cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leucine Biosynthesis in Fungi: Entering Metabolism through the Back Door

After exploring evolutionary aspects of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, the review focuses on the extended leucine biosynthetic pathway as it operates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. First, the genes and enzymes specific for the leucine pathway are considered: LEU4 and LEU9 (encoding the α-isopropylmalate synthase isoenzymes), LEU1 (isopropylmalate isomerase), and LEU2 (β-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase). Emphasis is given to the unusual distribution of the branched-chain amino acid pathway enzymes between mitochondrial matrix and cytosol, on the newly defined role of Leu5p, and on regulatory mechanisms governing gene expression and enzyme activity, including new evidence for the metabolic importance of the regulation of α-isopropylmalate synthase by coenzyme A. Next, structure-function relationships of the transcriptional regulator Leu3p are addressed, defining its dual role as activator and repressor and discussing evidence in support of the self-masking model. Recent data pointing at a more extended Leu3p regulon are discussed. An overview of the layered controls of the extended leucine pathway is provided that includes a description of the newly recognized roles of Ilv5p and Bat1p in maintaining mitochondrial integrity. Finally, branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis and its regulation in other fungi are summarized, the question of leucine as metabolic signal is addressed, and possible directions of future research in this area are outlined.
Ionomycin-stimulated phasic myometrial contractions

Ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, facilitates the sustained entry of extracellular calcium; however, in myometrial tissue it stimulates phasic contractions. This study sought to define further this unanticipated effect of ionomycin and to begin to explore the possible mechanism(s) involved. Utilizing rat uterine strips, in vitro isometric contraction studies were performed to determine the effects of ionomycin with and without membrane-permeant inhibitors of cytosolic calcium oscillations. To determine the effects of ionomycin on phospholipase C, qualitative inositol phosphate production studies were performed. The in vitro contraction studies confirmed that ionomycin-stimulated phasic myometrial contractions were potentially dependent on stimulation of phospholipase C, calcium-induced calcium release, and additional calcium influx through dihydropyridine-sensitive membrane calcium channels. The inositol phosphate production studies confirmed that ionomycin stimulated phospholipase C in a dose-related fashion to levels comparable to oxytocin. In summary, these observations have confirmed the ability of ionomycin to generate dose-related phasic myometrial contractions through mechanisms potentially involving the phosphatidylinositol-signaling pathway.
Clinical skills acquisition for hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

ABSTRACTPurpose: The learning curve associated with laparoscopic surgery may be associated with higher patient risk, and in the setting of kidney donation such risk may be unacceptable. We characterize the learning curve for hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in the context of a urology training program, and establish a case volume threshold after which improvements in laparoscopic skill can be demonstrated.Materials and Methods: The study included 245 consecutive laparoscopic cases, including 111 donor nephrectomies, performed in 2 ½ years to characterize various measures of experience. Documentation of resident involvement in each case was made by a single surgeon and collected prospectively. Outcomes assessed included operative time, blood loss and intraoperative complications.Results: Of the 111 hand-assisted donor nephrectomies the resident was surgeon in 47%. Operative time proved a reliable and sensitive measure of surgeon experience. Increasing laparoscopic experience, as measured by sev...
Ultra-high speed optical OFDM transmission technologies

This paper reviews recent progress in 100-Gb/s-class ultra-high speed optical OFDM transmission technologies. We describe system configuration based on optical multiplexing/demultiplexing and transmission performances.
Effect of the Higher Field Multipoles in Superconducting Magnets on the Good Field Aperture

The magnetic field in superconducting dipoles and quadrupoles have undesired higher multipoles present. These higher multipoles are caused by deviations from the ideal configuration of current and iron that produces a pure dipole or a pure quadrupole field. End effects are a source of higher multipoles. Correction coils may be provided which can be used to correct the effects due to some of the undesired multipoles, particularly the lower multipoles. The higher undesired multipoles, for which there are no effective correction coils, may limit the good field aperture of the magnet. The higher multipoles will curve the working line, the dependence of the ..nu..-value on the momentum. The effects, that may limit the good field aperture, will depend on how the accelerator is operated. One effect that may limit the good field aperture is that the curvature of the working line due to the higher multipoles may make it difficult to control the transverse collective instability. For the case of the ISABELLE accelerator, one preliminary magnet design would lead to higher multipoles being present that could limit the good field aperture to a momentum acceptance of ..delta..p/p = 2%. It is found that the 20-pole multipole in the quadrupole playsmore » a major role in limiting the aperture, and a modification of the quadrupole design could lead to a good field aperture of about ..delta..p/p = 3%, due to this higher multipole effect.« less
Uniform parity group distribution in disk arrays with multiple failures

Several new disk arrays have recently been proposed in which the parity groupings are uniformly distributed throughout the array so that the extra workload created by a disk failure can be evenly shared by all the surviving disks, resulting in the best possible degraded mode performance. Many arrays now also put in multiple spare disks so that expensive service calls can be deferred. Furthermore, in a new sparing scheme called distributed sparing, the spare spaces are actually distributed throughout the array. This means after a rebuild the new array will be logically different from the original array. The authors present an algorithm for constructing and maintaining arrays with distributed sparing so that repeated uniform parity group distribution is achieved with each successive failure. >
Characterization of the structural and functional diversity of indigenous soil microbial communities in smelter-impacted and nonimpacted soils.

A century of mining and smelting activity at the Anaconda Smelter site in Anaconda, Montana, USA, has contaminated the surrounding soils and groundwater with metals. Soil microbial communities from six smelter-impacted sites and a nonimpacted site were compared to determine the long-term effects of a gradient of metal concentrations on microbial activity, biomass, functional diversity (Biolog microtiter plates), and structural diversity (denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S ribosomal DNA). Microbial activity and biomass were decreased in the smelter-impacted soils. Likewise, the functional and structural diversity of the microbial communities native to the smelter-impacted soils were shifted, relative to the microbial community, from the non-impacted site. These shifts were significantly correlated with soil metal concentration and several soil physicochemical properties (pH, organic matter, NO3, NH4, etc.), which provides evidence of the importance of many environmental variables on microbial community dynamics in soils. Preliminary evidence of functional redundancy was observed within microbial communities native to the smelter-impacted sites, based on overlapping carbon substrate utilization patterns. However, due to culture-based selection bias, redundancy pertains only to a subset of the community and may not be ecologically relevant. Nevertheless, the effects of metal contamination on microbial communities in the present study are pronounced and results provide preliminary insight into the complex relationship between soil microbial community structure and function in anthropogenically disturbed soils.
Stress Analysis of Contact Deformation in Quasi-Plastic Ceramics

A stress analysis is made of Hertzian contact deformation in relatively tough ceramics with heterogeneous microstructures, where the response is essentially quasi-plastic rather than ideally elastic-brittle. Contact data for two such heterogeneous ceramics, a micaceous glass-ceramic with modest hardness and a silicon nitride with high hardness, are presented as illustrative cases. Data from a soft steel serve as a comparative baseline. Two distinctive aspects of the deformation response are explored: indentation stress-strain nonlinearity; and size and shape of the damage zone. For the harder ceramics, the stress-strain nonlinearity is less pronounced, and the quasi-plastic zone is more tightly confined beneath the contact, than in traditional ductile metals. As in metals, the deformation process in the ceramic structures is essentially shear driven, but has its origin in microstructurally localized interfacial sliding faults rather than in dislocation slip. Finite element modeling (FEM) is used to compute the shear stress distributions beneath the spherical indenters for selected experimental loading conditions. The underlying basis of the FEM calculations is an elastic-plastic constitutive relation based on a critical shear condition for yield, but incorporating a strain-hardening characteristic to allow for local elastic constraints on the sliding shear faults. The FEM calculations are able to simulate the main features of the stress-strain curves and the evolving deformation zone geometries. In addition, the calculated tensile stress distributions are able to account, at least in part, for the suppression of conventional brittle fracture tendencies in tougher ceramics.
External and Middle Ear Status Related to Evoked Otoacoustic Emission in Neonates

• Objective. —Screening auditory status prior to neonatal hospital discharge to identify newborns with severe hearing impairment is an important pediatric care priority. Evoked otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing is a quick noninvasive method. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between external auditory canal and middle ear status with click-evoked OAE. It was hypothesized that vernix caseosa, debris in the ear canal, and middle ear fluid contribute to the OAE fail rate. Design. —All neonates had an initial OAE examination. A second investigator, "blinded" to the results, examined all ears otoscopically, cleaned any obstructing debris, and repeated with a second OAE test. Setting. —All neonates were tested in a designated nursery at a mean age of 43±21 hours. Patients. —Forty-one full-term neonates were prospectively enrolled. Intervention. —The ear canals with debris were cleaned under direct vision with a pediatric swab dampened by an alcohol wipe. Outcome Measure —The primary outcome measure was the postcleaning OAE pass rate. Results. —The preotoscopic examination pass rate of 82 ears was 76%. The OAE pass rate improved to 91% after debris removal. Conclusions. —The results indicate that the examination and cleaning of the external ear canal are important components of the neonatal screening process. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.1993;119:276-282)
Learning Shape Features Using a Binary Tree Classifier

A vision system that can be trained to learn objects automatically is under development at Oakland University. It can be thought of as an expert system that learns its rules by examples. This paper describes an algorithm that allows the vision system to learn the shape features of an object for use in a binary tree classifier. At each node of the tree a feature and threshold value are selected by maximizing a modified version of the Kolmogorov-Smirnoff distance based on the training samples. The resulting binary tree classifier is suitable for real-time applications, inasmuch as traversing the tree involves only a simple comparison at each node. An example is given in which shape features of a binary image are calculated using a single-pass shape extractor algorithm.
Application of a nonisentropic full potential method to AGARD standard airfoils

An entropy-correction method for the unsteady full potential equation is presented. The unsteady potential equation is modified to model the entropy jumps across shock waves. The conservative form of the modified equation is solved in generalized coordinates using an implicit, approximate factorization method. A flux-biasing differencing method, which generates the proper amounts of artificial viscosity in supersonic regions, is used to discretize the flow equations in space. Calculated results are presented for the NLR 7301, NACA 0012, and NACA 64A010A airfoils. Comparisons of the present method and solutions of the Euler equations are presented for the NLR 7301 airfoil, and comparisons of the present method and experimental data are presented for all three airfoils. The comparisons show that the present method more accurately models solutions of the Euler equations and experiment than does the isentropic potential formulation. In addition, it is shown that modeling shock-generated entropy extends the range of validity of the full potential method.
Genomic and functional analyses of Rhodococcus equi phages ReqiPepy6, ReqiPoco6, ReqiPine5, and ReqiDocB7

The isolation and results of genomic and functional analyses of Rhodococcus equi phages ReqiPepy6, ReqiDocB7, ReqiPine5, and ReqiPoco6 (hereafter referred to as Pepy6, DocB7, Pine5, and Poco6, respectively) are reported. Two phages, Pepy6 and Poco6, more than 75% identical, exhibited genome organization and protein sequence likeness to Lactococcus lactis phage 1706 and clostridial prophage elements. An unusually high fraction, 27%, of Pepy6 and Poco6 proteins were predicted to possess at least one transmembrane domain, a value much higher than the average of 8.5% transmembrane domain-containing proteins determined from a data set of 36,324 phage protein entries. Genome organization and protein sequence comparisons place phage Pine5 as the first nonmycobacteriophage member of the large Rosebush cluster. DocB7, which had the broadest host range among the four isolates, was not closely related to any phage or prophage in the database, and only 23 of 105 predicted encoded proteins could be assigned a functional annotation. Because of the relationship of Rhodococcus to Mycobacterium, it was anticipated that these phages should exhibit some of the features characteristic of mycobacteriophages. Traits that were identified as shared by the Rhodococcus phages and mycobacteriophages include the prevalent long-tailed morphology and the presence of genes encoding LysB-like mycolate-hydrolyzing lysis proteins. Application of DocB7 lysates to soils amended with a host strain of R. equi reduced recoverable bacterial CFU, suggesting that phage may be useful in limiting R. equi load in the environment while foals are susceptible to infection.
2D pore-scale simulation of wide-band electromagnetic dispersion of saturated rocks

EffectivemediumtheoriesEMTsareinvokedroutinelytointerpret multifrequency dispersions of dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of saturated rocks. However, EMTs exhibitlimitationsthatsubstantiallyrestricttheirvalidityforpetrophysical interpretation. For instance, pore connectivity is of significant interest in the study of subsurface reservoirs, but no existingEMTincludesitasanexplicitpropertyintheanalysisofkilohertz- to gigahertz-range dielectric measurements. We introduceanewapproachtoquantifytheeffectsofporegeometryand connectivity on the kilohertz-gigahertz frequency dispersion of dielectricpermittivityandelectricalconductivityofclay-freeporous rocks. This approach is based on the numerical solution of the internal electric fields within submicron-resolution pore maps constructed with grain and rock pixels. The discrepancy betweentheinternalfieldsandelectricalcurrentscalculatedfora homogeneousscattererandthosecalculatedforagivenporemap isminimizedtoyieldtheeffectiveelectricalconductivityanddielectric constant for that pore map. This minimization is performedindependentlyforeachfrequencyandisverifiedtoagree implicitly with Kramers-Kronig’s causality relationships. We showthatEMTsonlypredictanaveragedispersionforgivenmicroscopicgeometricalparameterse.g.,porosity,poreeccentricity, whereas individual realizations honoring the same parameters are associated with dispersion about average values predictedbyEMTs.UnlikeanyEMTprediction,weshowthatporeconnectivity plays a major role in both the shape and amplitude of wide-bandelectromagneticpropertydispersions.Thesimulation procedureintroducedinthispaperprovidesasystematicmethod toassessthesensitivityofamultitudeofpore-scalepropertieson the macroscopic wide-band dielectric dispersion of saturated rocks.
Intended Function: Inferring Manufacturing Performance

In the last two decades “fast and loose” reasoning, as Rice notes above, have given way to stronger inferences based on principles derived from materials science, ethnoarchaeology and experimentation. This chapter reviews this growing body of research, which has gradually transformed pottery analysis in archaeology from poorly supported reasoning to much stronger inferences regarding intended vessel functions. Although the focus of this book is actual pottery function, a complete pottery analysis should consider both sides of the functional equation.
Real-Time TaqMan PCR Assay for the Detection of Heat-Labile and Heat-Stable Enterotoxin Genes in a Geographically Diverse Collection of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains and Stool Specimens

Abstract Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are an important cause of diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years in developing countries and are the leading bacterial agent of traveler's diarrhea in persons traveling to these countries. ETEC strains secrete heat-labile (LT) and/or heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins that induce diarrhea by causing water and electrolyte imbalance. We describe the validation of a real-time TaqMan PCR (RT-PCR) assay to detect LT, ST1a, and ST1b enterotoxin genes in E. coli strains and in stool specimens. We validated LT/ST1b duplex and ST1a single-plex RT-PCR assay using a conventional PCR assay as a gold standard with 188 ETEC strains and 42 non-ETEC strains. We validated LT/ST1b duplex and ST1a single-plex RT-PCR assay in stool specimens (n = 106) using traditional culture as the gold standard. RT- PCR assay sensitivities for LT, ST1a, and ST1b detection in strains were 100%, 100%, and 98%; specificities were 95%, 98%, and 99%, and Pearson correlation coefficient r was 0...
Farm Management Research Needs in New England

HE NEEDS for research in farm management in New EngTland are probably little different in general outline from those of the rest of the country. The simple fact of the matter is that during the years of the great depression in the thirties, and up to the onset of the war, farm management research in many places has been pretty much at a standstill. The energies of the researchers in this field have been absorbed merely in keeping up with the developments under the AAA, SCS, FSA and other programs and trying to see what they were doing to agriculture. The war with its production goal programs, price supports and ceilings, and labor shortages, has cast the researchers still more in the role of observers. But as the war ends, the agriculture of this country will be faced by the need for adjustments more far-reaching than in any other few years in its history. It is high time, therefore, that research in farm organization and related subjects shift quickly from the passive to the aggressive. This paper presents the results of some thinking along these lines mainly in terms of the concrete situations in New England.
Development of the pineal gland: measurement with MR imaging

Our object was to analyze the size of the pineal gland in infants, children and adolescents using MRI. We retrospectively studied 249 patients aged 0–20 years. Their pineal glands were measured for maximum length (L) and height (H) on T1-weighted sagittal imaging and for width (W) on coronal or axial imaging. The volume was calculated with 1/2 ×L×H× W. In patients 0–1 year of age, the gland was significantly smaller. It grew in size and remained stationary from 2 to 20 years old. There was a big variation in size in all age groups. There was no difference in size between males and females.
Facial spasms, but not hemifacial spasm: a case report and review of literature

Facial spasms represent a complicated array of neurological motor disorders with unique diagnostic and treatment algorithms. Due to the rarity of many of these disorders in the pediatric population, special care must be taken in identifying subtle differences in presentation of these disorders. We present a case of a 3-year-old boy diagnosed with a brainstem ganglioglioma, Chiari 1 malformation, and a 2-year history of left-sided facial spasms. Stereotyped facial contractions and subtle eye deviation occurred every 10 s, with downward movement rather than upward elevation of the eyebrow. MRI revealed absence of a clear compressive vessel of the centrally-myelinized portion of the facial nerve, and EMG of the left facial nerve demonstrated no abnormal motor response or evidence of “lateral spread.” Given these findings, a diagnosis of hemifacial seizures was made. Microvascular decompression was not recommended, and botulinum toxin injection was not pursued; however, the patient has remained refractory to antiepileptic drugs, possibly due to biochemical alteration by his ganglioglioma. He may eventually require surgical debulking should his symptoms progress. Hemifacial spasm is a well-recognized disorder, but similar conditions can, at times, imitate its appearance. While our patient presented with facial spasms, his clinical history, examination, and radiographic and electrophysiological findings were more consistent with hemifacial seizures secondary to a brainstem lesion, rather than hemifacial spasms. It is important to distinguish the two entities, as misdiagnosis and inappropriate diagnostic or therapeutic measures may be taken inadvertently.
Preparation of an Anti-Ulcer Factor from Human Urine.∗

SummaryA neutral extract has been prepared from normal human urine by adsorption on charcoal and elution thereof with 60% acetone in water at pH 2. This material, when given to rats at the time of pyloric ligation, prevents the development of the gastric ulceration which normally occurs with this procedure.
Pseudotumor of the Transverse Colon

A benign intrinsic or extrinsic lesion of the colon and a malignant tumor may produce identical roentgenographic pictures. A case is reported in which a functioning anastomosis between stomach and jejunum (gastrojejunostomy) produced a roentgenographic deformity of the transverse colon strongly suggesting carcinoma. Several benign conditions of the transverse colon are discussed. Differential diagnosis of an “apple core” lesion of the colon must include extrinsic compressive lesions.
Determination of 8-OHdG in human urine by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Objective This paper established a simple,rapid method for the analysis of 8-OHd G in human urine with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry( UPLC-MS / MS). Methods After centrifugation of human urine,HLB solid phase extraction column was used for purification. Then 5% methanol-water( containing 0. 1% formic acid) as chromatographic separation conditions and in the MRM mode 8-OHd G( m / z = 284. 2 168. 2 and m / z = 284. 2 140. 2) signals were gained The quantification was accomplished by external standard method. Results The detection method has high sensitivity,8-OHd G has a good linear relationship in the linear range( 0. 1 ng / ml ~ 2. 0 ng / ml),the correlation coefficient was 0. 9995,the lower limit of quantification of 0. 02 ng / ml,low,medium and high levels spiked recoveries of 90. 2% ~ 103. 7%,and the relative standard deviation was 1. 1% ~ 6. 8%. Conclusion The method is simple and the test results are consistent with the previous reports,which can also be applied to the evaluation of oxidative DNA damage caused by various oxidation factors.
Structure-leveraged methods in breast cancer risk prediction

Predicting breast cancer risk has long been a goal of medical research in the pursuit of precision medicine. The goal of this study is to develop novel penalized methods to improve breast cancer risk prediction by leveraging structure information in electronic health records. We conducted a retrospective case-control study, garnering 49 mammography descriptors and 77 high-frequency/low-penetrance single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from an existing personalized medicine data repository. Structured mammography reports and breast imaging features have long been part of a standard electronic health record (EHR), and genetic markers likely will be in the near future. Lasso and its variants are widely used approaches to integrated learning and feature selection, and our methodological contribution is to incorporate the dependence structure among the features into these approaches. More specifically, we propose a new methodology by combining group penalty and lp (1 ≤ p ≤ 2) fusion penalty to improve breast cancer risk prediction, taking into account structure information in mammography descriptors and SNPs. We demonstrate that our method provides benefits that are both statistically significant and potentially significant to people's lives.
13. German vorfeld-filling as constraint interaction

The filling of the vorfeld (= clause-initial position in German declarative clauses) depends on information structural rather than strictly syntactic constraints. Referential phrases of one of the following three types are eligible for the vorfeld: scene-setting elements, contrastive elements and topics. The main point of this paper is to show that these types seem to be ranked: scene-setting elements are the most likely ones to appear in the vorfeld, followed by contrastive elements and finally by topics. Note that topics are thus not the preferred vorfeld-fillers even in German (see Speyer 2007; Frey 2004a). The difference in likelihood to be in the vorfeld can be modelled by an Optimality Theoretic account that is sketched out in this paper.
Altered aortic shape in bicuspid aortic valve relatives influences blood flow patterns

Aims Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is known to exhibit familial inheritance and is associated with aortopathy and altered aortic haemodynamics. However, it remains unclear whether BAV-related aortopathy can be inherited independently of valve morphology. Methods and results Four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging for the in vivo assessment of thoracic aortic 3D blood flow was performed in 24 BAV relatives with trileaflet aortic valves (age = 40 ± 14 years) and 15 healthy controls (age = 37 ± 10 years). Data analysis included aortic dimensions, shape (round/gothic/cubic), and 3D blood flow characteristics (semi-quantitative vortex/helix grading and peak velocities). Cubic and gothic aortic shapes were markedly more prevalent in BAV relatives compared with controls (38 vs. 7%). Ascending aorta (AAo) vortex flow in BAV relatives was significantly increased compared with controls (grading = 1.5 ± 1.0 vs. 0.6 ± 0.9, P = 0.015). Aortic haemodynamics were influenced by aortic shape: peak velocities were reduced for gothic aortas vs. round aortas ( P = 0.003); vortex flow was increased for cubic aortas in the AAo ( P < 0.001) and aortic arch ( P = 0.004); vortex and helix flows were elevated for gothic aortas in the AAo and descending aorta ( P = 0.003, P = 0.029). Logistic regression demonstrated significant associations of shape with severity of vortex flow in AAo ( P < 0.001) and aortic arch ( P = 0.016) in BAV relatives. Conclusion BAV relatives expressed altered aortic shape and increased vortex flow despite the absence of valvular disease or aortic dilatation. These data suggest a heritable component of BAV-related aortopathy affecting aortic shape and aberrant blood flow, independent of valve morphology. [10.1093/ehjci/jew169][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1093/ehjci/jew169
The Gulf War: Desert Shield, Desert Storm

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 was the first major foreign policy crisis of the post-Cold War era for the United States (see Table 5.1). Largely catching the White House unaware, the Iraqi invasion was less of a surprise to regional experts or intelligence analysts within the Administration (Little, 2002; Freedman, 1993; Miller and Mylorie, 1990). The attack came on the heels of months of verbal provocations directed at Kuwait and the other Gulf states by Saddam Hussein (most notably at the Arab League summit in May 1990), including accusations of ‘economic warfare’ through the overproduction of oil (Milton-Edwards and Hinchcliffe, 2001). The tensions between Iraq and Kuwait were particularly acute, and prompted by longstanding discord between the two states concerning territorial claims, allegations of ‘horizontal drilling’ in the Rumaila oil fields by Kuwait, and the terms and conditions surrounding the repayment of loans extended by Kuwait to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war (Diamond, 1996). The Iraqi assault, launched the day after Kuwait’s rejection of Iraqi demands for transfer of the Bubiyan and Warba islands, followed a mass mobilization of forces on 23 July and culminated in the occupation of the emirate within six hours (ibid.).
Electro-Optic Mapping of Guided and Radiated Electric Fields from Microwave Integrated Circuits and Antennas

An external electro-optic field mapping system has been developed to determine the electric field distributions above devices such as microwave integrated circuits and passive and active antennas and arrays.
Beyond Academic and Social Integration: Understanding the Impact of a STEM Enrichment Program on the Retention and Degree Attainment of Underrepresented Students

The current study used a case study methodological approach, including document analysis, semistructured interviews, and participant observations, to investigate how a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrichment program supported retention and degree attainment of underrepresented students at a large, public, predominantly white institution. From this study, a model emerged that encompassed four components: proactive care, holistic support, community building, and catalysts for STEM identity development. These components encompassed a number of strategies and practices that were instrumental in the outcomes of program participants. This paper concludes with implications for practice, such as using models to inform program planning, assessment, and evaluation.
Vitamin D status in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome

Importance Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with significant morbidity in children and adolescents, and the therapeutic efficacy of available treatment options is limited. The role of vitamin D supplementation in pediatric IBS is unclear as the vitamin D status of pediatric patients with IBS is unknown. Equally, the relationship of vitamin D status with psychosomatic symptoms in children and adolescents is unclear. Aim To characterize the vitamin D status of pediatric patients with IBS using a case-control study design. Hypothesis Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration will be similar between patients with IBS and controls. Subjects and methods A retrospective case-controlled study of 116 controls (age 14.6 ± 4.3 y), female (n = 67; 58%) and 55 subjects with IBS (age 16.5 ± 3.1y), female (n = 44; 80%). Overweight was defined as BMI of ≥85th but <95th percentile, and obesity as BMI ≥95th percentile. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D of <50 nmol/L, while seasons of vitamin D draw were categorized as summer, winter, spring, and fall. Major psychosomatic manifestations included in the analysis were depression, anxiety, and migraine. Results More than 50% of IBS subjects had vitamin D deficiency at a cut-off point of 90% of IBS subjects had vitamin D deficiency at a cut-off point of <75 nmol/L (93% vs. 75%, p = 0.006). IBS subjects had significantly lower mean 25(OH)D: 53.2 ± 15.8 nmol/L vs. 65.2 ± 28.0 nmol/L, p = 0.003; and albumin: 6.2 ± 0.6 vs. 6.5 ± 0.6 μmol/L, p = 0.0.01. IBS subjects with migraine had significantly lower mean 25(OH)D concentration compared to controls (p = 0.01). BMI z-score was similar between the controls and IBS subjects (0.5 ± 1.4 vs. 1.2 ± 2.9, p = 0.11). Conclusions Pediatric patients with IBS had significantly lower 25(OH)D concentration compared to controls despite having similar mean BMI values as controls. Only 7% of the children and adolescents with IBS were vitamin D sufficient, and >50% of the subjects with IBS had vitamin D deficiency. This is a much higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to IBD and other malabsorption syndromes. Monitoring for vitamin D deficiency should be part of the routine care for patients with IBS. Randomized control trials are warranted to determine the role of adjunctive vitamin D therapy in pediatric IBS.
Functionalized carbon nanotube based hybrid electrochemical capacitors using neutral bromide redox-active electrolyte for enhancing energy density

Abstract A hybrid electrochemical capacitor (EC) with enhanced energy density is realized by integrating functionalized carbon nanotube (FCNT) electrodes with redox-active electrolyte that has a neutral pH value (1 M Na 2 SO 4 and 0.5 M KBr mixed aqueous solution). The negative electrode shows an electric double layer capacitor-type behavior. On the positive electrode, highly reversible Br − /Br 3 − redox reactions take place, presenting a battery-type behavior, which contributes to increase the capacitance of the hybrid cell. The voltage window of the whole cell is extended up to 1.5 V because of the high over-potentials of oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in the neutral electrolyte. Compared with raw CNT, the FCNT has better wettability in the aqueous electrolyte and contributes to increase the electric double layer capacitance of the cell. As a result, the maximum energy density of 28.3 Wh kg −1 is obtained from the hybrid EC at 0.5 A g −1 without sacrificing its power density, which is around 4 times larger than that of the electrical double layer capacitor constructed by FCNT electrodes and 1 M Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte. Moreover, the discharge capacity retained 86.3% of its initial performance after 10000 cycles of galvanostatic charge and discharge test (10 A/g), suggesting its long life cycle even at high current loading.
Abstract 266: Neural Circulatory Responses to Isolated Muscle Metaboreflex Activation in Postmenopausal Women

Understanding the neural circulatory responses to exercise in postmenopausal women (PMW) is important given their greater risk for developing hypertension. During exercise, blood pressure is contro...
Concurrent Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Melanoma, and Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose To characterize the effect of concurrent stereotactic radiosurgery–stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS-SRT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors on patient outcomes and safety in patients with brain metastases (BMs). Methods and Materials We retrospectively identified metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma patients who had BMs treated with SRS-SRT from 2010 to 2016 without prior whole-brain radiation therapy. We included SRS-SRT patients who were treated with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (ipilimumab) and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 receptor (nivolumab, pembrolizumab). Patients who were given immune checkpoint inhibitors on active or unreported clinical trials were excluded, and concurrent immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) was defined as ICI given within 2 weeks of SRS-SRT. Patients were managed with SRS-SRT, SRS-SRT with nonconcurrent ICI, or SRS-SRT with concurrent ICI. Progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and Cox proportional hazards models were used for multivariate analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of acute neurologic toxicity, immune-related adverse events, and new BMs. Results A total of 260 patients were treated with SRS-SRT to 623 BMs. Of these patients, 181 were treated with SRS-SRT alone, whereas 79 received SRS-SRT and ICI, 35% of whom were treated with concurrent SRS-SRT and ICI. Concurrent ICI was not associated with increased rates of immune-related adverse events or acute neurologic toxicity and predicted for a decreased likelihood of the development of ≥3 new BMs after SRS-SRT (P=.045; odds ratio, 0.337). Median OS for patients treated with SRS-SRT, SRS-SRT with nonconcurrent ICI, and SRS-SRT with concurrent ICI was 12.9 months, 14.5 months, and 24.7 months, respectively. SRS-SRT with concurrent ICI was associated with improved OS compared with SRS-SRT alone (P=.002; hazard ratio [HR], 2.69) and compared with nonconcurrent SRS-SRT and ICI (P=.006; HR, 2.40) on multivariate analysis. The OS benefit of concurrent SRS-SRT and ICI was significant in comparison with patients treated with SRS-SRT before ICI (P=.002; HR, 3.82) or after ICI (P=.021; HR, 2.64). Conclusions Delivering SRS-SRT with concurrent ICI may be associated with a decreased incidence of new BMs and favorable survival outcomes without increased rates of adverse events.
Impact of a Clinical Decision Support Tool on Cancer Pain Management in Opioid-Tolerant Inpatients.

Background: Pain is both common and undertreated in the hematology/oncology population despite national guidelines and a focus from The Joint Commission. Objective: Herein, we describe the features of a pain clinical decision support tool (PCDST) embedded into the electronic medical record (EMR) and report its impact on oncology inpatients at risk for uncontrolled pain. Methods: The PCDST was developed to identify patients with potentially uncontrolled pain, defined as a pain score ≥4. Clinical pharmacists were encouraged to use the tool to determine whether interventions were needed to better control pain. Pain and safety outcomes between 2 cohorts of opioid-tolerant adult inpatients presenting with severe pain were compared prior to and following the implementation of the PCDST. Results: The primary endpoint, attainment of analgesia at 24 hours from admission, was met in 10 of 30 (33.3%) patients in the preimplementation group and in 14 of 32 (43.8%) of patients in the postimplementation group (P = .78)...
Phishing – challenges and solutions

Phishing is a major threat to all Internet users and is difficult to trace or defend against since it does not present itself as obviously malicious in nature. In today's society, everything is put online and the safety of personal credentials is at risk. Phishing can be seen as one of the oldest and easiest ways of stealing information from people and it is used for obtaining a wide range of personal details. It also has a fairly simple approach – send an email, email sends victim to a site, site steals information.
IN VITRO SENSITIVITY OF TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS TO METRONIDAZOLE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the in vitro sensitivity of T. vaginalis to metronidazole. Axenic cultures of ten strains of T. vaginalis were tested in vitro for sensitivity to metronidazole. Two culture tubes were used for each strain in a single experiment and each experiment was repeated at least once. The six strains that were maintained in vitro for 9–17.5 weeks differed significantly in their sensitivity to the drug. All tubes inoculated with three of these strains showed growth on the third (JH 30A, JH 32A) or by the tenth (JH 28A) day of incubation. The results obtained with the strains that were in culture for many years suggest that sensitivity to metronidazole may be increased on prolonged cultivation. The results show that the sub-strains of JH 30A capable of growth in the presence of different concentrations of metronidazole retain their resistance after many serial transfers on drug-free medium.
Numerical Optimization of Computing Algorithms of the Variational Nodal Method Based on Transformation of Variables

Numerical methods based on transformation of variables are developed to improve the computational efficiency of the variational nodal method (VNM). Reordering and orthogonal transformations of the nodal unknowns are found to reduce the coefficient matrices of VNM into block-diagonal forms. These forms make it possible to reduce greatly the number of floating-point operations in matrix manipulations and hence to reduce the computational times. The red-black response matrix acceleration by transformation of interface partial-current variables has been extended to three-dimensional geometries and higher orders of spatial and angular approximations. These combined methods are incorporated within the algorithms currently used in the variational nodal code VARIANT at Argonne National Laboratory. All primary algorithms ranging from the generation of response matrices to the iterative solution method for the response matrix equations are modified to implement the new formulation. The efficiency of the new methods is tested on eigenvalue problems by comparing the computation times of the new and existing methods. Three-dimensional calculations are performed in hexagonal and Cartesian geometry for various spatial and angular approximations. The test results show that very significant gains can be obtained especially for the coupling coefficient calculations in higher angular approximations. More than an order of magnitude reductionmore » of the total computing time is achieved in the best case.« less
Polyamine–DNA Interactions: Possible Site of New Cancer Chemotherapeutic Intervention

The effects of polyamines on the structure of nucleic acids in cell-free systems and in cell culture systems are reviewed. Evidence suggests that polyamine depletion inhibits cell growth and may cause conformational changes in DNA. These effects may be exploited to cause changes in the action of drugs and may be used to advantage in combination treatment protocols. A discussion of theoretical models of the interactions, physicochemical evidence for conformational changes, and the effects of anticancer drugs in cells depleted of polyamines is presented.
Role of ketone signaling in the hepatic response to fasting

Ketogenesis regulates whole body glucose metabolism and β-OH butyrate produced by the liver feeds back to inhibit hepatic β-oxidation and ketogenesis during fasting.
Integrating the “Science” and “Practice” of Politics in a Single Course: A Proof of Concept

How can we merge the science of politics and the practice of politics into a single course? In a 16-week, upper division course on state politics, I address the need to develop students’ social sci...
Spinal and Medullary Dorsal Horn Mechanisms

The dorsal horn of the spinal cord is the first relay in the transmission of painful stimuli from the periphery to higher brain centers. Primary nociceptor terminals enter the dorsal horn and form synapses with projection neurons as well as both excitatory and inhibitory interneurons, primarily in laminae I and II. The dorsal horn also receives input from nuclei in the brainstem and other subcortical structures that facilitate or inhibit nociceptive transmission. All these interactions make the spinal dorsal horn a site of complex integration and modulation of nociceptive input.
Food craving, cortisol and ghrelin responses in modeling highly palatable snack intake in the laboratory.

Abstract Overeating of highly palatable (HP) foods in the ubiquitous HP food cue environment and under stress is associated with weight gain and contributes to the global obesity epidemic. However, subjective and biobehavioral processes that may increase HP overeating are not clear. Using a novel experimental approach, we examined HP food motivation and intake and neuroendocrine responses in the context of food cues, stress and a control neutral relaxing cue exposure in healthy individuals. Methods : Twenty individuals (12 M; 8F; ages 18–45) with body mass index (BMI) in the lean (LN: N = 8; 3/8 female BMI: 18–24.9) or overweight/obese (OW: N = 12; 5/12 female; BMI: 25–37) range were enrolled in a controlled, hospital-based, 3-day laboratory experiment. On each day, subjects were exposed to a brief 5-min individualized guided imagery of stress, food cue or an active neutral-relaxing control cue script, followed by a food snack test (FST), with one imagery condition per day and order of imagery exposure randomized and counterbalanced across subjects. Subjective HP food craving and caloric intake, anxiety, cortisol and total ghrelin was assessed repeatedly during each test day. Results : Significant condition and condition × group effects for food craving, anxiety and HP calorie intake were observed, with food cue relative to neutral condition increasing HP food craving and intake across all subjects (p Conclusions : These findings, while preliminary, validate a laboratory model of HP food motivation and intake and identify specific subjective and neuroendocrine responses that may play a role in HP snacking with implications for weight gain and obesity risk. (342 words).
Seasonal and microhabitat differences alter ant predation of a globally disruptive coffee pest

Abstract Agroecosystems benefit from biological control services, yet predatory activity by natural enemies, like ants, can be highly spatio-temporally variable. Heterogeneity in perennial coffee agroecosystems is not driven by the crop itself, but rather climate at the regional scale and managed shade trees and herbaceous plant layers at the local scale. We examined the effects of both inter-annual seasonal and microhabitat variation on the predatory function of ground-foraging ants on a globally disruptive coffee pest, the coffee berry borer ( Hypothenemus hampei ). During the dry and rainy seasons, we measured prey removal rates of the borer by ants across three distinct litter treatments. We found significantly higher rates of prey removal during the dry season and, to a lesser extent, in plots with greater leaf litter and lower soil temperatures. Our results indicate that both large scale processes like inter-annual seasonal variation in climate and small-scale differences in microhabitat refugia can influence pest predation activity by natural pest control agents in coffee agroecosystems.
Development of a Lumbar Drain Simulator for Instructional Technique and Skill Assessment.

Medical simulation for the teaching of procedural skills to health-care providers is an effective method of instruction to improve safety, quality, and procedural efficiency. There are several commercially available simulators for lumbar puncture training; however, there is currently no model available for lumbar drain intrathecal catheter placement. A modular lumbar drain simulator was assembled with the use of a spine model, ballstical gel, and Penrose drain tubing to recreate the procedural steps and tactile feedback of a live lumbar drain insertion. The assembled simulator demonstrated the ability to provide users with manual feeback of a “pop” sensation when intrathecal puncture was achieved with a 14 gauge Touhy needle, as well as spontaneous CSF flow. A silastic catheter was able to be inserted into the simulated subarachnoid space in the same manner as a live procedure. A high-fidelity lumbar drain simulator can be constructed in a cost-effective manner. We have detailed the materials and assembly of our successful design in order to provide a novel educational tool for procedural instruction and practice.