cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary nodule tracking using chest computed tomography in a histoplasmosis endemic area

Abstract Objective In areas with endemic histoplasmosis, incidental pulmonary nodules are common. Rate of malignancy and applicability of current tracking guidelines in these regions remain unclear. Methods A total of 148 cases of incidental pulmonary nodules tracked with chest computed tomography were reviewed for radiologic characteristics, diagnosis, number, and size. Results Of the nodules, 87.8% were benign and 12.2% malignant; 30% of nodules > 20 mm were malignant. Number of nodules (P= .14) and granulomatous disease (P= .71) were not related to malignant diagnosis. Conclusion Malignancy was lower than expected in nodules > 20 mm. Appropriate tracking guidelines for incidentally discovered nodules in histoplasmosis endemic regions must be determined.
Students' Perceptions of Environmental‐Based Inquiry Experiences

The purpose of this study was to investigate student perceptions of inquiry-based pedagogy within the context of learning about environmental concepts and issues. The study was descriptive in nature and employed a single group, pretest-posttest design, surveying 367 students. The chi-square analysis indicated that 17 of the 29 survey items were answered in a statistically different manner. This suggests that students perceived the environmental inquiry-based experiences to be nontraditional in the approach to teaching and assessment and to emphasize scientific investigations. Students, however, did not perceive science learning to be different from that of past science experiences. Implications to science instruction and teacher professional development are discussed.
Microstructure Representation and Material Characterization for Multiscale Finite Element Simulations of Local Mechanical Behavior in Damaged Metallic Structures

ABSTRACT Prediction of scatter on the mechanical behavior of metallic materials due to microstructural heterogeneity is important, particularly for damaged metallic structures, where degradation mechanisms such as fatigue can be very sensitive to microstructure variability, which is also a contributing factor to the scatter observed in the fatigue response of metallic materials. Two-dimensional (2D) and Three-dimensional (3D) representations of microstructures of 2xxx Al alloys are created via a combination of dual-scale se rial sectioning techniques, with a smalle r scale for particles and a larger scale for grains, Electron Backscattering Diffraction (EBSD) and available meshing and volume reconstruction software. In addition, artificial representations of the grains are also built from measurements of the crystallography and the geometry of the grains in representative cross sections of the samples. These measurements are then used to define a Representative Volume Element (RVE) with mechanical properties that are comparable to those in larger length scales, via simulations performed using finite element models of the RVE. In this work, the characteristics of the RVE are varied by introducing changes on either geometry, material properties or both and by seeding defects that represent damage (microcraks) or damage precursors (precipitates). Re sults indicate that models obtained predict the variability on stress fields expected at the local level, due to crysta llographic and geometric variability of the microstructure. Keywords: microstructure, variability, finite elem ents, EBSD, multiscale, Aluminum, RVE, defects.
Trace element fractionation by suspended matter in water

Abstract Fractionation of trace elements by silt and sediment particles in natural waters has been studied by means of radioactive tracers. Partition of dissolved tracer ions between sediments and water has been observed as well as the relative changes in concentration of fission product ions in a mixture, after contact with suspended particles in naturally occurring abundances. Gamma-ray spectra have been obtained to illustrate the extent of separation occurring as a result of preferential adsorption of some of the fission products on clay silt particles. In waters with a high organic content, the pattern of fractionation is different, as expected, with a higher extraction of anions and anionic complexes. The results have an important bearing on the degree of self-purification by bottom sediments in turbulent, polluted streams. Careful distinction is required in analytical reports between truly dissolved elements and total “dissolved solids,” which may include ions adsorbed on submicron silt particles.
Electromagnetic interference in phototransistors due to packaging

Noise in phototransistor due to packaging has been investigated via theoretical models and measurements. A new design of package for phototransistor to reduce noise is proposed and tested for commercial photoelectric sensors. Generally, there are two kinds of materials, namely, metal and plastic used for the package, and a metal case made of aluminum or copper is the more popular. However, a metal case could pick up noise from electromagnetic fields, such as radio frequency noise caused by micro controllers. The noise could go into a phototransistor because of the metal case connected to the collector of the phototransistor, and amplified further, and could turn on a photoelectric sensor. Surface current induced by electromagnetic waves on a metal case due to skin effect is analyzed using theory of electrodynamics. Comparison of phototransistor packaged using the new design in photoelectric sensor and one in commercial is carried out. The latter is locked on under radio frequency noise environment, but, the former is not.
Effect of Severe Prior Deformation on Electrical-Assisted Compression of Copper Specimens

In Electrical-Assisted Forming (EAF), current is passed through the material during the deformation process, which results in a decrease in the required flow stress for the material. While resistive heating occurs, the flow stress reductions are beyond what can be explained by temperature effects alone. Hypotheses for this effect relate to the current affecting dislocation generation and aiding dislocation motion through the lattice structure. If the latter was the case, then materials with higher dislocation densities from severe deformation should have more pronounced benefits from EAF. In this research, Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE) was used to induce severe plastic deformation into the material. Subsequent EAF compression experiments with the ECAE specimens and as-received material with comparable grain sizes were conducted. As expected, the EAF process reduced the flow stress value substantially more, e.g., 224MPa versus 115MPa at a strain of 0.8 for the ECAE specimens compared to the as-received specimens respectively. These flow stress reductions were from a case with no current applied to a case where an initial current density of 250A/mm2 was applied. EAF may particularly be beneficial at the microscale to address size effects as the current required to achieve an elevated current density is more viable.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Maximum Voluntary Contraction as a Function of Upper Extremity Posture in Females

Background: Little has been published on the maximum strength of the shoulder girdle as a function of varying postures. Such information may help aid in job design by better assessing the capabilities of workers.Methods: Female subjects (n=12) were required to hold a weight in place for 4 seconds in one of 6 different functional postures: 0/90 (shoulder flexion angle = 0° and included elbow angle = 90°), 30/90, 60/90, 90/120, 120/150 and 150/180. Postures and weights were chosen at random and measurements were repeated. Final weight adjustments were in increments of 0.1 lb. At least 3 minutes of rest between lifts was provided. Maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) were required to be reproduced within 2 lbs. Dynamic lifting of the weight and holding in place MVCs (“lift and hold”), as well as only holding the weight in place MVCs (“hold only”) were assessed separately. Maximum voluntary torques were also computed and adjusted for arm weight. Ratings of perceived exertion (Borg CR-10) and pain ratings (0–...
A Pascal program for simulating stable random variates

The purposes of this paper are twofold: (1) To correct two errors in the FORTRAN program accompanying a very important algorithm for the generation of random stable variates, and (2) To present a Pascal translation of that FORTRAN program
Frog virus 3-induced translational shut-off: activation of an eIF-2 kinase in virus-infected cells

Abstract Infection of susceptible fathead minnow or Friend erythroleukemia cells with either infectious or heat-inactivated frog virus 3 led to the rapid inhibition of cellular protein synthesis. As seen in other cells, translational shut-off was accompanied by the dissociation of polysomes, but not the degradation of irreversible inactivation of cellular mRNAs. In addition, lysates from cells infected with heat-inactivated FV3 showed a reduced capacity to synthesize protein and to form 43S pre-initiation complexes in vitro. These results indicate that the in vitro systems accurately reflected in vivo events, and suggest that translational shut-off occurred prior to the union of the 40S ribosomal subunit and the [eIF-2 . GTP . Met tRNA i ] ternary complex. To determine the basis for the translational block, lysates from mock- and FV3-infected cells were assayed in vitro for their ability to phosphorylate the α subunit of eIF-2. In contrast to lysates from mock-infected cells, lysates from cells infected with heat-inactivated or infectious FV3 readily phosphorylated the α subunit of eIF-2. Since phosphorylation of the α subunit of eIF-2 inhibits its catalytic utilization during polypeptide chain initiation, these findings suggest that translational shut-off mediated by FV3 may be due to activation of a kinase that selectively phosphorylates this key initiation factor.
Recovering behavioral design models from execution traces

Recovering behavioral design models from execution traces is not an easy task due to the sheer size of typical traces. In this paper, we describe a novel technique for achieving this. Our approach is based on filtering traces by distinguishing the utility components from the ones that implement high-level concepts. In the paper, we first define the concept of utilities; then we present an algorithm based on fan-in analysis that can be used for the detection of utilities. To represent the high-level behavioral models, we explore the use case map (UCM) notation, which is a language used to describe and understand emergent behavior of complex and dynamic systems. Finally, we test the validity of our approach on an object-oriented system called TConfig.
Implementation of adaptive sample rate Kwan-Martin notch filter using efficient realizations of reciprocal and squaring circuit

Adaptive algorithms often involve the use of divide and square operations. Rather than implementing generic dividers and multipliers in the adaptive section for the adaptive sample rate notch filter, the authors have developed prototype architectures. They present a technique of optimizing an implementation of the squarer. In the reciprocal circuit presented, they show how a numerator (scaling) can be easily incorporated into its design to achieve a general purpose divider. Both realizations have been demonstrated in an adaptive sample rate notch filter using Xilinx reconfigurable field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). A comparison is made between generic circuits and the proposed techniques. The results provide a measure of the advantages of the proposed approaches for use in adaptive signal processing. >
A Cyprus Workshop: An Exercise in Intervention Methodology

Summary A detailed, personalized report is provided concerning the data gathered to determine whether a workship planned for Greek and Turkish Cypriotes was feasible and desirable, to formulate the goals of the enterprise, actually to recruit participants, and to ascertain some of the opinions and attitudes likely to be expressed during that workshop. The data could not be utilized, however, because a few days before the participants were to gather in Northern Italy the government of the Greek community on the island was overthrown and five days later an invasion by the Turks began. The emphasis is upon the clinical or practical experience gained from this aborted attempt, which might be useful in future enterprises.
Molecular Genetics : An Example of Faulty Communication Between Science and the Public

This essay examines the current state of knowledge of molecular biology, and how well this science has been conveyed into the public understanding. The article starts by providing a primer on the key concepts of molecular genetics. What this shows is that DNA is not the sole governing component of biological inheritance and cellular reproduction. Rather, the nature of life is the outcome of a complex interaction among DNA, RNA, and proteins. The limitations of genetic theory are evident from the findings of the National Institutes of Health's Encyclopedia of DNA Elements Project (ENCODE). Summarizing a large number of scientific reports created by this project, it is argued that the ENCODE study has replaced the original pattern of colinear transfer of genetic information from simple genes to specific proteins and their engendered inherited traits with a vastly more complex network of overlapping and interlaced relationships. Thus, the ENCODE project has undermined the notion of genetics that underlies much the practices of genetic engineering of crop plants or genetic screening for diseases. Yet there virtually been no press coverage of this fundamental challenge to the core genetic theory and the public remains uninformed about this issue. This unacknowledged issue in molecular genetics creates a crisis in biology. Because the responsible scientific community has not sought to inform the public, there is a serious problem of public information regarding the status of genetic theory and the nature of the risks engendered in genomic research.
Impact of the Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease program on arthritis symptoms in African Americans

INTRODUCTION Inadequate program design and lack of access to evidence-based programs are major barriers to the management of chronic diseases such as arthritis, particularly for African Americans. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease Program (WWE) in a subsample of African Americans who were part of a larger study that established evidence of the program's efficacy. METHODS Participants were African Americans (N = 117) with self-reported arthritis who chose to participate in either a self-directed (n = 68) or group (n = 49) 6-week WWE program. Arthritis-related symptoms (ie, pain, fatigue, stiffness; measured using visual analog scales) were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 1 year. Independent samples t tests were conducted to examine group differences (ie, self-directed vs group) in arthritis-related symptoms at baseline, and paired sample t tests were conducted to examine differences over time (ie, baseline to 6 weeks and baseline to 1 year) in symptoms. Satisfaction was examined by descriptive statistics. RESULTS Younger, more educated individuals chose the self-directed format (P < .001, P = .008; respectively). After the 6-week intervention, participants reported a decrease in pain (P < .001), fatigue (P = .002), and stiffness (P < .001). At 1 year, the decrease in pain (P = .04) and stiffness (P = .002) remained constant. Overall, participants were satisfied with both program formats. CONCLUSION The individualized and group formats of the WWE program improved arthritis-related pain, fatigue, and stiffness in African Americans. Culturally appealing arthritis interventions ultimately may increase the use of existing arthritis interventions.
Molecular genetics of thyroid cancer: implications for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the endocrine system and accounts for approximately 1% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases. The most frequent type of thyroid malignancy is papi...
A phylogeny of the Munnoziinae (Asteraceae, Liabeae): circumscription of Munnozia and a new placement of M. perfoliata

The tribe Liabeae (Compositae, Cicho- rioideae) comprises three subtribes, Liabinae, Munnoziinae, and Paranepheliinae. For one of these, the Munnoziinae, which contains the genera Munnozia, Chrysactinium, Erato, and Philoglossa, the nuclear ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region was sequenced to examine the monophyly of the subtribe and the core genus Munnozia within it. Thirty-six samples representing four currently recognized genera of Munnoziinae and two outgroups were included in this study. Mo- lecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the close relationship of Munnozia with Chrysactinium, and Erato with Philoglossa. However, the monophyly of the Munnoziinae and Munnozia is not support- ed, in disagreement with the current morpholog- ical findings. The discrepancies were attributed to the placements of Munnozia perfoliata outside the Munnoziinae and Munnozia ,a ndChrysactinium within Munnozia. The resulting tree indicates that first, M. perfoliata needs to be moved out of the munnoziinae and second, Chrysactinium originated from within Munnozia. For the first finding, morphological and palynological reevalu- ation of this species with allegedly related species reveals additional support in agreement with molecular data. Therefore we propose that the genus Munnozia be re-delimited to the members having black or dark brown anther theca and sordid or reddish pappus and re-organized.
Mediation of Late Adolescent Health‐Risk Behaviors and Gender Influences

Objective This study explored how multiple bioecological constructs operate to explain health-risk behaviors in late adolescence and to test for moderator effects of gender. Design and Sample This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 437 predominately Caucasian late adolescents with an average age of 19 years who lived in Northern California. Measures Parental Attachment, Shyness, Loneliness, Law Abidance, and Youth Risk Behaviors were measured with self-report tools and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the data fit the model well. Analysis of group differences revealed that gender moderated the relationships among the measured variables; thus, data were analyzed in independent gender-based models. Structural modeling demonstrated good model fit for each gender. Shyness and parental attachment each were associated with loneliness. Loneliness was associated with smoking. Loneliness linked the relationship between shyness, parental attachment, and smoking. Parental attachment was associated with law abidance. Law abidance was associated with sexual behaviors for female adolescents only. Conclusions This study provides valuable insights for public health nurses as it pertains to late adolescent health-risk behaviors. Nurses should use screening tools and techniques to ensure appropriate referrals and interventions to meet the needs of at-risk adolescents.
Explicit cost sensitivity analysis for linear systems with quadratic criteria

For linear systems subject to large variations in a single parameter, it is shown that the quadratic cost can be expressed exactly as the ratio of two polynomials in that parameter.
Adhesion of monocytes to type I collagen stimulates an APP-dependent proinflammatory signaling response and release of Aβ1-40

Background Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a ubiquitously expressed cell surface protein reported to be involved in mediating cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions. Prior work has demonstrated that APP co-localizes with β1 integrin in different cell types.
Signaling and transcriptional regulation in early mammalian eye development: a link between FGF and MITF

During vertebrate eye development, the optic vesicle is partitioned into a domain at its distal tip that will give rise to the neuroretina, and another at its proximal base that will give rise to the pigmented epithelium. Both domains are initially bipotential, each capable of giving rise to either neuroretina or pigmented epithelium. The partitioning depends on extrinsic signals, notably fibroblast growth factors, which emanate from the overlying surface ectoderm and induce the adjacent neuroepithelium to assume the neuroretinal fate. Using explant cultures of mouse optic vesicles, we demonstrate that bipotentiality of the optic neuroepithelium is associated with the initial coexpression of the basic-helix-loop-helix-zipper transcription factor MITF, which is later needed solely in the pigmented epithelium, and a set of distinct transcription factors that become restricted to the neuroretina. Implantation of fibroblast growth factor-coated beads close to the base of the optic vesicle leads to a rapid downregulation of MITF and the development of an epithelium that, by morphology, gene expression, and lack of pigmentation, resembles the future neuroretina. Conversely, the removal of the surface ectoderm results in the maintenance of MITF in the distal optic epithelium, lack of expression of the neuroretinal-specific CHX10 transcription factor, and conversion of this epithelium into a pigmented monolayer. This phenomenon can be prevented by the application of fibroblast growth factor alone. In Mitf mutant embryos, parts of the future pigment epithelium become thickened, lose expression of a number of pigment epithelium transcription factors, gain expression of neuroretinal transcription factors, and eventually transdifferentiate into a laminated second retina. The results support the view that the bipotential optic neuroepithelium is characterized by overlapping gene expression patterns and that selective gene repression, brought about by local extrinsic signals, leads to the separation into discrete expression domains and, hence, to domain specification.
Morphogenesis of the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva

Understanding how cells move, change shape, and alter cellular behaviors to form organs, a process termed morphogenesis, is one of the great challenges of developmental biology. Formation of the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva is a powerful, simple, and experimentally accessible model for elucidating how morphogenetic processes produce an organ. In the first step of vulval development, three epithelial precursor cells divide and differentiate to generate 22 cells of 7 different vulval subtypes. The 22 vulval cells then rearrange from a linear array into a tube, with each of the seven cell types undergoing characteristic morphogenetic behaviors that construct the vulva. Vulval morphogenesis entails many of the same cellular activities that underlie organogenesis and tissue formation across species, including invagination, lumen formation, oriented cell divisions, cell–cell adhesion, cell migration, cell fusion, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell invasion. Studies of vulval development have led to pioneering discoveries in a number of these processes and are beginning to bridge the gap between the pathways that specify cells and their connections to morphogenetic behaviors. The simplicity of the vulva and the experimental tools available in C. elegans will continue to make vulval morphogenesis a powerful paradigm to further our understanding of the largely mysterious mechanisms that build tissues and organs.
Fluid–structure interaction analysis of flexible composite marine propellers

Abstract There is an increasing interest in the marine industry to use composites to improve the hydrodynamic and structural performance of naval structures. Composite materials have high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, and the fiber orientations can be exploited to tailor the structural deformation to reduce the load and stress variations by automatically adjusting the shape of the structure. For marine propellers, the bending–twisting coupling characteristics of anisotropic composites can be exploited to passively tailor the blade rake, skew, and pitch distributions to improve propeller performance. To fully explore the advantages of composite marine propellers, a coupled boundary element (BEM) and finite element (FEM) approach is presented to study the fluid–structure interaction of flexible composite propellers in subcavitating and cavitating flows. An overview of the formulation for both the fluid and structural models is presented. Experimental validation studies are shown for two composite propellers tested at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWCCD). The feasibility of passive hydroelastic tailoring of composite marine propellers is discussed.
Functional Rescue of Elastin Insufficiency in Mice by the Human Elastin Gene Implications for Mouse Models of Human Disease

Diseases linked to the elastin gene arise from loss-of-function mutations leading to protein insufficiency (supravalvular aortic stenosis) or from missense mutations that alter the properties of the elastin protein (dominant cutis laxa). Modeling these diseases in mice is problematic because of structural differences between the human and mouse genes. To address this problem, we developed a humanized elastin mouse with elastin production being controlled by the human elastin gene in a bacterial artificial chromosome. The temporal and spatial expression pattern of the human transgene mirrors the endogenous murine gene, and the human gene accurately recapitulates the alternative-splicing pattern found in humans. Human elastin protein interacts with mouse elastin to form functional elastic fibers and when expressed in the elastin haploinsufficient background reverses the hypertension and cardiovascular changes associated with that phenotype. Elastin from the human transgene also rescues the perinatal lethality associated with the null phenotype. The results of this study confirm that reestablishing normal elastin levels is a logical objective for treating diseases of elastin insufficiency such as supravalvular aortic stenosis. This study also illustrates how differences in gene structure and alternative splicing present unique problems for modeling human diseases in mice.
Sperm DNA damage assessment: a test whose time has come

Multiple techniques have been developed to measure the amount of sperm DNA damage in an effort to identify more objective parameters for evaluation of infertile men. We now have evidence to support that integrity of sperm DNA influences a couple's fertility and helps predict the chances of pregnancy and its successful outcome. The available tests of sperm DNA damage require additional large-scale clinical trials before their integration into routine clinical practice.
DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE AND ANDROSTERONE LEVELS IN HUMAN PLASMA. EFFECT OF AGE AND SEX; DAY-TO-DAY AND DIURNAL VARIATIONS*

METHODS have been described for the measurement of total 17-ketosteroids (17-KS) occurring in human plasma (1) and for their fractionation (2). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and androsterone have been isolated and found to be the principal 17-KS in the peripheral circulation of normal man (3, 4). The present study was carried out in order to obtain further information on the levels of DHA and androsterone in normal subjects and to ascertain the effect of age and sex on the concentrations of these steroids. It was also thought to be of interest to determine the diurnal variation as well as the day-to-day changes of the 17-KS levels in the same subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 40-ml. sample of blood was drawn from each experimental subject between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., except in the study of diurnal variations, when blood was obtained at various times of the day. The blood samples were heparinized. They were centrifuged within forty-five minutes following collection and the plasma was immediately separated fr...
Strains in bone and tooth via high energy X-ray scattering

Background/aims: High energy synchrotron X-ray scattering allows quantification of internal strains within bone and tooth samples. The aim is to improve understanding of apatite and collagen function in these composites by repeated observation of the same bulk specimen. Methods: Wide angle and small angle X-ray scattering was used to quantify strain distributions in bone and tooth at the Advanced Photon Source using variation of apatite d-spacing and collagen D-period in high energy (>60 keV) patterns. Millimeter thick specimens were examined with transmission under in situ load and under de-/re-hydrating environments. Results: Four results obtained with microbeams illustrate the approach. Substantial strain gradients were observed across a rat tibia loaded in compression (figure). Strain maps across the dentinoenamel junction in a block of bovine incisor revealed, under compression, that strain peaks on the enamel side and dips on the dentin side of the junction. During drying, residual strains exhibited diffusion controlled kinetics and became more tensile by 2500<\mu \epsi<4000 in bovine bone. Methods for 3D scattering tomography were developed and applied. Conclusions: Perturbations of collagen other than dehydration should expand what can be learned of its interaction with the mineral phase. It should be possible to extend the non-invasive strain mapping approach to observe how assemblies of bone interact, how load is distributed over intact teeth, perhaps in in vivo animal models.
Understanding by Addressees and Overhearers

Abstract In conversation speakers design their utterances to be understood against the common ground they share with their addressees—their common experience, expertise, dialect, and culture. That ordinarily gives addressees an advantage over overhearers in understanding. Addressees have an additional advantage, we propose, because they can actively collaborate with speakers in reaching the mutual belief that they have understood what was said, whereas overhearers cannot. As evidence for the proposal, we looked at triples of people in which one person told another person in conversation how to arrange 12 complex figures while an overhearer tried to arrange them too. All three began as strangers with the same background information. As predicted, addressees were more accurate at arranging the figures than overhearers even when the overhearers heard every word. Other evidence suggests that the very process of understanding is different for addressees and overhearers.
Estimation of hydrothermal manganese input to the oceans

Accumulation of manganese along the East Pacific Rise is much too rapid to be explained by simple authigenic precipitation. Since the rise crest sediments are oxidizing throughout the entire, though short, sedimentary column, it is unlikely that the high manganese accumulation rates represent upward flux of manganese during diagenesis. The most probable source of this excess manganese is hydrothermal activity. By assuming that the accumulation rate of hydrothermal manganese along mid-ocean ridge crests is proportional to the area of new crust formed per year, it is possible to estimate that 9 × 1011 g/yr of manganese is produced by hydrothermal activity at spreading centers. Data on manganese loss from basalt due to hydrothermal leaching and on manganese concentrations in hydrothermal solutions support this estimate. Hydrothermal manganese flux to the oceans is about three times higher than the dissolved load of manganese carried by rivers (2.5 × 1011 g/yr). Thus, hydrothermal manganese introduced at oceanic spreading centers should be considered one of the major sources of manganese input to the oceans.
“I'm Just Raising the Question”: Terms for Talk and Practical Metadiscursive Argument in Public Meetings

This study examines the meanings and functions of raising questions in utterances such as “I'm just raising the question.” We examine such phrases as they were used in deliberative public meetings about a water conservation initiative. We show how raising questions is a distinctive mode of talk that draws attention to an issue requiring further discussion. The family of terms, each of which includes some form of the words raise and question, are used as a practical metadiscourse in these meetings. We show how situated use of the terms reveals a distinctive sociality and rhetoric for participants in the meetings.
Comment on Čapek

If ‘naturalistic epistemology’ is broadly construed to mean the investigation of human cognition as a natural phenomenon, then Piaget’s work should be recognized as the most massive contribution to the discipline made by any single person. One wishes to know, however, what the relevance of Piaget’s work is to a more narrowly construed naturalistic epistemology — to a normative discipline which is devoted to judging epistemic claims, but which does so partly by means of scientific information about man’s place in nature. Some of Capek’s remarks help to answer this question, even though he has not undertaken to do so systematically.
Cenderitide: structural requirements for the creation of a novel dual particulate guanylyl cyclase receptor agonist with renal-enhancing in vivo and ex vivo actions.

Aims Cenderitide is a novel dual natriuretic peptide (NP) receptor chimeric peptide activator, which targets the particulate guanylyl cyclase B (pGC-B) receptor and pGC-A unlike native NPs. Cenderitide was engineered to retain the anti-fibrotic properties of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)/pGC-B with renal-enhancing actions facilitated by fusion to the carboxyl terminus of Dendroaspis NP (DNP), a pGC-A agonist, to CNP. Here, we address significance of the DNP carboxyl terminus in dual pGC receptor activation and actions of cenderitide compared with CNP on renal function and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in vivo and ex vivo in normal canines. Methods and results In vitro , only cenderitide and not CNP or three CNP-based variants was a potent dual pGC-A/pGC-B activator of cGMP production (from 5 to 237 pmol/mL) in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressing human pGC-A while in pGC-B overexpressing cells cenderitide increased cGMP production (from 4 to 321 pmol/mL) while the three CNP-based variants were weak agonists. Based upon our finding that the DNP carboxyl terminus is a key structural requirement for dual pGC-A/pGC-B activation, we defined in vivo the renal-enhancing actions of cenderitide compared with CNP. Cenderitide increased urinary cGMP excretion (from 989 to 5977 pmol/mL), net generation of renal cGMP (821–4124 pmol/min), natriuresis (12–242 μEq/min), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (37–51 mL/min) while CNP did not. We then demonstrated the transformation of CNP ex vivo into a renal cGMP-activating peptide which increased cGMP in freshly isolated glomeruli eight-fold greater than CNP. Conclusion The current study establishes that dual pGC-A and pGC-B activation with CNP requires the specific carboxyl terminus of DNP. In normal canines in vivo and in glomeruli ex vivo , the carboxyl terminus of DNP transforms CNP into a natriuretic and GFR-enhancing peptide. Future studies of cenderitide are warranted in cardiorenal disease states to explore its efficacy in overall cardiorenal homeostasis.
Silicon Acetal Metathesis Polymerization

A kinetic study revealed that the acid-catalyzed (p-TSA) equilibration of Me2Si(OMe)2 and Me2Si(OEt)2, forming Me2Si(OEt)OMe, is established in 300 min in benzene at room temperature. This silicon acetal metathesis reaction is exploited for the step-growth polymerization of bis-silicon acetals (MeOSiMe2OROSiMe2OMe) with metathetical loss of Me2Si(OMe)2. Thus, a convenient and generalized silicon acetal metathesis polymerization (SAMP) method is introduced as the acid-catalyzed copolymerization of a diol (HOROH) and Me2Si(OMe)2, driven by elimination of methanol and/or Me2Si(OMe)2. SAMP constitutes an effective and powerful strategy for manipulating the most common bond in the Earth’s crust, the silicon–oxygen bond.
Current Changes: Changes and Experiments in Liberal-Arts Education

(1932). Current Changes: Changes and Experiments in Liberal-Arts Education. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 3, No. 7, pp. 396-397.
Detoxification of Endotoxin by Perfusion of Liver and Spleen.

Summary and conclusionsThe mortality of a dose of a bacterial endotoxin in rabbits, which was 85% when injected into a systemic vein, was reduced to 11% when it was injected via a mesenteric vein, i.e., so that it must traverse the liver before entering the systemic circulation. Bacterial endotoxin (Salmonella enteritidis MLD/80 = 1 mg/kg) in plasma was perfused through the dener-vated dog's spleen in vitro. Corresponding dilutions of infusate and effluent were assayed for detoxification in pertussis-treated mice, and by the immuno-diffusion technic. These assays showed substantial detoxification of the endotoxin in the effluent and of the endotoxin retained by the spleen. Because the degree of dilution of the effluent may have been great enough to reduce the endotoxin content per aliquot below the sensitivity of the bioassay technics, partially purified extracts of spleen were also interacted with endotoxin and detoxification by the same assay technics was demonstrated. These data show that the liver and...
Two-Point Tactual Discrimination on the Back: A Signal-Detection Approach:

This investigation determined if subthreshold two-point aesthesiometer separations could be discriminated from one-point on the back, using a fixed-based matching signal detection technique. Subjects reliably discriminated two-point separations as small as 2 mm from one point on the back. In addition, the back appears to be more sensitive to discriminating two points from one point than the dorsal forearm.
Getting beyond institutional cultures : When rivals collaborate

As library service providers for distance learners, we are constantly searching for ways to improve communication, share our knowledge, and make distance learners aware of our resources. Virtual (real-time chat) reference is yet another tool to utilize in reaching these students. While virtual reference has been around for several years, and is offered by many libraries, the four institutions comprising this service have taken a variety of paths to reach the current stage-a collaboration among academic state university libraries of varying size. This paper discusses collaboration aspects such as differences in institutional cultures, negotiations, planning and implementation, developing policies and best practices, staff training, technology issues, and lessons learned that can be applied to any collaborative project.
A Qualitative Study of Adolescent Views of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes, Michigan, 2014.

Introduction We conducted a qualitative study to gather information on adolescent views of how a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) would affect adolescents’ consumption of SSBs. The role of habit in consumption of SSBs was also explored.
Cryoprecipitate AHF vs. fibrinogen concentrates for fibrinogen replacement in acquired bleeding patients - an economic evaluation.

Background Fibrinogen repletion in patients with acquired bleeding disorders can be accomplished by transfusing cryoprecipitate AHF (cryo) or fibrinogen concentrate (FC); thus, we undertook an economic evaluation from the transfusion service perspective regarding the use of cryo vs. FC in patients with acquired bleeding. Methods We created a model comparing the cost of cryo vs. FC from the transfusion service perspective. A patient with acquired bleeding requiring fibrinogen replacement could receive either 15–20 cryo units or 3–4 g FC, consistent with the guidelines from the European Task Force for Advanced Bleeding Care in Trauma. All model parameters were estimated from institutional experiences and the medical literature. Additionally, a survey of US Transfusion Medicine fellowship directors was conducted. Results After adjusting for 28% wastage and technologist salary, cryo cost is $414/5-unit pool. Depending on the dose, FC is more expensive by $976-$1303. To be competitive with cryo, FC cost must decrease by 44% or be shown to save 0·25–0·66 ICU days. Of the 30 survey replies, 96·7% of US centres do not use FC for acquired bleeding with the top three reasons being cost (30%), off-label usage (27%) and insufficient evidence for usage (20%). Only 47% are willing to pay more for FC, with $437/g as the median amount. Conclusion Fibrinogen concentrate is more expensive than cryo, even after adjusting for cryo wastage. To be economically competitive with cryo, FC must cost $414/g, or save on ICU length of stay, consistent with the survey's results.
Allocation of feeding pumps: An ethical question

Situations arise in clinical practice that force the dietitian to make a moral/ethical decision. Traditional undergraduate dietetic programs have not routinely included learning activities on ethical decision making. Therefore, a dietitian confronted with such an issue may defer to someone else the responsibility for finding a viable ethical solution. If the dietitian does accept the challenge, she/he must develop a systematic way to solve the problem. This case study demonstrates how a nutrition support dietitian solves a complex ethical problem involving the allocation of two enteral feeding pumps to seven critically ill patients. The three tools used to aid in the decision making were the Standards of Professional Responsibility of The American Dietetic Association, the Four-Step Process of Moral Judgment and Action of Purtilo and Cassel, and the Nutrition Support Team. It is hoped that this case example will provide some insight to other dietitians faced with similar ethical dilemmas.
A TGFβ-PRMT5-MEP50 axis regulates cancer cell invasion through histone H3 and H4 arginine methylation coupled transcriptional activation and repression

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) complexed with MEP50/WDR77 catalyzes arginine methylation on histones and other proteins. PRMT5-MEP50 activity is elevated in cancer cells and its expression is highly correlated with poor prognosis in many human tumors. We demonstrate that PRMT5-MEP50 is essential for transcriptional regulation promoting cancer cell invasive phenotypes in lung adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma and breast carcinoma cancer cells. RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis demonstrated that PRMT5 and MEP50 are required to maintain expression of metastasis and Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and to potentiate an epigenetic mechanism of the TGFβ response. We show that PRMT5-MEP50 activity both positively and negatively regulates expression of a wide range of genes. Exogenous TGFβ promotes EMT in a unique pathway of PRMT5-MEP50 catalyzed histone mono- and dimethylation of chromatin at key metastasis suppressor and EMT genes, defining a new mechanism regulating cancer invasivity. PRMT5 methylation of histone H3R2me1 induced transcriptional activation by recruitment of WDR5 and concomitant H3K4 methylation at targeted genes. In parallel, PRMT5 methylation of histone H4R3me2s suppressed transcription at distinct genomic loci. Our decoding of histone methylarginine at key genes supports a critical role for complementary PRMT5-MEP50 transcriptional activation and repression in cancer invasion pathways and in response to TGFβ stimulation and therefore orients future chemotherapeutic opportunities.
TU-H-BRB-05: Radiation Countermeasures and the NASA Space Radiation Program

The US government has substantial research and development activities underway for medical countermeasures that will insure the long-term safety and survival of the country's population after unfortunate large-scale biological, chemical and radiological and nuclear events. Preparedness includes research and development of medical countermeasures to address radiation-induced cutaneous and internal injury from radiation and nuclear events as well as for minimizing radiation risks incurred during and after travel in space. Other important research and development efforts include the repurposing of countermeasures and development of radioprotectors and mitigators to improve the outcome of radiation treatment. Participating agencies include NIAID, BARDA, NCI, and NASA, with examples of research and development funding that includes the Centers for Medical Countermeasures against Radiation (CMCR) consortia (NIAID) and primary and sub-contracts with commercial entities (BARDA). Each of these programs requires substantial medical and health physics effort in collaboration with biology colleagues to provide a range of radiation sources, dosimetry instrumentation and assessment methods, and animal models for specific radiation-induced effects and injuries. Radiation countermeasure activities for government agencies will be reviewed, the importance of model development will be stressed, example radiation countermeasure research projects will be reviewed, and the roles for medical physicists will be discussed. Learning Objectives: 1.Review US national radiation countermeasure activities. 2.Review the roles for medical physicists in radiation countermeasures research and development. 3.Understand specific physics challenges in radiation research that need solutions. Research for JD Bourland supported in part by: NIH/NIAID, U19 AI67798 (subcontract 131714). NIH/NCI, R01CA155293. HHSO10020130019C, BARDA/Argentum Medical LLC.; J. Bourland, Research supported in part by: NIH/NIAID, U19 AI67798 (subcontract 131714); NIH/NCI, R01CA155293; HHSO10020130019C, BARDA/Argentum Medical LLC.; P. Prasanna, Supported by the Radiation Research Program, National Cancer Institute
Standardized Patient's Views About their Role in the Teaching-Learning Process of Undergraduate Basic Science Medical Students.

Introduction Standardized Patients (SPs) are widely used in medical education. SPs have a number of advantages but also have certain limitations. At the institution, SPs have been used since January 2013 for both teaching-learning and assessment during the basic science years of the undergraduate medical program. Aim The present study was conducted to investigate the perception of SPs about various aspects of the program and obtain suggestions for further improvement. Materials and methods A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with a group of five SPs during the second week of November 2015. Respondents were explained the aims and objectives of the study and invited to participate. Written informed consent was obtained. The FGD was conducted using a discussion guide and was audio recorded. Various aspects of the SP program at the institution were discussed. Motivation/s for joining the program and suggestions for further improvement were obtained. Transcripts were created after listening to the recordings and were read through multiple times. Similar responses were coded. Items with similar codes were grouped together into themes. Results Three respondents were female while two were male. The major advantage of SPs was their flexibility and ability to present a standardized response to the student. Students become familiar and comfortable with SPs. However, as a SP is simulating an illness s/he may not always be able to do complete justice to the role. The process used by SPs to prepare themselves to portray various diseases was highlighted. The use of SPs both during teaching-learning and assessment was also discussed. Some SPs are trained to provide feedback to students. Most SPs joined the program based on invitations from their friends who were already SPs. Challenges in recruiting SPs in a small island were discussed. Suggestions for further improvement were obtained. Conclusion The present study obtained the perception of SPs regarding various aspects of the SP program at the institution. The overall opinion of SPs was positive.
Stories as Repositories of Organizational Intelligence: Implications for Organizational Development

(1990). Stories as Repositories of Organizational Intelligence: Implications for Organizational Development. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 13, Communication Yearbook 13, pp. 191-202.