cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A low jitter 5.3-GHz 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS PLL based frequency synthesizer

A 5.3-GHz CMOS phase locked loop (PLL) based frequency synthesizer is reported. The PLL operates as an integer-N frequency synthesizer using a ring-type voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The PLL based synthesizer operates from 4.9 to 5.3-GHz and achieves a phase noise of -121.9 dBc/Hz at 10-MHz offset frequency from the carrier for maximum oscillation frequency of 5.3-GHz. The ring VCO works from 4.21 to 5.46-GHz with a maximum power consumption of 4.7-mW. A completely ripple-free VCO control voltage is obtained using a current mirror current source in a charge pump loop filter. The PLL is implemented with TSMC 0.18-/spl mu/m technology for GSM applications. The output rms jitter is 0.3% of the oscillator period. The total power consumption of this synthesizer is only 10-mW from a 1.8 V power supply.
The NSF/NIH Effect: Surveying the Effect of Data Management Requirements on Faculty, Sponsored Programs, and Institutional Repositories

Abstract The scholarly communication landscape is rapidly changing and nowhere is this more evident than in the field of data management. Mandates by major funding agencies, further expanded by executive order and pending legislation in 2013, require many research grant applicants to provide data management plans for preserving and making their research data openly available. However, do faculty researchers have the requisite skill sets and are their institutions providing the necessary infrastructure to comply with these mandates? To answer these questions, three groups were surveyed in 2012: research and teaching faculty, sponsored programs office staff, and institutional repository librarians. Survey results indicate that while faculty desire to share their data, they often lack the skills to do this effectively. Similarly, while repository managers and sponsored programs offices often provide the necessary infrastructure and knowledge, these resources are not being promoted effectively to faculty. The study offers important insights about services academic libraries can provide to support faculty in their data management efforts: providing tools for sharing research data; assisting with describing, finding, or accessing research data; providing information on copyright and ownership issues associated with data sets; and assisting with writing data management plans.
Radiation Effects in Power Systems: A Review

To guarantee mission success and minimize the risk of anomalies in space, current space-power architectures are designed conservatively and use electronics that are several generations behind the current state of the art. In parallel, the commercial industry is burgeoning with exciting new solutions for power management; however, their reliability and radiation robustness for space application have yet to be proven. The goal of this paper is to review common radiation issues related to power converters, which are the main design blocks of current space power system architectures. We first provide some background material and introduce the basic principles of power converter operation, as well as a brief introduction of common radiation effect that might damage these designs. Then, we explain common radiation-induced failure mechanisms (radiation-induced failure or instability) or temporary perturbations observed in various converter topologies. Their radiation hardness is compared based on simulation and experimental studies reported in the literature. Some radiation hardening by design solutions and mitigation techniques are also presented. Finally, we provide a status of emerging technologies under consideration for the next-generation of space power systems.
On dynamic effects of quanization and overflow nonlinearities in digital feedback control systems

The stability of SISO digital feedback systems is considered. These systems contain a linear dynamic plant, a digital controller and suitable D/A and A/D connections. The design of such a system is normally accomplished by ignoring the nonlinear effects caused by quantization and overflow truncation. It is shown (by simulations of specific examples) that quantization can lead to loss of asymptotic stability. Instead, our results prove that one has convergence to a small neighborhood of the origin. For large initial conditions it is shown that overflow effects can lead to unbounded solutions.
Three-dimensional Cluster Analysis Identifies Interfaces and Functional Residue Clusters in Proteins

Three-dimensional cluster analysis offers a method for the prediction of functional residue clusters in proteins. This method requires a representative structure and a multiple sequence alignment as input data. Individual residues are represented in terms of regional alignments that reflect both their structural environment and their evolutionary variation, as defined by the alignment of homologous sequences. From the overall (global) and the residue-specific (regional) alignments, we calculate the global and regional similarity matrices, containing scores for all pairwise sequence comparisons in the respective alignments. Comparing the matrices yields two scores for each residue. The regional conservation score (C(R)(x)) defines the conservation of each residue x and its neighbors in 3D space relative to the protein as a whole. The similarity deviation score (S(x)) detects residue clusters with sequence similarities that deviate from the similarities suggested by the full-length sequences. We evaluated 3D cluster analysis on a set of 35 families of proteins with available cocrystal structures, showing small ligand interfaces, nucleic acid interfaces and two types of protein-protein interfaces (transient and stable). We present two examples in detail: fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase and the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK2. We found that the regional conservation score (C(R)(x)) identifies functional residue clusters better than a scoring scheme that does not take 3D information into account. C(R)(x) is particularly useful for the prediction of poorly conserved, transient protein-protein interfaces. Many of the proteins studied contained residue clusters with elevated similarity deviation scores. These residue clusters correlate with specificity-conferring regions: 3D cluster analysis therefore represents an easily applied method for the prediction of functionally relevant spatial clusters of residues in proteins.
On the analysis of dynamic feedback neural nets

A formulation for dynamic feedback neural networks of the Hopfield type is presented. A description is given of the general design framework used, in which a neural network would only have a finite number of memories. Some basic properties of the nonzero equilibria as well as the (unstable) equilibrium point at zero in the proposed framework are also discussed. >
General relations for a phased array of printed antennas derived from infinite current sheets

Simple and general relations characterizing the behavior of infinite phased arrays of printed antenna elements are derived from a model based on infinite current sheets. The Green's function of an electric current source on a grounded dielectric slab is used in various limiting forms to treat arrays in free space, arrays above a ground plane, arrays on a semi-infinite substrate, and arrays on a grounded dielectric slab. Current sheets are selected, using the orthogonality properties of the Floquet modes of the infinite array Green's function, to excite only a few specific low-order Floquet modes. Results from this idealized model, in the form of reflection coefficient magnitudes and input resistance, are compared with rigorous moment method solutions for specific elements (dipoles and microstrip patches). It is shown how the dominant scanning characteristics of a printed phased array, such as reflection coefficient and input resistance trends, scan blindnesses, and grating lobe effects, are dictated more by factors such as element spacing and substrate parameters than by the particular element type itself.
Interferon-γ Release Assays for the Evaluation of Tuberculosis Infection

A woman in her 20s presents for follow-up of a tuberculin skin test (TST) placed 2 days earlier. The patient is from India and arrived in the United States 1 month ago for graduate studies. She reports no significant medical history and is unaware of any tuberculosis (TB) exposures. She has no symptoms. She received the BCG vaccine as a child. Laboratory testing showed normal chemistry and hematology values and a negative HIV test. The TST reveals an induration of 20 mm. Because of the TST result, the patient has a chest radiograph performed, which was unremarkable. Treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI)was recommended based on the positive TST, negative chest radiograph, and recent US arrival from a high-TB–incidence country. The patient asks whether the positive TST result could be due to her BCG vaccination and wants further testing before beginning therapy. Blood is drawn for an interferon-γ release assay (IGRA; see Figure for results). Figure IGRA indicates interferon-γ release assay; TB, tuberculosis.
Species Identification and Virulence Attributes of Saccharomyces boulardii (nom. inval.)

Saccharomyces boulardii (nom. inval.) has been used for the treatment of several types of diarrhea. Recent studies have confirmed that S. boulardii is effective in the treatment of diarrhea, in particular chronic or recurrent diarrhea, and furthermore that it is a safe and well-tolerated treatment. The aim of the present study was to identify strains of S. boulardii to the species level and assess their virulence in established murine models. Three strains of S. boulardii were obtained from commercially available products in France and Italy. The three S. boulardii strains did not form spores upon repeated testing. Therefore, classical methods used for the identification of Saccharomyces spp. could not be undertaken. Typing by using the restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the PCR-amplified intergenic transcribed spacer regions (including the 5. 8S ribosomal DNA) showed that the three isolates of S. boulardii were not separable from authentic isolates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with any of the 10 restriction endonucleases assessed, whereas 9 of the 10 recognized species of Saccharomyces could be differentiated. RFLP analysis of cellular DNA with EcoRI showed that all three strains of S. boulardii had identical patterns and were similar to other authentic S. cerevisiae isolates tested. Therefore, the commercial strains of S. boulardii available to us cannot be genotypically distinguished from S. cerevisiae. Two S. boulardii strains were tested in CD-1 and DBA/2N mouse models of systemic disease and showed intermediate virulence compared with virulent and avirulent strains of S. cerevisiae. The results of the present study show that these S. boulardii strains are asporogenous strains of the species S. cerevisiae, not representatives of a distinct and separate species, and possess moderate virulence in murine models of systemic infection. Therefore, caution should be advised in the clinical use of these strains in immunocompromised patients until further study is undertaken.
Suppressors of a Host Range Mutation in the Rabbitpox Virus Serpin SPI-1 Map to Proteins Essential for Viral DNA Replication

The orthopoxvirus serpin SPI-1 is an intracellular serine protease inhibitor that is active against cathepsin G in vitro. Rabbitpox virus (RPV) mutants with deletions of the SPI-1 gene grow on monkey kidney cells (CV-1) but do not plaque on normally permissive human lung carcinoma cells (A549). This reduced-host-range (hr) phenotype suggests that SPI-1 may interact with cellular and/or other viral proteins. We devised a genetic screen for suppressors of SPI-1 hr mutations by first introducing a mutation into SPI-1 (T309R) at residue P14 of the serpin reactive center loop. The SPI-1 T309R serpin is inactive as a protease inhibitor in vitro. Introduction of the mutation into RPV leads to the same restricted hr phenotype as deletion of the SPI-1 gene. Second-site suppressors were selected by restoration of growth of the RPV SPI-1 T309R hr mutant on A549 cells. Both intragenic and extragenic suppressors of the T309R mutation were identified. One novel intragenic suppressor mutation, T309C, restored protease inhibition by SPI-1 in vitro. Extragenic suppressor mutations were mapped by a new procedure utilizing overlapping PCR products encompassing the entire genome in conjunction with marker rescue. One suppressor mutation, which also rendered the virus temperature sensitive for growth, mapped to the DNA polymerase gene (E9L). Several other suppressors mapped to gene D5R, an NTPase required for DNA replication. These results unexpectedly suggest that the host range function of SPI-1 may be associated with viral DNA replication by an as yet unknown mechanism.
Military digital avionics fiber-optic network design for maintainability and supportability

The Boeing 777 PlaneNet program provides a textbook example of "how to" build and deploy a fiber optic based avionics local area network on commercial aircraft (Anderson and Beranek, 1998). Tactical aircraft, however, does not yet have a time-tested process to draw upon for operational readiness lessons learned, particularly in the area of aircraft squadron fiber optic network maintainability and supportability. The tactical aircraft fiber optic network design team must consider both the harsh avionics operational environment and the harsh avionics maintenance environment - as many fiber optic components from the commercial sector are not adequate for the tactical aircraft mission environment; and many fiber optic maintenance support equipment options available from the commercial sector are not adequate for use on an aircraft carrier or expeditionary airfield. In this paper we attempt to define items necessary to ensure military avionics fiber optic network design interfaces are deployed in a maintainable and supportable manner. The term maintainability defines how quickly, easily, and cost effectively an avionics fiber optic network design facilitates its' return to operational status (whether by preventive or corrective maintenance). Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) is used to quantify and measure maintainability. Supportability, on the other hand, is the degree to which the avionics fiber optic network design characteristics minimize the logistics resources (people, skill levels, parts, publications, tools, test equipment, space, etc.) required to sustain the system's Operational Availability (A/sub 0/) at an affordable cost throughout the intended life of the system.
Tunable bandpass filter using distributed MEMS transmission lines

This paper presents a two-state tunable RF MEMS bandpass filter operating at 16.5 and 22 GHz. The topology consists of coplanar waveguide sections that are periodically loaded with MEMS capacitors. The passband insertion loss and bandwidth are 2.3 dB and 11.5% at 16.5 GHz, and 3.3 dB and 16.5% at 22 GHz. The typical switching voltage is 45-50 V.
Is Clinical Relevance Sometimes Lost in Summative Scores

It is possible to have a reliable and valid measure of a clinical phenomenon but to score the measure in a way that inaccurately represents the clinical meaning of the measured phenomenon. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the risk to research and clinical assessments caused by a discrepancy in the clinical meaning of scores obtained by total scale scoring and those obtained by individual item scoring. The clinical phenomenon that is used in this demonstration is symptom distress as measured by the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS). In this example, the discrepancy in meaning between total scale scores and the individual item scores of the SDS has potential clinical implications as more than 30% of participating adolescent patients at each of four time points spanning a 6-month time period would have been inaccurately assessed when the assessment was based on the total scale score.
Molecular Characterization of teflon, a Gene Required for Meiotic Autosome Segregation in Male Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster males lack recombination and have evolved a mechanism of meiotic chromosome segregation that is independent of both the chiasmatic and achiasmatic segregation systems of females. The teflon (tef) gene is specifically required in males for proper segregation of autosomes and provides a genetic tool for understanding recombination-independent mechanisms of pairing and segregation as well as differences in sex chromosome vs. autosome segregation. Here we report on the cloning of the tef gene and the molecular characterization of tef mutations. Rescue experiments using a GAL4-driven pUAS transgene demonstrate that tef corresponds to predicted Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project (BDGP) gene CG8961 and that tef expression is required in the male germ line prior to spermatocyte stage S4. Consistent with this early prophase requirement, expression of tef was found to be independent of regulators of meiotic M phase initiation or progression. The predicted Tef protein contains three C2H2 zinc-finger motifs, one at the amino terminus and two in tandem at the carboxyl terminus. In addition to the zinc-finger motifs, a 44- to 45-bp repeat is conserved in three related Drosophila species. On the basis of these findings, we propose a role for Tef as a bridging molecule that holds autosome bivalents together via heterochromatic connections.
In Response to Professor Dobelstein's Respectful Critique of A Tale of Three Commissions: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Eric R. Kingson responds to Andrew Dobelstein's position with regard to “A Tale of Three Commissions: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly,” which was published in Poverty & Public Policy Volume 2, Issue 3.
The stability of nonlinear systems in the region of linear dominance

A technique has been developed for finding quantitative regions of asymptotic stability for nonlinear systems by using a known proof of the theorem which substantiates the linearization. In a sense, the method defines a region in which the first-order approximation is dominant from the point of view of stability. While the computations necessary can be somewhat involved, the procedure is essentially identical in all situations, and once established, can easily be used for a vast class of autonomous systems. The practical problems of both reversible and irreversible chemical reactions occuring in a continuous flow stirred vessel have been analyzed. Stability regions were obtained which are sufficiently extensive to be practical from the process viewpoint.
Textbook germinal centers

Models for the development and function of germinal centers (GCs) have been so widely discussed in the original literature that they now appear in immunology textbooks. Unfortunately, many of the tenets of these models have not yet been subjected to adequate experimental scrutiny. Indeed, recent studies have called several of their principal assumptions into question. In addition, the term germinal center has been applied to a diverse assortment of focal processes of B cell proliferation and differentiation. This variability might be explained by alterations in the progression of a single textbook GC process. Alternatively, distinct developmental pathways may create unique classes of GCs with specialized functions.
Bevacizumab-Induced Alterations in Vascular Permeability and Drug Delivery: A Novel Approach to Augment Regional Chemotherapy for In-Transit Melanoma

Purpose: To investigate whether the systemically administered anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody bevacizumab could improve regional chemotherapy treatment of advanced extremity melanoma by enhancing delivery and tumor uptake of regionally infused melphalan (LPAM). Experimental Design: After treatment with systemic bevacizumab or saline, changes in vascular permeability were determined by spectrophotometric analysis of tumors infused with Evan9s blue dye. Changes in vascular structure and tumor hemoglobin-oxygen saturation HbO 2 were determined by intravital microscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. Rats bearing the low-VEGF secreting DM738 and the high-VEGF secreting DM443 melanoma xenografts underwent isolated limb infusion (ILI) with melphalan (LPAM) or saline via the femoral vessels. The effect of bevacizumab on terminal drug delivery was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of LPAM-DNA adducts in tumor tissues. Results: Single-dose bevacizumab given three days before ILI with LPAM significantly decreased vascular permeability (50.3% in DM443, P P P P = 0.01). HbO 2 decreased from baseline in mice following treatment with bevacizumab. Systemic bevacizumab significantly enhanced tumor response to ILI with LPAM in two melanoma xenografts, DM443 and DM738, increasing quadrupling time 37% and 113%, respectively ( P = 0.03). Immunohistochemical analyses of tumor specimens showed that pretreatment with systemic bevacizumab markedly increased LPAM-DNA adduct formation. Conclusions: Systemic treatment with bevacizumab before regional chemotherapy increases delivery of LPAM to tumor cells and represents a novel way to augment response to regional therapy for advanced extremity melanoma. Clin Cancer Res; 18(12); 3328–39. ©2012 AACR .
Classification of multifunction surface EMG using advanced AR model representations

The potential use of new features derived from autoregressive coefficients for upper limb EMG pattern recognition has been discussed (Knox et al., 15/sup th/ Ann. Int. Conf. of the IEEE EMBS, San Diego, CA, USA, Oct. 1993). These new features (reflection coefficients, cepstral coefficients, and logarithmic area ratios) are used heavily in speech processing. Results from a nonparametric linear classifier are presented. >
Emerging biomedical technologies at the micro and nano levels

High-throughput cell imaging and nanotechnology are emerging technologies that exhibit great potential for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This paper briefly introduces these emerging technologies and discusses challenging open research issues to fully realize the potentials of these new tools.
On characterizations of distributions by mean absolute deviation and variance bounds

In this paper we present a bound for the mean absolute deviation of an arbitrary real-valued function of a discrete random variable. Using this bound we characterize a mixture of two Waring (hence geometric) distributions by linearity of a function involved in the bound. A double Lomax distribution is characterized by linearity of the same function involved in the analogous bound for a continuous distribution. Finally, we characterize the Pearson system of distributions and the generalized hypergeometric distributions by a quadratic function involved in a similar bound for the variance of a function of a random variable.
A non-invasive technique for sequential collection of earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) leukocytes during subchronic immunotoxicity studies

We have compared two methods for collecting earthworm leukocytes (coelomocytes) with respect to cell yield, viability and behaviour in immunoassays. Non-invasive extrusion was more efficient than puncturing the coelomic cavity. Extrusion does not produce trauma to earthworms maintained under long term laboratory conditions. Neither technique modified immune assays, as determined by erythrocyte and secretory rosette formation, and phagocytosis, since all 3 were functionally equivalent. After an initial extrusion, sequential leukocyte collections by extrusion are possible at intervals of 6 weeks without affecting total and differential cell counts and rosette formation.
On the controllability of linear systems with delay in control

The controllability of linear time-invariant systems with a time delay in the control function is studied.
Usability and Play Testing

There is little room in today’s educational climate for technologies that do not either accelerate or greatly increase learning (Roblyer, 2005). While 3-D environments, like their game cousins, are motivating and engaging to students (Jenkins, Squire, & Tan, 2003; Tuzun, 2004), there are other educationally sound mechanisms that fit into current time and learning constraints that also achieve the same or better learning outcomes for students. The fact that students spend a lot of time playing games does not mean that the games are based on a sound, efficient and effective instructional design. An examination of several documented games and environments used for learning indicate that many learning games do not demonstrate a sound, efficient educational or instructional design (Dondlinger, 2007).
Quantifying Future Dangerousness: A Need for Improved Legal and Nosological Clarity

Legal standards, assessment methods, and diagnostic categories related to prediction of future dangerousness for sexually violent predators ("SVPs") -- and concomitant civil incarceration--are examined. It is proposed that increased clarity in the existing legal standards is needed, and that clarified psychiatric nosology is also called for. Further, it is suggested than an integration of new legal standards with the improved nosological categories should occur.
Alternative splicing of Drosophila Nmnat functions as a switch to enhance neuroprotection under stress.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) acts in the NAD biosynthesis pathway and has neuroprotective activity. Ruan et al. show that the neuroprotective activity of NMNAT is restricted to a splice variant of the enzyme, and that this variant is preferentially spliced in response to stress.
Are Improvements in Measured Performance Driven by Better Treatment or "Denominator Management"?

Process measures of healthcare quality are usually formulated as the number of patients who receive evidence-based treatment (numerator) divided by the number of patients in the target population (denominator). When the systems being evaluated can influence which patients are included in the denominator, it is reasonable to wonder if improvements in measured quality are driven by expanding numerators or contracting denominators. In 2003, the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) based executive compensation in part on performance on a substance use disorder (SUD) continuity-of-care quality measure. The first goal of this study was to evaluate if implementing the measure in this way resulted in expected improvements in measured performance. The second goal was to examine if the proportion of patients with SUD who qualified for the denominator contracted after the quality measure was implemented, and to describe the facility-level variation in and correlates of denominator contraction or expansion. Using 40 quarters of data straddling the implementation of the performance measure, an interrupted time series design was used to evaluate changes in two outcomes. All veterans with an SUD diagnosis in all VA facilities from fiscal year 2000 to 2009. The two outcomes were 1) measured performance—patients retained/patients qualified and 2) denominator prevalence—patients qualified/patients with SUD program contact. Measured performance improved over time (P < 0.001). Notably, the proportion of patients with SUD program contact who qualified for the denominator decreased more rapidly after the measure was implemented (p = 0.02). Facilities with higher pre-implementation denominator prevalence had steeper declines in denominator prevalence after implementation (p < 0.001). These results should motivate the development of measures that are less vulnerable to denominator management, and also the exploration of “shadow measures” to monitor and reduce undesirable denominator management.
Marketing of Housebuilding Materials

HE physical substance of a house is a pile of materials assembled from widely scattered sources. They undergo different kinds and degrees of processing in large numbers of places, require many types of handling over periods that vary greatly in length, and use the services of a multitude of people organized into many different sorts of business entity. The marketing of housebuilding materials may therefore be viewed as a vast exercise in logistics. For any given house, the parts of the process must be well enough performed and coordinated so that in the end all the separate pieces come together. These pieces must arrive at reasonably acceptable times, in a tolerable sequence, and at bearable prices upon the particular small piece of ground where a builder and his contractors combine them into a house some consumer
Geometrical Aspects of Newton's Method

(1969). Geometrical Aspects of Newton's Method. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 262-266.
Hematology Reference Values Analysis by Different Statistical Technics and Variations with Age and Sex

The following hematologic parameters in 1,744 healthy men and women aged 16 to 89 years were studied: leukocyte count, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and mean cell hemoglobin concentration. The frequency distributions of all parameters were statistically significantly deviated from Gaussian distributions. Standard Gaussian statistical methods as well as nonparametric methods were used to establish 95% reference intervals for each parameter. The effects of sex and age upon these parameters were also studied. Significant age differences, which were most striking for leukocyte count, erythrocyte count, MCV, and MCH, were detected.
Efficient Method for Aeroelastic Virtual Simulation and Modeling

The main goal is to construct reduced order model for unsteady flow modeling.Proper orthogonal decomposition was proposed to address the problem.The POD basis vectors,developed from snapshots correlation matrix of full order system in frequency domain,were used for a Galerkin projection.Singular Values Decomposition(SVD) was then applied for system proper realization.The eigenvectors that correspond to large Hankel singular values were retained to span the optimal subspace.AGARD 445.6 wing aeroelastic system with order(n = 239400) was chosen for method validation.Flutter boundary of the wing was identified with 40 orders ROM,and the result agrees well with CFD/CSD direct coupling.All the results indicate POD-based ROM is efficient and accurate enough to provide a powerful tool for aeroelastic system analysis.
Epidemiological Investigation on Measles Outbreaks in Bama County in 2013

Objective Evaluate epidemiological characteristics and reasons for a measles outbreak in Bama county in 2013.Method Descriptive epidemiological analyses were used to determine the measles outbreak characteristics.Results The outbreak lasted 5 months,and the total number of cases was 528,with an incidence of 232.99 / 100,000.One case died.Children less than 6 years of age accounted for 82.76% of the total measles cases.Conclusion Low coverage of routine immunizations,and delayed and missing measles cases reporting were the main reasons of the outbreak.
Relationships among intramuscular collagen, serum hydroxyproline and serum testosterone in growing rams and wethers.

Concentration and maturation of collagen and serum concentrations of hydroxyproline and testosterone were determined in growing rams and wethers to characterize developmental changes in collagen associated with a representative testicular steroid. Groups of eight rams and eight wethers were slaughtered at 12, 18, 24 and 30 wk of age. Concentrations of collagen in longissimus, supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and serum hydroxyproline were greater (P less than .05) in rams than in wethers at all ages. Collagen stability, as measured by collagen solubility and thermal shrinkage temperature, was greater (P less than .05) in wethers than in rams. Differences in collagen stability and serum hydroxyproline concentration indicated that collagen synthesis and turnover were more rapid in rams than in wethers. Serum hydroxyproline decreased (P less than .05) and collagen solubility decreased (P less than .05) with age, indicating that collagen turnover was occurring most rapidly in 12-wk-old lambs and that collagen maturation was predominant in 24- to 30-wk old lambs. Testosterone parameters measured in rams were unrelated within groups to collagen characteristics, possibly reflecting the high variability in testosterone secretion and the slow development of collagen. However, rams as young as 12 wk of age were under the influence of testosterone, and differences in collagen between rams and wethers were apparent at that time.
Forest structure as a predictor of tree species diversity in the North Carolina Piedmont

Questions Can forest structure significantly predict tree species diversity in the forests of the North Carolina Piedmont? If so, which structural attributes are most correlated with it, and how effective are they when used in concert in a generalized predictive model of tree species diversity? Location North Carolina Piedmont, USA. Methods Using a set of geographically distributed Forest inventory and analysis (FIA) plots (n = 972), we analysed Spearman correlations between 15 measures of forest structure and five indices of tree species diversity. We predict tree species diversity based on structural predictors using support vector regression (SVR) models, assessing model fit via ten-fold cross-validation. Results Results show a consistent and significant relationship between most structural attributes and indices of tree species diversity. Among all structural predictors, maximum height, basal area size inequality (basal area Gini coefficient) and skewness of the basal area distribution (Weibull shape) exhibited the strongest correlations with indices of tree species diversity. Predictive SVR models trained solely with structural attributes explained 44–61% of the variance in tree species diversity in the full Piedmont data set, and 22–71% of the variance in subsets defined by stand origin and forest type. Conclusions Results confirm that forest structure alone was able to predict a substantial portion of the variance in tree species diversity without accounting for other known predictors of diversity in the North Carolina Piedmont, such as environment, soil conditions and site history. Beyond the theoretical implications of unravelling primary patterns underlying tree species diversity, these findings highlight the empirical basis and potential for utilizing forest structure in predictive models of tree species diversity over large geographic regions.
Clinical outcomes in patients with bile leaks treated via ERCP with regard to the timing of ERCP: a large multicenter study

Background and Aims Postsurgical or traumatic bile duct leaks (BDLs) can be safely and effectively managed by endoscopic therapy via ERCP. The early diagnosis of BDL is important because unrecognized leaks can lead to serious adverse events (AEs). Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between timing of endotherapy after BDL and the clinical outcomes, AEs, and long-term results of endoscopic therapy. Methods We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study on patients with BDLs who underwent ERCP between 2006 and 2014. Data were assembled on patient demographics, etiology of BDL, and procedural details. Endotherapy for BDLs were classified a priori into 3 groups based on timing of ERCP from time of biliary injury: within 1 day of BDL, on day 2 or 3 after BDL, and greater than 3 days after BDL. The relationship among timing of ERCP after BDL injury and outcomes, procedure-related AEs, and patient AEs and mortality were evaluated. Results From February 2006 to June 2014, 518 patients (50% male; mean age, 51.7 years) underwent ERCP for therapy of BDLs. The etiology of the BDL was laparoscopic cholecystectomy (70.7%), post–liver transplantation (11.2%), liver resection (14.1%), trauma (2.5%), and other causes (1.5%). Endotherapy was performed by placing a transpapillary stent alone (73.5%) or with a sphincterotomy (26.5%). The timing of ERCPs was as follows: ≤1 day = 57 patients, day 2 or 3 = 140 patients, and >3 days = 321 patients. There was no statistical difference in patient demographics, etiology/site of BDL, or type of endotherapy performed among the 3 groups. On multivariate analysis there was no statistically significant difference in BDL success rate for ERCPs performed within 1 day compared with those performed on day 2 or 3 or after 3 days of bile duct injury (91.2%, 90%, and 88.5%, respectively; P = .77). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the overall patient AE rate among the 3 groups (21.1%, 22.9%, and 24.6%, respectively; P = .81). AEs in men occurred significantly more frequently when compared with women, even after adjusting for age, BDL etiology, and location of leak (27.6% vs 19.9%; OR, 1.53; P = .04). Patients whose BDL was due to a cholecystectomy had a lower AE and mortality rate compared with those who had biliary injury from other etiologies (OR, .42; P Conclusions The overall success rates and AEs after ERCP were not dependent on the timing of the procedure relative to the discovery of the bile leak. This suggests that ERCP in these patients can usually be performed in an elective, rather than an urgent, manner.
Worth more than their weight in gold

The cost of many topical prescription medications has increased in recent years. We have calculated that the cost per unit now exceeds that of many ?valuable' consumer items.
Heroic Messiahs or Everyday Businessmen? The Rhetoric and the Reality of Social Entrepreneurship in India

While the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship is not new, there remain several ambiguities associated with its definition and theoretical formulation. To understand how social entrepreneurs create value in their quest to resolve social issues, it is important to appreciate the motivations that underlie their behavior. This chapter uses the cases of two social entrepreneurs in responsible tourism in India to identify a range of value-oriented and traditional entrepreneurial motivations. It further identifies how these motivations are intricately woven into a process of identify creation that illuminates the performative aspects of social entrepreneurship. Through their association and dissociation with a host of entities in the ecosystem, the social entrepreneurs tend to maintain their organizations’ legitimacy as heroes, thus adhering to the popular social discourse surrounding social entrepreneurship. While such conformity, validated by the entrepreneurs’ life stories, is beneficial in shaping the social entrepreneurial narrative, we argue that the need to further the social entrepreneurship agenda must incorporate alternative forms of thinking and talking about the phenomenon. These alternative discourses illuminate the duality of social entrepreneurship—its rhetoric as a grand, Schumpeterian style innovation and its reality as bricolage.
Using ethnography to investigate life scientists' information needs.

Abstract Designing information resources that actually meet the information needs of individuals requires detailed knowledge of these needs. This poses a challenge for developers. Because the meaning of particular terms can vary by field, professional knowledge differs to some extent in different disciplines, and the questions that people ask assume a certain amount of unarticulated background knowledge, understanding the information needs of life scientists is not a trivial undertaking. One source of help in meeting this challenge is ethnography, a set of research methods and an associated conceptual stance developed and used by anthropologists for investigating uncontrolled real-world settings. Drawing on the author's experience in using ethnographic techniques to study clinicians' information needs, this paper describes why such research is necessary, why it requires particular research methods, what an ethnographic perspective has added to the study of information needs, and what this broader approach has revealed about the types of information sought by clinicians in the course of their daily practice.
Chronic fluoxetine ameliorates adolescent chronic nicotine exposure-induced long-term adult deficits in trace conditioning.

Abstract Development of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, continues through adolescence. Chronic nicotine exposure during adolescence may contribute to long-term deficits in forebrain-dependent learning. It is unclear if these deficits emerge immediately after exposure and if they can be ameliorated. In this study, C57BL/6J mice were treated with chronic nicotine (6.3 or 12.6 mg/kg/day) over 12 days beginning at adolescence, postnatal day (PND) 38, or adulthood, PND 56–63 ± 3. We investigated the effects of short-term (24 h) abstinence on trace fear conditioning and found that adult treatment resulted in deficits (6.3 and 12.6 mg/kg/day), but adolescent chronic nicotine treatment had no effect. In contrast, adolescent treatment with chronic nicotine (12.6 mg/kg/day) elicited a long-term (30 days) learning deficit, but adult chronic nicotine treatment did not. Using the elevated plus maze (EPM) we found no long-term changes in anxiety-related behavior after chronic nicotine exposure at either time-point. We investigated if chronic fluoxetine (FLX) could ameliorate adolescent chronic nicotine-associated long-term deficits in trace conditioning. We found that chronic FLX (160 mg/L) in drinking water ameliorated the long-term deficit in trace fear conditioning associated with nicotine exposure during adolescence. Additionally, in the same animals, we examined changes in total BDNF protein in the dorsal hippocampus (DH), ventral hippocampus (VH), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Chronic FLX increased DH BDNF. Our data indicate nicotine administration during adolescence leads to late onset, long-lasting deficits in hippocampus-dependent learning that chronic FLX treatment ameliorate.
Reliable Cooperative Sensing in Cognitive Networks - (Invited Paper).

In this paper, we consider reliable cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive networks under the Spectrum Sensing Data Falsification (SSDF) attacks. One effective method to mitigate the SSDF attacks is the q-out-of-m fusion scheme, where the final decision is based on q sensing reports from m polled users. In this paper, first, we derive the asymptotic behavior of the fusion scheme as the network size increases. It is found that the false alarm rate decreases exponentially as the network size increases, even if the percentage of malicious users remains fixed. Second, we propose an iterative approach to obtain the best scheme parameters that minimizes the false alarm rate and enforces the miss detection constraint. Third, we discuss different attack scenarios and propose a malicious user detection method to further improve the performance. It is shown that by exploiting the malicious user detection scheme, the system performance is improved significantly under various attacks.
Possible confounders in study of oral versus i.v. acetaminophen for postoperative pain control.

I read with great interest the recent report by Hickman et al.[1][1] about oral versus i.v. acetaminophen. The authors performed a prospective randomized study of 486 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery and concluded that oral acetaminophen given preoperatively was equivalent to i.v.
Safety, tolerability and outcomes of immunotherapy in minority underserved population.

e15004Background: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) have shown remarkable efficacy, durable responses and prolonged overall survival compared to chemotherapy in many solid tumors. However, most s...
Quantification of Root Anatomical Traits in RGP Transgenic Maize Plants Based on Micro-CT

The RGP transgenic plants show good resistance to drought especially reflected in corn yield. However, little is known about root traits which contribute to drought resistance. Here, we characterized root anatomy in the transgenic plants based on micro-CT scanning. Quantitative analysis of root anatomical traits showed that the drought-resistant RGP transgenic plants had larger root and stele cross-sectional areas in the fourth and the fifth whorls of nodal roots. The metaxylem vessel number and total area of metaxylem vessels was higher or larger in the fifth and the sixth whorls of nodal roots from RGP transgenic plants.
The evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT): A computational text analysis

Abstract There is increasing interest in the IoT, in both academia and industry. Extant studies have surveyed the topic of IoT using different approaches. This study takes a digital innovation view of IoT as a complex ecosystem of technologies, industry applications, concepts, methodologies, and social institutions, which is temporally dynamic and evolves over time. The study focuses on three research questions: (1) What are the important elements of the IoT ecosystem? (2) How are such IoT elements connected in the ecosystem? And (3) How have such IoT elements been evolving over time? This study adopts a topic modeling approach and extracts hidden trends from social media data. The popular elements in the IoT ecosystem are cloud computing, big data, and cybersecurity, among others. The analysis provides detailed information about popular categories or topics in the IoT ecosystem, the associations among those topics, and their evolution since 2014. Based on the findings, the study offers implications for practice and suggestions for future research.
Reidemeister torsion of a 3-manifold obtained by an integral Dehn-surgery along the figure-eight knot

Let M be a 3-manifold obtained by a Dehn-surgery along the figure-eight knot. We give a formula of the Reidemeisiter torsion of M for any SL(2; C)-irreducible representation. It has a rational expression of the trace of the image of the meridian.
Interactive Gibson Benchmark: A Benchmark for Interactive Navigation in Cluttered Environments

We present Interactive Gibson Benchmark , the first comprehensive benchmark for training and evaluating Interactive Navigation solutions. Interactive Navigation tasks are robot navigation problems where physical interaction with objects (e.g., pushing) is allowed and even encouraged to reach the goal. Our benchmark comprises two novel elements: 1) a new experimental simulated environment, the Interactive Gibson Environment , that generate photo-realistic images of indoor scenes and simulates realistic physical interactions of robots and common objects found in these scenes; 2) the Interactive Navigation Score , a novel metric to study the interplay between navigation and physical interaction of Interactive Navigation solutions. We present and evaluate multiple learning-based baselines in Interactive Gibson Benchmark, and provide insights into regimes of navigation with different trade-offs between navigation, path efficiency and disturbance of surrounding objects. We make our benchmark publicly available 1 1 [Online]. Available: https://sites.google.com/view/interactivegibsonenv . and encourage researchers from related robotics disciplines (e.g., planning, learning, control) to propose, evaluate, and compare their Interactive Navigation solutions in Interactive Gibson Benchmark.