cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative transcriptome profiling provides insights into plant salt tolerance in seashore paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum )

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), a halophytic warm-seasoned perennial grass, is tolerant of many environmental stresses, especially salt stress. To investigate molecular mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance in seashore paspalum, physiological characteristics and global transcription profiles of highly (Supreme) and moderately (Parish) salinity-tolerant cultivars under normal and salt stressed conditions were analyzed. Physiological characterization comparing highly (Supreme) and moderately (Parish) salinity-tolerant cultivars revealed that Supreme’s higher salinity tolerance is associated with higher Na+ and Ca2+ accumulation under normal conditions and further increase of Na+ under salt-treated conditions (400 mM NaCl), possibly by vacuolar sequestration. Moreover, K+ retention under salt treatment occurs in both cultivars, suggesting that it may be a conserved mechanism for prevention of Na+ toxicity. We sequenced the transcriptome of the two cultivars under both normal and salt-treated conditions (400 mM NaCl) using RNA-seq. De novo assembly of about 153 million high-quality reads and identification of Open Reading Frames (ORFs) uncovered a total of 82,608 non-redundant unigenes, of which 3250 genes were identified as transcription factors (TFs). Gene Ontology (GO) annotation revealed the presence of genes involved in diverse cellular processes in seashore paspalum’s transcriptome. Differential expression analysis identified a total of 828 and 2222 genes that are responsive to high salinity for Supreme and Parish, respectively. “Oxidation-reduction process” and “nucleic acid binding” are significantly enriched GOs among differentially expressed genes in both cultivars under salt treatment. Interestingly, compared to Parish, a number of salt stress induced transcription factors are enriched and show higher abundance in Supreme under normal conditions, possibly due to enhanced Ca2+ signaling transduction out of Na+ accumulation, which may be another contributor to Supreme’s higher salinity tolerance. Physiological and transcriptome analyses of seashore paspalum reveal major molecular underpinnings contributing to plant response to salt stress in this halophytic warm-seasoned perennial grass. The data obtained provide valuable molecular resources for functional studies and developing strategies to engineer plant salinity tolerance.
On-demand production of hydrogen by reacting porous silicon nanowires with water

On-demand hydrogen generation is desired for fuel cells, energy storage, and clean energy applications. Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been reported to generate hydrogen by reacting with water, but these processes usually require external assistance, such as light, electricity or catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate that a porous SiNWs array, which is fabricated via the metal-assisted anodic etching (MAAE) method, reacts with water under ambient and dark conditions without any energy inputs. The reaction between the SiNWs and water generates hydrogen at a rate that is about ten times faster than the reported rates of other Si nanostructures. Two possible sources of enhancement are discussed: SiNWs maintain their high specific surface area as they don’t agglomerate, and the intrinsic strain of the nanowires promotes the reactivity. Moreover, the porous SiNWs array is portable, reusable, and environmentally friendly, yielding a promising route to produce hydrogen in a distributed manner.
How IT wisdom affects firm performance: An empirical investigation of 15-year US panel data

Abstract This paper introduces the concept of IT wisdom from a perspective of meta-capability and establishes the relationship between IT wisdom and firm performance. We propose that IT wisdom as a holistic meta-IT capability of a firm can strategically enable and exercise suitable IT capabilities and organizational capabilities to adapt to changing environments for improving firm performance. We test our hypotheses with panel data collected from 26 US companies over 15 years. The results of data analysis show that IT wisdom is significantly related to firm performance indicated by both accounting-based measures and market-based measures. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are presented.
Integrated coherent optical receiver with feed-forward carrier recovery.

Coherent optical communication provides optical links with a high spectral efficiency and sensitivity. An essential feature of a coherent optical receiver is to phase lock the optical local oscillator to the carrier of the incoming signal. In this work, we propose and demonstrate, for the first time, a novel coherent optical receiver, where the relative instantaneous phase between the incoming optical carrier and a semiconductor laser (SCL), serving as the optical local oscillator, is first detected using a balanced photodiode, filtered, and used in a feed-forward scheme to modify the phase of the optical local oscillator, effectively recovering the input carrier, which is then used for data recovery. The proposed architecture leverages high-performance on-chip photonic devices to realize a low-power coherent optical receiver without utilizing a phase-locked loop and eliminates the required high data-rate ADC, lowering the complexity of the backend DSP. The photonic part of the implemented prototype was integrated on a 180 nm silicon-on-insulator photonic process within a footprint of 1.0 mm × 0.8 mm. Clock and data recovery at 10 GBaud/s with bit-error-rates better than 10−6 and 10−3 for optical BPSK and QPSK have been demonstrated, respectively.
A single institution retrospective study of the effect of starting doses in patients with ER-positive metastatic breast cancer on CDK 4/6 inhibitors.

e13056Background: CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDKi) have become part of standard of care in the treatment ER-positive, Her2Neu negative of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Hematologic toxicity from CDKi are ...
Novel Strategy To Analyze Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry Data of Biomass Pyrolysis Oil for Oligomeric Structure Assignment

Among the most prominent challenges for the analysis of biomass pyrolysis products is the characterization of the abundant oligomer fraction of bio-oil. This fraction is principally made up of pyrolytic lignins and dehydrated, highly modified sugar oligomers, called humins, in liquid phase. An emerging technique for analysis of this oligomer fraction is high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), which allows for accurate determination of CxHyOz formulas for detected oligomers. Additionally, using simple dehydration and fragmentation reaction schemes, similar formulas can be developed from cellulose-, hemicellulose-, and lignin-derived oligomers, which are primary depolymerization products. In this study, FT-ICR MS analysis is coupled with combinatoric dehydration and fragmentation modeling to match experimentally detected bio-oil oligomers with hypothetical pathways for their formation during pyrolysis. In this way, we present a novel strategy by which oligomeric structures can be proposed for bio-oils. Using this approach, it becomes possible to advance the understanding of both the molecular structures comprising the bio-oil oligomer fraction and the pathways by which these structures form during biomass pyrolysis reactions.
Neurotransmitter-derived lipidoids (NT-lipidoids) for enhanced brain delivery through intravenous injection.

Safe and efficient delivery of blood-brain barrier (BBB)–impermeable cargos into the brain through intravenous injection remains a challenge. Here, we developed a previously unknown class of neurotransmitter–derived lipidoids (NT-lipidoids) as simple and effective carriers for enhanced brain delivery of several BBB-impermeable cargos. Doping the NT-lipidoids into BBB-impermeable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) gave the LNPs the ability to cross the BBB. Using this brain delivery platform, we successfully delivered amphotericin B (AmB), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) against tau, and genome-editing fusion protein (−27)GFP-Cre recombinase into the mouse brain via systemic intravenous administration. We demonstrated that the NT-lipidoid formulation not only facilitates cargo crossing of the BBB, but also delivery of the cargo into neuronal cells for functional gene silencing or gene recombination. This class of brain delivery lipid formulations holds great potential in the treatment of central nervous system diseases or as a tool to study the brain function.
Protein Energy Wasting in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Kidney Disease: An Observational Study

Objectives Protein energy wasting (PEW), a specific nutritional comorbidity associated with increased mortality, is underrecognized in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to determine the burden and factors associated with PEW and assess the utility of parameters used to diagnose PEW in children with CKD and End stage kidney disease (ESKD). Methods Children between 2 and 18 years of age with CKD stages 2-5 were recruited over 30 months. Parameters of PEW assessed included body mass index for height, mid-upper arm circumference, height for age, appetite, serum albumin, cholesterol, transferrin, and C-reactive protein. Based on number of criteria fulfilled in each subject, PEW was further stratified as mild, standard, and modified PEW. Results One hundred twenty-three children (male:female 3:1, 73 in CKD stages 2-4, 50 with ESKD) were recruited. PEW was observed in 58% (47% in CKD stages 2-4 vs. 73% ESKD, P = .035). Longer duration and severity of disease was associated PEW. Reduced appetite (P = .001, P = .04), low mid-upper arm circumference (P = .000, P = .006), and low body mass index for height (P = .000, P = .007) were useful criteria to diagnose PEW in CKD stages 2-4 and ESKD, while most children did not meet biochemical criteria. Inflammation observed in 47% was higher in those with ESKD [CKD stages 2-4: 72 (39%) vs. ESKD: 29 (59%), P = .02] but was associated with PEW only in CKD stages 2-4. Conclusion PEW was highly prevalent in children with CKD and ESKD. Appetite and anthropometry measures were more useful than biochemical criteria for diagnosis of PEW. Whereas inflammation was common, it was associated with PEW only in CKD stages 2-4. Pediatric CKD and ESKD may need exclusive diagnostic criteria for PEW based on anthropometry, appetite, and inflammation.
Same-day opioid administration in opiate naïve patients is not associated with opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED).

Background Opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED) is a recognized complication of chronic opioid use. However, the impact of acute opioid administration on esophageal motility remains unclear. Methods Opioid naive patients with high-resolution manometry (HRM) Key results One hundred and seventy-four patients were identified, with 83 (47.7%) opioid-HRM and 91 (52.3%) controls. Mean time from EGD to HRM was 229 (78-435) min. Baseline clinical features and HRM indications were similar between opioid-HRM and controls. Chicago classification v3.0 defined HRM findings were similar between groups. Major motility disorders as defined by the Chicago classification v3.0 occurred at a similar frequency among opioid-HRM and controls (27.7% vs. 36.3%, p = 0.23). Mean distal contractile integrity (DCI) was higher in opioid-HRM (1939.3 ± 1318.9 vs. 1792.2 ± 2062.3 mmHg∙cm∙s, p = 0.043), but maximum DCI, distal latency, and integrated relaxation pressure did not differ between groups. Subgroup analysis assessing time and dose dependency did not identify differences in individual manometric parameters and Chicago classification v3.0 diagnosis between patients with HRM 240 min after EGD, ≥125 mcg of IV fentanyl, Conclusions and inferences Same-day acute opioid administration did not affect HRM findings in opioid naive patients. Studies assessing the pathophysiology of and duration-dependent relationship with opioids in OIED are needed.
Unusual thermal performance in Cu-60Ag by WC nanoparticles

Abstract Nanoparticles have been widely used to tune the mechanical, thermophysical, and chemical properties of materials for widespread applications 1-3. Despite achieving other unprecedented functionalities, metals containing ceramic nanoparticles often suffer a significant loss in thermal conductivity with theoretical upper limits set by the Hashin-Shtrikman (with interfacial interactions) and Weiner (without interfacial interactions) models. Here, we discover that the Cu-60Ag alloy with 10 vol% WC nanoparticles delivers a surprisingly high thermal conductivity, breaking the theoretical upper limits. To understand the underlying mechanisms, thermal transport contributions from phonons and electrons, as well as microstructure, are studied. The study suggests that there exists an unusual enhancement of thermal transport in Cu-60Ag by the less conductive WC nanoparticles. Though thermal analysis including 3ω-method may be needed to decouple influencing factors, this new finding is of significance for development and application of nanoparticles reinforced metals with both superior mechanical strength and high thermal conductivity.
Mapping the Thermal Lithosphere and Melting across the Continental US

The thermal regime of continental lithosphere plays a fundamental role in controlling the behavior of tectonic plates. In this work, we assess the thermal state of the North American upper mantle b...
Ferroelectric Tunnel Junction Based Crossbar Array Design for Neuro-Inspired Computing

Ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) based crossbar array is a promising candidate for the implementation of low-power and area-efficient neuro-inspired computing. In this paper, we fabricated and measured a 10 nm thick Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 FTJ with > 100 on/off ratio and multi-state storage. We found out that the current density of this FTJ is too low for sensing circuitry to distinguish reliably and efficiently. To overcome the low current of FTJs, we suggested using an ultra-thin 1 nm FTJ and employing the concept of stacked capacitors from modern DRAM processes. Following this idea, we further projected a 1 nm thick stacked FTJ and ran the crossbar arrays in the 20 nm node, which shows a desirable summed current level on the order of 10 μA. To model a realistic data pattern of on-state and off-state devices in a 1024 × 1024 array, we mapped quantized weights from a fully connected layer of a deep neural network to the memory cells. The current accuracy and delay are evaluated using array-level SPICE simulations with the consideration of interconnect parasitics. The overall results suggest that FTJ crossbar array is of the potential for realizing neuro-inspired computing.
Plato’s Approximation of Pi

Did Plato approximate π? There is no evidence that he did so. The myth that he did seems to have originated in the book The Open Society and its Enemies by the British philosopher Karl Popper (1902...
Abstract 16479: A Comparison of Rates of Significant Coronary Artery Disease Found on Invasive Coronary Angiography in Patients Who Underwent Nuclear Stress Testing or CT Coronary Angiography as a Workup for Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introduction: Chest pain syndromes are one of the most common causes of hospital admission. The correct diagnosis as cardiac [acute coronary syndromes (ACS)] with associated morbidity and mortality...
Response to Professor Farber's 'Regulatory Review in Anti-Regulatory Times'

This is a response to an article by Professor Dan Farber presented in a symposium about the Trump Administration and Administrative Law at Chicago-Kent School of Law. After agreeing with Professor Farber’s description, analysis and critique of the Trump Administration’s use and abuse of cost benefit analysis as an aid in making regulatory decisions, Professor Pierce makes four points: (1) President Trump will fail to implement his deregulatory agenda; (2) EPA’s proposed rule on transparency of scientific evidence is a good start on an important project; (3) the Clean Power Plan is a lost cause; and, (4) The Trump Administration may unintentionally end the practice of applying cost benefit analysis to regulatory decisions.
Context-aware query design combines knowledge and data for efficient reading and reasoning

The amount of biomedical literature has vastly increased over the past few decades. As a result, the sheer quantity of accessible information is overwhelming, and complicates manual information retrieval. Automated methods seek to speed up information retrieval from biomedical literature. However, such automated methods are still too time-intensive to survey all existing biomedical literature. We present a methodology for automatically generating literature queries that select relevant papers based on biological data. By using differentially expressed genes to inform our literature searches, we focus information extraction on mechanistic signaling details that are crucial for the disease or context of interest.
Uniform k-Tuple Partially Rank-Ordered Set Sampling

Ranked Set Sampling (RSS), introduced by McIntyre, and other related methods, such as Partially Rank-Ordered Set Sampling (PROSS), have shown that inclusion of a ranking mechanism produces estimato...
Optimization of gas chromatography/vacuum ultraviolet (GC/VUV) spectroscopy for explosive compounds and application to post-blast debris

Abstract A statistical optimization of gas chromatography/vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC/VUV) for the analysis of explosives has yet to be presented. In this work, a central composite design of experiments was utilized to optimize GC/VUV parameters for explosive and explosive related compounds such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP), dimethyldinitrobutane (DMNB), nitroglycerine (NG), diphenylamine (DPA), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and cyclonite (RDX). Parameters optimized include the final temperature of a ramped multimode inlet program (200 °C), GC carrier gas flow rate (1.9 mL/min), and VUV make-up gas pressure (0.00 psi). The impact of transfer line/flow cell temperature was determined not to be statistically significant. Post-blast debris was successfully analyzed to illustrate applicability to forensic analysis of explosives. Relevant compounds in single- and double-base smokeless powders were successfully identified in post-blast fragments originating from PVC and steel pipes.
Recommendations to guide Vice Chairs for Education in serving as effective leaders

Background: Vice Chairs for Education play an increasingly important role in academic medicine. They often serve in supportive roles overseeing educational initiatives and faculty development, ensuring that education remains prioritized. Literature in this area is limited, especially in obstetrics and gynecology. Prior literature has not been sufficiently directive in identifying best practices in role, mission, and scope for Vice Chairs for Education. Methods: We developed and facilitated a workshop at the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics - Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APGO-CREOG) annual meeting in February 2020. We brought together a national group of medical education faculty to elucidate the role of Vice Chairs and offer recommendations. After utilizing a previously described technique for gathering and reporting group recommendations, notes from small- and large-group discussions were collated, coded, and collapsed. Results: Four broad recommendations resulted. First, role clarity must be ensured, ideally with co-developed guidelines for responsibility. Second, the Vice Chair for Education should be charged with identifying departmental educational initiatives, including faculty development, utilizing best educational practices. Third, Vice Chairs for Education should implement and evaluate educational initiatives to enhance faculty well-being and promote a robust clinical learning environment. Finally, they should integrate with other Vice Chairs for Education within their institution and as part of national organizations to collaborate and develop best practices. Conclusion: These serve as guidelines to establish success and increase impact and suggest the potential for a national body of Vice Chairs for Education leaders to improve local and national educational outcomes.
The Domestic Benefits of Tropical Forests: A Critical Review Emphasizing Hydrological Functions

The authors critically review the literature on the net domestic (within-country) economic benefits of protecting tropical forests, focusing on hydrological benefits and the production of nontimber forest products. (The review does not consider other important classes of benefits, including global benefits of all kinds, ecological benefits which do not have instrumental economic value, and the existence value of forests.) Their main conclusions: (1)The level of net domestic benefits from forest preservation is highly sensitive to the alternative land use and to local climatic, biological, geological, and economic circumstances. When the alternative use is agroforestry or certain types of tree crops, the preservation of natural forests may yield no instrumental domestic benefits. (2)The hydrological benefits from forest preservation are poorly understood and likely to be highly variable. They may also be fewer than popularly assumed: Deforestation has not been shown to be associated with large-scale flooding. Tropical deforestation is generally associated with higher, not lower, dry season flows. Although it is plausible that deforestation should affect local precipitation, the magnitude and even the direction of the effects are unknown, except in the special case of cloud forests that "harvest" passing moisture. The link between deforestation and downstream sediment damage is sensitive to the basic topography and geology. Where sediment transport is slow - as in large, low-gradient basins - downstream impacts may manifest themselves in the distant future, so that the net present value of damage is small. Steep basins near reservoirs or marine fisheries, on the other hand, can cause substantial damage if land cover is severely disturbed. But only a few pioneering studies have examined the economics of reservoir sedimentation, and improved models of both sediment transport and dam function are needed. (3) The most impressive point estimates of forest value based on nontimber forest products are often based on atypical cases of faulty analysis. Where domesticated or synthetic substitutes exist, the nontimber forest product-related rents for natural forests will usually be driven toward zero.
Judicialization of Political Conflict: Evidence of Brown v. Board of Education's Effect in Newspaper Opinion

This paper uses data from American Southern newspapers to establish the effect of Brown v. Board of Education on political debate. Using a original dataset consisting of every editorial and letter to the editor that discusses race in five daily newspapers from 1950-56, I show how the Supreme Court altered Southern politics, with discussion of race and integration increasing rapidly after the 1954 decision, and shifting in content. This comprehensive collection of newspaper opinion on race, containing data before and after the Brown decision of May 17, 1954, supports both quantitative and qualitative empirical findings. I find that editorial and letter writers are more likely to make constitutional arguments about race, with the Court stimulating Southerners to respond to the constitutional arguments of Brown. This production of constitutional doctrine by political actors not previously involved in constitutional argumentation is an effect of action by the Supreme Court.
Ultraviolet emission and absorption spectra produced by organic compounds in oxyhydrogen flames : Part II. Absorption spectra. Continuous source1

Abstract Ultraviolet absorption spectra produced by aspirating organic compounds into oxyhydrogen flames have been investigated. Spectra are presented and compared. The prominent bands observed are listed by wavelength and absorbing species. Flame absorption profiles for organic and inorganic fragments are presented. Maximum absorption by organic fragments occurred in the reaction zone of the flame. Absorption by OH fragments and by fragments containing phosphorus or sulfur was intense above and within the reaction zone of the flame. Absorption by whole solvent molecules in the flame was observed.
The Effects of Certain Gimbal Orders on Target Acquisition and Workload

If air-to-ground imaging sensors are mounted to aircraft by different gimbal order systems, the displayed scene will rotate differently, even though the flight paths are identical. Eighteen experienced pilots were tested to investigate the effects of three gimbal orders (roll-pitch, yaw-pitch, and pitch-yaw) on target detection, recognition, and identification performance, and also on operator workload. The pitch-yaw gimbal order was associated with the greatest range-to-target scores and the lightest workloads.
An IUE high-dispersion cool-star atlas

We are planning to compile a spectral atlas based on high-dispersion images of representative late-type stars recorded by the International Ultraviolet Explorer. We solicit advice from the ultraviolet community concerning how best to present the spectral material.
Mouse Neutrophils Require JNK2 MAPK for Toxoplasma gondii-Induced IL-12p40 and CCL2/MCP-1 Release

The MAPK family member JNK/stress-activated MAPK (SAPK) is involved in extracellular stress and proinflammatory cytokine responses, including production of cytokines such as IL-12. The JNK1 and 2 isoforms are widely expressed, but JNK3 is largely restricted to tissues of the brain, testis, and heart. In this study, we focus on mouse neutrophils, a cell type in which JNK/SAPK expression and activity has been given little study. We used Western blot analysis to examine expression patterns of JNK/SAPK in wild-type and JNK2 −/− polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Surprisingly, neutrophils displayed a major deficiency in JNK1 expression, in contrast to macrophages that expressed high levels of both JNK1 and JNK2 MAPK. JNK1 expression was steadily reduced during the neutrophil maturation in bone marrow. We used PMN infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii to determine whether neutrophil JNK2 was functional. The parasite induced rapid JNK2 phosphorylation and intracellular FACS staining demonstrated preferential activation in infected neutrophils. Use of JNK2 −/− neutrophils revealed that this MAPK family member was required for PMN IL-12p40 and CCL2/MCP-1 production. The chemotactic response displayed a minor JNK2 dependence but phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity did not require this MAPK. These findings are important because they demonstrate 1) a previously unrecognized unusual JNK expression pattern in mouse neutrophils, 2) JNK2 in PMN is activated by Toxoplasma invasion, and 3) a requirement for JNK2 in PMN IL-12p40 and CCL2/MCP-1 production in response to a microbial pathogen.
Regioselectivities of Diels-Alder cycloadditions to methoxy-substituted quinones

Abstract Diels-Alder cycloadducts of unsymmetrical electron-rich dienes and methoxybenzoquinones or naphthoquinones produce adducts in which the more nucleophilic diene terminus becomes bonded to the non-methoxylated carbon. These results support the “secondary orbital”, but not the “schizophrenic”, model for donor substituent effects on regioselectivity.
Blood glucose clearance after feeding and exercise in polysaccharide storage myopathy

Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) in Quarter Horses (QH) and QH crosses is a glycogen storage disorder in which blood glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity, following an i.v. or oral glucose challenge, are enhanced. Exercise is known also to enhance glucose uptake into skeletal muscle in many animal species. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on glucose clearance in PSSM and control horses when an oral carbohydrate meal (8 Mcal sweet feed) was fed following either 12 h fasting alone (NEX protocol) or following fasting and a standard exercise protocol (EX protocol). In the NEX protocol, horses fasted 12 h and then were fed 8 megacalories (Mcal) of sweet feed (2.3 kg). In the EX protocol, horses were fed sweet feed 2 h after an exercise test (SET). Blood glucose was analysed for < 480 min after feeding. Muscle biopsies were taken before and after the EX protocol. With the NEX protocol, the mean of all blood glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly lower in fed-PSSM horses than controls (P < 0.013). The EX protocol in control horses caused a less pronounced percentage change in glucose concentration from baseline following feeding compared to the NEX protocol (mean peak EX 26.5% vs. NEX 70.2%, respectively) (P < 0.0003). In PSSM horses, the EX protocol also resulted in a lower percent change in glucose concentration following feeding compared to the NEX protocol (44.7 vs. 67.5%, respectively) (P = 0.021). The magnitude of the difference in percentage change of blood glucose concentration with the EX protocol was less in PSSM than that seen for controls (mean peak PSSM-EX 44.7% vs. 26.5% for controls, respectively) (P < 0.006). No significant differences in the insulin:glucose ratios were found for control horses between NEX and EX. In PSSM horses, the insulin:glucose ratio was significantly increased in the EX vs. NEX. In conclusion, exercise in normal horses results in enhanced glucose clearance following feeding without altering insulin:glucose ratios. At rest, PSSM horses have lower insulin:glucose ratios after feeding than normal horses, however, exercise in PSSM horses significantly increases insulin:glucose ratios. This may explain the beneficial effect of daily exercise for preventing rhabdomyolysis in horses with PSSM.
A near-death experience at birth

Abstract The near-death experience literature includes many accounts of adults who have had near-death experiences as adults or when they were children. The literature also reveals a few accounts of children reporting on their childhood near-death experiences. But the literature does not contain a single case of a near-death experience happening at birth, until the reporting of this case. Not only is this case interesting because it is a birth near-death experience, recalled through the medium of dreams, but because the respondent was born in the Philippines, adding cross-cultural validation to the phenomenon of the near-death experience. This is something the literature has called for in the past. Additionally, unlike the vast majority of near-death experiences, this one had a negative affective quality to it, which is discussed in detail through the use of Grey's typology of negative near-death experiences.
Variations in surgeons' recovery expectations for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty: a survey of the AAHKS membership.

Abstract Recovery expectations (RE) after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA–TKA) influence outcomes. We surveyed AAHKS members to determine variation in surgeon RE. Four vignettes depicting patients with high and low expectations after THA and TKA were distributed with a validated RE survey. Responses were analyzed for clinically significant differences between surgeons and within surgeons. Of 1049 surgeons surveyed, 358 (34%) responded. There was a clinically significant difference in 85% (high-THA), 46% (low-THA), 74% (high-TKA), and 57% (low-TKA) of pairs. Disagreement was significantly greater in high expectation vignettes. Individual surgeons distinguished between high and low expectation patients in 76% (THA) and 72% (TKA) of cases. There was no association between surgeon RE and practice demographics. Wide variations in RE were observed, especially among high expectation patients.
Modeling of nano-particle reinforced resin-based dental composites

The objective of this work is to predict the effective material properties of nano-particle reinforced resin-based dental composites using the Mori-Tanaka theory. The results were validated against the finite element simulation of a representative volume element of the microstructure. The influences of nano-particle properties, aspect ratio and volume fraction were examined in terms of effective Young’s modulus and yield strength of the composite. Cohesive material will be used to assess the damage at inter-phase.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A rapid and reliable method of urinary estriol determination in pregnancy*1

Abstract A rapid and reliable method for urinary estriol determination has been developed in our laboratory. The accuracy, precision, sensitivity and reliability are satisfactory. In control experiments with known amount of estriol added to the acid-hydrolysed urine, the mean of the recovery was 90.7 ± 7.4% (S.D.). In a series of duplicate analyses, this method has proved to be highly reproducible. The coefficient of variation from 12 pairs of duplicate analyses of normal pregnant urines was 7. 7%; similarly, the coefficient of variation from 14 pairs of duplicate analyses on urine specimens from abnormal pregnancies was 5. 6%. This method is simple, requiring no chromatographic procedure nor special apparatus. Two urine specimens can be analyzed and completed within 5 to 6 hours by a single person.
A Comparison of the Management Systems of Traditional and Alternative Public High Schools

This paper examines the managerial systems and organizational climate of alternative and traditional public high schools. Three of the four administrative variables used in this comparison show a distinct difference between the two types of schools and suggest that alternative schools possess the organizational ability to create a viable managerial model that deserves serious consideration and further research.
Biological activity of a vitamin D metabolite

Abstract A metabolite of vitamin D which is obtained from the carcasses of rats given 3H-vitamin D3 has been isolated by silicic acid column chromatography and tested for its effectiveness in curing rickets, stimulation of calcium transport by everted intestinal sacs, and in the elevation of serum calcium concentration. The metabolite was as effective as vitamin D in all three systems. In addition it stimulated intestinal transport of calcium within 8–10 hours after its oral administration to vitamin D-deficient rats, whereas vitamin D itself required a 20-hour lag for its action. The physiologic significance of these findings is discussed.
Cyclosporine Inhibition of Angiogenesis Involves the Transcription Factor HESR1

Purpose Angiogenesis is critical in normal development and in tumor growth. Experimentally, cyclosporine A (CyA) inhibits angiogenesis in an in vivo mouse model and an in vitro capillary tube model. The mechanisms behind its antiangiogenic effects are not well characterized. To determine which nuclear factor, if any, may be involved in the antiangiogenic effects of CyA, we performed a microarray analysis of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) subjected to CyA and another calcineurin inhibitor, FK 506. Methods HAEC were divided into four groups: (1) HAEC incubated with CyA 2 μg/mL; (2) HAEC incubated with CyA 10 μg/mL; (3) HAEC incubated with FK 506 1 μg/mLl for 24 h; and (4) HAEC as control. We used Affymetrix GeneChip U133-A for gene expression analysis and validated our results with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results At a 2 μg/mL dose, CyA treated HAEC revealed a 44-fold increase in the expression of hairy enhancer of split-related protein 1 (HESR1) and 1.73-fold down-regulation of transcripts encoding for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR2). At 10 μg/mL, the expression of the HESR1 transcript was 57-fold higher than control, and VEGFR2 exhibited a 1.93-fold down-regulation. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed a significant ( P Conclusion CyA demonstrate antiangiogenic activities linked to an overexpression of HESR1 transcription factor, and down-regulation of VEGFR2. Thus, use of high-dose CyA may provide a novel treatment in angiogenesis dependent disease.
Thermal conductivity of methane with carbon monoxide

Abstract The paper reports the results of new measurements of the thermal conductivity of CH 4 -CO mixtures at 27.5°C and up to a pressure of 12 MPa. This further contribution to a growing body of data on the thermal conductivity of binary mixtures of polyatomic gases is analyzed in the same way as was done by the present group in several earlier publications with essentially identical conclusions.
PKS 2155-304 - Relativistically beamed synchrotron radiation from a BL Lacertae object

The newly discovered BL Lacertae object, PKS 2155-304, was observed with the medium and high intensity energy detectors of the HEAO-1 A2 experiment. The variability by a factor of two in less than a day reported by Snyder, et al (1979) is confirmed. Two spectra, obtained a year apart, while the satellite was in scanning mode, are well fit by simple power laws with energy spectral index alpha sub 1 equals approximately 1.4. A third spectrum, of higher statistical quality, obtained while the satellite was pointed at its source, has has two components. An acceptable fit was obtained using a two power law model, with indices alpha sub 1 equals 2.0 (+1.2, -0.6) and alpha sub 2 equals -1.5 (+1.5, -2.3). An interpretation of the overall spectrum from radio through X-rays in terms of a synchrotron self-Compton model gives a good description of the data if allowance is made for relativistic beaming. Thus, from a consideration of the spectrum, combined with an estimate of the size of the source, the presence of jets is inferred without their observation.
Potential benefits of plant diversity on vegetated roofs: A literature review

Although vegetated green roofs can be difficult to establish and maintain, they are an increasingly popular method for mitigating the negative environmental impacts of urbanization. Most green roof development has focused on maximizing green roof performance by planting one or a few drought-tolerant species. We present an alternative approach, which recognizes green roofs as dynamic ecosystems and employs a diversity of species. We draw links between the ecological and green roof literature to generate testable predictions about how increasing plant diversity could improve short- and long-term green roof functioning. Although we found few papers that experimentally manipulated diversity on green roofs, those that did revealed ecological dynamics similar to those in more natural systems. However, there are many unresolved issues. To improve overall green roof performance, we should (1) elucidate the links among plant diversity, structural complexity, and green roof performance, (2) describe feedback mechanisms between plant and animal diversity on green roofs, (3) identify species with complementary traits, and (4) determine whether diverse green roof communities are more resilient to disturbance and environmental change than less diverse green roofs.
Surface tools for automated non-destructive inspection of contamination

Abstract The surfaces of aluminum alloys were prepared for adhesive bonding by a phosphoric acid anodization treatment. The surfaces were mapped by computer-operated scanning techniques prior to and after deliberate contamination or handling and process errors. The surface tools, ellipsometry, surface potential difference, photoelectron emission and water contact wettability were used to monitor the state of the surface. All these tools proved useful but ellipsometry gives the optimum results.
Using dehydrated poultry waste in poultry rations — A review☆

Abstract The use of dehydrated poultry waste (DPW) in poultry rations is reviewed. As a poultry feed, it is a substantial source of crude protein and is rich in calcium and phosphorus. Factors affecting composition of DPW are discussed. DPW as a feed for poultry has a relatively low energy value. Although nitrogen content is high, much is nonprotein (uric acid) and of limited use to nonruminate animals such as poultry. In some studies, DPW, when fed to broilers resulted in depressed growth rate and feed efficiency. More emphasis has been placed on feeding DPW to layers than to broilers, poults, or baby chicks. Experimental data indicate DPW can be used in layer rations in amounts up to 15% without important changes in production, feed efficiency, or egg size. In sensory tests on broilers, a triangle test was used to study flavor differences caused by feeding 0, 9.6, 19.1, or 38.2% DPW. Panel members could not accurately detect flavor differences between the two extreme treatments. Performance of the 38.2%-DPW group was poorest by live weight, eviscerated weight, and feed conversion. Carcass composition changes, studied by analyses of dark meat for protein, ether extract, calcium, phosphorus, and TBA value, showed no significant differences among treatments in any of those factors. It was concluded that feeding DPW had no noticeable effect on broiler carcass quality, though growth was somewhat depressed when feed contained 38.2% DPW. Thus DPW may be nearly 20% of broiler's feed. Research on the use of DPW in poultry rations is still needed. Utilization of DPW by turkeys, geese, ducks, and game birds may have great potential.
A Model of Freely Burning Pool Fires

Abstract This paper presents a zone model of liquid poolfires burning in an open environment. The model is a system of coupled non-linear equations which contains physical parameters for which reliable values are not currently available. With a judicious estimate of these parameters. the model was tested on various size fires burning three types of fuel. The predicted results are comparable with experimental results from three groups of earlier workers. Sensitivity analyses were run to determine the relative influence of each estimated parameter on the predicted results. These analyses show that efficiency of combustion in the fire is the most important estimated parameter in this model.
Fusobacterium nucleatum Promotes Colorectal Carcinogenesis by Modulating E-Cadherin/β-Catenin Signaling via its FadA Adhesin

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), but causality and underlying mechanisms remain to be established. We demonstrate that Fn adheres to, invades, and induces oncogenic and inflammatory responses to stimulate growth of CRC cells through its unique FadA adhesin. FadA binds to E-cadherin, activates β-catenin signaling, and differentially regulates the inflammatory and oncogenic responses. The FadA-binding site on E-cadherin is mapped to an 11-amino-acid region. A synthetic peptide derived from this region of E-cadherin abolishes FadA-induced CRC cell growth and oncogenic and inflammatory responses. The fadA gene levels in the colon tissue from patients with adenomas and adenocarcinomas are >10-100 times higher compared to normal individuals. The increased FadA expression in CRC correlates with increased expression of oncogenic and inflammatory genes. This study unveils a mechanism by which Fn can drive CRC and identifies FadA as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for CRC.
Preclinical detection of Alzheimer's disease: hippocampal shape and volume predict dementia onset in the elderly.

Abstract Structural deformity of the hippocampus is characteristic of individuals with very mild and mild forms of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). The purpose of this study was to determine whether a similar deformity of the hippocampus can predict the onset of dementia in nondemented elders. Using high dimensional diffeomorphic transformations of a neuroanatomical template, hippocampal volumes and surfaces were defined in 49 nondemented elders; the hippocampal surface was subsequently partitioned into three zones (i.e., lateral, superior and inferior-medial), which were proximal to the underlying CA1 subfield, CA2–4 subfields plus dentate gyrus, and subiculum, respectively. Annual clinical assessments using the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR), where CDR 0 indicates no dementia and CDR 0.5 indicates very mild dementia, were then performed for a mean of 4.9 years (range 0.9–7.1 years) to monitor subjects who converted from CDR 0 to CDR 0.5. Inward variation of the lateral zone and left hippocampal volume significantly predicted conversion to CDR 0.5 in separate Cox proportional hazards models. When hippocampal surface variation and volume were included in a single model, inward variation of the lateral zone of the left hippocampal surface was selected as the only significant predictor of conversion. The pattern of hippocampal surface deformation observed in nondemented subjects who later converted to CDR 0.5 was similar to the pattern of hippocampal surface deformation previously observed to discriminate subjects with very mild DAT and nondemented subjects. These results suggest that inward deformation of the left hippocampal surface in a zone corresponding to the CA1 subfield is an early predictor of the onset of DAT in nondemented elderly subjects.
Nuclear limits on gravitational waves from elliptically deformed pulsars

Abstract Gravitational radiation is a fundamental prediction of General Relativity. Elliptically deformed pulsars are among the possible sources emitting gravitational waves (GWs) with a strain-amplitude dependent upon the star's quadrupole moment, rotational frequency, and distance from the detector. We show that the gravitational wave strain amplitude h 0 depends strongly on the equation of state of neutron-rich stellar matter. Applying an equation of state with symmetry energy constrained by recent nuclear laboratory data, we set an upper limit on the strain-amplitude of GWs produced by elliptically deformed pulsars. Depending on details of the EOS, for several millisecond pulsars at distances 0.18 kpc to 0.35 kpc from Earth, the maximal h 0 is found to be in the range of ∼ [ 0.4 – 1.5 ] × 10 −24 . This prediction serves as the first direct nuclear constraint on the gravitational radiation. Its implications are discussed.
Biological molecular electronics

Electrical contact of the electron transport chain of photosynthesis has been achieved by precipitating colloidal platinum onto the surface of thylakoid membranes. This composite metal-biological membrane material was immobilized on filter paper and sandwiched between metal gauze electrodes. Upon irradiation, oriented photocurrents were observed. The direction of the flow of photocurrent was consistent with the vectorial model of photosynthesis, which predicts that the electric potential of the external surface of photosynthetic membrane swings negative with respect to the internal surface. Control experiments indicated that the oriented nature of the observed photocurrents could not be attributed to structural asymmetries associated with electrodes or to light gradients associated with the direction of illumination. >