cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genomic–polygenic evaluation of multibreed Angus–Brahman cattle for postweaning feed efficiency and growth using actual and imputed Illumina50k SNP genotypes

The objectives were to estimate the fractions of additive genetic variances for four postweaning feed efficiency and growth traits explained by 46,909 actual and imputed SNP genotypes, to compare rankings of calf additive genetic predictions from genomic–polygenic (GP), genomic (G), and polygenic (P) models, and to determine trends of predicted additive genetic values from calves ranging from 100% Angus to 100% Brahman in a multibreed population. Traits were postweaning residual feed intake (RFI), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and weight gain (PWG). Phenotypes were from 807 bull, heifer, and steer calves housed at the Feed Efficiency Facility of the University of Florida from 2006 to 2010. Imputation from 2899 SNP (Illumina3k) to 46,909 SNP (Illumina50k) was done with program findhap2 using a reference population of 828 Brangus heifers. Fixed effects for all models were contemporary group (year–pen), age of dam, sex of calf, age of calf, Brahman fraction of calf, and heterozygosity of calf. Random effects were additive SNP (GP and G models), additive polygenic (GP and P models), and residual. Software GS3 was used to compute variance components and heritabilities, and additive genetic predictions. Heritabilities were 0.30 for RFI, 0.37 for DFI, 0.25 for FCR, and 0.33 for PWG. Fractions of additive variances explained by the 46,909 actual and imputed SNP were 0.48 for RFI, 0.36 for DFI, 0.50 for FCR, and 0.28 for PWG. These fractions were 3.2, 3.2, 2.0, and 1.8 times larger than those previously obtained for these four traits using the 2899 SNP from the Illumina3k chip. Rank correlations between calf additive genetic predictions were high between GP and P and between GP and G models (0.89–0.98; P<0.0001), and somewhat lower between G and P models (0.69–0.81; P<0.0001). Regressions of additive genetic predictions on Brahman fraction of calf were negative with the G model for DFI (P<0.0344) and with all models for PWG (P<0.0171 to P<0.0001). Imputation from the Illumina3k to 50k substantially increased the explained fraction of additive SNP and total genetic variances resulting in considerably higher rank correlations between calf additive genetic predictions from G and GP, and from G and P models in this Angus–Brahman multibreed population.
An operational power management method for the grid containing renewable power systems utilizing short-term weather and load forecasting data

This paper addresses the problems associated with power management of the grid containing renewable power systems and proposes a method for enhancing its operational power management. Since renewable energy provides uncertain and uncontrollable energy resources, the renewable power systems can only generate irregular power. This power irregularity creates problems affecting the grid power management process and influencing the parallel operations of conventional power plants on the grid. To demonstrate this power management method for this type of grid, weatherdependent wind and photovoltaic power systems are chosen an example. This study also deals with other uncertain quantities which are system loads. In this example, the management method is based on adapting short-term weather and load forecasting data. The new load demand curve (NLDC) can be produced by merging the loads with the power generated from the renewable power systems. The NLDC is used for setting the loads for the baseload power plants and knowing when other plants are needed to increase or decrease their supplies to the grid. This will decrease the irregularity behavior effects of the renewable power system and at the same time will enhance the smoothing of the power management for the grid. The aim of this paper is to show the use of the weather and load forecasting data to achieve the optimum operational power management of the grid contains renewable power systems. An illustrative example of such a power system is presented and verified by simulation.
Undertreatment of hyperlipidemia in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES: To determine adherence to national guidelines for the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) using lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs), by studying the rate of use of LLDs, predictors of use, and the rate of achieving lipid goals, among eligible patients recently hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of 2,938 medical records, collected from July 1995 to May 1996. SETTING: Thirty-seven community-based hospitals in Minnesota. PATIENTS: The 622 patients had previously established CAD and hyperlipidemia (total cholesterol >200 mg/dL or currently using LLDs), and were eligible for LLDs according to the National Cholesterol Education Program II (NCEP II) Guidelines. MEASUREMENTS: The use of LLDs in eligible patients (primary outcome) and successful achievement of NCEP II goals (total cholesterol <160 mg/dL) among treated patients (secondary outcome). MAIN RESULTS: Only 230 (37%) of 622 eligible patients received LLDs. In multivariate logistic regression, factors independently related to LLD use included age greater than 74 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35, 0.88) and severe comorbidity (AOR 0.60; 95% CI 0.38, 0.95), managed care enrollee (AOR 1.56; 95% CI 1.02, 2.39), past smoker (AOR 1.72; 95% CI 0.98, 3.01), prior revascularization (AOR 2.31; 95% CI 1.51, 3.53), and the use of aspirin (AOR 1.59; 95% CI 1.07, 2.38) or ≥4 medications (AOR 2.89; 95% CI 2.19, 3.84). Of the treated patients who had lipid levels measured (n=149), 15% achieved the recommended goal of a total cholesterol below 160 mg/dL. Of the untreated patients (n=392), 89% were discharged from hospital without a LLD prescription. CONCLUSIONS: Lipid-lowering drugs, although proven effective for the secondary prevention of CAD, were used by only one third of eligible patients. Among patients receiving LLDs, few achieved recommended lipid goals. Directed quality improvement interventions, such as starting LLDs during hospitalization, may have the potential to substantially reduce CAD morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population.
Reactivity of the Ni→B dative σ-bond in the nickel boratrane compounds [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiX (X = Cl, OAc, NCS, N3): synthesis of a series of B-functionalized tris(2-mercapto-1-tert-butylimidazolyl)borato complexes, [YTmBut]NiZ

The nickel boratrane complexes [κ4-B(mimBut)3]Ni(κ1-OAc), [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiNCS and [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiN3 are obtained viametathesis of the chloride ligand of [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiCl with TlOAc, KSCN and NaN3, respectively; the Ni→B bond in these complexes is a site of reactivity, thereby providing a means of synthesizing nickel complexes that feature B-functionalized tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate derivatives, [YTmBut]NiZ.
Consumer Ratings of Restructured Beef Steaks Manufactured to Contain Different Residual Contents of Connective Tissue

Restructured beef steaks were evaluated by consumers (n = 90 households) in Houston, TX. Consumers were selected to assure that demographic representation—age, ethnic background, income, education—was accomplished. Restructured beef steaks were manufactured from 27 beef shoulder clods (nine per treatment) that were subjected to different degrees of connective tissue removal—no trim (NT), intermediate trim (IT) and extensive trim (ET). Consumers rated ET steaks highest, IT steaks intermediate, and NT steaks lowest for overall desirability with significant differences found among the treatments. Consumers perceived this product as being intermediate in monetary value when compared to ground beef and T-bone steak.
Targeting of the "insulin-responsive" glucose transporter (GLUT4) to the regulated secretory pathway in PC12 cells

Insulin-activated glucose transport depends on the efficient sorting of facilitated hexose transporter isoforms to distinct subcellular locales. GLUT4, the "insulin-responsive" glucose transporter, is sequestered intracellularly, redistributing to the cell surface only in the presence of hormone. To test the hypothesis that the biosynthesis of the insulin-responsive compartment is analogous to the targeting of proteins to the regulated secretory pathway, GLUT4 was expressed in the neuroendocrine cell line, PC12. Localization of the transporter in differentiated PC12 cells by indirect immunofluorescence revealed GLUT4 to be in the perinuclear region and in the distal processes. Although, by immunofluorescence microscopy, GLUT4 co-localized with the endosomal protein transferrin receptor and the small synaptic vesicle (SSV) marker protein synaptophysin, fractionation by velocity gradient centrifugation revealed that GLUT4 was excluded from SSV. Immunoelectron microscopic localization indicated that GLUT4 was indeed targeted to early and late endosomes, but in addition was concentrated in large dense core vesicles (LDCV). This latter observation was confirmed by the following experiments: (a) an antibody directed against GLUT4 immunoadsorbed the LDCV marker protein secretogranin, as assayed by Western blot; (b) approximately 85% of secretogranin metabolically labeled with 35S-labeled sulfate and allowed to progress into secretory vesicles was coadsorbed by an antibody directed against GLUT4; and (c) GLUT4 was readily detected in LDCV purified by ultracentrifugation. These data suggest that GLUT4 is specifically sorted to a specialized secretory compartment in PC12 cells.
Comparative Analysis of Hox Gene Expression in the Polychaete Chaetopterus: Implications for the Evolution of Body Plan Regionalization

The Hox genes are widely regarded as candidates for involvement in major evolutionary changes in body plan organization. We examine Hox gene expression data for several taxa, in relation to recent work on the polychaete annelid Chaetopterus. The work in Chaetopterus shows the basic conservation of colinearity of anterior expression boundaries seen in other groups. It also reveals novel patterns including early expression in the larval growth zone and later formation of posterior boundaries that correlate with morphological transitions in the polychaete body plan. The polychaete gene expression pattern is compared with those of Hox gene homologs in other taxa to reveal differences that represent evolutionary changes in Hox gene regulation between lineages. Correlations between Hox gene expression differences and morphological differences are examined, focussing on a number of cases in which posterior Hox gene expression boundaries correlate with morphological transitions. Differential regulation of these posterior expression boundaries is proposed as a possible mechanism for changes body plan regionalization.
Graph indexing based on discriminative frequent structure analysis

Graphs have become increasingly important in modelling complicated structures and schemaless data such as chemical compounds, proteins, and XML documents. Given a graph query, it is desirable to retrieve graphs quickly from a large database via indices. In this article, we investigate the issues of indexing graphs and propose a novel indexing model based on discriminative frequent structures that are identified through a graph mining process. We show that the compact index built under this model can achieve better performance in processing graph queries. Since discriminative frequent structures capture the intrinsic characteristics of the data, they are relatively stable to database updates, thus facilitating sampling-based feature extraction and incremental index maintenance. Our approach not only provides an elegant solution to the graph indexing problem, but also demonstrates how database indexing and query processing can benefit from data mining, especially frequent pattern mining. Furthermore, the concepts developed here can be generalized and applied to indexing sequences, trees, and other complicated structures as well.
Enzyme-modified starch as an oil delivery system for bake-only chicken nuggets.

UNLABELLED This study investigated the effects of enzyme modification on starch as an effective oil delivery system for bake-only chicken nuggets. Various native starches were hydrolyzed by amyloglucosidase to a hydrolysis degree of 20% to 25% and plated with 50% (w/w, starch dry basis) with canola oil to create a starch-oil matrix. This matrix was then blended into a dry ingredient blend for batter and breader components. Nuggets were prepared by coated with predust, hydrated batter, and breader, and the coated nuggets were steam-baked until fully cooked and then frozen until texture and sensory analyses. The enzyme-modified starches showed a significant decrease in pasting viscosities for all starch types. For textural properties of nuggets, no clear relationship was found between peak force and starch source or amylose content. Sensory attributes related to fried foods (for example, crispness and mouth-coating) did not significantly differ between bake-only nuggets formulated using the enzyme-modified starches and the partially fried and baked ones. The present findings suggest that enzyme-modified starches can deliver sufficient quantity of oil to create sensory attributes similar to those of partially fried chicken nuggets. Further study is needed to optimize the coating formulation of bake-only chicken nugget to become close to the fried one in sensory aspects. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The food industry has become increasingly focused on healthier items. Frying imparts several critical and desirable product functionalities, such as developing texture and color, and providing mouth-feel and flavor. The food industry has yet to duplicate all of the unique characteristics of fried chicken nuggets with a baking process. This study investigated the application of enzyme-modified starch as an oil delivery system in bake-only chicken nugget formulation in attempts to provide characteristics of fried items. This information is useful to improve the nutritional value of fried food by eliminating the frying process while preserving the desired characteristics of fried products.
The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in the Maintenance of Verbal Working Memory: An Event-Related fMRI Analysis.

Neuroimaging studies have been inconclusive in characterizing the role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) for maintaining increasingly larger amounts of information in working memory (WM). To address this question, the authors collected event-related functional MRI data while participants performed an item-recognition task in which the number of to-be-remembered letters was parametrically modulated. During maintenance of information in WM, the dorsolateral and the ventrolateral PFC exhibited linearly increasing activation in response to increasing WM load. Prefrontal regions could not be distinguished from one another on the basis of load sensitivity, but the dorsolateral PFC had stronger functional connectivity with the parietal and motor cortex than the ventrolateral PFC. These results suggest an increasingly important role for the PFC in actively maintaining information as the amount of that information increases.
MODELING OXIDATION AND HYDROLYSIS REACTIONS IN SUPERCRITICAL WATER—FREE RADICAL ELEMENTARY REACTION NETWORKS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT From the beginning of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) research in the early 1980s, mathematical models have been used to correlate, predict, and explain experimental reaction kinetic data. Initially, these were simple global rate laws, involving only a single overall reaction or a few reactions, each with its own arbitrary rate law. As computational power increased and the library of elementary reactions from the combustion literature grew, it became feasible to construct elementary reaction rate models, which are a more accurate means of representing the SCWO process. Early efforts to construct elementary reaction rate models resulted in very poor agreement with experimental data unless model parameters were adjusted to optimize the fit. However, today with considerably more computing power and a more robust collection of elementary rate parameters from the combustion literature, rate predictions in the relatively low-temperature, high-pressure SCWO environment are more effective and accura...
Manifold based Morphometry applied to schizophrenia

The growing clinical importance of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in disease investigation has prompted large population studies that require computational neuroanatomic techniques for tensor processing, as conventional analysis of scalar maps of DTI does not identify the full impact of pathology. In this paper we propose a comprehensive framework called manifold based morphometry (MBM) for the computational and statistical analysis of DTI datasets, consisting of spatial normalization to a template, followed by voxel-based analysis based on embedding the tensors to a linear submanifold using kernel-based manifold learning and applying statistics in this embedded space. Regions of significant difference are identified and compared with those found with conventional voxel-based analysis of scalar maps of anisotropy and diffusivity. MBM has then been applied to the group-based statistical analysis of dataset of schizophrenia patients and controls. The comparison yields that MBM consisting of the full tensor DTI analysis reveals regions of difference that encompass regions identified by the analysis of scalar maps thereby reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the designed framework.
Controlling leakage power with the replacement policy in slumberous caches

As technology scales down at an exponential rate, leakage power is fast becoming the dominant component of the total power budget. A large share of the total leakage power is dissipated in the cache hierarchy. To reduce cache leakage, individual cache lines can be kept in drowsy mode, a low voltage, low leakage state. Every cache access may then result in dynamic power consumption and performance penalties. A trade-off between the amount of leakage power saved on one hand, and the impact on dynamic power and performance on the other hand must be reachedTo affect this trade-off, we introduce "slumberous caches" in which the power level of cache lines is controlled with the cache replacement policy. In a slumberous cache, cache lines are maintained at different power save modes which we call "tranquility levels", which depend on their order of replacement priorities.We evaluate the trade-offs in the context of PLRU, a common cache replacement algorithm. We explore various assignments of the tranquility levels to lines and compare overall power and performance impacts. As technology scales down, the dynamic power required to energize slumberous cache lines drops drastically while the leakage power savings remain roughly steady. The performance penalty--in cycles-- remains constant with technology scaling for each scheme we evaluate.
Experiments and Cohesive Zone Model Parameters for T650/AFR-PE-4/FM680-1 at High Temperatures

This paper reports an experimental program to establish a cohesive zone model for the T650/AFR-PE-4 (laminate) and FM680-1 (adhesive) system. The cohesive zone model is based on a four parameter characterization: in each mode, a range of values for the critical energy release rate and cohesive strength are computed from a set of experimental results. Values of each parameter are determined over the temperature range of 20–350°C. Owing to experimental limitations, two methods for determining the Mode I critical energy release rate are reported from the double cantilever beam test: the area method and the inverse method. The Mode I strength is determined from a button peel stress test. The values of the Mode II parameters are determined by using a mapping procedure that accounts for multiparameter dependence in models of the end notch flexure and single lap joint tests.
Iterative Control Approach to High-Speed Force-Distance Curve Measurement Using AFM for Biological Applications

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used in a wide variety of biological studies, from the topography imaging to the interactions of both sub-cell molecular (i.e., DNA and protein) and cell membranes. Particularly, the force-curve measurement using AFM has become a powerful tool to study the biophysical and/or biochemical properties of single bimolecular and single cell, at unprecedented spatial and force resolution. However, currently the temporal resolution of AFM force curve measurement is limited by its low operation speed, in studies such as the time-dependence of the unfolding force of a titin domain, or the unbinding force of a single DNA strand. Large temporal distortions also occur during the force-volume imaging of a live cell when mapping the force-curve distribution across the cell membrane, because of the large time lapse between the force-curve acquired at the first and the last sample point. In this article, a novel inversion-based iterative control technique is proposed to dramatically increase the speed of force-curve measurements. The experimental results presented show that by using the proposed control technique, the speed of force-curve measurements can be significantly increased (over 60 times)-with no loss of spatial resolution. This control technique, demonstrated on a commercial AFM platform with a conventional cantilever, can be easily automated with guaranteed performance. The proposed technique is further illustrated by applying it to quantitatively study the time-dependent elastic modulus of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), a whose surface stiffness is similar to many soft biological samples. The elastic modulus of PDMS were measured by using force-curves captured at push-in (load) rates spanning two-order differences, which clearly show the transition of the PDMS viscoelastic responses from rubbery (soft) towards glassy (stiff).
Building Virtual Research Communities Using Web Technology

Exchanging information and building communication channels are critical ingredients of biomedical education and research. Collaboration tools can help researchers work in harmony and learn together at a distance. This category spans a wide variety of applications from simple text-based e-mail clients to complex online meeting tools. E-mail is the oldest, most widely used, and effective collaboration tool. Online discussions go by various formats and names such as discussion groups, bulletin boards, and discussion forums. The Internet and web technologies have the potential to increase the productivity of biomedical research. The Internet collaboratories can support expensive equipment to address complex problems, which can speed up discovery and innovation in research. Having the right tools and technology is a necessary foundation and building a community needs conscious effort among website designers, community promoters, and leaders. Integrating electronic collaborative tools into routine scientific practice can be successful but requires further research.
Characterization and biodistribution of a novel MRI molecular imaging agent by neutron activation analysis

Angiogenesis is integral to the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease and solid tumor growth. New microvessels form in atherosclerotic plaque and the presence of new vessels has been associated with carotid plaque instability. Likewise, solid tumor growth depends upon angiogenesis to provide tumor cells with oxygen and nutrients. Recently, Lanza et al. have demonstrated molecular imaging of angiogenesis both in human melanoma xenografts in nude mice and atherosclerotic rabbits by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with clinical magnet strengths using ανβ3-targeted nanoparticles developed in their lab. ανβ3-integrin is a selective molecular epitope expressed by angiogenic endothelium and the MRI contrast agent consists of a lipid-encapsulated, liquid perfluorocarbon nanoparticle directly coupled to a selective ανβ3 ligand. The nanoparticle also contains the paramagnetic contrast agent gadolinium linked to the nanoparticle as Gd-DTPA-bis-oleate. In this work we report on the use of neutron activation analysis to confirm the Gd content of the nanoparticle formulations and determine the biodistribution of Gd post injection.
A resident journal club for quality improvement.

An essential element in creating a safer health care environment and system is embedding the practice of quality into residency training. The ACGME’s core competencies and Health Professions Education Summit core areas can be used as guides for incorporating quality and safety education into residency training programs. We have conducted a literature review to build a reading list that residency program directors can use to improve quality and safety literacy within training programs, stimulate discussion and interest in quality and safety projects, and fulfill ACGME requirements on systemsased practice. Our goal was to nd highly relevant and educaional articles that apply princiles of quality management in ealth care. There have been challenges in he training of residents in quality ethodologies. Quality methodlogies have primarily arisen n manufacturing environments, nd it has been difficult to transate techniques and experiences nto health care. Tailoring and dapting concepts from modern anagement programs such as Lean nd Six Sigma into the service-intenive culture of health care is at least as mportant as the quality assurance rogram itself [1]. Fortunately, here has been a recent sharp rise in iterature incorporating quality ethodologies into health care, articularly in radiology. Another raditional challenge is that acaemic faculty members are generlly poorly trained in these methodlogies. The articles referenced elow can therefore be good entry
A Replication Study and Genome-Wide Scan of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with Pancreatic Cancer Risk and Overall Survival

Purpose: To explore the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on pancreatic cancer risk and overall survival (OS). Experimental Design: The germ line DNA of 531 pancreatic cancer cases and 305 healthy controls from a hospital-based study was genotyped at SNPs previously reported to be associated with pancreatic cancer risk or clinical outcome. We analyzed putative risk SNPs for replication of their reported effects on risk and tested for novel effects on OS. Similarly, we analyzed putative survival-associated SNPs for replication of their reported effects on OS and tested for novel effects on risk. Finally, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of OS using a subset of 252 cases, with two subsequent validation sets of 261 and 572 patients, respectively. Results: Among seven risk SNPs analyzed, two (rs505922 and rs9543325) were associated with risk ( P P P = 1.7 × 10 −6 , per-allele HR, 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.38–2.18] to be putatively associated with OS. Conclusions: The effects of SNPs on pancreatic cancer risk and OS were replicated in our study, although further work is necessary to understand the functional mechanisms underlying these effects. More importantly, the putative association with OS identified by GWAS suggests that GWAS may be useful in identifying SNPs associated with clinical outcome in pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 18(14); 3942–51. ©2012 AACR .
An Ultrastructural Study of Normal Young Adult Human Articular Cartilage

Zone I of normal young adult human articular cartilage is a highly modified layer consisting of tangentially oriented bundles of closely spaced unit collagen fibers 320 A in diameter with characteristic 640 A periodicity, separated by little or no intervening amorphous ground substance. The surface cells in Zone I show a relatively small cytoplasmic volume, a poorly developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, and a small Golgi complex. Degenerative changes are infrequently observed, and no more often than in the chondrocytes of other zones. The surface cells appear to be a relatively dormant or quiescent cell population in which protein synthesis is reduced and metabolic activity is at a low level. Beneath Zone I, collagen fiber bundles disappear and are replaced by randomly oriented, widely spaced, individual collagen fibers with characteristic periodicity and of increasing diameters. In the matrix separating unit collagen fibers there runs a delicate network of smaller fibers which lack the characteristic periodicity of collagen. Large numbers of these smaller fibers are distributed throughout the matrix immediately surrounding chondrocytes. The chondrocytes of Zones II and III show a relatively large cytoplasmic volume, and elaborately developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and an extensive Golgi complex, characteristic of cells actively engaged in protein synthesis.
Paleopedology and Stable Isotope Chemistry of Late Silurian Vertic Paleosols, Bloomsburg Formation, Central Pennsylvania

ABSTRACT Paleosols with vertic (Vertisol-like) features occur in repetitively stacked fining-upward sequences bounded by marine erosional surfaces in the Bloomsburg Formation (Ludlovian to Pridolian) of central Pennsylvania. Paleosol development was strongly influenced by repeated changes in relative sea level, which resulted in subaerial exposure and pedogenesis of marginal-marine sediment accumulating along a low-energy, mud-dominated coastline in a delta-plain environment. Bloomsburg paleosols are characterized by very weak horizonation, abundant pedogenic slickensides, and a micromorphology dominated by sepic fabrics and peds bounded by stress cutans. Pedogenic carbonate is sparse, occurring principally as micrite nodules. Stable carbon isotope compositions of stratigraphically-low pedogen c carbonate (mean 13C = -1.92 PDB) are attributed to pedogenesis proximal to a marine coastline. In stratigraphically-high paleosols showing evidence of rhizolith development, isotopic compositions of pedogenic carbonate suggest a significant contribution of carbon from C3 flora. Atmospheric P(CO2) levels estimated for these calcretes (4500-5500 ppmV) are significantly greater than present-day values. Low 18O values for pedogenic carbonate (mean 18O = -12.12 PDB) record isotopic exchange between paleosol carbonate and 18O-enriched fluids associated with the conversion of original soil smectites to illite and chlorite during burial diagenesis. Paleosols bounded by marine erosional surfaces show variable degrees of marine hydromorphism attributable to rising water table during transgression', evidence for hydromorphism includes extensive reduction of iron as well as relative increases in CaO, MnO, MgO, P2O5, Na2O, and Sr at the tops of paleosols, due to introduction of marine fluids and sediment into open soil fractures and burrows. The abundance of vertic features in all Bloomsburg paleosols, by analogy with Holocene Vertisols, indicates the recurrence of a seasonally wet-dry (dry 4-8 months/year) paleoclimate n the central Appalachian region at a paleolatitude of about 20° south.
Intervertebral disc and stem cells cocultured in biomimetic extracellular matrix stimulated by cyclic compression in perfusion bioreactor

Abstract Background context Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration often causes back pain. Current treatments for disc degeneration, including both surgical and nonsurgical approaches, tend to compromise the disc movement and cannot fully restore functions of the IVD. Instead, cell-based IVD tissue engineering seems promising as an ultimate therapy for IVD degeneration. Purpose To tissue-engineer an IVD ex vivo as a biological substitute to replace degenerative IVD. Study design An extracellular matrix (ECM) structure-mimetic scaffold, cocultured human IVD cells and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), and mechanical stimulation were used to biofabricate a tissue-engineered IVD. Methods An optimal ratio of human annulus fibrosus (hAF) cells to hMSCs for AF generation within aligned nanofibers, and that of human nucleus pulposus (hNP) cells to hMSCs for NP generation within hydrogels were first determined after comparing different coculture ratios of hAF or hNP cells to hMSCs. Nanofibrous strips seeded with cocultured hAF cells/hMSCs were constructed into multilayer concentric rings, enclosing an inner core of hydrogel seeded with hNP cells/hMSCs. A piece of nonwoven nanofibrous mat seeded with hMSC-derived osteoblasts was assembled on the top of the cellular nanofiber/hydrogel assembly, as an interface layer between the cartilagenous end plate and vertebral body. The final assembled construct was then maintained in an osteochondral cocktail medium and stimulated with compressive loading to further enhance the hAF and hNP cells differentiation and increase the IVD ECM production. Results Among all cocultured groups, hAF cells and hMSCs in the ratio of 2:1 cultured in nanofibers showed the closest mRNA expression levels of AF-related markers to positive control hAF cells, whereas hNP cells and hMSCs in the ratio of 1:2 cultured in hydrogels showed the closest expression levels of NP-related markers to positive control hNP cells. The effects of compressive loading on chondrogenesis of hAF or hNP cell and hMSC coculture were dependent on the scaffold structure; the expression of cartilage-related markers in AF nanofibers was downregulated, whereas that in NP hydrogel was upregulated. Interestingly, we found that hMSC-derived osteogenic cells in the interface layer were turned into chondrogenic lineage cells, with decreased expression of osteogenic markers and increased expression of chondrogenic markers. Conclusions We demonstrate a unique approach using a biomimetic scaffold, IVD and stem cell coculture, and mechanical stimulation to tissue-engineer a biological IVD substitute. The results show that our approach provides both favorable physical and chemical cues through cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions and mechanobiological induction to enhance IVD generation ex vivo. Our findings may lead to viable tissue engineering applications of generating a functional biological IVD for the treatment of disc degeneration.
Complex or monosomal karyotype and not blast percentage is associated with poor survival in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome patients with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2): a Bone Marrow Pathology Group study

Acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) have a poor prognosis. Indeed, the inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) has been recognized as a poor risk karyotype in the revised International Prognostic Scoring System. However, inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) is not among the cytogenetic abnormalities pathognomonic for diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia irrespective of blast percentage in the 2008 WHO classification. This multicenter study evaluated the clinico-pathological features of acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome patients with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) and applied the revised International Prognostic Scoring System to myelodysplastic syndrome patients with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2). A total of 103 inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) patients were reviewed and had a median bone marrow blast count of 4% in myelodysplastic syndrome (n=40) and 52% in acute myeloid leukemia (n=63) (P<0.001). Ninety-one percent of patients showed characteristic dysmegakaryopoiesis. There was no difference in overall survival between acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome patients with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) (12.9 vs. 7.9 months; P=0.16). Eighty-three percent of patients died (median follow up 7.9 months). Complex karyotype, monosomal karyotype and dysgranulopoiesis (but not blast percentage) were independent poor prognostic factors in the entire cohort on multivariable analysis. The revised International Prognostic Scoring System better reflected overall survival of inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) than the International Prognostic Scoring System but did not fully reflect the generally dismal prognosis. Our data support consideration of myelodysplastic syndrome with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) as an acute myeloid leukemia with recurrent genetic abnormalities, irrespective of blast percentage.
Spontaneous remission of infantile acute nonlymphocytic leukemia for 11 years in a child with normal karyotype

Background. Leukemia or a leukemia-like picture in phenotypically normal infants with a normal marrow karyotype who undergo spontaneous remission is extremely unusual. Results. A 6–week-old, phenotypically normal boy first was seen in 1979 with hepatosplenomegaly, a 36 × 109/1 leukocyte count, a leukoerythroblastic picture, and increased blasts in the bone marrow aspirate. Because no other known causes of leukemoid reaction could be demonstrated, the picture was consistent at that time with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), French-American-British (FAB) Ml; however, because of the age of the child, the low blast count, normal cytogenetics, and questions about this diagnosis, treatment was withheld. Hematologic laboratory values normalized by the time he was 1 year of age. Eleven years later, he presented a similar picture that rapidly progressed to overt leukemia (FAB Ml). A normal marrow karyotype was consistent throughout the 11 years of follow-up. Treatment of ANLL was initiated, resulting in marrow remission. This was followed by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. He had a relapse again and was retreated, achieving a second marrow remission, and had a second allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. However, the patient died of venoocclusive disease of the liver after the second transplant. Conclusion. The diagnosis and prognosis of infants with an abnormal hematologic picture similar to ANLL but who are phenotypically and karyotypically normal are not as straightforward as in the older child or adult. Treatment should be withheld in this setting until the leukemic process is overt.
2D-Profiling: Detecting Input-Dependent Branches with a Single Input Data Set

Static compilers use profiling to predict run-time program behavior. Generally, this requires multiple input sets to capture wide variations in run-time behavior. This is expensive in terms of resources and compilation time. We introduce a new mechanism, 2D-profiling, which profiles with only one input set and predicts whether the result of the profile would change significantly across multiple input sets. We use 2D-profiling to predict whether a branch's prediction accuracy varies across input sets. The key insight is that if the prediction accuracy of an individual branch varies significantly over a profiling run with one input set, then it is more likely that the prediction accuracy of that branch varies across input sets. We evaluate 2D-profiling with the SPEC CPU 2000 integer benchmarks and show that it can identify input-dependent branches accurately.
TiO2-B nanowire arrays coated with layered MoS2 nanosheets for lithium and sodium storage

TiO2-B nanowire arrays coated with MoS2 nanosheets (TiO2-B/MoS2) have been directly grown on a current collector without any binder or carbon and explored in Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. The 3D TiO2-B/MoS2 nanowire array anodes show enhanced capacity and rate capability with good cyclability due to the structural stability of TiO2-B nanowire arrays and the high capacity and conductivity of 2D MoS2 nanosheets.
Editorial: What can Neuroscience Learn from Contemplative Practices?

Contemplative practices like meditation and mindfulness have recently gained increased acceptance in science and clinical practice, although a number of issues related to their phenomenology and to experimental designs still remain (Dahl et al., 2015).
Colon: Structure and Function

The colon is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that extends from the cecum to the anal canal. The human colon has two primary functions: absorb water (and some nutrients) and propel waste aborally and store it in the distal colon until defecation occurs. The colon is now recognized as a metabolically active organ that plays an important role in maintaining the overall health of the human body by salvaging unabsorbed nutrients and absorbing water and electrolytes. The colon is also involved in the formation and storage of residue in the form of feces and its elimination through defecation.
Why Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV) Fails

Since the introduction of intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) to adult medical practice in 1973, the technique has been fraught with numerous difficulties.(1) Initially, IMV was felt to be purely a weaning tool. Subsequently, as clinicians at the University of Florida began treating patients with severe respiratory failure with IMV, many other clinicians felt that the technique was being used to prematurely discontinue mechanical ventilatory support of critically ill patients.(2,3) Subsequent publications from the University of Florida, the University of Miami, Lackland Air Force Base and other institutions, attempted to support the physiologic basis for allowing spontaneous respiration to persist during mechanical ventilatory support. Initially, the technique did not enjoy wide-spread acceptance. As time as passed, the reasons for this lack of acceptance have become obvious and, in spite of continued controversy, the technique now is applied world-wide.(4,5)
Diversity and Deadlock: Transcending Conventional Wisdom on the Relationship Between Biological Diversity and Intellectual Property

Do intellectual property rights promote or inhibit legal efforts to protect endangered species and ecosystems? According to the conventional narrative on biopiracy, biodiversity and biotechnology can scarcely coexist. Placing the debate in its proper environmental context demonstrates that both the global south (home to most of earth's threatened and endangered species) and the global north (the source of the capital and technology needed to develop this natural wealth) have overstated the significance of commercial development. Saving biodiversity's hot spots promises far more environmental benefit. Nevertheless, to the extent that bioprospecting can overcome perverse economic incentives to consume natural resources with greater, long-term value, it behooves us to examine biotechnology's impact on biodiversity and the legal framework that regulates this relationship. After examining intellectual property through three conceptual filters - genotypes versus phenotypes, genes versus memes, and pharmaceutical versus agricultural applications of biotechnology - this article reviews the relevant provisions of the Convention for Biological Diversity, the annex on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). If the developing world intends to obtain access to northern capital and technology, it is likelier to do so through TRIPS and UPOV than the Biodiversity Convention. This article concludes by urging a reduction in the vehemence of the debate over biodiversity and biotechnology. The attention lavished on clever ways to exploit individual species should yield to a reinvigorated commitment to funding cooperative conservation efforts under the aegis of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Metabolic chiral inversion of stiripentol in the rat. I. Mechanistic studies.

To study enantioselective aspects of the disposition of stiripentol (STP), a chiral allylic alcohol undergoing development as an antiepileptic drug, a stereoselective synthesis was developed and the configuration of the two enantiomers determined to be (R)-(+) and (S)-(-). Following a single oral dose (300 mg kg-1) of the individual enantiomers to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, it was found that (R)-STP was transformed extensively to its antipode, whereas little inversion was detected when (S)-STP was administered. Studies on the mechanism of this apparently unidirectional chiral inversion revealed that the phenomenon was dependent on the presence of the side-chain C==C double bond, because the enantiomers of the corresponding saturated alcohol (D2602) did not interconvert in vivo. Experiments with analogs of STP labeled with deuterium or oxygen-18 at the chiral center showed that, whereas the deuterium was retained in vivo, partial loss of the 18O occurred from both enantiomers of the drug. Pretreatment of rats with pentachlorophenol (40 mumol kg-1 i.p.), an inhibitor of sulfation (and possibly other conjugation reactions), led to a marked decrease in the rate of conversion of (R)-STP to its antipode, suggesting that the chiral inversion phenomenon may be mediated, at least in part, by an enantioselective conjugation process.
Microstructural and Electrical Properties of La Doped Ba1划xSrxTiO3 Thin Films For Tunable Microwave Device Applications

We have investigated the structural, compositional, interfacial, surface morphological and dielectric properties of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 solid solution thin films La doped from 0 to 10 mol%. The doped thin films were prepared by the metalorganic solution deposition technique using carboxylate-alkoxide precursors. After post-deposition annealing in oxygen ambient at 750 °C the films were characterized via x-ray diffraction, Auger electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The electrical measurements were achieved in the metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration with Pt as the top and bottom electrode. Our results demonstrated that La doping had a strong effect on the films microstructural, dielectric and insulating properties. Specifically, 1 mol% La doped BST films exhibited a lower dielectric constant, 283 and higher resistivity 31.4×1013 W-cm with respect to that of undoped BST. The loss tangent and tunability (at 100 kHz) of the 1 mol% La doped BST films were 0.019 and 21% (at E=300kV/cm) respectively.
Healthcare report cards and tobacco measures.

Acknowledge controversy when it exists, because that only strengthens credibility. Involve physicians actively. Use written materials that are graphic and concise; that is the academic detailing message. Do not use gray text. Repeat, repeat, repeat the main message: repetition is one of the best mechanisms of education. Combine education with incentives, penal ties, and administrative changes, but do not count on much of an impact from any of these alone. Finally, reinforce the newly learned behaviour so it is strongly practised from the beginning and not extinguished later. Physicians can improve, but the factors motivating their practices are too complex for simplistic methods to be effective. Understandi g the motives behind medical practice is the first step toward improving it.
Male and Female Vocabularies for Communicating with a Sexual Partner

AbstractEffective communication is acknowledged as vital to effective sexual function in relationships. However, encouraging open verbalization may not necessarily ameliorate an inherent communication barrier between men and women. This study explored whether intimate communication in a sexual context displayed gender-specific vocabulary. One hundred eighty subjects drawn from three midwestern universities completed anonymous questionnaires with their preferred vocabulary for referring to male and female genitals and the act of copulation within the context of communicating with spouse or lover about their own physical relationship. Statistical differences between the genders were computed for the most frequently used terms. Results indicate that strong public norms exist for private intimate communication. Those norms vary by gender; males and females have significantly different sexual vocabularies, but use them in attempts at intimate communication with one another.
Near infrared tomography image reconstruction with a priori structural information from MRI for female breast tumor detection: algorithm development

Near infrared (NIR) image reconstruction can be improved using a-priori structural knowledge provided by MRI. In this work we show that combining these modalities and optimizing the NIR reconstruction algorithm improves recovery of internal optical property distributions.
Transplantation of composite tissue allografts

Transplantation of composite tissue allografts / , Transplantation of composite tissue allografts / , کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز