cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Human Blockage on the Performance of Millimeter-Wave Access Link for Outdoor Coverage

In this paper we study the effect of human blockage on a new cellular architecture that incorporates millimeter wave technology for the access link. Assumptions, methodology, and simulation results are discussed to analyze the effect of human blockage on this type of deployment. A statistical model for human blockage and self blockage of the millimeter wave (mmW) signal is presented and analyzed. Our simulations show that even with a simple modulation scheme, an average network throughput of 400 Gbps/km2 is achieved. The objective is to propose and demonstrate that such an architecture is capable of providing high throughput services to outdoor users even in heavily crowded areas.
Coupled Oscillator Model of the Dopaminergic Neuron of the Substantia Nigra

Calcium imaging using fura-2 and whole cell recording revealed the effective location of the oscillator mechanism on dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, pars compacta, in slices from rats...
Osteoid osteoma of the hand.

A review of all cases of osteoid osteoma of the hand seen by four hand surgeons over the last 10 years was performed. Seven cases were documented. Average follow-up was 28.3 months. Average age of the patients was 21.1 years. Five men and two women participated. Six lesions were in the right and one in the left upper extremity. Delay from presenting symptoms to definitive treatment averaged 13.5 months with a range of 7 to 30 months. Surgical excision was curative in all cases. We concluded that although a very unusual occurrence, osteoid ostebma of the hand should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pain in the hand.
Differences in child rearing attitudes between immigrant Chinese mothers and Anglo-American mothers

In order to explore cultural differences in child rearing attitudes, we studied 30 Anglo-American mothers and 30 immigrant Chinese mothers in the US, together with their preschool children and the children's teachers. Mothers completed a measure of child rearing attitudes, children were assessed for perceived competence, and teachers rated children's competence. Results showed that immigrant Chinese mothers were more authoritarian overall, as expected from previous research, but that they also were more likely to encourage independence and demand maturity from their children. Chinese-American children scored higher than Anglo-American children on cognitive competence, and their cognitive competence was related to authoritarian child rearing. The results are discussed in the context of Confucian and American cultural values. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Murine Retrovirus Detection Using Mus Dunni Cells and S+L− Cells

The classification of the four classes of MuLV is based on the ability of the virus to infect and replicate in different cell types. Ecotropic MuLV have a limited host range, only replicating in cells of mouse or rat origin. Xenotropic MuLV infect xenogeneic cells but are not infectious for murine cells. Polytropic retroviruses, which are formed by a recombination between exogenous ecotropic retrovirus and non-ecotropic endogenous proviral DNA sequences, are characterised by their ability to induce focus formation on cultured mink lung cells; hence their designation as mink cell focus forming (MCF) viruses. These viruses can infect murine cells but have limited infectivity to non-murine cells. Amphotropic MuLV differ from MCF in their wider host range for non-rodent cell lines.
Oriented connectivity-based method for segmenting solar loops

A method based on oriented connectivity that can automatically segment arc-like structures (solar loops) from intensity images of the Sun's corona is introduced. The method is a constructive approach that uses model-guided processing to enable extraction of credible loop structures. Since the solar loops are vestiges of the solar magnetic field, the model-guided processing exploits external estimates of this field's local orientations that are derived from a physical magnetic field model. Empirical studies of the method's effectiveness are also presented. The oriented connectivity-based method is the first automatic method for the segmentation of solar loops.
Captopril modulates hypoxia-inducible factors and erythropoietin responses in a murine model of total body irradiation.

Objective. Our laboratory reported that the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril improves erythroid recovery from total body irradiation (TBI) in mice when administered after irradiation. However, captopril administered before TBI attenuates erythroid recovery. Here we investigate captopril and radiation regulation of erythropoietin (EPO) and thrombopoietin (TPO), key effectors of erythroid progenitor proliferation and differentiation. Materials and Methods. C57BL/6 mice, nonirradiated or exposed to 7.5 Gy TBI ( 60 Co, 0.6 Gy/ min) were untreated or administered captopril. Plasma EPO and TPO levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression of EPO was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF)1a and -2a were measured by immunoblotting. Results. In nonirradiated mice, continuous captopril administration in the water transiently reduced reticulocytes and red blood cells after 7 and 10 days, respectively. EPO plasma levels and gene expression were reduced below detectable limits after 2 days of captopril treatment, but recovered within 7 days. HIF-1a and HIF-2a were activated preceding reticulocyte and red blood cell recovery. TBI, which ablates early and late-stage erythroid progenitors, activated both HIFs and increased EPO and TPO. Captopril treatment postirradiation suppressed radiation-induced HIF activation and EPO expression. In contrast, captopril administration for 7 days before TBI resulted in earlier EPO induction and activation. Captopril treatment lowered TPO levels in nonirradiated mice, but had minimal effects on radiation-induced TPO. Conclusions. In nonirradiated mice, captopril biphasically regulates EPO via HIF activation. TBI ablates erythroid progenitors, resulting in hypoxia, HIF activation, and increased EPO expression that are modulated by captopril treatment. These data suggest that short-term suppression of radiation-induced EPO immediately after TBI is favorable for erythroid recovery. 2011 ISEH - Society for Hematology and Stem Cells. Published by Elsevier Inc.
A Run-Time Adaptable Persistency Service using the SMART Framework

Run-time adaptation is becoming an important feature to increase robustness, performance, and improve resource utilization. A system using a persistency data service can benefit from this feature by avoiding constraint violations. This aids in averting system failures and consequent data loss. The application and assessment of a run-time adaptable approach, the SMART (State Model Adaptive Run-Time) Framework, to a data persistency service is the subject of this paper. SMART is a component-based approach with adaptable features founded on the mathematics of control theory and fuzzy logic. The results of the study indicate that the use of SMART to the persistency data service avoided constraint violations in 95% of the cases over an execution period of more than eight hours. These results are encouraging and provide strong evidence of the advantages of using the SMART Framework.
Extrapolating analog-to-digital converter

We propose a new type of oversampled analog-to-digital converter. It uses digital extrapolators to predict the analog signal before it is converted, and a coarse quantizer to convert the prediction error. Such converters are expected to have reduced complexity in their analog circuitry, thanks to the processing in the digital domain. General linear extrapolation algorithms are derived from the spline theory, and can be easily implemented using digital filters. Simulations show that the speed-resolution trade-off is 2 bits per octave with simple linear extrapolation. Noise-shaping can be added using a matched analog preemphasis filter, in which case the converter behaves similar to a DeltaSigma modulator of the same order
Enhancement of PMOS device performance with poly-SiGe gate

Poly-Si and poly-Si/sub 0.75/Ge/sub 0.25/-gated PMOS transistors with a very thin gate oxide of 29 /spl Aring/ were fabricated. In addition to reduced gate-depletion effect (GDE) and reduced boron penetration, more favorable I/sub d/-V/sub d/ characteristics were observed for the poly-SiGe-gated transistors than poly-Si-gated transistors. This and the underlying superior hole mobility are explained with a universal mobility model based on V/sub g/, T/sub ox/, V/sub th/ and V/sub th/. Both reduced GDE and superior hole mobility contribute to the enhanced performance.
Two HIFs may be better than one

HIF-2alpha overexpression directly contributes to renal clear cell tumorigenesis: evidence for HIF as a tumor promoter.
Wear Characteristics of Burs

A wear test was conducted to evaluate carbide dental burs. There is great variability within each bur type, which renders a particular bur highly unpredictable; this can be correlated to the variability in the carbide material. There is little hope that existing burs will be improved through changes in the sintered carbide system alone.
A synopsis of the South American Descurainia and description of the Colombian new species D. cleefii (Brassicaceae).

Abstract. Descurainia is represented in South America by nine native and one introduced weedy species. Full synonymies and typifications are provided for all taxa previously recognized from this continent. A key to all species and their distribution in South America are presented. The Colombian new species D. cleefii is described and illustrated, and its distinguishing characters from all of the New World species of Descurainia are given.
Effect of additives on the performance of cross-linked polyethylene subjected to long term single and periodically reversed polarity DC voltage

The performance of cross-linked polyethylene with and without tree-retarding additives, aged with single and reversed polarity DC voltage was investigated. Under single polarity field of a 50 kV/mm, cross-linked polyethylene without the tree retardant (XLPE) showed significantly longer time to breakdown than the material with a tree retardant (TR-XLPE). This is attributed to the difference in how the two materials accumulate and retain space charge. In the case of polarity reversals, TR-XLPE showed better performance than XLPE. This seeming contradiction was studied by measuring the dynamics of space charge evolution with time. The Thermal Step Method (TSM) of space charge measurements was used. It showed that after the polarity reversal the TSM current rapidly inversed in the TR-XLPE but not in the XLPE. This implies more rapid charge dissipation in TR-XLPE. The retained charges cause the electric field enhancement in the material when the polarity is reversed. Thus, after each polarity reversal XLPE was subjected to higher local electric stress for a longer time and thus broke down sooner than TR-XLPE. For both materials the space charge decreased faster when the polarity was changed from negative to positive than vice versa. This could be explained by more efficient electron than holes injection. Since the control of the power flow in DC networks requires reversals of voltage polarity, their detrimental effect on XLPE-insulated equipment, such as cables, cannot be avoided. The effect could be mitigated by the application of carefully designed additives. However, as the present study indicates, additives that improve insulation performance under polarity reversals can be harmful under single polarity voltage.
Obesity and Perioperative Morbidity in Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients

Abstract The incidence of obesity in 1071 total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients and 1813 total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients and its effect on perioperative morbidity were evaluated prospectively. Fifty-two percent of TKA and 36% of THA patients were obese (body mass index ≥30). The obese patients were significantly younger, with a higher proportion of obese TKA patients being women. Higher rates of diabetes and hypertension were found in obese patients. Higher postoperative infection rates were observed in patients with body mass index 35 or higher. The odds ratio was 6.7 times higher risk for infection in obese TKA patients and 4.2 times higher for obese THA patients. The increased risk of infection in obese patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty must be realized by both the patient and surgeon.
Avoidance Personal Goals and Subjective Well-Being

The present research comprises two studies designed to investigate both antecedents and consequences of pursuing avoidance (relative to approach) personal goals over the course of a semester-long period. Results revealed that neuroticism was positively related to the adoption of avoidance personal strivings (Study 1), and participants with low perceptions of their life skills were more likely to adopt avoidance personal projects (Study 2). Avoidance regulation proved deleterious to both retrospective and longitudinal subjective well-being (SWB), as participants with a greater proportion of avoidance goals reported lower SWB over the course of the semester and evidenced a decrease in SWB from the beginning to the end of the semester. Ancillary analyses attested to the robustness of these results across a variety of alternative predictor variables. Path analyses validated perceived progress as a mediator of the direct relationships observed.
Singular-perturbation of the time-optimal soft-constrained cheap-control problem

The solution of a time-optimal soft-constrained control problem with linear dynamics is considered. The cost function has no penalty on the integral of the state. The solution is formulated in terms of the controllability Grammian and is obtained as the solution of a system of linear algebraic equations and a nonlinear scalar algebraic equation. As the state approaches the origin, or equivalently, as the control becomes cheap, the optimal final time becomes small. This introduces a highly degenerate hierarchy of amplitude scales. An approach based solely on expanding the controllability Grammian is developed to obtain an asymptotic solution of the problem without resorting to boundary-layer theory. >
Feedback control of electrically stimulated muscle using simultaneous pulse width and stimulus period modulation

The closed-loop control of electrically stimulated muscle using simultaneous pulse width and frequency modulation is considered. It is shown how the addition of pulse frequency modulation to pulse width modulation can improve controller performance. In single muscle operation, the combination of pulse width and stimulus pulse frequency modulation results in better control of transient responses than with pulse width modulation alone. In the case of costimulation, the controller modulates the pulse stimulus periods of the antagonists in a reciprocal manner, to ensure stable and fast responses. This feedback controller was evaluated in animal experiments. Step responses with rapid rise times but without overshoot were obtained by the combined modulation. Good steady-state and transient performance were obtained over a wide range of static lengths and commands, under different loading conditions and in different animals. >
Diagnostic Test Generation Targeting Equivalence Classes

We describe a diagnostic test generation procedure that targets the equivalence classes of the test set as it is being generated, instead of considering one fault pair at a time (an equivalence class contains faults that are indistinguished by the test set). When an equivalence class is targeted, all the fault pairs in the equivalence class are targeted simultaneously. This reduces the number of test generation targets, and as a result, it reduces the number of tests in the final test set as well as the test generation time. The implementation of the diagnostic test generation procedure is based on a test elimination process that can accommodate equivalence classes of any size.
The Bacillus subtilis 168 alkaline phosphatase III gene: impact of a phoAIII mutation on total alkaline phosphatase synthesis.

Abstract The first alkaline phosphatase (APase) structural gene mutant of Bacillus subtilis 168 was constructed by using a clone identified by hybridization to a synthetic degenerative oligonucleotide. The design of the probe was based on the first 29 amino acids of the sequenced mature APase III protein, which had been isolated from the secreted fraction of vegetative, phosphate-starved cells. DNA sequencing of the clone revealed the first 80 amino acids of the APase III protein, including a typical procaryotic signal sequence of 32 amino acids preceding the start of the mature protein. The 29 amino acids encoded by the predicted open reading frame immediately following the signal sequence are identical to the first 29 amino acids of the sequenced mature protein. This region shows 80% identity to strand A of the beta sheet that is very well conserved in Escherichia coli and mammalian APases. A phoAIII structural mutant was constructed by insertional mutagenesis with a fragment internal to the coding region. The effects of this mutation on APase production in B. subtilis 168 were analyzed under both phosphate starvation and sporulation conditions. The mutation in APase III reduced the total vegetative APase specific activity by approximately 40% and sporulation APase specific activity by approximately 45%. An APase protein was isolated from sporulating cells at stage III and was identified as APase III by protein sequencing of the amino terminus and by its absence in the phoAIII mutant. The APase III gene has been mapped to approximately 50 degrees on the B. subtilis chromosome.
A Risk Assessment of the Jaffe vs Enzymatic Method for Creatinine Measurement in an Outpatient Population

Background The Jaffe and enzymatic methods are the two most common methods for measuring serum creatinine. The Jaffe method is less expensive than the enzymatic method but is also more susceptible to interferences. Interferences can lead to misdiagnosis but interferences may vary by patient population. The overall risk associated with the Jaffe method depends on the probability of misclassification and the consequences of misclassification. This study assessed the risk associated with the Jaffe method in an outpatient population. We analyzed the discordance rate in the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum creatinine measurements obtained by the Jaffe and enzymatic method. Methods Method comparison and risk analysis. Five hundred twenty-nine eGFRs obtained by the Jaffe and enzymatic method were compared at four clinical decision limits. We determined the probability of discordance and the consequence of misclassification at each decision limit to evaluate the overall risk. Results We obtained 529 paired observations. Of these, 29 (5.5%) were discordant with respect to one of the decision limits (i.e. 15, 30, 45 or 60 ml/min/1.73m2). The magnitude of the differences (Jaffe result minus enzymatic result) were significant relative to analytical variation in 21 of the 29 (72%) of the discordant results. The magnitude of the differences were not significant relative to biological variation. The risk associated with misclassification was greatest at the 60 ml/min/1.73m2 decision limit because the probability of misclassification and the potential for adverse outcomes were greatest at that decision limit. Conclusion The Jaffe method is subject to bias due to interfering substances (loss of analytical specificity). The risk of misclassification is greatest at the 60 ml/min/1.73m2 decision limit; however, the risk of misclassification due to bias is much less than the risk of misclassification due to biological variation. The Jaffe method may pose low risk in selected populations if eGFR results near the 60 ml/min/1.73m2 decision limit are interpreted with caution.
Interpreting the notion of "nonbeneficial".

Resource allocation is of increasing concern as we seek to provide necessary services to our citizens within the confines of balanced budgets. Of particular interest to those allocating resources is the issue of efficiency or cost effectiveness (cost/those who benefit). Although budgetary constraints tend to focus attention on cost effectiveness, consideration of program effectiveness (the number of people who actually benefit/those who theoretically could benefit), itself, must be a primary concern of medical research and practice. Without this information, we cannot be assured that our patients are receiving the best care possible, let alone secure funding for programs that promise the best return for each dollar spent.
Understanding singularities — Classical and quantum

The definitions of classical and quantum singularities are reviewed. Examples are given of both as well as their utility in general relativity. In particular, the classical and quantum singularity structure of certain interesting conformally static spherically symmetric spacetimes modeling scalar field collapse are reviewed. The spacetimes include the Roberts spacetime, the Husain-Martinez-Nunez spacetime and the Fonarev spacetime. The importance of understanding spacetime singularity structure is discussed.
Global Oil Prices and Local Food Prices: Evidence from East Africa

It is widely believed that oil prices impact food prices in developing countries. Yet rigorous evidence on this relationship is scarce. Using maize and petrol price data from east Africa, we show that global oil prices do affect food prices but primarily through transport costs, rather than through biofuel or production cost channels. We find that global oil prices transmit much more rapidly to the pump and then to local maize prices than do global maize prices, suggesting that the immediate effects of correlated commodity price shocks on local food prices are driven more by transport costs than by the prices of the grains themselves. Furthermore, we present suggestive evidence that, for markets furthest inland, changes in world oil prices have larger effects on local maize prices than do changes in world maize prices.
A high fresh frozen plasma: packed red blood cell transfusion ratio decreases mortality in all massively transfused trauma patients regardless of admission international normalized ratio.

Background:Coagulopathy is present in 25% to 38% of trauma patients on arrival to the hospital, and these patients are four times more likely to die than trauma patients without coagulopathy. Recently, a high ratio of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to packed red blood cells (PRBCs) has been shown to decr
MODELING ON-SHORE SEDIMENT TRANSPORT USING ENERGETICS MODELS

In this paper, we re-derived the Bagnold formula and showed that the net onshore sediment transport is correlated to the bottom shear stress. The reformulated model is tested with data and and showed very promising future.
Elemental Concentrations of Iowa Parmotrema Species

Abstract. Eight populations of Parmotrema species from the Shimek State Forest, Iowa (Croton and Lick Creek Units) were selected for study. Samples of Parmotrema perlatum, P. hypotropum, P. reticulatum, and P. austrosinense were collected and assessed for their concentrations of N, S, P, K, and Fe. We hypothesized that populations near the forest edge might have higher concentrations of these elements. There were no populations of this genus at the forest edge, and no significant differences in elemental concentrations between samples from the middle of the forest or near the forest edge. Two reasons are hypothesized to explain these results: forest age and forest density.
Reduction in sensitivity to Cl- channel blockers by HCO3- -CO2 in rabbit cortical collecting duct.

We examined the ability of HCO3- -CO2 to modify the potency of Cl- channel blockers in the renal cortical collecting duct (CCD) for the following two reasons. 1) From a practical point of view, there is, to our knowledge, no information regarding the effect of the HCO3- -CO2 buffer system on the potency of Cl- channel blockers. 2) We showed in the companion manuscript [Am. J. Physiol. 257 (Cell Physiol. 26): C94-C101, 1989] that HCO3- -CO2 stimulates transepithelial anion exchange in the CCD. Based on precedent in the literature, we postulated that HCO3- stimulates the basolateral membrane Cl- conductance. Here, we demonstrate that several Cl- channel blockers can reduce CCD Cl- self exchange when the solutions are buffered in N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES). Concentrations of blockers producing 80% inhibition in HEPES, pH 7.4, produced only 20% inhibition in 25 mM HCO3- -CO2, pH 7.4. The ability of HCO3- -CO2 to reduce blocker potency had an IC50 of only 2 mM. We also examined interactions of HCO3- -CO2 and blockers with regard to the principal cell basolateral Cl- conductance. Blockers did not alter the Rb+ flux, a marker of K+ transport, but did reduce transepithelial conductance (GT), i.e., the blockers inhibited the principal cell basolateral Cl- conductance. As was the case with intercalated cell anion exchange, GT measurements indicated that HCO3- -CO2 impaired the ability of Cl- channel blockers to inhibit the principal cell Cl- conductance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Increased likelihood of mastectomy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive ductal carcinoma in situ.

Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2neu)-positive breast invasive cancer are known to have larger, more aggressive tumors. Little research exists on the relationship between...
Biceps muscle rupture in a water skier.

Rupture of the biceps muscle is an unusual injury; however, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a distal tendon rupture.
That Smart Dude A Qualitative Investigation of the African American Male Scholar-Baller Identity

The intersection of education, sport, and identity are important topics for urban education and educators. Using data collected from interviews with 27 African American male college athletes, the c...
Choice of Reference Sera for Measurement of Effective Thyroxine Ratio

The measurement of combined T3U and T4D by the use of effective thyroxine ratio (ETR), compensated thyroxine (CT4), or normalized thyroxine (NT4) systems has become commonplace. All these methods rely on comparison of individual patient results to a euthyroid reference serum; however, little has been published regarding the requirements of an acceptable euthyroid reference serum. Measurement of T3U, T4D, and ETR using acid denaturation in sera with varying T3U and T4D indicates that ETR is systematically dependent on total T4 concentration, but relatively insensitive to thyroxine binding globuliff level. In selecting an appropriate euthyroid reference serum for either ETR, NT4, or CT4 procedures, the T4 value must be scrutinized, whereas T3U is of less importance. If successive reference sera are not carefully selected, the published reference ranges from normal populations could be invalid.
Changes in Emergency Department Imaging: Perspectives From National Patient Surveys Over Two Decades.

Abstract Purpose To use patient-generated data to assess the changing role of emergency department (ED) imaging for a spectrum of clinical indications. Methods The Household Component Emergency Room Visits File was obtained from 1996 through 2014 for the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey of US households. Percentage of visits associated with various imaging modalities was computed annually, stratified by respondents' self-reported primary condition during the visit. Modality characteristics were assessed for conditions most frequently imaged in 1996 or 2014. Results For most conditions, use of advanced imaging (defined by Medical Expenditure Panel Survey as CT or MRI) in the ED increased significantly ( P 20% of visits. For radiography, the most commonly imaged conditions were extremity wounds and fractures in 1996 (range 84.5%-90.2%) and 2014 (range 93.4%-93.9%). Use of radiography decreased for urinary calculus from 67.4% to 24.2% ( P Conclusion For many conditions, ED utilization of advanced imaging increased significantly, though growth was variable across conditions. In certain scenarios, advanced ED imaging is adding to, rather than replacing, other modalities. Ultrasound and radiography utilization was overall unchanged. That national patient survey data mirror traditional claims-based studies suggests an expanded role for patient-generated data in identifying areas of imaging utilization that may benefit from targeted optimization efforts.
Bar Press Conditioning in Very Young Rats

Weanling albino rats were trained to press a lever in a standard operant conditioning chamber. Bar press responses of 4 to 10 per minute appeared from 24 to 28 days of age, depending on the weight of the subjects and the training method.
Regulation of Receptor Binding Specificity of FGF9 by an Autoinhibitory Homodimerization

Summary The epithelial fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) subfamily specifically binds and activates the mesenchymal "c" splice isoform of FGF receptors 1–3 (FGFR1–3) to regulate organogenesis and tissue homeostasis. The unique N and C termini of FGF9 subfamily ligands mediate a reversible homodimerization that occludes major receptor binding sites within the ligand core region. Here we provide compelling X-ray crystallographic, biophysical, and biochemical data showing that homodimerization controls receptor binding specificity of the FGF9 subfamily by keeping the concentration of active FGF9 monomers at a level, which is sufficient for a normal FGFR "c" isoform binding/signaling, but is insufficient for an illegitimate FGFR "b" isoform binding/signaling. We show that deletion of the N terminus or alanine substitutions in the C terminus of FGF9 skews the delicate ligand equilibrium toward active FGF9 monomers causing off-target binding and activation of FGFR b isoforms. Our study is the first to implicate ligand homodimerization in the regulation of ligand-receptor specificity.
plot2DO: a tool to assess the quality and distribution of genomic data

Micrococcal nuclease digestion followed by deep sequencing (MNase-seq) is the most used method to investigate nucleosome organization on a genome-wide scale. We present plot2DO, a software package for creating 2D occupancy plots, which allows biologists to evaluate the quality of MNase-seq data and to visualize the distribution of nucleosomes near the functional regions of the genome (e.g. gene promoters, origins of replication, etc.).
Detection and Filtering

In both the detection problem and the filtering problem a sample path from some random process O is observed. In the detection problem, it is postulated that one of two known probability measures P or PO is given on the underlying space (Ω, A). Presumably the distribution of the observed process is different under P and PO. The problem is to intelligently guess which of the two measures is in effect, on the basis of the observation. In the filtering problem a random process ξ, which may be a coordinate of some other random process, is given and the problem is to produce at each time t an estimate of ξ t .
Far Lateral Approach and Its Variants

The far lateral technique provides a posterolateral approach to the anterior and anterolateral foramen magnum region that avoids the numerous neurologic, vascular, and ligamento-osseous structures that impede a direct anterior trajectory. The key to the basic far lateral approach is removal of the foramen magnum rim to the occipital condyle, creating a flat corridor to the lower clivus and anterior brainstem. Additional gains in anterolateral exposure and widened working room are made with removal of lateral structures such as the occipital condyle, C1 lateral mass, jugular tubercle, and jugular process, as described in the supracondylar, transcondylar, and paracondylar variants. The benefits of these exposures must be weighed against an increased risk of injury to the vertebral artery, jugular bulb, and lower cranial nerves, as well as mechanical instability of the craniovertebral junction. The appropriate technique for any case must be tailored to the location, anatomy, and consistency of the pathology, according to the specific goals of each procedure.
Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense, Low-Cost Approach to Management

(1997). Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense, Low-Cost Approach to Management. Quality Management Journal: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 88-89.
Using Our Words: Exploring Representational Conundrums in Disability Drama and Performance

The article addresses ways critics and practitioners can identify and make use of “representational conundrums” to explore multiple and complex issues surrounding the phenomenon of disability in th...
Courtroom Conduct by Spectators

This Article examines courtroom conduct by trial spectators and proposes a protocol for dealing with it. Such conduct can be powerful, in part because it is irrebuttable. Although the United States Supreme Court addressed the issue of courtroom conduct by spectators in its recent decision, Carey v. Musladin, there is no recognized method for dealing with such conduct. This Article suggests a method. Part I of this Article focuses on one case study, a recent fraud trial, to highlight how such conduct impacted the rights of the parties. The fraud trial profiled is United States v. Richard Scrushy. This was a significant prosecution, for the government, for the defendant, and for one of the largest health care companies in the United States. Scrushy was charged with 85 federal felonies alleging that he master-minded a $2.7 billion fraud. The charges included conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, and false certification, a crime created by Sarbanes-Oxley. The Scrushy case was the first prosecution under Sarbanes-Oxley. At age 55, if convicted, Scrushy faced the rest of his life in prison, as well as forfeiture of millions of dollars of assets. The case was significant for HealthSouth, the company Scrushy founded and whose financial status he was accused of concealing. At the time of Scrushy's indictment, HealthSouth was the largest rehabilitation hospital in the United States. HealthSouth shareholders, creditors, employees, vendors, and business partners were jeopardized by the prosecution of Scrushy. The case was also significant for the United States Department of Justice. HealthSouth's fraud presented new legal theories, affected thousands of employees and shareholders, generated considerable publicity, and required a large expenditure of DOJ resources. Part II reviews the case law on courtroom conduct by spectators beginning with the recent Supreme Court decision in Carey v. Musladin. Part II continues by examining the current law regarding admission of character evidence and the "curative admissibility" doctrine. Part II concludes by proposing a protocol combining these two legal theories for dealing with courtroom conduct by spectators. Part III of this Article applies the proposed protocol to the Scrushy trial.
Human Monoclonal Antibodies That Neutralize Pandemic GII.4 Noroviruses.

Background & Aims Human noroviruses are responsible for approximately 200,000 deaths worldwide each year. In 2012, the GII.4 Sydney strain emerged and became the major circulating norovirus strain associated with human disease. Our understanding of the human norovirus-specific antibody response is limited because few human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to noroviruses have been described, and there are no functional assays to measure virus neutralization. We studied the antibody-mediated response to the genogroup (G) II.4 strain by isolating mAbs to GII.4 from infected patients and developing virus neutralization assays. Methods We used a robust human hybridoma technique to isolate mAbs from patients previously infected with norovirus and identified mAbs that blocked virus binding to cell receptors, using virus-like particles to test blockade ability. We tested the ability of select mAbs to neutralize live human noroviruses using stem cell–derived human enteroids. Results We isolated a panel of 25 IgG or IgA human mAbs that recognized norovirus GII.4 Sydney 2012 and determined their potential to block virus binding to cell receptors. In competition binding studies, most antibodies recognized 3 major antigenic sites on the GII.4 Sydney 2012 protruding (P) domain. Conclusions We isolated and characterized human mAbs that neutralize live human norovirus GII.4 Sydney 2012—the predominant strain responsible for recent outbreaks. Analyses of these antibodies identified neutralizing epitopes; further studies will provide insight into the human immune response to this deadly virus.
Integrative analysis of Hydra head regeneration reveals activation of distal enhancer-like elements

The cnidarian model organism Hydra has long been studied for its remarkable ability to regenerate its head, which is controlled by a head organizer located near the hypostome. Cnidarians and bilaterians diverged about 600 millions years ago but the gene contents of species of both phyla are surprisingly similar despite divergent morphologies and functions. While little is known about the role of cis-regulatory elements in cnidarians, understanding gene regulatory mechanisms in cnidarians can potentially shed light on metazoan evolution. The canonical Wnt pathway plays a central role in head organizer function during regeneration and during bud formation, which is the asexual mode of reproduction in Hydra. However, it is unclear how shared the developmental programs of head organizer genesis are in budding and regeneration. Time-series analysis of gene expression changes during head regeneration and budding revealed a set of 298 differentially expressed genes during the 48-hour head regeneration and 72-hour budding time-courses. In order to understand the regulatory elements controlling hydra head regeneration, we first identified 27,137 open-chromatin elements that are open in one or more sections of organism. We used histone modification ChIP-seq to identify 9998 candidate proximal promoter and 3018 candidate enhancer-like regions respectively. We show that a subset of these regulatory elements is dynamically remodeled during head regeneration and identify a set of transcription factor motifs that are enriched in the enhancer regions activated during head regeneration. Our results show that Hydra displays complex gene regulatory structures of developmentally dynamic enhancers, which suggests that the evolution of complex developmental enhancers predates the split of cnidarians and bilaterians.
Main Memory Scaling: Challenges and Solution Directions

The memory system is a fundamental performance and energy bottleneck in almost all computing systems. Recent system design, application, and technology trends that require more capacity, bandwidth, efficiency, and predictability out of the memory system make it an even more important system bottleneck. At the same time, DRAM technology is experiencing difficult technology scaling challenges that make the maintenance and enhancement of its capacity, energy-efficiency, and reliability significantly more costly with conventional techniques.
Why Senior Cohousing

What draws people to move in later life? What rationale do they have for leaving behind homes and neighborhoods where they have often lived for decades to set out on a new adventure? An initial step in making this decision is to sort through the all the residential situations that are available, learn their features and make a determination of what you are truly seeking at this point in your life.
Poly-l-arginine modifications alter the organization and secretion of collagen in SKH1-E mice

Abstract Functionalized biomaterials interface with tissue upon implantation. There is a growing need to understand how materials properties influence this interaction so that efficient tissue engineering systems can be developed. In this study, we characterize collagen organization in response to functionalized glass beads implanted in SKH1-E mice. Poly- l -arginine (PLR) was modified with arginine derivatives to create a functionalized surface and was coated on glass beads. Tissue sections were removed 28 days post-implantation and were imaged using second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. These chemical modifications were able to alter the collagen distribution from highly aligned to disordered (17 ± 6 to 78 ± 1° full width at half-maximum (FWHM)) and the collagen III/I ratio (0.02 to 0.42). Principal component analysis (PCA) comparing the physical properties of the modifiers (e.g. hydrophobicity, molar volume, freely rotating bonds, polarizability) with the SHG analytically derived parameters (e.g. collagen III/I ratio, collagen orientation) was performed. Chemical properties of the PLR-like modifications including lipophilicity, along with the number of freely rotating bonds and the polarizability had significant effects on the collagen surrounding the implant, both in terms of collagen orientation as well as the production of collagen III. These findings demonstrate the possibility of tuning the foreign body response, in terms of collagen deposition and organization, to positively influence the acceptance of implanted biomaterials.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Insulin Resistance, and Ceramides.

Mediators of Insulin Resistance Insulin resistance is a precursor to and accelerant of coexisting conditions such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic liver disease. A recent study...
T-Cell Replete Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation and Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide for Patients with Inborn Errors

Introduction Matched donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) cures most patients with inborn hematopoietic disorders, but haploidentical HSCT was historically associated with graft rejection, GVHD and infections. In leukemia, in vivo depletion of alloreactive T-cells with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (pTCy) results in outcomes comparable to those with matched related or unrelated donors. Objectives To assess safety and efficacy of haploidentical HSCT with pTCy in patients with inborn errors of hematopoiesis who lack a suitable matched donor or have failed a previous matched donor HSCT. Methods Nineteen patients (10 primary immunodeficiencies, 7 hemoglobinopathies, 1 congenital erythropoietic porphyria, 1 bone marrow failure) with a median age of 9 years (0-22) were treated prospectively on an institutional protocol with a conditioning regimen of alemtuzumab 0.4mg/kg, rituximab 375mg/m², fludarabine 150mg/m², treosulfan 42g/m², thiotepa 10mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 29mg/kg followed by haploidentical bone marrow transplantation, pTCy and tacrolimus/MMF. In four patients who were in bone marrow aplasia after non-engraftment of a first HSCT, thiotepa was omitted and treosulfan reduced to 24g/m². Results After a median follow-up of 42 months (3-87), overall survival is 95% (18/19). One patient died on day +7 from suspected fludarabine neurotoxicity. Two patients experienced autologous reconstitution, one of whom had a successful second HSCT. Two patients have stable mixed chimerism predominantly of donor origin and remain disease free. All others exhibit complete donor chimerism. This results in event free survival of 84% (16/19) and disease free survival of 89% (17/19). Engraftment occurred after 17days (6-61) for neutrophils and 28 days (14-191) for platelets. The incidences of acute GVHD II-IV° and of chronic GVHD were 0%, respectively. Two patients (11%) developed GVHD I° of the skin.Viral reactivations were observed in 53% (10/19) of patients (8 CMV, 1ADV, 1 VZV), but only one patient developed overt disease (ADV). Immune reconstitution was swift with mean CD3+ and CD19+ counts of 793/µl and 271/µl on day +100. Other complications were bacterial bloodstream infections in 5 patients (26%) and moderate severity VOD in one (5%). No renal or hepatic toxicities greater than CTCAE grade 2 were observed. No patient developed hemorrhagic cystitis. Four patients had anti-donor HLA antibodies pre-HSCT, three of whom were treated with plasmapheresis; all engrafted. Conclusion Chemotherapy based conditioning and haploidentical HSCT with pTCy was safe and resulted in good disease free survival in this cohort of patients with inborn errors in the absence of relevant GHVD. These results compare well with outcomes achieved with matched donors in similar cohorts of patients, but larger multi-center studies are warranted to further evaluate this approach.
Characterization complex collagen fiber architecture in knee joint using high-resolution diffusion imaging.

Purpose To evaluate the complex fiber orientations and 3D collagen fiber network of knee joint connective tissues, including ligaments, muscle, articular cartilage, and meniscus using high spatial and angular resolution diffusion imaging. Methods Two rat knee joints were scanned using a modified 3D diffusion-weighted spin echo pulse sequence with the isotropic spatial resolution of 45 μm at 9.4T. The b values varied from 250 to 1250 s/mm2 with 31 diffusion encoding directions for 1 rat knee. The b value was fixed to 1000 s/mm2 with 147 diffusion encoding directions for the second knee. Both the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) model and generalized Q-sampling imaging (GQI) method were used to investigate the fiber orientation distributions and tractography with the validation of polarized light microscopy. Results To better resolve the crossing fibers, the b value should be great than or equal to 1000 s/mm2 . The tractography results were comparable between the DTI model and GQI method in ligament and muscle. However, the tractography exhibited apparent difference between DTI and GQI in connective tissues with more complex collagen fibers network, such as cartilage and meniscus. In articular cartilage, there were numerous crossing fibers found in superficial zone and transitional zone. Tractography generated with GQI also resulted in more intact tracts in articular cartilage than DTI. Conclusion High-resolution diffusion imaging with GQI method can trace the complex collagen fiber orientations and architectures of the knee joint at microscopic resolution.
An exploratory study of the occupational mobility patterns of African American women working in public sector parks and recreation organizations in the United States

Research Question: The purpose of this study was to provide an update on the status of African American working women in public parks and recreation (city and county) in the United States. Three re...
Giant Cell and Hypersensitivity Myocarditis

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) and hypersensitivity myocarditis (HSM) are both rare inflammatory diseases of the myocardium that are rapidly progressive and carry poor prognosis. Histologically both diseases have eosinophilic infiltration but in the case of HSM the infiltration is predominantly in the perivascular area. GCM is characterized by the presence of giant cells and necrosis. Patients affected by these forms of myocarditis tend to present with heart failure symptoms and ventricular arrhythmias. Endomyocardial biopsy is highly sensitive for the diagnosis of GCM, while in the case of HSM it may aid in the diagnosis but sensitivities have not been reported. Initiation of immunosuppressive therapies along with guideline directed heart failure therapy improves survival in patients with GCM. In the case of HSM, withdrawal of the offending agent along with heart failure therapies allows for myocardial recovery. In some instances patients are hemodynamically unstable and require mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to recovery or as a bridge to transplant. Survival post-transplant for GCM is similar to other forms of cardiomyopathy.