cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects on murine trichinosis of niridazole, a suppressant of cellular but not humoral immunological responses

Two groups of mice infected with Trichinella spiralis were treated with niridazole (100 mg/kg), one on alternate days, the other daily. Both regimens failed to influence the numbers of adult worms in the intestines or larvae in the muscles compared with untreated control mice. Mice treated with niridazole daily, but not those treated on alternate days, showed a significant reduction in the inflammatory reaction to larvae in the muscles. Immediate footpad swelling in response to injection of soluble Trichinella larval antigen was not affected by niridazole treatment. Niridazole appears to have a highly selective action on immunological responses suppressing cell-mediated reactions but leaving humoral antibody formation relatively intact. Elimination of worms may require the presence of both cellular and humoral immune mechanisms, while inflammation around larvae in the muscles may be largely a cellular reaction.
Deposition Sequences for Atomic Layer Growth of AlN Thin Films on Si(100) Using Dimethylethylamine Alane and Ammonia

Recent studies have demonstrated that dimethylethylamine alane (DMEAA) is a viable group III precursor for depositing high quality aluminum nitride thin films during atomic layer growth with ammonia as the group V source. However, a practical consideration that is questioned but seldom investigated is whether one should initiate the growth with the group III or the group V source. Clearly DMEAA interacts differently with silicon than does ammonia; hence, reversing the deposition sequence will lead to different interfacial composition. Earlier studies involving TMAA and ammonia indicate that direct interaction of group III precursor with the surface may lead to higher carbon contamination. In this work, adsorption of DMEAA on Si(100) and on ammonia-covered Si(100) are characterized with Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD), Secondary-Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), and Temperature-Programmed Secondary-Ion Mass Spectrometry (TPSIMS). Preliminary results indicate that DMEAA adsorbs molecularly on both Si(100) and ammonia-covered Si(100), but to a much smaller coverage on the latter surface. Results from reversing the adsorption sequence, i.e. ammonia first then DMEAA, will be compared as a possibility for interfacial quality control.
Subgrid modeling for reacting large eddy simulations

Development of accurate combustion models is needed to aid in the design of improved combustors in both the aircraft and automotive industries. Numerical models capable of providing the necessary information must be able to predict the highly unsteady behavior associated with turbulent-chemistry interactions. One promising approach to investigate flows of practical interest is large-eddy simulation(LES). However, relatively few extensions to reacting flows have been made since additional closure problems arise from combustion related terms which are difficult to model. One approach to combustion related subgrid closure is the linear-eddy mixing(LEM) model. This model separately treats the physical process of molecular diffusion and turbulent stirring so that an accurate picture of the interaction of the turbulence and the chemistry can be obtained. This paper investigates the LEM model for use in LES simulations of diffusion flames.
A minimal cytoplasmic subdomain of the erythropoietin receptor mediates erythroid and megakaryocytic cell development

Signals provided by the erythropoietin (Epo) receptor are essential for the development of red blood cells, and at least 15 distinct signaling factors are now known to assemble within activated Epo receptor complexes. Despite this intriguing complexity, recent investigations in cell lines and retrovirally transduced murine fetal liver cells suggest that most of these factors and signals may be functionally nonessential. To test this hypothesis in erythroid progenitor cells derived from adult tissues, a truncated Epo receptor chimera (EE372) was expressed in transgenic mice using a GATA-1 gene-derived vector, and its capacity to support colony-forming unit-erythroid proliferation and development was analyzed. Expression at physiological levels was confirmed in erythroid progenitor cells expanded ex vivo, and this EE372 chimera was observed to support mitogenesis and red blood cell development at wild-type efficiencies both independently and in synergy with c-Kit. In addition, the activity of this minimal chimera in supporting megakaryocyte development was tested and, remarkably, was observed to approximate that of the endogenous receptor for thrombopoietin. Thus, the box 1 and 2 cytoplasmic subdomains of the Epo receptor, together with a tyrosine 343 site (each retained within EE372), appear to provide all of the signals necessary for the development of committed progenitor cells within both the erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages.
The spatial distribution of growth in the extension zone of seedling wheat leaves

Two models of the distribution of relative elemental rates of elongation (RELEL) were tested for the extension zone (EZ) of the first foliage leaf of seedling wheat plants, by comparison to patterns of separation of rings and gyres in the walls of protoxylem vessels. One model, containing a defined growth maximum in the basal half of the EZ, is favoured in the literature and was derived from data published for perennial ryegrass. The other, containing a flat, broad maximum throughout the region of the EZ with stomates, was constructed from regressions of interstomatal distance against distance along the EZ in the first foliage leaf of wheat seedlings
SSA, Random Matrix Theory, and Noise-Reduced Correlations

This is the third paper in a series devoted to obtaining noise-reduced, stable correlations by smoothing time series using Singular Spectrum Analysis, or SSA. Here we show that the SSA-based correlations are superior in terms of noise reduction, employing a number of simple tests using Random Matrix Theory (RMT) constructs. In each case, the correlations obtained using SSA-smoothed time series are further from noise than are conventional correlations. “Noise” here is defined by a zero-correlation Wishart random matrix WRM composed of correlations between series filled with independent Gaussian random numbers.
Discovery and preliminary multi-species evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphism resources for genus Buteo developed from restriction site-associated DNA paired-end data

Just a few years ago, genomic studies of non-model organisms were extremely time and cost prohibitive, but recent advances in next-generation sequencing have made it possible to generate hundreds to thousands of informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for non-model organisms. We generated a SNP panel using restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing for species of the genus Buteo (Falconiformes: Accipitridae) with the aim of creating genomic resources in the absence of a reference genome. Using blood and feather samples from three different Buteo species, we used HiSeq Illumina sequencing to generate raw reads. We built 29 162 contigs and discovered 89 921 SNPs using paired-end single-digest RAD data. Using Bayesian clustering and principal componenets analysis, this SNP panel successfully assigned individuals of three Buteo (B. swainsoni, B. jamaicensis, B. lagopus) species correctly to species. We then scanned the SNPs for association with variation in coloration within the three species. This de novo reference will have broad application to the study of Buteo genomic diversity, analysis of population structure within species, identification of hybrids, and other applied studies of the avian genome.
Implicit learning of phonotactic constraints: Transfer from perception to production

This study asked whether new linguistic patterns acquired through recent perception experience can transfer to speech production. Participants heard and spoke sequences of syllables featuring novel phonotactic constraints (e.g. /f/ is always a syllable onset, /s/ is always a syllable coda). Participants’ speech errors reflected weaker learning of the constraints present in the spoken sequences (e.g. /f/ must be onset) when they heard sequences with the inverse constraints (e.g. /f/ must be coda), suggesting that the constraints experienced in perception interfered with learning in production. The results did not depend on the presence of a shared orthographic code in perception and production trials, suggesting that direct transfer between heard speech and produced speech is possible, perhaps through prediction via inner speech. Further work is needed to determine the exact mechanism supporting inter-modality transfer of phonological generalizations.
The PACE trial missteps on pacing and patient selection.

As others have pointed out a variety of complicating factors with the PACE trial (e.g. changing outcome criteria), I will limit my remarks to issues that involve the composition of adaptive pacing therapy and issues involving patient selection. My key points are that the PACE trial investigators were not successful in designing and implementing a valid pacing intervention and patient selection ambiguity further compromised the study’s outcomes.
Rational Herding in Microloan Markets: Online Appendix

This document presents supporting materials for the following publication: Zhang, Juanjuan and Peng Liu (2012), "Rational Herding in Microloan Markets," Management Science, Vol. 58, No. 5, May, pp. 892-912. Microloan markets allow individual borrowers to raise funding from multiple individual lenders. We use a unique panel dataset which tracks the funding dynamics of borrower listings on Prosper.com, the largest microloan market in the United States. We find evidence of rational herding among lenders. Well-funded borrower listings tend to attract more funding after we control for unobserved listing heterogeneity and payoff externalities. Moreover, instead of passively mimicking their peers (irrational herding), lenders engage in active observational learning (rational herding); they infer the creditworthiness of borrowers by observing peer lending decisions, and use publicly observable borrower characteristics to moderate their inferences. Counterintuitively, obvious defects (e.g., poor credit grades) amplify a listing's herding momentum, as lenders infer superior creditworthiness to justify the herd. Similarly, favorable borrower characteristics (e.g., friend endorsements) weaken the herding effect, as lenders attribute herding to these observable merits. Follow-up analysis shows that rational herding beats irrational herding in predicting loan performance.
Do Cardiovascular Changes Indicate Energetic Support of Information Processing

The energetical aspects of information processing may seem a novel and strange topic to some. It directly relates, however, to a major historical theme of psychology; the relation of motivation (variously termed drive, incentive, activation) to the performance of learned behaviours. Certain factors are currently well studied by experimental psychology, eg stimulus quality, response complexity. Other factors influence performance, however; fatigue, sleep deprivation, interest in the task. These variables might be termed energetical or organismic. How can we understand their effect on performance? How can we understand the reports of fatigue, energy, and effort that volunteers offer to “explain” their performance? One approach has been to look inside the organism to find systems which regulate such “energy” and relate them to performance and subjective report. This chapter suggests a current perspective within this approach.
High-Sensitivity Assays for Plasmodium falciparum Infection by Immuno-Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of PfIDEh and PfLDH Antigens.

Background Rapid diagnostic tests based on Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein II (PfHRP-II) and P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) antigens are widely deployed for detection of P. falciparum infection; however, these tests often miss cases of low-level parasitemia, and PfHRP-II tests can give false-negative results when P. falciparum strains do not express this antigen. Methods We screened proteomic data for highly expressed P. falciparum proteins and compared their features to those of PfHRP-II and PfLDH biomarkers. Search criteria included high levels of expression, conservation in all parasite strains, and good correlation of antigen levels with parasitemia and its clearance after drug treatment. Different assay methods were compared for sensitive detection of parasitemia in P. falciparum cultures. Results Among potential new biomarkers, a P. falciparum homolog of insulin-degrading enzyme (PfIDEh) met our search criteria. Comparative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with monoclonal antibodies against PfLDH or PfIDEh showed detection limits of 100-200 parasites/µL and 200-400 parasites/µL, respectively. Detection was dramatically improved by use of real-time immuno-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to parasitemia limits of 0.02 parasite/µL and 0.78 parasite/µL in PfLDH- and PfIDEh-based assays, respectively. Conclusions The ability of PfLDH- or PfIDEh-based immuno-PCR assays to detect <1 parasite/µL suggests that improvements of bound antibody sensor technology may greatly increase the sensitivity of malaria rapid diagnostic tests.
Understanding and Using Efficiency and Equity Criteria in the Study of Higher Education Policy

Policy makers often have to make decisions about how resources are to be used in furthering societal objectives. Because resources are scarce, one of the objectives that decision-makers strive for is to allocate these resources among alternative uses in an efficient manner. Another objective that public policymakers often pursue is to distribute scarce resources among individuals and groups in an equitable manner. In their analysis and deliberation, policy makers often view “efficiency” in allocation and “equity” in distribution as criteria that guide them in their decision-making.2
Monitoring pulmonary function with superimposed pulmonary gas exchange curves from standard analyzers.

Objective.A repetitive graphic display of the single breath pulmonary function can indicate changes in cardiac and pulmonary physiology brought on by clinical events. Parallel advances in computer technology and monitoring make real-time, single breath pulmonary function clinically practicable. We describe a system built from a commercially available airway gas monitor and off the shelf computer and data-acquisition hardware. Methods.Analog data for gas flow rate, O2, and CO2 concentrations are introduced into a computer through an analog-to-digital conversion board. Oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide output (VCO2) are calculated for each breath. Inspired minus expired concentrations for O2 and CO2 are displayed simultaneously with the expired gas flow rate curve for each breath. Dead-space and alveolar ventilation are calculated for each breath and readily appreciated from the display. Results.Graphs illustrating the function of the system are presented for the following clinical scenarios; upper airway obstruction, bronchospasm, bronchopleural fistula, pulmonary perfusion changes and inadequate oxygen delivery. Conclusions.This paper describes a real-time, single breath pulmonary monitoring system that displays three parameters graphed against time: expired flow rate, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production. This system allows for early and rapid recognition of treatable conditions that may lead to adverse events without any additional patient measurements or invasive procedures. Monitoring systems similar to the one described in this paper may lead to a higher level of patient safety without any additional patient risk.
Preliminary Tests of Suggestibility

Suggestion may be defined as the presentation of an idea in nonlogical fashion in such a manner that it is likely to be accepted as literally true, and therefore “real”—as illustrated in everyday life by the parent who kisses a child’s scraped knee to “make it stop hurting,” or by the athletic coach who convinces his apprehensive team that they “can’t lose.”
The Chemistry of Submarine Ore-Forming Solutions

Hydrothermal solutions have been sampled from two important types of submarine hot springs; from the sediment-starved crest of the East Pacific Rise at lat. 21°N and between 10° and 13°N from the sediment-buried axis in the Guaymas Basin in the central part of the Gulf of California. The former solutions are acid with relatively high concentrations of metals and sulfide. The latter are “spent” of their ore metals through reaction with sedimentary carbonate and organic carbon. The reaction with carbon releases large quantities of ammonia. In the Guaymas Basin, therefore, a sediment-hosted ore body may be in the process of formation. At 21°N, the major proportion of the transported ore is dispersed into the water column as black, fine-grained sulfide “smoke”. Mechanisms for ore retention at such systems are as of now unknown.
Change in tumor lysis syndrome risk after lead-in treatment in a phase 1b/2 study of obinutuzumab, ibrutinib, and venetoclax for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

7528Background: Venetoclax (VEN) is highly effective for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) during VEN initiation is a major risk and management, includ...
Poverty Entrepreneurs and Technology

Although technology is ubiquitous in developed countries, a stark divide in technology literacy exists for groups with low socio-economic status. That is especially relevant for poverty entrepreneurs, who struggle to integrate technology and therefore limit the survivability and growth of their ventures. However, current research on this issue is still scarce. Therefore, our paper attempts to address this gap by discussing how technology affects poverty entrepreneurs' opportunity horizon and decision-making processes. We are also taking a closer look at technology literacy and the digital divide and what how they affect poverty entrepreneurs' ventures.
Multivariate climate change, the climate niche, and the Holocene history of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Forests in the eastern North America have changed progressively over the 11,700 years of the Holocene Epoch. To understand the dynamics involved, we focus on eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ), which shifted its distribution through time and, notably, exhibited a rapid range-wide decline at 5280±180 YBP. We consider how climate could have shaped this history by comparing fossil pollen records from eight New England sites with quantitative temperature and effective precipitation reconstructions and evaluating the realization of Tsuga ′s climate niche through time. The comparisons indicate that multivariate climate change significantly influenced Tsuga abundance, including its abrupt decline and recovery. The comparisons show that the realized climate niche of Tsuga expressed today includes two important features that persisted through time. First, Tsuga pollen percentages reach their maxima (>30%) where July temperatures equal 18-20°C, but do so at two modes where annual precipitation equals either ~1100 or ~775 mm. The bimodality reflects Tsuga ′s two geographic modes in the Great Lakes and Appalachian regions today, and explains past dynamics, such as short-lived peaks in Tsuga abundance associated with effective precipitation of ~775 mm at ca. 10,000 years before CE 1950 (YBP). Second, the two peaks in Tsuga abundance follow negative correlations between temperature and precipitation such that the two modes shift toward high precipitation if temperatures are low (e.g., ~1400 and ~1000 mm at Tsuga declines because cooling did not coincide with increased precipitation. Abundance declined as local climates departed from optimal temperature and precipitation combinations. Recovery only followed as effective precipitation increased by >150 mm over the past 4000 years. A regionally calibrated model of the relationship of Tsuga pollen percentages to temperature and precipitation explains 70-75% of the variance in the percentages at eight study sites. Iteratively excluding each site from the model shows that accurately representing the major features of the climate niche enables the model to predict the mid-Holocene decline and other past changes at the excluded site (site-level RMSE = 2.1-5.6%). Similar multivariate climate dynamics closely modulated the species′ abundance throughout the Holocene with no evidence of additional large-scale disturbances.
Dating Violence Attitudes Among Latino College Students: An Examination of Gender, Machismo , and Marianismo .

This study sought to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the association of gender, machismo and marianismo, and acculturation to dating violence (DV) attitudes among a sample of Latino college students. A total of 305 students were recruited from a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) located on the United States-Mexico border. Results showed significant differences in all forms of DV attitudes across gender. Separate regression models for men and women showed a pattern of endorsing the traditional gender role of machismo was predictive of tolerant DV attitudes for men and women. The marianismo dimension of chastity and virtuosity was associated to a decrease in tolerant DV attitudes among men. In addition, acculturation's relationship to DV attitudes and gender role ideology was not significant. Overall, the findings highlight the need for DV programs to address culturally-based understandings of gender roles and their association to DV attitudes.
Challenges of future high power wireless power transfer for light-duty electric vehicles----technology and risk management

Abstract Wireless power transfer is a state-of-the-art technology with the advantage of convenience and flexibility, as well as the capability of enabling fully automated charging. With power transfer levels increasing beyond 100 kW, many technical and risk management challenges emerge. Instead of focusing on the progress review of wireless power transfer technology, this paper discusses the future challenges and risks for high power wireless charging for light-duty electric vehicles. Aiming at 200 kW or higher wireless power transfer, we discuss technology and risk management challenges in the area of electromagnetic safety, resonant frequency determination, and cybersecurity risks in detail. As potential solutions to overcome these challenges, the latest technologies with an emphasis on advanced shielding solutions and recent progress on SiC converters from both industrial and academic institutions are reviewed, and some perspectives and propositions are provided.
Association Between a Temporary Reduction in Access to Health Care and Long-term Changes in Hypertension Control Among Veterans After a Natural Disaster.

Importance Temporary disruptions in health care access are common, but their associations with chronic disease control remain unknown. Objective To evaluate whether long-term changes in chronic disease control were associated with a temporary 6-month decrease in access to health care services. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study examined the long-term changes in chronic disease control associated with the 6-month closure of the Manhattan facility of the Veterans Affairs (VA) New York Harbor Healthcare System after superstorm Sandy, which caused a significant disruption in health care access for veterans in the region. Electronic health records from the VA Healthcare System between October 29, 2010, and October 29, 2014, were used to identify a total of 81 544 veterans who were and were not exposed to the 6-month closure of the VA Manhattan Medical Center after superstorm Sandy. Of those, 19 207 veterans were included in the exposed cohort and 62 337 were included in the nonexposed control cohort, which included veterans who were equally exposed to the storm but who retained regular access to health care from 3 VA medical centers (Brooklyn and the Bronx in New York and New Haven in Connecticut) during and after the storm. A difference-in-differences analysis was used to assess within-patient changes in chronic disease control over time between a cohort that was exposed to decreased health care access compared with a similar cohort that was not exposed to decreased access. All analyses adjusted for individual demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, between–zip code differences, and common time trends. Data analyses were conducted between February 1, 2016, and September 30, 2019. Exposure The 6-month closure of the VA Manhattan Medical Center after superstorm Sandy on October 29, 2012. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcomes measured were uncontrolled blood pressure (defined as mean blood pressure per patient per quarter >140/90 mm Hg), uncontrolled diabetes (defined as mean hemoglobin A1cper patient per quarter >8%), uncontrolled cholesterol (defined as mean low density lipoprotein per patient per quarter >140 mg/dL), and patient weight. Results Among the 81 544 veterans included in the study, the mean (SD) age was 62.1 (17.6) years, and 93.6% were men, 62.7% were white, and 31.8% were black. At the 3-month midpoint of the 6-month facility closure of the VA Manhattan Medical Center, an absolute decrease of 24.8% (95% CI, −26.5% to −23.0%;P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, a temporary period of decreased access to health care services was associated with increased rates of uncontrolled hypertension, but not with increased rates of uncontrolled diabetes or hyperlipidemia, more than 1 year after the Manhattan VA facility reopened. Temporary gaps in access to health care may be associated with long-term increases in uncontrolled blood pressure among patients with hypertension.
Counterstaining to separate Nile Red-stained microplastic particles from terrestrial invertebrate biomass

The emerging threat that microplastic pollution poses to soil and its biota necessitates the development of methods to detect microplastic ingestion by soil animals. Fluorescent staining with Nile red dye has proven to be effective at distinguishing microplastics from inorganic and some biological material but is not suitable for separating them from invertebrate remains. Here, we report on the development and validation of a novel fluorescent counterstaining technique for detection of microplastics within terrestrial invertebrate biomass and fecal material. After being stained with a blend of Calcofluor white and Evans blue dyes in addition to Nile red, ground arthropod biomass appeared blueish-purple, whereas different plastic polymers appeared red, green, and yellow when viewed under laser scanning confocal microscopy. Nonarthropod invertebrate biomass and fecal material were also distinguishable from plastic, though to a lesser extent. Our results highlight the value of this method for detecting microplastic ingestion by terrestrial invertebrates.
Radiation and Mass Transfer Effects on MHD Oscillatory Flow for Carreau Fluid through an Inclined Porous Channel

This paper aims to study a mathematical model showing the effects of mass transfer on MHD oscillatory flow for Carreau fluid through an inclined porous channel under the influence of temperature and concentration at a slant angle on the centre of the flow with the effect of gravity. We discussed the effects of several parameters that are effective on fluid movement by analyzing the graphs obtained after we reached the momentum equation solution using the perturbation series method and the MATHEMATICA program to find the numerical results and illustrations. We observed an increased fluid movement by increasing radiation and heat generation while fluid movement decreased by increasing the chemical reaction parameter and Froude number.
Cancer did not stay home for COVID-19.

Ross L. Levine The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to society, to the health care system, and to academic medicine as a whole. It has been humbling to see the impact on every aspect of our society, including the biomedical research enterprise, of a highly contagious infectious disease that lacks definitive therapies or vaccines. Moreover, COVID-19 has presented new research and clinical questions that are being addressed at extraordinary speed, with a collaborative spirit, transparency, and “can do” approach that speaks to the power of the scientific community. As a cancer doctor and researcher, I have seen countless examples of my colleagues providing frontline clinical care and cancer scientists using their expertise to solve critical questions related to COVID-19. Despite the tragedy unfolding before us, there is much to be heartened about with respect to how our community has responded. However, the pandemic has also created many headwinds for the oncology community, with the potential for long-term consequences unless we redouble our efforts focused on cancer medicine and cancer research. It is hard to accurately delineate the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care and on the clinical oncology community. Cancer patients require frequent visits to their care provider for evaluation and for cancer therapy, and …
Beneath the surface: a transnational history of skin lighteners: by Lynn M. Thomas, Durham, NC, Duke University Press, 2020, 368 pp., $28.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-4780-0538-4 (hardback), 978-1-4780-0642-8 (paperback)

In Beneath the Surface, Lynn Thomas illuminates skin lighteners as geopolitical commodities that intertwine with race, class, and gender to convey how notions of whiteness are valued and upheld. Sh...
The philosophical underpinning of the absorber theory of radiation

Abstract The paper considers the absorber theory of radiation by (Wheeler and Feynman 1945) and (Wheeler and Feynman 1949) and advances the idea that the theory is grounded on the philosophical intuition of overall processes. Such intuition consists of having to consider advanced and retarded radiation as well as the interaction between absorbers and emitter. I discuss the discrepancy between microdynamic time-symmetry and the asymmetry of the experimental evidences. In doing so, I consider (Price, 1991)'s reformulation of the theory and argue that it overlooks the philosophical intuition. I then compare the overall process idea with some accounts of holism and ultimately suggest that it also played an important role in Feynman's later works.
Novel application of autologous micrografts in a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold for diabetic wound healing.

Background Therapeutic strategies that successfully combine two techniques-autologous micrografting and biodegradable scaffolds-offer great potential for improved wound repair and decreased scarring. In this study we evaluate the efficacy of a novel modification of a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold with autologous micrografts using a murine dorsal wound model. Methods db/db mice underwent dorsal wound excision and were treated with a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold (CGS), a modified collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold (CGS+MG) or simple occlusive dressing (Blank). The modified scaffold was created by harvesting full thickness micrografts and transplanting these into the collagen-glycosaminoglycan membrane. Parameters of wound healing, including cellular proliferation, collagen deposition, keratinocyte migration, and angiogenesis were assessed. Results The group treated with the micrograft-modified scaffold healed at a faster rate, showed greater cellular proliferation, collagen deposition, and keratinocyte migration with higher density and greater maturity of microvessels. The grafts remained viable within the scaffold with no evidence of rejection. Keratinocytes were shown to migrate from the wound border and from the micrograft edges towards the center of the wound, while cellular proliferation was present both at the wound border and wound bed. Conclusion We report successful treatment of diabetic wounds with a novel collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold modified with full-thickness automicrografts. Differences in cellular migration and proliferation offer maiden evidence on the mechanisms of wound healing. Clinically, the successful scaffold engraftment, micrograft viability and improved wound healing offer promising results for the development of a new therapeutic modality for wound repair.
Work-In-Progress: Fault Tolerance in a Two-State Checkpointing Regularity-Based System

Real-time embedded systems with safety-critical functions must often share a limited number of computational resources. Scheduling models within the Hierarchical Real-Time Scheduling (HiRTS) framework allow applications to share resources in an efficient manner. The Regularity-Based Resource Partition (RRP) model offers an efficient way to schedule resource partitions, ensuring transparent task scheduling. A model within this framework can manage resource distribution in real-time embedded systems, ensuring fault tolerance through a checkpointing system. However, checkpoint insertions are known to incur high time and energy overheads. This paper proposes the use of a Two-State checkpointing scheme in conjunction with the fault-tolerant hierarchical RRP model. By reducing the number of checkpoints during fault-free states, we can reduce time and energy overheads while still ensuring fault tolerance in worst-case fault scenarios. We outline our plan to construct a model that can offer low-overhead solution to transient faults in embedded real-time systems. We do so with the intent to build upon this model and eventually test it through simulation.
Orthorexia nervosa and substance use for the purposes of weight control, conformity, and emotional coping

Orthorexia nervosa (ON), characterized by extreme behaviors driven by the goal of eating only healthy and pure foods, could plausibly be associated with avoidance of nicotine, alcohol, and illicit drugs. However, findings from the limited research on these relationships are mixed, and other eating disorders are associated with greater substance abuse. An online survey was completed by 471 participants (86% women, mean age = 20) recruited from undergraduate courses and through an Instagram advertisement. The questionnaires assessed ON symptomatology; frequency of smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use; abuse of these substances; and motivations for using these substances. ON scores were not significantly related to the level of use or abuse of nicotine, alcohol, or most illicit drugs. Yet, ON scores were positively correlated with frequency of using illicit depressant drugs. Further, among substance users, ON scores were positively associated with smoking or vaping for the purpose of weight control, and with consuming alcohol and using illicit drugs for the purposes of conformity and coping with such negative emotions as anxiety and depression. Although people who are high in ON symptomatology may be at least partly driven by a strong desire to be as healthy as possible, they are not less likely to use potentially harmful drugs. Instead, many of them may even turn to certain drugs for the same weight control and emotional-coping motives that guide the behaviors of individuals with other eating disorders. Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.
Thrombin-Stimulated Endothelial Cell Functions: Monocyte Adhesion and PDGF Production

In the past decade there has been much interest in the concept of an activated or injured endothelium that exhibits properties distinct from healthy, adult endothelium. The activated state of the endothelial cell may result from the action of cytokines, as recently reviewed in detail by Pober and Cotranl. Alternatively, injury to the endothelium may shorten endothelial cell lifetime, causing increased turnover in specific regions of the artery. This may, in turn, lead to the expression of genes which are suppressed under physiological rather than pathological conditions, even in the absence of exogenous stimulators. Extrapolation of in vitro findings has suggested to us a possible role of dysfunctional endothelium in the development of the atherosclerotic plaque2. Activated endothelial cells may (1) express binding sites for monocytes and perhaps secrete monocyte activators; (2) secrete oxygen free radicals that can modify nearby low density lipoprotein (LDL); (3) act as a procoagulant rather than an anticoagulant surface, and (4) synthesize and secrete a PDGF-like protein and/or other mitogens and chemoattractants for medial smooth muscle cells.
Chapter 1 A Tale of Two Settings: Young Children'S Memory Performance in The Laboratory and The Field

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses young children's memory performance in the laboratory and the field. Studies of memory in “real-world” settings have resulted in descriptions of children's performance, indeed sophistication, that stand in marked contrast to earlier accounts based on remembering in the laboratory. Several conflicting themes are explored in this chapter in which the nature of research on the development of memory conducted inside and outside of the laboratory is examined. Research on children's memory carried out at these alternate “venues” can be profitably analyzed in terms of a number of fundamental characteristics, such as the degree of experimental control present, the nature of the materials to be remembered, etc. The chapter discusses limitations and advantages of field and laboratory studies. The understanding of memory development can be advanced only by examining performance in multiple contexts, so that the full range of behavior as affected by these factors can be examined. The approaches can be characterized by the degree to which the researcher exerts control over the subject's experience. This control can extend to the very selection of the memory task and the specification of the conditions under which it is performed, including the instructions to the subject and information processing supports. An additional important dimension concerns the subject's knowledge of the information or event that is to be remembered. The current cognitive zeitgeist emphasizes the competencies rather than the deficits of young children.
Moiré patterns and their application to the study of the growth of YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films

Very thin films of YBa2Cu3O7-δ have been formed directly on specially prepared electron-transparent thin-foil substrates of MgO by pulsed-laser deposition and examined using transmission electron microscopy. The moire fringe pattern visible in the electron micrographs has been used to provide information about film growth and the introduction of defects into the growing film. Individual domains, rotated about the [001] zone axis by small amounts, were detectable in the moire fringe pattern by rotation of the fringes. In the case of small rotations, the fringe spacing varies only slightly. Individual domains rotated by large amounts, about the [001] zone axis, have been identified by the large variation produced in the moire fringe spacing. The ability to identify domain rotation through examination of the moire pattern is a very-fine-scale probe of local misorientations. Furthermore, these rotationally misaligned regions are formed directly at the film/substrate interface during the early stages of film growth. In some regions of the film, discontinuities in the moire fringe pattern were observed. These discontinuities are indicative of growth-related defects, for example, threading dislocations. It was found that the number density of these defects was apparently reduced in films grown at higher substrate temperatures.
On Capturing Information Requirements in Process Specifications

Process and information modelling Business process modelling has been in vogue for nearly 20 years, and its origins are much older than that. The growth in the last 20 years can be attributed primarily to inexpensive and powerful computer graphics technologies, which enabled rapid display and modification of complex diagrams. Software process modelling goes back to the flowchart era of the 1950s and 1960s, and reached its high point in the Structured Analysis and Design era (1970-85). Structured analysis taught that one defined information systems by modelling the to-be business process at a high level and refining each high level activity to its component activities, flows and decisions, and repeating this process until the "activities" could be reduced to a few machine instructions. But information requirements were described only at a very high level. In a language of the time, like IDEF0 [1], the basic idea of "information" is essentially a "document" idea. A body of information is characterised by a name and an overall description – the individual information units are not given at all. And this view of integrating information into process specifications is still very much alive in proprietary
Band-shaped analog peak-to-average power ratio reduction

This paper demonstrates a band-shaped all-analog peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) reduction. It uses fast and accurate analog components modeled after circuits implemented in IBM 5PAe 0.35-µm SiGe BiCMOS process. The architecture is designed to precisely clip the RF signal at a certain level, but also employs a clipping function shaping technique to reduce in-band and out-of-band interference. By using a combination of low pass filter and high pass filter to shape the clipping signal, this architecture is able to achieve a PAR reduction of 3.51 dB at 10−4 complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) level, while still meeting the adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) and error vector magnitude (EVM) requirements of Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular base station transmitters.
cAMP Levels Increased by Activation of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Correlate with Visual Plasticity

We have investigated the cAMP level increased by stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in cat visual cortex during development. The cAMP level increases activated by the general mGluR agonist (1S,3R)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentane-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) were closely correlated with the critical period for ocular dominance plasticity in both light- and dark-reared animals. Activation of either group I or group II mGluRs increased the cAMP level. Group II mGluR activation also reduced the forskolin-stimulated cAMP increase. The correlation was emulated by a mixture of groups I, II, and III mGluR agonists but not by agonists applied singly; therefore, the correlation is attributable to activation of multiple groups of mGluRs. The cAMP level increased by the mixture was greater than the sum of the increases produced by the agonists applied singly (super-additive effect), suggesting an interaction between the G-proteins and/or second messengers controlled by these mGluRs. The basal cAMP level also correlated closely with the critical period until shortly after the peak of the critical period. Therefore, the major factor that contributes to the correlation between the ACPD-stimulated cAMP increase and the peak of the critical period is the basal level of cAMP: the activation of multiple mGluRs amplifies the basal cAMP. We suggest that both basal activity of cAMP production and activation of mGluRs may be important in plasticity in the visual cortex.
Determining DNA Sequence Similarity Using Maximum Independent Set Algorithms for Interval Graphs

Motivated by the problem of finding similarities in DNA and amino acid sequences, we study a particular class of two dimensional interval graphs and present an algorithm that finds a maximum weight “increasing” independent set for this class. Our class of interval graphs is a subclass of the graphs with interval number 2. The algorithm we present runs in O(n log n) time, where n is the number of nodes, and its implementation provides a practical solution to a common problem in genetic sequence comparison.
Developing a Formal Semantic Definition of VHDL

The work described in this paper is concerned with developing a formal semantic model of machine behavior that is compatible with the hardware description language VHDL. Currently, we have developed a formal model sufficiently robust to characterize many key components of VHDL. In particular, we have defined the propagation of signal values up and down the component hierarchy (complete with type conversion functions), bus resolution of signal values, process statements including the wait statement, transaction list definition, and the computation of driving values. The one main concept of VHDL yet to be included in this model is the delta delay.
Neural redundancy and regularity of swimming beats in scyphozoan medusae.

1. Despite the apparent symmetry of jellyfish the eight ganglia do not all have equal levels of activity in initiating swimming beats. Differences in activity level persist over several hours, both in the intact jellyfish and after isolation of the individual ganglia. 2. Horridge has proposed a specific model of how the regularity of the swimming beat should be increased by the redundancy of pacemakers (one in each ganglion). Our data are quantitatively incompatible with this model. However, this incompatibility may be due more to the impossibility of maintaining comparable levels of sensory input at different stages of the test than to deficiencies in the model. 3. Regular beating in the whole jellyfish is probably due to both redundancy of pacemakers and more regular functioning of individual pacemakers when they receive greater excitatory input.
Hydrothermal and solid state synthesis, crystal data and thermal stability of monoclinic and rhombohedral lithium zirconium phosphate

Abstract There is little or no controversy about the structure and crystal chemistry of sodium zirconium phosphate (NZP) family of materials except the Li-member. The objective of this study was to establish the structure and crystal chemistry of lithium zirconium phosphate by synthesizing it under different conditions. A lithium zirconium phosphate, LiZr2(PO4)3 has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 220°C. Its unit cell is monoclinic with ‘a’ ranging from 15.2 to 15.4A, ‘b’ from 8.8 to 8.9A, ‘c’ from 8.9 to 9.2A and β from 124.8 to 125.3°. This phase forms also by firing stoichiometric gels below 1080°C, above which temperature a rhombohedral form of LiZr2(PO4)3 crystallizes with hexagonal axes of a = 8.856 A and c = 22.205 A .
t -distribution modeling using the available statistical software

Abstract Statistical inference based on the t-distribution is less vulnerable to outliers when compared to the normal distribution. A number of authors have discussed and proposed algorithms for maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of the t-distribution. These algorithms generally require special code, to date, not available in commonly used statistical software. In this paper we discuss the use of the available statistical software for ML estimation of the t-distribution. More specifically, we discuss utilization of BMDP-LE and SAS-NLIN programs for linear and nonlinear regression with t errors. BMDP-LE program instructions require specification of the t density. The problem is that the t density involves the gamma function which is not available in the BMDP function library. We make use of the available functions in BMDP-LE to specify the t density. We show how SAS-NLIN can be used to implement a previously proposed iteratively reweighted least-squares algorithm. We also propose a direct method of using SAS-NLIN for regression estimation with t errors. The SAS-NLIN methods discussed may be implemented in any nonlinear regression program which allows iterative reweighting. The advantages and disadvantages of each method is discussed. Finally, we give a linear and a nonlinear regression example. With minor modifications, the BMDP and SAS input files given for our examples can be used to fit any linear or nonlinear regression model, assuming t distributed errors, to data.