cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of Caribbean coral communities quantified by long‐term monitoring and autoregression models

Tropical coral reefs exemplify ecosystems imperiled by environmental change. Anticipating the future of reef ecosystems requires understanding how scleractinian corals respond to the multiple environmental disturbances that threaten their survival. We analyzed the stability of coral reefs at three habitats at different depths along the south shore of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, using multivariate autoregression (MAR) models and two decades of monitoring data. We quantified several measures of ecosystem stability, including the magnitude of typical stochastic fluctuations, the rate of recovery following disturbance, and the sensitivity of coral cover to hurricanes and elevated sea temperature. Our results show that, even within a -4 km shore, coral communities in different habitats display different stability properties, and that the stability of each habitat corresponds with the habitat's known synecology. Two Orbicella-dominated habitats are less prone to annual stochastic fluctuations than coral communities in shallower water, but they recover slowly from disturbance, and one habitat has suffered recent losses in scleractinian cover that will not be quickly reversed. In contrast, a shallower, low-coral-cover habitat is subject to greater stochastic fluctuations, but rebounds more quickly from disturbance and is more robust to hurricanes and seawater warming. In some sense, the shallower community is more stable, although the stability arguably arises from having little coral cover left. Our results sharpen understanding of recent changes in coral communities at these habitats, provide a more detailed understanding of how these habitats may change in future environments, and illustrate how MAR models can be used to assess stability of communities founded upon long-lived species.
No Evidence of Dioxin Cancer Threshold

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed an estimate of the human cancer risk from dioxin, using the standard low-dose linear extrapolation approach. This estimate has been controversial because of concern that it may overestimate the cancer risk. An alternative approach has been published and was presented to the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board's Dioxin Review Panel in November 2000. That approach suggests that dioxin is a threshold carcinogen and that the threshold is an order of magnitude above the exposure levels of the general population. We have reexamined the threshold analysis and found that the data have been incorrectly weighted by cohort size. In our reanalysis, without the incorrect weighting, the threshold effect disappears.
Estrogens in fetal and maternal plasma of the rhesus monkey

The quantities of estrone and estradiol were determined by radioimmunoassay in maternal and fetal plasma of the rhesus monkey from day 59 to 163 of gestation. A two way analysis of variance of data classified according to fetal sex and 3 pooled gestational ages for each hormone and for mother or fetus (4 analyses) revealed significant elevations in fetal estradiol and maternal estrone concentrations with age. All other comparisons were not significant by these analyses. The concentrations of estradiol were greater in maternal than in fetal plasma [769 +/- 64 (SE) pg/ml, N = 63 VS 57 +/- 6 (SE) pg/ml, N = 77, P less than 0.01] by a t test. Estrone, on the other hand, was similar in mother and fetus [265 +/- 30 (SE) pg/ml, N = 60 vs 318 +/- 37 (SE) pg/ml, N = 73, P greater than 0.05]. No sex differences in the concentrations of these hormones were observed except in the fetus after 150 days of gestation. At this time plasma from female fetuses contained significantly more estradiol than plasma from male fetuses [118 +/- 20 (SE) pg/ml, N = 7 vs 61 +/- 10 (SE) pg/ml, N = 19, P less than 0.01]. Except for estradiol in female fetuses, the concentrations of estrogen were significantly higher in the umbilical vein than in the umbilical artery, an indication that the placenta is a major source of fetal estrogen in this species. Estrone and estradiol were significantly correlated in both the fetal and maternal circulation, r = 0.58, P less than 0.001 and r = 0.39, P less than 0.01 respectively. The results provide quantitative data about the estrogen miliue in which the monkey fetus develops and suggest mechanisms for controlling fetal estrogen in this species.
Direct shock compression experiments on premolten forsterite and progress toward a consistent high‐pressure equation of state for CaO‐MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐FeO liquids

We performed shock compression experiments on preheated forsterite liquid (Mg_2SiO_4) at an initial temperature of 2273 K and have revised the equation of state (EOS) that was previously determined by shock melting of initially solid Mg_2SiO_4 (300 K). The linear Hugoniot, U_S = 2.674 ± 0.188 + 1.64 ± 0.06 u_p km/s, constrains the bulk sound speed within a temperature and composition space as yet unexplored by 1 bar ultrasonic experiments. We have also revised the EOS for enstatite liquid (MgSiO_3) to exclude experiments that may have been only partially melted upon shock compression and also the EOS for anorthite (CaAl_2SiO_6) liquid, which now excludes potentially unrelaxed experiments at low pressure. The revised fits and the previously determined EOS of fayalite and diopside (CaMg_2SiO_6) were used to produce isentropes in the multicomponent CaO-MgO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2-FeO system at elevated temperatures and pressures. Our results are similar to those previously presented for peridotite and simplified “chondrite” liquids such that regardless of where crystallization first occurs, the liquidus solid sinks upon formation. This process is not conducive to the formation of a basal magma ocean. We also examined the chemical and physical plausibility of the partial melt hypothesis to explain the occurrence and characteristics of ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZ). We determined that the ambient mantle cannot produce an equilibrium partial melt and residue that is sufficiently dense to be an ultra-low velocity zone mush. The partial melt would need to be segregated from its equilibrium residue and combined with a denser solid component to achieve a sufficiently large aggregate density.
Instrumental learning within the spinal cord: V. Evidence the behavioral deficit observed after noncontingent nociceptive stimulation reflects an intraspinal modification

Spinally transected rats given leg shock whenever one hindlimb is extended learn to maintain the leg in a flexed position, which minimizes net shock exposure. Yoked rats, that receive an equal amount of shock independent of leg position (noncontingent shock), do not exhibit an increase in flexion duration. Yoked rats also fail to learn when response contingent shock is applied to the previously shocked leg, a behavioral deficit that resembles learned helplessness. This deficit could reflect either a peripheral (e.g. muscle fatigue) or central effect. Experiment 1 showed that spinalized rats given noncontingent shock to one hind limb fail to learn when response-contingent shock is applied to the contralateral leg. Experiment 2 demonstrated that blocking the afferent input to the spinal cord, by cutting the sciatic nerve, blocked the development of the deficit. Experiment 3 found that intrathecal lidocaine has a protective effect and prevents the deficit. These findings suggest that noncontingent nociceptive stimulation induces an intraspinal modification that undermines behavioral potential.
FATALITIES FROM HEAD AND CERVICAL SPINE INJURIES OCCURRING IN TACKLE FOOTBALL: 50 YEARS' EXPERIENCE

Football head and cervical spine fatalities have been related to 84.9% of all football fatalities from 1945 through 1994. The decade from 1965 through 1974 was responsible for the greatest number and percentage of head and cervical spine fatalities, and the two decades from 1975 through 1994 were associated with the smallest number and percentage. The data reveal that most head and cervical spine fatalities are related to high school football players either tackling or being tackled in a game. Most head fatalities are subdural hematomas, and almost all of the cervical spine fatalities are fractures, dislocations, or fracture-dislocations. There has been a dramatic reduction in these types of fatalities during the last two decades, 1975 through 1994, and the preventive measures that have received most of the credit have been the 1976 rule change that prohibits initial contact with the head and face when blocking and tackling, the NOCSAE helmet standard that went into effect in colleges in 1978 and high schools in 1980, better coaching in the techniques of blocking and tackling, and improved medical care. There has been a reduction of head and cervical spine fatalities, but the analysis of data for the next decade, 1995 through 2004, will reveal the continued effects of the preventive measures discussed and continued research efforts. A number of researchers have stated that in order for the head and cervical spine fatalities to continue decreasing, there must be increased helmet research with an emphasis on concussions and neck injuries. Will the number of fatalities continue to decrease? Only time will tell.
A STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR TRACER AND ITS APPLICATION TO TIME DEPENDENT FRACTURE TESTING

ABSTRACT An optical method, so called “Stress Intensity Factor Tracer (SIFT)” (Kim, submitted) has been applied for the measurement of the continuous time history of the stress intensity factor K I (t) of a time-dependent-fracture-testing specimen. This method utilizes the intensity variation of the light impinging on any fixed finite size area γ, that does not include the focal point, in the focal plane on which initially parallel light rays transmitted through the transparent fracture specimen (or reflected from the surface of an opaque specimen) are focused by a converging lens. The light intensity I(t) is related to the stress intensity factor by I(t) = B[K I(t) ] 473 for K I dominant field, where the constant B is the product of several experimental quantities including a “shape factor” for the sampling area γ, which is a known function of crack velocity for dynamic K I field. An important feature of the method is that I(t) is insensitive to the location of the crack in the specimen plane. The relation for SIFT has been checked experimentally for a DCB specimen and applied to the measurement of the stress intensity factor of the DCB specimen under vibrational loading and of a large Homalite 100 specimen subjected to impulsive loading on the crack faces.
Resource Overlap, Prey Dynamics, and The Strength of Competition

Patterns of resource use and the strength of interspecific competition were explored for two temperate marine reef fishes, black surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni) and striped surfperch (E. lateralis). These species occupy a depth—related gradient in abundance of food (crustaceans) and preferred foraging microhabitats (species of foliose algae that contain food items). Field experiments revealed that the intensity of competition varied greatly along the resource gradient. At the shallow end of the gradient, which contains seasonally high food levels and large amounts of the most preferred foraging microhabitat (the red alga Gelidium), interspecific competition was intense during seasons when food was scarce. This was accompanied by low overlap in use of feeding microhabitats. We detected no competition in deep areas that lacked Gelidium. In this portion of the resource gradient, low overlap occurred because there was no preferred microhabitat that both fishes could share. Low overlap in the deep habitat was not a consequence of competition but rather of the slightly different foraging adaptations of each species. In the surfperch system, static, among—habitat patterns of resource overlap provided little insight into the existence or strength of competition. High overlap occurred when competition was dampened by abundant food (in the shallow zone during food—rich seasons). Low overlap was either associated with strong competition (during periods of relative scarcity of food in the shallow zone) or its absence (deep areas which lacked the shared, preferred microhabitat). Spatial and temporal variation in the strength of interspecific competition was better predicted by dynamic (seasonal) patterns of microhabitat overlap, but only when coupled with knowledge of food dynamics, foraging adaptations of the competitors, and availability of preferred shared microhabitat.
Programming language support for adaptable wearable computing

Software on wearable computers must adapt to dynamic environmental conditions, such as changes in packet loss behavior on wireless communication channels. This paper investigates the use of programming language constructs to realize adaptive behavior. A prototype language, Adaptive Java, was used to construct MetaSocket components, whose composition and behavior can be adapted to changing conditions during execution. MetaSockets were then integrated into Pavilion, a web-based collaboration framework, and experiments were conducted on a mobile computing testbed containing Xybernaut MA-V wearable computer systems. Performance results demonstrate the utility of MetaSockets in reducing file transfer time and enhancing the quality of interactive audio streams.
Purification and characterization of the nuclear RNase P holoenzyme complex reveals extensive subunit overlap with RNase MRP

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that cleaves precursor tRNA transcripts to give mature 5' ends. RNase P in eubacteria has a large, catalytic RNA subunit and a small protein subunit that are required for precursor tRNA cleavage in vivo. Although the eukaryotic holoenzymes have similar, large RNA subunits, previous work in a number of systems has suggested that the eukaryotic enzymes require a greater protein content. We have purified the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear RNase P to apparent homogeneity, allowing the first comprehensive analysis of an unexpectedly complex subunit composition. Peptide sequencing by ion trap mass spectrometry identifies nine proteins that copurify with the nuclear RNase P RNA subunit, totaling 20-fold more protein than in the bacterial enzyme. All of these proteins are encoded by genes essential for RNase P activity and for cell viability. Previous genetic studies suggested that four proteins might be subunits of both RNase P and RNase MRP, the related rRNA processing enzyme. We demonstrate that all four of these proteins, Pop1p, Pop3p, Pop4p, and Rpp1p, are integral subunits of RNase P. In addition, four of the five newly identified protein subunits, Pop5p, Pop6p, Pop7p, and Pop8p, also appear to be shared between RNase P and RNase MRP. Only one polypeptide, Rpr2p, is unique to the RNase P holoenzyme by genetic depletion and immunoprecipitation studies. The large increase in the number of protein subunits over eubacterial RNase P is consistent with an increase in functional complexity in eukaryotes. The degree of structural similarity between nuclear RNase P and RNase MRP suggests that some aspects of their functions in pre-tRNA and pre-rRNA processing pathways might overlap or be coordinated.
Clipped Gaussian processes are never M-Step Markov

Abstract It is shown that the level-crossings process of zeroes and ones corresponding to a stationary but not independent Gaussian sequence can never be exactly ( m -step) Markov, although its correlation-sequence can agree exactly with that of a Markov sequence.
Stress and the Contemporary Woman

In the past few decades, social scientists have observed marked changes in the behavioral options for men and women in this society. The gender differences that were once predictable and taken for granted have been questioned as men and women are varying more in their roles, attitudes, and behaviors than ever before. Let us briefly review the social events that have resulted in these changes.
Fifteen isolations of Gymnoascus Demonbreunii from canine and soil sources.

Eleven isolations of Gymnoascus demonbreunii were obtained from a total of 265 dogs which were killed and tissues cultured for Histoplasma capsulatum. Seven of these isolates were obtained from lung tissue and 4 from mediastinal lymph nodes. The occurrence of this fungus in dogs is thought to be incidental because there were no lesions present nor fungal multiplication in the tissues since the highest number of colonies obtained from one organ was 9 and in the majority of cases only 1. H. capsulatum was isolated in addition to G. demonbreunii from 4 of the above 11 animals.Four isolates of G. demonbreunii were obtained from soils collected from chicken houses where H. capsulatum has also been isolated.After numerous studies, no relationship could be shown between G. demonbreunii and H. capsulatum with the exception of perhaps an environmental one.
Socially Responsible Investment and Modern Financial Markets

Socially responsible investment (SRI), the practice of making investment decisions using both social and financial criteria, became very popular in the 1980's. Between 1984 and 1991, the amount of money invested using social criteria skyrocketed from $40 billion to more than $625 billion. This tremendous growth reflects the success of the SRI community in convincing investors that they can make a difference in the world through their investments without financial sacrifice. The proponents of SRI, thus, make two principal claims. First, that managing money according to ethical criteria can be as profitable and prudent as investing strictly for financial gain. Second, that SRI can directly change corporate behavior by drawing funds away from disapproved activities toward approved activities. Although either of the principal claims made by SRI's proponents might be true, the two claims cannot simultaneously both be true. Because the truth of either claim implies the falsity of the other, the two claims are inconsistent.
I’m not black, I’m not white, what am I? The illusion of the color line

Discussions of the racial “color line” in the United States are often framed in terms of “Black and White,” addressing the historical subjugation and oppression of African-Americans, the dynamics of White privilege, and the relationship between the two. Although a necessary point of critical inquiry, what is at times lost in these conversations are the ways in which the color line functions as an illusion which reifies – and in fact codifies – an unconscious construction in which racial discussions have only two terms, Black and White. Black or Blackness, and White or Whiteness, refer to specific cultural, social, and identity performances which exclude other racialized experiences (for example, Latinos, Asians, South Asians, etc.) as well as those subjectivities which do not fit neatly into their presumed racial identifications (for example, African Americans who are “not Black enough”). Taking my own experience of Latino ethnic ambiguity as a source of data, I will argue that two perpendicular conversations need to be entertained. On the one hand a critical analysis of race and the influence of anti-Black racism and colorism is a necessary, but insufficient, source of emancipatory politics. What is needed in addition to this discourse is a discussion of ways of performing racial/ethnic identification that does not conform to established constructs of “Black and White.” I theorize that a renewal of emancipatory energy can take place at the intersection of these two discourses.
An improved procedure for quantitation of platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 (heparin neutralizing) activity shortens the thrombin time of a heparinized plasma. In the proposed procedure (1) a heparin thrombin time curve is constructed by adding gradually increasing amounts of heparin to a commercial plasma substrate and determining thrombin times, (2) a suitable concentration of heparin that gives highest reproducible thrombin time is selected and added to the substrate, (3) thrombin times are determined for the heparinized substrate before and after addition of a test material containing platelet factor 4. The two thrombin times are converted to heparin concentration by reference to the heparin thrombin time curve. The difference in heparin concentrations represents platelet factor 4 activity. When lyophilized commercial plasma is used as substrate larger quantities of heparin can be employed in the system, resulting in improved sensitivity and precision.
CAUSE ANALYSIS OF VIBRATION ON BEARING No.4 FOR STEAM TURBINE OF 300 MW UNIT

The regularity governing vibration of bearing no.4 for steam turbine no.1 in Guodian Penglai Power Plant along with variation of revolution speed,load,and vacuum has been analysed in detail,it is believed that the abnormal vibration of bearing no.4 is due to the support rigidity of bearing no.4 to be somewhat lower.After remedy of this,the bearing vibration(bearing shoe vibration)is less than 20 μm,and the shaft vibration being less than 33 μm.
Self-propelled motors: Light-seeking synthetic trees

Nanostructured photocatalytic microrods can swim either towards or away from a light source depending on their surface functionalization.
Dynamic Akt/mTOR Signaling in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined disorder affecting 1 in 68 children. Currently, there is no known cause for the majority of ASD cases nor are there physiological diagnostic tools or biomarkers to aid behavioral diagnosis. However, sibling concordance suggests a strong genetic component to this disorder. Whole-genome linkage studies, genome wide association studies, copy number variation screening and SNP analyses have identified several ASD candidate genes, but which vary greatly among individuals and family clusters, suggesting that a variety of genetic mutations may result in a common pathology or alter a common mechanistic pathway. Among the most highly associated single gene mutations in ASD are those in the Akt/mTOR pathway, including FMR1 (Fragile X), TSC1 or TSC2 (Tuberous Sclerosis), PTEN (Cowden’s Syndrome), and NF1 (Neurofibromatosis type 1). The Akt/mTOR pathway is involved in many cellular processes including synaptic plasticity and immune function that can alter neurodevelopment. We also tested the hypothesis that primary T cell could be useful as a relatively non-invasive test to assess dynamic Akt/mTOR signaling that would not be capable in post-mortem tissues. To address this, we examined activity of the Akt/mTOR pathway in primary cells isolated from young children with ASD and typically developing controls of the same age. Phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), tuberin (TSC2), Akt, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)α, GSK3β, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6 kinase (p70S6K), ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6), and extracellular receptor kinase (ERK) were measured in all subjects. We observed higher activity of mTOR, ERK, p70S6K, as well as lower activity of GSK3α (p=0.050) and TSC2 in cells from children with ASD, which suggests higher activity in the Akt/mTOR pathway. ASD subjects also exhibited higher activity of the Akt/mTOR pathway than controls after 15 minutes and 45 minutes of cellular activation. In this article, we describe a phosphorylation pattern in the general/idiopathic ASD population of high Akt/mTOR pathway activity, which had been previously described for known ASD associated mutations, and may suggest a common pathological pathway of interest for ASD.
Qualitative Slow Blood Flow in Lower Extremity Deep Veins on Doppler Sonography: Quantitative Assessment and Preliminary Evaluation of Correlation With Subsequent Deep Venous Thrombosis Development in a Tertiary Care Oncology Center

Objectives To determine whether the qualitative sonographic appearance of slow deep venous flow in the lower extremities correlates with quantitative slow flow and an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in oncology patients. Methods In this Institutional Review Board–approved retrospective study, we reviewed lower extremity venous Doppler sonographic examinations of 975 consecutive patients: 482 with slow flow and 493 with normal flow. The subjective slow venous flow and absence of initial DVT were confirmed by 2 radiologists. Peak velocities were recorded at 3 levels. Each patient was followed for DVT development. The associations between DVT and the presence of slow venous flow were examined by the Fisher exact test; a 2-sample t test was used for peak velocity and DVT group comparisons. The optimal cutoff peak velocity for correlation with the radiologists' perceived slow flow was determined by the Youden index. Results Deep venous thrombosis development in the slow-flow group (21 of 482 [4.36%]) was almost doubled compared with patients who had normal flow (11 of 493 [2.23%]; P = .0456). Measured peak venous velocities were lower in the slow–venous flow group (P < .001). Patients with subsequent DVT did not have a significant difference in venous velocities compared with their respective patient groups. The sum of 3 venous level velocities resulted in the best cutoff for dichotomizing groups into normal versus slow venous flow. Conclusions Qualitative slow venous flow in the lower extremities on Doppler sonography accurately correlates with quantitatively slower flow, and this preliminary evaluation suggests an associated mildly increased rate of subsequent DVT development in oncology patients.
Making Pushkar Paradise: Hindu Ritualization and the Environment

Based on ethnographic fieldwork in the pilgrimage and tourist town of Pushkar, India, this article looks at the environmental degradation that has befallen the holy lake there and explores efforts on the part of locals to clean it. While local Hindus believe unequivocally that their town is a heavenly place, many nevertheless recognize the need to actualize that belief. The article contends that the broad goal of making Pushkar paradise, and more specifically, the task of cleaning the lake, involves a robust process of ritualization. Thinking alongside the work of Catherine Bell, the article aims to show how environmentalism becomes ritualized, and in turn renders a place sacred. The article concludes with the idea that cleaning the lake is both an activity born out of the understanding that Pushkar is paradise and one that simultaneously sets paradise in the making.
Clinical Comparison of the NOWDiagnostics' ADEXUSDx Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Point-of-Care Test with the Roche Elecsys hCG + β2 for the Serum Measurement of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.

Background: In the emergency and urgent care setting, point-of-care (POC) human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing is a clinical tool used to determine pregnancy status for risk assessment of potentially fetotoxic treatments and procedures in female patients of child-bearing age. Methods: We reassayed a cohort of remnant blood samples (n = 283; hCG concentrations, Results: We obtained the following characteristics compared with the reference laboratory hCG values at Conclusions: The hCG point-of-care test assayed in this study accurately identified blood samples with hCG levels >10 mIU/mL. Because of its rapid turnaround time and ease of use, further field testing in the clinical setting is warranted.
Thinking ecologically with Judith Butler

This essay traces several productive points of overlap and departure between the recent philosophical work of Judith Butler and ecological thinking. While ecological philosophers and theorists have...
NMR resonance assignments of RNase P protein from Thermotoga maritima.

Ribonuclase P (RNase P) is an essential metallo-endonuclease that catalyzes 5′ precursor-tRNA (ptRNA) processing and exists as an RNA-based enzyme in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. In bacteria, a large catalytic RNA and a small protein component assemble to recognize and accurately cleave ptRNA and tRNA-like molecular scaffolds. Substrate recognition of ptRNA by bacterial RNase P requires RNA–RNA shape complementarity, intermolecular base pairing, and a dynamic protein–ptRNA binding interface. To gain insight into the binding specificity and dynamics of the bacterial protein–ptRNA interface, we report the backbone and side chain 1H, 13C, and 15N resonance assignments of the hyperthermophilic Thermatoga maritima RNase P protein in solution at 318 K. Our data confirm the formation of a stable RNA recognition motif (RRM) with intrinsic heterogeneity at both the N- and C-terminus of the protein, consistent with available structural information. Comprehensive resonance assignments of the bacterial RNase P protein serve as an important first step in understanding how coupled RNA binding and protein–RNA conformational changes give rise to ribonucleoprotein function.
A longitudinal study of fractures in 1488 Thoroughbred racehorses receiving intrasynovial medication: 2006-2011.

BACKGROUND There is a need for investigation of associations between intrasynovial medication and fracture risk in racehorses. OBJECTIVES To document the proportion and type of fracture occurring following intrasynovial medication. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective longitudinal study. METHODS Review of clinical records from all Thoroughbred flat racehorses receiving intrasynovial medication under the care of a first-opinion veterinary practice between 2006 and 2011. Fractures pre- and post-medication were categorised by location, type, and severity; analysis of fractures sustained within 56-days of medication was undertaken. Survival analyses using Cox proportional hazards models were conducted for associations between medication used (corticosteroid vs. non-corticosteroid), age at first medication, sex and total number of medications and fracture. RESULTS A total of 1488 horses received intrasynovial medication during the period of study; 8692 synovial spaces were medicated in 3925 sessions. There were 96 fractures that occurred within 56-days of medication, of which 44 were classified as 'serious' (44/1488; 3.0% total population, 95% CI 2.1, 3.8%) and 11 (11/1488, 0.7%, 95% CI 0.3, 1.2%) were euthanased due to severity of injury. Fifty-four of 96 cases (56.4%, 95% CI 46.3, 66.2%) returned to racing. Targeted imaging of the subsequent injury site was undertaken prior to injury in only 7 (7/96, 7.3%) horses that injured post-medication. Horses that had received ≥3 previous intrasynovial medication sessions had an increased hazard of sustaining a fracture within 56 days (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.51, 3.54, P<0.001) compared with those receiving ≤3 medication sessions, adjusted for each increasing year of age (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53, 0.86, P = 0.001). MAIN LIMITATIONS Absence of an unexposed cohort of nonmedicated racehorses. CONCLUSIONS Serious musculoskeletal injury following intrasynovial medication occurred in 3% (44/1488) horses. Reduction in injury rates may be possible through greater use of premedication diagnostic imaging.
AC/DC flyback controller with UHV integrated startup current source in 180nm HVIC technology

This work demonstrates an AC/DC flyback converter controller fabricated in an 180nm HVIC technology that enables reduced layout size and increased digital content. It features a monolithically integrated ultra-high-voltage (UHV) start-up circuit. An integrated UHV depletion-mode transistor is used to draw current directly from the ∼400V DC bus and charge up VDD to ∼13V. Controlling the gate of this depletion transistor allows the start-up current to be completely cut off after the VDD is charged and the controller starts normal operation, which cannot be done using the resistor start-up approach. The start-up circuit includes built-in protection features and enables tight tolerances for key design parameters.
Abstract 1709: Interstitial Endothelin Receptor Activation Contributes to Membrane Type-1 Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity During Ischemia and Reperfusion

Background: While the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated to contribute to transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with ischemia and reperfusion (IR), the specific subtypes and upstream pathways that evoke MMP activity remain unclear. Membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) is increased in human heart failure and contains promoter response elements to biological signals such as endothelin (ET), which is increased with IR. This study tested the hypothesis that interstitial ET receptor (ET-R) activation is a fundamental upstream event leading to local MT1-MMP activity with IR. Methods/Results: Pigs (30 kg, n=9) underwent IR (90 minutes of circumflex occlusion and 120 minutes of R) in which parallel microdialysis probes were placed in the LV IR area for simultaneous measurement of interstitial MT1-MMP activity (validated and calibrated fluorogenic substrate) and ET (radioimmunoassay) in which one probe contained the ET A -R antagonist (BQ123, 1μM). LV stroke work fell from baseline with IR (45.1±3.5 vs 34.1±3.1 g·m, p A -R activation (500±55%, p Conclusions: The unique findings of this study were two-fold. First, there was a local release of ET paralleled by increased MT1-MMP activity. Second, the ET A receptor subtype contributed to the induction of MT1-MMP activity. This is the first study to mechanistically demonstrate that the signaling cascade elicited by ET-R activation contributes to MT1-MMP activity in the context of IR.
Neurological Complications of Chemotherapy in Lymphoma and Leukemia Patients

The treatment of hematologic malignancies has markedly improved in recent decades. Patients are living longer, thus increasing the likelihood of long-term neurologic complications from chemotherapy. These neurologic sequelae are an important source of morbidity and may play a role in limiting potential therapies. The balance between efficacy and toxicity has become a major focus in recent clinical trials. This chapter reviews the most common neurologic complications of chemotherapy in leukemia and lymphoma patients.
Child Abuse: A Social Interactional Analysis

One of the jurors covered her mouth in horror at the sight of 7-year-old Daniel Brownell. Tears dampened the eyes of other jurors and many of the spectators.
Phosphoinositide Regulation of TRP Channels

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are activated by stimuli as diverse as heat, cold, noxious chemicals, mechanical forces, hormones, neurotransmitters, spices, and voltage. Besides their presumably similar general architecture, probably the only common factor regulating them is phosphoinositides. The regulation of TRP channels by phosphoinositides is complex. There are a large number of TRP channels where phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2 or PIP2] acts as a positive cofactor, similarly to many other ion channels. In several cases, however, PI(4,5)P2 inhibits TRP channel activity, sometimes even concurrently with the activating effect. This chapter will provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on regulation of TRP channels by membrane phosphoinositides.
Oil Shale as a Feedstock for Carbon Materials

Other chapters have considered oil shale in terms of its composition, characterization, and processing to produce, primarily, liquids. This chapter is concerned with the use of oil shale and oil shale products as starting materials for the production of high added-value materials. The focus is on the synthesis of carbon materials, although it should be recognized that a range of other materials can also be produced: oil shale can be used in cement and brick manufacture; shale liquids can be used as a source of nitrogen heterocycles for the chemical industry, and as asphalt additives and binders (1,2).
Oral and topical antihistamines: pharmacologic properties and therapeutic potential in ocular allergic disease.

Background: Allergic eye disease is a common clinical occurrence in individuals who experience local and systemic hypersensitivity reactions. The majority of ocular symptoms involve the conjunctiva and lids, which are exposed to the environment and thereby are sites of interaction between allergens and immunocompetent cells. Signs and symptoms of ocular involvement can manifest as itching, chemosis, tearing, swollen lids, and photophobia. Methods: Histamine is a key preformed mediator released when allergen molecules crosslink to antigen-binding components of adjacent IgE molecules on mast cells or basophil surface. On its release, histamine acts on H 1 -receptors on a variety of tissues and cells, including blood vessels, smooth muscle, and sensory nerves. Results: Drugs classified as H 1 -receptor antagonists, commonly referred to as the antihistamines, are among the most efficacious and frequently-used medications for ocular and systemic allergy symptoms. Conclusion: This review focuses on the pharmacologic actions and side effects of oral first-generation sedating or classic H 1 -receptor antagonists; the second-generation, relatively nonsedating H 1 -receptor antagonists ; and the topical ocular antihistamine/decongestants and single-entity antihistamine formulations.
An equilibrium mode-split model of work trips along a transportation corridor

Within the sphere of research associated with transportation planning, the problem of equilibration — one of solving a set of demand and supply (level-of-service) equations — has often been left untouched. This was so primarily because of the conceptual complexity of the problem and secondarily because of the high computational cost of implementing an equilibrium model. Thus, in many applications of transportation demand studies, some kind of supply inelasticity (to travel volumes) assumptions were made. And in those applications where congestion effects were felt to be significant enough to be decisive, the Incremental Assignment technique was invariably used. This technique is computationally quite inexpensive, but is ad hoc and has problems with convergence.
Probing the role of proline -135 on the structure, stability, and cell proliferation activity of human acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract Human acidic fibroblast growth factor 1 (hFGF1) is a protein intricately involved in cell growth and tissue repair. In this study, we investigate the effect(s) of understanding the role of a conserved proline (P135), located in the heparin binding pocket, on the structure, stability, heparin binding affinity, and cell proliferation activity of hFGF1. Substitution of proline-135 with a positively charged lysine (P135K) resulted in partial destabilization of the protein; however, the overall structural integrity of the protein was maintained upon substitution of proline-135 with either a negative charge (P135E) or a polar amino acid (P135Q). Interestingly, upon heparin binding, an increase in thermal stability equivalent to that of wt-hFGF1 was observed when P135 was replaced with a positive (P135K) or a negative charge (P135E), or with a polar amino acid (P135Q). Surprisingly, introduction of negative charge in the heparin-binding pocket at position 135 (P135E) increased hFGF1's affinity for heparin by 3-fold, while the P135K mutation, did not alter the heparin-binding affinity. However, the enhanced heparin-binding affinity of mutant P135E did not translate to an increase in cell proliferation activity. Interestingly, the P135K and P135E double mutations, P135K/R136E and P135/R136E, reduced the heparin binding affinity by ∼3-fold. Furthermore, the cell proliferation activity was increased when the charge reversal mutation R136E was paired with both P135E (P135E/R136E) and P135K (P135K/R136E). Overall, the results of this study suggest that while heparin is useful for stabilizing hFGF1 on the cell surface, this interaction is not mandatory for activation of the FGF receptor.
P105 An accelerated method for reverse sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe-based HLA typing

Aim Turnaround time (TAT) for HLA typing is critical for transplantation. We sought to establish a faster protocol for low-resolution HLA typing using the rSSOP methodology. Methods The LABType™ rSSOP method (One Lambda) was altered to reduce hybridization time. Modifications included centrifugation and incubation duration reductions, and reagent volume adjustments. Single parameters were first changed and tested. Successful modifications were used in the next round of tests. All modifications were tested with a set of PCR amplicons prepared from three samples, which contained previously HLA-typed high quality DNA. Following a series of rSSOP typings for these samples at HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, and DQB1/DQA1 loci, an accelerated protocol was established. Discovery phase concluded with protocol validation at all loci including HLA-DRB3/4/5 and DPB1/DPA1. Full validation confirmed intra-operator, inter- and intra-assay, as well as multiple DNA source reproducibility. DNA was extracted from different samples including ACD blood (n = 4), EDTA blood (n = 4), cord segment (n = 5), buccal swab (n = 5) and mouth-wash samples (n = 4). Results The original centrifugation of 3000 rpm for 2 min (total 2 min 22 s) was changed to a quick spin (up to 3000 rpm; 33 s), reducing each centrifugation step by 1 min 50 s. Additionally, one centrifugation and one transfer of plate step were eliminated. The duration of incubation time was changed for denaturation (from 10 min to 2.5 min), hybridization (from 15 min to 5 min), and streptavidin-PE (SAPE, from 5 min to 2.5 min). The reagent volume modifications includes the reduction of washing buffer (from 100 μl to 50 μl per well) and increase in SAPE (from 25 μl to 50 μl per well). Compared to the original protocol, the accelerated protocol reduced the hybridization time approximately 30 min. This method allowed us to obtain consistent and accurate typing results for all tested HLA loci among different operators, intra- and inter-assays, and a variety of DNA samples. Conclusions Fulfilling requests for faster TAT may be achieved by adaptation of current methodologies, which may help improving patient management. The accelerated rSSOP protocol is an effective method for reducing testing time, while still giving robust results for HLA class I and class II typing. (RLU and JJX contributed equally).
Microstructural evolution during fabrication of alumina via laser stereolithography technique

Abstract Application of additive manufacturing (AM) technology in production of ceramic parts is considered as a state-of-the-art technique which has been recently introduced to industry. In the current study the imperative microstructural characteristics of the alumina manufactured via laser stereolithography (SLA) has been investigated. The microstructural characteristics of the developed ceramic parts and components are still unknown and require detailed investigation. A combination of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), image analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans was used to evaluate the microstructural features of the alumina samples after each step of the manufacturing process (i.e. printing, debinding and sintering). In addition, the apparent density of each sample was measured using water displacement method. Results indicated that the porosity of printed alumina samples was significantly reduced after sintering process. EDS analysis confirmed elimination of binder material after debinding and sintering processes. XRD analysis detected existence of α-Al 2 O 3 in initial printed samples which was not changed during debinding and sintering processes. Due to detection of identical peaks for all samples, only one set of lattice parameters ( a and c ) was calculated from XRD patterns of all samples which was close to the ones reported in literature for alumina. TEM micrographs and corresponding diffraction patterns confirmed polycrystalline structure from different layers of the samples. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and diffraction patterns from single layers were used to calculate lattice parameters for each sample. A slight increase was noticed in unit cell and grain size after sintering process. The obtained results help for better understanding of the properties through microstructural characteristics of the 3D printed ceramic parts.
Assessment of the Lagrange Discrete Ordinates Equations for Three-Dimensional Neutron Transport

Author(s): Rowland, KL; Ahrens, CD; Hamilton, S; Slaybaugh, RN | Abstract: The Lagrange Discrete Ordinates (LDO) equations, developed by Ahrens as an alternative to the traditional discrete ordinates formulation, have been implemented in Denovo, a three-dimensional radiation transport code developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The LDO equations retain the formal structure of the classical discrete ordinates equations but treat particle scattering in a different way. Solutions of the LDO equations have an interpolatory structure such that the angular flux can be naturally evaluated at directions other than the discrete ordinates used in arriving at the solutions, and the ordinates themselves may be chosen in a strategic way for the problem under consideration. Of particular interest is that the LDO equations have been shown to mitigate ray effects at increased angular resolutions. In this paper we present scalar flux solutions of the LDO equations for a small number of test cases of interest and compare the results against flux solutions generated using standard quadrature types. The LDO equations’ flux solutions were found to be comparable to those resultant from the standard quadrature types in value; results from the LDO equations were also found to be commensurate with those of standard quadrature types when comparing the flux solutions in the context of the experimental benchmark test case examined.
The impact of social, political and racial discourses on art exhibitions – past and present?

In the public discourse of museums, exhibitions are often considered the raison d’etre of these institutions. Their purpose of collecting, preserving, educating, displaying and researching works of...
EyeCom: an IoT based affordable wearable solution for paralyzed people to interact with machines

The world is innovating rapidly, and there is a need for continuous interaction with technology. Sadly, there do not exist promising options for paralyzed people to interact with the machines, i.e., laptops, smartphones, and tabs. A few commercial solutions such as Google Glasses are costly and cannot be afforded by every paralyzed person for such interaction. Towards this end, the paper proposes a retina-controlled device called EyeCom. The proposed device is constructed from off-the-shelf cost-effective yet robust IoT devices (i.e., Arduino microcontrollers, Xbee wireless sensors, IR diodes, and accelerometer). The device can easily be mounted on to the glasses; the paralyzed person using this device can interact with the machine using simple head movement and eye blinks. The IR detector is located in front of the eye to illuminate the eye region. As a result of illumination, the eye reflects IR light which includes electrical signals. As the eyelids close, the reflected light over the eye surface is disrupted, and the change in reflected value is recorded. Further to enable cursor movement onto the computer screen for the paralyzed person a device named accelerometer is used. The accelerometer is a small device, with the size of phalanges, a human thumb bone. The device operates on the principle of axis-based motion sensing and it can be worn as a ring by a paralyzed person. A microcontroller processes the inputs from the IR sensors, accelerometer and transmits them wirelessly via Xbee wireless sensor (i.e., a radio) to another microcontroller attached to the computer. With the help of a proposed algorithm, the microcontroller attached to the computer, on receiving the signals moves the cursor onto the computer screen and facilitate performing actions, as simple as opening a document to operating a word-to-speech software. EyeCom has features which can help paralyzed persons to continue their contributions towards the technological world and become an active part of the society. Resultantly, they will be able to perform a number of tasks without depending upon others from as simple as reading a newspaper on the computer to activate word-to-voice software.