cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coagulation, fibrinolytic and inhibitory proteins in acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris

Abstract background and method: The role of thrombus formation in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina pectoris has been well established. However, comprehensive and systematic studies of the blood coagulation, fibrinolytic, and inhibitory proteins are not available in patients with these conditions. Fourteen patients with AMI, 10 patients with angina pectoris, and 32 normal volunteers were studied. Plasma antigen concentrations and/or activities of high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK), fibrinogen, fibronectin, plasminogen, D-dimer, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), α 2 -antiplasmin, α 2 -macroglobulin, α 1 -antitrypsin, protein C, total and free protein S, antithrombin III (AT-III), von Willebrand factor (vWF), factors (F) XII, XI, IX, VIII, VII, X, V, II, and XIII, and plasma antiplasmin activity were measured using appropriate functional or immunologic assays. results: The AMI group showed a significant reduction in F XII activity, F XII activity-to-concentration ratio, and HMWK concentration. In addition, the AMI patients exhibited a significant elevation of plasma F XI activity, F IX concentration, and F IX activity, and vWF, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and t-PA concentrations. This was associated with significant reductions in F V, F II, and AT-III activity-to-concentration ratio. Many of the changes observed in AMI patients were also present in patients with angina pectoris. Furthermore, the latter group exhibited an elevation of F VIII activity, α 2 -macroglobulin activity, and α 1 -antitrypsin concentration and a significant reduction of antiplasmin activity despite a normal α 2 -antiplasmin concentration. conclusions: The observed reduction of the plasma F XII activity-to-antigen concentration ratio combined with a reduced HMWK concentration suggests intrinsic pathway activation, while the elevation of the D-dimer concentration indicates thrombin generation and fibrin formation and degradation in the AMI group. The latter changes were also present in patients with angina pectoris. Both AMI and angina groups showed several other abnormalities of the coagulation, fibrinolytic, and inhibitory systems. The results suggest the presence of a prothrombotic state associated with the activation of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in patients with acute myocardial ischemia or infarction.
Targeting of mutant p53-induced FoxM1 with thiostrepton induces cytotoxicity and enhances carboplatin sensitivity in cancer cells

FoxM1 is an oncogenic Forkhead transcription factor that is overexpressed in ovarian cancer. However, the mechanisms by which FoxM1 is deregulated in ovarian cancer and the extent to which FoxM1 can be targeted in ovarian cancer have not been reported previously. In this study, we showed that MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3 upregulated p53 protein and downregulated FoxM1 expression in several cancer cell lines with wild type TP53 but not in cell lines with mutant TP53. FoxM1 downregulation was partially blocked by cycloheximide or actinomycin D, and pulse-chase studies indicate Nutlin-3 enhances FoxM1 mRNA decay. Knockdown of p53 using shRNAs abrogated the FoxM1 downregulation by Nutlin-3, indicating a p53-dependent mechanism. FoxM1 inhibitor, thiostrepton, induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines and enhances sensitivity to cisplatin in these cells. Thiostrepton downregulates FoxM1 expression in several cancer cell lines and enhances sensitivity to carboplatin in vivo. Finally, FoxM1 expression is elevated in nearly all (48/49) ovarian tumors, indicating that thiostrepton target gene is highly expressed in ovarian cancer. In summary, the present study provides novel evidence that both amorphic and neomorphic mutations in TP53 contribute to FoxM1 overexpression and that FoxM1 may be targeted for therapeutic benefits in cancers.
Vegetation trends in tallgrass prairie from bison and cattle grazing

Comparisons between how bison and cattle grazing affect the plant community are understood poorly because of confounding differences in how the herbivores are typically managed. This 10-year study compared vegetation changes in Kansas (USA) tallgrass prairie that was burned and grazed season-long at a moderate stocking rate by either bison or cattle. We held management practices constant between the herbivores and equalized grazing pressure by matching animals so that the total body mass in all pastures was similar each year. Trends in species cover and diversity indices in the bison and cattle pastures were compared with ungrazed prairie that also was burned annually. We found that little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) cover decreased over time in bison pastures, and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) cover increased over time in cattle pastures. Grazing by either herbivore increased the canopy cover of annual forbs, perennial forbs, and cool-season graminoids, but both annual and perennial forb cove...
Beyond nC60: strategies for identification of transformation products of fullerene oxidation in aquatic and biological samples

Owing to their exceptional properties and versatility, fullerenes are in widespread use for numerous applications. Increased production and use of fullerenes will inevitably result in accelerated environmental release. However, study of the occurrence, fate, and transport of fullerenes in the environment is complicated because a variety of surface modifications can occur as a result of either intentional functionalization or natural processes. To gain a better understanding of the effect and risk of fullerenes on environmental health, it is necessary to acquire reliable data on the parent compounds and their congeners. Whereas currently established quantification methods generally focus on analysis of unmodified fullerenes, we discuss in this review the occurrence and analysis of oxidized fullerene congeners (i.e., their corresponding epoxides and polyhydroxylated derivatives) in the environment and in biological specimens. We present possible strategies for detection and quantification of parent nanomaterials and their various derivatives.
The functions of mTOR in ischemic diseases.

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase and that forms two multiprotein complexes known as the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). mTOR regulates cell growth, proliferation and survival. mTORC1 is composed of the mTOR catalytic subunit and three associated proteins: raptor, mLST8/GβL and PRAS40. mTORC2 contains mTOR, rictor, mLST8/GβL, mSin1, and protor. Here, we discuss mTOR as a promising anti-ischemic agent. It is believed that mTORC2 lies down-stream of Akt and acts as a direct activator of Akt. The different functions of mTOR can be explained by the existence of two distinct mTOR complexes containing unique interacting proteins. The loss of TSC2, which is upstream of mTOR, activates S6K1, promotes cell growth and survival, activates mTOR kinase activities, inhibits mTORC1 and mTORC2 via mTOR inhibitors, and suppresses S6K1 and Akt. Although mTOR signaling pathways are often activated in human diseases, such as cancer, mTOR signaling pathways are deactivated in ischemic diseases. From Drosophila to humans, mTOR is necessary for Ser473 phosphorylation of Akt, and the regulation of Akt-mTOR signaling pathways may have a potential role in ischemic disease. This review evaluates the potential functions of mTOR in ischemic diseases. A novel mTOR-interacting protein deregulates over-expression in ischemic disease, representing a new mechanism for controlling mTOR signaling pathways and potential therapeutic strategies for ischemic diseases. [BMB reports 2011; 44(8): 506-511]
Transfusion and pulmonary morbidity after cardiac surgery.

Background True lung injury is among the leading causes of transfusion-related mortality. Pulmonary morbidity after cardiac surgery has been related to damaging effects of cardiopulmonary bypass and transfusion, but is confounded by cardiac-related events that may not reflect true lung injury. Thus, cardiac surgery poses unique challenges to criteria-specific diagnosis of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Our objective was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary morbidity related to transfusion and whether TRALI consensus-criteria are applicable to cardiac surgery. Methods A total of 16,847 patients underwent on-pump, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve, or CABG-valve surgery from September 1998 to February 1, 2006. We performed four propensity-score-matching analyses with logistic regression on probability of receiving a transfusion: total hospital red blood cell (RBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion and intraoperative RBC and FFP transfusion. Outcomes included traditional cardiac-surgery-defined pulmonary morbidity and ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fractional inspired oxygen concentration (Pao 2 /Fio 2 ), a criterion for TRALI. Results Patients receiving RBC transfusion had more risk-adjusted pulmonary complications: respiratory distress 4.8% vs 1.5%, p p p p = 0.015; and reintubation, 5.6% vs 1.3%, p 2 /Fio 2 ratio Conclusions Transfusion is associated with many measures of postoperative pulmonary morbidity. Yet the Pao 2 /Fio 2 ratio as important criterion of TRALI is unrelated to transfusion. Thus, due to the nature of cardiac surgery, application of consensus guided diagnosis of TRALI is problematic.
ACUTE HEMATOGENOUS OSTEOMYELITIS IN THE ADULT

Two of five cases of acute, hematogenous osteomyelitis in the adult occurred in the femoral shaft, and weie accompanied by pathological fractures—which are a common occurrence and difficult to prevent. The clinical pictures of adult and childhood osteomyelitis are different. There may be two distinct pathological types of adult infection, as evidence by roentgenograms.
Frequency stabilization of a mid-infrared optical frequency comb to single-frequency optical references

A mid-infrared (MIR) optical frequency comb produced by difference frequency generation is stabilized to cw optical references with residual linewidth <10 Hz. This stabilization will be important for dual-comb spectroscopy in the MIR.
Continuum Modeling of Bilayer Lipid Membranes

A continuum model is used for the description of the mechanical response of bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) subjected to hydrostatic pressure. The model is formulated under the assumption that the BLMs are Smectic A liquid crystals. The mean orientation of the amphiphilic molecules is postulated to be perpendicular to the lipid layers and each layer is idealized as a two dimensional liquid. The permeation process governs the motion of the molecules through the smectic layers. The approach taken in this study is based on the seminal works of Helfrich [1] and de Gennes [2] on Smectic A liquid crystals. The failure process of the BLMs, which is observed in the experimental studies, is considered to be due to extrusion of the BLMs through the pores of the polycarbonate filters.
The “Why-Don't-You-Just…?” Barrier in Discrete Algorithms

One of the big differences between teaching discrete algorithms and teaching a more conventional mathematics course is that students will almost always see some way to construct an algorithm, while much less often will they be able to prove a theorem without assistance. The first thought that we have about how to solve an algorithmic problem is, however, often very far from an efficient or elegant solution. The idea that the problem is trivial, because "why-don'tyou-just. . . [insert here the thought which comes first to mind]?" constitutes a formidable barrier to the presentation of the subject, because one is often not ready to listen to a more difficult solution before being convinced that the simpler solution is undesirable. (I must hasten to add that I have taught extremely bright students whose first thoughts were very desirable indeed!) For this reason it seems that the best strategy for the teacher is to pose the problem, and then to listen to the various suggestions that will come from the students, discussing with them the execution time, storage requirements, elegance, compactness of program, etc., of their proposals in some detail, before proceeding with the presentation of a difficult algorithm. I would like to offer a few examples of this kind of situation-where some solution is immediately evident, but the best solution is some distance away. These examples arose in connection with teaching from a book [1] and illustrate the point fairly typically. As a small introductory tidbit, consider the calculation of Fibonacci numbers f1Jf2Jf3, . . When I teach an introductory computer course and assign this for homework, I find that most students will program the recurrence exactly as it appears in its written form, namely
Cinema and Experience by Miriam Hansen. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011

Among the most striking features of Miriam Hansen's Cinema and Experience is how little it resembles a rescue mission. Of the three figures the book treats—T. W. Adorno, Walter Benjamin, and Siegfr...
Study on effect of IFNα-2b in treating bronchiolitis

Objective:To study the effect of interferon α-2b(IFNα-2b) in treating infantile bronchiolitis.Methods:90 cases of infantile bronchiolitis were randomly divided into treatment group(42 cases) and control group(48 cases).Both groups got some routine treatments such as atomization inhalation,preventing cough,reducing sputum,relieving bronchospasm and asthma,controlling infection.The treatment group received additional IFNα-2b 1×105IU/(kg.d) once a day by intramuscular injection.The time of therapy was5 d.The difference of improvement of symptoms and physical signs were observed in both of groups.Results:The response rate was 95% in the treatment group and 75% in the control group,respectively.The periods of remission and disappearance of the major symptoms and physical signs in the treatment group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(P0.05),including fever,cough,asthma,rales and chest X-ray.Conclusion:IFNα-2b is effective in treating bronchiolitis with reliable and convenient effects,which should be worth being used widely in basic level hospital.
Use of silicone rubber as a pericardial substitute to facilitate reoperation in cardiac surgery.

Reoperations following cardiac procedures have an increased risk because of the danger of damaging the heart, great vessels, or grafts because of adhesions to the sternum and anterior chest wall. We report our experience with the use of silicone rubber as a pericardial substitute in 102 patients—58 children undergoing palliative and corrective operations and 44 adults undergoing porcine valve insertion or coronary revascularization. The pericardial substitute was used only in cases in which reoperation was considered likely. There were no mediastinal infections. One adult had signs of cardiac constriction which improved markedly on administration of anti-inflammatory agents. Seven patients required reoperation for bleeding. Two patients who underwent Fontan procedures developed pericardial effusions necessitating a pericardial window. Reoperation was undertaken I to 12 months postoperatively in seven patients, all of whom were children. The silicone rubber greatly facilitated opening of the chest but did not affect the formation of adhesions within the pericardium. Postmortem examinations have been obtained in two cases 5 and 9 months postoperatively, and showed a thin layer of dense fibrous tissue adjacent to the silicone rubber. We conclude that silicone rubber may be used safely as a pericardial substitute and that it facilitates reoperation following cardiac operations. Particular caution should be used in patients undergoing Fontan procedures, as there appears to be a tendency for pericardial effusions and tamponade to develop.
Evaluation of Pattern Matching Workloads in Graph Analysis Systems

Graph data management and mining became a popular area of research, and led to the development of plethora of systems in recent years. Unfortunately, a number of emerging graph analysis systems assume different graph data models, and support different query interface and serialization formats. Such diversity, combined with a lack of comparisons, makes it complicated to understand the trade-offs between different systems and the graph operations for which they are designed. This study presents an evaluation of graph pattern matching capabilities of six graph analysis systems, by extending the Lehigh University Benchmark to investigate the degree of effectiveness to perform the same operation over the same graph in various graph analysis systems. Through the evaluation, this study reveals both quantitative and qualitative findings.
Selective Minimally Invasive Management of Calculi in Patients with Urinary Diversions

We evaluate the efficacy of selectively applied minimally invasive management of calculi in 30 patients with urinary diversions (ileal/jejunal conduit in 23, cutaneous ureterostomy in 2, nonrefluxing colon conduit in 4 and ureterosigmoidostomy in 1). Upper tract calculi in 38 renal units were managed with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or endo-urologically. Patients were divided into 3 treatment groups determined primarily by stone size and location: group 1-25 renal units with a mean stone burden of 1.78 cm.2 treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy alone, group 2-7 renal units with a mean stone burden of 12.75 cm.2 treated with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy alone and group 3-6 renal units with a mean stone burden of 19.03 cm.2 treated with a combination of both procedures. Stone-free results were 92%, 100% and 67% in groups 1 to 3, respectively. Total hospital stay averaged 4.3, 11.1 and 13.7 nights, while complications occurred in 1, 3 and 2 patients, respectively. We conclude that selective application of contemporary techniques for minimally invasive management of calculi in patients with a urinary diversion can provide acceptable results, even with progressively large and complex stone burdens, and that these results will be equivalent to those achieved in patients without urinary diversion.
The promise, pitfalls, and persistent challenge of action research

AbstractAction research began as an ambitious epistemological and social intervention. As the concept has become reified, packaged for methodology textbooks and professional development workshops, it has degenerated into a cure that may be worse than the disease. The point is not the trivial one that action research, like any practice, sometimes shows up in cheap or corrupt forms. The very idea that action research already exists as a live option is mystifying, distracting us from the deep challenge that action research ultimately represents. Though Joseph Schwab is sometimes credited as a forerunner of action research, it is likely that he would see the new talk of ‘the teacher as researcher’ as indicative of the very epitomization of which he warned. Dewey’s new conception of knowledge, action, and communication – and the vision of the teacher as learner it entails – requires nothing short of a radical rethinking of teaching and inquiry, schooling and teacher education. This essay recalls the promise of...
Experimental evidence for retro-causation in quantum mechanics using weak values

Physicists and philosophers have long argued about the real possibility that future events can influence what happens in the present. A time symmetric theory for nonrelativistic quantum mechanics first proposed in 1964 by Aharonov, Bergman, and Lebowitz and elaborated more recently by Aharonov et al. in terms of weak measurements and weak values has provided a formalism that encompasses this using not only standard forward in time evolving quantum states, but also requiring in its formulation quantum states that are evolving backward in time. Although the retro-causal interpretation of weak values remains controversial, experiments have verified many of the theory’s counterintuitive predictions. Here, we report an experimentally observed change in a weak value induced by controlled phase shifts occurring in an optically dark path of a twin Mach–Zehnder interferometer. These results can be explained in terms of the effect of a retro-propagating quantum state upon a weak value. This explanation provides empirical support for Aharonov’s controversial retro-causal interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Probing the Metabolomics of Stem Cell Differentiation with Biomaterials

In this issue of Chem , Ulijn, Dalby, and co-workers have developed a novel biomaterials platform as a screening tool for identifying metabolites that can bias differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Digital reduced-order modeling and feedback design for nonlinear systems

Digital processors provide the most convenient means to perform the real-time computations required for the implementation of complex nonlinear feedback systems. In this paper, sampled-data techniques which accurately model the effects of digital implementation are applied to nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. Using the permanent-magnet synchronous motor as an example, the digital reduced-order design method is illustrated and auxiliary issues, such as state estimation and parameter identification, are also addressed.
Models for Predicting Incident Delirium in Hospitalized Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Purpose The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the reported risk prediction models and identify the most prevalent factors for incident delirium in older inpatient populations (age ≥ 65 years). In the future, these risk factors could be used to develop a delirium risk prediction model in the electronic health record that can be used by the Hospital Elder Life Program to reduce the incidence of delirium. Methods A medical librarian customized and conducted a search strategy for all published articles on delirium prediction models using an array of electronic databases and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, a geriatrician and two research associates assessed the quality of the selected studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results A total of 4,351 articles were identified from initial literature search. After review, data were extracted from 12 studies. The quality of these studies was assessed using NOS and ranged from 4 to 8. The most common risk factors reported were dementia, decreased functional status, high blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio, infection and severe illness. Conclusions The most prevalent factors associated with incidence of delirium in hospitalized older patients identified by this systematic review could be used to develop an electronic health record-generated risk prediction model to identify inpatients at risk of developing delirium.
Complications of Vascular Access: Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Stenosis or occlusion of central veins in hemodialysis patients is common, especially with previous intravascular catheter or device use. Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is emerging as a frequent chronic complication of central vein cannulation that not only jeopardizes the availability of vascular access for hemodialysis, but can become a life-threatening emergency. Clinical features of SVC syndrome can be subtle or dramatic, including facial swelling and shortness of breath, which require expeditious attention and intervention. The approach to SVC syndrome involves judicious use of imaging techniques to define the cause and location. Early management with endovascular intervention with angioplasty and stent placement is the usual first choice. The occlusion can often be recanalized using new techniques such as radiofrequency wire and then salvaged with stents, providing prompt resolution of symptoms. Limitations to interventions include requirement of cutting-edge equipment, expertise, expense, and the usually temporary nature of the resolution. Surgery is considered the treatment of last resort for refractory cases. SVC syndrome can be prevented by minimizing catheter and intravascular device use through early recognition of patients with chronic kidney disease, early referral for education about all choices for kidney replacement modalities, and early placement of arteriovenous access prior to the onset of dialysis therapy.
Evaluating Activated Carbon Adsorption of Dissolved Organic Matter and Micropollutants Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) negatively impacts granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption of micropollutants and is a disinfection byproduct precursor. DOM from surface waters, wastewater effluent, and 1 kDa size fractions were adsorbed by GAC and characterized using fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-absorption, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Fluorescing DOM was preferentially adsorbed relative to UV-absorbing DOM. Humic-like fluorescence (peaks A and C) was selectively adsorbed relative to polyphenol-like fluorescence (peaks T and B) potentially due to size exclusion effects. In the surface waters and size fractions, peak C was preferentially removed relative to peak A, whereas the reverse was found in wastewater effluent, indicating that humic-like fluorescence is associated with different compounds depending on DOM source. Based on specific UV-absorption (SUVA), aromatic DOM was preferentially adsorbed. The fluorescence index (FI), if interpreted as an indicator of aromaticity, indicated the o...
HIV-1 drug-resistant mutations and related risk factors among HIV-1-positive individuals experiencing treatment failure in Hebei Province, China

To understand HIV-1 drug resistance in 11 prefectures of Hebei Province, China, we implemented a cross-sectional HIV-1 molecular epidemiological survey. Blood samples were collected from 122 newly diagnosed drug-naive HIV-1-positive individuals and 229 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-failure individuals from 11 prefectures in Hebei Province, China. Patient demographic data were obtained via face-to-face interviews using a standardized questionnaire when blood samples were collected. Genotyping of HIV-1 drug resistance (DR) was implemented using an in-house assay. In this study, the overall prevalence of HIV-1 DR was 35.5%. The prevalence of HIV-1 DR in participants experiencing treatment failure and ART-naive participants was 51.9 and 5.9%, respectively. Mutations in protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and non-NRTI (NNRTIs), as well as dual and multiple mutations were extensively seen in participants experiencing treatment failure. The proportions of NNRTI mutations (χ2 = 9.689, p = 0.002) and dual mutations in NRTIs and NNRTIs (χ2 = 39.958, p < 0.001) in participants experiencing treatment failure were significantly higher than those in ART-naive participants. The distributions of M184V/I and M41L mutations differed significantly among three main HIV-1 genotypes identified. Viral load, symptoms in the past 3 months, CD4 counts, transmission route, and the duration of ART were found to be associated with HIV-1 DR. Our results suggest that new prevention and control strategies should be formulated according to the epidemic characteristics of HIV-1-resistant strains in Hebei Province, where antiretroviral drugs are widely used.
Early bronchoalveolar lavage for intubated trauma patients with TBI or chest trauma

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of an early bronchoalveolar lavage (E-BAL) protocol. BAL was performed within 48 h for intubated patients with traumatic brain injury or chest trauma. We hypothesized that E-BAL would decrease antibiotic use and improve outcomes compared to late BAL (L-BAL) triggered by clinical signs of pneumonia. Methods Retrospective cohort analysis of 132 patients with quantitative BAL and ≥1 risk factor: head Abbreviated Injury Score ≥2, ≥3 rib fractures, or radiographic signs of aspiration or pulmonary contusion. E-BAL (n=71) was compared to L-BAL (n=61). Pneumonia was defined as ≥10 4 organisms on BAL or Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score >6. Results There were no significant differences in age, injury severity, initial Pao 2 :Fio 2 , or smoking status between E-BAL and L-BAL groups. 52% and 61% of the E-BAL and L-BAL cultures were positive, respectively. E-BAL patients had fewer antibiotic days (7.3 vs 9.2, P =.034), ventilator days (11 vs 15, P =.002), tracheostomies (49% vs 75%, P =.002), and shorter intensive care unit and hospital length of stay (13 vs 17 days ( P =.007), 18 vs 22 days ( P =.041)). Conclusions More than half of all E-BAL patients had pneumonia present early after admission. E-BAL was associated with fewer days on antibiotics and better outcomes than L-BAL.
The effectiveness of cloud-based smart in-vehicle air quality management

Severe in-vehicle air quality may affect drivers and passengers' health and reduce customers' satisfaction or experience with the vehicles, especially in some areas with heavy pollutants. Nowadays, in-vehicle cabin air quality management draws more attention from automakers. The advances in climate control include improved filtering systems and advanced climate control management based on air quality parameters from the in-cabin and external sensors. The proliferation of connected car technologies and data analytics provides opportunities for an efficient and effective cloud-based architecture for vehicle climate control management. The paper introduces analytical models for air quality mapping and discusses the design of a scientific experiment to test the effectiveness of cloud-based analytics under different scenarios. In our experiments we leverage SmartDeviceLink™ (SDL) technology that seamlessly integrates smartphone applications with the Ford SYNC infotainment system and allows programmatic vehicle management of climate control settings. This approach allows integrating portable after-market sensors and cloud-based analytics into the climate control loop.
Assessing multi-scale deconstruction of wood cell wall subjected to mechanical milling for enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis

Abstract The hierarchical structure of wood cell walls resulting from complex arrangement and distribution of the heterogeneous components is considered to impact significant impediment to enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose for biofuels. In this work, micronized wood with significant cell wall ultrastructural deconstruction were effectively produced from ring and puck milling within 12 min. In a subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis, micronized wood resulted in increase of cellulose hydrolysability by 4–14 folds over that of starting material. The underlying mechanism towards facilitating enzymatic hydrolysis was studied through delineating the ultrastructural changes and alternation of cellulose chemistry in micronized wood cell wall using SEM, TEM, CLSM, GPC, XRD, HPLC and Simon’s staining techniques. Electronic microscopy revealed distinct stages of wood cell wall deconstruction that was coincident with particle size reduction, including cell fracture and delamination, cell wall disintegration, and amorphization of cell wall fragments. Simons’ staining results also indicated increasing substrate accessibility and porosity of micronized wood, likely due to the ultrastructure alternation of cell walls. GPC and XRD revealed significant decrease of cellulose degree of polymerization (DP) and crystallinity. The correlation of these factors with cellulose hydrolysability was studied and further arranged in order through principal component analysis. The major positive factors affecting hydrolysability were surface accessibility and porosity, while cellulose crystallinity and DP were the major negative factors accompanied by particle size. The established weighed order of factors behind hydrolysability provides insights of lowering cell wall structural recalcitrance by mechanical manner.
New radiation-hard wavelength shifting fibers

R&D on new radiation-hard wavelength shifting fibers is gaining crucial importance as the radiation conditions projected for the High Luminosity LHC and future hadron and lepton colliders reach unprecedented levels. We have identified materials with proven radiation resistance, long Stokes shifts to enable long self-absorption lengths, with decay constants ∼ 10 ns or less. Here we describe two strong candidates' Doped ZnO:Zn/Mg and 3HF (3-hydroxyflavone) properties along with other material options and report on basic performance characteristics of recent prototypes.
Group Sensitivity Training for Psychiatric Residents

Information on sensitivity group experiences and psychiatric residency training was gathered through a nationwide mail survey and by investigating results of group experiences in different programs. Seventy-seven programs offer sensitivity training group experiences to residents and eighty-four do not. Five programs dropped groups because of lack of interest; six because of poor results. Forty-four programs reported no interest; twenty-six lacked funds. The program directors without groups feel that they are somewhat less helpful in preparing residents than those who have had groups now or in the past. Participation requirements vary. The group’s major purposes include formal professional training, exposure for educational purposes, to aid the group in resolving conflicts, and for therapeutic purposes. The methods used included encounter, psychodrama, experiental group, t-group, marathon, and psychoanalytic. Administrative issues are sometimes discussed and are often disruptive. Intragroup conflicts often create problems outside the group. Groups appear to work best when goals are clearly defined and do not include psychotherapy for residents. Individual therapy should be available.
Chorionic somatomammotropin impacts early fetal growth and placental gene expression.

Several developmental windows, including placentation, must be negotiated to establish and maintain pregnancy. Impaired placental function can lead to preeclampsia and/or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), resulting in increased infant mortality and morbidity. It has been hypothesized that chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH) plays a significant role in fetal development, potentially by modifying maternal and fetal metabolism. Recently, using lentiviral-mediated in vivo RNA interference in sheep, we demonstrated significant reductions in near-term (135 days of gestation; dGA) fetal and placental size, and altered fetal liver gene expression, resulting from CSH deficiency. We sought to examine the impact of CSH deficiency on fetal and placental size earlier in gestation (50 dGA), and to examine placental gene expression at 50 and 135 dGA. At 50 dGA, CSH-deficient pregnancies exhibited a 41% reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in uterine vein concentrations of CSH, and significant (P ≤ 0.05) reductions (≈21%) in both fetal body and liver weights. Placentae harvested at 50 and 135 dGA exhibited reductions in IGF1 and IGF2 mRNA concentrations, along with reductions in SLC2A1 and SLC2A3 mRNA. By contrast, mRNA concentrations for various members of the System A, System L and System y+ amino acid transporter families were not significantly impacted. The IUGR observed at the end of the first-third of gestation indicates that the near-term IUGR reported previously, began early in gestation, and may have in part resulted from deficits in the paracrine action of CSH within the placenta. These results provide further compelling evidence for the importance of CSH in the progression and outcome of pregnancy.
Evidence for a direct effect of the autonomic nervous system on intestinal epithelial stem cell proliferation

The sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) branches of the autonomic nervous system have been implicated in the modulation of the renewal of many tissues, including the intestinal epithelium. However, it is not known whether these mechanisms are direct, requiring an interaction between autonomic neurotransmitters and receptors on proliferating epithelial cells. To evaluate the existence of a molecular framework for a direct effect of the SNS or PNS on intestinal epithelial renewal, we measured gene expression for the main autonomic neurotransmitter receptors in this tissue. We separately evaluated intestinal epithelial regions comprised of the stem, progenitor, and mature cells, which allowed us to investigate the distinct contributions of each cell population to this proposed autonomic effect. Notably, we found that the stem cells expressed the receptors for the SNS-associated alpha2A adrenoreceptor and the PNS-associated muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1 and M3). In a separate experiment, we found that the application of norepinephrine or acetylcholine decreases the expression of cyclin D1, a gene necessary for cell cycle progression, in intestinal epithelial organoids compared with controls (P < 0.05). Together, these results provide evidence of a direct mechanism for the autonomic nervous system influence on intestinal epithelial stem cell proliferation.
Toward a Unified Valuation Model for Life Insurers

Recently much attention has been given to the approaches insurers undertake in valuing their liabilities and assets. For example, in 1994 the American Academy of Actuaries created a Fair Valuation of Liabilities Task Force to address the issue.1 In 1997, the Academy established a Valuation Law Task Force and a Valuation Tools Working Group to investigate the various valuation approaches extant and to recommend the models best suited to the task. FASB and IASB have also been exploring the issue.
Optimum Design of Circular Cylindrical Pipes Combined with GFRP/Steel

This paper puts the emphasis on studying the optimum design of a thick-walled circular cylindrical pipe combined with GFRP/steel (called ‘combined pipe’ below) and subjected to internal high pressure. Firstly, considering a few of the boundary conditions, the formulas of three principal stresses in the wall of the combined pipe in the state for plane strain are derived by elastic theories. Secondly, a mathematical model for the optimization of the combined pipe is set up, in which the total wall thickness of the combined pipe, the wall thickness of GFRP out-sleeve and the wound angle of the glass fibre are chosen as design variables, the material cost of the combined pipe per unit length is taken as an objective function, and the strength requirement of steel pipe and the deformation limitation of GFRP are considered as constraints as well. Finally, the model for optimization is solved by using the Complex Method. Also, the author discusses the influences, caused by the changes of inner diameter of the combined pipe, the internal pressure as well as the strength class of steel pipe, on the optimum values of design variables. A numerical example shows that, under the same pressure, the material cost of the combined pipe is less than that of apure steel pipe, and the weight evidently lighter.
Widely tunable thin film boiling heat transfer through nanoporous membranes

Abstract The ability to modulate heat transfer with widely tunable and high thermal conductance is desirable for various applications in energy conversion, thermal management, and thermal logics. Current thermal switches based on controlling heat conduction via forming and breaking mechanical contacts are limited by the narrow range of conductance modulation and the low conductance value when the switch is at the ON state, and/or suffer from reliability issues due to the use of liquid metal or high contact pressure. Here, we demonstrated widely tunable liquid-vapor phase change heat transfer with high thermal conductance. While traditional phase change heat transfer phenomena, such as boiling and evaporation, are often not tunable, we utilized a new “thin film boiling” mechanism recently discovered by us. We implemented the thin film boiling of a low surface tension fluid, ethanol, on nanoporous membranes, which showed a wide range of boiling curves with negative differential thermal conductance (NDTC), that is, decreasing superheat with increasing heat flux. Importantly, this NDTC is fully reversible and can be actively tuned by changing the liquid pressure. This unique feature enables us to actively and reversibly regulate the thermal conductance over a wide range of working conditions. The demonstrated ON/OFF conductance ratio was over 6000, and during the ON states, the conductance could be modulated over 100 times. Additionally, the maximum ON state conductance is close to 20 W/cm2 K, which is an order of magnitude higher than that of the current solid/solid contact thermal switches. This work paves the way for constructing active thermal switches and regulators to dynamically control heat transfer for a variety of applications.
Enantioselective C2-Alkylation of Indoles through a Redox-Relay Heck Reaction of 2-Indole Triflates

A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective redox-relay Heck reaction of 2-indole triflates and disubstituted alkenes is reported. This process combines readily available indole triflates with a variety of alkenes to afford a range of indole derivatives bearing a stereocenter adjacent to C2. Enantioselectivity is achieved through use of a simple pyridine-oxazoline ligand. Tuning the electronics of the indole, through judicious choice of N-protecting group, is required to ensure selective β-hydride elimination away from the indole core. Utility of this method is highlighted in a modular formal synthesis of an S1P1 agonist precursor developed by Merck.
Distinct neural responses to social and semantic violations: An N400 study.

Abstract We investigated event-related brain potential correlates of encountering context-incongruent social information. Building on evidence that information semantically incongruent with its context elicits an N400 response (a prominent negative-going deflection in the ongoing electroencephalogram; EEG), we hypothesized that statements incongruent (relative to congruent) with basic standards of amicable treatment by others (e.g., “Your friend breaks your computer and then laughs [apologizes]”) would elicit larger-amplitude N400 responses. EEG was recorded from N = 20 undergraduates while they viewed 106 semantic-dimension and 106 social-dimension sentences. We obtained the classic N400 effect to semantic violations, but we did not observe greater N400 amplitudes to incongruent than to congruent social-dimension sentences. Our findings of N400 modulation by semantic violations but not social norm violations help clarify potential boundary conditions for eliciting the N400.
Azoospermia: Surgical Sperm Retrieval

Recent advances in techniques for surgical sperm retrieval and the advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) allow for biological paternity in azoospermic men for whom the only ­available treatments a mere 20 years ago were use of donor sperm or adoption. Many procedures are available with which sperm may be retrieved from the epididymis and testis. These procedures vary significantly in efficacy, invasiveness, requirement for technical expertise, and indication. Informed procedure selection and proper technical performance are critical for achievement of optimal reproductive outcomes. The least traumatic method that yields sufficient high quality sperm to meet the couple’s immediate and future reproductive goals should be selected. Communication with the reproductive endocrinologist is critically important for delivery of optimal care to the couple. Sperm retrieval may either be performed electively with cryopreservation of retrieved sperm for ICSI to be performed at a later date (frozen approach), or it can be coordinated so that fresh sperm are available immediately following oocyte retrieval (fresh approach). The frozen approach has significant logistical advantages and is the ­preferred approach by most experts for men with obstructive azoospermia, in whom an abundance of sperm are anticipated to be retrieved. Expert consensus varies when the patient has nonobstructive azoospermia. The literature suggests that fertilization rates and pregnancy outcomes of ICSI cycles using cryopreserved sperm are at least equivalent to outcomes in cycles using fresh sperm. However, there is a theoretical chance that no viable sperm will survive the freeze-thaw process, especially when very few sperm are retrieved.
Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Distress Among Emerging Adult Women: A Bidirectional Relationship.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychological distress (PD) are major public health concerns among emerging adult women. Emerging adulthood presents a complex set of new experiences and challenges that pose a risk to normative development. In particular, an increased prevalence of IPV and PD during this time period may lead to long-term health consequences. Methods: Data from the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life study, a longitudinal study of a racially and socioeconomically diverse population-representative random sample of 726 partnered women, aged 18-19, residing in a Michigan county, and followed for 2.5 years, were used to investigate the relationship between IPV and PD. Logistic regression models predicted each measure of PD (depression, stress, loneliness, self-esteem) as a function of past IPV (none, psychological violence only, any physical violence), and multinomial logistic regression models predicted subsequent weekly IPV as a function of each measure of PD. Results: PD and IPV were prevalent among emerging adult women. Past psychological IPV was associated with experiencing all four distress measures. Past physical IPV was also associated with depression, stress, and loneliness, but not self-esteem. Women with each PD were more likely to subsequently experience psychological violence, and women who reported stress were more likely to subsequently experience any physical violence. Conclusions: The IPV-PD relationship is bidirectional. Women who experienced past IPV were more likely to report PD. Conversely, women who experienced PD were at a greater risk of subsequent IPV.
Low PAPR DM-RS Design for 5G Systems Operating in High Frequency Bands

3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) wireless access technology will support communication at bands ranging from sub GHz to millimeter wave. For communication at millimeter wave, e.g., at 60 GHz, the transmitted signal experiences severe attenuation, due to outdoor-to-indoor penetration, oxygen absorption, etc., significantly degrading the link budget performance of the NR system. In order to achieve good coverage for NR systems, operating at all bands, it is important to ensure the support of power efficient waveforms for physical channels carrying data and reference signals. Demodulation reference signals (DM-RS) are used in 5G NR systems to assist receivers in estimation of the wireless channel for subsequent coherent processing of the corresponding received data on the physical channel. In this paper, we propose a novel design of DM-RS that achieves channel estimation performance similar to NR Release 15 DM-RS, while providing higher power efficiency. The proposed DM-RS design in conjunction with power efficient waveforms for physical channel can thus be used to enhance coverage of NR systems operating at higher carrier frequency ranges of millimeter wave bands, e.g. 60 GHz. We corroborate our claims via computer simulations.