cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental abnormalities in multiple proliferative tissues of ApcMin/+ mice

Germ-line mutation of the Apc gene has been linked to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) that predisposes to colon cancer. ApcMin/+ mice, heterozygous for the Apc gene mutation, progressively develop small intestinal tumours in a manner that is analogous to that observed in the colon of patients with FAP (Su et al. 1992; Fodde et al. 1994; Moser et al. 1995). We have studied the effects of Apc gene mutation on murine intestinal and extra-intestinal, proliferatively active tissues. We have contrasted the histology to that of the age- and sex-matched wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Histological assessment of the normal appearing intestinal mucosa demonstrates minimal change in size of crypts. In contrast, villi are longer in the ileum of ApcMin/+ mice relative to C57BL/6 mice at 12 and 15 weeks of age. Vigorous splenic haematopoiesis in ApcMin/+ mice was seen at 12 and 15 weeks of age, as reflected by marked splenomegaly, increased splenic haematopoietic cells and megakaryocytes. Peripheral blood counts, however, did not differ between C57BL/6 and ApcMin/+ mice at 15 weeks of age. Lymphoid depletion in ApcMin/+ mice was characterized by diminished numbers of splenic lymphoid follicles and small intestinal Peyer's patches. The ovaries of 12- and 15-week-old ApcMin/+ mice exhibited increased numbers of atretic follicles, and estrous cycling by serial vaginal smears showed tendency of elongation in the mutant mice during these age ranges. The testicles of 10-week-old ApcMin/+ mice showed increased numbers of underdeveloped seminiferous tubules. Collectively, these data suggest that, in addition to its obvious effects upon intestinal adenoma formation, Apc gene mutation causes impairment of developmental and apparent differentiation blockade in proliferative tissues, including those of the haematopoietic system, lymphoid and reproductive tract.
Regulation of the Circadian Oscillator in Xenopus Retinal Photoreceptors by Protein Kinases Sensitive to the Stress-activated Protein Kinase Inhibitor, SB 203580*

Circadian rhythms are generated by transcriptional and translational feedback loops. Stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) are known to regulate transcription factors in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli. In the present study, we examined whether the SAPKs play a role in the circadian system in cultured Xenopus retinal photoreceptor layers. A 6-h pulse of SB 203580, an inhibitor of SAPKs, reset the circadian rhythm of melatonin in a phase-dependent manner similar to dark pulses. This phase-shifting effect was dose-dependent over the range of 1-100 microm. Treatment with SB 203580 also affected light-induced phase shifts, and light had no effect on the circadian oscillator in the presence of 100 microm SB 203580. In-gel kinase assays showed that SB 203580 selectively inhibited a small group of protein kinases in the photoreceptor cells. These SB 203580-sensitive kinases correspond to two isoforms of phosphorylated p38 MAPK and three isoforms of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Further in vitro study demonstrated that SB 203580 also inhibited casein kinase Iepsilon (CKIepsilon), which has been shown to regulate circadian rhythms in several organisms. However, a pharmacological inhibition of CKI reset the circadian oscillator in a phase-dependent manner distinct from that of SB 203580. This argues against a primary role of CKI in the phase-shifting effects of SB 203580. These results suggest that SB 203580 affects the circadian system by inhibiting p38 MAPKs or JNKs and that these protein kinases are candidate cellular signals in the regulation of the circadian oscillator in the Xenopus retinal photoreceptors.
Prediction of the Trayed Distillation Column Mass-Transfer Performance by Neural Networks

The sieve-tray distillation column mass-transfer efficiency was successfully modeled using a neural network. The database developed by Garcia and Fair (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2000, 39, 1809) was utilized to train and validate the neural network model. The results indicate that, if the system is similar to the data used to train the neural network, the purely empirical neural network model yields very accurate predictions. However, in areas where data are lacking, even if the input parameters are in the same range as those in the database, the neural network model must make extrapolations and will therefore make unreliable predictions. MS Excel programs based on the results from neural networks were developed for the prediction of the sieve-tray efficiency and structured packing height equivalent to a theoretical plate. These programs represent a convenient and easy to use tool. Moreover, they make better predictions than a single neural network and make it possible to detect extrapolations and misleading predictions.
Degradation of NF-κB, p53 and other regulatory redox-sensitive proteins by thiol-conjugating and -nitrosylating drugs in human tumor cells

The ionized cysteines present on the surfaces of many redox-sensitive proteins play functionally essential roles and are readily targeted by the reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species. Using disulfiram (DSF) and nitroaspirin (NCX4016) as the model compounds that mediate thiol-conjugating and nitrosylating reactions, respectively, we investigated the fate of p53, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and other redox-responsive proteins following the exposure of human cancer cell lines to the drugs. Both drugs induced glutathionylation of bulk proteins in tumor cells and cell-free extracts. A prominent finding of this study was a time- and dose-dependent degradation of the redox-regulated proteins after brief treatments of tumor cells with DSF or NCX4016. DSF and copper-chelated DSF at concentrations of 50-200 µM induced the disappearance of wild-type p53, mutant p53, NF-κB subunit p50 and the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 (UBE1) in tumor cell lines. DSF also induced the glutathionylation of p53. The recombinant p53 protein modified by DSF was preferentially degraded by rabbit reticulocyte lysates. The proteasome inhibitor PS341 curtailed the DSF-induced degradation of p53 in HCT116 cells. Further, the NCX4016 induced a dose-dependent disappearance of the UBE1 and NF-κB p50 proteins in cell lines, besides a time-dependent degradation of aldehyde dehydrogenase in mouse liver after a single injection of 150 mg/kg. The loss of p53 and NF-kB proteins correlated with decreases in their specific binding to DNA. Our results demonstrate the hitherto unrecognized ability of the non-toxic thiolating and nitrosylating agents to degrade regulatory proteins and highlight the exploitable therapeutic benefits.
Validating growth and development of a seabird as an indicator of food availability: captive‐reared Caspian Tern chicks fed ad libitum and restricted diets

For seabirds raising young under conditions of limited food availability, reducing chick provisioning and chick growth rates are the primary means available to avoid abandonment of a breeding effort. For mostseabirds,however,baselinedatacharacterizingchickgrowthanddevelopmentunderknownfeedingconditions are unavailable, so it is difficult to evaluate chick nutritional status as it relates to foraging conditions near breeding colonies. To address this need, we examined the growth and development of young Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia), a cosmopolitan, generalist piscivore, reared in captivity and fed ad libitum and restricted (ca. one-third lower caloric intake) diets. Ad libitum-fed chicks grew at similar rates and achieved a similar size at fledging as previously documented for chicks in the wild and had energetic demands that closely matched allometric predictions. We identified three general characteristics of food-restricted Caspian Tern chicks compared to ad libitum chicks: (1) lower age-specific body mass, (2) lower age-specific skeletal and feather size, such as wing chord length, and (3) heightened levels of corticosterone in blood, both for baseline levels and in response to acute stress. Effects of diet restriction on feather growth (10-11% slower growth in diet-restricted chicks) were less pronounced than effects on structural growth (37-52% slower growth) and body mass (24% lower at fledging age), apparently due to preferential allocation of food resources to maintain plumage growth. Our results suggest that measurements of chick body mass and feather development (e.g., wing chord or primary length) or measurement of corticosterone levels in the blood would allow useful evaluation of the nutritional status of chicks reared in the wild and of food availability in the foraging range of adults. Such evaluations could also inform demography studies (e.g., predict future recruitment) and assist in evaluating designated piscivorous waterbird conservation (colony) sites.
Curricular Perspectives for Gifted Limited English Proficient Students

Abstract This paper underscores the necessity for educators and schools to extend special attention to the educational needs of gifted Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. In this perspective, the author provides a vivid description of particular characteristics found among gifted students, and he presents a description of viable arrangements, curricular components, and instructional approaches especially designed to accommodate and enhance their education.
Localization of epithelial sodium channel subunit mRNAs in adult rat lung by in situ hybridization

The transport of Na+ through amiloride-sensitive sodium channels (ENaC) plays a major role in the absorption of fluid across the pulmonary epithelium. The proteins forming the ENaC channel are encoded by three genes in the rat (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-rENaC). According to Northern blot, all three subunit mRNAs were expressed in adult rat lung. Each subunit was expressed as a single transcript of approximately 3.7, 2.2, and 3.2 kb for alpha-, beta-, and gamma-rENaC, respectively. To localize the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-rENaC subunit mRNAs, we used in situ hybridization. Frozen and paraffin-embedded tissues were hybridized with sense and antisense 35S-labeled riboprobes. The alpha-rENaC mRNA was most abundant and was expressed diffusely in epithelia of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. At the alveolar level, alpha-rENaC was expressed in type II cells. The beta- and gamma-rENaC mRNAs were most abundant in the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelia. All three subunits were expressed in the renal cortical collecting duct in a pattern similar to that previously reported by other investigators. Thus the rENaC subunit mRNAs are expressed in regions of the lung where functional Na+ absorption is found. These results are consistent with an important role for ENaC in the absorption of Na+ and fluid across the pulmonary epithelium in all regions of the lung.
Osteogenic Differentiation of MSC through Calcium Signaling Activation: Transcriptomics and Functional Analysis

The culture of progenitor mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) onto osteoconductive materials to induce a proper osteogenic differentiation and mineralized matrix regeneration represents a promising and widely diffused experimental approach for tissue-engineering (TE) applications in orthopaedics. Among modern biomaterials, calcium phosphates represent the best bone substitutes, due to their chemical features emulating the mineral phase of bone tissue. Although many studies on stem cells differentiation mechanisms have been performed involving calcium-based scaffolds, results often focus on highlighting production of in vitro bone matrix markers and in vivo tissue ingrowth, while information related to the biomolecular mechanisms involved in the early cellular calcium-mediated differentiation is not well elucidated yet. Genetic programs for osteogenesis have been just partially deciphered, and the description of the different molecules and pathways operative in these differentiations is far from complete, as well as the activity of calcium in this process. The present work aims to shed light on the involvement of extracellular calcium in MSC differentiation: a better understanding of the early stage osteogenic differentiation program of MSC seeded on calcium-based biomaterials is required in order to develop optimal strategies to promote osteogenesis through the use of new generation osteoconductive scaffolds. A wide spectrum of analysis has been performed on time-dependent series: gene expression profiles are obtained from samples (MSC seeded on calcium-based scaffolds), together with related microRNAs expression and in vivo functional validation. On this basis, and relying on literature knowledge, hypotheses are made on the biomolecular players activated by the biomaterial calcium-phosphate component. Interestingly, a key role of miR-138 was highlighted, whose inhibition markedly increases osteogenic differentiation in vitro and enhance ectopic bone formation in vivo. Moreover, there is evidence that Ca-P substrate triggers osteogenic differentiation through genes (SMAD and RAS family) that are typically regulated during dexamethasone (DEX) induced differentiation.
Fracture Toughness of Hydrided Zircaloy-4 Sheet Under Through-Thickness Crack Growth Conditions

The susceptibility of fuel cladding to failure in the case of a postulated reactivity-initiated accident may be determined by crack initiation within a hydride blister or rim and subsequent crack growth through the thickness of the cladding. This study has determined the fracture toughness of hydrided cold- worked stress relieved Zircaloy-4 sheet subject to through-thickness crack growth at both 25 and 300°C. The experimental approach utilizes a novel procedure in which a narrow linear strip of brittle hydride blister across the specimen width creates a well-defined precrack upon initial loading. The subsequent crack growth resistance is then characterized by four-point bending of the specimen and an elastic-plastic frac- ture mechanics analysis. At room temperature, the through-thickness fracture toughness K q is sensitive to the orientation of the hydride platelets and K q 25 MPam for crack growth through a mixed in-plane/out- of-plane hydride field. In contrast, K q is much higher 75 MPam when the hydride platelets are oriented predominantly in the plane of the sheet and therefore normal to both the crack plane and the crack growth direction. At 300°C, the material exhibits greater ductility as the hydride particles within the matrix resist fracture such that K q 83 MPam, despite the much lower flow stress of the material.
Developmen t of a Modular Avionics System f or Use in Fixed and Rotary Wing UAVs

This paper introduces the development of a modular avionics system for use in rotary and fixed wing UAVs at The University of Kansas, Department of Aerospace Engineering. A 486/586-class processor is used in combination with an EPIC style micro-controller for flight data acquisition and storage. This SBC (single board computer) is used for analog to digital conversions, as well as for collecting serial data through one or more of its four communication ports. Flight data is stored on a removable flash drive that is located on the SBC. The navigation solution is supplied by the Crossbow NAV 420 that integrates 3-axis linear accelerations, 3-axis angular rates, 3-axis magnetic field, and a GPS into a full state estimate through the use of an Extended Kalman Filter. The flight computer, navigation solution, analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, digital I/O, and power regulators are all integrated into a single box.
Manipulating Orchard Ground Cover to Reduce Invasion by Leafhopper Vectors of Peach X-Disease

Adults of six leafhopper vectors of X-disease. Colladonus clitellarius (Say). Fieberiella florii (Stal). Gyponana lamina DeLong. Norvellina seminuda (Say). Paraphlepsius irroratus (Say), and Scaphytopius acutus (Say) invaded an experimental peach block in Hamden, Conn. The number and species of leafhoppers captured on clear sticky traps hung in peach trees 6 m apart varied depending upon which of four different ground cover types was beneath. The greatest number of adult leafhoppers trapped between 10 June and 28 October 1980 were from plots where ground cover was pure red clover, Trifolium pratense L. ( n = 1,115). Significantly fewer adults were trapped on peach trees with mixed weeds, mainly rosaceous species ( n = 575). pure orchard grass, Dactylis glomerata L. ( n = 364). or bare ground ( n = 211) beneath. Most S. acutus ( n = 878) occurred on trees with red clover beneath. whereas relatively few occurred on trees with either orchard grass or bare ground beneath. The most abundant leafhopper vector. P. irroratus . ( n = 1,289) did not discriminate among ground cover types; a substantial portion of the population was captured on trees in all but the plots with bare ground. Managing the orchard floor free of host plants to discourage invasion by leafhopper vectors may reduce the spread of peach X-disease.
Growth, sporulation, and germination of spores of thermophilic fungi incubated in sun-heated soil.

Rates of growth, sporulation, and spore germination were determined for thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi incubated in the field in sunheated soil and in shade, and in the laboratory at constan...
The Concept of Monophyly: A Speculative Essay

The concept of monophyly is central to much of modern biology. Despite many efforts over many years, important questions remain unanswered that relate both to the concept itself and to its various applications. This essay focuses primarily on four of these: i) Is it possible to define monophyly operationally, specifically with respect to both the structures of genomes and at the levels of the highest phylogenetic categories (kingdoms, phyla, classes)? ii) May the mosaic and chimeric structures of genomes be sufficiently important factors in phylogeny that situations exist in which the concept may not be applicable? iii) In the history of life on earth were there important groups of organisms that probably had polyphyletic, rather than monophyletic, origins? iv) Does the near universal search for monophyletic origins of clades lead, on occasion, to both undesirable narrowing of acceptable options for development of evolutionary scenarios and sometimes actual omission from consideration of less conventional types of both data and modes of thought, possibly at the expense of biological understanding? Three sections in the essay consider possible answers to these questions: i) A reassessment is made of major features of both the concept and some of its applications. Recent research results make it seem improbable that there could have been single basal forms for many of the highest categories of evolutionary differentiation (kingdoms, phyla, classes). The universal tree of life probably had many roots. Facts contributing to this perception include the phylogenetically widespread occurrences of: horizontal transfers of plasmids, viral genomes, and transposons; multiple genomic duplications; the existence and properties of large numbers of gene families and protein families; multiple symbioses; broad-scale hybridizations; and multiple homoplasys. Next, justifications are reassessed for the application of monophyletic frameworks to two major evolutionary developments usually interpreted as having been monophyletic: ii) the origins of life; and iii) the origins of the vertebrate tetrapods. For both cases polyphyletic hypotheses are suggested as more probable than monophyletic hypotheses. Major conclusions are, as answers to the four questions posed above: probably not, yes, yes, and yes.
Transfer and Learning to Learn in Perceptual Learning

As there is considerable current interest in the training characteristics that produce nonspecific perceptual learning, we propose that it may be useful to differentiate between “transfer” and “learning to learn.” These two constructs emerge from learning at different levels of a hierarchical Bayesian model. At the lowest level of the hierarchy is the individual learning task, where the subject is typically asked to estimate the probability of a state given data (e.g., the probability that the answer is “clockwise” given an oriented gabor). By Bayes' rule, improving this estimate requires learning the probability of the data given the states (i.e. the likelihood). Tasks to which learning at this level should “transfer” are those that utilize the same likelihood as that which is learned during training (and thus requires that the tasks share a common state representation). Consistent with this viewpoint we have shown transfer of learning across orientation that is dependent on the state representation inhe...
A Vision for Education: Transforming How Formal Systems are Taught Within Mass Lectures by Using Pen Technology to Create a Personalized Learning Environment

This work-in-progress outlines both a key opportunity to understand the loss of STEM students as well as our vision for a transformative learning tool in development called Logic Sketch. Logic Sketch will use pen technology to provide a personal learning experience for every student in a mass lecture. It will monitor each student’s progress, and offer supplementary instruction and exercises that are specifically tailored to individual needs. By instilling a deeper understanding of how to work with formal systems, we expect to reduce math anxiety. This may aid in overcoming the problem of the underrepresented majority: the demographic that constitutes the majority of university students (females and non-white males) is underrepresented in STEM disciplines. The target demographic is over represented in mass lectures on logic. Thus, we are in a position to better understand a number of ill understood factors such as the extent to which math anxiety inhibits a student’s willingness to pursue a STEM degree.
The effects of antimalarial drugs on nucleic acid synthesis in vitro in Tetrahymena pyriformis.

Solubilized DNA and RNA polymerases were prepared from disrupted nuclei of Tetrahymena pyriformis and partially purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The enzymes were characterized and shown to carry out DNA replication and DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. The effects of three antimalarial drugs, quinine, primaquine, and chloroquine, on DNA and RNA syntheses by the intact nuclei and the solubilized polymerases were also investigated. For each drug dose-response curves were constructed, with each curve including the two drug concentrations which have previously been found to inhibit cell division by 80-90% and 100%, respectively, in T. pyriformis. At these two concentrations quinine and primaquine were shown to have relatively little inhibitory effect on the reactions of the test systems in vitro as compared to previously reported inhibition of precursor incorporation into nucleic acids of intact cells. These results indicate that the primary action of these two drugs in T. pyriformis may not be inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, and that they may possess another mechanism for blocking precursor incorporation by T. pyriformis in vivo. Chloroquine, however, at the concentrations which block cell division, was shown to inhibit markedly the synthesis of both DNA and RNA by the solubilized polymerases and DNA synthesis by nuclei. These results indicate that inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis may, in part, account for the effects of this drug on T. pyriformis.
Long-term experimental hybrid swarms between nearly incompatible Tigriopus californicus populations: persistent fitness problems and assimilation by the superior population

For the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus, outbreeding depression for a variety of fitness measures is typically observed in early-generation interpopulation hybrids. We examined both controlled crosses and long-term, freely mating experimental hybrid swarms composed of individuals from Baja California (Mexico) populations Playa Altamira and Punta Morro. In controlled crosses, F1 and F2 hybrids showed large and significant declines in hatching numbers compared to parentals, while reciprocal backcrosses produced no offspring at all. For long-term studies, four treatment groups were initiated: 100%PA, 100%PM, 50%PA: 50%PM, and 80%PA: 20%PM. Replicates were surveyed at 3-month intervals for morphometric, census and fitness measures. The PA and 80PA:20PM treatments had initial fitness below the PM treatment, and went extinct within the first 12 months of the experiment. The 50:50 treatment had fitness below the PM parent at the 3- and 6-month time points, recovered to equivalent or superior fitness from months 9 to 18, and dropped again below PM at month 21. Limited genotyping of diagnostic microsatellites was consistent with PM alleles going nearly to fixation in hybrid replicates and male morphological data were concordant with a shift toward PM values. Results were strikingly different from a recent study of a different pair of populations showing extensive introgression and superior fitness in hybrid populations. This demonstrates how long-term consequences of population mixing depend on the relative fitness and level of compatibility between hybridizing populations.
Atomic — Scale study of model CdTe grain boundaries

Poly-crystalline CdTe-based thin film photovoltaic (PV) devices are the forerunners in commercialized solar cell technology. Despite the commercial success, best laboratory cells achieve ∼21.5% power conversion efficiency and hence are still ∼10% short of theoretical limit. In this collaborative research project we investigate effects of the grain boundaries via wafer- bonded CdTe bicrystals. Lifetime measurements are carried out using two-photon absorption, while atomic resolution imaging and first-principles calculations are used to correlate the results. Here we present fundamental atomic-scale studies of several model grain boundaries.
Immunogenicity of Haemophilus Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines in Related and Unrelated Transplant Recipients.

Abstract Despite advances in post transplant supportive care, invasive infections due to Haemophilus influenza and pneumococcus continue to result in significant morbidity and mortality long after successful HCT. Introduction of the protein-conjugated vaccines in healthy children has been associated with a reduction in invasive infections due to these organisms. Although current post transplant guidelines recommend immunization with the protein-conjugated H. flu vaccine, they still include the use of the 23-valent pure polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV), a poor immunogen even in HLA matched sibling transplant recipients. There is limited data on the immunogenicity of any of these vaccines in recipients of an unrelated or T-cell depleted (TCD) HCT. In this study, we evaluated the responses of 270 allogeneic transplant patients who received the H flu conjugate vaccine and initial pneumococcal vaccination with either the 23-valent PPV (n=156) or a series of the protein-conjugated pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar (n=114). The median age of the 270 patients at the time of HCT was 25.1 years (range, 0.2–69 years). Thirty-eight percent of the patients were children ( 24 months post HCT (18% vs 28%, p=0.058), nor between children and adults (19% vs 25%, p=0.16). In contrast, 75% of patients were capable of responding to Prevnar, initiated at a median of 16 months post transplant. Response to Prevnar was significantly better in patients
A History of Ancient Greece in Fifty Lives. By David Stuttard. (New York, NY: Thames & Hudson, 2014. Pp. 288. $35.00.)

It is the aim of this new book to recount the history of ancient Greece through the chronological “biographies” of fifty (mostly male and mostly Greek) individuals. It easily succeeds in this aim a...
Time-resolved correlative optical microscopy of charge-carrier transport, recombination, and space-charge fields in CdTe heterostructures

From time- and spatially resolved optical measurements, we show that extended defects can have a large effect on the charge-carrier recombination in II–VI semiconductors. In CdTe double heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy on the InSb (100)-orientation substrates, we characterized the extended defects and found that near stacking faults the space-charge field extends by 2–5 μm. Charge carriers drift (with the space-charge field strength of 730–1,360 V cm−1) and diffuse (with the mobility of 260 ± 30 cm2 V−1 s−1) toward the extended defects, where the minority-carrier lifetime is reduced from 560 ns to 0.25 ns. Therefore, the extended defects are nonradiative recombination sinks that affect areas significantly larger than the typical crystalline grains in II–VI solar cells. From the correlative time-resolved photoluminescence and second-harmonic generation microscopy data, we developed a band-diagram model that can be used to analyze the impact of extended defects on solar cells and other elect...
Spatial Averaging of van Genuchten Hydraulic Parameters for Steady-State Flow in Heterogeneous Soils: A Numerical Study

For meso- or regional-scale Soil–Vegetation–Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) schemes in hydroclimatic models, pixel dimensions may range from several hundred square meters to several hundred square kilometers. Pixel-scale soil hydraulic parameters and their accuracy are critical for the success of hydroclimatic and soil hydrologic models. This study tries to answer a major question: What will be the effective and average hydraulic properties for the entire pixel (or footprint of a remote sensor) consisting of several textures if the soil hydraulic properties can be estimated for each individual texture? In this study, we examined the impact of areal heterogeneity in soil hydraulic parameters on soil ensemble behavior for steady-state evaporation and infiltration. Using the widely used van Genuchten model and hydraulic parameter statistics obtained from neural network–based pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for various soil textural classes, we address the impact of areal hydraulic property heterogeneity on ensemble behavior and uncertainty in steady-state vertical flow in large-scale heterogeneous fields. The various averaging schemes of van Genuchten parameters are compared with “effective parameters” calculated by conceptualizing the areally heterogeneous soil formation as an equivalent homogeneous medium that will discharge approximately the same amount of ensemble flux of the heterogeneous soil. The impact of boundary conditions and parameter correlation on the effective parameters, as well as the accuracy and uncertainty of the averaging schemes for the hydraulic parameters, are investigated and discussed. In light of our results, we suggest the following guidelines for van Genuchten hydraulic parameter averaging: arithmetic means for Ks and n , a value between arithmetic and geometric means for α when Ks and α are highly correlated, and a value between geometric and harmonic means for α when Ks and α are poorly correlated.
Adenovirus Vector Toxicity

Adenovirus (Ad) vectors are one of the most commonly used classes of vectors being used in gene therapy clinical trials. However, vector-induced toxicity remains a significant barrier to safe, high-dose systemic therapy with Ad vectors. This review will describe what is known about the mechanisms of Ad-induced toxicity after administration of vector by the intravenous route, as well as how these toxicities can be mitigated. Given the hepatotropic nature of many commonly used Ad serotypes, the liver is a key site of virus-induced toxicity. Both innate and adaptive immunity contribute to hepatotoxicity. Intravenous delivery of Ad can also induce other rapid innate toxicities, including thrombocytopenia, systemic inflammation, fever and shock. Recent progress in understanding Ad biology has enabled improvements in vector safety and gene delivery efficiency in animal models, including genetic and chemical modification of the Ad vector itself, new ways to administer vector and pre-treatment with drugs that suppress innate and adaptive immune responses.
A single center, open label study of intradermal administration of an inactivated purified chick embryo cell culture rabies virus vaccine in adults.

In the USA, rabies vaccines (RVs) are licensed for intramuscular (IM) use only, although RVs are licensed for use by the intradermal (ID) route in many other countries. Recent limitations in supplies of RV in the USA reopened discussions on the more efficient use of available biologics, including utilization of more stringent risk assessments, and potential ID RV administration. A clinical trial was designed to compare the immunogenic and adverse effects of a purified chicken embryo cell (PCEC) RV administered ID or IM. Enrollment was designed in four arms, ID Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Pre-EP), IM Pre-EP, ID Booster, and IM Booster vaccination. Enrollment included 130 adult volunteers. The arms with IM administration received vaccine according to the current ACIP recommendations: Pre-EP, three 1mL (2.5 I.U.) RV doses, each on day 0, 7, and 21; or a routine Booster, one 1ml dose. The ID groups received the same schedule, but doses administered were in a volume of 0.1mL (0.25 I.U.). The rate of increase in rabies virus neutralizing antibody titers 14-21days after vaccination were similar in the ID and correspondent IM groups. The GMT values for ID vaccination were slightly lower than those for IM vaccination, for both naive and booster groups, and these differences were statistically significant by t-test. Fourteen days after completing vaccination, all individuals developed RV neutralizing antibody titers over the minimum arbitrary value obtained with the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). Antibodies were over the set threshold until the end of the trial, 160days after completed vaccination. No serious adverse reactions were reported. Most frequent adverse reactions were erythema, induration and tenderness, localized at the site of injection. Multi use of 1mL rabies vaccine vials for ID doses of 0.1 was demonstrated to be both safe and inmunogenic.
A Power Delivery Network and Cell Placement Aware IR-Drop Mitigation Technique: Harvesting Unused Timing Slacks to Schedule Useful Skews

This paper, presents a novel technique for reducing the intensity of IR hot-spots by leveraging the unused timing slacks to schedule useful skews. The peak current minimization problem is reformulated into a collection of smaller problems of reducing the peak current of each via-stack in the on-chip Power Delivery Network (PDN). In addition to timing information, it considers the PDN and cell placement information while scheduling the clock arrival times. Hence, while reducing the peak current, it effectively reduces the intensity the IR hot- spots. Application of the proposed solution to a selected number of IWLS benchmarks reduces the peak IR-drop by ±35%, and peak current by ±37%.
Elevated blood pressure in the developing world: a role for clinical pharmacists.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and patient knowledge of elevated blood pressure amongst a cross-section of patients in underserved communities in three selected low-income countries worldwide: El Salvador, India and Kenya. METHODS Mobile medical clinics were established as part of medical mission trips in El Salvador, India and Kenya. Willing male and female patients, at least 25 years of age, who presented at each clinic were screened for elevated blood pressure, including 332 patients in El Salvador, 847 patients in India and 160 patients in Kenya. Patients were classified into Stage I or II elevated blood pressure based on modified JNCVII guidelines. A questionnaire was completed regarding their knowledge about the existence and management of their disease state. KEY FINDINGS Of the 1339 patients screened, 368 presented with elevated blood pressure (27%). Of these patients, 147 had been previously informed of hypertension or an elevated blood pressure (39.9%), 28 reported receiving antihypertensive medication (7.6%) and 24 reported awareness of non-pharmaceutical treatment options (6.5%). In Kenya, 81 patients were screened in a rural setting and 79 in an urban setting. Patients demonstrating controlled blood pressure were 63 (78%) and 38 (48%), respectively, demonstrating a significant difference between the rural versus urban settings (P = 0.00359). CONCLUSIONS All regions demonstrated similar trends in the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, highlighting the need for increased disease state education in these regions.
Determining the False-Negative Rate Using Fluorescence Image-Assisted Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Cutaneous Melanoma.

INTRODUCTION Despite the advances in cutaneous melanoma management, the false-negative rates (FNRs) of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are still high. These rates are dependent not only on the technique but also on definitional terms and percentage of head/neck melanoma (highest false-negative SLNB). Fluorescence imaging technology is well acquainted in plastic surgery and other specialties. Having demonstrated that fluorescence-assisted SLNB is effective in melanoma, we are interested in determining its FNR. METHODS We obtained institutional review board approval to follow up prospectively all patients with cutaneous melanoma who underwent radioisotope/fluorescence-assisted SLNB with the intent to capture 100 negative SLNB patients. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria; (2) an SLNB report; (3) at least 24 months of follow-up in the negative SLNB group. The outcome variables were FNR and adjusted FNR of SLNB, considering the criterion standard of assessing the accuracy of SNLB. The FNR was defined as the proportion of patients with false-negative SLNB to patients with true-positive and false-negative SLNB [false negative/(false negative + true positive)]. Adjusted FNR refers to the previously described false-negative SLNB, but in the absence of local/in-transit recurrence or distant metastases. Furthermore, false-negative incidence (false-negative/negative SLNB patients) was also calculated. Length of follow-up was date of surgery to the date of last follow-up/death. RESULTS A total of 125 participants, with 52.0% being male and 48.0% being female, were included. One hundred patients had an SLNB negative for metastases, whereas the rest had positive SLNB results. Median follow-up time of the cohort and that of the negative SLNB group were 36.7 (2.6-58.5) and 37.9 (24.0-58.5) months, respectively. A relatively high number (24.8%) of head/neck melanoma were included. We identified 2 cases of false-negative SLNB, with one having in-transit metastases. Thus, the FNR and adjusted FNR were 7.4% and 3.7%, respectively. The false-negative incidence and adjusted false-negative incidence were 2.0% and 1.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This is the first prospective study examining the FNR of fluorescence-assisted SLNB for patients with cutaneous melanoma. Our study reveals that this technique has one of the lowest FNRs published, especially considering the large percentage of participants with head/neck melanoma involved.
Predictors of right ventricular pacing and pacemaker dependence in transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an increasingly prevalent therapy in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation are a known complication of TAVR. This study investigated the progression of cardiac conduction disease in the post-TAVR pacemaker population and identified predictors of post-TAVR right ventricular (RV) pacing dependence. Prospectively collected echocardiographic, ECG, and PPM interrogation data of 262 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with placement of a balloon-expandable valve at one institution from March 2012 to October 2016 were analyzed. A total of 25 patients (11.1%) required post-TAVR PPM implantation. Seventeen patients who received PPMs did not require RV pacing at 30 days. Nine of these 17 patients had no RV pacing requirement within 10 days. Pre-existing right bundle branch block (RBBB) (OR 105.4, 4.52–2458.5, p = 0.0002), bifascicular block (OR 12.50, 1.60–97.65, p = 0.02), intra-procedural complete heart block (OR 12.83, 1.26–130.52, p = 0.03), and QRS duration > 120 ms (OR 70.43, 3.23–1535.22, p = 0.0002) on pre-TAVR ECG were associated with RV pacing dependence at 30 days. Sixty-eight percent of patients meeting post-procedural guideline indications for PPM did not require RV pacing at 30 days. Fifty-two percent of these patients demonstrated recovery of sinus node function or AV conduction within 10 days post-implant. RBBB, intra-procedural complete heart block, bifascicular block, and QRS duration > 120 ms were associated with RV pacing dependence at 30 days. These findings suggest that post-TAVR conduction disturbances may be acutely reversible in a significant proportion of patients receiving PPM within 10–30 days of implant.
A flying-insect-inspired hybrid robot for disaster exploration

Quadcopters have been widely used in many areas such as disaster rescue and exploration in recent years. Rescue missions frequently require quadcopters to be able to go through narrow spaces and be energy-efficient. Existing quadcopters have flaws in these aspects, which prevents their further applications in this area. This paper proposes a novel design of a hybrid robot that can both fly in the air and move on the ground. By automatically folding and deploying its frame, this hybrid robot is able to explore narrow spaces in destroyed high-rise buildings in disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.). In this paper, we present the design methodology and control strategy of the proposed hybrid robot. The feasibility and performance of the hybrid robot are evaluated both analytically and experimentally as well. To our best knowledge, this is the first hybrid robot capable of exploring narrow spaces in high-rise buildings in disasters.
Families as Contexts for Children’s Adaptation

During the past few decades, the landscape of the family structure has changed dramatically. The United States has seen a decrease in the “traditional” family, complete with two biological parents and consisting of one parent in the workforce and the other in a caregiver role. It is now being replaced with an ever-increasing diverse family structure. The population of children living with two parents has decreased to 69% in 2002, down from 72% in 1990 and 77% in 1980 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). Single-parent families and stepparent families have become more common, despite the fact that children in single-parent or divorced families are at greater risk for lower academic achievement and more likely to drop out of school or bear children at an early age, as well as displaying psychological factors including depression, anxiety, stress, and aggression (Fields, Smith, Bass, & Lugaila, 2001; McLanahan & Sandefur, 1994).
Skilled migration and health outcomes in developing countries

Many studies have found that health outcomes decline when health professionals leave the country, but do such results remain consistent in gender- and income-disaggregated skilled migration? To help uncover explanations for such a pro-migration nature of health outcomes, the present study revisits this topic but allows for associations of skilled migration with mortality and life expectancy to differ between male and female, and between low- and high-income countries. Using a panel of 133 developing countries as source and 20 OECD countries as destination from 1980 to 2010 allowing the coefficient on emigration across different education levels to differ, the study finds the negative effect of high-skilled emigration on health outcomes. Such effect is more pronounced for high-skilled female migration than those for male and for low-income countries than for middle-and high-income countries. Results also show that such adverse effect is larger for African countries than non-African ones. However, the low-skilled migration appears to be insignificant to affect health outcomes in developing countries. Thus, skilled migration is detrimental to longevity in developing countries but unskilled migration is not.
Vincent J. Scully Jr. (1920–2017)

Although Vincent Scully's subjects as an architectural historian ranged from Greek temples to the pueblos of the American Southwest, from Park Avenue towers to French classical gardens, it is impossible to think of him without talking first about New Haven, Connecticut, the small northeastern city where he was born on 21 August 1920, the only child of a father who sold Chevrolet automobiles and a mother who was an aspiring opera singer. It was in New Haven that Scully received his formal education, first at Hillhouse High School and then at Yale University, where he earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and would teach for almost all of his career; it was also in New Haven where he formed his notion of what a city was. The city's famous “nine squares” plan led Scully to think about grids as shapers of cities, as its Victorian Gothic city hall by Henry Austin and its classical post office by James Gamble Rogers led him to think about architecture as civic symbol; similarly, its neighborhood parks and central green led him to think about public space, and its enormous rock outcroppings made him aware of the relationship of landscape to urbanism. New Haven was also the place that shaped his views, increasingly vocal as he grew older, about the failings of urban renewal, modern architecture, and autocratic planning; the incursion of highways into the city's central core (which he would always call “connectors,” using the local parlance) became his model of how not to treat a city. Vincent Scully (photo, Michael Marsland/Yale University). Scully spent almost all of his academic career at Yale, retiring as Sterling Professor of the History of Art in 1991 and continuing to teach as an emeritus professor until 2009, when he was eighty-nine years old. While he …
Affinities and Comparisons of Enzyme States by Principal Component Analysis of NMR Spectra, Automated using TREND Software

The new TREND NMR software package makes significant new insights into enzymes and other molecules easily accessible from collections of unassigned NMR spectra. TREND NMR uses unsupervised multivariate statistics to automate extraction of reaction courses for fitting, including binding isotherms from titrations detected by NMR spectra. The package also makes comparisons and groupings of NMR-detected enzyme states straightforward, by using principal component analysis (PCA). Such comparisons are illustrated for human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B variants and inhibitor complexes. The "unfold" PCA-based comparisons of these protein phosphatase samples in one to three statistical dimensions are consistent with the recent structural characterizations of the samples, suggesting the relevance of quick assessment by PCA implemented semiautomatically in TREND NMR. The software is free for academic use. Step-by-step protocols are provided for measuring affinities and comparing molecular states using TREND NMR.
Radical Prostatectomy With Adjuvant Radioactive Gold for Prostatic Cancer: A Preliminary Report

AbstractA total of 71 patients with prostatic carcinoma underwent radical prostatectomy combined with instillation of radioactive gold seeds between January 1, 1977 and July 1, 1982. Gold seeds were implanted intraoperatively into the region of the prostatic vascular pedicles and surrounding fibrolymphatic tissue after removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Of the patients with disease confined to the prostate clinically 46.7 per cent had microscopic extraprostatic local tumor extension. We believe that patients with extraprostatic local tumor derive therapeutic benefit from the addition of adjuvant radioactive gold seeds at prostatectomy. Because of the inaccuracy of clinical staging by rectal examination, we have elected to use radioactive gold seeds in all of our patients at prostatectomy. To date, local recurrence has been noted in 5.6 per cent of our patients and systemic progression in 14.1 per cent.
Productivity: a review for the hospitality manager.

Hospitality managers have a number of methods available to them to enhance employee productivity. The author discusses five major concepts that can lead to successful results in the hospitality industry.