cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Assays and Immunoassays of the Myeloperoxidase/SCN–/H2O2 System

Strategies to detect and characterize myeloperoxidase (MPO) are needed, given that this "split personality" enzyme kills harmful microorganisms but also damages a host tissue. Here, we describe electrochemical approaches to measure MPO by using the pseudohalogenation (MPO/SCN-/H2O2) and catalase-like (MPO/H2O2) cycles. Their kinetics were determined by monitoring the consumption of H2O2 with a nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNT) electrode, which could detect 0.50 μM H2O2 at -0.20 V. The unique design of internally calibrated electrochemical continuous enzyme assay (ICECEA) and electrode stability allowed use of one N-CNT electrode for over half a year to reliably determine MPO. The kinetic measurements showed that (a) SCN- did not affect the affinity of MPO for H2O2, (b) catalase-like cycle was slower, and (c) MPO retained enzymatically active conformation after complexation with its antibody Ab both in a solution and on the surface of an antibody dipstick (d/Ab). The homogeneous assays could detect 5.2 μg L-1 MPO (35 pM) via a faster cycle. The heterogeneous immunoassays with the capture of MPO on d/Ab could detect 60 μg L-1, which was suitable for the accurate detection of MPO in human saliva (101% recovery). Replacing a detection antibody of ELISA with ICECEA as a signal transducer for immunoassays offers a rapid method for the selective determination of enzymes; for example, time of MPO quantification was cut from 3-4 h (sandwich ELISA) to ∼20 min (ICECEA-dipstick).
Automatically Indexing Millions of Databases in Microsoft Azure SQL Database

An appropriate set of indexes can result in orders of magnitude better query performance. Index management is a challenging task even for expert human administrators. Fully automating this process is of significant value. We describe the challenges, architecture, design choices, implementation, and learnings from building an industrial-strength auto-indexing service for Microsoft Azure SQL Database, a relational database service. Our service has been generally available for more than two years, generating index recommendations for every database in Azure SQL Database, automatically implementing them for a large fraction, and significantly improving performance of hundreds of thousands of databases. We also share our experience from experimentation at scale with production databases which gives us confidence in our index recommendation quality for complex real applications.
Lipstick meningioma: artifactual findings during diagnostic cerebral angiogram.

A 58-year-old woman presented for preoperative angiographic evaluation of a right occipital lobe tentorial meningioma adjacent to the transverse sinus previously visualised on sagittal contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain (figure 1A, arrow). The patient had age-related presbycusis but no other medical history beyond mild headaches as a teenager. Physical examination was unremarkable. During image acquisition, the patient was unable to hear instructions and proceeded to swallow during the few seconds of biplane image acquisition resulting in an unusual labial-appearing movement artifact. …
Vitamin D and MRI measures in progressive multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency is a proposed risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), but its role in progressive MS is not well understood. Objective To examine the association between vitamin D levels and MRI features in primary progressive (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Methods Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) levels were obtained from 267 subjects enrolled into the Secondary and Primary Progressive Ibudilast NeuroNEXT Trial in Multiple Sclerosis (SPRINT-MS). Associations between imaging data and vitamin D levels was determined using Pearson or Spearman correlation and multivariate regression analyses. Results 267 patients (age 55.6 ± 7.4, 47.2% male, and 51.3% PPMS) were evaluated with quantitative MRI and vitamin D levels. 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D3 were similar between PPMS and SPMS. There was no significant association between vitamin D and T1/2 lesion volume and brain parenchymal fraction. Modest associations were found between 25(OH)D3 and whole brain-magnetization transfer ratio (WB-MTR, r = 0.17, p = 0.007) and normal appearing grey matter MTR (NAGM-MTR, r = 0.15, p = 0.02). Conclusions 25(OH)D3 levels were not associated with brain volume or lesional measures in progressive MS contrary to what has been described in relapsing remitting MS. An association between WB-MTR and NAGM-MTR suggest higher vitamin D levels may exert a protective role on myelin content in progressive MS.
Methacrylamide-methacrylate hybrid monomers for dental applications.

Abstract Objectives The susceptibility of methacrylates to hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation may be a contributing factor limiting the clinical lifespan of resin composite restorations. The elimination of labile ester bonds is a potential advantage of methacrylamides, which have been shown to produce more stable restorative interfaces. The rationale of this study is to design hydrolytically and enzymatically stable adhesive monomers, with the added benefit of being able to form crosslinked networks. The objective of this study was to synthesize difunctional, hybrid methacrylate-methacrylamide monomers, and evaluate them as potential monomers for dental adhesives. Materials and methods HEMA, TEGDMA (controls) or secondary methacrylamides (HEMAM – commercially available, 2EM and 2dMM – newly synthesized) either bearing a hydroxyl group or a methacrylate functionality (Hybrids-Hy), were added at 40 mass% to bisGMA. The photoinitiator system consisted of 2-dimethoxyphenyl acetophenone (DMPA) and diphenyl iodonium hexafluorophosphate (DPI-PF6) at 0.2 and 0.4 mass%, respectively. Polymerization kinetics were followed in real-time by near-IR spectroscopy during light activation at 630 mW/cm2 for 300 s. Water sorption and solubility (WS, SL) were measured according to ISO 4049. Storage modulus in shear (G′) for 300 s was obtained by oscillatory rheometry. For the microtensile bond strength (μTBS), fully formulated adhesives containing 40 vol% ethanol were used to restore caries-free human third molars. Bonded specimens with 1 mm2 cross-sectional area were tested after 48 h and 6 months storage in water at 37 °C. Single bond (SB) was tested as a commercial control. Data were analysed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test and Student's t-test (α = 0.05). Results In general, hybrid versions showed lower polymerization rate and degree of conversion, whereas the methacrylate controls, HEMA and TEGDMA, showed the highest values. The hybrid versions showed lower values of WS and SL than their monofunctional versions. HEMAM Hy showed the highest values of G′ and TEGDMA, 2EM, and 2dMM-Hy the lowest. The μTBS values between 48 h and 6 months were statistically reduced only for the HEMA and both 2dMM materials. The formulation containing the monofunctional methacrylamide (HEMAM) showed only 9% reduction in μTBS after 6 months of aging, while the other groups showed a decrease ranging between 18% and 33%. Conclusion Overall, hybrid monomers showed lower reactivity than their analogous monofunctional versions, but had markedly lower water sorption. Shear storage modulus was affected differently by the addition of the second functionality. HEMAM-containing systems were able to maintain stable long-term dentin bond strength, which demonstrates that bonding stability is a result of the complex interplay among the factors studied. Clinical significance The novel monomers showed here are potential alternatives to the current methacrylate adhesives, with selected formulations presenting greater bond stability.
Diagnostic accuracy of early computed tomographic coronary angiography to detect coronary artery disease after out-of-hospital circulatory arrest.

Abstract Aim To test the diagnostic accuracy of ECG-gated coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) among survivors of out-of-hospital circulatory arrest (OHCA). Methods We prospectively studied head-to-pelvis computed tomography (CT) scanning ( Results Of the 104 enrolled OHCA survivors, 28 (27%) received both CT and invasive angiography in this sub study. All CCTA studies were evaluable although 49/346 (14%) individual coronary segments were unevaluable, primarily due to being too small to evaluate (65%). Patient-level diagnostic accuracy for the ≥50% stenosis threshold was high at 0.93 (95% CI 0.77–0.98) with a specificity of 1.0 (95% CI 0.8–1.0), sensitivity of 0.85 (95%CI 0.58–0.96), negative predictive value of 0.88 (95% CI 0.66–0.97) and positive predictive value of 1.0 (0.74–1.0). When non-evaluable segments were considered obstructive, the sensitivity rose to 0.92 (95% CI 0.67–0.99) with lower specificity of 0.27 (95% CI 0.11–0.52). Conclusion Early CCTA of OHCA survivors has high diagnostic accuracy to detect obstructive coronary artery disease. However, the number of non-diagnostic coronary segments is high suggesting further CCTA refinement is needed, such as the pre-CCTA use of nitroglycerin. Clinical Trial Registration NCT03111043 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03111043
Drug metabolising enzyme polymorphisms and chemotherapy-related ovarian failure in young breast cancer survivors.

Cyclophosphamide is associated with chemotherapy-related ovarian failure (CROF) in breast cancer survivors, however little is known about predicting individual risks. We sought to identify genetic ...
Single oral dose for HIV pre or post-exposure prophylaxis: user desirability and biological efficacy in macaques.

Abstract Background Daily oral pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP or PEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV infection. However, many people find it challenging to adhere to a daily oral regimen. Chemoprophylaxis with single oral doses of antiretroviral drugs taken before or after sex may better adapt to changing or unanticipated sexual practices and be a desirable alternative to daily PrEP or PEP. We investigated willingness to use a single oral pill before or after sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) and assessed the biological efficacy of a potent antiretroviral combination containing elvitegravir (EVG), emtricitabine (FTC), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Methods Data on willingness to use single-dose PrEP or PEP were obtained from the 2017 cycle of the American Men's Internet Survey (AMIS), an annual online behavioral surveillance survey of MSM in the United States. Antiretroviral drug levels were measured in humans and macaques to define drug distribution in rectal tissue and identify clinically relevant doses for macaque modeling studies. The biological efficacy of a single dose of FTC/TAF/EVG as PrEP or PEP was investigated using a repeat-challenge macaque model of rectal HIV infection. Findings Through pharmacokinetic assessment in humans and macaques we found that EVG penetrates and concentrates in rectal tissues supporting its addition to FTC/TAF to boost and extend chemoprophylactic activity. Efficacy estimates for a single oral dose given to macaques 4h before or 2h after SHIV exposure was 91•7%[35•7%-98•9%] and 100%, respectively, compared to 80•1%[13•9%-95•4%] and 64•6%[-19•4%-89•5%] when single doses were given 6 and 24h post challenge, respectively. A two-dose regimen at 24h and 48h after exposure was also protective [77•1%[1•7%-94•7%]. Interpretation Informed by user willingness, human and macaque pharmacokinetic data, and preclinical efficacy we show that single-dose prophylaxis before or after sex is a promising HIV prevention strategy. Carefully designed clinical trials are needed to determine if any of these strategies will be effective in humans. Funding Funded by CDC intramural funds, CDC contract HCVJCG2-2016-03948 (to CFK), and a grant from the MAC AIDS Fund and by the National Institutes of Health [P30AI050409] – the Emory Center for AIDS Research (to MZ and TS).
Analyzing the Efficiency of Machine Learning Classifiers in Hardware-Based Malware Detectors

The emergence of promising Internet-of-things (IoT) empowered Consumer Electronic devices resulted in their exhaustive proliferation across several safety-critical architectures. As Malware continue to evolve and escalate in form factor and count in modern-day consumer electronics, identifying such malicious entities is highly imperative to avoid unanticipated system behaviour. Modern morphic Malware can hide itself under the garb of a benign program, thus, evading detection by a conventional anti-virus software. Hence, Malware detectors using Hardware Performance Counters (HPCs) are gaining traction in this domain. HPCs are a collective integration of special purpose registers utilised to track low-level micro-architectural events such as branches taken, cache hits, etc. Machine Learning classifiers are trained on the manifested HPC data and then deployed on Hardware-based Malware Detectors (HMDs), which efficiently detect the incognito Malware activity. This paper explores the performance of such traditional Machine Learning algorithms over the HPC values obtained at execution, to estimate the efficiency of classifying an application as Malware or benign. A thorough experimental analysis of the multivariate network parameters for each Machine Learning algorithm projects the Random Forest classifier to furnish a class-leading detection accuracy of 83.04%.
Comparison of Modeled-to-Monitored PM2.5 Exposure Concentrations Resulting from Transportation Emissions in a Near-Road Community:

Residents living in near-road communities are exposed to traffic-related air pollutants, which can adversely affect their health. Near-road communities are expected to observe significant spatial a...
Designing a Periodic Table for Alloy Design: Harnessing Machine Learning to Navigate a Multiscale Information Space

We provide an overview of how to apply statistical learning methods to directly track the role of alloying additions in the multiscale properties of alloys. This leads to a mapping process analogous to the Periodic Table where the resulting visualization scheme exhibits the grouping and proximity of elements based on their impact on the properties of alloys. Unlike the conventional Periodic Table of elements, the distance between neighboring elements in our Alloy Periodic Table uncovers relationships in a complex high-dimensional information space that would not be easily seen otherwise. We embed this machine learning approach with an epistemic uncertainty assessment between data. We provide examples of how this data-driven exploratory platform appears to capture the alloy chemistry of known engineering alloys as well as to provide potential new directions for tuning chemistry for enhanced performance, consistent with accepted mechanistic paradigms governing alloy mechanical properties.
Iron Deficiency and Iron Excess Differently Affect Dendritic Architecture of Pyramidal Neurons in the Hippocampus of Piglets.

Author(s): Perng, Vivian; Li, Chong; Klocke, Carolyn R; Navazesh, Shya E; Pinneles, Danna K; Lein, Pamela J; Ji, Peng | Abstract: BackgroundBoth iron deficiency and overload may adversely affect neurodevelopment.ObjectivesThe study assessed how changes in early-life iron status affect iron homeostasis and cytoarchitecture of hippocampal neurons in a piglet model.MethodsOn postnatal day (PD) 1, 30 Hampshiren×nYorkshire crossbreed piglets (nn=n15/sex) were stratified by sex and litter and randomly assigned to experimental groups receiving low (L-Fe), adequate (A-Fe), or high (H-Fe) levels of iron supplement during the pre- (PD1-21) and postweaning periods (PD22-35). Pigs in the L-Fe, A-Fe, and H-Fe groups orally received 0, 1, and 30nmg Fe · kg weight-1 · d-1 preweaning and were fed a diet containing 30, 125, and 1000nmg Fe/kg postweaning, respectively. Heme indexes were analyzed weekly, and gene and protein expressions of iron regulatory proteins in duodenal mucosa, liver, and hippocampus were analyzed through qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively, on PD35. Hippocampal neurons stained using the Golgi-Cox method were traced and their dendritic arbors reconstructed in 3-D using Neurolucida. Dendritic complexity was quantified using Sholl and branch order analyses.ResultsPigs in the L-Fe group developed iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobinn=n8.2ng/dL, hematocritn=n20.1%) on PD35 and became stunted during week 5 with lower final body weight than H-Fe group pigs (6.6 compared with 9.6nkg, P ln0.05). In comparison with A-Fe, H-Fe increased hippocampal ferritin expression by 38% and L-Fe decreased its expression by 52% (P ln0.05), suggesting altered hippocampal iron stores. Pigs in the H-Fe group had greater dendritic complexity in CA1/3 pyramidal neurons than L-Fe group pigs as shown by more dendritic intersections with Sholl rings (Pn≤n0.04) and a greater number of dendrites (Pn≤n0.016).ConclusionsIn piglets, the developing hippocampus is susceptible to perturbations by dietary iron, with deficiency and overload differentially affecting dendritic arborization.
TTE and Chamber Quantification

This chapter will review the standard transthoracic echocardiographic examination. We will define basic terminology related to standard image acquisition. We will review the views and acquisition technique for the standard views that are obtained on a full TTE. For every view we will describe the structures that can be seen, the relevant chamber quantification (including standard reference values) and important Doppler interrogation that should be performed.
Where Do I Fit In? A Perspective on Challenges Faced by Asian American Medical Students.

Asian American medical students (AAMSs) face significant bias in the medical learning environment and are more likely than White students to perceive their school climate negatively. Little is know...
Conway Subgroup Symmetric Compactifications Redux

We extend the investigation of special toroidal compactifications of heterotic string theory for which the half-BPS states provide representations of subgroups of the Conway group. We also explore dual descriptions of these theories and find that they are all linked to either F-theory or type IIA string theory on K3 surfaces with symplectic automorphism groups that are the same Conway subgroups as those of the heterotic dual. The matching with type IIA K3 dual theories includes both the matching of symmetry groups and a comparison between the Narain lattice on the heterotic side and the cohomology lattice on the type IIA side. We present twelve examples where we can identify a type IIA dual K3 orbifold theory as the dual description of the heterotic theory. In addition, we include a Mathematica package that performs most of the computations required for these comparisons.
Thermogravimetric analysis of microplastics: A mini review

Abstract This mini review identifies several thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)-based methods for the identification and quantification of different microplastics in both proof-of-concept studies and environmental samples, and highlights method-specific limitations associated with their application. Well-separated and non-overlapping melting peaks are a conditional requirement for the identification and quantification of microplastics using thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC). Other TGA-based methods, such as coupled Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR) or mass spectrometry (TGA-MS), as well as thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS), are dependent on the presence of at least one unique thermal degradation product for use as a marker in the identification and quantification process. Varying degrees of time expenditure and complexity of analysis are present within the reviewed methods, with one consistent factor underlying the evaluation: an underutilization of information extracted from the TGA signal itself. As such, in this mini-review, we advocate the development of methods in which stand-alone TGA can be applied towards the chemical identification of microplastics. Although the main hindrance to this is the presence of overlapping thermal transitions, stand-alone TGA has long been used as a routine and robust method for the analysis of polymers, and methods for optimizing the resolution of complex mixtures are available. Current results in literature emphasize the complementarity of analysis methods, and TGA has potential to play a role as a rapid and facile method that can guide the chemical identification of polymers and address needs of current methods.
Cloning of alginate lyase gene (alxM) and expression in Escherichia coli.

Abstract The alxM gene encoding a D-mannuronan-specific alginate lyase has been cloned from a marine bacterium isolated as an epiphyte on the brown alga, Sargassum fluitans. Expression of this gene in Escherichia coli provides a source of this enzyme for probing alginate structure and modifying the mannuronan-rich alginate polymers produced by bacterial pathogens.
The Numerate Social Worker

Abstract In social work education, almost all efforts to teach quantitative analysis are relegated to statistics and research courses. This approach suggests that the only value of quantitative thinking is in formal research. Arguing to the contrary, this paper outlines some reasons why numeracy is essential to day-to-day social work practice. The mathematics preparation of social work students is reviewed and some attributes of the numerate practitioner are described. Some beginning steps are recommended to implement the proposed instructional strategy of integrating real-life quantitative modules in the curriculum. Numerate: marked by the capacity for quantitative thought and expression (Webster's, 1985)
The QCDSP Computer: Particle Physics With 20,000 Processors

The QCDSP computer (Quantum Chromodynamics on Digital Signal Processors) is an inexpensive, massively parallel computer intended primarily for simulations in lattice gauge theory. Simulations of quantum chromodynamics should produce the masses of hadrons, from first principles, and also many phenomenologically important parameters related to their interactions. We discuss some of the physics goals for this computer, its architecture and the status of the 8,192 node machine at Columbia and the 12,288 node machine at the RIKEN-BNL Research Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
The mean-absolute-error criterion for quantization

A significant property of the mean-absolute-error (MAE) criterion for optimum quantization is derived. A criterion based on output probability distributions is first formulated, and the two equations for optimum quantizer parameters based on this criterion are obtained. These are shown to be duals of the equations from the Max minimum distortion criterion, both pairs of equations having one equation valid under rather general definitions of the error criteria. These two general equations lead to a quantizer which is the minimum MAE quantizer. The resulting equations are simple to solve, and some numerical comparisons are presented. The implications for adaptive quantization based on this criterion are discussed.
Radioimmunoassay of human chorionic somatomammotropin in serum, amniotic fluid, and urine.

A method is described for measurement of human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) by use of a double-antibody technique, for concentrations ranging from 2 ng/ml to 20 µg/ml. The cross-reactive characteristics of rabbit anti-human HCS serum No. CT 3399 from NIAMD are explored. A dilution plan is presented utilizing a standard curve from 0.75 to 80 ng/ml. Concentrations (mean and ranges) for HCS in maternal serum (evaluated every four weeks during pregnancy), umbilical cord serum, serum from babies, amniotic fluid, and urine are given.
"Smile" incision: an approach for open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures.

Materials A consecutive group of 73 patients (77 calcaneal fractures) treated with open reduction and internal fixation through a smile-shaped lateral approach to the hindfoot were reviewed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were a closed displaced intra-articular fracture of the calcaneus, no compartment syndrome, and adequate followup. Followup ranged from 4 months to 4 years. Results One patient had a deep wound infection that required removal of hardware and intravenous antibiotics. No deep dehiscence or flap necrosis occurred. Superficial dehiscence occurred in three patients (4%) and superficial necrosis was seen in nine patients (12%); all resolved with continued casting to protect the wound. Six patients (8%) complained of numbness or pain in the sural nerve distribution. No symptomatic neuromas were seen. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy occurred in three patients (4%); all resolved with sympathetic blocks. Only one patient required an additional procedure for treatment of a wound-related problem or infection. Conclusion The "smile" incision provides good fracture exposure for reduction without added morbidity.
Optimal design of interleaved synchronous buck converter at high slew-rate load current transients

An interleaved synchronous-buck converter for powering future microprocessors is analyzed at high slew-rate load-current transients. Optimal design procedure is suggested based on derived equations for any number of channels. Output filter design example for popular 12-V input, 1.5-V, 50-A regulator is presented to illustrate analysis and compare different number of channels and type of capacitors for this application.
Effect of whole body periodic acceleration on airway endothelial function in smokers, non-smokers and asthmatics

Rationale: Cigarette smoking and asthma are associated with attenuated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the airway. Endothelial shear stress activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), leading to endothelium-dependent vasodilation. It has been shown that whole body periodic acceleration (WBPA), activates eNOS. However, the effect of WBPA on endothelial function in the airway has not been investigated. Objective: To assess the effect of a single WBPA session on beta-2 agonist induced, endothelium-dependent vasodilation (ΔQaw) in 15 current smokers, 15 never-smokers with asthma, and 15 healthy never-smokers, with the expectation that the treatment would transiently improve endothelial function. Methods: ΔQaw was defined as the Qaw response to inhaled albuterol (180μg). Nitrite and S-nitrosothiol blood levels (NO) were assayed using a tri-iodide based reductive chemiluminescence method. All measurements were made before and immediately after a 45 minutes WBPA treatment using Exer-Rest®. Results: WBPA increased mean baseline Qaw by 15.14±3.53 μl/min/ml in non-smokers (p<0.001) but had no effect on Qaw in smokers and asthmatics. ΔQaw remained unchanged in all three groups. NO levels tended to increase in asthmatics (13%) and non-smokers (31%), but the changes did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: A single session of WBPA increases airway blood flow in healthy non-smokers, but not in smokers and asthmatics. The treatment has no effect on the blunted endothelium-dependent vasodilation in smokers and asthmatics nor does it augment normal endothelium-dependent vasodilation in healthy non-smokers despite a tendency toward eNOS activation
Mining, Agriculture, and Manufacturing: The Impact of Foreign Investment on Social Distribution in Third World Countries

In recent years a great deal of attention has been directed to the application of multivariate statistical methods to the assessment of dependency approaches to North-South relations. This article ...
Exposing the Effects of the “Invisible Hand” of the Neoliberal Agenda on Institutionalized Education and the Process of Sociocultural Reproduction

The neoliberal proposition that the “invisible hand” of the market is the most efficient and just mechanism for structuring economies, societies, and cultures has had a powerful impact on the nature and delivery of what have historically been considered as “public goods” in America, including social welfare services and public education. The mode of operation through which extensive and powerful networks of organizations dedicated to the prosecution of the neoliberal policy agenda and the ideological propositions and popular culture mythology that serve to support the conceptual frameworks that undergird them run counter to the realities of overarching social structures in America. In point of fact, these ideological and mythological tenets and images work to obscure these dispositive structural realities, many of which revolve around the operative dynamics of social capital networks and the ability of persons across a class structure to create and/or access such networks. Herein, we undertake an examination of how the resulting interplay of social structure, culture and individual agency lies at the heart of the process through which neoliberal propositions take on the aura of hegemony and become subject to sociocultural reproduction across generations.
Monitoring plant growth using high resolution micro-CT images

A multidisciplinary research conducted at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory aims at understanding the molecular controls of partitioning, transport and fate of carbon fixed by photosynthesis in plants and its correlation with other measured plant system properties. Ultimately, we intend to develop a modeling framework to assess, correlate and predict as to which spatiotemporal changes in system dynamics are key to predicting emergent properties of system. Within this research, this paper relates to the quantitative morphological imaging of the main structures forming a plant (stem, roots, and leaves), their internal sub-structures, and changes occurring overtime.
Heavy use of prophylactic antibiotics in aquaculture: a growing problem for human and animal health and for the environment

Summary The accelerated growth of finfish aquaculture has resulted in a series of developments detrimental to the environment and human health. The latter is illustrated by the widespread and unrestricted use of prophylactic antibiotics in this industry, especially in developing countries, to forestall bacterial infections resulting from sanitary shortcomings in fish rearing. The use of a wide variety of antibiotics in large amounts, including non-biodegradable antibiotics useful in human medicine, ensures that they remain in the aquatic environment, exerting their selective pressure for long periods of time. This process has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquaculture environments, in the increase of antibiotic resistance in fish pathogens, in the transfer of these resistance determinants to bacteria of land animals and to human pathogens, and in alterations of the bacterial flora both in sediments and in the water column. The use of large amounts of antibiotics that have to be mixed with fish food also creates problems for industrial health and increases the opportunities for the presence of residual antibiotics in fish meat and fish products. Thus, it appears that global efforts are needed to promote more judicious use of prophylactic antibiotics in aquaculture as accumulating evidence indicates that unrestricted use is detrimental to fish, terrestrial animals, and human health and the environment.
The effect of physiological activation on nucleolar morphology in Allium cepa

When onion bulb epidermal cells are activated by exposure of turgid leaf bases to ambient atmosphere, nucleoli in cells adjacent to wound sites enlarge within three hours and change their shapes from round to oval and elongated-oval, and finally form dumbbell-shaped nucleoli. Nucleolar vacuoles were observed in 10% of the elongated-oval and dumbbell type nucleoli three hours after wounding and exposure to ambient atmosphere and in 70% of these 24 hours after treatment. These changes are inferred to be the result of activity at the molecular level (RNA transcriptional and ribosomal subunit processing).
PRMT1 interacts with AML1-ETO to promote its transcriptional activation and progenitor cell proliferative potential

Fusion protein AML1-ETO, resulting from t(8;21) translocation, is highly related to leukemia development. It has been reported that full-length AML1-ETO blocks AML1 function and requires additional mutagenic events to promote leukemia. We have previously shown that the expression of AE9a, a splice isoform of AML1-ETO, can rapidly cause leukemia in mice. To understand how AML1-ETO is involved in leukemia development, we took advantage of our AE9a leukemia model and sought to identify its interacting proteins from primary leukemic cells. Here, we report the discovery of a novel AE9a binding partner PRMT1 (protein arginine methyltransferase 1). PRMT1 not only interacts with but also weakly methylates arginine 142 of AE9a. Knockdown of PRMT1 affects expression of a specific group of AE9a-activated genes. We also show that AE9a recruits PRMT1 to promoters of AE9a-activated genes, resulting in enrichment of H4 arginine 3 methylation, H3 Lys9/14 acetylation, and transcription activation. More importantly, knockdown of PRMT1 suppresses the self-renewal capability of AE9a, suggesting a potential role of PRMT1 in regulating leukemia development.
LOCAL ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES IN GERIATRIC SURGERY.

In the march of medical progress it is possible to lose sight of certain useful techniques for the care of the patient. Today the general availability of excellent medical anesthesia tends to minimize the use of local anesthesia. With the increasing age of our population, the incidence of cardiac, renal, pulmonary and metabolic diseases likewise has increased. Local anesthetic techniques can be used effectively and safely in such cases. New local anesthetic agents that can produce safe anesthesia have created a renewed interest in local anesthesia, particularly for older or poor-risk patients. If the disease process can be successfully treated under local anesthesia, it is to the patient's advantage. In considering the various techniques of producing anesthesia, the welfare of the patient must be the primary consideration. The interests of time, expense, and convenience to the anesthesiologist or surgeon must not be served at the expense of the patient's welfare.
Protein phosphorylation in isolated mitochondria and the effects of protein kinase C.

When isolated intact rat liver mitochondria are incubated with [γ-32P]ATP the major phosphorylated proteins are those of 47 and 36 kDa. Phosphorylation of the 47 kDa protein, but not of the 36 kDa protein, is inhibited by carboxyatractyloside, an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATP uptake, while phosphorylation of the 36 kDa protein is inhibited by various uncouplers and an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration. Addition of purified protein kinase C to the isolated mitochondria leads to the phosphorylation of 69, 37 and 17 kDa proteins. As with other substrates for protein kinase C, phosphorylation of these proteins is dependent on Ca2+ and markedly stimulated by various tumor promoters.
Risk based package design

The shipment of hazardous chemicals can pose signficant risk to the general public and the environment. These shipments are made in a variety of packages ranging from small bottles to large tank trucks, tank cars, and barges. However, the many standards and regulations that have been established to govern the design and use of these packages define what many consider to be the minimum requirements for risk management. This paper presents a methodology that can be used to more thoroughly identify the risk minimization options and verify the design of a package for a particular service. This method is based on the concept of a threat analysis of the proposed movement of the hazardous chemical. The threat analysis looks for unusual (but realistic) threats to the package that may result in the release of the hazardous chemical to the environment. Such unusual threats may include events such as: Dropping of the package during loading; Accident enroute; External fire during shipment; Random acts of vandalism (using the package as a practice target); Puncture (fork lift collision with package, rail/truck accident); Crushing (sudden starting or stopping). By conducting an engineering analysis of the strength and ability of the container to withstand these unusual events, a package design that can withstand the threats indentified in the threat analysis can be defined.
Comparison of the effects of ultrasound and mechanical agitation on a reacting solid-liquid system

Ultrasound has been shown to have desirable effects on both homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions, such as increasing the conversion, enhancing the selectivity, and improving the yield. Enhancements due to ultrasound may be attributed to its chemical or mechanical effects, or to both simultaneously. The chemical effects of ultrasound are due to the implosion of microbubbles, generating free-radicals with a great propensity for reaction. Mechanical effects are caused by shock waves formed during symmetric cavitation, or by microjets formed during asymmetric cavitation. Research emphasis in this area has largely been restricted to the chemical effects of ultrasound and physical descriptions of cavitation. The present study is among a very few to attempt a chemical engineering analysis of the problem. More specifically, it seeks to discern the mechanisms behind the mechanical effects by selecting a model solid-liquid noncatalytic reacting system in which the chemical effects of ultrasound are negligible. Using several investigative techniques, the expected effects of ultrasound are observed, such as the degradation of the solid reactant, leading to increased surface area. More importantly, some novel findings of the effects of ultrasound on mass transfer parameters are reported. Results clearly show that ultrasound enhances the intrinsic mass transfer coefficient as well as the effective diffusivity of the organic reactant through the ionic lattice of the product layer. Discerning the effects of ultrasound on mass transfer parameters, as done in this paper, is an important step towards understanding the effects of ultrasound and determining its applications in the chemical industry.
The Gospel and Globalization

Going through a protracted period of transition since the end of the Cold War, the world order in the making is neither what was nor what it is yet to become. It is in “the middle of the future.” To get our bearings in this uncertain transition, we explore the two grand post-Cold War narratives—“The End of History” as posited by Francis Fukuyama and “The Clash of Civilizations” posited by the late Samuel Huntington. Mikhail Gorbachev looks back at his policies that brought the old order to collapse. The British philosopher John Gray critiques the supposed “universality” of liberalism and, with Homi Bhabha, sees a world of hybrid identities and localized cultures. The Singaporean theorist Kishore Mahbubani peels away the “veneer” of Western dominance. Amartya Sen, the economist and Nobel laureate, assesses whether democratic India or autocratic China is better at building “human capacity” in their societies.
Enhanced CO2 Storage and Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifers by Nanoparticles: Commingled Disposal of Depleted Uranium and CO2

Geological storage of anthropogenic CO2 emissions in deep saline aquifers has recently received tremendous attention in the scientific literature. Injected buoyant CO2 accumulates at the top part of the aquifer under a sealing cap rock. Potential buoyant movement of CO2 has caused some concern that the high-pressure CO2 could breach the seal rock. However, CO2 will diffuse into the brine underneath and generate a slightly denser fluid that may induce instability and convective mixing. Onset times of instability and convective mixing performance depend on the physical properties of the rock and fluids, such as permeability and density contrast. We present the novel idea of adding nanoparticles (NPs) to injected CO2 to increase density contrast between the CO2-rich brine and the underlying resident brine and, consequently, decrease onset time of instability and increase convective mixing. The analyses show that 0.001 volume fraction of NPs added to the CO2 stream shortens onset time of mixing by approximately 80% and increases convective mixing by 50%. If it thus originally takes 5 years for the overlying CO2 to start convective mixing, by adding NPs, onset time of mixing reduces to 1 year, and after initiation of convective mixing, mixing improves by 50%. A reduction of the CO2 leakage risk ensues. In addition to other metallic NPs, use of processed depleted uranium oxide (DU) as the NPs is also proposed. DU-NPs are potentially stable and might be safely commingled with CO2 to store in saline aquifers.
Parental behavior after perinatal death: Twelve years of observations

Perinatal death is a tragic occurrence, and parents vary in their needs and how they express grief. This prospective study describes choices parents made regarding contact with their baby following stillbirth or immediate neonatal death. Between 1 January 1979 and 1 March 1991, 808 consecutive families were enrolled in the Perinatal Mortality Counseling Program at the University of Florida. Following perinatal death, most parents wanted contact with their baby to personalize the event, information about the death and follow-up from their health care providers. However, no option was chosen by all parents. This large study strongly supports offering choices to all parents. Providers should neither bias parents nor make presumptions that would limit parental choices.
Theory of dendritic growth during the directional solidification of binary alloys

Abstract A theoretical model is developed to predict the characteristics of dendritic interface during the controlled solidification of binary alloys. Both heat and mass transport fields near a growing dendrite front have been considered, and an appropriate stability criteria has been developed to determine the dimension of a dendrite tip. The dendrite growth characteristics have been found to depend on two dimensionless parameters, G and A , and it is shown that these characteristics are controlled by G at low velocities and by A at high velocities. Simple relations have been presented for the limiting cases of G or A controlled growth. These results have been shown to be in good agreement with the available experimental data.
Management of pregnancy after augmentation cystoplasty

Reconstructions of the bladder using bowel are performed with increasing frequency; however, published experience with pregnancy after augmentation cystoplasty is extremely limited. Complications produced by pregnancy in women who have undergone such complex procedures may endanger the patient or her fetus, and can disrupt the reconstruction or impair renal function. A review was made of the available literature, in order to improve the counselling to patients who have undergone augmentation cystoplasty and desire to bear children, and to develop an approach to the management of their pregnancy. The incidence of complications during pregnancy after an augmentation cystoplasty is low, and the majority of these women can have an uneventful pregnancy and vaginal delivery. Close observation of renal function and prophylaxis against urinary tract infection during pregnancy are recommended. Elective cesarean section is advised for women who have had a reconstruction of the bladder neck or urethra or who have received an artificial urinary sphincter. Urologists and gynecologists must continue to report the outcome of pregnancy in their patients who have undergone major urinary reconstructions, if we are to develop meaningful data about the incidence of complications.
On subtrees of trees

We study that over a certain type of trees (e.g., all trees or all binary trees) with a given number of vertices, which trees minimize or maximize the total number of subtrees (or subtrees with at least one leaf). Trees minimizing the total number of subtrees (or subtrees with at least one leaf) usually maximize the Wiener index, and vice versa. In [L.A. Szekely, H. Wang, Binary trees with the largest number of subtrees, submitted for publication], we described the structure of binary trees maximizing the total number of subtrees, here we provide a formula for this maximum value. We extend here the results from [L.A. Szekely, H. Wang, Binary trees with the largest number of subtrees, submitted for publication] to binary trees maximizing the total number of subtrees with at least one leaf-this was first investigated by Knudsen [Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics, vol. 2812, Springer-Verlag, 2003, 433-446] to provide upper bound for the time complexity of his multiple parsimony alignment with affine gap cost using a phylogenetic tree. Also, we show that the techniques of [L.A. Szekely, H. Wang, Binary trees with the largest number of subtrees, submitted for publication] can be adapted to the minimization of Wiener index among binary trees, first solved in [M. Fischermann, A. Hoffmann, D. Rautenbach, L.A. Szekely, L. Volkmann, Discrete Appl. Math. 122 (1-3) (2002) 127-137] and [F. Jelen, E. Triesch, Discrete Appl. Math. 125 (2-3) (2003) 225-233]. Using the number of subtrees containing a particular vertex, we define the subtree core of the tree, a new concept analogous to, but different from the concepts of center and centroid.
The fatty acid transport function of fatty acid-binding proteins.

The intracellular fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) comprise a family of 14–15 kDa proteins which bind long-chain fatty acids. A role for FABPs in fatty acid transport has been hypothesized for several decades, and the accumulated indirect and correlative evidence is largely supportive of this proposed function. In recent years, a number of experimental approaches which more directly examine the transport function of FABPs have been taken. These include molecular level in vitro modeling of fatty acid transfer mechanisms, whole cell studies of fatty acid uptake and intracellular transfer following genetic manipulation of FABP type and amount, and an examination of cells and tissues from animals engineered to lack expression of specific FABPs. Collectively, data from these studies have provided strong support for defining the FABPs as fatty acid transport proteins. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms by which cellular fatty acid trafficking is modulated by the FABPs.
Phosphorus and micronutrient sources for potato

Potatoes(Solarium tuberosum L.) were grown on two sites of St. Johns’ fine sandy soil (sandy, siliceous hyperthermic Typic Haplaquod) during 1980 and 1981, to evaluate the effects of four P sources and four micronutrient sources on crop production. Mehlich-I (0.05 M HC1 + 0.025 M H2S04) extractable Cu (0.1 to 0.2 ppm), Mn (1.0 to 1.4 ppm), and P (8 to 15 ppm) were considered low. In both seasons, tuber yields were increased with an application of P. Yields were significantly lower with diammonium phosphate (DAP) than with liquid poly-P, liquid ortho-P or triple superphosphate (TSP) P sources. In both seasons, application of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, B and Mo did not increase yield over treatment without micronutrients added. Plant-leaf and shoot-tissue P concentrations were increased by the application of P and were higher with DAP than with the other P sources. Micronutrient applications decreased leaf and shoot P concentrations and increased Zn concentrations in one of the two years. Applications of P increased the soil Mehlich-I extractable P and Zn and micronutrient applications increased Cu, Zn, and Mn. Increases in extractable P and Zn were greater with DAP and TSP than with liquid poly-P and ortho-P. Soil Cu increases were greater with frit and sulfate than with chelates and oxide micronutrient sources, Zn was lower with chelates than with the other three sources, and Mn concentrations were highest with sulfate, lowest with frit, and intermediate with chelate and sulfate micronutrient sources.
Particle-Induced X-Ray Analysis of Rod Outer Segments and Disc Membranes from Bovine Retina

Particle-induced x-ray emission analysis (PIXE) has been utilized in an attempt to determine the trace element content of disc membranes and rod outer segments from bovine retina. Calcium, iron, copper, and zinc are detected and the amounts of each determined.