cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross-Cultural Adaptability of Texas Dental Hygienists and Dental Hygiene Students: A Preliminary Study

This study sought to determine if statistically significant differences existed among and between licensed dental hygienists and first- and second-year dental hygiene students in Texas on a cross-cultural adaptability measure. The cross-cultural adaptability of licensed dental hygienists and of first- and second-year dental hygiene students attending five randomly selected dental hygiene schools in Texas was investigated. A sample of 289 individuals completed the fifty-item Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI) and a brief demographic survey, resulting in 278 usable responses. The CCAI yields a total score and four individual subscale scores that describe a person’s readiness to interact with people of different cultures. The results revealed no statistically significant differences among the licensed hygienists and students in the first and second years of study and CCAI scores. A statistically significant relationship (r=.148) was found between age and one of the four CCAI subscale scores: flexibility/openness. No other statistically significant relationships were found. The number of years to earn a degree, level of practice, ethnicity, and years employed may not play a significant role in enhancing cross-cultural adaptability. Further research needs to be conducted to determine differences and relationships between and among various dental hygiene groups and their cross-cultural adaptability performance.
Study of the mechanism of innate resistance to virus infection

The concept of genetically-determined natural resistance was explored in two mouse strains of different genetic origin exposed to West Nile encephalitis virus and yellow fever virus. The inheritance of virus resistance was studied by the cross-breeding of virus-resistant male mice with virus-susceptible mice of the other strain. Data are tabulated and results are discussed. The mechanism of natural resistance appeared to be expressed at the cellular level in a cell type described as the macrophage.
Mesophases involving highly ordered smectic phases in a polyether

Based on our differential scanning calorimetry observations, a polyether 1 synthesized from 4′-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl]-4-biphenylol and 1,9-dibromononane shows multiple transition behavior during cooling and heating. Furthermore, these transition temperatures do not exhibit significant supercooling dependence. Detailed analyses of the wide-angle X-ray diffraction powder and fiber patterns at different temperatures have indicated that highly ordered smectic F and G phases exist in this polyether and are differentiated from traditional crystalline phases.
DCA: a distributed CCA framework based on MPI

The CCA is a component architecture for high-performance scientific applications. In this architecture components are parallel entities that are connected directly or in a distributed manner. The problem of communication between scientific parallel programs with differing numbers of processes is called the "M/spl times/N problem". This paper discusses problems and solutions regarding the M/spl times/N problem in the context of the CCA. We also present a prototype implementation of a distributed CCA framework with M/spl times/N capabilities. This implementation reuses many MPI concepts and constructions to build the parallel-remote port invocation mechanism. Leveraging MPI helps developers that are familiar with that communication library and benefits from its performance and high degree of scalability.
Tono-Pen Estimation of Intraocular Pressure Through Bandage Contact Lenses

The Tono-Pen was used to determine the reliability of intraocular pressure readings obtained through bandage contact lenses in 48 eyes of 24 healthy volunteers. The mean difference between readings obtained before lens insertion and readings obtained with the lens in place was 0.27 mm Hg and was not statistically significant (P > .2). The mean difference between readings obtained with the lens in place and readings obtained after lens removal was 0.85 mm Hg and was statistically significant (P
Eight Is Enough?: The Ethics of the California Octuplets Case

The recent California octuplets case raises a number of important issues that need to be addressed in the context of the increasingly widespread practice of in vitro fertilization. This paper explores some of those issues as looked at from the perspective of protestant theological ethics and public theology, examining the moral responsibilities of the various participants in the process, both before and after the octuplets’ birth, including the mother, her doctors, the health care bureaucracy, the wider society, and the media. Each of these participants failed in significant respects to consider the ethical implications of the births in this complicated case.
Expression and purification of the cynR regulatory gene product: CynR is a DNA-binding protein.

Abstract The CynR protein, a member of the LysR family, positively regulates the Escherichia coli cyn operon and negatively autoregulates its own transcription. By S1 mapping analysis, the in vivo cynR transcription start site was located 63 bp upstream of the cynTSX operon transcription start site. Topologically, the cynR and cynTSX promoters overlap and direct transcription in opposite directions. The CynR translation initiation codon was identified by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, and the CynR coding sequence was cloned under the control of a T7 phage promoter. The CynR protein was stably expressed at a high level with a T7 RNA polymerase-T7 phage promoter system. Purification by ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and ammonium sulfate fractionation yielded pure CynR protein. Gel shift assays confirmed that CynR is a DNA-binding protein like the other members of the LysR family. The CynR regulatory protein binds specifically to a 136-bp DNA fragment encompassing both the cynR and the cynTSX promoters.
Spectrum and energy levels of eleven-times ionized zirconium (Zr XII)

The spectrum of Zr xii was observed with a low-inductance spark and a laser-produced plasma in the region from 70 to 630 A on the 10.7-m grazing incidence spectrograph at NBS. From the identification of 36 lines, a system of 28 energy levels was determined. The level system (Cu i isoelectronic sequence, 3d10nl) includes the series np (n = 4–6), nd (n = 4–6), nf (n = 4–8), and ng (n = 5–7). The 4f2F term has an anomalously small fine-structure interval (1 ± 3 cm−1). The ionization energy is determined from the ng series (n = 5–7) to be 1 905 500 ± 200 cm−1 (236.25 ± 0.03 eV).
Inhibitory Action of Somatostatin on Pancreatic α and β Cell Function1

In normal men, the administration of somatostatin almost completely abolished the glucose stimulated insulin-release seen during control studies (without somatostatin), and caused a further reduction in glucagon secretion beyond that induced by hyperglycemia. Following the infusion, there was a rapid and marked rebound for insulin but not glucagon secretion. These events were attended by a marked retardation of the glucose disappearance rate (K) which exhibited two clearly separable components; the initial slow component (mean K equals 0.64) coincided with the period of insulin suppression and was followed by a faster component (mean K equals 1.37) temporally related to the marked rebound increase in insulin release after discontinuation of the somatostatin infusion. Similarly, the addition of somatostatin infusion completely blocked the release of insulin and growth hormone and delayed the release of glucagon stimulated by arginine infusion. Following the somatostatin infusion there was a small rise in GH and a marked rebound for insulin and this was associated with a higher level of plasma glucose than that found following arginine infusion alone. These data establish that the administration of somatostatin can effectively block the release of insulin stimulated by arginine and glucose, can attenuate the release of glucagon induced by arginine and can enhance the glucose-mediated glucagon suppression. The attendance of a relative hyperglycemia during these events is probably the net result of an impediment in peripheral glucose disposition due to acute insulin lack and a decreased hepatic glucose output secondary to glucagon suppression.
The impact of erosion on the classification of Mollisols in Iowa

Fenton, T. E. 2012. The impact of erosion on the classification of Mollisols in Iowa. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 413–418. The fertile black soils in the Great Plains and Western States of the United States are dark brown Chernozems in the Canadian system of soil taxonomy and Mollisols, when a mollic epipedon is present, according to the United States soil taxonomy. Other primary criteria are organic carbon content, color, structure, and thickness of the mollic epipedon. Accelerated erosion can affect all of these properties and is especially critical for soils that have slope gradients of more than 2%. Accelerated erosion and erosion phases are recognized in field mapping based on the amount of A horizon remaining but criteria provided in the Soil Taxonomy guidelines conflict with procedures outlined in the Soil Survey Field Manual and result in a dichotomy between the classification system and field mapping practices. Soil map unit data for the five most extensive Mollisol soil series in Iowa that have multip...
V Maßnahmen der Unternehmen zum erfolgreichen Umgang mit den Mitarbeiter-Rollen

In diesem Teil soll analysiert werden, welche Masnahmen Unternehmen einsetzen mussen, um Mitarbeitern ein erfolgreiches Gelingen ihrer Rollen zu ermoglichen (vgl. Teil III Kapitel 3).
Evaluation of the effect of diminished pulsatility as seen in continuous flow ventricular assist devices on arterial endothelial cell phenotype and function

Evaluation of the effect of diminished pulsatility as seen in continuous flow ventricular assist devices on arterial endothelial cell phenotype and function Phani K. Patibandla, PhD, Namakkal S. Rajasekaran, PhD, Sandeep B. Shelar, PhD, Guruprasad A. Giridharan, PhD, Silvio H. Litovsky, MD, and Palaniappan Sethu, PhD From the Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine and Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Department of Bioengineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
National dissemination of interpersonal psychotherapy for depression in veterans: Therapist and patient-level outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of training in and delivery of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for depression throughout the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care system on therapists' competency and patients' clinical outcomes. METHOD Participants included 124 therapists and 241 veteran patients. Therapists participated in a 3-day workshop followed by 6 months of weekly group consultation. Therapy session tapes were rated by expert IPT training consultants using a standardized competency rating form. Patient outcomes were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Therapeutic alliance was assessed with the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised. RESULTS Of the 124 therapists receiving IPT training, 115 (93%) completed all training requirements. Therapist competence in IPT increased from their 1st patient to their 2nd for both initial (d = 0.36) and intermediate (d = 0.24) treatment phases. Of the 241 veteran patients treated with IPT, 167 (69%) completed ≥ 12 sessions. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated large overall reductions in depression (d = 1.26) and significant improvements in quality of life (d = 0.57 to 0.86) and the therapeutic alliance (d = 0.50 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS National IPT training in the VA health care system was associated with significant increases in therapist competencies to deliver IPT, as well as large overall reductions in depression and improvements in quality of life among veterans, many of whom presented with high levels of depression. RESULTS support the feasibility and effectiveness of broad dissemination of IPT in routine clinical settings.
Ethical principles in federal regulations: the case of children and research risks.

Ethical principles play an important part not only in the promulgation of regulations but also in their application, i.e., enforcement and adjudication. while traditional ethical principles--promotion of welfare, freedom, and fairness--play an important role in both elements of regulation, some other kinds of ethical principles are significant as well. Principles governing the structure of decision processes should shape the structure and actions of agencies; principles of wise application should govern the work of those whose responsibility it is to apply regulatory language to particular situations. These points are demonstrated by investigating a case study: federal regulations designed to protect children involved in scientific research applied to a placebo study of the effects of recombinant human growth hormone on children of extremely short stature.
Tumor microenvironment on the move and the Aselli connection.

The tumor microenvironment is involved in many activities that promote tumor cell growth, local spreading, and metastasis. In this issue of Science Signaling , Jung et al . found that lymphangiogenesis may result from the cooperation of two molecules, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and lipocalin 2 (LCN2), produced by tumor cells and macrophages, respectively. The new S1P-LCN2 axis stresses the importance of innate immunity in remodeling the tumor microenvironment and in lymphangiogenesis.
General Aspects of Fitting Regression Models

The ordinary multiple linear regression model is frequently used and has parameters that are easily interpreted. In this chapter we study a general class of regression models, those stated in terms of a weighted sum of a set of independent or predictor variables. It is shown that after linearizing the model with respect to the predictor variables, the parameters in such regression models are also readily interpreted. Also, all the designs used in ordinary linear regression can be used in this general setting. These designs include analysis of variance ( ANOVA) setups, interaction effects, and nonlinear effects. Besides describing and interpreting general regression models, this chapter also describes, in general terms, how the three types of assumptions of regression models can be examined.
Effect of dialysis on fetal heart rate: is inpatient admission for fetal monitoring necessary?

AbstractObjective: Pregnant patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) have long hospital stays for the purpose of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) during HD, which allows for monitoring of fetal well-b...
Gut Microbiota Profiling: Metabolomics Based Approach to Unravel Compounds Affecting Human Health

Abstract The gut microbiota is composed of a huge number of different bacteria, which produce a large amount of compounds playing a key role in microbe selection and in the construction of a metabolic signaling network. The microbial activity is affected by environmental stimuli leading to the generation of a wide number of compounds, which influence the host metabolome and human health. Indeed, metabolic profiles related to the gut microbiota can offer deep insights on the impact of lifestyle and dietary factors on chronic and acute diseases. Metagenomics, metaproteomics and metabolomics are some of the meta-omics approaches to study the modulation of the gut microbiota. Metabolomic research applied to biofluids allows to: define the metabolic profile; identify and quantify classes and compounds of interest; characterize small molecules produced by intestinal microbes; and define the biochemical pathways of metabolites. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are the principal technologies applied to metabolomics in terms of coverage, sensitivity and quantification. Moreover, the use of biostatistics and mathematical approaches coupled with metabolomics play a key role in the extraction of biologically meaningful information from wide datasets. Metabolomic studies in gut microbiota-related research have increased, focusing on the generation of novel biomarkers, which could lead to the development of mechanistic hypotheses potentially applicable to the development of nutritional and personalized therapies.
Laparoscopic versus robotic colectomy: a national surgical quality improvement project analysis

Robotic colorectal surgery is being increasingly adopted. Our objective was to compare early postoperative outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic colectomy in a nationally representative sample. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Colectomy Targeted Dataset from 2012 to 2014 was used for this study. Adult patients undergoing elective colectomy with an anastomosis were included. Patients were stratified based on location of colorectal resection (low anterior resection (LAR), left-sided resection, or right-sided resection). Bivariate data analysis was performed, and logistic regression modeling was conducted to calculate risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes. There were a total of 25,998 laparoscopic colectomies (30 % LAR’s, 45 % left-sided, and 25 % right-sided) and 1484 robotic colectomies (54 % LAR’s, 28 % left-sided, and 18 % right-sided). The risk-adjusted overall morbidity, serious morbidity, and mortality were similar between laparoscopic and robotic approaches in all anastomotic groups. Patients undergoing robotic LAR had a lower conversion rate (OR 0.47, 95 % CI 1.20–1.76) and postoperative sepsis rate (OR 0.49, 95 % CI 0.29–0.85) but a higher rate of diverting ostomies (OR 1.45, 95 % CI 1.20–1.76). Robotic right-sided colectomies had significantly lower conversion rates (OR 0.58, 95 % CI 0.34–0.96). Robotic colectomy in all groups was associated with a longer operative time (by 40 min) and a decreased length of stay (by 0.5 days). In a nationally representative sample comparing laparoscopic and robotic colectomies, the overall morbidity, serious morbidity, and mortality between groups are similar while length of stay was shorter by 0.5 days in the robotic colectomy group. Robotic LAR was associated with lower conversion rates and lower septic complications. However, robotic LAR is also associated with a significantly higher rate of diverting ostomy. The reason for this relationship is unclear. Surgeon factors, patient factors, and technical factors should be considered in future studies.
An interview with Eben Venter: Trencherman and environmentalism in South Africa

AbstractThis interview explores the role of environmentalism – specifically as it relates to meat and agriculture – in the literature of South African writer Eben Venter. As discussed in the interview, Venter’s novel Trencherman, through its envisioning of a post-apocalyptic South Africa, serves as an especially productive text for examining the interplay of colonialism and ecological violence.
Promoting Natural Interactions Through Embedded Input Using Novel Sensing Techniques

From mobile devices to interactive objects, various input methods are provided using built-in motion and capacitive touch sensors. These inputs are offered in effective and efficient manner where users can operate interface quickly and easily. However, they do not fully explore the input space supported by human's natural motion behavior. As a solution, my work focuses on promoting natural interaction through hand-driven embedded input powered by multimodal and magnetic sensing techniques. In my previous works, embedded inputs were implemented in the form of smart textile, stylus, and ring supporting from mobile devices to everyday objects. Throughout the paper, I will briefly go over implemented systems along with evaluated results and potential applications. Future research direction is highlighted at the end of the paper.
Micropropagation of Pinus virginiana (Virginia Pine)

Pinus virginiana Mill. (Virginia pine, Jersey pine, scrub pine, spruce pine, poverty pine) is indigenous to the United States and occurs naturally throughout the northern parts of the Piedmont and foothills of the mountains from central Pennsylvania southward to northeastern Mississippi, Alabama, and northern Georgia (Div. of Timber Management Res., US Dept. Agric. For. Serv. 1965). It is also found on the western edges of the Coastal Plain as far north as New Jersey and Long Island, New York, and extends westward in scattered areas into Ohio, southern Indiana, and Tennessee.
The 'Silicon Solar Cell Design Handbook.'

The design activities are divided in the handbook into three parts, which are concerned with the light-generated current, the open-circuit voltage, and the fill factor. Each of these parts is further divided into sections, which take into account the individual regions of the device. The basis of the design data for light-generated current and of the design data related to the current-voltage characteristic is discussed together with sample design curves.
A framework to investigate the effectiveness of interconnection of power distribution systems subjected to hurricanes

AbstractBillions of dollars lost to natural disasters such as hurricanes are associated with infrastructure damage and power interruptions. Most utilities have radially operated systems and the existing supporting infrastructure may not provide possibilities to restore power from other substations that are not within the disaster areas. This would lower reliability during hazards especially for customers that are downstream of affected parts of the system. A potential strategy to remedy such situations entails extending feeders from different substations in the vicinity and connecting them with affected feeder lines from other substations. This paper presents a framework to study the effectiveness of constructing additional lines with switching devices to connect feeders from different substations to improve system performance. The framework incorporates a hurricane hazard model, a topologically based system performance measure, and cost analysis. A notional power distribution system of parts of Florida i...
Investigation of the metatectic reaction in iron-boron binary alloys

Abstract The use of advanced high strength steels, such as boron containing steels, in the automotive industry is enabling lighter weight vehicles leading to increased fuel economies. However, boron containing steels are difficult to commercially produce. Thermodynamic studies of the Fe-B system predict a metatectic reaction, δ → L + γ, to occur on the iron-rich side of the diagram. This would result in solid material remelting as the temperature is decreased, which could be the source of the casting defects. To experimentally investigate the predicted metatectic reaction, levitation zone melting is used to control the boron segregation in two simple Fe-B binary alloys, and confocal scanning laser microscopy allows for in-situ observation of local microstructural changes as temperature is varied. Both experimental methods show evidence of a metatectic reaction providing a good comparison to predicted phase diagrams. Based on the experimental results, the metatectic reaction occurs over a broader range of compositions than predicted with Cs = 0.0025 wt% B, CL = 2.0 wt% B, and CR ranging from approximately 0.03 to 0.06 wt% B.
Chromosome Abnormalities in Human Tumor Cells in Culture

The ever-increasing availability of human tumor lines in continuous culture poses questions of pertinence to those interested in chromosomes of cancer cells as well as to those interested in the biology of cancer in a more general way. A cursory glance at reports detailing the establishment in vitro of a tumor line reveals that many include karyotype analysis. A simple but central question is, therefore, Is knowledge of the chromosome constitution of the cultured cells useful? That question can be answered intuitively with a yes, or otherwise, it could be said, chromosomal analysis would not be so frequently utilized as an ancillary descriptive method. However, it is possible that cytogeneticists are rather like squirrels who instinctively collect and store away acorns, sometimes for others eventually to retrieve and to make use of ineffectually if at all. Alternatively, the objectives of chromosome analysis of tumor cell cultures may be quite clear in the mind of the initiator. Whichever is the prevailing approach, it appears worthwhile to elaborate and to consider some possible objectives of chromosome studies of human tumor cells in vitro.
Interval Change in Diffusion and Perfusion MRI Parameters for the Assessment of Pseudoprogression in Cerebral Metastases Treated With Stereotactic Radiation.

OBJECTIVE. Apparent increases in the size of cerebral metastases after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can be caused by pseudoprogression or true disease progression, which poses a diagnostic chall...
Vitrimers Designed Both To Strongly Suppress Creep and To Recover Original Cross-Link Density after Reprocessing: Quantitative Theory and Experiments

Vitrimers form a promising class of dynamic polymer networks, but they have an Achilles’ heel: elastomeric vitrimers exhibit significant creep under conditions where permanently cross-linked, elastomeric networks exhibit little or no creep. We demonstrate that vitrimers can be designed with strongly suppressed creep and excellent reprocessability by incorporating a substantial yet subcritical fraction of permanent cross-links. This critical fraction of permanent cross-links, which has little or no detrimental effect on reprocessability, is defined by the gelation point of only permanent cross-links leading to a percolated permanent network. Via a modification of classic Flory–Stockmayer theory, we have developed a simple theory that quantitatively predicts an approximate limiting fraction. To test our theory, we designed vitrimers with controlled fractions of permanent cross-links based on thiol–epoxy click chemistry. We characterized the rubbery plateau modulus before and after reprocessing as well as st...
Functional Genomics and Immunologic Tools: The Impact of Viral and Host Genetic Variations on the Outcome of Zika Virus Infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes no-to-mild symptoms or severe neurological disorders. To investigate the importance of viral and host genetic variations in determining ZIKV infection outcomes, we created three full-length infectious cDNA clones as bacterial artificial chromosomes for each of three spatiotemporally distinct and genetically divergent ZIKVs: MR-766 (Uganda, 1947), P6-740 (Malaysia, 1966), and PRVABC-59 (Puerto Rico, 2015). Using the three molecularly cloned ZIKVs, together with 13 ZIKV region-specific polyclonal antibodies covering nearly the entire viral protein-coding region, we made three conceptual advances: (i) We created a comprehensive genome-wide portrait of ZIKV gene products and their related species, with several previously undescribed gene products identified in the case of all three molecularly cloned ZIKVs. (ii) We found that ZIKV has a broad cell tropism in vitro, being capable of establishing productive infection in 16 of 17 animal cell lines from 12 different species, although its growth kinetics varied depending on both the specific virus strain and host cell line. More importantly, we identified one ZIKV-non-susceptible bovine cell line that has a block in viral entry but fully supports the subsequent post-entry steps. (iii) We showed that in mice, the three molecularly cloned ZIKVs differ in their neuropathogenicity, depending on the particular combination of viral and host genetic backgrounds, as well as in the presence or absence of type I/II interferon signaling. Overall, our findings demonstrate the impact of viral and host genetic variations on the replication kinetics and neuropathogenicity of ZIKV and provide multiple avenues for developing and testing medical countermeasures against ZIKV.
Oxygen concentration dependency of adaptive homeostatic responses

In response to oxidative stress, cells usually expand a wide suite of defense mechanisms as part of adaptive homeostasis. Included in the array of adaptive responses is increased expression and activity of 20S proteasomes, immunoproteasomes, and PA28 (11S) proteasomal activator that enable efficient and rapid removal of oxidatively damaged proteins. However, for cells that have already been exposed to oxidative stress and adapted, the proteasomal adaptive response is suppressed to additional oxidative stresses. In this study, we investigated the ceiling effect of proteasomal adaptive response to oxidative stress imposed by pre-existing oxidative stress levels and explored the underlying mechanism. Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) were cultured continuously at either 5%, 20%, or 40% O2, and proteasomal adaptive response and Nrf2 signaling were determined. We found that adaptive capacity of MEFs to further H2O2 exposure followed MEFs cultured under 5% O2>MEFs under 20%>MEFs under 40% O2. MEFs cultured under 40% O2 for 4 weeks lost proteasomal adaptive response to H2O2 exposure. However, after culturing these cells under 5% O2 for two passages, adaptive response to H2O2 was restored, suggesting that loss of proteasomal adaptive response was a reversible metabolic signaling process, and not the result of genetic modifications. Next, we examined change in Nrf2 signaling pathway, which is involved in proteasome regulation. We demonstrated that protein level of Nrf2 and its competitor Bach1 was increased under 20% and 40% O2 compared with under 5% O2. Although Nrf2 in cells cultured under 5% O2 was increased in response to H2O2 exposure, it remained unchanged in cells under 40%. In conclusion, our results reveal that proteasomal adaptive responses decrease with increasing O2 culturing concentrations, but can be recovered when normoxic conditions are restored. Our data also suggests that dysregulated Nrf2 signaling may be involved in the ceiling effect of proteasomal adaptive responses to oxidative stress.
CLIPPERS Syndrome in Association P/Q type Voltage Calcium Channel Antibody (P2.387)

Objective: To present a case of chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) with cerebellar, brainstem, and supra-tentorial involvement. Also, to postulate a potential association of P/Q type voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibody with CLIPPERS syndrome. Background: CLIPPERS is an encephalomyelitis with characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features involving enhancing punctate lesions peppering the pons and cerebellum. CLIPPERS can also involve supratentorial lesions. The pathological mechanism remains unclear. Design/Methods: Case Report Results: An African-American female presented with recurrent episodes of vertigo and ataxia. Her first episode involved vertigo, ataxia, and diplopia. MRI brain showed enhancing lesions peppering the pons. There was radiographic and clinical resolution with steroid therapy. She had a second episode with MRI lesions in the brainstem and cerebellum. She again improved with steroid therapy. The patient presented to our facility with a third episode with her typical symptoms: vertigo and ataxia. MRI demonstrated enhancing curvilinear lesions in her cerebellum, multiple punctate enhancing foci scattered in the cerebrum, and a heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the cervicomedullary junction consistent with the diagnosis of CLIPPERS syndrome. The patient again had symptomatic resolution with steroid therapy. An extensive work up revealed no evidence of significant lymphadenopathy, underlying malignancy, or vasculitis. CSF analysis was remarkable for a mild lymphocytic pleocytosis, but was otherwise unremarkable. Serology was remarkable for an elevated P/Q type VGCC antibody. Conclusions: P/Q type VGCC antibodies have been described in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration, but have not yet been described in CLIPPERS syndrome. Animal studies have shown binding of P type VGCC antibodies in the cerebellum and brainstem. This pattern corresponds with the brainstem and supra-tentorial lesions found in this case. It offers a potential explanation for the characteristic lesions seen in CLIPPERS syndrome. This warrants investigation into the role of VGCC antibodies in the etiopathogenesis of CLIPPERS syndrome. Disclosure: Dr. Devine has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dubey has nothing to disclose. Dr. Blackburn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Warnack has nothing to disclose.
Randomized Effectiveness Trial of the New Beginnings Program for Divorced Families with Children and Adolescents

This study presents findings from a randomized effectiveness trial of the New Beginnings Program (NBP), which has demonstrated efficacy in 2 prior randomized efficacy trials. Family courts in 4 cou...
Integration of DNA, fingerprint, and firearm databases into forensic intelligence networks for a real-time case assessment model

Forensic analysis traditionally supports the investigative process from crime scene to trial on a case-by-case basis which fails to exploit the potential of forensic data. Introduction of forensic ...
Antisense RNA Elements for Downregulating Expression

Antisense RNA (asRNA) technology is an important tool for downregulating gene expression. When applying this strategy, the asRNA interference efficiency is determined by several elements including scaffold design, loop size, and relative abundance. Here, we take the Escherichia coli gene fabD encoding malonyl-CoA-[acyl-carrier-protein] transacylase as an example to describe the asRNA design with reliable and controllable interference efficiency. Real-time PCR and fluorescence assay methods are introduced to detect the interference efficiency at RNA level and protein level, respectively.
Vulnerability of Social Norms to Incomplete Information

The ability of groups to self-govern their common pool resources is well documented (Ostrom, 1990). Whether common pool resources are fish stocks or freshwater or forest products, success of self-governance relates to the ability of appropriators to develop trust relationships, monitor and enforce agreements, and communicate among each other.
Accumulation and evolution of elastically induced defects under cyclic loading: Quantification and subsequent properties

Abstract This article quantifies the evolution of bulk material defects in α -iron during cyclic elastic loading and investigates its subsequent effect on quasi-static and dynamic mechanical response. Fatigue test specimens were cycled at a constant stress amplitude, 70% of the yield stress, to cause microscopic defects throughout the material due to a macroscopic elastic load. Afterwards, wire-cut electrical discharge machining was used to obtain multiple sub-tensile specimens from within the gauge section of the fatigued material. X-ray computed tomography of the sub-tensile specimens was used to quantify distribution and location of voids that were induced at different stages of fatigue life. Then, tension tests were performed on the sub-tensile specimens at low (10−3 s−1) and high (103 s−1) strain rates to study changes in mechanical properties. Yield stress and ultimate tensile stress were found to change under both quasi-static and dynamic strain rates based on the amount of prior cyclic loading. Changes in mechanical behavior were correlated to the characteristics of observed defects that exhibited distinct grouping at a certain point during the fatigue life. Mechanical properties of the sub-tensile specimens after fatigue loading displayed different trends depending on the strain rate. Low strain rate deformation resulted in decreases of approximately 20% in the yield stress, ultimate tensile stress, and ductility due to increased fatigue loading. Conversely, during high strain rate deformation some samples with more fatigue loading displayed higher maximum flow stresses. Results demonstrate the significance of bulk material changes which occur at mechanical loads below the yield stress. The systematic experimental procedures developed here for investigating the accumulation, evolution, and effect on subsequent properties due to elastically induced microscopic defects could potentially be applied to a wide range of material systems.
Interest in Tobacco Treatment Delivered During Rideshare Travel.

Abstract More than 37,000,000 US adults smoke cigarettes. Most are interested in quitting, but rates of successful cessation remain low. Developing more and better approaches to tobacco treatment is a public health priority. The evolution of vehicular travel may present an opportunity for tobacco treatment intervention. We recruited individuals who reported previous use of ridesharing services (eg, Uber or Lyft) at 10 sites in the Boston area. They completed an anonymous survey that collected sociodemographic and tobacco use information and assessed participants’ interest in receiving various forms of tobacco treatment during their rideshare rides. Forty-nine adult smokers completed the survey. Mean age = 40.1, 61.2% male, 51.0% white, 16.3% African American/black, 14.3% Latino, and 8.2% Asian. Almost 70% were college graduates, 79.6% worked full time, and 40.8% used ridesharing services ≥ weekly. They smoked a mean of 8.7 cigarettes per day; 35.3% were moderately or highly nicotine dependent, 36.7% also smoked cigars, 34.7% also used e-cigarettes, and 41.7% were in the contemplation or preparation stage of quitting. More than 56% of participants expressed some level of interest in receiving quit-smoking messaging during their rideshare rides. On multivariate analysis, black or Latino race/ethnicity and rideshare frequency of at least once a week were associated with interest in receiving quit-smoking messaging during rideshare rides. The majority of rideshare users who smoke are amenable to the idea of quit-smoking messaging delivered to them during their rides, and interest rates were highest among black or Latino riders and those who used rideshare services most frequently.
A Novel Short Latency, High Penetrance Model of KRAS Mutation-Driven T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Introduction: RAS-activating mutations are common in both childhood B- and T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Prior studies of B- and T-ALL have shown that RAS mutations become enriched during treatment in minimum residual disease-positive cases, are associated with a poor glucocorticoid response, and are associated with inferior survival in relapsed disease. There is a need for more tractable preclinical models of RAS mutation-driven B- and T-ALL. Currently, most genetically-engineered mouse models generated to study KRASG12D-driven ALL have a high latency, low penetrance, and/or necessitate the use of multiple technical manipulations, which can yield inconsistent results. Here, we set out to generate a more efficient and penetrant mouse model of KRASG12D-driven B-ALL or T-ALL. Methods:We utilized KRASLSL-G12D/+ mice, which carry KRASG12D preceded by a Lox-Stop-Lox (LSL) site. KRASLSL-G12D/+ males were crossed with Mb1Cre/+ females, which express Cre in most (68-90%) B lineage cells and in a small percentage ( Results: KRASLSL-G12D/+Mb1Cre/+ mice developed T-ALL with a median latency of 101 days (range 75-157 days old) and 83.8% penetrance (Figure 1A). A few mice were censored due to early deaths, before they would have likely developed T-ALL, from non-leukemic complications typically involving malocclusion. No mice developed B-ALL. Flow cytometry demonstrated expansion of CD4+CD8+ cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and/or spleen in 8 of the 9 mice assayed. One mouse had CD8+ T-ALL. Leukemic mice had significantly increased thymus weight (453 vs 40 mg, p Conclusions: Here we describe a short latency, high penetrance mouse model of KRASG12D-driven T-ALL. No mice developed B-ALL, perhaps because the small percentage of T cells expressing Cre gained a greater proliferative advantage relative to any effects manifested in B cells. KRAS mutations are present in 5-10% of pediatric T-ALL cases at diagnosis and 12% at relapse, and predict poor response to therapy and poor survival in relapsed cases. Thus, this constitutes a useful model for studying a clinically relevant disease. Currently, almost all genetically-engineered models of RAS mutation-driven T-ALL involve technical manipulation, including injections with pIpC or retrovirus, and/or secondary transplantation into irradiated mice; or exhibit a much longer latency to disease (eg a KRASLSL-G12D model with Cre driven by the Lck promoter, with median disease latencies of 121 and 180 days in two prior reports). This model may be utilized to study candidate therapies for KRAS mutation-driven T-ALL. Because this model does not involve irradiation, it is also better suited for studies of T-ALL in the native host microenvironment, and for studies of pre-leukemic evolution, including interactions with the host immune system. Download : Download high-res image (321KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The paleopolyploid nature of the soybean genome: duplicate gene identification, regional sequence characterization and expression studies

67 Introduction 68 Materials and Methods 71 Results 76 Discussion 86 Acknowledgments 93 References 93 Appendix 119
Comparison of nutrient removal and biomass production between macrophytes and microalgae for treating artificial citrus nursery wastewater.

Abstract Macrophyte (Lemna minor) and microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris and Scenesdesmus quadricauda) were used for treating artificial wastewater mimicking recirculating soilless citrus nursery system discharge in the laboratory environment. L. minor gave a better dry biomass yield (0.059 ± 0.003 g/L/day) than C. vulgaris (0.033 ± 0.002 g/L/day) and S. quadricauda (0.039 ± 0.001 g/L/day). Furthermore, L. minor had a higher nutrient (total N and P) and soluble minerals (S, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn) removal capabilities than microalgae due to a more natural high growth rate in non-optimized culture conditions.
Speech Synthesis Using EEG

In this paper we demonstrate speech synthesis using different electroencephalography (EEG) feature sets recently introduced in [1]. We make use of a recurrent neural network (RNN) regression model to predict acoustic features directly from EEG features. We demonstrate our results using EEG features recorded in parallel with spoken speech as well as using EEG recorded in parallel with listening utterances. We provide EEG based speech synthesis results for four subjects in this paper and our results demonstrate the feasibility of synthesizing speech directly from EEG features.
Classification of RFID Tags with Wavelet Fingerprinting

Passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags lack the resources for standard cryptography, but are straightforward to clone. Identifying RF signatures that are unique to an emitter’s signal is known as physical-layer identification, a technique that allows for distinction between cloned devices. In this work, we study the effect real-world environmental variations have on the physical-layer fingerprints of passive RFID tags. Signals are collected for a variety of reader frequencies, tag orientations, and ambient conditions, and pattern classification techniques are applied to automatically identify these unique RF signatures. We show that identically programmed RFID tags can be distinguished using features generated from DWFP representations of the raw RF signals.
Repeated blast mild traumatic brain injury and oxycodone self-administration produce interactive effects on neuroimaging outcomes

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and drug addiction are common comorbidities, but it is unknown if the neurological sequelae of TBI contribute to this relationship. We have previously reported elevated oxycodone seeking after drug self-administration in rats that received repeated blast TBI (rbTBI). TBI and exposure to drugs of abuse can each change structural and functional neuroimaging outcomes, but it is unknown if there are interactive effects of injury and drug exposure. To determine the effects of TBI and oxycodone exposure, we subjected rats to rbTBI and oxycodone self-administration and measured drug seeking and several neuroimaging measures. We found interactive effects of rbTBI and oxycodone on fractional anisotropy (FA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and that FA in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was correlated with drug seeking. We also found an interactive effect of injury and drug on widespread functional connectivity and regional homogeneity of the BOLD response, and that interhemispheric functional connectivity in the infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex positively correlated with drug seeking. In conclusion, rbTBI and oxycodone self-administration had interactive effects on structural and functional MRI measures, and correlational effects were found between some of these measures and drug seeking. These data support the hypothesis that TBI and opioid exposure produce neuroadaptations that contribute to addiction liability.
Dynamic switching control of buck converters using unsupervised machine learning methods

This study presents the implementation of a new unsupervised machine learning based system called a buck converter controller using unsupervised machine learning (ABCML) to control the operation of a type of switching voltage regulators, commonly called buck converters. The system uses the voltage and current state variables of buck converters to evaluate four switching-based clustering algorithms, namely a Gaussian mixture model, a self-organising mapping (SOM), a k-means clustering and a hierarchical clustering algorithm. Step response results of the controller implementation with the buck converter show that the SOM controller improves the performance of the voltage regulator system by 99.77% in terms of voltage overshoot and by 63.24% in terms of fall time, whereas the hierarchical clustering algorithm improves the settling time of the output voltage by 3.91%. This finding of optimal machine learning implementation approaches and their comparison could be used to improve the stability and the performance of switching voltage regulation systems which are widely used in electronic systems of today.
Recent developments in geriatric psychopharmacology.

There is a tremendous growing need to address the burden of geriatric psychiatric disorders. Recent developments relevant to geriatric psychiatry have focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), severe/re...
La antigüedad e importancia de las relaciones de intercambio a larga distancia en los trópicos húmedos de Sudamérica precolombina

En otra parte, el autor ha argumentado que la cultura de los bosques tropicales, como se la define convencionalmente, es mas antigua y ancestral de las "culturas formativas" de Mesoamerica y los Andes centrales. Aqui se desarrolla un argumento de que: (1) la amplia gama de materiales vegetales para tareas especificas basicos para la tecnologia de los "bosques tropicales" implica relaciones comerciales a larga distancia; (2) la intensificacion del procesamiento de mandioca demostrable en el norte de America del Sur en el ano 2000 a. C. solo puede explicarse en terminos de la intensificacion de tales relaciones comerciales. Se examinan elementos especificos que sugieren redes comerciales centradas en las tierras bajas tropicales de America del Sur en relacion con las dos proposiciones anteriores.
Anti-sunshine vitamin A.

Ultraviolet irradiation causes loss of retinoid receptors and a consequent functional vitamin A deficiency in skin, events that are mostly preventable by pre-treatment with retinoic acid ( pages 418–422 ).