inputs in calcium and silica amount to 1/3 and 1/2, respectively, of the river fluxes whereas those in barium and potassium are of about the same order of magnitude as the river fluxes (see Table 1). On the other hand, quantities of magnesium of about the same order of magnitude as the river input seem to be taken up by the altered crust. The actual amounts of most of the various elements remobilized from crustal rocks by hydrothermal circulation are probably higher than those measured in the hot springs debouching on the sea floor because substantial quantities are left behind in the crust when secondary minerals precipitate in the cracks to form veins and cement of breccias. This is particularly true for calcium and silica which form the abundant veins of calcite, quartz, prehnite and various zeolites found in dredged and cored samples.
Roof Damage Assessment using Deep Learning

Industrial procedures can be inefficient in terms of time, money and consumer satisfaction. the rivalry among businesses' gradually encourages them to exploit intelligent systems to achieve such goals as increasing profits, market share, and higher productivity. The property casualty insurance industry is not an exception. The inspection of a roof's condition is a preliminary stage of the damage claim processing performed by insurance adjusters. When insurance adjusters inspect a roof, it is a time consuming and potentially dangerous endeavor. In this paper, we propose to automate this assessment using RGB imagery of rooftops that have been inflicted with damage from hail impact collected using small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) along with deep learning to infer the extent of roof damage (see Fig. I). We assess multiple convolutional neural networks on our unique rooftop damage dataset that was gathered using a sUAS. Our experiments show that we can accurately identify hail damage automatically using our techniques.
Decreased BRCA1 expression alters the response of MCF7 cells to estradiol and tamoxifen

2799 BRCA1 plays a role not only in inherited disease but also in sporadic breast cancer. Although genetic mutations are rare in sporadic breast cancers, several reports have found decreased BRCA1 protein levels in sporadic breast cancers. BRCA1 contains several functional domains that interact directly or indirectly with a variety of other molecules, including tumor suppressors, oncogenes, DNA damage repair proteins, cell-cycle regulators, transcriptional activators and repressors. Therefore, BRCA1 is likely to serve as an important central component in multiple biological pathways that regulate pathways involved in breast tumorigenesis. Furthermore, studies have shown a strong correlation between BRCA1 down-regulation and increased metastasis. The goal of this project is to investigate the effect of decreased BRCA1 protein expression estrogen signaling in MCF7 breast cancer cells stably expressing BRCA1 shRNA. To measure the effects of BRCA1 levels on proliferation, the MTT assay was conducted 1 through 5 days after cells were plated. Proliferation of MCF7/BRCA1 cells which have lower BRCA1 protein levels proliferate significantly faster than MCF7/scr cells. We found that decreased levels of the BRCA1 protein results in increased cell proliferation. Next, we looked at the effects of BRCA1 protein levels on response to estradiol and tamoxifen. Cells were treated with tamoxifen or estradiol and then the MTT assay was carried out 2, 3, 4 and 5 days after treatment. In the case of estradiol, we see a trend in that MCF7/BRCA1 cells proliferated at a higher rate than control MCF7/scr cells. In the case of tamoxifen, MCF7/BRCA1 cells were less responsive to tamoxifen compared to control MCF7/scr cells. After 5 days of treatment, 8 μM tamoxifen inhibited MCF7/scr cell proliferation by 10-15% greater than MCF7/BRCA1 cells. Overall, we found that decreasing BRCA1 protein levels increased baseline cell proliferation rates and desensitizes cells to the inhibitory effects of tamoxifen and shows a trend toward sensitizing cells to the proliferative effects of estradiol. To the mechanisms by which BRCA1 levels affect estrogen signaling, we performed two-dimensional liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry to identify proteins that are differential expressed in a BRCA1 dependent manner. As expected based on the increased proliferation seen in the MCF7/BRCA1 cells, many of the proteins increased in MCF7/BRCA1 represented metabolic proteins, suggesting a general in metabolic activity in cells where BRCA1 was decreased. Other proteins of potential interest include those involved in cell cycle control and tumor suppression, such as Mitotic Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Protein MAD1 and S-phase kinase-associated protein 1A. Our data shows that decreased BRCA1 expression induces changes in MCF7 cells consistent with a potential role of BRCA1 in metastasis and tamoxifen response in breast cancer.
Mid-Pregnancy Fructosamine Measurement-Predictive Value for Gestational Diabetes and Association with Postpartum Glycemic Indices.

Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy is cumbersome. Measurement of plasma fructosamine may help simplify the first step of detecting GDM. We aimed to assess the predictive value of mid-pregnancy fructosamine for GDM, and its association with postpartum glycemic indices. Among 1488 women from Project Viva (mean ± SD: 32.1 ± 5.0 years old; pre-pregnancy body mass index 24.7 ± 5.3 kg/m2), we measured second trimester fructosamine and assessed gestational glucose tolerance with a 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT) followed, if abnormal, by a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Approximately 3 years postpartum (median 3.2 years; SD 0.4 years), we measured maternal glycated hemoglobin (n = 450) and estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; n = 132) from fasting blood samples. Higher glucose levels 1 h post 50 g GCT were associated with higher fructosamine levels (Pearson’s r = 0.06; p = 0.02). However, fructosamine ≥222 µmol/L (median) had a sensitivity of 54.8% and specificity of 48.6% to detect GDM (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.52); other fructosamine thresholds did not show better predictive characteristics. Fructosamine was also weakly associated with 3-year postpartum glycated hemoglobin (per 1 SD increment: adjusted β = 0.03 95% CI [0.00, 0.05] %) and HOMA-IR (per 1 SD increment: adjusted % difference 15.7, 95% CI [3.7, 29.0] %). Second trimester fructosamine is a poor predictor of gestational glucose tolerance and postpartum glycemic indices.
Television use and its effects on sleep in early childhood

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of television (TV) viewing and bedroom TV presence on young children's sleep as measured by actigraphy. Design Analyses of covariance were run to examine differences in sleep duration and quality among children based on the presence of TVs in their bedrooms and the amount of TV watched. Setting Recruited in preschools in Massachusetts; recorded ambulatory (in home, environs). Participants Participants were 470 children between 33 and 71 months of age (M = 51.02). Measurements Children were instructed to wear an actigraph watch for 16 days. Caregivers reported demographic information, completed behavior questionnaires, and answered questions regarding their child's TV use. Results Children who watched more TV and had TVs in their bedroom displayed significantly shorter sleep duration and worse sleep, but they also napped significantly longer in the daytime. Nonetheless, total 24-hour sleep was shorter for those who watched more TV and had TVs in their bedroom compared to those who did not have TVs in their bedrooms or watch TV frequently. Children who had TVs in their bedrooms watched TV later at night, watched more adult TV programs, and had higher negative affect than children without TVs in their bedrooms. Conclusions These findings suggest that TV use in young children does impact sleep duration and quality as measured by actigraphy, and daytime napping does not offset these negative impacts.
Dementia-related anxiety and coping styles associated with suicidal ideation.

Objective: Dementia-related anxiety is associated with general anxiety and depression, which are risk factors for suicidal ideation. Consequently, dementia-related anxiety may be associated with su...
Online Social Network Information Can Influence Wireless Crowd Charging

Quick energy depletion is an everyday problem in the lives of billions of smartphone users worldwide. Among the various methods for energy replenishment of battery powered devices like smartphones, the recent paradigm of wireless crowd charging has been gaining more and more attention. Having even limited knowledge on the crowd network properties can be crucial for the crowd energy conservation protocol design. A key characteristic of such crowds is the active presence and involvement of the users in online social networks. In this paper, we suggest (for the first time in the state of the art) the exploitation of online social information in order to tune the wireless crowd charging process. We examine a dataset of encounter records and corresponding self reported online social network data of a group of people. Based on the online social graph structure, we design a wireless crowd charging protocol which targets at balancing the available energy among the mobile users in the crowd while maintaining low energy losses. Based on the reported daily encounters of the users, we simulate wireless crowd charging for seven consecutive days and we compare the performance of our protocol with the performance of another state of the art protocol which does not use online social information. Interestingly enough, we demonstrate that online social network information can indeed influence the wireless crowd charging process.
An Attack-Fault Tree Analysis of a Movable Railroad Bridge

Mechanical and electrical components of movable bridges are engineered to move heavy concrete and steel structures in order to allow water traffic and rail and/or vehicular traffic to pass many times a day despite harsh weather conditions, storm surges and earthquakes. The bridge spans must also support varying rail and/or vehicular traffic loads.
Identification of Druggable Kinase Target Conformations Using Markov Model Metastable States Analysis of apo-Abl.

Kinases are important targets for drug development. However, accounting for the impact of possible structural rearrangements on the binding of kinase inhibitors is complicated by the extensive flex...
Liquid biopsy for early stage lung cancer moves ever closer

Lung cancer screening is currently based only on low-dose CT scans; however, novel, more accessible methods that might improve uptake and adherence are eagerly awaited. New liquid biopsy approaches promise to revolutionize cancer screening. Herein, we discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with two such novel assays.
An integrated manufacturing strategy to fabricate delivery system using gelatin/alginate hybrid hydrogels: 3D printing and freeze-drying

Abstract The extrusion-based 3D printing system was used to fabricate the bioscaffold with hybrid hydrogels of gelatin and alginate (G/A), with different total solid concentrations (3%, 5%, and 7%) and G/A ratios (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1). Rheological properties were related to the 3D printability and shape retention capacity of the hybrid hydrogels. For extrusion-based 3D printing using the current platform, the materials that were considered 3D printable showed shear-thinning flow behavior. Also, the printable materials demonstrated a storage modulus (Gʹ) higher than the loss modulus (Gʹʹ), with a loss factor (tan δ = Gʹʹ/Gʹ) in the range of 0.48–0.58 during the frequency sweep of 15–40 rad/s, which is the corresponding frequency that can be related to our 3D printing settings. Texture profile analysis indicated that among the optimal formulas for 3D printing, the bioscaffold fabricated with the hybrid gels of 7% 1:2 G/A had the highest hardness and adhesiveness. After freeze-drying, the hardness increased significantly (p
The feasibility of bedside transvaginal ultrasonography in non-pregnant women in the emergency department.

STUDY OBJECTIVE We recorded data on the routine use of point-of-care transvaginal ultrasound (POC TVUS) for the evaluation of non-pregnant women with pelvic complaints in the Emergency Department (ED), and sought to determine how it altered the diagnostic impression and management. METHODS This was a prospective observational study. Adult non-pregnant women with pelvic complaints undergoing POC TVUS were enrolled. Pre and post ultrasound, the treating physician completed a data collection form indicating the most likely cause of the patient's pain, current treatment plan, and expected ultrasound findings. Immediately after the ultrasound, the treating physician completed another form to indicate details about the sonographic process and findings, and whether a radiologyperformed TVUS was planned. RESULTS Of 113 women enrolled, 79% had both ovaries visualized and the POC TVUS led to changes in plan in 43% of patients, including 3 emergent/urgent interventions; 48% of patients had unexpected findings. Of the 25% who had an additional radiology exam, there were no instances of discordant findings when both ovaries were assessed to be normal on ED Ultrasound. The ultrasound added <10 minutes in 92% of patients. With an ED ultrasound only (n = 85), the median length of stay (LOS) was 282 (IQR 197-323) minutes, compared to 437 (IQR 367-500) minutes when a radiology ultrasound was required (n = 28) (median difference,170 minutes [95% CI 122-212 min]). CONCLUSION In this study, emergency physicians were able to efficiently obtain and interpret POC TVUS images that changed assessment of non-pregnant women with pelvic pain without significantly increasing the ED length of stay.
The effect of time of feeding on plasma amino acids during exercise and recovery in horses

Feeding management in horses suggests feeding horses in advance of exercise, particularly the grain portion of the diet. Plasma amino acids (AA) peak at 3 to 6 h postfeeding depending on the AA. The timeframe between feeding and exercise may affect the availability of AA during and after exercise. The purpose of this study was to observe the differences in plasma AA in horses fed prior to exercise or after exercise. Eight light type horses were fed a diet with adequate protein and AA for horses in light to moderate exercise. After an adjustment period, horses completed a standardized exercise test (SET). Relative to the SET, horses were fed either 2 h prior (PRE horses) to the SET, 1 h after completing the SET (POST horses), or horses remained fasted throughout the sampling period (FASTED horses). Plasma was drawn prior to exercise, at the peak of exercise as well as at 1, 2, 4, and 7 h postexercise. Plasma was analyzed for AA, glucose, lactate, creatinine, creatine kinase, ammonia, urea-N, and 3-methylhistdine. After completion of the SET and sampling period, horses entered a 1-wk recovery period, which was followed by another SET. The protocol repeated until horses rotated through all feeding protocols in the study (three SETs). The majority of the plasma AA were elevated in PRE horses compared with POST horses prior to the SET until 2 h postexercise where POST horses' plasma AA concentrations became elevated and remained elevated until the end of the sampling period. In that same time frame, plasma AA for the PRE group decreased out to the end of the sampling period. The elevation of plasma AA in POST horses would be expected as they were fed at 1 h postexercise, whereas PRE horses were reaching a 4 h postfeeding time frame at this point. This elevation was not observed for plasma concentrations of isoleucine, leucine, methionine, and histidine. Concentrations of these AA initially were greater for POST horses in the postexercise period; however, they declined more rapidly than the other AA. The rapid decrease of some of the plasma AA concentrations may suggest uptake by muscle for recovery. This in conjunction with a decrease in plasma creatine kinase concentrations for POST horses suggests that feeding postexercise may facilitate better muscle protein balance (synthesis vs. breakdown) in the recovery period following exercise.
A higher-order singular value decomposition tensor emulator for spatio-temporal simulators

We introduce methodology to construct an emulator for environmental and ecological spatio-temporal processes that uses the higher order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) as an extension of singular value decomposition (SVD) approaches to emulation. Some important advantages of the method are that it allows for the use of a combination of supervised learning methods (e.g., random forests and Gaussian process regression) and also allows for the prediction of process values at spatial locations and time points that were not used in the training sample. The method is demonstrated with two applications: the first is a periodic solution to a shallow ice approximation partial differential equation from glaciology, and second is an agent-based model of collective animal movement. In both cases, we demonstrate the value of combining different machine learning models for accurate emulation. In addition, in the agent-based model case we demonstrate the ability of the tensor emulator to successfully capture individual behavior in space and time. We demonstrate via a real data example the ability to perform Bayesian inference in order to learn parameters governing collective animal behavior.
Microagglutination Procedures for Febrile Agglutination Tests

Febrile agglutination tests were done by using as antigens Brucella abortus, Salmonella group D, Proteus OX19, and Pasteurella tularensis. Comparison of results from 23 sera showed that the microtechnique, rapid slide, and test tube methods gave similar titers, although those from the microtechnique were generally higher. The sensitivity of the microtechnique depended upon the concentration of antigen, and, to obtain reproducible results, the optimal concentration of antigens had to be determined by preliminary titrations against specific, positive control antisera. Readability of reactions in the microtechnique was enhanced by adding the dye Safranin O to diluent for antigen and by use of V-type, rather than U-type, microtiter plates. Tests were also done to determine the effects of dye and salt concentrations, pH, and temperature of incubation upon the titer of agglutinations by the microtechnique. Our results indicated that the microtechnique could be used for agglutination tests involving febrile antigens. The procedure is less time-consuming than the tube method and requires less antigen and serum than the latter method or the rapid slide method.
Computer graphics in its fifth decade: ferment at the foundations

Traditionally, computer graphics is based on the mathematics of projective geometry, homogeneous coordinates, and matrix algebra. Recently these mathematical foundations have been called into question by several authors. We examine some possible alternative mathematical underpinnings for computer graphics, including Grassman spaces and Grassman coordinates, tensors and tensor algebra, and Clifford spaces and Clifford algebras.
Assessment of proposed electromagnetic quantum vacuum energy extraction methods

In research articles and patents several methods have been proposed for the extraction of zero-point energy from the vacuum. None has been reliably demonstrated, but the proposals remain largely unchallenged. In this paper the feasibility of these methods is assessed in terms of underlying thermodynamics principles of equilibrium, detailed balance, and conservation laws. The methods are separated into three classes: nonlinear processing of the zero-point field, mechanical extraction using Casimir cavities, and the pumping of atoms through Casimir cavities. The first two approaches are shown to violate thermodynamics principles, and therefore appear not to be feasible, no matter how innovative their execution. The third approach does not appear to violate these principles.
Awake video assisted thoracic surgery series report

Results Of the 196 cases, sixty were wedge resections, with an average length of hospital stay (ALS) of 1.5 days. ALS for the 38 decortications was 2.5 days, for the 28 pleural biopsies was 1 day. There were 36 mechanical and talc pleurodesis for recurrent effusions, 30 of them malignant, having an ALS of 1.5 days. Two pericardial windows were performed, with an ALS of 1.5 days. Twenty-two patients had lobectomies for malignancies (6 left upper lobes, 7 left lower lobes, 5 right upper lobes, 1 right middle lobe, 2 right lower lobes and 1 left lower lobe with lingulectomy), with an ALS of 1.8 days.
Relations between response and Fourier spectra of shock functions

Abstract Using the running Fourier transform technique for solving the equation of motion it is found that velocity and pseudo-velocity response spectra of shock functions are bounded above and below by the amplitude and Fourier spectra respectively. The gap between bounds and spectra is assessed in a numerical example.
Surface reaction of trisdimethylaminoantimony on GaSb(100)

Abstract The decomposition of trisdimethylaminoantimony (TDMASb) on GaSb(100)-(3×1) was studied using temperature programmed desorption, temperature programmed static secondary ion mass spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Multilayers of TDMASb desorb at 220 K. TDMASb decomposes on the surface at temperatures below 200 K and the dimethylamino ligand desorbs through two reaction pathways, homolysis and β-hydride elimination. Homolysis of the antimony–nitrogen bond resulted in desorption of the dimethylamino radical at 380 K. Methylmethyleneimine was formed and desorbed from the surface through a β-hydride elimination process at 480 K. Deposition of Sb from five saturation exposures of TDMASb on GaSb(100) induced the change of surface structure from (3×1) to (1×1). Surface Sb atoms are proposed as reactive sites for the surface reaction of TDMASb on GaSb(100).
Expansion of the economic frontier: Paraguayan growth in the 1970s

Abstract The rapid growth of the Paraguayan economy over the last decade is analyzed in terms of the expansion of agricultural production and an increase in construction activity. Construction of the Itaipu Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project, has provided employment and spurred private construction. A government colonization programme and spontaneous Brazilian immigration has brought new land into production. Favourable international prices for Paraguayan exports and funds from the Itaipu project swelled foreign reserves and served to maintain the Paraguayan currency at an already overvalued rate. The paper argues that the overvaluation, combined with extensive smuggling, undermined incentives for investment in manufacturing and deprived the government of revenues needed to finance infrastructure for sustained economic growth and development.