cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of kinetics and single-read enzyme-linked immunoassays for detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep.

A kinetics enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a single-read ELISA for the detec- tion of ovine anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG were developed and optimized. During the kinetics assay, 3 optical densities were obtained for each serum sample at intervals of 45 seconds, and the results were presented as average slopes (replicates of 2) of the reaction rate between bound enzyme and substrate solution. The kinetics ELISA was stopped 5 minutes after dispensing the substrate to constitute the single-read ELISA, and the results were presented as average optical densities for duplicates of each sample. Performance of the assays was evaluated using the modified agglutination test (MAT) as the ''gold standard.'' There was a high level of agreement between both ELISAs and the MAT, as measured by Pearson correlation coefficients, kappa statistics, and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves. The single-read ELISA was as accurate as the kinetics ELISA, with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 96%.
Perceptions of Development A Comparison of Role-Taking and Attitudinal Measures

A group of 144 college students expressed attitudes about the competencies of self, average peer, average middle-aged person, and average old-aged person for abstract thinking, everyday problem solving, and moral reasoning. An additional three groups of 48 college students role played one area of competence by completing Cattell's Culture-Fair Test, the Means-Ends Problem Solving Test, or the Defining Issues Test for each of the four target groups. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the two methods. The attitudinal results reflect that general self and middle-age ratings are significantly higher than peer and old-age ratings, except for moral reasoning where the old-age ratings are highest. The role-playing results for abstract thinking and moral reasoning indicate a perceived decline between college age and old age. The disagreements between the attitudinal and role-playing results indicate that there are substantial limitations on the equivalence of the two methods.
Aconitase-Mediated Posttranscriptional Regulation of Helicobacter pylori Peptidoglycan Deacetylase

Some bacterial aconitases are bifunctional proteins that function in the citric acid cycle and act as posttranscriptional regulators in response to iron levels and oxidative stress. We explore the role of aconitase (AcnB) in Helicobacter pylori as a posttranscriptional regulator of the cell wall-modifying enzyme peptidoglycan deacetylase, PgdA. Under oxidative stress, PgdA is highly expressed and confers resistance to lysozyme in wild-type cells. PgdA protein expression as well as transcript abundance is significantly decreased in an acnB mutant. In the wild type, pgdA mRNA half-life was 13 min, whereas the half-life for the acnB strain was 7 min. Based on electrophoretic mobility shift assays and RNA footprinting, the H. pylori apo-AcnB binds to the 3'-untranslated region of the pgdA RNA transcript. Some of the protected bases (from footprinting) were localized in proposed stem-loop structures. AcnB-pgdA transcript binding was abolished by the addition of iron. The acnB strain is more susceptible to lysozyme-mediated killing and was attenuated in its ability to colonize mice. The results support a model whereby apo-AcnB directly interacts with the pgdA transcript to enhance stability and increase deacetylase enzyme expression, which impacts in vivo survival.
Evidence for two distinct processes in the final stages of neurotransmitter release as detected by binomial analysis in calcium and strontium solutions.

The statistical parameters underlying acetylcholine (ACh) release were studied using Ca2+ and Sr2+ ions to promote ACh secretion. Experiments were performed at frog neuromuscular junctions using electrophysiological recording techniques. Increases in asynchronous ACh release, reflected as the frequency of occurrence of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPf), were evoked by high potassium depolarization in either Ca2+ or Sr2+ solutions. Increases in MEPPf mediated by Ca2+ were of very low probability and well-described by a Poisson distribution whilst similar MEPPf increases mediated by Sr2+ were best described as a simple binomial distribution. From the binomial distribution in Sr2+ solutions, values for the average probability of release (p) and the number of releasable ACh quanta (n) may be determined (whereby mean MEPPf=np). In Sr2+ solutions, values of p were independent of both bin width and of the value of n, suggesting that both n and p were stationary. Calculations of p using the simple binomial distribution in Sr2+ solutions gave theoretical values for the third moment of the mean which were indistinguishable from the experimental distribution. These results, in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulations of the data, suggest that spatial and temporal variance do not measurably affect the analysis. Synchronous ACh release evoked by nerve impulses (end-plate potentials, EPPs) follow a simple binomial distribution in both Ca2+ and Sr2+ solutions. Similar mean levels of synchronous ACh release (m, where m=np) were produced by lower values of p and higher values of n in Ca2+ as compared to Sr2+. The statistical analyses suggest the presence of two different Ca2+-dependent steps in the final stages of neurotransmitter release. The results are discussed in accordance with (i) statistical models for quantal neurotransmitter release, (ii) the role of Sr2+ as a partial agonist for evoked ACh release, and (iii) the specific loci that may represent the sites of Ca2+ and Sr2+ sensitivity.
A transcriptionally active form of TFIIIC is modified in poliovirus-infected HeLa cells.

Abstract In HeLa cells, RNA polymerase III (pol III)-mediated transcription is severely inhibited by poliovirus infection. This inhibition is due primarily to the reduction in transcriptional activity of the pol III transcription factor TFIIIC in poliovirus-infected cells. However, the specific binding of TFIIIC to the VAI gene B-box sequence, as assayed by DNase I footprinting, is not altered by poliovirus infection. We have used gel retardation analysis to analyze TFIIIC-DNA complexes formed in nuclear extracts prepared from mock- and poliovirus-infected cells. In mock-infected cell extracts, two closely migrating TFIIIC-containing complexes, complexes I and II, were detected in the gel retardation assay. The slower migrating complex, complex I, was absent in poliovirus-infected cell extracts, and an increase occurred in the intensity of the faster-migrating complex (complex II). Also, in poliovirus-infected cell extracts, a new, rapidly migrating complex, complex III, was formed. Complex III may have been the result of limited proteolysis of complex I or II. These changes in TFIIIC-containing complexes in poliovirus-infected cell extracts correlated kinetically with the decrease in TFIIIC transcriptional activity. Complexes I, II, and III were chromatographically separated; only complex I was transcriptionally active and specifically restored pol III transcription when added to poliovirus-infected cell extracts. Acid phosphatase treatment partially converted complex I to complex II but did not affect the binding of complex II or III. Dephosphorylation and limited proteolysis of TFIIIC are discussed as possible mechanisms for the inhibition of pol III-mediated transcription by poliovirus.
Comparison of IR thermography and thermocouple measurement of heat loss from rabbit pinna

The temperature of the pinnae of male New Zealand White rabbits was measured by use of infrared thermography. At ambient temperatures of 15, 20, and 25 degrees C, the average pinna temperatures were 23.0, 28.7, and 36.2 degrees C, respectively. From these temperatures, average heat loss from the total pinna surface area was calculated to be 2.8, 3.3, and 4.4 W, respectively. Preoptic temperature changes also affect the vasomotor state of the rabbit. At an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C, cooling the preoptic area of the rabbit by approximately 1 degree C resulted in an average pinna temperature of 26.5 degrees C and a heat loss of 2.4 W. Heating the preoptic area by approximately 1 degree C resulted in an average pinna temperature of 33.5 degrees C and a heat loss of 5.4 W. Finally, pinna temperatures were measured by use of a thermocouple and infrared thermography simultaneously. When the pinnae were vasodilated, the thermocouple measurements were consistently higher than the pinna surface temperatures measured thermographically. When the pinnae were vasoconstricted, the thermocouple measurements were consistently lower than the pinna surface temperatures measured thermographically. The discrepancy between the two methods of measurement is discussed.
Artificial Intelligence: Comparing Survey Responses for Online and Offline Samples

Abstract will be provided by author.Over the past decade, an increasing amount of scholars and professionals have turned to the Internet to conduct research ranging from public opinion surveys to complicated psychology and economics experiments. While there has been a focus on whether online samples are reliable and accurate, less research examines the behavioral differences between online and offline respondents. This paper focuses on one such potential difference. I use an experiment to gauge whether online respondents augment their knowledge with outside research. In the experiment, I ask a sample of online and offline subjects to answer a battery of factual knowledge questions. The results show that voters in the online treatment group are significantly more likely to answer questions correctly — a relationship that strengthens when question difficulty increases. These findings suggest that some — but not all — respondents completing surveys online are supplementing their answers with research.
Practicing Public Pastoral Theologies in Contexts of Difference: Finding Goodness in One Another

My task is to discuss the challenges and promise of seminary/divinity school teaching in contexts of difference as a pastoral theologian practicing public theology. My pastoral public theological posture is finding goodness in one another and was prompted by the prevalent state of estrangement among people while acknowledging the gravity of estrangement between God and humanity, as well as self-estrangement. My response to this current societal malaise does not come from an expected trajectory (i.e., theology of sin), but from a different direction. Instead of examining what is wrong with us and what is causing the widespread estrangement in our society, I position my attention on the goodness in each of us that God has imputed, but has been wittingly or unwittingly neglected or ignored by us. For this discussion, I engage in three different areas of my work—scholarship, curriculum development, and pedagogy.
Abstract 16534: Remodeling of Intimal Matrix by C. Pneumoniae-infected Macrophages

Introduction: Chlamydia pneumoniae, an intracellular pulmonary pathogen, is considered an important risk factor for atherosclerosis through the mechanisms is poorly understood. Infected monocytes from the lung enter atherosclerotic foci, and create a pro-inflammatory environment in the intima. Here, we tested the hypothesis that C. pneumoniae infection contributes to intimal matrix remodeling using a 3D model. Methods: Primary human monocytes infected with C. pneumoniae (either live of heat-killed organisms) at an MOI-1 were embedded in type I collagen matrix. Between 1 to 9 days, we analyzed the kinetics of MMP and cytokine release, cell migration, and structural and mechanical characteristics of the matrix by ELISA, microscopy and rheometry, respectively – with or without specific inhibitors of molecular mechanisms. All experiments were performed with at least 3 donors in triplicates; and statistical significance was assessed by Student’s t -test or ANOVA. Results: We observed that the infection of macrophages encapsulated in a 3D collagen matrix promote: (i) the production of MMP and pro-inflammatory cytokines; (ii) the remodeling process including degradation, aggregation and realignment of fibers (Fig. A); (iii) an increase in macrophage podosomal extensions and microenvironmental interactions; (iv) the collective, coordinated migration of macrophages to form focal clusters (Fig. B); and (v) an increase in the elastic modulus (Fig. C). We observed that these changes were more pronounced in live than in heat-killed infection. Further, inhibition of MMP, chemotactic stimuli and cell migratory signaling attenuates matrix remodeling. Significance: Our results provide novel insights into the role of infection and the mechanisms in modulating atherosclerotic progression, which may provide an attractive new approach to not only test the infectious burden hypothesis but also for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
THE REACTION OF AQUEOUS THIOSULFATE WITH FORMALDEHYDE

Abstract The reaction of aqueous thiosulfate with formaldehyde was followed by C-13 NMR and Raman spectroscopy. At pH 7 no reaction was observed. In acidic solution, the only carbon containing compound formed was trithiane. No hydroxymethanesulfonate nor hydroxymethanesulfinate was observed. This indicates that intermediates in the reaction do not include sulfur oxyacids in oxidation states +2. +3, or +4. Therefore, the reaction involves auto-thiolysis of thiosulfate without redox reactions. Raman spectra reveal, in addition to trithiane, an equilibrium mixture of tri- and tetrathionate in a mole ratio corresponding to the overall stoichiometry: Ecess thiosulfate yielded elemental cyclooctasulfur, in addition to the above. Secondary reaction products correspond to those formed during the decomposition of polythionates.
Two-photon Fiber-optic Scanning Endoscope

We present a flexible fiber-optic scanning endoscope for two-photon fluorescence imaging and demonstrate it on live cells. Two-dimensional beam scanning at kilohertz frequencies was achieved using a PZT tube to actuate a double-clad fiber.
Changes of Serum Leptin and Insulin Levels in Small for Gestational Age Newborn Infants and Appropriate for Gestational Age Newborn Infants

Objective To explore the relationships between serum leptin and serum insulin levels and intrauterine fetal growth of diffe-rent forms of neonatus.Methods The clinical data of 88 full-term infants without sick diseases[44 cases of small for gestational age(SGA),44 cases of appropriate for gestational age(AGA)] were collected,and serum leptin and insulin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on the first 24 hours after birth,the relationships between body mass index and serum leptin,serum insulin were analyzed.SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The serum leptin levels in AGA group was significantly higher than that in SGA group(t=-73.624,P0.01);The serum insulin levels in AGA group was significantly higher than that in SGA group(t=-11.729,P0.01).There was a positive correlation between serum leptin and body mass index(r=0.96,P0.01);There was a positive correlation between serum insulin and body mass index(r=0.91,P0.01);There was a positive correlation between serum insulin level and serum leptin level(r=0.85,P0.01).Conclusion Serum leptin and serum insulin levels can reflect intrauterine fetal growth situation and play an important role in the regulation of metabolism and growth of full-term infants.
Depression of the Stimulation of Ethanol Oxidation by Fructose or Pyruvate in Liver Cells from Hyperthyroid Animals

Previous studies have demonstrated that the oxidation of ethanol by morphologically intact isolated cells from rat liver is increased in the presence of fructose (Berry, 1971~). Since hepatic oxidations are generally stimulated in the hyperthyroid state, it was decided to determine whether fructose-stimulated ethanol oxidation would be further enhanced in liver cells from thyroxine-treated animals. Isolated liver cells were prepared in high yield by the method of Berry & Friend (1969) from two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 300-3503) deprived of food for 18h to deplete hepatic glycogen. One group received no treatment and were used as controls. The other group received L-thyroxine (60pg/kg body wt. per day) administered intraperitoneally for 1-16 days. All treated animals maintained weight on this regimen. The liver cells were washed three times and incubated in a balanced saline medium (Berry & Kun, 1972). O2 uptake was measured manometrically and metabolites were determined by specific enzymic techniques. Utilization of ethanol was also assessed by measuring the accumulation of [I4C]acetate and other IT-labelled carboxylic acids from [I4C]ethanol. The results in Table 1 show that the basal rate of ethanol oxidation was the same in cells from normal and hyperthyroid animals. However, ethanol oxidation in the presence of fructose was stimulated by only 66% in cells from thyroxine-treated rats compared with a stimulation of 185% in cells from control animals, even though the rate of hepatic O2 uptake was substantially greater in the treated group. Associated with this depression of fructose-stimulated ethanol oxidation in the hyperthyroid state was a marked decrease in the accumulation of reduced products of fructose metabolism, namely sorbitol, glycerol and glycerol 3-phosphate (Table 1). However, gluconeogenesis from fructose was unchanged and lactate formation was increased. The depression of fructose-stimulated ethanol oxidation by thyroxine treatment appears paradoxical, especially in view of recent findings that oxidation of glycerol and sorbitol by liver cells from hyperthyroid animals is increased by SO-lOO% (H. V. Werner & M. N. Berry, unpublished work). However, we have developed a model that accounts for the effects of fructose on hepatic ethanol metabolism and provides an explanation for the actions of thyroxine. In the normal animal the hepatic interactions of fructose and its metabolites with ethanol may involve a number of coupled cytoplasmic redox reactions:
ADHD Symptoms and Likelihood of Child Maltreatment

The relationship between inattentive and hyperactivity symptoms and child maltreatment was studied among a sample of 14,322 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Healh at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
The molecular biology and pathophysiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to mutations in the beta myosin heavy chains and the essential and regulatory light chains.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is perhaps the most common cause of inherited sudden death in otherwise healthy young individuals. There are presently seven known genes in which mutations have been shown to cause the disease. The first identified disease gene was beta myosin heavy chain (BMHC). Our laboratory has identified 32 distinct BMHC gene mutations in 62 kindreds after screening representatives of over 400 kindreds. Virtually all but one of approximately 50 known mutations are restricted to the head or head-rod junction region of the molecule. We have used the mutant alleles of the BMHC gene to demonstrate that both mutant message and protein is present in the skeletal muscle of patients with HCM. Muscle biopsies from patients with identified BMHC mutations show abnormal histology. Isolated myosin and skinned fibers from these patients have abnormal mechanical properties. The BMHC gene mutations are clustered in 4 regions of the myosin head. Because one of these regions is adjacent to the ELC, we scanned HCM patient DNA for mutations in either the ELC or RLC. Linkage analysis showed that a unique mutation in the ELC caused a rare phenotype of HCM in one family. Other mutations in either light chain were also associated with the same rare phenotype in other families. Through several lines of reasoning we hypothesized that the light chain mutations interfere with the stretch-activation response of papillary muscle and adjacent ventricular tissue. This property is critical to oscillatory power output of insect flight muscle. We conjectured that this property is also exploited by portions of the heart to increase power output. In order to test this hypothesis we constructed transgenic mouse lines ex-pressing either the human normal or mutant ELC. The cardiac morphology and mechanical properties of the transgenic mouse papillary muscle is now being studied.
SU-F-I-09: Improvement of Image Registration Using Total-Variation Based Noise Reduction Algorithms for Low-Dose CBCT

Purpose: To study the effect of total-variation based noise reduction algorithms to improve the image registration of low-dose CBCT for patient positioning in radiation therapy. Methods: In low-dose CBCT, the reconstructed image is degraded by excessive quantum noise. In this study, we developed a total-variation based noise reduction algorithm and studied the effect of the algorithm on noise reduction and image registration accuracy. To study the effect of noise reduction, we have calculated the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). To study the improvement of image registration, we performed image registration between volumetric CT and MV- CBCT images of different head-and-neck patients and calculated the mutual information (MI) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) as a similarity metric. The PSNR, MI and PCC were calculated for both the noisy and noise-reduced CBCT images. Results: The algorithms were shown to be effective in reducing the noise level and improving the MI and PCC for the low-dose CBCT images tested. For the different head-and-neck patients, a maximum improvement of PSNR of 10 dB with respect to the noisy image was calculated. The improvement of MI and PCC was 9% and 2% respectively. Conclusion: Total-variation based noise reduction algorithm was studied to improve the image registration between CT and low-dose CBCT. The algorithm had shown promising results in reducing the noise from low-dose CBCT images and improving the similarity metric in terms of MI and PCC.
Knowing the Difference between Leadership and Management is Critical

Young emerging executives, particularly in Start-up's tend to conflate Leadership with Management. The results derived from placing a "manager" into a "leader" role can be both harmful to the direction of the company, and impact its planned trajectory. By understanding the attributes and the roles of each, companies and organizations can avoid unintended consequences resulting from an role 'blurring'.
Tracking scalar features in unstructured data sets

3D time-varying unstructured and structured data sets are difficult to visualize and analyze because of the immense amount of data involved. These data sets contain many evolving amorphous regions, and standard visualization techniques provide no facilities to aid the scientist to follow regions of interest. In this paper, we present a basic framework for the visualization of time-varying data sets, and a new algorithm and data structure to track volume features in unstructured scalar data sets. The algorithm and data structure are general and can be used for structured, curvilinear, adaptive and hybrid grids as well. The features tracked can be any type of connected regions. Examples are shown from ongoing research.
Competitive Oxygen Evolution in Acid Electrolyte Catalyzed at Technologically Relevant Electrodes Painted with Nanoscale RuO2

Using a solution-based, non−line-of sight synthesis, we electrolessly deposit ultrathin films of RuO2 (“nanoskins”) on planar and 3D substrates and benchmark their activity and stability for oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) in acid electrolyte under device-relevant conditions. When an electrically contiguous ∼9 nm thick RuO2 nanoskin is expressed on commercially available, insulating SiO2 fiber paper, the RuO2@SiO2 electrode exhibits high current density at low overpotential (10 mA cm–2 @ η = 280 mV), courtesy of a catalyst amplified in 3D; however, the mass-normalized activity falls short of that achieved for films deposited on planar, metallic substrates (Ti foil). By wrapping the fibers with a <100 nm thick graphitic carbon layer prior to RuO2 deposition (RuO2@C@SiO2), we retain the high mass activity of the RuO2 (40–60 mA mg–1 @ η = 330 mV) and preserve the desirable macroscale properties of the 3D scaffold: porous, lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive. The RuO2@C@SiO2 anodes not only achieve the 10 ...
Radiofrequency Ablation of Primary Lung Cancer

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new treatment modality being applied to non-small cell lung cancer. Currently, it must be considered a third-line treatment in this clinical setting, after surgery and radiation therapy. Also, it has not received approval by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for use in the lung. RFA has promise, nonetheless, as a minimally invasive means of achieving local control of lung tumors in carefully selected patients. This chapter reviews patient selection, procedural technique, complications, imaging findings, and outcomes associated with this procedure.
Immune cell phenotyping of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

511Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumors develop mechanisms that impair function and/or prevent entry of the host infiltrating immune cells (immune exclusion) within the tumor microenvironment. The goal of immunotherapy is to overcome this immune resistance. We aim to characterize the T−cell populations in a cohort of largely untreated high risk patients with ccRCC. Methods: We prospectively collected ccRCC tumor and adjacent normal kidney (NK) from patients undergoing surgical resection at our institution from 6/2015-8/2016. Immune cell phenotyping was performed by immune cell staining of single cell suspensions. Analysis of immune cell populations were determined by CD45+ staining and corresponding proportions of different T−cell populations (CD3+, CD4+, CD4+Treg, and CD8+ T cells). Staining for CD4+Treg was not available for two patients. Student t−test was utilized to compare the immune populations between tumor and adjacent NK tissue. Analysis was also conducted by stratifying pa...
Evidence of damage from exotic invasive earthworm activity was highly correlated to sugar maple dieback in the Upper Great Lakes region

Sugar maple (Acer sacharrum Marsh.) in the western Upper Great Lakes region has recently been reported with increased crown dieback symptoms, prompting investigation of the dieback etiology across the region. Evaluation of sugar maple dieback from 2009 to 2012 across a 120 plot network in Upper Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and eastern Minnesota has indicated that forest floor disturbance impacts from exotic invasive earthworms was significantly related to maple dieback. Other plot level variables tested showed significant relationships among dieback and increased soil carbon, decreased soil manganese, and reduced herbaceous cover, each of which was also be correlated to earthworm activity. Relationships between possible causal factors and recent growth trends and seedling counts were also examined. Maple regeneration counts were not correlated with the amount of dieback. The recent mean radial increment was significantly correlated with various soil features and nutrients. This study presents significant evidence correlating sugar maple dieback in the western Upper Great Lakes region with earthworm activity, and highlights the need for considering the impacts of non-native earthworm on soil properties when assessing sugar maple health and productivity.
FUNDAMENTALS OF DENDRITIC SOLIDIFICATION — II DEVELOPMENT OF SIDEBRANCH STRUCTURE

Abstract Experiments have been carried out to study the development of the dendritic sidebranch structure in succinonitrile Results obtained provide the first insights into such fundamental problems as the origin of sidebranch perturbations, the mechanism of sidebranch evolution, the influence of anisotropy in solid liquid interfacial energy, the kinetics of isothermal coarsening, and, finally, the mechanism of dynamic sidebranch coarsening during solidification. All of the problems addressed have applications to the interpretation of microstructures arising from both conventional and rapid solidification processes. Resume Des experiences ont etc mise en oeuvre afin d'etudier la formation de la structure dendritique a branches secondaires du succinonitrile. Les resultats obtenus donnent un premier apercu de problemes fondamentaux tels que l'origine des perturbations relatives aux branches secondaires, le mecanisme d'evolution de ces branches, l'influence de l'anisotropie des energies d'interface solide liquide, la cinetique de croissance isotherme et finalement la dynamique de croissance des branches secondaires au cours de la solidification. Tous les problemes abordes s'appliquent a'l'interpretation des microstructures developpees lors de la solidification aussi bien classique que rapide. Zusammenfassung Die Entwicklung dendritischer Sekundararmstruktur wurde im System Succinonitril untersucht. Die erhaltenen Versuchsergebnisse liefern die erste Einsicht in viele fundamentalen Probleme, wie, z.B. Ursprung der Sekundararmstorungen, Mechanismus der Sekundararmentwicklung. Einfluss der Anisotropie auf die Grenzflachenenergie zwischen der festen und der flussigen Phase, Kinetik der isothermanen Sekundararmvergroberung, und Mechanismus der wahrend der Erstarrung dynamischen Sekundararmvergroberung. Alle obenerwahnten Probleme treten in der Analyse von den durch konventionelle und schnelle Erstarrungsvorgange erzeugten Gefugen auf.
A framework for high‐throughput eco‐evolutionary simulations integrating multilocus forward‐time population genetics and community ecology

The evolutionary dynamics of quantitative traits in a species depends on demographic structure (e.g. age- and size-dependent vital rates, migration across subpopulations, mate preferences, and the presence or absence of overlapping generations), which in turn can depend on interspecific interactions with other evolving species. Furthermore, biologists increasingly appreciate that evolutionary change in a single species can substantively affect broader ecological processes, such as community assembly and ecosystem functioning. Models integrating insights from classical population and quantitative genetics, on the one hand, and community ecology theory, on the other, are therefore critical to elucidating the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes. However, few modelling approaches integrate ecological and genetic details into a comprehensive framework. Such models are needed to account for the reciprocal feedback between evolutionary change and ecological dynamics, and develop effective responses to anthropogenic disturbances on natural communities, improve agricultural practices and manage global health risks such as emerging pathogens. Here we introduce an open-source, multi-species forward-time population genetics simulator and framework for rapidly simulating eco-evolutionary dynamics. Our approach permits building models that can account for alternative genetic architectures, non-standard population dynamics and demographic structures, including those driven by interspecific interactions with other evolving species and the spatial dynamics of metacommunities. By integrating these processes into a common framework, we aim to facilitate the development of models that can further elucidate eco-evolutionary dynamics. While multi-species, forward-time population genetic models can be computationally expensive, we show how our framework leverages relatively economical graphics cards installed in modern desktops. We illustrate the versatility and general applicability of our approach for two very different case studies: antagonistic coevolution in space, and the evolution of life-history traits in response to resource dynamics in physiologically structured populations. We find that our analyses can run up to c. 200 times faster on a single commodity graphics card than on a single CPU core, comparable to the performance gains on small-to-medium sized computer clusters. Our approach therefore substantively reduces implementation difficulties to integrating ecological and evolutionary theory.
New time scale generalizations of the Ostrowski-Grüss type inequality for k points.

Two Ostrowski-Gruss type inequalities for k points with a parameter $\lambda\in[0, 1]$ are hereby presented. The first generalizes a recent result due to Nwaeze and Tameru, and the second extends the result of Liu et al. to k points. Many new interesting inequalities can be derived as special cases of our results by considering different values of λ and $k\in\mathbb{N}$ . In addition, we apply our results to the continuous, discrete, and quantum time scales to obtain several novel inequalities in this direction.
A multi-center physiological data repository for SUDEP: Data curation, data conversion and workflow

For any rare diseases, patient cohorts from individual medical research centers may not have sufficient statistical power to develop and verify/validate disease biomarkers as results of either small sample size or lack of patient-level predictors of the disease often in the form of recorded biological signals integrated with clinical data. Continuous recording is thus becoming a necessary step in the research to identify these biomarkers. The creation of a biological signals repository on top of a clinical data repository from multiple centers is thus a catalyst for current and future research of rare diseases. In this paper, several issues are considered in order to combine recorded physiological measurements from multiple centers to create a collaborative Big Data repository. Practical challenges including standardization of clinical information as well as physiological data are addressed. A case study of the Big-Data challenges associated with creating a large physiological data repository for the study of SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) as a part of the CSR (Center for SUDEP Research) study is presented. This includes end-to-end workflow from obtaining the source waveform data to storing standardized data files in the multi-center repository. This workflow has been implemented at Case Western Reserve University in partnership with University Hospitals to standardize data from multiple SUDEP centers that include Nihon Kohden, Micromed, and Nicolet physiological signal formats converted to European Data Format (EDF). A combination of existing third party, proprietary, and in-house-developed software tools used in the workflow are discussed.
Dynamics of starvation and recovery predict extinction risk and both Damuth's law and Cope's rule

The eco-evolutionary dynamics of species are fundamentally linked to the energetic constraints of their constituent individuals. Of particular importance is the interplay between reproduction and the dynamics of starvation and recovery. To elucidate this interplay, here we introduce a nutritional state-structured model that incorporates two classes of consumers: nutritionally replete, reproducing consumers, and undernourished, nonreproducing consumers. We obtain strong constraints on starvation and recovery rates by deriving allometric scaling relationships and find that population dynamics are typically driven to a steady state. Moreover, these rates fall within a "refuge" in parameter space, where the probability of population extinction is minimized. We also show that our model provides a natural framework to predict steady state population abundances known as Damuth's law, and maximum mammalian body size. By determining the relative stability of an otherwise homogeneous population to a competing population with altered percent body fat, this framework provides a principled mechanism for a selective driver of Cope's rule.
Modeling the transport of oil–particle aggregates resulting from an oil spill in a freshwater environment

Transport of oil through pipelines is at an all-time high and so is the risk of oil spill accidents. The July 2010 spill of diluted bitumen into the Kalamazoo River was the largest release of heavy crude into an inland waterway in the history of United States. After extensive cleanup and recovery efforts, substantial residual deposits from the oil spill remained in the river system, mainly due to the formation of oil–particle aggregates (OPAs). Understanding the conditions under which OPAs can be suspended, transported and deposited is important for river management. Concerns about OPAs reaching Lake Michigan motivated this work. A three-dimensional Eulerian/Lagrangian model for OPA transport was developed for Morrow Lake in the Kalamazoo River, using specified OPA properties based on laboratory experiments. The three-dimensional model included the Morrow Lake dam operational rules as well as wind effects, which might increase the risk of resuspension and transport of OPA downstream. The usage of the model as a management tool is illustrated; the suitability of the model framework to incorporate the more complex processes of OPA formation transformation is discussed.
Survey on recent cancer classification systems for cancer diagnosis

In the present epoch of technology medical field has become one of the favorite topics of researcher and cancer is among one of them. It is a topic of concern because actual treatment of this disease is not found till date. Patients having this disease can only be saved if and only if it is found in early stage (stage I and stage II). If it is detected in latter stage (stage III and stage IV) then chance of survival will be very less. Machine learning and data mining technique will help medical field to tackle with this problem. Cancer has various symptoms such as tumor, abnormal bleeding, more weight loss etc. It is not necessary that all kinds of tumors are cancerous. Tumors are basically of two types i.e. benign or malignant. To provide appropriate treatment to the patients, symptoms must be studied properly and an automatic prediction system is required which will classify the tumor into benign or malignant. In today's internet world, bulk of data is generated on social media or healthcare websites. From this huge amount of data, symptoms can be fetched by using data mining technique, which will be further useful for cancer detection or classification. This paper makes survey of such latest research study that makes use of online and offline data for cancer classification.
The transient behavior of soft glassy materials far from equilibrium

The transient structural and rheological behavior of soft glassy materials out of equilibrium is studied under small, medium, and large amplitude oscillatory shearing and interpreted via the fully quantitative sequence of physical processes (SPP) technique. We identify features of the local strain distribution that cause particular rheological responses and show that the SPP metrics accurately reflect the structural transitions. The SPP modulus is shown to reflect how much of the imposed strain is stored in the form of recoverable elastic strain, establishing it as an accurate measure of structural elasticity. We demonstrate the ability of the SPP scheme to accurately determine the amount of recoverable strain acquired in elastically dominated regimes by matching values estimated solely on the basis of the macroscopic stress to structural measures. In one case of large amplitude oscillatory shearing, the recoverable strain is shown to be around half a nondimensional strain unit by structural determination and from the SPP analysis, while the total imposed strain over the same interval is on the order of ten strain units. We therefore demonstrate the importance of separating the total and recoverable strains under strain-controlled conditions for the formation of accurate structure-property relations. We demonstrate how the alternating oscillatory state may be considered a consequence of a complex shear history. The results of this study show that the SPP scheme is a powerful tool for researchers wishing to understand the structural and rheological properties of soft glassy materials far from equilibrium.
Engineering modeling of batteries

Physico-chemical processes such as mass transport and electrochemical reactions, occur simultaneously in a battery during charge, discharge and open-circuit. These processes are strongly interacted with one another, and are also affected by electrical field distribution in the battery. Consequently the performance of a battery is significantly affected by battery design parameters. To determine the optimum design parameters for a specific application, traditional approaches have been proven to be costly and time-consuming because there are too many parameters. To gain better understanding of physico-chemical processes and their interactions in batteries and to effectively reduce the time for battery development, significant efforts have been made by the industries and research institutes to develop mathematical models for batteries from first principles. On June 10, 1994 Zhenhua Mao from Motorola has described a mathematical model for Ni/H 2 cell and presented numerical results. The model, as described in [1], is based on simplified physical and geometric assumptions. The analysis of the more complete model remains a challenging problem.
Work, Power, and Energy

This chapter discusses physical quantities and concepts necessary for the understanding of energy and its associated conservation principle. In the nonscientific world, work is often thought of in terms of some physical or mental effort. In physics, however, the term work is defined precisely. Doing work requires the use of force, and work on a body does not take place without displacement of that body. The rate at which work is done is often of interest in practical applications. Power is the measure of the rate at which work is being done. It is sometimes convenient to express power in terms of a constant force acting on an object moving at a constant velocity. A unit commonly used for measuring electrical power is the kilowatt . A particle or a system of particles that has the capacity to do work is said to possess energy, a physical quantity associated with the particle or system that may take many forms. In the technical sense, however, a system that has the ability to do work is said to have energy. Energy is a scalar quantity that is usually expressed in terms of the same units as those of work.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) biomarker and rabies antibody response to varying oral rabies vaccine bait densities in northwestern Pennsylvania

Distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits has been used as a strategy for managing rabies in the United States since the 1990s. Since that time, efforts have been made to improve baiting strategies with a focus on bait density to maximize both efficiency and cost effectiveness. An optimal rabies management strategy includes a vaccine bait preferred by the target species that is distributed at the minimal density needed to achieve population immunity to prevent rabies spread. The purpose of our pilot study was to examine the effect of 75, 150, and 300 baits/km2 vaccine bait densities on rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) seroprevalence in raccoons (Procyon lotor). Raboral V-RG® fishmeal polymer baits (Merial Inc. (now a part of Boehringer Ingelheim), Athens, Georgia) contain a tetracycline biomarker that was used to estimate bait consumption as another measure of intervention impact. Our results suggest that raccoon RVNA response increases as bait density increases, but the effect may not be sufficient to justify the cost except in the case of contingency actions or an epizootic. Non-target species, especially opossums (Didelphis virginianus) in certain areas, should be considered when determining an appropriate bait density to ensure sufficient baits are available for consumption by the target species.
Bortezomib and Immune Globulin Have Limited Effects on Donor-Specific HLA Antibodies in Haploidentical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation: Detrimental Effect of Persistent Haploidentical Donor-Specific HLA Antibodies.

Abstract Donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSAs) have been associated with an increased risk of graft failure. To decrease DSA levels and reduce the risk of graft failure in haploidentical cord blood transplantation recipients, we studied the effect of bortezomib (BTZ) and i.v. immune globulin (IVIG) pretransplantation. Between 2012 and 2016, 14 patients with a DSA level >2000 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) to 1 or more mismatched HLA alleles of haploidentical donors, cord blood donors, or both were treated with BTZ and IVIG. Fourteen patients received a median of 4 doses (range, 2 to 8 doses) of BTZ 1.3 mg/m2 and a median total IVIG of 2 g/kg before transplantation. Only 2 of 14 patients attained a reduction in MFI to
Operation and Analysis of Non-Isolated High-Voltage-Gain DC-DC Boost Converter with Voltage Multiplier in the DCM

This paper presents and investigates the steady-state analysis of a topology of a dc–dc converter with a two-phase interleaved boost and voltage multiplier (VM) to achieve a high voltage gain in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Further, the mathematical expression for the voltage gain was derived and the procedure for components selection was presented. The proposed converter in the DCM was simulated to convert 15 V to 400 V, and this topology is found to be adequate for renewable energy applications such as solar photovoltaic (PV). Finally, a 106 W hardware prototype was implemented in the laboratory to validate both the analysis and the simulation results.
Chloride capture using a C–H hydrogen-bonding cage

Tight binding and high selectivity are hallmarks of biomolecular recognition. Achieving these behaviors with synthetic receptors has usually been associated with OH and NH hydrogen bonding. Contrary to this conventional wisdom, we designed a chloride-selective receptor in the form of a cryptand-like cage using only CH hydrogen bonding. Crystallography showed chloride stabilized by six short 2.7-angstrom hydrogen bonds originating from the cage’s six 1,2,3-triazoles. Attomolar affinity (1017 M–1) was determined using liquid-liquid extractions of chloride from water into nonpolar dichloromethane solvents. Controls verified the additional role of triazoles in rigidifying the three-dimensional structure to effect recognition affinity and selectivity: Cl– > Br– > NO3– > I–. This cage shows anti-Hofmeister salt extraction and corrosion inhibition.
The time-concurrent or time-ordered effect of Population Heterogeneity and State Dependence on Cyberbullying: Assessing lagged auto-regression and crossed-lagged regression models

Abstract Although a growing body of research supports a link between low self-control, opportunity factors, and cyberbullying perpetration, relatively little longitudinal research exists that can untangle the temporal precedence of the relation. Also, few studies have sought to explain why such relationships exist. This study attempts to examine why prior offending behavior influences subsequent offending behavior by testing the hypothesized relationship derived from the integrated approach of population heterogeneity and state dependence. Using six-year data from the Korean Children Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) in a longitudinal research design, the findings reveal that two measures of population heterogeneity (low self-control and cyber lifestyles) have both time-concurrent and time-ordered effects on cyberbullying perpetration. The link between low self-control and cyberbullying perpetration is partially mediated by cyber lifestyles. Also, prior cyberbullying perpetration (a measure of state dependence) influences later cyberbullying perpetration while the two measures of population heterogeneity are controlled. The results indicate that such relations between prior and later offending experiences is not spurious and caused by the population heterogeneity measures.
Using qualitative research articles to talk about gender and race inequities in health care

Using peer-reviewed articles, this activity informs students of experiences female-identifying patients encounter in health-care contexts. The activity draws the students’ attention to gendered and...