cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Water Permittivity Models From Ground-Based Observations of Cold Clouds at Frequencies Between 23 and 170 GHz

Accurate retrievals of liquid water path (LWP) from passive microwave radiometers rely on the use of radiative transfer models to describe the absorption of radiation by various atmospheric components. When clouds are present, atmospheric absorption is affected by the dielectric properties of liquid water. In this paper, we use measurements from four microwave radiometers to assess four models of the complex permittivity of water. The observations are collected at five frequencies between 23.8 and 170 GHz. The purpose of the study is to compare measurements of microwave absorption with model computations in supercooled liquid clouds that have temperatures between 0 °C and -30 °C. Models of liquid water permittivity in this temperature range suffer from a lack of laboratory measurements and are generally derived from the extrapolation of available data. An additional rationale for this work is to examine to what degree the use of different dielectric models affects the retrieval of LWP in supercooled liquid clouds. Inaccuracies in modeling the water permittivity at low temperatures are likely one of the largest sources of retrieval uncertainty in supercooled clouds, uncertainty that could offset the advantages offered by the enhanced sensitivity of channels at frequencies at and above 90 GHz relative to lower frequencies.
Diffusion distributed Kalman filtering with adaptive weights

We study the problem of distributed Kalman filtering, where a set of nodes are required to collectively estimate the state of a linear dynamic system from their measurements. In diffusion Kalman filtering strategies, neighboring state estimates are linearly combined using a set of scalar weights. In this work we show how to optimally select the weights, and propose an adaptive algorithm to adapt them using local information at every node. The algorithm is fully distributed and runs in real time, with low processing complexity. Our simulation results show performance improvement in comparison to the case where fixed, non-adaptive weights are used.
Switching-based fault-tolerant control for an F-16 aircraft with thrust vectoring

Thrust vectoring technique enables aircraft to perform various maneuvers not available to conventional-engined planes. This paper presents an application of switching control concepts to fault-tolerant control design for an F-16 aircraft model augmented with thrust vectoring. Two controllers are synthesized using a switching logic, and they are switched on a fault parameter. During normal flight conditions, the F-16 aircraft relies on no vectored thrust and the elevator. The thrust vectoring nozzle is only turned on in the presence of elevator failures. Two elevator fault scenarios, lock and loss of effectiveness, are considered. Nonlinear simulation results show that the switching control can guarantee the stability and performance of the faulted system.
Prediction of disease-free survival in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with HNSCC have a poor prognosis and development of imaging biomarkers that predict long-term outcome might aid in planning optimal treatment strategies. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to predict disease-free survival in patients with HNSCC by using pretreatment Ktrans measured from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients with HNSCC were recruited from January 2005 to October 2008. Three patients were excluded because they underwent upfront neck dissection, and 6 patients were excluded due to suboptimal MR imaging data or being lost to follow-up. Disease-free survival was measured in the remaining 57 patients from the end date of chemoradiation therapy. In patients who died, the end point was the date of death, while in surviving patients the date of last clinical follow-up was used as the end point. Pretreatment Ktrans and nodal volume were computed from the largest metastatic node, and median pretreatment Ktrans and volume were used to divide patients into 2 groups (at or above the threshold value [group I] and below the threshold value [group II]. Disease-free survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the results were compared by using a logrank test with Ktrans and nodal volume as predictors. A P value RESULTS: Thirteen of 57 patients had died of HNSCC by the last follow-up period (March 31, 2009). Patients with higher pretreatment Ktrans values had prolonged disease-free survival compared with patients with lower Ktrans values (P = .029). However, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival when nodal volume was used as a predictor (P = .599). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment Ktrans may be a useful prognostic marker in HNSCC.
Being and Becoming a Geographer: An Agenda for Geography Education

Abstract The field of academic geography is poised at a pivotal moment—a moment compounded of equal measures of crisis, challenge, and opportunity—as it redefines its relationship to the American educational system, pre-school through post-collegiate. The crisis is reflected in the murmur of threats to the survival of geography departments in American colleges and universities; the challenge is presented by the widespread public acceptance of the need for increased geographic understanding; and the opportunity comes from the development and implementation of voluntary National Geography Content Standards for K—12 geography education. If we, as professional geographers, are to respond convincingly to the federally mandated education goal that all American students demonstrate competency in geography by the year 2000, then we must understand the processes of being and becoming a geographer. Systematic (i.e., empirical and theoretical) understanding of those processes is in large measure lacking. Therefore, ...
Topologically-associating domains and their long-range contacts are established during early G1 coincident with the establishment of the replication timing program

Mammalian genomes are partitioned into domains that replicate in a defined temporal order. These domains can replicate at similar times in all cell types (constitutive) or at cell type-specific times (developmental). Genome-wide chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) has revealed sub-megabase topologically associating domains (TADs), which are the structural counterparts of replication domains. Hi-C also segregates inter-TAD contacts into defined 3D spatial compartments that align precisely to genome-wide replication timing profiles. Determinants of the replication-timing program are re-established during early G1 phase of each cell cycle and lost in G2 phase, but it is not known when TAD structure and inter-TAD contacts are re-established after their elimination during mitosis. Here, we use multiplexed 4C-seq to study dynamic changes in chromatin organization during early G1. We find that both establishment of TADs and their compartmentalization occur during early G1, within the same time frame as establishment of the replication-timing program. Once established, this 3D organization is preserved either after withdrawal into quiescence or for the remainder of interphase including G2 phase, implying 3D structure is not sufficient to maintain replication timing. Finally, we find that developmental domains are less well compartmentalized than constitutive domains and display chromatin properties that distinguish them from early and late constitutive domains. Overall, this study uncovers a strong connection between chromatin re-organization during G1, establishment of replication timing, and its developmental control.
Diversity and distribution of free-living and particle-associated bacterioplankton in Sandusky Bay and adjacent waters of Lake Erie Western Basin

Abstract Studies on the bacterial communities in Lake Erie have been largely focused on cyanobacteria. To characterize the community structure of the other bacteria, we examined the 16S rRNA gene content of free-living (FL) and particle-associated (PA) bacterioplankton populations in Sandusky Bay (SD) and adjacent waters in the Western Basin (WB) of Lake Erie. A comprehensive survey of nutrients and other limnological variables was also performed in parallel. A total of 18,569 of 16S rRNA V6 pyrotag sequences were recovered, which were affiliated with 64 unique bacterial orders within 14 phyla. FL bacteria were composed differently from PA ones and contained significantly more Actinomycetales . In addition, FL bacteria were taxonomically more diverse. Despite the distinct environmental conditions, compositional variation was insignificant between bacteria in the SD and WB samples.
Modellierung des Anwendungsbereichs

EUS werden mit Hilfe von anwendungsneutralen Basissystemen entwickelt. Dabei besteht jedes EUS (vgl.WAS79b) fur jeden beliebigen Anwendungsbereich gleichermasen: 1) aus einer konsistenten Sammlung der fur diese Anwendung notwendigen Daten; 2) aus einer Menge vordefinierter und auf die Anwendung abgestimmter Operatoren, die es entweder erlauben, die Datenbank zu manipulieren oder die Daten weiteren Analysen zu unterziehen; 3) aus einer Menge von Regeln, die die Konsistenz der Daten garantieren, und gewahrleisten, das die Benutzeroperatoren richtig eingesetzt werden; 4) aus einer Einrichtung, die es den Benutzern erlaubt, Problemstellungen in nicht vorhergeplanter Form mit dem EUS zu formulieren und die Ergebnisse in geeigneter Weise aufzubereiten.
Elliptic problems on ℝN with unbounded coefficients in classical Sobolev spaces

We discuss the existence and uniqueness in H1(ℝN) and the H2(ℝN) regularity of the solutions of Au=f when f ∈ L2(ℝN) and A is a second-order linear elliptic operator whose first and zeroth order coefficients may be unbounded at infinity. We also investigate whether −A generates a C0 or analytic semigroup on L2. The approach in this nonweighted setting is based on a new and general method. The idea consists in embedding A into a suitable one-parameter family of operators (As)s∈ ℝ with A0=A. The properties of As when s≠0 make it possible to prove that the boundary integrals arising from simple integration by parts over balls with increasing radius tend to 0 at infinity. This provides the needed estimates for uniqueness and regularity.
Assessment of perfusion MRI-derived parameters in evaluating and predicting response to antiangiogenic therapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma

The paradigm for treating patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is shifting from a purely cytotoxic approach to one that incorporates antiangiogenic agents. These are thought to normalize the tumor vasculature and have shown improved disease management in patients with recurrent disease. How this vascular remodeling evolves during the full course of therapy for patients with newly diagnosed GBM and how it relates to radiographic response and outcome remain unclear. In this study, we examined 35 patients who were newly diagnosed with GBM using dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI in order to identify early predictors of radiographic response to antiangiogenic therapy and to evaluate changes in perfusion parameters that may be predictive of progression. After surgical resection, patients received enzastaurin and temozolomide, both concurrent with and adjuvant to radiotherapy. Perfusion parameters, peak height (PH) and percent recovery, were calculated from the dynamic curves to assess vascular density and leakage. Sixmonth radiographic responders showed a significant improvement in percent recovery between baseline and 2 months into therapy, whereas 6-month radiographic nonresponders showed significantly increased PH between baseline and 1 month. At 2 months into therapy, percent recovery was predictive of progression-free survival. Four months prior to progression, there was a significant increase in the standard deviation of percent recovery within the tumor region. DSC perfusion imaging provides valuable information about vascular remodeling during antiangiogenic therapy, which may aid clinicians in identifying patients who will respond at the pretherapy scan and as an early indicator of response to antiangiogenic therapy.
Consistency of Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Otitis Media: A Review of the Recent Literature

Clinicians use various criteria to diagnose acute otitis media (AOM). Using American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, we reviewed the consistency of AOM diagnosis in clinical trials (1994-2005). Eighty-one percent of the studies required at least one of the three AAP criteria. Only 20% of the 88 studies met all three AAP criteria for a diagnosis. We found no association between the number of criteria met and study quality or industry sponsorship. Better agreement on the definition of AOM using AAP criteria could facilitate a more accurate clinical diagnosis and provide standardization of research and patient care practices.
Silence of the Land: On the Historical Irrelevance of Territory to Congressional Districting and Political Representation in the United States

Every ten years, the United States “constructs” itself politically. On a decennial basis, U.S. Congressional districts are quite literally drawn, physically constructing political representation in the House of Representatives on the basis of where one lives. Why does the United States do it this way? What justifies domicile as the sole criteria of constituency construction? These are the questions raised in this article. Contrary to many contemporary understandings of representation at the founding, I argue that there were no principled reasons for using domicile as the method of organizing for political representation. Even in 1787, the Congressional district was expected to be far too large to map onto existing communities of interest. Instead, territory should be understood as forming a habit of mind for the founders, even while it was necessary to achieve other democratic aims of representative government.
True Satellite Ballistic Coefficient Determination for HASDM

The High Accuracy Satellite Drag Model (HASDM) requires true satellite ballistic coefficients (B) in order to estimate accurate atmospheric temperature/density corrections. Using satellite tracking data "true" B values were obtained for over 40 satellites that have been in orbit since 1970. Differential orbit corrections were computed from 1970 to 2001 every 3 days throughout the 31-year period for each satellite. The "true" B values were computed by averaging the nearly 3200 estimated B values obtained for each satellite. These "true" B values were validated by comparing the "true" B values of two spheres with theoretical values based on their known physical dimensions, and by comparing the "true" B values obtained for pairs of satellites having very similar size, shape, and mass. The estimated B variations for a number of satellites were then averaged over each year from 1970 to 2001, and compared with solar indices plotted for the last three solar cycles.
Mobile Medicine for Social Care

Imagine a veteran patient at home or a hospital needs primary or acute care. He presses the GetCare button of an app of his Android device. This immediately sends his bed/room numbers or GPS location (latitude and longitude) and cell number through a SOA (service oriented architecture) platform to a cloud database in the command center. With a proprietary algorithm, the cloud database figures out the most appropriate clinician and dispatches a SMS (Short Message Service) alert to the clinician. Being alerted, the clinician pulls the patient’s information (map and number) right away by pressing the reload button of the GiveCare app of her Android device. The clinician offers care to the patient immediately with options including: talk to the patient by pressing Call Patient button; or rush to the patient based on the GPS location pulled from the cloud database. This real-time two way communication may be enabled by a mobile social medicine platform called the MobCare solution (patent pending) designed and developed by mobcare dot org, a division of Yeswici LLC. The platform employs the MobCare mobile social network (mMSN), with over 3000 (and counting) mobile users, and innovative open technologies including Android, SOA, GPS, SMS, Web 2.0 (Ajax), cloud computing, and mobile social networking.
The Möbius Gyrovector Space

Employing gyrovector space isomorphism, we introduce in this chapter the Mobius Gyrovector Spaces. These are isomorphic to corresponding Einstein gyrovector spaces but allow the exhibition of hyperbolic angles in a way which looks more natural to the Euclidean eye. The two dimensional Mobius gyrovector space governs the Poincare disc model of hyperbolic geometry, also known as the conformal model of hyperbolic geometry.
Optimal Firm (Non-)Disclosure

We re-examine the seminal persuasion model of Dye (1985), focusing on the contracting power of current shareholders. Current shareholders determine the disclosure policy of a manager, who may be informed about the firm's value. Current shareholders desire higher future stock prices and dislike volatility. We show that the optimal policy is complete non-disclosure. The key intuition is that the disclosure policy cannot affect the expected future stock price, but can affect price volatility, which is minimized under non-disclosure. Our results extend to cheap talk settings and Bayesian persuasion games.
Online decision-making and control of power system stability based on super-real-time simulation

During power grid cascading failure, the operating point changes frequently, resulting in a mismatch or inaccuracy of online pre-decision making emergency control strategy. To solve this problem, an online power system stability decisionmaking and control method based on super-real-time simulation is presented in this paper. A decision-making and control system is developed in which the three main operation modes, offline pre-decision-making, online pre-decision-making, and real-time control, are all coordinated. To verify the method, ADPSS (advanced digital power system simulator) is used to simulate a digital power grid with about 20,000 buses. The closed-loop operation of the digital power grid and the online decisionmaking and control system are implemented. Test results show that when online pre-decision making control strategies are mismatched, aided real-time control works well and can prevent power grid stability loss.
Diagnosis and Management of Acute Tubular Necrosis

The term acute tubular necrosis refers to those forms of acute renal failure that occur in association with ischemic or hypoxic injury or exposure to nephrotoxic substances. This article discusses the various alternative classifications that are based solely on the clinical setting in which the acute renal failure occurs, and the types of therapies used in the management of them.
MiR-144 and MiR-451 Regulate Human Erythropoiesis By Targeting RAB14

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation and/or by degrading of target mRNAs. MiR-144 and miR-451 are expressed from a single precursor transcript, encoded by the miR-144∼451 cluster on human chromosome 17. Expression levels of both miR-144 and miR-451 are upregulated during zebrafish, mouse, and human erythroid differentiation. Several mouse and zebrafish studies have knocked down miR-451 expression and observed decreased late erythroid differentiation. In contrast, miR-144 knockdown had no or smaller effects in zebrafish or mouse erythropoiesis, and there is no study of the role of both members of this cluster in primary human erythropoiesis. Therefore, we investigated the effects of lentiviral-mediated loss-of-function of miR-144 and/or miR-451 in human erythropoiesis. We first utilized the TF1 human erythroleukemia cell line as a model, and then tested primary human CD34+ hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSPCs) from normal human donors. When either TF1 or CD34+ cells are cultured with erythropoietin (EPO), the expression of the CD71 (transferrin receptor) and CD235a (glycophorin A) erythroid markers increases, and the expression of the CD34 HSPC marker decreases. In TF1 or primary CD34+ cells transduced with either a miR-144 trap or a miR-451 trap (using a lentivirus containing GFP and a series of 8 tandem complementary miR binding sequences to knock down function of either miR [Ebert, Nature Method , 2007]), as compared to control vector, erythropoiesis was decreased, as evidenced by lower numbers of erythroid (CD34 - CD71 hi CD235a hi ) cells generated during EPO-induced erythroid differentiation. RAB14 was predicted to be a target of both miR-144 and miR-451 by the TargetScan 6.2 target prediction algorithm, with 2 predicted miR-144 binding sites and 1 predicted miR-451 binding site in its 3’UTR. RAB14 was validated to be a target of miR-451 in human non-small cell lung cancer cells [Wang, Oncogene , 2011]. RAB proteins have been reported to have important roles in vesicle trafficking, signal transduction, and receptor recycling. Recently, RAB12 was implicated in constitutive degradation of the transferrin receptor (CD71) in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells [Matsui, Traffic , 2011], but the role of RAB14 in human erythropoiesis is unknown. We found that RAB14 protein expression decreases early during EPO-induced erythroid differentiation of TF1 cells. Then we showed that RAB14 is a direct target of miR-144, using luciferase assays and Western blots. We confirmed that shRNA-mediated RAB14 knockdown increased human erythropoiesis, as compared to control vector-transduced cells. Finally, shRNA-mediated RAB14 knockdown protected cells from miR-144/miR-451 trap-mediated erythropoietic inhibition. In summary, miR-144 and miR-451 regulate human erythropoiesis by decreasing RAB14 expression, which in turn might have a role in regulating function of receptors involved in erythropoiesis, such as the transferrin receptor. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
WE-FG-BRA-02: Docetaxel Eluting Brachytherapy Spacers for Local Chemo-Radiation Therapy in Prostate Cancer

Purpose: We propose an innovative combinatorial treatment strategy of Local ChemoRadiation Therapy (LCRT) using a sustained drug delivery platform in the form of a spacer to locally radio-sensitize the prostate with Docetaxel (DTX) enabling a synergistic cure with the use of lower radiation doses. These biodegradable spacers are physically similar to the inert spacers routinely used in prostate brachytherapy but are now loaded with formulations of DTX. Methods: Spacers were loaded with ∼500µg Docetaxel (DTX) for prostate cancer studies. The implants were characterized in vitro using SEM and HPLC. The release kinetic studies were carried out in buffer (pH 6.0) at 37°C. Subcutaneous PC3 tumors were xenografted in nude mice. Prostate cancer studies were done with and without radiation using SARRP at 5Gy, 10Gy, and 15Gy. Drug-loaded implants were injected once intratumorally using an 18G brachytherapy needle. Results: The release study in vitro showed a highly sustained release for multiple weeks at therapeutically relevant doses. The monotherapy with local DTX spacer showed sustained tumor inhibition compared to empty implants and an equivalent DTX dose given systemically. At 40 days, 89% survival was observed for mice treated with DTX implants compared with 0% in all other treatment groups. The combined treatment with local DTX spacer and radiation (10Gy) showed the highest degree of tumor suppression (significant tumor growth inhibition by day 90). The control mice showed continuous tumor growth and were scarified by day 56. Groups of mice treated with DTX-spacer or radiation alone showed initial tumor suppression but growth continued after day 60. A larger experiment is ongoing. Conclusion: This approach provides localized delivery of the chemotherapeutic sensitizer directly to the tumor and avoids the toxicities associated with both brachytherapy and current systemic delivery of docetaxel. Sustained release of DTX is an effective chemotherapy option alone or in combination with radiation therapy.
Recent Advances in Radiopharmaceuticals

This is the first article in a four-part series on new radiopharmaceuticals. Upon completion of this article, the nuclear medicine technologist will be able to (1) give an overview of the new radiopharmaceuticals developed over the last five years, (2) list and compare the new radiotracers used to image the heart and the brain, and (3) identify the newer agents being utilized for therapy.
CHAPTER 11 – AN ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR STUDYING APHID PROBING BEHAVIOR

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the electrical measurement system for studying aphid probing behavior. Electrical measurement systems of one type or another are used in virtually every biological research laboratory in the world today. Electronics has enabled biologists to gather more accurate research data and to analyze these data with speed and confidence. Most of the electrical measurement systems come in prepackaged containers, complete with instructions for operation. Two general types of electrical measurement systems are used by biologists today: (1) direct-coupled system and (2) biotelemetric system. In the direct-coupled system, biological signals are generally transduced or converted into electrical signals that are then transmitted through the system via wires to some type of display device. There are a number of different kinds of transducers, including pressure, inductor, capacitor, and resistor types. In the biotelemetric measurement system, the desired signals are transmitted through the air from a transmitter to a receiver. The electrical measurement system used to collect data on the probing activities of aphids is an example of a direct-coupled measurement system. The aphid-activity measurement system must have a solid reference point or ground. All grounded portions of the system must terminate at a conductive metal rod driven into the earth.
Prognostic indicators for treatment outcome in cervical cancer: a mini review

While the advancements in treatment options for cervical cancer patients have improved treatment outcomes treatment related toxicity and recurrence remain a significant issue to overcome Research has focused on identifying significant indicators for treatment outcomes but studies have not yet established accepted indicators for the field The current mini review provides a summary of toxicity and recurrence outcomes in addition to both clinical and biological indicators for improved treatment outcome for cervical cancer patients
Location-allocation of TCSC devices on a power system considering N-1 contingency

In this paper we present a model for installing thyristor controlled series capacitors (TCSC) to reduce the cost of power generation while maintaining the N-1 secure network. The proposed mathematical program considers all contingencies in one problem. The proposed TCSC location-allocation problem is a non-linear non-convex mathematical program. We use the general linearization technique to convexify the polynomial constraints and consider the investment cost of TCSCs as well as the expected value of loss load (EVOLL) under all states of the system. Results show that the power flow control capability of TCSC provides a better operation of a test network.
Stretching the Bounds (II)

What remains of Simon’s idea of rationality after the distributed cognition (DC) approach is considered? The DC approach points out that one of the most important activities of human cognition is that it is shaped by what is found in the environment, i.e., external resources or artifacts. What is or is not rational assumes a completely different meaning within this framework. The idea that the brain works in isolation and that information is taken from the outside, then computed, and subsequently expelled as a solution to a given problem largely overlooks what happens during the simplest cognitive process. One thing is clear: If we accept the DC framework, we can no longer rely on this input-process-outputi idea of rationality and decision making.
Substrate Trapping in the Siderophore Tailoring Enzyme PvdQ

Siderophore biosynthesis by Pseudomonas aeruginosa enhances virulence and represents an attractive drug target. PvdQ functions in the type-1 pyoverdine biosynthetic pathway by removing a myristoyl anchor from a pyoverdine precursor, allowing eventual release from the periplasm. A circularly permuted version of PvdQ bypasses the self-processing step of this Ntn-hydrolase and retains the activity, selectivity, and structure of wild-type PvdQ, as revealed by a 1.8 A resolution X-ray crystal structure. A 2.55 A resolution structure of the inactive S1A/N269D-cpPvdQ mutant in complex with the pyoverdine precursor PVDIq reveals a specific binding pocket for the d-Tyr of this modified peptide substrate. To our knowledge, this structure is the first of a pyoverdine precursor peptide bound to a biosynthetic enzyme. Details of the observed binding interactions have implications for control of pyoverdine biosynthesis and inform future drug design efforts.
How do Consumers Form Online Search Queries? The Importance of Semantic Relationships Between Queries and Results

We explore how consumers form online search queries, and in particular the link between consumers’ information needs and their search queries. Our goal is to provide a framework for the development of search models that can infer consumers’ information needs from their queries. The semantic relationships between queries and results differentiate query formation from traditional, discrete-choice based search. Accordingly, our specific research questions are as follows: (i) Are consumers able to leverage semantic relationships between queries and results when forming online search queries? (ii) How should researchers represent these semantic relationships? (iii) What are consumers’ beliefs on these semantic relationships? Using an experiment in which information needs are manipulated exogenously, we find that consumers have the ability to formulate queries that leverage semantic relationships. Consequently, models of search query formation should capture consumers’ beliefs on a set of semantic relationships, which capture the probability that any query will activate any set of words. Fortunately, we show that these semantic relationships may be approximated parsimoniously by functions of asymmetric activation probabilities at the word level. We find that consumers’ beliefs are biased upwards, and that they are not asymmetric enough.
Methanosarcina acetivorans utilizes a single NADPH-dependent thioredoxin system and contains additional thioredoxin homologues with distinct functions.

The thioredoxin system plays a central role in the intracellular redox maintenance in the majority of cells. The canonical system consists of an NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and thioredoxin (Trx), a disulfide reductase. Although Trx is encoded in almost all sequenced genomes of methanogens, its incorporation into their unique physiology is not well understood. Methanosarcina acetivorans contains a single TrxR (MaTrxR) and seven Trx (MaTrx1–MaTrx7) homologues. We previously showed that MaTrxR and at least MaTrx7 compose a functional NADPH-dependent thioredoxin system. Here, we report the characterization of all seven recombinant MaTrxs. MaTrx1, MaTrx3, MaTrx4 and MaTrx5 lack appreciable disulfide reductase activity, unlike previously characterized MaTrx2, MaTrx6 and MaTrx7. Enzyme assays demonstrated that, of the MaTrxs, only the reduction of disulfide-containing MaTrx7 is linked to the oxidation of reduced coenzymes. NADPH is shown to be supplied to the MaTrxR–MaTrx7 system through the oxidation of the primary methanogen electron carriers F420H2 and ferredoxin, indicating that it serves as a primary intracellular reducing system in M. acetivorans. Bioinformatic analyses also indicate that the majority of methanogens likely utilize an NADPH-dependent thioredoxin system. The remaining MaTrxs may have specialized functions. MaTrx1 and MaTrx3 exhibited thiol oxidase activity. MaTrx3 and MaTrx6 are targeted to the membrane of M. acetivorans and likely function in the formation and the reduction of disulfides in membrane and/or extracellular proteins, respectively. This work provides insight into the incorporation of Trx into the metabolism of methanogens, and this reveals that methanogens contain Trx homologues with alternative properties and activities.
Mapping Critical Language Sites in Children Performing Verb Generation: Whole-Brain Connectivity and Graph Theoretical Analysis in MEG.

A classic left frontal-temporal brain network is known to support language processes. However, the level of participation of constituent regions, and the contribution of extra-canonical areas, is not fully understood; this is particularly true in children, and in individuals who have experienced early neurological insult. In the present work, we propose whole-brain connectivity and graph-theoretical analysis of magnetoencephalography (MEG) source estimates to provide robust maps of the pediatric expressive language network. We examined neuromagnetic data from a group of typically-developing young children (n=15, ages 4-6 years) and adolescents (n=14, 16-18 years) completing an auditory verb generation task in MEG. All source analyses were carried out using a linearly-constrained minimum-variance (LCMV) beamformer. Conventional differential analyses revealed significant (p<0.05, corrected) low-beta (13-23 Hz) event related desynchrony focused in the left inferior frontal region (Broca’s area) in both groups, consistent with previous studies. Connectivity analyses were carried out in broadband (3-30 Hz) on time-course estimates obtained at the voxel level. Patterns of connectivity were characterized by phase locking value (PLV), and network hubs identified through eigenvector centrality. Hub analysis revealed the importance of left perisylvian sites, i.e. Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas, across groups. The hemispheric distribution of frontal and temporal lobe eigenvector centrality values was asymmetrical in most subjects; left dominant eigenvector centrality was observed in 20% of young children, and 71% of adolescents. Interestingly, the adolescent group demonstrated increased critical sites in the right cerebellum, left inferior frontal gyrus, and left putamen. Here, we show that whole brain connectivity and network analysis can be used to map critical language sites in typical development; these methods may be useful for defining the margins of eloquent tissue in neurosurgical candidates.
A University and District ESOL Partnership: Collaboration Within the Context of Common Core State Standards Implementation:

This article examines a pilot project that engaged a university-based teacher educator as a collaborating partner within a local school district. The partnership was established to provide English to Speakers of Other Languages teachers with professional development in a school district with a growing English learner population. The process for developing this innovative collaboration and teacher perceptions of this work are analyzed, with a focus on the specific demands and opportunities resulting from Common Core State Standards implementation. In particular, how this university and district collaboration provided opportunities to grapple with meeting the instructional needs of English learners within the context of Common Core State Standards implementation and teacher perceptions of engaging with a university-based partner are illuminated. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Loop-Gap Resonators

Lumped-circuit resonators known as loop-gap resonators (LGR) have many advantages for EPR measurements for frequencies at or below X-band. This chapter introduces principles that underlie the design and use of LGR’s and provides practical guidance concerning theiruse.
In vitro regeneration of Artemisia abrotanum L. by means of somatic organogenesis

The goal of this project was to regenerate Artemisia abrotanum L., Southern wormwood, by means of organogenesis from leaves. In vitro plant propagation may greatly support the molecular characterization of the medicinal qualities of A. abrotanum. Young, intact leaves were excised from mature plants and surface sterilized. Abundant callus growth, as well as shoot formation, was produced on an MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BA and 0.54 μM or 0.81 μM NAA. Shoots, with some residual callus, rooted equally well in MS media with 0.49 μM IBA, 0.54 μM NAA, or without hormones. Rooted plants were best acclimated in potting soil.
School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Perspectives on Diagnostic Decision Making

Purpose This study used a structured open interview approach to elicit information from school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding their assessment practices for children with suspected language impairment. Method Phone interviews were conducted with 39 school-based SLPs who were employed across the United States. The interviews explored assessment topics related to assessment tool selection and rationale and the integration of assessment data to determine treatment eligibility. Results The results of this study suggest that SLPs use both standardized testing and informal testing for their diagnostic procedures. Standardized testing appears to be the tool that drives diagnostic decisions regarding eligibility and severity. Informal measures, such as parent/teacher interviews and language sampling, were used by school-based SLPs to gather information regarding naturalistic language use; however, they seem less important in the diagnostic decision-making process. Also, SLPs reported completi...
Radiation-hardened SpaceVPX system controller

The Processing and Communications team at Los Alamos National Laboratory is currently designing a new system controller that will adhere to the 6U SpaceVPX (ANSI/VITA 78) specification and will be able to additionally function as a command- and data-handling single-board computer. The design is intended to meet the radiation hardness requirements for flight in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) and employs QMLV and Class-S components. The system controller uses a quad-core LEON4 processor ASIC, an RTG4 FPGA for hardware co-processing, and has 1 GByte of EDAC-protected SDRAM. The design will support a combination of high-speed SERDES and SpaceWire ports on the control plane that will allow interoperability with OpenVPX (ANSI/VITA 65) so that low-cost, commercial enclosures, backplanes, modules, and other resources can be leveraged during the development cycle. Additional power control of 8-bit-wide SDRAM lanes has been added to assist with SEFI recovery. The design team is predicting total power consumption at 8 W. The anticipated real-time operating system for the board is VxWorks. A custom scrubber has been developed and will be deployed on the RTG4 FPGA to provide error detection and correction for SRAM-based FPGAs on payload modules. Cooling and mechanical hardness will be achieved with a conduction-cooled frame compliant with VITA 48.
Using Tagged MRI to Quantify the 3D Deformation of a Cadaver Brain in Response to Angular Acceleration

A quantitative three-dimensional (3D) description of the deformation of brain tissue during acceleration of the skull is necessary to provide understanding of the underlying mechanisms of traumatic brain injury. Tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for the noninvasive measurement of the deformation of biological tissue. In this study, tagged MRI with harmonic phase (HARP) analysis was used to quantify the 3D deformation during angular acceleration of a gelatin phantom and the head of a human cadaver specimen. Two-dimensional results from the gelatin phantom showed good agreement with previously published results. Two-dimensional strains in the cadaver brain were lower in magnitude than previously reported results from a similar experiment in the live human brain. Strains on the inferior–superior axis were measured and shown to be of similar magnitude to the strain components in the plane formed by the anterior–posterior and left–right axes. Future studies will involve the acquisition of 3D deformation fields in live humans and additional cadaver specimens.
Finite Element Mesh Generation for Use with Solid Modeling and Adaptive Analysis

The automatic generation of finite element models from solid models is discussed. A fully automatic finite element mesh generator based on a modified octree approach is presented. Its possible integration with self-adaptive analysis procedures to form an automated finite element processor is also discussed.
Environmentally relevant concentrations of bifenthrin affect the expression of estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors in brains of female western mosquitofish.

Abstract In recent decades, pyrethroid pesticides have been deemed a safer alternative to previously used pesticides. While some evidence supports this assumption in mammals and birds, exposure to certain pyrethroids can affect concentrations of hormones vital to reproduction in fish. Thus, we hypothesized that pyrethroid exposure impacts fish reproductive behavior and the expression of genes associated with reproduction. We tested our hypothesis by examining effects of the widely used pyrethroid pesticide, bifenthrin, on the reproductive behaviors of the broadly distributed livebearing western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. We exposed sexually mature female fish to one of five environmentally relevant concentrations of bifenthrin and conducted behavioral assays to assess reproductive, social, and space use behaviors before and after exposure. We did not detect changes in behaviors measured in response to bifenthrin. However, exposure was associated with increased expression of an estrogen receptor gene (ER-α) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in brain tissue at bifenthrin concentrations at concentrations of 5.90 and 24.82 ng/L, and 5.90 and 12.21 ng/L, respectively. Our study supports the perspective that the use of multiple endpoints through integrative approaches is essential for understanding the cumulative impact of pollutants. Integrating physiological, morphological, and behavioral investigations of nonlethal concentrations of pollutants like bifenthrin may heighten our potential to predict their impact on individuals, populations, and communities.
‘A Blemish on the History of the Twentieth century’? Legends and Fabrications Surrounding the Mass Cremations in the Wake of the Dresden Air Raids, February 1945

Whereas the myths that emerged in the wake of the Dresden bombings in February 1945 have undergone scholarly scrutiny, no comprehensive analysis has yet been undertaken of how the mass cremations of the bombing victims on the Altmarkt, Dresden’s old market square, have been remembered in post-war Germany. Scholars have associated the stacking of corpses onto funeral pyres with Jews burned in the Middle Ages and with the burning of Jewish victims at the Treblinka killing centre. This conflation of atrocities, which has contributed to the myth-making surrounding Dresden’s destruction, has its basis in the misappropriation of historical sources.
Highly-integrated optical phased-locked loop for LiDAR/remote sensing (Conference Presentation)

Recently, highly-integrated optical phase-locked loops (OPLLs) have been demonstrated for a number of potential applications including coherent optical communications, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and frequency metrology. Another particularly interesting application is an optical frequency synthesis (OFS) for which OPLL-based offset locking is recently considered to be one of the most attractive techniques. There have been extensive ongoing research efforts to develop low-cost, compact, robust and power-efficient OFS systems using this OPLL-based technology. In this talk, I will discuss about a power-efficient and highly-integrated photonic system, producing low phase-noise coherent optical signal with a wavelength range of 23 nm in the C-band. In fact, the experimental results on the recently-developed highly­integrated OFS based on OPLL technology will be presented. The system includes novel InP-photonic integrated coherent receiver circuits that consume record-low (approximately 184 mW) electrical power. By employing a combination of photonic and electronic integration, this low-cost highly-integrated InP-based OFS with low-energy consumption exhibits both compact size and exceptional stability. This work is a major step towards demonstration of the true chip-scale optical frequency synthesizer with programmable <1 Hz frequency resolution, <1 cm3 volume, and <1 W electrical power consumption.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Reduces Failure Risk for Isolated Meniscal Repairs but Provides No Benefit for Meniscal Repairs With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background:The effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the risk of meniscal repair failure is unclear. Current evidence is limited to small studies without comparison between isolated repairs and m...
Factors Influencing Spinal Anesthesia

The present report is part of a randomized double-blind study of characteristics of bupivacaine and tetracaine. The following variables affecting analgesia are reported: When a 26-gauge Greene point needle was employed, no cephalalgia resulted. In a high percentage of patients, the spinal needle is not placed at the predetermined interspace. Needle gauge and cerebrospinal fluid variations do not alter the incidence of satisfactory analgesia. The height and weight of the patient, whether the solution contains 0.2 mg of epinephrine, and the position of the patient when the spinal block is performed, determine the dermatome level and quality of anesthesia. Hypotension is directly related to the dosage of the local anesthetic drug and the dermatome level of analgesia.
A comparison of opioid-involved fatalities captured in the National Poison Data System to data derived from US death certificate literal text.

Purpose The purpose of the study is to describe and compare the number and characteristics of opioid-involved fatal cases captured in the National Poison Data System (NPDS) and in US death certificates. Methods NPDS, which collects data on all calls to US poison control centers, and Drug-Involved Mortality (DIM), which combines information from literal text of US death certificates and National Vital Statistics Systems, were queried for opioid-involved fatal cases from 2010 to 2015. Characteristics of the two case series were compared. Results DIM contained 154 016 opioid-involved overdose deaths, and NPDS contained 2524 fatal opioid exposures, a ratio of 61:1. The number of opioid deaths remained stable in NPDS but increased in DIM over the 6-year period. On average, deaths involving opioids with higher mean dosage strength (in morphine milligram equivalents) per unit among dispensed prescriptions were more likely to be captured in DIM relative to NPDS, as compared with those with a lower mean dosage strength per unit. The increase in fentanyl-related deaths seen in DIM since 2013 was not observed in NPDS. Conclusions NPDS is a valuable drug safety surveillance resource due to its timeliness and drug specificity. However, it captures only a small fraction of opioid-involved fatal poisonings, and comparisons with data derived from death certificate literal text indicate that caution is warranted in making inferences about opioid-involved fatality trends over time or comparisons across opioids.