cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decreased bone mineral density in experimental myasthenia gravis in C57BL/6 mice.

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), an animal model of myasthenia gravis (MG), can be induced in C57BL/6 (B6, H-2 b) mice by 2-3 injections with Torpedo californica AChR (tAChR) in complete Freund's adjuvant. Some EAMG mice exhibit weight loss with muscle weakness. The loss in body weight, which is closely associated with bone structure, is particularly evident in EAMG mice with severe muscle weakness. However, the relationship between muscle weakness and bone loss in EAMG has not been studied before. Recent investigations on bone have shed light on association of bone health and immunological states. It is possible that muscle weakness in EAMG developed by anti-tAChR immune responses might accompany bone loss. We determined whether reduced muscle strength associates with decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in EAMG mice. EAMG was induced by two injections at 4-week interval of tAChR and adjuvants in two different age groups. The first tAChR injection was either at age 8 weeks or at 15 weeks. We measured BMD at three skeletal sites, including femur, tibia, and lumbar vertebrae, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Among these bone areas, femur of EAMG mice in both age groups showed a significant decrease in BMD compared to control adjuvant-injected and to non-immunized mice. Reduction in BMD in induced EAMG at a later-age appears to parallel the severity of the disease. The results indicate that anti-tAChR autoimmune response alone can reduce bone density in EAMG mice. BMD reduction was also observed in adjuvant-injected mice in comparison to normal un-injected mice, suggesting that BMD decrease can occur even when muscle activity is normal. Decreased BMD observed in both tAChR-injected and adjuvant-injected mice groups were discussed in relation to innate immunity and bone-related immunology involving activated T cells and tumour necrosis factor-related cytokines that trigger osteoclastogenesis and bone loss.
Protoparvovirus Interactions with the Cellular DNA Damage Response

Protoparvoviruses are simple single-stranded DNA viruses that infect many animal species. The protoparvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) infects murine and transformed human cells provoking a sustained DNA damage response (DDR). This DDR is dependent on signaling by the ATM kinase and leads to a prolonged pre-mitotic cell cycle block that features the inactivation of ATR-kinase mediated signaling, proteasome-targeted degradation of p21, and inhibition of cyclin B1 expression. This review explores how protoparvoviruses, and specifically MVM, co-opt the common mechanisms regulating the DDR and cell cycle progression in order to prepare the host nuclear environment for productive infection.
Motor nuclei innervating eye muscles spared in mouse model of SOD1-linked ALS

The eye muscles of humans with either inherited or sporadic forms of ALS are relatively unaffected during disease progression, a function of sparing of the cranial nerve motor neurons supplying them. Here we observe that cranial nerve nuclei are also spared in a mouse model of inherited SOD1-linked ALS. We examined the cranial nerve motor nuclei in a mouse strain, G85R SOD1YFP, which carries a high copy transgene encoding a mutant human SOD1-YFP fusion protein, that exhibits florid YFP-fluorescent aggregates in spinal cord motor neurons and paralyzes by 6 months of age. We observed in the cranial nerve nuclei that innervate the eye, 3N (oculomotor), 4N (trochlear), and 6N (abducens), that there was little (4N, 6N) or no (3N) aggregation, in comparison with other motor nuclei, 5N (trigeminal), 7N (facial), and 12N (hypoglossal), in the latter two of which florid aggregation was observed. Correspondingly, the number of ChAT positive motor neurons in 3N of G85R SOD1YFP relative to that in 3N of ChAT-EGFP mice showed that there was no loss of motor neurons over time, whereas in 12N there was progressive loss of motor neurons, amounting to a loss of ~30% from G85R SOD1YFP by end-stage. Thus, the sparing of extraocular motor neurons as occurs in humans with ALS appears to be replicated in our SOD1-linked ALS mouse strain, supporting the validity of the mouse model for studying this aspect of selective motor system loss in ALS. Comparisons of extraocular motor neurons (e.g., from 3N), resistant to ALS pathology, with other cranial motor neurons (e.g., from 12N), sensitive to such pathology, may thus be of value in understanding mechanisms of protection vs. susceptibility of motor neurons.
Long-range order in biomembranes.

Publisher Summary The central problem of membrane structure and its correlation with physiological and biochemical functions is to define the organization of constituent molecules. The existence of bilayers in biomembranes is established by a variety of physicochemical techniques. It has been shown that the subtleties of organizational and phase characteristics of the bilayer arise from the segmental motion and the transverse, rotational, and lateral mobilities of constituent lipids. These molecular features of lipids in the bilayer organization account for dielectric, viscoelastic, partitioning, and passive permeability characteristics. Experimental evidence indicates that the membrane lipids not only create a barrier to the free entry and exit of molecules into and out of the cell, but lipids also provide a matrix in/on which biochemical reactions can take place; through which certain metabolites can pass selectively; and with which recognition, adhesion, aggregation and fusion of cells can be mediated.
Ionophore A23187 stimulates Entamoeba histolytica to release prostaglandin F2α

Abstract High performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay were used to identify the rostaglandins synthesized by Entamoeba histolytica (NIH:200 Strain) Ca 2+ ionophore A 23187 stimulated amebae produced elevated levels of prostaglandin F 2α when compared with the control cells. There were no significant differences in the levels of prostaglandin E 2 and thromboxane B 2 . This is the first report of a stimulated non-mammalian cell producing prostaglandin F 2α .
Induced and coinduced modules over cluster-tilted algebras

Abstract We propose a new approach to study the relation between the module categories of a tilted algebra C and the corresponding cluster-tilted algebra B = C ⋉ E . This new approach consists of using the induction functor − ⊗ C B as well as the coinduction functor D ( B ⊗ C D − ) . We show that DE is a partial tilting and a τ-rigid C-module and that the induced module D E ⊗ C B is a partial tilting and a τ-rigid B-module. Furthermore, if C = End A T for a tilting module T over a hereditary algebra A, we compare the induction and coinduction functors to the Buan–Marsh–Reiten functor Hom C A ( T , − ) from the cluster-category of A to the module category of B. We also study the question as to which B-modules are actually induced or coinduced from a module over a tilted algebra.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma as a rare secondary malignancy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A case report.

Secondary malignancies are a significant cause of non-relapse mortality in patients who undergo allogeneic HCT. However, secondary liver cancer is rare, and ICC following HCT has never been reported in the literature. Secondary solid cancers typically have a long latency period, and cholangiocarcinoma is classically a malignancy occurring in older individuals. Here, we report the first case of secondary ICC, which presented just 3 years after HCT in a young adult with a history of childhood ALL. A 26-year-old male with history of precursor B-cell ALL presented with asymptomatic elevated liver function tests 3 years after HCT. Laboratories were indicative of biliary obstruction. ERCP showed focal biliary stricturing of the common and left hepatic ducts. MRCP revealed left intrahepatic duct dilatation, suggestive of intrahepatic obstructing mass. Additional workup lead to a clinical diagnosis of ICC. The patient underwent left hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection and portal lymphadenectomy. Surgical pathology was consistent with moderately differentiated cholangiocarcinoma. Our case illustrates a rare SMN following HCT for ALL. It is the first case report of ICC occurring as a secondary cancer in this patient population. Although cholangiocarcinoma is characteristically diagnosed in the older population, it must remain on the differential for biliary obstruction in post-HCT patients.
True Series Resonance Oscillator using Active Shunt Capacitance Cancellation

A true series resonance oscillator has been developed for use with a wide-range of 1-port resonance-based sensors and devices. The oscillator effectively removes the shunt capacitance C o , allowing the true series resonance to be monitored, providing the optimum sensitivity across a wide range of frequencies (i.e. kilohertz to gigahertz), shunt capacitances, and quality factors (Q) for the first time. It is well-known that non-zero shunt capacitance alters the impedance by shifting the location of the impedance minimum and the zero-phase crossing while causing significant impedance distortion. We have developed an active shunt capacitance cancelling oscillator (ASSCO) that removes any shunt capacitance across the resonator by supplying the circuit an equal “dummy” capacitance using a cancelling current. The oscillator does not require automatic gain control (AGC) and the resonator can be grounded to reduce parasitic contributions.
Effectiveness of Meat Tenderizer in Removal of Blood from Fabric

A technique involving bromelain-based, powdered meat tenderizer was used to remove stains caused by human blood from three common fabrics. Groups of fabric samples were stained with blood and treated with a meat tenderizer mixture for different amounts of time and compared to a control group treated with water alone. The results of this process suggested that meat tenderizer could be used to remove blood stains and that longer amounts of time were favorable for this method. Additionally, it was found that this technique differs from treatment with water alone by breaking down and transferring the stains from the fabric rather than just diluting them to reduce their appearance.
Path tracing estimators for refractive radiative transfer

Rendering radiative transfer through media with a heterogeneous refractive index is challenging because the continuous refractive index variations result in light traveling along curved paths. Existing algorithms are based on photon mapping techniques, and thus are biased and result in strong artifacts. On the other hand, existing unbiased methods such as path tracing and bidirectional path tracing cannot be used in their current form to simulate media with a heterogeneous refractive index. We change this state of affairs by deriving unbiased path tracing estimators for this problem. Starting from the refractive radiative transfer equation (RRTE), we derive a path-integral formulation, which we use to generalize path tracing with next-event estimation and bidirectional path tracing to the heterogeneous refractive index setting. We then develop an optimization approach based on fast analytic derivative computations to produce the point-to-point connections required by these path tracing algorithms. We propose several acceleration techniques to handle complex scenes (surfaces and volumes) that include participating media with heterogeneous refractive fields. We use our algorithms to simulate a variety of scenes combining heterogeneous refraction and scattering, as well as tissue imaging techniques based on ultrasonic virtual waveguides and lenses. Our algorithms and publicly-available implementation can be used to characterize imaging systems such as refractive index microscopy, schlieren imaging, and acousto-optic imaging, and can facilitate the development of inverse rendering techniques for related applications.
Who Wants to Raise Taxes

We test hypotheses about individual-level (partisanship and self-interest) and state-level (tax policy) factors that may shape public attitudes about raising taxes. Respondents were given a scenari...
End of life simulation to improve interprofessional competencies: A mixed methods study.

Abstract Background The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education “Standards 2016” require that pharmacy student education include training in the management of patients “across the lifespan” (Standard 12). Standards 2016 also require that students are practice-ready to participate as a contributing member of an interprofessional (IP) team (Standard 11). Didactic and experiential education in palliative or end-of-life (EOL) care is limited. Palliative care represents unique patient and team challenges in providing patients with empathetic and holistic care. Interprofessional education activity This study describes an IP, palliative care simulation that achieved both IP and “across the lifespan” educational standards. The goals of the activity included increasing communication skills, recognizing roles and responsibilities, and enhancing the value of various healthcare providers' perspectives and expertise when caring for patients at the EOL. Pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing, and counseling students participated in a low fidelity palliative care simulation. The event consisted of a presentation on anticipatory grief and active listening followed by a role-playing simulation and group debrief. The Interprofessional Socialization and Value Scale were administered to assess student perceptions of IP skills. Discussion Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated achievement of the goals of the activity. Reflections revealed students felt the simulation improved teamwork and communication skills and that using humility and listening in team-based palliative care transformed wisdom for future practice. Implications This activity used a cost-effective, low fidelity, role-play simulation to achieve IP education competencies and demonstrated the value of multiple professions in EOL care.
The response of the Amazon ecosystem to the photosynthetically active radiation fields: integrating impacts of biomass burning aerosol and clouds in the NASA GEOS Earth system model

Abstract. The Amazon experiences fires every year, and the resulting biomass burning aerosols, together with cloud particles, influence the penetration of sunlight through the atmosphere, increasing the ratio of diffuse to direct photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reaching the vegetation canopy and thereby potentially increasing ecosystem productivity. In this study, we use the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model with coupled aerosol, cloud, radiation, and ecosystem modules to investigate the impact of Amazon biomass burning aerosols on ecosystem productivity, as well as the role of the Amazon's clouds in tempering this impact. The study focuses on a 7-year period (2010–2016) during which the Amazon experienced a variety of dynamic environments (e.g., La Nina, normal years, and El Nino). The direct radiative impact of biomass burning aerosols on ecosystem productivity – called here the aerosol diffuse radiation fertilization effect – is found to increase Amazonian gross primary production (GPP) by 2.6 % via a 3.8 % increase in diffuse PAR (DFPAR) despite a 5.4 % decrease in direct PAR (DRPAR) on multiyear average during burning seasons. On a monthly basis, this increase in GPP can be as large as 9.9 % (occurring in August 2010). Consequently, the net primary production (NPP) in the Amazon is increased by 1.5 %, or ∼92 Tg C yr−1 – equivalent to ∼37 % of the average carbon lost due to Amazon fires over the 7 years considered. Clouds, however, strongly regulate the effectiveness of the aerosol diffuse radiation fertilization effect. The efficiency of this fertilization effect is the highest in cloud-free conditions and linearly decreases with increasing cloud amount until the cloud fraction reaches ∼0.8 , at which point the aerosol-influenced light changes from being a stimulator to an inhibitor of plant growth. Nevertheless, interannual changes in the overall strength of the aerosol diffuse radiation fertilization effect are primarily controlled by the large interannual changes in biomass burning aerosols rather than by changes in cloudiness during the studied period.
R-Loop Analysis by Dot-Blot

The three-stranded nucleic acid structure, R-loop, is increasingly recognized for its role in gene regulation. Initially, R-loops were thought to be the by-products of transcription; but recent findings of fewer R-loops in diseased cells made it clear that R-loops have functional roles in a variety of human cells. Next, it is critical to understand the roles of R-loops and how cells balance their abundance. A challenge in the field is the quantitation of R-loops since much of the work relies on the S9.6 monoclonal antibody whose specificity for RNA-DNA hybrids has been questioned. Here, we use dot-blots with the S9.6 antibody to quantify R-loops and show the sensitivity and specificity of this assay with RNase H, RNase T1, and RNase III that cleave RNA-DNA hybrids, single-stranded RNA, and double-stranded RNA, respectively. This method is highly reproducible, uses general laboratory equipment and reagents, and provides results within two days. This assay can be used in research and clinical settings to quantify R-loops and assess the effect of mutations in genes such as senataxin on R-loop abundance.
Short communication: ISOFIT - A program for fitting sorption isotherms to experimental data

Isotherm expressions are important for describing the partitioning of contaminants in environmental systems. ISOFIT (Isotherm Fitting Tool) is a software program that fits isotherm parameters to experimental data via the minimization of a weighted sum of squared error (WSSE) objective function. ISOFIT supports a number of isotherms, including several dual-mode isotherms that combine Freundlich, Langmuir, and Polanyi expressions with a linear partitioning term. To minimize the WSSE objective function, ISOFIT utilizes a hybrid optimization procedure that combines particle swarm optimization with Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear regression. An initial swarm optimization step identifies promising solutions while circumventing local minima and the follow-on regression step provides local refinement and facilitates the calculation of numerous regression statistics. To demonstrate ISOFIT and evaluate its performance, the program was applied to a readily available sorption dataset and benchmarked against results generated using the MS Excel solver package.
Macrocognition Metrics and Scenarios: Design and Evaluation for Real-World Teams

Contents: Preface, Emily S. Patterson, Janet E. Miller, Emilie M. Roth, and David D. Woods Part I Theoretical Foundations: Theory -> concepts -> measures but policies -> metrics, Robert R. Hoffman Some challenges for macrocognitive measurement, Robert R, Hoffman Measuring macrocognition in teams: some insights for navigating the complexities, C. Shawn Burke, Eduardo Salas, Kimberly Smith-Jentsch, Valerie Sims and Michael A. Rosen. Part II Macrocognition Measures for Real-World Teams: Macrocognitive measures for evaluating cognitive work, Gary Klein Measuring attributes of rigor in information analysis, Daniel J. Zelik, Emily S. Patterson, and David D. Woods Assessing expertise when performance exceeds perfection, James Shanteau, Brian Friel, Rick P. Thomas, John Raacke and David J. Weiss Demand calibration in multitask environments: interactions of micro and macrocognition, John D. Lee Assessment of intent in macrocognitive systems, Lawrence G. Shattuck Survey of healthcare teamwork rating tools: reliability, validity, ease of use, and diagnostic efficiency, Barbara KA nzle, Yan Xiao, Anne M. Miller and Colin Mackenzie Measurement approaches for transfers of work during handoffs, Emily S. Patterson and Robert L. Wears The pragmatics of communication-based methods for measuring macrocognition, Nancy J. Cooke and Jamie C. Gorman From data, to information, to knowledge: measuring knowledge building in the context of collaborative cognition, Stephen M. Fiore, John Elias, Eduardo Salas, Norman W. Warner and Michael P. Letsky. Part III Scenario-Based Evaluation Forging new evaluation paradigms: beyond statistical generalization, Emilie M. Roth and Robert G. Eggleston Facets of complexity in situated work, Emily S. Patterson, Emilie M. Roth and David D. Woods Evaluating the resilience of a human-computer decision-making team: a methodology for decision-centered testing, Scott S. Potter and Robert Rousseau Synthetic task environments: measuring macrocognition, John M. Flach, Daniel Schwartz, April M. Courtice, Kyle Behymer and Wayne Shebilske System evaluation using the cognitive performance indicators, Sterling L. Wiggins and Donald A. Cox Index.
Analytical Principle: A Guide for Lapse Survivorship, Death Without Issue, and the Rule

In just a couple of years, the sharing economy grew out to become a significant segment of the holiday accommodation market. Online peer-to-peer marketplaces allow people to offer rooms or entire houses to tourists, with Airbnb being the biggest and most famous example. This paper aims to give an insight into explaining which factors and attributes influence the success of Airbnb accommodations in the Veneto Region, using occupancy as a proxy. We analysed characteristics of 19624 Airbnb accommodations. The logistic regression model identifies a number of influential attributes which can be divided between locational characteristics, being located in attractive tourism destinations, and accommodation characteristics, for example the price, rating, number of previous bookings and the status of the host. The quantitative analysis allows to create an attractiveness scale, which is analysed for geographic patterns.
Clock Distribution Methodology for PowerPC™Microprocessors

Clock distribution design for high performance microprocessors has become increasingly challenging in recent years. Design goals of state-of-the-art integrated circuits, dictate the need for clock networks with smaller skew tolerances, large sizes, and lower capacitances. In this paper we discuss some of the issues in clock network design that arise in this context. We describe the clock design methodology and techniques used in the design of clock distribution networks for PowerPC™ microprocessors that aim at alleviating some of these problems.
Concatenation of interleaved binary/nonbinary block codes for improved forward error correction

We propose advanced FEC (Forward Error Correction) codeword configurations and decoding strategies that are suitable for next-generation optical communication systems. They consist of the concatenation of a BCH-like binary code and an interleaved nonbinary code with iterative hard-decision decoding. The BER (Bit Error Rate) analysis results as low as 10/sub -15/ show that the proposed scheme outperforms the existing FEC schemes based on product codes. Our super-FEC scheme can be added to the existing ITU-FEC systems at low cost without much extra circuitry or much extra power consumption.
TOLB: a traffic-oblivious load-balancing protocol for next-generation sensornets

The multiple expected sources of traffic skewness in Next-Generation SensorNets (NGSN) will trigger the need for load-balanced point-to-point routing protocols. Driven by this fact, we present in this paper a load-balancing primitive, namely Traffic-Oblivious Load-Balancing (TOLB), to be used on top of any point-to-point routing protocol. TOLB obliviously load balances traffic by pushing the decision-making responsibility to the source of any packet without depending on the energy status of the network sensors or on previously taken decisions for similar packets. We present theoretical bounds on TOLB's performance for special network types such as mesh networks. Additionally, we ran simulations to evaluate TOLB's performance on general networks. Our experimental results show the high benefit (in terms of network lifetime and throughput) of applying TOLB on top of routing schemes to deal with various traffic skewness levels in different sensor deployment scenarios.
Lung disease at high altitude.

The lungs are a delicate interface between the atmosphere and our bodies across which oxygen diffuses from the air we breathe to the blood which carries oxygen to the cells and mitochondria. In healthy lungs at sea level where there is a surfeit of oxygen, this process occurs easily, whereas, in lungs with disease it becomes a task which may not be fully successful and hypoxemia may ensue or worsen. At high altitude where the barometric pressure (Pb) and thus the supply of oxygen is lower, the job of getting oxygen to the blood, even in the healthy lung is more difficult, and in the diseased lung it may be impossible. This presentation will review the lungs’ responses to high altitude, with emphasis on the abnormal. Both acute and chronic responses of patients with pre-existing lung disease will be reviewed. Pulmonary diseases encountered at high altitude in previously healthy people, such as high altitude pulmonary edema and chronic mountain sickness will be touched on only as they pertain to other patients. Pre-existing lung disease (with and without hypoxemia at sea level) such as obstructive lung diseases (asthma, COPD, emphysema), and restrictive lung diseases (sarcoid, asbestosis, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis) will be discussed in terms of gas exchange, lung mechanics, and treatment at high altitude. Disorders of ventilatory control; e.g., obesity-hypoventilation syndrome and sleep apnea, may present formidable problems, and guidelines for their treatment will be discussed. Infectious lung diseases; e.g., pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary vascular disorders such as chronic mountain sickness, primary pulmonary hypertension, and congenital absence of the pulmonary artery are important disorders that require special attention because of the accentuated hypoxic pulmonary vascular response encountered at high altitude. The purpose therefore, is to provide the medical practitioner with the insight into prevention, recognition, and treatment of pulmonary problems encountered specifically at high altitude, as well as guidance on how best to advise patients with lung disease who want to fly in airplanes and/or ascend to high altitude for work or pleasure.
Patient-Specific Computational Modeling of Cerebral Aneurysms With Multiple Avenues of Flow From 3D Rotational Angiography Images

Rationale and Objectives Previous studies of aneurysm flow dynamics based on three-dimensional (3D) rotational angiography (RA) images were limited to aneurysms with a single route of blood inflow. However, aneurysms of the circle of Willis frequently involve locations with more than one source of inflow, such as aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery. The highest resolution images of cerebral vessels are from RA images, but this technique is limited to visualizing only one route of inflow at a time, leaving a significant limitation in the application of 3DRA image sets for clinical studies of patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In this report, subject-specific models of cerebral aneurysms with multiple avenues of flow are constructed from RA images by using a novel combination of image coregistration and surface merging techniques. Materials and Methods RA images are obtained by means of contrast injection in each vessel that provides inflow to the aneurysm. Anatomic models are constructed independently of each of these vascular trees and fused together into a single model. The model is used to construct a finite element grid for CFD simulations of hemodynamics. Results Three examples of patient-specific models are presented: an anterior communicating artery aneurysm, a basilar tip aneurysm, and a model of an entire circle of Willis with five coincident aneurysms. The method is evaluated with a numeric phantom of an aneurysm in the anterior communicating artery. Conclusion These examples show that this new technique can be used to create merged network numeric models for CFD modeling. Furthermore, intra-aneurysmal flow patterns are influenced strongly by merging of the two inflow streams. This effect decreases as distance from the merging streams increases.
A Computational Study of the Mechanisms for the Incorporation of a Nitrogen Atom into Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Titan Haze

Current photochemical models of Titan, Saturn's largest satellite, include chemical reactions producing molecules composed of up to six carbon atoms and then extrapolate straight to aerosols, such as tholins. Laboratory evidence suggests that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing nitrogen atoms are formed during simulations of Titan's atmosphere. This paper presents preliminary work on reactions that produce nitrogenated aromatic molecules containing up to 12 nonhydrogen atoms. These species would help bridge the gap between the small molecules and the aerosols in Titan's stratosphere. We have determined the barriers and reaction energies for the incorporation of nitrogen into the rings of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The presence of a nitrogen atom increases the barrier heights relative to the pure hydrocarbon species to about 15 kcal/mol. Nitrogen in the ring promotes the formation of additional hydrocarbon rings by lowering the ring closing barrier to about 4 kcal/mol. Inclusion of these species in photochemical models of Titan is indicated.
Supratidal Dolostones: An Overemphasis on Their Significance in Geologic Record?: ABSTRACT

Numerous discoveries of recent dolomite forming primarily in the supratidal zone have prompted analogies with ancient dolostones. Although evidence seems to support most of these contentions, it is likely that overgeneralization has resulted; many dolostones lack definitive evidence of supratidal and/or evaporitic conditions. Detailed field and laboratory examinations of three dolomitic units in New York (Little Falls, Upper Cambrian; Herkimer, Middle Silurian; Lockport, Middle Silurian) and one in California (Lost Burro, Middle to Upper Devonian) show that the dolomite, all of replacement type, represents original carbonate sediments of variable environmental deposition. These dolostones are not extremely fine grained, as is modern supratidal dolomite; replacement may have begun penecontemporaneously, but generally continued later into diagenesis. Stromatolites, mudcracks, and intraclasts in the Little Falls and Lockport dolostones strongly suggest intertidal to supratidal occurrences; Lost Burro carbonates accumulated in a nearshore, perhaps slightly hypersaline, subtidal environment; Herkimer carbonates apparently formed in a neritic environment of normal salinity. Several other dolomitic units, cursorily examined, contain evidence (particularly faunal) of not having accumulated in an evaporitic, supratidal setting. In some recent carbonate deposits (e.g., Sugarloaf Key, Florida; Coorang Lagoon, Australia), dolomite formation may not be related directly to high salinities. End_of_Article - Last_Page 561------------
A Cost-effective Approach for Software Safety Analyses in Space Systems

*Adherence to Software Safety standards such as NASA STD 8719.13B can be costprohibitive for many software projects. Developing a means to effectively ensure software safety while minimizing the impact of the effort on project budgets is critical to future space development work. While methods exist which utilize exhaustive resources to ensure safety down to the most fundamental levels of code, keeping software safety needs within the scope of a System Safety budget can be difficult. While developing excellent requirements, settings rigorous coding standards and utilizing error checking software are crucial to ensuring safe code early in the development process, the Safety Analysis and Testing will define the largest part of any Software Safety Program. The methods utilized within the Space Shuttle Upgrades Development program at United Space Alliance, LLC utilized processes which would fulfill software safety requirements for an elaborate safety-critical software package while keeping resources at a modest level. Through functional analysis, Fault Trees were developed with hardware and software interrelationships and faults identified. Identification of potential hazard causes through the fault tree led to the development of Software Safety Causal Analyses (SSCA). The SSCA is a methodology by which software activity is presented in a linear, graphical format in an attempt to identify gaps or conflicts within expected software behavior. In the SSCA, requirements/components are arranged in sequence, while also presenting the interactions of each component with other software or hardware. In addition to the SSCA working as a safety tool, it has proven benefits to requirements traceability, change processing, testing and management system review.
Reverse-phase purification and silica gel thin-layer chromatography of porphyrin carboxylic acids

Thin-layer chromatography on silica gel 60 plates in the solvent N,N-dimethylformamide/methanol/ethylene glycol/glacial acetic acid/1-chlorobutane/chloroform (4/35/6/0.4/18/20 by volume) separates porphyrin carboxylic acids by the number of free carboxyl groups. Coproporphyrins I and III and isocoproporphyrin are separated in 30 min, other porphyrins in 15 min. The N,N-dimethylformamide and acetic acid in the solvent strongly increase porphyrin fluorescence on the plates. Fading and diffusion of the fluorescent patterns is prevented by storage of the plates in the cold and dark without oxygen and with desiccant. In a preliminary step, porphyrins are purified in high yields, concentrated, and deacidified rapidly (2 min) by reverse-phase chromatography on cartridges containing a C18 spacer or on Amberlite XAD-2 columns. The methods are applied to urines of porphyria patients and for following porphyrin ester hydrolysis.
ELF magnetic field exposure system with feedback-controlled disturbance rejection.

Extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposure systems are usually subject to field disturbances induced by external sources. Here, a method for designing a feedback control system for canceling the effect of external ELF magnetic field disturbances on the magnetic field over the exposure area is presented. This method was used in the design of a feedback-controlled exposure system for an inverted microscope stage. The effectiveness of the proposed feedback control system for disturbance rejection was verified experimentally and by means of computer simulation.
Human teratogens update 2011: Can we ensure safety during pregnancy?

Anniversaries of the identification of three human teratogens (i.e., rubella virus in 1941, thalidomide in 1961, and diethylstilbestrol in 1971) occurred in 2011. These experiences highlight the critical role that scientists with an interest in teratology play in the identification of teratogenic exposures as the basis for developing strategies for prevention of those exposures and the adverse outcomes associated with them. However, an equally important responsibility for teratologists is to evaluate whether medications and vaccines are safe for use during pregnancy so informed decisions about disease treatment and prevention during pregnancy can be made. Several recent studies have examined the safety of medications during pregnancy, including antiviral medications used to treat herpes simplex and zoster, proton pump inhibitors used to treat gastroesophageal reflux, and newer-generation antiepileptic medications used to treat seizures and other conditions. Despite the large numbers of pregnant women included in these studies and the relatively reassuring results, the question of whether these medications are teratogens remains. In addition, certain vaccines are recommended during pregnancy to prevent infections in mothers and infants, but clinical trials to test these vaccines typically exclude pregnant women; thus, evaluation of their safety depends on observational studies. For pregnant women to receive optimal care, we need to define the data needed to determine whether a medication or vaccine is "safe" for use during pregnancy. In the absence of adequate, well-controlled data, it will often be necessary to weigh the benefits of medications or vaccines with potential risks to the embryo or fetus.
Osteochondrosis dissecans of the glenoid

Osteochondrosis dissecans of the glenoid is a rare condition that has been mentioned only once in the literature, by Lavner in 1947. Trauma is generally accepted as a cause of this disorder. Injury produces an ischemic insult to the subchondral bone and possible loose body formation if fragmentation of the articular surface occurs. Endocrine abnormalities, genetic influences, and the presence of anomalous centers of ossification may also contribute to the development of this condition. We present two patients whose clinical histories indicate a traumatic etiology of Osteochondrosis dissecans of the glenoid. We also discuss the radiological, clinical, and etiological features of this entity.
Low water vapor conductance of hard-shelled eggs of the gecko lizards Hemidactylus and Lepidodactylus

Typical reptilian eggs require a moist substrate for normal development and undergo a water loss across the shell in dry air many times that of avian eggs. Certain geckos lay hard-shelled, calcareous eggs, often in arboreal locations, that have been postulated to be truly cleidoic. It has been demonstrated here for the first time that such hard-shelled gecko eggs do in fact have extremely low rates of evaporative water loss in dry air. Indeed, values of water vapor conductance are considerably lower than those predicted for avian eggs of the same mass. Normal embryonic development apparently does not require absorption of liquid water from the environment. It is quite likely that these geckos represent an independent evolution of the cleidoic egg, separate from the reptilian lineage that led to the birds.
On Sonar Signal Analysis

Systems which utilize acoustic energy to explore an undersea environment are called sonars. This introductory and tutorial paper presents a discussion of active sonar signal analysis concentrating upon sinusoidal, linear FM, and pseudorandom echolocation pulses. Many previously published results concerning sonar signals and their haracteristics are integrated, collected, and presented in a unified form such as to portray typical signal design considerations.
Abstract 4586: The Leukosome: A biomimetic liposome for the targeting of inflamed tumor vasculature

The development of targeted cancer treatments with increased therapeutic efficacy is still a major challenge in drug delivery. To date, nanoscale platforms are able to extend their circulation time and accumulate in the tumor through surface functionalization with polyethylene glycol and with antibodies, peptides or ligands directed against tumor biomarkers, respectively. Despite these modifications, the mononuclear phagocytic system efficiently clears these particles from circulation while opsonization proteins prevent the proper recognition between targeting ligands and target biomarkers. Additionally, most cancers are characterized by strong inflammation and increased affinity for circulating leukocytes. The surface of the leukocyte is enriched with transmembrane proteins that determine self-tolerance, adhesion, and negotiation of the inflamed vascular barrier. As result, leukocytes can efficiently recognize and infiltrate the tumor tissues. The Leukosome is a liposomal formulation based on leukocyte membranes able to provide biocompatibility, self-tolerance and targeting. The Leukosome was enriched with up to 82 different leukocyte membrane proteins in their intact native, active configuration with the appropriate post-translational modification and orientation. Among them, CD45 favored extended circulation time and avoided unspecific clearance, while Leukocyte Associated Function-1 facilitated the targeting to and permeability of the tumor inflamed vasculature. The Leukosome retained loading capabilities similar to current liposomal formulations but sustained the release of the chemotherapeutic drug for twice as long. The physical (size, surface charge and polydispersity index), chemical (surface composition and modification, loading and release kinetics), biochemical (protein content and stability), and biological (inhibition of particle clearance, tumor targeting, effect on the vascular barrier function) properties of the Leukosomes confirmed our ability to mimic the biological features and functions of leukocytes. Compared to unmodified liposomes, Leukosomes showed 5-fold increase in circulation time, 50-fold reduction of liver accumulation and 70-fold accumulation of the payload in breast, pancreatic and melanoma models in mouse. We believe this platform will provide a superior tool for the targeting and personalization of therapeutic intervention in cancer. Citation Format: Roberto Molinaro, Alessandro Parodi, Nima Taghipour, Brandon Brown, Dickson Kirui, Michael Evangelopoulos, Francesca Taraballi, Claudia Corbo, Ennio Tasciotti. The Leukosome: A biomimetic liposome for the targeting of inflamed tumor vasculature. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4586. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4586
Performance evaluation and work-load estimation for geographic information systems

Abstract Agencies acquiring GIS hardware and software are faced with uncertainty at two levels: over the degree to which the proposed system will perform the functions required, and over the degree to which it is capable of doing so within proposed production schedules. As the field matures the second concern is becoming more significant. A formal model of the process of acquiring a GIS is presented, based on the conceptual level of defining GIS sub-tasks. The appropriateness of the approach is illustrated using performance data from the Canada Land Data System. It is possible to construct reasonably accurate models of system resource utilization using simple predictors and least squares techniques, and a combination of inductive and deductive reasoning. The model has been implemented in an interactive package for MS-DOS systems.
The effects of reclamation on a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

In previous work, a process was developed to reclaim a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (DuPont HX8000) from composites comprised of polypropylene (PP) reinforced with HX8000. The reclamation was accomplished by chemically degrading the PP and then dissolving the PP away in heated mineral oil. From this work, it was found that there were significant drops in dynamic and steady shear viscosity for the reclaimed HX8000, but that there were no losses in mechanical properties when the recovered HX8000 was used to generate PP-HX8000 injection-molded composites. In the present work, the reclaimed HX8000 was analyzed to understand the contradiction between rheological and mechanical properties. The effects of the reclamation process on the recovered HX8000 were investigated by using pycnometry (density), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), parallel plate rheometry, mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Nuclear xenobiotic receptor pregnane X receptor locks corepressor silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) onto the CYP24A1 promoter to attenuate vitamin D3 activation.

We have studied the molecular mechanism by which the nuclear xenobiotic receptors pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) regulate transcription of the vitamin D3 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) gene. In the absence of vitamin D3, PXR activates the CYP24A1 gene by directly binding to and transactivating vitamin D-response elements (VDREs) within its promoter. Vitamin D3 activates the CYP24A1 promoter by dissociating the corepressor silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) from the vitamin D receptor (VDR) on those VDREs. PXR strongly represses vitamin D3 activation of the CYP24A1 gene, in which PXR indirectly binds to and prevents vitamin D3-dependent dissociation of SMRT from the CYP24A1 promoter. The degree of the PXR-mediated locking of SMRT depends on the relative concentration of vitamin D3 to the human PXR activator rifampicin; SMRT increased its dissociation as this ratio increased. CAR is also found to prevent dissociation of SMRT from the CYP24A1 promoter. Thus, our present study defines the novel molecular mechanism by which PXR and CAR mediate drug interactions with vitamin D3 to regulate the CYP24A1 gene. Pxr(+/+) and Pxr(-/-) mice were continuously treated with mouse PXR activator PCN to evaluate the hypothesis that induction of the Cyp24a1 gene is responsible for the loss of bone mineral density often observed in patients treated continuously with PXR-activating drugs. PCN-dependent loss of mineral density is observed in the metaphyseal bones of only the Pxr(+/+) mice. This loss, however, does not correlate with the expression levels of the Cyp24a1 gene in these mice.
Gray Literature: A Professional Dilemma

Abstract Concerns have recently surfaced within the fishery profession over the uncontrolled growth of gray literature. Although it has a valid function and should not be eliminated, gray literature has been abused, in part, because the profession has not provided adequate direction. Consideration should be given to reducing the volume of gray literature by enhancing the review and distribution standards for some agency publications so that they more closely approximate journal standards. Materials appropriate for journal publication, however, should not be published in such series, and publishing in the formal literature should continue to be emphasized. The American Fisheries Society should assume the lead in determining whether appropriate policies and guidelines can be developed.
Oxygen-17 Appears Only in Protein in Water-Stressed Soybean Leaves Labeled by 17O2

We have used a rotational-echo adiabatic-passage double-resonance 13C{17O} solid-state NMR experiment to prove that the glycine produced in the oxygenase reaction of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase is incorporated exclusively into protein (or protein precursors) of intact, water-stressed soybean leaves exposed to 13CO2 and 17O2. The water stress increased stomatal resistance and decreased gas exchange so that the Calvin cycle in the leaf chloroplasts was no more than 35% 13C isotopically enriched. Labeled O2 levels were sufficient, however, to increase the 17O isotopic concentration of oxygenase products 20-fold over the natural-abundance level of 0.04%. The observed direct incorporation of glycine into protein shows that water stress suppresses photorespiration in soybean leaves.
Cardiac epithelioid hemangioendothelioma with 8-year follow-up

An incidentally discovered right atrial mass excised from the heart of a 51-year-old woman was found on pathological examination to be an epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. No further therapy was undertaken, and the patient has remained free of recurrence for 8 years. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the behavior of this distinctive vascular neoplasm occurring as an isolated cardiac tumor.