cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Abundant are Root-Colonizing Fungi in Southeastern Louisiana’s Degraded Marshes?

Despite earlier notions that fungi are not important in wetlands, it is becoming clear that root endophytes are abundant in wetlands and potentially can influence plant community dynamics. Little is known about the effects of wetland degradation on these fungi. We assessed two groups of root endophytes in a degrading marsh in southeast Louisiana that historically was a swamp forest dominated by Taxodium distichum (baldcypress) and Nyssa aquatica (water tupelo). We determined percent root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) in each of 18 vascular plant species. Fungi were present in all species that were assessed. In general, monocots were primarily colonized by DSE, whereas dicots were primarily colonized by AMF. Taxodium distichum was heavily colonized by AMF, as was the non-native, invasive Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera). This study is the first to show that wetland plants in a degraded marsh harbor abundant and diverse root endophytes. These fungi and their interactions with stressed plants may be important in effective management of degrading wetlands.
Glass Scintillator for Neutron Detection

A glass scintillator which can be used as one of the main components of a slow-neutron time-of-flight spectrometer was developed. Sodium aluminoborate glass containing 73 mole% B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and 8.0 mole% Ce was melted under highly reducing conditions in a series of ceriumactivated very high boron- containing glasses. The glass is water white with very high light transmittance for wave lengths greater than 3800 A. It has a neutron-detection efficiency which is 25 to 30% greater than any other known glass scintillator in the energy range 10/sup 2/ to 10/sup 4/ ev, and is considerably better than any other type of detector. It was found that the neutron pulse height increases with increasing cerium content up to a maximum and then decreases with further increases in the cerium content. The molar content of cerium required to obtain a maximum pulse height for each B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ concentration increases linearly with the increase in the B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ content. However, the maximum pulse height decreases gradually with the B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ content from 17.0 arbitrary units at 54.5 mole% to 6.7 at 73.4 mole%. This lower pulse height is still considerably above the photomultiplier noise at room temperature. (auth)
The impact of age and family life experiences on Mexican visitor shopping expenditures

Mexican Nationals frequently visit border towns and other cities in the United States that are in close proximity to their areas of residence for the main purpose of shopping at popular malls and outlet centers. However, it is somewhat difficult to gather the necessary information in order to profile the visitors and develop marketing strategies for targeting the appropriate market segments. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key target markets for U.S. shopping malls based on the age and family life experiences (i.e., marriage and having children) of the Mexican visitors. First, a three-factor ANOVA analysis is used to examine the impact of these characteristics on shopping expenditures, including the interaction effects. Then, a cluster analysis is performed in order to segment the market using age and the family life experience variables. Finally, recommendations are provided based on the expenditures and trip behavior by family life cycle stage.
A Radiometric Method for Determination of Absorption of Ammoniated Mercury from Ointments

Ammoniated mercury-Hg 203 was prepared from mercuric chloride-Hg 203 . The labeled ammoniated mercury was incorporated into ointment bases and used to determine absorption of ammoniated mercury through intact and abraded skin of rats. Twenty-four hours after application of the ointment, both kidneys were removed and assayed for mercury content by beta and gamma radiometric rocedures. The two radiometric methods were found to give comparaile results.
Mechanical Characterization of Electrospun Polycaprolactone (PCL): A Potential Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

This paper investigates the mechanical behavior of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) under tensile loading. PCL in bulk form degrades slowly and is biocompatible, two properties that make it a viable option for tissue engineering applications in biomedicine. Of particular interest is the use of electrospun PCL tubes as scaffolds for tissue engineered blood vessel implants. Stress relaxation and tensile tests have been conducted with specimens at room temperature (21°C) and 37°C. Additionally, to probe the effects of moisture on mechanical behavior, specimens were tested either dry (in air) or submerged in water. In general, the electrospun PCL was found to exhibit rate dependence, as well as some dependence on the test temperature and on whether the sample was wet or dry. Two different models were investigated to describe the experimentally observed material behavior. The models used were Fung 's theory of quasilinear viscoelasticity (QLV) and the eight-chain model developed for rubber elastomers by Arruda and Boyce (1993, "A Three-Dimensional Constitutive Model for the Large Stretch Behavior of Rubber Elastic Materials," J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 41(2), pp. 389-412). The implementation and fitting results, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each model, are presented. In general, it was found that the QLV theory provided a better fit.
Height and cognitive achievement among Indian children

Taller children perform better on average on tests of cognitive achievement, in part because of differences in early-life health and net nutrition. Recent research documenting this height-achievement slope has primarily focused on rich countries. Using the India Human Development Survey, a representative sample of 40,000 households which matches anthropometric data to learning tests, this paper documents a height-achievement slope among Indian children. The height-achievement slope in India is more than twice as steep as in the U.S. An earlier survey interviewed some IHDS children's households eleven years before. Including matched early-life control variables reduces the apparent effect of height, but does not eliminate it; water, sanitation, and hygiene may be particularly important for children's outcomes. Being one standard deviation taller is associated with being 5 percentage points more likely to be able to write, a slope that falls only to 3.4 percentage points controlling for a long list of contemporary and early-life conditions.
Aromaticity and Optical Activity.

The relationship between aromaticity and optical activity is investigated in comparisons of heterocycles with 4n + 2 and 4n π-electrons, in cyclic ketones with and without aromatic resonance structure representations, in tautomers and pericyclic reaction partners in which only one compound of each pair is aromatic, and in partially hydrogenated cyclo-C18 derivatives with both radial and tangential π-orbitals. In all comparisons, aromaticity is correlated to diminished optical activity. A heuristic explanation of this observation is grounded in the electric dipole–magnetic dipole polarizability contribution to optical activity in which the sense of electric dipoles and magnetic dipoles become uncoupled when electrons can circulate around a ring with either sense. These observations form a basis for making broad structure–optical activity correlations from inspection of molecular structure.
Using Criminal Law Remedies to Unearth Hidden Assets

The ability of Chapter 7 trustees to execute search warrants to examine a debtor's physical assets was expanded recently in In re Barman, which authorized such a search of a private residence. This article evaluates the Fourth Amendment issues and reasoning underpinning the decision, and argues that this broad intrusion into a private home is not justified under prior case law, and opens the door to unwarranted invasions of privacy.
Decays of Rh 106 and Ag 106

The gamma-ray spectra of 30-sec Rh/sup 106/ and 8.3-day Ag/sup 106/, which both decay to Pd/sup 106/, were studied with scintillation spectrometers. Three gamma - gamma angular correlations were also measured. The results are consistent with the following level scheme for Pd/sup 106/: 0.513(2+), 1.131(2+), 1.137(0+), 1.360 or 1.213, 1.563(2+), 1.73(2 or 3), 1.84, 1.88, 1.94(3or 4+), 2.01, 2.052(4+), 2.09(3), 2.28, 2.305 (3 or 4), transition between the first and second 2+ levels was found to consist primarily of E2 radiation. The branching ratio obtained for the cascade to crossover gamma rays from the second 2+ level is 2.1 + 0.3. This ratio combined with Coulomb excitation data of Stelson and McGowan gives a value of 1.O plus or minus 0.3 for the ratio B(E2, 2' yields 2)/B(E2, 2 yields 0). (auth)
Effects of Fuel Physical Properties and Breakup Model Constants on Large-Eddy Simulation of Diesel Sprays

The Kelvin-Helmholtz/Rayleigh-Taylor (KH-RT) wave breakup model is a commonly used model in predicting primary and secondary atomization and breakup processes in Lagrangian-Eulerian Diesel spray simulations. Droplet sizes predicted by this model are dependent on several parameters. The parameters include fuel physical properties, such as density, viscosity, and surface tension, and a number of adjustable model constants, such as KH and RT time constants, KH and RT size constants, and the breakup length constant. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of these parameters on predicting spray motions using large-eddy simulation with the dynamic structure sub-grid stress model. The code used in this study is OpenFOAM. This study has three major parts. Firstly, effects of the model constants on the prediction of momentum exchange process were examined by comparing liquid and gas momentum fluxes. Drag Forces exerted on liquid spray by gas phase can be determined from the slopes of gas and liquid momentum fluxes plotted against axial distance. We found that the prediction of momentum exchange between gas and liquid is most sensitive to the KH time constant, B1, among the other model constants. Secondly, effects of fuel physical properties were investigated by using four different fuels in the simulations of non-vaporizing and vaporizing sprays. The four fuels used were n-dodecane, F76 fuel, n-hexadecane, and methyl tetradecanoate. The F76 fuel is a multi-component fuel containing twenty-one hydrocarbons. Global spray quantities such as liquid and vapor penetrations, Sauter mean diameter, total liquid mass, number of parcels, and breakup model quantities such as Ohnesorge number and KH wave speed were compared. The key finding is that not all of these quantities monotonically increase or decrease with fuel molecular weight. Lastly, effects of fuel physical properties on sensitivities of the breakup model constants were studied. We compared liquid penetration and vapor penetration for each fuel using different values of the model constants. We found that the prediction of vapor penetrations is more sensitive to the KH time constant B1 when a fuel with lighter molecular weight was used, and the prediction of liquid penetrations is sensitive to the breakup length constant, Cb, in all of the four fuels. The computational investigations in this study reveal some limitations of the current spray breakup model, and motivate us to develop more advanced models to overcome these limitations.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Multianalyte Microphysiometry Reveals Changes in Cellular Bioenergetics Upon Exposure to Fluorescent Dyes

Fluorescent dyes have been designed for internal cellular component specificity, and have been used extensively in the scientific community as a means to monitor cell growth, location, morphology, and viability. However, it is possible that the introduction of these dyes influences the basal function of the cell and, in turn, the results of these studies. Electrochemistry provides a non-invasive method for probing the unintended cellular affects of these dyes. The multianalyte microphysiometer (MAMP) is capable of simultaneous electrochemical measurement of extracellular metabolites in real-time. In this study, analytes central to cellular metabolism, glucose, lactate, oxygen, as well as extracellular acidification were monitored to determine the immediate metabolic effects of nuclear stains, including SYTO®, DAPI dilactate, Hoechst 33342, and FITC dyes upon the pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. The experimental results revealed that SYTO dye 13 significantly decreased glucose and oxygen consumption and increased extracellular acidification and lactate production in both cell lines, indicating a shift to anaerobic respiration. No other dyes caused significantly definitive changes in cellular metabolism upon exposure. This study shows that fluorescent dyes can have unintended effects on cellular metabolism and care should be taken when using these probes to investigate cellular function and morphology.
Pathways of proteolysis affecting renal cell growth.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although the suppression of protein breakdown plays a major role in the growth of the adult kidney in conditions that cause renal hypertrophy, the pathways responsible for controlling proteolysis and the substrates being destroyed have only recently been investigated. This review focuses on the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in regulating specific substrates during kidney growth, and the role of the lysosomal pathways in the suppression of general protein breakdown and of the substrates of chaperone-mediated autophagy. RECENT FINDINGS New insights into the regulation of specific ubiquitin ligases demonstrate how the cell controls the destruction of particular substrates important for growth, including hypoxia-inducible factors and the cell cycle inhibitor, p27. In cell culture, growth factors suppress the lysosomal pathway of chaperone-mediated autophagy leading to the accumulation of specific cytoplasmic proteins containing KFERQ motifs. In a variety of systems, including cultured renal tubular cells, phosphoinositol 3 kinase activity and its downstream mediators control lysosomal proteolysis. SUMMARY Specific ubiquitin ligases and the pathways that control their substrate recognition may be key signalling intermediaries for cell growth, but global alterations in lysosomal pathways account for the decrease in general proteolysis. Functional KFERQ motifs mark proteins that are important in renal growth, including enzymes responsible for the characteristic shift to glycolytic metabolism during growth, transcription factors, and signalling molecules. As altering phosphoinositol 3 kinase changes patterns of vesicular trafficking, it is possible that the regulation of intracellular trafficking may underlie the changes seen in lysosomal proteolysis with growth.
Some alterations in serum enzymes in progressive muscular dystrophy.

SummaryAcid and alkaline phosphatases, transaminase, and aldolase were determined in sera of 8 children and 9 adults afflicted with progressive muscular dystrophy. There was no alteration in phosphatase activity. Aldolase was increased in both children and adults while transaminase was distinctly elevated only in children. The ratio of aldolase to transaminase activity in serum increased in muscular dystrophy. The results indicate that increased activities of both aldolase and transaminase in progressive muscular dystrophy are derived from diseased muscle.
Feedback Control of Multicomponent Salt Crystallization

A closed-loop strategy is developed for controlling batch cooling multicomponent crystallization. The strategy represents the sequential application of two established feedback control techniques: direct nucleation control followed by supersaturation control. Experimental results show that such a control scheme produces larger crystals (compared to linear cooling crystallization with the same batch time). In using this scheme to control the crystallization of a double salt from a solution containing sodium nitrate and sodium sulfate, we demonstrate the application of supersaturation control to a multicomponent salt crystallization—which requires knowledge of the solubility as a function of temperature, the ability to monitor concentrations in a multicomponent solution, and an appropriate expression for the driving force for crystallization of a salt. In this paper, a methodology for rapidly identifying the solubility of a solute in a multicomponent solution is presented and a new expression for supersatur...
Testing the Relationship Between Personal/Home Care Aide Trainees’ Career Goals and Their Commitment to Home Care:

Using a pre-training and post-training survey research design, 683 participants completed a personal/home care aide (P/HCA) training program. After training, participants chose a career goal and were placed in one of the following groups: (1) only goal to be a P/HCA, (2) become a certified nurse aide/assistant or home health aide, (3) become a licensed vocational nurse, or (4) go to college to earn a degree in a health-related area. Factor analysis of home care commitment items indicated two measures: home care intent and stepping stone. Group 2 trainees had a significantly higher home care intent than trainees in Groups 1 and 4. However, Groups 2, 3, and 4 were each more likely to view P/HCA training as a “stepping stone to higher level jobs” than Group 1.
Long-term treatment with aldosterone slows the progression of age-related hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), clinically referred to as presbycusis, is one of the three most prevalent chronic medical conditions of our elderly, with the majority of persons over the age of 60 suffering from some degree of ARHL. The progressive loss of auditory sensitivity and perceptual capability results in significant declines in workplace productivity, quality of life, cognition and abilities to communicate effectively. Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and plays a role in the maintenance of key ion pumps, including the Na-K(+)-Cl co-transporter 1 or NKCC1, which is involved in homeostatic maintenance of the endocochlear potential. Previously we reported that aldosterone (1 μM) increases NKCC1 protein expression in vitro and that this up-regulation of NKCC1 was not dose-dependent (dosing range from 1 nM to 100 μM). In the current study we measured behavioral and electrophysiological hearing function in middle-aged mice following long-term systemic treatment with aldosterone. We also confirmed that blood pressure remained stable during treatment and that NKCC1 protein expression was upregulated. Pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response was used as a functional measure of hearing, and the auditory brainstem response was used as an objective measure of peripheral sensitivity. Long-term treatment with aldosterone improved both behavioral and physiological measures of hearing (ABR thresholds). These results are the first to demonstrate a protective effect of aldosterone on age-related hearing loss and pave the way for translational drug development, using aldosterone as a key component to prevent or slow down the progression of ARHL.
Slag composition mechanism based reduction and smelting of carbon composite bauxite pellets

The smelting slag reaction mechanism was studied by thermodynamic analysis and coal-based direct reduction and smelting experiment. The experiment result shows that the slag basicity has an important influence on iron nuggets size,metal yield and slag composition. When the basicity were 1.00,2.00 and 3.85,the iron nuggets yield were 91.55%,44.53% and 88.48% respectively,the iron nuggets size were 15.50,7.00 and 8.54 mm respectively,and the smelting slag composition(mass percent) were 55%A-34%CA6-6%C2AS-4%Fe,64%A-35%C2AS-2%Fe and 24%C2S-62%C12A7-7%C2AS-4%C3AS3-3%Fe respectively. When the slag basicity was 3.85,the reduction smelting slag is mainly composed of C2 S and C12A7,which mass percent is about 85%. Only when the mixture is close to the slag line of C2S- C12A7( R =3.85),the C2 S and C12A7 will appear in the cooling crystallization equilibrium phase.
Performance Robustness Analysis via Root Clustering (Robust D-Stability)

In this chapter, we address the issue of performance robustness, in contrast to stability robustness discussed in the previous chapter. We assume that “performance” of the control system is characterized by speed of response which in turn is a function of the location of the eigenvalues of the closed-loop system. Thus, we treat the performance robustness problem as robust D-stability problem where the D-stability region is a subregion in the complex plane.
Targeting Hsp90 using EC154, a novel synthetic Hsp90 inhibitor, impairs multiple signaling pathways in human gastric and pancreatic cancer cells and reduces tumor growth in vivo

C170 Background: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) has been identified to be crucial for stability and functionality of oncogenic signaling molecules, including EGFR, Her-2, Akt, Erk, and various transcription factors. We recently demonstrated that gastric and pancreatic cancer harbors multiple such molecular targets, which can effectively be inhibited by using geldanamycin derivates to block Hsp90, thus leading to significant growth inhibition. We now followed-up on this aspect of targeting Hsp90 for therapy of gastrointestinal cancers, and investigated effects of a novel synthetic Hsp90 inhibitor (EC154) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Human pancreatic cancer cells (L3.6pl, HPAF-II), gastric cancer cells (TMK-1), and endothelial cells (HUVEC) were employed. Cytotoxic effects were assessed by MTT analyses. Effects of Hsp90 blockade on activation of signaling pathways (Erk, Akt, STAT3, EGFR, VEGFR) were investigated by Western blotting. The impact of EC154 on cell migration was evaluated in modified Boyden chambers. Effects of EC154 tumor growth and vascularization were investigated in subcutaneous xenograft models. Mice received either EC154 (60mg/kg; 2x/week) or vehicle by intraperitoneal injections. Tumor diameters were measured every other day and volumes calculated. Tissue was harvested for immunohistochemical analyses and Western blotting. Results: The drug dose-dependently reduced proliferation of gastric and pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and Western blot analyses showed that EC154 (at IC50) effectively blocked STAT3, Akt and Erk activation in cancer cells, in addition to down-regulating EGFR and IGF-IR. Furthermore, EC154 led to marked inhibition of tumor cell migration in vitro (P
Neurosurgery: Skull Base Craniofacial Trauma.

Much of craniofacial trauma involves the frontal sinuses. Because of its response to injury, the frontal sinus mucosa has an innate ability to develop mucoceles, and if infected, mucopyocoeles. This article presents a therapeutic algorithm for all forms of craniofacial trauma with concentration on the most severe injury—the through and through fracture and its surgical remediation.
Impact of timing of adjuvant chemotherapy initiation on survival in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

355Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is now the third leading cause of cancer death. Surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy has been the standard of care. Due to the significant risk of morbidity following pancreatic surgery, initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy is often delayed. Prior prospective adjuvant trials have suggested that adjuvant therapy can be initiated as late as 12 weeks without detriment, but data regarding the effectiveness of beginning adjuvant therapy beyond that time remains unknown. Methods: We retrospectivelyreviewed data from the National Cancer Data Base (2004-2014) and included adult patients (pts) with PDAC with pathologic stage I-IIB who underwent surgical resection with curative intent. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) based on time to adjuvant chemotherapy post-surgery as defined by postoperative weeks. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results: 5279 pts. had surgery alone and 4,537 pts...
A new telluride topology: the crystal structure of honeaite Au3TlTe2

The crystal structure of the first thallium-bearing gold telluride, honeaite Au 3 TlTe 2 , is reported and its topological novelty discussed . Honeaite is orthorhombic, space group Pbcm and unit-cell parameters a = 8.9671(4), b = 8.8758(4), c = 7.8419(5) A, V = 624.14(6) A 3 ( Z = 4). Its structure has been refined to R 1 = 0.033, wR 2 = 0.053, Goof = 1.087. The structure is based upon a corrugated double-sheet comprising two sub-sheets, each composed of six-membered rings of corner-linked TeAu 3 pyramids in which the Te lone pair is stereoactive. Rows of thallium atoms lie in the grooves between sheets and provide the only inter-sheet connectivity via Tl-Au bonds. There is extensive Au-Au bonding linking the two sub-sheets of the double-sheet. The structure is distinct from those of the 1:2 (Au,Ag)-tellurides: calaverite AuTe 2 , sylvanite AuAgTe 4 and krennerite Au 3 AgTe 8 , which are based upon sheet structures with no connecting inter-sheet atoms. It also differs fundamentally from the structures of synthetic phases Ag 3 TlTe 2 and Ag 18 Tl 4 Te 11 , both of which have an analogous stoichiometry. In contrast to the pyramidal TeAu 3 group of honeaite and krennerite, Ag does not form the corresponding TeAg 3 group in its tellurides.
Photochemistry of metallaborane: A novel method for functionalized carborane synthesis

Abstract The photointeractions of a stable 10-vertex manganadecaborane [nido-6-Mn(CO)3B9H13][NMe4] ( 1 ) and various unsaturated moleculars were studied. The investigated unsaturated molecules include nitriles (1,5-dicyanopentane, acetonitrile, methyl cyanoformate), ketones (4-heptanone, 1-indanone, ethyl pyruvate), aldehyde (benzaldehyde), imines (N-benzylidenemethylamine), alkene (methyl acrylate), isocyanates (phenyl isocyanate) and various alkynes. The manganadecaborane was found to photoreact with both terminal and internal alkynes to afford the carborane with general formula [7-R-8-R′-7,8-nido-C2B9H10][NMe4] ( 2 ) in good yield. This not only represents a novel method for generating the substituted nido-C2B9 complex but also implies photochemical approach can be an alternative methodology for metallaborane and metallacarborane chemistry.
Digital Image Compression

Publisher Summary Image source compression is important for the transmission and storage of digital image and other 2-D data. Compression can be lossless, consisting of just an invertible transformation and variable-length coding, or lossy, employing a quantizer. Most practical applications to natural images involve lossy coding due to the significantly higher compression ratios that can be achieved. Lossless coding is generally confined to medical images, works of art, and other high-value images. Its compression ratios are very modest by comparison, typically around two to one or so. In between these two, there is the category visually lossless that means the HVS cannot detect the loss ; i.e., the loss is below the JND, and used in digital cinema compression. The standard image compression algorithm JPEG uses the DCT and is nonscalable. The more recent international standard JPEG 2000 features an SWT and embedded scalable VLC. There is also the option for lossless coding in this coding algorithm. This chapter also concerns some new image techniques based on adaptive directional transforms, both DCT and SWT. It introduces the issue of coder robustness, achieved only by leaving in or reinserting some controlled redundancy that allows the decoder to detect and recover from even isolated single bit errors.
Ecological Significance of Chiropteran Morphology

That form is related to function in animal life is a concept that goes back at least to Aristotle. Relating structure to function has been a central occupation of anatomists, and the subject of functional morphology has a dedicated following. Yet the suggestion that an organism’s ecological role can be predicted from its morphology often elicits opposition. Because behavior is so flexible, individual animals may do many things that a study of their anatomy would not predict. Ducks with bills highly specialized for filtering small particles from water and mud may, nevertheless consume small vertebrates, centipedes, lettuce, corn, and dog food with great skill. The objection to making ecological predictions from morphology seems to be that although we can assert that a bat eats fruit because its teeth are constructed in a certain way, because of the observed variability in dietary proclivities of individual fruit bats we cannot make more refined predictions about the size and kind of fruit consumed, the extent to which animals are eaten, the nature of seasonal changes in diet, and so on. Our contention is that because the selective regimen imposed on a species through evolutionary time includes these minor variations, they are probably reflected in a bat’s phenotype. By comparing the morphology of members of a feeding guild of bats, it should be possible to predict ways in which the several species differ in food habits, foraging styles, shelter seeking, and other ecological traits.
Risk of severe primary graft dysfunction in patients bridged to heart transplantation with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

BACKGROUND Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) remains a significant cause of post-transplant morbidity and mortality. The exact mechanism and risk factors for this phenomenon remain unknown in the contemporary era. METHODS In this study we reviewed adult patients undergoing heart transplantation (HT) at our institution between 2009 and 2017. Severe PGD was defined as the need for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) within the first 24 hours after HT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for severe PGD, focusing on those bridged to transplant (BTT) with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD). RESULTS Fifty-six of 480 (11.7%) HT patients experienced severe PGD. Eighty percent of the severe PGD patients were BTT with a CF-LVAD (odds ratio [OR] 3.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.94 to 7.68, p 1 year of CF-LVAD support (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.14 to 5.40, p = 0.022), pre-HT creatinine (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.42 to 7.92, p = 0.006), elevated central venous pressure/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (CVP/PCWP) ratio (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.04 to 10.60, p = 0.043), use of amiodarone before HT (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.20 to 6.20, p = 0.022), and severe PGD were identified. RADIAL score did not accurately predict severe PGD in this contemporary cohort. Those patients who developed severe PGD had decreased 1-year post-transplant survival (78.3% vs 91.8%, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Use of CF-LVAD as BTT is associated with an increased risk of severe PGD. Increased time on device support, renal dysfunction, right ventricular dysfunction as assessed by CVP/PCWP ratio, and pre-transplant amiodarone may identify those patients at high risk. Further research is warranted focusing on optimal timing of device implantation and transplantation, as well as the underlying mechanisms of PGD.
Invisible Defect Identification by Electrical Nanoprobing Analysis

As the semiconductor technology keeps scaling down, failure analysis faces more complicated challenges in failure root cause identification. Conventional failure analysis may not effective in solving issue which implantation related. In some cases, electrical analysis and evidence can serve as an alternate and easier way for defect identification and subsequent root cause understanding. In this paper, an implantation related case was analyzed by electrical nanoprobing analysis. Defective location and subsequent implantation step was successfully isolated through detail electrical analysis and accurate data interpretation
Multi-stage Dynamic Information Flow Tracking Game

Advanced persistent threats (APTs) consist of multiple attack stages between entry and exit points of the attack. In each stage of the attack, the adversary gathers more privileges, resources, and information about the system and uses this information to gain access to the targeted data of the next stage to reach the final goal. APTs are not only persistent but also stealthy and hence difficult to detect. The persistent nature of APTs, however, creates information flows in the system that can be monitored. One monitoring mechanism is Dynamic Information Flow Tracking (DIFT), which taints and tracks malicious information flows through a system and inspects the flows at designated traps. Since tainting all flows in the system will incur prohibitive resource costs, efficient tagging policies are needed to decide which flows to tag in order to maximize the probability of APT detection while minimizing resource overhead. At present such an analytical model for DIFT for multi-stage APT detection does not exist. In this paper, we propose a game theoretic framework modeling real-time detection of multi-stage APTs via DIFT. We formulate a two-player (APT vs DIFT) nonzero-sum stochastic game with incomplete information to obtain an optimal tagging policy. Our game model consists of a sequence of stages, where each stage of the game corresponds to a stage in the attack. At each stage, the goal of the APT is to reach a particular destination, corresponding to a targeted resource or privilege, while the goal of the defender is to detect the APT. We first derive an efficient algorithm to find locally optimal strategies for both players. We then characterize the best responses of both players and present algorithms to find the best responses. Finally, we validate our results on a real-world attack data set obtained using the Refinable Attack INvestigation (RAIN) framework for a ScreenGrab attack.
Differential Effects of Normoxic and Hyperoxic Reperfusion on Global Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The objectives were to investigate if after hypoxia or ischemia, normoxic reperfusion is associated with less oxidant stress (OS), inflammation, and myocardial injury than hyperoxic reperfusion. In this study, cardiomyocytes (H9c2 cells) were cultured in hypoxia, followed by reoxygenation in normoxia or hyperoxia. Cardiomyocyte OS, inflammation, and apoptosis were measured. In parallel experiments, rabbits were cannulated for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Following cardioplegic arrest and aortic cross-clamp removal, hearts were reperfused under normoxic or hyperoxic conditions. Left ventricular developed pressure and contractility (LV +dP/dt) were recorded, and blood samples and heart tissues were collected for measurement of OS, inflammation, and cardiac injury. Results showed that H9c2 cells exposed to hyperoxic reoxygenation showed significant increases in OS, inflammation, and apoptosis compared to normoxic reoxygenation. Following CPB and 2-hour hyperoxic reperfusion, LV +dP/dt and left ventricular developed pressure were significantly decreased compared with pre-CPB values (to 36 ± 21%, P = 0.002; and 53 ± 20%, P = 0.02, respectively), associated with significant increases in all plasma and tissue biomarkers for OS, inflammation, and myocardial injury. In contrast, LV +dP/dt was relatively well preserved under normoxic reperfusion conditions (to 70 ± 14% after 2-hour reperfusion), and was associated with an attenuated myocardial OS, inflammatory, apoptotic, and injury response compared to the hyperoxia group (eg, cTn-I: 5.9 ± 1.5 vs 20.2 ± 7.6 ng/mL, respectively, P
Medium Voltage Single-stage Single Active Bridge based Solid State Transformer

A novel soft-switching medium voltage single active bridge based solid state transformer (SABSST) has been presented in this paper. AC/AC conversion has been achieved using only two controllable high frequency medium voltage power electronic switches. The converter has been modeled and a closed loop control system has been designed to regulate the output voltage by varying switching frequency. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the designed control system. A medium voltage protoype SABSST has been developed with an input voltage of 3600V and an output voltage of 98V. Salient features of the SABSST are demonstrated in this paper.
Sulforaphane protects against ethanol-induced apoptosis in neural crest cells through restoring epithelial-mesenchymal transition by epigenetically modulating the expression of Snail1.

Abstract Ethanol-induced apoptosis in neural crest cells (NCCs), a multipotent progenitor cell population, is implicated in the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Studies have demonstrated that sulforaphane (SFN) can prevent ethanol-induced apoptosis in NCCs. The objective of this study is to investigate whether ethanol exposure can induce apoptosis in NCCs by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and whether SFN can prevent ethanol-induced apoptosis by epigenetically modulating the expression of Snail1, a key transcriptional factor that promotes EMT. We found that ethanol exposure resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis in NCCs. Co-treatment with SFN significantly reduced ethanol-induced apoptosis. Treatment with SFN also dramatically diminished ethanol-induced changes in the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, and restored EMT in ethanol-exposed NCCs. In addition, ethanol exposure reduced the levels of trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) at the promoters of Snail1. SFN treatment diminished the ethanol-induced reduction of H3K4me3 at the promoter regions of the Snail1 gene, restored the expression of Snail1 and down-regulated Snail1 target gene E-cadherin. Knockdown of Snail1 significantly reduced the protective effects of SFN on ethanol-induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that SFN can protect against ethanol-induced apoptosis by preventing ethanol-induced reduction in the levels of H3K4me3 at the promoters of Snail1, restoring the expression of Snail1 and EMT in ethanol-exposed NCCs.
Mexican descent college student risky sexual behaviors and alcohol use: The role of general and cultural based coping with discrimination.

AbstractObjective: This study investigates cultural and general coping strategies as potential protective or risk factors to risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) and alcohol use in the face of discriminat...
Why and how to study genetic changes with context-dependent effects

The phenotypic impacts of a genetic change can depend on genetic background (e.g. epistasis), as well as other contexts including environment, developmental stage, cell type, disease state, and higher-order combinations thereof. Recent advances in high-throughput phenotyping are uncovering examples of context dependence faster than genotype-phenotype maps and other core concepts are changing to reflect the dynamic nature of biological systems. Here, we review several approaches to study context dependence and their findings. In our opinion, these findings encourage more studies that examine the spectrum of effects a genetic change may have, as opposed to studies that exclusively measure the impact of a genetic change in a particular context. Studies that elucidate the mechanisms that cause the effects of genetic change to vary with context are of special interest. Previous studies of the mechanisms underlying context dependence have improved predictions of phenotype from genotype and have provided insight about how biological systems function and evolve.
Effects of x-rays on transduction by Salmonella phage P22.

Abstract Some effects of direct X-irradiation and of irradiated solutions on suspensions of Salmonella typhimurium phage P22 were investigated. Direct and long-term indirect effects (aftereffects) of X-rays were studied in separate experiments. Exponential inactivation curves with approximately single-hit kinetics were obtained for phage inactivation by direct and by indirect effects. Both direct and indirect effects inactivated abortive transductions exponentially with approximately single-hit kinetics and at a rate not significantly different from that for plaque formation. This rate was independent of the recipient (single-site or multisite mutation) used. These results lead to the interpretation that abortive transduction requires the presence of a complete, undamaged genetic element of approximately the same size and general chemical structure (i.e., double-stranded DNA) as that required for plaque formation by infective P22 particles. A small rise in the number of complete transductions was observed at very low doses of direct effects. Aftereffects elicited a more consistent and pronounced increase in the number of complete transductions recovered at short times of exposure. This rise was attributed to a stimulation of recombination. Effects of irradiation on linkage of two jointly transduced bacterial markers likewise suggested that a slight increase in recombination frequency may be elicited by X-ray treatment of the transducing particles prior to infection of recipient bacteria. Following the initial rise in transductions, both types of irradiation elicited exponential inactivation of complete transductions. Complete transductions were inactivated by direct effects at a rate 0.30–0.50 that of inactivation of plaque formation. Inactivation of complete transductions by indirect effects exhibited a relative inactivation rate of about 0.30. Possible mechanisms of X-ray inactivation of abortive and complete transductional elements are discussed.
Efficacy of Wholetones® 2Sleep and classical music on sleep and health behaviors of adults with insomnia symptoms: A single blind, randomized, controlled, crossover pilot trial

Objectives To conduct a randomized single-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial on adults with insomnia symptoms to examine the efficacy of Wholetones® 2Sleep Music (WM) and Classical Music (CM) on sleep quality, anxiety/stress, fatigue, productivity, and mood. Methods Following baseline assessments, 38 adults (M age = 46.6 years) were randomized to either WM or CM conditions for 10 days and then the alternative music for 10 days after a 4 day "wash-out". The outcomes were sleep quality (i.e., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and psychological measures. Results Listening to both the WM and CM resulted in significant improvements from baseline for sleep quality, stress/anxiety, fatigue, productivity, and mood (p<0.05). Conclusion WM and CM provides a simple, noninvasive, and non-pharmacological intervention to promote sleep quality resulting in improved daytime mood, fatigue, productivity, and anxiety/stress.
CHAPTER 7 – Selection of a Suitable Test Procedure

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the the selection of a suitable test procedure. A number of factors should be considered before setting up a new test procedure, otherwise a good deal of money and time can be wasted. The first decision is whether to use an objective or a subjective test. Objective tests are generally preferred because they are generally believed to be more reproducible, use less time, and utilize a minimum of labor. On the other hand, there are times when subjective methods are the only way in which adequate information can be obtained. The kind of material affects which type of instrument will be selected. Another question that should be resolved is the required accuracy of the results. Greater accuracy is obtained as the number of times the test is replicated is increased. Generally, a larger sample size gives a result closer to the true mean than a small sample size, and hence fewer replicate tests are needed to obtain a given degree of accuracy. But a larger sample size usually means that higher forces are needed, and the force capacity of the instrument may be exceeded. When the spread of values between individual units is needed, it is preferable to use a small sample size and run a large number of replicates to increase the probability of obtaining the full spread of values.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Bilateral Common Iliac Artery Aneurysm, and Left Hypogastric Aneurysm with Right Iliac Branch EXCLUDER® Device

An 81-year-old male underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for a large abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with angulated neck. Patient also had significant size bilateral common iliac aneurysms and left hypogastric artery aneurysm. Preoperative coil embolization for the left hypogastric artery aneurysm branches and the aneurysm was performed. Iliac branch EXCLUDER® device (W.L. Gore, Newark, DE) was deployed on the right side with successful exclusion of aortoiliac aneurysms.
The coverage rate of iodized salt and the nutritional status of school-aged children before and after adjustment of salt iodine concentration in Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province

Objective To investigate the coverage rate of iodized salt and the nutritional status of school-aged children before and after adjustment of salt iodine concentration in Haishu District, Ningbo City. Methods The observation period (2010- 2016) was divided into three sub-periods: before the adjustment (2010, 2011), adjustment period (2012- 2014) and after the adjustment (2015, 2016). Household salt samples and urine samples of school-aged children aged 8- 10 were collected during the 3 periods in Haishu District, Ningbo City, and the iodized salt coverage rate, qualified iodized salt consumption rate, urinary iodine concentration were determined. Results Totally 600, 900 and 615 household salt samples were collected in the 3 periods, respectively. The medians of salt iodine in the 3 periods were 27.30, 23.50 and 23.10 mg/kg; while the iodized salt coverage rates were 97.83% (587/600), 94.67% (852/900) and 84.72% (521/615), and the qualified iodized salt consumption rates were 96.50% (579/600), 92.11% (829/900) and 74.63% (459/615), respectively. There were significant differences in the iodized salt coverage rates and qualified iodized salt consumption rates among the 3 periods (χ2= 86.13, 162.57, P < 0.01); and significant decreases of the iodized salt coverage rates and qualified iodized salt consumption rates were observed in the 3 periods (χ2trend= 77.34, 141.11, P < 0.01). The median urinary iodine concentration of the school-aged children in the 3 periods were 171.18, 161.95 and 186.07 μg/L; the differences of urinary iodine were statistically significant among the 3 periods (H= 11.81, P < 0.01). Conclusions In Haishu District, significant decreases of the iodized salt coverage rates and qualified iodized salt consumption rates are observed after the adjustment of salt iodine concentration. However, the iodine nutrition is adequate in school-aged children. Key words: Iodine; Salts; Child; Urine