cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of an MRI Try Without program on patient access.

Pediatric patients are often sedated for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to ensure images are of diagnostic quality. However, access time for MRIs requiring sedation is often long due to high patient volumes and limited sedation resources. This study examined the effectiveness of an MRI Try Without sedation program to decrease the wait time for obtaining an MRI while simultaneously ensuring diagnostic-quality images. A retrospective chart review was performed on subjects who utilized the MRI Try Without program from April 2014 through June 2015 at a dedicated pediatric institution. Child life specialist preparations and access time (i.e. time from exam ordered to exam completed) were recorded in each patient’s electronic medical record. MRI images were evaluated for image quality by a pediatric neuroradiologist. A total of 134 patients participated in the MRI Try Without program (mean age: 6.9±1.7 years), all of whom received interventions from a child life specialist. The average number of days between when the order was placed and when the MRI was completed using the MRI Try Without program was 15.4±18.5 days, while the third-available appointment for sedation/anesthesia was 46.2 days (standard deviation [SD]±15.7 days). Nearly all patients received a “good” or “very good” image quality determination (87.3%) and only 5 (3.8%) patients were recommended for repeat examination for diagnostic-quality images. Utilization of an MRI Try Without sedation program, with child life specialist interventions, decreased the wait time for obtaining an MRI while still providing diagnostic-quality images.
Immersive Analytics: Theory and Research Agenda.

Advances in a variety of computing fields, including "big data", machine learning, visualization, and augmented/mixed/virtual reality, have combined to give rise to the emerging field of immersive analytics, which investigates how these new technologies support analysis and decision making. Thus far, we feel that immersive analytics research has been somewhat ad hoc, possibly owing to the fact that there is not yet an organizing framework for immersive analytics research. In this paper, we address this lack by proposing a definition for immersive analytics, and identifying some general research areas and specific research questions that we feel will be important for the development of this field. We also present three case studies that, while all being examples of what we would consider immersive analytics, present different challenges and opportunities. These serve to demonstrate the breadth of immersive analytics and illustrate how the framework proposed in this paper applies to practical research.
DanceCraft: A Whole-body Interactive System for Children with Autism

Children with autism often have sensory processing differences that can lead to a myriad of challenges, including difficulty with awareness of how their bodies occupy physical space. Natural User Interfaces (NUI) can help augment therapies to support these children. We developed DanceCraft, a whole-body interface to augment dance therapy for children with autism. In a pilot study, we deployed DanceCraft to nine homes for one week for children with autism to use. We received feedback on both the system's central activity (dance), as well as elements of its design and set up, offering lessons to guide future field deployments of such systems.
Diversity, ecology and evolution of Archaea

Compared to bacteria, our knowledge of archaeal biology is limited. Historically, microbiologists have mostly relied on culturing and single-gene diversity surveys to understand Archaea in nature. However, only six of the 27 currently proposed archaeal phyla have cultured representatives. Advances in genomic sequencing and computational approaches are revolutionizing our understanding of Archaea. The recovery of genomes belonging to uncultured groups from the environment has resulted in the description of several new phyla, many of which are globally distributed and are among the predominant organisms on the planet. In this Review, we discuss how these genomes, together with long-term enrichment studies and elegant in situ measurements, are providing insights into the metabolic capabilities of the Archaea. We also debate how such studies reveal how important Archaea are in mediating an array of ecological processes, including global carbon and nutrient cycles, and how this increase in archaeal diversity has expanded our view of the tree of life and early archaeal evolution, and has provided new insights into the origin of eukaryotes.
Consumption of a Blueberry-Enriched Diet by Women for 6 Weeks Alters Determinants of Human Muscle Progenitor Cell Function

Background Human muscle progenitor cell (hMPC) function facilitates skeletal muscle regeneration and is influenced by circulating factors. Yet it is unknown whether dietary interventions impact hMPC function. Blueberry consumption was examined due to the pro-proliferative and antioxidant effects of blueberries and blueberry-derived compounds. Objectives This study measured indicators of hMPC function in young and old cultures treated with serum collected from a blueberry-enriched diet (BED) intervention. Methods Younger (21-40 y, n = 12) and older (60-79 y, n = 10) women consumed a 6-wk BED (38 g of freeze-dried blueberries daily). Fasting serum was collected at 0, 4, and 6 wk, and a fed serum sample at 1.5 h (acute) after starting the BED intervention. Young and old hMPCs, derived from 3-5 distinct donors (biological replicates), were individually cultured in media containing pooled, age-group-matched serum from each time point. Determinants of hMPC function (e.g., hMPC number, oxidative stress resistance, and upregulation of metabolic pathways) were measured and compared within age groups. Results Culturing young hMPCs in acute (compared with 0 wk) BED serum did not alter hMPC number or oxidative stress-induced cell death, but increased cellular oxygen consumption (29%, P = 0.026). Culturing young hMPCs in 6-wk (compared with 0-wk) BED serum increased hMPC number (40%, P = 0.0024), conferred minor resistance to oxidative stress-induced cell death (12.6 percentage point decrease, P = 0.10), and modestly increased oxygen consumption (36%, P = 0.09). No beneficial effect of the acute or long-term BED serum was observed in old hMPCs. Conclusions In younger women, dietary interventions could be a feasible strategy to improve hMPC function and thus muscle regeneration, through altering the serum environment.This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04262258).
Rectal Foreign Body Removal in the Emergency Department: A Case Report.

Author(s): Nesemann, Samuel; Hubbard, Kimberly A.; Siddiqui, Mehdi I.; Fernandez, William G. | Abstract: Introduction: Rectal foreign bodies (RFB) pose a challenge to emergency physicians. Patients are not often forthcoming, which can lead to delays to intervention. Thus, RFBs require a heightened clinical suspicion. In the emergency department (ED), extraction may require creative methods to prevent need for surgical intervention.Case Report: The authors present a case of a successful extraction of a RFB in the ED and review of the literature.Conclusion: Retained RFBs are an unusually problematic reason for an ED visit. Thus, it is important for emergency physicians to be comfortable managing such cases appropriately.
Comparison of Potassium Iodide Quenching of 3-Aminophthalate Fluorescence and Luminol Chemiluminescence in Aqueous Solution

It has recently been suggested that the fluorescence of 3-aminophthalate in aqueous or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution can be described by a four level scheme1. The ground state species upon excitation undergoes considerable hydrogen bonding re-arrangements and in DMSO even complete intramolecular proton transfer occurs. In order to explain the differences in spectral and quantum yield behavior between the fluorescence of 3-aminophthalate and the chemiluminescence of luminol 1–4, we have suggested that the chemiluminescence process populates the lower of the two excited levels primarily1.
The use of wireless motility capsule in the diagnosis and monitoring of gastroparesis

Abstract Gastroparesis is a chronic condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction, which results in typical symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal fullness, early satiation, bloating, distention and upper abdominal pain. While gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) is the most commonly ordered test for diagnosis of gastroparesis, wireless motility capsule (WMC) can measure transit and pressure parameters throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. As gastroparesis frequently presents with co-existing upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms, this ability to monitor the entire GI tract may provide additional diagnostic information with the potential to identify important subgroups of patients, influence clinical decision making and potentially reduce or eliminate additional diagnostic testing.
Forced Symmetry Breaking from O(3)

Here we consider the flow near a manifold of equilibria of a specific orbit type of an O(3)-equivariant ordinary differential equation if we break the symmetry of the underlying system. This continues joint work with Mark Roberts [5] on cases of breaking SO(3)-equivariance. Applications to PDE’s are given in [6].
Return to learn: An ethnographic study of adolescent young adults returning to school post‐concussion

Background and purpose The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 3.8 million concussions occur in the United States each year. Concussion symptoms can negatively impact the academic performance of adolescents after they return to school. The purpose of this study was to better understand the perceptions of parent-adolescent dyads as male and female adolescents returned to learn after sustaining a concussion. Methods A qualitative ethnographic study of 10, English-speaking, parent-adolescent dyads was conducted, following the adolescents return to school after a recent concussion. Dyads were recruited from a Concussion Clinic in Menlo Park, California between October 2018- October 2019. Adolescents were aged 14-16 years old. Each dyad participated in a semistructured interview. Interviews were subsequently transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. This qualitative study design utilized COREQ. (Supplemental File 1) . This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and ethics committee. Conclusions Three categories were identified: adolescents feeling misunderstood by school staff about their injuries, adolescents feeling overwhelmed by their injuries, and academic accommodations lacking clarity and implementation. The overarching theme that emerged was clear: Parents and adolescents lacked consistent guidelines for the adolescents' return to learn after a concussion. Relevance to clinical practice Post-concussion syndrome as a result of head injury is a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. This treatment should be individualized and appropriately adjusted to provide the adolescent with the most optimal environment for recovery. This study provides data to suggest that more guidance from the medical provider or treatment team is needed for teachers and school administrators in order to create an ideal return to learn environment for the adolescent who is recovering from a head injury.
Management Practices Associated with the Rate of Pre-Weaning Calf Respiratory Disease:

Pre-weaning bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) in beef cow-calf herds can negatively affect calf sale weight and can lead to pre-weaning mortalities. Reductions in weight and number of calves that cow-calf operators sell will impact herd profitability. There are no large-scale studies documenting management factors associated with pre-weaning BRDC in cow-calf herds. The US Department of Agriculture National Animal Health Monitoring System’s Beef 2007-08 study generated data on management factors and disease occurrences for US cow-calf herds. Our objective was to utilize these data to assess potential associations between cow-calf herd management practices and the rate of BRDC in pre-weaned beef calves.
Regional anesthesia does not decrease inpatient or outpatient opioid demand in distal femur fracture surgery

Regional anesthesia (RA) is sometimes used to decrease pain and opioid consumption in distal femur fractures. However, the real-world impact of RA on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand is not well known. The hypothesis of this study is that RA would be associated with decreased inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand. This study evaluated inpatient post-operative opioid consumption (0–24 h, 24–48 h, 48–72 h) and outpatient opioid demand (discharge to 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 90 days) in all patients ages 18 and older undergoing operative treatment of distal femur fractures at a single institution from 7/2013 to 7/2018 (n = 230). Unadjusted and adjusted multivariable models were used to evaluate the impact of RA and other baseline patient and operative characteristics on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand. Adjusted models demonstrated a small, significant increase in inpatient opioid consumption in patients with RA compared to no RA (4.7 estimated OE’s without RA vs 6.2 OE’s with RA from 24- to 48-h post-op, p 0.05). Estimated cumulative outpatient opioid demand was significantly higher in patients with RA from discharge to 6 weeks and to 90 days (55.8 OE’s without RA vs 63.9 with RA from discharge to 2 weeks, p > 0.05; 74.9 vs 95.1 OE’s to 6 weeks, and 85 vs 113.1 OE’s to 90 days, p < 0.05). In distal femur fracture surgery, RA was associated with increased inpatient and outpatient opioid demand after adjusting for baseline patient and treatment characteristics. These results call into question the routine use of RA in distal femur fractures. Level III, retrospective, therapeutic cohort study.
833-P: HbA1c Trends in the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI), 2017-2020

Background: The T1DX-QI was launched in 2016 with 10 participating centers and now has over 30 U.S. endocrinology centers that share data and best practices to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes for people with T1D through the application of QI. This study aims to compare trends in A1c levels among people with T1D in the T1DX-QI registry in 2017 and 2020 across all ages. Methods: The analysis includes all T1D patients in the T1DX-QI database for whom electronic medical record data were available from clinic visits (in-person or virtual) in 2017 (N=16,683) and 2020 (N=11,575) with at least one HbA1c in each of those years. Patients aged Results: Mean A1c in 2017, the start of the T1DX-QI data sharing and practice-wide improvements, was higher in comparison with A1c trends in 2020 (mean [SD]: 8.9[1.6] vs. 8.6[1.7]) (p 25 years of age. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the early success of the T1DX-QI population-based trends in HbA1c outcomes over time. While there are many contributing factors including advances in diabetes technology during this interval, improvement in A1c for sites participating in QI initiatives is encouraging. Disclosure O. Ebekozien: None. P. Prahalad: None. O. Odugbesan: None. M. K. Kamboj: None. D. M. Maahs: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott Diabetes, Dompe, Eli Lilly and Company, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk, Consultant; Self; aditxt. M. A. Clements: Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Employee; Self; Glooko, Inc., Research Support; Self; Abbott Diabetes, Dexcom, Inc. T1dx-qi collaborative: n/a. N. Noor: Research Support; Self; Dexcom, Inc. N. Jones: Consultant; Self; Companion Medical, Medtronic. G. T. Alonso: None. M. Desimone: None. R. Izquierdo: None. S. Corathers: None. D. Desalvo: Consultant; Self; Insulet Corporation, Research Support; Self; Insulet Corporation, Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Dexcom, Inc. N. Rioles: None. Funding The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
Enhanced radial transport and energization of radiation belt electrons due to drift orbit bifurcations

[1]Relativistic electron intensities in Earth's outer radiation belt can vary by multiple orders of magnitude on the time scales ranging from minutes to days. One fundamental process contributing to dynamic variability of radiation belt intensities is the radial transport of relativistic electrons across their drift shells. In this paper we analyze the properties of three-dimensional radial transport in a global magnetic field model driven by variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure. We use a test particle approach which captures anomalous effects such as drift orbit bifurcations. We show that the bifurcations lead to an order of magnitude increase in radial transport rates and enhance the energization at large equatorial pitch angles. Even at quiet time fluctuations in dynamic pressure, radial transport at large pitch angles exhibits strong deviations from the diffusion approximation. The radial transport rates are much lower at small pitch angle values which results in a better agreement with the diffusion approximation.
Set identification and sensitivity analysis with Tobin regressors

We give semiparametric identification and estimation results for econometric models with a regressor that is endogenous, bound censored, and selected; it is called a Tobin regressor. First, we show that the true parameter value is set- identified and characterize the identification sets. Second, we propose novel es- timation and inference methods for this true value. These estimation and infer- ence methods are of independent interest and apply to any problem possessing the sensitivity structure, where the true parameter value is point-identified con- ditional on some nuisance parameter values that are set-identified. By fixing the nuisance parameter value in some suitable region, we can proceed with regular point and interval estimation. Then we take the union over nuisance parameter values of the point and interval estimates to form the final set estimates and con- fidence set estimates. The initial point or interval estimates can be frequentist or Bayesian. The final set estimates are set-consistent for the true parameter value, and confidence set estimates have frequentist validity in the sense of covering this value with at least a prespecified probability in large samples. Our procedure may be viewed as a formalization of the sensitivity analysis in the sense of Leamer (1985). We apply our identification, estimation, and inference procedures to study the effects of changes in housing wealth on household consumption. Our set es- timates fall in plausible ranges, significantly above low ordinary least squares es- timates and below high instrumental variables estimates that do not account for the Tobin regressor structure. Keywords. Partial identification, endogenous censoring, sample selection. JEL classification. C14, C24, C26.
MODELING FINANCIAL PORTFOLIOS USING BELIEF FUNCTIONS

The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate how the theory of belief functions [Dempster 1967, Shafer 1976, Kohlas and Monney 1995, Smets 1998] can be used to model financial portfolios. In particular, we are interested in modeling how a portfolio return distribution changes as we learn new information about the different factors that impact the portfolio.
Relationships between walking and percentiles of adiposity inolder and younger men

To assess the relationship of weekly walking distance to percentiles of adiposity in elders (age {ge} 75 years), seniors (55 {le} age <75 years), middle-age men (35 {le} age <55 years), and younger men (18 {le} age <35 years old). Cross-sectional analyses of baseline questionnaires from 7,082 male participants of the National Walkers Health Study. The walkers BMIs were inversely and significantly associated with walking distance (kg/m{sup 2} per km/wk) in elders (slope {+-} SE: -0.032 {+-} 0.008), seniors (-0.045 {+-} 0.005), and middle-aged men (-0.037 {+-} 0.007), as were their waist circumferences (-0.091 {+-} 0.025, -0.045 {+-} 0.005, and -0.091 {+-} 0.015 cm per km/wk, respectively), and these slopes remained significant when adjusted statistically for reported weekly servings of meat, fish, fruit, and alcohol. The declines in BMI associated with walking distance were greater at the higher than lower percentiles of the BMI distribution. Specifically, compared to the decline at the 10th BMI percentile, the decline in BMI at the 90th percentile was 5.1-fold greater in elders, 5.9-fold greater in seniors, and 6.7-fold greater in middle-age men. The declines in waist circumference associated with walking distance were also greater among men with broader waistlines. Exercise-induced weight loss (or self-selection)more » causes an inverse relationship between adiposity and walking distance in men 35 and older that is substantially greater among fatter men.« less
Reactions in Liquid Ammonia III. COMPLETE AMINOETHYLATION OF THIOL GROUPS IN PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS BY ETHYLENIMINE IN LIQUID AMMONIA

Abstract Quantitative aminoethylation of thiol groups in peptides and proteins has been attained, without side reactions, by the action of ethylenimine in liquid ammonia. Rapid work-up under mild conditions by solvent evaporation and repeated washing of residual solid with methanol directly yielded homogeneous products, such as (hexa-S-aminoethyl)insulin, (hexa-S-aminoethyl)basic trypsin inhibitor, (tetra-S-aminoethyl)neocarzinostatin, and (octa-S-aminoethyl)lysozyme.
Abstract IA03: Mutations, drugs, and breast cancer: How are we going to figure it out?

Massively parallel DNA and RNA sequencing approaches have generated high dimensional data on thousands of breast cancer genomes. Broad-based conclusions include challenges to the multistep model of breast carcinogenesis and the monoclonality of cancer, a link between leukemogenesis and luminal breast cancer and the discovery of new mutagenesis mechanisms. Unfortunately novel and immediately applicable therapeutic insights have been somewhat sparse. Many of the processes that are disrupted by newly discovered somatic mutations include genes with roles in splicing, histone methylation and long non-coding RNA function. Drugs targeting these processes are in the earliest stages of development, emphasizing a pressing unmet need to move drug discovery efforts beyond our current intense focus on kinase inhibitors. Despite the evident complexity, promising examples are emerging including new efforts to target mutations in two well-established drivers in breast cancer: HER2 in HER2 mutant breast cancer and mutant ESR1 in ESR1 endocrine refractory luminal-type breast cancer. A case for the importance of genome-annotated patient-derived breast cancer xenografts (PDX) will also be made. PDX models are potentially more reliable preclinical setting than cell lines and are a setting in which the biological rules for genome driven therapeutic planning could be developed. A call is also made for a new generation of prospective clinical trials that are fully focused on exploring interactions between cancer genomics and drug outcomes as a primary objective. Finally the integration of DNA and RNA based sequencing studies with mass-spectrometry-based peptide sequencing promises a more complete view of the biochemistry of breast cancer cells and represents a new discovery horizon in efforts to drug the pathophysiology of complex epithelial malignancies. Citation Format: Matthew J. Ellis. Mutations, drugs, and breast cancer: How are we going to figure it out? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Drug Sensitivity and Resistance: Improving Cancer Therapy; Jun 18-21, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(4 Suppl): Abstract nr IA03.
Toward assembly sequence planning with flexible parts

A wide range of different approaches to assembly sequence planning has been described in the literature, but, to date, primarily assemblies of rigid parts have been considered. Yet flexible parts of all sorts are common in real world assemblies. This paper considers the special characteristics of operations on flexible parts in general and string-like parts (wires, cables, hoses, ropes, etc.) in particular. Different types of operations are discussed, and knowledge representation techniques for assembly states and operations are described, together with basic algorithms for queries on string-like assemblies.
Transcription factors sp1 and sp3 regulate expression of human extracellular superoxide dismutase in lung fibroblasts.

The molecular mechanisms that govern the transcription of human extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD), the major extracellular antioxidant enzyme, are largely unknown. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in human EC-SOD gene regulation and expression, we localized multiple transcription start sites to a finite region located 3.9 kb upstream of the ATG initiation codon. Within this segment, we subcloned a 2.7-kb fragment upstream of a luciferase reporter gene; the resulting construct exhibited strong in vivo promoter activity in two lung-derived cell lines. Deletion analysis of the EC-SOD 5′-flanking sequences identified a minimal 0.3-kb region that had strong basal promoter activity. Computer sequence analysis revealed a putative Sp1-like binding site within the EC-SOD proximal promoter region that lacked a TATA-box and showed a high frequency of GC nucleotides. Binding of Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors to the EC-SOD promoter was confirmed by DNase I footprint analysis, electophoretic mobility shift assay, and competition and supershift assays. Cotransfection of the EC-SOD promoter–luciferase reporter constructs with plasmids encoding Sp1 and Sp3 into Sp-deficient insect SL2 cells showed strong activation of luciferase gene expression. The occupancy of the EC-SOD promoter by Sp1/Sp3 and RNA polymerase II in vivo was determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and correlated well with levels of EC-SOD expression in lung epithelial cells (A549) and pulmonary fibroblasts (MRC5). Collectively, our results demonstrate the important role Sp1 and Sp3 plays in regulating the expression of human EC-SOD in the lung.
Risk reduction in fisheries management

Abstract A crucial issue in fisheries management is the extent to which management strategy should be designed to reduce risk: risk of depleting the resource and risk of business failure for the fishermen and processors. Fishery management requires that data be assimilated from a wide variety of sources into a coherent scheme for allocating fish. Many sources of risk, which can be measured as the probability of an event's occurrence, affect the objectives and outcomes of fishery management strategies. Fishery management decisions are also made in the face of uncertainty, some of which cannot be alleviated by additional information. Four general sources of risk are considered here: the resource and its changing environment; scientific research; markets for the products and factors of production; and management measures. The complexity of fishery management is illustrated through descriptions of interconnected sources of risk, and recommendations for dealing with risk and uncertainty are suggested.
The normal variability of the electrocardiogram as a basis for differentiation between “normal” and “abnormal” in clinical electrocardiography

Abstract The sources of electrocardiographic variability are discussed in regard to their effect on the diagnostic differentiation between healthy individuals and patients with cardiac pathology. The principles involved are illustrated by the frequency distribution in a sample of healthy men and a sample of patients with posterior wall infarct. Due to skewness of the frequency distributions in some electrocardiographic items, normal limits should be expressed in terms of percentiles, not of means ± multiples of standard deviation. Such limits are presented for normal young and normal older men, together with a weight correction for electrocardiographic standards. For unipolar limb leads, normal limits with correction for the electrical position are given. Data on other sources of variability are presented, including the error of measurement and day-to-day variability.
Numerical investigation of spin waves in ferromagnetic iron

Abstract Spin wave energies and intensities have been calculated along three principal symmetry directions for ferromagnetic iron. These calculations are based on an itinerant model which incorporates band and wave-vector dependence of the relevant Coulomb matrix elements. The results indicate that iron's spin waves can be described completely by an itinerant model without recourse to additional assumptions about strong Hund's rule coupling or local moment behavior.
Differential soil organic carbon storage at forb- and grass-dominated plant communities, 33 years after tallgrass prairie restoration

Dominance of C4 grasses has been proposed as a means of increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in restored tallgrass prairies. However, this hypothesis has not been tested on long time scales and under realistic (e.g. N-limited) environmental conditions. We sampled a restoration in southern Illinois 33 years after establishment to determine the effects of varying plant communities on SOC sequestration in the top 50 cm of soil. SOC, total nitrogen (TN), and the stable isotopic composition of SOC (δ13C) were used to calculate SOC sequestration rates, N storage, and the relative contributions of C3 vs. C4 plant communities as a function of soil depth. While both a forb-dominated and a mixed forb-grass plant community showed positive sequestration rates (0.56 ± 0.13 and 0.27 ± 0.10 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively), a C4 grass-dominated community showed SOC losses after 33 years of restoration (−0.31 ± 0.08 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). Soil δ13C values were significantly more negative for forb-dominated plant communities, increasing the confidence that plant communities were stable over time and an important contributor to differences in SOC stocks among transects. These results suggest that functional diversity may be necessary to sustain sequestration rates on the scale of decades, and that dominance of C4 grasses, favored by frequent burning, may lead to SOC losses over time.
Toward the synthesis of wafer-scale single-crystal graphene on copper foils.

In this research, we constructed a controlled chamber pressure CVD (CP-CVD) system to manipulate graphene’s domain sizes and shapes. Using this system, we synthesized large (∼4.5 mm2) single-crystal hexagonal monolayer graphene domains on commercial polycrystalline Cu foils (99.8% purity), indicating its potential feasibility on a large scale at low cost. The as-synthesized graphene had a mobility of positive charge carriers of ∼11 000 cm2 V–1 s–1 on a SiO2/Si substrate at room temperature, suggesting its comparable quality to that of exfoliated graphene. The growth mechanism of Cu-based graphene was explored by studying the influence of varied growth parameters on graphene domain sizes. Cu pretreatments, electrochemical polishing, and high-pressure annealing are shown to be critical for suppressing graphene nucleation site density. A pressure of 108 Torr was the optimal chamber pressure for the synthesis of large single-crystal monolayer graphene. The synthesis of one graphene seed was achieved on centim...
Role of FOXO1A in the Regulation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-1 in Human Endometrial Cells: Interaction with Progesterone Receptor

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP1) is a major secretory product of the decidualized endometrium. In the present study, we investigated the role of two transcription factors, progesterone receptor (PGR) and a member of the forkhead box class O family of transcription factors (FOXO1A), in the regulation of the IGFBP1 gene in endometrial cells. Human endometrial fibroblasts (HuF) expressed FOXO1A, progesterone receptor A (PGRA), and progesterone receptor B (PGRB) proteins, whereas the endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, HEC1B cells, expressed only FOXO1A and no detectable PGR proteins. When FOXO1A expression was silenced using small interference RNA, IGFBP1 expression decreased in both HuF and HEC-1B cells. Using the chromatin immunoprecipitation technique, we demonstrated that liganded PGR was recruited to the IGFBP1 promoter region (2358 to 249). In addition, immunoprecipitation of HuF nuclear proteins with a PGR antibody followed by immunoblotting with anti-FOXO1A revealed that these two proteins interact in these cells. Reporter studies demonstrated that whereas liganded PGRA or PGRB increased a progesterone response element-linked reporter construct, pPRE/ GRE.E1b.Luc, coexpression of FOXO1A inhibited the PGRB response in HuF and synergistically increased PGRA and PGRB response in HEC-1B cells. Furthermore, in HEC-1B cells, FOXO1A increased IGFBP1 promoter activity, and coexpression of PGRA or PGRB further increased the promoter activity in a cooperative manner. In HuF, the response to FOXO1A and PGR was not additive; in fact, it was lower than the sum of the individual responses. Thus, FOXO1A and PGR associate with one another, and each influences the transactivating potential of the other. The cell type-dependent responses strongly implicate the involvement of other cofactors. decidua, female reproductive tract, implantation, progesterone receptor, uterus
Anatomy and composition of Zostera Marina L.: A potential new crop

Chemical composition of Zostera marina L. seed and shoots was determined. Morphology and histochemistry of mature seeds were studied by fluorescence, brightfield and scanning electron microscopy to locate storage constituents in the seed. Starch content in the mature seed was 51% and was the major storage reserve in the embryo and a minor component in the testa. Starch in the shoots ranged from 0.3 to 2.3%. Protein, located in the embryo as small protein bodies, comprised about 9.0% of the seed. Protein in shoots ranged from 6–15%. Protein quality of both seeds and shoots resembled corn in composition, and the first limiting amino acid was lysine. Shoots were high in minerals, fiber and ash, while seeds were lower in these constituents. Fat was low (0.3–1.7%) in both shoots and seeds.
Mapping the evolution and transformation of the new private entrepreneurs in China

Given the fact that the new private entrepreneurs (NPEs) are playing an increasingly important role in Chinese politics and economy, this article maps the historical evolution of the NPEs through analyzing five main private business groups, including small individual businessmen, price speculators, land speculators, enterprise investors and high-tech investors. The article also examines six major ways that the NPEs have sought to protect their private property and improve their moral reputation, ranging from obtaining the Communist Party membership, congressional seat and an official position within a government branch, to relying on the law, participating in the local election process, and contributing to charitable causes. In so doing, they have increased their influence in the Chinese political, social, and economic spheres.
RG fixed points and flows in SQCD with adjoints

Abstract We map out and explore the zoo of possible 4d N =1 superconformal theories which are obtained as RG fixed points of N =1 SQCD with Nf fundamental and Na adjoint matter representations. Using “a-maximization”, we obtain exact operator dimensions at all RG fixed points and classify all relevant, Landau–Ginzburg type, adjoint superpotential deformations. Such deformations can be used to RG flow to new SCFTs, which are then similarly analyzed. Remarkably, the resulting 4d SCFT classification coincides with Arnold's ADE singularity classification. The exact superconformal R-charge and the central charge a are computed for all of these theories. RG flows between the different fixed points are analyzed, and all flows are verified to be compatible with the conjectured a-theorem.
Violent children and structural violence: Re-signaling ‘RAD Kids’ to inform the social work professions

Abstract This article critically examines representations of children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, or “RAD Kids”, and their construction as dangerous subjects. Based on ethnographic research within attachment therapy clinics, and among adoptive families, social workers, and medical professionals in the U.S. and Russia, the author suggests that notions of danger associated with “RAD Kids” actually reflect a social anxiety about the contexts of structural violence in which we are attempting to build families and raise children at the turn of the 21st century. The author culturally and historically contextualizes the signaling of “RAD Kids” as violent within literature on moral panics over children and youth. She explores how these representations function as an attempt to “resignal” public anxieties about the difficulties associated with building families through adoption, and especially, the adoption of formerly institutionalized children. The article provides a model for thinking about complex relationships between children, pathology, and power to inform the social work professions, and particularly practice with children diagnosed with RAD.
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS WITHOUT POLES IN A COMPACT SET

Let X be an irreducible nonsingular complex algebraic set and let K be a compact subset of X. We study algebraic properties of the ring of rational functions on X without poles in K. We give simple necessary conditions for this ring to be a regular ring or a unique factorization domain. 1. Introduction and main results. Throughout this note X stands for an irreducible nonsingular algebraic set in C N , for some N. We write O for the sheaf of regular functions on X and regard O(X) and Ox, for any point x in X, as subrings of the field K(X) of rational functions on X. Thus O(X) = \ x2X Ox ⊆ K(X),
Quasi-Geostrophic Waves in a Stratified Ocean with Bottom Topography

Quasi-geostropic waves in a two-layer ocean with bottom topography in a ..beta..-plane are examined in detail. The bottom slopes in an arbitrary direction but gently and uniformly. A clear understanding of vertical normal modes is obtained from the use of the ''upper layer component'' and the ''lower layer component'' as a basic concept, where the upper layer component (ULC) and the lower layer component (LLC) are motions confined to the upper and the lower layers, respectively, and are independent of each other. Modification of the normal modes from ULC and LLC is measured by the effect of divergence which couples upper and lower layer motions. The effect of bottom topography tends to suppress the coupling. The extent to which the effect of topography suppresses the coupling depends on the thickness ratio and relative effects of the planetary and topographic ..beta.. as well as the horizontal scale of waves relative to the internal radius of deformation. In some realistic circumstances, the upper layer mode is isolated completely from the bottom and the lower layer mode is trapped completely by the bottom even for waves whose wavelegnth is much longer than the internal deformation radius. When the phase speeds of the ULCmore » and LLC are identical, resonance takes place and induces an interchange of their properties. Occurrence of resonance is typical for a general orientation of bottom topography.« less
The RNA-binding protein, ZFP36L2, influences ovulation and oocyte maturation.

ZFP36L2 protein destabilizes AU-rich element-containing transcripts and has been implicated in female fertility. In the C57BL/6NTac mouse, a mutation in Zfp36l2 that results in the decreased expression of a form of ZFP36L2 in which the 29 N-terminal amino acid residues have been deleted, ΔN-ZFP36L2, leads to fertilized eggs that arrest at the two-cell stage. Interestingly, homozygous ΔN-Zfp36l2 females in the C57BL/6NTac strain release 40% fewer eggs than the WT littermates (Ramos et al., 2004), suggesting an additional defect in ovulation and/or oocyte maturation. Curiously, the same ΔN-Zfp36l2 mutation into the SV129 strain resulted in anovulation, prompting us to investigate a potential problem in ovulation and oocyte maturation. Remarkably, only 20% of ΔN-Zfp36l2 oocytes in the 129S6/SvEvTac strain matured ex vivo, suggesting a defect on the oocyte meiotic maturation process. Treatment of ΔN-Zfp36l2 oocytes with a PKA inhibitor partially rescued the meiotic arrested oocytes. Furthermore, cAMP levels were increased in ΔN-Zfp36l2 oocytes, linking the cAMP/PKA pathway and ΔN-Zfp36l2 with meiotic arrest. Since ovulation and oocyte maturation are both triggered by LHR signaling, the downstream pathway was investigated. Adenylyl cyclase activity was increased in ΔN-Zfp36l2 ovaries only upon LH stimulation. Moreover, we discovered that ZFP36L2 interacts with the 3′UTR of LHR mRNA and that decreased expression levels of Zfp36l2 correlates with higher levels of LHR mRNA in synchronized ovaries. Furthermore, overexpression of ZFP36L2 decreases the endogenous expression of LHR mRNA in a cell line. Therefore, we propose that lack of the physiological down regulation of LHR mRNA levels by ZFP36L2 in the ovaries is associated with anovulation and oocyte meiotic arrest.
Synthesis and evaluation of 18F-labeled ATP competitive inhibitors of topoisomerase II as probes for imaging topoisomerase II expression

Type II topoisomerase (Topo-II) is an ATP-dependent enzyme that is essential in the transcription, replication, and chromosome segregation processes and, as such, represents an attractive target for cancer therapy. Numerous studies indicate that the response to treatment with Topo-II inhibitors is highly dependent on both the levels and the activity of the enzyme. Consequently, a non-invasive assay to measure tumoral Topo-II levels has the potential to differentiate responders from non-responders. With the ultimate goal of developing a radiofluorinated tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, we have designed, synthesized, and evaluated a set of fluorinated compounds based on the structure of the ATP-competitive Topo-II inhibitor QAP1. Compounds 18 and 19b showed inhibition of Topo-II in in vitro assays and exhibited moderate, Topo-II level dependent cytotoxicity in SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 cell lines. Based on these results, 18F-labeled analogs of these two compounds were synthesized and evaluated as PET probes for imaging Topo-II overexpression in mice bearing SK-BR-3 xenografts. [18F]-18 and [18F]-19b were synthesized from their corresponding protected tosylated derivatives by fluorination and subsequent deprotection. Small animal PET imaging studies indicated that both compounds do not accumulate in tumors and exhibit poor pharmacokinetics, clearing from the blood pool very rapidly and getting metabolized over. The insights gained from the current study will surely aid in the design and construction of future generations of PET agents for the non-invasive delineation of Topo-II expression.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS FOR GENERAL SPATIAL PRICE EQUILIBRIA

. General spatial price equilibrium models are formulated as variational inequalities. Sensitivity analysis results recently developed for variational inequalities are reviewed which give conditions for existence and equations for calculating the derivatives of solution variables with respect to perturbation parameters. These results are applied to the variational inequality formulations of general spatial price equilibria, and derivatives of supplies, demands, flows, and prices with respect to perturbations of supply functions, demand functions, and transportation-cost functions are calculated.
Résultats à long terme des carcinomes neuroendocriniens (tumeurs neuroendocriniennes de haut grade) du côlon, du rectum et du canal anal

Resume Introduction et but de l’etude Les carcinomes neuroendocriniens (NEC) du colon et du rectum sont des neoplasmes rares mais agressifs. Cet article presente l’analyse d’une experience monocentrique avec l’objectif d’avancer nos connaissances de ces tumeurs. Methodes Les auteurs ont collige les patients presentant un NEC (tumeur neuroendocrinienne de haut grade) du colon, du rectum ou du canal anal traites dans un seul centre entre les mois de juin 1993 et d’avril 2011. Ont ete notes les caracteristiques cliniques et demographiques, la localisation tumorale, le stade tumoral, les modalites de traitement et la duree du suivi. Resultats Il s’agit d’une serie de 25 patients ayant des tumeurs de stade I (n = 5), II (n = 1), III (n = 10) et IV (n = 9). Les localisations tumorales etaient le colon (36 %), le rectum (28 %) et le canal anal (36 %). Les signes d’appel les plus frequents etaient le saignement rectal (36 %) et la douleur (32 %) ; 16 % des patients etaient asymptomatiques. Parmi les patients presentant une invasion locoregionale isolee, seuls 5 avaient un traitement uniquement chirurgical. Les autres patients avaient une chimiotherapie associee ou non a une radiotherapie. Le suivi moyen etait de 33,7 ± 8,4 mois post-diagnostic. Les caracteristiques anatomopathologiques des NEC du colon, du rectum et du canal anal sont tres distinctives ; le pronostic est tres mauvais. Au stade avance, aucune modalite de traitement n’a d’impact sur la survie. Conclusion Cette etude montre le mauvais pronostic des tumeurs relativement rares.
Did the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) shape the evolutionary trajectory of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most successful domesticated plant species in the world. The majority of wheat carries mutations in the Puroindoline genes that result in a hard kernel phenotype. An evolutionary explanation, or selective advantage, for the spread and persistence of these hard kernel mutations has yet to be established. Here, we demonstrate that the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) exerts a pronounced feeding preference for soft over hard kernels. When allele frequencies ranged from 0.5 to 0.009, mouse predation increased the hard allele frequency as much as 10-fold. Studies involving a single hard kernel mixed with ~1000 soft kernels failed to recover the mutant kernel. Nevertheless, the study clearly demonstrates that the house mouse could have played a role in the evolution of wheat, and therefore the cultural trajectory of humankind.
On the energy release rate in quasi-static elastic crack propagation

This paper presents a rigorous derivation of several results concerning the energy release rate for a sharp crack in a homogeneous hyperelastic body.
A study of the one-year stability of the Michigan Free and Restricted Association Norms

The stability of all 17 tasks of the Michigan Free and Restricted Association Norms has been tested over a period of a year. Wide differences in stability were observed between tasks but not between stimulus frequencies. Sex differences in stability were noted and comparisons made between one-week and one-year stability.
An Infrastructure for Tackling Input-Sensitivity of GPU Program Optimizations

Graphic processing units (GPU) have become increasingly adopted for the enhancement of computing throughput. However, the development of a high-quality GPU application is challenging, due to the large optimization space and complex unpredictable effects of optimizations on GPU program performance. Many recent efforts have been employing empirical search-based auto-tuners to tackle the problem, but few of them have concentrated on the influence of program inputs on the optimizations. In this paper, based on a set of CUDA and OpenCL kernels, we report some evidences on the importance for auto-tuners to adapt to program input changes, and present a framework, G-ADAPT+, to address the influence by constructing cross-input predictive models for automatically predicting the (near-)optimal configurations for an arbitrary input to a GPU program. G-ADAPT+ is based on source-to-source compilers, specifically, Cetus and ROSE. It supports the optimizations of both CUDA and OpenCL programs.