cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency and Type of Seafood Consumed Influence Plasma (n-3) Fatty Acid Concentrations

Few studies have adequately considered the type of seafood and background dietary factors when evaluating diet-biomarker and diet-disease associations. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between different seafood meals and long-chain (n-3) fatty acids [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] biomarkers in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) with white, Chinese-American, black, and Hispanic participants. Dietary intake from a FFQ and plasma phospholipid fatty acids were assessed in 900 MESA participants who were not taking fish oil supplements. When simultaneously adjusting for all seafood groups, concentrations of EPA and DHA in plasma phospholipids were positively correlated with nonfried fish consumption in all 4 ethnic groups (r = 0.24–0.46; P < 0.01) but not with nonfried shellfish, fried fish, or fish in mixed dishes. The magnitude of this correlation was attenuated by up to 67% when type of seafood was not taken into account. After further adjusting for demographic characteristics and other dietary characteristics in multivariate regression models, the association of nonfried fish consumption remained significant (P-trend < 0.001). Data were suggestive of a plateau effect at a nonfried fish intake of about twice weekly. The association of nonfried fish consumption was not modified by intake of (n-6) PUFA or α-linolenic acid. This study highlights the importance of cooking methods (nonfried vs. fried fish), types of seafood (fish vs. shellfish), and the overall seafood consumption when assessing health effects of long-chain (n-3) fatty acids of seafood consumption.
DEITERSIAN UNIT RESPONSE TO TILT.

Recordings taken from 65 single Deitersian units showed typical resting discharges, but with two distinct types of resting frequency patterns which could be related to the depth of the cells in the nucleus: the deeper (more ventral) cells generally fired in doublets or small groups, the shallower (more dorsal) cells generally fired only in singlets. These resting patterns persisted during enhancement or suppression of frequency in response to slow changes of body position in the median and lateral planes. The possible indication of an anatomico-functional distribution within the lateral vestibular nucleus is discussed.The finding that frequency response patterns to slow changes in tilt were not consistently unidirectional is discussed in the light of the possible central integrating function on the nuclear level.
CATALYTIC REACTIONS IN THE SOLAR NEBULA: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERSTELLAR MOLECULES AND ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN METEORITES*

Organic compounds in meteorites seem to have formed by Fischer-Tropsch-type, catalytic reactions of CO, H2, and NH3 in the solar nebula, at 360–400K and (4–10) × 10−6 atm. The onset of these reactions was triggered by the formation of catalytically active grains of magnetite and serpentine at these temperatures.
Genomic Imprinting as a Mechanism of Reproductive Isolation in Mammals

Many traits exhibit nonequivalent effects upon maternal versus paternal inheritance. Such ‘‘parent-of-origin’’ effects may be caused by several mechanisms including sex chromosomes and maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA. Recently, a class of mammalian autosomal genes has emerged that shows expression of only 1 parental allele. This phenomenon has been termed ‘‘genomic imprinting.’’ Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic effect resulting from chromosomal marks established during gametogenesis. Such imprinted genes result in non-Mendelian inheritance patterns despite being located on autosomes. The chorioallantoic placenta and brain are prominent places of imprinted gene expression. Correspondingly, most imprinted genes appear to be involved in growth or behavior. Interspecific variation in which genes display genomic imprinting suggests that the process is under selection. There is also evidence for intraspecific variation in degree of imprinting of certain genes. Here I briefly review the current understanding of imprinting mechanisms and arguments for selection. The leading argument for positive selection of genomic imprinting is an extension of the concept of kin selection. Although this hypothesis remains controversial, the involvement of imprinted genes in placentation suggests a role in reproductive isolation. Interspecific hybrids in the cricetid genus Peromyscus exhibit parentof-origin effects involving placental and somatic growth dysplasias. Female P. maniculatus crossed with male P. polionotus produce neonates smaller than either parental strain, with placentas half the parental size. Female P. polionotus crossed with male P. maniculatus produce dysmorphic overgrown embryos whose placentas average .2.5 times the mass of the parental strains. Hybrid dysgenesis in Peromyscus is affected by both the imprinting process and interactions among imprinted genes. I hypothesize that imprinted genes underlie multiple cases of reproductive isolation in the P. maniculatus species complex. Further, I suggest that such interactions have played a significant role in generating mammalian diversity. Finally, I examine the role of the environment in regulating genomic imprinting and argue that studying natural populations in wild-type habitats will be critical to understanding this phenomenon.
Full-color light-emitting diodes from ZnCdMgSe/ZnCdSe quantum well structures grown on InP substrates

We have grown p-type ZnCdMgSe quaternary layers and have fabricated light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from pseudomorphic quantum well (QW) structures of ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe grown on InP substrates that emit throughout the visible range. Nearly identical structures, di!ering only in the ZnCdSe QW layer thickness and/or composition can produce light ranging from blue to red. Good current}voltage characteristics are obtained from the diodes using p#ZnSeTe lattice matched to InP as the p-type contact layer. These structures have potential applications as integrated full-color display elements. ( 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
CoIRS: cluster-oriented image retrieval system

A major problem raised by a region-based image retrieval system is the proper description of regions for efficient and semantically meaningful retrieval. We present CoIRS a novel cluster oriented image retrieval system. A distinguishing aspect of CoIRS is its integration of a robust unsupervised learning for the detection of regions. The segmentation is based on local color and texture features that allows cluster- or region-based search. In addition, a privileged component is the constructing of cluster signatures (CS) that include, color, texture, and shape features of the clusters centroids. The system constructs region signatures (RS) as well which includes region based features such as the invariant moments, area, and eccentricity. Also, another distinctive feature of the system is Feature ranking. Three features were used for ranking the signatures, color, texture, or shape. CoIRS framework proved to provide successful retrieval results supported by precision estimation. The system is evaluated using a database of 2000 images composed of different categories of images.
Compact physical models for chip and package power and ground distribution networks for gigascale integration (GSI)

For the first time, compact physical models are derived in this work that enable quick package- and chip-scale calculations of the power supply noise and incorporate the distributed natures of on-chip power/ground grids and package-level power/ground planes. Designers can use these models to perform chip/package co-design for power distribution networks and tradeoff multiple design considerations such as metal resource allocation on chip and in package, decoupling capacitor insertion and I/O allocation. Such studies can be performed during early stages of design, even when detailed physical design information is not available. The models are used to model a ceramic package designed by IBM, and it is found that there is less than 10% difference between the model predictions and the commercial tool SPEED 2000 when predicting the peak noise value and time of occurrence. The models can have 10times speed-up compared to SPEED 2000.
Potential impact detection for Near-Earth asteroids: the case of 99942 Apophis (2004 MN 4 )

Orbit determination for Near-Earth Asteroids presents unique technical challenges due to the imperative of early detection and careful assessment of the risk posed by specific Earth close approaches. This article presents a case study of asteroid 99942 Apophis, a 300-400 meter object that, for a short period in December 2004, held an impact probability of more than 2% in 2029. Now, with an orbit based on radar ranging and more than a year of optical observations, we can confidently say that it will pass safely by the Earth in 2029, although at a distance of only about six Earth radii from the geocenter. However, the extremely close nature of this encounter acts to obscure the trajectory in subsequent years, when resonant returns to the vicinity of the Earth are possible. In particular, an impact possibility in the year 2036 has a roughly 5% probability of persisting through the very favorable 2013 radar and optical observing apparition. In the event that the 2036 potential impact has not been eliminated by 2013, a precise characterization of the Yarkovsky accelerations acting on the asteroid may become an important part of the orbit estimation and impact prediction problem. Even so, the sixteen years available to effect a deflection from 2013 until 2029, after which the problem would become intractable, are sufficient to respond to the threat should a deflection effort become warranted.
Fundoplication improves disordered esophageal motility.

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and disordered esophageal motility are at risk for postoperative dysphagia, and are often treated with partial (270-degree) fundoplication as a strategy to minimize postoperative swallowing difficulties. Complete (360-degree) fundoplication, however, may provide more effective and durable reflux protection over time. Recently we reported that postfundoplication dysphagia is uncommon, regardless of preoperative manometric status and type of fundoplication. To determine whether esophageal function improves after fundoplication, we measured postoperative motility in patients in whom disordered esophageal motility had been documented before fundoplication. Forty-eight of 262 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication between 1995 and 2000 satisfied preoperative manometric criteria for disordered esophageal motility (distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude ≤30 mm Hg and/or peristaltic frequency ≤80%). Of these, 19 had preoperative manometric assessment at our facility and consented to repeat study. Fifteen (79%) of these patients had a complete fun-doplication and four (21%) had a partial fundoplication. Each patient underwent repeat four-channel esophageal manometry 29.5 ± 18.4 months (mean ± SD) after fundoplication. Distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude and peristaltic frequency were compared to preoperative data by paired t test. After fun-doplication, mean peristaltic amplitude in the distal esophagus increased by 47% (56.8 ± 30.9 mm Hg to 83.5 ± 36.5 mm Hg; P < 0.001) and peristaltic frequency improved by 33% (66.4 ± 28.7% to 87.6 ± 16.3%; P< 0.01). Normal esophageal motor function was present in 14 patients (74%) after fundoplication, whereas in five patients the esophageal motor function remained abnormal (2 improved, 1 worsened, and 2 remained unchanged). Three patients with preoperative peristaltic frequencies of 0%, 10%, and 20% improved to 84%, 88%, and 50%, respectively, after fundoplication. In most GERD patients with esophageal dysmotility, fundoplication improves the amplitude and frequency of esophageal peristalsis, suggesting refluxate has an etiologic role in motor dysfunction. These data, along with prior data showing that postoperative dysphagia is not common, imply that surgeons should apply complete fun-doplication liberally in patients with disordered preoperative esophageal motility.
Technologies for Sharing Health Information

We know that coordination among the many providers who care for a patient with chronic disease is of paramount importance in improving quality and efficiency. In the age of the Internet, in which we’re all used to information anytime and anyplace, you would probably think that, once healthcare records are digital, exchanging them would be easy. The reality is quite different and health information exchange is another topic that illustrates the often skewed incentives within our complex healthcare system.
Guidelines for Colonoscopy Surveillance After Cancer Resection: A Consensus Update by the American Cancer Society and the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer

Patients with resected colorectal cancer are at risk for recurrent cancer and metachronous neoplasms in the colon. This joint update of guidelines by the American Cancer Society and the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer addresses only the use of endoscopy in the surveillance of these patients. Patients with endoscopically resected Stage I colorectal cancer, surgically resected Stages II and III cancers, and Stage IV cancer resected for cure (isolated hepatic or pulmonary metastasis) are candidates for endoscopic surveillance. The colorectum should be carefully cleared of synchronous neoplasia in the perioperative period. In nonobstructed colons, colonoscopy should be performed preoperatively. In obstructed colons, double-contrast barium enema or computed tomography colonography should be performed preoperatively, and colonoscopy should be performed 3 to 6 months after surgery. These steps complete the process of clearing synchronous disease. After clearing for synchronous disease, another colonoscopy should be performed in 1 year to look for metachronous lesions. This recommendation is based on reports of a high incidence of apparently metachronous second cancers in the first 2 years after resection. If the examination at 1 year is normal, then the interval before the next subsequent examination should be 3 years. If that examination is normal, then the interval before the next subsequent examination should be 5 years. Shorter intervals may be indicated by associated adenoma findings (see "Guidelines for Colonoscopy Surveillance After Polypectomy: A Consensus Update by the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer and the American Cancer Society"). Shorter intervals also are indicated if the patient's age, family history, or tumor testing indicate definite or probable hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Patients undergoing low anterior resection of rectal cancer generally have higher rates of local cancer recurrence compared with those with colon cancer. Although effectiveness is not proven, performance of endoscopic ultrasound or flexible sigmoidoscopy at 3- to 6-month intervals for the first 2 years after resection can be considered for the purpose of detecting a surgically curable recurrence of the original rectal cancer.
Fatigue Behavior of a Cross-Ply Metal Matrix Composite at Elevated Temperature Under the Strain Controlled Mode

A study was conducted to investigate the fatigue behavior of a cross-ply metal matrix composite subjected to fully-reversed, strain-controlled fatigue cycling at elevated temperature. The stress-strain response, maximum and minimum stresses, and modulus during cycling were analyzed to characterize the macro-mechanical behavior. Additionally, microscopy and fractography were conducted to identify damage mechanisms. Damage always initiated in the 90 deg plies, but the governing factor in the fatigue life was damage in the 0 deg plies. The dominant failure mode was fracturing of fibers in the 0 deg plies when the maximum strain was greater than 0.55 percent, but the dominant failure mode was matrix cracking when the maximum strain was less than 0.55 percent. Combining the fatigue life data with the macro-mechanical and microscopic observations, a fatigue life diagram was developed and partitioned into three regions. These regions showed relationships between the maximum applied strain and the dominant damage mechanisms. Also, on a strain range basis, the fatigue lives of the specimens tested under the strain-controlled mode in this study were compared with its counterpart under the load-controlled mode of the previous study. It was found that the fatigue lives for these two conditions were the same within the experimental scatter.
Cumulative Causation, Coethnic Settlement Maturity and Mexican Immigration to U.S. Metropolitan Areas, 1995-2000

This article applies the tenets of Massey’s (1999) cumulative causation theory of migration to explain variation in aggregate patterns of Mexican migration to U.S. metropolitan destinations during the late 1990s. Analogous to sending contexts, results suggest that the dynamics of migration vary substantially with the maturity of the Mexican settlement community within destinations (approximated here using characteristics of the resident Mexican-origin population and distance from the Mexican border). The rate of immigration between 1995 and 2000 was determined overwhelmingly by the rate a decade earlier, but the extent to which this was the case depended significantly on the level of destination settlement maturity. The immigration rate into newly emerging destinations was governed to a greater extent by pull factors in the local labor and housing market (e.g., unemployment and cost of living) than in more established destinations where the rate of immigration varied largely independently of such factors. Settlement maturity played a more direct role in explaining variation in the demographic composition of new immigration flows, and was inversely related to the percentage of adult inflows comprising unaccompanied males. The results are consistent with the hypothesis recently advanced by Light (2006), asserting that migratory shifts away from traditional destinations beginning in the late 1990s were driven, at least in part, by saturation of labor and housing markets resulting from network-driven migration. Implications of the findings for related avenues of research are discussed.
Revision of the Weevil Genera Magdalinops Dietz and Chelonychus Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Anthonomini)

Abstract Four species of Anthonomini from western North America are assigned to the genus Magdalinops Dietz: M. vittipennis Dietz from California, the type species; M. knowltoni, new species, from Utah; M. falli, new species, from California, Nevada, Oregon and Wyoming; and M. alutaceus (Hatch), new combination, transferred from Epimechus Dietz, from British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The species of Magdalinops are distinguished by the shining, glabrous basal segment of the compact, ovoid antennal club and by narrowly separated mesocoxae. Adults of these species have been collected on plants in either Artemisia or Chrysothamnus (Asteraceae). Two species of Anthonomini, also from western North America, are assigned to Chelonychus Dietz: C. longipes Dietz, the type species, and C. stragulus (Fall), new combination, transferred from Epimechus. The species of Chelonychus are distinguished from other anthonomines by the long, slender, str...
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) Disturbance to Vegetation and Potential Net Nitrogen Mineralization and Nitrification Rates in a Freshwater Tidal Marsh

Abstract The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a wetland mammal whose disturbance activities include grazing, burrowing and lodge construction. We evaluated the effects of these disturbances on plant biomass, species richness and diversity, stem density and potential net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification rates in a freshwater tidal marsh on the Hudson River in New York. We hypothesized that muskrats increase floristic richness and diversity by decreasing the biomass of narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia) and that muskrats increase potential net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification rates through aeration and reduced plant uptake because of herbivory. Because muskrats commonly build lodges on or close to creek banks, we separated the disturbance effects of muskrats from the disturbance effects of the creek bank by sampling quadrats along transects placed perpendicular to creek banks at lodge sites. Muskrats decreased biomass, particularly of cattail, but had no measurable effect on stem count...
Effects of Increasing Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio in Diets Containing Phytase on Finishing Pig Growth Performance

available P equivalent in other treatment diets to determine whether diets were formulated above the pig’s P requirement. Increasing Ca:P decreased (quadratic; P 1.5:1.
Envelope of Power Harvested by a Single-Cylinder VIVACE Converter

Flow Induced Motions (FIM) of a single-cylinder VIVACE Converter is investigated using two-dimensional Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations with the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model at Reynolds numbers (30,000 ≤Re≤120,000, 5.50≤U*≤9.85) in the TrSL3 flow regime. Computational results compare very well with experimental data. With implementation of Passive Turbulence Control (PTC), the VIVACE Converter can harness hydrokinetic energy from currents or tides over an expanded range of FIM synchronization, including Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV) and galloping. The General Grid Interface (GGI) with topological mesh changes is proved to be an effective method for handling high-amplitude FIM response. Within the test Reynolds number range, five regions are clearly observed, including the no-FIM range, the VIV initial branch, the VIV upper branch, transition from VIV to galloping, and galloping. The power envelope calculated based on the CDF simulations for FIM agrees very well with the corresponding power envelope generated based on experiments. The range between VIV and galloping can be eliminated by adjusting the spring-stiffness and the harnessing damping-ratio. This is verified by both experiments and numerical simulation.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A Right to Die? A Comparative Legal Philosophical Enquiry

Man is a living being. But in the midst of life death is a reality. The antithesis of life is death. Hence many a thinker over the ages have sought to depict it in several forms. It is a ‘necessary end that will come when it will come’; yet the desire to live is the most defining impulse of humankind. It would appear that the desired living is also a living in dignity and happiness. Little wonder then that in every land and clime, life is intrinsically valuable and the essence of society is to sustain it. Sometimes however, we encounter situations where human beings contrary to the ordinary flow of existential perceptions desire on their own to die. They crave death because to them life has lost its meaningfulness. They seek to determine definitively the end of life. Some of them now assert that the right to take that decision is an inherent aspect of the human right to life. How true is this assertion? In this work it is sought to briefly examine the issue of death as a right and how it has been seen around different jurisdictions of the world using specific apex court decisions to do so. The work will also seek to show the different jurisprudence dispositions adopted by judges in disposing the cases that touch on this issue. The arguments for and against elicited will be highlighted using the different schools of legal philosophy as the mirror. It will be seen that the judges are rather most circumspect and appear generally unsure footed hence they prefer to keep the status quo. It will comparatively draw inspiration from other philosophical writings relevant to the work in other to give it the required comparative breadth.
Yeast-Derived Particulate β-Glucan Treatment Subverts the Suppression of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) by Inducing Polymorphonuclear MDSC Apoptosis and Monocytic MDSC Differentiation to APC in Cancer

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells that promote tumor progression. In this study, we demonstrated that activation of a C-type lectin receptor, dectin-1, in MDSC differentially modulates the function of different MDSC subsets. Yeast-derived whole β-glucan particles (WGP; a ligand to engage and activate dectin-1, oral treatment in vivo) significantly decreased tumor weight and splenomegaly in tumor-bearing mice with reduced accumulation of polymorphonuclear MDSC but not monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC), and decreased polymorphonuclear MDSC suppression in vitro through the induction of respiratory burst and apoptosis. On a different axis, WGP-treated M-MDSC differentiated into F4/80(+)CD11c(+) cells in vitro that served as potent APC to induce Ag-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in a dectin-1-dependent manner. Additionally, Erk1/2 phosphorylation was required for the acquisition of APC properties in M-MDSC. Moreover, WGP-treated M-MDSC differentiated into CD11c(+) cells in vivo with high MHC class II expression and induced decreased tumor burden when inoculated s.c. with Lewis lung carcinoma cells. This effect was dependent on the dectin-1 receptor. Strikingly, patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma that had received WGP treatment for 10-14 d prior to any other treatment had a decreased frequency of CD14(-)HLA-DR(-)CD11b(+)CD33(+) MDSC in the peripheral blood. Overall, these data indicate that WGP may be a potent immune modulator of MDSC suppressive function and differentiation in cancer.
The lac repressor-operator interaction. 3. Kinetic studies.

Abstract A sensitive membrane filter assay for the lac repressor-operator complex has been used to study the kinetics of repressor and operator interaction. The rate of dissociation of the complex is very slow and follows first-order kinetics with a half-life of 19 minutes in our standard buffer (0.05 m ionic strength). The rate of dissociation (kb) is rather insensitive to temperature or pH, but becomes more rapid at high ionic strength. In 0.2 m ionic strength buffer the dissociation half-life is five to six minutes. The rate of association of repressor and operator is very fast and follows second-order kinetics with the rate constant for association (ka) being 7 × 109 m−1 sec−1 in our standard buffer. The rate of association is only slightly affected by temperature or pH, but becomes slower with increasing ionic strength. It is concluded that the association of repressor and operator is aided by electrostatic attraction between the phosphate groups of DNA and a positively charged binding site on the lac repressor. Over a wide range of ionic strength, the ratio k b k a has been found to agree well with the equilibrium constant. The binding of repressor to operator results in an unfavorable enthalpy change; the driving force for the binding reaction comes from a large entropy increase. Binding mechanisms are discussed.
Investigations of the migrating motor complex in domestic turkeys

The motor correlate of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) was characterized in domestic turkeys, and feeding state, age, sex, and time of day were examined as possible factors influencing the motor activity observed. Strain gauge transducers, and in a few birds Ag-AgCl bipolar electrodes, were implanted on the caudoventral thin muscle of the muscular stomach, the duodenum, ileum, cecum, and colon. Contractility was recorded for 8-10 h per bird on alternating days for 2-3 wk, except in birds involved in four 24-h recording sessions during a 2-wk period. Intense motor activity characteristic of phase III of the MMC occurred only in the ileum; other phases could not be identified. The duration, propagation velocity, and percent of cyclic motor patterns propagating from one site to another were similar to those reported in other galliform species. The occurrence of cyclic motor activity appeared to be related to food consumption; the number of motor patterns occurring during an intense feeding session was less than the number observed 1.5-2 h after feeding. In addition, more motor patterns were recorded in fasted poults during the light period than in the dark; however, the reverse was observed in juveniles fed ad libitum. Cyclic motor activity recorded in fasted 18-wk-old birds was of longer duration than that in fasted 8-wk-old birds. No statistically significant differences were noted in the cyclic motor patterns of male vs. female poults.
Cavitation and Crazing in Rod-Containing Nanocomposites

Addition of nanoparticles to a polymer can drastically affect the mechanical properties and structure of the nanocomposite. Here we investigate the nucleation and growth of voids that precede craze formation and the early crazing itself by use of coarse-grained Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. We investigate the role of deformation rate, local density, local rod orientation, nonaffine displacements, and local elastic moduli. We observe that for both pure polymers and nanocomposites, regions of low local elastic modulus are more prone to failure. Additionally, it is found that Voronoi volume can anticipate void formation and that it is also a predictor of failure, particularly in composites. After the onset of crazing, it is found that nanorods incorporated into the crazes rapidly orient themselves to match the direction of the polymer fibrils, but nanorods in bulk regions remain randomly oriented. We further find that attractive rods resist incorporation into the developing crazes and that ...
Survey of the reactivity of O(2)(a (1)Delta(g)) with negative ions.

The reactivity of O2(a 1Δg) was studied with a series of anions, including −CH2CN, −CH2NO2, −CH2C(O)H, CH3C(O)CH2−, C2H5O−, (CH3)2CHO−, CF3CH2O−, CF3−, HC2−, HCCO−, HC(O)O−, CH3C(O)O−, CH3OC(O)CH2−...
A Fast, Wide-field Of View, Freeform TMA: Design and Tolerance Analysis

We describe the optical design and tolerance analysis of a telecentric, f/3, 20-cm aperture, 3.50 x 70, three-mirror, free-form telescope. All-aluminum construction reduces the manufacturing cost and simplifies cryogenic alignment and test.
Comparison of mycoplasmatales virus MV-Lg-pS2-L172 with plasmavirus MV-L2 and the other mycoplasma viruses.

Mycoplasma virus MV-Lg-pS2-L172 was sensitive to heat (56° C/30 minutes), Nonidet-P40 and ether. In these respects it resembled Plasmavirus MV-L2. However, it differed from MV-L2 (and the other mycoplasma viruses, MV-L1, MV-L3 and BN 1 virus) in reciprocal plaque inhibition and serum neutralization tests (MV-L2 only). By plaque formation on host lawns resistant to the different mycoplasma viruses, including MV-Lg-pS2-L172, this latter virus was shown to be distinct from the other viruses, including MV-L2. Both MV-Lg-pS2-L172 and MV-L2 possessed one polypeptide band (out of 10) that was not common to the heterologous virus.
Positive Solutions of Nonlinear Second Order Eigenvalue Problems

The existence of positive solutions are presented for nonlinear second order eigenvalue problem u″+ρ~2u=λh(t)f(u),0t2π,ρ∈0,12,u(0)=u(2π)≥0,u′(0)=u′(2π).And the proof uses the theory for fixed point index in the cone.
Electrophysiological Analysis and Prognosis Assessment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Children

Objective To investigate the prognosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS) in children,and the evaluation of clinical severity and prognosis of GBS in children according to neurological electrophysiology.Methods The relationship of clinical and electrophysiological features to outcome and the relationship of Hughes scores and electrophysiological features in the various stages to prognoses in 37 children with GBS were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 37 children with GBS,27 cases (72.97%)were full recovery,3 cases (8.11%) were basic recovery,4 cases(10.81%) were partial recovery,2 cases(5.41%) were bad prognosis,1 case(2.70%) died.The peak daily Hughes scores were 5.00±0.00,4.25±0.96,4.33±0.58,3.93±0.92,respectively in bad prognosis group,partial recovery group,basic recovery group and full recovery group; and the whole Hughes scores in progressive stage were 59.00±14.14,38.25±10.97,26.67±6.03 and 19.74±4.24,respectively.The examinations of neurological electrophysiology were performed in GBS cases during first week,2-4 weeks and 3-6 months after onset.The whole abnormal rates of nerve conduction velocity(NCV) were 78.4%,80.6% and 77.8% in the above 3 tests(χ2=2.161,P=0.904).The cases were classified based on the electrodiagnostic features in 3 electrophysiological examinations: the demyelinating forms of GBS accounted for 40.5%,30.6% and 35.1%;the axonal forms made up 13.5%,22.2% and 22.2%;mixed forms occupied 24.3%,27.8% and 19.4%,respectively.There was no significant difference in the electrodiagnostic classificatin among 3 electrophysiological tests in different prognosis groups.Conclusions In general,the prognosis of GBS in children was good.It seems that clinical severity and abnormal electrophysiology in the early stage don′t relate to the outcomes of GBS in children.However,Hughes scores in progressive stage might predict their prognosis.
Does coronary bypass increase longevity

The principal question with coronary bypass is its influence on longevity. To investigate this, we recently studied 1,174 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery at New York University between 1968 and 1975 (98 percent follow-up). Most patients were operated upon for disabling angina refractory to medical therapy. Patients undergoing concomitant valve replacement, ventricular aneurysmectomy, and emergency bypass surgery were excluded from this analysis. The over-all operative mortality rate was 5.2 percent, decreasing from 28 percent in 1968 to 2 to 3 percent in the last 3 years (1972 to 1975). Multiple grafts (two to six) were used in 88 percent of the group. Angina was cured or greatly improved in 92 percent of surviving patients. The 5 year survival rate (computed by life-table analysis including operative deaths but excluding late, non-cardiac-related deaths) was high, 88 percent. Only 49 deaths from cardiac causes occurred after dismissal from the hospital in the entire group of 1,174 patients. Nonfatal myocardial infarctions were similarly uncommon, 2.6 percent (actuarial analysis). These data show a better survival rate than do previous surgical reports (average late mortality rate of 3 percent per year) and a much greater survival rate than for medically treated patients with double or triple artery disease (5 year mortality rate of 35 and 55 percent, respectively). The significance of these findings are discussed in detail.
Intrathyroidal MHC Class II Antigen Expression and Thyroid Autoimmunity

The association between MHC polymorphisms and autoimmune thyroid disease has been complicated by the observation of MHC class II antigen expression by the human thyroid gland. It is possible that the MHC associations observed in animal and human population studies may have mechanistic explanations at the level of the thyroid cell. There is evidence for expression of HLA-DR allospecific antigen in both normal and abnormal human thyroid cells, with enhanced expression in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Such MHC class II expression appears to be mediated primarily by lymphokine secretion from intrathyroidal T lymphocytes. Thyroid cell HLA-DR antigen participates in activation and amplification of T cells and is likely involved in presentation of thyroid antigen to the immune system. The relationship between these immune interactions and the initial events leading to the development of autoimmune thyroid disease remain to be understood.
Stimulated Rayleigh-Kerr scattering from a CS 2 liquid–core fiber system

A superbroadening stimulated scattering has been observed from a CS2 liquid-core hollow fiber system with a long gain length. Its salient feature is different from the early reported phenomena in liquid such as the spectral broadening of difference frequency modulation, self-broadening, and stimulated Rayleigh-wing scattering; and it cannot be explained simply by using the previously suggested theories.1-4
Translational Science for Energy and Beyond

A clear challenge for the coming decades is decreasing the carbon intensity of the global energy supply while simultaneously accommodating a rapid worldwide increase in power demand. Meeting this challenge of providing abundant, clean energy undoubtedly requires synergistic efforts between basic and applied researchers in the chemical sciences to develop and deploy new technologies. Among the available options, solar energy is one of the promising targets because of the high abundance of solar photons over much of the globe. Similarly, decarbonization of the global energy supply will require clean sources of hydrogen to use as reducing equivalents for fuel and chemical feedstocks. In this report, we discuss the importance of translational research—defined as work that explicitly targets basic discovery as well as technology development—in the context of photovoltaics and solar fuels. We focus on three representative research programs encompassing translational research in government, industry, and academi...
Statins and Metformin Use Is Associated with Lower PSA Levels in Prostate Cancer Patients Presenting for Radiation Therapy.

Background: A possible association between the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the use of some commonly prescribed medications has been reported in recent studies. Most of these studies were carried out in general populations of men who were screened for prostate cancer using the PSA test. We reported on the association between the initial PSA level and the use of statins, metformin and alpha-blockers in patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and presented for radiation therapy. Methods: Three hundred and eighty one patients treated between the years of 2000-2005 and 2009-2012 were included in this retrospective study. The information about statin, metformin and alpha-blockers use was recorded immediately prior to treatment. Differences in PSA levels prior to treatment by medication status were estimated using univariate and multivariate linear regression on log PSA values. Results: Compared with men who were not on these medications, the PSA level at presentation was 20% lower for statin users (p = 0.002) and 33% lower for metformin users (p = 0.004). We did not observe statistically significant associations between the use of statins or metformin and cancer stage, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk score, or therapy outcome. A statistically significant association between the NCCN risk score and the use of alpha-blockers was observed (p = 0.002). Conclusions: We found that statins and metformin were associated with lower PSA levels in prostate cancer patients to an extent that could influence management decisions. We found no statistically significant associations between the use of these medications and treatment outcomes.
Patronage and access to a legacy city farmers’ market: a case study of the relocation of the Flint, Michigan, market

ABSTRACTThis study examines the effects of relocating the Flint Farmers’ Market, a large and successful market in the medium-sized legacy city of Flint, Michigan. Over the course of a year, market patrons and vendors were surveyed to explore questions about the scale of the market, patron demographics, reasons for visiting the market, seasonal variations in outcomes, and healthy food access. The results indicate that the relocated, downtown market is successful in large part because it satisfies multiple needs – it provides access to fresh, local produce; it provides lunch options for downtown workers and students; and it serves as a community gathering space. The study further demonstrates that farmers’ markets in legacy cities can serve a large region, attract diverse customers, and remain sustainable year-round, even in northern climates. These findings should be of interest to planners, policy-makers, and market managers who are considering opening or relocating a farmers’ market as a means of support...
Modeling of Polarization Transfer Kinetics in Protein Hydration Using Hyperpolarized Water

Water–protein interactions play a central role in protein structure, dynamics, and function. These interactions, traditionally, have been studied using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) by measuring chemical exchange and nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE). Polarization transferred from hyperpolarized water can result in substantial transient signal enhancements of protein resonances due to these processes. Here, we use dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization and flow-NMR for measuring the pH dependence of transferred signals to the protein trypsin. A maximum enhancement of 20 is visible in the amide proton region of the spectrum at pH 6.0, and of 47 at pH 7.5. The aliphatic region is enhanced up to 2.3 times at pH 6.0 and up to 2.5 times at pH 7.5. The time dependence of these observed signals can be modeled quantitatively using rate equations incorporating chemical exchange to amide sites and, optionally, intramolecular NOE to aliphatic protons. On the basis of these two- and three-site models, average exch...
Characterization and use of the novel human multiple myeloma cell line MC-B11/14 to study biological consequences of CRISPR-mediated loss of immunoglobulin A heavy chain.

The genetic abnormalities underlying multiple myeloma (MM) are notoriously complex and intraclonal heterogeneity is a common disease feature. In the current study, we describe the establishment of a monoclonal immunoglobulin A (IgA) kappa (κ) MM cell line designated MC-B11/14. Cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses of the original and relapse patient samples revealed that the MM clone was nonhyperdiploid and possessed an 11;14 chromosomal translocation. The MC-B11/14 cell line, established from the relapse sample, is tetraploid and houses the t(11;14) abnormality. Given our long-standing interest in Ig function and secretion, we next used CRISPR technology to knock out IgA heavy-chain expression in the MC-B11/14 cells to assess the biological consequences of converting this cell line to one only expressing κ light chains. As expected, secretion of intact IgA was undetectable from MC-B11/14 IgA− cells. Sensitivity to pomalidomide treatment was similar between the MC-B11/14 WT and MC-B11/14 IgA− cells; however, MC-B11/14 IgA− cells were found to be significantly more resistant to bortezomib treatment. This study describes the establishment of a new human MM cell line tool with which to study disease biology and the use of CRISPR technology to create a potentially useful model with which to study MM light-chain escape.
Spinal Cord Regeneration: Growth Factors, Inhibitory Factors and Gene Therapy

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the effects of neurotrophic factor on axonal regeneration together with the technique of gene transfer as a means of locally delivering growth factors to regions of spinal cord injury for promoting axonal growth. The chronically injured axons of the adult mammalian spinal cord retain responsiveness to neurotrophic factors, and can mount substantial growth responses after injury. A key problem in promoting regeneration after spinal cord injury has been eliciting growth from large numbers of injured axons. Neurotrophic factors are molecules with roles in several biological functions including cell survival, synaptogenesis, dendritic shaping, neurotransmitter release, and, importantly, in the context of spinal cord injury—axonal outgrowth. Often, axonal outgrowth in response to a neurotrophic factor occurs in the direction of the highest gradient of growth factor concentration, a chemotropic effect. This chemotropic property suggests that growth factors should be delivered directly to a site of injury to optimally promote axonal growth and regeneration through a lesioned region. Gene therapy accomplishes intraparenchymal, regionally specific, locally restricted, long-term, and safe delivery of growth factors to regions of neural injury or degeneration. Factors that stimulate axonal growth, such as nervous system growth factors, must be combined with the provision of conducive growth bridges and substrates.
Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Myomectomy (RALM)

In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration approved the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) for gynecologic surgery. Since its approval, robot-assisted surgery has become popular among both gynecologic surgeons and their patients. Robotic surgery was designed to overcome some of the challenges associated with conventional laparoscopy such as counterintuitive hand movements, two-dimensional visualization, and the limited range of motion encountered with the instruments (Rosero et al., Obstet Gynecol Surv 69: 18–19, 2014). It offers a more ergonomic environment for the surgeon when compared to conventional laparoscopy, is a less morbid surgical alternative when compared to abdominal surgery, and provides the option of minimally invasive surgery for a broader patient pool. Some limitations of robot-assisted laparoscopy include the absence of haptic (tactile) feedback and the cost, the latter of which is a point of major controversy and debate (Advincula and Song, Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 19: 331–336, 2007).
Hearing Impairment in School Children

Every child is born with a body that has the potential to develop. He or she then acquires the faculty of speech through their own growth and relations with those around them and utilizes it for learning (school life). If a child has hearing impairment or delayed development of the faculty of speech, he or she will experience some difficulty in achieving results of learning in school life and in establishing human relations. In this paper, I would like to discuss the school life problems of those children with light and moderate hearing impairment who are registered in an ordinary class.
Pretransplant Considerations in Patients with Obstructive Lung Disease: COPD, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Cystic Fibrosis, and Non-CF Bronchiectasis

Pulmonary diseases characterized by progressive and irreversible airflow obstruction include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), cystic fibrosis (CF), and non-CF bronchiectasis. Despite advances in treatment of these diseases, all have the potential to progress to a far-advanced and life-threatening stage, prompting consideration of lung transplantation as a therapeutic option. Although considerable experience has been accrued in transplanting these patient populations, questions remain about the appropriate time to list patients, the true survival benefits of transplantation, and in the case of COPD and LAM, the best procedure to perform. This chapter will explore the available literature with the goal of offering an evidence- and/or consensus-based assessment of issues related to the pretransplant evaluation and management of patients with obstructive lung disorders.