cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Classification of Ongoing Observation

This work focuses on early classification of ongoing observation of the object, which is beneficial for a number of applications that require time-critical decision making. We propose an approach for discovering two key aspects of multivariate time series (m.t.s.) observation, (1) Temporal Dynamics and (2) Sequential Cues. The key idea is that m.t.s. Observation can be represented as an instantiation of a Multivariate Marked Point-Process (Multi-MPP). Each variable characterizes the temporal dynamics of a particular feature event of an object, where both timing and strength information of that feature event are preserved. To make this model computationally practical, we introduce the Multilevel-Discretized Marked Point-Process (MD-MPP) model which can ensure a good piece-wise stationary property both in the time-domain and mark-space while preserving dynamics as much as possible. Based on this model, another important temporal patterns of early classification, sequential cues among variables, becomes formalizable. We construct a probabilistic suffix tree to represent sequential patterns among features in terms of Variable order Markov Model (VMM). The effectiveness of our approach is evaluated on three experimental scenarios. Our method achieves superior performance for early classification of ongoing m.t.s. Observation data.
A high-pressure thin-window gas cell

Abstract A thin-window gas cell has been developed to contain helium at pressures to 2 MPa (20 atm). The cell is used to calibrate the efficiency of a magnetic-quadrupole charged-particle spectrometer for measuring charged particle from neutron-induced reactions.
Rectified Ion Currents Through Ultrathin Polyelectrolyte Complex: Toward Chemical Transistors

We report an ion-conducting device comprising an ultrathin polyelectrolyte multilayer membrane assembled in a simple manner with water soluble polymers. Under the influence of external solution ionic strength (salt concentration), sites for ion transport are reversibly doped into the membrane. The device exhibits rectifying properties, preferring ions of lower charge, with a saturation ion current limited by diffusion. This system allows for the transduction of chemical potential into ion currents. Current/voltage curves spanning forward and reversed biased regimes are presented, together with linear and hyperlinear salt gating of ion currents.
Reply to Massey: Drift does influence mutation-rate evolution.

Although Massey argues that proteome size (P), not the effective population size (Ne), is the primary determinant of mutation-rate evolution (1), nothing in his comment or in his prior work (2) contradicts our conclusions (3).
Inherent Variability in the Efficacy of the USDA Raw-Pack Process for Home-Canned Tomatoes

Studies of the USDA raw-pack process for home-canned tomatoes, using Bacillus licheniformis spores as the target organisms, revealed that water bath size and canning load did not affect heat penetxation rates in pint jars of tomatoes. However, because decreases in the water bath size and canning load shortened the come-up time and, as a result, lowered the maximum cold-spot temperature; the calculated process lethalities were lessened. Properly executed canning runs which varied in water bath size, amount of water in the bath, and load size produced calculated lethalities ranging between 1 and 7 log reduction.
Bionomics of Pissodes nemorensis Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Northern Florida

Brood development and adult activity of Pissodes nemorensis Germar were studied in slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii ) plantations in northern Florida in 1977-78. The insect is basically univoltine in this area, but immatures are present in infested hosts for almost 9 mo during the cooler part of the year. Eggs were present in the field from late August until mid March; most oviposition occurred from October through February. Development from egg to adult within hosts required 7-25 wk depending on date of oviposition. Most adults emerged from late March to mid May. Some adults emerged before December from eggs laid in late summer, but it is not known whether these reproduced during the same season. Adults were caught in sticky traps next to trap trees, in window traps, and in pheromone traps from August until early April, with a major peak in October or November and a smaller peak in March. Most adults trapped were apparently mature (i.e., had developed in the previous season), for trap catches declined as new adults emerged. Adults were not observed in the summer months and were not caught in traps. P. nemorensis has five instars. At constant temperatures of 15, 20, and 25°C, egg-to-adult development required ca. 180, 70, and 58 d, respectively. Principal causes of mortality to weevil brood were the parasite Coeloides pissodis (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and woodpeckers. Disease and competition, principally with Ips spp., also appeared to be important.
Infrared radiation thermometry of guatemalan volcanoes

A Barnes PRT-5 radiation thermometer was used to obtain apparent surface temperatures of two Guatemalan volcanoes from land-based stations from 500 to 4000 meters distant. Isotherms of apparent surface temperatures, drawn on photographs of the volcanic terrain under study, delineate areas of fumarolic activity and active domal upgrowth.
Thermoelasticity of networks in swelling equilibrium with mixed diluents: Specific polymer‐diluent interactions

Thermoelasticity studies of poly(vinyl alcohol) networks swollen in aqueous glycol indicate that the effects of specific polymer-diluent interactions diminish at high swelling, much as in the situation of poly(vinyl alcohol) in pure water reported earlier. In 20% glycol, the ratio of the energy component fe of the force to the total force f was found to be −0.59 at high swelling. Swelling was controlled by the degree of network crosslinking. Evidence that fe/f could be determined under the condition of a null thermal expansion coefficient was not obtained; in fact, the contrary was indicated.
Adaptive spherical array with non-uniformly spaced taps for GPS signal processing

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is widely used for many applications but its performance can be impacted significantly by the environment. This can be overcome to a large extend by processing the signal in space and time. The space processing is achieved with a seven element planar array followed by an algorithm to calculate the antenna weights in such a way that the interferences can be nulled. The time processing is implemented with uniformly-spaced tap delays. This paper reports some alternatives to improve the performance of the system. First, a spherical array replaces the present planar array to increase the line-of-sight (LOS) at low elevation angles. Then, the tap delay spacing is incorporated. Results show an improvement in the bit-error-rate (BER) performance when non-uniformly spaced taps are used.
Climatic Properties of Tropical Precipitating Convection under Varying Environmental Conditions

Abstract A clustering algorithm is used to define the radiative, hydrological, and microphysical properties of precipitating convective events in the equatorial region observed by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. Storms are separated by surface type, size, and updraft strength, the latter defined by the presence or absence of lightning. SST data and global reanalysis products are used to explore sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions. Small storms are much more numerous than mesoscale convective systems, and account for fairly little of the total rainfall but contribute significantly to reflection of sunlight. Lightning storms rain more heavily, have greater cloud area, extend to higher altitude, and have higher albedos than storms without lightning. Lightning is favored by a steep lower-troposphere lapse rate and moist midlevel humidity. Storms occur more often at SST ≥ 28°C and with strong upward 500-mb mean vertical velocity. In general, storms over warmer ocean wat...
Extending healthcare's reach

Telemedicine, or treating patients from afar, promises to alter the medical landscape. Technological solutions are being implemented that can spread critical medical expertise across a region and around the globe. For example, a U.S. company believes that the shortage of physicians specializing in intensive care can be mitigated by its telemedicine system. The performance of transatlantic surgery by remote control proved that, with the right equipment, surgeons can perform and teach advanced procedures from thousands of kilometers away. Finally, in the nations and territories of the Pacific Rim, healthcare information networks are granting the regions widely scattered citizens new access to medical expertise.
Hospital Rates of Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Influence of Organizational Culture

Background and Purpose— The purpose of this study was to determine if organizational culture explains differences in rates of intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke between different hospitals. Methods— A cohort study was done in 12 centers admitting 5515 consecutive patients with acute stroke in The Netherlands. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to relate the likelihood of treatment with thrombolysis to characteristics of the organizational culture of the centers. Organizational culture was defined by 10 characteristics and scored by a panel. A sum score was created by adding all scores and dividing by 10. Results— Thrombolysis rates varied from 5.7% to 21.7%. We observed an association between thrombolysis and the availability of informal and formal feedback (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.28); a learning culture (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.23); uncompromising, individual clinical leadership (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.23); explicit goals (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.17); and wi...
One-Sided Approximation of Functions

where :Yl denotes the orthogonal complement of Y (see [I]). Another example of this type of duality appears in one of the classical moment problems. Letfbe Bore1 measurable and bounded on [a,b], h,, . . ., h, a CebySev system on [a,b] and for a given positive Bore1 measure yO defined on [a,b] denote by C (y,,) the class of all positive Bore1 measures y which satisfy f.bhkdy=[hkdyo k= 1,2 ,..., n. We then have
Pitting Corrosion of Carbon Steel in CO2-Containing NaCl Brine

Abstract Studies of the susceptibility of carbon steel (line pipe steel) to pitting were performed at room temperature in deaerated, NaCl-saturated CO2-containing solution simulating natural brine....
Broad Spectrum of Dermatologic Manifestations Caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum Infection

Mycobacterium haemophilum typically infects superficial tissues in immunocompromised persons and can lead to systemic illness. Its natural habitat is unknown, although most cases have been reported from cities near large bodies of water. 1 No cases have been previously reported from the northwestern area of the United States. We report 2 cases of M haemophilum infection that demonstrate the broad spectrum of dermatologic manifestations in varied clinical settings; both cases occurred in the state of Washington.
Loss of Insulin Signaling in Hepatocytes Leads to Severe Insulin Resistance and Progressive Hepatic Dysfunction

The liver plays a central role in the control of glucose homeostasis and is subject to complex regulation by substrates, insulin, and other hormones. To investigate the effect of the loss of direct insulin action in liver, we have used the Cre-loxP system to inactivate the insulin receptor gene in hepatocytes. Liver-specific insulin receptor knockout (LIRKO) mice exhibit dramatic insulin resistance, severe glucose intolerance, and a failure of insulin to suppress hepatic glucose production and to regulate hepatic gene expression. These alterations are paralleled by marked hyperinsulinemia due to a combination of increased insulin secretion and decreased insulin clearance. With aging, the LIRKO liver exhibits morphological and functional changes, and the metabolic phenotype becomes less severe. Thus, insulin signaling in liver is critical in regulating glucose homeostasis and maintaining normal hepatic function.
Carvedilol reduced mortality and morbidity caused by myocardial infarction in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Source Citation The CAPRICORN Investigators. Effect of carvedilol on outcome after myocardial infarction in patients with left-ventricular dysfunction: the CAPRICORN randomised trial. Lancet. 2001 ...
Should we be concerned about herbal remedies.

Abstract During the latter part of this century the practice of herbalism has become mainstream throughout the world. This is due in part to the recognition of the value of traditional medical systems, particularly of Asian origin, and the identification of medicinal plants from indigenous pharmacopeias that have been shown to have significant healing power, either in their natural state or as the source of new pharmaceuticals. Generally these formulations are considered moderate in efficacy and thus less toxic than most pharmaceutical agents. In the Western world, in particular, the developing concept that ‘natural’ is better than ‘chemical’ or ‘synthetic’ has led to the evolution of Neo-Western herbalism that is the basis of an ever expanding industry. In the US, often guised as food, or food supplements, known as nutriceuticals, these formulations are readily available for those that wish to self-medicate. Within this system, in particular, are plants that lack ethnomedical verification of efficacy or safety. Unfortunately there is no universal regulatory system in place that insures that any of these plant remedies are what they say they are, do what is claimed, or most importantly are safe. Data will be presented in this context, outlining how adulteration, inappropriate formulation, or lack of understanding of plant and drug interactions have led to adverse reactions that are sometimes life-threatening or lethal.
It's not what you say but how you say it: the role of personality and identity in trial success

A major focus of the study of courtroom interaction in the fields of sociolinguistics and discourse analysis has been the discursive strategies that lawyers use during trials. While acknowledging the role of rhetorical skill in influencing hearers' perceptions, this paper seeks to demonstrate that language has its limits, and that the speaker's personality and identity are key factors in determining how a verbal presentation will be received. The opening statement given by John Allen Muhammad, the ‘Beltway Sniper’, acting as his own lawyer at his murder trial, incorporated many recommended strategies and was surprisingly well crafted, but was widely derided by media commentators. Through a comparison of Muhammad's opening statement with similar presentations delivered by celebrated attorneys, this paper will explore the relationships between language, personality, and identity in the construction of legal persuasion. Specifically, this paper will argue that Muhammad's identity as a criminal defendant, cou...
A Review of “Leaders Make the Future: Ten New Leadership Skills for an Uncertain World”

In Leaders Make the Future: Ten New Leadership Skills for an Uncertain World, Bob Johansen argues that we are in the midst of accelerating disruptive change. As a result, there is an opportunity to...
ENIAC: press conference that shook the world

On February 14th 1946, ENIAC, hailed as the first truly large-scale electronic computer, was announced to the public. In this article, I reflect upon the impact of that announcement on the public perception of computers. ENIAC was certainly not the only large-scale computer in operation at the time, but it represents a unique marker in the public consciousness, due to the dramatic way in which it was unveiled at a Saturday press conference at the Moore School of Engineering in Philadelphia. I analyze some of the typical headlines about ENIAC that appeared in 1946, and examine claims that these headlines were a major factor in the public perception of computers for decades to come.
Systematic control of mesh size in hydrogels by initiated chemical vapor deposition

This investigation has been focused on the development of a cylindrical-shape hydrogel microtube to be used as a biosensor for medical applications. 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymerized with ethylene glycol diacrylate p(HEMA-co-EGDA) has been synthesized by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) using an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane as a template. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the reactivity ratio of the copolymerization. Spectroscopy ellipsometry and UV-vis spectrophotometry were performed to study the swelling and mesh size of the polymer layer. Results showed that the polymer mesh size can be tuned by systematic control of cross-linking density to achieve selective diffusion of species through its network.
Individual recognition and selective response to contact calls in foraging brown-throated conures, Aratinga pertinax

Foraging individuals can benefit from recruiting conspecifics to food sites, but must balance potential benefits against increased competition. Foragers in fission–fusion societies may recruit others to food resources by calling and can reduce the relative cost of this behaviour by selectively recruiting preferred conspecifics. Observational studies of the brown-throated conure on the island of Bonaire showed that overflying groups were much more likely to settle in the area when a foraging group called to the overflying group. However, foraging groups did not call to every overflying group, and food abundance alone did not determine whether foraging groups would call. Playback experiments indicated that conures can respond preferentially to social partners. Observational and experimental data suggest that brown-throated conures may use loud contact calls selectively to recruit conspecifics to currently available foraging sites.
Monetary Methods of Estimating Informal Activities in Developing Nations

This paper presents a simple monetary model for estimating the size and growth of the informal sector in developing nations. The model is empirically estimated for the Peruvian economy under a variety of specifications. Studies of the relationship between demographic change and economic activity are enhanced by knowledge of both the secular and cyclical patterns of growth of the informal economy.
Force potentiation in respiratory muscles: comparison of diaphragm and sternohyoid

Coordinated contraction of thoracic and pharyngeal upper airway respiratory muscles optimizes ventilation, whereas pharyngeal muscle dysfunction may lead to obstructive apneas during sleep. We hypothesized that the force potentiation exhibited by the pharyngeal respiratory muscle, the sternohyoid, in keeping with its faster contractile kinetics, would be greater than that of the thoracic respiratory muscle, the diaphragm. Rat muscles were studied in vitro at 37 degrees C with three force-potentiating protocols: posttetanic twitch potentiation, staircase phenomenon (twitch potentiation), and a classic fatigue paradigm. The sternohyoid had a faster isometric contraction time, a more rightward located force-frequency relationship, and both a more rapid onset and a greater degree of fatigue than the diaphragm. During the early portion of the fatigue protocols, the increase in force was significantly greater for the sternohyoid muscle than the diaphragm (e.g., 33 vs. 3% increase at 20 Hz, P < 0.005). During repetitive twitches at 2, 3, and 5 Hz (staircase test), sternohyoid muscle force increased more than diaphragm force at the higher stimulus frequencies (e.g., by 38 vs. 23% at 5 Hz, P < 0.01). After brief tetanic stimuli, sternohyoid twitch force increased more than diaphragm twitch force (e.g., 73 vs. 14% increase after 125 Hz tetanus, P < 0.005). These data indicate that force potentiation is exhibited by both diaphragm and sternohyoid respiratory muscles, but to different extents, when activated repetitively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Layout optimization algorithms for vlsi design and manufacturing

As the feature size of the transistor shrinks into nanometer scale, it becomes a grand challenge for semiconductor manufacturers to achieve good manufacturability of integrated circuits cost-effectively. In this dissertation, we aim at layout optimization algorithms from both manufacturing and design perspectives to address problems in this grand challenge. Our work covers three topics in this research area: a redundant via enhanced maze routing algorithm for yield improvement, a shuttle mask floorplanner, and optimization of post-CMP topography variation. Existing methods for redundant via insertion are all post-layout optimizations that insert redundant vias after detailed routing. In the first part of this dissertation, we propose the first routing algorithm that conducts redundant via insertion during detailed routing. Our routing problem is formulated as a maze routing with redundant via constraints and transformed into a multiple constraint shortest path problem, and then solved by Lagrangian relaxation technique. Experimental results show that our algorithm can find routing solutions with remarkably higher rate of redundant via insertion than conventional maze routing. Shuttle mask is an economical method to share the soaring mask cost by placing different chips on the same mask. Shuttle mask floorplanning is a key step to pack these chips according to certain objectives and constraints related to mask manufacturing and cost. In the second part of this dissertation, we develop a simulated annealing based floorplanner that can optimize these objectives and meet the constraints simultaneously. Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is a crucial manufacturing step to planarize wafer surface. Minimum post-CMP topography variation is preferred to control the defocus in lithography process. In the third of this dissertation, we present several studies on optimization of the variation. First, we enhance the shuttle mask floorplanner to minimize the post-CMP topography variation. Then we study the following single-block positioning problem: given a shuttle mask floorplan, how to determine a movable block's optimal position with respect to post-CMP topography variation. We propose a fast incremental algorithm achieving 6x to 9x speedup. Finally, we formulate a novel CMP dummy fill problem that targets at minimizing the height variance, which is key to reduce the image distortion by defocus. Experimental results show that with the new formulation, we can significantly reduce the height variance without sacrificing the height spread much.
Seasonal Change in the Activity Pattern of Dipodomys spectabilis

The daily pattern of surface activity of banner-tailed kangaroo rats was measured by recording visits to automated feeders, which provided small quantities of millet. From November through March the activity pattern was nocturnal, with an early-evening peak and less activity during moon-up than moon-down. However, as a record drought developed and nights shortened in the spring, moonlight-avoidance ceased and nocturnal activity increased, with small amounts of daylight activity in May. Daylight activity increased during summer, becoming equal to night activity, then began to return to the usual nocturnal pattern at the same time as new vegetation appeared in response to summer rain.
Type Studies in the Hydnaceae—VII. The Genera Asterodon and Hydnochaete

(1914). Type Studies in the Hydnaceae—VII. The Genera Asterodon and Hydnochaete. Mycologia: Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 231-234.
Structural recovery of a single polystyrene thin film using Flash DSC at low aging temperatures

Abstract The structural recovery of a single polystyrene thin film is studied using Flash differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for aging temperatures ranging from 50.5 to 100.5 °C and for aging times of up to 18,000 s (300 min). A high fictive temperature glass with T f ′ = 117.0 ± 0.5 °C, obtained after cooling at 1000 K/s, is employed in this study. Structural recovery is investigated by monitoring the evolution of the fictive temperature, T f , which initially remains unchanged and then decreases smoothly and approximately linearly with logarithmic aging time. Equilibrium is reached when T f = T a at the highest aging temperatures. The length of the initial plateau is longer for the lower aging temperatures and is related to the increase in the relaxation time with decreasing temperature along the glass line, increasing approximately one decade for every 21 K. This temperature dependence yields a normalized apparent activation energy (E a /R) of approximately 13 kK for the mobility along the glass line. On the other hand, the apparent activation energy for the mobility along the liquid line is 102 kK.
Esterification of essential and non-essential fatty acids into distinct lipid classes in ruminant and non-ruminant tissues

Extensive microbial biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the rumen reduces the essential fatty acids (EFA) available for absorption in ruminant animals, but there is no published documentation of ruminants developing EFA deficiency. In ruminants, most circulating PUFA are found in the phospholipid (PL) and cholesteryl ester lipid classes that have slow turn-over compared to other lipid classes. The objective of this experiment was to measure fatty acid esterification patterns of the non-EFA palmitic (16:0) and oleic acid (18:1), and the EFA linoleic (18:2) and linolenic acid (18:3) in small intestine, liver, and muscle tissue of cows and pigs to identify tissues participating in sequestration of these FA in less metabolically active lipid classes in ruminants. Bovine and porcine small intestine, liver, and muscle explants were prepared and incubated in media containing radiolabeled 16:0, 18:1, 18:2, or 18:3 to measure esterification of fatty acids into PL and TG. Neither bovine nor porcine small intestine explants preferentially incorporated non-EFA compared to EFA into PL vs TG. Bovine liver explants esterified a larger proportion of EFA than non-EFA into PL compared to TG, while incorporation was similar among the FA tested in porcine liver explants. Bovine muscle explants showed preferential incorporation of EFA into PL rather than TG. Results show that bovine and porcine liver and muscle esterify EFA and non-EFA differently and that the conservation of EFA in ruminants is a result of preferential incorporation of EFA into PL mediated by bovine liver and muscle, but not the small intestine.
Happy Birthday, ICH!

The month of April 2010 marks the twentieth year of activities for the International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The birth of ICH took place in April 1990 in a meeting hosted by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical
English Broadside Ballad Archive

The English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA) is a project of the University of California at Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) Early Modern Center that seeks to digitize all known seventeenth-century black-let...
Characteristic Work Function Variations of Graphene Line Defects

Line defects, including grain boundaries and wrinkles, are commonly seen in graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition. These one-dimensional defects are believed to alter the electrical and mechanical properties of graphene. Unfortunately, it is very tedious to directly distinguish grain boundaries from wrinkles due to their similar morphologies. In this report, high-resolution Kelvin potential force microscopy (KPFM) is employed to measure the work function distribution of graphene line defects. The characteristic work function variations of grain boundaries, standing-collapsed wrinkles, and folded wrinkles could be clearly identified. Classical and quantum molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the unique work function distribution of each type of line defects is originated from the doping effect induced by the SiO2 substrate. Our results suggest that KPFM can be an easy-to-use and accurate method to detect graphene line defects, and also propose the possibility to tune the graphene work function ...
Abstract 1666: Biomarkers for early detection of radiation nephropathy

Purpose/Background: Chronic kidney disease is among the common late effects detected in patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Currently, there are no biomarkers that allow detection of normal tissue toxicity in late responding organs such as kidney. Developing predictive biomarkers could help identify individuals that are at high risk for close follow-up and prophylactic treatments. Our studies show that miRNAs detectable in cell-free body fluids can be developed as biomarkers of acute radiation syndromes. In the present study, we sought to investigate the potential of serum and urine miRNAs as indicators of radiation induced kidney damage in rodent models. Methods and Results: An amplification-free hybridization based nCounter assay was optimized for evaluating the changes of miRNAs in body fluids. Comparison of cell-free miRNAs in urine as well as serum, collected from control versus irradiated mice, enabled us to identify candidate biomarkers that are potential indicators of radiation response. Over 40 miRNAs were detectable in urine samples collected from mice and over 80 miRNAs were detectable in serum. Molecules such as miR-1224, miR-804, miR-714 and miR-709 showed significant increase in their urine level after radiation, which peaked 6-8 hours after exposure to acute doses. On the other hand, markers such as miR-378 that are also abundant in urine did not show significant change after radiation, hence serving as an internal control. Comparison of urinary response in mice exposed to 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy TBI revealed good dose response. Furthermore, the same markers exhibited a dose and time dependent changes following exposure to fractionated myeloablative regimen (6 × 2 Gy, bid) that is commonly used in leukaemia patients, prior to stem cell transplantation. Specifically, two of these biomarkers, miR-714 and miR-1224 exhibited a dose dependent increase in their serum level after fractionated or acute single dose exposure. In-situ hybridization displayed an overall increase in signals of miR-1224 and miR-714 at outer medulla after radiation. Increased signals detected in tubular epithelial cells indicate the possible tubular origin of the urinary miRNAs that are responsive to radiation. Conclusion: We have developed a panel of miRNAs for non-/minimally invasive detection of radiation response in kidney. Several of the urinary miRNA biomarkers exhibited a dose and time dependent changes, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for non-invasive evaluation of radiation response in organs such as kidney for which early detection of damage is a major challenge. Citation Format: Feifei Song, Jidhin Jacob, Arnab Chakravarti, Naduparambil K. Jacob. Biomarkers for early detection of radiation nephropathy. [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 1666.
Inaccurate quantitation of palmitate in metabolomics and isotope tracer studies due to plastics

Palmitate, the typical end product released from fatty acid synthase, is of interest to many researchers performing metabolomics. Although palmitate can be readily detected by using mass spectrometry, many metabolomic platforms involve the use of plastic consumables that introduce a competing background signal of palmitate. The goal of this study was to quantify palmitate contamination in metabolomics and isotope tracer studies and to examine the reliability of approaches for reducing error. We measured the quantitative error introduced by palmitate contamination from 4 vendors of plastic consumables used in combination with several different extraction solvents. The background palmitate signal was as much as sixfold higher than the biological palmitate signal from 4 million 3T3-L1 cells. Importantly, the palmitate contamination signal was highly variable between plastic consumables (even within the same lot) and therefore could not be accurately removed by subtracting the background as measured from a blank. In addition to affecting relative and absolute quantitation, the palmitate background signal from disposable plastics also led to the underestimation of labeled palmitate in isotope tracer experiments. When measuring palmitate standard solutions, the best results were obtained when glass vials and glass pipettes were used. However, much of the palmitate background signal could be eliminated by pre-rinsing plastic vials and plastic pipette tips with methanol prior to sample introduction. For isotope tracer studies, error could also be minimized by estimating palmitate enrichment from palmitoylcarnitine, which does not have a competing contamination signal from plastic consumables.
Chance Detection of CD16 Deficiency on Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils in Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Abstract Introduction CD16 (FcgRIII) is a low affinity receptor for immunoglobulin G(IgG)constitutively expressed on polymorphonuclear neutrophils, monocytes and NK-cells with various effector functions including phagocytosis of opsonized particles or of immune complexes and in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Congenital defect of neutrophil CD16 expression has been reported with variable phenotypic associations such as anaemia, neutropenia, autoimmune thyroiditis, recurrent infections, acute myeloid leukaemia, systemic lupus erythematosis and in mothers whose newborns have developed transient neonatal alloimmune neutropenia. CD 16 deficiency on neutrophils -A 46 year old lady presented with extreme tiredness with her full blood count showing Hb 7.6 g/L MCV 76.0 fl MCH 23.8 pg WBC 5.9 X 10^9/L Neutrophil count 3.5 X 10^9/L Platelet count 290 X 10^9/L.Her serum ferritin level was 2.2 mcg/l with normal B12 & folate levels. Hemoglobinopathy screen was normal. Blood film was consistent with iron deficiency. She denied any history of blood loss. In view of positive faecal occult blood, she underwent upper & lower gastrointestinal tract endoscopies which failed to reveal any bleeding lesion. Red cell scan was considered but not arranged as clinically she was not bleeding at a rate more than 1 ml per minute. Capsule enteroscopy was not available. Coeliac screen was negative. Due to intolerance of oral iron supplementation, she needed parenteral iron infusions, which improved her hemoglobin. However, the response was not sustained which prompted further work up. She underwent bone marrow aspirate & trephine biopsy which was suggestive of mild dyserythropoeisis. Cytogenetics was normal. Hemolytic screen was negative. On immunophenotyping as part of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) screen, neutrophils showed normal expression of CD 59 (89%)& CD 66b (100%)but completely lacked CD 16 (02%). Urinary haemosiderin was negative. She had no history of increased frequency or of exceptionally severe or persistent infections. Family studies are pending. She remains iron replete on parenteral supplementation. Conclusion- Polymorphonuclear neutrophils totally deficient in CD16 were detected by chance. CD16 deficiency has not compromised the host defence in this patient. We have not assessed CD16 specific mRNA or functional parameters such as phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria and superoxide production since the patient had no history of increased infections. The other receptors for IgG apparently can compensate for the lack of CD16. Congenital deficiencies of CD16 are very rare. The clinical relevance of congenital defect of neutrophil CD16 expression remains unclear. This case substantiates the inferences of other sporadic reports of there being no compromise of host defence resulting from isolated CD16 neutrophil expression defect.
Electrical resisitivity of mechancially stablized earth wall backfill

Abstract Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls utilized in transportation projects are typically backfilled with coarse aggregate. One of the current testing procedures to select backfill material for construction of MSE walls is the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standard T 288: “Standard Method of Test for Determining Minimum Laboratory Soil Resistivity.” T 288 is designed to test a soil sample's electrical resistivity which correlates to its corrosive potential. The test is run on soil material passing the No. 10 sieve and believed to be inappropriate for coarse aggregate. Therefore, researchers have proposed new methods to measure the electrical resistivity of coarse aggregate samples in the laboratory. There is a need to verify that the proposed methods yield results representative of the in situ conditions; however, no in situ measurement of the electrical resistivity of MSE wall backfill is established. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) provides a two-dimensional (2D) profile of the bulk resistivity of backfill material in situ. The objective of this study was to characterize bulk resistivity of in-place MSE wall backfill aggregate using ERT. Five MSE walls were tested via ERT to determine the bulk resistivity of the backfill. Three of the walls were reinforced with polymeric geogrid, one wall was reinforced with metallic strips, and one wall was a gravity retaining wall with no reinforcement. Variability of the measured resistivity distribution within the backfill may be a result of non-uniform particle sizes, thoroughness of compaction, and the presence of water. A quantitative post processing algorithm was developed to calculate mean bulk resistivity of in-situ backfill. Recommendations of the study were that the ERT data be used to verify proposed testing methods for coarse aggregate that are designed to yield data representative of in situ conditions. A preliminary analysis suggests that ERT may be utilized as construction quality assurance for thoroughness of compaction in MSE construction; however more data are needed at this time.
Teenage girls’ narratives of becoming activists

Stories about individuals’ entry into activism are an important part of collective identity formation within social movements. This article, based on in-depth interviews and participant observation...
A Multilayered Control of the Human Survival Motor Neuron Gene Expression by Alu Elements

Humans carry two nearly identical copies of Survival Motor Neuron gene: SMN1 and SMN2. Mutations or deletions of SMN1, which codes for SMN, cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a leading genetic disease associated with infant mortality. Aberrant expression or localization of SMN has been also implicated in other pathological conditions, including male infertility, inclusion body myositis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and osteoarthritis. SMN2 fails to compensate for the loss of SMN1 due to skipping of exon 7, leading to the production of SMNΔ7, an unstable protein. In addition, SMNΔ7 is less functional due to the lack of a critical C-terminus of the full-length SMN, a multifunctional protein. Alu elements are specific to primates and are generally found within protein coding genes. About 41% of the human SMN gene including promoter region is occupied by more than 60 Alu-like sequences. Here we discuss how such an abundance of Alu-like sequences may contribute toward SMA pathogenesis. We describe the likely impact of Alu elements on expression of SMN. We have recently identified a novel exon 6B, created by exonization of an Alu-element located within SMN intron 6. Irrespective of the exon 7 inclusion or skipping, transcripts harboring exon 6B code for the same SMN6B protein that has altered C-terminus compared to the full-length SMN. We have demonstrated that SMN6B is more stable than SMNΔ7 and likely functions similarly to the full-length SMN. We discuss the possible mechanism(s) of regulation of SMN exon 6B splicing and potential consequences of the generation of exon 6B-containing transcripts.
Abstract #2218: Leptin induces migration of breast cancer cells via upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein, survivin

Obesity is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and obese breast cancer patients exhibit a higher risk for larger tumor burden and increased metastasis. Obesity affects carcinogenesis by autocrine and paracrine effects of the adipocytokine leptin. Leptin, a product of the obese (ob) gene, has been found to play a role in tumor progression and metastasis in addition to its functions in maintaining energy balance and satiety. Previously we found that leptin induces breast cancer growth by overexpressing cyclin D1 via Stat3 activation. More recently we showed that leptin crosstalks with IGF1 signaling and increases metastatic properties of breast cancer cells by transactivating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying leptin-induced migration of breast cancer cells. We found that leptin increases expression of anti-apoptotic protein, survivin in both estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancer cells whereas no change was observed in the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP). Our results show that leptin treatment increases migration of breast cancer cells. Further molecular analysis showed that leptin induced migration of breast cancer cells involves upregulation of survivin as overexpression of survivin further increases leptin-induced breast cancer cell migration. Intriguingly, silencing of survivin abrogates the effect of leptin on breast cancer cell migration. Taken together, these data suggest a novel mechanism involving survivin by which leptin increases migration of breast cancer cells. Our findings indicate a novel role of anti-apoptotic protein, survivin and putforth survivin as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit breast cancer cell migration. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 2218.
One-Dimensional Elastic Waves in Inhomogeneous Media

Exact solutions to the inhomogeneous wave equation are obtained through the use of an inverse procedure in which the determination of the functional form of the inhomogeneity constitutes part of the problem. The result is a restriction on the form in which the wave speed changes with the spatial variable, but the restriction is not overly severe for the purpose of illustrating general features, many of which are applicable to stress waves propagating downward into the near-surface region of the earth. Solutions are given for the step, Dirac delta, and exponentially decaying pressure-time functions. Of particular interest are the conditions under which a tensile stress can exist and the subsequent amplification of the peak stress and the negative impulse per unit area.
Changes in the process of alternative RNA splicing results in soluble B and T lymphocyte attenuator with biological and clinical implications in critical illness

Critically ill patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome have severely altered physiology and immune system modifications. RNA splicing is a basic molecular mechanism influenced by physiologic alterations. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) have previously been shown to influence outcomes in critical illness. We hypothesize altered physiology in critical illness results in alternative RNA splicing of the immune checkpoint protein, BTLA, resulting in a soluble form with biologic and clinical significance. Samples were collected from critically ill humans and mice. Levels soluble BTLA (sBTLA) were measured. Ex vivo experiments assessing for cellular proliferation and cytokine production were done using splenocytes from critically ill mice cultured with sBTLA. Deep RNA sequencing was done to look for alternative splicing of BTLA. sBTLA levels were fitted to models to predict sepsis diagnosis. sBTLA is increased in the blood of critically ill humans and mice and can predict a sepsis diagnosis on hospital day 0 in humans. Alternative RNA splicing results in a premature stop codon that results in the soluble form. sBTLA has a clinically relevant impact as splenocytes from mice with critical illness cultured with soluble BTLA have increased cellular proliferation. sBTLA is produced as a result of alternative RNA splicing. This isoform of BTLA has biological significance through changes in cellular proliferation and can predict the diagnosis of sepsis.
Effects of herbicides on stream Aufwuchs productivity and nutrient uptake.

The effects of atrazine and a combination of alachlor, atrazine, metolachlor, and metribuzin on the productivity and nutrient uptake rates of native streamAufwuchs communities were investigated in two separate artificial stream experiments. After an 8-day colonization period, the first experiment employed constant doses of atrazine at 0 Μg/L (control), 24 Μg/L and 134 Μg/L. The second experiment employed a pulsed dose having maximum concentrations of 35 Μg/L alachlor, 109 Μg/L atrazine, 90 Μg/L metolachlor, and 21 Μg/L metribuzin. Each 20-day experiment was run at both 10‡C and 25‡C. Constant exposure to 24 Μg/L atrazine yielded a significant reduction in both ash-free dry weight (AFDW) and chlorophylla at 25‡C but not at 10‡C. Constant exposure to 134 Μg/L atrazine yielded significantly less AFDW and chlorophylla at both temperatures. The pulsed exposure to four herbicides yielded significantly less AFDW at both temperatures, while chlorophylla was significantly less only at 10‡C. During continual exposure to 134 Μg/L atrazine, both NO2 + NO3 and silica uptake rates appeared to be reduced at both temperatures, although the differences were generally not statistically significant. At 10‡C uptake rates of soluble reactive phosphorus and NO2 + NO3 were depressed temporarily by exposure to the pulse of four herbicides, recovering to control rates within a few days, while no effect on uptake rates was discerned at 25‡C. The temperature difference between experimental runs had a greater effect on nutrient uptake rates than did the herbicide treatments during a run. The results indicate thatAufwuchs growth and nutrient uptake rates may be reduced temporarily by herbicide exposures in agricultural streams. However, greater effects on these processes may be exerted by other factors accompanying storm events, such as reduced temperatures.
From dispersal to predation: A global synthesis of ant–seed interactions

Ant-seed interactions take several forms, including dispersal, predation, and parasitism, whereby ants consume seed appendages without dispersal of seeds. We hypothesized that these interaction outcomes could be predicted by ant and plant traits and habitat, with outcomes falling along a gradient of cost and benefit to the plant. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a global literature review and classified over 6,000 pairs of ant-seed interactions from 753 studies across six continents. Linear models showed that seed and ant size, habitat, and dispersal syndrome were the most consistent predictors. Predation was less likely than parasitism and seed dispersal among myrmecochorous plants. A classification tree of the predicted outcomes from linear models revealed that dispersal and predation formed distinct categories based on habitat, ant size, and dispersal mode, with parasitism outcomes forming a distinct subgroup of predation based on seed size and shape. Multiple correspondence analysis indicated some combinations of ant genera and plant families were strongly associated with particular outcomes, whereas other ant-seed combinations were much more variable. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ant and plant traits are important overall predictors of potential seed fates in different habitat types.