cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microwave industry outlook - defense applications

Microwaves will play a vital role in future defense systems. They will enable the integration and interdependent operation of military ground, surface, air, missile, and space-based radar and communication systems for enhanced overall defense effectiveness. Microwave component, subsystem, and systems engineers will rind new challenges in meeting the requirements for extremely high data rates and very low cost that are critical to the development of these systems of systems. The need for multidisciplined microwave engineers will provide new opportunities in the future.
The quiescin Q6 gene (QSCN6) is a fusion of two ancient gene families: thioredoxin and ERV1.

Abstract Cell and tissue growth is a dynamic process determined by the fraction of cells in the proliferative cycle, the fraction of cells in quiescence, and the rate of cell death. Genes whose expression is induced at the beginning of the transition from the proliferative cell cycle to quiescence may play an important role in this process. We have identified a gene, Quiescin Q6 (QSCN6), whose expression is induced just as fibroblasts begin to leave the proliferative cycle and enter quiescence. QSCN6 is located on human chromosome 1q24, near the putative hereditary prostate cancer locus (HPC1). A triplet repeat (CTG) n encodes a putative signal sequence. The gene encodes a 582-amino-acid open reading frame that has domains that are members of two ancient gene families. These domains apparently underwent a gene fusion event during metazoan evolution to create QSCN6. QSCN6 is most closely related to three genes of unknown function from Caenorhabditis elegans as well as a gene from guinea pig. Analysis of this relationship showed nine Quiescin homology zones (QHZ). QHZ 0 is the putative signal sequence, QHZ 1 is homologous to a thioredoxin domain, and QHZ 2, 3, 4, and 8 are homologous only to themselves, while QHZ 5, 6, and 7 are homologous to the ERV1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In both thioredoxin and ERV1 gene superfamilies, QSCN6 sequences appear to be on distinct branches of their respective phylogenetic trees, consistent with an ancient origin of the QSCN6 gene. We present a model of the origin of QSCN6 and discuss its potential role in growth regulation.
Cooperative mobile robotics: antecedents and directions

There has been increased research interest in systems composed of multiple autonomous mobile robots exhibiting collective behavior. Groups of mobile robots are constructed, with an aim to studying such issues as group architecture, resource conflict, origin of cooperation, learning, and geometric problems. As yet, few applications of collective robotics have been reported, and supporting theory is still in its formative stages. In this paper, the authors give a critical survey of existing works and discuss open problems in this field, emphasizing the various theoretical issues that arise in the study of cooperative robotics. The authors describe the intellectual heritages that have guided early research, as well as possible additions to the set of existing motivations.
Immune reconstitution: is there a potential role for Filgrastim (r-metHuG-CSF).

U C C E SS O F IM M U N E RE CO N ST IT U T IO N depends upon success of hematopoietic reconstitution as a first step, and hematopoietic reconstitution, in turn, depends on the subtle actions and interactions of various hematopoietic cytokines and growth factors. Hematopoietic growth factors and cytokines may be particularly important modulators of immune reconstitution because they can increase the number of leukocytes, recruit immature leukocytes, cause maturation and augmentation of leukocytes, and suppress leukocytes. As optimism for immune reconstitution in the setting of HIV infection increases, a careful review of the potential role of growth factors in this process is warranted. Filgrastim (r-metHuG-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor that selectively allows the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of neutrophil precursors. It is known to increase the number of neutrophils (leukocytes) rapidly (1) and can recruit immature cells from the bone marrow (1). Filgrastrim also is known to modulate neutrophil functions (2‐ 6). Replication of HIV appears to be an active and continuous process, with progressive hematopoietic destruction as a result. The resulting immunodeficiency caused by HIV combines active destruction of CD4 1 cells, impairment of regeneration of CD4 1 cells and other hematopoietic cells, and impairment of the immune system. Because HIV can mutate, it is not clear how destruction and impairment change over time, and which, if any of the processes, is most important. Patients with HIV disease have major defects of the immune signaling system, specifically in the cytokinemediator system (7), and an increase in proinflammatory cytokines (8,9). Increases in some proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor and interferon- g are thought to promote viral replication. Lymphokines, such as IL-2, may facilitate the progression from HIV infection to AIDS, because IL-2 formation by CD4 T cells appears to be required to maintain CD8 T cell control of viral replication (10). Studies have suggested clinical benefit from administration of rHuIL-2 to HIV-infected patients (11). A recent study has shown that Filgrastim can restore IL-2 production in blood of HIV-infected patients (12).
Global Warming Trend? The Creeping Indulgence of Fair Use in International Copyright Law

In her article Toward an International Fair Use Doctrine in 2000, Professor Ruth Okediji hypothesized that the internationalization of copyright law would threaten the freedom of expression if some doctrine akin to U.S. “fair use” were not established as an international legal norm. Acknowledging the central concern of the Okediji article, this paper analyzes research and legal developments since that article to determine how the present state of the “fair use” concept in international copyright law differs from its state in 2000. The paper concludes that in the last eight years, though there has been no formal adoption of an international fair use doctrine, the concept has escaped its disfavored status as a U.S. peculiarity and achieved instead some traction in international legal circles. This change is likely a reaction to legal and technological developments that have shifted the copyright balance to favor the property rights of copyright-holders over the free expression rights of content users. This conclusion is significant for both groups of rights holders. Users now have unprecedented opportunities to push the international copyright balance toward freedom of expression through expanding legal notions of the public interest. Copyright-holders meanwhile are in a complicated position. If they insist on an economic protectionist international copyright regime in the short term, they might ultimately win a copyright balance so devoid of free expression as to yield a dearth of creativity and diversity. Or they might ultimately face a backlash that pushes the copyright balance to reckless exception from copyright-holder rights. In the end, the Okediji thesis remains vital. It is in the best interests of government, business, and consumers to exploit present legal and technological circumstances to press for the introduction into domestic legal regimes, if not into the international system, of a well crafted public-interest doctrine that cuts across the now common array of context-dependent copyright exceptions.
Initial microwave imaging experiments in ex-vivo breast tissue

Breast cancer is a significant worldwide health problem. In the United States it is the most common non-skin malignancy in women and the second leading cause of female cancer mortality. Detection of breast cancer at an early stage increases the likelihood of successful treatment and long term survival. While screen film mammography is currently the most effective method of detecting asymptomatic breast cancer, there is considerable room for improvement in the areas of sensitivity and specificity, especially in cases of premenopausal women where increased breast density can obscure clinically relevant abnormalities. Tissue sample data suggests that malignant mammary tumors have electrical properties mimicking those of high-water content tissues such as muscle whereas the surrounding normal breast is more representative of low-water content fatty tissues, with the overall contrast between the two approaching an order of magnitude. This impressive contrast mechanism along with advances in model-based microwave imaging techniques provides a compelling rationale for near-field microwave breast imaging. The results presented here demonstrate that high contrast, tumor-like objects can be detected in ex-vivo breast tissue utilizing our fixed array, liquid-based microwave imaging system.
Vasodilation by hyperpolarization: beyond NO.

Clinical assessment of human vascular endothelial function in vivo involves use of specific antagonists such as l-N G monomethyl arginine (l-NMMA) and cyclooxygenase inhibition to establish the contribution of NO and prostaglandins, respectively, to either resting vascular tone, agonist-stimulated vasodilation, or physiological and metabolic vasodilation.1–4 Even after complete inhibition of NO and prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, endothelium-dependent vasodilation persists, revealing the existence of a substantial NO- and PG-independent component that has been attributed to endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) release. Prime candidate EDHFs that often differ by species and circulatory beds have been extensively reviewed (Figure).5,6 Mechanisms of potential endothelial cell mediated relaxation/hyperpolarization. Agonist (bradykinin) or shear stress increases the activity of endothelial nNO synthase (eNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX), providing NO and prostacyclin-mediated dilation. There are multiple potential EDHF pathways. Agonist (bradykinin) or shear stress–mediated increases in intracellular calcium activates phospholipase A2 (PLC) to produce arachadonic acid. Its metabolism by cytochrome P450 2C (CYP4502c) generates EETs that can stimulate KCa channels in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. EETs may also directly activate gap junctions(Gap). The increase in K+ in the interstitium may activate KCa,channels, KIR, or the Na+-K+ pump on smooth muscle cells and cause hyperpolarization. The action of eNOS (with cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin [BH4]) and oxidases on oxygen (O2) produces the reactive oxygen species superoxide (O2·−). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generated by dismutation of superoxide anions (O2·−) by superoxide dismutase (SOD) can also cause hyperpolarization by activating endothelial and smooth muscle KCa channels or by gap junctions. AC indicates adenylyl cyclase; cAMP, cAMP; cGMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate; sGC, soluble guanylyl cyclase; IP, prostacyclin receptor. In the human vasculature, endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization is at least partly caused by the release …
The Effect of Male and Female Supplementation of l-Carnitine on Reproductive Traits of White Leghorns

Abstract Previous work in our laboratory showed that including 125 ppm of l -carnitine in the diets of roosters increased sperm concentration. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether reproductive efficiency could be improved by feeding l -carnitine to both parents over that of feeding l -carnitine to only the male or female. Diets formulated to contain 0 or 125 ppm of l -carnitine were fed to male and female birds from hatch until 37 wk of age. Eighty-four roosters were used, with the semen of 2 roosters constituting an experimental unit. Pools of semen from either l -carnitine-supplemented or control roosters were artificially inseminated into each of 288 hens with 23.5 μL of semen at weekly intervals, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, resulting in a mean insemination dose of 1.2 and 1.1 × 108 sperm/hen for l -carnitine and control hens, respectively. Dietary l -carnitine, as compared with the control diet, increased egg yolk l -carnitine concentration (P = 0.001), decreased hatchling yolk sac weights (P = 0.0001), decreased yolk sac lipid content at hatch (P = 0.01), and culminated in compositional changes of yolk fatty acids, but it did not affect hatch rate, egg production, and egg traits. Although supplementing diets with l -carnitine improved sperm concentration, it did not result in a subsequent improvement in hatch rate, most likely because of the high numbers of sperm that were inseminated artificially in both the control and l -carnitine-supplemented hens. The higher concentrations of l -carnitine in the yolk of hatching eggs obtained from hens consuming l -carnitine as compared with controls may have encouraged the utilization of fat by developing embryos, as indicated by the decreased hatchling yolk sac weights and yolk sac lipid content, perhaps leading to the selective utilization of linoleic (C18:2n-6) and α-linolenic (C18:3n-3) acids for growth and development over myristic (C14:0) and oleic (C18:1n-9) acids.
Instantaneous-frequency distribution vs. time: An interpretation of the phase structure of speech

A new time-frequency display is constructed based on the phase of the running short-time Fourier transform, specifically the distribution of its time derivative. Typical results are given for speech, indicating more precise location of formants than is usual for the spectrogram.
Friction coefficients and self‐diffusivity reduced state correlations and interrelationship

Theretical equations for the transport properties of donse gases and liquids require knowledge of the contact pair-correlation function g2 (σ) and the friction coefficient ζ. Usually this latter quantity is made up of a hard-core contribution ζH and a soft-repulsion contribution ζS. Correlations are presented for the reduced friction coefficients ζrH, ζrS, and ζr in terms of reduced density ρ* and reduced temperature T*. These correlations were found to predict the dependence of self-diffusivity of several substances on temeratures and density in the dense gas region.
A concatenated decoding scheme for (1-D) partial response with matched spectral-null coding

Since the (1-D) partial response channel has a spectral null at DC, applying 3 DC-free code raises the minimum squared Euclidean distance from 2 for the uncoded channel to 4 for the matched spectral-null coded channel. Due to the complexity of the optimal decoder, there is interest in suboptimal decoders which have roughly the same performance as the optimal decoder. For DC-free block codes, we present a sub-optimal approach which treats the channel and the code separately using a two stage decoding process. The first stage consists of a maximum-likelihood detector for the uncoded (1-D) channel. The second stage is an error-event detector which uses the DC-free block code to detect and correct minimum distance error-events. >
Cladistics: A Practical Primer on CD-ROM

P. Skelton, A. Smith, N. Monks. 2002. Cladistics: A Practical Primer on CD-ROM. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 80 pp. ISBN 0-521-52341-9, price (hardbound), $55.00. That cladistically based methods of reconstructing evolutionary history should be an important topic for mammalogists can be appreciated by understanding the broad range of research questions that fall within the purview of phylogenetic biology (Maddison and Maddison 2000; Pagel 1999). Not all users of phylogenetic methods need to call themselves systematists. However, anyone who publishes a phylogenetic tree should know the terms, concepts, and methods that form the core of modern phylogenetic systematics. Unfortunately, not all researchers and students wanting to become proficient in the construction and interpretation of phylogenetic trees have ready access to a modern course in systematics. And those who do teach courses in systematics historically have had a relatively small array of teaching materials available to assist in covering the basics of phylogenetic analysis. Of those aids for teaching phylogenetic systematics that were available prior to the release of Cladistics: A Practical Primer on CD-ROM , perhaps the best was …
Making Destiny in the Kingdom of Ryukyu

This essay examines the process whereby Confucianism gradually became the dominant outlook and ideology of the Ryukyuan royal court and many Ryukyuan elites. This process began in the middle of the seventeenth century and was largely complete by the middle of the eighteenth century. Ryukyu was a small island kingdom that conducted trade and diplomacy with Japan and China. Political and economic circumstances influenced the characteristics of Ryukyuan Confucianism, which was a subset of the broader realm of Chinese studies. Confucian thought was closely connected with poetry, geomancy, calendar making, diplomatic protocol, and other realms of knowledge that facilitated close relations with Ryukyu’s larger neighbors. The most prominent Confucian scholar in the kingdom was Sai On. I argue that Sai On’s interpretation of ming (destiny) was the key intellectual component in a broader agenda of social engineering intended to put Ryukyu on a moral par with China and Japan. In developing this argument, I examine Sai On’s interpretation of ming, his campaign against what he regarded as superstitions, and his ideas on government and the economy.
Length-scale dependence of elastic strain from scattering measurements in metallic glasses

Several recent studies have reported that the elastic strain in metallic glasses, as measured from peak shifts in the pair-correlation functions of samples under load, increases with distance from an average atom, approaching the macroscopic strain at large distances. We have verified this behavior using high-energy x-ray scattering on metallic glasses loaded under uniaxial compression, uniaxial tension, and pure shear, and show that the apparent length-scale dependence of elastic strain is not an artifact of the assumption of structural isotropy in the data analysis. Molecular dynamics simulations of a binary Lennard-Jones glass loaded in uniaxial tension reproduce, qualitatively, the behavior observed in the experiments when the elastic strain is calculated from the shifts in the peaks of the pair-correlation function. Under hydrostatic loading, however, the length-scale dependence of elastic strain observed in the simulations is greatly reduced. This suggests that nonaffine atomic displacements, which are smaller under hydrostatic loading than under uniaxial loading, may play a key role in the length-scale dependence of elastic strain. Furthermore, no length-scale dependence is observed in simulations, for either uniaxial or hydrostatic loading, when the elastic strain is calculated from the average local deformation gradient tensor. We explain this apparent contradiction and show that the atomic displacements resulting from elastic loading are largest in the low-density regions between atomic shells around an average atom. Finally, we present an analysis of length-scale dependence of elastic strain calculated from the pair-correlation function for the case of homogeneous deformation, which is in good agreement with the simulations conducted under hydrostatic loading. For uniaxial loading, however, the analysis diverges from both the experimental and simulated results in the first two near-neighbor atomic shells. This suggests, in agreement with our observations from the molecular dynamics simulations, that the observed length-scale dependence of elastic strain from scattering measurements reflects the nature of the nonaffine atomic displacements in the glass.
Intraabdominal Infections in Older Adults

Intraabdominal infections represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the elderly population. Atypical presentations, diagnostic delays, additional comorbidities, and decreased physiologic reserve contribute to high morbidity and mortality, particularly among frail patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. While many infections are the result of age-related inflammatory, mechanical, or obstructive processes, infectious complications of feeding tubes are also common. The pillars of treatment are source control of the infection and judicious use of antibiotics. A patient-centered approach considering the invasiveness, risk, and efficacy of a procedure for achieving the desired outcomes is recommended. Structured communication and time-limited trials help ensure goal-concordant treatment.
Investigation and traceability of salmonella enteritidis food poisoning

Objective To find out the pathogens causing food poisoning,analyze the genetic relationships among strains and provide basis for clear diagnosis of food poisoning. Methods The pathogenic bacteria were screened with quantitative PCR, then separated and identified by GB method. The homology of the pathogens was analyzed by PFGE. Results Eight salmonella enteritidis strains were detected from 16 cake samples and 17 salmonella enteritidis strains were detected from 32 stool samples of patients,and the positive strains were consistent by PCR and the GB method. PFGE banding showed that salmonella enteritidis isolates from the patients had identical genotype with those from the cake,highly homologous. Conclusion This food poisoning was caused by salmonella enteritidis contamination in the cake. Combination of PCR method and the GB method was conducive to identify pathogen quickly in food poisoning. PFGE detection demonstrated the relevance of food and pathogens in terms of gene.
Anti-Luteinizing Hormone (LH)-Releasing Activity of Several Analogues of LH-Releasing Hormone

The anti-LH-releasing activity of several analogues of LH-RH was tested by 2-hour infusion in ovariectomized, estrogen-progesterone-pretreated rats and in immature male rats. [Leu3]LH-RH, [Leu3, desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, [desHis2, Leu3,desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, [Gly2, Leu3,desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, [Leu1, desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamides, [desHis2,D-Ala6,desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, [desHis2,Leu3,D-Ala6, desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, and [D-pGlu1,desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, and and [D-pGlu1,desHis2,desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide showed some anti-LH-releasing activity, but never completely inhibited the increase in serum LH in response to LH-RH. No significant differences were found among the analogues tested and [desHis2,desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, and inhibitory potency was not improved with those peptides containing D-alanine in position 6 of the chain. None of the analogues tested, including [desHis2,desGly10]-LH-RH ethylamide, was able to block the LH-RH-induced FSH release in these systems.
Megasporogenesis and Formation of the Embryo Sac

Like microsporogenesis and formation of the male gametes, megasporogenesis and development of the egg are also so closely linked that they must be considered together. The essence of megasporogenesis is the formation of megaspores by meiosis of the megasporocyte (the megaspore mother cell). The transformation of the megaspore into the female gametophyte (the embryo sac housing the egg) is the centerpiece of the subsequent events of female sexual differentiation in flowering plants. In addition to satisfying the relatively simple requirement of housing the egg, the embryo sac must also anticipate the nutritional demands of the egg and the developing zygote. This problem is solved by the presence of ultrastructural features in the cells of the embryo sac for transfer of nutrients.
Watchful Waiting for Cases of Pediatric Otitis Media: Modeling Parental Response to Physician Advice

Watchful waiting (WW) can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in the treatment of pediatric otitis media (ear infection), but its utility is impaired by underutilization and noncompliance. Guided by advice response theory, the current study proposes advantage and capacity as factors that predict how caregivers evaluate and respond affectively to WW. Parents (N = 373) of at least 1 child age 5 years or younger completed questionnaires that assessed responses to hypothetical WW advice for their youngest child. Perceptions of advantage from WW and the capacity to monitor and manage symptoms predicted advice quality, physician trust, and future compliance both directly and indirectly through negative affect. The findings suggest the elaboration of advice response theory to include more aspects of advice content evaluation (e.g., advantage) and the influence of negative affect. The study also provides practical guidance for physicians seeking to improve caregiver reception of WW advice.
The Recent Experience — 1957–76

The 1960s saw the most substantial wave of merger activity the British economy had experienced since the 1920s. As Figure 6.1 shows, the annual value of acquisitions increased sharply after the early 1950s, culminating in the spectacular merger wave of 1967–9 which brought together G.E.C., A.E.I. and English Electric; British Motor Corporation and Leyland; created the giant Bass Charrington brewing chain; and generated proposals (subsequently abandoned) for a massive Unilever-Allied Breweries merger to create an industrial giant in the food and drink industries. During recent decades, also, merger has caught the popular imagination as never before. The contested takeover bid, where would-be acquirers appealed directly to shareholders over the heads of a hostile management, was almost unknown before the fifties. It was still very unusual in the fifties and sixties, accounting for only a tiny fraction of all merger activity, but instances of it would generate news headlines for weeks as the battles of I.C.I. to win control of Courtaulds or of G.E.C. to acquire A.E.I. developed.
Effects of water deprivation on feed utilization and mineral balances in sheep drinking natural saline well water

The present trials dealt with the combined effect of water salinity and infrequent water intake, once every 72 hours, in two groups of rams fed roughage diets at the maintenance level of digested protein intake, compared with sheep offered fresh tap water daily as controls. The results indicated that daily watered sheep responded favourably to drinking saline well water in terms of performance and weight gain, as well as nitrogen and mineral balances. Intermittent saline water intake, on the other hand, seemed to affect all characteristics studied adversely. The animals lost weight, digestive capacity was reduced and, therefore, DOM and DCP intakes decreased significantly. Nitrogen and sodium balances became negative, and the other mineral balances were also adversely affected. Further experiments are needed, particularly to re-evaluate established tolerance levels (1·3% NaCl) which may differ according to types of salts in the well water and also under conditions of long adaptation to water deprivation.
Bio-based polycarbonates derived from the neolignan honokiol

Honokiol, a highly functional phenolic- and alkenyl-containing neolignan natural product isolated from several Magnolia plant species, is an interesting bio-based resource, which is shown to be useful directly as a monomer for the rapid and scalable synthesis of poly(honokiol carbonate) (PHC). PHC was synthesized in one step from the natural product using condensation polymerization methods. Polymers of number average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from 10–55 kDa were obtained on gram scales in yields up to 80%. Thermal analysis demonstrated high thermal stability, with degradation temperatures in excess of ca. 450 °C. Mechanical testing of several PHC polymers indicated a generally increasing storage modulus with increasing Mn and a similar trend with Tg. With an interest toward cardiovascular applications, initial cytotoxicity and fluorescence cell imaging studies were conducted and showed no cytotoxicity toward coronary venular endothelial cells (CVECs), which proliferated on PHC thin films up to a month. Bulk PHC is a robust material, as it underwent slow hydrolytic degradation under basic conditions (ca. 0.1% per day under 1 M NaOH(aq)), and no observable degradation under acidic and neutral conditions, each at 37 °C over 130 days. These polycarbonates serve as potential specialty engineering- or bio-materials derived from a commercially-available natural product monomer.
Thermodynamics of dust combustion

This chapter demonstrates the application of thermodynamics to combustible dust behavior. Mixture properties and the stoichiometry of combustion are discussed first, followed by a brief summary of thermochemistry. The thermodynamics of constant pressure (isobaric) combustion is considered next with the focus on the calculation of the adiabatic flame temperature. Constant volume (isochoric) combustion is presented and the calculation of the adiabatic flame temperature and the explosion pressure is explained. Measurements of flame temperature and explosion pressure are described and compared with thermodynamic calculations. Thermodynamic models are developed for three combustible dust hazard scenarios: fractional pressure rise in a compartment, the fractional volume deflagration, and the secondary dust explosion. This chapter demonstrates that thermodynamics is a valuable tool for gaining insight into combustible dust behavior. However, because thermodynamics does not account for finite rate processes like chemical kinetics or transport phenomena, the calculations are better suited for identifying trends in behavior rather than accurate predictions.
Lytic Inactivation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus by Dual Engagement of gp120 and gp41 Domains in the Virus Env Protein Trimer.

We recently reported the discovery of a recombinant chimera, denoted DAVEI (dual-acting virucidal entry inhibitor), which is able to selectively cause specific and potent lytic inactivation of both pseudotyped and fully infectious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) virions. The chimera is composed of the lectin cyanovirin-N (CVN) fused to the 20-residue membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 gp41. Because the Env gp120-binding CVN domain on its own is not lytic, we sought here to determine how the MPER(DAVEI) domain is able to endow the chimera with virolytic activity. We used a protein engineering strategy to identify molecular determinants of MPER(DAVEI) that are important for function. Recombinant mutagenesis and truncation demonstrated that the MPER(DAVEI) domain could be significantly minimized without loss of function. The dependence of lysis on specific MPER sequences of DAVEI, determination of minimal linker length, and competition by a simplified MPER surrogate peptide suggested that...
microRNA expression analysis for biomarker discovery in formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded tissues

A44 Introduction/Background: Whether developing diagnostic tools or exploring novel therapeutic targets, cancer researchers are greatly dependent on tissue specimens that are typically available in limited quantities. Routine clinical practice worldwide includes preservation of virtually every resected biopsy and autopsy specimen. This has created valuable archived tissue collections that contain patient outcome data, such as disease progression, therapeutic response or toxicity and thus offer enormous potential for discovery and analysis of nucleic acid biomarkers with potential diagnostic and therapeutic value. However, widely used preservation methods, such as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) preservation, are very harsh on a sample9s RNA. The recovery of quality RNA from FFPE tissues is challenging due to the cross-linking between nucleic acids and proteins and covalent modifications of RNA that occur during the fixation process. In this study, we have evaluated the suitability of microRNAs for molecular characterization of archived human specimens and for their use as potential biomarkers. Materials and Methods: Total RNA was isolated from frozen and FFPE tissues using various commercial kits, and compared with respect to RNA yield, quality and recovery of microRNA. The best performing protocol was optimized and subjected to a more comprehensive characterization study, which included various tissues types, different block ages, process robustness, quantification of microRNA, rRNA and mRNA expression levels by qRT-PCR and microRNA expression profiling by microarray. Results: The optimized procedure, including an Armored RNA® Quant internal process control, allowed reproducible extraction of high yields of RNA from various fixed tissues. Independently of RNA sample quality, microRNAs generated a qRT-PCR signal more robust and closer to the reference frozen samples than mRNAs. In addition, the same microRNAs were found differentially expressed by qRT-PCR and microarray between two tissue types whether using FFPE or frozen samples. Although lower abundance miRNAs became undetectable upon prolonged storage, miRNA profiling allowed for classification of tissue types from specimens up to 11 years old. Conclusion: microRNA expression profiling and qRT-PCR are suitable platforms for retrospective molecular analysis and characterization of archived clinical samples provided that appropriate RNA isolation, quality controls and microarray methodologies are used.
Shifts in gene expression profiles are associated with weak and strong Crassulacean acid metabolism

Premise of the study The relative ease of high throughput sequencing is facilitating comprehensive phylogenomic and gene expression studies, even for nonmodel groups. To date, however, these two approaches have not been merged; while phylogenomic methods might use transcriptome sequences to resolve relationships, assessment of gene expression patterns in a phylogenetic context is less common. Here we analyzed both carbon assimilation and gene expression patterns of closely related species within the Agavoideae (Asparagaceae) to elucidate changes in gene expression across weak and strong phenotypes for Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Methods Gene expression patterns were compared across four genera: Agave (CAM), which is paraphyletic with Polianthes (weak CAM) and Manfreda (CAM), and Beschorneria (weak CAM). RNA-sequencing was paired with measures of gas exchange and titratable acidity. Climate niche space was compared across the four lineages to examine abiotic factors and their correlation to CAM. Key results Expression of homologous genes showed both shared and variable patterns in weak and strong CAM species. Network analysis highlights that despite shared expression patterns, highly connected genes differ between weak and strong CAM, implicating shifts in regulatory gene function as key for the evolution of CAM. Variation in carbohydrate metabolism between weak and strong CAM supports the importance of sugar turnovers for CAM physiology. Conclusions Integration of phylogenetics and RNA-sequencing provides a powerful tool to study the evolution of CAM photosynthesis across closely related but photosynthetically variable species. Our findings regarding shared or shifted gene expression and regulation of CAM via carbohydrate metabolism have important implications for efforts to engineer the CAM pathway into C3 food and biofuel crops.
The Dynamic Impact of Absorptive Capacity and Market Overlap on Endogenous Spillover Pools

Firms are often assumed to be immersed in exogenous spillover pools. Under this assumption, the amount of external knowledge the focal firm can capture increases with its absorptive capacity invest...
Identifiability in connectome based neural mass models

Local dynamic activity within canonical micro-circuits in the brain can be described mathematically by neural mass models with parameters that introduce a variety of oscillatory behavior in local neuron populations. Advances in medical imaging have enabled quantification of the white matter connections that constitute whole brain networks or the "connectome". Recently, connectome-derived coupling terms have been introduced within an array of neural mass models to capture the long-range interactions between local neuronal populations. Although such network-coupled oscillator models are capable of producing steady-state power spectra similar to the brain9s empirical activity, it is unclear if the connectome9s anatomical information is enough to recapitulate the spatial distribution of power spectra across brain regions. Furthermore, these models inherently comprise of hundreds of parameters whose choices have impact on model derived predictions of brain activity. Here we employ a Wilson-Cowan oscillator neural mass model coupled by a structural connectome network to observe the effect of introducing a connectivity and transmission delay to the frequency profile of the brain. We observe that inference of the many parameters of the high dimensional network model produces non-unique results. Parameter optimization of simulated power spectra to better match source localized EEG spectra showed that introducing structural information to neural mass models does not improve model performance. A combinatorial approach to optimizing local and global parameters outperforms other model variations. We demonstrate the inherent identifiability problem in network models that pose challenges for the use of such high dimensional models as diagnostic tools for neurological diseases.
Promoting Professionalism Through Virtue Ethics.

It is intrinsic to the social covenant that physicians are agents in whom we can implicitly expect fidelity, and as such, we deplore reports of sexual abuse, criminal opioid prescribing, and unnece...
A case study on the use of data mining for detecting and classifying abnormal power system modal behaviors

This article presents a case study involving data mining (DM) and the knowledge discovery (KD) process for the Western US power grid. With the installation of phasor measurement units (PMUs) in the US power systems, there is potential to improve wide-ar..
The New Delphi Injector Family – Architecture and Performance

Car manufacturers around the world are facing the significant market challenges of meeting strict governmental emissions regulations and fuel economy standards while delivering the performance that consumers demand. Building on the successes already achieved and the extensive experience in the global market, Delphi continues to develop next-generation technologies to meet these demands, including a new family of injectors, fuel pumps, Engine Control Units (ECU) and rails for light- and medium-duty applications to better fit customer requirements.
Outcomes of LVAD Implantation in Ischemic versus Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

Purpose Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a popular option for left ventricular support in bridging patients to heart transplantation or as destination therapy. However, the effect of heart failure etiology on outcomes after LVAD implantation has not yet been elucidated. Methods Between 2008 and 2018, a total of 549 patients with either ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) underwent implantation of a continuous-flow LVAD our institution. ICM was defined by history of myocardial infarction or revascularization, coronary angiography showing ≥75% stenosis of the left main or proximal left anterior descending coronary arteries or ≥75% stenosis of two or more epicardial vessels. We identified 301 (54.8%) patients with NICM and 248 (45.2%) patients with ICM, and compared postoperative survival and adverse events in patients with ICM versus NICM. Results NICM patients were more likely to be female (22.9% vs 17.8%, p=0.08). Survival was similar between both groups with 30 day, 6 month, and 1 year survivals of 93%, 81%, and 72%, respectively, for ICM patients versus 91%, 81%, and 74%, respectively, for NICM patients (p=0.5) (Figure 1). Etiology of heart failure was not an independent predictor of survival in multivariate logistic regression analysis (p=0.84). There was no significant difference in adverse events including stroke, sepsis, or pump infection between the two groups. Conclusion The etiology of heart failure did not appear to significantly affect outcomes after LVAD implantation.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates of Military and Civilian Male Respondents to the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System Between 2013 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among men in the USA and to compare vaccination rates among men who had served in the military to those reporting no previous military service. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from the 2013 to 2015 to analyze HPV vaccination rates for vaccine eligible adult men. The BRFSS is a multistage, cross-sectional telephone survey conducted nationally by state health departments. Univariable and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between military service and HPV vaccination status was assessed as well as the number of HPV vaccination doses received. RESULTS A total of 5,274 participants were analyzed representing a weighted estimate of 1.5 million HPV vaccine eligible men in the USA. The vaccination rate among veterans was 25.3% (95% confidence interval (CI), 18.8-33.3%) compared to 15.9% (95% CI, 14.3-17.6%) for civilians (p < 0.01). Veterans were more likely to report having received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine compared to civilian men (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 2.7, 95% CI, 1.7%-4.1%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Veteran men are more likely to have received HPV vaccination than similarly aged civilian men. However, for both civilians and veterans, the HPV vaccination coverage remains low when compared to their female counterparts.
Ecological assessment in research on aesthetics, creativity, and the arts: Basic concepts, common questions, and gentle warnings

Aesthetics, creativity, and arts researchers employ a variety of methods to answer their research questions. Ecological methods—assessing people in their everyday environments—are becoming more common, but researchers curious to try conducting a daily life study often find these methods complex and intimidating. Here, we provide a brief overview of ecological assessment techniques and how to go about using them. Specifically, we focus on what types of research questions are appropriate for ecological measurement, different ecological assessment designs, strategies for item development, suggestions for the nuts and bolts of data collection, and statistical issues unique to daily life data.
Stochastic Spatio-Temporal Hurricane Impact Analysis for Power Grid Resilience Studies

This paper develops a spatio-temporal hurricane impact analysis (STHIA) tool to assist power industry stakeholders in quantifying hurricane damage to the power grid. The STHIA model generates stochastic hurricane scenarios based on historical hurricane data, and maps likely outage scenarios to inland distribution components using component-specific structural information expressed by fragility curves. The outage scenarios generated by the STHIA model enable its user to identify potential risks to the power grid in the hours or days leading up to an impending hurricane event. Further, the STHIA model can be used as a contingency planning tool in order to identify grid-hardening measures.
Corporate Governance Scores and Firm Performance

The recent spate of corporate governance scandals has led to the emergence of several commercial governance rating agencies which rate firms on their strength of governance mechanisms. In this paper, we examine the quality of governance scores offered by one such vendor, The Corporate Library Board Analyst Ratings (BAR). In terms of content, we find that the percentage of independent directors, percentage of independent directors in the committees, director tenure, director age, number of directorships held by each director, independent director ownership and CEO compensation are important determinants of these ratings. Most of the factors used by BAR are consistent with the extant corporate governance theory and evidence. However, the Board Analyst Ratings fail to predict the future operating performance and stock returns of rated firms. Using a broader range of governance mechanisms, we construct an alternative score for governance which is linked to the future operating performance of firms. Overall, our results raise questions about the usefulness of BAR governance ratings to investors.
Family-Centered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Very Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

To address the paucity of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols available to treat anxiety in preschoolers with ASD, we piloted a family-centered CBT protocol in a series of 16 children aged 3–7 years with ASD and anxiety disorders and explored its feasibility and efficacy. Children were assessed at baseline, post-treatment (PT), and 4-month follow-up (FU) using diagnostic interviews and parent questionnaires. Fourteen children completed at least 10 sessions (mean 14). At PT, 81% were rated “very much-” or “much-improved” on the CGI-Anxiety. Children displayed significant decreases on clinician- and parent-rated anxiety, and improved family function and coping. Gains were maintained at FU. Parent–child CBT is feasible for young children with ASD plus anxiety that shows potential for similar efficacy as with neurotypical children.
Special Issue on Exploring Latin America: Travelogues by Alexander von Humboldt, Archduke Maximilian, and James Bryce

We are very pleased to publish this special issue entitled “Exploring Latin America,” which features articles on travelogues by German explorer-scientist Alexander von Humboldt, the Austrian Archdu...
Dual-Comb Laser Spectroscopy of CS2 near 4.6 µm

Abstract High-precision absorption spectrum of carbon disulfide (CS2) has been recorded by mid-IR dual-comb laser spectroscopy between 2110 and 2200 cm−1 (4.5–4.7 µm) with sample point spacing of 5 × 10−4 cm−1 and absolute accuracy better than 10−5 cm−1. We present about 980 line positions and intensities retrieved for eleven cold and hot bands of the 12C32S2, 32S12C34S, 32S12C33S, and 13C32S2 isotopologues with the majority of the observed bands belonging to the 12C32S2 isotopologue. Direct measurements of line intensities for most of these CS2 bands are reported for the first time. We compare the measured CS2 line parameters with those obtained in the previous works near 2180 cm−1. As of today, the obtained experimental dataset is the most comprehensive and significantly improves the knowledge of the absorption spectrum of carbon disulfide near 4.6 µm dominated by the ν1 + ν3 combination band.
Better synonyms for enriching biomedical search.

Objective In a biomedical literature search, the link between a query and a document is often not established, because they use different terms to refer to the same concept. Distributional word embeddings are frequently used for detecting related words by computing the cosine similarity between them. However, previous research has not established either the best embedding methods for detecting synonyms among related word pairs or how effective such methods may be. Materials and methods In this study, we first create the BioSearchSyn set, a manually annotated set of synonyms, to assess and compare 3 widely used word-embedding methods (word2vec, fastText, and GloVe) in their ability to detect synonyms among related pairs of words. We demonstrate the shortcomings of the cosine similarity score between word embeddings for this task: the same scores have very different meanings for the different methods. To address the problem, we propose utilizing pool adjacent violators (PAV), an isotonic regression algorithm, to transform a cosine similarity into a probability of 2 words being synonyms. Results Experimental results using the BioSearchSyn set as a gold standard reveal which embedding methods have the best performance in identifying synonym pairs. The BioSearchSyn set also allows converting cosine similarity scores into probabilities, which provides a uniform interpretation of the synonymy score over different methods. Conclusions We introduced the BioSearchSyn corpus of 1000 term pairs, which allowed us to identify the best embedding method for detecting synonymy for biomedical search. Using the proposed method, we created PubTermVariants2.0: a large, automatically extracted set of synonym pairs that have augmented PubMed searches since the spring of 2019.