cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bacteriology of Urinary Tract Stones

It has been reported that up to half of renal stones and associated urine specimens have been positive on culture, and that up to 50% of such stones contain magnesium ammonium phosphate. In a prospective study using infrared and wet chemical analysis, we found positive cultures in only 7 of 132 renal, 5 of 105 ureteral and 6 of 21 bladder stones obtained surgically and handled with sterility. Of the culture positive calculi only 43% from the kidney, none from the ureter and 50% from the bladder contained detectable magnesium ammonium phosphate. However, magnesium ammonium phosphate was detectable in 20% of renal, 2% of ureteral and 27% of bladder stones with negative cultures. Of the culture positive renal and ureteral calculi 42% were predominantly calcium phosphate and 17% were predominantly calcium oxalate. For culture negative stones 25% and 51% from the kidney, and 15% and 82% from the ureter were composed of predominantly calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate, respectively. Among the culture positive stones, related positive urine cultures were noted in 100% of the renal, 20% of the ureteral and 50% of the bladder cases, compared to 26%, 10% and 27%, respectively, of culture negative calculi. The same organism was found in the stone and urine in only 38% of the cases. The lower frequency of positive urine cultures, of stones with magnesium ammonium phosphate, and especially of culture positive renal and ureteral stones (5%) than in previous reports suggests that stone culture may be of less value than indicated previously, except for bladder calculi and large renal stones, such as the branched type.
Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 maintain S-phase chromatin and DNA replication fork progression

Background: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a critical role in the maintenance of genome stability. Class I HDACs, histone deacetylase 1 and 2 (Hdac1 and Hdac2) are recruited to the replication fork by virtue of their interactions with the replication machinery. However, functions for Hdac1 and Hdac2 (Hdacs1,2) in DNA replication are not fully understood.
A Reexamination of the Two-Stage Triangle Test for the Perception of Sensory Differencesa

SUMMARY: A review of the theory and practice of the two-stage triangle test for the sensory perception of small differences leads to the conclusion that its disadvantages usually outweigh its advantages. When the test is used its information content is difficult to assess; and a “least objectional” method, based on a scoring scheme and statistical significance procedures, is here proposed.
Development of a Stable Dual Cell-Line GFP Expression System to Study Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptors

Environmental estrogenic endocrine disruptors are a health concern. Here we constructed a dual cell-line green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression system to identify and study endocrine disrupting compounds with activities of estrogen receptor agonists or antagonists. Human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells were infected with a two tandem estrogen response elements--E4 promoter-GFP reporter gene construct. The use of GFP reporter enabled direct and simple evaluations of cell responses. GFP intensity in stably transfected MCF7-GFP and Ishikawa-GFP cells was dose-responsive to 17-beta-estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, 2-hydroxyestradiol, and environmental toxins bisphenol A, genistein and o-p'-DDT. Raloxifene and tamoxifen were effective antiestrogens in MCF7-GFP cells, but acted as partial estrogen receptor agonists in Ishikawa-GFP cells at concentrations of 0.1 nM and above. No synergistic effect was observed in chemical combinations between organochlorine pesticides methoxychlor, o-p'-DDT, p-p'-DDT, nor between estradiol and estrone. In summary, for the first time the effects of estrogen receptor agonists or antagonists were compared between mammary and endometrial cancer cells both stably expressing identical plasmids with GFP reporter genes under the control of tandem estrogen response elements. This dual cell-line system provides a rapid method and sensitive assay to identify environmental estrogens, antiestrogens, selective estrogen receptor modulators and to study their tissue specific effects and chemical interactions. Such a system is especially useful for direct and parallel toxicity assessments with a microfluidic cell culture device.
African-American Male Business Students' Perspective Of Academic Advising: A Retention And Success Strategy

Academic advising is an essential component of any institution of higher education. Advisors and advisees work together to make an individual academic plan based on each student's weaknesses, strengths, and goals. The advising relationship is an on-going communication that transcends course selection and should attempt to assist students as they explore the breadths of the curriculum, experience college life, focus on a major concentration, and prepare for life after graduation. In order to improve advisement in the Business Administration Program at a Historically Black College, a questionnaire was developed and administered in various classes within the Program. The purpose was to identify possible weaknesses in academic advising and make necessary changes and adjustments to better serve the students’ needs and enhance retention and institutional effectiveness. This study identifies and indicates that students are significantly dissatisfied with the current advisement system in the Business Program at the College. Based upon findings of this investigation, recommendations are made to improve the advisement system.
A data-parallel integrated signal detection architecture

The authors present the functional design of a signal preprocessing system which integrates analog signal preprocessing and digital postprocessing on a single integrated circuit. A traveling-wave amplifier followed by a passive filtering structure is used to obtain a spatially distributed representation of the spectral content of the input signal. A neural network emulation is then used to extract features of the spatial representation. A critical component for implementation of the proposed design is a silicon-based, CMOS-compatible inductor. One method of producing such a structure is proposed, and the values of inductance that might be obtained are estimated. >
DNA polymerase delta in DNA replication and genome maintenance

The eukaryotic genome is in a constant state of modification and repair. Faithful transmission of the genomic information from parent to daughter cells depends upon an extensive system of surveillance, signaling, and DNA repair, as well as accurate synthesis of DNA during replication. Often, replicative synthesis occurs over regions of DNA that have not yet been repaired, presenting further challenges to genomic stability. DNA polymerase δ (Pol δ) occupies a central role in all of these processes: catalyzing the accurate replication of a majority of the genome, participating in several DNA repair synthetic pathways, and contributing structurally to the accurate bypass of problematic lesions during translesion synthesis. The concerted actions of pol δ on the lagging strand, pol e on the leading strand, associated replicative factors, and the mismatch repair (MMR) proteins results in a mutation rate of less than one misincorporation per genome per replication cycle. This low mutation rate provides a high level of protection against genetic defects during development and may prevent the initiation of malignancies in somatic cells. This review explores the role of Pol δ in replication fidelity and genome maintenance.
High-resolution structural study of zinc ion incorporation at the calcite cleavage surface

The atomic-scale structure of Zn{sup 2+} incorporated at the CaCO{sub 3} (10{ovr 1}4) surface by adsorption from solution was determined by X-ray standing wave triangulation and surface extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. At low coverage (approximately 0.1 ML), Zn{sup 2+} substitutes for Ca{sup 2+} in the surface layer. Structural relaxation of the adjacent in-plane CO{sup 2-}{sub 3} ions in the host surface is shown by the reduced nearest-neighbor distance of Zn-O relative to Ca-O. Relaxation of the Zn{sup 2+} ion in the out-of-plane direction is shown by the displacement of its lattice position from the ideal Ca{sup 2+} position. These relaxations, resulting in a local lattice buckling feature at the Zn{sup 2+} adsorption site, can be fully explained as the combined effect of the electrostatic relaxation of the nearest-neighbor anions in response to the smaller size of Zn{sup 2+}, and the bonding asymmetry due to surface truncation.
Assignments of the 13C NMR Spectra of Enhydrin and 2',3'-Dehydromelnerin A and the Molecular Structure of Enhydrin

Abstract Two melampolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, enhydrin and 2,′ 3′-dehydromelnerin A, were isolated from a Louisiana population of Polymnia uvedalia. Their 13C NMR spectra were assigned using 13C-1H correlation, DEPT and COLOC experiments. The molecular structure of enhydrin was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction.
The thalamus as a monitor of motor outputs.

Many of the ascending pathways to the thalamus have branches involved in movement control. In addition, the recently defined, rich innervation of ‘higher’ thalamic nuclei (such as the pulvinar) from pyramidal cells in layer five of the neocortex also comes from branches of long descending axons that supply motor structures. For many higher thalamic nuclei the clue to understanding the messages that are relayed to the cortex will depend on knowing the nature of these layer five motor outputs and on defining how messages from groups of functionally distinct output types are combined as inputs to higher cortical areas. Current evidence indicates that many and possibly all thalamic relays to the neocortex are about instructions that cortical and subcortical neurons are contributing to movement control. The perceptual functions of the cortex can thus be seen to represent abstractions from ongoing motor instructions.
Reovirus Activates a Caspase-Independent Cell Death Pathway

ABSTRACT Virus-induced apoptosis is thought to be the primary mechanism of cell death following reovirus infection. Induction of cell death following reovirus infection is initiated by the incoming viral capsid proteins during cell entry and occurs via NF-κB-dependent activation of classical apoptotic pathways. Prototype reovirus strain T3D displays a higher cell-killing potential than strain T1L. To investigate how signaling pathways initiated by T3D and T1L differ, we methodically analyzed cell death pathways activated by these two viruses in L929 cells. We found that T3D activates NF-κB, initiator caspases, and effector caspases to a significantly greater extent than T1L. Surprisingly, blockade of NF-κB or caspases did not affect T3D-induced cell death. Cell death following T3D infection resulted in a reduction in cellular ATP levels and was sensitive to inhibition of the kinase activity of receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1). Furthermore, membranes of T3D-infected cells were compromised. Based on the dispensability of caspases, a requirement for RIP1 kinase function, and the physiological status of infected cells, we conclude that reovirus can also induce an alternate, necrotic form of cell death described as necroptosis. We also found that induction of necroptosis requires synthesis of viral RNA or proteins, a step distinct from that necessary for the induction of apoptosis. Thus, our studies reveal that two different events in the reovirus replication cycle can injure host cells by distinct mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Virus-induced cell death is a determinant of pathogenesis. Mammalian reovirus is a versatile experimental model for identifying viral and host intermediaries that contribute to cell death and for examining how these factors influence viral disease. In this study, we identified that in addition to apoptosis, a regulated form of cell death, reovirus is capable of inducing an alternate form of controlled cell death known as necroptosis. Death by this pathway perturbs the integrity of host membranes and likely triggers inflammation. We also found that apoptosis and necroptosis following viral infection are activated by distinct mechanisms. Our results suggest that host cells can detect different stages of viral infection and attempt to limit viral replication through different forms of cellular suicide. While these death responses may aid in curbing viral spread, they can also exacerbate tissue injury and disease following infection.
Instruction fetch mechanisms for VLIW architectures with compressed encodings

VLIW architectures use very wide instruction words in conjunction with high bandwidth to the instruction cache to achieve multiple instruction issue. This report uses the TINKER experimental testbed to examine instruction fetch and instruction cache mechanisms for VLIWs. A compressed instruction encoding for VLIWs is defined and a classification scheme for i-fetch hardware for such an encoding is introduced. Several interesting cache and i-fetch organizations are described and evaluated through trace-driven simulations. A new i-fetch mechanism using a silo cache is found to have the best performance.
Electromigration in thin gold films

Electromigration in gold film conductors results in regions of material accumulation and depletion. These regions arise from and are correlated with the thermal gradients along the conductor. This result is in contrast with the observations on aluminum conductors where the effect is dominated by the structure or metallurgical properties of the film.
Randomized Branch Sampling

Randomized branch sampling (RBS) is a special application of multistage probability sampling (see Sampling, environmental), which was developed originally by Jessen [3] to estimate fruit counts on individual orchard trees. In general, the method can be used to obtain estimates of many different attributes of trees or other branched plants. The usual objective of RBS is the estimation of a total quantity for a tree or a branch, for example, woody dry matter or volume [5], leaf dry matter [2], or counts of tree-inhabiting insects [1]. RBS also has potential application in the estimation of attributes of river networks (see Rivers, canals and estuaries) and other branched structures. Here, our interest is restricted to the above-ground portions of trees.
Treatment of Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents a subset of localized cancers that are at high risk for a margin-positive resection and early treatment failure when resected de novo. Although several different anatomic definitions for this disease stage exist, there is agreement that some degree of reconstructible mesenteric vessel involvement by the tumor is the critical anatomic feature that positions borderline resectable between anatomically resectable and unresectable (locally advanced) tumors in the spectrum of localized disease. Consensus also exists that such cancers should be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation before resection; although the optimal algorithm is unknown, systemic chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation is a rational approach. Although gemcitabine-based systemic chemotherapy with either 5-FU or gemcitabine-based chemoradiation regimens has been used to date, newer regimens, including FOLFIRINOX, should be evaluated on protocol. Delivery of neoadjuvant therapy necessitates durable biliary decompression for as many as 6 months in many patients with cancers of the pancreatic head. Patients with no evidence of metastatic disease following neoadjuvant therapy should be brought to the operating room for pancreatectomy, at which time resection of the superior mesenteric/portal vein and/or hepatic artery should be performed when necessary to achieve a margin-negative resection. Following completion of multimodality therapy, patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer can expect a duration of survival as favorable as that of patients who initially present with resectable tumors. Coordination among a multidisciplinary team of physicians is necessary to maximize these complex patients’ short- and long-term oncologic outcomes.
Stressing of locked patches along a creeping fault

An analysis is presented of the stressing of locked patches along a fault zone which is creeping elsewhere. The model consists of strike-slip faulted elastic lithospheric plates loaded in a manner equivalent to imposition of a remotely uniform tectonic shear stress. The fault zone has an inhomogeneous strength distribution both depth-wise and along strike. It is modeled as being composed of locked patches and freely slipping parts treated as cracks. The solution is given with the use of the “line-spring” model which analyzes the problem by thickness-averaged plane stress theory for lithospheric plates which slip along a discontinuity cut at the plate boundary. As a boundary condition, thickness-averaged stress and slip at each local section along the cut was related to one another by the result of an antiplane strain analysis of slip for the crack or crack pair which describes the slipping and locked depth ranges at that section. The analysis indicates that the slip distribution along creeping parts of the fault, as well as the stress distribution along locked patches, depends strongly on the geometry of these zones. The model is used to examine stress concentrations associated with a slip-deficient seismic gap along strike and to study the effect of local irregularities in the margin of a locked region. It is also used to simulate slip and stressing processes associated with the creeping portion of the San Andreas fault in central California, between the presently locked zones of the great 1906 and 1857 ruptures, and to constrain the nature of an apparently locked zone at the southeastern end which ruptures in characteristic Parkfield earthquakes. Near-fault creep and broadscale displacement data along the fault since the 1966 Parkfield earthquake and inferences from seismicity distributions are used. Limitations of the modeling procedure at short spatial wavelengths prohibit an accurate description of the Parkfield locked patch, but results suggest that it may be localized and occupy a small fraction of area of the normal seismogenic zone. An effective remote stressing rate of order 0.3 × 10−6 × shear modulus/yr is inferred, together with a less well constrained 30 to 40 km lithospheric thickness, for consistency with the displacement data. Results enable estimates of stress accumulation along the locked 1857 rupture zone and the build-up of fracture energy release capability (of order 107 J/m2 in 150 yr) at its lower margin.
Extreme mitochondrial evolution in the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi: Insight from mtDNA and the nuclear genome

Recent advances in sequencing technology have led to a rapid accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences, which now represent the wide spectrum of animal diversity. However, one animal phylum—Ctenophora—has, to date, remained completely unsampled. Ctenophores, a small group of marine animals, are of interest due to their unusual biology, controversial phylogenetic position, and devastating impact as invasive species. Using data from the Mnemiopsis leidyi genome sequencing project, we Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplified and analyzed its complete mitochondrial (mt-) genome. At just over 10 kb, the mt-genome of M. leidyi is the smallest animal mtDNA ever reported and is among the most derived. It has lost at least 25 genes, including atp6 and all tRNA genes. We show that atp6 has been relocated to the nuclear genome and has acquired introns and a mitochondrial targeting presequence, while tRNA genes have been genuinely lost, along with nuclear-encoded mt-aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. The mt-genom...
Century Bonds: Debt Or Equity Securities?

In this study, we examine the characteristics of firms that have issued century bonds and the debt-versus-equity classification of these bonds. Although it is commonly assumed that such bonds are issued for tax-avoidance purpose, an examination of firm characteristics suggests that firms have non-tax related motives in issuing century bonds. The formal structure of century bonds also suggests that century bonds are similar to debt. On the other hand, our analysis of the systematic risk of issuing firm's equity shows that century bonds are more similar to equity than to debt. Thus, ultimately, the relative importance of these three factors will have to determine whether they are to be considered debt or equity.
Romantic relationship memory effects on future romantic relationship forecasts: differences by attachment

The present study experimentally investigated the effects of recalling romantic relationship memories on forecasts for future romantic relationships for people of different attachment orientations. I assessed 133 college students not in a romantic relationship at the time of the study for their attachment group membership and asked them to recall and write about either their most vivid positive or negative romantic relationship memory. I measured the effects of recalling the memory on mood and asked participants to make a series of predictions, or forecasts, concerning the quality of an imagined future relationship in which they were a part. I expected secure individuals’ lack of defensive processing would lead to mood changes congruent with the valence of the memory they recalled, but that their stable positive relationship attributions would result in uniformly positive forecasts. I expected dismissive individuals to be emotionally indifferent to their memories and consistently negative in their forecasts. Finally, I hypothesized that preoccupied individuals’ hypervigilance to relationship information would lead to memory-congruent mood changes that would carry over to differentiate the quality of their forecasts. I generally found support for my hypotheses. Secure individuals’ mood changes differed dependent on the memory they recalled, but their positive forecasts did not. Memory valence did not change or differentiate dismissive individuals’ mood, but memories unexpectedly did affect the quality of dismissive individuals’ forecasts. Preoccupied individuals, finally, did experience mood changes as expected, and their forecasts generally changed congruent with the valence of the memory they recalled. Overall, secure individuals’ forecasts of an imagined future relationship were more positive than their insecure counterparts’.
Paris, Paris, Let Down Your Hair

This article discusses licensing rights to a spokesperson’s persona and items to consider in drafting an endorsement contract.
Whose Ear (or Arm) to Bend? A Model of Venue Choice

In this paper we consider a model of lobbying in which an interest group can lobby either the bureaucracy or the Congress for their preferred policy. The implications of the choice by a lobbyist of whom to lobby (the agency or the legislature) are explored. The main findings of the paper are that self-selection of venues by lobbyists can lead to a failure of the "ally principle" and that delegation but not abdication of authority can lead to an increase in Congressional hearings. Changes within the Federal Trade Commission during the 1970s are reinterpreted in the context of our model.
Form and Function in the National Security Constitution

Since Alexander Hamilton first wrote of the functional virtues of the presidency in matters of foreign affairs, his claim that a unitary executive is specially blessed with advantages of "[d]ecision, activity, secrecy, and dispatch" has been invoked regularly to argue for a limited role for Congress in national security decision-making, and even more rigorous deference to executive preferences by the courts. The Hamiltonian virtues have proven particularly compelling to a modern set of functionalist scholars from Bruce Ackerman to John Yoo, who rely on the same metrics of institutional competence to defend executive-heavy security detention programs (and other initiatives) against separation-of-powers arguments that the Constitution requires greater multi-branch engagement. While embracing the relevance of functional considerations in separation-of-powers disputes, this Article rejects the notion that unitary executive power is the structural arrangement most functionally advantageous for combating terrorism and associated threats. Although some terrorist-related events are "emergencies" that may implicate the Hamiltonian virtues, the new functionalist tendency to view counterterrorism only through the lens of emergency power exaggerates the importance of high-speed rights-security trade-offs, and obscures the range of trade-offs any security policy decision-making structure must confront - including regular trade-offs between strategy and tactics. Moreover, as organization theory helps demonstrate, while flexibility, unity, and speed can have advantages in the management of high-consequence risk, they also carry significant disadvantages that traditional separation-of-powers interpretation ignores, and that bear directly on the efficacy of executive-only decision structures. In the end, the alternative approach to evaluating comparative institutional competence proposed here leads to a far more favorable view of the functional desirability of multi-branch participation in programs geared to addressing the terrorist threat.
Computation method of dynamic loads of underground steel cylindrical shell under nuclear explosion

The calculation of the dynamical load of the underground steel cylindrical shell is to be solved in the engineering design.With nuclear exploding simulation set,a model experiment of steel cylindrical in dense sand was completed and the time history curve of dynamical pressure was measured.The result shows that the pressure distribution of the steel cylindrical shell was different from that of steel-concrete structure and the bottom pressure was larger than top one.Based on the model experiment,and with dynamical FEM,the dynamical loads distribution and the calculation method for the steel cylindrical shell in dense sand and mild clay were obtained,together with the practical calculation method for entirely burying steel oil-tank.
Hospice legal services: spiritual and counseling dimensions.

Explicates the various components of hospice legal services and draws attention to their possible spiritual dimensions. Notes particularly pastoral care implications of the many legal matters assoc...
Measurement of Intercellular Transfer to Signaling Endosomes

Abstract Cell–cell communication is essential for an abundance of physiological processes. As such, various mechanisms have evolved to regulate and ensure proper cell-to-cell signaling. Recently, a novel mechanism of cell communication has emerged which involves the physical transfer of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. Following this process termed intercellular transfer (ICT), the transferred molecules can signal within recipient cells by entering the endosomal system and trafficking to signaling endosomes. Signaling endosomes can modulate signal localization within the cell as well as the specificity of, and cross talk between, signaling pathways. As such, ICT into signaling endosomes has the potential to modify the signaling profile of the recipient cell. In this chapter, we describe the different methods of ICT as well as how transfer to signaling endosomes can be visualized and quantified.
Causality, Probability, and Time: Probability, Logic, and Probabilistic Temporal Logic

Probability Whether we want to determine the likelihood of a stock market crash or if people with a given gene have a higher risk of a disease, we need to understand the details of how to calculate and assess probabilities. But first, what exactly are probabilities and where do they come from? There are two primary views. The frequentist view says that probabilities relate to the proportion of occurrences in a series of events. For example, the probability of a coin coming up heads being 1/2 means that with a large number of coin flips, half should be heads and half tails. The probability then corresponds to how often something will occur. However, we also discuss the probability of events that may only happen once. We may want to know the probability that a recession will end if a policy is enacted, or the chances of a federal interest rate change on a particular date. In the frequentist case, we can get close to inferring the true probability by doing a large number of tests, but when an event may only occur once, we must instead rely on background knowledge and belief. There is another interpretation of probability, referred to as the Bayesian or subjectivist view. Here the probabilities correspond to degrees of belief in the outcome occurring. In this case, one must have what is called a prior , on which the belief is based.
Anatomy of the Skin and Pathophysiology of Radiation Dermatitis

The skin is an organ covering the external surface of the body. It functions as a protective barrier against injury, infection, and ultraviolet radiation. It also plays a role in regulating body temperature, vitamin D production, and sensory processing of environmental stimuli. Radiation dermatitis is a skin condition associated with therapeutic ionizing radiation exposure. This may develop during radiation of primary skin cancer or as a sequela of radiation of deeper structures, as the rapidly dividing cells of the skin are prone to radiation injury during treatment. Acute radiation dermatitis generally develops within the first few weeks of treatment as visible erythema and may progress to blistering and desquamation of the skin. Most of the changes are reversible. Chronic radiation dermatitis appears after a latent period of months to years. Poikilodermic changes such as telangiectasia or mottled hyper-/hypopigmentation are characteristic, as well as skin atrophy.
Guns as a Crime Deterrent: Does the Issuance of Concealed Carry Permits Reduce Crime?

This paper examines the impact concealed carry laws have on crime in the United States. First, it examines the history of guns in the U.S., specifically the second amendment, and the laws enacted since the 1960â€™s which have changed the way guns are purchased. Then it discusses the arguments for and against allowing law abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons through the issuance of concealed carry permits. Lastly, the paper presents several studies which have been done on the impact of concealed carry permits on crime, and then concludes that based on the research that has been done up to this point, the issuance of concealed carry permits results in a reduction of crime.
Drawing as Language

Some lines stay with you. I recall Sylvia Kind mentioning to me about a decade ago that the power of drawing is beneath the surface, underneath the line, for the interpretive power of the mark warrants contemplation and yields connection. As young children draw, they are telling their stories and making their worlds using drawing to learn, perceive, invent languages, and relate to others, all the while transforming what already exists for their purposes.
Proliferation, Plutonium and Policy

(1981). Proliferation, Plutonium and Policy. Nuclear Science and Engineering: Vol. 79, No. 2, pp. 246-246.
Reduction of Ochratoxin A in Oat Flakes by Twin-Screw Extrusion Processing

ABSTRACT Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most important mycotoxins owing to its widespread occurrence and toxicity, including nephrotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity to humans. OTA has been d...
Treatment and outcomes of primary pericardial mesothelioma: A systematic review.

e20027Background: Primary pericardial mesothelioma (PPM) is a rare cancer, for which there is no consensus on treatment. We performed a retrospective systematic review of recently published PPM cas...
Turning Death to Growth: Hematopoietic Growth Factors Promote Neurite Outgrowth through MEK/ERK/p53 Pathway

Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) are the essential hematopoietic growth factors to control hematopoiesis. However, the role of SCF and G-CSF in the central nervous system remains poorly understood. Here, we have demonstrated the involvement of MEK/ERK/p53 signaling in SCF + G-CSF-enhanced neurite extension. Cortical neurons dissected from embryonic rat brains were seeded onto the membranes of transwell inserts, and neurite outgrowth was determined by using both the neurite outgrowth quantification assay kit and immunostaining of β III tubulin. Quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting were used for determining gene and protein expression of ERK and p53, respectively. p53 small interfering RNA (siRNAs) were introduced into neurons for examining the involvement of p53 in SCF + G-CSF-mediated neurite outgrowth. We observed that both SCF and G-CSF alone increased activation of MEK/ERK and gene expression of p53, while SCF + G-CSF synergistically activated the MEK/ERK signaling and upregulated p53 expression. MEK specific inhibitors (PD98059 and U0126) blocked the SCF + G-CSF-increased ERK phosphorylation and p53 gene and protein expression, and the MEK specific inhibitors also eliminated the SCF + G-CSF-promoted neurite outgrowth. p53 siRNAs knocked down the SCF + G-CSF-elevated p53 protein and prevented the SCF + G-CSF-enhanced neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that activation of MEK/ERK/p53 signaling is required for SCF + G-CSF-promoted neurite outgrowth. Through the pro-apoptotic pathway of the MEK/ERK/p53, SCF + G-CSF turns neuronal fate from apoptotic commitment toward neural network generation. This observation provides novel insights into the putative role of SCF + G-CSF in supporting generation of neural connectivity during CNS development and in brain repair under pathological or neurodegenerative conditions.
A Tale of Two Universities: A Red State-Blue State Comparison of College Students’ Attitudes About Concealed Carry on Campus Policies

In the aftermath of the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, policymakers have sought ways to improve safety on college and university campuses nationwide, such as proposing to permit concealed carry license holders to carry on campus. To date, nine states—with Texas being the most recent—have enacted legislation implementing this measure. A limited body of research examines perceptions of students and other members of the campus community about these laws and their passage, with a focus on demographic variations in such attitudes. The present study extends this by considering the potential variation in attitudes by location. The results indicate that both region and gun ownership strongly predict attitudes favorable of such laws, but do so independent of one another. Additional findings, as well as limitations of the study, also are discussed.
498 Estimating and interpreting effects from nonlinear exposure-response curves in occupational cohorts using truncated power basis expansions and penalised splines

Introduction The Cox proportional hazards model is frequently used to model survival or time-to-event data. In occupational settings it is common to have an occupational exposure as one of the explanatory variables in the model and the association between the outcome and this exposure is of interest. Interpretation of nonlinear exposure-response relationships is useful in epidemiological risk assessment and methods for modelling nonlinearities are needed in those situations when a linear exposure-response is not expected or when one desires to formally assess a nonlinear association. Methods Truncated power basis expansions and penalised spline methods are demonstrated for estimating nonlinear exposure-response relationships. Interpretation of the nonlinear estimates are given. Methods are illustrated on a simulated data set under a known exposure-response relationship and in a data application examining the association between risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and job physical exposure as measured by the Strain Index in an occupational cohort. Discussion Regression modelling often focuses on interpreting coefficient estimates. When exposure-response relationships are nonlinear and a nonparametric or smoothing method is used to estimate the relationship, the resulting regression coefficients are not individually interpretable. But, these methods do provide effect size estimates which are interpretable – estimates at specific exposures of interest. The methods can be coded directly in R, using readily available example R code as a guide.
The Boundary Lubrication Properties of Model Esters

The friction of three chemically distinct esters was measured in order to determine how molecular architecture influences friction. The friction coefficients μ of mica surfaces separated by a thin film (<2 nm) of ω-chlorodecyl benzoate, ω-chlorodecyl pentafluoro benzoate, and ω-chlorodecyl perfluoro hexanoate were measured to be 0.15±0.015, 0.13±0.012, and 0.12±0.02, respectively. The friction coefficients for the esters are lower than the previously measured friction coefficients of simple hydrocarbon liquids such as n-tetradecane (μ=0.8), but are comparable to the friction coefficients of surfactant monolayer coated surfaces (μ=0.001–0.2). The results suggest that the ester molecules adsorb onto the mica surface with the (phenyl or hexyl) carbonyl next to the surface and the hydrocarbon tail pointing away from the surface. Hence, the friction is controlled by the packing density and properties of the hydrocarbon tail. Changes in the chemistry and structure of the carboxylic acid portion of the ester only give rise to small changes in the friction coefficient.
Hidden Holdouts: Contract Arbitrageurs and the Pricing of Collective Rights

Research on the law and economics of contract typically analyzes the explicit pricing of the contract terms in a debt contract by modeling a bilateral debtor-creditor relationship, a framework we call the “classical model.” Under this model, contract terms that affect the debtor’s repayment obligations are reflected in the price the debtor pays. Much of commercial lending, however, occurs in thick markets with standardized multilateral debt instruments. Depending on the degree to which key contract terms implicate collective decision making among dispersed and anonymous creditors, the classical bilateral model of debt contracting can err in its predictions on the pricing of terms. We utilize Venezuela’s 2014-2018 debt crisis as a natural experiment to evaluate the price effects of differences in contract terms in multilateral debt instruments that require collective decision for enforcement. We test the predictions of the classical model against the predictions generated by a “collective action” model and report evidence of the non-pricing of terms consistent with the collective action story. In particular, we provide evidence of a “hidden holdout” strategy that enables the modern activist investor to capture rents without revealing arbitrage activities that enable the market to coordinate on efficient prices for different rights of enforcement.
Toxicity of Sodium Pentachlorophenate to the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, in Relation to the Molt Cycle

The toxicity of sodium pentachlorophenate (Na-PCP) to the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, was evaluated at different stages of the molt cycle. In 96-hour bioassays, the shrimp in later stages of the proecdysial period exhibited a greater sensitivity to Na-PCP than that exhibited by shrimp in the intermolt and early proecdysial stages of the molt cycle. The shrimp in later proecdysial stages generally molted (underwent ecdysis) during the 96-hour test period and died shortly after ecdysis. The 96-hour LC50 value obtained for these shrimp (0.436 ppm) is the lowest of all the LC50 values reported previously for adult crustaceans and is comparable to those for fish and larval crustaceans. The increased sensitivity to Na- PCP during the early postecdysial period was also apparent in a long-term (66 days) test. The observed postecdysial mortality of shrimp exposed to 1.0 ppm Na-PCP was not dependent on the duration of exposure of shrimp to Na-PCP during the proecdysial period. Studies with 14C-PCP indicate that an abrupt increase in the uptake of PCP during the period shortly after ecdysis may cause increased mortalities during this period.
Subsurface ventilation systems

Practically every underground opening is unique in its geometry, extent, geological surroundings, environmental pollutants and reasons for its formation—natural or man made. The corresponding patterns of airflow through those openings are also highly variable. There are, however, certain features that are sufficiently common to permit classifications of structured ventilation systems and subsystems to be identified.
DeltaFosB-induced cataract.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) formation and expression of the transcription factor DeltaFosB. METHODS Western blot analysis was performed on bitransgenic NSE-tTA, TetOp-DeltaFosB, and single-transgenic NSE-tTA control mice to determine the pattern of DeltaFosB expression within the eye. Light and scanning electron microscopy and biochemical analyses were also performed. RESULTS In mice expressing DeltaFosB, cataract developed that initially appeared to be posterior subcapsular and gradually matured to involve the entire lens. The enlarged posterior ends of developing secondary fibers curved away from the visual axis to form an elevated opaque posterior plaque. As a result, posterior suture formation did not occur. At a later time, the attenuated posterior capsule overlying the plaque ruptured and the lens nucleus subluxated into the vitreous. Retinal damage was also observed but only from postnatal day 65, a time when extensive lens degeneration had already occurred. DeltaFosB expression was observed well before the detection of morphologic change in both the lens and the retina. Within the lens, DeltaFosB expression was found in both the epithelium and fibers. The development of cataracts was a direct consequence of DeltaFosB expression and was not due to the disruption of an endogenous gene by transgene integration since cataracts could be prevented by silencing expression of DeltaFosB by feeding bitransgenic animals doxycycline (Dox). Moreover, cataracts were observed in bitransgenic mice derived from two independent TetOp-DeltaFosB founder lines but not in single NSE-tTA transgenic controls. Cataractogenesis was not a consequence of abnormal development, because mice conceived and raised on Dox to prevent expression of DeltaFosB also were subject to formation of PSC when expression of DeltaFosB was turned on in adult animals by removing Dox. Examination of biochemical parameters indicated that the earliest change observed was the disruption of calcium homeostasis with a significant increase in Ca(2+) influx, followed by a gradual but marked decrease in protein content. Significant changes in certain metabolic parameters and protein composition were also observed. CONCLUSIONS The DeltaFosB-induced cataract in which the major morphologic early event was the disruption of normal posterior fiber formation, may be a good model for PSC. By identifying DeltaFosB-regulated target genes, it should be possible to achieve a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which PSC is formed.
Rehabilitation After Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Tendinopathy

The outcomes of platelet-rich plasma injections for tendinopathy may be optimized by following a proper post-procedure rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program should progress commensurate with the phases of tendon healing, including the inflammatory, repair, and remodeling phases. This chapter discusses the proper times to introduce particular elements of the rehabilitation program, such as stretching, strengthening, and sport-specific drills, as well as how they should be implemented. The optimal periods of non-weight-bearing and/or protected weight-bearing post-procedure, as well as the use of ice and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs post-procedure, are also discussed.
MOCA: Memory Object Classification and Allocation in Heterogeneous Memory Systems

In the era of abundant-data computing, main memory's latency and power significantly impact overall system performance and power. Today's computing systems are typically composed of homogeneous memory modules, which are optimized to provide either low latency, high bandwidth, or low power. Such memory modules do not cater to a wide range of applications with diverse memory access behavior. Thus, heterogeneous memory systems, which include several memory modules with distinct performance and power characteristics, are becoming promising alternatives. In such a system, allocating applications to their best-fitting memory modules improves system performance and energy efficiency. However, such an approach still leaves the full potential of heterogeneous memory systems under-utilized because not only applications, but also the memory objects within that application differ in their memory access behavior. This paper proposes a novel page allocation approach to utilize heterogeneous memory systems at the memory object level. We design a memory object classification and allocation framework (MOCA) to characterize memory objects and then allocate them to their best-fit memory module to improve performance and energy efficiency. We experiment with heterogeneous memory systems that are composed of a Reduced Latency DRAM (RLDRAM) for latency-sensitive objects, a 2.5D-stacked High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for bandwidth-sensitive objects, and a Low Power DDR (LPDDR) for non-memory-intensive objects. The MOCA framework includes detailed application profiling, a classification mechanism, and an allocation policy to place memory objects. Compared to a system with homogeneous memory modules, we demonstrate that heterogeneous memory systems with MOCA improve memory system energy efficiency by up to 63%. Compared to a heterogeneous memory system with only application-level page allocation, MOCA achieves a 26% memory performance and a 33% energy efficiency improvement for multi-program workloads.
Phytoremediation of Field Soil with Mixed Contamination

This study describes pot experiments conducted to investigate the effect of enhanced phytoremediation on a mixed contaminated soil extracted from a historically polluted site. The site soil was contaminated with a mixture of Pb, Cr and PAHs. A part of the soil was amended with yard waste compost. Pots were filled with the soil and phytoremediation experiments were conducted using oat plant (Avena sativa) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) over two months. Plants grown in unamended pots were used as controls. The germination, survival and biomass of the plants were better when planted in the compost amended soil compared to the control soil. Soil Pb content was not affected by the presence of plants or by soil amendment. Cr removal was achieved by both plant species in amended and unamended soil. Soil PAH degradation did not show any noticeable trend in the presence of plants or compost amendment. The results suggest that phytoremediation of soil in combination with compost amendment is a promising remediation technology for mixed contaminated sites with aged contamination. Comparison of the present results with the results of previous experiments on spiked soil showed that the behavior of contaminants varies for historically contaminated soil and laboratory spiked soils.