cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance Assessment of a New Stationarity-Based Parameter Estimation Method with a Simplified Land Surface Model Using In Situ and Remotely Sensed Surface States

AbstractThis study evaluates the performance of a new stationarity-based method for parameter estimation of a simple coupled water and energy balance model using in situ and remotely sensed surface soil moisture [from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (EOS; AMSR-E)] and surface temperature [from a combined Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and AMSR-E product]. Parameter estimation is carried out using both direct calibration to measured surface fluxes (latent, sensible, and ground heat) and a recently published method based on enforcing stationarity of model-predicted surface state tendency terms. The latter stationarity-based method was developed for parameter estimation without knowledge of observed fluxes—that is, it requires only forcing terms (e.g., radiation, wind speed, air temperature) and surface states (moisture and temperature). In addition, the stationarity-based method can easily handle gaps in atmospheric forcing and surface state data, as ...
Activation of the heat shock transcription factor by hypoxia in mammalian cells

Members of the stress protein family such as HSP70 are induced in ischemic tissues and may contribute to the ability of cells to survive episodes of transient circulatory insufficiency. However, the biochemical events that lead to this induction, and their degree of similarity with pathways triggered by heat stress, have not been defined. In this study, we demonstrate that transient exposure of cultured C2C12 mouse myogenic cells to a hypoxic atmosphere stimulates DNA binding activity of the heat shock transcription factor through mechanisms that are independent of new protein synthesis. Activation of heat shock transcription factor in hypoxic cells is temporally associated with induction of endogenous HSP70 gene transcription and with induction of a heterologous reporter gene controlled by the human HSP70 promoter. Furthermore, induction of the human HSP70 promoter by hypoxia requires an intact heat shock element, indicating that other cis-acting transcriptional control elements contained within this complex promoter are not sufficient to transduce signals generated within hypoxic cells. These findings provide strong evidence that hypoxia and heat shock induce expression of the HSP70 gene by similar, if not identical, mechanisms.
Continent feeding jejunostomy in children

Chronically ill and neurologically impaired children may require enteric tube feedings indefinitely to maintain adequate nutrition. When transgastric feedings are not feasible, a permanent feeding jejunostomy may be required. Since 1979, we have constructed a continent feeding jejunostomy in 16 children using a shortened Maydl Roux-en-Y limb with an intussuscepted nipple-valve mechanism. The jejunostomy is matured as a stoma through the abdominal wall, while the nipple valve is stabilized in the abdominal cavity anchored to the posterior fascia and peritoneum. Bolus or drip feedings can be initiated when gastrointestinal function resumes. Between feedings, the tube is removed as the jejunostomy is continent and can be covered with a gauze pad. No deaths were attributed to the operation, although more than 50% of these children died within 2 years from complications of their primary disease. The jejunostomy functioned well and was completely continent in 14 patients. The creation of a feeding jejunostomy with an intussuscepted nipple valve assures continence, avoids the complications of chronic indwelling tubes, and decreases the risk of regurgitation. Furthermore, the continent jejunostomy permits bolus feedings and requires minimal care. The use of this procedure is advocated whenever permanent feeding jejunostomy is anticipated.
Evidence for Long-term Retrograde Motions of Sunspot Patterns and Indications of Coupled g-mode Rotation Rates

Solar g-modes are global oscillations that would exist primarily in the radiative zone (RZ) and would be excited by either convective overshoot or nuclear burning in the core. Wolff and O’Donovan (Astrophys. J.661, 568, 2007) proposed a non-linear coupling of g-modes into groups that share the same harmonic degree l. Each group (denoted set(l)) exhibits a unique retrograde rotation rate with respect to the RZ that depends mainly on l. The coupling yields a standing wave (nearly stationary in longitude) that has two angularly defined hot spots offset from the equator on opposite sides of the Sun that would deposit energy asymmetrically in the lower convective envelope (CE). It is anticipated that when two or more groups overlap in longitude, an increase in local heating would influence the distribution of sunspots. In this paper, we scanned a multitude of rotational reference frames for sunspot clustering to test for frames that are concordant with the rotation of these g-modes sets. To achieve this, spherical harmonic filtering of sunspot synoptic maps was used to extract patterns consistent with coalesced g-modes. The latitude band, with minimal differential rotation, was sampled from each filtered synoptic map and layered into a stackplot. This was progressively shifted, line-by-line, into different rotational reference frames. We have detected long-lived longitudinal alignments, spanning 90 years of solar cycles, which are consistent with the rotation rate of the deep solar interior as well as other rotational frames predicted by the coupled g-mode model. Their sidereal rotation rates of 370.0, 398.8, 412.7, 418.3, 421.0, 424.2 and 430.0 nHz correspond, respectively, to coupled g-modes for l = 2 through 7 and G, where G is a set with high l values or a group of such sets (unresolved) that rotate almost as fast as the RZ. While the clustering in these reference frames offers new approaches for studying the longitudinal behavior of solar activity, it tentatively leads to the more profound conclusion that a portion of the driving force for sunspot occurrence is linked to energy extracted from the solar core and deposited at the top of the RZ by solar g-modes.
EFFECTIVE POPULATION SIZE IN THE CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM OF THE LAKE VICTORIA CICHLID PARALABIDOCHROMIS CHILOTES

Microsatellite DNA markers were used to monitor levels of genetic variation in 3 generations of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association [AZA] Species Survival Plan [SSP] captive breeding program for the Lake Victoria cichlid Paralabidochromis chilotes. Temporal changes in the frequency of 15 alleles, across four polymorphic loci, were used to estimate effective population size (Ne). The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for Ne never exceeded eight individuals, with all of the corresponding Ne/N ratios falling below 0.15. A test of the proportion of expected heterozygous individuals between the F1 and F3 generations indicated a significant decline in expected heterozygosity of 5% per generation. Alternative husbandry protocols, including subdividing the captive population, are addressed to reduce the further loss of genetic variation. Zoo Biol 18:215–222, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Utilization of Food Elements by Growing Chicks 15. The Substitution of Korean Lespedeza Seed for Soybean Oil Meal in Chick Rations

Abstract THIS Station has been concerned with the growth inhibitor in soybeans for several years, beginning with the work of Ham and Sandstedt (1944). As the work progressed, inquiry into the distribution of a growth inhibitor in the seeds of other legumes was made by Borchers and Ackerson (1950). In the latter test, partridge pea and lespedeza seed produced good growth with rats but vetch did not do as well. These legumes are of interest to the Soil Conservation Service in erosion control work since seed can be collected without decreasing the value of the plant in holding soil. Of the three, lespedeza has the highest protein content and merits investigation for that reason. Partridge pea seed has not been collected in appreciable amounts except experimentally due to harvesting difficulties. Vetch seed can be harvested without difficulty. Irwin and Kempster (1943) stated that whole lespedeza seed is a satisfactory substitute for …
Magnetic Microstructure of Thin Films and Surfaces: Exploiting Spin-polarized Electrons in the SEM and STM

Magnetic microstructure, that is the configuration of domains and domain walls in a magnetic material, is of both fundamental interest and of crucial importance for device applications. For example, the ultimate density of magnetic information storage is limited by the sharpness of a domain boundary. The magnetic microstructure of a thin film or surface depends sensitively on its physical structure which is strongly affected by sample preparation or growth. High resolution magnetization imaging is necessary to determine the domain configuration that occurs for a particular sample preparation and the changes that take place under external perturbations such as applied magnetic field, stress or temperature.
Rapid energy transfer in non-porous metal–organic frameworks with caged Ru(bpy)32+ chromophores: oxygen trapping and luminescence quenching

Two non-porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with caged Ru(bpy)32+ chromophores, [Ru(bpy)3][Zn2(C2O4)3] (1) and [Ru(bpy)3][NaAl(C2O4)3] (2), were synthesized and characterized. Their emission properties were studied by both steady-state and time-resolved luminescence measurements. Air-free microcrystals of 1 and 2 exhibit long-lived triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) excited states with lifetimes of 760 and 1305 ns, respectively. Lifetimes are significantly shortened (to 92 ns for 1 and 144 ns for 2) by trapping of trace amounts of oxygen in the non-porous MOFs, presumably due to amplified luminescence quenching of Ru(bpy)32+*. Following MLCT excitation, Ru(bpy)32+*/Ru(bpy)32+ energy transfer migration in 1 and 2 results in efficient quenching of Ru(bpy)32+* by Os(bpy)32+ added as an energy transfer trap at doping levels of 0.2–1.0%. A kinetic analysis indicates that the three-dimensional chromophore connectivity in 1 and 2 provides a network for rapid excited state energy transfer migration among Ru(bpy)32+ units, ultimately, finding an Os(bpy)32+ trap site. These crystalline frameworks with caged chromophores have proven to be ideal systems for studying light harvesting processes in artificial supramolecular systems.
Can Electric Bikes Provide Sustainable Transportation Solutions to Chinese Cities? An Investigation of Impacts on the Transportation System

Despite unprecedented motorization in China, most Chinese still rely on non-motorized modes. As a result or rising incomes and a long legacy of bicycle use, electric powered two-wheelers have risen in popularity over the past five years and the country has seen tremendous growth of this mode. Touted as environmentally friendly vehicles, they are capable of traveling about 40-50 kilometers on a single charge and emit zero tailpipe emissions. However, many cities are banning two-wheelers from city streets, citing safety and environmental problems. This research quantifies both the negative externalities (environmental and safety impacts) and positive mobility benefits of electric two-wheelers in China. Electric bikes perform well on most metrics, although their use results in much higher lead emissions from battery production and disposal than any alternative. They do however provide unmatched cost effective mobility and accessibility advantages compared to most alternative modes.
Expression of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA in breast tissue

Expression of IGF-I and IGF-II was studied in human breast cancer tissues by in situ hybridization. IGF-I mRNA was detected only in stromal cells adjacent to normal breast epithelial cells. Stromal cells associated with the tumor cells did not contain IGF-I, nor did malignant or benign breast epithelial cells. In contrast, IGF-II mRNA was found in both the malignant epithelial cells and their adjacent stromal cells. These data imply that stromal cells associated with breast epithelium may switch expression from IGF-I to IGF-II during breast cancer evolution. This appearance of IGF-II expression may identify cancer-associated stromal cells that have a fetal phenotype.
Nanoparticle-based monitoring of cell therapy

Exogenous cell therapy aims to replace/repair diseased or dysfunctional cells and promises to revolutionize medicine by restoring tissue and organ function. To develop effective cell therapy, the location, distribution and long-term persistence of transplanted cells must be evaluated. Nanoparticle (NP) based imaging technologies have the potential to track transplanted cells non-invasively. Here we summarize the most recent advances in NP-based cell tracking with emphasis on (1) the design criteria for cell tracking NPs, (2) protocols for cell labeling, (3) a comparison of available imaging modalities and their corresponding contrast agents, (4) a summary of preclinical studies on NP-based cell tracking and finally (5) perspectives and future directions.
Asymptotic Behavior of Stochastic Partly Dissipative Lattice Systems in Weighted Spaces

We study stochastic partly dissipative lattice systems with random coupled coefficients and multiplicative/additive white noise in a weighted space of infinite sequences. We first show that these stochastic partly dissipative lattice differential equations generate a random dynamical system. We then establish the existence of a tempered random bounded absorbing set and a global compact random attractor for the associated random dynamical system.
Emerging Technologies Applicable to Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security

This article describes a project sponsored by the Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program to determine the most promising emerging technologies for the safety and security of hazardous materials (hazmat) shipments. The project's focus was on hazmat transportation of all modes (i.e., highway, rail, marine, air, and pipeline). A requirements-based gap analysis methodology was utilized to screen and down-select an initially large number of potential candidate technologies. The methodology resulted in the identification of most promising emerging technology areas for further examination. Each of these technology areas was further characterized in terms of its applicability to hazmat transportation safety and security and its outlook for deployment. In addition to describing project activities and findings, the article offers a commentary on overarching considerations influencing the development and deployment of technologies with the potential to enhance hazmat transportation safety and security within the coming decade.
Percutaneous Excision: A Viable Alternative to Manage Benign Breast Lesions

Abstract Objective Benign breast masses, such as fibroadenomas, are common, and their management is variable, depending on symptoms and patient concerns. We undertook this study to determine the safety, efficacy, and patient acceptance of percutaneous excision of benign breast masses by using a hand-held vacuum-assisted device. Methods By using sonographic guidance, percutaneous removal was performed in 40 patients with 42 lesions by using a 9-gauge ( n = 13) or 12-gauge ( n = 29) probe (ATEC; Suros Surgical). Technical success, procedural complications, and patient experience were recorded at the time of excision and at 48 hours. Clinical, imaging, and/or surgical follow-up was obtained for 39 of 42 lesions (93%). Three of 42 lesions (7%) were lost to follow-up. Results Of 42 lesions, maximal diameters ranged from 0.6–4.0 cm (mean 1.6 cm), with lesion volumes between 0.05 and 11.2 mL (mean [SD] 1.4 ± 2.1 mL, median 7 mL). The procedure was well tolerated by all patients, and no residual mass was visible in any case at the conclusion of the procedure. All the patients preferred this approach to open surgical biopsy. After percutaneous excision, surgery was performed on 3 of 42 lesions (7%) for atypia ( n = 2) or malignancy ( n = 1), with a residual mass found only for the malignant case. Of the 26 of 42 lesions (62%) with imaging follow-up, 24 (92%) had no lesion recurrence. Overall, the procedure either completely removed the mass and/or relieved the patient's symptoms of a mass in 36 of 39 lesions (92%) for which clinical, imaging, and/or surgical follow-up was available. Three lesions were lost to follow-up. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided percutaneous excision of benign breast masses is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated minimally invasive procedure for the diagnosis and removal of benign breast masses. It may serve as an alternative to surgical excision for women with a known benign or probably benign breast mass who desire excision but prefer to avoid surgery or who are poor surgical candidates.
L-plastin is essential for alveolar macrophage production and control of pulmonary pneumococcal infection.

We report that mice deficient for the hematopoietic-specific, actin-bundling protein L-plastin (LPL) succumb rapidly to intratracheal pneumococcal infection. The increased susceptibility of LPL−/− mice to pulmonary pneumococcal challenge correlated with reduced numbers of alveolar macrophages, consistent with a critical role for this cell type in the immediate response to pneumococcal infection. LPL−/− mice demonstrated a very early clearance defect, with an almost 10-fold-higher bacterial burden in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 3 h following infection. Clearance of pneumococci from the alveolar space in LPL−/− mice was defective compared to that in Rag1−/− mice, which lack all B and T lymphocytes, indicating that innate immunity is defective in LPL−/− mice. We did not identify defects in neutrophil or monocyte recruitment or in the production of inflammatory cytokines or chemokines that would explain the early clearance defect. However, efficient alveolar macrophage regeneration following irradiation required LPL. We thus identify LPL as being key to alveolar macrophage development and essential to an effective antipneumococcal response. Further analysis of LPL−/− mice will illuminate critical regulators of the generation of alveolar macrophages and, thus, effective pulmonary innate immunity.
Isolation and identification of a genus, Chromobacterium, not previously found on processed poultry.

An organism identified as Chromobacterium lividum was isolated from processed poultry in Georgia.
Leakage Power Minimization of Nanoscale CMOS Circuits via Non-Critical Path Transistor Sizing

A leakage power minimization method in nanoscale CMOS circuits by transistor sizing in non-critical paths is presented. It is shown that a small increase in delay by transistor downsizing of non-critical paths can provide a significant reduction in leakage power. Moreover, nonlinear dependence of leakage current on width (due to inverse narrow width effects) can be exploited to minimize leakage power at non-minimum widths. A 64-bit carry-lookahead adder, with carry blocks optimized for speed and sum blocks minimized for leakage power, achieves a reduction in leakage power by about 25%.
Feedback-Directed Random Test Generation

We present a technique that improves random test generation by incorporating feedback obtained from executing test inputs as they are created. Our technique builds inputs incrementally by randomly selecting a method call to apply and finding arguments from among previously-constructed inputs. As soon as an input is built, it is executed and checked against a set of contracts and filters. The result of the execution determines whether the input is redundant, illegal, contract-violating, or useful for generating more inputs. The technique outputs a test suite consisting of unit tests for the classes under test. Passing tests can be used to ensure that code contracts are preserved across program changes; failing tests (that violate one or more contract) point to potential errors that should be corrected. Our experimental results indicate that feedback-directed random test generation can outperform systematic and undirected random test generation, in terms of coverage and error detection. On four small but nontrivial data structures (used previously in the literature), our technique achieves higher or equal block and predicate coverage than model checking (with and without abstraction) and undirected random generation. On 14 large, widely-used libraries (comprising 780KLOC), feedback-directed random test generation finds many previously-unknown errors, not found by either model checking or undirected random generation.
The even Orlicz-Minkowski problem

The classical Minkowski problem leads to the Lp Minkowski problem and now to the Orlicz Minkowski problem. Existence is demonstrated for the even Orlicz Minkowski problem. A byproduct is a new approach to the solution of the classical Minkowski problem.
Carbon as a MEMS material: micro and nanofabrication of pyrolysed photoresist carbon

Carbon, like Si, is an attractive and very versatile engineering material and is available in more structural varieties than Si. Carbon materials are already in use in a wide variety of applications because of their widely differing crystalline structures and properties, which enable very different physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal and electrical uses. Carbon-based Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS), with sizes ranging from millimetre to nanometre, can provide solutions, alone or in combination with Si and other materials for microelectronics, nanoelectronics, sensors, miniaturised power systems, etc. In this review, Carbon-MEMS (C-MEMS) and Carbon-NEMS (C-NEMS) technology based on pyrolysis of patterned photoresist is reviewed. The fabrication process and the most promising applications are introduced.
Nonlinear control of multibody systems in shape space

Nonlinear control of planar multibody systems motivated by the classical cat-fall problem and the more practical problem of reorientation of multibody satellites in space are studied. A multibody system model reduced by translational and rotational symmetries was assumed in a Hamiltonian setting. A further reduction by the first integral (the system angular momentum) results in a configuration space of relative joint angles. This is equivalent to reducing the system to the symplectic leaf of the previously assumed model. The system after reduction is still Hamiltonian, and a canonical representation can be obtained. Angular-momentum-preserving controls generated by joint motors were introduced. The application of this linearizing input results in a reduced-dimension model and was found to capture the dynamics of the system in the shape space. The state space was extended to track the change in phase shift of the absolute angles. An important reachability result is proved. An optimal control problem was formulated to accomplish reorientation. >
Relationships among Type Traits and Milk Yield of Brown Swiss Cattle

Abstract Variances and covariances for herd-year, sire, and residual effects were estimated for 10 standard type traits and milk yield from type records on 12,838 Brown Swiss cows and milk records on 5,911 of these. A total of 712 sires and 824 herds was involved. The model was a random two-way, cross-classified model (herd-year and sire of cow) with no interaction. Covariances with descriptive type traits scored in categories as present or absent also were estimated as were variance-covariance matrices for descriptive type traits when each category was a separate trait. Genetic correlations of standard type traits with final classification score were large and positive. Genetic correlations of desirable categories of descriptive type traits with final classification also were positive. Standard type traits and final score had positive genetic correlations with milk yield generally ranging from .18 to .29 except for feet and legs .03.
Simvastatin-Nelfinavir Interaction Implicated in Rhabdomyolysis and Death

We report the first death associated with rhabdomyolysis in a patient treated with a statin and a protease inhibitor, which produced a significant drug-drug interaction.
Training Paraeducators to Promote the Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication by Students with Significant Disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of training paraeducators on (a) paraeducator prompting use of augmentative communication (AAC) systems, (b) paraeducator responding to student requests, (c) student use of AAC, and (d) student problem behavior via a series of multiple probe designs. Participants were three paraeducators and students. Paraeducators were trained on (a) importance of commu- nication, (b) relationship between behavior and communication, (c) use of AAC, (d) how to prompt students to use AAC and respond to communications, and (e) how to self evaluate their behavior. All paraeducators increased the number of times they prompted student use of AAC and responded to student requests. All students increased use of AAC and exhibited fewer problem behaviors.
LrhA Regulates rpoS Translation in Response to the Rcs Phosphorelay System in Escherichia coli

Regulation of the Escherichia coli stationary-phase sigma factor RpoS is complex and occurs at multiple levels in response to different environmental stresses. One protein that reduces RpoS levels is the transcription factor LrhA, a global regulator of flagellar synthesis. Here we clarify the mechanism of this repression and provide insight into the signaling pathways that feed into this regulation. We show that LrhA represses RpoS at the level of translation in a manner that is dependent on the small RNA (sRNA) chaperone Hfq. Although LrhA also represses the transcription of the sRNA RprA, its regulation of RpoS mainly occurs independently of RprA. To better understand the physiological signals affecting this pathway, a transposon mutagenesis screen was carried out to find factors affecting LrhA activity levels. The RcsCDB phosphorelay system, a cell envelope stress-sensing pathway, was found to repress lrhA synthesis. In addition, mutations in the gene encoding the DNA motor protein FtsK induce lrhA synthesis, which may explain why such strains fail to accumulate RpoS in stationary phase.
Targeted Therapies in the Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death. It has been a major worldwide health problem with more new cases being diagnosed each year. The current available therapies for patients with advanced HCC are extremely limited. Therefore, it is of great clinical interests to develop more effective therapies for systemic treatment of advanced HCC. Several promising target-based drugs have been tested in a number of clinical trials. One breakthrough of these efforts is the approved clinical use of sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC. Targeted therapies are becoming an attractive option for the treatment of advanced HCC. In this review, we summarize the most recent progress in clinical targeted treatments of advanced HCC.
Jaguar (Panthera onca) feeding ecology: distribution of predator and prey through time and space

Jaguars Panthera onca inhabiting tropical or subtropical evergreen moist forest have often been classified as opportunistic predators because they consume prey relative to its availability. However, these studies failed to address simultaneously the distribution of predator and prey through time and space, which may lead to an incomplete or erroneous understanding of jaguar foraging strategies. In this study, we reconstructed jaguar diet from scat, and used camera traps to investigate jaguar prey availability and the distribution of jaguar and its prey through space and time. We focused our examination of predator–prey temporal and spatial relations on forest infrastructure comprising man-made paths, small mammal trails, tapir Tapirus bairdi trail and trail-less, forested areas as they represent distinct habitats for prey selection. Overall, we observed high overlap between the prey used and available, suggestive of opportunistic foraging. However, jaguars exhibited selective tendencies in discriminating between larger prey. Jaguars used collared peccary Tayassu tajacu greater than its availability, while preying upon the equally abundant and similarly distributed white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari and tapir less than predicted based upon availability. Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus and paca Agouti paca, 56.6% of total consumption, were consumed relative to availability but exhibited low spatial overlap with jaguar. Armadillo and paca used trail-less, forested areas and small mammal trails not used by jaguar and were photographed more frequently at greater distances from man-made paths, major thoroughfares for jaguars. This study suggests that although forest jaguars use prey relative to its abundance, jaguars may rely on foraging strategies other than chance encounters for exploiting prey.
Improving clinical trial accrual by streamlining the referral process.

Abstract Objective Poor accrual rates impede clinical trial efficiency and significantly contribute to development costs for new interventions. Many providers recognize investigational treatments are their patients’ best opportunities for improvement, but operational clinical burdens impede providers’ awareness of, and ability to leverage, such opportunities. We aimed to develop a new workflow for non-intrusively apprising providers of trial opportunities for their patients and enabling providers to efficiently refer potential trial candidates to study teams for preliminary eligibility review. Materials and methods We developed a small information system to monitor institutional systems, identify patients potentially eligible for ongoing clinical trials, and give providers a non-intrusive, one-click method to refer such patients to study teams for preliminary eligibility vetting. Results In 18 months of pilot experience, providers invited study teams to vet 11% of 1844 patients found potentially eligible for 38 trials registered with the system. Seventy-nine patients were conservatively estimated to be accrued. Accrual rates were boosted for several trials. Results of a survey indicated most users were satisfied with the system. Discussion Providers’ time constraints impede their pursuit of investigational opportunities for their patients. In pilot experience, our novel approach to facilitating such pursuits yielded improved accrual, benefiting trials and presumably patients, too. Our approach may bear particular fruit for cross-disciplinary referrals for screening. Conclusion Systems for assisting providers in making investigational opportunities available to their patients may benefit from careful attention to provider workflow and time constraints. Our system might further benefit from improved patient/trial matching and shorter messages.
Esterification Does Not Impair Lutein Bioavailability in Humans

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is inversely associated with the accumulation of lutein zeaxanthin in the macula, but higher lutein intakes are inconsistently related to reduced risk of ARMD in epidemiologic studies. Resolution of efficacy awaits clinical trials designed with knowledge of lutein supplement pharmacokinetics. Lutein bioavailability was determined for lutein diester and unesterified lutein formulations as they might be incorporated into dietary supplements. Healthy subjects (n 18) consumed a single dose of each formulation (either 0.5 or 0.67 mol lutein/kg body, 10 and 8 subjects, respectively) in random order, and the appearance of free lutein zeaxanthin was measured in serum from 0 to 408 h. Areas under the serum concentration time curves (AUC), as a measure of bioavailability, were independent of gender, body mass index and lutein dose. The lutein diester formulation was 61.6% more bioavailable than the unesterified lutein formulation with higher mean AUC, maximum serum concentration and ascending slope (P 0.05). The AUC was greater in 14 of 18 subjects when they consumed the lutein diester formulation. Comparison with data from previous studies suggested that dissolution was a greater limitation to bioavailability than lutein ester hydrolysis because an oil-solubilized unesterified lutein preparation, given at 0.5 mol/kg body, resulted in greater mean peak concen- trations and AUC compared with either the unesterified or lutein diester formulations used in our study. In conclusion, the lutein diester formulation poses no impediment to lutein bioavailability at the doses tested, but formulation dissolution is an important factor in lutein bioavailability and should be evaluated before a supplement and dose are selected for use in clinical trials. J. Nutr. 132: 3668 -3673, 2002.
Ectomycorrhizal transfer of amino acid‐nitrogen to the alpine sedge Kobresia myosuroides

summary Previous work in the Colorado alpine ecosystem has shown that amino acids are a potentially important N source for the sedge, Kobresia myosuroides. This plant is the only known sedge to harbour associations with ectomycorrhizal fungi. The aim of the present work was to test the hypothesis that these ectomycorrhizas transfer N from amino acids in the soil solution to the host plant, and thereby have an important role in the N nutrition of this species. We used a two-chamber system (rhizoboxes) in which K. myosuroides plants were separated from a soil chamber by nylon mesh that allowed fungal hyphae, but not plant roots, to cross it. Injections of ["&N, 2-"$C]glycine were made into the soil chamber. The hyphal crossings on half of the rhizoboxes were regularly disrupted to control for leakage of label across the barrier. Plants in the intact rhizoboxes showed significantly higher "&N enrichment than those in controls, and mycorrhizal root tips were significantly more enriched than bulk roots. The mycorrhizas transferred an average of 1‐3% of the added "&N label to plants, a figure comparable to those obtained in previous studies in which plant roots were directly exposed to label. We conclude that fungal associations have an important role in the N nutrition of K. myosuroides by transferring N from amino acids to their hosts.
Mesoscale Evolution of a Continental Occluded Cyclone

Abstract A diagnostic study of a continental occluding extratropical cyclone (ETC) during 1–2 November 1992 is presented using initializations from the Mesoscale Atmospheric Prediction System (MAPS), a hybrid sigma–isentropic coordinate model. Whereas recent studies have concentrated on maritime ETCs and have used numerical model simulations, this study employs diagnostic, observational data and model initializations to develop an occlusion model. In addition, isentropic parcel trajectories from a diabatic trajectory model are examined to trace the origin and termination of air parcels associated with the development of the occluded front. The chosen storm was a moderately deepening (i.e., typical) ETC over a data-rich continental region. This storm developed over the central United States, where commercial aircraft and a network of wind profilers provided copious asynoptic data aloft, which was ingested by the MAPS. Analyses of this well-defined occluded cyclone tend to verify that the advancing cold fro...
Buddhas Still in Classrooms: Where Is the Mustard Seed?

In this article, we illustrate the challenges and possibilities of Buddhist stories, including Zen stories and Jataka Tales, in the service of compassionate teaching. Through the tropes of these stories, we address manifestations and extensions of compassion in our teaching, including interdependence, impermanence, and equanimity. Using Buddhist stories and parables in the service of Western education can illustrate such deeper concepts and work to awaken and/or reinforce compassion, reflection, and mindfulness in teachers, pre-service teachers, and students themselves. The incorporation of Buddhist stories and parables in pre-service teacher education can focus the lenses of attention, encourage self-examination, and inspire students for further learning.
A cultural communities approach to understanding Head Start teachers’ beliefs about language use with dual language learners: Implications for practice:

The school-readiness gap for Latino dual language learners in the United States has been well documented, despite a strong research base highlighting effective strategies and practices for supporting their academic success. However, current educational practices reflect the hegemonic discourse that, because the United States is an English-speaking country, English should be the language of instruction. Additionally, educational research during the past decade has been characterized by an emphasis on the use of rigorous experimental designs that are highly generalizable and fail to take into consideration the role of teacher beliefs on classroom practices. This study used a cultural communities lens to explore the beliefs about classroom language use of two Head Start teachers in order to gain insight into how teacher beliefs influence classroom practices, particularly the language of instruction. Analysis of teacher interviews and assessments of classroom language use indicated that teachers had very diff...
PKR Transduces MDA5-Dependent Signals for Type I IFN Induction

Sensing invading pathogens early in infection is critical for establishing host defense. Two cytosolic RIG-like RNA helicases, RIG-I and MDA5, are key to type I interferon (IFN) induction in response to viral infection. Mounting evidence suggests that another viral RNA sensor, protein kinase R (PKR), may also be critical for IFN induction during infection, although its exact contribution and mechanism of action are not completely understood. Using PKR-deficient cells, we found that PKR was required for type I IFN induction in response to infection by vaccinia virus lacking the PKR antagonist E3L (VVΔE3L), but not by Sendai virus or influenza A virus lacking the IFN-antagonist NS1 (FluΔNS1). IFN induction required the catalytic activity of PKR, but not the phosphorylation of its principal substrate, eIF2α, or the resulting inhibition of host translation. In the absence of PKR, IRF3 nuclear translocation was impaired in response to MDA5 activators, VVΔE3L and encephalomyocarditis virus, but not during infection with a RIG-I-activating virus. Interestingly, PKR interacted with both RIG-I and MDA5; however, PKR was only required for MDA5-mediated, but not RIG-I-mediated, IFN production. Using an artificially activated form of PKR, we showed that PKR activity alone was sufficient for IFN induction. This effect required MAVS and correlated with IRF3 activation, but no longer required MDA5. Nonetheless, PKR activation during viral infection was enhanced by MDA5, as virus-stimulated catalytic activity was impaired in MDA5-null cells. Taken together, our data describe a critical and non-redundant role for PKR following MDA5, but not RIG-I, activation to mediate MAVS-dependent induction of type I IFN through a kinase-dependent mechanism.
A NEW ELECTROLYTIC MAGNESIUM PRODUCTION PROCESS

In this article, existing magnesium chloride electrolysis and thermal magnesium oxide reduction processes for producing magnesium are described and their limitations are pointed out. The theoretical background of a patented new process is outlined. In this process, magnesium oxide is dissolved in a rare-earth-chloride-containing electrolyte and electrolyzed to produce magnesium and oxygen like that of alumina in the Hall-Heroult process. It is also shown that the efficiency of the existing magnesium chloride electrolysis process should be improved greatly by adding a rare-earth chloride. In both cases, the magnesium produced is expected to be free from detrimental iron, nickel, copper, and boron impurities.
AB1078 Colchicine Use and Risk of Myocardial Infarction among Gout Patients - A General Population Study

Background A recent randomized trial demonstrated a 77% reduced risk of myocardial infarction (MI) among adults with known coronary artery disease treated with long-term low dose colchicine.1 Whether colchicine reduces the risk of incident MI in gout patients is unknown. Objectives We examined the association of colchicine use and incident MI among gout patients using data from a general population database (The Health Improvement Network [THIN]). Methods Included were adults aged 18-89 years who had been enrolled in THIN ≥2 years and had no history of MI. We identified persons who developed gout from 2000-2012, and identified MI cases. In a nested case-control analysis, we matched each gout patient with MI, to 5 gout patients without MI based on age and sex. Colchicine use was categorized as current (prescription within 30 days of index date), recent (31-179 days), past (≥180 days) or never. We conducted a conditional logistic regression model to adjust for potential confounders of MI. We also examined the number of colchicine prescriptions issued in the year prior to the index date in a case-control analysis. Results Among 55,509 persons with incident gout, there were 974 cases of MI, matched to 4762 controls. The adjusted ORs for current, recent and past colchicine use (relative to non-use) were 0.96, 1.49, and 1.12 respectively. The adjusted ORs for 1, 2, 3-5, and >6 prescriptions were 1.31 (95% CI 0.97-1.78), 1.50 (0.88-2.55), 1.35 (0.72-2.55) and 0.62 (0.18-2.10) respectively. View this table: Table 1. Case-control studies of the association of colchicine use and myocardial infarction (MI) among gout patients in The Health Improvement Network Conclusions In this large observational general population study, colchicine use was not associated with a reduced risk of MI among persons with gout. However, colchicine use in this population was generally sporadic (likely for gout flares), rather than continuous. We cannot rule out the potential for confounding by indication. Future studies should identify a larger sample of continuous colchicine users to clarify its potential cardioprotective role in gout. References 1. Nidorf SM, Eikelboom JW, Budgeon CA, Thompson PL. Low-dose colchicine for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61(4):404-10. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1664
The Arthritic Knee

Degenerative arthritis, in the form of chondromalacia patellae, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, often affects the knee joint.In all forms the cardinal symptom is pain, and treatment is directed toward relieving pain and alleviating secondary symptoms. Clinical features, conservative treatment and surgical procedures are described.
Paratesticular Rhabdomyosarcoma in Childhood

AbstractTen boys with paratesticular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma were treated in a 44-year period. Two prognostically distinct stages of the disease and appropriate treatments are described. Children with non-infiltrating tumors (stage IA) are curable (3 patients are alive and free of tumor after 8 to 44 years) and radical orchiectomy with adjunctive radiation or, preferably, chemotherapy is adequate for these patients. Conversely, in those children with infiltrative tumors retroperitoneal nodal metastases invariably develop. Early retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy with adjuvant radiation and multidrug cyclic chemotherapy is life-saving (3 are alive and free of tumor after 2½ to 4 years). However, delayed recognition and treatment of retroperitoneal disease, despite aggressive therapy, is frequently disappointing—2 of 4 patients died after 2 and 6 years; another, who had advanced disease, is lost to followup and also is presumed dead and 1 is alive and free of tumor after 6½ years.
Expression of the Cellular Immune Response During Tumor Development in an Animal Model of Bladder Cancer

AbstractPapillary and solid transitional cell cancers were induced in the bladders of Fischer rats by ingestion of the carcinogen N- {4-(5-nitro-furyl)-2-thiazolyl} formamide. At sequential regular intervals, purified splenic, peripheral blood, regional lymph node, and thymus lymphocytes were harvested from tumor-bearing and age-matched control animals and tested for cytotoxicity against a variety of cell lines. Lymphocytes were also tested in mixed lymphocyte cultures for blastogenesis. Tumor development was accompanied by decreased lymphocyte cytotoxicity against bladder tumor targets at each interval tested. This decrease was in addition to the age-related decrease in cytotoxicity expressed by lymphocytes from control animals. No corresponding differences were seen in lymphocyte subpopulations as determined by immunofluorescence or in lymphocyte blastogenesis. Suppressor cell activity in tumor-bearing animals could not be demonstrated, and no cause-effect relationship between cytotoxicity depression an...
Tics and Tourette Syndrome in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Tourette syndrome (TS) are both neurodevelopmental disorders that begin in the childhood and considered chronic conditions. ASD and TS are more frequently associated than expected by chance. This epidemiological association reflects shared common futures in terms of clinical symptoms and phenomenology (movement disorders associated) and implies probably a common neurobiological background. This chapter tries to elucidate the relationship between these two conditions exploring the burden of comorbid association and clinical issues encountered in the diagnosis and the evaluation of patients. Moreover, recent advance in genetics and putative common neurobiological factors are considered. Finally, treatment options and future therapeutic approach are described.
Gal(Qp/Qp) as a geometric fundamental group

Let p be a prime number. In this article we present a theorem, suggested by Peter Scholze, which states that Gal(Qp/Qp) is the etale fundamental group of certain object Z which is defined over an algebraically closed field. As a consequence, p-adic representations of Gal(Qp/Qp) correspond to Qp-local systems on Z. The precise theorem involves perfectoid spaces, [Sch12]. Let C/Qp be complete and algebraically closed. Let D be the open unit disk centered at 1, considered as a rigid space over C, and given the structure of a Zp-module where the composition law is multiplication, and a ∈ Zp acts by x 7→ xa. Let D = lim ←− x 7→xp D.
Resistance of a Short Antenna in a Warm Plasma

The input resistance of a short filamental antenna in a warm isotropic plasma is considered from the kinetic (Vlasov equation) rather than the hydrodynamic approach. The results of the two approaches are compared. It is shown that the transverse component of the resistance given by the kinetic approach agrees closely with that of the hydrodynamic approach except for frequencies below the plasma frequency. The longitudinal component of resistance agrees in the two approaches only at frequencies which are large compared with the plasma frequency.
A Simple Macro Production Model

Our task now is to define the elements of a model, which can represent production, exchange, distribution and consumption, in their capitalist forms, in the most simple and general way.