cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between resolution of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis and spontaneous preterm birth in fetal fibronectin–positive women

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of persistent bacterial vaginosis (BV) on the occurrence of spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) in women who test positive for fetal fibronectin. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a subset of pregnant women who tested positive for BV and fetal fibronectin between 16 0/7 and 25 6/7 weeks of gestation and who participated in randomized placebo controlled trials of antibiotic therapy. Nugent's criteria were used for the diagnosis of BV. Patients were reassessed for the presence of BV after treatment. The rate of SPB at Results The primary studies included a total of 3285 women. A subset of 215 women met the criteria for this analysis. Seventy-seven of 100 patients (77%) in the antibiotics group vs 33 of the 115 patients (28.7%) in the placebo group became BV negative ( P P = .01). Conclusion In women who tested positive for fetal fibronectin and BV, resolution of BV is associated with less SPB before 34 weeks of gestation.
On-chip characterization of the transport properties of liquids using microfluidic channel-based Brownian microscopy

We report techniques to characterize the transport properties as well as velocity fields of liquids flowing in microchannels. Microscopic particles of a precisely defined diameter are dispersed in a liquid of interest and their cross-stream Brownian motions are analyzed to determine the local Brownian diffusivity, which is in turn a function of the viscosity or mass concentration. We apply the proposed techniques to determine the viscosity and mass diffusivity of mixtures of glycerin and water, which agree well with the literature values. The techniques developed in this work will enable massively parallel characterization of novel liquids and their mixtures as well as in situ performance evaluation of microfluidic devices.
BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND WASTE RECYCLING WITH BLUE-GREEN ALGAE

Abstract Large-scale algae ponds are being used as economical and effective means of sewage treatment. The large amounts of algae biomass produced in these ponds could be harvested and fermented to methane with the residue used for fertilizer. Harvesting of algae from waste treatment ponds is difficult because of the small size of most algae species. Larger size algae can be effectively harvested using slowly rotating fine mesh (25–100 μ) screens equipped with a backwash (microstrainers). In a series of experiments conducted during the summer (1976), Oscillatoria (a filamentous blue-green algae) and Micractinium (a colonial green algae with long spines) were grown outdoors on sewage and maintained as the predominating species in 1,000-liter ponds. The method used to achieve this result involved recycling a fraction of the algae biomass harvested by the microstrainers. In both theory and practice we have demonstrated that species control can be achieved in microbial systems through a selective recycle process. Large-scale algal cultivation will require a variety of different algae species control and harvesting methods. Blue-green algae have special advantages in large-scale cultivation: their filamentous nature allows mechanical harvesting, their capacity for nitrogen fixation makes them desirable for fertilizer production, and their gas vesicles could lower pond mixing requirements. Large-scale algae biomass production and waste recycling systems could be designed which convert sewage and power plant wastes (carbon dioxide and heat) into methane, fertilizer, and reclaimed water.
Long-Term Mortality Trends After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties: A Population-Based Study

Abstract Background Mortality after total hip and knee arthroplasty is lower than that in the general population, but it is unknown whether there are differences by surgery type, demographics, and calendar year. Our objective was to evaluate trends and determinants of long-term mortality among patients with total hip and knee arthroplasties. Methods Using a historical cohort study design, we passively followed up population-based cohorts of total hip and total knee arthroplasty patients with degenerative arthritis who underwent surgery between January 1, 1969 and December 31, 2008. Patients were followed up until death or August 31, 2014. Observed and expected survival was compared using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). Poisson regression models were used to examine relative mortality patterns by surgery type, age, sex, calendar year, and time since surgery. Results The overall age- and sex-adjusted mortality was significantly lower than that in the general population after both total hip (SMR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.76-0.88) and total knee (SMR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75-0.86) arthroplasties. Despite the low relative mortality within the first 8 years of surgery, we observed a worsening of relative mortality beyond 15 years after total knee arthroplasty surgery. Both short- and long-term mortality improved over calendar time, and the improvement occurred about a decade earlier in total knee arthroplasty than in total hip arthroplasty. Conclusion Survival after total hip and total knee arthroplasties is better than that in the general population for about 8 years after surgery. Secular trends are encouraging and suggest that survival after both procedures has been improving even further in recent years.
Calf muscle perfusion as measured with magnetic resonance imaging to assess peripheral arterial disease

We hypothesized that skeletal muscle perfusion is impaired in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients compared to healthy controls and that perfusion patterns exhibit marked differences across five leg muscle compartments including the anterior muscle group (AM), lateral muscle group (LM), deep posterior muscle group (DM), soleus (SM), and the gastrocnemius muscle (GM). A total of 40 individuals (26 PAD patients and 14 healthy controls) underwent contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) utilizing a reactive hyperemia protocol. Muscle perfusion maps were developed for AM, LM, DM, SM, and GM. Perfusion maps were analyzed over the course of 2 min, starting at local pre-contrast arrival, to study early-to-intermediate gadolinium enhancement. PAD patients had a higher fraction of hypointense voxels at pre-contrast arrival for all five muscle compartments compared with healthy controls (p < 0.0005). Among PAD patients, the fraction of hypointense voxels of the AM, LM, and GM were inversely correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; r = −0.509, p = 0.008; r = −0.441, p = 0.024; and r = −0.431, p = 0.028, respectively). CE-MRI-based skeletal leg muscle perfusion is markedly reduced in PAD patients compared with healthy controls and shows heterogeneous patterns across calf muscle compartments.
Amplitudes at the antipode

Abstract Seismic amplitudes of 1 Hz compressional waves at the antipode are estimated using the body-wave magnitude formula and corrections for focusing at the antipode. Compressional wave amplitudes are found to be larger at the antipode than at other distances outside of the source region itself. Ellipticity effects at the antipode are found to be significant only for PP away from the earth9s poles and for PKP near the equator. The effects of lateral heterogeneity on antipode focusing are estimated. Implications for monitoring nuclear explosions are discussed. An antipode experiment using small ( 1 2 ton) chemical explosions opposite a seismic array is found to be viable.
Changes in Maternal and Paternal Pain-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Perceptions across Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Treatment: A Multilevel Modeling Approach

Objectives This prospective study compared paternal versus maternal factors and their impact on child outcomes in the context of an intensive pediatric pain rehabilitation program. Methods One hundred four youth with treatment refractory chronic pain and their parents enrolled in an intensive pediatric pain rehabilitation program completed measures of pain, functional disability, and parent pain-related attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors at admission and discharge. Results Linear mixed models were used. Controlling for significant demographic and clinical characteristics, mothers and fathers who were present for the program typically demonstrated significantly better improvement from admission to discharge compared with nonpresent fathers. Mothers made the most significant gains in protective parent responses. Children also had significant decreases in pain and improvements in functioning over time. Conclusions Results indicate the efficacy of this treatment model for both children with chronic pain and their parents and highlights the importance of parental presence in treatment.
High-resolution Anorectal Manometry for Identifying Defecatory Disorders and Rectal Structural Abnormalities in Women.

Background & Aims Contrary to conventional wisdom, the rectoanal gradient during evacuation is negative in many healthy people, undermining the utility of anorectal high-resolution manometry (HRM) for diagnosing defecatory disorders. We aimed to compare HRM and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing rectal evacuation and structural abnormalities. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 118 patients (all female; 51 with constipation, 48 with fecal incontinence, and 19 with rectal prolapse; age, 53 ± 1 years) assessed by HRM, the rectal balloon expulsion test (BET), and MRI at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from February 2011 through March 2013. Thirty healthy asymptomatic women (age, 37 ± 2 years) served as controls. We used principal components analysis of HRM variables to identify rectoanal pressure patterns associated with rectal prolapse and phenotypes of patients with prolapse. Results Compared with patients with normal findings from the rectal BET, patients with an abnormal BET had lower median rectal pressure (36 vs 22 mm Hg, P = .002), a more negative median rectoanal gradient (–6 vs –29 mm Hg, P = .006) during evacuation, and a lower proportion of evacuation on the basis of MRI analysis (median of 40% vs 80%, P P = .005) with large rectoceles (3 cm or larger). A principal component (PC) logistic model discriminated between patients with and without prolapse with 96% accuracy. Among patients with prolapse, there were 2 phenotypes, which were characterized by high (PC1) or low (PC2) anal pressures at rest and squeeze along with higher rectal and anal pressures (PC1) or a higher rectoanal gradient during evacuation (PC2). Conclusions In a retrospective analysis of patients assessed by HRM, measurements of rectal evacuation by anorectal HRM, BET, and MRI were correlated. HRM alone and together with anorectal descent during evacuation may identify rectal prolapse and large rectoceles, respectively, and also identify unique phenotypes of rectal prolapse.
Poly(Ethylene Oxide) and Blood Contact

This brief resume is a personal view, offered as a historical narrative to complement the other contributions to this volume dealing with the role of PEO in blood-surface interactions.
Cognitive Data-Centric Systems

With rapid growth in the availability of massive amounts of data and the development of new machine learning and deep learning techniques, significant opportunities exist in the application of computing to learn from data, build models, and discover insights -- cognitive tasks that can augment human expertise in a broad range of industries. Computing systems must evolve to efficiently meet these needs by leveraging innovation in heterogeneous systems infrastructure and information technology consumption models that are increasingly driven by cloud-based delivery. These new systems must be designed to accommodate the entirety of the overall workflow, including not just machine learning and analytics tasks, but also data management and manipulation. In a convergence with systems for classical modeling and simulation (HPC and technical computing), cognitive workloads can benefit dramatically from hardware acceleration. As decades of sustained CMOS technology scaling begins to slow, the specificity and optimality of hardware accelerators will be a key enabler for system-level performance while simultaneously presenting challenges in composing systems that seamlessly integrate traditional CPUs, multiple accelerators, and different memories. This talk will discuss cognitive data-centric systems for the next era of computing, in which balanced heterogeneous systems are delivered through the cloud.
Applications of the Restricted Problem of three Bodies in Space Research

The problem under discussion is the restricted circular planar problem of three bodies (probleme restreint). Two bodies (assumed to be point masses and called primaries) revolve around their center of mass in circular orbits under the influence of their mutual gravitational attraction. A third body (attracted by the previous two but not influencing their motion) moves in the plane defined by the two revolving bodies. The problem is to determine the motion of this third body.
Behavioral selectivity in tropical fish

Three strains of tropical fish belonging to the same genus, Xiphophorus, were given the opportunity to view stimulus fish of the same or differing strains in a free-choice preference situation. The test Ss spent significantly more time with their own kind, indicating a behavioral selectivity which is consistent with previously observed biological selectivity.
Intensional Query Processing: A Three-Step Approach

When processing a query in a conventional database a set of facts are usually returned for an answer. This can be different in a deductive or expert database system. Users may, as before, be interested in a set of facts to answer their query, but in certain queries users are also able to get the answer of a query as a set of formulas (e.g., facts, intensional answers).
Who do you believe? Political parties and conspiracy theories in Pakistan:

In authoritarian states, emerging democracies, and well-established democracies alike, alternative accounts that contest official state narratives are common. Why do people believe such accounts ev...
Antifouling properties of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide and graphene oxide

Fouling remains one of the biggest challenges in a myriad of applications such as water filtration, ship hulls, biomedical devices, coating, and painting. Fouling severely hampers the performance and increases the operation and maintenance costs in industries. There is a critical need to develop antifouling surfaces, and two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene oxide (GO) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), have shown potential for antifouling surface preparation due to some unique properties. Here, the antifouling properties of these two materials were investigated by observing the deposition kinetics of bacteria and natural organic matter (NOM) using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA) and E. coli K-12 were used as model NOM and bacteria, respectively. Overall, MoS2 showed slightly better antifouling properties compared to GO. In most cases, the deposition of NOM and E. coli was significantly lower on MoS2 than GO due to the presence of functional groups on GO that bind more easily with the foulants. Deposition of NOM was at least 1.5 times lower on the MoS2 surface than on the GO surface in the presence of both monovalent (Na+) and divalent (Mg2+) cations. However, the presence of 0.5 mM divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) with NOM reduced the antifouling properties of both MoS2 and GO by a factor of ≥1.5 due to a salt bridging effect and reduced energy barrier.
Topical 5-fluorouracil in dermatologic disease.

Background 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has proven to be an effective therapy in the treatment of a variety of dermatologic conditions. Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinoma, topical 5-FU has also demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of a variety of other dermatologic diseases. Methods A search of the MEDLINE standard computer database, MEDLINE advanced database, and EMBASE database was conducted. Results Thirty-four articles met criteria for inclusion in this review. These articles represented 16 randomized controlled trials and 18 case series. Each article was reviewed and summarized. Conclusions Topical 5-FU is used in a variety of dermatologic disease processes with a wide range of efficacy and levels of evidence. Based on extent and level of evidence, our disease-specific systematic review found that the evidence is strongest for topical 5-FU use in the treatment of actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. This review serves as a comprehensive summary of topical 5-FU use in dermatology.
Distribution of free and antibody-bound peptide hormones in two-phase aqueous polymer systems.

Peptide hormones labelled with radioactive iodine were partitioned into the aqueous two-phase polymer systems developed by Albertsson (1960) and the conditions required for separation of free from antibody-bound hormone have been worked out. Hormones studied included insulin, growth hormone, parathyroid hormone and [arginine]-vasopressin. Free and antibody-bound hormones show different distribution coefficients in a number of systems tested; two systems, the dextran–polyethylene glycol and dextran sulphate–polyethylene glycol system, give optimum separation. Free hormones distribute readily into the upper phase of these systems, whereas hormone–antibody complexes, as well as uncombined antibody, are found almost completely in the lower phase. Various factors including the polymer concentration, the ionic composition of the system, the nature of the hormone and the nature of added serum protein differentially affect the distribution coefficients for free and antibody-bound hormone. These factors can be adequately controlled so as to improve separation. The two-phase partition method has been successfully applied to measure binding of labelled hormone to antibody under standard radioimmunoassay conditions. It exhibits several advantages over the method of equilibration dialysis and can be applied to the study of non-immunological interactions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy: It can be Evaluated and Treated

Can carpal tunnel syndrome be evaluated in patients with peripheral neuropathy? The answer is yes. Not only can carpal tunnel syndrome be diagnosed accurately in patients with peripheral neuropathy, its severity also can be established and the most appropriate treatment can be determined and implemented. This article reviews some of the physiologic considerations that need to be addressed in the evaluation and management of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with peripheral neuropathy.
Abstract IA16: Identifying an epigenetic basis for arsenic-associated bladder cancer in a population in Chihuahua Mexico

Epidemiologic evidence links chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) to a host of adverse health effects, including cancer of the bladder. This study aimed to identify DNA methylation patterns associated with arsenic and its metabolites in exfoliated urothelial cells (EUCs) that originate primarily from the urinary bladder, one of the targets of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. EUCs from 46 residents of Chihuahua, Mexico were analyzed for genome-wide, gene-specific promoter DNA methylation levels. These were analyzed in relation to intracellular concentrations of total arsenic and arsenic species. A set of 49 differentially methylated genes was identified with increased promoter methylation associated with EUC tAs, iAs, and/or monomethylated As (MMAs) enriched for their roles in metabolic disease and cancer. Notably, no genes had differential methylation associated with EUC dimethylated As (DMAs), suggesting that DMAs may influence DNA methylation-mediated urothelial cell responses to a lesser extent than iAs or MMAs. Further analysis showed that 22 of the 49 arsenic-associated genes (45%) are also differentially methylated in bladder cancer tissue identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) repository. Both the arsenic- and cancer-associated genes were enriched for the binding sites of common transcription factors known to play roles in carcinogenesis, demonstrating a novel potential mechanistic link between iAs exposure and bladder cancer. Citation Format: Rebecca C. Fry, Rebecca C. Fry. Identifying an epigenetic basis for arsenic-associated bladder cancer in a population in Chihuahua Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr IA16.
Governing Bodies: American Politics and the Shaping of the Modern Physique

As a field, fat studies is deeply interested in how state institutions control, discipline, and shape citizen (and noncitizen) bodies. Rachel Louise Moran’s Governing Bodies: American Politics and ...
All Polymer Solution Processed Electrochromic Devices: A Future without Indium Tin Oxide?

The growing range of applications for optoelectronic and electrochromic devices (ECDs) encourages the search for materials combining high electrical conductivity with optical transparency. Next generation transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) are required to be inexpensive, lightweight, scalable, and compatible with flexible substrates to trigger innovations towards supporting sustainable living and reducing energy consumption. Here we show that PEDOT:PSS can be solution processed using blade coating and subsequently post-treated with nitric and acetic acid to raise its conductivity above 2000 S cm–1 with a film transparency of ∼95%. A combined grazing-incidence wide angle X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, and thickness analysis of the film indicates that the removal of excess insulating PSS– inducing reordering is the critical parameter for the claimed conductivity increase. We then investigate the impact of replacing indium tin oxide electrodes with PEDOT:PSS in ECDs. While electrochromic co...
A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Assessing Body Image Disturbance in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer:

ObjectiveTo synthesize published literature describing the severity of body image disturbance (BID) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) over time, its psychosocial and functional associatio...
Filtration, reabsorption and oxygen in the kidney.

The rate of glomerular ultrafiltration in the human with normal kidney function is approximately 150 liters per day. Described in other terms, 150 liters of protein free ultrafiltrate passes from the primary capillary bed in the kidney at the glomerulus into the proximal nephron to be acted upon by renal epithelium of the nephron, reabsorb solutes and water and secrete the appropriate solutes into this fluid. Since only one to three liters of fluid are usually excreted as urine each day by normal humans, this demands that 98-99% of the 150 liters is reabsorbed by nephrons and recycled into the circulation. Since the rate of ultrafiltration is several times total body water in a 24 hour period, one could conclude that the process of glomerular filtration must be highly well regulated and in strict coordination with the process of tubular reabsorption. If such coordination were not present, large swings in total body volume status would occur on a daily basis. In fact, total body volume status is very tightly regulated with swings of much than half a liter each day noted in the normal human on a reasonably normal diet.
“Can You Take the Heat?” Heat-Induced Health Symptoms Are Associated with Protective Behaviors

AbstractThe risks associated with extreme heat are increasing as heat waves become more frequent and severe across larger areas. As people begin to experience heat waves more often and in more plac...
Hypertension and Exercise

In normal children, the physiologic blood pressure response to exercise is complex, involving increases in stroke volume and heart rate, changes in peripheral resistance, and a response to sympathetic output. With dynamic exercise, the increase in cardiac output is accompanied by a continuous steep rise in heart rate and systolic blood pressure, a small decrease in diastolic blood pressure, and a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance (1–5). The rise in systolic BP is higher in boys than in girls and it increases in both sexes with increasing age and body size (2). Both lean body mass and fat mass are important hemodynamic determinants of blood pressure (6). Consistent racial differences in the BP response to exercise have not been reported (7). With treadmill exercise testing, systolic BPs as high as 250 mmHg have been recorded in healthy normotensive adolescent males.
Closed-Form Determination of the Impedance Locus Plot of Fault Current Limiters: Asymmetrical Faults

Closed-form determination of fault current limiter (FCL) impedance for symmetrical faults was reported previously using a mathematically rigorous method. In this paper, extensions of the method to asymmetrical faults are presented. Single line-to-ground faults and line-to-line faults are studied. As shown in this paper, although the material corresponding to asymmetric faults use the same basic concepts described before, the different nature of asymmetrical faults and application of symmetrical components theory lead to a different formulation. Also, the graphical representation of asymmetrical faults is as contour plots instead of the circle diagrams for three-phase faults. A three-bus and the IEEE 39-bus systems are used to illustrate the virtues of the method for the proper selection of FCLs impedance. Results demonstrate that the FCL designed, as shown in this paper, works properly for asymmetrical faults. The new formulation and graphical representation for asymmetrical faults are compatible with traditional power system short-circuit analysis software. An example with both symmetrical and asymmetrical faults is presented to illustrate how a full FCL impedance design can be achieved with the method.
Treble: Fast Software Updates by Creating an Equilibrium in an Active Software Ecosystem of Globally Distributed Stakeholders

This paper presents our experience with Treble, a two-year initiative to build the modular base in Android, a Java-based mobile platform running on the Linux kernel. Our Treble architecture splits the hardware independent core framework written in Java from the hardware dependent vendor implementations (e.g., user space device drivers, vendor native libraries, and kernel written in C/C++). Cross-layer communications between them are done via versioned, stable inter-process communication interfaces whose backward compatibility is tested by using two API compliance suites. Based on this architecture, we repackage the key Android software components that suffered from crucial post-launch security bugs as separate images. That not only enables separate ownerships but also independent updates of each image by interested ecosystem entities. We discuss our experience of delivering Treble architectural changes to silicon vendors and device makers using a yearly release model. Our experiments and industry rollouts support our hypothesis that giving more freedom to all ecosystem entities and creating an equilibrium are a transformation necessary to further scale the world largest open source ecosystem with over two billion active devices.
Responsibilities and challenges of urban design in the 21st century

Our century is confronted with two very important challenges that both threaten cities and their residents: climate change and deepening social inequality. What can urban design offer to respond to...
Physiological Role of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3)

In living organisms, aldehydes occur as common metabolites; some are metabolized by substrate-specific enzymes, others by enzymes with broader substrate specificity. Both specific and non-specific enzymes are active with acetaldehyde as substrate (Pietruszko, 1989). Aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) from human liver and brain as well as some specific enzymes including glutamic-γ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.5.1.12) from human liver (Forte-McRobbie and Pietruszko, 1986) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Ryzlak and Pietruszko, 1988a) (EC 1.2.1.12) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (Ryzlak and Pietruszko, 1988b) (EC 1.2.1.24) from human brain have been recently purified to homogeneity in our laboratory. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) which metabolizes ethanol-derived acetaldehyde has a broad substrate specificity which includes a variety of aldehyde structures (Pietruszko, 1989) Among physiologically occurring aldehydes, biogenic aldehydes derived from dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine (MacKerrell et al., 1986) as well as aldehyde metabolites of corticosteroids (Martin and Monder, 1978; Monder et al., 1982) are substrates for this enzyme. The Michaelis constants are low micromolar values, suggesting that the enzyme may be important in biogenic amine and corticosteroid metabolism. More recently it has been established that γ-aminobutyraldehyde, is also a substrate (Ambroziak and Pietruszko, 1987; Kurys et al., 1989). All the above compounds are important physiological intermediates: biogenic aldehydes arise from biogenic amines which are hormones and/or neurotransmitters and aldehydes themselves are thought to have some hormonal activity (Tipton et al., 1977). γ-Aminobutyraldehyde is an oxidative metabolite of an amine, putrescine, which via aldehyde dehydrogenase, is converted to γ-aminobutyric acid, a known inhibitory neurotransmitter. Putrescine itself is an important intermediate in the synthesis of the polyamines spermidine and spermine which are essential for development and differentiation (Tabor and Tabor, 1984).
Giant low-temperature anharmonicity in silicon nanocrystals

The phonon density of states of silicon nanocrystals with size between 4 and 7.5 nm was measured by inelastic neutron scattering in the $5\ensuremath{\sim}600\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ temperature range. The narrow particle size distributions enable the study of size effects on phonon dynamics. Giant softening of phonon features below 30 meV, universal broadening of phonon features, and the disappearance of intermediate-energy phonons were observed with decreasing nanocrystals size. Such size effects are mostly attributed to the structure variations within the nanocrystals. The phonons below 30 meV in silicon nanocrystals show temperature dependence opposite to the bulk silicon, explained by the large anharmonicity of the under-constrained near-surface phonons. This is supported by the abnormal atomic mean-square-displacement, and low energy phonon population in small silicon nanocrystals. This work provides crucial information on the phonon dynamics in spatially confined materials.
Surface Tension Nanogates for Controlled Ion Transport

Capillary wicking drives liquid motion in miniature channels and capillaries, which are omnipresent in the human body and technology such as the brain’s capillary network, plants, power systems, na...
US Food and Drug Administration regulatory approaches for xenotransplantation products and xenografts

The United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulatory approach for xenotransplantation products and xenografts encompasses regulatory considerations for biological products, medical devices, drugs, combination products, and genetically altered animals, depending on the product. This communication aims to clarify the regulatory approaches and considerations for animal-derived products, specifically xenotransplantation and xenograft products.
Using protein interaction networks to identify cancer dependencies from tumor genome data

Genes required for tumor proliferation and survival (dependencies) are challenging to predict from cancer genome data, but are of high therapeutic value. We developed an algorithm (network purifying selection [NPS]) that aggregates weak signals of purifying selection across a gene9s first order protein-protein interaction network. We applied NPS to 4,742 tumor genomes to show that a gene9s NPS score is predictive of whether it is a dependency and validated 58 NPS-predicted dependencies in six cancer cell lines. Importantly, we demonstrate that leveraging NPS predictions to execute targeted CRISPR screens is a powerful, highly cost-efficient approach for identifying and validating dependencies quickly, because it eliminates the substantial experimental overhead required for whole-genome screening.
Long time-scale study of von Willebrand factor multimers in extensional flow

Extensional flow-induced transitions from a compact to an unfolded conformation are explored for the human glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (vWF). Multimer unfolding is a crucial step in the process of blood clotting and protein size maintenance. Previous studies have shown that flow-induced conformational transitions are initiated by a thermally nucleated polymeric protrusion. Below a certain strain rate, such a transition is a rare event that cannot be studied using standard stochastic dynamic simulation. In the present study, we have employed Weighted Ensemble Brownian dynamic (WEBD) simulations to study rare events of conformation transition in extensional flow. Results are presented for the transition rate of VWF multimer unfolding, with concomitant analysis of the likelihood of pathological unfolding as a function of strain rate. Relative to the typical half-life of vWF proteins in the human body, results here indicate that pathological unfolding would not manifest for strain rate less than 2000 s-1. Statement of SignificancevWF multimers, as they transit through the circulation, are exposed to extensional flow multiple times, and the total exposure time to such intermittent extensional flow can be on the order of minutes to an hour. However, due to the time-scale limitation of Brownian dynamics simulation, all the present studies of vWF multimers are limited to a few seconds in total duration. Here, we have applied an enhanced sampling technique, i.e., Weighted Ensemble, in combination with Brownian dynamics to analyze the behavior of multimers in extensional flow at physiologically relevant time-scales of hours and longer. The findings presented here provide new physical insights into vWF behavior, including how it relates to hematological pathology, while also illustrating the time-scale bridging capability of the WEBD method.
A Decentralized Framework to Support UAS Merging and Spacing Operations in Urban Canyons

This paper presents a distributed consensus algorithm for autonomous merging and spacing that enables unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to coordinate their passage through an aerial intersection (i.e., merging fix) via a distributed control mechanism. The algorithm is incorporated into the Independent Configurable Architecture for Reliable Operations of Unmanned Systems (ICAROUS). In-trail spacing between aircraft is achieved with the integration of sense and avoid functionality (SAA) within the ICAROUS framework. This approach allows vehicles to maintain required spacing while entering or exiting the merging fix. Enabling autonomously coordinating vehicles in merging and spacing operations is a key capability in facilitating vehicle traffic in urban airspace and air-mobility operations involving small UAS and other Electrical-Vertical Takeoff/Landing (E-VTOL) vehicles.
Barriers to the Successful Mentoring of Faculty of Color

Mentoring is important for career success and has been suggested to promote the advancement of faculty of color (FOC). However, some mentoring experiences may be negative and impede faculty’s succe...
Catastrophic Pleural Disease

The accumulation of blood, serous fluid, pus, or air in the pleural space may result in a life-threatening situation for the patient. Prompt recognition and management are essential. This chapter will discuss each of these clinical situations separately.
TACCing down the spindle poles.

Centrosomes define the poles of mitotic spindles, but spindles that lack centrosomes mediate meiotic chromosome segregation in females. Recent studies provide new insight into anastral-spindle assembly, and indicate that a conserved protein complex may be critical to the stability of both the astral- and anastral-spindle pole.
Predisposing factors of pituitary hemorrhage.

Background and purpose: The clinical features of pituitary adenomas were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on the factors that contribute to the development of pituitary hemorrhage. Although many causes of pituitary adenoma hemorrhage have been identified, it is difficult to distinguish which conditions are truly causative. We determined the independent variables that contribute to pituitary hemorrhage in pituitary adenoma. Methods: Two hundred and eighty-eight consecutive patients diagnosed as pituitary adenoma were enrolled. These patients underwent tumor removal through endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. The subjects were divided into hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic groups, based on magnetic resonance images and histological findings. The predisposing factors were reviewed in the medical records for all patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the relationships between variables of pituitary adenoma hemorrhage. Results: We investigated 81 patients in whom hemorrhage from pituitary adenoma occurred. The incidence of pituitary hemorrhage was 28.1% (81/288). The predisposing factors surveyed for pituitary hemorrhage were significantly associated with macroadenoma, non-functional adenomas, anticoagulation therapy, end-stage renal disease, dopamine agonist treatment, and underlying malignant disease (all P < 0.05). Sex, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and previous radiation therapy were not related to pituitary hemorrhage. Conclusions: In this pooled cohort, the predisposing factors of pituitary adenoma characteristic for pituitary hemorrhage were macroadenoma and non-functional adenoma. Patients who received dopamine agonist and anticoagulation therapy are implicated as precipitating factors. Underlying end-stage renal disease and malignant disease are also factors that contribute to pituitary adenoma hemorrhage.
Hamiltonian theory of the fractional quantum Hall effect: Conserving approximation for incompressible fractions

A microscopic Hamiltonian theory of the FQHE developed by Shankar and the present author based on the fermionic Chern-Simons approach has recently been quite successful in calculating gaps and finite tempertature properties in Fractional Quantum Hall states. Initially proposed as a small-$q$ theory, it was subsequently extended by Shankar to form an algebraically consistent theory for all $q$ in the lowest Landau level. Such a theory is amenable to a conserving approximation in which the constraints have vanishing correlators and decouple from physical response functions. Properties of the incompressible fractions are explored in this conserving approximation, including the magnetoexciton dispersions and the evolution of the small-$q$ structure factor as $\nu\to\half$. Finally, a formalism capable of dealing with a nonuniform ground state charge density is developed and used to show how the correct fractional value of the quasiparticle charge emerges from the theory.
Identification of a large bent DNA domain and binding sites for serum response factor adjacent to the NFI repeat cluster and enhancer region in the major IE94 promoter from simian cytomegalovirus.

Abstract The major immediate-early (MIE) transactivator proteins of cytomegaloviruses (CMV) play a pivotal role in the initiation of virus-host cell interactions. Therefore, cis- and trans-acting factors influencing the expression of these proteins through their upstream promoter-enhancer regions are important determinants of the outcome of virus infection. S1 nuclease analysis and in vitro transcription assays with the MIE (or IE94) transcription unit of simian CMV (SCMV) (Colburn) revealed a single prominent mRNA start site associated with a canonical TATATAA motif. This initiator region lies adjacent to a 2,400-bp 5'-upstream noncoding sequence that encompasses a newly identified 1,000-bp (A+T)-rich segment containing intrinsically bent DNA (domain C), together with the previously described proximal cyclic AMP response element locus (domain A) and a tandemly repeated nuclear factor I binding site cluster (domain B). Deleted MIE reporter gene constructions containing domain A sequences only yield up to 4-fold stronger basal expression in Vero cells than the intact simian virus 40 promoter-enhancer region, and sequences from position -405 to -69 (ENH-A1) added to a minimal heterologous promoter produced a 50-fold increase of basal expression in an enhancer assay. In contrast, neither the nuclear factor I cluster nor the bent DNA region possessed basal enhancer properties and neither significantly modulated the basal activity of the ENH-A1 segment. A second segment of domain A from position -580 to -450 was also found to possess basal enhancer activity in various cell types. This ENH-A2 region contains three copies of a repeated element that includes the 10-bp palindromic sequence CCATATATGG, which resembles the core motif of serum response elements and proved to bind specifically to the cellular nuclear protein serum response transcription factor. Reporter gene constructions containing four tandem copies of these elements displayed up to 13-fold increased basal enhancer activity and 18-fold tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate responsiveness in U937 cells, but an ENH-A2 DNA segment encompassing two of the core serum response transcription factor binding sites failed to respond to serum induction in NIH 3T3 cells. Although there are overall similarities in the organizations of both the MIE enhancers and MIE transcription units among human CMV, SCMV, and murine CMV, the specific arrangements of repetitive motifs are quite different, and the bent DNA and ENH-A2 domains appear to be unique to SCMV.
Osteopetrosis, a New Recessive Skeletal Mutation on Chromosome 12 of the Mouse

Osteopetrosis (op/op) is a new mutation in the mouse that is transmitted as an autosomal recessive linked with variant waddler (Va) on chromosome 12. Compared with normal littermates, young op/op mice have excessive accumulations of bone without marrow cavities, increases in bone matrix formation and concentrations of parafollicular cells of the thyroid, and are hypophosphatemic. Osteoclasts from op/op mice are small, few in number and have an abnormal cytoplasmic distribution of the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. In contrast to the three other mutations that transmit osteopetrosis in mice, the skeletal signs of the disease slowly disappear in op/op animals after bone matrix formation declines about 6 weeks after birth from 145 percent to 20 percent of that in normal siblings. The main skeletal defect in op/op mice appears to be a severe restriction in bone remodeling that is capable of slowly removing the excessive skeletal mass characteristic of the disease only after bone formation has declined to one-fifth that of normal littermates.
Neuston Microbiology: Life at the Air–Water Interface

The Neuston Sampling The Nature of the Habitat: Model of the Structure Bacterioneuston (Piconeuston) Bacterioneuston and Environmental Stress Other Microorganisms Keywords: air-water interface; bacterioneuston; neuston microbiology; phytoneuston
The Great Migration: Rural-Urban Migration in China and Indonesia

Contents: 1. The Great Migration in China and Indonesia: Trends and Institutions Xin Meng and Chris Manning PART I: CHINA 2. Why Don't More Chinese Migrate from the Countryside? Institutional Constraints and the Migration Decision Leng Lee and Xin Meng 3. Jobs, Working Hours and Remuneration Packages for Migrant and Urban Workers Paul Frijters, Leng Lee and Xin Meng 4. Wage Structures and Inequality Among Local and Migrant Workers in Urban China Deng Quheng and Li Shi 5. The Educational and Health Outcomes of the Children of Migrants Sherry Tao Kong and Xin Meng 6. Rural-Urban Migration and Poverty in China Chuliang Luo and Ximing Yue 7. Rural-Urban Migration in China: Survey Design and Implementation Sherry Tao Kong PART II: INDONESIA 8. Assessing the Welfare of Migrant and Non-migrant Households in Four Indonesian Cities: Some Demographic, Social and Employment Characteristics Tadjuddin Noer Effendi, Mujiyani, Fina Itriyati, Danang Arif Darmawan and Derajad S. Widhyharto 9. The Socio-economic and Health Status of Rural-Urban Migrants in Indonesia Budy P. Resosudarmo, Asep Suryahadi, Raden M. Purnagunawan, Athia Yumna and Asri Yusrina 10. Making It in the City: Recent and Long-term Migrants in the Urban Labour Market in Indonesia Armida Alisjahbana and Chris Manning 11. Rural-Urban Migration in Indonesia: Survey Design and Implementation Budy P. Resosudarmo, Chikako Yamauchi and Tadjuddin Noer Effendi References Index
The time-dependent interaction between inclusions and a cracked matrix subjected to antiplane shear

The time-dependent interaction between multiple circular inclusions and a cracked matrix in the antiplane viscoelastic problem is discussed in this paper. The fundamental elastic solution is obtained as a rapidly convergent series in terms of complex potentials via successive iterations of Mobius transformation in order to satisfy continuity conditions on multiple interfaces. Based on the correspondence principle, the Laplace transformed viscoelastic solution is then directly determined from the corresponding elastic one. In association with the singular integral technique, the time-dependent mode-III stress intensity factor of the crack tip can be solved numerically in a straightforward manner. Finally, some typical examples of an arbitrary crack lying in a matrix with various material properties under various loading types are also discussed. The results show that, depending on the relative locations and material properties of inclusions, the evolution of the stress intensity factor (SIF) may increase or decrease with time.
Managing paleoanthropology’s nonrenewable resources: a view from Afar

Abstract Decades of research at major paleoanthropological sites in eastern Africa have shown that the archaeological and paleontological resources they contain are effectively non-renewable given geomorphological and geographical constraints. The landscapes of these fossil fields were produced by centuries of erosion. Once the antiquities are collected from the lag deposits armoring the sediments, active erosion is insufficient for timely replenishment. This means that only the first few collection bouts at any given locality will be rewarded with impressive yields of fossils. The occasional exposure of better-preserved specimens from the few available actively eroding slopes will follow as yields drop. The Middle Awash project is attempting to quantify these phenomena and thereby generate information to assist in long-term site management. A cast-recapture experiment has been designed to monitor collection efficiency, and collection cycles have been instituted to monitor the rate of fossil exposure. To cite this article: T.D. White, C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).
Preschoolers’ use of count information to judge relative quantity

Abstract We examined preschool children's use of count information in making quantity judgments. Study 1 involved 35 children 3–5 years old using a balance-scale task to judge relative quantity with or without count information provided. Study 2 replicated and extended the exploration as 54 children 3–4 years old judged relative quantity in multiple counting contexts. Children who were given count information successfully used count information in quantity evaluation when visual cues were not useful. Limited experience of counting skills, strategy choice, and limited processing capacity are each discussed as potential explanations. Implications for early childhood practice and teacher education, as well as directions for future research are explored.