cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutagenic specificity of the (+)anti‐diol epoxide of dibenz[a,j]anthracene in the supF gene of an Escherichia coli plasmid

This study was designed to examine the mutagenic specificity of (+)anti-dibenz[a,j]anthracene 3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide ((+)anti-DB[a,j]A-DE) in SOS-induced repair-proficient Escherichia coli ES87 (delta pro-lac, strA)/F' (pro+, lac1Q, lac1am26, lacZ delta M15). The plasmid pUB3, which contains the mutation target gene, supF, was modified with (+)anti-DB[a,j]A-DE in vitro (two to five adducts/plasmid) and then transformed into bacteria by electroporation. The spontaneous mutation frequency for unmodified pUB3 in uninduced cells was about 2 x 10(-6) and for SOS-induced cells, about 8 x 10(-6). The spontaneous supF- mutations were primarily insertions, deletions, and frameshifts. The mutation frequency for (+)anti-DB[a,j]A-DE-modified pUB3 was about 8 x 10(-6) and about 32 x 10(-6) for uninduced cells and SOS-induced cells, respectively. (+)anti-DB[a,j]A-DE induced primarily point mutations in supF in SOS-induced cells. GC-->AT transitions were the major mutations observed in SOS-induced cells (37%). GC-->TA (21%) and GC-->CG (8.6%) transversion mutations were also observed, whereas mutations at AT base pairs were rare (1.9%). Furthermore, a large number of tandem GC/GC-->AT/AT transition mutations were also observed (about 15% of all mutations in SOS-induced cells). Taken together, single and tandem GC-->AT mutations accounted for slightly over half (about 51%) of the mutations observed in SOS-induced cells. These results demonstrated that (+)anti-DB[a,j]A-DE was mutagenic in repair-proficient E. coli; however, unlike other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that induce primarily transversion mutations, (+)anti-DB[a,j]A-DE caused mostly GC-->AT transitions.
Venlafaxine extended release in pediatric anxiety and depression

Venlafaxine extended release (XR) is the once-daily preparation of venlafaxine, which inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. At lower doses, venlafaxine XR preferentially blocks the reuptake of serotonin, while at higher doses it blocks the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Although venlafaxine XR is not approved for pediatric use, it is increasingly being used in the treatment of pediatric anxiety and depressive disorders. While in the past several years there have been numerous randomized, placebo-controlled trials in pediatric generalized and social anxiety and depression, more studies are needed to determine when the utilization of venlafaxine XR in the pediatric population is warranted. Results from completed studies show improvement in generalized and social anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents, but only minimal improvement in depressive symptoms in adolescents, with no improvement in children. Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most commonly reported adverse events. V...
Transformational Leadership and Its Relationship to Adult 4-H Volunteers' Sense of Empowerment in Youth Development Settings.

This study examined the relationship of adult 4-H volunteers’ perceived leadership styles of 4-H Youth Development Educators to the adult 4-H volunteer sense of empowerment. There were 498 Oregon adult 4-H volunteers randomly selected to participate. Participants rated the leadership style of their 4-H Youth Development Educator (YDE) using Bass and Avoilio’s (1990) Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and self assessed their sense of empowerment using Spreitzer’s (19915) Psychological Empowerment Instrument. In the structural model, transformational leadership style was shown to have a significant positive relationship ( �= 0.031) to adult 4-H volunteer sense of empowerment. The 4-H YDEs who were rated as using transformational leadership were very likely to be empowering adult 4-H volunteers.
On the K-user cognitive interference channel with cumulative message sharing sum-capacity

This paper considers the K-user cognitive interference channel with one primary and K - 1 secondary/cognitive transmitters with a cumulative message sharing structure, i.e., cognitive transmitter i, i ϵ [2 : K], non-causally knows all messages of the users with index less than i. We first propose a computable outer bound valid for any memoryless channel and show the sum-rate to be achievable for the symmetric K-user Linear Deterministic Channel. Interestingly, for the K-user channel having only the K-th transmitter know all other messages is sufficient to achieve the sum-capacity, i.e., cognition at transmitters 2 to K-1 is not needed. Next, the sum-capacity of the symmetric Gaussian noise channel is characterized to within a constant additive and multiplicative gap, which depend on K. As opposed to other interference channel models, a single scheme suffices for both the weak and strong interference regimes. Moreover it is only required for transmitters 2 to K-1 to have, in addition to their own message, non-causal message knowledge of the transmitter 1's message.
FLT3 internal tandem duplication associates with adverse outcome and gene- and microRNA-expression signatures in patients 60 years of age or older with primary cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia: a Cancer and Leukemia Group B study.

The clinical impact of FLT3-internal tandem duplications (ITDs), an adverse prognostic marker in adults aged < 60 years with primary cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML), requires further investigation in older patients. In CN-AML patients aged ≥ 60 years treated on Cancer and Leukemia Group B frontline trials, we found that FLT3-ITD remained associ-ated with shorter disease-free survival (P < .001; hazard ratio = 2.10) and overall survival (P < .001; hazard ratio = 1.97) in multivariable analyses. This impact on shorter disease-free survival and overall survival was in patients aged 60-69 (P < .001, each) rather than in those aged ≥ 70 years. An FLT3-ITD–associated gene-expression signature revealed overexpression of FLT3, homeobox genes (MEIS1, PBX3, HOXB3), and immunotherapeutic tar-gets (WT1, CD33) and underexpression of leukemia-associated (MLLT3, TAL1) and erythropoiesis-associated (GATA3, EPOR, ANK1, HEMGN) genes. An FLT3-ITD–associated microRNA-expression signature included overexpressed miR-155 and underexpressed miR-144 and miR-451. FLT3-ITD identifies older CN-AML patients with molecular high risk and is associated with gene- and microRNA-expression signatures that provide biologic insights for novel therapeutic approaches.
Waveguide-Based Phononic Crystal Micro/Nanomechanical High- $Q$ Resonators

In this paper, we report the design, analysis, fabrication, and characterization of a very high frequency phononic crystal (PnC) micro/nanomechanical resonator architecture based on silicon PnC slab waveguides. The PnC structure completely surrounds the resonant area, and the resonator is excited by a thin aluminum nitride-based piezoelectric transducer stack directly fabricated on top of the resonator. This architecture highly suppresses the support loss of the resonator to the surroundings while providing mechanical support and electrical signal delivery to the resonator. Qs as high as 13 500 in air at a frequency of ~134 MHz with a motional resistance of ~600 Ω and 35-dB spurious-free range of ~20 MHz are obtained. Comparing the Q of this resonator with the previously reported lateral bulk acoustic wave resonators with a similar stack of layers confirms the support loss suppression in this architecture.
Reducing stress in adolescents with diabetes: what can be done?

Stress complicates diabetes management and promotes poor outcomes. In this era of intensive management of diabetes, there is greater risk for stress given the complex and demanding nature of management. Considering this elevated risk, efforts to prevent and reduce risk should carry considerable benefit for the adolescent’s psychological functioning, as well as diabetes-specific health outcomes. The next steps are to continue to build the evidence base of effective interventions and implement them in clinics. If we are successful at that, more adolescents will achieve optimal diabetes management and glycemic control, which seems unattainable at this time
Nutritional value of soybean meal produced from high protein, low oligosaccharide, or conventional varieties of soybeans and fed to weanling pigs

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of high protein soybean meal (SBM-HP), low oligosaccharide soybean meal (SBM-LO), and conventional soybean meal (SBM-CV) fed to weanling pigs. The three soybean meals (SBM) contained 549, 536 and 475 g/kg crude protein, respectively. In Exp. 1, the coefficient of ileal standardized digestibility (CISD) of amino acids (AA) in the 3 ingredients was measured using eight barrows (initial body weight: 14.3 ± 1.23 kg) that were equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with four periods (seven days per period) and four diets per square. Three diets contained SBM-HP, SBM-LO, or SBM-CV as the sole source of AA. The fourth diet was a N-free diet that was used to determine basal ileal endogenous losses of AA. Results indicated that the CISD for all AA was not different among the three varieties of SBM. In Exp. 2, the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in the three sources of SBM were determined using 24 barrows (initial body weight: 11.9 ± 1.24 kg) that were placed in metabolism cages and randomly allotted to four diets. A corn-based diet and three diets containing corn and one of the three sources of SBM were formulated. No differences were observed for DE (18.20, 17.92, 18.27, and 17.15 MJ/kg dry matter) and ME (17.31, 16.93, 17.76, and 16.96 MJ/kg dry matter) among SBM-HP, SBM-LO, SBM-CV, and corn. In Exp. 3, a total of 120 weanling barrows (initial body weight: 6.76 ± 2.49 kg) were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments with ten pens per treatment and four pigs per pen. Three diets containing each source of SBM were formulated based on the values for CISD of AA and ME that were calculated in the previous two experiments. No differences were observed during the entire experimental period for average daily gain, average daily feed intake, or gain:feed. Results indicate that the greater concentration of digestible AA in SBM-HP and SBM-LO compared with SBM-CV are effectively utilized by weanling pigs, which implies that the nutritional values of SBM-HP and SBM-LO are greater than that of SBM-CV.
Risk assessment for biodiversity conservation planning in Pacific Northwest forests

Risk assessment can provide a robust strategy for landscape-scale planning challenges associated with species conservation and habitat protection in Pacific Northwest forests. We provide an overview of quantitative and probabilistic ecological risk assessment with focus on the application of approaches and influences from the actuarial, financial, and technical engineering fields. Within this context, risk refers to exposure to the chance of loss and typically involves likelihood estimates associated with outcomes. Risk assessment can be used to evaluate threats and uncertainty by providing: (1) an estimation of the likelihood and severity of species, population, or habitat loss or gain, (2) a better understanding of the potential tradeoffs associated with management activities, and (3) tangible socioeconomic integration. Our discussion is focused on threats identified as important influences on forest biodiversity in the region: natural, altered, and new disturbance regimes, and alien and invasive species. We identify and discuss three key challenges and opportunities specific to these threats and quantitative and probabilistic approaches to risk assessment: (1) endpoint selection and calculation of net value change, (2) probability calculations and stochastic spatial processes, and (3) evaluation of multiple interacting threats. Quantitative and probabilistic risk assessment can help bridge the current gap between information provided by general assessment and planning procedures and the more detailed information needs of decision and policy makers. However, management decisions may still fail to win public approval because important risks and issues can be missed or perceived differently by stakeholders. Stakeholder involvement at the inception of a risk assessment can help attenuate these problems. Stakeholder involvement also provides opportunities to communicate information that can influence public risk perceptions and attitudes.
Aortic calcification predicts cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in renal transplantation

Background. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among renal transplant recipients. Aortic calcification is associated with increased mortality in dialysis subjects. The significance of aortic calcification among renal transplant recipients is unknown. Our objective was to prospectively examine the association of aortic calcification with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality among asymptomatic incident renal transplant recipients. Methods. One hundred and twelve renal transplant recipients underwent electron beam computed tomography. Aortic calcification was scored by the Agatston method. The mean follow-up time was 5.1 years. Cardiovascular events (heart failure, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease and stroke) and all-cause mortality were recorded. Results. The cohort consisted of 62% Caucasians, 38% African Americans and 62% male gender. The mean age was 49.0 ± 12.5 years. Thirty-four percent had aortic calcification. During follow-up, 12 cardiovascular events and 10 deaths were recorded. Subjects with aortic calcification had more cardiovascular events compared to those without aortic calcification (23.7 versus 4.1%, P = 0.001). Recipients with aortic calcification had higher mortality compared to those without aortic calcification but it did not reach statistical significance (15.8 versus 5.4%, P = 0.07). The univariate hazard ratio of aortic calcification score in a proportional hazard Cox model to assess event-free survival was 1.15 (1.04–1.27, P = 0.01). Diabetes and aortic calcification score were independently associated with survival. In addition to the predictors above, dialysis vintage was an independent predictor for combined future cardiovascular event and mortality. Conclusions. In conclusion, aortic calcification is prevalent among renal transplant recipients and is predictive of future cardiovascular events. Aortic calcification is easily identified by non-invasive testing, and should be considered when assessing cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic renal transplant recipients.
All of life is social

Sociality means living in groups. Group living intensifies two opposing forces. On one side, proximity exacerbates conflict for local resources. On the other side, cooperation with neighbors may enhance group efficiency and aid in competition against other groups. Starting in the 1960s, biologists made many conceptual advances in understanding the forces of conflict and cooperation that shape social life. That new understanding was applied with great success to honey bees, macaques, and other obviously social, group-living species.
An early Hemphillian occurrence of Castor (Castoridae) from the Rattlesnake Formation of Oregon

Abstract Castor, the extant beaver, is an important member of North American and Eurasian communities, altering ecosystems and landscapes wherever it occurs. Castor has a fossil record extending back to the late Miocene in Europe, Asia, and North America. The origin and early evolution of this genus is unclear but it likely originated in Eurasia and subsequently dispersed to North America from Asia in the late Miocene. A new record of Castor from the Rattlesnake Formation of Oregon represents the earliest occurrence of the genus in North America. The age of this new find is inferred through radiometric and magnetostratigraphic dating to be between 7.05 and 7.3 Ma. This age is supported by the co-occurrence of another beaver, Dipoides stirtoni, which is characteristic of early Hemphillian deposits. This find indicates that Castor had dispersed to North America by the early Hemphillian, and helps resolve the timing of divergence between North American and Eurasian beavers. The Rattlesnake Formation specimen...
Human defensins and LL-37 in mucosal immunity

Defensins are widespread in nature and have activity against a broad range of pathogens. Defensins have direct antimicrobial effects and also modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. We consider the role of human defensins and the cathelicidin LL-37 in defense of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts and the oral cavity, skin, and eye. Human beta-defensins (hBDs) and human defensins 5 and 6 (HD5 and -6) are involved most obviously in mucosal responses, as they are produced principally by epithelial cells. Human alpha-defensins 1-4 (or HNPs 1-4) are produced principally by neutrophils recruited to the mucosa. Understanding the biology of defensins and LL-37 is the beginning to clarify the pathophysiology of mucosal inflammatory and infectious diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, lung or urinary infections). Challenges for these studies are the redundancy of innate defense mechanisms and the presence and interactions of many innate defense proteins in mucosal secretions.
Correlation of changes in quality of life after lung volume reduction surgery with changes in lung function, exercise, and gas exchange.

Study objectives: To evaluate correlations between improvement in quality of life (QOL) in patients with severe COPD before and after they undergo lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) with changes in pulmonary function tests, gas exchange, exercise performance, and alterations in medical management. Design: Case-series analysis. Setting: University hospital. Patients: Forty-two patients (mean [6 SD] age, 56 6 8 years; 53% women) with severe airflow obstruction (FEV1, 0.62 6 0.2 L), and moderate to severe hyperinflation (total lung capacity [TLC], 6.9 6 1.7 L). Intervention and measurements: All patients underwent bilateral LVRS via median sternotomy. Measurements of lung function, symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing, the total distance the patient was able to walk in 6 min in a corridor, and sickness impact profile (SIP) scores were made before and 3 months after LVRS. SIP scores are inversely proportional to the level of function and QOL. Results: Compared to baseline, FEV1 increased (0.87 6 0.3 vs 0.62 6 0.2 L, respectively; p < 0.01) while residual volume significantly decreased (3.2 6 1.8 vs 6.36 1.2 L, respectively; p < 0.004) at 3 months post-LVRS. On cardiopulmonary exercise testing, values increased from baseline to postLVRS for total exercise time (9.0 6 2.2 vs 6.0 6 1.5 min, respectively; p 5 0.045), maximum oxygen
Landscape configuration and flood frequency influence invasive shrubs in floodplain forests of the Wisconsin River (USA)

Summary 1. Invasive species are present worldwide, yet predicting which invasive species will become problematic in which ecosystems remains an important ecological challenge. Floodplains are at particular risk for invasion, especially when subjected to anthropogenic disturbance. 2. We examined how components of flood regime, habitat quality and habitat configuration influenced the presence and abundance of three invasive shrubs in the floodplain of the Wisconsin River. Shrub taxa included two non-natives ( Lonicera spp. and Rhamnus spp.) and one native ( Zanthoxylum americanum ). Observations of taxa presence and abundance were recorded in nine forested river reaches, spanning three physiographic regions. We also compared the productivity of Z. americanum across a flood control levee in one reach. 3. Physiographic region significantly predicted the presence and abundance of these three taxa, acting as a synthetic indicator of differences in climate, geography and topography. Invasion was greatest in regions where modifications to flood regime and land use were most pronounced. Physiographic region was excluded from subsequent analyses to assess more specific predictors of shrub distributions. 4. Habitat configuration and quality both predicted shrub taxa presence and abundance. Shrub taxa were most frequently observed and most abundant in small forest patches, near roads, and in sandy soil with low nutrient content. Edge habitats have many of these characteristics. Edges appear to be favoured by avian shrub dispersers and provide conditions suitable for invasive establishment. 5. Flooding influenced non-native and native invaders differently. Non-native taxa were observed less frequently and at lower abundances in frequently flooded areas, probably because of a sensitivity to flooding. However, the presence, abundance and productivity of the native invader increased with flooding. Anthropogenic modifications to the flood regime limited hydrologic connectivity and may have reduced the competitive advantage of flood-tolerant traits, which allowed the invasion of upland species. 6. Synthesis . In the floodplain of the Wisconsin River, anthropogenic modifications that created edge habitat and altered flood regime facilitated shrub invasions, whereas unfragmented forest and intact flood regime limited invasion. Large patches of floodplain forest, less regulated flooding regimes, and lower road densities may help reduce the spread of invasive shrubs in temperate
The behavioral ecology of sleep: Natural sleeping site choice in three Anolis lizard species

Summary Where animals sleep may be an important component of their behavioral ecology, as sleeping renders animals immobile and hypothetically vulnerable for long periods. Yet, sleep is rarely studied outside of the laboratory. To investigate factors that influence natural sleeping behavior, we examined sleeping locations of three sympatric species of territorial Anolis lizards (Anolis lineatopus, A. grahami and A. valencienni) that have evolved adaptations to different microhabitats. Results indicate that sleeping perch differences among these species are consistent with their diurnal specializations, and sleeping perches are generally higher, narrower, and more horizontal than diurnal perches. We find only limited evidence for sleeping site fidelity; although individuals of one species have apparent sleeping areas within their home ranges, few lizards repeatedly sleep on perches within 0.5 m of previous sleep perches. In a closer examination of the sleeping sites of A. lineatopus, we find that male nocturnal ranges are more dispersed from conspecific males than their diurnal ranges, and they typically sleep near their territory boundaries. We conclude that while Anolis sleeping site choice is strongly influenced by diurnal behavior (including territorial defense and microhabitat choice), differential diurnal and nocturnal microhabitat use may result from differing pressures during day and night.
Impact of preacidification of milk and fermentation time on the properties of yogurt

Casein interactions play an important role in the textural properties of yogurt. The objective of this study was to investigate how the concentration of insoluble calcium phosphate (CCP) that is associated with casein particles and the length of fermentation time influence properties of yogurt gels. A central composite experimental design was used. The initial milk pH was varied by preacidification with glucono-delta-lactone (GDL), and fermentation time (time to reach pH 4.6 from the initial pH) was altered by varying the inoculum level. We hypothesized that by varying the initial milk pH value, the amount of CCP would be modified and that by varying the length of the fermentation time we would influence the rate and extent of solubilization of CCP during any subsequent gelation process. We believe that both of these factors could influence casein interactions and thereby alter gel properties. Milks were preacidified to pH values from 6.55 to 5.65 at 40 degrees C using GDL and equilibrated for 4 h before inoculation. Fermentation time was varied from 250 to 500 min by adding various amounts of culture at 40 degrees C. Gelation properties were monitored using dynamic oscillatory rheology, and microstructure was studied using fluorescence microscopy. Whey separation and permeability were analyzed at pH 4.6. The preacidification pH value significantly affected the solubilization of CCP. Storage modulus values at pH 4.6 were positively influenced by the preacidification pH value and negatively affected by fermentation time. The value for the loss tangent maximum during gelation was positively affected by the preacidification pH value. Fermentation time positively affected whey separation and significantly influenced the rate of CCP dissolution during fermentation, as CCP dissolution was a slow process. Longer fermentation times resulted in greater loss of CCP at the pH of gelation. At the end of fermentation (pH approximately 4.6), virtually all CCP was dissolved. Preacidification of milk increased the solubilization of CCP, increased the early loss of CCP crosslinks, and produced weak gels. Long fermentation times allowed more time for solubilization of CCP during the critical gelation stage of the process and increased the possibility of greater casein rearrangements; both could have contributed to the increase in whey separation.
Personnel Problems and the United Nations Secretariat

The United Nations Charter states that, in building the Secretariat, the Secretary General must give “paramount consideration” to achieving “the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity”, and adds that he must recruit “on as wide a geographical basis as possible”. A dozen years have passed since these standards were set down at San Francisco, and in those years two Secretaries General have attempted to apply them. In their efforts to create a professional civil service, they have had to face extraordinarily difficult problems, but it is clear that the Secretariat today largely fulfills the expectations of the Charter
Alternative use of the bradford sling as a dorsiwedge.

BACKGROUND The Bradford Sling (Capatex, Nottingham, UK) has been used for over 20 years by healthcare professionals across all specialties. It was originally designed and developed to meet heavy patient care requirements after tragic disasters such as the Bradford City stadium fire in 1985 and the explosion on Piper Alpha, an offshore oil and gas production platform, in 1988. In orthopaedics and plastic surgery, it is now used to elevate hand and forearm to reduce swelling, as part of treatment of conditions such as infections and fractures.
The Fourth Amendment Rights of Trespassers: Searching for the Legitimacy of the Government-Notification Doctrine

This Article contrasts the various approaches taken by the federal courts to evaluate the Fourth Amendment rights of trespassers. Part I reviews the applicable Supreme Court precedent binding lower courts in Fourth Amendment trespass cases, namely the Katz analytical model and the Court's authorized-visitor opinions. Part II documents the two competing theories of Fourth Amendment rights of trespassers, with particular emphasis placed upon the ambiguous reasoning in the opinions recognizing trespasser rights. Part III develops the potential justifications for these holdings, systematically analyzes the plausibility of each justification, and argues that each justification is substantially underinclusive, speculative, or offensive to modern legal doctrines.
Enhanced cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and intrinsic excitability of NAc medium spiny neurons in adult but not in adolescent rats susceptible to diet-induced obesity

Basal and diet-induced differences in mesolimbic function, particularly within the nucleus accumbens (NAc), may contribute to human obesity; these differences may be more pronounced in susceptible populations. We examined differences in cocaine-induced behavioral plasticity in rats that are susceptible vs. resistant to diet-induced obesity and basal differences in striatal neuron function in adult and in adolescent obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats. Susceptible and resistant outbred rats were identified based on “junk-food” diet-induced obesity. Then, the induction and expression of cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization, which is mediated by enhanced striatal function and is associated with increased motivation for rewards and reward-paired cues, were evaluated. Basal differences in mesolimbic function were examined in selectively bred obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats (P70–80 and P30–40) using both cocaine-induced locomotion and whole-cell patch clamping approaches in NAc core medium spiny neurons (MSNs). In rats that became obese after eating junk-food, the expression of locomotor sensitization was enhanced compared to non-obese rats, with similarly strong responses to 7.5 and 15 mg/kg cocaine. Without diet manipulation, obesity-prone rats were hyper-responsive to the acute locomotor-activating effects of cocaine, and the intrinsic excitability of NAc core MSNs was enhanced by ∼60 % at positive and negative potentials. These differences were present in adult, but not adolescent rats. Post-synaptic glutamatergic transmission was similar between groups. Mesolimbic systems, particularly NAc MSNs, are hyper-responsive in obesity-prone individuals, and interactions between predisposition and experience influence neurobehavioral plasticity in ways that may promote weight gain and hamper weight loss in susceptible rats.
Bicarbonate secretion by the rat colon: effect of intraluminal chloride and acetazolamide.

SummaryTo examine the conditions under which bicarbonate is secreted by the colon, rats were perfused by a recirculation technique using solutions containing sodium and chloride, one or other of these ions, or neither. All solutions contained bicarbonate in concentrations greater than those in portal venous blood. In 12 animals, bicarbonate was secreted when chloride was a constitutent of the luminal contents, but bicarbonate was absorbed when chloride was excluded from perfusing solutions. Acetazolamide reduced the secretion of bicarbonate and the absorption of sodium, chloride, and water when sodium chloride solutions were used, but the drug had no effect on water and electrolyte transport when a chloride-free solution was used. These results suggest that carbonic anhydrase has a role in the exchange of bicarbonate and chloride across the mucosa of the colon and, further, they imply anion exchange may be related to the mechanism of sodium and water transport in the colon.
Borehole flexural-wave response to vertical solid-filled fractures

Summary The drilling process, hydraulic fracturing and perforation can create fractures along the borehole, which are often filled with yielded rocks. The yielded rocks have much reduced mechanical rigidity than the original undamaged formation. Understanding the effect of this type of fractures on the acoustic dipole responses not only is important for correctly interpreting the acoustic anisotropy measurement but also will help characterizing the fractures using acoustic logging. We use a finite element method with discrete wavenumbers to model the acoustic modes in a borehole with these fractures. Dispersion properties of the dipole waves are calculated with various fracture parameters. The dipole mode polarized perpendicular to the fracture travels at a lower speed than the dipole mode polarized along the fracture at low frequencies. The velocity difference of the two dipole modes increases with the increasing fracture extension into the surrounding formation. The width of the fracture affects the dipole modes mostly at high frequencies. The effects of the fractures can still be felt in a cased borehole. The result of this study can be used to provide a guideline for understanding and interpreting the cross-dipole measurement in fractured formations.
The HYDROS Mission

The Hydrosphere State (HYDROS) Mission has been selected for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program. The objectives of HYDROS are to provide frequent, global measurements of surface soil moisture and surface freeze/thaw state. In order to adequately measure these geophysical parameters, a system capable of simultaneously measuring L-Band radiometer brightness temperatures at 40 km resolution and L-Band radar backscatter at 3 km resolution over a very wide swath is required. In addition, these science requirements must be satisfied under the stringent cost-cap imposed on all ESSP missions. As a solution to this challenging set of requirements, a relatively large, six meter, conically-scanning reflector antenna architecture was selected for the mission design. The HYDROS instrument will fly on a General Dynamics SA-200HP spacecraft bus. Although large deployable mesh antennas have been used in communication applications, this will mark the first time such technology is applied in a rotating configuration for high-resolution remote sensing.
Using L-pyrrolidonyl peptidase(PYRase) paper strips for rapid screenning suspicious Salmonella

To develop a new method for rapid screening suspicious Salmonella. Using L-pyroglutamic acid(PYR) as a substrate fixed on paper disc to detect the enzyme activity on enterobacterial isolated plates to distinguish Salmonella from citrobacter and other enterobacteriaceae. Comparison were made between the standard method and PYRase test in detecting the presence of Salmonella in naturally contaminated food samples. 388 strains of Salmonella and 100 strains of other bacteria were examined. All of the Salmonella's PYRase were negative (without color), and all of the Citrobacter colonies were PYRase-positive(red colour). This test could be accomplished within 2 min after adding the develop reagent. A PYRase test was used to exam Salmonella like colonies isolated on selective agar plate from contaminated food samples,the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity and was 88.89%. [Conclusion] L-PYRase test is a rapid, accurate and simple method for screening Salmonella.
The different immunomodulation of the mesenchymal stem cells from ITP patients bone marrow and other origins

Objective To compare the cell morphology,growth rate,differentiation capacity and the ability of regulating peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) to secrete IL-10 and IFN-γ by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs) which were isolated from immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) patients,healthy adults and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UC-MSCs).Methods The 5-6 generations of BMMSCs were isolated from ITP patients(n=16) and healthy adults(n=8) using density gradient centrifugation.The 5-6 generations of UC-MSCs were isolated from healthy fetuses′ umbilical cord using enzyme digestion.In the process of culture,the morphology of three kinds of MSCs were observed;the immunophenotype,adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential of them were identified;the reproductive activity of them was assessed by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8).Besides,three kinds of MSCs were inactivated by mitomycin C(MMC) and co-cultured with phytohaemagglutinin(PHA)-activated PBMC with the ratio of 1:40,3:40 and 9:40 respectively.Three days later,the culture supernatant was collected and the cytokines IL-10 and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA.Results Three kinds of MSCs had similar cell morphology,immunophenotype and differentiation potential.UC-MSCs showed the fastest growth rate;BMMSCs of ITP patients was the slowest one and the BMMSCs of healthy adults was between them.Three kinds of MSCs were co-cultured with different concentrations of PBMC.The results showed that the more propotions of MSCs,the more increase of IL-10(in BMMSCs of ITP patients group,P0.05;in BMMSCs of healthy adults and UC-MSCs groups,P0.01);conversely,the more propotions of MSCs,the more decrease of IFN-γ(in BMMSCs of ITP patients and healthy adults groups,P0.05;in UC-MSCs group,P0.01).There was no significant difference among three groups when co-cultured in the same conditions(P0.05).Conclusions Three kinds of MSCs had the same characteristics in regulating PBMC to secrete IL-10 and IFN-γ: promoting the secretion of IL-10 and inhibiting the secretion of IFN-γ levels by PBMC in a dose-dependent manner.There was no significant difference among MSCs from different origins in regulating PBMC to secrete IL-10 and IFN-γ.
STRATEGIC DISCLOSURE OF MEANINGFUL INFORMATION TO RIVAL

I study a model of strategic disclosure of a private signal to a rival in the presence of a payoff externality. In the model, two agents forecast the unknown true state of a future period. Specifically, the quality of the signal is also private information. Hence, which quality of signal is revealed for which incentive is the main question of interest. I show that, even when disclosure is costly, the revealing equilibrium, where an agent voluntarily reveals his signal, can exist and it should be a monotone equilibrium. Asymmetry between the penalty for an incorrect forecast and the reward for a correct forecast is a necessary condition for the existence of this revealing equilibrium. If the penalty is larger than the reward, the unique revealing equilibrium is a separating equilibrium, where only the low quality signal is disclosed in order to induce the rival's imitation. On the other hand, if the reward is much larger than the penalty, the unique revealing equilibrium is a pooling equilibrium, where the signal is always revealed in order to induce the rival's deviation. If the reward is not much larger than the penalty, no revealing equilibrium is robust to a costly disclosure. (JEL D81, D82)
Design of A Microfluidic Flow Injection Analysis System

A flow injection analysis system consisting of multiple peristaltic pumps, an injection valve and a mixing column has been constructed in a polydimethylsiloxane monolith. The performance characteristics of the device were evaluated with fluorescent dyes. Additionally, a microfluidic enzyme kinetics assay has been explored.
Oral delivery of anti-MDM2 inhibitor SP141-loaded FcRn-targeted nanoparticles to treat breast cancer and metastasis

We have recently discovered a specific Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) oncogene inhibitor, called SP141, which exerts potent anticancer activity in various breast cancer models. However, its low oral bioavailability is the major hurdle for moving this drug to clinical trial. The present study was designed to discover and validate a novel nano-oral delivery system for this promising anticancer agent. Herein, we report the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the SP141-loaded IgG Fc-conjugated maleimidyl-poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(e-caprolactone) (Mal-PEG-PCL) nanoparticles (SP141FcNP) as an orally cancer therapeutic agent. Our results indicated that SP141FcNP showed a biphasic release pattern and increased transepithelial transport in vitro and in vivo with the involvement of FcRn-mediated transcytosis. SP141FcNP also exhibited increased intestinal epithelial permeability, cellular uptake, and oral bioavailability, with extended blood circulation time, increased tumor accumulation, enhanced MDM2 inhibition, and stronger responses in anti-tumor growth and metastasis effects in vitro and in vivo, without apparent host toxicity. Collectively, this newly developed nanoparticle oral delivery system provides a basis for evaluation of SP141 as a potential clinical candidate for cancer therapy.
Preface to the second edition: forty years later

The original edition of this book was printed by the Center for Applied Linguistics, photographed from the pages of the dissertation that was finished in the spring of 1966. In spite of the rough form of the diagrams, the prevalence of typos, and pages that terminated in mid-sentence, the book reached its audience and had considerable effect in stimulating further research. As the first quantitative study of a metropolitan speech community, it launched a mode of work that is well developed today in the annual NWAVE conference on New Ways of Analyzing Variation , now in its 34th year, and the journal Language Change and Variation , in its 17 th year. SSENYC introduced a number of concepts that have proved useful in the study of change and variation: the linguistic variable; social and stylistic stratification; the cross-over pattern; apparent time; covert prestige. It also introduced a number of procedures that were new to linguistic studies: subjective reaction tests to measure the effect of particular linguistic variables; self-report and linguistic insecurity tests. Many of these methods and results were encapsulated in chapters of Sociolinguistic Patterns (1972a) and developed further in later publications, especially those connected with the study of Linguistic Change and Variation in Philadelphia which followed (see Chapter 15). There were also aspects of this work that were not so widely generalized, and when the book went out of print, were not so often reproduced in the work of others.
Fatigue crack growth behavior in the presence of notches and multiaxial nominal stress states

Abstract The primary focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of notches and multiaxial nominal stress states on mode I crack growth behavior under constant amplitude loading conditions. As a result, a variety of fatigue tests were performed using notched tubular and plate specimens made from 2024-T3 aluminum alloy. Because crack growth data were recorded for naturally initiated fatigue cracks, which can develop in different locations at the notch root, notch effects on crack growth were studied with respect to different initial crack geometry assumptions. By using an effective SIF model to account for stress concentration and boundary condition effects on crack growth from notches, crack growth rate correlations were found to improve over those based on long crack assumptions. Additionally, tubular specimen tests performed using different nominal loading paths allowed for the evaluation of multiaxial stress state effects, including those from non-proportional loading, on the resulting mode I crack growth behavior. Crack growth rates for specimens subjected to multiaxial nominal stress states were observed to be higher than those for uniaxial loading conditions at the same nominal mode I SIF range. While T-stress corrections were able to account for the higher growth rates in some cases, they were unable to collapse all of the tubular specimen crack growth data into a single narrow band. Furthermore, the presence of mixed-mode crack growth effects was determined to be a likely cause for curvilinear crack paths and higher crack growth rates observed for longer cracks growing under 90° out-of-phase non-proportional loading conditions.
Standard Format for the Case Analysis of Moral Problems

I have always been disappointed with the class discussion of cases that depict large and important moral problems. My students don't get down to the essential issues. They propose unworkable alternatives. And, worst of all in my view, they argue from personal opinions, not from ethical principles. To counter those problems I prepared this standardized format. I hand out copies each time I assign a major case, and members of the class are required to fill in the blanks and hand back the forms, for grading. The result is that the quality of the case discussions in my classes has improved dramatically. Hopefully this standardized format approach will work equally well for others.
Countercurrent Gas-Liquid Flow in a Pressurized Water Reactor Hot Leg

The objective of this analysis is to obtain an algebraic correlation for flooding and unflooding in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) hot leg during reflux core cooling. This correlation may be use...
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio is Associated With Outcome During Ipilimumab Treatment.

Abstract Background Ipilimumab (IPI) and BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) improve survival in melanoma, but not all patients will benefit and toxicity can be significant. Pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with outcome in IPI-treated patients, but has not been studied during treatment or in BRAFi-treated patients. Methods Using a prospectively maintained database, patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma treated with IPI or a BRAFi (vemurafenib or dabrafenib as monotherapy) from 2006 to 2011 were identified. NLR was calculated before treatment and at 3-week intervals after treatment initiation until 9weeks. Baseline NLR was tested for association with overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and clinical response to treatment. On-treatment NLRs were tested for association with the same outcomes using landmark survival analyses and time-dependent Cox regression models. The association of relative change of NLR from baseline with outcomes was also examined. A multivariate model tested the association of NLR and OS/PFS with additional clinical factors. Results There were 197 IPI patients and 65 BRAFi patients. In multivariable analysis adjusting for M stage, and disease type (in OS)/gender (in PFS), an NLR value of 5 or above at every timepoint was associated with worse OS (HR 2.03–3.37, p 30% increase in NLR above baseline at any timepoint was associated with a worse OS and PFS (HR 1.81 and 1.66, p Conclusions A high NLR, whether measured prior to or during treatment with IPI, is associated with worse OS, PFS, and clinical response in patients with advanced melanoma. An increasing NLR from baseline during treatment was correlated with worse OS and PFS in IPI-treated patients. In comparison, as NLR was not associated with outcomes in BRAFi patients, NLR may have a uniquely predictive value in patients treated with immunotherapy.
Is Neck Dissection Associated with an Increased Risk of Postoperative Stroke

Objective Prior studies have reported widely disparate rates of postoperative stroke, with conflicting analyses of whether neck dissection is an independent risk factor. Study Design Cohort study. Setting American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2005 to 2013. Subjects and Methods We compared the 30-day rate of postoperative stroke between patients undergoing complete or modified radical neck dissection and a control cohort composed of those undergoing resections in the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx without neck dissection. Propensity scores and paired statistics were used to compare the groups while adjusting for relevant covariates. Results We identified 9697 patients, including 5827 with neck dissection and 3870 without neck dissection. In the full cohort, the rate of postoperative stroke was greater with neck dissection than without it (0.31% vs 0.11%, P = .052), although the relationship was attenuated by propensity score matching to adjust for comorbidities (0.30% vs 0.13%, P = .18). Among patients with ≥2 risk factors for carotid artery stenosis, neck dissection was associated with an increased rate of postoperative stroke (2.68% with bilateral neck dissection, 0.41% with unilateral neck dissection, and 0.24% without neck dissection, P = .04). The incidence of stroke was strongly associated with 30-day mortality (7.4% vs 0.2%, P < .001). Conclusions Stroke is a rare but highly morbid complication after head and neck surgery. Compared with other head and neck surgery, neck dissection in patients at risk for carotid artery stenosis is associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke.
Multi-agent technology for robust control of shipboard chilled water system

Abstract This paper reports preliminary results of an ongoing research project that demonstrates distributed architecture based on agents applied in the area of industrial automation. This architecture has been built to achieve the goals of improved survivability and readiness of US Navy shipboard systems. We show benefits of multiagent systems in the area where flexibility, survivability, and scalability are required. We present the architecture of multi-agent system, internal structure of agent, planning technique based on plan templates, fault-tolerant structure of middle-agents, and development environment for agents.