cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Migrant Songbird Species Distribution and Habitat Use During Stopover on Two Islands in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract We compared the distribution of migrant bird species between two islands in the Gulf of Maine to examine if differences in habitat resulted in differences in avian species composition and relative abundance during stopover. Ninety-one species were captured on both islands and those species captured on only one island were either breeding species or rare visitors to the islands. Differences in bird species distribution between islands were species-specific and consistent among sampling periods for nearly all species. Twelve species were captured more frequently on Star Island and 11 species more frequently on Appledore Island. Stopover species distribution appeared to be related to habitat structure, vegetation, diet, and habitat area. Scrub-shrub/open habitat breeding species and forest breeding species were not evenly distributed between islands. Island use was most closely associated with breeding habitat. All but two of the eight species that breed in scrub-shrub or open habitat were captured ...
Crustal Structure of South Florida Bank Derived from Ocean Bottom Seismometer Refraction Profiles: ABSTRACT

In March 1982, 6 seismic refraction lines, 70-90 km (43-56 mi) long, were shot in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico using the advanced University of Texas digital ocean bottom seismometers. Five lines were on the South Florida bank region in water depths of less than 1 km (3,300 ft) and one was in water depth of about 2.4 km (7,900 ft) off the northern coast of Cuba. After data reduction, first arrival picks were made and least squares lines were fitted to the picks to obtain the apparent velocities and intercept times for the layers. Using these values, flat layer crustal models have been initially computed. The 2 most dominant deep refractors have apparent velocities of 5.6-5.9 km/sec (3.5-3.7 mi/sec) and 6.2-6.6 km/sec (3.9-4.1 mi/sec). The top of these refractors varies in depth 2-6 km (6,600-13,000 ft) from the sea surface. They are interpreted to represent the crystalline basement. Basement rocks have been reached at a depth of 3.4 km (11,200 ft) in a well drilled in the Pinellas County arch. In the South Florida bank area, the deepest refractor observed has an apparent velocity of about 7.5 km/sec (4.6 mi/sec) at a depth of about 25 km (15 mi). Absence of any mantle velocity in these long profiles confirms the continental nature of this crust. The only possible mantle arrival (velocity = 8.4 km/sec, 5.2 mi/sec) was observed in the line off the northern coast of Cuba at a depth of about 26 km (16 mi). Similar crustal thickness has been observed in a refraction profile just northwest of this line. This deep crustal structure complements the shallow cru tal structures for this area. End_of_Article - Last_Page 473------------
The Relationship Between State Policy Levers and Student Mobility

To address conceptual and methodological shortcomings in the extant literature on student mobility, this study employs event history modeling to describe and explain how state policy levers, specifically state grant aid, relates to mobility and baccalaureate degree completion. We find that state grant aid reduces mobility, but less so than institutional grant aid. We also find that regardless of the form of mobility, it was negatively related to degree completion. This inquiry contributes to work on student mobility, (e.g., McCormick, Transfer behavior among beginning postsecondary students: 1989–94, National Center for Education Statistics, Washington, 1997; Goldrick-Rab, Sociol Educ 79(1):61–79, 2006); extends the long line of persistence research (e.g., Bean, Res High Educ 12(2):155–187, 1980; Pascarella and Terenzini, J High Educ 51(1):60–75, 1980; Tinto, Rev Educ Res 45(1):89–125, 1975) by conceptualizing persistence as student flow within and between institutions; and offers a conceptual tool for policy makers seeking to improve college completion.
Paired-like Homeodomain Transcription factor 2 expression by breast cancer bone marrow disseminated tumor cells is associated with early recurrent disease development.

The presence of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow (BM) of breast cancer patients is prognostic for early relapse. In the present study, we analyzed the gene expression profiles from BM cells of breast cancer patients to identify molecular signatures associated with DTCs and their relevance to metastatic outcome. We analyzed BM from 30 patients with stage II/III breast cancer by gene expression profiling and correlated expression with metastatic disease development. A candidate gene, PITX2, was analyzed for expression and phenotype in breast cancer cell lines. PITX2 was knocked down in the MDAMB231 cell lines for gene expression analysis and cell invasiveness. Expression of various signaling pathway molecules was confirmed by RT–PCR. We found that the expression of Paired-like Homeobox Transcription factor-2 (PITX2) is absent in the BM of normal healthy volunteers and, when detected in the BM of breast cancer patients, is significantly correlated with early metastatic disease development (p = 0.0062). Suppression of PITX2 expression significantly reduced invasiveness in MDAMB231 cells. Three genes—NKD1, LEF1, and DKK4—were significantly downregulated in response to PITX2 suppression. Expression of PITX2 in BM of early-stage breast cancer patients is associated with risk for early disease recurrence. Furthermore, PITX2 likely plays a role in the metastatic process through its effect on the expression of genes associated with the Wnt/beta-Catenin signaling pathway. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10549-015-3576-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
High Speed and High Reynolds Number Jet Control Using Arc Filament Plasma Actuators for Noise Mitigation and for Flow and Noise Diagnostics

We have developed a class of plasma actuators called localized arc filament plasma actuators (LAFPAs) for high-speed and high Reynolds number flow control. Over the past several years, we have successfully used these wide bandwidth (0 to 200 kHz) and individually-controlled actuators to excite the jet shear layer, jet column, and azimuthal instabilities in high subsonic and supersonic jets for either mixing enhancement or noise reduction purpose. In this paper, we provide a brief summary of our work and highlight the capabilities and potential of the actuators and the control technique for not only mixing enhancement and noise mitigation but also for flow and acoustic diagnostics. The jet is operated over a large range of jet Mach numbers (0.9 to 1.65), stagnation temperature ratios (up to 2.5), and Reynolds numbers (0.2x10 to 1.65x10). Over this entire space of operating conditions, the jet is found to respond to control with a large range of forcing Strouhal numbers and azimuthal modes. The investigations reveal that the jet flow field and acoustic far-field can be dramatically altered, providing a powerful control tool in these practical high-speed and high Reynolds number jets. Sample flow and acoustic results are also presented to demonstrate the capabilities of these actuators and the control technique for flow and acoustic diagnostics.
The moderating effects of contamination sensitivity on state affect and information processing: examination of disgust specificity.

Although contamination sensitivity has been implicated in several disorders, there is a paucity of research examining the influence of this trait on various outcomes. Accordingly, the present study examined the extent to which individual differences in contamination sensitivity moderated state affect in response to a mood induction and subsequent information processing biases, as assessed by a lexical decision task (LDT). It was hypothesised that the moderating effects of contamination sensitivity would be specific to disgust responding to a negative but not positive mood induction, and to reaction times to disgust and fear compared to happy words on the LDT. The findings were largely consistent with this hypothesis, as contamination sensitivity predicted increased disgust and arousal to the negative mood induction. Contamination sensitivity was also a better predictor of reaction times to disgust and fear words than happy words. However, the moderating effect of contamination sensitivity on reaction time...
Subpicosecond transient excitation of atomic vapor and the measurement of optical phase

The transient behavior of a frequency-swept optical pulse transmitted through a resonant vapor cell is observed by an optical sampling technique with ~20-fsec time resolution. The observed 200-fsec transients are the fastest intensity sampling measurement ever made on an atomic vapor and provide a precise determination of the time-varying phase of the pulse. The observed phase shows deviations from a linear frequency sweep, which may account for previous limits on pulse compression.
Coffee and Tea Consumption Are Inversely Associated with Mortality in a Multiethnic Urban Population

Coffee and tea are commonly consumed beverages. Inverse associations with mortality have been suggested for coffee and tea, but the relationships with cause-specific mortality are not well understood. We examined regular and decaffeinated coffee and tea in relation to mortality due to all causes, vascular, nonvascular, and cancer in the multi-ethnic, prospective, population-based Northern Manhattan Study. The study population included 2461 participants with diet data who were free of stroke, myocardial infarction, and cancer at baseline (mean age 68.30 ± 10.23 y, 36% men, 19% white, 23% black, 56% Hispanic). During a mean follow-up of 11 y, we examined the associations between coffee and tea consumption, assessed by food frequency questionnaire, and 863 deaths (342 vascular related and 444 nonvascular including 160 cancer deaths) using multivariable-adjusted Cox models. Coffee consumption was inversely associated with all-cause mortality [for each additional cup/d, HR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.88, 0.99); P = 0.02]. Caffeinated coffee was inversely associated with all-cause mortality, driven by a strong protection among those who drank ≥4 cups/d. An inverse dose-response relationship between tea and all-cause mortality was suggested [for each additional cup/d, HR = 0.91 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.99); P = 0.01]. Coffee consumption ≥4/d was protective against nonvascular death [vs. <1/mo, HR = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.97)] and tea consumption ≥2/d was protective against nonvascular death [HR = 0.63 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.95)] and cancer [HR = 0.33 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.80)]. There was a strong inverse association between coffee and vascular-related mortality among Hispanics only. Further study is needed, including investigation into the mechanisms and compounds in coffee and tea responsible for the inverse associations with mortality. The differential relationship between coffee and vascular death across race/ethnicity underscores the need for research in similar multi-ethnic cohorts including Hispanics.
Simulation of Large Freeway and Arterial Network with CORSIM, INTEGRATION, and WATSim

Simulation of a large integrated (street and freeway) network with three state-of-the-art software programs is presented. The 20-centerline-km network includes three on-ramps, three off-ramps, an on-and off-ramp weaving section, and a high design arterial with 11 signalized intersections. After considerable modifications to default settings, all three software programs were able to replicate field-measured volumes well. INTEGRATION required extensive modifications to approximate complex signal timing plans and had problems with lane alignment on the wide arterial. CORSIM's FRESIM component had difficulty with vehicles that miss their destination and required car-following parameter settings corresponding to unusually high capacities to produce good results. WATSim needed the fewest modifications, and it was primarily sensitive to merging and acceleration lengths. WATSim and CORSIM speeds were close to each other. INTEGRATION's simplified treatment of signalization produced higher street link speeds.
Loopback radio frequency translator for the ACTS Mobile Terminal

The ACTS Mobile Terminal (AMT) is a ground based mobile satellite communications terminal designed to operate with the NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). With a scheduled launch in mid-1993, propagation experiments will begin in late 1993. This will be done to characterize the communications path between a fixed communication site in Cleveland, Ohio and a mobile terminal in Southern California via ACTS. The terminal uplink frequency is 29.634 GHz/spl plusmn/150 MHz and the downlink frequency is 19.914 GHz/spl plusmn/150 MHz. A pilot signal at 29.630 GHz will be transmitted from the fixed site for antenna tracking by the mobile terminal. This paper summarizes the system design and performance measurements of the Loopback Translator, a satellite simulator to be used in testing the fixed and mobile terminal hardware prior to the ACTS launch. The Translator provides full duplex, single stage up and down conversion between the 3.373 GHz Intermediate Frequency (IF) and the transmit/receive frequencies.
Lumbar traction: its effect on respiration.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of lumbar traction on inspiratory vital capacity (IVC), tidal volume (TV), and respiratory rate (fb). Using an 8-L recording spirometer, we measured the above values on 30 healthy volunteers during three conditions—lying supine, lying supine with a traction garment applied, and lying supine with the traction garment and a distinctive force applied. The differences in IVC, TV, and fb among the three conditions were examined by using an analysis of variance for repeated measures followed by a Tukey test. Statistically significant differences were found for IVC, TV, and fb among the three conditions ( p < .001). The results indicated that IVC and TV were lowest and fb was highest when the distinctive force was applied to the traction garment. We suggest that when lumbar traction is used for patients who have respiratory disease, the patients should be observed closely for signs of respiratory distress during the first few treatments.
Imperium/Lanzatech Syngas Fermentation Project - Biomass Gasification and Syngas Conditioning for Fermentation Evaluation: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-12-474

LanzaTech and NREL will investigate the integration between biomass gasification and LanzaTech's proprietary gas fermentation process to produce ethanol and 2,3-butanediol. Using three feed materials (woody biomass, agricultural residue and herbaceous grass) NREL will produce syngas via steam indirect gasification and syngas conditioning over a range of process relevant operating conditions. The gasification temperature, steam-to-biomass ratio of the biomass feed into the gasifier, and several levels of syngas conditioning (based on temperature) will be varied to produce multiple syngas streams that will be fed directly to 10 liter seed fermenters operating with the Lanzatech organism. The NREL gasification system will then be integrated with LanzaTech's laboratory pilot unit to produce large-scale samples of ethanol and 2,3-butanediol for conversion to fuels and chemicals.
Analytical solution for time-dependent potentials in a fiber stimulated by an external electrode

This study provides an analytical solution for time-dependent potentials in a 3D cylindrical fiber stimulated by an extracellular point electrode. The membrane is passive and represented by surface resistance and surface capacitance. Separation of variables solution expresses intracellular and extracellular potentials as sums involving modified Bessel functions; the coefficients ( $$A_n$$ and $$B_n$$ ) depend on time. In contrast to previous analytical solutions, where $$A_n$$ and $$B_n$$ had to be determined numerically, here $$A_n$$ and $$B_n$$ are given by explicit formulas that resemble the formulas for potentials in a fiber stimulated by a transverse electric field. The comparison of the 3D analytical solution with the 1D cable model shows that the cable model approximates transmembrane potential with the error below 5 % when the distance between the electrode and the fiber is 0.2–4 mm and when the stimulus is longer than 3.3 ms. For stimuli between 0.43 and 3.3 ms, the range of fiber–electrode distances with error below 5 % shrinks, and it disappears completely for stimuli shorter than 0.43 ms. Thus, our study shows that the applicability of the 1D cable model may be more limited than previously considered.
Role of Potassium and Calcium in the Generation of Cellular Bursts in the Dentate Gyrus

Pan, Enhui and Janet L. Stringer. Role of potassium and calcium in the generation of cellular bursts in the dentate gyrus. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 2293–2299, 1997. Epileptiform activity, which appears...
Abstract 3685: Analysis of EZH2 and TTF-1 protein expression identifies a subset of lung adenocarcinomas with better prognosis

Lung adenocarcinoma is a heterogeneous tumor with multiple phenotypes that have been associated with prognosis. Recently, we reported that in surgically resected adenocarcinomas, the presence of a solid histologic pattern is associated with poor prognosis. To characterize molecular targets and identify novel prognostic markers in lung adenocarcinoma, we examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and tissue microarrays (TMAs) the expression of 75 proteins in archival tumor tissues obtained from 204 surgically resected tumors. We selected two top markers, EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) and TTF-1 (thyroid transcription factor-1) that had significant correlation with solid and bronchioloalveolar patterns, respectively, for more detailed clinico-pathologic analyses, including patients’ outcome. EZH2 is part of a protein complex that promotes cancer development by epigenetically silencing tumor suppressor genes. TTF-1 is a transcription factor considered a potential lineage-survival oncogene in lung cancer. For EZH2 and TTF-1 IHC expression analysis, we examined 320 surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas, stages I-III, with median follow-up of 6.7 years. EGFR and KRAS mutation data were available in most cases. High nuclear EZH2 expression in tumor cells correlated with younger patient age (P 120 score) correlated with better OS (P=0.004; HR 0.62). We identified a subset (32%) of tumors with low-EZH2/high-TTF-1 that demonstrated better outcome in multivariate analysis, compared with other tumors, including RFS (P=0.004; HR 0.51) and OS (P=0.0007; HR 0.49). These tumors were more frequent in patients with female sex (P=0.003), never-smoking history (P=0.004), smaller tumor size (P=0.018), lower TNM stage (P=0.024), and EGFR mutation (P=0.0001). Our findings indicate that the combined analysis of the EZH2 and TTF-1 expression identifies a subset of lung adenocarcinoma patients with better outcome after surgical resection with curative intent. Supported by DoD grant W81XWH-07-1-0306 Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3685. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3685
ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES OF CLATHRACEAE AND PHALLACEAE (GASTEROMYCETES) SPORES

Basidiospores of species of the Clathraceae and Phallaceae (Gasteromycetes) are usually borne 4-8 on a basidium. With light microscopic observations the characteristics of these spores are relatively similar: hyaline, bacillar, smooth and of the order of 2-6 x 1.5-2 ,tm. Hawker (1975) reported that the spores of Phallus impudicus L. ex Pers., Clathrus ruber Mich. ex Pers. (cited as C. cancellatus L.) and Mutinus caninus (Pers.) Fr. were smooth. While ultrastructural studies of gasteromycetous spores are numerous, electron micrographs of spores of only two stinkhorn members, Clathrus archeri (Berk.) Dring [cited as Anthurus archeri (Berk.) E. Fisch.] (Perreau, 1977) and M. caninus (Flegler and Hooper, 1980) are given in the literature. This lack of ultrastructural micrographs of stinkhorn spores may be in part due to the fact that the spores are relatively similar and would therefore not provide any differentiating morphological characteristics of taxonomic value. Also the Clathraceae and Phallaceae are not economically important, except for some minor poisonings of livestock and for sugar crop infestations. Fruiting bodies of these fungi are nuisances mainly because of the fetid smells they emit. Spores from fertile, dried glebal samples of the following species were observed by scanning electron microscopy: C. ruber, Lysurus cruciatus (Lepr. & Mont.) Lloyd, L. mokusin (Cibot ex Pers.) Fr., L. periphragmoides (Klotzsch) Dring, and Pseudocolus fusiformis (Fisch.) Lloyd (Clathraceae); and Mutinus caninus, M. elegans (Mont.) Fisch., and Phallus ravenelii Berk. & Curt. (Phallaceae). Spores from fertile, dried glebal samples of Pseudocolus fusiformis and from fresh specimens of M. caninus were observed by transmission electron microscopy. For scanning electron microscopy glebal samples were prepared according to Flegler and Hooper's (1978) technique. Procedures used in the transmission electron microscopy of freeze-fractured preparations are described by Kollmorgen et al. (1979).
The Effectiveness of Special Education Centers in Jordan

This study aims to identify the effectiveness of special education centers in Jordan. The study sample consists of (13) special education centers serving intellectual, hearing, visual and motor impairments, comprised of (13) principals and (136) teachers. The level of effectiveness of the special education centers was measured with a scale of (92) items with (7) dimensions. The scale was validated by professionals who work in special education centers and universities in Jordan. Questions of research were adopted to suit cultural issues and then administered to all participants in the sample. Results of the scaled mean reveal that seven aspects of the special education centers are effective but their level of effectiveness differed from one center to another. Motor impairment centers for people with physical impairments were the most effective, followed by intellectual disability centers, hearing impairment centers and visual impairment centers. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results indicated no significant differences in the effectiveness level that can be attributed to the variable of the disability type served by the center against the total degree and the furthest sub-scale. In addition, Schaffe test results revealed significant differences between visual impairment and motor impairment centers, with the motor impairment centers being more effective. The scaled mean of the motor impairment effectiveness level on this dimension was (3.94), while the mean of the same dimension for the visual disability center is (3.04). However, the results suggest that more research might be focused: (a) to assess the special education centers improving the educational system; (b) arrange workshops for administrations, teachers and parents to increase their teaching effectiveness level; (c) apply more tools such as case studies, interviews Original Research Article Derderian; JSRR, 4(5): 410-420, 2015; Article no.JSRR.2015.043 411 and self-assessment methods to assess the effectiveness level of the centers and schools; (d) engage students and consider their images on the centers for the internal effectiveness of the centers; and (e) increase the programs of each special education center.
Flight Dynamics and Control of an Aircraft with Segmented Control Surfaces

Flight researchers are increasingly turning towards small, unmanned aircraft for achieving mission objectives. These aircraft are simple to operate and offer numerous advantages over larger manned vehicles. In addition to being light, inexpensive, and readily available, they are also more versatile in that they can be used for flight experiments that are either too risky or uncertain for a manned flight test program. One application of unmanned vehicles is in the area of increased control authority research. This paper presents the preliminary stages of one such application, where an existing UAV is modified with 16 independent wing control surfaces. These surfaces are used in place of conventional ailerons for roll control and as a supplement to rudder, elevator, and flap controls. Instrumentation and sensors on-board the aircraft allow complete characterization of the flight dynamics. A traditional control system is replaced with a microcontroller that commands each aileron segment independently. Various modes of actuation can be implemented to improve roll, pitch, and yaw response, minimize induced drag, and provide numerous levels of redundancy. The results indicate that the segmented control surfaces can be configured for a superior level of control.
Mitochondrial myopathies and the role of the pathologist in the molecular era.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are under increasing consideration in the differential diagnosis of diverse metabolic diseases from infancy to late adulthood. This is to be expected considering the vital importance of mitochondria to cellular respiration in all eukaryotes, the vulnerability of the mitochondrial genome to injury, and the expanding appreciation of the role of mitochondria as a common denominator in cell death in ischemia/anoxia, sepsis, and neurodegenerative diseases. Primary disease of the mitochondrial respiratory chain is estimated to occur with an incidence of between 6 and 16/100,000 individuals. Virtually all tissues have been shown to be involved in diverse mitochondriopathies, but none is more appropriate for diagnosis in most cases than skeletal muscle. The conventional histological and ultrastructural diagnosis of mitochondrial disease in muscle has been increasingly supplanted by the biochemical assessment of respiratory chain enzyme deficiencies and definitive genetic diagnosis. The use of such techniques has afforded a greater understanding for the relative lack of specificity of both light and electron microscopic observations. A review of the current situation by placing muscle pathology in the context of biochemical and genetic diagnosis serves as a paradigm for the role of the pathologist in the molecular era.
Distribution and Control of Cyclodiene-Resistant Wireworms Attacking Tobacco in North Carolina

A survey of wireworm resistance to cyclodiene insecticides on tobacco was made in 1962. It was shown that Conoderus vespertinus (F.) and C. falli Lane were both present in fields properly treated with insecticides. Larvae of the latter species were found in tobacco only in the southeastern section of North Carolina whereas C. vespertinus was present in all tobacco growing areas in the southern and eastern counties of the State. Field-screening tests on resistant populations showed that the following materials were promising as broadcast treatments: parathion, diazinon, Telodrin® (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8-octachloro-1, 3, 3a, 4, 7, 7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoisobenzofuran), VC-13 Nemacide® ( O- 2, 4-dichlorophenyl O-O -diethyl phosphorothioate), Bayer 38156( O -ethyl S-p -toyl ethylphosphonodithioate), and Cynem® ( O, O -diethyl O -2-pyrazinyl phosphorothioate; also known as Zinophos or AC-18133). Transplanting water treatments of the following materials gave good results: diazinon, Bayer 38156, Bayer 25141 ( O, O -diethyl O-p -methylsulfinylphenyl phosphorothioate, UC-8305 ( p -chloro-5-methyl- p -thio-2,4,3-dioxaphosphabicyelo [4.4.0] decane), Stauffer N-2788 ( O -ethyl- S-p -tolyl ethylphosphonodithioate) same as Bayer 38156; and GC-4072 (diethyl-1-(2-4-dichlorophenyl)-2-chlorovinyl phosphate).
Experimental Effects of the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, on Hard-Substrate Communities in Chesapeake Bay and an Adjacent Coastal Bay, USA

With increased shoreline hardening and development, it is important to understand the ecological processes occurring in these and adjacent coastal habitats. A common species found associated with these hard-substrate habitats in Chesapeake Bay is the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. Caging experiments were conducted from June to August 2010 to examine the effects of shrimp on the recruitment and development of hard-substrate communities. Experiments were conducted at two low-salinity sites within Chesapeake Bay and one high-salinity site in an adjacent coastal bay in Virginia. The addition of grass shrimp reduced recruitment of polychaetes and scyphistomae of the sea nettle, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, and increased recruitment of encrusting bryozoans and the oyster, Crassostrea virginica. After 12 weeks, sea nettles at one low-salinity site, dominated predator-exclusion treatments. At the high-salinity site, oysters dominated when shrimp were present. Although it is unclear whether the results of short-term caging studies can be applied across larger temporal and spatial scales, the significant effects of grass shrimp on two important Chesapeake Bay species suggests that increases in hard-substrate habitat could have broader impacts within this and other systems.
Intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) Studies toward the Synthesis of Australifungin. Stereocontrol in the Acetate Aldol Reaction of β,β'-Branched Aldehydes

Studies of australifungin illustrate an enantiocontrolled synthesis of the trans-decalin core 28 via an intramolecular [4π + 2π] cycloaddition. This strategy utilizes the nitroalkene dienophile of 27 as a surrogate ketene equivalent. Stereocontrol at C-2 is critically important for an effective intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) process. Our studies report high asymmetric induction using a nonracemic Duthaler titanium enolate in the acetate aldol reaction with β,β'-branched aldehyde 13 to introduce the required C-2 chirality.
Exploring human disease using the Rat Genome Database

ABSTRACT Rattus norvegicus, the laboratory rat, has been a crucial model for studies of the environmental and genetic factors associated with human diseases for over 150 years. It is the primary model organism for toxicology and pharmacology studies, and has features that make it the model of choice in many complex-disease studies. Since 1999, the Rat Genome Database (RGD; http://rgd.mcw.edu) has been the premier resource for genomic, genetic, phenotype and strain data for the laboratory rat. The primary role of RGD is to curate rat data and validate orthologous relationships with human and mouse genes, and make these data available for incorporation into other major databases such as NCBI, Ensembl and UniProt. RGD also provides official nomenclature for rat genes, quantitative trait loci, strains and genetic markers, as well as unique identifiers. The RGD team adds enormous value to these basic data elements through functional and disease annotations, the analysis and visual presentation of pathways, and the integration of phenotype measurement data for strains used as disease models. Because much of the rat research community focuses on understanding human diseases, RGD provides a number of datasets and software tools that allow users to easily explore and make disease-related connections among these datasets. RGD also provides comprehensive human and mouse data for comparative purposes, illustrating the value of the rat in translational research. This article introduces RGD and its suite of tools and datasets to researchers – within and beyond the rat community – who are particularly interested in leveraging rat-based insights to understand human diseases.
Association between Myopia and Central Corneal Thickness among Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria

Background Myopia also called near or short sightedness is a refractive defect of the eye in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina The aetiology is uncertain but several parameters have been studied with conflicting results This study aims to determine if there is an association between central corneal thickness and myopia among patients attending a tertiary Eye Center in South South Nigeria Methodology The study subjects and controls were sampled from patients attending the Eye Clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital who had no previous history of ocular trauma intraocular surgeries or contact lens wear Their visual acuities VA were assessed with a Snellen chart and those with VA of or better and those who had improvement with pinhole were selected They were further examined using the Keeler direct ophthalmoscope D lens and slit lamp biomicroscope Those with cataract glaucoma or posterior segment lesions were excluded from the study All study subjects were refracted using an auto refractor Carl Zeiss Meditec and the refraction subjectively refined with trial lenses The subjects were categorized into emmetropia Plano and myopes who were subjects with spherical equivalent of between lt minus D and ge minus D The myopes were further divided into low myopia minus D moderate myopia D to lt D and high myopia gt D The myopes were the study cases while the emmetropes were the controls The central corneal thickness CCT was measured using ultrasound pachymeter IOPAC Heidelberg engineering Germany Result There were study subjects eyes comprise of myopes eyes and controls eyes The mean age of the myopes was plusmn years while that of the controls was plusmn years The difference in mean age between the two groups was however not statistically significant P The age range of the respondents was years Among the myopes were males and females giving a male to female ratio of The control group had males and females giving a male to female ratio of There was a total of males and females giving a ratio of M F This difference in gender representation was however not statistically significant p The mean central corneal thickness CCT for myopes was plusmn micro m while that of controls was plusmn micro m The difference was statistically significant P There was however no correlation between myopia and CCT r r CI Conclusion This study showed that myopes have lower CCT compared to emmetropes and this difference is statistically significant There is therefore a need to educate myopic patients and the populace on the need to have glaucoma assessment because of the risk associated with thin corneas Our study also found no correlation between myopia and CCT
Anatomy of a Fact Check: Objective Practice and the Contested Epistemology of Fact Checking

This article presents a detailed ethnographic account of objective practice among professional fact checkers, reporters who specialize in assessing the truth of political claims. Some critics argue that political debate is inherently value-laden and defies objective fact checking; I offer an alternative view highlighting the practical epistemology revealed in the newswork routines and discourse of working fact checkers. Drawing links between core concepts in the sociology of science and journalism studies, this analysis highlights how in moments of institutional unsettlement, verification relies on factual coherence, rather than straightforward correspondence. To develop this argument, I anatomize a fact check produced as a participant observer with a major national fact-checking organization.
Experimental analysis of fire-cracked rocks from varied use contexts: Fracture attributes

This experimental study of fire-cracked rocks sought to determine if varied rock fracture attributes could be correlated with specific past uses of heated stones. A total of 864 rocks were heated i...
Recollections and Reflections on László Moholy-Nagy

ABSTRACT In 1937, artist Laszlo Moholy-Nagy directed a new school based on Bauhaus principles, The New Bauhaus: American School of Design, in Chicago. Although the school lasted only one year, Moho...
Passivating 1T′-MoTe2 multilayers at elevated temperatures by encapsulation

Several-layer 1T'-MoTe2 decomposes very little during heating up to ∼550 °C under flowing argon when encapsulated by multilayer hBN, as monitored by Raman scattering and optical microscopy, but largely decomposes at much lower temperatures in incompletely covered and uncovered regions. In covered regions there are small amounts of tellurium product above ∼250 °C.
FRI0744-HPR The effectiveness of the lower dose of laser treatment on knee osteoarthrİtİs

Background During knee osteoarthritis (OA) therapy; medications, physical therapy modalities, exercises and surgical procedures are used. In previous studies, the benefits of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for pain in the low back, shoulder, elbow, and hand have reported. Objectives In this study we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of LLLT on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods Patients with Kellgren-Lawrence stage 2–3 knee osteoarthritis were enrolled. It was planned as a prospective, randomized and double-blind study. Group 1 received active laser therapy and group 2 placebo laser therapy. Patients have been provided active/placebo laser therapy for two weeks (5 days a week, a total of 10 sessions). Patients were evaluated before, immediately after and 1 or 3 months after treatment. Outcome measurements included pain intensity at rest and at movement on visual analog scale, knee function using Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale, active/passive joint range of movement, quality of life using Short form 36 (SF-36), and 15-meter walking distance, painless walking distance. Results In this study, we observed improvements in knee pain, 15-meter walking distance, WOMAC pain, stiffness and function scores, Lequesne index, and SF-36 physical function and social function (p 0.05). Conclusions The present study demonstrated that LLLT is safe and effective upon pain and functional parameters on knee osteoarthritis. However, we think further long-term studies which will include more patients in order to determine the priority and effectiviness are required. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Abstract 200: Risk Factors Positively Associated with Annual Growth Rate of Brain Aneurysms

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) growth and rupture are strongly associated with each other, with an increasing number of aneurysms followed cli...
Visualization of local deposition of nebulized aerosols in a human upper respiratory tract model

Knowing aerosol deposition distribution (ADD) in the respiratory tract is crucial in assessing dose–response relationship and optimizing inhalation therapy. However, characterization of ADD inside the airway is challenging, due to its inaccessibility to standard measurement instruments. Radioactive imaging techniques such as gamma scintigraphy, SPECT, and PET are capable of characterizing ADD and have proven valuable in drug-device designs, but these techniques are costly, complex-to-use, and pose radiation risks to patients. The objective of this study is to develop and validate a simple and practical technique to visualize nebulized aerosol deposition in a human airway model. An anatomically accurate mouth–lung airway model was used in both experiments and numerical simulations for validation purpose. A sectional hollow cast replica was developed and fabricated using 3D printing. Sar-Gel was utilized to visualize the aerosol deposition distribution on the inner walls of the upper respiratory airway. Computational simulations were conducted to understand the underlying mechanisms of particle transport and deposition. The deposition distribution obtained from the Sar-Gel experiments and numerical simulations resembled each other to a high degree. Specifically, the deposition hot spots in the upper trachea were nearly identical between experiment and simulation, suggesting that the computational model is adequate in capturing the mechanisms of particle transport and deposition. Considering the inhalation effect, more drug particles were delivered to the lungs at 10 L/min than at 30 L/min. The Sar-Gel based method in combination with sectional upper airway casts appears to be a practical approach to visualize regional depositions with nebulizers. Computational modeling and Sar-Gel tests can be used as complementary in optimizing inhalation therapies.
The priming of helper T cells

Before helper T cells and B cells can interact to produce specific antibody, the antigen-specific helper T cell precursors must be primed. Priming is a fairly abrupt event which occurs in vivo about 5 days after immunization. Priming involves several steps: Antigen uptake, processing, and cell surface expression bound to class II MHC molecules by an antigen presenting cell, recirculation and antigen-specific trapping of helper T cell precursors in lymphoid tissue, and T cell proliferation and differentiation. Helper T cells express CD4, but not all CD4 T cells are helper cells. The signals required for clonal expansion of helper T cells differ from those required by other CD4 T cells. The critical antigen-presenting cell for helper T cell priming appears to be a macrophage, and the critical second signal for helper T cell growth is the macrophage product interleukin-1.
METABOLIC RESPONSES OF MONKEYS TO INCREASED GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS

A depletion of body fat has been reported by several investigators for various species of homoiotherms exposed to chronic acceleration. Generally the effect is proportional to field strength, and over the size range examined (0.25-5 kg) it becomes more severe in larger animals. There is some evidence that this may be the result of increased secretion of a pituitary hormone, the fat mobilizing substance (FMS). An exception to the defatting effect of chronic acceleration was observed in mature pig-tailed monkeys (Macaca nemestrina)--although they exhibited other changes generally found in homoiotherms exposed to hyperdynamic environments. It is considered that this unusual primate response to chronic acceleration may result from a different geometry of the central nervous system, and its effect upon gravity load distribution in the lower part of the brain.
Thermochemistry of Sulfur-Centered Intermediates

Sulfur-centered intermediates play important roles in the chemistry of coal, oil, atmospheric pollution and biological systems. If we are to fully understand this chemistry and to arm ourselves with some predictive power about the behavior of transient sulfur-centered species, we need to have reliable thermochemical data to guide us.
A reappraisal of the mechanisms of hypocholesterolemic action of therapeutic agents.

The most commonly used methods to study the mechanisms of hypocholesterolemic action of therapeutic agents generally determine the turnover of total (exchangeable) cholesterol pools in the body. This approach is based on the view that whatever increases the total load of cholesterol in the body will increase the levels of plasma cholesterol, and vice versa. Despite the importance of this assumption it has never been tested, and there is no evidence to indicate that it is valid under all conditions.
Nonlinear Stresses and Displacements of the Fibres and Matrix in a Radially Loaded Circular Composite Ring

The mechanical behaviour and failure mechanism of the reinforcing fibres and the polymer matrix of a circular composite ring, subjected to radial pressure and cryogenic thermal loading, and the design of a thick composite arch, are studied using nonlinear finite element analysis. The rings are sections of a pultruded 0.203 m × 0.0065 m (8 in × ¼ in) diameter × thickness, polyester-glass pipe, reinforced in both the axial and circumferential directions. The arch is 1.0 m in radius, 0.1 m thick and 0.065 m wide. Circular rings of pultruded polyester-glass may be used at the tips of the composite radial structures, supporting the round aluminum rippled conductors of superconductive energy storage magnets.
Pore-scale modeling of nanoparticle transport and retention in real porous materials

Abstract Modern pore-scale modeling has the ability to simulate flow and particle (i.e., colloids, nanoparticles) transport at the pore- and particle-scale in realistic porous media. The pore-structure of a material can be obtained through x-ray micro tomography (XCT) or a similar three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique. From these data sets, fluid and particle transport can be simulated by direct numerical simulation of the fundamental equations of motion. In this paper, we employ the finite element method to simulate Stokes flow and, after the flow field is resolved, Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT) to track the fate and transport of nanoparticles (NPs). The presented methodology for direct numerical modeling allowed the simulation of NP transport in real materials (i.e., natural or engineered samples that experiments can be performed on rather than a computer-generated porous medium) in larger domains or with more particles than previous works. XCT images of a micromodel and a Berea sandstone were used as the computational domains to analyze the effect of particle diameter, attractive and repulsive surface forces, flow rate, surface capacity, and XCT image-based mineralogy on particle transport. In the micromodel simulations, in the presence of attractive surface forces, NP effluent recovery increased as particle diameter increased and as flow rate increased – findings qualitatively consistent with published experimental data. The use of XCT image-based mineralogy to spatially distribute attachment sites (i.e., clay) in the Berea showed no difference in particle retention when compared to a random distribution of attachment sites. These results are being used to help understand ongoing micromodel experiments and to design continuum-scale models of NP transport.
Use of phenylarsine oxide-affinity chromatography to identify common cellular targets of cancer-active electrophiles

Trivalent arsenicals, such as arsenic trioxide, and 3-bromopyruvate (3BP) are thiol-reactive electrophiles that have shown remarkable ability to selectively impair the viability of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, the broad reactivity of these substances, potentially forming adducts with many different proteins and altering numerous cellular pathways, has precluded a clear identification of the pivotal mechanisms underlying their preferential anticancer activities. Furthermore, the possibility that these chemically-distinctive substances may act in part by targeting the same protein(s) is unknown. The study described here employed Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which reproduces several metabolic characteristics of cancer cells, as a model to examine the cytotoxicity and protein binding partners of phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a representative trivalent arsenical, and 3BP. Both PAO and 3BP abolished cellular growth. In addition, up to 10% of the yeast proteome bound immobilized PAO in a dithiothreitol-sensitive manner. Among the most abundant PAO-binding proteins were glycolytic enzymes and the vacuolar-ATPase which play key roles in tumorigenesis. Moreover, binding of the yeast proteins to the immobilized PAO was inhibited by about 50% by prior incubation with 3BP demonstrating that a substantial fraction of protein can bind both PAO and 3BP. The proteins binding uniquely to PAO and those binding both PAO and 3BP, identified by LC-MS/MS, will be reported and discussed in the contexts of cellular viability and cancer.
Timely renal transplantation for scleroderma end-stage kidney disease patients can improve outcomes and quality of life.

Indication for and timing of renal transplantation for systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients who require renal replacement therapy (RRT) as a result of scleroderma end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is controversial. We recently published a review of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) and renal involvement in SSc that included an examination of outcomes of RRT, and the role and timing of renal transplantation in SSc patients who become dialysis-dependent as result of ESKD (1). In our review of 10 articles published between 1990 and 2015 the vast majority of patients experienced SRC, with 1–5% of patients found to have ANCA-associated vasculitis or microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (1).