cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Particulate iron, aluminum, and manganese in the Pacific equatorial undercurrent and low latitude western boundary current sources

article i nfo Biological production and ecosystem structure in the central equatorial Pacific are limited by iron. The pri- mary source of the iron appears to be from western island sources transported eastward by the equatorial undercurrent (EUC). In order to assess this hypothesis water column samples from 15 m to 1000 m from the central and western equatorial Pacific and from the northeastern coastal margin of New Guinea and New Ireland were analyzed for total particulate Fe, Al and Mn. These new data were compared with previ- ously published data for dissolved and total dissolvab le Fe, Al and Mn. Leachable and refractory Fe, Al and Mn were calculated. There were large zonal gradients for all three particulate metals near the depth of the Pacific EUC. The subsurface maxima were highest in the west (145°E) and decreased significantly to 140°W for all species except PMn. The maxima in all three particulate metals were at the same depth along the equatorial transect. The PFe and PAl concentrations were much higher along the NE coast of Papua New Guinea and New Ireland but there were no maxima associated with the New Guinea Coastal Un- dercurrent (NGCU), although PFe appeared to have a maximum in the New Ireland Coastal Undercurrent (NICU). The distributions of PMn in the western source region differed from the other two metals and the equatorial PMn maxima west of the dateline had higher concentrations than in the NGCU. There were sig- nificant correlations between PFe and PAl in both the coastal and equatorial stations. The correlations with PMn were variable suggesting that PMn may have different sources. In all samples the leachable particulate fraction increased from AlbFebMn. There were maxima in nonleachable, refractory PFeref and PAlref in the NGCU and NICU not seen in the PFe and PAl data. The molar ratios of PFe:PAl (0.41), and especially Mn:Al (0.008), were slightly higher than ratios for suspended matter from the Sepik River (0.34-0.39 for Fe:Al and 0.005 for Mn:Al) suggesting additional continental margin sources of Fe and Mn. The primary source of PFe and PAl appeared to be material of riverine origin from the continental margin of Papua New Guinea and New Ireland. To understand how a particulate iron maximum could be maintained at a constant density across the equatorial Pacific we applied a simple model where the zonal decrease in leachable particulate iron (LPFe) was due to iron loss due to remineralization and loss due to particle sinking. Using a sinking rate for 1-μm sized particles of 0.086 md −1 , an extremely low remineralization rate of 0.006 d −1 would be necessary to produce the observed gradient.
Olfactory Receptor Genes in Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Sea Turtles: Evidence for a Reduction in the Number of Functional Genes in Aquatic Species

Abstract There is evidence that suggests that most animals rely to some extent on odor detection for finding food, selecting homes and/or egg laying sites, avoiding predators, and selecting mates. A noninvasive way to estimate particular species' utilization of their olfactory receptor system is to sequence olfactory receptor genes and estimate the percentage of these genes that are functional. This method was used to estimate the degree of the olfactory receptor system use in 7 turtle species (Dermochelys coriacea, Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Chrysemys picta bellii, Sternotherus odoratus, Terrapene Carolina, and Gopherus polyphemus), the results of which show a trend toward a reduction in the number of odorants that they can perceive as their association with water increases.
Truncated particles produced in fish surviving infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus infection: mediators of persistence?

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is a rhabdovirus that produces an acute, lethal infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish that survive infection cease to produce detectable infectious virus at approximately 46 days after infection, yet there is evidence that survivor fish continue to harbor virus particles (B. S. Drolet, P. P. Chiou, J. Heidel, and J. C. Leong, J. Virol. 69:2140–2147, 1995). In an effort to determine the biological function of these particles, the kidneys and livers from IHNV survivors were harvested and divided into samples for nested reverse transcriptase PCR analysis and explant culture. Sequences for the IHNV nucleoprotein and polymerase genes were detected in 50 and 89%, respectively, of the organs from survivor fish. When explant tissue cultures were infected with purified standard IHNV, the liver tissues from survivor fish produced up to 10-fold less virus than naive control fish liver tissues. In addition, immunosorbent electron microscopy analysis of the supernatant media from the cultured explants of survivor fish revealed truncated particles, whereas the control tissue supernatants contained only standard viral particles. These results suggest that the truncated IHNV particles observed in persistently infected fish are defective interfering particles that may mediate virus persistence.
Acute cholangitis due to pancreatic metastasis from squamous cell lung carcinoma: a case report and review of literature

The pancreas is a well-documented but relatively uncommon site of non-small-cell cancer metastases. However, at the time of diagnosis the disease is usually locoregionally advanced, therefore therapeutic management is mostly palliative and symptomatic. We report the case of a 77-year-old Caucasian male patient who presented initially with a clinical picture of acute cholangitis approximately 2 years after a left lower lobectomy for a low-grade squamous lung carcinoma. CT scan imaging of the abdomen and chest revealed an abnormal growth of the pancreatic head and distention of both the intra- and extra-hepatic billiary tree, whereas osteolytic abnormalities were observed of the 5th left rib, consistent with secondary deposits. Initially an endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and sphincterectomy was performed and a plastic stent was placed in the common bile duct to decompress the biliary tree. Cytological examination of the aspirate collected by FNA of the pancreatic lession under EUS guidance revealed cells consistent with a low grade squamous lung carcinoma. Two months later an open cholecystectomy along with a gastrojejunostomy was performed to relieve the patient's gastric outlet obstruction symptoms. Following remission of the patient's attack of acute cholangitis and excessive vomiting he was released from the hospital and instructed to initiate chemotherapy with vinorelbine. The patient succumbed to disseminated disease almost 5 months later. Symptomatic metastatic lesions of the pancreas from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung are infrequent. Typically, the patients remain asymptomatic until their disease reaches a fairly advanced stage and therapeutic options are limited to palliative measures. A high index of suspicion is the only way of early detection and potentially effective treatment for this rare localization of metastatic squamous lung carcinoma.
Analytische Anwendungen der Chemilumineszenz

Die meisten organischen Verbindungen reagieren schon bei Raumtemperatur sehr langsam mit dem Sauerstoff der Luft. Die schwache Chemilumineszenz, die diese Autoxidation begleitet, kann mit empfindlichen Geraten verstarkt und gemessen werden. Die Lichtemission ist auch mechanisch und photochemisch induzierbar. Die Intensitats/Zeit-Kurven sind so charakteristisch, das man mit ihnen feststellen kann, ob Zusammensetzung und Vorbehandlung zweier Proben ubereinstimmen. Uberdies lassen sich viele physikalische Eigenschaften mit der Lichtemission korrelieren und auf diese Weise messen.
Thromboxane mediates neutrophil superoxide production in pregnancy.

Objective We recently reported that activation of neutrophils obtained from pregnant women resulted in production of tumor necrosis factor-α by a thromboxane- and cyclooxygenase-2– dependent mechanism. Activated neutrophils also generate reactive oxygen species such as the superoxide anion, which can lead to oxidative damage of biomolecules. In this study, we tested the possibility that thromboxane plays a role in neutrophil superoxide generation in pregnancy via cyclooxygenase-2 by inhibiting key enzymes in the pathway leading to its synthesis. Study design Neutrophils were isolated from normal pregnant women and incubated for 2 hours in phosphate-buffered saline with glucose alone or with treatments. Experiment 1 treatments were: (1) indomethacin at a dose sufficient to inhibit phospholipase A 2 (100 μM); (2) aspirin (100 μM), a cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor; (3) NS-398 (10 μM), a specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor; (4) nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10 μM), a lipoxygenase inhibitor; and (5) pinane thromboxane, a thromboxane synthase inhibitor. Experiment 2 treatments were arachidonic acid (50 μM and 100 μM) and arachidonic acid (100 μM) alone or in combination with phorbol myristic acid plus varying doses of pinane thromboxane (5 μM to 100 μM). Results Indomethacin inhibited superoxide production to one fourth of control. Aspirin, NS-398, and pinane thromboxane also significantly decreased neutrophil superoxide production. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid had no significant affect on neutrophil superoxide generation. Arachidonic acid stimulated superoxide generation by neutrophils, and this was inhibited by pinane thromboxane in a dose-dependent manner. Pinane thromboxane also significantly inhibited superoxide production by neutrophils exposed to arachidonic acid plus phorbol myristic acid, a known activator of neutrophils. Conclusion These data demonstrate that thromboxane is involved in the production of superoxide by neutrophils obtained from pregnant women. Neutrophil superoxide generation is significantly decreased by inhibition of thromboxane synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, or phospholipase A 2 . NS-398 inhibits neutrophil superoxide generation as effectively as aspirin, suggesting that cyclooxygenase-2 plays an important role in neutrophil superoxide production mediated by thromboxane.
ESI and MALDI mass spectrometry of large POSS oligomers

A series of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) propylmethacrylate (PMA) and styryl oligomers were prepared from POSS monomers, R7R’Si8O12, containing 1 functional R’ group for polymerization and 7 inert R-groups where R = isobutyl (i-butyl), phenyl (Ph), cyclohexyl (Cy) or cyclopentyl (Cp). Both standard atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and free radical syntheses, the latter employing azoisobutylnitrile as the free radical initiator were used in the syntheses. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra were obtained in a new matrix, 4,4� dihydroxyoctafluoroazobenzene which was especially designed for insoluble and intractable polymeric materials. Well-resolved series of oligomers were observed out to n = ∼13 in both the linear and reflectron modes. Major peaks were assigned based on tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS) fragmentation patterns to give a consistent explanation of the observed spectra. In all cases, ionization of the ATRP products gave cationized parent ions in which the terminal Br atom was replaced by hydrogen. Additional observed peaks were due to loss of POSS side chains from the oligomer backbone. The free radical products were terminated with either one or two isobutylnitrile groups. Electrospray ionization (ESI) spectra were more complex than the MALDI-TOF but showed either identical parent ions or closely related hydroxylated parent ions.
Does trade prevent or promote interstate conflict initiation

Competing theories argue, respectively, that more trade reduces, increases, or does not affect interstate military conflict. We offer a new general theory on how trade affects conflict, which encompasses the liberal logic and the neo-Marxist/neo-mercantilist mechanism of asymmetric dependence and offers alternative explanations to the effects predicted by the bargaining and classical realist approaches. If a country expects its conflict toward a target to reduce the price of its import from or increase the price of its export to a target, it has an economic incentive to initiate conflict, and vice versa. These expectations can vary across trade flow directions and economic sectors. Using our model, we predict the effects of increases in exports and imports in five sectors on military conflict initiation. Statistical analysis of directed dyads from 1970 to 1997 largely supports our predictions. Rises in the initiator’s imports of agriculture/fishery, energy, and chemical/mineral goods and exports of miscel...
New Third-Order Moments for the Convective Boundary Layer

Abstract Turbulent convection is inherently a nonlocal phenomenon and a primary condition for a successful treatment of the convective boundary layer is a reliable model of nonlocality. In the dynamic equations governing the convective flux, the turbulent kinetic energy, etc., nonlocality is represented by the third-order moments (TOMs). Since the simplest form, the so-called down gradient approximation (DGA), severely underestimates the TOMs (up to an order of magnitude), a more physical model is needed. In 1994, an analytical model was presented that was derived directly from the dynamical equations for the TOMs. It considerably improved the DGA but was a bit cumbersome to use and, more importantly, it was based on the quasi-normal (QN) approximation for the fourth-order moments. Here, we present a new analytic expression for the TOMs that is structurally simpler than the 1994 expression and avoids the QN approximation. The resulting fit to the LES data is superior to that of the 1994 model.
Maintenance Treatment With Low-Dose Mercaptopurine in Combination With Allopurinol in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Mercaptopurine-Induced Pancreatitis

Mercaptopurine (6-mercaptopurine, 6MP) is a mainstay of curative therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and contributes to its 90% overall survival rate. We present two patients with ALL who suffered with severe pancreatitis secondary to 6MP. Through the use of allopurinol in conjunction with reduced dose 6MP, we were able to continue 6MP without further pancreatitis. This report contributes to the small body of literature on 6MP associated pancreatitis in childhood ALL and describes a novel approach to continued use of 6MP during therapy.
Classification of Designs for RRSS Linkages

This paper presents a classification of designs for an RRSS spatial linkage. The analysis of this linkage results in a wellknown constraint equation that defines the configuration of the chain for given values of the input crank angle. The range of movement of this crank is defined by a condition on the values of the input crank angle. This condition is a quartic polynomial and its real roots provide a way to classify the movement of the RRSS linkage. This condition yields as many as four real roots, which means the input crank angle of an RRSS linkage can have up to four limits to its range of movement. We use three polynomial discriminants obtained from this quartic condition in order to find explicit conditions for all cases available for the movement of the input crank. Examples for each case are provided. This result provides a means to classify the RRSS linkage, and is important for the computer-aided-design of these spatial mechanisms.
Creating and Destroying Party Brands

Party brands are central to theories of Congressional action. While previous work assumes that a party’s brand—its long run reputation—is a direct consequence of the content of legislation, in this presentation I show how partisans from both parties use public statements to craft their own party’s reputation and to undermine their opponents party. The incentive to craft and destroy brands varies across legislators, creating systematic distortions in who contributes to partisan branding efforts, what is said about a party’s brand, and when partisan criticism becomes salient. To demonstrate the construction of party brands I use new collections of newsletters from Congressional offices, along with press releases, floor speeches, and media broadcasts. Across the diverse sources, I show that ideologically extreme legislators are the most likely to explain their party’s work in Washington and the most likely to criticize the opposing party—particularly when their is an opposing party president. Extreme legislators also engage in more vitriolic criticism of the opposing party, particularly when opposing presidents are unpopular. The result is that parties in rhetoric appear even more combative and polarized in public debate outside Congress than inside Congress.
Overview of Electronic Health Records

A core component of any health information technology (HIT) implementation is the electronic health record (EHR). EHRs have been created by a number of software vendors and some have been developed internally by healthcare organizations. While the feature sets available in EHRs may vary in detail, the core components include demographics, medications, allergies, immunizations, laboratory data, radiology reports, vital signs, problem lists, and progress notes. EHRs are, in effect, longitudinal records of current and past medical history. The availability of these data within a centralized system allows the compilation of data across multiple patient records, which directly supports outcome tracking and quality improvement. These data can also be used to drive clinical decision support systems.
Calculation of Near-Field Radioactivity Release Rates from Neutron-Activated Reactor Parts in a Shallow-Land Burial site at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The purpose of this work was to estimate the near-field radioactivity release rates associated with the high-activity, low-level radioactive wastes currently emplaced in Solid Waste Storage Area 6 (SWSA-6) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Examination of the existing records [1] showed that about 84% of the radioactivity emplaced in SWSA-6 could apparently be accounted for by neutron-activated metal parts discharged from the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR); therefore, this analysis was limited to consideration of those HFIR wastes. The radio- nuclide inventory contained in the HFIR wastes was first calculated, and then realistic or conservative assumptions as well as existing data were employed to calculate near-field radionuclide release rates. The dominant uncertainties in the calculations were summarized, and the research which would be needed to reduce these uncertainties was described. A more complete description of this work can be found in reference [2].
Arthropods Associated with Bovine and Equine Dung in an Ungrazed Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem

Arthropods associated with bovine and equine dung were studied in the Chihuahuan desert from June to July 1981 in a Yucca-Prosopis habitat. Community structure, trophic relationships, and arthropod succession were examined by using traps baited with standardized samples of dung. Trap collections revealed at least 30 species of arthropods, but no difference between bovine and equine dung treatments was found. Ants (five species) were numerically and taxonomically dominant; they comprised 74% of all individuals captured. Muscoid flies, histerids, spiders, scarabs, tenebrionids, moths, crickets, and staphylinids (in order of decreasing frequency) were collected in smaller numbers. Community structure of dung arthropod populations was similar in regard to species richness, diversity, and evenness. Taxa were separated based on their probable trophic position in the community: coprovores (17 species), omnivores (5 species), and predators (8 species). Trophic structure showed a pyramidal progression of arthropod dry-weight standing crop: dung (305 g), coprophages (143 mg), omnivores (80 mg), and predators (40 mg). Ants and scarab beetles were the most important dung reducers, whereas histerid beetles were important predators in the community. Arthropod succession showed a general decrease in numbers and biomass with increasing age of the droppings. These results are compared with patterns of dung utilization by coprovores in other ecosystems.
Abstract 1465: Radiosensitization of NSCLC through modulation of autophagy and senescence

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: Radiotherapy (IR) is a key treatment modality in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is commonly combined with chemotherapy to prolong survival, although the gain is generally quite modest. An underlying cause for the relatively poor cure rate is the resistance to chemotherapy, which is partially associated with the dysregulation of cell death signaling, particularly apoptotic pathways. Thus, the current work was designed to exploit the capacity of 1,25D3 (the hormonally active form of vitamin D) to radiosensitize A549 cells. Experimental Procedure: In vitro studies assessed the effects of 100nM 1,25D3 alone, radiation alone (6 Gy) and the combination treatment of 100nM 1,25D3 concurrently with radiation in A549 NSCLC cells. Cell viability was assessed over a period of 7 days and sensitization to radiation was confirmed by clonogenic survival assays. Senescence was measured by β-galactosidase staining as well as C12FDG fluorescence measurement by flow cytometry. Levels of the senescence associated markers p21, pRb, and p53 were monitored by western immunoblotting. Autophagy was inhibited pharmacologically using 5mM 3-MA and 10µM chloroquine. Autophagy induction was monitored by acridine orange with quantification using flow cytometry, while autophagic flux was based on degradation of p62. Results: 1,25D3 sensitized A549 cells to radiation based on reduced clonogenic survival; viable cell counting indicated that the combination treatment resulted in apparently irreversible growth arrest with no significant recovery. β-galactosidase staining, C12FDG measurement by flow cytometry, and p21 expression levels were indicative of senescence by Days 3 and 5 while acridine orange staining and p62 degradation demonstrated the induction of autophagy. Pharmacological suppression of autophagy induced by 1,25D3 + IR resulted in a temporary delay of senescence. Conclusions: For many years, cancer therapy has relied on cytotoxic treatment strategies for the eradication of tumors and overall patient survival. These therapies are associated with severe and often harmful side effects. Recent studies have suggested that therapy-induced senescence could provide an alternative strategy for improving cancer therapy. Our studies demonstrate that treatment with 1,25D3 has the capacity to sensitize A549 cells to radiation treatment by the induction of senescence that is preceded by autophagy. This model could represent a novel, pro-senescence therapy treatment to promote disease intervention and therapeutic gain for NSCLC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1465. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1465
Nature and nurture: environmental influences on a genetic rat model of depression

In this study, we sought to learn whether adverse events such as chronic restraint stress (CRS), or 'nurture' in the form of environmental enrichment (EE), could modify depression-like behavior and blood biomarker transcript levels in a genetic rat model of depression. The Wistar Kyoto More Immobile (WMI) is a genetic model of depression that aided in the identification of blood transcriptomic markers, which successfully distinguished adolescent and adult subjects with major depressive disorders from their matched no-disorder controls. Here, we followed the effects of CRS and EE in adult male WMIs and their genetically similar control strain, the Wistar Kyoto Less Immobile (WLI), that does not show depression-like behavior, by measuring the levels of these transcripts in the blood and hippocampus. In WLIs, increased depression-like behavior and transcriptomic changes were present in response to CRS, but in WMIs no behavioral or additive transcriptomic changes occurred. Environmental enrichment decreased both the inherent depression-like behavior in the WMIs and the behavioral difference between WMIs and WLIs, but did not reverse basal transcript level differences between the strains. The inverse behavioral change induced by CRS and EE in the WLIs did not result in parallel inverse expression changes of the transcriptomic markers, suggesting that these behavioral responses to the environment work via separate molecular pathways. In contrast, 'trait' transcriptomic markers with expression differences inherent and unchanging between the strains regardless of the environment suggest that in our model, environmental and genetic etiologies of depression work through independent molecular mechanisms.
Improved in vitro blood compatibility of polycaprolactone nanowire surfaces.

There are a multitude of polymeric materials currently utilized to prepare a variety of blood-contacting implantable medical devices. These devices include tissue grafts, coronary artery and vascular stents, and orthopedic implants. The thrombogenic nature of such materials can cause serious complications in patients, and ultimately lead to functional failure. To date, there is no truly hemocompatible biomaterial surface. Nanostructured surfaces improve cellular interactions but there is a limited amount of information regarding their blood compatibility. In this study, the in vitro blood compatibility of four different surfaces (control, PCL; nanowire, NW; collagen immobilized control, cPCL; collagen immobilized nanowire, cNW) were investigated for their use as interfaces for blood-contacting implants. The results presented here indicate enhanced in vitro blood compatibility of nanowire surfaces compared control surfaces. Although there were no significant differences in leukocyte adhesion, there was a d...
Directly Measured Denitrification Reveals Oyster Aquaculture and Restored Oyster Reefs Remove Nitrogen at Comparable High Rates

Coastal systems are increasingly impacted by over-enrichment of nutrients, which has cascading effects for ecosystem functioning. Oyster restoration and aquaculture are both hypothesized to mitigate excessive nitrogen (N) loads via benthic denitrification. The degree to which these management activities perform similar functions for removing N, however, has not been extensively examined in New England, a place where nutrient runoff is high and increasing oyster (Crassostrea virginica) restoration and aquaculture activity is taking place. Here, we use a novel in situ methodology to directly measure net N2 and O2 fluxes across the sediment-water interface in a shallow (~1 m) coastal pond in southern Rhode Island. We collected data seasonally during 2013 and 2014 at restored oyster reefs, oyster aquaculture, oyster cultch (shell), and bare sediment. Restored oyster reefs and aquaculture had the highest mean (± SE) denitrification rates, 581.9 (± 164.2) and 346 (± 168.6) μmol N2-N m-2 h-1, respectively, and are among the highest recorded for oyster-dominated environments. Denitrification rates at sites with oyster cultch were 60.9 (± 44.3) μmol N2-N m-2 h-1, which is substantially less than the sites with active oysters but still more than 50% higher than denitrification rates measured in bare sediment (24.4 ± 10.1 μmol N2-N m-2 h-1). The increase in denitrification rates at treatments, however, varied by season and the greatest rates for restored reefs were in the fall. Overall, the greatest aggregate denitrification rates occurred in the fall. Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) followed similar patterns but with greater overall rates in the summer, and displayed a strong linear relationship with denitrification (R2 = 0.9273). Our results demonstrate that habitats associated with live oysters have higher net denitrification rates and that oyster reef restoration and oyster aquaculture may provide similar benefits to the ecosystem in terms of N removal. However, gas fluxes may also be affected where three-dimensional structure is introduced via oyster shell cultch and this appears to be seasonally-dependent. These data will be important for managers as they incorporate oysters into nutrient reduction strategies and consider system-level trade-offs in services provided by oyster reef restoration and aquaculture activities.
Development and evaluation of a calcium alginate based oral ceftriaxone sodium formulation

The purpose of this work was to develop a multiparticulate system exploiting the pH-sensitive property and biodegradability of calcium alginate beads for intestinal delivery of ceftriaxone sodium (CS). CS was entrapped in beads made of sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), acacia, HPMC K4M and HPMC K15M as drug release modifiers. Beads were prepared using calcium chloride as a cross-linking agent, followed by enteric coating with cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP). The beads were then evaluated for entrapment efficiency using HPLC, in vitro drug release examined in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8), swellability, particle size and surface characterization using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was utilized to check the polymer matrix strength and thermal stability. The drug entrapment efficiency of the optimized formulation was determined to be 75 ± 5 %. Swelling properties of drug-loaded beads were found to be in a range of 0.9–3.4. Alginate beads coated with CAP and containing CMC as a second polymer exhibited sustained release. The drug release followed first-order kinetics via non-Fickian diffusion and erosion mechanism. The particle size of the beads was between 1.04 ± 0.20 and 2.15 ± 0.36 mm. TGA, AFM, and SEM data showed composition and polymer-dependent variations in cross-linking, thermal stability, surface structure, morphology, and roughness. The physico-chemical properties of the developed formulation indicate suitability of the formulation to deliver CS orally.
Laser cooling of lithium atoms by a strong standing wave

An atom moving in a strong standing wave radiation field may be translationally cooled by the induced or dipole force.1 The dipole force is proportional to I1/2, where I is the laser intensity, whereas the Doppler (usual) cooling force saturates with increasing I. Since laser sources can provide intensities which are much greater than the saturation intensities of many atomic transitions, cooling via the dipole force can be much more efficient than Doppler cooling. The dipole force has been used to cool the transverse2,3 and the longitudinal4 velocities of atoms in an atomic beam.
Temperature Fields in Downdraft Biomass Gasification

Experiments were performed on a specially fabricated, bench-scale, downdraft gasifier with adjustable configuration parameters. The parameters, which include nozzle height, nozzle size, and choke location, were varied to analyze their influences on the temperature profile and gasifier performance. Surface-fitting techniques were used to convert the discrete temperature data collected in the experiments into two dimensional spline functions, and then plotted as temperature contour maps. It appears that the configuration parameters can be adjusted to alter the temperature distribution within the gasifier and by so doing, gasifier performance can be optimized.
Treatment of otitis media by transtympanic delivery of antibiotics

Otitis media is the most common reason U.S. children receive antibiotics. The requisite 7- to 10-day course of oral antibiotics can be challenging to deliver in children, entails potential systemic toxicity, and encourages selection of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. We developed a drug delivery system that, when applied once to the tympanic membrane through the external auditory canal, delivers an entire course of antimicrobial therapy to the middle ear. A pentablock copolymer poloxamer 407-polybutylphosphoester (P407-PBP) was designed to flow easily during application and then to form a mechanically strong hydrogel on the tympanic membrane. U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved chemical permeation enhancers within the hydrogel assisted flux of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin across the membrane. This drug delivery system completely eradicated otitis media from nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in 10 of 10 chinchillas, whereas only 62.5% of animals receiving 1% ciprofloxacin alone had cleared the infection by day 7. The hydrogel system was biocompatible in the ear, and ciprofloxacin was undetectable systemically (in blood), confirming local drug delivery and activity. This fast-gelling hydrogel could improve compliance, minimize side effects, and prevent systemic distribution of antibiotics in one of the most common pediatric illnesses, possibly minimizing the development of antibiotic resistance.
Lesbian Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence -- Provider Perspectives on Barriers to Accessing Services

Service barriers of lesbian domestic violence survivors were identified from the perspectives of six service providers using qualitative interviews. Constant comparative methods identified service barriers including: Systemic barriers (laws and policies of criminal/justice system, social and cultural attitudes, and theories regarding domestic violence dynamics), institutional barriers (ambiguous and inconsistent policy, assigning lesbian clients to specific staff members, lack of commitment to serving lesbians, and using heterosexist language), and individual barriers (attitudes/actions of lesbian survivors, heterosexual female clients, staff members, and police/court officers). Participants expressed motivation to serve lesbian survivors and indicated the potential to influence institutional policies and practices.
Abstract IA04: The Targeting of CDK4/6: Have we gone full circle?

Cyclin Dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) is a critical kinase that regulates the G1/S phase transition within the cell cycle. There has been a major effort to develop drugs that inhibit this kinase. The first CDK4 inhibitor to be approved is Palbociclib. It is approved in combination with letrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with metastatic estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy. In this study Palbociclib (Palbo) improved median progression free survival (mPFS) from 10.2 months with letrozole alone to 20.2 months with Palbo in the combination therapy [Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.488 (95% CI 0.319, 0.748)]. Response rates were 55.4% with the combination and 39.4% with letrozole alone. Palbo has been tested in other disease including dedifferentiated and well-differentiated liposarcoma where CDK4 is amplified. In this disease Palbo has been reported to increase the PFS at 12 weeks to 66% surpassing the primary end of 40% in patients who had progressed on at least one primary regimen. The major toxicity is neutropenia. Other CDK4 inhibitors are in clinical trial, including LEE001 (Novartis) and LY2835219 (Eli Lilly). These agents exhibit a somewhat different toxicity profile with neutropenia and QTc prolongation with LEE001 and gastrointestinal toxicity with LY2835219. Recently, CDK4 inhibition has been shown to induce either a reversible cell cycle arrest or an irreversible senescent state. The proteolytic turnover of MDM2 appears to be critical for cellular senescence induced by CDK4 inhibition in liposarcoma, breast, lung and glioma cell lines. MDM2 turnover depends on its E3 ligase activity and expression of ATRX. In a small series of liposarcoma patients treated with Palbo the suppression of MDM2 expression correlated with improved clinical outcome suggesting that loss of MDM2 by inhibition of CDK4 could be a predictive biomarker for improved clinical outcome with this class of drugs. Citation Format: Gary K. Schwartz. The Targeting of CDK4/6: Have we gone full circle? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Cancer Cell Cycle - Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Response; Feb 28-Mar 2, 2016; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(11_Suppl):Abstract nr IA04.
Age-Dependent Payoffs and Assortative Matching by Age in a Market with Search

This paper considers a matching market with two-sided search and transferable utility where match payoffs depend on age at marriage (time until match) and search is finite. We define and prove existence of equilibrium, and provide sufficient conditions for positive assortative matching that build on restricting the slope and curvature of the marriage payoff function to generate single-peaked preferences in age and therefore convex matching sets. Payoff functions that are incompatible with positive sorting by age include all strictly increasing functions and constant flow payoffs enjoyed for some finite period.
The effects of social contact on cocaine intake in female rats

Abstract Background Studies conducted in male rats report that social contact can either facilitate or inhibit drug intake depending on the behavior of social partners. The purpose of the present study was to: (1) examine the effects of social contact on cocaine intake in female rats, (2) examine the behavioral mechanisms by which social contact influences cocaine intake, and (3) examine whether the estrous cycle moderates the effects of social contact on cocaine intake. Methods Female rats were assigned to either isolated or pair-housed conditions in which a social partner either had access to cocaine (cocaine partner) or did not have access to cocaine (abstinent partner). Pair-housed rats were tested in custom-built operant conditioning chambers that allowed both rats to be tested simultaneously in the same chamber. Results Rats housed with a cocaine partner self-administered more cocaine than isolated rats and rats housed with an abstinent partner. A behavioral economic analysis indicated that these differences were driven by a greater intensity of cocaine demand (i.e., greater intake at lower unit prices) in rats housed with a cocaine partner. Multivariate modeling revealed that the estrous cycle did not moderate the effects of social contact on cocaine intake. Conclusions These findings indicate that: (1) social contact influences cocaine self-administration in females in a manner similar to that reported in males, (2) these effects are due to differences in the effects of social contact on the intensity of cocaine demand, and (3) these effects are consistent across all phases of the estrous cycle.
Right aortic arch with situs solitus frequently heralds a vascular ring.

Objective We hypothesized that a right aortic arch in situs solitus, with or without an associated cardiovascular malformation, is often associated with a vascular ring. Methods From those born in Southern Nevada between March 2012 and March 2017, we identified 50 (3.6 per 10,000 live births) with a right aortic arch and situs solitus. From the 50 patients, 6 did not meet inclusion criteria for further analysis. Results Of the 44 remaining, 33 (75%) had a vascular ring. Of the 33 with a vascular ring, 26 (79%) occurred with an isolated right aortic arch, and 7 (21%) had an associated cardiovascular malformation. Of the total 44 patients with a right aortic arch in situs solitus, 34 (79%) were diagnosed prenatally. Conclusions In conclusion, we found a right aortic arch in situs solitus was often associated with a vascular ring. Further, to the best of our knowledge, no previous general population study has demonstrated an equal or higher right aortic arch, prenatal detection rate of 79%.
Using a Bayesian network to predict L5/S1 spinal compression force from posture, hand load, anthropometry, and disc injury status

Stochastic biomechanical modeling has become a useful tool most commonly implemented using Monte Carlo simulation, advanced mean value theorem, or Markov chain modeling. Bayesian networks are a novel method for probabilistic modeling in artificial intelligence, risk modeling, and machine learning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of Bayesian networks for biomechanical modeling using a static biomechanical model of spinal forces during lifting. A 20-node Bayesian network model was used to implement a well-established static two-dimensional biomechanical model for predicting L5/S1 compression and shear forces. The model was also implemented as a Monte Carlo simulation in MATLAB. Mean L5/S1 spinal compression force estimates differed by 0.8%, and shear force estimates were the same. The model was extended to incorporate evidence about disc injury, which can modify the prior probability estimates to provide posterior probability estimates of spinal compression force. An example showed that changing disc injury status from false to true increased the estimate of mean L5/S1 compression force by 14.7%. This work shows that Bayesian networks can be used to implement a whole-body biomechanical model used in occupational biomechanics and incorporate disc injury.
Development of a reconfigurable low cost multi-mode radar system for contactless vital signs detection

In this work, we propose a Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) with reconfigurable center frequency incorporating the functions of both CW and SFCW Doppler radars rather than using separate platforms for each radar type. This MMR is controlled by a micro-controller and it can be used in an indoor environment for tracking more than one subject, human gait analysis and for long-range vital signs detection. The radar was built and experimentally utilized for both close range and long range heart rates monitoring.
Statistical analysis conducted during the study on the impact of tool-chip contact time on the shear angle in orthogonal machining

Every year millions of dollars are being spent on various types of experimental data to aid in advancing science. Knowing what data looks like before more rigorous analyses is key to understanding ...
Experimental Aspects of Measuring the Vial Heat Transfer Coefficient in Pharmaceutical Freeze-Drying

One of the current methods for cycle optimization in primary drying to is develop a graphical design space based on quality by design (QbD). In order to construct the design space, the vial heat transfer coefficient (Kv) is needed. This paper investigated experimental factors that can affect the Kv result, examined the relationship between the batch average Kv and Kv values for individual vials, and recommended best practices for measuring Kv. Factors investigated included the technique for measuring ice temperature, shelf temperature, the use of a radiation shield on the door of the freeze-dry chamber, and shelf spacing. All experiments reported here used a chamber pressure of 100 mTorr. The most important factor was the technique for ice temperature measurement, where it is important to assure that any restrictions to vapor flow at the top of the vial are the same between monitored and non-monitored vials. Another factor that was found to play a role was the shelf temperature whereby the lower the shelf temperature, the larger the "edge effect," and the larger the average Kv. Factors that were found to not have a significant effect were the use of a radiation shield inside the chamber door and the shelf spacing. Being aware of these factors and knowing best practices when determining the vial heat coefficient will lead to more accurate design spaces and better cycle optimization.
Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cells: Sensors and Sentinels of the Lung.

Organisms have developed cellular "antennas" to sense, interpret, and integrate environmental stimuli. In a recent issue of Science, Sui et al. (2018) demonstrate that discrete clusters of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells in the lung can sense airborne allergens and relay signals to stimulate immune cells and induce tissue/organ-wide responses.
On Becoming an Ethnographer

Ethnographers shape a research self as they work through a series of existential choices. Self-defining choices must be made on: the genre or overall narrative logic of the text to be produced, how...
Effects of supplemental wild zooplankton on prey preference, mouth gape, osteological development and survival in first feeding cultured larval Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens).

Abstract Yellow Tang, Zebrasoma flavescens, are a popular species in the aquarium industry. Currently, all Yellow Tang are collected from wild stocks, with collection in Hawaii accounting for the bulk of the individuals found in the trade. Although culture of this species has recently been successful, survival remains low and mass mortality events, particularly associated with the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding, continue to be observed. Improving survival and gaining a more thorough understanding of the drivers behind early prey selection, such as mouth gape and osteological development, are of primary importance in advancing the culture of Yellow Tang. For the present study, a supplemental size-sorted mixture of wild zooplankton was offered in conjunction with and compared to the cultured nauplii of Parvocalanus crassirostris to determine the effect on survival. Prey selection was determined via metabarcoding. Osteological development was documented and mouth gape measured from 1 to 6 days post hatch to better determine appropriate prey types and size ranges. Survival was significantly lower in larvae fed cultured nauplii supplemented with wild zooplankton, 6.9% v. 18.5%. Regardless of the presence of wild zooplankton, larvae preferentially selected for P. crassirostris based on molecular determination of prey consumption. However, it is likely that protozoans were mostly excluded from this molecular analysis possibly due to the type of primer selected. Mouth gape height increased by approximately 100 μm and mouth gape width by approximately 55 μm, during the study period. Although no significant difference in growth was calculated between treatments, larvae receiving the wild zooplankton supplement diet were observed to grow at a slightly slower rate than larvae being fed only cultured copepod nauplii. The rate at which the mouth gape increased suggests that the currently cultured and utilized copepod nauplii may not be an optimally sized prey item shortly after first feed. These findings indicate that first feeding Yellow Tang larvae are capable of consuming larger prey at an earlier age than they have been offered in previous rearing attempts, but that the larvae may continue to benefit from the presence of less elusive prey items, such as ciliates or rotifers, due to their delayed osteological development. Osteological development was slow with very little ossification occurring by 6 days post hatch and only in those larvae fed solely cultured nauplii. However, their selection of copepod nauplii suggests that some aspect of this prey item is preferential to the first feeding larvae and may elicit a hunting response essential to initiating exogenous feeding.
Biodiesel and renewable diesel production methods

Abstract: Vegetable oils and animal fats have come to be recognized as important sources of renewable fuels. Fatty acid methyl esters are known as biodiesel, and are the leading source for non-petroleum diesel fuel. With hydrogenation and isomerization, oils and fats can be converted to renewable diesel and jet fuel that are drop-in replacements for petroleum diesel fuel and jet fuel. This chapter reviews the processes used to produce these fuels and the feedstocks that will provide the supplies of oils and fats needed to meet a growing world demand.