cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simplifying sample pretreatment: Application of dried blood spot (DBS) method to blood samples, including postmortem, for UHPLC–MS/MS analysis of drugs of abuse

The complexity of biological matrices, such as blood, requires the development of suitably selective and reliable sample pretreatment procedures prior to their instrumental analysis. A method has been developed for the analysis of drugs of abuse and their metabolites from different chemical classes (opiates, methadone, fentanyl and analogues, cocaine, amphetamines and amphetamine-like substances, ketamine, LSD) in human blood using dried blood spot (DBS) and subsequent UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. DBS extraction required only 100μL of sample, added with the internal standards and then three droplets (30μL each) of this solution were spotted on the card, let dry for 1h, punched and extracted with methanol with 0.1% of formic acid. The supernatant was evaporated and the residue was then reconstituted in 100μL of water with 0.1% of formic acid and injected in the UHPLC-MS/MS system. The method was validated considering the following parameters: LOD and LOQ, linearity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect and dilution integrity. LODs were 0.05-1ng/mL and LOQs were 0.2-2ng/mL. The method showed satisfactory linearity for all substances, with determination coefficients always higher than 0.99. Intra and inter day precision, accuracy, matrix effect and dilution integrity were acceptable for all the studied substances. The addition of internal standards before DBS extraction and the deposition of a fixed volume of blood on the filter cards ensured the accurate quantification of the analytes. The validated method was then applied to authentic postmortem blood samples.
Will hemoperfusion be useful for cancer chemotherapeutic drug removal

One of the major problems in clinical cancer chemotherapy is the inability to safely administer full therapeutic doses of specific drugs in the face of dysfunction of an organ system controlling that drug's metabolism and excretion. Should efficient drug removal from blood be possible following full therapeutic doses and after tumor exposure, then theoretically, even in the presence of organ dysfunction, anticancer drug toxicity may be reduced or avoided. Preliminary experiments in our laboratory have shown that adriamycin may be efficiently removed by activated charcoal from aqueous and protein solutions and blood in vivo, and that daunorubicin is removed in vitro to the same extent. However, although methotrexate is removed efficiently in vitro and extracted 50% in vivo by charcoal hemoperfusion, its overall pharmacokinetics do not appear to be altered in comparison with the alteration in pharmacokinetics of adriamycin achieved with charcoal hemoperfusion. Computer modeling has suggested that efficient adriamycin removal is achievable, and that clinical studies are warranted. For methotrexate removal, however, previous clinical studies and our own data suggest that charcoal hemoperfusion has little utility unless a highly specific sorbent for methotrexate removal can be developed.
Identifying Active Functionalities on Few‐Layered Graphene Catalysts for Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Isobutane

The general consensus in the studies of nanostructured carbon catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of alkanes to olefins is that the oxygen functionalities generated during synthesis and reaction are responsible for the catalytic activity of these nanostructured carbons. Identification of the highly active oxygen functionalities would enable engineering of nanocarbons for ODH of alkanes. Few-layered graphenes were used as model catalysts in experiments to synthesize reduced graphene oxide samples with varying oxygen concentrations, to characterize oxygen functionalities, and to measure the activation energies for ODH of isobutane. Periodic density functional theory calculations were performed on graphene nanoribbon models with a variety of oxygen functionalities at the edges to calculate their thermal stability and to model reaction mechanisms for ODH of isobutane. Comparing measured and calculated thermal stability and activation energies leads to the conclusion that dicarbonyls at the zigzag edges and quinones at armchair edges are appropriately balanced for high activity, relative to other model functionalities considered herein. In the ODH of isobutane, both dehydrogenation and regeneration of catalytic sites are relevant at the dicarbonyls, whereas regeneration is facile compared with dehydrogenation at quinones. The catalytic mechanism involves weakly adsorbed isobutane reducing functional oxygen and leaving as isobutene, and O2 in the feed, weakly adsorbed on the hydrogenated functionality, reacting with that hydrogen and regenerating the catalytic sites.
Properties of the primary somatosensory cortex projection to the primary motor cortex in the mouse

The primary somatosensory (S1) and primary motor (M1) cortices are reciprocally connected, and their interaction has long been hypothesized to contribute to coordinated motor output. Very little is...
Sleep and circadian abnormalities in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease: A role for cholinergic transmission

Abstract The Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exhibits age-dependent amyloid β (Aβ) deposition in the brain. We studied electroencephalographically defined sleep and the circadian regulation of waking activities in Tg2576 mice to determine whether these animals exhibit sleep abnormalities akin to those in AD. In Tg2576 mice at all ages studied, the circadian period of wheel running rhythms in constant darkness was significantly longer than that of wild type mice. In addition, the increase in electroencephalographic delta (1–4 Hz) power that occurs during non-rapid eye movement sleep after sleep deprivation was blunted in Tg2576 mice relative to controls at all ages studied. Electroencephalographic power during non-rapid eye movement sleep was shifted to higher frequencies in plaque-bearing mice relative to controls. The wake-promoting efficacy of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil was lower in plaque-bearing Tg2576 mice than in controls. Sleep abnormalities in Tg2576 mice may be due in part to a cholinergic deficit in these mice. At 22 months of age, two additional deficits emerged in female Tg2576 mice: time of day-dependent modulation of sleep was blunted relative to controls and rapid eye movement sleep as a percentage of time was lower in Tg2576 than in wild type controls. The rapid eye movement sleep deficit in 22 month-old female Tg2576 mice was abolished by brief passive immunization with an N-terminal antibody to Aβ. The Tg2576 model provides a uniquely powerful tool for studies on the pathophysiology of and treatments for sleep deficits and associated cholinergic abnormalities in AD.
The effect of some commonly used vasodilator and sedative substances upon the acidity and volume of gastric juice.

Patients using vasodilator and sedative drugs often complain of epigastric distress which may appear as nausea, pain, or heartburn. Such gastric distress may be so severe at times that the use of the drugs may have to be discontinued. Various pharmacological and therapeutic texts1• 2 state that the xanthine vasodilator drugs (theobromine and theophylline) and other vasodilators (sodium nitrite) maybe irritating and likely to cause gastric discomfort, nausea and vomiting. The use of these drugs after meals is recommended in order to reduce the gastric irritation. More recently, Roth and Ivy3 confirmed that caffeine given orally and parenterally is a potent stimulant of both the acid and pepsin content of gastric juice. Since epigastric distress is commonly associated with hypersecretion and hyperacidity, it was decided to investigate whether the use of xanthines and other vasodilator substances, withor without barbiturates, leads to hyperacidity and hypersecretion.
Visualization of high-resolution weather model data

Significant bottlenecks from I/O required novel techniques be used for a high-resolution severe weather simulation and visualization in the region centered around O'Hare International Airport. The Raytheon Company collaborated with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to utilize the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). WRF is a state-of-the-art parallel mesoscale numerical weather prediction system. In order to minimize the data read from disk, we develop a custom importer in Paraview to read the WRF output data directly from HDF5, de-stagger variables as required, convert the grid coordinates to first create accurate real-world (longitude, latitude, elevation) coordinates and then project them into a WGS84 coordinates. This projection enabled us to correctly co-locate the WRF data with an aviation map base layer that was texture mapped onto a refined grid to approximate the non-linearity of a (longitude, latitude) coordinate system.
Budd-chiari syndrome after taking oral contraceptives. A case report and review of 14 reported cases.

A case of Budd-Chiari syndrome in a young woman taking oral contraceptives is described. Her main complaints were of abdominal pain and ascites without hepatosplenomegaly and the subsequent development of shock. Diagnosis was established by selective hepatic arteriogram and vena cavagram. She was treated with supportive measures, anticoagulants and neomycin. At the time of this report, the patient is slowly convalescing, taking coumadin, diuretics and Aldactone, as well as supplementary vitamins. Reviewed are 14 cases of Budd-Chiari syndrome occurring while patients weretaking oral contraceptives.
Tensile Strength of Bone (Bone/Porous Polyethylene) Interface

An average tensile strength of 1.35 kgf/mm2 (1920 psi) was obtained. Comparison of all results with related studies on metallic and ceramic implants indicates the overall superiority of plastics as porous implants for many applications.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Abiraterone and Sipuleucel-T in Asymptomatic Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, 0% to 20% experience disease progression to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Recently, 4 novel therapies have been introduced for the treatment of mCRPC; of these, abiraterone and sipuleucelT have been studied in the asymptomatic, pre-docetaxel population. Both have shown clinical benefits compared with placebo. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of abiraterone acetate and sipuleucel-T compared with prednisone in asymptomatic, predocetaxel mCRPC from a US societal perspective. A Markov model was constructed to simulate stable disease, progressed disease, and death. Survival and event rates were derived from published clinical trial data. Costs were derived from the literature and government reimbursement schedules. Outcomes were measured as average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs), incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), and net monetary benefits (NMBs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the model. The base-case ACER was $114K/quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) for abiraterone, $85K/QALY for sipuleucel-T, and $31K/QALY for prednisone. The base-case ICER was $389K/QALY for abiraterone and $547K/QALY for sipuleucel-T. Prednisone dominates both abiraterone and sipuleucel-T in terms of NMB at willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds of $400K or less. One-way sensitivity analyses revealed that the model was most sensitive to overall survival and utility inputs. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed abiraterone to be cost-effective 50% or more of the time at a WTP of greater than $400K, whereas sipuleucel-T was cost-effective 50% or more of the time at a WTP of greater than $270K. Neither abiraterone nor sipuleucel-T was found to be cost-effective compared with prednisone in the treatment of asymptomatic, pre-docetaxel mCRPC. (J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2014;12:1417–1425) Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. 1,2 Of those diagnosed, 10% to 20% will experience progression to metastatic disease, with treatment options previously limited to docetaxel or mitoxantrone chemotherapy, or long-term prednisone therapy; however, these therapies are limited by the severity of side effects and limited benefits regarding survival. 3
Immortalized Mouse Achilles Tenocytes Demonstrate Long-Term Proliferative Capacity While Retaining Tenogenic Properties.

Investigating the cellular processes underlying tendon healing can allow researchers to improve long-term outcomes after injury. However, conducting meaningful studies to uncover the injury healing mechanism at cellular and molecular levels remains challenging. This is due to the inherent difficulty in isolating, culturing, and expanding sufficient primary tenocytes, due to their limited proliferative capacity and short lifespan. In this study, we sought to establish a novel line of immortalized mouse Achilles tenocytes (iMATs) with primary tenocyte properties, but increased proliferative capacity suitable for extensive in vitro experimentation. We show that isolated primary mouse Achilles tenocytes (pMATs) can be effectively immortalized using a piggyBac transposon expressing SV40 large T antigen flanked by FLP recombination target site (FRT). The resulting iMATs exhibit markedly greater proliferation and survival, which can be reversed with FLP recombinase. Furthermore, iMATs express the same set of ten...
The inhibitory influence of magnesium upon some of the toxic effects of eserin

In a paper on the relation of magnesium salts to gastrointestinal peristalsis, Meltzer and Auer2 stated that they were able to completely inhibit the general muscular tremor caused by eserin, by means of injections of magnesium sulfate.Matthews and Jackson3 stated later they did not obtain a like result. At Dr. Meltzer's suggestion, an attempt was then made to establish the facts in the case and to determine any other points of interest in the antagonism between these two drugs.My results and methods may be briefly reported as follows:First; a method of registering the general fibrillary muscular contractions was worked out, the best result being obtained by stitching a tambour to the skin over the gluteal muscles, with the leg in a flexed position.Second; while writing the fibrillary tremor caused by eserin, MgSO41 was slowly injected into the jugular vein. The result was an invariable stoppage of all tremor. This stoppage was brought about in from one half to one and a half minutes according to the rapi...
Interactions Between Electric Wehicles and Power Systems

The development and applications of electric vehicles have become a strategic option in many countries around the world to address the energy crisis and environmental pollution problems. Extensive applications of plug-in electric vehicles could result in some newproblems even challenges to the secure and economic operation of a power system concerned. Given this background,the state-of-the-art and future prospect of power batteries are introduced at first,and the aggregated load characteristics of electric vehicles with their spatial and temporal distributions considered are presented in detail. Then,the impacts of plug-in electric vehicles on the power system especially on the distribution system concerned are outlined. The coordinated interactions between electric vehicles and power systems are next addressed,and some charging and discharging control strategies for electric vehicles are outlined for supporting the secure and economic operation of the power system. Finally,the economic profits of the interactions between electric vehicles and power systems are briefly examined from both the perspective s of the owners of electric vehicles and the power system.
Mechanical Stress Conditioning and Electrical Stimulation Promote Contractility and Force Maturation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Human Cardiac Tissue.

Background:Tissue engineering enables the generation of functional human cardiac tissue with cells derived in vitro in combination with biocompatible materials. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-...
Analysis and modeling of dispersion characteristics in AlGaN/GaN MODFETs

The dispersion effects of transconductance (g/sub m/) and output resistance (R/sub ds/) in AlGaN/GaN MODFETs were investigated. The dispersion effects of g/sub m/ were found to be much smaller than those of R/sub ds/. Devices under different biases show g/sub m/ dispersion of /spl sim/ 4% to 7%, while R/sub ds/ dispersion of /spl sim/ 19 % to 44% in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz. The trapping-detrapping time constants of the dispersion effects were extracted by employing a novel distributed RC network and carrier injection current sources. The time constants estimated are in a range of /spl sim/ 1.5 /spl mu/s to 1 ms.
Peace Dividend and Regional Stability on the Korean Peninsula: Focusing on the South–North Korea Cooperation Fund Allocation

This chapter delves into the concept of a peace dividend on the Korean Peninsula with an attempt to establish a Northeast Asia security community. Starting with an examination of the background of the peace dividend concept and the regional situation in Northeast Asia compared to those on the global level, this chapter asserts that this concept can be leveraged as a tool for facilitating change in regard to dynamism among the government, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies in the three-domain model. This chapter employs the South–North Korea Cooperation Fund as proxy data that demonstrate the two approaches based on the peace dividend – mobilization of civil society and the market.
Dispositional Mindful Attention in Relation to Negative Affect, Tobacco Withdrawal, and Expired Carbon Monoxide On and After Quit Day.

BACKGROUND Mindfulness (or "Mindful Attention") has been described as the presence or absence of attention to, and awareness of, what is occurring in the present moment. Among smokers, greater mindfulness is associated with greater effect stability and reduced cue-induced craving. While studies have shown that mindfulness is associated with other smoking-related factors such as reduced withdrawal symptoms using cross-sectional data, relatively little is known about the associations between baseline mindful attention and future abstinence-related effect/withdrawal. The current study sought to examine whether levels of mindful attention before cessation predicts negative affect, withdrawal, and level of expired carbon monoxide (CO) on quit day, and also 3 and 7 days after quitting, during a self-quit attempt. METHODS Data from 58 adults (mean age = 34.9; 65.5% male) participating in a self-quit study were available for analysis. Self-report measures of mindful attention, negative affect, and withdrawal symptoms were collected. Biochemical measurement of expired CO was also collected. Dependent variables were assessed on quit day, and also 3 and 7 days after quitting. Covariates included age, race, sex, self-reported level of cigarette dependence, and smoking status through 7 days. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate the association of baseline mindful attention in relation to the studied outcomes. RESULTS Greater mindful attention predicted lower negative affect and reduced withdrawal at all 3 time-points. Mindful attention did not predict levels of expired CO. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that mindful attention before or during smoking-cessation treatment may help to reduce negative affect and withdrawal, which serve as barriers to cessation for many smokers.
Investing for profit, investing for impact: Moral performances in agricultural investment projects:

The recent global boom in agricultural investment has spurred much normative critique of “land grabbing,” but amidst this critical scrutiny investor morality has remained a black box. This article ...
A Novel Signaling Complex between TROY and EGFR Mediates Glioblastoma Cell Invasion

Abstract: Glioblastoma is the most frequent primary brain tumor in adults and a highly lethal malignancy with a median survival of about 15 months. The aggressive invasion of the surrounding normal brain makes complete surgical resection impossible, increases the resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, and assures tumor recurrence. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop innovative therapeutics to target the invasive tumor cells for improved treatment outcomes of this disease. Expression of TROY (TNFRSF19), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, increases with increasing glial tumor grade and inversely correlates with patient survival. Increased expression of TROY stimulates glioblastoma cell invasion in vitro and in vivo and increases resistance to temozolomide and radiation therapy. Conversely, silencing TROY expression inhibits glioblastoma cell invasion, increases temozolomide sensitivity, and prolongs survival in an intracranial xenograft model. Here, a novel complex is identified between TROY and EGFR which is mediated predominantly by the cysteine-rich CRD3 domain of TROY. Glioblastoma tumors with elevated TROY expression have a statistically positive correlation with increased EGFR expression. TROY expression significantly increases the capacity of EGF to stimulate glioblastoma cell invasion, whereas depletion of TROY expression blocks EGF stimulation of glioblastoma cell invasion. Mechanistically, TROY expression modulates EGFR signaling by facilitating EGFR activation and delaying EGFR receptor internalization. Moreover, the association of EGFR with TROY increases TROY-induced NF-kB activation. These findings substantiate a critical role for TROY-EGFR complex in regulation of glioblastoma cell invasion. Implications: TROY-EGFR signaling complex emerges as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit glioblastoma cell invasion.
The Theory of the Jahn-Teller Effect

After a brief historical introduction, the derivation of the so-called Jahn-Teller theorem is discussed. Group-theoretical concepts are introduced and the octahedral group is chosen as an example. The static distortion of a system comprising a T2g electronic state coupled linearly to normal modes of the same type provides an illustration of the calculation of Clebsch-Gordan coefficients for the octahedral group. Annihilation and creation operators are introduced to discuss the vibronic Hamiltonian, and octahedral tensors are brought into play to make the analysis more concise. The differences that occur when electron spin is taken into account are pointed out. The advantages and drawbacks of using Glauber (coherent) states in the strong-coupling limit are briefly mentioned. Attention is paid to the Jahn-Teller system in which a T electronic state (such as a p electron) is equally coupled to octahedral t and e modes, these modes possessing equal frequencies and thereby leading to a Hamiltonian with spherical symmetry. Phase changes associated with the unequal rotational motion of the T state and the displaced ligands for this system are studied in the strong-coupling limit. The connection with Berry’s phase is discussed.
Chemokine axes in hematopoietic stem cell mobilization

Under steady state, hematopoietic cells at all stages of differentiation and some lymphoid cell populations are confined within the bone marrow, while mature cells exit and enter peripheral blood. A small population of hematopoietic stem (HSC) and progenitor (HPC) cells also traffic through the peripheral circulation. The initial observations that HPC cells are found in the blood of patients recovering from chemotherapy [1, 2, 3] led to the realization that HSC and HPC can be forced or ‘mobilized’ from marrow to blood where they can be collected by apheresis and utilized for transplantation [4].
Funding Conditions and the Long-Run Reversal in Stock Returns

Previous research attributes long-run reversals to investor over-reaction or tax-motivated trading; we offer an alternative explanation based on aggregate funding conditions. Our evidence shows that prices rebound for stocks that have performed poorly over the past several years (Losers); however, the rebound occurs only during favorable funding environments. In contrast, stocks exhibiting strong long-term past performance (Winners) only reverse course if funding conditions are unfavorable. Past research shows that the three-factor model explains long-run stock reversals; we find that funding conditions play an instrumental role in this observation. Specifically, small, distressed Losers reverse substantially, but only when funding conditions are unconstrained. In contrast, small Winners reverse significantly, but only when funding is constrained. Finally, we show that the reversal pattern is closely linked to both the funding environment and a firm’s level of financial constraints, which suggests that both factors influence investor pricing decisions for Losers and Winners.
Determination of left ventricular mass by three-dimensional echocardiography: in vitro validation of a novel quantification method using multiple equi-angular rotational planes for rapid measurements.

Measuring left ventricular mass by m-mode echocardiography or two-dimensional echocardiography is limited by the fact that calculations are based on assumptions, which describe left ventricular shape by simple geometric figures. The ability of three-dimensional echocardiography (3-DE) to accurately assess left ventricular mass has been shown previously, but 3-DE approaches to quantitative analysis of ventricular mass required multiple tomographic sectioning, manual tracing in various cut planes and were time consuming and laborious. We investigated the accuracy of a novel, rapid method of 3-DE mass quantification using multiple rotational planes in left ventricles in vitro. Methods: Three-dimensional data sets of 10 fixed pig hearts were obtained using a TomTec 3-DE system. For 3-DE mass calculations, a rotational axis in the center of the ventricle (apical–basal orientation) was defined and 3, 6 and 12 equi-angular rotational planes were created. The endocardial and epicardial contour of the left ventricle was traced in each cut plane and the volume of the corresponding myocardial wedge was automatically calculated. Mass was calculated by multiplying the resulting myocardial volume by the specific weight of myocardial tissue. The measurements were performed by two investigators blinded to the anatomic true mass and were analyzed for interobserver and intraobserver variability. Results: The anatomic left ventricular mass was measured 73–219 (168 ± 50) g. 3-DE mass ranged from 88–247 (207 ± 51) g (three planes), 84–250 (205 ± 52) g (six planes) and 86–241 (202 ± 50) g (12 planes) respectively. The correlation between 3-DE mass and anatomic LV mass measurements (r = 0.92) and between two observers (r = 0.97–0.98) was good. True mass was slightly overestimated by 3-DE measurement (SEE = 22–23 g). The intraobserver and interobserver variabilities were ≤4 and ≤7% respectively for all measurements. Conclusion: This new 3-DE method of left ventricular mass quantification with rotational approach provides accurate and reproducible measurements. In normal shaped left ventricles even three planes were sufficient to provide accurate mass measurements in vitro.
External power amplification drives prey capture in a spider web

Power amplification allows animals to produce movements that exceed the physiological limits of muscle power and speed, such as the mantis shrimp's ultrafast predatory strike and the flea's jump. However, all known examples of nonhuman, muscle-driven power amplification involve anatomical structures that store energy from a single cycle of muscular contraction. Here, we describe a nonhuman example of external power amplification using a constructed device: the web of the triangle-weaver spider, Hyptiotes cavatus, which uses energy stored in the silk threads to actively tangle prey from afar. Hyptiotes stretches its web by tightening a separate anchor line over multiple cycles of limb motion, and then releases its hold on the anchor line when insects strike the web. Both spider and web spring forward 2 to 3 cm with a peak acceleration of up to 772.85 m/s2 so that up to four additional adhesive capture threads contact the prey while jerking caused by the spider's sudden stop subsequently wraps silk around the prey from all directions. Using webs as external "tools" to store energy offers substantial mechanical advantages over internal tissue-based power amplification due to the ability of Hyptiotes to load the web over multiple cycles of muscular contraction and thus release more stored energy during prey capture than would be possible with muscle-driven anatomical elastic-energy systems. Elastic power amplification is an underappreciated component of silk's function in webs and shows remarkable convergence to the fundamental mechanical advantages that led humans to engineer power-amplifying devices such as catapults and ballistae.
Fractal Space-Time & the Dynamic Generation of Mass Scales in Field Theory

As of today, the mechanism underlying the generation of mass scales in field theory remains elusive. Here we show how the concept of fractal space-time having minimal deviations from four-dimensionality (the so-called minimal fractal manifold defined through ɛ = 4 - D, with ɛ << 1) can naturally account for the onset of these scales. A counterintuitive outcome of this analysis is the deep link between the minimal fractal manifold and the holographic principle.
Automatic GDSII Generator for On-Chip Voltage Regulator for Easy Integration in Digital SoCs

This paper demonstrates an electronic design automation (EDA) tool flow for generation of digitally controlled high-bandwidth on-chip voltage regulators for easy integration in a digital SoC. The proposed flow optimizes the control loop and power stage of an integrated voltage regulator (IVR) to achieve desired transient performance and/or efficiency. The GDSII of the optimized IVR is generated by coupling logic synthesis and physical design of digital blocks, automated generation of power stage layout, and top-level integration of all modules. We demonstrate the developed flow for inductive IVRs in 130nm and 65nm CMOS process. We show feasibility of fast design space exploration, optimization, layout generation as well as automated integration of the generated IVR with a RISC-V core.
AMPK Signaling Regulates the Age-Related Decline of Hippocampal Neurogenesis

The global incidence of age-associated neurological diseases is expected to rise with increasingly greying societies. In the aged brain, there is a dramatic decrease in the number of stem cells, which is a main cause for the decrease in brain function. Intrinsic factors, such as cell metabolism, have been studied but its role in neurogenesis is still unknown. Therefore, this study sought to establish whether AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling does indeed regulate hippocampal neurogenesis in the aged brain. We found that i) AMPKα2 was the predominant catalytic subunit in the subgranular and subventricular zones; ii) AMPK activation was at a significantly higher level in the aged vs. young hippocampus; iii) short term (7 days) treatment with selective AMPK signaling inhibitor Compound C (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) significantly increased the numbers of newborn (BrdU+), Type 2 (MCM2+), and Type 3 (DCX+) neural stem cells, but not Type 1 (GFAP+/Sox2+) cells, in the aged hippocampus. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AMPK signaling plays a critical role in the age-related decline of hippocampal neurogenesis.
HIGHER RATE OF HEMORRHAGIC STROKE AMONG BLACK PATIENTS WITH HISTORY OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Emphasis has been placed on improving the long-term outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), including the prevention of recurrent MI, stroke, and heart failure. There is limited information on the occurrence of hemorrhagic stroke in these patients. Patients with history of MI (n
Buckling, vibration, and energy solutions for underwater composite cylinders

Abstract This study presents closed-form solutions for the critical buckling pressures and characteristic frequencies of underwater composite cylinders. The analytical solutions were derived using the full stiffness definitions from composite laminate theory, making them suitable for symmetric, asymmetric, hybrid, and/or double-shell (sandwich) cylindrical composite structures. These closed-form solutions were developed for critical buckling pressures in a hydrostatic environment as well as for critical buckling energy in a dynamic environment with combined hydrostatic and transient loads. Also, the characteristic frequencies were derived for a submerged and pressurized environment to account for added fluid mass and hydrostatic pressures. Computational and experimental data were used to validate the derived analytical work. The resulting solutions for critical buckling pressures agreed with numerical and experimental results for single-shell cylindrical structures. Moreover, for double-shell cylindrical structures with foam cores (sandwich structures), the collapse pressure is shown to be proportional to the core’s transverse shear modulus. The solutions were suitable for predicting the collapse pressure for sandwich structures with relatively low-density cores. Lastly, solutions for estimating the energy emitted during an implosion event and the energy required for buckling in sub-critical pressure environments were also derived and validated with the experimental data.
Analyzing the distribution fit for storage workload and Internet traffic traces

Abstract Understanding workloads and modeling their performance is important for optimizing systems and services. A useful first step towards understanding the characteristics of workloads is to analyze their inter-arrival times and service requirements. If these characteristics are found to follow certain probability distributions, then corresponding stochastic models can be employed to efficiently estimate the performance of workloads. Such approaches have been explored in specific domains using an assortment of distributions, including the Normal, Weibull, and Exponential. Our primary goal in this work is to understand and model storage workload performance. However, our analysis and others’ past attempts revealed that none of the commonly-employed distributions provided a good fit for storage workloads. We analyzed over 250 traces across 5 different workload families using 20 widely used distributions, including ones seldom used for storage modeling. We found that the Hyper-exponential distribution with just two phases ( H 2 ) was superior in modeling the storage traces compared to other distributions under five diverse metrics of accuracy, including metrics that assess the risk of over-fitting. Based on these results, we developed a Markov-chain-based stochastic model that accurately estimates the storage system performance across several workload traces. To assess the applicability of the Hyper-exponential for distribution fitting beyond storage traces, we evaluated distribution fitting for Internet traffic traces using over 1,600 traces from 3 different sources. We again found that the Hyper-exponential distribution provided a superior fit compared to other probability distributions. To highlight the applicability of our model, we conducted what-if analyses to investigate (i) the storage performance impact of workload variability and garbage collection under various scenarios and (ii) the impact on service response time of Internet flash crowds.
Power Optimizer based on Model Predictive Control for a Cascaded Multilevel Impedance Source Inverter

This paper presents a power optimization mechanism for photovoltaic (PV) cascaded multilevel impedance source inverter (CMISI) at the grid-edge. The energy harvested for PV cells are maximized by a model predictive control based distributed maximum power point tracking technique. The proposed technique features reserve power capability and utilization of the reserve power for ancillary services requirement from the inverter to the grid such as frequency and voltage regulations. Predictive control framework is leveraged for the proposed multi-objective control of the CMISI without requirement of cascaded multi-nested loop control schemes and complex modulation schemes. Thus, the proposed control scheme takes full advantage of CMISI to maximize power harvesting and provide ancillary services in a reliable, robust, and simple manner. The presented case studies verifies the theoretical expectation of the proposed power optimization mechanism and control scheme for grid-interactive CMISI.
Formal Execution and Informal Revocation: Manifestations of Probate's Family Protection Policy

Wills must be formally executed. To execute a valid will, a testator generally must comply with a formal process that requires a will to be written, signed by the testator, and attested by two witnesses. By contrast, wills may be informally revoked. The testator may revoke a will simply by destroying it. Although this inconsistency has largely been overlooked, this article argues that both the formal will-execution process and the informal will-revocation process are mechanisms by which the law of wills attempts to protect families.A formal will-execution process protects the decedent’s family members primarily by making it difficult for the decedent to disinherit them. If a decedent leaves no will, the decedent’s estate is distributed through the legislatively prescribed estate plan of intestacy, which results in the estate being distributed within the family. The formal will-execution process represents a roadblock to the exercise of testamentary freedom and makes it less likely that the decedent will opt out of intestacy. Similarly, an informal will-revocation process protects families by making it easy for the testator to revoke a will and therefore to opt back into intestacy. By pushing decedents toward intestacy, both the formality of will-execution and the informality of will-revocation serve a family protection function, and their roles in furthering this policy should not be ignored in the debates over reform to the will-execution and will-revocation processes.
Joint Dispatching Strategy of Distributed Generation and Electric Vehicle Based on Virtual Power Plant

This paper mainly studies the joint optimization scheduling method of distributed generation and electric vehicle based on virtual power plant. Considering the randomness of distributed generation output and the controllability of electric vehicle charging and discharging, this paper proposes to use virtual power plant to optimize the resource allocation of distributed generation and electric vehicle within the scope, making full use of the complementary advantages of different energy forms in space and time. Firstly, according to the real-time data of the external power grid connected to the control area of each virtual power plant, the grid dispatching department takes the voltage deviation rate and load curve variance as the optimization objectives, and sends the voltage operation range and the total power range of distributed generation and electric vehicle to each virtual power plant. Then, according to the instructions and data issued by the superior power grid, each virtual power plant takes the voltage deviation rate of each distributed generation node, the complementary ratio of distributed generation and electric vehicle and the income of electric vehicle users as the optimization objectives, and optimizes the selection of distributed generation output and electric vehicle charging and discharging time and quantity. The solution strategy adopts a dynamic real-time adjustment of double-layer rolling optimization algorithm. The algorithm can give the optimal operating voltage range, the total power range in the region, the optimal distributed generation output and electric vehicle charging in the control area of the virtual power plant Discharge time and quantity. Finally, the effectiveness of the joint scheduling model and control strategy is verified by simulation.
Calling Time Out in Doha: The Seiko Block Camera and Image Ethics:

In an effort to put more eyeballs on television sets, and in an attempt to reinvigorate a sport long beleaguered by doping scandals, recent questions surrounding female sponsorships, and a vanishin...
Impact of the Rural Physician Associate Program on Workforce Outcomes.

Background and objectives The Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) at the University of Minnesota Medical School (UMMS) is a 9-month rural longitudinal integrated clerkship (LIC) for third-year medical students built on a foundation of family medicine. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between participation in the RPAP program and the desired workforce outcomes of practice in Minnesota, primary care specialty (particularly family medicine), and rural practice. Methods We analyzed workforce outcomes for UMMS graduates who completed postgraduate training between 1975 and 2017, comparing RPAP participants (n=1,217) to noparticipants (n=7,928). We identified graduates through internal UMMS databases linked to the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Masterfile and the National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry. We identified workforce outcomes of rural practice, practice in Minnesota, primary care specialty, and family medicine specialty based on practice specialty and practice location data available through the AMA and NPI data sets. Results Proportionally, more RPAP graduates practice in state (65.7% vs 54.4%, Pl.01), in primary care (69.0% vs 33.4%, Pl.01), in family medicine (61.1% vs 17.3%, Pl.01), and rurally (41.2% vs 13.9%, Pl.01) than non-RPAP graduates. Conclusions We demonstrate a significant association between participation in RPAP and a career in family medicine, rural practice, and primary care, all outcomes that promote meeting urgent rural workforce needs.
Dietary Flaxseed in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Chemoradiation.

Purpose: The standard of care in Locally-Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (LA-NSCLC) is chemotherapy and radiation; however, Radiation-Induced Lung Injury (RILI), which may be prevented by the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Flaxseed (FS), impedes its maximum benefit. Materials and Methods: Patients with LA-NSCLC requiring definitive RT were randomized to one FS or control muffin daily from start to 2 weeks after RT. Blood and urine were collected to quantify plasma FS metabolites, Enterodione (ED) and Enterolactone (EL), and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers, 8, 12-iso-iPF2a-VI (isoprostane) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo). Tolerability was defined as consuming ≥ 75% of the intended muffins and no ≥ grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicities. Results: Fourteen patients (control,7; FS,7) were enrolled. The tolerability rates were 42.9 versus 71.4% (p=0.59) for FS and control, respectively. Mean percentages of intended number of muffins consumed were 37% versus 73% (p=0.12). ED and EL increased at onset of FS and decreased with discontinuation, confirming bioavailability. Isoprostane and 8-oxo-dGuo were detectable. There was a trend towards decreased rates of pneumonitis in FS. Conclusions: This is the first study to report FS bioavailability and quantify oxidative stress markers in NSCLC patients. FS in the administered muffin formulation did not meet tolerability criteria. Given the promising mechanism of FS as a radioprotectant, further investigations should focus on the optimal method for administration of FS.
Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie

This is a rendering of the author's childhood in rural Oklahoma, from the Dust Bowl days to the end of the Eisenhower era. Writer and journalist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz bears witness to a family and community which still clings to the dream America as a republic of landowners. Drawing deeply on the stories, often biblical parables, she heard in her early years, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz brings to life one of the least understood groups in US history: poor rural whites. They are the backbone of the national campaigns against abortion and for prayer in school. They are also soldiers of the militia movement and the members of a group who will come to trial this spring for the bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building. The book takes readers into the minds of these people, showing their sense of loss and their battered by still-clung-to faith. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz is the author of "Roots of Resistance: Land Tenure in New Mexico", "The Great Sioux Nation" and "Indians of the Americas".
Toward perpetual wireless networks: opportunistic large arrays with transmission thresholds and energy harvesting

Solving the key issue of sustainability of battery-powered sensors continues to attract significant research attention. The prevailing theme of this research is to address this concern using energy-efficient protocols based on a form of simple cooperative transmission (CT) called the opportunistic large arrays (OLAs), and intelligent exploitation of energy harvesting and hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs). The two key contributions of this research, namely, OLA with transmission threshold (OLA-T) and alternating OLA-T (A-OLA-T), offer an signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) advantage (i.e., benefits of diversity and array (power) gains) in a multi-path fading environment, thereby reducing transmit powers or extending range. Because these protocols do not address nodes individually, the network overhead remains constant for high density networks or nodes with mobility. During broadcasting across energy-constrained networks, while OLA-T saves energy by limiting node participation within a single broadcast, A-OLA-T optimizes over multiple broadcasts and drains the nodes in an equitable fashion. A major bottleneck for network sustainability is the ability of a rechargeable battery (RB) to store energy, which is limited by the number of charge-discharge cycles. Energy harvesting using a HESS that comprises a RB and a supercapacitor (SC) will minimize the RB usage, thereby preserving the charge-discharge cycles. Studying the HESS is important, rather than the SC-alone because while an SC with harvested energy may be sufficient for routine monitoring, if there is an alert, the RB could be used as necessary to support the heavier reporting requirements. Therefore, another key contribution of this research is the design and analysis of a novel routing metric called communications using HESS (CHESS), which extends the RB-life by relaying exclusively with SC energy.
Leisure and wellness: A North American perspective

Leisure and wellness have emerged as important social constructs of the 21st century. Both are often thought to be synonymous with human happiness, the good life or living life to its fullest. The magnitude of their importance worldwide has brought an increasing greater focus and attention to the similarities of these two concepts. The extent to which good health is realized is contingent on many factors. We can make choices that will promote health and well-being, prevent or delay the premature onset of many chronic illnesses, and improve our quality of life. Often these serious health threats originate in childhood or adolescence and continue through adulthood. This article explores the health issues of North American youth and older adults. Keywords : Leisure, wellness.
The First Lady Wore No Ornament

Due to her husband’s laconic character, Grace Coolidge was called upon to be an ambassador, supplying necessary charm, tact, and warmth to her husband’s presidency. Yet political and cultural conditions required her to maintain a traditionally feminine role. While she appeared in media images more often than any preceding First Lady, including, for the first time, motion pictures, she was never interviewed or quoted. Her appearance, especially her clothing, was therefore highly significant. Examining the many, conflicting demands made upon Mrs. Coolidge, the multiple messages that her clothing was meant to convey, and the varied audiences she had to accommodate, her immense sartorial skill becomes evident.