cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of soybean cultivars using parametric and nonparametric stability estimates

High and stable yield is a very desirable attribute of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars. Stable yield of a cultivar means that its rank relative to other cultivars remains unchanged in a given set of environments. To characterize 12 soybean cultivars chosen from performance trials, data were obtained from 10 environments (five locations in 2 years). Six stability parameters from four statistical models were derived for each cultivar. Regression coefficients were significantly and positively correlated only with coefficients of variation; they are useful in characterizing whether cultivars responded well in favourable or poor environments. Nassar and Huhn's nonparametric measures, S i (1) and S i (2) , were significantly and positively correlated with Eberhart and Russell's s di 2 and Wricke's ecovalence (W i ). The stability measures are useful in characterizing cultivars by showing their relative performance in various environments. Results revealed that high-yielding cultivars also can be stable cultivars. Correlations between stability parameters obtained from individual years over the same set of locations and cultivars were very low and nonsignificant, suggesting that single-year data are not reliable as basis for selection. To provide an additional guide for selection, Kang's rank-sum approach was applied, in which both yield (in rank) and measured nonparametric stability (in rank) were considered. In general, selection for yield only would sacrifice stability to some degree, and selection for stability only would sacrifice a certain amount of yield. The rank-sum approach reconciles the two and appeared to provide a useful means to characterize soybean cultivars.
Two-stage registration of substrcutures in magnetic resonance brain images

Image registration is a key component in existing magnetic resonance image processing software packages. Because of nonlinear variability in brain substructures, the commonly used registration pipelines applied to the entire brain area may not lead to accurate registration for substructures. This paper presents a two-stage registration approach for a better alignment of brain substructures or regions-of-interest. In the first stage, an affine transformation function is applied to the entire brain area and in the second stage, a nonrigid or deformable transformation function is applied to the substructure of interest. To show the usefulness of this two-stage registration, images from the Brainweb database are examined using normalized mutual information is used to assess the degree of alignment. The comparison results indicate improvements over the commonly used registration approaches.
“Arm and Arm”: Racialized Bodies and Colored Lines

Commenting on the flap over George W. Bush's visit to Bob Jones University during the 2000 primary election campaign, journalist Hendrik Hertzberg claimed that even staunch conservatives decried the South Carolina college's ban on inter-racial dating as “indefensible.” “This may seem unremarkable,” he noted, ”until one reflects how far it was from being the case a generation or two ago, when miscegenation was racism's trump card and even the most enlightened Americans, black and white, took it for granted that sexual fear was its unkillable heart.” Hertzberg seems unduly optimistic - violence against the bodies of racial “others’ continues to splatter across the American landscape, from the Rodney King beating to the Amadou Diallo shooting. The police rape of Abner Louima illuminates how power, not sexuality, informs such assaults.
Release and establishment of Hydrellia balciunasi (Diptera: Ephydridae) for the biological control of the submersed aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae) in the United States.

Abstract The Australian leaf-mining fly,Hydrellia balciunasi,was first released as a biological control agent for the management of the submersed aquatic plant,Hydrilla verticillatain August 1989 in southern Florida. Since then, 284,684 individuals have been released at seven Florida and four Texas sites. Despite this effort, populations have persisted at just two Texas sites: Sheldon Reservoir near Houston and Lake Raven in Huntsville State Park.H. balciunasilevels have remained relatively low at these sites, averaging, at best, less than 1000 immatures/kg wet plant weight. All other collections were substantially lower. Reasons for poor establishment are unknown but probably relate to a complex of factors, including competition with another introduced leaf-mining species, parasitism by native wasps, poor host quality, genetic differences between Australian and United States hydrilla resulting in mismatched physiological strains of agent and host plant, and possibly inbreeding depression in laboratory colonies used for releases.
Determining characteristics of HF communications links using SuperDARN

Abstract. Space weather effects can strongly influence high-frequency (HF) communications by changing the ionospheric environment through which the radio waves propagate. Since many systems utilize HF communications, the ability to make real-time assessments of propagation conditions is an important part of space weather monitoring systems. In this paper, we present new techniques for measuring high-latitude HF communications link parameters using data from SuperDARN radars. These techniques use ground-scatter returns to define the variation in skip distance with frequency. From these data, the maximum usable frequency (MUF) as a function of range is determined and ionospheric critical frequencies are estimated. These calculations are made in near-real-time and the results are made available on the World Wide Web. F-region critical frequencies calculated using this method show good agreement with ionosonde data. Key words. Ionosphere (active experiments; instruments and techniques) – Radio science (ionospheric propagation)
TOWARDS MULTIFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EMBEDDED STRUCTURES WITH CARBON NANOTUBE YARNS

This paper presents recent results on research of achieving multifunctional structures utilizing Carbon Nanotube (CNT) yarns. The investigation centers on creating composite structures with CNT yarns to simultaneously achieve increases in mechanical strength and the ability to sense strain. The CNT yarns used in our experiments are of the single-ply and two-ply variety with the single-ply yarns having diameters on the order of 10-20 m. The yarns are embedded in silicon rubber and polyurethane test specimens. Mechanical tests show an increase in modulus of elasticity, with an additional weight increase of far less than one-percent. Sensing characteristics of the yarns are investigated on stainless steel test beams in an electrical bridge configuration, and are observed to have a strain sensitivity of 0.7mV/V/1000 micro-strain. Also reported are measurements of the average strain distribution along the direction of the CNT yarns on square silicon rubber membranes.
The Value of the Benefits of U.S. Biomass Power

Biomass power has always been used to generate power in the forest products industry, but its widespread use for supplying power to the US grid is a relatively recent phenomenon. Today independent biomass power generators supply 11 billion kWh/yr to the national electricity grid and, in the process, provide an environmentally superior disposal service for 22 million tons/yr of solid waste
Pseudo-orthogonal frequency coded wireless SAW RFID temperature sensor tags

SAW sensors are ideal for various wireless, passive multi-sensor applications because they are small, rugged, radiation hard, and offer a wide range of material choices for operation over broad temperature ranges. The readable distance of a tag in a multi-sensor environment is dependent on the insertion loss of the device and the processing gain of the system. Single-frequency code division multiple access (CDMA) tags that are used in high-volume commercial applications must have universal coding schemes and large numbers of codes. The use of a large number of bits at the common center frequency to achieve sufficient code diversity in CDMA tags necessitates reflector banks with >30 dB loss. Orthogonal frequency coding is a spread-spectrum approach that employs frequency and time diversity to achieve enhanced tag properties. The use of orthogonal frequency coded (OFC) SAW tags reduces adjacent reflector interactions for low insertion loss, increased range, complex coding, and system processing gain. This work describes a SAW tag-sensor platform that reduces device loss by implementing long reflector banks with optimized spectral coding. This new pseudo-OFC (POFC) coding is defined and contrasted with the previously defined OFC coding scheme. Auto- and cross-correlation properties of the chips and their relation to reflectivity per strip and reflector length are discussed. Results at 250 MHz of 8-chip OFC and POFC SAW tags will be compared. The key parameters of insertion loss, cross-correlation, and autocorrelation of the two types of frequency-coded tags will be analyzed, contrasted, and discussed. It is shown that coded reflector banks can be achieved with near-zero loss and still maintain good coding properties. Experimental results and results predicted by the coupling of modes model are presented for varying reflector designs and codes. A prototype 915-MHz POFC sensor tag is used as a wireless temperature sensor and the results are shown.
Chemoprevention of breast cancer.

Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of malignancy-related death in women in the USA, regardless of advances in novel therapeutic agents. High priority should be given to research aimed at the study of pharmacological and natural compounds that could potentially prevent the development of breast cancer in susceptible patients. Tamoxifen has been shown to reduce the incidence of estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer in women with a high risk of developing this condition by nearly 50%, and studies in osteoporosis have revealed a similar protective effect of raloxifene in postmenopausal women. The aromatase inhibitors are superior to tamoxifen in reducing the recurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women; large clinical trials are currently evaluating the chemopreventive effect of these agents. The list of agents with the potential for chemoprevention in breast cancer is extensive and continues to expand. There is an immense need to develop drugs that will decrease the incidence o...
TRANSITION IN CIRCULAR COUETTE FLOW

Two distinct kinds of transition have been identified in Couette flow between concentric rotating cylinders. The first, which will be called transition by spectral evolution, is characteristic of the motion when the inner cylinder has a larger angular velocity than the outer one. As the speed increases, a succession of secondary modes is excited; the first is the Taylor motion (periodic in the axial direction), and the second is a pattern of travelling waves (periodic in the circumferential direction). Higher modes correspond to harmonics of the two fundamental frequencies of the doubly-periodic flow. This kind of transition may be viewed as a cascade process in which energy is transferred by non-linear interactions through a discrete spectrum to progressively higher frequencies in a two-dimensional wave-number space. At sufficiently large Reynolds numbers the discrete spectrum changes gradually and reversibly to a continuous one by broadening of the initially sharp spectral lines.
Electronic processes and photosensitization in bilayer lipid membranes.

Abstract—In part one of this paper, evidence for electronic processes in experimental and biological membranes are reviewed. The membrane under consideration, be it experimental or biological, is understood to mean an ultrathin bamer separating two aqueous phases. The question ‘can electronic processes occur in/across such a structure immersed in an aqueous environment?’ is answered affirmatively. In the second part of this paper, photosensitization by dyes and photoelectric effects in experimental bilayer lipid membranes observed recently are described.
Ethical and social aspects of risk predictions

This paper reviews past, present and future social and ethical considerations of screening carriers of autosomal disorders and other heterozygotes. A body of ethical and social guidance has evolved in the 1970's and 1980's for screening. The values of voluntaristic participation and informed consent are high. The goal of programs should be to provide couples, families, and individuals with knowledge respecting their reproductive choices. The dangers are coercive strategies, stigmatization, and careless communication of risk information. It is assumed that the number of autosomal carrier states that are screenable will undoubtedly increase as will states of heterozygosity that cause susceptibility to common diseases. Before the end of the century, something approaching a "biopsy of the human genome" will be a practical reality. To balance the potential for harmful psychological and social effects of so much new genetic knowledge, new efforts must be made to find treatments for progeny affected by recessive disorders. Maternal and paternal screening, prenatal diagnosis and treatment will be increasingly linked in the future. This paper will report on a case of fetal therapy for congenital adrenal hyperplasia as a paradigm for the future. The argument will be made that society ought to put a higher priority on prenatal care and prevention of disorders of prematurity than genetic disorders with a low frequency, lest genetic screening be distorted by unfounded concern about eugenics.
contested meanings: tantra and the poetics of Mithila art

The art of the women of Mithila, known as Mithila or Madhubani art, has attracted a good deal of international interest as a folk art medium and a good deal of disagreement concerning interpretation. In this article I question those interpretations that view the art as tantric because they have been elicited from conversations among a few Brahman men with Western scholars predisposed to find tantric meanings. Using women's commentaries, contextual ritual analysis, and trope theory, I develop an analysis in which I see the art as reflexive—an iconic tradition of women's understanding of selfhood in patriarchal society. [art, India, Mithila art, women, tantra, ritual, trope theory]
Automated Quantitative Nuclear Cardiology Methods

Quantitative analysis of SPECT and PET has become a major part of nuclear cardiology practice. Current software tools can automatically segment the left ventricle, quantify function, establish myocardial perfusion maps, and estimate global and local measures of stress/rest perfusion, all with minimal user input. State-of-the-art automated techniques have been shown to offer high diagnostic accuracy for detecting coronary artery disease, as well as predict prognostic outcomes. This article briefly reviews these techniques, highlights several challenges, and discusses the latest developments.
The effect of body weight on distal airway function and airway inflammation

Summary Background/Objectives Obesity is a global health problem that adversely influences the respiratory system. We assessed the effects of body mass index (BMI) on distal airway function and airway inflammation. Subjects/Methods Impulse oscillometry (IOS) as a measure of distal airway function, together with spirometry, were assessed in adults with a range of different BMIs. Airway inflammation was assessed with the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and participants exhaled at various exhalation flows to determine alveolar and bronchial NO. Results In total 34 subjects were enrolled in the study; 19 subjects had a normal BMI (18.50–24.99), whilst 15 subjects were overweight (BMI 25.00–29.99), or obese (BMI ≥30). All subjects had normal spirometry. However, IOS measures of airway resistance (R) at 5 Hz, 20 Hz and frequency dependence (R5–20) were elevated in overweight/obese individuals, compared to subjects with a normal BMI (median (interquartile range)); 5 Hz: 0.41 (0.37, 0.45) vs. 0.32 (0.30, 0.37) kPa/l/s; 20 Hz: 0.34 (0.30, 0.37) vs. 0.30 (0.26, 0.33) kPa/l/s; R5–20: 0.06 (0.04, 0.11) vs. 0.03 (0.01, 0.05) kPa/l/s; p 0.05). Conclusions Being overweight has significant effects on distal and central airway function as determined by IOS, which is not detected by spirometry. Obesity does not influence airway inflammation as measured by FeNO. IOS is a reliable technique to identify airway abnormalities in the presence of normal spirometry in overweight people.
Sports genetics moving forward: lessons learned from medical research

Sports genetics can take advantage of lessons learned from human disease genetics. By righting past mistakes and increasing scientific rigor, we can magnify the breadth and depth of knowledge in the field. We present an outline of challenges facing sports genetics in the light of experiences from medical research. Sports performance is complex, resulting from a combination of a wide variety of different traits and attributes. Improving sports genetics will foremost require analyses based on detailed phenotyping. To find widely valid, reproducible common variants associated with athletic phenotypes, study sample sizes must be dramatically increased. One paradox is that in order to confirm relevance, replications in specific populations must be undertaken. Family studies of athletes may facilitate the discovery of rare variants with large effects on athletic phenotypes. The complexity of the human genome, combined with the complexity of athletic phenotypes, will require additional metadata and biological validation to identify a comprehensive set of genes involved. Analysis of personal genetic and multiomic profiles contribute to our conceptualization of precision medicine; the same will be the case in precision sports science. In the refinement of sports genetics it is essential to evaluate similarities and differences between sexes and among ethnicities. Sports genetics to date have been hampered by small sample sizes and biased methodology, which can lead to erroneous associations and overestimation of effect sizes. Consequently, currently available genetic tests based on these inherently limited data cannot predict athletic performance with any accuracy.
Corporate Leadership in the Fortune 500: Women in Executive Management Positions

This study examines the influence of executive women in business using a sample of firms included in the Fortune 500. Our analysis looks at the movement of female executives on or off corporate management to determine whether an increase of female representation at the highest levels of corporate management signals an increased commitment of a firm to a higher representation of females on their boards of directors. Our sample includes a group of 73 corporations for which we longitudinally examined the data for women at the director and executive manager levels for the period from 1999 through 2003. Our data indicate that, while the number of firms having multiple female directors increased over this period, the increase was even more pronounced for women at the executive management level. Our data also indicate that, while the number of executive level managers was relatively stable (increased) between 1999 and 2001 (2001 and 2003), the number of women at this level increased by 25.5 (27.1) percent.
Evaluation of the ASCE 7-05 Standard for Dual Systems: Response History Analysis of a Tall Buckling-Restrained Braced Frame Dual System

In mid-to-high rise structures, dual systems (DS) enable a structural designer to satisfy the stringent drift limitations of current codes without compromising ductility. Currently, ASCE 7-05 permits a variety of structural systems to be used in combination as a dual system yet the design requirements are limited to the following: Moment frames must be capable of resisting 25% of the seismic forces while the moment frames and braced frames or shear walls must be capable of resisting the entire seismic forces in proportion to their relative rigidities. This paper assesses the significance of the 25% design requirement for the secondary moment frames (SMF) in dual systems with consideration of current structural engineering practice. Three 20-story buckling-restrained braced frame (BRBF) dual system structures have been designed with varying relative strengths between the braced and special moment frame systems. The SMF system has been designed for 15%, 25%, and 40% of seismic demands and the BRBF system design has been adjusted accordingly based on its relative stiffness with respect to the moment frame. These structures have been examined with nonlinear static and nonlinear dynamic procedures with guidance from ASCE 41-06. The drift, displacement and ductility demands, and the base shear distribution results of this study show similar responses of the three prototype structures. These results indicate a secondary moment frame designed to less than 25% of seismic demands may be adequate for consideration as a dual system regardless of the 25% rule.
“The Place of a Brother” In As You Like It: Social Process and Comic Form

AS YOU LIKE IT CREATES AND RESOLVES CONFLICT by mixing what the characters call Fortune and Nature-the circumstances in which they find themselves, as opposed to the resources of playfulness and boldness, moral virtue and witty deception, with which they master adversity and fulfill their desires. The romantic action is centered on the meeting, courtship, and successful pairing of Rosalind and Orlando. This action is complicated, as Leo Salingar reminds us, by "a cardinal social assumption ... (which would have been obvious to ... Shakespeare's first audiences)-that Rosalind is a princess, while Orlando is no more than a gentleman. But for the misfortune of her father's exile, they might not have met in sympathy as at first; but for the second misfortune of her own exile, as well as his, they could not have met in apparent equality in the Forest."' The personal situations of Rosalind and Orlando affect, and are affected by, their relationship to each other. Rosalind's union with Orlando entails the weakening of her ties to her natural father and to a cousin who has been closer to her than a sister; Orlando's union with Rosalind entails the strengthening of his ties to his elder brother and to a lord who becomes his patron. Orlando's atonements with other men-a natural brother, a social fa-
CB-08KIF3A IS ESSENTIAL FOR CILIOGENESIS, CILIA FUNCTION AND PROMOTES GLIOBLASTOMA PROGRESSION

Despite recent findings that cilia transduce diverse signaling pathways affecting cell proliferation, migration and survival, little is known about the influence of cilia or cilia-associated proteins in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We recently showed that primary cilia project from subsets of cells in GBM patient biopsies and derived cell lines. To determine if cilia contribute to GBM growth, we blocked ciliogenesis using a lentivirus expressing a dominant negative form of KIF3A, an essential ciliogenesis protein. We generated stable GBM cell lines (L0 and S3; representing different molecular subclasses) whereby dnKIF3A+ cells exhibited virtual complete loss of cilia compared to controls (confirmed by immunostaining and EM). Canonically, secreted Sonic hedgehog (SHH) ligand binds and activates receptor signaling cascades (e.g., smoothened (SMO)) within cilia to promote normal cell proliferation and tumor cell growth in specific developmental and pathological contexts, respectively. To examine the role of SHH in GBM proliferation, we exposed control and dnKIF3A+ L0 and S3 cells to saline or recombinant SHH. We found the number of L0 control cells significantly increased after SHH compared to saline, an effect blocked by pretreatment with cyclopamine (SMO inhibitor). However, SHH did not increase the number of L0 dnKIF3A+ cells. Interestingly, SHH exposure had no effect on S3 control cell numbers, despite observations that SHH signaling components (SMO and Gli3) were recruited to their cilia in response to SHH. This suggests GBM cilia are SHH-responsive but the downstream consequences of ciliary signaling may differ between cell lines. Notably, mice intracranially xenografted with L0 cells expressing dnKIF3A survived significantly longer than mice receiving control cells, and retained the loss of cilia phenotype in the tumors. Collectively, these data suggest KIF3A promotes GBM tumor progression, but the extent to which the effects are mediated by cilia and the heterogeneity of SHH-dependence across GBM subtypes requires further investigation.
The Tongue, the Lingometer, and the Role of Accommodation in Occlusion

Abstract A new diagnostic swallowing device (lingometer) and its huse to detect deforming tongue movements is described. A theory explaining the relationship of these movements to arch formation is...
The MUNIN Teleteaching System

«Distributed Electronic Classrooms» are used for for lectures, meetings and seminars with equal participation from two or more sites. Distributed Electronic Classrooms are equipped with audio and video technology as well as an electronic whiteboard used to link classrooms over the Internet or ISDN. This technology has been under development since the early 1990’s and in usage for full-semester lecture series between Norwegian institutions of higher education since 1993. The system is currently being extended to include participation from workstaions and recording and playback of lectures using networked digital servers. This paper give an overview of the system, the current deployment and usage as well as a summary of some of the findings from evaluations of the system.
Magnetic Properties of Conduction Electrons in Metallic Si:P and Si:B

New NMR data on Si:P(P31) and Si:B(B11) is presented for samples with impurity concentration from 5 × 1018 to 9 × 1019 cm−3. These data give information about the magnetic properties of the impurity electrons. Comparison is made with recent NMR data for Si29 in similar samples by Sasaki, Ikehata, and Kobayashi. The most natural interpretation of the NMR data uses a model with a single, interacting, magnetic system of electrons. However, the data do not absolutely rule out the existence of localized magnetic moments. The NMR data is compared with recent measurements of electron spin susceptibility and specific heat.
More Powerful Forces? Women, Nonviolence, and Mobilization

In this survey of studies of women's nonviolent mobilization, I scrutinize “more powerful forces,” the mobilizing forces of marginalized social actors that add to and make possible the development of broad-based people power. The study of people power has yet to extensively consider the contribution of marginalized social actors. Specifically, I ask: (i) What do women contribute to the development of nonviolent protest power and (ii) What can we learn about mobilizing power, the power of people to protest nonviolently and gain the franchise they seek, when we expand our analytical lens to incorporate women's roles? How do we account for the gendered but often unseen actions taken by marginalized social actors? My focus on women in nonviolent mobilization stems directly from my research on gendered invisibility with an empirical focus on women's gendered socialization. Here, I review how gendered social structures shape women's power of participation and success in nonviolent mobilization.
Association of Insulin Resistance and Glycemic Metabolic Abnormalities With LV Structure and Function in Middle Age: The CARDIA Study

Abstract Objectives This study sought to investigate how cumulative exposure to glycemic abnormalities and trajectories of insulin resistance (IR) relate to left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function during young to middle adulthood. Background Cumulative exposure to glycemic abnormalities and trajectories of IR may adversely influence LV remodeling and function over a 25-year period in subjects who were young adults, predisposing individuals to heart failure later in life. Methods In the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) Year 25 examination, 3,179 participants were identified with information on glucose metabolism; these participants were stratified into 4 subgroups: group 1 normal glucose tolerance (NGT), group 2 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose, group 3 late diabetes mellitus (DM) (DM diagnosed at year 15 or later), and group 4 early DM (DM diagnosed at year 0 to year 15). Among the subgroup without DM, 3 trajectory groups of change in the homeostasis model assessment of IR were identified: low IR, moderate IR, and high IR. LV mass, relative wall thickness, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), longitudinal systolic strain (Ell), and early diastolic strain rate (Ell_SRe) at year 25 were assessed by echocardiography. Clinically relevant systolic and diastolic dysfunction were defined as LVEF Results The early DM group had less favorable LV mass (coefficient = 11.04; p 1c were independently associated with greater odds of having systolic dysfunction (odds ratio = 5.44; p Conclusions Cumulative exposure to DM or higher IR beginning in early adulthood adversely impacts LV remodeling and function at middle age.
A hydrostatic model of solder fillets part I: Axisymmetric model

Despite its wide use and long history as a metal joining technique, soldering until today remains as much an art as a science. Although there are some general characteristics that can be used to describe a good solder joint or fillet, no precise definition of a good solder fillet exists. With the increasing application of mass soldering methods for manufacturing large numbers of identical parts, it becomes desirable to have a precise definition of a good solder fillet. Such information would be useful in quality control and component design and it would also contribute to the basic understanding of soldering. An analytical model based on the balance of surface tension and pressure forces in solder at the molten state is formulated to predict fillet shapes. The paper deals mainly with the fillet formed by a pin and the land area of a plated-through-hole. The model can also be adopted to other geometries.
Nitric Oxide and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor during Pregnancy in Sickle Cell Disease

BACKGROUND: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that may be clinically relevant in sickle cell disease (SCD). In additional to its role as a potent activator of angiogenesis, VEGF is also a potent inducer of Nitric Oxide (NO) release. Patients with SCD have impaired NO metabolism and decreased bioavailability of NO due to chronic hemolysis which may contribute to the vasculopathy that is present in this disorder. High levels of plasma arginase and the resultant decreased arginine/ornithine ratios have also been proposed to contribute to low NO levels in SCD patients. We have previously reported that pregnant SCD patients have higher circulating levels of the naturally occurring VEGF antagonist, sFLT-1, when compared to pregnant African American controls. High levels of sFLT-1 are associated with poor pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia and delivery of small for gestational age (SGA) infants. OBJECTIVE: In this study we wanted to assess the levels of NO, free VEGF, sFLT-1 and arginase activity during pregnancy in SCD. We also sought to explore the relationship between NO and sFLT-1 with pregnancy outcome. METHODS: We performed an analysis of previously collected plasma/serum samples obtained from the Pregnancy, Infection and Nutrition (PIN) study cohort at UNC- Chapel Hill. Subjects were matched on race, gestational age, BMI and smoking status. Levels of free VEGF were quantified by luminex analysis and confirmed by ELISA. NO was quantified via its metabolite NOx using a modified Griess method in de-proteinated serum/plasma. Arginase activity was quantified by ELISA. Pregnancy outcomes were previously recorded by PIN study personnel. RESULTS: We found that levels of free VEGF and NO were significantly lower in pregnant women with SCD than in matched pregnant controls (VEGF: 5.8 pg/ml vs. 13.56 pg/ml, p = 0.03, NOx: 14.31 μM vs. 26.99 μM, p=0.0009). We also found a significant inverse correlation between NOx levels and sFLT-1 levels (r 2 =0.6421, p = 0.0094), but no relationship between NOx and arginase activity in plasma. There was also no difference in arginase activity between pregnant SCD subjects and controls. Finally, pregnant SCD subjects that delivered an SGA infant had significantly lower levels of NOx than those women that did not. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that VEGF may play a role in NO release during pregnancy in SCD. In addition, low NO levels may contribute to poor pregnancy outcomes in pregnant SCD women.
“Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance, 4th Edition”

Team Building is an important issue for Youth Development professionals. We utilize team-focused work to achieve our objectives in educating youth. The team building skills we integrate into programming serve to prepare youth for the dynamic, highly interpersonal work environment of today. “Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance, 4th Edition,” by W. Dyer, W.G. Dyer, and J. Dyer (2007), provides a practical theoretical framework for those interested in team building application, training, and practice in everyday work.
Steroidogenesis and Neuroplasticity in the Songbird Brain

The vertebrate brain is a source and target of steroid hormones. Songbirds have long provided an array of structural and behavioral endpoints towards understanding how steroid molecules affect neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. More recently, our conceptualization of the brain has expanded to include the CNS as a potent source of these very steroids. Here we review recent findings about the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the songbird brain with particular emphasis upon the role of neurosteroidogenesis on the plasticity of brain circuits. We include examples of natural neuroplasticity in laboratory and field studies. Additionally, we discuss the role of neurosteroidogenesis on the outcomes of pathological brain damage. These two areas of research have provided novel and fundamentally restructured hypotheses as to the role of neurosteroidogenesis in brain function. Notable among recent findings from such studies, are the consideration of alternate substrates for steroidogenic enzymes, an expansion of the suite of enzymes found at sites of neuronal recruitment and the expression of these enzymes in additional cell types and ultrastructural compartments. The powerful link among ethology, physiology, anatomy and cell biology is exemplified in these vertebrates and renders the songbird an enduring model for the study of the role of de novo steroid synthesis on the plasticity of brain structure and function.
Pelvic fixation: Biomechanics and complications

Abstract When extending a fusion construct to the sacrum in spinal deformity, there has long been difficulty in obtaining bony fusion at the L5-S1 level. This is due to a number of factors, including the altered morphology of the sacrum as compared to the lumbar vertebrae, adequate bone stock, and large cantilever forces at the lumbosacral junction, among others. This problem can be partially rectified by extending the construct to the pelvis, but even this does not result in a 100% fusion rate at the lumbosacral junction. The techniques currently used to fuse the spine to the pelvis primarily consist of iliac screws and S2 alar-iliac screws, but these techniques are not without complications. Here we review the biomechanics of pelvic fixation, techniques of these two screw types, and the complications associated with each.
Abstract P292: Possible Mechanism and Potential Markers for Ozone-Induced Cardiac Toxicity

A significant number of deaths each year in the US have been linked to environmental pollutants such as ozone (O 3 ). Earlier studies from our laboratory have shown that myocardial dysfunction, subsequent to chronic O 3 exposure, in normal adult rats may be associated with a decrease in antioxidant reserve and with an increased activity of inflammatory mediators. The present study tested the hypothesis that O 3 induced cardiac dysfunction in healthy normal adult rats may be due to changes in caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 levels. Sprague Dawley rats were exposed 8 hr/day for 28 and 56 days to filtered air or 0.8 ppm O 3 . In order to assess the chronic effects to O 3 , in-vivo cardiac function was assessed by measuring left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), 24 hr after termination of O 3 exposure. Compared to rats exposed to filtered air, LVDP values significantly decreased in all O 3 exposed animals. This attenuation of cardiac function was associated with increased myocardial TNF-alpha (TNF-α) levels and decreased myocardial activities of superoxidase dismutase (SOD). Progressive increases in the expression of myocardial TNF-α in 4 and 8 week O 3 exposed animals were followed by decreases in cardiac caveolin-1 levels. However, differential changes in the expression of caveolin-3 in hearts from 4 and 8 week O 3 exposed animals were independent of intra-cardiac TNF-α levels. These novel findings suggest the interesting possibility that a balance between caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 may be involved in O 3 - mediated cardiac toxicity. Furthermore, differential changes in caveolin-3 content may serve as a marker that predicts moderate and chronic stages of cardiac injury specific to exposure to O 3 in human populations residing in urban areas with unhealthy levels of O 3 . The study is timely and has clinical significance related to environmental causes of cardiovascular disease. This novel study will form a basis for future studies to understand and define the various components of the mechanistic cascade responsible for generation of cell death signaling subsequent to O 3 exposure. The long-term goal of this study is in guiding regulatory policies to the USEPA regarding air quality standards pertaining to O 3 levels.
Ductile ceramics — A high temperature possibility

Investigations of mechanical properties of some ionic materials has shown the effect of surface conditions on room-temperature ductility.
Indigenous science (fiction) for the Anthropocene: Ancestral dystopias and fantasies of climate change crises:

Portrayals of the Anthropocene period are often dystopian or post-apocalyptic narratives of climate crises that will leave humans in horrific science-fiction scenarios. Such narratives can erase ce...
Linear Equations and Inequalities

Equations and inequalities in integer variables arise naturally in the dependence analysis of a program, when we try to analyze the mem- ory reference pattern. The equations are created by matching the corresponding subscripts of instances of two subscripted variables that are elements of the same array. The variables in these equations are integer variables, since they come from the index variables of loops, which take integer values. A polynomial equation in integer variables is called a diophantine equation.1 The array subscripts are usually linear (affine) functions of the index variables, with integer coefficients; consequently, they lead to linear diophantine equations with integer coefficients.
Reverse Ecology: from systems to environments and back.

The structure of complex biological systems reflects not only their function but also the environments in which they evolved and are adapted to. Reverse Ecology—an emerging new frontier in Evolutionary Systems Biology—aims to extract this information and to obtain novel insights into an organism’s ecology. The Reverse Ecology framework facilitates the translation of high-throughput genomic data into large-scale ecological data, and has the potential to transform ecology into a high-throughput field. In this chapter, we describe some of the pioneering work in Reverse Ecology, demonstrating how system-level analysis of complex biological networks can be used to predict the natural habitats of poorly characterized microbial species, their interactions with other species, and universal patterns governing the adaptation of organisms to their environments. We further present several studies that applied Reverse Ecology to elucidate various aspects of microbial ecology, and lay out exciting future directions and potential future applications in biotechnology, biomedicine, and ecological engineering.
Brief Perspective on the Autecology of Marine Protozoa

At this vantage point in the late 20th century there are good arguments for believing that the term ‘protozoa’ is an outmoded taxonomic concept. I believe it is, but nevertheless it still conveys meaning as a collective term for those phyla which protozoologists once culled from the spectrum of eukaryotic protists (Lee et al. 1985). When we use the term ‘protozoa’ we are reminded at once of the breadth of the spectrum of these organisms which seem to be able to utilise every type of resource and are found in all habitats available in the sea.
Introduction to Metabolism

Metabolism is defined as the sum total of all reactions that occur in the cell. It consists of two phases: catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism is the degradation of complex molecules to simpler ones with the liberation of Gibbs free energy, i.e., catabolic reactions are exergonic. Anabolism is the antithesis of catabolism, i.e., the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones with the utilization of Gibbs free energy, i.e., anabolic reactions are endergonic.
Validation of a Behavioral Measure of Acquiring and Discarding in Hoarding Disorder

Behavioral assessment is an important component of evidence-based assessment and treatment in anxiety and related disorders. The purpose of the current study was to validate a behavioral measure of difficulty discarding and acquiring, the core features of hoarding disorder (HD). Seventy-eight patients with a primary diagnosis of HD completed a computerized acquiring and discarding task; the task consisted of making simulated decisions about acquiring and discarding items of varying monetary value. A subset of patients (n = 42) went on to receive cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for HD and completed the computer tasks again after treatment. An additional 30 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants (HCs) also completed the acquiring and discarding tasks. Results showed that HD patients saved and acquired more items than the HC group, and had longer response times during the tasks. In support of the convergent validity of the tasks, item decisions and reaction times were positively correlated with established measures of HD symptoms. Among treatment completers, items saved and acquired and response times decreased from pre- to post-CBT, suggesting that the tasks were sensitive to detect treatment-related changes in difficulty discarding and acquiring behaviors. The findings support the validity of the discarding and acquiring tasks in measuring HD symptoms, and are discussed in terms of the potential advantages of behavioral measures in HD treatment and research.
Increased opioid consumption in diabetics with operative ankle fractures: a retrospective case–control study

Opioids are commonly used for post-operative pain control. It is known that diabetic patients with ankle fractures will experience prolonged healing, higher risk of hardware failure, and an increased risk of infection. However, the opioid requirements amongst this patient cohort have not been previously evaluated. Thus, the purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare opioid utilization amongst ankle fracture patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). An IRB approval was obtained for the retrospective review of patients who presented with an ankle fracture and underwent surgery between November 2013 and January 2017. A total of 180 patients (144 without DM, 36 with DM) with a mean age of 50 years (± 18 years) were included. Opioid consumption was quantified utilizing a morphine-milliequivalent conversion algorithm. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare opioid consumption. A two-tailed p value of 0.05 was set as the threshold for statistical significance. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant decrease in total opioid consumption during the 4-month duration (p < 0.001). The model demonstrated a mean difference in opioid consumption of − 214.3 morphine meq between the patients without and with DM (p = 0.022). Post hoc pair-wise comparison revealed less opioid consumption amongst non-diabetic patients at 2 (− 418.5 Meq; p = 0.009), 3 months (− 355.6 Meq; p = 0.021), and 4 months (− 152.6 Meq; p = 0.006) after surgery. Our study revealed increased opioid consumption amongst diabetic patients who are treated surgically for ankle fractures. With increasing efforts aimed at reducing opioid administration, orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of higher opioid consumption amongst this patient cohort. Further studies are needed to verify the results of this study.
APOL1 and kidney cell function.

The apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene is unique to humans and gorillas and appeared ~33 million years ago. Since the majority of the mammals do not carry APOL1, it seems to be dispensable for kidney f...
Leveraging allelic imbalance to refine fine-mapping for eQTL studies

Many disease risk loci identified in genome-wide association studies are present in non-coding regions of the genome. Previous studies have found enrichment of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in disease risk loci, indicating that identifying causal variants for gene expression is important for elucidating the genetic basis of not only gene expression but also complex traits. However, detecting causal variants is challenging due to complex genetic correlation among variants known as linkage disequilibrium (LD) and the presence of multiple causal variants within a locus. Although several fine-mapping approaches have been developed to overcome these challenges, they may produce large sets of putative causal variants when true causal variants are in high LD with many non-causal variants. In eQTL studies, there is an additional source of information that can be used to improve fine-mapping called allelic imbalance (AIM) that measures imbalance in gene expression on two chromosomes of a diploid organism. In this work, we develop a novel statistical method that leverages both AIM and total expression data to detect causal variants that regulate gene expression. We illustrate through simulations and application to 10 tissues of the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) dataset that our method identifies the true causal variants with higher specificity than an approach that uses only eQTL information. Across all tissues and genes, our method achieves a median reduction rate of 11% in the number of putative causal variants. We use chromatin state data from the Roadmap Epigenomics Consortium to show that the putative causal variants identified by our method are enriched for active regions of the genome, providing orthogonal support that our method identifies causal variants with increased specificity.