cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Methodology for Creating Macaque Retinas with Sortable Photoreceptors and Ganglion Cells.

Purpose: The ability to generate macaque retinas with sortable cell populations would be of great benefit to both basic and translational studies of the primate retina. The purpose of our study was therefore to develop methods to achieve this goal by selectively labeling, in life, photoreceptors (PRs) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with separate fluorescent markers. Methods: Labeling of macaque (Macaca fascicularis) PRs and RGCs was accomplished by subretinal delivery of AAV5-hGRK1-GFP, and retrograde transport of micro-ruby™ from the lateral geniculate nucleus, respectively. Retinas were anatomically separated into different regions. Dissociation conditions were optimized, and cells from each region underwent fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Expression of retinal cell type- specific genes was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR to characterize isolated cell populations. Results: We show that macaque PRs and RGCs can be simultaneously labeled in-life and enriched populations isolated by FACS. Recovery from different retinal regions indicated efficient isolation/enrichment for PRs and RGCs, with the macula being particularly amendable to this technique. Conclusions: The methods and materials presented here allow for the identification of novel reagents designed to target retinal ganglion cells and/or photoreceptors in a species that is phylogenetically and anatomically similar to human. These techniques will enable screening of intravitreally- delivered AAV capsid libraries for variants with increased tropism for PRs and/or RGCs and the evaluation of vector tropism and/or cellular promoter activity of gene therapy vectors in a clinically relevant species.
Altering and investigating the surfactant properties of graphene oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) is a two-dimensional material with a hydrophobic carbon lattice functionalized with hydrophilic oxygen groups on the edges and basal plane. Its hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature allows it to behave as a surfactant, stabilizing emulsions of oil in water. In the investigation described here, we study GO’s emulsifying ability by using it to template the polymerization of polystyrene while tuning the hydrophobicity and degree of oxidation of the GO sheets. SEM, TGA, optical microscopy, acoustic spectroscopy, and digital image analysis are used to characterize the system. The size of the GO templated PS spheres is found to be a function of the amount of GO in the system, with too little GO resulting in PS spheres with no GO shell. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the sheets is shown to lead to the formation of inverse emulsions, while increasing the graphitic character of the GO results in distorted styrene droplets as the GO sheets become more planar and less able to conform to a smoothly curving interface.
Biopsy for Spine Infection

1. To review the clinical evaluation of suspected spine infection 2. To learn the role of image-guided percutaneous spine biopsy during clinical management 3. To introduce specific biopsy techniques and tools for the proper performance of image-guided percutaneous spine biopsy
Screening the Molecular Framework Underlying Local Dendritic mRNA Translation

. Abstract In the last decade, bioinformatic analyses of high-throughput proteomics and transcriptomics data have enabled researchers to gain insight into the molecular networks that may underlie lasting changes in synaptic efficacy. Development and utilization of these techniques have advanced the field of learning and memory significantly. It is now possible to move from the study of activity-dependent changes of a single protein to modeling entire network changes that require local protein synthesis. This data revolution has necessitated the development of alternative computational and statistical techniques to analyze and understand the patterns contained within. Thus, the focus of this review is to provide a synopsis of the journey and evolution toward big data techniques to address still unanswered questions regarding how synapses are modified to strengthen neuronal circuits. We first review the seminal studies that demonstrated the pivotal role played by local mRNA translation as the mechanism underlying the enhancement of enduring synaptic activity. In the interest of those who are new to the field, we provide a brief overview of molecular biology and biochemical techniques utilized for sample preparation to identify locally translated proteins using RNA sequencing and proteomics, as well as the computational approaches used to analyze these data. While many mRNAs have been identified, few have been shown to be locally synthesized. To this end, we review techniques currently being utilized to visualize new protein synthesis, a task that has proven to be the most difficult aspect of the field. Finally, we provide examples of future applications to test the physiological relevance of locally synthesized proteins identified by big data approaches.
Radiographic predictors of response to endoluminal brachytherapy for the treatment of rectal cancer

Endoluminal brachytherapy (EBT) has been shown to be an effective neoadjuvant monotherapy for rectal adenocarcinoma. Radiographic predictors of response are used to guide treatment in rectal cancer; however, no predictors of response to EBT have been identified. This is a single-institutional prospective study from 2010 to 2013. Analysis included 17 patients undergoing EBT and 13 patients undergoing conventional external beam chemoradiation (CRT). Clinical response to therapy was assessed with serial MRI and PET/CT variables. Pathological response to therapy was assessed using tumor regression grade (TRG) and compared with clinical response. EBT and CRT patients did not differ with respect to age, sex, race, carcinoembryonic antigen, or clinical stage of disease. There was a similar rate of pathologic complete response for both groups, with a trend towards more TRG 0 with EBT compared with CRT (35.3% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.08). Four days of EBT resulted in a significantly greater reduction in tumor volume on MRI than did CRT (92.7% vs. 63.1%, p = 0.004). Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, change in peak standardized uptake value was the best predictor for complete pathologic response in EBT patients (sensitivity 67%, specificity 82%). False-positive findings for nodal disease on MRI were seen in 59% of EBT patients and 23% of CRT patients. This study demonstrates that EBT is an effective alternative with similar response rates to CRT. However, the inability of MRI and PET/CT to discern reactive from malignant tumor and nodes may pose limitations in their use for guiding further therapy. Larger randomized studies are needed.
Impact of lifetime traumatic experiences on suicidality and likelihood of conversion in a cohort of individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis

Recent research suggests that trauma history (TH) is a strong socio-environmental risk factor for the development of psychosis. While reported rates of childhood trauma are higher among individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis than in the general population, little research has explored the effects of trauma upon the severity of attenuated positive symptoms. We aimed to explore the specific relationships between TH and baseline symptom severity; likelihood of conversion to full-blown psychosis; suicidal ideation (SI); and suicidal behavior (SB) in a cohort of 200 help-seeking CHR individuals. Participants were evaluated every three months for up to two years using the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS). More trauma history was reported by females and Hispanic/Latino participants, while age and race did not significantly distinguish those with and without TH. Individuals with TH reported higher rates of SI and SB than those without. While TH was positively associated with several SIPS subscales, including Unusual Thought Content, Perceptual Abnormalities/Hallucinations, Bizarre Thinking, Sleep Disturbances, and Dysphoric Mood, and negatively associated with Expressed Emotion, results indicated that TH was not significantly related to conversion to psychosis. Moreover, baseline SI was unrelated to conversion and baseline DSM diagnosis, with the exception of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These results suggest that traumatic experiences may significantly impact the severity of attenuated positive symptoms and suicidality in the CHR state, providing new windows for further research and potential intervention.
Acute sensitization of leukemia cells to vinblastine by small-molecule inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins

4386 Chemotherapeutic agents induce alterations in intracellular signal transduction cascades that culminate in the activation of BH3-only proteins and ultimately initiation of the apoptotic program. Here, the relationship between the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins and apoptosis in ML-1, NB4, and THP-1 leukemia cells treated with vinblastine (VB) was investigated. VB dissociates microtubules and usually induces M phase arrest prior to cell death. In ML-1 cells, the onset and extent of apoptotic cell death induced by VB (or other vinca alkaloids) can be dramatically enhanced by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway with PD98059. This rapid induction of apoptosis is dependent on Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and occurs at all phases of the cell cycle. No sensitization was seen with paclitaxel which failed to activate JNK. Incubation with VB rapidly induces Mcl-1 in an ERK-dependent manner, while the levels of Bcl-2 remain unchanged; Bcl-X L is minimally expressed. To confirm that Mcl-1 protects ML-1 cells from VB, we combined VB with GX15-070 (obatoclax), a small-molecule inhibitor of Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-X L . The cells were acutely sensitized to VB by the addition of GX15-070 with 100% of cells undergoing apoptosis within 6 hours. In NB4 cells, VB only slightly induces Mcl-1 but no induction is seen in THP-1 cells. Additionally, neither NB4 nor THP-1 cells were sensitized to VB by either PD98059 or GX15-070, the latter possibly because Bcl-X L has been reported as a mechanism of resistance to GX15-070. Accordingly, we postulated that the NB4 and THP-1 cells might be using Bcl-2 or Bcl-X L for protection from VB. We incubated the cell lines with ABT-737, a small molecule inhibitor of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L , but not Mcl-1. ABT-737 acutely sensitized the NB4 cells to VB, with almost 100% apoptosis within 4 hours. Neither ML-1 nor THP-1 cells were sensitized by ABT-737. The lack of sensitization in ML-1 cells is consistent with expression of Mcl-1 as a known mechanism of resistance to ABT-737, but the reason for the lack of response in THP-1 cells remains to be determined. The results demonstrate that the efficacy of vinca alkaloids may be dramatically increased when combined with an appropriate inhibitor of the particular Bcl-2 proteins that each tumor uses to protect itself. Furthermore, as these drug combinations convert the M phase-dependent activity of vinca alkaloids to a cell cycle phase-independent cell death, these combinations may enhance killing of quiescent cancer cells.
Dangers of outpatient nimodipine use after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in accordance with the Comprehensive Stroke Center guidelines.

Abstract Despite the adverse effects and unclear benefit of the complete 21-day course of nimodipine therapy, The Joint Commission mandates adherence to nimodipine treatment for 21 days after hemorrhage or after hospital discharge if discharged within 21 days for Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification. We hereby present a 67 year-old male patient with Hunt-Hess grade 2 and Fisher grade 3 non-aneurysmal spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage who was discharged with oral nimodipine as stipulated by the CSC guidelines, and subsequently developed symptomatic hypotension. This report underscores the danger of outpatient nimodipine use and questions the optimal length of nimodipine therapy, especially in patients with low risk of vasospasm. Future studies, including randomized controlled trials and cost-effectiveness studies, are necessary to clarify the benefit of 21-day nimodipine therapy compared to a shortened duration of nimodipine.
Solved Problems in Organic Reaction Mechanisms

$${\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{{\rm{O}}^ - } + {{\rm{H}}^ + } \to {\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{OH}}$$ (1.) A curved arrow will be used throughout this book to symbolize electron movement. For the sake of avoiding confusion it is important to have the arrows go from regions of high electron density to regions of low electron density: Open image in new window
Massage Techniques in Rehabilitation Medicine

Massage is an ancient practice that has been integrally incorporated into the management of disease and the maintenance of health across cultures and throughout time. This article discusses the history of massage and the present techniques in practice. The presumed therapeutic effects of massage and the scientific basis to support these ideas are examined. Reported contraindications and complications of massage are reviewed. Scientific research and current trends in the therapeutic use of massage are presented.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detection of Prostate Cancer Metastatic to Bone

AbstractThe diagnosis of prostate cancer metastatic to bone currently is made with plain x-rays, radionuclide bone scans, and acid and alkaline phosphatases. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 18 patients with known prostate cancer to resolve conflicting evidence of metastases found on bone scans, plain films and serum enzyme determinations. Of 8 bone scans interpreted as positive MRI was read as negative for metastatic disease in 2. Of 5 negative bone scans 1 MRI study was interpreted as positive. All 5 equivocal bone scans demonstrated no osseous lesions on MRI. In addition, in 6 patients with evidence of bone metastases the serial MRI scans following hormonal therapy demonstrated radiographic and clinical improvement. We conclude that MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer when other radiographic examinations are enigmatic and that MRI can be used to determine the response to hormonal treatment.
SIGNIFICANCE OF MONOCYTE CHEMOATTRACTANT PROTEIN-1, THYROID HORMONES AND OTHER CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Objective: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disease occurred throw genital period of women depends on the age, genetic factors, and ethnicity. Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) has been implicated in the metabolic disturbances and menstrual irregularities. Methods: In the biochemical test, the blood was collected in plain tubes then separated by centrifugation. Serum was collected in test tubes then, MCP, haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), fasting blood glucose (FBG), urea, creatinine, prolactin, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay and relevant clinical features were collected simultaneously in all subjects. Results: The results showed no significant increased in means of age, body mass index in PCOS women (patients) when compared with healthy subjects (control groups) also there was no significant decreased in levels of Hb, PCV while increased in FBG, urea and creatinine in PCOS women when compared with healthy subjects. In addition, mean of LH and 17 β-Estradiol were no significant increased except the significantly increased in the ratio of LH/FSH, prolactin, and testosterone, while FSH was significantly decreased in PCOS women when compared with healthy subjects. Levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were found significantly decreased while an increased level of TSH when compared with healthy subjects. Finally, MCP-1 was showed significantly increased in PCOS women when compared with healthy subjects. Conclusions: It can be concluded that PCOS women might suffer from changes in the levels of MCP-1(an inflammation marker). Besides, it was detected that TSH might be responsible related metabolic disturbances could be related to TSH and MCP which can be considered as relevant features in such disturbances.
B-type natriuretic peptide is associated with remodeling and exercise capacity after transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND We aimed to assess longitudinal changes of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients treated by transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS From our TAVR database, we identified 193 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic AS who underwent TAVR and were prospectively followed using serial BNP levels and echocardiography. Patients were divided into subgroups according to type of left ventricular (LV) remodeling as having normal LV mass and relative wall thickness, or showing concentric remodeling (CR), concentric hypertrophy (CH), and eccentric hypertrophy (EH). RESULTS At baseline, 30 patients (16%) had EH, 115 (60%) had CH, 37 (19%) had CR, and 11 (6%) had normal LV geometry. After TAVR, BNP decreased in the first 30 days, with further improvement during follow-up. Patients with EH had higher BNP at baseline (P < 0.01) and a greater subsequent decrease (P < 0.001). During the median follow-up of 1331 days (interquartile range: 632-1678), 119 (62%) patients died. BNP showed a time-dependent association with all-cause mortality both in a univariable (hazards ratio [HR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.47, P = 0.017), and in a multivariable model with Society of Thoracic Surgeons score and baseline BNP forced into the analysis (HR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.001-1.73, P = 0.049). Elevated BNP was associated with a larger LV end-diastolic volume index (P < 0.001) and shorter 6-minute walk test distance (P = 0.013) throughout follow-up. CONCLUSION In patients with AS, BNP was associated with LV remodeling phenotypes and functional status before and after TAVR. Elevated BNP levels were associated with poor prognosis.
Structure and dynamics of forests dominated by Sequoiadendron giganteum

Abstract The largest tree species, Sequoiadendron giganteum has a small native range restricted to California’s Sierra Nevada. Awe-inspiring stature contributed to its protection from logging, but anthropogenic climate change—particularly hotter drought—and over a century of fire suppression are possible threats. We measured 60 trees in seven forests to improve allometric equations for the species and installed five 1-ha plots to quantify biomass of Sequoiadendron and associated vegetation. Plots were re-measured after 5 yr to compute biomass increments and examine effects of management history as well as impacts of recent drought. Forests held up to 2683 Mg ha−1 aboveground biomass (1373 Mg C ha−1) and had leaf area index (LAI) up to 14.5 with Sequoiadendron accounting for the bulk of biomass but not LAI. Live trees of other species contributed up to 10.6 LAI and had biomass increments up to 6.1 Mg ha−1 yr−1, but drought contributed to tree mortality in three plots, where live biomass declined by 6.2–10.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1. Two plots had very little tree mortality and gained 5.5–7.9 Mg ha−1 yr−1. Sequoiadendron productivity was strongly correlated with tree-level photosynthetic capacity, but at the height of the drought, relative growth—expressed as the ratio of biomass produced during the driest and wettest recent years—correlated positively with site productivity and negatively with both vertical distance to water and presumed competition from neighboring trees. Prescribed fire in one plot caused a growth release in trees whose lower trunks were burnt and small neighboring Abies lowiana were killed. Effects of 21st century drought on Sequoiadendron productivity were greater in northern than southern locations but of lesser magnitude than many past events. No Sequoiadendron recruitment was observed. Planting can overcome the species’ dependence on fire for regeneration, and Sequoiadendron has great potential for carbon sequestration in a variety of settings, including commercial forestry.
Model-free posterior inference on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve

Abstract The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) serves as a summary of a binary classifier’s performance. For inference on the AUC, a common modeling assumption is binormality, which restricts the distribution of the score produced by the classifier. However, this assumption introduces an infinite-dimensional nuisance parameter and may be restrictive in certain machine learning settings. To avoid making distributional assumptions, and to avoid the computational challenges of a fully nonparametric analysis, we develop a direct and model-free Gibbs posterior distribution for inference on the AUC. We present the asymptotic Gibbs posterior concentration rate, and a strategy for tuning the learning rate so that the corresponding credible intervals achieve the nominal frequentist coverage probability. Simulation experiments and a real data analysis demonstrate the Gibbs posterior’s strong performance compared to existing Bayesian methods.
Zeolite and Prehnite - Pumpellyite Facies Metamorphism: Its Diversity

Burial metamorphism, usually in the zeolite and prehnite-pumpellyite fades, takes place in the lowest temperature part of regional and ocean-floor meta-morphic terranes, though occasionally it results in apparently independent small metamorphic areas. Rocks of the zeolite and prehnite-pumpellyite facies in all geologic settings will be treated together in chapters 6a and 6b for the following three reasons: (a) Comparison of burial metamorphism in different geologic settings is instructive; (b) The limited variation in the chemical composition of rocks which are extensively recrystallized under burial metamorphism means that they can hardly be treated in terms of the compositional classification which will be used in our treatment of regional metamorphic rocks in chapters 7, 8 and 9; (c) Many regional metamorphic terranes have no burial metamorphic part, and hence burial metamorphism may well be treated separately for convenience.
Unique presentation of occult breast cancer with uterine cervix metastasis

We are reporting a case of occult breast cancer (OBC) diagnosed via biopsy of an asymptomatic cervical mass. While non-OBC has occasionally been reported as metastatic to the uterine cervix, OBC never has, to our knowledge. Awareness of this presentation can be beneficial for a more expedite diagnosis and treatment.
Long term survival after lung transplantation: A single center experience.

Background There are approximately 2000 lung transplants performed across the United States annually. There is limited data to identify factors predictive of long-term survival. Objective We evaluated 10-year survivors after lung transplant to determine predictors of long-term survival. Methods Data were collected from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry database from a single institution. Inclusion criteria were: patients who received a lung transplant between 1989 and 2005. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and survival outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Three hundred sixty-one patients received a lung transplant between 1989 and 2005, and 77 patients survived at least 10 years (21%). Diagnoses at the time of transplant included: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema 45 (58.4%), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 12 (15.6%), alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency 6 (7.8%), cystic fibrosis 4 (5.2%), primary pulmonary hypertension 2 (2.6%), and Eisenmenger's syndrome 1 (1.3%). Seventy-four recipients (96.10%) were Caucasian; 46 (59.74%) were female. Age at the time of transplant ranged from 19 to 67 years (mean 50.8; median 52). Forty-two patients (54.5%) were double lung recipients. Survival ranged from 10.0 to 21.9 years (mean 15.5y; median 15.48y). Forty-two (54.5%) subjects are currently alive; the most common causes of death included: chronic rejection (20%), and infection (17.14%). Conclusions Ten-year survivors were significantly younger, weighed less, and had significantly shorter lengths of hospitalization after transplantation. Bilateral lung transplantation was a significant factor in prolonged survival. Survival also improved with institutional experience.
Longitudinal Monitoring of Gd-DTPA Following Convection Enhanced Delivery in the Brainstem

Background Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) has been introduced into contemporary therapeutic strategies for incurable brain neoplasms as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Therapeutic benefit in part is predictably dependent on drug distribution within tumors. However, therapeutics can rarely be detected through conventional imaging techniques. Coinfusion of the tracer gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentacetate (Gd-DTPA) has been advocated to monitor drug distributive features including volume, tumor coverage, and efflux during and after administration. The kinetics of Gd-DTPA are unclear as longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging is rarely performed. Understanding these changes would have important implications related to the timing of diagnostic imaging and reliance on tracers as surrogates of pharmacokinetic drug monitoring. Case Description The behavior of Gd-DTPA as a surrogate is presented in a time-dependent fashion as measured by repeated magnetic resonance imaging based on the case of a child with recurrent diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma treated with an oncolytic virus (ICOVIR-5) delivered by CED with coinfused Gd-DTPA (1 mM, for a volume of 2000 μL). Initial Vd/Vi was 1.46. Gd-DTPA was observed up to 18 hours post CED but not thereafter. Conclusions This longitudinal imaging assessment provides a rare opportunity to better characterize the kinetics of surrogate tracers delivered by CED to the brainstem, highlighting the importance of immediate and longitudinal monitoring.
Collaborative Innovation in the Public Sector

Government agencies across the globe face complex problems that require innovative solutions that must satisfy diverse stakeholders. A collaborative approach may be the only viable option to avoid ...
Temperature and food availability alters the physiology and aerobic capacity of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

Abstract Fish of the Amazon experience both daily and seasonal variation in temperature and food availability. In the present work, we investigated the influence of nutrient status changes resulting from feeding Colossoma macropomum five flooded forest fruits on aerobic and swimming performance. To assess the effects of diet, three groups of fish were provided different types of food. One group of was provided with commercial feed, another was given fruit feed, and the last group was not fed. The effects of temperature were tested by keeping half of each group of animals at either 26 °C or 33°C for 30 days. After this period, the animals were transferred to either a respiratory chamber or swimming tunnel. Then, tissues were collected for relevant analyses. Results showed that C. macropomum depresses aerobic metabolism when food is withheld (27% reduction in ṀO2), and observed effects were intensified at the highest temperature (40% reduction in ṀO2 at 33 °C). Further, increased temperature negatively influenced hematological (Ht, Hb, VCM), biochemical (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol), hepatossomatic index and enzymatic (MDH and CS in white muscle) parameters. The animals feeding commercial and fruits enriched diets, have a physiological and biological advantage when compared to the unfed animals at both temperatures. Metabolic suppression is an important strategy for maintaining swimming capacity in C. macropomum. It is suggested that even after a long period of fasting, carbohydrates are important energetic substrates.
Chapter 2 - Three-Membered Ring Systems

This chapter covers the chemistry of three-membered heterocycles, epoxides, aziridines, azirines, and oxaziridines for the calendar year 2012. For each of the different three-membered heterocycles, a listing of new methods of synthesis and new examples of reactions are presented. This review is not comprehensive for 2012 but covers methods and reactions that should be synthetically useful for the practicing chemist and those interested in the study of three-membered heterocyclic ring systems.
The Role of Carotid Sinus Nerve Input in the Hypoxic-Hypercapnic Ventilatory Response in Juvenile Rats.

In juvenile rats, the carotid body (CB) is the primary sensor of oxygen (O2) and a secondary sensor of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. The CB communicates to the respiratory pattern generator via the carotid sinus nerve, which terminates within the commissural nucleus tractus solitarius (cNTS). While this is not the only peripheral chemosensory pathway in juvenile rodents, we hypothesize that it has a unique role in determining the interaction between O2 and CO2, and consequently, the response to hypoxic-hypercapnic gas challenges. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the ventilatory responses to a poikilocapnic hypoxic (HX) gas challenge, a hypercapnic (HC) gas challenge or a hypoxic-hypercapnic (HH) gas challenge in juvenile rats, and (2) the roles of CSN chemoafferents in the interactions between HX and HC signaling in these rats. Studies were performed on conscious, freely-moving juvenile (P25) male Sprague Dawley rats that underwent sham-surgery (SHAM) or bilateral transection of the carotid sinus nerves (CSNX) 4 days previously. Rats were placed in whole-body plethysmographs to record ventilatory parameters (frequency of breathing, tidal volume and minute ventilation). After acclimatization, they were exposed to HX (10% O2, 90% N2), HC (5% CO2, 21% O2, 74% N2) or HH (5% CO2, 10% O2, 85% N2) gas challenges for 5 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of room-air. The major findings were: (1) the HX, HC and HH challenges elicited robust ventilatory responses in SHAM rats; (2) ventilatory responses elicited by HX alone and HC alone were generally additive in SHAM rats, (3) the ventilatory responses to HX, HC and HH were markedly attenuated in CSNX rats compared to SHAM rats, and (4) ventilatory responses elicited by HX alone and HC alone were not additive in CSNX rats. Although the rats responded to HX after CSNX, CB chemoafferent input was necessary for the combined response to HH challenge. Thus, secondary peripheral chemoreceptors do not compensate for the loss of chemoreceptor input from the CB in juvenile rats.
Machine learning methods for power line outage identification

Abstract As Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) become widely deployed, power systems can take advantage of the large amount of data provided by PMUs and leverage the advances in big data analytics to improve real-time monitoring and diagnosis. In this paper, we develop practical analytics that are not tightly coupled with the power flow analysis and state estimation, as these tasks require detailed and accurate information about the power system. We focus on power line outage identification, and use a machine learning framework to locate line outages. The same framework is used for the prediction of both single line and multiple line outages. We investigate a range of machine learning algorithms and feature extraction methods. The algorithms are designed to capture the essential dynamic characteristics of the power system when the topology change occurs abruptly. The proposed methods use only voltage phasor angles obtained by continuously monitoring the buses. We tested the proposed methods on their prediction performance under different levels of noise and missingness. It is shown that the proposed methods have better tolerance for noisy data and incomplete data when compared to the previous work that involves solving power flow equations or state estimation equations.
We Don't Need Your Permission: The Era of Non-Affiliated Student Activism

Student activism, just like any social movement, cycles through times of great excitment and visibility and times of near invisibility. The early 21st Century has been filled with new social movements in communities across the world and on campuses as well. These new student movements take up bold ideas and actions but from a different positionality than those before. In this paper, I explore the nature of new student movements in California through an ongoing ethnographic research project. In particular, this paper focuses on how student groups are using their identities and material experiences to draw on positionality in their work for justice. By positioning themselves outside of traditional student organizational relationships with universities, these student activists come from a position of greater freedom. But at what cost?
Response to Comment on "Structural evidence for a dynamic metallocofactor during N2 reduction by Mo-nitrogenase".

Peters et al. comment on our report of the dynamic structure of the nitrogenase metallocofactor during N2 reduction. Their claim that their independent structural refinement and consideration of biochemical data contradict our finding is incorrect and is strongly refuted by our biochemical and structural data that collectively and conclusively point to the binding of dinitrogen species to the nitrogenase cofactor.
Flood Mapping Using UAVSAR and Convolutional Neural Networks

We have mapped flooded areas in data collected by the NASA/JPL Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) using two convolutional neural network (CNN) image classifier architectures: U-Net and SegNet. Our study area was a region around Houston, TX, USA affected by widespread flooding in 2017 due to Hurricane Harvey. To train and test the classifiers, we manually labelled over 10000 image segments in two flight lines. Both U-Net and SegNet yielded higher accuracy than a previous non-machine learning classifier we used as a baseline. U-Net had slightly higher accuracy than SegNet. The classifiers performed better in areas with more homogeneous land cover. To independently validate the classifier accuracy we used NOAA aerial imagery, with overall accuracy around 80%. Future work includes assessing the classifier robustness in other study areas, assessing the classifier dependence on UAVSAR incidence angle, particularly for open water and bare ground, and collecting more training data, particularly in urban areas. This study demonstrates the potential of CNN image classifiers for mapping flooded areas in airborne polarimetric SAR imagery, and for land cover classification of polarimetric SAR imagery more generally.
An Effective Simulation Methodology of Quantum Nanostructures based on Model Order Reduction

A quantum simulation methodology developed previously based on model order reduction is applied to a 2D nanostructure. The approach is derived from proper orthogonal decomposition that projects the nanostructure from its physical domain onto a function space represented by a finite set of POD modes. Numerical solution data of the wave function are collected from the Schrodinger equation to adapt the variation of the energy band induced by electric fields. The POD modes generated from the data are thus able to account for the variation of electric field. Two different models based on different training methods are explored. Their efficacy and accuracy are investigated.
Energy Efficiency and Management in Food Processing Facilities

Fundamentals of Engineering Analysis and Management Fundamentals of Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics in Food Processing Fundamentals of Energy Auditing Sustainability in the Food Industry Energy Conservation Technologies Applied to Food Processing Facilities Energy Conservation in Steam Generation and Consumption System Energy Conservation in Compressed Air System Energy Conservation in Power and Electrical Systems Energy Conservation in Heat Exchangers Waste-Heat Recovery and Thermal Energy Storage in Food Processing Facilities Novel Thermodynamic Cycles Applied to the Food Industry for Improved Energy Efficiency Energy Consumption and Saving Opportunities in Existing Food Processing Facilities Energy Consumption in the Food Processing Industry Energy Conservation in Grains and Oilseeds Milling Facilities Energy Conservation in Sugar and Confectionary Processing Facilities Energy Conservation in Fruit and Vegetable Processing Facilities Energy Conservation in Dairy Processing Facilities Energy Conservation in Meat Processing Facilities Energy Conservation in Bakery Processing Facilities Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Emerging Food Processing Systems Membrane Processing of Foods Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Food Irradiation Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Pulsed Electric Fields Treatment Energy Efficiency and Conservation in High-Pressure Food Processing Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Microwave Heating Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Supercritical Fluid Processing Conversion of Food Processing Wastes into Energy Food Processing Wastes and Utilizations Anaerobic Digestion of Food Processing Wastes Fermentation of Food Processing Wastes into Transportation Alcohols Biodiesel Production from Waste Oils and Fats Thermochemical Conversion of Food Processing Wastes for Energy Utilization
Rouse & Ince’s History of Hydraulics (1959)

To review this book is difficult in view of its circumstances: (1) it may be regarded as an explanation of hydraulic concepts in their historical origin, written by hydraulic engineers and for hydraulic engineers; (2) it is the first serious attempt, in any language, to cover justly the whole development of hydraulics from the practice of antiquity down to the theory and experiments of living scientists; and (3) it may be regarded as a contribution to the history of science itself. In respect to (1), it is surely excellent; to (2), commendable; to (3), something less.
Insight into the Mechanism of Gender-specific Response to Trauma-hemorrhage

Gender-based differences in patient response to injury/disease have long been recognized both in clinical and experimental settings [1, 2]. Despite this, some remain skeptical on the role of gender in the overall outcome of patients [1, 3]. From an analysis of more than 150,000 trauma patients, it was concluded that male patients are at higher risk of death as compared to female patients following blunt trauma [4]. Similarly, other studies have also indicated that females are more resistant to sepsis as compared to males [5, 6]. However, gender was not found to be a significant factor in the outcome of trauma patients in some other studies [7, 8]. Thus, the role of gender in the outcome of trauma patients remains somewhat controversial. In contrast, the findings from experimental studies clearly indicate that gender plays a critical role in the host response to major injury [1, 2]. These studies have shown that immune and cardiovascular functions are suppressed following trauma-hemorrhage in mature males, ovariectomized and aged females, while both immune and cardiac functions are maintained in proestrus females under those conditions [1, 3, 9, 10]. Similarly, liver functions following trauma-hemorrhage were depressed in males, but were maintained in proestrus females. Moreover, the survival rate of proestrus females subjected to sepsis after trauma-hemorrhage is significantly higher than age-matched males or ovariectomized females. In this chapter, we will review studies delineating the potential mechanisms by which male and female sex hormones influence immune and other organ functions following trauma-hemorrhage.
Studies in human myometrium during pregnancy

Summary Tissue electrolyte levels were determined in human myometrium, and the placental site compared with the antiplacental. Differences in the sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium contents were noted between these two areas, a difference with respect to each ion which shifted with the dura tion of pregnancy.
Biomaterials, Testing and Structural Properties of

Previous studies have shown that the porous hydroxyapatite (HA) is bioactive and can be and used as a bone substitute in hard tissue prosthetics. However, the weak mechanical properties of HA are the primary obstacles to its applications. One approach to have a bone substitute with both required mechanical strength and bioactivity would be improve the bioactivity of some strong substrates. To this end, two major deposition methods, suspension method, and thermal deposition method, were employed in this work in which HA was uniformly coated onto the surfaces of highly porous and strong substrate of alumina. In suspension method, finely ground HA powders were mixed in an organic solvent and a binder to form suspension for coatings. In the thermal decomposition method, calcium 2-ethyl hexanoate and bis(2-ethyhexyl) phosphite were used as starting materials. Both techniques have proved to be effective in forming an adherent coating of HA onto a porous alumina substrate. The adherent strength of the HA coating is satisfactory for bone replacements. The thermal decomposition method, in comparison to the HA–glass suspension technique, eliminates all glasses (as sintering aids) that are not bioactive. Mechanical properties, interfacial adhesion behaviors, structural properties, and bioactive behaviors are studied using mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The coated HA layer bonds strongly to the substrate through interface diffusion, and the layer is microstructurally and chemically uniform on the surfaces of the interconnected pores in the matrix of the substrate. The mechanical property testing results demonstrate that porous substrates with HA coating are much stronger than porous substrate made of pure HA. The compressive strength of the HA composite reaches 10 MPa, a value 10 times higher than that of porous HA. The in vitro bioactivity of HA coating on promoting the calcium phosphate deposition was affected by both structural crystallinity and specific surface area. High temperature sintering inevitably changes the crystallinity of the coated HA, and in turn affects its bioactivity. Well-crystallized HA that is heat treated at high temperatures has resulted in a reduced bioactivity. The bio reaction rate was found to increase with the surface area of HA. The stability of the well crystallized HA is associated with the high driving force required for the formation of hydroxy-carbonate apatite (HCA) phase. These results indicate a high potential for structural bone substitutes in the hard tissue prosthetics. Keywords: transplantation; suspension method; thermal deposition method; bioactivity; temperature dependence
A monoclonal antibody (AE3.d3) with mitogenic properties for murine B cells.

A monoclonal antibody, AE3.d3, derived from the fusion of rat splenocytes immunized against mouse brain with the myeloma SP2, has been produced, which has the property of inducing the proliferation of mouse lymphocytes. The mitogenic effect is highest in spleen and lymph node cells, where up to a 10-fold stimulation of 3H-TdR incorporation is observed. B lymphocytes are the most susceptible to this proliferative stimulus, and they are induced to differentiate into plaque-forming cells. T lymphocytes and "null" cells (defined by the absence of Thy-1 or Ig on their surface) do proliferate, although to a smaller extent. The T cell subpopulation, isolated from either spleen or thymus, requires additional "helper factors" in order to proliferate. The mitogenic response is not genetically restricted by H-2 type, and strains such as C3H/HeJ and CBA/N, in which B cell function is defective, as well as T cell-deficient strains such as BALB/c nude mice, are capable of responding to the stimulus of AE3.d3. Using immunofluorescence, we also examined the distribution of AE3.d3-positive cells in various lymphoid organs. The highest percentage of stained cells is found in the spleen (approximately 28%) and lymph node (18%), whereas only 14% of the bone marrow and 5% of the cells of the thymus are brightly stained with AE3.d3.
A Review of: “Paul Baines, Ed. (2011). Political Marketing, Volumes I, II, and III.”

The field of political marketing was born of a marriage between marketing and political science. While this birth was relatively recent (Baines places it in the 1970s), the field's quick maturation...
Ligand-specific dimerization of the extracellular domain of the bovine growth hormone receptor

The bovine growth hormone (bGH) receptor and its extracellular domain (bGHBP) bind two protein hormones with high affinity; bGH and bovine placental lactogen (bPL). However, each of these hormones bind with a different stoichiometry. bGH binds to the bGHBP in a 1:2 ratio while bPL binds in a 1:1 ratio. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding yields similar apparent dissociation constants (Kd) for bGH and bPL of 1.4 x 10(-11) M and 3.0 x 10(-11) M, respectively, for the membrane receptor and 6.8 x 10(-11) M and 4.2 x 10(-11) M, respectively, for bGHBP. In competition experiments using either liver membranes or bGHBP, bGH is 2-3-fold more effective than bPL in competing for 125I-bGH-binding sites. In similar experiments using 125I-bPL, bPL is 50-fold more effective than bGH in competing for binding sites. A rat monoclonal antibody raised against bGHBP competes effectively for 125I-bGH-binding sites, but not for 125I-bPL-binding sites. Since bPL cannot dimerize the bGHBP and yet it acts in part as a somatogen in vivo, homodimerization of the growth hormone receptor is apparently not essential for some biological responses signaled through this receptor.
Growth Factor Identity Is Encoded by Discrete Coiled-Coil Rotamers in the EGFR Juxtamembrane Region

Binding of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) extracellular domain is encoded through the formation of a unique antiparallel coiled coil within the juxtamembrane segment. This new coiled coil is an "inside-out" version of the coiled coil formed in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). A third, intermediary coiled-coil interface is formed in the juxtamembrane region when EGFR is stimulated with betacellulin. The seven growth factors that activate EGFR in mammalian systems (EGF, TGF-α, epigen, epiregulin, betacellulin, heparin-binding EGF, and amphiregulin) fall into distinct categories in which the structure of the coiled coil induced within the juxtamembrane region correlates with cell state. The observation that coiled-coil state tracks with the downstream signaling profiles for each ligand provides evidence for growth factor functional selectivity by EGFR. Encoding growth factor identity in alternative coiled-coil rotamers provides a simple and elegant method for communicating chemical information across the plasma membrane.
A Survey of Decentralize Control Techniques for Large Space Structures

Preliminary results on the design of decentralized controllers for the COFS I Mast are reported. A nine mode finite element model is used along with second order model of the actuators. It is shown that without actuator dynamics, the system is stable with collocated rate feedback and has acceptable performance. However, when actuator dynamics are included, the system is unstable.
A Review of “The Philosophy of David Lynch”

With a self-proclaimed interest in Eastern philosophy and a penchant for making movies with abstract plots and dream-like logic, David Lynch is a filmmaker whose work makes more sense on a philosop...
Non-linear waveguide-fed slot antenna array: Analysis and synthesis

A four-element slot antenna array is analysed to be used as a reference for newly designed antennas. The proposed antennas have a symmetric and uniplanar geometry with both curved convex and concave (parabolic and hyperbolic) micros trips. The antennas are excited by a coplanar waveguide (CPW) and the basic structure consists of 4 slots etched on the conducting plane of the CPW and placed in the direction perpendicular to the transmission line. Numerical results are compared to those for the linear coplanar waveguide. Simulation have been carried out by a program called IE3D using the Method of Moments.