cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a serious infection of the cornea. At present, diagnosis of the disease is not straightforward and treatment is very demanding. While contact lens wear is the leading risk factor for A K, Acanthamoeba parasites are increasingly recognized as an important cause of keratitis in non-contact lens wearers. The first critical step in the pathogenesis of infection is the adhesion of the microbe to the surface of the host tissues. Acanthamoebae express a major virulence protein, the mannose-binding protein (MBP), which mediates the adhesion of amoebae to the surface of the cornea. The MBP is a transmembrane protein with characteristics of a typical cell surface receptor. Subsequent to the MBP-mediated adhesion to host cells, the amoebae produce a contact-dependent metalloproteinase and several contact-independent serine proteinases. These proteinases work in concert to produce a potent cytopathic effect (CPE ) involving killing of the host cells, degradation of epithelial basement membrane and underlying stromal matrix, and penetration into the deeper layers of the cornea. In the hamster animal model, oral immunization with the recombinant MBP protects against AK, and this protection is associated with an increased level of anti-MBP IgA in tears of protected animals. Normal human tear fluid contains IgA antibodies against Acanthamoeba MBP that is likely to provide protection by inhibiting the adhesion of parasites to host cells. Indeed, in in vitro CPE assays, even a low concentration of tears (10 microL of undiluted tears per milliliter of media) almost completely inhibits Acanthamoeba-induced CPE . In addition to adherence-inhibiting, IgA-mediated protection, human tears also contain IgA-independent factors that provide protection against Acanthamoeba-induced CPE by inhibiting the activity of cytotoxic proteinases. Characterization of the CPE-inhibitory factors of human tears should lead to a better understanding of the mechanism by which the tissues of the host resist the infection and also help decode circumstances that predispose to Acanthamoeba infections.
Is the circumferential tensile modulus within a human medial meniscus affected by the test sample location and cross-sectional area?

Quantifying the material properties of the human menisci is paramount to understanding their biomechanical functions within the knee. One important intrinsic material property governing the biomechanical functions of the meniscus is the circumferential tensile modulus. The purpose of this study was to determine if the circumferential tensile modulus of the human medial meniscus depends on the location and thickness of the sample tested. The following three hypotheses were tested: (a) the circumferential location (anterior, central, and posterior) does not significantly affect the tensile modulus, (b) the radial location (inner to outer) significantly affects the tensile modulus, and (c) the thickness (cross-sectional area) significantly affects the tensile modulus. Test samples, whose length was oriented in parallel with the circumferential collagen fibers, were collected from different circumferential and radial locations throughout 30 human medial menisci. Samples of three different thicknesses (0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 mm) were taken from three equal groups of 10 menisci (i.e., one thickness per group). The circumferential tensile modulus was measured under quasi-static loading. Statistical analysis showed no significant effect of the circumferential or radial location of the sample on the circumferential tensile modulus. This indicates that an overall circumferential tensile modulus may be calculated for the human medial meniscus by averaging the values determined at the various locations. However, the thickness of the test sample had a significant effect on the measured circumferential tensile modulus; the modulus varied inversely with the thickness. Thus, moduli determined from test samples that are too small in cross-sectional area overestimate the effective modulus of the tissue on the whole, and the cross-sectional area of the sample must be considered when determining a representative circumferential tensile modulus for the medial meniscus in a human knee.
Treatment for Alexia With Agraphia Following Left Ventral Occipito-Temporal Damage: Strengthening Orthographic Representations Common to Reading and Spelling

Purpose Damage to left ventral occipito-temporal cortex can give rise to written language impairment characterized by pure alexia/letter-by-letter (LBL) reading, as well as surface alexia and agrap...
Labeling irregular graphs with belief propagation

This paper proposes a statistical approach to labeling images using a more natural graphical structure than the pixel grid (or some uniform derivation of it such as square patches of pixels). Typically, low-level vision estimations based on graphical models work on the regular pixel lattice (with a known clique structure and neighborhood). We move away from this regular lattice to more meaningful statistics on which the graphical model, specifically the Markov network is defined. We create the irregular graph based on superpixels, which results in significantly fewer nodes and more natural neighborhood relationships between the nodes of the graph. Superpixels are a local, coherent grouping of pixels which preserves most of the structure necessary for segmentation. Their use reduces the complexity of the inferences made from the graphs with little or no loss of accuracy. Belief propagation (BP) is then used to efficiently find a local maximum of the posterior probability for this Markov network. We apply this statistical inference to finding (labeling) documents in a cluttered room (under moderately different lighting conditions).
Alterations in the growth plate cartilage of rats with renal failure receiving corticosteroid therapy

Growth retardation is a complication often associated with corticosteroid therapy. Corticosteroids are frequently used in the treatment of children with chronic renal failure. To examine the effects of corticosteroids on the growth plate cartilage in renal failure, selected markers of chondrocyte function and phenotype were evaluated in the proximal tibia of subtotally nephrectomized rats treated with corticosteroid. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels were higher in the nephrectomized animals. Weight gain was less in the corticosteroid-treated animals; however, linear growth and tibial length did not differ among the groups after 10 days of corticosteroid therapy. The total width of the growth plate and the width of the proliferative zone were much smaller in corticosteroid-treated nephrectomized (Nx-MP) animals. Type II collagen mRNA expression was lower in animals treated with corticosteroids, and proliferating-cell nuclear antigen staining, histone-4, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-receptor mRNA expression were further decreased in the Nx-MP group. There was an increase in TUNEL-positive cells in the corticosteroid-treated rats with normal renal function (intact-MP), associated with an increase in Bax and a decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression. In the Nx-MP group, both Bax and Bcl-2 protein staining was much less frequent, and TUNEL-positive cells were lower in number compared with the intact-MP group. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the hypertrophic chondrocytes was lower in corticosteroid-treated animals. There was less gelatinase B/matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in the Nx-MP group, which was not associated with a decrease in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining in the chondro-osseous junction. Inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation, diminishing of apoptosis, and lower angiogenic activity may contribute to the alterations in growth plate architecture and the significant reduction in growth plate width in rats with renal failure receiving corticosteroid therapy.
Execution dependencies and their resolution in fine grain parallel machines

Execution dependence between sequential instructions is one of the factors that limits the level of parallelism which can be exploited by fine grain parallel machines. Several architectural, compiler and machine organization techniques that have been used to alleviate this restriction are examined. They are compared against a relatively new mechanism that simply eliminates the execution dependency. The dependency elimination is achieved by using a novel integer arithmetic logic unit (ALU) design, which performs arithmetic and logical operations on three operands in a single cycle, but without extending the cycle time of the base machine. >
Medical treatment and discharge planning for a patient with a borderline personality : A multidisciplinary challenge

This case study discusses a patient with substantial medical problems whose hospital course was further complicated by her borderline personality disorder. Difficulties related to this patient's hospital course included noncompliant, manipulative, and self-injurious behaviors as well as obstacles encountered during discharge planning. Given the impact these maladaptive behaviors can have on the efficacy and cost of treatment, in addition to ward operations and staff morale, this case study highlights the importance of a timely recognition of dysfunctional personality traits. In addition, the establishment of a multidisciplinary treatment team that used a "whole person" approach was beneficial in overcoming many of the obstacles hindering her recovery and also proved useful in dealing with the managed health care system.
Determinants of Information Systems Audit Involvement in EDI Systems Development

This study examines factors associated with information system (IS) auditors' involvement in the development of electronic data interchange (EDI) systems. The professional and academic auditing literature recommends that internal auditors participate in the development of complex computer systems. IS audit's role in systems development is to ensure that controls are adequate and that the systems being developed are auditable. In practice, the extent of IS audit's involvement in systems development varies across firms. Results of a survey of IS auditors indicate that the 1) strategic motivation for adopting EDI, 2) number of IS auditors, 3) placement of the IS audit function in the organizational hierarchy, 4) extent of formalization of the organization's policies and procedures, and 5) management's concern for IS audit and control are significantly related to IS auditor involvement in EDI system development.
Exercise-induced cellular alterations in the diaphragm

Limited data exist concerning the effects of exercise training on cellular oxidative capacity in the diaphragm of senescent animals. In this study we examined the changes in cellular oxidative capacity, muscle cell cross-sectional area (CSA), and capillarity within the costal diaphragm of senescent animals after a 10-wk endurance-training program. Twelve 24-mo-old female Fischer 344 rats were divided into either a sedentary control group (n = 6) or exercise training group (n = 6). The trained animals exercised on a motor-driven treadmill (60 min/day, 5 days/wk) at a work rate equal to approximately 55-65% VO2max. Capillaries were identified histologically and fiber types determined using adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) histochemistry. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and CSA in individual fibers were measured using a computerized image analysis system. Exercise training did not increase (P > 0.05) the capillary-to-fiber ratio for any fiber type. However, training significantly decreased CSA (P 0.05) in type IIb fibers. These data demonstrate that endurance training in senescent animals results in small relative improvements in both oxidative capacity and capillary density in costal diaphragmatic type I and IIa muscle fibers. The increase in both capillary density and fiber SDH activity was largely due to a reduction in fiber CSA.
Infectious SV40 and SV40 DNA: rapid fluorescent focus assay.

SummaryA method utilizing the indirect immunofluorescent technique is described that permits a more rapid assay for the infectivity of the oncogenic virus, SV40. With this method both large and small plaque viruses as well as the DNA extracted from them give titer estimates that are comparable to those obtained in the standard plaque method.
The Lesser Egyptian Jerboa, Jaculus jaculus: A Unique Rodent Model for Evolution and Development

Tetrapods that have evolved the ability to run or bound at great speeds over long distances have repeatedly converged on specific morphological limb adaptations, including the loss of lateral digits, elongation of limb segments, and fusion of individual elements. Many of the more familiar cursorial animals, such as horses and deer, are large and do not lend themselves well to experimental embryonic analyses. However, a group of lesser-known bipedal rodents, the three-toed jerboas, has become an exceptional model for studying the developmental and molecular mechanisms shaping these limb morphologies. The lesser Egyptian jerboa, Jaculus jaculus, represents the most derived subfamily of jerboas and shows loss of the anterior and posterior hindlimb digits, fusion of the three central metatarsals, and dramatic elongation of the hindlimb relative to the forelimb with disproportionate elongation of the metatarsals. In addition, several unique physiological and morphological characteristics make these excellent animals for evolutionary studies. As small docile rodents, they are amenable to rearing in a laboratory setting and, along with several related species with a variety of skeletal morphologies, are plentiful enough in the wild to support field collections. The close evolutionary relationship to Mus musculus and the development of genomic resources for J. jaculus support comparative developmental and molecular analyses.
Staging Bonding between Group 12 Metal Ions and Neutral Selenium Donors: Intermolecular Interactions of Mixed N,Se Donor Ligands and Anions

The versatile pyridyl synthons of mixed N,Se donor ligands bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)selane (L) and 1,2-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)diselane (L*) served the dual roles of metal chelating anchors and mediators of supramolecular associations in a crystallographic approach to documenting uncommon bonding between divalent Group 12 metal ions and neutral selenium functionalities. Five new molecular species with diverse ligand configurations and conformations were structurally characterized. Two macrocyclic polymorphs of [ZnLCl2] have intermolecular Se–Cl interactions rather than the desired intramolecular Zn–Se binding. Rare examples of Cd(II)-selenoether bonding are provided by tricoordinate L in dinuclear [CdLCl(μ-Cl)]2 and mononuclear [CdL(μ-NO3)2]. Unique intramolecular Zn-selenoether and Cd-diselenide bonds are reported for [ZnL(μ-NO3)2] and [CdL*(μ-NO3)2], respectively. In addition, a cocrystal of [CdL(μ-NO3)2] and [CdL*(μ-NO3)2] is structurally characterized. The intermolecular pyridyl π-interactions observed i...
Experimental Determination of Pressure Wave Transmission to the Brain During Head-Neck Blast Tests

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been the termed the “signature injury” in wounded soldiers in recent military operations [1]. Evidence has shown a strong association between TBI and blast loading to the head due to exposure to explosive events [2, 3]. Head injury mechanisms in a primary blast environment remain elusive and are the subject of much speculation and hypotheses. However, brain injury mechanisms have traditionally been attributed to either a direct impact or a rapid head acceleration or deceleration. Extensive research has been performed regarding the effects of blunt trauma and inertial loading on head injuries [4, 5]. Direct impacts to the head can largely be described based on linear acceleration measurements that correlate to skull fracture and focal brain injuries [6]. Computational head modeling of blunt impact events has shown that the linear acceleration response correlates well with increases in brain pressure [7]. Intracranial pressure, therefore, has been one of the major quantities investigated for correlation to blast induced TBI injury mechanisms [8–14].Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Control of leukemia relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: integrating transplantation with genetically modified T cell therapies.

Purpose of review Leukemia relapse remains a significant cause of failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although it is widely accepted that immunological components of the stem cell graft play a critical role in promoting leukemia eradication (graft versus leukemia effect), it is also evident that their efficacy is frequently inadequate and leukemia relapse still occurs. This article reviews recent insights into T cell-based posttransplant immunotherapy approaches aimed at preventing or controlling leukemia relapse. Recent findings Donor lymphocyte infusion with T cells genetically modified with safety switches improves the patient's immune reconstitution while offering appropriate control of graft versus host disease. T lymphocytes engineered with artificial tumor-specific receptors such as αβT-cell receptor chains or chimeric antigen receptors are major players in promoting antileukemia effects after allogeneic HSCT. Summary The landscape of adoptive T cell therapies after allogeneic HSCT has seen significant achievements with the introduction of T cell engineering. Gene transfer grants the generation of T cell products characterized by standardizable specificity and functionality. This aspect is critical for scalable and reproducible approaches for application in large clinical studies. The clinical results so far reported are encouraging and multicenter studies conducted by pharmaceutical companies will provide definitive conclusions on the clinical impact of these new methodologies.
Research on the algorithm of laser scanning in tracking the position of human targets

Aiming at tracking human target's position,the working principle of the two-dimensional laser scanner was summed up,the algorithm of the analysis of data was researched,an algorithm based on the technology of laser image scanning was designed. An elliptical model of the body's shoulder was built up. distance,angle and azimuth information of human target were acquired,and displayed through Matlab GUI. A two-dimensional scanning plane was formed thorugh two-dimensional laser scanner used the rotating optical components,the function of regional scanning and profile measurement were realized. The results indicate that the position information of human target is acquired by laser scanner and have the basic agreement with the real position information,distance range is 0 m ~ 4 m,the accuracy is better than 0. 05 m,scope of angle is 240°,angular tracking accuracy is better than 2°,azimuth range is 360°,azimuth accuracy is 1°,the algorithm can be applied to engineering applications such as mobile platforms or robots which need tracking human targets in real time.
A granular material model based on associated flow rule applied to monotonic loading behavior

ABSTRACT The stress-strain behavior of a granular material is highly complicated relative to that of a cohesive soil. Due to the frictional nature of the material, a plasticity framework based on non-associated flow rule is generally considered to be most suitable for modeling its constitutive behavior. By employing two surfaces, it is shown in this paper that a plasticity model based on an associated flow rule provides a satisfactory means of simulating, under a monotonic loading, the stress-strain behavior of dense and loose sands under triaxial undrained and drained loading conditions.
Landfalling Atmospheric Rivers, the Sierra Barrier Jet, and Extreme Daily Precipitation in Northern California’s Upper Sacramento River Watershed

AbstractThe upper Sacramento River watershed is vital to California’s water supply and is susceptible to major floods. Orographic precipitation in this complex terrain involves both atmospheric rivers (ARs) and the Sierra barrier jet (SBJ). The south-southeasterly SBJ induces orographic precipitation along south-facing slopes in the Mt. Shasta–Trinity Alps, whereas landfalling ARs ascend up and over the statically stable SBJ and induce orographic precipitation along west-facing slopes in the northern Sierra Nevada. This paper explores the occurrence of extreme daily precipitation (EDP) in this region in association with landfalling ARs and the SBJ. The 50 wettest days (i.e., days with EDP) for water years (WYs) 2002–11 based on the average of daily precipitation from eight rain gauges known as the Northern Sierra 8-Station Index (NS8I) are compared to dates from an SSM/I satellite-based landfalling AR-detection method and dates with SBJ events identified from nearby wind profiler data. These 50 days with ...
A role for thrombomodulin in the pathogenesis of thrombin-induced thromboembolism in mice

The antithrombotic action of thrombomodulin was studied in mice. Rat and mouse thrombomodulin were isolated from lung acetone powders, and anti-rat thrombomodulin antibodies were prepared in rabbits. The antibodies neutralized both mouse (Kd approximately 150 nM) and rat thrombomodulin (Kd approximately 50 nM). A role for thrombomodulin in vivo was shown in mice injected intravenously (IV) with thrombin. All mice injected with 15 U thrombin (bolus) died of thromboembolism (mean survival 55 minutes), whereas those injected with a lower dosage survived. Prior injection with anti-rat thrombomodulin (1.8 mg IgG/mouse) potentiated the lethal effects of subsequent thrombin, whereas injection of thrombomodulin (isolated from mouse lung) prior to thrombin prolonged survival in a thrombomodulin concentration-dependent manner. The protective effect of thrombomodulin persisted for 30 minutes but after one hour thrombin injection was as toxic as in control animals. The half life (t1/2) for plasma clearance of 125I- mouse lung thrombomodulin was nine minutes. The major site of clearance was the liver, although thrombomodulin accumulated in several organs ten minutes after injection. The mechanism by which antithrombomodulin antibodies potentiated the lethal effects of thrombin was studied by measuring the protein C activating cofactor activity on vena cava removed from animals injected with antibodies. Protein C activation was inhibited by antibodies, suggesting a role for activated protein C in prevention of lethal thromboembolism. We found no effect of antibodies on the clearance of thrombin from mouse plasma, suggesting that blockade of endothelial endocytosis of thrombin does not play a significant role in the effects of antibodies. These results indicate that thrombomodulin participates in the defense against thrombosis in vivo.
Receptor discrimination and control of agonist-antagonist binding

The law of mass action is the common model for the interaction of agonist and antagonist compounds with cellular receptors. Parameters of the interaction, obtained from functional and radioligand-binding studies, allow discrimination and subtyping of receptors and aid in understanding specific mechanisms. This article reviews the theory and associated mathematical models and graphical transformations of data that underlie the determination of receptor parameters. The main theory assumes that agonist and antagonist compounds bind to cells that have a fixed number of receptors and provides the framework for obtaining drug-receptor parameters from data and their graphical transformations. Conditions that produce a change in receptor number, a newer concept in pharmacology, can have an important effect on the parameter values derived in the usual way. This review concludes with a discussion of the quantitative study of receptor-mediated feedback control of endogenous ligands, a very new topic with potentially important implications for understanding antagonist effectiveness, loss of control, and chaos in regulated mass action binding.
Heme Protein Radicals: Formation, Fate, and Biological Consequences

Abstract The oxidation of myoglobin by H2O2 yields ferrylmyoglobin, which contains two oxidizing equivalents: the oxoferryl complex and an amino acid radical. This study examines the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) properties of the resulting amino acid radicals and their inherent kinetic features at [H2O2]/[protein] ratios close to physiological conditions (i.e., ≤ 1). The EPR spectrum obtained with continuous flow at room temperature consisted of a composite of three signals: a low intensity signal and two high intensity signals. The former had a g-value of 2.014, contributed 10–15% to the overall spectrum and was ascribed to a peroxyl radical. Of the two high intensity signals, one consisted of a six-line spectrum (g = 2.0048) that contributed approximately 17–19% to the overall signal; hyperfine splitting constants to ring protons permitted to identify this signal as a tyrosyl radical. The other high intensity signal (with similar g-value and underlying that of the tyrosyl radical) was ascribed to an aromatic amino acid upon comparison with the EPR characteristics for radicals in aromatic amino acid-containing peptides. Analysis of these data in connection with amino acid analysis and the EPR spectra obtained under similar conditions with another hemoprotein, hemoglobin, allowed to suggest a mechanism for the formation of the protein radicals in myoglobin. The aromatic amino acid radical was observed to be relatively long lived in close proximity to the heme iron. Hence, it is likely that this is the first site of protein radical; reduction of the oxoferryl complex by Tyr (FeIVO + Tyr-OH + H+ → FeIII + H2O + Tyr-O)—and alternatively by other amino acids—leads to the subsequent formation of other amino acid radicals within an electron-transfer process throughout the protein. This view suggests that the protein radical(s) is highly delocalized within the globin moiety in a dynamic process encompassing electron tunneling through the backbone chain or H-bonds and leading to the formation of secondary radicals.
Intel Software Guard Extensions: Introduction and Open Research Challenges

Hardware-enhanced security is an important pillar of secure systems in general and software protection in particular. This presentation will survey the recently announced Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX) as well as innovative usages for building secure systems using security-enhanced hardware. Intel SGX is an Intel technology for application developers who are seeking to protect select code and data from disclosure or modification. Intel SGX makes such protections possible through the use of enclaves, which are protected areas of execution. Security critical application code can be put into an enclave by special instructions and is then hardware protected from attacks by other potentially malicious software. An enclave can therefore be shielded against attacks by untrusted application parts, by other applications, and also against attacks by a compromised operating system.
Fusion cross sections for 12C+128Te and the deduction of absolute average angular momenta.

Fusion cross sections have been measured for $^{12}\mathrm{C}$${+}^{128}$Te from ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}$=40.4 to 56.6 MeV by direct detection and identification of evaporation residues using a time-of-flight technique. Average angular momenta for fusion are deduced from a sharp cutoff approximation at energies above the Coulomb barrier. These values of 〈l〉 and those already obtained from isomer ratio measurements are in very good agreement in the energy region where both methods should be valid.
Chemostat Culture for Yeast Physiology

The use of chemostat culture facilitates the careful comparison of different yeast strains growing in well-defined conditions. Variations in physiology can be measured by examining gene expression, metabolite levels, protein content, and cell morphology. In this protocol, we show how a combination of sample types can be collected during harvest from a single 20-mL chemostat in a ministat array, with special attention to coordinating the handling of the most time-sensitive sample types.
Highest posterior mass prediction intervals for binomial and poisson distributions

The problems of constructing prediction intervals (PIs) for the binomial and Poisson distributions are considered. New highest posterior mass (HPM) PIs based on fiducial approach are proposed. Other fiducial PIs, an exact PI and approximate PIs are reviewed and compared with the HPM-PIs. Exact coverage studies and expected widths of prediction intervals show that the new prediction intervals are less conservative than other fiducial PIs and comparable with the approximate one based on the joint sampling approach for the binomial case. For the Poisson case, the HPM-PIs are better than the other PIs in terms of coverage probabilities and precision. The methods are illustrated using some practical examples.
How much blame does he truly deserve? Historicist narratives engender uncertainty about blameworthiness, facilitating motivated cognition in moral judgment

Abstract When reprehensible conduct is explicable in terms of the offender's life history or underlying biology, blame is mitigated. Despite their shared capacity for blame mitigation, here we focus on differences between historical and biological explanations for bad conduct. We argue that historical explanations generate greater uncertainty about blameworthiness than do biological explanations. They do so because they have both competing and tentative implications regarding agent control. Furthermore, we argue that the blame uncertainty engendered by historical explanations enables motivated cognition in the blame process. We provide evidence for these claims in four studies. In Study 1, we show that computer mouse trajectories are less direct—suggesting uncertainty—when blame assessments are made in cases of historical as compared to biological causation. Studies 2, 3, and 4 test our claims regarding susceptibility to biased cognition. Predisposition to blame was measured in Studies 2 and 3 and manipulated in Study 4. In all studies, predisposition to blame was more potent in shaping blame judgments in cases of historical as compared to biological causation. Evidence suggests that this happened because cases of historical causation are relatively amenable to divergent construals regarding agent control, whereas the implications of biological causation are more definitive. Discussion centers on the importance of motivation—a “merciful mindset”—for effecting blame mitigation in cases where the offender has endured an unfortunate life history.
lambda-Mesons in air showers.

IN Nature of January 29, 1949 (p. 181), Prof. L. Janossy and C. B. A. McCusker presented evidence for the existence of light mesons called 'λ-mesons' in the air showers of cosmic rays, and deduced several properties of these new particles. We think that the evidence has been misinterpreted and can be accounted for more simply without invoking new particles ; and that mesons do not exist in the air showers—nor, probably, do they exist anywhere else.
Syndromes of Mineralocorticoid Excess

In addition to obesity, diabetes type 2, and the metabolic syndrome, hypertension represents a major public and global health problem, most of which can be improved by lifestyle changes, including changing dietary habits with less consumption of processed and preserved foods, which generally contain higher amounts of salt than freshly prepared food items. Amongst causes for endocrine hypertension are syndromes of mineralocorticoid excess typically resulting from overactive amiloride-sensitive sodium channels located in the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney, as well as other tissues, including vascular smooth muscle. The net effect of such an overactivation, which occurs mostly in primary aldosteronism is sodium and water retention with volume expansion and hypertension that is exacerbated by a diet high in salt. Biochemically, plasma renin activity is suppressed and hypokalemia may be present. Aldosterone mediates its action through the mineralocortoid receptor (MR), which regulates salt homeostasis in the kidneys and plays a range of other roles in the vasculature, heart, brain, and adipose tissue.
Low-Temperature and Metamorphic Buffer Layers

Abstract Semiconductor devices may be realized on lattice-mismatched devices using metamorphic, or lattice-relaxed, buffer layers. Compared to the pseudomorphic approach, metamorphic design allows a much greater level of freedom in choosing layer thicknesses and compositions. Lattice relaxation in metamorphic devices is accompanied by the presence of misfit dislocations, threading dislocations, surface roughening, and crystallographic tilting. This chapter reviews modeling and experimental studies aimed at understanding these phenomena. Uniform buffers, step-graded buffers, linearly graded buffers, nonlinear buffers, and superlattice buffers are considered and compared in a number of material systems. Low-temperature growth is discussed as a means to control dislocation dynamics and surface adatom mobility and, therefore, affect the threading dislocation density, strain relaxation, and surface smoothness. Device applications are considered for each common type of metamorphic buffer layer.
Use of Big Data and Information and Communications Technology in Disasters: An Integrative Review

ABSTRACT Novel approaches to improving disaster response have begun to include the use of big data and information and communication technology (ICT). However, there remains a dearth of literature on the use of these technologies in disasters. We have conducted an integrative literature review on the role of ICT and big data in disasters. Included in the review were 113 studies that met our predetermined inclusion criteria. Most studies used qualitative methods (39.8%, n=45) over mixed methods (31%, n=35) or quantitative methods (29.2%, n=33). Nearly 80% (n=88) covered only the response phase of disasters and only 15% (n=17) of the studies addressed disasters in low- and middle-income countries. The 4 most frequently mentioned tools were geographic information systems, social media, patient information, and disaster modeling. We suggest testing ICT and big data tools more widely, especially outside of high-income countries, as well as in nonresponse phases of disasters (eg, disaster recovery), to increase an understanding of the utility of ICT and big data in disasters. Future studies should also include descriptions of the intended users of the tools, as well as implementation challenges, to assist other disaster response professionals in adapting or creating similar tools. ( Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness . 2019;13:353–367)
Inverse Ising inference, hyperuniformity, and absorbing states in the Manna model

Using inverse Ising inference we show that the absorbing states of the one-dimensional Manna model can be described by an equilibrium model with an emergent interaction displaying short-ranged repulsion and long-ranged attraction. As the model approaches the critical point the interaction becomes purely repulsive, decaying as ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ and we conjecture the exact value $\ensuremath{\alpha}=1/2$, suggesting density fluctuations decay as ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}3/2}$. We present a simple Gaussian field theory for the long-distance behavior of critical absorbing states and discuss implications for the Manna universality class.
Chapter 19.5 Fibre diffraction

Fibre diffraction, diffraction from a specimen in which the diffracting units are randomly oriented about an axis (the fibre axis), is a powerful technique for determining the structural details of helical polymers, often at atomic resolution. Fibre specimens may be noncrystalline or polycrystalline. Expressions are given for diffraction from both types of fibre. Diffraction patterns are recorded photographically or using imaging plates or charge-coupled devices (CCDs). Data processing includes correction for experimental effects, background subtraction and integration of reflections. Initial models, constructed so as to be consistent with the helical parameters or determined directly, are refined against diffraction data by various methods. Difference Fourier–Bessel syntheses are used to locate missing fragments of the structure, including ions and water molecules. Developments in theory and practice and the availability of fast computers have led to descriptions of the molecular architecture of a wide variety of biopolymers, ranging from simple polypeptides, polynucleotides and polysaccharides to complex filamentous viruses, cytoskeletal filaments and other large macromolecular assemblies. Keywords: bacteriophages; data collection; data integration; data processing; data-to-parameter ratio in fibre diffraction; difference Fourier maps; fibre diffraction; fibres; filamentous bacteriophages; Fourier–Bessel syntheses; helical symmetry; helical viruses; integration of diffraction data; structure determination; structure factors; symmetry; viruses
Serum levels of DNAJB9 are elevated in fibrillary glomerulonephritis patients

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare glomerular disease. Kidney biopsy is required to establish the diagnosis. Recent studies have identified abundant glomerular deposition of DNAJB9 as a unique histological marker of FGN. We developed an immunoprecipitation-based multiple reaction monitoring method to measure serum levels of DNAJB9. We detected a 4-fold higher abundance of serum DNAJB9 in FGN patients when compared to controls, including patients with other glomerular diseases. Serum DNAJB9 levels were also negatively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with FGN. Serum DNAJB9 levels accurately predicted FGN with moderate sensitivity (67%) and with high specificity (98%) and positive and negative predictive value (89% and 95%, respectively). A receiver operating curve analysis demonstrated an AUC of 0.958. These results suggest that serum levels of DNAJB9 could be a valuable marker to predict FGN, with the potential to complement kidney biopsy for the diagnosis of FGN.
A novel UCHL 3 inhibitor, perifosine, enhances PARP inhibitor cytotoxicity through inhibition of homologous recombination-mediated DNA double strand break repair

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment remains a great challenge for clinical practice and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. UCHL3 is a deubiquitinase that is overexpressed in TNBC and correlates with poor prognosis. UCHL3 deubiquitinates RAD51 thereby promoting the recruitment of RAD51 to DNA damage sites and augmenting DNA repair. Therefore, UCHL3 overexpression can render cancer cells resistant to DNA damage inducing chemo and radiotherapy, and targeting UCHL3 can sensitize TNBC to radiation and chemotherapy. However, small molecule inhibitors of UCHL3 are yet to be identified. Here we report that perifosine, a previously reported Akt inhibitor, can inhibit UCHL3 in vitro and in vivo. We found low dose (50 nM) perifosine inhibited UCHL3 deubiquitination activity without affecting Akt activity. Furthermore, perifosine enhanced Olaparib-induced growth inhibition in TNBC cells. Mechanistically, perifosine induced RAD51 ubiquitination and blocked the RAD51-BRCA2 interaction, which in turn decreased ionizing radiation-induced foci (IRIF) of Rad51 and, thereby, homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA double strand break repair. In addition, combination of perifosine and Olaparib showed synergistic antitumor activity in vivo in TNBC xenograft model. Thus, our present study provides a novel therapeutic approach to optimize PARP inhibitor treatment efficiency.
String correction using the Damerau-Levenshtein distance

In the string correction problem, we are to transform one string into another using a set of prescribed edit operations. In string correction using the Damerau-Levenshtein (DL) distance, the permissible edit operations are: substitution, insertion, deletion and transposition. Several algorithms for string correction using the DL distance have been proposed. The fastest and most space efficient of these algorithms is due to Lowrance and Wagner. It computes the DL distance between strings of length m and n, respectively, in O(mn) time and O(mn) space. In this paper, we focus on the development of algorithms whose asymptotic space complexity is less and whose actual runtime and energy consumption are less than those of the algorithm of Lowrance and Wagner. We develop space- and cache-efficient algorithms to compute the Damerau-Levenshtein (DL) distance between two strings as well as to find a sequence of edit operations of length equal to the DL distance. Our algorithms require O(s min{m,n}+m+n) space, where s is the size of the alphabet and m and n are, respectively, the lengths of the two strings. Previously known algorithms require O(mn) space. The space- and cache-efficient algorithms of this paper are demonstrated, experimentally, to be superior to earlier algorithms for the DL distance problem on time, space, and enery metrics using three different computational platforms. Our benchmarking shows that, our algorithms are able to handle much larger sequences than earlier algorithms due to the reduction in space requirements. On a single core, we are able to compute the DL distance and an optimal edit sequence faster than known algorithms by as much as 73.1% and 63.5%, respectively. Further, we reduce energy consumption by as much as 68.5%. Multicore versions of our algorithms achieve a speedup of 23.2 on 24 cores.
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF FACTORS AFFECTING HYPERGOLIC IGNITION OF AMMONIA BORANE

Hypergolic hybrid motors are advantageous for rocket propulsion due to their simplicity, reliability, low weight, and safety. Many hypergolic hybrid fuels with promising theoretical performance are not practical due to their sensitivity to temperature or moisture. Ammonia borane (AB) has been proposed and studied as a potential hypergolic hybrid fuel that provides both excellent performance and storability. This study investigates the effect of droplet impact velocity, pellet composition, and storage humidity on ignition delay of AB with white fuming nitric acid as the oxidizer. Most ignition delays measured were under 50 ms with many under 10 ms and some even under 2 ms, which is extremely short for hybrid systems. Higher droplet velocities led to slightly shorter ignition delays, and exposing samples to humidity slightly increased ignition delay. An AB pellet composition of at least 20% epoxy binder was found to minimize ignition delay. The epoxy facilitates ignition by absorbing or adhering the oxidizer and slowing the reaction with the fuel, preventing oxidizer expulsion and holding it close to the fuel. These results emphasize the importance of binder properties in hypergolic hybrids. Pellets varying in composition and storage method were extinguished and reignited with the oxidizer to demonstrate reignition capability.
L'Algérie face à la catastrophe suspendue: Gérer la crise et blâmer le peuple sous Bouteflika (1999–2014)

In February 2019 Algerians in their multitudes took to the streets in cities and towns across the country to express political discontent. The demonstrations were hardly unprecedented: witness thos...
Theory informed framework for integrating environmental and physiologic data in applications targeting productivity and well-being in workplace

We propose a framework targeting mental health in workplace by tracking the environmental and physiological variables. Environmental variables (noise, air quality, light intensity, etc.) will be collected by sensor nodes installed for each variable and physiological changes are measured by recording Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, providing information about heart activity. ECG data is used to get Heart Rate Variability (HRV) values, indicating the physiological state based on Polyvagal Theory. Data analysis from these two sources (environment and physiology) together helps to generate a system alert suggesting ways (short walk, listening to music) to manage the mental health without aggravating it, throughout the day. This framework creates awareness about the mental state of an individual, giving them opportunity to restore their mental state and protect it from getting worse. Mental health affects the productivity of a person. Targeting mental health improves productivity in a workplace. This paper proposes the framework and suggests future steps in deployment. The framework improves upon existing methods by considering dependence of environmental factors on individual autonomic state.
Optical angular scatterometry: In-line metrology approach for roll-to-roll and nanoimprint fabrication

Metrology is an essential aspect of nanomanufacturing. Increasingly, nanoscale three-dimensional features are demanded for advanced applications, increasing the demands on metrology. New fabrication techniques such as roll-to-roll (R2R) processes are being developed for manufacturing large-area nanotechnology products such as wire-grid polarizers (WGP), metal-mesh grids, and metamaterials. Angular scatterometry has demonstrated noncontact, optical capabilities for characterizing WGP and photoresist structures with sub-100 nm dimensions. However, existing implementations are not applicable to real-time R2R nanofabrication due to both a requirement of rotating a small sample over a range of angles and measurement times that are incompatible with a moving R2R web. This work demonstrates a high-speed approach (2.5 kHz scanning) to angular scatterometry where the optical beam is scanned rather than the sample mount. The design uses a scanning mirror and high numerical aperture (NA) optics to vary the incident angle over a range from ∼29° to ∼59°. Approaches to increase the angular range are discussed. The scatterometry results are in good agreement with off-line scatterometry results for plane surface, 1D, and 2D patterned samples.
Effect of mouse strain and diet on feasibility of MRI‐based cell tracking in the liver

Purpose MRI-based cell tracking identifies the location of magnetically labeled cells with hypointense voxels. Here we demonstrate a strain-dependent effect of liver MRI background on the feasibility of MRI-based cell tracking of transplanted cells in the mouse liver. Methods FVB mice (GFP-LUC and NOG) and C57BL/6 mice (GFP+ and wild-type) were fed 3 different diets with varying iron content. In vivo T 2 ∗ -weighted images and T 2 ∗ maps of the liver were acquired at different ages. Magnetically labeled cancer cells were injected intrasplenically for hepatic migration; then, mice were imaged by in vivo MRI and bioluminescence imaging. Livers were also imaged ex vivo by magnetic particle imaging. Results R 2 ∗ increased with age in FVBNOG and FVBGFP-LUC mice that were fed diets sufficient in iron. FVBNOG mice developed a mottled appearance in their livers with age that did not occur in FVBGFP-LUC mice. R 2 ∗ was unchanging with age in C57BL/6GFP mice, and the liver remained bright and homogenous. Labeled cells were not detectable by MRI in some livers despite successful engraftment as shown by bioluminescence imaging and magnetic particle imaging. Conclusion Strain, diet, and age are important considerations for MRI-based cell tracking in the liver. If a model with excessive liver iron must be used, alternative imaging methods such as magnetic particle imaging can be considered.