cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Action of progesterone on PMS-induced ovulation in the immature rat.

The failure to find ova in the oviduct of the Purdue Wistar rat at 72 hr after PMS when progesterone is given 24 hr after PMS is confirmed. Failure to find ova at 96 hr indicates the lack of ova at 72 hr was not due to a 24 hr delay in the release of the ovulatory hormone. Decreased sensitivity of the ovary may also be ruled out since all progesteronetreated rats given HCG at 56 hr ovulated. Autopsy at 48 hr after treatment with PMS revealed that 78 % of the rats given progesterone at 24 hr had already ovulated, compared to 9 % in the oil-injected controls. Premature ovulatioi is also obtained with progesterone in the Holtzman rat. Thus, progesterone given 24 hr after PMS does not inhibit ovulation, but instead induces a premature ovulatory response. (Endocrinology 84: 1274, 1969)
Modifying the radiative quantum efficiency of erbium-doped glass in silicon slot waveguides

We have modulated the radiative emission rate of Er In SI slot waveguides with Er-doped glass slots by varying the waveguide layer dimensions. The corresponding quantum efficiency of 1537-nm emission varies between 0.37 and 0.51.
Biosilicate analysis of residue in Maya dedicatory cache vessels from Blue Creek, Belize

Residues from nine ancient Maya dedicatory vessels were analyzed for biosilicates. In all cases, the analysis was successful in identifying plant and sponge remains that had been placed in the vessels. This analysis sheds light on ancient Maya plant use as well as ritual and religious practices.
Theoretical considerations of peer tutoring

The need for a theoretical analysis of the peer tutoring process has been recognized by reviewers of the research in this area. This paper addresses itself to this need by discussing the process of peer tutoring from the various psychological, educational, and social perspectives. The main areas covered in the paper are: definitions of the peer tutoring process, the psychological and educational processes in peer tutoring as a learning and teaching experience, and the conceptualization of peer tutoring in terms of a cooperative social system and as a group reward structure. This theoretical discussion provides both the researcher and practitioner with a framework for studying and implementing peer tutoring for enhancing specific academic and social goals.
Eye movements during visual search: the costs of choosing the optimal path

Saccadic eye movements are usually assumed to be directed to locations containing important or useful information, but such assumptions fail to take into account that planning saccades to such locations might be too costly in terms of effort or attention required. To investigate costs of saccadic planning, subjects searched for a target letter that was contained in either one of two clusters located on either side of a central fixation target. A target was present on each trial and was more likely (probability=0.8) to appear in one cluster than the other. Probabilities were disclosed by differences in cluster intensities. The distance between each cluster and central fixation varied (60'-300'). The presentation time was limited (500 ms) to ensure that a successful search would require a wisely chosen saccadic plan. The best chance of finding the target would be to direct the first saccade to the high-probability location, but only one of the six subjects tested followed this strategy consistently. The rest (to varying degrees) preferred to aim the first saccade to the closer location, often followed by an attempted search of the remaining location. Two-location searches were unsuccessful; performance at both locations was poor due to insufficient time. Preferences for such ineffective strategies were surprising. They suggest that saccadic plans were influenced by attempts to minimize the cognitive and attentional load attached to planning and to maximize the number of new foveal views that can be acquired in a limited period of time. These strategies, though disastrous in our task, may be crucial in natural scanning, when many cognitive operations are performed at once, and the risk attached to a few errant glances at unimportant places is small.
Development of a LIGA-based elastodynamic flying mechanism

With the emergence of MEMS and LIGA technology piezoceramics can be integrated to create tiny solid state devices. The precision motion that piezoelectric materials can provide is complimented by the tolerances that can be achieved through MEMS and LIGA micromachining. The integration of these two technologies is ideal for microactuation. A LIGA based devices has been developed that is capable of amplifying small motions from a piezoelectric element into an output stroke angle large enough to produce flight. Micro flight is a difficult aerodynamic problem. With small wing areas conventional lift requires velocities that are difficult to achieve. However it is possible to induce lift using drag in the same manner as some birds and insects. Flapping is a highly efficient way to produce flight. For sustained low energy flight both insects and birds use a complex elastodynamic system that only requires them to excite it at its natural frequency. The actuation device presented is based on the same flight principle of insects and birds, a resonating elastodynamic system excited at its natural frequency or at a lower harmonic. This allows for long distance flights that require little energy. Piezoceramics posses a high energy level and force output that can excite the device and induce a flapping motion. The dynamics of the system rely on the LIGA flexure mechanism, the piezoelectric element, as well as the aerodynamic interaction of the wing and the air which is a complex nonlinear problem.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A new thermomechanical fracture analysis approach for 3D integration technology

In this study, the peridynamic framework is applied to model heat diffusion to derive peridynamic heat diffusion equations. A numerical scheme is put forward and implemented in order to establish the validity of these equations. Finally, an approach is developed for coupled solution of heat conduction and solid mechanics equations in the realm of peridynamics.
Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life Among an Older Population in a Largely Rural Western Region.

ABSTRACTContextAs elderly people become a larger proportion of the rural population, it is important to identify those at risk for poor health. Predictors of health-related quality of life can be useful in designing interventions.PurposeOne objective of the present study was to profile the health-re
Modeling rhenium-186 and rhenium-188 distribution in a neutron-activated rhenium wire and effect of the distribution on beta dosimetry in a water phantom

Abstract Radioactive β-emitting rhenium wire brachytherapy sources produced by neutron activation in an isotropic thermal neutron field have a non-uniform radial radioisotope distribution. We modeled this distribution and confirmed the model by experimental measurements on wires of 0.1–1.0 mm diameter. When the corrected radial distributions of 186Re and 188Re were used, the calculated dose distribution around a 0.5-mm wire agreed with the distribution measured with Gafchromic film in a solid water phantom to within 5.0% over the therapeutic range (radius of 0.4–2.8 mm).
Prediction of Superboom Problem using Computational Solution of Nonlinear Tricomi Equation

The sonic -boom focusing problem has been solved using the nonlinear Tricomi equation. A pseudo time term has been added to the equation so that marching in pseudo time will be possible. The solution to this equation is obtained by splitting the nonlinear equation into two parts: a part corresponding to a linear unsteady Tricomi equation, and another part as the nonlinear unsteady Burgers equation. The solution of the unsteady li near Tricomi equation is followed by the solution of the nonlinear unsteady Burgers equation to obtain the solution of the total nonlinear equation. Three computational schemes are used. The first is a frequency -domain (FD) fast –Fourier transform (FFT) sch eme, the second is a time domain (TD) finite -difference scheme, and the third is a TD finite -difference scheme with overlapping grid (OLG). Numerical examples include an N -shape wave, a Concorde aircraft wave, and other flat -top and ramp -top waves. Superb oom of these signals at caustic surfaces has been predicted successfully, and the results of the different schemes have been compared. The equation has also been solved in the conservative form without any splitting. The computational scheme is a TD type differencing scheme. The results have been compared with the other three computational schemes. The CTD scheme is much more efficient than the others.
Tissue-targeted metabonomics: biological considerations and application to doxorubicin-induced hepatic oxidative stress

Tissue-targeted metabonomics, or the use of microdialysis sampling with NMR detection, can be used to monitor the metabolic profiles of specific tissues without the need to take tissue biopsies. This allows for sampling from the same animal over the time course of the experiment, reducing animal-to-animal variability and decreasing the number of animals required, however, this approach to metabonomics studies has not been fully characterized. In this work liver microdialysis sampling was performed on male Sprague–Dawley rats and the effects of diurnal rhythms, animal activity and anesthesia on the liver extracellular fluid composition examined. Diurnal rhythms and animal activity caused little change in liver metabolism, but anesthesia caused dramatic effects attributed to the hyperglycemia induced by xylazine and isoflurane. This approach was then applied to the characterization of the hepatotoxicity of doxorubicin, an anticancer agent known to induce oxidative stress. In these studies, two probes were implanted in the liver and doxorubicin was dosed through one of the probes. Comparisons were made between the metabolic profiles from the two probes to distinguish basal metabolic effects from those induced by doxorubicin. Doxorubicin altered hepatic metabolism by different mechanisms in anesthetized and awake rats. These studies also provided important implications for the design of future tissue-targeted metabonomics experiments.
Stability of the weak Pinsker property for flows

An ergodic flow is said to have the weak Pinsker property if it admits a decreasing sequence of factors whose entropies tend to zero and each of which has a Bernoulli complement. We show that this property is preserved under taking factors and d -limits. In addition, we show that a flow has the weak Pinsker property whenever one ergodic transformation in the flow has this property.
Recent Advances in Understanding the Pathogenesis of Lawsonia intracellularis Infections

Proliferative enteropathy is an infectious disease caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium, Lawsonia intracellularis, and characterized by thickening of the intestinal epithelium due to enterocyte proliferation. The disease is endemic in swine herds and has been occasionally reported in various other species. Furthermore, outbreaks among foals began to be reported on breeding farms worldwide within the past 5 years. Cell proliferation is directly associated with bacterial infection and replication in the intestinal epithelium. As a result, mild to severe diarrhea is the major clinical sign described in infected animals. The dynamics of L. intracellularis infection in vitro and in vivo have been well characterized, but little is known about the genetic basis for the pathogenesis or ecology of this organism. The present review focuses on the recent advances regarding the pathogenesis and host-pathogen interaction of L. intracellularis infections.
The Irony of Satire Political Ideology and the Motivation to See What You Want to See in The Colbert Report

This study investigated biased message processing of political satire in The Colbert Report and the influence of political ideology on perceptions of Stephen Colbert. Results indicate that political ideology influences biased processing of ambiguous political messages and source in late-night comedy. Using data from an experiment (N = 332), we found that individual-level political ideology significantly predicted perceptions of Colbert's political ideology. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the groups in thinking Colbert was funny, but conservatives were more likely to report that Colbert only pretends to be joking and genuinely meant what he said while liberals were more likely to report that Colbert used satire and was not serious when offering political statements. Conservatism also significantly predicted perceptions that Colbert disliked liberalism. Finally, a post hoc analysis revealed that perceptions of Colbert's political opinions fully mediated the relationship between po...
Reconfigurable control system design via perfect model following

Abstract A novel model-following approach is developed to design reconfigurable control systems. The conventional state-space linear model-following approach to control is first re-examined with emphasis on the conditions for perfect model following and its application to reconfigurable control system design. New frequency domain necessary and sufficient conditions for perfect model following are then obtained and they are used to gain insight into the selection of the reference model and to develop a new design approach. This novel design approach yields fewer constraints on the reference model than before, and provides much greater flexibility in specifying the state trajectories of the impaired system.
Local changes in neurosteroid levels in the substantia nigra reticulata and the ventral tegmental area alter chronic ethanol withdrawal severity in male withdrawal seizure-prone mice.

Background Allopregnanolone (ALLO) is a potent positive modulator of γ-aminobutyric acidA receptors (GABAARs) that affects ethanol (EtOH) withdrawal. Finasteride (FIN), a 5α-reductase inhibitor that blocks the formation of ALLO and other GABAergic neurosteroids, alters EtOH sensitivity. Recently, we found that Withdrawal Seizure-Prone mice from the first genetic replicate (WSP-1) exhibited behavioral tolerance to the anticonvulsant effect of intrahippocampal ALLO during EtOH withdrawal and that intrahippocampal FIN significantly increased EtOH withdrawal severity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether neurosteroid manipulations in the substantia nigra reticulata (SNR) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) produced effects during EtOH withdrawal comparable to those seen with intrahippocampal ALLO and FIN. Methods Male WSP-1 mice were surgically implanted with bilateral guide cannulae aimed at the SNR or VTA at 2 weeks prior to EtOH vapor or air exposure for 72 hours. Initial studies examined the anticonvulsant effect of a single ALLO infusion (0, 100, or 400 ng/side) at a time corresponding to peak withdrawal in the air- and EtOH-exposed mice. Separate studies examined the effect of 4 FIN infusions (0 or 10 μg/side/d) during the development of physical dependence on the expression of EtOH withdrawal. Results ALLO infusion exerted a potent anticonvulsant effect in EtOH-naive mice, but a diminished anticonvulsant effect during EtOH withdrawal. Administration of FIN into the SNR exerted a delayed proconvulsant effect in EtOH-naive mice, whereas infusion into the VTA increased EtOH withdrawal duration. Conclusions Activation of local GABAARs in the SNR and VTA via ALLO infusion is sufficient to exert an anticonvulsant effect in naive mice and to produce behavioral tolerance to the anticonvulsant effect of ALLO infusion during EtOH withdrawal. Thus, EtOH withdrawal reduced sensitivity of GABAARs to GABAergic neurosteroids in 2 neuroanatomical substrates within the basal ganglia in WSP-1 male mice.
Epigenetic Regulation in Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorder is a chronic condition of compulsive drug seeking and use that is mediated by stable changes in central reward pathways. Repeated use of abused drugs causes persistent alterations in gene expression responsible for the long-term behavioral and structural changes. Recently, it has been suggested that epigenetic mechanisms are responsible in part for these drug-induced changes in gene expression. One of the alluring aspects of epigenetic regulation of gene expression is that epigenetic mechanisms may provide transient and potentially stable conditions that in turn may ultimately participate in the molecular mechanisms required for neuronal changes subserving long-lasting changes in behavior. This review describes epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation and then discusses the emerging role of epigenetics in drug-induced plasticity and behavior. Understanding these mechanisms that establish and maintain drug-dependent plasticity changes may lead to deeper understanding of substance use disorders as well as novel approaches to treatment.
Mechanically-induced osteogenesis in the cortical bone of pre- to peripubertal stage and peri- to postpubertal stage mice

Exercise during postnatal development plays a key role in determining adult bone mass and reducing the risk of fracture and osteoporosis later in life. However, the relationship between mechanically-induced osteogenesis and age is unclear. Elevated levels of estrogen during puberty may inhibit periosteal bone formation. Thus, magnitudes of mechanically-induced osteogenesis may be vary with pubertal state. The present study uses a murine model to examine age-related changes in bone formation at the femoral midshaft with voluntary exercise. Pre- to peripubertal mice aged 3 weeks and peri- to postpubertal mice aged 7 weeks were randomly divided into sedentary and exercised groups and subjected to histomorphometric comparison after 4 weeks of treatment. Results of the experiment indicate that exercise significantly increased osteogenesis on the periosteal and endocortical surface of the mice in the older age group (P < 0.05). Exercise had no significant effect on bone formation of mice in the younger age group, although exercised mice exhibited more bone growth on average than controls. Endocortical apposition was the primary method of bone formation for all mice in the experiment; however exercised mice in the older age group were able to add more bone on the periosteal surface than age-matched controls and exercised mice in the younger age group (P < 0.05). Medullary area increased with age, but exercised mice in both age groups had smaller medullary cavities relative to overall bone area than controls. These findings suggest that the amount and location of mechanically-induced osteogenesis differs by age during skeletal development. Late adolescence may be the optimal time to accrue bone mass and maximize bone strength.
Ethnic Classification Writ Large The 1954 Yunnan Province Ethnic Classification Project and its Foundations in Republican-Era Taxonomic Thought

Like other forms of state-led demographic enterprises, the PRC-era Ethnic Classification Project, or minzu shibie, was an inventive process of social engineering, not simply an attempt at neutrally reflecting primordial qualities of the non-Han social sphere. The engineering of the categories depended upon three main factors. First, it required a particular form of taxonomic enthusiasm — a “will to classify” — committed to the division of the non-Han social realm into mutually exclusive categories of identity. Second, it required a taxonomic methodology with which to undertake this division. Finally, it required the power necessary to calibrate the social world with newly formed theoretical categories — to make these new categories “stick” at the local level.The first two of these factors were holdovers from the Republican period, whereas the final factor was something unique to the PRC. PRC researchers inherited a distinct brand of nation-statist, taxonomic enthusiasm from their Republican predecessors, ...
Position and force control of robot arms

A stability analysis for robot manipulators under the influence of external forces is presented. Several control objectives are considered: rejecting the external force as a source of disturbance, complying with the external force as a generalized mass-spring-damper system, and actively controlling the external force when a dynamic model of the environment is available. In each of these cases, a stability analysis using the Lyapunov method is presented. >
Low Voltage Tunable One Dimensional Photonic Crystal with Large Air Defects

A one-dimensional Si/SiO 2 photonic crystal with a large, tunable air defect cavity is fabricated. Multiple resonant modes are observed within the photonic band gap. The free spectral range (FSR) is large compared to other resonant structures, with more than 100nm bandwidth. Simultaneous low voltage tuning around two telecom wavelengths, 1.55μm and 1.3μm, is realized using electrostatic force. The whole process is at low temperature and can be CMOS compatible. Potential applications include switching, modulation, and wavelength conversion devices, particularly WDM devices.
TESTING FOR DIFFERENT RATES OF CONTINUOUS TRAIT EVOLUTION USING LIKELIHOOD

Rates of phenotypic evolution have changed throughout the history of life, producing variation in levels of morphological, functional, and ecological diversity among groups. Testing for the presence of these rate shifts is a key component of evaluating hypotheses about what causes them. In this paper, general predictions regarding changes in phenotypic diversity as a function of evolutionary history and rates are developed, and tests are derived to evaluate rate changes. Simulations show that these tests are more powerful than existing tests using standardized contrasts. The new approaches are distributed in an application called Brownie and in r8s.
Resected pancreatic cancer treated with adjuvant radiotherapy with or without 5-fluorouracil: treatment results and patterns of failure.

Abstract There are relatively little data regarding patterns of recurrence after curative resection and postoperative radiotherapy with or without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for patients with adenocarcinonima of the pancreas. Between 1978 and 1997, 41 patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy (RT) at Loyola-Hines Department of Radiotherapy. Of the 38 evaluable patients, 30 had RT + 5-FU and 8 had RT alone. Twenty-nine patients (76.3%) had a Whipple's resection, seven (18.4%) had distal pancreatectomy, and two (5.2%) had total pancreatectomy. Thirty-three (86.8%) of the 38 patients received > or =4,500 cGy to the tumor bed. Median survival for all patients was 21 months. The median survivals for patients who received RT + 5-FU and RT alone were 26 months and 5.5 months (p = 0.004). The most common site of failure was the liver, as seen in 79.2% of all recurrences. The peritoneum, other distant sites (lungs, bone, distant lymph nodes), and locoregional tumor bed were components of failure in 33.3%, 29.2%, and 25.0%, respectively. Locoregional failure alone was found in only one patient. Our median survival with postoperative RT + 5-FU is consistent with results reported by the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group and Mayo Clinic. Although patients who had RT + 5-FU had a better median survival than those who received RT alone, our RT-alone group had an inferior survival outcome compared to other published reports and may represent patient selection bias. Efforts in controlling this disease should be directed to prevention of intraabdominal relapse.
Skeletal tourmaline, undercooling, and crystallization history of the Stone Mountain granite, Georgia, U.S.A.

The Stone Mountain pluton, in Georgia, is composed of tourmaline-bearing biotite–muscovite granite. The pluton was intruded at midcrustal depths and is cut by late-stage dikes. Tourmaline occurs as large skeletal crystals in the granite in the same areas as late-stage aplite and pegmatite–aplite dikes. Skeletal tourmaline also occurs in the aplite zone of pegmatite–aplite dikes. Pegmatites and thin feldspar – quartz – tourmaline veins contain euhedral tourmaline. Isolated skeletal crystals of tourmaline in the granite and tourmaline-bearing dikes are surrounded by a fine-grained leucocratic, Fe-depleted halo of feldspar and quartz. Electron-microprobe analyses show that all of the tourmaline consists of schorl. Skeletal tourmaline shows an early brown to late blue pleochroism. Most euhedral tourmaline is uniformly brown, but a few grains from pegmatite have a blue core and a brown rim. Brown tourmaline is high in Ti (>0.1 apfu ), whereas the blue tourmaline is lower in Ti ( apfu ). There is little compositional variation among the different textures of the tourmaline. These textures indicate an initial crystallization at undercoolings of 40–100°C. A boron-enriched fluid reacted with the existing granite to form skeletal tourmaline with a Fe-depleted halo. In the pegmatite–aplite dikes, the B-enriched fluid (melt) segregated along the outer margins of the dikes and crystallized skeletal tourmaline from an undercooled melt. Removal of B from the melt raised the solidus temperature and caused the aplite that encloses the skeletal tourmaline to form. Crystallization of the remaining melt at lower undercoolings produced euhedral tourmaline of the pegmatite and veins. The development of skeletal crystals of tourmaline at Stone Mountain indicates that undercooling is an important process in some midcrustal granite systems.
Absorption of penicillin from the nose and alimentary canal.

Conclusions1. Penicillin is absorbed from the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileum, or colon of rats about one-fifth as well as from intramuscular injection. 2. Penicillin is also absorbed from the nose or mouth of dogs about one-fourth as well as from intramuscular injection. 3. Concentrations higher than 25,000 units of penicillin per cc depress, reversibly, the ciliary activity in frog's esophagus. 4. Penicillin may be sprayed into the nose in concentrations of 100,000 units per cc without producing significant irritation. 5. Although the blood concentrations following intranasal spraying of penicillin are low, they may enhance local antibacterial effects in the upper respiratory tract.
The Fungus Flora of Compost During Mycelium Colonization by the Cultivated Mushroom, Agaricus Brunnescens

Isolations were made of fungi from mushroom compost at the end of the colonization or growth phase (called spawn run in the mushroom industry) by mycelium of Agaricus brunnescens. Fifty species of ...
Survey on the patients with filariasis in advnced stage in Fuding City

Patients with filariasis in advanced stage in Fuding City were investigated, and 16 cases of filariasis patients in advanced stage were found. Those patients distributed in Yuqin, Xiamen and Dianxia. The prevalence rate was 2.81/100 thousands and the patients were all over 50 years old.
Compressive Sensing Strategies for Multiple Damage Detection and Localization

Structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques have been studied over the past few decades to detect the deficiencies affecting the performance of the structures. Detecting and localizing these deficiencies require long-term data collection from dense sensor networks which creates a challenging task for data transmission and processing. To address this problem, a comparative study of two image-based compressive sensing approaches for multiple damage localization is presented in this paper. The first methodology consists of compressive sampling from the sensor network in global and local formats. Then through statistical change point analysis on the sampled datasets, and Bayesian probability estimation, the study estimates the location of damage. The second algorithm implements compressive sensing to the subset of samples obtained from the sensor network space divided into blocks. The damage existence and location are determined by statistical hypothesis testing of Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT) coefficients avoiding the original signal recovery. In order to evaluate the performance of both algorithms, multiple damage scenarios are simulated in steel gusset plate model. The comparison results are presented in terms of compression ratios and successful detection rates.
The lazy leukocyte syndrome revisited

In this issue of Blood, Kuhns et al1 describe the probable molecular and genetic basis for a disease that has mystified investigators for over 45 years, the lazy leukocyte syndrome. This disorder is characterized by recurrent infections, stomatitis, a low neutrophil count, and impaired neutrophil motility,2-5 and these abnormalities can now be explained by mutations in actin-interacting protein 1 (Aip1).1 This natural experiment provides exciting new insights into how neutrophils and other nonmuscle cells regulate their actin filament architecture to change shape and migrate.
Effect of solute temperature in the measurement of cardiac output in children using the thermodilution technique.

Objectives The primary aim of this study was to compare thermodilution (TD) cardiac index (TDCi) measured by injecting cold saline (C-TDCi) to saline at room temperature (R-TDCi). The secondary aim was to assess the change in body temperature with cold saline injections in children. Design This is a prospective, case control study. Setting Cardiac catheterization lab at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. Patients Eighty-six children ≤18 years of age that underwent cardiac catheterization between April 2013 and April 2015, excluding patients with admixing lesions, on inotropic support and with ejection fraction < 30%. Interventions A TD catheter in the main pulmonary artery was used to measure cardiac output (CO). Each patient received manual injections of saline at room temperature followed by cold saline to calculate the CO. Outcome Measures CO by C-TDCi, R-TDCi, and Fick-Ci were compared using four different statistical methods. Results R-TDCi and Fick-Ci had a strong linear correlation (rho = 0.91 and 0.77, respectively; P 2 years (P > 0.05). Conclusions Cardiac indexes determined by Fick, C-TDCi, and R-TDCi were equivalent in children. Saline at room temperature can be used as an alternative to cold saline to avoid potential drop in body temperature of these patients.
Membrane Lipid Biosynthesis As a Potential Therapeutic Target in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract 1836 Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most prominent phospholipid in mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. The rate-limiting step in PC synthesis through the Kennedy pathway is the conversion of phosphocholine + cytidine triphosphate (CTP) to cytidine diphosphocholine, (CDP)-choline, via the enzyme CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT) (see figure). Multiple myeloma (MM) cells may be particularly dependent on this biosynthetic reaction because of their high consistent level of ER stress and requirement to continuously replenish ER membranes. Indeed, CCT-null mice have a defect in differentiation of B lymphocytes to plasma cells and deficiencies in Ig synthesis. To test whether this pathway remains critical in survival of malignant MM cells, we exposed MM cell lines to an inhibitor shown to inhibit CCT activity, HexPC. HexPC induced apoptosis in all MM cell lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The addition of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), presumably converted to PC independently of the Kennedy pathway, completely rescued MM cell apoptosis. In contrast, similar concentrations of LPC in the same cell lines could not rescue apoptosis induced by bortezomib. An additional intervention to inhibit phosphatidylcholine synthesis, namely inducing pyrimidine starvation, also resulted in MM cell apoptosis and down-regulation of CDP-choline levels. Apoptosis of MM cells induced by HexPC was associated with induction of ER stress as shown by enhanced phosphorylation of IRE1 and eIF-2alpha. This ER stress was also prevented when LPC was added to HexPC although LPC could not prevent similar ER stress induced by bortezomib. These results underscore the importance of this phosphatidylcholine synthesis pathway in MM cells and provide new targets for future therapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Clinical yield of fetal echocardiography for suboptimal cardiac visualization on obstetric ultrasound.

Objective Suboptimal cardiac imaging on obstetric ultrasound is a frequent referral indication for fetal echocardiography, even in the absence of typical risk factors for fetal cardiac disease. The clinical profile of patients and findings of examinations performed for such an indication are not well defined. Given the increased cost, time and resource utilization of fetal echocardiography, we sought to determine the clinical findings of such referrals. Study Design We performed a single-center review of such referrals from January 2010 to June 2016. Patients with commonly accepted indications for fetal echocardiography were excluded. Demographic variables and echocardiogram findings were collected. Findings were classified as (1) “normal,” (2) “probably normal,” if minor pathology could not confidently be excluded, or if minor findings were noted that were expected to resolve, or (3) “abnormal.” Rates of pathology were determined with comparison of nonobese and obese populations. Results A total of 583 gestations in 562 women were included (median gestational age 23.3 weeks, range 19.0–38.4). The median body mass index (BMI) was 34.6 kg/m2 (range 17.2–66.3 kg/m2). The majority of women were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 in 74.6%). Overall, 574 of 583 examinations (98.5%) were normal or “probably normal.” Pathology was noted in 9 fetuses (1.5%), 3 of whom required intervention (0.5%). No ductal dependent lesions were diagnosed. There was no significant difference in pathology rates between nonobese and obese mothers. Conclusions We found a low fetal cardiac anomaly rate in studies performed for suboptimal views on obstetric ultrasound. The majority of women referred for this indication were obese. The practice of routine referral for this indication deserves further evaluation.
Pb Isotopes as an Indicator of the Asian Contribution to Particulate Air Pollution in Urban California

During the last two decades, expanding industrial activity in east Asia has led to increased production of airborne pollutants that can be transported to North America. Previous efforts to detect this trans-Pacific pollution have relied upon remote sensing and remote sample locations. We tested whether Pb isotope ratios in airborne particles can be used to directly evaluate the Asian contribution to airborne particles of anthropogenic origin in western North America, using a time series of samples from a pair of sites upwind and downwind of the San Francisco Bay Area. Our results for airborne Pb at these sites indicate a median value of 29% Asian origin, based on mixing relations between distinct regional sample groups. This trans-Pacific Pb is present in small quantities but serves as a tracer for airborne particles within the growing Asian industrial plume. We then applied this analysis to archived samples from urban sites in central California. Taken together, our results suggest that the analysis of P...
Using the integrative model of behavioral prediction to understand college students’ STI testing beliefs, intentions, and behaviors

Objectives: To identify salient behavioral determinants related to STI testing among college students by testing a model based on the integrative model of behavioral (IMBP) prediction. Participants...
Christian privilege: Do Jewish students feel marginalized in U.S. public schools?

This research sought to illustrate instances of Jewish students feeling marginalized in public schools. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 Jewish students attending public schools in a medium sized Midwestern city and a small Midwestern town. The results indicated the public school students felt marginalized when absent from school to observe Jewish holidays and during the Christian holiday season. These same students also felt pressured by teachers to be a spokesperson for their religion, and believed that because they are a minority, do not deserve equal rights and privileges. Students attending the Jewish day school never felt marginalized. All of their school breaks corresponded to the Jewish holidays and never with the Christian holidays.
Quality Assurance for Glass Batch Raw Materials

Quality assurance of incoming batch raw materials is important to assure that there will always be a sufficient quantity of acceptable quality batch materials for glass production.
Getting the Most for the Money: The Hedonic Return on Experiential and Material Purchases

Consumers everywhere are faced with the same dilemma: given limited resources, what sorts of purchases are most likely to produce lasting happiness and satisfaction? Put simply, how do you get the biggest hedonic bang for the buck? We discuss one rather simple solution: choosing experiential purchases (purchases made with the intention of gaining a life experience) over material possessions (purchases made with the intention of owning a physical object). Recent research has confirmed that experiences tend to produce greater hedonic gains than possessions (e.g., Carter and Gilovich, J Per Soc Psychol, 98(1), 146–159, 2010; 102(6), 1304–1317, 2012; Van Boven and Gilovich, J Per Soc Psychol, 85(6), 1193–1202, 2003), and has begun to investigate the underlying mechanisms as a way to illuminate the more fundamental psychological processes that govern happiness and satisfaction. We provide an overview of research that establishes three basic mechanisms behind the differences between experiences and possessions (comparison processes, connections to the self, and social connections) and we discuss how these mechanisms interrelate to produce greater, and longer lasting hedonic gains.
How to represent opaque sentences in first order logic

This paper presents a method for applying standard inferencing mechanisms to a broader class of sentences than that which was possible before. The logic of proposition surrogates allows representation of and reasoning with a class of sentences (the so called opaque sentences) that pose special difficulties for standard logics. Within this class are sentences with one or more occurrences of such words as know, believe, aware, search, hunt, etc. It is shown that standard formal (programming) languages, e.g. first order logic, can be extended with proposition surrogates to deal with facts that have traditionally been expressed in modal or various other proposed logics. It has been argued that such facts can not adequately be expressed in standard logics; the findings and results recorded here, however, are to the contrary. Proposition surrogates can be added, in a conservative manner, to standard automatic reasoning systems. Proposition surrogates and their historical development are presented. An inference engine based on the logic of proposition surrogates is then outlined and applied to some problems in this area.
Tunable Stub Plasmonic Structures for Terahertz Detectors and Sources

Numerous applications of terahertz communication and sensing technology require powerful electronic sources and sensitive detectors. Recently proposed “plasmonic boom” terahertz devices require the electron velocity repeatedly cross the plasma velocity in periodic electronic structures. Such devices could increase the generated power and detection sensitivity by orders of magnitude. However, they require tuning boundary conditions at heterodimensional interfaces and decreasing the velocity of the plasmons. We propose using the protruding side regions attached to a plasmonic channel – “plasmonic stubs” – to control the boundary conditions and slow down plasmons in a controllable and tunable fashion. Using the transmission line modeling approach, we derive the expression for the input impedance of the device with a stub and show the input impedance could be tuned from minus to plus infinity. We derive and solve the dispersion equation for the plasmons and show the tunable plasma velocity decrease. These results are important for design, characterization, modeling, and parameter extraction of the next generation of THz electronic devices and circuits.
Soft-bodied fossil of a lizard from the Parachute Creek Member, Green River Formation (Eocene), Utah

A rare specimen of soft tissue preservation of a lizard from the Parachute Creek Member of the Eocene Green River Formation, Uinta Basin, Utah, is described. The preservation is unusual in that it is a miner­alized body lacking the skeleton. This, and other small boneless vertebrate specimens also from the Para­chute Creek, indicate occasional demineralizing conditions in Lake Uinta, but not apparently in the other two lakes of the Green River Formation—Fossil Lake and Lake Gosuite.
Addressing Key Knowledge Gaps in Nutrition Research and the Impact of Funding Priorities in Human Nutrition

An improved nutritional status is believed to be a cost-effective strategy for reducing mortality, morbidity, and risks of chronic diseases. However, much of the scientific evidence to support the benefits of nutrients for health maintenance lack consistency and validity. Study designs, methodologies, tools, and funding priorities for nutrition research are evolving to better address key knowledge gaps impacting the science. Some examples include (1) development of new tools to improve assessments of dietary intake, (2) identification and validation of improved biomarkers for determining nutrition status, (3) enhancement of omics technologies to better map the interrelationships between intake (via supplement or food) and true nutrient bioavailability, and (4) improved study designs to better address phenotypic variations in nutrient requirements. To adequately address these and other knowledge gaps, funding opportunities have expanded beyond isolated federal agency initiatives to include more interagency collaborations, public-private partnerships, and international collaborations. The broader scope of collaborations is expected to promote greater opportunities for nutrition researchers to participate in the sharing and analysis of biomedical big data. Capitalizing on access to and the use of biomedical big data may facilitate investigations of the full complexities of the human ecosystem with respect to the nutrition sciences. Provided here is an overview of the funding priorities and trends as they relate to the key knowledge gaps impacting nutrition sciences to date.
A DNA aptamer reveals an allosteric site for inhibition in metallo-β-lactamases.

The hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics by β-lactamase enzymes is the most prominent antibiotic resistance mechanism for many pathogenic bacteria. Out of this broad class of enzymes, metallo-β-lactamases are of special clinical interest because of their broad substrate specificities. Several in vitro inhibitors for various metallo-β-lactamases have been reported with no clinical efficacy. Previously, we described a 10-nucleotide single stranded DNA aptamer (10-mer) that inhibits Bacillus cereus 5/B/6 metallo-β-lactamase very effectively. Here, we find that the aptamer shows uncompetitive inhibition of Bacillus cereus 5/B/6 metallo-β-lactamase during cefuroxime hydrolysis. To understand the mechanism of inhibition, we report a 2.5 A resolution X-ray crystal structure and solution-state NMR analysis of the free enzyme. Chemical shift perturbations were observed in the HSQC spectra for several residues upon titrating with increasing concentrations of the 10-mer. In the X-ray crystal structure, these residues are distal to the active site, suggesting an allosteric mechanism for the aptamer inhibition of the enzyme. HADDOCK molecular docking simulations suggest that the 10-mer docks 26 A from the active site. We then mutated the three lysine residues in the basic binding patch to glutamine and measured the catalytic activity and inhibition by the 10-mer. No significant inhibition of these mutants was observed by the 10-mer as compared to wild type. Interestingly, mutation of Lys50 (Lys78; according to standard MBL numbering system) resulted in reduced enzymatic activity relative to wild type in the absence of inhibitor, further highlighting an allosteric mechanism for inhibition.
Demographic characteristics of smoldering multiple myeloma patients: A hospital-based study including 11,643 patients.

e13064Background: SMM is the requisite asymptomatic phase that precedes Multiple Myeloma (MM). Observation until progression to MM has been the standard of care. However, the improvement in risk as...
Frequency-modulated up-chirps produce larger evoked responses than down-chirps in the big brown bat auditory brainstem.

In many mammals, upward-sweeping frequency-modulated (FM) sounds (up-chirps) evoke larger auditory brainstem responses than downward-sweeping sounds (down-chirps). To determine if similar effects occur in FM echolocating bats, auditory evoked responses (AERs) in big brown bats in response to up-chirps and down-chirps at different chirp durations and levels were recorded. Even though down-chirps are the biologically relevant stimulus for big brown bats, up-chirps typically evoked larger peaks in the AER, but with some exceptions at the shortest chirp durations. The up-chirp duration that produced the largest AERs and the greatest differences between up-chirps and down-chirps varied between individual bats and stimulus levels. Cross-covariance analyses using the entire AER waveform confirmed that amplitudes were typically larger to up-chirps than down-chirps at supra-threshold levels, with optimal durations around 0.5–1 ms. Changes in response latencies with stimulus levels were consistent with previous estimates of amplitude-latency trading. Latencies tended to decrease with increasing up-chirp duration and increase with increasing down-chirp duration. The effects of chirp direction on AER waveforms are generally consistent with those seen in other mammals but with small differences in response patterns that may reflect specializations for FM echolocation.