cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of parathyroid hormone-related protein gene expression in human endometrial stromal cells in culture.

The regulation of PTH-related protein (PTH-rP) gene expression by human endometrial stromal cells in monolayer culture was evaluated. 17 beta-Estradiol (E2), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), endothelin-1 (ET-1), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1), and serum stimulated PTH-rP production (evaluated by immunoassay of PTH-rP in the culture medium) by these cells. Treatment of endometrial stromal cells with E2 plus a progestin, medroxy-progesterone acetate (MPA), caused a decrease in PTH-rP production. PRL, epidermal growth factor, and dexamethasone, which are known to affect PTH-rP production (increase or decrease) in other cells, were ineffective in altering PTH-rP production in endometrial stromal cells, as were a number of other growth factors, viz. TGF alpha, platelet-derived growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor, and metabolites of progesterone. The effects of E2 and MPA on PTH-rP gene expression in these cells were investigated in detail. E...
Nucleotide sequence of the adi gene, which encodes the biodegradative acid-induced arginine decarboxylase of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Arginine decarboxylase (encoded by adi) is induced under conditions of acidic pH, anaerobiosis, and rich medium. The DNA sequence of a 3-kb fragment of the Escherichia coli chromosome encoding biodegradative arginine decarboxylase was determined. This sequence encodes a protein of 755 amino acids with a molecular size of 84,420 daltons. The molecular weight and predicted Adi amino acid composition agree with those found in earlier work. The amino acid sequence of arginine decarboxylase showed homology to those of three other decarboxylases of E. coli: (i) CadA, encoding lysine decarboxylase; (ii) SpeC, encoding biosynthetic ornithine decarboxylase; and (iii) SpeF, encoding biodegradative ornithine decarboxylase and the lysine decarboxylase of Hafnia alvei. Unlike SpeC and SpeF, Adi is not similar to the biosynthetic arginine decarboxylase, SpeA. adi is also dissimilar to cadA and speF in that it does not appear to be part of an operon containing a metabolically related transport protein, indicating that it represents a new type of biodegradative decarboxylase regulation. Transcriptional fusions between fragments upstream of adi and lacZ, primer extension, and site-directed mutagenesis experiments defined the pH-regulated promoter. Deletion analysis of the upstream region and cloning of fragments to make adi::lacZ protein fusion implicated a region beyond an upstream SspI site in pH regulation. Induction of adi in the presence of sublethal concentrations of novobiocin or coumermycin A1, inhibitors of DNA gyrase, was dramatically decreased, indicating that DNA supercoiling is involved in adi expression. These results and those of promoter structure studies indicated that acid regulation of adi may involve a mechanism different from that of acid regulation of cad.
Modeling Studies of Ammonia Dispersion and Dry Deposition at Some Hog Farms in North Carolina

A modeling study was conducted on dispersion and dry deposition of ammonia taking one hog farm as a unit. The ammonia emissions used in this study were measured under our OPEN (Odor, Pathogens, and Emissions of Nitrogen) project over a waste lagoon and from hog barns. Meteorological data were also collected at the farm site. The actual layout of barns and lagoons on the farms was used to simulate dry deposition downwind of the farm. Dry deposition velocity, dispersion, and dry deposition of ammonia were studied over different seasons and under different stability conditions using the short-range dispersion/air quality model, AERMOD. Dry deposition velocities were highest under near-neutral conditions and lowest under stable conditions. The highest deposition at short range occurred under nighttime stable conditions and the lowest occurred during daytime unstable conditions. Significant differences in deposition over crop and grass surfaces were observed under stable conditions.
Timing of the initial muscle biopsy does not affect the measured muscle protein fractional synthesis rate during basal, postabsorptive conditions.

The muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) is determined by monitoring the incorporation of an amino acid tracer into muscle protein during a constant-rate intravenous tracer infusion. Comm...
Lower bounds for the Perron root of a non-negative irreducible matrix

We derive a family of lower bounds for the Perron root of a non-negative irreducible matrix. These lower bounds are better than certain lower bounds of the Rayleigh quotient type, also derived in this paper. For the particular case of a symmetric non-negative irreducible matrix, our lower bound is always better than a corresponding Rayleigh quotient and, as shown in example 4, it can be infinitely better.
A Framework for Integrating Multiple Construction Robots

This paper presents a speculative framework that embodies multiple robots carrying out construction tasks. We first discuss the nature of construction tasks and the need for multiple automatons. We then present the major elements of our framework: host, automatons, and human interfaces. Finally, we explain how the framework enhances modeling, interpretation, and strategic and tactical planning.
Potentiation of sulfonylurea action by an EPAC-selective cAMP analog in INS-1 cells: comparison of tolbutamide and gliclazide and a potential role for EPAC activation of a 2-APB-sensitive Ca2+ influx.

Tolbutamide and gliclazide block the KATP channel Kir6.2/Sur1, causing membrane depolarization and stimulating insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. We examined the ability of the EPAC-selective cAMP analog 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP-AM to potentiate the action of these drugs and the mechanism that might account for it. Insulin secretion stimulated by both 200 μM tolbutamide and 20 μM gliclazide, concentrations that had equivalent effects on membrane potential, was inhibited by thapsigargin (1 μM) or the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nicardipine (2 μM) and was potentiated by 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP-AM at concentrations ≥2 μM in INS-1 cells. Ca2+ transients stimulated by either tolbutamide or gliclazide were inhibited by thapsigargin or nicardipine and were significantly potentiated by 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP-AM at 5 μM but not 1 μM. Both tolbutamide and gliclazide stimulated phospholipase C activity; however, only gliclazide did so independently of its activity at KATP channels, and this activity was partially inhibited by pertussis toxin. 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP-AM alone (5 μM) did not stimulate insulin secretion, but did increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration significantly, and this activity was inhibited by 25 μM 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB) or the removal of extracellular Ca2+. 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP-AM potentiation of insulin secretion stimulated by tolbutamide was markedly inhibited by 2-APB (25 μM) and enhanced by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I (1 μM). Our data demonstrate that the actions of both tolbutamide and gliclazide are strongly potentiated by 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP-AM, that gliclazide can stimulate phospholipase C activity via a partially pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism, and that 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP-AM potentiation of tolbutamide action may involve activation of a 2-APB-sensitive Ca2+ influx.
Using Computer Guided Practice to Increase Decoding Fluency in Learning Disabled Children: A Study Using the Hint and Hunt I Program

A new computer program designed to increase decoding fluency in reading was evaluated with a sample of 20 school-identified learning disabled children. After 10 weeks of practicing for 15 minutes a day five days a week, children in the experimental group showed substantial improvements not only on words directly practiced by the program, but also on generalization words that were never practiced during the training. Improvements in speed and accuracy occurred for both context free word reading and oral reading of connected text. The potential of computer-aided practice as a means to improve the general reading skills of learning disabled children is discussed.
Naloxone and angiotensin-II-induced drinking

Rats were given one of three doses of angiotensin-II to induce drinking. These same subjects were also given one of five doses of naloxone (.0,.1, 1.0, 5.0, or 10 mg/kg, sc) 15 min before an opportunity to drink for 1 h. Subjects receiving.0 mg/kg of naloxone and angiotensin drank about 6.0 g of water, whereas subjects receiving 1.0, 5.0, and 10 mg/kg of naloxone and angiotensin took only about 1.0 g of water. Naloxone clearly suppressed angiotensin-induced drinking. This finding adds further support to the hypothesis that there is an endorphinergic component in the system regulating drinking.
A fuzzy expert system tool used for the analysis of musical timbres

An interesting problem in music recognition is to be able to listen to any piece of music and determine which musical timbres are heard. A human expert such as a composer can achieve this recognition without any mistakes. Given the properties of timbre, the Fuzzy Expert System Tool (FEST) can determine all the instruments being played in a given piece of music due to FEST's ability to produce multiple conclusions. >
Derivation of minimum best sample size from microarray data sets: A Monte Carlo approach

NCBI has been accumulating a large repository of microarray data sets, namely Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). GEO is a great resource enabling one to pursue various biological and pathological questions. The question we ask here is: given a set of gene signatures and a classifier, what is the best minimum sample size in a clinical microarray research that can effectively distinguish different types of patient responses to a therapeutic drug. It is difficult to answer the question since the sample size for most microarray experiments stored in GEO is very limited. This paper presents a Monte Carlo approach to simulating the best minimum microarray sample size based on the available data sets. Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used as a classifier to compute prediction accuracy for different sample size. Then, a logistic function is applied to fit the relationship between sample size and accuracy whereby a theoretic minimum sample size can be derived.
Stimulation of Pancreatic Secretion by Extracts of the Pyloric Gland Area of the Stomach

Summary In dogs with a new type of chronic pancreatic fistula and a gastric fistula, extracts of mucosa of the pyloric gland area of the stomach of hogs (gastrin extracts) have been shown to stimulate pancreatic as well as gastric secretion. The effect on protein output by the pancreas was particularly marked; that on volume flow and bicarbonate secretion less so. Dose-response curves for gastric and pancreatic stimulation by gastrin extracts, commercial preparations of secretin and pancreozymin, and extracts of hog fundic and intestinal mucosa have been compared.
Turn-off failure of IGBTs under clamped inductive load

This paper reports the mechanism of failure of IGBTs during clamped inductive switching stress. With the help of measurements and two-dimensional (2-D) numerical simulations, the turn-off failure of IGBTs under clamped inductive load is shown to occur due to thermally assisted carrier multiplication at the reverse biased planar p-base n-drift junction. The failure mechanism is unchanged even if the IGBT is susceptible to latch-up in static conditions.
Pulmonary health effects of agriculture

Purpose of reviewOccupational exposures in the agricultural industry are associated with numerous lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung cancer, and interstitial lung diseases. Efforts are ongoing to ascertain contributing factors t
Memory for Sex-Role Consistent and Inconsistent Actions in Young and Old Adults

Adult age differences in the flexibility of schematic processing were examined by measuring the degree to which a dominant structure (traditional sex-role knowledge) interfered with the operation of a nondominant structure (nontraditional knowledge). In two experiments, young and old adults read statements describing a man performing actions consistent or inconsistent with a prescribed sex role in an impression-formation task. Participants in both age groups altered their processing of the actions, as indicated by reading times and trait ratings, relative to the sex role emphasized, although the effect was stronger for men than women. The expected greater recall for sex role inconsistent than consistent actions was observed only when the traditional sex role was emphasized, and not when the nontraditional role was emphasized, suggesting interference from the dominant schema at recall. However, the lack of age differences in the degree of interference observed during initial processing and recall suggests no aging effects on schematic flexibility.
Monitoring of Fluctuations in the Physical Properties of a Class C Fly Ash

The “quality” of fly ash produced during 1985 at Ottumwa Generation Station, was evaluated by two different experimental programs. The first consisted of the physical tests specified in ASTM C 311; these results are applicable to the use of fly ash as an admixture to portland cement concrete. The second consisted of monitoring the changes in the physical properties of fly ash pastes; these results would be applicable to the use of fly ash as a grout or a soil base stabilization agent. The physical properties monitored during the testing program were compressive strength, volume stability and setting time. In general, the results obtained from the two testing programs were quite different. When using testing procedures defined by ASTM C 311 the fly ash appeared quite uniform, but results obtained from the fly ash pastes were quite erratic. It was found that compressive strengths of the pastes can vary by a factor of five in rather short periods of time.
High proliferative potential colony-forming cell heterogeneity identified using counterflow centrifugal elutriation

Murine high proliferative potential colony-forming cells (HPP-CFC) are known to be heterogenous with respect to proliferative capacity and in vitro responsiveness to hematopoietic growth factors. We have separated HPP-CFC into several subpopulations using counterflow centrifugal elutriation. Although HPP-CFC were identified in all of the elutriated fractions of both C3H/HeJ and C57BI/6J bone marrow cells, the distribution of HPP-CFC as well as of colony-forming units-granulocyte- macrophage (CFU-GM) in each fraction differed between these two strains of inbred mice. Six subsets of HPP-CFC were resolved that differed in growth factor responsiveness. A low-density HPP-CFC subpopulation was isolated that was distinct from day-12 spleen colony-forming units (CFU- S12), CFU-GM, and bone marrow stromal cells. This unique subpopulation of HPP-CFC is rate (3% to 9% of total HPP-CFC), appears to be lymphocyte-like in morphology, and behaves the most primitive of the HPP-CFC subsets by requiring multiple hematopoietic growth factors for optimal in vitro cloning. Further characterization of this subpopulation of HPP-CFC will determine the position of these cells in the HPP-CFC heirarchy.
Clinical Study of Leuprolide Depot Formulation in the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

AbstractIn a phase III, open, multicenter study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of the depot formulation of leuprolide (7.5mg. injected intramuscularly every 4 weeks) in patients with stage D2 prostate cancer who had not previously received systemic treatment. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone and plasma leuprolide levels were monitored during the 24-week study period. Median interval to onset of castrate testosterone levels was 21 days and mean testosterone levels decreased to within the castrate range by week 3 of treatment. After onset of castrate levels there were no escapes (defined as 2 consecutive values of greater than 50 ng./dl.) of testosterone levels during the 24 weeks. Suppression of testosterone did not differ significantly from that observed in patients receiving the daily subcutaneous injection of leuprolide acetate in the first 24 weeks of another study.Objective response (no progression) to treatment occurred in 81% of 53 evaluable patients and adverse (related and unrelated) ...
Early Onset of Sexual Intercourse and Parental Incarceration among African American Youth Living in Urban Public Housing.

Mass incarceration, substance use, and adolescent early onset of sex (e.g., initiate sexual intercourse at 13 years of age or younger) are social problems with disparate impacts on low-income African American communities. Two out of every five inmates in state and federal prisons are African American and the vast majority of these inmates are from low-income communities. Furthermore, this population experiences more severe consequences of substance use and abuse compared to other populations. In sum, African American youth endure the lion share of problems that mass incarceration and substance use leave in their wake. It is likely that the early onset of sex reported by African American youth in national data is related to mass incarceration and substance use in their communities. Using a sample of 142 African American youth, this paper assesses whether parental incarceration or substance, or both, are related to the likelihood of early onset of sex. Analytic procedures included chi-square and sequential logistic regression. The sample reported a mean age of 19 and 36% reported early onset of sex. Being male, paternal incarcerated, and maternal alcohol problems were associated with an increased likelihood of early onset of sex. Results point to a need for supportive services for the children of incarcerated parents, particularly those living in urban public housing developments.
Between hunger and growth: pursuing rural development in Partition’s aftermath, 1947–1957

Built from the ground up by three thousand Sikh and Hindu refugees in the aftermath of the Partition of India in 1947, the town of Nilokheri in East Punjab emerged as an unlikely centre of agricultural education and scientific exchange. With support from the Ford Foundation, Indian and American scientists and development planners worked through the 1950s to transform the refugee township into a model of agricultural innovation and community development. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru even cast Nilokheri as the first step on the ‘road to new India’ that would bring the nation to self-sufficiency in food production. Over the course of a decade, experimental farms, workshops, and agricultural training centres rose around the village. The bustling town rapidly became an internationally recognised centre for deploying new farming technologies, training farmers, and sharing scientific knowledge. Yet for all its initial promise, allegations of bureaucratic mismanagement dogged the project, floodwaters disrupted...
Social capital and neighborhood poverty: Toward an ecologically grounded model of neighborhood effects.

ABSTRACT Research indicates that concentrated neighborhood poverty has numerous detrimental effects on the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The term “neighborhood effects” has been used to describe the interaction between socioeconomic disadvantage and social problems at the neighborhood level. Social capital theory, defined broadly as social networks characterized by trust and reciprocity represents one prominent explanation for the phenomenon of neighborhood effects. Within poor neighborhoods, it is theorized that socioeconomic characteristics of the neighborhood foster inadequate social capital and it is this low level of social capital that leads to the phenomenon of neighborhood effects. In order to explore the utility of social capital theory in explaining neighborhood effects, this paper argues for an ecologically-grounded model of social capital that allows for the different ways in which social capital operates within different types of neighborhoods. Implications ...
Non-classical monocytes are biased progenitors of wound healing macrophages during soft tissue injury

Successful tissue repair requires the activities of myeloid cells such as monocytes and macrophages that guide the progression of inflammation and healing outcome. Immunoregenerative materials leverage the function of endogenous immune cells to orchestrate complex mechanisms of repair; however, a deeper understanding of innate immune cell function in inflamed tissues and their subsequent interactions with implanted materials is necessary to guide the design of these materials. Blood monocytes exist in two primary subpopulations, characterized as classical inflammatory or non-classical. While classical monocytes extravasate into inflamed tissue and give rise to macrophages or dendritic cells, the recruitment kinetics and functional role of non-classical monocytes remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that circulating non-classical monocytes are directly recruited to polymer films within skin injuries, where they home to a perivascular niche and generate alternatively activated, wound healing macrophages. Selective labeling of blood monocyte subsets indicates that non-classical monocytes are biased progenitors of alternatively activated macrophages. On-site delivery of the immunomodulatory small molecule FTY720 recruits S1PR3-expressing non-classical monocytes that support vascular remodeling after injury. These results elucidate a previously unknown role for blood-derived non-classical monocytes as contributors to alternatively activated macrophages, highlighting them as key regulators of inflammatory response and regenerative outcome.
Mechanical Properties and Fracture Strength of Cathodically Polarized Prestressing Wire

Constant extension rate testing experiments were performed upon prestressing steel wire specimens prepared from three lots of Grade 270 and one lot of Grade 250 material for the purpose of characterizing susceptibility to environmental cracking under conditions associated with cathodic protection of prestressed concrete components and structures. Smooth, notched (six different geometries) and pitted (four different geometries) specimens were tested in air and deaerated saturated Ca(OH){sub 2}-distilled water at potentials of {minus}0.90 and {minus}1.30 v (SCE) and strength and ductility properties characterized. Relatively low strength was recorded for steel specimens at {minus}09.90 v from material for which the weight percent chromium was relatively high (0.24 w/o compared to 0.02 w/o). Under conditions that are likely to be most relevant to service, fracture load correlated with the amount by which the local wire cross section area was reduced, either from a notch or pit, and was independent of depth of the irregularity and of root radius to the extent to which these were addressed. It was concluded that it may be unsafe to apply cathodically protection to prestressing wire, even in situations where potential is maintained in the regime where hydrogen embrittlement should not occur.
Inhibition of TGF-β signaling promotes expansion of human epidermal keratinocytes in feeder cell co-culture

Cultured epidermal autografts have been used worldwide since 1981 for patients with extensive third-degree burn wounds and limited skin donor sites. Despite significant progress in techniques toward improving clinical outcome of skin grafts, the long in vitro preparation time of cultured autografts has remained a major factor limiting its widespread use. Here, we show that pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β signaling promotes the expansion of human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) with high proliferative potential in co-cultures with both murine 3T3-J2 cells and human feeder cells, including dermal fibroblasts and preadipocytes. In contrast, TGF-β signaling inhibition does not enhance the growth of HEKs in a serum- and feeder-free condition, an alternative approach to propagate HEKs for subsequent autograft production. Our results have important implications for the use of TGF-β signaling inhibition as a viable therapeutic strategy for improving Green's methodology and for more efficient production of customized skin autografts with human feeder cells.
Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Parotid Surgery

Surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid, and parotid glands requires a coordinated team of an experienced surgeon and anesthesiologist familiar with the challenges of each procedure. Surgery of the parathyroid, thyroid, and parotid is distinct with regard to the surgical concerns, anesthetic priorities, and postoperative management. Unlike parotid surgery, which is typically performed under general anesthesia, thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy can be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia.
Comparison of 3D yield functions for finite element simulation of single point incremental forming (SPIF) of aluminum 7075

Abstract The deformation in sheet metal forming processes, such as stamping, occurs under plane stress condition in which through-thickness stresses (σ zz , σ xz , σ yz ) are negligible and application of a two-dimensional (2D), plane stress yield function is sufficient. However, in incremental sheet forming processes, significant out-of-plane shears develop in the sheet metal, which necessitates the use of a three-dimensional (3D) yield function to account for normal and shear stress components. To simulate the single point incremental forming (SPIF) of 7075-O aluminum alloy sheet, three different yield functions namely; von Mises, Hill's 1948, and Barlat Yld2004-18p were used. The Yld2004-18p was implemented into the commercial FEA code ABAQUS as a user material subroutine (VUMAT), by considering the cutting-plane algorithm for the integration of the elasto-plastic constitutive model. For direct CPU time comparison, the same Yld2004-18p VUMAT was reduced to von Mises and Hill's 1948 yield functions and finite element simulations of SPIF were repeated. Anisotropy coefficients of Yld2004-18p and Hill's 1948 were calculated using uniaxial tensile test data for AA7075-O. A detailed comparison of the three yield functions’ predictions were made with respect to the effective plastic strain distribution, part thickness, tool force and moment, and development of stress and strain tensor components.
SEE test results for the Snapdragon 820

SEE test results are presented for proton, neutron, and heavy ion testing of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and its support DDR4 device (in this case the SK Hynix 24 Gb LP DDR4 device H9HKNNNDGUMUBR-NMH). Processor crashes and DDR4 stuck bits are the primary SEE types for protons and neutrons. Test preparation difficulties and software limitations caused test efforts to be limited to processor crashes, SEFIs and SBU, and Stuck Bits in the DDR4 device. Interpretation of results is complicated by mixing of errors between devices.
Medicare hospital payment adjustments and nursing wages

Despite the importance of the nursing profession for healthcare delivery, costs, and quality, there is relatively little research on how provider payments to hospitals affect the labor market for nurses. This study deals with the hospital wage index (HWI) adjustment to Medicare hospital payments, an area-level adjustment intended to compensate hospitals in high-cost labor markets. Since the HWI adjustment is based on hospital-reported labor costs, some argue that it incentivizes hospitals in concentrated markets to pay higher wages to nurses and other workers (the “circularity” critique). We investigate this critique using market-level data on the relative wages reported by nurses and hospital-level data on the average hourly wage for healthcare workers. For identification, we exploit a 2005 change in the geographic area used to define labor markets, which resulted in exogenous changes in the ability of some hospitals to influence their area’s wage index. We find that worker-reported relative nurse wages and hospital-reported healthcare worker wages are higher in some locations where hospitals experienced increased opportunities to game the circularity of the wage index, but these effects appear to be driven by pre-existing wage growth. Medicare’s HWI adjustment method does not appear to suffer from inefficiency due to circularity.
Tubeless Total Intravenous Anesthesia Spontaneous Ventilation for Adult Suspension Microlaryngoscopy.

Introduction:Maintaining spontaneous ventilation (SV) under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) without an endotracheal tube provides uninterrupted and unobstructed surgical access for suspension m...
Defense Enzyme Responses in Dormant Wild Oat and Wheat Caryopses Challenged with a Seed Decay Pathogen

Seeds have well-established passive physical and chemical defense mechanisms that protect their food reserves from decay-inducing organisms and herbivores. However, there are few studies evaluating potential biochemical defenses of dormant seeds against pathogens. Caryopsis decay by the pathogenic Fusarium avenaceum strain F.a.1 was relatively rapid in wild oat (Avena fatua L.) isoline "M73," with >50% decay after 8 days with almost no decay in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) var. RL4137. Thus, this fungal strain has potential for selective decay of wild oat relative to wheat. To study defense enzyme activities, wild oat and wheat caryopses were incubated with F.a.1 for 2-3 days. Whole caryopses were incubated in assay reagents to measure extrinsic defense enzyme activities. Polyphenol oxidase, exochitinase, and peroxidase were induced in whole caryopses, but oxalate oxidase was reduced, in response to F.a.1 in both species. To evaluate whether defense enzyme activities were released from the caryopsis surface, caryopses were washed with buffer and enzyme activity was measured in the leachate. Significant activities of polyphenol oxidase, exochitinase, and peroxidase, but not oxalate oxidase, were leached from caryopses. Defense enzyme responses were qualitatively similar in the wild oat and wheat genotypes evaluated. Although the absolute enzyme activities were generally greater in whole caryopses than in leachates, the relative degree of induction of polyphenol oxidase, exochitinase, and peroxidase by F.a.1 was greater in caryopsis leachates, indicating that a disproportionate quantity of the induced activity was released into the environment from the caryopsis surface, consistent with their assumed role in defense. It is unlikely that the specific defense enzymes studied here play a key role in the differential susceptibility to decay by F.a.1 in these two genotypes since defense enzyme activities were greater in the more susceptible wild oat, compared to wheat. Results are consistent with the hypotheses that (1) dormant seeds are capable of mounting complex responses to pathogens, (2) a diversity of defense enzymes are involved in responses in multiple plant species, and (3) it is possible to identify fungi capable of selective decay of weed seeds without damaging crop seeds, a concept that may be applicable to weed management in the field. While earlier work on seed defenses demonstrated the presence of passive defenses, this work shows that dormant seeds are also quite responsive and capable of activating and releasing defense enzymes in response to a pathogen.
Suffering in Silence: Medical Error and its Impact on Health Care Providers

Abstract Background All humans are fallible. Because physicians are human, unintentional errors unfortunately occur. While unintentional medical errors have an impact on patients and their families, they may also contribute to adverse mental and emotional effects on the involved provider(s). These may include burnout, lack of concentration, poor work performance, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and even suicidality. Objectives The objectives of this article are to 1) discuss the impact medical error has on involved provider(s), 2) provide potential reasons why medical error can have a negative impact on provider mental health, and 3) suggest solutions for providers and health care organizations to recognize and mitigate the adverse effects medical error has on providers. Discussion Physicians and other providers may feel a variety of adverse emotions after medical error, including guilt, shame, anxiety, fear, and depression. It is thought that the pervasive culture of perfectionism and individual blame in medicine plays a considerable role toward these negative effects. In addition, studies have found that despite physicians’ desire for support after medical error, many physicians feel a lack of personal and administrative support. This may further contribute to poor emotional well-being. Potential solutions in the literature are proposed, including provider counseling, learning from mistakes without fear of punishment, discussing mistakes with others, focusing on the system versus the individual, and emphasizing provider wellness. Much of the reviewed literature is limited in terms of an emergency medicine focus or even regarding physicians in general. In addition, most studies are survey- or interview-based, which limits objectivity. While additional, more objective research is needed in terms of mitigating the effects of error on physicians, this review may help provide insight and support for those who feel alone in their attempt to heal after being involved in an adverse medical event. Conclusions Unintentional medical error will likely always be a part of the medical system. However, by focusing on provider as well as patient health, we may be able to foster resilience in providers and improve care for patients in healthy, safe, and constructive environments.
Genomic and environmental determinants and their interplay underlying phenotypic plasticity.

Observed phenotypic variation in living organisms is shaped by genomes, environment, and their interactions. Flowering time under natural conditions can showcase the diverse outcome of the gene-environment interplay. However, identifying hidden patterns and specific factors underlying phenotypic plasticity under natural field conditions remains challenging. With a genetic population showing dynamic changes in flowering time, here we show that the integrated analyses of genomic responses to diverse environments is powerful to reveal the underlying genetic architecture. Specifically, the effect continuum of individual genes (Ma1 , Ma6 , FT, and ELF3) was found to vary in size and in direction along an environmental gradient that was quantified by photothermal time, a combination of two environmental factors (photoperiod and temperature). Gene-gene interaction was also contributing to the observed phenotypic plasticity. With the identified environmental index to quantitatively connect environments, a systematic genome-wide performance prediction framework was established through either genotype-specific reaction-norm parameters or genome-wide marker-effect continua. These parallel genome-wide approaches were demonstrated for in-season and on-target performance prediction by simultaneously exploiting genomics, environment profiling, and performance information. Improved understanding of mechanisms for phenotypic plasticity enables a concerted exploration that turns challenge into opportunity.
Combinatorial Insights into RNA Secondary Structure

The interaction of discrete mathematics with molecular biology advances our understanding of important sequence/structure/function relationships. By their nature, biological sequences are often abstracted to combinatorial objects namely strings over finite alphabets and their representation as graphs or formal languages. As described in this chapter, results based on these mathematical abstractions have been used to count, compare, classify, and otherwise analyze RNA secondary structures. In this way, they provide important insights into the base pairing of RNA sequences, thereby advancing our understanding of RNA folding.
Tempering 'Buy American' in the Recovery Act - Steering Clear of a Trade War

The controversial 'Buy American requirements in Section 1605 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 threaten to stir protectionism leading to an outright trade war. This could be catastrophic in the current economic crisis, particularly since the Obama administration does not appear to beleive that additional domestic preferences are needed for U.S. procurement. The pending challenge for federal regulators, therefore, will be to craft a rule that contains the Recovery Act's international impact, while implementing Congress' intent. The authors suggest that the optimal approach seems to be the most simple: to fold new procurement under the Recovery Act into the existing FAR regulatory structure, which accommodates the U.S.' many trade agreements. This would ensure that federal agencies' procurements adhere to those trade agreements (and also increases the likelihood that an already over-taxed acquisition workforce can consistently apply the new rules.) This simple, quick and elegant approach would be the least likely to generate new, potentially disastrous waves of protectionism in the critical, but treacherous, waters of global commerce.
Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome

Summary Disease characteristics. Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1-DS) ischaracterized by infantile seizures refractory to anticonvulsants, followed by deceleration ofhead growth, delays in mental and motor development, spasticity, ataxia, dysarthria,opsoclonus, and other paroxysmal neurologic phenomena, often occurring prior to meals.Affected infants appear normal at birth following an uneventful pregnancy and delivery. Birthweight and Apgar scores are normal. Seizures usually begin between age one and four months.Apneic episodes and abnormal episodic eye movements simulating opsoclonus may precedethe onset of seizures by several months. Five seizure types occur: generalized tonic or clonic,myoclonic, atypical absence, atonic, and unclassified. The frequency of seizures varies amongaffected individuals. Varying degrees of cognitive impairment, ranging from learningdisabilities to severe mental retardation, are characteristic.Diagnosis/testing. The diagnosis of Glut1-DS is established in neurologically impairedindividuals with 1) reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose concentration(hypoglychorrhachia) that seldom, if ever, exceeds 40 mg/dL and 2) low ratio of CSF glucoseconcentration to blood glucose concentration (consistently ~0.33±0.01; normal ratio: 0.65±0.01). SLC2A1 is the only gene known to be associated with Glut1-DS. Molecular genetictesting is available on a clinical basis.Management. Treatment of manifestations: The ketogenic diet is highly effective incontrolling the seizures and is well tolerated in most; however, varying deficits involvingcognition and social adaptive behavior remain. Prevention of primary manifestations:Anecdotal observations suggest that early initiation of the ketogenic diet may result in betterseizure control and improved neurobehavioral development. Agents to avoid: barbiturates (e.g.,phenobarbital, the most commonly used antiepileptic drug in infants); methylxanthines (e.g.,caffeine). Testing of relatives at risk: If the disease-causing mutation has been identified in anaffected family member, molecular genetic testing of at-risk newborns and symptomatic infants
The Role of Platelets in Tumor Growth, Metastasis, and Immune Evasion

Abstract The successful growth and dissemination of tumors are dependent on a multitude of cancer cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors. A growing body of work, both observational and experimental, has shown that in a cancerous setting the normal hemostatic role for platelets can be hijacked to promote tumor growth, survival and metastasis. While the most studied role for platelets in this regard has been their involvement in the metastatic cascade, recent work has demonstrated platelets are also capable of suppressing the anti-tumor immune response. As such, there is an urgent need for more mechanistic studies of platelets in both oncogenesis and tumor immunology. In this chapter, we review the established mechanisms by which platelets have been shown to promote cancer progression. Starting with clinical observations linking thrombocytosis and poor prognosis in cancer, we next explore the roles and mechanisms of platelet-tumor and platelet-immune cell interactions in driving oncogenesis. We conclude the chapter by discussing the promising value of platelet-focused strategies in diagnosis, prognosis as well as treatment of cancer particularly in the area of enhancing cancer immunotherapy with antiplatelet agents.
Effect of propagator renormalization on the band gap of insulating solids

We present momentum-resolved spectral functions and band gaps from bare and self-consistent second-order perturbation theory for insulating periodic solids. We establish that, for systems with large gap sizes, both bare and self-consistent perturbation theory yield reasonable gaps. However, smaller gap sizes require a self-consistent adjustment of the propagator. In contrast to results obtained within a quasiparticle formalism used on top of bare second-order perturbation theory, no unphysical behavior of the band gap is observed. Our implementation of a fully self-consistent, $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}$-derivable, and thermodynamically consistent finite-temperature diagrammatic perturbation theory forms a framework on which embedding theories such as the dynamical mean-field theory and self-energy embedding theories can be implemented.
Outcomes of patients older than 60 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Survey from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.

6532 Background: The cure rate of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has increased over the last 4 decades to above 80%, compared to a much smaller improvement in adults aged < 60 years. ...
Split radiographic tracer technique to measure the full width of a high energy density mixing layer

Abstract We describe a new radiography–based technique for measuring the width of the mixing layer that develops when high–energy–density (HED) fluids of different density mix at an interface. In a traditional radiography target, the denser material includes an embedded, density–matched, high opacity, tracer layer to focus the radiograph on a 2D slice of the 3D flow field. The high opacity layer enhances the contrast between the dense and light materials that permits a clear identification of the spike front, i.e. penetration of the dense material into the light material, but obscures the bubble front, i.e. penetration of the light material into the heavy when the fluids are highly interpenetrated, as in a turbulent mixing layer. On the other hand, removing the tracer layer makes it difficult to identify the interface at all, due to poor contrast and an increased susceptibility to edge effects. Our solution is a split tracer approach where half the target uses the traditional geometry while the other half utilizes a special tracer layer in the light material to produce a radiograph with inverse x-ray opacity characteristics when backlit at a specified x–ray energy. Hydrodynamic equivalency is maintained between the two halves of the target. By making a single target with the traditional and inverse material pairs set side-by-side, we are able to simultaneously measure the penetration of bubbles and spikes in a deeply nonlinear flow, yielding the full mix width. We discuss this new target concept and present our first experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) demonstrating the viability of this technique.
Early Colonoscopy Does Not Improve Outcomes of Patients With Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Systematic Review of Randomized Trials

Background & Aims Guidelines recommend colonoscopy evaluation within 24 hours of presentation or admission in patients with high-risk or severe acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). Meta-analyses of the timing of colonoscopy have relied primarily on observational studies that had major potential for bias. We performed a systematic review of randomized trials to determine optimal timing of colonoscopy for patients hospitalized with acute LGIB. Methods We searched publication databases through July 2019 and abstracts from gastroenterology meetings through November 2019 for randomized trials of patients with acute LGIB or hematochezia. We searched for studies that compared early colonoscopy (within 24 hours) with elective colonoscopy beyond 24 hours and/or other diagnostic tests. Our primary outcome was further bleeding, defined as persistent or recurrent bleeding after index examination. Secondary outcomes included mortality, diagnostic yield (identifying source of bleeding), endoscopic intervention, and any primary hemostatic intervention (endoscopic, surgical, or interventional radiologic). We performed dual independent review, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments. We performed the meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Results Our final analysis included data from 4 randomized trials. Further bleeding was not decreased among patients who received early vs later, elective colonoscopy (relative risk [RR] for further bleeding with early colonoscopy, 1.57; 95% CI. 0.74–3.31). We did not find significant differences in the secondary outcomes of mortality (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.05–17.21), diagnostic yield (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.99–1.21), endoscopic intervention (RR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.67–3.48), or any primary hemostatic intervention (RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.92–1.92). Conclusions In a meta-analysis of randomized trials, we found that colonoscopy within 24 hours does not reduce further bleeding or mortality in patients hospitalized with acute LGIB. Based on these findings, patients hospitalized with acute LGIB do not generally require early colonoscopy.