cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applications of DNA-Based Liquid Biopsy for Central Nervous System Neoplasms

The management of central nervous system malignancies remains reliant on histopathological analysis and neuroimaging, despite their complex genetic profile. The intratumoral heterogeneity displayed by these tumors necessitates a more sophisticated method of tumor analysis and monitoring, with the ability to assess tumors over space and time. Circulating biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, and extracellular vesicles, hold promise as a type of real-time liquid biopsy able to provide dynamic information not only regarding tumor burden to monitor disease progression and treatment response, but also regarding genetic profile to enable changes in management to match a constantly evolving tumor. In numerous cancer types, including glioma, they have demonstrated their clinical utility as a minimally invasive means for diagnosis, prognostication, and prediction. In addition, they can be used in the laboratory to probe mechanisms of acquired drug resistance and tumor invasion and dissemination.
698. Eliminating TLR9+ Prostate Cancer Stem Cells In Vivo Using NF-kB/RELA- or STAT3-Targeting CpG-siRNA Conjugates

Treatment of hormone-refractory and frequently reoccurring prostate cancers is a major clinical challenge. Here, we demonstrate that Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9) is commonly upregulated in late-stage prostate cancers and provides a potential therapeutic target. As a sensor of immunogenic cell death, TLR9 bridges intra-prostatic inflammation to cancer stem cell phenotype. Our limited dilution/serial transplantation experiments in vivo demonstrate that TLR9 is essential for prostate cancer cells’ potential to propagate and self-renew. In addition, low expression or silencing of TLR9 limits the clonogenic potential and mesenchymal stem cell-like properties of prostate cancer cells. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of cancer cells isolated from xenotransplanted prostate tumors revealed a unique TLR9-dependent gene expression signature. Further analysis of the TLR9 downstream signaling indicated that tumorigenic transcription factors NF-kB/RELA and STAT3 cooperate to orchestrate expression of stem cell-related genes. Both RELA and STAT3 bound and co-regulated promoters of NKX3.1 and KLF4 prostate cancer stem cell-related genes. We further demonstrated the feasibility of targeting prostate cancer-propagating potential in vivo by TLR9-targeted siRNA delivery using CpG-siRNA conjugates. Local administration of CpG-RELAsiRNA or CpG-STAT3siRNA but not control conjugates, inhibited tumor growth and cancer cell clonogenic potential in two xenotransplanted prostate cancer models. Selective elimination of tumor-propagating cells using TLR9-targeted blockade of NF-?B/RELA and STAT3 signaling has potential for clinical translation to benefit patients with late-stage prostate cancers.
Short and Deep: Sketching and Neural Networks

Data-independent methods for dimensionality reduction such as random projections, sketches, and feature hashing have become increasingly popular in recent years. These methods often seek to reduce dimensionality while preserving the hypothesis class, resulting in inherent lower bounds on the size of projected data. For example, preserving linear separability requires $\Omega(1/\gamma^2)$ dimensions, where $\gamma$ is the margin, and in the case of polynomial functions, the number of required dimensions has an exponential dependence on the polynomial degree. Despite these limitations, we show that the dimensionality can be reduced further while maintaining performance guarantees, using improper learning with a slightly larger hypothesis class. In particular, we show that any sparse polynomial function of a sparse binary vector can be computed from a compact sketch by a single-layer neural network, where the sketch size has a logarithmic dependence on the polynomial degree. A practical consequence is that networks trained on sketched data are compact, and therefore suitable for settings with memory and power constraints. We empirically show that our approach leads to networks with fewer parameters than related methods such as feature hashing, at equal or better performance.
Measles epidemics and seroepidemiology of population in Wujin, Changzhou city, Jiangsu province, China 2015.

Abstract The measles epidemic was rather severe in Wujin 2015, and a seroprevalence survey of measles antibody was conducted during June to September 2015 in Wjin district of Changzhou city. Blood samples were collected from community health population and convenient samples of residual blood from hospitals. Measles-specific IgG levels were measured by ELISA assay. A total of 122 measles cases were reported 2015 in Wujin district with an incidence of 8.31 per 100 000 populations. A large proportion of measles cases were adults ≥20 years (62.30%) and infants aged
A force and thermal sensing skin for robots in human environments

Abstract Working together, heated and unheated temperature sensors can recognize contact with different materials and contact with the human body. As such, distributing these sensors across a robot’s body could be beneficial for operation in human environments. We present a stretchable fabric-based skin with force and thermal sensors that is suitable for covering areas of a robot’s body, including curved surfaces. It also adds a layer of compliance that conforms to manipulated objects, improving thermal sensing. Our open hardware design addresses thermal sensing challenges, such as the time to heat the sensors, the efficiency of sensing, and the distribution of sensors across the skin. It incorporates small self-heated temperature sensors on the surface of the skin that directly make contact with objects, improving the sensors’ response times. Our approach seeks to fully cover the robot’s body with large force sensors, but treats temperature sensors as small, point-like sensors sparsely distributed across the skin. We present a mathematical model to help predict how many of these point-like temperature sensors should be used in order to increase the likelihood of them making contact with an object. To evaluate our design, we conducted tests in which a robot arm used a cylindrical end effector covered with skin to slide objects and press on objects made from four different materials. After assessing the safety of our design, we also had the robot make contact with the forearms and clothed shoulders of 10 human participants. With 2.0 s of contact, the actively-heated temperature sensors enabled binary classification accuracy over 90% for the majority of material pairs. The system could more rapidly distinguish between materials with large differences in their thermal effusivities (e.g., 90% accuracy for pine wood vs. aluminum with 0.5 s of contact). For discrimination between humans vs. the four materials, the skin’s force and thermal sensing modalities achieved 93% classification accuracy with 0.5 s of contact. Overall, our results suggest that our skin design could enable robots to recognize contact with distinct task-relevant materials and humans while performing manipulation tasks in human environments.
Using right and left precordial leads increased the sensitivity of exercise testing for detecting coronary artery disease

Source Citation Michaelides AP, Psomadaki ZD, Dilaveris PE, et al. Improved detection of coronary artery disease by exercise electrocardiography with the use of right precordial leads. N Engl J Med...
Marx’s Capital through the lens of Roemer’s General Theory (and vice-versa)

This paper considers how Roemer’s General Theory of Exploitation and Class and related work has engaged and reframed the historical materialist critique of capitalism initiated by Marx’s Capital project, and in turn how aspects of Marx’s account of capitalist profit and exploitation not addressed in the General Theory might be analyzed within Roemer’s framework of rationally optimizing agents and equilibrating markets. In particular, the paper discusses how imperfect contracting conditions and capital accumulation might figure in a coherent materialist theory of profit and exploitation.
Timing speculative SRAM

Static Random Access Memories (SRAMs) are considered a major bottleneck in high performance System-on-Chip (SoC) design and there is a large demand for high performance SRAMs with minimal energy consumption. Time speculation techniques such as Razor ease timing guardbands to improve performance or reduce energy consumption. The state-of-the-art approach has high area and energy overheads due to the error detection logic. This study proposes a timing speculative SRAM that extends the existing Replica Bitline Column to detect read timing failures. We also extend the SRAM decode logic to protect from incorrect write operations. We demonstrate our Replica-based Timing Speculative SRAM (RTS) is an energy and area efficient design alternative to prior techniques such as Razor. Our proposed design is 22% to 58% more energy efficient in reading operations and it has an error detection mechanism which is 35% to 73% more area efficient that Razor-enabled SRAM.
Hybrid semantic clustering of hashtags

Abstract Clustering hashtags based on their semantics is an important problem with many applications. The uncontrolled usage of hashtags in social media, however, makes the quality of semantics and the frequency of usage vary a lot, and this poses a challenge to the current approaches which capitalize on either the lexical semantics of a hashtag (by using metadata) or the contextual semantics of a hashtag (by using the texts associated with a hashtag). This paper presents a hybrid semantic clustering algorithm that uses the complementary strengths of lexical and contextual semantics of a hashtag to produce accurate clusters on a wider range of input data. The hybrid algorithm uses a consensus clustering approach, which finds the consensus between metadata-based sense-level semantic clusters and text-based semantic clusters. A gold standard test shows that the hybrid algorithm outperforms both the text-based algorithm and the metadata-based algorithm for a majority of ground truths tested and that it never underperforms both base algorithms. In addition, a larger-scale performance study, conducted with a focus on disagreements in cluster assignments between algorithms, show that the hybrid algorithm makes the correct cluster assignment in a majority of disagreement cases.
“Five on a Dice” Port Placement Allows for Successful Robot-Assisted Left Pneumonectomy

Background Technology has evolved to facilitate pulmonary resection. The latest technological advances in computer-aided surgery (Da Vinci Xi) allow for more control during pulmonary resection. Case Description A 59-year-old woman presented with two primary tumors of the left upper and lower lung. After induction chemotherapy, patient had a “five on a dice” port placement and technique was used to perform successful robot-assisted pneumonectomy. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 3 without any complications. Conclusions We have found that the “five on a dice” port placement allows for optimal control of the robot stapler and facilitates successful robot-assisted left pneumonectomy.
Migratory Insertion of Carbenes into Au(III)-C Bonds.

Migratory insertion of carbon-based species into transition-metal–carbon bonds is a mechanistic manifold of vast significance: it underlies the Fischer–Tropsch process, Mizoroki–Heck reaction, Ziegler–Natta and analogous late-transition-metal-catalyzed olefin polymerizations, and a number of carbonylative methods for the synthesis of ketones and esters, among others. Although this type of reactivity is well-precedented for most transition metals, gold constitutes a notable exception, with virtually no well-characterized examples known to date. Yet, the complementary reactivity of gold to numerous other transition metals would offer new synthetic opportunities for migratory insertion of carbon-based species into gold–carbon bonds. Here we report the discovery of well-defined Au(III) complexes that participate in rapid migratory insertion of carbenes derived from silyl- or carbonyl-stabilized diazoalkanes into Au–C bonds at temperatures ≥ −40 °C. Through a combined theoretical and experimental approach, key...
Literature survey on operational voltage control and reactive power management on transmission and sub-transmission networks

Voltage and reactive power system control is generally performed following usual patterns of loads, based on off-line studies for daily and seasonal operations. This practice is currently challenged by the inclusion of distributed renewable generation, such as solar. There has been focus on resolving this problem at the distribution level; however, the transmission and sub-transmission levels have received less attention. This paper provides a literature review of proposed methods and solution approaches to coordinate and optimize voltage control and reactive power management, with an emphasis on applications at transmission and sub-transmission level. The conclusion drawn from the survey is that additional research is needed in the areas of optimizing switch shunt actions and coordinating all available resources to deal with uncertain patterns from increasing distributed renewable generation in the operational time frame. These topics are not deeply explored in the literature.
The Toxicity of Shame Applications for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Although shame is a detrimental emotional state often found in a variety of mental health concerns, treatment approaches for addressing it are scarce. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment practice that has been effective in several applications, including the treatment of shame (Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006; Luoma, Kohlenberg, Hayes, & Fletcher, 2011). ACT focuses on the development of six core skills for increasing client psychological flexibility. The article presents primary ACT techniques, case studies, and considerations for counselors.
Regulation of lactate/pyruvate ratios by cyclic AMP in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Cyclic AMP is thought to have a general role in stimulating the breakdown of carbohydrate reserves and subsequent glycolytic activity. This would be expected to increase the availability of reducing equivalents in the form of cytoplasmic NADH. The current study examines another potential reaction controlling cytoplasmic NADH in the fungus Neurospora crassa , that of lactate dehydrogenase, to determine whether it is also regulated by cyclic AMP. The cr -1 , adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP-deficient mutant, grown with and without exogenous cyclic AMP was compared with an isogenic wild type. The results show that cyclic AMP raises pyruvic acid pools and lowers both lactic acid pools and lactate/pyruvate ratios. It does that, in part or in whole, by lowering lactate dehydrogenase activity. The possibility that cytoplasmic NAD + NADH is a major target of cyclic AMP control is discussed. The high performance liquid chromatography procedures used in these studies are applicable to the measurement of intracellular pools of tricarboxylic acid cycle and other organic acids.
Use of text messaging to improve patient experience and communication with pediatric tonsillectomy patients.

Abstract Objectives The aims of this quality improvement project were to develop a text messaging service to deliver messages to pediatric tonsillectomy patients to improve communication and overall experience. Method Text messages were developed to deliver important information and reminders both preoperatively and postoperatively to pediatric tonsillectomy patients. After success with a small pilot program of five patients, a sample of 85 patients who underwent tonsillectomy participated in the program. Results Similar to the pilot program, the larger sample size had no canceled procedures and no visits to the emergency department. Approximately 25% of the participants called the ENT clinic nurse line for a question or concern postoperatively. The majority of phone calls were for concerns with pain or pain medications. Parental survey results were positive with respect to the value and overall helpfulness of the text messages. Respondents found the information useful, easy to understand, and it also helped reduce anxiety or level of worry during and after the surgery. Respondents all felt that the number of messages was just right. Conclusion With the explosion of technology and smartphone use, text messaging is an innovative way to provide patient/family education for surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy.
Financial Ratios Analysis

Ratio analysis is a diagnostic tool that helps to identify problem areas and opportunities within a company. Financial expert shall use ratios with caution, as there is considerable subjectivity involved, in their computation. More, ratios may not be strictly comparable for different firms due to a variety of factors such as different accounting practices, policies, and the level of risks accepted by the management. Furthermore, if a firm is engaged in diverse product lines, it may be difficult to identify the industry category to which the firm belongs.
Implications of Small Population Size in a Threatened Pitviper Species

Abstract Destruction and fragmentation of wildlife habitat often results in small, isolated populations that are highly susceptible to extirpation. In many cases, however, estimates of population size are lacking, precluding accurate assessments of population viability and sound conservation management recommendations. The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a federally threatened pitviper species that has been extirpated throughout much of its historic range attributable to agricultural conversion of wetland habitat and other synergistic threats. Population size is generally unknown among extant massasauga populations, making site-specific management difficult. In this study, we estimated genetic effective population size (Ne) and census population size (Nc) for Eastern Massasaugas at two sites in southwest Michigan. For each population, we used mark–recapture models to estimate Nc and the linkage disequilibrium method to estimate Ne. Our results revealed small Nc, with approximately 108 (95% CI ...
Cysteinyl leukotriene 2 receptor promotes endothelial permeability, tumor angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are proinflammatory mediators that enhance vascular permeability through distinct receptors (CysLTRs). We found that CysLT2R regulates angiogenesis in isolated mouse endothelial cells (ECs) and in Matrigel implants in WT mice and enhances EC contraction and permeability via the Rho-dependent myosin light chain 2 and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin axis. Since solid tumors utilize aberrant angiogenesis for their growth and metastasis and their vessels exhibit vascular hyperpermeability, we hypothesized that CysLT2R, via its actions on the endothelium, might regulate tumor growth. Both tumor growth and metastases of adoptively transferred syngeneic Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells are significantly reduced in CysLT2R-null mice (Cysltr2−/−) compared with WT and CysLT1R-null mice (Cysltr1−/−). In WT recipients of LLC cells, CysLT2R expression is significantly increased in the tumor vasculature, compared with CysLT1R. Further, the tumor vasculature in Cysltr2−/− recipients exhibited significantly improved integrity, as revealed by increased pericyte coverage and decreased leakage of i.v.-administered Texas Red-conjugated dextran. Administration of a selective CysLT2R antagonist significantly reduced LLC tumor volume, vessel density, dextran leakage, and metastases in WT mice, highlighting CysLT2R as a VEGF-independent regulator of the vasculature promoting risk of metastasis. Thus, both genetic and pharmacological findings establish CysLT2R as a gateway for angiogenesis and EC dysregulation in vitro and ex vivo and in an in vivo model with a mouse tumor. Our data suggest CysLT2R as a possible target for intervention.
Eccentric Arm Cycling: A Potential Exercise for Wheelchair Users.

Abstract Objective To compare metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and perceptual responses to acute eccentric and traditional concentric arm cycling in a cohort of wheelchair users. Design Single-group repeated measures. Setting Exercise physiology laboratory. Participants A convenience sample of 7 manual wheelchair users (45±15 y; 87±21 kg; 1.8±0.1 m; time in wheelchair 17±14 y) volunteered. Interventions Participants performed 5-minute trials of eccentric and concentric arm cycling at (1) isometabolic rate (35% of peak oxygen consumption) and (2) isopower output (80W). Exercise trials were performed on an eccentric/concentric arm cycle ergometer that integrated with a personal wheelchair. Main Outcome Measures Primary measures included power output, oxygen consumption, heart rate, ventilation, blood lactate, and perceived exertion. Secondary measures assessed included perceived muscle soreness, likability, frequency of use, and duration of use. Results At isometabolic rate, power production during eccentric arm cycling was ∼3× greater than concentric arm cycling (80±36 vs 26±10 W; P .05). Conclusion Eccentric arm cycling provided a metabolically efficient (high-force, low-energy cost) and usable (wheelchair accessible, safe, likable) exercise for wheelchair users. Implementation of eccentric arm cycling with this population is promising but additional research is needed to confirm this possibility.
Points to Ponder: Research and WEA Keynote Address from the 2010 Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium

The first decade in this new millennium held many surprises for all of its global citizens. A quick listing of some of the most notable occurrences looks gloomy: dishonesty and greed within respected corporations that resulted in severe repercussions for their workers and the public; a terrorist attack on US soil that questioned our feelings of safety and trust that resulted in a prolonged war; a near global economic meltdown; alarming declines in health and wellness with often inadequate medical support to ever-growing vulnerable groups; and confirmed climate change that could drastically alter our environment, its ecosystems, and our very societies. Yet, the positive side was also there technological advances in science and medicine that daily revolutionizes those practices, as well as advances in social media that encourage communication and quick access to information; green technologies and a recognition that stewardship matters; and a recognition that we truly live in a global society where diversity is valued. But what do all of these situations have to do with us as WEA members and researchers? I contend they have everything to do with us, because they define much of our reality and the reality of our participants. In our teaching, training, research and practice, our relevance is often framed within these contrasts. There is a saying: â€œDo a soul search before the research.â€ If we take a brutally honest look at our efforts, what are the things that matter? As researchers, what are the contexts that help define the directions for our work? In this paper, I want to focus briefly on three â€œpoints to ponderâ€ that I think matter to our work within WEA. The first point is our relevance to current social issues. The second point is the need to take an evidence-based approach to our work. The third and last point is a â€œcall to actionâ€ that I'd like WEA researchers to consider.
The Predictive Role of Intraoperative Visual Evoked Potentials in Visual Improvement After Endoscopic Pituitary Tumor Resection in Large and Complex Tumors: Description and Validation of a Method.

Background With the advent of extensive endoscopic approaches for pituitary tumors, there has also been an increase in surgery for larger and more complex tumors. Intraoperative manipulation during endoscopic resection of sellar tumors poses potential risk in postoperative visual function in this tumor population. This study proposes a method of accurate intraoperative monitoring of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and its role in predicting visual function outcomes. Methods Intraoperative VEPs were monitored for 42 resections from a single surgical team, with average tumor size of 2.84 cm. Changes in VEP amplitude and latency in excess of 50% were considered significant. Preoperative and postoperative visual information was obtained from ophthalmology and hospital records, along with patient demographics, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics. Results Patients were stratified as experiencing deteriorations in VEPs that did not restore to baseline (n = 4), deteriorations in VEPs that did restore to baseline (n = 6), no change in VEPs (n = 31), and improvement in VEPs (n = 1). Correlation between VEP changes and postoperative visual fields was measured through univariate ordered logistic regression. Improved intraoperative VEP measurements were associated with odds ratio (OR) of visual field improvement of 3.15 (95% confidence interval, 1.15–8.59). Specifically, changes in VEP amplitude were positively associated with visual field improvement with OR of 4.35 (OR, 1.29–14.7). No association was observed between VEPs and other patient or tumor characteristics. Conclusion Changes in VEP amplitude during endoscopic sellar tumor resection correlate with postoperative visual function. Intraoperative VEP monitoring can serve an important role in preventing postoperative visual field loss.
Simulation of the Optimized Thermal Conductivity of a Rigid Polyurethane Foam during Its Foaming Process

Thermal conductivity (λ) of a rigid polyurethane (PU) foam plays a vital role in determining the performance of thermal insulation. To accurately predict this property for a given recipe in a few seconds is the first step towards striking a balance between compressive strength, λ, and more properties of a foam product in industrial applications during formulation. What experimentally observed from PU closed-cell foams made from PAPI-27 Polymeric Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (PMDI), Voranol 360, and n-pentane were: (1) foam shrinkage and even collapse occurred on both low (typically less than 0.9) and ultra-high (close to 2.0) indexes of isocyanate (IA); (2) to achieve the lowest λ for the best thermal insulation, it was suggested to use the highest IA without any foam shrinkage, the fastest stirring rate under safety, and the least physical blowing agent (PBA) until a sharp turn in the trend of λ; (3) there was a definite link between foam density (ρf), closed cell content (ccc), and λ: (a) a low λ requested a high ρf and ccc (b) a denser foam could be achieved by at least three ways. Increasing the agitation rate had a limit, above which the change in density became insignificant. However, a higher IA and reducing the amount of PBA had always been linear with ρf. (c) ρf was the cornerstone of ccc. In low ρf range, a growth of density gave rise to a distinct improvement of ccc, beyond which ccc reached a plateau for any higher density. The foam thermal conductivity during polymerization was successfully simulated by Matlab with 0.0157 % deviation. λ was initially dominated by the contribution from the resin mixture until the gel reaction time. Then, the dominant was shifted to the contribution by the gas component. The magnitude of thermal radiation was rather low throughout the reaction.
The association of post-lung transplant acute kidney injury with mortality is independent of primary graft dysfunction: A cohort study.

Background Prior studies of post-lung transplant acute kidney injury (AKI) have not accounted for confounding effects of primary graft dysfunction (PGD). We sought to test the impact of PGD on AKI risk factors and on the association of AKI with mortality. Methods We included patients transplanted at the University of Pennsylvania from 2005-12, defined AKI using consensus criteria during transplant hospitalization, and defined PGD as grade 3 at 48-72 hours. We used multivariable logistic regression to test the impact of PGD on AKI risk factors and Cox models to test association of AKI with one-year mortality adjusting for PGD and other confounders. Results Of 299 patients, 188 (62.9%) developed AKI with 142 (75%) cases occurring by postoperative day 4. In multivariable models, PGD was strongly associated with AKI (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.72-8.19, P = .001) but minimally changed associations of other risk factors with AKI. Both AKI (HR 3.64, 95% CI 1.68-7.88, P = .001) and PGD (HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.40-4.64, P = .002) were independently associated with one-year mortality. Conclusions Post-lung transplant AKI risk factors and association of AKI with mortality were independent of PGD. AKI may therefore be a target for improving lung transplant mortality rather than simply an epiphenomenon of PGD.
Effect of APS flash bond coatings and curvature on TBC performance on rod specimens

Abstract The addition of an air plasma sprayed (APS) “flash” bond coating layer on top of a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) bond coating significantly extended the lifetime of APS yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBC) on rod specimens of superalloy 247 tested using 100-h cycles in air+10%H2O at 1100 °C. The flash bond coatings of both NiCoCrAlY and NiCoCrAlYHfSi powder were compared to an HVOF-only and a vacuum plasma sprayed (VPS) NiCoCrAlYHfSi bond coating. The flash coatings appear to form a mixed oxide-metal zone, which likely inhibits crack formation and therefore extends lifetime compared to conventional bond coatings. The underlying dense HVOF layer appeared to act as a source of Al for this intermixed zone and prevented the oxide from penetrating deeper into the bond coating. Residual stress in the thermally-grown Al2O3 scale was measured using photo-luminescence piezospectroscopy (PLPS) as a function of time for each coating variation, including a comparison of concave and convex surfaces on a specially designed rod.
Chapter 7 – Germination Ecology of Seeds in the Persistent Seed Bank

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates aerial and buried persistent seed banks, longevity of seeds in the soil, the fate of seeds while they are in the soil, and effects of seed banks on populations of species and persistence of communities. A transient seed bank consists of seeds that do not live until the second germination season following maturation. Seeds of some species remain in a transient seed bank for several months, during which the dormancy loss occurs. However, the environmental conditions in these habitats are unfavorable for germination. Seeds of other species may be nondormant at maturity. However, a persistent seed bank consists of seeds that live until the second germination season. In general, seeds with a high probability of forming persistent seed banks are small and have smooth seed coats. But those with a low probability of forming persistent seed banks are relatively large and have hooks, awns, spines, or other kinds of projections on the seed coat. Therefore, biologists are more interested in persistent than in transient seed banks
Computing Vowel Harmony: The Generative Capacity of Search & Copy

Search & Copy (S&C) is a procedural model of vowel harmony in which underspecified vowels trigger searches for targets that provide them with features. In this paper, we seek to relate the S&C formalism with models of phonological locality proposed by recent work in the subregular program. Our goal is to provide a formal description, within the framework of mathematical linguistics, of the range of possible phonological transformations that admit an analysis within S&C. We show that used in its unidirectional mode, all transformations described by an S&C analysis can be modeled by tier-based input strictly local functions (TISL). This result improves the previous result of Gainor et al 2012, which showed that vowel harmony processes can be modeled by subsequential functions. However, non-TISL transformations can be given S&C descriptions in the following ways. Firstly, since TISL functions are not closed under composition, a non-TISL vowel harmony pattern may be obtained by applying two S&C rules sequentially. Secondly, when S&C is used in its bidirectional mode, it has the ability to describe transformations that cannot be modeled by finite-state functions.
Symposium: surgery and orthopaedicsManagement of biliary tract problems

Biliary disorders are relatively rare in childhood but early recognition is important and investigations need to be organized efficiently to facilitate a timely diagnosis and specific treatment. The classical clinical presentation of biliary disorders is with jaundice, particularly in the newborn period, abdominal pain and fever but incidental antenatal diagnosis is becoming an increasingly important presentation. Abdominal ultrasound remains the imaging modality of choice but magnetic resonance cholangiopancreotography and endoscopic ultrasound have an increasing role. The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreotography has evolved from a diagnostic to a therapeutic tool. Surgical treatment is necessary for many biliary disorders and while laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the standard of care, open surgery remains the preferred method for Kasai Portoenterostomy. This review article focuses on the clinical features of biliary disorders in childhood and the diagnostic tools available. The epidemiology, clinical features and treatment of the most important biliary tract problems are then discussed.
EPI Distortion Correction is Easy and Useful, and You Should Use It: A case study with toddler data

Abstract Task, resting state, and diffusion MRI data are usually acquired from subjects using echo-planar based imaging techniques. These techniques are highly susceptible to B0 homogeneity effects that result in geometric distortions in the reconstructed images. As researchers work to link the information from these scans back to various developmental stages, or to conditions and diseases in specific regions or structures of the brain, it becomes critical to have accurate correspondence between more geometrically distorted echo-planar images and less geometrically distorted anatomical images. A variety of techniques and tools have been developed to improve this correspondence. The basic premise behind most techniques used to mitigate geometric distortion is to acquire enough information to inform software tools how echo-planar images are warped, then have them undo that warping. Here, we investigate the application of two common methods: B0 correction, and reverse-polarity phase-encoding (or reverse blip) correction. We implement each of these in two separate, widely used software packages in the field: AFNI and FSL. We find that using either technique in either software package results in reduced geometric distortions in the EPI images. We discuss the practical implementations of these methods (e.g., increased scan and processing time). In general, however, both methods possess readily available data acquisition schemes, and are highly efficient to include in processing streams. Due to the overall data improvement, we strongly recommend that researchers include one of these methods in their standard protocols.
In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of a bisdemethoxycurcumin-rich Curcuma longa extract and its oral bioavailability in rats

Nonetheless curcumin has potential health benefits, its low bioavailability limits the application of conventional turmeric extract with curcumin as major curcuminoid. This is a comparative study to assess the stability, bioaccessibility and biological activity of BDMC in standardized C. longa extract (REVERC3) relative to curcumin in regular turmeric extract (RTE). Here we report the preparation of a standardized Curcuma longa extract (REVERC3™) standardized to contain 75 ± 5 w/w % bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), 1.2 ± 0.8 w/w % curcumin and 10 ± 5 w/w % demethoxycurcumin (DMC). The turmeric extracts were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and the curcuminoids in undigested and digested samples were analyzed using HPLC to determine the bioaccessibility. Further, the undigested and digested samples were evaluated for lipase inhibition and antioxidant activities. Male Wistar rats were administered with single dose (1000 mg/kg) of standardized C. longa extract and RTE to determine the plasma concentration of BDMC and curcumin respectively at different time points using LCMS/MS. The bioaccessibility of BDMC was significantly higher than curcumin (p < 0.05). BDMC was found superior to curcumin having significant lipase inhibitory effect (p < 0.01), ABTS radical scavenging (p < 0.05), and nitric oxide scavenging activities (p < 0.01). Interestingly, the relative bioavailability of BDMC in standardized C. longa extract was 18.76 compared to curcumin. The Cmax of BDMC was 4.4-fold higher than curcumin. BDMC is reported to have higher bioaccessibility and bioavailability than curcumin. Our findings rationalize use of BDMC-enriched standardized C. longa extract for improved physiological benefits counteracting the regular turmeric extract with less bioavailable curcumin as major curcuminoid.
Distributed control and energy storage requirements of networked Dc microgrids

Abstract Microgrids are a key technology to help improve the reliability of electric power systems and increase the integration of renewable energy sources. Interconnection and networking of smaller microgrids into larger systems have potential for even further improvements. This paper presents a novel approach to a distributed droop control and energy storage in networked dc microgrids. Distributed control is necessary to prevent single points of failure along with flexibility and adaptability to changing energy resources. The results show that systems with random sources and fast update rates, a networked microgrid structure can minimize required energy storage requirements.
Evolution of Corn

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the key trait differences between teosinte and corn in isogeneic backgrounds that enables to determine the minimum number of genetic changes that are essential to convert teosinte into corn, to determine the inheritance and chromosomal location of these genes, to determine the modifying effects of background genes in shaping the expression of the key trait genes, and to determine from the past and current direction of corn's evolution as to where it may be going from here and which loci and genes will be useful in directing the future extension of this evolution. Only four or five inherited key trait units separate teosinte from corn and is based on the recovery rate of parental types in F 2 segregations. One viewpoint holds that these inherited units are clusters of linked genes that eventually evolved their partial isolating mechanisms through tight linkage, cross-over suppressors—such as cryptic rearrangements—, and chromosome knobs or by close linkage with gametophyte genes.
Thyroglobulin from Human Goiters EFFECTS OF IODINATION ON SEDIMENTATION AND IODOAMINO ACID SYNTHESIS

Human thyroglobulin was prepared from either multinodular or toxic goiters, the latter obtained from patients who had failed to respond to a long course of treatment with antithyroid drugs. The iodine content of these preparations was low, and spectrophotometric titration revealed monoiodotyrosine as the principal iodoamino acid. Iodination of goiter thyroglobulin in vitro increased its sedimentation rate in accord with the increase in density. Iodination in vitro produced a sequential appearance of monoiodotyrosine, diiodotyrosine, and thyroxine, suggesting a precursor-product relationship among these iodoamino acids. Thyroglobulin preparations from normal human glands collected randomly at autopsy showed an analogous distribution of iodoamino acids for similar iodine contents, except that thyroxine seemed to be formed at somewhat lower iodine levels in vivo.
A Novel Self-Stirring Tubular Reactor Used in Bauxite Digestion Process

A novel self-stirring tubular reactor driven by pressure energy used in bauxite digestion process is presented originally in this paper. This reactor combines the advantages of autoclaves and conventional tubular digestion equipment, it can restrain scale at high temperature and high pressure and intensify mass and heat transfer. Stirring of the novel reactor only needs the pressure energy of the liquid. Performance of self-stirring reactor driven by pressure energy was studied in this paper. High-speed photography was adopted in the paper to research the effects of various factors on rotating speed in the self-stirring reactor driven by pressure energy. The results demonstrated that fluid pressure has the most outstanding effects on stirring speed of the novel reactor, and the effects of fluid density and viscosity on stirring speed are minor.
CYP450 Enzymes in Drug Discovery and Development: An Overview

Cytochrome P450 enzymes play an important role in the metabolism of foreign molecules (drugs and environmental chemicals) and endogenous compounds. This large enzyme family facilitates to eliminate xenobiotics from the body and catalyzes the catabolism of endogenous compounds for their physiological functions. In this chapter, we describe the most recent advances in our knowledge and application of P450 enzymes in drug discovery and development with particular emphasis on their involvement in the metabolism of drugs. In addition, we have also summarized the basic catalytic activity of this enzyme family, commonly observed biotransformation in drugs, the species and ethnic variation in the expression of P450 enzymes, and the tools used to extrapolate metabolism and toxicity in animals to humans. Keywords: CYP450 enzymes; species differences; biotransformation; ethnic variability; oxidation
On the optimal administration of multiple screening tests

We consider the case where mass screening for a disease or a characteristic is required. We then develop the methodology of how to optimally administer one or more diagnostic tests, either sequentially or simultaneously in this mass screening situation. The use of different diagnostic tests as well as the repeated use of the same test are considered.
Nitrite and nitrous oxide accumulation during denitrification in the presence of pesticide derivatives.

Temporary accumulation of nitrite and nitrous oxide was observed in soil incubated under anaerobic conditions when derivatives of the insecticide chlordimeform [(N-4-chloro-o-tolyl)-N′,N′ -dimethylformamidine] were added. Chlordimeform did not affect the denitrification process, but N-formyl-4-chloro-o-toluidine and 4-chloro-o-toluidine caused an inhibition as determined by the accumulation of nitrite and nitrous oxide. A simultaneous application of the insecticide and its derivatives resulted in a stronger inhibitory effect than the application of each compound separately. Aniline intermediates of other pesticides also inhibited denitrification in soil, and they proved to be more effective than their parent compound.
Nondestructive microwave measurements of dielectric materials

Nondestructive microwave dielectric measurements based on open-ended rectangular waveguide and coaxial line sensors are considered. The errors in the dielectric constant measurements due to the uncertainties of the measuring instruments are calculated and compared for the two types of sensors. A comparison based on advantages and disadvantages for both sensors is also presented.
Capillary liquid chromatography fraction collection and postcolumn reaction using segmented flow microfluidics

A challenge for capillary liquid chromatography (cLC) is fraction collection and manipulation of fractions from microscale columns. An emerging approach is use of segmented flow or droplet technology to perform such tasks. In this work, a fraction collection and post-column reaction system based on segmented flow was developed for gradient cLC of proteins. In the system, column effluent and immiscible oil are pumped into separate arms of a tee resulting in regular fractions of effluent segmented by oil. Fractions were generated at 1 Hz corresponding to 5 nL volumes. Fraction collection rate was high enough to generate over 30 fractions per peak and preserve chromatographic resolution achieved for a 5 protein test mixture. The resulting fractions could be stored and subsequently derivatized for fluorescence detection by pumping them into a second tee where naphthalene dicarboxyaldehyde, a fluorogenic reagent, was pumped into a second arm and added to each fraction. Proteins were derivatized within the droplets enabling post-column fluorescence detection of the proteins. The experiments demonstrate that fraction collection from cLC by segmented flow can be extended to proteins. Further they illustrate a potential workflow for protein analysis based on post-column derivatization for fluorescence detection.
Monoclonal Antibodies to Anchoring Fibrils for the Diagnosis of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Murine monoclonal antibodies to human anchoring fibrils reacted with human and monkey cervix, tongue, esophagus, and vagina. Rat, mouse, and guinea pig tissues were negative. In 11 patients with dystrophic recessive epidermolysis bullosa there was no reaction by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Other forms of epidermolysis bullosa had normal reactivity.
Hydrogen in MOSFETs : A primary agent of reliability issues

Abstract Hydrogen plays an important role in MOSFETS as it is intentionally introduced to passivate defects (primarily Si dangling bonds) at the Si–SiO 2 interface. At the same time, hydrogen has long been known to be involved in many degradation processes, with much attention being devoted recently to bias-temperature instability (BTI). Here, we give an overview of extensive theoretical results that provide a comprehensive picture of the role that hydrogen plays in several radiation-induced degradation modes and BTI. We identify a common origin for several degradation phenomena: H is released as H + by holes either in the oxide or in Si and is driven to the interface by a positive or negative bias, respectively, where it depassivates dangling bonds via the formation of H 2 molecules. We close with a note about the role of hydrogen as a main agent for aging of microelectronics.
Efficacy of treatment of MS with IFNbeta-1b or glatiramer acetate by monthly brain MRI in the BECOME study.

Background: There are no published MRI studies comparing interferon beta 1b (IFNβ-1b) and glatiramer acetate (GA) for treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To compare the efficacy of IFNβ-1b and GA for suppression of MS disease activity as evidenced on frequent brain MRI. Methods: A total of 75 patients with relapsing-remitting MS or clinically isolated syndromes were randomized to standard doses of IFNβ-1b or GA and followed by monthly brain MRI for up to 2 years with a protocol optimized to detect enhancement. The primary outcome was the number of combined active lesions (CAL) per patient per scan during the first year, which included all enhancing lesions and nonenhancing new T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) lesions. Secondary outcomes were the number of new lesions and clinical exacerbations over 2 years. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The primary outcome showed similar median (75th percentile) CAL per patient per scan for months 1–12, 0.63 (2.76) for IFNβ-1b, and 0.58 (2.45) for GA (p = 0.58). There were no differences in new lesion or clinical relapses for 2 years. Only 4.4% of CAL on monthly MRI scans were nonenhancing new T2/FLAIR lesions. Conclusion: Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis randomized to interferon beta 1b or glatiramer acetate showed similar MRI and clinical activity.