cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facet joint signal change on MRI at levels of acute/subacute lumbar compression fractures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The prevalence of facet joint signal change in acute/subacute lumbar vertebral body compression fractures is unknown. We hypothesized that facet joint signal change on MR imaging is more common in facet joints associated with an acute/subacute lumbar compression fracture than those associated with normal vertebral bodies or ones that have a chronic compression fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three neuroradiologists and a neuroradiology fellow retrospectively graded facet joint inflammatory change on MR imaging in 900 facet joints in 75 patients with at least 1 painful osteoporotic lumbar compression fracture. Facet joint signal change was assessed on T2-weighted images with chemical fat-saturation, STIR images, and/or gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images with chemical fat-saturation. Each facet joint from the T12/L1 to L5/S1 level was assessed individually. An overall facet joint signal-change score, which is a composite measure of the grade of signal change for all 4 facet joints associated with a given lumbar vertebral level, was devised, and statistical significance was assessed via Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: The overall facet joint signal-change scores were significantly higher at vertebral body levels affected by an acute/subacute compression fracture compared with control levels, which were associated with either normal bodies or chronic compression fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest an association between facet joint signal change on MR imaging and acute/subacute lumbar vertebral body compression fractures.
PPPS-2013: Fast framing camera images of neutron production cessation at high currents in a Dense Plasma Focus machine

Summary form only given. Imaging studies are being performed to investigate the formation, propagation and pinch point characteristics for a plasma sheet in the Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) device in Las Vegas. Deuterium is used as a working gas with r-Z pinch heating and compression at the pinch point resulting in fusion of the deuterium and the production of 2.45 MeV neutrons in a very short and intense burst of 20-50ns. During this fusion process of deuterium gas we have observed yield cessation as 1x1012 neutrons per pinch is reached. While the DPF has a maximum stored energy of 2 MJ, the production of neutrons ceases as current exceeds 3 MA. It is anticipated that images of this process will show why fusion ceases at high currents. Images of the plasma formation, movement and pinch at varying currents and phases including rundown and the pinch sequence will be discussed. Images are acquired using an ultrafast framing camera system through a large window (30" x 12") that has been installed on the vacuum chamber tube surrounding the anode/cathode of the DPF. These images are used to verify magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) simulations and better understand why neutron yield ceases at high current with current designs. Neutron yield, current and corresponding fast framing camera images for several phases (axial run down, z-compression and pinch) of the neutron production process will be presented and discussed.
Simultaneous Stability-Indicating Determination of Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, Phenylpropanolamine Hydrochloride, and Guaifenesin in Dosage Forms by Reversed-Phase Paired-Ion High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract A method for the quantitative determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, and guaifenesin in commercial formulations was developed. A reversed-phase paired-ion high-performance liquid chromatographic technique resolves the active from degradation products, colorings, and flavor and was found applicable to seven commercial dosage forms.
Using a vision sensor system for performance testing of satellite-based tractor auto-guidance

A vision sensing system for the measurement of auto-guidance pass-to-pass and long-term errors was implemented to test the steering performance of tractors equipped with auto-guidance systems. The developed test system consisted of an optical machine vision sensor rigidly mounted on the rear of the tested tractor. The center of the drawbar hitch pin point was used as the reference from which to measure the deviation of the tractor's actual travel path from its desired path. The system was built and calibrated to a measurement accuracy of better than 2mm. To evaluate the sensor, two auto-guidance systems equipped with RTK-level GNSS receivers were tested and the results for different travel speeds compared. Pass-to-pass and long-term errors were calculated using the relative positions of a reference at a collocated point when the tractor was operated in opposite directions within 15min and more than 1h apart, respectively. In addition to variations in speed, two different auto-guidance steering stabilization distances allowed for comparison of two different definitions of steady-state operation of the system. For the analysis, non-parametric cumulative distributions were generated to determine error values that corresponded to 95% of the cumulative distribution. Both auto-guidance systems provided 95% cumulative error estimates comparable to 51mm (2in.) claims and even smaller during Test A. Higher travel speeds (especially 5.0m/s) significantly increased measured auto-guidance error, but no significant difference was observed between pass-to-pass and long-term error estimates. The vision sensor testing system could be used as a means to implement the auto-guidance test standard under development by the International Standard Organization (ISO). Third-party evaluation of auto-guidance performance will increase consumer awareness of the potential performance of products provided by a variety of vendors.
Isosteres of natural phosphates. 11. Synthesis of a phosphonic acid analogue of an oligonucleotide

Abstract The synthesis of an isosteric phosphonic acid analogue of UpUpU has been accomplished. In this analogue each of the normal 3'-phosphate esteric oxygen atoms has been replaced with a methylene group. The synthesis began with diacetone-D-glucose which was converted in a series of reactions to a 3'-deoxy-3'-dihydroxyphosphinylmethyluridine derivative, which bore protection as a 3-benzoylpropionate at the 5'-hydroxyl and as an acetate at the 2'-hydroxyl. This critical intermediate (A) was condensed with 2',3'-O-isopropylidene uridine to generate a protected analogue of a dinucleoside phosphate. Selective removal of the 3-benzoylpropionate followed by condensation with another unit of (A) yielded the protected oligonucleotide. Deprotection was accomplished in two steps.
Effect of High Environmental Temperature on Internal Organs of Chickens

Abstract White Leghorn females were subjected to 18° C. constant temperature or 21–38° C. variable temperature for a period of 16 weeks. Changes in internal organs observed as a result of the elevated temperature included increased adrenal size and decreased thyroid and liver size. Focal necrosis of the cortical mass and, in some cases, slight granulation of the cortical tissue were observed in the adrenals. The epithelial lining of the thyroid follicles was lower. The pituitary gland showed slight hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the basophil cells. Hepatic changes were characterized by degeneration of parenchyma cells, fatty degeneration, congestion of hepatic vessels, nuclear degeneration of various types, leucocytic infiltration, and some focal necrosis.
Explosive instabilities and detonation in magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract Many plasma systems exhibit large-scale explosive events. Solar flares, magnetic substorms and tokamak disruptions are examples of large-scale explosive events. Since the rate at which the stability boundary is crossed is usually slow, systems rarely achieve a large linear growth rate. Thus explosive events almost always require nonlinear destabilization to achieve the fast time-scales that are observed. A new mechanism for explosive behavior is demonstrated in a nonlinear MHD model of the line tied Rayleigh-Taylor instability. In this mechanism the system crosses the instability threshold in a small region of space. The nonlinearity is destabilizing and broadening causing the linear instability to develop fingers and broaden into the linearly stable region. A front forms separating the disturbed and undisturbed regions. Because the nonlinearity is destabilizing the linearly stable region is, in fact, meta stable. The energy in the fingers is large enough to destabilize the meta-stable region — a process we call detonation. In the simple system analyzed a finite time singularity occurs where the displacement becomes singular like (t0 − t)−2.1. the energy like (t0 − t)−6.4 and the destabilized region width like (t0 − t)−0.4. The analysis of this problem is simplified by expanding around the marginal stability point. The behavior of the displacement along the field line is determined at low order. At higher order the behavior across the field is determined to be the solution of a two-dimensional nonlinear equation. The coefficients in this equation depend on field line averages of the behavior along the field. The same nonlinear equation can be shown to govern the nonlinear behavior near marginal stability of small perpendicular wavelength instabilities in more complicated geometries where line tying or ballooning are present. Thus, the mechanism can be considered generic. Analytic and numerical results will be shown. The relevance of this mechanism to solar flares, magnetic substorms and tokamak disruptions will be discussed briefly.
Oral glutamine reduces the duration and severity of stomatitis after cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy

BACKGROUND. Mouth sores and/or difficulty swallowing are common and painful consequences of cytotoxic chemotherapy for cancer. In previous studies oral glutamine was found to protect animals from the effects of whole abdominal radiation and methotrexate-induced enteritis. Glutamine also was found to reduce oral mucositis in a nonrandomized pilot study in humans. Therefore, the authors attempted to determine the efficacy of oral glutamine in a randomized, double blind, crossover trial in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. METHODS. Twenty-four patients (16 children and 8 adults) received glutamine or placebo (glycine) suspension (2 g amino acid/M 2 /dose twice daily) to swish and swallow on days of chemotherapy administration and for at least 14 additional days. Patients completed a calendar indicating days of mouth pain associated with each chemotherapy course and the effect of mouth pain on oral intake. RESULTS. Paired data indicated significant amelioration of stomatitis associated with glutamine administration after chemotherapy. The duration of mouth pain was 4.5 days less in chemotherapy courses in which glutamine supplementation was compared with placebo (Wilcoxon's signed rank test, P = 0.0005). The severity of oral pain also was reduced significantly when glutamine was provided with chemotherapy (the amount of days mucositis restricted oral intake to soft foods (≥Grade 2; Modified Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grading system was 4 days less with glutamine compared with placebo; Wilcoxon's signed rank test, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS. Low dose oral glutamine supplementation during and after chemotherapy significantly reduced both the duration and severity of chemotherapy-associated stomatitis. Oral glutamine appears to be a simple and useful measure to increase the comfort of many patients at high risk of developing mouth sores as a consequence of intensive cancer chemotherapy.
Exploratory integration of peanut genetic and physical maps and possible contributions from Arabidopsis.

Arachis hypogaea is a widely cultivated crop both as an oilseed and protein source. The genomic analysis of Arachis species hitherto has been limited to the construction of genetic maps; the most comprehensive one contains 370 loci over 2,210 cM in length. However, no attempt has been made to analyze the physical structure of the peanut genome. To investigate the practicality of physical mapping in peanut, we applied a total of 117 oligonucleotide-based probes (“overgos”) derived from genetically mapped RFLP probes onto peanut BAC filters containing 182,784 peanut large-insert DNA clones in a multiplex experimental design; 91.5% of the overgos identified at least one BAC clone. In order to gain insights into the potential value of Arabidopsis genome sequence for studies in divergent species with complex genomes such as peanut, we employed 576 Arabidopsis-derived overgos selected on the basis of maximum homology to orthologous sequences in other plant taxa to screen the peanut BAC library. A total of 353 (61.3%) overgos detected at least one peanut BAC clone. This experiment represents the first steps toward the creation of a physical map in peanut and illustrates the potential value of leveraging information from distantly related species such as Arabidopsis for both practical applications such as comparative map-based cloning and shedding light on evolutionary relationships. We also evaluated the possible correlation between functional categories of Arabidopsis overgos and their success rates in hybridization to the peanut BAC library.
ASPECTS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: CRISIS AND DEATH

In an analysis of myasthenia crises during the past 20 years, the incidence of crisis remained fairly constant at 12-16%, but the fatality rate of crises declined from 42% to 6%, and the overall mortality of myasthenia declined from 12% to 3.3%. Most crisis episodes were caused by aspiration pneumonia or occurred in patients with severe dysphagia, who were at risk of aspiration. Cholinergic drug therapy clearly was not useful during crisis, and should probably be discontinued while the patient is on a respirator. Fifteen of 28 patients with thymectomy had 21 episodes of crisis months or years after surgery. Ultimately, 42% of crisis survivors achieved a state of improved myasthenia or remission after one or more crises.
Epitope Length, Genospecies Dependency, and Serum Panel Effect in the IR6 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi

In the absence of erythema migrans, the basis for diagnosis of Lyme disease is the demonstration of an antibody response against Borrelia burgdorferi in an appropriate clinical setting. The C6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, based on the IR6 region of VlsE, has become widely used in both the United States and Europe. We mapped the antigenic epitopes of IR6 to a shorter sequence that is equivalent in sensitivity and specificity to the full-length IR6 25-residue peptide. In addition, we observed significant differences in sensitivity between serum panels (60 to 100%), indicating that the selection of the serum panels can shape the apparent overall sensitivity of the assay. Contrary to prior reports, the assay sensitivity is greater when the IR6 peptide is derived from the sequence of the same infecting Borrelia genospecies. Using our North American panels and the two panels obtained from European Lyme disease patients, we determined that the IR6 assay that is based on a single genospecies of Borrelia spp. is not optimal for use as a universal diagnostic assay for Lyme disease.
Pipeline endovascular reconstruction of traumatic dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial internal carotid artery

A 22-year-old woman was involved in a motor vehicle collision resulting in multiple facial fractures and extensive internal carotid artery (ICA) injury including a right carotid-cavernous fistula, complex dissection flap and dissecting aneurysms. Endovascular coil embolization was initially performed to treat the cavernous carotid fistula and then again on two separate occasions to treat expanding dissecting aneurysms. Parent vessel reconstruction of the right ICA was subsequently performed with the Pipeline embolization device, resulting in complete anatomical restoration of this vessel.
Induction of lactation: lactational, physiological, and hormonal responses in the bovine.

Abstract Milk yields, physiological responses, and concentrations of plasma hormones were evaluated in 24 attempts to induce lactation in nonlactating dairy cows. Subcutaneous injections of estradiol-17 β and progesterone (.10 and .25mg/kg body weight per day) for 7 consecutive days were used. Dexamethasone injections (.028mg/kg body weight per day) on days 18 to 20 were given during 12 attempts at induction. Milking was initiated on day 21. All cows showed proestrus activity within 2 days after the first steroid injection; this subsided, then reappeared in many animals between days 16 to 20. In 14 of 24 attempts mean daily milk production was greater than 5kg. Actual or projected 305-day lactation milk yields were between 1859 and 5354kg. However, milk yields of seven induced cows averaged only 73% (32% to 136% range) of their previous natural lactations. Dexamethasone injections increased the number of cows that produced more than 5 kg/day; however, milk yields were not improved. Concentrations of estradiol, estrone, and progesterone in plasma were unaffected by dexamethasone, but concentrations of glucocorticoids in plasma were depressed on days 19 to 22. Concentrations of prolactin (peak and mean) in plasma for six cows each that produced greater or less than 5kg/day did not differ. However, concentrations of prolactin increased in the week following steroid injections (days 8 to 15) only in those cows that produced greater than 5kg/day but were elevated in all cows during the 3rd wk.
Mining the ACCENT database: a review and update

The database of the Adjuvant Colon Cancer End Points (ACCENT) Group was assembled to address questions in early stage colon cancer that could be best answered by information pooled across many similar trials. Today, the ACCENT database contains individual patient-level data from over 33,000 patients enrolled onto 25 adjuvant colon cancer trials conducted between 1977 and 2008. Since its flagship analysis of 3-year disease-free survival as a surrogate endpoint for 5-year overall survival in 2005, the ACCENT group has produced many noteworthy scientific findings addressing a variety of clinical questions, which we describe here. Additionally, we provide an overview of the history, collaboration, construction, principles, and future of the ACCENT database, as it has set a precedent for multi-trial database creation in other types of cancer.
Pulmonary Embolism in Older Patients

Pulmonary embolism is a common geriatric medical condition that accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. It is responsible for greater than 200,000 deaths annually and 10% of hospital deaths [1–3]. The incidence of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE), encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), rises sharply after the age of 60 and reaches 1% per year in the very old. However, while most major studies looking at diagnosis and treatment concentrate on middle-aged subjects [4], almost 70% of all VTE are diagnosed in patients over the age of 60 [1]. This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology of thromboembolic disease in the elderly and explores risk factors, presentation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment as it pertains to the geriatric population. Complications of treatment are also considered.
La narrativa de Edgardo Rivera Martínez: Personificaciones míticas en mundos prosaicos

Las personificaciones magicas y miticas en la narrativa corta de Edgardo Rivera Martinez son figuras enigmaticas de identidades inciertas y rasgos contradictorios. Constituyen simbolos que ilustran el complejo proceso de la creacion artistica del autor, un entretejido indiscernible de aspectos culturales, existenciales y psicologicos.
Selected Physiological Responses of Normal Young Men following Dehydration and Rehydration

Abstract This study was designed to compare man's normal working physiological performance to that during rapid dehydration and rehydration. Seven trained men participated in submaximal exercise trials at three conditions (normal, dehydrated, and rehydrated). During each test measurements were recorded on the subject's rectal temperature change during exercise and recovery, exercise and recovery minute heart rates, minute volume, oxygen consumption, respiratory quotient, ventilatory efficiency, and oxygen pulse. Analysis of the data, employing analysis of variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test, indicated significant differences in mean exercise and second minute recovery heart rates, with an elevation during the dehydration test, and a return to normalcy for the rehydration test. Oxygen pulse decreased notably with dehydration, returning to normal with rehydration. Mean rectal temperature change, first minute recovery heart rate, oxygen consumption, ventilatory efficiency, minute volume, and respirator...
Population Dynamics of Neotropical Small Mammals in Seasonal Habitats

Responses of Neotropical small-mammal populations to seasonal and yearly variations in climate, plant phenology, and habitat conditions were examined. Populations of rodent and marsupial species were studied for 2 years in premontane forest (11 species) and llanos (plains; seven species) habitats in northern Venezuela. Although rainfall at both habitats was seasonal, wet-dry seasonality and seasonal changes in habitat conditions were more pronounced in the llanos habitat. Populations of all small-mammal species fluctuated in response to seasonal and yearly variations. The timing and magnitude of these fluctuations were related to population traits and ecology of each species. Within each habitat some species were resident, whereas others were transient. Although rodent species from both habitats bred year-round, most exhibited a reproductive peak in the wet season. The marsupial species, in contrast, reproduced only in the wet season. Seasonal flooding and mosaic habitat structure of the llanos placed certain constraints on the population dynamics of the small mammals from this habitat. All terrestrial species of the llanos exhibited population traits of colonizing species. This was not the case for the terrestrial species in the premontane forest habitat.
Para-Aminobenzenesulfonamide Therapy in Experimental Type III Pneumococcal Pneumonia

ConclusionP-aminobenzenesulfonamide given orally to rats suffering from experimental Type III (“420” strain) pneumococcal pneumonia reduced the mortality and increased the survival-period. The effectiveness of this treatment varied inversely with the interval Ijetween infection and initial treatment, and with the magnitude of the infecting dose. The treated rats which succumbed showed less bacteremia and a lower incidence of peritonitis than the untreated ones which succumbed. The course and extent of the pneumonia was not appreciably affected. Treatment apparently enables many of the animals to survive the associated toxemia which is commonly fatal to similarly infected, but untreated, rats.
Correlations of the Levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D_3 and related Interleukins in Children with Asthma

Objective To investigate the changes of the concentrations of serum 25- hydroxy- vitamin D3(25- OHD3)and immunoglobin E(IgE)in children with asthma, and to clarify their correlations with interleukin 4(IL- 4)and interleukin 12(IL- 12). Methods The concentrations of serum 25- OH- D3, IgE, IL- 4, and IL- 12 of 84 children with asthma and 48 healthy children were detected by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Blood calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Results The average concentrations of25- OH- D3(62.81± 26.34 mmol/ L)and IL- 12(24.25± 40.78 ng/ L)in children with asthma were significant lower than those of the healthy children(87.16± 28.63 mmol/ L and 43.21± 62.12 ng/ L, P 0.05), while the level of IL- 4 was significant higher(138.06± 129.03 vs 100.86± 88.81ng/ L, P 0.05). The serum IgE level was positively correlated with IL- 4and negatively correlated wtih IL- 12 in the children with asthma(P 0.01). Conclusions As an immunoregulator, 25-OH- D3is closely related to the occurrence and development of bronchial asthma. Supplying with appropriate 25- OH- D3has supportive therapeutic efficacy on the conventional therapy of asthma.
Epididymo-Orchitis Developing as a Late Manifestation of Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Therapy and Masquerading as a Primary Testicular Malignancy: A Report of 2 Cases

AbstractIn 2 cases epididymo-orchitis, indistinguishable from a testicular tumor, developed as a late (15 and 34 months, respectively) complication following use of Tice strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin for treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma. In each instance the lesion was asymptomatic and ultrasonography demonstrated a complex scrotal mass. Inguinal orchiectomy was performed for diagnosis and therapy. The importance of obtaining a mycobacterial culture for further therapy planning is stressed.
Abstract IA14: The unique genomic landscape of pediatric high-grade glioma

Diffuse high-grade gliomas (HGGs) of childhood are a devastating spectrum of disease with no effective cures. The two-year survival for pediatric HGG ranges from 30 percent, for tumors arising in the cerebral cortex, to less than 10 percent for diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs), which arise in the brainstem. Frequent recurrent somatic mutations in histone H3 distinguish the genetic drivers among pediatric and adult HGG. Mutually exclusive somatic heterozygous H3F3A or HIST1H3B mutations encoding a K27M variant of histone H3.3 or H3.1, respectively, are found in nearly 80 percent of DIPGs and 22 percent of non-brainstem HGG, where they occur predominantly in thalamic and other midline tumors. Strikingly, heterozygous H3F3A mutations encoding histone H3.3 G34R or G34V occur in approximately 14 percent of non-brainstem HGG, and are associated predominantly with cortical tumors arising in older children through young adulthood, suggesting a distinct developmental origin compared to the majority of tumors harboring K27M mutations. Recurrent mutations of the BMP receptor ACVR1/ALK2 have not been reported outside the brainstem, and are further restricted to the youngest DIPG patients, highlighting critical connections between development and gliomagenesis. Experiments to model the connections between oncogenic activity and developmental context will be discussed. Citation Format: Jon D. Larson, Andre B. Silveira, Lawryn H. Kasper, Helen R. Russell, Chunxu Qu, Peter J. McKinnon, Suzanne J. Baker. The unique genomic landscape of pediatric high-grade glioma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Brain Cancer Research; May 27-30, 2015; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(23 Suppl):Abstract nr IA14.
Crystal plasticity FE modeling of Ti alloys for a range of strain-rates. Part II: Image-based model with experimental validation

Abstract The second of this two-part paper develops an image-based crystal plasticity finite element model for simulating hcp metals deforming at a wide of range of strain-rates. It incorporates a unified flow rule based crystal plasticity constitutive model, combining the thermally-activated and drag-dominated stages of dislocation glide, proposed in part I (Shahba and Ghosh, 2016). The image-based CPFE uses 3D statistically-equivalent virtual microstructures that are constructed by stereology and statistics from 2D surface EBSD maps. The statistically equivalent virtual microstructures are constructed for the Ti 7Al alloy in as-rolled (AR) and rolled-annealed (RA) conditions. The virtual microstructures are discretized into 3D tetrahedral elements that are stabilized to yield locking-free large deformation FE results. This paper demonstrates the competency of the model for simulating deformation of the polycrystalline Ti 7Al alloy microstructures under quasi-static and high rates of deformation. Room temperature compression tests at quasi-static (10 −3 s −1 ) and dynamic strain rates (1000−4000s −1 ) are performed and used to calibrate and validate the constitutive model. The simulations reveal that the decrease in the hardening rate is significant under adiabatic conditions due to the promotion of slip-driven plasticity. The effect of degradation of elastic constants with temperature on the macroscopic behavior is noticeable only at the later stages of deformation. A study on adiabatic heating reveals that grains undergoing severe plastic deformation do not necessarily yield higher temperatures. In contrast, grains that are less favorably oriented for dislocation slip could experience higher adiabatic heating due to higher local stresses.
Predator contributions to belowground responses to warming

Identifying the factors that control soil CO2 emissions will improve our ability to predict the magnitude of climate change–soil ecosystem feedbacks. Despite the integral role of invertebrates in belowground systems, they are excluded from climate change models. Soil invertebrates have consumptive and nonconsumptive effects on microbes, whose respiration accounts for nearly half of soil CO2 emissions. By altering the behavior and abundance of invertebrates that interact with microbes, invertebrate predators may have indirect effects on soil respiration. We examined the effects of a generalist arthropod predator on belowground respiration under different warming scenarios. Based on research suggesting invertebrates may mediate soil CO2 emission responses to warming, we predicted that predator presence would result in increased emissions by negatively affecting these invertebrates. We altered the presence of wolf spiders (Pardosa spp.) in mesocosms containing a forest floor community. To simulate warming, we placed mesocosms of each treatment in ten open-top warming chambers ranging from 1.5° to 5.5°C above ambient at Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, USA. As expected, CO2 emissions increased under warming and we found an interactive effect of predator presence and warming, although the effect was not consistent through time. The interaction between predator presence and warming was the inverse of our predictions: Mesocosms with predators had lower respiration at higher levels of warming than those without predators. Carbon dioxide emissions were not significantly associated with microbial biomass. We did not find evidence of consumptive effects of predators on the invertebrate community, suggesting that predator presence mediates response of microbial respiration to warming through nonconsumptive means. In our system, we found a significant interaction between warming and predator presence that warrants further research into mechanism and generality of this pattern to other systems.
Numerical simulations of transitional and turbulent natural convection in laterally heated cylindrical enclosures for crystal growth

ABSTRACTThe present numerical work, the first of its kind, aims at establishing the threshold parameters for dynamic similitude (based on the Rayleigh number (Ra)), for free convection in a cylindrical enclosure heated laterally. Ra considered in this study spanned a range between 750 and 8.8 × 108, where the characteristic length, L, used in its definition is represented by the ratio of cylindrical enclosure’s volume to its lateral surface area. The commercial code, ANSYS FLUENT, is used to model a 2-D axisymmetric cylindrical geometry. When comparatively analyzed, the results allowed conclusions associating values of the Ra with flow development from laminar to turbulent.
Trap Crops in Onion to Reduce Onion Thrips1 and Iris Yellow Spot Virus

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, a primary insect pest of onions, Allium cepa L., worldwide, reduces yield and transmits a devastating Tospovirus, Iris yellow spot virus. Costly and frequent insecticide application and increased resistance of onion thrips to insecticide prompted interest in alternative pest management options. Three trap crops, lacy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.), and carrot (Daucus carota L.) planted in commercial onion fields during two growing seasons were evaluated for attractiveness to onion thrips. Abundance of thrips adults, larvae, and eggs were monitored on trap crops and onion plants, and dispersing adults were counted on aerial traps 0, 0.8, 6.4, and 12.8 m from trap crop rows. All trap crops when flowering or with lush vegetation supported all life stages of onion thrips during at least 1 of 2 years; trends in preference by onion thrips varied. Incidence of Iris yellow spot virus was low ranging from 6.6 to 8.2% in year 2; however, in late September of the second year, incidence was greater near trap crops than at farther distances, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Trap crops were attractive to onion thrips adults in June and July which suggests promise for decreasing numbers of thrips on onion during critical periods of bulb sizing and spread of Iris yellow spot virus; however, the short distance of influence suggested need for larger plot sizes or better sampling methods. Potential for planting trap crops along field edges to attract migrating adult thrips early in the season is discussed.
Individual and Group Child-Centered Play Therapy: Impact on Social-Emotional Competencies

A randomized controlled trial study was conducted to test the effectiveness of 16 sessions of the modalities of individual and group child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on improving social-emotional assets, including self-regulation/responsibility, social competence, and empathy. Participants were 56 students in four urban elementary schools in north central Texas, referred by teachers for disruptive or problematic behavior: 10 female and 46 male; ages 5 to 10 years with mean age 7.12; and 21 identifying as Hispanic, 17 as White, 8 as Multiracial, 1 as Asian, and 9 unspecified. Teachers and parents completed the Social and Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale (SEARS; Merrill, 2011) at pre- and post-treatment. With a significance criterion of p< .05, teacher reports provided no statistically significant results. However, parent reports indicated a statistically and practically significant interaction effect with a medium to large effect size, indicating a substantial improvement in children's scores from pre- to post-test attributed to group assignment. Mean differences indicated substantial gains in overall social-emotional assets, according to Total scores, in both individual and group treatment conditions as compared to the waitlist control group. Additionally, both individual and group play therapy was correlated with significant improvement with a large effect for the constructs of self-regulation/responsibility and social competence, with the group condition having a larger effect than the individual condition. Regarding empathy, neither modality resulted in significant improvement, though individual CCPT resulted practically in a large effect. These results indicate CCPT may provide a developmentally appropriate treatment for clinicians working with children in schools and in the community to foster their social and emotional competencies.
Using Social Sensing to Discover Trends in Public Emotion

The rapid growth of social media, such as twitter, provides a great opportunity for identifying and analyzing people's emotions in response to various public events, such as epidemics, terrorist attacks and political elections. Detecting the emotions of people on different events are crucial in many applications. However, the high volume and fast pace of social media make it challenging to analyze public emotions from social media data in real-time. In this paper we propose a method to measure public emotion and predict important moments during particular public events. Given a stream of tweets, we analyze the impact of major public events, both tragic and enthusiastic ones, on public emotion. We develop a full-stack architecture that performs real-time emotion analysis on Twitter streams. We design a supervised learning approach for classifying tweets based on the type of the emotion they elicit. Then we aggregate each emotion class to discover emotion-evolving patterns over time. We also propose an online approach to predict emotion-intensive moments during real-life events. Our emotion analysis methodology is shown to present a fast and robust way of analyzing online stream of tweets.
Reconciling Approaches to SNR Analysis in Optical Wireless Communications

Optical communications, both fiber-optics and optical wireless (OWC), have a proven potential for high speed data transmission due to the vast optical spectrum. Given the ever increasing wireless data demand, we look towards OWC as a supplemental medium in heterogeneous networks (HetNets). In such networks, fair comparison of available connections is required for optimal allocation of resources. This comparison is essential for provisioning and analysis as well as in the decision metrics for handover and aggregation. As the optical communications field has developed, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) has been defined in various ways. Instantaneous optical power constraints have led the fiber- optics community to define SNR relative to peak- to-peak optical signal power. Additional average optical power constraints have led the OWC community to observe SNR relative to average optical signal power rather than average electrical signal power. Accordingly, the relationship between SNR and link performance has also changed. While the various definitions offer fair comparison under similar constraints, relative analysis is necessary when comparing the quality of multiple links in a HetNet or performance of networks operating under different constraints. In this paper, we reconcile three common SNR definitions and use symbol error rate (SER) analysis for pulse amplitude modulation in order to exemplify how different definitions affect the SER versus SNR curves.
“How drie a Cinder this world is”: Dissociation of Sensibility Redux

Although T.S. Eliot's phrase “dissociation of sensibility,” applied to the changes in poetry during the seventeenth century, made a stir when he introduced it in the review essay “The Metaphysical Poets” in 1921, it draws less attention now, and seems never to have been adequately explained. Since Eliot's claims are, in part, historical, it makes sense to consider the most historically significant changes occurring during the seventeenth century. It is during this period that the Reformation culminates and its effects become permanently established. Several recent studies of the Reformation by Charles Taylor, Brad Gregory, and Carlos M.N. Eire provide clues about how the religious and social cataclysm of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries may have affected the poetic imagination. James Smith's classic essay, “The Metaphysical Poets,” offers a way of analyzing the figurative language of seventeenth-century poetry in order to grasp the impact of the religious change. The investigations by Taylor, Grego...
Research Announcement on the “Energy” of Knots

It is a natural idea that a loop of string might somehow be charged and placed in a bottle of honey, there to assume its least (potential) energy or “best” shape. In the late 1970’s Alan Hatcher announced a remarkable geometric theorem (Hatcher, 1983) (the “Smale conjecture”: Diff(S 3) ≃ O(4)). Among its many consequences is the fact that the space of all smooth un-knots — that is, simple closed curves in three space (R 3) which can be deformed to a round circle — actually can be continuously deformed to the subspace of round circles in three space. This has heightened interests in the honey jar experiment. For the theorem tells us that there is some method — continuous in initial conditions — which untangles arbitrary unknots and makes them round. The key point is continuity; there should be no intelligent intervention. No choices should be made. A person untangling string makes lots of judgements but perhaps the charged unknotted loop in honey would always make its way to a round circle without incident. Perhaps not. Computer experiments may be able to suggest the correct answer to this interesting mathematical problem. Actually the Newtonian potential 1/r is too weak at small scales to create an infinite energy barrier to crossings. This requires at least the potential described 1/r2 below. Whether or not weaker potentials 1/rp, P < 2 might yet determine gradient flows which respect topology (i.e., admit no crossings) is an open question.
Receptor/gene/protein-mediated signaling connects methylprednisolone exposure to metabolic and immune-related pharmacodynamic actions in liver

A multiscale pharmacodynamic model was developed to characterize the receptor-mediated, transcriptomic, and proteomic determinants of corticosteroid (CS) effects on clinically relevant hepatic processes following a single dose of methylprednisolone (MPL) given to adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. The enhancement of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity were simultaneously described. Mechanisms related to the effects of MPL on glucose homeostasis, including the regulation of CCAAT-enhancer binding protein-beta (C/EBPβ) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) as well as insulin dynamics were evaluated. The MPL-induced suppression of circulating lymphocytes was modeled by coupling its effect on cell trafficking with pharmacogenomic effects on cell apoptosis via the hepatic (STAT3-regulated) acute phase response. Transcriptomic and proteomic time-course profiles measured in steroid-treated rat liver were utilized to model the dynamics of mechanistically relevant gene products, which were linked to associated systemic end-points. While time-courses of TAT mRNA, protein, and activity were well described by transcription-mediated changes, additional post-transcriptional processes were included to explain the lack of correlation between PEPCK mRNA and protein. The immune response model quantitatively discerned the relative roles of cell trafficking versus gene-mediated lymphocyte apoptosis by MPL. This systems pharmacodynamic model provides insights into the contributions of selected molecular events occurring in liver and explores mechanistic hypotheses for the multi-factorial control of clinically relevant pharmacodynamic outcomes.
Framing Ferguson: The interplay of advocacy and journalistic frames in local and national newspaper coverage of Michael Brown:

The shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer in August 2014 served as a pivotal case that pushed excessive use of police force against minority groups to the national spotlight. Guided b...
Analysis of oxygen diffusion from arteriolar networks

A mathematical model of oxygen transport in the precapillary microcirculation is presented. The theory is then used to simulate oxygen distribution in the arteriolar network of the hamster cheek pouch. Theoretical prediction of transmural and longitudinal oxygen tension (PO2) gradients is in qualitative agreement with available experimental data. The effect of the variation of inlet network PO2, blood flow rate, blood hematocrit, and other parameters on the transport characteristics is studied. The calculations predict that the luminal PO2 in small arterioles is practically independent of the inlet network PO2 leve if the latter is sufficiently high; when this inlet PO2 level is low, then the longitudinal gradients of luminal PO2 vanish. It is further shown that retardation of blood flow may cause a significant increase in precapillary oxygen losses.
Abstraction, Representation and Metamodeling

The process of abstraction is used to conceptualize the logic levels of a problem and the epistemological foundations of system design.
Fat metabolism in higher plants. Recent studies on plant α-oxidation systems

Abstract Both the seed and the leaf α-oxidation systems of higher plants require for activity a reductant and molecular oxygen. The reductant may be NADH or a coupled glucose + glucose oxidase system. d -2-Hydroxypalmitate is the only 2-hydroxy acid which is formed from palmitic acid under a variety of conditions; l -2-Hydroxypalmitate is not formed, but when added does inhibit the initial attack of the α-oxidative enzyme (s) on palmitate. Since the addition of glutathione + gluthathione peroxidase greatly increases the formation of d -2-hydroxypalmitate from palmitate, with a concomitant decrease in CO 2 , it is strongly suggested that the intermediate in α-oxidation is d -2-hydroperoxypalmitate, which may then undergo decarboxylation to a pentadecanal and CO 2 or be reduced to d -2-hydroxypalmitate. Evidence in support of this hypothesis is presented.
Intracellular pH in frog skin: effects of Na+, volume, and cAMP.

Single skins were analyzed by {sup 31}P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy during alternative perfusion with control and experimental solutions. Intracellular (pH{sub c}) and extracellular (pH{sub o}) pH were monitored by measuring the spectral frequencies of intracellular P{sub i} and external methylphosphonate, respectively. Base-line pH{sub c} was 7.20 {plus minus} 0.02 (SE) when pH{sub o} was 6.99 {plus minus} 0.02. A 4-acetamido-4{prime}-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2{prime}-disulfonic acid (SITS)-inhibitable, HCO{sup {minus}}{sub 3}-dependent alkaline shift in pH{sub c} can be elicited by replacing external Cl{sup {minus}} by gluconate or sulfate. The authors now report that this effect is observed even in sodium-free media. The substitution of gluconate for external Cl{sup {minus}} has also been reported to shrink cell volume. This shrinkage can be minimized by replacing Cl{sup {minus}} with gluconate during perfusion with hypotonic, rather than isotonic, media. Conducted in this manner, the anionic substitution produced a much smaller alkaline shift in pH{sub c}. In the presence of the Na-H antiport blocker 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)amiloride (MIA), restoration of external Na{sup +} did not increase pH{sub c}. Adenosine 3{prime},5{prime}-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) also alters pH{sub c}. The data suggest that frog skin regulates pH{sub c} by the parallel operation of Na-H and Na{sup +}-independent Cl-HCO{sub 3} antiports. Cell volume and cAMPmore » may play regulating roles in this epithelium.« less
Human muscle modeling using generalized cylinders for volume consideration

Modeling and animation of the human form has been a long standing research goal in computer graphics. Muscles change shape due to the dynamic interactions of contraction, relaxation and contact. In order to provide real-time animation there must be a balance between the complexity of the methodology and the realism that is achieved. The methodology that will be explored and implemented in this thesis makes use of the cylindrical nature of bones and muscles. This method is generalized cylinders. As will be shown, the properties of generalized cylinders can provide fairly realistic components using simplistic calculation. To model the entire human body is a giant undertaking and is beyond the scope of this paper. Instead the thesis will demonstrate the viability of using generalized cylinders by modeling selected muscles and calculating their volumes. The focus would be the deformation of the muscles in the human leg while it performs four exercises. The modeling of the leg will include its three primary bones and five representative muscles. The skin covering is not included.