cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Two Small Introns of the Drosophila Affinidisjuncta Adh Gene Are Required for Normal Transcription

All Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) genes sequenced to date contain two small introns within the coding region. These are conserved in location and, to some extent, in sequence between the various species analyzed. To determine if these introns play a role in Adh gene expression, derivatives of the Drosophila affinidisjuncta Adh gene lacking one or both introns were constructed and analyzed by germline and transient transformation of Drosophila melanogaster. Removal of both introns lowered expression, whether measured by enzyme activity or by RNA levels. The decrease was seen in both germline transformed and transiently transformed larvae, with the effect being larger for germline transformants. Similar decreases (averaging 5-fold) were also seen at the embryonic and adult stages for germline transformants. Nuclear run-off transcription with nuclei from germline transformed embryos indicated that the reduction in RNA levels is due to decreased transcription. However, LacZ fusion constructs designed to test for the presence of a classical enhancer in the introns provided no evidence for such a mechanism. Removal of each intron individually resulted in more complex phenotypes. The introns have smaller, additive effects on expression in adults. In larvae, removal of the upstream intron significantly increases RNA levels but modestly decreases enzyme activity. Removal of the downstream intron lowers expression in both germline and transiently transformed larvae, but also increases position effects in germline transformants. Therefore, the small introns are clearly needed for optimal transcription of this Adh gene, but multiple mechanisms are involved.
Control of a Standing-Wave Thermoacoustic Refrigerator

A demonstration thermoacoustic refrigerator was used to test the effectiveness of three operating frequency control schemes. The goal was to determine which control scheme would be most beneficial in terms of efficiency when a driver and resonator are mismatched as may be the case where manufacturing tolerances are involved. The first control scheme was a phase-locked loop, which is the type of control most often used in the literature; the second and third were a gradient ascent algorithm applied to root-mean-squared acoustic pressure and time-averaged acoustic power supplied to the resonator, respectively. The controllers, each operating on a different parameter associated with a strong thermoacoutic effect, were simulated using an identified model of the plant, and adjustments were made to the controller parameters. Finally, the controllers were applied to the test bed device. The performance comparison of the controllers was based on thermoacoustic efficiency, electroacoustic efficiency, and electrothermal efficiency. The phase-locked loop was found to perform better thermoacoustically, but the acoustic pressure gradient ascent control performed better in terms of electroacoustic and electrothermal performance. The acoustic power gradient ascent controller resulted in the thermoacoustic core producing the most steady-state cooling power.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Calculation of the average activity of cracking catalysts

Abstract A mathematical technique has been used to calculate the changes of the average activity of cracking catalysts with time. Two different types of fluidized operation have been analysed. In one, a commercial unit operated at essentially constant catalyst inventory, constant catalyst loss rate and constant addition rate; in the other, the operations were characterized by a changing inventory, constant rate of attrition and no withdrawals of catalyst. The analyses show the inter-relationship of the operating variables and form a basis for predicting the future course of commercial runs.
Evidence for atmospheric carbon dioxide variability over the Gulf Stream

Two airborne surveys of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration have been conducted over the Gulf Stream off the east coast of Virginia and North Carolina on September 7-8, 1983. In situ CO2 data were acquired at an aircraft altitude of 300 m on trajectories that transcected the Gulf Stream near 36 deg N 73 deg W. Data show evidence of a CO2 concentration increase by 4 ppm to 15 ppm above the nominal atmospheric background value of 345 ppm. These enhanced values were associated with the physical location of the Gulf Stream prior to the passage of a weak cold front.
Engraftment of genetically modified bone marrow cells in sensitized hosts.

Expression of retrovirally transduced genes in bone marrow-derived cells can be used to establish stable long-term B- and T-cell tolerance. To determine whether preexisting antibodies may prohibit the use of gene therapy to establish tolerance, we examined the extent to which preexisting antibodies specific for the carbohydrate antigen Gal alpha1-3Gal beta1-4GlcNAc-R (alpha Gal) could affect engraftment and development of bone marrow progenitors expressing the enzyme UDPgalactose:beta-D-galactosyl-1,4-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide alpha(1-3)galactosyltransferase (E.C. 2.4.1.151), or simply alpha GT, which synthesizes the alpha Gal epitope. Groups of alpha GT knockout mice (GT(0) mice) lacking alpha Gal were presensitized to alpha Gal by immunization and then lethally irradiated and reconstituted with varying numbers of alpha GT-transduced syngeneic bone marrow cells. Whereas unimmunized controls were reconstituted with as few as 2 x 10(6) transduced cells, a significant fraction of immunized mice reconstituted with 2 x 10(6) or 4 x 10(6) alpha GT-transduced cells failed to undergo bone marrow engraftment and died. Immunized mice in which radiation protection was achieved failed to express alpha Gal. However, radiation protection and expression of alpha Gal on bone marrow-derived cells, resulting in tolerance, could be achieved by increasing the number of transduced cells used to reconstitute immunized mice. Thus, although high levels of preexisting antibodies can be a significant barrier to engraftment, this barrier can be overcome by increasing the number of transduced cells used for reconstitution.
Half and Half: An (Auto)ethnography of Hybrid Identities in a Korean American Mother-Daughter Relationship

Abstract This essay focuses on how immigrant mothers and second generation interracial daughters construct, perform, and negotiate racial and ethnic hybrid identities. Placing my mother's experiences in dialogue with my own experiences, I (auto)ethnographically examine how we navigate our mother-daughter relationship and intercultural and interracial identities in relation to discourses of Asian American-ness. I identify three sites for identity formation: location, language, and the dialectical tension of assimilation-preservation. I argue that the enactment of a racial self is not always a conscious part of one's identity. Rather, we each enact racialized cultural identities that are contextually performed and continuously shifting.
Parameters Affecting Supersonic Flowfield with Secondary Injection

† − k model. Both the two-dimensional and three-dimensional results are given. Some parameters affecting the penetration height and separation length of the interactive flowfield, including the total pressure ratio of the jet to the freestream, the boundary layer thickness, slot width, the Mach number of the freestream and injection, the jet angle, and the shape of the injection orifice in the 3D flowfield, were calculated in more detail. I. Introduction HE mixing flowfield resulting from a gaseous injection injected transversely into a supersonic freestream is encountered in many fields, such as rocket motor thrust vector control systems, supersonic combustion, high- speed flight vehicle reaction control jets, and gas-turbine cooling systems (1-3). The mixing flowfield is very complex, which includes bow shock wave, boundary layer separation, and vortices. The 2-D and 3-D schematic of the transverse jet injected into a supersonic freestream appears in Figure 1. In the 3-D flowfield, a three-dimensional bow shock forms ahead of the injection and interacts with the approaching boundary layer, resulting in a separation bubble. A barrel shock also occurs as the under expanded jet accelerates into the freestream. Acceleration of the jet core flow continues until a normal shock, or Mach disk, forms. Directly downstream of the jet plume, another separated zone develops in the region between the jet exit and the boundary layer reattachment point. A pair of counter-rotating vortices generated within the jet fluid and the horseshoe vortex region also forms near the jet exit and wraps around the injector, as illustrated in the schematic. The structure of the 2-D flowfield is similar to the 3-D flowfield.
Relative value of deep subtidal oyster reefs to other estuarine habitat types using a novel sampling method.

Subtidal eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) cover large expanses of many Gulf of Mexico estuaries; however, few researchers have attempted to quantify the value of deep, open-water, subtidal reefs as habitat for fishes and crustaceans as a result of gear limitations. We developed quantitative sampling gear for live oyster reefs by slightly modifying an epibenthic sled. Gear comparison trials showed similar effectiveness among marsh edge, submerged aquatic vegetation, and nonvegetated bottom for both epibenthic sled types. We then quantified the density and community assemblage of nekton and benthic crustaceans on deep subtidal oyster reefs in Lavaca Bay, TX, and compared it with densities found in nearby marsh edge, submerged aquatic vegetation, and nonvegetated bottom habitats. We found significantly fewer nektonic and benthic crustaceans on nonvegetated bottom and oyster reefs than in marsh edge and submerged aquatic vegetation over all seasons and regions, and community analysis revealed similar differences among habitat assemblages. Using gill nets, the greatest catch of transient fishes and crustaceans were collected on oyster reefs and nonvegetated bottom. Although relatively low densities of small juvenile fishes were observed over deep oyster reefs, our community analyses and the high catch-per-unit-effort of large, transient species provide evidence that subtidal reefs are a critical habitat for numerous estuarine fishes and crustaceans.
Negation, Contrariety, and Practical Reasoning: Comments on Millikan’s Varieties of Meaning

Part IV of Ruth Millikan's rich and thought-provoking Varieties of Meaning starts with a characterization of the most primitive form of thinking as involving what she calls pushmi-pullyu (P-P) representations. The task she sets herself is to set out the limitations of being a purely P-P animal (that is, an animal that can represent the world only in a pushmipullyu manner) and to explore how these limitations are overcome in the evolution of higher cognitive capacities. In effect Millikan proposes a speculative account of the phylogeny of cognition. Her account contains a number of striking insights about the nature of nonlinguistic cognition and how it differs from the thinking of language-users. In this note I want to comment on the resources that she provides for thinking about practical reasoning in the interesting category of nonlinguistic thinkers lying between the purely P-P creatures and the sophisticated language-users described in her final chapter. Let me begin at the beginning with purely P-P creatures. P-P representations are very much akin to what the perceptual psychologist J. J. Gibson termed affor dances (see Gibson 1979 and Bermudez 1998 Ch. 5 for philosophical discussion), although Millikan has little sympathy for the anti-representationalist strands in Gibson's thinking. P-P representations are fundamentally indexical: "The purely pushmi-pullyu animal always represents affairs in its world as bearing certain relations to itself (p. 168). What are represented are goals and routes to them (taking 'routes' in both a literal and a metaphorical sense). But, as Millikan notes, there is a difference between representing a goal and representing a goal-state. If an animal is pursuing prey, the prey is the goal and the goal is represented in the representations that control its behavior. The goal-state, in contrast, is the animal's catching the prey. Purely P-P creatures do not represent goal-states. They represent targets, but not the state of the target being attained (at least not before
QTL analysis of root morphology, flowering time, and yield reveals trade-offs in response to drought in Brassica napus

Drought escape and dehydration avoidance represent alternative strategies for drought adaptation in annual crops. The mechanisms underlying these two strategies are reported to have a negative correlation, suggesting a trade-off. We conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of flowering time and root mass, traits representing each strategy, in Brassica napus to understand if a trade-off exists and what the genetic basis might be. Our field experiment used a genotyped population of doubled haploid lines and included both irrigated and rainfed treatments, allowing analysis of plasticity in each trait. We found strong genetic correlations among all traits, suggesting a trade-off among traits may exist. Summing across traits and treatments we found 20 QTLs, but many of these co-localized to two major QTLs, providing evidence that the trade-off is genetically constrained. To understand the mechanistic relationship between root mass, flowering time, and QTLs, we analysed the data by conditioning upon correlated traits. Our results suggest a causal model where such QTLs affect root mass directly as well as through their impacts on flowering time. Additionally, we used draft Brassica genomes to identify orthologues of well characterized Arabidopsis thaliana flowering time genes as candidate genes. This research provides valuable clues to breeding for drought adaptation as it is the first to analyse the inheritance of the root system in B. napus in relation to drought.
GAUCHER DISEASE AND MISCELLANEOUS

Introduction: The most common subtype of Gaucher disease is the non-neuronopathic form with only visceral symptoms. At the opposite end of the spectrum is chronic neuronopathic Gaucher disease with severe neurological symptoms and typically a decreased life span. Methods: We report 15 patients (median age at manifestation, 1.2 years) with chronic neuronopathic Gaucher disease and 20 patients with non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease (median age at manifestation, 3.0 years). Results: In most patients with chronic neuronopathic Gaucher disease (12 out of 15), the 1448T-C mutation was found, whereas in 18 out of 20 patients with non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease the mutation identified was N370S. At initial presentation, patients with chronic neuronopathic Gaucher disease had significantly higher chitotriosidase levels (median, 21 307 versus 5611 nmol/ml/hour). Thirteen of these patients had a strabismus, all patients suffered from saccade initiation failure, and eight of the nine patients assessed showed abnormal brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) (none of these were found in patients with non-neuronopathic disease). Three of the patients with neuronopathic disease had multifocal myoclonic epilepsy. Additionally, in ten of these patients pulmonary manifestation was seen (versus three of the patients with non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease). After treatment with enzyme replacement therapy (60–120 IU/kg) for between 18 months and 8 years, three of the children with chronic neuronopathic Gaucher disease experienced an improvement in BAER. Eight out of the nine patients with bone pain before enzyme replacement therapy had no pain. The patients with non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease received 60 IU/kg or less to maintain their therapy response and were observed for 3–13 years. Conclusion: Neurological manifestations are often associated with chitotriosidase activities greater than 20 000. In patients with chronic neuronopathic Gaucher disease, a higher dose between 60 and 120 IU/kg bodyweight may be required to reduce the visceral manifestations of disease.
Estrogens, progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin in pregnant rhesus monkeys.

Ten adult female rhesus monkeys were mated 11 days after the onset of menstruation. Blood samples were taken on the first day of mating and subsequently at 10-day intervals throughout gestation as well as one week postpartum. Plasma levels of 17β-estradiol and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay and competitive protein-binding assay, respectively. Continuous daily urine collections were made in early (days 7–35) and late (ISO days until 7 days post-partum) pregnancy for quantitation of chorionic gonadotropin and estrone excretion. Estradiol concentrations in plasma were elevated 3 times during the fertile cycle and pregnancy: (1) preovulatory, (2) at 20 days in pregnancy, and (3) during a plateau that was maintained from day 100 until term. The 20-day estradiol peak was associated with the time of highest chorionic gonadotropin activity. During the initial 40 days of gestation, peak levels of plasma progesterone were associated with nadirs in estradiol and vice versa. However, both progestero...
The Veil of Objectivity: Prophecy, Divination, and Social Inquiry

It is possible for folk inquiry to become a source for the modification of anthropological thought. This paper discusses two alternative knowledge systems: traditional divination and syncretic prophecy in Central Africa. The processes of scientific discovery, causal reasoning, and the evaluation of evidence are compared with oracular reasoning and prophetic prediction. The oracular aspects of scientific reasoning are delineated along with the problems of reformulating and presenting basic data. Part of this presentational process is the “translation” of events from the context of their occurrence into a theoretical framework. The modifications generated by data analysis affect the explanatory adequacy of the method of inquiry. A rapprochement between folk inquiry and Western scientific assumptions diminishes the forms of theoretical reductionism that inhibit the possibility for describing and analyzing contrasting belief systems within an anthropological framework. [folk inquiry, prophecy, divination, scientific reasoning, Africa]
Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using allograft tendon.

Summary Treatment of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee using an arthroscopic technique and freeze-dried allograft tendons in 23 patients was studied prospectively. Accurate placement of drill holes and anchoring positions for the allografts was effected through a standard arthroscopic approach combined with a 3 cm incision on the medial tibial flare. Candidates for reconstruction were those who were unable to tolerate brace therapy and who had no degenerative arthritis. The 23 patients were drawn from a group of 60 treated patients because their follow-up had been ≧ 1 year. Their knees were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with a Lysholm knee rating scale, Lachman test with KT-1000 arthrometric quantitation, pivot shift, Biodex test, and radiographs. Knee rating values improved in all knees, and only one patient had a significant deterioration in the KT-1000 reading. All patients with at least 20 months follow-up have resumed their preinjury activity levels.
Development of heart inter-beat interval variability in preweanling rats : Effects of exposure to alcohol and hypoxia

Abstract Kelly, S. J. and J. E. Richards. Development of heart inter-beat interval variability in preweanling rats: Effects of exposure to alcohol and hypoxia. Physiol Behav 61(2) 231–241, 1997.—The effect of alcohol exposure and hypoxia on the development of heart rate and heart inter-beat interval (IBI) variability was studied in preweanling rats. Rats were artificially reared from postnatal day (PD) 4 through 12 and either exposed to alcohol (5 g/kg/day) or hypoxia (2 15-min episodes/day) from PD 4 to 10. Control groups consisted of artificially reared and normally reared rats not exposed to alcohol or hypoxia. The heart rate and respiration was recorded for 20-min sessions every other day from PD 5 through 21. Inter-beat intervals and measures of their variability caused by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were computed from the recordings. There was a steady decline in average IBI across this age range. There was little change in RSA from PD 5 to 15, followed by a large increase in RSA level from PD 15 to 21. The alcohol- and hypoxia-exposed rats showed significantly less increase in RSA level on PD 19 and 21. Large bradycardias occurred in all groups on PD 5, 9, and 17, and were more prevalent in rats exposed to alcohol or hypoxia. These data suggest that neural control of the chronotropic functions of the heart undergoes major changes in the late preweanling stage, and the changes in neural control are slowed by hypoxia or alcohol exposure during the early postnatal period.
Si-N Bonding at The SiO2/Si Interfaces During Deposition of SiO2 by the Remote Pecvd Process

Thin films of SiO2 were deposited on Si substrates by remote PECVD following an in-situ cleaning/surface passivation with atomic-H. Si-N bonds were found in the immediate vicinity of the SiO2/Si interface when nitrous oxide, N2O, was used as O-atom source gas in the remote PECVD process. Si-N bonds, as well as Si-surface roughening produced by H-atom etching, contribute to the formation of high densities of midgap trapping states, Dit ∼1011 cm-2 eV-1, at the SiO2/Si interface. Eliminating the H-atom processing step, and exposing the Si surface to plasma-generated O-atoms prior to the SiO2 deposition: i) eliminated Si-N bonding at the Si/SiO2 interface; ii) reduced midgap Dit to ∼1∼3X010 cm-2eV-1 iii) eliminated surface roughening; and iv) improved process latitude and reproducibility.
Identification and Characterization of Clostridium perfringens Beta Toxin Variants with Differing Trypsin Sensitivity and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Activity

By producing toxins, Clostridium perfringens causes devastating diseases of both humans and animals. C. perfringens beta toxin (CPB) is the major virulence determinant for type C infections and is also implicated in type B infections, but little is known about the CPB structure-function relationship. Amino acid sequence comparisons of the CPBs made by 8 randomly selected isolates identified two natural variant toxins with four conserved amino acid changes, including a switch of E to K at position 168 (E168K) that introduces a potential trypsin cleavage site into the CPB protein of strain JGS1076. To investigate whether this potential trypsin cleavage site affects sensitivity to trypsin, a primary host defense against this toxin, the two CPB variants were assayed for their trypsin sensitivity. The results demonstrated a significant difference in trypsin sensitivity, which was linked to the E168K switch by using site-directed recombinant CPB (rCPB) mutants. The natural CPB variants also displayed significant differences in their cytotoxicity to human endothelial cells. This cytotoxicity difference was mainly attributable to increased host cell binding rather than the ability to oligomerize or form functional pores. Using rCPB site-directed mutants, differences in cytotoxicity and host cell binding were linked to an A300V amino acid substitution in the strain JGS1076 CPB variant that possessed more cytotoxic activity. Mapping of sequence variations on a CPB structure modeled using related toxins suggests that the E168K substitution is surface localized and so can interact with trypsin and that the A300V substitution is located in a putative binding domain of the CPB toxin.
Protein complexes and analysis of their assembly by mass spectrometry

The utility of mass spectrometry for the analysis of proteins has grown enormously in the past decade. Significant advances in detection and ionization techniques are allowing questions about noncovalent assembly to be addressed by the direct observation of gas phase complexes, their assembly in real time and their disassembly by perturbation of solution or instrument conditions. These technological innovations have plainly captured the imagination of biological researchers. Recent and novel developments include the combination of mass spectrometry with isotopic labeling, affinity labeling and genomic information. Collectively, these advances are opening new doors to the isolation of complexes, the identification of their substituents and the characterization of their conformations and assembly.
Simulation and modeling-an improved VCO macromodel

A SPICE macromodel for a phase-locked loop (PLL) featuring design simplicity and a reduced simulation time which was introduced by M. Sitkowski (1991) is reviewed. Two of the primary simplifications in this PLL macromodel were the utilization of a voltage-controlled tuned circuit as the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that does not require feedback to produce an oscillating output, and the use of a nonlinear voltage-controlled voltage source as part of a limiter/comparator that converts the VCO sine wave output to an approximate square wave. Several modifications to the VCO and limiter/comparator macromodel that improve their performance characteristics and eliminate most of the errors caused by the original macromodels are described. The proposed VCO macromodel exhibits a linear transfer function for all non-negative control voltages and requires one less SPICE primitive than Sitkowski's model. >
The Discourse Heresies Utilizing the Empirical Referents to Evaluate Military Base Transitions

Scholars of public administration theory have been debating the merits of democratic administration and nascent forms of discourse for quite some time. Rather than coming to some synthesis, the discussion seems to be diverging into two competing factions, one that advocates egalitarian discussion for its own sake and the other that seeks to use discourse as a means to question the old view of “bureaucracy” and replace it with a consensus that leads to substantive results. This study provides a statistical analysis of discursive behavior in local military base redevelopment efforts, an example of interlocal cooperation, in support of the notion that discourse can facilitate tangible policy outcomes. Rather than attempting to subvert the synergistic spirit of discourse with “rationality,” this analysis simultaneously illustrates both the benefits and limitations of measurement.
Specific Hippocampal Volume Reductions in Individuals at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract Our goal was to ascertain the involvement of the temporal lobe in the preclinical (not yet diagnosable) stages of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT) by using MRI-derived volumes. We assessed anatomical subdivisions of the temporal lobe on three groups of carefully screened age- and education-matched elderly individuals: 27 normal elderly (NL), 22 individuals with minimal cognitive impairment (MCI), who did not fulfill DAT criteria but were regarded at high risk for future DAT, and 27 DAT individuals. We found hippocampal volume reductions of 14% for the MCI and 22% for the DAT group compared to the NL group. Utilizing regression analyses and after accounting for gender, head size, age, generalized atrophy (CSF), and other temporal lobe subvolumes, the hippocampal volume separated NL from MCI individuals, correctly classifying 74%. For NL and MCI groups combined the hippocampal volume was the only temporal lobe subvolume related to delayed recall memory performance. When contrasting MCI and DAT individuals, the fusiform gyrus volume uniquely improved the ability of the hippocampal volume to separate MCI from DAT individuals from 74 to 80%. Our cross-sectional data suggest that, within the temporal lobe, specific hippocampal volume reductions separated the group at risk for DAT from the normal group. By the time impairments are sufficient to allow a diagnosis of DAT to be made, in addition to the medial temporal lobe volume reductions, the lateral temporal lobe is also showing volume reductions, most saliently involving the fusiform gyrus.
Multi-Group Individual Level Measures of Segregation

Social scientists have begun to recognize the importance of the individual level analysis. Because, how an individual is situated with respect to locations and socio-economic characteristics of his/her adjacent neighbors can influence his/her social, economic and health outcomes. This motivates us to characterize and quantify this interaction between an individual and his/her neighbors. We propose three different measures of segregation with and without geographic weights. The proposed measures can compute segregation at the individual-level and can be scaled up to any geographic scale (to match the spatial resolution other datasets) and can take into account multiple groups.Using the 2000 Census Block data, point locations of the 10 percent of the total population of different race/ethnic groups was simulated under the assumption of inhomogeneous Poisson distribution in Providence County, RI. The segregation index was computed at two different spatial resolutions using different kernel sizes (i.e. distance range to define neighbors) for urban areas and for the entire county. Our analysis suggests that the intensity of segregation is very high in the study area. Given disproportionate population composition (86% white and 8% African Americans) this must not be surprising. The intensity of segregation, however, varies significantly in and around the city center. Segregation index at fine spatial resolution and smaller kernel size help unravel segregation patterns within urban areas, which otherwise cannot be detected using aggregated measures of segregation. The selection of the study area, kernel size and geographic scale at which the index is computed can greatly influence the value of segregation and its meaning within the context of the study area. Therefore, the selection of these three inputs must be governed by sound theoretical principles. The proposed methodology can used to develop neighborhood contexts of different socio-economic characteristics, including race/ethnicity, at multiple geographic scales. These contexts can serve as important covariates of other socio-economic, demographic (including migration) and health outcomes.
Calvarial thickness and diploic space development in children with sagittal synostosis as assessed by computed tomography.

AbstractFollowing surgical management of craniosynostosis, residual calvarial defects may require reconstruction, frequently with the use of cranial bone grafts. Knowledge of optimal sites for harvest would be beneficial in such situations. The goal of this study is to compare calvarial thickness (C
Cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel as initial or salvage regimen for the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells.

Peripheral blood progenitor cells are now commonly used for hematologic reconstitution after myelosuppressive chemotherapy for hematologic and solid malignancies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of paclitaxel 170 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide 2 g/m 2 (CP) with filgrastim (human G-CSF) for mobilization of PBPCs as the first or second maneuver after failure with filgrastim alone. Sixty-four patients with stage II-IV breast cancer received (CP) followed by filgrastim (10 μg/kg/day). In 35 (55%) this was the first maneuver while it was for salvage in 29 (45%) patients. The median number of aphereses was two (range, 1-7). In 83% of the patients apheresis was initiated on days 10-1 following chemotherapy. The median numbers of CD34 + cells/kg, CD34 + cells/apheresis/kg and total nucleated cells/kg collected were 8.7 × 10 6 (2.11-73.5), 3.97 × 10 6 (0.3-36.75) and 164.15 × 10 8 (9-660), respectively. All the patients yielded at least 2 × 10 6 CD34 + cells/kg. CP mobilization salvaged the 29 patients who failed mobilization with filgrastim alone. When used as first-line mobilization the yield of CD34 + cells × 10 6 /kg was higher than in the salvage group (16.93 vs 3.94, P < 0.001). Patients receiving CP as salvage reached the target of 5 × 10 6 CD34 + cells/kg in only 45% (13/29) of cases vs 94.3% as first maneuver. CP followed by filgrastim is a safe and effective regimen for the mobilization of PBPCs in patients with breast cancer and shows significant activity in patients who failed to mobilize with filgrastim, suggesting a higher mobilization potential.
Temporal Pattern of Scraping Behavior in White-Tailed Deer

Etude de patterns temporels du comportement de marquage chez Odocoileus virginianus pendant la periode de developpement des andouillers. La region d'etude se situe dans le Michigan dans une zone ou de la nourriture est apportee aux individus
Strategy Optimization of Final Stand Gauge Control for Tandem Cold Mill

The overload of stand 4and low tension control accuracy between stand 4and stand 5were caused, and then the gauge control accuracy was influenced,since the rolling force control closed-loop mode for final stand was adopted in five-stand tandem cold mill.In order to improve gauge control accuracy under the premise of high rolling force control accuracy for final stand,an optimized strategy for last stand gauge control was proposed.By building up dynamic rolling force compensation controller and dynamic load balance controller, the effects of speed adjustment on tension and gauge were compensated,and the load distribution of stands was balanced.The practical application results show that the high accuracy control result of final stand rolling force is achieved,and the load of stand 4is optimized.In addition,the gauge control accuracy of product is better than±1%.This optimized strategy can satisfy well the need of gauge control of tandem cold mill.
Factors Associated With Reintubation in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increase morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in COPD patients. Patients who require mechanical ventilation and fail extubation often have longer hospital stays and/or increased mortality. Determining predictors to identify patients who might require reintubation could help respiratory care teams manage these patients better. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data of COPD patients over a 3-year period. Inclusion criteria were patients with acute exacerbations of COPD, age more than 45 years, and patients on mechanical ventilation. Exclusion criteria were ventilated via tracheostomy, unplanned extubation, and reintubation for reasons other than respiratory failure. RESULTS This study included 88 patients; 61 patients were successfully extubated, 11 patients were extubated and required reintubation, and 16 patients were not extubated during their intensive care unit stay. There were no differences in demographic or clinical characteristics between the patients with successful extubation and failed extubation. Patients with successful extubation were more likely to have a "good cough" assessment and to not receive any sedatives or analgesics in the 24 hours prior to extubation than patients who failed extubation (P < .05). Multiple variable logistic regression demonstrated that reintubation was significantly associated with sedatives/analgesics given prior to extubation (odds ratio = 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-60.8). Intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, tracheostomy events, and mortality rates were higher in the reintubation group (P < .001). CONCLUSION Sedative and analgesic drug use prior to extubation was associated with more frequent reintubation in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. This study suggests that the judicious withdrawal of sedatives prior to extubation may reduce reintubations.
Anisotropic acoustic metafluid for underwater operation

The paper presents a method to design and characterize mechanically robust solid acoustic metamaterials suitable for operation in dense fluids such as water. These structures, also called metafluids, behave acoustically as inertial fluids characterized by anisotropic mass densities and isotropic bulk modulus. The method is illustrated through the design and experimental characterization of a metafluid consisting of perforated steel plates held together by rubber coated magnetic spacers. The spacers are very effective at reducing the effective shear modulus of the structure, and therefore effective at minimizing the ensuing coupling between the shear and pressure waves inside the solid effective medium. Inertial anisotropy together with fluid-like acoustic behavior are key properties that bring transformation acoustics in dense fluids closer to reality.
Intestinal stem cell resurgence by enterocyte precursors.

The adult intestinal epithelium has a remarkable capacity for renewal that is driven by the activity of stem cells located in the intestinal crypts. Until now two major types of the intestinal stem cells have been identified: (I) actively proliferating intestinal stem cells (aISC), expressing Lgr5 , that reside at the bottom of the crypts and are fast-cycling and sensitive to injury, e.g., irradiation ( 1 ), and (II) quiescent or reserve intestinal stem cells (qISC or rISC), characterized by expression of Bmi1, mTert, and Hopx, that reside at +4 position of the crypt and are slow-cycling and have been shown to facilitate the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium upon injury.
Shortened luteal phase after ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin

Serum hormonal profiles were characterized in 126 treatment cycles from 24 anovulatory women who underwent ovulation induction therapy with sequential human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Of the 98 presumptively ovulatory treatment cycles, 18 had luteal phases lasting 11 days or less. Sixteen of these 18 cycles had one or more of the following features: serum hCG concentrations of less than 75 mIU/ml 24 hours after hCG administration or peak preovulatory estradiol (E 2 ) levels either less than 200 pg/ml or greater than 2000 pg/ml. Midluteal serum progesterone levels were less than 10 ng/ml in seven of the shortened cycles. Only one of these features (E 2 >2000 pg/ml) was present in any cycle ( n =2) resulting in pregnancy. Our observations suggest that serum E 2 and hCG levels will reflect the apparent adequacy of luteal function during hMG/hCG treatment cycles.
The Impact and Status of Carol Fowler's Supramodal Theory of Multisensory Speech Perception

ABSTRACTOne important contribution of Carol Fowler's direct approach to speech perception is its account of multisensory perception. This supramodal account proposes a speech function that detects supramodal information available across audition, vision, and touch. This detection allows for the recovery of articulatory primitives that provide the basis of a common currency shared between modalities as well as between perception and production. Common currency allows for perceptual experience to be shared between modalities and supports perceptually guided speaking as well as production-guided perception. In this report, we discuss the contribution and status of the supramodal approach relative to recent research in multisensory speech perception. We argue that the approach has helped motivate a multisensory revolution in perceptual psychology. We then review the new behavioral and neurophysiological research on (a) supramodal information, (b) cross-sensory sharing of experience, and (c) perceptually guide...
The Role of Direct-acting Antivirals in the Treatment of Children with Chronic Hepatitis C.

In the United States, chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects an estimated 0.1–2% of the pediatric population, who are consequently at risk for major complications, including cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. The current standard of treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in children is pegylated-interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN) in combination with ribavirin. PEG-IFN/ribavirin therapy is approved for children ages 3 and older; however, it is often held from use until adulthood because of its extensive list of potential side effects and high likelihood of causing adverse symptoms. While CHC is usually indolent in children and adolescents, immediately treating and curbing the spread of HCV before adulthood is important, as there can be transmission to other individuals via sexual activity and infected females can later vertically transmit the infection during pregnancy, the latter representing the most common means of transmission for children in the United States. The recent development of direct-acting antivirals has shown promising results in clinical trials for use in children and has dramatically increased the rates of sustained virological response in adults while improving side effect profiles as compared to interferon-based treatments. Given the usually indolent course of CHC in children, significant side effects of the currently-approved PEG-IFN/ribavirin therapy, and likely availability of all-oral interferon-free regimens for children within a few years, deferring treatment in clinically-stable children with CHC in anticipation of upcoming superior treatment modalities may be justified.
The Two Quantitative Steps in the Biology Growth Curve

We are witnessing a highly influential influx of physicists, mathematicians, and engineers into biology. This is not the first time. Over the centuries, biology has been blessed by the involvement of people from other fields. During the last half century or so, we can point to two distinct incoming waves, each one bringing in many with different viewpoints and often greater quantitative skills. The first wave took place after World War II and played a key role in the development of modern biology. The second one is happening now.
MUC2 mucin deficiency alters inflammatory and metabolic pathways in the mouse intestinal mucosa

// Selamawit Tadesse 1, 3 , Georgia Corner 1 , Elena Dhima 1 , Michele Houston 1 , Chandan Guha 2 , Leonard Augenlicht 1 and Anna Velcich 1, 2 1 Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Albert Einstein Cancer Center, NY, USA 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Albert Einstein Cancer Center, NY, USA 3 Current Address: Flow Cytometer Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, NY, USA Correspondence to: Anna Velcich, email: anna.velcich@einstein.yu.edu Keywords: MUC2, mucin, inflammation, metabolism, tumorigenesis Received: December 20, 2016 Accepted: March 27, 2017 Published: April 06, 2017 ABSTRACT The mucus layer in the intestine affects several aspects of intestinal biology, encompassing physical, chemical protection, immunomodulation and growth, thus contributing to homeostasis. Mice with genetic inactivation of the Muc2 gene, encoding the MUC2 mucin, the major protein component of mucus, exhibit altered intestinal homeostasis, which is strictly dependent on the habitat, likely due to differing complements of intestinal microbes. Our previous work established that Muc2 deficiency was linked to low chronic inflammation resulting in tumor development in the small, large intestine including the rectum. Here, we report that inactivation of Muc2 alters metabolic pathways in the normal appearing mucosa of Muc2 −/− mice. Comparative analysis of gene expression profiling of isolated intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and the entire intestinal mucosa, encompassing IECs, immune and stromal cells underscored that more than 50% of the changes were common to both sets of data, suggesting that most alterations were IEC-specific. IEC-specific expression data highlighted perturbation of lipid absorption, processing and catabolism linked to altered Pparα signaling in IECs. Concomitantly, alterations of glucose metabolism induced expression of genes linked to de novo lipogenesis, a characteristic of tumor cells. Importantly, gene expression alterations characterizing Muc2 −/− IECs are similar to those observed when analyzing the gene expression signature of IECs along the crypt-villus axis in WT B6 mice, suggesting that Muc2 −/− IECs display a crypt-like gene expression signature. Thus, our data strongly suggest that decreased lipid metabolism, and alterations in glucose utilization characterize the crypt proliferative compartment, and may represent a molecular signature of pre-neoplastic lesions.
Phosphorus Sequestration in Sediments Along the Salinity Gradients of Chesapeake Bay Subestuaries

We used a sequential extraction technique to compare the forms and amounts of particulate phosphorus (PP) deposited in the top meter of sediment spanning salinities from 0 to 10 in three Chesapeake Bay subestuaries: the Potomac, Choptank, and Bush Rivers. Fe-bound P (i.e., citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (CDB)-extractable P) was the most dynamic fraction of PP, dominating oligohaline (salinity <3) sediments, but declining to near zero with depth in the most saline sediments of all three subestuaries. In contrast, we previously found Fe-P dominating the sediment PP at salinities ranging 0–11 in the Patuxent subestuary. Particulate organic P was relatively constant with depth and salinity and became the dominant form of PP in the most saline sediments. Fe-P was not replaced with diagenetic authigenic carbonate fluorapatite. In all the subestuaries, Fe-P generally persisted in the oligohaline sediments to 1 m depth, where sediment ages ranged from 60 to 200 years, based on 210Pb dating. At one site, PP burial reflected changing P loads from a nearby wastewater treatment plant. About 67% of the PP discharged from the Potomac watershed at the head of tide was buried in the sediments in the upper reaches of that subestuary. The form and amount of PP buried depended on the amount of CDB-extractable Fe in the sediments and on the distribution of sediment deposition along the salinity gradient. Even though CDB targets iron oxides, the predominant form of Fe in the sediments was ferrous iron suggesting that the predominant form of PP in oligohaline sediments may be ferrous phosphate.
Polylogarithmic zeta functions and their p-adic analogues

We consider a broad family of zeta functions which includes the classical zeta functions of Riemann and Hurwitz, the beta and eta functions of Dirichlet, and the Lerch transcendent, as well as the Arakawa–Kaneko zeta functions and the recently introduced alternating Arakawa–Kaneko zeta functions. We construct their p-adic analogues and indicate the many strong connections between the complex and p-adic versions. As applications, we focus on the alternating case and show how certain families of alternating odd harmonic number series can be expressed in terms of Riemann zeta and Dirichlet beta values.
The Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Rheumatic Diseases: Duration of Response.

Shingles is painful. Anyone who has experienced shingles will tell you that in no uncertain terms. By now, we are quite aware of the increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with autoimmune diseases due to immunosuppressive medication use or from immune dysregulation from the underlying disease. Unfortunately the very same risks for HZ reactivation are precisely those that raise concern for theoretical risks of contracting vaccine-strain varicella infection from the live-attenuated HZ vaccine (Zostavax, Merck); and this has resulted in undervaccination of many people with rheumatic diseases who would otherwise be eligible for vaccination. Until recombinant varicella vaccines become commercially available, the live-attenuated vaccine is the only protective measure available for our patients. While it is easy to provide arguments for increased vaccination of patients with rheumatic disease in whom levels of immunosuppression are mild to moderate (with tofacitinib being a notable contraindication1), it is also time to focus on the available data for safety, efficacy, and duration of protection provided by the HZ vaccine when given to patients who may have blunted responses because of underlying autoimmune diseases and/or chronic … Address correspondence to Dr. E.F. Chakravarty, Associate Member, Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA. E-mail: chakravartye{at}omrf.org