cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of anesthesia (tricaine methanesulfonate, MS222) on liver biotransformation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effect of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222) on rainbow trout liver biotransformation rates was investigated with a microsomal model; an in vitro preparation that can be employed with or without the use of an anaesthetic. Two experimental sets of rainbow trout microsomes were tested; one representing in vivo or surgical tricaine exposures and the other representing in vitro tissue/organ collection tricaine exposures. Microsomal incubations were performed on these two experimental groups with phenol as substrate to assess the effects of tricaine on Phase I (ring-hydroxylation) and II (glucuronidation) liver biotransformation by monitoring production of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CAT), and phenylglucuronide (PG). The use of a 2-h 100 mg/l exposure of tricaine for surgical anesthesia with or without 24-h recovery did not significantly (P< or =0.05) affect rates of phenol (Phase I and II) biotransformation rates; nor, did the 5-min 300 mg/l tricaine exposure for isolated organ/tissue collection significantly (P< or =0.05) affect phenol (Phase I and II) biotransformation rates. There were also no significant statistical differences (P< or =0.05) in P450 protein levels, or 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in these microsomal assays between any of the tricaine treated rainbow trout and controls.
Two cases of too elevated beta-HCG.

A 28-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with a 1-day history of vaginal bleeding. She reported her last menstrual period was two and one-half months before and she had a positive home pregnancy test 1 month before evaluation. The patient complained of persistent vaginal bleeding throughout the day without significant clots and without passing any tissue. She had some lower quadrant crampy abdominal pain that resolved by the time she arrived in the ED. The patient denied any chest pain, difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness, or dizziness. The patient had no significant past medical history or surgical history. There were two prior pregnancies; one living child and one aborted. Vital signs showed a temperature of 36.9°C (98.4°F), pulse 100 beats/min, blood pressure 152/68 torr, and respiratory rate 20 breaths/min. Examination revealed normal cardiovascular and respiratory examinations. The patient’s abdomen was soft and nontender to palpation with normoactive bowel sounds present. The uterus was enlarged to just below the umbilicus. On vaginal examination, there was minimal blood in the vaginal vault, a closed cervical os, no cervical motion tenderness, and no adnexal masses or tenderness. The patient’s laboratory results revealed a -HCG of 288,016 milli-international units/milliliter, normal complete blood count, normal electrolytes, and a normal urinalysis. A bedside ultrasound performed in the ED by the emergency physician revealed an enlarged uterus measuring 15.2 8.16 cm and echogenic material with fluid in the endometrial cavity (Figure 1, arrows). The ultrasound and -HCG were consistent with molar pregnancy. OB-GYN consultation was obtained and the patient was taken to the operating room for dilatation and curettage.
What matters: making the case for public support of teaching hospitals and medical schools.

For the last 100 years, U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals have convinced the public that they can be counted on to provide excellent care, train the next generation of medical professionals, advance research, and anchor their communities. Public support expressed through government funding has been correspondingly generous. But those who run academic medicine's institutions cannot take such support for granted, particularly in light of recent wide swings and inconsistencies in what the public wants, and must continue to work together proactively to show the public and its representatives that government funding is needed and deserved. In this article, the author focuses on issues of funding patient care, as the role of the government in supporting biomedical research as a public good is well accepted. The author reviews why academic medicine's institutions are unique and valuable (for example, teaching hospitals are generally the places that Americans expect to go for advanced specialized care; they also serve their communities' need for primary care, including care for the underserved). He then makes clear that the competitive marketplace model, which has recently begun to dominate health care, does not work in that arena, despite that model's success in other industries. For example, mergers, vertical integration, and simplified payment systems (in contrast to Medicare) have failed for teaching hospitals and medical schools because those strategies do not take into account the complexity of those institutions. He concludes with five approaches that leaders in academic medicine should take to work for the public good and to strengthen public trust and support for academic medicine's role in patient care (e.g., work for success at the local level to have influence at the national level).
Processing of Composite Cathode and YSZ Coatings for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In our research, composite cathodes of strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were produced by using slurry casting and sintering procedures. The slurry was prepared using ball milling. The time of ball milling was studied in terms of particle size and homogeneity of the powder in the slurry. The effect of the composition of the slurry on the microstructure was studied to obtain cathodes with desired porosity. The sintering process was also optimized to compromise the porosity, grain size, and strength of the cathodes. The YSZ coating was implemented using electrophoretic deposition in liquid phase. Different charging methods of the YSZ powder in the suspension was used and their results were compared. The microstructures of cathodes and YSZ coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM).Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Time-resolved room temperature protein phosphorescence: nonexponential decay from single emitting tryptophans

The single room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) residue of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH). Trp-314, and of alkaline phosphatase (AP), Trp-109, show nonexponential phosphorescence decays when the data are collected to a high degree of precision. Using the maximum entropy method (MEM) for the analysis of these decays, it is shown that AP phosphorescence decay is dominated by a single Gaussian distribution, whereas for LADH the data reveal two amplitude packets. The lifetime-normalized width of the MEM distribution for both proteins is larger than that obtained for model monoexponential chromophores (e.g., terbium in water and pyrene in cyclohexane). Experiments show that the nonexponential decay is fundamental; i.e., an intrinsic property of the pure protein. Because phosphorescence reports on the state of the emitting chromophore, such nonexponential behavior could be caused by the presence of excited state reactions. However, it is also well known that the phosphorescence lifetime of a tryptophan residue is strongly dependent on the local flexibility around the indole moiety. Hence, the nonexponential phosphorescence decay may also be caused by the presence of at least two states of different local rigidity (in the vicinity of the phosphorescing tryptophan) corresponding to different ground state conformers. The observation that in the chemically homogeneous LADH sample the phosphorescence decay kinetics depends on the excitation wavelength further supports this latter interpretation. This dependence is caused by the wavelength-selective excitation of Trp-314 in a subensemble of LADH molecules with differing hydrophobic and rigid environments. With this interpretation, the data show that interconversion of these states occurs on a time scale long compared with the phosphorescence decay (0.1-1.0 s). Further experiments reveal that with increasing temperature the distributed phosphorescence decay rates for both AP and LADH broaden, thus indicating that either 1) the number of conformational states populated at higher temperature increases or 2) the temperature differentially affects individual conformer states. The nature of the observed heterogeneous triplet state kinetics and their relationship to aspects of protein dynamics are discussed.
Replication of adult pancreatic-beta cells cultured on bovine corneal endothelial cell extracellular matrix.

A valuable system has been developed to study replication of adult beta cells. Isolated islets from adult rats were partially dispersed and plated on dishes coated with extracellular matrix from bovine-corneal endothelial cells. Within 24 h islet cells attached to the matrix and formed a monolayer. The proportion of insulin-, glucagon-, and somatostatin-containing cells in the cultures was characteristic of whole islets. Function of beta cells was assessed by measuring glucosestimulated insulin release. Insulin release from 7-day-old cultures increased 19-fold after a 16.7 mM glucose challenge indicating that beta-cell function was normal. Cellular replication in the cultures was assessed using the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU). BrdU incorporation was noted in insulin-, glucagon-, and somatostatin-containing cells and also in non-endocrine cells. Among endocrine cells, the majority of BrdU labeling occurred in beta cells. Beta-cell replication potential was assessed using different concentrations of glucose. The incorporation of BrdU into beta cells was affected in a dose-dependent manner by glucose; over a 10-fold increase of beta-cell BrdU labeling was observed when glucose concentration was raised from 5.5 to 16.7 mM. The system proved advantageous for studying the replication potential of adult beta cells.
X-ray mirror metrology using SCOTS/deflectometry

SCOTS is a high precision slope measurement technology based on deflectometry. Light pattern on a LCD display illuminates the test surface and its reflected image is used to calculate the surface slope. SCOTS provides a high dynamic range full field measurement of the optics without null optics required. We report SCOTS tests on X-ray mirrors to nm and even sub nm level with precise calibration of the test system. A LCD screen with dots/check board pattern was aligned into the system at the test mirror position to calibrate camera imaging distortion in-situ. System errors were further eliminated by testing and subtracting a reference flat which was also aligned at the same position as the test mirror. A virtual reference based on the ideal shape of the test surface was calculated and subtracted from the test raw data. This makes the test a ‘virtual null’ test. Two X-ray mirrors were tested with SCOTS. 0.1μrad (rms) slope precision and sub nm (rms) surface accuracy were achieved.
The ultrastructural histochemistry of the basement membranes of the exocrine pancreas.

The basement membranes in the exocrine pancreas were examined by routine electron microscopy, by fixation for electron microscopy with a glutaraldehyde-tannic acid solution and by staining for ultrastructural demonstration of mucosubstances with the dialyzed iron, high iron diamine, ruthenium red and Concanavalin A-horseradish peroxidase procedures. The basement membranes are considered from morphologic and histochemical observations to consist of an inner lamina lucida, an intermediate lamina densa and an outer lamina diffusa. Sulfated mucosubstance was found in the lamina diffusa of the basement membrane of all epithelial cells and capillary endothelial cells but was encountered in the lamina lucida of the duct cells exclusively. Bridging structures, presumably polypeptides, were also seen connecting the lamina densa and the basal plasma membrane in specimens fixed with the glutaraldehyde-tannic acid solution. The findings demonstrated that the histochemical and morphological qualities of the basement membrane are uniform for a given cell type but differ considerably among the several cell types in the pancreas.
Effect of Ni solute on grain boundary diffusivity and structure of βSn

Abstract The effect of Ni impurity on the self-diffusivity of βSn in the (1 0 1) symmetric tilt grain boundary is investigated. Using molecular dynamics simulations over a temperature range of 300–450 K. It is shown that Ni solute decreases the grain boundary self-diffusivity of βSn as the amount of solute in grain boundary increases. We also study the solute effect on the diffusive width of grain boundary and observe that low concentrations of Ni solute lead to shrinking of the grain boundary width relative to the pure βSn grain boundary.
Does asbestos exposure cause gastrointestinal cancer

The relationship between asbestos exposure and gastrointestinal malignancies is unlike the well-established correlation between occupational asbestos exposure and the subsequent development of pleuropulmonary neoplasms and mesotheliomas. Cohort studies on occupationally exposed workers suggest an association between asbestos and gastrointestinal cancer, but evaluation of dose-response, tissue analysis, animal experiment, and cell culture data yield inconsistent conclusions. No simplistic cause-effect relationship can be ascribed to asbestos at the present time, and the answer to the question, “Does asbestos exposure cause gastrointestinal cancer?” must await the results of additional studies.
Convergence properties of effective interaction expansions in a modified Lipkin model

Abstract The convergence properties of three methods for constructing the effective interaction are studied by comparing them to the exact solutions of a two-level Lipkin model modified for open-shell nuclei with a one-dimensional model space. The methods considered are the Bloch-Horowitz equation, the folded-diagram series of Kuo et al ., and the sequence of partial summations of the folded-diagram series. A criterion for the maximum region of convergence of both the folded-diagram series and the sequence of partial summations is established in terms of the overlap of the exact and model-space wave functions. The sequence of partial summations is found to be more convenient for calculations than the folded-diagram series.
Transient oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells results in caspase dependent and independent cell death and tau proteolysis.

The effects of an oxidative insult on cell survival and tau metabolism were investigated in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In this treatment paradigm cells were exposed to the membrane permeant oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) for 40 min, returned to fresh media and cell survival/death was monitored during the post-treatment period. Cell viability decreased significantly by 6 hr after tBHP exposure, and by 24 hr lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was 40.1 +/- 8.8% in tBHP treated cells compared to 8.1 +/- 4.7% in control cells. This oxidative stress paradigm also resulted in significant activation of caspase-3 by 2 hr post-treatment and nuclear apoptotic morphology. Furthermore, tBHP treatment also resulted in delayed tau proteolysis that was first evident 2 hr post-treatment. Treatment of the cells with the general caspase inhibitor Boc-Asp(OMe)-Fluoromethylketone (BAF) completely inhibited caspase-3 activation in response to tBHP, and delayed, but did not prevent cell death. BAF treatment also decreased tau proteolysis. In vitro, recombinant tau was readily proteolyzed by active recombinant caspase-3 into a stable breakdown product. Further tau in the cell lysates was cleaved by active recombinant caspase-3 at a rate, and to an extent similar to that observed for the well-established caspase-3 substrate poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP). These results suggest that oxidative stress-induced cell death occurs through both caspase-dependent and-independent pathways, and that tau is likely an in situ substrate of caspase-3.
A comparison theorem for permanents and a proof of a conjecture on ( t, m )-families

Abstract A comparison theorem for permanents is established and it is used to prove a conjecture on (t, m)-families.
Structures of MauG in complex with quinol and quinone MADH.

MauG has been cocrystallized with methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) with its TTQ cofactor in the o-quinol (TTQOQ) and quinone (TTQOX) forms and the structures of the resulting complexes have been solved. The TTQOQ structure crystallized in either space group P21 or C2, while the TTQOX structure crystallized in space group P1. The previously solved structure of MauG in complex with MADH bearing an incompletely formed TTQ cofactor (preMADH) also crystallized in space group P1, although with different unit-cell parameters. Despite the changes in crystal form, the structures are virtually identical, with only very minor changes at the protein–protein interface. The relevance of these structures with respect to the measured changes in affinity between MauG and various forms of MADH is discussed.
Autonomous local control and stability of multi-terminal HVDC systems

A new framework is presented for local control design and system stability analysis of high-voltage dc (HVDC) power systems having multiple sending and/or receiving terminals. The terminals are classified as voltage-source (VS) or current-source (CS) terminals. A VS terminal has a large capacitor in parallel with its dc interconnect ports and appears as a voltage source to the dc network, while a CS terminal has a large inductor in series with its dc ports and appears as a current source to the dc network. A local controller is used to regulate the current behind the capacitor in a VS terminal and the voltage behind the inductor in a CS terminal. Such local controls are designed based on local operation objectives and stability requirements of individual terminals. The capacitor voltages at VS terminals and inductor currents at CS terminals are not directly controlled, but are determined by the network topology and system dynamics. Supervisory system controls may be incorporated to influence VS terminal voltage and CS terminal current responses by changing local control set points. Different local control methods and their effects on system stability are presented for various network topologies. Small-signal methods to assess system stability using impedance models are also discussed. An offshore wind farm with series-dc collection and HVDC transmission is used as example to demonstrate the proposed methods.
Hormones, Genes, and Cancer

Hormones, Genes, and Cancer is a unique book, reviewing the role of hormones in cancer etiology, treatment, and prevention. In this book, breast and prostate cancers have been emphasized, whereas endometrial, ovarian, and testicular cancers have been briefly discussed. This is a multiauthor book, in which experts in a given field were engaged successfully to review the state of the art of research in the molecular genetics, etiology, progression, and prevention of hormone-related cancers.
The No Child Left Behind Act: A Look at Provisions, Philosophies, and Compromises.

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 was born in controversy, and the passage of time has not lessened the controversy surrounding it. Initially, this act appeared to be legislation which would have little or no impact on career and technical education. However, as CTE centers have expanded, course offerings which offer embedded mathematics and science credits to secondary students, and as some CTE centers have begun to offer standalone mathematics and science credit, this legislation may have a significant impact on personnel and program issues for CTE centers. A review of the literature revealed compelling arguments on both sides of this issue.
The Effects of Parameter Misspecification and Non-Stationarity on the Applicability of Adaptive Forecasts

A “blowup factor” is defined for the measurement of the effect on forecast error variance of two types of misspecification which may be implicit in the choice of a particular adaptive forecasting scheme: 1 misspecification of the number of non-zero parameters of the stationary linear stochastic process generating the observed time series, and 2 misspecification arising from postulating stationarity when in fact the generating process is non-stationary in mean.
Prevention and management of co-morbidities in SLE

The prognosis and survival of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have improved over the past few decades. The major cause of death is no longer active lupus, but instead cardiovascular disease, complications of renal failure, and malignancy. Co-morbid factors, including both traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, can be targeted according to accepted guidelines. We will emphasize the deleterious effect of corticosteroids in contributing to cardiovascular risk and the need to shift maintenance prednisone doses to a much lower threshold.
Origin and Chronologic Significance of Late Quaternary Terraces, Ouachita River, Arkansas and Louisiana

Efforts to differentiate Quaternary alluvial deposits along the Ouachita River between Camden, Arkansas, and Monroe, Louisiana, according to environments of deposition, have indicated the presence of five fluvial terraces, three of which are considered to compose the Deweyville terrace sequence. This sequence, lying stratigraphically between the Prairie terrace and the Holoceneflood-plain, can be distinguished partly by large meander scars that are characteristic of the terrace where it is present on several coastal plain streams. Previous investigations have established the age of the Deweyville terraces as being between 13,000 and 30,000 years B.P.; however, opinions vary regarding mode of origin. Morphologic characteristics of and stratigraphic relationships between the terraces along the Ouachita River indicate that a close causal relationship existed between the terraces and major episodes of aggradation and degradation in the Mississippi alluvial valley, but changes in hydraulic regimen brought about by climatic change were also significant. The chronological sequence indicated for the Ouachita Valley includes: (1) deposition of the Prairie terrace formation during the Sangamon Interglacial Stage; (2) primary valley degradation and deep stream entrenchment during waxing Early Wisconsin glaciation; (3) alluviation during waning Early Wisconsin glaciation with maximum valley aggradation occurring during the Farmdalian Substage; (4) secondary valley degradation and moderate entrenchment sduring waxing Late Wisconsin glaciation; and (5) alluviation and valley aggradation during waning Late Wisconsin glaciation, continuing into the Holocene. Rapid deposition of glacial outwash in the Mississippi Valley, including the development of an alluvial cone by the Arkansas River, resulted in the damming of the lower end of the Ouachita Valley during the Farmdalian Substage. A 500-to 700-sq-mi perennial lake, called Lake Monroe, was created by the damming; shoreline features and lacustrine plain remnants of the lake compose what is recognized as the highest and intermediate Deweyville terraces. The lowest Deweyville terrace was created subsequently during a period of waxing glaciation and valley entrenchment and under the influence of a pluvial climate. Empirical equations suggest that stream discharges were 6 or 7 times greater than at present and that precipitation was more than twice that of the present during this period.
The Gazophylacium: An Argument for European Medieval Religious Sites as the First Museums in the West

The origins of museums as public institutions are often traced to the mid- to late nineteenth century. However, medieval religious sites in Europe satisfy the current definitions of museums and operated in a role similar to that of contemporary museums. Evidence is presented to show that these sites were in fact museums as we conceive of the institution, based on similarities in audience, staff, funding, permanence, collections, exhibitions, social needs, and other purposes. European religious sites from the birth of Christianity to the beginning of the Renaissance are used as illustrations to demonstrate how these institutions were incredibly similar to museums today and should be recontextualized within museological history.
Operations achievable with coherent optical information processing systems

Coherent optical information processing systems are well known to be capable of performing a certain limited class of operations, such as Fourier transformation, Fresnel transformation, and linear, space-invariant filtering. Recently, advances have been made in broadening the class of achievable operations to include nonlinear operations and space-variant linear filtering. In this paper we review the operations commonly achieved in the past, and discuss newer techniques which are capable of significantly extending the class of achievable operations.
Iron by‐product as influenced by selective dissolution techniques, acidification, and soil reaction

Abstract A by‐product Fe‐dust material which accumulates from the steel industry results in an environmental disposal problem. It could have potential as a plant nutrient source since it contains approximately 43% Fe, 5% Zn, and 2% Mn. Laboratory experiments were conducted to explore solubility, availability and soil reaction relationships. Selective dissolution and fractionation were used to determine Fe dust solubility and to partition total Fe into solubility classes. Water and DTPA extractable Fe were rather low compared to the other fractions. The solubility of Fe by various extractants was in the following order: water < DTPA < 0.25 M HCl < 0.25 M H2SO4 < dithionite‐citrate‐bicarbonate (DCB) << acid ammonium oxalate. The x‐ray diffraction patterns of Fe dust and residue remaining after each extraction revealed the presence of well defined crystalline magnetite as a major component of the material. The two forms of Fe waste (dust and pellet) were treated with various amounts of H2SO4 in an attempt to...
A systems perspective to digital structures in molecular analysis

Within the last decade, the advance of miniaturization has opened the window to new systems that permit digital and molecular science to intersect, suggesting a new role for organic chemistry. Currently, fusion of molecules and electronic digits, as well as molecular-based digital structures, have expanded the conventional interpretation of the digit. This emergence has already generated new technological platforms with unique applications for molecular analysis and computation. We provide a brief overview of the conventional understanding of digital devices, examine the concept of molecular-based digits, and suggest new architectures by examining studies conducted on the compact discs. This analysis presents a perspective for the unique interaction of molecules and digits and the development of digital-based platforms for molecular analysis.
Fluid reabsorption in proximal convoluted tubules of mice with gene deletions of claudin-2 and/or aquaporin1

Deletions of claudin-2 (Cldn2) and aquaporin1 (AQP1) reduce proximal fluid reabsorption (PFR) by about 30% and 50%, respectively. Experiments were done to replicate these observations and to determine in AQP1/claudin-2 double knockout mice (DKO) if the effects of deletions of these established water pores are additive. PFR was determined in inactin/ketamine-anesthetized mice by free-flow micropuncture using single-nephron I125-iothalamate (io) clearance. Animal means of PFR [% of glomerular filtration rate (GFR)] derived from TF/Piothalamate ratios in 12 mice in each of four groups [wild type (WT), Cldn2−/−, AQP1−/−, and DKO) were 45.8 ± 0.85 (51 tubules), 35.4 ± 1 (54 tubules; P < 0.01 vs. WT), 36.8 ± 1 (63 tubules; P < 0.05 vs. WT), and 33.9 ± 1.4 (69 tubules; P < 0.01 vs. WT). Kidney and single-nephron GFRs (SNGFR) were significantly reduced in all mutant strains. The direct relationship between PFR and SNGFR was maintained in mutant mice, but the slope of this relationship was reduced in the absence o...
New two-mode bistability in an asymmetric absorptive multisection laser diode: theoretical analysis

A novel two-mode bistable laser diode (TMBLD) with an asymmetric cavity configuration is proposed and analyzed. It consists of a gain region, a saturable absorber region, and a set of mode-selective mirrors (or filters). These elements are arranged such that the saturable absorber acts as an intracavity loss for one mode and a bleachable absorber external to the cavity of the other mode. Both modes share the same gain medium and compete for the same gain. Bleaching of the absorber leads to a switching of the modes and possible bistability. This two-mode bistability results from the complementary processes of mode competition in the gain section and the mode-dependent effective cross section of the saturable absorber. A rate equation analysis of the device indicates that a switching time less than 200 ps and a modulation rate over 3 Gb/s should be obtainable. >
A mechanism for dislocation generation in shock-wave deformation

Numerous articles describing the changes in structure and mechanical response of metals and alloys induced by shock waves have been published in the past twenty years (I-3). Increases in the concentration of point (4) and line defects (5), formation of twins (6), martensite (7) and precipitates (8) have been observed in the residual structures. Smith (9) proposed the f i rs t model accounting for dislocation generation in shock loading. According to this model, a two-dimensional array of dislocations separated the high-density shockedmaterial from the virgin material; the translation of this two-dimensional interface coincided with the shock-front propagation. Aware of the fact that the passage of such an interface would result in undeformed material, Smith (9) hypothesized the presence of sources and sinks of dislocations, moving with the velocity of the shock front. Hornbogen (lO), based on the fact that shock-loaded iron (between 7 and II GPa) presents a substructure characterized by straight screw dislocations, proposed a modification to Smith's (9) model. Shock loading would induce the formation of loops; the edge components would propagate with the front, basically forming a Smith interface. However, the screw components would stay behind and would therefore be the salient residual feature of the substructure. Cowan ( l l ) suggested that at shock pressures generating shear stresses above the theoretical shear stress of the material a difference in dislocation generation mechanism might be expected. Above this stress, termed by him "supercritical stress," the limitations imposed on dislocation velocity would no longer be valid, and a Smith (9) interface might become possible. No specific mechanism is however proposed by him.
Microprogrammed implementation of computer measurement techniques

Microprogramming has been accepted as a valuable tool in several areas of system design. However, microprogramming has not generally been used as a tool for evaluating the performance of computer systems. This paper describes the implementation of several techniques useful for program monitoring, debugging and system measurement using the microprogramable features of an existing computer system. The measurement system is completely transparent to almost all target programs. Given an existing system with a writable control store, a microprogram measurement system may be the most flexible, inexpensive, reliable, and high-speed means of monitoring the performance of a computer system.
Fault Location in Power Distribution System With Penetration of Distributed Generation

It has been shown that coordination between protective devices in distribution systems in the presence of significant distributed generation (DG) will be disrupted. With the recent trend of adopting and integrating renewable resources and microgrids with distribution systems, it is probable that distribution systems will have significant and arbitrary penetration of DG in the near future. This will change the distribution systems to multisource unbalanced systems where protective devices may not coordinate. The fault location in this type of system will be a challenge. This paper describes a general method to locate faults in this type of system. The method uses synchronized voltage and current measurements at the interconnection of DG units and is able to adapt to changes in the topology of the system. The method has been extensively tested on a 60-bus distribution system for all types of faults with various fault resistances on all sections of the system, with very encouraging results.
From Concentration to Dispersion The Shift in Policy Approach to Disability Employment in China

In China, there has seen a significant increase in the disability employment rate over the past 20 years, largely due to socioeconomic growth factors and disability employment policy development. E...
Integrating Quantitative Skills in Introductory Ecology: Investigations of Wild Bird Feeding Preferences

Undergraduate biology education is undergoing dramatic changes, emphasizing student training in the “tools and practices” of science, particularly quantitative and problem-solving skills. We redesigned a freshman ecology lab to emphasize the importance of scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning in biology. This multi-week investigation uses observations of avian form and function and an extensive student-generated data set to introduce hypothesis testing, experimental design, and biological statistics. Research groups compare feeding preferences (location and seed selection) between selected species of wild birds, evaluating their findings quantitatively through descriptive statistics, graphing, and data analysis, and ecologically through comparisons of species biology and natural history.
Dietary Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Environmental factors, including diet, have long been suspected of contributing to the high incidence of cardiovascular disease in Western societies. The association between diet and cardiovas-cular disease was established primarily by results from ecologic studies and studies of migrating populations. These studies have provided evidence that populations consuming diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol and low in fruits and vegetables have higher rates of cardiovascular disease. This association is strong and consistent among different populations and depends on both quantity and duration.
Disrupting Cyclin Dependent Kinase 1 in Spermatocytes Causes Late Meiotic Arrest and Infertility in Mice

While cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) has a critical role in controlling resumption of meiosis in oocytes, its role has not been investigated directly in spermatocytes. Unique aspects of male meiosis led us to hypothesize that its role is different in male meiosis than in female meiosis. We generated a conditional knockout (cKO) of the Cdk1 gene in mouse spermatocytes to test this hypothesis. We found that CDK1-null spermatocytes undergo synapsis, chiasmata formation, and desynapsis as is seen in oocytes. Additionally, CDK1-null spermatocytes relocalize SYCP3 to centromeric foci, express H3pSer10, and initiate chromosome condensation. However, CDK1-null spermatocytes fail to form condensed bivalent chromosomes in prophase of meiosis I and instead are arrested at prometaphase. Thus, CDK1 has an essential role in male meiosis that is consistent with what is known about the role of CDK1 in female meiosis, where it is required for formation of condensed bivalent metaphase chromosomes and progression to the first meiotic division. We found that cKO spermatocytes formed fully condensed bivalent chromosomes in the presence of okadaic acid, suggesting that cKO chromosomes are competent to condense, although they do not do so in vivo. Additionally, arrested cKO spermatocytes exhibited irregular cell shape, irregular large nuclei, and large distinctive nucleoli. These cells persist in the seminiferous epithelium through the next seminiferous epithelial cycle with a lack of stage XII checkpoint-associated cell death. This indicates that CDK1 is required upstream of a checkpoint-associated cell death as well as meiotic metaphase progression in mouse spermatocytes.
Advocacy for Patients with Cancer Quality of Life Implications

The Genetic Revolution is having a profound effect on medical care today. Nowhere is that influence more significant than in the area of cancer care. Our understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and the discovery of “cancer prone genes” has changed our approach to the services and options available to cancer patients and those options can have a major influence on Quality of Life issues. Patients around the world are concerned about how genes may control their cancer destiny.
Molecular Biology of Endometriosis: From Aromatase to Genomic Abnormalities

Endometriosis has been initially described as the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue on pelvic organs or in extrapelvic sites; and this has been used as its key pathologic feature ever since. Endometriosis responds to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone by growth and inflammation, leading to pain aggravated by menses. It was proposed that pelvic endometriosis primarily originate from retrograde menstruation of a critical number of eutopic endometrial cells with stem characteristics. This postulate is supported by the molecular defects found in ectopic endometriotic tissue. Genome-wide differences in CpG methylation between eutopic endometrial and endometriotic stromal cells are present. Defective CpG methylation affecting several genes that encode key transcription factors such as GATA6, steroidogenic factor-1, and estrogen receptor-β in endometriosis gives rise to overproduction of local estrogen and prostaglandins and suppression of progesterone receptor. Progesterone receptor deficiency leads to progesterone resistance, resulting in decreased retinol uptake and retinoic acid production and altered retinoic acid action. These molecular defects collectively give rise to poor cellular differentiation, enhanced survival, and increased inflammation, which are the biological hallmarks of endometriotic tissue.
Abstract 3616: A Novel Model of Large Vessel Ischemic Stroke in New Zealand White Rabbits: Microcatheter Occlusion of the Posterior Cerebral Artery

Introduction: The rabbit small clot embolic model for large vessel occlusion (LVO) is well established, yet remains with limitations. Blind introduction of autologous thrombus often fails to occlude the target vessel, and when successful, the precise timing of occlusion and revascularization are difficult to control. Studies of cellular biology and neuroimaging of acute reversible cerebral ischemia (i.e., penumbral tissue) would benefit from a rabbit model in which LVO can be reliably induced and easily confirmed, where the time of occlusion and revascularization can be precisely controlled. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that microcatheterization of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in New Zealand white rabbits (NZWRs) would result in LVO, with time of revascularization controlled by microcatheter removal. We hypothesized that transient LVO would produce ischemia in subcortical structures supplied by the PCA (e.g., hippocampus), sparing the cortex, with longer duration LVO leading to irreversible cortical ischemia. Methods: Transfemoral 1.5F microcatheterization of the PCA was performed in anesthetized NZWRs using fluoroscopic guidance. LVO was maintained for 30 minutes (n=2), 60 minutes (n=2), 180 minutes (n=2) and 210 minutes (n=1), followed by microcatheter removal and reperfusion. Neuroimaging was obtained 3 hours later with MRI (3T DWI, FLAIR, gradient and perfusion sequences) and CT (64 slice noncontrast and perfusion imaging). Post-mortem histologic analysis of infarct was assessed using triphenyltetrazolium choloride (TTC) stain. Matched DWI and TTC sections were analyzed using ImageJ software. Results: Percent infarct of matched DWI and TTC sections was strongly correlated (r2 = 0.86). Transient LVO of 30-60 minutes resulted in infarction of the ipsilateral hippocampus and thalamus, sparing the cortex, while more prolonged LVO (180-210 minutes) led to cortical infarction as well. Conclusions: Image-guided microcatheter induction of LVO in NZW rabbits can reliably produce time-dependent infarction of cortical and subcortical structures, and thus may be a useful model for the study of penumbral cortical tissue.
Restoration and Management of Degraded Tropical Forest Landscapes

Tropical forest loss and degradation, as well as degradation of lands that formerly supported forest, are proceeding at unprecedented rates, eroding biological diversity and prospects for sustainable economic development of agricultural and forest resources. Between 1980 and 1990, an estimated 15.4 million ha yr−1 of tropical forests and woodlands were destroyed or seriously degraded, principally through agricultural expansion, uncontrolled livestock grazing, logging, and fuelwood collection (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1993). This is equivalent to annual forest cover losses of 0.8%, the greatest losses occurring in moist deciduous forests (6.1 million ha, or 1.00%, y−1) and in tropical rain forests (4.6 million ha, or 0.6%, y−1). Significant losses during this period also occurred in upland forest formations (2.5 million ha, or 1.1%, y−1) as well as in deciduous to very dry forest zones (2.2 million ha, or 0.5%, y−1).
Local Delivery Methods Into the CNS

The earliest forms of therapeutic drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) were systemically based intravenous and oral preparations. Despite attempts to increase target concentrations with intraarterial delivery or osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), systemic delivery remains hindered by systemic toxicity and the need for extensive drug modification for effective (80) BBB penetration. These limitations have provided the impetus for developing strategies of localized treatment for CNS disorders, to circumvent the BBB and increase local drug concentration without systemic toxicity.
Advanced Studies of Water Evaporation Kinetics over Teflon-Coated Tungsten Nanorod Surfaces with Variable Hydrophobicity and Morphology

Here, we present the process of water droplet evaporation over hydrophobic/superhydrophobic tungsten nanorod (WNRs) surfaces with various nanoscale morphologies and porosities. The WNR surfaces were fabricated by varying both Ar pressure and substrate tilting angle in radiofrequency magnetron sputtering by using the glancing angle deposition technique; their characteristics were analyzed by electron/atomic force microscopy and spectroscopy. The variation in the droplets’ contact angle, contact line diameter, and central height as a function of time showed that the evaporation process was highly influenced by the nanomorphology of the substrate. The surface roughness correlating with the wetting regime (Wenzel and/or Cassie) and the subsequent variation in the contact angle hysteresis (CAH) of the surfaces had a significant effect on the duration of each of the three evaporation modes that were identified. A strong agreement for the CAH determined by using two approaches—dynamic method (adding/withdrawing ...
The Role of Time on Task in Multi-task Management ☆ ☆☆

Extreme resistance to switching tasks can lead to cognitive tunneling. A four-attribute decision model of task management under load was recently built with an assumption of the resistance to switching tasks. Recent theory also suggests switch resistance declines with time on task, and this was tested in the current experiment. Participants managed sequential performance of four concurrent tasks in a multi-attribute task battery. The over-time trends in switch resistance, as related to both cognitive load, and stability of the tasks, were examined. Switch resistance showed no decrease over time overall, contradicting the existing theory. Instead, increases in switch resistance were found with an increased working memory load, and within periods of increased tracking task instability, shedding light on time-on-task effects and cognitive tunneling.
P20: LINK: ALLERGIC RHINITIS, ASTHMA & SLE

Purpose of Study The purpose of this study is to describe a link with allergic rhinitis, asthma and SLE..Allergy and autoimmunity results from this dysregulation. Allergens leads to i inflammation of mast cells via IgE-allergen and immune complexes linked with SLE. Type I allergy, Th2-driven disease based on IgE recognition of environmental allergens occurs in allergic rhinitis and asthma. Methods Used A described case report in a 49 year old Hispanic man with a history of SLE, diagnosed with Raynaud9s, childhood asthma,, mental retardation, depression, pancreatitis and referred for a generalized rash for many years, unrelieved by albuterol steroid creams, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Summary of Results Type I and, Th2 allergy, environmental allergens occurs in allergic rhinitis and asthma. Autoimmunity and environmental stresses contribute to both allergic and autoimmune diseases. SLE is a conditione due to interactions between genes, environment, and abnormalities of the adaptive immunity. T cells, polyclonal B cell activation, hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibodies and immune complexes. Asthma and autoimmune disease are associated with increased incidence of ANA9s suggesting the disease may have an autoimmune basis. Our case describes a 49 year old man with SLE, diagnosed with Raynaud9s, childhood asthma,, mental retardation, depression, pancreatitis and referred for a generalized rash sneezing, and nasal congestion,. Physical exam revealed normal vitals, bald head, diffuse facial skin freckles erythematous nasal turbinates,dermatitis of the lower extremity, normal cardiac finding, no wheezing or Raynaud9s,.+ abdominal tenderness, sIgE testing was performed for allergic rhinitis. Conclusions This interesting case illustrates a clear link with symptoms of allergic rhinitis, asthma and SLE.
Multi-State Detection of Change

The detection of change problems TDC and DC, presented and examined in Chapters 1 through 6, have been limited to the two-state case only. In defining the two problems in Chapter 2, we have assumed two mutually exclusive states, labelled S0 and S1, and a unique and irrevocable ‘random’ change from S0 to S1, associated with a change from f0(x) to f1(x). An obvious extension of problems TDC and DC is to detection of change processes consisting of more than two distinguishable states. Several such processes may be formulated, depending upon the number of states, the structure of the matrix of transitions among the various states, and the kind of delay and error losses. In the ensuing presentation such processes will be referred to as multi-state detection of change processes
Sexual Harassment in the Sciences: A Call to Geoscience Faculty and Researchers to Respond

As geoscience educators we focus on teaching students about a wide range of geoscience topics and helping them develop scientific skills. However, we also (deliberately or through unconscious behav...
The Role of e-Health in Optimizing Task-Shifting in the Delivery of Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C

Abstract Purpose: Recently, we reported the successful application of task-shifting to improve the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection receiving treatment with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents in underserved areas of California. We assessed the impact of e-health on task-shifting in our treatment model. Methods: In a retrospective analysis, we reviewed the impact of e-health on optimizing the delivery of DAA-based regimen to HCV-infected patients in outreach clinics in medically underserved areas of California. A nonphysician healthcare provider worked in close conjunction with a hepatologist to monitor the patients during the course of antiviral therapy. We exclusively used our institution-based, secured e-health portal as the means of communication with the local staff and patients in outreach clinics. Results: From January 2015 to June 2016, we treated over 100 HCV-infected patients with DAA-based regimens using the task-shifting model. During the study period, we ...