cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of steroid hormones on in vitro oocyte maturation in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The in vitro effects of several steroids on the maturation of intact white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) ovarian follicles were investigated. At the highest concentration (1024 ng ml−1 for the C21 steroids and 1139 ng ml−1 for the C19 steroids), all of the C21 steroids tested, progesterone (P4), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P), 17α,(20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one 20β-S), 11-deoxycortisol (S) and cortisol (F), as well as testosterone (T) induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) at 14 and 22 h. At 6 h, only P4 and 17,20β-P induced maturation at the highest concentration (1024 ng ml−1). At 14 and 22 h, 11-deoxycortisol was the most potent steroid inducer of GVBD followed by P4, 17OHP, 17,20β-P, and 20β-S. The steroid 11β-hydroxytestosterone (11βOHT) was completely ineffective at all concentrations and exposure times. The C21 steroids induced oocyte maturation at concentrations ranging from 4 to 1024 ng ml−1, whereas T induced GVBD at 225 to 1139 ng ml−1. Calculation of the mean effective concentration that induced 50% GVBD (EC50) from the 22 h incubations revealed the following order of potencies: S > P4 > 17OHP > 17,20β-P > 20β-S >> F > T. These bioassay results, together with previous findings on the endogenous production of steroids by ovarian follicles from gonadotropin-primed females, indicate that more than one steroid has a biological role in the resumption of meiosis in sturgeon oocytes and provides empirical evidence for P4, 17OHP, S, 20β-S, and 17,20β-P as maturation-inducing steroids in white sturgeon.
Images in cardiovascular medicine. Constrictive pericarditis in a patient with relapsed acute myelogenous leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

A 43-year-old man presented with a month’s history of progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, and abdominal distension several months after having been diagnosed with relapsed acute monocytic leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. His heart rate was 110 bpm, and blood pressure was 120/50 mm Hg with peripheral edema. Heart sounds were normal. Chest x-ray showed a small right pleural effusion with clear lung fields and normal cardiac size. His renal function deteriorated rapidly, with a rise of creatinine from 2.8 to 4.3 mg/dL within 1 day after admission. Echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 55% to 60%, …
Markov models of fault-tolerant memory systems under SEU

A single event upset (SEU) can affect the correct operation of digital systems, such as memories and processors. This paper proposes Markov based models for analyzing the reliability and availability of different fault-tolerant memory arrangements under the operational scenario of an SEU. These arrangements exploit redundancy (either duplex or triplex replication) for dynamic fault-tolerant operation as provided by arbitration (for error detection and output selection) as well as in the presence of dedicated circuitry implementing different correction/detection codes for bit-flips as errors. The primary objective is to preserve either the correctness, or the fail-safe nature of the data output of the memory system for long mission time. It is shown that a duplex memory system encoded with error control codes has a higher reliability than the triplex arrangement. Moreover, the use of a code for single error correction and double error detection (SEC-DED) improves both availability and reliability compared to an error correction code with same error detection capabilities.
Covalently modified organic nanoplatelets and their use in polymer film capacitors with high dielectric breakdown and wide temperature operation

Organic-inorganic nanoplatelets in the form of nanoscale titanium phenyl phosphonate (nano-Ti(PPA)2) were synthesized with dimensions of 100-250 nm by 5-10 nm. Upon incorporation into fluorene polyester (FPE) at low loadings (0.3 to 3 wt%), the resulting polymer nanocomposite film exhibited significant gains in breakdown field over the neat polymer film, with gains of 37% at 20°C, 39% at 150°C, and 18% at 275°C. The increase in breakdown field was much greater than expected based on previous literature reports for incorporation of spherical SiO2 or TiO2, and it is likely that these benefits arise from the high aspect ratio of the nano-Ti(PPA)2 and the inherent organic functionalization of the material. Dielectric constant was unchanged within experimental error, and loss tangent decreased slightly at higher temperatures, upon the addition of the filler. Material energy densities of the resulting nanocomposite film were calculated to range from 3.6 J/cm3 at 150°C to 1.6 J/cm3 at 275°C, which are the highest known values obtained for a polymer-based capacitor material that can operate at these high temperatures.
Glomerular Protein Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Are Lower in Diabetic Subjects

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate extracellular matrix turnover throughout the body, including in renal glomeruli. We investigated protein levels of multiple MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9) and TIMP-1 in glomeruli and investigated whether disease phenotypes were associated with levels of these proteins. Renal cortex was collected from 100 adult autopsy subjects arrayed across 17 tissue microarrays. Immunohistochemical staining intensity for each MMP and TIMP-1 was determined using quantitative color deconvolution techniques. We observed significantly decreased glomerular MMP-1 and TIMP-1 staining in subjects with diabetes, hypertension, and an estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in univariate analyses. MMP-1 staining, but not TIMP-1 staining, was inversely correlated with increased glomerular fibrosis (r = -0.40). In multivariable analysis, diabetes was robustly associated with decreased staining intensity. This study indicates that in human subjects, the long-term sequelae of diseases such as diabetes that cause chronic renal failure result in decreased TIMP-1 and MMP-1 proteins in renal glomeruli. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc.org. Please visit this article online to view these materials.
APPEARANCE AND POSSIBLE HOMING OF TWO SPECIES OF SCULPINS IN MAINE TIDEPOOLS

Abstract Two species of sculpins (Cottidae), the grubby, Myoxocephalus aenaeus, and the shorthorn sculpin, M. scorpius, were studied in rocky tidepools along the coast of Maine. Fishes were captured and measured during 116 sampling trips between 1979 and 1996. Both of these species of sculpins are from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and are present in tidepools nearly every month of the year and are the only fish species found in Maine tidepools during winter. Both sculpin species are important components of tidepool ecosystems and dominate the rocky tidepool fish communities from late autumn to early spring, a time when other fish species decline in abundance or are absent. There was no apparent relationship between sculpin abundance and salinity, but the two species of Myoxocephalus were encountered in water temperatures of 1.5 to 18.9°C, with 55.0% of the shorthorn sculpins and 57.3% of the grubbies encountered in tidepools where water temperatures ranged from 12 to 15°C. Between 1988 and 1996, 102 in...
Hexuronic Acid Dehydrogenase of Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Growth of Agrobacterium tumefaciens on d-glucuronic acid (GlcUA) or d-galacturonic acid (GalUA) induces formation of hexuronic acid dehydrogenase [d-aldohexuronic acid: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) oxidoreductase]. The dehydrogenase, which irreversibly converts GlcUA or GalUA to the corresponding hexaric acid with the concomitant reduction of NAD, but not of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate was purified 60-fold by MnCl(2) treatment, (NH(4))(2)SO(4) fractionation, chromatography on diethylaminoethyl Sephadex and negative adsorption with Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) gel. The pH optimum is 8.0. Other uronic acids, aldohexoses, aldopentoses, and polyols, are not substrates. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is an inhibitor strictly competitive with NAD. Kinetic data indicate that the dehydrogenase induced by growth on GlcUA may not be identical with that induced by growth on GalUA.
Tremors and Agitation Following Low-Dose Intravenous Hydromorphone Administration in a Patient with Kidney Dysfunction

OBJECTIVETo report a case of tremors and agitation associated with the administration of low doses of intravenous hydromorphone in a patient with acute kidney injury in the setting of chronic kidney disease.CASE SUMMARYA 91-year-old man was admitted for a left intertrochanteric hip fracture. On hospital days 1 and 2, the patient received hydromorphone 1 mg intravenously for pain. By hospital day 3, the patient had received a total of 3.5 mg of hydromorphone. He then became tremulous and agitated, which worsened as the dose was increased. During hospital day 4, the hydromorphone dosage was increased to 0.5 mg intravenously every 4 hours for what was perceived to be inadequate pain control, manifesting as tremors and agitation. On hospital day 5, hydromorphone, now considered a potential cause of the tremors and agitation, was discontinued. The total amount of hydromorphone administered was 8 mg over 5 days. By hospital day 6, the tremors and agitation had decreased in severity and had resolved by hospital ...
THE ACOUSTICAL PRESENTATION OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION

This article advocates listening to technical information in much the same way as scientists and engineers currently look at graphics in order to gain an understanding of the relations among variables. It specifies a number of potential benefits of this approach. 1) lbe ability to hear data may contribute to the greater understanding of the relationships that lie within data. This may lead to alternative theoretical interpretations and explanations. 2) Listening to the data may produce a greater long.term understanding. 3) It will facilitate the understanding of technical information by individuals whose dominant learning modality is acoustic rather than visual. 4) Acoustic data analysis is ideally suited for the analysis of processual data. The article provides a demonstration of the presentation of acoustic information with data on the frequency of television viewing, 1950·1988.
GRL Special Section: WOCE Indian Ocean Expedition

The World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) is the most ambitious global oceanographic program ever undertaken. The program combines in situ measurements of unprecedented quality and coverage with state-of-the-art satellite observations and modeling. The Indian Ocean expedition is one part of the WOCE field endeavor, with other expeditions covering the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans. Focusing on 1995, the Indian Ocean was intensively sampled by the international oceanographic community using a fleet of oceanographic research vessels and relying on the cooperation and resources of many countries (Figure 1). In technique and scope the expedition far surpasses the last great coordinated Indian Ocean effort, the International Indian Ocean Expedition of the 1960s [Wyrtki, 1971].
Climate Change: Coastal Dead Zones

Many of the anticipated changes (increased streamflow, warmer temperatures, calmer summer winds, and increased depth due to sea-level rise) associated with global climate change would move the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem in the direction of worsening hypoxia (harmful oxygen depletion).
LOWER BOUNDS ON IMAGE MAGNIFICATION IN GRAVITATIONAL LENSING

A rigorous study of lower bounds on image magnification in single-plane gravitational lensing is presented. These bounds are determined for the total magnification of point sources undergoing lensing by a general single-plane gravitational lens. The lower bounds are expressed as a function of the number of images of the source, the number of obstruction points of the deflector potential, and mass density of the lens. In particular, our lower bounds adjust according to the multiplicity of the region of the caustic network where the lensed source is located. The results for the general lens are then used to find lower bounds on the total magnification due to non-singular and singular deflectors. The latter lenses are considered in detail for the cases of point-mass deflectors with shear and continuous matter (subcritical, strongly sheared, supercritical, and critical cases). Automatic with this study are general results on image counting and a discussion of the magnifications and trajectories of images of a lensed source as the source moves to ‘infinity’. The paper uses Morse theoretic tools, yielding a new approach to the study of lower bounds on image magnification in gravitational lensing.
Oxytocin-like receptors mediate pair bonding in a socially monogamous songbird

Although many species form socially monogamous pair bonds, relevant neural mechanisms have been described for only a single species, the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). In this species, pair bonding is strongly dependent upon the nonapeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin, in females and males, respectively. Because monogamy has evolved many times in multiple lineages, data from additional species are required to determine whether similar peptide mechanisms modulate bonding when monogamy evolves independently. Here we test the hypothesis that OT-like receptor activation is required for pair bond formation in the socially monogamous zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Males and females were administered chronic intracerebroventricular infusions of saline or an OT receptor antagonist and were observed twice daily for 3 days in a colony environment. A variety of affiliative, aggressive and other behaviours were quantified. The antagonist produced significant and selective effects on pair bonding (latency to pair; number of sessions paired; stable pairing) and the associated behaviour of allopreening. Importantly, findings for males follow the trends of females; this yields main effects of treatment in two-way ANOVAs, although within-sex analyses are significant only for females. These data provide evidence for both convergent evolution and species diversity in the neuroendocrine mechanisms of pair bonding.
Changes in regional lung mechanics and ventilation distribution after unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion

Simon, Brett A., Koichi Tsuzaki, and Jose G. Venegas.Changes in regional lung mechanics and ventilation distribution after unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(3): 882–891, 1...
The Armadillo [Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus)] Invasion of Kansas

Abstract An armadillo invasion of Kansas is underway. Each year more sightings are reported and they now are recorded as far north as the Platte River in southern Nebraska. They are abundant enough in some areas in southern Kansas to be considered nuisances because of their burrowing habit. They prefer soft ground which in Kansas includes the Pennsylvanian sandstone and shale in the Chautauqua Hills in the southeast, the Permian redbeds in the Red Hills country in south-central, and the shales and siltstones of the Cretaceous in central and western Kansas. Because their metabolism requires a constant intake of food, they can not tolerate long periods of severe weather. The change in climate and other factors, however, favors their continued northward migration. They now have been reported from almost one-quarter of the Kansas counties.
Factors which contribute to ease of use of decision support systems and the impact of ease of use on decision effectiveness

This research addresses the factors which contribute to the ease of use of decision support systems and the impact of ease of use on decision effectiveness. Using a stochastic, multi-product inventory environment, complexity, and interface modes were manipulated, and an array of individual differences were taken into account in the development of a predictive model of ease of use of Decision Support Systems. Ease of use was developed as a canonical variate comprised of elements of creativity, dependence, and user perception. Multi-variate analysis of covariance was employed to determine which combinations of individual user, problem, and system traits impacted on ease of use. Subsequently, regression analysis was employed to determine if easy to use systems yield more effective decisions. Previous computer coursework and typing speed were found to be positively related to ease of use, while age was a detriment to ease of use. Menu and choice systems were found to be easier to use than command based interfaces, and interaction was detected between cognitive congruence and problem complexity as they impact on ease of use. Regression analysis showed that systems which are easier to use also yielded more effective decisions. Various ease of use constructs were tested with strikingly similar results.
Biophysical basis for noninvasive skin cancer detection using Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy (RS) is proving to be a valuable tool for real time noninvasive skin cancer detection via optical fiber probe. However, current methods utilizing RS for skin cancer diagnosis rely on statistically based algorithms to provide tissue classification and do not elucidate the underlying biophysical changes of skin tissue. Therefore, we aim to use RS to explore skin biochemical and structural characteristics and then correlate the Raman spectrum of skin tissue with its disease state. We have built a custom confocal micro-Raman spectrometer system with an 830nm laser light. The high resolution capability of the system allows us to measure spectroscopic features from individual tissue components in situ. Raman images were collected from human skin samples from Mohs surgical biopsy, which were then compared with confocal laser scanning, two-photon fluorescence and hematoxylin and eosin-stained images to develop a linear model of skin tissue Raman spectra. In this model, macroscopic tissue spectra obtained from RS fiber probe were fit into a linear combination of individual basis spectra of primary skin constituents. The fit coefficient of the model explains the biophysical changes spanning a range of normal and various disease states. The model allows for determining parameters similar to that a pathologist is familiar reading and will be a significant guidance in developing RS diagnostic decision schemes.
Information science and responsive evaluation

Responsive evaluation builds upon the methods of informal evaluation in disciplined ways: getting personally acquainted with the evaluand, observation of activities, interviewing people who are in different ways familiar with the evaluand, searching documents that reveal what happened in the past or somewhere else. It calls for sustained effort to know quality and insufficiency, by different definitions.
Protein Mass-Modulated Effects in the Catalytic Mechanism of Dihydrofolate Reductase: Beyond Promoting Vibrations

The role of fast protein dynamics in enzyme catalysis has been of great interest in the past decade. Recent “heavy enzyme” studies demonstrate that protein mass-modulated vibrations are linked to the energy barrier for the chemical step of catalyzed reactions. However, the role of fast dynamics in the overall catalytic mechanism of an enzyme has not been addressed. Protein mass-modulated effects in the catalytic mechanism of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (ecDHFR) are explored by isotopic substitution (13C, 15N, and non-exchangeable 2H) of the wild-type ecDHFR (l-DHFR) to generate a vibrationally perturbed “heavy ecDHFR” (h-DHFR). Steady-state, pre-steady-state, and ligand binding kinetics, intrinsic kinetic isotope effects (KIEint) on the chemical step, and thermal unfolding experiments of both l- and h-DHFR show that the altered protein mass affects the conformational ensembles and protein–ligand interactions, but does not affect the hydride transfer at physiological temperatures (25–45 °C). B...
Kin recognition during emergency queen rearing by worker honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Worker honey bees, Apis mellifera L., discriminate among larval phenotypes during emergency queen rearing. We present data from one experiment that suggest genotypic hierarchies of suitability for potential queen larvae. A second experiment demonstrated that frequencies of different worker patrilines within colonies containing twice-mated queens can fluctuate widely over time, resulting in differences between adult and brood subfamily frequencies. Queenless colonies derived from these colonies raised queens of different subfamilies at expected frequencies based on brood rather than adult ratios, suggesting that workers do not preferentially rear more highly related patrilineal-sister queens under conditions of queenlessness, or that if such a preference exists, it is of questionable biological significance.
Model Studies of Alkyl Halide Activation and Comproportionation Relevant to RDRP in the Presence of Cu0

Model studies of alkyl halide activation by Cu0 and comproportionation between CuII/L and Cu0 in the presence of tris[2-(dimethylamino)methyl]amine (Me6TREN), tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA) and N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as ligands were conducted and quantified in dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and acetonitrile (MeCN). When more active alkyl halides such as ethyl α-bromophenylacetate (EBPA) were used, the rate coefficients of activation by Cu0, ka0app, were the same as the rate coefficients of comproportionation, kcompapp indicating that desorption of the newly formed CuI species from the Cu0 surface could be a rate-determining step. When less active alkyl halides, such as methyl 2-bromopropionate (MBrP) were used, the activation was 2.5 orders of magnitude slower than for EBPA and slower than comproportionation. This indicates that atom transfer between alkyl halide and Cu0 is slower than desorption of CuI from the surface. Under the same conditions (solven...
Evaluation on Clinical Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sacral Colpopexy Treatment of 18 Cases of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of laparoscopic sacral colpopexy in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse(POP) given priority to middle pelvic cavity defects and evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure. Methods:18cases of pelvic floor dysfunction were treated by laparoscopic sacral colpopexy,observing the postoperative cure rate and perioperative complications occurred. Results:The overall cure rate was 100%. No case of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, bladder and rectum injury. Anatomical structure of postoperative follow-up patients successfully restored, the distance between vaginal cuff end and hymen apoapsis reduced significantly than preoperati on(P0.05), sex life recovery satisfaction has no statistically significant difference compared with preoperation(P0.05). Conclusions:Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy is a kind of operation method which clinical treatment effect is exact, safe and effective in the treatment of pelvic cavity defects given priority to pelvic floor dysfunction disease. The short-term curative effect is definite, long-term efficacy still needs to be further observed.
Analysis of influenza surveillance quality in sentinel hospitals of Anhui,2010

Objective To analyze the quality and determine questions of influenza surveillance in sentinel hospitals and lay a foundation for improving the influenza surveillance efficiency.Methods Data were collected from 25 sentinel hospitals by questionnaire investigation and from influenza surveillance system.We investigated the monitored office installation in sentinel hospitals and analyzed quantity and quality of influenza-like illness case reports and throat swab specimen.Results Percentage of visits for influenza-like illness(ILI) of all sentinel hospitals was 2.77%,and that of children's hospitals was higher than that of general hospitals.Most of the cases were reported in children internal medicine out-patient and belonged to 0～4 and 5～14 age group.There were 16 sentinel hospitals whose average collected specimens were more than 5 in the 25 sentinel hospitals,accounting for 64.00%.There were 80.82% of specimens whose time interval from collection to network laboratories was fewer than 48 hours.The positive rates of specimens whose time interval was fewer than 48 hours and more than 48 hours were 15.25% and 8.70% respectively.There was significant difference between the two types of specimens(χ2=56.07,P0.01).Conclusion Influenza surveillance system has been set up at present,but there are still some questions.We should enhance supervision and improve surveillance efficiency.
Employment Relations, the Labour Movement and Labour Standards

There is considerable debate on whether the benefits of globalisation are universally shared. While there is powerful institutional support for free markets, the spread of trade and investment and job creation in export processing zones, some critics have argued that globalisation has led to Third World labour exploitation and widening income differentials between countries and within countries.
Lymphoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: A case series.

BackgroundLymphomas of the sinonasal tract are a rare and heterogeneous subset of solid sinonasal neoplasms.ObjectiveTo characterize, in this case series, presenting symptoms, treatment modalities,...
Interface Characterization of Single-Crystal CdTe Solar Cells With VOC > 950 mV

Advancing CdTe solar cell efficiency requires improving the open-circuit voltage $\rm{(V_{{\rm{OC}}})}$ above 900 mV. This requires long carrier lifetime, high hole density, and high-quality interfaces, where the interface recombination velocity is less than about 104 cm/s. Using CdTe single crystals as a model system, we report on CdTe/CdS electrical and structural interface properties in devices that produce open-circuit voltage exceeding 950 mV.
Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum Types A and E Toxin Formation by Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Chloride in Hot-Process (Smoked) Salmon.

Sodium nitrite and NaCl were evaluated as inhibitors of outgrowth and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum types A and E in abuse-stored (25°C) hot-process salmon. Salmon steaks were brined in NaCl or NaCl plus NaNO2 and inoculated intramuscularly with spores. Steaks were then heated in a simulated hot-smoke process to internal temperatures of 62.8 to 76.7°C (145 to 170°F) for the final 30 min of a 3- to 4-h process, packaged in oxygen-impermeable film and stored at 25°C. During 7 days of storage, toxin production in steaks inoculated with 102 spores per g was inhibited by more than 3.8% water-phase NaCl for type E and 6.1% for type A. Presence of nitrite substantially reduced the salt level required to prevent toxin production. When steaks had more than 100 ppm NaNO2, only 2.5% NaCl inhibited type E toxin production; 150 ppm NaNO2 and 3.5% NaCl inhibited production of type A toxin. When storage time was lengthened to 14 days or the spore inoculum increased to 104 spores per g, more salt and nitrite were required for inhibition. Residual nitrite in samples stored under refrigeration (3.3°C) did not change during 22 days of storage. Under abuse temperature (25°C), residual nitrite decreased to less than 6 ppm by the 14th day in all samples tested regardless of the original nitrite concentration.
Libertarians and the Catholic Church on Intellectual Property Laws

Catholics and libertarians make strange bedfellows. They sharply disagree on many issues. However, when it comes to intellectual property rights, they are surprisingly congruent, albeit for different reasons. The present paper traces out the agreement on patents between these two very different philosophies.
Soil type more than precipitation determines fine-root abundance in savannas of Kruger National Park, South Africa

Our aim was to examine how soil type and precipitation affect fine-root abundance in savanna ecosystems across Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. Fine-root distributions were measured in four sites that represent the natural factorial combination of soil types (basalt-derived clay or granite-derived sand) and precipitation regimes [wet (~750 mm mean annual precipitation) or dry (~500 mm mean annual precipitation)] that occur in KNP. Root area and biomass (at soil depths of 0–75 cm) were estimated from measurements of root number, length and width in images from minirhizotron tubes at each site. Measurements were made during one mid-season sampling during three subsequent years. Fine-root area was more than twice as large in clay (2.3 ± 0.0 mm2 cm−2) than sand (0.8 ± 0.3 mm2 cm−2) sites but did not differ between wet and dry sites. Root number, length and width, used to derive area, showed similar patterns to fine-root area. Fine-root biomass estimated from these values was 5.5 ± 0.6 Mg ha−1 in clay sites and 2.2 ± 0.9 Mg ha−1 in sand sites. Across the four sites, a change from sand to clay soils had a greater effect on fine-root abundance and distributions than a 50% increase in precipitation from dry to wet sites. Results highlight the importance of soil properties on root dynamics and carbon pools in the region.
Fabrication Games: Using 3D Printers to Explore New Interactions for Tabletop Games

Personal fabrication technologies such as 3D printers are becoming increasingly affordable, enabling many to own and use 3D printers in their own homes. Yet we have little understanding of how fabrication tools and technologies can be used and appropriated within the home. In this paper, we explore the opportunities and challenges related to using personal fabrication technologies as part of play, specifically in the context of board and tabletop games. We present an overview of existing uses of 3D printers in the context of gaming, which has largely focused on creating and replacing pieces for existing games. Drawing on existing uses of 3D printing in games, and on prior research in interacting with fabrication tools, we then introduce a set of gameplay elements that use the affordances of the 3D printer to enhance and extend gameplay. We evaluated these gameplay elements through a focus group with 9 gaming hobbyists, who provided feedback on these elements and designed new games that used these elements. Our contributions include an extended set of gameplay elements that leverage fabrication tools, a set of reference games, and guidelines for augmenting existing fabrication tools to support playful interactions.
Research Techniques Made Simple: An Introduction to Use and Analysis of Big Data in Dermatology

Big data is a term used for any collection of datasets whose size and complexity exceeds the capabilities of traditional data processing applications. Big data repositories, including those for molecular, clinical, and epidemiology data, offer unprecedented research opportunities to help guide scientific advancement. Advantages of big data can include ease and low cost of collection, ability to approach prospectively and retrospectively, utility for hypothesis generation in addition to hypothesis testing, and the promise of precision medicine. Limitations include cost and difficulty of storing and processing data; need for advanced techniques for formatting and analysis; and concerns about accuracy, reliability, and security. We discuss sources of big data and tools for its analysis to help inform the treatment and management of dermatologic diseases.
Towards improvement of signal's range-Doppler characteristics

We consider a class W of unit energy waveforms s(t) with finite timewidth and bandwidth. For each waveform s(t) ∊ W, its ambiguity function is defined by χs (τ, ν) = ∫∞−∞ s (t − τ/2) s (t + τ/2)e−j2πνt dt.
$\mu / \pi$ Separation using Convolutional Neural Networks for the MicroBooNE Charged Current Inclusive Cross Section Measurement

The purpose of this thesis was to use Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to separate $\mu^{\prime}$s and $\pi^{\prime}$s for use in increasing the acceptance rate of $\mu^{\prime}$s below the implemented 75cm track length cut in the Charged Current Inclusive (CC-Inclusive) event selection for the CC-Inclusive Cross-Section Measurement. In doing this, we increase acceptance rate for CC-Inclusive events below a specific momentum range.
IRREDUCIBLE MODULES OF SOLVABLE GROUPS ARE ALGEBRAIC

Publisher Summary Work of Brauer and Dade has shown that if P, a p-Sylow subgroup of G where G is a finite group is cyclic, then rather explicit connections can be found between the ordinary characters of G and those of N G (P). Efforts to generalize these results so far have been unsuccessful. One of the many difficulties standing in the way of generalizations is a lack of knowledge about indecomposable modules for noncyclic p-groups at characteristic p. In the case of a cyclic p-group, the indecomposables are |P| in number and are given by certain Jordan block matrices. If P is noncyclic then no such easy answer is available. The initial observation to be made is not to consider all indecomposable modules. The idea is to understand the indecomposable summands of V| p where V is some irreducible k[G]-module.
Book Review: “The Good Lawyer: Seeking Quality in the Practice of Law”

In their first collaboration, “The Happy Lawyer,” the writing team of Nancy Levit and Doug Linder tackled a crucially important subject: how to have a happy life in the law. As part of that project, they interviewed more than two hundred lawyers about what makes them happy in their jobs. Levit and Linder noticed that happy lawyers nearly always talked about doing good work. Curious about the connection, the authors turned to recent research in neuroscience and learned, not to their surprise, that a key to a happy life is, indeed, the sense of doing good work. It is our good fortune that in their second collaboration, “The Good Lawyer,” Linder and Levit have turned their attention to unpacking what it means to “do good work” in the law. “The Good Lawyer” has many uses. It would be an excellent supplemental text for any law school course teaching professionalism, such as Professional Responsibility, Clinic, Legal Writing, or Externship. As part of the externship experience, students could use the text in their reflective writing requirement. Parts of it could be assigned as reading in typical doctrinal courses where the professor is consciously integrating skills and values, as recommended by the Carnegie Report. It would be an excellent basis for a CLE on lawyering and professionalism. It could be a useful part of a law firm’s orientation for its newer associates. Finally, it makes for stimulating reading for individual lawyers seeking to improve their own practice.
Interferon-α Response and Signal Transduction Pathway in Transitional Carcinoma Cell Lines

Clinically, interferon (IFN)-a has been used for the treatment of several diseases such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, hairy cell leukemia, multiple sclerosis, papillomavirus infection, and bladder cancer.15,22,28 About 53,000 patients are diagnosed with bladder cancer in the United States each year, and approximately 25% of these patents die from the disease annually.5 Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy has been successfully used to treat superficial urothelial cancer, albeit with modest side effects.38 In vitro studies have indicated that IFN-α with BCG at very low concentrations inhibits the proliferation of human bladder cancer cells.37 However, transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder has shown limited efficacy with the use of IFN-α as immunotherapy.5,22 It has been reported that the expression or affinity of IFN-α receptors in malignant urothelial cells is not less than that in normal urothelial cells.12 Resistance to the action of antitumor effects of IFN may be conferred to cells as a result of defects in the IFN-signaling pathway, as recent evidence in the literature indicates. It has been reported that IFN-resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are defective in the induction of interferon-stimulated gene factor-3 (ISGF3) formation after IFN-α treatment.43 This defect in the formation of ISGF3 in CLL cells was correlated with poor induction of the IFN-inducible enzyme 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (2′,5′-A-synthetase).24
Fertility following Steroidal Oral Contraception and Diethylstilbestrol Exposure

Oral steroidal contraceptives were first introduced in the United States in 1960. They were met with great enthusiasm as a method of preventing pregnancy and enabling people to exercise control over reproduction. One of the early concerns was that the use of the exogenous steroids might result in decreased fertility, in response to the description in the mid-1960s of the so-called postpill amenorrhea syndrome.1–5
Natural Phenolic Antioxidants and Their Impact on Health

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some of the chemical and biological properties of plant phenolic antioxidants in foods and possible mechanisms for their protective effects in biological systems. The aim is to relate the extensive in vitro studies on flavonoids to their potential health effects in foods and beverages. Flavonoids are an important part of the diet because they can modulate lipid peroxidation involved in atherogenesis, thrombosis, and carcinogenesis. Known properties of flavonoids include free radical scavenging, strong antioxidant activities in preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), inhibition of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes (phospholipase A 2 , cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase), and anti-inflammatory actions. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower risks of coronary heart disease and cancer. Fruits and vegetables are considered the main source of dietary antioxidants. Although vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids have received the most attention as anticarcinogens and as defenses against degenerative diseases of aging, the nutritional role of flavonoid antioxidants in fruits and vegetables has generally been overlooked. These flavonoids are found in many fruits and vegetables, in a great variety of structures and specificities. As active antioxidants, flavonoids may be especially important in protecting against human degenerative diseases. However, little is known about their absorption and excretion in humans, and very little is known about their bioavailability.
Disjunctive antecedent conditionals

Disjunctive antecedent conditionals (DACs)—conditionals of the form if A or B, C—sometimes seem to entail both of their simplifications (if A, C; if B, C) and sometimes seem not to. I argue that this behavior reveals a genuine ambiguity in DACs. Along the way, I discuss a new observation about the role of focal stress in distinguishing the two interpretations of DACs. I propose a new theory, according to which the surface form of a DAC underdetermines its logical form: on one possible logical form, if A or B, C does entail both of its simplifications, while on the other, it does not.
Attitude Changes Following Participation in Disability Simulation Activities

Attitudes directed at people with disabilities by people without disabilities are formed through encounters with people with disabilities and are mediated by the characteristics of each person and what occurs during their interactions. Disability simulation activities are used to help positively affect people’s attitudes and levels of empathy. The purpose of this study was to examine 10 participants’ changes in attitudes toward people with disabilities that occurred as a result of participating in disability simulation activities held during an inclusive recreation services study abroad program. A three-phase mixed-methods research design that included the use of transformative procedures was used. The social model of disability served as the theoretical lens for this study. The quantitative component involved the administration of two scales pre- and post-test: The Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (ATDP) scale and the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS) scale. Quantitative results indicated that participants’ experienced positive attitude changes in 12 of the 16 emotions as measured on the MAS and four emotions as measured on the ATDP. Statistical significance was not found for the other examined emotions. Qualitative data were collected using an in-depth thematic analysis of verbal and behavioral responses to participants’ responses to participation in extensive disability simulation activities. Qualitative results showed that the participants transitioned from a sympathetic response to an empathetic response, and then to an advocacy response. This transition demonstrated the potential for the emergence of a model specific to guiding participants through disability simulation activities. Suggestions for research and for facilitating effective disability simulation activities within or outside of recreational therapy practice are presented. Subscribe to TRJ
Data-Driven Decisions for Problems with an Unspecified Objective Function

This study develops a data-driven approach to solve constrained optimization problems in which the decision maker does not have an analytic form for the objective function but knows what decision v...
Candidiasis: Red and White Manifestations in the Oral Cavity

Candidiasis is a very common malady in the head neck region. This review will concentrate on intraoral, pharyngeal and perioral manifestations and treatment. A history of the origins associated with candidiasis will be introduced. In addition, oral conditions associated with candidiasis will be mentioned and considered. The various forms of oral and maxillofacial candidiasis will be reviewed to include pseudomembranous, acute, chronic, median rhomboid glossitis, perioral dermatitis, and angular cheilitis. At the end of this review the clinician will be better able to diagnose and especially treat candidal overgrowth of the oral facial region. Of particular interest to the clinician are the various treatment modalities with appropriate considerations for side effects.
Abstract P316: A Longitudinal Assessment of Exercise Participation From Mid- to Late-Life: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background: Physical activity is a modifiable behavior with cumulative health benefits across the lifespan. Most studies of adult exercise patterns have been cross-sectional and limited to non-US p...
Human Cytomegalovirus miRNAs Regulate TGF-β to Mediate Myelosuppression while Maintaining Viral Latency in CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells

Summary Infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) because of various hematologic problems, including myelosuppression. Here, we demonstrate that latently expressed HCMV miR-US5-2 downregulates the transcriptional repressor NGFI-A binding protein (NAB1) to induce myelosuppression of uninfected CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) through an increase in TGF-β production. Infection of HPCs with an HCMVΔmiR-US5-2 mutant resulted in decreased TGF-β expression and restoration of myelopoiesis. In contrast, we show that infected HPCs are refractory to TGF-β signaling as another HCMV miRNA, miR-UL22A, downregulates SMAD3, which is required for maintenance of latency. Our data suggest that latently expressed viral miRNAs manipulate stem cell homeostasis by inducing secretion of TGF-β while protecting infected HPCs from TGF-β-mediated effects on viral latency and reactivation. These observations provide a mechanism through which HCMV induces global myelosuppression following HSCT while maintaining lifelong infection in myeloid lineage cells.
Effects of soybean meal concentration in lactating sow diets on sow and litter performance and blood criteria

A total of 131 sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a study to evaluate the effect of increasing soybean meal concentration in lactating sow diets on sow and litter performance. Sows were blocked by body weight (BW) within parity on day 112 of gestation and allotted to one of three treatments of increasing dietary soybean meal (25%, 30%, or 35% of the total diet). Diets were formulated to 1.05% standardized ileal digestible lysine (Lys) with L-Lys HCl decreasing as soybean meal increased. All other amino acids and nutrients were formulated to meet nutrient requirement recommendations. Diets were fed from day 112 of gestation until weaning (day 20 ± 2). Litters were cross-fostered up to 48 h after farrowing to equalize litter size. Increasing soybean meal concentration increased (linear, P = 0.017) sow BW loss and tended to increase (quadratic, P = 0.052) sow backfat loss from farrowing to weaning. Sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) from day 0 to 7 was similar (P > 0.10) across dietary treatments. However, from day 7 to 14, 14 to weaning, and overall, ADFI decreased (linear, P = 0.01) as soybean meal concentration increased. Despite the linear response in ADFI, the greatest decrease was observed as soybean meal concentration increased from 30% to 35% of the diet. There was no evidence for difference (P > 0.10) in wean-to-estrus interval, litter size, litter weight, or litter weight gain between dietary treatments. Sow serum urea nitrogen concentrations taken on day 14 of lactation increased (linear, P = 0.001) as soybean meal concentration increased. There was no difference (P > 0.05) for sow creatinine concentration, regardless of dietary treatment, suggesting that the increased urea nitrogen was a reflection of the increased dietary crude protein as opposed to increased protein catabolism. In summary, sow feed intake decreased and weight loss increased as soybean meal concentration of the diet increased, with the greatest decrease observed at 35% of the total diet. Although there were no differences in litter performance, it appeared that 35% soybean meal in the lactation diet negatively affected feed intake.
Exact Solution of the Six-Vertex Model with Domain Wall Boundary Conditions. Ferroelectric Phase

This is a continuation of the paper [4] of Bleher and Fokin, in which the large n asymptotics is obtained for the partition function Zn of the six-vertex model with domain wall boundary conditions in the disordered phase. In the present paper we obtain the large n asymptotics of Zn in the ferroelectric phase. We prove that for any e > 0, as n → ∞, \({Z_n\,=\,CG^nF^{n^2}[1+O(e^{-n^{1-\epsilon}})]}\), and we find the exact values of the constants C, G and F. The proof is based on the large n asymptotics for the underlying discrete orthogonal polynomials and on the Toda equation for the tau-function.
Sensitivity Analysis for COVID-19 Epidemiological Models within a Geographic Framework

Spatial sciences and geography have been integral to the modeling of and communicating information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Epidemiological models are being used within a geographic context to map the spread of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus and to make decisions regarding state-wide interventions and allocating hospital resources. Data required for epidemiological models are often incomplete, biased, and available for a spatial unit more extensive than the one needed for decision-making. In this paper, we present results on a global sensitivity analysis of epidemiological model parameters on an important design variable, time to peak number of cases, within a geographic context. We design experiments for quantifying the impact of uncertainty of epidemiological model parameters on distribution of peak times for the state of California. We conduct our analysis at the county-level and perform a non-parametric, global sensitivity analysis to quantify interplay between the uncertainty of epidemiological parameters and design variables.