cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Realization of an Ada architecture for heterogenous distributed embedded processors

Heterogeneous processing systems have long been used for the design of avionics architectures. Until recently, this architecture took the form of federated or "black box" systems. Advanced architectures characterized by terms such as integrated open systems, and modular avionics, are now being adopted by the DoD. Consistent with new hardware designs, are burgeoning software technologies. These include megaprogramming, and programming in the large, and object-oriented development, and a host of design methodologies. This paper attempts to reconcile these often divergent technologies given the real-time rigors of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) applications and the mandate to use the Ada programming language. Beginning with an overview of the state of DSP and software methodologies, Ada program building blocks are then presented with the unique intent of defining reusable software components for any platform of heterogeneous distributed embedded processors. >
Selective Excitation in MRI and MR Spectroscopy

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Background 3 Amplitude Modulated Pulses 4 Frequency Modulated Pulses 5 Miscellaneous 6 Conclusions 7 Biographical Sketches Related Articles
3-D Optical wireless localization

In this paper, we explore the possibility of using directionality of free-space-optical (a.k.a. optical wireless) communications for solving the 3-D localization problem in ad-hoc networking environments. Range-based localization methods either require a higher node density (i.e., at least three other localized neighbours must exist) than required for assuring connectedness or a high-accuracy power-intensive ranging device such as a sonar or laser range finder which exceeds the form factor and power capabilities of a typical ad-hoc node. Our approach exploits the readily available directionality information provided by a physical layer using optical wireless and uses a limited number of GPS-enabled nodes, requiring a very low node density (2-connectedness, independent of the dimension of space) and no ranging technique. We investigate the extent and accuracy of localization with respect to varying node designs (e.g., increased number of transceivers with better directionality) and density of GPS-enabled and ordinary nodes as well as messaging overhead per re-localization. We conclude that although denser deployments are desirable for higher accuracy, our method still works well with sparse networks with little message overhead and small number of anchor nodes (as little as 2).
Dietary Ligands of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Induce Anti-Inflammatory and Immunoregulatory Effects on Murine Dendritic Cells

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in immune cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), can lead to suppressed immune responses. Although AhR activation is most recognized for mediating the effects of its prototypical ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), many compounds existing in dietary sources can also bind the AhR. Because the immunomodulatory effects of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and indirubin-3′-oxime (IO) have yet to be investigated in DCs, we evaluated the potential immunomodulatory effects of these compounds on murine DCs. We hypothesized that I3C and IO suppress immune and inflammatory responses in DCs. We found that both I3C and IO decreased the expression of CD11c, CD40, and CD54 while they increased expression of MHC2 and CD80. Following lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activation, I3C and IO suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-12, and nitric oxide but increased IL-10 levels. These effects of I3C and IO were partially mediated by the AhR. Additionally, immunoregulatory genes, such as ALDH1A, IDO and TGFB, were upregulated following treatment with I3C or IO. Both I3C and IO decreased basal levels of nuclear factor-kappa B p65, but only I3C suppressed the LPS-induced activity of RelB. Finally, when cultured with naive T cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells treated with the dietary AhR ligands increased the frequency of Foxp3+ Tregs in an antigen-specific manner. Taken together, these results indicate that I3C and IO exhibit immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects on DCs. Because I3C and IO are significantly less toxic than TCDD, these natural products may ultimately become useful therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Large sets of t-designs from groups

This paper addresses questions related to the existence and construction of large sets of t-(v, k, λ) designs. It contains material from my talk in the Combinatorial Designs Conference in honor of Alex Rosa’s 70th birthday, which took place in beautiful Bratislava, in July, 2007. Naturally, only a small number of “highlight” topics could be included, and for the most part these involve the use of symmetry, that is, it is assumed that the particular designs or large sets of designs, are invariant under a prescribed group of automorphisms. I present almost no proofs, but give references so that the reader can find a much wider repertory of theorems and constructions in the literature. For completeness, I include the statement of a few recursive constructions. The latter are extremely important on their own right, and deserve extensive attention elsewhere. I hope the reader becomes interested in the intriguing open problems posed at the end of the paper and succeeds in solving some of them.
Characterization of dual-electrode CMUTs: demonstration of improved receive performance and pulse echo operation with dynamic membrane shaping

A 1-D dual-electrode CMUT array for intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) with a center frequency of 8 MHz has been designed, fabricated, and used to demonstrate the potential of dual-electrode CMUTs. Using a dual-electrode CMUT, 9 dB higher receive signal level is obtained over the 6 dB fractional bandwidth as compared with a conventional CMUT with an identical center electrode biased close to its collapse voltage. Because the same device shows a 7.4 dB increase in maximum pressure output, 16.4 dB overall improvement in transduction performance has been achieved as compared with conventional CMUT. A net peak output pressure of 1.6 MPa on the dual-electrode CMUT membrane with tone burst excitation at 12 MHz is also reported. The frequency response of the dual-electrode CMUT is similar to that of a conventional CMUT with the same membrane geometry with about 15% increase in the center frequency. Monostatic operation of dual-electrode CMUTs shows that the high performance of the transducer is applicable in typical pulse-echo imaging mode of operation. With dynamic shaping of the CMUT membrane to optimize the transmit-and-receive modes of operation separately during each pulse-echo cycle, dual-electrode CMUT is a highly competitive alternative to its piezoelectric counterparts.
Tobacco growers' knowledge of revenue distribution and foreign prices: implications for health education

This study examined tobacco growers' knowledge of tobacco economics, particularly their knowledge of how tobacco revenue is distributed and their knowledge of the price of foreign tobacco. Tobacco growers (n = 1236) from 14 tobacco-dependent counties in North Carolina were interviewed by telephone and asked to estimate how much of a hypothetical $2.00 for a pack of cigarettes is received by each of four market segments: tobacco growers, retailers, government and manufacturers. Respondents were also asked to estimate the price of foreign raw tobacco. USDA data were used to assess the accuracy of the respondents' estimates. Respondents were within the 'correct' range as follows: growers 31%, retailers 15%, government 23%, manufacturers 43% and foreign prices 25%. Knowledge was positively related to education and farm size for the growers' share and foreign tobacco prices. Knowledge of the government's and manufacturers' shares was positively associated with younger age. North Carolina growers lacked knowledge of the distribution of the tobacco dollar. This may influence the positions that growers take on health policy and provide significant opportunities for health educators to become involved in grassroots efforts to educate growers.
Molybdenum(V) oxo-complexes of 8-quinolinol☆

Abstract The synthesis and structure elucidation of four isomeric, dimeric molybdenum(V) oxo-compounds of 8-quinolinol prepared from solutions originally containing molybdenum(III) have been studied. These compounds and other molybdenum(V) compounds reported in the literature, have been found to have the formula [MoO(C9H7NO)2]2O. The magnetic moments, i.r. spectra, visible-near u.v. spectra, and X-ray powder patterns are reported. Although absolute configurations have not been assigned, experimental evidence strongly suggests that the isomers differ in the relative configuration of the terminal oxygens. The strongly paramagnetic dimer (μ ∼ 1·8 B.M.) apparently has the terminal oxygens either co-axial or orthogonal to the bridging axis while the slightly paramagnetic dimers most likely have the terminal oxygens axes perpendicular to the bridging axis but possibly skewed to each other.
The state and the question of development in sub-Saharan Africa

A common view of the developmental prospects of sub-Saharan Africa is that the crucial obstacle is political. Stronger states and representative institutions are a necessary precondition for development. This is a common view in both the media and in academe. The paper argues that this is to get things the wrong way round. Rather it is development, specifically the capitalist form of development, which is the necessary condition for strong states and democratic institutions. This is something which theorists of the state in Africa have got consistently wrong. Strong states require in the first instance neither the overthrow of patrimonialism nor of the bifurcated state. What they require is a radical change in the property relations that tend to prevail over most of the sub-continent: a change that would instantiate a process of capital accumulation but which is unlikely to be forthcoming.
The structure of globalized travel: A relational country-pair analysis

Utilizing data from the UNWTO, IMF, World Bank, and UNESCO, this article analyzes the global structure of travel and its deep asymmetries, revealing that travel is not global but is highly concentrated among a handful of countries. Furthermore, I find that the effects of globalization are neither universal nor consistent but depend upon the identities of countries involved and their relationships with one another. This article conceptualizes travel as a result of the relationship between country attributes within a given country-pair. More specifically, it investigates the relationship between travel and relative inequalities, institutional connections, and cultural wealth. I find that measures of inequality and cultural wealth differ depending on the relationship between country-pairs while institutional connections are significant across models.
Perseverative thought: A robust predictor of response to emotional challenge in generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder

Abstract Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently co-occur, yet the reasons for their comorbidity remain poorly understood. In the present experiment, we tested whether a tendency to engage in negative, repetitive thinking constitutes a common risk process for the two disorders. A mixed sample of adults with comorbid GAD–MDD ( n = 50), GAD only ( n = 35), MDD only ( n = 34), or no lifetime psychopathology ( n = 35) was administered noncontingent failure and success feedback on consecutive performance tasks. Perseverative thought (PT), measured by negative thought intrusions during a baseline period of focused breathing, emerged as a powerful prospective predictor of responses to this experimental challenge. Participants reporting more frequent negative thought intrusions at baseline, irrespective of thought content or diagnostic status, exhibited a stronger negative response to failure that persisted even after subsequent success. Higher PT over the course of the experiment was associated with later behavioral avoidance, with negative affect and other traits closely linked to anxiety and depression, and with the presence and severity of GAD and MDD. These findings provide evidence for a broadly-defined PT trait that is shared by GAD and MDD and contributes to adverse outcomes in these disorders.
Routing and wavelength assignment with power aware multicasting in WDM networks

In this paper, we study the routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem of a set of multicast sessions on already dimensioned wavelength routed network, while taking optical power impairments into consideration. Our main objective is to minimize the session blocking probability. We formulate the problem as a mixed-integer linear program (MILP). A greedy algorithm is also introduced, which provides fast, yet efficient, solutions for large problem sizes. The CPLEX linear optimization package is used to solve the MILP formulation, while simulation was used to experiment with the greedy algorithm.
Identification of Regions and Residues in Feline Junctional Adhesion Molecule Required for Feline Calicivirus Binding and Infection

The feline junctional adhesion molecule A (fJAM-A) is a functional receptor for feline calicivirus (FCV). fJAM-A is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) and consists of two Ig-like extracellular domains (D1 and D2), a membrane-spanning domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. To identify regions of fJAM-A that interact with FCV, we purified recombinant fJAM-A ectodomain and D1 and D2 domains. We found that preincubation of FCV with the ectodomain or D1 was sufficient to inhibit FCV infection in plaque reduction assays. In enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, FCV binding to fJAM-A ectodomain was concentration dependent and saturable; however, FCV bound D1 alone weakly and was unable to bind D2. To characterize FCV binding to surface-expressed fJAM-A, we transfected truncated and chimeric forms of fJAM-A into a nonpermissive cell line and assayed binding by flow cytometry. Only D1 was necessary for FCV binding to cells; all other domains could be replaced. Using a structure-guided mutational approach, we identified three mutants of fJAM-A within D1 (D42N, K43N, and S97A) that exhibited significantly decreased capacities to bind FCV. In contrast to our finding that D1 mediated FCV binding, we found that all domains of fJAM-A were necessary to confer susceptibility to FCV infection. Furthermore, surface expression of fJAM-A was not sufficient to permit FCV infection by all of the isolates we investigated. This indicates that (i) other cellular factors are required to permit productive FCV infection and (ii) individual FCV isolates differ in the factors they require.
Phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal RNA operons from uncultivated coastal marine bacterioplankton

Analyses of small subunit ribosomal RNA genes (SSU rDNAs) have significantly influenced our understanding of the composition of aquatic microbial assemblages. Unfortunately, SSU rDNA sequences often do not have sufficient resolving power to differentiate closely related species. To address this general problem for uncultivated bacterioplankton taxa, we analysed and compared sequences of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-generated and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-derived clones that contained most of the SSU rDNAs, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU rDNA). The phylogenetic representation in the rRNA operon PCR library was similar to that reported previously in coastal bacterioplankton SSU rDNA libraries. We observed good concordance between the phylogenetic relationships among coastal bacterioplankton inferred from SSU or LSU rDNA sequences. ITS sequences confirmed the close intragroup relationships among members of the SAR11, SAR116 and SAR86 clades that were predicted by SSU and LSU rDNA sequence analyses. We also found strong support for homologous recombination between the ITS regions of operons from the SAR11 clade.
Etanercept, a TNF-alpha binding agent, is ineffective in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in canines.

Context The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis is 1-22%. It continues to be a difficult problem for endoscopist and patient. Uncovering an agent that may be used to prevent its occurrence is critical.
Hox gene expression in a single Caenorhabditis elegans cell is regulated by a caudal homolog and intercellular signals that inhibit wnt signaling

In Caenorhabditis elegans males, a row of epidermal precursor cells called seam cells generates a pattern of cuticular alae in anterior body regions and neural sensilla called rays in the posterior. The Hox gene mab-5 is required for two posterior seam cells, V5 and V6, to generate rays. In mab-5 mutant males, V5 and V6 do not generate sensory ray lineages but instead generate lineages that lead to alae. Here we show that two independent regulatory pathways can activate mab-5 expression in the V cells. First, the caudal homolog pal-1 turns on mab-5 in V6 during embryogenesis. Second, a Wnt signaling pathway is capable of activating mab-5 in the V cells during postembryonic development; however, during normal development Wnt signaling is inhibited by signals from neighboring V cells. The inhibition of this Wnt signaling pathway by lateral signals between the V cells limits the number of rays in the animal and also determines the position of the boundary between alae and rays.
Grief is a Brutal but Empowering Teacher: A Social Worker's Reflections on the Importance of Spiritual Assessment and Support during the Bereavement Process

This article explores the important role that religion and spirituality often play in the helping relationship when a client is experiencing grief and loss. Employing personal reflection, case vignettes, and survey data, the author stresses the centrality of spiritual assessment, forgiveness, and ethical guidelines when working with people who have been bereaved.
The silver disk

Presentation de la technologie du disque optique dit WORM (Write Once, Read Many) et de sa commercialisation
Secretion and content of insulin and glucagon in human fetal pancreas slices in vitro.

SummaryTotal quantities of immunoreactive insulin and glucagon in human fetal pancreases (aged 25–135 days) were determined. Small amounts of these hormones were demonstrable by the 50th day, larger amounts by the 90th day and relatively large quantities by the 110th day. Arginine (5 mM) produced a very significant increase in the secretion of each hormone from slices of pancreas, while glucose (300 mg/100 ml) did not affect glucagon release and had relatively little effect upon insulin release. Using Sephadex gel filtration, we have found a fraction with a molecular weight three times that of glucagon which combines with glucagon antibody. Studies are being performed to determine if this larger molecular compound contains glucagon.
Effect of Carbon Nanotube on Electrical, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy

In this study, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced Epon 862 epoxy have been evaluated. Firstly, 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3 wt%, and 0.4 wt% CNT were infused into epoxy through a high intensity ultrasonic liquid processor and then mixed with EpiCure curing agent W using a high speed mechanical agitator. The trapped air and reaction volatiles were removed from the mixture using a high vacuum. Neat epoxy sample also was made as reference. Electrical conductivity, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA, three point bending tests and fracture tests were performed on unfilled, CNT-filled epoxy to identify the loading effect on the properties of composites. Experimental results show significant improvement in electric conductivity. The resistivity of epoxy decreased to 15Ωm with 0.4% CNT. DMA studies revealed that filling the carbon nanotube into epoxy can produce a 90% enhancement in storage modulus and a 17° C increase in Tg, but CNT has little effect on decomposing temperature. Mechanical test results showed that modulus increased with higher CNT loading percentages, but the 0.3 wt% CNT-infusion system showed the maximum strength and fracture toughness enhancement. The decrease in strength and fracture toughness in 0.4% CNT/epoxy was attributed to poor dispersions of nanotubes in the composite.© 2007 ASME
C. elegans germline stem cells and their niche

C. elegans germline stem cells are a particularly simple system for analysis of stem cell regulation. Their well-defined mesenchymal niche consists of a single cell, the Distal Tip Cell, which uses Notch signaling to maintain a pool of germline stem cells. Downstream of Notch signaling a post-transcriptional regulatory network dictates self-renewal or differentiation. The major self-renewal hub of that network is FBF, a conserved RNA-binding protein and conserved stem cell regulator. FBF represses mRNAs encoding key regulators of germline differentiation (entry into the meiotic cell cycle, sperm or oocyte specification) as well as established regulators of somatic differentiation. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms also control totipotency in the C. elegans germline. The key C. elegans GSC regulators are conserved broadly, making this system a paradigm for stem cell regulation.
A Review of the Known Larvae and Pupae of the Genus Phrydiuchus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Mature larvae and pupae of Phrydiuchus spilmani Warner and P. tau Warner, which were collected by other workers during studies of the life history of those species, are described and illustrated. The few differences by which the 2 species can be distinguished during their larval and pupal stages are noted.
Role of the matrix in modifying the growth of prostatic epithelial cells in vitro.

Preliminary data demonstrate that migration, proliferation, and differentiation of prostatic epithelial cells in vitro is altered when the cells are grown on an extracellular matrix rather than on bare plastic. Clonal plating efficiencies are used to distinguish this growth and to identify ways to provide an in vitro model for further study of prostatic carcinogenesis. Consequently, this method, with suggested refinements, may improve the understanding of prostate cancer and related disorders.
The Structure and Substance of Teachers’ Opportunities to Learn about Teacher Evaluation Reform: Promise or Pitfall for Equity?

ABSTRACTDespite growing momentum to overhaul teacher evaluation policies and practices, scant research examines how educators at the street level of such reform—principals and teachers—make sense of them, and almost no research examines the implications of current evaluation reforms for equity. This article provides findings based on a study of 14 districts implementing a new teacher evaluation policy in Connecticut. It focuses on how principals shaped teachers’ opportunities to learn about the new policy. We find that the majority of teachers’ opportunities to learn were formal and in whole group or one-on-one formats. We find important differences in the quantity and quality of learning opportunities at the district level, with districts serving greater shares of low-income students, students of color, and English language learners generally offering teachers fewer and lower quality opportunities to learn about the new reform than their counterparts. As such, this article builds on prior research illust...
Human resource development and the growth of economy

Along with furthering open and reforming policy and rapid growth of socialist market economy, development and employment of human resource have become the significant factor that influence the Chinese modernization and the comprehensively competitive capability of this state. It is also concerned with the issue of fulfilling the task of constructing a relatively rich society in national scale as put forward in the 16th session of the Chinese Communist Party. In this sense, learning the theories of human resource and quickening the step of human resource development in China have become one of the most important tasks.
AND/OR search for marginal MAP

Marginal MAP problems are known to be very difficult tasks for graphical models and are so far solved exactly by systematic search guided by a join-tree upper bound. In this paper, we develop new AND/OR branch and bound algorithms for marginal MAP that use heuristics extracted from weighted mini-buckets enhanced with message-passing updates. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the resulting search algorithms against previous join-tree based approaches, which we also extend to accommodate high induced width models, through extensive empirical evaluations. Our results show not only orders-of-magnitude improvements over the state-of-the-art, but also the ability to solve problem instances well beyond the reach of previous approaches.
Management of Posttraumatic Pseudotelecanthus

Injuries to the nose and perinasal region are common. Though the nasal fractures are commonly recognized and properly addressed, injuries to adjacent structures such as the orbit, medial canthus, and midface skeleton can be missed or misdiagnosed leading to improper primary treatment and subsequent secondary deformities. In this discussion, we focus on secondary deformities of the medial canthal region injuries that result from inadequate primary repair of the displaced medial canthal tendon apparatus in naso-orbital-ethmoid fractures. Emphasis is placed on the difference in complexity of the secondary pseudotelecanthus deformity relative to primary fracture treatment. Case examples are used to discuss the complexity of the correction of such deformities.
Studies on Pathological Calcifications in Human Cartilage: I. Prevalence And Types Of Crystal Deposits In The Menisci Of Two Hundred Fifteen Cadavera

Calcific deposits in the menisci of the knees of 215 cadavera were characterized roentgenographically and crystallographically as part of a study of the pathological basis of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease. Deposits of a primary type were found in multiple cartilages in 5.6 per cent of cadavera: in 3.3 per cent the deposits were composed of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (Ca2P2 O7-2H2O) and in 2.3 per cent, of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4-2H2O). Solitary deposits of the secondary type, composed of hydroxyapatite, were found in 1.4 per cent of cadavera. The implications of these findings are discussed as they affect (1) the possible prevalence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease, (2) the traditional classification of pathological calcification of cartilage, and (3) the roentgenographic interpretation of meniscal calcification. The crystalline compounds of the three-component system CaO—P2O5—H2O that persist in soil as fertilizer are the same as the compounds identified in the meniseal deposits. Appropriate data from the soil chemistry literature are cited briefly as they provide background for speculation and future work on the mechanisms and significance of pathological calcifications in cartilage.
Epilogue: Bridged Cities (A Calvino-esque Tale)

The concise epilogue is offered as an inadequate tribute and as a companion vignette to those included in Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities. Here, the city of Alif is one of many “Bridged Cities” in whose creation, rise and fall can be seen metaphorically the ontological primacy of urban totality. In the end, if Digital Citiesare the future of the urban geo-humanities, they do not signal a break with previous investigations into the cultures of cities, but instead articulate a collective project in which the contradictory insufficiencies and potentialities of previous disciplinary work on the urban phenomenon still persist.
Working Memory and Cognitive Load in the Legal System: Influences on Police Shooting Decisions, Interrogation and Jury Decisions

The ability of police and jurors to make informed, unbiased decisions is paramount to the integrity of the legal system. Police and jurors as decision-makers follow procedures ensuring that individuals receive a fair trial from the time of arrest to sentencing. However this process has come under public scrutiny with recent negative media attention focused on police shootings, aggressive handling or interrogation of suspects, and jurors’ seemingly biased treatment of minority group members. Most researchers studying factors that motivate police and juror behavior focus on the external influences of decision-making, such as the climate of violence in a neighborhood, or culturally-entrenched criminal stereotypes. Fewer have focused on the cognitive factors that impact the internal decision-making processes. In this review we compile the research on individual differences in cognitive ability (e.g., working memory capacity) and event circumstances (e.g., high emotion, attention load), that influence police and jury decision-making. The majority of studies in this area are laboratory-based which may attenuate the transfer of findings to real-world settings, but cognitive mechanisms engaged in the field are likely similar. Overall, this review suggests that overload of cognitive capacity reduces controlled processing ability, which may work to undermine the reliability of decision-making at all phases of the legal process. Field studies are needed to better understand when decision-makers may be overburdened, and what interventions are most appropriate.
Real-time evaluation of a myoelectric control method for high-level upper limb amputees based on homologous leg movements

Electromyography-based gesture classification methods for control of advanced upper limb prostheses are limited either to individuals with amputations distal to the elbow or to those willing to undergo targeted muscle reinnervation surgery. Based on the natural similarity between gestures of the lower leg and the arm and on established methods in electromyography-based gesture classification, we propose a noninvasive system with which users control an upper limb prosthesis via homologous movements of the leg and foot. Eight inexperienced able-bodied subjects controlled a simulated robotic arm in a target achievement control (TAC) task with command of up to four degrees of freedom toward targets requiring one motion class. All subjects performed the task with analogous electromyography recording configurations on both the leg and the arm (as a benchmark), achieving slightly better performance with leg control overall. Only a brief demonstration of the arm-leg gesture mapping was necessary for subjects to perform the task, establishing the minimal training time required to begin using the control scheme. Our findings indicate that electromyography-based recognition of leg gestures may be a viable noninvasive prosthesis control option for high-level amputees.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Cytokine Administration Sites for Mobilization of Peripheral Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells for Patients with Hematological Malignancies Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

Abstract 4230 Background The optimal injection site for cytokine administration when used to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells for collection is unclear. There are known differences in the pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously injected drugs based upon site adiposity. We hypothesized that injection in lower adipose-tissue-containing sites in the extremities would result in a reduced reservoir effect leading to lower exposures of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and therefore reduced stem cell collection following cytokine mobilization. Methods We completed a prospective single institution IRB-approved randomized study to determine the efficiency and tolerability of different injection sites among patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoma undergoing stem cell mobilization and apheresis. The primary end-points were the total number of CD34+ cells collected and the number of days of apheresis required to collect target numbers (5 × 10E6 CD34+ cells/kg for patients with lymphoma; 10 × 10E6 CD34+ cells/kg for patients with myeloma). Forty patients were randomized to receive cytokine injections in their abdomen (group A) or extremities (group B). Randomization was stratified based upon diagnosis (myeloma; N=29 vs. lymphoma; N=11), age (≤50; N=13 vs. >50; N=27), and mobilization strategy (cytokines alone; N=27 vs. chemomobilization; N=13). Both group A and B were balanced with respect to the stratification criteria. Filgrastim was planned at a dose of 10 ug/kg/day for patients undergoing chemomobilization or 15 ug/kg/day for patients undergoing cytokine-only mobilization. Actual mean cytokine doses were 11.78 ug/kg/day using chemomobilization and 12.96 ug/kg/day using cytokines alone due to rounding to nearest vial size. Patients recorded the injection site for G-CSF and symptoms daily. Results Of those enrolled, 90% were evaluable with 18 patients in each group. Four were deemed non-evaluable due to failure to proceed to the planned mobilization procedure (1 in group A and 2 in group B) or lack of consistent injection site (1 patient). In addition, one patient in group B received a non-protocol specified injection of plerixafor due to poor mobilization and collected a total of 13.62 × 10E6 CD34+ cells/kg in 2 days of apheresis. Among the 36 evaluable subjects, 1 subject in each group failed collection with a total of Conclusions Based upon the analysis, G-CSF administration site (extremities versus abdomen), does not affect the number of CD34+ cells collected by apheresis or the duration of apheresis needed to reach the target cell dose. Disclosures: Lonial: Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Gloucester: Research Funding.
CRT-800.43 Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion for Atrial Fibrillation: Eligibility in a Typical Oral Anticoagulation Clinic

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NAF), high thromboembolic risk based on CHADS2 or CHADS-VASc scores and are unable to take long term oral anticoagulation. The purpose of this study is to establish the
Management of Mendelian Traits in Breeding Programs by Gene Editing: A Simulation Study

Background: Genotypes based on high-density single nucleotide polymorphisms have recently been used to identify a number of novel recessive mutations that adversely affect fertility in dairy cattle as well as to track conditions such as polledness. The use of sequential mate allocation strategies that account for increases in genomic inbreeding and the economic impact of affected matings may result in faster allele frequency changes than strategies that do not consider inbreeding and monetary losses. However, the effect of gene editing on selection programs also should be considered because gene editing has the potential to dramatically change allele frequencies in livestock populations. Methods: A simulation program developed to evaluate dairy cattle breeding schemes was extended to include the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), and zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technologies for gene editing. A hypothetical technology with a perfect success rate was used to establish an upper limit on attainable progress, and a scenario with no editing served as a baseline for comparison. Results: The technologies differed in the rate of success of gene editing as well as the success rate of embryo transfer based on literature estimates. The number of edited alleles was assumed to have no effect on success rate. The two scenarios evaluated considered only the horned locus or 12 recessive alleles that currently are segregating in the U.S. Holstein population. The top 1, 5, or 10% of bulls were edited each generation, and either no cows or the top 1% of cows were edited. Inefficient editing technologies produced less cumulative genetic gain and lower inbreeding than efficient ones. Gene editing was very effective at reducing the frequency of the horned haplotype (increasing the frequency of polled animals in the population), and allele frequencies of the 12 recessives segregating in the U.S. Holstein population decreased faster with editing than without. Conclusions: Gene editing can be an effective tool for reducing the rate of harmful alleles in a dairy cattle population even if only a small proportion of elite animals are modified.
Optical properties of bimodally distributed InAs quantum dots grown on digital AlAs0.56Sb0.44 matrix for use in intermediate band solar cells

High-quality InAs quantum dots (QDs) with nominal thicknesses of 5.0–8.0 monolayers were grown on a digital AlAs0.56Sb0.44 matrix lattice-matched to the InP(001) substrate. All QDs showed bimodal size distribution, and their optical properties were investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL measurements. Power dependent PL exhibited a linear relationship between the peak energy and the cube root of the excitation power for both the small QD family (SQDF) and the large QD family (LQDF), which is attributed to the type-II transition. The PL intensity, peak energy, and carrier lifetime of SQDF and LQDF showed very sensitive at high temperature. Above 125 K, the PL intensity ratio increased continuously between LQDF and SQDF, the peak energy shifted anomalously in SQDF, and the longer carrier radiative lifetime (≥3.0 ns at 77 K) reduced rapidly in SQDF and slowly in LQDF. These results are ascribed to thermally activated carrier escape from SQDF into the wetting layer, which then relaxed into...
Applications: Biosurveillance, Biodefense, and Biotechnology

Abstract Novel strategies are necessary to ensure resiliency in public health infrastructure, prevent and control diseases, and mitigate the risk of epidemics after a disaster. Emerging threats due to climate change, societal changes, and bioterrorism place constraints on our current capacity for public health preparedness and response. Biosurveillance is an emerging field that enhances preparedness by facilitating early detection of outbreaks and event monitoring. Moreover, the various existing surveillance platforms for epidemic intelligence, advances in predictive modeling, and biotechnology are increasingly applied to pandemic planning. The National Biosurveillance Strategy presents core functions that help conceptualize a framework for disaster preparedness and response. A biosurveillance analytical checklist evolves the framework into a pragmatic tool that guides activities for biopreparedness and bioresponsiveness for naturally occurring and intentional disease events. Resultant information should then inform policy, guide intervention implementation, and advise health system evaluations to enhance preparedness and response.
Digested fiber from wheat bran induces cdk inhibitors which block colon epithelial cells in G1.

We have tested the hypothesis that short chain organic acids in the colon derived from dietary pectin, wheat bran, oat bran, and cellulose are protective against the development of colon cancer because they cause growth arrest by inducing cyclin-directed kinase (cdk) inhibitors. A more quiescent colonic epithelium is less susceptible to mutagens which can lead to mutations or deletions in the major genes implicated in the progression to colon cancer: ras, p53, and APC1 or in the genes involved in TGFβ response such as TβRII2 or the Smad genes which are intermediates in TGFβ signaling.3,4 TGFβ1 is a small protein found in vivo which is the most potent epithelial cell growth inhibitor known. High levels of TGFβ1 mRNA and peptide are found at the top of the colonic crypt in the region of terminally differentiated cells.5,6 Injected TGFβl shortens colonic crypts.7 These observations suggest that TGFβ1 induces differentiation and growth arrest in vivo. TGFβ1 inhibits colonocyte proliferation by inhibiting phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein through blocking the activity of cdk/cyclin complexes. TGFβ1 inhibits cdk kinases by inducing the cdk inhibitors p15 and p21 and causing accumulation of p27.8–10 Thus short chain organic acids in the colon derived from dietary fiber could act directly to induce cdk inhibitors, or they could work indirectly by first inducing TGFβl, which in turn induced cdk inhibitors.
GENOME DIVERSITY AMONG INFLUENZA A, B AND C VIRUSES AND GENETIC STRUCTURE OF RNA 7 AND RNA 8 OF INFLUENZA A VIRUSES

ABSTRACT DNA-RNA hybridization analysis of the RNAs of different influenza viruses shows that the genomes of type A strains vary more than those of type B strains and that the genomes of type B strains exhibit more variation than those of type C strains. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of RNA 8 of four different influenza A viruses reveals that the gene length of 890 nucleotides, the arrangement of the overlapping NS1 and NS2 genes and the putative RNA splicing signals are conserved. The NS RNAs of A/PR/8/34, A/FPV/Rostock/34 and A/Udorn/72 viruses contain open reading frames in their (-) RNAs potentially coding for polypeptides of 167, 167 and 216 amino acids respectively. The A/duck/ Alberta/60/76 virus NS segment, which shows extensive nucleotide differences from the NS genes of the three other strains, lacks such an agnogene in its negative strand sequence. Isoleucine labeling (but not methionine labeling) of influenza A/WSN/33 virus-infected cells reveals a virus-specific polypeptide of apparent MW of 15.7 K. The migration pattern of this polypeptide is changed when cells are infected with recombinants of A/WSN/33 virus in which the M genes are derived from different strains. These findings support the idea that RNA 7 of influenza A viruses codes for the virion associated M polypeptide and a smaller isoleucine-rich polypeptide.
Biomechanical modulation of endothelial phenotype: implications for health and disease

The functional phenotypic plasticity of the vascular endothelium relies on the ability of individual endothelial cells to integrate and transduce both humoral and biomechanical stimuli from their surrounding environments. Increasing evidence strongly suggests that biomechanical stimulation is a critical determinant of endothelial gene expression and the functional phenotypes displayed by these cells in several pathophysiological conditions. Herein we discuss the types of biomechanical forces that endothelial cells are constantly exposed to within the vasculature, explain how these biomechanical stimuli serve as regulators of endothelial functionanddiscuss the increasing evidence that “atherosclerosis-protective” or “atherosclerosis-prone” haemodynamic environments can beimportant causative factors for atherogenesis via the differential regulation of endothelial transcriptional programmes.
Case studies for introducton to computational modeling

Computational thinking is an important component in today's computing education and in developing computational models. This tutorial provides a short overview of our approach to develop computational models at the pre-calculus level and presents a gentle introduction by developing computational models using several case studies. These are presented by applying computational thinking starting with a word problem, designing a conceptual model, a mathematical model, and finally a computational model. The main software tools that are used for implementing the mathematical models are: Matlab and Octave. This material corresponds to the first course in computational modeling. Because this first course includes programming principles, this first course can replace a traditional first programming course (CS1), which is usually taught with a conventional programming language. More advanced courses on computational modeling include linear models that are formulated with sets of linear equations, linear optimization models that are formulated with linear inequations, and continuous models formulated with differential equations. These more advanced models are implemented with LP_solve and Scilab, in addition to Matlab and Octave, and will only be briefly discussed in this tutorial. The case studies were designed and developed for teaching students of computing (Computer Science, Software Engineering, and related disciplines), mathematics, and the various sciences.
Enhancing Healthy Cognitive Aging Through Theater Arts

This article reports on 15 years of studies that document the benefits of a short course in acting for theater and film. These studies provide evidence that older adults can experience enhanced memory, problem-solving ability, comprehension, creativity, and sense of personal growth compared to no-treatment controls or those who undergo alternate courses of instruction (visual arts or music).
Fetal Hemodynamic Responses to Reduced Uterine Blood Flow in the Sheep Fetus

This paper will cover two separate aspects of fetal heart rate monitoring: 1. Fetal responses to short periods of reduced uterine blood flow (UBF), of 10–60 min, particularly with respect to alterations in the distribution of blood flow within the fetus 2. Fetal responses to brief, e.g., 20s, reductions in UBF, in an attempt to mimic changes such as one might see with uterine contractions I Will at times refer to studies involving hypoxia, Induced by decreasing maternal inspired oxygen, as opposed to asphyxia, indued by controlled reductions of UBF. The latter includes an increaee in carbon dioxide, as well as decrease in oxygen. The responses in general are qualitatively similar, with one importan difference (described below), although there may be quantitative differences.
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of a Manualized Intervention for Caregivers of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury in Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Abstract Objective Investigate effectiveness of a 5-session manualized intervention for addressing needs of caregivers of persons in acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation. Design Prospective, pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting Inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit, level 1 trauma center. Participants Patients (N=93) with moderate-to-severe TBI and their family members were enrolled in the study with 42 randomized to the treatment group, 51 to the control group. Intervention Five-session manualized caregiver intervention with educational, stress and anxiety self-management, coping, and emotional support components. Main Outcome Measures Family Needs Questionnaire-Revised, knowledge assessment, Zarit Family Burden Scale, and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 were collected at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Results Treatment group caregivers showed an increase in met needs for emotional, instrumental, and professional support, and brain injury knowledge from baseline to posttreatment, whereas controls did not. Between-group differences were significant for only emotional support needs. Treatment effects were not sustained at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions Caregivers of persons undergoing acute TBI rehabilitation may benefit from interventions that target their unique needs. Caregivers may require additional and longer-term supports to sustain treatment benefits.
Reading the Hermeneutics of Suspicion with Suspicion: A Review Essay on Nancy MacLean's Democracy in Chains

A review of Nancy MacLean's Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America that focuses on the implications of her historiographic method in reading Jim Buchanan's work, and the resulting failure to take seriously the underlying framework of constitutional political economy that informed both Jim Buchanan's and Frank H. Knight's work.