cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SiGe HBT technology: a new contender for Si-based RF and microwave circuit applications

The silicon-germanium heterojunction bipolar transistor (SiGe HBT) is the first practical bandgap-engineered device to be realized in silicon. SiGe HBT technology combines transistor performance competitive with III-V technologies with the processing maturity, integration levels, yield, and hence, cost commonly associated with conventional Si fabrication. In the ten-and-one-half years since the first demonstration of a functional transistor, SiGe HBT technology has emerged from the research laboratory, entered manufacturing on 200-mm wafers, and is poised to enter the commercial RF and microwave market. State-of-the-art SiGe HBT's can deliver: (1) f/sub T/ in excess of 50 GHz; (2) f/sub max/ in excess of 70 GHz; (3) minimum noise figure below 0.7 dB at 2.0 GHz; (4) 1/f noise corner frequencies below 500 Hz; (5) cryogenic operation; (6) excellent radiation hardness; (7) competitive power amplifiers; and (8) reliability comparable to Si. A host of record-setting digital, analog, RF, and microwave circuits have been demonstrated in the past several years using SiGe HBT's, and recent work on passives and transmission lines on Si suggest a migratory path to Si-based monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC's) is possible. The combination of SiGe HBT's with advanced Si CMOS to form an SiGe BiCMOS technology represents a unique opportunity for Si-based RF system-on-a-chip solutions. This paper reviews state-of-the-art SiGe HBT technology and assesses its potential for current and future RF and microwave systems.
An Efficient MAC Multicast Protocol for Reliable Wireless Communications with Network Coding

In wireless networks, network coding has been considered as an effective approach that utilizes the broadcast nature of the wireless channel to achieve energy efficiency and improve the network throughput. While network coding can be utilized in different forms of communications, including unicast, multicast and broadcast, the MAC layer transmissions used for network coding are mainly multicast, therefore, such network coding based communications are substantially affected by the performance of the underlying MAC layer multicast. However, the commonly used IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol performs only a basic CSMA/CA mechanism for multicast, making the transmissions and the network coding based communications unreliable and less efficient. In this paper we propose NC-MAC, a novel MAC layer multicast protocol that are specifically designed to support reliable network coding based communications. Compared to existing reliable MAC multicast protocols, NC-MAC takes advantage of the unique characteristics of network coding to expedite the multicast procedure. We evaluate the performance of NCMAC for two typical network coding algorithms through ns-2 simulations. The results demonstrate the superior performance of NC-MAC over other MAC protocols in maintaining both reliability and efficiency.
Generating Random Topology Power Grids

Simulation based on standard models is often used as part of the engineering design process to test theories and exercise new concepts before actually placing them into operation. In order to tackle the problem of likely widespread catastrophic failures of electric power grids, an autonomously reconfigurable power system will have to rely on wide-area communication systems, networked sensors, and restorative strategies for monitoring and control. Standard practice is to use simulation of a small number of certain historical test systems to test the efficacy of any proposed design. We believe this practice has shortcomings when examining new communication system ideas. In this paper we develop the means for producing power grids with scalable size and randomly generated topologies. These ensembles of networks can then be used as a statistical tool to study the scale of communication needs and the performance of the combined electric power control and communication networks. The topological and system features of the randomly generated power grids are compared with those of standard power system test models as a "sanity check" on the method.
Correlation between Trunk Posture and Neck Reposition Sense among Subjects with Forward Head Neck Postures

Objective. To assess the correlation of abnormal trunk postures and reposition sense of subjects with forward head neck posture (FHP). Methods. In all, postures of 41 subjects were evaluated and the FHP and trunk posture including shoulder, scapular level, pelvic side, and anterior tilting degrees were analyzed. We used the head repositioning accuracy (HRA) test to evaluate neck position senses of neck flexion, neck extension, neck right and left side flexion, and neck right and left rotation and calculated the root mean square error in trials for each subject. Spearman&#x2019;s rank correlation coefficients and regression analysis were used to assess the degree of correlation between the trunk posture and HRA value, and a significance level of &#x3b1; = 0.05 was considered. Results. There were significant correlations between the HRA value of right side neck flexion and pelvic side tilt angle . If pelvic side tilting angle increases by 1 degree, right side neck flexion increased by 0.76 degrees . However, there were no significant correlations between other neck motions and trunk postures. Conclusion. Verifying pelvic postures should be prioritized when movement is limited due to the vitiation of the proprioceptive sense of neck caused by FHP.
The Leishmania Donovani Lipophosphoglycan: Structure and Function

The protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani is able to live in two harsh hydrolytic environments in its digenetic life cycle: as an extracellular promastigote in the alimentary tract of its sandfly vector and as an intracellular amastigote in lysosomes of macrophages of its mammalian host. That L. donovani has adapted to survive in such hostile environments is most likely due to protection conferred by specialized molecules on the parasite’s cell surface. We have discovered that L. donovani synthesizes and expresses a uniaue, cell surface glycoconjugate called lipophosphoglycan (1–4). Our long-term objective is to provide insight into the biochemistry of this major glycoconjugate of L. donovani. In this report, the structure and possible biological role of lipophosphoglycan are proposed.
Priority Task Approach for USVs’ Path Following Missions with Obstacle Avoidance and Speed Regulation

Abstract Marine robotics is becoming increasingly more effective and useful for many applications in the real world. This process of technological transfer strongly needs the actual achievement of full autonomy and high reliability of the robotics systems. Hence, many works conducted by the marine robotics community are aimed to further enhance control techniques to end up with complex autonomous systems endowed with high robustness and reliability. The present paper faces these problems, adapting and applying to unmanned marine vehicles a technique that usually is exploited for robotic manipulators. In particular, the problem of path following is addressed and a navigation guidance and control system based on a priority task approach is developed. Such a control paradigm allows to separate the different tasks required to the robot and to combine them into an overall ‘emerging behaviour'. Moreover, one of its great advantages is the high system flexibility: additional control tasks can be included later, leaving the architecture unchanged. The case of three different control tasks is addressed in the present work, namely path following, obstacle avoidance and speed regulation. The approach has been validated through extensive simulative campaigns; experimental tests are planned and will be conducted in the very next future
Struktur- und Zusammenhangsanalyse der Ursachen von Arbeitsunfällen

Zur Prufung von strukturellen Charakteristiken der Berufsunfalle in der Schweiz und von Zusammenhangen zwischen verschiedenen Variablen wurde eine Zufallsstichprobe von 11162 Fallen aus den 225275 von der SUVA 1979 anerkannten Berufsunfallen gezogen. Die Merkmale Heimat, Geschlecht und Wirtschaftszweig der Verunfallten, Tatigkeit vor dem Unfall, der Unfallhergang und die Unfallschwere bilden die Untersuchungsvariablen. Mit hohen relativen Risiken von 2,6 bzw. 2,3 treten die Forstwirtschaft und das Bauwesen in Erscheinung. Die besonderen Gefahren in den einzelnen Wirtschaftszweigen werden spezifiziert. Mittels Log-linearen Modellen werden die komplexen Zusammenhange auf multivariater Basis naher untersucht. Es erweist sich, dass Strukturvariablen wie die Heimat und das Geschlecht im Modell nicht bloss die Art der Tatigkeit des Verunfallten bestimmen, sondern auch Einfluss auf den Unfallhergang und die Unfallschwere, das heisst auf die Dauer der Arbeitsunfahigkeit, nehmen.
Omental infarction following colonoscopy

Diagnosis of omental infarction, while rare, has become increasingly common likely due to improvements in diagnostic imaging. Reported incidence of omental infarction varies; however, omental infarction has not yet been described in association with colonoscopy. Common complications of colonoscopy include complications of sedation, complications of bowel preparation, and bleeding following polypectomy, and rarely, perforation or infection. We describe herein a case of a 63-year-old female who developed acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain following a colonoscopy. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed omental infarction in the right lower quadrant. Conservative management was employed, and the patient was observed for resolution of symptoms. Repeat abdominal CT scan 2 weeks following initial presentation showed resolution of inflammatory changes associated with omental infarction. The patient also improved clinically. Omental infarction should be considered in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain following colonoscopy.
Model Analysis of a Diesel Engine Cylinder Block using HEXA8 Finite Elements - Analysis and Experiment

Analytical and experimental investigations of a diesel engine cylinder block are performed. An attempt is made to reduce modeling and analysis costs in the design process of an engine. In this paper, a simpler finite element modeling technique using only 8 node solid elements for both dynamic and static analyses is presented. Based on this integrated modeling technique of finite elements, eigenvalues are calculated and compared with the experimental data obtained from modal testing of an actual engine cylinder block
Opportunities in the design and application of RNA for gene expression control

The past decade of synthetic biology research has witnessed numerous advances in the development of tools and frameworks for the design and characterization of biological systems. Researchers have focused on the use of RNA for gene expression control due to its versatility in sensing molecular ligands and the relative ease by which RNA can be modeled and designed compared to proteins. We review the recent progress in the field with respect to RNA-based genetic devices that are controlled through small molecule and protein interactions. We discuss new approaches for generating and characterizing these devices and their underlying components. We also highlight immediate challenges, future directions and recent applications of synthetic RNA devices in engineered biological systems.
Ab Initio Simulations and Electronic Structure of Lithium-Doped Ionic Liquids: Structure, Transport, and Electrochemical Stability.

Density functional theory (DFT), density functional theory molecular dynamics (DFT-MD), and classical molecular dynamics using polarizable force fields (PFF-MD) are employed to evaluate the influence of Li+ on the structure, transport, and electrochemical stability of three potential ionic liquid electrolytes: N-methyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([pyr14][TFSI]), N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([pyr13][FSI]), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium boron tetrafluoride ([EMIM][BF4]). We characterize the Li+ solvation shell through DFT computations of [Li(Anion)n](n−1)– clusters, DFT-MD simulations of isolated Li+ in small ionic liquid systems, and PFF-MD simulations with high Li-doping levels in large ionic liquid systems. At low levels of Li-salt doping, highly stable solvation shells having two to three anions are seen in both [pyr14][TFSI] and [pyr13][FSI], whereas solvation shells with four anions dominate in [EMIM][BF4]. At higher levels of doping, we find ...
Pharmacokinetics and Renal Toxicity of Monomeric Amphotericin B in Rats after a Multiple Dose Regimen.

BACKGROUND Delivery of monomeric Amphotericin B (AmB), i.e. deaggregated AmB, has been a major tactic in the reduction of renal toxicity at a membrane level, taking advantage of the selectivity of monomeric AmB for binding ergosterol over cholesterol. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) and renal toxicity of monomeric AmB in rats following a multiple dose regimen. METHOD AmB existed primarily in a monomeric state in poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(N-hexyl stearate L-aspartamide) (PEG-b-PHSA) micelles (mAmB) at 2:1 ratio (mol:mol), whereas AmB as its standard formulation, Fungizone®, was highly self-aggregated based on absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS After single intravenous injection, mAmB significantly (p < 0.001) increased the area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC) and reduced the volume of distribution (Vd) and total systemic clearance (CL) relative to Fungizone®. After daily intravenous injections at dose of 1.0 mg/kg for 7 days, PK parameters of mAmB and Fungizone® were similar to day 1. The treatment of Fungizone® also significantly (p < 0.05) increased levels of urinary enzymes, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) by 3.1- and 3.0 fold, respectively, whereas levels of NAG and KIM-1 were unchanged for mAmB, consistent with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of excised kidneys. CONCLUSION In summary, mAmB has less renal toxicity than AmB as Fungizone® in rats after a multiple dose regimen, validating the aggregation state hypothesis of AmB in vivo.
Water channel expression in human ADPKD kidneys

Cyst enlargement in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) results in part from the transport of solute and fluid into the lumen of the cyst. In proximal tubules and thin descending limbs of normal kidneys, the high transepithelial water permeability of these segments is due to the presence of the water channel protein, aquaporin-CHIP (AQP-CHIP, i.e., AQP-1). The collecting ducts of normal kidneys express another member of this gene family, the aquaporin collecting duct (AQP-CD, i.e., AQP-2). The expression and distribution of these two members of the aquaporin gene family were examined in ADPKD and normal human kidneys. In both tissues, Western blotting with the anti-AQP-CHIP antibody revealed a major 28-kDa band. By immunofluorescence, AQP-CHIP was present in proximal tubules and thin descending limbs of Henle of both normal and ADPKD kidneys. In the latter, AQP-CHIP was detected in the epithelia lining 71% of cysts. Many cysts were positive for the proximal tubule marker gp330 (44%). Some cysts expressing AQP-CHIP did not stain for gp330, suggesting a descending thin limb origin, and a few cysts were negative for both markers. In normal human kidney, Western blotting with the anti-AQP-CD antibody revealed a band at 28 kDa. AQP-CD was localized to collecting ducts and did not show colocalization with gp330 in normal human kidney. In ADPKD kidney, AQP-CD was expressed by only 8% of cysts. In summary, water channels, primarily AQP-CHIP, are expressed in epithelial cells lining cysts in approximately 80% of cysts in ADPKD kidneys.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Laser Applications In Pediatric Laryngeal Surgery

The use of lasers in the pediatric patient has seen great advances. The development of new instruments and delivery equipment has made the laser available for use in smaller anatomic locations. Experience with adults has shown the appropriate laser parameters to minimize thermal effects and scarring. The carbon dioxide laser remains the laser used in most pediatric applications for endoscopic work, but other lasers have shown unique advantages in pediatric patients as well.
Diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastoma.

This article focuses on signs and symptoms, diagnostic and radiological studies, differential diagnosis, and a staging system of neuroblastoma. The roles of surgical management, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are assessed.
H.264 intra coding with transforms based on prediction inaccuracy modeling

In intra video coding, intra frames are predicted with intra prediction and the prediction residual signal is encoded. In many transform-based video coding systems, intra prediction residuals are encoded with transforms. For example, the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and the Asymmetric Discrete Sine Transform (ADST) are used for intra prediction residuals in many coding systems. In the recent work, a set of transforms based on prediction inaccuracy modeling (PIM) has been proposed. These transforms are developed based on the observation that much of the residual non-stationarity is due to the use of an inaccurate prediction parameter. These transforms are shown to be effective for non-stationarity that arises in directional intra prediction residuals. In this paper, we implement the transforms based on prediction inaccuracy modeling on the H.264 intra coding system. The proposed transform is used in hybrid with the ADST. We compare the performance of the hybrid transform with the ADST and show that a significant bit-rate reduction is obtained with the proposed transform.
254 Does attorney representation lead to greater child custody protections for ipv victims

Background A potential intervention for improving protections awarded to IPV victims in child custody determinations is the provision of attorney representation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of attorney representation in gaining greater legal protections in these cases. Methods Study subjects were couples undergoing marriage dissolution involving children who had a history of male-perpetrated IPV. IPV victims with attorney representation were propensity score matched to unrepresented victims. Key study outcomes included the parameters of the court ordered child custody and visitation awards. Results Cases in which the IPV victim parent received legal aid attorney representation were 85% more likely to have visitation denied to the IPV abusing parent, 77% more likely to have restrictions placed on the IPV abusing parent’s child visitation, 47% more likely to have treatment or program completion ordered for the IPV abusing parent, and 46% more likely to have sole decision-making awarded to the IPV victim parent relative to unrepresented comparison group cases after adjustment for confounding. Cases in which the IPV victim parent received private attorney representation were 63% more likely to have supervision of the IPV abusing parent’s child visitation ordered by the court and 36% more likely to have treatment or program completion ordered by the court relative to unrepresented comparison group cases after adjustment for confounding. Conclusions Parties involved in child custody determinations are not entitled to publicly supported attorney representation in the U.S. even among cases with a history of IPV. The examination of the effectiveness of attorney representation in improving protective outcomes among these cases has critical importance from a policy standpoint. This study provides evidence of the effect of attorney representation of IPV victims in these proceedings. A follow-up study of custody evaluations is underway, and will also be discussed.
Tight Junction Channels

Transport across epithelia occurs through both transcellular and paracellular pathways. Transcellular movement of solutes and ions through transporters and channels is energy-dependent, directional, highly selective and regulated. Paracellular transport occurs through tight junctions, which behave like charge- and size-selective channels, but with a lower degree of selectivity than transcellular channels and lack their directional rectification. Until recently the molecular nature of tight junction channels was unknown. Now it appears that a large family of transmembrane proteins called claudins creates the tight junctions’ selective barriers and channels. Manipulation of claudins in cell culture models and mice support this role, as do the phenotypes of disease-causing mutations in several human claudin genes. Claudins are related to other tetraspan proteins, including PMP-22, epithelial membrane proteins (EMPs) and the lens fiber protein MP20, whose diverse functions suggests tight junctions may also have a role in cell growth, apoptosis and cancer.
Intraoperative Anesthetic Management Of Lung Transplantation Patients

Lung transplantation is a high-risk procedure that requires a highly trained cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and a considerable degree of vigilance. In the 50 years since the first lung transplantation, improvements in immunosuppression, preservation solutions, and surgical techniques and technologies have led to increased survival rates. The development of the extracorporeal circulatory membrane oxygenation allowed for bridge to transplantation and for donor organ recovery from primary graft dysfunction post transplantation [1]. In addition, changes in the criteria for lung allocation will cause the anesthesiologist to encounter older recipients with comorbidities that would have been disqualifying for transplantation a decade ago [2].
Comparison of GaN and Si-based photovoltaic power conversion circuits using various maximum power point tracking algorithms

In this paper, several maximum power point tracking algorithms are implemented in both GaN-based and Si-based photovoltaic power conversion systems. Due to their simplicity and versatility, the algorithms chosen for this study include the constant voltage method (CVM), perturb and observe (P&O), and incremental conductance (INC). Each of these algorithms is implemented in GaN-based and Si-based boost converters to extract maximum power from a PV panel. When irradiance on the panel is increased from zero to its maximum level, each converter utilizes the algorithms to track this change and reach the maximum power point. It is noted that the improved efficiency of the GaN device over the Si device is not algorithm dependent and thus algorithms implementable on a Si-based converter are anticipated to be implementable on a GaN-based converter with increased efficiency and enhanced convergence.
“Effects of the novel relatively short-acting kappa opioid receptor antagonist LY2444296 in behaviors observed after chronic extended-access cocaine self-administration in rats”

The recruitment of the stress circuitry contributes to a shift from positive to negative reinforcement mechanisms sustaining long-term cocaine addiction. The kappa opioid receptor (KOPr) signaling is upregulated by stress and chronic cocaine exposure. While KOPr agonists induce anhedonia and dysphoria, KOPr antagonists display antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. Most of the knowledge on KOPr antagonism is based on drugs with unusual pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, complicating interpretation of results. Here we characterized in vivo behavioral and neuroendocrine effects of the novel relatively short-acting KOPr antagonist LY2444296. To date, no study has investigated whether systemic KOPr blockade reduced anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in animals previously exposed to chronic extended access cocaine self-administration. We tested the effect of LY2444296 in blocking KOPr-mediated aversive and neuroendocrine effects. Then, we tested acute systemic LY2444296 in reducing anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, as well as releasing the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT), observed after chronic extended access (18 h/day for 14 days) cocaine self-administration. LY2444296 blocked U69,593-induced place aversion and -reduced motor activity as well as U69,593-induced release of serum CORT, confirming its major site of action, without exerting an effect per se. Acute systemic administration of LY2444296 reduced anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors, as well as CORT release, in rats tested after chronic extended access cocaine self-administration, but not in cocaine-naive rats. Results suggest that acute blockade of KOPr by a relatively short-acting antagonist produces therapeutic-like effects selectively in rats with a history of chronic extended access cocaine self-administration.
Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress:

Recent randomized controlled trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for patients with cancer suggest that this treatment results in large-magnitude reductions in anxiety and depression as well as improvements in attitudes toward disease progression and death, quality of life, and spirituality. To better understand these findings, we sought to identify psychological mechanisms of action using qualitative methods to study patient experiences in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis who received a single dose of psilocybin under close clinical supervision. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which resulted in 10 themes, focused specifically on cancer, death and dying, and healing narratives. Participants spoke to the anxiety and trauma related to cancer, and perceived lack of available emotional support. Participants describ...
Transport Processes in Plasma

The goal of this chapter is to introduce the basic principles of various equations governing transport processes in plasma. A velocity distribution function is a convenient representation of the spatio-temporal characteristics of plasma. Using such a distribution function, plasma behavior can be simplified by considering fluid or kinetic models. In the fluid model, particles perform a collective motion and is thus described by a single temperature. On the contrary, the kinetic model treats the individual species separately, assigning them a different velocity and temperature. Various transport equations describing fluids can be derived from the Boltzmann equation. In particular ion diffusion is an important transport process in the ionosphere that influences the distribution of plasma. Electric conductivity in the ionosphere influences the amount of charge particle flow (current flow) for a given condition of ambient field. It is an important factor for the energetics of the ionospheric plasma and its coupling to the neutrals. The approach of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) combines plasma physics with the fluid approximation. While most fluid models for the neutrals prescribe electric and magnetic fields, the MHD technique solves the field equations and the equation of motion simultaneously, self-consistently calculating electric and magnetic fields resulting from the interaction of particles with the fields.
Redox-active nanomaterials for nanomedicine applications

Nanomedicine utilizes the remarkable properties of nanomaterials for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Many of these nanomaterials have been shown to have robust antioxidative properties, potentially functioning as strong scavengers of reactive oxygen species. Conversely, several nanomaterials have also been shown to promote the generation of reactive oxygen species, which may precipitate the onset of oxidative stress, a state that is thought to contribute to the development of a variety of adverse conditions. As such, the impacts of nanomaterials on biological entities are often associated with and influenced by their specific redox properties. In this review, we overview several classes of nanomaterials that have been or projected to be used across a wide range of biomedical applications, with discussion focusing on their unique redox properties. Nanomaterials examined include iron, cerium, and titanium metal oxide nanoparticles, gold, silver, and selenium nanoparticles, and various nanoscale carbon allotropes such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and their derivatives/variations. Principal topics of discussion include the chemical mechanisms by which the nanomaterials directly interact with biological entities and the biological cascades that are thus indirectly impacted. Selected case studies highlighting the redox properties of nanomaterials and how they affect biological responses are used to exemplify the biologically-relevant redox mechanisms for each of the described nanomaterials.
Phylogeny in Phonology: How Tai Sound Systems Encode Their Past

The study of sound change is foundational to traditional historical linguistics, particularly the linguistic comparative method. It is well established that the phonology of modern languages encodes useful data for studying the history of those languages, and their genetic relationships to one another. However, phonology has typically been the means to the end, enabling the comparative method, and coding of a comparative lexicon for cognacy. Once coded, the particular sounds involved no longer factor into the analysis. This study examines whether the phoneme inventories and phonotactic profiles of a set of languages themselves contain phylogenetic signal detectable using established statistical tests D statistic (Fritz & Purvis 2010), K (Blomberg et al 2003), and NeighborNet delta score (Holland et al 2002) and Q -residual (Gray et al 2010). This study adds to the growing body of work on the use of phonological traits in computational phylogenetics for linguistics. Using data from 20 Tai lects from the Kra-Dai language family, this study confirms and extends previous findings. This includes detection of strong phylogenetic signal in phoneme frequency and biphone transition probabilities, but also relatively strong phylogenetic signal detected in even coarse-grained phoneme and biphone presence/absence, which previous work was unable to do.
Secretory IgM exacerbates tumor progression by inducing accumulations of MDSCs in mice

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells can secrete immunoglobulin M. However, it is not clear whether secretory IgM (sIgM) plays a role in disease progression. We crossed the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model of CLL, in which the expression of human TCL1 oncogene was driven by the V(H) promoter-Ig(H)-Eμ enhancer, with MD4 mice whose B cells produced B-cell receptor (membrane-bound IgM) and sIgM with specificity for hen egg lysozyme (HEL). CLL cells that developed in these MD4/Eμ-TCL1 mice reactivated a parental Ig gene allele and secreted IgM, and did not recognize HEL. The MD4/Eμ-TCL1 mice had reduced survival, increased myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and decreased numbers of T cells. We tested whether sIgM could contribute to the accumulation of MDSCs by crossing μS-/- mice, which could not produce sIgM, with Eμ-TCL1 mice. The μS-/-/Eμ-TCL1 mice survived longer than Eμ-TCL1 mice and developed decreased numbers of MDSCs which were less able to suppress proliferation of T cells. We targeted the synthesis of sIgM by deleting the function of XBP-1s and showed that targeting XBP-1s genetically or pharmacologically could lead to decreased sIgM, accompanied by decreased numbers and reduced functions of MDSCs in MD4/Eμ-TCL1 mice. Additionally, MDSCs from μS-/- mice grafted with Lewis lung carcinoma were inefficient suppressors of T cells, resulting in slower tumor growth. These results demonstrate that sIgM produced by B cells can upregulate the functions of MDSCs in tumor-bearing mice to aggravate cancer progression. In a mouse model of CLL, production of secretory IgM led to more MDSCs, fewer T cells, and shorter survival times for the mice. Thus, secretory IgM may aggravate the progression of this cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(6); 696-710. ©2018 AACR.
Stencil Printing Process Optimization to Control Solder Paste Volume Transfer Efficiency

This research aims to optimize the stencil printing parameters to control the solder paste volume TE and increase the first-pass-yields of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Stencil printing process (SPP) factors considered in this research are related to solder paste composition, product configuration, printer setup, and stencil design. Support vector regression (SVR) with different kernels and regression tree (RT) are used to estimate the solder paste volume transfer efficiency (TE) and capture the nonlinear relationships between the SPP factors and volume TE. A novel mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is proposed to optimize the printing parameters for different PCB configurations of pads. The $\epsilon$ -constraint approach is used to solve the proposed MINLP model using metaheuristics, such as simulated annealing (SA) and evolutionary strategies (ES). The experimental results indicate relatively high ${R}^{2}$ values of 81% and 72% for average and standard deviation volume TE models that use SVR and RT, respectively. Then, the optimal printing parameters for certain pads’ configuration are retrieved for different volume TE spec limits. The results show that SA and ES can find optimal solutions for the spec limits of 50%–150%, 70%–130%, and 80%–120%.
"Ultimately about Dignity": Social Movement Frames Used by Collaborators in the Food Dignity Action-Research Project

Social movement theory suggests that effectively framing the cause of a problem (diagnostic fram­ing), its solutions (prognostic framing), and reasons to support its solutions (motivational framing) is likely to be essential for reaching movement goals. In this paper, we apply social movement framing theory to empirically identify prognostic, diag­nostic, and motivational frames in the growing food justice movement in the U.S. We use the case of the Food Dignity project, a five-year, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)–funded, action and research collaboration between academics and leaders at five community-based food justice organizations. We coded multiple data sources, both public and internal to the project, to identify the strongest and most common diagnostic, prog­nostic, and motivational frames used by 25 indivi­dual collaborators in the Food Dignity project. Results suggest that the majority of diagnostic frames used by Food Dignity partners did not relate directly to food, but included instead insufficient resources, loss of place, degraded community, and constrained choice and response-ability (Minkler, 1999) as causes of problems—though a broken food system also emerged as a causal frame. Similarly, solution framing included one overarching food-related strategy, which we labelled “great food.” The other prognostic frames were reclaiming power, growing the local economy, strengthening community, fostering sustainable organizations, and networking. We did not find any motivational frames in the first round of semi-open coding. However, when we returned to reexamine the data with a hypothesis informed by our project experience beyond the textual data, we identified the motivational frame that we call recompense. Recompense suggests that those who have bene­fited from our current food systems should now work toward justice for those who sacrificed, usually unwillingly, to create them. This frame was mostly used indirectly and by community-based (rather than academic) partners in the project. Identifying these food justice diagnostic, prognos­tic, and motivational frames may help movement leaders to more explicitly examine and employ them and is an essential step for future research in assessing their effectiveness for creating a just, sustainable and healthy food system.
Ctp1 protein–DNA filaments promote DNA bridging and DNA double-strand break repair

The Ctp1 protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe is essential for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination. Fission yeast Ctp1 and its budding yeast (Sae2) and human (CtIP) homologs control Mre11–Rad50–Nbs1 nuclease complex activity and harbor DNA-binding and -bridging activities. However, the molecular basis for Ctp1–DNA transactions remains undefined. Here, we report atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of S. pombe Ctp1–DNA complexes revealing that Ctp1 polymerizes on dsDNA molecules and forms synaptic filaments that bridge two dsDNA strands. We observed that Ctp1 DNA filaments are typified by an average filament length of ∼180 bp of dsDNA and a Ctp1 tetramer footprint of ∼15 bp. Biochemical results characterizing Ctp1 variants with impaired DNA-binding or -bridging properties were consistent with Ctp1-mediated DNA bridging requiring the intact and correctly folded Ctp1 tetramer. Furthermore, mutations altering Ctp1 oligomerization and DNA bridging in vitro conferred cell sensitivity to DSB-producing agents. Together, these results support an important role for Ctp1-regulated DNA strand coordination required for DNA DSB repair in S. pombe.
Primary Prevention of Heart Failure in Women.

The incidence of heart failure (HF) is increasing, particularly among women, and constitutes a rapidly growing public health problem. The primary prevention of HF in women should involve targeted, sex-specific strategies to increase awareness, promote a heart healthy lifestyle, and improve treatments that optimally control the risk factors for HF with reduced ejection fraction and HF with preserved ejection fraction. Epidemiological and pathophysiological differences in both HF subtypes strongly suggest that sex-specific preventive strategies and risk factor reduction may be particularly beneficial. However, significant gaps in sex-specific knowledge exist and are impeding preventive efforts. To overcome these limitations, women need to be adequately represented in HF research, sex differences must be prospectively investigated, and effective sex-specific interventions should be incorporated into clinical practice guidelines. This review summarizes the existing evidence that supports the primary prevention of HF in women and identifies potential strategies that are most likely to be effective in reducing the burden of HF among women.
Spotlight: Online Learners of Macedonian with Self-Instructed CALL

While much is known about the characteristics of adult learners and even adult learners in online and distance education settings, very little CALL research is focused on online self-instructed learners, and even fewer studies focus on learners of less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), for whom traditional or even distance education instruction may not be an option. Among this scarce research, there have been no studies that have described the characteristics of learners who opt to study LCTLs through self-instruction online. The present research begins to fill this void of information by investigating self-instructed learners using online resources for one LCTL, Macedonian. Findings regarding the age, educational background, experience with and level of comfort with learning languages online distinguish the group of Macedonian self-instructed online learners from other populations learning online. The primarily integrative reasons for studying Macedonian and the lack of other resources that force learners into choosing the online medium are also outlined. Knowing the characteristics of learners in self-instructed informal contexts, such as the one in the study, is necessary in order to be able to provide appropriate support and to design effective materials and resources to meet the needs of these and similar learners.
The Use of Play Therapy with Child Victims

Over three million children in the United States are reported to state child protection services as alleged victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect each year. Of these cases, approximately 903,000 are substantiated. Twelve percent of the substantiated cases involve child sexual abuse. This author provides an overview of the prevalence, risk factors, and symptomology of sexually abused children and critically examines the use of play therapy as an assessment and intervention tool.
Hepadnaviruses: Virological and Clinical Features

Abstract Hepadnaviruses are a group of DNA viruses that infect hepatocytes and may cause liver injury and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mammals and birds. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the prototype of the family of hepadnaviruses that causes acute and chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and HCC in human beings. These viruses have small DNA genomes, 3.0–3.3 kilo-base pairs (kb) in length that are replicated by reverse transcription of RNA intermediates. They use overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) to encode envelope (surface) and nucleocapsid (core) proteins, and a polymerase with domains that have priming, reverse transcriptase, and RNase H activities. All of the viruses encode an additional secreted protein, HBeAg that is synthesized from a precursor encoded by the core ORF and seems to act as an immune tolerogen. The host specificity typical of this virus family seems to be attributable to interactions between the large surface protein and the primary receptor on the hepatocyte. HBV infection of humans is preventable by immunization and responds well to treatment with nucleoside and nucleotide analogs.
The Treasury Dollar: Plan

The Coronavirus pandemic calls for both emergency supply-side productive mobilization and demand-side spending support measures. Measures of the latter kind are fortunately now under discussion in Congress. What remain to be developed are two things: first, complementary supply-side measures – as urgent as demand-side ones in light of social distancing’s suppressive effects on productive activity; and second, both the funding measures those efforts require and a payments infrastructure through which funding, and spending – including remote spending – can be channeled both now and in future. The plan offered here accordingly calls for: • Immediate suspension of Section 14 of the Federal Reserve Act (FRA), which prohibits direct Fed purchases and monetization of Treasury securities. • Immediate opening of the FRA Section 13(3) Discount Window, and the Section 372 Member Bank ‘bankers acceptance’ authority, to additional forms and higher amounts of monetizable collateral than currently accepted. • Expeditious issuance of a new dollar-valued ‘Treasury Dollar Bill’ and ‘starter deposits’ thereof in Treasury Direct Accounts (TDAs) for all citizens and legal residents through the already existing, 24/7 digital ‘Treasury Direct’ portal. • Immediate designation of Treasury Dollar Bills as legal tender, or in the alternative, opening of Fed Transaction Accounts (FTAs) paired 1-1 with TDAs, into which Treasury Dollar Bills can be converted 1-1 into Fed dollar bills. Treasury used to issue dollars (‘Greenbacks’), so TDBs aren’t ‘exotic.’ • Immediate establishment of universal P2P connectivity among all TDAs or FTAs, such that all citizens and legal residents can make payments to one another electronically via smartphones or other electronic devices in literally any legal transaction. • Cryptographic and legal protection of financial and data privacy of all TDA or FTA accounts and transactions. • Payment of interest on TDA or FTA accounts, both to afford more efficient monetary policy transmission and to render transparent, as should always be done in a Democratic Republic, the essential identity of all sovereign monetary liabilities, be they Federal Reserve Notes (‘dollar bills’) or Treasury securities (notes, bills, and bonds).
Postmortem Examination of Patients With COVID-19.

This case series describes autopsy findings in 10 patients with proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection who died at a university medical center in Germany.
Mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract with NTRK rearrangements: a clinicopathological, immunophenotypic, and molecular study of eight cases, emphasizing their distinction from gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Mesenchymal tumors driven by NTRK fusions are clinically and morphologically heterogeneous. With an increasing number of clinicopathological entities being associated with NTRK fusions, the diagnostic and predictive value of the identification of NTRK fusions is uncertain. Recently, mesenchymal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract with NTRK fusions were described as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but the nosology of such neoplasms remains controversial. We report eight mesenchymal tumors involving the gastrointestinal tract with NTRK1 or NTRK3 rearrangements. The tumors occurred in six children and two adults, five males and three females (age range 2 months–55 years; median 3.5 years), and involved the small intestine (n = 4), stomach (n = 2), rectum (n = 1), and mesentery (n = 1). Clinical outcomes were variable, ranging from relatively indolent (n = 2) to aggressive diseases (n = 2). Morphologically, the tumors were heterogeneous and could be classified in the following three groups: (1) infantile fibrosarcoma involving the gastrointestinal tract (n = 4), enriched for NTRK3 fusions; (2) low-grade CD34-positive, S100 protein-positive spindle-cell tumors, associated with NTRK1 fusions (n = 2); and (3) unclassified high-grade spindle-cell sarcomas, with NTRK1 fusions (n = 2). By immunohistochemistry, the tumors demonstrated diffuse pan-TRK expression, of variable intensity, and lacked a specific line of differentiation. Four cases expressed CD34, which was coexpressed with S100 protein in three cases. Expression of SOX10, KIT, and DOG1 was consistently absent. Molecular genetic testing identified TPM3–NTRK1 (n = 3), TPR–NTRK1, LMNA–NTRK1, and ETV6–NTRK3 (n = 2), and SPECC1L–NTRK3 in-frame gene fusions. We conclude that the evaluation of mesenchymal spindle-cell neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract without a definitive line of differentiation should include interrogation of NTRK alterations, particularly in pediatric patients. Mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract with NTRK rearrangements are clinically and morphologically heterogeneous, and few, if any, seem related to GIST.
Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia in twins with chromosome 16p11.2 duplication syndrome

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) (MIM# 128200) is a movement disorder characterized by brief episodes of involuntary movements consisting of dystonia, chorea, or myoclonus, usually triggered by sudden voluntary movements.1 Pathogenic variants in PRRT2 (MIM# 614386), located on chromosome 16p11.2, have been identified as the most common cause of PKD.2 Most of the reported patients (approximately 80%) had the frameshift pathogenic variant c.649dupC (p. Arg217Profs*8), which causes a premature stop codon. Other reported variants are nonsense, frameshift, or rarely missense that are predicted to cause a truncated protein, absence of protein product through nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, or nonfunctional protein.3 Isolated PKD is typically associated with heterozygous intragenic variants in PRRT2 . Symptomatic PKD has been reported in 6 patients with 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome (MIM# 611913).4 PKD is thus postulated to result from PRRT2 haploinsufficiency. The reciprocal chromosome 16p11.2 duplication syndrome (MIM# 614671) is associated with autism, ADHD, developmental delay, intellectual disability, epilepsy, hypotonia, congenital anomalies, and microcephaly5,6 but has not until now been associated with PKD.