cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MRI measurements of craniospinal and intracranial volume change in healthy and head trauma cases

The volumes of the intracranial space and the craniospinal system as a whole change during the cardiac cycle. These volume changes are caused by the pulsatile arterial inflow to the cranium, venous outflow, from the cranium, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow that oscillates back and forth between the cranium and the spinal canal. The volume changes can be measured accurately and reproducibly using a dynamic, motion-sensitive MRI technique. It appears intuitive that the volume change of the entire craniospinal system (CSVC) should be greater than the intracranial volume change (ICVC). However, since they exhibit varying temporal information, CSVC can be smaller than ICVC. In the present study, these volume changes were measured in healthy humans and trauma cases. In the trauma cases, it was found that CSVC was smaller than ICVC. The cause was found to be increased pulsatility in the venous flow channels. It is suspected that the resulting relationship between ICVC and CSVC is related to the incidence of trauma, and perhaps CSVC being smaller than ICVC could serve as an indicator.
Inconsistent immunohistochemical expression of lymphatic and blood endothelial cell markers in cutaneous lymphangiomas.

Purpose We sought to describe expression of the immunohistochemical markers, CD31, D2-40 and LYVE-1 (lymphatic vessel hyaluronan receptor-1), that may assist in differentiating cutaneous lymphangioma and cutaneous hemangioma. Methods Immunohistochemical staining of lymphangioma and hemangioma specimens was completed with CD31, D2-40 and LYVE-1 antibodies. Results Thirty-three examples of lymphangioma and 13 examples of hemangioma were evaluated. CD31 was positive in 91% of lymphangioma and 100% of hemangioma (sensitivity 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.75-0.98; specificity 0, 95% confidence interval 0-0.28). D2-40 was positive in 54% of lymphangioma and 23% in hemangioma (sensitivity 0.50 95% confidence interval 0.32-0.68; specificity 0.50 95% confidence interval 0.28-0.72). LYVE-1 was positive in 6% in lymphangioma and 15% hemangioma (sensitivity 0.06 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.22, specificity 0.85 95% confidence interval 0.54-0.97). Conclusions Due to the similar embryonic origins, it is unlikely that a single marker may accurately differentiate the lymphangioma from hemangioma. A combination of immunohistochemical stains such CD31, D2-40 and LYVE-1 testing may potentially increase the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating lymphangioma from hemangioma. However, our findings suggest that there is no advantage in performing immunohistochemical staining to differentiate lymphangioma from hemangioma.
Differences in Cytokine and Chemokine Responses during Neurological Disease Induced by Polytropic Murine Retroviruses Map to Separate Regions of the Viral Envelope Gene

Infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by several viruses can lead to upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In immunocompetent adults, these molecules induce prominent inflammatory infiltrates. However, with immunosuppressive retroviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), little CNS inflammation is observed yet proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are still upregulated in some patients and may mediate pathogenesis. The present study examined expression of cytokines and chemokines in brain tissue of neonatal mice infected with virulent (Fr98) and avirulent (Fr54) polytropic murine retroviruses. While both viruses infect microglia and endothelia primarily in the white matter areas of the CNS, only Fr98 induces clinical CNS disease. The pathology consists of gliosis with minimal morphological changes and no inflammation, similar to HIV. In the present experiments, mice infected with Fr98 had increased cerebellar mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), TNF-b, and interleukin-1a and chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-1a (MIP-1a), MIP-1b, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), gamma-interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and RANTES compared to mice infected with Fr54 or mock-infected controls. The increased expression of these genes occurred prior to the development of clinical symptoms, suggesting that these cytokines and chemokines might be involved in induction of neuropathogenesis. Two separate regions of the Fr98 envelope gene are associated with neurovirulence. CNS disease associated with the N-terminal portion of the Fr98 env gene was preceded by upregulation of cytokines and chemokines. In contrast, disease associated with the central region of the Fr98 env gene showed no upregulation of cytokines or chemokines and thus did not require increased expression of these genes for disease induction.
Rapid Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria by Multiplex, Real-Time PCR

The rapid identification of mycobacteria from culture is of primary importance for the administration of empirical antibiotic therapy and for the implementation of public health measures, yet there are few commercially available assays that can easily and accurately identify the mycobacteria in culture in a timely manner. Here we report on the development of a multiplex, real-time PCR assay that can identify 93% of the pathogenic mycobacteria in our laboratory in two parallel reactions. The mycobacteria identified by this assay include the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), the M. avium complex (MAC), the M. chelonae-M. abscessus group (MCAG), the M. fortuitum group (MFG), and M. mucogenicum. The primer targets included the 16S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer. The assay was initially validated with a repository of reference strains and was subsequently tested with 314 clinical cultures identified by the AccuProbe assay or high-performance liquid chromatography. Of the 314 cultures tested, multiplex, real-time PCR produced congruent results for 99.8% of the 1,559 targets evaluated. The sensitivity and the specificity were each 99% or greater for MTC (n = 96), MAC (n = 97), MCAG (n = 68), and M. mucogenicum (n = 9) and 95% and 100%, respectively, for MFG (n = 19). We conclude that this multiplex, real-time PCR assay is a useful diagnostic tool for the rapid and accurate identification of MTC and clinically relevant nontuberculous mycobacteria.
Design, fabrication, and experiments of an electromagnetic actuator for flapping wing micro air vehicles

The design and construction of a 2.6 gram electromagnetic actuator operated at resonance is presented. This design is based on wedge-shaped electromagnetic coil generating a driving torque on a rotor embedded with permanent magnets. Additional permanent magnets are used to create a virtual spring effect, supply a restoring torque to the rotor and adding nonlinear system stiffness. Flapping wing parameters were varied systematically to generate 16 unique wing profiles, from which wings were fabricated. Independent bench tests for the coil and spring magnets were used to modify analytical models of the actuator, derived in detail in a parallel study. Based on the equations of motion, estimates for the primary mode of resonance and the peak-peak stroke amplitude were determined using an approximate solution. Frequency response tests were conducted on the flapper using the set of test wings at varying supply voltages and spring configurations to verify the predicted resonate frequencies and amplitudes. Wing kinematics and mean lift measurements were performed for the flapper operating at resonance, producing a lift-to-weight ratio for the actuator of over one at 24V.
Bumble Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Foraging Distance and Colony Density Associated With a Late-Season Mass Flowering Crop

ABSTRACT Foraging behaviors of bumble bee workers have been examined in natural habitats, whereas agricultural landscapes, which can provide insights on flight distances to fragmented patches of bloom, have received limited attention. In particular, information on worker flight distances to crops blooming several months after nests have been established is invaluable. Here, we examined foraging patterns of Bombus vosnesenskii Radoszkowski in late-season blooming clover in the agriculturaldominated Willamette Valley in Oregon. Workers from 10 fields collected over 2 yr were assigned to full sibling families (colonies) by using eight microsatellite loci. With estimation of numbers of unseen species, we inferred the presence of 189 colonies from 433 bees genotyped in year 1, and 144 from 296 genotyped the next year. Worker foraging distance was estimated to be at least 11.6 km, half the distance between the most remote fields visited by the same colonies. Numbers of nests contributing workers to each field r...
ILC-TCP: an interlayer collaboration protocol for TCP performance improvement in mobile and wireless environments

The growth of the wireless Internet has led to the optimization of network protocols to provide for a better performance. Most of the Internet traffic uses TCP, the de facto transport layer protocol. Unfortunately, TCP performance degrades in the mobile and wireless environments. A good amount of research has been attempted to improve its performance in the unpredictable mobile and wireless environments where link disconnections, packets losses and delays are common. Most of these proposed solutions target the case where the mobile host acts as a TCP receiver. For various reasons, almost none of the solutions have reached the stage of deployment. In this paper, we propose an interlayer collaboration model for TCP performance improvement in mobile and wireless environments. We specifically target the case where a mobile acts as a TCP sender. ILC-TCP is an end-to-end approach and does not need any special support from the base station infrastructure. ILC-TCP is evaluated against the normal TCP in various scenarios. Performance results suggest that ILC-TCP performs better than the normal TCP in many scenarios involving long disconnections, frequent disconnections and in the scenarios where a mobile host moves at considerable speeds.
Improvement of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and rooting of black cherry

An improved protocol for Agrobacterium-mediat- ed transformation of an elite, mature black cherry genotype wasdeveloped.Toincreasetransformationefficiency,vacuum infiltration, sonication, and a combination of the two treat- ments were applied during the cocultivation of leaf explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring a PsAGAMOUS RNAi plasmid (pART27-PsAGRNAi). The effects of Agrobacterium culture density and cocultivation duration on transformation efficiency were examined using EHA105 harboring either pBI121-MDL4 or pBI121-PsTFL1. In addition, the effect of the binary vector on transformation efficiency was also studied. Fifteen-minute vacuum infiltra- tion without sonication produced the highest transformation efficiency (21.7%) in experiments using pART27-PsAGRN Ai. OD600 values of 1.0 and 1.5 resulted in a transformation efficiency of 5% when pBI121-PsTFL1 was used for trans- formation. Transformation efficiency of 5% was also obtained from 3-d cocultivation using construct pBI121-MDL4 where- as no shoots regenerated after 4-d cocultivation. The binary vectors used also impacted transformation efficiency. PCR and quantitative-PCR analyses were used to confirm the inte- gration of transgenes and determine the copy number of the selectable marker gene, neomycin phosphotransferase II ,i n 18 putative transgenic lines. Rooting of transgenic black cher- ry shoots was achieved at a frequency of 30% using half- strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, 5 μM naphthaleneacetic acid, 0.01 μ Mk inetin, and 0.793 mM phloroglucinol, and the resulting transgenic plants were successfully acclimatized.
Drugs, Crime, and Other Deviant Adaptations

Few topics have excited more interest in contemporary behavioral science than the causes of deviance. The etiology of deviance has been approached within diverse theoretical frameworks and using a range of methodological orientations. A not inconsiderable part of the literature on this topic deals with the relationships among diverse patterns of deviance: Some deviant patterns are antecedents of particular deviant outcomes, while other deviant patterns are common antecedents of a spectrum of deviant responses; some deviant patterns either have direct effects on or are influenced directly by other deviant patterns, or both affect and are affected; the influence of patterns of deviance on other patterns is often mediated by their effects on intervening variables; and deviant adaptations interact with other variables (including other deviant patterns) to moderate the influence of these adaptations on still other deviant outcomes.
Literary patronage in Medieval England, 1350‐1550

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the change literary patronage underwent in England after the introduction of print, and attempt to explain the causes for the shift.Design/methodology/approach – Provides a historical review of the period.Findings – The practice became more of a marketing tool in bookmaking. The patronage of printed books was one of endorsement. It was a patronage that came from the use of a prestigious or powerful name, not from the financial support of a wealthy personage. Literary patronage of late Medieval England was a practice of financial support. A person of wealth would accept the financial responsibility involved with the production of literary materials. The patron became an important part of the bookmaking process and without the contributions of a patron most books would not have been produced. After the invention of the printing press, the role of patronage changed.Research limitations/implications – Analyses an era in the history of book publishing in Engla...
Carcinogens can induce homologous recombination between duplicated chromosomal sequences in mouse L cells.

Abstract The ability of a series of DNA-damaging agents to induce homologous intrachromosomal recombination between duplicated genes in the chromosome of mouse cells was investigated. The target cells were the thymidine kinase-deficient mouse L-cell strain 333M, which contains a single integrated copy of a plasmid with two herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Htk) genes, each containing an 8-base-pair XhoI linker inserted at a unique site. Expression of a functional Htk enzyme requires a productive recombinational event between the two nonfunctional genes. The spontaneous rate of recombination in this strain is 3 per 10(6) cells per generation. The agents tested represent physical carcinogens (UV and ionizing radiation), a simple alkylating agent (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine), an alkylating cross-linking agent (mitomycin C), and a reactive metabolite of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ((+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [BPDE] ). The background frequency of tk+ recombinants in the untreated population averaged 18 X 10(-6) +/- 5 X 10(-6). Ionizing radiation had little or no effect on recombination; exposure to mitomycin C, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, BPDE, or UV, at doses that lowered the survival to between 90 and 10% of the control, caused a dose-dependent increase in frequency of recombinants, reaching 50 X 10(-6) to 100 X 10(-6). No tk+ cells could be generated with a control cell line that contained only one mutant copy of the Htk gene. Molecular hybridization analysis showed that 85 to 90% of the tk+ recombinants retained the Htk gene duplication, consistent with nonreciprocal transfer of wild-type genetic information, gene conversion. In the rest, only a single copy of the Htk gene remained, reflecting a single reciprocal exchange within a chromatid or a single unequal exchange between sister chromatids. Each recombinant tested contained an XhoI-resistant (wild-type) Htk gene.
A method to characterize the greenness of solvents used in pharmaceutical manufacture

This paper describes the development of a method to calculate the overall "greenness" of a pharmaceutical process that uses multiple solvents. This calculation is made by taking into account various environmental parameters and determining an overall greenness index. Through this method a scientist or engineer can effectively determine alternative, "greener" solvents or processes based on the use of a solvent database and greenness score. The objective is to develop a means to improve the process of drug development through solvent replacement/reduction. A solvent selection table, using a common spreadsheet software routine, was developed for the purpose of allowing a user to compare the greenness between two different process routes. This table includes over 60 solvents and associated chemicals common in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The comparison was made possible by the creation of a user-defined, weighted-solvent, greenness index that is an overall weighted factor taking into consideration solvent type, quantity used, and environmental impact. A given process or solvent receives an index ranking based on a variety of environmental and health parameters. The index values, along with the mass of solvents used in the given process, are used to compute the index, which allows for a quick and easy quantitative environmental comparison between two potential process routes.
Bed Characteristics in Alluvial Channel Bends

An approach to the description of the steady-state distributions of flow and bed characteristics in an alluvial channel bend is presented. The approach, which is based on a combination of the principle of moment-of-momentum flux and a critical-shear-stress analysis, is used to explain observed transverse variations of depth, depth-averaged velocity, and mean-grain size in a bend of the Sacramento River, California. The local transverse bed slope is found to vary linearly with d/r (the ratio of depth, d, to radius of curvature, r) and almost linearly with the bed-surface particle Froude number. It is established that the distributions of depth, depth-averaged velocity, and bed-surface sediment size depend on the variety of grain sizes in the bed sediment. Equations for the transverse variation of depth, depth-averaged velocity, and mean-grain size are developed, which can provide a guide to the depth of bed erosion and depth-averaged velocity near the outer banks of river bends.
Direct measurement of dopant distribution depth in an individual silicon micropillar

Silicon semiconductor microstructures have demonstrated enhancement in different types of electronic devices, however, controlling the doping within all these devices remain a major challenge. This challenge is increased by the lack of direct methods to quantify the dopant distribution depth in the microstructures. In this paper we present a method that allows the direct measurement of phosphorus doping profile depth in single silicon micropillars. The micropillars were etched on a silicon substrate using Reactive Ion Etching (RIE). In order to perform the dopant distribution measurement, we first thinned the micropillar by milling it using the Focused Ion Beam (FIB) microscope. We then studied the dopant distribution by performing a chemical composition analysis using a Scanning Transmission Microscope (STEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The study will outline the fabrication and the analysis methods.
Geographic Disparity in Funding for School Nutrition Environments: Evidence from Mississippi Schools.

BACKGROUND Despite the federal initiatives on equitable provision of school nutrition programs, geographic disparity in childhood obesity persists. It may be partly because built-in school nutrition environments rely on each school's efficient use of existing operational funds or its ability to obtain expanded financial support. This study explores how funding acquisition by schools is determined by local community characteristics and how it relates to healthy school meal offerings. METHODS Information about food preparation technology and funding in 811 schools in Mississippi was obtained by in-depth phone interviews of district child nutrition directors and school foodservice managers, which was matched to socioeconomic indicators of schools and communities. Probit models were estimated. RESULTS About 56% of schools in the sample received some funds toward combination oven/steamers in the last few years. Small schools, schools in non-metro counties, and those in low-income minority areas were significantly less likely to be funded. Obtainment of funds was associated with a 45 percentage-point reduction in the probability of serving fried foods. CONCLUSIONS Funds obtained by schools for advanced food preparation technology contributes to creation of healthier nutrition environments for children. However, fund availability is associated with community characteristics, possibly contributing to geographic disparity of child health.
Maturational, comorbid, maternal and discharge domain impact on preterm rehospitalizations: a comparison of planned and unplanned rehospitalizations

Maturational, comorbid, maternal and discharge domain impact on preterm rehospitalizations: a comparison of planned and unplanned rehospitalizations
Shale characteristics impact on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) fluid typing methods and correlations

Abstract The development of shale reservoirs has brought a paradigm shift in the worldwide energy equation. This entails developing robust techniques to properly evaluate and unlock the potential of those reservoirs. The application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques in fluid typing and properties estimation is well-developed in conventional reservoirs. However, Shale reservoirs characteristics like pore size, organic matter, clay content, wettability, adsorption, and mineralogy would limit the applicability of the used interpretation methods and correlation. Some of these limitations include the inapplicability of the controlling equations that were derived assuming fast relaxation regime, the overlap of different fluids peaks and the lack of robust correlation to estimate fluid properties in shale. This study presents a state-of-the-art review of the main contributions presented on fluid typing methods and correlations in both experimental and theoretical side. The study involves Dual T w , Dual T e , and doping agent's application, T 1 -T 2 , D-T 2 and T 2sec vs. T 1 /T 2 methods. In addition, fluid properties estimation such as density, viscosity and the gas-oil ratio is discussed. This study investigates the applicability of these methods along with a study of the current fluid properties correlations and their limitations. Moreover, it recommends the appropriate method and correlation which are capable of tackling shale heterogeneity.
Flexible color learning in an invertebrate predator: Habronattus jumping spiders can learn to prefer or avoid red during foraging

Understanding the design of prey defenses, such as aposematic colors, involves considering perceptual and cognitive abilities of predators that drive their evolution. Research has focused on avian predators, with little attention to small invertebrate predators. Jumping spiders are abundant and voracious; here, we examined their ability to learn, remember, and generalize color from interactions with aposematic prey. First, we demonstrated that Habronattus pyrrithrix can learn to avoid red, aposematic milkweed bugs. Then, we asked whether exposure to either palatable or unpalatable red prey can drive generalized color biases. Spiders were assigned to one of 3 diets that included exposure to 1) distasteful red milkweed bugs (fed milkweed seeds), 2) palatable red milkweed bugs (fed sunflower seeds), or 3) white-eyed Drosophila only (control). After exposure, we tested spiders for red biases using artificially colored crickets. In our first color-learning experiment, field-collected adult spiders did not exhibit generalized color biases. However, in a second (similar) experiment with lab-raised juveniles, we found evidence of generalized color learning: Group 1 demonstrated red aversion, Group 2 demonstrated red preference, and Group 3 showed no bias. Finally, we examined persistence of memory and found that learned aversions to milkweed-fed bugs lasted less than 2 weeks if they were not continuously reinforced. We discuss our findings in the context of predator psychology and suggest that jumping spider color generalization may differ from that of avian predators. Such invertebrate predators should be considered more when thinking broadly about the evolution of prey color.
Chemical Functionalization of Water-etched Si(100)

Etching of hydrogen-terminated Si(100) in deoxygenated water produces surfaces with a regular nanoscale topography. Surface infrared spectroscopy provides detailed information about this topography via interrogation of the silicon hydride species that populate this highly ordered surface. Here we investigate the feasibility of using siloxane chemistry to functionalize this surface while preserving the initial topography. The critical step in silanization to form high-quality organic layers is oxidative cleaning of the surface. By re-etching oxidized surfaces in hydrofluoric acid, we can repopulate surface hydride species and examine any apparent changes in topography that resulted from the oxidation step. We compare three different oxidation protocols and find that an SC-2 clean results in the least perturbation of the original topography. Preliminary results using both dynamic contact angle and atomic force microscopy suggest that the SC-2 oxidized surface can be functionalized with alkylsilane reagents to create a functionalized surface with regular, nanoscale topography, with all surface processing carried out under ambient conditions at or near room temperature.
Effect of variable annual precipitation and nutrient input on nitrogen and phosphorus transport from two Midwestern agricultural watersheds

Precipitation patterns and nutrient inputs affect transport of nitrate (NO3-N) and phosphorus (TP) from Midwest watersheds. Nutrient concentrations and yields from two subsurface-drained watersheds, the Little Cobb River (LCR) in southern Minnesota and the South Fork Iowa River (SFIR) in northern Iowa, were evaluated during 1996-2007 to document relative differences in timings and amounts of nutrients transported. Both watersheds are located in the prairie pothole region, but the SFIR exhibits a longer growing season and more livestock production. The SFIR yielded significantly more NO3-N than the LCR watershed (31.2 versus 21.3kgNO3-Nha(-1)y(-1)). The SFIR watershed also yielded more TP than the LCR watershed (1.13 versus 0.51kgTPha(-1)yr(-1)), despite greater TP concentrations in the LCR. About 65% of NO3-N and 50% of TP loads were transported during April-June, and <20% of the annual loads were transported later in the growing season from July-September. Monthly NO3-N and TP loads peaked in April from the LCR but peaked in June from the SFIR; this difference was attributed to greater snowmelt runoff in the LCR. The annual NO3-N yield increased with increasing annual runoff at a similar rate in both watersheds, but the LCR watershed yielded less annual NO3-N than the SFIR for a similar annual runoff. These two watersheds are within 150 km of one another and have similar dominant agricultural systems, but differences in climate and cropping inputs affected amounts and timing of nutrient transport.
Introduction: On Maternality, Between Theology and Sexuality

The introduction to the special issue situates the five following essays in the context of historical and contemporary theological reflection on maternality. It addresses the fraught connection between sexuality and maternality in the Christian theological imagination and argues that the maternal body has often functioned as a bridge between the opposed arenas of Word and flesh, God and humanity, and eternity and time. The introduction concludes by using the figure of the Virgin Mary as a lens to consider the theological themes of birth, grief, the incarnation, sacrifice, and Eucharist. Mary’s body, site of the incarnation, allows connection, mediation, contiguity, and congress to occur. As such, it also functions as a bridge between theology and sexuality.
Retrieving land surface temperature-based on TM data from Kenli County,Shandong Province

Focusing on the theories and methods of retrieving land surface temperature and land use/cover change,which summarized five popular algorithms for retrieving LST from Landsat TM/ETM+ Thermal Infrared Band data,the paper discussed the precision of mono-windows of algorithmvarious temperatures,the changes in land use types and relevant land surface temperatures in theregion studied.The results indicated that Qin's mono-window algorithm has the highest precision and that the average urban surface temperature changes are not significant.
Study on Authenticity in English Listening Tests from Communicating Language Testing Theory

Communicating Language Testing Theory,shifting its core from language knowledge to language competence,has made great contribution to language testing development.The authenticity in Communicating Language Testing Theory plays an important role in the guidance of material selection,task designing and evaluation construction in listening tests.
On harmonic fixed-priority scheduling of periodic real-time tasks with constrained deadlines

It is well known that a harmonic task set, i.e., task periods are integer multiples of each other, can better utilize a processor to achieve high system utilization. However, the current definition of harmonic task set is limited only to tasks with deadlines equal to their periods. In this paper, we extend the concept of "harmonic task set" to tasks with constrained deadlines, i.e., deadlines less than or equal to their periods. We show that a harmonic task set with constrained deadlines has a better schedulability than the non-harmonic one with the same task utilization. We employ this characteristic for task partitioning on multi-core platform, and our extensive experimental results show that, by taking the task harmonic relationship into consideration, our partitioning approach can greatly improve the schedulability of real-time tasks on multi-core platforms.
A Comparative Study of the 3 June 2015 Great Plains Low-Level Jet

AbstractDetailed ground-based and airborne measurements were conducted of the summertime Great Plains low-level jet (LLJ) in central Kansas during the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) campaign. Airborne measurements using the University of Wyoming King Air were made to document the vertical wind profile and the forcing of the jet during the nighttime hours on 3 June 2015. Two flights were conducted that document the evolution of the LLJ from sunset to dawn. Each flight included a series of vertical sawtooth and isobaric legs along a fixed track at 38.7°N between longitudes 98.9° and 100°W.Comparison of the 3 June 2015 LLJ was made with a composite LLJ case obtained from gridded output from the North American Mesoscale Forecast System for June and July of 2008 and 2009. Forcing of the LLJ was detected using cross sections of D values that allow measurement of the vertical profile of the horizontal pressure gradient force and the thermal wind. Combined with observations of the actual wind, ageost...
Deoxydehydration of polyols.

The development of sustainable chemical processes for the conversion of highly oxygenated biomass feedstocks to chemical products requires efficient and selective processes for partial oxygen removal and refunctionalization. Here we review the development of the deoxydehydration (DODH) reaction, which converts vicinal diols (glycols) to olefins. Uncatalyzed deoxygenative eliminations were first established. The catalyzed DODH reactions have largely employed oxo-rhenium catalysts and a variety of reductants, including PR3, dihydrogen, sulfite, and alcohols. A variety of glycol and biomass-derived polyol substrates undergo the DODH reaction in moderate to good efficiency, regioselectively, and stereoselectively. Observations regarding selectivity, mechanistic probes, and computational studies support the general operation of a catalytic process involving three basic stages: glycol condensation to an M-glycolate, reduction of the oxo-metal, glycol condensation to produce a metal-glycolate, and alkene extrusion from the reduced metal-glycolate. Recent practical developments include the discovery of non-precious V- and Mo-oxo DODH catalysis.
Upper extremity tumor embolization using a transradial artery approach: technical note

Transradial access is being used with increasing frequency for interventional radiology procedures and offers several key advantages, including decreased access site complications and increased patient comfort. We report the technique of using transradial access to perform preoperative embolization of a humeral renal cell carcinoma metastasis and pathologic fracture. A transradial approach for performing humeral preoperative tumor embolization has not been previously reported, to our knowledge. In the appropriately selected patient, this approach may be safely used to perform upper extremity embolization.
Whole-animal genome-wide RNAi screen identifies networks regulating male germline stem cells in Drosophila

Both intrinsic and external signals regulate stem cell fate. Here, the authors perform a genome-wide RNAi screen to identify regulators of testis germline stem cells (GSC) in Drosophila, finding more than half of the genes were external regulators and heterochromatin/cytokinesis proteins mediated GSC fate.
Vibrational Signatures of Electronic Properties in Oxidized Water: Unraveling the Anomalous Spectrum of the Water Dimer Cation.

The water dimer cation, (H2O)2+, has long served as a prototypical reference system for water oxidation chemistry. In spite of this status, a definitive explanation for the anomalous—and dominant—features in the experimental vibrational spectrum [Gardenier, G. H.; Johnson, M. A.; McCoy, A. B. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2009, 113, 4772–4779] has not been determined, and harmonic analyses qualitatively fail to reproduce these features. In this computational study, accurate quantum chemistry methods are combined with a fully coupled, six-dimensional anharmonic model to show that the unassigned bands are the result of resonant mode interactions and strong anharmonic coupling. Such coupling is fundamentally due to the unique electronic structure of this open-shell ion and the manner in which auxiliary modes affect the natural charge-transfer properties of the shared-proton stretch. These unique vibrational signatures provide a key reference point for modern spectroscopic and mechanistic analyses of water-oxidation cata...
THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL MIXED WITH ENERGY DRINK (AMED) USE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL MIXED WITH ENERGY DRINK (AMED) USE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) By Brooke A. Green, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016. Major Director: Victoria A. Shivy Associate Professor Department of Psychology Major Director: Eric G. Benotsch Associate Professor Department of Psychology College students with ADHD, but especially those who consume alcohol, may be at jeopardy for experiencing negative educational and occupational outcomes, problematic substance use, criminal offending, and sexual victimization. Alcohol mixed with energy drink (AmED) use is widespread across college campuses and associated with many of these same problematic outcomes. The risk of experiencing these consequences for college students with ADHD may be exacerbated by AmED use given its unique relationship, above and beyond alcohol use, with these variables. This study sought to examine relationships among GPA, lost work performance, hazardous alcohol use, illicit substance use, criminal offending, and sexual victimization in college students with ADHD who use AmED. The sample comprised students (N = 248; 36.3% male, 63.7% female) from the University of Albany’s (UAlbany) and Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) disability support centers, as well as VCU’s SONA psychology subject pool. Hierarchical linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to test six hypotheses. Results showed that AmED use did not predict GPA, lost work performance, or criminal offending. However, AmED use did predict hazardous alcohol use (p < .001), illicit substance use (p < .05), and sexual victimization (p < .05). These findings provide a baseline rate of AmED use in college students with ADHD, and highlight the importance of further research regarding the potential consequences of AmED use in this population.
A study of the chemical and optical properties of electrodeposited zinc oxide and zinc telluride films for micropillar solar cells

In this paper we propose growing a ZnO/ZnTe nanowire hetrostructures using a nanowire template via the electrodeposition method. In order to be able to achieve the above, cyclic voltammetry was performed on depositing ZnO and ZnTe on Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) covered glass. The pH, current and temperature were monitored during the process and the potential that yielded the best morphology and composition ratio was chosen to be the deposition potential. Optical measurements were also performed in order to determine the bandgap of the deposited films. This paper will present the scanning electron microscope results showing the morphology of the films and the bandgap measurements of the ZnO and ZnTe thin films.
Smooth Muscle Cell to Macrophage Differentiation in Atherosclerosis - Remaining Limitations and Questions

Macrophages contribute decisively to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Although most studies conclude that plaque macrophages derive from circulating monocytes, there is growing evidence that vascular-resident smooth muscle cells (SMCs) may also differentiate into macrophages and contribute to the growing pool of foam cells in the atherosclerotic plaque. Understanding of SMC-to-macrophage differentiation has been clouded by inadequate fate-mapping studies and potentially inaccurate staining of SMC- or macrophage-specific markers. A new study published in Nature Medicine by Shankman et al., used a novel fate-mapping technique to label SMCs early in atherosclerosis and definitively assess their cellular fate throughout the progression of disease. The authors conclude that SMCs make up a striking number of cells in the atherosclerotic plaque, but lose several SMC-specific markers masking their inclusion in previous studies. Although this research illustrates the plasticity of SMCs and the importance of SMC retention in ameliorating atherosclerosis, it, unfortunately, does not confirm that SMCs differentiate into functional macrophages nor provide proof that SMC-to-macrophage differentiation is important for the progression of atherosclerosis.
Magel2 knockout mice manifest altered social phenotypes and a deficit in preference for social novelty

MAGEL2 is one of five protein-coding, maternally imprinted, paternally expressed genes in the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)-critical domain on chromosome 15q11-q13. Truncating pathogenic variants of MAGEL2 cause Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SHFYNG) (OMIM #615547), a neurodevelopmental disorder related to PWS. Affected individuals manifest a spectrum of neurocognitive and behavioral phenotypes, including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Magel2 knockout mice carrying a maternally inherited, imprinted wild-type (WT) allele and a paternally inherited Magel2-lacZ knock-in allele, which abolishes endogenous Magel2 gene function, exhibit several features reminiscent of the human Prader-Willi phenotypes, including neonatal growth retardation, excessive weight gain after weaning and increased adiposity in adulthood. They were shown to have altered circadian rhythm, reduced motor activity and reduced fertility. An extensive assessment for autism-like behaviors in this mouse model was warranted, because of the high prevalence of ASD in human patients. The behavior of Magel2 knockout mice and their WT littermates were assayed via open field, elevated plus maze, tube, three-chamber and partition tests. Our studies confirm decreased horizontal activity of male and female mice and increased vertical activity of females, in the open field. Both sexes spent more time in the open arm of the elevated plus maze, suggestive of reductions in anxiety. Both sexes displayed a lack of preference for social novelty, via a lack of discrimination between known and novel partners in the partition test. The in-depth investigation of behavioral profiles caused by Magel2 loss-of-function helps to elucidate the etiology of behavioral phenotypes both for SHFYNG and PWS in general.
Implications of the 21st Century Cures Act for the Behavioral and Social Sciences at the National Institutes of Health

The 21st Century Cures Act provides funding for key initiatives relevant to the behavioral and social sciences and includes administrative provisions that facilitate health research and increase the privacy protections of research participants. At about the same time as the passage of the Act, the National Institutes of Health Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research released its Strategic Plan 2017-2021, which addresses three scientific priorities: (a) improve the synergy of basic and applied behavioral and social sciences research; (b) enhance and promote the research infrastructure, methods, and measures needed to support a more cumulative and integrated approach to behavioral and social sciences; and (c) facilitate the adoption of behavioral and social sciences research findings in health research and in practice. This commentary describes the implications of the Cures Act on these scientific priorities and on the behavioral and social sciences more broadly.
How Does Familiarity Breed Contempt

Classifying sensory experiences as either novel or familiar represents a fundamental challenge to neural processing. In this issue of Cell, Hattori et al. describe a circuit mechanism by which a novel stimulus that initially interests a fruit fly turns into a familiar one.
Effect of APOE ε4 Genotype on Metabolic Biomarkers in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) may have heterogeneous pathophysiological underpinnings, with risk factors including apolipoprotein rmvarep4 (APOE4) genotype and insulin resistance. We hypothesized that distinct phenotypes exist within AD. We examined APOE4 and metabolic biomarkers in 338 subjects (n = 213 nondemented (ND), n = 125 AD). We further characterized steady state free fatty acid (FFA) levels in a subset of 45 participants who had also participated in a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was elevated in AD versus ND (p = 0.04) and in APOE4 noncarriers versus carriers (p < 0.01). This was driven by increased fasting insulin in AD versus ND (p < 0.01) and in APOE4 non-carriers versus carriers (p = 0.01). Fasting glucose was not different. In subjects who underwent a clamp, there was a group x genotype interaction on FFA levels during hyperinsulinemia (p = 0.03). APOE4 non-carriers with AD had higher FFA levels, while APOE4 carriers with AD exhibited lower FFA levels. Metabolic dysfunction is overrepresented in individuals with AD dementia who do not carry the APOE4 allele. This suggests that important subsets of AD phenotypes may exist that diverge metabolically.
High capacity imaging using an array of compressive reflector antennas

This paper presents a novel high sensing capacity compressive imaging system, which is capable of imaging human-size targets. The system uses an array of Compressive Reflector Antennas (CRAs) in order to extend the imaging domain of a single CRA. Moreover, the multi-static electromagnetic cross-coupling of adjacent CRAs in the array is used as a mechanism to improve the imaging performance. A physical optics method is used as a forward model; and the Total Variation norm option, in the NESTA software, is used for performing the compressive imaging. Preliminary results show that the system is capable of providing an accurate reconstruction of a tesselated model of a human body.
An efficient algorithm for improving structure-based prediction of transcription factor binding sites

Gene expression is regulated by transcription factors binding to specific target DNA sites. Understanding how and where transcription factors bind at genome scale represents an essential step toward our understanding of gene regulation networks. Previously we developed a structure-based method for prediction of transcription factor binding sites using an integrative energy function that combines a knowledge-based multibody potential and two atomic energy terms. While the method performs well, it is not computationally efficient due to the exponential increase in the number of binding sequences to be evaluated for longer binding sites. In this paper, we present an efficient pentamer algorithm by splitting DNA binding sequences into overlapping fragments along with a simplified integrative energy function for transcription factor binding site prediction. A DNA binding sequence is split into overlapping pentamers (5 base pairs) for calculating transcription factor-pentamer interaction energy. To combine the results from overlapping pentamer scores, we developed two methods, Kmer-Sum and PWM (Position Weight Matrix) stacking, for full-length binding motif prediction. Our results show that both Kmer-Sum and PWM stacking in the new pentamer approach along with a simplified integrative energy function improved transcription factor binding site prediction accuracy and dramatically reduced computation time, especially for longer binding sites. Our new fragment-based pentamer algorithm and simplified energy function improve both efficiency and accuracy. To our knowledge, this is the first fragment-based method for structure-based transcription factor binding sites prediction.
Lingual tonsillectomy in children with Down syndrome: Is it safe?

Abstract Objective Evaluate peri-operative course and morbidity in children with Down syndrome (DS) who underwent a lingual tonsillectomy (LT) for residual obstructive sleep apnea (rOSA). Methods Retrospective case series for children with DS who underwent LT for rOSA from April 2011 to July 2016. Our primary outcomes were length of stay, readmission and complications. Surgical effectiveness was evaluated by change in the obstructive apnea-hypopnea-index(OAHI) and oxygen saturation nadir. Results Thirty-nine patients underwent LT. The mean length of stay was 1.3 days with n = 21(72%) staying one night. One subject (2.6%) had a post-operative bleed that did not require operative intervention. No other major complications occurred. In terms of effectiveness of surgery, twenty–nine children had sufficient data for inclusion. Median OAHI did not appreciably change (p = 0.07) from before surgery. Five subjects (17%) were cured of OSA (OAHI Conclusion LT has a favorable post-operative course but its effectiveness at curing rOSA in the DS population has not been established/proven. Further research is indicated to determine optimal surgical management for DS children with LTH. Level of evidence 4.
State-Level Point-of-Sale Tobacco News Coverage and Policy Progression Over a 2-Year Period.

Background. Mass media content may play an important role in policy change. However, the empirical relationship between media advocacy efforts and tobacco control policy success has rarely been stu...