cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved Heat Tolerance through Drought Preconditioning Associated with Changes in Lipid Composition, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Protein Expression in Kentucky Bluegrass

Plant tolerance to drought and heat stress may be interrelated. The study was designed to examine whether improved heat tolerance through drought preconditioning is associated with changes in lipid and protein content and antioxidant enzyme activities. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (cv. Brilliant) plants were well watered (non-preconditioned control) or exposed to drought without irrigation for 12 d (drought preconditioning) and then exposed to heat stress (35°C/30°C) for 25 d in growth chambers. Compared to the non-preconditioned control, preconditioned plants had higher turf quality and chlorophyll content, and lower leaf electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation under heat stress. Lipid saturation level increased under heat stress due to decreases in the content of linolenic (C18:3) and increases in linoleic (C18:2) and palmitic (C16:0) acids. Total fatty acid content and the content of C18:3 were signifi cantly higher and C16:0 content was lower in preconditioned than in non-preconditioned plants at 15 d of heat stress. The activity of superoxide dismutase increased in preconditioned plants at the initiation of heat stress, but it decreased in non-preconditioned plants under heat stress. Preconditioned plants had higher catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities than non-preconditioned plants under heat stress. Drought preconditioning accelerated the up-regulation of chaperonin and heat shock protein 90, inhibited the down-regulation of proteins for amino acid metabolism, and induced the expression of lipoxygenase. These results imply that drought-preconditioning-enhanced heat tolerance was associated with the promotion of antioxidant activities and chaperoning protein expression, protecting plants from cellular damages from heat stress.
Hazardously Drinking Jailed Women Post-Release Perceived Needs and Risk of Reincarceration

Women who drink hazardously face a high risk for re-arrest and reincarceration when they return to their communities after a jail stay. This study is the first to examine the associations between women's own reports of basic needs 1 month after jail release, and reincarceration (defined as spending at least one night in jail) during the next 5 months among unsentenced, female pretrial jail detainees who drink hazardously. Perceived needs for housing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.63; p < .01), substance treatment services (AOR = 2.65; p < .01), assistance/benefits (AOR = 2.37; p < .05), and mental health counseling (AOR = 2.07; p < .05) at 1 month after jail release were associated with reincarceration during the next 5 months for the 165 hazardously drinking jailed women in this study. These findings demonstrate that self-reported needs during the high-risk period immediately following jail release are associated with heightened odds of reincarceration among hazardously drinking jailed women.
Electrospinning of nanofibers: Characterization of jet dynamics and humidity effects

ABSTRACTElectrospinning is a method to produce submicron polymer fibers for a wide range of applications. In many applications, the average electrospun fiber size and uniformity are important for the product's performance and process economics. Thus, it is desirable for electrospinning to achieve consistent and controllable fiber diameters. However, the current state-of-the-art electrospinning process can result in variable fiber diameters, both run-to-run and during a run. This paper investigates how the operating regime as well as several important process factors affect fiber diameter using a vision-based system. For aqueous polyethylene oxide (PEO) solutions, it is found that the relative humidity has a strong effect on fiber diameter. Correlations between measurable parameters and fiber diameter are also developed to provide the ability to achieve the desired fiber diameters. The jet dynamics are experimentally identified through step response for development of appropriate control strategies.
Dementia Syndromes in the Older Adult

Publisher Summary This chapter defines dementia, describes the most important cognitive domains in neuropsychological assessment, and reviews and defines the most common dementias. It discusses the assessment measures, current treatments, and the role of follow-up assessment in geriatric neuropsychology. It aims to familiarize psychologists and other mental health professionals with the diagnostic criteria for the most common dementias and with the associated patterns of cognitive and behavioral decline. Dementia has become an increasing area of focus for mental health professionals serving geriatric populations. Familiarity with the most common dementias is essential. Alzheimer's disease is the most common dementia, followed by Vascular dementia (VaD) and dementia with Lewybodies (DLB). The type of cognitive decline varies depending on the type of dementia. Behavioral and psychiatric changes are also common. Neuropsychological assessment plays a vital role in accurate diagnosis. Multidisciplinary Memory Disorders clinics provide diagnosis and ongoing care to patients and their families. These clinics can provide a wide array of services including behavioral and pharmacological treatments for the patient, access to clinical research trials, aid in treatment planning, and supportive therapies for patients, families, and other caregivers.
Representations of Home: Painting

Throughout history, representations of the home setting in painting have signified evolving social understandings of the functions of households. While most paintings displaying the home setting are not wholly realistic depictions of actual houses or rooms, they often fairly accurately reflect the uses and understandings of domestic space during the eras in which they were created. During ancient and medieval times, paintings of homes were comprised of symbolic suggestions of domestic spaces created through a juxtaposition of a few key architectural features or furnishings framing depictions of activities that commonly took place in household settings. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, home settings in paintings became more elaborate and were used as backdrops to support and enhance religious, social, and moral narratives. Modern representations of the home setting in painting both draw from historical modes and expand the emotional and practical understandings of home spaces.
The Politics of Administrative Law Judge Decision Making at the FCC in Comparative Licensing Cases

ABSTRACTThe independence given to judges as a means to limit political interference is the same independence that has allowed many judges to insert their own policy preferences into their decision making. Previous studies on administrative law judge (ALJ) decision making have shown that the influence of political preferences in decision making is found even for judges, housed in the federal bureaucracy, who obtain their positions through merit systems, at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) (Taratoot and Howard 2011), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Seabrook, Wilk, and Lamb 2012), and the Environmental Protection Agency (Taratoot 2014). This article continues this examination of ALJ decision making through analyzing comparative licensing cases decided at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) between 1984 and 1993 to determine whether the influence of political attitudes is present at the FCC. Modeling after the work of Taratoot and Howard (2012), I theorize that FCC decision m...
Influence of the 5A's Counseling Strategy on Weight Gain During Pregnancy: An Observational Study.

Abstract Background: Healthy weight gain during pregnancy may improve health outcomes for women and infants. The objective of this study was to examine providers' use of the 5A's (Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, and Arrange) in discussions of weight, nutrition, and physical activity during prenatal visits and evaluate the effect of this approach on gestational weight gain. Materials and Methods: We studied audio recordings of prenatal visits between 22 obstetrics providers and 120 of their patients, coding visits for providers' use of the 5A's. The relationship between the 5A's and gestational weight gain (total weight gain and excess gestational weight gain) was evaluated using multilevel models to account for patient clustering within provider, and adjusted for prepregnancy body mass index, parent study intervention assignment, gestational age at the study visit, and study visit length. Results: Overall, 55% of prenatal visits included any weight-related behavioral counseling. Of these, 59.1% included on...
Biomechanics of Total Knee Replacement

Metal-plastic Total Knee Placement (TKR) was first introduced in the late 1960’s. Among the first designs were the Polycentric, the Freeman-Swanson, the Geomedic and the DuoCondylar (1). During the 1970’s, many other designs were introduced, some being adaptions to address the problems with the early designs, and others being new concepts. During the decade, frequent clinical problems were due to inadequate instrumentation, inaccurate component alignment, poor cement technique, excessive device constraint, absence of patello-femoral replacement, and lack of ligament balancing. However, institutional reviews published in the early 1980’s, suggested that some designs at least, problems occurred in only a few percent of cases at up to 10 years follow-up. To optimise the design for performance and durability, the designer, manufacturer, and surgeon are faced with a variety of requirements. Some of these requirements will be discussed in this article. The first stage is to identify and quantify the present status, particularly the strong and weak points. This is done by a review from our own institutional data on retrieved total knees and clinical follow-ups (2,3,4,5).
Efficient synthesis of 1,9-substituted benzo[h][1,6]naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones and evaluation of their Plasmodium falciparum gametocytocidal activities

A novel three-component, two-step, one-pot nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr)–intramolecular cyclization–Suzuki coupling reaction was developed for the synthesis of benzo[h][1,6]naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones (Torins). On the basis of the new efficiently convergent synthetic route, a library of Torin analogs was synthesized. The antimalarial activities of these compounds were evaluated against asexual parasites using a growth inhibition assay and gametocytes using a viability assay.
Unpacking the relationship between discussion forum participation and learning in MOOCs: content is key

This study examined the relationship between discussion forum contributions and course assessment results in a statistics MOOC. An important feature of the study is that it distinguished between discussions that were related to the learning of course material ("content-related") and those which were not ("non-content"). Another contribution is that the study evaluated the additional usefulness of social centrality measures in predicting course grade after the quantity of forum contributions has been accounted for. Results showed that, overall, 15% of course learners contributed to the forums and these learners had a significantly higher rate of successfully passing the course than non-contributors (64% vs 32% passing). Learners who made posts to both content-related and non-content threads had a higher passing rate than those who only contributed to one type or the other. Among learners who successfully passed the course, there were no differences in course grade when comparing discussion contributors and non-contributors overall; however those who contributed to content-related threads performed slightly better than those who did not (course grade of 87% vs 85%). A predictive model based on the number of posts made to content-related threads explained a small proportion of variance in course grades; addition of social centrality measures did not significantly improve the variance explained by the model.
Long range transport and carbon and nitrogen dynamics of floating seagrass wracks in Greater Florida Bay

Abstract Floating aggregations of seagrass wrack can serve as an ecological “hot spot” contributing to the survival of many species in the form of habitat and food source. Considerable research has been conducted on seagrass wrack that is washed ashore, but here we demonstrate that large amounts of floating wrack produced in Greater Florida Bay can be advected great distances from their source, remain buoyant for weeks, and provide a nutrient subsidy into surrounding waters. Drifters tracking the location of floating Syringodium filiforme wracks revealed that movement of the wrack is strongly correlated to wind speed with total daily movement ranging from 10 to 40 km d−1. In mesocosm experiments, shedding followed an exponential model with highest rates estimated for loose aggregations of S. filiforme (−0.124 d−1) compared to Thalassia testudinum (-0.047 d−1). Aggregated whorled S. filiforme wrack found offshore had an order of magnitude lower shedding with a rate of −0.013 d−1 suggesting it could remain buoyant for several months. Both wrack and the floating macroalgae Sargassum sp. released considerable amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and colored dissolved organic material (CDOM) daily into the dark mesocosm treatments. CDOM represented a constant proportion of the DOC exudate with a spectral slope suggestive of humic materials. Sargassum sp. produced twice as much DOC and CDOM compared to seagrass wrack. No net release of dissolved nitrogen was measurable in the treatments during the first 5 to 6 days while vegetation was photosynthetically viable, but particulate organic matter increased in the treatments consistent with the growth of bacterioplankton (C:N ∼7). Similar to Sargassum sp., seagrass wrack can be advected offshore and serve as a carbon and nitrogen source for organisms in oligotrophic waters.
Using Tumor Explants for Imaging Mass Spectrometry Visualization of Unlabeled Peptides and Small Molecules

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) imaging mass spectrometry has emerged as a powerful, label-free technique to visualize penetration of small molecules in vivo and in vitro, including in 3D cell culture spheroids; however, some spheroids do not grow sufficiently large to provide enough area for imaging mass spectrometry. Here, we describe an ex vivo method for visualizing unlabeled peptides and small molecules in tumor explants, which can be divided into pieces of desired size, thus circumventing the size limitations of many spheroids. As proof-of-concept, a small molecule drug (4-hydroxytamoxifen), as well as a peptide drug (cyclosporin A) and peptide chemical probe, can be visualized after in vitro incubation with tumor explants so that this technique may provide a solution to robing cell penetration by unlabeled peptides.
A Simple Paper Model Illustrates How To Cyclize Monosaccharides from Fischer Projections to Haworth

Turning a linear sugar into its cyclized form is an essential skill in biochemistry. A simple paper model is described that can be used by any student to transform a carbohydrate in its Fischer projection and correctly cyclize it into its Haworth form. The model can also be used to illustrate several key aspects of the Fischer projection of which many students are typically unaware.
Steinernema scapterisci as a Biological Control Agent of Scapteriscus Mole Crickets

Scapteriscus didactylus, Sc. abbreviatus, Sc. borellii and Sc. vicinus are South American mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) that have arrived in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, where they have become pests of turf- and pasture-grasses, vegetable seedlings and other crops. All four species have been targets of classical biological control. Three classical biological control agents have been introduced and established against them. A wasp, Larra bicolor (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), was introduced into Puerto Rico in the late 1930s, and decades later into Florida, whence it spread to Georgia and Mississippi. A nematode, Steinernema scapterisci (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), was introduced into Florida in 1985 and into Puerto Rico in 2001. A fly, Ormia depleta (Diptera: Tachinidae), was introduced into Florida in 1988. Steinernema scapterisci has been mass-produced on artificial diets and marketed as a biopesticide with a difference, in that it can establish permanent populations in sandy, low-organic soils with Scapteriscus mole crickets. As such, it can readily be deployed where its services are needed. It is highly specialized to the genus Scapteriscus, without non-target effects, and it is highly tolerant of chemical insecticides, thus adapted for use in integrated pest management strategies. It functions well against Scapteriscus adults (just like the other two biological control agents), but has limited effect against nymphs.
High energy absorbing materials for blast resistant design

Abstract: High blast absorbing materials have been consistently sought by the US Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, especially after 9.11. These materials can be used to effectively absorb blast wave energies and impact impulses and protect human lives and properties under extreme blasting events. The chapter reviews the current research status, outlines design philosophy for blast resistant design, and points to several case studies for using advanced materials and technology for blast mitigation, such as metal and foam sandwich panels, magneto-rheological fluids, and porous shape memory alloy.
Minimally Invasive, Far Lateral Lumbar Microdiscectomy with Intraoperative Computed Tomography Navigational Assistance and Electrophysiological Monitoring.

Background Patients with far lateral disc herniation (FLDH) experience more severe pain and sensory symptoms compared with those with paracentral disc herniation. In addition, surgical intervention has both been more challenging and resulted in poorer outcomes. Methods We report our experience with intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) navigation-assisted minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy via a paramedian approach with electrophysiological monitoring for precise 3-dimensional anatomical localization and early electrophysiological identification of the exiting nerve. Results Five patients presenting with weakness and pain refractory to conservative management underwent iCT navigation surgery for lumbar FLDH with electrophysiological monitoring. The mean decrease in the visual analog scale pain score was −7.1 and the modified MacNab criteria outcomes were good in 1 patient and excellent in 4 patients. Conclusions These results from a small group of patients suggest this is a safe approach with the potential for improved outcomes in the surgical treatment of FLDH.
COMPARISON OF SURFACE, ESOPHAGEAL, AND CLOACAL TEMPERATURES IN DIFFERENT REPTILE SPECIES

The objective of this study was to compare surface, esophageal, and cloacal temperatures in awake iguanas, chameleons, and snakes at two different ambient temperatures and in alligators at one ambient temperature. Surface, esophageal, and cloacal temperatures were measured in all animals twice, with exception of the alligators, where temperatures were taken once. The first set of temperature readings was done at lower environmental temperature. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a mixed-effect model was used to analyze the temperature difference between esophageal and cloacal temperature against each other, and against surface temperature. Significance was set at P < 0.05. In all animals, surface, esophageal, and cloacal temperatures increased significantly (P < 0.0001) with increased ambient temperature. Esophageal and cloacal temperature were not significantly different from each other in iguanas and chameleons at lower environmental temperature or in snakes and chameleons at high ambient temperature. In snakes, esophageal temperature 26.1 ± 1.6°C was significantly higher than cloacal temperature 25.2 ± 0.9°C (P = 0.0016) at lower ambient temperature. In alligators no difference between esophageal and cloacal temperature was observed at the given ambient temperature. Surface temperature was significantly lower than esophageal and cloacal temperature in all species investigated, except iguanas at lower ambient temperature. The results of this study suggest that in healthy awake iguanas and chameleons at any ambient temperature and in snakes at high ambient temperature, cloacal temperatures are reflective of esophageal temperature in the species evaluated. In alligators, rectal temperature reflected esophageal temperature at the given ambient temperature. Surface temperature in contrast was underestimating esophageal temperature in all species investigated.
NASICON Na3V2(PO4)3 Enables Quasi-Two-Stage Na+ and Zn2+ Intercalation for Multivalent Zinc Batteries

Identifying positive electrode materials capable of reversible multivalent electrochemistry in electrolytes containing divalent ions such as Mg2+, Ca2+, and Zn2+ at high operating potentials remain...
Synthesis, characterization, molecular modeling and biological studies of novel steroidal Schiff base metal conjugates against breast cancer

1127 Activation of Akt and NF-κB signaling appears to play an important role in breast cancer by conferring chemo-resistance. Hence, inhibitors of these signaling pathways could provide novel therapeutics for the treatment of breast and other cancers. Our previous studies with genistein, a soy isoflavone, have shown anticancer activities in several cancers such as breast, lung, prostate and pancreas, partly due to inactivation of Akt and NF-κB signaling. Since genistein has a heterocyclic diphenolic motif similar to steroidal structure and has strong affinity for Estrogen receptor (ER), we designed and characterized a class of steroidal Schiff bases (PRTSC) with a genistein-like scaffold using a novel pharmacophore, viz. thiosemicarbazone . To improve efficacy and selectivity of this pharmacophore, several transition metal conjugates (PRTSC-Cu/Ni/Pt) were prepared and found to possess 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometries having square planar geometries. Our molecular modeling studies with the ER-α using software package MDS Suite 2 showed that PRTSC enters the cavity of ER-α without disturbing the protein at the level of His 524. The cytotoxic side chain anchores onto the protein residues with a slight bend and was primarily responsible for the antagonistic effect. The superimposed docking images of estradiol and the Schiff base PRTSC with ER-α revealed that the side chain in PRTSC modifies the position of the helix 12 and inhibits co-activator recruitment resulting in enhanced anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity as tested against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, T47D and MDA-MB 231). The copper conjugate (PRTSC-Cu) was the most potent compound showing inhibition of Akt kinase activity (IC50 =15μM) as compared to genistein (IC50 =70μM) as measured by in vitro fluorescence polarization assay. Moreover, we found down regulation of NF-κB by PRTSC-Cu, which was correlated with greater than 1000 fold inhibition in the secretion of VEGF. These results were also correlated with the anti-tumor activity of PRTSC-Cu against an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer. From these results, we conclude that PRTSC-Cu and its next generation of metal conjuagtes could be effective novel therapeutics against human malignancies including breast cancer.
Evidence for the Utility of Actuarial Neuropsychological Criteria Across the Continuum of Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia.

BACKGROUND Research suggests that actuarial neuropsychological criteria improve the accuracy of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnoses relative to conventional diagnostic methods. OBJECTIVE We sought to examine the utility of actuarial criteria relative to consensus diagnostic methods used in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set (UDS), and more broadly across the continuum of normal aging, MCI, and dementia. METHODS We compared rates of cognitively normal (CN), MCI, and dementia diagnoses at baseline using actuarial versus consensus diagnostic methods in 1524 individuals from the NACC UDS. RESULTS Approximately one-third (33.59%) of individuals diagnosed as CN and more than one-fifth (22.03%) diagnosed with dementia based on consensus methods, met actuarial criteria for MCI. Many participants diagnosed with MCI via consensus methods also appeared to represent possible diagnostic errors. Notably, the CNa/CNc group (i.e., participants diagnosed as CN based on both actuarial [a] and consensus [c] criteria) had a lower proportion of apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers than the MCIa/MCIc group, which in turn had a lower proportion of ɛ4 carriers than the dementia (Dem)a/Demc group. Proportions of ɛ4 carriers were comparable between the CNa/CNc and CNa/MCIc, MCIa/MCIc and MCIa/CNc, MCIa/MCIc and MCIa/Demc, and Dema/Demc and Dema/MCIc groups. These results were largely consistent with diagnostic agreement/discrepancy group comparisons on neuropsychological performance. CONCLUSION The present results extend previous findings and suggest that actuarial neuropsychological criteria may enhance diagnostic accuracy relative to consensus methods, and across the wider continuum of normal aging, MCI, and dementia. Findings have implications for both clinical practice and research.
Increased Skeletal Muscle Fiber Cross-Sectional Area, Muscle Phenotype Shift, and Altered Insulin Signaling in Rat Hindlimb Muscles in a Prenatally Androgenized Rat Model for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are reported to have greater lean mass and insulin resistance. To examine muscular changes in a prenatally androgenized (PNA) rat model for PCOS, Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to 5 mg testosterone or vehicle daily on gestational days 16–19. At 15 weeks of age, endurance on a rota-rod treadmill was measured. At 16 weeks of age, fasting blood glucose and insulin, hindlimb skeletal muscle mass, muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and composition, and intra- and peri-muscular lipid droplets were examined. Expression of mitochondrial marker ATP synthase and insulin signaling proteins were also investigated. Compared with controls, PNA female rats demonstrated greater total body and hindlimb muscle weights, greater muscle fiber CSA, and trending reduced time on the rota-rod. An increase in fibers co-expressing the slow and fast isoforms of myosin (90 vs. 86%, p < 0.05) and greater expression of ATP synthase (6-fold, p < 0.005) were observed in the gastrocnemius (GN) muscle. More lipid content was observed in GN and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. PNA rats had elevated fasting serum insulin (1.9 vs. 1.2 ng/mL, p < 0.005) but comparable fasting glucose. Expression of total and Ser636/9-phosphorylated IRS1 were altered in PNA rat hindlimb muscles. Together, skeletal muscle alterations in hindlimb muscles of a PNA rat model for PCOS may represent consequences of, or adaptations to, insulin resistance in this model.
Cracking hypothalamic circuits that drive survival behaviors using novel optical methods

Functional imaging in vivo has become a powerful tool for studying neuronal circuits during behavior. Here we use a microendoscopy system for deep-brain imaging from two distinct lateral hypothalamic neuron populations (i.e. LHPV and LHLEPR). By combining endomicroscopy, genetically encoded calcium indicators, optogenetics, and chemogenetics, we demonstrate that LHPV neurons modulate pain whereas LHLEPR neuronal activity encodes for appetitive behaviors in mice.
Rapid Detection of Bacteria Using Raman Spectroscopy and Deep Learning

Bacteria identification can be a time-consuming process. Machine learning algorithms that use deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) provide a promising alternative. Here, we present a deep learning based approach paired with Raman spectroscopy to rapidly and accurately detect the identity of a bacteria class. We propose a simple 4-layer CNN architecture and use a 30-class bacteria isolate dataset for training and testing. We achieve an identification accuracy of around 86% with identification speeds close to real-time. This optical/biological detection method is promising for applications in the detection of microbes in liquid biopsies and concentrated environmental liquid samples, where fast and accurate detection is crucial. This study uses a recently published dataset of Raman spectra from bacteria samples and an improved CNN model built with TensorFlow. Results show improved identification accuracy and reduced network complexity.
Impact of Interferons and Biological Drug Inhibitors of IL-2 and IL-6 on Small-Molecule Drug Metabolism Through the Cytochrome P450 System:

Objective:Assess the impact of interferons and interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 inhibitors on cytochrome P450 (CYP) drug metabolism in human subjects.Data Sources:PubMed search from 1980 to March 31, 20...
Molecular Mechanism of Stimulation of Na-K-ATPase by Leukotriene D4 in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Na-K-ATPase provides a favorable transcellular Na gradient required for the functioning of Na-dependent nutrient transporters in intestinal epithelial cells. The primary metabolite for enterocytes is glutamine, which is absorbed via Na-glutamine co-transporter (SN2; SLC38A5) in intestinal crypt cells. SN2 activity is stimulated during chronic intestinal inflammation, at least in part, secondarily to the stimulation of Na-K-ATPase activity. Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) is known to be elevated in the mucosa during chronic enteritis, but the way in which it may regulate Na-K-ATPase is not known. In an in vitro model of rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18), Na-K-ATPase activity was significantly stimulated by LTD4. As LTD4 mediates its action via Ca-dependent protein kinase C (PKC), Ca levels were measured and were found to be increased. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of PKC, also mediated stimulation of Na-K-ATPase like LTD4, while BAPTA-AM (Ca chelator) and calphostin-C (Cal-C; PKC inhibitor) prevented the stimulation of Na-K-ATPase activity. LTD4 caused a significant increase in mRNA and plasma membrane protein expression of Na-K-ATPase α1 and β1 subunits, which was prevented by calphostin-C. These data demonstrate that LTD4 stimulates Na-K-ATPase in intestinal crypt cells secondarily to the transcriptional increase of Na-K-ATPase α1 and β1 subunits, mediated via the Ca-activated PKC pathway.
Who Speaks in the Coverage of the Iran Deal in The New York Times and The Washington Post

This chapter reports the results of two content analysis studies of The New York Times and The Washington Post coverage of the Iran Deal. The first examined news stories and found that US Executive Branch sources were most heard from, while Israeli governmental sources also figured prominently. Iranian governmental sources declined significantly in use after the Deal was signed. Results of the second study which analyzed op-ed articles show that while US Executive Branch sources were most prominent, the official perspective did not control the valence of coverage. Oppositional sources remained prominent and negative statements from op-ed authors significantly increased even after a deal with Iran was reached. It concludes with analysis of the results as they pertain to indexing theory and the cascading activation model.
Biomechanics of Additively Manufactured Metallic Scaffolds-A Review

This review paper is related to the biomechanics of additively manufactured (AM) metallic scaffolds, in particular titanium alloy Ti6Al4V scaffolds. This is because Ti6Al4V has been identified as an ideal candidate for AM metallic scaffolds. The factors that affect the scaffold technology are the design, the material used to build the scaffold, and the fabrication process. This review paper includes thus a discussion on the design of Ti6A4V scaffolds in relation to how their behavior is affected by their cell shapes and porosities. This is followed by a discussion on the post treatment and mechanical characterization including in-vitro and in-vivo biomechanical studies. A review and discussion are also presented on the ongoing efforts to develop predictive tools to derive the relationships between structure, processing, properties and performance of powder-bed additive manufacturing of metals. This is a challenge when developing process computational models because the problem involves multi-physics and is of multi-scale in nature. Advantages, limitations, and future trends in AM scaffolds are finally discussed. AM is considered at the forefront of Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution. The market of scaffold technology will continue to boom because of the high demand for human tissue repair.
Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide: Parallel roles as neural messengers

Nitric oxide is now appreciated to be a molecule with important signaling functions in the body. The purification and cloning of the first NO synthesizing enzyme, NO synthase (NOS), from brain has led to the characterization of the roles of NO in normal physiology and in pathogenic states. NO synthesis is regulated in a complex manner, involving the association of activatory and inhibitory proteins. The body appears to use at least one other, highly related gas in a signaling function, carbon monoxide (CO). The enzyme responsible for CO biosynthesis in brain, heme oxygenase-2 (HO2), is rapidly regulated by neurotransmitter stimulation. The role for CO as neurotransmitter is suggested by the altered intestinal motility in mice harboring a genomic deletion of HO2.
Inference for cumulative incidence quantiles via parametric and nonparametric approaches

In survival analysis, a point estimate and confidence interval for median survival time have been frequently used to summarize the survival curve. However, such quantile analyses on competing risks data have not been widely investigated. In this paper, we propose parametric inferences for quantiles from the cumulative incidence function and develop parametric confidence intervals for quantiles. In addition, we study a simplified method of inference for the nonparametric approach. We compare the parametric and nonparametric inferences in empirical studies. Simulation studies show that the procedures perform well, with parametric analyses yielding smaller mean square error when the model is not too badly misspecified. We illustrate the methods with data from a breast cancer clinical trial. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Analysis of Learning to Plan as a Search Problem

Abstract C omposer is one of a growing number of techniques for learning to plan. Like other approaches, it embodies a number of simplifications to overcome the complexities of learning. These simplifications introduce tradeoffs between learning efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper we relate C omposer to our general framework of simplifications for learning to plan [Gratch92a]. This discussion illustrates how such a framework may be used to analyze a particular approach, highlighting the learning system's strengths and weaknesses.
Chapter 32 Role of the cerebral cortex and striatum in emotional motor response

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an understanding of the contributions of cortical and striatal systems to emotional expression. It focuses on the mechanism by which the human cerebral cortex and striatum may become involved in emotional response. As much of the data on connectivity are necessarily derived from other species, the chapter attempts to integrate these observations into a framework that can provide a coherent view of emotional response, from the perspective of the human brain. The chapter also attempts to define emotion operationally as the process of assessing the personal importance of sensory stimuli for the specific individual. Emotional responses thus become the set of cognitive and motor reactions that are engendered by that emotional state. The chapter reviews the mechanisms by which sensory stimuli, both internal and external are processed by the forebrain and converge in the limbic cortex. It considers the ways in which output from the limbic cortex, which weighs the personal significance of external events, can feed back to color cortical processing; feed forward to regulate hypothalamic and brainstem autonomic, endocrine and behavioral integration; and feed forward via the ventral striatum to achieve a psychological momentum that is a common feature of emotional states.
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis-associated immunologic abnormalities.

Candidiasis (moniliasis, candidosis) includes a group of fungous diseases varying in severity from commonly encountered local superficial involvement of the oral mucosa to fulminating systemic infections rapidly terminating in death.1 The etiologic agent is Candida albicans or occasionally another species of candida. These fungi are frequently found as saprophytes in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal area. Some local or systemic impairment of host defense mechanisms usually appears to be an essential predisposing factor for the development of candidiasis. The term chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis refers to a heterogeneous group of fungous diseases characterized by persistent or recurrent candida infection of mucous membranes, nails, and skin.1-3 Involvement of internal organs seldom, if ever, occurs.
Effect of Calcium Cation on Plating Efficiency of the Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris

The presence of Ca2+ (concentration, ca. 0.4 mM) in the growth medium causes cells of Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough) to aggregate, leading to a decrease in plating efficiency. When the Ca2+ concentration in the medium was reduced 20-fold, cell aggregation did not occur and the plating efficiency increased from an initial value of 34% to a final value of 56%.
Islam and the Media of Devotion in and out of Senegal

Few devotees of the Muridiyya, a Sufi congregation that emerged in colonial Senegal at the turn of the 20th century, have the opportunity to glimpse or touch their spiritual masters. Exalted Murid figures rarely leave their compounds in rural Tuba, and access to them is restricted to high-ranking initiates such as Muslim scholars, government officials, and business leaders. Ordinary disciples are more likely to view religious figures in the variety of media circulating in and out of Senegal. The desire for and appreciation of mediation to facilitate proper practice and proximity to the divine distinguish Murid adepts from their Sunni counterparts. The electronic mediation of devotional practices produces feelings of nearness to spiritual leaders for disciples in Senegal and abroad. Through visual practices related to electronic media, devotees receive religious merit and grace that lead to spiritual and material enrichment and create their spiritual community.
Abstract P2-12-13: Knowledge and Information seeking about personalized breast cancer therapy

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer patients and providers are increasingly interested in personalized cancer therapy. Information-seeking behaviors and knowledge about personalized cancer therapy, cancer genetics, and molecular testing may influence patients’ participation in clinical trials and decision making regarding their care. We evaluated breast cancer patients’ knowledge and information seeking behaviors regarding personalized cancer therapy (PCT). METHODS: The study population included newly registered female breast cancer patients at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center prior to their first clinical visit. Of 308 consecutive patients who were invited to participate, 100 (32%) completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing their knowledge and information seeking preferences regarding PCT. Knowledge regarding cancer genetics and PCT research was assessed using 16 true/false questions (Cronbach’s α=0.88). A knowledge score was computed from the total number of correct responses. RESULTS: Respondents were predominantly white (70%), older (median age 55 years; SD=12.9; range 26-84), educated (78% with college degree or higher) and higher incomes (54% >$50,000/year); 71% had been diagnosed with breast cancer for at most one year at time of participation. Knowledge regarding cancer genetics and PCT was moderate (M=8.68, SD=3.8). Although most participants (85%) could correctly identify the definition of PCT, many (59%) did not know that somatic mutations are not hereditary. Many (75%) knew that molecular testing can reveal risk for other hereditary cancers. Less than half (46.5%) knew about the availability of PCT in clinical trials. A minority (27%) indicated that they had sought information regarding PCT. They sought for information related to specific treatment options. Higher education (p CONCLUSION: Study participants could define PCT, but had limited knowledge of its availability and underlying treatment principles. This may be due, in part, to the fact that few participants had sought information about PCT. Understanding patients’ knowledge and prior information seeking regarding PCT may inform clinicians, who are likely to be patients’ initial source of information about PCT. Citation Format: Deevakar Rogith, Rafeek A Yusuf, Shelley R Hovick, Bryan M Fellman, Susan K Peterson, Allison Burton-Chase, Yisheng Li, Elmer V Bernstam, Funda Meric-Bernstam. Knowledge and Information seeking about personalized breast cancer therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-13.
Power line disturbances: a user's perspective on the selection and application of mitigation equipment and techniques

The proliferation of personal computers, programmable logic controllers, and electronic devices in industrial plants has prompted an increase in awareness of the impact of power line disturbances on the reliability of these systems and the ability to perform the desired tasks in an interruption-free manner. Investigations have revealed that often a significant portion of the problems originate in the plant itself, not from the utility company. The author presents a review of the various types of power line disturbances and their possible sources, including a sampling of portable monitoring and analysis equipment, mitigation equipment available, and techniques to use and pitfalls to avoid. It is concluded that the selection and application of power conditioning equipment are complex issues and there is no simple solution. >
Yoga in Modern India: The Body between Science and Philosophy

Yoga in Modern India: The Body between Science and Philosophy. Joseph S. Alter. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2004. xxiii + 326 pp.
Multi-Level Chireix Outphasing GaN MMIC PA

This paper presents the design and performance of a 9.7 GHz GaN MMIC Chireix outphasing PA with discrete supply modulation. This architecture is referred to as Multi-Level Chireix Outphasing (ML- CO). The internal PAs include class-F harmonic terminations, while the Chireix combiner provides the fundamental frequency load modulation. A peak output power of 37 dBm (5W) is achieved, while a peak &#951;tot of 60.2 % is reached at 35.7 dBm. The average total efficiency calculated for a 6 dB PAR QPSK signal is 48.1%, a 15.5 point improvement over the constant supply case.
Analysis of organochlorine pesticides in coral (Porites evermanni) samples using accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry method was developed for analysis of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in coral samples, which were extracted with accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and cleaned up on a sulfuric acid-modified silica gel column. The optimal ASE conditions were found to be 100°C and 2000 psi, with a mixture of acetone and methylene chloride (1:1, v/v). The target analytes include hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs, specifically, α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCH isomers), heptachlor, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), o,p′-, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (o,p′-, p,p′-DDT), o,p′-, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (o,p′-, p,p′-DDE), and o,p′-, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (o,p′-, p,p′-DDD). Standard sand samples were used as an alternative matrix spiked with OCP standards to determine the method precision and accuracy. Average recoveries of OCPs ranged from 82% to 102%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3%–6%, at a level of 10 ng/g and from 50% to 68%, with RSDs of 13%–19% at a level of 2 ng/g. The developed method was applied for analysis of OCPs in coral samples collected from Tern Island and Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The concentrations of HCB were 7–26 pg/g dry weight in the samples from Bikini Atoll and 3–45 pg/g in those from Tern Island, and heptachlor concentrations were 208–2200 and 44–104 pg/g in the coral samples from Bikini Atoll and Tern Island, respectively. ∑HCH (sum of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCH) were 8–82 pg/g in Bikini Atoll coral and 86–629 pg/g in Tern island coral, and ∑DDT (sum of o,p′-, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-, p,p′-DDE, and o,p′- p,p′-DDT) were 80–212 pg/g in Bikini Atoll coral and 593–3165 pg/g in Tern Island coral. The results suggest that coral is a viable indicator species for pollution monitoring, which pollutants and their concentrations may be related to dated carbonate layers.
Streaming instability of aggregating slime mold amoebae.

We propose a new model of aggregation in the cellular slime mold D. Discoideum. Our approach couples the excitable signaling system to amoeba chemotaxis; the resultant system of equations is tractable to analytical and numerical approaches. Using our model, we derive the existence of a streaming instability for the concentric target aggregation pattern.
For coccidioidomycosis--a possible source of infectious spores and of therapeutic agents.

Thirty-nine plant samples collected from the desert and from the cactus garden of The University of Arizona were examined for their ability to support the growth ofCoccidioides immitis in agar culture. On this basis and the location of the fungal growth as well as the degree of development of the fungus, the plants could be divided into five categories. No fungal growth was observed over a period of eight weeks in association with five of the plants. Four plants permitted growth of the mold within the agar medium only. Another five allowed some growth on the plant material but sporulation was never encountered. The largest group consisted of twenty plants on which the fungus grew moderately and sporulated lightly. In association with five plants,C. immitis grew well and sporulated heavily.
Arc-related sodic hydrothermal alteration in the western United States

Sodium-rich hydrothermal alteration is widely developed in Permian to Jurassic arc igneous rocks of the western United States, but it is rare in younger rocks. Na-rich alteration reflects a paleogeographic control on development. Two varieties, NaCa and Na, can be defined by mineralogic and compositional changes. Both are common in Permian to Jurassic arc plutonic and volcanic rocks and are accompanied by Fe and Cu ± Zn mineralization. Geologic relations and mineralogic, stable isotopic, and fluid-inclusion data indicate that the fluids responsible for sodium-rich alteration were isotopically heavy, moderately to highly saline fluids of marine, formation, and/or meteoric origin, with or without a magmatic component. The transition away from widespread Na ± Ca-rich alteration in the late Mesozoic corresponds to and is consistent with the change from an early Mesozoic marine and/or arid rifted arc setting to a fully emergent, continental arc environment in the Cretaceous.