cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
F2-dihomo-isoprostanes arise from free radical attack on adrenic acid.

Unlike F4-neuroprostanes (F4-NeuroPs), which are relatively selective in vivo markers of oxidative damage to neuronal membranes, there currently is no method to assess the extent of free radical damage to myelin with relative selectively. The polyunsaturated fatty acid adrenic acid (AdA) is susceptible to free radical attack and, at least in primates, is concentrated in myelin within white matter. Here, we characterized oxidation products of AdA as potential markers of free radical damage to myelin in human brain. Unesterified AdA was reacted with a free radical initiator to yield products (F2-dihomo-IsoPs) that were 28 Da larger than but otherwise closely resembled F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), which are generated by free radical attack on arachidonic acid. Phospholipids derived from human cerebral gray matter, white matter, and myelin similarly oxidized ex vivo showed that the ratio of esterified F2-dihomo-IsoPs to F4-NeuroPs was ∼10-fold greater in myelin-derived than in gray matter-derived phospholipids. Finally, we showed that F2-dihomo-IsoPs are significantly increased in white matter samples from patients with Alzheimer's disease. We propose that F2-dihomo-IsoPs may serve as quantitative in vivo biomarkers of free radical damage to myelin from primate white matter.
An Initial Strategy for Commercial Industry Awareness of the International Space Station

While plans are being developed to utilize the ISS for scientific research, and human and microgravity experiments, it is time to consider the future of the ISS as a world-wide commercial marketplace developed from a government owned, operated and controlled facility. Commercial industry will be able to seize this opportunity to utilize the ISS as a unique manufacturing platform and engineering testbed for advanced technology. NASA has begun the strategic planning of the evolution and commercialization of the ISS. The Pre-Planned Program Improvement (P31) Working Group at NASA is assessing the future ISS needs and technology plans to enhance ISS performance. Some of these enhancements will allow the accommodation of commercial applications and the Human Exploration and Development of Space mission support. As this information develops, it is essential to disseminate this information to commercial industry, targeting not only the private and public space sector but also the non-aerospace commercial industries. An approach is presented for early distribution of this information via the ISS Evolution Data book that includes ISS baseline system information, baseline utilization and operations plans, advanced technologies, future utilization opportunities, ISS evolution and Design Reference Missions (DRM). This information source and tool can be used as catalyst in the commercial world for the generation of ideas and options to enhance the current capabilities of the ISS.
Challenges to the Acceptance of Probabilistic Risk Analysis

This paper discusses a number of the key challenges to the acceptance and application of probabilistic risk analysis (PRA). Those challenges include: (a) the extensive reliance on subjective judgment in PRA, requiring the development of guidance for the use of PRA in risk-informed regulation, and possibly the development of “robust” or “reference” prior distributions to minimize the reliance on judgment; and (b) the treatment of human performance in PRA, including not only human error per se but also management and organizational factors more broadly. All of these areas are seen as presenting interesting research challenges at the interface between engineering and other disciplines.
DOES PRESENCE OF PERMANENT FRESH WATER AFFECT RECRUITMENT IN PRAIRIE-NESTING DABBLING DUCKS?

Abstract In the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North Dakota, USA, American mink (Mustela vison) are a major predator of ducklings. Mink populations plummet during severe droughts, but some mink survive where permanent fresh water is available. In 1992–1993, we evaluated whether development of a permanent water body, the 125-km McClusky Canal (MC), had affected survival of gadwall (Anas strepera) and mallard (A. platyrhynchos) broods and ducklings in surrounding wetland complexes. Twelve of 25 radiomarked gadwall and mallard hens experienced total brood loss, and 148 of 199 radiomarked ducklings from 58 broods died by day 30. Gadwall broods (n = 18 radiomarked hens) survived to 30 days at a lower rate (0.52) than predicted for similar areas in the region with limited permanent fresh water (0.85; P = 0.009). Observed (n = 162 radiomarked ducklings from 48 broods) survival rates also were lower than predicted for gadwall ducklings 0–7 days old (0.42 vs. 0.60; P < 0.001) and 8–30 days old (0.41 vs. 0.80; P <...
Segmental Femoral Defect Model in the Rat

A segmental defect model has been developed in the rat and used to evaluate a variety of bone graft materials both alone and as part of composite graft materials. These include: fibrillar collagen (FC), lyophilized fibrillar collagen (LFC), air-dried fibrillar collagen (ADFC), trypsinized demineralized bone powder (TBP), 0.5 mm hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate ceramic granules (HA/ TCP), bone marrow (BM), and cancellous bone (CB). In addition, a bone-derived protein fraction (15–30K) which includes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and transformation growth factor beta was combined with TBP to form a reconstituted demineralized bone matrix (RDBM) material (approximately 1 mg/defect).
Evaluation of treatment with a 5-day versus 7-day controlled internal drug-release insert on reproductive outcomes of beef heifers using a modified timed–artificial insemination protocol

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of reducing the duration of controlled internal drug-release insert (CIDR) exposure in a CIDR-based, fixed-time-AI protocol on pregnancy per AI (P/AI) and pregnancy rates in beef heifers. The experiment was conducted in 4 consecutive years. British crossbred heifers (yr 1, n = 82; yr 2, n = 68; yr 3, n = 86; yr 4, n = 53) were stratified by BW and age and were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) CIDR7 heifers (n = 145) received a CIDR insert for 7 d; and (2) CIDR5 heifers (n = 144) received a CIDR insert for 5 d. Heifers in CIDR7 and CIDR5 were given prostaglandin F2α (25 mg) upon CIDR removal followed by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (75 μg) and fixed-time AI 56 to 59 h after CIDR removal. Estrual behavior was monitored following CIDR removal. In all 4 yr, heifers received AI by a single inseminator. Fourteen days after AI, heifers were exposed to bulls for 40 d. Blood samples were collected on the day of CIDR insertion. Pregnancy status was determined by ultrasonography at d 35 and d 67 to 82 after AI. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and ANOVA. Percentage of heifers detected in estrus was different (P 0.2) between treatments. At CIDR insertion, mean serum progesterone concentrations were similar between CIDR7 and CIDR5, and there was no effect of treatment-by-year interaction on progesterone concentrations (P > 0.2). There was a treatmentby-year interaction effect on P/AI (P < 0.05). For CIDR7 and CIDR5, in yr 1, P/AI was 39 and 65.8% (P < 0.05), respectively; in yr 2, P/AI was 64.7and 41.1% (P < 0.05), in yr 3, P/AI was 59 and 73.8% (P = 0.09), and in yr 4, P/AI was 50 and 70.4% (P = 0.25). Overall, P/AI tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for CIDR5 compared with CIDR7 (63.8 vs. 53%). Regardless of treatment, heifers detected in estrus had a greater (P < 0.01) P/AI compared with those not detected in estrus (65.9 vs 47.9%). The final pregnancy rates of heifers were unaffected by the treatment protocols or year (92 and 95.5% for CIDR7 and CIDR5, respectively). The P/AI results from this study suggest that reducing the duration of CIDR treatment from 7 to 5 d in a CIDR-based and single-prostaglandin-injection, fixed-time-AI protocol may improve P/AI in beef heifers.
Using Coupled Energy, Airflow and IAQ Software (TRNSYS/CONTAM) to Evaluate Building Ventilation Strategies.

Building energy analysis tools are available in many forms that provide the ability to address a broad spectrum of energy-related issues in various combinations. Often these tools operate in isolat...
Synthesis of N-Acyl-α-amino acids by Cobalt Catalyzed Amido-carbonylation

A variety of Nacyl-α-amino acids are synthesized from aldehyde and amide via cobalt catalyzed amido-carbonylation (Wakamatsu) reaction. The reaction proceeds under exactly the same conditions as used for the hydroformylation (Oxo) reaction. So, olefins, alcohols, epoxides and halides which give aldehydes under the reaction conditions can be satisfactorily used instead of aldehydes. When acetals are used as starting materials, N-acyl-α-amino esters are obtained. The intramolecular amido-carbonylation provides a convenient route to cyclic α-amino acids or esters. Furthermore, N-acyl-α-amino esters are synthesized from N-acylamines through anodic oxidation followed by amido-carbonylation with high efficiency. By utilizing the methodology, a highly stereoselective synthesis of teneraic acid 14 was achieved. Possible mechanisms for these new processes are discussed in detail.
Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the dynamics of imidazolium ionic liquids with -CH2Si(CH3)3 vs -CH2C(CH3)3 substituents.

Trimethylsilylmethyl (TMSiM)-substituted imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (NTf2-), and tetrafluoroborate (BF4-) ionic liquids (ILs) have lower room-temperature viscosities by factors of 1.6 and 7.4, respectively, than isostructural neopentylimidazolium ILs. In an attempt to account for the effects of silicon substitution in imidazolium RTILs and to investigate the ion dynamics, we report nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of 1H (I = 1/2) and 19F (I = 1/2) spin−lattice relaxation times (T1) and self-diffusion coefficients (D) as a function of temperature for ILs containing the TMSiM group and, for comparison, the analogous neopentyl group. The 1H and 19F nuclei probe the dynamics of the cations and anions, respectively. The low-temperature line shapes were determined to be Gaussian, and the onset of the rigid lattice line width is correlated with the measured glass transition temperature. The spin−lattice relaxation data feature a broad T1 minimum as a function of inverse temperatur...
The concentration of sodium and potassium as compared with that of calcium and magnesium in the serum of patients with active infantile tetany

We have determined the sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium content of the serum of children suffering from active infantile tetany. As most of the infants were quite small it was only possible in a few cases to do the four determinations on the serum of the same individual. The results are given in Table I. It is seen that the sodium content falls within the limits of normal. The potassium content is apparently somewhat elevated. The concentration of calcium in the serum, as previously shown, is markedly diminished while that of magnesium is usually within normal limits.The average concentration of these elements in the sera of normal children is singularly constant. The actual figures are as follows:The (Na + K)/(Ca + Mg) ratio in the normal infant is thereforewhile in cases of active infantile tetany it isIf the calcium were to remain the same, the ratio would be 27.8. It is therefore evident that the change in the ratio of (Na + K)/(Ca + Mg) is due almost wholly to the decrease in the concentratio...
Evaluation of Commercial Formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis for Control of the Indianmeal Moth and Almond Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Stored Inshell Peanuts

In laboratory tests, a dust formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner was superior to a WP fonnulation in protecting farmers’ stock (inshell) peanuts from Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunetella (Hubner), and almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker), infestation. The WP did not completely eliminate moth emergence at rates as high as 625 mg/kg when applied as either a bulk or surface layer treatment. Efficacy of the WP was not improved by more uniform application. The dust nearly eliminated moth emergence when used as a surface layer or bulk treatment at 500 mg/kg. At equivalent dosages, the dust limited moth emergence and peanut damage to <5%, but the WP permitted ca. 23% moth emergence and peanut damage.
N 14 ( p , α ) C 11 cross sections from 3.8 to 6.4 MeV

Total cross sections for the $^{14}\mathrm{N}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{11}\mathrm{C}$ reaction have been measured by using sealed gas targets and detecting annihilation radiation from the positron decay of $^{11}\mathrm{C}$. These measurements agree with the recent work of Jacobs et al. above 5.0 MeV and extend the measured cross sections to 3.8 MeV, where the cross section is a factor of 1000 smaller than the higher-energy cross sections. The results determine the low-energy normalization of the inverse $^{11}\mathrm{C}(\ensuremath{\alpha},p)^{14}\mathrm{N}$ reaction, reducing the $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ production in big bang model calculations relative to results obtained by using estimated cross sections.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{14}\mathrm{N}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})$, $E=3.8\ensuremath{-}6.4$ MeV, measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}(E)$. Inferred $\ensuremath{\sigma}(E)$ and astrophysical cross section factor for inverse reaction. Sealed gas target.
Transforming the Energy Economy – the Role of Behavioral and Social Science

Human factors engineering can provide a unique set of concepts and methods to facilitate transforming the energy economy to less resource intensive utilization. While this has not been a traditional endeavor for the profession, new developments in technologies associated with the smart grid, and a need to understand and modify consumption patterns represent new opportunities. This panel assembles experts in behavioral science and energy analysis to discuss the various ways that the human factors and ergonomics profession can contribute to enhancing energy efficiency, conservation and greenhouse gas reduction.
Treatment of Meniscal Tear: The More We Learn, the Less We Know.

In this issue, Sihvonen and colleagues' randomized, controlled trial demonstrated that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is no more beneficial than arthroscopic lavage without meniscal resection to...
Pacemaker Neurons for the Theta Rhythm and Their Synchronization in the Septohippocampal Reciprocal Loop

Hippocampal theta (4-10 Hz) oscillation represents a well-known brain rhythm implicated in spatial cognition and memory processes. Its cellular mechanisms remain a matter of debate, and previous computational work has focused mostly on mechanisms intrinsic to the hippocampus. On the other hand, experimental data indicate that GABAergic cells in the medial septum play a pacemaker role for the theta rhythm. We have used biophysical modeling to address two major questions raised by the septal pacemaker hypothesis: what is the ion channel mechanism for the single-cell pacemaker behavior and how do these cells become synchronized? Our model predicts that theta oscillations of septal GABAergic cells depend critically on a low-threshold, slowly inactivating potassium current. Network simulations show that theta oscillations are not coherent in an isolated population of pacemaker cells. Robust synchronization emerges with the addition of a second GABAergic cell population. Such a reciprocally inhibitory circuit can be realized by the hippocampo-septal feedback loop.
Fatal Chromobacterium violaceum Septicemia

A 9-year-old Caucasian girl succumbed to septicemia due to Chromobacterium violaceum after 5 days of illness. The causative agent is a common soil saprophyte and could readily be considered a laboratory contaminant. Proper use of the specific name C. violaceum designating the mesophilic strain of this genus is reviewed. Prompt identification and antibiotic sensitivity studies are essential for appropriate therapy. This is the sixth case of human infection with C. violaceum to be reported in the United States.
Urban Planning and the Quality of the Urban Environment

We are not likely to do much about the quality of the urban environment until we begin to sharpen the meaning of the concept and get a substantial area of agreement on what we are after. Second, urban planning is potentially a useful tool in achieving environmental improvement, but its major thrust to date has been to protect individual property values more than the total environment. Third, it is proposed that we use the concept of regional assets to highlight the focal points for urban planning concerns, particularly to achieve fitness among the major urban activities and encourage a healthy relationship between the natural and man-made features of the environment. More questions will be raised than will be answered, but it is hoped, this paper will at least sharpen some of the issues involved in environment quality in an urban setting.
TH-CD-207A-07: Prediction of High Dimensional State Subject to Respiratory Motion: A Manifold Learning Approach.

Purpose: The development of high dimensional imaging systems (e.g. volumetric MRI, CBCT, photogrammetry systems) in image-guided radiotherapy provides important pathways to the ultimate goal of real-time volumetric/surface motion monitoring. This study aims to develop a prediction method for the high dimensional state subject to respiratory motion. Compared to conventional linear dimension reduction based approaches, our method utilizes manifold learning to construct a descriptive feature submanifold, where more efficient and accurate prediction can be performed. Methods: We developed a prediction framework for high-dimensional state subject to respiratory motion. The proposed method performs dimension reduction in a nonlinear setting to permit more descriptive features compared to its linear counterparts (e.g., classic PCA). Specifically, a kernel PCA is used to construct a proper low-dimensional feature manifold, where low-dimensional prediction is performed. A fixed-point iterative pre-image estimation method is applied subsequently to recover the predicted value in the original state space. We evaluated and compared the proposed method with PCA-based method on 200 level-set surfaces reconstructed from surface point clouds captured by the VisionRT system. The prediction accuracy was evaluated with respect to root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) for both 200ms and 600ms lookahead lengths. Results: The proposed method outperformed PCA-based approach with statistically higher prediction accuracy. In one-dimensional feature subspace, our method achieved mean prediction accuracy of 0.86mm and 0.89mm for 200ms and 600ms lookahead lengths respectively, compared to 0.95mm and 1.04mm from PCA-based method. The paired t-tests further demonstrated the statistical significance of the superiority of our method, with p-values of 6.33e-3 and 5.78e-5, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed approach benefits from the descriptiveness of a nonlinear manifold and the prediction reliability in such low dimensional manifold. The fixed-point iterative approach turns out to work well practically for the pre-image recovery. Our approach is particularly suitable to facilitate managing respiratory motion in image-guide radiotherapy. This work is supported in part by NIH grant R01 CA169102-02.
Recruitment of Underrepresented Minorities in Medical School Through a Student-led Initiative

The goal of matriculating a diverse medical cohort remains important for institutions across the country as it results in an increase in the diversity of the physician workforce. By admitting students who are underrepresented in medicine, the pressing health needs of the growing and diverse patient population of our country can be met by physicians who are representative of their communities. Given the challenges of choosing from a small pool of applicants, medical schools should consider seeking the support of current medical students in expanding the applicant pool and recruiting the next generation of physicians. The purpose of this paper is to describe a student-led initiative established at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine for recruiting students underrepresented in medicine. Through this pipeline program, current underrepresented applicants experience a two-day recruitment event that introduces them to life as a medical student. Incorporating current medical students in recruitment programming allows institutions to access a knowledgeable and inspirational resource that is readily available. Current medical students can provide firsthand perspectives into the journey that is medical school while serving as role models for future physicians.
Hepatic adaptations to maintain metabolic homeostasis in response to fasting and refeeding in mice

The increased incidence of obesity and associated metabolic diseases has driven research focused on genetically or pharmacologically alleviating metabolic dysfunction. These studies employ a range of fasting-refeeding models including 4–24 h fasts, “overnight” fasts, or meal feeding. Still, we lack literature that describes the physiologically relevant adaptations that accompany changes in the duration of fasting and re-feeding. Since the liver is central to whole body metabolic homeostasis, we investigated the timing of the fast-induced shift toward glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, and ketogenesis and the meal-induced switch toward glycogenesis and away from ketogenesis. Twelve to fourteen week old male C57BL/6J mice were fasted for 0, 4, 8, 12, or 16 h and sacrificed 4 h after lights on. In a second study, designed to understand the response to a meal, we gave fasted mice access to feed for 1 or 2 h before sacrifice. We analyzed the data using mixed model analysis of variance. Fasting initiated robust metabolic shifts, evidenced by changes in serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), triacylglycerol, and β-OH butyrate, as well as, liver triacylglycerol, non-esterified fatty acid, and glycogen content. Glycogenolysis is the primary source to maintain serum glucose during the first 8 h of fasting, while de novo gluconeogenesis is the primary source thereafter. The increase in serum β-OH butyrate results from increased enzymatic capacity for fatty acid flux through β-oxidation and shunting of acetyl-CoA toward ketone body synthesis (increased CPT1 (Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1) and HMGCS2 (3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Synthase 2) expression, respectively). In opposition to the relatively slow metabolic adaptation to fasting, feeding of a meal results in rapid metabolic changes including full depression of serum β-OH butyrate and NEFAs within an hour. Herein, we provide a detailed description of timing of the metabolic adaptations in response to fasting and re-feeding to inform study design in experiments of metabolic homeostasis. Since fasting and obesity are both characterized by elevated adipose tissue lipolysis, hepatic lipid accumulation, ketogenesis, and gluconeogenesis, understanding the drivers behind the metabolic shift from the fasted to the fed state may provide targets to limit aberrant gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis in obesity.
Corneal ulceration and episcleritis associated with Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome

Abstract Purpose To present anterior segment ophthalmic manifestations of Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS), a rare X-linked primary immune-deficiency. Observations A 15-year old male with WAS presented with multiple corneal ulcers of the left eye. Once resolved, this was followed by separate episodes of episcleritis in the left eye and corneal infiltrates of the right eye. Successful treatment included topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Conclusions Ocular manifestations of WAS, due to secondary infection and inflammation, may be severe. This case report emphasizes the importance of prompt ophthalmic evaluation and treatment of these patients.
Identification of Prophages within the Mycobacterium avium 104 Genome and the Link of Their Function Regarding to Environment Survival

Mycobacterium avium is an opportunistic bacterium associated with pathogenic behavior in both humans and animals. M. avium has evolved as a pathogen by having an environmental component in its life style. Prophages are the integrated viral forms in bacterium genome. They constitute about 10% - 20% of genome of many bacteria and they contribute to pathogenicity of microbes. We investigated whether the M. avium 104 genome contained prophages and evaluated the genes/proteins for putative functions. Three prophage genes were identified in the M. avium 104 database, and sequences were analyzed for specific motifs. The prophage sequences were then cloned in Mycobacterium smegmatis and the bacterial phenotype was evaluated in gain of function assays for environmental stresses, such as tolerance to extreme temperatures, UV light, biofilm formation and resistance to acid as well as macrophage survival. The results indicate that two of the prophage genes, MAV_0696 and MAV_2265, confer M. smegmatis with enhanced ability to produce biofilm. Using a Real-Time PCR, it was determined that MAV_0696 and MAV_2265 transcripts were upregulated upon biofilm formation by M. avium. The expression of MAV_2265 gene was significantly higher at all selected time points. In addition, the expression of MAV_2265 in M. smegmatis also led to significantly greater survival rate at pH 5.0 compared to the wild-type control. None of the other physical abilities were altered by overexpressing the prophage genes in M. smegmatis. In summary, we identified three prophage sequences in M. avium 104, from which two of them were found to be associated with biofilm formation and one with resistance to the acidic environment. Future studies will identify the mechanisms involved in the prophages function.
A high salt diet inhibits obesity and delays puberty in the female rat

Processed foods are considered major contributors to the worldwide obesity epidemic. In addition to high sugar and fat contents, processed foods contain large amounts of salt. Owing to the correlations with rising adiposity, salt has recently been proposed to be obesogenic. This study investigated three hypotheses: (i) high salt contributes to weight gain and adiposity in juvenile female rats, (ii) puberty onset would be altered because salt is known to affect neuronal systems involved in activating the reproductive system, and (iii) enhanced adiposity will act synergistically with salt to drive early puberty onset. Female weanling rats (post-natal day 21, n=105) were fed a low fat/low salt diet, low fat/high salt diet, high fat/low salt diet or a high salt/high fat diet for 24 days. Metabolic measures, including weight gain, food intake, fecal output, activity and temperature were recorded in subsets of animals. Body weight, retroperitoneal and perirenal fat pad weight, and adipocyte size were all lower in animals fed high fat/high salt compared with animals fed high fat alone. Leptin levels were reduced in high fat/high salt fed animals compared with high fat/low salt-fed animals. Daily calorie intake was higher initially but declined with adjusted food intake and was not different among groups after 5 days. Osmolality and corticosterone were not different among groups. Fecal analysis showed excess fat excretion and a decreased digestive efficiency in animals fed high fat/low salt but not in animals fed high fat/high salt. Although respiratory exchange ratio was reduced by high dietary fat or salt, aerobic-resting metabolic rate was not affected by the diet. High salt delayed puberty onset, regardless of dietary fat content. Salt delays puberty and prevents the obesogenic effect of a high fat diet. The reduced weight gain evident in high salt-fed animals is not due to differences in food intake or digestive efficiency.
Geomedia: Networked Cities and the Future of Public Space

The city of the future will be media rich, networked, and perhaps informed by participatory art. As in cities of all time, public space will be contested—but what role will art play in the contest?...
Two New Species of Plagioporus (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from the Ouachita Madtom, Noturus lachneri, and the Banded Sculpin, Cottus carolinae, from Arkansas

Abstract Plagioporus ictaluri n. sp. and Plagioporus carolini n. sp. are described from the intestines of the Ouachita Madtom, Noturus lachneri, and the Banded Sculpin, Cottus carolinae, respectively, from adjacent drainages in Arkansas. The new species are morphologically most similar to one another and in turn similar to Plagioporus sinitsini, Plagioporus chiliticorum, Plagioporus serratus, and Plagioporus hypentelii, but they can be distinguished from these congeners in possession of an excretory vesicle that extends anteriorly to the level of the anterior testis as opposed to 1 reaching only the posterior testis (P. hypentelii) or 1 confined to the posttesticular space (P. sinitsini, P. serratus, and P. chiliticorum), a feature that necessitates altering the generic diagnosis for the genus. Plagioporus ictaluri n. sp. is distinguished from Plagioporus carolini n. sp. in having tandem vs. oblique testes, a submedian to median ovary as opposed to 1 that is dextral, a ventral sucker occupying 53–71% of t...
Crystal Structure of Green Fluorescent Protein Clover and Design of Clover-Based Redox Sensors

We have determined the crystal structure of Clover, one of the brightest fluorescent proteins, and found that its T203H/S65G mutations relative to wild-type GFP lock the critical E222 side chain in a fixed configuration that mimics the major conformer of that in EGFP. The resulting equilibrium shift to the predominantly deprotonated chromophore increases the extinction coefficient (EC), opposes photoactivation, and is responsible for the bathochromic shift. Clover's brightness can further be attributed to a π-π stacking interaction between H203 and the chromophore. Consistent with these observations, the Clover G65S mutant reversed the equilibrium shift, dramatically decreased the EC, and made Clover photoactivatable under conditions that activated photoactivatable GFP. Using the Clover structure, we rationally engineered a non-photoactivatable redox sensor, roClover1, and determined its structure as well as that of its parental template, roClover0.1. These high-resolution structures provide deeper insights into structure-function relationships in GFPs and may aid the development of excitation-improved ratiometric biosensors.
A novel low-thermal-budget approach for the co-production of ethylene and hydrogen via the electrochemical non-oxidative deprotonation of ethane

The oversupply of ethane, a major component of natural gas liquids, has stimulated the wide applications of ethylene since the shale gas revolution. However, ethylene production is energy-intensive and represents the most energy-consuming single process in the chemical industry. In this communication, we report, for the first time, a novel low-thermal-budget process for the co-production of ethylene and pure hydrogen using a proton-conducting electrochemical deprotonation cell. At a constant current density of 1 A cm−2, corresponding to a hydrogen production rate of 0.448 mol cm−2 per day, and 400 °C, a close to 100% ethylene selectivity was achieved under an electrochemical overpotential of 140 mV. Compared to an industrial ethane steam cracker, the electrochemical deprotonation process can achieve a 65% saving in process energy and reduce the carbon footprint by as much as 72% or even more if renewable electricity and heat are used. If the heating value of produced hydrogen is taken into account, the electrochemical deprotonation process actually has a net gain in processing energy. The electrochemical deprotonation process at reduced temperatures in the present study provides a disruptive approach for petrochemical manufacturing, shifting the paradigm from thermal chemical practice to a clean energy regime.
Application-Specific Deadlock Free Wormhole Routing on Multicomputers

We show that given a priori knowledge of the messages to be routed for a specific parallel application, efficient algorithms can be designed to generate low message traffic congestion and deadlock free routings at compile-time. The problem can be formulated as a graph theoretic problem. Since the problem of finding a deadlock free routing with minimal maximum message traffic congestion is shown to be NP-hard, an efficient heuristic is proposed. Performance of the heuristic for both random message distribution and for several specific applications on hypercube and torus topologies is evaluated by simulations. We show that, compared with the E-cube and XY fixed routings, the heuristic has significant improvement with respect to maximum congestion for the specific applications as well as for the nonuniform message distribution case which models communication locality. For the uniform message distribution case, the heuristic has moderate improvement.
Sensitivity and optimal synthesis for a class of linear time-delay systems

Some further results on optimal synthesis for linear time delay systems are presented. This is an extension of techniques for finite dimensional systems to infinite dimensional systems.
Novel Random Triblock Copolymers for Sustained Delivery of Macromolecules for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases.

The objective of this study is to design, develop, and synthesize novel random triblock (RTB) copolymers for sustained delivery of macromolecules. RTB copolymers have not been utilized for the delivery of macromolecules for ocular diseases. RTB copolymers comprising of polyethylene glycol, glycolide, and ɛ-caprolactone blocks were synthesized and assessed for their molecular weights and purity using 1H-NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, FTIR (functionality), and XRD (crystallinity). No toxicity was observed when ocular cell lines were treated with RTB copolymers. These materials were applied for encapsulation of peptides and proteins (catalase, IgG, BSA, IgG Fab fragment, lysozyme, insulin, and octreotide) in nanoparticles. Particle size ranged from 202.41 ± 2.45 to 300.1 ± 3.11 nm depending on the molecular size and geometry of proteins/peptides. Polydispersity indices were between 0.26 ± 0.02 and 0.46 ± 0.07 respectively. Percentage entrapment efficiency and drug loading ranged from 83.44 ± 2.24 to 45.35 ± 5.53 and 21.56 ± 0.46 to 13.08 ± 1.35 respectively depending on molecular weights of peptides or proteins. A sustained in vitro release of macromolecule was observed over 3-month period. These results suggest that RTB copolymers may be suitable for sustained delivery systems for various macromolecules for different diseases including ocular diseases.
Patchworking Library Services for Invisiblized Youth

Librarians find themselves continuously challenged to provide a growing range of innovative services. In order to succeed, this complex task is grounded in local context and implemented based on the needs of users, be it students, patrons, clients, or community members. This article considers parameters of and discusses strategies for developing library services to meet the needs of incarcerated youth. How can librarians be effective in serving these young people who have been drawn into atypical realms, away from their communities, away from the Internet? There is a clear and urgent need to provide excellent library services to the approximately 60,000 youth incarcerated across the U. S. Currently, there are groups that emphasize services to these users. For example, Library Services for Youth in Custody (LSYC) is a professional interest group that focuses on providing a network to support these services. Other agencies are also involved, often as part of outreach programs, special projects, or on an ad-hoc basis. Together, these efforts result in a patchwork of services. In this case study, we draw on the experience of several dedicated individuals and groups that work to form a patchwork for building awareness, sharing resources, and meeting the informational needs of incarcerated youth. We critically consider these matters in theory and practice while reflecting back on the ten years of providing library services at a youth detention facility located in the U.S. Midwest; like many similar facilities, it has no librarian, no other library staff, and no regular library budget.
ALMS1 (Alstrom Syndrome 1), a new interacting protein of NKCC2, regulates apical NKCC2 trafficking, urinary concentration and blood pressure

NaCl absorption by the Thick Ascending Limb (TAL) is mediated by the apical Na/K/2Cl cotransporter, NKCC2. Increased NKCC2 activity and apical trafficking are associated to hypertension. However, o...
Transcriptome Analysis of Choke Stroma and Asymptomatic Inflorescence Tissues Reveals Changes in Gene Expression in Both Epichloë festucae and Its Host Plant Festuca rubra subsp. rubra

Many cool-season grasses have symbiotic relationships with Epichloe (Ascomycota, Clavicipitaceae) fungal endophytes that inhabit the intercellular spaces of the above-ground parts of the host plants. The presence of the Epichloe endophytes is generally beneficial to the hosts due to enhanced tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses conferred by the endophytes. Many Epichloe spp. are asexual, and those infections always remain asymptomatic. However, some Epichloe spp. have a sexual stage and produce a macroscopic fruiting body, a stroma, that envelops the developing inflorescence causing a syndrome termed “choke disease”. Here, we report a fungal and plant gene expression analysis of choke stroma tissue and asymptomatic inflorescence tissue of Epichloe festucae-infected strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra). Hundreds of fungal genes and over 10% of the plant genes were differentially expressed when comparing the two tissue types. The differentially expressed fungal genes in the choke stroma tissue indicated a change in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as a change in expression of numerous genes for candidate effector proteins. Plant stress-related genes were up-regulated in the stroma tissue, suggesting the plant host was responding to the epiphytic stage of E. festucae as a pathogen.
Comprehending the Incomprehensible: Organization Theory and Child Sexual Abuse in Organizations

This Element describes child sexual abuse and the formal organizations in which it can occur, reviews extant perspectives on child abuse, and explains how an organization theory approach can advance understanding of this phenomenon. It then elaborates the main paths through which organizational structures can influence child sexual abuse in organizations and analyze how these structures operate through these paths to impact the perpetration, detection, and response to abuse. The analysis is illustrated throughout with reports of child sexual abuse published in a variety of sources. The Element concludes with a brief discussion of the policy implications of this analysis.
PRIME: a real-time cyber-physical systems testbed: from wide-area monitoring, protection, and control prototyping to operator training and beyond

As the power grid continues to evolve with advanced wide-area monitoring, protection, and control (WAMPAC) algorithms, there is an increasing need for realistic testbed environments with industry-grade software and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) to perform verification and validation studies. Such testbed environments serve as ideal platforms to perform WAMPAC prototyping, operator training, and also to study the impacts of different types of cyberattack scenarios on the operation of the grid. In this study, the authors introduce pacific northwest national laboratory(PNNL) cyber-physical systems testbed (PRIME): the testbed that integrates real-time transmission system simulator with commercial industry-grade energy management system software and remote HIL (RHIL). PRIME is an end-to-end, modular testbed that allows high-fidelity RHIL experimentation of a power system. We present two detailed case studies (fault location and clearing in the transmission system and operator training) to show the capabilities of their PRIME testbed. Finally, we briefly discuss some of the potential limitations of their testbed in terms of scalability and flexibility to set up larger test systems and identify directions for future work to address these limitations.
Electronic structure and magnetism of Rh n ( n = 2 – 1 3 ) clusters

Theoretical studies of the ground-state geometries, electronic structure, binding energies, ionization potentials, and magnetic moments of Rh{sub n} (n=2{endash}13) clusters have been carried out using a combination of molecular-dynamics and {ital ab initio} density-functional scheme including gradient corrections. For clusters containing less than eight atoms, the ground states have been determined by starting from several random configurations and minimizing the geometry using first-principles density-functional calculations. For larger clusters, the initial geometries were obtained via molecular-dynamics simulations based on a tight-binding many-body potential and reoptimized using the density-functional approach. The ground-state structures are all compact arrangements and the clusters containing 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 atoms resemble icosahedral fragments. The clusters are shown to undergo progression of magnetic behaviors with size. While most clusters are ferromagnetic with varying magnetic moments, Rh{sub 4} and Rh{sub 6} are found to have nonmagnetic states that are nearly degenerate with ferromagnetic states. The variation in the magnetic moments is shown to be intimately linked to the electronic structure. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Diabetes Mellitus Risk Prediction Using Artificial Neural Network

Diabetes is a non-communicable disease and various types of dangerous diseases like heart attack, kidney failure, myopia, and so on are caused by it. The number of people suffering from diabetes is increasing rapidly. Though there has no perpetual cure for diabetes, it can be controlled by proper counseling and medication. For this perception, an early determination is needed. In our analysis, 464 patients data with 23 features were collected from various health-care units and preprocessed. A predictive model was developed with artificial neural network technique. Different learning rate, hidden layers were applied in our analysis. Average-weighted accuracy of all observations was approximately 99.69%.
Salud, cultura, tradición: Findings from an alcohol and other drug and HIV needs assessment in urban “Mexican American Indian” communities

This paper presents findings from an alcohol and other drug use (AOD) and HIV risk needs assessment of 20 “Mexican American Indian” adults in two urban areas of the United States who currently or p...
Rethinking the need for a platelet transfusion threshold of 50 × 109 /L for lumbar puncture in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND Lumbar puncture (LP) is a frequently performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in oncology patients. Transfusing to a minimum preprocedural platelet threshold of 50 × 109 /L is widely upheld without good quality evidence. The objective was to compare the outcomes of LPs performed with platelets above and below this threshold. An increased risk of adverse events in patients with lower platelet counts was not expected. As a corollary, transfusion reaction rates incurred by transfusing to this recommended threshold are also reported. METHODS A total of 2259 LPs performed on 1137 oncology patients (adult, n = 871, and pediatric, n = 266) were retrospectively analyzed between February 2011 and December 2017. The incidence of LP-related complications for groups above and below the minimum platelet threshold was compared. Traumatic tap was defined as 500 or more red blood cells per high-power field in the cerebral spinal fluid. Groups were compared using the 2-Proportion Z-test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS At time of LP, the total number of events with platelets less than 50 × 109 /L and 50 × 109 /L or greater were 110 and 2149, respectively. There were no significant differences in LP-associated complications between patients with platelet counts above or below 50 × 109 /L (P = .29). Patients with a pre-LP platelet count of less than 50 × 109 /L had a higher proportion of traumatic taps (P < .001). Three patients developed transfusion-related adverse events. CONCLUSION Patients with platelet counts less than 50 × 109 /L did not have a higher incidence of clinically significant post-lumbar puncture complications (P = .29).
Esophageal Manometry and Esophageal pH Testing

Esophageal manometry is a physiologic test of esophageal function that complements endoscopy and provides a visual assessment of esophageal abnormalities. pH testing quantifies acid refluxing into the esophagus. pH/impedance testing detects acid, weakly acidic reflux, and alkaline reflux into the esophagus. Physiologic studies of the esophagus are predictive of a response to medical and surgical treatment and have an important role in evaluating patients who do not respond to therapy.
Microstructure and Tribological Properties of TPU/Fluoropolymer Composites

Abstract A network of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) microfibers in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was prepared by melt mixing the TPU with solid PTFE particles. The effect of rotor speed on ...
444. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Among Healthcare Workers in Southeast Michigan

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has significantly impacted Michigan, with over 60,000 cases and 5,700 deaths to date During the surge, Metropolitan Detroit was the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for 80% of cases and 86% of deaths statewide Healthcare workers (HCW) are particularly at risk;however, rates of infection based on job category has not been described previously in the United States We describe the impact of the outbreak on our workforce Background Michigan COVID Methods: This was a retrospective review of employees with COVID-19 at Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), a comprehensive, integrated, health care organization in Southeast Michigan includes 5 hospitals and 9 emergency departments from 3/10/2020-6/10/2020 Employees exhibiting symptoms and/or signs consistent with COVID-19 infection were referred to employee health and tested for SARS-CoV-2 All employees with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of upper respiratory tract were included Data were obtained from a dedicated analytics dashboard that tracked all testing and results for employees Rate (number positives/total tested) of infection for each job category was determined Results: A total 5352 (16%) of 33538 employees were tested, of whom 1036 (19%) tested positive The number of infected workers represents approximately 3 1 % of the workforce The sharp increase of COVID-19 admissions correlated with the rise in HCW COVID-19 positivity (Figure 1) The number of HCW tested largely correlated with the disease burden at each hospital (Figure2) Table 1 shows total population of symptomatic HCW tested and demonstrates volume of testing and positivity were higher among HCW with close patient contact The positivity rates in specific clinical support staff are shown in Table 2 Notably, there were high rates of positivity among non-clinical business and management employees tested suggesting community-transmission Conclusion: COVID-19 risk is highest among HCW in high volume settings with close patient contact Community exposure may be an important factor that contributes to this risk Strategies to minimize transmission in healthcare settings should be combined with HCW education emphasizing measures to avoid exposure within the community (Figure Presented)
Neonatal Hydrops Simulation Model: A Technical Report

This technical report describes the creation of a model of a newborn with hydrops fetalis (HF). This model is easy to assemble, quite authentic and reusable allowing for many neonatal intensive care providers to practice rare, life-saving procedures. Learning objectives and a critical action checklist have been included to guide the simulation and add additional complexity to the scenario, if desired.
T1 mapping for the diagnosis of early chronic pancreatitis: correlation with Cambridge classification system.

Objective:This study aims to determine if T1 relaxation time of the pancreas can detect parenchymal changes in early chronic pancreatitis (CP).Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed 42 patient...