cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
366 ATRIAL NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE AND CYCLIC GUANOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE BLOCK THE STIMULATORY EFFECTS OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR β1 ON EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX MESSENGER RIBONUCLEIC ACID EXPRESSION IN CULTURED PULMONARY ARTERY SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Our previous studies demonstrated that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has a modulatory role in the development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats and mice. We have also shown that the expression of periostin (PN), a novel extracellular matrix (ECM)/adhesion molecule, and osteopontin (OPN) were stimulated by growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor 1 and angiotensin II in cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a potent profibrogenic factor that stimulates the expression of ECM in the pulmonary vasculature under stress conditions. The current study tested the hypothesis that TGF-β1 also increases PN and OPN expression in isolated PASMCs, and ANP or cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) act as antifibrogenic factors that block the stimulatory effects of TGF-β1 on ECM molecules expression. Rat PASMCs were incubated to subconfluence in complete DMEM medium, serum deprived for 24 hours, then treated with TGF-β1 at concentrations of 0.1, 1, or 5 ng/mL for 24 hours. To study the interaction between ANP, cGMP and TGF-β1 on ECM expression, PASMCs were pretreated with ANP (1 μM), cGMP (1 mM) or vehicle for 1 hour, and then exposed to TGF-β1 (1 ng/mL) for 24 hours. Steady state mRNA levels for ECM molecules PN, OPN, collagen I and III and 18S RNA were assessed by Northern blot analysis. TGF-β1 enhanced expression of PN and OPN, but not collangen I or III, in a dose-dependent fashion. ANP or cGMP decreased the baseline levels and significantly attenuated the TGF-β1-induced expression of PN and OPN in PASMCs. These results suggest that ANP and its second messenger cGMP have antifibrogenic effect by blocking TGF-β1-induced ECM expression in PASMCs, which may play an important role in the pulmonary vascular remodeling. (Fig. 1, Fig. 2)
Excision of Pyelocaliceal Diverticulum Under Renal Hypothermia

AbstractLarge symptomatic pyelocaliceal diverticula are uncommon. While treating these diverticula in children, it is important to conserve as much kidney tissue as possible. A large type I pyelocaliceal diverticulum in a 6-year-old girl was excised successfully in toto under renal hypothermia with minimal kidney damage. This approach to these diverticula under renal hypothermia is not only useful for total excision but also could be helpful for removing stones from the diverticula.
Functional Studies of Na + ,K + -ATPase Using Transfected Cell Cultures

The properties of different combinations of Na,K-ATPase subunits or their mutations can be studied in stably transfected mammalian cells. As a specific example, the methods here are for transfection of a modulatory subunit into cells with endogenous α and β subunits. Renal Na,K-ATPase is tightly bound to a small single-span membrane protein, the γ subunit, or FXYD2. The protein co-localizes and co-immunoprecipitates with the α/β complex, however it is not required for basic enzyme properties. Functional consequences of association with FXYD2 were investigated in stably transfected cells. The outcome was that FXYD2 reduced activity of Na,K-ATPase at the level of apparent affinity for Na(+) and to a smaller extent for K(+). Moreover, expression of FXYD2 reduced cell growth. Here we describe the methodologies as well as potential pitfalls.
Survival analysis of octogenarian patients with coronary artery disease managed by elective coronary artery bypass surgery versus conventional medical treatment.

BACKGROUND: In view of the increasing age of the U.S. population, the use of coronary artery bypass surgery in the management of the elderly patients with coronary artery disease needs to be better defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: To evaluate the effects of medical and surgical therapy on octogenarian patients with coronary artery disease in our institution, we retrospectively reviewed 177 consecutive octogenarians who underwent cardiac catheterization over a 5-year period. Sixty-five of these patients were found to have significant coronary artery disease without severe valvular disease. Elective coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in 36 patients, whereas 29 patients were continued on maximization of medical therapy and not referred to the surgical service. Left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) were similar for the two groups, whereas the surgical patients had slightly higher average number of diseased coronary vessels and slightly higher levels of angina. Univariate survival analysis of 20 variables, including the choice of medical versus surgical treatment and the associated conditions, was performed by Mantel-Cox testing of the paired Kaplan-Meier product limit survival curves stratified by the subgroups of each variable. The variables found to be significant were then included in a multivariate survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. The treatment choice, LVEF, level of angina, and presence of any aortic and/or mitral valvular disease at the time of cardiac catheterization were found to be independent prognostic indicators of survival in the follow-up period of 26 +/- 16 months. The 3-year probability of survival rates for the surgical patients and medical patients were 77.4% and 55.2%, respectively (p = 0.0294). The New York Heart Association functional class of the surgical group decreased significantly from a mean preoperative level of 3.4 +/- 0.5 to a mean level of 1.2 +/- 0.6 at the follow-up interview (p < 0.01), whereas it did not significantly change for the medical group from a baseline mean level of 2.8 +/- 1.3 to a mean follow-up level of 2.5 +/- 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that coronary artery bypass surgery provided improved long-term survival and functional benefit compared with conventional medical treatment in a small group of octogenarian patients in our institution.
Feminist Outdoor Leadership: Challenging Hegemonic Masculinity through Outdoor Education

3 Introduction 4 Defining Hegemony 5 A. Feminist Applications to the Theory of Hegemony 5 B. Hegemonic Masculinity 6 Women, Leisure, and Traditional Sport 7 21 Century Examples of Hegemony in Outdoor Activities 10 Defining Specific Outdoor Activities in Regards to Hegemony 13 Challenging Hegemony in Outdoor Education Specifically 15 Feminist Outdoor Leadership 16 A. Horizontally Shared Power and Space 16 B. Emotionality 17 C. Critical Relationship Building 18 D. Empowering Communication 19 E. Conscious Skill and Confidence Development 20 F. Transferring Hegemonic Transformations 21 Future Research: The Female/Nature Binary 21 Conclusion 22 Acknowledgements 23 Works Cited 25 3 FEMINIST OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP “It is by acting in the face of danger and by developing the habit of feeling fear or confidence that some become brave men and others cowards” (Aristotle, 350 B.C.E./1962, p. 34).
Hydrazine-based synergistic Ti(III)/N doping of surfactant-templated TiO2 thin films for enhanced visible light photocatalysis

Abstract This study reports the preparation of titanium (Ti 3+ ) and nitrogen co-doped cubic ordered mesoporous TiO 2 thin films using N 2 H 4 treatment. The resulting co-doped TiO 2 (Ti 3+ -N-TiO 2 ) thin films show significant enhancements in visible light absorption and photocatalytic activity. Cubic ordered mesoporous TiO 2 thin films were prepared via a sol-gel method with Pluronic F127 as the pore template. After brief calcination, the TiO 2 films were dipped into hydrazine hydrate which acts both as a nitrogen source and as a reducing agent, followed by heating at low temperature (90 °C). The hydrazine treatment period was varied from 5 to 20 h to obtain different degrees of reduction and nitrogen doping. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses and UV–vis absorbance spectra of Ti 3+ -N-TiO 2 films indicate that the incorporated N atoms and Ti 3+ reduce the band gap of TiO 2 and thus enhance the absorption of visible light. The corresponding visible light photocatalytic activity of Ti 3+ -N-TiO 2 films was determined from the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under visible light illumination (at 455 nm). The Ti 3+ -N-TiO 2 films prepared with 10 h of treatment show the optimum photocatalytic activity, with a pseudo-first order rate coefficient of 0.12 h −1 , which is 3 times greater than that of undoped TiO 2 films. Calcination temperature and time were varied prior to hydrazine treatment to confirm that a brief calcination at low temperature (10 min at 350 °C) gave the best photochemical activity. In photoelectrochemical water oxidation using a 455 nm LED, the Ti 3+ -N-TiO 2 films prepared with 10 h of N 2 H 4 treatment show about 4 times the photocurrent compared to undoped TiO 2 films. The present study suggests that hydrazine induced doping is a promising approach to enable synergistic incorporation of N and Ti 3+ into the lattice of surfactant-templated TiO 2 films and enhanced visible light photoactivity, but that the benefits are limited by gradual mesostructure deterioration.
Application of the Period-Synchronous Wavelet Transform for estimation of period acoustic signals

In this paper, a Period-Synchronous Wavelet Transform (PSWT), based on the concept of the Multiplexed Wavelet Transform (MWT), is proposed for periodic acoustic signal estimation. In PSWT decomposition, the analyzed signal is reconstructed in terms of a sum of scaling residue component and different scale wavelet partials. The scaling residue component consists mainly of harmonics of the periodic acoustic signal. After PSWT processing, the scaling residue component is passed through the Fourier Linear Combiner (FLC) algorithm to produce an adaptive estimate of each harmonic using the least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm.
Pervasive Myth or Pop Culture Relic? College Students' Experience of the Librarian Stereotype

This study explores the wider institutional discourse from which stereotypes of librarians emerge. The findings shed light on the discursive practices (e.g. the methods, the rituals, and the interactions) that take place between students and library staff, and how these inform the student’s perspective and experience of the librarian stereotype. This study utilizes the theoretical framework presented by Radford and Radford’s study entitled “Libraries, Librarians, and the Discourse of Fear” published in 2001 which argued that it is within this discourse that negative stereotypes of the librarian emerge. The students strongly expressed a fear of the library environment and atmosphere, and being intimidated by a librarian’s knowledge but collectively the students did not report being scared of librarians. Rather, they viewed librarians as meek and feeble – which, despite being a negative stereotype, is not the dominant one that persists in popular culture.
Highly Sensitive Electro-Optic Modulators

There are very important diagnostic and communication applications that receive faint electrical signals to be transmitted over long distances for capture. Optical links reduce bandwidth and distance restrictions of metal transmission lines; however, such signals are only weakly imprinted onto the optical carrier, resulting in low fidelity transmission. Increasing signal fidelity often necessitates insertion of radio-frequency (RF) amplifiers before the electro-optic modulator, but (especially at high frequencies) RF amplification results in large irreversible distortions. We have investigated the feasibility of a Sensitive and Linear Modulation by Optical Nonlinearity (SALMON) modulator to supersede RF-amplified modulators. SALMON uses cross-phase modulation, a manifestation of the Kerr effect, to enhance the modulation depth of an RF-modulated optical wave. This ultrafast process has the potential to result in less irreversible distortions as compared to a RF-amplified modulator due to the broadband nature of the Kerr effect. Here, we prove that a SALMON modulator is a feasible alternative to an RFamplified modulator, by demonstrating a sensitivity enhancement factor greater than 20 and significantly reduced distortion.
Energetics of Nanoarchitectured TiO2−ZrO2 and TiO2−MoO3 Composite Materials

High-temperature drop solution calorimetry in sodium molybdate solvent was performed on nanoarchitectured materials using a Calvet twin microcalorimeter at 975 K. Nanocrystalline TiO2−ZrO2 samples (mesoporous structure) and nanocrystalline TiO2−MoO3 samples (core−shell structure) were investigated. With the use of the measured drop solution enthalpies, the transformation enthalpies to macroscopic stable crystalline phases have been calculated. The enthalpy of transformation from amorphous to monoclinic ZrO2 obtained from this work, −50.08 ± 4.92 kJ/mol, is in reasonable agreement with the value of −58.60 ± 3.30 kJ/mol determined by Molodetsky et al. (2000). The enthalpy of transformation from amorphous to crystalline MoO3 derived from these data is −51.25 ± 2.01 kJ/mol. The enthalpy of transformation of nanophase anatase to bulk macrocrystalline rutile TiO2 is −7.02 ± 0.96 kJ/mol. The linear variation of energetics with the composition of both series, TiO2−ZrO2 and TiO2−MoO3, suggests that these materials...
Devices and circuits at the end of scaling

This keynote talk discusses challenges and directions for research on silicon and silicon-like devices as the industry approaches the end of the CMOS scaling era.
What Do Young Brown Dwarfs Tell Us About Exoplanets

In recent years, all-sky surveys have uncovered a new and interesting population of young (≈10–200 Myr), nearby substellar objects. Many of these objects have inferred masses and temperatures that overlap those of directly imaged exoplanets. These young brown dwarfs provide valuable analogs to young, dusty exoplanets in a context where detailed spectroscopic observations across a broad range of wavelengths and at high S/N are possible. How do the temperatures inferred by atmospheric models and evolutionary models compare? Can we determine the formation mechanism of a young planetary-mass object? How well do we understand the role that disequilibrium chemistry and dust clouds play in the atmospheres of these objects? We review the successes and challenges in determining the fundamental properties (mass, log(g), effective temperature) of young substellar objects, both brown dwarfs and gas-giant exoplanets.
A Wunda-full world? Carbon dioxide ice deposits on Umbriel and other Uranian moons

Abstract Carbon dioxide has been detected on the trailing hemispheres of several Uranian satellites, but the exact nature and distribution of the molecules remain unknown. One such satellite, Umbriel, has a prominent high albedo annulus-shaped feature within the 131-km-diameter impact crater Wunda. We hypothesize that this feature is a solid deposit of CO 2 ice. We combine thermal and ballistic transport modeling to study the evolution of CO 2 molecules on the surface of Umbriel, a high-obliquity (∼98°) body. Considering processes such as sublimation and Jeans escape, we find that CO 2 ice migrates to low latitudes on geologically short (100s–1000 s of years) timescales. Crater morphology and location create a local cold trap inside Wunda, and the slopes of crater walls and a central peak explain the deposit's annular shape. The high albedo and thermal inertia of CO 2 ice relative to regolith allows deposits 15-m-thick or greater to be stable over the age of the solar system. We conclude that Wunda, located at low latitude (7.9° S) and near the center of the trailing hemisphere where CO 2 detections are strongest, likely contains a solid CO 2 ice deposit. We discuss prospects for similar CO 2 ice deposits on crater floors on the other major Uranian moons, and predict that they are present on Ariel, Titania, and possibly Oberon (but not Miranda or smaller satellites). Such deposits have likely not been observed due to the limited nature of Voyager 2 image coverage.
The impact of nozzle and bed temperatures on the fracture resistance of FDM printed materials

Additive manufacturing refers to a new technology in which physical parts are directly produced from a computer model by incremental addition of the constituent materials. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the most common types of additive manufacture processes. The ultimate mechanical performance of FDM printed parts is a function of the interlayer bond quality. Current literature however focuses only on the phenomenological evolution of standard mechanical properties (such as tensile and bending) as a function of printing conditions. Such studies do not provide direct information about the interlayer adhesion and in-practice failure characteristics. In this work, a fracturemechanics- based methodology was used to characterize the fracture resistance of FDM 3D printed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) samples as a function of nozzle and bed temperatures. Double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens was printed in such pattern that the applied load exerted only tensile opening stresses at the crack front. This facilitated the measurement of crack growth under pure mode-I condition. A finite element model was then used to obtain the J-integral strain energy release rate values, as a measure of the fracture resistance. Since the crack propagated at the interlayer in all the cases, the fracture resistance was a direct indication of the interlayer adhesion. The results revealed that the critical crack growth load, the actual fracture surface area (governed by printed mesostructure) and the apparent fracture resistance all increased when the nozzle or bed temperature was increased; the nozzle temperature showed a much stronger effect. The layer-to-layer adhesion, as reflected by the interlayer fracture resistance, did not show monotonous increase with the temperatures and appeared to level off at higher temperatures, indicating that complete interlayer fusion was achieved. This work provides insight into and characterizes the relationships between the 3D printing conditions, the resultant mesostructure, the apparent fracture resistance and the interlayer adhesion in FDM 3D printed materials.
Anti-MAdCAM Antibody Increases ß7+ T Cells and CCR9 Gene Expression in the Peripheral Blood of Patients With Crohn's Disease.

Objective To define pharmacodynamic biomarkers in the peripheral blood of patients with Crohn's disease [CD] after treatment with PF-00547659, an anti-human mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 [MAdCAM-1] monoclonal antibody. Methods In this Phase 2, randomised, double-blind, controlled study [OPERA], blood samples were analysed from patients with moderate to severe active CD who received placebo or 22.5 mg, 75 mg, or 225 mg of PF-00547659 subcutaneously at baseline and at Weeks 4 and 8, with follow-up at Week 12. Soluble MAdCAM [sMAdCAM] was measured by mass spectrometry, β7-expressing T cells by flow cytometry, and gene transcriptome by RNA sequencing. Results A slight increase in sMAdCAM was measured in the placebo group from baseline to Week 12 [6%], compared with significant decreases in all PF-00547659 groups [-87% to -98%]. A slight increase from baseline to Week 12 was observed in frequency and molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome for β7+ central memory T cells in the placebo group [4%], versus statistically significant increases in the active treatment groups [48% to 81%]. Similar trends were seen for β7+ effector memory T cells [placebo, 8%; PF-00547659, 84-138%] and β7+ naive T cells [8%; 13-50%]. CCR9 gene expression had statistically significant up-regulation [p = 1.09e-06; false discovery rate < 0.1] with PF-00547659 treatment, and was associated with an increase in β7+ T cells. Conclusions Results of the OPERA study demonstrate positive pharmacology and dose-dependent changes in pharmacodynamic biomarker measurements in blood, including changes in cellular composition of lymphocytes and corresponding CCR9 gene expression changes.
Safety and Effectiveness of Single-Anastomosis Duodenal Switch Procedure: 2-Year Result from a Single US Institution

Single-anastomosis duodenal switch (DS) was introduced by Sanchez-Pernaute et al. as a modification of the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. We have published preliminary results of the loop DS as the first report of the procedure in the USA. This study aims to evaluate the loop DS procedures again, in terms of weight loss, comorbidity resolution, complication rate, and address the nutritional concerns. A retrospective chart review was performed on initial 128 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic single-stage loop DS between December 17, 2013 and September 23, 2016. Sixteen additional patients were prospectively enrolled from September 24, 2016 to May 4, 2017. A total of 102 female and 38 male patients were included in this study with a mean age of 41.2 ± 9.6 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) at the time of procedure was 57.3 ± 9.2 kg/m2. Percentage of total weight loss was 23.1, 37.1, 42.9, and 44.7% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Percentage of excess BMI loss was 41.9, 68.1, 76.6, and 80.8% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Mean levels of HbA1c, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly after the loop DS. Regarding the fat-soluble vitamins, majority of patients had vitamin A and E levels in the normal range. However, 42 to 56% of the patients had low levels of vitamin D at 6, 12, and 24 months following the procedure. Mean length of hospital stay was 4.1 ± 2.7 days. Thirty-day readmission rate was 7.6% (n = 11), and 30-day reoperation rate was 6.9% (n = 10). Loop DS seems to be effective in weight loss and is a feasible operation in the super-obese population. However, close monitoring of liver enzymes is warranted in addition to nutritional follow-up.
Lectures on Thermochemistry and Kinetics

Two of the major goals of physical chemistry is the prediction of equilibrium constants for chemical equilibria and the prediction of rate constants for elementary reactions. With the basic knowledge available to us today of molecular structure and geometry together with the techniques of quantum statistical mechanics it is now possible to estimate absolute entropies and heat capacities of molecules and radicals with good accuracy. Combining this information then allows us to estimate equilibrium constants. Where data on heats of formation are not available it is possible to use empirical methods to estimate them usually to within ±1 kcal/mole.
Oncodevelopmental Expression and Neoplasia

One of the earliest investigators to associate neoplasia with development was Julius Cohnheim,1 who in 1877 first proposed his embryonal rest theory of malignant neoplasia. Thirty-two years later, Adami provided one of the best known attempts to classify neoplasms on an embryologic basis.2 Although these earlier efforts are now best accepted more for their historic value than for their scientific merit, they do serve to demonstrate that the developmental approach toward attempting to understand the neoplastic process is not new. However, it has only been within the past 20 years or so that the biochemical and molecular aspects of development as related to neoplasia have come to be appreciated. In this context, it is not surprising that in recent years neoplasia has come to be referred to as being a problem in developmental biology.3–5 Perhaps even more relevant is the fact that malignant neoplasia is now frequently described as being a disease of differentiation.6,7
Deep learning of group activities from partially observable surveillance video streams (Conference Presentation)

In this paper, we describe the ontology of Partially Observable Group Activities (POGA) in the context of In-Vehicle Group Activity (IVGA) recognition. Initially, we describe the ontology pertaining to the IVGA and show how such an ontology based on in-vehicle volumetric sub-spaces realization and human postural motion limitations can serve as a priori knowledge for inference of human actions inside the confined space of a vehicle. In particular, we treat this predicament as an “action-object” duality problem. This duality signifies the amendable detection of human action observations that can be concluded as the probable object being utilized and vice versa. Furthermore, we use partially observable human postural sequences to recognition actions. Inspired by convolutional neural networks (CNNs) deep learning ability, we present architecture design of a new CNN model for learning “action-object” perception from continuous surveillance videos. In this study, we apply a sequential Deep Hidden Markov Model (DHMM) as a post-processor to CNN to decode realized observations into recognized actions and activities. To generate the needed imagery data set for the training and testing of newly developed techniques, IRIS virtual simulation software is employed for constructing dynamic animation of high fidelity scenarios representing in-vehicle group activities under different operational contexts. The results of our comparative investigation are discussed and presented in detail.
Abstract WP496: Early Mobility in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project

Bed rest is prevalent among patients in neurosurgical intensive care units (NSICU). The most common conditions that contribute to bed rest are acute ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes, neuromuscular w...
Does Concussion Affect Perception-Action Coupling Behavior? Action Boundary Perception as a Biomarker for Concussion.

BACKGROUND After a concussion, athletes may be at increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Altered perception of action boundaries (ABP), or the limits of one's action capabilities, is one possible mechanism for this increase in injury risk after concussion. OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences in symptoms, neurocognitive, vestibular/oculomotor, and action boundary function between subjects with no concussion history (NoHx) and concussion history (ConcHX). DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. PARTICIPANTS ConcHx (n = 22; age: 21.8 ± 3.0 years, height: 174.0 ± 8.3 cm, and mass: 77.8 ± 14.8 kg) and NoHx athletes (n = 24; age: 21.6 ± 2.0 years, height: 176.0 ± 10.0 cm, and mass: 72.0 ± 15.3 kg). INTERVENTION Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), Vestibular-Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool, and the Perception-Action Coupling Task (PACT). The PACT measures the accuracy of ABP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Neurocognitive domain scores, PCSS, VOMS subdomain symptom gain, ABP accuracy, and actualization. RESULTS ConcHx reported 2.7 ± 1.5 previous concussions occurring on average 263.8 ± 228.9 days prior. ConcHx was higher on several VOMS items including vertical/horizontal saccades (P = 0.001; P = 0.05), vertical/horizontal vestibular-ocular reflex (P < 0.001; P = 0.04), and visual motion sensitivity (P < 0.001). Average PACT movement time (P = 0.01) and reaction time (P = 0.01) were longer in ConcHx. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide preliminary support for impaired vestibular/oculomotor function and ABP in ConcHx compared with NoHx. The current results may enhance our understanding of the mechanisms for increased musculoskeletal injury risk after concussion.
Effect of particle breakage conditions on child particle aspect ratio

Abstract In particulate processes, the goal is often to control the particle size and aspect ratio distributions. One common unit operation is solution crystallization in agitated vessels, where a rotating impeller can break newly formed crystals. This study used sodium chloride crystals in three sets of laboratory scale experiments to investigate the effects of agitation rate, parent particle size, and solids concentration on crystal breakage. The first set used agitation rates of 1000, 1250, 1750, and 2000 rpm; the second set used average parent particle lengths of 569, 656, 3350, and 4690 μm; and the third set used solids concentrations of 1, 5, 7, and 10 g crystals/100 ml liquid. As expected, increasing the agitation rate produced a higher number fraction of particles smaller than 50 μm. The resulting child particle aspect ratios were primarily a function of the child particle size under the conditions studied.
Correlation of Pliocene and Pleistocene fossil assemblages from the central and eastern United States: toward a continental rodent biochronology

The ubiquitous presence and rapid evolution of rodents lend this group to the development of a correlational scheme for United States Cenozoic continental fossil deposits, equivalent to the later C...
59 Genome activation in intracytoplasmic sperm injection-derived horse embryos

During pre-implantation development, embryos go through a critical period of embryonic genome activation (EGA). The timing of EGA is species specific, but little is known in horse embryos. Here, we aimed to characterise EGA in equine embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Embryos were produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection of oocytes from 3 mares. Two embryos from each mare at each of 8 developmental stages (MII, zygote, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, morula, and blastocyst) were individually analysed by RNA-seq. Differential expression was evaluated using binomial Wald tests with an absolute logFC (fold change) threshold of 1 in the DESEqn 2 R package. We found that EGA occurred in a two-step fashion. Minor EGA took place during the 2-cell to 4-cell transition, and featured up-regulation of 751 genes and discrete down-regulation of 60 genes in 4-cell embryos compared with 2-cell embryos. Differentially upregulated genes were enriched in gene ontology terms related to transcriptional activator activity, homeobox domains, and nucleosome assembly. Major EGA occurred during the 4-cell to 8-cell transition and included the largest number of differentially expressed genes (n = 2,023) between consecutive stages. This period also featured the first massive transcript downregulation (n = 816). Upregulated genes were enriched in gene ontology terms related to ribosomal assembly, translation, and RNA modification. Additionally, we observed that the number of intronic sequences was significantly higher from the 4-cell stage onward, indicating active transcription in comparison to oocytes, zygotes, and 2-cell embryos. To evaluate the timing of paternal genome activation, we used whole-genome sequencing data from the parents (average genome coverage of 19×) to quantify allele-specific expression. The average number of informative SNPs in exons, i.e. SNPs with alternative homozygous genotypes from the sire (AA mare - BB sire), was 26 128 per mare, corresponding to 7696 genes. Parental-specific transcript abundance was determined for each embryo, with an average of 1,911 ± 865 informative SNPs detected per sample. Paternal alleles were considered expressed when they reached 10% of the maternal count. Across development, paternal transcripts became appreciable at the 4-cell stage, with 14.15 ± 7.60% of the informative SNPs exhibiting paternal expression, and increased thereafter until reaching a maximum of 96.34% at the blastocyst stage. Overall, this work demonstrates that EGA in horse embryos starts at the 4-cell stage and achieves its main activation at the 8-cell stage. Further analysis will be performed to detail paternal vs. maternal gene expression at the different embryonic stages.
Healthful and less-healthful foods and drinks from storefront and non-storefront businesses: implications for ‘food deserts’, ‘food swamps’ and food-source disparities

Objective Conceptualisations of 'food deserts' (areas lacking healthful food/drink) and 'food swamps' (areas overwhelm by less-healthful fare) may be both inaccurate and incomplete. Our objective was to more accurately and completely characterise food/drink availability in urban areas. Design Cross-sectional assessment of select healthful and less-healthful food/drink offerings from storefront businesses (stores, restaurants) and non-storefront businesses (street vendors). Setting Two areas of New York City: the Bronx (higher-poverty, mostly minority) and the Upper East Side (UES; wealthier, predominantly white). Participants All businesses on 63 street segments in the Bronx (n 662) and on 46 street segments in the UES (n 330). Results Greater percentages of businesses offered any, any healthful, and only less-healthful food/drink in the Bronx (42·0 %, 37·5 %, 4·4 %, respectively) than in the UES (30 %, 27·9 %, 2·1 %, respectively). Differences were driven mostly by businesses (e.g. newsstands, gyms, laundromats) not primarily focused on selling food/drink - 'other storefront businesses' (OSBs). OSBs accounted for 36·0 % of all food/drink-offering businesses in the Bronx (more numerous than restaurants or so-called 'food stores') and 18·2 % in the UES (more numerous than 'food stores'). Differences also related to street vendors in both the Bronx and the UES. If street vendors and OSBs were not captured, the missed percentages of street segments offering food/drink would be 14·5 % in the Bronx and 21·9 % in the UES. Conclusions Of businesses offering food/drink in communities, OSBs and street vendors can represent substantial percentages. Focusing on only 'food stores' and restaurants may miss or mischaracterise 'food deserts', 'food swamps', and food/drink-source disparities between communities.
Un nuevo tipo de migrante: ¿escapando del “desarrollo”?

espanolAqui examino dos grupos de problemas, uno perteneciendo a una historia mas vieja cuyas consecuencias aun estan con nosotros, y el otro, a una nueva historia en proceso que hace visible cuanta injusticia marca nuestro periodo actual. El primero destaca el poder de la ley y de los acuerdos contractuales para destruir economias que no encajan en el molde corporativo/moderno. El segundo se enfoca en dos grandes micro-historias brutales en donde la ley puede a duras penas funcionar. En resumen, estos son tipos de “desarrollo” que destruyen medios de vida y destruyen la tierra y el agua. El resultado es desastroso. Sin embargo, los tipos de medidas que utilizamos para establecer el “desarrollo” registran estas condiciones negativas como positivas: un aumento en PIB per capita. Ahora hay un creciente consenso entre expertos en desarrollo —notablemente Joseph Stiglitz y Amartya Sen— quienes sostienen que el aumento del PIB per capita ya no es util como medida para entender cual es el estado de nuestras economias si la preocupacion incluye la poblacion general —y no se enfoca unicamente en modos particulares de aumento que funcionan para los ricos—. EnglishHere I examine two sets of issues, one belonging to an older history whose consequences are still with us, and the other, a new history in the making that makes visible how much injustice marks our current period. The first brings to the fore the power of law and contractual arrangements to destroy economies that fall outside the corporate/modern mold. The second focuses on two major brutal micro-histories where law can barely function. In brief, these are types of ‘development’ that destroy livelihoods and destroy land and water. The outcome is disastrous. Yet the types of measures we use to establish “development” register these negative conditions as a positive: A growth in GDP per capita. There is now a growing consensus among key development experts (notably Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen) who argue that GDP per capita growth is no longer a useful measure to understand how our economies are doing if the concern includes the general population – and not only focuses on particular modes of growth that work for the rich.
LKB1 inactivation modulates chromatin accessibility to drive metastatic progression

Abstract Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, enabling cancer cells to expand to secondary sites and compromise organ function1. Given that primary tumors and metastases often share the same constellation of driver mutations2–4, the mechanisms driving their distinct phenotypes are unclear. Here, we show that inactivation of the frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene, liver kinase B1 (LKB1), has evolving effects throughout lung cancer progression, leading to the differential epigenetic re-programming of early-stage primary tumors compared to late-stage metastases. By integrating genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 screening with bulk and single-cell multi-omic analyses, we unexpectedly identify LKB1 as a master regulator of chromatin accessibility in lung adenocarcinoma primary tumors. Using an in vivo model of metastatic progression, we further reveal that loss of LKB1 activates the early endoderm transcription factor SOX17 in metastases and a metastatic-like sub-population of cancer cells within primary tumors. SOX17 expression is necessary and sufficient to drive a second wave of epigenetic changes in LKB1-deficient cells that enhances metastatic ability. Overall, our study demonstrates how the downstream effects of an individual driver mutation can appear to change throughout cancer development, with implications for stage-specific therapeutic resistance mechanisms and the gene regulatory underpinnings of metastatic evolution.
Outcomes and Patterns of Care in Adult Skull Base Chondrosarcoma Patients in the United States

Background Chondrosarcomas of the skull base are rare intracranial tumors of chondroid origin. The rarity of these lesions has made it difficult to form a consensus on optimal treatment regimens. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of prognostic factors, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes in patients with chondrosarcoma of the skull base. Methods Patients with diagnosis codes for chondrosarcoma of the skull base were queried from the National Cancer Database for the years 2004–2016. Outcomes were investigated using Cox univariate and multivariate regression analyses, and survival curves were generated for comparative visualization. Results A total of 718 patients with chondrosarcoma of the skull base were identified. Mean overall survival (OS) in these patients was 10.7 years. Older age and presence of metastases were associated with worsened OS. Of patients, 83.3% received surgical intervention, and both partial resection and radical resection were associated with significantly improved OS (P Conclusions In the largest study to our knowledge of skull base chondrosarcoma to date, both partial resection and radical resection significantly improved OS, thus supporting the goal of maximal safe resection to preserve vital neurovascular structures without sacrificing outcome. In patients who received radiotherapy, proton-based modalities and high-dose radiation were associated with increased OS.
Quantification of myocardial fibrosis using noninvasive T 2 -mapping magnetic resonance imaging: Preclinical models of aging and pressure overload

Noninvasive imaging of cardiac fibrosis is important for early diagnosis and intervention in chronic heart diseases. Here, we investigated whether noninvasive, contrast agent-free MRI T2 -mapping can quantify myocardial fibrosis in preclinical models of aging and pressure overload. Myocardial fibrosis and remodeling were analyzed in two animal models: (i) aging (15-month-old male CF-1 mice vs. young 6- to 8-week-old mice), and (ii) pressure overload (PO; by transverse aortic constriction in 4- to 5-month-old male C57BL/6 mice vs. sham-operated for 14 days). In vivo T2 -mapping was performed by acquiring data during the isovolumic and early diastolic phases, with a modified respiratory and ECG-triggered multiecho TurboRARE sequence on a 7-T MRI. Cine MRI provided cardiac morphology and function. A quantitative segmentation method was developed to analyze the in vivo T2 -maps of hearts at midventricle, apex, and basal regions. The cardiac fibrosis area was analyzed ex vivo by picro sirius red (PSR) staining. Both aged and pressure-overloaded hearts developed significant myocardial contractile dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. The aged mice had two phenotypes, fibrotic and mild-fibrotic. Notably, the aged fibrotic subgroup and the PO mice showed a marked decrease in T2 relaxation times (25.3 ± 0.6 in aged vs. 29.9 ± 0.7 ms in young mice, p = 0.002; and 24.3 ± 1.7 in PO vs. 28.7 ± 0.7 ms in shams, p = 0.05). However, no significant difference in T2 was detected between the aged mild-fibrotic subgroup and the young mice. Accordingly, an inverse correlation between myocardial fibrosis percentage (FP) and T2 relaxation time was derived (R2 = 0.98): T2 (ms) = 30.45 - 1.05 × FP. Thus, these results demonstrate a statistical agreement between T2 -map-quantified fibrosis and PSR staining in two different clinically relevant animal models. In conclusion, T2 -mapping MRI is a promising noninvasive contrast agent-free quantitative technique to characterize myocardial fibrosis.
Volumetric imaging of hemodynamic effects in the human brain by three-dimensional diffuse optical tomography

We report on the first three dimensional tomographic localization of hemodynamic effects in the brain with diffuse optical tomography. Using a model-based iterative image reconstruction algorithms we localize spatial changes in oxy and deoxyhemoglobin.
Leptin Reduces the Accumulation of Aβ and Phosphorylated Tau Induced by 27-Hydroxycholesterol in Rabbit Organotypic Slices

Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide and deposition of hyperphosphorylated tau protein are two major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have shown that cholesterol-enriched diets and its metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) increase Abeta and phosphorylated tau levels. However, the mechanisms by which cholesterol and 27-OHC regulate Abeta production and tau phosphorylation remain unclear. Leptin, an adipocytokine involved in cell survival and in learning, has been demonstrated to regulate Abeta production and tau hyperphosphorylation in transgenic mice for AD. However, the involvement of leptin signaling in cholesterol and cholesterol metabolites-induced Abeta accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation are yet to be examined. In this study, we determined the effect of high cholesterol diet and 27-OHC on leptin expression levels and the extent to which leptin treatment affects 27-OHC-induced AD-like pathology. Our results show that feeding rabbits a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet for 12 weeks reduces the levels of leptin by approximately 80% and incubating organotypic slices from adult rabbit hippocampus with 27-OHC reduced leptin levels by approximately 30%. 27-OHC induces a 1.5-fold increase in Abeta (40) and a 3-fold increase in Abeta (42) and in phosphorylated tau. Treatment with leptin reversed the 27-OHC-induced increase in Abeta and phosphorylated tau by decreasing the levels of BACE-1 and GSK-3beta respectively. Our results suggest that cholesterol-enriched diets and cholesterol metabolites induce AD-like pathology by altering leptin signaling. We propose that leptin administration may prevent the progression of sporadic forms of AD that are related to increased cholesterol and oxidized cholesterol metabolite levels.
Kona: A Multi-junction Detector Using Minimum Description Length Principle

Corners, T-, Y-, X-junctions give vital depth cues which is a critical aspect of image understanding tasks like object recognition: junctions form an important class of features invaluable in most vision systems. The three main issues in a junction (or any feature) detector are: scale, location, and, the junction (feature) parameters. The junction parameters are (1) the radius, or size, of the junction, (2) the kind of junction: lines, corners, 3-junctions such as T or Y, or, 4-junction such as X-junction, etcetera, (3) angles of the wedges, and, (4) intensity in each of the wedges. Our main contribution in this paper is a modeling of the junction (using the minimum description length principle), which is complex enough to handle all the three issues and simple enough to admit an effective dynamic programming solution. Kona is an implementation of this model. A similar approach can be used to model other features like thick edges, blobs and end-points.
A Basis for the Top Homology of a Generalized Partition Lattice

For a fixed positive integer k, consider the collection of all affine hyperplanes in n-space given by xi − xj e m, where i, j ∈ [n], i ≠ j, and m ∈ l0, 1, …, kr. Let Ln,k be the set of all nonempty affine subspaces (including the empty space) which can be obtained by intersecting some subset of these affine hyperplanes. Now give Ln,k a lattice structure by ordering its elements by reverse inclusion. The symmetric group Gn acts naturally on Ln,k by permuting the coordinates of the space, and this action extends to an action on the top homology of Ln,k. It is easy to show by computing the character of this action that the top homology is isomorphic as an Gn-module to a direct sum of copies of the regular representation, CGn. In this paper, we construct an explicit basis for the top homology of Ln,k, where the basis elements are indexed by all labelled, rooted, (k + 1)-ary trees on n-vertices in which the root has no 0-child. This construction gives an explicit Gn-equivariant isomorphism between the top homology of Ln,k and a direct sum of copies of CGn.
An encryption algorithm

In this paper, we will present an encryption algorithm using the decimal expansion of a computable absolutely normal Liouville number. We begin by an introduction of the Liouville numbers where we expose the originality, the history and also the strengths of using it. Then we give a complete description of an algorithm for encrypting a text. We produce a set of security tests that show its efficiency and its security level.
Behavioral effects of self-set goals for different time ranges.

Abstract The effects of self-set goals on self-reported goal-directed activity in different time ranges were investigated. The relationship between goal specificity, future time perspective and goal-directed activity were also examined. Subjects wrote down goals they had set for times ranges from 1 week to life span and then completed the Goal Questionnaire in reference to one goal, randomly selected by the experimenter. By means of factor analyses three goal-properties scales, importance, expectancy, conflict, and three action scales, effort, persistence, and satisfaction were created. Analyses revealed that with increasing time range there is an increase in level of importance, effort, persistence, and satisfaction, and a decrease in conflict. Goal expectancy appeared relatively stable. More specific analyses revealed that high importance leads to higher effort and satisfaction but to lower persistence. All action indices were positively related to expectancy of success and subjectively expected goal va...
A study of scientific research in the operating components of a large decentralized manufacturing company

This article presents a survey of the M.I.T. program of research and education related to the organization and management of large-scale, government and/or industry research and development. Six institutional levels of research and development activities are being investigated: a) national level; b) governmentindustry interface: the contracting system; c) laboratory, research center, or R and D organization; d) project level; e) research groups; and f) individual researchers. In addition, a brief discussion of the education program in R and D management is included.