cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Segmentation and fusion on the midline: basibranchial homologies in cypriniform fishes.

The development and homologies of the median elements of the ventral hyoid and branchial arches of Cypriniformes have been unclear. We compared the developmental morphology of this region across five species (Cycleptus elongatus, Luxilus zonatus, Danio rerio, Devario auropurpureus, and Cobitis striata), representing three of five major clades of cypriniforms. The development of basibranchial 1 is similar in catostomids and cyprinids, where a single, elongate, basihyal + anterior copula divides into separate elements. A gap develops between the posterior end of the basihyal cartilage and the anterior copula in catostomids but in cyprinids (Luxiluszonatus, Danio rerio, and Devarioauropurpureus) there is little separation and the basihyal and basibranchial 1 may grow close together or retain a cartilaginous connection (Danio rerio, several outgroups). In loaches and Gyrinocheilus, the gap posterior to the basihyal has been alternately interpreted as either the absence or posterior displacement of basibranchial 1. Uniquely among examined species, in Cobitis striata, the basihyal cartilage and anterior copula form as separate cartilages and remain distinct throughout development with a prominent gap between the basihyal and most anterior basibranchial, which we interpret as loss of basibranchial 1. In the posterior region associated with branchial arches 4 and 5, all examined species except Danio rerio, which has only a basibranchial 4 cartilage, have separate basibranchial 4 and 5 cartilages in early ontogeny. Basibranchials 4 and 5 remain separate in Cycleptus elongatus, Devario auropurpurea, and Cobitis striata, but fuse in Luxilus zonatus to form a posterior copula. The orientation of basibranchial 4 and 5 cartilages in Cobitis striata is similar to catostomids and cyprinids. The most posterior median element in the branchial arches, the post-ceratobranchial cartilage, generally forms as a separate cartilage in catostomids but in Cobitis striata is connected with basibranchial 5 cartilage from earliest appearance. J. Morphol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcription Factors Sp1 and Hif2α Mediate Induction of the Copper-transporting ATPase (Atp7a) Gene in Intestinal Epithelial Cells during Hypoxia

Genes with G/C-rich promoters were up-regulated in the duodenal epithelium of iron-deficient rats including those encoding iron (e.g. Dmt1 and Dcytb) and copper (e.g. Atp7a and Mt1) metabolism-related proteins. It was shown previously that an intestinal copper transporter (Atp7a) was co-regulated with iron transport-related genes by a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor, Hif2α. In the current study, we sought to test the role of Sp1 in transcriptional regulation of Atp7a expression during iron deprivation/hypoxia. Initial studies in IEC-6 cells showed that mithramycin, an Sp1 inhibitor, reduced expression of Atp7a and iron transport-related genes (Dmt1, Dcytb, and Fpn1) and blocked their induction by CoCl2, a hypoxia mimetic. Consistent with this, overexpression of Sp1 increased endogenous Atp7a mRNA and protein expression and stimulated Atp7a, Dmt1, and Dcytb promoter activity. Site-directed mutagenesis and functional analysis of a basal Atp7a promoter construct revealed four functional Sp1 binding sites that were necessary for Hif2α-mediated induction of promoter activity. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays confirmed that Sp1 specifically interacts with the Atp7a promoter in IEC-6 cells and in rat duodenal enterocytes. This investigation has thus revealed a novel aspect of Atp7a gene regulation in which Sp1 may be necessary for the HIF-mediated induction of gene transcription during iron deficiency/hypoxia. Understanding regulation of Atp7a expression may help further clarify the physiological role of copper in the maintenance of iron homeostasis. Furthermore, this Sp1/Hif2α regulatory mechanism may have broader implications for understanding the genetic response of the intestinal epithelium to maintain whole-body iron homeostasis during states of deficiency. Background: A hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (Hif2α) mediates induction of intestinal iron and copper transporters during iron deficiency. Results: Specificity factor 1 (Sp1) is required for transcriptional induction of an intestinal copper transporter (Atp7a) by Hif2α. Conclusion: Sp1 and Hif2α may synergistically mediate the genetic response to iron deficiency. Significance: Understanding molecular mechanisms governing iron absorption may allow modulation of this process during disease states.
Antiadrenergic effects of adenosine A(1) receptor-mediated protein phosphatase 2a activation in the heart.

The ability of adenosine A1 receptors to activate type 2a protein phosphatase (PP2a) and account for antiadrenergic effects was investigated in rat myocardial preparations. We observed that the ade...
Parameters affecting the adsorption of hexachlorobenzene to natural sediments

Many of the toxic contaminants introduced into aquatic systems are hydrophobic and, because of this, they are transported with the suspended sediments and eventually incorporated into the bottom sediments. Understanding the dynamics of contaminant sorption to sediments is therefore important in understanding and predicting the transport and fate of contaminants. In the present study, the adsorption and the partitioning of hexachlorobenzene (a hydrophobic organic chemical) to natural sediments from the Detroit River were investigated by means of batch mixing experiments. Experiments were conducted over a long period (2 to 5 months) to reach a steady-state equilibrium and at different sediment concentrations (10, 100, 500, 2,000, and 10,000 mg/L). It was found that the adsorption rate was greatest for small time and decreased to zero as time increased. For all concentrations, a steady-state equilibrium was always attained. Experiments quantitatively demonstrate the time-dependent effects of hexachlorobenzene dissolution, of the flocculation of colloidal matter in the water, and of the flocculation of the suspended sediments. Although a solids concentration effect on the partition coefficient was observed, it is shown to be due to the above processes. From the data, a true equilibrium partition coefficient as well as the approximate times to equilibrium can be determined.
Avian fossils from the Early Miocene Moghra Formation of Egypt

Avian remains from the Early Miocene (~17 Ma) Moghra Formation of Egypt include new records of ‘waterbirds’ (storks, herons, pelicans and allies) and a ratite. Only a single avian fossil has been previously reported from Wadi Moghra and, thus, additional knowledge of the avifauna complements previously documented faunal and floral assemblages and provides a more complete picture of the Early Miocene ecosystem of that locality. The presence of ciconiiforms and pelecaniforms is consistent with the relatively abundant records of ‘waterbirds’ from other African freshwater fossil localities. Moreover, avian fossils from Wadi Moghra provide new insight into the avifaunal composition of the Early Miocene in Africa, a period that is relatively underrepresented in the avian fossil record of that continent. Keywords: aepyornithoid, Ardeidae, avian evolution, Balaenicipitidae, Ciconiiformes, fossil eggshell OSTRICH 2013, 84(3): 181–189 Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved
Growing neural gas for temporal clustering

Conventional clustering techniques provide a static snapshot of each vectorpsilas commitment to every group. With additive datasets, however, existing methods may not be sufficient for adapting to the presence of new clusters or even the merging of existing data-dense regions. To overcome this deficit, we explore the use of growing neural gas for temporal clustering and provide evidence that this new algorithm is capable of detecting cluster structures that incrementally emerge.
Vibrational spectra and structural considerations of compounds NaLnTiO4

The Raman and infrared spectra of compounds NaLnTiO4 (Ln = lanthanide, including yttrium) are reported and discussed. Their most striking feature is a strong band in both spectra at about 900 cm−1. This band is ascribed to a vibration localized in the TiO bond directed towards the NaO layers. The relevant oxygen anion is very poorly charge compensated, and the TiO bond is, therefore, very strong. Pauling's electrostatic valence rule appears to be of great use in these considerations. These compounds do not show ferroelectricity.
Three-dimensional matched interface and boundary (MIB) method for treating geometric singularities

This paper reports the three-dimensional (3D) generalization of our previous 2D higher-order matched interface and boundary (MIB) method for solving elliptic equations with discontinuous coefficients and non-smooth interfaces. New MIB algorithms that make use of two sets of interface jump conditions are proposed to remove the critical acute angle constraint of our earlier MIB scheme for treating interfaces with sharp geometric singularities, such as sharp edges, sharp wedges and sharp tips. The resulting 3D MIB schemes are of second-order accuracy for arbitrarily complex interfaces with sharp geometric singularities, of fourth-order accuracy for complex interfaces with moderate geometric singularities, and of sixth-order accuracy for curved smooth interfaces. A systematical procedure is introduced to make the MIB matrix optimally symmetric and banded by appropriately choosing auxiliary grid points. Consequently, the new MIB linear algebraic equations can be solved with fewer number of iterations. The proposed MIB method makes use of Cartesian grids, standard finite difference schemes, lowest order interface jump conditions and fictitious values. The interface jump conditions are enforced at each intersecting point of the interface and mesh lines to overcome the staircase phenomena in finite difference approximation. While a pair of fictitious values are determined along a mesh at a time, an iterative procedure is proposed to determine all the required fictitious values for higher-order schemes by repeatedly using the lowest order jump conditions. A variety of MIB techniques are developed to overcome geometric constraints. The essential strategy of the MIB method is to locally reduce a 2D or a 3D interface problem into 1D-like ones. The proposed MIB method is extensively validated in terms of the order of accuracy, the speed of convergence, the number of iterations and CPU time. Numerical experiments are carried out to complex interfaces, including the molecular surfaces of a protein, a missile interface, and van der Waals surfaces of intersecting spheres.
Regulation of serum response factor activity and smooth muscle cell apoptosis by chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 8

Serum response factor (SRF) is a widely expressed protein that plays a key role in the regulation of smooth muscle differentiation, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. It is generally accepted that one mechanism by which SRF regulates these diverse functions is through pathway-specific cofactor interactions. A novel SRF cofactor, chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 8 (CHD8), was isolated from a yeast two-hybrid screen using SRF as bait. CHD8 is highly expressed in adult smooth muscle tissues. Coimmunoprecipitation assays from A10 smooth muscle cells demonstrated binding of endogenous SRF and CHD8. Data from GST-pulldown assays indicate that the NH2-terminus of CHD8 can interact directly with the MADS domain of SRF. Adenoviral-mediated knockdown of CHD8 in smooth muscle cells resulted in attenuated expression of SRF-dependent, smooth muscle-specific genes. Knockdown of CHD8, SRF, or CTCF, a previously described binding partner of CHD8, in A10 VSMCs also resulted in a marked induction of apoptosis. Mechanistically, apoptosis induced by CHD8 knockdown was accompanied by attenuated expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins, Birc5, and CARD10, whereas SRF knockdown attenuated expression of CARD10 and Mcl-1, but not Birc5, and CTCF knockdown attenuated expression of Birc5. These data suggest that CHD8 plays a dual role in smooth muscle cells modulating SRF activity toward differentiation genes and promoting cell survival through interactions with both SRF and CTCF to regulate expression of Birc5 and CARD10.
Teardowns and land values in the Chicago metropolitan area

An empirical model of residential housing demolitions and the redevelopment process in the Chicago metropolitan area supports the theoretical prediction that the sales price of teardown property is approximately equal to its land value. We control for sample selection bias associated with non-random demolition permit applications using a probit model that accounts for misclassification of the dependent variable. The probit models provide statistically significant evidence of misclassification, and suggest that prime teardown candidates are small, older, homes near public transportation and traditional village centers.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Aging-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are the culmination of many different genetic and environmental influences. Prior studies have shown that RNAs are pathologically altered during the inexorable course of some NDs. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be a contributing factor in neurodegeneration. miRNAs are brain-enriched, small (~22 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs that participate in mRNA translational regulation. Although discovered in the framework of worm development, miRNAs are now appreciated to play a dynamic role in many mammalian brain-related biochemical pathways, including neuroplasticity and stress responses. Research about miRNAs in the context of neurodegeneration is accumulating rapidly, and the goal of this review is to provide perspective for these new data that may be helpful to specialists in either field. An overview is provided about the normal functions for miRNAs, including some of the newer concepts related to the human brain. Recently published studies pertaining to the roles of miRNAs in NDs––including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and triplet repeat disorders—are described. Finally, a discussion is included with theoretical syntheses and possible future directions in exploring the nexus between miRNA and ND research.
Assessing the Effect of Computer Augmentation on Staff Productivity.

Computers are being used increasingly to augment the information processing abilities of staff. Yet evidence of resulting increases in staff productivity has been lacking. An operational trial of computer augmentation by a National Science Foundation program office provided an assessment opportunity. For repeated work samples, participating staff members estimated the times they spent at various activities, the times they would have had to spend to produce equivalent output without augmentation, and the times they would not have spent had augmentation not been provided. On the basis of the resulting data it could be concluded that if augmentation had not been provided during the assessment periods approximately 19% of the program officers' output and 25% of the secretary's output would have been lost. Augmentation had resulted in productivity increases of 22% for the program officers and 33% for the secretary. Generalization of these results is limited by the work sampling and measurement procedures of the study. An experimental design by which the limitations can be overcome is suggested.
The making of a dataset for smart spaces

In this paper we propose a two-phase methodology for designing datasets that can be used to test and evaluate activity recognition algorithms. The trade offs between time, cost and recognition performance is one challenge. The effectiveness of a dataset, which contrasts the incremental performance gain with the increase in time, efforts, and number and cost of sensors is another challenging area that is often overlooked. Our proposed methodology is iterative and adaptive and addresses issues of sensor use modality and its effect on overall performance. We present our methodology and provide an assessment for its effectiveness using both a simulation model and a real world deployment.
Field Results from a Second-Generation Ocean/Lake Surface Contact Heat Flux, Solar Irradiance, and Temperature Measurement Instrument—The Multisensor Float

Abstract This paper describes results from two field programs that support development of a wave-following surface contact multisensor float (MSF) designed to simultaneously measure net surface heat flux, net solar irradiance, and water temperature. The results reported herein compare measurements from a second-generation design (circa 1998) against directly measured radiative fluxes as well as turbulent fluxes derived using both eddy correlation and bulk aerodynamic methods. The reference flux data are collected using instrumented towers, buoys, and research vessels. Comparisons show that MSF net surface fluxes and net solar irradiance are in generally good agreement with values that are measured or derived using standard instruments and methods, having root-mean-square differences less than approximately 15%. MSF near-surface bulk water temperature measurement shows good agreement with similar measurements from a drifting buoy. MSF measurement of water surface temperature is not definitively determined,...
DNA-nucleobases: gate dielectric/passivation layer for flexible GFET-based sensor applications

The main goal of this research was to maintain the bulk charge carrier mobility of graphene, after deposition of the gate dielectric layer used for making transistor devices. The approach was introducing a thin film of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nucleobase purine guanine, deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD), onto layers of graphene that were transferred onto various flexible substrates. Several test platforms were fabricated with guanine as a standalone gate dielectric, as the control, and guanine as a passivation layer between the graphene and PMMA. It was found that the bulk charge carrier mobility of graphene was best maintained and most stable using guanine as a passivation layer between the graphene and PMMA. Other transport properties, such as charge carrier concentration, conductivity type and electrical resistivity were investigated as well. This is an important first step to realizing high performance graphene-based transistors that have potential use in bio and environmental sensors, computer-processing and electronics.
Presentation, Endoscopic Management, and Significance of Hemostatic Clip Migration into the Lower Urinary Tract Following Radical Prostatectomy.

Abstract Objectives: Hemostatic clip migration into the lower urinary tract is a potential complication of radical prostatectomy that may cause symptoms, anxiety, and functional concern. Our objective was to evaluate initial presentation, endoscopic management, and outcomes of patients with hemostatic clip migration following radical prostatectomy. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients with hemostatic clip migration at our institution from 1977 to 2012. Patient records were then reviewed to identify causative factors, presentation, and long-term functional outcomes. Results: Seventeen patients were identified with clip migration following radical prostatectomy. Eight (47%) patients had undergone open retropubic radical prostatectomy, and 9 (53%) had received robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Hemostatic clip migration was diagnosed at a median of 8 (range, 1–252) months after prostatectomy. The majority of patients (n = 16, 94%) were symptomatic upon the diagnosis of clip mig...
Globalizing the Culture Wars: The United Nations Battle Over Sexual Rights

This paper develops new theory about the clash of conservative and progressive networks over numerous global issues. Focusing on the battle over sexual rights at the United Nations, the paper explores how opposing networks shape one another and how their conflict affects policy. The conflict pits rights advocates, northern European states, and UN bureaucrats against conservative networks spanning the Christian Right, the Vatican, and Islamic states (the “Baptist-burqa” coalition). The broader hypotheses developed in the paper contribute to literatures on social movements, transnational activism, international policymaking, and globalization.
Evaluating the effect of sample type on American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) analyte values in a point-of-care blood analyser

The assessment of wildlife health has been enhanced by the ability of point-of-care (POC) blood analysers to provide biochemical analyses of non-domesticated animals in the field. However, environmental limitations (e.g. temperature, atmospheric humidity and rain) and lack of reference values may inhibit researchers from using such a device with certain wildlife species. Evaluating the use of alternative sample types, such as plasma, in a POC device may afford researchers the opportunity to delay sample analysis and the ability to use banked samples. In this study, we examined fresh whole blood, fresh plasma and frozen plasma (sample type) pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3 (-)), total carbon dioxide (TCO2), base excess (BE), partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), oxygen saturation (sO2) and lactate concentrations in 23 juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) using an i-STAT CG4+ cartridge. Our results indicate that sample type had no effect on lactate concentration values (F 2,65 = 0.37, P = 0.963), suggesting that the i-STAT analyser can be used reliably to quantify lactate concentrations in fresh and frozen plasma samples. In contrast, the other seven blood parameters measured by the CG4+ cartridge were significantly affected by sample type. Lastly, we were able to collect blood samples from all alligators within 2 min of capture to establish preliminary reference ranges for juvenile alligators based on values obtained using fresh whole blood.
Overwintering Refuge Sites for Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae)

Megacopta cribraria F. (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) was first reported in the United States near Atlanta, Georgia, in fall 2009 (Suiter et al. 2010, J. Integr. Pest Manag. 1: 1–4) and has since spread throughout the southeastern United States (http:// www.kudzubug.org/distribution_map.cfm). In Asia and the United States, it is commonly associated with its preferred host plant, kudzu, Pueraria montana Lour (Merr.) var. lobata (Willd.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) (Medal et al. 2013, Fla. Entomol. 96: 631–633). Nonetheless, M. cribraria has emerged as a significant pest of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill and may damage a few other legumes in the United States (Eger et al. 2010, Insecta Mundi 0121: 1–11; Hu and Carroll 2012, htpp://agfax.com/2012/05/18/Alabama-soybean-kudzubugs-making-their-move/). In Georgia and South Carolina, yield losses in untreated soybean fields averaged 18% and ranged up to 59.6% (Greene et al. 2012, United Soybean Board, Chesterfield, MO; Seiter et al. 2012, J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 1676–1683). Apart from being odoriferous, crushed nymphs have reportedly caused skin rashes, thereby raising health concerns for workers in soybean fields (Ruberson et al. 2013, Appl Entomol Zool. 48: 3–13). Megacopta cribraria is also viewed as a nuisance pest in fall through spring when adults aggregate on or around homes to overwinter, apparently close to kudzu patches (Eger et al. 2010, Insecta Mundi 0121: 1–11; Ruberson et al. 2013). Little is known about the biology and ecology of M. cribraria in North America. Prominently, we do not understand their behavior and population dynamics when host plants are not available, as in the winter. Knowledge of the overwintering behavior and biology of this species could inform surveillance and management. This study was undertaken to identify overwintering refuge areas preferred by M.
Control of Moth Pests by Mating Disruption in Forests of the Western United States

A specific objective of our project at the Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station in Corvallis, OR is to determine whether mating disruption is a promising approach to control selected forest pests and to develop methods and materials for practical use. Disruption efforts have been directed mainly toward control of the Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDunnough), the western pine shoot borer moth, Eucosma sonomana Kearfott, and the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman. Preliminary work has also been done with the European pine shoot moth, Rhyacionia buoliana (Schiffermuller), (Daterman et al., 1975). Results with the spruce budworm are still tentative. Pheromone will substantially reduce reproduction by the Douglas-fir tussock moth and further tests are planned. Western pine shoot borer damage can be controlled with pheromone.
Isolation and Purification of Turkey Heme Proteins

Abstract Turkey heme proteins, myoglobin, hemoglobin and cytochrome c were isolated and their interactions were studied. This report describes procedures for the chromatography of myoglobins on CM cellulose, DEAE cellulose and Sephadex columns. DEAE cellulose was used to separate hemoglobin and cytochrome c. Turkey metmyoglobin was shown to display a heterogeneity as demonstrated in CM cellulose column chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and isoelectric fractionation. Three electrophoretically distinct myoglobins were observed in gel electrophoresis, and seven myoglobins were separated by isoelectric fractionation. The major myoglobin fraction was found to have an isoelectric point of 7.99. Turkey myoglobin was similar to chicken myoglobin, but different from mammalian myoglobin in amino acid composition and molecular weight. Molecular weight of turkey myoglobin was determined to be 18,199. The autoxidation rate of turkey myoglobin exhibited a 6-fold slower rate in the presence of cytochrome c. The cytochrome c reduction of metmyoglobin to reduced myoglobin was the probable mechanism. The heat denaturation of turkey myoglobin is quite similar to myoglobins from other species (1/2 D = 78.0° C.). The denaturation temperature increased by approximately 1° C. as the other heme proteins were added to myoglobin, indicating a protein-protein interaction, thus allowing myoglobin to resist heat denaturation. The heat denaturation study revealed that cytochrome c resists denaturation at 105° C.
Revealing structures in narratives

Display Omitted A mixed-methods approach for studies of interdisciplinary handoff.Combines qualitative data with structural quantitative analysis.Adapting an approach to overlap analysis from NLP.Reveals systematic structures and content overlap among team members. ObjectiveTo examine a novel mixed-methods approach for studying patterns of clinical communication that could inform future informatics solutions, with a specific focus on handoff within interdisciplinary teams. Materials and methodsResearchers observed, recorded, and transcribed verbal handoff discussions of different members of critical care teams. The transcripts were coded qualitatively, and then analyzed quantitatively for emerging structural patterns using categorical cluster analysis, and for degree of shared mental models (SMM) using the modified Pyramid method. ResultsAn empirical study using the proposed mixed-methods approach suggested emerging patterns of communication among clinicians. For example, the temporal focus of handoff was often determined by the role of the clinician giving the handoff; the clinical content of handoff was consistent between clinicians, but varied between patients. The SMM index ranged from 0.065 (with the maximum possible overlap score of 1) to 0.007 with a median of 0.026; the overlap was higher in statements concerned with patient presentation (23.6% of these had overlap) and referring to the past (24% overlapped). This calculated SMM index was correlated with the assessment of coherence within the participating teams by independent physicians (r=0.63, p=0.038). ConclusionsThe proposed novel mixed-methods approach helped to reveal emerging patterns in content and structure of handoff communication and highlight differences due to the clinical context, and to the different priorities of clinicians on interdisciplinary patient care teams. The approach for calculating SMM is more ecologically sensitive as it relies on naturally occurring discourse and less intrusive than traditional ways of assessing SMM, and takes initial steps toward establishing empirical foundation for the design of electronic tools to support handoff in interdisciplinary teams.
Myogenic tone of rabbit facial vein and posterior cerebral artery is influenced by changes in extracellular sodium

We examined the effect of small changes in extracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]e) on myogenic tone (MT) in isometrically mounted ring segments of the rabbit facial vein and in pressurized cannulated posterior cerebral artery segments. Decreasing [Na+]e from 150 to 120 mM in the vein increased MT by 24%, and raising [Na+]e to 165 mM attenuated it by 30%. In pressurized posterior cerebral arteries, decreasing [Na+]e to 120 mM reduced the intraluminal diameter by 12%, whereas increasing [Na+]e to 165 mM increased it by 17%. MT was inhibited by amiloride [50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 17 +/- 6 microM], an inhibitor of Na(+)-H+ exchange. Diisothiocyanatostilbene sulfonic acid, a Na(+)-Cl(-)-HCO3- cotransporter blocker, inhibited MT with an IC50 of 4.4 +/- 0.65 microM. Ouabain increased MT [50% effective concentration (EC50) = 0.10 +/- 0.04 microM] as did the reintroduction of HCO3- (EC50 5.0 +/- 1.5 mM). Our study suggests that MT in the rabbit posterior cerebral artery and rabbit facial vein is modulated by changes in [Na+]e. This effect is independent of the method used to register changes in wall force. The sensitivity of the tone to changes in [Na+]e and the independence of vessel diameter at different pressures at various [Na+]e may reflect changes in the sensitivity of smooth muscle stretch or mechanoreceptors to [Na+]e.
The case for interactive data exploration accelerators (IDEAs)

Enabling interactive visualization over new datasets at "human speed" is key to democratizing data science and maximizing human productivity. In this work, we first argue why existing analytics infrastructures do not support interactive data exploration and then outline the challenges and opportunities of building a system specifically designed for interactive data exploration. Finally, we present an Interactive Data Exploration Accelerator (IDEA), a new type of system for interactive data exploration that is specifically designed to integrate with existing data management landscapes and allow users to explore their data instantly without expensive data preparation costs.
Macrophages, Extracellular Matrix, and Estrogens in Breast Cancer Risk

The primary purpose of this chapter is to succinctly present evidence that macrophages are one of the important components within the complex mechanism underlying why lifelong exposure to estrogen is a risk factor for breast cancer. In line with the systems biology theme of this book, this chapter underscores the integrated way in which multiple organs are regulated by macrophages and systemic hormones. This systems biology view reveals that breast cancer risk due to life-long estrogen exposure needs to be understood as having multiple biological mechanisms that are distinct, yet deeply intertwined. This chapter develops what will be referred to as the estrus-regulated, macrophage-dependent theory of breast cancer risk due to life-long exposure to estrogen.
Risk stratification for outpatient parathyroidectomy and predictors of postoperative complications

Abstract Introduction The mainstay of treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism is surgery. Hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy is common and poses a significant challenge, leading to increased patient morbidity and health care costs. While several groups have found predictor factors for hypocalcemia, none have created a risk stratification model. Here, we recognize important factors and optimal cut-off values that can allow risk stratification of patients. Methods A single-institution retrospective chart review of 339 patients that underwent parathyroidectomy from 2009 to 2012 was conducted. Pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative data were collected. A non-routine outcome was defined as post-operative admission, outpatient hypocalcemia-related complication, or inpatient hypocalcemia-related complication. The preoperative or intraoperative factors of patients that experienced a non-routine outcome were compared to those that did not. Optimal cut-off values were determined for preoperative and intraoperative factors and a risk stratification method was created. Results A total of 39 patients experienced a non-routine outcome including 24 postoperative admissions, 2 inpatient hypocalcemia-related complications, and 17 outpatient hypocalcemia-related complications. Patients with a non-routine outcome displayed a trend toward preoperative hypercalcemia (calcium >11.0 mg/dL) than not (p = 0.0543). The median preoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was significantly higher among patients with a non-routine outcome (p = 0.0037). Furthermore, the median percent decrease in PTH at 20 min intraoperatively among patients with a non-routine outcome was significantly higher compared to those that did not (p = 0.0421). The optimal cut-off value for preoperative PTH was 129 pg/mL and for median percent decrease in intraoperative PTH at 20 min was 90.7% for predicting a non-routine outcome. A risk stratification model was created based on these data. Conclusion Our analysis reveals that patients with larger intraoperative decrease in PTH levels (greater than 90.7% drop at 20 min), higher preoperative hypercalcemia (greater than 11 mg/dL), and higher preoperative PTH levels (greater than 129 pg/mL) are more likely to experience a non-routine outcome during outpatient parathyroidectomy. Patients can be risk stratified based on this criteria.
Climate variability and irrigation impacts on streamflows in a Karst watershed—A systematic evaluation

Abstract The study area is the Lower Flint River Basin which is at the center of water conflicts in the southeastern USA. This study focuses on a systematic evaluation and separation of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) induced droughts and irrigation water withdrawal impacts on flow levels using a novel and powerful statistical technique, called JRFit. JRFit procedure was applied to quantify significant differences in streamflows, baseflows, and low flow statistics during non-irrigation (NI) and irrigation (IR) periods associated with ENSO phases. The results indicate that overall streamflow levels have decreased by approximately 20% after the introduction of irrigation in the study area. Lowering of flow levels mainly occur during La Nina phases which gets exacerbated (decreased by 50%) during growing season of IR compared to NI periods. Flow duration curve analysis showed that the frequency of low flows has increased during IR period impairing aquatic ecosystem. This is the first time an elimination approach is used to separate and quantify the impacts of anthropogenic and climate signals on water resources. This approach avoids the need of using complex and data intensive groundwater/surface water models in studying climate-stream-aquifer interactions which can be replicated easily in other data scarce watersheds. This study provides useful information to policymakers to devise irrigation water withdrawal policies during La Nina growing seasons for maintaining flow levels in the study area.
The impact of computer-based tutorials on high school math proficiency

The benefits of mathematical-related skills are well documented in the economics and education literature. Even in spite of such evidence, proficiency levels among US high school students remain persistently low. This is especially true for the State of Nevada. As a result, the Clark County School District (CCSD) made available to students a computer-aided math tutorial prior to taking the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) in mathematics. As such, we utilize a novel dataset and explore the impact of computer-aided learning on mathematics proficiency rates for 10th and 11th graders in the CCSD. Our results provide some evidence of increased proficiency in mathematics related to tutorial participation. This is especially true for minority students. However, causal claims are limited due to the inability to rule out a zero lower bound on the estimated average treatment effects.
Economic viability of steam as an alternative to preplant soil fumigation in california strawberry production

Author(s): Xu, Y; Goodhue, RE; Chalfant, JA; Miller, T; Fennimore, SA | Abstract: One challenge of conducting research regarding agricultural production systems is that field trials are time consuming and expensive, limiting their scale and scope. Thus, policymakers and producers benefit from researchers extracting as much information as possible from each trial. We used the Monte Carlo techniques and the sensitivity analyses to enhance our analysis of the competitiveness of steam as an alternative to fumigation for preplant soil disinfestation in California strawberry production. Chloropicrin + 1,3-dichloropropene 59.6:39 (CP + 1,3-D) resulted in higher mean net returns than did steam. However, the Monte Carlo analysis showed that in one field trial there was a high probability that steam would be more profitable, whereas in the other it was quite unlikely. We also assessed the change in economic performance of steam when it was applied combined with soil amendments of mustard seed meal (MSM). Switching from steam to steam +MSMwould have reduced mean net returns. The Monte Carlo results showed that steam +MSMperformed at least as well as steam alone around half the time. We evaluated factors that were likely to affect the net returns, defined as total returns minus treatment, weeding, and harvest labor costs, of using steam in the near future. Reductions in application time increased net returns. A decrease in the price of propane increased net returns.
Delay Robustness of an $\mathcal {L}_1$ Adaptive Controller for a Class of Systems With Unknown Matched Nonlinearities

This paper studies the delay robustness of an $\mathcal {L}_1$ adaptive controller designed for systems with unknown matched nonlinearities and unknown input-gain matrices. The analysis establishes rigorously the existence of a positive lower bound for the closed-loop system's time-delay margin (TDM), provided that a filter bandwidth and an adaptive gain are chosen sufficiently large. In this case, if the input delay is below a critical value, then the state and control input of the control system follow those of a nonadaptive, robust reference system closely. The analysis also suggests a way to estimate this lower bound for the delay robustness using Pade approximants. Results from forward simulation are consistent with the Pade estimate and with an explicit upper bound on the TDM which decays to 0 as the filter bandwidth grows without bound.
Use of Quantitative Immunofluorescence Microscopy to Study Intracellular Trafficking: Studies of the GLUT4 Glucose Transporter

Insulin regulates the glucose uptake in muscle and adipose cells by acutely modulating the amount of the GLUT4 glucose transporter in the plasma membrane. The steady-state cell surface distribution of a membrane protein is an equilibrium between exocytosis and endocytosis. The authors study the effect of insulin on GLUT4 using quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy adapted to single-cell analysis. They use an HA-GLUT4-GFP reporter molecule as a surrogate of GLUT4 trafficking. Insulin induces an increase of GLUT4 in the plasma membrane by both increasing GLUT4 exocytosis and decreasing its endocytosis. Quantitative immunofluorescence techniques such as those described in this review can be used to study the trafficking of virtually any membrane protein.
Circuits of Discipline: Intensified Responsibilization and the Double Bind of Pregnancy in the U.S. Military

Historically, a so-called pregnancy problem has existed in the U.S. military, and continues today, despite progressive pregnancy policy changes. Through an analysis of military texts as well as int...
Gene trap insertional mutagenesis in mice : New vectors and germ Line mutations in two novel genes

Insertional mutagenesis based on gene trap vectors that capture endogenous splice sites is a promising tool for functional genomics. Several groups have proposed large-scale gene trap screens, but questions remain as to the type of vectors and their design. We report a set of plasmid-encoded gene trap vectors and the disruption of two novel genes. Our results include a comparison of the relative gene trapping efficiencies of two different splice acceptor sequences in ES cells and an analysis of the structure of several gene trap insertions.
Coma After Cardiac Arrest: Management and Neurological Prognostication

Approximately 450,000 Americans suffer cardiac arrest annually. Coma after successful emergency resuscitation from circulatory arrest, as a result of anoxic-ischemic brain damage, presents challenges for neurological management and prognostication. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) and aggressive post-resuscitation medical management have significantly improved neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest patients over the past decade. At the same time, neurological prognostication, traditionally based on clinical signs and auxiliary tests validated before widespread use of TH, has become more difficult, with accumulating evidence that TH alters the ability of these indicators to reliably predict poor neurological outcomes. Optimal outcomes and avoidance of “self-fulfilling” prophecies (predictions of poor prognosis leading to premature decisions to withdraw life-sustaining therapy) requires skillful management of the comatose postanoxic patient and an integrative, multimodal approach to neurological prognostication.
Scale and Spatial Autocorrelation From A Remote Sensing Perspective

One of the challenges for urban and regional planners and other users of remotely sensed imagery is how to select the appropriate data for a particular monitoring or mapping problem. In the past, the dearth of available imagery meant that the problem itself usually had to be adapted to fit the data, which was typically limited to either high spatial resolution film-based aerial imagery, or coarse-spatial resolution digital satellite imagery. Today, a vast range of aerial and satellite imagery is available (Kramer, 2002), opening a new range of potential scales of problems that can be investigated. However, these new options also place additional burdens on the remote sensing user, who, in selecting data, has to consider differences in spectral, temporal, radiometric, and spatial characteristics of the imagery. Spatial properties are particularly important, and the pixel size of current sensors varies over more than three orders of magnitude (from 0.6 m to 1 km and larger) (Kramer, 2002).
Idiotype Manipulation in Disease Management

On October 7, 1994, Niels Jerne died. Niels Jerne is the father of the idiotypic network which provides a unifying concept for understanding the immune system. The network hypothesis makes certain predictions which lead themselves to therapeutic exploitation. Indeed, a large body of vaccine experiments in animals and a handful of clinical trials are based on this theory.
Constant Time Delay and Interspersal of Known Items to Teach Sight Words to Students with Mental Retardation and Learning Disabilities

This study compared efficacy and efficiency of constant time delay and interspersal of known items to teach sight words to students with mild mental retardation and learning disabilities. Procedures were counterbalanced across time of day and instructional groups in a parallel treatments design. For students with mild mental retardation, constant time delay was more effective and efficient based on words learned, percentage of errors, instructional time, and sessions through criterion. For students with learning disabilities, procedures were equally effective, but constant time delay was more efficient across most measures. Results support effectiveness of constant time delay and suggest that interspersal of known items may be more effective for students with learning disabilities than students with mild mental retardation.
Presupposition Failure and Intended Pronominal Reference: Person Is Not So Different from Gender After All

This article aims to show that (one of) the main argument(s) against the presuppositional account of person is not compelling if one makes appropriate assumptions about how the context fixes the as...
Cost-effectiveness Evaluation of Laparoscopic Versus Robotic Minimally Invasive Colectomy.

Objective Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of open, laparoscopic, and robotic colectomy. Background The use of robotic-assisted colon surgery is increasing. Robotic technology is more expensive and whether a robotically assisted approach is cost-effective remains to be determined. Methods A decision-analytic model was constructed to evaluate the 1-year costs and quality-adjusted time between robotic, laparoscopic, and open colectomy. Model inputs were derived from available literature for costs, quality of life (QOL), and outcomes. Results are presented as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), defined as incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the effect of clinically reasonable variations in the inputs on our results. Results Open colectomy cost more and achieved lower QOL than robotic and laparoscopic approaches. From the societal perspective, robotic colectomy costs $745 more per case than laparoscopy, resulting in an ICER of $2,322,715/QALY because of minimal differences in QOL. From the healthcare sector perspective, robotics cost $1339 more per case with an ICER of $4,174,849/QALY. In both models, laparoscopic colectomy was more frequently cost-effective across a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds. Sensitivity analyses suggest robotic colectomy becomes cost-effective at $100,000/QALY if robotic disposable instrument costs decrease below $1341 per case, robotic operating room time falls below 172 minutes, or robotic hernia rate is less than 5%. Conclusions Laparoscopic and robotic colectomy are more cost-effective than open resection. Robotics can surpass laparoscopy in cost-effectiveness by achieving certain thresholds in QOL, instrument costs, and postoperative outcomes. With increased use of robotic technology in colorectal surgery, there is a burden to demonstrate these benefits.
Function/Kernel Vectorization via Loop Vectorizer

Currently, there are three vectorizers in the LLVM trunk: Loop Vectorizer, SLP Vectorizer, and Load-Store Vectorizer. There is a need for vectorizing functions/kernels: 1) Function calls are an integral part of programming real world application code and we cannot always rely on fully inlining them. When a function call is made from a vectorized context such as vectorized loop or vectorized function, if there are no vectorized callees available, the call has to be made to a scalar callee, one vector element at a time. At the programming model level, OpenMP declare simd is a standardized syntax to address this problem. LLVM needs a vectorizer to properly vectorize OpenMP declare simd functions. 2) Also, in the GPGPU programming model, such as OpenCL, work-item (thread) parallelism is not expressed with a loop; it is implicit in the execution of the kernels. In order to exploit SIMD parallelism at this top-level (thread-level), we need to start from vectorizing the kernel. One of the obvious ways to vectorize functions/kernels is to add a fourth vectorizer that specifically deals with function vectorization. In this paper, we argue that such a naive approach will lead us to sub-optimal performance and/or higher maintenance burden. Instead, we present a technique to take advantages of the current functionalities and future improvements of Loop Vectorizer in order to vectorize functions and kernels.