cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Specificity and trade‐offs in the induced plant defence of common milkweed Asclepias syriaca to two lepidopteran herbivores

Summary 1. We studied induced defences in common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) to two specialist caterpillars (Danaus plexippus and Euchaetes egle) to test several hypotheses about co-evolution and defence allocation. 2. Latex, a potent defence of milkweed, showed nearly fivefold variation in the amount exuded among genetic families and more than doubled production in response to herbivory by D. plexippus; this induced latex response was fourfold stronger than the latex response to E. egle herbivory. In contrast, D. plexippus and E. egle equivalently induced foliar cardenolide concentration (an average increase of 26%). 3. We found broad-sense heritable variation for the induced plant responses, and there was a genetic correlation between the responses induced by the two herbivores for cardenolides, but not for latex. We found no genetic correlation between investment in latex and cardenolides in any of the treatments. 4. Using a bias-corrected Monte Carlo procedure, we found strong evidence for a trade-off between constitutive and induced cardenolides, but not for latex. 5. Synthesis. As natural selection by specific herbivores varies in space and time, we expect that these defence traits in A. syriaca will evolve independently, with the expression of cardenolides showing less specificity, as well as being constrained by a trade-off between constitutive and induced defence.
An intelligent dynamic simulation environment: an object-oriented approach

The authors present a prototype simulation environment for nuclear power plants which illustrate the application of object-oriented programming within a LISP environment to process simulation. Systems are modeled using this technique as a collection of objects which communicate via message passing. The environment allows users to build simulation models by selecting iconic representations of plant components from a menu and connecting them with the aid of a mouse. Models can be modified graphically at any time, even as the simulation is running, and the results can be observed immediately via real-time graphics. Advantages of an object-oriented approach to simulation include a high degree of modularity, the data abstraction afforded by classes, code reusability due to inheritance, and the ability to exploit the polymorphic nature of message passing to build very generic procedures. The interpretive nature of LISP eliminates the tedious compile-link-run cycle and allows dynamic, reconfigurable models to be built in a highly interactive manner. >
Protein therapies and antiproliferatives: a new paradigm in immunosuppression☆

The development of immunosuppressive therapies has focused on inhibiting effects of the activated T cell. The introduction of powerful immunosuppressive agents that interrupt the effects of T-cell activation, such as the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), has revolutionized solid organ transplantation. However, the ubiquitous location of their targets causes a number of side effects, which can compromise recipient health and long-term allograft survival. Therefore, a common goal in the development of emerging immunosuppressive strategies is to maintain efficacy and minimize toxicities related to these immunosuppressant compounds. The rationale for CNI-free regimens that exploit combinations of antiproliferative and protein therapeutic agents is attractive. Recently, studies employing these agents in CNI-free regimens have begun to offer additional insight into both the potential benefits and limitations of currently available strategies. The currently available biologic agents provide either too potent immunosuppression (eg, T-cell depletion) or inhibit an aspect of T-cell activation too limited to provide adequate rejection prophylaxis (eg, interleukin 2 receptor [IL-2R] blockade). Growing evidence suggests that costimulation blockade, particularly those protein therapeutics targeting CD28 and CD40, provides the correct balance between immunosuppressive and low toxicity, with a more specific, nondepleting, and timely targeting of the immune response. Already, results from a phase 2 trial suggests that combination with a costimulation blockade using belatacept with mycophenolate mofetil as a maintenance therapy after induction with an IL-2R blocker is closest to fulfill this promise. Belatacept represents an emerging immunosuppression paradigm with maintenance protein therapy that fulfills the need of more selective immunosuppression with reduced toxicities, which offers the potential of improving long-term outcomes in renal transplant.
Vitamin A Supplementation and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Load in Injection Drug Users

The use of vitamin A therapy during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is under clinical investigation, and vitamin A could potentially modulate HIV replication because the virus genome contains a retinoic acid response element. A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the impact of single high-dose vitamin A supplementation, 60-mg retinol equivalent (200,000 IU), on HIV load and CD4 lymphocyte count. HIV-infected injection drug users (120) were randomly allocated to receive vitamin A or placebo. Plasma vitamin A level, CD4 lymphocyte count, and HIV load were measured at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Vitamin A supplementation had no significant impact on HIV load or CD4 lymphocyte count at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. This study suggests that high-dose vitamin A supplementation does not influence HIV load.
Structural and dynamic properties of (SiO2)6 silica nanostructures: a quantum molecular dynamics study.

Structural and dynamic properties of the building block of silica nanowires, (SiO 2)6, are investigated by BornOppenheimer quantum molecular dynamics simulations. Thirteen conformers have been identified, seven of which have not been reported before. The energy component analysis shows that the lower electrostatic interaction differentiates the global minimum from the other structures. We also observe that the maximum hardness principle can be employed to justify the molecular stability for this system. Time profiles of a few density functional reactivity indices exhibit correlations of dynamic fluctuations between HOMO and LUMO and between chemical potential and hardness. Electrophilicity, nucleaofugality, and electrofugality indices are found to change concurrently and significantly, indicating that the nanostructures sampled during the dynamic process are exceedingly reactive and rich in chemistry.
Persistent infrared spectral hole burning of NO 2 − and NO 3 − ions in potassium iodide: II. Spectral changes far from the burn frequency

We combine persistent IR spectral hole burning with high-resolution Fourier-transform interferometry to observe IR spectral changes far from the laser burn frequency for NO2− and NO3− ions in KI single crystals. Three separate vibrational mode types are investigated, and information about the symmetries of the modes is obtained. First the technique is used to separate isotopically modified and mixed stretch modes. Isotope-dependent complex structures in the NO2−ν1-and [ν1 + ν3]-mode regions appear to arise because of resonances between ν1 and [ν3 + phonon sideband] modes. Phonon-gap-mode sidebands on the NO2−ν3 mode are examined and compared with results from far-infrared and Raman scattering studies. The number of resolved KI:NO2− gap modes is increased to five, and the translational and librational character of these modes is discussed in terms of their symmetry assignments. Defect-cluster lines of NO2−: are hole burned, and many related satellite lines are observed to change. New assignments for NO2−: NO2− defect pairs and lines belonging to single NO2− defects associated with near-neighbor alkali or halide defects are made. Satellite lines NO3− are also found to hole burn, and changes in these modes produce changes in additional NO2− satellite lines. Hence defect clusters involving both NO2− and NO3− ions are identified also.
A Nondefensive Personality: Autonomy and Control as Moderators of Defensive Coping and Self-Handicapping

Abstract Previous work (Knee & Zuckerman, 1996) found that the combination of high autonomy and low control was associated with fewer self-enhancing attributions after success and fewer self-protective attributions after failure. The present research again found strong support for a synergistic effect of causality orientations on defensive behavior through a prospective examination of defensive coping strategies (e.g., denial, behavioral disengagement, and mental disengagement) and self-handicapping tendencies. Individuals who were high in autonomy and low in control engaged in less defensive coping strategies (particularly denial) and exhibited less self-handicapping compared to all other individuals. The present findings support the proposition that self-determined individuals are less defensive in their behavior compared to others. Implications for self-determination theory as well as the controversy over the relation between positive illusions and well-being are discussed.
Wideband focusing using spatial-delay filters for direction-finding

For wideband direction-finding related to wideband-source location estimation, the coherent signal-subspace method has been found to be more effective than the incoherent or frequency binwise processing method, and to achieve lower detection and resolution thresholds. The method involves a preprocessing step of focusing signal spaces at different frequencies to a common frequency, and a narrowband direction-finding algorithm following the preprocessor. For uniform linear arrays focusing corresponds to spatial delay implementation. In the present work, least squared error and maximally, flat FIR (finite impulse response) filters for realizing the spatial delay are designed. Simplified implementations that reduce computational complexity are also proposed. The effectiveness of these filters is confirmed by computer-simulation experiments. >
Limited Activity of Clofazimine as a Single Drug in a Mouse Model of Tuberculosis Exhibiting Caseous Necrotic Granulomas

New drugs and drugs with a novel mechanism of action are desperately needed to shorten the duration of tuberculosis treatment, to prevent the emergence of drug resistance, and to treat multiple-drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Recently, there has been renewed interest in clofazimine (CFZ). In this study, we utilized the C3HeB/FeJ mouse model, possessing highly organized, hypoxic pulmonary granulomas with caseous necrosis, to evaluate CFZ monotherapy in comparison to results with BALB/c mice, which form only multifocal, coalescing cellular aggregates devoid of caseous necrosis. While CFZ treatment was highly effective in BALB/c mice, its activity was attenuated in the lungs of C3HeB/FeJ mice. This lack of efficacy was directly related to the pathological progression of disease in these mice, since administration of CFZ prior to the formation of hypoxic, necrotic granulomas reconstituted bactericidal activity in this mouse strain. These results support the continued use of mouse models of tuberculosis infection which exhibit a granulomatous response in the lungs that more closely resembles the pathology found in human disease.
Effect of Electron Donor and Solution Chemistry on Products of Dissimilatory Reduction of Technetium by Shewanella putrefaciens

To help provide a fundamental basis for use of microbial dissimilatory reduction processes in separating or immobilizing (99)Tc in waste or groundwaters, the effects of electron donor and the presence of the bicarbonate ion on the rate and extent of pertechnetate ion [Tc(VII)O(4)(-)] enzymatic reduction by the subsurface metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 were determined, and the forms of aqueous and solid-phase reduction products were evaluated through a combination of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and thermodynamic calculations. When H(2) served as the electron donor, dissolved Tc(VII) was rapidly reduced to amorphous Tc(IV) hydrous oxide, which was largely associated with the cell in unbuffered 0. 85% NaCl and with extracellular particulates (0.2 to 0.001 microm) in bicarbonate buffer. Cell-associated Tc was present principally in the periplasm and outside the outer membrane. The reduction rate was much lower when lactate was the electron donor, with extracellular Tc(IV) hydrous oxide the dominant solid-phase reduction product, but in bicarbonate systems much less Tc(IV) was associated directly with the cell and solid-phase Tc(IV) carbonate may have been present. In the presence of carbonate, soluble (<0.001 microm) electronegative, Tc(IV) carbonate complexes were also formed that exceeded Tc(VII)O(4)(-) in electrophoretic mobility. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that the dominant reduced Tc species identified in the experiments would be stable over a range of E(h) and pH conditions typical of natural waters. Thus, carbonate complexes may represent an important pathway for Tc transport in anaerobic subsurface environments, where it has generally been assumed that Tc mobility is controlled by low-solubility Tc(IV) hydrous oxide and adsorptive, aqueous Tc(IV) hydrolysis products.
Analysing Discourse. An Approach From the Sociology of Knowledge

Im Beitrag wird das Forschungsprogramm der Wissenssoziologischen Diskursanalyse vorgestellt. Die Wissenssoziologische Diskursanalyse greift wichtige Anregungen der Foucaultschen Diskurstheorie auf und verbindet sie mit den Traditionen des sozialwissenschaftlichen interpretativen Paradigmas einschlieslich der Hermeneutischen Wissenssoziologie. Sie begreift Diskurse als "strukturierte und strukturierende Strukturen", die gesellschaftliche Aussagepraktiken instruieren. Die Wissenssoziologische Diskursanalyse betont die Rolle sozial konstituierter Akteure in der gesellschaftlichen Produktion und Zirkulation von Wissen und verbindet die Forschungsinteressen der Diskursperspektive mit dem methodischen Instrumentarium der qualitativen Sozialforschung. Mit Analysekonzepten wie "Deutungsmuster", "Klassifikationen", "Phanomenstruktur", "narrative Struktur", "Dispositiv" u.a. und im Ruckgriff auf Arbeitsstrategien der "Grounded Theory" reorientiert sie die Diskursperspektive weg von der Frage nach Sprache und hin zum soziologischen Interesse an der Untersuchung gesellschaftlicher Wissensverhaltnisse und Wissenspolitiken, zur diskursiven Konstruktion der Wirklichkeit als materialem Prozess. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0503327
Murine Coronavirus Evolution In Vivo: Functional Compensation of a Detrimental Amino Acid Substitution in the Receptor Binding Domain of the Spike Glycoprotein

Murine coronavirus A59 strain causes mild to moderate hepatitis in mice. We have previously shown that mutants of A59, unable to induce hepatitis, may be selected by persistent infection of primary glial cells in vitro. These in vitro isolated mutants encoded two amino acids substitutions in the spike (S) gene: Q159L lies in the putative receptor binding domain of S, and H716D, within the cleavage signal of S. Here, we show that hepatotropic revertant variants may be selected from these in vitro isolated mutants (Q159L-H716D) by multiple passages in the mouse liver. One of these mutants, hr2, was chosen for more in-depth study based on a more hepatovirulent phenotype. The S gene of hr2 (Q159L-R654H-H716D-E1035D) differed from the in vitro isolates (Q159L-H716D) in only 2 amino acids (R654H and E1035D). Using targeted RNA recombination, we have constructed isogenic recombinant MHV-A59 viruses differing only in these specific amino acids in S (Q159L-R654H-H716D-E1035D). We demonstrate that specific amino acid substitutions within the spike gene of the hr2 isolate determine the ability of the virus to cause lethal hepatitis and replicate to significantly higher titers in the liver compared to wild-type A59. Our results provide compelling evidence of the ability of coronaviruses to rapidly evolve in vivo to highly virulent phenotypes by functional compensation of a detrimental amino acid substitution in the receptor binding domain of the spike glycoprotein.
Design optimization and space minimization considering timing and code size via retiming and unfolding

Abstract The increasingly complicated DSP processors and applications with strict timing and code size constraints require design automation tools to consider multiple optimizations such as software pipelining and loop unfolding, and their effects on multiple design parameters. This paper presents an Integrated Framework for Design Optimization and Space Minimization (IDOM) toward finding the minimum configuration satisfying timing and code size constraints. We show an effective way to reduce the design space to be explored through the study of the fundamental properties and relationships among retiming function, unfolding factor, timing, and code size. We present theorems to show that a small set of feasible unfolding factors can be obtained effectively to produce high-quality designs. The IDOM algorithm is proposed to generate a minimal configuration of the design by integrating software pipelining, unfolding, and code size reduction techniques. The experimental results on a set of DSP benchmarks show the efficiency and effectiveness of our technique.
Development of substrate structure CdTe photovoltaic devices with performance exceeding 10

Most work on CdTe-based solar cells has focused on devices with a superstrate structure. This focus is due to the early success of the superstrate structure in producing high-efficiency cells, problems of suitable ohmic contacts for lightly doped CdTe, and the simplicity of the structure for manufacturing. The development of the CdCl 2 heat treatment boosted CdTe technology and perpetuated the use of the superstrate structure. However, despite the beneficial attributes of the superstrate structure, devices with a substrate structure are attractive both commercially and scientifically. The substrate structure eliminates the need for transparent superstrates and thus allows the use of flexible metal and possibly plastic substrates. From a scientific perspective, it allows better control in forming the junction and direct access to the junction for detailed analysis. Research on such devices has been limited. The efficiency of these devices has been limited to around 8% due to low open-circuit voltage (V oc ) and fill factor. In this paper, we present our recent device development efforts at NREL on substrate-structure CdTe devices. We have found that processing parameters required to fabricate high-efficiency substrate CdTe PV devices differ from those necessary for traditional superstrate CdTe devices. We have worked on a variety of contact materials including Cu-doped ZnTe and Cu x Te. We will present a comparative analysis of the performance of these contacts. In addition, we have studied the influence of fabrication parameters on junction properties. We will present an overview of our development work, which has led to CdTe devices with V oc values of more than 860 mV and NREL-confirmed efficiencies approaching 11%.
Nonlinear receiver compression effects on the amplitude distribution of backscattered ultrasonic signals

Nonlinear receiver compression effects on the amplitude distribution of backscattered ultrasonic signals were investigated using digitized RF signals compressed using an ultrasonic B-scan imaging instrument. Amplitude distributions of compressed RF and video signals were obtained from regions of B-scan images that approximately correspond to the same physical region in a random medium model with known backscatter amplitude characteristics. The amplitude distribution of the signal before compression was obtained by using a table constructed from measurements of the imaging instrument compression characteristics as a function of time gain compensation. While the results indicate the general form of the decompressed data agrees with single-parameter-model curves predicted by a widely used Gaussian random process model, the signal-to-noise ratios of the decompressed envelope vary by up to 20% from the value predicted by that model. This implies that effects such as nonlinearities, envelope smoothing, and noise can cause appreciable departures from theoretical data even under highly controlled conditions. >
Craniopharyngeal canal and its spectrum of pathology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The craniopharyngeal canal is a rare, well-corticated defect through the midline of the sphenoid bone from the sellar floor to the anterosuperior nasopharyngeal roof. We reviewed a series of craniopharyngeal canals to determine a system of classification that might better our understanding of this entity, highlight the range of associated pathologic conditions, and optimize patient treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Available MR imaging, CT, and clinical data (from 1989–2013) of 29 patients (10 female, 15 male, 4 unknown; median age, 4 years; age range, 1 day–65 years) with craniopharyngeal canals were retrospectively examined. Qualitative assessment included orthotopic or ectopic adenohypophysis and the presence of a tumor and/or cephalocele. The midpoint anteroposterior diameter was measured. Clinical and imaging data were evaluated for pituitary dysfunction and accompanying anomalies. RESULTS: Craniopharyngeal canals were qualitatively separated into 3 types: incidental canals (type 1); canals with ectopic adenohypophysis (type 2); and canals containing cephaloceles (type 3A), tumors (type 3B), or both (type 3C), including pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, dermoid, teratoma, and glioma. Quantitative evaluation showed a significant difference (P CONCLUSIONS: Accurate diagnosis and classification of craniopharyngeal canals are valuable to characterize lesions requiring surgery, identify patients with potential pituitary dysfunction, and avoid iatrogenic hypopituitarism or CSF leak during surgical resection of nasopharyngeal masses.
Rapid Deployment and Operation of a Q Fever Field Laboratory in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In May 2000, CDC was asked to assemble a team to investigate reports of a widespread outbreak of Q fever (Coxiella burnetii infection) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Brucellosis was also suspected in the outbreak. In a short period of time, we were able to gather supplies, establish collaboration, and rapidly deploy a field laboratory for the serodiagnostic testing of animal and human specimens. Strategy, problems, and insights on organization, transport, and deployment will be discussed.
Gradient incorporation in one-dimensional applications of interpolating moving least-squares methods for fitting potential energy surfaces

We present several approaches to use gradients in higher degree interpolating moving least squares (IMLS) methods for representing a potential energy surface (PES). General procedures are developed to obtain smooth approximations of the PES and its derivatives from quasi-uniform sets of energy and gradient data points. These methods are illustrated and analyzed for the Morse oscillator and a 1-D slice of the ground-state PES for the HCO radical computed using density functional theory. Variations in the IMLS fits with the number and distribution of points and the degree of the polynomial fitting basis set are examined. We determine the effects of gradient inclusion on the accuracy of the IMLS values of the energy, first and second derivatives for two 1-D test cases. Gradient inclusion reduces the number of data points required by up to 40%.
Taxonomy of the catfish genus Pseudoplatystoma Bleeker (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) with recognition of eight species

The genus Pseudoplatystoma Bleeker consists of three species long recognized as: P. fasciatum (Linnaeus), P. tigrinum (Valenciennes), and P. corruscans (Spix & Agassiz), and five species recently recognized or described here: P. punctifer (Castelnau), P. reticulatum Eigenmann & Eigenmann, P. orinocoense n. sp., P. metaense n. sp., and P. magdaleniatum n. sp. The eight species form a monophyletic group with two clades that are supported by anatomical features (i.e., skeletal anatomy and myology). One clade (P. tigrinum and P. metaense) is restricted to the Orinoco and Amazon basins, and the other clade, comprised of the remaining six species, is found in the Guyanas, Orinoco, Amazon, and Parana basins. The species are diagnosed on the basis of body shape, color pattern (e.g., bars, loops, and spots), skeletal anatomy, and vertebral numbers. Pseudoplatystoma punctifer and P. tigrinum) are sympatric in the Amazon Basin, P. metaense and P. orinocoense in the Orinoco Basin, and P. corruscans and P. reticulatum, are sympatric in the Parana. Pseudoplatystoma magdaleniatum (Magdalena basin) and P. fasciatum (Guyanas) each occur as the only species of Pseudoplatystoma in their respective individual ranges. Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum may be sympatric with the two other species in the Amazon Basin, but we have no records of them being captured together in the mainstream or tributaries. All eight species are used as food in both commercial and subsistence fishing, and there is a moderate–sized ornamental fish market for the young and juveniles. A key to adults of the eight species is included.
Bifurcation and Nonlinear Focusing

We suggest that the phenomenon of nonlinear focusing can play an important role in the transition of a system from one wavelike state to another.
Translational breast cancer research consortium (TBCRC) 022: A phase II trial of neratinib for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer and brain metastases

PurposeEvidence-based treatments for metastatic, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer in the CNS are limited. Neratinib is an irreversible inhibitor of erbB1, HER2, and erbB4, with promising activity in HER2-positive breast cancer; however, its activity in the CNS is unknown. We evaluated the efficacy of treatment with neratinib in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases in a multicenter, phase II open-label trial.Patients and MethodsEligible patients were those with HER2-positive brain metastases (≥ 1 cm in longest dimension) who experienced progression in the CNS after one or more line of CNS-directed therapy, such as whole-brain radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and/or surgical resection. Patients received neratinib 240 mg orally once per day, and tumors were assessed every two cycles. The primary endpoint was composite CNS objective response rate (ORR), requiring all of the following: ≥50% reduction in volumetric sum of target CNS lesions and...
Interdependent Barriers to Providing Adolescents with Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Qualitative Insights from Providers.

Abstract Study Objective Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods are the most effective form of reversible contraception but are underutilized by adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify the context-specific barriers to providing adolescents with LARC that are experienced by pediatricians, family medicine physicians, and advanced practice nurses (APNs). Design, Setting, Participants, and Interventions Pediatricians, family medicine providers, and APNs (n = 16) who care for adolescents participated in semistructured qualitative interviews. Interview data were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Main Outcome Measures Pediatricians, family medicine physicians, and APNs self-reported attitudes and practices regarding LARC provision to adolescents. Results Provider confidence in LARC, patient-centered counseling on LARC, and instrumental supports for LARC all work interdependently either in support of or in opposition to provision of LARC to adolescents. Low provider confidence in LARC for adolescents was characterized by confusion about LARC eligibility criteria and perceptions of LARC insertion as traumatic for adolescents. Patient-centered counseling on LARC required providers' ability to elicit patient priorities, highlight the advantages of LARC over other methods, and address patients' concerns about these methods. Instrumental support for LARC included provider training on LARC, access to and financial support for LARC devices, and opportunity to practice LARC insertion and counseling skills. Conclusion Although none of the identified essential components of LARC provision to adolescents exist in isolation, instrumental support like provider training on LARC and access to LARC devices have the most fundamental effect on the other components and on providers' attitudes and practices regarding LARC for adolescents.
The Kids are All Right: Generational Differences in Responses to the Great Recession

Data from a university survey of 2,799 employees were examined to determine age cohort differences in retirement planning activities in the aftermath of the Great Recession. A life course approach and logistic regression were used to assess whether members of four different age cohorts altered their retirement planning activities. Older cohorts were more likely to have sought advice from a financial planner but were less likely to have increased time spent educating themselves about financial topics. Older cohorts were also less likely to be saving more for retirement and more likely to be delaying retirement compared to the youngest cohort. The youngest cohort members were relatively more likely to be confident that they will have sufficient funds to live comfortably after retirement. Older cohorts responded to the Great Recession by seeking safety for their retirement assets, and they resigned themselves to working longer before retirement.
Three-Dimensional Auditory Cue Simulation for Crew Station Design/Evaluation:

A three-dimensional (3-D) auditory display can increase the pilot's situational awareness without requiring visual fixation. When visual acquisition is required, the directional sound can give the ...
Abstract A67: Transcription factor IRF3 inhibits glioma cell invasiveness

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors with a high rate of mortality. The major problem for successful cure of gliomas is the ability of tumor cells to infiltrate into surrounding brain tissue. The prevention of infiltration will allow localizing the tumor following surgical dissection. A number of different approaches have been used to inhibit glioblastoma cell invasiveness. In the present work, we have tested the possibility that the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) gene transfer could inhibit glioma invasiveness. IRF3 is a known component of TLR3 and TLR4 signaling which is required for IFNβ transcription and antiviral immunity. We used glioblastoma cell lines U251 and U87 as in vitro model systems. Tumor cells were transfected with an adenovirus construct bearing IRF3 (Ad-IRF3) or Ad-GFP as a control and were subsequently treated with a combination of cytokines (IL-1 β and IFNγ) to mimic the inflammatory tumor environment. Parallel experiments were performed with primary human fetal astrocytes. Subsequent analyses included the wound healing assay, BD Matrigel invasion assay, real-time PCR, microarray, Western blotting, and ELISA. First, we observed inhibition of astrocyte migration by IRF3, especially when the cells were exposed to cytokines. Then we found that IRF3 significantly inhibits the migration and invasion of the glioma cells. Real-time PCR with primary astrocytes and glioma cells indicated that IRF3 inhibited the expression of a number metalloproteases including MMP-7 and MMP-9. Additionally, we examined the expression of cytokines and chemokines which participate in the brain innate immune response and neuroinflammatory responses to tumors. In primary astrocytes, we found unique ability of IRF3 to regulate glial immune responses, i.e., upregulation of anti-inflammatory or regulatory cytokine genes (IFNβ, IL-27, and IL-13) and downregulation of proinflammatory genes (iNOS, CXCL1, IL-8, and TNFα). A similar picture was observed in glioma cells as well, including the production of antiangiogenic and antiproliferative cytokine, IFNβ. Interestingly, we found that glioma cells produced robust amounts of IL-1β in response to cytokine treatment, whereas normal human astrocytes produced none, and this was significantly inhibited by IRF3. As IL-1β is a neurotoxin and is a major proinflammatory cytokine that activates MMPs and other inflammatory mediators, these results have implications for the pathogenesis and therapy of malignant gliomas. Our data implicate IL-1 as a potential mediator of glioma invasiveness and neurotoxicity and IRF3 as a potential therapy target for malignant gliomas. Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Einstein Molecular Neuropathology Training Grant T32NS007098, NIH RO1 MH55477, and the Einstein Human Fetal Tissue Repository. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr A67.
Adiponectin, Leptin, and Fatty Acids in the Maintenance of Metabolic Homeostasis through Adipose Tissue Crosstalk

Metabolism research has made tremendous progress over the last several decades in establishing the adipocyte as a central rheostat in the regulation of systemic nutrient and energy homeostasis. Operating at multiple levels of control, the adipocyte communicates with organ systems to adjust gene expression, glucoregulatory hormone exocytosis, enzymatic reactions, and nutrient flux to equilibrate the metabolic demands of a positive or negative energy balance. The identification of these mechanisms has great potential to identify novel targets for the treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Herein, we review the central role of the adipocyte in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis, highlighting three critical mediators: adiponectin, leptin, and fatty acids.
Design of 4 to 20mA Current Output Intelligent Module Based on Modbus Protocol

This paper introduced the hardware and software design of an intelligent module with 4 to 20 mA current output based on Modbus protocol.This intelligent module has a RS-485 interface,which can support the standard Modbus serial protocol to realize equipments configuration by connecting to measurement and control system.It also can be integrated into DCS system and output 4 to 20 mA current to control the field equipments.By using this module,traditional 4 to 20 mA actuator can be transformed into current signal of 4 to 20 mA intelligent equipment.Microcontroller ATmega168 is the core of the system,which obtains a variable voltage signal by the way of PWM.The voltage signal is converted into current signal of 4 to 20 mA by XTR111.With a strong anti-interference ability,this module can reduce the cost of system upgrades and can improve the intelligent level of measurement and control system.
Problems and Countermeasures of Development of Rural Sports in China

Over the past 30 years China's economy has been rapid development of reform and opening up, people's demand for sports is increasing, but the sports construction is relatively backward in our country, rural sports in our country exists imperfect organization, the number of sports facilities, inadequate, the low utilization rate of the existing sports facilities, inadequate number of social sports instructors, low quality, restricting the development of rural sports in china. Put forward a sound organization, China's rural sports to speed up the management of folk sports associations, the establishment of 1+1+1 club model, the reform of physical education in Colleges and universities, and vigorously develop township sports cadres and township sports instructors and other measures.
An Altered Perception of Normal: Understanding Causes for Treatment Delay in Women with Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

Abstract Background: Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that are the leading cause of hysterectomy in the United States. Despite their high prevalence and associated morbidity, there are little qualitative data characterizing what drives women's treatment-seeking behavior for their fibroids. Methods: Women with symptomatic or recently treated uterine fibroids completed in-depth interviews and demographic surveys. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and uploaded to NVivo version 10 for data management and thematic coding. Coders identified major themes and subthemes that emerged from the interviews. Results: Sixty women (n = 60) completed the interviews. The kappa among coders was 0.94. The mean age of participants was 43.0 ± 6.8. 61.7% of participants self-identified as African American, 25.0% as Caucasian, 8.3% as Hispanic, and 5.0% as Asian. Many women reported obtaining a delayed diagnosis for their uterine fibroids despite experiencing severe symptoms. There were five subthemes that identified why wo...
IDENTIFICATION OF DROSOPHILA 2S rRNA AS THE 3′-PART OF 5.8S rRNA

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the identification of 2S rRNA as the 3′-part of 5.8S rRNA. Drosophila melanogaster 5.8S rRNA was end-labeled with [32p] at either the 5′-or 3′-end and was sequenced using the rapid RNA sequencing method. It is 122-nucleotides long and homologous to the 5′-part of the sequenced 5.8S molecules from other species. The 3′-end of m5.8S rRNA is able to form extensive base-pairing with the 5′-end of Drosophila 2S rRNA at positions equivalent to a GC-rich hairpin that has been found in all sequenced 5.8S rRNA molecules. Structure-mapping of the m5.8S rRNA with S1 nuclease verifies its similarity to the other 5.8S rRNAs. End-labeled 2S rRNA is shown to form a complex with m5.8S rRNA and 26S rRNA separately and with both together as does m5.8S rRNA with 26S rRNA. This experiment led to conclusion that the 5.8S rRNA molecule in Drosophila is very similar both in sequence and structure to the other 5.8S rRNAs but is split in two, the 2S rRNA being the 3′-part of the molecule.
Reliability of a novel ultrasound system for gray-scale analysis of muscle

Introduction Ultrasound is increasingly used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease by measuring muscle thickness and echointensity (EI). Reproducibility is limited because of variations in scanning technique and proprietary algorithms that alter EI values. Methods We developed a standardized scanning protocol and a portable machine without any postimaging processing. Ten subjects underwent scanning of 6 muscles by 3 sonographers on 2 separate days. One of the sonographers repeated the protocol with 4 different machine/transducer combinations. Gray-scale values were measured from each image with the use of a region of interest (ROI) box. Results Combined intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.92 (intra-rater), 0.88 (inter-rater), and 0.96 (inter-system). The biceps had the highest variability (coefficient of variance [COV] 12.7%), and the medial gastrocnemius had the lowest variability (COV 7.4%). Conclusions We demonstrate excellent reliability of a reproducible ultrasound system for gray-scale analysis of muscle that has potential applicability as a screening tool for neuromuscular disease. Muscle Nerve 56: 408–412, 2017
Human Milk Handling and Storage Practices Among Peer Milk-Sharing Mothers.

Background:Peer milk sharing, the noncommercial sharing of human milk from one parent or caretaker directly to another for the purposes of feeding a child, appears to be an increasing infant-feedin...
The SIMPLE Design Framework for Teaching Development Across STEM

The purpose of the NSF-funded SIMPLE Project is to develop faculty communities of practice that promote evidence-based interactive teaching across STEM. Over the past three years, teaching development groups have been formed in eight STEM departments at Mason. Participants in these teaching development groups have been trying new interactive teaching strategies in their classrooms and documenting the process in the form of a design memo. In the context of the SIMPLE Project, design memos pursue two goals: prompting instructors to engage in reflection about their teaching, and serving as sharable artifacts for other instructors interested in adopting similar strategies. This poster presents the six principles that guide SIMPLE teaching development groups and describes different ways these principles have been enacted across the groups at Mason.Â More information about the SIMPLE project can be found on the project website:Â simple.onmason.com.Â Â Â
The Grocery Purchase Quality Index-2016: An innovative approach to assessing grocery food purchases

Abstract The study developed and validated a system for scoring the quality of household grocery purchases, the Grocery Purchase Quality Index-2016 (GPQI-2016). A grocery sales data set (2012–13) without individual household shopper attributes was provided by a national grocery chain, and a sample of 4000 households in each of four geographic locations was drawn. The 1887 categories, known as “subcommodities,” in the database were classified into the 29 food categories of the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Plan market baskets. A standardized expenditure share for each category was calculated. Quality of food purchases was evaluated by comparing the observed to the standardized USDA expenditure share for each category and then grouping the categories into 11 components, based on the Healthy Eating Index-2010. Processed meat expenditures were also assessed. Households that never purchased tobacco (n = 12,460) had higher (6%) median total quality scores (31.3 of a possible 75 points) than those who did purchase tobacco (n = 3540, median score 26.6, p
Psychotic-spectrum symptoms, cumulative adversity exposure and substance use among high-risk girls.

Aim Psychotic-spectrum symptoms are linked to trauma, substance/alcohol use (SAU), criminality/violence and poor functional outcomes, supporting the need for early detection in vulnerable populations. To better understand high-risk girls' mental health, we assessed: (1) psychotic-spectrum symptoms; (2) cumulative trauma, adversity and loss exposures (C-TALE) and adversity-indicators (symptoms, maladaptive coping, stressor-reactivity); and SAU risk-factors; and (3) relationships among psychotic-spectrum symptoms, adversity-indicators and SAU risk-factors. Methods We administered the Structured Clinical Interviews for Psychotic Spectrum, and Trauma and Loss Spectrum to 158 adolescent delinquent girls. Results Girls' psychotic-spectrum profiles were similar to previously reported adult psychotic patients and characterized by typical symptoms (hallucinations/delusions, reported largely SAU-independent), interpersonal sensitivity, schizoid traits and paranoia (over-interpretation, anger over-reactivity, hypervigilance). Auditory/visual hallucinations (55.7%), delusions (92.4%), ideas of reference (96.8%) and adversity (90.0% ≥10/24 C-TALE-types) were common. Mean loss (4) and trauma (8) onset-age occurred before SAU-onset (12). Significant positive correlations were found among psychotic-spectrum symptoms, stressor-reactivity, C-TALE, adversity-indicators; and number of SAU-types; and a negative correlation occurred between psychotic-spectrum symptoms and earlier alcohol use onset. After controlling for number of SAU-types, stressor-reactivity and adversity-related numbing individually had the largest associations with total psychotic-spectrum symptoms (b = 2.6-4.3). Girls averaged more than 4 maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., 24.8% attempted suicide) in response to adversity, amplifying potential health-disparities. No racial/ethnic differences emerged on psychotic-spectrum symptoms. Conclusions This symptom constellation during adolescence likely interferes with social and academic functioning. Whether representing a prodromal phase, trauma-response or cross-diagnostic psychopathology, accurate early detection and appropriate treatment of psychotic-spectrum symptoms are warranted to improve functional outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Discordant human T-lymphotropic virus screening with Western blot confirmation: evaluation of the dual-test algorithm for US blood donations.

Background Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) blood donation screening has used a dual-testing algorithm beginning with either a chemiluminescent immunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent screening assay (ELISA). Before the availability of a licensed HTLV supplemental assay, repeat-reactive (RR) samples on a first assay (Assay 1) were retested with a second screening assay (Assay 2). Donors with RR results by Assay 2 were deferred from blood donation and further tested using an unlicensed supplemental test to confirm reactivity while nonreactive (NR) donors remained eligible for donation until RR on a subsequent donation. This "dual-test" algorithm was replaced in May 2016 with the requirement that all RRs by Assay 1 be further tested by a licensed HTLV supplemental test (Western blot [WB]). In this study, we have requalified the dual-test algorithm using the available licensed HTLV WB. Study design and methods We tested 100 randomly selected HTLV RRs on screening Assay 1 (Abbott PRISM chemiluminescent immunoassay) but NR on screening Assay 2 (Avioq ELISA) by a Food and Drug Administration-licensed WB (MP Biomedicals) to ensure that no confirmed positives were among those that were RR by Assay 1 but NR by Assay 2. Results Of the 100 samples evaluated, 79 of 100 were WB seronegative, 21 of 100 indeterminate, and 0 of 100 seropositive. Of the 79 of 100 seronegative specimens, 73 of 79 did not express any bands on WB. Conclusions We demonstrated that none of the 100 samples RR on Assay 1 but NR on Assay 2 were confirmed positive. This algorithm prevents such donors from requiring further testing and from being deferred.
Application service provider aggregation architecture

Application service providers (ASPs) are a new type of service providers that make the whole spectrum from low-end applications like e-mail systems to high-end applications like enterprise resource planning (ERP) management systems available to customers over the Internet through browser-based user interfaces (application hosting). This relieves a customer from installing and managing the applications himself in his own data center. Instead, the customer pays a fee for accessing the application over the Internet. However, as soon as a customer uses several applications hosted by different ASPs, a management burden arises for the customer as well as an application integration problem, since the applications are hosted individually by several ASPs without any coordination or data exchange between them. The arising integration (aggregation) problems are discussed in this chapter. An ASP aggregation architecture is defined based on B2B integration servers that address these problems by supporting the seamless access and seamless integration of all hosted applications hiding the differences between the ASPs.
Solving Large Scale Fixed Charge Network Flow Problems

This paper presents an approximation algorithm to solve large scale Fixed Charge Network Flow Problems (FCNFP). Fixed charge type of cost functions are used to model several problems of Supply Chain such as production planning and inventory management, transportation, plant location, and lot sizing. Our algorithm uses the Dynamic Slope Scaling Procedure (DSSP) to generate an initial solution to the problem, and then three different Local Search approaches contribute to finding a suboptimal solution. Computational experience with bipartite and layered networks are reported. The results indicate that our approach is suitable for large scale problems.