cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Astrocytic expression of Parkinson's disease-related A53T α-synuclein causes neurodegeneration in mice

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder. While neuronal deposition of α-synuclein serves as a pathological hallmark of PD and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, α-synuclein-positive protein aggregates are also present in astrocytes. The pathological consequence of astrocytic accumulation of α-synuclein, however, is unclear. Here we show that PD-related A53T mutant α-synuclein, when selectively expressed in astrocytes, induced rapidly progressed paralysis in mice. Increasing accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates was found in presymptomatic and symptomatic mouse brains and correlated with the expansion of reactive astrogliosis. The normal function of astrocytes was compromised as evidenced by cerebral microhemorrhage and down-regulation of astrocytic glutamate transporters, which also led to increased inflammatory responses and microglial activation. Interestingly, the activation of microglia was mainly detected in the midbrain, brainstem and spinal cord, where a significant loss of dopaminergic and motor neurons was observed. Consistent with the activation of microglia, the expression level of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) was significantly up-regulated in the brain of symptomatic mice and in cultured microglia treated with conditioned medium derived from astrocytes over-expressing A53T α-synuclein. Consequently, the suppression of COX-1 activities extended the survival of mutant mice, suggesting that excess inflammatory responses elicited by reactive astrocytes may contribute to the degeneration of neurons. Our findings demonstrate a critical involvement of astrocytic α-synuclein in initiating the non-cell autonomous killing of neurons, suggesting the viability of reactive astrocytes and microglia as potential therapeutic targets for PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
The effect of fatigue on multifinger co-ordination in force production tasks in humans

1. This study investigated the effects of fatigue, induced by production of maximal isometric force for 60 s with four fingers, upon indices of multifinger co-ordination. 2. Measurements of individual finger forces were performed during single- and multifinger maximal force production (maximal voluntary contraction, MVC) for two sites of force application, the middle of the distal or the middle of the proximal phalanxes. Two fatiguing exercises were used, involving force production at the distal phalanxes and at the proximal phalanxes. Fourteen subjects were tested. 3. The total force in four-finger tasks dropped by about 43 % when it was produced at the site involved in the fatiguing exercise. During force production at the other site, MVC dropped by 23 %. During single-finger MVC tests, force drop with fatigue was similar across all four fingers (about -25 % of their corresponding MVCs). 4. Force production by one finger was accompanied by involuntary force production by other fingers (enslaving). Enslaving remained unchanged by fatigue when measured during force generation at the site involved in the fatiguing exercise, but increased during force production at the other site. 5. The total MVC of four fingers acting in parallel was smaller than the sum of the MVCs of these fingers in single-finger tasks (force deficit). The force deficit increased with fatigue. Force-sharing patterns during four-finger tasks showed only minor changes under fatigue. 6. These results indicate that the effects of fatigue were not limited to changes in the force-generating capabilities of the muscles. In particular, fatigue could lead to a reorganisation at a neural level that defines commands to individual fingers.
Fiber optic tachometer based on the Faraday effect.

A fiber optic tachometer is described that uses the Faraday effect in a ferrite to modulate light from a multimode fiber. A yttrium iron garnet (YIG) crystal is used as the magnetooptic modulator. A permanent magnet is placed near the crystal, such that a nearby rotating steel toothed wheel changes the magnetic field inside the crystal, causing modulation of the intensity of the 1.3-μm light. Modulation depths up to 50% have been achieved with signal-to-noise ratios of over 15 dB. A single multimode fiber connects the remote sensor head to the LED light source and detector.
Trebouxia: Reflections on a Perplexing and Controversial Lichen Photobiont

Lichen fungi farm algae as a source of food. Many of these fungi cultivate Trebouxia as food cells by providing them with nutrients by means of haustoria. Trebouxia lives as a heterotroph inside a lichen thallus and is so dependent on the mycobiont that it cannot live independently- free-living Trebouxia do not exist. Most of the compounds produced photosynthetically by the photobiont are transported to the mycobiont where they are converted to products that are specific to the fungus.
Cryopreservation of early stage Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii germ cells, comparison of whole tissue and dissociated cells.

Several sturgeon species are near extinction; therefore an efficient conservation strategy is required. Germ stem cells can be used for long-term storage and restoration of genetic information using surrogate reproduction. This study compared cryopreservation procedures of early stages of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii testicular and ovarian cells. Whole gonad tissue or dissociated cells were frozen at a cooling rate of 1 °C/min in phosphate buffered saline with 0.5% bovine serum albumin, 50 mM glucose, and one of four different 1.5 M cryoprotectants: dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, or dimethyl sulfoxide with propanediol. The number of living cells obtained from 0.1 g of gonadal tissue after freeze/thaw of both whole tissue and dissociated cells was higher using ethylene glycol than with other cryoprotectants. Although there were no differences in the number of living cells in cryopreserved whole tissue vs. dissociated cells, the number of dead cells was lower with whole tissue cryopreservation, indicating that cells that died during freeze/thaw were digested during subsequent enzymatic dissociation. This resulted in more than 90% live cells after freeze/thaw and dissociation. The thawed tissue cryopreserved using ethylene glycol as protectant as well as fresh gonadal tissue were dissociated, and the cells were labelled by PKH26 and transplanted into larvae of sterlet Acipenser ruthenus. Ninety days post-transplant of both fresh and cryopreserved cells, introduced cells proliferated in more than half of the recipients.
One-Dimensional Methods for Accurate Prediction of Off-Design Performance Behavior of Axial Turbines

The turbine component of a gas turbine engine is frequently subjected to extreme operation conditions associated with significant changes in mass flow, turbine inlet temperature, pressure and rotational speed. These off-design operation conditions significantly affect the flow deflection within the turbine stage, which consists of individual stator and rotor rows. As a result, the stage parameters representing the velocity diagram will change and effect the efficiency and performance of the stage and, thus, the turbine. A differential and integral method is presented for predicting the performance behavior of turbines under extreme off-design conditions. Both methods are applied to a multistage turbine for which the off-design performance is calculated and compared with the measurement.Copyright © 1992 by ASME
Brg1 Enables Rapid Growth of the Early Embryo by Suppressing Genes That Regulate Apoptosis and Cell Growth Arrest.

Abstract SWI/SNF (switching/sucrose nonfermenting)-dependent chromatin remodeling establishes coordinated gene expression programs during development, yet important functional details remain to be elucidated. We show that the Brg1 (Brahma-related gene 1; Smarca4) ATPase is globally expressed at high levels during postimplantation development and its conditional ablation, beginning at gastrulation, results in increased apoptosis, growth retardation, and, ultimately, embryonic death. Global gene expression analysis revealed that genes upregulated in Rosa26CreERT2; Brg1(flox/flox) embryos (here referred to as Brg1(d/d) embryos to describe embryos with deletion of the Brg1(flox/flox) alleles) negatively regulate cell cycle progression and cell growth. In addition, the p53 (Trp53) protein, which is virtually undetectable in early wild-type embryos, accumulated in the Brg1(d/d) embryos and activated the p53-dependent pathways. Using P19 cells, we show that Brg1 and CHD4 (chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4) coordinate to control target gene expression. Both proteins physically interact and show a substantial overlap of binding sites at chromatin-accessible regions adjacent to genes differentially expressed in the Brg1(d/d) embryos. Specifically, Brg1 deficiency results in reduced levels of the repressive histone H3 lysine K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) histone mark and an increase in the amount of open chromatin at the regulatory region of the p53 and p21 (Cdkn1a) genes. These results provide insights into the mechanisms by which Brg1 functions, which is in part via the p53 program, to constrain gene expression and facilitate rapid embryonic growth.
IGF-1 and Retinopathy

Retinopathy continues to be a major cause of blindness in children (retinopathy of prematurity, ROP), in adults (diabetic retinopathy), and in the elderly (age-related macular degeneration), despite current therapy. Although ablation of the retina reduces the incidence of blindness by suppressing the neovascular phase of ROP and diabetic retinopathy, the visual outcomes after treatment are often poor. Preventive therapy is required and will likely come from a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease.
Management of acute osteomyelitis: a ten-year experience

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone; proper management requires prolonged antibiotic treatment. Controversy exists as to when a patient should transition from intravenous to oral antibiotics. However, due to the high bioavailability of some oral antibiotics, optimal time to transition from high to low bioavailability antibiotics is a more valid consideration. Additionally, there are questions surrounding the efficacy of certain antibiotics, specifically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), in treating osteomyelitis. After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval from both universities, a retrospective chart review was conducted, utilizing an author-created severity scale, on all patients seen by Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Universities of Michigan and Toledo with an acute osteomyelitis diagnosis from 2002-2012. There were 133 patients, 106 treated successfully. Success was defined in this study specifically as treatment of <14 weeks without recurrence within 30 days of stopping antibiotics or permanent site disability. Seventeen patients were treated with TMP-SMX at comparable cure rates. Patients with pre-existing bone defects (noted in radiological reports), initial erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ≥70, hematogenous osteomyelitis with soft tissue extension, and skull osteomyelitis were associated with increased failure rate. Switch to low bioavailability antibiotics occurred, on average, at 3.5 weeks; however, switching before then was not associated with decreased cure rate. As prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), especially clindamycin- resistant MRSA, increases, TMP-SMX appears to be an acceptable antibiotic. There does not appear to be a minimum length of high bioavailability treatment required for cure. Prior bone defect, extensive infection, ESR≥70, or skull osteomyelitis may be indications for more aggressive management.
A Temporal Analysis of Geographical Distances in Computer Science Collaborations

This paper investigates collaborations in computer science based on the Association for Computing and Machinery (ACM) Digital Library dataset under the perspective of geographical distances between authors. We demonstrate that since the year 2003 (approximately) we have seen an increase in collaborative works but despite the availability of collaboration tools and social media, the collaborations are mostly between researchers who are a short geographical distance from each other.
Autonomous Weapon Systems and the Threshold of Non-International Armed Conflict

The ongoing international humanitarian law (IHL) discussion predominantly centers on whether States’ development and employment of AWS can comply with certain fundamental obligations contained in this body of law. Many of the legal challenges discussed will arise irrespective of whether they are used by armed groups or States. Specific concerns pertaining to armed groups, however, may be raised in determining whether hostilities between a State and an armed group, or between two or more such groups, reaches the threshold of a non-international armed conflict, thus triggering the applicable body of IHL. This article examines whether reliance on AWS by armed groups could have legal consequences for when the threshold of a non-international armed conflict is crossed.
Exploiting Frame Preamble Waveforms to Support New Physical-Layer Functions in OFDM-Based 802.11 Systems

The frame preamble in current WiFi systems is designed to facilitate various PHY-layer functions, including frequency offset estimation and frame detection. However, this preamble is typically fixed and is never used to convey any user-specific bits. Embedding information into the preamble opens the door for several new PHY-layer applications. For example, the PHY header no longer needs to be transmitted at a known (lowest) rate if this rate can be announced earlier in the preamble. A full-duplex transmitter can use the embedded information to inform other devices of its current operation mode (e.g., transmit/receive versus transmit/sense), obviating the need for additional control packets. In security applications, a PHY-layer sender identifier can be embedded in the preamble to facilitate PHY-level encryption. However, modifying the standard preamble to embed user information may disrupt the operation of 802.11a/n/ac devices. In this paper, we propose P-modulation , a method that enables an OFDM-based 802.11 transmitter to embed up to 19 user-specific bits in the frame preamble while maintaining the highest reliability required by the system. The proposed P-modulation is also backward-compatible with legacy receivers. Our analysis and USRP-based experimental results confirm the practicality of the scheme. Our scheme further provides insights into designing time-varying preambles for future wireless systems.
Exploiting the WNT Signaling Pathway for Clinical Purposes

The goal of this paper is to evaluate critically the literature published over the past 3 years regarding the Wnt signaling pathway. The Wnt pathway was found to be involved in bone biology in 2001–2002 with the discovery of a (G171V) mutation in the lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) that resulted in high bone mass and another mutation that completely inactivated Lrp5 function and resulted in osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG). The molecular biology has been complex, and very interesting. It has provided many opportunities for exploitation to develop new clinical treatments, particularly for osteoporosis. More clinical possibilities include: treatments for fracture healing, corticosteroid osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, and others. In addition, we wish to provide historical information coming from distant publications (~350 years ago) regarding bone biology that have been confirmed by study of Wnt signaling. A recent finding is the development of an antibody to sclerostin that is under study as a treatment for osteoporosis. Development of treatments for other forms of osteoporosis, such as corticosteroid osteoporosis, is also underway. The full range of the applications of the work is not yet been achieved.
Identifying teaching best practices for accounting courses using appreciative inquiry

Eagle Mountain University (EMU) recently merged its two separate accounting programs into a new college. While the transition from two programs to one program involves many challenges, a priority is the alignment of teaching best practices for accounting courses. This study addresses that objective. An earlier study by the researchers examined quality enablers for online accounting programs by examining a small graduate accounting program at a private university in the Western USA. This study performed additional research on this topic by focusing on identifying teaching best practices for accounting courses for the university. The research model used for this project was based on Thatchenkery's appreciative sharing of knowledge (ASK) model because it encourages knowledge sharing to build on the positive experiences of the organisation. This study was conducted using a virtual approach instead of the traditional face-face meetings used by Thatchenkery's ASK model (2005). Based on the findings of the study, a best practices framework for teaching accounting courses was started for EMU.
Social and Emotional Consequences of Child Maltreatment

More than a quarter of a century ago, Kempe and his colleagues (Kempe, Silverman, Steele, & Droegemueller, 1962) alerted the medical and academic communities to the “battered child syndrome.” Ever since, research on, and concern for, child maltreatment has proliferated. Although substantial concern has been directed toward the victims of abuse and neglect, most research has focused upon the perpetrators (see Belsky, 1978, 1980, and Parke & Collmer, 1975, for reviews). There are compelling reasons why etiology rather than consequences of child maltreatment have been the principle focus of empirical inquiry, perhaps the most obvious of which is priorities. The first task of those concerned with child abuse and neglect is to stop it from occurring again or to prevent it from happening in the first place. In order for either remediation or prevention efforts to succeed, understanding of etiology is essential.
Lessons from the past: isotopes of an endangered rail as indicators of underlying change to tidal marsh habitats

Introduction: Tidal marsh systems along the Pacific coast of the United States have experienced substantial stress and loss of area and ecosystem function, which we examined by using the endangered...
Presence of Rigid Red Blood Cells in Blood Flow Interferes with the Vascular Wall Adhesion of Leukocytes.

The symptoms of many blood diseases can often be attributed to irregularities in cellular dynamics produced by abnormalities in blood cells, particularly red blood cells (RBCs). Contingent on the disease and its severity, RBCs can be afflicted with increased membrane rigidity as seen in malaria and sickle cell disease. Despite this understanding, little experimental work has been conducted toward understanding the effect of RBC rigidity on cellular dynamics in physiologic blood flow. Though many have computationally modeled complex blood flow to postulate how RBC rigidity may disrupt normal hemodynamics, to date, there lacks a clear understanding of how rigid RBCs affect the blood cell segregation behavior in blood flow, known as margination, and the resulting change in the adhesion of white blood cells (WBCs). In this work, we utilized an in vitro blood flow model to examine how different RBC rigidities and volume fractions of rigid RBCs impact cell margination and the downstream effect on white blood ce...
Down Syndrome: A Model for Chromosome Abnormalities

Abstract Down syndrome is a multisystem disorder affecting one in 650–1000 births worldwide. It is the most common cause of intellectual disability and results in a greater susceptibility to early-onset Alzheimer disease, with over 75% of people with Down syndrome above the age of 65 years having a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Remarkable progress in advancing technology, medical treatment, and social intervention has dramatically increased life expectancy in Down syndrome. In addition, mouse models of Down syndrome have provided an unequivocal contribution to understanding the genetic and molecular pathogenesis underlying Down syndrome, leading to the emergence of potential therapeutic targets and the development of clinical trials for candidate drugs in humans.
Characterization of a Sperm Membrane Glycoprotein

The sperm plasma membrane has been the object of intense research activity in recent years (Moore, 1985). As a consequence, a large amount of data has accumulated, particularly on its structure and biochemistry, that is now beginning to yield information that may be generally useful in cell biology. Of particular interest are the restricted structural domains that overlie specific regions of the cell (such as the acrosome, the mid-piece mitochondria, etc.).
MicroRNAs in the Development and Progression of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the cancers with high incidence and mortality rates among US men. Even though prostate-specific antigen screening and other diagnostic approaches have improved patient prognosis, an urgent need for molecularly-based biomarkers of progression persists. MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation can have profound consequences as the loss of tumor-suppressive miRNAs enhances the expression of target oncogenes, while the upregulation of oncogenic miRNAs represses the target tumor suppressor genes. The realization of the importance of miRNAs in biological processes has led to a quest to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating miRNAs using a variety of model systems and to entertain the possibility of using miRNA antagonists or mimics for anticancer therapy. The promise of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers will also need to be realized by using validated datasets and standardized methodologies which will give us a way to compare and verify expression profiles. Here, we discuss the past and current studies which have led us to this point as miRNA-based therapeutics make their way into clinical trials.
Expression of natural antimicrobial human lysozyme in rice grains

In the present study, we explored the expression of human lysozyme in maturing rice grains. Particle bombardment-mediated transformation was utilized to deliver the codon-optimized structural gene for human lysozyme to the callus of rice cultivar Taipei 309. Lysozyme expression is controlled by the promoter and signal peptide sequence for rice storage protein Glutelin 1. A total of 33 fertile plants were regenerated from independent transformation events and 12 of them with significant expression levels of lysozyme were advanced to further generations. The transgenes were characterized by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Segregation analysis indicated a typical Mendelian 3: 1 inheritance, suggesting a single locus or closely linked loci of gene insertion. The expression levels of lysozyme reached 0.6% of the brown rice weight or 45% of soluble proteins. Seven transgenic breeding lines have been selected and followed over six generations. Lysozyme expression levels were maintained in all generations. Biochemical, biophysical and functional comparisons of native and recombinant human lysozyme revealed identical N-terminal sequence, molecular weight, pI and specific activity. Similar thermal and pH stability was observed for lysozyme from two sources. Furthermore, similar bactericidal activity was displayed towards a laboratory strain of E. coli. The possibility of improving medical and nutritional quality of infant formulas and baby foods with rice flour or rice extract containing recombinant human lysozyme is discussed.
The Molecular Workbench Software: An Innovative Dynamic Modeling Tool for Nanoscience Education

Nanoscience and nanotechnology are critically important in the twenty-first century (National Research Council, 2006; National Science and Technology Council, 2007). This is the field in which major sciences are joining, blending, and integrating (Battelle Memorial Institute & Foresight Nanotech Institute, 2007; Goodsell, 2004).
Investigation of Non-Darcy Flow for Fine Grained Materials

Research efforts have been done to determine the limit of validity of Darcy’s Law in various fields of engineering where viscous conditions of flow are likely exceeded. In geotechnical and geological engineering, the application of centrifuge modeling for studying flow through porous materials is complex because the seepage velocity scales proportionally to centrifuge gravity, resulting in greater potential for exceeding the limit of viscous flow. This limit is usually estimated based on Forchheimer’s Law and the concept of critical Reynolds number, Rcritic, but its interpretation remains ambiguous. This study provides new insights and establishes a connection between different theoretical approaches available in the literature. Centrifuge permeability tests were conducted at different gravitational levels for different materials. Effects of the characteristics of the porous media and centrifuge acceleration on the flow behavior were evaluated. Results show that parameters of Forchheimer’s Law remain constant regardless of the centrifuge acceleration. Values of Rcritic were obtained in a range from 0.2 to 11 depending on the characteristics of material. The interpretation of the limit of validity of Darcy’s Law was analyzed based on different definitions of Reynolds number and the Forchheimer number, and critical velocities of flow and hydraulic gradients were estimated.
Deconstructing the Financial Crisis

This chapter recounts a two-year Levin-Coburn investigation into key causes of the financial crisis. The investigation develops four case studies involving Goldman Sachs; Washington Mutual; the Office of Thrift Supervision; and Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. Four hearings present the case studies, followed a year later by a 750-page Levin-Coburn report, the only bipartisan analysis of the financial crisis. The chapter recounts how the investigation helped end a filibuster of the Dodd-Frank Act which enacted such reforms as curbs on high-risk bank activities and abusive mortgages, creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and a prohibition on banks selling clients deficient financial products and then profiting from those products’ failure.
Review of Growth Modeling: Structural Equation and Multilevel Modeling Approaches (Grimm, Ram & Estabrook, 2017)

Research questions that address developmental processes are becoming more prevalent in psychology and other areas of social science. Growth models have become a popular tool to model multiple individuals measured over several time points. These types of models allow researchers to answer a wide variety of research questions, such as modeling inter- and intra-individual differences and variability in longitudinal process (Molenaar 2004). The recently published book, Growth Modeling: Structural Equation and Multilevel Modeling Approaches (Grimm, Ram & Estabrook 2017), provides a solid foundation for both beginners and more advanced researchers interested in longitudinal data analysis by juxtaposing both the multilevel and structural equation modeling frameworks for several different models. By providing both sufficient technical background and practical coding examples in a variety of both commercial and open-source software, this book should serve as an excellent reference tool for behavioral and methodological researchers interested in growth modeling.
Amino Acid-Derived Sensors for Specific Zn 2+ Detection Using Hyperpolarized 13 C Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Alterations in Zn2+ concentration are seen in normal tissues and in disease states, and for this reason imaging of Zn2+ is an area of active investigation. Herein, enriched [1-13 C]cysteine and [1-13 C2 ]iminodiacetic acid were developed as Zn2+ -specific imaging probes using hyperpolarized 13 C magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [1-13 C]cysteine was used to accurately quantify Zn2+ in complex biological mixtures. These sensors can be employed to detect Zn2+ via imaging mechanisms including changes in 13 C chemical shift, resonance linewidth, or T1 .
'Deceived Me into Thinking/I Had Something to Protect': A Therapeutic Jurisprudence Analysis of When Multiple Experts Are Necessary in Cases in which Fact-Finders Rely on Heuristic Reasoning and 'Ordinary Common Sense'

There is a stunning disconnect between the false “ordinary common sense” of fact-finders (both jurors and judges) and the valid and reliable scientific evidence that should inform decisions on the full range of questions that are raised in cases involving the forensic mental health systems – predictions of future dangerousness, competency and insanity determinations, sentencing mitigation in death penalty cases, and sexually violent predator commitments. Abetted by the misuse of heuristic reasoning (the vividness effect, confirmatory bias, and more), decisionmakers in such case frequently “get it wrong” in ways that poison the criminal justice system. If we were to adopt this proposal – to provide two experts in cases in which such inaccuracy is likely, one to explain to the fact-finders why their “common sense” is fatally flawed, and one to provide an evaluation of the defendant in the context of the specific question before the court – then, and only then, would therapeutic jurisprudence principles be vindicated.
DNA Hairpin Hybridization under Extreme Pressures: A Single-Molecule FRET Study.

Organisms have evolved to live in a variety of complex environments, which clearly has required cellular biology to accommodate to extreme conditions of hydraulic pressure and elevated temperature. In this work, we exploit single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy to probe structural changes in DNA hairpins as a function of pressure and temperature, which allows us to extract detailed thermodynamic information on changes in free energy (ΔG°), free volume (ΔV°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°) associated with DNA loop formation and sequence-dependent stem hybridization. Specifically, time-correlated single-photon counting experiments on freely diffusing 40A DNA hairpin FRET constructs are performed in a 50 μm × 50 μm square quartz capillary cell pressurized from ambient pressure up to 3 kbar. By pressure-dependent van't Hoff analysis of the equilibrium constants, ΔV° for hybridization of the DNA hairpin can be determined as a function of stem length (nstem = 7-10) with single base-pair resolution, which further motivates a simple linear deconstruction into additive stem (ΔV°stem = ΔV°bp x nstem) and loop (ΔV°loop) contributions. We find that increasing pressure destabilizes the DNA hairpin stem region [ΔV°bp = +1.98(16) cm3/(mol bp)], with additional positive free volume changes [ΔV°loop = +7.0(14) cm3/mol] we ascribe to bending and base stacking disruption of the 40-dA loop. From a van't Hoff temperature-dependent analysis of the DNA 40A hairpin equilibria, the data support a similar additive loop/stem deconstruction of enthalpic (ΔH° = ΔH°loop + ΔH°stem) and entropic (ΔS° = ΔS°loop + ΔS°stem) contributions, which permits insightful comparison with predictions from nearest-neighbor thermodynamic models for DNA duplex formation. In particular, the stem thermodynamics is consistent with exothermically favored (ΔH°stem 0) and entropic (ΔS°loop > 0) contributions due to loop bending effects consistent with distortion of dA base stacking in the 40-dA linker.
Stress and Coping: Conceptual Models for Understanding Dementia Among Latinos

Since the late 1990s, family caregiving theories have contributed significantly to improve our understanding of the dynamic and diverse experiences of caregivers. Some theories have been translated into best practices to deliver a broad range of programs for family caregivers. However, researchers still have not been able to translate most of these theories into interventions for low-income and culturally diverse caregivers. This chapter highlights current knowledge, research, and practice available and, for the most part, based on stress and coping conceptual models, for Latino older adults with dementia and their family caregivers. More specifically, we discuss how existing support services for Latino caregivers are able to address multiple threats associated with their experience of dementia, their cultural family context, and the everyday challenges associated with their low-income status and limited available resources. Several salient theoretical frameworks and innovative efforts that led to development of evidence-based knowledge are examined along with interventions to meet the needs of Latino family dementia caregivers.
Potential germline findings identified during somatic tumor testing: Room for improvement.

1543Background: Genomic testing, useful for treatment planning and identification of patients for clinical trials, may indicate the presence of a germline mutation. We sought to evaluate the incide...
Decorrelated Double Q-learning

Q-learning with value function approximation may have the poor performance because of overestimation bias and imprecise estimate. Specifically, overestimation bias is from the maximum operator over noise estimate, which is exaggerated using the estimate of a subsequent state. Inspired by the recent advance of deep reinforcement learning and Double Q-learning, we introduce the decorrelated double Q-learning (D2Q). Specifically, we introduce the decorrelated regularization item to reduce the correlation between value function approximators, which can lead to less biased estimation and low variance. The experimental results on a suite of MuJoCo continuous control tasks demonstrate that our decorrelated double Q-learning can effectively improve the performance.
Excess Mortality in California During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic, March to August 2020.

This time-series analysis examines the excess number of deaths across population subgroups in California during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neuroscience Near-Peer-Led Flipped Classroom Improves Student Confidence With Clinical Application of Content and Test-Taking Skills.

Introduction The ability to apply knowledge gained in neuroscience coursework to a clinical scenario is found to be difficult by many medical students. Neuroscience is both important for future cli...
The Impact of Unintended Extubation Rate Tracking in Adults: An Approach to Baseline Outcomes for Improving Patient Safety

Background: Unintended extubations (UEs) are considered an indicator of healthcare quality in intensive care units (ICUs). We define endotracheal tube (ETT) and tracheostomy decannulations as UEs. UE is a complication of artificial airways in patients with and without mechanical ventilation. UEs involving ETTs have been reported in 3-16% of mechanically ventilated patients (1), and several studies identify UEs as a marker of quality of weaning care. Intermountain Healthcare is an integrated healthcare system in the intermountain west with 23 acute care hospitals of which 20 provide respiratory care services. We sought to identify the incidence and root causes of UEs & trends in artificial airway practices associated with adult patients in our ICUs. Methods: During Q4 2018, outcomes regarding UEs were tracked via electronic medical record documentation, event reports and daily safety huddles. Charts were reviewed to identify root causes such as activity level, securing device, caregiver/family presence, ventilator settings and reintubation. We acknowledge UEs may have been previously under-reported and true prevalence was unknown. While some element of normalization of UEs may have been prevalent, an increased culture of safety is occurring. With data tracking, we have appreciated improved reporting behaviors. Results: Documented UEs were noted in 30 pts (Table 1). Trends included: 1) time of day (11 UEs occurred before 10 AM with only 1 occurring after 10 PM), 2) no difference in UE occurrence appeared associated with the airway securing method, 3) 15 pts were in a spontaneous ventilator mode, and 4) the majority of UEs did not occur during early mobility. The ICU with the most aggressive mobility practice (TID) had zero UEs. We found 3.3% of mechanically ventilated pts had a UE with 7 (23%) of them requiring reintubation. Conclusions: Additional methods of baseline data inquiries found that the most consistent contributors were sudden wakefulness and variation in restraint application. During 2019, all UEs are being reviewed for further trend analysis as well as standardized response interventions to assess efficacy of UE mitigation. We emphasize the importance of baseline analysis to identify root causes and care plan gap solutions. Reference: 1. Boulain T. Unplanned extubations in the adult intensive care unit: a prospective multicenter study: association des Reanimateurs du Centre-Ouest. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998;157:1131-1137.
A Metric for Quantifying the Resolution of Molecular Assays

Abstract Many assay developers focus on limit of detection (LOD) as a primary performance metric, and LOD is indeed useful for assays designed to determine the presence or absence of an analyte. However, LOD is less useful for ‘continuous assays’ designed to discriminate between concentrations of an analyte—e.g., glucose monitoring in diabetes, where clinical care is guided by particular concentration ranges and thresholds. In such scenarios, it would be valuable to quantify discriminatory resolution—i.e., whether an assay can differentiate 1 pM from 10 pM— but no such standardized metric currently exists. Here, we propose a useful solution, termed ‘resolution of molecular concentration’ (RMC). RMC offers a simple means for characterizing quantitative resolution and quickly comparing the quantitative performance of assays. By raising awareness of the limitations of current metrics for evaluating assay performance, we hope to empower the molecular diagnostics community to evaluate their methods in a more application-appropriate manner.
An Explainable Artificial Intelligence Approach for Predicting Cardiovascular Outcomes using Electronic Health Records

Understanding the conditionally-dependent clinical variables that drive cardiovascular health outcomes is a major challenge for precision medicine. Here, we deploy a recently developed massively scalable comorbidity discovery method called Poisson Binomial based Comorbidity discovery (PBC), to analyze Electronic Health Records (EHRs) from the University of Utah and Primary Children9s Hospital (over 1.6 million patients and 77 million visits) for comorbid diagnoses, procedures, and medications. Using explainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) methodologies, we then tease apart the intertwined, conditionally-dependent impacts of comorbid conditions and demography upon cardiovascular health, focusing on the key areas of heart transplant, sinoatrial node dysfunction and various forms of congenital heart disease. The resulting multimorbidity networks make possible wide-ranging explorations of the comorbid and demographic landscapes surrounding these cardiovascular outcomes, and can be distributed as web-based tools for further community-based outcomes research. The ability to transform enormous collections of EHRs into compact, portable tools devoid of Protected Health Information solves many of the legal, technological, and data-scientific challenges associated with large-scale EHR analyzes.
Spherical Fuzzy Labelling Graphs

Fuzzy graphs are a mathematical representation of networks and real-life problems. The spherical fuzzy model is a more versatile model that picture. In order to deal with the real-life problems, the bounded constraints have been relaxed and thus spherical fuzzy graph was introduced. In this research article, the main objective is to introduce the idea of spherical fuzzy labelling of graphs and the concepts of strong arc, partial cut node, bridge of spherical fuzzy labelling graphs, spherical fuzzy labelling tree and cycle along with their properties and results.
Analysis of the CFA “Great Wall” Using The Minimal Spanning Tree

MST analysis shows the “Great Wall” as a statistically significant linear feature in the galaxy distribution. It is not as long as visual impressions may suggest. Another “Wall” extends radially, perpendicular to the GW. These two walls intersect at the Coma cluster.
Application of backscattered electron imaging for process development in advanced technology nodes

In this paper, we studied defect discovery and defect review using back-scattered electron (BSE) images. We found that some defects can only be effectively imaged with BSE mode such as hafnium oxide remain at metal gate chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) in the gate last high-k metal gate (HKMG) process. It can also enhance contrast for materials in the bottom of high aspect ratio (HAR) trenches and holes. BSE mode imaging of electron beam review (EBR) is a very useful mode for advanced process technology development and chip production monitoring, especially for middle of line (MOL), which has many buried defects, subsurface defects and thin CMP remains.
Proton Therapy in the Clinic

The clinical advantage for proton radiotherapy over photon approaches is the marked reduction in integral dose to the patient, due to the absence of exit dose beyond the proton Bragg peak. The integral dose with protons is approximately 60% lower than that with any external beam photon technique. Pediatric patients, because of their developing normal tissues and anticipated length of remaining life, are likely to have the maximum clinical gain with the use of protons. Proton therapy may also allow treatment of some adult tumors to much more effective doses, because of normal tissue sparing distal to the tumor. Currently, the most commonly available proton treatment technology uses 3D conformal approaches based on (a) distal range modulation, (b) passive scattering of the proton beam in its x- and y-axes, and (c) lateral beam-shaping. It is anticipated that magnetic pencil beam scanning will become the dominant mode of proton delivery in the future, which will lower neutron scatter associated with passively scattered beam lines, reduce the need for expensive beam-shaping devices, and allow intensity-modulated proton radiotherapy. Proton treatment plans are more sensitive to variations in tumor size and normal tissue changes over the course of treatment than photon plans, and it is expected that adaptive radiation therapy will be increasingly important for proton therapy as well. While impressive treatment results have been reported with protons, their cost is higher than for photon IMRT. Hence, protons should ideally be employed for anatomic sites and tumors not well treated with photons. While protons appear cost-effective for pediatric tumors, their cost-effectiveness for treatment of some adult tumors, such as prostate cancer, is uncertain. Comparative studies have been proposed or are in progress to more rigorously assess their value for a variety of sites. The utility of proton therapy will be enhanced by technological developments that reduce its cost. Combinations of 3D protons with IMRT photons may offer improved treatment plans at lower cost than pure proton plans. Hypofractionation with proton therapy appears to be safe and cost-effective for many tumor sites, such as for selected liver, lung and pancreas cancers, and may yield significant reduction in the cost of a therapy course. Together, these offer practical strategies for expanding the clinical availability of proton therapy.
Soul Confusion and Moral Education of Human Beings in Technology Age

In technology era, the alienation of science and technology intensifies the confrontation between man and nature, man and himself, and man and the society, bring great harm to people’s mind, and obstruct the value of moral education. The effective ways to prevent and resolve this alienation of science and technology are to enhance the education of human mind and moral, to strengthen the guiding role of moral education, and to control and guide the development of modern science and technology with moral ethics.
The human aquaporin-CHIP gene. Structure, organization, and chromosomal localization.

Abstract Aquaporin-CHIP is the first known molecular water channel. Originally identified in red cells and renal tubules, transcripts and proteins related to AQP-CHIP are also expressed in diverse epithelia with distinct developmental patterns. Northern analyses of RNA from several tissues revealed transcripts of 3.1 kilobases and other sizes. The nucleotide sequences of human kidney AQP-CHIP cDNAs are identical to the human bone marrow AQP-CHIP cDNA. The 17-kilobase human AQP-CHIP structural gene was isolated, and restriction maps were constructed and partially sequenced. The TATA consensus sequence is located 87 bp 5' to the translation initiation site, and sequences surrounding the polyadenylation consensus were determined. Four exons were identified corresponding to amino acids 1-128, 129-183, 184-210, and 211-269, separated by introns of 9.6, 0.43, and 0.80 kilobases. Genomic Southern analyses indicated the existence of a single AQP-CHIP gene which was located at human chromosome 7p14 by in situ hybridization. Sequence comparisons of AQP-CHIP and cDNAs of similar proteins from diverse species suggested a common evolutionary origin. At least three of these proteins are now known to function as membrane water pores and are referred to as the "Aquaporins." These genomic AQP-CHIP DNA sequences should permit molecular characterization of the complex patterns of AQP-CHIP expression.
Characteristics of Beef Cattle That Determine the Price Difference Between Traditional and Cph Sales

OF THESIS CHARACTERISTICS OF BEEF CATTLE THAT DETERMINE THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND CPH SALES Cattle producers are faced with difficult decisions on how they market their calves. This study examines the different characteristics that play a role in determining the price of a group of animals. Identifying characteristics that determine price differentials relative to the price premium given to producers participating in CPH sales is important information when producers are making a marketing decision. The model developed in this study provides producers with evidence of what characteristics generate the highest price, as well as relative differences between sales locations and types of sales. The more information available to producers, the better equipped they are to make decisions.
Rigid and Deformable Vasculature-to-Image Registration: A Hierarchical Approach

Several recent studies demonstrate the potential of using tubular structures such as vessels as a basis for image registration. In this paper, we present a novel technique for the deformable registration of tubular structures. Our approach aligns tubular models, e.g. vessels of an organ, with an image by combining both rigid and non-rigid transformations in a hierarchical manner. The physical structure and properties of the vessels are taken into account to drive the registration process. Our model-to-image registration method shows sub-voxel accuracy as well as robustness to noise and a convergence time of less than one minute.
A Game-Theoretic Approach to the Simple Coevolutionary Algorithm

The fundamental distinction between ordinary evolutionary algorithms (EA) and co-evolutionary algorithms lies in the interaction between coevolving entities. We behave that this property is essentially game-theoretic in nature. Using game theory, we describe extensions that allow familiar mixing-matrix and Markov-chain models of EAs to address coevolutionary algorithm dynamics. We then employ concepts from evolutionary game theory to examine design aspects of conventional coevolutionary algorithms that are poorly understood.