cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SCML2 Establishes the Male Germline Epigenome through Regulation of Histone H2A Ubiquitination

Gametogenesis is dependent on the expression of germline-specific genes. However, it remains unknown how the germline epigenome is distinctly established from that of somatic lineages. Here we show that genes commonly expressed in somatic lineages and spermatogenesis-progenitor cells undergo repression in a genome-wide manner in late stages of the male germline and identify underlying mechanisms. SCML2, a germline-specific subunit of a Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), establishes the unique epigenome of the male germline through two distinct antithetical mechanisms. SCML2 works with PRC1 and promotes RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A, thereby marking somatic/progenitor genes on autosomes for repression. Paradoxically, SCML2 also prevents RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A on sex chromosomes during meiosis, thereby enabling unique epigenetic programming of sex chromosomes for male reproduction. Our results reveal divergent mechanisms involving a shared regulator by which the male germline epigenome is distinguished from that of the soma and progenitor cells.
Longitudinal impact of a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive pelvic surgery fellowship on resident education

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess residents' perceptions of the impact of a new fellowship on their educational experience. Study Design: A voluntary questionnaire was administered to residents in obstetrics and gynecology that assessed how they felt fellowships in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery had an impact on their education. The initial questionnaire was given within 1 month of the beginning a new 3-year fellowship and then annually for 3 years. Results: The mean response rate was 32%. In the initial questionnaire, the fellowships were perceived as detracting from the educational experience. Thereafter, there was a positive increase in the perceived impact of fellowships that was sustained for 3 years. Residents also reported higher self-assessments of the quality of their education during this period. Residents' surgical volume did not change with the introduction of the fellowship. Conclusion: Although at the outset residents anticipated the addition of a fellowship to have a negative impact on their educational experience, they consistently reported a positive impact after the fellowship was instituted. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1487-93.)
Products of the OH radical-initiated gas-phase reaction of fluorene in the presence of NOx

Abstract The products of the OH radical-initiated gas-phase reaction of fluorene in the presence of NO x were investigated in a 6400 l all-Teflon chamber. Teh reaction products identified were fluorenone, 1-, 2-, 3- 4-nitrofluorene, three hydroxyfluorene isomers, three nitrofluorenone isomers and three hydroxynitrofluorene isomers. Of the reaction products identified, fluorenone was formed in the highest yield (9 ± 5%). The formation yields of the individual nitrofluorenes were in the order 3-nitrofluorene > 1- nitrofluorene > 4-nitrofluorene > 2-nitrofluorene, with the average 3-nitrofluorene yield being 1.4% and the total nitrofluorene yield being 2.5%. Diesel soot and ambient particulate matter showed relatively low concentrations of total nitrofluorenes when compared with the other nitro-PAH present. The measured ambient atmospheric concentrations of the nitrofluorenes were compared with levels expected on the basis of the nitrofluorene product yields from the OH radical-initiated reaction of fluorene.
THE RISE OF EAST ASIA: WORLD SYSTEMIC AND REGIONAL ASPECTS

The rise of East Asia to most dynamic center of processes of capital accumulation on a world scale is a phenomenon of the 1970s and 1980s. As a first approximation, the extent of this rise can be gauged from the trends depicted in figure 1. The figure shows the most conspicuous instances of “catching‐up” with the level of per capita income of the “organic core” of the capitalist world‐economy since the Second World War. As defined elsewhere, the organic core consists of all the countries that over the last half‐century or so have consistently occupied the top positions of the ranking of GNPs per capita and, in virtue of that position, have set (individually and collectively) the standards of wealth which all their governments have sought to maintain and all other governments have sought to attain. Broadly speaking, three regions have constituted the organic core since the Second World War: North America, Western Europe and Australasia (Arrighi, 1991: 41–2; Arrighi, 1990).
A calorimetric investigation of the heats of binding of Mg ++ to poly A, to poly U, and to their complexes.

The heats of binding of Mg++ ions to poly A, poly U, and to their complexes, in the presence of Na+ ions, have been measurd calorimetrically. In all cases the heat, ΔH(θ), exhibitis a distinct dependence on the extent of binding, θ, and in the cases of poly A and poly U also on the Na+ concentration. The values of ΔH(θ) range from +2 to +3 kcal/mole of Mg++ bound at θ = 0 to 1.3 kcal/mole at θ = 0.5 except in poly A where at θ = 0 ΔH(θ) = −2 to −3 kcal/mole. This is interpreted as being due to a facilitation of base stacking by the binding of Mg++. The extent of facilitation is consistent with current estimates of base stacking. A similar effect but of much smaller magnitude is believed to obtain in poly A poly U. An interpretation of the dependence of ΔH(θ) on θ in terms of simple electrostatic interactions, but neglecting solvent effects, was attempted and found to be inadequate.
Reply to “Comment on ‘Intermittency in chaotic rotations’ ”

Intermittency and chaotic rotations are interesting recent topics in nonlinear dynamics, and we are pleased that our contribution @2# is of sufficient interest to have generated the preceding Comment by Pikovsky and Rosenblum @1#. We welcome the opportunity to respond and to clarify our work. The main point of our original paper is that a chaotic rotation typically exhibits an intermittent behavior @2#. The physical intuition for our study comes from the observation of rotational structures in well studied chaotic flows such as the Rossler oscillator @3#. The differential equations of the Rossler system apparently contain an ideal rotational structure generated by a harmonic oscillator, as follows:
A 40-stage DES plasma ARC railgun

The design and experimental results of a 40-stage distributed energy store (DES) plasma arc railgun are presented. The railgun drives a free running hypervelocity plasma arc, one that is not pushing a payload, to velocities in excess of 10 km/s. These high velocities are of interest as they are required to successfully launch payloads into low earth orbit (LEO). The ability to launch payloads into LEO using a hypervelocity electromagnetic launcher has many financial benefits over the more conventional chemical combustion launchers. In collaboration on an Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) funded Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) project, the Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics (P3E) at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Texas has been responsible for developing and investigating a functional scale model of a multi-stage DES railgun to determine its effectiveness to suppress restrike phenomenon and increase plasma armature railgun performance. The distributed energy scheme is theorized to suppress restrike arc formation because the back emf voltage is localized to active stage regions. B-dot sensors positioned along the length of the launcher provide data to measure the plasma arc velocity and detect restrike, arc splitting, or additional secondary arc formation phenomena.
Whiskers of poly(3‐alkylthiophene)s

It is shown that poly(3-alkylthiophene)s may readily crystallize from poor solvents in the form of whiskers. The experimental conditions required for the formation of whiskers were found to depend upon the alkyl side-chain length, solvent quality, and temperature. In all cases studied for alkyl side-chain lengths of 3-12 carbon atoms, the widths of the whiskers were of the order of 15nm, while their lengths often exceeded tens of microns. The thickness of the whiskers formed under the experimental conditions employed was found to scale with side-chain length, and was approximately 2 or 3 times the a/2 lattice dimension of the polymer unit cell. Packing of the macromolecules within the whiskers was such that the polymer backbones were normal to the whisker length; that is, the b-axis was oriented parallel to the long axis of the whiskers. These results are thought to be relevant to known thermochromism phenomena associated with poly(3-alkylthiophene)s. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Growth and characteristics of P-doped InAs tunnel injection quantum-dash lasers on InP

We have studied the molecular beam epitaxial growth and characteristics of p-doped InAs tunnel injection quantum-dash lasers on InP (001) substrates. Significantly improved photoluminescence intensity and narrow linewidth (~50 meV) are measured from stacked InAs quantum-dash layers with optimized growth conditions. The lasers exhibit very large T0 (204 K) and large modulation bandwidth (f-3 dB=12 GHz)
Lazy symbolic model checking

In this paper w e presen t a lazy model checking approach aimed at improving the efficiency and capacity of symbolic model checking. The lazy approach dynamically computes an abstraction of a circuit model for each pre-image computation based on the partial result leading to the computation. A t the heart of the approach is a lazy algorithm for transition relation building and pre-image computation. A variable minimization heuristic is then proposed to maximize the benefit of the lazy algorithm in iterative fix-point computations. This approach shows greater promise in complexit y reduction than the cone of influence approach.
Conversations on creating a different classroom climate

Summary form only given, as follows. Recent research paints a rather grim picture of the climate in many science, math, and engineering classrooms. Seymour & Hewitt (1997) reported that between 40 and 60 percent of high ability students switch out of SME disciplines. Tinto (1993) stated that "more students leave college than graduate." Both researchers point to the classroom climate as a principal cause. The presenters in this session will provide a summary of the research, describe (and model) the strategies they use to create a diflerent classroom climate, and engage the audience in a conversation about creating 'friendlier' classroom climates.
Defining Vertical Bars in Relation to Female Preference in the Swordtail Fish Xiphophorus cortezi (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae)

Defining a male trait in relation to female preference is an important step towards determining the role that female preference has played in the evolution of a male trait. The pigment pattern ‘vertical bars’ is a complex male trait that functions as a sexual signal in swordtail fishes. A previous study suggested that X. cortezi females had a preference for males with more vertical bars. In that study, however, bar number had been reduced on the stimulus males by removing the most posterior bars, which changed the distance over which the bars spanned, in addition to changing bar number. To determine whether X. cortezi females have a preference for greater bar span and/or number of bars, we tested for female preference in two experiments. First, we gave females a choice between males with a greater bar span or a smaller bar span, holding bar number and total pigmented area constant. Females spent significantly more time with the males with the smaller bar span. This result, together with results from the previous study, suggest that females do not assess bar span alone, but possibly a composite component of the bars, such as bar frequency (number of bars/bar span). Secondly, we gave females a choice between six thinner bars or one wider bar of equal pigmented area. The six-bar treatment had a greater bar span in addition to more bars. We detected no preference for either treatment. These results suggest that the previously detected preference for more bars may actually reflect a preference for greater pigmented area. Finally, we present data on natural variation in the bars for X. cortezi and use principal components analysis to provide a composite definition of this trait.
Calculations of the dimerization of aromatic hydrocarbons: Implications for soot formation

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are found in all sooting, hydrocarbon flames. These species are ideally suited to be chemical precursors and building blocks in soot formation, yet their possible role has not been elucidated. From a knowledge of the magnitude of the van der Waals interaction between pairs of PAH the equilibrium constants for dimer formation have been calculated. These values have been used with experimentally measured PAH concentrations to compute dimer concentrations, which were then compared to soot nuclei number densities to determine whether or not the dimers are numerous enough to serve as nucleation sites. The dimers of benzene, coronene (7 rings), and circumcoronene (19 rings), as well as mixed dimer pairs, have been examined. Despite choosing monomer concentrations and theoretical approaches which favor dimer formation, the dimerization of PAH does not yield a sufficient number of nucleation sites to account for soot formation in a homogeneous nucleation mechanism. If PAH do participate in the early stages of soot formation, irreversible chemical steps must be important.
A transmission network model for multi-area reliability studies

A transmission network suitable for use in multiarea power system reliability models which utilize a Monte Carlo simulation approach is presented. The transmission network model utilizes the REI equivalent, which permits accurate modeling of transmission ties between areas while reducing computational burden and permitting variations in area generating capacity and loads as required in reliability studies. A computationally efficient approach to generation redispatch as required to model mutual assistance between areas in multiarea reliability studies is presented. Sample results are given for the IEEE Std 118-bus test system and a large power pool with 13 areas. >
O' game, can you feel my frustration?: improving user's gaming experience via stresscam

One of the major challenges of video game design is to have appropriate difficulty levels for users in order to maximize the entertainment value of the game. Game players may lose interests if a game is either too easy or too difficult. This paper presents a novel methodology to improve user's experience in computer games by automatically adjusting the level of the game difficulty. The difficulty level is computed from measurements of the facial physiology of the players at a distance. The measurements are based on the assumption that the players' performance during the game-playing session alters blood flow in the supraorbital region, which is an indirect measurement of increased mental activities. This alters heat dissipation, which can be monitored in a contact-free manner through a thermal imaging-based stress monitoring and analysis system, known as StressCam. In this work, we investigated on two primary objectives: (1) the feasibility of utilizing the facial physiology in automatically adjusting the difficulty level of the game and (2) the capability of the automatic difficulty level adjustment in improving game players' experience. We employed and extended a XNA video game for this study, and performed an in-depth, comparative usability evaluation on it. Our results show that the automatic difficulty adjustable system successfully maintains game players' interests and substantially outperforms traditional fixed-difficulty mode games. Although a number of issues of this preliminary study remain to be investigated further, this research opens a new direction that utilizes non-contact stress measurements for monitoring and further enhancing a variety of user-centric, interactive entertainment activities.
MULTIGENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF INBREEDING IN CUCURBITA PEPO SSP. TEXANA (CUCURBITACEAE)

The shape of the fitness function relating the decline in fitness with coefficient of inbreeding (f) can provide evidence concerning the genetic basis of inbreeding depression, but few studies have examined inbreeding depression across a range of f using noncultivated species. Futhermore, studies have rarely examined the effects of inbreeding depression in the maternal parent on offspring fitness. To estimate the shape of the fitness function, we examined the relationship between f and fitness across a range of f from 0.000 to 0.875 for components of both male and female fitness in Cucurbita pepo ssp. texana. Each measure of female fitness declined with f, including pistillate flower number, fruit number, seed number per fruit, seed mass per fruit, and percentage seed germination. Several aspects of male fitness also declined with f, including staminate flower number, pollen number per flower, and the number of days of flowering, although cumulative inbreeding depression was less severe for male (0.34) than for female function (0.39). Fitness tended to decline linearly with f between f = 0.00 and f = 0.75 for most traits and across cumulative lifetime fitness (mean = 0.66), suggesting that individual genes causing inbreeding depression are additive and the result of many alleles of small effect. However, most traits also showed a small reduction in inbreeding depression between f = 0.75 and f = 0.875, and evidence of purging or diminishing epistasis was found for in vitro pollen-tube growth rate. To examine inbreeding depression as a maternal effect, we performed outcross pollinations on f = 0.0 and f = 0.5 mothers and found that depression due to maternal inbreeding was 0.07, compared to 0.10 for offspring produced through one generation of selfing. In at least some families, maternal inbreeding reduced fruit number, seed number and mass, staminate flower number, pollen diameter, and pollen-tube growth rate. Collectively these results suggest that, while the fitness function appears to be largely linear for most traits, maternal effects may compound the effects of inbreeding depression in multigenerational studies, though this may be partially offset by purging or diminishing epistasis.
A Case of Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Lesser Omentum

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor that originates in the smooth muscle, usually in the gastrointestinal tract, the retroperitoneum and the genitourinary tract. The omentum has been rarely reported as a primary site of occurrence with leiomyosarcoma. A 72 year-old woman, with palpable mass on the left upper quadrant of abdomen and weight loss, was admitted to St. Paul’s Hospital. Abdominal CT scan showed a 12×8×8 cm-sized cystic mass in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a large cystic mass between the stomach and the liver, which was 1.6 cm length in wall thickness. Laparotomy and resection of the mass was performed. A 12×8×8 cm-sized mass, originated from the lesser omentum, was discovered near the lesser curvature of the stomach. Microscopic examination revealed spindle-shaped cells with 7–8 mitoses per high power field. She was diagnosed as primary leiomyosarcoma originated from the lesser omentum.
Sulfoxide-containing aromatic nitrogen mustards as hypoxia-directed bioreductive cytotoxins.

A series of diaryl and alkylaryl sulfoxide-containing nitrogen mustards were synthesized and evaluated for their hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity against V-79 cells in vitro as well as for their metabolism profiles with the rat S-9 fractions. In general, the diaryl sulfoxides (4, 5, and 7−9) showed much greater hypoxia selectivity (11−27-fold) than the alkylaryl sulfoxides (∼3-fold) (1 and 3). The fused diphenyl sulfoxides (10 and 11), on the other hand, showed very low hypoxia selectivity (1.3−3-fold). Compound 10 was highly cytotoxic under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, while 11 showed low cytotoxicity under both conditions. The bioreduction of 8 by the rat S-9 fraction under anaerobic conditions was inhibited by menadione and enhanced by benzaldehyde, acetaldehyde, or 2-hydroxypyrimidine suggesting the involvement of aldehyde oxidase in the reduction of the sulfoxides. Bioreductive metabolism studies of selected model sulfoxides suggested that diaryl sulfoxides are better substrates for aldehyde ...
The use of 5α-reductase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

The potential use of 5a-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) is currently under considerable study. After the analysis of a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) of finasteride for the primary chemoprevention of PCa and other RCTs examining 5-ARIs, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Urological Association issued a joint guideline in 2008 recommending consideration of 5-ARIs for PCa prevention [1]. Since then, another large RCT reported that dutasteride also decreased the risk of PCa [2]. Nevertheless, the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently rejected applications for PCa chemoprevention labeling for both finasteride and dutasteride. Should enthusiasm for research involving the use of 5-ARIs in PCa be diminished? We think not. The potential uses of 5-ARIs in PCa include not only primary chemoprevention but also what has been termed secondary prevention (delay of pathologic progression to clinically significant disease or progression to active treatment) in active surveillance protocols, use following biochemical failure after primary therapy, and inmetastatic disease. An interesting study by Finelli et al. [3] provides additional exciting data in the secondary prevention setting. These results, coupled with those from large ongoing RCTs, should be evaluated before deciding on a final verdict for the use of 5-ARIs in a variety of different settings related to PCa. Finelli et al report on a retrospective review of patients at their institution undergoing active surveillance for PCa stratified by 5-ARI use [3]. After excluding men who had been on a 5-ARI before an initial diagnostic biopsy, they identified 70 patients who were started on a 5-ARI at some
Key paradigms of emerging imaging sensor technologies

In this paper, key paradigms of emerging imaging technologies from different technological areas, are presented. Examples of transfer, utilization, and exchange of the imaging technology are offered and discussed. These phenomena, will create advanced solutions for potential development in different areas of science and technology. Overall, new imaging technologies will merge and are expected to play an ever-expanding role in the civilian and military applications of the next century.
Accurate registration of dynamic contrast-enhanced breast mr images with robust estimation and linear programming

Accurate registration of the dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MR breast images is a well-known difficult problem. It is because the breast motion is non-rigid and the intensity variations of tumor between pre-contrast and post-contrast images can cause the unexpected tumor shrinking/expanding effect in the registration process. To obtain accurate registration, we propose two techniques: a novel image similarity measure based on the robust estimation and a new global optimization technique by reformulating the registration problem as solving a linear programming. The novel similarity measure can help to handle the shrinking/expanding problem while the global optimization technique offers more accurate estimation of the breast motion.
Predicting Seepage Under Dams on Multi-Layered Foundations

During the design of the Central and Southern Florida Project it became necessary to develop methods for predicting rates of seepage under dams and levees on multi-layered foundations since there were no published mathematical or graphical methods which were applicable. The methods developed are presented in this paper. A description of the pumping test procedure used to implement those methods is included.
OCCUPANT POSITION SENSOR COMPATIBILITY WITH 50TH PERCENTILE MALE HYBRID III DUMMY

Ultrasonic, capacitive, and infrared (IR) occupant position sensors were tested to determine their compatibility with crash test dummies. In this phase of testing, the sensors' responses to a Hybrid III 50th percentile male crash test dummy were compared to those of a human male of similar size. After the data were compared, crash test dummy modifications were developed so that sensor responses to the dummies more closely resembled their responses to humans. Ultrasonic sensors detected little difference between the dummy and the human. However, testing of capacitive and IR sensors revealed differences in their responses to a crash test dummy and a human subject.
Use of instantaneous bandwidth for excising AM-FM jammers in direct-sequence spread-spectrum communication systems

While spread spectrum systems are robust to many types of interference, performance can be significantly degraded if the interference is strong enough, particularly for wideband interferences. In these situations, various signal processing methods can be employed to remove, or excise the jammer prior to despreading the received signal, resulting in enhanced performance. We investigate the effects of amplitude and frequency modulated (AM-FM) jammers on the performance of direct sequence spread spectrum communication systems. We demonstrate that such jammers cause significant degradation in bit-error-rate with increasing AM on systems designed to excise FM jammers only (i.e., systems with fixed notch-width excision filters). We propose an adaptive technique that utilizes the instantaneous bandwidth of the jammer, in addition to its instantaneous frequency, to filter wideband AM- FM interference from the DSSS signal. We also investigate the effects of adapting the filter notch-depth as well, according to the instantaneous power of the jammer. Simulations demonstrate additional improvement in system performance for the proposed adaptive technique compared to fixed notch-width and fixed notch- depth excision filters.
The Neonatal Gastrointestinal Tract: Developmental Anatomy, Physiology, and Clinical Implications

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe key elements of the developmental anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract and how it relates to nutrition in low-birthweight infants. 2. Characterize key elements of the developmental physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, including gastroesophageal sphincter function, gastric emptying, and intestinal motility, along with clinical implications. 3. Describe key elements of the development of digestive absorptive functions and how these relate to nutrition of the preterm and term neonate. 4. Explain minimal enteral and parenteral nutrition for very low-birthweight infants. 5. Describe potential areas for future investigation. The past 20 years has witnessed a surge of interest in gastrointestinal (GI) development and neonatal nutrition. Application of basic knowledge of intestinal development and appropriate nutrition for critically ill and preterm infants can be used to ameliorate short-term morbidity in infants who would not have survived prior to 20 years ago. Long-term morbidity also may be affected by improved nutrition because these infants are undergoing critical periods of development during which poor nutrition may have life-long consequences. The focus of previous research has been various aspects of morphology, basic biochemistry and physiology of the developing GI tract, and how this knowledge can be applied to nutrition of the neonate. More recently, the advent of molecular biology and other technological advances has initiated a new era of research into these areas, which are being termed “omics” and include genomics, proteomics, methylomics, and metabolomics (see Young et al in Suggested Reading). These emerging fields offer exciting opportunities to understand better the various aspects of development that will be subsequently applied to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. The intestine undergoes tremendous growth during fetal life. It elongates 1,000-fold from 5 to 40 weeks’ gestation, with the length doubling in the last 15 weeks of gestation to a mean of 275 …
Imaging the binding state and mobility of water molecules using Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Imaging (DOSI) and Diffusion-Weighted MRI

Detailed tissue water property measurements were obtained in breast cancer patients using diffuse optical spectroscopic and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Optical bound water index and apparent diffusion coefficients of MRI positively correlated (R=0.8, p<0.01).
Fertilizer Response and Optimum Application Rate of NPK for‘Guangliangyou 676'as Post-vegetable Rice

We carried out the research on the NPK fertilizer response of the super high-yielding rice variety‘Guangliangyou 676'grown on vegetable field with ‘3414'the optimum regression design.The results indicated that N application could significantly increase the yield of rice in the lower alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen,but rich available phosphorus and potassium in the vegetable field.P,K application could improve it to some degree.According to the imitative results of regression equation,the economic application rates of N,P2O5 and K2O were103kg·hm-2,41kg·hm-2and 103kg·hm-2,respectively.The proper ratio of N∶P2O5∶K2O was 1∶0.4∶1in the vegetable field.
Experimental Studies on the Anti-mutagenic Effects of Four Kinds of Vegetables and Fruits

[ Objective] To study on the anti-mutation effects of vegetables and fruits. [ Metnods] Two indices of the micronuclei frequency and rate of chromosome aberration in mice bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes( PCE) were used to explore the ability of four kinds of vegetables and fruits( hippophage rhamnoides,carrot,tomato and orange) to prevent and treat the mice’s tumor induced by cyclophosphamide( CP). [ Result] The micronuclei frequency and rate of chromosome aberration significantly reduced in mice both injected with cyclophosphamide before or after gavage with four kinds of vegetables and fruits,as compared with those in the positive control group treated with cyclophosphamide only. Simultaneously,the result showed that hippophage rhamnoides may be the best among these four vegetables and fruits. [ Conclusion] The chromosome aberration induced by cyclophosphamide was inhibited significantly by consuming four kinds of vegetables and fruits,in particular, hippophage rhamnoides is the most significant.
Pregnancy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Pregnancy is a period of profound physiological change. During gestation, alterations in sleep and breathing are common. In some cases, these normal physiological alterations may result in sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The purpose of this chapter is to describe the normal physiological changes seen in sleep and breathing during pregnancy and discuss the pathological implications of these alterations as they relate to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Abstract 1990: Uniquein vitrotranscriptional activities of oncogenic Myb fusions identified in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma

Chromosomal translocations involving the MYB and NFIB (t(6;9)) genes are the sole recurrent cytogenetic aberration in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC), a rare cancer that frequently manifests as salivary gland tumors. Since ACC has poor prognosis and treatment is accompanied by high morbidity, there is a need for additional investigation of this cancer with the goal of improving patient outcomes. Recurrent translocations create fusions involving the N-terminus of MYB, located on chromosome 6, and the C-terminus of NFIB, located on chromosome 9. Our lab also recently identified translocations involving the related MYBL1 gene fusing it to NFIB t(8;9) and RAD51B t(8;14) genes. Further, recent work in our lab demonstrated tumors with MYB or MYBL1 translocations have similar gene expression (1). The presence of recurrent translocations involving both the MYB proto-oncogene and the related MYBL1 gene suggests that the resulting novel fusion proteins are likely oncogenic drivers in these tumors. In order to directly address the transcriptional activities of the resulting fusion proteins MYB and MYBL1 fusion genes, identified in primary ACC tumors, were cloned and expressed in vitro. The fusion proteins transcriptional activities were examined using reporter gene assays and trancriptomics. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed to interrogate promoters bound by these proteins. Reporter genes specific for normal vs. oncogenic MYB variants have been constructed. These data demonstrate that the proteins predicted to be produced by MYB fusion genes after chromosomal translocation are transcriptionally active. Further, Myb fusion proteins bind and activate gene sets distinct from their wild type c-Myb and A-Myb counterparts. These data indicate Myb fusion proteins have unique transcriptional activities, perhaps underlying their ability to drive tumorigensis in ACC. 1. Brayer et al. Recurrent Fusions in MYB and MYBL1 Define a Common, Transcription Factor-Driven Oncogenic Pathway in Salivary Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Cancer Discovery. In press. Citation Format: Candace A. Frerich, Scott A. Ness. Unique in vitro transcriptional activities of oncogenic Myb fusions identified in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1990.
IgG4-Related Disease: Retrospective Analysis of One Hundred Sixty-Six Patients

Objective To investigate clinical and pathologic aspects of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in non-Asian populations. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with IgG4-RD who presented to an academic medical center from January 1994 to September 2012. Results Among 166 patients identified, the median age at diagnosis was 61 years (interquartile range [IQR] 49–70 years), 75% were male, and 80% were white. The median number of organs involved was 2 (IQR 2–3). When organs were grouped according to anatomic system, the hepatopancreaticobiliary system was most commonly involved (77%). The median highest serum IgG4 level during the clinical course was 215 mg/dl (IQR 122–466). Forty-three patients (26%) had a normal serum IgG4 level. Seventy-nine pathology specimens were available for immunostaining. The median number of IgG4+ cells was 37 (IQR 25–82) per high-power field, with an IgG4+:IgG+ ratio of 0.50 (IQR 0.32–0.68). Among 151 patients who received medical therapy, 72 (48%) received steroid-sparing agents because of relapse, recurrence, or corticosteroid intolerance. Of the 66 patients who were newly diagnosed, started on corticosteroid monotherapy as the initial treatment, and followed up at our institution, 30 (45%) experienced relapse or recurrence despite an initial favorable response. The number of organs involved had a significant impact on time to relapse or recurrence, with a hazard ratio of 1.48 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.12–1.93) (P < 0.01) in multivariate analysis. The standardized incidence ratio of malignancy was 4.5 (95% CI 1.5–7.5). Conclusion. IgG4-RD is a multisystem disorder that commonly affects older men and has a propensity for relapse, recurrence, and malignancy.
System Identification in Structural Dynamics

The correlation between analytical structural model and experimental test results has become the subject of considerable recent research efforts. This area is known as System Identification. The engineer has applied the tools of mathematical programming, statistics, and structural mechanics to seek solutions to this problem. This paper summarizes past work in system identification in the structural dynamics area.
Fine temporal resolution freeze and thaw states using combination of microwave land surface emissivity estimated

Monitoring freeze-thaw (FT) transitions in high latitude regions are critical to enhancing our knowledge about the prediction of biogeochemical transitions, carbon dynamics, climate change, and impacts on boreal-arctic ecosystems. Since land surface emissivity depends primarily on the surface characteristics, it would contains valuable information about the surface, especially regarding freeze and thaw states. The surface characteristics in terms of microwave emission changes whenever water undergoes phase changes at constant temperature. This study aims to investigate the potential of using emissivity estimates from various microwave sensors such as the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer — Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), AMSR2, and the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI). It employs data fusion techinques to construct diurnal estimates in order to accurately predicting the exact time of the freeze-thaw transition for each land cover type and region. The results reveal that emissivity difference values from low and high frequencies (such as 6.9GHz and 89GHz) at horizontal polarization have a strong correlation with ground-based soil temperature values at 5cm depth. A novel threshold-based approach specific to different land cover types is proposed for daily FT detection from the use of three years (August 2012–July 2015) of emissivity estimates at different frequencies. Ground-based soil temperature observations are used as reference to develop threshold values for FT states. Preliminary evaluation of the proposed approach with independent ground observations for the year 2015 shows that the use of land emissivity estimates for high-latitude FT detection is promising with fine temporal resolution (at least 4 times a day).
Can Dual-Energy CT Challenge MR Imaging in the Diagnosis of Focal Infiltrative Bone Marrow Lesions?

In patients with myeloma, virtual noncalcium imaging and MR imaging performed similarly in the diagnosis of focal infiltrative lesions of the spine and pelvis.
Improving Trunk-Pelvis Stability Using Active Force Control at the Trunk and Passive Resistance at the Pelvis

Standing postural control requires a complex interaction between the sensory and motor systems. Among sensory inputs, proprioception plays a fundamental role in the fine control of postural movements. In some neuromotor disorders, defects in the proprioceptive system may be associated with unsteady, uncoordinated, and exacerbated upper body movements during activities of daily living that may secondarily result in imbalance, falls, and severe injuries. Passive or active proprioceptive interventions are implemented routinely as a critical part of rehabilitation programs that target postural balance disorders. In this study, we have created a novel multimodal robotic platform merging both passive and active modalities to enhance upper body control. We hypothesize that the combination of passive resistance at pelvis in combination with active control of the lower thorax via assist-as-needed haptic feedback can enhance standing postural control. To test this hypothesis, we recruited ten healthy adults and had them perform dexterous reaching tasks either with or without a robotic system, while they stood unstably on a balance ball. The results of our pilot study show that individuals can improve postural stability of the upper body by selectively reducing upper trunk motion relative to caudal segments in the direction of the reaching arm, after training with the robotic platform.
The Effect of Nutrition and Exercise on Epigenetics and the Development of Cardiovascular Disease

Epigenetics is defined as the study of heritable alterations in gene expression or cellular phenotype. The term defines the difference from just a genetic approach. A more precise definition is that epigenetics is all the meiotically and mitotically inherited changes in gene expression that are not encoded in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence itself. Major epigenetic mechanisms are modifications of histone proteins in chromatin and DNA methylation (which does not alter the DNA sequence). There is increasing evidence for the involvement of epigenetics in human disease such as inflammatory disease and cancer. Other chronic diseases are also susceptible to epigenetic modification such as metabolic diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. There is much evidence for the modification of epigenetics by nutrition and exercise. Through these modifications, there is infinite potential for benefit for the fetus, the newborn, and the individual as well as population effects. Association with cardiovascular (CV) disease including coronary heart disease (CHD) and peripheral arterial disease is evident through epigenetic relationships and modification by major CV risk factors such as tobacco abuse. Aging itself may be altered by epigenetic modification. Knowledge of the subject and its relevance is in a very preliminary stage.
Cumulative lifetime maternal stress and epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation in the PRISM cohort.

ABSTRACTEvolving evidence links maternal stress exposure to changes in placental DNA methylation of specific genes regulating placental function that may have implications for the programming of a host of chronic disorders. Few studies have implemented an epigenome-wide approach. Using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (450K), we investigated epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation in relation to maternal experiences of traumatic and non-traumatic stressors over her lifetime assessed using the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (LSC-R) survey (n = 207). We found differential DNA methylation at epigenome-wide statistical significance (FDR = 0.05) for 112 CpGs. Additionally, we observed three clusters that exhibited differential methylation in response to high maternal lifetime stress. Enrichment analyses, conducted at an FDR = 0.20, revealed lysine degradation to be the most significant pathway associated with maternal lifetimes stress exposure. Targeted enrichment analyses of the three largest clust...
Emergency Department Visits for Atrial Fibrillation in the United States: Trends in Admission Rates and Economic Burden From 2007 to 2014.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an increasingly prevalent public health problem and one of the most common causes of emergency department (ED) visits. We aimed to investigate the trends in E...
A Compact Tunable Filtering Rat-Race Coupler

Ahstract- This paper presents, for the first time, a compact frequency-tunable filtering rat-race coupler. The design employs four high-Q tunable Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) cavity resonators with two opposite polarity inter-coupling structures. The coupler is synthesized using the coupling matrix method. The design process as well as experimental results are presented in the paper. The total size of the proposed rat-race coupler is $(0.38\lambda_{g}\times 0.38\lambda_{g}[\lambda_{g}$ at 1.3 GHz]) which represents 42% reduction in the structure footprint compared to a conventional one. The coupler can be tuned starting from 1.3-2.21 GHz (70% tuning range). Moreover, it has an equal power dividing ratio with a measured insertion loss ranging from 4.2-3.7 dB. Over the full range, the measured 3-dB fractional bandwidth ranges from 5.5-6.46%, and the isolation is better than 30 dB.
Theory of HfO2-Based High-k Dielectric Gate Stacks

Continuous scaling in semiconductor technology, associatsed with Moore’s law, brought new materials in every functional element of Si-based metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistors (FET). In particular, for a gate dielectric instead of traditional SiO2 new HfO2-based oxides with higher dielectric constants are now used. The introduction of these so-called high-k dielectrics opened the possibility of using high mobility semiconductors instead of Si in MOS technology. In this chapter we discuss density functional calculations of high-k oxides hafnia and zironia. After briefly describing theoretical methods used in our calculations we discuss the bulk properties, surfaces and interfaces of hafnia and zirconia relevant to advanced gate stack engineering.
Dos and Don’ts: Social Media Tips for the Medical Professional

A crucial piece of professional involvement on social media is setting up guidelines for what can, and cannot, be posted online. Developing and adhering to a social media policy that encompasses advocacy, professionalism, awareness, and compliance to nursing and medical board regulations as well as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) Privacy Rules are necessary. The key elements of this policy protect patient rights as well as the reputations of both the individual social media user and their employer. The social media policy lowers organizational risk and drives proactive and reactive commenting, sharing of photo and video content, and community building – essentially, every aspect of what professionals should and should not share online. This chapter will teach the fundamental building blocks of a well-crafted social media policy, as well as when and how to deal with violations.
Effects of cover crops, rotation, and biological control products on soil properties and productivity in organic vegetable production in the Northeastern US

The potential benefits of different cover crops, biological control amendments, and vegetable rotation on soil chemical and biological properties, crop development and yield, and disease development in organic vegetable production, as represented by legume (green bean, Phaseolus vulgaris), cucurbit (yellow summer squash, Cucurbita pepo), and solanaceous (sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum) vegetable crops, were evaluated in a multi-year field trial in Maine, USA. Cover crops evaluated included winter rye (Secale cereale)/hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), mustard (Brassica juncea) green manure, a multi-species mixture (8 crops), and a fallow control. Overall, cover crops had only marginal effects on soil chemical properties, but all cover crops improved biological properties (microbial activity, populations, respiration) compared to fallow soil. The multi-species mixture and rye/vetch cover crops were associated with earlier emergence in beans and squash. All cover crops improved yield in beans and squash by 7–13%, but only the cover crop mixture increased yield for pepper (by 7–11%). Minimal crop diseases were observed throughout these studies, and biological control amendments, which included commercial formulations of Streptomyces, Trichoderma, and Bacillus sp., in general, did not positively affect yield, but reduced powdery mildew on squash and leaf necrosis on beans by 10–28%. The vegetable rotation also had significant effects, with beans yielding 8% higher following squash vs. pepper, squash yielding 15% higher following beans vs. pepper, and pepper yielding 11% higher following beans vs. squash. These results help define specific management practices to improve organic vegetable production and provide useful information and options for growers.
Note on an Eigenvalue problem for an ODE originating from a homogeneous p-harmonic function

We discuss what is known about homogeneous solutions $ u $ to the p-Laplace equation, $ p $ fixed, $1 or $ u > 0 $ is p-harmonic in the cone, \[ K(\alpha) = \{ x = (x_1, \dots, x_n ) : x_1 > \cos \alpha \, | x| \} \subset \mathbb{R}^n, \, n \geq 2, \] with continuous boundary value zero on $ \partial K (\alpha) \setminus \{0\} $ when $ \alpha \in (0, \pi]. $ We also outline a proof of our new result concerning the exact value, $ \lambda = 1 - (n-1)/p, $ for an eigenvalue problem in an ODE associated with $u$ when $ u$ is p-hamonic in $ K ( \pi ) $ and $ p > n - 1. $ Generalizations of this result are stated for $ \lambda \leq n - 1. $ Our result complements work of Krol'-Maz'ya in [KM] for $ 1 < p \leq n - 1. $