cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Analysis and Expression Profiling of the OsLAX and OsABCB Auxin Transporter Gene Families in Rice (Oryza sativa) under Phytohormone Stimuli and Abiotic Stresses

The plant hormone auxin regulates many aspects of plant growth and developmental processes. Auxin gradient is formed in plant as a result of polar auxin transportation by three types of auxin transporters such as OsLAX, OsPIN, and OsABCB. We report here the analysis of two rice auxin transporter gene families, OsLAX and OsABCB, using bioinformatics tools, publicly accessible microarray data, and quantitative RT-PCR. There are 5 putative OsLAXs and 22 putative OsABCBs in rice genome, which were mapped on 8 chromosomes. The exon-intron structure of OsLAX genes and properties of deduced proteins were relatively conserved within grass family, while that of OsABCB genes varied greatly. Both constitutive and organ/tissue specific expression patterns were observed in OsLAXs and OsABCBs. Analysis of evolutionarily closely related “gene pairs” together with organ/tissue specific expression revealed possible “function gaining” and “function losing” events during rice evolution. Most OsLAX and OsABCB genes were regulated by drought and salt stress, as well as hormonal stimuli [auxin and Abscisic Acid (ABA)], which suggests extensive crosstalk between abiotic stresses and hormone signaling pathways. The existence of large number of auxin and stress related cis-regulatory elements in promoter regions might account for their massive responsiveness of these genes to these environmental stimuli, indicating complexity of regulatory networks involved in various developmental and physiological processes. The comprehensive analysis of OsLAX and OsABCB auxin transporter genes in this study would be helpful for understanding the biological significance of these gene families in hormone signaling and adaptation of rice plants to unfavorable environments.
Analysis of drinking knowledge,attitude and practice of secondary school students in Shanghai

Objective To survey the drinking knowledge,attitude and practice of secondary school students in Shanghai to provide the basis for drinking behavior promotion. Methods A multi-stage stratified method was used for sampling. Four districts were randomly selected in Shanghai and 25 junior high schools,11 senior high schools and 10 vocational senior high school were selected. A total 4 801 secondary school students were surveyed for their drinking knowledge,attitude and practices. Results The average score of the knowledge,attitude and practice related to alcohol was 7. 42 ± 3. 18( total score was 15),4. 69 ± 2. 65( total score was 8) and 2.83±1.63( total score was 5) respectively. There were only 20% students whose total KAP scores were good,while there were 39% students whose scores were poor. The average scores of knowledge,attitude and practice of female students were higher than that of male students. Among different category of schools,the average scores of knowledge,attitude and practice of vocational senior high school students were the lowest,the average scores of knowledge of junior high schools students were lower than that of senior high schools students,but the average scores of attitude and practices of junior high schools students were higher than that of senior high schools students( P0.05). Conclusion The levels of drinking KAP of secondary school students are low,so education to improve drinking knowledge of students is really needed and more efforts should be made to educate the vocational senior high school students. In order to improve drinking behavior of secondary school students,enforcement of the rule forbidden to sell alcohol to underage is also very important.
Protection of Minocycline against apoptosis of hippocampal neurons of epileptic rats induced by Bentylenetetrazol(PTZ)

Objective To explore the protective effects of minocycline against apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and the relationships between doses.Methods Treated epileptic rats induced by pentylenetetrazol(PTZ) with different doses of minocycline using gavage method,the brain perfusion preparaed for paraffin sections and immunohistochemistry,the changes of apoptosis in rat hippocampus were observed by image analysis of HPIAS-1000 high-resolution color graphic analysis system pathology image analysis.Results Compared with PTZ group,apoptosis decreased in control group(P0.05);compared with PTZ group,apoptosis had no difference in MT1 group(P 0.05);compared with PTZ group,apoptosis decreased in MT2 group(P0.05);compared with PTZ group,apoptosis increased in MT3 group(P0.05).Comparison among the intervention group,compared with MT3 group and MT1 groups apoptosis decreased in MT2 apoptosis(P0.05).Conclusion Minocycline has neuroprotective effects in the appropriate concentration range.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

Once it is proved that a urinary tract infection originates in the prostate, treatment should focus on confining it there through continuous, low-dose antibiotic therapy. Although the prostatic nidus persists—since currently available antimicrobials do not cross the prostatic epithelium—the disease ceases to be a problem and the danger of secondary infection of the kidney and bladder is eliminated.
Bhakti and Embodiment : Fashioning Divine Bodies and Devotional Bodies in Krsna Bhakti

Preface. Introduction 1. Bhakti and Divine Embodiment: Fashioning Divine Bodies 2. The Embodied Aesthetics of Bhakti: Fashioning Devotional Bodies 3. Bhagavata Purana as Text-Avatara: From Purana-Veda to Krishna-Veda to Embodiment of Bhagavan 4. Naman as Sound-Avatara: From Transcendent Vibration to Reverberating Name 5. Vraja-Dhaman as Place-Avatara: From Mythic Space to Pilgrimage Place to Transcendent Space 6: Meditation as Devotional Practice: Experiencing Krishna in His Transcendent Dhaman. Conclusion.
Nitrogen Consumption and Metabolism in Marine Zooplankton

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the important role that zooplankton play in nitrogen cycling by following the path of the food from ingestion to all aspects and stages of metabolism. It begins with a discussion of N consumption, including the nitrogenous composition of available food types, rates of N consumption, and effects of food quality. The various aspects of N metabolism, emphasizing the importance to biogeochemical cycling and coupling with other major elements (carbon, phosphorus) are also discussed. Considerable progress in our understanding of the role of marine zooplankton in nitrogen cycling has been made in the last two decades. Studies are now at the stage where large data sets are being compiled, and it is possible, for example, to reasonably predict ammonia excretion as a function of body mass for a given organism and temperature using regression equations—and avoid doing experimental incubations. These individual, size-specific excretion rates can be scaled up to a community rate if total biomass and size structure of the community is known. A common theme throughout this review is that more information is needed on the role of marine protozoa, gelatinous zooplankton, and of taxa living below the euphotic zone in N consumption and metabolism. Consumption of phytoplankton and bacteria by microzooplankton are key processes in N transformations in the ocean.
Abstract 360: Detecting intracellular bRAF/cRAF dimerization using a novel luminescent complementation system

BRAF mutations can promote constitutive activation of MEK/ERK signaling, leading to unregulated cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Although inhibitors targeting oncogenic BRAF have shown promise in preventing cell growth, these same inhibitors can paradoxically activate signaling by inducing BRAF interaction with CRAF. Methods for monitoring this undesired outcome are typically low throughput or use kinase binding domains modified with a membrane targeting sequence. We sought to develop a cell-based assay that could reliably detect dimerization of full-length BRAF/CRAF and could potentially be used to rapidly screen inhibitors for modulation of this interaction. To achieve this objective, we utilized a NanoLuc luciferase-based complementation reporter consisting of 1.3 kD (SmBiT) and 18 kD (LgBiT) fusion tags that reconstitute an active luciferase when brought into proximity. In this optimally configured BRAF/CRAF assay, BRAF-LgBiT and CRAF-SmBiT fusions are stably expressed in mammalian cells, and luminescence, indicative of protein interaction, is monitored using a live cell detection reagent. With this assay, we were able to observe rapid and dose-dependent induction of BRAF/CRAF dimerization in response to a panel of kinase inhibitors. The sensitivity and robustness of the assay permitted reliable screening in both 96- and 384-well formats (Z’ factors > 0.9 and 0.6, respectively). Furthermore, the brightness of the reporter allowed the assay to be monitored in individual cells using bioluminescence imaging. These results suggest this BRAF/CRAF complementation assay can enable rapid, high-throughput profiling of kinase inhibitors targeting the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Citation Format: Richard L. Somberg, Marie K. Schwinn, Michael R. Slater, Thomas Machleidt, Mei Cong, Keith V. Wood. Detecting intracellular bRAF/cRAF dimerization using a novel luminescent complementation system. [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 360.
Reliable Molecular Dynamics: Uncertainty quantification using interval analysis in molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract In molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, atomic interaction is characterized by the interatomic potential as the input of simulation models. The interatomic potentials are derived experimentally or from first principles calculations. Therefore they are inherently imprecise because of the measurement error or model-form error. In this work, a Reliable Molecular Dynamics (R-MD) mechanism is developed to extend the predictive capability of MD given the input uncertainty. In R-MD, the locations and velocities of particles are not assumed to be precisely known as in traditional MD. Instead, they are represented as intervals in order to capture the input uncertainty associated with the atomistic model. The advantage of the new mechanism is the significant reduction of computational cost from traditional sensitivity analysis when assessing the effects of input uncertainty. A formalism of generalized interval is incorporated in R-MD, as an intrusive uncertainty quantification method, to model the propagation of uncertainty during the simulation. Error generating functions associated with embedded atomic method (EAM) interatomic potentials are developed to capture the bounds of input variations to demonstrate interval interatomic potentials. Four different uncertainty propagation schemes are proposed to capture the uncertainty of the output. An example of uniaxial tensile loading of single-crystal aluminum is used to demonstrate the R-MD mechanism.
Elucidating the Oncogenic Potential of NPMc+ In Vitro and In Vivo.

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a nucleolar phosphoprotein that plays a key role in ribosome biogenesis, control of genomic stability and stabilization of tumor suppressors, such as ARF (Grisendi et al. Nature Review Cancer , 2006). We have recently shown that NPM can act as a tumor suppressor through the generation and characterization of an NPM hypomorphic series in vivo (Grisendi et al. Nature , 2005). NPM is one of the most frequent targets of genetic alterations in hematopoietic tumors, as about 60% of all adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia with a normal karyotype harbor C-terminal frameshift mutations (NPMc+). As a consequence, NPMc+ aberrantly localizes to the cytoplasm of leukemic blasts. It has been shown that NPMc+ can act as a dominant negative NPM mutant sequestering endogenous NPM to the cytosol. However, to date this mutant has never been shown to behave as an oncogene, which casts doubt on its role in leukemogenesis. To assess the oncogenic potential of NPMc+, we carried out soft agar and low-density seeding assays using primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) expressing NPMc+ in combination with a battery of oncogenes. Interestingly, we found that NPMc+, but not wild type NPM, cooperate with adenovirus E1A to transform primary MEFs in soft agar. NPMc+/E1A also consistently showed high efficiency at forming foci in low-density seeding assays comparable to Ras V12 /E1A. However, NPMc+ does not transform alone or in combination with Ras V12 or c-Myc and does not transform p53 −/− , p21 −/− or Arf −/− primary MEFs. This suggests that two complementary growth signals from NPMc+ and E1A can cooperate to evade cellular senescence and apoptosis. These data are consistent with a model by which NPMc+, through the inhibition of NPM function, can block the ARF response elicited by E1A. In support of these observations, we found that in primary cells from our NPM hypomorhic series Arf level and localization are dramatically affected by the progressive reduction in Npm dose. To elucidate in vivo the crosstalk between NPM and ARF, genetic crosses using Npm +/− and Arf +/− mice are currently ongoing and data from this analysis will also be presented.
Cage disorder and gas encapsulation as routes to tailor properties of inorganic clathrates

Abstract Inorganic clathrates with the type II crystal structure are of interest as potential materials for high temperature thermoelectric applications. In this study we present ab initio calculations for the electronic and phonon properties of several Sn type II clathrate compositions with partial Ga substitution on the framework, empty cage Sn136, and compounds of Sn136 filled with inert Xe atoms. It is found that cage disorder due to atomic substitution and guest encapsulation affect the fundamental characteristics of these materials in profound ways. We determine that the stability of these materials is enhanced by the presence of guests and lack of direct Ga Ga bonds in disordered clathrates. Inert Xe atoms provide a unique opportunity to preserve the overall electronic structure of Sn136 and take advantage of the loosely bound guest rattling for enhanced phonon scattering. The calculated energy bands and density of states, as well as phonon band structure and mode Gruneisen parameter, enable further analysis of type II Sn clathrates and reveal interesting structure-property relations.
Properties of porcine adipose-derived stem cells and their applications in preclinical models

Adipose-derived stem cells represent a reliable adult stem cell source thanks to their abundance, straightforward isolation, and broad differentiation abilities. Consequently, human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) have been used in vitro for several innovative cellular therapy and regenerative medicine applications. However, the translation of a novel technology from the laboratory to the clinic requires first to evaluate its safety, feasibility, and potential efficacy through preclinical studies in animals. The anatomy and physiology of pigs and humans are very similar, establishing pigs as an attractive and popular large animal model for preclinical studies. Knowledge of the properties of porcine adipose-derived stem cells (pASCs) used in preclinical studies is critical for their success. While hASCs have been extensively studied this past decade, only a handful of reports relate to pASCs. The aim of this concise review is to summarize the current findings about the isolation of pASCs, their culture, proliferation, and immunophenotype. The differentiation abilities of pASCs and their applications in porcine preclinical models will also be reported.
Preparation and characterization of flax, hemp and sisal fiber-derived mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents

The first aim of this study was to investigate mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents from sisal, hemp, and flax fibers by cost-effective methods. Fibers were impregnated with low concentration (20...
Association of Modified Frailty Index Score With Perioperative Risk for Patients Undergoing Total Laryngectomy

Importance Objective preoperative risk assessment tools, such as the Modified Frailty Index (mFI), may inform patient and physician decision making when considering total laryngectomy. Estimation of outcomes may help to set realistic expectations about recovery and outcomes and facilitate optimal resource management. Objective To evaluate the association between the mFI score as a measure of frailty and outcomes following total laryngectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective evaluation using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP), a risk- and case-mix–adjusted national quality assessment program. The ACS NSQIP database identified 595 patients who underwent total laryngectomy between 2006 and 2012. Patients were assessed for demographics and comorbidity and were stratified on the basis of calculated mFI score. Outcomes, including postoperative complications, length of hospitalization, and discharge destination, were evaluated as a function of increasing frailty using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Main Outcomes and Measures Risk of postoperative complications, length of hospitalization, and discharge disposition. Results After exclusion of patients who experienced significant deviation from standard care protocols and those with missing or incomplete data, 343 individuals were included in the analysis. Of these, 278 (81.0%) were men, and the mean age was 63 years (95% CI, 61.9-64.4 years). Increasing frailty resulted in a nonlinear but progressive rise in incidence of postoperative adverse events. Overall, 96 (28.0%) patients experienced a postoperative complication, and patients with an mFI score of 3 or higher were more likely to develop postoperative complications than were patients with an mFI score of 0 (50.0% vs 16.7%; OR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.72- 8.51). Patients in the highest frailty group experienced a longer mean duration of hospitalization (14.2 vs 9.5 days; difference, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.3-8.1 days) and were more likely to require skilled care after discharge (33.3% vs 3.2%; difference, 30.1%; 95% CI, 7.4%-52.9%). Conclusions and Relevance An mFI score of 3 or higher is associated with increased risk for postoperative complications, longer hospitalization, and need for postdischarge skilled care following total laryngectomy. The mFI provides a personalized risk assessment to better inform patients, physicians, and payers when planning a total laryngectomy.
Automatic Design of Fixture Assemblies: Representation and Planning

Abstract One interesting application of mechanical assembly systems is the synthesis of fixture assemblies in automatic process planners. Fixture assembly deals with the design of a configuration of selected fixture elements and a workpiece so as to locate, support and clamp die latter. Complete automation of this function promises various advantages. Firstly, it will lead to a systematization of the fixture configuration process, hitherto a skill developed by experience by tool engineers on the shop floor. Secondly, it will reduce significantly the design time. Finally, it will aid the complete automation of process planning. The capability of modem machining centers to handle a wide variety of part geometries directly implies the necessity of versatile fixturing hardware. One approach to this end is the use of modular fixturing element sets. La this research, a generalized representation scheme is developed to model a large variety of fixturing elements, capturing detailed geometric as well as functional information. Since the design of fixture configurations requires reasoning over mechanical assemblies, a representational scheme is also developed to model assemblies of parts. Methods involving screw theory are used to represent the total degrees of freedom of any rigid body subject to constraints imposed by contacts with other bodies in the assembly. Procedures are also developed to integrate die effect of multiple mating joints, and to infer from that information the requirements of further restraints on the bod/ to achieve form closure. These methods are used by a knowledge based planner to assemble fixtures around a workpiece defined by its current geometry and the machining requirements for the current setup. The outcome of the planner wiH be in the form of visual graphic displays that can then be used by the machine tool operator to assemble die actual fixture.
Complicity of Catholic Healthcare Institutions with Immoral Laws

The Catholic Church is no stranger to complicity having engaged a pluralistic world over centuries. The principle of cooperation has helped the Church to avoid complicity with immoral laws in a wide variety of controversies, surprisingly including the permissibility of Catholic legislators to vote for laws that permit abortion. The analysis applies the principle of cooperation to evaluate the complicity of Catholic healthcare institutions with immoral laws. First, a discussion of the principle of cooperation and its related issues helps to understand the complex conditions that need to be in place for the application of the principle in the Catholic tradition. Second, the principle will be used to explain the accommodation with abortion that appears in both Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium vitae in 1995 and the stance of the U. S. Bishops regarding the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Finally, the principle is used to scrutinize the legal appeal of U.S. Bishops against the government mandate to provide access to contraception via health insurance policies provided by Catholic organizations.
DROP (DRone Open source Parser) Your Drone: Forensic Analysis of the DJI Phantom III

Abstract The DJI Phantom III drone has already been used for malicious activities (to drop bombs, remote surveillance and plane watching) in 2016 and 2017. At the time of writing, DJI was the drone manufacturer with the largest market share. Our work presents the primary thorough forensic analysis of the DJI Phantom III drone, and the primary account for proprietary file structures stored by the examined drone. It also presents the forensically sound open source tool DRone Open source Parser (DROP) that parses proprietary DAT files extracted from the drone's nonvolatile internal storage. These DAT files are encrypted and encoded. The work also shares preliminary findings on TXT files, which are also proprietary, encrypted, encoded, files found on the mobile device controlling the drone. These files provided a slew of data such as GPS locations, battery, flight time, etc. By extracting data from the controlling mobile device, and the drone, we were able to correlate data and link the user to a specific device based on extracted metadata. Furthermore, results showed that the best mechanism to forensically acquire data from the tested drone is to manually extract the SD card by disassembling the drone. Our findings illustrated that the drone should not be turned on as turning it on changes data on the drone by creating a new DAT file, but may also delete stored data if the drone's internal storage is full.
Comparison of Bricker and Wallace Methods of Ureteroileal Anastomosis in Urinary Diversions

Urinary diversion, as described by Bricker in 1950 was for use in adults who required pelvic exenteration for cancer. In this procedure, a 10 to 20 cm length of terminal ileum is isolated from the intestinal tract, and the continuity of the bowel re-established by open end-to-end anastomosis. The appendix is removed. The proximal end of the detached segment of ileum is closed. The ureters are divided from the bladder and anastomosed to the ileal segment, near its blind end through openings in the ileal wall cut to the exact size of each ureter. The distal end of the ileal segment is brought out to the surface of the abdomen in the right lower quadrant through a circular opening cut through skin, fascia, muscle and peritoneum and sutured to the skin to form a slightly protuberant ileal stoma. The various complications encountered with this procedure have prompted the introduction of several modifications. The Wallace method of ureteroileal anastomosis (1966) consists of splaying the distal ureters longitudinally. The medial edges are sutured together with a continuous 5-zero chromic catgut suture. The conjoined ureters are then sutured to the proximal ileal segment with a 4-zero chromic catgut suture at the apex of each ureter to the ileum and a continuous 5-zero chromic suture along the lateral edges. The entire anastomosis is retro- peritonealised. The ileal conduit is brought through the peritoneal cavity to the anterior abdominal wall where a stoma is constructed.
A Simple and Accurate Grading System for Orthoiodohippurate Renal Scans in the Assessment of Post-Transplant Renal Function

Orthoiodohippurate renal scanning has proved to be a reliable, noninvasive method for the evaluation and followup of renal allograft function. However, a standardized system for grading renal function with this test is not available. We propose a simple grading system to distinguish the different functional phases of hippurate scanning in renal transplant recipients. This grading system was studied in 138 patients who were evaluated 1 week after renal transplantation. There was a significant correlation between the isotope renographic functional grade and clinical correlates of allograft function such as the serum creatinine level (p = 0.0001), blood urea nitrogen level (p = 0.0001), urine output (p = 0.005) and need for hemodialysis (p = 0.007). We recommend this grading system as a simple and accurate method to interpret orthoiodohippurate renal scans in the evaluation and followup of renal allograft recipients.
Small airway fibrosis in COPD.

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by an accelerated decline in airway function with age compared to age-matched non-smokers. There is increasing evidence that this is due to small airway disease rather than from emphysema, especially in the early stages of the disease. Small airways (
Parasitism of Melanaphis sacchari (Hemiptera: Aphididae) by Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Greenhouse and Field

The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), is an economically important invasive insect pest of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, production in the southern United States. Studies were conducted to: (1) assess the fecundity of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) parasitizing M. sacchari in the greenhouse, and (2) examine the temporal synchrony between L. testaceipes and M. sacchari in the field during 2017 and 2018. Results indicate that after 96 h, the number of M. sacchari increased approximately 90-fold from a single adult in the greenhouse study. The percentage of mummification observed in the greenhouse study was 15.2 ± 3.3%. Of those mummies, L. testaceipes adults emerged from 88.7 ± 4.4%, with 38.6 ± 8.4% of those males. Field observations showed that L. testaceipes appeared in the sentinel fields in late July to August. The percentage of mummies observed in the June- and July-planted plots of 2017, and June-planted plots of 2018 were 4.5 × 10–4 ± 1.5 × 10–4%, 7.4 × 10–4 ± 4.4 × 10–4%, and 4.4 × 10–5 ± 1.7 × 10–5%, respectively. Even though parasitization of M. sacchari by L. testaceipes was observed in both field and greenhouse, the lack of wasps before late July and low rate of parasitization in the field suggest that this species is not well synchronized with M. sacchari populations. Additional natural enemies (e.g., other parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogens) or other adaptations will be necessary before this pest is managed using biological control in Georgia.
Timing is everything: Early do-not-resuscitate orders in the intensive care unit and patient outcomes.

Background The use of Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders has increased but many are placed late in the dying process. This study is to determine the association between the timing of DNR order placement in the intensive care unit (ICU) and nurses’ perceptions of patients’ distress and quality of death. Methods 200 ICU patients and the nurses (n = 83) who took care of them during their last week of life were enrolled from the medical ICU and cardiac care unit of New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan and the surgical ICU at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Nurses were interviewed about their perceptions of the patients’ quality of death using validated measures. Patients were divided into 3 groups—no DNR, early DNR, late DNR placement during the patient’s final ICU stay. Logistic regression analyses modeled perceived patient quality of life as a function of timing of DNR order placement. Patient’s comorbidities, length of ICU stay, and procedures were also included in the model. Results 59 patients (29.5%) had a DNR placed within 48 hours of ICU admission (early DNR), 110 (55%) placed after 48 hours of ICU admission (late DNR), and 31 (15.5%) had no DNR order placed. Compared to patients without DNR orders, those with an early but not late DNR order placement had significantly fewer non-beneficial procedures and lower odds of being rated by nurses as not being at peace (Adjusted Odds Ratio namely AOR = 0.30; [CI = 0.09–0.94]), and experiencing worst possible death (AOR = 0.31; [CI = 0.1–0.94]) before controlling for procedures; and consistent significance in severe suffering (AOR = 0.34; [CI = 0.12–0.96]), and experiencing a severe loss of dignity (AOR = 0.33; [CI = 0.12–0.94]), controlling for non-beneficial procedures. Conclusions Placement of DNR orders within the first 48 hours of the terminal ICU admission was associated with fewer non-beneficial procedures and less perceived suffering and loss of dignity, lower odds of being not at peace and of having the worst possible death.
29 Si solid state NMR and Ti K -edge XAFS pre-edge spectroscopy reveal complex behavior of Ti in silicate melts

An understanding of the mechanisms of Ti is incorporation into silicate glasses and melts is critical for the field of petrology. Trace-element thermobarometry, high-field-strength element partitioning, and the physical properties of magmas are all be influenced by Ti incorporation into glasses and changes therein in response to changes in composition and temperature. In this study, we combine 29Si solid state NMR and Ti K-edge XAFS spectroscopy to investigate how Ti is incorporated into quenched Na-silicate glasses, and the influence of Ti on the structure of silicate species in these glasses. 29Si NMR shows that in both Ti-bearing Na2O•4SiO2 (NS4) and Na2O•8SiO2 (NS8) glasses, increasing the amount of Ti in the melt results in a shift of Si Q4 peak in the 29Si NMR spectra reflecting Ti nearest neighbors for Si in Q4 speciation. The Ti XAFS results from NS8 glass indicate that Ti is primarily incorporated in [5]-fold coordination. At higher Ti content, there is a shift of the XAFS pre-edge feature suggesting mixing of [4]-fold Ti into the spectra. Combined, the 29Si NMR and XAFS pre-edge data are consistent with Ti incorporation as isolated [5]Ti atoms and the formation of [5]Ti clusters at relatively low Ti concentrations, with no evidence for Ti–Na interactions as suggested by previous studies. As the Ti content increases, the Ti atoms begin to occupy 4-fold coordinated sites interacting primarily with Si in Q4 speciation (no significant Na–[4] Ti bonding). The internal consistency of these two techniques provides a uniquely complete snapshot of the complexity of Ti incorporation in silicate melts and underlies the importance of understanding Ti incorporation mechanisms in natural magmatic systems.
The Source of Infection of the 137 th Confirmed Case of COVID-19 - Tianjin Municipality, China, June 17, 2020.

What is already known on this topic? Following 110 days of no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tianjin Municipality, a case was confirmed on June 17, 2020. A total of 136 local cases had been reported previously. What is added by this report? The 137th case was found in a dishwasher working in the western dining room of a hotel in Tianjin. Epidemiological investigations and laboratory research indicated that this case was likely transmitted from an asymptomatic individual that had recently visited several public places in Beijing Municipality and was working as a chef in the same workplace as the patient. Sequencing and analysis found that the COVID-19 virus genome found in the 137th case was 100% identical to sequences from the recent outbreak in Beijing’s Xinfadi Agricultural Product Wholesale Market. What are the implications for public health practice? A combination of meticulous epidemiological investigation and detailed laboratory research can promptly identify the source of COVID-19.
KINETIC WALL QUENCHING OF METHANOL FLAMES WITH APPLICATIONS TO SPARK IGNITION ENGINES

A computer model was used to predict perpendicular flame quenching distances for methanol-air mixtures at a variety of conditions. A detailed kinetic reaction mechanism has allowed the study of aldehyde formation. Aldehydes were found to increase an order of magnitude over bulk gas concentrations as the flame quenches but this concentration is insufficient to account for measured exhaust aldehydes. A flow reactor study showed additional aldehydes being formed from the unburned quench layer when it mixes with the hot exhaust gases during the expansion and exhaust strokes. Quenching distance decreases with increasing pressure and increasing wall temperature, and increases with lean and very rich equivalence ratios and increasing exhaust gas recirculation. Water addition shows only a slight increase in quenching distance for up to 30% of the fuel by volume.
Software development data for architecture analysis: expectations, reality, and future directions

Recently we have worked with a dozen industrial collaborators to pinpoint and quantify architecture debts, from multi-national corporations to startup companies. Our technology leverages a wide range of project data, from source file dependencies to issue records, and we interacted with projects of various sizes and characteristics. Crossing the border between research and practice, we have observed significant gaps in terms of data availability and quality among projects of different kinds. Compared with successful open source projects, data from proprietary projects are rarely complete or well-organized. Consequently, not all projects can benefit from all the features and analyses we provide. This, in turn, made them realize they needed to improve their development processes. In this talk, we categorize the commonly observed differences between open source and proprietary project data, analyze the reasons for such differences, and propose suggestions to minimize the gaps, to facilitate advances to both software research and practice.
Development of a high-throughput diagnostic assay for lung cancer

A107 Lung cancer is the largest cancer killer of both men and women. The correct histopathological diagnosis of a tumor is critical in determining the appropriate treatment. However, precise classification of tumors remains a significant biomedical challenge. Furthermore, tumors of similar histology can have different clinical outcomes, stressing the need for more detailed molecular classifications. Our overall goal is to generate a panel of cell-specific molecules that can be used to classify tumor types and utilize these cancer specific reagents in a high throughput diagnostic assay. Using phage display technologies, we have developed methods to isolate peptides that bind to specific tumor cell lines, even in the absence of knowledge of the cell surface receptor profile. By this method, we have identified targeting peptides for 5 lung cancer cell lines and have determined their binding profile to a large panel of lung cancer cell lines. The isolated peptides display remarkable cell-specificities, and are able to discriminate between normal and cancerous cells as well as different lung tumor cells. Furthermore, these peptides can be conjugated to fluorescent nanoparticles (quantum dots, Qdots) in order to rapidly assess cellular binding both quantitatively and qualitatively. This fluorescent-based assay can be multiplexed so that multiple binding events can be examined on a single sample and is amenable to using fresh or fixed cells. At the end of this project we will have developed a novel diagnostic platform that can be expanded to clinical samples.
A comparative study of human muscle and brain creatine kinases expressed in Escherichia coli.

We report the expression of the human muscle (CK-MM) and brain (CK-BB) creatine kinases in Escherichia coli. The proteins have been purified to apparent homogeneity and several of their physical and kinetic properties investigated. In the process, we have conclusively verified the correct DNA sequence of the genes encoding the respective isozymes, and determined the correct primary structure and mass of the gene products. Alignment of the primary sequences of these two enzymes shows 81% sequence identity with each other, and no obvious gross structural differences. However, Western blot analyses demonstrated the general lack of antigenic cross-reactivity between these isozymes. Preliminary kinetic analyses show the Km and kcat values for the creatine and MgATP substrates are similar to values reported for other isozymes from various tissues and organisms. The human muscle and brain CKs do not, however, exhibit the synergism of substrate binding that is observed, for example, in rabbit muscle creatine kinase.
The role of intestinal epithelial exosomes in the progression of colon cancer (TUM7P.952)

Accumulating evidence indicates that dysregualtion of host-microbiota interaction in gut is associated with the development of colon cancer and with chronic inflammation. This chronic inflammation results in part from the interaction between inflammatory cells and gut microbiota, but pathway(s) leading to gut microbial mediated inflammation, and promoting colon cancer were heretofore unknown. Here we demonstrate that exosomes that bud from colon tumor cells play a key role in the recruitment of inflammatory CCR6+CD4+Th17+ into tumor site and subsequently promote tumor growth. We found that administered tumor exosomes can induce spontaneous intestinal polyposis in the Apc (Min/+) mouse model, a widely used spontaneous colorectal cancer model for human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) in a CCL20 dependent manner. We further demonstrate that bacterial products up taken by tumor cells promote the production of PGE2+CCL20+ tumor exosomes. Our studies identify a key mechanism of tumor exosomes-mediated T cells homing to intestine.
The Ancient Constitution and the Feudal Law: Civil War and Interregnum

THE opening paragraph of ch. vi of this book is undeniably whiggish. It treats the middle decades of the seventeenth century as the interval between Spelman's death and his resurrection; as a period during which English scholars were preparing themselves to receive the doctrine of a historian far in advance of his time. The best that can be said of this is that it is untypical of the book as a whole, and that the interval it posits is inhabited by characters—Harrington, Prynne, Hobbes and Hale—who do not exactly fit the role of watchers by the sepulchre. In this part of the retrospect, an attempt will be made to review the mid-century in the light of modern research, and consider what was happening to the ‘common-law mind’ and the ‘ancient constitution’ in this rich and tormented period in the history of English political discourse. The Petition of Right of 1628 brought us to a moment at which it may be said that the doctrine of an ancient and fundamental law had been unchallengeably defined, and yet had failed, or rather had not attempted, to define the prerogative in other than absolute terms. The parliamentary debaters had articulated the demand that the prerogative should act in certain all-important matters only through channels known to the common law, but had left it as possible as ever to present the power which the king exercised regaliter as derived from God and from Nimrod.
Parameter Estimation for Bayesian Classification of Multispectral Data

In this paper, we present two algorithms for estimating the parameters of a Bayes classifier for remote sensing multispectral data. The first algorithm uses the Support Vector Machines (SVM) as a multi-dimensional density estimator. This algorithm is a supervised one in the sense that it needs in advance, the specification of the number of classes and a training sample for each class. The second algorithm employs the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm, in an unsupervised way, for estimating the number of classes and the parameters of each class in the data set. Performance comparison of the presented algorithms shows that the SVM- based classifier outperforms those based on Gaussian-based and Parzen window algorithms. We also show that the EM based classifier provides comparable results to Gaussian-based and Parzen window-based while it is an unsupervised algorithm.
An Architectural Approach to Requirements Engineering for Infrastructure Projects

A brand-new high-speed railway project such as HS2, currently under development in the United Kingdom, presents a requirements engineering problem that is similar to domains where Systems Engineering (SE) is more traditionally applied, such as an aircraft, but with some differences in system structure that preclude a direct mapping of routine techniques. With over 300 separate elements of design in the Country South portion of the route, fitting into roughly 20 categories and inheriting requirements at multiple levels, including location-specific constraints, it was considered necessary to implement a model-based solution to provide an adequate level of technical assurance by managing the requirements and their links to the design elements. A database tool with diagramming capability was used to create a visual traceability structure between the client's original requirements and the refined requirements. A layered model of the system architecture was used to apply requirements to the correct sets of individual design elements. From this combined requirements and architecture model, spreadsheet checklists were generated for designers to perform verification. The resulting data were then re-imported to the database and processed into a detailed report for submission to the client. The solution developed automates assignment of requirements traceability in order to provide exactly the right set of requirements for each deliverable on the route, which may consist of multiple asset types in differing combinations and with local requirements as well as more generic requirements assigned by equivalence.
Legends of Paul Bunyan

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2008 Pages: 448 Publisher: University of Minnesota Press ISBN: 978-0-8166-5460-4 (soft cover). Prices: $19.95 USD(soft cover).
Non-kekulé molecules derived conceptually by heteroatom-for-carbon substitution in alternant hydrocarbons: M-Quinomethane and M-Naphthoquinomethane

Abstract Qualitative theoretical consideration suggest that substitution of a heteroatom for a C atom in an alternant hydrocarbon might results in a non-Kekule with a triplet ground state, despite the nondegeneracy of the Huckel MBMOs of the heteroatom derivatives. The syntheses of 3-methylene-1-phenoxyl and 3-methylene-1-naphthoxyl are described. These compounds. biradical valence tautomers of m-quinomethanes, are characterized by EPR spectroscopy and are assigned triplet ground states. Optical resolution of 6-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ene-one, the precursor of 3-methylene-1-phenoxyl, is described. Repeated irradiation of the active ketone a 20K with intermittent warming to room temperature followed by re-isolation gives ketone of undimished activity, which suggests that re-cyclization of presumably achiral) 3-methylene-1-phenoxyl does not occur under the conditions.
Single crystal growth and ferroelectric properties of α(Ba1−xSrx)Nb2O6:β(Na1−yKy)NbO3 solid solutions

Single crystals of quaternary solid solution compositions of A-site filled tungsten bronze-type α(Ba1−xSrx)Nb2O6:β(Na1−yKy)NbO3 (where α:β=2:1, 9:2, x=0.75, 0.60, and y=0.50, 0.40, and 0.25) have been grown by the laser heated pedestal growth technique, both along the a axis and the c axis. The crystal growth studies, the crystallographic parameter analysis, the dielectric properties as well as the thermal expansion behavior of the as grown single crystals are reported. Compositions with low ratios of Ba and Na in the 2:1 section plane have high polarizability, low dielectric loss, and ferroelectric relaxor characteristics.
Misdirected QSOs in the most luminous infrared galaxies

I discuss imaging and spectropolarimetry results which show that buried QSOs (monsters) are sufficient to power hyperluminous infrared galaxies.
A demonstration of socrates: Streamlining the collection, analysis and exploration of social media data

While the diversity in social media platforms is a primary motivation for people to participate in different social media services and utilize them in appropriately different manners, the heterogeneity in formats and platforms can also encumber information gathering and investigation, especially for a researcher who might have to resort to time consuming and rudimentary cut-and-paste tasks. In this demonstration we introduce the Social and Crowdsourced Activity Extraction System (SOCRATES), a tool developed to help researchers utilize a single, modularly architected, open-sourced, and standardized platform for collecting social media data from application programming interfaces (APIs), analyzing it with a variety of methodologies, and exploring it via multiple visualizations. SOCRATES has been developed as a highly usable social-computational platform that allows researchers from any background to track, capture, visualize, explore, and analyze large or small amounts of social media data and annotations.
Induction of chemotaxis in mouse peritoneal macrophages by activators of protein kinase C.

Departments ofPharmacology andToxicology, Rutgers University (D.L.L., C.R.G)andEnvironmental andCommunity Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert WoodJohnson Medical School(J.D.L.),Piscataway, NewJerseyTwoactivators ofcalcium andphospholipid dependent protein kinase (protein kinaseC),thetumorpromoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)andthesyntheticdiacylglycerol, 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG),werecompared aschemotactic agentsformouse peritoneal macrophages. Bothofthesecompounds werefound toinducechemotaxis inthemacrophages toasimilar extent inatimeanddosedependent manner.Induction ofchemotaxis wasobserved intheconcentration rangeof10-100nMforTPAand25-250 MforOAG.Twostructurally related synthetic sn1,2-diacylglycerols, 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) and1,2-didecanoylglycerol (diClO), werealsofound tobechemotactic formacrophages, whilemonoacylglycerol (2-monoolein) wasinactive. Ofthediacylglycerols, OAGwasfoundtobethemostactivefollowed bydlC8anddiClO.Incontrast toTPA,thesynthetic diacylglycerols hadnoeffectonsuperoxide anionreleasebythecells,suggesting thatthemechanism ofsuperoxide anionrelease byTPAinmacrophages isdistinct fromchemotaxis. Phorbol-12,13-diacetate, abiologically inac-tivephorbol esteranalog thatinhibits thebinding ofTPAtoitscellular receptors,inhibited macrophage chemotaxis induced byTPA,thesynthetic diacylglycerols, andthecomplement fragment, C5a.Takentogether, ourresultssuggest thatchemotaxis inmacrophages maybemediated byactivation ofproteinkinaseC.Keywords: macrophages, chemotaxis, proteinkinaseC,diacylglycerol