cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suitability of peanut residue as a nitrogen source for a rye cover crop

Culturas leguminosas de inverno tem sido utilizadas em sistemas conservacionistas para suprimento parcial das necessidades de nitrogenio (N) de culturas subsequentes de verao, mas o potencial destas culturas leguminosas de verao no sentido de reduzir as necessidades de N de gramineas anuais de inverno, utilizadas como culturas de cobertura, ainda nao foi extensivamente estudado. Este trabalho avaliou a contribuicao dos residuos de uma cultura de amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L.) sobre as necessidades de N de uma cultura subsequente de centeio (Secale cereale L.) como cobertura desenvolvida dentro de um sistema conservacionista, em um solo limo-arenoso Dotham (limoso fino, caulinitico, Plinthic Kandiudults termico) de Headland, AL EEUU, durante 2003-2005. Os tratamentos foram arranjados de acordo com um esquema split-plot, com parcelas principais de residuos de amendoim retido ou retirado da superficie do solo e, parcelas secundarias de taxas de aplicacao de N (0, 34, 67 e 101 kg ha-1) aplicadas no outono. O residuo de amendoim teve efeito minimo ou nenhum sobre a produtividade de materia seca do residuo, conteudo de N, relacao carbono (C)/N, ou absorcao de N, P, K, Ca e Zn. O N adicional aumentou a producao de biomassa do centeio e as absorcoes de N, P, K, Ca e Zn. Os residuos de amendoim nao contribuem com quantidades significativas de N para a cultura de cobertura de centeio desenvolvida como parte do sistema conservacionista, mas a retencao dos residuos na superficie podem proteger o solo da erosao no inicio do outono e inverno, antes que a cultura de cobertura de centeio pudesse proteger os solos tipicamente degradados do sudoeste dos EEUU.
A Simple Method to Integrate In Situ Nano-Particle Focusing With Cantilever Detection

Real-time detection of low-concentration pathogenic/toxic bioparticles is important for deterring infectious diseases and bioterrorism, which is difficult to achieve for lab-on-a-chip. Currently, sensitivity is achieved through time-consuming culturing or sophisticated processing, often unfeasible under field conditions. Real-time particle enrichment will improve sensor capability. This paper reports a first in situ particle focusing mechanism integrated with cantilever detection. It uses AC electroosmosis to induce microfluidic convection of particles from solution bulk onto sensing electrodes, thus increasing local particle count. It is expected that with the use of preconcentrator (particle focusing), the capability of cantilever detection can be greatly improved. Also, multiplexing detection can be achieved by coating cantilevers with various sensitive layers
A high-precision gravity survey in the Delaware Basin of southeastern New Mexico

Since 1974, the Department of Energy has been studying bedded salt deposits in southeastern New Mexico as a possible location for disposing of defense‐generated transuranic and low‐level radioactive wastes. The program, known as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, includes intensive geologic characterization of about 40km2 and construction of an underground test facility. The gravity survey reported here is part of the geologic site characterization. The gravity survey was conducted to delineate structural features near and at the proposed site. However, during the survey the gravity field was found to be dominated by effects of lateral density variations within relatively flat‐lying strata. Particularly distinctive is a pattern of elongate negative anomalies about one‐half mGal in amplitude. Boreholes in the anomalies encountered normal stratigraphy and no unusual geologic structures. However, borehole densilogs showed lower densities and uphole velocity surveys showed lower acoustic velocities than are mea...
The shear strength of polymethyl methacrylate bonded to titanium partial denture framework material.

Abstract Premachined titanium frameworks are used in implant-supported fixed completearch prostheses. Traditionally, retentive mechanisms are incorporated in the wax patterns to provide retention between polymethyl methacrylate and the cast framework. Nontraditional forms of retention are needed with machined frameworks. This study determined whether three different surface characteristics of titanium improve the bond shear strength of polymethyl methacrylate. Thirty rod shaped specimens of titanium were divided into three equal groups: group 1 received no pretreatment; group 2 was pretreated with 110 μm alumina air abrasive; and group 3 was pretreated with 110 μm alumina air abrasive plus silane (clear). Denture resin was processed around each specimen. A Shell-Nielsen shear test was then performed at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute to determine the bond shear strength in kilograms per square centimeter. The bond shear strength of group 3 was 63% greater than group 1 (significant, p 2 ). The results of this study indicated that surface pretreatment of titanium with 110 μm alumina air abrasive plus silane coating significantly enhances the bond shear strength of polymethyl methacrylate.
Synthesis of dl‐4ξ‐(4‐Carboxybutyl)‐5‐carbethoxy‐cis‐hexahydropyrrolo‐[3,4‐d]imidazol‐2‐one (N‐Carbethoxyazabiotin)

The total synthesis of dl‐4ξ‐(4‐carboxybutyl)‐5‐carbethoxy‐cis‐hexahydropyrrolo[3,4‐d]imidazol‐2‐one (N‐car‐bethoxyazabiotin) by a 16‐step sequence, starting from 2‐bromo‐6‐methoxyhexanoic acid, has been accomplished.
Boron Trifluoride Ethyl Ether as an Effective Catalyst in the Synthesis of Alkyl p-Aminobenzoates

Commercial boron trifluoride ethyl ether functions as an effective catalyst in the synthesis of a number of alkyl esters of p-aminobenzoic acid. Unlike earlier procedures, the present method offers a convenient single step reaction and does not call for special reaction conditions and equipment.
Energy efficient co-adaptive instruction fetch and issue

Front-end instruction delivery accounts for a significant fraction of the energy consumed in a dynamic superscalar processor. The issue queue in these processors serves two crucial roles: it bridges the front and back ends of the processor and serves as the window of instructions for the out-of-order engine. A mismatch between the front end producer rate and back end consumer rate, and between the supplied instruction window from the front end, and the required instruction window to exploit the level of application parallelism, results in additional front-end energy, and increases the issue queue utilization. While the former increases overall processor energy consumption, the latter aggravates the issue queue hot spot problem.We propose a complementary combination of fetch gating and issue queue adaptation to address both of these issues. We introduce an issue-centric fetch gating scheme based on issue queue utilization and application parallelism characteristics. Our scheme attempts to provide an instruction window size that matches the current parallelism characteristics of the application while maintaining enough queue entries to avoid back-end starvation. Compared to a conventional fetch gating scheme based on flow-rate matching, we demonstrate 20% better overall energy-delay with a 44% additional reduction in issue queue energy. We identify Icache energy savings as the largest contributor to the overall savings and quantify the sources of savings in this structure. We then couple this issue-driven fetch gating approach with an issue queue adaptation scheme based on queue utilization. While the fetch gating scheme provides a window of issue queue instructions appropriate to the level of program parallelism, the issue queue adaptation approach shuts down the remaining underutilized issue queue entries. Used in tandem, these complementary techniques yield a 20% greater issue queue energy savings than the addition of the savings from each technique applied in isolation. The result of this combined approach is a 6% overall energy-delay savings coupled with a 54% reduction in issue queue energy.
Mind–body therapies for functional bowel disorders—A review of recent clinical trials

Abstract Introduction Functional bowel disorders (FBDs) significantly affect a person's daily life; however, because their diagnosis is mostly based on symptom presentation, time to diagnosis is long. This delay in diagnosis remains true even when other methods, such as biochemical parameters, immunogenic and inflammatory markers, are used to differentiate the type of disorder. As treatment approaches are mainly symptom-based and often result in suboptimal outcomes, mind–body therapies may offer benefits either used alone or in combination with pharmacological treatments. Methodology Thus, the purposes of this article are to: (1) describe the scientific knowledge based on currently available clinical trials of mind–body therapies for FBDs, (2) examine potential benefits of using such therapies and, (3) provide recommendations regarding their clinical application in the treatment of FBDs. The literature search covered the last decade from June 2002 to June 2012 and resulted in a total of 19 original research articles that met the inclusion criteria. The four common mind–body therapies, which include yoga, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and biofeedback, were examined in this article. Conclusion The heterogeneity of clinical study designs as well as the wide disparity in defining primary outcome variables often limits the comparison of studies on the same mind–body therapy. Overall findings of these studies were promising, but not conclusive, and further recommendations for the research direction of mind–body therapies are proposed.
Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus

In response to viral infection, a host develops various defensive responses, such as activating innate immune signaling pathways that lead to antiviral cytokine production1,2. In order to colonize the host, viruses are obligate to evade host antiviral responses and manipulate signaling pathways. Unraveling the host-virus interaction will shed light on the development of novel therapeutic strategies against viral infection. Murine γHV68 is closely related to human oncogenic Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Epsten-Barr virus3,4. γHV68 infection in laboratory mice provides a tractable small animal model to examine the entire course of host responses and viral infection in vivo, which are not available for human herpesviruses. In this protocol, we present a panel of methods for phenotypic characterization and molecular dissection of host signaling components in γHV68 lytic replication both in vivo and ex vivo. The availability of genetically modified mouse strains permits the interrogation of the roles of host signaling pathways during γHV68 acute infection in vivo. Additionally, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from these deficient mouse strains can be used to further dissect roles of these molecules during γHV68 lytic replication ex vivo. Using virological and molecular biology assays, we can pinpoint the molecular mechanism of host-virus interactions and identify host and viral genes essential for viral lytic replication. Finally, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) system facilitates the introduction of mutations into the viral factor(s) that specifically interrupt the host-virus interaction. Recombinant γHV68 carrying these mutations can be used to recapitulate the phenotypes of γHV68 lytic replication in MEFs deficient in key host signaling components. This protocol offers an excellent strategy to interrogate host-pathogen interaction at multiple levels of intervention in vivo and ex vivo. Recently, we have discovered that γHV68 usurps an innate immune signaling pathway to promote viral lytic replication5. Specifically, γHV68 de novo infection activates the immune kinase IKKβ and activated IKKβ phosphorylates the master viral transcription factor, replication and transactivator (RTA), to promote viral transcriptional activation. In doing so, γHV68 efficiently couples its transcriptional activation to host innate immune activation, thereby facilitating viral transcription and lytic replication. This study provides an excellent example that can be applied to other viruses to interrogate host-virus interaction.
Relationship Between Female Reproductive Factors and Choroidal Nevus in US Women: Analysis of Data From the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Importance Choroidal nevus is a precursor for uveal melanoma and there are no known risk factors besides white race. Female sex hormones have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of uveal melanoma. Objective To explore the association between female reproductive factors and choroidal nevus in the US adult female population. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional, population-based study of 2505 US women aged 40 years or older from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The women completed the reproductive health questionnaire and underwent retinal imaging. The analysis was conducted in April 2015. Exposures Age at menarche, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, parity, age at first and last births, age at menopause, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, hormone therapy use, and body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). Main Outcomes and Measures Choroidal nevus on retinal imaging. Results The mean age of participants was 56.5 years, and the racial/ethnic distribution was 76.9% white, 10.1% African American, 8.4% Hispanic, and 4.8% other. The weighted prevalence of choroidal nevus was 4.5%. Premenopausal women who first gave birth before age 20 years had more than 4 times higher odds of choroidal nevus than those who first gave birth after age 35 years (odds ratio [OR], 4.16; 95% CI, 1.29-13.45; P = .02), and premenopausal women who gave birth to their last child before age 25 years had nearly 5 times higher odds of choroidal nevus than those who gave birth to their last child after age 35 years (OR, 4.89; 95% CI, 1.15-20.74; P = .03). These relationships were independent of total parity and years between the first and last births. The odds of choroidal nevus in postmenopausal women who were overweight and obese were 2 times higher than in postmenopausal women with normal body mass index (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.19-3.76; P = .01 for overweight and OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.13-3.25; P = .02 for obese). Conclusions and Relevance The association between choroidal nevus and earlier start and end to childbearing in premenopausal women and obesity in postmenopausal women suggests that this relationship could be partially mediated via increased total lifetime unopposed estrogen. Clinicians should have an increased index of suspicion for choroidal nevus and choroidal melanoma in this population.
Grain yield, stalk rot, and mineral concentration of fertigated corn as influenced by N P K

Abstract Peanut (Arachis hypoaaea L.) is a major cash crop in Georgia. Corn (Zea mays L.) is the preferred rotation crop, but is often not profitable because of large inputs costs. Fertilizer comprises approximately 50% of the variable production costs of irrigated corn. There is interest in reducing fertilizer inputs, in particular N, to reduce variable costs and decrease nitrate leaching to groundwater, but yields may suffer. Our objective was to investigate the effect of N, P, and K fertilizer rates on the yield of N‐fertigated corn in a corn/peanut rotation. Field experiments were conducted during 1987 and 1988 on a Tifton loamy sand (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Paleudult) at Tifton, GA. Treatments were three rates each of N, P, and K fertilizer in a complete factorial. Nitrogen, P, and K rates were 168, 252, 336 kg N ha‐1 yr‐1; 44, 73, 103 kg P ha‐1 yr‐1; and 84, 223, and 363 kg K ha‐1 yr‐1, respectively. Grain yields were large, 12.6 and 10.4 Mg ha‐1 in 1987 and 1988, respectively, but n...
Bird communication: Two voices are better than one

Abstract How do emperor penguins find their mates on a featureless ice flow, packed at densities of ten animals per square meter? A recent study has revealed how use of their ‘two-voice' calls enables emperor penguins to locate their mates and chicks under some of nature's most extreme conditions.
Thermal conductivity models for single and multiple filler carbon/liquid crystal polymer composites

In this study, two different carbon fillers (Thermocarb TC-300 synthetic graphite and Fortafil 243 (Thermocarb TC-300 synthetic graphite and Fortafil 243 carbon fiber) were added to Vectra A950RX liquid crystal polymer to produce single filler composites with filler concentrations of up to 80 wt % (71.4 vol %) and multiple filler composites that contained varying concentrations of both synthetic graphite and carbon fiber. The through-plane and in-plane thermal conductivity for each formulation was measured. For the single filler synthetic graphite and carbon fiber composites, the Nielsen model was applied to the experimental through-plane thermal conductivity data. The parameters obtained from the single filler models were then used along with a variation of the original Nielsen model to predict the through-plane thermal conductivities of the multiple filler composites. In-plane thermal conductivity models were also developed using a correlation involving the square root of the product of the composite in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivities. This model was applied to the single filler synthetic graphite and carbon fiber composites. A variation of this model was then used to predict the in-plane thermal conductivity for composites containing both fillers. All the models presented in this work showed good agreement with experimental data.
Lysophosphatidic Acid Increases Proximal Tubule Cell Secretion of Profibrotic Cytokines PDGF-B and CTGF through LPA2- and Gαq-Mediated Rho and αvβ6 Integrin-Dependent Activation of TGF-β

After ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), kidney tubules show activated transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling and increased expression of profibrotic peptides, platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). If tubule repair after IRI is incomplete, sustained paracrine activity of these peptides can activate interstitial fibroblast progenitors and cause fibrosis. We show that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a ubiquitous phospholipid that is increased at sites of injury and inflammation, signals through LPA2 receptors and Gαq proteins of cultured proximal tubule cells to transactivate latent TGF-β in a Rho/Rho-kinase and αvβ6 integrin-dependent manner. Active TGF-β peptide then initiates signaling to increase the production and secretion of PDGF-B and CTGF. In a rat model of IRI, increased TGF-β signaling that was initiated early during reperfusion did not subside during recovery, but progressively increased, causing tubulointerstitial fibrosis. This was accompanied by correspondingly increased LPA2 and β6 integrin proteins and elevated tubule expression of TGF-β1, together with PDGF-B and CTGF. Treatment with a pharmacological TGF-β type I receptor antagonist suppressed TGF-β signaling, decreased the expression of β6 integrin, PDGF-B, and CTGF, and ameliorated fibrosis. We suggest that LPA-initiated autocrine signaling is a potentially important mechanism that gives rise to paracrine profibrotic signaling in injured kidney tubule cells.
Relationships Between Radar-Derived Thermodynamic Variables and Tornadogenesis

Abstract A methodology for obtaining pressure perturbations and buoyancy in thunderstorms observed with Doppler radar is described and applied to two tornadic thunderstorms. Extracted thermodynamic information is combined with kinematic analyses to study observed severe storm processes. The intensification of tornado parental circulations (mesocyclones) during tornadogenesis is found to be associated with deepening pressure deficits in lower storm levels. Upward directed perturbation pressure forces in the vicinity of the mesocyclone are reduced and can be reversed as the low-level vorticity amplifies. The sudden formation of concentrated rear downdrafts, commonly observed in tornadic thunderstorms, apparently stems from the vertical pressure gradient reversal. Reduced upward pressure forces decrease the storm's ability to lift low-level negatively buoyant air at the base of the updraft. Further, the restructured pressure forces create a flux of air parcels into the mesocyclone from higher levels on the s...
An Exploration of the Search for Information Security

People use search engines to seek information. This study investigates the motives that drive the search for information security knowledge via a search engine. We empirically examine the effects of network attacks and vulnerability disclosures on the frequency of search for information security knowledge. . We find that network attacks of current day and one day prior significantly impact the search, while vulnerability disclosure does not significantly affect the search.
Patrons of the revolution. Ideals and institutions in postwar behavioral science.

ABSTRACT This essay argues that shifts in patronage for the postwar behavioral and social sciences were linked intimately to both intellectual and institutional changes. This broad argument comprises two subarguments: first, that there were in fact two distinct, successive patronage systems for postwar social science—not one, as is commonly assumed; and, second, that the first postwar patronage system played a major role in enabling a series of behavioral revolutions and interdisciplinary syntheses across the social sciences, while the second postwar patronage system encouraged the development of specialized concepts, techniques, and technologies within the disciplines. The essay also suggests that the widespread concern among social scientists in the 1970s and 1980s that their fields were fragmenting was at least in part an unintended consequence of the rise of the second system.
We (The Supermajority of) the People: The Development of a Rationale for Written Higher Law in North American Constitutions

The author traces the origins of the supermajority principle to the resolution of a papal schism in 1179 A.D., shows how the principle might have been imported into England and later crossed the Atlantic Ocean to be used in the constitutions of the original colonies and, ultimately, the U.S. Constitution. In the context of the supermajority principle's use in the U.S. Constitution, the author shows how the supermajority principle was absolutely crucial in resolving the struggle between the small and large states during the debates of the constitutional convention. The author describes how two of the founding fathers, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, viewed the supermajority device differently, based on their respective experiences with the supermajority principle. Through her analysis, she sets forth the definitive proof of the authorship of Federalist 58. The author of Federalist 58 is Alexander Hamilton, not James Madison, as is commonly believed. Finally, she demonstrates how the supermajority principle was used not only as a compromise device but as a device to demonstrate popular will and signifying written higher law in the ratification and amendment processes of the U.S. Constitution.
A Frequency Tunable High Sensitivity H-Field Probe Using Varactor Diodes and Parasitic Inductance

A frequency-tunable resonant magnetic field probe is designed for near-field scanning applications for the radio frequency interference studies. Tunable resonance is achieved by using a varactor diode providing the required capacitance and the parasitic inductance of a magnetic loop (i.e., a parallel LC circuit). An equivalent circuit model for the probe is described, analyzed, and used for designing the probe for achieving maximum sensitivity. The resonance frequency of the designed probe is tunable in the frequency range of 900–2260 MHz that covers multiple radio bands, such as the GSM900, UMTS, and GPS bands. The sensitivity of the probe at the resonance frequency is about 7–9 dB higher than that of an equivalently sized broadband magnetic field probe throughout the tunable frequency range. The measured frequency response and sensitivity over a microstrip trace using the fabricated probe shows good agreement with the simulated results of the equivalent circuit model and the full-wave simulation model.
Tectonic evolution and structural styles of the East Shetland Basin

Geometric and stratigraphic evidence indicates that the East Shetland Basin evolved by a rift mechanism similar to that defined in the East African Rift. Arcuate half-grabens of probable Devonian extensional origin are the fundamental structural units. The stratigraphic data suggest episodic footwall movements during the mid- to late Jurassic as well as alternating regional subsidence patterns, i.e. ‘teeter-totter’, against the Horda Platform. The Northern North Sea rift system, which includes the East Shetland Basin, is believed to have opened primarily by orthogonal movement of facing half-grabens rather than by large-scale strike-slip motion between these half-grabens. Both extensional and compressional (or transpressional) features occur in the East Shetland Basin as syn-rift structures. The extensional structures include the well-known tilted fault blocks and relatively undocumented listric normal faults that occur on the crestal and flanking areas of the larger blocks. The principal compressional stress was associated with oblique shearing at the ends of actively extending half-grabens, which created local reverse faults and anticlinal domes. Some rotated horst blocks, e.g. Murchison Field structure, were also created by the transpressional motion. A broad, four-fold E–W structural zonation has been made for the East Shetland Basin and North Viking Graben based on the degree of half-graben development and structural styles.
More on “Marketing Strategy and Differential Advantage”:

This article points out certain conceptual and inferential problems in Cook's (1983) article, and discusses their implications from a strategic marketing standpoint.
Cabbage and Turnip Aphids and Their Control and Damage on Rape and Mustard

Oxydemetonmethyl, methyl parathion, and a combination of ethyl parathion and endosulfan, afforded significant reductions of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), on rape. Oxydemetonmethyl was the only insecticide that significantly increased yield over that of the check. Ethyl and methyl parathion and endosulfan left no discernible residue in mustard or rape seed by 14 days after 1 application, and only endosulfan left up to 0.03 ppm 28 Days after 2 sprays. Oxydemetonmethyl still had 0.01 ppm residue in mustard seed at 34 days after 1 spraying and 0.01 ppm after 2 sprays. It was found that 50–100 cabbage aphids/12.7 cm of plant terminal amounted to only 0.031 of an aphid/mm of pod and stem, and resulted in a high seed yield of 339 mg from all of the terminal pods. Seed yield was significantly decreased ca. 9-fold as soon as the aphid population reached 200-250/terminal, and was ca. 0 at 1500 aphids/terminal. Turnip aphids, Hyadaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis), were less damaging, and did not result in significant seed loss until there were 0.169 aphids/mm of pod and stem.
Kaempferol Exhibits Progestogenic Effects in Ovariectomized Rats

Objective: Progesterone (P4) plays a central role in women's health. Synthetic progestins are used clinically in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), oral contraceptives, and for the treatment of endometriosis and infertility. Unfortunately, synthetic progestins are associated with side effects, including cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Botanical dietary supplements are widely consumed for the alleviation of a variety of gynecological issues, but very few studies have characterized natural compounds in terms of their ability to bind to and activate progesterone receptors (PR). Kaempferol is a flavonoid that functions as a non-steroidal selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) in vitro. This study investigated the molecular and physiological effects of kaempferol in the ovariectomized rat uteri. Methods: Since genistein is a phytoestrogen that was previously demonstrated to increase uterine weight and proliferation, the ability of kaempferol to block genistein action in the uterus was investigated. Analyses of proliferation, steroid receptor expression, and induction of well-established PR-regulated targets Areg and Hand2 were completed using histological analysis and qPCR gene induction experiments. In addition, kaempferol in silico binding analysis was completed for PR. The activation of estrogen and androgen receptor signalling was determined in vitro. Results: Molecular docking analysis confirmed that kaempferol adopts poses that are consistent with occupying the ligand-binding pocket of PRA. Kaempferol induced expression of PR regulated transcriptional targets in the ovariectomized rat uteri, including Hand2 and Areg. Consistent with progesterone-like activity, kaempferol attenuated genistein-induced uterine luminal epithelial proliferation without increasing uterine weight. Kaempferol signalled without down regulating PR expression in vitro and in vivo and without activating estrogen and androgen receptors. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that kaempferol is a unique natural PR modulator that activates PR signaling in vitro and in vivo without triggering PR degradation.
Endomicroscopy in the evaluation of Barrett's esophagus.

Purpose of review Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) can provide real-time, microscopic visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa, allowing an endoscopic approach to the histologic evaluation of Barrett's esophagus and Barrett's esophagus-associated neoplasia. Recent findings Both endoscope-based (eCLE) and probe-based (pCLE) CLE systems have been used to evaluate Barrett's esophagus and Barrett's esophagus-associated neoplasia. Criteria for distinguishing Barrett's esophagus with neoplasia from nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus have been developed and validated for both eCLE and pCLE. Several studies have shown excellent detection of Barrett's esophagus neoplasia by CLE, and the technique may be used to guide endoscopic therapy. Advanced endomicroscopy systems and peptides and antibodies that target neoplasia are in development. Summary CLE has provided a new way of evaluating Barrett's esophagus and Barrett's esophagus-associated neoplasia and is being used to improve detection and management of neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus.
Solution structures of nanoassemblies based on pyrogallol[4]arenes.

ConspectusNanoassemblies of hydrogen-bonded and metal-seamed pyrogallol[4]arenes have been shown to possess novel solution-phase geometries. Further, we have demonstrated that both guest encapsulation and structural rearrangements may be studied by solution-phase techniques such as small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and diffusion NMR. Application of these techniques to pyrogallol[4]arene-based nanoassemblies has allowed (1) differentiation among spherical, ellipsoidal, toroidal, and tubular structures in solution, (2) determination of factors that control the preferred geometrical shape and size of the nanoassemblies, and (3) detection of small variations in metric dimensions distinguishing similarly and differently shaped nanoassemblies in a given solution. Indeed, we have shown that the solution-phase structure of such nanoassemblies is often quite different from what one would predict based on solid-state studies, a result in disagreement with the frequently made assumption that these assemblies hav...
In vivo stimulation of prolactin release in the rat by synthetic TRH.

SummarySynthetic TRH (iv) can significantly increase serum prolactin in proestrous female and in normal and estrogen-primed male rats by 10 min after injection.
Genomic Aberrations Drive Clonal Evolution of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Molecular features of castration-resistant neuroendocrine prostate cancer (CRPC-NE) are not well characterized. A recent study that investigated genomic aberrations of CRPC-NE tumors suggests their clonal evolution from CRPC adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, the existence of a distinct DNA methylation profile in CRPC-NE implicates a critical role for epigenetic modification in the development of CRPC-NE.
Fibroblast growth factor-21 and diabetes

For diabetes treatment,the latest research focuses on fibroblast growth factor(FGF)-21 and its agonists, which may be potentially used as a drug to treat diabetes in the future.This review provides an overview about the mechanism,biological and pharmacological function of FGF-21.
Analysis of Pneumoconiosis Cases in Tangshan City during 2006—2008

[Objective] To understand the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in Tangshan City,and provide scientific evidence for prevention.[Methods]Analysis was based on pneumoconiosis cases cards and health hazards database.[Results]Totally,542 cases of pneumoconiosis were reported during 2006— 2008,most cases were in Lubei District. Of the reported 7 kinds of pneumoconiosis,coal worker's pneumoconiosis and silicosis were main types,The overwhelming majority of total cases occurred in state owned enterprises with large and medium-size,the proportion of stage I pneumoconiosis was far higher than that in small enterprises.[Conclusion]Supervision and law enforcement should be strengthened in state owned enterprises with large and medium-size and other small enterprises in Lubei district. Healthy guardianship file should be established perfectly to protect the health of rural migrant workers.
Cost of Collaboration vs Individual Effort in Social Networks.

We study the dynamics of social networks in terms of population growth and control of user behavior. Most of the current research in social networks focus on static analysis through graph theoretic models to represent the networks or focus on modeling the traffic. Here, we study the cost of collaborative vs individualistic behavior of users in order to grow their network size in a social network. Each user incurs a cost (monetary or emotional) for collaboration. We formulate the behavior of the users as a non-linear optimization problem with a cost. The objective function of the optimization problem is obtained using a stochastic analysis of population growth in social networks, based on the first-passage time of a birth-death process. The stochastic model is validated by comparison with real data obtained from Twitter Results indicate that a homogeneous social network (in which users have similar characteristics) will be individualistic. However, heterogeneous social networks (users with different characteristics) exhibit a threshold effect, i.e., there is a minimum cost, below which the network is as collaborative as desired and a maximum cost above which the network is individualistic as required. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first analysis of dynamics of user behavior and temporal population growth in social networks.
Antifungal susceptibilities and genetic relatedness of serial Trichophyton rubrum isolates from patients with onychomycosis of the toenail

Onychomycosis is a common fungal disease infecting up to 20% of the population over age 40. The major causative agent of onychomycosis is Trichophyton rubrum. Uncontrolled infection may eventually lead to penetration of the newly forming nail plate. In spite of the encouraging cure rate with recent antifungal agents such as the allylamines (terbinafine) and azoles (itraconazole and fluconazole) some patients inevitably fail therapy. In this investigation, a group of patients from a multi-center study designed to assess the efficacy of terbinafine with known cases of onychomycosis were selected for evaluation. Nail samples from this patient group were colonized with T. rubrum throughout the terbinafine therapy. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on these T. rubrum isolates to detect change in MIC values. Strain relatedness was examined using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Our results revealed failure of patients to clear T. rubrum is not related to the development of resistance to the drug. While species determination was possible, we were not able to identify differences that would indicate reinfection with a new strain. Analysis of patient demographic data revealed that 70% of patients were over 45 years old, 56.6% were previously treated with antifungals, 60% came from family history with onychomycosis and 13% were diabetic. In conclusion, our data indicate that patients' failure to clear onychomycosis was not associated with resistant development. Failure of terbinafine therapy may be dependent on host-related factors.
Single Cell Chemical Cytometry of Akt Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Normal Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes in Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor α

The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is poorly understood, and 30% of patients are unresponsive to established treatments targeting tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Akt kinase is implicated in TNFα signaling and may act as a barometer of patient responses to biologic therapies. Fluorescent peptide sensors and chemical cytometry were employed to directly measure Akt activity as well as proteolytic activity in individual fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA and normal subjects. The specificity of the peptide reporter was evaluated and shown to be a valid measure of Akt activity in single cells. The effect of TNFα treatment on Akt activity was highly heterogeneous between normal and RA subjects, which was not observable in bulk analyses. In 2 RA subjects, a bimodal distribution of Akt activity was observed, primarily due to a subpopulation (21.7%: RA Subject 5; 23.8%: RA Subject 6) of cells in which >60% of the reporter was phosphorylated. These subjects also possessed statistically elevated proteo...
The Spatial/Political-Economic Dynamics of Theme Parks in Contemporary Transatlantic Fiction

While the narrative fiction of Dubai places in evidence a number of the core attributes of neoliberalism as they play out in especially unqualified social-spatial form, it is equally possible to look beyond particular places to certain telltale forms of spatial arrangement for further insight into the lived realities of neoliberal society. One of these forms, though it predates the emergence of neoliberalism on the policy stage by about two decades, has been an integral part of the consumer society that arose in the aftermath of World War II and has increasingly taken on neoliberal contours of class-based exclusionary accessibility, omnipresent commodity fetishism, and service industry labor exploitation: the theme park.
PGC-1 Coactivators: Shepherding the Mitochondrial Biogenesis of Tumors.

As coordinators of energy demands and nutritional supplies, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator 1 (PGC-1) family of transcriptional coactivators regulates mitochondrial biogenesis to control the cellular bioenergetic state. Aside from maintaining normal and adapted cell physiology, recent studies indicate that PGC-1 coactivators also serve important functions in cancer cells. In fact, by balancing mitochondrial energy production with demands for cell proliferation, these factors are involved in almost every step of tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the interplay between PGC-1 coactivators and cancer pathogenesis, including tumor initiation, metastatic spread, and response to treatment. Given their involvement in the functional biology of cancers, identification of regulatory targets that influence PGC-1 expression and activity may reveal novel strategies suitable for mono- or combinatorial cancer therapies.
Rebuking the Ethnic Frame: Afro Caribbean and African American Evangelicals and Spiritual Kinship

In this ethnographic chapter, Thomas explores the spiritual kinship ties created by Afro Caribbean and African American evangelical churchgoers in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Thomas argues that the black evangelicals of two congregations (Corinthian Bible Chapel and Dixon Bible Chapel) use spiritual kinship—discourses and practices of spiritually defined relatedness—as a means of creating a familial belonging that can traverse ethnic identity boundaries. Nonetheless, Thomas also illustrates that the spiritual kinship produced by black evangelicals, like ethnicity, generates its own social, moral, and institutional hierarchies and differences.
Seasonal variability of the hydrogen exosphere of Mars

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission measures both the upstream solar wind and collisional products from energetic neutral hydrogen atoms that precipitate into the upper atmosphere after their initial formation by charge exchange with exospheric hydrogen. By computing the ratio between the densities of these populations, we derive a robust measurement of the column density of exospheric hydrogen upstream of the Martian bow shock. By comparing with Chamberlain-type model exospheres, we place new constraints on the structure and escape rates of exospheric hydrogen, derived from observations sensitive to a different and potentially complementary column from most scattered sunlight observations. Our observations provide quantitative estimates of the hydrogen exosphere with nearly complete temporal coverage, revealing order of magnitude seasonal changes in column density and a peak slightly after perihelion, approximately at southern summer solstice. The timing of this peak suggests either a lag in the response of the Martian atmosphere to solar inputs or a seasonal effect driven by lower atmosphere dynamics. The high degree of seasonal variability implied by our observations suggests that the Martian atmosphere and the thermal escape of light elements depend sensitively on solar inputs.
Novel magnetic burn-in for retention testing of STTRAM

Spin-Transfer Torque RAM (STTRAM) is an emerging Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) technology that has drawn significant attention due to complete elimination of bitcell leakage. However, it brings new challenges in characterizing the retention time of the array during test. Significant shift of retention time under static (process variation (PV)) and dynamic (voltage, temperature fluctuation) variability furthers this issue. In this paper, we propose a novel magnetic burn-in (MBI) test which can be implemented with minimal changes in the existing test flow to enable STTRAM retention testing at short test time. The magnetic burn-in is also combined with thermal burn-in (MBI−BI) for further compression of retention and test time. Simulation results indicate MBI with 220Oe (at 25C) can improve the test time by 3.71×1013 X while MBI−BI with 220Oe at 125C can improve the test time by 1.97×1014X.
18F-Fluoropropyl curcumin: A potential PET tracer for imaging inflammation and Aβ-plaques

74 Objectives: Curcumin (CUR) is known to be anitinflammatory, antiamyloidogenic and anticarcinogenic and is known to reduce formation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques. CUR binds to Aβ plaques with Ki= 0.2 nM (Ryu et al., 2006). As a PET imaging agent based on CUR, we report: 1. Radiosynthesis of O-18F-fluoropropyl curcumin (18F-FPCur) in a two-step reaction, and 2. Binding of 18F-FPCur in transgenic mouse models Tg2576 (Aβ plaques) and 3xTg triple transgenic (expressing Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles). Methods: 1-Bromo-3-18F-fluoropropane (18F-BFP)was prepared by reacting 1,3-dibromopropane with 18F-fluoride at 90°C in CH3CN for 20 mins. CUR was reacted with 18F-BFP in THF/K2CO3 at 80°C for 30 mins, purified on RP-HPLC (C18, CH3CN, CH3OH, H2O, CH3CO2H 41:23:36:1;1.5 ml/min). Binding to rat brain slices of 18F-FPCur was carried out at 37°C in 0.1 M TBS buffer containing 0.5% Tween, 0.1% BSA, pH 7.4 for 1hr. Sagittal brain sections (10 μm) were obtained from two transgenic models, Tg2576 and 3xTg and wild-type (WT) mice of comparable age. Binding of 18F-FPCur was determined by autroradiograms analyzed by OptiQuant Image Software. Adjacent mice brain sections were immunostained with an anti-Aβ antibody and thioflavin to confirm presence of Aβ plaques. Results: Radiolabeling and isolation of 18F-BFP as a THF solution occurred in >40% radiochemical yield in 40 mins. Radiolabeling of CUR occurred in low yields- approx. 2-3% of the radioactivity computed from collected HPLC fractions. A protected precursor molecule for radiolabeling is underway. Rat brain slices had low levels of nonspecific binding. Transgenic mice brain sections revealed significant amount of binding in areas consistent with the presence of Aβ plaques. Cerebellum (Cb) was used as a reference region- areas rich in Aβ plaques such as hippocampus (Hp), cortex (Ctx) and brain stem (BS) showed greater 18F-FPCur binding: For 3xTg: Hp/Cb= 2.6; Ctx/Cb= 1.23; BS/Cb= 2.7; and for Tg2576: Hp/Cb=1.9; Ctx/Cb= 1.8; BS/Cb=1.2. Thus, cortical regions of Tg2576 model contain higher degree of Aβ plaques. Conclusions: 18F-FPCur was prepared in a 2-step reaction. Methods to improve yields are currently underway. Binding of 18F-FPCur in transgenic mouse models indicates potential as a PET imaging agent.
Flexible small molecular anti-estrogens with N,N-dialkylated-2,5-diethoxy-4-morpholinoaniline scaffold targets multiple estrogen receptor conformations

ABSTRACTEstrogen mediates various cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, growth and mammary gland function. Estrogen Receptors (ERs) are expressed in 70% of breast cancers. Consequently, estrogen mediated ER signaling plays a critical role in breast cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. ERs are ligand-triggered transcription factors. However, in the absence of a cognate estrogenic ligand, ERs can be activated by a variety of other extracellular signals. Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen that selectively targets ER, induces substantial regression of breast tumors and an increase in disease-free survival. Tamoxifen mimics estrogen effects in other tissues thereby providing some beneficial effects including reduced risk of osteoporosis. However, breast cancers that initially respond well to tamoxifen tend to develop resistance and resume growth despite the continued presence of the antagonist.Library of compounds with substituted morpholinoaniline scaffold, a set of structurally di...
DIURNAL VARIATION OF PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY IN THE HUMAN BONE MARROW.

A study was made of the possible diurnal variation of proliferative activity of human bone marrow cells. A distinct diurnal variation of mitotic indices was present in 5 of 6 normal subjects. The average number of mitotic figures per 1000 nucleated cells in the 6 subjects was 7.6 at 6:00 a.m., 9.5 at noon, 10.5 at 6:00 p.m., and 13.1 at midnight. An assessment of diurnal variation in the per cent of cells synthesizing deoxyribonucleic acid was made in 4 additional subjects by means of incubation of aspirated marrow samples with tritiated thymidine in vitro. By this method, no consistent variation of synthesis could be found in erythroid precursor cells, but the per cent of myeloid precursor cells incorporating the label was lowest at midnight in each subject.
Tunable high-κ ZrxAl1−xOy thin film dielectrics from all-inorganic aqueous precursor solutions

Zirconium oxide has received considerable attention as a dielectric component for microelectronic applications. However, crystallization at relatively low temperatures results in the formation of grain boundaries and high leakage current densities. Doping ZrOy with Al is known to suppress crystallization, but the effects of Al incorporation on dielectric properties has not been investigated over the complete range of Zr : Al compositions in ZrxAl1−xOy (ZAO). Herein, we report an aqueous, all-inorganic route to amorphous high-κ ZAO thin film dielectrics with varying Zr : Al composition. ZAO thin films were spin-cast and annealed at temperatures between 200 and 600 °C to produce dense, uniform, and smooth films with sub-nm roughness. In general, Zr-rich films had higher dielectric constants, ranging from 18.6 for pure ZrOy to 5.4 for pure AlOy (1 kHz), while Al-rich films had lower leakage current densities. Of the compositions studied, Zr0.75Al0.25Oy films displayed the optimal balance of dielectric properties and low leakage current densities, making them promising candidates for microelectronic devices.