cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-dose intrathecal fluorescein for diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea using the scanning fiber endoscope in the human nasal cavities

Intrathecal fluorescein (ITF) enhances detection of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (CSFR). Clinically administered doses fall in the range of 0.1ml to 0.5ml of 5% to 10% fluorescein (1.3×10-3M to 1.3×10-2M). Though uncommon, significant morbidities associated with high doses of fluorescein have been reported. High concentrations are necessary for white light visual assessment; in contrast, fluorescent imaging enhances signal contrast and requires lower ITF concentrations for visualization. The ultrathin and flexible, multimodal scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) can visualize nanomolar concentrations of fluorescein as pseudocolor over reflectance, video-rate imaging. The application of the SFE for CSFR detection was assessed in a cadaver study. Briefly, 10μM (1×10-5M) fluorescein, 100X-1000X less than the standard clinical dose, was injected intra-cranially into the epidural space through an orbital roof puncture. The resulting rhinorrhea was assessed with a conventional, rigid ENT scope and second with the SFE in both video reflectance and multimodal fluorescent imaging modes. Neither system could visualize the 10μM ITF during white light imaging however the nanomolar sensitive SFE visualized the rhinorrhea during fluorescent imaging. Despite the low concentration used, a target-to-background ratio of 5.6 ± 2.7 was achieved. To demonstrate SFE guidance of CSFR detection and repair, de-identified patient computed tomography (CT) scans were used to generate 3D printed phantoms. Cases were selected for unique anatomical features and overall clinical difficulty as determined by an experienced ENT clinician (GED). The sensitivity and minimally invasive nature of the SFE provide a unique platform for enhancing diagnosis and monitoring interventions in surgical endoscopic approaches into the sinuses.
Learning robust locality preserving projection via p -order minimization

Locality preserving projection (LPP) is an effective dimensionality reduction method based on manifold learning, which is defined over the graph weighted squared l2 -norm distances in the projected subspace. Since squared l2-norm distance is prone to outliers, it is desirable to develop a robust LPP method. In this paper, motivated by existing studies that improve the robustness of statistical learning models via l1-norm or not-squared l2 -norm formulations, we propose a robust LPP (rLPP) formulation to minimize the p-th order of the l2 -norm distances, which can better tolerate large outlying data samples because it suppress the introduced biased more than the l1 -norm or not squared l2 -norm minimizations. However, solving the formulated objective is very challenging because it not only non-smooth but also non-convex. As an important theoretical contribution of this work, we systematically derive an efficient iterative algorithm to solve the general p-th order l2 -norm minimization problem, which, to the best of our knowledge, is solved for the first time in literature. Extensive empirical evaluations on the proposed rLPP method have been performed, in which our new method outperforms the related state-of-the-art methods in a variety of experimental settings and demonstrate its effectiveness in seeking better subspaces on both noiseless and noisy data.
Transposon Dysregulation Modulates dWnt4 Signaling to Control Germline Stem Cell Differentiation in Drosophila

Germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation are required for the sustained production of gametes. GSC differentiation in Drosophila oogenesis requires expression of the histone methyltransferase dSETDB1 by the somatic niche, however its function in this process is unknown. Here, we show that dSETDB1 is required for the expression of a Wnt ligand, Drosophila Wingless type mouse mammary virus integration site number 4 (dWnt4) in the somatic niche. dWnt4 signaling acts on the somatic niche cells to facilitate their encapsulation of the GSC daughter, which serves as a differentiation cue. dSETDB1 is known to repress transposable elements (TEs) to maintain genome integrity. Unexpectedly, we found that independent upregulation of TEs also downregulated dWnt4, leading to GSC differentiation defects. This suggests that dWnt4 expression is sensitive to the presence of TEs. Together our results reveal a chromatin-transposon-Wnt signaling axis that regulates stem cell fate.
Hydrogen Passivation of Si and Be Dopants in InAlAs

Hydrogen passivation and thermal reactivation of Si donors and Be acceptors were investigated in In0.52Al0.48As grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The semiconducting alloy was passivated by exposure to monatomic hydrogen or deuterium from a remote microwave plasma. The passivation was achieved by exposing the samples to monatomic hydrogen at temperatures between 200 and 250 °C for 1h. The electrical activity of the dopants was monitored by spreading resistance and C-V measurements. The samples were homogeneously doped to concentrations of 1.5x1016 or 6x1017 Si / cm3 and 6x1017 Be / cm3. Both dopants were passivated by more than two orders of magnitude through the epitaxial layers. An additional annealing step (440°C, 5 min) resulted in a complete reactivation of the passivated dopants. In addition to the electrical measurements, secondary ion mass spectroscopy showed that for both the Be- and the Si-doped layers the hydrogen profiles were essentially identical to the dopant profiles throughout the epilayers. This behaviour suggests that hydrogen migration is a dopant-trapping-limited process in n-and p-type In0.52Al0.48As.
A Computational Study of Natural Convection Heat Transfer in an Cylindrical Enclosure with a Fixed Disk Shaped Obstruction

A computational model was used to examine the buoyancy-induced flow and natural convection heat transfer behavior in a cylindrical enclosure with a disk shape obstruction within the enclosure. The axisymmetric model only considers laminar flow. The model has been shown to be grid independent and, for the case of an enclosure without an obstruction, has been validated with benchmark data. The resulting flow field is significantly more complex than that observed for an enclosure without an obstruction. The prescence of the obstruction leads to increased mixing of the fluid. A Rayleigh number on the range of 10 7
Poincaré plots applied to analysis of breathing pattern after lung injury

Lung injury alters breathing patterns. We hypothesized that analysis of pattern variability would provide insight into mechanisms responsible for altered ventilatory control. Adult male Sprague-Daw...
Workstealing and Nested Parallelism in SMP Systems

We present a workstealing scheduler and show its use in two separate areas: (1) to enable hierarchical parallelism and per-core load balancing in stencil codes, and (2) to reduce overhead in per-thread load balancing in particle codes.
Prediction of pavement roughness using a hybrid gene expression programming-neural network technique

Abstract Effective prediction of pavement performance is essential for transportation agencies to appropriately strategize maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of roads. One of the primary performance indicators is the international roughness index (IRI) which represents the pavement roughness. Correlating the pavement roughness to other performance measures has been under continuous development in the past decade. However, the drawback of existing correlations is that most of them are not practical yet reliable for prediction of roughness. In this study a novel approach was developed to predict the IRI, utilizing two data sets extracted from long term pavement performance (LTPP) database. The proposed methodology included the application of a hybrid technique which combines the gene expression programming (GEP) and artificial neural network (ANN). The developed algorithm showed reasonable performance for prediction of IRI using traffic parameters and structural properties of pavement. Furthermore, estimation of present IRI from historical data was evaluated through another set of LTPP data. The second prediction model also depicted a reasonable performance power. Further extension of the proposed models including different pavement types, traffic and environmental conditions would be desirable in future studies.
Global Classical Solutions, Stability of Constant Equilibria, and Spreading Speeds in Attraction–Repulsion Chemotaxis Systems with Logistic Source on $$\mathbb {R}^{N}$$ R N

In this paper, we consider the following chemotaxis systems of parabolic–elliptic–elliptic type on $$\mathbb {R}^{N}$$ , $$\begin{aligned} {\left\{ \begin{array}{ll} u_{t}=\Delta u -\chi _1\nabla ( u\nabla v_1)+\chi _2 \nabla (u\nabla v_2 )+ u(a -b u), \qquad \ x\in {\mathbb R}^N,\ t>0, \\ 0=(\Delta - \lambda _1 I)v_1+ \mu _1 u, \qquad \ x\in {\mathbb R}^N,\ t>0, \\ 0=(\Delta - \lambda _2 I)v_2+ \mu _2 u, \qquad \ x\in {\mathbb R}^N,\ t>0, \\ u(\cdot ,0)=u_{0}, \qquad x\in \mathbb {R}^N , \end{array}\right. } \end{aligned}$$ where $$ \chi _{i}\ge 0,\ \lambda _i> 0,\ \mu _i>0$$ ( $$i=1,2$$ ) and $$\ a> 0,\ b> 0$$ are constant real numbers, and N is a positive integer. First, under some conditions on the parameters $$\chi _i,\mu _i,\lambda _i, a, b$$ and N, we prove the global existence and boundedness of classical solutions $$(u(x,t;u_0),v_1(x,t;u_0),v_2(x,t;u_0))$$ for nonnegative, bounded, and uniformly continuous initial functions $$u_0(x)$$ . Next, we explore the asymptotic stability of the constant equilibrium $$(\frac{a}{b},\frac{\mu _1}{\lambda _1}\frac{a}{b},\frac{\mu _2}{\lambda _2}\frac{a}{b})$$ and prove under some further assumption on the parameters that, for every strictly positive initial $$u_0(x)$$ , $$\begin{aligned} \lim _{t\rightarrow \infty }\left[ \Vert u(\cdot ,t;u_0)-\frac{a}{b}\Vert _{\infty }+\Vert \lambda _{1}v_{1}(\cdot ,t;u_0)-\frac{a}{b}\mu _1\Vert _{\infty }+\Vert \lambda _{2}v_{2}(\cdot ,t;u_0)-\frac{a}{b}\mu _2\Vert _{\infty }\right] =0. \end{aligned}$$ Finally, we investigate the spreading properties of the global solutions with compactly supported initial functions. We show that under some conditions on the parameters, there are two positive numbers $$0<c^*_-(\chi _1,\mu _1,\lambda _1,\chi _2,\mu _2,\lambda _2)\le c^*_+(\chi _1,\mu _1,\lambda _1,\chi _2,\mu _2,\lambda _2)$$ such that for every nonnegative initial function $$u_0(x)$$ with nonempty and compact support, we have $$\begin{aligned} \lim _{t\rightarrow \infty }\left[ \sup _{|x|\le ct}|u(x,t;u_0)-\frac{a}{b}| {+} \sup _{|x|\le ct}|\lambda _1 v_1(x,t;u_0)-\frac{a}{b}\mu _1| {+} \sup _{|x|\le ct}|\lambda _2 v_2(x,t;u_0)-\frac{a}{b}\mu _2|\right] =0 \end{aligned}$$ whenever $$0\le c< c^*_-(\chi _1,\mu _1,\lambda _1,\chi _2,\mu _2,\lambda _2)$$ , and $$\begin{aligned} \lim _{t\rightarrow \infty }\left[ \sup _{|x|\ge ct}|u(x,t;u_0)| + \sup _{|x|\ge ct}| v_1(x,t;u_0)| + \sup _{|x|\ge ct}|v_2(x,t;u_0)|\right] =0 \end{aligned}$$ whenever $$c>c^*_+(\chi _1,\mu _1,\lambda _1,\chi _2,\mu _2,\lambda _2)$$ . Furthermore we show that $$\begin{aligned}\lim _{(\chi _1,\chi _2)\rightarrow (0,0)}c^*_-(\chi _1,\mu _1,\lambda _1,\chi _2,\mu _2,\lambda _2)=\lim _{(\chi _1,\chi _2)\rightarrow (0,0)}c^*_+(\chi _1,\mu _1,\lambda _1,\chi _2,\mu _2,\lambda _2)=2\sqrt{a}. \end{aligned}$$
Vision based collaborative localization for multirotor vehicles

We present a framework for vision based localization for two or more multirotor aerial vehicles relative to each other. This collaborative localization technique is built upon a relative pose estimation strategy between two or more cameras with the capability of estimating accurate metric poses between each other even through fast motion and continually changing environments. Through synchronized feature detection and tracking with a robust outlier rejection process, classical multiple view geometry concepts have been utilized for obtaining scale-ambiguous relative poses, which are then refined through reconstruction and pose optimization to provide a metric estimate. Furthermore, we present the implementation details of this technique followed by a set of results which involves evaluation of the accuracy of the pose estimates through test cases in both simulated and real experiments. Test cases include keeping one camera stationary as the other is mounted on a quadrotor which is then flown through various types of trajectories. We also perform a quantitative comparison with a GPS/IMU localization technique to demonstrate the accuracy of our method.
God’s Game of Hide-and-Seek: Bacon and Allegory

‘Allegory, both intuitively and historically, seems to be that discourse that would be most threatening to science,’ writes James J. Paxson.1 Allegory is about hidden meanings and knowledge; it is the discourse of polysemy. Science is about bringing knowledge into the light; it is the discourse of perspicuity. Allegory and science are thus inherently inimical. Such, at least, is our modern assumption. In sixteenth- and seventeenth-century natural philosophy, however, allegory and scientific pursuits were not antithetical. Indeed, the intellectual architecture of allegory—which, after all, had been the dominant interpretive mode for well over a millennium—offered a familiar structure for new ideas. As Paxson himself so brilliantly demonstrates, for instance, the idea of allegory shaped the sixteenth-century advent of the logarithm.2
Performance improvement of an all-optical Fabry Perot ultrasound detector

A highly sensitive Fiber-Optic Fabry Perot Ultrasound sensor with a self-written waveguide is presented in this work. A simulated device using Gold mirrors showed periodic resonance with Q-factor 1900 for 45 μm thick devices. Including a waveguide to limit lateral power losses resulted in improvement of Q-factor to 3200. Simulations also indicated greater improvement in Q-factor upon the introduction of waveguide with larger device thicknesses. Subsequently, a prototype was fabricated on a single mode optical fiber. Benzocyclobutene was chosen as the cavity medium as it undergoes a refractive index change upon exposure to UV. The refractive index change in BCB upon UV exposure was studied using a phase grating. Upon confirming that 2-hour exposure produced a change of 0.004, a self-aligned waveguide was written into the cavity. A consequent increase in Q-factor from 2500 to 5200 was seen for an 80 μm thick device. Simulation studies indicate further improvement when incorporating dielectric Bragg mirrors instead of Gold, with Q-factors of 6400 and 10200 with and without the waveguide. Therefore, the proposed design includes Dielectric Bragg mirrors as well as a self-aligned waveguide. The fabrication techniques being fairly controlled and automated, this device is highly suitable for mass-manufacturing, making is possible to produce as an inexpensive, disposable device. A potential application is to integrate it within a commercial guidewire to create a smart guidewire capable of detecting vascular vessel walls in order to guide interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions, reducing risk of wall perforation, which is currently an unmet clinical need.
The pathogenic development of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soybean requires specific host NADPH oxidases

The plant membrane‐localized NADPH oxidases, also known as respiratory burst oxidase homologues (RBOHs), play crucial roles in various cellular activities, including plant disease responses, and are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a cosmopolitan fungal pathogen that causes Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) in soybean. Via a key virulence factor, oxalic acid, it induces programmed cell death (PCD) in the host plant, a process that is reliant on ROS generation. In this study, using protein sequence similarity searches, we identified 17 soybean RBOHs (GmRBOHs) and studied their contribution to SSR disease development, drought tolerance and nodulation. We clustered the soybean RBOH genes into six groups of orthologues based on phylogenetic analysis with their Arabidopsis counterparts. Transcript analysis of all 17 GmRBOHs revealed that, of the six identified groups, group VI (GmRBOH‐VI) was specifically and drastically induced following S. sclerotiorum challenge. Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GmRBOH‐VI using Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) resulted in enhanced resistance to S. sclerotiorum and markedly reduced ROS levels during disease development. Coincidently, GmRBOH‐VI‐silenced plants were also found to be drought tolerant, but showed a reduced capacity to form nodules. Our results indicate that the pathogenic development of S. sclerotiorum in soybean requires the active participation of specific host RBOHs, to induce ROS and cell death, thus leading to the establishment of disease.
Airway and Ventilation Management

Airway management is essential for critical care practitioners. Knowledge of airway adjuncts and ventilators can help prevent intubation and allow for quicker discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. Prolonged intubation leads to higher mortality, longer length of stay, and higher hospital costs. In neurocritical care units, patients are often intubated for neurologic reasons; these are categorized as follows: 1. A primary central nervous system process, with no acute underlying pulmonary process, where the patient is intubated for airway protection due to decreased level of arousal 2. Cessation of central respiratory drive due to severe neurologic injury involving the brainstem 3. Neurologic injury triggering lung injury that in turns causes mechanical failure (neurogenic pulmonary edema) 4. Ventilatory (hypercarbic) failure caused by peripheral nervous disorders (high spinal cord injuries, myasthenia gravis, or Guillain-Burre syndrome)
Case Study: Rare Case of Mantle Cell Lymphoma With Extranodal Involvement in the Foot

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that commonly affects extranodal sites. The most commonly affected sites are the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, Waldeyer's ring, lung, and pleura. We report the case of an 80-year-old diabetic male, in MCL remission, who presented with a small dome-shaped nodule on his calf and an ipsilateral second digit non-healing ulceration after a traumatic fall. Despite surgical and conservative treatment, the wound worsened, resulting in histopathologic examination, which confirmed the presence of lymphocytes, indicating MCL relapse. This case was followed up for approximately 3 months until the patient died. Our case is an example of pedal manifestations of skin involvement of MCL, which, on consideration of the clinical manifestations also, can be confused with a nonhealing diabetic wound. The clinical significance of our case study is to assist in the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of a patient with MCL.
Postharvest Development of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' in Late-Season Infected Potato Tubers under Commercial Storage Conditions.

Zebra chip (ZC) disease of potato is associated with the putative pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso), which is transmitted by the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Hem., Triozidae). The present study was initiated to investigate Lso development during, and following, typical commercial storage practices. Using bacteriliferous psyllids, Russet Norkotah potatoes were infested in field cages 14, 10 and 4 days before harvest. Changes in Lso detection rate, Lso titer and concentrations of phenolic compounds were documented throughout storage. Lso titer continued to increase during storage. Although significant increases in the frequency of Lso detection was observed in all infestation treatments, the impact of Lso infection on tuber quality remained comparatively low in plants infected 4 days before harvest, as the majority of the tubers remained asymptomatic. Minimizing storage and retail chain movement durations would help to limit Lso impact on tuber quality, in tubers infected 14 an...
Neuroimaging diagnostic and monitoring approaches in ophthalmology

Purpose of reviewWe review new applications of optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology in neuro-ophthalmology. We also describe new technologies for visualizing the extracranial vessels in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA).Recent findingsNewer OCT modalities are expanding the evaluat
Teaching Mineral Resources as an Aid to Understanding International Policy Issues

Human and mineral resources are the basis of economic and political power. Among other characteristics, mineral resources 1) have a localized occurrence, 2) are exhaustible, 3) lack certainty of di...
The Role of miRNAs in the Development of Normal Pancreas and Pancreatic Cancer, and Their Roles in Tumor Progression

The microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in the control of many normal biological processes including cell differentiation and organogenesis. During the development of normal pancreas, several miRNAs including miR-375, miR-7, miR-124, etc. have been shown to regulate exocrine and endocrine cell differentiation. These regulations could in part be mediated through the miRNA-mediated deregulation of transforming growth factor-β, Notch, and Hedgehog signaling, which are the signal transduction pathways that are critically involved in organogenesis during normal development. However, deregulated expression of miRNAs could also lead to the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. Moreover, miRNAs are also known to regulate the development and maintenance of pancreatic cancer stem cells and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotypic cells, which are typically responsible for drug resistance, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. Therefore, targeting specific miRNAs by oligonucleotide/nanoparticle vector delivery or regulation of miRNAs by natural agents could become novel strategies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer with better treatment outcome in combination with conventional therapeutics.
Variable rate and pressure integral solutions to the nonlinear gas diffusivity equation in unconventional systems

Abstract Unconventional gas resources, including tight gas and shale gas, are becoming major sources of natural gas production in U.S. Commercial production from tight or ultra-tight formations requires horizontal wells and massive hydraulic fracturing treatment. These multi-fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs) can exhibit long-term (typically years) early-transient behavior prior to pressure transient reaching the reservoir boundary. Analytical models that have been traditionally developed for transient flow in conventional gas reservoirs face significant challenges when applied to unconventional tight and shale gas, particularly when variable-rate and variable-pressure data needs to be analyzed. This paper presents a rigorous and direct semi-analytical integral solution to the governing nonlinear gas diffusivity equations that are directly applicable to realistic unconventional production scenarios of MFHWs. The validity of proposed solution is verified by matching against numerical simulation results using synthetic case studies for both constant and varying rate production conditions. Its applicability to real-life production scenarios is showcased by a field case study using production data from a MFHW in Marcellus Shale.
Older patients are significantly more likely to have colon ischaemia-associated conditions that are chronic and complex.

BACKGROUND Colon ischaemia is a common disease which has been associated with various medications and comorbidities. AIM To test the hypothesis that there are differences in the frequencies of these associations in older compared with younger patients. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients hospitalized with colon ischaemia at two major medical centres from 2005-2017. Clinical, colonoscopic and pathologic criteria were used to identify patients admitted with colon ischaemia; patients with other types of colitis were excluded. Demographic and medical data were extracted. Two cohorts were created: patients aged 18-64 years and patients > 65 years. These were compared using SAS 14.3. RESULTS A total of 788 patients were included, of which 271 (34.4%) were of ages 18-64 years, and 517 (66.6%) were 65 years old or older. In the older cohort, constipation-inducing medications (83.8% vs 64.1%; P = <0.0001), diuretics (38.1% vs 25.1%; P = <0.001) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (58% vs 41.5%; P = <0.0001) were more common than in the younger cohort. Antipsychotic medication use was more common in the younger cohort (10.4% vs 5.4%; P = 0.01). There was a higher percentage of younger patients with a history of hypercoaguable state (1.9% vs 0.2%; P = 0.03) and dialysis dependence (22.9% vs 8.7%; P = <0.01), while a higher percentage of patients in the older cohort had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12% vs 6.3%; P = 0.01) or atrial fibrillation (18.9% vs 10.3%; P = <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that older patients are more likely to have colon ischaemia-associated conditions that are chronic and complex, while younger patients are more likely to have acute colon ischaemia-associated conditions.
Smartpen Technology for Note Taking in Inclusive English/Language Art Classes.

For high school students with disabilities, one major component of learning in inclusive content area classes, such as English/language arts (ELA), involves listening to verbal information and reco...
Developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the maternal diet causes host-microbe defects in weanling offspring mice.

The gut microbiota is important for maintaining homeostasis of the host. Gut microbes represent the initial site for toxicant processing following dietary exposures to environmental contaminants. The diet is the primary route of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are absorbed via the gut, and subsequently interfere with neurodevelopment and behavior. Developmental exposures to PCBs have been linked to increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which are also associated with a high prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) distress and intestinal dysbiosis. We hypothesized that developmental PCB exposure impacts colonization of the gut microbiota, resulting in GI pathophysiology, in a genetically susceptible host. Mouse dams expressing two heritable human mutations (double mutants [DM]) that result in abnormal Ca2+ dynamics and produce behavioral deficits (gain of function mutation in the ryanodine receptor 1 [T4826I-RYR1] and a human CGG repeat expansion [170-200 CGG repeats] in the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 [FMR1 premutation]). DM and congenic wild type (WT) controls were exposed to PCBs (0-6 mg/kg/d) in the diet starting 2 weeks before gestation and continuing through postnatal day 21 (P21). Intestinal physiology (Ussing chambers), inflammation (qPCR) and gut microbiome (16S sequencing) studies were performed in offspring mice (P28-P30). Developmental exposure to PCBs in the maternal diet caused significant mucosal barrier defects in ileum and colon (increased secretory state and tight junction permeability) of juvenile DM mice. Furthermore, PCB exposure increased the intestinal inflammatory profile (Il6, Il1β, and Il22), and resulted in dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, including altered β-diversity, in juvenile DM mice developmentally exposed to 1 mg/kg/d PCBs when compared to WT controls. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a novel interaction between PCB exposure and the gut microbiota in a genetically susceptible host that provide novel insight into environmental risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Deep-learning electromagnetic monitoring coupled to fluid flow simulators

ABSTRACTReservoir characterization and monitoring represent some of the most ambitious goals for geophysical methods. Several challenges are involved, including sensitivity to the parameter changes...
Video abstracts and plain language summaries are more effective than graphical abstracts and published abstracts.

Background Journals are trying to make their papers more accessible by creating a variety of research summaries including graphical abstracts, video abstracts, and plain language summaries. It is unknown if individuals with science, science-related, or non-science careers prefer different summaries, which approach is most effective, or even what criteria should be used for judging which approach is most effective. A survey was created to address this gap in our knowledge. Two papers from Nature on similar research topics were chosen, and different kinds of research summaries were created for each one. Questions to measure comprehension of the research, as well as self-evaluation of enjoyment of the summary, perceived understanding after viewing the summary, and the desire for more updates of that summary type were asked to determine the relative merits of each of the summaries. Results Participants (n = 538) were randomly assigned to one of the summary types. The response of adults with science, science-related, and non-science careers were slightly different, but they show similar trends. All groups performed well on a post-summary test, but participants reported higher perceived understanding when presented with a video or plain language summary (p<0.0025). All groups enjoyed video abstracts the most followed by plain language summaries, and then graphical abstracts and published abstracts. The reported preference for different summary types was generally not correlated to the comprehension of the summaries. Here we show that original abstracts and graphical abstracts are not as successful as video abstracts and plain language summaries at producing comprehension, a feeling of understanding, and enjoyment. Our results indicate the value of relaxing the word counts in the abstract to allow for more plain language or including a plain language summary section along with the abstract.
All the World's a Platform?: Some Remarks on 'Marketplace Platform' Employment Laws

This paper addresses the enactment of marketplace platform laws, which have arisen as a remarkable feature of the "gig" economy in recent years. A marketplace platform law decides the question of whether an individual worker is an independent contractor or an employee — an ongoing controversy in all employment law, including workers’ compensation law — by emphasizing factors other than those normally considered in traditional legal analyses. As of this writing, seven states appear to have enacted marketplace platform laws. In short, marketplace platform laws — developed substantially and lobbied aggressively by the company Handy, Inc. — make it much easier to classify a worker as an "independent contractor" rather than an "employee." Essentially, as the paper shows by analyzing one such law, if a company uses "online enhancements" in the operation of its business it may qualify as a "marketplace contractor" rather than an "employer," whatever the degree of control of working conditions it may exercise de facto in the workplace. The paper shows how, in the case of workers' compensation law, this de-emphasis of the control factor in assignment of responsibility for workplace injury flies in the face of original workers' compensation theory. The development is also at complete odds with the "ABC" employee test, which not only emphasizes the control factor but places the burden of proof on employers to show absence of control. However one may come down on the "employee status" issue, there seems no denying that, in light of California's substantial adoption of the ABC test in broad swaths of its employment law, what rights a worker has to legal protection is increasingly dependent on the worker's state of residence or employment.
Nifedipine Release From Extended-Release Solid Oral Formulations Using In Vitro Dissolution Testing Under Simulated Gastrointestinal Compression.

Abstract Drug release plays a critical role in defining bioavailability for an extended release solid oral drug products and predictive dissolution tests are desired to establish clinically relevant quality standards for batch release. The objective of this study focuses on exploring the possible impacts of 1 gastrointestinal (GI) parameter for 1 drug: simulated GI contractions on nifedipine release (in 2 extended release solid oral formulations). The 60 mg nifedipine osmotic pump product A, and polymer matrix-based products B and C were examined in the study. An in-house dissolution system was used to simulate various levels of GI contractions on tested samples, and to monitor changes of sample mechanical properties during dissolution testing. The results show that the polymer matrix-based formulation failed to provide controlled release when simulated GI contraction was above 100 g of force. The method may be useful for polymer matrix-based products to assess potential formulation-related interactions with the GI tract during in vivo drug dissolution.
Alternating ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides with saturated and unsaturated cyclic anhydrides: reduced viscosity poly(propylene fumarate) oligomers for use in cDLP 3D printing

A ring-opening copolymerization of propylene oxide with saturated and unsaturated anhydrides using Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 catalyst followed by an isomerization yields poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) oligomers with well-defined molecular mass, narrow molecular mass distribution, quantitative end-group fidelity, and a reduced viscosity compared to PPF. Mass spectrometry analyses and kinetic studies show that the resulting copolymers have gradient compositional sequencing. The lower viscosity of the statistical copolymer affords 3D printing with a lower diluent fraction (30 wt%) and higher molecular mass copolymer in the resin formulations. We also show that the mechanical properties of the printed structures can be tailored according to the monomer composition and resin formulation.
Supplement Use in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To assess whether a standardized dietary supplementation can help to decrease postoperative muscle atrophy and/or improve rehabilitation outcomes in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched, and articles that examined protein or amino acid, vitamin, or any other type of supplementation in ACLR were reviewed. Two independent reviewers conducted the search using pertinent Boolean operations. Results A total of 1818 articles were found after our database search. Ten studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria and only assessed patients undergoing ACLR. Four studies assessed protein-based supplementation. One study assessed creatine as a supplement. Four studies assessed vitamin-based supplementation. One study assessed testosterone supplementation. Protein and amino acid supplementation showed potential benefits; multiple authors demonstrated a combination of improved achievement of rehabilitation benchmarks, graft maturation, muscular hypertrophic response, and peak dynamic muscle strength. When we examined creatine, vitamin, or hormone-based protocols, none demonstrated results, suggesting these factors may attenuate muscle atrophy after surgery. Vitamin C and E demonstrated potentially increased local inflammation in skeletal muscle, which runs contrary to the belief that antioxidant vitamin-based supplementation may decrease the inflammatory response that plays a role in the post injury/operative period. Conclusions Protein-based supplementation may play a role in mitigating muscle atrophy associated with ACLR, as multiple authors demonstrated a combination of improved achievement of rehabilitation benchmarks, thigh hypertrophic response, and peak dynamic muscle strength. However, based on current literature, it is not possible to recommend a specific protein-based supplementation protocol at this time for patients undergoing ACLR. Limited evidence suggests no benefit for creatine, vitamin, or hormone-based protocols. Level of Evidence II, a systematic review of level I-II studies.
Plasmonic tuning of near-field heat transfer between graphene monolayers

We discuss the nonradiative heat transfer in a nonequilibrium double-layer graphene system. We show that at the neutrality point the heat exchange is dominated by the interlayer plasmon modes and derive analytic expressions for the heat current as a function of temperature and the interlayer separation. These results show that for a range of low temperatures the two graphene layers are a much more efficient heat exchanger than conventional metals. The physical reason behind this phenomenon is the presence of interband excitations with a large energy, and a small momentum in the graphene spectrum. The plasmonic mechanism of the heat transfer is sharply suppressed by electrostatic doping. This allows for tuning of the heat exchange by a small applied voltage between the two layers.
Fluoresence Studies of Nucleotides and Polynucleotides III. DIPHOSPHOPYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDE ANALOGUES WHICH CONTAIN FLUORESCENT PURINES

Diphosphopyridine nucleotide analogues have been prepared in which the adenosine 5′-monophosphate of the coenzyme is replaced by the 5′-monophosphate of one of the following fluorescent nucleosides: formycin, 2-aminopurine riboside, and 7-deazapurine riboside (7-deazanebularin). The analogue compounds, unlike the parent coenzyme, are highly fluorescent in both oxidized and reduced form. Their spectral and fluorescence properties have been examined as a function of temperature, pH, and solvent conditions. All three analogues show significant coenzyme activity and can replace DPN with all of the five dehydrogenases tested; the efficiency of the analogues in these tests is in the range of 20 to 150%, compared with DPN+ itself.
Thermal Electron Attachment and Detachment in Gases

Abstract This article describes measurements of electron attachment and detachment rate constants made in the thermal environment of a flowing-afterglow Langmuir-probe apparatus (FALP) at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). If the molecular electron affinity is low enough that electron detachment from the parent anion occurs in the temperature range of the apparatus (298–550 K), the attachment/detachment equilibrium constant allows accurate determination of the electron affinity. Electron attachment reactions to a variety of molecules is described, from simple hexafluorides to transition-metal trifluorophosphines and carbonyls.
On optimal key disclosure interval for /spl mu/TESLA: analysis of authentication delay versus network cost

/spl mu/TESLA is a symmetric-key based broadcast authentication algorithm that periodically broadcasts key authentication packets in sensor networks with a key disclosure delay interval, T. Determining appropriate values for T is important to both performance and security. We analyze how to structure /spl mu/TESLA to satisfy application imposed security and performance requirements while minimizing the network cost. The main contribution of the paper is a quantitative analysis of the optimal value of T such that the authentication broadcast cost is minimized while satisfying application imposed constraints on data authentication delay and packet rejection probability. We model the system using stochastic Petri nets. Our analysis results show that an optimal value of T exists and can be determined as a function of model parameter values characterizing the operating conditions.
Controllability and Stabilizability of Planar Multibody Systems with Angular Momentum Preserving Control Torques

Control and stabilization properties for planar multibody systems consisting of a tree interconnection of rigid bodies are studied. A reduced system model is obtained by considering rotational motion only. It is assumed that there are no exogeneous effects and angular momentum preserving torques generated by joint motors are used as means of control. The angular momentum constant is assumed to be zero so that any set of absolute angles together with zero angular velocities can be studied as an equilibrium. The final form of the reduced system equations is obtained by a further reduction using the expression for the angular momentum constant which is regarded as a nonholonomic constraint. The reduced equations completely characterize the dynamics of the multibody system; these equations necessarily include drift dynamics. We first show that for three or more interconnected bodies, the dynamics are strongly accessible ; for two interconnected bodies, the dynamics are not accessible. We next show that for three or more interconnected bodies, (1) the dynamics are small-time locally controllable from any equilibrium solution and (2) any initial condition can be transferred to any equilibrium solution in an arbitrarily small time period. The latter result is proved by construction of the required control using the holonomy property. We then prove the nonexistence of smooth feedback stabilization to a single equilibrium solution. Comments are made about construction of a stabilizing nonsmooth feedback control.
Evolution of a women's clinic: An alternate system of medical care

Abstract Following the Vermont Supreme Court decision, in 1972, invalidating an old statute against abortion, the community watched for change in hospital and medical practice. When none occurred, representatives of health agencies were joined by feminists and others dissatisfied with existing medical facilities to form the Vermont Women's Health Center. Tensions resulting from differing viewpoints were channeled into the common goal of providing optimal health care involving paramedical personnel as well as gynecologists and other physicians. In 1973, 1,255 abortions were performed. Complications were monitored by the clinic, by the state health department, and by the International Fertility Research Program and were found to compare favorably with rates in larger clinics. Abortion-related visits initially outnumbered others by 2:1 but rapidly fell, indicating acceptance of the clinic for a variety of gynecologic services. After three years, the clinic is solvent, stable, and utilized by a wide range of women, the result of cooperation between the establishment and its critics.
Effect of Nalidixic Acid on the Growth of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Bacteriophages

The effect of nalidixic acid on the growth of various deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bacteriophages has been investigated by one-step growth experiments. The Escherichia coli bacteriophages T5, lambda, T7 and phiR are strongly inhibited by nalidixic acid, whereas T4 and T2 are only partially inhibited. The Bacillus subtilis bacteriophages SP82, SP50, and phi29 are relatively unaffected by nalidixic acid. There is no correlation between those bacteriophages which can grow in the presence of nalidixic acid and the presence of an unusual base in the phage DNA.
Formation and Geometry of Geomagnetic Tail

The idea of a geomagnetic field confined by solar plasma is an old one (e.g., Chapman and Ferraro, 1931; Dungey, 1955; Hoyle, 1956; Dessler, 1958; Parker, 1958; Piddington, 1959). By 1960, with the publication by Johnson (1960) of his teardrop model, the position of theorists was unified to the point that they all were in agreement that the outer geomagnetic field was seriously distorted by solar plasma and that beyond 6 to 10 RE the geomagnetic field was confined asymmetrically by this plasma. However, as is often the case in space physics, what theorists believe has perhaps less influence on scientific opinion than even the more modest of them realize. A figure used in several recent reviews shows the’ magnetosphere of the 1950’s’ as a dipole field extending presumably to infinity while the’ magnetosphere of the 1960’s’ is the negligible merging model put forth by Dessler (1964).
Multiple Microclusters: Diverse Compartments Within the Immune Synapse

The activation of classical αβ T cells is initiated when the T cell receptor (TCR) recognizes peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules. This recognition always occurs at the junction of a T cell and antigen-presenting cell (APC). Existing models of T-cell activation accurately explain the sensitivity and selectivity of antigen recognition within the immunological synapse. However, these models have not fully incorporated the diverse microcluster types revealed by current imaging technologies. It is increasingly clear that a better understanding of T-cell activation will require an appreciation of the diverse signaling assemblies arising within the immune synapse, the interrelationships between these structures, and the mechanisms by which underlying cytoskeletal systems govern their assembly and fate. Here, we will provide a brief framework for understanding these issues, review our contributions to current knowledge, and provide perspectives on the future of this rapidly advancing field.
Abstract 16196: Impact of Baseline PCSK9 Levels on the Efficacy of Evolocumab, a Monoclonal Antibody Against PCSK9

Introduction: Evolocumab (AMG 145), a fully human monoclonal antibody against proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9), significantly reduces low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) by ~65%. Whether baseline PCSK9 levels impact the efficacy of evolocumab remains undefined. Methods: The mean placebo-controlled percent change from baseline in LDL-C measured by ultracentrifugation at week 10 & 12 was calculated for evolocumab 140 mg Q2W and 420 mg QM in 2293 patients from the pooled phase 3 trials. Median PCSK9 levels were measured in 138 patients from a substudy of the pooled phase 2 trials. For both analyses, patients were stratified into quartiles based upon baseline PCSK9 levels. Interaction tests were performed to evaluate for heterogeneity across quartiles. Results: At baseline in the pooled phase 3 trials, the median PCSK9 level was 323 ng/mL (25th %ile 258 ng/mL; 75th %ile 406 ng/mL). Demographics were similar across quartiles of baseline PCSK9, but, as expected, patients with higher...
On coupled conductive-radiative heat-transfer problems in a sphere

Abstract A sphere-to-plane transformation technique and the spherical harmonics method are used, along with Hermite cubic splines, to define an iterative technique for solving a class of nonlinear radiative transfer problems in a sphere. Computational aspects of the technique are discussed, and the method is used to establish numerical results for several test problems.
Hume’s Big Brother: counting concepts and the bad company objection

A number of formal constraints on acceptable abstraction principles have been proposed, including conservativeness and irenicity. Hume’s Principle, of course, satisfies these constraints. Here, variants of Hume’s Principle that allow us to count concepts instead of objects are examined. It is argued that, prima facie, these principles ought to be no more problematic than HP itself. But, as is shown here, these principles only enjoy the formal properties that have been suggested as indicative of acceptability if certain constraints on the size of the continuum hold. As a result, whether or not these higher-order versions of Hume’s Principle are acceptable seems to be independent of standard (ZFC) set theory. This places the abstractionist in an uncomfortable dilemma: Either there is some inherent difference between counting objects and counting concepts, or new criteria for acceptability will need to be found. It is argued that neither horn looks promising.