cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A ‘distributed degron’ allows regulated entry into the ER degradation pathway

Protein degradation is employed in both regulation and quality control. Regulated degradation of specific proteins is often mediated by discrete regions of primary sequence known as degrons, whereas protein quality control involves recognition of structural features common to damaged or misfolded proteins, rather than specific features of an individual protein. The yeast HMG-CoA reductase isozyme Hmg2p undergoes stringently regulated degradation by machinery that is also required for ER quality control. The 523 residue N-terminal transmembrane domain of Hmg2p is necessary and sufficient for regulated degradation. To understand how Hmg2p undergoes regulated degradation by the ER quality control pathway, we analyzed over 300 mutants of Hmg2p. Regulated degradation of Hmg2p requires information distributed over the entire transmembrane domain. Accordingly, we refer to this determinant as a 'distributed' degron, which has functional aspects consistent with both regulation and quality control. The Hmg2p degron functions in the specific, regulated degradation of Hmg2p and can impart regulated degradation to fusion proteins. However, its recognition is based on dispersed structural features rather than primary sequence motifs. This mode of targeting has important consequences both for the prediction of degradation substrates and as a potential therapeutic strategy for targeted protein degradation using endogenous degradation pathways.
Episodic eolian sand deposition in the past 4000 years in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts, USA in response to possible hurricane/storm and anthropogenic disturbances

The eolian sand depositional record for a dune field within Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts is posit as a sensitive indicator of environmental disturbances in the late Holocene from a combination of factors such as hurricane/storm and forest fire occurrence, and anthropogenic activity. Stratigraphic and sedimentologic observations, particularly the burial of spodosol-like soils, and associated 14C and OSL ages that are concordant indicate at least six eolian depositional events at ca. 3750, 2500, 1800, 960, 430 and <250 years ago. The two oldest events are documented at just one locality and thus, the pervasiveness of this eolian activity is unknown. However, the four younger events are identified in three or more sites and show evidence for dune migration and sand sheet accretion. The timing of eolian deposition, particularly the initiation age, corresponds to documented periods of increased storminess/hurricane activity in the North Atlantic Ocean at ca. 2.0 to 1.6, and 1.0 ka and also a wetter coastal climate, which suppressed the occurrence of forest fire. Thus, local droughts are not associated with periods of dune movement in this mesic environment. Latest eolian activity on outer Cape Cod commenced in the past 300 to 500 years and may reflect multiple factors including broad-scale landscape disturbance with European colonization, an increased incidence of forest fires and heightened storminess. Eolian systems of Cape Cod appear to be sensitive to landscape disturbance and prior to European settlement may reflect predominantly hurricane/storm disturbance, despite generally mesic conditions in past 4 ka.
Loan-Level Disclosure in Securitization Transactions: A Problem with Three Dimensions

The collapse of the credit markets revealed that information critical to assessing the quality of many mortgage backed securities was unavailable. When subprime losses began to mount in 2007 and 2008, analysts were unable to obtain information necessary to assess the performance characteristics of loans that had first been securitized into mortgage backed securities and then often re-securitized – with tranches of initial securities being merged with tranches from other offerings into collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and other complex capital market instruments. Critical information was unavailable because there were no common requirements or formats for reporting such information. In the absence of loan level information, it was impossible to distinguish good loans from bad one or to value CDO and associated derivatives whose performance depended upon underlying loan pools. With analysts unable to value securities appropriately, demand dried up and securities were marked to an illiquid market. As a result of these problems, many are now arguing for new reporting requirements for securitized loans, and the recently adopted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act mandates the promulgation of new disclosure requirements for securitization transactions. This chapter examines the degree of loan-level transparency (or lack thereof) in securitization transactions, spells out the implications of the current lack of transparency for public policy, and makes the case for new regulations that mandate public disclosure. Not only would such requirements improve the pricing of investments in securitization transactions, these requirements might also improve the rate of mortgage renegotiations and enhance the capacity of public authorities to identify unfairly priced mortgage originations and discriminatory lending practices in violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The paper concludes with a discussion of the pros and cons of releasing information on loan-level data publicly as opposed to limiting release to government authorities. Finally, the chapter explores possible interactions between other proposals to reform assets securitization and requirements focused on loan-level disclosures.
Helping Teachers Who Have Problems with Discipline- A Model and Instrument:

Not a panacea, says this writer about his model for improving student discipline, but it provides a good place to start.
Bayesian smoothing of photon-limited images with applications in astronomy

Summary. We consider a multiscale model for intensities in photon-limited images using a Bayesian framework. A typical Dirichlet prior on relative intensities is not efficient in picking up structures owing to the continuity of intensities. We propose a novel prior using the socalled ‘Chinese restaurant process’ to create structures in the form of equal intensities of some neighbouring pixels. Simulations are conducted using several photon-limited images, which are common in X-ray astronomy and other high energy photon-based images. Applications to astronomical images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory satellite are shown.The new methodology outperforms most existing methods in terms of image processing quality, speed and the ability to select smoothing parameters automatically.
Association between serum triglyceride and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations in miniature schnauzers.

The objective of this study was to investigate possible associations between serum triglyceride and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentrations in miniature schnauzers. One hundred and ninety-five miniature schnauzers were enrolled and divided into two groups based on whether they had normal (group 1) or increased (group 2) serum triglyceride concentrations. Serum cPLI concentrations were measured and compared between groups. A significant positive correlation was seen between serum triglyceride and cPLI concentrations (Spearman r=0.321; P or =862 mg/dL) were 4.5 times more likely to have a serum cPLI concentration consistent with pancreatitis (> or =200 microg/L) than miniature schnauzers with a normal serum triglyceride concentration. The present study supports an association between hypertriglyceridemia (especially when severe [> or =862 mg/dL]) and high cPLI concentrations in miniature schnauzers.
Airway closure with high PEEP in vivo

When airway smooth muscle is contracted in vitro, the airway lumen continues to narrow with increasing concentrations of agonist until complete airway closure occurs. Although there remains some co...
Longitudinal mode competition in chirped grating distributed feedback lasers

Gain competition often inhibits the simultaneous lasing of multiple longitudinal modes in homogeneously broadened laser systems. A stability analysis is developed to demonstrate that the two lowest order degenerate longitudinal modes in an index-coupled distributed feedback (DFB) laser will lase simultaneously when the index grating is chirped asymmetrically along the axis of the device. This chirped grating structure is shown to decrease the gain competition by reducing the spatial overlap between the degenerate modes. Stable mode beating between the two lowest order lasing modes results, and this beating produces high-frequency output self-pulsations which can be used for millimeter-wave and soliton pulse train generation. An exact closed-form expression for the output intensity of an antisymmetrically chirped index-coupled DFB laser, as a function of the unsaturated gain, is also derived. The expression is valid for arbitrary levels of gain saturation.
A stylistic analysis of speaking

Stylistic analysis takes account of the dynamic continuities in communication behavior. It is concerned with how people talk or sing or move in relation to each other, rather than what it is they say or sing or do to or with each other. The presence of these styling qualities can, we discover, be reliably assessed; and, as they cluster together, giving each cultural tradition its distinctive performance models, they have remarkable stability through time. However, these patterns of style are not inflexible: they are models comprising a stable set of ranges within which performers can adjust their behavior to the demands of a genre, of a familiar situation, of sex, age or status roles, and to the unexpected. The comparison of these performance models, cross-culturally, reveals factors that tie communication to social structure on the one hand and to cultural traditions on the other.
Clinical Pharmacy Functions in Ambulatory Patient Care

A functional interpretation of clinical pharmacy as an implementing mechanism for extending the objectives and responsibilities of clinical pharmacology in ambulatory patient care is presented. Evidence is given to support the effectiveness of the clinical pharmacist in assisting primary care physicians with the design of optimal drug regimens and evaluating and managing patients on chronic drug therapy. Opportunities for the clinical pharmacist to carry out long-term drug trials and participate in the design and execution of epidemiological drug studies are also discussed. The clinical pharmacist can make important contributions to ambulatory patient care in areas of drug treatment and evaluation by working in concert with primary care physicians and clinical pharmacologists.
Landing mechanics during single hop for distance in females following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction compared to healthy controls

To determine possible differences in single-hop kinematics and kinetics in females with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction compared to healthy controls. A second purpose was to make comparisons between the healthy and reconstructed limbs. Subjects were grouped based on surgical status (33 ACLR patients and 31 healthy controls). 3D motion capture synchronized with force plates was used to capture the landing phase of three successful trials of single hop for distance during a single data collection session. Peak values during the loading phase were analysed. Subjects additionally completed three successful trials of the triple hop for distance Tegner activity scale and International Knee Document Committee 2000 (IKDC). Controls demonstrated greater peak knee flexion and greater internal knee extension moment and hip extension moment than ACLR subjects. Within the ACLR group, the healthy limb exhibited greater peak knee flexion, hip flexion, hip extension moment, single hop and triple hops for distance and normalized quadriceps strength. Patients who undergo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction land in a more extended posture when compared to healthy controls and compared to their healthy limb. III.
The Primate Isolation Call and the Evolution and Physiological Control of Human Speech

The search for the common roots of the vocalizations of humans and nonhuman primates may come initially through the study of the sounds of infants. Emotional expression through sound is very similar in the infants of all primates, including humans. This has been most thoroughly documented for the distress sounds of the infant separated from its caregiver (‘isolation call’). While the isolation calls (IC) of different primate species share overall acoustic characteristics (each expiratory unit consisting of a gradually modulated tone with little noise and frequency modulation), there are more detailed accoustic differences that reliably identify the species. With maturation, the IC becomes differentiated to subserve commumicative functions besides signalling separation distress. The production mechanisms of the IC of human and nonhuman primates may also share a common origin. The anterior cingulate gyrus, part of the limbic forebrain, is essential for normal production of the IC in adult primates, as well as for normal speech in adult humans. The widely accepted homology between the cry of the human neonate and the IC of other mammals suggests that the neural substrate mediating this vocal behavior may have had a conservative evolutionary history. A plausible evolutionary scenario by which the primate IC became linked to human speech may come from the evidence for functional differentiation, wherein the infant IC develops into an array of sounds used in group communication, mediated by the increased cognitive capacity of early hominids.
Impact of railplug circuit parameters on energy deposition and durability

A railplug is a new type of ignitor for SI engines. A model for optimizing energy deposition in a railplug ignition system is developed. The model is experimentally validated using a low voltage railplug ignition circuit. The effect of various ignition circuit parameters on the energy deposition and its rate are discussed. Durability of railplugs is an important factor in railplug circuit design. As for all spark ignitors, durability of a railplug decreases as energy deposition is increased. Therefore recommendations are made to minimize wear and increase durability, while depositing sufficient energy to attain ignition, using a railplug.
Deuterium solid-state NMR study of pyridine dynamics in intercalated 2H-TaS2

A quadrupole echo deuterium NMR line-shape study on polycrystalline samples of perdeuteriated pyridine and selectively deuteriated pyridine-d/sub 2/ intercalated into 2H-TaS/sub 2/ was performed between 280 and 393 K. Above 333 K, a slow growth in intensity of three motionally narrowed components coincident with depletion in intensity of the rigid pyridine pattern was observed for the perdeuteriated sample. Deuterium spin-lattice relaxation times were also recorded over the same temperature range. A short T/sub 1/ component, which was attributed to the three motionally narrowed peaks, showed a sharp decrease in correspondence with their appearance in the line shapes. The narrowing motion was determined to be rapid rotational diffusion of the pyridine molecule about an axis perpendicular to the C/sub 2/ symmetry axis and parallel to the molecular plane. Since theoretically determined motionally reduced quadrupole coupling constants support this interpretation, it was possible to determine the orientation of the pyridine in the van der Waals gap.
Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Elastomer-Plastic Conductive Composites for Bipolar Plates in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Bipolar plates account for about 80% of the fuel cell stack weight. The use of low density and high strength conductive composites for making bipolar plates will result in a lighter and more compact fuel cell stack assembly. Light weight composites were developed based on a two component elastomeric silicone RTV matrix. However, two shortcomings of this composite material are low mechanical strength and relatively high permeability to gases. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new composite material which will overcome high permeability and low strength issues through the use of elastomer-plastic blends as the composite matrix. The elastomer-plastic blends consist of vinyl ester with either urethane elastomer or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber. The chosen elastomers have higher tensile strength and lower gas permeability than silicone rubber. The elastomers will be blended with vinyl ester thermoset plastic to further enhance these characteristics. Synergistic conductive filler system developed in previous work will be used for the new composites to make them conductive. Compatibility of blends ranging in concentration from pure plastic to pure elastomeric composition will be presented along with in-plane electrical resistivity and mechanical properties.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Fermentation Mixture Formulation and the Preservation of Poultry Carcasses

Abstract These laboratory experiments attempted to determine the efficacy of fermentation formulation on the preservation of poultry carcasses. Results showed that carcasses putrefied when fermented with a combined carbohydrate level of 5% dried whey and 5-15% corn meal. Carcasses fermented with 8% whey and 5-8% corn meal remained stable for seventy days without significant changes in protein, fat, moisture, or ash. The addition of water (1:1 water:carbohydrate) and coarse particle size at the beginning of incubation yielded higher ammonia levels after fermentation. Higher incubation temperatures produced a more rapid drop in pH, thereby stabilizing the carcasses more quickly. Lactic acid was the primary acid produced during fermentation. This use of corn meal suggests that processors may be able to reduce the cost of rendering carcasses while maintaining quality.
A Green and Permanent Land: Ecology and Agriculture in the Twentieth Century

Once patronized primarily by the counterculture and the health food establishment, the organic food industry today is a multi-billion-dollar business driven by ever-growing consumer demand for safe food and greater public awareness of ecological issues. Assumed by many to be a recent phenomenon, that industry owes much to agricultural innovations that go back to the Dust Bowl era. This book explores the roots and branches of alternative agricultural ideas in twentieth-century America, showing how ecological thought has challenged and changed agricultural theory, practice, and policy from the 1930s to the present. It introduces us to the people and institutions who forged alternatives to industrialized agriculture through a deep concern for the enduring fertility of the soil, a passionate commitment to human health, and a strong advocacy of economic justice for farmers. Randal Beeman and James Pritchard show that agricultural issues were central to the rise of the environmental movement in the United States. As family farms failed during the Depression, a new kind of agriculture was championed based on the holistic approach taught by the emerging science of ecology. Ecology influenced the "permanent agriculture" movement that advocated such radical concepts as long-term land use planning, comprehensive soil conservation, and organic farming. Then in the 1970s, "sustainable agriculture" combined many of these ideas with new concerns about misguided technology and an over-consumptive culture to preach a more sensible approach to farming. In chronicling the overlooked history of alternative agriculture, A Green and Permanent Land records the significant contributions of individuals like Rex Tugwell, Hugh Bennett, Louis Bromfield, Edward Faulkner, Russell and Kate Lord, Scott and Helen Nearing, Robert Rodale, Wes Jackson, and groups like Friends of the Land and the Practical Farmers of Iowa. And by demonstrating how agriculture also remains central to the public interest - especially in the face of climatic crises, genetically altered crops, and questionable uses of pesticides - this book puts these issues in historical perspective and offers readers considerable food for thought.
Abstract LB-428: Upregulation of serum amyloid A1 (SAA 1) gene is associated with ulcerative colitis-related colon cancer

Purpose : Ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated colon cancer is frequently diagnosed in an advanced stage. SAA1 is a secreted protein made in the liver and circulates in low levels in blood. SAA1 gene is expressed in colon carcinomas and is a chemoattractant with induction of migration, adhesion, and tissue infiltration of monocytes and Polymorphnuclear-leucocytes (PMN-L). Methods : Laser capture microdissection of colonic submucosa from UC (n=8), Crohn9s colitis (CC) (n=8)), and normal (NL, n=8) samples was performed. The submucosal mRNA was extracted using the PicoPure(TM) RNA Isolation Kit. Comprehensive gene expression analysis of the pooled mRNA from each group was then performed using the Affymetrix GeneChip® Gene 1.0 ST Array System. Statistical comparisons of UC vs. CC and NL as well as CC versus UC and NL were performed (Wilcoxon Rank Test). To detect changes for UC, we compared UC to CC and UC to NL; and for CC, we compared CC to UC and CC to NL. Results : Analysis of all UC vs. CC and NL controls showed 28,869 genes which were represented on the array by 26 probes spread across the full length of each gene. When compared UC vs. CC and NL SAA1 remained the most upregulated gene showing a 56.8-folds and 91.3-folds (p 0.0001 ) over expression. Conclusion : Microarray assessments show significantly overexpression of SAA1 in UC specimens. SAA1 has a role in local inflammation in the microenvironment of malignant tissue and is expressed in colon carcinomas. Our finding may potentially facilitate and validate the SAA1 as a new early predictive clinical marker and a unique target for designing novel selective inhibitors for therapeutic intervention of UC-associated CRC. Acknowledgement : 3U54CA091408–09S1 (MMC-VICC partnership) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-428. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-428
The Eradication of Opposition to Communist Rule

Romanian history is composed of many layers of tragedy but one of the most significant is the imposition of Communist rule. The new dominant force in Romanian politics after the 23 August coup was the Communist Party. Its leaders set out under Soviet direction to effect a Communist revolution, in furtherance of which they were driven by ideology to purge institutions of those who had served not only the Antonescu regime, but also those of the pre-war governments.
Creating value at the National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Library meets the needs of the diverse NIH research community through a range of innovative services, resources, and knowledge. Based upon an understanding of the information industry and the mission and goals of NIH, the NIH Library offers a number of services that exploit data of various types to support assessment and create value. Understanding our users’ engagement with content (e.g., citations, behavioral data, research funding) allows us to provide personal and customized services including bibliometrics, collection assessment, and custom information solutions.
Impact of three task demand factors on simulated unmanned system intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations

AbstractThe present study investigated how three task demand factors influenced performance, subjective workload and stress of novice intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operators within a simulation of an unmanned ground vehicle. Manipulations were task type, dual-tasking and event rate. Participants were required to discriminate human targets within a street scene from a direct video feed (threat detection [TD] task) and detect changes in symbols presented in a map display (change detection [CD] task). Dual-tasking elevated workload and distress, and impaired performance for both tasks. However, with increasing event rate, CD task deteriorated, but TD improved. Thus, standard workload models provide a better guide to evaluating the demands of abstract symbols than to processing realistic human characters. Assessment of stress and workload may be especially important in the design and evaluation of systems in which human character critical signals must be detected in video images.Practitioner ...
Metamorphic buffer layers for mid-infrared emitting semiconductor lasers

We have investigated the use of Metamorphic Buffer Layer (MBL) structures for the realization mid-infrared semiconductor lasers employing either interband or intersubband transitions. The resulting surface morphology of the MBL is generally cross-hatched along the orthogonal &#60;110> directions. This surface morphology may negatively impact device structures grown on top of the MBL. We have employed two different techniques to improve the surface morphology of MBLs, while maintaining an epiappropriate surface chemical composition and structure: (1) Introduction of Sb as a surfactant to create novel step-graded MBLs; and (2) Chemical-Mechanical-Polishing (CMP) of the MBL followed by MOCVD regrowth of layers atop the MBL.
Sustained Delivery of Timolol Maleate for Over 90 Days by Subconjunctival Injection.

Abstract Purpose: Medical treatment of glaucoma relies on intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications, typically administered daily by the patient. While these medications are effective when applied correctly, patient adherence is a major obstacle in glaucoma treatment. We have developed a sustained-release formulation of timolol maleate that can be injected subconjunctivally to avoid patient noncompliance. Methods: A biodegradable microsphere formulation for timolol maleate was injected subconjunctivally in normal rabbits. We measured timolol levels in tears, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, and serum of study rabbits. Furthermore, IOP profiles were recorded longitudinally. Tissue compatibility and side effects were evaluated using histochemistry. Results: The microsphere formulation led to measureable amounts of timolol in the aqueous humor and the tear film for up to 90 days. Timolol was not detectable in the serum at any time. A significant reduction of IOP was observed in treated eyes. Clinically, ...
Fair Lending Monitoring Models

This chapter presents an overview and some major insights into modeling approaches of a very important regulatory risk for institutions that engage in credit activities: fair lending risk. Regulatory agencies have defined protected classes or prohibited basis under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA). Failure to comply with fair lending rules can expose the institution to reputation risk, legal risk, enforcement action, and fines from different regulatory agencies. We present some of the quantitative challenges in detecting and measuring this kind of risk and give a different modeling approach that addresses some of these challenges.
Autophagy maintains the metabolism and function of young and old stem cells

With age, haematopoietic stem cells lose their ability to regenerate the blood system, and promote disease development. Autophagy is associated with health and longevity, and is critical for protecting haematopoietic stem cells from metabolic stress. Here we show that loss of autophagy in haematopoietic stem cells causes accumulation of mitochondria and an activated metabolic state, which drives accelerated myeloid differentiation mainly through epigenetic deregulations, and impairs haematopoietic stem-cell self-renewal activity and regenerative potential. Strikingly, most haematopoietic stem cells in aged mice share these altered metabolic and functional features. However, approximately one-third of aged haematopoietic stem cells exhibit high autophagy levels and maintain a low metabolic state with robust long-term regeneration potential similar to healthy young haematopoietic stem cells. Our results demonstrate that autophagy actively suppresses haematopoietic stem-cell metabolism by clearing active, healthy mitochondria to maintain quiescence and stemness, and becomes increasingly necessary with age to preserve the regenerative capacity of old haematopoietic stem cells.
Using Lagrangian coherent structures to identify surface oil pathways in the northern Gulf of Mexico

High frequency radar (HFR) can be used to predict particle trajectories in coastal surface waters; while HFR data has numerous applications, the need to track pollutant dispersal has special significance to coastal communities as well as researchers. This preliminary analysis explores the steps involved in calculating Lagrangian coherent structures for the Mississippi Bight using HFR datasets. Equipment malfunction and environmental interference cause fluctuations in the area covered by the HFRs, so the interpolation method 2dVar was used to provide spatially consistent velocity maps needed for LCS analysis. We ran a series of trials to examine which time steps and spatial scales are relevant to determining LCS for the period of May through July 2010; the chosen timeframe followed the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Since LCS serve to explain patterns in circulation dynamics, evaluating the HFR data for this period could explain surface oil dispersal near the northern Gulf coast.
Regional input–output tables and trade flows: an integrated and interregional non-survey approach

ABSTRACTRegional input–output tables and trade flows: an integrated and interregional non-survey approach. Regional Studies. Regional analyses require detailed and accurate information about dynamics happening within and between regional economies. However, regional input–output tables and trade flows are rarely observed and they must be estimated using up-to-date information. Common estimation approaches vary widely but consider tables and flows independently. By using commonly used economic assumptions and available economic information, this paper presents a method that integrates the estimation of regional input–output tables and trade flows across regions. Examples of the method implementation are presented and compared with other approaches, suggesting that the integrated approach provides advantages in terms of estimation accuracy and analytical capabilities.
Genomic biomarkers of prenatal intrauterine inflammation in umbilical cord tissue predict later life neurological outcomes

Background Preterm birth is a major risk factor for neurodevelopmental delays and disorders. This study aimed to identify genomic biomarkers of intrauterine inflammation in umbilical cord tissue in preterm neonates that predict cognitive impairment at 10 years of age. Study design Genome-wide messenger RNA (mRNA) levels from umbilical cord tissue were obtained from 43 neonates born before 28 weeks of gestation. Genes that were differentially expressed across four indicators of intrauterine inflammation were identified and their functions examined. Exact logistic regression was used to test whether expression levels in umbilical cord tissue predicted neurocognitive function at 10 years of age. Results Placental indicators of inflammation were associated with changes in the mRNA expression of 445 genes in umbilical cord tissue. Transcripts with decreased expression showed significant enrichment for biological signaling processes related to neuronal development and growth. The altered expression of six genes was found to predict neurocognitive impairment when children were 10 years old These genes include two that encode for proteins involved in neuronal development. Conclusion Prenatal intrauterine inflammation is associated with altered gene expression in umbilical cord tissue. A set of six of the differentially expressed genes predict cognitive impairment later in life, suggesting that the fetal environment is associated with significant adverse effects on neurodevelopment that persist into later childhood.
Serum protein concentrations in pregnancy. I. Concentrations in maternal serum

Abstract Employing the technique of single radial immunodiffusion the serum concentrations of eight proteins were measured in maternal serum during the course of pregnancy, at parturition, and post partum. Gestation is associated with a decrease in albumin concentration, no significant variation in concentrations of the three major classes of immunoglobulins and of α 2 -macroglobulin, and with an increase in the concentration of transferrin, ceruloplasmin, and α 1 -antitrypsin. Various physiologic factors possibly operative in effecting these alterations are discussed.
Noodlenomics: Using Pool Noodles to Teach Supply and Demand

Abstract Supply and demand is a fundamental part of economics at the junior high school, high school and college level. Although it is very important for students to understand and apply this analytical tool, many are turned off by the graph as well as the labels needed. This paper offers techniques for making supply and demand easier for students to comprehend. The classroom activities are mainly designed for teachers of middle school and high school economics, but can also be used as a fun and easy introduction to the concept in a college classroom as well. Keywords: economics, activity-based learning, supply and demand
Mechanical analysis of the vascularized fibular graft prosthetic composite (VFGPC) for internal hemipelvectomy reconstruction

INTRODUCTION The vascularized fibular graft prosthetic composite (VFGPC) is used for reconstruction after internal hemipelvectomy. The purpose of this study was to create a mathematical model that calculates the mechanical effects of the vascularized fibular graft on the VFGPC. METHODS The effects of the VFG positioning were calculated based on three-dimensional static analyzes to determine the direction, magnitude, and distribution of the forces through the prosthesis and VFG. The shear stress (SS) and cyclic loads to failure (CLF) were calculated. By varying the location of the VFG on the sacrum the zone of acceptable placement was calculated. RESULTS Utilization of the VFG decreased the forces through the implant by 15-35% and decreased SS 20-54%, depending on stance. The CLF improved by 94%. The zone of acceptable placement for the VFG was found to be between 0° and 15° of the vertical axis in the sagittal plane and 0° and 30° of the posterior axis in coronal plane. CONCLUSION Determining the position of the VFG pre-operatively allows for the creation of a customized cutting jig can be utilized to create graft allowing for accurate fibular osteotomies, minimization of ischemia time, and decreased intra-operative handling of the graft.
Strategies for and Outcome of Repeat Revascularization Surgery for Moyamoya Disease: An American Institutional Series.

Background Revascularization for moyamoya disease (MMD) effectively prevents future ischemic events. However, small subsets of patients with persistent or new symptoms due to inadequate collateralization require repeat revascularizations. Objective To investigate the clinical and radiological outcome of repeat revascularization in MMD patients with previous indirect or direct bypasses. Methods Single institution, retrospective analysis of a prospective MMD database. Results From 1991 to 2014, this institution performed 1244 revascularization bypasses (1107 direct, 137 indirect) in 765 patients, of whom 57 were repeat revascularizations (38 indirect, 19 direct bypass). When initially performed at the institution, the repeat revascularization rate was 4% for indirect and 1% for direct bypasses (P = .03). Cohorts with previous indirect vs direct bypass were slightly younger (mean age 23 vs 30 yr), with fewer females (61% vs 84%, P = .08), and a similar mean duration between initial bypass and repeat revascularization (49 vs 47 mo). Both groups had similar repeat revascularization due to transient ischemic attacks (66% vs 63%). One acute graft occlusion in the previous direct bypass group was revised within 1 wk postoperatively. Over 50% of the repeat revascularizations in both groups were direct bypasses; the major difference being that the repeat bypass in the direct group was to augment another vascular territory. At nearly 5 yr mean follow-up, over 80% of patients in both groups are well, free from stroke/transient ischemic attack symptoms, with excellent radiological results. Conclusion Repeat revascularization can safely and effectively prevent future ischemic events. Indirect bypass has a higher rate of repeat revascularization than direct bypass.
Ivermectin 1% (CD5024) for the treatment of rosacea.

Introduction: Rosacea is a chronic and recurrent disease with a variety of cutaneous manifestations. The disorder is a centrofacial inflammatory dermatosis with significant financial, physical and ...
Synthesis of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Y-Doped 3D-Printed ZSM-5 Monoliths and Their Catalytic Performance for n-Hexane Cracking

In this work, chromium, copper, nickel, and yttrium-doped 3D-printed ZSM-5 monoliths were synthesized by doping the ZSM-5 zeolite paste with corresponding metal precursors. The physical and acid properties of the metal-doped 3D-printed ZSM-5 monoliths were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), N2 adsorption, temperature programmed reduction of H2(H2-TPR), and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD) techniques. The characterization of bare and metal-doped monoliths confirmed the presence of metal promoters within the zeolite matrix while their MFI frameworks were retained after doping and printing. It was also found that the metal doping significantly affected the ZSM-5 porosity, acidity, and morphology according to the N2 physisorption, NH3-TPD, and SEM, respectively. The dependence of products selectivities on the conversion of n-hexane and the reaction temperature over 3D-p...
Usage-Driven Personalized Mobile Banking Application: A Research Prototype

Mobile banking (MB) services offered today by a majority of financial institutions are moving from being a strategic advantage to survival strategy in a highly competitive environment. The ubiquity of smartphones among banking customers to access a wide array of banking services including account balance check, money transfer, and mobile deposit has fueled MB services adoption. Personalization involves customizing the user interface and graphics to each users' need. Research on mobile usage shows that apps with personalization increases customer satisfaction, loyalty, continued usage and provide a higher return on investment for the banks.In this study, we designed a personalized MB application that conducts real-time analysis of user's prior interactions with the system to improve user experience with a personalized user interface (UI) while maintaining user privacy. The architecture of PERsonalized user interface in Mobile App (PERMA) system is modeled in terms of client-server architecture where the mobile app in a smart phone connects to a backend server in private cloud over mobile network
The Immune Response to Exercise: Effects on Cellular Mobilization, Immune Function and Muscle Regeneration

This chapter aims to summarize changes in leukocyte mobilization, immune function and leukocyte infiltration after endurance and resistance exercise. The majority of leukocytes are not in the circulation but reside in a reservoir known as the marginated pool. Exercise, through increases in catecholamines and cortisol, stimulates the release of leukocytes from the marginated pool, increasing the number of circulating cells post exercise. Exercise also modifies immune functions such as proliferation, cytotoxicity, phagocytosis and chemotaxis. An important purpose for increasing circulating cells is to provide support for regeneration and repair of muscle tissue after exercise to existing intramuscular leukocytes. One factor that appears to have an important role in the degree and duration of leukocyte infiltration into muscle tissue is the extent of muscle damage. However, many gaps remain in respect to exercise-induced leukocyte mobilization and function, due to different approaches in study design, highlighting areas for future research.
The Future of BioPasteur -- Supplement

The purpose of this exercise is to let students experience a few biases that can be deleterious to strategic decision-making. In particular, students are induced to fall into a confirmatory trap, and to experience other biases such as anchoring and sampling bias. Although the exercise can be performed individually, it is a better vehicle to explore how some team-level dynamics and structural choices can either increase or reduce the probability of falling into such biases. The exercise creates a situation that mirrors the one leading to the Challenger disaster.
The Microchemical Identification of Steroids from Biological Media

Steroid hormones are normally present in body tissues and fluids in microgram quantities. Therefore, it has become necessary to devise and apply microanalytical techniques to the isolation and identification of these compounds.
Abstract 16038: Bone Marrow SSEA1+ Cells Contribute in the Response to Cardiac Pressure Overload

Introduction: SSEA1+ cells have been described as the most primitive mesenchymal progenitor cell in the bone marrow (BM). We have observed a significant proliferative response of SSEA1+ in response to pressure overload (PO) but their role in response to cardiac injury remains to be defined. Methods and Results: Lethally irradiated mice were transplanted with normal bone marrow in which the wild-type SSEA1+ were replaced with GFP+ SSEA1+. PO was induced by trans-aortic constriction (TAC). The fate of GFP+ cells was determined in the BM, spleen, and heart by flow cytometry 1 w post-TAC. Mice were also transplanted with either total GFP BM or GFP BM depleted of SSEA1+ cells. TAC and Sham operations were performed and cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Consistent with the proliferative response of SSEA1+ following PO, we observed a 66.8% increase of GFP+ cells in the BM 1 w after TAC. However, this increase did not correlate with an increase in SSEA1+ cells. GFP+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) were observed in Sham (7 weeks post-transplant) in the BM and spleen, with GFP contribution increasing after TAC (BM - HSC 1.9% vs 10.92 %, EPC 9.3% vs 32.3%; spleen - HSC 1.5% vs 6.8%, EPC 2.4% vs 10.5%). Similarly, in the heart, there was an increase in the percentage of GFP+ EPC after TAC (Sham 1.6% vs TAC 9%). Interestingly, we observed minimal contribution of GFP+ cells to the cardiac stem cell population (Sham 0% vs TAC 0.5%). Mice with SSEA1 depleted BM had normal cardiac function and normal blood cell counts at baseline compared to total BM transplanted mice. However, in response to TAC, mice with SSEA1+ depleted BM had a reduced cardiac function in response to TAC resulting in decreased ejection fraction (SSEA1 depleted -19.4±2.1%, total GFP BM -6.1±0.7% percent change in EF compared to sham, p=0.04) 2 weeks post TAC. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate for the first time, in vivo, the natural fate of BM SSEA1+ cells to become cells of hematopoietic and endothelial origin. We also have determined that BM SSEA1+ deficiency results in a reduced compensatory capacity in response to pressure overload. Further studies are in progress understand the mechanism in which SSEA1+ cells support the myocardium in response to TAC
Comparison of ESN, urea, and aqua ammonia as sources of nitrogen for corn production in Iowa

Three nitrogen response studies were conducted in Iowa to compare the effect of a controlled release fertilizer, ESN, to urea and aqua ammonia (AA), on corn grain yields, biomass yields, and soil nitrate (NO3 -N) and ammonium (NH4 + -N) concentrations. Experiments were conducted at two sites from 2003 through 2007 for the spring-applied ESN/urea study, two sites from 2006 through 2007 for the fall and spring-applied ESN/AA study, and one site from 2006 through 2007 for the spring applied ESN/AA study. N rates in the studies were 0202 kg ha -1 in 34 kg N ha -1 increments in the ESN/urea study and 0-202 kg N ha -1 in 67 kg N ha -1 increments in the fall and spring-applied ESN/AA studies. Four of nine site-years in the ESN/urea study had significantly higher corn grain yields due to ESN. One of four site-years in the fall and spring-applied study had higher grain yields to either fall or spring application of ESN. Neither year of the spring-applied ESN/AA study had significantly higher grain yields due to ESN. Biomass yields, the above ground portion of the plant minus the ear, were also collected at physiological maturity. None of the nine site-years in the ESN/urea study had a positive response to ESN. One of the four site-years in the fall and springapplied ESN/AA study had a positive response to spring-applied ESN. Neither year of the spring-applied ESN/AA study had a positive response to ESN. Soil samples were taken to measure NH4 + -N and NO3 -N concentrations at the V-6, V-15 growth stages, and also postharvest at a depth of 0-30 cm. A 31-60 cm soil sample was also taken at post harvest. Throughout all of the studies, ESN treatments usually had higher concentrations of soil NH4 + -N and NO3 -N. Higher concentrations of residual N left in the soil after harvest can be subject to loss overwinter.
Methods for Measuring Functional Properties of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and Myofibrils in Small Samples of Myocardium

We describe here methods developed to study properties of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and myofibrils in the same sample of heart muscle. We wanted to do this because regulation of SR and myofibrils appears to be coordinated in both short-term and long-term regulation of the heart. In short-term regulation of beating hearts, both SR and myofibrillar proteins are phosphorylated by activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinases (Solaro et al., 1976, 1980; E. G. Kranias and R. J. Solaro, unpublished observations). These phosphorylations alter cardiac function by increasing the velocity of Ca2+ transport by the SR (Katz, 1979) and by decreasing the Ca2+ sensitivity of myofibrillar activation (Solaro et al., 1976; Holroyde et al., 1979), and these changes are likely to be responsible for the decreased contraction-relaxation cycle time of hearts responding to sympathetic nerve stimulation. During relatively long-term stress, such as exercise (Pagani and Solaro, 1981), pressure overload, or thyrotoxicosis (Alpert et al., 1979), kinetic properties of SR and myofibrils change in a way that suggests that these chronic signals might also induce coordinated changes in the SR and the contractoregulatory protein complex. For example, hearts of hyperthyroid rabbits show increased rates of contraction and relaxation, and this is undoubtedly a manifestation of increased velocity of Ca2+ transport by the SR and the increased rate of myofibrillar cross-bridge cycling. It is also clear that some pharmacological agents, general and local anesthetics, for example, affect both SR and myofibrillar function and thus may affect coordination between these organelles.
Perceived mindfulness and depressive symptoms among people with chronic pain

The study purpose was to evaluate pain catastrophizing and psychological distress as mediators for the relationship between perceived mindfulness and depressive symptoms in people with chronic pain. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey with 211 adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain recruited from U.S. clinics and community networks. A serial multiple mediation analysis was performed using ordinary least-squares regressions and a bootstrap testing approach. Pain catastrophizing and psychological distress, independently and jointly, mediated the relationship between mindfulness and depressive symptoms. Rehabilitation counseling professionals should consider targeting mindfulness, pain catastrophizing, and psychological distress in psychosocial treatment for people with chronic pain.