cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward A More Scalable End-User Scripting Language

End-user scripting languages are relatively easy to learn, but have limited expressive power. Tile-based scripting systems are particularly accessible to beginners, but usually are very limited in scope and usually lack extensibility, and for some tasks the tile idiom becomes cumbersome. Conventional programming languages used by computer professionals are far more powerful, but at the cost of additional complexity and limited environmental support, which place them out of the casual programmer's reach. This paper presents TileScript, an attempt to combine the accessibility of a tile-based programming interface with the leverage of a full textual programming language and with a simple means of extension, making it potentially an appealing tool for the novice programmer without sacrificing any expressiveness. All TileScript programs, whether built originally with tiles or textually, can always be edited both graphically via a drag-and-drop tile interface and textually, and the user can freely switch back and forth between tile and textual representations at any time. Additionally TileScript's simple yet powerful extensibility mechanisms allow the language to be used to tackle problems that would normally be out of the scope of an end-user scripting language.
An observability criterion for dynamic systems governed by Riccati differential equations

In this paper, we present an observability criterion for systems whose state is governed by a matrix Riccati differential equation and whose output is given by a affine transformation.
Product Family Design Knowledge Representation, Aggregation, Reuse, and Analysis

A flexible information model for systematic development and deployment of product families during all phases of the product realization process is crucial for product-oriented organizations. In current practice, information captured while designing products in a family is often incomplete, unstructured, and is mostly proprietary in nature, making it difficult to index, search, refine, reuse, distribute, browse, aggregate, and analyze knowledge across heterogeneous organizational information systems. To this end, we propose a flexible knowledge management framework to capture, reorganize, and convert both linguistic and parametric product family design information into a unified network, which is called a networked bill of material ~NBOM! using formal concept analysis ~FCA!; encode the NBOM as a cyclic, labeled graph using the Web Ontology Language ~OWL! that designers can use to explore, search, and aggregate design information across different phases of product design as well as across multiple products in a product family; and analyze the set of products in a product family based on both linguistic and parametric information. As part of the knowledge management framework, a PostgreSQL database schema has been formulated to serve as a central design repository of product design knowledge, capable of housing the instances of the NBOM. Ontologies encoding the NBOM are utilized as a metalayer in the database schema to connect the design artifacts as part of a graph structure. Representing product families by preconceived common ontologies shows promise in promoting component sharing, and assisting designers search, explore, and analyze linguistic and parametric product family design information. An example involving a family of seven one-time-use cameras with different functions that satisfy a variety of customer needs is presented to demonstrate the implementation of the proposed framework.
East Side/East End: Eastern European Jews in London and New York, 1870-1920

Acknowledgments Introduction Leaving Home Unwelcome and Unwanted In the Classroom Schooling as a Ladder Getting Ahead A Better Life: London or New York Essay on the Sources Index
Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Locally Produce Neutrophils Necessary To Resolve S. Aureus -Infected Wounds

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of chronic nosocomial skin and soft tissue infections that can spread to muscle, bone and connective tissue. During the normal inflammatory response to infection, a heterogeneous population of circulating and bone marrow (BM)-derived cells are recruited to the site of injury that collectively contributes to host defense and tissue repair. Included among these are polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), which serve a critical role as the first-line of defense in the innate immune response to S. aureus. Through detection and intervention of the number of PMN accessing the wound in a transgenic mouse model of S. aureus infected skin wounds, we discovered that a subset of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) that are lineage negative, Sca-1+ and c-kit+ (LSK cells) traffic to the site of infection, where they undergo local granulopoiesis and account for up to 30% of total PMN found within the abscess. Blocking trafficking of LSK revealed that local expansion into PMN is critical for clearance of bacteria and efficient wound closure. To determine if toll like receptor (TLR) signaling contributed to local granulopoiesis, we compared the capacity of multi-potent LSK cells from WT, TLR2-deficient or MyD88-deficient mice transferred into wounds functioned in a similar manner to those trafficking into WT wounds in terms of PMN expansion and resolution of infection. LSK isolated and adoptively transferred from BM of WT mice into WT, TLR2-deficient or MyD88-deficient mice produced equivalent numbers of PMN and contributed to wound resolution. In contrast, LSK derived from TLR2- or MyD88-deficient mice that were transferred into WT wounds produced few PMN, indicating that TLR2 and MyD88 are both necessary for local granulopoiesis in response to S. aureus infection. The signaling pathway involved downstream production of PGE2 that acts in an autocrine manner to signal LSK cell expansion and myeloid proliferation. Local administration of PGE2 to infected wounds of TLR2- or MyD88-deficient mice restored PMN production and rescued resolution of infection in knockout mice. These findings shed light on a novel innate immune mechanism by which stem and progenitor cells traffic to S. aureus-infected wounds and produce PMN following direct stimulation in a manner dependent on TLR2/MyD88 signaling. Current studies are focused on the process of local granulopoiesis in terms of: The local granulopoietic niche and comparing it with myeloid proliferation in BM; The antibacterial capacity of PMN locally produced versus systemically recruited to the wound; Identification of molecular pathways parallel or downstream of PGE2 that are critical for on demand production of PMN within infection. An overall goal is to strategically manipulate the process of on demand production of PMN to more efficiently battle chronic and persistent infections as may occur in immune compromised patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Facial Features

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgeries performed in the USA has increased twelve-fold in the past two decades. The effects of rapid weight loss on facial features has not been previously studied. We hypothesized that bariatric surgery will mimic the effects of aging thus giving the patient an older and less attractive appearance. METHODS: Consecutive patients were enrolled from the bariatric surgical clinic at our institution. Pre and post weight loss photographs were taken and used to generate two surveys. The surveys were distributed through social media to assess the difference between the preoperative and postoperative facial photos, in terms of patients' perceived age and overall attractiveness. 102 respondents completed the first survey and 95 respondents completed the second survey. RESULTS: Of the 14 patients, five showed statistically significant change in perceived age (three more likely to be perceived older and two less likely to be perceived older). The patients were assessed to be more attractive postoperatively, which showed statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss does affect facial aesthetics. Mild weight loss is perceived by survey respondents to give the appearance of a younger but less attractive patient, while substantial weight loss is perceived to give the appearance of an older but more attractive patient.
NMDA Receptor Function During Senescence: Implication on Cognitive Performance

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, a family of L-glutamate receptors, play an important role in learning and memory, and are critical for spatial memory. These receptors are tetrameric ion channels composed of a family of related subunits. One of the hallmarks of the aging human population is a decline in cognitive function; studies in the past couple of years have demonstrated deterioration in NMDA receptor subunit expression and function with advancing age. However, a direct relationship between impaired memory function and a decline in NMDA receptors is still ambiguous. Recent studies indicate a link between an age-associated NMDA receptor hypofunction and memory impairment and provide evidence that age-associated enhanced oxidative stress might be contributing to the alterations associated with senescence. However, clear evidence is still deficient in demonstrating the underlying mechanisms and a relationship between age-associated impaired cognitive faculties and NMDA receptor hypofunction. The current review intends to present an overview of the research findings regarding changes in expression of various NMDA receptor subunits and deficits in NMDA receptor function during senescence and its implication in age-associated impaired hippocampal-dependent memory function.
Biomass Feedstock Variability and its Effect on Biocrude Oil Properties

These studies employed similar varieties of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) grown at three different locations and three hybrid poplar clones grown at one location. The feedstocks were pyrolyzed in a fluidized bed reactor at 500 °C. The gas products of pyrolysis were analyzed on-line, and the liquid products were analyzed for elemental composition and higher heating values.
Quantifying Current Events Identifies a Novel Endurance Regulator

In nongrowing microbes, proteome turnover is reduced and identification of newly synthesized, low-abundance proteins is challenging. Babin and colleagues recently utilized bio-orthogonal noncanonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) to identify actively synthesized proteins in nongrowing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, discovering a regulator whose influences range from biofilm formation to secondary metabolism.
An Adaptive Random Pore Model for Multimodal Pore Structure Evolution with Application to Char Gasification

An extension of the random pore model has been developed that allows different pore sizes to grow at different rates, depending on the instantaneous pore-scale reactant penetration at a given location within a reacting porous particle. This is accomplished by incorporating pore-scale effectiveness factors, consistent with the random pore geometry, into equations for the growth of each individual pore size. This framework allows the evolution of the char structure with local conversion to adapt to changes in boundary conditions (reactants, temperature) and the development of intraparticle gradients, rather than being predetermined by the initial pore structure (i.e., by the value of the random pore model structural parameter, ψ). This framework also facilitates the calculation of intrinsic kinetic parameters from experimental measurements by providing an estimation of the fraction of the total surface area participating in a given reaction. Without using any fitting parameters, the model has been found to ...
Book Review: Principles & Practice of Lung Cancer, 4th edition. Harvey I Pass MD, David P Carbone MD PhD, David H Johnson MD, John D Minna MD, Giorgio V Scagliotti MD, and Andrew T Turrisi III MD, editors. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. 2010. Hard cover, 1,040 pages, $199.

The last few years have been an exciting time in the field of lung cancer. The International Staging System for lung cancer was revised in 2009. Advances in bronchoscopic technology, including endobronchial ultrasound and navigation bronchoscopy, have greatly facilitated the diagnosis and staging of
Surgical management of patients with combined glaucoma and corneal transplant surgery.

The reasons for having combined glaucoma and corneal transplant surgery are myriad. Patients with corneal transplants have a high frequency of developing secondary glaucoma. Patients with preexisting glaucoma have even higher risk for developing glaucoma refractory to medical management after penetr
A New Subgenus and Two New Species of Amyrsidea (Mallophaga: Menoponidae)

Five subgenera are recognized for the genus Amyrsidea Ewing from the Galliformes: Amyrsidea from the Phasianidae, Cracimenopon Carriker from the Cracidae, Desumcnopon Carriker from Odontophonts of the Phasianidae, Argimenopon Eichler from 4 families, and the new subgenus Numidimenopon from the Numididae. Two new species are described: A. (N.) vulturini from Acryllium vulturinum and A. (N.) plumiferae from Guttera plumifera plumifera . A key is given to the 5 subgenera and keys, descriptions, and illustrations for the species within the subgenera Amyrsidea and Numidimenopon .
Measurement of surface temperature distribution in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

The temperature distribution has close relation with current density distribution and lifetime of the fuel cell. In this paper, the measurement of cathode exterior surface temperature fields of a special-designed proton exchange membrane fuel cell under various operational conditions was conducted by using the technology of infrared thermal imaging. The NEC TH 5102 thermo tracer was applied to measure the cathode exterior surface temperature distribution of the cell with 5 cm2 active area. The experimental results show that the infrared thermal imaging is an effective method to measure the exterior temperature fields of the PEMFC. The cathode temperature distribution of the cell varied with cell temperatures and O2 flow rates.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst After Urinary Diversion

The development of an abdominal mass after urinary diversion in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt should alert the physician to the possibility of a cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. Two pediatric cases of cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts are presented to illustrate this complication. The etiology, diagnosis and management of the pseudocyst are discussed and the literature is reviewed.
It All Blurs Together: How the Effects of Habituation Generalize Across System Notifications and Security Warnings

Habituation to security warnings—the diminished response to a warning with repeated exposures—is a well-recognized problem in information security. However, the scope of this problem may actually be much greater than previously thought because of the neurobiological phenomenon of generalization. Whereas habituation describes a diminished response with repetitions of the same stimulus, generalization occurs when habituation to one stimulus carries over to other novel stimuli that are similar in appearance. Because software user interface guidelines call for visual consistency, many notifications and warnings share a similar appearance. Unfortunately, generalization suggests that users may already be deeply habituated to a warning they have never seen before because of exposure to other notifications. In this work-in-progress study, we propose an eye tracking and fMRI experiment to examine how habituation to frequent software notifications generalizes to infrequent security warnings, and how security warnings can be designed to resist the effects of generalization.
CD26 Inhibition on CD34+ or Lineage− Human Umbilical Cord Blood Donor HSC/HPC Improves Long-Term Engraftment into NOD/SCID/Beta2null Immunodeficient Mice.

Abstract Given the tremendous need for and potential of umbilical cord blood to be utilized as a donor source for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults, there is a strong push to overcome the constraints created by the limited volumes and subsequent limited hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell numbers available for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a single collection. We have previously described the use of CD26 inhibitor treatment of donor cells as a method to increase the transplant efficiency of mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into a mouse recipient (Christopherson, KW 2nd, et al, Science 2004. 305:1000–1003). We therefore hypothesized that inhibition of CD26 on human donor cord blood prior to transplant would result in an increase in long-term engraftment potential. To test this hypothesis, we isolated CD34 enriched (CD34+) or lineage depleted (lin−) pooled cord blood cells, evaluated their level of CD26 expression and activity, and then tested their ability to engraft into the NOD/SCID/B2mnull immunodeficient mouse model of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with or without prior CD26 inhibitor treatment. We observed that long-term engraftment into the recipient mouse bone marrow at twelve weeks post sub-lethal irradiation (350cGy), followed by transplantation of 1x105 pooled donor cells was 13.4±2.0% and 55.5±4.0% CD45+ human cells in the untreated, and CD26 inhibitor (Diprotin A) treated CD34+ donor cells respectively. We also observed engraftment levels in the mouse recipient bone marrow of 6.2±0.7% and 47.0±2.8% CD45+ human cells for untreated and CD26 inhibitor treated lin− cells respectively. These measurements represent approximately a 4-fold and 7.5-fold improvement in the engraftment of long-term repopulating cells resulting from CD26 inhibitor treatment of either CD34+ or lin− donor cells respectively. These pre-clinical results establish a basis on which to propose the use of CD26 inhibitor treatment of donor cord blood units prior to transplantation for the purpose of improving transplant efficiency and subsequently patient outcome.
Computerized Tomography-Guided Paracentesis: An Effective Alternative to Bedside Paracentesis?

Background: Ascites remains the most common cause of hospitalization among patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Paracentesis is a relatively safe procedure with low complication rates. Computerized tomography (CT)-guided therapeutic paracentesis could be a safe and effective alternative to unaided or aided (ultrasonogram-guided) bedside paracentesis. In this retrospective study, we aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of CT-guided paracentesis with bedside paracentesis. Methods: The period of study was from 2002 to 2012. All patients with cirrhosis who underwent therapeutic paracentesis were included in the study. These patients were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of patients who underwent CT-guided pigtail catheter insertion with ascitic fluid drainage. Group II consisted of patients who underwent beside therapeutic paracentesis after localization of fluid either by physical examination or sonographic localization. We measured the efficacy of CT-guided paracentesis and bedside paracentesis in terms of volume of fluid removed, length of stay, discharge doses of diuretics (spironolactone and furosemide) and number of days to readmission for symptomatic ascites. We also computed the cost-effectiveness of CT-guided therapeutic paracentesis when compared to a bedside procedure. Fischer exact test was used to analyze the distribution of categorical data and unpaired t -test was used for comparison of means. Results: There were a total of 546 unique patients with diagnosed cirrhosis who were admitted to the hospital with symptomatic ascites and underwent therapeutic paracentesis. Two hundred and forty-seven patients underwent CT-guided paracentesis, while 272 patients underwent bedside paracentesis. There was significant inverse correlation between the amount of ascitic fluid removed and total length of stay in the hospital. We found that the volume of fluid removed via a CT-guided pigtail insertion and drainage (2.72 ± 2.02 L) is significantly higher when compared to fluid removed via bedside paracentesis (1.94 ± 1.69). We also found that the interval time period between two successive therapeutic paracenteses was significantly longer for CT group (106.56 ± 75.2 days) when compared to the bedside group (25.57 ± 7.68 days). Conclusion: CT-guided paracentesis with pigtail catheter insertion and drainage is a clinically effective, cheap and safe alternative to conventional bedside paracentesis. J Clin Med Res. 2017;9(2):92-97 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2832w
In Utero Irradiation as a Model of Cortical Dysplasia

Abstract In utero irradiation in rats is an animal model of human focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Mechanistically it is an injury-based model of FCD and histologically it most closely resembles human FCD Type Ib according to current ILAE classifications. Pregnant female rats are exposed to 225 cGy external radiation on the 17th day of gestation (E17). The offsprings are delivered, nursed, and weaned normally. When studied as mature animals, the irradiated offsprings demonstrate microcephaly, diffuse CD, subcortical and periventricular heterotopia, heterotopic neurons in the hippocampus and agenesis or hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. Irradiated rats show increased susceptibility to seizures and some rats show spontaneous, recurrent seizures. Irradiated rats show a number of defects in learning and memory, some of which correlate with impaired long-term plasticity in the hippocampi of these animals. Irradiated rats show a significant loss of GABAergic interneurons in the affected neocortex. This results in reduced inhibition in neocortical pyramidal neurons. The surviving interneurons also show physiological impairment in the form of reduced excitatory drive and relative quiescence when spontaneous firing rates are examined. This model demonstrates that a single, nonlethal injury at a specific time point in cortical development can produce severe impairment in the inhibitory systems of the neocortex that persist into adulthood. This may have direct relevance for human disorders of cortical development that include some forms of human FCD and epilepsy.
Investigating extracellular electron transfer of Rikenella microfusus: a recurring bacterium in mixed-species biofilms

The optimization of bioelectrochemical systems operating with microorganisms requires a deep understanding of the extracellular electron transfer (EET) processes, however, EET studies have been reported for few bacterial species. Herein, the bioelectrocatalytic properties of Rikenella microfusus, an anaerobic bacterium commonly found in electrode-colonizing biofilms, have been investigated for the first time.
Immigrant-Conscious Congregations: Race, Ethnicity, and the Rejection of Anti-Immigrant Frames

Using data collected between 2004 and 2008 from the National Politics Studies, this study explores the impact of race on the likelihood of attending worship settings that provide supportive services for and preach sermons about immigrants. It also considers the degree to which attending such worship settings associate with the perceptions that Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics hold of immigrants. We find that while Hispanics are more likely than Whites and Blacks to attend such “immigrant-conscious” congregations, attending such congregations more strongly correlates with Whites rejecting anti-immigrant frames and accepting positive frames than is the case for Blacks and Hispanics.
Early Season Application of a Baculovirus for Area-Wide Management of Heliothis/Helicoverpa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): 1992 Field Trial

A 9.6-km diam area in the intensive cotton-growing region of the Mississippi Delta was treated with an entomopathogenic virus to determine the effect on populations of adult tobacco budworms, Heliothis virescens (F.), and bollworms, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), emerging from early season weed hosts. Four aircraft were used to treat ≈ 7,106 ha during 24–28 April at a rate of 100 larval equivalents per ha. Emergence data from cages placed over treated and untreated areas indicated that virus treatments reduced tobacco budworm emergence by 80.6% and bollworm emergence by 46.2%. During the emergence period, tobacco budworm traps in the area surrounding the treated area averaged 11.4 moths per trap per night. Average trap capture per trap per night in the center (6.4 km diam) of the treated area was 6.4 moths, a reduction of 43.9% compared with the untreated area. Correspondingly, reduction in trap counts for bollworm in the center was 21% when compared with the untreated area.
Evaluation of haematological and volume, conductivity and scatter parameters of leucocytes for aetiological diagnosis of undifferentiated fevers.

Background In this follow-up study, we aimed to establish the cut-off values of the volume, conductivity and scatter (VCS) parameters of leucocytes that significantly differ in dengue fever, malaria, scrub typhus and enteric fever, as described in our pilot study. Methods A prospective observational case-control study was undertaken on patients with an established diagnosis of acute malaria (n=476), dengue fever (n=927), scrub typhus (n=425), bacterial sepsis (n=1598) or enteric fever (n=885) and the haematological and VCS data obtained by the Coulter LH 750 analyser were compared with controls. Results Malaria significantly altered the platelet count and plateletcrit. The cut-offs for the monocyte volume, lymphocyte volume, neutrophil volume, neutrophil volume distribution width, lymphocyte volume distribution width, monocyte volume distribution width and neutrophil conductivity distribution width had 90% negative predictive values (NPVs) for malaria. Except for the proportion of monocytes, lymphocyte scatter distribution width and platelet distribution width, a >70% positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for dengue was noted in all the haematological and VCS parameters analysed. While the cut-offs determined in scrub typhus had a good (>80%) PPV and NPV, a significant difference was seen in neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte conductivities, but with low sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in enteric fever. Conclusions Aetiology-specific changes occur both in numbers as well as in VCS properties in acute fevers. Formulae and/or algorithms need to be utilized to realize the full potential of the VCS technology.
The role of the gastrointestinal assistant.

Successful gastrointestinal endoscopy requires a well-integrated team of physicians and assistants. A clear definition of each team member’s role helps optimize patient care. The gastrointestinal assistant’s role in patient care, technical assistance, room preparation, and equipment maintenance is discussed in detail in this article.
A new hierarchical structure of star graphs and applications

A star graph Sn [1], of order n, is defined to be a symmetric graph G=(V, E) where V is the set of n! vertices, each representing a distinct permutation of n elements and E is the set of symmetric edges such that two permutations (nodes) are connected by an edge iff one can be reached from the other by interchanging its first symbol with any other symbol. The star graph Sn is a (n−1)-regular graph with n! nodes and n!(n−1)/2 edges. Recursive hierarchical structure is one of the most attractive and well known properties of star graphs. A dimension n star graph can be divided into n substars of dimension n−1 by grouping the nodes with the same symbol at the ith position together, 2≤i≤n [see Figure 1]. In this paper, we propose a new recursive hierarchical structure of star graphs. The objective is to redesign shortest routing in star graphs in the light of this new structure and design new efficient algorithms for shortest path multicast algorithms [2] adaptibe to bandwidth and latency requirements.
Effect of Crosslinking on the Thermal Conductivity of cis-1,4 Polybutadiene

The thermal conductivity κ of the polymer cis-1,4 polybutadiene (PB) had been shown [1] to increase by a factor 4 when the distance between crosslinks became as small as 50 chemical repeat units (RU). This phenomenon was not explained by the authors. Subsequent measurements on other polymers have shown similar types of behaviour [2,3] and suggest that the change in κ is due to the presence of crystallites. Although the authors of Ref. 1 had thought that cis-1,4 polybutadiene with a cis content of ≳ 98% would not crystallize, we have investigated this possibility as a cause for the anomalous behavior.
Paradigm Warriors: Regress and Progress in the Study of Contentious Politics

Paradigm warfare is a well-worn way of engaging in the polemics of research, but it frequently reduces paradigms to caricatures and turns complex reports of empirical research into cartoons. This is illustrated by two one-sided accounts of the Chiapas rebellion: one based on a simplistic “political opportunity” cartoon and the other on a foreshortened “culturalist” one. Reducing the many-sided (and in some ways ambiguous) approaches of the “political process” model to a supposedly hegemonic paradigm neglects many substantive contributions and cuts with too broad a stroke at “social movements” while ignoring the many-branched contributions of research and theory on contentious politics.
An Advanced Understanding of Uterine Microbial Ecology Associated with Metritis in Dairy Cows

Metritis, the inflammation of the uterus caused by polymicrobial infections, is a prevalent and costly disease to the dairy industry as it decreases milk yield, survival, and the welfare of dairy cows. Although affected cows are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics such as ceftiofur, endometrial and ovarian function are not fully recovered, which results in subfertility and infertility. According to culture-dependent studies, uterine pathogens include Escherichia coli, Trueperella pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Prevotella melaninogenica. Recent studies using high-throughput sequencing observed very low relative abundance of Escherichia coli, Trueperella pyogenes, and Prevotella melaninogenica in cows with metritis. Herein, we propose that metritis is associated with a dysbiosis of the uterine microbiota, which is characterized by high abundance of Bacteroides, Porphyromonas, and Fusobacterium.
Geologic TimeOpen image in new window

So now we have a history of the Earth as a sequence of events. It is analogous to describing western history as Egyptian empire, Trojan War, Greece, Roman Empire, Charlemagne, Reformation, American Revolution, French revolution, World War I, and World War II, but not knowing the dates or number of years associated with these events.
Novel and Convenient Synthesis of Aroyl-, Heteroaroyl-, Alkenoyl-, and Alkynoylsilanes

A new and convenient two-step route to aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkenyl-, and alkynylacylsilanes is described. The corresponding aldehyde−benzotriazole−ethanol condensation products are treated with butyllithium and then reacted with trialkylsilyl chlorides to yield the substituted intermediates. Subsequent in-situ mild hydrolysis affords the title compounds in good to excellent yields.
Fatherhood in Transition: The Impact of Involved Fathering on Women's Careers

Over the past few decades, work-family researcher have illuminated our understanding of women’s experiences with engaging in work and domestic domains, and managing their career versus family ident...
Risk Analysis (Part 1 of 3): Basic Fundamentals

This chapter presents risk assessment and the broader concept of risk analysis. This chapter will introduce the foundational concepts as well as general applications, review key issues such as hazard identification, risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. In addition, the information used to conduct the assessments such as data analytics (“Big Data”) as it relates to decision-making and the role in food fraud prevention.
Detection of Scatterers Inside Metal Containers via VLF Signals of Opportunity

Radio frequencies at or below the VLF range (3-30 kHz) are uniquely capable of penetrating highly conductive materials. This can be exploited to detect objects hidden within metal containers. In this paper, we present observations of VLF scattering in such a situation, using VLF transmitters as signals of opportunity. Scattering is detected in the near field from an object inside an aluminum enclosure, and a gradiometric method is presented to differentiate the scattered signal from the plane wave that is incident onto the system.
Thermal-Induced Fatigue of Overhead Truss Structures

AbstractDynamic messaging signs (DMS) are found in operation over freeways, expressways, and other major intersections and provide information to travelers. If the DMS structure fails, then pedestr...
Modeling the effects of drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation and annular blockage on cuttings transport in deviated wells

Abstract Transportation of drilled cuttings from the bit to the surface is one of the primary functions of a drilling fluid. This transport is facilitated primarily by pump rate and the rheology and density of the drilling fluid, which all contribute to cuttings lift. There are, however, other important factors that have a significant effect on cuttings transport, as shown by a large amount of academic and industry research. These include rotation and the eccentricity of the drillstring. These two parameters are interrelated when it comes to hole cleaning: the effect of pipe rotation on cuttings evacuation changes with varying eccentricity. This adds a level of complexity to the hole cleaning challenge, both from a modeling perspective as well as the practical management of cuttings evacuation from wells in the field. A novel cuttings transport model that includes essential effects such as pipe rotation, eccentricity and annulus blockage is presented in this study. Velocity profiles for the well annulus subdivided into small grids are calculated for any given fluid, which can be a Newtonian or a non-Newtonian fluid such as described by the Bingham Plastic, Power Law or Yield Power Law rheological models. These local velocities are compared against the concept of the critical velocity for cuttings transport. Then, the locations of the settled cuttings and the magnitude of annular blockage are calculated numerically. Continuity and momentum equations are solved for the blocked annulus to estimate the new local velocities. By doing so, a realistic representation of a wellbore's pressure and velocity profiles is obtained. The work aims to make hole cleaning modeling more comprehensive and representative in order to prevent hole cleaning-related non-productive time (NPT) or invisible lost time (ILT) events in the field. These include stuck pipe and lost circulation events, low rates of penetration, high torque and drag, failure to land the casing at the desired depth, and poor cement jobs leading in turn to poor zonal isolation.
Interactions Between 2D Halide Perovskite Materials and Methylamine Vapor

The structural tunability of halide perovskites offers exciting potential for their use as photovoltaic materials and as semiconductors in diverse applications. We investigate 2-dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper phase halide perovskite structural stability by the intercalation-deintercalation of methylamine gas. By manipulating the organic spacer, we investigate the relative binding strength in comparison to methylamine. We find that in some 2D perovskite systems, deintercalation of the methylamine gas is incomplete and appears to result in the formation of some CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 ; however, materials featuring other organic spacers show the initial formation of A 2 (CH 3 NH 3 ) n-1 Pb n I 3n+1 materials with n = 2 with subsequent reversible intercalation-deintercalation of methylamine, indicating stronger binding with the lead halide octahedral sheets.
Soil balancing within organic farming: negotiating meanings and boundaries in an alternative agricultural community of practice

Soil balancing is widely used in organic farming, but little is known about the practice because technical knowledge and goals for the practice are produced and negotiated within an alternative community of practice (CoP). We used a review of the private soil balancing literature and semi-structured interviews with farmers and consultants to document the knowledge, shared meanings, and goals of key actors within the soil balancing CoP. Our findings suggest this CoP is dominated by discourse between private consultants and farmers, with few contributions to or from scientists or the peer reviewed literature. The idea of soil balancing is centered around improving soil quality through adjustments in Base Cation Saturation Ratios (BCSR), and practitioners report a wide range of positive agronomic outcomes. For most soil balancers, however, BCSR is only one part of a broader approach to soil health management that also utilizes traditional soil fertility recommendations and soil health-building cultural management practices. Meanwhile, a survey of land grant university soil fertility specialists and the peer-reviewed literature documented a high degree of skepticism and a lack of scientific evidence that BCSR can boost crop yields. We conclude that this scientific discourse reflects a disconnect from the practices and meanings used in the soil balancing CoP. While tensions between the dominant and niche agricultural knowledge systems are not unique, we believe a better appreciation for the nuanced meanings and goals within the soil balancing CoP present an opening for expanded collaborations with scientists doing research on soil health.
Effects of increasing PV deployment on US Regional Transmission Organizations

Installed photovoltaic capacity has been rapidly increasing as the price of solar modules has continued to fall. When photovoltaic (PV) generation approaches the mid-day electric load demand, actions must be taken to balance the supply and demand. The challenge of matching the generation and demand is expected to vary with location. The goal of this project is to estimate the amount of PV that Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO) in the United States can afford to have on its grid before solar curtailment, storage, or load shifting will become important at mid-day to maintain balance of supply and demand. This paper uses historical renewable generation and load data for each RTO to assess imbalance between electricity supply and demand as solar generation increases. Imbalance was estimated as a function of solar penetration. Two scenarios were used to model the imbalance: 1) when the net load is calculated to be negative (PV generation exceeds the demand); and 2) when net load is less than a minimum generation limit value, e.g., determined by policy for baseload generation from conventional sources. The impact of increasing solar generation on real-time pricing is studied for the case of California, which presently has the highest solar penetration of the U.S. RTOs. This paper thus provides data-based projections for U.S. RTOs on the degree to which storage, load shifting, or trading on energy imbalance markets will need to be adopted to avoid severe curtailment of solar PV electricity generation.
A DATABASE FOR CRASH AVOIDANCE RESEARCH

Description d'une base de donnees pour l'etude sur la prevention des accidents de circulation, a partir des donnees contenues dans les rapports de police concernant les accidents
Winds from Hot Stars

Stellar winds from hot stars (i.e., spectral types O, B, and WR) have been known and studied for about 20 years now. An excellent, succinct summary of both theory and observations was given recently by Abbott [1]. (This was one of Abbott’s last active contributions before giving up astrophysical research, a decision which, given his many contributions to our understanding of hot stars, was most unfortunate for science.) More extensive discussions of both theory and observations are contained in the monograph edited by Conti and Underbill [2], and there have been numerous additional reviews of theory [3–8] or observations [9–11]. In nearly all of these the emphasis has been on steady-state models and time-averaged spectra. The general overview of Kudritzki in this volume emphasizes the now quite impressive sophistication of such models and their quantitative agreement with observations. Given this already rich collection of reviews, I will not attempt here to give any kind of exhaustive list of the Uterature. The next section gives my own general overview of the subject, but the bulk of the remaining discussion will concentrate on examining the physical driving mechanism — line-scattering in the wind of the star’s continuum radiation field — and what it implies for both the basic wind properties (e.g., mass loss rate, M and terminal flow speed, υ∞) (Sect. 3), as well as for the wind structure (e.g., variability, dumpiness, embedded shocks, etc.) (Sect. 4). The emphasis on structure and variability admittedly reflects a personal bias, but it is also intended to complement the above-mentioned emphasis on steady-state properties in previous reviews. In particular, one goal will be to place in some perspective the successes of the steady-state approach.
Dopamine, cognitive control, and schizophrenia: the gating model.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a theory of cognitive control that is formalized as a connectionist computational model. The theory suggests explicit neural and psychological mechanisms that contribute to the normal cognitive control, and proposes a specific disturbance to these mechanisms, which may capture the particular impairments in cognitive control in schizophrenia. The chapter presents the cognitive control results from interactions between the dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter system and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The chapter presents the information that is actively maintained in PFC, and thus serves as a source of top-down support for controlling behavior. The chapter explains that the DA projection to PFC serves a gating function, by regulating access of context representations into active memory. As such, DA plays an important control function, by enabling flexible updating of active memory in PFC, while retaining protection against interference. Moreover, in schizophrenia, the activity of the DA system is noisier, and that this increased variability leads to disturbances in both the updating and maintenance of context information within working memory.
Transcription factor LKLF is sufficient to program T cell quiescence via a c-Myc–dependent pathway

T lymphocytes circulate in a quiescent state until they encounter cognate antigen bound to the surface of an antigen-presenting cell. The molecular pathways that regulate T cell quiescence remain largely unknown. Here we show that forced expression of the lung Kruppel-like transcription factor (LKLF) in Jurkat T cells is sufficient to program a quiescent phenotype characterized by decreased proliferation, reduced cell size and protein synthesis and decreased surface expression of activation markers. Conversely, LKLF-deficient peripheral T cells produced by gene targeting showed increased proliferation, increased cell size and enhanced expression of surface activation markers in vivo. LKLF appeared to function, at least in part, by decreasing expression of the proto-oncogene encoding c-Myc. Forced expression of LKLF was associated with markedly decreased c-Myc expression. In addition, many effects of LKLF expression were mimicked by expression of the dominant-negative MadMyc protein and rescued by overexpression of c-Myc. Thus, LKLF is both necessary and sufficient to program quiescence in T cells and functions, in part, by negatively regulating a c-Myc--dependent pathway.
Rapid and Transient Activation of a Myelin Basic Protein Kinase in Tobacco Leaves Treated with Harpin from Erwinia amylovora.

Harpins are bacterial protein elicitors that induce hypersensitive response-like necrosis when infiltrated into nonhost plants such as tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) (Z.-M. Wei, R.J. Laby, C.H. Zumoff, D.W. Bauer, S.Y. He, A. Collmer, S.V. Beer [1992] Science 257: 85–88). Activity of a 49-kD Mg2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent kinase in tobacco leaves increased 50-fold 15 min after infiltration of harpin from Erwinia amylovora (harpinEa). Much less pronounced and more transient activation was detected in water-infiltrated leaves. Biochemical characteristics of the harpinEa-activated protein kinase (HAPK) activity are consistent with those of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family. HAPK is cytosolic and phosphorylates myelin basic protein on serine/threonine residues. Treatment with a protein tyrosine phosphatase completely eliminated HAPK activity, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation is required for posttranslational activation. Sustained HAPK activation after cycloheximide treatment implies that HAPK may be negatively regulated by a translation-dependent mechanism. The extracellular Ca2+ chelator EGTA or the protein kinase inhibitor K252a, infiltrated in planta together with harpinEa, partially blocked HAPK activation. The Ca2+-channel blocker La3+ had no effect on HAPK activation, suggesting that phosphorylation events precede and/or do not depend on the entry of extracellular Ca2+ into the cell. These results suggest that early signal transduction events during harpinEa- induced hypersensitive response elicitation depend in part on the activation of HAPK.
Volatility and the Phanerozoic decline of background extinction intensity

The well-known decline of global background extinction intensity was caused by the sorting of higher taxonomic groups. Two factors were responsible. First, probabilities of familial origination and extinction in these groups (taxonomic orders) were highly correlated. Groups whose families had high probabilities of origination and extinction tended to have highly volatile diversity paths and, consequently, short life spans. Second, orders with high probabilities of familial origi- nation and extinction were rarely replaced by new high-turnover orders. Thus, because high- turnover orders tended to become extinct without replacement, the global background extinction intensity declined. Since familial origination and extinction probabilities are correlated, global background origination intensity inevitably declined as well. As a consequence of these processes, virtually all groups of organisms now living have low probabilities of familial origination and extinction. Simulations of branching evolution were used to obtain the expected relationships among prob- abilities (of origination and extinction), volatilities, and longevities for the entire range of possible probabilities, and these relationships were compared to those obtained from the empirical record. In the simulations, only the probabilities of origination and extinction were specified, so volatilities and clade longevities were determined entirely by the probabilities. The similarity between results obtained by simulation and those obtained by analysis of the empirical record further supports the inference that the observed decline of background extinction (and origination) intensity can be explained largely by the loss of high-probability groups to induced volatility.