cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of a fructooligosaccharide prebiotic combined with alfalfa molt diets on the gastrointestinal tract fermentation, Salmonella enteritidis infection, and intestinal shedding in laying hens.

Molting is a natural process, which birds undergo to rejuvenate their reproductive organs. The US poultry egg production industry has used feed withdrawal to effectively induce molt; however, susceptibility of Salmonella Enteritidis has encouraged the development of alternative methods. Previous research conducted in our laboratory showed that alfalfa is effective at molt induction and provides equivalent postmolt production numbers and quality when compared with feed withdrawal. In the attempt to further increase the efficacy of alfalfa molt diet and decrease the chicken susceptibility to Salmonella Enteritidis during molt, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) was added to a combination of 90% alfalfa and 10% layer ration in 2 levels (0.750 and 0.375%). Ovary and liver colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in 3 and 2 of the 4 trials, respectively, were reduced (P 0.05) the production of cecal total volatile fatty acids when compared with hens undergoing feed withdrawal. However, in all 3 alfalfa molt diets, the concentrations of lactic acid were greater (P 0.05) were observed among hens fed alfalfa combined with FOS and hens fed alfalfa/layer ration without FOS. Overall, given the similarities between hens fed 0.750% FOS (H) and 0.375% FOS (L), molt diets combined with the lower level of FOS should be sufficient.
Stability Region Analysis Using Polynomial and Composite Polynomial Lyapunov Functions and Sum-of-Squares Programming

We propose using (bilinear) sum-of-squares programming for obtaining inner bounds of RoAs for dynamical systems with polynomial vector fields. We search for polynomial as well as composite Lyapunov functions comprised of pointwise maximums of polynomial functions. Results for several examples from the literature are presented using the proposed methods and the PENBMI solver.
Future contingents and relative truth

If it is not now determined whether there will be a sea battle tomorrow, can an assertion that there will be one be true? The problem has persisted because there are compelling arguments on both sides. If there are objectively possible futures which would make the prediction true and others which would make it false, symmetry considerations seem to forbid counting it either true or false. Yet if we think about how we would assess the prediction tomorrow, when a sea battle is raging (or not), it seems we must assign the utterance a definite truth-value. I argue that both arguments must be given their due, and that this requires relativizing utterance-truth to a context of assessment. I show how this relativization can be handled in a rigorous formal semantics, and I argue that we can make coherent sense of assertion without assuming that utterances have their truth-values absolutely.
The Design, Development, and Flight Testing of a Modern-Control-Designed Autoland System

This paper discusses the design, development, and flight test results of a full-state feedback modern-controls-designed autoland system--the Digital Integrated Automatic Landing System (DIALS). The lateral and longitudinal control laws were designed by formulating a linear quadratic regulator with disturbances problem. Although the designs were independent of each other, in implementation cross-coupling of the lateral and longitudinal variables does occur. A brief discussion of the control modes--localizer capture, localizer track, decrab, glideslope capture, glideslope track, and flare--and the modifications made to the basic design during the simulation phase to achieve desired performance is given. Some of the efforts required to implement the system in the flight computers and some problems encountered in the ground hardware simulation checkout are discussed. Finally, flight test data is presented for this system which performed 10 "hands off" automatic landings. The flight test data includes the performance of the aircraft in mild, gusty, and wind shear conditions.
Evolution of enzymatic activities in the enolase superfamily: identification of the general acid catalyst in the active site of D-glucarate dehydratase from Escherichia coli.

d-Glucarate dehydratase from Escherichia coli (GlucD), a member of the enolase superfamily, catalyzes the dehydration of both d-glucarate and l-idarate to form 5-keto-4-deoxy-d-glucarate (KDG). Previous mutagenesis and structural studies identified Lys 207 and the His 339−Asp 313 dyad as the general basic catalysts that abstract the C5 proton from l-idarate and d-glucarate, respectively, thereby initiating the reaction by formation of a stabilized enediolate anion intermediate [Gulick, A. M., Hubbard, B. K., Gerlt, J. A., and Rayment, I. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 4590−4602]. The vinylogous elimination of the 4-OH group from this intermediate presumably requires a general acid catalyst. The structure of GlucD with KDG and 4-deoxy-d-glucarate bound in the active site revealed that only His 339 and Asn 341 are proximal to the presumed position of the 4-OH leaving group. The N341D and N341L mutants of GlucD were constructed and subjected to both mechanistic and structural analyses. The N341L but not N341D mutan...
Syndecan-1 regulates αvβ5 integrin activity in B82L fibroblasts

B82L mouse fibroblasts respond to fibronectin or vitronectin via a syndecan-1-mediated activation of the α v β 5 integrin. Cells attached to syndecan-1-specific antibody display only filopodial extension. However, the syndecan-anchored cells extend lamellipodia when the antibody-substratum is supplemented with serum, or low concentrations of adsorbed vitronectin or fibronectin, that are not sufficient to activate the integrin when plated alone. Integrin activation is blocked by treatment with (Arg-Gly-Asp)-containing peptides and function-blocking antibodies that target α v integrins, as well as by siRNA-mediated silencing of β 5 integrin expression. In addition, α v β 5 -mediated cell attachment and spreading on high concentrations of vitronectin is blocked by competition with recombinant syndecan-1 ectodomain core protein and by downregulation of mouse syndecan-1 expression by mouse-specific siRNA. Taking advantage of the species-specificity of the siRNA, rescue experiments in which human syndecan-1 constructs are expressed trace the activation site to the syndecan-1 ectodomain. Moreover, both full-length mouse and human syndecan-1 co-immunoprecipitate with the β 5 integrin subunit, but fail to do so if the syndecan is displaced by competition with soluble, recombinant syndecan-1 ectodomain. These results suggest that the ectodomain of the syndecan-1 core protein contains an active site that assembles into a complex with the α v β 5 integrin and regulates α v β 5 integrin activity.
A College Honors Seminar on Evolution and Intelligent Design: Successes and Challenges

College honors courses provide an opportunity to tackle controversial topics in an atmosphere that encourages active learning, critical thinking, and open discussion. This venue is particularly appropriate for examining the debate about teaching intelligent design (ID) in public school science classes. A one-credit honors enrichment seminar taught at the University of North Carolina Wilmington provides a model, with associated successes and challenges, for addressing the controversy. This interdisciplinary course consisted primarily of discussions based on a set of weekly readings that presented contrasting viewpoints on evolution and naturalism, ID, theology, and educational issues. In preparation for each class, students constructed charts contrasting the views of each writer on key points presented in the readings and summarizing their own responses. Discussion focused on a set of questions arising from the readings and designed to provoke debate. The Kitzmiller v. Dover decision served as a final case study; each student prepared a final paper defending or criticizing Judge Jones’ decision in the Dover court case. Prior to the course, some students had not heard of ID and many had limited knowledge of evolution. The course improved student knowledge of evolution, ID, and the issues involved in the controversy, preparing them to make informed political decisions. Challenges included the uneven level of knowledge about evolution among students in this non-science course and the time constraints of a 1-credit course. In addition, because I had decided to serve as a facilitator and not press my opinions, misconceptions were more difficult to correct, although the variety of disciplines represented by the students allowed them to correct one another.
Estimating marine aerosol particle volume and number from Maritime Aerosol Network data

As well as spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD), aerosol composition and concentration (number, volume, or mass) are of interest for a variety of applications. How- ever, remote sensing of these quantities is more difficult than for AOD, as it is more sensitive to assumptions relating to aerosol composition. This study uses spectral AOD mea- sured on Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN) cruises, with the additional constraint of a microphysical model for unpol- luted maritime aerosol based on analysis of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) inversions, to estimate these quanti- ties over open ocean. When the MAN data are subset to those likely to be comprised of maritime aerosol, number and volume concentrations obtained are physically reasonable. Attempts to estimate surface concentration from columnar abundance, however, are shown to be limited by uncertain- ties in vertical distribution. Columnar AOD at 550 nm and aerosol number for unpolluted maritime cases are also com- pared with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, for both the present Collection 5.1 and forth- coming Collection 6. MODIS provides a best-fitting retrieval solution, as well as the average for several different solutions, with different aerosol microphysical models. The "average solution" MODIS dataset agrees more closely with MAN than the "best solution" dataset. Terra tends to retrieve lower aerosol number than MAN, and Aqua higher, linked with dif- ferences in the aerosol models commonly chosen. Collection 6 AOD is likely to agree more closely with MAN over open ocean than Collection 5.1. In situations where spectral AOD is measured accurately, and aerosol microphysical properties are reasonably well-constrained, estimates of aerosol number and volume using MAN or similar data would provide for a greater variety of potential comparisons with aerosol proper- ties derived from satellite or chemistry transport model data. However, without accurate AOD data and prior knowledge of microphysical properties, such attempts are fraught with high uncertainties.
A quantitative analysis of the collective creativity in playing 20-questions games

Creativity is an important ingredient in problem solving, and problem solving is an important activity for both individuals and societies. This paper discusses our novel approach of discovering the structure of problem-solving creativity with statistical methods, and mapping the interaction patterns of group processes to their performances through the discovered creativity structure. Our discussion is based on a lab study data set using the meeting mediator system through which we collected objective quantitative data. We hope our findings and quantitative approach could be applied to many other real-world problem-solving processes and to helping people.
Inquisition and the Prosecution of Heresy: Misconceptions and Abuses

The year 1988 marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of H. C. Lea's A History of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages. I would like to get the next century off to a good start by renaming his enterprise “A History of the Criminal Prosecution of Heretics in the Middle Ages.” The term inquisition has been widely misunderstood and misused by historians. There are two distinct abuses, one upper-case and the other lower-case.
Measuring success in non-trivial ways; how can we know that a DSS implementation has really worked

This paper details a 3-level analytic method for measuring a DSS implementation and for the early identification of problems with the deployment or the design, or subtle user misuses. Such problems may be small but nevertheless eventually fatal. The method incorporates domain-specific cognitive profiles of target users; measures of user navigation through both legacy systems and the target DSS; and ways of tracking the financial impact of the system at a level of detail normally not found among typical management reports. There are a number of unique features of each of these sub-methods. For example, the cognitive profiles measure the similarity of the user's spontaneous mental model of workflow to the underlying logic of the target DSS while at the same time measuring the lingering impact of legacy systems. Therefore, these profiles show movement (or the lack of) between paradigms during implementation. The user log analyses measure complexity of navigation through DSSs using system logs, and identify problems that would not be apparent by simply watching to see if users spend time at terminals. The financial impact measures provide an alternative to the site's usual measures while at the same time identifying lingering problem areas. This paper details each method in turn, and gives example data from actual sites. The paper concludes by showing how the results of each sub-method can be linked together, showing, for example, how paradigm shifts in users are affecting financial performance of shops.
Complete controllability of a simple, dynamic power system model

A thorough analysis is performed for the voltage controllability of a simple power system model involving load dynamics and a voltage control device. The main result of this letter is the complete controllability region inside which the system voltage can be fully controlled. >
Synthetic melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists.

: Multiple melanocortin receptor subtypes with distinct cell and tissue distribution patterns have recently been identified, thereby presenting numerous opportunities for biological investigation. Many of these studies could benefit from the availability of subtype selective or specific agonists and antagonists. The purpose of this report is to summarize the state of available melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists.
Do female rhesus macaques choose novel males

Prior research has shown that estrous female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatto) maintain spatial proximity preferentially to lower-ranking males. In this paper, 657 h of focal individual follows of 48 free-ranging estrous female rhesus macaques of two social groups during two mating seasons are used to evaluate the hypothesis that this phenomenon is attributable to female mate choice for novel males. This hypothesis is plausible because of the positive correlation between dominance rank and the length of time since a male immigrated into a group or matured in his natal group (i.e., his breeding tenure). However, partial correlation analysis showed that after removing the effect of dominance rank, there was no significant tendency for estrous females to maintain proximity preferentially to males of shorter breeding tenure. In contrast, removing the effect of breeding tenure did not eliminate the result that estrous females maintained proximity preferentially to lower ranking males. Novel (i.e., extra-group, new immigrant, and newly matured natal) males did not consistently experience more estrous female proximity maintenance than non-novel males, although sample sizes are too small to conclusively falsify this hypothesis. Within male-estrous female dyads, responsibility for proximity maintenance did not tend to shift from the female to the male between consecutive mating seasons. Male breeding tenure was not significantly correlated with year-to-year change in responsibility for proximity maintenance. Male breeding tenure was not consistently correlated with female sexual refusal. In one of two social groups, in one of two mating seasons, females appeared to choose novel males. These data provide, at most, weak support for the hypothesis that female primates in multi-male groups exercise mate choice for novel males. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adjuvant Immunotherapy of Resected, Intermediate-Thickness, Node-Negative Melanoma With an Allogeneic Tumor Vaccine: Overall Results of a Randomized Trial of the Southwest Oncology Group

PURPOSE: Patients with clinically negative nodes constitute over 85% of new melanoma cases. There is no adjuvant therapy for intermediate-thickness, node-negative melanoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Southwest Oncology Group conducted a randomized phase III trial of an allogeneic melanoma vaccine for 2 years versus observation in patients with intermediate-thickness (1.5 to 4.0 mm or Clark’s level IV if thickness unknown), clinically or pathologically node-negative melanoma (T3N0M0). RESULTS: Six hundred eighty-nine patients were accrued over 4.5 years; 89 patients (13%) were ineligible. Surgical node staging was performed in 24%, the remainder were clinical N0. Thirteen eligible patients refused assigned treatment: seven on the observation arm and six on the vaccine arm. Most vaccine patients experienced mild to moderate local toxicity, but 26 (9%) experienced grade 3 toxicity. After a median follow-up of 5.6 years, there were 107 events (tumor recurrences or deaths) among the 300 eligible patien...
Large-scale Expected BLEU Training of Phrase-based Reordering Models

Recent work by Cherry (2013) has shown that directly optimizing phrase-based reordering models towards BLEU can lead to significant gains. Their approach is limited to small training sets of a few thousand sentences and a similar number of sparse features. We show how the expected BLEU objective allows us to train a simple linear discriminative reordering model with millions of sparse features on hundreds of thousands of sentences resulting in significant improvements. A comparison to likelihood training demonstrates that expected BLEU is vastly more effective. Our best results improve a hierarchical lexicalized reordering baseline by up to 2.0 BLEU in a single-reference setting on a French-English WMT 2012 setup.
The dissolution of alunite employing hot concentrated perchloric acid: Determination of silica and aluminium

Abstract Finely ground alunite (hydrated potassium aluminium sulphate) can be dissolved in hot 72.5% perchloric acid. Determinations of silica and R 2 O 3 in samples of alunite so dissolved agree closely with similar determinations following a sodium carbonate fusion procedure.
Determination of neutral current couplings from neutrino-induced semi-inclusive pion and inclusive reactions

Abstract We show that by looking at data from neutrino-induced semi-inclusive pion and inclusive reactions on isoscalar targets alone, one can determine completely the neutral current couplings. Predictions for various models are also presented.
Therapeutic efficacy of cardiosphere-derived cells in a transgenic mouse model of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aim Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) produce regenerative effects in the post-infarct setting. However, it is unclear whether CDCs are beneficial in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We tested the effects of CDC transplantation in mice with cardiac-specific Gαq overexpression, which predictably develop progressive cardiac dilation and failure, with accelerated mortality. Methods and results Wild-type mouse CDCs (105 cells) or vehicle only were injected intramyocardially in 6-, 8-, and 11-week-old Gαq mice. Cardiac function deteriorated in vehicle-treated mice over 3 months of follow-up, accompanied by oxidative stress, inflammation and adverse ventricular remodelling. In contrast, CDCs preserved cardiac function and volumes, improved survival, and promoted cardiomyogenesis while blunting Gαq-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the heart. The mechanism of benefit is indirect, as long-term engraftment of transplanted cells is vanishingly low. Conclusions Cardiosphere-derived cells reverse fundamental abnormalities in cell signalling, prevent adverse remodelling, and improve survival in a mouse model of DCM. The ability to impact favourably on disease progression in non-ischaemic heart failure heralds new potential therapeutic applications of CDCs.
Managing Human Resources

OVERVIEW:2007 is Research-Technology Management's 50th year of publication. To mark the occasion, each issue reprints one of RTM's six most frequently referenced articles. The articles were identified by N. Thongpapanl and Jonathan D. Linton in their 2004 study of technology innovation management journals, a citation-based study in which RTM ranked third out of 25 specialty journals in that field (see RTM, May–June 2004, pp. 5–6). The article reprinted here was originally published in 1988 and has been updated with its author's “reflections.” It surveys what had been learned about the management of human resources during the previous 50 years since the Industrial Research Institute's founding in 1938. The focus is on the effective utilization of technical professionals, which the author breaks into four “distinct, yet, interrelated components or subsystems”: an effective human resource planning, reward, performance appraisal, and career planning system. After discussing the major research findings and les...
Modification of Maternal and Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection by Anti–Glycoprotein B Antibody Transfer in Guinea Pigs

Prepregnancy human and guinea pig cytomegalovirus immunity reduces rates of congenital infection in subsequent pregnancies. Inbred JY-9 strain guinea pigs were used to study the role of hyperimmune anti-glycoprotein B (gB) serum in modification of congenital infection in early pregnancy. Significantly shorter duration of primary maternal viremia and fewer pregnancy losses occurred in passively immunized dams, compared with nonimmune dams. Placentas from recipients of negative control serum were smaller and had marked mononuclear cell infiltrates and focal necrosis and more viral foci than did those from recipients of anti-gB hyperimmune serum. Significantly higher intrauterine growth retardation occurred in pups of negative control serum recipients than in pups of passively immunized dams. Significantly higher proportions of pups and placentas from recipients of negative control serum were positive on viral culture than from passively immunized dams. Thus, anti-gB passive immunization decreased fetal infection and intrauterine growth retardation, shortened maternal viremia, and reduced pregnancy losses and placental inflammation and infection.
Deleterious rhizobacteria for biocontrol of weed seeds and seedlings in soil

Rhizobacteria isolated from seedling roots of several economically important weeds caused significant decreases in seedling growth when seedlings were inoculated with the rhizobacteria and grown under controlled conditions (Cherrington and Elliott, 1987; Kremer, 1986). For successful development of deleterious rhizobacteria (DRB) as weed biocontrol agents, several key characteristics must be defined including colonizing ability, chemotactic response, and modes of action. The objectives of these studies were to determine the importance of the following characteristics in the effectiveness of DRB on controlling weed seeds and seedlings: (1) phytotoxin production, (2) colonization patterns, and (3) chemotactic ability.
Teaching computational thinking through bioinformatics to biology students

Modern biology has transformed from an insular entity into an interdisciplinary science, which in turn demands interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training for future work force in biology and life sciences. Computational thinking is a way of thinking that uses concepts and methodologies of computing to address questions in a broad range of subjects, and as such, computational thinking offers an important skill set in modern sciences. Despite its importance, the concept of computational thinking has generally been side-stepped in undergraduate biology education. Many students in life sciences are often weak in quantitative/computing skills and tend to avoid computing-orient courses. To address these issues, we incorporated computational thinking into a bioinformatics course for undergraduate life science majors. We developed comprehensive computer laboratory exercises that offer hands-on learning experience for the targeted student pool, and employed peer-assisted collaborative learning environment. Preliminary results of these explorative efforts will be helpful for others to teach computational thinking to biology students.
FURTHER STUDIES ON FLUORIDE ABSORPTION.

SummaryStudies were conducted to determine the effect of various different factors upon absorption of fluoride. The results confirm earlier reports concerning rate of fluoride absorption from the gastrointestinal tract with 29.1, 58.1 and 86.4% absorption occurring after periods of 1, 2, and 8 hours, respectively. These data also indicate that anesthesia by ether or sodium nembutal only slightly decreases the rate of fluoride absorption. Starvation prior to ingestion of fluoride increased the absorption of fluoride by 32%. Rate of fluoride absorption in young rats was significantly decreased by calcium and magnesium and significantly increased by iron, sulfate and phosphorus. Molybdenum had no effect in young rats but significantly increased the rate of fluoride absorption in adult animals. Ascorbic acid had only a slight effect upon fluoride absorption in guinea pigs during the first 4 hours after ingestion but increased the absorption after 12 hours.
Nmr Study of Sodium Ion Mobility in a Single Crystal of Na β”-Alumina and Water Effects in Polycrystalline Samples

We measured the temperature dependence of T1 in a Mg-stabilized single crystal of Na β′-alumina. A comparison with earlier measurements on Li-stabilized polycrystalline samples indicates that, below 500K, the sodium ion kinetics are not directly affected by the stabilizing element. Above 500K our measured T1 shows a dependence on sample composition. Observations of NMR linewidth and signal intensity vs. water content indicate that, at low water concentration (< 2%), all sodium is in contact with water in its conduction plane; at higher water concentrations, the additional water may be forming complexes with some of the sodium.
Experimental Study of Circulation Control Wings at Low Reynolds Numbers

The objective of this research is to design, develop and compare the effectiveness of upper slot blowing on three Circulation Control Wings (CCWs) and to find the configuration that gives the best lift augmentation. A low-speed wind-tunnel experimental study is undertaken to evaluate the effect of upper slot blowing along the span over four different Trailing-Edge (TE) Coanda surfaces on three 3-D CCWs for the purpose of lift augmentation. Wind tunnel tests are conducted at Mach numbers of 0.022, 0.024, 0.029 and 0.04, at Reynolds numbers of 0.67 × 10 to 1.26 × 10 with moment coefficients of blowing from 0.0 to 0.011. It is found that the (2:1) Coanda surface configuration is the most effective in all three CCWs. At Ma = 0.022 and α = 18, the (2:1) Coanda surface on the symmetrical NACA0015 CCW gives the maximum ∆CL = 0.2 at Cμ = 0.011. The maximum lift augmentation ratio of 61 is observed with the (2:1) Coanda surface on the S8036 CCW at α = 2.
Oral Toxicity and Repellency of Borates to German Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

The oral toxicities of boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DSOBTH) in dry-mixed, wet-mixed, and water-based solution baits were determined for German cockroaches, Blattella germanica L., in choice and nonchoice experiments. In dry-mixed, nonchoice bait tests, all cockroaches died within 1 wk. Time to mortality decreased as the concentration of boric acid increased. The LT50s for DSOBTH were not significantly different for any concentrations tested. In choice tests, the order of LT50S of boric acid and DSOBTH were 6.25% = 12.5% > 25% = 50% and 25% > 12.5% > 50% > 25%, respectively. Consumption of treated and control baits and the differences between the LT50s of the nonchoice and choice tests indicate repellency of the toxicants. Most German cockroaches died in 3-6 d in wet-mixed non choice tests, but all cockroaches survived the wet-mixed choice tests except at the lowest concentration of boric acid. This result indicated repellency. In nonchoice tests with water-based solutions, all cockroaches died in 5 d. In choice tests with boric acid solutions, mortality did not increase at concentrations >1%. Choice/nonchoice ratios indicate no repellency of water-based solutions. In addition, consumption of treated and blank solutions was not significantly different for any concentration except 4% DSOBTH.
Membrane Interactions with NA-CATH

The “catastrophic threat” of antibiotic resistance has prompted research into biological methods of combating bacterial infection. One such pervasive strategy employs cationic antimicrobial peptides, CAMPs. These peptides use their structure to target and disrupt bacterial membranes. They specifically attach to PG (phosphatidylglycerol) and CL (cardiolipin) rich membranes, a common, anionic lipid of the outer bacterial leaflet. Most have shown broad spectrum activity, adequate potency, and minimal resistance. Considering these peptides have been active against pathogens for millions of years and have not developed any broad resistance, they are of particular interest to study. We have characterized the 3D structure, activity, and behavior of NA-CATH, a 34 amino acid CAMP from the Naja Atra snake. NMR studies reveal a single straight amphipathic α-helix with a disordered tail. Using one and two phase liposomes, we have found that lipid composition and the presence of phase separation affect the activity and behavior of NA-CATH. Fluorescence leakage and requenching assays indicate that the presence of phase separation increases leakage activity and the anionic lipid locale affects the leakage mechanism.
Molecular cloning, tissue distribution and ontogenetic expression of growth hormone in cobia, Rachycentron canadum

espanolA nivel mundial, el crecimiento de la acuicultura marina esta limitado por una serie de factores. Uno de los mas importantes es el desarrollo de protocolos de larvicultura para producir un numero adecuado de juveniles para abastecer los sistemas de engorda a un costo conveniente. Con el fin de desarrollar una herramienta para evaluar el estado nutricional de las larvas de cobia, se ha clonado y secuenciado la Hormona de Crecimiento (GH) de la hipofisis de peces adultos, y se examino la expresion ontogenetica en muestras de embriones y larvas por qPCR, asi como la distribucion en los tejidos en animales adultos silvestres mediante RT-PCR. La secuencia de GH de cobia mostro similitud con la secuencia de GH de Coryphaena hippurus (mahi mahi), Seriola dumerili (mayor medregal) y Seriola quinqueradiata (jurel). La expresion del gen GH se estudio en 18 tejidos diferentes, pero solo se detecto en la hipofisis, los ojos, branquias y musculo rojo. Los niveles de expresion fueron bajos en los embriones y larvas, pero justo antes de la primera alimentacion, la expresion de genes se incremento dramaticamente (~ 1000 veces) y se mantuvieron altos durante el resto del periodo de recoleccion de muestras (300 h despues de la fecundacion). Este patron de expresion es similar al observado en otras especies de peces marinos de aguas templadas con rapido crecimiento y se remarca con un rapido crecimiento somatico que inicia con la primera alimentacion en cobia. EnglishWorldwide, the growth of marine aquaculture is limited by a number of factors. One of the most important is the development of larviculture protocols to produce adequate numbers of juveniles to stock grow-out systems at a convenient cost. In order to develop a tool to assess the nutritional status of cobia larvae, we have cloned and sequenced the Growth Hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland of adult fish, and examined the ontogenetic expression in embryonic and larval specimens by qPCR, as well as tissue distribution in wild adult animals by RT-PCR. The cobia GH sequence showed similarity to the GH sequence of Coryphaena hippurus (mahi mahi), Seriola dumerili (Greater amberjack) and Seriola quinqueradiata (Yellowtail). GH gene expression was studied in 18 different tissues, but was only detected in the pituitary gland, eyes, gill and red muscle. Expression levels were very low in embryos and in early larvae but just before the first feeding, gene expression increased dramatically (~1000 fold) and remained high for the rest of the collection period (to 300 h post fertilization). This pattern of expression is similar to that seen in other rapidly growing temperate marine fish and underscores the rapid somatic growth that begins with the onset of feeding in cobia.
Collaborating on context: Invoking alluded‐to shared knowledge

Analysis of a segment of conversation in which one participant repairs the broken‐off utterance of another indicates that utterance design and sequential placement play key roles in this accomplishment. The participants collaboratively produce a display of shared knowledge through the use of conversational practices that do not include explicit reference to, or even passing mention of, the item of knowledge. Knowledge shared by the participants is merely alluded to, but participants are able to access it using routine conversational practices. Context is argued to be an ongoing achievement of such practices of utterance design and sequential placement.
Stability of Sodium Nitroprusside in 5% Dextrose Stored at 4°C in Polypropylene Syringes Protected from Light

Sodium nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator employed intraoperatively and within critical care areas. The photolabile pharmaceutical agent has been used for decades and various stability studies have been executed. Due to potential shortages and the desire to batch compound sodium nitroprusside at a concentration of 1 mg/mL in polypropylene syringes, a new stability study was performed. Chromatographic analysis was conducted on a C18 column, with elution via an aqueous phase of 0.01 M sodium phosphate monobasic, adjusted to pH 6.5 with sodium hydroxide, and methanol (97.5:2.5) at a rate of 1 mL/min, and subsequent ultraviolet detection at 210 nm. Triplicate determinations of four samples, stored under refrigeration at 4°C, were obtained initially and on days 2, 5, and 9. Turbidity and pH measurements were performed in conjunction with visual observation on days of chromatographic analysis. Results demonstrate that sodium nitroprusside compounded in 5% dextrose at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, stored at 4°C protected from light in polypropylene syringes, is physically and chemically stable for at least 9 days.
NFkB p50 (Nfkb1) Contributes to Disease in the Eu-TCL1 Mouse Model of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease of mature B-cells that are resistant to apoptosis and accumulate in the blood over time. Due to the slowly progressing nature of this disease, studies to determine the molecular events leading to defective apoptosis are challenging. Our group has previously reported that during disease progression in the Eμ-TCL1 CLL mouse model, genes become silenced in a progressive manner over the course of the disease. This silencing is due in part to a high degree of methylation at the promoters of key tumor suppressors. However, even though a high degree of methylation is observed in both this mouse model and in CLL patient samples, agents targeting methylation such as decitabine have proven ineffective in CLL therapy. Therefore other novel methods to reverse gene silencing in CLL are an attractive therapeutic option. In our previous study, we observed early transcriptional mechanisms of gene silencing (occurring prior to methylation) involving NF-κB p50 homodimers. NF-κB is a family of transcription factors which is known to play an important role in the progression of CLL. Advances in next generation sequencing have recently identified loss of function mutations in NFKBIE,a negative regulator of NF-κB signaling,in CLL. These mutations contribute to increased nuclear localization (and hence increased activation) of NF-κB subunits. In addition, a mutagenesis screen in the Eμ-TCL1 mouse found that several of the most frequently occurring mutations that contribute to disease progression occur in genes related to the NF-κB family, particularly in the p50 (Nfkb1) gene. In the present study, we have generated a new mouse model to further study the role of p50 in CLL pathogenesis. The Eμ-TCL1 mouse was crossed to the p50-/- mouse. The p50-/- mice are fertile with normal growth and development under sterile conditions; however they do exhibit a defective response to infection and decreased antibody production. As such, animals in this study are housed under pathogen free conditions. The initial cross resulted in mice that were all heterozygous for p50 (p50+/-), and either positive or negative for the TCL1 transgene. The p50+/-; TCL1+ animals were subsequently crossed with one another to generate three genotypes: p50+/+. p50+/- and p50-/-. Animals are monitored for disease by monthly flow cytometry analysis of CD19 and CD5 in whole blood, and leukemia is defined as >10% double positive cells. The p50-/- mice have a significantly lower incidence of leukemia compared to p50+/+ mice (Chi-square p In conclusion, these data genetically demonstrate the significant contribution of the p50 (Nfkb1) gene to disease progression in the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model. These studies highlight the importance of the NF-κB family in CLL, and suggest that p50 is a promising therapeutic target in this disease. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Sedimentary processes and products in a mesotidal salt marsh environment: insights from Groves Creek, Georgia

Southeastern salt marshes are important repositories of sediment and carbon, and their formation is heavily dependent on deposition and accumulation of inorganic sediment. This study examined Groves Creek marsh near Savannah, GA, a typical Spartina alterniflora salt marsh of the southeastern US. Analyses were focused on the character, deposition and accumulation of material within the marsh on daily, monthly, decadal and centennial timescales, to determine the dominant factors in material supply and redistribution, and on its stratigraphy to determine the 1,000-year history of Groves Creek salt marsh development. Modern processes create gradients in grain size, which shows little variation from the tidal channel flanks up to mean sea level, and which coarsens with distance into the marsh from mean sea level to mean high water. This unexpected result suggests that, although floc transport is an important mechanism of sediment supply near the channel margins, energetic events must supply coarser materials to the marsh platform, where they are not readily removed by typical energy regimes. Daily deposition can approach ~3 g/cm2 year; however, centennial accumulation rates are orders of magnitude lower (0.11±0.05 g/cm2 year) and are similar to those present over the past 300 years (0.05–0.2 g/cm2 year), indicating that much of the daily deposition is remobilized. Stable isotopic δ13C (average –18.7‰) and δ15N (average 5.7‰) values most likely indicate a large contribution from S. alterniflora as a carbon source throughout the marsh, although heavier δ15N on the channel flanks suggest that benthic algae may be locally important. Geologic, geochemical and microfossil evidence suggests that depositional conditions in the Groves Creek marsh have changed significantly over the past ~1,000 years, creating a distinct fining-upward sequence. This sequence preserves the signature (from bottom to top) of subtidal flats grading to intertidal sandflats, an erosional lag created by a migrating tidal channel, point bar deposits, channel fill deposits, and a capping salt marsh. A significant change in environmental conditions occurred between 360–500 cal years BP, which changed the character of geological, geochemical and microfossil components in the marsh, and, because this observation is robust throughout the southeastern US, hints at a major change in estuarine and coastal systems at this time.
Interaction of obesity and race in predicting recurrence rates after radical prostatectomy

5070 Background: Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to white men. Obese men are known to have higher mortality rates and recurrence rates, and blacks are 1.4 times as likely to be obese than white Americans. However, the relative contribution of BMI and race to biochemical failure (BCF) after radical prostatectomy (RP) has not been well-characterized. We examined the interaction of BMI and race in predicting BCF after RP. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Columbia Urologic Oncology Database found that 3,736 consecutive men underwent RP between 1988 and 2008. 1,461 men had BMI and race data available. 213 (14.6%) were black men, 1,004 (68.7%) were white, 162 (11.1%) were Hispanic, and 82 (5.6%) were Asian. Overweight and obese men were defined as having a BMI > 25 kg/m2 and a BMI > 30 kg/m2, respectively. BCF was defined as a post-surgery PSA level >0.2 ng/mL on > 2 measurements. Cox regression methods were used to model the relationship between race, BMI and BCF. Res...
Rapid identification and development of αvβ6 -targeting peptides as PET imaging agents using fluorescent cell-based on-bead screening

280 Objectives Combinatorial libraries such as one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) peptide libraries have facilitated the rapid identification of receptor targeting ligands.1 We and others are now using OBOC libraries to develop PET imaging agents, including the development of [18F]fluorobenzoyl ([18F]FB) peptides to target the αvβ6 -integrin.2 This cell surface receptor is overexpressed in numerous aggressive cancers.3 Using an on-bead cell-screening assay, which employs subsequent rounds of screening with αvβ6 -positive and αvβ6 -negative cells, we identified αvβ6 -binding peptides. Unfortunately, a major drawback of this approach is the lengthy screening process. In this work, we present an expedited screening process employing fluorescent cells. This one-step fluorescent screening assay was evaluated on a XXDLXXLXK(FB) peptide library, which features the known αvβ6 -binding motif DLXXL (X=random L-amino acid) as well as the widely used fluorobenzoyl (FB) moiety for the subsequent development of 18F-peptides.4 Methods A 9-mer XXDLXXLXK(FB) peptide library was assembled on TentaGel resin (1g, ~3,000,000 beads) using standard Fmoc chemistry. Small aliquots (50mg, ~150,000 beads) were incubated with a mixture of red fluorescent DX3 ITGβ6 mCherry (αvβ6 -positive) and green fluorescent DX3 EmGFP (αvβ6 -negative) cells for 3 hours and evaluated under a fluorescent microscope. Beads that were covered only by red (i.e. αvβ6 -positive) cells were isolated; these beads were subsequently characterized by Edman sequencing. Following synthesis of the identified peptides, competitive binding ELISA was performed with purified integrin to evaluate binding specificities for the target αvβ6 -integrin as well as closely related αv-integrins. Results To date, 185 αvβ6 -selective beads were isolated from the peptide library. As proof of concept, five beads were selected for sequencing and binding specificities toward αvβ6, αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins were evaluated using ELISA. The peptides tested show strong binding to the αvβ6 -integrin (IC50 values ranging from 0.3 to 6.6 nM) with high selectivity ratios over αvβ5 and αvβ3 (1,000:1 and 10,000:1, respectively). Conclusions Using fluorescent cells, we have streamlined the OBOC library on-bead screening approach. One-step screening for αvβ6 -targeting peptides and preliminary sequencing to date yielded four peptides with strong affinity and high selectivity for the αvβ6 -integrin. Further work is underway to assess the potential of these 18F-peptides in vitro in cell binding and serum stability studies. The lead peptide, based on affinity and stability, will be tested in vivo. We anticipate this screening approach will be readily applicable to other target proteins for the development of novel imaging agents. Research Support: This research was supported by NIH 1RC4EB01 2836-01 and the Office of Science, US Department of Energy DE-SC0002061
Kekul,an benzenoids

A Kekule structure for a benzenoid or a fullerene \(\Gamma \) is a set of edges \(K\) such that each vertex of \(\Gamma \) is incident with exactly one edge in \(K\), i.e. a perfect matching. All fullerenes admit a Kekule structure; however, this is not true for benzenoids. In this paper, we develop methods for deciding whether or not a given benzenoid admits a Kekule structure by constructing Kekule structures that have a high density of benzene rings. The benzene rings of the Kekule structure \(K\) are the faces in \(\Gamma \) that have exactly three edges in \(K\). The Fries number of \(\Gamma \) is the maximum number of benzene rings over all possible Kekule structures for \(\Gamma \) and the set of benzene rings giving the Fries number is called a Fries set. The Clar number is the maximum number of independent benzene rings over all possible Kekule structures for \(\Gamma \) and the set of benzene rings giving the Clar number is called a Clar set. Our method of constructing Kekule structures for benzenoids generally gives good estimates for the Clar and Fries numbers, often the exact values.
Higher Flow Is Present in Unruptured Arteriovenous Malformations With Silent Intralesional Microhemorrhages

Background and Purpose—Silent microhemorrhage (hemosiderin) has been observed in resected brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) tissue and may represent a subgroup at increased risk for clinical...
All in the Name of National Security: The Profiting from Xenophobia by Private Corporations in the Trump Era

Neoliberal ideology has driven privatization across the globe steadily since the 1970s. As a result, market-like mechanisms are now embedded into what was traditionally public domain; this is the current context immigration enforcement exists in. Our previous 2015 research study showed the prison industrial complex is now also involved in immigration detention as a result of rigorous lobbying, policymaking, managing private contracts, and in the running of immigration detention centers themselves. We add to this line of research by suggesting that the ability of private actors to push for a more securitized state (due to their profit motive) results in a distortion of securitization that negatively impacts the groups it disproportionately targets, such as Latinos, immigrants, and Muslims in the U.S. Our research question is, what is the social and political impact of securitization of immigration in the U.S. on racial, ethnic minorities and immigrants? To do so, we turn to the existing lines of inquiry on prison privatization, its role in growing mass incarceration (due to profit motive), and its economic, social, and political effects on minorities in the U.S. because we believe these research areas overlap in a number of ways. Then, we run a series of quantitative analyses using hierarchical regression models to test nationally representative data from 2013 and compare our dependent variables measuring social and political elements across different social groups; our findings show that Latinos and immigrants in the U.S., which represent the groups most vulnerable to securitization, are worse off compared to whites and African Americans, even when controlling for education, income, and age in both social and political aspects. We predict the Trump presidency will only worsen this study's findings and present the most recent data from his first 100 days in office.
Linking Preference Falsification and Election Fraud in Electoral Autocracies: The Case of Russia:

This study sheds new light on whether responses to public opinion polls, namely, preference falsification, can affect the level of election fraud by employing Kuran’s model of preference falsificat...