cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harvesting ETD Metadata from Institutional Repositories to OCLC: Approaches and Barriers to Implementation

This article discusses some of the most popular automated and semi-automated approaches currently used in libraries to harvest electronic theses and dissertations’ (ETD) metadata from institutional repositories (IR) to the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). The approaches presented are divided into four main sections: (1) completely automated approaches, (2) semi-automated approaches that rely on ProQuest Services, (3) semi-automated approaches that rely on highly technical tools, and (4) semi-automated approaches that rely on the MarcEdit OAI Harvester. An analysis, including limitations and barriers to implementation, is provided and solely based on case studies presented throughout the library literature, on presentations, and on the author's and other institutions’ experiences. Recommendations for future research and suggestions for improvements are provided.
A multistate model for correlated interval‐censored life history data in caries research

Summary We propose a three-state frailty Markov model coupled with likelihood-based inference to analyse tooth level life course data in caries research. This analysis is challenging because of intraoral clustering, interval censoring, multiplicity of caries states and computational complexities. We also develop a Bayesian approach to predict future caries transition probabilities given observed life history data. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the methods proposed perform very well in finite samples with moderate sizes. The practical utility of the model is illustrated by using life course data from a unique longitudinal study of dental caries in young low income urban African-American children. In this analysis, we evaluate for any spatial symmetry in the mouth with respect to the life course of dental caries, and whether the same type of tooth has a similar decay process in boys and girls.
A Population Intervention to Improve Outcomes in Children With Medical Complexity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Children with medical complexity experience frequent interactions with the medical system and often receive care that is costly, duplicative, and inefficient. The growth of value-based contracting creates incentives for systems to improve their care. This project was designed to improve the health, health care value, and utilization for a population-based cohort of children with neurologic impairment and feeding tubes. METHODS: A freestanding children’s hospital and affiliated accountable care organization jointly developed a quality improvement initiative. Children with a percutaneous feeding tube, a neurologic diagnosis, and Medicaid, were targeted for intervention within a catchment area of >300 000 children receiving Medicaid. Initiatives included standardizing feeding tube management, improving family education, and implementing a care coordination program. RESULTS: Between January 2011 and December 2014, there was an 18.0% decrease (P CONCLUSIONS: This population-based initiative to improve the care of children with medical complexity showed promising results, including a reduction in charges while improving weight status and implementing a care coordination program. A concerted institutional initiative, in the context of an accountable care organization, can be part of the solution for improving outcomes and health care value for children with medical complexity.
Unearthing Charles Rolwing: The problem of documentation in the small museum

This Curatorial project examines issues that museums face in the documentation of permanent collections, using the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (KMAC) and its piece Angel, by Charles Rolwing, as specific examples. The project focuses on museum accession policy, with discussion of works from smaller collections, similar to KMAC, and from larger museums. Specifically, objects are accepted into the collection through acquisition or accession, the former referring to all donated objects accepted by the museum and the latter referring to objects accepted into the permanent collection. A proposed collection policy for KMAC is discussed, including the procedure by which objects are accepted into the collection, and the different ways KMAC could determine its policy for the future. The discussion of accession policy leads to my personal involvement in KMAC and the organization of the permanent collection. The catalogue and accession numbering process implemented by many museums is discussed, demonstrating how these standards can be incorporated in the proposed catalogue for KMAC. Lastly, Charles Rolwing’s life as an artist is explored, illuminating the importance of thorough research before fully accessioning objects into the permanent collection of the museum.
Validating a measure of stages of change in career development

Research on the processes of change in career development has focused on developmental stages rather than processes. This manuscript reports on the development and validation of the stages of change—career development scale, adapted from McConnaughy, Prochaska, & Velicer (1983) measure of stages of change in psychotherapy. Data from 875 postsecondary students were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, resulting in a 15-item measure with five factors. Convergent and divergent validity was demonstrated, suggesting that this scale has the potential to explicate the process of change in ways that will be useful to research and practice.
AMKL chimeric transcription factors are potent inducers of leukemia

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia in patients without Down syndrome is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. RNA sequencing of fourteen pediatric cases previously identified novel fusion transcripts that are predicted to be pathological including CBFA2T3-GLIS2, GATA2-HOXA9, MN1-FLI and NIPBL-HOXB9. In contrast to CBFA2T3-GLIS2, which is insufficient to induce leukemia, we demonstrate that the introduction of GATA2-HOXA9, MN1-FLI1 or NIPBL-HOXB9 into murine bone marrow induces overt disease in syngeneic transplant models. With the exception of MN1, full penetrance was not achieved through the introduction of fusion partner genes alone, suggesting that the chimeric transcripts possess a unique gain-of-function phenotype. Leukemias were found to exhibit elements of the megakaryocyte erythroid progenitor gene expression program, as well as unique leukemia-specific signatures that contribute to transformation. Comprehensive genomic analyses of resultant murine tumors revealed few cooperating mutations confirming the strength of the fusion genes and their role as pathological drivers. These models are critical for both the understanding of the biology of disease as well as providing a tool for the identification of effective therapeutic agents in preclinical studies.
Investigation of the role of Ca(OH) 2 in the catalytic Alkaline Thermal Treatment of cellulose to produce H 2 with integrated carbon capture

The Alkaline Thermal Treatment (ATT) of biomass is one of the few biomass conversion processes that has a potential for BECCS (bio-energy with carbon capture and storage). Combining in-situ carbon capture with H2 production creates a carbon-neutral process that has the potential to be carbon-negative. This study has shown that the conversion of cellulose to H2 with suppressed CO2 formation can be achieved through the reforming of gaseous intermediates in a fixed bed of Ca(OH)2 and 10% Ni/ZrO2. Reforming occurs at low temperatures ≤773 K, which could allow for improved sustainability.
Expectant inner-city women: attitudes about contraception given infant feeding choice.

Purpose: We sought to examine whether low-income inner-city expectant women who intend to breastfeed make different contraceptive choices than those who intend to formula feed.Materials and methods...
Exploring substrate/ionomer interaction under oxidizing and reducing environments

Author(s): Tesfaye, M; MacDonald, AN; Dudenas, PJ; Kusoglu, A; Weber, AZ | Abstract: Local gas transport limitation attributed to the ionomer thin-film in the catalyst layer is a major deterrent to widespread commercialization of polymer-electrolyte fuel cells. So far functionality and limitations of these thin-films have been assumed identical in the anode and cathode. In this study, Nafion ionomer thin-films on platinum(Pt) support were exposed to H2 and air as model schemes, mimicking anode and cathode catalyst layers. Findings indicate decreased swelling, increased densification of ionomer matrix, and increased humidity-induced aging rates in reducing environment, compared to oxidizing and inert environments. Observed phenomenon could be related to underlying Pt-gas interaction dictating Pt-ionomer behavior. Presented results could have significant implications about the disparate behavior of ionomer thin-film in anode and cathode catalyst layers.
The Enacted Curriculum: Representations of Nature in Science Teaching

We present an ethnographic case study of how one teacher represented nature while teaching seventh-grade science in her classroom. The study was conducted in a middle school in a rural county in the state of Georgia. The analysis of the enacted curriculum in this case study highlights the ability of discourses to ontologically represent and reproduce our material-social world for the students. The decades of reduced autonomy and heightened accountability in the United States have disincentivized science teachers to teach anything other than the officially authorized ontology of the world. Therefore, the study shows that the teacher taught in ways that largely naturalized the normative interpretation of the world as inscribed in the intended curriculum.
Artificial intelligence for identification of material behaviour using uncertain load and displacement data

A concept is presented for identification of time-dependent material behaviour. It is based on two approaches in the field of artificial intelligence. Artificial neural networks and swarm intelligence are combined to create constitutive material formulations using uncertain measurement data from experimental investigations. Recurrent neural networks for fuzzy data are utilized to describe uncertain stress-strain-time dependencies. The network parameters are identified by an indirect training with uncertain data of inhomogeneous stress and strain fields. The real experiment is numerically simulated within a finite element analysis. Particle swarm optimization is applied to minimize the distance between measured and computed uncertain displacement data. After parameter identification, recurrent neural networks for fuzzy data can be applied as material description within fuzzy or fuzzy stochastic finite element analyses.
CHAPTER NINE – Insurance

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses insurance, which is a method of spreading the risk of a loss over a large number of individuals or companies. Insurance companies play the role of an agency for the maintenance of a fund. The person or business that pays the insurance company is referred to as the policyholder and the document that identifies the nature of the coverage is called the insurance policy. The amount that the policyholder pays for an insurance policy, called a premium, can be paid over various periods of time. Fire insurance covers business and personal property from losses caused by fire damage. A business can have fire insurance coverage with more than one insurance company or multiple carriers. When property is insured with more than one insurance company, each company pays for a loss according to the ratio of the face value of the policy to the total face value of all the policies. A fire insurance policy can be in effect for less than one year because of a sale of property or a decision to change insurance companies. In this case, a short-rate cancellation schedule shows the percent of the annual premium that is charged for the period of coverage if the insured cancels the policy.
Interactions of Sleep and Female Sexual Function: a Review

Sleep disturbance and sexual function complaints are common in women, particularly during midlife. The current review describes the literature on associations between sleep and sexual function in women with a focus on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and other self-reported sleep complaints. Multiple studies demonstrate associations between OSA and sexual problems in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Recent studies show decreased sexual function associated with shorter sleep durations and insomnia in postmenopausal women, as well as with daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality, and insomnia in premenopausal women. An association exists between sleep disturbance and sexual dysfunction in women, which may indicate a direct interaction between these common complaints. However, equally or perhaps more important, are the independent determinants that influence both sleep and sexual function in women, such as obesity, mental health problems, and hormonal changes. Derangements in these factors have the potential to impact both sleep and sexual function.
Highly efficient reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells for power generation and fuel production

Reversible fuel cells based on both proton exchange membrane fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cell technologies have been proposed to address energy storage and conversion challenges and to provide versatile pathways for renewable fuels production. Both technologies suffer challenges associated with cost, durability, low round-trip efficiency and the need to separate H2O from the product fuel. Here, we present a reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cell based on an yttrium and ytterbium co-doped barium cerate–zirconate electrolyte and a triple-conducting oxide air/steam (reversible) electrode that addresses many of these issues. Our reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cell achieves a high Faradaic efficiency (90–98%) and can operate endothermically with a >97% overall electric-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency (based on the lower heating value of H2) at a current density of −1,000 mA cm−2. Even higher efficiencies are obtained for H2O electrolysis with co-fed CO2 to produce CO and CH4. We demonstrate a repeatable round-trip (electricity-to-hydrogen-to-electricity) efficiency of >75% and stable operation, with a degradation rate of <30 mV over 1,000 h. Reversible electrochemical cells can operate in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes to interconvert between chemical and electrical energy. Here, Duan et al. design a reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cell that operates stably at 500–600 °C, with high Faradaic and round-trip efficiencies, by minimizing electronic leakage.
Flexor tendon injuries.

There is increasing evidence that synovial fluid plays a major role in the nutrition and healing of tendons, thus it is important to restore the synovial medium after flexor tendon repair. Techniques for primary repair of flexor tendons, which is the therapy of choice in the majority of cases, are detailed.
Can Models Have Skill

Climate scientists and climate modelers often speak of determining whether or not a model has “skill.” This seems to imply that climate models themselves are epistemic experts. In this paper, I take a careful look at how model skill is evaluated in climate science with an eye to determining the extent to which we ought to view the idea of model skill as a step in the direction toward post-human science. I begin by consider the paradigm of verification and validation which comes from the world of engineering. Those climate scientists sometimes speak of verifying and validating their models, I argue that this paradigm is unsuitable for climate science. I then consider the question of whether or not there are general norms with which climate model skill can be established. William Goodwin has criticized my earlier work on the grounds that it “makes it unlikely that the legitimacy of [computer models] can be reconstructed, or rationalized, in terms of generally recognized, ahistorical evidential norms” (J Gen Philos Sci 46(2):339–350, 2015, p. 342). Nevertheless, I double down on my earlier claims in this paper. I concede that “a philosopher who hopes to address the epistemological concerns that have been raised about the reliability of climate models isn’t going to be able to tell a normatively grounded story that will secure the unassailable reliability of the results of climate modeling” (p. 342). I argue that when we look on the work of those who are in the business of modeling highly complex non- linear systems, the best we are ever going to be able to do is to arrive at a situation where “a simulation modeler could explain to his peers why it was legitimate and rational to use a certain approximation technique to solve a particular problem” by appealing to “very context specific reasons and particular features” (p. 344). If this is right, it suggests the prospects of science failing to “remain human” continue to be bleak.
Dynamic social choice with evolving preferences

Social choice theory provides insights into a variety of collective decision making settings, but nowadays some of its tenets are challenged by internet environments, which call for dynamic decision making under constantly changing preferences. In this paper we model the problem via Markov decision processes (MDP), where the states of the MDP coincide with preference profiles and a (deterministic, stationary) policy corresponds to a social choice function. We can therefore employ the axioms studied in the social choice literature as guidelines in the design of socially desirable policies. We present tractable algorithms that compute optimal policies under different prominent social choice constraints. Our machinery relies on techniques for exploiting symmetries and isomorphisms between MDPs.
Toward an Information Theory of Quantitative Genetics

Quantitative genetics has evolved dramatically in the past century, and the proliferation of genetic data, in quantity as well as type, enables the characterization of complex interactions and mechanisms beyond the scope of its theoretical foundations. In this article, we argue that revisiting the framework for analysis is important and we begin to lay the foundations of an alternative formulation of quantitative genetics based on information theory. Information theory can provide sensitive and unbiased measures of statistical dependencies among variables, and it provides a natural mathematical language for an alternative view of quantitative genetics. In the previous work, we examined the information content of discrete functions and applied this approach and methods to the analysis of genetic data. In this article, we present a framework built around a set of relationships that both unifies the information measures for the discrete functions and uses them to express key quantitative genetic relationships. Information theory measures of variable interdependency are used to identify significant interactions, and a general approach is described for inferring functional relationships in genotype and phenotype data. We present information-based measures of the genetic quantities: penetrance, heritability, and degrees of statistical epistasis. Our scope here includes the consideration of both two- and three-variable dependencies and independently segregating variants, which captures additive effects, genetic interactions, and two-phenotype pleiotropy. This formalism and the theoretical approach naturally apply to higher multivariable interactions and complex dependencies, and can be adapted to account for population structure, linkage, and nonrandomly segregating markers. This article thus focuses on presenting the initial groundwork for a full formulation of quantitative genetics based on information theory.
Materiality Judgments and the Resolution of Detected Misstatements: The Role of Managers, Auditors, and Audit Committees

ABSTRACT: This study investigates how manager and auditor incentives, along with audit committee characteristics, are associated with materiality judgments about detected misstatements. Using data on detected misstatements that occurred between 2003 and 2006, we find auditors' incentives to protect their reputations weaken the effect of managerial incentives associated with the pressure created by analyst following; auditors are less likely to allow managers to waive material misstatements as audit fees increase. Regarding audit committee characteristics, results reveal that audit committees with greater financial expertise are less likely to allow managers to waive material misstatements compared to audit committees with less expertise. Data Availability: Data used in the study are available from public sources.
What is new for neurology in 2021

At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on neurology services, Sue Thomas delves into the recently published National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Quality St...
The role of age and opioid agonist treatment on substance use treatment completion in the United States.

There is a large body of research indicating that substance use disorder treatment completion leads to higher rates of sustained recovery. However, not much is known about how age and opioid treatm...
Antibodies to Antigens of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Sera of Infested Sheep: A Serological Technique for the Detection of Screwworm Myiasis

Antibodies to screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), antigens are found in serum of previously infested host sheep and for at least one month after infestation. ELISA provides a serological technique for detecting previous exposure to screwworm in noninfested hosts. The technique is adaptable to a field situation and has potential as a method for screening noninfested hosts for indirectly estimating infestation rates.
Patterns of avian muscle fiber type regeneration

Serratus superficialis metapatagialis (SSM) and posterior biventer cervicis (BVC) muscles were free-grafted into the site of the slow tonic anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) of adult pigeons. Grafts were prepared for histochemical examination at 1, 3, 7, 12 and 15 days; at monthly intervals from 1 to 4 months; and at various intervals up until 23 months after surgery. Few original muscle fibers survived the trauma of grafting and contributed to the regenerated muscle. The arrangement of fast and slow fibers and the percentage of slow fibers were recorded for each graft at least one month of age. Young grafts of the SSM (one to four months of age) regenerated a segregated pattern of fast and slow fibers that resembled control SSM muscles, whereas early grafts of the BVC regenerated a mosaic arrangement characteristic of normal BVC muscles. The percentages of slow fibers in both SSM and BVC grafts up to 4 months after surgery did not significantly differ from control muscles. Both SSM and BVC grafts older than 4 months of age had a significantly higher percentage of slow fibers than control muscles. These data indicate that the donor muscle influences the pattern of fiber types that is originally manifested and this pattern is maintained relatively intact for 4 months. Eventually the nerve at the host site modifies this pattern, and the fibers of the graft assume the histochemical characteristics of the muscle removed from the host site. In addition, the time required for histochemical stabilization of muscle fibers of avian heterotopic autografts is longer than that for whole muscle grafts in rats or avian minced muscle preparations, and is comparable to tenotomized avian muscle.
Tissue Slice Grafts: An in Vivo Model of Human Prostate Androgen Signaling

We developed a tissue slice graft (TSG) model by implanting thin, precision-cut tissue slices derived from fresh primary prostatic adenocarcinomas under the renal capsule of immunodeficient mice. This new in vivo model not only allows analysis of approximately all of the cell types present in prostate cancer within an intact tissue microenvironment, but also provides a more accurate assessment of the effects of interventions when tissues from the same specimen with similar cell composition and histology are used as control and experimental samples. The thinness of the slices ensures that sufficient samples can be obtained for large experiments as well as permits optimal exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and drugs between the grafted tissue and the host. Both benign and cancer tissues displayed characteristic histology and expression of cell-type specific markers for up to 3 months. Moreover, androgen-regulated protein expression diminished in TSGs after androgen ablation of the host and was restored after androgen repletion. Finally, many normal secretory epithelial cells and cancer cells in TSGs remained viable 2 months after androgen ablation, consistent with similar observations in postprostatectomy specimens following neoadjuvant androgen ablation. Among these were putative Nkx3.1+ stem cells. Our novel TSG model has the appropriate characteristics to serve as a useful tool to model all stages of disease, including normal tissue, premalignant lesions, well-differentiated cancer, and poorly differentiated cancer.
A MUDdy water filling algorithm for cochannel power allocation for cognitive coexistence radios

We consider the problem of over/underlay communications in the presence of an already established network of rate-adaptive nodes. Existing interference channel models are insufficient for describing such a scenario, especially when explicit coordination between the interfering networks is prohibited. Here, our focus is in eliciting models and deriving cochannel allocation algorithms for the case when nodes on the infringing network are capable of performing on-the-fly optimizations (cognition) and are equipped with receivers enabling multi-user detection (MUD). Two strategies are studied: selfish coexistence which is indifferent to the performance of the existing network, and considerate coexistence that factors performance of the existing network into its own decision making.
Iridium: Organometallic Chemistry

The organometallic chemistry of iridium is reviewed. The general classes of complexes of iridium containing iridium to carbon bonds are surveyed. The preparations of iridium olefin complexes, iridium arene complexes, iridium carbonyl complexes, iridium cyclopentadienyl complexes, and other types of complexes are covered along with the use of those classes of compounds in preparing other organometallic iridium species. In addition, three areas in which organoiridium compounds find particular application are specifically reviewed: catalysis utilizing organometallic compounds of iridium, carbon–hydrogen (CH) bond activation chemistry with iridium, and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) studies using iridium. References to other reviews, to monographs, and to the primary literature are provided in all cases. Keywords: iridium; organometallic; CH activation; hydrodesulfurization; hydroboration; olefin complexes; arene complexes; cyclopentadienyl complexes; carbonyl complexes; catalysis
Alkane Oxidation by a Particulate Preparation from Candida

The oxidation of decane by a cell-free particulate preparation from Candida intermedia was studied. Decane is oxidized to decanoate via decanol and decanaldehyde. Oxidation of decane to decanol requires molecular oxygen. Decanol is oxidized to decanaldehyde by a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked dehydrogenase differing greatly in specificity from ordinary yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. Decanaldehyde is oxidized to decanoate by a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked dehydrogenase that oxidizes long-chain aldehydes but not short-chain aldehydes. The enzymes that oxidize decane, decanol, and decanaldehyde are all induced when decane is present in the medium. These enzymes are apparently located in the cell membrane.
Integrator mediates the biogenesis of enhancer RNAs

Integrator is a multi-subunit complex stably associated with the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Integrator is endowed with a core catalytic RNA endonuclease activity, which is required for the 3'-end processing of non-polyadenylated, RNAPII-dependent, uridylate-rich, small nuclear RNA genes. Here we examine the requirement of Integrator in the biogenesis of transcripts derived from distal regulatory elements (enhancers) involved in tissue- and temporal-specific regulation of gene expression in metazoans. Integrator is recruited to enhancers and super-enhancers in a stimulus-dependent manner. Functional depletion of Integrator subunits diminishes the signal-dependent induction of enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) and abrogates stimulus-induced enhancer-promoter chromatin looping. Global nuclear run-on and RNAPII profiling reveals a role for Integrator in 3'-end cleavage of eRNA primary transcripts leading to transcriptional termination. In the absence of Integrator, eRNAs remain bound to RNAPII and their primary transcripts accumulate. Notably, the induction of eRNAs and gene expression responsiveness requires the catalytic activity of Integrator complex. We propose a role for Integrator in biogenesis of eRNAs and enhancer function in metazoans.
Aflatoxin inhibition of rat liver mitochondria

Abstract When aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is added to an actively respiring rat liver mitochondrial preparation, 25–44% inhibition of electron transport is produced with concentrations ranging from 2.5–4.8 middot; 10−4M, respectively. The degree of inhibition levels off at 4.8 middot; 10−4M, which was shown to be in agreement with the critical micelle concentration. Submitochondrial or Gregg particles exhibit a maximum of 63% inhibition. Weanling rats maintained on a 5% casein semipurified diet for 15 days showed an approximate 30–50% reduction in the degree of aflatoxin inhibition for both mitochondria and Gregg particles compared to control animals fed a 20% casein diet ad libitum. The mitochondria of the protein-deprived animals had similar respiratory control ratios to normal animals. Dietary protein deficiency appears to exert its effect primarily at the site of action of aflatoxin rather than to alterations in membrane transport. The major site of inhibition of electron transport appeared to be between cytochromes b and c (c1) as indicated by comparison of systems employing various substrates which donate their electrons to various portions of the electron transport system. At concentrations just below critical micelle formation, AFB1 also reduced the ADP:O ratio, which was partially relieved by protein deficiency. The relevance of these findings to liver cell necrosis promoted by aflatoxin is discussed.
Detection of acute radiation damage to the spleen in mice by using fluorine-19 MR imaging

Previous work in our laboratory has shown that an IV-administered emulsion of perfluorooctylbromide, an agent known to localize in functioning macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system, can be detected in the liver and spleen by using fluorine-19 (19F) MR imaging. In mice that have received a single radiation dose of 1300 rad (13 Gy) (250 kVp) to the abdomen, relatively diminished uptake of perfluorooctylbromide emulsion in the spleen is seen as few as 12 days after irradiation when using 19F MR. When a GE NMR CSI 2-T spectroscopy/imaging system was used, 19F MR images were obtained in 2-16 min, and the postirradiation changes in the spleen were shown. This approach is the first that allows detection of acute postirradiation damage in the spleen in as few as 12 days and potentially allows assessment of macrophage dysfunction in vivo.
Physiological and ecological studies on Citellus lateralis

1. 1. Thermoregulation, ecological distribution and seasonal activity of the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis, were examined in coniferous habitats above the desert in the Spring Range of southern Nevada. 2. 2. Lower elevational limits for C. lateralis are about 1800 m and the upper limits are approximately 3500 m. 3. 3. Ground squirrels are seasonally active from 8 to 9 months of the year depending upon the altitude. 4. 4. The extent of snow pack and cold air temperature modify the length of the hibernation period. 5. 5. The thermoneutral zone for C. lateralis extends from 27 to 35°C. 6. 6. Below the lower critical temperature, the rate of oxygen consumption (O2) increases at the rate of 0·1 ml/g per hr for every decrease of 1°C. Above the upper critical temperature, O2 increases 25–30 per cent approximately. 7. 7. The pulmo-cutaneous water loss increases with increasing ambient temperature. 8. 8. The rectal temperature of normally active animals varied between 25·8 and 38·7°C. The lethal temperature does not differ from most other small mammals. Hyperthermia set in at an ambient temperature of 35°C or above. 9. 9. In conclusion, the wide zone of thermoneutrality, tolerance to a reasonable degree of hyperthermia and water deprivation offer an explanation to the expansion of C. lateralis habitat into the arid edge of the high desert.
Metabolic Changes in Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Osteogenic Medium Measured by Autofluorescence Spectroscopy

The purpose of this study was to measure metabolic changes in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) placed in osteogenic medium by autofluorescence spectroscopy. MSCs were plated in stem cell-supporting or osteogenic medium and imaged. Shift from the basic growth environment to the inductive osteogenic environment was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Reduced pyridine nucleotides were detected by exciting near 366 nm and measuring fluorescence at 450 nm, and oxidized flavoproteins were detected by exciting at 460 nm and measuring fluorescence at 540 nm. The ratio of these fluorescence measurements, reduction-oxidation (redox) fluorometry, is a noninvasive measure of the cellular metabolic state. The detected pyridine nucleotide to flavoprotein ratio decreased upon transitioning from the stem cell to the differentiated state, as well as with increasing cell density and cell-cell contact. MSC metabolism increased upon placement in differentiating medium and with increasing cell density and contact. Redox fluorometry is a feasible, noninvasive technique for distinguishing MSCs from further differentiated cells.
Large Deletions in Class III Gas Vesicle-Deficient Mutants of Halobacterium halobium

Summary Mutants of Halobacterium halobium deficient in production of gas vesicles (Vac - and Vac δ- ) arise spontaneously at an extremely high frequency, approximately 1%. In this study, we characterized one class of mutants (class III) with a stable and completely Vac - phenotype. Restriction mapping and Southern analysis of four class III mutants, SD109, SD112A, SD116, and SD118A, demonstrated that the mutants were deleted for the gas vesicle gene cluster and flanking sequences in the 200-kb gas vesicle plasmid, pNRC 100. Deletions resulted from recombination between pNRC 100 fragments Hin dIII-C and Hin dIII-D″ (for SD109, SD112A, and SD116) or Hin dIII-C and an unidentified sequence (for SD118A). In at least three cases, the deletion junctions mapped precisely to the termini of IS elements, IS H2 (for SD112A) and IS H8 (for SD109 and SD118A). These results suggest that deletion formation is a consequence of intramolecular transposition of IS elements, although a multistep mechanism involving recombination between two elements is also possible. Interestingly, a Vac + revenant (SD142R) of a class III mutant (SD142) was isolated from a sectored colony. Southern analysis indicated that SD142 had a deletion of the gvp gene cluster and that SD142R had regained the gas vesicle gene cluster by an unknown mechanism.
Measurements of low-energy neutral hydrogen efflux during ICRF heating

Using the Low Energy Neutral Atom Spectrometer, measurements were made of the H/sup 0/ and D/sup 0/ efflux from PLT during ion cyclotron heating experiments. The application of rf power at frequencies appropriate to fundamental and 2nd-harmonic heating results in a rapid, toroidally uniform rise in the charge-exchange efflux at a rate of about 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -2/ s/sup -1/ MW/sup -1/. This flux increase is larger at lower plasma currents. The cause of this flux and its impact on plasma behavior are discussed.
Lifelong exposure to fluoride at 1.1 ppm (1.1 mg/L) in drinking water promotes the remineralization of caries lesions.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Prevalence and extent of dental caries, dental fluorosis, and developmental enamel defects in Lithuanian teenage populations with different fluoride exposures. Machiulskiene V, Baelum V, Fejerskov O, Nyvad B. Eur J Oral Sci 2009;117:154-60. Reviewer Jay Kumar, DDS, MPH Purpose/Question The purpose was to describe the occurrence of dental caries, dental fluorosis, and nonfluoride enamel defects in populations with lifelong exposure to 1.1- or 0.3-ppm levels (1.1 mg/L and 0.3 mg/L) of fluoride in drinking water; and to study the association between the prevalence and extent of dental fluorosis, nonfluoride enamel defects, and dental caries. Source of Funding Colgate-Palmolive (USA) provided support to the study with an unrestricted grant. Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional study Level of Evidence Level 3: Other evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
Abstract 3076: MEKK1 is a novel modulator of the Arf-p53 pathway via Dmp1 phosphorylation

Dmp1 (cyclin D-interacting myb-like protein 1; Dmtf1) is a transcription factor isolated in yeast two-hybrid screen as a cyclin D2 binding partner. As a transcription factor, Dmp1 binds to nonameric DNA consensus sequences CCCG(G/T)ATG(T/C) to act as an activator or a repressor. Extensive molecular and genetic evidence links tumor suppressor function of Dmp1 to regulation of the ARF-p53 pathway. In fact, Dmp1 directly binds to p19Arf (p14ARF in humans) promoter and induces its expression. Increase in ARF level leads to protection of p53 from Mdm2-mediated degradation and subsequent increase in p53 target genes involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Oncogenic Ras and Her2/neu induce Dmp1 expression leading to Arf-, p53-dependent cell cycle arrest. Human DMP1 locus is hemizygously deleted in ∼50% of breast carcinomas, which is mutually exclusive of ARF and p53 loss. Based on the amino acid sequence, predicted molecular weight of Dmp1 is 85kDa. However, Dmp1 migrates to ∼120-130kDa on a SDS-PAGE gel, suggesting post-translational modifications. Although signal transduction pathways regulating Dmp1 transcripton have been studied, the role of Dmp1 protein modification is unknown. Treatment of Dmp1 protein with calf intestine phosphatase and running a 2D SDS-PAGE gel, we have shown that one mode of post-translational modification is via phosphorylation. The presence of phosphates on several Serines and/or Threonines was confirmed with mass spectrometry. Using an Arf luciferase reporter assay in 3T3 cells, we found that MEKK1 (MEK kinase 1) synergizes with Dmp1 on the Arf promoter activity, with the synergy attenuated when several of the putative phosphorylation sites on Dmp1 were mutated. The effect observed was Dmp1-dependent since MEKK1 was unable to activate the Arf promoter in Dmp1-null cells. Full length (inactive) MEKK1 was unable to synergize with Dmp1 on the Arf promoter activity suggesting necessity of the kinase activity. The ability of MEKK1 to directly phosphorylate Dmp1 was confirmed in in vitro kinase assay using purified MEKK1 and Flag-Dmp1 proteins and Arf reporter assays where known kinases downstream of MEKK1(MEK1, MEK4/7, JNK1/2) were inhibited or knocked down. MEKK1 and Dmp1 co-immunoprecipitated when expressed in 3T3 cells. To study the effect of MEKK1 on endogenous Dmp1 and Arf, we either expressed MEKK1 or treated cells with MEKK1-activating drugs, cisplatin and etoposide. In this setting, endogenous p14ARF was induced and the banding pattern of Dmp1 protein was shifted in a SDS-PAGE gel indicating protein modification. Here we show that Dmp1 can be directly phosphorylated by MEKK1 to modulate Dmp1 transcriptional activity on the Arf promoter. Therefore, MEKK1 may activate the Arf-p53 pathway via direct Dmp1 protein phosphorylation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3076. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3076
Landmark-based registration from thin plate spline to B-spline with incompressible and diffeomorphic constraints using finite element method

ABSTRACT Thin plate spline (TPS) and its variants are extensively used in landmark-based registration problems. Its essence is to extrapolate the known deformations at landmarks through smoothing constraints driven by physical bending energy minimization. Despite the simplicity and versatility of TPS, it has several limitations, such as the global support, necessity to solve for dense matrix, inability to incorporate boundary conditions and other constraints besides smoothing, e.g. incompressibility and diffeomorphism. On the other hand, B-spline, widely adopted in intensity-based free-form registration, possesses unique features that can help overcome these limitations. In this paper, we propose to numerically solve the formulation of TPS using finite element method (FEM) with B-spline as shape functions, motivated by the isogeometric analysis recently developed in the FEM community . Thanks to the compact supp ort nature of B-spline, a sparse matrix yields and can be efficiently solved. Optionally , incompressibility, i.e. the divergence-free property of the deformation field, is satisfied by empl oying the mixed formulation of displacemen t and pressure. Diffeomorphism, i.e. the positivity of deformation Jacobian determinant, is enforc ed by selective stiffening based on linear elasticity. A few numerical experiments are provided. Finally, we register CT and MRI images of the lung and liver due to respiratory motion. Keywords: Landmark-based registration, thin plate spline, B-spline, incompressible, diffeomorphic, finite element method, isogeometric analysis
Parallel-Wrapped Optical Fiber Interferometric Ellipsoidal Shell Acoustic Sensors

High sensitivity interferometric acoustic sensors have been demonstrated using optical fiber interferometry and ellipsoidal shells. A new push-pull winding scheme has been tested in which circular windings of optical fiber are bonded to the pole(s) and to the equator of an ellipsoidal shell. Previous push-pull ellipsoids incorporated one leg of the interferometer around the equator and the second around the meridional circumference. In the new scheme the polar leg replaces the equatorial leg while maintaining the desired push-pull performance.
Management of water quality for beef cattle

Drinking water is the primary source of water for most cattle. Unfortunately, water frequently contains various solutes and suspended particulate matter that can influence its appearance, odor, taste, and physical and chemical properties. Animals often react to such water impurities by decreasing water intake, and therefore feed intake, which diminishes animal performance. Thus, water quality can have a profound impact on animal health and performance. Routine monitoring of water sources and appropriate intervention can provide beef producers with a desirable return on investment. Careful thought should be incorporated into any capital improvements. This article discusses some of the most common factors that impact water quality for beef cattle and the methods of monitoring water quality, and proposes management solutions to address water quality concerns.
Cardiac tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease 4 dictates cardiomyocyte contractility and differentiation of embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes: Road to therapy

Abstract Background TIMP4 (Tissue Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloprotease 4), goes down in failing hearts and mice lacking TIMP4 show poor regeneration capacity after myocardial infarction (MI). This study is based on our previous observation that administration of cardiac inhibitor of metalloproteinase (~TIMP4) attenuates oxidative stress and remodeling in failing hearts. Therefore, we hypothesize that TIMP4 helps in cardiac regeneration by augmenting contractility and inducing the differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells into cardiomyocytes. Methods To validate this hypothesis, we transfected mouse cardiomyocytes with TIMP4 and TIMP4-siRNA and performed contractility studies in the TIMP4 transfected cardiomyocytes as compared to siRNA-TIMP4 transfected cardiomyocytes. We evaluated the calcium channel gene serca2a (sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase2a) and mir122a which tightly regulates serca2a to explain the changes in contractility. We treated mouse embryonic stem cells with cardiac extract and cardiac extract minus TIMP4 (using TIMP4 monoclonal antibody) to examine the effect of TIMP4 on differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells. Results Contractility was augmented in the TIMP4 transfected cardiomyocytes as compared to siRNA-TIMP4 transfected cardiomyocytes. There was elevated expression of serca2a in the TIMP4 transformed myocytes and down regulation of mir122a. The cells treated with cardiac extract containing TIMP4 showed cardiac phenotype in terms of Ckit+, GATA4+ and Nkx2.5 expression. Conclusion This is a novel report suggesting that TIMP4 augments contractility and induces differentiation of progenitor cells into cardiac phenotype. In view of the failure of MMP9 inhibitors for cardiac therapy, TIMP4 provides an alternative approach, being an indigenous molecule and a natural inhibitor of MMP9.
de Haas-van Alphen Effect in a Zinc Alloy Exhibiting a Resistance Minimum

The de Haas-van Alphen effect has been measured using a torque method at magnetic fields up to 8 kOe and temperatures between 4.2 and 1.6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for both pure zinc and a zinc manganese alloy exhibiting a resistance minimum. Experimentally, it is shown that there is no change in the period of the oscillations although the field and temperature dependence of the amplitude of the oscillations is found to be anomalous. A consideration of the influence of the conduction electron relaxation time on the de Haas-van Alphen effect shows that the observed behavior may be explained if the relaxation time is allowed to approach zero in a small energy interval, $\ensuremath{\Delta}$, about the Fermi energy. Using the phenomenological theory of the resistance minimum, due to Korringa and Gerritsen, and the value of $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ obtained from the de Haas-van Alphen effect experiments the resistance as a function of temperature was calculated and found to agree within experimental error with the measured values.
Atmospheric and juvenile noble gases in the Skaergaard layered igneous intrusion

Abstract Gabbro and diorite from the Skaergaard layered igneous intrusion contain noble gases which are mixtures of atmospheric and juvenile components. Atmospheric noble gases predominate in samples that have undergone extensive oxygen isotope exchange with meteoric-hydrothermal water. The source of the atmospheric noble gas component is inferred to be the hydrothermal circulation system. A juvenile component with 40 Ar 36 Ar ≥ 6100 and containing fission xenon is also present This component predominates in samples showing unaltered magmatic oxygen isotope compositions. Neon of atmospheric isotopic composition is associated with the juvenile radiogenic 40 Ar and fission xenon. The source of this second noble gas component may be either the crustal country rock or the upper mantle. If the neon is juvenile primordial neon from a mantle source region, terrestrial primordial 20 Ne 22 Ne is the same as atmospheric to within 4%. However, subduction of atmospheric noble gases into the upper mantle may provide an alternate source of neon and other noble gases in the mantle.