cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Subspine Decompression on Rectus Femoris Integrity and Iliopsoas Excursion: A Cadaveric Study

Purpose To determine the relative influence of anteroinferior iliac spine (AIIS) or subspine decompression on proximal rectus femoris integrity and iliopsoas excursion throughout a physiological range of motion. Methods Nineteen cadaveric hips from 10 specimens were dissected to retain the origin of the rectus femoris direct and indirect heads. The anatomic footprints of the origins were measured with calipers. Serial 5-mm resections of the AIIS were made to determine the extent of proximal tendon disruption that corresponded to each resection. Iliopsoas tendon tracking was also assessed after sequential AIIS decompression by measuring the excursion of the medial border of the iliopsoas tendon as it traveled from its native resting position to the point where it first encountered bony impingement at the AIIS. Results The mean proximal-distal footprint of the rectus femoris direct head was 17.95 ± 2.99 mm. The mean medial-lateral distance was 11.84 ± 2.34 mm. There was a consistent bare area along the inferior aspect of the AIIS that averaged 4.84 ± 1.42 mm. The average percentage of remaining footprint after each 5-mm resection (5 to 25 mm) was 96%, 65%, 35%, 14%, and 11%, respectively, with statistical significance noted after resections larger than 5 mm ( P P Conclusions Our study maps the anatomic footprint of the direct head of the rectus femoris tendon and confirms a previously identified bare area along the inferior aspect of the AIIS. Female cadaveric hips had a significantly smaller rectus footprint than male cadavers in our study ( P Clinical Relevance Arthroscopic subspine decompression serves as an important treatment modality for AIIS impingement. With a more thorough understanding of AIIS anatomy, subspine decompression can be used to relieve impingement symptoms and possibly improve iliopsoas tracking while safely maintaining rectus femoris footprint integrity.
Holes, objects, and the left hemisphere

The human visual system is remarkably efficient at extracting useful information, especially in detecting objects in our environment. Many models have been developed over the years to account for this amazing ability, most following the sensible hierarchy of detecting features first and then integrating them to build objects (1, 2). A notable exception to this general scheme is the theory of topological perception proposed by Lin Chen (3). During the last 25 years, Lin Chen and colleagues have argued for the importance of extracting global topological properties as primitives in object perception (4). The emphasis on global properties in perception is not new [e.g., Gestalt theory of perception (5)], but the topological perception theory specifically defines the global properties as topological invariants. In addition, this theory states that the primitives of visual form perception are geometric invariants at different levels of structural stability under transformations. Thus, a more stable property would be more primitive and more important to extract early in the process. Topological properties are the most stable in relation to other geometrical properties such as projective, affine, and Euclidean properties. In a recent issue of PNAS, Lin Chen and colleagues (6) reported the intriguing discovery that the human visual system's sensitivity to topological properties is superior in the left hemisphere, at least for right-handers (Fig. 1).
An Online Community for Students Who Love STEM

Before 2006, advanced precollege students from around the world were in need of a place where they could engage in scientific and mathematical conversations and showcase their achievements. They found that place at Cogito, [www.cogito.org][1], the online community and Web site launched in 2006 by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) for high-achieving middle and high school students who love science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Through Cogito, students have direct contact with their peers and with practicing scientists and mathematicians to enrich their learning beyond classroom walls. [1]: http://www.cogito.org
Glucose Oxidase Catalyzed Self‐Assembly of Bioelectroactive Gold Nanostructures

Abstract : Glucose oxidase catalyzes the formation of metallic gold particles in immediate proximity of the protein from gold (III) chloride in the absence of any other catalytic or reductive substrates. The protein-mediated gold reduction reaction leads to size-controllable gold particle formation and concomitant association of the enzyme in an electrically conductive metallic template. Such an enzyme immobilization strategy provides a simple and rapid method to create an intimate interface between glucose oxidase and a conductive matrix, which can be joined to an electrode surface. Model electrodes were prepared by entraining the glucose oxidase/gold particles onto carbon paper. Voltammetry of the resulting electrodes revealed stable oxidation and reduction peaks at a potential close to that of the standard value for the FAD/ FADH2 cofactor of immobilized glucose oxidase. The gold electrodes exhibit catalytic activity in the presence of glucose confirming the entrapment of active glucose oxidase within the gold architecture. The resulting composite material can be successfully integrated with electrodes of various designs for biosensor and biofuel cell applications.
Locational Choice in the Antebellum South

This article examines the economic and noneconomic factors that influenced the migration decisions of antebellum Southern households. It appears that nonslaveowners were neither pushed to inferior locations nor did they move independently of the economic consequences. For slaveowners, the observed links between locational choice and the economic characteristics of locations are weaker. The proportion of whites in a location's population was positively associated with the choice of a location for the nonslaveowners. This association was not found for any other group.
Volta: Developing Distributed Applications by Recompiling

Mainstream languages and tools are tailored for sequential, nondistributed applications, with support for distributed computing provided only in library APIs. Such programming environments force developers to make decisions early in the application life cycle about where the code should run, structuring the entire application around partitioning decisions. Performance measurement might reveal that the original partitioning was wrong, but redistributing the application is expensive because redistributing is restructuring. This article describes a new kind of tool suite that recompiles executables into a distributed form on the basis of declarative user annotations, inserting most of the necessary remoting and synchronization boilerplate code and facilitating post hoc instrumentation to drive quantitative redistribution. Because the tools operate on the intermediate language CIL (.NET common intermediate language), they're compatible with a wide variety of .NET programming languages and eventual execution environments, even those that don't support CIL directly, such as JavaScript.
SUNNI MODERNIST THEORIES OF SOCIAL CONTRACT IN CONTEMPORARY EGYPT

Although social-contract theorists differ on a number of points, they concur that human beings choose to form associations to promote their interests. An important corollary is that tension exists between the individual's inherent independence and freedom and the authority to which she or he must submit to achieve compliance with the goals of the contract. Occasionally, a theorist discusses God in the overall scheme of things, but the conception is deistic, so that the God who created the world does not intervene in its operation. For the rest, contractarian theories privilege natural law and natural rights, according to which the individual is treated as a social being who is fully rational, free, and independent. Fundamentally, three steps are taken in the process of making the social contract: (1) creating society; (2) creating the sovereign state; (3) discharging obligations and enjoying benefits.
CT Angiography is Cost‐Effective for Confirmation of Internal Carotid Artery Occlusions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While sensitive to internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, carotid ultrasound can produce false-positive results. CT angiography (CTA) has a high specificity for ICA occlusion and is safer and cheaper than catheter angiography, although less accurate. We determined the cost-effectiveness of CTA versus catheter angiography for confirming an ICA occlusion first suggested by carotid ultrasound. METHODS A Markov decision-analytic model was constructed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of CTA compared with catheter angiography in a hypothetical cohort of symptomatic patients with a screening examination consistent with an ICA occlusion. Costs in 2004 dollars were estimated from Medicare reimbursement. Effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life years. RESULTS The 2-year cost in the CTA scenario was $9,178, and for catheter angiography, $11,531, consistent with a $2,353 cost-savings per person for CTA. CTA resulted in accrual of 1.83 quality-adjusted life years while catheter angiography resulted in 1.82 quality-adjusted life years. CTA was less costly and marginally more effective than catheter angiography. In sensitivity analyses, when CTA sensitivity and specificity were allowed to vary across a plausible range, CTA remained cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS After screening examination has suggested an ICA occlusion, confirmatory testing with CTA provides similar effectiveness to catheter angiography and is less costly.
Review of Ammonites—Treasures from a Lost World

by Neal L. Larson. Ammonite Laboratory, Japan; www.amolite.co.jp/. 256 pages; 2009; $39.99 (softbound). This interesting and colorful book is a departure from the norm. It is written by the co-owne...
Regulated phosphorylation of budding yeast's essential myosin V heavy chain, Myo2p.

The tail of the yeast myosin V encoded by Myo2p is known to bind several receptors for cargo delivery along polarized actin cables. However, it is not known how Myo2p activity is regulated or how it selects between cargos. Here we show that Myo2p is reversibly phosphorylated in vivo. A short peptide at the N-terminal end of the cargo-binding domain contains three residues contributing to single or doubly phosphorylated species. We confirm that the tail consists of two proteolytically resistant subdomains and identify a functionally important region N-terminal to sudomain 1 that includes the phosphorylation sites. Mutagenesis of the phosphorylation sites to alanine abolished a mobility shift diagnostic of phosphorylation, whereas mutagenesis to glutamic acid produced the shift and the formation of an additional phosphorylated species. These substitutions did not affect overall cell growth. However, one of the sites is predicted to be a substrate of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), and yeast expressing Myo2p with alanine substitutions is resistant to otherwise lethal overexpression of PKA, whereas the glutamic acid mutant is supersensitive to overexpression of PKA. These results suggest that in yeast, Myo2p is subject to phosphoregulation involving a PKA-related signaling pathway.
Measuring the complexity of design in real-time imaging software

Due to the intricacies in the algorithms involved, the design of imaging software is considered to be more complex than non-image processing software (Sangwan et al, 2005). A recent investigation (Larsson and Laplante, 2006) examined the complexity of several image processing and non-image processing software packages along a wide variety of metrics, including those postulated by McCabe (1976), Chidamber and Kemerer (1994), and Martin (2003). This work found that it was not always possible to quantitatively compare the complexity between imaging applications and nonimage processing systems. Newer research and an accompanying tool (Structure 101, 2006), however, provides a greatly simplified approach to measuring software complexity. Therefore it may be possible to definitively quantify the complexity differences between imaging and non-imaging software, between imaging and real-time imaging software, and between software programs of the same application type. In this paper, we review prior results and describe the methodology for measuring complexity in imaging systems. We then apply a new complexity measurement methodology to several sets of imaging and non-imaging code in order to compare the complexity differences between the two types of applications. The benefit of such quantification is far reaching, for example, leading to more easily measured performance improvement and quality in real-time imaging code.
Abstract 5: ApoAI Binds to Phosphatidylinositol 4,5 Bisphosphate (PIP2), Which is Exposed on the Cell Surface by Novel PIP2 Floppase Activity of ABCA1, and Promotes Cholesterol Efflux

Introduction: ApoAI-ABCA1 mediated nascent HDL assembly promotes cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport, but the mechanism of HDL assembly is unknown. Objective: To determine role of PIP2 in ApoAI-ABCA1 mediated nascent HDL assembly. Methods and Results: To determine which lipid species are directly bound by apoAI, a lipid-protein overlay assay was performed using PIPstrips and sphingostrips from Echelon Biosciences. ApoAI bound directly to phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) rather than PC, PS, PE, SM or cholesterol. This interaction was not solely electrostatic, as PIP3, the most negative charged PIP had less apoAI binding than various PIP2 species. ApoAI did not bind to other charged lipids such as sphingosine 1-P, PI(3)-P, PI(4)-P, and PI(5)-P. Surface plasmon resonance assays using immobilized apoAI or PIP2 were performed, showing that apoAI interacted reversibly with PI(4,5)P2 in a dose dependent manner at the nM concentration range. The central domain of apoAI (residues 44-185) was sufficient for PIP2 binding. In RAW264.7 macrophages, depletion of cellular PIPs by treatments with PI3K inhibitor or PTEN inhibitor decreased cholesterol efflux by 45±1.4% and 41±6.4% respectively (p o C, pH5, but apoAI had little activity using similar liposomes without PIP2 . ABCA1 expression led to 2-fold higher cell surface PIP2, assayed by flow cytometry using a PIP2 specific antibody. RAW cells stably transfected with PIP2 binding domain 2X PH-PLCδ-eGFP showed enrichment of this PIP2 reporter on the plasma membrane, while expression of ABCA1 led to partial redistribution to cytoplasm, consistent with ABCA1 having PIP2 floppase activity. Conclusions: ApoAI has novel PIP2 binding activity, ABCA1 is a novel PIP2 floppase, and cell surface PIP2 is required for optimal cholesterol acceptor activity of apoAI.
Experimental Study of Single-Phase and Two-Phase Water-in-Crude-Oil Dispersed Flow Wax Deposition in a Mini Pilot-Scale Flow Loop

Wax deposition tests under single-phase and two-phase dispersed water-in-oil at 16 and 35% water cut (WC) were conducted in a mini pilot-scale flow loop by using South Pelto crude oil. The initial inner wall temperature (Tw,ini) and the bulk fluid temperature (Tb) were controlled to be 85–87 °F and 105–107 °F, respectively, throughout the experimental program. The initial Reynolds number (Reini) of tests conducted in rectangular (TS1) and circular (TS2) test sections was in the range of 400–4300 and 1000–5300, respectively. A high temperature gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (HTGC-FID) and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) were used to analyze wax deposits. The results revealed that the 16 and 35% water cut tests yielded deposits containing only a trace amount of water (less than 2% w/w). The crossover behavior of the thickness versus time trends for different flow conditions was observed. The initial thickness growth rate increases with the flow rate. After the crossover period e...
Comparative Susceptibility to Insecticides of Two Green Peach Aphid Populations, Collected 16 Years Apart

The susceptibility to parathion, malathion, diazinon, and lindane, of two straius of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), one field-collected in California in 1961 and the other reared for some 16 years in the laboratory without intentional exposure to insecticides, was compared by a leaf-dip method. The field strain demonstrated 4.7- and 11-fold resistance to parathion at the LC30 and LC95 levels, respectively, over the laboratory strain, Tolerance to malathion, diazinon, and lindane was elevated but the slope of the dosage-mortality regression lines suggests this is due primarily to vigor rather than to physiological resistance. Rearing of this field strain in the laboratory for 9 months resulted in partial loss of resistance.
Auditing elections

Exploiting the redundancy in election records to conduct useful audits and improve the system design process.
The Stability Monitoring Method for Power Transmission Tower Based on Sensor Information Fusion

Because of ice load and galloping,the power tower may be destructed with mechanical deformation or resonance,and the power transmission line may be threatened.For the complexity,the online monitoring system is critical to the treatment of ice load and galloping.With combination of sensor information and intelligent video analysis,tower deformation and breakage are detected,the tendency is predicted, and efficiency is enhanced.
The Representation of Cumulus Convection in High-Resolution Simulations of the 2013 Colorado Front Range Flood

AbstractModel simulations of the 2013 Colorado Front Range floods are performed using 4-km horizontal grid spacing to evaluate the impact of using explicit convection (EC) versus parameterized convection (CP) in the model convective physics “gray zone.” Significant differences in heavy precipitation forecasts are found across multiple regions in which heavy rain and high-impact flooding occurred. The relative contribution of CP-generated precipitation to total precipitation suggests that greater CP scheme activity in areas upstream of the Front Range flooding may have led to significant downstream model error.Heavy convective precipitation simulated by the Kain–Fritsch CP scheme in particular led to an alteration of the low-level moisture flux and moisture transport fields that ultimately prevented the generation of heavy precipitation in downstream areas as observed. An updated, scale-aware version of the Kain–Fritsch scheme is also tested, and decreased model errors both up- and downstream suggest that ...
Speckle suppression and companion detection using coherent differential imaging

Residual speckles due to aberrations arising from optical errors after the split between the wavefront sensor and the science camera path are the most significant barriers to imaging extrasolar planets. While speckles can be suppressed using the science camera in conjunction with the deformable mirror, this requires knowledge of the phase of the electric field in the focal plane. We describe a method which combines a coronagraph with a simple phase-shifting interferometer to measure and correct speckles in the full focal plane. We demonstrate its initial use on the Stellar Double Coronagraph at the Palomar Observatory. We also describe how the same hardware can be used to distinguish speckles from true companions by measuring the coherence of the optical field in the focal plane. We present results observing the brown dwarf HD49197b with this technique, demonstrating the ability to detect the presence of a companion even when it is buried in the speckle noise, without the use of any standard ‘calibration’ techniques. We believe this is the first detection of a substellar companion using the coherence properties of light.
Optimal Central Composite Designs in the Presence of Dispersion Effects

[This abstract is based on the author's abstract.] Several variance structures are considered for central composite designs (CCDs), as are several scaled degrees of heterogeneity expressed in terms of variance ratios. Optimality criteria based on the ..
Semi-adaptive Security and Bundling Functionalities Made Generic and Easy

Semi-adaptive security is a notion of security that lies between selective and adaptive security for Attribute-Based Encryption ABE and Functional Encryption FE systems. In the semi-adaptive model the attacker is forced to disclose the challenge messages before it makes any key queries, but is allowed to see the public parameters. We show how to generically transform any selectively secure ABE or FE scheme into one that is semi-adaptively secure with the only additional assumption being public key encryption, which is already naturally included in almost any scheme of interest. Our technique utilizes a fairly simple application of garbled circuits where instead of encrypting directly, the encryptor creates a garbled circuit that takes as input the public parameters and outputs a ciphertext in the underlying selective scheme. Essentially, the encryption algorithm encrypts without knowing the 'real' public parameters. This allows one to delay giving out the underlying selective parameters until a private key is issued, which connects the semi-adaptive to selective security. The methods used to achieve this result suggest that the moral gap between selective and semi-adaptive security is in general much smaller than that between semi-adaptive and full security. Finally, we show how to extend the above idea to generically bundle a family of functionalities under one set of public parameters. For example, suppose we had an inner product predicate encryption scheme where the length of the vectors was specified at setup and therefore fixed to the public parameters. Using our transformation one could create a system where for a single set of public parameters the vector length is not apriori bounded, but instead is specified by the encryption algorithm. The resulting ciphertext would be compatible with any private key generated to work on the same input length.
The nanoscale spatial organization of B-cell receptors on immunoglobulin M– and G–expressing human B-cells

B-cell activation is initiated by the binding of antigen to the B-cell receptor (BCR). Here we used dSTORM superresolution imaging to characterize the nanoscale spatial organization of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG BCRs on the surfaces of resting and antigen--activated human peripheral blood B-cells. We provide insights into both the fundamental process of antigen-driven BCR clustering and differences in the spatial organization of IgM and IgG BCRs that may contribute to the characteristic differences in the responses of naive and memory B-cells to antigen. We provide evidence that although both IgM and IgG BCRs reside in highly heterogeneous protein islands that vary in size and number of BCR single-molecule localizations, both resting and activated B-cells intrinsically maintain a high -frequency of single isolated BCR localizations, which likely represent BCR monomers. IgG BCRs are more clustered than IgM BCRs on resting cells and form larger protein islands after antigen activation. Small, dense BCR clusters likely formed via protein-protein interactions are present on the surface of resting cells, and antigen activation induces these to come together to form less dense, larger islands, a process likely governed, at least in part, by protein-lipid interactions.
Assessing the Potential of Low-Impact Development Techniques on Runoff and Streamflow in the Templeton Gap Watershed, Colorado

This study examines how the impact of impervious surface in the Templeton Gap watershed (Colorado) could be reduced through the use of low-impact development (LID) strategies. LID is a sustainable stormwater approach to land management that retains runoff close to the source by preserving natural landscape features and limiting imperviousness. Our research indicates that LID techniques could reduce peak flows generated by stormwater runoff, allow city engineers to restore the stream channel to a more natural state, and improve the safety of residents and the security of property below the levee. This study developed a model of the Templeton Gap watershed and its associated stormwater infrastructure using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifically designed for small urban watersheds, SWMM allows users to accurately represent stormwater runoff dynamics and project the impact of hypothetical LID features such as porous pavement, rain garde...
Does an individualized feedback mechanism improve quality of out-of-hospital CPR?

Abstract Background Despite its prevalence, survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains low. High quality CPR has been associated with improved survival in cardiac arrest patients. In early 2014, a program was initiated to provide feedback on CPR quality to prehospital providers after every treated cardiac arrest. Objective To assess whether individualized CPR feedback was associated with improved CPR quality measures in the prehospital setting. Methods This before and after retrospective review included all treated adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in patients in an urban community. Data was compared prior to and after the initiation of the CPR feedback program. We compared the percent of encounters reaching the system defined benchmarks as well as the average values for compression fraction, compression rate, compression depth, and pre-shock pause in the before period compared to the after period. Results There were 159 encounters in the before period and 117 in the after. Compared to the before group, the after group had higher average compression rates (111.2/min vs 113.8/min; p = 0.042), increased compression depths (4.9 cm vs 5.6 cm; p Conclusion We found that individual CPR feedback is associated with marginally improved quality of CPR in the prehospital setting. Further investigation with larger samples is warranted to better quantify this effect.
Abstract 495: GSTM1 Deficiency Exacerbates Hypertension in the Remnant Model of Chronic Kidney Disease

There is a general consensus that oxidative stress is a factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hence, genetic variants that affect the capacity to handle oxidative stress may influence the outcomes of CKD. One important class of enzymes that has evolved to combat the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species is the glutathione-S-transferases. In particular, the μ class isoform 1 (GSTM1) has emerged as a potential modifier of multiple chronic diseases in humans. Approximately 30%-50% of humans are completely deficient of the GSTM1 enzyme because of homozygous inheritance of the GSTM1 null allele, GSTM1(0). We have identified the GSTM1 gene as a modifier of disease progression in hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HN). In an ancillary study of the African American (AA) Study of Hypertension and Kidney Disease (AASK) Trial, we reported that participants carrying one ( 1/0 ) or two ( 0/0 ) null alleles had 1.7- and 2-fold higher risk of the composite outcome of a 50% decline in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), dialysis, or death relative to those with two active alleles. Here, the objective of our study was to determine the consequence of deletion of Gstm1 on the course of chronic kidney disease induced by reduction of renal mass (RRM) model in mice. We generated Gstm1-/- (KO) mice on the 129S6 background through conventional gene targeting strategy. By radiotelemetry, Gstm1 KO mice displayed a modest but significantly higher baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to their wild type (WT, Gtsm1 +/+ ) littermates: KO (n = 5): 138.8 ± 1.3; WT (n = 5): 132.1 ± 1.1, p Gstm1 KO mice developed significantly more severe hypertension than WT mice. The average SBP over a 2 week recording by radiotelemetry was 154.0 ± 3.2 mm Hg in KO mice (n = 5), and 142.3 ± 4.2 in WT mice (n = 3), p Gstm1 on kidney function and histopathology are under investigation. In conclusion, loss of GSMT1 increases oxidative stress and exaggerates hypertension in the murine model of chronic kidney disease.
Implementation of a distributed microgrid controller on the Resilient Information Architecture Platform for Smart Systems (RIAPS)

Formation of microgrids have been proposed as a solution to improve grid reliability, and enable smoother integration of renewables into the grid. Microgrids are sections of the grid that can operate in isolation from the main power system. Maintaining power balance within an islanded microgrid is a challenging task, due to the low system inertia, which requires complex control to maintain stable and optimized operation. Many studies have demonstrated feasible distributed microgrid controllers that can maintain microgrid stability in grid connected and islanded modes. However, there is little emphasis on how to implement these distributed algorithms on a computational platform that allows for fast and seamless deployment. This paper introduces a decentralized software platform called Resilient Information Architecture Platform for Smart Systems (RIAPS) that runs on processors embedded with the microgrid component. As an example, we describe the implementation of a distributed microgrid secondary control and resynchronization algorithms on RIAPS platform. The controller developed on RIAPS platform is validated on a real-time microgrid testbed.
Comparative transcriptome analysis provides key insights into gene expression pattern during the formation of nodule-like structures in Brachypodium

Auxins can induce the formation of nodule-like structures (NLS) in plant roots even in the absence of rhizobia and nitrogen-fixing bacteria can colonize these structures. Interestingly, NLS can be induced in roots of both legumes and non-legumes. However, our understanding of NLS formation in non-legumes at a molecular level is limited. This study aims to investigate NLS formation at a developmental and molecular level in Brachypodium distachyon. We treated Brachypodium roots with the synthetic auxin, 2,4-D, to induce NLS at a high frequency (> 80%) under controlled conditions. A broad base and a diffuse meristem characterized these structures. Next, we performed a comprehensive RNA-sequencing experiment to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Brachypodium roots during NLS formation. We identified 618 DEGs; several of which are promising candidates for control of NLS based on their biological and molecular functions. We validated the expression pattern of several genes via RT-PCR. Next, we compared the expression profile of Brachypodium roots with rice roots during NLS formation. We identified 76 single-copy ortholog pairs in rice and Brachypodium that are both differentially expressed during this process. Some of these genes are involved in auxin signaling, root development, and legume-rhizobia symbiosis. We established an experimental system to study NLS formation in Brachypodium at a developmental and genetic level, and used RNA-sequencing analysis to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling this root organogenesis program. Furthermore, our comparative transcriptome analysis in Brachypodium and rice identified a key set of genes for further investigating this genetic pathway in grasses.
Staging for Head and Neck Cancer: Purpose, Process and Progress

With advancing knowledge and new data available, periodic revisions in the TNM staging system is essential. In addition, new disease entities entering in the spectrum of neoplastic diseases demand that a staging system be developed to facilitate their treatment algorithms and outcomes. The most recent revisions in the AJCC/UICC staging system were published in the eighth edition of the AJCC staging manual. This presentation gives a historical background on the AJCC/UICC staging process and highlights major changes introduced in the eighth edition for cancers of the head and neck.
Formation time-scales for high-mass X-ray binaries in M33

We have identified 55 candidate high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) in M33 using available archival {\it HST} and {\it Chandra} imaging to find blue stars associated with X-ray positions. We use the {\it HST} photometric data to model the color-magnitude diagrams in the vicinity of each candidate HMXB to measure a resolved recent star formation history (SFH), and thus a formation timescale, or age for the source. Taken together, the SFHs for all candidate HMXBs in M33 yield an age distribution that suggests preferred formation timescales for HMXBs in M33 of $<$ 5 Myr and $\sim$ 40 Myr after the initial star formation episode. The population at 40 Myr is seen in other Local Group galaxies, and can be attributed to a peak in formation efficiency of HMXBs with neutron stars as compact objects and B star secondary companions. This timescale is preferred as neutron stars should form in abundance from $\sim$ 8 M$_{\odot}$ core-collapse progenitors on these timescales, and B stars are shown observationally to be most actively losing mass around this time. The young population at $<$ 5 Myr has not be observed in other Local Group HMXB population studies, but may be attributed to a population of very massive progenitors forming black holes very early on. We discuss these results in the context of massive binary evolution, and the implications for compact object binaries and gravitational wave sources.
Using Discrete-Event Simulation Modeling to Estimate the Impact of RNR Program Implementation on Recidivism Levels

The purpose of a discrete-event simulation model (DES) is to assign individual characteristics to entities and use those characteristics to move and track entities or individuals through a series of discrete events defined in a given system. In this chapter, we present a discrete-event simulation model to examine how adherence to the specifics of the RNR plan might influence the churning of offenders in the prison system and its impact on recidivism outcomes. We use similar offender profiles, program categories, and assumptions as those presented in Chap. 7 to inform the model parameters. The model uses nationally based prison admission data from 1994-2006 to explore the impact of various levesl of RNR implementation. The model offered several scenarios, a baseline model to represent the current system and RNR informed options. The findings from the DES model illustrate the potential impact of the RNR framework on system outcomes. That is, the use of the RNR framework for treatment in prisons can reduce churning or return to prison. Adhering to the RNR principles would result in a 3.4 % reduction in the number of inmates returning to prison nationwide. By focusing on higher-risk offenders, the reduced reincarceration level would be increased to 5.5 %, and by matching offenders to quality programming, reincarceration levels would be reduced by 6.7 % over the baseline model (current practice). The impact of the RNR model has a cumulative effect to reduce reincarceration as people move through various stages in the justice system.
PAMAM Dendrimers as Delivery Agents for Antisense Oligonucleotides

Purpose. To investigate the potential use of PAMAM dendrimers for the delivery of antisense oligonucleotides into cells under conditions that mimic the in vivo environment.
On using Principal Components before Separating a Mixture of Two Multivariate Normal Distributions

SUMMARY In applying principal components for reducing the dimension of the data before clustering, it has ordinarily been the practice to use components with the largest eigenvalues. We prove, by means of a mixture of two multivariate normal distributions, that this practice is not justified in general. A relationship between the distance of the two subpopulations and any subset of principal components is derived, showing that the components with the larger eigenvalues do not necessarily contain more information (distance). This result is further demonstrated through hypothetical as well as real situations which use actual data. The effect of scaling the variables on the distribution of the information to different components is investigated. An application to a mixture of two normal distributions is illustrated by utilizing a set of generated data in which the information is concentrated in the components with the largest and the smallest eigenvalues.
Repair of the congenitally bicuspid regurgitant aortic valve: a strategic advance.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital abnormality, affecting 1% to 2% of live births and found in approximately 4,000,000 persons in the U.S. ([1][1]). BAV results in severe aortic regurgitation (AR) in almost 20% of those affected ([2][2]); it is the primary cause of AR among persons
Reactive Oxygen Species Methodology Using Chemiluminescence Assay

Abstract Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by morphologically abnormal, immature spermatozoa and presence of white blood cells, especially the granulocytes in the seminal ejaculate, is detrimental to the spermatozoa. The imbalance between the ROS and available antioxidants results in oxidative stress (OS). OS affects lipids and protein composition and results in DNA fragmentation and plays a role in the pathology of male infertility. Accurate assessment of ROS is therefore important as it provides information about OS, which can be an underlying cause of male infertility. Different methods and instruments are available for the laboratory measurement of ROS in semen. The measurement of ROS by the chemiluminescence assay is a direct method that can measure both extracellular and intracellular (global) ROS in real time using luminol as the probe. It provides reference values that can help differentiate infertile men from fertile men. ROS measurement can be included as an advanced andrology screening test that can complement routine semen analysis. It can help in explaining the underlying cause of idiopathic or unexplained male infertility. This chapter outlines a step-by-step protocol for the laboratory measurement of ROS by the chemiluminescence method using a luminometer.
Acoustic wave propagation in a toroidal waveguide carrying a mean flow

This paper describes the analysis of acoustic wave propagation in an attenuating toroidal waveguide carrying a circumferentially directed mean flow. The disposition of the standing pressure waves driven into resonance by time harmonic excitation is of particular interest. The relationship between the mean flow velocity amplitude and location of peak pressure response relative to the source position is evaluated. The conditions required for non-reciprocal scattering behavior is given.This paper describes the analysis of acoustic wave propagation in an attenuating toroidal waveguide carrying a circumferentially directed mean flow. The disposition of the standing pressure waves driven into resonance by time harmonic excitation is of particular interest. The relationship between the mean flow velocity amplitude and location of peak pressure response relative to the source position is evaluated. The conditions required for non-reciprocal scattering behavior is given.
Evaluation of the PROMIS Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test in Patients Undergoing Knee Surgery.

A cross-sectional analysis of data derived from patients undergoing knee surgery at a single institution was conducted. The objectives of the study were to (1) compare how the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS PF) computer adaptive test performs against the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form in evaluating functional status, and (2) to determine demographic, clinical, and psychosocial correlates of each outcome measure in an urban population undergoing a variety of knee surgeries. We hypothesized that there would be a strong correlation between PROMIS PF and IKDC, with minimal floor and ceiling effects, and similar clinical correlates. The sample consisted of 412 patients undergoing knee surgery. Bivariate and multivariable statistical analyses were performed to identify significant independent predictors. The PROMIS PF and IKDC scores were strongly correlated (r s = 0.71, p
Altered protein expression of galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine transferases in schizophrenia superior temporal gyrus

Abnormal glycosylation in schizophrenia brain has been previously implicated in disruptions to protein trafficking, localization, and function. Glycosylation is an enzyme-mediated posttranslational modification and, along with reports of altered glycan biosynthesis and abnormal glycan levels in peripheral fluids, growing evidence for altered glycosylation pathway activity in schizophrenia prompted investigation of specific enzymes which may be responsible for these abnormalities. Glycosylation is a highly variable yet tightly controlled cellular process and, depending on the molecule(s) affected, altered glycan modifications can influence the trajectory of many key functional pathways. In a preliminary gene array study, abnormal transcript expression of 36 glycosylation-associated enzymes was identified in schizophrenia brain. Subsequently, protein expression abnormalities of enzymes which act on glucose (UGGT2), mannose (EDEM2), fucose (FUT8, POFUT2), and N-acetylglucosamine (MGAT4A, B3GNT8) have been reported in this illness. The current study investigates protein expression levels by western blot analysis of the galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) transferases B3GALTL1, B4GALT1, C1GALT1, GALNT2, GALNT7, GALNT16, and GALNTL5, as well as a related chaperone protein, COSMC, in superior temporal gyrus of age- and sex-matched pairs of schizophrenia and non-psychiatrically ill comparison subjects (N = 16 pairs). In schizophrenia, reduced β-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (B4GALT1) and polypeptide GalNAc-transferase 16 (GALNT16) were identified. These findings add support to the hypothesis that dysregulated glycosylation-associated enzyme expression contributes to altered protein glycosylation and downstream substrate-specific defects in schizophrenia.
Targeting the Immune Complex-Bound Complement C3d Ligand as a Novel Therapy for Lupus

Humoral autoimmunity is central to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Complement receptor type 2 (CR2)/CD21 plays a key role in the development of high-affinity Abs and long-lasting memory to foreign Ags. When CR2 is bound by its primary C3 activation fragment-derived ligand, designated C3d, it coassociates with CD19 on B cells to amplify BCR signaling. C3d and CR2 also mediate immune complex binding to follicular dendritic cells. As the development of SLE involves subversion of normal B cell tolerance checkpoints, one might expect that CR2 ligation by C3d-bound immune complexes would promote development of SLE. However, prior studies in murine models of SLE using gene-targeted Cr2-/- mice, which lack both CR2 and complement receptor 1 (CR1), have demonstrated contradictory results. As a new approach, we developed a highly specific mouse anti-mouse C3d mAb that blocks its interaction with CR2. With this novel tool, we show that disruption of the critical C3d-CR2 ligand-receptor binding step alone substantially ameliorates autoimmunity and renal disease in the MRL/lpr model of SLE.
Toward an Aggregate, Implicit, and Dynamic Model of Norm Formation: Capturing Large-Scale Media Representations of Dynamic Descriptive Norms Through Automated and Crowdsourced Content Analysis.

Media content can shape people's descriptive norm perceptions by presenting either population-level prevalence information or descriptions of individuals' behaviors. Supervised machine learning and crowdsourcing can be combined to answer new, theoretical questions about the ways in which normative perceptions form and evolve through repeated, incidental exposure to normative mentions emanating from the media environment. Applying these methods, this study describes tobacco and e-cigarette norm prevalence and trends over 37 months through an examination of a census of 135,764 long-form media texts, 12,262 popular YouTube videos, and 75,322,911 tweets. Long-form texts mentioned tobacco population norms (4-5%) proportionately less often than e-cigarette population norms (20%). Individual use norms were common across sources, particularly YouTube (tobacco long-form: 34%; Twitter: 33%; YouTube: 88%; e-cigarette long form: 17%; Twitter: 16%; YouTube: 96%). The capacity to capture aggregated prevalence and temporal dynamics of normative media content permits asking population-level media effects questions that would otherwise be infeasible to address.
Development of Parsonage-Turner Syndrome After Heat Stroke in Firefighters: A Report of 2 Cases.

CASE Two firefighters developed Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) shortly after sustaining episodes of heat stroke. Patient 1 was a 40-year-old man who presented with shoulder pain and supraspinatus and infraspinatus weakness. Patient 2 was a 35-year-old man who presented with shoulder pain and absent external rotation strength. Both had electrodiagnostic testing and magnetic resonance imaging findings consistent with PTS. Both demonstrated partial but incomplete recovery at 1- and 2.5-year follow-ups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS PTS should remain on the differential diagnosis for any patient presenting with sudden onset shoulder pain and neurological deficits after an episode of heat-related illness.
Novel oxone treated hydrochar for the removal of Pb(II) and methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions

Abstract This study represents the first ever work on a novel oxone treated hydrochar as an adsorbent for the efficient removal of different contaminants from aqueous solutions. Pine wood hydrochar (HC) was prepared by hydrothermal treatment at 300 °C and oxidized with oxone to produce oxidized pine wood hydrochar (OHC). Different analytical tools such as elemental analysis, FTIR, TGA, FE-SEM, and BET were used for the characterization of the OHC. Conductometric titration of OHC showed a substantial increase from 22 μmol/g to 600 μmol/g in the hydrochar carboxylic content. The OHC sorption performance was assessed by using Pb(II) ions and methylene blue (MB) dye as two models of contaminants. Sorption benchmarks were performed by varying the contaminant initial concentration, time, and temperatures. Sorption kinetic data was fitted well to the pseudo-second order kinetic model with high correlation coefficients (R2 > 0.99) and isothermal data was fitted to the Langmuir model. The highest adsorption capacities for MB and Pb(II) were 86.7 mg/g and 46.7 mg/g, respectively. This study proves that oxone treatment could be a potential sustainable oxidation method to tune the hydrochar surface to increase selectivity towards heavy metal ions and dye sorption.
Enhancing Combined Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy through Nanomedicine

Radiotherapy and immunotherapy are two key treatments for cancer. There is growing evidence that they are also synergistic, and combination treatments are being studied extensively in the clinical setting. In addition, there is emerging evidence that nanotechnology-enabled therapeutics can potentiate both radiotherapy and immunotherapy, in turn improving both treatments. This is an exciting new area of interdisciplinary science and has significant potential for major clinical impact. Some of the approaches in this area have already reached the clinical stage. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the interface between radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and nanomedicine. We plan to review the many approaches to combine these three fields for cancer treatment.