cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructural evolution during quenching and partitioning of 0.2C-1.5Mn-1.3Si steels with Cr or Ni additions

Abstract The influence of Cr and Ni additions and quench and partition (Q&P) processing parameters on the microstructural development, including carbide formation and austenite retention during Q&P, was studied in two steels with a base composition of 0.2C-1.5Mn-1.3Si wt.% and additions of 1.5 wt.% Cr (1.5Cr) or Ni (1.5Ni). Additions of 1.5 wt.% Cr significantly slowed the kinetics of austenite decomposition relative to the 1.5Ni alloy at all partitioning temperatures, promoting greater austenite retention, lower retained austenite carbon (C) contents, and reduced sensitivity of the retained austenite amounts to processing variables. In the 1.5Cr alloy after partitioning at 400 °C for 300 s, η-carbides were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) revealed no significant enrichment of substitutional elements in the carbides. In the 1.5Ni alloy after partitioning at 450 °C for 300 s, both plate-like and globular carbides were observed by TEM. APT analysis of the globular carbides clearly revealed significant Si rejection and Mn enrichment. Mossbauer effect spectroscopy was used to quantify the amount of carbides after Q&P. In general, carbide amounts below ∼0.3% of Fe were measured in both alloys after partitioning for short times (10 s), irrespective of quench or partitioning temperature, which corresponds to a relatively small portion of the bulk C. With increasing partitioning time, carbide amounts remained approximately constant or increased, depending on the alloy, quench temperature, and/or partitioning temperature.
Introduction to Hydrogels

Hydrogels are a class of crosslinked polymers that, due to their hydrophilic nature, can absorb large quantities of water. These materials uniquely offer moderate-to-high physical, chemical, and mechanical stability in their swollen state. The structure of a hydrogels can be designed for a specific application by selecting proper starting materials and processing techniques. Since the equilibrium swelling capacity of a hydrogels is a balance between swelling and elastic forces, hydrogels with different swelling capacities can be designed by modulating the contribution of individual forces. Certain hydrogels respond to the changes in environmental factors by altering their swelling behavior. This chapter explains the evolution of hydrogels as a new class of the crosslinked polymers, the hydrogels structures, swelling forces, swelling kinetics, types of water in a swollen hydrogels, and composite properties of hydrogels materials.
ROLE OF LUTEAL PROSTAGLANDINS IN THE CONTROL OF BOVINE CORPUS LUTEUM FUNCTIONS

Current and emerging concepts on regulation of bovine corpus luteum function by various metabolites of arachidonic acid are reviewed. A series of experiments are presented which support the concept that prostacyclin (PGI2), a metabolite of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase pathway, plays a luteotropic role, and that products of the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, particularly 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), play a luteolytic role in the function of the bovine corpus luteum (CL). These ideas are supported by the following findings: injection of PGI2 directly into CL at mid-cycle produced a prolonged increase in peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone; PGI2 stimulated synthesis of progesterone by dispersed luteal cells; synthesis of PGI2 by luteal cells was greatest during the period of early CL development (d 5 and 10), and diminished as the CL aged unless pregnancy ensued, causing a maintenance of the CL and synthesis of PGI2; administration of indomethacin, a blocker of synthesis of prostaglandin by the cyclooxygenase pathway, twice daily on d 4 to 6 of the estrous cycle inhibited CL development and caused a reduction in cycle length, suggesting the presence of a luteotropic prostaglandin; oxytocin administration twice daily on d 4 through 6 inhibited CL development and was accompanied by a 50% reduction in luteal synthesis of PGI2 by CL collected on d 7; large quantities of 5-HETE were found in luteal tissue; the addition of 5-HETE to dispersed luteal cells inhibited synthesis of progesterone and PGI2, while production of PGF2 alpha was unaffected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ARTERIES AND VEINS

The lung's vasculature is different from that of most other organs because it has a double arterial supply and a double venous drainage system. The pulmonary artery which carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs branches alongside the airways into conventional and supernumerary arteries before it empties into the vast capillary network in the alveolar walls where gas exchange occurs across air–blood barriers. Conventional and supernumerary pulmonary veins drain oxygenated blood to the left atrium of the heart. The smaller (intra-acinar) vessels develop at the same time as do the acini of the lung and a major component of acinar lung development occurs postnatally. Alveoli increase from about 20 million at birth to about 300 million by the time lung growth is complete in adolescence. Consequently, a large component of intra-acinar vessels develop postnatally and during this critical growth phase are susceptible to local influences such as increased blood flow from intracardiac left to right shunts which can curtail vessel growth. Arterial wall structure is composed of endothelial cells that line the lumen, smooth muscle cells that make up the media, and fibroblasts that contribute the adventitial fibrous sheath. The wall structure changes from proximal to distal vessels in the lung, and alterations in the normal structure may occur during intrauterine life or postnatally in response to a variety of stimuli. Altered wall structure results in functional changes reflected in pulmonary artery pressure and resistance. Blood vessel assembly begins in primitive mesenchymal cells that undergo a complex series of steps before the mature vessel structure and function is attained. These stages in vessel development are under the control of a large number of transcriptional and growth factors. The timing and dose of some of these ‘angiogenic’ factors is critical to normal embryonic and fetal development; absence or even reduced expression of some factors is lethal for the developing embryo.
Pharmacy research at URI: bile acids and bile salt export pump: physiology and pathology.

mediciNe & HealtH/RHode iSlaNd the long-term objeCtIve of our reSearCh program is to understand how bile acid homeostasis is regulated in physiological as well as pathological conditions, with a focus on the transcriptional regulation of the bile salt export pump (BSEP). As one of the major constituents of bile, bile acids were once considered bodily waste with no useful functions. Now it is well established that bile acids have important physiological functions in animals and human. First, the well-known function of bile acids is to solubilize cholesterol and lipids in an aqueous environment, such as in the bile and the intestines. On the other hand, as biological detergents, too much bile acids are toxic for cells. Second, bile acids are recognized as signaling molecules serving as the endogenous ligands for nuclear receptor farnesoid x receptor (FXR) and G-protein-coupled receptor TGR5 to regulate cholesterol, bile acids and glucose homeostasis. Finally, recent studies have extended the functions of bile acids into various non-metabolic areas including inflammation, liver regeneration, hepatocarcinogenesis, inhibition of intestine bacterial growth and colon cancer. Bile acid homeostasis is achieved through coordinately regulated bile acid synthesis and elimination pathways. Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) is the rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis while BSEP is the rate limitingstep in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. (Figure 1) Modulation of BSEP expression or function by inherited or acquired factors has profound impacts on bile acid homeostasis and subsequently contributes to the risk for various bile acids-associated diseases, including intrahepatic cholestasis, gallstone disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Studying the transcriptional regulation of BSEP will uncover the mechanistic insights in the role BSEP plays in physiological as well as pathological conditions.
Idéalistes, pragmatiques et les autres: Profil des volontaires du Régiment de la Chaudière, 1939-1945

Quebec’s response to the Second World War is often reduced to its weak voluntary enlistment and its massive rejection of conscription. However, studying the service records of volunteers in the Regiment de la Chaudiere killed during the conflict leads us to revisit this perception. Analyzing the characteristics of the volunteers shows that unemployment and conscription were not the only factors that led Francophones to enlist in the Canadian Army. As was the case for Anglophones from across Canada, environmental, event-related and economic factors played a role in motivating French Canadians from Quebec to volunteer.
Spontaneous pneumothorax as a complication of chronic Jet propulsion fuel-8 exposure

Abstract Jet Propulsion Fuel 8 (JP-8) is a kerosene based fuel commonly used in aviation. Occupational exposure to JP-8 may lead to negative health outcomes, which were described in a small number of studies. We report a case of 33-year-old Caucasian male veteran with a history of JP-8 exposure who presented with chronic dyspnea and recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. To our knowledge, this is the first case of chronic inhalation injury from JP-8 exposure complicated with recurrent secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.
Integrating transcriptomic network reconstruction and QTL analyses reveals mechanistic connections between genomic architecture and Brassica rapa development

ABSTRACT Plant developmental dynamics can be heritable, genetically correlated with fitness and yield, and undergo selection. Therefore, characterizing the mechanistic connections between the genetic architecture governing plant development and the resulting ontogenetic dynamics of plants in field settings is critically important for agricultural production and evolutionary ecology. We use a hierarchical Bayesian Function-Valued Trait (FVT) approach to estimate Brassica rapa growth curves throughout ontogeny, across two treatments and in two growing seasons. We find that the shape of growth curves is relatively plastic across environments compared to final height, and that there are trade-offs between growth rate and duration. We determined that combining FVT Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) and genes/eigengene expression identified via transcriptomic co-expression network reconstructions best characterized phenotypic variation. Further, targeted eQTL analyses identified regulatory hotspots that colocalized with FVT QTL and co-expression network identified genes and mechanistically link FVT QTL with structural trait variation throughout development in agroecologically relevant field settings.
Heterochromatin Protein HP1α Gelation Dynamics Revealed by Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and forms liquid droplets and gels in vitro, properties that also appear to be central to its biological function in heterochromatin compaction and regulation. Here we use solid-state NMR spectroscopy to track the conformational dynamics of phosphorylated HP1α during its transformation from the liquid to the gel state. Using experiments designed to probe distinct dynamic modes, we identify regions with varying mobilities within HP1α molecules and show that specific serine residues uniquely contribute to gel formation. The addition of chromatin disturbs the gelation process while preserving the conformational dynamics within individual bulk HP1α molecules. Our study provides a glimpse into the dynamic architecture of dense HP1α phases and showcases the potential of solid-state NMR to detect an elusive biophysical regime of phase separating biomolecules.
Altered Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Novel Imaging Approach.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a safe, noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method to measure regional blood-brain barrier integrity and investigate its relationship with neurocognitive function and regional gray matter volume in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS In this cross-sectional, case-control study, capillary permeability was measured as a marker of blood-brain barrier integrity in juvenile SLE patients and matched healthy controls, using a combination of arterial spin labeling and diffusion-weighted brain MRI. Regional gray matter volume was measured by voxel-based morphometry. Correlation analysis was done to investigate the relationship between regional capillary permeability and regional gray matter volume. Formal neurocognitive testing was completed (measuring attention, visuoconstructional ability, working memory, and psychomotor speed), and scores were regressed against regional blood-brain barrier integrity among juvenile SLE patients. RESULTS Formal cognitive testing confirmed normal cognitive ability in all juvenile SLE subjects (n = 11) included in the analysis. Regional capillary permeability was negatively associated (P = 0.026) with neurocognitive performance concerning psychomotor speed in the juvenile SLE cohort. Compared with controls (n = 11), juvenile SLE patients had significantly greater capillary permeability involving Brodmann's areas 19, 28, 36, and 37 and caudate structures (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION There is imaging evidence of increased regional capillary permeability in juvenile SLE patients with normal cognitive performance using a novel noninvasive MRI technique. These blood-brain barrier outcomes appear consistent with functional neuronal network alterations and gray matter volume loss previously observed in juvenile SLE patients with overt neurocognitive deficits, supporting the notion that blood-brain barrier integrity loss precedes the loss of cognitive ability in juvenile SLE. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the findings of this pilot study.
Current Explorations of Nutrition and the Gut Microbiome: A Systematic Review (P20-032-19)

The ability to measure and describe the microbiome has led to a surge in information about the gut microbiome and its role in health and disease. The relationship between nutrition and the gut microbiome is central, as the diet is a source of microbiota, a source of fuel for the microbiota, and an indicator of the composition of the gut microbiome. We aim to assess the current understanding of the interactions between nutrition and the gut microbiome in healthy adults. A solid understanding of the interactions between nutrition and a healthy gut microbiome will form the foundation for understanding the role in disease prevention and treatment. PubMed and Google Scholar searches for review articles relating to nutrition and the gut microbiome in healthy adults led to the inclusion of 38 articles in this systematic review. Much of the research has focused on carbohydrates in the form of dietary fiber, which are fuel for the gut microbiota. The beneficial effects of fiber have centered on Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) that are required by colonocytes (barrier function), improve absorption (minerals, water), and reduce intestinal transit time (colon cancer). Contrastingly, a low fiber, high protein diet promotes microbial protein metabolism, leading to potentially dangerous by-products that can stagnate in the gut. The bidirectional relationship between micronutrition and the gut microbiome is emerging. The microbiota utilize and produce micronutrients, leading to confounding relationships between nutritional status and biologic micronutrient concentrations, chiefly the B and K vitamins. While promising, the study of non-nutritive food components (polyphenols) and the gut microbiome is in its infancy. The role of other food components (food additives, contaminants) warrant exploration and are a significant research gap to-date. Diet and nutrition have profound effects on the gut microbiome composition. This, in turn, affects a wide array of metabolic, hormonal, and neurological processes that influence our health and disease. Currently, there is no consensus in the scientific community on what defines a “healthy” gut microbiome. Future research must consider individual responses to diet and the role of diet in the response of the gut microbiome to interventions. N/A.
THE ELECTRICAL DOUBLE LAYER OF γ−Al2O3 - ELECTROLYTE SYSTEM

Abstract A modified Grahame's method was used to compute the distribution of ions at the hydrous γ−Al2O3 electrolyte interface. The characteristics of the double layer at a reversible oxide-electrolyte interface as such differ significantly from those of a polarized mercury-solution and reversible AgI-, Ag2S-solution systems. Presumably, the electrostatic field strength plays an important part in determining the electrical double layer structure. The validness of the Gouy-Stern version of the electrical double layer theory was verified by direct electrolyte adsorption measurement. It appears that the model holds satisfactorily at dilute concentration of indifferent electrolyte, viz. NaCl.
The failure of high power optics due to dirt and airborne particles

Materials with high bandgaps are resistant to particle-induced breakdown under CW illumination because evaporating contaminants then generate fewer free carriers near the surface. Laser-accelerated atmospheric particles induce failure even more strongly than fixed surface particles.
Metric distortion in the geometric Schottky problem

The classical Schottky problem is concerned with characterization of Jacobian varieties of compact Riemann surfaces among all abelian varieties, or the identification of the Jacobian locus $$J(\mathcal{M}_g)$$ in the moduli space $$\mathcal{A}_g$$ of principally polarized abelian varieties as an algebraic subvariety. By viewing $$\mathcal{A}_g$$ as a noncompact metric space coming from its structure as a locally symmetric space and $$J(\mathcal{M}_g)$$ as a metric subspace, we compare the subspace metric d and the induced length metric l on $$J(\mathcal{M}_g)$$ . Consequently, we clarify the nature of the metric distortion of the subspace $$J(\mathcal{M}_g)$$ and hence settle a problem posed by Farb (2006) on the metric distortion of $$J(\mathcal{M}_g)$$ inside $$\mathcal{A}_g$$ in a certain sense (see Theorem 1.5 and Corollary 1.6).
Effects of radiation therapy on clonal hematopoiesis.

12062Background: Clonal hematopoiesis (CH), characterized by recurrent somatic mutations in blood, is a common age-associated condition that portends an increased risk of myeloid neoplasms and card...
High frequency of p16 and SOX10 coexpression but not androgen receptor expression in triple-negative breast cancers

Summary Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) represent approximately 12–17% of all breast cancers and have distinctively aggressive clinical courses. Because routine biomarkers for breast cancer do not apply for TNBCs, it is essential to find novel prognostic markers and potential targets for therapeutic agents. p16 and SOX10 are emerging biomarkers with relatively unexplored expressions in TNBCs. We present an analysis of the expression of p16 and SOX10 in combination with that of androgen receptor (AR) and cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 in TNBCs. In addition, we used tissue microarrays (TMAs) to compare frequencies of p16 and SOX10 between TNBCs and non-TNBCs. Fifty-six TNBC samples with clinical data were stained immunohistochemically with p16, SOX10, AR, and CK5/6. Fifty-four cases (96.4%) were invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified, and 46 cases (82.1%) were Nottingham histologic grade 3. The majority of TNBC cases were positive for p16 (n = 44; 78.6%) and SOX10 (n = 48; 85.7%). AR was positive in 15 cases (26.8%). CK5/6 was positive in 24 cases (42.9%), which were classified as basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) subtype. The frequencies of p16 and SOX10 expression in BLBC and non-BLBC subtypes did not reveal significant statistical difference in a separate analysis. Using archived TNBC and non-TNBC TMAs, we observed that 56% of TNBC cases were positive for p16 compared with 16% of non-TNBC cases (p-value
Identifying interactive biological pathways associated with reading disability

Introduction Past research has suggested that reading disability is a complex disorder involving genetic and environment contributions, as well as gene-gene and gene-environment interaction, but to date little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Method Using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we assessed the contributions of genetic, demographic, and environmental variables on case-control status using machine learning. We investigated the functional interactions between genes using pathway and network analysis. Results Our results support a systems approach to studying the etiology of reading disability with many genes (e.g., RAPGEF2, KIAA0319, DLC1) and biological pathways (e.g., neuron migration, positive regulation of dendrite regulation, nervous system development) interacting with each other. We found that single nucleotide variants within genes often had opposite effects and that enriched biological pathways were mediated by neuron migration. We also identified behavioral (i.e., receptive language, nonverbal intelligence, and vocabulary), demographic (i.e., mother's highest education), and environmental (i.e., birthweight) factors that influenced case-control status when accounting for genetic information. Discussion The behavioral and demographic factors were suggested to be protective against reading disability status, while birthweight conveyed risk. We provided supporting evidence that reading disability has a complex biological and environmental etiology and that there may be a shared genetic and neurobiological architecture for reading (dis)ability.
Spatiotemporal Genetic Diversity of Lions Reveals the Influence of Habitat Fragmentation across Africa.

Direct comparisons between historical and contemporary populations allow for detecting changes in genetic diversity through time and assessment of the impact of habitat fragmentation. Here, we determined the genetic architecture of both historical and modern lions to document changes in genetic diversity over the last century. We surveyed microsatellite and mitochondrial genome variation from 143 high-quality museum specimens of known provenance, allowing us to directly compare this information with data from several recently published nuclear and mitochondrial studies. Our results provide evidence for male-mediated gene flow and recent isolation of local subpopulations, likely due to habitat fragmentation. Nuclear markers showed a significant decrease in genetic diversity from the historical (HE = 0.833) to the modern (HE = 0.796) populations, whereas mitochondrial genetic diversity was maintained (Hd = 0.98 for both). Although the historical population appears to have been panmictic based on nDNA data, hierarchical structure analysis identified four tiers of genetic structure in modern populations and was able to detect most sampling locations. Mitogenome analyses identified four clusters: Southern, Mixed, Eastern, and Western and were consistent between modern and historically sampled haplotypes. Within the last century, habitat fragmentation caused lion subpopulations to become more geographically isolated as human expansion changed the African landscape. This resulted in an increase in fine-scale nuclear genetic structure and loss of genetic diversity as lion subpopulations became more differentiated, whereas mitochondrial structure and diversity were maintained over time.
Evergreen Needle Magnetization as a Proxy for Particulate Matter Pollution in Urban Environments.

We test the use of magnetic measurements of evergreen needles as a proxy for particulate matter pollution in Salt Lake City, Utah. Measurements of saturation isothermal remanent magnetization indicate needle magnetization increases with increased air pollution. Needle magnetization shows a high degree of spatial variability with the largest increases in magnetization near roadways. Results from our magnetic measurements are corroborated by scanning electron microscopy of needle surfaces and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of metal concentrations in residues collected from sampled needles. Low-temperature magnetic analysis suggests the presence of small (<20 nm) partially oxidized magnetite particles on needles collected adjacent to a major roadway. Magnetization may be a low-cost proxy for certain metal concentrations (including lead) during periods of increased particulate pollution. The spatial resolution of our method appears capable of resolving changes in ambient particulate matter pollution on the scale of tens to hundreds of meters. Questions remain regarding the timescales over which evergreen needles retain particulate matter accumulated during atmospheric inversion events in Salt Lake City. Results presented here corroborate previous studies that found needle magnetization is a fast, cost-effective measure of particulate matter pollution. This method has the potential to provide high spatial resolution maps of biomagnetically monitored particulate matter in polluted urban environments year-round.
The Effect of Discrete Visual Perturbations on Balance Control during Gait

Immersive virtual reality provides a safe and costeffective approach to administrating balance disruption during ambulation. Previous research has explored the effects of applying continuous perturbations in a virtual environment to challenge balance. This pilot study investigates the ability to disrupt balance with discrete visual perturbations during ambulation in healthy young adults. During the study participants walked on a treadmill within a virtual environment. As they walked the entire visual scene was intermittently shifted to the left or right 1 meter over 1 second. The results demonstrate a significant decrease in step length (p < 0.05) and change in center of mass excursion (p < 0.05) across participants (N=13). Changes in gait lasted up to three steps after application, suggesting a consistent challenge to dynamic balance control as a result of the discrete visual perturbation . Further, participants did not demonstrate a reduction in response to the discrete visual perturbation with repeated exposure. The results indicate that discrete visual perturbations of a virtual scene can be used to challenge gait and modulate center of mass sway. The use of visual perturbations within a virtual environment to challenge dynamic balance could provide a safer and more affordable avenue for balance rehabilitation by reducing the need for systems that physically perturb balance.
Selling Data to an Agent with Endogenous Information.

We consider the model of the data broker selling information to a single agent to maximize his revenue. The agent has private valuation for the additional information, and upon receiving the signal from the data broker, the agent can conduct her own experiment to refine her posterior belief on the states with additional costs. In this paper, we show that in the optimal mechanism, the agent has no incentive to acquire any additional costly information under equilibrium. Still, the ability to acquire additional information distorts the incentives of the agent, and reduces the optimal revenue of the data broker. In addition, we show that under the separable valuation assumption, there is no distortion at the top, and posting a deterministic price for fully revealing the states is optimal when the prior distribution is sufficiently informative or the cost of acquiring additional information is sufficiently high, and is approximately optimal when the type distribution satisfies the monotone hazard rate condition.
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) reactives p16 in pancreatic cancer cells through hypomethylation

2606 Pancreatic cancer is the fourth cause of death in the U.S. Due to its aggressive and resistance characteristics, prognosis is often fatal. Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and p16 early in the carcinogenesis process allows the selective advantage of other genomic changes and damage to occur, which further contributes to its progression. p16 inactivation through promoter hypermethylation is an early event in this process. PCR analyses of pancreatic cancer cells (MIA PaCa-2) treated with 1, 10 or 100 μM of I3C demonstrated reactivation of p16 at 10 or 100 μM, both at 24 and 48 hrs. p16 was not expressed in the untreated control. Methylated-sensitive-PCR (MSP) analyses demonstrated that indole-3-carbinol unmethylated the promoter region of p16, which was methylated in the untreated control. A positive control using 5-azacytidine also reactivated p16 at 48 hrs, but not 24 hrs. Recent data published in our laboratory demonstrated that I3C significantly decreased the expression of DNA methyltransferases (Haefele, et.al., International J Cancer Prev., 2(4):245-255, 2007). This study showed the potential use of the dietary agent, I3C, as a hypomethylating agent in chemopreventive or therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
The July Phenomenon and Pediatric Trauma.

ABSTRACT Background The July Phenomenon describes concerns that patients presenting early in the academic year experience worse outcomes. Given the standardized approach to pediatric trauma patients, we hypothesized that the July Phenomenon would not impact morbidity or mortality. Methods A retrospective review of patients ≤16 Y presenting to a level I pediatric trauma center between March 2009 and March2019 was performed. Pediatric patients admitted during the study period were compared for differences in outcome by month of presentation. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were complications, and length of emergency department, hospital and Intensive Care Unit stay. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate the effect of month of admission on outcomes. Results A total of 6,135 patients were evaluated, with 605 patients presenting in July. Univariate analysis failed to demonstrate consistently increased mortality, complications, or length of emergency department, hospital or Intensive Care Unit stay in July compared to months later in the academic year. On multivariate analysis, admission in July was not an independent predictor of worse outcomes. Conclusions In this level I pediatric trauma center, pediatric trauma patients presenting earlier in the academic year have similar outcomes to those presenting later, and there is no evidence of a July Phenomenon in this population.
Journeys Beyond Information Literacy: Applying a Metaliteracy Framework to Political Science

This paper highlights the metaliteracy model of information literacy and suggests some potential applications to political science courses. We begin by describing how our respective journeys (the “ignorance” of the political science professor and the frustration of the librarian) have led to a fruitful collaboration. We then describe the metaliteracy model and some ways political science instructors might want to use it.
Corticospinal populations broadcast complex motor signals to coordinated spinal and striatal circuits.

Many models of motor control emphasize the role of sensorimotor cortex in movement, principally through the projections that corticospinal neurons (CSNs) make to the spinal cord. Additionally, CSNs possess expansive supraspinal axon collaterals, the functional organization of which is largely unknown. Using anatomical and electrophysiological circuit-mapping techniques in the mouse, we reveal dorsolateral striatum as the preeminent target of CSN collateral innervation. We found that this innervation is biased so that CSNs targeting different striatal pathways show biased targeting of spinal cord circuits. Contrary to more conventional perspectives, CSNs encode not only individual movements, but also information related to the onset and offset of motor sequences. Furthermore, similar activity patterns are broadcast by CSN populations targeting different striatal circuits. Our results reveal a logic of coordinated connectivity between forebrain and spinal circuits, where separate CSN modules broadcast similarly complex information to downstream circuits, suggesting that differences in postsynaptic connectivity dictate motor specificity. The authors detail principles underlying the innervation of spinal and striatal circuits by populations of corticospinal neurons, and characterize the behavioral information broadcast through this motor control network.
CXC Chemokines in Cancer

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the role that CXC chemokines play in mediating various events that are important and relevant to cancer. CXC chemokines can enhance innate and adaptive immunity, regulate angiogenesis, and mediate tumor‐cell metastases. The functions of CXC chemokines have a direct impact on both the biology of cancer and the host's response to the tumor. Tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis to distant organs are dependent on a highly orchestrated series of events including numerous steps: preneoplastic‐to‐neoplastic cellular transformation; the establishment of a proangiogenic environment; local tumor‐cell growth; separation from adjacent cells and/or extracellular matrix (ECM), followed by local invasion through ECM/vascular basement membrane and entry into the circulation; tumor‐cell embolization and extravasation; and metastatic tumor growth in distant organs based on Paget's theory of “seed and soil,” regarding the homing of tumor cells to a specific organ. The list of events that destine a tumor cell to invade and metastasize to distant organs in a specific manner is analogous to the process of leukocyte maturation, subsequent entry into the circulation, and eventual homing to specific tissue sites.
Effects of Noise Variance Model on Optimal Actuator Placement

In optimal placement of actuators for stochastic systems, it is commonly assumed that the actuator noise variances are not related to the feedback matrix and the actuator locations. In this paper, we will discuss the limitation of that assumption and develop a more practical noise variance model, and explore the properties associated this noise variance models.
The effect of surgical intervention for stress urinary incontinence (UI) on post-prostatectomy UI during sexual activity.

OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of anti-incontinence surgical procedures (artificial urinary sphincter [AUS] or male sling) on bother due to urinary incontinence (UI) during sexual activity after radical prostatectomy (RP). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between October 2000 and December 2007, 27 men in a large single-surgeon RP series underwent anti-incontinence surgery with an AUS or male sling. In all, 16 of these 27 men completed a questionnaire retrospectively capturing bother attributable to UI during arousal and orgasm and the impact of the AUS/male sling on UI and sexual quality of life (QoL). RESULTS In all, 15 men were evaluable. Of these, 11 were sexually active; four and seven men underwent AUS and sling placement, respectively. All 11 men had a marked improvement in stress UI symptoms, which was the primary indication for surgery. All men undergoing AUS had an improvement in their sexual QoL, and most (three of four men) indicated marked improvement. Slightly more than half of men undergoing the sling procedure reported marked improvement in sexual QoL. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows a beneficial effect of anti-incontinence surgery on UI during sexual activity. Whether these surgical approaches would benefit men with significant bother due to UI limited to sexual activity warrants further investigation.
Skull Development and Abnormalities

Prior to computed tomography (CT), plain skull radiographs were often the first study in the patient with suspected central nervous system disease [1]. Subtle clues to the intracranial contents could be discerned by the presence of calcification, skull erosion, and signs of increased intracranial pressure, as with demineralization of the sellae or an increase in the size of mastoid emissary veins, as well as by recognition of diseases primarily affecting the osseous structure of the skull in the form of sclerotic and/or lytic lesions (Fig. 29.1). CT revolutionized the radiologist’s ability to see the intrinsic structure of the skull in cross-section. This has decreased the demand for skull x-rays. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has further decreased the demands for skull films, by showing the intracranial contents even more exquisitely than CT. Today, the skull radiograph plays a relatively limited role in the evaluation of the pediatric patient. Except in the evaluation of trauma, craniosynostosis, and known genetic diseases affecting the cranial structures, the skull x-ray tends to be a procedure that follows the recognition of its need on the basis of another examination, such as CT, MRI, or the radionuclide study.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of a Central Iowa Soil Survey and Implications for Precision Soil Management

The movement towards precision agriculture has led to calls for soil maps that are more detailed and accurate than those offered in standard NCSS soil surveys. Studies have shown that soil variability can be greater than depicted in soil surveys; in fact, delineations that contain at least 50% of the soil mapped are considered satisfactory for soil survey purposes. Lacustrine plains are relatively flat and often have parent materials with uniform properties. Because soils are usually mapped using soil–landform relationships one might expect soil maps in these areas to be less accurate than average; it is difficult to delineate between map units using soil–landform relationships in such subtle landscapes. We grid-mapped a field containing lacustrine-derived soils in central Iowa and used the grid to evaluate the soil survey for accuracy. Two major and two minor soils, as determined by the area they occupy in the field, were present. For the field as a whole, the two major soils were correctly identified by the soil survey at least 63% of the time. The two minor soils were correctly identified 33% of the time or less by the soil survey. Large-scale soil mapping is expensive because of the time involved to create them in the field and in the office. Therefore, it is only economically beneficial to produce a detailed map if the map leads to significant alterations in the way a field is managed. In fields that may have uniform soil properties, it may be more cost-effective to conduct a ‘reconnaissance’ survey first and then decide if more detailed mapping is required.
Isolation of deoxyribonuclease II of rat liver lysosomes.

Abstract Although deoxyribonuclease II (acid DNase) is a widely distributed lysosomal enzyme, the liver enzyme has not been highly purified or well characterized. A procedure is presented for purifying the rat liver lysosomal enzyme 43,000-fold, employing chromatographic fractionations of an extract made from lysosomes. The purified enzyme is free of all other lysosomal enzymes assayed, including phosphatases, other nucleases, and, especially, phosphodiesterase, which has frequently been reported in DNase preparations.
Limitations on the Use of Acoustic Sensors in RF Breakdown Localization

X-band accelerator structures, meeting the Next Linear Collider (NLC) design requirements, have been found to suffer damage due to radio frequency (RF) breakdown when processed to high gradients. Improved understanding of these breakdown events is desirable for the development of structure designs, fabrication procedures, and processing techniques that minimize structure damage. Using an array of acoustic sensors, we have been able to pinpoint the location of individual breakdown events. However, a more accurate localization is required to understand the interaction between the phonon or the sound wave with the OFE copper.
Immunocytochemical heterogeneity of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase in adult lactase deficiency

Abstract Background: Adult lactase deficiency may result either from diminished synthesis of precursor lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (phenotype I deficiency) or from altered posttranslational processing of the precursor protein (phenotype II). The aim of this study was to compare the location of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase along the crypt-villus axis in control with adult lactase-deficient subjects. Methods: The immunocytochemical distribution of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase was studied in subjects with adult hypolactasia and in controls with persistent high lactase expression. Results: Duodenal biopsy samples from controls showed increasing intensity of brush border staining from upper crypt to midvillus. Subjects with phenotype I deficiency showed reduced and more patchy reaction product over brush borders. In some, maximal staining was localized over the upper half of the villi. The subject with phenotype II deficiency showed patchy staining but also intracellular accumulations of immunoreactivity within the apex of enterocytes mainly on the upper half of villi. Subsequent immunoelectronmicroscopy showed nearly a fourfold increase in label over the endoplasmic reticulum. Conclusions: These findings support prior observations of diminished enzyme synthesis in phenotype I lactase deficiency and suggest that the alterations in posttranslational processing in phenotype II deficiency involve a partial block in transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus.
The effectiveness of annotated (vs. non-annotated) digital pathology slides as a teaching tool during dermatology and pathology residencies.

Background With today's technology, paraffin-embedded, hematoxylin & eosin-stained pathology slides can be scanned to generate high quality virtual slides. Using proprietary software, digital images can also be annotated with arrows, circles and boxes to highlight certain diagnostic features. Previous studies assessing digital microscopy as a teaching tool did not involve the annotation of digital images. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of annotated digital pathology slides versus non-annotated digital pathology slides as a teaching tool during dermatology and pathology residencies. Methods A study group composed of 31 dermatology and pathology residents was asked to complete an online pre-quiz consisting of 20 multiple choice style questions, each associated with a static digital pathology image. After completion, participants were given access to an online tutorial composed of digitally annotated pathology slides and subsequently asked to complete a post-quiz. A control group of 12 residents completed a non-annotated version of the tutorial. Results Nearly all participants in the study group improved their quiz score, with an average improvement of 17%, versus only 3% (P = 0.005) in the control group. Conclusions These results support the notion that annotated digital pathology slides are superior to non-annotated slides for the purpose of resident education.
GPR56 Interacts with Extracellular Matrix and Regulates Cancer Progression

GPR56 is a relatively recent addition to the adhesion-GPCR family. Genetic and biochemical studies uncovered its roles in cancer and development and established its function as an adhesion receptor to mediate the interactions between cells and extracellular matrix. Despite of much progress on understanding its biological implications, the mechanism of its function remains elusive. It has not been firmly established whether GPR56 signals directly through G proteins and what its upstream stimuli and downstream effectors are to execute its various biological effects. This chapter will give an overview of the primary structures of the Gpr56 gene and its encoded protein and attempt to point out open questions in this research area, with an emphasis on its roles in cancer and signal transduction.
Adaptable technique for collecting MWD density logging research data using Windows software

The goal of the Density Project at Develco is to further develop gamma-gamma technology and support a commercial instrument that measures bulk density of Earth formations while drilling. A large database is automatically generated by the data collection system developed in the R&D department. This data collection system also performs several quality assurance functions for the data as they are collected. Commercial software applications are used in lieu of software generated in-house. Real-time analysis can be accomplished with any software application that supports the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) features of Windows applications. Mathcad was used initially to develop an algorithm for locating photo peaks and subsequently fitting to the peak a Gaussian function. >
Kinetic mechanism of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) from rat liver cytosol. Product inhibition, isotope exchange at equilibrium, and partial reactions.

Initial velocity studies of rat liver cytosolic P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase in the direction of P-enolpyruvate formation gave intersecting double reciprocal plots indicating that the reaction conforms to a sequential reaction pathway. A complete product inhibition study with MnGDP-, P-enolpyruvate, and HCO3- as product inhibitors indicated that all patterns were noncompetitive. Isotope exchange at equilibrium with exchange between the substrate/product pairs GTP/GDP oxalacetate/HCO3-, and oxalacetate/P-enolpyruvate while varying the concentration of substrate/product pairs in fixed constant ratio gave no complete inhibitory patterns as the concentration of the constant ratio pairs approached saturation. The exchange rates between the substrate/product pairs differed by a factor of 40 when compared under the same assay conditions. These results were interpreted in terms of a random reaction mechanism in which true dead-end complexes do not form and in which the rate-limiting step is not the interconversion of the ternary quarternary central complexes. In addition to the formation of P-enolpyruvate from oxalacetate and MnGTP2-, the enzyme catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxalacetate to pyruvate in the absence of MnGTP2-. This reaction occurs only slowly in the absence of GDP and most rapidly in the presence of MnGDP-. When only MnGTP2- and oxalacetate are present, no pyruvate is formed, and oxalacetate is converted stoichiometrically to P-enolpyruvate. The enzyme also catalyzes the exchange of [14C]GDP into GTP in the absence of P-enolpyruvate. This exchange is stimulated by the presence of HCO3-. When enzyme is incubated with MnGTP2- in the presence or absence of HCO3-, there is no hydrolysis to form GDP and P1. The two partial reactions, namely the exchange of [14C]GDP with the E.HCO3.MnGTP or E.MnGTP complex and the formation of pyruvate from the E.oxalacetate.MnGDP complex provide pathways by which the expected dead-end complexes can be converted to enzyme forms which can return to the catalytic or exchange sequence.
The Reflexivity of Pain and Privilege

A Mestizo is an indigenous person of mixed heritage. Approximately 20 million Latinos living in the United States identify as Mestizos. Nearly fifty percent identify as White, while the other half identify as Hispanic or mixed. These racial, social, and cultural identifications are largely rooted in Spanish Imperialism and European Colonialism. Furthermore, these Mestizo identifications have vast effects on assimilation and achievement. A fresh and critical perspective frames the concerns surrounding many Mestizos today, as it attempts to offer people of indigenous descent and identification a voice while they continue clearing a path for themselves and those that may soon follow.
Onroad Vehicular Broadcasting

This paper presents a broadcasting algorithm that considerably reduces the number of retransmissions in applications such as onroad vehicular broadcasting where nodes are assumed to be arranged on a strip. Analysis and simulation results are presented to describe the overhead, coverage and latency characteristics of the algorithm.