cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Manganese on Growth and Restoration of Photosynthesis in Manganese Deficient Algae

Summary Mangenese deficiency was induced in autotrophically grown cultures of the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus , and various aspects of growth and of Mn uptake and the subsequent restoration of photosynthesis were investigated. Scenedesmus grew at an exponential but reduced rate in Mn deficient cultures. Deficient cultures were easily produced at 10 −8 M Mn. Cells grown with saturating levels of Mn appeared to store excess Mn; this excess delayed Mn deficiencies as shown by changes in growth rates of cultures transferred to Mn deficient media. Saturating concentrations of Mn occurred at levels in the media above 10 −6 M. The transition (limiting) concentrations of Mn occurred between 10 −6 and 10 −7 M Mn. In addition to the investigation of effects of Mn levels on growth of algal cultures, rapid physiological effects including Mn uptake and restoration of photosynthesis were examined. The effects of duration of incubation and Mn concentration were investigated. As little as 1 minute incubation in the dark with saturating concentrations of Mn (> 10 −6 M) allowed deficient cells to attain full photosynthesis (as measured by stable oxygen evolution rates) in the light. Incubation durations and Mn concentrations that resulted in a limited Mn uptake were determined. Dark or light treatments during Mn uptake were not found to influence the extent of restoration of photosynthesis, whether the Mn concentration was at limiting or saturating levels.
ngsShoRT: A Software for Pre-processing Illumina Short Read Sequences for De Novo Genome Assembly

The shorter sequence read length, higher base-call error rate, non-uniform coverage and platform-specific artifacts of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies hinder the de novo genome assembly. We developed ngsShoRT (next-generation sequencing Short Reads Trimmer), a flexible and comprehensive open source software package written in Perl that implements novel algorithms as well as other commonly used pre-processing algorithms from the literature to process Illumina short read sequences for downstream data analyses. We compared the effects of different pre-processing algorithms/methods on the de novo assembly of C. elegans genome by measuring the assembly contiguity and correctness. Our experiments show that removing reads with ambiguous "N" bases and adapter sequences, and trimming of 3′-ends of reads using our novel quality score-based trimming algorithms improved the assembly quality. The source code of ngsShoRT is freely available and can be easily incorporated as a pre-processing step for genome/transcriptome assembly pipeline.
Using longitudinal mixed-methods research to look at undeclared students

Using the description of a study examining an intervention for undeclared students, this chapter explores the utility of mixed-methods longitudinal research design for institutional researchers.
Surface chemistry and film growth during TiN atomic layer deposition using TDMAT and NH3

Abstract Surface chemistry and film growth were examined during titanium nitride (TiN) atomic layer deposition (ALD) using sequential exposures of tetrakis-dimethylamino titanium (TDMAT) and NH 3 . This ALD system is shown to be far from ideal and illustrates many potential problems that may affect ALD processing. These studies were performed using in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. Ex situ measurements also analyzed the properties of the TiN ALD films. The FTIR studies revealed that TDMAT reacts with NH x * species on the TiN surface following NH 3 exposures to deposit new Ti(N(CH 3 ) 2 ) x * species. Subsequent NH 3 exposure consumes the dimethylamino species and regenerates the NH x * species. These observations are consistent with transamination exchange reactions during the TDMAT and NH 3 exposures. QCM studies determined that the TDMAT and NH 3 reactions are nearly self-limiting. However, slow continual growth occurs with long TDMAT exposures. In addition, the TiN ALD growth rate increases progressively with growth temperature. The resistivities of the TiN ALD films were ⩾10 4 μΩ cm and the densities were ⩽3 g/cm 3 corresponding to a porosity of ∼40%. The high porosity allows facile oxidation of the TiN films and lowers the film resistivities. These high film porosities will seriously impair the use of these TiN ALD films as diffusion barriers.
Lessons Learned While Integrating Habitat, Dispersal, Disturbance, and Life-History Traits into Species Habitat Models Under Climate Change

We present an approach to modeling potential climate-driven changes in habitat for tree and bird species in the eastern United States. First, we took an empirical-statistical modeling approach, using randomForest, with species abundance data from national inventories combined with soil, climate, and landscape variables, to build abundance-based habitat models for 134 tree and 147 bird species. We produced lists of species for which suitable habitat tends to increase, decrease, or stay the same for any region. Independent assessments of trends of large trees versus seedlings across the eastern U.S. show that 37 of 40 species in common under both studies are currently trending as modeled. We developed a framework, ModFacs, in which we used the literature to assign default modification factor scores for species characteristics that cannot be readily assessed in such models, including 12 disturbance factors (for example, drought, fire, insect pests), nine biological factors (for example, dispersal, shade tolerance), and assessment scores of novel climates, long-distance extrapolations, and output variability by climate model and emission scenario. We also used a spatially explicit cellular model, SHIFT, to calculate colonization potentials for some species, based on their abundance, historic dispersal distances, and the fragmented nature of the landscape. By combining results from the three efforts, we can create projections of potential climate change impacts over the next 100 years or so. Here we emphasize some of the lessons we have learned over 16 years in hopes that they may help guide future experiments, modeling efforts, and management.
Crosslinking-induced morphology change of latex nanoparticles: A study of RAFT-mediated polymerization in aqueous dispersed media using amphiphilic double-brush copolymers as reactive surfactants

Amphiphilic double-brush copolymers (DBCs) with each graft site quantitatively carrying both a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) graft and a hydrophobic polystyrene (PSt) graft are synthesized by sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). These DBCs are used as both surfactants and polyfunctional RAFT agents in the radical polymerization of St in aqueous dispersed media. Miniemulsions with narrowly dispersed St-based nanodroplets are readily obtained after ultrasonication of the reaction mixtures. Without the presence of crosslinker, chain-extension polymerization of St from the DBCs yields well-defined polymeric latexes with narrow size distributions. However, with the presence of divinylbenzene (DVB) as the crosslinker, vesicular polymeric nanoparticles are formed as the major product. Such crosslinking-induced change in morphology of the resulting latex nanomaterials may be ascribed to the increase of interfacial curvature in the heterophase systems during crosslinking polymerization. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3250–3259
Time-dependent thermal effects in current-modulated semiconductor lasers

The temporal dependence of the frequency shift in a current-modulated single-mode semiconductor laser is measured and compared with calculations based on solutions to the thermal diffusion equation. The effects of carrier density change, thermal diffusion in the semiconductor, and heat sink thermal resistance are identified.
The assignment problem: further exploring parallelism

The linear assignment problem requires the determination of an optimal permutation vector for the assignment of tasks to agents. Even the backtracking implementation supports a rather powerful bounding function. An earlier article discussed the fundamental problem and executing the backtracking in parallel. This article addresses the branch-and-bound approach and shows transforming that into a parallel algorithm.
Developmental Germanium Power Transistors

A developmental germanium power transistor is described. The collector heat dissipation is 20 watts at room temperature when the transistor is properly mounted. The unit delivers a peak collector current in the order of 1 ampere and has a peak collector voltage of 60 volts. Problems concerning heat transfer and mounting are discussed. Electrical characteristics for 75 degrees F. and 175 degrees F. mounting base temperature are given.
The price of telecom competition: counting the cost of advertising and promotion

Considers some costs with regard to long distance telephone services in the USA, particularly advertising and promotional expenses for US long distance telephone services between 1988 and 1997. Discusses shaping competition and advertising and promotional expenses, using Tables to give added emphasis. Concludes it is important to seek facts and make policy pragmatically.
Real-time ultrasonic biparietal diameter measurement for the prediction of gestational age in llamas.

Abstract Llama ( Lama glama ) fetuses (n = 25) of known gestational age (Day 66 to Day 235) were examined transabdominally using real-time ultrasound with a 5 MHz linear-array scanhead. Maximum head width, or biparietal diameter (BPD), was measured in symmetrical images using electronic linear distance calipers. The fetus was easily located and the BPD measured as early as Day 66 of gestation. During the last trimester, measurement became increasingly difficult due to the posture of the fetus and the limited penetration of the 5 MHz frequency. The relationship between days of gestational age (GA) and mean BPD in millimeters is described by the equation: [GA = 18.8 + 3.79 BPD]. Assignment of gestational age allows estimation of parturition date in this frequently pasture-bred and newly polular domestic ruminant.
Screen-printed particulate silicon devices for photovoltaic applications

Abstract A simple low temperature process for the preparation of particulate silicon devices is described. The process is based on the screen-printing of a paste containing silicon particles, adhesives and an organic binder on a metallized substrate. The formation of the rear contact, firing of the particulate silicon layer and sealing of the rear contact is performed in one step only by exposing the wet print to a well-defined temperature cycle. Subsequently a front Schottky electrode is applied by evaporation of a semi-transparent metal layer or by screen-printing rectifying contact pads on top of the particulate layer. Experimental results on small-area particulate silicon Schottky devices are reported showing that the process is capable of providing diodes with sharp current-voltage ( I–V ) characteristics. Finally, a novel structure for an efficient and predominantly red-sensitive particulate silicon p-n junction solar cell using pre-diffused particles is introduced.
Vibration testing of impact-damaged composite laminates

A new test is described that can be used to measure changes in the vibration properties of impact damaged composite materials. Impact-induced delamination was observed to significantly affect natural frequencies of vibration and damping properties in cross-ply graphite/epoxy laminates. Natural frequencies are shown to drop by as much as half of their original value, and modal damping ratios can increase by a factor of up to eight when large amounts of damage are present. A simple finite element model of the damaged impact specimens was used to predict the effect of delamination on certain vibration properties. A comparison of the finite element calculations with the experimental measurements suggests that delamination was the dominant mechanism of flexural stiffness loss resulting from the transverse impact.
Effect of intravenous glucose and insulin on plasma tryptophan and tyrosine concentrations in normal subjects and patients with carcinoid tumors.

Abstract We evaluated the effect of intravenous (i.v.) glucose on the plasma tryptophan (TRP) and tyrosine (TYR) concentration of 12 normal subjects, six patients with carcinoid tumors and the carcinoid syndrome (carcinoid syndrome), and five patients with carcinoid tumors without the carcinoid syndrome (tumor). Following i.v. glucose administration, the plasma Trp concentration of the normal subjects and the tumor patients increased, while the plasma Trp concentration of the carcinoid syndrome patients decreased. Following i.v. glucose administration, the plasma Tyr concentration of the normal subjects and the tumor patients decreased, while the plasma Tyr concentration of the carcinoid syndrome patients did not change. The response to i.v. insulin differed in some respects from the response to i.v. glucose: the plasma Trp of normal subjects did not change while the plasma Trp of carcinoid syndrome patients decreased; the plasma Tyr of the normal subjects increased while the plasma Tyr concentration of the carcinoid syndrome patients did not change. The carcinoid syndrome patients had high serum serotonin concentrations and impaired glucose tolerance and insulin secretion as compared to both normal subjects and tumor patients. We conclude that under appropriate experimental conditions, glucose administration can increase the plasma Trp concentration of normal human subjects.
Separable-potential three-body model of the A = 6 system. II. /sup 6/Li ground state

Separable-potential three-body (..cap alpha..np) models of the /sup 6/Li ground state are examined. Different separable-potential fits to the ..cap alpha..-n phase shifts and the low-energy /sup 3/S/sub 1/-/sup 3/D/sub 1/ two-nucleon parameters are reviewed, after which integral equations are derived for the spectator functions of the /sup 6/Li ground-state wave function assuming S/sub 1/2/, P/sub 1/2/, and P3/2 components in the ..cap alpha..-n interaction. These equations are solved to determine the /sup 6/Li binding energy and investigate its sensitivity to the /sup 3/D/sub 1/ component of the two-nucleon interaction, its variation upon neglecting different components of the ..cap alpha..-n interaction, and its dependence on different analytical forms for the P-wave ..cap alpha..-n interactions. For two wave functions derived from the same set of ..cap alpha..-n interactions, but with the /sup 3/S/sub 1/-/sup 3/D/sub 1/ two-nucleon interaction producing 0% and 4% d-wave components in the deuteron, respectively, the spectator functions are given and the contributions to the ground-state normalization of the various components are calculated. The latter two wave functions correspond to three-body /sup 6/Li binding energies of 4.446 MeV (0%) and 4.070 MeV (4%) compared with the Coulomb-adjusted experimental value of 4.53 MeV.
Child Compliance and Congruity between Verbal and Nonverbal Maternal Communication — A Methodological Note

This paper is a report of a study of congruity between verbal and nonverbal maternal communication with sons during two 30-minute sessions. The instructions to the mothers varied for the two sessions by increasing the time the mother was asked to spend on a brain teaser game and by decreasing the number of play materials available for the sons in the second session. The two sessions were videotaped through a one-way mirror and rated independently for maternal verbal and nonverbal communicaiton and child compliance. Mothers differed for the two sessions in their communication with their sons. The study demonstrated that maternal nonverbal communication, as well as verbal communication, can be reliably measured through use of videotape recording.
Ligand binding kinetics of hemoglobin from the earthworm

Abstract Kinetic measurements of CO and O2 binding by the high molecular weight (ca. 3,000,000) hemoglobin from Lumbricus terrestris reveal that: (1) the high co-operativity is associated with a much lower value for 1′ (“on” constant for CO) than in mammalian hemoglobins and (2) the value of 1′ for the subunits is at least 20 times that for the intact polymer. Co-operativity in O2 binding is also manifested kinetically in the O2 dissociation reaction in the absence and presence of CO as a replacement ligand.
A generalized coordinate ocean model and a comparison of the bottom boundary layer dynamics in terrain-following and in z-level grids

Sensitivity studies with a new generalized coordinate ocean model are performed in order to compare the behavior of bottom boundary layers (BBLs) when terrain-following (sigma or combined sigma and z-level) or z-level vertical grids are used, but most other numerical aspects remain unchanged. The model uses a second-order turbulence closure scheme that provides surface and BBL mixing and results in a quite realistic climatology and deep water masses after 100 year simulations with a coarse resolution (1 � 1) basin-scale terrain-following grid. However, with the same turbulence scheme but using a z-level grid, the model was unable to produce dense water masses in the deep ocean. The latter is a known problem for coarse resolution z-level models, unless they include highly empirical BBL schemes. A set of dense water overflow experiments with high-resolution grids (10 and 2.5 km) are used to investigate the influence of model parameters such as horizontal diffusivity, vertical mixing, horizontal resolution, and vertical resolution on the simulation of bottom layers for the different coordinate systems. Increasing horizontal diffusivity causes a thinner BBL and a bottom plume that extends further downslope in a sigma grid, but causes a thicker BBL and limited downslope plume extension in a z-level grid. A major difference in the behavior of the BBL in the two grids is due to the larger vertical mixing generated by the turbulence scheme over the step-like topography in the z-level grid, compared to a smaller vertical mixing and a more stably stratified BBL in the sigma grid. Therefore, the dense plume is able to maintain its water mass better and penetrates farther downslope in the sigma grid than in the z-level grid. Increasing horizontal and vertical resolution in the z-level grid converges the results toward those obtained by a much coarser resolution sigma coordinate grid, but some differences remain due to the basic differences in the mixing process in the BBL. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Numerous Eruptive Lesions of Panniculitis Associated with Group A Streptococcus Bacteremia in an Immunocompetent Child

A previously healthy 13-month-old boy developed group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteremia coinciding with numerous eruptive subcutaneous lesions primarily on his extremities. Skin biopsy revealed infectious panniculitis; gram-positive cocci were present within both fat lobules and septa. Molecular genetic analysis of an isolate from the patient's blood revealed an emm type 4 organism displaying the emm chromosomal pattern E that is characteristic of opacity factor-producing strains; the organism also harbored the gene encoding for streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin C (speC). To our knowledge, this clinical presentation has not yet been described in the spectrum of infections directly caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
Learning Monotonic Transformations for Classification

A discriminative method is proposed for learning monotonic transformations of the training data while jointly estimating a large-margin classifier. In many domains such as document classification, image histogram classification and gene microarray experiments, fixed monotonic transformations can be useful as a preprocessing step. However, most classifiers only explore these transformations through manual trial and error or via prior domain knowledge. The proposed method learns monotonic transformations automatically while training a large-margin classifier without any prior knowledge of the domain. A monotonic piecewise linear function is learned which transforms data for subsequent processing by a linear hyperplane classifier. Two algorithmic implementations of the method are formalized. The first solves a convergent alternating sequence of quadratic and linear programs until it obtains a locally optimal solution. An improved algorithm is then derived using a convex semidefinite relaxation that overcomes initialization issues in the greedy optimization problem. The effectiveness of these learned transformations on synthetic problems, text data and image data is demonstrated.
An Outbreak of Fowl Cholera in Ring-Necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

Abstract A total of 120 ring-necked pheasants from a 3000-bird flock in Zeeland, MI, died over a 3-day period. Clinical signs included sudden death, diarrhea, and limping. At necropsy, hepatomegaly with multifocal cream-colored foci randomly distributed throughout the parenchyma was observed in diseased birds. Additionally, the spleen was enlarged up to three times its normal size and had a marbled appearance. Microscopically, there was multifocal splenic and hepatic necrosis with intralesional rod-shaped bacteria. Pasteurella multocida serotype 3/4 was isolated from liver and spleen. In this paper, we report an outbreak of acute fowl cholera in ring-necked pheasants.
Spoilers, blocking coalitions, and the core

This paper surveys non-cooperative implementations of the core which tell an intuitive story of coalition formation. Under the core solution concept, if a blocking coalition exists those agents abandon the current allocation without regard for the consequences to players outside the blocking coalition. Yet in certain circumstances, these players have an incentive to prevent formation of any blocking coalition; a game analyzed in Lagunoff (Games Econ Behav 7:54–61, 1994) is vulnerable to such circumstances. To obtain all core allocations and only core allocations, a mechanism must either restrict the actions of non-members of a proposed coalition, or ensure that non-members are unharmed by the departure of the coalition. These requirements illustrate the core’s nonchalance toward agents not in blocking coalitions.
Anonymous connections and onion routing

Onion routing provides anonymous connections that are strongly resistant to both eavesdropping and traffic analysis. Unmodified Internet applications can use these anonymous connections by means of proxies. The proxies may also make communication anonymous by removing identifying information from the data stream. Onion routing has been implemented on Sun Solaris 2.X with proxies for Web browsing, remote logins and e-mail. This paper's contribution is a detailed specification of the implemented onion routing system, a vulnerability analysis based on this specification, and performance results.
Frequency analysis of time-interval-modulated switched networks

A Fourier analysis of the time-interval-modulated switched networks is undertaken using time-varying system theory. The result is a linearized describing function approach which determines the small-signal control-to-output (fundamental Fourier component) frequency response. The proposed algorithm is general and exact, and the results are developed in closed form. The intended application area is that of switching DC-to-DC converters, where use of the algorithm is demonstrated in deriving an exact analytical expression for the control-to-output transfer function of pulse-width-modulated converters. Experimental results are presented, verifying the modeling technique. >
The Overlooked Terrestrial Impacts of Mountaintop Mining

Ecological research on mountaintop mining has been focused on aquatic impacts because the overburden (i.e., the mountaintop) is disposed of in nearby valleys, which leads to a wide range of water-quality impacts on streams. There are also numerous impacts on the terrestrial environment from mountaintop mining that have been largely overlooked, even though they are no less wide ranging, severe, and multifaceted. We review the impacts of mountaintop mining on the terrestrial environment by exploring six broad themes: (1) the loss of topographic complexity, (2) forest loss and fragmentation, (3) forest succession and soil loss, (4) forest loss and carbon sequestration, (5) biodiversity, and (6) human health and well-being.
Warfare and Society in the Carolingian Ostmark

The relationship between military and social organization has long been a topic of major concern and debate among scholars specializing in the history of the European middle ages. It is a topic of importance, for, as we who live in the modern world are aware, the ways in which any government organizes its people for warfare have many implications that go well beyond the strategy of a particular campaign or the tactics employed at a decisive battle. The rudimentary nature of the economies and governments in medieval Europe probably made the relationship between military and social organization more direct and, hence, more obvious than it is today. Peasants may have been illiterate, but they were cognizant of their obligation to serve in local levies and to provide food, fodder, and transport facilities for armies on campaign. Magnates who kept a retinue with them at all times and who garrisoned private fortresses were dependent on surpluses produced by the peasantry for the maintenance of these forces.
Reply to comment by J. Bouldin on “Has fire suppression increased the amount of carbon stored in western U.S. forests?”

[1] We agree with some aspects of Bouldin [2009] and welcome the opportunity to clarify aspects of Fellows and Goulden [2008, hereafter F-G]. Several of Bouldin’s claims reflect his interpretation of the core message of our paper. Bouldin feels our main message was that ‘‘fire suppression, independent of logging, has brought about a decrease in live, aboveground tree carbon via increased mortality of large trees in western U.S. forests’’. Our intended message was that we found no evidence that fire suppression has led to a large increase in forest biomass, and a suggestion, along with a hypothesized mechanism, that fire suppression has led to a loss of biomass. We feel Bouldin’s interpretation is inconsistent with our paper, which repeatedly returns to the question of whether fire suppression has increased carbon stocks, and discusses the possibility of a general loss of carbon with fire suppression as a hypothesis rather than statement of fact. Our paper generated popular press, some of which may have overemphasized the possibility of carbon loss, and Bouldin may be reacting to some of these
Up-Regulation of Interleukin-8 by Novel Small Cytoplasmic Molecules of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae via p38 and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathways

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is an important etiological agent of otitis media (OM) and of exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Inflammation is a hallmark of both diseases. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), one of the important inflammatory mediators, is induced by NTHI and may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Our studies demonstrated that a soluble cytoplasmic fraction (SCF) from NTHI induced much greater IL-8 expression by human epithelial cells than did NTHI lipooligosaccharides and envelope proteins. The IL-8-inducing activity was associated with molecules of < or =3 kDa from SCF and was peptidase and lipase sensitive, suggesting that small lipopeptides are responsible for the strong IL-8 induction. Moreover, multiple intracellular signaling pathways were activated in response to cytoplasmic molecules. The results indicated that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Src-dependent Raf-1-Mek1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK MAPK) pathways are required for NTHI-induced IL-8 production. In contrast, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway did not affect IL-8 expression, although this pathway was concomitantly activated upon exposure to NTHI SCF. The PI3K-Akt pathway was also directly activated by IL-8 and significantly inhibited by an antagonist of IL-8 receptors during NTHI stimulation. These results indicated that the PI3K-Akt pathway is activated in response to IL-8 that is induced by NTHI and may lead to other important epithelial cell responses. This work provides insight into essential molecular and cellular events that may impact on the pathogenesis of OM and COPD and identifies rational targets for anti-inflammatory intervention.
Induction of Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Urothelium

In vitro generation of human urothelium from stem cells would be a major advancement in the regenerative medicine field, providing alternate nonurologic and/or nonautologous tissue sources for bladder grafts. Such a model would also help decipher the mechanisms of urothelial differentiation and would facilitate investigation of deviated differentiation of normal progenitors into urothelial cancer stem cells, perhaps elucidating areas of intervention for improved treatments. Thus far, in vitro derivation of urothelium from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells has not been reported. The goal of this work was to develop an efficient in vitro protocol for the induction of hESCs into urothelium through an intermediary definitive endoderm step and free of matrices and cell contact. During directed differentiation in a urothelial-specific medium ("Uromedium"), hESCs produced up to 60% urothelium, as determined by uroplakin expression; subsequent propagation selected for 90% urothelium. Alteration of the epithelial and mesenchymal cell signaling contribution through noncell contact coculture or conditioned media did not enhance the production of urothelium. Temporospatial evaluation of transcription factors known to be involved in urothelial specification showed association of IRF1, GET1, and GATA4 with uroplakin expression. Additional hESC and hiPS cell lines could also be induced into urothelium using this in vitro system. These results demonstrate that derivation and propagation of urothelium from hESCs and hiPS cells can be efficiently accomplished in vitro in the absence of matrices, cell contact, or adult cell signaling and that the induction process appears to mimic normal differentiation.
Satisfaction with dental appearance among diverse groups of dentate adults.

Objectives: To quantify (a) the prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance in a diverse sample of dentate adults and (b) the associations between dissatisfaction with dental appearance, sociodemographic factors, and other measures of oral health. Methods: Data were taken from the Florida Dental Care Study , a population-based longitudinal cohort study of oral health and related behaviors. The sample included 873 participants at baseline. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were conducted to analyze the baseline data in the current report. Results: Females, problem-oriented dental attenders, and participants who had not completed high school were significantly more dissatisfied with their dental appearance than their respective counterparts. Dissatisfaction with dental appearance was also independently associated with six specific clinical and self-reported measures of oral health. Discussion: Dissatisfaction with dental appearance was common in this population-based sample of middle-age...
Modeling of a constant Q; methodology and algorithm for an efficient and optimally inexpensive viscoelastic technique

Linear anelastic phenomena in wave propagation problems can be well modeled through a viscoelastic mechanical model consisting of standard linear solids. In this paper we present a method for modeling of constant Q as a function of frequency based on an explicit closed formula for calculation of the parameter fields. Several standard linear solids connected in parallel can be tuned through a single parameter to yield an excellent constant Q approximation. The proposed method enables substantial savings in computations and memory requirements. Experiments show that the new method also yields higher accuracy in the modeling of Q than, e.g., the Pade approximant method.
ON THE CRITICAL PROBLEM FOR A TWO-REGION SPHERE.

The one-speed critical problem is solved for a two-region sphere, where the total cross section is common, but different multiplication parameters in the two zones are permitted. A trans- form procedure is used to reduce the integral transport equation to a pseudo problem in slab geometry. This, in turn, is solved by Case's method of normal modes. The analysis leads to a Fredholm integral equation for the only unknown expansion coefficient. In addition, a critical condition, from which the allowable parameters of the problem are to be determined, is obtained. THE normal-mode expansion technique introduced by CASE (1960) has frequently been used to develop exact solutions to problems in neutron transport theory and also to radiative transfer problems in astrophysical applications; see, for example, CASE and ZWEIFEL (1967), SIEWERT and ZWEIFEL (1966), SIEWERT and FRALEY (1967), and MCCORMICK and KUSEER (1965). Since the class of problems that have been solved explicitly has basically been restricted to those involving plane symmetry, there is a need for more comprehensive solutions to problems with spherical or cylindrical symmetry. DAVISON (1945), in one of his classic papers, found the eigenfunctions of the homogeneous one-speed transport equation in spherical geometry. Hence he was able to construct an exact solution to the infinite-medium point-source problem. More recently MITSIS (1963) developed an ingenious transform technique which he used to generate solutions to single-region critical problems for spheres and cylinders. LEONARD and MULLIKIN (1964) as well as ERDMANN and SIEWERT (1968) have also
System identification of buildings by wave travel time analysis and layered shear beam models—Spatial resolution and accuracy

A previously explored method for one-dimensional structural system identification and earthquake damage detection in buildings, based on measuring wave travel time through the structure and its changes, is formalized, and its spatial resolution and accuracy are analyzed. The method identifies the velocity of propagation of shear waves in the structure as function of height. The wave travel time is measured from impulse responses obtained from recorded response at different locations in the structure. The main advantages of this SHM method over other methods are its robustness in application to real buildings and large amplitude response, insensitivity to the effects of soil–structure interaction, and local in nature achieved with relatively small number of sensors. The identification is based on a layered shear beam model of the building. In this paper, analytical impulse response functions are presented for such model, which provide theoretical basis to define identification algorithms. The derivation of one such algorithm, which involves approximations, from the exact wave propagation solution of the model is presented, and its spatial resolution and accuracy are critically examined. Termed here ‘direct algorithm’, it involves measuring the pulse time shifts and amplitudes and identifies shear wave velocities and quality factor Q in the layers. Various issues identified, e.g. the trade-off between accuracy and detail of the identification, are illustrated on a full-scale densely instrumented nine-story RC building (Millikan Library in Pasadena, CA, USA, excited by 2002 Yorba Linda earthquake). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the spoken disambiguation of superficially ambiguous sentences.

A set of sentences containing the phrase good flies quickly in each of two constituent structurings (e.g., the good flies quickly past v. the good flies quickly passed) was read by five trained readers. The recorded readings of this phrase were then excised from the full sentences and presented to two groups of listeners—one group being asked to judge the location of the " sentence break " in each reading, the other group being asked whether good or flies was " most stressed " in each reading. These judgments were then compared with acoustic analyses of the stimuli in order to determine the acoustic cues for these judgments. Contrary to some other researches, the relative peak of amplitude of the words good and flies was found to be the major determinant of both sentence break and stress judgments. Pause durations or pitch contours account for about one-third of the judgments, whereas relative amplitude accounts for 90% of all judgments.
An Exploratory Assessment: Developing Pathways for Underrepresented Minorities Into Genomic Science

This study seeks to examine programmatic efforts focused on developing a capacity building learning environment as a pathway to genomic science for underrepresented minority students. Students participated in a survey (n = 51); a subsample participated in focus groups (n = 11) as well as on a pre- and postskills assessment activity (n = 17). Overall, findings indicate that the programmatic intervention has assisted students in several areas such as (a) creating opportunities in science fieldwork and research, (b) preparing them for graduate school, and (c) serving as a pipeline for science research and careers. Furthermore, focus group participants expressed that the program has assisted them in gaining concrete experiences in (a) science research, (b) learning about their options in science, and (c) learning how to continue in a science academic path. The program has also assisted students in achieving and successfully planning their long-term goals in science-related fields.
No One Even Has Eyes: The Decline of Hand-Painted Graphics in Mumbai

In this work of creative non-fiction, accompanied by coloring book plates of his own design, the author explores recent changes in Indian visual culture. An investigation of hand painted political graphics in Mumbai revealed very little painting and a great deal about the rapidly advancing digitalization of visual space in India. As idiosyncratic and individual creative efforts are replaced by mass-produced digital printing in what ways are India’s political networks enhanced; In what ways are India’s creative networks destroyed? Translators, police officers, political activists, and artists are presented through the eyes of an outsider whose own expectations about creative expression and political participation are challenged. The conclusion considers how once recycled visual culture artifacts are now junk destined for the landfill, and urges readers to color-in the whitewashed spaces of the city.
Type Assisted Synthesis of Recursive Transformers on Algebraic Data Types.

In this paper, we show how synthesis can help implement interesting functions involving pattern matching and algebraic data types. One of the novel aspects of this work is the combination of type inference and counterexample-guided inductive synthesis (CEGIS) in order to support very high-level notations for describing the space of possible implementations that the synthesizer should consider. The paper also describes a set of optimizations that significantly improve the performance and scalability of the system. The approach is evaluated on a set of case studies which most notably include synthesizing desugaring functions for lambda calculus that force the synthesizer to discover Church encodings for pairs and boolean operations, as well as a procedure to generate constraints for type inference.
Historical and current climate drive spatial and temporal patterns in fungal endophyte diversity

Abstract Horizontally-transmitted foliar endophytic fungi can moderate plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. Previous studies have found correlations between climate and endophyte beta diversity, but were unable to clearly separate drivers related to long-term climate, annual weather, and host plants. To address this, we characterized endophyte communities in the perennial C 4 grass, Panicum hallii , across a precipitation gradient in central Texas over 3 years. A total of 65 unique leaf endophytes were isolated and identified based on ITS and LSU regions of rDNA. Mean annual rainfall and temperature were the primary drivers of endophyte richness and community composition, followed by annual weather conditions. In contrast, little explanatory value was provided by plant host traits, vegetation structure, or spatial factors. The importance of historical climate and annual weather in endophyte distributions suggests that species sort by environment and are likely to be affected by future climate change.
Retrospective analysis of outcomes among more than 1,000 patients with newly diagnosed anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors

2014 Background: Treatment of anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors is controversial. Early results of randomized trials suggest chemotherapy (CT) with procarbazine-lomustine-vincristine (PCV) before ...
Abstract 501: Enhanced Expression of the Endocannabinoid 2-AG and CB-1 Receptor in the Kidney of the Diabetic Hypertensive Female Rat

The cannabinoids arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptors including CB1 and CB2 subtypes. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is typically associated with regulation of metabolic balance and appetite, although CB1 receptors (CB1R) may contribute to diabetic renal injury while CB2R are protective. The hypertensive mRen2.Lewis (mRen2) females have less renal injury than the males; however, diabetic female mRen2 lack this protection and show comparable indices of injury to the diabetic males. The present study addressed whether female and male diabetic mRen2 exhibit similar alterations in the renal ECS. Diabetes was induced with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ at 65 mg/kg; ip). Cortical content of AEA and 2-AG was quantified by UPLC MS/MS. Receptor levels and the metabolizing enzymes for AEA (FAAH) and 2-AG (MAGL) were quantified by protein immunoblot. Basal 2-AG content was higher in male versus female mRen2, and significantly increased in both diabetic females and males (figure, n=6) while AEA was unchanged. Cortical Ang II correlated to 2-AG [p 70% lower in female diabetics compared to controls [p
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-Guided Pancreatic Duct Drainage: The Basics of When and How to Perform EUS-Guided Pancreatic Duct Interventions

Despite the advances in endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PDD) remains a technically challenging procedure. Technical success rates are greater than 70%; however, the average rate of adverse events is nearly 20%, which increases to 55% when stent migration is included. Until recently, a significant difficulty with this technique was the absence of dedicated devices. Proper patient selection is of utmost importance, and EUS-PDD should be reserved for patients who have failed endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. Furthermore, EUS-PDD must be performed by experienced endoscopists who are familiar with the technique. The most common indications include chronic pancreatitis induced strictures and stones, disconnected pancreatic ducts, inaccessible ampulla, and post-surgical altered anatomy. This manuscript will review the accessories used, techniques employed, and published literature reporting outcomes as well as adverse events regarding EUS-PDD.
Abstract P2-09-31: Circulating Ang-2 Predicts Distant Breast Cancer Recurrence in WHEL Study

Background: The cytokine ,Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), is associated with breast cancer invasion and metastasis in preclinical models and in clinicopathologic studies of breast cancer. Anti-angiogenic therapy (bevacizumab plus chemotherapy) has anti-tumor activity in metastatic breast cancer patients. Circulating Ang-2 may serve as a biomarker for distant breast cancer recurrence. Multiple small studies suggest that circulating IL-6, a cytokine that promotes migration and invasion of breast cancer cells, may also predict recurrence. The Women9s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study has a unique data set with serial blood samples, some within 6 months of recurrence, which allowed a focused test of circulating factors and distant recurrence. Using a standard 30 cytokine array chosen because it included both Ang-2 and IL-6, we examined associations between cytokine markers and short-term distant breast cancer recurrence. Methods: Fasting bloods were collected at 5 time points during the 6 year intervention of the WHEL study. There were 100 women who provided this sample within 6 months of diagnosis of recurrent metastatic cancer (oncologist confirmed). We tightly matched 100 non-recurrers from the main study who provided blood at the equivalent study time point. Matching variables included follow-up interval, age, clinical stage of the original tumor and enrollment site (WHEL had 7 sites). 30 chemo/cytokines were measured in each plasma sample using the Quantibody® Human Angiogenesis Array 2 (RayBiotech, Inc., Norcross, GA). Cytokine concentrations were log transformed. We used paired t-tests (P Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-31.
EFFECT OF LAKE WORTH AND SOUTH LAKE WORTH INLETS ON THE MOVEMENT OF LITTORAL MATERIAL

Lake Worth and South Lake Worth Inlets are artificial inlets connecting Lake Worth with the Atlantic Ocean. They are located on the east coast of Florida about 70 miles north of Miami and 300 miles south of Jacksonville. Lake Worth is a salt-water sound extending in a north-south direction, generally parallel to the ocean shore, as shown on figure 1. It is separated from the ocean by a barrier beach, 250 feet to about 3,600 feet wide and up to about 25 feet in elevation. The barrier beach is composed principally of sand, a portion of which is artificial fill over former low-lying marshy areas. There are occasional outcroppings of coquina rock on the barrier beach and in the offshore area. In this locality the offshore bottom is rather steep; the 100-fathom depth, lying closer to the shore than along other parts of the Atlantic coast, is about 5-1/2 miles offshore at Lake Worth Inlet.
Technique for Transanal Resection of Rectal and Pararectal Lesions Using the Urological Resectoscope

Low lying rectal and pararectal tumors can cause constipation, tenesmus and bleeding. Patients who are not candidates for a curative procedure can be offered palliative treatment safely and effectively by transanal resection with a standard urological resectoscope.
Primary Carcinoma of Stensen's Duct:

Malignancy arising in Stensen's duct is uncommon. Fourteen cases have been published in the English literature, and a new case is presented. A rational and apparently successful approach in the diagnosis and management of these cases is presented, illustrated, and discussed.