cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Models for electrostatic interactions between protein molecules and surfaces involved in blood clot formation

Abstract We have considered three simple theoretical models to elucidate the role of electrostatic interactions in blood clotting. An expression for the force on the model protein molecule (point charge approximation) has been the main quantitative result to emerge from the analysis. The potential from which the force is calculated is the sum of a linearized Poisson-Boltzmann approximation of the Gouy-Chapman potential of the fixed charge interface, the Debye-Huckel potential for the point charge and the shielded image potential. For the normal blood vessel model the force on the point charge is repulsive whereas for the abnormal blood vessel model (with a local positive region on the wall) and for the metal-probe-in-blood model, the force on the point charge may be attractive suggesting the possibility of blood clot formation under such conditions. The induced polarization in dielectrics, induced surface charge on metal, and shielding in electrolytes are shown to be important in the discussion of the electrostatic forces.
Piezoresistive effect of individual electrospun carbon nanofibers for strain sensing

Abstract Piezoresistive behavior of individual electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNF) was studied for the first time via a microelectromechanical systems platform. The gage factor of CNFs was found to vary from 1.96 to 2.55, not correlating with nanofiber diameter. The measured strain sensitivity of electrical resistance of individual CNFs could not be solely explained based on strain induced dimensional changes of CNFs, pointing to piezoresistivity in nanofibers. The microstructure of CNFs was studied via TEM imaging and Raman spectroscopy, suggesting the presence of sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon atoms in CNFs. The piezoresistivity of CNFs was explained in light of their hybrid structure. A one-dimensional model was adopted to relate CNFs piezoresistivity to their microstructure and electron tunneling between sp2 hybridized regions through sp3 hybridized regions. The calibrated model revealed tunneling distances of 0.15–0.3 nm between sp2 hybridized atoms. Moreover, our study pointed to the degree of graphitization and elastic mismatch between differently hybridized carbon atom regions in CNFs as critical parameters controlling CNFs’ piezoresistivity. This study sets the stage for the utilization of CNFs, not just as load bearing elements, but also as multifunctional nanoscale components with strain sensing capabilities, for instance in Nanoelectro-mechanical systems applications.
Influence of diet on survival of mice.

Abstract The longevity of mice of the (NZB X NZW)F1 (B/W) strain and the DBA/2f strain of mice is dramatically prolonged by dietary restriction. B/W mice are susceptible to, and die at an early age from, immunocomplex nephritis. Mice of the DBA/2f strain are also relatively short-lived. Restriction of caloric intake prolonged life of B/W mice more than did protein restriction. DBA/2f mice showed prolongation of life when the diet was restricted only with respect to protein. Caloric restriction alone prolonged life less in DBA/2f mice than in B/W mice. These observations show that dietary manipulations have profound effects on immunity functions, including inhibition of the development of life-shortening autoimmune disease.
The cytotoxic activity of hematoporphyrin: studies on the possible role of transition metals.

Abstract Hematoporphyrin acquires a potent cytolytic activity toward erythrocytes when activated by visible light. Considerable evidence has been obtained suggesting that this toxic activity is mediated by certain active oxygen species, including singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. These active oxygen species have also been proposed as intermediates in the toxic activity of peroxidases, hemin, and a variety of metal complexes. Unlike hematoporphyrin, all these compounds contain a liganded Fe atom, which appears to play a central role in the activation of molecular oxygen. In order to ascertain whether the generation of active oxygen by hematoporphyrin may also involve the participation of a metal ion we have compared the cytolytic activity of hematoporphyrin with that of hematoheme. The participation of a metal ion in the light-activated hematoporphyrin reaction was ruled out on the basis of four criteria: (1) no increase in cytolytic activity was observed upon the addition of Fe or Cu ions; (2) no evidence could be obtained for the incorporation of a metal ion into hematoporphyrin during light activation; (3) hematoporphyrin is a more potent cytolytic agent than hematoheme on an equimolar basis; and (4) the activities of the two cytolytic agents are affected differently by various activators and inhibitors of the toxic reaction. Our results further indicate that the mechanism of the cytolytic activity promoted by light-activated hematoporphyrin is distinctly different from that promoted by hematoheme in the presence of ascorbate. We conclude that the two cytolytic reactions are most likely propagated by two different forms of active oxygen.
Networking Knowledge Creation

In addition to describing how the Internet has changed the practice of science, Nielsen suggests how it can lead to further innovations.
System and Method for Investigating Arterial Remodeling

Organ culture systems are used to study remodeling of arteries and to fabricate tissue engineered vascular grafts. Investigations to date focused on changes in geometry and mechanical response of arteries or constructs associated with controlled sustained alterations in the global load parameters such as the arterial pressure, flow, or axial stretch. A new experimental paradigm is proposed, which is based on the simultaneous independent control of local mechanical parameters such as mean strain or stress in the arterial wall and flow-induced shear at the intima. An organ culture system and methodology were developed, which controls pressure, flow, and axial length of a specimen in order to maintain the local mechanical parameters at prescribed values. The operation of the system is illustrated by maintenance of elevated axial medial stress in porcine carotid artery, while keeping the mean circumferential stress and flow-induced shear stress at baseline values. Previously unknown aspects of remodeling that might be revealed by the novel approach are discussed.
Terrain based decision aid for the combat leader

Military Leaders are often called upon to make life or death decisions based off of imperfect information. Given new soldier technology, tools are being developed to aid small unit leaders in making better decisions on the battlefield. From improved UAVs providing accessible aerial reconnaissance to more accurate maps, any new or improved system that aids the decision making process has value. This project will develop an algorithm that provides a leader with a gradient overlay highlighting acceptable Support by Fire positions from which a unit can best engage an enemy force. We theorize that this system will allow junior leaders to bridge the experience gap and make superior decisions.
Oxygen effects on barium strontium titanate morphology and MOS device performance

Abstract We report on oxygen's impact on the morphology of pulsed laser deposited barium strontium titanate (BST) thin films, and the influence of microstructure on fabricated BST capacitor's electrical properties. Variations in the O 2 chamber environment yielded distinct microstructures and dielectric constant values. The BST film deposited in a lower O 2 pressure environment was found to be polycrystalline with sharp grain boundaries, while a higher O 2 pressure environment film exhibited enhanced lateral growth and diffuse grain boundaries. The sample deposited in a higher O 2 pressure environment was found to exhibit low frequency characteristics in capacitance–voltage measurements even at 1 MHz. The sample deposited in a lower O 2 pressure environment was found to exhibit high frequency capacitance–voltage characteristics even at 1 kHz. The 1 mTorr O 2 environment devices yielded a dielectric constant of 432 compared with 32 for the 10 mTorr environment film.
Characterization of particle diameter and interphase effects on Young's modulus of SiO 2 /epoxy particulate composites

This study involves the investigation of spherically shaped filler diameter and interphase effects on the Young's modulus of micro and nano size silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) particle reinforced epoxy composite materials. Specifically, 10μm and 80nm size SiO 2 particles and Epon 862 epoxy are chosen as fillers and a matrix material, respectively. While 10μm and 80nm SiO 2 particles are dispersed in the epoxy through a direct shear mixing method, nano-composites are fabricated with hardener at desirable ratios. Both micro- and nano-composites are prepared at 2 different particle loading fractions for tensile testing. It is observed that the nano-composites show significant increase in Young's modulus over micro-composites, showing a linear increase as particle volume fraction increases. This could indicate that for nano-composites, the interphase region between the particle and matrix can considerably affect their mechanical properties. Here, we develop a finite element analysis (FEA) model to investigate the interphase effect on the Young's modulus of both micro- and nano-composites. This model demonstrates how to estimate the effective volume fraction of a particle as filler using a combined experimental/numerical approach. The effective volume fraction is shown to be important in predicting the mechanical response of nano-scale particles reinforced composite materials.
Liver lesions in the gar fish (Lepisosteidae) as biomarkers of exposure

Abstract The objective of this research was to identify lesions and diseases in fish as biomarkers of exposure to environmental contaminants from polluted wetlands typical of the Mississippi River Basin. Devil's Swamp, located northwest of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is an ecosystem contaminated with a variety of metals and organic chemicals. The nearby control site was Tunica Swamp. Gar were collected from the study sites by electroshocking and crab trap. The fish were necropsied and evaluated for disease and histopathology, and tissues were analyzed for metals and organics typical of Devil's Swamp contaminants. Liver lesions occurred in three species of gar (Lepisosteus osseus L. oculatus) and L. platostomus ). The striking liver lesions observed in gar from Devil's Swamp were abundant melanin-rich macrophage centers, pancreatitis and perivascular cuffing, and ductal proliferations in the exocrine pancreas. Other lesions observed were parasitism, inflammation and multifocal necrosis. Image and pigment analyses of melanomacrophage centers (MMC) in L. Oculatus (spotted gar) indicated increased levels of hepatocellular and MMC iron, and larger MMC may be due to significant body burdens of pollutants.
Long-term outcome in 42 pediatric liver transplant patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency: a single-center experience.

Hughes MG Jr, Khan KM, Gruessner AC, Sharp H, Hill M, Jie T, Kandaswamy R, Humar A, Payne WD, Gruessner RWG. Long-term outcome in 42 pediatric liver transplant patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency: a single-center experience. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 731–736. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Introduction: We examined the long-term outcome of transplantation for alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (A1ATD). Method: Data were reviewed on 42 transplants in 35 children with A1ATD over 42 yr and compared with 129 transplants in 116 children with biliary atresia (BA). Results: Over 50% of patients were followed up for >10 yr. A1ATD were older than BA at transplantation, median age, 6.0 vs. 1.0 yr (p < 0.0001), and transplanted earlier in the course of liver failure (total bilirubin, 2.7 mg/dL [1.4–6.9] vs. 9.7 mg/dL [2.9–15.4], p = 0.005). Patient survival was greater in A1ATD than BA: one-yr post-transplant, 82.7% vs. 67.9%; five yr, 76.5% vs. 60.2%; and 10 yr, 76.5% vs. 55.9% (p = 0.03). Death-censored graft survival was similar: one-yr post-transplant, 68.4% vs. 66.2%; five yr, 68.4% vs. 55.8%; and 10 yr, 68.4% vs. 52.5% (p = 0.2). Deaths were from infection, hemorrhage, and graft failure <6 months post-transplant. Patient survival improved at five yr from 33.3% pre-cyclosporine (CSA) (1969–1984) (n = 6) to 76.5% in the CSA era (1985–1994) (n = 17) and 100% with tacrolimus (1995–2006) (n = 12) (p = 0.007). Conclusions: The age at transplantation and the degree of liver dysfunction were related to the differences in graft and patient survival between A1AT and BA.
Trace-Element Systematics of Beryllium in Terrestrial Materials

Although often studied as key constituent in minerals, the low mass element (Z = 4; M = 9.0012182 amu) beryllium is most commonly encountered as a very low abundance trace metal in rocks and fluids. In terms of atomic structure and valence state, Be is affiliated with alkaline earth elements; but geologically and chemically beryllium shows greater affinities to the major cations Al, Si, and Mn, and the lithophile trace elements Nd and Zr. Low beryllium abundances prevented the precise measurements of Be contents in rocks and fluids until relatively recently. Intense geochemical interest in the cosmogenic radioisotope 10Be has led to advances in the measurement of stable beryllium. High quality Be data now exist for a variety of natural materials found at or near the Earth’s surface. We have a good general understanding of the distribution of beryllium in the solid earth, and in surficial systems. New data for both mineral/melt and mineral/fluid partitioning of beryllium offer the possibility of a detailed assessment of the geochemical behavior of Be in the Earth’s major geologic environments. Goldschmidt and Peters (1932), using a flame-emission method, first measured trace-levels of beryllium in common rocks and minerals. They examined a variety of igneous rocks and their associated minerals, sedimentary rocks, and meteorites. While they were able to recognize differences in Be contents among materials (Be is higher in granites and alkaline igneous rocks than in mafic and ultramafic rocks; is higher still in pegmatitic rocks and minerals, and is not detectable in meteorites), they were unable to make precise measurements on most samples due to the poor sensitivity of their method. Sandell (1952) obtained somewhat more precise Be data on igneous rocks using a fluorimetric method. He confirmed the Be abundance variations reported by Goldschmidt and Peters (1932), and inferred …
Revised definition of optical flow: integration of radiometric and geometric cues for dynamic scene analysis

Optical flow has been commonly defined as the apparent motion of image brightness patterns in an image sequence. In this paper, we propose a revised definition to overcome shortcomings in interpreting optical flow merely as a geometric transformation field. The new definition is a complete representation of geometric and radiometric variations in dynamic imagery. We argue that this is more consistent with the common interpretation of optical flow induced by various scene events. This leads to a general framework for the investigation of problems in dynamic scene analysis, based on the integration and unified treatment of both geometric and radiometric cues in time-varying imagery. We discuss selected models, including the generalized dynamic image model, for the estimation of optical flow. We show how various 3D scene information are encoded in, and thus may be extracted from, the geometric and radiometric components of optical flow. We provide selected examples based on experiments with real images.
Learning style impact on knowledge gains in human patient simulation

summary article i nfo Article history: Accepted 27 May 2014 Introduction: Human patient simulation (HPS)isa widely used method of teaching innursing education. While it is believed that a student's learning style impacts knowledge gains in HPS, there is little evidence to support this. This study sought to determine the impact of learning style on knowledge gains after a heart failure (HF) simu- lation experience in pre-licensure nursing students. Methods: A convenience sample of four cohorts of prelicensure nursing students (n = 161) were recruited from three Baccalaureate Schools of Nursing at the same point in their curriculum (age 25.7 ±6.6 years; gender = 85.5% female) and participated in HPS using a HF simulation on a high-fidelity manikin. Learning style was assessed by the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (LSI) and pre- and post-HPS knowledge measured by parallel, val- idated, knowledge tests. The LSI identifies 4 learning styles, (Assimilating Diverging, Accommodating, and Con- verging). In some cases, learners present a balanced learning profile—an emphasis of all four equally. Statistical analysis consisted of t-tests and ANOVA. Results: HF knowledge scores post-HPS compared to pre-HPS scores revealed a mean improvement of 7 points (p b 0.001) showingevidenceoflearning.Withingroupscoreincreasesbetweenthepre-testandpost-testwere seen for the Assimilating (66.68 ± 20.87 to 83.35 ± 12.59; p = 0.07), Diverging (61.95 ± 11.08 to 69.86 ± 12.33; p b 0.01) and balanced profiles (64.4 ± 12.45 to 71.8 ± 10.14; p b 0.01), but not for Converging or Accommodating profiles (73% of sample). Post-hoc paired t-tests revealed a large effect size for the Assimilators (0.91) and moderate effect sizes for both the Divergers and balanced profiles (0.67 and 0.65, respectively). Conclusion:These findings confirm that knowledge gains occur with HPS and provide evidence that HPS is an ef- fective teaching methodology for nursing students identifying with most types of learning styles.
Functional study of the vitamin K cycle in mammalian cells

We describe a cell-based assay for studying vitamin K–cycle enzymes. A reporter protein consisting of the gla domain of factor IX (amino acids 1-46) and residues 47-420 of protein C was stably expressed in HEK293 and AV12 cells. Both cell lines secrete carboxylated reporter when fed vitamin K or vitamin K epoxide (KO). However, neither cell line carboxylated the reporter when fed KO in the presence of warfarin. In the presence of warfarin, vitamin K rescued carboxylation in HEK293 cells but not in AV12 cells. Dicoumarol, an NAD(P)H-dependent quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) inhibitor, behaved similarly to warfarin in both cell lines. Warfarin-resistant vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR-Y139F) supported carboxylation in HEK293 cells when fed KO in the presence of warfarin, but it did not in AV12 cells. These results suggest the following: (1) our cell system is a good model for studying the vitamin K cycle, (2) the warfarin-resistant enzyme reducing vitamin K to hydroquinone (KH2) is probably not NQO1, (3) there appears to be a warfarin-sensitive enzyme other than VKOR that reduces vitamin K to KH2, and (4) the primary function of VKOR is the reduction of KO to vitamin K.
Membrane technology for energy conservation in traditional and emerging engineering fields

Membrane systems as separate unit processes are discussed for application to both liquid and gas stream separation, concentration, and purification. Membrane processes used for energy conservation can be applied to many traditional industries, such as petroleum refining and commodity, chemical, and gas production; and to such emerging fields as biotechnology and waste management. Membrane unit processes can play key roles in saving energy by replacing energy-intensive separations, recycling sensible heat, recycling materials, and recovering materials. They also can be directly applied in chemical conversion and energy conversion devices. >
Postoperative gastrointestinal complaints after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Objectives: Approximately 80% of patients complain of various symptoms immediately after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. These symptoms typically are treated medically without an extensive evaluation to identify the cause. We reviewed our experience of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication to determine the course of postoperative symptomatology in our patient population, and present a rational approach to this problem. Methods: Over a 10-year period, 628 patients underwent primary laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease; patients were evaluated with a standard set of questions for postoperative gastrointestinal complaints. Three- and 6-month follow-up data were compared by using the chi square test. Results: One-year follow-up data were available for 615 patients (98%). All of these patients had symptoms during the first 3 postoperative months. Early satiety (88%), bloating/flatulence (64%), and dysphagia (34%) were the most common; however, 94% of patients had resolution of their symptoms by the 1-year follow-up visit, and most had resolved after 3 months. Patients with persistent reflux or dysphagia after 3 months typically had an anatomic failure of the operation. Conclusions: Most patients who have undergone laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease will have gastrointestinal complaints during the initial 3 postoperative months. Nearly all of these patients will have resolved their symptomatology after 3 months. Those with persistent symptoms after 3 months warrant evaluation for operative failure.
Log-curve amplitude slicing: Visualization of log data and depositional trends in the Middle Devonian Traverse Group, Michigan basin, United States

Well-log-curve shapes and amplitude trends are routinely used to correlate and map formations and reservoirs across petroleum basins or fields. However, the pattern-matching methods typically employed for correlation fail to make full use of the vertical resolution of well-log curves. A new technique, log-curve amplitude slicing, facilitates correlation by automating visualization of spatial trends in log-curve amplitudes. This new technique can be used with any type of log data that is sampled at a regular interval between two distinct correlated surfaces. The method generates a series of subhorizontal slices through the log curves that can be gridded and contoured to show trends and patterns in log-curve amplitudes in map view. The slices represent approximate time lines and are relative chronostratigraphic surfaces. When appropriate logs are used, the slices show the inferred distribution of lithofacies at the time of deposition. The evolution of an area can be investigated by stepping through a series of slices. Application of the log-curve amplitude-slicing technique facilitates correlation because it highlights trends that are not apparent using traditional methods to display and compare log curves.As an example of the log-curve amplitude-slicing technique, gamma-ray log data are used in this article to analyze the evolution of the Michigan basin (United States) during deposition of the Middle Devonian Traverse Group. The Traverse Group consists mostly of carbonates, but the location, relative timing, and extent of significant fine-grained clastic influx to the basin is readily identifiable when the basin's history is reconstructed using the log-curve amplitude-slicing technique.
Philibert Delorme’s Divine Proportions and the Composition of the Premier Tome de l’Architecture

In his Premier tome de l’architecture (1567) — the first original, comprehensive architectural treatise written by a French author — Philibert Delorme (c. 1514–1570) claims to be the first to formulate a theory of divine proportions, which he describes as a set of rules recorded in the Old Testament as directly dictated by God to men for the construction of the Ark of Noah, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Temple and House of Solomon. Yet the author does not develop the theory of divine proportions in the Premier tome and postpones it instead to the second volume of his treatise. As a second volume was never published (and likely never written), Delorme readers are left with a handful of less-than-coherent references and illustrations of a theory that remains largely obscure. Yet the elements of theory of divine proportions contained in the Premier tome provide historians with an understanding of the genesis of the treatise itself, thus ultimately helping to raise broader questions about the book and its author. This paper shows how Delorme’s divine proportions offer a key to understanding the conception and composition of his treatise as well as to the process of intellectual development of the author and the changes in the nature and scope of his written work.
A Genetic Screen for Neurite Outgrowth Mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans Reveals a New Function for the F-box Ubiquitin Ligase Component LIN-23

Axon pathfinding and target recognition are highly dynamic and tightly regulated cellular processes. One of the mechanisms involved in regulating protein activity levels during axonal and synaptic development is protein ubiquitination. We describe here the isolation of several Caenorhabditis elegans mutants, termed eno (ectopic/erratic neurite outgrowth) mutants, that display defects in axon outgrowth of specific neuron classes. One retrieved mutant is characterized by abnormal termination of axon outgrowth in a subset of several distinct neuron classes, including ventral nerve cord motor neurons, head motor neurons, and mechanosensory neurons. This mutant is allelic to lin-23, which codes for an F-box-containing component of an SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that was previously shown to negatively regulate postembryonic cell divisions. We demonstrate that LIN-23 is a broadly expressed cytoplasmically localized protein that is required autonomously in neurons to affect axon outgrowth. Our newly isolated allele of lin-23, a point mutation in the C-terminal tail of the protein, displays axonal outgrowth defects similar to those observed in null alleles of this gene, but does not display defects in cell cycle regulation. We have thus defined separable activities of LIN-23 in two distinct processes, cell cycle control and axon patterning. We propose that LIN-23 targets distinct substrates for ubiquitination within each process.
On fertilizer-induced soil carbon sequestration in China's croplands.

Applications of fertilizer, often thought to enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural soils, are of no value to the mitigation of climate change if the carbon dioxide released during the production and distribution of nitrogen fertilizer exceeds the incremental carbon storage in soils from its use. Nitrogen fertilizer is also a source of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. The recent analysis of carbon sequestration in cropland soils of China does not apply these 'discounts' to the global warming mitigation expected from greater use of fertilizer; doing so would likely eliminate all the climate benefits of the postulated enhanced carbon sequestration.
The five key things you need to know to manage adult patients with sickle cell disease

The lack of a strong evidence base to guide the management of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) makes it difficult for patients to receive high quality care outside of specialty centers. As there is a dearth of providers with sickle cell expertise, the purpose of this article is to identify some of the key things every provider who manages the care of adults with SCD should know. Managing adults with SCD requires excellent clinical skills, as it can affect every organ and cause life-threatening complications but it also requires a willingness to manage patients who often have psychosocial issues that are complex and impact care and care delivery in very significant ways. We have chosen topics for which there is a limited evidence base but which have significant clinical consequences if left unrecognized or poorly managed. The topics that will be addressed include chronic pain, neurocognitive dysfunction, renal disease, venous thromboembolism, and avoiding the inappropriate use of red cell transfusions.
Recruiting Thoughts and Experiences

Presentations about rangelands can be an effective way to better inform the public and attract students into college range programs. DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v28i4_holechek
Identification and characterization of a soluble c-kit receptor produced by human hematopoietic cell lines

Stem cell factor (SCF) triggers cell growth by binding to cell surface c-kit receptors. Soluble forms of several cytokine receptors have been described and may play a role in the modulation of cytokine activity in vivo. For these reasons, we investigated whether human hematopoietic cells produce soluble c-kit receptors. The human leukemia cell lines OCIM1 and MO7e display approximately 80,000 and approximately 35,000 high-affinity cell surface c-kit receptors, respectively. Soluble c-kit receptors were detected by enzyme immunoassay in OCIM1 and MO7e culture supernatants. We determined the molecular weight and binding affinity of soluble c-kit receptor produced by OCIM1 cells, soluble c-kit receptor purified from human serum, and recombinant soluble c-kit receptor expressed in CHO cells. The three soluble c-kit receptors each have a molecular weight of 98 kD. Quantitative binding experiments with 125I-SCF indicate that the soluble c-kit receptors obtained from human serum or OCIM1 cells have binding affinities for SCF of approximately 200 to 300 pmol/L, in contrast to the recombinant form, which has a binding affinity of approximately 1.5 nmol/L. All three forms of the soluble c-kit receptor were able to compete with c-kit receptors on OCIM1 cells for 125I-SCF binding. Thus human hematopoietic cells can produce a soluble form of the c-kit receptor that retains high-affinity SCF binding activity. We speculate that the soluble c-kit receptor may bind SCF and function as a receptor antagonist in vivo.
Supermarket Chain Product Mix Decision Criteria: A Simulation Experiment:

In multi-product purchase-for-resale situations, the selection of the appropriate criteria for evaluation of alternative items is an important problem. This article reports on research which used c...
Linear alkyl diamine-uranium-phosphate systems: U(VI) to U(IV) reduction with ethylenediamine.

Mild-hydrothermal reactions in acidic medium using 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, and 1,5-diaminopentane as structure directing agents led to three-dimensional (3D) uranyl phosphates (CH2)3...
Age-Specific Reproductive Strategies and Delayed Embryonic Development in an Old World Fruit Bat, Ptenochirus jagori

Ptenochirus jagori (Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae) is a tropical cynopterine fruit bat restricted to the Philippine islands. Samples of bats were obtained over 4 years, and reproductive tracts were preserved and examined using standard histological techniques. Reproductive status also was recorded for bats captured, marked, and released. A facultative post-implantational delay in embryonic development was detected in young P. jagori females reproducing for the first time. The delay occurred at the stage of gastrulation and could last up to 5 months. Adult females showed little evidence of a delay in development. With this delay, young females gave birth only once in their first year and synchronized parturitions with those of adults. Adult females had a gestation period of 4 months and gave birth twice a year, once in late March and early April and once in August. Morphology of early development was similar to that of other cynopterine fruit bats. The evolution and significance of a post-implantational delay in development are discussed.
Some Additional Bioethical Questions Related to Hepatitis B Antigen

McCullough, Laurence B.: Some additional bioethical questions related to hepatitis B antigen. Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg has recently raised important questions concerning the bioethics of prevention and cure of hepatitis. This paper extends his inquiry with a view toward examining the full range of the complexity of such issues as the restriction of the use of blood infected with hepatitis B antigen, the screening and possible isolation of health care personnel found to be carriers, and the like. It pointed out that for issues like these, there is not only a, conflict between personal liberties and the public interest but also a potential conflict of individual rights, a theme not treated fully by Blumberg. The complex issues that emerge when these two themes are considered together are examined in light of the work of the contemporary American philosopher, John Rawls. His theory permits one to consider these two ethical themes together in analyzing moral problems. In this light, a new strategy is proposed for addressing bioethical questions concerning hepatitis B antigen.
Long term survival in persons with hemophilia and chronic hepatitis C: 40 year outcomes of a large single center cohort

We studied the course of chronic HCV infections in a cohort of 222 persons with hemophilia (PWH) and von Willebrand disease followed at our center since 1973. Twenty two (10%) developed end stage liver disease (ESLD). Forty years after HCV infection, cumulative incidence of ESLD was 12.3% and overall survival was 45.5%. Those who were infected with HCV only (n = 100) had a survival of 75.2%, while those infected with HIV (n = 122) had a survival of 24% (P 95% of individuals. Am. J. Hematol. 91:E335-E340, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal dynamic formation control of multi-agent systems in constrained environments

We address the optimal dynamic formation problem in mobile leader-follower networks where an optimal formation is generated to maximize a given objective function while continuously preserving connectivity. We show that in a convex mission space, the connectivity constraints can be satisfied by any feasible solution to a mixed integer nonlinear optimization problem. For the class of optimal formation problems where the objective is to maximize coverage, we show that the optimal formation is a tree which can be efficiently constructed without solving a MINLP. In a mission space constrained by obstacles, we separate the formation process into intervals with no obstacles detected and intervals where one or more obstacles are detected. In the latter case, we propose a minimum-effort reconfiguration approach for the formation which still optimizes the objective function while avoiding the obstacles and ensuring connectivity. We include simulation results illustrating this dynamic formation process.
A Matter of Trust: Applying Insights From Social Psychology to Make College Affordable

The rising price of higher education threatens educational opportunity and social mobility for the most vulnerable Americans. Increasing college attendance benefits individuals and society, but eff...
Humanitarian operations and crisis/disaster management: A retrospective review of the literature and framework for development

Abstract The aim of this paper is to review the literature on humanitarian operations and crisis/disaster management in order to identify the current research and to provide direction for future research in this growing field. Articles from supply chain management, disaster management, and economics were reviewed, keywords were identified within a disaster management lifecycle framework, and a lexical analysis of the articles was conducted. The analysis reveals that previous research has primarily focused on humanitarian operations, with researchers adapting established supply chain methodologies to improve humanitarian disaster response. While this has benefited humanitarian organizations in their ability to respond to disasters with greater efficiency, it also clarifies that there has been little research done on humanitarian development, the overlooked part of humanitarian operations. This finding suggests the need for future research to focus on the role that humanitarian development plays in reducing future social and economic disaster losses.
Individual personality associated with interactions between physiological condition and the environment

An emerging focus of behavioural ecology is to determine the driving forces behind animal personalities. While numerous theories have been proposed to explain these behavioural variations, empirical studies on this subject remain lacking. Here, we test ecological theory by studying the combined effects of physiological condition and habitat quality on the behaviour of individual mud crabs, Panopeus herbstii, across the spawning season (early spawning season and 2 months after). We assessed the boldness, energy stores and reproductive effort of crabs collected across 10 oyster reefs of low and high quality using laboratory observations and subsequent dissections. Crab boldness was significantly dependent on the interaction between habitat quality and season. While crab behaviour remained relatively constant on healthy reefs, crabs on degraded reefs exhibited a nearly two-fold increase in boldness during the late spawning season, approximating the boldness of crabs on healthy reefs. This behavioural change corresponds to a seasonal shift in crab energy store content and is likely to represent a switch in the primary driving force of crab behaviour. During the early season, crab boldness was positively correlated with short-term stores, whereas later in the season, crab boldness was negatively correlated with long-term stores. Our results suggest that behaviour is driven by predation pressure and refuge availability during the early spawning season, but afterwards depends on replenishing energy stores used for reproduction. These findings support ecological theory and also provide new insight into the stability of behavioural drivers.
Challenges and limitations to native species restoration in the Great Basin, USA

The Great Basin of the western USA is an arid region characterized by high spatial and temporal variability. The region experienced high levels of ecological disturbance during the early period of Euro-American settlement, especially from about 1870–1935. The principal plant communities of the Great Basin are sagebrush steppes, dominated by various Artemisia shrubs and perennial bunchgrasses that represent the largest rangeland ecosystem in North America. In low to mid-elevation sagebrush communities, exotic annual grasses have displaced native plant species and are associated with a dramatic increase in size and frequency of wildfires. Degradation in this region is driven by processes that cause the loss of mature bunchgrasses, which, when intact, limit exotic annual grass invasion. Historically, large economic investments to restore degraded Great Basin rangeland through establishment of native bunchgrasses, principally utilizing heavily mechanized agronomic approaches, have been met with limited success. A multitude of environmental factors contribute to the lack of restoration success in this region, but seedling mortality from freezing and drought has been identified as a primary demographic limitation to successful bunchgrass establishment. Novel approaches to overcoming limitations to bunchgrass establishment will be required for restoration success. Increased national concern and a near listing of the greater sage-grouse, a steppe-obligate species, to Endangered Species status, has spurred greater regional support and collaboration across a diversity of stakeholder groups such as state and federal land and wildlife management agencies, county planners, and ranchers.
Kanamycin selection in temporary immersion bioreactors allows visual selection of transgenic citrus shoots

In mature citrus transformation, the nptII gene is most commonly used for selection and it is confounded by the high number of non-transformed, escaped shoots that develop on semi-solid kanamycin selection medium, even at high concentrations. Selection in liquid medium with kanamycin in temporary immersion bioreactors might provide a better means of distinguishing between transformed and non-transformed shoots. A dose-response curve was constructed for wild-type Carrizo rootstock in liquid medium to evaluate the effects of kanamycin concentration on the number and the length of microshoots. Kanamycin at 200 mg/l was chosen as the optimal concentration for selection of transgenic mature citrus shoots in bioreactors. At this dose, most non-transgenic microshoots turned yellow and their lengths and numbers were significantly reduced in comparison to the no kanamycin controls. Selection of transgenic shoots in bioreactors was tested after Agrobacterium transformations of mature Carrizo and Valencia using three different binary vectors containing nptII as the selectable marker. Shoots developed on semi-solid medium and were transferred to temporary immersion bioreactors containing liquid MS medium with 200 mg/l kanamycin. After two weeks of culture in bioreactors, 21 dark green shoots were visually selected on the basis of color from a total of 6882 microshoots, and 17 of them (81%) were confirmed as transgenic with either the GUS histochemical assay, GFP fluorescence or PCR. Yellow shoots (5675) to be discarded from pTLAB21 and pCAMBIA2301 transformations were also tested for GUS or GFP expression and only one (0.01%) was positive. Kanamycin selection of mature transgenic shoots in temporary immersion bioreactors permitted transgenics to be visually distinguished on the basis of color, and reduced labor and consumable costs for PCR screening, particularly when reporter genes were not used.
The role of molecular profiling to differentiate multiple lung primary adenocarcinomas from intrapulmonary metastases from a lung primary.

7555 Background: In the case of patients with multiple lung adenocarcinomas (ADCs) (whether synchronous or metachronous), the distinction of intrapulmonary metastases from independent primaries is ...
Anesthetic Considerations in Inguinal Hernia Repair

There are several options for anesthesia when repairing inguinal hernias. Choices depend on technique, minimally invasive versus open and on multiple patient factors. Operative approach and anesthetic of choice varies greatly between regions of the world, and open inguinal hernia repair is the most common approach worldwide: 86 % of hernias are repaired via an open approach in the USA, 96 % in UK, and 99 % in Japan. General anesthesia also appears to be the dominant anesthesia choice in most Western medical centers. In Denmark, 64 % of elective open groin hernia repairs are performed under general anesthetic, 18 % regional anesthetic, and 18 % local anesthetic. However, open inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia, compared to general anesthesia, is associated with less postoperative nausea and pain, better postoperative quality of life scores, lower overall cost, and is well tolerated by patients. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is recommended for primary hernias, hernias in women, and bilateral hernias, as well as patients with a desire to return to work or activity more quickly or those at risk of wound infections. In those patients who undergo laparoscopic repair, general anesthesia is still the standard. However, laparoscopic hernia repair under local anesthesia, especially via extraperitoneal approach, may be a promising alternative in the future.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Are Linked to Age of Onset and Reading Recognition in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Background: Adverse childhood experiences exert a psychological and physiological toll that increases risk of chronic conditions, poorer social functioning, and cognitive impairment in adulthood. Objective: To investigate the relationship between childhood adversity and clinical disease features in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Sixty-seven participants with MS completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) assessment and neuropsychological assessments as part of a larger clinical trial of cognitive remediation. Results: ACE scores, a measure of exposure to adverse events in childhood, significantly predicted age of MS onset (r= 0.30, p=0.04). ACE’s were also linked to reading recognition (a proxy for premorbid IQ); (r= 0.25, p=0.04). ACE scores were not related to age, current disability, or current level of cognitive impairment measured by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Conclusion: Childhood adversity may increase the likelihood of earlier age of onset and poorer estimated premorbid IQ in MS.
Emotions Before and After Loss of Control Eating

Our study examined momentary mood and emotional instability pre- and post-loss of control (LOC) eating on non-LOC and LOC eating days, using randomly timed assessments. Community and university participants (n = 45) who endorsed LOC eating at least once per week completed 2 weeks of ecological momentary assessment. All negative moods and emotional instability were elevated on LOC eating days, but trajectories between days did not differ. Guilt exhibited an increasing trajectory prior to a LOC eating episode, but remained elevated after LOC eating episodes. Additional analyses revealed that size of the LOC eating episode did not change these results dramatically.
Metabolism of fructose in B-cells: A 13C NMR spectroscopy based stable isotope tracer study

Earlier studies on glucose metabolism in B-cells suggested an active TCA cycle in both naive B cells and differentiated IgA plasma cells. Glycolysis was shown to be more active in IgA plasma cells than naive B-cells. There have been no reports on the metabolism of fructose in B-cells. Fructose is a major sugar present in the western diet. Thus, we have investigated the metabolism of fructose in B-cells including the effect of glucose on the metabolism of fructose. In this study, using 13C NMR spectroscopy and [U-13C]fructose and [U-13C]glucose as stable 13C isotope tracers, we investigated the metabolic fate of fructose and glucose in B-cells. B-cells showed mitochondrial oxidation of fructose when administered alone, but showed diminished oxidation of fructose in the presence of glucose. On the other hand, fructose did not significantly affect the mitochondrial metabolism of glucose.
A method for computing the three-dimensional radial distribution function of cloud particles from holographic images

Abstract. Reliable measurements of the three-dimensional radial distribution function for cloud droplets are desired to help characterize microphysical processes that depend on local drop environment. Existing numerical techniques to estimate this three-dimensional radial distribution function are not well suited to in situ or laboratory data gathered from a finite experimental domain. This paper introduces and tests a new method designed to reliably estimate the three-dimensional radial distribution function in contexts in which (i) physical considerations prohibit the use of periodic boundary conditions and (ii) particle positions are measured inside a convex volume that may have a large aspect ratio. The method is then utilized to measure the three-dimensional radial distribution function from laboratory data taken in a cloud chamber from the Holographic Detector for Clouds (HOLODEC).
Laparoscopic Surgery in Endometrial Carcinoma

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecologic cancer in developed countries. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with this disease is estimated to be approximately 80%. The standard management of patients with early-stage endometrial cancer is total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with or without pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, depending on risk factors. The evolution of minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy and robotic-assisted surgery, has established such approaches as the current standard of care. Among the proven benefits of the minimally invasive approach are lower rates of blood loss and transfusions, shorter length of stay, and lower rates of postoperative complications. In addition, a minimally invasive approach is equivalent in oncologic outcomes when compared to an open approach. Given these benefits, a laparoscopic or robotic approach should be the recommended surgical approach in the management of patients with early-stage endometrial cancer.