cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interrelationships of Perfusion Parameters in the Dual-Perfused Human Placental Cotyledon

The technique of in vitro dual-perfusion of an isolated human term placental cotyledon, in which intervillous space as well as fetal cotyledonary vasculture is perfused (Panigel, 1968; Schneider et al., 1972), has been widely used for study of placental uptake, metabolism and transfer (cf. Schneider and Dancis, 1985). We used this preparation to determine effects of vasoactive agents and drugs on resistance of the human fetoplacental vascular bed, carrying out pharmacological dose-response studies in which fetoplacental perfusion pressure was monitored (Hosokawa et al., 1985; Howard et al., 1986; Howard et al., in preparation). The preparation does not appear to have been used for physiological study of the regulation of human fetoplacental vascular resistance. With the objective of improving the understanding of hemodynamic characteristics of the dual-perfused placental cotyledon, we perfused the fetal circuit of preparations with a salt solution which had arterial gas and pH values similar to those reported for human umbilical arterial blood (Longo, 1972). Perfusion was standardized with the aid of fetal venous gas and pH analysis, and the relationship of the different perfusion parameters to each other were analyzed statistically. In particular, it was anticipated that the flow rate of maternal perfusate might be an important determinant of other perfusion parameters, because maternal blood is the source of oxygen and nutrients for placenta and fetus in vivo. Moreover, it was considered that examination of the interrelationship of perfusion parameters with fetal vascular resistance may indicate which parameters contribute to fetal vascular resistance and which may be indicators of the level of fetal resistance in the preparation.
Coupled molecular design diagrams to guide safer chemical design with reduced likelihood of perturbing the NRF2-ARE antioxidant pathway and inducing cytotoxicity

The NRF2-ARE antioxidant pathway is an important biological sensing and regulating system that responds to xenochemicals. NRF2 senses chemically-caused production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and electrophilic interactions with chemical species. Upon NRF2 activation, the expression of a wide array of genes will be upregulated to counteract oxidative or electrophilic insults. However, when the external disruption exceeds the inherent resilience of the biological system, cellular damage can occur, eventually leading to cytotoxicity. Induced NRF2 activity in in vitro assays is therefore a signal that a man-made chemical may cause unwanted cellular activity. This was the motivation to derive a chemical design strategy to minimize the risk that new chemicals would perturb this pathway. We constructed a logistic regression model using design variables derived from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and physical properties. The model showed excellent predictive power to distinguish between NRF2-active and inactive chemicals based on the EPA ToxCast high throughput screen (HTS) assay data (tested in the concentration range of 10−3–102 μM). External evaluation showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of the model is 0.81 and the precision is 0.90. Combining this model with a previously developed cytotoxicity model, we developed a probabilistic design diagram to guide chemical design with the twin goals of minimizing NRF2 antioxidant pathway activity and cytotoxicity. This work initiated a simultaneous design strategy against two toxicity pathways of interest in molecular design research.
An Erythroid-Specific Intron Retention Program Regulates Expression of Selected Genes during Terminal Erythropoiesis

Abstract Erythroid RNAs, like their nonerythroid counterparts, are subject to post-transcriptional processing events that critically impact their coding capacity for the erythroid proteome. Previous studies have shown that differentiating human and mouse erythroblasts execute an extensive and dynamic alternative splicing program involving regulation of numerous alternative exons. Here we report that controlled excision of selected introns is also an important component of the erythroblast alternative splicing program. Intron retention (IR) patterns in differentiating human erythroblasts were determined via RNA-seq analysis of FACS-purified erythroblast populations. Comparison of IR among erythroblast populations and between erythroblasts and other hematopoietic cells suggests that regulation of IR occurs in a differentiation stage- and tissue-specific manner. For example, there was little overlap of intron retention events in erythroblasts with those reported in differentiating granulocytes. Moreover, the IR profile of proerythroblasts differed substantially from that in orthochromatic erythroblasts, with IR generally increasing in the more mature cells that are preparing for enucleation. IR in erythroblasts affected numerous genes functioning in RNA processing, iron homeostasis and heme biosynthesis, protein translation, and membrane properties. Mature erythroblasts exhibited retention of introns in several human disease genes including SF3B1, a splicing factor often mutated in myelodysplasia; TFR2, encoding transferrin receptor 2 that is mutated in a form of hemochromatosis; and FUS, an RNA binding protein implicated in ALS. Inspection of intronic RNA-seq reads in >60 genes with IR revealed that single or multiple introns can be retained within a transcript; however, other introns within the same genes, and indeed the great majority of introns in erythroblast-expressed genes, are efficiently spliced with minimal or no IR. Retained introns may be flanked by either constitutively or alternatively spliced exons, suggesting different regulatory mechanisms. Ongoing studies will explore whether IR in some transcripts might function to down-regulate gene expression by introduction of premature termination codons that induce nonsense-mediated decay, or alternatively, whether IR transcripts could represent a reserve of nearly-completed mRNAs that can be processed in response to appropriate physiological stimuli. In sum, these results suggest that a highly regulated IR program plays an important role in erythroid differentiation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Significance of Meaning to Conceptualizations of Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth: Strengthening the Foundation for Research and Practice

The primary goal of this chapter is to demonstrate that the key factors that promote resilience and posttraumatic growth are related to the perception of meaning in life. According to Viktor Frankl, founder of logotherapy, a forerunner to today’s positive psychology movement, life has meaning under all circumstances—even those that involve unavoidable suffering. Meaning-making is thus an essential aspect of being human and dealing with adverse circumstances. A sense of meaning prior to the experience of a potentially traumatic event, coupled with the ability to perceive meaning during and after such events, likely plays an integral role in one experiencing positive psychological outcomes. This perceived sense of meaning before, during, and after a potentially traumatic event might impact whether one not only recovers (and is thus resilient), but also goes on to experience posttraumatic growth. The literature suggests that higher levels of perceived meaning are associated with resilience and posttraumatic growth, as well as related to key correlates of these concepts. The foremost aim of this chapter involves the consideration and integration of the respective meaning, resilience, and posttraumatic growth literatures, thus uniting key areas of logotherapy and positive psychology. Systematic and rigorous empirical inquiry is necessary to better understand the causal relationships between meaning, resilience, and posttraumatic growth. Such empirical pursuits have potential to inform clinical treatments and community-based interventions. For clinicians who work with clients where resilience and posttraumatic growth have potential to serve as essential treatment elements, we posit that meaning is a vital concept that warrants consideration.
The Influence of Psychosocial Constructs on the Adherence to Active Surveillance for Localized Prostate Cancer in a Prospective, Population-based Cohort

Objective To evaluate the influence of psychosocial factors such as prostate cancer (PCa) anxiety, social support, participation in medical decision-making (PDM), and educational level on patient decisions to discontinue PCa active surveillance (AS) in the absence of disease progression. Methods The Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation study is a prospective, population-based cohort study of men with localized PCa diagnosed in 2011-2012. PCa anxiety, social support, PDM, educational level, and patient reasons for discontinuing AS were assessed through patient surveys. A Cox proportional hazards model examined the relationship between psychosocial variables and time to discontinuation of AS. Results Of 531 patients on AS, 165 (30.9%) underwent treatment after median follow-up of 37 months. Whereas 69% of patients cited only medical reasons for discontinuing AS, 31% cited at least 1 personal reason, and 8% cited personal reasons only. Patients with some college education discontinued AS significantly earlier (hazard ratio: 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 3.2) than patients with less education. PCa anxiety, social support, and PDM were not associated with seeking treatment. Conclusion We found that 31% of men who choose AS for PCa discontinue AS within 3 years. Eight percent of men who sought treatment did so in the absence of disease progression. Education, but not psychosocial factors, seems to influence definitive treatment-seeking. Future research is needed to understand how factors unrelated to disease severity influence treatment decisions among patients on AS to identify opportunities to improve adherence to AS.
Satellite-based assessment of yield variation and its determinants in smallholder African systems.

Abstract The emergence of satellite sensors that can routinely observe millions of individual smallholder farms raises possibilities for monitoring and understanding agricultural productivity in many regions of the world. Here we demonstrate the potential to track smallholder maize yield variation in western Kenya, using a combination of 1-m Terra Bella imagery and intensive field sampling on thousands of fields over 2 y. We find that agreement between satellite-based and traditional field survey-based yield estimates depends significantly on the quality of the field-based measures, with agreement highest ( R 2 R2 up to 0.4) when using precise field measures of plot area and when using larger fields for which rounding errors are smaller. We further show that satellite-based measures are able to detect positive yield responses to fertilizer and hybrid seed inputs and that the inferred responses are statistically indistinguishable from estimates based on survey-based yields. These results suggest that high-resolution satellite imagery can be used to make predictions of smallholder agricultural productivity that are roughly as accurate as the survey-based measures traditionally used in research and policy applications, and they indicate a substantial near-term potential to quickly generate useful datasets on productivity in smallholder systems, even with minimal or no field training data. Such datasets could rapidly accelerate learning about which interventions in smallholder systems have the most positive impact, thus enabling more rapid transformation of rural livelihoods.
Corticosteroids and Asthma: Too Much or Too Little?

* Abbreviations: ICS — : inhaled corticosteroid OCS — : oral corticosteroid In this issue of Pediatrics , Farber et al1 present the results of an analysis of claims data for children with asthma who were enrolled in a large managed care Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program from 2011 to 2016. During each of the years analyzed, 42.1% to 44.2% of the children had ≥1 event in which an oral corticosteroid (OCS) for asthma was dispensed. This frequency of OCS-dispensing events is higher than frequencies reported in other areas of the United States (44% vs 23%).2 The authors also note that “most children with an OCS dispensing [event]…did not have other utilization suggesting poor asthma control,” and as a result, this frequency seems inappropriately high. It can be hazardous to make clinical judgments based on administrative claims data. Nevertheless, this frequency of OCS use … Address correspondence to Michael D. Cabana, MD, MPH, Departments of Pediatrics, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, UCSF, 3333 California St, Suite 245, San Francisco, CA 94118. E-mail: michael.cabana{at}ucsf.edu
Integrating linear discriminant analysis, polynomial basis expansion, and genetic search for two-group classification

We propose a hybrid two-group classification method that integrates linear discriminant analysis, a polynomial expansion of the basis (or variable space), and a genetic algorithm with multiple cros...
Managing technology: Using local area networks to achieve remote access: Some lessons from a pilot test

Abstract We hear a great deal these days about the “chaos” on the Internet. This makes it all the more critical to remember that libraries are among the first destinations on the “Net” which many local users are likely to visit because they are stable and provide dependable access to authoritative well-known services. These positive attributes are not always demonstrated by servers which the information seeker finds when browsing the Web. Libraries should draw on the principles of selection and organization of collections as a touchstone for organizing electronic resources. On the other, there is much to be learned about setting up “electronic services.” It is not a new undertaking to use a local area netwrok (LAN) to provide networked access to CD-ROM bibliographic and full-text literature. This technology and the challenges that lit presents are becoming widely known. The University of Alabama experience gives us, instead, some “good sense” rules about planning, staging, and installing networked access while managing the training and expectations of users—C.B.L., Carnegie Mellon University.
A Diffuse Leptomeningeal Glioneuronal Tumor Without Diffuse Leptomeningeal Involvement: Detailed Molecular and Clinical Characterization

Prior to their provisional WHO classification as a distinct entity in 2016, diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumors (DLGNT) were often regarded as diffuse leptomeningeal presentations of oligodendrogliomas or extraventricular neurocytomas. Their classification as a distinct entity partly relies on their pattern of growth, but DLGNTs without radiological leptomeningeal involvement have been described. In a patient with a DLGNT of the spinal cord without evidence of leptomeningeal involvement, we review in depth the clinical course and the histologic and molecular features of the neoplasm, in the context of other reported cases without diffuse leptomeningeal involvement. Our findings highlight the advantages of molecular analysis in making accurate diagnoses on small spinal tissue samples and underline the need for more long-term clinical follow-up of these rare neoplasms to inform treatment decisions.
Elliptic Curves over Local Fields

We return to the ideas of Chapter 5 where the torsion in E(Q) was studied using the reduction map E(Q) → Ē(F p ). These local questions are taken up for any complete field K with a discrete valuation where the congruences of 5(4.3) are interpreted using the formal group introduced in Chapter 12, §7. This leads to a more precise version of 5(4.5).
Eutocius’ Text of Eratosthenes: A Thesis of U. von Wilamowitz

The document that Eutocius reproduces as a transcript of a scientific communication by Eratosthenes to his patron King Ptolemy is of greater literary than technical interest. On the geometric principle of the construction and its mechanical realization, Eutocius’ text supplements only in subtle details the shorter account preserved by Pappus. But if authentic, it would be the most substantial fragment that survives of Eratosthenes’ writing.
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Multiple treatment options exist for treating massive rotator cuff tears without arthritis. In patients who have failed nonoperative treatments and have continued pain, anterior superior escape, static superior subluxation with acromial changes, pseudoparalysis, and decreased acromial humeral interval, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) becomes a viable solution. Favorable mid- and long-term results have demonstrated significant improvements in both patient-reported outcomes and functional outcome scores after RTSA for irreparable rotator cuff tears or failed cuff syndrome. Although there are significant risks associated with RTSA, with increasing biomechanical knowledge, improved implant design and surgeon experience have led to a decrease in complication rates. RTSA has become an outstanding procedure for the treatment of older patients with a massive rotator cuff tear or failed cuff syndrome.
Integration of the Full Tokamak Reference Model with the Complex Model for ITER Neutronic Analysis

AbstractThe ITER International Organization has developed a number of reference Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) models including the tokamak machine C-model, the Tokamak Complex model, and the neutral beam injection (NBI) systems model. The Tokamak Complex model primarily describes building structures beyond the bioshield. Representation of the tokamak and its systems are not included in this model. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Radiation Transport Group has conducted two ITER neutronic analysis model integrations: (1) integration of the tokamak C-model with the Tokamak Complex model for shutdown dose rate characterization in Port Cell 16 at level B1, and (2) integration of the NBI model with the Tokamak Complex model for estimating the spatial distribution of biological dose rate at levels L1, L2, and L3 of the Tokamak Complex. The integrated models were further extended to include models of system components that are essential to the neutronic analyses. This paper presents the approach and computer to...
The outbreak that changed meat and poultry inspection systems worldwide

In the course of history, one of the best recognized constants is that change happens most often and most rapidly in response to a dire situation. Even when efforts to introduce improvements have been ongoing for quite a while, it is not until an emergency or a crisis develops that people are ready to accept change to resolve the problem at hand. Such has been the case with meat and poultry safety. Many in the community, whether regulators, the industry, researchers, or advocates would agree that the most significant and impactful such event was the 1993 outbreak of foodborne illness associated with the Jack-in-the-Box restaurant chain. According to the Washington Department of Health (WDOH), where the outbreak was first reported, a cluster of children were suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) caused by infection with Escherichia coli O157:H7, a little-known bacterial pathogen (CDC, 1993). The investigation quickly determined that the regular-sized hamburger patties and jumbo patties produced by Vons’ Companies of California and sold to the public by Jack-in-the Box were the source of the organism. The outbreak resulted in more than 600 illnesses with four children dead from having consumed undercooked hamburgers. To say that this was a scandal is an understatement. This situation was so dire that the outbreak was discussed as an agenda item during President Bill Clinton’s first cabinet meeting in 1993, after his inauguration as the 42nd President of the United States (Cross, Personal Communication, 2018). Many things changed following that meeting, culminating in a regulatory mandate by USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) for industry to implement the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system at every federally inspected meat and poultry slaughter and processing plant in the United States. However, it may come as a surprise to some that the foundation for changes in food safety processes had already been in the works the year preceding the outbreak. A review of the events that took place in 1992 and how those activities had a direct impact on the events to come is justified.
Macronutrient Digestion and Absorption in the Preterm Infant

The human fetus receives oral nutrition through swallowed amniotic fluid and this makes a significant nutritional contribution to the fetus. Postnatally, macronutrient absorption and digestion appear to function well in the preterm infant. Although pancreatic function is relatively poor, the newborn infant has several mechanisms to overcome this. These include a range of digestive enzymes in human milk, novel digestive enzymes involved in fat and protein digestion that do not appear to be present in the older child or adult, and the presence of a Bifidobacterium-rich colonic microbiome that may "scavenge" unabsorbed macronutrients and make them available to the infant.
6.4 A 0.5-to-2.5GHz Multi-Output Fractional Frequency Synthesizer with 90fs Jitter and -106dBc Spurious Tones Based on Digital Spur Cancellation

There is need for a low-power, compact, means of generating multiple, low-jitter, spectrally pure, clock signals at different frequencies using a single reference oscillator, both in wireline and wireless applications, owing to circuit size, cost, and complexity considerations. PLL-based frequency synthesis - analog or digital - can achieve very low jitter and spur levels, but the VCO size and/or power consumption concerns preclude its duplication for multiple on-chip clock generators [1], [2]. Open-loop digital methods based on digital-to-phase or digital-to-time converters (DPCs) are compact and employ no power-hungry oscillators, but their circuit errors and mismatches result in strong spurious tones.
From NEON Field Sites to Data Portal: A Community Resource for Surface–Atmosphere Research Comes Online

AbstractThe National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a multidecadal and continental-scale observatory with sites across the United States. Having entered its operational phase in 2018, NEO...
Abstract 866: Cardiac-specific Deletion of General Control of Amino-Acid Synthesis 5-like 1 Regulates Fatty Acid Oxidation in Diet Induced Obesity

Background: Healthy hearts use several fuel substrates for energy metabolism, with fatty acid oxidation (FAO) accounting for ~70% of total ATP production. Lack of flexibility to utilize different s...
New Institutional Economics

This entry in the Oxford Handbook of New Private Law describes the parallels and mutual dialog between New Institutional Economics (NIE) and New Private Law (NPL). It observes that both fields share more than the word 'new' in their titles. NPL and NIE share methodological orientations; they share scholarly priorities; they have influenced each other; and they offer parallel paths ahead. The fields also reinforce each other, as NIE focuses on problems governed by private law and, reciprocally, private law reflects the teachings of NIE. And both scholarly movements share common principles: both NPL and NIE exhibit the hallmarks of interdisciplinary, scholarly pluralism, and an inquisitive focus on real-world, tractable problems. The chapter concludes with some thoughts about the future of NPL, and in particular the lessons it can take from NIE’s successes.
Synthesis of a [18F]-labeled ceritinib analogue for positron emission tomography of anaplastic lymphoma kinase, a receptor tyrosine kinase, in lung cancer

1080 Objectives Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), an oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase, has emerged as a therapeutic target in solid and hematologic tumors. Although several ALK inhibitors have gained approval for therapy, non-invasive indicators of target engagement or predictive biomarkers in vivo are lacking. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a radiolabeled analogue of the ALK inhibitor ceritinib, [18F]fluoroethyl-ceritinib, ([18F]-FEC), for use with positron emission tomography (PET). Methods We used two methods to synthesize [18F]-FEC. First method: [18F]fluoroethyl-tosylate was prepared by radiofluorination of ethylene glycol di-tosylate, purified by HPLC and coupled with ceritinib at 120oC for 20 min. The product was purified by flash chromatography to yield [18F]-FEC. Alternatively, a precursor compound, chloroethyl-ceritnib, was synthesized in multiple steps and directly fluorinated with K18F-fluoride/kryptofix 2.2.2., and the product was purified either by HPLC or flash chromatography to yield [18F]-FEC. Results The first method produced [18F]-FEC with an average decay-corrected yield of 24% (n=4), specific activity of 1200 mCi/μmol, and >99% purity; synthesis time was 115 min from the end of bombardment (EOB). The second method produced [18F]-FEC with an average yield of 7% (n=4), specific activity of 1500 mCi/μmol, and >99% purity; synthesis time was 65 min from the EOB. Of these two methods, we judged Method 1 to be the better choice for producing a pure compound for biological applications in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Synthesis of a novel [18F]ceritinib analogue has been achieved in good yields, with high purity and specific activity. The compound is a potential PET imaging agent for the detection of ALK overexpressing solid tumors, such as lung cancer, and should be tested in vitro in cell culture and in vivo in tumor-bearing mice.
An Examination of Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave Radar for Biomedical Imaging

The dominant waveforms used for high resolution biomedical imaging radar systems are stepped frequency or a frequency sampled ultrawideband pulsed waveform. Here several attractive characteristics of frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar systems are summarized to motivate an alternative approach to biomedical imaging radar design. Motivated by these features a first-cut at a link budget analysis is presented for replacing computed tomography scans for imaging of the human paranasal sinuses. As a first approach, the achievable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of such a system is examined based on an initial tissue model and pertinent safety regulations. It is shown that such an FMCW mode is feasible from an SNR standpoint, but that much work is needed to compensate for distortions, account for the skin response, and validate the model.
Guidance for gynecologists utilizing telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic based on expert consensus and rapid literature reviews

Background: COVID-19 has impacted delivery of outpatient gynecology and shifted care toward use of telemedicine. Objective: To rapidly review literature and society guidelines and create expert consensus to provide guidance regarding management of outpatient gynecology scenarios via telemedicine. Search strategy: Searches were conducted in Medline and Cochrane databases from inception through April 15, 2020. Selection criteria: Literature searches were conducted for articles on telemedicine and abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, vaginitis, and postoperative care. Searches were restricted to available English language publications. Data collection and analysis: Expedited literature review methodology was followed and 10 943 citations were single-screened. Full-text articles and relevant guidelines were reviewed and narrative summaries developed. Main results: Fifty-one studies on the use of telemedicine in gynecology were found. Findings were reported for these studies and combined with society guidelines and expert consensus on four topics (abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis, vaginal discharge, and postoperative care). Conclusions: Guidance for treating gynecological conditions via telemedicine based on expedited literature review, review of society recommendations, and expert consensus is presented. Due to minimal evidence surrounding telemedicine and gynecology, a final consensus document is presented here that can be efficiently used in a clinical setting.
Elements Affecting Runway Traction

The five basic elements affecting runway traction for jet transport aircraft operation are identified and described in terms of pilot, aircraft system, atmospheric, tire, and pavement performance factors or parameters. Where possible, research results are summarized, and means for restoring or improving runway traction for these different conditions are discussed.
Coupling buried etalon layers to an engraved metasurface for durable and large-aperture meta-optics

Many optical applications that could potentially benefit from the design flexibility provided by the metasurface approach are being prohibited by the limited scalability of the fabrication and the robustness of the end-result structures when using a resonant meta-elements-based approach. An alternative demonstrated approach with superior scalability and robustness is substrate-engraved metasurfaces, based on medium mixing homogenization, yet it suffers from very limited optical response. Here we propose advancing this approach by coupling the metasurface with buried etalon layers, leading to enhancement in the optical response. A transfer matrix analysis is used to study the parameter space, predicting that the patterned reflectance values range of a beam shaper could be raised from only 4% to 30% when the metasurface is engraved in silica, and even up to 66% when engraved into higher-index oxides. Using the method proposed here, the phase difference range across the metasurface could be increased by 0.4 radians beyond the range achievable by a metasurface engraved in silica and could reach even higher values when embedded in higher-index materials. Full-wave numerical simulations are used to demonstrate a cylindrical metareflector and a metalens, further validating the analysis.
Characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion of canola meal and soybean meal in a high-energy diet for feedlot cattle.

Four Holstein steers (233 kg) with ruminal cannulas and "T" cannulas in the proximal duodenum were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment to evaluate characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion of a generic (CM-40, 40% CP) and a high-protein (CM-46, 46% CP) variety of canola meal (CM) compared with a conventional, solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM). Treatments consisted of an 80% concentrate diet that contained 20% tapioca (TP) or 20% of the respective test protein sources. Supplemental proteins replaced TP in the basal diet. Intake of dietary treatments was restricted to 5.0 kg/d (DM basis, 2.2% BW). Ruminal digestion of OM was similar (P > .10) for the CM-supplemented diets. Ruminal digestion of OM was higher (5.8%, P .10) across treatments. Ruminal degradation of feed N was similar (P > .10) for CM diets but tended to be greater (6.7%, P .10) for the CM diets. Total tract DMD was higher (2.9%, P < .01) for SBM than for CM diets. Total tract digestibility of ADF also tended to be higher (14; P < .10) for SBM than for CM diets. The DE (megacalories/kilogram) of the CM and SBM diets were greater (P < .01) than for the TP diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acute myeloid leukemia with 11q23 rearrangements: A study of therapy-related disease and therapeutic outcomes

We described the clinical features and outcomes for 63 adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a translocation involving the 11q23 locus (MLL) who were treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The population included 40 female (63 %) and 23 male (37 %) patients, with a median age of 51 years old (range 18-82 years). Of the 31 patients who had had an antecedent malignancy, 14 (45 %) had had breast cancer or DCIS and 22 (71 %) had received anthracycline-based systemic chemotherapy. The translocation partner for the 11q23 rearrangement was identified in 60 of the 63 patients (95 %) studied. The distribution of translocation partners differed for those who had previously received cytotoxic chemotherapy. Most patients with therapy-related disease had a 9p22 or 19p13 partner, as compared to those with de novo disease (95 % vs. 68 %, p = 0.023). Of the 30 patients who received all therapy under observation, 15 (50 %) patients had de novo disease and 15 (50 %) had received antecedent chemotherapy. No significant difference in survival was observed between groups (p = 0.44). Twenty-two patients received induction as up-front therapy, of whom 11 (50 %) achieved CR / CRi. The achievement of CR / CRi with one course of induction was associated with improved OS, with a 6-month OS of 73 % as compared to 23 % for those who did not (p = 0.018). The achievement of CR / CRi with a single course of induction may be a marker of favorable survival in this subtype of high-risk AML. KEY POINT: Response to a single induction was associated with favorable survival in this population.
Propranolol promotes bone formation and limits resorption through novel mechanisms during anabolic parathyroid hormone treatment in female C57BL/6J mice

Although the non-selective β-blocker, propranolol, improves bone density with PTH treatment in mice, the mechanism of this effect is unclear. To address this, we used a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches to address how propranolol influences bone remodeling in the context of PTH treatment. In female C57BL/6J mice, intermittent PTH and propranolol had complementary effects in the trabecular bone of the distal femur and L5 vertebra, with combination treatment achieving micro-architectural parameters beyond that of PTH alone. Combined treatment improved the serum bone formation marker, P1NP, but did not impact other histomorphometric parameters relating to osteoblast function at the L5. In vitro, propranolol amplified the acute, PTH-induced, intracellular calcium signal in osteoblast-like cells. The most striking finding, however, was suppression of PTH-induced bone resorption. Despite this, PTH-induced receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) mRNA and protein levels were unaltered by propranolol, which led us to hypothesize that propranolol could act directly on osteoclasts. Using in situ methods, we found Adrb2 expression in osteoclasts in vivo, suggesting β-blockers may directly impact osteoclasts. Taken together, this work suggests a strong anti-osteoclastic effect of non-selective β-blockers in vivo, indicating that combining propranolol with PTH could be beneficial to patients with extremely low bone density.
Integrating Assistive Technology Into a Teacher Preparation Program

Assistive technology (AT), a major source of adapted educational services, has been accepted as a valuable tool for students with disabilities in schools. Teacher readiness is a key factor in deter...
Modeling Unmanned Aircraft System Maintenance Using Agile Model-Based Systems Engineering

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and agile software development are gaining popularity in the Department of Defense (DoD) because of their promise of more flexible and higher quality products. However, these newer methods have yet to be implemented across the DoD which leads to questions of effectiveness in different environments. This research will seek to determine how effective the use of MBSE and agile software development is in fielded, distributed systems to close a capability gap. A small team will lead the development of both the MBSE products and the agile software prototype. The use of iterative development with continuous customer feedback is expected to yield a more effective product with higher user satisfaction than traditional methods.
Mechanism of Action of the Anti-cancer Agent, Triptolide

Triptolide, a dipertene triepoxide isolated from the roots of the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., is a promising anti-cancer agent. While its role as a promoter of cell death, both in vivo and in vitro, in various cancers is well established, the mechanism by which it induces cell death in cancer cells is not well understood, and has therefore been the subject of intense interest in the past decade. Studies to date have shown that triptolide acts in a pleiotropic fashion, resulting in decrease of HSP70 expression, affecting calcium release, causing lysosomal membrane depolarization, inhibiting NFκB activity, iNOS and Cox-2 expression, as well as acting as a transcription inhibitor and an anti-angiogenesis factor. In this review, we discuss the possible modes of action of triptolide in various cancers, as well as a novel compound derived from triptolide currently being prepared for Phase I clinical trials.
Stem‐Cell Angiogenesis and Regeneration of the Heart: Review of a Saga of 2 Decades

Advances in the novel approach to control ischemic heart disease and heart failure using stem cells or progenitor cells from bone marrow, mesenchyme, or myocardial tissue itself have demonstrated efficacy for increasing left ventricular function, decreasing infarct scar tissue, improving exercise tolerance and heart failure symptoms, and, in some studies, decreasing mortality and reducing rehospitalization for intractable angina or subsequent myocardial infarction. The most common techniques utilize injections of cells into the coronary vasculature or directly into specific areas of vulnerable myocardium. Although few adverse effects have been noted in clinical trials of these procedures, further clinical trials over the next decade should provide further advances in interventional techniques, ancillary supporting technologies to enhance cell regeneration, and applications in ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and cardiac genetic disorders.
Ice nucleation activity in lichens.

A newly discovered form of biological ice nucleus associated with lichens is described. Ice nucleation spectra of a variety of lichens from the southwestern United States were measured by the drop-freezing method. Several epilithic lichen samples of the genera Rhizoplaca, Xanthoparmelia, and Xanthoria had nuclei active at temperatures as warm as −2.3°C and had densities of 2.3 × 106 to more than 1 × 108 nuclei g−1 at −5°C (2 to 4 orders of magnitude higher than any plants infected with ice nucleation-active bacteria). Most lichens tested had nucleation activity above −8°C. Lichen substrates (rocks, plants, and soil) showed negligible activity above −8°C. Ice nucleation-active bacteria were not isolated from the lichens, and activity was not destroyed by heat (70°C) or sonication, indicating that lichen-associated ice nuclei are nonbacterial in origin and differ chemically from previously described biological ice nuclei. An axenic culture of the lichen fungus Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca showed detectable ice nucleation activity at −1.9°C and an ice nucleation density of 4.5 × 106 nuclei g−1 at −5°C. It is hypothesized that these lichens, which are both frost tolerant and dependent on atmospheric moisture, derive benefit in the form of increased moisture deposition as a result of ice nucleation.
Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a relatively common congenital heart defect occurring in approximately 15% of patients with congenital heart disease. The four main anatomic features of TOF include right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction [1, 2], ventricular septal defect (VSD), aortic dextroposition overridding the VSD, and right ventricular hypertrophy (Fig. 19.1). Current teaching postulates that the basic pathology of TOF results from underdevelopment of the right ventricular infundibulum. This underdevelopment causes an anterior malalignment of the infundibular septum which subsequently determines the degree of RVOT obstruction. The VSD that results from this malalignment is almost always large, and thus unrestrictive, permitting similar pressures between the right and left ventricles to occur. In addition to these features the pulmonary valve is frequently hypoplastic and thickened and the level of obstruction may extend to the main pulmonary artery and right and left pulmonary arteries.
Coherent beam-beam experiments and implications for head-on compensation

In polarized proton operation in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) coherent beam-beam modes are routinely observed with beam transfer function measurements. These modes can become unstable under external excitation or in the presence of impedance. This becomes even more relevant in the presence of head-on compensation, which reduces the beam-beam tune spread and hence Landau damping. We report on experiments and simulations carried out to understand the impact of coherent modes on operation with electron lenses.
A 1.75 V rail-to-rail CMOS op amp

In this paper, a low voltage CMOS op amp, that can operate from a single 1.75 V supply voltage is presented. The op amp-has the capability of handling input signals exceeding both the positive and the negative supply rails. This is achieved by connecting n- and p-type differential pairs in parallel. The transconductance (g/sub m/) of the op amp is kept constant within 15% in the entire input common mode range. Composite transistors are employed as tail current sources of the differential pairs to improve the common mode and the power supply rejection ratios. The output stage is also implemented by composite transistors achieving high gain from a single stage while keeping the output signal swing high. The op amp was fabricated in the standard MOSIS p-well 2 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The op amp can operate with supply voltages down to 1.75 V. 80 dB DC gain and 10 MHz unity gain frequency with 8 pF load capacitance are realizable. Input signals can exceed both supply rails and the output signals can swing within 200 mV from each rail. >
Future trends in data base systems

A discussion is presented of the likely evolution of commercial data managers over the next several years. Topics to be covered include: why SQL is becoming a de facto standard; who will benefit from SQL standardization; why the SQL standard has no chance of lasting; why all database systems will be distributed soon; what technologies are likely to be commercialized; and why vendor independence may be achievable. The objective is to present the author's vision of the future. >
Evolutionary Developmental Psychology

The field of evolutionary developmental psychology can potentially broaden the horizons of mainstream evolutionary psychology by combining the principles of Darwinian evolution by natural selection with the study of human development, focusing on the epigenetic effects that occur between humans and their environment in a way that attempts to explain how evolved psychological mechanisms become expressed in the phenotypes of adults. An evolutionary developmental perspective includes an appreciation of comparative research and we, among others, argue that contrasting the cognition of humans with that of nonhuman primates can provide a framework with which to understand how human cognitive abilities and intelligence evolved. Furthermore, we argue that several «immature» aspects of childhood (e.g., play and immature cognition) serve both as deferred adaptations as well as imparting immediate benefits. Intense selection pressure was surely exerted on childhood over human evolutionary history and, as a result, neglecting to consider the early developmental period of children when studying their later adulthood produces an incomplete picture of the evolved adaptations expressed through human behavior and cognition.
Structure and Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Na+ Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium montmorillonite nanocomposites of various compositions were created by casting from a polymer/silicate water suspension. The composite structure study revealed a coexistence of exfoliated and intercalated MMT layers, especially for low and moderate silicate loadings. The inorganic layers promote a new crystalline phase different than the one of the respective neat PVA, characterized by higher melting temperature and a different crystal structure. This new crystal phase reflects on the composite materials properties. Namely, the hybrid polymer/silicate systems have mechanical, thermal, and water vapor transmission properties, which are superior to that of the neat polymer and its conventionally filled composites. For example, for a 5 wt % MMT exfoliated composite, the softening temperature increases by 25 °C and the Young's modulus triples with a decrease of only 20% in toughness, whereas there is also a 60% reduction in the water permeability. Furthermore, due to the nanoscale d...
Purification of a stilbene sensitive chloride channel and reconstitution of chloride conductivity into phospholipid vesicles

A protein conferring passive chloride permeability was isolated from a N-octylglucoside solubilized extract of partially purified H(+)-transporting osteoclast cell membranes. Purification was achieved by binding of solubilized protein to an amine-linked 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DIDS) Sepharose 4B column and elution with 50 mM KCl. A major protein, with MR = 60 kD on 10% SDS-PAGE, was obtained, which was further purified to homogeneity by HPLC gel filtration. This protein introduced 36Cl- permeability when reconstituted in phospholipid membranes by equilibrium dialysis. The Cl- transport recovered in reconstituted membranes retained sensitivity to DIDS confirming the identity of the isolated protein as a stilbene-sensitive chloride channel.
Similarities in reaction of twins to delayed auditory feedback.

11 pairs of identical and 11 pairs of fraternal twins were asked to speak under normal feedback and DAF conditions. Speaking time differences were used as indicators of reaction to DAF. Further study of possible physiological factors related to DAF seems warranted.
Acoustic droplet vaporization for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

A phase shift droplet emulsion is introduced as an aid to unusual ultrasound (US) applications. The transpulmonary droplet emulsion (90% < 6 μm diameter) is made by mixing saline, bovine albumin and dodecafluoropentane. It has been observed that an acoustic pressure threshold exists, above which the droplets vaporize into bubbles approximately 25 times the original diameter. For frequencies between 1.5 and 8 MHz, the threshold decreases from 4.5 to 0.75 MPa peak rarefactional pressure. This paper presents preliminary results for droplet preparation and their evaporation as a function of applied acoustic pressure and frequency, as well as simulations of the lifetime of these gas bubbles based on gas diffusion. In vivo experiments were simulated by the evaporation of droplets in blood flowing under attenuating material. We propose that this agent might be useful for tissue occlusion in cancer treatment, as well as for phase aberration corrections in acoustic imaging.
Oxygenation of cobalt porphyrinates: coordination or oxidation?

The X-ray characterization of the five-coordinate picket-fence porphyrin complex, [Co(TpivPP)(2-MeHIm)], is reported. The complex has the displacement of cobalt from the porphyrin plane = 0.15 A, a...