cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generalized vitiligo after erythroderma

We report a 65-year-old black man whose onset of an erythroderma was followed in 6 weeks by a generalized vitiligo. The etiology of the erythroderma was unclear, although a prostate adenocarcinoma was found on evaluation. This is to our knowledge the first patient reported with a vitiligo following exfoliative dermatitis, and the first report of two uncommon markers of internal malignancy (erythroderma and vitiligo) occurring with prostate adenocarcinoma in the same patient.
Improving Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery Through Cooperative Efforts: The Northern New England Experience

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is an effective procedure for relieving angina. In 1987, the Health Care Financing Administration published surgeon-specific mortality rates, prompting the formation of the Northern New England Cardiovascular Disease Study Group (NNECDSG). This regional collaborative of all medical centers performing cardiovascular procedures in northern New England began collecting data concerning patient and disease characteristics and adverse outcomes in an effort to improve the care provided to their patients. An initial quality improvement effort resulted in a 24% reduction in in-hospital mortality. Subsequent efforts have involved the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives to redesign care to reduce further a patient's risk of mortality and other morbidities. More recently, we have adopted this model to reduce a patient's risk of neurologic injury. In this study, we are intensively monitoring patients intraoperatively with transcranial Doppler an...
Revisiting the late Pleistocene mammal extinction record at Tight Entrance Cave, southwestern Australia

Tight Entrance Cave (TEC) in southwestern Australia provides a Pleistocene sequence documenting the extinction of 14 large mammal species. This record has been interpreted as indicating that extinctions did not occur during or before the penultimate glacial maximum (PGM) and that humans played a primary role in the extinctions. However, it remains possible that the majority of extinct megafauna persisted no later than the PGM. The TEC extinctions correspond with vegetation change, a cooling/drying trend, increased biomass burning, and increasingly unstable small mammal communities. The initiation of these trends predates human arrival on the continent and implies environmentally mediated extinctions.
Volatile components of figs

Abstract Volatile essences of Calimyrna, Kadota, Black Mission and Adriatic figs were prepared by passing large volumes of headspace gas through porous polymer traps at room temperature. The essences were analysed by gas chromatography, utilising wall-coated open-tubular glass capillary columns; structural elucidations were based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Differences between varieties appear to be quantitative rather than qualitative, and are not noticeably greater than differences between samples of the same variety. Compounds identified included acetaldehyde, dimethyl acetal, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, ethyl propionate, ethyl isobutyrate, propyl acetate, methyl butyrate, isobutyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl- 2 -methyl butyrate, 2 -methyl butyl acetate, 2 -ethyl- 1,2 -dihydrothiophene, ethyl valerate and 3 -hydroxy- 2 -butanone.
A simulation study for a hybrid inventory control strategy with advance demand information

Choosing the appropriate production and inventory control strategy is a key factor for the success of modern enterprises. Some industries adopt a Make-To-Order (MTO) policy to improve their punctuality and flexibility, while others adopt a Make-To-Stock (MTS) policy to minimise and control the inventory. This study proposes a hybrid strategy combining MTS and MTO with prioritisation. In the proposed strategy, the pull policy is considered for regular demands while a push policy with priority is applied to customers who notify their demand needs in advance. Through a set of simulation experiments this strategy is proved to be of great effectiveness.
Numerical solution for the inviscid supersonic flow in the corner formed by two intersecting wedges.

The inviscid, interference corner flow generated by two intersecting wedges immersed in a supersonic stream is obtained by use of a second-order, shock-capturing, finite-difference approach. The governing equations are solved iteratively in conical coordinates to yield the flow structure consisting of multiple shock and slip surfaces. The numerical results for shock wave and slip surface position and structure, pitot pressure traverses, and surface pressure distributions are compared with experimental data obtained over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The comparisons show the best agreement with the high Reynolds number (greater than 3,000,000) results for which the boundary layer is turbulent.
Nucleotide variation at Msn and Alas2, two genes flanking the centromere of the X chromosome in humans.

The centromeric region of the X chromosome in humans experiences low rates of recombination over a considerable physical distance. In such a region, the effects of selection may extend to linked sites that are far away. To investigate the effects of this recombinational environment on patterns of nucleotide variability, we sequenced 4581 bp at Msn and 4697 bp at Alas2, two genes situated on either side of the X chromosome centromere, in a worldwide sample of 41 men, as well as in one common chimpanzee and one orangutan. To investigate patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) across the centromere, we also genotyped several informative sites from each gene in 120 men from sub-Saharan Africa. By studying X-linked loci in males, we were able to recover haplotypes and study long-range patterns of LD directly. Overall patterns of variability were remarkably similar at these two loci. Both loci exhibited (i) very low levels of nucleotide diversity (among the lowest seen in the human genome); (ii) a strong skew in the distribution of allele frequencies, with an excess of both very-low and very-high-frequency derived alleles in non-African populations; (iii) much less variation in the non-African than in the African samples; (iv) very high levels of population differentiation; and (v) complete LD among all sites within loci. We also observed significant LD between Msn and Alas2 in Africa, despite the fact that they are separated by ∼10 Mb. These observations are difficult to reconcile with a simple demographic model but may be consistent with positive and/or purifying selection acting on loci within this large region of low recombination.
Virus-specific CD8+ T Lymphocytes Downregulate T Helper Cell Type 2 Cytokine Secretion and Pulmonary Eosinophilia during Experimental Murine Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the immune response during viral infections. In a murine model of experimental respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, mice sensitized to either of the two major glycoproteins of RSV develop distinct patterns of cytokine secretion and lung inflammation upon subsequent RSV infection. Mice sensitized to RSV-G (attachment) glycoprotein exhibit a strong interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 response and develop pulmonary eosinophilia, whereas mice sensitized to RSV-F (fusion) glycoprotein develop a predominantly T helper cell (Th)1 response and pulmonary inflammation characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration. In this study, we examined the potential role of virus-specific CD8+ T cytolytic T cells on the differentiation and activation of functionally distinct CD4+ T cells specific to these viral glycoproteins. Mice primed with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing RSV-F glycoprotein mounted a strong RSV-specific, MHC class I–restricted cytolytic response, whereas priming with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing RSV-G glycoprotein failed to elicit any detectable cytolytic response. Priming for a RSV-specific CD8+ T cell response, either with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing RSV-G glycoprotein in which a strong CD8+ T cell epitope from RSV-M2 (matrix) protein has been inserted or with a combination of vaccinia virus expressing the matrix protein and the RSV-G glycoprotein, suppressed the eosinophil recruitment into the lungs of these mice upon subsequent challenge with RSV. This reduction in pulmonary eosinophilia correlated with the suppression of Th2 type cytokine production. The importance of CD8+ T cells in this process was further supported by the results in CD8+ T cell deficient, β2 microglobulin KO mice. In these mice, priming to RSV-F glycoprotein (which in normal mice primed for a strong cytolytic response and a pulmonary infiltrate consisting primarily of mononuclear cells on RSV challenge) resulted in the development of marked pulmonary eosinophilia that was not seen in mice with an intact CD8+ T cell compartment. These results indicate that CD8+ T cells may play an important role in the regulation of the differentiation and activation of Th2 CD4+ T cells as well as the recruitment of eosinophils into the lungs during RSV infection.
MR imaging of muscle and tendon injury

The nature and MRI appearance of injuries to the muscle including delayed onset muscle soreness, muscle contusion, muscle strain, and compartment syndromes are described and examples shown. The nature of degenerative disease of tendon (tendinosis) is discussed and representative examples of the MRI appearance of various stages are illustrated. The role of MR in the clinical management of these disorders is discussed where appropriate.
Rule-Based Source Level Patching of Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities

Buffer overflow (BOF) is a notorious vulnerability that leads to non-secure software. The presence of BOF hampers essential security objectives - confidentiality, integrity and availability. A BOF might result in neigh boring data values corruption, application core dumps, etc. This research focuses on the detection and patching of BOF vulnerabilities. The detection includes identifying programming elements that might cause BOF, such as limitations due to languages, associated libraries, and logical errors. This work presents several code patterns that include simple (one statement) and complex (multiple statements) forms of BOF. For prevention, we propose eight rules to fix vulnerable code to avoid BOF without modifying the application functionality. The proposed approach addresses BOF issues not only at the unit level but also at the integrated level by passing buffer length information. The proposed rules are evaluated with 14 benchmark applications that have known BOF vulnerabilities. The results show that the proposed rules are effective in detecting and patching BOF without altering original functionalities of applications. The performance overhead due to the application of the proposed patching rules is negligible.
Use of the mouse spot test in chemical mutagenesis: interpretation of past data and recommendations for future work.

The mouse spot test, developed 23 years ago, is an in vivo assay capable of detecting genetic effects of several kinds, including intragenic mutations, minute deficiencies, deletions (through breakage or nondisjunction) of various amounts of chromosomal material, and somatic crossing-over. The method involves exposing embryos that are heterozygous for a number of coat-color markers to the test agent, and, 3 weeks later, looking for clones of mutant cells, i.e., spots of color expressing the recessive marker in an otherwise black fur. Spots having other causes may also be induced, specifically white midventral spots due to cytotoxic effects, and certain spots resulting from misdifferentiation. Spot-test results have, to date, been reported from 7 laboratories. Because the control results for any one cross and solvent were found to be reasonably consistent between the laboratories, we pooled these to develop a "historical" control with which experimental results for the same cross and solvent were compared. Experimental results were classified as positive, negative, or inconclusive on the basis of a multiple-decision procedure produced by the testing of the following 2 hypotheses: (1) the mutation frequency (induced + spontaneous) in treated mice is not higher than the mutation frequency in the appropriate pooled control, and (2) the induced mutation frequency of the treated mice is no less than 4 times as high as the observed mutation frequency in the appropriate pooled control. Each hypothesis was tested at the 5% significance level. To date, 30 substances have been employed in the spot test, including 3 that are solvents for some of the others. Of the remaining 27 (26 compounds and 1 mixture), 16 were positive, 6 negative, and 5 inconclusive. The 26 compounds fell into 27 chemical classifications (using a system provided for use by the GENE-TOX program). The inadequacies in the design and reporting of some past experiments indicate a need for a carefully specified protocol. When properly done, the spot test will fulfill a useful role in mutagenicity testing programs because (1) it is an in vivo mammalian assay, (2) it detects genetic effects of many kinds, and (3) it is relatively rapid. Since the test appears well suited to the identification of potent mutagens, its main value should be in screening large numbers of substances and singling out the potentially worst offenders to be further studied in germ-line mutagenesis tests.
Statistical QoS provisionings for wireless unicast/multicast of multi-layer video streams

Due to the time-varying wireless channels, deterministic quality of service (QoS) is usually difficult to guarantee for real-time multi-layer video transmissions in wireless networks. Consequently, statistical QoS guarantees have become an important alternative in supporting real-time video transmissions. In this paper, we propose an efficient framework to model the statistical delay QoS guarantees, in terms of QoS exponent, effective bandwidth/capacity, and delay-bound violation probability, for multi-layer video transmissions over wireless fading channels. In particular, a separate queue is maintained for each video layer, and the same delay bound and corresponding violation probability threshold are set up for all layers. Applying the effective bandwidth/capacity analyses on the incoming video stream, we obtain a set of QoS exponents for all video layers to effectively characterize this delay QoS requirement.We then develop a set of optimal adaptive transmission schemes to minimize the resource consumption while satisfying the diverse QoS requirements under various scenarios, including video unicast/multicast with and/or without loss tolerance. Simulation results are also presented to demonstrate the impact of statistical QoS provisionings on resource allocations of our proposed adaptive transmission schemes.
Ground-water recharge to the aquifers of northern San Luis Valley, Colorado: Summary

The northern San Luis Drainage Basin, which includes the northern closed basin of San Luis Valley and contributing watersheds of the, Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains.(Fig. 1), is a high mountain basin encompassing about 8,400 sq km of south-central Colorado. The basin is located 210 km southwest of Denver, along the Rio Grande Rift Zone, a zone of Cenozoic normal faulting, volcanic activity, and high heat flow (Chapin, 1971). The basin is bounded on the east and west by the surface water divides of the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains, respectively, on the north by Poncha Pass, and on the south by a shallow ground- and surface-water divide north of the Rio Grande River. The aquifers of San Luis Valley have undergone rapid development since the discovery of artesian water in 1887. A definition of the sources of ground-water recharge to these aquifers is necessary for the rational management of both the developed and potential resources of the valley. More important perhaps is that the ground-water recharge system must be understood before the relations between aquifer development and flow in the Rio Grande can be defined and used to meet Colorado9s obligations to New Mexico under the 1938 Rio Grande Compact. Although several studies have discussed the hydrogeology of portions of the valley (Siebenthal, 1910; Powell, 1958), the ground-water chemistry of the valley (Klein, 1971; Glanzman, 1972; Emery and others, 1973), and the general hydrology of the valley (Emery and others, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973), this is the first such study to focus specifically on the ground-water recharge system of the northern San Luis Basin.
Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor Regulates BK Channels Independent of G-Protein Activation in Rat Renal Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells

In vascular smooth muscles cells (SMCs),Angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to be involved in numerous biological events, including cell contraction, proliferation, migration, and senescence, through the activation of canonical G-protein-dependent signaling pathways. We previously identified a physical interaction between expressed angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels. In the present study, we assessed the contribution of AT1R and G-protein activation in Ang II-mediated inhibition of BK currents using losartan, an antagonist of AT1R and GDPβS, an inhibitor of G-protein activation. First, we tested the effectiveness of losartan in preventing AT1R activation in HEK293T cells by measuring ERK1/2 phosphorylation and confirmed that 10 μM losartan could fully inhibit the activation induced by 1 μM Ang II. In freshly isolated rat renal arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs), extracellular application of 1 μM Ang II reduced whole-cell BK currents by 42.9±6.5% (n=5). Supporting the role of AT1R, BK currents were unaffected after Ang II stimulation in losartan-pretreated SMCs and remained at 99.5±2.8% (n=9) of their original amplitude. The full antagonistic action of losartan was also observed in Ang II pretreated HEK293T cells concurrently expressing AT1R and BK channels (n=6). On the other hand, intracellular application of 500 μM GDPβS via the pipette failed to prevent Ang II-induced inhibition of BK currents supporting a process that is independent of G-protein activation. In summary, the results demonstrate that AT1R mediates the Ang II-induced inhibition of BK currents in renal arterial SMCs, and support the hypothesis that the Ang II inhibitory effect on BK currents is mediated by an intimate interaction between AT1R and BK channels. Supported by NIH.
Readiness to change as a moderator of outcome in transdiagnostic treatment

Abstract Initial symptom severity is a client characteristic associated with psychotherapy outcome, although this relationship is not well-understood. Readiness to change is a factor that may influence this relationship. This study tested readiness as a moderator of the relationship between initial severity and symptom change. Data were derived from an RCT examining the efficacy of a transdiagnostic CBT treatment. Readiness was assessed with the URICA, and symptom and functioning outcomes were assessed. Multiple regression models indicated that severity was associated with less overall change, yet readiness moderated this relationship. At higher levels of readiness, the effect of initial severity on outcome was essentially reversed; for clients with higher initial readiness, higher levels of severity were associated with greater change.
Sodium bicarbonate versus normal saline for protection against contrast nephropathy

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a form of acute kidney injury and a significant source of morbidity and mortality. We defined CIN as an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) of 25% or more within 48 hours of receiving contrast. We retrospectively compared sodium bicarbonate with normal saline for prevention of CIN. One hundred and eighty-seven patients exposed to contrast during cardiac angiography, treated prophylactically either with sodium bicarbonate (n = 89) or with normal saline (n = 98), were studied. Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar in terms of age, amount of contrast, presence of diabetes mellitus, and use of furosemide and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Patients in bicarbonate group had more severe renal disease with higher baseline SCr (1.58 +/- 0.5 mg/dL vs. 1.28 +/- 0.3 mg/dL, p = 0.001) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, 51.06 +/- 14.0 mL/min vs. 62.3+/-13.5 mL/min, p = 0.001) compared to the normal saline group. After the contrast exposure, there was significant drop in eGFR (6.4%) and increase in SCr (11.3%) in the normal saline group and no significant change in the bicarbonate group. Three patients (3.4%) in the bicarbonate group as opposed to 14 patients (14.3%) in the normal saline group developed CIN (p = 0.011). Two patients in the normal saline group and none in the bicarbonate group needed dialysis. There was no significant difference in serum creatinine at three-month follow-up in either group. The above findings suggest that hydration with intravenous sodium bicarbonate is more effective than normal saline in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy.
Model reduction of complex systems in the linear-fractional framework

This paper discusses model reduction for systems in several different classes, in particular time-varying, multidimensional or uncertain systems, and nonlinear systems in the linear-fractional framework. We describe in detail the unifying viewpoint that this framework provides to all of these classes, and discuss the numerical methods used to construct reduced-order models. The methods used are extensions of the well-known method of balanced truncation, with provably good properties in the induced-norm.
QCM-D sensitivity to protein adsorption reversibility

Using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipative monitoring (QCM-D) we have determined the adsorption reversibility and viscoelastic properties of ribonuclease A adsorbed to hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers. Consistent with previous work with proteins unfolding on hydrophobic surfaces, high protein solution concentrations, reduced adsorption times, and low ammonium sulfate concentrations lead to increased adsorption reversibility. Measured rigidity of the protein layers normalized for adsorbed protein amounts, a quantity we term specific dissipation, correlated with adsorption reversibility of ribonuclease A. These results suggest that specific dissipation may be correlated with changes in structure of adsorbed proteins.
Plant pathology: a 55-year retrospective

Plant pathologist George Zentmyer, Professor Emeritus in the Riverside branch of the University of California, has devoted much of his life to the benefit of avocado growers worldwide. He is widely known in our industry, respected and revered. Dr. Zentmyer has for forty-eight years enlightened members of the California Avocado Society through his annual contributions to the Yearbook. In this article, his admirers have an opportunity to look back, with him, on his long, distinguished—and still active—role in the avocado industry.
An Integrated Approach for Numerical Analysis of Coupled Flow and Heat Transfer in Co-rotating Twin Screw Extruders

Abstract The co-rotating twin screw extrusion process is widely employed in chemical industries for the processing of complex fluids including various polymers, suspensions, emulsions and gels. Here we propose a new integrated modeling strategy that is based on the numerical analysis of pressure-generating extrusion elements concomitantly with the pressure-losing extrusion elements of the co-rotating twin screw extrusion process for non-Newtonian fluids under nonisothermal conditions. The numerical analysis undertakes three-dimensional (3-D) finite element simulations of any multiple combinations of forwarding and reversing fully-flighted screw elements with other types of elements including kneading discs staggered in the forward or reverse configurations and the die. The abilities of the methodologies in simulating the coupled flow and heat transfer in industrially-relevant mixing sections or pressurization/die shaping are demonstrated with predictions of the degree of fill and typical velocity, deforma...
The Id2+ distal tip lung epithelium contains individual multipotent embryonic progenitor cells.

The conducting airways (bronchi and bronchioles) and peripheral gas exchange (alveolar) regions of the mammalian lung are generated by a process of branching morphogenesis. Evidence suggests that during embryonic development, the undifferentiated epithelial progenitors are located at the distal tips of the branching epithelium. To test this hypothesis, we used an Id2-CreERT2 knock-in mouse strain to lineage trace the distal epithelial tip cells during either the pseudoglandular or canalicular phases of development. During the pseudoglandular stage, the tip cells both self-renew and contribute descendents to all epithelial cell lineages, including neuroendocrine cells. In addition, individual Id2+ tip cells can self-renew and contribute descendents to both the bronchiolar and alveolar compartments. By contrast, during the later canalicular stage, the distal epithelial tip cells only contribute descendents to the alveoli. Taken together, this evidence supports a model in which the distal tip of the developing lung contains a multipotent epithelial population, the fate of which changes during development.
Study of Laser-Induced Photopolymerizations by Optical Pyrometry

Studies of the 355 nm laser induced free radical and cationic photopolymerization reactions of mono- and multifunctional monomers were conducted. These investigations were carried out with the aid of a specially constructed optical pyrometry instrument that provides rapid, reproducible temperature versus time profiles for these fast photo-polymerization reactions. Using this technique, the effects of various reaction parameters and monomer structures on the rate and extent of the photopolymerization reactions were examined.
Measurement of safe thermal therapy levels: the case of ultrasonic waveguide interstitial applicator array.

� Abstract—This paper addresses the issue of heat toxicity using as an example heating with ultrasonic interstitial waveguide four-applicator array. We show that the experimental heating curves are closely followed by the ones from our FEA modeling using realistically shaped model. The thermal dose was calculated at locations considered to be at the border of the safe dose and compared to 20 CEM43 considered in literature as the safety threshold. We found some discrepancy between the two on comparison. In the paper, we propose an approach that leads to compromise between them; at the same time it helps to define the threshold temperature for each case.
A 1920 X 1080 Element Deformable Mirror Device for High Definition Displays

Summary form only given. A 1920*1080 element deformable mirror device (DMD) for the development of a high-definition display (HDD) is discussed. This chip is capable of projecting fixed patterns in full color at a 60-Hz frame rate. A DMD is a reflective spatial light modulator (SLM) which consists of an array of electrostatically addressed micromechanical mirrors fabricated monolithically with the address circuitry. A three-color, 128-level (7-b) gray-scale video projection display based upon the DMD is also discussed. >
Two-timescale analysis of extreme mass ratio inspirals in Kerr spacetime: Orbital motion

Inspirals of stellar-mass compact objects into massive black holes are an important source for future gravitational wave detectors such as Advanced LIGO and LISA. The detection and analysis of these signals rely on accurate theoretical models of the binary dynamics. We cast the equations describing binary inspiral in the extreme mass ratio limit in terms of action-angle variables, and derive properties of general solutions using a two-timescale expansion. This provides a rigorous derivation of the prescription for computing the leading order orbital motion. As shown by Mino, this leading order or adiabatic motion requires only knowledge of the orbit-averaged, dissipative piece of the self-force. The two-timescale method also gives a framework for calculating the post-adiabatic corrections. For circular and for equatorial orbits, the leading order corrections are suppressed by one power of the mass ratio, and give rise to phase errors of order unity over a complete inspiral through the relativistic regime. These post-1-adiabatic corrections are generated by the fluctuating, dissipative piece of the first order self-force, by the conservative piece of the first order self-force, and by the orbit-averaged, dissipative piece of the second order self-force. We also sketch a two-timescale expansion of the Einstein equation, and deduce an analytic formula for the leading order, adiabatic gravitational waveforms generated by an inspiral.
Graphical Interpretation of Chirp Echoes from Complex Targets

Echoes from complex targets due to chirp waveforms show different time responses for different chirp rates, because of the ambiguity of range and radial velocity information. A graphical method is described which enables the derivation of the time response for an arbitrary chirp rate when the scattering cross-section distribution in the range and radial velocity plane is known for complex targets. The graphical method can also be used to generate an approximately realistic scattering cross-section distribution when the time responses for two different chirp rates are given. An example is shown which applies to the computer simulation of the radar echo from a waking reentry space vehicle.
Canopy Walkways for Conservation: A Tropical Biologist's Panacea or Fuzzy Metrics to Justify Ecotourism

Despite extensive scientific research undertaken in tropical eco systems over the last few decades, approximately half of tropical for ests have been destroyed and rates of deforestation continue to accelerate worldwide (Curran et al. 2004). Thousands of indigenous cultures and millions of local people need these deteriorating forest resources for their livelihoods, and the challenges of tropical forest conservation looms as a global priority (Laurance & Perez 2006). Meanwhile, the conventional metric used to gauge the success of professional academics in tropical biology is the publication of tech nical papers, which seems all too disconnected from the metrics of forest conservation. A new consciousness is sorely needed (Leisero witz & Fernandez 2008; but see Webb 2005, B?scher 2008). Most tropical biologists admittedly enter the profession with a hope to contribute to conservation of these systems, but their hundreds of thousands of hours dedicated to field research and publications do not seem proportional to reversing conservation. If conventional business formulae were applied to tropical research, a likely outcome would be downsizing the industry. New metrics that incorporate conservation benchmarks and facilitate sharing best practices be tween professional scientists and local stakeholders could foster forest conservation through actions that create sustainable economies. Canopy research appeared to offer an ideal case study to ex amine the socioeconomic plus scientific metrics of success, with its spin-off ecotourism operations such as skywalks and ziplines pro viding data sets to quantify their benefits to local stakeholders (Lowman 2004a). In short, can canopy access tools contribute to local economies and stimulate forest conservation? And second, can projects that promote forest conservation provide acceptable met rics to gauge success among scientific researchers (see also Garnett etal. 2009, Sunderland et al. 2009)? Canopy ecology is a relatively new component of tropical for est research, with a toolkit of creative access techniques developed over the last two decades (Lowman 2004b). Business ventures in volving canopy exploration are often incorporated into large-scale eco-developments that include bird-watching, education-based na ture tours, spas, and holistic medicine (Weaver 2001). These eco tourism opportunities usually meet with generic approval under the guise of'green businesses'. In this commentary, I grapple with the apparent oxymoron of working as a biological researcher yet build
Soluble epoxide hydrolase gene deficiency or inhibition attenuates chronic active inflammatory bowel disease in IL-10(-/-) mice.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) metabolizes anti-inflammatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) into their much less active dihydroxy derivatives dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids. Thus, targeting sEH would be important for inflammation. To determine whether knockout or inhibition of sEH would attenuate the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a mouse model of IBD in IL-10(−/−) mice. Either the small molecule sEH inhibitor trans/-4-[4-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid (t-AUCB) or sEH knockout mice were used in combination with IL-10(−/−) mice. t-AUCB was administered to mice in drinking fluid. Extensive histopathologic, immunochemical, and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate effect of sEH inhibition or deficiency on chronic active inflammation and related mechanism in the bowel. Compared to IL-10 (−/−) mice, sEH inhibition or sEH deficiency in IL-10(−/−) mice resulted in significantly lower incidence of active ulcer formation and transmural inflammation, along with a significant decrease in myeloperoxidase-labeled neutrophil infiltration in the inflamed bowel. The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and MCP-1, as well VCAM-1 and NF-kB/IKK-α signals were significantly decreased as compared to control animals. Moreover, an eicosanoid profile analysis revealed a significant increase in the ratio of EETs/DHET and EpOME/DiOME, and a slightly down-regulation of inflammatory mediators LTB4 and 5-HETE. These results indicate that sEH gene deficiency or inhibition reduces inflammatory activities in the IL-10 (−/−) mouse model of IBD, and that sEH inhibitor could be a highly potential in the treatment of IBD.
Estimation of Electrical Conductivity and Electromagnetic Shielding Characteristics of Graphite/Epoxy Laminates:

The low electrical conductivity of advanced composites relative to metals presents the design engineer with potential problems when utilizing composites in the construction of primary aircraft components. This con ductivity is the key material property that governs the vulnerability of sensitive circuitry inside an aircraft when exposed to electromagnetic inter ference due to lightning, nuclear detonations or powerful transmitters.This paper presents experimentally verified analytical expression to esti mate the basic electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding charac teristics of bare and protected graphite/epoxy laminates. These expressions can be used to compare the electrical performance of various configura tions of graphite/epoxy laminates and candidate protective coatings that will improve the shielding characteristics.
Plot shape effects on plant species diversity measurements

Question Do rectangular sample plots record more plant species than square plots as suggested by both empirical and theoretical studies?Location: Grasslands, shrublands and forests in the Mediterranean-climate region of California, USA.Methods: We compared three 0.1-ha sampling designs that differed in the shape and dispersion of 1-m2 and 100-m2 nested subplots. We duplicated an earlier study that compared the Whittaker sample design, which had square clustered subplots, with the modified Whittaker design, which had dispersed rectangular subplots. To sort out effects of dispersion from shape we used a third design that overlaid square subplots on the modified Whittaker design. Also, using data from published studies we extracted species richness values for 400-m2 subplots that were either square or 1:4 rectangles partially overlaid on each other from desert scrub in high and low rainfall years, chaparral, sage scrub, oak savanna and coniferous forests with and without fire.Results: We found that earlier empirical reports of more than 30% greater richness with rectangles were due to the confusion of shape effects with spatial effects, coupled with the use of cumulative number of species as the metric for comparison. Average species richness was not significantly different between square and 1:4 rectangular sample plots at either 1- or 100-m2. Pairwise comparisons showed no significant difference between square and rectangular samples in all but one vegetation type, and that one exhibited significantly greater richness with squares. Our three intensive study sites appear to exhibit some level of self-similarity at the scale of 400 m2, but, contrary to theoretical expectations, we could not detect plot shape effects on species richness at this scale.Conclusions: At the 0.1-ha scale or lower there is no evidence that plot shape has predictable effects on number of species recorded from sample plots. We hypothesize that for the mediterranean-climate vegetation types studied here, the primary reason that 1:4 rectangles do not sample greater species richness than squares is because species turnover varies along complex environmental gradients that are both parallel and perpendicular to the long axis of rectangular plots. Reports in the literature of much greater species richness recorded for highly elongated rectangular strips than for squares of the same area are not likely to be fair comparisons because of the dramatically different periphery/area ratio, which includes a much greater proportion of species that are using both above and below-ground niche space outside the sample area.
Differences in responses of male and female rats to dietary carbohydrate-fat combinations

Abstract Male and female rats were fed diets containing different carbohydrate-fat combinations for 2, 4, and 6 weeks to determine whether changes in tissue lipids would be similar in female and male rats. Starch and sucrose were each fed with low and high levels (15% and 40% of energy) of safflower oil (SAFF) and beef tallow (BT). In general, females appeared to adapt to dietary changes more readily than males, showing less extreme changes in level and composition of liver lipids. Major sex related differences were that female rats had: (a) an absence of progressive accumulation of total liver lipid, linoleic acid, and cholesterol when fed the starch-high SAFF diet; (b) a lack of significant effect of the sucrose-low BT combination, as compared with starch-low BT, on amount and fatty acid composition of liver lipid; and (c) higher percentages of stearic acid in liver lipids. Results demonstrated the fallacy of assuming that metabolic effects of dietary constituents observed in males will be the same in females, and vice versa.
Neutralizing Antibodies Elicited by Immunization of Monkeys with DNA Plasmids and Recombinant Adenoviral Vectors Expressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Proteins

Immunization with recombinant serotype 5 adenoviral (rAd5) vectors or a combination of DNA plasmid priming and rAd5 boosting is known to elicit potent immune responses. However, little data exist regarding these immunization strategies and the development of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibodies. We used DNA plasmids and rAd5 vectors encoding the HIV-1 89.6P or chimeric HxB2/BaL envelope glycoprotein to immunize macaque monkeys. A single rAd5 immunization elicited anti-Env antibody responses, but there was little boosting with subsequent rAd5 immunizations. In contrast, rAd5 boosting of DNA-primed monkeys resulted in a rapid rise in antibody titers, including the development of anti-HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies. The potency and breadth of neutralization were evaluated by testing plasma against a panel of 14 clade B primary isolates. Moderate levels of plasma neutralizing activity were detected against about one-third of the viruses tested, and immunoglobulin G fractionation demonstrated that virus neutralization was antibody mediated. After a challenge with a chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV89.6P), an anamnestic neutralizing antibody response was observed, although the breadth of the response was limited to the subset of viruses that were neutralized after the primary immunization. These data are the first detailed description of the anti-HIV-1 neutralizing antibody response in nonhuman primates elicited by DNA and rAd5 immunization. In addition to the well-established ability of DNA priming and rAd5 boosting to elicit potent anti-HIV-1 cellular immune responses, this immunization strategy elicits anti-HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and therefore can be used to study novel Env immunogens designed to elicit more potent neutralizing antibodies.
Clinical trials for the treatment of intractable postpartum hemorrhage by uterine artery ligation with uterine tamponade

Objective: To observe and analyze the clinical effect and value of intractable postpartum hemorrhage treatment by used uterine artery ligation with uterine tamponade. Methods: 40 cases with intractable postpartum hemorrhage,which admitted in our hospital during March 2013 to March 2015,were selected as the research object and divided into the observation group and the control group,each group of 20 cases. Control group was given uterine tamponade treatment and observation group was given uterine artery ligation with uterine tamponade. All of the treatment was based on regular treatment,the clinical situations after a period of time was observed. Results: After treatment different ways of hemostatic effect of two groups were analyzed. The hemostatic success rate of the observation group 19( 93. 3%) was obviously better than that of the control group 16( 80. 0%),he difference was significant statistically significant( P 0. 05). postoperative indicators of the observation group were higher than the control group. Conclusion: In the application of conventional western medicine treatment at the same time,the clinical curative effect and safety of pregnant women with intractable postpartum hemorrhage treated by uterine artery ligation with uterine tamponade is significant batter than conventional uterine tamponade treatment. It can make the patient's symptoms improved obviously,and the incidence of adverse reactions,safe and reliable,and can be widely used in clinic.
Markovian prediction of sequential temporal patterns in spontaneous speech.

Observations on successive sound and silence durations in spontaneous speech have revealed a regular structure. Periods of relatively long pauses coupled to short vocalizations were found to alternate with periods in which short pauses and long vocalizations were paired. It is shown that such a structure can be produced by a random selection of sound-silence durations from exponential distribution functions. A test for the statistical significance of this effect is proposed.
Differences in Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonist Use in Rural and Urban Older Adults

Background Older adults are especially susceptible to adverse consequences of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), such as benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZDRAs), due to age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes. Although some risk factors for BZDRA use in older adults have been identified, the role of rural versus urban residence is less clear.
Varying the degree of single-whisker stimulation differentially affects phases of intrinsic signals in rat barrel cortex.

Varying the degree of single-whisker stimulation differentially affects phases of intrinsic signals in rat barrel cortex. . Neurophysiol. 81: 692–701, 1999. Using intrinsic signal optical imaging (...
The Research, Development,Demonstration, Testing, and Evaluation Program of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Technology Development

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (EM), Office of Technology Development (OTD) is conducting a research, development, demonstration, testing and evaluation (RDDT&E) program to make available new technologies to achieve compliance with cleanup and waste management requirements at DOE sites. DOE manages the unique cleanup and waste management needs of former military nuclear production sites, which involve combinations of hazardous and radioactive materials and mixed wastes. In many cases management of these wastes cannot achieve compliance using currently available technologies, or costs of achieving compliance are extremely expensive. The OTD RDDT&E program is organized in three areas: (1) soil and groundwater cleanup, (2) waste retrieval and processing, and (3) waste minimization. The private sector is actively participating in this program to develop and demonstrate new and innovative technologies that can be applied to meeting DOE’s environmental goals. Interagency cooperation with the U.S. Army, Air Force, and other federal agencies is another of DOE’s means of addressing mutual environmental technology needs in a cost-effective manner. International participation in the demonstration of new technologies addressing mutual environmental problems has been initiated.
Chapter 3 – Classical Targets in Drug Discovery

The Human Genome Project demonstrated that the 23 chromosomes that support human existence are composed of over 3 billion base pairs and contains approximately 20–25,000 protein-coding genes. Although the number of “druggable” targets is only a fraction of this set (∼5000 small molecule targets), the number of biomolecules that could be modulated to produce a physiological response is still very large. Fortunately, the available therapeutic targets are not a collection of individually unique biomolelcules. They can be grouped into families and classes based on their functions, structure, and mechanism of action. This has greatly facilitated the study of “druggable” targets and lead to the realization that the majority of drugs interact with one of the four classes of major classes of biomolecules, enzyme, G protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, and transporters. Prototypical examples of each target class provide an understanding of the basic concepts of each target class.
Abstract 2186: Incorporation of natural compounds into biomaterials to prevent breast cancer recurrence

Numerous studies have demonstrated that naturally occurring phytochemicals such as Tannic acid (TA) possess anti-cancer properties. Apoptotic activity is increased in breast cancer and prostate cancer cells in response to exposure to tannin extracts. Collagen type I is a biomaterial routinely used for cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including breast reconstruction following breast cancer mandated surgeries. TA functions as a collagen crosslinking agent through both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic effects. Thus, if TA-crosslinked collagen type I is used for breast reconstruction procedures, the crosslinked collagen will be remodeled by growing breast epithelial cells and adipocytes where the incorporated TA will be released killing nearby residual cancer cells preventing recurrence. When adipocytes are grown on TA-crosslinked collagen beads the measureable released TA induces caspase-mediated apoptosis in ER+ and HER2+ breast cancer cells but has no effect on triple negative breast cancer cells and reduced apoptotic-inducing activity in normal breast epithelial cells. We are developing an injectable matrix comprised of TA-crosslinked collagen beads and adipocytes to serve as a tissue regeneration platform in patients post-lumpectomy. Variables such as collagen temperature, syringe pump rate, and drop distance have been studied to determine ideal method for producing beads of the desired size and shape. These promising results will lead to the construction of a matrix designed to not only promote tissue regeneration but also simultaneously help to prevent tumor recurrence. This matrix provides protection in breast cancer patients and holds promise for patients suffering from other soft tissue cancers. Citation Format: Lauren Jordan, Bailey-Jean Walker, Christopher Moody, Brian W. Booth. Incorporation of natural compounds into biomaterials to prevent breast cancer recurrence. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2186.