cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Silage Diets on Health, Reproduction, and Blood Metabolites of Dairy Cattle

Forty-eight Hostein dairy cows were assigned uniformly by parity and calving date to three forage treatments for three lactations. Forage treatments were corn silage (F-I), corn silage plus Hay-crop silage (-f-II), and corn silage plus hay (F-III). Records of health and reproductive data were kept to evaluate dietary effects. During the third lactation six animals in each treatment were blood-sampled on a 4-day interval from 24 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum to determine metabolites. Reproductive traits were similar among the treatment groups as were occurrences of mastitis. Corn silage and hay-crop silage cows had more ketosis than hay cows. Corn silage cows had more parturient paresis than the other two groups, and abomasal displacement occurred only in the corn silage group. There were differences in concentrations of plasma metabolites among treatments; however, they appeared to be within normal ranges, and no pathological implications were obvious. Blood pH, blood packed cell volume, blood alkaline reserve, and pH values were similar among treatment groups. Histological evaluation of hepatic and endocrine tissues revealed no treatment effects.
Semiclassical theory of atom-solid surface collisions: Elastic scattering

Abstract The elastic scattering of atoms from solid surfaces is examined within the semiclassical framework. Explicit expression for diffraction intensities are obtained which utilize classical trajectory information as the computational device. Effect of lattice disorder are examined.The results of Beeby and Weinberg are considered.An alternative method for extracting the surface atom displacements and the attractive well depth of the atom-surface interaction is discussed.
Basement beneath the Blue Ridge and Inner Piedmont in northeastern Georgia and the Carolinas: A preserved, Late Proterozoic, rifted continental margin

Seismic reflection, magnetic, and gravity data from the Blue Ridge and Inner Piedmont of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina indicate that southern Appalachian basement contains two sets of steeply dipping normal faults that bound rotated and tilted blocks. The predominant faults strike about N35°E, subparallel to the axis of the orogen, whereas the oblique set strikes about N10°W. Vertical offsets of as much as 1.3 km across individual N10°W-striking faults have been observed on seismic profiles. Regionally, the pattern is probably similar to normal faults in Precambrian rocks exposed in the Adiron-dacks or along other rifted margins. The initial age of faulting was Late Proterozoic, 570 m.y. or older, inferred from comparison of seismic reflectors in the eastern Blue Ridge and Inner Piedmont with stratigraphy along the Great Smoky thrust. Basement beneath the western portion of the Inner Piedmont in South Carolina and northeastern Georgia has been stable at least since the Middle Triassic and did not reactivate during the Mesozoic breakup of Pangea,based on the absence of crosscutting relationships between basement faults and the Brevard zone reflection. Basement structure related to rifting may partially explain the focal mechanisms of regional earthquakes. The oblique fault set is consistent with well-constrained north-south-striking, subvertical nodal planes obtained for many basement earthquakes in the Valley and Ridge of eastern Tennessee. Valley and Ridge earthquakes in southwestern Virginia are consistent with reactivation of the faults that strike parallel to the orogen. We suggest that the basement structures survived Phanerozoic orogeny because Alleghanian continental collision was interpreted in the southern Appalachians, so that convergence between Laurentia and Gondwana stopped about the time their respective lithospheres came into contact.
Web based visualization of large climate data sets

We have implemented the USGS National Climate Change Viewer (NCCV), which is an easy-to-use web application that displays future projections from global climate models over the United States at the state, county and watershed scales. We incorporate the NASA NEX-DCP30 statistically downscaled temperature and precipitation for 30 global climate models being used in the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and hydrologic variables we simulated using a simple water-balance model. Our application summarizes very large, complex data sets at scales relevant to resource managers and citizens and makes climate-change projection information accessible to users of varying skill levels. Tens of terabytes of high-resolution climate and water-balance data are distilled to compact binary format summary files that are used in the application. To alleviate slow response times under high loads, we developed a map caching technique that reduces the time it takes to generate maps by several orders of magnitude. The reduced access time scales to >500 concurrent users. We provide code examples that demonstrate key aspects of data processing, data exporting/importing and the caching technique used in the NCCV. We introduce and provide an overview of the USGS National Climate Change Viewer (NCCV).We describe the implementation and technologies used in the NCCV.Memchached is used to improve map generation performance of THREDDS.
Increase of CO2 and Climate Change Effects on Iowa Soybean Yield, Simulated Using GLYCIM

Increases in atmospheric CO 2 concentration are likely to have a significant impact on the climate and to affect the growth and development of crops. The effect of climate change on crops has to be assessed for large areas to provide information for global estimates and regional strategy development. In this study, computer simulations were done using the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop model GLYCIM to assess the effects of these changes on soybean yields in the state of Iowa. The ability of the model to accurately predict the effect of changes in atmospheric CO 2 concentration was tested by comparing model results with a curve fit of CO 2 concentration yield response derived from measured data. To simulate the effects of climate change, we used projected monthly weather variables for ambient and increased CO 2 from three general circulation models (GCMs): Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), and United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO). The monthly weather variables were converted to the daily weather to simulate soybean crop yields in nine crop reporting districts (CRDs) of Iowa, with and without increases in atmospheric CO 2 . When climate change was simulated with increasing levels of CO 2 (baseline 350, 450, 550, and 650 μL L -1 ), yields increased. Without increases in atmospheric CO 2 , yields remained essentially constant in the GFDL and GISS scenarios, while decreasing by 2 to 10% in the UKMO scenario. The variability in yields among nine CRDs increased for all scenarios as climate changed and levels of CO 2 increased. Overall, projected climate changes did not substantially alter simulated soybean yields. The increase in CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere was the primary determinant of yield response.
On the room-temperature deformation mechanisms of lamellar-structured Fe30Ni20Mn35Al15

Abstract A eutectic alloy Fe 30 Ni 20 Mn 35 Al 15 (in at.%), consisting of B2 (ordered b.c.c.) and f.c.c. phases, was prepared by directional solidification, drop-casting or quenching from 1623 K in order to obtain different lamellar sizes and morphologies. The hardness of the individual phases, measured using nanoindentation, was 4.38 ± 0.20 GPa for the B2 phase and 2.72 ± 0.14 GPa for the f.c.c. phase. The roles of these phases in mechanical deformation were investigated. In both the drop-cast and the quenched alloy, which contained refined discontinuous lamellae, the B2 lamellae showed little sign of plastic deformation and simply behaved as obstacles to moving dislocations. The yield strength increased with refinement of the lamellae, whereas the ductility decreased. In contrast, tensile tests performed along the growth direction of the directionally solidified alloy, which contained lamellae several microns wide aligned with the growth direction, showed that the f.c.c. lamellae experienced plastic deformation by glide of 〈1 1 0〉 dislocations, whereas the B2 lamellae fractured elastically into ∼30 μm long segments. Tearing at interfaces occurred for B2 lamellae inclined to the tensile axis.
Comparison of Computational Velocity and Heat Transfer Predictions to Experimental Measurements in a Rotating Cooling Passage with Smooth Walls

Numerical predictions of the turbulent velocity field and wall heat transfer for a simulated turbine blade cooling passage are presented. The square cross-sectioned, smooth-walled passage is identical to one for which velocity and heat transfer data are available for comparison. Reynolds number (8000), rotation number (0.2), and buoyancy numbers (0 and 0.49) are typical of gas turbine applications. Predictions are presented for three turbulence models: standard k-e, Renormalization Group k-e, and Reynolds Stress. In addition, two wall treatments are evaluated: wall functions and a two-layer zonal model. Results from the three models are comparable, however the two-layer zonal wall treatment provides the best match to both the experimental flowfield data and the Nusselt distribution. Wall functions are shown to be unsuitable for this flowfield. General flow features in the passage are adequately captured by the zonal model including the Coriolis-induced double vortex and the distorted streamwise velocity profile due to the buoyancy effect. Agreement between the calculated and measured streamwise velocity profile (from leading to trailing wall) is particularly remarkable and contributes to an impressive leading and trailing Nu match with the data. This agreement suggests that the model adequately accounts for the buoyancy effect on the bulk flow without any buoyancy terms in the k or e conservation equations. The model is less effective, however, at capturing the specific vortex position and strength. Specifically, the model vortex has only half the measured vortex maximum velocity and is located forward or aft of the passage centerline (depending on the density ratio of the flow).Copyright © 1999 by ASME
The asymptotic boundary layer on a circular cylinder in axisymmetric micropolar fluid flow

Abstract An asymptotic boundary layer analysis is presented using the theory of micropolar fluids due to Eringen. The laminar boundary layer induced on the outside of a long, slender cylinder due to the flow of an incompressible micropolar fluid parallel to the axis of the cylinder is investigated. For reasons of both analytical and practical interests the boundary layer characteristics far down stream from the leading edge are analyzed on the basis of their asymptotic nature. Asymptotic series solutions for the velocity and micro-rotation fields are obtained. An expression for the new micropolar boundary layer thickness is derived. Central to the present investigation is the result that while calculating the skin friction one should take into account the total surface stress effects, not only due to the usual shear stresses but also due to the couple stresses. As a result, it is shown that the micropolar theory does predict a reduction in skin friction as is observed in experiments thus confirming Eringen's well known conjecture.
Apathy is a syndrome of executive dysfunction that exists in patients with late-life depression.

Marin et al. (2003) have suggested that apathy may be independent of executive functions in older-aged patients with major depression, although the correlation between apathy and the “controlled oral word association test,” a test of executive measures, approached significance. However, Feil et al. (2003), using the same definition and measure of apathy, observed a strong correlation between apathy and both verbal and non-verbal executive cognitive measures. The question thus arises as to whether apathy contributes to executive cognitive dysfunction in non-demented patients with late-life depression. We therefore re-examined this issue, looking particularly at whether apathy distinctly affects executive control functions. Our hypothesis was that apathy would contribute to cognitive impairment in depressed elderly patients independently of the severity of depression.
inTouch: interactive multiresolution modeling and 3D painting with a haptic interface

We present an intuitive 3D interface for interactively editing and painting a polygonal mesh using a force feedback device. An artist or a designer can use the system to create and refine a three-dimensional multiresolution polygonal mesh. Its appearance can be further enhanced by directly painting onto its surface. The system allows users to naturally create complex forms and patterns not only aided by visual feedback, but also by their sense of touch.
Increased Binding of Norepinephrine by Nerves to Cerebral Blood Vessels: Evidence from the Effects of Reserpine on Nerves to Cerebral and Extracerebral Blood Vessels

It has been proposed by others that adrenergic nerves to cerebral blood vessels bind norepinephrine more avidly than do nerves to vessels outside the brain. This suggestion is supported by the present data which show that in the rat intraperitoneal reserpine depletes norepinephrine less readily from nerves to cerebral blood vessels than from nerves to extracerebral blood vessels. Alternate hypotheses to explain our data are contradicted by available evidence, except for the hypothesis of unequal distribution of reserpine between perivascular nerves in various locations. No evidence has been located to favor the latter hypothesis. The postulate of increased norepinephrine binding by nerves to cerebral vessels not only explains the present data, but also can account for the surprisingly small responses of cerebral vessels to exogenous norepinephrine or to sympathetic stimulation.
The Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design

The Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design was established at the University of Virginia in September 2000 as one of four new National Science Foundation-sponsored Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC). This Center seeks to define broad new directions in the nanoscale design and control of self-assembled epitaxial semiconductor quantum dots, by providing new algorithms for understanding and controlling the coupling of short, medium, and long-range order in these structures. By combining fundamental understanding and control of short-range self assembly phenomena with long-range pattern definition techniques, broad applications to quantum-engineered semiconductor devices, nanoscale structuring of gels, biological templating, and control of electrotechnical reactions may be enabled. The research programs will be integrated with educational initiatives that are designed to enhance learning at a wide range of educational institutions. This Center will also act as the hub for a broad network of external collaborations with industrial, university and government laboratories, ensuring national and international impact on materials research and education in this field.
Changes of Lumbar Muscle Flexion Relaxation Phenomenon When Standing on Unilaterally Elevated Ground

Occupational tasks performed on uneven ground surfaces are common in agriculture and construction industries. The influence of unilaterally elevated ground surface on lumbar muscle flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) during trunk flexion and extension motion has been investigated in the current study. Ten subjects performed trunk flexion and extension motion on flat ground and two unilaterally elevated ground conditions while lumbar muscle EMG and trunk kinematics data were recorded. Results of this study demonstrated clear difference in bilateral lumbar muscle FRP under elevated ground conditions. The current finding can be used to better understand uneven ground surfaces as a risk factor for the development of low back pain.
Neural net based torque sensor using birefringent materials

Abstract Photoelasticity can be used to accurately measure surface strains or stresses in a part or structure. In this paper we describe the use of a photoelastic transducer and neural net image processing to estimate the torque of stationary and rotating shafts. A strain sensitive (photoelastic) plastic cylinder is attached to the shaft and illuminated by polarized light. As the shaft torque varies the photoelastic plastic displays the corresponding shaft strain as a two-dimensional fringe pattern when viewed through an optical polarizer. The strain that causes this observed optical pattern is a complex function of the torque applied to the shaft. In this paper, we describe the use of neural net image processing to estimate this function to realize an optical torque sensor. A CCD camera/image processing system was used to acquire and process the optical patterns. A neural net torque estimator was trained with these fringe patterns and tested against a laboratory strain gauge torque sensor. Our experiments show that the neural net torque estimator can accurately estimate (to within a few percent) the applied torque for both static and slowly rotating (
The tumescent technique to significantly reduce blood loss during burn surgery

Introduction: burn surgery is complicated by blood loss. The tumescent technique of subdermal injection of epinephrine has been utilized to decrease intraoperative blood loss. We hypothesized that this would safely decrease blood loss during burn surgery. Methods: twenty patients utilized the tumescent technique. The tumescent group had subdermal injections of epinephrine beneath the excision and donor site plus thrombin spray and warm saline soaked laparotomy pads. Ten patients grafted prior to adopting the tumescent technique utilized thrombin spray and warm saline soaked laparotomy pads for hemostasis. Blood loss was determined by operative estimation and calculation. Data were analyzed by Student's t-test and paired t-test. Results: the two groups were demographically similar. The tumescent group had significantly less total blood loss and blood loss per unit area excised. There were no clinically detectable arrythmias, changes in heart rate or blood pressure noted. Conclusions: the tumescent technique significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss. It is safe, inexpensive and easy to use. The subdermal epinephrine/saline injection creates a smooth, tense surface which assists with debridement and donor harvest.
The Market for Corporate Law Redux

Corporations operate in numerous markets -- product markets, labor markets, capital markets. This chapter focuses on the market that is the prerequisite for firms’ successful operation in all other markets, as it is the market that frames their organizational structure and governance: the market for corporate law. In the United States, two features of the legal landscape have informed such a conceptualization of corporate law as a product: (1) corporate law is the domain of the states rather than the national government; and (2) under the internal affairs doctrine, the state whose corporate law governs a firm is the state of its statutory domicile. This arrangement provides firms with a choice, they can select their governing law from among the states regardless of their physical location, hence the notion that states offer a product that corporations purchase, by means of incorporation fees (referred to as franchise taxes). For the past century, remarkably, one small state, Delaware, has been the market leader, serving as the domicile for the overwhelming majority of U.S. corporations. The debate over the market for corporate law has focused, in large part, on whether the phenomenon of Delaware’s dominance is for the better.The first part of the chapter analyzes the dynamics of the U.S. market for corporate law, which can best be characterized as states competing for corporate charters, along with data pertinent to the question of whom this market organization benefits -- managers or shareholders -- and explanations why Delaware has had a persistent and commanding position. The focus is on the market for public corporations, given their relative importance to the economy, the more extensive literature, and space limitations for this chapter. The second part of the chapter turns to explain Delaware’s persistence as the preeminent incorporation state. This is a distinctive feature of U.S. corporate law. There are other federal systems of corporate law, but a similar “Delaware” phenomenon does not exist. The chapter concludes with a summary and suggestions for future research.
A Genetic Algorithm for the Two Machine Flow Shop Problem

In scheduling, the two machine flow shop problem F2parSigma Ci is to find a schedule that minimizes the sum of finishing times of an arbitrary number of jobs that need to be executed on two machines, such that each job must complete processing on machine 1 before starting on machine 2. Finding such a schedule is NP-hard [6]. We propose a heuristic for approximating the solution for the F2parSigma Ci problem using a genetic algorithm. We calibrate the algorithm using optimal results obtained by a branch-and-bound technique. Genetic algorithms simulate the survival of the fittest among individuals over consecutive generations for solving a problem. Prior work has shown that genetic algorithms generally do not perform well for shop problems [21]. However, the fact that in the case of two machines the search space can be restricted to permutations makes the construction of effective genetic operators more feasible.
Care Management’s Challenges and Opportunities to Reduce the Rapid Rehospitalization of Frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Community-based frail older adults, burdened with complex medical and social needs, are at great risk for preventable rapid rehospitalizations. Although federal and state regulations are in place to address the care transitions between the hospital and nursing home, no such guidelines exist for the much larger population of community-dwelling frail older adults. Few studies have looked at interventions to prevent rehospitalizations in this large segment of the older adult population. Similarly, standardized disease management approaches that lower hospitalization rates in an independent adult population may not suffice for guiding the care of frail persons. Care management interventions currently face unique challenges in their attempt to improve the transitional care of community-dwelling older adults. However, impending national imperatives aimed at reducing potentially avoidable hospitalizations will soon demand and reward care management strategies that identify frail persons early in the discharge process and promote the sharing of critical information among patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. Opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of care-related communications must focus on the effective blending of training and technology for improving communications vital to successful care transitions.
Determination of glutethimide (Doriden) and its metabolites in biologic specimens.

A gas chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of glutethimide was developed. This method was applied to samples obtained from patients who were comatose because of acute glutethimide intoxication. The results obtained from this procedure were compared with those obtained by using an ultraviolet method. The patients’ clinical conditions were assessed and correlated with the blood concentrations of glutethimide. The samples were processed to isolate glutethimide, as well as its metabolites. The metabolites were separated using thin-layer chromatography and were checked for purity by both thin-layer and gas chromatography.
A Call for National Standards and Oversight of State Physician Health Programs.

OBJECTIVES Many physicians are referred to state physician health programs (PHPs) for evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. If the physician agrees to cooperate with the PHP and adhere to any recommendations it might make, the physician often can avoid disciplinary action and remain in practice. Despite their considerable power, many PHPs operate with little oversight. METHODS I review recommendations that a co-author and I previously made regarding oversight of PHPs and then review some of the findings from a recent performance audit of the North Carolina Physicians Health Program by the North Carolina Auditor's Office. RESULTS Physicians who might object to the conclusions and recommendations of PHPs in many states do not have the ability to appeal and lack due process. Additionally, given that many of the evaluation and treatment centers to which PHPs refer their clients also sponsor meetings of PHPs, there is significant potential for conflict of interest in the standard operations of PHPs. CONCLUSIONS National standards should be put in place for the day-to-day operation of PHPs and include avenues for appealing decisions and recommendations by them. Also, PHPs should be routinely audited to ensure the soundness and fairness of their practice.
Gender Differences in Susceptibility, Outcomes, and Pathophysiology of Sepsis

Publisher Summary Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by systemic inflammation and widespread tissue injury. SIRS is defined by several clinical variables including temperature > 38°C or 90 beats/min, respiratory rate > 20 breaths/min or PCO2 12 000 cells/mm3 or <4000 cells/mm3. SIRS can result from insults such as trauma, thermal injury, pancreatitis, autoimmune disorders, and surgery. When SIRS occurs as a result of infection, it is termed sepsis. Severe sepsis occurs when there is evidence of organ hypoperfusion or dysfunction including decreased urine output, altered mental status, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Septic shock ensues if hypotension persists despite adequate volume resuscitation and vasopressors are required to achieve adequate systemic blood pressure. This chapter reviews the epidemiology and pathophysiology of sepsis, particularly as it applies to gender, and provides insights into potential mechanisms for gender differences. Both estrogen and relaxin may reduce pulmonary artery pressures and improve hemodynamics. Relaxin may also improve splanchnic blood flow and stimulate the glucocorticoid receptor leading to decreased inflammation. Testosterone, on the other hand, acts as an immune suppressant. While this data is intriguing, the pathophysiology of sepsis, however, is complicated and depends on a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators which may explain why studies examining gender differences in sepsis outcomes have reported such varying results.
The benefit of paracentesis on hospitalized adults with cirrhosis and ascites

BACKGROUND AND AIM The aim of this study is to assess paracentesis utilization and outcomes in hospitalized adults with cirrhosis and ascites. METHODS The 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify adults, non-electively admitted with diagnoses of cirrhosis and ascites. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Variables included patient and hospital demographics, early (Day 0 or 1) or late (Day 2 or later) paracentesis, hepatic decompensation, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. RESULTS Out of 8 023 590 admissions, 31 614 met inclusion criteria. Among these hospitalizations, approximately 51% (16 133) underwent paracentesis. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 7.6%. There was a significantly increased mortality among patients who did not undergo paracentesis (8.9% vs 6.3%, P < 0.001). Patients who did not receive paracentesis died 1.83 times more often in the hospital than those patients who did receive paracentesis (95% confidence interval 1.66-2.02). Patients undergoing early paracentesis showed a trend towards reduction in mortality (5.5% vs 7.5%) compared with those undergoing late paracentesis. Patients admitted on a weekend demonstrated less frequent use of early paracentesis (50% weekend vs 62% weekday) and demonstrated increased mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.12 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.25). Among patients diagnosed with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, early paracentesis was associated with shorter length of stay (7.55 vs 11.45 days, P < 0.001) and decreased hospitalization cost ($61 624 vs $107 484, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Paracentesis is under-utilized among cirrhotic patients presenting with ascites and is associated with decreased in-hospital mortality. These data support the use of paracentesis as a key inpatient quality measure among hospitalized adults with cirrhosis. Future studies are needed to investigate the barriers to paracentesis use on admission.
Legume information system (LegumeInfo.org): a key component of a set of federated data resources for the legume family

Legume Information System (LIS), at http://legumeinfo.org, is a genomic data portal (GDP) for the legume family. LIS provides access to genetic and genomic information for major crop and model legumes. With more than two-dozen domesticated legume species, there are numerous specialists working on particular species, and also numerous GDPs for these species. LIS has been redesigned in the last three years both to better integrate data sets across the crop and model legumes, and to better accommodate specialized GDPs that serve particular legume species. To integrate data sets, LIS provides genome and map viewers, holds synteny mappings among all sequenced legume species and provides a set of gene families to allow traversal among orthologous and paralogous sequences across the legumes. To better accommodate other specialized GDPs, LIS uses open-source GMOD components where possible, and advocates use of common data templates, formats, schemas and interfaces so that data collected by one legume research community are accessible across all legume GDPs, through similar interfaces and using common APIs. This federated model for the legumes is managed as part of the ‘Legume Federation’ project (accessible via http://legumefederation.org), which can be thought of as an umbrella project encompassing LIS and other legume GDPs.
ALDH3A1 Plays a Functional Role in Maintenance of Corneal Epithelial Homeostasis

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) and ALDH3A1 are corneal crystallins. They protect inner ocular tissues from ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced oxidative damage through catalytic and non-catalytic mechanisms. Additionally, ALDH3A1 has been postulated to play a regulatory role in the corneal epithelium based on several studies that report an inverse association between ALDH3A1 expression and corneal cell proliferation. The underlying molecular mechanisms and the physiological significance of such association remain poorly understood. In the current study, we established Tet-On human corneal epithelial cell (hTCEpi) lines, which express tetracycline-inducible wild-type (wt) or catalytically-inactive (mu) ALDH3A1. Utilizing this cellular model system, we confirmed that human ALDH3A1 decreases corneal cell proliferation; importantly, this effect appears to be partially mediated by its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, wt-ALDH3A1, but not mu-ALDH3A1, promotes sequestering of tumor suppressor p53 in the nucleus. In the mouse cornea, however, augmented cell proliferation is noted only in Aldh1a1(-/-)/3a1(-/-) double knockout (DKO) mice, indicating in vivo the anti-proliferation effect of ALDH3A1 can be rescued by the presence of ALDH1A1. Interestingly, the hyper-proliferative epithelium of the DKO corneas display nearly complete loss of p53 expression, implying that p53 may be involved in ALDH3A1/1A1-mediated effect. In hTCEpi cells grown in high calcium concentration, mRNA levels of a panel of corneal differentiation markers were altered by ALDH3A1 expression and modulated by its enzyme activity. In conclusion, we show for the first time that: (i) ALDH3A1 decreases corneal epithelial proliferation through both non-enzymatic and enzymatic properties; (ii) ALDH1A1 contributes to the regulation of corneal cellular proliferation in vivo; and (iii) ALDH3A1 modulates corneal epithelial differentiation. Collectively, our studies indicate a functional role of ALDH3A1 in the maintenance of corneal epithelial homeostasis by simultaneously modulating proliferation and differentiation through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms.
Approach to Acute Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a common clinical disorder with a large number of possible causes. Hypoglycemia is defined for the clinician as a diagnosis rather than a symptom complex. Hypoglycemic states can be characterized initially as medication associated, fasting, or postprandial. An approach based on the physiologic mechanisms that support euglycemia is useful to sort through the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia for both adults and children.
catena-Poly[[bis-(3-carb-oxy-5-nitro-benzoato-κO)copper(II)]-μ-1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane-κN:N'].

In the title compound, [Cu(C8H4NO6)2(C13H14N2)]n, the square-planar coordinated CuII ion lies on an inversion centre and is coordinated by two protonated 5-nitro­isophthalate ligands. The CuII ions are linked into a one-dimensional coordination polymer by tethering 1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane ligands, whose central methyl­ene C atoms are situated on twofold rotation axes. The chains are oriented parallel to the c axis, and stack into a supra­molecular three-dimensional structure through O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions.
Evaluating Exploratory Visualization Systems: A User Study on How Clustering-Based Systems Supporting Information Seeking from Large Document Collections

Assisting iterative, opportunistic and evolving visual sensemaking has been an important research topic as information overload continues. Such exploratory systems (ESs) maximize users’ information gain through learning and have been widely used in scientific discovery and decision making contexts. Although many ESs have been developed recently, there is a lack of general guidance on how to evaluate such systems. Researchers are facing challenges such as understanding the underlying cognitive learning process of these systems. In this paper, we propose an evaluation framework designed specifically for ESs. The new framework is built based on cognitive load theory (CLT) and takes the user as well as the system as the focus of evaluation. With the thorough examination of users’ cognitive process, carefully designed procedures detangle the interwoven, interactive process of ESs as well as the variability that comes with human subjects. To demonstrate the usage of the framework, we present an evaluation conducted on Newdle, a clustering-based ES for large news documents. This study was a successful use case of the framework. It revealed how and why clustering-based ES benefited (or not) users in a variety of information seeking tasks. We also report the different information seeking strategies observed from the users and summarize leverage points for designing clustering-based ES.
Incorporating Financial Cycles in Output Gap Measures: Estimates for the Euro Area

We suggest a new approach for analyzing the role of credit and house prices in estimating the output gap. We present a two-country DSGE model for the core and periphery of the euro area, with …nancial frictions at the household level. We use several macroeconomic variables, including house prices and household credit for each region, to estimate the model between 2000-2013. We …nd that, in the core, the measure of output gap is independent of …nancial frictions because of the absence of a credit boom during the sample period. On the contrary, in the periphery, …nancial frictions amplify economic ‡uctuations and the output gap. We also present evidence
Snapshot Spectro-Polarimetry Using Disordered Materials

An optical field is characterized by both its spectral and polarization content. Both properties may be simultaneously estimated by analyzing intensity measurements after the interaction of the field with a disordered material.
A comparison of finite volume method and sharp model for two dimensional saltwater intrusion modeling

Seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers is a 3-D phenomenon. However, 3-D regional aquifer models are often limited by insufficient geological and hydrological data, the large horizontal to vertical scales ratio, and by numerical constraints. A mathematical formulation and numerical implementation of the model for saltwater intrusion problems are presented in this paper. The mathematical model is based on assumption of two-phase flow between saltwater and freshwater and Dupuit approximation. Finite volume method is used as the numerical method in non-structured grids to have flexibility upon complex configuration domain and was compared to sharp model that uses finite difference method. Both models are based on the same governing mathematical equations. Finite volume method was validated using analytical test case studies with known closed form solutions, and the results showed good agreement. Both models have then been applied to the case of saltwater intrusion into a real study case. The comparison betwe...
A Novel Molecular Beam Reactor for the Study of Diamond Surface Chemistry

A novel reactor has been constructed to investigate the fundamental surface kinetics of diamond chemical vapor deposition(CVD). The molecular beam reactor permits independent control of the atomic hydrogen flux, the methyl radical flux and the substrate temperature. The low pressure in the growth chamber (≈ 1 mTorr) minimizes the impact of gas-phase chemistry. The reactive mixture impinging the substrate is sampled through an orifice and analyzed by mass spectroscopy. Differential pumping in the two adjacent chambers quenches the beam, allowing quantitative analysis of radical species such as H and CH3. In preliminary experiments deposition was achieved onto seeded molybdenum substrates.
Face Transplantation in a Highly Sensitized Recipient.

ABSTRACT Face transplantation was performed in a highly sensitized recipient with positive preoperative crossmatch and subsequent antibody-mediated rejection. The recipient was a 45-year-old female with extensive conventional reconstructions after chemical burns over the majority of the body. Residual quality of life and facial functions were poor. Levels of circulating anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies were high, and panel reactive antibody score was 98%. A potential donor was identified; however, with positive T and B cell flow crossmatches. The transplant team proceeded with face transplantation from this donor, under tailored immune suppression and with available salvage options. The operation was successful. Plasmapheresis and induction immune suppression (i.e., thymoglobulin followed by mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and steroids) were provided. Five days later, there was significant facial swelling, rising anti-HLA antibody titers, and unprecedented evidence of C4d deposits on skin....
Modifying the fatty acid content of the diet.

Physicians are prescribing diets modified in fatty acids for patients with coronary artery disease. Dietitians will want to know what the fatty acid composition of foods is and how to plan diets low in saturated fatty acids, high in polyunsaturated fatly acids, and others. The authors have planned several regimens illustrating different modifications.
What Happens When Loans Become Legally Void? Evidence from a Natural Experiment

In this Article, we exploit a natural experiment -- an unexpected judicial decision -- to study the effects of state usury laws on consumer loans to higher-risk borrowers. In May 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision that, in effect, switched on the usury laws of three States, rendering those laws enforceable against owners of consumer loans that had previously been issued under the expectation that the usury laws were preempted by federal statute. Using proprietary data from three marketplace lending platforms, we study the decision’s effect on consumer credit markets.We find that the court’s decision significantly impaired credit availability for riskier borrowers, shrinking loan issuances to borrowers with the lowest FICO scores. We see no evidence, however, of strategic defaults by borrowers in these markets, despite the fact that the decision suggests that their loans are unenforceable. We also examine secondary market trading in notes backed by non-current, potentially usurious loans in the Second Circuit, and find that the decision reduced the prices of those notes. We do not, however, find evidence of a similar price decrease for notes backed by potentially usurious loans that the borrower continues to pay on time - suggesting that investors do not anticipate an increase in strategic defaults as a result of the court’s decision.
Cancers of the Urinary System

This chapter reviews the anatomy of the urinary system. In addition, students are questioned regarding the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cancers of the urinary system. Specific questions regarding the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of these cancers are included.
Cramèr-Rao lower bounds for radar parameter estimation in noise plus structured interference

This document derives approximate expressions for the Cramer-Rao lower bounds on the variance of unbiased estimates of the parameters of a narrow-band radar model in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise as well as interference with known structure. We show that the Cramer-Rao lower bounds with interference are comprised of the bound when the interference is not present and a term that is proportional to the squared normalized-correlation between the radar signal and the interfering signal. Numerical simulations demonstrating these bounds are shown and the threshold effect is observed. The bounds are then used to define an objective function to be used for waveform co-design, and a simple example of this is shown.
Do specific NMDA receptor subunits act as gateways for addictive behaviors

Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a major social and economic problem, and there is considerable interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms that promote addictive drives. A number of proteins have been identified that contribute to expression of addictive behaviors. NMDA receptors (NMDARs), a subclass of ionotropic glutamate receptors, have been of particular interest because their physiological properties make them an attractive candidate for gating induction of synaptic plasticity, a molecular change thought to mediate learning and memory. NMDARs are generally inactive at the hyperpolarized resting potentials of many neurons. However, given sufficient depolarization, NMDARs are activated and exhibit long-lasting currents with significant calcium permeability. Also, in addition to stimulating neurons by direct depolarization, NMDARs and their calcium signaling can allow strong and/or synchronized inputs to produce long-term changes in other molecules (such as AMPA-type glutamate receptors) which can last from days to years, binding internal and external stimuli in a long-term memory trace. Such memories could allow salient drug-related stimuli to exert strong control over future behaviors and thus promote addictive drives. Finally, NMDARs may themselves undergo plasticity, which can alter subsequent neuronal stimulation and/or the ability to induce plasticity. This review will address recent and past findings suggesting that NMDAR activity promotes drug- and alcohol-related behaviors, with a particular focus on GluN2B subunits as possible central regulators of many addictive behaviors, as well as newer studies examining the importance of non-canonical NMDAR subunits and endogenous NMDAR cofactors.
Abstract P41: Predictive Models of Mortality After Stroke: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Risk-standardized mortality is increasingly recognized as an important measure of hospital quality. We conducted a systematic review to identify models of morality after stroke developed to profile hospitals or predict patient mortality within 1 year of stroke hospitalization. Methods: We searched PubMed for English-language articles published since 1996. Articles were excluded if they were restricted to hemorrhagic strokes or transient ischemic attacks, did not report mortality within 1 year of the index stroke event, had fewer than 100 subjects, considered only a sub-group of patients based on a demographic or clinical characteristic (e.g. only diabetic patients), or used a composite outcome. The investigators independently reviewed all abstracts to select articles that met criteria and used a standardized instrument to abstract information. Findings: Of the 1,794 articles identified during the initial search, only 20 met our inclusion criteria. We identified one article that developed a model for purposes of hospital comparison; this model focused on the predictive value of laboratory results. The remaining 19 articles developed models to predict patient-level mortality. All of the studies relied on chart data for their models. The studies varied in terms of case definition (10/20 included ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes), duration of follow-up, and the selection of covariates for inclusion in the models. The significance of included clinical covariates also varied across studies for age (significant in 12/18 models), diabetes/ hyperglycemia (4/15), prior stroke (4/14), hypertension (2/13), atrial fibrillation (4/12), and ischemic heart disease (2/12). Less than half (9/20) of the papers included a stroke severity measure in the model. Although the severity measure varied widely across studies, most (8/9) found severity to be significantly associated with mortality. Fewer than half of the studies included an external validation of their model. Conclusions: We identified 20 separate models to predict stroke mortality but these studies varied widely in characteristics and findings. Our search did not identify a validated hospital-level model that could be feasibly used to measure hospital quality on a national level.
A phase I/II study of concurrent nab-paclitaxel, carboplatin, and IMRT for locally advanced squamous cancer of the head and neck (LASCCHN).

5579 Background: We studied escalating doses of weekly nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane, AB) combined with weekly carboplatin (CP) and daily IMRT in patients with LASCCHN to determine the safety and optima...
Associations of tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor type 1 with kidney function decline, cardiovascular events, and mortality risk in persons with coronary artery disease: Data from the Heart and Soul Study.

Abstract Background and aims Tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR1) is associated with kidney disease and mortality risk in various populations. Whether or not kidney function mediates mortality risk is unknown. We evaluated associations of TNFR1 levels with measures of kidney function, cardiovascular events, and mortality in a population of veterans with stable ischemic heart disease. Methods TNFR1 was measured from baseline serum samples in the Heart and Soul Study; elevated levels were defined by the highest quartile (Q4, >3.4 ng/ml). We evaluated associations of high TNFR1 with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and with longitudinal changes in eGFR (rapid loss), as well as with incident myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure hospitalizations (HF), and mortality over a median follow-up time of 8.9 years. Covariates included demographics and comorbid conditions. Results Among 985 participants who had TNFR1 measurements, median TNFR1 was 2.33 ng/ml (IQR 1.8–3.1). Relative to Q1, Q4 had higher risk of eGFR 2 (RR 11.71 [95% CI 5.46, 25.11]); ACR ≥ 30 mg/g (2.44 [1.15, 5.19]); and rapid loss in kidney function (2.10 [1.12, 3.92]). Although TNFR1 Q4 was associated with MI, HF, and mortality after demographic adjustment, there were no associations in fully-adjusted models (1.04 [0.44, 2.49]; 1.02 [0.48, 2.15]; 1.42 [0.88, 2.28], respectively). Conclusions Levels of TNFR1 are associated longitudinally with kidney function decline but not with MI, HF or mortality risk after adjustment. Kidney disease may mediate the risk of MI, HF, and mortality associated with TNFR1.