cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of cranial radiation on hearing in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia

We serially assessed the hearing sensitivity of 61 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia who were admitted to our Total Therapy IX study between December, 1975, and July, 1977. Their treatment included combined chemotherapy, 2,400 rads of cranial radiation, and intrathecal methotrexate. Subjects initially received an otologic examination and middle ear function testing. Audiometric testing was not done until ears were free of outer or middle ear pathology. If the child had no outer or middle ear disease, audiometric thresholds were obtained for the test frequencies: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, 6,000, and 8,000 Hz. Pure-tone thresholds were obtained before irradiation (61 patients) and at 6, 12, and 36 months thereafter (49, 46 and 22 patients, respectively). The median age at time of baseline testing was 10 years, 2 months. A paired sample test based on group data was used to test whether there were any significant changes from the threshold values at 6, 12, and 36 months after irradiation. Thresholds were not significantly affected for any test frequency at any test time. Assessments of individual audiograms indicated that none of the children had any significant reductions in hearing levels at the end of the third year after cranial irradiation.
The Decline and Fall of Elisabeth Rousset: Text and Context in Maupassant's "Boule de suif"

BS est construit sur le jeu entre les trois sous-codes thematiques nutritionnel, politico-economique, militaire et le code principal le code sexuel , et se situe dans le contexte des histoires de guerre et des histoires de prostituees.
The fundamental group of a visual boundary versus the fundamental group at infinity

Abstract There is a natural homomorphism from the fundamental group of the boundary of any non-positively curved geodesic space to its fundamental group at infinity. We will show that this homomorphism is an isomorphism in case the boundary admits a universal covering space, and that it is injective in case the boundary is one-dimensional.
Rejewski's Catalog

When attacking the German Enigma cipher machine during the 1930s, the Polish mathematician Marian Rejewski developed a catalog of disjoint cycles of permutations generated by Enigma indicators. By comparing patterns that resulted from message indicators with his catalog, Rejewski was able to determine the ground settings. Well, not quite-the mapping from the disjoint cycles to the ground settings is not one-to-one. Rejewski's catalog no longer exists. This article reports on the output of a program that "recreates" the catalog and answers the question "How far from being one-to-one is the mapping?"
Twice-Universal Denoising

We propose a sequence of universal denoisers motivated by the goal of extending the notion of twice-universality from universal data compression theory to the sliding window denoising setting. Given a sequence length n and a denoiser, the kth-order regret of the latter is the maximum excess expected denoising loss relative to sliding window denoisers with window length 2k+1, where, for a given clean sequence, the expectation is over all channel realizations and the maximum is over all clean sequences of length n. We define the twice-universality penalty of a denoiser as its excess kth-order regret when compared to a bound on the kth-order regret of the denoising algorithm DUDE with parameter k, and we are interested in denoisers with a negligible penalty for all k simultaneously. We consider a class of denoisers that apply one of a number of constituent denoisers based on minimizing an estimated denoising loss and establish a formal relationship between the error in the estimated denoising loss and the twice-universality penalty of the resulting denoiser. Given a sequence of window parameters kn, increasing in n sufficiently fast, we use this approach to construct and analyze a specific sequence of denoisers that achieves a much smaller twice-universality penalty for k <; kn than the sequence of DUDE denoisers with parameter kn.
Respiratory disease mortality among US coal miners; results after 37 years of follow-up

Objectives To evaluate respiratory related mortality among underground coal miners after 37 years of follow-up. Methods Underlying cause of death for 9033 underground coal miners from 31 US mines enrolled between 1969 and 1971 was evaluated with life table analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to evaluate the exposure-response relationships between cumulative exposure to coal mine dust and respirable silica and mortality from pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Results Excess mortality was observed for pneumoconiosis (SMR=79.70, 95% CI 72.1 to 87.67), COPD (SMR=1.11, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.24) and lung cancer (SMR=1.08; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.18). Coal mine dust exposure increased risk for mortality from pneumoconiosis and COPD. Mortality from COPD was significantly elevated among ever smokers and former smokers (HR=1.84, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.22; HR K =1.52, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.34, respectively) but not current smokers (HR=0.99, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.28). Respirable silica was positively associated with mortality from pneumoconiosis (HR=1.33, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.33) and COPD (HR=1.04, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.52) in models controlling for coal mine dust. We saw a significant relationship between coal mine dust exposure and lung cancer mortality (HR=1.70; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.83) but not with respirable silica (HR=1.05; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.23). In the most recent follow-up period (2000–2007) both exposures were positively associated with lung cancer mortality, coal mine dust significantly so. Conclusions Our findings support previous studies showing that exposure to coal mine dust and respirable silica leads to increased mortality from malignant and non-malignant respiratory diseases even in the absence of smoking.
Many-body theory of electronic transport in single-molecule heterojunctions

A many-body theory of molecular junction transport based on nonequilibrium Green's functions is developed, which treats coherent quantum effects and Coulomb interactions on an equal footing. The central quantity of the many-body theory is the Coulomb self-energy matrixC of the junction. �C is evaluated exactly in the sequential tunneling limit, and the correction due to finite tunnel- ing width is evaluated self-consistently using a conserving approximation based on diagrammatic perturbation theory on the Keldysh contour. Our approach reproduces the key features of both the Coulomb blockade and coherent transport regimes simultaneously in a single unified transport theory. As a first application of our theory, we have calculated the thermoelectric power and dif- ferential conductance spectrum of a benzenedithiol-gold junction using a semi-empirical �-electron Hamiltonian that accurately describes the full spectrum of electronic excitations of the molecule up to 8-10eV.
Trauma and stress among older adults in prison: breaking the cycle of silence

Research consistently shows that incarcerated juveniles and adults experience high levels of prior traumatic experiences and stressful life events. Yet there is a gap in the literature addressing incarcerated older adults' life-course experiences of traumatic and stressful life events and their initial and current subjective interpretations of these events. Given that untreated trauma has been linked to decreased health and mental well-being, and recidivism, the current study attempts to address this gap. A secondary data analysis was conducted of the Risk and Resilience Study on older adults in prison. It used a cross-sectional correlation design from an anonymous self-report, self-administered survey of a sample of 667 incarcerated older adults with a mean age of 56.5 years. Cumulative trauma (objective and subjective) was measured using the Life Stressors Checklist-Revised (LSC-R). Up to 70% of participants reported at least one of 31 types of lifetime traumatic or stressful events occurring in childhood and/or adulthood. On average, they also reported higher degrees of current subjective distress about being a victim as opposed to a witness of violence or other stressful experiences. This study helps to break the cycle of silence of trauma and stress among older adults in prison. The complex trauma histories and resulting needs of older adults in prison are a significant public health challenge that must be addressed. Specialized trauma-informed assessment and intervention strategies that may work more effectively with this sensitive population, especially in the challenging prison environment, are discussed. Language: en
Modulation of mouse neural crest cell motility by N-cadherin and connexin 43 gap junctions

Connexin 43 (Cx43α1) gap junction has been shown to have an essential role in mediating functional coupling of neural crest cells and in modulating neural crest cell migration. Here, we showed that N-cadherin and wnt1 are required for efficient dye coupling but not for the expression of Cx43α1 gap junctions in neural crest cells. Cell motility was found to be altered in the N-cadherin–deficient neural crest cells, but the alterations were different from that elicited by Cx43α1 deficiency. In contrast, wnt1-deficient neural crest cells showed no discernible change in cell motility. These observations suggest that dye coupling may not be a good measure of gap junction communication relevant to motility. Alternatively, Cx43α1 may serve a novel function in motility. We observed that p120 catenin (p120ctn), an Armadillo protein known to modulate cell motility, is colocalized not only with N-cadherin but also with Cx43α1. Moreover, the subcellular distribution of p120ctn was altered with N-cadherin or Cx43α1 deficiency. Based on these findings, we propose a model in which Cx43α1 and N-cadherin may modulate neural crest cell motility by engaging in a dynamic cross-talk with the cell's locomotory apparatus through p120ctn signaling.
Perineural invasion in adenoid cystic carcinoma: Its causation/promotion by brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a common salivary gland neoplasm with a lengthy clinical course and often late local recurrences after surgical resection. This is accounted for histologically by its infiltrative capacity and distinct propensity for perineural invasion. The expression of biological markers may help explain the clinicopathologic course in ACCs. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a growth factor known to be involved in neurogenesis. The aim of this study is to elucidate the expression of BDNF in ACCs, which is currently unknown. Twenty-nine cases of primary ACCs of the head and neck were immunostained to analyze BDNF protein expression. Staining intensity was described as focal or diffuse and graded on a 3-tiered scale. The study group comprised 20 adult females (age 30 to 78) and 9 adult males (age 22 to 70). Sites of involvement included the parotid gland (6 cases), nasopharynx (5), maxilla (4), palate (3), trachea (3), submandibular gland (2), buccal mucosa (2), mandible (1), tongue (1), lacrimal gland (1), and temporal region (1). All tumors exhibited diffuse cytoplasmic staining; 11 cases were classified as 1+ intensity, 12 cases as 2+, and six cases as 3+. Based on the results presented here, BDNF is unformly expressed by ACC and may play a causative role in its predilection for perineural invasion. ACCs may display neurogenesis with high levels of BDNF expression in some tumors. Further studies are warranted to gain better understanding of this possible relationship.
Micromagnetic modeling of thin-film recording heads

As recording heads become smaller to achieve higher recording densities, their domain structure increasingly influences their performance. Due to the presence of closure domains in the head, for track widths the order of 1 /spl mu/m, the available head flux becomes limited and the asymmetry in the flux geometry is increased. To study the problem, this paper presents some micromagnetic calculations on thin-film recording heads. The model computes the domain variations in the head when a field is applied for both permalloy and iron-nitride. It is found that the flux asymmetry is small for small fields, increases to a maximum, and finally disappears at saturation. Possible designs that could reduce this effect are discussed.
Effect of high pressure on crystalline solubility in the system NaCl−KCl

Abstract A study of subsolidus phase relations in the system NaCl−KCl has been made up to 20 kbar and 700°C using modified opposed anvil apparatus. It was found that the crystalline solubility in both end members decreased rapidly with pressure and the exsolution ‘dome’ is raised from 503°C (63 mole % NaCl) at atmospheric, pressure to above 710°C (60 mole % NaCl) at 20 kbar. At 503°C and 20 kbar the two equilibrium crystalline solutions contain respectively 9% NaCl and less than 1% KCl. The concentrated crystalline solution phases can be retained metastably by rapid and simultaneous quenching of temperature to dry ice or liquid nitrogen conditions and release of pressure. The experimental results are shown to be in good agrement with the subsolidus phase relations calculated by Fancher and Barsch.
Epigenetics, bioenergetics, and microRNA coordinate gene-specific reprogramming during acute systemic inflammation

Acute systemic inflammation from infectious and noninfectious etiologies has stereotypic features that progress through an initiation (proinflammatory) phase, an adaptive (anti-inflammatory) phase, and a resolution (restoration of homeostasis) phase. These phase-shifts are accompanied by profound and predictable changes in gene expression and metabolism. Here, we review the emerging concept that the temporal phases of acute systemic inflammation are controlled by an integrated bioenergy and epigenetic bridge that guides the timing of transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes of specific gene sets. This unifying connection depends, at least in part, on redox sensor NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase, Sirt1, and a NF-κB-dependent p65 and RelB feed-forward and gene-specific pathway that generates silent facultative heterochromatin and active euchromatin. An additional level of regulation for gene-specific reprogramming is generated by differential expression of miRNA that directly and indirectly disrupts translation of inflammatory genes. These molecular reprogramming circuits generate a dynamic chromatin landscape that temporally defines the course of acute inflammation.
Baby steps: evaluation of a system to support record-keeping for parents of young children

Parents of young children often want to keep a variety of records on their children's early years, for the purposes of preservation of memories or at the request of their pediatrician. However, time constraints, motivation, and forgetfulness may hinder their ability to keep consistent records. We developed a system, Baby Steps, which is designed to improve the record-keeping process. In this paper, we present the results of a 3-month deployment study of this technology with 8 families and their pediatricians. The study showed that when compared to a control condition, experimental design features of Baby Steps encouraged parents to more frequently collect and review records, provided higher confidence in reporting, and improved parent-pediatrician communication.
Simple shear plastic deformation behavior of polycarbonate plate due to the equal channel angular extrusion process. I: Finite element methods modeling

Simple shear plastic deformation behavior of polycarbonate (PC) plates due to the novel equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) process is modeled using a commercial finite element methods (FEM) package. The true stress and true strain contour plots as well as the strain rate variation across the PC plate during the ECAE process are analyzed. The FEM results correlate well with the experimental findings. The present study indicates that the novel ECAE process is effective in producing a high degree of simple shear plastic deformation across the extruded polycarbonate plate. The high degree of plastic deformation due to ECAE induces a high level of nearly uniform molecular orientation across the extruded PC plate. As a result, significantly improved physical and mechanical properties in PC are expected. The simple shear plastic deformation behavior of PC plate, as a function of extrusion rate and temperature, is investigated. The significance of the ECAE process for fabricating polymer parts is also discussed.
Overqualified and disadvantaged: exploring the barriers to growth of family businesses to second-generation leaders

According to popular perception, family-owned businesses do not grow. One explanation for this perception is that the next generation of business leadership is ‘weak’. This explanation is both untrue and unfair. The purpose of this proposed paper is to explore the 1 human capital factors that affect differences in generational leadership effectiveness 2 competitive factors that can hinder growth in family businesses 3 the effects of prospect theory on the decision making of the second generation of leadership. In contrast to popular perception, I argue that the second generation of leadership is better prepared to operate – and even grow – the family business, but that the success of the first generation of leadership dramatically constrains the decision making space for the second generation.
Brain Edema and Blood Pressure Measurements in Unanesthetized Hypertensive Rats with Cortical Lesions

Seizures occurred after cold lesions were placed in spontaneously hypertensive rats but they did not occur in normotensive or DOCA hypertensive experimental rats. There were no changes in blood pressure or heart rate 2, 4, and 24 h after cryogenic lesions were made in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Edema was greater in some brain areas of hypertensive rats with cold lesions.
Effects of osmolality on bicarbonate absorption by medullary thick ascending limb of the rat.

Previously we demonstrated that arginine vasopressin (AVP) directly inhibits bicarbonate absorption (JHCO3, pmol/min per mm) in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) of the rat. To determine whether changes in osmolality also may affect bicarbonate absorption, MTAL were studied in vitro with 25 mM HCO3- solutions. Control osmolality was 290 mosmol/kg H2O. In the absence of AVP, increasing osmolality to 560 in perfusate and bath by addition of 150 mM NaCl reduced JHCO3 from 13.7 to 4.5. With 2 x 10(-10) M AVP in the bath, adding 150 mM NaCl to perfusate and bath reduced JHCO3 from 6.9 to 0.6, while adding NaCl to the bath alone reduced JHCO3 from 7.1 to 0.5. Adding 150 mM NaCl to perfusate and bath caused a similar inhibition of JHCO3 in MTAL perfused with furosemide to inhibit net NaCl absorption. In the presence of AVP, adding 600 mM urea to perfusate and bath inhibited JHCO3 by 55%; adding 300 or 600 mM mannitol to perfusate and bath inhibited JHCO3 by 75%. The effects on JHCO3 were reversible and dissociable from changes in transepithelial voltage. Conclusions: (1) osmolality is a factor capable of regulating renal tubule bicarbonate absorption; (2) hypertonicity produced with NaCl, urea, or mannitol markedly inhibits bicarbonate absorption in the MTAL; (3) this inhibition occurs independent of, and is additive to, inhibition by vasopressin. Hypertonicity may shift TAL HCO3- absorption from medulla to cortex, thereby limiting delivery of bicarbonate to the medullary interstitium during antidiuresis.
Melatonin attenuates hydrogen peroxide toxicity in MCF7 cells only at pharmacological concentrations.

Melatonin is proposed to be oncostatic in mammary tissue, and one mechanism by which this hormone may elicit its possible oncostatic effect is as an oxygen radical scavenger. Therefore, we examined melatonin's abilities to act as an oxygen radical scavenger at physiological or pharmacological concentrations. Hydrogen peroxide at 400 microM killed 97% of treated MCF7 cells within 8 h, and following melatonin at 10(-5) and 10(-4) M concentrations only 76 and 64% of cells, respectively, were killed by hydrogen peroxide. However, melatonin at lower concentrations (10(-7) M) did not protect MCF7 cells. Moreover, pretreatment with melatonin (10(-5) or 10(-7) M) prior to hydrogen peroxide stress offered no further efficacy, and pretreatment with melatonin followed by the withdrawal of melatonin eliminated its protective effect from hydrogen peroxide toxicity. These findings indicate that melatonin acts directly as an antioxidant and does not stimulate antioxidant defenses in MCF7 cells that protect against hydrogen peroxide. Glutathione levels were examined to substantiate this hypothesis and were not altered by melatonin treatment. In conclusion, melatonin is an excellent oxygen radical scavenger at pharmacological concentrations, but not at physiological concentrations. Thus, loss of melatonin is unlikely to be important in oxidative scavenger mechanisms in human mammary cells.
Effects of dalfampridine on multi-dimensional aspects of gait and dexterity in multiple sclerosis among timed walk responders and non-responders.

Abstract Background Dalfampridine extended release 10mg tablets (D-ER) have demonstrated improvement in walking for ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), termed "responders." Objective This study examined the extent additional aspects of gait and dexterity change for patients prescribed D-ER. Methods Over 14-weeks, walking endurance, dynamic gait, self-report walking ability andfine and gross dexterity were examined in pwMS prescribed D-ER as a part of routine clinical care. Results The final results (n=39) validate that a subset of pwMS improve walking speed (Time 25-Foot Walk Test, p p =0.007, Six-Spot Step Test, p p p p =0.005 and 0.002, dominant and non-dominant sides, respectively. Conclusions These findings suggest that D-ER may be a potential treatment for gait impairments, beyond walking speed and dexterity in pwMS. Further investigation regarding D-ER response is warranted.
Reconfigurable patch that is resonant at four frequencies

This paper showed that using a material that can change between highly resistive and highly conductive can be used to extend the edges of a patch antenna in order to switch between four different resonant frequencies. The computer model and basic experimental results agree well.
On color polynomials of Fibonacci graphs

A recursion exists among the coefficients of the color polynomials of some of the families of graphs considered in recent work of Balasubramanian and Ramaraj. Such families of graphs have been called Fibonacci graphs. Application to king patterns of lattices is given. The method described here applies only to the so called Fibonacci graphs.
Reduced order modeling of coupled on-chip interconnects for silicon-based RF integrated circuits

A reduced order modeling methodology of coupled on-chip interconnects for silicon-based RF integrated circuits is presented. The modeling approach is based on a mixed PEEC formulation combined with a hierarchical model order I reduction technique and captures both the conductor skin and proximity effects and the substrate skin effect. The response of the CAD-oriented macromodel is in good agreement with EM simulation results.
A comparative study of language delayed preschool children's ability to recall symbols from two symbol systems

This study compared the acquisition of two graphic symbol systems, Rebus and Bliss, with language delayed preschool children. Subjects were 26 black children between the ages of 4 and 6 with language delays ranging from 7 months to 2 years, 5 months. Training in Rebus and Bliss was administered to each subject using a crossover design. The Rebus pre- and post-test scores suggested that the more iconic Rebus symbols were easier to identify initially than were the more ideographic Blissymbols. However, with training, a greater amount of improvement occurred from Bliss pre- to posttest. Rebus and Bliss scores were not affected by the order of test administration.
Influence of photoperiod and temperature on vegetative growth and development of Florida betony (Stachys floridana)

Abstract Experiments were conducted in environmental chambers to the evaluate effects of photoperiod and temperature on Florida betony growth and development. Plants were exposed to two photoperiods, short day (9 h) and long day (9 + 3 h night interruption), and three day/night temperature regimes, 18/14, 22/18, and 26/22 C. After 10 wk of growth, shoot length and weight were 3.4 and 3.5 times greater, respectively, in the long-day photoperiod and with the 26 and 22 than with the 22 and 18 C day and night temperature regime, respectively. Shoot number, however, was greatest in the short-day photoperiod and at a lower temperature of 22/18 C. Shoot number in long day 22/18 C and 26/22 C environments increased asymptotically. No difference in root weight was observed between long- and short-day environments, but root weight increased with increasing temperature. Flowering and tuber production only occurred in long-day environments, with greater production of both at higher temperatures. Results provide a gen...
tRNA Biogenesis and Processing

tRNAs are essential in all domains of life; this becomes especially important in trypanosomatids, where for all purposes the same set of tRNAs are utilized for cytoplasmic and mitochondrial protein synthesis. What makes the system special is that although tRNA biogenesis starts in the nucleus, the resulting products will satisfy translational requirements in two very different compartments. The balance between intracellular tRNA transport and post-transcriptional modifications may modulate tRNA function in gene expression. This chapter will summarize what is currently known about various processes that a tRNA must undergo in a trypanosomatid cell to become fully functional. Whenever possible, we will highlight both commonalities and differences with other systems, while emphasizing open questions that may lead to new and surprising discoveries in this group of evolutionarily divergent organisms.
Inductive Inference Systems for Learning Classes of Algorithmically Generated Sets and Structures

Computability theorists have extensively studied sets A the elements of which can be enumerated by Turing machines. These sets, also called computably enumerable sets, can be identified with their Godel codes. Although each Turing machine has a unique Godel code, different Turing machines can enumerate the same set. Thus, knowing a computably enumerable set means knowing one of its infinitely many Godel codes. In the approach to learning theory stemming from E.M. Gold’s seminal paper [9], an inductive inference learner for a computably enumerable set A is a system or a device, usually algorithmic, which when successively (one by one) fed data for A outputs a sequence of Godel codes (one by one) that at a certain point stabilize at codes correct for A. The convergence is called semantic or behaviorally correct, unless the same code for A is eventually output, in which case it is also called syntactic or explanatory. There are classes of sets that are semantically inferable, but not syntactically inferable.
A Case Study of University Honors Students in Humanities Through a Disciplinary Literacy Lens

ABSTRACTStudents face challenging texts in higher education, whether they are discipline-specific journal articles or great works of literature. Building on research in content area reading and disciplinary literacy, this case study explores the various stances undergraduate honors students take when coping with challenging texts while enrolled in a Midwestern university’s humanities course. Through an analysis of student interviews, writing, and observations, honors students demonstrated the use of one of three stances when reading challenging works: Bottom Liners sought the essential meaning of a text, typically through online sources; Researchers attempted to alleviate their difficulties by researching historical, social, and authorial contexts; and Feelers tried to emotionally connect with the texts’ authors. Results clarify how students cope with challenging texts from multiple disciplines in a college classroom.
Metabolic Cost and Speech Quality While Using an Active Workstation

Background: The effect of active workstation implementation on speech quality in a typical work setting remains unclear. Purpose: To assess differences between sitting, standing, and walking on energy expenditure and speech quality. Methods: Twenty-two females and 9 males read silently, read aloud, and spoke spontaneously during 3 postural conditions: sitting, standing, and walking at 1.61 km/h. Oxygen consumption (VO2), blood pressure, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were obtained during each condition. Expert listeners, blinded to the purpose of the study and the protocol, assessed randomized samples of the participants’ speech during reading and spontaneous speech tasks in 3 postural conditions. Results: Standing elevated metabolic rate significantly over sitting (3.3 ± 0.7 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9 ml·kg−1·min−1). Walking at 1.6 km/h while performing the respective tasks resulted in VO2 values of 7.0 to 8.1 ml·kg−1·min−1. There was no significant difference in the average number of syllables included in ea...
Effects of Low Concentration of Cyanide on Growth and Respiration in Pelomyxa carolinensis-Wilson

Summary1. Concentrations of KCN from 10−7M and higher cause inhibition of growth in Pelomyxa carolinensis. 2. In solutions containing 10−9M KCN there is on the average approximately a 50% increase in growth in “young” Pelomyxa and a 17% increase in “old” Pelomyxa. 3. These effects are not caused by increase or decrease in potassium concentration. Potassium, alone, has very little effect, if any, in very low concentration. 4. Concentrations of KCN from 10−9M and higher cause inhibition of respiration in Pelomyxa. 5. In solutions containing 10−11M KCN, there is an approximate 32 and 50% increase in rate of respiration in “young” and “old” pelomyxae respectively, as compared to controls without cyanide.
Intrauterine growth restriction and genetic determinants - existing findings, problems, and further direction

Intrauterine growth restriction and genetic determinants - existing findings, problems, and further direction
Facile SILAR Approach to Air-Stable Naked Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Supported by Alumina

A synthetically convenient and scalable SILAR (successive ion layer adsorption and reaction) method is used to make air-stable films of silver and gold nanoparticles supported on alumina scaffolds. This solution-based deposition technique yields particles devoid of insulating capping agents or ligands. The optical properties of the nanoparticle films were investigated using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. A linear absorption arising from intraband excitation (775 nm laser pulse) is seen only for Au nanoparticles at low intensity. However, both Au and Ag particles exhibit plasmon resonance responses at high excitation intensity via two photon absorption of the 775 nm pump pulse. The difference in optical response to near-IR laser excitation is rationalized based on the known density of states for each metal. To demonstrate the potential applications of these films, alumina-supported Ag nanoparticles were utilized as substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, resulting in a 65-fold e...
Selection of the Western Predatory Mite, Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), for Resistance to Abamectin

A heterogeneous colony of Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) was selected 20 times with increasing concentrations of abamectin. Selection yielded a gradual and modest shift in concentration-mortality lines. The resistance obtained, a 3.8-fold increase at LC50 not only resulted in an increased rate of survival of adult females but resulted in an increase in the number of eggs the surviving females produced. The diversity of resistances in this predator (to organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, sulfur, and abamectin) iscomparable with that of many pest arthropods. Availability of an abamectin-resistant strain could be of practical value in integrated pest management programs if the resistant strain is released, established, and is efficacious in deciduous orchards and vineyards.
Effect of intrarenal volume expansion on proximal sodium reabsorption.

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of direct expansion of the renal interstitial volume on sodium reabsorption by proximal tubules of superficial and deep nephrons in the absence of systemic extracellular volume expansion. Renal interstitial volume expansion was achieved by injection of 50 microliter of 2.5% albumin in 0.9% saline into the renal interstitium via a polyethylene matrix that was chronically implanted in the interstitium of the rat kidney. Renal interstitial volume expansion increased renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure from 3.8 +/- 0.5 to 6.8 +/- 1.1 mmHg, P less than 0.05 (n = 5 rats). Fractional reabsorption of sodium by the superficial late proximal tubule decreased from 45.7 +/- 5.6 to 34.2 +/- 5.4%, P less than 0.05, and by the proximal tubule and descending limb of Henle's loop of deep nephrons it decreased from 73.9 +/- 2.9 to 57.2 +/- 6.3%, P less than 0.05 (n = 8 rats). Thus expansion of the renal interstitial volume increased renal interstitial hydrost...
Effects of hypertonic stress on the fine structure of sickled erythrocytes.

The tendency of polymers of sickled hemoglobin (HbS) to align parallel and equidistant to each other has been pointed out in many investigations, and is considered a characteristic feature of erythrocyte sickling. A previous study on stroma-free solutions of sickled hemoglobin, however, suggested that polymers of HbS preferentially assumed radial rather than parallel relationships. Sickled erythrocytes were exposed to hypertonic stress in the present study in order to observe whether parallel bundles of polymers remained intact after removal of the cell membrane. Bundles of polymers in salicylate damaged sickled cells regularly developed branching and radial configurations similar to those found in stroma-free gels. Rotational stress appears to be the dominant factor influencing the relationship of HbS polymers, and the force generated by that tension may be an important factor in erythrocyte sickling.
CHAPTER 39 – Water, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Balance

Water is the most abundant body constituent as it constitutes about 45–60% of total body weight. As most biochemical reactions take place in an aqueous environment, control of water balance is an important requirement for homeostasis. Although water permeates freely across cell membranes, other solutes are less mobile because of barriers imposed by membrane systems. These barriers give rise to fluid pools or compartments of different but rather constant composition. Intracellular fluid makes up 30–40% of body weight, or about two-thirds of total body water, where potassium and magnesium are the predominant cations, and the anions are mainly proteins and organic phosphates, with chloride and bicarbonate at low concentrations. Extracellular fluid contains sodium as the predominant cation and accounts for 20–25% of body weight, or one-third of total body water. It makes up vascular, interstitial, transcellular, and dense connective tissue fluid pools. Transcellular fluid is present in digestive juices, intraocular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and synovial (joint) fluid, and these fluids are secretions of specialized cells. The major electrolytes are Na + , K + , CI - , and HCO - . The average Na + content of the human body is 60 mEq/kg, of which 50% is in extracellular fluid, 40% is in bone, and 10% is intracellular. The chief dietary source of sodium is salt added in cooking and excess sodium is largely excreted in the urine, although some is lost in perspiration. Sodium balance is integrated with regulation of extracellular fluid volume, and depletional hyponatremia may result from inadequate Na + intake, excessive fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea, diuretic abuse, and adrenal insufficiency.
Geobacter: The Microbe Electric's Physiology, Ecology, and Practical Applications

Geobacter species specialize in making electrical contacts with extracellular electron acceptors and other organisms. This permits Geobacter species to fill important niches in a diversity of anaerobic environments. Geobacter species appear to be the primary agents for coupling the oxidation of organic compounds to the reduction of insoluble Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxides in many soils and sediments, a process of global biogeochemical significance. Some Geobacter species can anaerobically oxidize aromatic hydrocarbons and play an important role in aromatic hydrocarbon removal from contaminated aquifers. The ability of Geobacter species to reductively precipitate uranium and related contaminants has led to the development of bioremediation strategies for contaminated environments. Geobacter species produce higher current densities than any other known organism in microbial fuel cells and are common colonizers of electrodes harvesting electricity from organic wastes and aquatic sediments. Direct interspecies electron exchange between Geobacter species and syntrophic partners appears to be an important process in anaerobic wastewater digesters. Functional and comparative genomic studies have begun to reveal important aspects of Geobacter physiology and regulation, but much remains unexplored. Quantifying key gene transcripts and proteins of subsurface Geobacter communities has proven to be a powerful approach to diagnose the in situ physiological status of Geobacter species during groundwater bioremediation. The growth and activity of Geobacter species in the subsurface and their biogeochemical impact under different environmental conditions can be predicted with a systems biology approach in which genome-scale metabolic models are coupled with appropriate physical/chemical models. The proficiency of Geobacter species in transferring electrons to insoluble minerals, electrodes, and possibly other microorganisms can be attributed to their unique "microbial nanowires," pili that conduct electrons along their length with metallic-like conductivity. Surprisingly, the abundant c-type cytochromes of Geobacter species do not contribute to this long-range electron transport, but cytochromes are important for making the terminal electrical connections with Fe(III) oxides and electrodes and also function as capacitors, storing charge to permit continued respiration when extracellular electron acceptors are temporarily unavailable. The high conductivity of Geobacter pili and biofilms and the ability of biofilms to function as supercapacitors are novel properties that might contribute to the field of bioelectronics. The study of Geobacter species has revealed a remarkable number of microbial physiological properties that had not previously been described in any microorganism. Further investigation of these environmentally relevant and physiologically unique organisms is warranted.
Use of the HEART Pathway with high sensitivity cardiac troponins: A secondary analysis.

Abstract Objectives The HEART Pathway combines a decision aid and serial contemporary cardiac troponin I (cTnI) measures to achieve > 99% sensitivity for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days and early discharge rates > 20%. However, the impact of integrating high-sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn) measures into the HEART Pathway has yet to be determined. In this analysis we compare test characteristics of the HEART Pathway using hs-cTnI, hs-cTnT, or cTnI. Design & methods A secondary analysis of participants enrolled in the HEART Pathway RCT was conducted. Each patient was risk stratified by the cTn-HEART Pathway (Siemens TnI-Ultra at 0- and 3-h) and a hs-cTn-HEART Pathway using hs-cTnI (Abbott) or hs-cTnT (Roche) at 3-h. The early discharge rate, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) for MACE (death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization) at 30 days were calculated. Results hs-cTnI measures were available on 133 patients. MACE occurred in 11/133 (8%) of these patients. Test characteristics for the HEART Pathway using serial cTnI vs 3 hour hs-cTnI were the same: sensitivity (100%, 95%CI: 72–100%), specificity (49%, 95%CI: 40–58%), NPV (100%, 95%CI: 94–100%), and early discharge rate (45%, 95%CI: 37–54%). The HEART Pathway using hs-cTnT missed one MACE event (myocardial infarction): sensitivity (91%, 95%CI: 59–100%), specificity (48%, 95%CI: 39–57%), NPV (98%, 95%CI: 91–100%), and early discharge rate (45%, 95%CI: 37–54%). Conclusions There was no difference in the test characteristics of the HEART Pathway whether using cTnI or hs-cTnI, with both achieving 100% sensitivity and NPV. Use of hs-cTnT with the HEART Pathway was associated with one missed MACE.
A case of acute myeloid leukemia with e6a2 BCR-ABL fusion transcript acquired after progressing from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome is a cytogenetic hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Most patients with CML harbor either the e13a2 or e14a2 BCR-ABL fusion product, while a small subset of the cases expresses e1a2 or e19a2 transcripts. We report a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), initially Ph chromosome negative at presentation, with rapid disease progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and appearance of Ph chromosome and BCR-ABL e6a2, a very uncommon fusion transcript. The AML was refractory to treatment with subsequent emergence and dominance of a Ph negative leukemic clone. The patient expired shortly after disease progression.
Finding Alignment: The Perceptions and Integration of the Next Generation Science Standards Practices by Elementary Teachers

Preparing elementary-level teachers to teach in alignment with the eight Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) practices could prove to be a daunting endeavor. However, the process may be catalyzed by leveraging elements of teacher science instruction that inherently attend to the practice standards. In this study, we investigated the science instruction of three grade 3–5 elementary-level teachers. We used observation, interviews, and surveys to determine the level to which the teachers perceived they taught and engaged in teaching science aligned with the eight NGSS practices. We found that the teachers were partially, and intrinsically implementing several of these practices in their instruction, and at the same time could not articulate the eight NGSS practices. Our results suggest there may be ample opportunity to build on the current science instruction of elementary-level teachers to bring their instruction into alignment with the NGSS. We found that teachers’ perceive professional development, school culture, and access to additional instructional resources to be essential to their adoption of the NGSS practices.
Estimating air-substrate microstrip patch antenna input impedance with characteristic mode theory

The theory of characteristic modes (TCM) for PEC bodies is showing great promise and application in the analysis, design, and placement of antennas. Its use for input impedance estimation, however, is still largely dependent on the idealized delta-gap model. Because TCM depends on all conductors, even feed structures, care must be taken for certain classes of antennas if estimating input impedance; probe-fed microstrip patch antennas (MSAs) are one example. In this paper, two different coaxial probe feed models are developed to estimate the input impedance of thin, arbitrarily shaped, air-dielectric MSAs using TCM. Their accuracy is compared with experimental results for a case study of an L-shaped MSA. Results show the importance of including all metal structures, including feeds, in TCM analyses.
Ecological Approaches to an Age-Friendly Portland and Multnomah County

ABSTRACTResearchers at Portland State University's Institute on Aging (IOA) conducted Portland's age-friendly baseline assessment as part of the original 2006–2007 World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Age-Friendly Cities Project. This article describes the ongoing Portland and Multnomah County age-friendly initiatives, using Menec et al.'s (2011) ecological framework to highlight the interplay between people and environments (i.e., physical, social, and service environments). An overview is provided of Portland's age-friendly community-based research, the evolution and role of the Advisory Council, as well as recent housing policies that have been developed through university-community partnerships.
Abstract 3202: Pharmacologic modulation of Sigma1 induces autophagic degradation of programmed death-ligand 1 in cancer cells

Emerging evidence suggests that Sigma1 (also known as sigma1 receptor) is a unique ligand-operated integral membrane chaperone or scaffolding protein that contributes to cellular protein homeostasis. Previously, we found that treatment of various cancer cell lines with some prototypic small molecule modulators of Sigma1 can engage endoplasmic reticulum (ER) associated protein homeostasis pathways including the unfolded protein response and autophagy. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a type 1 integral membrane glycoprotein that is processed and transported through the ER and secretory pathway of tumor cells. PD-L1 expressed at the surface of tumor cells can act as a T-cell inhibitory checkpoint molecule that inactivates tumor infiltrating immune cells that express PD-1, its cognate receptor. Here, we show that Sigma1 physically associates with PD-L1. In triple negative breast and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, PD-L1 protein levels are suppressed by both RNAi mediated knockdown of Sigma1 and pharmacological modulation of Sigma1. We observe decreased cell surface and intracellular levels of PD-L1 by flow cytometry and biochemical subcellular fractionation respectively, which corresponds with a dose-responsive decrease in functional PD-L1/PD-1 interaction in a co-culture of cancer cells and T-cells. Inhibitors of autophagy block this suppression of PD-L1 protein levels, suggesting PD-L1 is degraded away by autophagy after Sigma1 modulation. Through confocal microscopy, we show that Sigma1 modulation results in colocalization of PD-L1 and GFP-LC3, a marker of autophagosomes. From these conclusions, we hypothesize that autophagic degradation of nascent PD-L1 after Sigma1 modulation plays a key role in preventing the transport of functional PD-L1 to the plasma membrane. Together, these data demonstrate that Sigma1 modulators have the potential to act as novel therapeutic agents in PD-1/PD-L1 blockade strategies. Citation Format: Christina M. Maher, Jeffrey D. Thomas, Charles G. Longen, Derick A. Haas, Halley M. Oyer, Jane Y. Tong, Felix J. Kim. Pharmacologic modulation of Sigma1 induces autophagic degradation of programmed death-ligand 1 in cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3202. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3202
Yb-doped fluorosilicate optical fiber development for laser cooling and radiation balancing applications

With F content greater than about 5at%, Yb doped fluorosilicate fibers exhibit the short average emission wavelengths and long lifetimes characteristic of the fluoride glasses used in cooling applications. Evidence of cooling behavior is presented.