cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat shock stress on photosystem II in white cucumbers probed by the fast fluoresence rise OJIP

Fast chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics were measured by a PEA,Plant Efficiency Analyzer from Hansatech Instruments,in two strains of white cucumbers(Cucumis sativus L.) with short-fruit-type or long-fruit-type.The goal is to analyse the chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics and the thermodynamics of photosystem Ⅱ(PSⅡ) heat shock stability of two contrast varieties of 'XINTAIMICI' with lower heat resistant temperature and 'JINCHUN Ⅳ' with a higher one.Along with increasing temperature(5 min at 30—57 ℃),the structure and function of PSⅡ shows to be more sensitive to heat shock as maximum quantum yield of primary photochemical of PSⅡ(Fv/Fm=1-Fo/Fm).The density of reaction centers(RC/CS) and the activity of the oxygen-evolving-complex activity(ρk) show a sigmoid decay,while in contrary energy dissipation per RC(DIo/RC) increases.The analysis of the data show that the determinant mechanism under the heat shock,i.e.,the reversible deactivation of the PSⅡ reaction centers and of oxygen-evolving-complex(OEC) as well as the energy dissipation,plays a vital role in protecting PSⅡ to prevent photoinhibition.For heat shocks above 30 ℃ the ρk starts to decrease.Over 40℃,RC/CS begins to decrease and over 44℃,DIo/RC increases.Over 51 ℃,in 'XINTAIMICI' high temperature weakens the capacity of the dissipative protection mechanisms of PSⅡ.The denaturising midpoint temperature(Tm) calculated from Gibbs free energy(ΔGD) indicates that the heat stability of protein complexes is higher than that of reaction center or that of oxygen-evolving-complex(OEC).Each midpoint temperature Tm for Fv/Fm,RC/CSo or ρk shows that the thermotolerance of 'JINCHUN Ⅳ' is the highest among the four cultivars.The white cucumbers with short or long fruits follow afterwards and 'XINTAIMICI'shows the lowest heat shock resistance.
BNP/NT-proBNP and Diagnosis of Diastolic Heart Failure

Diastolic heart failure accounts for a high proportion of patients suffering from congestive heart failure.However,because of the lack of simple,objective methods and a unified standard for the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure,especially its early diagnosis,the rate of omission and misdiagnosis is quite high.B type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal proBNP are two objective biochemical indexes in congestive heart failure.Their diagnostic values in diastolic heart failure have been proven clinical research.Although there is controversy among scholars over their diagnostic value,we believe that with further development in research,BNP and NT-proBNP may become one of the reliable biochemical indexes respectively in the early diagnosis of diastolic heart failure.Moreover,they may have clear boundary values in the field in future,and possibly making the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure simple,accurate and reliable.
Pulmonary blastoma (embryoma): Report of two cases

Summary Two cases of pulmonary blastoma, or embryoma, and a review of the literature are reported. Clinically, these tumors have many features in common with bronchogenic carcinoma, although their course occasionally is more indolent. The tumor represents a distinct entity which can be differentiated from carcinosarcoma and other tumors of the lung which contain glandular acini.
Changing asthma mortality and sales of inhaled bronchodilators and anti-asthmatic drugs.

BACKGROUND Increasing rates of death from asthma in the United States have stabilized somewhat since 1988. Case-control studies have suggested possible adverse effects of inhaled beta-adrenergic agonists that may have contributed to mortality. OBJECTIVE To examine possible relationships between changing asthma mortality and sales of inhaled antiasthmatic drugs. METHODS The National Center for Health Statistics supplied numbers and rates of death from asthma (ICD 493) by year. The Bureau of the Census supplied population data. IMS America provided estimates of total hospital and drugstore sales of inhaled beta-adrenergic agonists, cromolyn sodium, and inhaled corticosteroids by year and annual sales of AeroChambers and InspirEase kits. I calculated sales of the antiasthmatic drugs as puffs per person in the general population or doses per person for cromolyn sodium, defining a dose as a 20-mg capsule or vial or 2 mg by metered dose inhaler. RESULTS Rates of death from asthma in the United States increased from 0.8 per 100,000 general population in 1977 and 1978 to 2.0 in 1989, then decreased to 1.9 in 1990 before increasing again to 2.0 in 1991. Rates of death for blacks 5 through 34 years of age increased from 0.9 in 1980 to 1.3 in 1990 and decreased to 1.2 in 1991. Estimated total hospital and drugstore sales of beta-adrenergic metered dose inhalers increased from 10.3 puffs per person in the general population in 1976 to 31.0 in 1991; those for inhaled corticosteroids, from 0.44 puffs per person in 1976 to 5.44 in 1991. Sales of cromolyn increased from 0.047 doses per person in 1978 to 0.91 in 1991. Sales of AeroChambers and InspirEase kits have also increased. CONCLUSIONS Since 1988 there has been some moderation in increases in rates of death from asthma while progressive increases in sales of inhaled antiasthmatic drugs have continued. These data are consistent with the likelihood that previous increases in rates of death from asthma were partly due to undertreatment.
Chemotherapy dose intensity predicted by baseline nutrition assessment in gastrointestinal malignancies: A multicentre analysis

Abstract Background Malnutrition is prevalent in cancer patients and is associated with inferior outcomes. We examined the association between malnutrition, as measured by the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and chemotherapy dose reduction in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. We hypothesised that malnutrition, defined by a patient's baseline SGA, would be associated with a greater degree of chemotherapy dose-reduction, with the implication of greater chemotherapy related toxicity. Design We reviewed chemotherapy dosing and treatment related toxicity for patients enrolled in a prospective Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry over their first 8 weeks of treatment. We compared results between well-nourished and malnourished patients. Results Malnourished patients were more likely than well-nourished patients to have their starting chemotherapy dose reduced from standard published dosing (67% versus 35%, p = 0.0001). Despite attenuated initial dosing, malnourished patients received a smaller fraction of planned chemotherapy (mean 80 ± 23% versus 90 ± 15% of cycle 1, p = 0.005), primarily due to toxicity-related dose reductions. After controlling for age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG), albumin, smoking status, body habitus, and weight loss, malnutrition remained the strongest independent predictor of the magnitude of chemotherapy dose reduction (estimate –10.3%, 95% confidence interval –19.0 to –0.1.6%, p = 0.020). Conclusions Malnutrition is an independent predictor of chemotherapy dose-reduction for toxicity. This study highlights the practical significance of malnutrition in gastrointestinal malignancies and provides a baseline for future nutrition intervention studies to improve chemotherapy tolerability in malnourished patients.
Nanoparticle Lung Delivery and Inhalation Aerosols for Targeted Pulmonary Nanomedicine

Nanomedicine drug-delivery systems have a number of advantages1−3: (1) to achieve relatively uniform distribution of drug dose; (2) to enhance the apparent solubility of a poorly water-soluble drug; (3) to control drug release that can consequently reduce the dosing frequency; (4) to achieve macromolecule delivery of therapeutic proteins and polypeptides; (5) to reduce sideCONTENTS3.1 Introduction 43 3.2 Anatomy of the Human Respiratory Tract and InhalationAerosol Particle Deposition 45 3.3 Respiratory Diseases and Targeted Pulmonary Nanomedicine 48
Studies of Myelin Breakdown in Vitro

The present chapter describes that aspect of our studies that is concerned with the mechanism of myelin sheath damage in inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Our work has been largely conducted in vitro, and most of it has been concerned with biochemical changes occurring in myelin under a variety of pathologically relevant challenges. Although not intended as a detailed review of the biochemistry of demyelination, the results we have obtained will be discussed with respect to related studies, the problems in interpreting these findings, and ways in which our results may relate to the pathogenesis of human disease. Inflammatory diseases can affect both central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin, and although most of the experiments described here involve the CNS, thee mechanism of PNS sheath breakdown may well have features in common.
Cellulose production, activated by cyclic di-GMP through BcsA and BcsZ, is a virulence factor and an essential determinant of the three-dimensional architectures of biofilms formed by Erwinia amylovora Ea1189

Bacterial biofilms are multicellular aggregates encased in an extracellular matrix mainly composed of exopolysaccharides (EPSs), protein and nucleic acids, which determines the architecture of the biofilm. Erwinia amylovora Ea1189 forms a biofilm inside the xylem of its host, which results in vessel plugging and water transport impairment. The production of the EPSs amylovoran and levan is critical for the formation of a mature biofilm. In addition, cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) has been reported to positively regulate amylovoran biosynthesis and biofilm formation in E. amylovora Ea1189. In this study, we demonstrate that cellulose is synthesized by E. amylovora Ea1189 and is a major modulator of the three-dimensional characteristics of biofilms formed by this bacterium, and also contributes to virulence during systemic host invasion. In addition, we demonstrate that the activation of cellulose biosynthesis in E. amylovora is a c-di-GMP-dependent process, through allosteric binding to the cellulose catalytic subunit BcsA. We also report that the endoglucanase BcsZ is a key player in c-di-GMP activation of cellulose biosynthesis. Our results provide evidence of the complex composition of the extracellular matrix produced by E. amylovora and the implications of cellulose biosynthesis in shaping the architecture of the biofilm and in the expression of one of the main virulence phenotypes of this pathogen.
Private Environmental Governance and the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Private environmental governance continues to gain legal environmental academic attention. Newer bilateral and regional trade agreements have been encouraging the use of private environmental governance as a potential counterpart to traditional environmental regulation. The recently signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is one such trade agreement. Its provisions, however, differ from earlier trade agreements in ways that may limit the flexibility of private governance mechanisms. This essay examines the private governance provisions of earlier free trade agreements involving the United States. It then provides a preliminary exploration of the voluntary mechanisms provision of the TPP, and observes the ways in which the voluntary mechanisms provisions of the TPP Agreement differ from earlier agreements to which the United States is a party. It concludes by highlighting potential academic areas of exploration related to these developments, and suggesting considerations that legal decision makers may want to keep in mind when approaching these provisions.
The Relationship Between Differentiation of the Testicle, Genital Ducts and External Genitalia in Fetal and Postnatal Life

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the relationship between testicular differentiation, regression of the paramesonephric (Mullerian) duct system and masculinization of the external genitalia in normal human embryos and fetuses and in some male pseudohermaphrodites.
Time Series Model Identification and Quantile Spectral Analysis

Abstract This paper describes research in progress whose goal is to apply techniques of Quantile Data Analysis to interpret non-parametric functions such as the spectral density, sample correlations, and sample partial correlations, which are used to analyze time series. We propose to plot identification-quantile versions of these functions. The aim is to identify for an observed time series its memory type, and type of parametric time domain models that fit it. A measure of memory is the index δ of regular variation of a spectral density; estimators are proposed for δ. Identification quantile scatter diagrams and IQQ plots are defined as other illustrations of quantile domain statistical data analysis.
Meta-Ethnography and its Potential for Theory Building in Library and Information Science

Meta-ethnography is an interpretive method that provides a way to synthesize the findings of two or more qualitative studies concerning a similar research question or topic. Going beyond the traditional literature review, which looks at individual studies, meta-ethnography facilitates generalizations through extracting concepts, metaphors, and themes. This paper provides a thorough description of the seven steps of meta-ethnography as defined by Noblit and Hare (1988). Implications for this method and the field of Library and Information Science (LIS), especially in the area of theory building, are discussed. Appropriate examples of actual and potential applications within LIS and related disciplines are given to illustrate the potential for the meta-ethnographic method.
Nursing's Boundary Work: Theory Development and the Making of Nursing Science, ca. 1950-1980.

Background Beginning in the late 1950s and intensifying through the 1960s and 1970s, nurse educators, researchers, and scholars worked to establish nursing as an academic discipline. These nursing leaders argued that the development of nursing theory was not only critical to nursing’s academic project but also to improving nursing practice and patient care. Objectives The purpose of the article is to examine the context for the development of nursing theory and the characteristics of early theory development from the 1950s through the early 1980s. Methods The methods used were historical research and analysis of the social, cultural, and political context of nursing theory development from the 1950s through the early 1980s. How this context influenced the work of nurse theorists and researchers in these decades was addressed. Results The development of nursing theory was influenced by a context that included the increasing complexity of patient care, the relocation of nursing education from hospital-based diploma schools to colleges and universities, and the ongoing efforts of nurses to secure more professional autonomy and authority in the decades after World War II. In particular, from the 1960s through the early 1980s, nurse theorists, researchers, and educators viewed the establishment of nursing science, underpinned by nursing theory, as critical to establishing nursing as an academic discipline. To define nursing science, nurse theorists and researchers engaged in critical boundary work in order to draw epistemic boundaries between nursing science and the existing biomedical and behavioral sciences. Discussion By the early 1980s, the boundary work of nurse theorists and researchers was incomplete. Their efforts to define nursing science and establish nursing as an academic discipline were constrained by generational and intraprofessional politics, limited resources, the gendered and hierarchical politics, and the complexity of drawing disciplinary boundaries for a discipline that is inherently interdisciplinary.
Design, manufacture, and testing of a silicon nitride ring resonator-based biosensing platform

An effective response to human biowarfare agent exposure events requires the availability of simple, sensitive, reliable, and manufacturable sensing and diagnostic tools. While ring resonators fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator platform have found wide application as enabling components for biosensors, and have even been commercialized successfully, silicon nitride-based ring resonators have received less attention. We hypothesized that silicon nitride would provide both manufacturing and performance advantages over silicon in a biosensing context. To test that hypothesis, we designed a series of silicon nitride ring resonators. Designs were fabricated at the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics) foundry. We will discuss the design process, optical performance of the manufactured devices, and their use in the label-free detection of biomedically relevant protein targets.
A new mixed methods approach to uncover multi-level barriers and facilitators of cancer survivorship.

36Background: As healthcare becomes increasingly complex, research needs to take into account multi-level interactions that contribute to public health issues. One such area ripe for multi-level in...
Hegemonic or Queer? A Comparative Analysis of Five LGBTQIA/Disability Intersectional Social Movement Organizations:

This article explores how social movement organizations (SMOs) that seek to address issues faced by people who identify as both LGBTQ+ and disabled engage in boundary work. This article answers the...
Valvular Heart Disease

The clinical and hemodynamic manifestations of an abnormality of the semilunar or of the atrioventricular valves are secondary to obstruction or insufficiency of one or more valves.
Isolation and Separation of Human Colostral and Milk Cells

Publisher Summary Human colostrum and milk contain humoral and cellular factors that are important to the immunological protection of the newborn. These humoral components include immunoglobulins of all isotypes, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, interferons, and complement factors. The function of colostral cells is not fully understood. It has been suggested that colostral T lymphocytes or their products may confer cell-mediated hypersensitivity to the infant. In addition, T cells from colostrum have been reported to function in cell-mediated immunity, lymphokine production, and to proliferate in response to allogeneic, antigenic, or mitogenic stimulation. Purified cell types are required for the morphological and functional characterization of colostral cells. However, unusual physical characteristics present special problems to the separation and isolation of colostral populations. This chapter discusses the various methods used by the investigators to separate colostral cell populations and to delineate the efficiency and drawbacks of each. Adherence is the most commonly used method for the separation of colostral cell populations. It takes advantage of the ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and macrophages to adhere to glass or plastic surfaces.
Raltitrexed (tomudex) administration in patients failing multiple prior chemotherapy regimens in advanced colorectal cancer: a pilot study.

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy of Raltitrexed, a specificthymidilate synthase inhibitor, in patients with advancedcolorectal cancer (ACC) failing multiple prior chemotherapyregimens (e.g. 5-FU+LV, CPT-11, etc). Methods: 20 patients with ACC; 13 males/7 females,median age 64 (range: 53–69), median Karnovsky PS: 80 (70–90), and sites of metastases; liver: 16, lung: 6, lymph nodes:9, peritoneal: 8 and a life expectancy of at least 3 months,were entered in the present pilot study of Raltitrexedadministration. All patients had progressed after priorchemotherapy with 5-FU+LV and subsequently CPT-11, and somehad received further infusional 5-FU. Raltitrexed wasadministered at a dose of 3 mg/m2 i.v. every 21 days. Results: 3 patients obtained stable disease (SID), 15%,with tumor marker decline (CEA, CA-19.9). Time-to-progressionwas 4.8 months (2.2–7) and survival 7.4 months (6.0–7.8).Toxicity was in general not severe and consisted mainly ofmyelosuppression; neutropenia (WHO) grade 2: 45% and grade 3:22%, and anemia grade 1–2: 40%. Conclusion: Response to treatment with Raltitrexed islimited in patients with ACC failing multiple priorchemotherapy regimens, however, a limited percentage ofpatients with SD derived clinical benefit.
Inkjet Printing of Silver Nanowires for Stretchable Heaters

Inkjet printing is a promising technique for large-scale printed flexible and stretchable electronics. However, inkjet printing of silver nanowires (AgNWs) still presents many challenges. In this study, inkjet printing of high-concentration AgNW ink on flexible substrates is demonstrated, and liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is then spin-coated on top of the printed AgNWs patterns to form stretchable conductors. We analyzed the relationship between the surface microstructure and electrical property of the stretchable AgNW conductors during various stretching/releasing cycles. Three consecutive stages of the resistance change, including conditioning, equilibrium, and rising stages, can be observed as a result of the morphology change. We also have demonstrated that the inkjet-printed stretchable AgNW conductor can be used as a stretchable heater. All of these characteristics indicate the excellent potential of inkjet printing of AgNWs for developing large-area flexible and stretchable electronics.
Investigating Cursor-based Interactions to Support Non-Visual Exploration in the Real World

The human visual system processes complex scenes to focus attention on relevant items. However, blind people cannot visually skim for an area of interest. Instead, they use a combination of contextual information, knowledge of the spatial layout of their environment, and interactive scanning to find and attend to specific items. In this paper, we define and compare three cursor-based interactions to help blind people attend to items in a complex visual scene: window cursor (move their phone to scan), finger cursor (point their finger to read), and touch cursor (drag their finger on the touchscreen to explore). We conducted a user study with 12 participants to evaluate the three techniques on four tasks, and found that: window cursor worked well for locating objects on large surfaces, finger cursor worked well for accessing control panels, and touch cursor worked well for helping users understand spatial layouts. A combination of multiple techniques will likely be best for supporting a variety of everyday tasks for blind users.
Reconsidering Network Availability and Time

Availability analysis typically focuses on steady state behavior. However, there are many scenarios where the system availability may depend on time. This paper revisits modeling techniques to study time dependent availability behavior with the intent of rekindling interest in the area. The spotlight is on determining when time dependent analysis is needed, how the analysis can be conducted and efficient computational methods. Drawing on results from queueing and control theory, the set of analysis tools are expanded providing methods to estimate the length of transient time periods and numerical algorithms for studying nonstationary behavior.
Strategic Legislative Subsidies: Informational Lobbying and the Cost of Policy

We analyze the strategic considerations inherent in legislative subsidies and develop an informational lobbying model with costly policy reforms. In contrast to other models of informational lobbying, we focus on the implications of a policymaker’s and a lobby’s resource constraints for lobbying activities. We allow both a policymaker and a lobby to gather information, and each can either fund or subsidize policymaking. Our analysis highlights that legislative subsidies are both chosen strategically by lobbyists and strategically induced by policymakers, dependent on the circumstances. These involve which resource constraints bind the policymaker’s prior beliefs, the salience of policy, and the policymaker’s and lobby’s expertise in information gathering. Our results highlight five distinct motives for informational lobbying and demonstrate that for both a lobby and policymaker, there can be strategic advantages arising from being resource-constrained.
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry's Trainee Programs: Participant Characteristics and Perceived Benefits.

ABSTRACT Objective The number of physicians trained in geriatric psychiatry is dwindling. The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) developed novel educational programs designed to foster interest in the field. The objective of this study was to compare participant characteristics and perceived benefits of two AAGP educational programs for trainees: Stepping Stones (1997–2007) and the Scholars Program (2010–2016). Methods Web-based surveys were distributed to former participants of the Stepping Stones and Scholars Programs. Characteristics of participants in the two programs were compared using χ2, t tests, or Mann-Whitney U tests, as appropriate. The five-point Likert scale responses for each perceived benefit were compared using t tests, when normally distributed, or Mann-Whitney U tests as appropriate. Results Of the 476 Stepping Stones participants, 132 (27.8%) responded to the survey, while 64 (29.0%) of the 221 Scholars Program participants responded to the survey. Participant characteristics differed only in age. Compared to Stepping Stones participants, Scholars Program participants endorsed greater advancement of their scholarly work, more support and recognition from their home institution, and increased networking opportunities. Conclusion Innovative approaches to addressing the geriatric psychiatry workforce shortage are critical. The member-funded AAGP Scholars Program offers several advantages over its predecessor Stepping Stones. Highlighted by the addition of medical student participants, a carefully matched mentoring program, and a required scholarly project, the Scholars Program is poised to enhance recruitment into geriatric psychiatry subspecialty training, although its impact on recruitment should be investigated directly in future research.
Longitudinal Angiographic Evidence That Intraretinal Microvascular Abnormalities Can Evolve into Neovascularization.

Purpose The hallmark of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is retinal neovascularization. Tortuous intraretinal vascular segments known as intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMAs) are a known risk factor for neovascularization (NV), but whether IRMA represents a biomarker or a vascular precursor lesion to NV has not been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether IRMA may evolve directly into NV. Design Retrospective analysis of prospective, observational case series. Participants Patients with treatment-naive PDR. Methods Patients were imaged longitudinally with fluorescein angiography (FA) and swept-source (SS) OCT angiography (OCTA) before and after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Main Outcome Measures Presence and colocalization of IRMA and NV on serial FA and SS OCTA. Results Two PDR patients showed multiple NV and IRMA lesions at baseline examination. Three months after PRP, FA demonstrated profuse leakage from 3 new NV lesions in one patient and 1 new NV lesion in another patient. Multimodal imaging showed that these 4 lesions were IRMAs at baseline. Swept-source OCTA performed before PRP and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after PRP confirmed that the precursor IRMA lesions were intraretinal tortuous vascular lesions at baseline and that they developed into preretinal NV with contiguous intraretinal components. NV was found to develop and adhere to the posterior hyaloid even in areas of pre-existing hyaloidal detachment. Conclusions Diabetic retinal NV can develop from IRMA. Early identification of IRMAs may be an accurate means of predicting progression to PDR, and frequent monitoring of IRMAs with SS OCTA may facilitate early diagnosis of PDR.
Bone marrow stimulation plus bone marrow aspirate concentrate versus bone marrow stimulation alone in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: A prospective study

Background: Bone marrow stimulation (BMS) has proven to be the standard treatment for small osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). It has been theorized that bone marrow aspirate concentration (BMAC) has the potential to enhance cartilage repair stimulated by BMS. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the effect of BMS with BMAC versus BMS alone on patient-reported outcomes after the treatment of OLTs. Methods: This is a single-institution, randomized prospective study. Patients over the age of 18 with OLTs who were proceeding with BMS were included in the study. Patients with multiple OLTs and follow-up period of Results: Nine patients were evaluated in the study. Six patients were in the BMS with BMAC group, and three patients were in the BMS alone group. Average final follow-up was >2 years for both groups. Both groups showed improvements in patient-reported outcome scores from preoperatively to final follow-up. There were no significant differences in final outcome scores or changes in outcome scores from preoperatively to final follow-up between the two groups. Conclusion: Our study found that both BMS alone and BMS with BMAC treatments are effective in improving pain and functional outcomes in patients with OLTs. There were no significant differences between the two modalities of treatment. This is a pilot study and a larger randomized trial is needed to make definitive conclusions.
Evaluating post-wildfire logging-slash cover treatment to reduce hillslope erosion after salvage logging using ground measurements and remote sensing

Continuing long and extensive wildfire seasons in the Western US emphasize the need for better understanding of wildfire impacts including post-fire management scenarios. Advancements in our understanding of post-fire hillslope erosion and watershed response such as flooding, sediment yield, and debris flows have recently received considerable attention. The potential impacts of removing dead trees, called salvage logging, has been studied, however the use of remotely sensed imagery after salvage logging to evaluate spatial patterns and recovery is novel. The 2015 North Star Fire provided an opportunity to evaluate hillslope erosion reduction using two field experiments and coincidental remotely sensed imagery over 3 years. Simulated rill experiments with four flow rates were used to quantify hillslope erosion on skidder trails with and without added logging slash compared with a burned-only control. Seven replicated hillslope silt fence plots with the same treatments were also evaluated for natural rainfall events. WorldView-2 satellite imagery was used to relate ground cover and erodible bare soil between the two experiments using multi-temporal Normalized Differenced Vegetation Index (NDVI) values. Results indicate that the skid trails produced significantly more sediment (0.70 g s-1) than either the slash treated skid trail (0.34 g s-1) or controls (0.04 g s-1) with the simulated rill experiment. Similarly, under natural rainfall conditions sediment yield from hillslope silt fence plots was significantly greater for the skid trail (3.42 Mg ha-1) than either the slash treated skid trail (0.18 Mg ha−1) or controls (0 Mg ha−1). An NDVI value of 0.32 on all plots over all years corresponded to a ground cover of about 60% which is an established threshold for erosion reduction. Significant relationships between NDVI, ground cover, and sediment values suggest that NDVI may help managers evaluate ground cover and erosion potential remotely after disturbances such as a wildfire or salvage logging.
Reliability and agreement between two wearable inertial sensor devices for measurement of arm activity during walking and running gait

Abstract Study Design This is a validation study. Background Tracking limb movement with body worn sensors allows clinicians to measure limb dynamics to guide treatment for patients with movement disorders. The current gold standard, 3-dimensional optical motion capture, is costly, time-consuming, requires specific training, and is conducted in specialized laboratories. Purpose The purpose of our study was to a compare consumer-grade inertial sensor to a laboratory-grade sensor to provide additional methods for capturing limb dynamics. Methods The participants wore an Apple Watch and a laboratory-grade Xsens sensor on each wrist during 3 conditions: walk, fast-walk, and run. Acceleration data were collected simultaneously on each device per wrist for all conditions. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were calculated to measure intra-/interdevice reliability, evaluate bias, and limits of agreement. Results Intradevice ICCs showed good reliability during walk and fast-walk (0.79-0.87) and excellent reliability during run (0.94-0.97) conditions. Inter-device ICCs yielded moderate reliability during walk (0.52 ± 0.22) and excellent reliability in fast-walk and run (0.93 ± 0.02, 1.00 ± 0.01) conditions. Bland-Altman plots showed small biases with 90% or more of the data contained within the limits of agreement. Discussion Our study demonstrates reliability and agreement between the two devices, suggesting that both can reliably capture upper extremity motion data during gait trials. Conclusion Our findings support further study of consumer-grade motion trackers to measure arm activity for clinical use. These devices are inexpensive, user-friendly, and allow for data collection outside of the laboratory.
Rumination in the Context of Anger and Sadness: Differential Effects on State Agitation

Abstract Background Agitation is an important transdiagnostic factor for several mental health disorders and a significant risk factor for dangerous or maladaptive coping behaviors. How an individual responds to experiences of agitation itself may also play a crucial role in conferring risk towards maladaptive behaviors. Specifically, ruminating on high arousal emotions, such as anger, will also be more likely to initiate and maintain agitation, thereby increasing risk for impulsive and maladaptive behaviors. Methods Undergraduate students (N=117) were randomly assigned to an emotion induction condition (i.e., control, sadness only, anger only, sadness and anger) followed by either a control condition or a rumination induction. They completed measures on subjective emotional state and agitation at baseline, after emotion induction, after rumination induction, and at the end of session. Results Agitation was influenced by negative affect broadly with each experimental condition leading to agitation. Anger influenced momentary change in agitation and sustained agitation when combined with rumination. Limitations The majority of participants in the current study were young, white females and the findings may not generalize to individuals of diverse genders and cultures who may have experience and cope with agitation differently. Conclusions Recognizing and mitigating rumination during moments of anger may help decrease a clients’ use of problematic coping behaviors.
CDK2-mediated upregulation of TNFa as a mechanism of selective cytotoxicity in acute leukemia

Although inhibitors of the kinases CHK1, ATR, and WEE1 are undergoing clinical testing, it remains unclear how these three classes of agents kill susceptible cells and whether they utilize the same cytotoxic mechanism. Here we observed that CHK1 inhibition induces apoptosis in a subset of acute leukemia cell lines in vitro, including TP53-null acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and BCR/ABL-positive acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), and inhibits leukemic colony formation in clinical AML samples ex vivo. In further studies, downregulation or inhibition of CHK1 triggered signaling in sensitive human acute leukemia cell lines that involved CDK2 activation followed by AP1-dependent TNF transactivation, TNFa production, and engagement of a TNFR1- and BID-dependent apoptotic pathway. AML lines that were intrinsically resistant to CHK1 inhibition exhibited high CHK1 expression and were sensitized by CHK1 downregulation. Signaling through this same CDK2-AP1-TNF cytotoxic pathway was also initiated by ATR or WEE1 inhibitors in vitro and during CHK1 inhibitor treatment of AML xenografts in vivo. Collectively, these observations not only identify new contributors to the antileukemic cell action of CHK1, ATR, and WEE1 inhibitors, but they also delineate a previously undescribed pathway leading from aberrant CDK2 activation to death ligand-induced killing that can potentially be exploited for acute leukemia treatment.
Joint Task Assignment and Trajectory optimization for a Mobile Robot Swarm by Mean-Field Game

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in utilizing mobile robot swarm to execute several tasks at the same time. However, how to assign tasks to the swarm and optimize the trajectory of the robots scientifically to minimize energy consumption is still a big challenge. In this paper, we consider a mobile robot swarm system where a large number of robots are deployed by a centralized controller to execute a series of tasks, such as target detection tasks, cooperatively. The controller controls the velocity strategy of each robot, and makes corresponding task assignment decisions to minimize the overall cost of the robot swarm. Since the number of involving robots is large, it will be extremely difficult to consider the interaction between them. In this regard, we adopt the concept of mean-field term to approximate the behaviors and states of the robots, and formulate the joint task assignment and trajectory optimization problem as a mean-field game. To solve the problem efficiently, a primal-dual hybrid gradient algorithm is proposed to find the optimal trajectory and corresponding task assignment decisions for each robot. The numerical simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Effect of ambient temperature on viral replication and serologic titers following administration of a commercial intranasal modified-live IBR/ PI-3 vaccine in beef cattle housed in high and low ambient temperature environments

The impact of ambient temperature at the time of vaccine administration on viral replication and calf immune response is not well defined. The research objective was to compare serologic response and viral replication following intranasal administration of a modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and parainfluenza type 3 (PI3) vaccine (N asalgen IP, Merck Animal Health) to beef heifers during periods of high (summer) and moderate ambient temperatures.
THE RESISTANCE OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE CYLINDRICAL SHELL TO PENETRATION BY A KNIFE EDGE LOAD

A study of the potentialities of a reinforced concrete ship for the carriage of LNG would be incomplete without a study of its resistance to collision or grounding damage. A fairly substantial amount of research work has been done on the ultimate strength of simple rinforced concrete beams and a thorough search revealed at least two papers dealing with the mechanism of failure in a semi-cylindrical reinforced concrete shell under a uniform hydrostatic loading. These confirmed that some of the postulates commonly used in the plastic anaysis of steel construction also obtained for reinforced concrete and that it was possible, therefore, to employ the same methodology, although with modification. The sides of the double-tank subject vessel were assumed to be cylindrical and prismatic throughout at least one tank length. (This involves, of course, almost no departure at all from the actual configuration). Midway between the two end bulkheads a knife edge loading was applied at right angles to the axis of the cylinder, as if applied by the bow of a ramming ship. Whether the stem be raked or absolutely plumb does not affect the solution.
Functional Dichotomy of Protein Kinase C (PKC) in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) Signal Transduction in L929 Cells TRANSLOCATION AND INACTIVATION OF PKC BY TNF-α

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is capable of inducing a variety of biologic responses through multiple signaling pathways. Because of the potential role of protein kinase C (PKC) in apoptosis, we examined the effects and mechanisms of TNF-α on PKC regulation, specifically on PKCα. In L929 murine fibroblasts, TNF-α (0.5– 5 nm) caused potent inhibition of PKCα activity and induced translocation of PKCα from the cytosol to the membrane. Treatment of cells with TNF-α also induced dephosphorylation of PKCα as detected by a mobility shift on SDS-polyacrylamide gel and inhibition of PKC phosphorylation as probed by anti-phospho-PKC antibodies. Since PKC is activated directly by diacylglycerol and inactivated indirectly by ceramide, we next examined the roles of these lipid mediators in the regulation of PKCα. Addition of TNF-α led to accumulation of both ceramide and diacylglycerol. Fumonisin B1, an inhibitor of ceramide synthase, and glutathione, an inhibitor of neutral sphingomyelinase, both reversed the effect of TNF-α on PKCα activity, suggesting that ceramide production is necessary for the action of TNF-α. The diacylglycerol mimic phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was sufficient to cause translocation of PKCα, but not the mobility shift. Okadaic acid at 2 nm, a potent protein phosphatase inhibitor, blocked the effects of TNF-α on PKCα activity, but not on PKCα translocation, thus demonstrating that dephosphorylation and translocation are independent processes. These results demonstrate that PKCα acts as a downstream target for TNF-α and that different lipid-mediated pathways in TNF-α signaling lead to opposing signals in the regulation of PKCα activity.
Facies Models Revisited: An Examination of Quantitative Methods

In the widely-read Geoscience Canada Facies Models volume, Walker (1979) advocates a method for constructing facies models based on transition frequencies (see also Harper, 1984). I here discuss modifications to Walker's method, pitfalls both to Walker's and related methods, and suggest improvements, especially the use of median tetrads (defined below) and half-normal plots to recognize significant facies transitions "masked" by other approaches.
Genetic Mapping of a Mutant Defective in d, l-Alanine Racemase in Bacillus subtilis 168

Genetic analysis of a d-alanine requiring mutant (dal) of Bacillus subtilis reveals that the gene that codes for d,l-alanine racemase is linked to purB. The order of genes in this region of the chromosome is purB, pig, tsi, dal. Thus there are at least two clusters of genes that regulate cell wall biosynthesis in B. subtilis.
Program analysis of the NYPD container inspection program

In response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the bus and train bombings in England and Spain that followed, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) developed the ‘Container Inspection Program’ which ‘focuses on backpacks and containers large enough to hold explosives, [and to] ideally discourage subway riders from carrying backpacks and large bags in the subway system’. This paper analyzes the NYPD Container Inspection Program.
Adaptive Read Thresholds for NAND Flash

A primary source of increased read time on nand flash comes from the fact that, in the presence of noise, the flash medium must be read several times using different read threshold voltages for the decoder to succeed. This paper proposes an algorithm that uses a limited number of rereads to characterize the noise distribution and recover the stored information. Both hard and soft decoding are considered. For hard decoding, this paper attempts to find a read threshold minimizing bit error rate (BER) and derives an expression for the resulting codeword error rate. For soft decoding, it shows that minimizing BER and minimizing codeword error rate are competing objectives in the presence of a limited number of allowed rereads, and proposes a tradeoff between the two. The proposed method does not require any prior knowledge about the noise distribution but can take advantage of such information when it is available. Each read threshold is chosen based on the results of previous reads, following an optimal policy derived through a dynamic programming backward recursion. The method and results are studied from the perspective of an SLC Flash memory with Gaussian noise, but this paper explains how the method could be extended to other scenarios.
Juan Bautista Pérez and the Plomos de Granada: Spanish Humanism in the Late Sixteenth Century

This article addresses the Parecer of the humanist Juan Bautista Perez (d. 1597), one of the earliest critics of the relics unearthed in Granada in the decade after 1588. Given his relatively progressive morisco policy as bishop of Segorbe, Perez might well have welcomed the plomos , which created a history that encompassed both Muslims and Christians. His humanist training, however, led him to conclude that the plomos were a modem forgery, and that their veneration would lead the Spanish people astray. The Parecer (1595) of Perez represents one example of scholarly rigor, creativity, and religious devotion among Spanish humanists in the later sixteenth century.
Design space exploration for aggressive test cost reduction in CircularScan architectures

Scan-based designs effectively reduce test generation complexity and thus deliver improved fault coverage. Nevertheless, the traditional scan architectures suffer from increased test time and test data volume. The CircularScan architecture (Arslan and Orailoglu) provides a flexible environment for test cost reduction. The new scan design enables the use of the captured response of the previously applied test pattern as a template. The subsequent pattern is loaded by efficiently performing the necessary changes on the template through the functionality provided by the new architecture, conceptually exploiting the inherent low specified bit density of the test patterns. We explore the space of possible design alternatives built on the CircularScan architecture; the design alternatives are presented with accompanying test application methods. The experimental results indicate a substantial test cost reduction, reaching 90% levels. The proposed scheme is not only easily scalable but also promises further reductions in test cost when applied to large state of the art ICs.
Inward torque and high-friction handles can reduce required muscle efforts for torque generation.

Objective: The effects of handle friction and torque direction on muscle activity and torque are empirically investigated using cylindrical handles. Background: A torque biomechanical model that considers contact force, friction, and torque direction was evaluated using different friction handles. Methods: Twelve adults exerted hand torque in opposite directions about the long axis of a cylinder covered with aluminum or rubber while grip force, torque, and finger flexor electromyography (EMG) were recorded. In addition, participants performed grip exertions without torque, in which they matched the EMG level obtained during previous maximum torque exertions, to allow us to determine how grip force was affected by the absence of torque. Results: (a) Maximum torque was 52% greater for the high-friction rubber handle than for the low-friction aluminum handle. (b) Total normal force increased 33% with inward torque (torque applied in the direction fingertips point) and decreased 14% with outward torque (torqu...
Immunogenic structure of the influenza virus hemagglutinin

We chemically synthesized 20 peptides corresponding to 75% of the HA1 molecule of the influenza virus. Antibodies to the majority (18) of these peptides were capable of reacting with the hemagglutinin molecule. These 18 peptides are not confined to the known antigenic determinants of the hemagglutinin molecule, but rather are scattered throughout its three-dimensional structure. In contrast, antibody raised to intact hemagglutinin did not react with any of the 20 peptides. Taken together these results suggest that the immunogenicity of an intact protein molecule is not the sum of the immunogenicity of its pieces.