cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of the anablolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate, on certain reproductive parameters in bulls

Abstract A total of 17 bulls was used to study the effects of boldenone undecylenate on growth and semen characteristics in beef bulls. In trial 1 nine mature mixed-breed beef bulls with satisfactory semen quality were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 5) received boldenone undecylenate (1.1 mg/kg) at 21 d intervals for a total of seven treatments (147 d). Group II (n = 4) served as untreated controls. Semen was collected from each group by electroejaculation on each treatment day and evaluated according to the standards of the Society for Theriogenology. Although neither the percentage of spermatozoa with primary or secondary morphological abnormalities was different, the ejaculates of Group I bulls contained a higher percentage of abnormal spermatozoa than those in Group II. In trial 2, eight mixed-breed bull calves, average weight 140.4 kg, were maintained under drylot conditions in a single paddock. The bulls were divided into two equal groups. Group I (n = 4) received boldenone undecylenate as in Trial 1. Group II (n = 4) served as untreated controls. The bulls were weighed and the scrotal circumference (SC) was measured every 21 d until it reached 30 cm, at which time semen was collected and evaluated as in Trial 1. Group I bulls had a higher percentage of spermatozoa with primary morphological abnormalities than bulls in Group II. Group I bulls had a higher average daily gain (ADG) than Group II bulls and required 21 d longer for the SC to reach 30 cm. Semen quality for all bulls was satisfactory at each sampling day.
Visual Prominence and Representationalism

A common objection to representationalism is that a representationalist view of phenomenal character cannot accommodate the effects that shifts in covert attention have on visual phenomenology: covert attention can make items more visually prominent than they would otherwise be without altering the content of visual experience. Recent empirical work on attention casts doubt on previous attempts to advance this type of objection to representationalism and it also points the way to an alternative development of the objection.
Vaccination with intestinal tract antigens does not induce protective immunity in a permissive model of filariasis

Abstract Antigens obtained from the intestinal tract of filarial nematodes have been proposed as potential safe and effective vaccine candidates. Because they may be ‘hidden’ from the immune response during natural infection, yet accessible by antibodies induced by vaccination, intestinal antigens may have a low potential for eliciting allergic responses when vaccinating previously infected individuals. Despite prior promising data, vaccination with intestinal antigens has yet to be tested in a permissive model of filariasis. In this study we investigated the efficacy of vaccination with filarial intestinal antigens in the permissive Litomosoides sigmodontis BALB/c model of filariasis, and we evaluated the extent to which these antigens are recognized by the immune system during and after infection. Infected BALB/c mice developed lower IgG antibody responses to soluble intestinal antigens (GutAg) than to soluble antigens of whole worms (LsAg). Similarly, GutAg induced less proliferation and less production of IL-4 and IFNγ from splenocytes of infected mice than LsAg. In contrast to these differences, active infection resulted in equivalent levels of circulating GutAg-specific IgE and LsAg-specific IgE levels. Consistent with this, basophil activation, as assessed by flow cytometric staining of intracellular basophil IL-4 expression, was equivalent in response to GutAg and LsAg. Vaccination with GutAg adsorbed to CpG/alum induced GutAg specific IgG1 and IgG2A production, with GutAg specific IgG titers greater than 5-fold higher than those measured in previously infected animals. Despite this response to GutAg vaccination, vaccinated mice harbored similar parasite burdens 8 weeks post infection when compared to non-vaccinated controls. These studies demonstrate that soluble antigens obtained from the intestinal tracts of L. sigmodontis have some qualities of ‘hidden’ antigens, but they still sensitize mice to allergic reactions and fail to protect against future infection when given as a vaccine adsorbed to alum/CPG.
The role of IL-12 in the induction of late-phase cellular infiltration in a murine model of allergic conjunctivitis

Abstract Background: The applied murine model of allergic conjunctivitis mimics human disease, and an immediate hypersensitivity reaction (IHR) and a late-phase cellular reaction typically develop in sensitized mice after topical challenge with the allergen. Objective: We investigated the role of IL-4, IFN-γ, and IL-12 in the early and late phases of ocular allergy with use of cytokine knockout (KO) mice and neutralizing antibodies. Methods: Ragweed-sensitized wild-type or IL-4KO, IL-12KO, IFN-γ KO, anti-IL-12 mAb–treated, recombinant murine IL-12–treated, and anti-IFN-γ mAb-treated mice were challenged with the allergen 10 days after the immunization. IHR, cellular infiltration, lymphoproliferative response, and cytokine production from draining lymph nodes were recorded and compared among groups. Results: We show that IL-12KO mice and anti-IL-12 antibody–treated wild-type animals failed to have a cellular infiltration into the conjunctiva. Treatment with recombinant murine IL-12 also reduced the number of infiltrating PMNs but increased the percentage of mononuclear cells in the conjunctiva compared with controls. IFN-γ KO mice had a significantly stronger IHR and prolonged infiltration into the conjunctiva after challenge with ragweed than controls. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the presence of IL-12, although better known as a T H 1-inducing cytokine, is important for the development and the regulation of the late-phase pathologic features in ocular allergy. Furthermore, IFN-γ is a limiting factor in the late phase of allergy and thus may be important in preventing chronic allergic disease. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:299-308.)
STUDIES IN EXPERIMENTAL SYPHILIS : I. THE INFLUENCE OF THE SIZE OF INOCULUM ON THE COURSE OF EXPERIMENTAL SYPHILIS IN THE RABBIT.

1. The size of the dose of the infecting material exerts an appreciable effect upon the duration of the incubation period in experimental syphilis of the rabbit. Other things being equal, the larger the dose the shorter is the incubation period. 2. The size of the inoculum was not found to exercise any marked effect upon the course of the disease as a whole. 3. In individual rabbits inoculated with minimal amounts of virus the disease may run a malignant course.
Comparison between the Standardized Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A2 Method and a 2,3-Bis(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-[(Sulphenylamino)Carbonyl]-2H-Tetrazolium Hydroxide- Based Method for Testing Antifungal Susceptibility of Dermatophytes

In this study, we determined the utility of a 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-[(sulfenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT)-based assay for determining antifungal susceptibilities of dermatophytes to terbinafine, ciclopirox, and voriconazole in comparison to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-A2 method. Forty-eight dermatophyte isolates, including Trichophyton rubrum (n = 15), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 7), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 11), and Epidermophyton floccosum (n = 13), and two quality control strains, were tested. In the XTT-based method, MICs were determined spectrophotometrically at 490 nm after addition of XTT and menadione. For the CLSI method, the MICs were determined visually. With T. rubrum, the XTT assay revealed MIC ranges of 0.004 to >64 μg/ml, 0.125 to 0.25 μg/ml, and 0.008 to 0.025 μg/ml for terbinafine, ciclopirox, and voriconazole, respectively. Similar MIC ranges were obtained against T. rubrum by using the CLSI method. Additionally, when tested with T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, and E. floccosum isolates, the XTT and CLSI methods resulted in comparable MIC ranges. Both methods revealed similar lowest drug concentrations that inhibited 90% of the isolates for the majority of tested drug-dermatophyte combinations. The levels of agreement within 1 dilution between both methods were as follows: 100% with terbinafine, 97.8% with ciclopirox, and 89.1% with voriconazole. However, the agreement within 2 dilutions between these two methods was 100% for all tested drugs. Our results revealed that the XTT assay can be a useful tool for antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes.
Polychlorinated biphenyl contamination trends in Lake Hartwell, South Carolina (USA): Sediment recovery profiles spanning two decades

To assess the ca. 20-year polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination trends in Lake Hartwell, SC, sediment cores from the Twelve Mile Creek arm were collected in July 2004 at two sites (G30 and G33) first sampled in the mid-1980s. Congener-specific PCB data as a function of depth from the sediment-water interface for the 2004 sediment samples were compared to data obtained from 1987 and 1998 samples taken from the same locations. Despite modest decreases in total PCB levels near the G30 sediment-water interface, historical increases in average degrees of chlorination may elevate the overall toxic risk at this site. Unlike G30, the more rapid recovery in the near-surface sediment of G33 suggests that the effectiveness of the U.S. EPA natural attenuation record of decision is site-specific and is unlikely to result in uniform surface sediment recovery throughout the most contaminated regions of Lake Hartwell.
Mapping vegetation cover change using geostatistical methods and bitemporal Landsat TM images

Accurately mapping change in vegetation cover is difficult due to the need for permanent plots to collect field data of the change; errors from georeference, coregistration, and data analysis; a small coefficient of correlation between remote sensing and field data; and limitations of existing methods. In this study, four cosimulation procedures, two collocated cokriging procedures, and two regression procedures were compared. The results showed that with the same cosimulation or collocated cokriging methods, two postestimation procedures led to more accurate estimates than the corresponding two preestimation procedures. Among three postestimation procedures with the same image data, cosimulation resulted in the most accurate estimates and reliable variances, then regression modeling and collocated cokriging. Thus, cosimulation algorithms can be recommended for this purpose. Moreover, the accuracy by a joint cosimulation procedure of 1989 and 1992 vegetation cover was similar to that by a separate cosimulation procedure; however, the joint cosimulation overestimated the average change. In addition, adding more Thematic Mapper images increased the accuracy of mapping for the cosimulation procedures, and the increase was slight for the regression procedures.
The influence of self-efficacy, gender stereotypes and the importance of it skills on college students' intentions to pursue IT careers

Diversity-related themes such as social inclusion, community informatics, and broadening participation in undergraduate and graduate education are consistently discussed at the i-Conference. In this paper, the authors examine three factors (self-efficacy, gender stereotypes about IT skills, and the importance of IT skills) which are critical in shaping career choices of the iSchool undergraduate population. To further our understanding of human diversity, we seek to determine if there is variation in these three factors by race/ethnicity. The findings suggest that students across racial and ethnic backgrounds are similar in their beliefs about job skills required for IT careers as well as their ability to acquire and perform these skills. However, students seem to be more confident in their non-technical skills and place highest importance on human skills. Information science undergraduate programs may, therefore, need to place greater emphasis on the transfer of technical skills and educate students about the importance of these skills in the workplace.
On the Control of the Residual Circulation and Stratospheric Temperatures in the Arctic by Planetary Wave Coupling

AbstractIt is well established that interannual variability of eddy (meridional) heat flux near the tropopause controls the variability of Arctic lower-stratospheric temperatures during spring via a modification of the strength of the residual circulation. While most studies focus on the role of anomalous heat flux values, here the impact of total (climatology plus anomaly) negative heat flux events on the Arctic stratosphere is investigated. Utilizing the Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) dataset, it is found that total negative heat flux events coincide with a transient reversal of the residual circulation and cooling of the Arctic lower stratosphere. The negative events weaken the seasonally averaged adiabatic warming.The analysis provides a new interpretation of the winters of 1997 and 2011, which are known to have the lowest March Arctic lower-stratospheric temperatures in the satellite era. While most winters involve positive and negative heat flux extremes, the winters of 1997 and 2011 are un...
Creative arterial bypass grafting can be performed on the beating heart.

Abstract Background . To demonstrate that compromise is unnecessary in either the design or performance of beating heart surgery, we report our experience, over 1 year, of total arterial revascularization where composite or creative grafting was utilized. Methods . We performed 321 off-pump coronary artery bypass operations, of which, 290 (90%) were done with only arterial conduits. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 2.48, with a range of 1 to 5. There were no aortic anastomoses. One hundred eighty-nine patients (65%) were male, and 101 (35%) were female, with a mean age of 67 years. Comorbidities included chronic renal failure (CRF), 21 (7%); diabetes, 92 (32%); obesity, 68 (23%); hypertension, 212 (73%); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 189 (65%); cerebral vascular accident (CVA), 39 (13%); smoking, 164 (56%); and hypercholesterolemia, 151 (52%). The mean ejection fraction was 56%, with a range of 21% to 71%. All procedures were performed with external stabilizers with or without vacuum assist. The complete arterial revascularizations included a T-graft (internal thoracic [ITA]/radial arteries [RA]), 130 (45%); a sequential graft (ITA ± RA), 118 (41%); a U-graft (coronary-coronary graft perfused by the ITA or right gastroepiploic artery), 5 (2%); an I-graft (ITA/RA), 4 (1%); an X-graft (ITA/RA), 2 (12); and a Y-graft (ITA/RA), 31 (10%). Results . The postoperative incidence of atrial fibrillation was 80 of 290 (27%); CVA, 5 of 290 (2%); bleeding resulting in take-back, 5 of 290 (2%); CRF, 8 of 290 (3%); deep sternal infection, 4 of 290 (1%); and readmission (30-day) for angina, 4 of 290 (1%). The observed perioperative (30-day) mortality was 9 of 290 (3.1%), with the STS predicted rate of 3.82%. Conclusions . Our experience indicates that once the operating surgeon has learned to safely expose the lateral and inferior walls of the heart, the type of conduit and the method of revascularization should be no different than that used with cardiopulmonary bypass. However, we still recommend conventional methods of revascularization (on-pump with saphenous vein conduits) for the ischemic patient.
Scalable and portable visualization of large atomistic datasets

A scalable and portable code named Atomsviewer has been developed to interactively visualize a large atomistic dataset consisting of up to a billion atoms. The code uses a hierarchical view frustum-culling algorithm based on the octree data structure to efficiently remove atoms outside of the user’s field-of-view. Probabilistic and depth-based occlusion-culling algorithms then select atoms, which have a high probability of being visible. Finally a multiresolution algorithm is used to render the selected subset of visible atoms at varying levels of detail. Atomsviewer is written in C++ and OpenGL, and it has been tested on a number of architectures including Windows, Macintosh, and SGI. Atomsviewer has been used to visualize tens of millions of atoms on a standard desktop computer and, in its parallel version, up to a billion atoms. Program summary
The design and utility of institutional teaching awards: a literature review.

Background: Institutional teaching awards have been used widely in higher education since the 1970s. Nevertheless, a comprehensive review of the literature on such awards has not been published since 1997.Aim: We conducted a literature review to learn as much as possible about the design (e.g., formats, selection processes) and utility (e.g., impact on individuals and institutions) of teaching awards in order to provide information for use in designing, implementing, or evaluating award programs.Methods: We searched electronic databases for English-language publications on awards for exemplary teaching. Targeted publications included descriptions and/or investigations of award programs, their impact, and theoretical or conceptual models for awards programs. Screening was conducted by dual review; a third reviewer was assigned for disagreements. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Results were summarized descriptively.Results: We identified 1302 publications for initial relevancy screening by title and abstr...
Low-Income Families in Their New Neighborhoods The Short-Term Effects of Moving From Chicago's Public Housing

This article investigates short-term changes in neighborhood conditions for families moving from Chicago public housing as part of the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) demonstration program. MTO features a controlled experimental design and thus may be better suited, in the long run, than recent survey-based studies to elucidate the effects of neighborhood conditions on family and children's well-being. We focus on five key aspects of family well-being: neighborhood conditions, feelings of safety, experiences with crime, opportunities and risks for teenagers, and access to services. All mover families experienced significant improvements on each measure, yet those that were required to move to low-poverty neighborhoods experienced the greatest improvements. The only drawback to these low-poverty moves appears to be the relative isolation of the destination, particularly concerning access to public transportation; however, more intensive housing counseling might help families choose neighborhoods with better ac...
Binary analysis for measurement and attribution of program performance

Modern programs frequently employ sophisticated modular designs. As a result, performance problems cannot be identified from costs attributed to routines in isolation; understanding code performance requires information about a routine's calling context. Existing performance tools fall short in this respect. Prior strategies for attributing context-sensitive performance at the source level either compromise measurement accuracy, remain too close to the binary, or require custom compilers. To understand the performance of fully optimized modular code, we developed two novel binary analysis techniques: 1) on-the-fly analysis of optimized machine code to enable minimally intrusive and accurate attribution of costs to dynamic calling contexts; and 2) post-mortem analysis of optimized machine code and its debugging sections to recover its program structure and reconstruct a mapping back to its source code. By combining the recovered static program structure with dynamic calling context information, we can accurately attribute performance metrics to calling contexts, procedures, loops, and inlined instances of procedures. We demonstrate that the fusion of this information provides unique insight into the performance of complex modular codes. This work is implemented in the HPCToolkit performance tools (http://hpctoolkit.org).
Tailoring optical forces in waveguides through radiation pressure and electrostriction

Radiation pressure is known to scale to large values in the context of micro and nano-scale photonic waveguide systems. However, little has been done to address electrostrictively induced forces, which also scale quadratically with electric field. In this paper, we perform detailed analysis of both radiation pressure and electrostricitve optical forces generated in high-index contrast optical waveguides. Through analysis of the material- and geometry-dependent design degrees of freedom associated with the electrostrictive and radiation pressure induced forces, we show that the magnitude and distribution of such forces can be tailored at the various boundaries of the waveguide system.
Fourier domain mode locking at 1050 nm for ultra-high-speed optical coherence tomography of the human retina at 236,000 axial scans per second

A Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML) laser at 1050 nm for ultra-high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the human retina is demonstrated. Achievable performance, physical limitations, design rules, and scaling principles for FDML operation and component choice in this wavelength range are discussed. The fiber-based FDML laser operates at a sweep rate of 236 kHz over a 63 nm tuning range, with 7 mW average output power. Ultra-high-speed retinal imaging is demonstrated at 236,000 axial scans per second. This represents a speed improvement of approximately10x over typical high-speed OCT systems, paving the way for densely sampled volumetric data sets and new imaging protocols.
Reconstructive endovascular treatment of a ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm using the Pipeline embolization device

Background The Pipeline embolization device has been used successfully to treat intracranial aneurysms with difficult morphologies. However, the need for dual antiplatelet therapy has limited its use after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report A 42-year-old woman with a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of her dominant vertebral artery (V4) was successfully treated by Pipeline embolization with preservation of flow through a covered posterior inferior cerebellar artery. This strategy preserved endovascular access for the treatment of severe posterior circulation vasospasm. She was a non-responder to thienopyridine agents and was thus maintained on aspirin and heparin, which was transitioned to warfarin following ventricular drain removal. The aneurysm remains angiographically obliterated at 6 months. Despite a moribund presentation and an extended hospitalization, she has made a remarkable neurological recovery. Conclusions Pipeline embolization may be used to treat a ruptured dissecting aneurysm in selected cases where parent vessel preservation is paramount.
Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis oocytes maintain a microtubule organizing center throughout oogenesis: implications for the establishment of egg polarity in sea urchins.

Although it has been known for over a century that sea urchin eggs are polarized cells, very little is known about the mechanism responsible for establishing and maintaining polarity. Our previous studies of microtubule organization during sea urchin oogenesis described a cortical microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) present during germinal vesicle (GV) migration in large oocytes. This MTOC was localized within the future animal pole of the mature egg. In this study we have used electron microscopy and immu- nocytochemistry to characterize the structure of this MTOC and have established that this organelle appears prior to GV migration. We show that the cortical MTOC contains all the components of a centrosome, including a pair of centrioles. Although a centrosome proper was not found in small oocytes, the centriole pair in these cells was always found in association with a striated rootlet, a structural remnant of the flagellar ap- paratus present in precursor germinal cells (PGCs). The centrioles/striated rootlet complex was asymme- trically localized to the side of the oocyte closest to the gonadal wall. These data are consistent with the previously proposed hypothesis that in echinoderms the polarity of the PGCs in the germinal epithelium influences the final polarity of the mature egg. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 76-87, 2007. 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Towards a Hybrid Adjoint Approach for Arbitrarily Complex Partial Differential Equations

Adjoint methods are widely used in various areas of computational science to efficiently obtain sensitivities of functionals which result from the solution of partial differential equations (PDEs). In addition, adjoint methods have been used in other settings including error estimation, uncertainty quantification and inverse problem formulations. When deriving the adjoint equations, there are two main approaches one can follow: the discrete and the continuous methods, which differ principally in the order of the linearization and discretization steps. The discrete adjoint method starts from the discretized form of the partial differential equation, which is then linearized. On the other hand, the continuous method linearizes the continuous governing equations first and then discretizes the resulting problem. Each of these approaches is found to have advantages and disadvantages over the other. In this paper we consider a hybrid approach between these two methods that aims to combine the better qualities of both: reducing the time spent on the mathematical derivation while also lowering the computational requirements of the discrete method and increasing the overall quality of the adjoint solution.
Papillary serous carcinoma with basophilic cytoplasmic granules.

Case HistoryA 69-year-old white female presented with vaginal bleeding and abdominal distention. A uterine cervical biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. A laparotomy was performed, with a hysterectomy, bilaterial salpingo-oophorectomy, and multiple omental and abdominal lymph node biopsies. The tumor was present in the endometrium and endocervix with deep myometrial invasion, in both ovaries, numerous peritoneal nodules, and multiple retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Despite postoperative chemotherapy, the patient developed bowel obstruction and died 4 months after surgery. No autopsy was performedStudy the figures without reading the legends and make your diagnosis
A neural network system for detection of life-threatening arrhythmias, based on Kohonen networks

A system using Kohonen networks is designed for automatic recognition of malignant cardiac rhythms and their differentiation from benign rhythms. The data were contained in digital files. Initially the QRS complex was detected and a set of features are extracted. The features passed to a Kohonen network for classification of the beat as normal or aberrant. This information together with the RR interval is passed to a buffer containing information on 20 consecutive beats. Statistical parameters of the 19 RR intervals together with the beat class were passed to a second Kohonen network for rhythm classification. Multiple ECG files, each containing approximately 3 minutes of data, were used for testing of the system. The system differentiated correctly between malignant and benign rhythms, but had difficulty in identifying correctly the various types of rapid benign rhythms.
Effects of Praziquantel on Eggs of the Asian Tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi

Abstract Praziquantel, an anthelmintic, is commonly used to control the Asian fish tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and baitfish. We treated 50 individuals from three different cyprinid fish species with praziquantel at 6 mg/L, a dose higher than the minimum recommended for complete Asian tapeworm removal in 24 h but much less than the concentration that would have ill effects on the fish. Praziquantel killed hundreds of adult tapeworms, but many ruptured and released eggs. We observed that the eggs released from Asian tapeworms treated with praziquantel were viable and produced thousands of coracidia over several days. We warn fishery managers that even if fish receive the typically recommended praziquantel treatment regime and all adult tapeworms are killed, viable eggs and coracidia may be present in the holding water or attached to the skin of treated fish, the surfaces of equipment, or treatment personnel.
Fault Localization Using Passive End-to-End Measurement and Sequential Testing for Wireless Sensor Networks

Faulty components in a network need to be localized and repaired to sustain the health of the network. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that carefully combines active and passive measurements to localize faults in wireless sensor networks. More specifically, we formulate a problem of optimal sequential testing guided by end-to-end data. This problem determines an optimal testing sequence of network components based on end-to-end data in sensor networks to minimize testing cost. We prove that this problem is NP-hard and propose a greedy algorithm to solve it. Extensive simulation shows that in most settings our algorithm only requires testing a very small set of network components to localize and repair all faults in the network. Our approach is superior to using active and passive measurements in isolation. It also outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches that localize and repair all faults in a network.
Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases

The discovery in 1956 that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease spelled the end of the concept of horror autotoxicus and introduced the reality of human autoimmunity. Soon after, Graves’ disease was discovered to be directly caused by a serum factor, subsequently identified as an autoantibody. These diseases have served as invaluable models for the understanding of the organ specific autoimmunity. While Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are the two most common autoimmune thyroid diseases, autoimmune etiology has been also implicated in other forms of thyroiditides like Riedel’s, postpartum, silent and focal lymphocytic thyroiditis.
40 Ar/ 39 Ar Dating of Laetoli, Tanzania

40Ar/39Ar dating of Pliocene tuffs from Laetoli, northern Tanzania, has refined the geochronological framework of the Laetolil Beds and overlying strata. Dated units include the Lower and Upper Laetolil Beds (4.36−3.85 Ma and 3.85−3.63 Ma, respectively), the Lower and Upper Ndolanya Beds (3.58 and 2.66 Ma, respectively), the Naibadad Beds (2.155−2.057 Ma), and the Olpiro Beds (<2.057 Ma). Sedimentation rates of ∼50 cm/ka are obtained for the lower half of the Upper Laetolil Beds through Tuff 2, compared to a rate of ∼15 cm/ka for the upper half (Tuff 4 to Tuff 8). Accumulation of the Upper Laetolil Beds required less than 220 ka, corresponding to a minimum overall sedimentation rate of 22 cm/ka. The new dates provide a more precise assessment of the age of the fossil hominins at Laetoli. Australopithecus afarensis specimens from the Upper Laetolil Beds are constrained to 3.85−3.63 Ma, and a new interpolated age for the Footprint Tuff (Tuff 7) is 3.66 Ma. The Paranthropus aethiopicus maxilla (Silal Artum) from the Upper Ndolanya Beds at 2.66 Ma is amongst the oldest known specimen attributable to this genus.
Energy consumption, energy efficiency, and consumer perceptions: A case study for the Southeast United States

Abstract This study examined the interaction between climatic variability and residential electricity consumption in a Southeast US state. Residential electricity consumers were surveyed to better understand how to diffuse positive attitudes and behaviors related to energy efficiency (EE) into households. The study found that 16.8% of the variability in residential electricity consumption for heating applications was explained by indirect EE costs. 36.6% of the variability in residential electricity consumption for cooling applications was explained by indirect EE costs and cooling degree days (CDD). A survey of 2450 residential electricity consumers was analyzed using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Significant findings suggest that those residents are aware of utility EE programs are more likely to participate, view utility company motives more favorably, to support governmental subsidies for EE programs, and to support the use of clean energy by utility companies.
Preclinical testing of the PARP inhibitor ABT-888 in microsatellite instable colorectal cancer

11028 Background: Microsatellite instability (MSI) represents approximately 15% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. MSI due to hypermethylation or mutation in DNA mismatch repair genes leads to genet...
Facile Recoding of Selenocysteine in Nature

Selenocysteine (Sec or U) is encoded by UGA, a stop codon reassigned by a Sec-specific elongation factor and a distinctive RNA structure. To discover possible code variations in extant organisms we analyzed 6.4 trillion base pairs of metagenomic sequences and 24 903 microbial genomes for tRNA(Sec) species. As expected, UGA is the predominant Sec codon in use. We also found tRNA(Sec) species that recognize the stop codons UAG and UAA, and ten sense codons. Selenoprotein synthesis programmed by UAG in Geodermatophilus and Blastococcus, and by the Cys codon UGU in Aeromonas salmonicida was confirmed by metabolic labeling with (75) Se or mass spectrometry. Other tRNA(Sec) species with different anticodons enabled E. coli to synthesize active formate dehydrogenase H, a selenoenzyme. This illustrates the ease by which the genetic code may evolve new coding schemes, possibly aiding organisms to adapt to changing environments, and show the genetic code is much more flexible than previously thought.
Abnormalities of urogenital system in strain A x C line 9935 rats.

SummaryThe occurrence of congenital abnormalities of the urogenital system of strain A x C line 9935 rats has been described. The principal manifestations were the absence of one kidney or the presence of one cystic kidney. These were accompanied generally by other abnormal conditions. In females, they included a missing ureter, uterine horn, oviduct, ovarian capsule, or ovary; an incomplete ureter or uterine horn; a cystic ureter, uterine horn, or ovarian capsule: or hypertrophy of the remaining kidney, with variation in degree of abnormality. In males, they included a missing ureter, epididymis, vas deferens, or vesicular gland; atrophy of the testis, vesicular gland, or epididymis: cystic ureter; undescended testis; and hypertrophy of the remaining kidney, all also varying in degree.
A novel optical frontend for ultra-high capacity of 32/spl times/2.5 Gbit/s data delivery in radio-over-fiber systems

We proposed and experimentally demonstrated a novel scheme based on optical carrier suppression modulation to realize 32×2.5 Gbit/s DWDM signals simultaneous up-conversion in a radio-over-fiber network. This scheme requires a simple configuration and low frequency electrical and optical components. (2 pages)
Suggestion on iron ore resources tax collection mode

Based on the analysis and comparison of the collection modes of resource tax,which include specific duty and ad valorem taxation,the problems of these two collection modes and the impacts to mining enterprises are described.In this paper ad valorem taxation was put forward,and differential regulation of resource tax was also taken into consideration at the same time.Taking Wuyang Mining Co.,Ltd.as an example,the influence of this resource tax adjustment scheme on mining enterprise is discussed,which achieves good results.
SMN and coilin negatively regulate dyskerin association with telomerase RNA

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein comprising telomerase RNA and associated proteins. The formation of the telomerase holoenzyme takes place in the Cajal body (CB), a subnuclear domain that participates in the formation of ribonucleoproteins. CBs also contribute to the delivery of telomerase to telomeres. The protein WRAP53 is enriched within the CB and is instrumental for the targeting of telomerase RNA to CBs. Two other CB proteins, SMN and coilin, are also suspected of taking part in some aspect of telomerase biogenesis. Here we demonstrate newly discovered associations between SMN and coilin with telomerase components, and further show that reduction of SMN or coilin is correlated with increased association of telomerase RNA with one these components, dyskerin. These findings argue that SMN and coilin may negatively regulate the formation of telomerase. Furthermore, clinically defined SMN mutants found in individuals with spinal muscular atrophy are altered in their association with telomerase complex proteins. Additionally, we observe that a coilin derivative also associates with dyskerin, and the amount of this protein in the complex is regulated by SMN, WRAP53 and coilin levels. Collectively, our findings bolster the link between SMN, coilin and the coilin derivative in the biogenesis of telomerase.
Erratum for Duncan et al., An NF-κB-Based High-Throughput Screen Identifies Piericidins as Inhibitors of the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Type III Secretion System.

Author(s): Duncan, Miles C; Wong, Weng Ruh; Dupzyk, Allison J; Bray, Walter M; Linington, Roger G; Auerbuch, Victoria
The Selective Nav1.7 Inhibitor, PF-05089771, Interacts Equivalently with Fast and Slow Inactivated Nav1.7 Channels

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channel inhibitors are used clinically as analgesics and local anesthetics. However, the absence of Nav channel isoform selectivity of current treatment options can result in adverse cardiac and central nervous system side effects, limiting their therapeutic utility. Human hereditary gain- or loss-of-pain disorders have demonstrated an essential role of Nav1.7 sodium channels in the sensation of pain, thus making this channel an attractive target for new pain therapies. We previously identified a novel, state-dependent human Nav1.7 selective inhibitor (PF-05089771, IC50 = 11 nM) that interacts with the voltage-sensor domain (VSD) of domain IV. We further characterized the state-dependent interaction of PF-05089771 by systematically varying the voltage, frequency, and duration of conditioning prepulses to provide access to closed, open, and fast- or slow-inactivated states. The current study demonstrates that PF-05089771 exhibits a slow onset of block that is depolarization and concentration dependent, with a similarly slow recovery from block. Furthermore, the onset of block by PF-05089771 develops with similar rates using protocols that bias channels into predominantly fast- or slow-inactivated states, suggesting that channel inhibition is less dependent on the availability of a particular inactivated state than the relative time that the channel is depolarized. Taken together, the inhibitory profile of PF-05089771 suggests that a conformational change in the domain IV VSD after depolarization is necessary and sufficient to reveal a high-affinity binding site with which PF-05089771 interacts, stabilizing the channel in a nonconducting conformation from which recovery is slow.
Antenna performance under GEO-property variations for real-time underground tomography

Recent research has validated a proof-of-concept system for real-time underground tomography using wireless signal networks. Though models have been constructed to characterize wireless signal propagation through geo-media, there lacks a thorough investigation of antenna performance under geo-property variations. In this paper, we quantitatively show that soil condition variations affect antenna functional properties, including radiation efficiency, resonant frequencies, and internal reflection loss, etc. Our research indicates that adaptive sensing system design will be critical and beneficial to leverage real-time underground tomography performance under different geo-media conditions.
Cold War Freud: Psychoanalysis in an Age of Catastrophes

In Cold War Freud Dagmar Herzog uncovers the astonishing array of concepts of human selfhood which circulated across the globe in the aftermath of World War II. Against the backdrop of Nazism and the Holocaust, the sexual revolution, feminism, gay rights, and anticolonial and antiwar activism, she charts the heated battles which raged over Freud's legacy. From the postwar US to Europe and Latin America, she reveals how competing theories of desire, anxiety, aggression, guilt, trauma and pleasure emerged and were then transformed to serve both conservative and subversive ends in a fundamental rethinking of the very nature of the human self and its motivations. Her findings shed new light on psychoanalysis' enduring contribution to the enigma of the relationship between nature and culture, and the ways in which social contexts enter into and shape the innermost recesses of individual psyches.
Molecular Mimicry in the Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders: Reciprocity between JAK2 V617F Genotype and Mpl Expression.

Polycythemia vera (PV), idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) and essential thrombocytosis (ET) are clonal myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) that share in common increased blood production, megakaryocyte dysplasia, growth factor-independent colony formation and similar cytogenetic defects. Until recently, a dearth of molecular markers hindered analysis of the interrelationship of PV, IMF and ET. Mpl protein expression is decreased in most PV patients and the degree of impairment correlated with disease duration and extent. Impaired Mpl expression was also present in many IMF and ET patients. The recent discovery of the JAK2 V6217F mutation in PV recapitulated this behavior since JAK2 V617F was present in many classical IMF and ET patients. Importantly, JAK2 is an obligate Mpl chaperone required for Mpl surface expression (JBC280:27251, 2005). Since JAK2 V617F is constitutively active, we hypothesized that both its presence and gene dosage could influence Mpl expression. Therefore, we examined the concordance of the JAK2 V617F genotype and platelet Mpl protein expression in 78 PV, 13 IMF and 82 ET patients, using allele-specific, real-time PCR screening of granulocyte DNA for JAK2 V617F and quantitative densitometry for platelet Mpl with a cutoff of ≤ 60% for reduced and ≥ 120% for overexpression. JAK2 V617F prevalence was 91% in PV (40% homozygous), 46% in IMF (66% homozygous) and 41% in ET (none homozygous). JAK2 V617F-negative patients (7 PV, 7 IMF and 58 ET) were indistinguishable clinically from JAK2 V617F-positive patients. Mean disease duration was similar for homozygous JAK2 V617F (11 years, range 1–25) and heterozygous JAK2 V617F (8 years, range 1–22) PV patients. Mean disease duration was also similar for JAK2 V617F-positive (7.5 years, range 1–18) and JAK2 V617F-negative (6 years, range 1–22) ET patients. Mean Mpl expression was 31% in PV patients (range 1–227, reduced in 89%), 7% in IMF (range 1–22, reduced in 100%) and 72% in ET (range 1–246, reduced in 52%). Of the JAK2 V617F-positive patients, mean platelet Mpl was 27% in PV (range 1–86%, reduced in 92%), 5% in IMF (range 1–11%, reduced in 100%) and 38% in ET (range 1–127%, reduced in 81%). JAK2 V617F genotype significantly inversely correlated (p
Nonlinear seismic behavior of pile groups in cement-improved soft clay

Abstract Centrifuge tests were performed to investigate the effects of ground improvement on the seismic behavior of pile groups in soft clay. The soil profile consisted of four lightly overconsolidated clay layers overlying a dense layer of sand. The pile groups had a symmetrical layout consisting of 2×2 piles spaced at 3.0 pile diameters and were driven into both unimproved soft clay and soft clay improved by a simulated Cement Deep Soil Mixing (CDSM) method. The centrifuge model was subjected to seven different earthquake events with peak accelerations ranging from 0.03 to 0.66g. The foundation level motions of the improved pile groups were different than the surface free-field motion. The foundation level motion for the unimproved pile group was, however, identical to that in the free-field. Higher peak accelerations were observed in the pile cap of the group with smaller CDSM block (GIS) compared to the unimproved pile group (GU) and the group with the largest CDSM block (GIL). Higher pile cap to the soil surface spectral ratios were also obtained for the GIS group in both short and long periods. Cement-Deep-Soil-Mixing was effective in reducing the peak displacements of the GIL pile cap. The peak displacements of the GIS pile cap remained about the same as the GU pile cap. As the size of the ground improvement increased, the fundamental period of the pile groups reduced. The estimated fundamental periods of the GIS and GU pile groups were, however, close to each other. Acceleration and displacement response spectra of the foundation level motions in comparison to the fundamental periods of the pile groups provided insight into the observed acceleration and displacement responses. The adhesion between soft clay and CDSM blocks helped to reduce the soft clay settlement in the vicinity of CDSM blocks compared to the free-field and the vicinity of unimproved pile group. More residual excess pore water pressure was, however, generated in the vicinity of CDSM blocks compared to the free-field and the corresponding location in the unimproved pile group, likely due to vibrations of the CDSM blocks and the piles.
Wide-range temperature dependence studies for devices limited by thermoelastic dissipation and anchor damping

The aim of this study is to measure the quality factor (Q) for double-ended tuning fork (DETF) devices dominated by Thermoelastic Dissipation (TED) and width-extensional (WE) devices dominated by Anchor Damping over a wide temperature range. Testing of these two device families over this wide range led to two related findings. First, our results indicate that it is possible to completely account for the dissipation in these devices through the use of quantitative models and measurements over a wide temperature range. A second finding, presented for the first time, is that anchor damping can be clearly seen in WE mode devices, and this damping term shows a clear temperature dependence.
Progressive Surgical Autonomy Observed in a Hand Surgery Resident Clinic Model

Objective Resident clinics (RCs) are intended to catalyze the achievement of educational milestones through progressively autonomous patient care. However, few studies quantify their effect on competency-based surgical education, and no previous publications focus on hand surgery RCs (HRCs). We demonstrate the achievement of progressive surgical autonomy in an HRC model. Design A retrospective review of all patients seen in a weekly half-day HRC from October 2010 to October 2015 was conducted. Investigators compiled data on patient demographics, provider encounters, operational statistics, operative details, and dictated surgical autonomy on an ascending 5 point scoring system. Setting A tertiary hand surgery referral center. Results A total of 2295 HRC patients were evaluated during the study period in 5173 clinic visits. There was an average of 22.6 patients per clinic, including 9.0 new patients with 6.5 emergency room referrals. Totally, 825 operations were performed by 39 residents. Trainee autonomy averaged 2.1/5 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.2), 3.4/5 (SD = 1.3), 2.1/5 (SD = 1.3), 3.4/5 (SD = 1.2), 3.2/5 (SD = 1.5), 3.5/5 (SD = 1.5), 4.0/5 (SD = 1.2), 4.1/5 (SD = 1.2), in postgraduate years 1 to 8, respectively. Linear mixed model analysis demonstrated training level significantly effected operative autonomy (p = 0.0001). Continuity of care was maintained in 79.3% of cases, and patients were followed an average of 3.9 clinic encounters over 12.4 weeks. Conclusions Our HRC appears to enable surgical trainees to practice supervised autonomous surgical care and provide a forum in which to observe progressive operative competency achievement during hand surgery training. Future studies comparing HRC models to non-RC models will be required to further define quality-of-care delivery within RCs.