cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sulfate-Dependent Repression of Genes That Function in Organosulfur Metabolism in Bacillus subtilis Requires Spx

Oxidative stress in Bacillus subtilis results in the accumulation of Spx protein, which exerts both positive and negative transcriptional control over a genome-wide scale through its interaction with the RNA polymerase α subunit. Previous microarray transcriptome studies uncovered a unique class of genes that are controlled by Spx-RNA polymerase interaction under normal growth conditions that do not promote Spx overproduction. These genes were repressed by Spx when sulfate was present as a sole sulfur source. The genes include those of the ytmI, yxeI, and ssu operons, which encode products resembling proteins that function in the uptake and desulfurization of organic sulfur compounds. Primer extension and analysis of operon-lacZ fusion expression revealed that the operons are repressed by sulfate and cysteine; however, Spx functioned only in sulfate-dependent repression. Both the ytmI operon and the divergently transcribed ytlI, encoding a LysR-type regulator that positively controls ytmI operon transcription, are repressed by Spx in sulfate-containing media. The CXXC motif of Spx, which is necessary for redox sensitive control of Spx activity in response to oxidative stress, is not required for sulfate-dependent repression. The yxeL-lacZ and ssu-lacZ fusions were also repressed in an Spx-dependent manner in media containing sulfate as the sole sulfur source. This work uncovers a new role for Spx in the control of sulfur metabolism in a gram-positive bacterium under nonstressful growth conditions.
Model predictive controller monitoring based on pattern classification and PCA

A pattern classification-based methodology is presented as a practical tool for monitoring model predictive control (MPC) systems. The principal component analysis (PCA) is used, especially PCA and distance similarity factors, to classify a window of current, MPC operating data into one of several classes. Pattern classifiers are developed using a comprehensive, simulated database of closed-loop MPC system behavior that includes a wide variety of disturbances and/or plant changes. The pattern classifiers can then be employed to classify current MPC performance by determining if the behavior is normal or abnormal, if an unusual plant disturbance is present, or if a significant plant change has occurred. The methodology is successfully applied in an extensive case study for the Wood-Berry distillation column model.
A multidimensional nonlinear edge-preserving filter for magnetic resonance image restoration

The paper presents a multidimensional nonlinear edge-preserving filter for restoration and enhancement of magnetic resonance images (MRI). The filter uses both interframe (parametric or temporal) and intraframe (spatial) information to filter the additive noise from an MRI scene sequence. It combines the approximate maximum likelihood (equivalently, least squares) estimate of the interframe pixels, using MRI signal models, with a trimmed spatial smoothing algorithm, using a Euclidean distance discriminator to preserve partial volume and edge information. (Partial volume information is generated from voxels containing a mixture of different tissues.) Since the filter's structure is parallel, its implementation on a parallel processing computer is straightforward. Details of the filter implementation for a sequence of four multiple spin-echo images is explained, and the effects of filter parameters (neighborhood size and threshold value) on the computation time and performance of the filter is discussed. The filter is applied to MRI simulation and brain studies, serving as a preprocessing procedure for the eigenimage filter. (The eigenimage filter generates a composite image in which a feature of interest is segmented from the surrounding interfering features.) It outperforms conventional pre and post-processing filters, including spatial smoothing, low-pass filtering with a Gaussian kernel, median filtering, and combined vector median with average filtering. >
An empirical method for estimating probability density functions of gridded daily minimum and maximum temperature

Abstract. The presented work focuses on the investigation of gridded daily minimum (TN) and maximum (TX) temperature probability density functions (PDFs) with the intent of both characterising a region and detecting extreme values. The empirical PDFs estimation procedure has been realised using the most recent years of gridded temperature analysis fields available at ARPA Lombardia, in Northern Italy. The spatial interpolation is based on an implementation of Optimal Interpolation using observations from a dense surface network of automated weather stations. An effort has been made to identify both the time period and the spatial areas with a stable data density otherwise the elaboration could be influenced by the unsettled station distribution. The PDF used in this study is based on the Gaussian distribution, nevertheless it is designed to have an asymmetrical (skewed) shape in order to enable distinction between warming and cooling events. Once properly defined the occurrence of extreme events, it is possible to straightforwardly deliver to the users the information on a local-scale in a concise way, such as: TX extremely cold/hot or TN extremely cold/hot.
Abnormal thyroid peroxidase causing iodide organification defect.

The spectrum of familial goiter due to iodide organification defect includes goitrous cretins, Pendred's syndrome, and goiter with euthyroidism and normal hearing. One female example of the latter group, now age 16, with goiter since age 6 and 50% perchlorate discharge, underwent thyroidectomy. The thyroid tissue demonstrated lack of peroxidase activity in the tyrosine iodinase, triiodide, guaiacol, and p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (HPPA) assays. An inhibitor,of doubtful significance, was detected in the tissue in both triiodide and guaiacol assays using a soluble bovine thyroid peroxidase as enzyme source. No inhibition was found in the tyrosine iodinase or HPPA assays. Preincubation of the inactive enzymatic preparation from the goiter with hematin restored activity in the tyrosine iodinase assay to normal levels, while activity in the triiodide assay remained negligible. Using other human thyroid peroxidase preparations as controls, it was observed that the reconstructed enzyme from the goiter was more ...
Mechanism of resistance of a selected carrot cell suspension culture to S (2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine.

Summary Carrot (Daucus carota L. var. Danvers ) cell suspension cultures sensitive and resistant to growth inhibition by the lysine analog S(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine (AEC) were characterized during cell culture growth. Throughout the cell culture period both lines contained similar levels of free lysine. The uptake of 14C-lysine from the culture medium was greatly reduced in the AEC-resistant cell line. Key enzymes involved in lysine and threonine synthesis from aspartate were examined. Changes in the amount of enzyme activity present during the culture period were noted for the first enzyme in the pathway, aspartokinase (EC 2.7.2.4) and the branchpoint enzyme dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase (EC 4.2.1.52) leading to lysine synthesis. The branchpoint enzyme leading to threonine synthesis, homoserine dehydrogenase, (EC 1.1.1.3) was not altered in amount of activity when the sensitive and resistant cell lines were compared, but fluctuations in the amount of inhibition of the enzyme by threonine were observed.
Success of an exotic gallmaker, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, on chestnut in the USA: a historical account

Dryocosmus kuriphilus, a cynipid gall wasp of Asian origin, was accidentally introduced into North America in 1974. The gall wasp attacks chestnut and causes rounded galls that reduce shoot elongation and fruit production, and cause twig dieback. Its geographic range in the eastern USA has expanded northward since its introduction, and now encompasses nearly 1.5 million square kilometres. Movement of infested plant material has allowed the establishment of separate satellite populations well removed from contiguous populations. The cryptic nature of the insect, lying within dormant buds for much of the year, makes the effectiveness of plant inspections questionable. An introduced parasite, Torymus sinensis, has successfully moved with expanding D. kuriphilus populations, and several native parasitoids are exploiting this exotic gallmaker.
Evaluating double-angular power spectrum of waves in stochastic media by random walk

A propagation model was recently developed to characterize the waves between two communicating volumes in the presence of multipath stochastic media [1]. A double-angular power spectrum (DAPS) is a crucial part of this model. It relates the directional propagation of waves on the transmitting side to that on the receiving side. To obtain the DAPS of a system, one may conduct direct measurement or full-wave solutions to the Maxwell's equations. But both of them become resourcefully demanding when the system is random. In the study of [1], it was suggested to use the reduced incident intensity in the classic transport theory [2] to approximately estimate the spectrum. The reduced incident intensity leads to very convenient application of the model, but it also seriously compromises the physics by neglecting the effects of diffusive transport of waves. In this paper, an attempt is made to evaluate the DAPS of some general systems by using a random walk approach. It is based on the tight connection between wave transport and particle transport, and takes the multiple scattering and diffusive nature of the waves into account.
RF side-band spectroscopy of acoustic modes in dispersion shifted fiber (DSF)

Summary form only given. We demonstrate the measurement of acoustic mode spectrum using phase-modulation RF-spectroscopy and report, for the first time, the acoustic mode spectrum of dispersion shifted fiber (DSF). This technique provides high sensitivity via the heterodyne effect. We also report the first experimental observation of the third higher-order acoustic mode of the optical fiber.
Interleukin-6 and atrial fibrillation in patients with coronary artery disease: data from the Heart and Soul Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality.1 While the precise etiology remains unknown, animal2,3 and human4,5 studies have suggested that inflammation and fibrosis play an important role in some types of AF. Earlier studies found C-reactive protein (CRP) to be elevated in patients with AF.6 However, more recent investigation has suggested that the elevation in CRP may simply reflect underlying disease processes rather than something unique to AF itself.7 In particular, coronary artery disease is an important potential confounder because it is significantly associated with both elevated CRP levels8 and a greater risk of AF.9 However, to our knowledge, no previous study has determined if the relationship between inflammatory markers and AF persists in a population restricted to subjects with known coronary artery disease. In fact, the mechanism by which inflammation and stimulation of CRP secretion occurs in AF remains unknown, and more recent studies have suggested that one of the most important stimuli of CRP release,10 interleukin 6 (IL-6), may play an important role.11,12 IL-6 has been shown to significantly correlate with increased left atrial size,13 an important risk factor for developing AF. In addition, polymorphisms in the promoter region of the IL-6 gene have been associated with post-operative AF.14,15 Importantly, IL-6 has not previously been shown to be independently associated with spontaneous (non-post-operative) AF nor have polymorphisms of the IL-6 gene been studied in these patients. We examined the relationship between several serologic markers of inflammation and the presence of AF in a well-characterized cohort of patients, all of whom had coronary artery disease.
Guaranteeing Hits to Improve the Efficiency of a Small Instruction Cache

Very small instruction caches have been shown to greatly reduce fetch energy. However, for many appli- cations the use of a small filter cache can lead to an unacceptable increase in execution time. In this paper, we propose the Tagless Hit Instruction Cache (TH-IC), a technique for completely eliminating the performance penalty associated with filter caches, as well as a fur- ther reduction in energy consumption due to not having to access the tag array on cache hits. Using a few meta- data bits per line, we are able to more efficiently track the cache contents and guarantee when hits will occur in our small TH-IC. When a hit is not guaranteed, we can instead fetch directly from the L1 instruction cache, eliminating any additional cycles due to a TH-IC miss. Experimental results show that the overall processor en- ergy consumption can be significantly reduced due to the faster application running time and the elimination of tag comparisons for most of the accesses.
Challenges and opportunities in soil organic matter research

Summary Soil organic matter (SOM) can be a source or sink for atmospheric CO2 depending on land use, and management of soil, vegetation and water resources. SOM is a source of atmospheric CO2 ,w ith the use of extractive farming practices that lead to a negative nutrient balance and exacerbate soil degradation. The historic loss of C from the SOM pool between the 1850s and 2000 is estimated at 78 � 12 Gt compared with the emission of 270 � 30 Gt from fossil fuel combustion. Despite its numerous direct and ancillary benefits, enhancing the SOM pool is a major challenge, especially in impoverished and depleted soils in harsh tropical climates. In addition to biophysical factors, there are also numerous social, economic and political constraints that limit increase in SOM pools. Conversion of plough-tillage to no-till farming, an important practice to enhance the SOM pool, is constrained by the limited access to herbicides and seed drill, and the competing uses of crop residues. Yet, enhancing the SOM pool is essential to restoring degraded soils, advancing food security and improving the environment. Important subjects among researchable topics include: assessing the rate of SOM accretion for a wide range of land use and management practices with reference to a baseline; evaluating the importance of biochar; measuring and predicting SOM at landscape and extrapolation to regional scale; establishing relationships between SOM and soil quality and agronomic productivity; determining on- and off-site effects of crop residues removal for ethanol/biofuel production; determining the fate of C in SOM translocated by erosional processes; evaluating nutrient requirements for increasing SOM in croplands; validating predictive models in tropical environments; and developing methodology for trading C credits.
Spectroscopic studies of poly(N‐acyldehydroalanines) containing asymmetric nucleic acid base derivatives as pendant groups

Water-soluble polynucleotide analogs having a poly(N-acyldehydroalanine) {poly(α[–(N-acylamino)acrylate])} backbone were studied by 360-HMz 1H-NMR, UV, and CD spectroscopies. Significant UV hypochromicity values for the polymers versus monomer model compounds as well as peak shifts in the NMR spectra implied a high degree of base stacking in these systems. The CD spectrum of poly{(-)-2-[2-(thymin-l-yl) propanoamido] propenoic acid} (p(-)TDHA), having an optically active side chain, was remarkably insensitive to the degree of neutralization of the polymer, but was very sensitive to the ionic strength of the solution. Continuous variation mixing experiments revealed no base-pairing interactions between complementary charged polymers, and weak interactions between charged and uncharged polymers and model compounds. These results suggest that the polymers are conformationally restricted in solution.
Peptide amphiphile nanofiber delivery of sonic hedgehog protein to reduce smooth muscle apoptosis in the penis after cavernous nerve resection.

ABSTRACT Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a serious medical condition that affects 16–82% of prostate cancer patients treated by radical prostatectomy and current treatments are ineffective in 50–60% of prostatectomy patients. The reduced efficacy of treatments makes novel therapeutic approaches to treat ED essential. The secreted protein Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is a critical regulator of penile smooth muscle and apoptosis that is decreased in cavernous nerve (CN) injury and diabetic ED models. Past studies using Affi‐Gel beads have shown SHH protein to be effective in suppressing apoptosis caused by CN injury. Aim We hypothesize that SHH protein delivered via novel peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers will be effective in suppressing CN injury‐induced apoptosis. Methods Adult Sprague Dawley rats (n = 50) were used to optimize PA injection in vivo. PA with SHH protein (n = 16) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) (control, n = 14) was injected into adult rats that underwent bilateral CN cut. Rats were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 7 days. Alexa Fluor‐labeled SHH protein was used to determine the target of SHH signaling (n = 3). Main Outcome Measures Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis for SHH protein and cluster differentiation protein three (CD3) were performed. Results SHH‐PA caused a 25% and 16% reduction in apoptosis at 4 and 7 days after CN injury and a 9.3% and 19% increase in SHH protein at 4 and 7 days after CN injury. CD3 protein was not observed in SHH‐PA‐treated penis. In vitro, 73% of SHH protein diffused from PA within 6 days. Labeled SHH was observed in smooth muscle. Conclusions PA technology is effective in delivering SHH protein to the penis and SHH is effective in suppressing CN injury‐induced apoptosis. These results suggest substantial translational potential of this methodology and show that only a short duration of SHH treatment is required to impact the apoptotic index. Bond CW, Angeloni NL, Harrington DA, Stupp SI, McKenna KE, and Podlasek CA. Peptide amphiphile nanofiber delivery of Sonic hedgehog protein to reduce smooth muscle apoptosis in the penis after cavernous nerve resection. J Sex Med 2011;8:78–89.
Teaching With Purpose: An Interview With Thomas E. Ludwig

Thomas E. Ludwig is the John Dirk Werkman Professor of Psychology at Hope College, where he joined the faculty in 1977 after receiving his PhD in development and aging from Washington University in...
Assessing periodontitis in populations: A systematic review of the validity of partial-mouth examination protocols

Objective To estimate bias associated with partial-mouth periodontal examination (PMPE) protocols regarding estimates of prevalence, severity and extent of clinical attachment loss (CAL), pocket depth (PD) and gingival recession (REC). Material and methods A search was made for articles published in English, from 1946 to 2012, which compared PMPE versus full-mouth periodontal examination protocols for CAL or PD ≥ 4 mm or REC ≥3 mm thresholds. PMPE protocols were evaluated for sensitivity of estimates of periodontitis prevalence, relative biases for severity and extent estimates. Results A review of the literature identified 12 studies which reported 32 PMPE protocols. Three PMPE protocols which had sensitivities ≥85% and relative biases ≤0.05 in absolute values for severity and extent estimates were as follows: (1) half-mouth six-sites, (2) diagonal quadrants six-sites and (3) full-mouth mesiobuccal-midbuccal-distobuccal (MB-B-DB). Two other PMPE protocols (full-mouth and half-mouth mesiobuccal-midbuccal-distolingual) performed well for prevalence and severity of periodontitis; however, their performance in estimates of extent was unknown. Conclusions Among the 32 PMPE protocols listed, the half-mouth six-sites and full-mouth MB-B-DB protocols had the highest sensitivities for prevalence estimates and lowest relative biases for severity and extent estimates.
Amine Receptors in CNS. II. Dopamine

The localization of dopamine within the central nervous system of mammals has suggested structures where dopamine released from the terminals of dopaminergic nerves may function as a neurotransmitter and, according to classical theories of neurotransmission, exert an effect on a specific dopamine receptor, causing permeability changes in the postsynaptic neuron indicative of either excitation or inhibition. This chapter will attempt to provide evidence for these postulates, based on accepted neurotransmitter criteria (McLennan, 1970; Werman, 1966).
Students’ Perceptions of School Climate During the Middle School Years: Associations with Trajectories of Psychological and Behavioral Adjustment

A cross-domain latent growth curve model was used to examine the trajectories of change in student per- ceptions of four critical dimensions of school climate (i.e., teacher support, peer support, student autonomy in the classroom, and clarity and consistency in school rules and regulations) among 1,451 early adolescents from the beginning of sixth through the end of eighth grade; and the effects of such trajectories on the rate of change in psy- chological and behavioral adjustment. Findings indicated that all of the dimensions of perceived school climate declined over the 3 years of middle school. Furthermore, declines in each of the dimensions of perceived school climate were associated with declines over time in psy- chological and behavioral adjustment. Moreover, the direction of effects between each dimension of perceived school climate and psychological or behavioral adjustment were often unidirectional rather than bi-directional, underscoring the role of perceived school climate in the psychological and behavioral health of early adolescents. Gender and socioeconomic class differences in these pat- terns are noted.
The CO-H2 Conversion Factor in Galaxy Mergers

The CO-H2 conversion factor in galaxies is typically described as bimodal: one value for discs and quiescent regions, and another (lower) value for mergers and starbursts. In this proceeding, I will describe both empirical observational evidence that the conversion factor varies with physical environment, as well as a theoretical model which aims to understand the physical processes which drive these variations. I present a functional form for Xco which can be applied to observations ranging in scale from ~70 pc to galaxy-wide scales, and show the consequences of the application of this model to the Kennicutt-Schmidt star formation law.
Access to Information is (Not) a Universal Right in Higher Education: Librarian Ethics and Advocacy

This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by International Review of Information Ethics and can be found at: http://www.i-r-i-e.net/
Fluvial Facies Architecture and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Tertiary Duchesne River Formation, Uinta Basin, Utah, U.S.A.

Continental sequence stratigraphy in upstream fluvial environments can be complex due to the interplay of source tectonics, local and global climate change, and topography. The Tertiary Duchesne River Formation, Utah, U.S.A., represents the last stage of intermontane basin fill in the Uinta Basin. It is surrounded by sediment source mountain ranges of the Uinta Mountains to the north and the Sevier Fold-Thrust Belt (FTB) to the west. Excellent basin-scale exposure of the Duchesne River Formation allows the vertical and lateral characterization of facies architectures in the upstream environments. The four members of the Duchesne River Formation are distinctive lithological units. The lower three members comprise a typical upward-fining unconformity-bounded fluvial sequence from the basal coarse-grained unit into the overlying fine-grained units. The fourth uppermost coarse-grained member records the onset of another upward-fining cycle. The sequence stratigraphy of these unconformity-bounded upward-fining cycle(s) was primarily tectonics-driven due to uplift of the Uinta Mountains. The Duchesne River Formation records a distinct change in fluvial–lacustrine styles between the western and eastern part of the basin, demonstrating the variable allogenic controls of tectonic subsidence and discharge related to the local climate and source-terrain input within the basin. Specifically, the western degradational fluvial system with a high net-sandstone-to-gross-thickness ratio of the basal member was controlled by high discharge due to a wet climate and two source-terrain inputs (i.e., Uinta Mountains and Sevier Fold-Thrust Belt), whereas the eastern aggradational fluvial system with a low net-sandstone-to-gross-thickness ratio was controlled by low discharge due to a dry climate and single source terrain input (i.e., Uinta Mountains). The development of local lacustrine environments on the alluvial plain of the third member, present in the western Uinta Basin, was controlled by differential tectonic subsidence in the basin. The Duchesne River Formation preserves a valuable example of an upstream fluvial sequence, and demonstrates how internal facies architectures at the basin scale were dictated by allogenic controls.
Induction of Atherosclerosis by Human Chylomicron Remnants: A Hypothesis

Epidemiologic studies have provided support for the association between delayed remnant removal and premature atherosclerosis. Triglyceride-rich particles such as chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants that carry dietary derived fats, may play a role in the early stages of developing arteriosclerosis. Currently research focuses on these lipoprotein classes seeking distinguishing factors that causes some lipoproteins to be atherogenic while others are not. Such lipoproteins could be involved in atherogenesis directly or indirectly. Direct involvement occurs by interaction of triglyceride-rich particles with the arterial wall, possibly affecting the artery wall by oxidative stress, direct endothelial toxicity by constituents such as lysophosphatidylcholine or oxysterols, induction of prothrombotic changes, stimulation of endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules and direct interaction with circulating blood cells. Indirect involvement refers to the influence of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins on other lipoproteins on the composition of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. We propose that in individuals with delayed removal of chylomicron remnants, the prolonged exposure of areas of endothelium that have been partially activated by turbulent flow, to specific components of the remnants, results in the endothelial cells becoming further activated and able to bind monocytes. During or shortly after the transcytosis to the intima and transformation of monocytes to macrophages, the macrophages become engorged with remnant derived lipids and form the nidus of a fatty streak.
Behavior and Design of Low-Ductility Braced Frames

Historical aspects of the Massachusetts State Building Code make the Boston Area particularly appropriate for this discussion of strength versus ductility. Since the 1970’s, engineers, seismologists and public officials have worked to prepare Boston and other cities in Massachusetts for a destructive seismic event similar to the 1755 Cape Ann Earthquake. The success of these previous efforts, drawing heavily from the Seismic Design Decision Analysis project at MIT, is evidenced both in the creation and adoption of the “first seismic criteria developed specifically for a jurisdiction in the eastern Unites States” [Luft and Simpson, 1979] and in the Hazus Pilot Study conducted for Boston in the late 1990’s [EQE, 1997]. Luft and Simpson summarized the philosophical conclusions of this work as follows.
Abstract LB-291: Role of exosomes in tumor cell adhesion and survival

Exosomes are nanovesicles secreted by all living cells. These vesicles are abundant in serum and other extracellular fluids and contain a large repertoire of proteins, mRNA and microRNA. Exosomes have been implicated in cell to cell communication, the transfer of infectious agents, neurodegenerative diseases as well as tumor progression. However, the precise mechanisms by which they are internalized and/or secreted remain poorly understood. In order to follow their release and uptake in breast tumor cells in real time, cell-derived exosomes were tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CD63. Shown here for the first time is the demonstration that detachment of adherent cells from substratum induces a rapid and substantial secretion of exosomes which then concentrate on the cell surfaces and are re-internalized to mediate adhesion to various extracellular matrix molecules (ECM). In contrast, ECM-immobilized exosomes inhibited cell adhesion and spreading. Disruption of lipid rafts with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD) inhibits the internalization of exosomes. Moreover, when short hairpin RNA techniques are used to knockdown lipid raft-interacting proteins AnxA2 and AnxA6, the resultant Anx-depleted breast carcinoma cell lines exhibited decreased exosomes uptake and decreased cellular adhesion. Non-transformed primary breast epithelial cells treated with exosomes induced rapid cell cycle progression, disorganized cellular masses and anoikis resistance in three-dimensional cell culture systems. These data indicate that exosomes contribute to both cancer cell adhesion and survival mechanisms. 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 LB-291. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-291
Indexing head movement during speech production using optical markers

Optical marker tracking integrated with electromagnetic articulometry was used to assess the movement extent of various points on (a) forehead skin and (b) points on a head-mounted apparatus, relative to a fixed point just above the upper incisors, and to compare the accuracy of the two different approaches to indexing head position during speech production. Both methods can provide a satisfactory index of head position. If skin-affixed markers are used, a minimum of 4 is recommended. Locations for optimal marker placement are identified.
The management of transitional cell carcinoma in solitary renal units.

AbstractTen patients with urothelial malignancies involving a solitary functioning renal unit were treated at our center for an average of 24 months or until death. These patients were all managed by parenchyma-sparing methods, including percutaneous as well as ureteroscopic tumor resection. Of our patients 9 have received adjunctive chemotherapy in the form of bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations. At the time of this report 5 of our patients were alive without evidence of disease, 4 were alive with evidence of either residual or recurrent neoplasia and 1 was dead of disease 5 years after original presentation. Patients with higher grade tumors or carcinoma in situ did less well than patients with low grade disease. We present an analysis of our experience with this complex patient population and discuss the implications of these data within the context of a growing literature on the topic of upper tract urothelial malignancy.
High Throughput Measurement of Extracellular DNA Release and Quantitative NET Formation in Human Neutrophils In Vitro

Neutrophil granulocytes are the most abundant leukocytes in the human blood. Neutrophils are the first to arrive at the site of infection. Neutrophils developed several antimicrobial mechanisms including phagocytosis, degranulation and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs consist of a DNA scaffold decorated with histones and several granule markers including myeloperoxidase (MPO) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE). NET release is an active process involving characteristic morphological changes of neutrophils leading to expulsion of their DNA into the extracellular space. NETs are essential to fight microbes, but uncontrolled release of NETs has been associated with several disorders. To learn more about the clinical relevance and the mechanism of NET formation, there is a need to have reliable tools capable of NET quantitation. Here three methods are presented that can assess NET release from human neutrophils in vitro. The first one is a high throughput assay to measure extracellular DNA release from human neutrophils using a membrane impermeable DNA-binding dye. In addition, two other methods are described capable of quantitating NET formation by measuring levels of NET-specific MPO-DNA and HNE-DNA complexes. These microplate-based methods in combination provide great tools to efficiently study the mechanism and regulation of NET formation of human neutrophils.
Barite scale formation and inhibition in laminar and turbulent flow: A rotating cylinder approach

Abstract Turbulent flow in oilfield pipes is very common, especially around chokes, tubing joints, and safety values. However the flow is generally laminar in laboratory tests for mineral scale formation and evaluation of scale inhibitors. The objective of this study is to investigate mineral scale formation and inhibition under laminar and turbulent conditions. A novel testing method of rotating cylinder apparatus has been developed to generate flow that spans from laminar to turbulent regimes (Reynolds number from 176 to 11,249) under field temperature of 70 °C. Barite scale formation and inhibition by several typical inhibitors were investigated under different hydrodynamic conditions. Barite precipitation kinetics experiments showed no significant difference in precipitation kinetics between laminar and turbulent flow without scale inhibitors. However in the presence of scale inhibitors, precipitation kinetics was slower under turbulent condition. Barite precipitate was collected at the end of the experiment and examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM images display major difference in barite size and morphology between different flow regimes - highly crystalline barite with an average size of 10 µm in laminar flow and amorphous barite of much smaller size in turbulent flow. Adsorption kinetics experiments of scale inhibitors on barite shows faster kinetics in turbulent flow than that in laminar flow possibly due to enhanced mass transfer in turbulence. It is proposed that the slower barite precipitation kinetics with inhibitors in turbulent flow is due to enhanced adsorption of scale inhibitor on barite crystals, and the mechanisms of enhanced adsorption include larger specific surface area and faster mass transfer rate. These results indicate that scale inhibitors may be more effective under some turbulent conditions, as opposed to previous observations. The insights presented in this work will help to understand scale control in oilfield pipes especially under turbulent conditions, and develop optimal doses of scale inhibitors with regard to flow regimes.
Minimally invasive thymectomy for thymoma: does surgical approach matter or is it a question of stage?

Complete (R0) surgical resection remains the primary treatment modality for thymoma in both early and advanced stage disease. Following trends seen in surgery for other malignancies, minimally invasive thymectomy (MIT) utilizing VATS or robotic approaches have increased in popularity due to the short term and cosmetic benefits associated with minimally invasive surgery.
Family Child/Day Care Homes as a Cultural Context or World for Babies and Toddlers

Using the concept of “cultural models,” this chapter presents a framework for researching daily life in family child care. Photo-stimulated interviews were used to identify cultural models or cognitive schema for how to care for children. These cultural models both guided everyday practice and were the standards against which providers evaluated everyday life. Providers varied in how much they valued, enacted, and assessed/documented (1) ensuring that children experience love, fun, and affection as important in and of itself, (2) school readiness, or (3) both. Whereas the first cultural model – love, fun, and togetherness – may afford babies and toddlers more opportunities to construct the close relationships essential for early development, the second, school readiness, model may activate more technical aspects of professionals’ work at the expense of close relationships. Similarly, the first model frames babies as being, whereas the second emphasizes babies as becoming. Thus, the process of producing and reproducing these cultural models through daily practices may afford babies and toddlers different opportunities for learning and development. Because these are only two of many possible cultural models relevant to child care, this approach may be important for better understanding the contexts of babies and toddlers.
Validation of Emotional Experience Moderates the Relation between Personality and Aggression

This study examined if experimentally manipulated invalidation or validation of an emotional experience moderates the relation between five-factor personality characteristics and aggressive behavio...
Military and Veterans’ Health, Health Care, and Wellbeing

AbstractThe U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) need to bridge a gap in their understanding of service members’ health outcomes and the issues involved...
Fabrication and characterization of zinc-based superhydrophobic coatings

Abstract Zinc coatings are widely used in the surface finishing industry to improve the corrosion resistance of steel structures. Generally, an additional decorative hexavalent chromium layer is deposited for corrosion protection, which leads to carcinogenic chrome emissions. In this work, we present an electrodeposition based approach to fabricate superhydrophobic zinc coatings, that eliminates the need for the additional chromium layer while enhancing the corrosion resistance of the zinc coating by about one order of magnitude. Through electrodeposition in a highly conductive electrolyte, multiscale needle and branch-shaped fractal morphology was obtained in the coatings, which were treated with stearic acid to obtain extreme water repellency, with a contact angle of more than 160° and roll-off angle of about 4–7°. Detailed microstructural and mechanical characterization studies are presented on the fabricated coatings under different processing conditions to demonstrate their durability, stability, longevity, and corrosion resistance. The presented process can be scaled to larger durable non-wetting coatings for diverse applications.
Stop Posturing and Start Problem Solving: A Call for Research to Prevent Gun Violence

Gun violence is a major cause of preventable injury and death in the United States, leading to more than 33,000 deaths each year. However, gun violence prevention is an understudied and underfunded area of research. We review the barriers to research in the field, including restrictions on federal funding. We then outline potential areas in which further research could inform clinical practice, public health efforts, and public policy. We also review examples of innovative collaborations among interdisciplinary teams working to develop strategies to integrate gun violence prevention into patient-doctor interactions in order to interrupt the cycle of gun violence.
The Discovery of Bacteriophage and the d’Herelle Controversy

Bacteriophage (bacterial viruses) were discovered independently by two scientists, Frederick Twort and Felix d’Herelle, in 1915 and 1917. D’Herelle went on to carry out an in-depth study of these viruses, including replication and adaptation, and he proposed their possible use in anti-bacterial treatment. He called this area of research “bacteriophagy.” This research should be considered the beginning of molecular biology. D’Herelle was a very controversial character and had difficulty with the scientific establishment accepting his ideas and results, as they doubted the existence of bacteriophage and the concept of phage therapy. The opposite view was that lysis by bacteriophage was the result of autocatalysis. During this period, an institute of phage therapy was established in the Soviet Republic of Georgia by Giorgi Eliava, a colleague of d’Herelle’s at the Pasteur Institute. D’Herelle was invited to work at the institute but Eliava was executed during a purge shortly after its opening in 1937.
Celecoxib use and circulating oxylipins in a colon polyp prevention trial

Drugs that inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and the metabolism of arachidonic acid (ARA) to prostaglandin E2 are potent anti-inflammatory agents used widely in the treatment of joint and muscle pain. Despite their benefits, daily use of these drugs has been associated with hypertension, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicities. It is now recognized that ARA is metabolized to a number of bioactive oxygenated lipids (oxylipins) by cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. Currently, the contribution of individual variability in ARA metabolism in response to the COX-2 inhibitors and potential adverse effects remains poorly understood. Using patient samples from the randomized, placebo-controlled phase III selenium/celecoxib (Sel/Cel) trial for the prevention of colorectal adenomatous polyps, we analyzed plasma concentrations of 74 oxylipins in a subset of participants who received celecoxib (n = 90) or placebo (n = 95). We assessed the effect of celecoxib (with and without low dose aspirin) on circulating oxylipins and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Individual CYP450- and LOX- but not COX-derived metabolites were higher with celecoxib than placebo (P<0.05) and differences were greater among non-aspirin users. LOX derived 5- and 8-HETE were elevated with celecoxib and positively associated with systolic blood pressure (P = 0.011 and P = 0.019 respectively). 20-HETE, a prohypertensive androgen-sensitive CYP450 metabolite was higher with celecoxib absent aspirin and was positively associated with SBP in men (P = 0.040) but not women. Independent of celecoxib or aspirin, LOX derived metabolites from ARA were strongly associated with SBP including 5- and 8-HETE. These findings support oxylipins, particularly the ARA LOX-derived, in blood pressure control and indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of COX-2 has effects on LOX and CYP450 ARA metabolism that contribute to hypertension in some patients.
Other Comments and Recommendations

This chapter discusses two topics of popular discourse. First, the welfare provisions were highest on the list of popular concerns because of the exclusion of peasants from state social benefits. Second, skepticism and disbelief accompanied almost every theme of the discussion: the talk about democratic elections, religious freedom, the right to free speech, and other subjects. This distrust resulted from unrealized promises, the zigzags of state policy, insecurity, and the gaps between official declarations and Soviet reality. Together with vertical distrust in relations between society and the rulers, horizontal mistrust weakened the cohesiveness of society from within.
Tradeoffs and Comparison of Restoration Strategies in Optical WDM Networks

The problem of providing dependable connections in WDM networks is an important problem due to high traffic speed and high vulnerability of such networks. We call a connection with fault tolerant requirements as a dependable connection (D-connection). We consider single-link and multi-link failure models in our study. We consider a full redundancy-based schemes where the backup path for every accepted are identified at the and recommend to use a pro-active approach wherein a D-connection is identified with the establishment of the primary lightpath and a backup lightpath at the time of honoring the request (called restoration).
Catastrophic Outcomes in the Economics of Climate Change

Monte Carlo simulations by Tol (2003) suggest that there is a small but positive probability that climate change will impose catastrophic impacts on future society unless sufficient steps are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This paper critically evaluates this finding and its implications for policy analysis and decision-making.
Infographics Retrieval: A New Methodology

Information graphics, such as bar charts and line graphs, are a rich knowledge source that should be accessible to users. However, techniques that have been effective for document or image retrieval are inadequate for the retrieval of such graphics. We present and evaluate a new methodology that hypothesizes information needs from user queries and retrieves infographics based on how well the inherent structure and intended message of the graphics satisfy the query information needs.
Actions of Alcohols and other Sedative/Hypnotic Compounds on Cation Channels Associated with Glutamate and 5-HT3 Receptors

The neural actions of a number of sedative/hypnotic agents appear to be mediated via alterations in the function of neurotransmitter receptors of the ligand-gated ion channel class. For example, it has long been known that barbiturates and benzodiazepines potentiate responses mediated by GABAA receptors (Schmidt, 1963; Nicoll, 1972; Ransom and Barker, 1976; Choi et al., 1981; Study and Barker, 1981; Olsen, 1982; Gage and Robertson, 1985; Vicini et al., 1987) and that this action likely underlies the sedative and anesthetic actions of these compounds. Ethanol (EtOH) also has potent actions on a number of different ligand-gated channels. Intoxicating concentrations of ethanol have been shown to inhibit responses mediated by the NMDA-type glutamate receptor (Dildy and Leslie, 1989; Hoffman et al., 1989; Lima-Landman and Albuquerque, 1989; Lovinger et al., 1989; Gothert and Fink, 1989), while ethanol is less potent in inhibiting AMPA/kainate receptor-mediated responses (Hoffman et al, 1989; Lovinger et al., 1989; Lovinger et al., 1990). In contrast, ethanol potentiates the function of other ligand-gated ion channels including some types of GABAA receptors (Mehta and Ticku, 1988; Suzdak et al., 1986; Nakahiro et al., 1991; Wafford et al., 1990), 5-HT3 receptors (Lovinger, 1991), strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors (Celentano et al., 1988) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (Okada, 1967; Miller et al., 1991).
Murine Models of Pancreatitis Leading to the Development of Pancreatic Cancer

Chronic or repeated episodes of acute pancreatic inflammation, or pancreatitis, are risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a strong fibro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment. In pancreatitis, the same fibro-inflammatory reaction is observed concurrently with a loss of normal pancreatic cells. Mouse models are commonly employed to study the progression of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, with genetic and pharmacological tools used to elucidate cellular and acellular interactions within pancreatic tumors. Described in this article is a protocol for using KrasG12D ; Pdx1-Cre (KC) mice stimulated with caerulein, a small oligopeptide that increases secretion of digestive enzymes, as a model for pancreatitis. KRAS is mutated in 90-95% of the tumors in patients with pancreatic cancer. The combination of this mutation with an inflammatory stimulus accelerates the development of pancreatic cancer. The protocol detailed in this report follows the progression of disease in KC mice from pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias to invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.