cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease

Muscle plays a central role in whole-body protein metabolism by serving as the principal reservoir for amino acids to maintain protein synthesis in vital tissues and organs in the absence of amino acid absorption from the gut and by providing hepatic gluconeogenic precursors. Furthermore, altered muscle metabolism plays a key role in the genesis, and therefore the prevention, of many common pathologic conditions and chronic diseases. Nonetheless, the maintenance of adequate muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function has rarely, if ever, been targeted as a relevant endpoint of recommendations for dietary intake. It is therefore imperative that factors directly related to muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function be included in future studies designed to demonstrate optimal lifestyle behaviors throughout the life span, including physical activity and diet.
Performance evaluation of NSF application benchmarks on parallel systems

The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently released a set of application benchmarks that would be a key factor in selecting the next-generation high- performance computing environment. These benchmarks are designed to capture the salient attributes of those science and engineering applications placing the most stringent demands on the system to be provisioned. The application benchmarks consist of six codes that require large amount of memory and work with large data sets. In this work, we study the complexity, performance, and scalability of these codes on four machines: a 512-processor SGI Altix 3700, a 512-processor SGI Altix 3700/BX2, a 512-processor dual-core based SGI Altix 4700, and a 128-processor Cray Opteron cluster interconnected by the Myrinet network. We evaluated these codes for two different problem sizes using different numbers of processors. Our results show that per processor the SGI machines, using the Intel Itanium-2 processor, are faster than the Cray cluster, using the AMD Opteron processor, by a factor of up to three. Also, we found out that some of these codes scale up very well as we increase the number of processors while others scaled up poorly. In addition, one of the codes achieved about 2/3 of the peak rate of an SGI Altix processor. Moreover, the dual-core based system achieved comparable performance results to the single-core based system. Finally, we provide some limitations and concluding remarks.
Forcing a three-dimensional, hydrostatic, primitive-equation model for application in the surf zone: 2. Application to DUCK94

[1] A three-dimensional primitive-equation model for application to the nearshore surf zone has been developed. This model, an extension of the Princeton Ocean Model (POM), predicts the wave-averaged circulation forced by breaking waves. All of the features of the original POM are retained in the extended model so that applications can be made to regions where breaking waves, stratification, rotation, and wind stress make significant contributions to the flow behavior. In this study we examine the effects of breaking waves and wind stress. The nearshore POM circulation model is embedded within the NearCom community model and is coupled with a wave model. This combined modeling system is applied to the nearshore surf zone off Duck, North Carolina, during the DUCK94 field experiment of October 1994. Model results are compared to observations from this experiment, and the effects of parameter choices are examined. A process study examining the effects of tidal depth variation on depth-dependent wave-averaged currents is carried out. With identical offshore wave conditions and model parameters, the strength and spatial structure of the undertow and of the alongshore current vary systematically with water depth. Some three-dimensional solutions show the development of shear instabilities of the alongshore current. Inclusion of wave-current interactions makes an appreciable difference in the characteristics of the instability.
Evapotranspiration estimates from eddy covariance towers and hydrologic modeling in managed forests in Northern Wisconsin, USA

Direct measurement of ecosystem evapotranspiration by the eddy covariance method and simulation modeling were employed to quantify the growing season (May–October) evapotranspiration (ET) of eight forest ecosystems representing a management gradient in dominant forest types and age classes in the Upper Great Lakes Region from 2002 to 2003. We measured net exchange of water vapor fluxes in a 63-year-old mature hardwood (MHW) stand, a 60-year-old mature red pine (MRP) stand, a 3-year-old young hardwood (YHW) stand, a 17year-old intermediate hardwood (IHW) stand, a young red pine (YRP age 8) stand, an intermediate red pine (IRP age 21) stand, and two pine barren ecosystems burned 12 years (PB1) and 2 years (PB2) ago. Field data suggested that there were no significant differences in growing season (June–September) ET/precipitation ratio among all ecosystems in 2002. However, PB2 had significantly lower ET/precipitation than those of other ecosystems in 2003. The ratios were much higher for all ecosystems, up to 0.90 for IHW, during the peak summer months (June–July). PB2 was the lowest (0.64) during that period. Stand leaf area index alone did not explain ecosystem ET at the landscape scale. Seasonal ET values measured by the eddy covariance method were significantly lower than those simulated with a process-based hydrologic model, MIKE SHE. Our integration approach combined with field measurements and simulation modeling proved to be useful in providing a full picture of the effects of forest cover type change on landscape scale water balance at multiple temporal scales. The ET procedure used in the MIKE SHE model needs improvement to fully account for the effects of vapor pressure deficit on tree transpiration. Seasonal distributions of ET coincided with precipitation in the growing season, when fluxes estimated by both field and models were the highest. The simulation model suggests that removal of conifer forests in the study region may reduce ET immediately by 113–30 mm/year or about 20%, but our field data suggests that ET can recover within 8–25 years from re-growth of hardwood forests.
Joint signaling techniques for crosstalk-dominated communication channels

We present a framework for maximizing the capacity (or bit rate) of symmetric bit rate communication services dominated by crosstalk, in particular digital subscriber line (DSL) services. We assume the DSL channel is a Gaussian channel, so transmit power spectral density (PSD) design is sufficient to maximize bit rates. Using the channel, noise, and crosstalk transfer functions, we set up an optimization problem and solve for transmit PSDs that maximize the joint capacity of same service users. Joint signaling techniques and optimal power distribution yield significant gains in bit rates (or performance margins) over current schemes. Furthermore, the designed transmit PSDs are inherently spectrally compatible with existing services on neighboring lines. We purposefully design a general framework; it does not depend on the exact choice of modulation scheme, for example. It is also extremely simple and of low computational complexity. The framework can also apply to other channels besides DSLs, such as wireless channels, coaxial cables, power lines, and telemetry cables used in geophysical well-logging tools.
The modular telerobot task execution system for space telerobotics

A telerobot task execution system that has been developed for space station Freedom applications is described. The modular telerobot task execution system (MOTES) provides the remote site task execution capability in a local-remote telerobotic system. The design addresses the constraints of limited computational power available at the remote site control system while providing a large range of control capabilities. The system provides supervised autonomous control, shared control, and teleoperation for a redundant manipulator. The system is capable of nominal task execution as well as monitoring and reflex motion. A command interpreter similar to one used on robotic spacecraft is used to interpret commands received from the local site. Execution utilizes multiple control modules which execute based upon command parameterization. The system controls a seven degree-of-freedom manipulator. >
Metabolic Hormones, Apolipoproteins, Adipokines, and Cytokines in the Alveolar Lining Fluid of Healthy Adults: Compartmentalization and Physiological Correlates

Objectives Our current understanding of hormone regulation in lung parenchyma is quite limited. We aimed to quantify a diverse array of biologically relevant protein mediators in alveolar lining fluid (ALF), compared to serum concentrations, and explore factors associated with protein compartmentalization on either side of the air-blood barrier. Research Design and Methods Participants were 24 healthy adult non-smoker volunteers without respiratory symptoms or significant medical conditions, with normal lung exams and office spirometry. Cell-free bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum were analyzed for 24 proteins (including enteric and metabolic hormones, apolipoproteins, adipokines, and cytokines) using a highly sensitive multiplex ELISA. Measurements were normalized to ALF concentrations. The ALF: serum concentration ratios were examined in relation to measures of protein size, hydrophobicity, charge, and to participant clinical and spirometric values.
Shape factors, two‐flow models, and the problem of irradiance inversion in estimating optical parameters

The problem of the inversion of irradiance measurements for the inherent optical properties of a hydrosol such as the world ocean has been examined with the NOARL optical model. This model is a Monte Carlo simulation of the radiative transfer equation that, given the optical properties of a hydrosol, generates the zonal radiances and the commonly measured n-radiances of that hydrosol. This information allows us to test the optical inversion capability of any irradiance model. We have demonstrated that the two-flow model, used often in atmospheric optics, cannot be inverted to yield the inherent backscattcr coefficient of natural hydrosols due to the extreme asymmetry of the hydrosol volume scattering function. The asymmetry of the volume scattering function interacting with the radiance distribution introduces parameters called shape factors into the models for irradiance inversion. The presence of shape factors in an irradiance model renders it unsolvable; thus, simplifying assumptions are required for an inverse solution. We inquire into the possibilities for irradiance inversion given the existence of shape factors.
The effect of timing of pneumoperitoneum on the inflammatory response

We examined the effects of an identical period of pneumoperitoneum applied at three different time points after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Two different insufflation gases were also compared. Male rats (n = 70) were injected intravenously with 1 mg/kg of LPS (time 0). The time relationship between a 1.5-h period of insufflation and initial LPS stimulation was the experimental variable. All rats were killed 6 h after injection. CO2 and helium insufflation were investigated. Ten control rats received LPS only. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic expression of α2-macroglobulin, β-fibrinogen, and metallothionein were measured by Northern blot analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Expression of α2-macroglobulin mRNA was lower in CO2 groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05 at time 120 and 270). β-Fibrinogen message was diminished in CO2 0 and 120 groups compared to control. Serum levels of IL-6 and expression of metallothionein mRNA did not show significant differences between groups. These findings suggest that CO2 pneumoperitoneum downregulates the inflammatory response to LPS challenge. Start time of CO2 insufflation does not appear to alter hepatic expression of acute phase genes. The mechanism of α2-macroglobulin downregulation does not appear to be due to IL-6.
Ion chemistry in the interstellar medium

Without accurate data on reaction rates and branching ratios, models of interstellar chemistry are unreliable. Recent research has identified a number of reactions of unusual importance because the rates and branching ratios are unknown or poorly known. Efforts to expand and improve on current databases are underway using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube (FA-SIFT) coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Our current focus is on the reactions of C + , a major cation in the interstellar medium, with the neutrals O 2 , H 2 O, CH 4 , NH 3 and C 2 H 2 . Future planned work includes studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), developing comprehensive pathways for their formation, and identification of those PAHs important to interstellar chemistry. The recent discovery of ISM anions has highlighted the importance of examining mechanisms of anionic chemistry in the interstellar medium, and we plan to obtain data relevant to the formation and destruction processes of molecular anions in space.
Divisions within the posterior parietal cortex help touch meet vision

The functions of the somatosensory system are multiple. We use tactile input to localize and experience the various qualities of touch, and proprioceptive information to determine the position of different parts of the body with respect to each other, which provides fundamental information for action. Further, tactile exploration of the characteristics of external objects can result in conscious perceptual experience and stimulus or object recognition. Neuroanatomical studies suggest parallel processing as well as serial processing within the cerebral somatosensory system that reflect these separate functions, with one processing stream terminating in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), and the other terminating in the insula. We suggest that, analogously to the organisation of the visual system, somatosensory processing for the guidance of action can be dissociated from the processing that leads to perception and memory. In addition, we find a second division between tactile information processing about external targets in service of object recognition and tactile information processing related to the body itself. We suggest the posterior parietal cortex subserves both perception and action, whereas the insula principally subserves perceptual recognition and learning.
A Reformulation and Implementation of the Bryan-Cox-Semtner Ocean Model on the Connection Machine

Abstract Certain aspects of the Semtner-Chervin version of the Bryan-Cox-Semtner global ocean model are reformulated for improved efficiency on parallel computer architectures and on the Connection Machine CM-2 in particular. These changes involve (a) the switch from a streamfunction to a surface pressure formulation in the barotropic equations, (b) the splitting off of the Coriolis terms from the barotropic equations to produce a symmetric surface pressure equation, which then permits (c) the use of a preconditioned conjugate-gradient method for the solution of this equation. The switch to a surface pressure formulation (a) eliminates global equations associated with island boundary conditions and therefore improves performance as well as allows an unlimited number of islands, (b) reduces sensitivity to rapidly varying bottom topography and therefore obviates the need for smoothing the topography, and (c) makes the surface pressure a prognostic variable, thus potentially making it easier to assimilate su...
Roentgen Aspects of Injuries to the Pisiform Bone and Pisotriquetral Joint

The anatomy and roentgenography of the pisiform and parapisiform area are briefly reviewed. Thirteen cases of fractures of the pisiform bone are reported and discussed, and the scant literature pertaining to this subject is reviewed. The problem of subluxation of the pisotriquetral joint is analyzed on the basis of the normal kinematics of this joint as revealed by roentgenography, and the findings in the pisotriquetral joint in a group of fractures of the distal part of the radius are reviewed.
Impaired retinal microcirculation in multiple sclerosis.

Background:The transparent ocular structure enables quantitative analysis of microvasculature of retina, a neuronal tissue affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).Objective:The aim of this study was to determine whether the retinal blood flow velocity and flow volume at the macula are impaired in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).Methods:A total of 17 RRMS patients and 17 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were assessed. A retinal function imager was used to measure the blood flow velocity of retinal arterioles and venules and to calculate the total perifoveal blood flow volume.Results:The blood flow velocities of the retinal arterioles (3.34 ± 0.89 mm/s) and venules (2.61 ± 0.6 mm/s) were significantly lower in MS patients than normal subjects (arteriole: 4.10 ± 0.87 mm/s; venule: 3.22 ± 0.65 mm/s, both p = 0.01). In addition, the total perifoveal blood flow volume in arterioles (3.74 ± 1.64 nL/s) and venules (3.81 ± 1.60 nL/s) were significantly lower in MS patients than in n...
Formation of FePt nanodots by wetting of nanohole substrates

Large area arrays of FePt nanodots are fabricated on patterned substrates made of SiOx, SiNx and TiNx. The templates have a depth of ∼10 nm and a pitch of ∼20 nm with 18 nm wide holes. FePt is sputtered on the nanohole arrays, then back-etched, leaving a highly ordered array of FePt nanodots behind. To promote phase transformation to the L10 phase, the samples are annealed at temperatures of 550-650° C. During annealing, the FePt strongly dewets SiOx and SiNx substrates, causing sintering and coalescence of the FePt nanodots, but the nanodots remain highly ordered on the TiNx substrate. The nanodot arrays on TiNx are characterized magnetically before and after annealing. The out-of-plane coercivity increases by ∼1 kOe, suggesting partial transformation to the L10 phase. We also show that a capping layer can be sputtered on top of the nanodot arrays prior to annealing to prevent dewetting.
Thick-Skinned Liberalism: Redefining Civility

Anorm of civility defines a standard of conduct that citizens can rightfully expect from strangers. What are appropriate norms of civility for citizens of liberal states? I argue that two approaches to civility are prominent in our political culture, one requiring “mere” tolerance, the other, that we affirm the worth of others' pursuits (and thereby the worth of those others). This split parallels a division in liberal theory between an interest-based account of liberalism (represented primarily by J. S. Mill) and a status-based account (represented principally by John Rawls and Ronald Dworkin), respectively. The exploration of this theoretical divide and how it relates to contending notions of civility helps to clarify disputes in the broader culture. I conclude that interest-based liberalism offers a more satisfactory approach to the issue at hand.
Occurrence of Non-Motile Leucocytes

Sabin, Cunningham, Doan and Kindwall1 observed that when supravital counts were made on blood drawn every 15 minutes there appeared “showers of non-motile cells” at approximately hourly intervals. They interpreted these as being due to degenerating polymorphs which were actually dying in the blood stream. Beard and Beard2 confirmed the existence of these showers, and were able to increase their magnitude without altering their rhythm by the injection of sodium citrate. More recent workers (Smith and McDowell,3 Jones, Stephens, Todd, and Lawrence4) have been unable to confirm these observations, and find that the non-motile cells occur at irregular intervals and are probably artefacts.If the non-motile cells are really dying polymorphs, most of them should be old cells, as determined by the criterion of the number of lobes in the nucleus (Cooke and Ponder5), whereas if they are artefacts, we might well expect both young and old cells to be affected, i. e., cells of all the classes of the polynuclear count....
Transmembrane pH gradients in vivo: measurements using fluorinated vitamin B6 derivatives.

It is well recognized that pH plays a significant regulatory role in most cellular processes. Increasingly, there is interest in transmembrane pH gradients, particularly with respect to tumor growth and response to therapy. NMR offers a non-invasive approach to monitoring cellular pH and detecting changes in response to interventions. This review will consider the strengths of various approaches to measuring pH with particular focus on the reporter molecules designed to interrogate the cellular milieu. In particular, fluorinated vitamin B6 derivatives (6-fluoropyridoxol and 6-fluoropyridoxamine) will be described, which for the first time provide a practical non-destructive method to measure simultaneously intra- and extracellular pH, i.e., the transmembrane pH gradient in animals in vivo based on a single reporter molecule.
The role of the mini-open thoracoscopic-assisted approach in the management of metastatic spine disease at the thoracolumbar junction.

OBJECTIVE Treatment advances have resulted in improved survival for many cancer types, and this, in turn, has led to an increased incidence of metastatic disease, specifically to the vertebral column. Surgical decompression and stabilization prior to radiation therapy have been shown to improve functional outcomes, but anterior access to the thoracolumbar junction may involve open thoracotomy, which can cause significant morbidity. The authors describe the treatment of 12 patients in whom a mini-open thoracoscopic-assisted approach (mini-open TAA) to the thoracolumbar junction was used to treat metastatic disease, with an analysis of outcomes. METHODS The authors reviewed a retrospective cohort of patients treated for thoracolumbar junction metastatic disease with mini-open TAA between 2004 and 2016. Data collection included operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, follow-up duration, and pre- and postoperative visual analog scale scores and Frankel grades. RESULTS Twelve patients underwent a...
X-Efficiency in Banking Industry – Evidence from South Asian Economy

Around the globe, a number of researches are conducted to measure the X-efficiency of banking sector. The obvious reason is that economic growth, macroeconomic stability and expansion of monetary policy are directly dependent on banking sector performance and efficiency in any country (Berger & Humphrey, 1997). In order to measure the banking efficiency, some parametric and non-parametric frontier analysis techniques are commonly used. After financial crises of 2007, the banking Industry of Pakistan witnessed deregulation resulting in massive cost rationalization and rightsizing. In Pakistan, few studies are conducted to gauge the X-efficiency in banking sector and those too before the financial crises. So in order to measure recent X-Efficiency, this study was conducted using Non-Parametric efficient frontier approach known as DEA. Data was obtained for 32 banks operating in Pakistan. The data is further subdivided into (1) Government banks (2) Local Banks (3) Foreign banks (4) Islamic Banks and (5) All Banks. Results of the study indicate uniform efficiency among local and foreign banks but local conventional banks are ahead of Islamic banks in terms of efficiency.
Travellers: the Export Trade in Europe

In 1775, George Stansfield prepared a ‘NOTIFICATION’ in which he introduced himself as ‘a manufacturer of different sorts of woollen goods at Bowood near Halifax’ and announced that he was ‘now in full capacity to export his own fabrics’. To that end, it went on, he was taking the ‘liberty to solicit order for a trial by means of his friend Mr. Richard Hill the bearer hereof who will specify his different fabrics and his terms of credit and trade’.1 Written the year after the opening of the Calder and Hebble Navigation, which linked Halifax to the sea, this notification suggests that Stansfield sought to use this new link in England’s canal and river network to develop a more extensive trade in a broad range of woollen and worsted cloths.2 An essential part of this plan was his ability to employ Richard Hill — the son of Samuel Hill, and now a bankrupt merchant in exile on the continent — as a salesman travelling into Italy and Spain to solicit orders for cloth on his behalf.
Persistent spontaneous fungal peritonitis secondary to Candida albicans in a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis and review of the literature

Candida albicans is a common human pathogen. Occasionally, it can cause peritonitis in immunocompromised and postsurgical patients. We report a case of a male patient who presented with abdominal pain and distention. He had a history of end-stage liver disease secondary to alcoholism. His peritoneal fluid culture revealed C albicans, and (1-3)-β-d glucan (BDG) level was elevated. His hospital course was complicated by sepsis and renal failure. He was treated with antifungals for spontaneous fungal peritonitis. Fungal peritonitis should be suspected in patients with chronic liver disease particularly with elevated BDG levels.
Abstract 058: Sirt3 Impairment and SOD2 Hyperacetylation Drive Vascular Oxidative Stress and Hypertension

Aging is associated with increased incidence of hypertension and a decline of the mitochondrial energy regulator deacetylase Sirt3. A major mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme, SOD2, is inhibited by a...
Computationally-efficient optical coherence elastography to assess degenerative osteoarthritis based on ultrasound-induced fringe washout (Conference Presentation)

We demonstrate a computationally-efficient optical coherence elastography (OCE) method based on fringe washout. By introducing ultrasound in alternating depth profile, we can obtain information on the mechanical properties of a sample within acquisition of a single image. This can be achieved by simply comparing the intensity in adjacent depth profiles in order to quantify the degree of fringe washout. Phantom agar samples with various densities were measured and quantified by our OCE technique, the correlation to Young’s modulus measurement by atomic force micrscopy (AFM) were observed. Knee cartilage samples of monoiodo acetate-induced arthiritis (MIA) rat models were utilized to replicate cartilage damages where our proposed OCE technique along with intensity and birefringence analyses and AFM measurements were applied. The results indicate that our OCE technique shows a correlation to the techniques as polarization-sensitive OCT, AFM Young’s modulus measurements and histology were promising. Our OCE is applicable to any of existing OCT systems and demonstrated to be computationally-efficient.
Nest site selection and nest survival of Greater Prairie-Chickens near a wind energy facility

ABSTRACT Rapid development of wind energy facilities in the Great Plains of North America has raised concerns regarding their potential negative impact on the nesting ecology of Greater Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus). We investigated the effects of a pre-existing, 36-turbine wind energy facility on nest site selection and nest survival of Greater Prairie-Chickens in the unfragmented grasslands of the Nebraska Sandhills, USA. In 2013 and 2014, we monitored 91 nests along a 24-km disturbance gradient leading away from the wind energy facility. We found little evidence of an effect of the wind energy facility on Greater Prairie-Chicken nest site selection and nest survival. Instead, we found that the primary drivers of nest site selection and nest survival were related to landscape and habitat factors. Greater Prairie-Chickens avoided nesting near roads, with 74% of Greater Prairie-Chickens selecting nest sites >700 m from roads. Greater Prairie-Chickens selected nest sites with more than twi...
Chronic kidney disease, uremic milieu, and its effects on gut bacterial microbiota dysbiosis

Several lines of evidence suggest that gut bacterial microbiota is altered in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), though the mechanism of which this dysbiosis takes place is not well understood. Recent studies delineated changes in gut microbiota in both CKD patients and experimental animal models using microarray chips. We present 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of both stool pellets and small bowel contents of C57BL/6J mice that underwent a remnant kidney model and establish that changes in microbiota take place in the early gastrointestinal tract. Increased intestinal urea concentration has been hypothesized as a leading contributor to dysbiotic changes in CKD. We show that urea transporters (UT)-A and UT-B mRNA are both expressed throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract. The noted increase in intestinal urea concentration appears to be independent of UTs' expression. Urea supplementation in drinking water resulted in alteration in bacterial gut microbiota that is quite different than that seen in CKD. This indicates that increased intestinal urea concentration might not fully explain the CKD- associated dysbiosis.
Can We Ever Know Which Objects Thieves Most Desire? Lessons from Studying Shoplifted Fast-Moving Consumer Goods

The initial purpose of this research was to improve upon the explanatory power of an earlier analysis (Smith, Security Journal, 2017), which had used CRAVED variables to explain variation in theft of 7468 fast-moving consumer goods. We used Smith’s sample to develop three additional independent variables not measured by CRAVED. We found that the new regression model, which included these three variables, accounted for less variation in thefts than CRAVED alone had. We considered the possible reasons why improving on CRAVED as a predictor of theft choices might not be achievable, and concluded that, because of the precautions routinely taken by stores to prevent theft, theft data alone is a flawed measure of thieves’ preferences. Stores seeking to reduce shoplifting might be better served by examining the effectiveness of precautions than by seeking to improve predictions of targets. In a more speculative mode, we further generalized this argument to cover any form of victimization.
Managing and Querying Encrypted Data

Encryption is a popular technique for ensuring confidentiality of sensitive data. While data encryption is able to enhance security greatly, it can impose substantial overhead on the performance of a system in terms of data management. Management of encrypted data needs to address several new issues like choice of the appropriate encryption algorithms, deciding the key management architecture and key distribution protocols, enabling e?cient encrypted data storage and retrieval, developing techniques for querying and searching encrypted data, ensuring integrity of data etc. In this chapter, we give an overview of the state-of-the-art in some of these areas using the “Database As a Service” (DAS) as the prototype application. We especially concentrate on techniques for querying encrypted data and summarize the basic techniques proposed for SQL queries over encrypted relational data, keyword search over encrypted text data and XPath queries over encrypted XML data. We also provide brief summaries of works relating to other issues mentioned above and provide further references to the related literature.
Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency: Transition of Care for the Child With AAT Deficiency into Adulthood

Importance: Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a common, but an underdiagnosed genetic condition, affecting 1 in 1500 individuals. It can present insidiously with liver disease in children. Although clinical practice guidelines exist for the management of AAT deficiency, especially with regards to pulmonary involvement, there are no published recommendations that specifically relate to the management of the liver disease and monitoring for lung disease associated with this condition, particularly in children. Objective: To review the literature on the management of AAT deficiency-associated liver disease in adults and children. Evidence Review: A systematic search for articles indexed in PubMed and published was undertaken. Some earlier selected landmark references were included in the review. Search terms included: “alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency”; “liver disease”; “end-stage liver disease”; “liver transplantation” and “preventative management”. Recommendations for the management of children with suspected or confirmed AAT deficiency were made according to the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy scale. Findings: Liver complications arising from AAT deficiency result from the accumulation of mutated AAT protein within hepatocytes. Liver disease occurs in 10% of children, manifested by cholestasis, pruritus, poor feeding, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly, but the presentation is highly variable. A diagnostic test for AAT deficiency is recommended for these children. Baseline liver function tests should be obtained to assess for liver involvement; however, the only curative treatment for AAT deficiency-associated liver disease is organ transplantation. Conclusion and Relevance: There should be a greater vigilance for AAT deficiency testing among pediatricians. Diagnosis should prompt assessment of liver involvement. Children with AATdeficiency-associated liver disease should be referred to a liver specialist and monitored throughout their lifetimes for the symptoms of AAT-deficiency-related pulmonary involvement.
Are buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides) cytotypes spatially and ecologically differentiated

PREMISE Although autopolyploidy is common among dominant Great Plains grasses, the distribution of cytotypes within a given species is typically poorly understood. This study aims to establish the geographic distribution of cytotypes within buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) and to assess whether individual cytotypes have differing ecological tolerances. METHODS A range-wide set of 578 B. dactyloides individuals was obtained through field collecting and sampling from herbarium specimens. The cytotype of each sample was estimated by determining allele numbers at 13 simple sequence repeat loci, a strategy that was assessed by comparing estimated to known cytotype in 79 chromosome-counted samples. Ecological differentiation between the dominant tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes was assessed with analyses of macroclimatic variables. RESULTS Simple sequence repeat variation accurately estimated cytotype in 89% of samples from which a chromosome count had been obtained. Applying this approach to samples of unknown ploidy established that diploids and pentaploids are rare, with the common tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes generally occurring in sites to the north/west (tetraploid) or south/east (hexaploid) portions of the species range. Both MANOVA and niche modeling approaches identified significant but subtle differences in macroclimatic conditions at the set of locations occupied by these two dominant cytotypes. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating chromosome count vouchers and cytotype-estimated herbarium records allowed us to perform the largest study of cytotype niche differentiation to date. Buffalograss cytotypes differ greatly in frequency, the common tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes are non-randomly distributed, and these two cytotypes are subtly ecologically differentiated.
Androgen Receptor Blockade Differentially Regulates Blood Pressure in Growth-Restricted Versus Ovarian Deficient Rats.

Low birth weight is associated with a greater prevalence of hypertension in women by age 60; yet, the mechanisms involved are unknown. We previously reported that hypertension in female growth-rest...
A Low Input Impedance Front-End Interface ASIC for PET Imaging

This paper describes the design of a current-mode interface ASIC for Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays. The target application is positron emission tomography (PET) imaging front-ends. The channel architecture comprises: 1) a low input impedance Transimpedance amplifier (TIA) which interfaces with a SiPM array, 2) a programmable gain stage to amplify the TIA output signals and 3) output buffers to drive the off-chip digitizers. The prototype chip occupies an area of 4 mm2 in TSMC 65nm Low Power process and has 32 readout channels. The front-end TIA architecture has been optimized to be power and area efficient as compared to prior art using Regulated Cascode (RGC) current buffer. The input impedance of the channel is measured to be 14 ohms at 500 MHz. The channel bandwidth is 150 MHz. The prototype chip was characterized with a test setup which was interfaced with a Hamamatsu SiPM device in the presence of a 511 KeV Ge-68 radiation source. The energy resolution was measured to be 12 % FWHM. Over the coming months, the chip will be interfaced with SiPM arrays to evaluate its performance in a Medical Imaging setup. Future versions of the described chip will include integrated digitizing elements.
Transcription imparts architecture, function, and logic to enhancer units

Abstract Distal enhancers remain one of the least understood regulatory elements with pivotal roles in development and disease. We used massively parallel reporter assays to perform functional comparisons of two leading enhancer models and find that gene-distal transcription start sites (TSSs) are robust predictors of enhancer activity with higher resolution and specificity than histone modifications. We show that active enhancer units are precisely delineated by active TSSs, validate that these boundaries are sufficient to capture enhancer function, and confirm that core promoter sequences are required for this activity. Finally, we assay pairs of adjacent units and find that their cumulative activity is best predicted by the strongest unit within the pair. Synthetic fusions of enhancer units demonstrate that adjacency imposes winner-takes-all logic, revealing a simple design for a maximum-activity filter of enhancer unit outputs. Together, our results define fundamental enhancer units and a principle of non-cooperativity between adjacent units.
Divergent patterns of engagement in Internet standardization

This article analyzes the engagement of Japanese, Korean and Chinese participants in the development of Internet standards at IETF on the basis of four quantitative metrics: attendance, patenting, authorship and leadership. The results are strikingly divergent. Japanese involvement in Internet standardization began early and Japan was, for many years, second only to the U.S. in terms of IETF participation. Though Japanese participation has declined since the early 2000s, Japan remains a major contributor to IETF standardization. Korean involvement in IETF has always been significant, but below the levels of Japan and major European countries. Korean participation in IETF has also declined over the past decade, and has been dominated by one firm, Samsung. Though meaningful Chinese involvement in IETF did not begin until the mid-2000s, it has rapidly expanded in recent years. Today, China is a major player in numerous areas of Internet standardization in terms of three metrics (participation, patenting and leadership), and is rapidly gaining in terms of document authorship as well. Most of China's recent IETF involvement can be attributed to Huawei, though other Chinese firms have recently begun to increase their participation in the organization. Thus, contrary to some views that China's engagement with standardization is primarily one of indigenous innovation and "catching up", China's experience with IETF demonstrates deliberate and effective engagement with a major Western standards-development organization on its own terms. Internet standardization originated with U.S. institutions and is now led by the IETF.Japan and Korea became involved early in the history of IETF.In recent years, China has supplanted Japan and Korea as the principal Asian participant in IETF activity, and may soon rival U.S. and European participation.
Hearing tetrachords in an atonal context

This study examines the perception of tetrachords. Musicians were divided into four groups. One group heard a Bartok composition predominated by [0167]; other groups heard it recomposed with any in...
A highly efficient fog harvester of electrospun permanent superhydrophobic–hydrophilic polymer nanocomposite fiber mats

To address the worldwide issue of water scarcity, which is threatening our sustainable economic development and ecological security, an efficient water-collecting surface with fast-capturing capability and easy drainage is essential. Inspired by the fog-harvesting capability of Stenocara beetles in the Namib Desert, this study presents an easy method for fabricating flexible, permanent, electrospun superhydrophobic–hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite fiber mats for atmospheric fog water harvesting. This combination of a hydrophobic PAN domain and hydrophilic nanomaterials causes water to condense on the hydrophilic micro and nanoparticles and roll off the hydrophobic nanofibers. By adjusting the proportion of micro and nanomaterials, we can tune the fog water harvesting efficiency. The superhydrophobic–hydrophilic nanocomposite fibers are fabricated with various proportions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and aluminum (Al) microparticles using the electrospinning technique followed by stabilization and carbonization to remove all non-carbonaceous materials from the fiber structures. The fiber morphology, surface hydrophobicity, crystal structure, and fog-harvesting performance of the nanocomposite fibers were investigated. A water contact angle of 154.8° was achieved with the addition of a 10% inclusion of combined micro- and nanoparticles. The experimental tests of these nanocomposites demonstrated the feasibility of the freshwater production with a daily water productivity of more than 1.49 liter m−2 of the nanocomposites. It is estimated that the material cost of making such nanocomposites to supply minimum daily water consumption for a household with 2 members (i.e., 6 liters) is only $4.96 (USD). These nanocomposites are cheap and affordable, and require no additional input of energy, and are especially suitable for clean water production in arid areas. This work offers a very feasible and novel tool to achieve the mass production of water-harvesting materials.
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet and Diet Modification as Induction Therapy for Pediatric Crohn's Disease: A Randomized Diet Controlled Trial.

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder associated with intestinal dysbiosis. Diet modulates the intestinal microbiome and therefore has a therapeutic potential. The aim of this study is to determine the potential efficacy of three versions of the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) in active Crohn’s Disease. Methods: 18 patients with mild/moderate CD (PCDAI 15–45) aged 7 to 18 years were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either SCD, modified SCD(MSCD) or whole foods (WF) diet. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. PCDAI, inflammatory labs and multi-omics evaluations were assessed. Results: Mean age was 14.3 ± 2.9 years. At week 12, all participants (n = 10) who completed the study achieved clinical remission. The C-reactive protein decreased from 1.3 ± 0.7 at enrollment to 0.9 ± 0.5 at 12 weeks in the SCD group. In the MSCD group, the CRP decreased from 1.6 ± 1.1 at enrollment to 0.7 ± 0.1 at 12 weeks. In the WF group, the CRP decreased from 3.9 ± 4.3 at enrollment to 1.6 ± 1.3 at 12 weeks. In addition, the microbiome composition shifted in all patients across the study period. While the nature of the changes was largely patient specific, the predicted metabolic mode of the organisms increasing and decreasing in activity was consistent across patients. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the impact of diet in CD. Each diet had a positive effect on symptoms and inflammatory burden; the more exclusionary diets were associated with a better resolution of inflammation.
State Contexts and Foster Care Adoption Rates.

Abstract Prior research has examined associations between state adoption policies and assisted reproductive technology insurance coverage and foster care adoption rates, but knowledge of the relationships between state policies and contexts and foster care adoption is still limited. In this study, we test adoption subsidy policy, alternative means of family formation, and the demographic characteristics of potential adoptive parents and children as predictors of foster care adoption rates at the state-year level using data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System and other sources for 2005 to 2016. We use between-within models to obtain random effects estimates between states and fixed effects estimates within states. We find that states with higher average adoption subsidies have lower foster care adoption rates. Foster parent rates, international adoption rates, and mandated in vitro fertilization insurance coverage are positively associated with foster care adoption. States with higher median household incomes and more same-sex couples have higher foster care adoption rates, but states with more women of childbearing age have lower rates of older child adoption. These findings suggest some ways states may seek to increase adoptions from foster care.
The Normality of Knick: A Response to Sterk and Pollack

The Supreme Court’s decision in Knick v. Township of Scott (2019), has been criticized for supposedly wreaking havoc on the normal system for adjudicating takings claims, and for seriously violating norms of stare decisis. Stewart Sterk and Michael Pollack’s insightful recent article is a valuable contribution to this type of critique of Knick. They expand on Justice Elena Kagan’s claim in her Knick dissent that the ruling “sends a flood of complex state-law issues to federal courts. It makes federal courts a principal player in local and state land-use disputes.” Sterk and Pollack argue that a wide range of takings-related issues will now find their way to federal court, thereby creating a variety of problems. They also endorse claims that Knick improperly overruled precedent. But ultimately, their arguments serve to underscore Knick’s normality, and the aberrational nature of Williamson County Regional Planning Commission v. Hamilton Bank (1985), the precedent Knick overturned. If Sterk and Pollack’s critique of Knick is sound, it would justify barring access to federal court for many other constitutional claims against state and local governments. These, too, often encompass a wide range of government policies. If federal courts are to do the job of enforcing constitutional rights against violations by state and local governments, they must be prepared to do so in any situations where those violations might arise. Property rights claims under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment are no exception to this vital rule.
Breaking the Cycle: Rot and Recrudescence in American Constitutional History

This essay for a symposium on Jack Balkin’s The Cycles of Constitutional Time draws on Balkin’s framework to evaluate the prospect of constitutional renewal through judicial review. It begins by questioning Balkin’s conclusion that historical change operates cyclically. It then takes up his assumption that courts have served as a source of constitutional renewal during some periods, including the mid-twentieth century. It argues that the Carolene Products regime that Balkin describes should be understood not as a solution to economic inequality and republican rot in a period of declining political polarization, but rather as a precipitating cause. Indeed, the New Deal settlement may have staved off durable change and thereby produced the seemingly cyclical pattern Balkin observes.
Common Cyclic Vectors for the Commutant of Weighted Differentiation

Abstract Let H ( C ) denote the Frechet space of all entire functions, let λ ∈ C with λ ≠ 0 , and define a weighted differentiation operator B λ : H ( C ) → H ( C ) by B λ f ( z ) = d d z [ f ( λ z ) ] . In this paper we demonstrate the existence of a dense set of common cyclic vectors for all nonscalar operators in the commutant of B λ . To do so, we need to make use of the method of spectral synthesis, as well as more classical techniques for different values of λ.