cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Sugar Beet Host Resistance and Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-2 IIIB Strains

Strausbaugh, C. A., Eujayl, I. A., and Panella, L. W. 2013. Interaction of sugar beet host resistance and Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-2 IIIB strains. Plant Dis. 97:1175-1180. Rhizoctonia crown and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani can cause serious economic losses in sugar beet fields. Preliminary evidence suggests that there could be interactions between different strains and resistance sources. Thus, field studies were conducted to determine whether nine R. solani AG-2-2 IIIB strains varied for virulence when compared with a noninoculated check and interacted with five sugar beet lines (four resistant lines and a susceptible check). The studies were arranged in a randomized complete block design with six replications. Roots were evaluated for surface rot and internal fungal and bacterial rot in September. All strains were virulent on the susceptible check, FC901/C817, and had a similar ranking (r = 0.80 to 0.97; P = 0.0096 to <0.0001) regardless of disease variable. Line FC709-2 was resistant (response not different from noninoculated check, P ≥ 0.1042) to all strains, while the strain responses resulted in weak interactions with less-resistant lines in 14 of 19 variable-year combinations. Because most commercial sugar beet cultivars contain low to intermediate resistance to Rhizoctonia crown and root rot, the strain used to screen should be considered in order to maintain consistent responses between nurseries and commercial fields. Rhizoctonia crown and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn can lead to yield losses of 50% or more in commercial sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) fields, affect sucrose losses in stored roots, and lead to difficulties in factory processing (6,17,33,36,39). Because R. solani strains form a species complex, strains have been further classified into subgroups known as anastomosis groups (AGs) and intraspecific groups (ISGs) (8,11,30). In Idaho, R. solani AG-2-2 IIIB is the primary AG and ISG associated with the most damaging rot in mature sugar beet roots (33). Recent Idaho studies have shown that the fungus is primarily limited to damaging the outer 3 to 5% of the root mass, while subsequent bacterial rot led by Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum (Bei
Ultrahigh strain response of field-actuated elastomeric polymers

Extremely large strains were achieved with elastomeric polymer films that are subject to high electric fields. The films were coated on both sides with complaint electrode material. When voltage was applied, the film compressed in thickness and expanded in area. The strain response is dominated by the electrostatic forces produced by the charges on the compliant electrodes. Actuated strains up to 117% were demonstrated with silicone elastomers, and up to 215% with acrylic elastomers. A key to achieving these large strains is to introduce a high prestrain to the film. Specific energy densities were much greater than those of other field-actuated materials. Because the response is electrostatic in nature, the actuation mechanism is predicted to be fast. Response speeds in excess of 2000 Hz have ben demonstrated in silicones. Acrylic response speeds are more than an order of magnitude slower, although the reason for this difference is not yet known. Measurement of material viscoelastic and electrical properties predicts that high efficiencies (> 80%) may be achieved with efficient driver circuits. A variety of actuators, including electrooptical devices, diaphragm pumps, and muscle like linear actuators, have been demonstrated with these materials, suggesting that this technology is well suited to small-scale electromechanical devices and robots.
Aging and immortality in a cell proliferation model

We investigate a model of cell division in which the length of telomeres within a cell regulates its proliferative potential. At each division, telomeres undergo a systematic length decrease as well as a superimposed fluctuation due to exchange of telomere DNA between the two daughter cells. A cell becomes senescent when one or more of its telomeres become shorter than a critical length. We map this telomere dynamics onto a biased branching-diffusion process with an absorbing boundary condition whenever any telomere reaches the critical length. Using first-passage ideas, we find a phase transition between finite lifetime and immortality (infinite proliferation) of the cell population as a function of the influence of telomere shortening, fluctuations, and cell division.
Three-dimensional elastic modeling by the Fourier method

Earlier work on three-dimensional forward modeling is extended to elastic waves using the equations of con­ servation of momentum and the stress-strain relations for an isotropic elastic medium undergoing infinitesimal deformation. In addition to arbitrary compressional (or P-wave) velocity and density variation in lateral and vertical directions, elastic modeling permits shear (or S-wave) velocity variation as well. The elastic wave equation is solved using a generalization of the method for the acoustic case. Computation of each time step begins by computing six strain components by per­ forming nine spatial partial differentiation operations on the three displacement components from the pre­ vious time step. The six strains and two Lame constants are linearly combined to yield six stress components.
Polarization mode control in high contrast subwavelength grating VCSEL

We experimentally demonstrate deterministic polarization mode control in VCSEL utilizing a single-layer high-index-contrast subwavelength grating mirror. Orthogonal polarization suppression ratio of 36 and 28 dB was obtained under both CW and large-signal pulsed operation.
Eigen design of quadrature mirror filters

This work presents a method for the design of quadrature mirror filters. A new frequency weighted stopband energy function is introduced, which leads to considerable flexibility in the design process. Unlike other techniques which involve searches and nonlinear optimization, our formulation reduces the design equations to an eigenvector problem. Furthermore, the resulting filters are regular and have additional desirable properties for applications to pyramidal coding of images, which together with DPCM, PCM, vector quantization, or zero-tree wavelet coding schemes leads to high compression ratios.
LIFE HISTORY CHARACTERISTICS SUPPORT SEPARATE ORIGINS OF D-DESIGNATION COLOR PATTERN CLASSES IN PARTHENOGENETIC ASPIDOSCELIS TESSELATA (SQUAMATA: TEIIDAE)

Abstract We compared several life history characteristics between 2 syntopic color pattern classes (Conchas C-E and Conchas D) of parthenogenetic Aspidoscelis tesselata from Conchas Lake, New Mexico. These pattern classes lacked significant differences in mean clutch size, mean size of gravid females, SVL frequency distributions of gravid females, and SVL frequency distributions of complete samples. We then compared the Conchas Lake assemblage to the other 2 pattern class assemblages (Higbee, Colorado, and Sumner Lake, New Mexico) whose life history characteristics had been previously reported. Comparisons of life history attributes within and between the 3 assemblages augment morphological and genetic evidence that each population of pattern class D was derived by mutation from individuals of pattern classes C or C-E in different geographic areas.
Saturday, August 14, 2010—Chicago, IL

On his ride back to Chicago, Saturday evening, Caleb wondered about the mysterious messages that Delta had received. He mused over the wording. For instance, the phone caller had said, ‘Stop what you’re doing,’ but not until after several hang up calls.
Reflections on the Past and Future of Polyether Elastomers and on Redox Emulsion Polymerization

Abstract I am greatly honored to have been selected to receive the prestigious Charles Goodyear Medal of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. My work in the rubber field falls into two general areas: (1) early discoveries on the redox emulsion polymerization of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and (2) polyether elastomers. I am perhaps best known for my work on polyether elastomers since I discovered, patented, and helped develop several families of polyether elastomers which were commercialized and are still important speciality elastomers. Most of my talk will be in that area. However, my SBR studies included my first important polymer-science discovery and preceded those who independently discovered the same systems and who were able to develop them commercially to the considerable advantage of our largest volume synthetic rubber, SBR. After briefly reviewing these past areas, I will give you my reflections on what important future developments for the rubber field could arise in the pol...
Martin Diamond's View of The Federalist

The only consolation for the early loss of Martin Diamond is the memory of his brilliant teaching and the permanent value of his published writings. One of the finest of these writings, "The Federalist's View of Federalism," is also a splendid momento of that teaching-memorable as such by students who were fortunate enough to hear the lectures (c. 1960) which Diamond derived from this essay before publishing it,' and recognizable as such even by those who were not Diamond's students through internal stylistic evidence ("let me indicate now," "notice the implication, " and other devices of the lecture-platform). 2 "The Federalist's View of Federalism, " then, has two great merits: it preserves in its style Diamond's remarkable ability to carry students with him through a complicated argument, and it offers in its substance the most careful, subtle and (often) witty treatment of The Federalist's federal theory that one can imagine.
Beyond the Roche ester: a new approach to polypropionate stereotriad synthesis.

An efficient, step-economical, and scalable approach to the synthesis of polypropionate stereotriads has been developed. Either 2-butyne or propyne is subjected to rhodium-catalyzed silylformylation and in situ crotylation of the resulting aldehydes. Tamao oxidation under either “standard” conditions or “aprotic” conditions then delivers the completed stereotriads in a three-step, two-pot sequence. In contrast to the classical Roche ester approach, the α-stereocenter is obtained for “free.”
Inhibition of amino acid incorporation in vitro by metabolites of 2-acetylaminofluorene and by certain nitroso compounds.

Summary2-Nitrosofluorene, 2-nitrosotolu-ene, and nitrosobenzene, at concentrations of 5 × 10-5 M or greater inhibited the incorporation of amino acids into protein by a rat liver microsome-pH 5 fraction system. 2-Acetylaminofluorene, 2-aminofluorene, the N-hydroxy derivatives of these compounds, and the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-hydroxy derivatives of 2-acetylaminofluorene had little effect on amino acid incorporation at these levels. Repeated subcutaneous injections of 2-nitroso-fluorene into female rats induced moderate incidences of mammary carcinomas and of sarcomas at the injection site by 8 months. Similar injections of nitrosobenzene or of 2-nitrosotoluene were not carcinogenic.
Testing Considerations for Novel Cell Substrates: A Regulatory Perspective

The development of new products for the prevention and treatment of current as well as emerging and re-emerging diseases has led to the introduction of novel cell substrates in biologics. Examples include the demand for large-scale production of pandemic influenza vaccines and for therapeutic proteins, and the use of novel vectors for AIDS vaccines and in cancer gene therapy. A major safety issue regarding the use of novel cell substrates is adventitious agents, including viruses that may have been exogenously introduced due to cell passage history or indigenous viruses that are naturally occurring in the species of cell origin due to infection, or endogenous retroviruses that exist as a normal part of the host cell DNA. Additionally, in the case of genetically engineered cells, there is a concern for recombinant viruses that may be generated de novo involving vector virus sequences. Furthermore, potential oncogenicity of residual cellular DNA remains a theoretical safety concern related to tumorigenic cell substrates. This paper discusses safety issues related to novel cell substrates with a focus on tumorigenic cells and genetically engineered cells and presents the current testing recommendations for general cell substrate safety with details on additional assays for consideration in testing some novel cell substrates including tumorigenic cells.
Halogenated Aromatic Hydrocarbons

In Chapter 4, we discussed the organochlorine pesticides which are one of the highly persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This chapter continues our examination of POPs by focusing on a few groups of halogenated chemicals structurally based on two benzene or phenyl rings. These include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, furans, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). Halogenated means that all of these chemicals have one or more halogen atoms attached to their benzene rings. Halogens are the five elements that fall in group 17 of the periodic chart of elements and require one electron to complete their outer valence shells. All are toxic, form acids when combined with hydrogen, and form a bond with carbon that is difficult to break. The halogens we are most interested in include chlorine (Cl),bromine (Br), and fluorine (F). PCBs, dioxins, and furans have had a long and often intertwined history in manufacturing, research, and concern; thus, we will examine them first and then discuss their brominated counterparts.
Paramyxovirus Glycoproteins and the Membrane Fusion Process

The family Paramyxoviridae includes many viruses that significantly affect human and animal health. An essential step in the paramyxovirus life cycle is viral entry into host cells, mediated by virus-cell membrane fusion. Upon viral entry, infection results in expression of the paramyxoviral glycoproteins on the infected cell surface. This can lead to cell-cell fusion (syncytia formation), often linked to pathogenesis. Thus membrane fusion is essential for both viral entry and cell-cell fusion and an attractive target for therapeutic development. While there are important differences between viral-cell and cell-cell membrane fusion, many aspects are conserved. The paramyxoviruses generally utilize two envelope glycoproteins to orchestrate membrane fusion. Here, we discuss the roles of these glycoproteins in distinct steps of the membrane fusion process. These findings can offer insights into evolutionary relationships among Paramyxoviridae genera and offer future targets for prophylactic and therapeutic development.
Toxins, Toxicity, and Endotoxemia: A Historical and Clinical Perspective for Chiropractors

Abstract Objective The purpose of this commentary is to review the notion of toxicity in the context of chiropractic practice. Discussion The belief that body toxicity is the cause of disease has been promoted for thousands of years. Prior to the emergence of the chiropractic profession, the medical profession embraced the notion that the body becomes "toxic," requiring detoxification interventions or surgery. The legacy of body toxicity within the chiropractic approach to patient care began with Daniel David Palmer. Today, some sectors within the medical and chiropractic professions continue to embrace the concept of body toxicity and the related need to engage in detoxifying treatments. The most common areas of focus for detoxification are the intestines and liver; however, the nature of the toxicity in these organs has yet to be defined or measured. In contrast, diet-induced systemic bacterial endotoxemia is a measureable state that is known to be promoted by a diet rich in sugar, flour, and refined oil. This suggests that bacterial endotoxin may be a candidate toxin to consider in the clinical context, as many common conditions, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, interstitial cystitis, depression, and migraine headache, are known to be promoted by endotoxemia. Conclusion A diet rich in refined sugar, flour, and oils may induce proinflammatory changes within intestinal microbiota that lead to systemic, low-grade endotoxemia, which is a common variety of "toxicity" that is measurable and worthy of research consideration. Introducing a diet to reduce endotoxemia, rather than attempting to target a specific organ, appears to be a rational clinical approach for addressing the issue of toxicity.
Psychological Resilience in Medical Rehabilitation

Psychological resilience is the process of adapting well to adverse situations, including medical illness, disability, traumatic events, or extreme stressors. Research and theory in this area has been explicit that resilience is not simply the absence of psychopathology, but instead maintaining one’s ability to return to stable psychological and physical function and even have the capacity for positive emotions in the wake of a difficult life event (Am Psychol, 59(1):20–8, 2004). While past conceptualizations of resilience assumed that it was an inherent and stable construct, more recent theories and research suggest that psychological resilience is malleable and thus can be bolstered to help an individual recovery following an adverse event.
Rational Inattention in Uncertain Business Cycles

The paper proposes endogenous information choice as a channel through which uncertainty affects price dynamics. I consider a rational inattention model with volatility uncertainty and endogenous information processing capability. According to the model, firms' learning and optimal attention exhibits inertia and asymmetry in response to volatility changes. Firms choose to process more information when uncertainty rises, especially about aggregate conditions, and their pricing behavior changes accordingly. Using a Markov-switching factor-augmented vector autoregression (MS-FAVAR), the paper also documents a significant positive correlation between volatility and firms' responsiveness to macro- and microlevel shocks, consistent with model predictions.
Interdisciplinary Project-Based Model for Enhanced Instruction of Courses.

Abstract This study examines ability of an interdisciplinary group project to develop student’s abilities to work successfully in groups in a creative context. Group dynamics were investigated via interaction effects between students in a Graphic Design and Marketing class project. A repeated measures survey technique was used to assess student’s perceptions of group projects and their attributes. As a result of the project, student perceptions concerning the importance of creative contributions, as well as group participation factors became more positive, demonstrating that interdisciplinary group projects with students in a creative discipline offer business students a unique “outside the box” learning opportunity Keywords : Project-Based Learning; Collaborative Learning; Interdisciplinary. Introduction In organizations employing business and graphic design students, for example, advertising agencies and marketing firms, success is predicated on the ability of individuals to work together productively and creatively. Such abilities are seen as highly desirable and are sought after by many employers. Acquiring such abilities is problematic for both marketing and design students as these abilities are usually developed as a consequence of employment and simultaneously perceived by employers as a pre-condition for employment. Thus, students in both marketing and graphic design face the dilemma of how to develop and demonstrate the abilities required by employers. A variety of tools are used by educators and educational institutions to develop such abilities. Historically, group projects have been used to engage students and to contextualize active learning. In both business and graphic design disciplines, group projects are seen as important tools for introducing students to the professional work environments to which they aspire. However, business students (and business professionals) are rarely exposed to the creative processes used by creative professionals such as designers and often have problems “thinking outside the box”. Furthermore, group projects typically evoke mixed feelings among students and faculty members for reasons which might include inequity in division of labor, incompatible personalities and personal
Hypnosis in Cancer Care.

Cancer affects a growing proportion of the population as survival improves. The illness and its treatment brings a substantial burden of symptoms, including pain, anxiety, insomnia, and grief. Here, the uses of hypnosis in the treatment of these cancer-related problems will be reviewed. The utility of measuring hypnotizability in the clinical setting will be discussed. The current neurobiology of hypnotizability and hypnosis will be reviewed. Methods and results of using hypnosis for pain control in acute and chronic settings will be presented. Effects of hypnotic analgesia in specific brain regions associated with pain reduction, notably the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the somatosensory cortex, underlies its utility as a potent and side-effect free analgesic. Methods for helping those with cancer to better manage their anxiety, insomnia, and grief will be described. These involve facing disease-related stressors while dissociating the experience from somatic arousal. Given the serious complicati...
New Endocrine Agents for Breast Cancer

The treatment of breast cancer still requires considerable improvement. The introduction of modern endocrine agents such as antioestrogens and aromatase inhibitors has substantially reduced the toxicity associated with major ablative surgical procedures such as adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy and consequently has enhanced the practical applicability of hormone therapy [1]. However, response rate, duration of response and survival in patients with metastatic disease have not been improved [1]. Likewise, the palliative effects of chemotherapy have remained essentially unchanged since the early 70s when adriamycin containing combination regimens were first introduced [2]. In addition, the beneficial effects of endocrine therapy and chemotherapy in patients with early disease, although encouraging, remain restricted to a relatively small fraction of women [1].
The Role of Stakeholders in Internationalization in Portugal

Continuing from Chap. 5 and the qualitative analysis of Portugal, the points of analysis are (1) policy reform: role of stakeholders and (2) modernization of higher education institutions. The major stakeholders in policy reform are the academic sector of higher education institutions, the public sector government, and the private sector businesses. The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) is applied to understand the role of the stakeholders in the policy process. The unitary structure of government in Portugal has contributed to the widespread implementation of institutional reforms that took place during the academic year 2008–2009. The modernization of institutions includes partnerships with research institutions that support national objectives and objectives of the European Research Area.
Introduction to Nonhuman Encounters: Animals, Objects, Affects, and the Place of Practice

ABSTRACTThis essay is the introduction to the panel “Nonhuman Encounters: Animals, Objects, Affects, and the Place of Practice” featuring papers by Carla Freccero, Katie Gentile, Ann Pellegrini, Nathan Snaza, Donovan Schaefer, Nuar Alsadir, Francisco Gonzalez, Julietta Singh, Eleonora Fabiao, Michelle Stephens, and Patricia Clough. Each essay responds to the question of these encounters in places of practice, including the clinical.
Group Audits: Are Audit Quality and Price Associated with the Lead Auditors 's Decision to Accept Responsibility for Work Performed by Other Auditors?

Lead auditors frequently rely on work performed by Other auditors, especially when auditing clients with operations in multiple countries. The PCAOB has expressed concern that the quality of such group audits may differ depending on whether the Lead auditor accepts or declines responsibility for work done by Other auditors. The PCAOB also has been concerned with the venue through which Lead auditors and Other auditors disclose their participation in group audits, including disclosure of whether the Lead auditors accept or decline responsibility. To investigate these issues, we employ a sample consisting entirely of group audit engagements. We identify Lead auditors taking responsibility from PCAOB Form 2, filed by Other auditors of U.S. registrants for fiscal years 2009 to 2017. We identify Lead auditors not accepting responsibility from audit report disclosures during the same period. The results suggest that Lead auditors accepting responsibility charge higher audit fees but provide audits of no higher quality, and possibly of even lower quality. These results are robust to various additional analyses. Our research contributes to the ongoing debate over how the participation of Other auditors affects audit quality.
High turnover of faecal microbiome from algal feedstock experimental manipulations in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas).

The composition of digestive microbiomes is known to be a significant factor in the health of a variety of hosts, including animal livestock. Therefore, it is important to ascertain how readily the microbiome can be significantly altered. To this end, the role of changing diet on the digestive microbiome of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) was assessed via weekly faecal sampling. Over the course of 12 weeks, isolated individual oysters were fed either a control diet of Tetraselmis algae (Tet) or a treatment diet which shifted in composition every 4 weeks. Weekly faecal samples from all oysters were taken to characterize their digestive bacterial microbiota. Concurrent weekly sampling of the algal feed cultures was performed to assess the effect of algal microbiomes, independent of the algal type, on the microbiomes observed in the oyster samples. Changing the algal feed was found to be significantly associated with changes in the faecal microbiome over a timescale of weeks between control and treatment groups. No significant differences between individual microbiomes were found within control and treatment groups. This suggests the digestive microbiome of the Pacific oyster can be quickly and reproducibly manipulated.
Role of FDG PET/CT in management of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas

771 Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the appropriate imaging technique in performing FDG PET/CT in suspected cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. 2. Describe utility of FDG PET/CT in disease staging and assessing treatment response. 3. Illustrate spectrum of imaging manifestations with examples of clinical cases. 4. Describe pitfalls in image interpretation. Abstract Body: Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas comprise the following most commonly encountered entities: Mycosis Fungoides (MF), Sezary syndrome, subcutaneous panniculitis like T-cell lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. We identified 60 cases of cutaneous lymphoma who had 176 FDG PET/CT scans performed at our institution between 2001 and 2007. A whole body head-to-toe technique is crucial for thorough patient evaluation. Examples of the spectrum of imaging appearances are illustrated. The tumor stage of MF is more readily apparent on FDG PET/CT rather than the patch or plaque stage. Sezary syndrome produces diffuse cutaneous FDG uptake. FDG PET/CT is also useful in assessing for nodal or visceral involvement, and lesion response to treatment. The SUV is typically
Biopsy of Mediastinal Lesions

Image-guided percutaneous needle biopsy allows access to lesions in virtually all mediastinal locations. A direct mediastinal approach that enables extrapleural needle placement is the preferred method for avoiding the risk of pneumothoraces. Using computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound (US) guidance, the parasternal, paravertebral, transsternal, and suprasternal approaches all allow extrapleural access to many mediastinal lesions. The parasternal approach is used for biopsy of an anterior or middle mediastinal lesion when the lesion or intervening mediastinal fat extends to the anterior chest wall, lateral to the sternum; injury to the internal mammary vessels is a potential complication. The posterior paravertebral approach permits extrapleural needle placement for biopsy of subcarinal and other posterior mediastinal lesions; saline injection is often used with this technique to widen the mediastinum. The transsternal approach, which involves needle placement through the sternum, is used for biopsy of anterior or middle mediastinal lesions that are not safely accessible by the parasternal approach. The suprasternal approach can be used to biopsy superior mediastinal lesions. An alternative to these direct mediastinal approaches for biopsy of mediastinal lesions involves advancing the needle through the pleural space created by an existing pleural effusion or iatrogenic pneumothorax. The transpulmonary approach involves needle traversal of the lung and visceral pleura and is associated with a substantial risk of pneumothorax. This chapter reviews the various approaches used for image-guided percutaneous mediastinal needle biopsy and discusses the anatomic and technical aspects, advantages, limitations, and potential complications of each technique as well as briefly describing several alternative methods for accessing mediastinal lesions.
Abstract 17730: Aberrant Endothelial FGF Signaling Due to Disruption of MicroRNAs 424/503 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by the vascular remodeling of the pulmonary arterioles, including formation of plexiform and concentric lesions comprised of proliferative endothelial cells. We recently found that disruption of the G protein-coupled receptor signaling axis comprised of the ligand apelin and the receptor APJ leads to significant worsening of hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mice, and found that the pathway is also perturbed in clinical PAH. To characterize novel downstream endothelial targets which may be utilized by apelin-APJ signaling to protect against the vascular remodeling processes in PAH, we carried out a microRNA (miRNA) array analysis of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) subjected to knockdown of apelin, APJ, or both. We identified two miRNAs (miR-424 and miR-503) that are highly expressed in PAECs, but are significantly downregulated in the context of apelin/APJ knockdown. Remarkably, we found marked decrease in levels of miR-424 and miR-503 in the experimental monocrotaline (MCT) rat model of PH, as well as in PAECs isolated from a subset of patients with clinically diagnosed PAH. Our in vitro functional studies demonstrated that both miR-424 and miR-503 exert anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic effects, via a mechanism that targets two key components of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathway, namely FGF2 and FGFR1. Consequently, we found marked increase in protein levels of FGF2 and FGFR1 in PAECs from PAH patients, as well as lungs of rats with MCT induced PH. Lastly, we found that restoration of miR-424/503 expression in the MCT induced model of PH by intranasal lentiviral delivery can significantly decrease FGF2 and FGFR1 expression and ameliorate the severity of the disease as demonstrated by decreased right ventricular systolic pressure (38 vs. 24.3 mmHg, p
Inwardly rectifying K+ currents in isolated human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose. K + channels in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) play a number of important roles, including the establishment of membrane potential, the transport of K + between the subretinal space and choroid, and the generation of the c-wave of the electroretinogram. Previous studies on amphibian RPE demonstrated that these functions are likely served by an inwardly rectifying K + channel. The aim of this study was to characterize inwardly rectifying K + channels in cultured and freshly isolated adult human RPE (hRPE) cells. Methods. Single cells were dispersed enzymatically from primary cultures of adult hRPE or from fresh adult hRPE-choroid. Ionic currents were recorded using either the perforatedpatch or whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Results. In 5 mM external K + , roughly 20% of cultured hRPE cells exhibited a strong inwardly rectifying K + conductance that passed inward but little outward current. This conductance increased when [K + ]o was increased and exhibited a voltage-dependent block by external Na + at negative potentials. In contrast, all freshly isolated hRPE cells exhibited a mild inwardly rectifying K + conductance that mediated substantial outward current at physiological voltages. This conductance decreased when [K + ]o was increased and showed no voltage-dependent block by external Na + . Conclusions. The authors conclude that fresh hRPE cells express a mild inwardly rectifying K + conductance. The operation of this conductance at physiological voltages makes it a likely candidate for the resting K + conductances of the apical and basolateral membranes. Cultured hRPE cells express a functionally different channel type that may reflect a change in phenotype. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1996; 37:1125-1139. A he retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a layer of polarized cells interposed between the neural retina and the choroidal blood supply. The apical membrane forms extensive processes that face the photoreceptor outer segments across a small extracellular compartment known as the subretinal space. The basolateral membrane is slighdy infolded and rests on Bruch's membrane in proximity to the choriocapillaris. In ad
Application of NTRU Cryptographic Algorithm for securing SCADA communication

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v LIST OF TABLES viii LIST OF FIGURES ix CHAPTER
The policy implications of the global flow of tertiary students: a social network analysis

In 2016, approximately 5 million students, about 2% of global tertiary enrolments, studied abroad. As globalisation of education advances, tertiary student mobility is an important channel through ...
Patient-reported and objectively measured physical function in older breast cancer survivors and cancer-free controls.

Abstract Objectives Older breast cancer survivors (BCS) consistently report more functional limitations than women without cancer, but whether or not these differences remain when using objective measures of physical functioning and the correlates of these measures is unknown. Methods Cross-sectional study comparing older (≥60 years old) BCS (n = 84) to similarly aged women without cancer (n = 40). Patient-reported physical function was assessed by the SF-36 physical function (SF-36PF) subscale and the Late Life Function & Disability Instrument (LLFDI). Objective measures included the short Physical Performance Battery (sPPB), usual walk speed (m/s), chair stand time (sec) and, grip strength (kg). Potential predictors included age, comorbidities, symptom severity, fatigue and skeletal muscle index (SMI; kg/m2). Results Patient-reported physical function was significantly lower in BCS than controls using SF-36PF (47.3 ± 0.1 vs. 52.9 ± 4.0, p Conclusion Older BCS should be screened for functional limitations using simple standardized objective tests and interventions that focus on improving strength and reducing fatigue should be tested.
Predicting Network Traffic Using TCP Anomalies

Accurately predicting network traffic volume is beneficial for congestion control, improving routing, allocating network resources and network optimization. Traffic congestion happens when a network device is receiving more data packets than its processing capability. The number of retransmissions per flow, packet duplication and synthetic reordering can seriously degrade the overall TCP performance. An unsupervised/supervised technique to accurately identify TCP anomalies occurring during file transfers based on passive measurements of TCP traffic collected using Tstat is proposed. This method will be validated on real large datasets collected from several data transfer nodes. The preliminary results indicate that the percentage of TCP anomalies correlate well with the average throughput in any given time window.
Short-term response of two beneficial invertebrate groups to wildfire in an arid grassland system, United States.

Abstract Rangeland invertebrates contribute greatly to biodiversity and provide important services including pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling. As wildfire frequency increases across these areas of the United States, it is imperative to understand how these disturbances affect beneficial invertebrate communities. We examined bee (Hymenoptera), spider (Araneae), and vegetative communities 1 yr before and 1 yr after a large wildfire swept across an intact grassland in eastern Oregon. Several sites were left unburned after the fire, and a before-after-control-impact study design was used to assess changes within the communities. Fire had no effect on bee or spider abundance, or spider diversity or richness; however, fire significantly increased native bee diversity and richness. In addition, composition of both native bee and spider communities differed significantly between burned and unburned areas 1 yr after the fire. Sheet web spiders (Linyphiidae) and several bee species (primarily large, generalist species) were associated with burned sites. Invasive annual grass and biological soil crust cover decreased significantly in burned sites, but maximum vegetation height and litter cover did not differ significantly among treatments. Forb abundance increased in burned sites; however, species richness of forbs in burned and unburned sites did not differ significantly 1 yr after the fire. Several forbs were indicative of burned areas including non-native species, such as Douglas’ knotweed (Polygonum douglasii) and Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and native species such as Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis), hoary tansyaster (Machaeranthera canescens), and tall willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum). This study demonstrates that both invertebrate and plant communities show strong short-term responses to wildfire, and our results can be used to inform management of rare habitat and biodiversity in rangelands impacted by wildfire in arid grasslands.
Genetic risk scores in complex eye disorders

Abstract Genetic risk scores (GRS) in their simplest form summarize the burden of risk-associated alleles at established genetic loci shown to be statistically associated with a disease or trait to predict likelihood of disease or trait variation. More complex forms incorporate clinical and/or environmental modifiers (i) to predict disease susceptibility, (ii) to predict disease progression, and/or (iii) to classify individuals into treatment categories. Because many common ocular diseases and traits have a known genetic component, various GRS have been proposed drawing on information from one to thousands of genetic variants. Polygenic risk scores, incorporating thousands of markers, are emerging in studies of ocular traits. Currently, genetic/polygenic risk scores require further research regarding their utility to warrant incorporation into clinical settings. We herein summarize the breadth of literature around GRS in common ocular diseases.
Disponibilität der Dokumentationspflicht

Eine Pflicht kann entweder zwingend angeordnet oder disponibel sein. Zu uberlegen ist daher, inwiefern der Glaubiger beim Vorliegen der Voraussetzungen der allgemeinen Dokumentationspflicht auf diese verzichten kann. Um dies beurteilen zu konnen, sind die speziellen Dokumentationspflichten auf ihre Abdingbarkeit hin zu untersuchen.
Nationwide survey on the barriers to converting turfgrass lawns to pollinator-friendly native wildflowers

The abundance and diversity of insect pollinators around the world is declining and habitat loss is a leading cause. Turfgrass lawns cover a vast area in North America and provide a great opportunity for habitat restoration to native wildflowers by the general public. Efforts to encourage the public to replace lawns with wildflowers could be improved by a better understanding of the thoughts and opinions of the public about lawns. We conducted a nationwide online survey to understand what barriers are most important in preventing people from converting a 6 x 6 ft portion of turfgrass lawn to native wildflowers. We also collected data on a variety of demographic factors to see if those influence survey responses. Over 3200 people took survey across the US. We found that ‘Maintenance time’ and ‘Not knowing what to do’ were the most important barriers to creating wildflower habitat. Age was the most important demographic factor impacting results with young people significantly more likely to select multiple barriers in the survey. For example, people aged 18-34 were 4.3 times more likely to indicate ‘Maintenance cost’ would prevent them from creating a wildflower plot than those age 65 or older. Those who had already created a wildflower plot, or those who were members in a native plant or pollinator organization were less likely to select barriers across the board, except for external barriers related to homeowners associations, neighbors, and local governments. This shows that these are persistent concerns even for those that are otherwise keen to create wildflower habitat. Our results suggest that outreach promoting pollinator-friendly native plant gardens should focus on clear and simple methods, small plots that will not take too much time and less likely to provoke neighbors or authority figures.View Full Text
Managers’ Private Disclosures: Descriptive Evidence and the Effect of Audience Size

I provide survey and experimental evidence to shed light on managers’ disclosures in private meetings with investors. I survey 114 investor relations officers (IROs) on their private disclosure experiences to provide descriptive evidence about (a) the frequency and audience size of private meetings of various types, (b) IROs’ perceptions about private disclosure content determinants and the differences between public and private disclosures, and (c) IROs’ experiences that include private disclosure of material information, contrary to Regulation Fair Disclosure. In contrast with research in psychology, IROs do not perceive private meeting audience size to affect disclosure content. An experiment with 328 experienced managers investigates this apparent discrepancy. The results indicate that larger audiences in private meetings decrease bad news disclosure because of increases in managers’ self-focus. In conjunction with the survey results and various PEQs, these results indicate the effect is likely nonconscious, which can further clarify recent regulatory reform recommendations.
Exploiting Self-Similarity for Under-Determined MIMO Modulation Recognition

Modulation recognition (modrec) is an essential functional component of future wireless networks with critical applications in dynamic spectrum access. While predominantly studied in single-input single-output (SISO) systems, practical modrec for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications requires more research attention. Existing MIMO modrec impose stringent requirements of fully- or over-determined sensing front-end, i.e. the number of sensor antennas should exceed that at the transmitter. This poses a prohibitive sensor cost even for simple 2x2 MIMO systems and will severely hamper progress in flexible spectrum access with advanced higher-order MIMO.We design a MIMO modrec framework that enables efficient and cost-effective modulation classification for under-determined settings characterized by fewer sensor antennas than those used for transmission. Our key idea is to exploit the inherent multi-scale self-similarity of MIMO modulation IQ constellations, which persists in under-determined settings. Our framework called SYMMeTRy (Self-similarit Y for MIMO ModulaTion Recognition) designs domain-aware classification features with high discriminative potential by summarizing regularities of symbol co-location in the MIMO constellation. To this end, we summarize the fractal geometry of observed samples to extract discriminative features for supervised MIMO modrec. We evaluate SYMMeTRy in a realistic simulation and in a small-scale MIMO testbed. We demonstrate that it maintains high and consistent performance across various noise regimes, channel fading conditions and with increasing MIMO transmitter complexity. Our efforts highlight SYMMeTRy’s high potential to enable efficient and practical MIMO modrec.
Water and Health

The linkages between water and health are direct, and one major issue is to determine how extreme weather/climate change could potentially impact our water, and hence public and animal health. Although there are numerous studies indicating increase in transmission of vector-borne diseases due to warmer temperature, how climate change will have long-term effects on water borne pathogen, microbial contamination, and public health is yet known. To understand the possible impact of air temperature and stream flows on pathogen levels in ambient water, this analysis built on a previous study of Pandey (Modeling in-steram E. coli concentrations. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 2012), which executed a multiple year study focused on testing pathogen indicator (E. coli) in various locations in a river in Iowa. In this watershed-scale study, agriculture land use is the dominant use with limited urban impacts. The results showed the cyclical pattern of pathogen indicator concentrations in the stream water column, which was associated with air temperature patterns in summer and winter seasons. While precise understanding of extreme weather effects on microbial water quality is yet to be known, these results substantiate the fact that an increase in air temperature coincided with the increase in waterborne pathogens in streams, which may increase public and animal health risks through exposure to microbial contamination in water.
Fortnite: a context for child development in the U.S. during COVID-19 (and beyond)

I said no to Fortnite for months. In part it was because of my general distaste for weapons (a common anxiety apparently (Riddle & Di, 2020)), but largely because I wanted to keep playing Super Mar...
Fluid-driven fracture mechanisms in granular media: insights from grain-scale numerical modeling

Fluid injection into porous media can initiate fluid-driven fractures. Unlike cohesive and homogeneous media, fluid-driven fractures in cohesionless granular media have complex fracture and leak-off morphologies. In this study, we investigate the mechanisms behind fluid-driven fractures in cohesionless granular media by coupling the discrete element method with computational fluid dynamics at the pore/grain scale. We perform numerical simulations of the injection of a fluid into a granular medium that is saturated with a second, immiscible fluid. Results show that fluid injection can initiate a fracture orthogonal to the minimum principal stress, as expected, through viscous drag forces. However, the displacement field around the fracture is much more complex than what is expected for a linear elastic solid, showing that (1) fracture propagation requires small leak-off (a few times the fracture width) and (2) localized shear deformation ahead of the fracture tip affects fracture morphology. The simulations support a transition from a leakoff-dominated fluid flow regime to a fracture-dominated regime, with the increase in characteristic time t1 (ratio of permeability and injection rate per unit length) and decrease in t2 (ratio of injected fluid viscosity and minimum total principal stress). We develop a correlation of the dimensionless initiation pressure PD,peak and dimensionless stress SD (upper bound: $$P_{D,peak} = 5.647S_{D}^{0.86}$$ , lower bound: $$P_{D,peak} = 0.567S_{D}^{0.83}$$ ) based on our grain-scale simulations, experimental data and field data from the literature, which can be used to predict the fracture initiation pressure in cohesionless granular media.