cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weight gain after lung transplantation

Abstract Background Weight gain is frequently observed after lung transplantation, but the magnitude, predictors and implications of weight gain after lung transplant are unknown. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 826 lung transplant recipients randomly selected from 12 international transplant centers. We included adult patients with available weight data at baseline and 1 year post-transplant. We examined demographic and clinical predictors of first year weight gain using a multiple linear regression model (n = 579) with percent weight change as the dependent variable. To study the association between first year weight gain and subsequent survival, we performed a Cox proportional hazards analysis. p Results The median weight change was 10% (range −32% to 84%). On multi-variate analysis, increasing age and prolonged mechanical ventilation were inversely associated with weight gain; obstructive disease, interstitial disease and increasing ischemic time were positively associated with weight gain. Increasing baseline weight was negatively associated with weight gain in patients with obstructive and interstitial disease. The model accounted for 14% of the variance in weight gain. Patients with weight gain above the median had better subsequent survival (adjusted hazard ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.90). Infection was a more common cause of death in these patients, whereas malignant deaths were more frequent in patients with below-median weight gain. Conclusions Substantial weight gain occurs in the first year after lung transplantation. The predictors of weight gain may be used to target high-risk patients for early intervention. Higher weight gain is associated with better subsequent survival.
Getting Personal? Student Talk about Racism.

This research explores student responses to Beyond Today, an after school program that brings youth together from diverse urban neighborhoods to form a multiracial community. Through the enacted curriculum, Beyond Today facilitators scaffold opportunities for students to study race and racial discrimination in historical and contemporary contexts. In this article, we examine how the students personally related to examples of racism and inequity. Our work is based on the premise that if individuals are to develop the impetus to be change makers in society, they should build personal connections to past and present day examples of injustice. During the year of this research, some lessons provided a context for students to describe personal connections to socio-historical trends of racism, while the observation of other lessons helped us investigate the educational practices that may dampen such participation. We explore three lessons that portray students’ comparative responses. We conclude with recommendat...
The Influence of Categorization on Perceptions of Crowding

Worchel and Teddlie's (1976) attributional model of crowding suggests that crowding is the individual's cognitive response when arousal is perceived as being caused by others being too close. Wilder (1981) has shown that when a person is perceived as a member of some social category the impact of their individual behavior is diminished. These two factors (categorization and interaction distance) were crossed in a 2 X 2 factorial design. The hypothesis that categorization reduces perceived crowding under conditions of close interaction was supported. The discussion focuses on the level at which categorization effects enter the attribution process.
An Organizational Approach to the Study of Political Culture in Marxist-Leninist Systems*

This paper is addressed to three tasks and the analysis operates at three levels. First, there is an attempt to specify an analytic approach to Marxist-Leninist sociopolitical systems that integrates regime and sociocultural units. This approach rests on a structural conception of political culture, a conception that stresses the informal adaptive quality of political culture, and that includes behavioral as well as attitudinal patterns. The second task consists of analyzing the paradoxical character of development in Soviet-type systems; development that simultaneously reinforces and undermines traditional-peasant political cultures at the community, regime, and elite levels. Finally, this pattern of development is examined in the context of a single Soviet-type regime and society, the Romanian.
Resorption rate and biocompatibility characteristics of two polyester ventilation tubes in a guinea pig model.

Objectives Determine the resorption rate and biocompatibility characteristics of 2 polyester ventilation tubes, and to determine whether soap and water exposure accelerates polyester tube degradation. Study design and setting 50/50 poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide; PLGA-50) and poly (L-lactide; PLA) polymers were placed into the tympanic membranes of Hartley pigmented guinea pigs. Integrity of the tubes was determined by weekly otoscopic examination. Biocompatibility was assessed by comparing auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and by examining tympanic membrane changes following tube resorption. Shah minigrommet ventilation tubes were used as controls. In the second portion of this study, implanted PLGA-50 and PLA tubes were exposed weekly to a mixture of soap and water (1:5) until complete resorption was observed. Biocompatibility was assessed by periodic ABR testing and tympanic membrane examination. Results The PLA tubes remained in the tympanic membrane for a longer period (63.2 ± 19.3 days) than the PLGA-50 (18.8 ± 8.1 days). The tympanic membrane and resorbable tube interface demonstrated equivalent findings for auditory thresholds and tissue histopathology at the implant site compared to nonresorbable controls. The resorption behavior was not altered by exposure to soap and water. Tympanic membranes of all animals following tube degradation and soap water exposure were intact with minimal scarring and no signs of persistent foreign body response. The histological analysis showed that implantation of resorbable tubes was not accompanied by secondary infection with otorrhea through the tube, did not result in a permanent perforation or dislocation of the tube into the middle ear cavity, and was not followed by excess tympanosclerosis or localized or diffuse membrane atrophy. Conclusions and significance Resorbable polyester pressure equalization tubes demonstrate predictable resorption behavior and similar biocompatibility characteristics when compared with nonresorbable Shah minigrommet ventilation tubes. Exposure to soap water does not accelerate polyester tube degradation nor change the host tissue response during the indwelling period or after complete resorption. The data suggests that resorbable ventilation tubes are substantially equivalent to other FDA-approved tympanostomy devices with regard to safety and biocompatibility in the guinea pig model examined and may provide improved clinical performance by combining this approach with sustained release technology. EBM rating: B-2.
Thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) at 50°C to 125°C

Small but significant numbers of chain scissions occur in a commercial poly(methyl methacrylate) sheet exposed to temperatures between 50 and 125°C. The scission rate is initially high and then levels off to a constant rate. The short-time rate of chain scissions is temperature dependent, while the long-time rate of chain scissions appears to be temperature independent. Four possible sources of random chain scission initiation were considered: (1) the presence of unreacted initiators of polymerization, (2) free radicals generated from additives in the commercial film, (3) weak links in the polymer chain, and (4) free radicals generated from the thermal decomposition of an oxidation product of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer. The source most consistent with our results is the one involving free radicals generated from the oxidation product of MMA monomer.
Three-Dimensional Ultrasound

The papers in this issue show that the feasibility of three-dimensional ultrasound methods in the clinical setting using commercially available equipment is nearby. Their results demonstrate some of the advantages compared to two-dimensional ultrasound and other diagnostic modalities, including reduced scanning times that will offer more cost-effective use of equipment and sonographer time. Other benefits of three-dimensional ultrasound include allowing the physician: to evaluate arbitrary planes not available with two-dimensional ultrasound due to patient body habitus; to measure organ dimensions and volumes; to obtain anatomic and blood flow information; to improve assessment of complex anatomic anomalies; to confirm normalcy; to standardized the ultrasound exam procedures; to enhance the understanding of physicians in primary care facilities and communicate volume data over networks for consultation at tertiary facilities. Standardization of the ultrasound examination protocols can lead to uniformly high-quality examinations and decreased health care costs. Ultimately, three-dimensional ultrasound imaging will make it easier for primary care physicians to understand complex patient anatomy. Tertiary care physicians specializing in ultrasound can further enhance the quality of patient care by using high-speed computer networks to review volume or dynamic data at specialization centers with primary care physicians. Access to volume data at specialization centers affords more sophisticated analysis and review, further augmenting patient diagnosis and treatment and reducing health care costs.
Alterations of the adrenocorticotropin-cortisol axis in normal weight bulimic women: evidence for a central mechanism.

We studied pituitary-adrenal function in eight women with normal weight bulimia and seven normal women by measuring plasma ACTH and serum cortisol levels at 20-min intervals for 24 h and the responses to human CRH (hCRH) and to a noon meal. The bulimic women had increased 24-h transverse mean plasma ACTH [1.09 ± 0.06 (±se) vs. 0.75 ± 0.14 pmol/L; P < 0.05] and serum cortisol (235 ± 21 vs. 152 ± 9 nmol/L; P < 0.005) concentrations. While the 24-h ACTH and cortisol pulse frequencies were unaltered, the bulimic women had higher (P < 0.05) mean peak ACTH (1.46 ±0.09 vs.1.03 ± 0.15 pmol/L) and cortisol values (331 ± 33 vs. 239 ± 17 nmol/L). Despite having higher mean and peak plasma ACTH and serum cortisol values, the bulimic women had a blunted response of both ACTH (P < 0.001) and cortisol (P < 0.005) to hCRH, which included a lower mean maximal plasma ACTH response, decreased (P < 0.05) integrated area under the ACTH response curve (161 ± 12 vs. 231 ± 23 pmol/min·L), a lower (P < 0.05) maximum cortisol resp...
Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography adds value to transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background Successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) mandates comprehensive, accurate multimodality imaging. Echocardiography is involved at all key stages and, with the advent of real-time three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography, is uniquely placed to enable periprocedural monitoring. The investigators describe a comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) and 3D echocardiographic protocol, and the additional benefits of 3D TEE, within a high-volume TAVI program. Methods TAVI was performed with 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance in consecutive high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The role of TEE, including the additive value of 3D TEE, was examined, and procedural and echocardiographic outcomes were evaluated. A 3D sizing transcatheter heart valve (THV) strategy was used, except as mandated by study protocol. Results Procedural success was achieved in 99% of 256 patients (mean age, 82.9 ± 7.1 years, mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score, 21.6 ± 11.2%; mean aortic valve area, 0.63 ± 0.19 cm 2 ), with no procedural deaths. Acceptable 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiographic images were achieved in all patients. Aortic valve annular dimensions by 2D transthoracic echocardiography, 2D TEE, and 3D TEE were 21.6 ± 1.9 mm, 22.5 ± 2.2 mm ( P P = .004 vs 2D TEE), respectively. The 2D THV sizing strategy would have changed THV selection in 23% of patients, downsizing in most. Three-dimensional TEE provided superior spatial visualization and anatomic orientation and optimized procedural performance. Postprocedural mild, moderate, and severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation was observed in 24%, 3%, and 0% of patients, respectively, with no or trace transvalvular aortic regurgitation in 95%. A second valve was successfully deployed in five patients, and TEE detected five other periprocedural complications. Conclusions A systematic, comprehensive echocardiographic protocol, incorporating the additional benefits of 3D TEE, has a vital role within a TAVI program and, combined with a 3D THV sizing strategy, contributes to excellent outcomes.
Adrenal Involvement in Determining the Time of Onset of Puberty in the Rat

Previous reports indicate an interaction of the adrenals with the pituitary-gonadal axis. In the present study dependence of the time of onset of puberty upon adrenal function was investigated. Vaginal opening and subsequent cyclicity were determined in 4 groups of rats: control, laparotomized, adrenalectomized and adrenal autotransplanted. Since developmental changes in adrenocortical secretion occur prepuberally, surgery was performed at 18, 25 and 35 days of age. The animals remained in good health and were autopsied at 60–65 days of age on either proestrus or estrus; completeness of adrenalectomy and viability of transplants were determined. Ovarian and uterine weights and cycle length were comparable in all groups; all estrous animals had similar ova counts. Laparotomy at any age did not alter the time of vaginal opening (mean = 38 days). Puberty was significantly delayed (p < 0.00005) by adrenalectomy at 18 or 25 days of age, but was not altered by adrenalectomy on day 35. Adrenal autotransplantatio...
Integrating climate change adaptation into public health practice: using adaptive management to increase adaptive capacity and build resilience.

Background: Climate change is expected to have a range of health impacts, some of which are already apparent. Public health adaptation is imperative, but there has been little discussion of how to ...
Exact Eigenstates in Long-Ranged t-J Model

We present some exact eigenstates of the t–J model with infinite-range hopping (i.e. on a simplex of N sites) for arbitrary N, examine their degeneracy, obtain the low-temperature magnetic susceptibility, and observe a form of charge-spin separation.
Analysis of Rogowski Coil with Passive Compensation

The influences of the position of the primary conductor to the mutual inductance of a test Rogowski coil were studied. The test results show that the deviation of the mutual inductances can not be neglected. Manufacturing variations affect the mutual inductance much and make the coils have bad interchangeability. A potentiometer is suggested to be placed in the coil to provide a passive compensation, enabling coil manufacturers to produce coils with uniform performance increasing interchangeability while reducing manufacturing complexity. The error analysis shows that the coil with potentiometer has very good performance.
Mimic: raw activity shipping for file synchronization in mobile file systems

In this paper, we consider the problem of file synchronization when a mobile host shares files with a backbone file server in a network file system. Several diff schemes have been proposed to improve upon the transfer overheads of conventional file synchronization approaches which use full file transfer. These schemes compute the binary diff of the new file with respect to the old copy at the server and transfer the computed diff to the server for file-synchronization. However, Lee et al. have shown that the performance of diff can be significantly improved upon by shipping user operations as opposed to the data itself. Using this as motivation, we present a purely application-unaware approach called Mimic that relies on transferring raw user activity to the server for file synchronization. Through a simple prototype of the proposed approach, we show that Mimic can outperform diff under many common conditions. We also identify conditions under which diff based approaches do perform better than the proposed approach, but show that detection of such conditions is straightforward, thus enabling both schemes to be used in tandem with a mobile file system for bandwidth-efficient file synchronization.
Haemodynamic effects of atropine during halothane or isoflurane anaesthesia in infants and small children.

In this study, two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography were used to measure cardiovascular changes before and after IV atropine in 31 infants and small children during halothane (n = 15) or isoflurane (n = 16) anaesthesia. Prior to induction of anaesthesia heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP), and two0dimensional echocardiographic dimensions of the left ventricle and pulmonary artery bloodflow velocity were measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Cardiovascular measurements were repeated while anaesthesia was maintained at 1.5 MAC halothane (n = 15) or isoflurane (n = 16). Atropine 0.02 mg·kg−1 IV was then administered and two minutes later, a third set of cardiovascular data was obtained. Heart rate decreased during halothane anaesthesia but did not change significantly during isoflurane anaesthesia. Mean blood pressure, cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) decreased similarly during 1.5 MAC halothane or isoflurane anaesthesia. Ejection fraction (EF) decreased and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) increased significantly in bothgroups, but decreases in EF (32 ± 5 percentvs18 ± 5 per cent) and increases in LVEDV (18 ± 7 per cent vs7 ± 5 per cent) were significantly greater during halothane than during isoflurane anaesthesia. Following atropine, HR increased more in the patients maintained with halothane (31 ± 6 per cent), than during isoflurane anaesthesia (18 ± 5 per cent). Atropine increased CO in both groups of patients, but SV and EF remained unchanged. When compared with awake values, HR increased similarly and significantly (18 ± 4 per cent) following atropine in both groups, and CO returned to control levels. Halothane decreased EF and increased LVEDV more than isoflurane at 1.5 MAC end— expired anaesthetic levels. Atropine did not diminish the myocardial depression produced by halothane or isoflurane. The increase in CO following atropine during halothane and isoflurane anaesthesia in infants and small children is the result of increases in HR alone.
Robust centroids using fuzzy clustering with feature partitions

Fuzzy c-means with feature partitions uses a generalized metric on feature subsets to increase centroid robustness. Each feature partition may use a unique metric and is weighted for relevance. This method is demonstrated on synthetic and real datasets.
Particle arrestance modeling within fibrous porous media

In the present study particle growth on individual fibers within a fibrous medium is examined as flow conditions transition beyond the Stokes flow regime. Employing a numerical model that solves the viscous, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the Stokes flow approximation used in past research to describe the velocity field through the fibrous medium is eliminated. Fibers are modeled in a staggered array to eliminate assumptions regarding the effects of neighboring fibers. Results from the numerical model are compared to the limiting theoretical results obtained for individual cylinders and arrays of cylinders, Particle growth is presented as a function of time, angular position around the fiber, and flow Reynolds number. From the range of conditions examined, particles agglomerate into taller and narrower dendrites as Reynolds number is increased, which increases the probability that they will break off as larger agglomerations and, subsequently, substantially reduce the hydraulic conductivity of the porous medium.
A content analysis of wikiproject discussions: toward a typology of coordination language used by virtual teams

Understanding the role of explicit coordination in virtual teams allows for a more meaningful understanding of how people work together online. We describe a new content analysis for classifying discussions within Wikipedia WikiProject - voluntary, self-directed teams of editors - present preliminary findings, and discuss potential applications and future research directions.
Reduced Set of Phages for Typing Escherichia coli

A phage typing set composed of 32 phages is described for differentiating Escherichia coli. Eight hundred sixty-six isolates from cases of bovine mastitis were used in this effort. Of these cultures 829, or 96%, were characterized successfully, and 178 phage types were observed. Thirty-seven isolates were not typable.
Acute chondral injuries to the femoral condyles

Abstract Acute chondral lesions of the knee may be divided into two groups: osteochondral fractures and isolated chondral fracture separations. The mechanism of injury is caused by patella dislocation, a direct force, and a rotatory shearing force. Symptoms are nonspecific, usually with pain and swelling. These lesions mimic torn menisci. Hemarthrosis in a stable knee, especially in a skeletally immature individual, is a key sign for osteochondral fractures. Associated ligamentous and meniscal injury is common. Multiple plain radiograph views are necessary to avoid missing osteochondral fractures. Imaging studies, including magnetic resonance imaging maybe helpful to identify cartilage injury, but are not reliable. Arthroscopy is the diagnostic modality of choice. Depending on arthroscopic findings, a favorable intra-articular environment is created to enhance articular cartilage repair. Microfracture is the preferred technique to stimulate bleeding to allow biological resurfacing of large chondral lesions. Osteochondral fractures are best treated with immediate internal fixation. Postoperative rehabilitation stresses continuous passive motion, fluid motion exercises, and minimal excessive loading to enhance healing.
Enzymatic synthesis of N-linked oligosaccharides terminating in multiple sialyl-Lewisx and GalNAc-Lewisx determinants: clustered glycosides for studying selectin interactions

Abstract Galactosyltransferase, sialyltransferase, and fucosyltransferase were used to create a panel of complex oligosaccharides that possess multiple terminal sialyl-Le x (NeuAc α 2–3Gal[Fuc α 1–3] β 1–4GlcNAc) and GalNAc-Le x (GalNAc[Fuc α 1–3] β 1–4GlcNAc). The enzymatic synthesis of tyrosinamide biantennary, triantennary, and tetraantennary N -linked oligosaccharides bearing multiple terminal sialyl-Le x was accomplished on the 0.5 μ mol scale and the purified products were characterized by electrospray MS and 1 H NMR. Likewise, biantennary and triantennary tyrosinamide oligosaccharides bearing multiple terminal GalNAc-Le x determinants were synthesized and similarly characterized. The transfer kinetics of human milk α 3/4-fucosyltransferase were compared for biantennary oligosaccharide acceptor substrates possessing Gal β 1–4GlcNAc, GalNAc β 1–4GlcNAc, and NeuAc α 2–3Gal β 1–4GlcNAc which established NeuAc α 2–3Gal β 1–4GlcNAc as the most efficient acceptor substrate. The resulting complex oligosaccharides were chemically tethered through the tyrosinamide aglycone to the surface of liposomes containing phosphatidylthioethanol, resulting in the generation of glycoliposomes probe which will be useful to study relationships between binding affinity and the micro- and macro-clustering of selectin ligand.
Parallel processing image synthesis and anti-aliasing

The continuing evolution of microelectronics provides the tools for developing new methods of synthesizing digital images by utilizing parallel processing architectures which hold the promise of reliability, flexibility and low cost. Beginning with the earliest real-time flight simulators, parallel processing architectures for image synthesis have been built, but "anti-aliasing" remains a problem. A parallel processing architecture is described and simulated which consists of a serial chain of processors which produces as output a depth sorted list of those objects which are at least potentially visible at each pixel. The lists are then filtered to provide the final shading at each pixel.
The base-flow and near-wake problem at very low Reynolds numbers - Part 1. The Stokes approximation

The general solutions of the Stokes approximate equations of motion are derived for two-dimensional and axisymmetric flows in the half-space x > 0, for an arbitrarily given velocity field in the plane x = 0. There is assumed to be no solid surface in the half-space. According to whether the velocity at infinity is zero or not, the solutions can be said to describe either jet-type or wake-type flows. Only the latter category is considered; numerical examples are worked out and properties of the base flow at very low Reynolds numbers are investigated. A recirculating flow region may exist, but the flow properties are not sensitive to this feature.
Isolation of yeast histone genes H2A and H2B

Analysis of cloned sequences for yeast histone genes H2A and H2B reveals that there are only two copies of this pair of genes within the haploid yeast genome. Within each copy, the genes for H2A and H2B are separated by approximately 700 bp of spacer DNA. The two copies are separated from one another in the yeast genome by a minimum distance of 35-60 kb. Sequence homology between the two copies is restricted to the genes for H2A and H2B; the spacer DNA between the genes is nonhomologous. In both copies, the genes for H2A and H2B are divergently transcribed. In addition, both plasmids code for other nonhistone proteins. Sequences coding for histones H3 and H4 have not been detected in the immediate vicinity of the genes for H2A and H2B.
The USH1C 216G-->A splice-site mutation results in a 35-base-pair deletion.

Usher syndrome is characterized by profound hearing loss and retinal degeneration. A splice-site mutation, 216G→A, in exon 3 of USH1C is associated with Acadian Usher type IC. This mutation was reported to create an in-frame deletion of 39 base pairs (bp), resulting in an unstable transcript. By RT-PCR analysis of 216A and 216G constructs transfected into HeLa cells and also of patient cell lines, we have demonstrated a frame-shift deletion of 35 bp, not 39 bp. Thus, the instability of the USH1C mRNA is explained by the 216G→A out-of-frame splice site mutation.
Chromosome Morphogenesis: Condensin-Dependent Cohesin Removal during Meiosis

During meiosis, segregation of homologous chromosomes necessitates the coordination of sister chromatid cohesion, chromosome condensation, and recombination. Cohesion and condensation require the SMC complexes, cohesin and condensin, respectively. Here we use budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to show that condensin and Cdc5, a Polo-like kinase, facilitate the removal of cohesin from chromosomes prior to the onset of anaphase I when homologs segregate. This cohesin removal is critical for homolog segregation because it helps dissolve the recombination-dependent links between homologs that form during prophase I. Condensin enhances the association of Cdc5 with chromosomes and its phosphorylation of cohesin, which in turn likely stimulates cohesin removal. Condensin/Cdc5-dependent removal of cohesin underscores the potential importance of crosstalk between chromosome structural components in chromosome morphogenesis and provides a mechanism to couple chromosome morphogenesis with other meiotic events.
Energy balance for motion along a fault

Summary The seismic efficiency, which is the ratio of the stress drop to twice the average stress determines the fraction of the work, which is extracted by the motion along a fault, that is converted to frictional heat. The remaining elastic work, or the available energy, is partitioned into fracture energy and radiated seismic energy by the radiation efficiency which depends on the velocity of rupture. The ratio of the radiated energy to the seismic moment is proportional to the product of the radiation efficiency with the stress drop, or the apparent stress drop. The spectra of the far-field displacements depend on the velocity of rupture. Source models that do not explicitly include the velocity of rupture as a parameter will overestimate the source radius and underestimate the stress drop. This error increases seriously with decreasing rupture velocity.
Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Bh1 against Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Other Lepidopteran Pests

ABSTRACT Bacillus thuringiensis is an important source of insect resistance traits in commercial crops. In an effort to prolong B. thuringiensis trait durability, insect resistance management programs often include combinations of insecticidal proteins that are not cross resistant or have demonstrable differences in their site of action as a means to mitigate the development of resistant insect populations. In this report, we describe the activity spectrum of a novel B. thuringiensis Cry protein, Cry1Bh1, against several lepidopteran pests, including laboratory-selected B. thuringiensis-resistant strains of Ostrinia nubilalis and Heliothis virescens and progeny of field-evolved B. thuringiensis-resistant strains of Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera frugiperda. Cry1Bh1 is active against susceptible and B. thuringiensis-resistant colonies of O. nubilalis, P. xylostella, and H. virescens in laboratory diet-based assays, implying a lack of cross-resistance in these insects. However, Cry1Bh1 is not active against susceptible or Cry1F-resistant S. frugiperda. Further, Cry1Bh1 does not compete with Cry1Fa or Cry1Ab for O. nubilalis midgut brush border membrane binding sites. Cry1Bh1-expressing corn, while not completely resistant to insect damage, provided significantly better leaf protection against Cry1Fa-resistant O. nubilalis than did Cry1Fa-expressing hybrid corn. The lack of cross-resistance with Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa along with independent membrane binding sites in O. nubilalis makes Cry1Bh1 a candidate to further optimize for in-plant resistance to this pest.
Assessing the clinical use of clear cell renal cell carcinoma molecular subtypes identified by RNA expression analysis

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the clinical use of recently published RNA-based molecular subtyping algorithms. Patients who undergo surgery for clinically localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma can experience very different outcomes, representing a longstanding challenge for the practicing urologist. Two recent publications suggest that molecular subtyping based on the expression of large panels of genes can help clinically localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma prognostication; however, the analyses was not adjusted for routinely collected clinicopathologic indices. Methods and materials We obtained level 3 RNA-seq RPKM data and corresponding clinicopathologic features from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and assigned patients to the TCGA subtypes as well as to the ccA/ccB subtypes. To determine the prognostic ability of molecular subtyping after adjusting for variables that are collected as routine medical care, we used Cox models and adjusted for the composite Mayo stage, size, grade, and necrosis (SSIGN) score. Results Both the TCGA and the ccA/ccB subtypes are significantly associated with tumor size, category, grade, and presence of necrosis. The association of these subtypes with overall survival is markedly attenuated following adjustment for the composite Mayo SSIGN score. Conclusions Both the TCGA and the ccA/ccB subtypes are associated with overall survival after adjusting for the Mayo SSIGN score. However, the effect sizes are similar to what has been reported for single markers, and thus the clinical use and cost-effectiveness of these RNA-based whole-genome signatures are questionable.
Dissolved Oxygen Demand at the Sediment-Water Interface of a Stream: Near-Bed Turbulence and Pore Water Flow Effects

A microbial dissolved oxygen (DO) uptake model was developed for a stream bed, including the effect of turbulence in the flow over the bed and pore water flow in the porous bed. The fine-grained sediment bed has hydraulic conductivities 0.01≤k≤1 cm/s, i.e., sediment particle diameter 0.006≤ds≤0.06 cm. The pore water flow is driven by pressure fluctuations at the sediment-water interface, mostly attributable to near-bed coherent motions in the turbulent boundary layer above the sediment bed. An effective mass transfer coefficient (De) coupled to a pore water flow model was used in the DO transport and DO uptake model. DO flux across the sediment-water interface and into the sediment, i.e., sedimentary oxygen demand (SOD), was related to hydraulic conductivity and microbial oxygen uptake rate in the sediment and shear velocity at the sediment-water interface. Simulated SOD values were validated against experimental data. For hydraulic conductivities of the sediment bed up to k≈0.01 cm/s, the pore water f...
Synthesis and characterization of enzyme-Au bioconjugates: HRP and fluorescein-labeled HRP

Enzyme adsorption to Au nanoparticles is important for bioanalytical, catalytic, and biotechnological applications. In this manuscript, adsorption of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and fluorescein labeled HRP (F-HRP) to colloidal Au nanoparticles is compared. Flocculation analysis indicates some differences in adsorption behavior for the labeled and unlabeled enzymes, particularly at pH 8.0, and to a lesser extent also, at pH 4.0. Zeta potential measurements were quite similar for HRP and F-HRP and leveled off at lower enzyme:Au ratios than observed by flocculation, particularly for pH 6.0 and 8.0. Direct quantification of bound F-HRP was performed by dissolution of Au nanoparticles before fluorescence measurements. We observed F-HRP binding at greater than monolayer coverage on the particles and did not reach saturation even at high solution F-HRP:Au ratios. Indirect quantification of bound unlabeled HRP based on supernatant analysis followed similar trends. More than 50% of the specific enzyme activity was retained for conjugates with a low HRP coverage. With increasing enzyme coverage, the specific activity decreased significantly; however, the total activity per particle remained nearly constant. These findings suggest HRP multilayer formation on the Au nanoparticles, with the outermost layer of HRP contributing to the major part of the conjugate enzyme activity.
Performance under delay constraints on iterative decoding of LDPC codes

The performance of a system with a quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check code is examined under various constraints on the decoding delay. Two alternatives are considered for the message-passing decoding algorithm: the sum-product algorithm and the turbo-decoding message-passing algorithm. It is shown that their relative performance depends heavily on the stringency of the delay constraint; the TDMP algorithm results in substantially better performance than the SPA if the constraint is stringent.
International technology entrepreneurship: Immersion into interdisciplinary innovation (I5) in Shanghai

Over the past six years, the School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) at Baylor University has designed, developed, and successfully implemented an international study abroad program aimed at giving engineering and computer science students an opportunity to study abroad while accruing course credit that counts toward their degree plans. For the past two years this program also integrated the commercial side of innovation by joining with the Hankamer School of Business (HSB), making the program a multidisciplinary experience in International Technology Entrepreneurship. With continuous improvements based on our students' and other constituents' needs and the insights gained during four successful study abroad trips to Europe, the School of Engineering and Computer Science and the Business School are now working to provide an enhanced summer study abroad program in an area of the world where economic growth and innovation are expanding rapidly - China. This paper will document the redesign of the summer abroad experience into a program where technology and business students from American universities are immersed in an intensive six weeks in Shanghai, with technology and business students from China, working on real-world technology innovation with real-world multi-national and Chinese companies. The program will also include critically important training in Chinese cultural awareness, including cultural sensitivity, history, and current business and technology working environments.
FAST KICKER SYSTEMS FOR ALS-U

Fast kicker systems are required for the proposed upgrade of ALS to a diffraction-limited light source (ALS-U). The main approach is to have multiple stripline kicker magnets driven by inductive adders. The design details of the kicker structures and the inductive adder options will be discussed.
Diagnosing Neonatal Aortic Coarctation in the Setting of Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Background In neonates, it is challenging to diagnose aortic coarctation in the setting of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Frequently, serial echocardiograms are performed, and diagnosis is delayed until the PDA closes. The purpose of this study was to identify echocardiographic predictors of neonatal coarctation in the presence of a PDA in cases in which diagnosis is uncertain. Methods We retrospectively identified neonates diagnosed with possible but not definitive coarctation in the presence of a PDA by echocardiography (January 2004 through August 2013). The carotid-subclavian artery index (CSAi) was defined as the distal transverse arch diameter divided by the distance between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients who underwent coarctation repair within 1 year. A separate validation group was identified with the same methodology (September 2013 through April 2015). Results Thirty-three patients were identified (median age 1, range 0-8 days). Twelve patients (36%) underwent coarctation repair. The coarctation group had smaller aortic and mitral valves, distal transverse arch, and isthmus z scores, larger right innominate artery, and longer transverse arch compared with the remaining group (p Conclusions The CSAi, a simple and reproducible measure, can identify neonates at risk for aortic coarctation even in the presence of a PDA, prevent multiple echocardiographic evaluations, and hence guide appropriate resource utilization.
Synodontis acanthoperca, a new species from the Ogôoué River system, Gabon with comments on spiny ornamentation and sexual dimorphism in mochokid catfishes (Siluriformes: Mochokidae)

Synodontis acanthoperca, a new species of mochokid catfish, is described from rapids within the Ogooue River system of Gabon. This relatively small species (<50 mm SL) is distinguished from all congeners by a distinctive pigmentation pattern that includes a pair of dark patches on the caudal fin and by the presence of hypertrophied opercular spines in sexually mature males.
Professional Development of Multi-experienced Educators through a Book Study: Fostering Mentoring Relationships

A mentorship professional development model was provided to a group of educators at various stages in their career paths, ranging from pre-service teachers to in-service teachers to teacher leaders. We were interested in exploring how participants’ interactions during a book study influenced their perceptions of practice, with a specific aim at understanding what they noticed from these interactions and how they conceptualized their thoughts from the mentorship experience. Findings indicated that participants situated themselves with a receiver, neutral, or giver perspective, which influenced how they interacted with others. In the process, participants valued the security fostered from the relationships, generated new relationships with others with varying experiences, engaged in reflective practice, and considered exposure to other perspectives to be beneficial.
A phase I study dose escalation clinical study of hepatic intraarterial cisplatin, combination systemic intravenous liposomal doxorubicin in patients advanced cancer dominant liver involvement

e13512 Background: Patients with liver metastases treated on phase I clinical trials have a median survival of 7.5 months (range, 6.0–9.5). We conducted a phase I study of hepatic arterial infusion...
Effects of zinc deficiency on compositional development and protein synthesis in liver, heart, and kidney of the suckling rat.

SummarySome effects of zinc deficiency on the growth and development and protein synthesis in liver, heart and kidney of suckling rat pups have been assessed. The deficiency impaired the growth of the pups and organs, although this may have been largely due to undernutrition because values were similar to those obtained with pups from dams pair fed, and given adequate zinc. Zinc deficient pups displayed a reduced incorporation of leucine into protein in the three organs, particularly at 6 days of age; this effect was most pronounced in the liver.
Numerical Simulations of Shock/Plume Interaction Using Structured Overset Grids

Computational simulations using structured overset grids with the Launch Ascent and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) solver framework are presented for predicting oblique shock/plume interaction effects to near-field sonic boom signatures. Standard second-order accurate as well as higher-resolution numerical discretizations are utilized and compared in the study. The numerical approach is compared with supersonic wind-tunnel data for three cases. The cases include an empty wind-tunnel at the operating conditions, an isolated shockgenerating diamond wedge within the tunnel, and a nozzle with diamond wedge configuration at five different nozzle pressure ratios. Solution sensitivity to numerical discretization is analyzed. Favorable comparisons between the computational results and experimental data of near-field pressure signatures are obtained. A simple prediction method for plume induced shock deflection is developed and results are compared with the CFD data.
Expression of the SRF gene occurs through a Ras/Sp/SRF-mediated-mechanism in response to serum growth signals

Serum Response Factor (SRF) plays a central role in the transcriptional response of mammalian cells to a variety of extracellular signals. It is a key regulator of many cellular early response genes which are believed to be involved in cell growth, differentiation, and development. The mechanism by which SRF activates transcription in response to mitogenic agents has been extensively studied, however, less is known about regulation of the SRF gene itself. Previously, we identified distinct regulatory elements in the SRF promoter that play a role in activation, including an ETS domain binding site, an overlapping Sp1/Egr-1 binding site, and two SRF binding sites. We further showed that serum induces the SRF gene by a mechanism that requires an intact SRF binding site, also termed a CArG box. In the present study we demonstrate that in response to stimulation by cells by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) or whole serum, the SRF promoter is upregulated by a bipartite pathway that requires both an Sp1 factor binding site and the CArG motifs for maximal stimulation. The CArG box-dependent component of this pathway is targeted by Rho mediated signals, and the Sp1 binding site dependent component is targeted by Ras mediated signals.
Sentinel-Lymph-Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer — Not Yet the Standard of Care

A sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor. It can be detected by injection of a blue dye or radioactive colloid around the primary tumor, which travels to and identifies the first draining (sentinel) node. Biopsy of a sentinel lymph node can reveal whether there are lymphatic metastases, thereby obviating the need for extensive dissection of the regional lymph-node basin. Sentinel-lymph-node biopsy has become a standard technique for determining the nodal stage of disease in patients with melanoma. Initial studies of this method in patients with breast cancer suggest that sentinel-lymph-node biopsy . . .
Assessment of nitrogen inputs and yields in the Cibolo and Dry Comal Creek watersheds using the SWAT model, Texas, USA 1996–2010

Identifying sources of nitrogen input and nitrogen yield to waterways are important aspects of watershed management. A Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was developed for the Cibolo and Dry Comal Creek watersheds in south central Texas, USA to assess how individual nitrogen source categories contribute to nitrogen yield. The model includes nitrogen inputs from atmospheric deposition, fertilizer, manure, a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs). Model calibration was successful with all model performance parameters rated satisfactory or better except for percent bias (PBIAS) during the streamflow calibration period in Cibolo Creek. The high PBIAS value likely resulted from the model underestimating streamflow during two flood events coupled with potential measurement errors for the observed streamflow values during the floods. The largest contributors to nitrogen input were livestock (42.0 %), atmospheric deposition (26.8 %), deer (9.9 %), and farm fertilizer use (9.7 %). The largest contributors to nitrogen yield were atmospheric deposition (56.3 % of nitrogen yield), livestock (25.9 %), and the WWTP (7.1 %). The difference in ranking between nitrogen inputs and nitrogen yields occurred because the percentage of nitrogen input that becomes nitrogen yield varied with source. The WWTP (100 % of the WWTP nitrogen input became nitrogen yield) was highest because it directly discharged to the waterway. The WWTP was followed by feral hogs (8.0 %), atmospheric deposition (5.8 %), and waterfowl (2.1 %). These results provide a source-by-source assessment of nitrogen inputs and their corresponding yields allowing watershed managers to better assess nitrogen management strategies.
Continuous quality improvement in management of ward health education application

The ward health education is an important aspect of health education and health education in the ward allows patients to grasp the basic information of the health problems,and also can prevent and control the occurrence of some complications,improve patient satisfaction.In the ward,for the present situation with the target gap,develop improvement steps,and to evaluate the results of rectification,completion of the application of continuous quality improvement in the management of ward health education to ensure that the quality of the health education of the ward.