cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The hCSE1/CAS protein is phosphorylated by HeLa extracts and MEK-1: MEK-1 phosphorylation may modulate the intracellular localization of CAS.

hCSE1/CAS (CAS), the human homologue of the yeast chromosome segregation gene CSE1, is a nuclear transport factor that plays a role in proliferation and apoptosis. A MEK-1 phosphorylation sequence in CAS raises the possibility that MEK-phosphorylation regulates the function of CAS. CAS protein from cell extracts shows covalent charge modifications; one of these charge variants contains phosphotyrosine. CAS protein can be captured from cell extracts by immobilized anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. We have produced recombinant protein fragments containing the N-terminal or central portion of CAS and found that the N-terminal fragment, which contains a putative MEK phosphorylation site, is phosphorylated by the HeLa extracts and MEK-1. Treatment of cells with an inhibitor of MEK-1 phosphorylationin vivochanges the intracellular localization of CAS from predominantly cytoplasmic to nuclear. This suggests that a function of CAS in nuclear transport may be regulated by phosphorylation.
Specific thyroxine receptors in mammary cytosol from lactating cattle.

Abstract Specific thyroxine (T4) binding was identified in bovine mammary cytosol preparations. Binding specificity of 3,5,3′ triiodothyronine (T3) with respect to T4 was less than 1%. The halftime of T4 binding and displacement at 4°C was 1 and 20 minutes, respectively. Scatchard analyses demonstrated the presence of two T4 binding components with dissociation constants of 3.61 × 10−10 and 7.73 × 10−8M. The high affinity binding component had a molecular weight of ∼ 100,000, a T4 binding capacity of 5.05 × 10−12moles/mg protein, and was destroyed by boiling or protease treatment. High-affinity, low capacity T4 binding was not found in bovine serum and was unique to mammary tissue.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS & CASE STUDIES: Cooperative Modeling to Promote Systems Thinking in Applying the National Environmental Policy Act

When the National Environmental Policy Act was passed in 1969, it presupposed that there were clear ways to identify and then address environmental impacts from federal actions. Since then, it has ...
Dikes and the Petrology of Waianae Volcano, Oahu

We summarize the distribution, orientation, and composition of the dikes of Waianae Volcano and attempt to relate this summary to the evolution of the volcano. Dikes are located in the caldera, in a well-defined northwest rift zone, and in less well-defined south and northeast rift zones. The active axis of the south rift zone may have shifted with time. The dikes generally are parallel to their rift zones and are oriented in many directions in the caldera area. They commonly dip about 70° to 80° and are generally less than a meter thick. Most are virtually identical in texture, mineralogy, and composition to nearby extrusive rocks. A few have unusual low-magnesium silicic compositions not yet observed in flows; these may be classified as icelandites. Trends defined by the compositions of tholeiitic dikes are similar to, but extend further than, crystal fractionation trends of tholeiitic flows of Waianae and other Hawaiian volcanoes. The basalts can be divided into a more silica saturated strongly tholeiitic subgroup and a less saturated mildly tholeiitic subgroup. The icelandites lie on trend with the second group. Most of the analyzed rift zone dikes are strongly tholeiitic; most of the analyzed caldera dikes are mildly tholeiitic; all of the differentiated high-silica low-magnesium dikes found are inside the caldera near the eruptive center.
Effect of hind limb position on the craniocaudal length of the lumbosacral space in anesthetized dogs

Abstract Objective To investigate whether rostral extension of the hind limbs increases the cranio-caudal dorsal interlaminar distance between the seventh lumbar vertebra and the sacral bone (LS distance) in sternally recumbent anesthetized dogs. Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals Eighteen dogs (eight neutered males, three intact males, six spayed females, one intact female) of various breeds, weighing 4–34 kg and ranging in age from 1 to 13 years. Methods Each dog was grouped by size: small (≤10 kg), medium (15–20 kg) or large (≥25 kg). Each dog was anesthetized and positioned in sternal recumbency. Computed tomography (CT) of the lumbosacral area was performed with the hind limbs resting on the stifle and the feet extended posteriorly, and then with the hind limbs extended rostrally. LS distance, craniocaudal dorsal interlaminar distance between sixth and seventh lumbar vertebra (L6–L7 distance), length of L7 vertebral body and lumbosacral angle (LS angle) were measured on a reconstructed mid-sagittal CT image from the two hind limb positions. The measurements from the two hind limb positions for the whole dog population and by size were compared using Student's T tests. Diagnostic interpretation of the CT images was performed. Results The length of L7 was taken as the reference value as it was not affected by hind limb position. LS distance, L6–L7 distance and LS angle were significantly higher when the hind limbs were extended rostrally in all three size groups. The CT images of ten dogs showed clinically undetected osteoarthrosis of the ileo- and lumbosacral area. Conclusions and clinical relevance Rostral extension of the hind limbs significantly increases LS and L6–L7 distance and LS angle even in dogs with clinically undetected osteoarthrosis of the ileo- and lumbosacral area, and may enhance the ease of lumbosacral epidural injection in sternally recumbent anesthetized dogs.
The oxyhemoglobin reaction of nitric oxide.

The oxidation of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrate by oxyhemoglobin is a fundamental reaction that shapes our understanding of NO biology. This reaction is considered to be the major pathway for NO elimination from the body; it is the basis for a prevalent NO assay; it is a critical feature in the modeling of NO diffusion in the circulatory system; and it informs a variety of therapeutic applications, including NO-inhalation therapy and blood substitute design. Here we show that, under physiological conditions, this reaction is of little significance. Instead, NO preferentially binds to the minor population of the hemoglobin’s vacant hemes in a cooperative manner, nitrosylates hemoglobin thiols, or reacts with liberated superoxide in solution. In the red blood cell, superoxide dismutase eliminates superoxide, increasing the yield of S-nitrosohemoglobin and nitrosylated hemes. Hemoglobin thus serves to regulate the chemistry of NO and maintain it in a bioactive state. These results represent a reversal of the conventional view of hemoglobin in NO biology and motivate a reconsideration of fundamental issues in NO biochemistry and therapy.
Learning to recognize volcanic non-eruptions

An important goal of volcanology is to answer the questions of when, where, and how a volcano will erupt—in other words, eruption prediction. Generally, eruption predictions are based on insights from monitoring data combined with the history of the volcano. An outstanding example is the A.D. 1980
Multiple alkali metal ion complexes of tripeptides: An investigation by means of electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

The [M – H + 2X]+ and [M – 2H + 3X]+ ions, where X = Li, Na or K, are the most abundant peptide-containing ions observed in the positive electrospray mass spectra of nine tripeptide solutions adjusted to pH 12 with lithium, sodium or potassium hydroxide. The collision-induced dissociations of these ions reveal structures in which the alkali metal ions are both attached to carbonyl oxygen atoms, and centrally coordinated to the deprotonated carboxylate terminus and the peptide nitrogen atoms. It is speculated that the precursor ions of [M – H + 2X]+ and [M – 2H + 3X]+ exist in solution and desorb to produce these ions directly via desolvation or indirectly via desolvation and collision-induced dissociation in the lens region.
Precision studies of stimulated-resonance Raman interactions in an atomic beam

Precision studies of stimulated-resonance Raman interactions in a sodium atomic beam were performed with emphasis on Ramsey’s separated-field excitation. Ramsey fringes were obtained for a field separation of up to 30 cm, and the data were consistent with theoretical predictions. Possible applications of this Raman interaction to clock development also were studied by stabilizing a microwave oscillator to a Raman–Ramsey fringe. The resulting oscillator stability of 1.5 × 10−11 for a 1000-sec averaging time compares favorably with commercial cesium clocks when differences in atom transit time and transition frequency are taken into consideration. Finally, potential sources of long-term frequency error, which are important for clock applications, were also partially investigated.
ScentIndex and ScentHighlights: productive reading techniques for conceptually reorganizing subject indexes and highlighting passages

Agreat deal of analytical work has been carried out in the context of reading, in digesting the semantics of the material, the identification of important entities, and capturing the relationship between entities. Visual analytic environments, therefore, must encompass reading tools that enable the rapid digestion of large amounts of reading material. Other than plain text search, subject indexes, and basic highlighting, tools are needed for rapid foraging of the text. In this paper, we describe a technique that presents an enhanced subject index for a book by conceptually reorganizing it to suit particular expressed user information needs. Users first enter information needs via keywords, describing the concepts they are trying to retrieve and comprehend. Then our system, called Scentindex, computes what index entries are conceptually related, and reorganizes and displays these index entries on a single page. We provide a number of navigational cues to help users peruse over this list of index entries and find relevant passages quickly. We report some initial results in a new technique called ScentHighlights that enhances skimming activity by conceptually highlighting sentences. Both use similar techniques by computing what conceptual keywords are related to each other via word co-occurrence and spreading activation. Compared to regular reading of a paper book, our study showed that users are more efficient and more accurate in finding, comparing, and comprehending material in our system.
The Hypocalcemic Action of Colchicine

Colchicine, injected ip in doses of 0.05–0.2 mg/100 g caused significant hypocalcemia in intact and nephrectomized rats. Colchicine prevented the rise in serum calcium following the injection of parathyroid hormone to thyroparathyroidectomized animals. Studies with 45Ca indicated that colchicine produced hypocalcemia by suppressing bone resorption. (Endocrinology 90: 1589, 1972)
Packaging Specific Segments of the Salmonella Chromosome with Locked-in Mud-P22 Prophages

Hybrid genetic elements, Mud-P and Mud-Q (collectively, Mud-P22s), have been constructed that carry two-thirds of the temperate Salmonella phage P22 genome sandwiched between the ends of transposon Mu. Insertions of these elements in the Salmonella chromosome generate locked-in P22 prophages that cannot excise. Upon induction (as a consequence of the inactivation of P22 c2 repressor), a locked-in prophage replicates its DNA in situ, resulting in the amplification of neighboring regions of the chromosome and the processive packaging of three contiguous headsful of adjacent DNA in one direction from the P22 packaging site, pac. Phage particles in an induced lysate of a Mud-P22 lysogen contain DNA molecules corresponding to several minutes of chromosomal DNA adjacent to the site of prophage insertion and transduce nearby genetic markers with high efficiencies. Mud-P22 prophages have been introduced into an F' episome by transposition; resident Mud insertions on the Salmonella chromosome may be converted to Mud-P22 insertions by homologous recombination in P22-mediated transductional crosses.
A Systematic Framework for Structured Object-Oriented Security Requirements Analysis in Embedded Systems

The primary goal of this paper is to develop a structured object-oriented security requirements analysis methodology for the elicitation and analysis of security requirements in embedded systems. There are several approaches to elicit, analyze and specify security requirements in embedded systems ranging from formal mathematical models for proof of certain security properties to informal methods that are easily understood. Applicability of formal security models is limited because they are complex and it is time consuming to develop. On the other hand, informal security requirements analysis methods are not integrated with conceptual models in requirements analysis, and although both external and internal threats have been dealt using use cases and misuse cases, they provide no process for analyzing both internal and external threats in a structured manner. This paper discusses a structured object-oriented security requirements analysis methodology for the elicitation and analysis of security requirements in embedded systems. It is capable of identifying hierarchically both external and internal threats posed by both external and internal actors of a system level by level. It is illustrated and validated by security requirements analysis for an advanced embedded power grid control system.
Microarray-Based Analysis of Cell-Cycle Gene Expression During Spermatogenesis in the Mouse

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a continuum of cellular differentiation in a lineage that features three principal stages: 1) a mitotically active stage in spermatogonia, 2) a meiotic stage in spermatocytes, and 3) a postreplicative stage in spermatids. We used a microarray-based approach to identify changes in expression of cell-cycle genes that distinguish 1) mitotic type A spermatogonia from meiotic pachytene spermatocytes and 2) pachytene spermatocytes from postreplicative round spermatids. We detected expression of 550 genes related to cell-cycle function in one or more of these cell types. Although a majority of these genes were expressed during all three stages of spermatogenesis, we observed dramatic changes in levels of individual transcripts between mitotic spermatogonia and meiotic spermatocytes and between meiotic spermatocytes and postreplicative spermatids. Our results suggest that distinct cell-cycle gene regulatory networks or subnetworks are associated with each phase of the cell cycle in each spermatogenic cell type. In addition, we observed expression of different members of certain cell-cycle gene families in each of the three spermatogenic cell types investigated. Finally, we report expression of 221 cell-cycle genes that have not previously been annotated as part of the cell cycle network expressed during spermatogenesis, including eight novel genes that appear to be testis-specific.
Phosphorus Losses in Runoff after Application of Litter from Broilers Fed High‐Available Phosphorus Corn Feed

Abstract Recent efforts to reduce phosphorus (P) content of corn grain fed to poultry have led to the development of low‐phytic‐acid corn. Research is needed to evaluate the environmental impact of the application to cropland of manure from animals fed low‐phytic‐acid corn. The purpose of this research was to determine P losses in runoff from a bare Piedmont soil (cecil clay loam; clayey, kaolinitic, thermic, Typic Kanhapludult) in the southeastern United States receiving surface applications of broiler litter from birds fed a low‐phytic‐acid corn (HAP broiler litter). The HAP litter was applied at rates of 0, 8, 16, 33, 49, 66, and 82 kg P ha−1. Simulated rainfall was applied at a rate of 7.6 cm hr−1 on the same day the litter sources were applied to the plots. Runoff volumes were measured, and samples were collected at 5‐min intervals for 30 min and analyzed for reactive P (RP), algal‐available P (AAP), and total P (TP). Flow‐weighted concentrations and mass losses of P increased linearly with litter ap...
On synchronized evolution of the network of automata

One of the tasks in machine learning is to build a device that predicts each next input symbol of a sequence as it takes one input symbol from the sequence. We studied new approaches to this task. We suggest that deterministic finite automata (DFA) are good building blocks for this device, together with genetic algorithms (GAs), which let these automata "evolve" to predict each next input symbol of the sequence. Moreover, we study how to combine these highly fit automata so that a network of them would compensate for each others' weaknesses and predict better than any single automaton. We studied the simplest approaches to combine automata: building trees of automata with special-purpose automata, which may be called switchboards. These switchboard automata are located on the internal nodes of the tree, take an input symbol from the input sequence just as other automata do, and predict which subtree will make a correct prediction on each next input symbol. GAs again play a crucial role in searching for switchboard automata. We studied various ways of growing trees of automata and tested them on sample input sequences, mainly note pitches, note durations and up/down notes of Bach's Fugue IX. The test results show that DFAs together with GAs seem to be very effective for this type of pattern learning task.
Power Spectra of Multi-h Phase Codes

A procedure is presented for calculating the power spectrum of the class of digital continuous-phase signals known as multi- h phase codes. These signals have been shown to have attractive power advantages over other uncoded digital schemes such as QPSK, and represent a bandwidth-efficient alternative to other coding. techniques. The method is general, handling M -ary signaling, various frequency pulse shapes, and arbitrary sets of modulation indices. Numerical results are shown for several specific codes. In addition, the issue of spectral lines is resolved, and simple spectral approximations are developed.
Model checking control communication of a FACTS device

This paper concerns the design and verification of a realtime communication protocol for sensor data collection and processing between an embedded computer and a DSP. In such systems, a certain amount of data loss without recovery may be tolerated. The key issue is to define and verify the correctness in the presence of these lost data frames under real-time constraints. This paper describes a temporal verification that if the end processes do not detect that too many frames are lost, defined by comparison of error counters against given threshold values, then there will be a bounded delay between transmission of data frames and reception of control frames. This verification and others presented herein were performed with the model checkers SPIN and RT-SPIN.
The Lepidoptera of White Sands National Monument 6: A New Species of Chionodes Hübner, [1825] (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae, Gelechiinae) Dedicated to Ronald W. Hodges and Elaine R. Snyder Hodges in the Year of Ron's 80th Birthday, 2014

ABSTRACT. A new species of Chionodes Hubner, [1825] (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae, Gelechiinae), C. hodgesorum, is described from White Sands National Monument, Otero County, New Mexico. Ron and Elaine Hodges were special mentors in my study of Lepidoptera. Thus this description to honor Ron and Elaine is published in the year of Ronald W. Hodges' 80th birthday, 2014. Images of the imago and male and female genitalia are included, and a map of New Mexico showing the type-locality is provided.
Una poética de la incertidumbre: procedimientos erosivos en tres obras de Elena Garro

In this article I describe the poetics of uncertainty in three works by the Mexicanwriter Elena Garro. Through a close reading of two of her novels, Testimonios sobre Mariana and Reencuentro de personajes , and one autobiographicalpiece, Memorias de Espana 1937 , I build a complex pool of literary proceduresthat Garro develops that, ultimately combined and intertwined, lead to anambiguous and peculiar prose. Autobiographical content, cinematographicreferences, cryptic descriptions and semantic confusion are only some of theresources that Garro magisterially displays in these works and that allow us tothink in terms of a solid poetic intention.
The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis: What Role Does it Play in Autism Spectrum Disorder?

The brain-gut-microbiome axis refers to the interactions between the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract. Exploring these interactions provides a rationale for why gastrointestinal disorders commonly occur in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Signs of altered brain-gut interactions that are closely associated with functional GI disorders (FGIDs) commonly occur in children with ASD. Studies of microbiome in ASD suggest that changes in the gut microbiome may be associated with ASD and with GI disorders in children with ASD. Further studies into the brain-gut-microbiome axis could lead to new techniques for identifying GI disorders in children with ASD and novel therapies for treating ASD behaviors.
Teaching and Teacher Education: Absence and Presence in AERA Presidential Addresses

This essay considers the absence, presence, and shifting treatment of the topic of research on teaching and teacher education in AERA presidential addresses. To capture the arc of this topic, the essay is structured chronologically according to three time periods beginning with AERA’s birth in 1916 and continuing to the current years. At a general level, treatment of teaching and teacher education as a topic mirrored the contours of the emergence and historical development of the field of research on teaching and teacher education. However, the essay also acknowledges that presidential addresses are a partial lens on the field, which leaves out many significant developments, including issues and perspectives that have existed on the margins of the field.
Reproduction of Trichogramma fasciatum in Eggs from Tepa-Sterilized Fall Armyworms

Trichogramma fasciatum (Perkins), an egg parasite of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie); fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith); and tobacco budworm, H. virescens (F.), was reared on eggs from tepasterlized fall armyworm moths. The parasites were reared on eggs produced by sterile male X fertile female and fertile male X sterile female matings for 5 and 4 generations, respectively. Since both male and female progeny were produced in each generation it is concluded there was insufficient residues of tepa in the eggs to sterilize the egg parasite.
Serve Haixi and Accelerate the Development of Agricultural Science and Technology Periodicals

This paper has introduced the status quo and existing problems of China’ s agricultural science and technology journals and analyzed the function of agricultural science and technology journals in the Haixi’ s construction.It suggested that agricultural science and technology journals should improve the quality of publications,increase the "brand"-awareness,strengthen the building in the quality of editorial team and the digital publishing,accelerate the internationalization of agricultural science and technology journals,and innovate the operating system with the objective to better serve Haixi’ s construction.
A semi-Markov model for characterizing recurrence of great earthquakes

abstract A semi-Markov model estimating the waiting times and magnitudes of large earthquakes is proposed. The model defines a discrete-time, discrete-state process in which successive state occupancies are governed by the transition probabilities of the Markov process. The stay in any state is described by an integer-valued random variable that depends on the presently occupied state and the state to which the next transition is made. Basic parameters of the model are the transition probabilities for successive states, the holding time distribution, and the initial conditions (the magnitude of the most recent earthquake and the time elapsed since then). The model was tested by examining compatibility with historical seismicity data for large earthquakes in the circum-Pacific belt. The examination showed reasonable agreement between the calculated and actual waiting times and earthquake magnitudes. The proposed procedure provides a more consistent model of the physical process of gradual accumulation of strain and its intermittent, nonuniform release through large earthquakes and can be applied in the evaluation of seismic risk.
Chaos for speech coding and production

The presence of nonlinearity and chaotic behavior in the human speech production system has been reported previously; however to date chaotic dynamics has not been widely exploited in speech coding and artificial speech production algorithms. In this paper we illustrate how we can utilize chaotic dynamics in speech coding and synthesis and discuss how it can improve the performance of these processes. As an example we choose code-excited linear predictive coding and, instead of an excitation codebook consisting of Gaussian random waveforms, we use chaotic systems to produce chaotic excitations. This simple technique has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency of modern communication devices such as cell phones. We call the resulting scheme chaos-excited linear predictive coding.
Use of flat panel micro-channel photomultiplier in sampling calorimeter with timing

Large Area Picosecond Photo-detector (LAPPD) is a project to develop large area (8"x8") micro-channel plate photomultiplier (MCP PMT) cost effectively. The MCP PMT under development also features a read-out scheme using high frequency (> 10GS/s) waveform sampling of the signal on Transmission-line. Due to its good timing and space resolution, it would be suitable for Time-of-Flight (TOF) detectors and calorimeters in large scale high energy physics experiments. The MCP PMT from LAPPD can also be applicable to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detector. A prototype PET detector module was built to demonstrate the idea of using the MCP PMT from LAPPD for PET application. Preliminary test results are presented in this paper.
Does class-size reduction close the achievement gap? Evidence from TIMSS 2011

ABSTRACTPolicies about reducing class size have been implemented in the US and Europe in the past decades. Only a few studies have discussed the effects of class size at different levels of student achievement, and their findings have been mixed. We employ quantile regression analysis, coupled with instrumental variables, to examine the causal effects of class size on 4th-grade mathematics achievement at various quantiles. We use data from 14 European countries from the 2011 sample of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Overall, there are no systematic patterns of class-size effects across quantiles. Class-size effects are generally non-significant and uniform at different achievement levels, which suggests that in most European countries class-size reduction does not have an impact on student achievement and does not close the achievement gap. However, combined estimates across countries indicate that high achievers may benefit more from class-size reduction.
Bromine Exposure in Pregnant Mice May Reduce VEGF Signaling Via Increased Circulating VEGF Decoy Receptor sFLT-1

Inhalation of oxidant gas and vapor like the halogen bromine (Br2) may pose an increased threat to pregnant women and their unborn fetuses. We recently published that pregnant (P) C57Bl/6 mice exposed to 600ppm Br2 for 30 minutes on gestational day 14.5 (E14.5) exhibited increased mortality, lung injury, and blood pressure at E18.5 when compared to similarly exposed non-pregnant (NP) mice. Additionally, fetuses of Br2-exposed pregnant mice displayed severe growth restriction, which cumulatively indicated a preeclampsia-like phenotype. Administration of the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor tadalafil abrogated or significantly mitigated these effects in Br2-exposed pregnant mice but had no effect on non-pregnant counterparts. We hypothesize that exposure to Br2 via inhalation in pregnant mice results in placental damage and subsequent release of anti-angiogenic molecules into maternal circulation resulting in systemic endothelial dysfunction and a vasoconstrictive environment mediated by dysfunctional VEGF signaling. Firstly, we have identified significant increases at 0.5h post-Br2 exposure of circulating brominated fatty acids and fatty acid aldehydes (2-BrPA and 2-BrPALD) as well as their glutathionylated species at 6h. These may serve as potential biomarkers and/or mediators of Br2-inhalation induced systemic injury. Furthermore, preliminary results indicate aortas incubated ex vivo in the presence of 2-BrPA and 2-BrPALD are more sensitive to the vasoconstricting agent phenylephrine and less sensitive to the vasodilator acetylcholine. Secondly, utilizing time-course measurements, we have identified increases in the circulating VEGF decoy receptor sFLT-1 beginning at 72h post-exposure in pregnant mice. No increase is observed in similarly exposed non-pregnant mice (PBr272h 7280.3 ± 1592 vs NPBr272h 1233.5 ± 1063 pg/mL p≤0.001). Additionally, this time point also coincides with a pregnancy specific increase in lung edema/injury as evidenced by lung wet:dry weight ratios (P Br272h 4.68 ± 0.10 vs NP Br272h 4.22 ± 0.04 p≤0.05). This study implicates diminished VEGF signaling in pregnancy specific Br2 inhalation injury contributing to increased blood pressures, lung injury and subsequent mortality.
Elevated free hemoglobin and decreased haptoglobin levels are associated with adverse clinical outcomes, unfavorable physiologic measures, and altered inflammatory markers in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.

BACKGROUND There are data suggesting that free hemoglobin (Hb), heme, and iron contribute to infection, thrombosis, multiorgan failure, and death in critically ill patients. These outcomes may be mitigated by haptoglobin. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS 164 consecutively treated children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease were evaluated for associations between free Hb and haptoglobin and clinical outcomes, physiologic metrics, and biomarkers of inflammation RESULTS: Higher perioperative free Hb levels (and lower haptoglobin levels) were associated with mortality, nosocomial infection, thrombosis, hours of intubation and inotropes, increased interleukin-6, peak serum lactate levels, and lower nadir mean arterial pressures. The median free Hb in patients without infection (30 mg/dL; 29 interquartile range [IQR], 24-52 mg/dL) was lower than in those who became infected (39 mg/dL; IQR, 33-88 mg/ 31 dL; p = 0.0046). The median mechanical ventilation requirements were 19 (IQR, 7-72) hours in patients with higher levels of haptoglobin versus 48 (IQR, 18-144) hours in patients with lower levels (p = 0.0047). Transfusion dose, bypass duration, and complexity of surgery were all significantly correlated with Hb levels and haptoglobin levels. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that these variables were independently and significantly associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Elevated pre- and postoperative levels of free Hb and decreased levels of haptoglobin were associated with adverse clinical outcomes, inflammation, and unfavorable physiologic metrics. Transfusion, RACHS score, and duration of bypass were associated with increased free Hb and decreased haptoglobin. Further investigation of the role of hemolysis and haptoglobin as potential mediators or markers of outcomes is warranted.
Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Scleroderma: Case Reports and Review of the Literature (P06.220)

OBJECTIVE: Clinical features and pathogenesis of patients with scleroderma and ischemic strokes. BACKGROUND: Scleroderma or progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is a rare disease of unknown etiology resulting in increased collagen deposition and dermal thickening. Stroke or TIA are rare manifestations of progressive systemic sclerosis. DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with scleroderma and stroke. RESULTS: Patient 1: A 39-year-old woman with a 1-year history of scleroderma presented with right arm weakness and sensory symptoms. MRI of the brain showed an acute infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory. MRA and CTA of the head and neck showed moderate stenosis of the supraclinoid portion of the left internal carotid artery (ICA). Patient 2: A 58-year-old woman with a 15-year history of scleroderma was admitted with left arm and leg numbness and left facial weakness. Initial NIHSS was 2. MRI of the brain showed a right internal capsule infarct. MRA of the head and neck showed no flow limiting stenosis. A surface echocardiogram showed no cardioembolic source. Both patients were started on an anti platelet agent and a statin for secondary stroke prevention. CONCLUSIONS: CNS involvement in scleroderma appears to be a rare phenomenon. Due to a paucity of fibrous tissue, vascular and other immune mechanisms may play an important role in CNS involvement in PSS. The putative pathogenesis of cerebrovascular disease is endothelial changes in the setting of microangiopathy leading to fibrosis and increased tendency for platelet aggregation eventually causing tissue ischemia. The damage to the vascular endothelium decreases the production of prostacyclins, and eventually leads to platelet thrombi formation due to unopposed thromboxane A2 action that resembles the "local factor" theory of Raynaud9s phenomenon. More data is needed to determine whether scleroderma is causal in the development of stroke; to better determine the optimum treatment plan for secondary stroke prevention. Disclosure: Dr. Patel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Khan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Silver has nothing to disclose.
Machine Vision and Machine Learning in Digital Pathology

Computational approaches to the quantitative evaluation of histological and cytological images have been with us in cell biology and pathology for a long time. In biology, the stereological approaches that rely on scene sampling and the projection of quantitative information from 2D to 3D have been used for over 80 years. The introduction of computer science into biology is, however, relatively recent. Moreover, in the last few years, there had been a sharp acceleration of the computing power used in biological investigations. In cellular imaging, this has translated into rapid computer-assisted image acquisition and image analysis and the integration of high-resolution cellular imaging data into the investigations of complex biological processes. The principles of artificial intelligence applied to cellular imaging are beginning to make their way into the mainstream of biologist's and pathologist's daily work. These tools will enable, not replace, the thought processes and methods already extant in the communities of cell biology and pathology. This article reviews some of the principles and practice of machine vision and machine learning in digital pathology.
Experiences with Prototype InfiniBand Hardware

This report describes testing of prototype InfiniBand{trademark} host channel adapters from Intel Corporation, using the Linux(reg sign) operating system. Three generations of prototype hardware were obtained, and Linux device drivers were written which exercised the data movement capabilities of the cards. Latency and throughput results obtained were similar to other SAN technologies, but not significantly better.
Economic and Environmental Impacts of Product Service Lifetime: A Life-Cycle Perspective

This paper presents a generic model for evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of product service lifetime, which is important and useful in the design and management of PSS. From a PSS provider’s perspective, the presented model conducts life-cycle costing (LCC) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) simultaneously and quantifies the total life-cycle cost and environmental impact associated with the product lifetime. The entire life cycle of the product is considered, including its manufacturing (or purchase), usage, maintenance, and end-of-life treatment. Applied with a sensitivity analysis of varying product lifetime, the model can identify the optimal service lifetime at which the life-cycle cost and environmental impact can be minimized. To illustrate, the developed model is applied to the example of a piece of currently-marketed agricultural machinery.
On the Cohomology Structure of Stein Manifolds

W. V. D. Hodge considered in [5] differential forms on a compact Kahler manifold and proved certain “natural” isomorphisms between mixed cohomology groups and modules of harmonic forms. Here we study these mixed groups on a Stein manifold X (for the definition and properties of Stein manifolds see [1], [11]) and get the isomorphisms \( H_{d/\nabla }^{p,q} (X) \cong H^{p + q} (X;C),H_{\nabla /d',d''}^{p,q} (X) \cong H^{P + q + 1} (X;C)for\:p,q \geqq 1 \) and \( H_{(d/d')a''}^{p,q} (X) \cong H^{p + s} (X;C)for\;p \geqq 1 \) (Theorems 1 and 2 in Section 4). This last isomorphism generalizes Serre’s isomorphism given in [2]. We discuss naturality in Section 5: the mentioned isomorphisms are induced by the obvious imbeddings of forms and with the help of an isomorphism \( d':H_{\nabla /d',d''}^{p,q} (X) \to H_{(d/d')d''}^{p + 1,q} (X)(p,q \geqq 1) \). As a result we state in Corollaries 1 and 2: every d-exact (p + q)-form, p + q ≧ 1, on X is d-cohomologous to a pure type (p, q)-form, and a d-total (p, q)-form, p, q ≧ 1, on X is ∇-total. In Section 6 the relative d/∇ cohomology groups are treated: Theorem 4 asserts \( H_{d/\nabla }^{p,q} (K,L) \cong H^{p,q} (K,L;C)if\;p,q \geqq 2 \) for a pair of Stein manifolds, and in Theorem 5 a short exact sequence is given relating mixed groups with relative mixed groups in case of a pair (X, ∂X) where ∂X is a suitable open neighborhood (in X) of the boundary of X.
Partial loss of opiate receptor regulation by GPP(NH)P evident in vitro.

Abstract The effects of guanine nucleotide on [3H]etorphine receptor dissociation rates are attenuated by common in vitro preparative procedures such as membrane washing and rat brain homogenization. This result suggests that the opiate receptor-adenylate cyclase system is partially decoupled in vitro .
Puberty in beef heifers. III. Induction of fertile estrus.

Colorado State University, s Fort Collins 80521 Summary By utilizing estrogen and progesterone, it appeared possible to mimic the changes occurring in blood hormone levels near puberty. This suggested the possibility of induction of puberty in beef heifers. Four trials were conducted to test this hypothesis and a fifth to explore the effect of treatment with steroids in induction of estrus in suckling anestrous cows.
Hippocampal stem cells promotes synaptic resistance to the dysfunctional impact of amyloid beta oligomers via secreted exosomes.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and cogntive function. We reported that higher numbers of neural stem cells (NSC) in the hippocampus of cognitively-intact individuals with high Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology (plaques and tangles) is associated with decreased synaptic amyloid beta oligomers (Aβο), an event linked to onset of dementia in AD. While these findings suggest a link between NSC and synaptic resistance to Aβο, the involved mechanism remains to be determined. With this goal in mind, here we investigated the ability of exosomes secreted from hippocampal NSC to promote synaptic resilience to Aβo. Exosomes isolated from media of hippocampus NSC (NSC-exo) or mature hippocampal neuronal (MN-exo) cultures were delivered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) to mice before assessment of Aβο-induced suppression of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory deficits. Aβο binding to synapses was assessed in cultured hippocampal neurons and on synaptosomes isolated from hippocampal slices from wild type mice and from an inducible mouse model of NSC ablation (Nestin-δ-HSV-TK mice) treated with exosomes. Expression of CaMKII and of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptor subunits in synaptosomes was measured by western blot. Small RNA Deep sequencing was performed to identify microRNAs enriched in NSC-exo as compared to MN-exo. Mimics of select miRNAs were injected ICV. NSC-exo, but not MN-exo, abolished Aβo-induced suppression of LTP and subsequent memory deficits. Furthermore, in hippocampal slices and cultured neurons, NSC-exo significantly decreased Aβo binding to the synapse. Similarly, transgenic ablation of endogenous NSC increased synaptic Aβo binding, which was reversed by exogenous NSC-exo. Phosphorylation of synaptic CaMKII was increased by NSC-exo, while AMPA and NMDA receptors were not affected. Lastly, we identified a set of miRNAs enriched in NSC-exo that, when injected ICV, protected the synapses from Aβo-binding and Aβo-induced LTP inhibition. These results identify a novel mechanism linking NSC-exo and synaptic susceptibility to Aβo that may underscore cognitive resilience of certain individuals with increased neurogenesis in spite of AD neuropathology and unmask a novel target for the development of a new treatment concept for AD centered on promoting synaptic resilience to toxic amyloid proteins.
Nudged elastic band method for solid-solid transition under finite deformation

Solid-state nudged elastic band (SSNEB) methods can be used for finding solid-solid transition paths when solids are subjected to external stress fields. However, previous SSNEB methods may lead to inaccurate barriers and deviated reaction paths for transitions under stress and finite deformation due to an inaccurate evaluation of the external work contributions in enthalpies. In this paper, a finite deformation nudged elastic band (FD-NEB) method is formulated for finding transition paths of solids under finite deformation. Applications of FD-NEB to a phase transition of silicon from the diamond phase to the β-tin phase under uniaxial compression are presented. The results are compared with those from the generalized solid-state nudged elastic band method.Solid-state nudged elastic band (SSNEB) methods can be used for finding solid-solid transition paths when solids are subjected to external stress fields. However, previous SSNEB methods may lead to inaccurate barriers and deviated reaction paths for transitions under stress and finite deformation due to an inaccurate evaluation of the external work contributions in enthalpies. In this paper, a finite deformation nudged elastic band (FD-NEB) method is formulated for finding transition paths of solids under finite deformation. Applications of FD-NEB to a phase transition of silicon from the diamond phase to the β-tin phase under uniaxial compression are presented. The results are compared with those from the generalized solid-state nudged elastic band method.
Text Analysis Approach to Systems Engineers’ Effectiveness in an Organization

The Helix project of the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) is looking for solutions to help organizations increase the effectiveness of their systems engineering workforce by gathering data through interviews, site visits, and surveys with systems engineers and their peers in management and leadership. The responses provided by the participants are documented and analyzed. Representing data using data visualization techniques for text analysis would provide organizations with a visual access to huge amounts of data in a format that can be interpreted easily. This study aggregates the data collected through interviews, analyzes it using text analysis techniques and models different form factors to give a visual output to organizations to exercise the changes observed.
Summary: Epistemological and Ontological Priors: Explicating the Perils of Transparency

The discipline of political science encompasses multiple research communities, which have grown out of and rely upon different epistemological and ontological presuppositions. Recent debates about transparency raise important questions about which of these research communities will be accredited within the discipline, whose values, norms, and methods of knowledge production will gain ascendency and whose will be marginalized. Although the language of "transparency" makes it appear that these debates are apolitical, simply elaborating standards that all political scientists share, the intensity and content of recent contestations about DA-RT, JETS, and QTD attest to the profoundly political nature of these methodological discussions. This report traces the epistemological and ontological assumptions that have shaped diverse research communities within the discipline, situating "transparency" in relation to classical (Aristotelian), modern (Baconian) and twentieth-century (positivist, critical rationalist, and postpositivist) versions of empiricism. It shows how recent discussions of transparency accredit certain empirical approaches by collapsing the scope of empirical investigation and the parameters of the knowable. And it argues that "transparency" is inappropriate as a regulative ideal for political science because it misconstrues the roles of theory, social values, and critique in scholarly investigation.
The current state of the platelet supply in the US and proposed options to decrease the risk of critical shortages.

Due to circumstances such as increased demand and an aging donor pool, the likelihood of critical platelet shortages is increasing. The platelet supply could be improved through the expansion of the donor pool, the identification and sustained utilization of high-quality donors, and changes in component processing and storage that result in a longer platelet shelf-life. Refrigerated platelets, stored at 1° to 6°C, have the potential to improve patient safety by decreasing the risk of bacterial contamination while concurrently allowing for a longer storage period (eg, 14 days) and improved hemostatic effectiveness in actively bleeding patients. An approach utilizing remuneration of apheresis platelet donors combined with pathogen reduction of the platelet components could be used as a means to increase the donor pool and identify and sustain safe, reliable, high-quality donors. Remuneration might provide an incentive for underutilized populations (eg, individuals <30 years old) to enter the apheresis platelet donor population resulting in a significant expansion of the platelet donor pool. Over time, approaches such as the use of refrigerated platelets, platelet donor remuneration, and the application of pathogen reduction technology, might serve to attract a large, reliable, and safe donor base that provides platelet collections with high yields, longer shelf-lives and, excellent hemostatic function.