cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tunable Energy Harvesting from Ambient Vibrations in Civil Structures

AbstractEnergy harvesting from ambient vibrations in civil structures provides a potential permanent power source for sensor networks used in structural health monitoring. These structures exhibit a narrow, natural frequency-response range, which is generally one to two orders of magnitude lower than the operating frequency spectrum of most piezoelectric-scavenging devices. This considerably limits the levels of harvestable power and thus hinders the implementation of advanced sensing functionalities. In this paper, the improvement of the energy-harvesting characteristics of a bimorph cantilever lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectric beam is studied. The application of a variable prestress-loading condition is used as a solution to modify the system’s properties. A generalized model that takes into account all the vibration-mode shapes of the beam and the back-coupling effect is derived using the Hamiltonian principle. The model describes the effect of the prestress parameters on the harvestable ener...
Bit-error rate of binary digital modulation schemes in generalized gamma fading channels

We derive a closed-form expression for the bit-error rate of binary digital modulation schemes in a generalized fading channel that is modeled by the three-parameter generalized gamma distribution. This distribution is very versatile and generalizes or accurately approximates many of the commonly used channel models for multipath, shadow, and composite fading. The result is expressed in terms of Meijer's G-function, which can be easily evaluated numerically.
Broadband capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers ranging from 10 kHz to 60 MHz for imaging arrays and more

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have long been studied. Past research has shown that CMUTs indeed have remarkable features such as wide bandwidth and high efficiency. This paper introduces an inclusion to the CMUT technology that uses the wafer-bonding technique to fabricate membranes on silicon. This new technology enables the fabrication of large membranes with large gaps, and expands the frequency span of CMUTs to 10 kHz in the low end. CMUT devices with different frequency spans are fabricated using both technologies, and tested. Electromechanical coupling efficiency, k/sub T//sup 2/, value as high as 0.85 and fractional immersion bandwidth as wide as 175 % are measured.
Why Myc? An Unexpected Ingredient in the Stem Cell Cocktail

Screening cocktails of candidate genes for induction of pluripotency and self-renewal in nonstem cells has identified a surprising new embryonic stem cell regulator, the myc proto-oncogene. Here the possible mechanisms by which myc controls self-renewal and pluripotency are discussed.
Pyridine nucleotide synthesis by rat adipose tissue in vitro.

The synthesis of NAD and NADP by rat adipose tissue was measured in vitro. Nicotinamide-7-14C and NaHPP04 were incorporated together into NAD with a =P/14C ratio of 1.82 and nicotinic-7-14C acid and NaH232POa with a ratio of 1.94. Nicotinic acid stimulated, by 90%, lipo- genesis from glucose-U- W by rat adipose tissue in vitro. Glucose plus insulin and refeeding for 48 hr after a 48 hr fast markedly increased the incorporation of nicotinic-7-14C into NAD in rat epididymal fat pads in vitro, but neither fructose, L-glutamine, nor insulin alone increased the synthesis of NAD in this tissue. Glucose-1-W, ribose-l-14C, and to a greater extent glucose- 6J4C are incorporated into the NAD of rat adipose tissue. Fasting followed by refeeding sharply increased the radio- activity of NAD-I4C formed from gl~cose-l-~~C and glucose- 6-14C but not from ribose-lJ4C. Increasing the ribose concen- tration from 2 mM to 10 mM increased its incorporation into adipose tissue NAD twofold. The nicotinic-7-14C acid incorporation into NAD increased over the 1st hr of incubation and remained constant for the next 3 hr. The concentration of NAD in the fat pads showed a similar response to the time of incubation. NADP concen- trations increased over the entire 4 hr incubation period as did the incorporation of nicotinic-7-14C acid into NADP. The results of this study suggest that NAD is synthesized de novo by rat adipose tissue in vitro and that this synthesis is increased by factors which stimulate lipogenesis.
Performance and Persistence of Performanceof Actively Managed U.S. Fundsthat Invest in International Equity

This study analyzes the abnormal performance of actively managed U.S.-domiciled funds that mainly invest in international stocks over the period 1992–2011. Despite extraordinary growth in the number and flow of funds into international funds, only a handful of studies are available to explain the performance and persistence of performance of these funds. Moreover, findings on the performance of international funds are mixed, at best. This study finds that active management does possess selectivity skills. On the basis of risk-adjusted performance, the majority of international funds outperform their passive benchmarks. Persistence of performance is observed in few categories of international funds, and there are a number of categories where investors can earn superior returns by following contrarian strategies. Finally, this study offers trading strategies to retail investors who seek to invest in international funds.
Role of the Interdomain Linker in RNA-Activated Protein Kinase Activation.

RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) is a key component of the interferon-induced antiviral pathway in higher eukaryotes. Upon recognition of viral dsRNA, PKR is activated via dimerization and autophosphorylation. PKR contains two N-terminal dsRNA binding domains (dsRBD) and a C-terminal kinase domain. The dsRBDs and the kinase are separated by a long, unstructured ∼80-amino acid linker in the human enzyme. The length of the N-terminal portion of the linker varies among PKR sequences, and it is completely absent in one ortholog. Here, we characterize the effects of deleting the variable region from the human enzyme to produce PKRΔV. The linker deletion results in quantitative but not qualitative changes in catalytic activity, RNA binding, and conformation. PKRΔV is somewhat more active and exhibits more cooperative RNA binding. As we previously observed for the full-length enzyme, PKRΔV is flexible in solution and adopts a range of compact and extended conformations. The conformational ensemble is biased to...
Fuzzy Logic and Marketing: A Simple Introduction

Computers have introduced enormous changes into marketing theory and practice. One computational arena as yet hardly introduced is the very large conceptual domain of artificial intelligence and pattern recognition. Disciplines as diverse as electrical engineering and linguistics, mathematics and psychology, are collaborating in the computer-based emulation of human mental process.
Multi-label classification with feature-aware non-linear label space transformation

Multi-label classification with many classes has recently drawn a lot of attention. Existing methods address this problem by performing linear label space transformation to reduce the dimension of label space, and then conducting independent regression for each reduced label dimension. These methods however do not capture nonlinear correlations of the multiple labels and may lead to significant information loss in the process of label space reduction. In this paper, we first propose to exploit kernel canonical correlation analysis (KCCA) to capture nonlinear label correlation information and perform nonlinear label space reduction. Then we develop a novel label space reduction method that explicitly combines linear and nonlinear label space transformations based on CCA and KCCA respectively to address multi-label classification with many classes. The proposed method is a feature-aware label transformation method that promotes the label predictability in the transformed label space from the input features. We conduct experiments on a number of multi-label classification datasets. The proposed approach demonstrates good performance, comparing to a number of state-of-the-art label dimension reduction methods.
Experimental and numerical investigation of flexural behavior of carbon fiber reinforced aluminum laminates

Fiber metal laminates (FML) combine the strength of carbon fiber composite layer with ductility of the aluminum layer for desirable mechanical characteristics. For these composites, progressive failure behavior can be complex and require attention. In this study, two carbon fiber reinforced aluminum laminates (CARRAL) with a 3/2 configuration, with aluminum in the outer layer for the first case and one with carbon fiber composite layer in the outer layer were prepared using a vacuum press without any adhesive layer between the layers—a significant departure from similar aerospace materials. Epoxy from the prepreg provides adequate adhesion during consolidation in these lower cost FMLs with a pressure level of 0.35 MPa. Three-point flexural behaviors of these two material systems were evaluated under static loading and failure modes were recorded. Primary failure modes observed were crack in lower aluminum layer, carbon fiber (CFRP) layer fracture and delamination between upper aluminum and CFRP layer. A m...
Chemical mass transfer in magmatic processes

Thermodynamic and mathematical relations are presented to facilitate the description of an algorithm for the calculation of chemical mass transfer in magmatic systems. This algorithm extends the silicate liquid solution model of Ghiorso et al. (1983) to allow for the quantitative modelling of natural magmatic processes such as crystal fractionation, equilibrium crystallization, magma mixing and solid-phase assimilation. The algorithm incorporates a new method for determining the saturation surface of a non-ideal multicomponent solid-solution crystallizing from a melt. It utilizes a mathematical programming (optimization) approach to determine the stable heterogeneous (solids+liquid) equilibrium phase assemblage at a particular temperature and pressure in magmatic systems both closed and open to oxygen. Closed system equilibria are computed by direct minimization of the Gibbs free energy of the system. Open system equilibria are determined by minimization of the Korzhinskii potential (Thompson 1970), where oxygen is treated as a perfectly mobile component. Magmatic systems undergoing chemical mass transfer processes are modelled in a series of discrete steps in temperature, pressure or bulk composition, with each step characterized by heterogeneous solid-liquid equilibrium. A numerical implementation of the algorithm has been developed (in the form of a FORTRAN 77 computer program) and calculations demonstrating its utility are provided in an accompanying paper (Ghiorso and Carmichael 1985).
Assessing Bone Mineral Density Following Acute Hip Fractures: The Role of Computed Tomography Attenuation.

Objectives:In older patients, bone mineral density (BMD) diminishes with age, increasing susceptibility to femoral neck fractures. Evidence has emerged that patients who should have dual x-ray absorptiometry scans to evaluate their bone health are not doing so. Because computed tomography (CT) attenuation has now been correlated with BMD thresholds relating to osteoporosis, virtually any existing CT scan that includes the L1 vertebra can be used to assess BMD. This study evaluates the utility of CT attenuation in characterizing BMD in patients after femoral neck fractures.Methods:The electronic medical records of adults who presented to a level I trauma center with hip fractures were evaluated for eligibility. Those with a CT scan of the abdomen or other CT scan with a complete view of the L1 vertebra were included. To measure attenuation, a region of interest was selected to include the body of the L1 vertebra in the axial plane and exclude the cortices and posterior venous complex.Results:Of the 589 pat...
The Gauss-Green and Cauchy Integral Theorems

(1975). The Gauss-Green and Cauchy Integral Theorems. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 82, No. 6, pp. 625-629.
Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung im Rahmen der UN-Dekade

Auf der Grundlage einer ersten Begriffsklarung und Darstellung der politischen Beschlusslage wird zunachst die bisherige Implementierung und Evaluation der UN-Dekade der Bildung fur nachhaltige Entwicklung auf internationaler, regionaler und am Beispiel Deutschlands auch auf nationaler Ebene aufgearbeitet, wobei insbesondere auch die Mangel und Schwachstellen bei der Umsetzung der Dekade aus bildungspolitischer und politikdidaktischer Perspektive benannt werden.
Response of Primary Producer Communities to Short-Term Nutrient Additions in a Pacific Northwest Estuarine Tidal Wetland

While the detrimental effects of excess nutrients have been documented for tidal wetlands in many locations, the response of the primary producer community to nutrients in Pacific Northwest wetlands is unknown. We investigated the response of emergent macrophytes and sediment microalgae to 15 months of nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a Pacific Northwest estuarine tidal wetland. While both primary producer communities responded to nutrients, increased plant growth in fertilized plots resulted in less light reaching the sediment and suppressed growth of the benthic algal community. Heights of the two dominant plants, Distichlis spicata and Triglochin maritima, were significantly greater in plots fertilized with nitrogen. The relative cover of Distichlis spicata was significantly lower in fertilized plots while cover of Triglochin maritima was significantly higher in plots fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus. Increased plant growth in fertilized plots resulted in significantly lower light levels at the sediment surface. The benthic algal community responded to these lower light levels, with biomass being significantly lower in all fertilized plots and community structure being significantly different in plots fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus compared with all other treatments. Species richness and diversity was significantly higher in all fertilized plots. The rapid response of primary producer communities to nutrient additions indicates that Pacific Northwest tidal wetlands might be sensitive to eutrophication brought on by increased development in the coastal region.
Tuberculosis in the elderly: Why inflammation matters

Growing old is associated with an increase in the basal inflammatory state of an individual and susceptibility to many diseases, including infectious diseases. Evidence is growing to support the concept that inflammation and disease susceptibility in the elderly is linked. Our studies focus on the infectious disease tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), a pathogen that infects approximately one fourth of the world's population. Aging is a major risk factor for developing TB, and inflammation has been strongly implicated. In this review we will discuss the relationship between inflammation in the lung and susceptibility to develop and succumb to TB in old age. Further understanding of the relationship between inflammation, age, and M.tb will lead to informed decisions about TB prevention and treatment strategies that are uniquely designed for the elderly.
Effective charge collection area during conductive and photoconductive atomic force microscopy

Conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) has been widely used to map the nanoscale electrical properties of conducting polymers, nanomaterials, and organic electronic devices. While these measurements provide valuable insight into the spatial dependence of electrical performance, reported current densities and electrical conductivities measured by C-AFM are consistently much higher than those measured at the macroscopic scale. Here, we demonstrate that these anomalously high current densities and conductivities arise from ignoring current spreading and hence underestimating the current-carrying area. We present a simple experimental means of estimating the effective charge collection area during C-AFM measurements. Using semiconducting polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) films as a test case, we find that the effective charge collection area can be as much as three orders of magnitude larger than the mechanical contact area between the probe and the film. Calibrated conductivity maps are obtained, with a quantitative correspondence with accepted values, and C-AFM photocurrent measurements of a nanostructured hybrid organic-inorganic solar cell active layer yield short-circuit current densities that match those reported for macroscopic devices. Finally, we address the observation that current spreading increases the effective charge collection area beyond the size of the probe-sample contact but does not preclude an imaging resolution below 10 nm.Conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) has been widely used to map the nanoscale electrical properties of conducting polymers, nanomaterials, and organic electronic devices. While these measurements provide valuable insight into the spatial dependence of electrical performance, reported current densities and electrical conductivities measured by C-AFM are consistently much higher than those measured at the macroscopic scale. Here, we demonstrate that these anomalously high current densities and conductivities arise from ignoring current spreading and hence underestimating the current-carrying area. We present a simple experimental means of estimating the effective charge collection area during C-AFM measurements. Using semiconducting polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) films as a test case, we find that the effective charge collection area can be as much as three orders of magnitude larger than the mechanical contact area between the probe and the film. Calibrated conductivity maps are obtained, with a qua...
Radioactively Contaminated Forests: Gis Applicaton for the Remedial Policy Development and Environmental Risk Assessment

Environmental risk assessment of the radioactive contaminated forests includes defmition, localization and evaluation of the criteria that determines formation and evolution of exterior and interior doses.
Effect of sympathectomy on the maturation of fetal thymocytes grown within the anterior eye chambers in mice.

Generation of an immunocompetent pool of peripheral lymophocytes requires an intrathymic differentiation of their precursor cells which involves some interactions between these cells and the stroma of the thymic microenvironment or its secretory products such as the thymic hormones and interlukins (1,2). The factors which regulate these intrathymic interactions are still far from clear. Recent reports indicate that surgical and chemical sympathectomy affect the immunoreactivity of T lymphocytes (3,4). Furthermore, autonomic nerve fibers have been observed within the parenchyma of various lymphoid tissues including the adult and the fetal thymus (5). In view of these studies it is likely that the autonomic nervous system may modulate the thymic microenvironment and thus affect the development and differentiation of T lymphocytes. This study, therefore, was initiated to study the role of the sympathetic neuronal input in the maturation of thymocytes during ontogeny.
Aerosol Backscatter Measurements Using a Compact CO2 Lidar Sensor

There is an increasing need for air monitoring regarding hazardous organic gases which — if released into the atmosphere — have impact on the environment, on human health or might cause hazardous industrial accidents. Conventional air monitoring techniques detect only nearby pollutants and thus yield limited information on the pollutants’ local distribution. As a consequence concentrations with strong spatial variations may not be detected at all or merely as apparently diluted and small. Therefore, a pronounced progress in air monitoring is expected from the DIAL technique (DIfferential Absorption LIDAR, LIDAR: LIght Detection And Ranging), since DIAL allows to identify, quantify and localize remote atmospheric pollutants from a single sensor location (without reflecting or backscattering topographic target); concentration profiles and three-dimensional maps obtained by DIAL display spatial concentration variations as well as temporal fluctuations and concentration build ups. DIAL is based on absorption spectroscopy. Since relevant hazardous gases show characteristic absorption lines which coincide with CO2 laser lines within the 9 to 11 µm regions1, CO2 laser based DIAL sensors seem to be well suited instruments for monitoring the atmosphere.
Axiomatization of the Analytic Hierarchy Process

This paper contains a first attempt to axiomatize the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The set of axioms corresponding to hierarchic structures are a special case of axioms dealing with the general case of systems with feedback which are under study. The axioms given here are followed by theorems, several of which have already appeared in the literature.
The expiratory rate during the third quarter of a maximal forced expiration (E50–75): A useful index of obstructive pulmonary disease☆

0 BSTRUCTIVE pulmonary disease is one of the most important causes of dyspnea, and is a common reason for patients to seek medical attention. Since mild obstructive disease often goes unrecognized, there is need for a means of detect,ing its presence and grading its severity. When severe, it is often confused with congestive heart failure, and the common coexistence of the two imposes the urgent need for a ready means of assessing the pulmonary component of the patient’s disease. Although obstructive pulmonary disease produces a great many characteristic aberrations in function, from the clinical standpoint, the most practicable tests are those which measure the maximal expiratory rate. A kymographic tracing of a maximal forced expiration (expirogram)l serves this purpose well and we believe that, among the procedures suitable for day t,o day use in the practice of medicine, this is the best available measure of airway obstruction. Expirograms in severe emphysema or asthma present an abnormality so gross as to be recognizable at a glance. However, there are many instances which differ from the normal in minor respects and their evaluation requires carefully selected standards to distinguish normal variation from disease. Several parameters, all derivable from the expirogram, have been used as measures of the abnormality in obstructive disease. Some of these are shown in Fig. 1. The volume expired in the first second (F’SV)2 and the rate of expiration between the points where 200 CC. and 1,100 cc. have been cxpired” have three disadvantages. First, they deal with the early phase of the expiratory effort at which time the bronchial lumen is most patent and the effect of an obstructing lesion is minimal. Second, patients often fail to exhale as rapidly as possible during early expiration either because of pool motivation or technique. Finally, although of doubtful clinical importance, the inertia of most spirometers makes this portion of the curve differ somewhat from the true maximal expiratory flow rate. Examination of many expiratory tracings from patients with obstructive disease and apparent,ly
Ruthenium–platinum bimetallic catalysts with controlled surface compositions and enhanced performance for methanol oxidation

Abstract Three series of Ru-Pt bimetallic catalysts prepared by combination of the strong electrostatic adsorption (SEA) and electroless deposition (ED) methods have been prepared and characterized. SEA was used for preparation of highly dispersed base (or core) Pt nanoparticles followed by ED of Ru at controlled and variable amounts of Ru on the Pt surface. The catalysts were then evaluated for the oxidation of methanol. For the Ru-Pt bimetallic catalysts, activity passed through a maximum at approximately 50% (calculated) monodisperse Ru surface coverage for all of the Pt metal loadings. The activity of Ru-Pt/XC72 catalysts prepared by SEA and ED for methanol oxidation was four times higher than pure Pt and two times higher than a commercial catalyst with a 1:1 = Pt : Ru bulk atomic ratio.
The Placental Transcriptome in Late Gestational Hypoxia Resulting in Murine Intrauterine Growth Restriction Parallels Increased Risk of Adult Cardiometabolic Disease

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) enhances risk for adult onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms underlying IUGR are poorly understood, though inadequate blood flow and oxygen/nutrient provision are considered common endpoints. Based on evidence in humans linking IUGR to adult CVD, we hypothesized that in murine pregnancy, maternal late gestational hypoxia (LG-H) exposure resulting in IUGR would result in (1) placental transcriptome changes linked to risk for later CVD, and 2) adult phenotypes of CVD in the IUGR offspring. After subjecting pregnant mice to hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) from gestational day (GD) 14.5 to 18.5, we undertook RNA sequencing from GD19 placentas. Functional analysis suggested multiple changes in structural and functional genes important for placental health and function, with maximal dysregulation involving vascular and nutrient transport pathways. Concordantly, a ~10% decrease in birthweights and ~30% decrease in litter size was observed, supportive of placental insufficiency. We also found that the LG-H IUGR offspring exhibit increased risk for CVD at 4 months of age, manifesting as hypertension, increased abdominal fat, elevated leptin and total cholesterol concentrations. In summary, this animal model of IUGR links the placental transcriptional response to the stressor of gestational hypoxia to increased risk of developing cardiometabolic disease.
Ethnicity, Institutions, and Female Representation

ABSTRACTWhat impact does the size of the ethnic minority population have on the representation of women in national legislatures? We examine this question by using provincial-level data from 32 Lat...
25 years of AIDS

Anthony S Fauci, one of the world9s leading experts on HIV/AIDS, summarises the first quarter century of the pandemic
Cellular deconvolution of GTEx tissues powers eQTL studies to discover thousands of novel disease and cell-type associated regulatory variants

Abstract The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) resource has contributed a wealth of novel insights into the regulatory impact of genetic variation on gene expression across human tissues, however thus far has not been utilized to study how variation acts at the resolution of the different cell types composing the tissues. To address this gap, using liver and skin as a proof-of-concept tissues, we show that readily available signature genes based on expression profiles of mouse cell types can be used to deconvolute the cellular composition of human GTEx tissues. We then deconvoluted 6,829 bulk RNA-seq samples corresponding to 28 GTEx tissues and show that we are able to quantify cellular heterogeneity, determining both the different cell types present in each of the tissues and how their proportions vary between samples of the same tissue type. Conducting eQTL analyses for GTEx liver and skin samples using cell type composition estimates as interaction terms, we identified thousands of novel genetic associations that had lower effect sizes and were cell-type-associated. We further show that cell-type-associated eQTLs in skin colocalize with melanoma, malignant neoplasm, and infection signatures, indicating variants that influence gene expression in distinct skin cell types play important roles in skin traits and disease. Overall, our study provides a framework to estimate the relative fractions of different cell types in GTEx tissues using signature genes from mouse cell types and functionally characterize human genetic variation that impacts gene expression in a cell-type-specific manner.
INSTILLING SUBPART F WITH HORIZONTAL EQUITY AS APPLICABLE TO INDIVIDUAL U.S. SHAREHOLDERS

Subpart F of the Internal Revenue Code is a body of anti-abuse provisions designed to prevent U.S. shareholders from avoiding tax on the earnings (Subpart F income) generated by foreign corporation...
Chapter 108 – Addiction

Addiction is characterized by compulsive, out-of-control behavior exemplified by drug use despite adverse consequences. The complex trait of addiction is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Given the complex interplay of genes and environment, much work has concentrated on dissociating the two. Human studies of twins and families can detect traits with common genetic and/or environmental influence. Genetic animal models are used to determine the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction-related behaviors. Mechanisms of drug-induced neuroplasticity, which includes changes in various molecular and cellular processes, have been implicated in the transition to the addicted state. These mechanisms may offer therapeutic targets for drug development. The prevention of relapse in individuals attempting to abstain from drug-seeking and -taking is a large challenge for the medical science community, but the molecular and genetic research tools exist and are rapidly being improved, which will undoubtedly facilitate progress in the treatment of addiction.
Synthesis of the bis(cyclohexenone) core of (-)-lomaiviticin A.

(−)-Lomaiviticin A is a complex C2-symmetric bacterial metabolite comprising two diazotetrahydrobenzo[b]fluorene (diazofluorene) residues and four 2,6-dideoxy glycosides, α-L-oleandrose and N,N-dimethyl-β-L-pyrrolosamine. The two halves of lomaiviticin A are linked by a single carbon–carbon bond oriented syn with respect to the oleandrose residues. While many advances toward the synthesis of lomaiviticin A have been reported, including synthesis of the aglycon, a route to the bis(cyclohexenone) core bearing any of the carbohydrate residues has not been disclosed. Here we describe a short route to a core structure of lomaiviticin A bearing two α-L-oleandrose residues. The synthetic route features a Stille coupling to form the conjoining carbon–carbon bond of the target and a double reductive transposition to establish the correct stereochemistry at this bond. Two synthetic routes were developed to elaborate the reductive transposition product to the bis(cyclohexenone) target. The more efficient pathway features an interrupted Barton vinyl iodide synthesis followed by oxidative elimination of iodide to efficiently establish the enone functionalities in the target. The bis(cyclohexenone) product may find use in a synthesis of lomaiviticin A itself.
Pancreatic intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm progression requiring completion pancreatectomy: A case report and literature review.

Abstract Introduction Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) is a recently described rare tumor of the pancreas. Diagnostic approach and treatment are based on relatively few cases. Presentation of case Here we report a case of a 68-year-old male presenting with an ampullary adenoma with high grade dysplasia who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and was incidentally found to have an ITPN at the pancreatic resection margin with areas of microinvasion throughout the resected specimen. He went on to rapidly develop an invasive adenocarcinoma arising in association with recurrent ITPN in the remnant pancreas requiring a completion total pancreatectomy. Discussion Patients with ITPN present with non-specific symptoms and diagnosis can be challenging. Radiographic evaluation will reveal tumor ingrowth into the main pancreatic duct and distal duct dilatation without upstream dilation or mucinous engorgement. ITPNs are treated with formal resection given that determination of an invasive component can be difficult and the risk of malignant transformation. Following resection, recurrences are infrequent and 5-year survival is over 70 % even with microinvasion. Conclusions ITPNs can follow a variable clinical course but hold the potential for malignant transformation. When ITPN is incidentally found at a pancreatic resection margin, we recommend completion resection due to the risk of local recurrence.
Friction stir gradient alloying: A high-throughput method to explore the influence of V in enabling HCP to BCC transformation in a γ-FCC dominated high entropy alloy

Abstract The compositional possibilities in high entropy alloys (HEAs) is very vast and effective strategies are needed to establish potential alloy chemistries. In this study, friction stir gradient alloying (FSGA), a recently-introduced high-throughput (HT) technique incorporating compositional and microstructural gradients, was used to explore the possibility of introducing a bcc transformation domain in γ-fcc dominated TRIP HEA Fe38.5Mn20Cr15Co20Si5Cu1.5 (at.%) by vanadium addition. FSGA has accelerated the process of attaining the composition-microstructure library and the results suggest that vanadium addition of ~1 at.% results in nucleation of α-bcc. This is the first observation of e-hcp to α-bcc transformation in a TRIP HEA and supports the Olson-Cohen model of martensitic transformation (γ-fcc → e-hcp → α-bcc). e-hcp is nucleated with a pyramidal orientation by the formation of planar faults on the {111} close-packed planes of γ-fcc, and α-bcc is nucleated in the vicinity of e-hcp along the {111} γ-fcc trace. There are indications for the formation of basal orientated e-hcp from intersecting e-hcp planes orientated for the pyramidal slip. Thus, the study shows the nucleation and growth of the α-bcc phase attributed to the dual effects of chemistry and strain and potential co-existence of all the three phases.
Learning A Minimax Optimizer: A Pilot Study

Solving continuous minimax optimization is of extensive practical interest, yet notoriously unstable and difficult. This paper introduces the learning to optimize(L2O) methodology to the minimax problems for the first time and addresses its accompanying unique challenges. We first present Twin-L2O, the first dedicated minimax L2O framework consisting of two LSTMs for updating min and max variables separately. The decoupled design is found to facilitate learning, particularly when the min and max variables are highly asymmetric. Empirical experiments on a variety of minimax problems corroborate the effectiveness of Twin-L2O. We then discuss a crucial concern of Twin-L2O, i.e., its inevitably limited generalizability to unseen optimizees. To address this issue, we present two complementary strategies. Our first solution, Enhanced Twin-L2O, is empirically applicable for general mini-max problems, by improving L2O training via leveraging curriculum learning. Our second alternative, calledSafeguarded Twin-L2O, is a preliminary theoretical exploration stating that under some strong assumptions, it is possible to theoretically establish the convergence of Twin-L2O. We benchmark our algorithms on several testbed problems and compare against state-of-the-art minimax solvers. The code is available at: https://github.com/VITA-Group/L2O-Minimax.
Upstream prevention of opioid misuse in school-based health centers: provider attitudes, perceptions, and practice

This study explored school-based health center (SBHC) providers’ attitudes, perceptions, and practice of upstream and downstream strategies to prevent opioid misuse with a focus on Screening, Brief...
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can distinguish immunofixation bands of the same isotype as monoclonal or biclonal proteins.

Abstract Background Plasma cell disorders (PCDs) are typically characterized by excessive production of a single immunoglobulin, defined as a monoclonal protein (M−protein). Some patients have more than one identifiable M−protein, termed biclonal. Traditional immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) cannot distinguish if two bands of the same isotype represent biclonal proteins or M−proteins with some other feature. A novel assay using immunoenrichment coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (Mass-Fix) was applied to determine whether two bands of the same isotype represented (1) monomers and dimers of a single M−protein, (2) an M−protein plus a therapeutic monoclonal antibody (t-mAb), (3) an M−protein with light chain glycosylation, or (4) two distinct biclonal M−proteins. Methods Patient samples with two bands of the same isotype identified by IFE were enriched using nanobodies against IgG, IgA, IgM, or κ and λ light chains then analyzed by Mass-Fix. Light chain masses were used to differentiate IgGκ M−proteins from t-mAbs. Mass differences between peaks were calculated to identify N-glycosylation or matrix adducts. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used as a comparator method in a subset of samples. Results Eighty-one residual samples were collected. For IgA, 93% (n = 25) were identified as monoclonal. For IgG, 67% (n = 24) were monoclonal, and 33% (n = 12) were truly biclonal. Among the monoclonal IgGs, the second band represented a glycosylated form for 21% (n = 5), while 33% (n = 8) had masses consistent with a t-mAb. 44% (n = 8) of IgM samples were biclonal, and 56% (n = 10) were monoclonal, of which one was glycosylated. Conclusions We demonstrate the utility of mass spectrometry in the characterization of multiple IFE bands of the same isotype. Improved reporting accuracy of M−proteins is useful for monitoring of patients with PCDs.
Procedures for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Murine Microbiome Studies.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been widely recognized as an approach to determine the microbiome’s causal role in gut dysbiosis-related disease models and as a novel disease-modifying therapy. Despite potential beneficial FMT results in various disease models, there is a variation and complexity in procedural agreement among research groups for performing FMT. The viability of the microbiome in feces and its successful transfer depends on various aspects of donors, recipients, and lab settings. This review focuses on the technical practices of FMT in animal studies. We first document crucial factors required for collecting, handling, and processing donor fecal microbiota for FMT. Then, we detail the description of gut microbiota depletion methods, FMT dosages, and routes of FMT administrations in recipients. In the end, we describe assessments of success rates of FMT with sustainability. It is critical to work under the anaerobic condition to preserve as much of the viability of bacteria. Utilization of germ- free mice or depletion of recipient gut microbiota by antibiotics or polyethylene glycol are two common recipient preparation approaches to achieve better engraftment. Oral-gastric gavage preferred by most researchers for fast and effective administration of FMT in mice. Overall, this review highlights various methods that may lead to developing the standard and reproducible protocol for FMT.
Dissecting the association between a gall midge, Asteromyia carbonifera, and its symbiotic fungus, Botryosphaeria dothidea

The Ambrosia gall midge [Asteromyia carbonifera (Osten Sacken) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae: Alycaulini)] consists, in part, of a complex of genetically differentiated populations that have diverged in gall morphology on the host plant Solidago altissima L. (Asteraceae). This divergence appears to be an incipient adaptive radiation that may be driven by parasitoid pressure. Understanding the mechanisms driving this genetic and phenotypic diversification requires a close examination of the relationship between the midge and its fungal associate Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug.) Ces. & De Not. (Ascomycota: Dothideomycetes), whose mycelia actually form the protective gall structure. We used manipulative experiments to test the degree of interdependency of the fungus and the midge, and we employed field and laboratory studies to gain insight into the source of fungal conidia, which our data and observations indicate are collected by females and stored in specialized pockets (mycangia) on the ovipositor. Manipulative experiments demonstrate that fungal proliferation on the host plant is dependent on the midge larvae and larvae exhibit significant growth on the fungus alone. Field observations and experiments were unable to identify the source of mycangial conidia; however, analyses of conidia shape suggest a biotrophic source. We conclude that this association is an obligatory mutualism with respect to successful gall formation. These findings corroborate recent findings that the primary food source of the midge is the gall fungus.
New Light-Weight Materials for Vehicle Body Panels –Aluminum/Nylon Laminates

Aluminum/nylon laminates for lightweight, stiffness-limited auto body panels are discussed in terms of development objectives, physical properties (strength and damage resistance, dimensional stability, and formability), durability and repair, assembly, offal and scrap reuse/recovery, and cost and value. Laboratory work to date indicates that .127 mm. aluminum foil skins and 1.27 mm. thick nylon 6,6 cores yield an optimum balance of properties when light weight is a primary goal. Load-bearing and damage-resistance properties equivalent to those of commercial .81 mm. thick steel hood panels can be achieved with these laminates at one-third the weight per sq. ft. of the steel. The aluminum/nylon laminates are formable on existing metal stamping equipment at rates traditionally achieved with mild steel. Further development work is required to address the issues of assembly and scrap recycling. It is noted that these laminates cannot be welded; bolting, riveting, and/or structural adhesives are required. The results indicate that the laminates offer a cost-effective approach to weight reduction.
Chemokines in the systemic organization of immunity.

Directed cellular migrations underlie immune system organization. Chemokines and their receptors (along with surface-adhesion molecules) are central to these migrations, targeting developing and mature leukocytes to tissues and microenvironments suitable for their differentiation and function. The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 play a central role in the migration of hematopoietic stem cells, and several chemokine receptors are transiently expressed during distinct stages of B- and T-cell development. In the periphery, mature naive B and T cells utilize the receptors CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5 to recirculate through specialized microenvironments within the secondary lymphoid tissues, while effector and memory lymphocytes express bewildering patterns of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors that allow them to function within microenvironments and non-lymphoid tissues inaccessible to naive cells. Here, we summarize the role of chemokines and their receptors in the spatial organization of the immune system and consider the implications for immune function.
Role of nitric oxide in sympathetic neurotransmission in opossum internal anal sphincter

Abstract Background: The role of nitric oxide in the gut in response to sympathetic nerve stimulation has not been examined. The present study examined the influence of the NO synthase inhibitor l- N G -nitro-arginine (l-NNA) on responses to hypogastric nerve stimulation (HGNS) in the opossum internal anal sphincter (IAS). Methods: Resting pressures in the IAS (IASP) were monitored using low-compliance continuously perfused catheters. Results: The predominant response to HGNS was an elevation of the resting tone in the IAS. The other responses of infrequent nature were a decrease in the IASP and a biphasic response (an initial increase followed by a decrease in the IASP). β-Adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol had no significant effect on the increase in the IASP by HGNS but almost abolished the decrease in the IASP caused by HGNS and unmasked the excitatory responses. The IAS responses to HGNS were frequency dependent and abolished by guanethidine (adrenergic blocker). l-NNA caused significant and stereoselective suppression of all IAS responses to HGNS. The suppressed HGNS responses were completely reversed by the NO precursor l-arginine stereoselectively. The NO synthase inhibitor and guanethidine had no effect on the increase in IASP by phenylephrine. Conclusions: NO may play a significant role in the facilitatory modulation of sympathetic responses in the IAS.
Rapid Control of Wound Infections by Targeted Photodynamic Therapy Monitored by In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging

The worldwide rise in antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. In this study we report on the first use of a photochemical approach to destroy bacteria infecting a wound in an animal model. Following topical application, a targeted polycationic photosensitizer conjugate between poly-L-lysine and chlorin(e6) penetrated the gram (-) outer bacterial membrane, and subsequent activation with 660 nm laser light rapidly killed Escherichia coli infecting excisional wounds in mice. To facilitate real-time monitoring of infection, we used bacteria that expressed the lux operon from Photorhabdus luminescens; these cells emitted a bioluminescent signal that allowed the infection to be rapidly quantified, using a low-light imaging system. There was a light-dose dependent loss of luminescence in the wound treated with conjugate and light, not seen in untreated wounds. Treated wounds healed as well as control wounds, showing that the photodynamic treatment did not damage the host tissue. Our study points to the possible use of this methodology in the rapid control of wounds and other localized infections.
Effects of glucose and fructose solutions on food intake and gastric emptying in nonobese women

The differential effects of fructose and glucose on food intake were studied by giving two concentrations (1 and 10%) of glucose and fructose solutions (500 ml) to one group of women 30 min, and to another 135 min, before a meal of macaroni and beef. The 1% solutions of each sugar were sweetened to match 10% fructose by selective additions of aspartame. Gastric emptying of the 10% solutions and water was measured for 90 min. Under the 30-min delay, subjects ate a mean of 75.8 g more (P 0.05) less after the 10% solutions than after water, but there were no differences in intake between types of sugar under either delay nor between concentrations at the 135-min delay. However, 10% fructose and 1% glucose sweetened to match it reduced intake significantly compared with water. Glucose (10%) emptied significantly slower (t1/2 = 93.61 min) than water (t1/2 = 29.77 min), while fructose (10%) was intermediate (t1/2 = 65.45 min). Therefore, gastric emptying differences did not account for these results. We conclude that sweetener-enhanced dilute sugar solutions may increase subsequent intake at 30 min, but dilute glucose solutions may have potential for substantial energy savings if consumed 135 min before a meal.
A Hard Off-the-Shelf SG1524 Pulse Width Modulator

Samples from three lots of SG 1524 pulse width modulators and from four manufacturers of LM139 quad comparators were irradiated in cobalt-60 to determine total dose effects. Within the context of our INTELSAT V circuit designs, the SG1524 demonstrated a damage threshold of about 0.8 Mrad, which was an order of magnitude more radiation hardness than the best LM139. The source of this hardness may be partially due to lower betas and some manufacturing processes which have previously been shown to be effective in hardening LM108's. The variation in LM139 hardness needs further investigation. The SG1524 contains an oscillator, regulator, comparator, error amplifier, on-off control, and other important functions necessary to spacecraft power conversion equipment. A dc/dc converter designed around the SG1524 has the same power consumption as one designed around the LM139; but, because fewer parts are required, the overall weight is less and the circuit reliability is higher. Changes in the electrical parameters of both parts were examined as a function of the logarithm of the total radiation dose between exposures ranging from 0.02 to 1.0 Mrad. Degradation comparisons were based on the upper 95 percent confidence limit around a least-squares fit to a second-degree polynomial.