cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is shellfish consumption safe

Louisiana provides nearly 40% of domestic seafood production. America's commercial fisheries, especially coastal shellfish fisheries, now face crippling economic and environmental pressures from seafood imports, over-fishing, urban and agricultural wastewater runoff, harmful algal blooms, and coastal wetlands loss. As a result of these ecosystem stresses, seafood-borne disease now causes 37% of all foodborne illness in the United States. Louisiana and other coastal-state physicians can effectively curtail the rising threat of local shellfish-borne disease outbreaks by supporting responsible coastal restoration and regulation of commercial shell-fishing, especially oyster fishing, and by recommending careful selection and preparation of all shellfish and crustaceans.
An Adeno-Associated Virus-Based Toolkit for Preferential Targeting and Manipulating Quiescent Neural Stem Cells in the Adult Hippocampus

Quiescent neural stem cells (qNSCs) with radial morphology are the only proven source of new neurons in the adult mammalian brain. Our understanding of the roles of newly generated neurons depends on the ability to target and manipulate adult qNSCs. Although various strategies have been developed to target and manipulate adult hippocampal qNSCs, they often suffer from prolonged breeding, low recombination efficiency, and non-specific labeling. Therefore, developing a readily manufactured viral vector that allows flexible packaging and robust expression of various transgenes in qNSCs is a pressing need. Here, we report a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 4 (rAAV4)-based toolkit that preferentially targets hippocampal qNSCs and allows for lineage tracing, functional analyses, and activity manipulation of adult qNSCs. Importantly, targeting qNSCs in a non-Cre-dependent fashion opens the possibility for studying qNSCs in less genetically tractable animal species and may have translational impact in gene therapy by preferentially targeting qNSCs.
Case 3: Persistent Pharyngitis in a 14-year-old Girl

1. Conor O’Halloran, MD* 2. Ariel Winn, MD* 1. *Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA A 14-year-old girl is admitted to the hospital with a 3-week history of sore throat leading to significantly decreased oral intake. She reports progressive worsening of a painful sore throat resulting in avoidance of nearly all oral intake and an associated 22-lb weight loss. She has presented to care twice, 2 weeks and 2 days earlier. During each of those visits, rapid group A streptococcal (GAS) antigen testing and follow-up GAS culture were negative. She was discharged with symptomatic care for presumed viral pharyngitis. She vomited twice but has not had fevers, cough, rash, or diarrhea. Her medical history is noncontributory. Her immunizations are up to date. She reports one lifetime sexual partner and reports condom use with every encounter. On examination the patient is tachycardic to 150 beats/min, afebrile, and other vital signs are normal. Her mucous membranes are dry. She has posterior and anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, palatal petechiae, and erythematous enlarged tonsils with mild exudates. Results of cardiac, pulmonary, abdominal, and complete neurologic examinations are normal. Initial …
Three-dimensional modeling of the neutron spectrum to infer plasma conditions in cryogenic inertial confinement fusion implosions

Neutron-based diagnostics are typically used to infer compressed core conditions such as areal density and ion temperature in deuterium–tritium (D–T) inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. Asymmetries in the observed neutron-related quantities are important to understanding failure modes in these implosions. Neutrons from fusion reactions and their subsequent interactions including elastic scattering and neutron-induced deuteron breakup reactions are tracked to create spectra. It is shown that background subtraction is important for inferring areal density from backscattered neutrons and is less important for the forward-scattered neutrons. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulation of a cryogenic implosion on the OMEGA Laser System [Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997)] using the hydrodynamic code HYDRA [Marinak et al., Phys. Plasmas 8, 2275 (2001)] is post-processed using the tracking code IRIS3D. It is shown that different parts of the neutron spectrum from the view can be mapped into different regions of the implosion, enabling an inference of an areal-density map. It is also shown that the average areal-density and an areal-density map of the compressed target can be reconstructed with a finite number of detectors placed around the target chamber. Ion temperatures are inferred from the width of the D–D and D–T fusion neutron spectra. Backgrounds can significantly alter the inferred ion temperatures from the D–D reaction, whereas they insignificantly influence the inferred D–T ion temperatures for the areal densities typical of OMEGA implosions. Asymmetries resulting in fluid flow in the core are shown to influence the absolute inferred ion temperatures from both reactions, although relative inferred values continue to reflect the underlying asymmetry pattern. The work presented here is part of the wide range of the first set of studies performed with IRIS3D. This code will continue to be used for post-processing detailed hydrodynamic simulations and interpreting observed neutron spectra in ICF implosions.
Clinical and Electrodiagnostic Findings in Neuropathy with Anti-Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 Antibodies (P1.455)

Objective: We describe the expanded clinical, serological and electrodiagnostic spectrum of anti-FGR3 antibody neuropathy in a cohort of patients previously characterized as ‘idiopathic neuropathy’. Background: Recently anti-FGFR3 antibodies were identified as one of the causes of immune mediated sensory neuropathy/neuronopathy. Design/Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of all patients with anti-FGFR3 antibody neuropathy. Clinical, lab, electrodiagnostic findings were collected in to addition to pre-treatment Utah neuropathy score and post immunomodulatory Utah neuropathy score at 6 months. Results: 300 patients with idiopathic sensory predominant neuropathy were tested for anti FGFR3 antibodies of which 14 were reported to have the antibody (normal Conclusions: Checking for anti FGFR3 antibodies can be considered in patients with idiopathic neuropathy especially in those with predominant pain and sensory symptoms. Treatment with immunomodulatory therapy might be beneficial in reducing pain symptoms at 6 months. Disclosure: Dr. Boessen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mulcahey has nothing to disclose. Dr. Govindarajan has nothing to disclose.
Moderating Effect of Agreeableness on Coping Among Cancer Survivors: A Longitudinal Analysis

AbstractThe current study examined interactions among Agreeableness, problem-focused coping (PFC), and emotional expression in predicting purpose in life and self-acceptance. The sample included 345 cancer survivors, who participated in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) studies II and III. We found three-way interactions after statistically controlling for sex, age, level of educational attainment, years since cancer diagnosis, previous levels of purpose in life and self-acceptance, and the Big Five personality traits. Results indicate that, depending on the levels of Agreeableness, the effect of utilizing PFC and emotional expression after a cancer may vary.
A collaborative multiyear, multimodel assessment of seasonal influenza forecasting in the United States.

Influenza infects an estimated 9–35 million individuals each year in the United States and is a contributing cause for between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths annually. Seasonal outbreaks of influenza are common in temperate regions of the world, with highest incidence typically occurring in colder and drier months of the year. Real-time forecasts of influenza transmission can inform public health response to outbreaks. We present the results of a multiinstitution collaborative effort to standardize the collection and evaluation of forecasting models for influenza in the United States for the 2010/2011 through 2016/2017 influenza seasons. For these seven seasons, we assembled weekly real-time forecasts of seven targets of public health interest from 22 different models. We compared forecast accuracy of each model relative to a historical baseline seasonal average. Across all regions of the United States, over half of the models showed consistently better performance than the historical baseline when forecasting incidence of influenza-like illness 1 wk, 2 wk, and 3 wk ahead of available data and when forecasting the timing and magnitude of the seasonal peak. In some regions, delays in data reporting were strongly and negatively associated with forecast accuracy. More timely reporting and an improved overall accessibility to novel and traditional data sources are needed to improve forecasting accuracy and its integration with real-time public health decision making.
Heterosexism, Racism, and the Mental Health of Sexual Minority People of Color:

In the present study, we examined the additive and multiplicative associations of heterosexist discrimination, racist discrimination, internalized heterosexism, and internalized racism with psychol...
Theory and applications survey of decentralized control methods

A nonmathematical overview is presented of trends in the general area of decentralized control strategies which are suitable for hierarchical systems. Advances in decentralized system theory are closely related to advances in the so-called stochastic control problem with nonclassical information pattern. The basic assumptions and mathematical tools pertaining to the classical stochastic control problem are outlined. Particular attention is devoted to pitfalls in the mathematical problem formulation for decentralized control. Major conclusions are that any purely deterministic approach to multilevel hierarchical dynamic systems is unlikely to lead to realistic theories or designs, that the flow of measurements and decisions in a decentralized system should not be instantaneous and error-free, and that delays in information exchange in a decentralized system lead to reasonable approaches to decentralized control. A mathematically precise notion of aggregating information is not yet available.
How an election loss leads to a social movement: Reactions to the 2016 U.S. presidential election among liberals predict later collective action and social movement identification

Donald J. Trump's 2016 presidential election victory spurred strong reactions and unprecedented collective action in the American Left. Taking advantage of the political climate in the wake of the election, this study examined whether the main antecedents of collective action (anger, political identification, and efficacy beliefs) in the immediate aftermath of the election loss for the American Left predicted varying types of collective action and social movement identification one month into Trump's presidency, and whether these factors in turn fuel anger and influence efficacy beliefs. Data collected from 913 self-identified liberal Clinton supporters at two time points (respectively, 7-10 days following the election and one month into Trump's presidency) revealed that political identification, anger, and efficacy to oppose Trump at Time 1 predicted engagement in collective action during the first month of Trump's presidency as well as higher identification with the emerging movement. While efficacy to oppose Trump predicted higher social movement identification, efficacy to change hearts and minds predicted lower social movement identification. We also examined the iterative processes of collective action, showing that the anger route was more central to galvanizing collective action than the efficacy route. These findings extend collective action research to contexts of emerging social movements following electoral processes.
Frequentist Inference without Repeated Sampling

Frequentist inference typically is described in terms of hypothetical repeated sampling but there are advantages to an interpretation that uses a single random sample. Contemporary examples are given that indicate probabilities for random phenomena are interpreted as classical probabilities, and this interpretation is applied to statistical inference using urn models. Both classical and limiting relative frequency interpretations can be used to communicate statistical inference, and the effectiveness of each is discussed. Recent descriptions of p-values, confidence intervals, and power are viewed through the lens of classical probability based on a single random sample from the population.
Ex vivo expansion of autologous bone marrow CD34(+) cells with porcine microvascular endothelial cells results in a graft capable of rescuing lethally irradiated baboons.

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal in vitro has been reported to result in a diminished proliferative capacity or acquisition of a homing defect that might compromise marrow repopulation. Our group has demonstrated that human HSC expanded ex vivo in the presence of porcine microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) retain the capacity to competitively repopulate human bone fragments implanted in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. To further test the marrow repopulating capacity of expanded stem cells, our laboratory has established a myeloablative, fractionated total body irradiation conditioning protocol for autologous marrow transplantation in baboons. A control animal, which received no transplant, as well as two animals, which received a suboptimal number of marrow mononuclear cells, died 37, 43, and 59 days postirradiation, respectively. Immunomagnetically selected CD34+ marrow cells from two baboons were placed in PMVEC coculture with exogenous human cytokines. After 10 days of expansion, the grafts represented a 14-fold to 22-fold increase in cell number, a 4-fold to 5-fold expansion of CD34+ cells, a 3-fold to 4-fold increase of colony-forming unit–granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), and a 12-fold to 17-fold increase of cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC) over input. Both baboons became transfusion independent by day 23 posttransplant and achieved absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >500/μL by day 25 ± 1 and platelets >20,000/μL by day 29 ± 2. This hematopoietic recovery was delayed in comparison to two animals that received either a graft consisting of freshly isolated, unexpanded CD34+ cells or 175 × 106/kg unfractionated marrow mononuclear cells. Analysis of the proliferative status of cells in PMVEC expansion cultures demonstrated that by 10 days, 99.8% of CD34+ cells present in the cultures had undergone cycling, and that the population of cells expressing a CD34+ CD38− phenotype in the cultures was also the result of active cell division. These data indicate that isolated bone marrow CD34+ cells may undergo cell division during ex vivo expansion in the presence of endothelial cells to provide a graft capable of rescuing a myeloablated autologous host.
Calcium Regulates the Nuclear Localization of Protein Arginine Deiminase 2

Protein arginine deiminases (PADs) are calcium-dependent enzymes that mediate the post-translational conversion of arginine into citrulline. Dysregulated PAD activity is associated with numerous autoimmune disorders and cancers. In breast cancer, PAD2 citrullinates histone H3R26 and activates the transcription of estrogen receptor target genes. However, PAD2 lacks a canonical nuclear localization sequence, and it is unclear how this enzyme is transported into the nucleus. Here, we show for the first time that PAD2 translocates into the nucleus in response to calcium signaling. Using BioID2, a proximity-dependent biotinylation method for identifying interacting proteins, we found that PAD2 preferentially associates with ANXA5 in the cytoplasm. Binding of calcium to PAD2 weakens this cytoplasmic interaction, which generates a pool of calcium-bound PAD2 that can interact with Ran. We hypothesize that this latter interaction promotes the translocation of PAD2 into the nucleus. These findings highlight a critical role for ANXA5 in regulating PAD2 and identify an unusual mechanism whereby proteins translocate between the cytosol and nucleus.
Loss of ATRX expression predicts worse prognosis in pulmonary carcinoid tumors.

Summary Loss of alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX), a chromatin regulator, is associated with worse prognosis in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. We investigated ATRX expression in pulmonary carcinoid tumors (PCT) and its diagnostic and prognostic role in these patients. Resected PCTs (1997-2017) were reviewed. Tumors were staged according to 8th UICC/AJCC system. ATRX nuclear expression was recorded independently by 2 reviewers. A cutoff of ≤5% of nuclear ATRX expression was statistically established as loss of expression. One-hundred-fifteen patients (72 women [63%]; median age of 60.5 years [interquartile range, 50.8-71.5]) harbored 69 (60%) typical and 46 (40%) atypical PCTs. Median tumor size was 2.3 cm (interquartile range, 1.6-3.8 cm). Loss of ATRX expression was associated with atypical PCTs (OR 7.4 [95% CI, 2.6-23, P
A global ecological signal of extinction risk in terrestrial vertebrates.

To determine the distribution and causes of extinction threat across functional groups of terrestrial vertebrates, we assembled a dataset on ecological traits for 18,016 species and tested, with phylogenetic comparative methods, which categories of habitat association, mode of locomotion, and feeding mode best predict extinction risk. We found that cave-dwelling amphibians, arboreal quadrupedal mammals (all of which are primates), aerial and scavenging birds, and pedal (i.e., walking) squamates are all disproportionately threatened with extinction. Across all threatened vertebrate species in the study, agriculture, followed by logging, and then invasive species and disease are the most common risk factors and the most endangered species show simultaneous risk from multiple threat types. If left unabated, the disproportionate loss of species with certain functional traits, combined with increasing anthropogenic pressures, is likely to disrupt ecosystem functions globally. A shift in focus from species- to trait-centric conservation practices will allow for the protection of at-risk functional diversity from regional to global scales. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Kurdish skin, Turkish masks: Evdirrehîm Rehmîyê Hekarî’s (Abdurrahim Zapsu) conflicting nationalisms

Evdirrehim Hekari is mostly known for his Kurdish nationalist writings and activism at the end of the Ottoman Empire. He continued to be a voice for the Kurdish nation during the Republican period ...
Postcolonial Hauntologies: African Women’s Discourses of the Female Body

Ayo Coly’s critical engagement in Postcolonial Hauntologies: African Women’s Discourses of the Female Body, is perhaps the first extensive employment of “hauntology” as a theoretical framework for ...
The Effects of Monetary Policy Shocks on Income Inequality Across U.S. States

Using a time series cross‐state panel data of 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (DC) over the period of 1959 through 2015, this article intends to assess the direct and indirect effects of contractionary monetary policy shocks on income inequality through interest rate and consumer price index (CPI) inflation channels. To address this, the authors examine two possible linear and non‐linear relationships between inflation and income inequality and between gross domestic product (GDP) and income inequality. Using various measures of income inequality, the results of the pooled model and the individual fixed effect model show that CPI inflation positively and interest rate negatively affect all measures of income inequality in linear regression. The results confirm the existence of the non‐linearity relationship between inflation and income inequality as well as the Kuznets inverted “U‐shaped” hypothesis between GDP and income inequality. The results of linear and non‐linear regressions show that the DC and the state of Ohio are better off and worse off than the state of Alabama as baseline of models, respectively. The impulse response functions (IRFs) for the individual panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) models show that income inequality could be reduced by implementing contractionary monetary policy through interest rate channel in the short run and increased persistently pursuing contractionary monetary policies via inflation channel in the long run.
Context Aware Data-Driven Retrosynthetic Analysis

Modern drug discovery is an iterative process relying on hypothesis generation through exploitation of available data and hypothesis testing that produces informative results necessary for subseque...
Studying Medication Safety in Pregnancy: A Call for New Approaches, Resources, and Collaborations.

In this month’s issue of Pediatrics , Bandoli et al1 report the results of their study, “Prenatal Antidepressant Use and Risk of Adverse Neonatal Outcomes,” in which they examine important outcomes, including congenital malformations and preterm delivery, in relation to in utero antidepressant exposure. The topic matters because 14% to 23% of pregnant women experience depression,2 and many struggle with decisions about whether to take medications because of incomplete and conflicting information about fetal risks. More broadly, given that the vast majority of pregnant women take at least one medication,3 we know concerningly little about the impact of these exposures on children, both short- and long-term. Although Bandoli et al1 have conducted a thorough and thoughtful study, their article also illuminates key challenges in this field. To answer critical questions about medication exposures in pregnancy, we need to assemble substantially larger databases than most researchers have successfully constructed thus far. Typical “large” studies in this field often start with a cohort of 600 000 to 2 million births.4–6 Although large, these sample sizes may not be … Address correspondence to Sascha Dublin, MD, PhD, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle, WA 98101. E-mail: sascha.dublin{at}kp.org
Analyzing high-dimensional thresholds for fault detection and diagnosis using active learning and Bayesian statistical modeling

Many Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD) systems use dis- crete models for fault detection and analysis. Complex indus- trial systems generally have hundreds of sensors, which are used to provide data to the FDD system. Usually, the FDD wrapper code discretizes each sensor value individually and ignores any non-linearities as well as correlations between different sensor signals. This can easily lead to overly con- servative threshold settings potentially resulting in many false alarms. In this paper, we describe an advanced statistical framework that uses Bayesian dynamic modeling and active learning techniques to detect and characterize a threshold surface and shape in a high-dimensional space. The use of active learning techniques can drastically reduce the effort to study threshold surfaces. Automated Bayesian modeling of complex thres- hold surfaces has the potential to improve quality and perfor- mance of traditional wrapper code, which often uses hyper- cube thresholds.
Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): II. Externalizing superspectrum

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is an empirical effort to address limitations of traditional mental disorder diagnoses. These include arbitrary boundaries between disorder and normality, disorder co-occurrence in the modal case, heterogeneity of presentation within dis-orders, and instability of diagnosis within patients. This paper reviews the evidence on the validity and utility of the disinhibited externalizing and antagonistic externalizing spectra of HiTOP, which together constitute a broad externalizing superspectrum. These spectra are composed of elements subsumed within a variety of mental disorders described in recent DSM nosologies, including most notably substance use disorders and "Cluster B" personality disorders. The externalizing superspectrum ranges from normative levels of impulse control and self-assertion, to maladaptive disinhibition and antagonism, to extensive polysubstance involvement and personality psychopathology. A rich literature supports the validity of the externalizing superspectrum, and the disinhibited and antagonistic spectra. This evidence encompasses common genetic influences, environmental risk factors, childhood antecedents, cognitive abnormalities, neural alterations, and treatment response. The structure of these validators mirrors the structure of the phenotypic externalizing superspectrum, with some correlates more specific to disinhibited or antagonistic spectra, and others relevant to the entire externalizing superspectrum, underlining the hierarchical structure of the domain. Compared with traditional diagnostic categories, the externalizing superspectrum conceptualization shows improved utility, reliability, explanatory capacity, and clinical applicability. The externalizing superspectrum is one aspect of the general approach to psychopathology offered by HiTOP and can make diagnostic classification more useful in both research and the clinic.
Perirectal hydrogel spacer placement prior to prostate radiation therapy using a probe-mounted needle guide.

Abstract In this report we describe our successful adoption of a single-use, probe-mounted, needle guide for perirectal hydrogel spacer placement prior to radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Use of this device eliminates the need for a mechanical stepper unit and facilitates perirectal hydrogel placement by ensuring alignment of the injection needle with the ultrasound probe.
A Tunable Parallel-Plate Capacitor Using Liquid-Metal Actuation

A tunable parallel-plate capacitor is demonstrated using continuous electrowetting actuation of liquid metal. A 1-mm gap is made in one conductive plate of the capacitor, and the manipulation of conductive materials changes the effective area of the plate. The addition of an electrolyte to fill the gap yields a 5.43-pF difference, while further fine-tuning using the actuation of liquid metal yields a 0.58-pF change in capacitance. The tunable capacitor can be varied at 1 GHz from 2.90 pF to 10.34 pF, resulting in a 1:3.57 change in capacitance.
Bound States in the Continuum on a Silicon Chip with Dynamic Tuning

Author(s): Gong, Z; Serafini, J; Yang, F; Preble, S; Yao, J | Abstract: Expanding bound states in the continuum (BIC) beyond photonic crystal systems may enable broader applications benefiting from the unique properties of BIC states. We use photonic integrated circuit to realize a Fabry-Perot BIC on a silicon chip. The devices consist of cascaded ring resonators with tunable resonance frequencies and phase delays. As a result, the BIC state is dynamically tuned with electrical I/O. We analyze the mechanism of the formation of BIC states in this waveguide system and point out the fundamental differences between the BIC states and electromagnetically induced transparency states in integrated photonics. The high transmission protected by the BIC state enables versatile optical filters, which are capable of independent control over switching, peak position, and quality factor. We also demonstrate the scalability of this platform. This integrated silicon photonic platform brings opportunities for practical BIC applications.
Fluorescent PIV using Atomized Liquid Particles

It is shown that aerosolized fluorescent particles generated using a Venturi-type atomizer, from a solution of fluorescent Kiton Red 620 dye in a water/glycol fluid, provide effective flow seeding for fluorescent PIV. The atomized liquid particles were found to be of acceptable size for PIV purposes, with 92% of detected particles by number concentration measuring < 1 μm in diameter. A PIV application was conducted in a wind tunnel (freestream velocity U∞ = 27 m/s), using the particles for measurement of the boundary layer flow approaching a forward-facing step (approach boundary layer momentum thickness Reynolds number of Reθ = 5930), to identify potential benefits in near-wall regions normally affected by unwanted laser reflections from tunnel surfaces. Particles were generated from solutions with dye molar concentrations of 2.5 × 10−3 and 1.0 × 10−2 mol/L, and PIV images were obtained for both elastic Mie scattering and filtered, Stokes-shifted fluorescent light. Raw images indicate that the fluorescence yield of the 1.0 × 10−2 mol/L solution provides PIV images with high contrast, even in the near-surface regions where Mie scattering images are highly affected by surface reflections. Boundary layer profiles are processed in the adverse pressure gradient region leading up to the forward-facing step, where the fluorescent PIV performed comparably to the most optimized Mie scattering PIV; both obtained data as near to the wall as 30 μm, or 2 viscous wall units in our flow of interest. These results indicate that the new seeding method holds excellent promise for near-surface measurement applications with more complicated three-dimensional geometries, where it is impossible to arrange PIV cameras to reject surface-scattered light.
Desperate Measures for Desperate Times: Can Physicians Refuse to Treat Unvaccinated Patients?

In August 2021, a physician in Alabama made headlines when he refused to treat patients who had not received COVID-19 vaccinations. He stated that, while he “will not force anyone to take the vaccine, [he] also cannot continue to watch [his] patients suffer and die from an eminently preventable disease.” This Essay examines whether such a refusal to treat unvaccinated patients is legally justified and further notes what potential exceptions exist. Finally, pragmatic arguments for and against the practice are presented for consideration.
In vivo Apical Infarct Localization using Adaptive Bayesian Cardiac Strain Imaging

Cardiac strain imaging (CSI) using ultrasound radiofrequency (RF) data is more sensitive to subtle myocardial motion abnormalities compared to echocardiographic measurements and envelope-based speckle tracking. Yet, CSI is being actively researched to address challenges from out-of-plane scatter motion due to complex 3D cardiac deformation imaged in 2D. Here, we report on a feasibility study to apply adaptive Bayesian CSI for in vivo apical infarct localization using 2D ultrasound RF data from murine models of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and myocardial infarction (MI). High frequency ( $\mathrm{f}_{\mathrm{c}}=30\text{MHz}$ ) ultrasound (US) radio-frequency data collected in parasternal short axis view at the apical level were tracked using an adaptive Bayesian regularization incorporated multi-level block matching algorithm. In vivo longitudinal study was designed with five imaging sessions (pre-surgery (BL) and 1,2,7 and 14 days post-surgery). End-systole circumferential strain images and values were compared among three different mouse models - sham, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-reperfusion. Findings from cardiac strain imaging demonstrated good correlation with the findings from ex vivo histopathological image analysis thus showing the feasibility of the proposed method.
Algorithmic modification of Particle Filters for hardware implementation

Particle filters are sequential Monte Carlo methods that have recently gained popularity in solving various problems in communications and signal processing. These filters have been shown to outperform traditional filters in important practical scenarios. However, they are computationally intensive and hence development of hardware for their real time implementation is an important and challenging research issue. In this paper we present some novel modifications applied to two particle filtering algorithms viz. Sampling Importance Resampling Filters (SIRFs) and Gaussian Particle Filters (GPFs) to make these filters suitable for implementation. We evaluate the proposed algorithms with respect to potential throughput and hardware resources. These modifications allow implementation of parallel architectures for these filters. Architectural parameters of proposed architectures for these filters are evaluated and compared.
Structure-reactivity-selectivity relationships in reaction of organics over zeolite catalysts

Publisher Summary Since the pioneering work of R.M. Barrer and D.W. Breck in the 1950's, the diverse applications of zeolites as petroleum and petrochemical catalysts, adsorbents, and ion exchangers have become well established. In the past 15 years, there has been continued expansion of zeolite catalysis into synthetic fuels, synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and the environmental area. This has been enhanced by the discovery of many new and modified zeolites and molecular sieves, including AlPO 4 - and SAPO-type materials and isomorphously-substituted zeolites. The application of medium-pore zeolites such as ZSM-5 has ushered in a revolution in shape-selective control of reaction pathways. Most recently, there has been intense interest in exploring applications of newer materials, e.g., zeolites beta and MCM-22, and the new MCM-41 family of mesoporous molecular sieves. Much attention has also been focused on oxidation chemistry with isomorphously-substituted compositions, e.g., Ti-ZSM-5, base catalysis with zeolites and refined applications of the shape-selective properties of the ZSM-5 family in the chemicals area. This chapter discusses structure-reactivity-selectivity effects in the catalysis of organic chemical transformations over zeolites and molecular sieves. Particular emphasis is given to recent findings, including a comparison of the catalytic properties of the new MCM-41 family of mesoporous materials with microporous zeolites.
Reduction of intraocular pressure in mouse eyes treated with latanoprost.

PURPOSE To determine whether topical treatment of mouse eyes with latanoprost alters intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS In a masked study design, NIH Swiss mice received a 2-microL topical instillation of 0.00015%, 0.0006%, 0.0025%, or 0.01% latanoprost or vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]). After 1, 2, or 3 hours, the animals were anesthetized, and a fluid-filled glass microneedle connected to a pressure transducer was inserted through the cornea into the anterior chamber to measure IOP. The reduction of IOP after latanoprost measurement was calculated by the comparison between treated and nontreated eyes in the same mouse. The effect of latanoprost after a single 0.01% dose was also measured at 6, 12, and 24 hours. As in the previous study, the identity of all eye drop solutions was masked. RESULTS In mouse eyes receiving topical PBS, the mean IOP was 14.8 +/- 2.2 mm Hg (n = 173 males). There was no significant difference in IOP between male and female eyes and between right and left eyes. At 1 hour after topical treatment with 0.00015% or 0.0025% latanoprost, IOP increased by as much as 11% +/- 7%. At 2 and at 3 hours after application, IOP decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These decreases were significant in eyes receiving 0.0025% or 0.01% latanoprost (P < 0.05, Student-Newman-Keuls test) and the largest decrease (14% +/- 8%) was noted 2 hours after treatment with 0.01% latanoprost. At 6, 12, or 24 hours after treatment, there was no difference in latanoprost- and PBS-treated eyes. CONCLUSIONS Latanoprost reduces mouse IOP in a dose-dependent manner. The mouse may be a useful model for studying the effect of drugs on IOP.
Road boundary detection for autonomous navigation

As image processing continues to mature, its areas of application continue to expand. Autonomous land navigation is one arena that has benefited from its advances in recent years. Autonomous land navigation is a process of piloting a vehicle from one location to another desired location. There are two major components of navigation, obstacle avoidance and 'boundary' detection for the path to be traversed. This work centers on the 'boundary' identification aspect of navigation, specifically, it deals in the automatic detection of road boundaries with a monochrome image of the visual scene. The approach presented employs the statistical information of the gray levels present in an image coupled with constraints based on the road geometry. >
Experiments on aerosol filtration in granular sand beds

Abstract This is an experimental study of aerosol deposition in packed sand beds. Monodispersed, 1.1-μm latex aerosols were filtered by a 7.5-cm-thick sand layer of granules sized in the range of 30–50 mesh. The velocity of the carrier gas was varied between 3 and 300 cm/sec. The efficiency of the bed proved to be very high in the intermediate velocity range but decreased for velocities greater than about 1.5 mlsec. The experimental data compared fairly well with theoretically predicted filtration efficiencies based on classical filtration mechanisms. The efficiency decrease observed at high gas velocities was probably due to dust particle bouncing and reentrainment in the exit gas stream.
Measurements of cirrus cloud backscatter color ratio with a two-wavelength lidar

We present observations of cirrus clouds from June 2006 to July 2007 performed by using a two-wavelength lidar located at Hampton University. For this time period, cirrus clouds were observed mostly in 7-13.5 km altitudes. Data analyses have been performed focusing on a color-ratio retrieval. In total, 86,369 samples from 1,689 profiles (1 min average and 15 m range resolution) containing cirrus clouds with attenuated backscatter ratio (ratio of attenuated total backscatter to the molecular backscatter) larger than 10 have been selected. The cirrus color ratio distribution shows a peak value at about 0.88 and a full width at half-maximum of 0.12.
The interaction of a DC transferred arc with a melting metal: Experimental measurements and mathematical description

Experimental measurements are reported on the transient development of temperature profiles in a hemispherical metal anode onto which a DC plasma jet is impinging. The main process variables were the arc current, the electrode separation, and the argon flow rate. These experimental measurements were compared with the predictions of a mathematical model, which involved the statement of the turbulent heat and fluid flow equations in the plasma, coupled to the heat flow in the testpiece through the boundary conditions. The experimental measurements were in reasonable agreement with the predictions, and convective heat transfer was found to be dominant in the heat exchange between the plasma and the anode.
Probing the Structure of Membrane Proteins Using Pulsed EPR ESEEM Spectroscopy

Current methods used for determining the secondary structure of membrane proteins require large sample sizes and have long data acquisition times. Therefore using pulsed EPR spectroscopic technique of Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation (ESEEM) is advantageous due to the requirement of less sample, short data acquisition, and high sensitivity. Using this technique, we can determine short to medium range distances (up to 8 A) between a site-specific nitroxide spin label (MTSL) and a nearby NMR-active isotopic labeled residue for a variety of peptides and proteins which ultimately determine the difference between an α-helical and β-sheet secondary structure. The information can be obtained using a three-pulse ESEEM sequence which allows for the detection of the fundamental nuclear spin transitions. It is possible to calculate the radial distance between a paramagnetic electron and a weakly coupled nucleus because the modulation depth produced by a weakly dipolar-coupled nucleus is inversely proportional to the radial distance. This new method is applied to two different membrane peptides, M2δ AChR, and KIGAKI, which have α-helical and β-sheet structural components respectively. A nitroxide spin probe is attached to a specific Cys residue at a given position I, and a 2H isotopic labeled residue is attached to a nearby residue (i + 3). The corresponding data shows that an α-helical structure will yield a very large 2H peak, whereas a β-sheet will yield a much smaller 2H peak, thus a difference can be observed between the two secondary structures. The ESEEM technique requires less protein sample (about 75 μg) and data acquisition only takes about 1 hour which makes it a simple, powerful, and effective technique in the determination of the secondary structure of a membrane protein.
INFERENCE TO THE BEST EXPLANATION AND THE NEW TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT

L'A. analyse la debat sur les candidats explicatifs du nouvel argument teleologique. Il affirme que l'inference a la meilleure explication est un puissant moyen heuristique qui permet d'exposer la structure inferencielle de differents cas de raisonnement scientifique
"The Bell Curve": Corrected for Skew.

This commentary documents serious pitfalls in the statistical analyses and the interpretation of empirical evidence presented in The Bell Curve. Most importantly, the role of education is re-evaluated and it is shown how, by neglecting it, The Bell Curve grossly overstates the case for IQ as a dominant determinant of social success. The commentary calls attention to important features of logistic regression coefficients, discusses sampling and measurement uncertainties of estimates based on observational sample data, and points to substantial limitations in interpreting regression coefficients of correlated variables.
Detection of the basic fibroblast growth factor low affinity binding site in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles.

Abstract Bovine cardiac sarcolemmal (SL) vesicles contain basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) -binding proteins. Binding to native SL vesicles was specific and saturable with a Kd of 6.9 nM and a Bmax of 15.2 pmoles bFGF/mg vesicle protein. Using radioiodinated bFGF as a probe, autoradiography of SL proteins subjected to SDS-PAGE and electroblotting onto nitrocellulose revealed a set of 3–4 bands, of an apparent molecular weight of 100–150 kDa. bFGF binding to these bands was reduced by pretreatment of SL vesicles with heparinase. Binding was abolished by treatment of blot strips with heparinase of high salt concentrations (>0.6 NaCl) but not endoglycosidase F. bFGF-binding activity remained associated with the membrane fraction following an alkaline wash, which removed peripheral membrane proteins. These data suggest that the cardiac SL contains an integral proteoglycan(s) which may be a low affinity binding/storage site of endogenous bFGF.
Small molecules that mimic the thiol-triggered alkylating properties seen in the natural product leinamycin.

Reaction of the antitumor agent leinamycin with cellular thiols results in conversion of the natural product to a DNA-alkylating episulfonium alkylating agent via an intriguing sequence of chemical reactions. To establish whether the chemistry first seen in leinamycin represents a general motif that can function in various molecular frameworks, construction of greatly simplified analogues containing only the “core” funcional groups anticipated to be necessary for thiol-triggered generation of an alkylating agent was undertaken. For this purpose, the “stripped-down” leinamycin analogue 7-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-1-oxo-1H-λ4-benzo[1,2]dithiol-3-one (4) was synthesized. Treatment of 4 with thiol under several different conditions results in efficient conversion of the compound to cyclized 2,3-dihydro-benzo[b]thiophene-7-carboxylic acid products (13) that are envisioned to arise from Markovnikov addition of solvent to an intermediate episulfonium ion (14). Thus, the relatively simple molecule 4 is able to mimic ...
Accuracy and confidence in group judgment

A weighting scheme model is used to describe and evaluate the process by which groups combine individual judgments and their associated confidence levels into a single group judgment with some level of confidence. In general, the group judgment process is not well described as an averaging process. Group judgments were, with few exceptions, significantly more accurate than mean or median individual judgments, leading to a 23.7% reduction in standardized bias. Further, 30% of the group judgments were more accurate than the group's most accurate individual judgment. Two factors related to increased accuracy through grouping were (a) high disagreement, i.e., large variance, in initial judgments, and (b) group judgments outside the range of initial individual judgments. In addition to being more accurate, groups were generally more confident than individuals. Ratings of confidence and accuracy, but not 99% confidence interval size, were correlated with actual judgment accuracy. Limitations of the weighting scheme approach are discussed, with suggestions for further research on group judgments under uncertainty.
“You Feel Like You’re in Your Second Family”: Spinning a Relational Web in Middle School

This article looks closely at the ways in which administrators and teachers at an urban middle school worked to create a relational web; that is, a system that supported multiple connection points across the school community. As such, it illustrates and analyzes four strands of this web including codes of practice, grouping strategies, organizational structures, and discourses of diversity. Taken collectively, these strands helped to develop and sustain relationships within and across the school, and worked to define the character of the school. Because of the opportunities that become possible through the enactment of such a web, I argue that it can play a critical role in creating an asset-based school community. This article is based on ethnographic data collected over a year and a half (2001-2002), including interview and focus group transcripts with administrators, teachers, and students; fieldnotes taken during class, meeting, and free times; and curricular and administrative materials gathered from across the school.
Endoscopic therapy of anastomotic bile duct strictures occurring after liver transplantation

Background: Optimal therapy for anastomotic biliary strictures occurring after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remains to be defined. We reviewed our experience with endoscopic therapy for such strictures and contrasted it with reported data. Methods: Endoscopic therapy was performed with balloon dilation alone; no patients received an endoprosthesis. Responses were characterized as good if the patient improved clinically and no subsequent procedures were required after one or more dilations within a 3-month period; partial if clinically significant obstruction resolved but cholestasis persisted or there was a need for further endoscopic management beyond the initial 3 months; poor if subsequent surgery or percutaneous procedures were required; and failed if endoscopic access or dilation could not be accomplished. Results: Fifteen patients underwent 23 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies for post-OLT anastomotic strictures. Postprocedure follow-up averaged 25.2 months. Cholangiography was successful in all 23 procedures; free duct access was achieved in 22 of 23 procedures. The strictures were successfully accessed for dilation in 11 of 15 patients and in 19 of 23 procedures. Outcome was deemed good in 4 (27%), partial in 3 (20%), and poor in 5 (33%) patients. Endoscopic therapy failed in 3 (20%). Poor outcomes were due to the early recognition of severe lesions (2 treated surgically) or to short-term responses to dilation alone (3). The procedural complication rate of 17.4% included 3 episodes of transient cholangitis (i.e., elevation of liver enzymes associated with fever that lasted less than 3 days) and 1 self-limited episode of postsphincterotomy bleeding, which required the transfusion of 2 units packed red blood cells. In published series the combined success rate of balloon dilation alone for treatment of anastomotic strictures is 41%, whereas for dilation plus stent placement it is 75%. Conclusion: Endoscopic balloon dilation alone is not a reliable method of therapy for anastomotic strictures occurring after OLT. Dilation followed by short- to intermediate-term stent placement appears to provide a more durable result. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;51:169-74.)