cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2633: Radiogenomics of breast cancer using DCE-MRI and gene expression profiling

The utilization of radiomics (high-throughput extraction and analysis of imaging features) to abstract underlying genomic features of an evolving malignancy is an emerging field that has the potential to detail biological information of a tumor in a non-invasive and more accessible manner. Furthermore, applying radiomics confers a comprehensive spatial view of the tumor, a potential advantage over the limitations of sampling a small region of tissue that may not accurately represent the underlying complexity of the entire tumor. Most studies to date that incorporate radiogenomics in the analysis of breast cancers have focused on few basic clinical data or individual genetic mutations such as BRCA or HER2 status. Here, we use an automated quantitative radiomics analysis platform developed at the University of Chicago that enables computerized feature extraction of tumors to analyze magnetic resonant imaging scans of 50 breast cancer patients (mean age of diagnosis [range]: 54 [24-89]; receptor status: HER2+: 14, Triple negative: 7; stage [1 through 4]: 10%, 40%, 42%, 8%) who have had comprehensive gene expression profiling performed using Agilent Human Gene Expression arrays. Our imaging platform extracts 38 features across six major phenotypes (size, shape, morphology, enhancement texture, kinetic curve assessment, and enhancement variance kinetics) (see Table for listing of 24 selected features). Existing radiomic analysis derived from a TCGA/TCIA dataset suggests that there are many correlations between imaging phenotypes and various genetic pathways, such as VEGF signaling and volume of enhancing voxels, base excision repair and enhancement texture entropy, and TGF-beta signaling and enhancement texture variance. We confirm these relationships as well as establish novel associations using a robust imaging dataset. By associating specific radiomic features with gene expression profile of tumors, we have the opportunity to extract detailed biological information non-invasively through clinical imaging. Citation Format: Albert C. Yeh, Stephanie McGregor, Hui Li, Yuan Ji, Yitan Zhu, Tatyana Grushko, Alexandra Edwards, Fan Lui, Jing Zhang, Qiu Niu, Yonglan Zheng, Toshio Yoshimatsu, Galina Khramtsova, Karen Drukker, Gregory Karczmar, Hiroyuki Abe, Jeffrey Mueller, Maryellen Giger, Olufunmilayo Olopade. Radiogenomics of breast cancer using DCE-MRI and gene expression profiling. [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 2633.
Comparison of open-access vancomycin dosing websites.

SummaryWhat is known and objective There are many methods for dosing vancomycin. The purpose of this commentary was to compare open-access vancomycin dosing websites with Vancomycin-Calculator.com and describe how body weight can affect their pharmacokinetic (PK) calculations. Comment A vancomycin dosing website, Vancomycin-Calculator.com, was developed to improve the dosing practice at our health system. Nine other vancomycin dosing calculators were identified, including three open-access websites. Each website uses a different dosing method. Most of the websites calculated similar doses for patients with normal body weight. Vancomycin-Calculator.com was the only website to calculate practical doses for obese patients, and it calculated higher daily doses for underweight patients compared to other websites. What is new and conclusion Vancomycin-Calculator.com is an open-access vancomycin dosing website that was developed using the Bauer PK method. Compared with three other websites, PK calculations resulted in significant differences for underweight and obese patients.
Cooling load forecasting for chiller plants using similar day based wavelet neural networks

Cooling load forecasting is beneficial for chiller plant operation as it can be used for energy efficient scheduling of chiller plant components (such as chillers, cooling towers etc.). This paper presents a method for forecasting next day's hourly cooling load for a chiller plant using the concepts of similar day selection, wavelet decomposition, and neural networks. Cooling load forecast is obtained from similar day's cooling load by decomposing it into different subbands (frequency components) and training a separate neural network for each component. The accuracy of similar day selection influences the accuracy of the overall method. Hence, four different measures for similar day selection are presented and their results are compared to determine the most accurate measure. The results suggest that the overall method is accurate up to 89% in predicting the cooling load of a chiller plant.
Addressing Network Interoperability in Hybrid IEEE 802.11s/LTE Smart Grid Communications

Ensuring network interoperability when IEEE 802.11s-based NAN and LTE-based WAN is deployed for Smart Grid (SG) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) poses significant challenges. Besides the QoS mismatch between networks, LTE tunneling mechanism becomes an issue when forwarding downlink traffic to IEEE 802.11s network since the gateway of these networks is supposed to be the end device in LTE setup. Yet, inherent security/privacy overhead in SG traffic makes it even more challenging. To address these issues, a novel UE access list is proposed for LTE network to enable the downlink traffic identification to IEEE 802.11s network and accordingly selects the corresponding gateway. For the QoS mismatch, Dual-Queues (DQs) for each Access Category of the underlying MAC protocol, namely Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) in IEEE 802.11s network is proposed. By using ns-3 network simulator, extensive performance evaluations under heavy security overhead are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed mechanisms.
OxyELITE Pro and liver disease: Statistical assessment of an apparent association

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified an outbreak of acute hepatitis and liver failure in Hawaii in which a large proportion of patients were using the dietary supplement OxyELITE Pro, which contained aegeline, an extract from the bael tree and fruit. In response to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory action, USPLabs voluntarily recalled all OxyELITE Pro products and destroyed its remaining stock. To date, the majority of attention has focused on Hawaii despite the fact that the majority of the sales were in the mainland United States. Rates of acute hepatitis and liver failure were compared in equivalent 10-month periods before and after the introduction of aegeline to the product in the entire United States, prior to media attention related to the reported outbreak. The association between sales and liver injury was examined at the state level. Claims for ICD-9 code 570 (acute necrosis of the liver) obtained from both private insurance claims (MarketScan) and Medicaid were analyzed using mixed-effects Poisson regression models. Patients with private health insurance revealed a significant decrease in rates of acute hepatitis and liver failure following the introduction of aegeline in the United States and no association with per-capita sales. Patients with Medicaid showed no change in rate of acute hepatitis and liver failure following the introduction of aegeline. These data do not support the association between aegeline and acute hepatitis and liver failure suggested by the data in Hawaii and a small number of spontaneous adverse reports in the mainland United States.
Race-related stress and hopelessness in community-based African American adults: Moderating role of social support

Objectives The mental health outcomes associated with racial discrimination are well documented in scientific literature. Despite strong links to mental illness, hopelessness is largely overlooked as a consequence of discrimination in empirical research. The current study examined the association of race-related stress and hopelessness in a community sample of African American adults. Utilizing a risk-resilience framework, we examined multiple dimensions of social support as plausible protective factors against the negative effects of race-related stress. Method Self-report measures of race-related stress (Index of Race Related Stress-Brief; Utsey & Ponterotto, 1996), hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale; Beck, Weissman, Lester, & Trexler, 1974), and social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List; Cohen & Hoberman, 1983) were completed by a sample of African American adults (N = 243; mean age = 35.89 years). Results Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the main and interactive effects of race-related stress and three dimensions of social support (appraisal, belonging, and self-esteem) in relation to hopelessness ratings. All dimensions of social support were associated with self-reported hopelessness, with the self-esteem dimension emerging as the strongest predictor. Though self-esteem social support buffered the role of race-related stress on self-reported hopelessness, appraisal and belonging support did not. Conclusions Individual and collective morale for one's racial group (via self-esteem social support) may be especially valuable for African Americans who face racial discrimination. Findings highlight the importance of culturally relevant factors that may ameliorate the effects of race-related stress. (PsycINFO Database Record
Vascular and Valvular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: Pathogenesis and Clinical Outcomes

Vascular and valvular calcification contribute to the high burden of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In patients with CKD, vascular and valvular calcification result from an increase in calcium deposition due to metabolism confluence of inhibitory regulation of calcium deposition, increased matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) concentration, chronic inflammation, and the effect of mechanical stress. Vascular calcification leads to narrowing and dysfunction of vessels resulting in coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Valvular calcification leads to mitral annular calcification resulting in mitral regurgitation and stenosis, and to aortic valve calcification resulting in aortic stenosis. No current treatment can regress vascular/valvular calcification, but controlling traditional and CKD specific risk factors (i.e., mineral metabolism) can slow disease progression. In patients with CAD and PAD, percutaneous or surgical reperfusion is possible but technically challenging. Similarly, for symptomatic aortic and mitral valve disease, percutaneous valve replacements have emerged as a treatment option. Though valvular calcification can increase the risk of complication during these procedures, it can also provide the necessary landmarks and surface area that allow for a percutaneous valve deployment. More evidence is needed to evaluate these treatment strategies in this high-risk population.
Protein Kinase G Activation Reverses Oxidative Stress and Restores Osteoblast Function and Bone Formation in Male Mice With Type 1 Diabetes.

Bone loss and fractures are underrecognized complications of type 1 diabetes and are primarily due to impaired bone formation by osteoblasts. The mechanisms leading to osteoblast dysfunction in diabetes are incompletely understood, but insulin deficiency, poor glycemic control, and hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress likely contribute. Here we show that insulin promotes osteoblast proliferation and survival via the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG) signal transduction pathway and that PKG stimulation of Akt provides a positive feedback loop. In osteoblasts exposed to high glucose, NO/cGMP/PKG signaling was reduced due in part to the addition of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine to NO synthase-3, oxidative inhibition of guanylate cyclase activity, and suppression of PKG transcription. Cinaciguat—an NO-independent activator of oxidized guanylate cyclase—increased cGMP synthesis under diabetic conditions and restored proliferation, differentiation, and survival of osteoblasts. Cinaciguat increased trabecular and cortical bone in mice with type 1 diabetes by improving bone formation and osteocyte survival. In bones from diabetic mice and in osteoblasts exposed to high glucose, cinaciguat reduced oxidative stress via PKG-dependent induction of antioxidant genes and downregulation of excess NADPH oxidase-4–dependent H2O2 production. These results suggest that cGMP-elevating agents could be used as an adjunct treatment for diabetes-associated osteoporosis.
A seebeck coefficient extraction methodology for thin film thermoelectric devices with different substrates

Based on our previous works, this paper proposes a new measurement methodology to extract the Seebeck coefficients for single layer, thin-film thermoelectric devices developed on different flexible substrates. With the new sandwich-like apparatus design, a stably controlled temperature gradient environment is created on the test sample, and spring type probes are employed for Seebeck coefficient extraction so that the measurements are faster and more accurate. With the experimental results on Seebeck coefficient acquirements, capability of the new apparatus was verified with reproducible data.
Reclaiming Representations & Interrupting the Cycle of Bias Against Native Americans

The most widely accessible ideas and representations of Native Americans are largely negative, antiquated, and limiting. In this essay, we examine how the prevalence of such representations and a c...
Skin Manifestations of Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon presents clinically as cold mottled skin and most commonly involves the extremities. It results from vasoconstriction of the superficial thermoregulatory vessels as an exaggerated response to cold temperatures and/or to stress. It can occur primarily, without an associated autoimmune disease, or can relate to underlying rheumatic diseases such as scleroderma or mixed connective tissue disease.
Reinforcing Fibers for Composites

The paper focuses on carbon fibers including carbon fiber preparation, the physical properties of carbon fibers, functional groups present on carbon fiber surfaces and the relationship of surface chemistry to composite properties. Specific topics include thermal treatment of PAN-based carbon fibers, carbon fiber structure, tensile breaking strength and modulus, surface area and surface energy, XPS analysis, and chemical derivatization.
Spatial response of plant taxa to climate change: A palaeoecological perspective

Changes in climate over geological time have required that plant taxa move long distances. In responding to century- to millennial-scale climate changes, plant taxa have shifted their spatial distributions by extending and contracting their range boundaries and by altering the location of their abundance maxima. The spatial mosaic nature of climate patterns and climate change (see Table 2 in Bartlein 1996) has influenced the speed and direction of these motions but not prevented broad-scale movements. Because the different types of climate changes, whether they be trends, steps, oscillations, fluctuations, or translations (Bartlein 1996), extend back over millions of years, all modern (as well as ancient) taxa not only have evolved while their populations were moving but have also evolved mechanisms to deal with each type of change. Various dispersal mechanisms are therefore key to the existence of modern taxa and have allowed them to cope with the many large glacial-interglacial changes in climate of the last 2.5 million years as well as with short-term changes in climate. The large differences in seed size and generation time among taxa illustrate that many different dispersal and coping strategies have worked in the past. But how successful will the different taxa be in the future when a large global climate change may occur 3 to 10 times faster than past global changes? Can plant taxa move fast enough then and will modern ecosystems stay intact as the taxon populations relocate? Those are key questions facing ecologists, foresters and conservation biologists. Much research is now organised to answer these questions (Peter & Lovejoy 1992; Houghtonet al. 1990; Karievaet al. 1993).
Locally Compact Spaces

A topological space is locally compact if every point has an open nbhd with compact closure. Clearly, compact spaces and closed subspaces of locally compact spaces are locally compact. Products of finitely many locally compact spaces are locally compact iff all but finitely many of the factors are compact. The sum of locally compact spaces is locally compact.
Named Entity Extraction

Named entity (NE) extraction is the task of identifying and classifying the names in a text. Because names occur frequently in most texts and are essential to an understanding of the text, NE extraction is an important early step in text analysis and one that has been successfully addressed for many languages. Whereas the first recognizers were based on handwritten regular expressions, many techniques have now been developed for training such recognizers automatically from annotated corpora.
Resveratrol inhibits the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in mammary epithelial cells.

Cyclooxygenases (COX) catalyze the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid. There are two isoforms of COX, designated COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is a housekeeping gene that is expressed constitutively in most tissues (1). In contrast, COX-2 is undetectable in most normal tissues but is induced by mitogenic and inflammatory stimuli (2, 3, 4).
Antiepileptic drugs: Antiepileptic drug mechanisms

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) represent the mainstay of epilepsy treatment, but we do not yet fully understand the mechanistic basis for their actions. A detailed knowledge of the molecular and cellular effects of AEDs is of paramount importance in our efforts to develop novel compounds with improved efficacy and safety profiles. There are three major classes of molecular targets on neuronal cell membranes believed to be relevant for the clinical actions of AEDs: (1) voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels; (2) γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA A ) receptors; and (3) ionotropic glutamate receptors. AEDs exert their effects principally on one or more of these targets.
Macroeconomic Shocks, Inflation, and Latin America’s Labor Market

This paper looks at how macroeconomic volatility is transmitted to the labor market. It estimates employment, unemployment, and wage Okun coefficients and uses them to show that, compared with industrial countries, Latin American countries adjust to shocks more through wages than through employment. It shows that inflation plays some role in explaining the difference between em-ployment elasticity in Latin America and industrial countries but that there is a difference between the two regions that cannot be explained away by differences in inflation. When focusing on Latin America, the paper finds that within Latin America, inflation increases labor market flexibility in countries that have highly regulated labor markets and that enforce regulations.
Theurgy revisited, or the harmony of cultural spheres

The paper argues that Nikolai Berdyaev’s doctrine of theurgy has remained relevant in today’s cultural-historical context because it highlights a continuing problem in the philosophy of art. The problem is the misunderstanding of the ludic nature of art, its role in the evolution of consciousness and transformation of reality. The author questions the idea that artistic play is deficient compared with religious expression. As a result of this critique, he proposes that the theurgic quest for a radically new form of creativity was misguided and that the true meaning of the aspiration behind it is the need to comprehend culture as a dialectically articulated integral system of the cultural forms that constitute it.
Factors Associated with School Nurses' and Personnel's Professional Practice to Encourage Parents to Vaccinate Against Human Papillomavirus.

BACKGROUND School nurses and personnel play a vital role in promoting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with school nurses' and personnel's professional practice to provide parents with HPV vaccine information and to encourage parents to vaccinate their child against HPV. METHODS School nurses and personnel from Ohio and Missouri completed a survey to assess their professional practice in providing HPV vaccine information and encouraging parents to vaccinate their child against HPV. Independent variables included demographics, HPV knowledge/attitudes, perceptions of their as an opinion leader for the HPV vaccine, self-efficacy to provide vaccine education, and perception of school district support. RESULTS Providing parents with HPV vaccine information was predicted by age, role within the school, grade-serving, knowledge, perceptions, self-efficacy, and district support; accounting for 38% of the variance (p < .000, R2 = .38). Encouraging parents to vaccinate their child against HPV was predicted by perception, self-efficacy, and grade-serving; accounting for 39% of the variance (p < .000, R2 = .39). CONCLUSIONS To enhance school nurses' and personnel's professional practice, interventions should focus on nurses' and personnel's perception of their role as opinion leaders and self-efficacy to provide HPV education and vaccine recommendation.
Unplanned Readmissions Following Breast Cancer Surgery

Abstract Background Understanding the underlying factors associated with unplanned readmissions is an important first step toward interventions designed to improve quality of care. This study aimed to identify predictors of unplanned 30-day readmission using a national breast surgery cohort. Study design Using the National Cancer Database, we performed a review of patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer from 2006 to 2014. A multivariatble logistic regression model was generated to assess predictors of 30-day unplanned readmission. Results Of 944,092 patients identified, 15,695 (1.7%) had an unplanned readmission within 30 days. Significant predictors of readmission included: increased procedure complexity, high co-morbidity score, Medicaid or lack of insurance, and low annual hospital volume; p Conclusion Unplanned readmission following breast surgery is an uncommon event. However, our results demonstrate risk factors associated with higher rates of readmission following surgery. Understanding the underlying causes for readmission allows for identification of high-risk individuals and the design of targeted intervention programs.
Assessment of the effectiveness of a chemotherapy education program: A Brown University Oncology Research Group study.

6574 Background: Patients about to begin chemotherapy often have questions about their treatment along with significant anxiety. This study evaluated whether pre-chemotherapy teaching sessions impr...
Space Colonization and Existential Risk

Ian Stoner has recently argued that we ought not to colonize Mars because (1) doing so would flout our pro tanto obligation not to violate the principle of scientific conservation, and (2) there is no countervailing considerations that render our violation of the principle permissible. While I remain agnostic on (1), my primary goal in this article is to challenge (2): there are countervailing considerations that render our violation of the principle permissible. As such, Stoner has failed to establish that we ought not to colonize Mars. I close with some thoughts on what it would take to show that we do have an obligation to colonize Mars and related issues concerning the relationship between the way we discount our preferences over time and projects with long time horizons, like space colonization.
Design Space Evaluation of a Memristor Crossbar Based Multilayer Perceptron for Image Processing

This paper describes a simulated memristor-based neuromorphic system that can be used for ex-situ training of a multi-layer perceptron algorithm. The presented programming technique can be used to map the weights required of a neural algorithm directly onto the grid of resistances in a memristor crossbar. Using this weight-to-crossbar mapping approach along with the dot product calculation circuit, neural algorithms can be easily implemented using this system. To show the effectiveness of this circuit, a Multilayer Perceptron is trained to perform Sobel edge detection. Following these simulations, an analysis was presented that shows how memristor programming accuracy and network size are related to output error; the results show that network size can be increased to reduce testing error. In some cases, the memristors in the circuit may be capable of operating with at lower precision if the network size is increased. This means that less precise (or lower resolution) memristor devices may be used to implement the proposed system. Furthermore, a power, timing, and energy analysis shows that this circuit has a computation throughput that allows it to process 4K UHD video in real time at approximately 337mW.
Microsoft MakeCode: embedded programming for education, in blocks and TypeScript

Microsoft MakeCode (https://www.makecode.com) is a platform and accompanying web app for simplifying the programming of microcontroller-based devices in the classroom. For each device, MakeCode provides a customized end-to-end experience in the web browser consisting of code editors, device simulator, debugger, compiler to machine code, and linker to a pre-compiled C++ runtime, as well as a documentation and tutorial system. We present an overview of MakeCode and detail the major design decisions behind the platform.
Targeted analysis of recombinant NF kappa B (RelA/p65) by denaturing and native top down mass spectrometry.

Abstract Measuring post-translational modifications on transcription factors by targeted mass spectrometry is hampered by low protein abundance and inefficient isolation. Here, we utilized HaloTag technology to overcome these limitations and evaluate various top down mass spectrometry approaches for measuring NF-κB p65 proteoforms isolated from human cells. We show isotopic resolution of N-terminally acetylated p65 and determined it is the most abundant proteoform expressed following transfection in 293 T cells. We also show MS 1 evidence for monophosphorylation of p65 under similar culture conditions and describe a high propensity for p65 proteoforms to fragment internally during beam-style MS 2 fragmentation; up to 71% of the fragment ions could be matched as internals in some fragmentation spectra. Finally, we used native spray mass spectrometry to measure proteins copurifying with p65 and present evidence for the native detection of p65, 71 kDa heat shock protein, and p65 homodimer. Collectively, our work demonstrates the efficient isolation and top down mass spectrometry analysis of p65 from human cells, and we discuss the perturbations of overexpressing tagged proteins to study their biochemistry. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein Species. Biological significance Characterizing transcription factor proteoforms in human cells is of high value to the field of molecular biology; many agree that post-translational modifications and combinations thereof play a critical role in modulating transcription factor activity. Thus, measuring these modifications promises increased understanding of molecular mechanisms governing the regulation of complex gene expression outcomes. To date, comprehensive characterization of transcription factor proteoforms within human cells has eluded measurement, owing primarily—with regard to top down mass spectrometry—to large protein size and low relative abundance. Here, we utilized HaloTag technology and recombinant protein expression to overcome these limitations and show top down mass spectrometry characterization of proteoforms of the 60 kDa NF-kB protein, p65. By optimizing the analytical procedure ( i . e . purification, MS 1 , and MS 2 ), our results make important progress toward the ultimate goal of targeted transcription factor characterization from endogenous loci.
Frontline Science: Characterization and regulation of osteoclast precursors following chronic Porphyromonas gingivalis infection.

Bone destruction in inflammatory osteolytic diseases including periodontitis is related to excessive activity of osteoclasts (OC), which originate from precursor cells of the myeloid lineage, termed osteoclast precursors (OCP). In contrast to ample knowledge that we currently have on mature OC, little is known about OCP and their regulation during bacterial infection. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and characterize OCP following chronic infection with a periodontal bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). We used a micro-osmotic pump to continually release Pg subcutaneously in a murine model. Two weeks after Pg infection, the frequency of CD11b+c-fms+Ly6Chi population is significantly elevated within the bone marrow, spleen and peripheral blood. In vitro and in vivo studies identified these cells as the OCP-containing population and Pg infection significantly enhanced the osteoclastogenic activity of these cells. Furthermore, mRNA sequencing analysis indicated a unique gene and pathway profile in CD11b+c-fms+Ly6Chi population following Pg infection, with changes in genes and pathways related to OC differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis, inflammatory response, phagocytosis and immunity, as well as antigen processing and presentation. Moreover, using IL-6 knockout mice, we found that IL-6 is important for Pg-induced accumulation of CD11b+c-fms+Ly6Chi population from the bone marrow and periphery. Our results provide new insights into the characterization and regulation of OCP following a chronic bacterial infection. This knowledge is relevant to the understanding of the pathogenesis of bacteria-induced bone loss, and to the identification of potential therapeutic targets of bone loss diseases.
Unrevised Section 2-207 -- Different Terms Revisited

Courts and commentators agree that unrevised U.C.C. § 2-207, the “battle of the forms” provision, suffers from a lack of clarity. However, that should not be a license to add to the murky waters, more particularly to adopt a rule -- the knockout rule -- that lacks support in the statutory scheme. The author contends that section 2-207 and general contract principles should preclude adoption of the knockout rule and further argues that Comment 6 does not support such a rule.
Capacity of Plants to Accumulate Sulfur and Improve the Quality of Livestock Drinking Water

Abstract High levels of dissolved SO4 in drinking water can adversely affect livestock performance. Some plant species may help to remove SO4 and cleanse drinking water, especially S-hyperaccumulators. However, little is known about the capacity of S-hyperaccumulators to grow in rangeland wetland environments. Here we measured plant properties, S concentration, and S mass of nine plant species. Plants were grown in a wetland environment on an artificial floating island (AFI) in a mesocosm supplied with high SO4 water (2 430−4 730 parts per million [PPM]) from a rangeland reservoir. Water properties were measured throughout the experiment. We also used our data and data from the literature to parameterize simulations and estimate the number of plants (per L) needed to reduce the SO4 concentration from 2 000 PPM to a recommended limit of 1 000 PPM. The average sulfur concentration of the nine species was 3.8 times greater than the average of 39 species from the literature. Among the nine species, Brassica napus L., B. napus var. pabularia (DC.) Rchb., and Brassica septiceps (L. H. Bailey) L. H. Bailey tended to have the greatest shoot S concentrations. The total S mass per plant was 5 times greater for B. septiceps (44 mg × plant−1) than B. juncea (L.) Czern. We found no other appreciable differences in total S mass among species. The simulations suggest that ≥ 1.9 plants × L−1 of B. septiceps or ≥ 0.6 plants × L−1 of B. oleracea L. would be needed to reduce the water's SO4 concentration from 2 000 PPM to the recommended limit. Given the small amount of S removed (per plant) relative to the vast amount of dissolved SO4 possible in rangeland water sources, planted AFIs are not likely to be a practical tool for reducing SO4 in livestock drinking water. Conversely, water treatment systems may be justified in some cases.
“Spain Is the Problem; Europe Is the Solution”

This chapter addresses Spain’s philosophical and culture milieu at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. Particular attention will be given to the Krausist movement and its impact in politics and culture. The failure of Spanish Krausism and of the regime of “Regeneracion,” largely inspired by its most prominent representatives, will give rise to the Generation of ‘98 and of a cultural movement intending to raise Spain from its social and political backwardness. Here begins a discussion about the relation of Spain to Europe and European philosophy and science. Particularly important is the debate between Ortega and Unamuno about this issue. The chapter will evaluate the position of Ortega and Unamuno, attested by an almost uninterrupted mail correspondence until 1912. The young Ortega, a proponent of “Europeanization,” will react to Unamuno’s position, who questions the benefits of becoming “European,” although finally acknowledging some of the reasons beyond Unamuno’s doubts.
Agile Methodology Software Development Adaptability Challenges in Corporate Organization

Agile project management is an iterative approach to deliver a project throughout its life cycle. Iterative approaches are frequently used in software development projects to promote velocity and adaptability since the benefit of iteration is that you can adjust as you go along rather than following a linear path. Agile software development refers to a group of software development methodologies based on iterative development. The agile methodology has a number of methodologies under its umbrella with their applicability varies in industries. The adaptability of any of agile methodologies in corporate organizations brought challenges due to some other standards already in place conflicting with agile. We will describe in this document some of the challenges corporate organizations are going through in order to adopt the agile software development life cycle.
Association between number of medications and mortality among older adult patients in a specialized cardiology hospital.

AIM Although polypharmacy has been associated with poor clinical outcomes, whether taking an increased number of medications is harmful or beneficial for older adult patients treated for cardiovascular diseases might require further discussion. METHODS We analyzed data of 2089 patients aged ≥75 years in a single hospital-based cohort. The study population was divided into three groups according to the tertiles of the number of medications at baseline: <3 (n = 647), 3-7 (n = 707) and ≥8 (n = 735). RESULTS The cumulative incidences of all-cause death at 3 years among patients taking less than three, three to seven and eight or more medications were 3.7%, 4.1% and 7.8%, respectively (log-rank test P = 0.015). In a Cox regression analysis, taking eight or more total medications (vs 0-2) was independently associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio 1.67, 95% CI 1.01-2.78). For predicting mortality using the number of medications, the maximum Youden Index was 7. In subgroups with certain heart diseases, no regular tendency of an increase in the risk of all-cause death was observed with an increase in the number of medications. CONCLUSIONS The number of medications taken was independently associated with mortality among older adult patients, with a relatively high cut-off point. This association was not observed in patients with certain heart diseases, possibly indicating the merit - rather than the harm - of medical treatment in the cardiovascular field. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 985-995.
Providing In-House Computer Services

At some stage in an organization's development, top management of that organization is faced with the dilemma of when, why, and how do they provide in-house computing service as opposed to obtaining that service from outside sources. This paper will attempt to answer these three basic questions as they relate to a primarily engineering organization. The evolution of computer usage and in-house expertise will be described leading to a point of total in-house computing. Attention will also be directed to the attitude and philosophy that management must have to insure a successful in-house computer installation.
Radiosensitization by Gene Therapy

Since 1895, ionizing radiation (IR), delivered by either linear accelerators or brachytherapy implants, has been used to treat and cure numerous human malignancies (1,2). Advances in linear accelerator technology allow the delivery of radiation in the form of high-energy photons (X-rays) or charged particles (electrons). Although radiotherapy is used as a sole modality for cancer therapy in many malignancies, it is increasingly employed as part of a multimodality approach in cancer treatment. The balance between tumor cell killing and normal tissue toxicity defines the therapeutic ratio and ultimately limits the probability of cure.
Radar Systems Analysis and Design Using MATLAB

From the Publisher: Written for researchers and engineers working in the field, Radar Systems Analysis and Design Using MATLAB provides fundamental radar principles, advanced topics, and rigorous but easy-to-follow mathematical derivations.
Experimental amyloidosis. IV. Effect of colloidal gold on the development of amyloidosis.

Abstract Colloidal gold was administered to young C 3 H mice during a 2-week period. The colloidal gold was phagocytized by the reticuloendothelial system. Subsequently, the gold-treated animals and control animals were given subcutaneous injections of casein solution. After 20 casein injections (4 weeks) animals which had received gold had greater enlargement of the liver and spleen than animals which received only casein. The gold-treated animals also had a significantly greater amount of amyloid deposited in these organs, as determined by the Chalkley count. Animals which received both gold and casein appeared to have greater hyperplasia of the reticuloendothelial system than animals which received only casein. The data provides additional evidence that the reticuloendothelial system is related to the formation of amyloid.
Interferometer-based structured-illumination microscopy utilizing complementary phase relationship through constructive and destructive image detection by two cameras

In an interferometer-based fluorescence microscope, a beam splitter is often used to combine two emission wavefronts interferometrically. There are two perpendicular paths along which the interference fringes can propagate and normally only one is used for
Nonverbal Communication from the Other Side: Speaking Body Language

This article focuses on nonverbal communication in law. First, the article focuses on the most neglected part of nonverbal communication how to speak body language. Most of the previous legal writing about nonverbal communication has been about decoding (reading body language) and has neglected encoding. Second, the article shifts the focus of nonverbal communication from the courtroom to the law office and from jury selection to interviewing. Most lawyers never appear in court, and those that do seldom conduct trials. Therefore, the setting for this article will be not in the courtroom where lawyers do so little of their work, but rather the law office where all lawyers, litigators and non-litigators alike, meet with clients, witnesses, opponents, staff, and colleagues. Although this article emphasizes using nonverbal communication in interviewing, the same principles apply to any face-to-face communication such as taking depositions, negotiations, and courtroom advocacy.
Knockout of STAT3 in skeletal muscle does not prevent high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance

Abstract Objective Increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling has been implicated in the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance, though its contribution, in vivo , remains to be fully defined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether knockout of skeletal muscle STAT3 would prevent high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance. Methods We used Cre-LoxP methodology to generate mice with muscle-specific knockout (KO) of STAT3 (mKO). Beginning at 10 weeks of age, mKO mice and their wildtype/floxed (WT) littermates either continued consuming a low fat, control diet (CON; 10% of calories from fat) or were switched to a HFD (60% of calories from fat) for 20 days. We measured body composition, energy expenditure, oral glucose tolerance and in vivo insulin action using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. We also measured insulin sensitivity in isolated soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles using the 2-deoxy-glucose (2DOG) uptake technique. Results STAT3 protein expression was reduced ∼75–100% in muscle from mKO vs. WT mice. Fat mass and body fat percentage did not differ between WT and mKO mice on CON and were increased equally by HFD. There were also no genotype differences in energy expenditure or whole-body fat oxidation. As determined, in vivo (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps) and ex vivo (2DOG uptake), skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity did not differ between CON-fed mice, and was impaired similarly by HFD. Conclusions These results demonstrate that STAT3 activation does not underlie the development of HFD-induced skeletal muscle insulin resistance.
Technology-oriented Pre-Calculus: Developing integrated path toward student success in STEM pre-gateway course

Research on learning in STEM disciplines suggests that students' problem solving ability comes from the creation of increasingly complex connections among diverse learning sources. This paper revisits the notion of integration in teaching and learning in a broad sense, discusses integration of various strategies to enhance learning, engagement, and success of students taking STEM pre-gateway course, Pre-Calculus, at a two-year minority serving college. It is emphasized that integrative learning, as an active student-centered process, is intertwined with an integrated approach to instruction. Several practices in teaching technology- oriented and applied project-based pre-calculus that resulted in improved student performance, engagement, and self-confidence are discussed. The paper calls for integration of effective approaches in one integral system, raises questions about optimal combination of working strategies, and, among other things, contributes to nowadays deficient empirical study of integration. Development of a particular integrated path toward students' success in freshmen math pre-gateway to STEM is described. Experiences and outcomes are shared.
Empowering Learners and Educators

The most important factor leading to empowerment of individuals is the ability and commitment to achieve high levels of meaningful learning. Meaningful learning requires integration of new concepts and propositions into the learnerʼs cognitive structure to achieve high levels of organized knowledge that can be represented as knowledge models. Concept mapping and new educational strategies can facilitate the process.
Design of a fault-tolerant parallel processor

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, under contract to the NASA Johnson Space Center, has developed a Fault-Tolerant Parallel Processor (FTPP) for use on the NASA X-38 experimental vehicle. Using commercial processor boards and the industry-standard VME backplane, the system is configured as a quadruplet Flight-Critical Processor (FCP) and five simplex Instrumentation Control Processors (ICPs). The FCP is Byzantine resilient for any two non-simultaneous permanent faults, and for any number of non-simultaneous recoverable faults, as long as a maximum of one other fault condition occurs during the recovery process (only two recoveries can be in progress at once). This paper focuses on some of the hardware and software design of the Fault-Tolerant System Services (FTSS) that isolate, as much as possible, the redundancy of the FCP from the application software, such as the guidance, navigation and flight control software, on the X-38 FTPP. FTSS also performs reconfiguration and recovery functions.
A quantitative study of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease

The present study addressed the question of whether the emergence and severity of levodopa-induced dyskinesia was related to the therapeutic benefits derived from levodopa. Eight PD patients with clinically observed levodopa-induced dyskinesia were studied prior to and for two hours following a single dose of Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa). Quantitative instrumental procedures were used to assess upper extremity dyskinesia, rigidity and bradykinesia. Results indicated that all patients exhibited significant reduction in their parkinsonism within 45 minutes following treatment. Reduction in bradykinesia, but not rigidity appeared to coincide with the emergence of dyskinesia. There was a significant relationship between severity of dyskinesia and the degree of improvement in movement velocity but not rigidity. Further analyses revealed that this relationship depended largely on the age of the patient. These findings are discussed as they pertain to a unified model of basal ganglia movement disorders which places dyskinesia and bradykinesia at opposite extremes along a continuum.
Metabolism of epipelagic tropical ctenophores

Measurements of respiration and excretion at 25°C were made for five species of ctenophores collected during five cruises to the Bahamas (1982–1984). The mean element-specific respiration and ammonium excretion rates of freshly collected specimens of all species ranged from 4 to 16% d-1, the mean atomic O:N ratios were 10 to 16, and ammonium averaged 60 to 90% of the total dissolved nitrogen excreted. For adult ctenophores, the carbon content ranged from 0.6% carbon (as percent of dry weight) for Bolinopsis vitrea to 3.7% carbon for Beroe ovata. There was a marked increase in the organic content (% carbon of dry weight) of small Bolinopsis vitrea with tentacles compared to fully lobate adults. B. vitrea had increasingly higher metabolic rates when held at food concentrations up to 100 copepods 1-1 (about 250 μg C 1-1). The overall range between starved and well-fed B. vitrea was about two times for respiration and a factor of three for ammonium excretion. B. vitrea decreased from well-fed to a starved metabolic rate in about a day after removal from food. The metabolic rate of Eurhamphaea vexilligera was not measurably affected by short-term starvation or feeding (maximum 25 copepods 1-1). In feeding experiments, E. vexilligera of 20 to 56 mm length fed at rates equivalent to clearance rates of 250 to 1 800 ml h-1.