cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increase in Furfural Tolerance in Ethanologenic Escherichia coli LY180 by Plasmid-Based Expression of thyA

Furfural is an inhibitory side product formed during the depolymerization of hemicellulose by mineral acids. Genomic libraries from three different bacteria (Bacillus subtilis YB886, Escherichia coli NC3, and Zymomonas mobilis CP4) were screened for genes that conferred furfural resistance on plates. Beneficial plasmids containing the thyA gene (coding for thymidylate synthase) were recovered from all three organisms. Expression of this key gene in the de novo pathway for dTMP biosynthesis improved furfural resistance on plates and during fermentation. A similar benefit was observed by supplementation with thymine, thymidine, or the combination of tetrahydrofolate and serine (precursors for 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, the methyl donor for ThyA). Supplementation with deoxyuridine provided a small benefit, and deoxyribose was of no benefit for furfural tolerance. A combination of thymidine and plasmid expression of thyA was no more effective than either alone. Together, these results demonstrate that furfural tolerance is increased by approaches that increase the supply of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides. However, ThyA activity was not directly affected by the addition of furfural. Furfural has been previously shown to damage DNA in E. coli and to activate a cellular response to oxidative damage in yeast. The added burden of repairing furfural-damaged DNA in E. coli would be expected to increase the cellular requirement for dTMP. Increased expression of thyA (E. coli, B. subtilis, or Z. mobilis), supplementation of cultures with thymidine, and supplementation with precursors for 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (methyl donor) are each proposed to increase furfural tolerance by increasing the availability of dTMP for DNA repair.
Understanding post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance - a simulation study

We have developed a computational model of the cardiovascular system with the aim of analyzing the hemodynamic response to orthostatic stress. Using the model, we investigate the hemodynamic effects of changes in model parameters that are thought to contribute to the syndrome of post-space flight orthostatic intolerance. Our simulations indicate that changes in total blood volume have the largest detrimental effect on arterial blood pressure homeostasis. If the baseline volume status is borderline hypovolemic, changes in other parameters can significantly impact the system's ability to maintain blood pressure in the upright posture. In particular, any deleterious change in the venous tone feedback impairs blood pressure homeostasis significantly. This result has important implications for countermeasure development as it suggest that an alpha-adrenergic agonist might alleviate the orthostatic syndrome seen post-flight
Reproductive compatibility of prairie and montane populations of Dermacentor andersoni.

Abstract Genetic analysis of prairie and montane populations of Dermacentor andersoni (Stiles) originating from Alberta (AB) and British Columbia (BC), Canada, respectively, indicated limited gene flow (Nm < 1) and a large amount of genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.49) between the populations. The prairie population also had a greater level of genetic diversity. Mating experiments indicated that females of geographically heterogeneous crosses had similar engorgement and oviposition failure as homogenous crosses in the parental generation but that egg mass sterility was greatest for the AB♀ × BC♂ cross, intermediate for the homogenous crosses, and lowest for the BC♀ × AB♂ cross. The progeny of all crosses produced fertile eggs, and the only significant effect in the progeny generation was increased oviposition failure of the pure AB cross. Covariate analysis indicated that egg mass sterility was associated with BC males in the parental generation and that oviposition failure was associated with AB males an...
The Information Technology Outsourcing Advantage: India vs. China

This study evaluates India and China as destinations for Information Technology (IT) outsourcing on five main parameters: workforce, capital investment, infrastructure, governmental policies, and the economy. While India would appear to have an edge in workforce and the economy, due primarily to its huge English speaking and software trained population and a more sustainable economic growth; China leads in investment and infrastructure as it offers much better financial incentives to companies. Based on our overall assessment of these five factors it, is concluded that India at present appears to be a better destination for IT outsourcing.
[Prevalence and predictors of acute stress disorder after earthquake: findings from Wenchuan earthquake in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and predictors of acute stress disorder (ASD) in the victims affected by Wenchuan earthquake in China. METHODS: A random clustered sampling method was used. Of 891 victims enrolled in the study, 874 were completely assessed with the ASD constructive questionnaire and diagnosed with DSM-IV criteria. Sociodemographic variables were obtained. Also, the major symptoms of ASD (i.e., general symptoms to a traumatic event; dissociative symptoms; re-experiencing symptoms; hyper-arousal symptoms; avoidance symptoms) were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence rate of ASD was 12.59% (110/874). The incidence rates of ASD for female and male were 15.16% (72/475) and 9.52% (38/399) respectively. There was a significant difference between female and male on the incidence rate of ASD (chi(2) = 6.26, P = 0.01). Logistic regression indicated that the ASD diagnosis was predicted by gender (beta = 0.58, P = 0.01, OR = 1.79), the condition of casualties of family members (beta = 0.60, P = 0.01, OR = 1.82), and the condition of sharp properties loss (beta = 1.02, P = 0.01, OR = 2.76). CONCLUSION: The major earthquake should have great influence on mental health of victims. The efforts to reduce casualties and property loss might help to prevent ASD. Further research is needed on gender difference among traumatic events. Language: zh
An Analytic and Experimental Study on the Impact of Jitter Playout Buffer on the E-model in VoIP Quality Measurement

Over the years, the quality in Voice over IP (VoIP) applications has been defined from the perspective of VoIP service providers but not necessarily from the perspective of end-users. Conversational quality as perceived by end- users is affected by a wide variety of factors that are not exclusive to network performance. While service providers focus their efforts on Quality of Service (QoS) in VoIP, end- users expect improvement in Quality of Experience (QoE). The measurement of QoE is significantly challenging due to the diverse nature of factors that collectively determine QoE. It is highly desired to have a more comprehensive and accurate quality measurement model that can provide objective measurement of QoS in real-time while simultaneously offering QoE measurement as well. Thus, unveiling the relevance of various factors in a quality measurement model is crucial. In this paper, we study a commonly used ITU-T recommended quality measurement model: the E-model with a focus on how an important but ignored parameter jitter playout buffer affects the measurement accuracy by conducting an analytical and experimental approach. Our study shows that adaptive jitter playout buffering does affect the measurement of end user perceived VoIP quality. Thus, the E-Model that excludes the impact of the dynamic jitter playout buffer cannot provide accurate measurement on how an user perceives conversational quality in VoIP application.
Adhesion of Elastomers, with Special Reference to Triblock Copolymers

Abstract Several physical and chemical factors affect the strength of adhesion (as measured by a peeling method) for elastomers adhering to rigid substrates. These factors include: the thickness of the elastomer layer (and of an adhering backing, if present); the rate of detachment and the test temperature; and the presence of chemical bonds between elastomer and the substrate. Adhesion of thermoplastic elastomers, i.e., SBS triblock copolymers, applied as hot melts, is much stronger than for the corresponding random copolymers, crosslinked in situ. These materials also show higher cohesive (tear) strength. Both effects probably arise from the same cause: an energy-dissipation process which operates at large stresses and prevents brittle fracture. This process is thought to be plastic yielding of the polystyrene domains.
Modification of the percutaneous approach to peritoneal dialysis catheter placement under peritoneoscopic visualization: clinical results in 78 patients.

The placement of percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheters under direct peritoneoscopic visualization is a relatively new technique for establishing peritoneal dialysis access. In this study, in which a modification of the Seldinger technique was used to facilitate the placement of the peritoneoscope, the experience with 82 consecutive catheterization procedures in 78 patients is reported. In 2 (2.4%) of 82 catheterization procedures, we were unable to enter the peritoneal cavity but experienced no other complications unique to the percutaneous approach. Of the 80 successful catheterization procedures, 76 represented first-time catheter placement and constituted a population subjected to life-table analysis examining catheter survival rates, the time to first cutaneous exit site or s.c. tunnel infection, and the time to first episode of peritonitis. After a follow-up period of 50.1 patient yr, 11 catheters were lost because of catheter dysfunction. Other clinical complications included peritoneal fluid leaks at the cutaneous exit site in 11 instances (0.22/patient yr), cutaneous exit site infection in 7 instances (0.14/patient yr), s.c. tunnel infection in 2 instances (0.04/patient yr), and 34 episodes of peritonitis (0.68/patient yr). The results of this study demonstrate that the suggested modification of the percutaneous placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters, under peritoneoscopic visualization, is a viable method for establishing peritoneal access.
Selective Nucleation of Diamond Crystals on the Apex of Silicon Pyramids

Diamond crystals have been selectively grown on the apex of anisotropically chemically etched silicon pyramids. A novel process sequence is developed which exposes patterned sharp apex of silicon pyramids surrounded by thermally grown silicon dioxide to a high pressure microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (HPMACVD) process where the reactant feed gases are methane and hydrogen. Nucleation rate of diamond is very high on the sharp edge of a silicon mesa structure or an apex of a silicon pyramid as anticipated. Selective growth of diamond particles on the apex of silicon pyramids fabricated using various approaches were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.
On Aristotle’s Square of Opposition

Arguments have recently been offered that purportedly save Aristotle’s square of opposition from the charges which modern logicians have brought against it.1 The main argument in this defense, as I understood it, is the contention that the principle of excluded middle, or the principle that “every meaningful statement is either true or false,” is subject to certain qualifications. These qualifications have nothing to do with multivalued logics or the adoption of some new formal principle, but concern an alleged “feature of ordinary speech.” In brief, this feature is that in order for an empirical descriptive sentence to be meaningful it is not necessary for it to yield a true or false statement on every occasion of its utterance. Thus, the sentence “All Smith’s children are girls” is meaningful because it would yield a true and not also a false statement if uttered on an occasion when Smith had children all of whom were girls. It would likewise yield a false and not also a true statement if uttered on an occasion when Smith had at least one child who was a boy. But if uttered on an occasion when Smith had no children at all it would yield neither a true nor a false statement—“the question of its truth or falsity simply would not arise.”
Au329(SR)84 Nanomolecules: Compositional Assignment of the 76.3 kDa Plasmonic Faradaurates

The purpose of this work is to determine the chemical composition of the previously reported faradaurates, which is a large 76.3 kDa thiolated gold nanomolecule. Electrospray ionization quadrupole-time-of-flight (ESI Q-TOF) mass spectrometry of the title compound using three different thiols yield the 329:84 gold to thiol compositional assignment. The purity of the title compound was checked by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Positive and negative mode ESI-MS spectra show identical peaks denoting that there are no counterions, further reinforcing the accuracy of the assigned composition. We intentionally added Cs+ ions to show that the Au329(SR)84 is the base molecular ion, with several Cs+ adducts. A comprehensive investigation including analysis of the title compound with three ligands, in positive and negative mode and Cs+ adduction, leads to a conclusive composition of Au329(SR)84. This formula determination will facilitate the fundamental unde...
INSULIN SECRETION FROM THE ISOLATED PANCREAS IN ABSENCE OF INSULINOGENESIS: EFFECT OF GLUCOSE.

SummaryThe effect of dinitrophenol (DNP) on glucose stimulation of the release of immunologically measurable insulin was studied in the isolated perfused pancreas of the rat. In a 3-hour perfusion at 5 × 10−4 m DNP, protein synthesis, as measured by incorporation of valine-C14 into total pancreatic protein, was completely inhibited. The release of insulin by glucose, however, was unimpaired. Results indicate that glucose (or a product resulting from glucose metabolism) can stimulate insulin secretion directly and that a prior stimulation of insulinogenesis from amino acids is not required.
Common Spiders of North America Richard A. Bradley

Common Spiders of North America Richard A. Bradley (Illustrated by Steve Buchanan) University of California Press, Berkeley 2013. 271 pp. ISBN 978-0-520-27488-4 Price: $54.00 (hardcover) ![Graphic][1] Spiders are a ubiquitous part of every terrestrial habitat on Earth except Antarctica. They are one of the most diverse groups of organisms, yet they are poorly represented in most field guides to terrestrial arthropods. This guide by Bradley, with stunning illustrations by Buchanan, goes a long way towards correcting this deficiency. Spiders (arachnid order Araneae) are too diverse to include all the species in one publication (there are more than 4,000 species in North America, north of Mexico). However, Bradley has selected 469 species belonging to 311 genera that are most likely to be encountered by those interested in the world beneath our feet. In addition, he has chosen at least one species from each of the 68 spider families that occur in this region. Although reliable species identification of spiders depends on examination of microscopic characteristics, the species descriptions by Bradley and the full-color illustrations by Buchanan can be … Paula.Cushing{at}dmns.org draneym{at}uwgb.edu [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Effect of acute renal failure on insulin disposition in the isolated perfused rat kidney

The renal disposition of insulin in acute renal failure has not been evaluated. We used the isolated perfused rat kidney to test the hypothesis that acute renal failure (ARF) decreases renal insulin clearance. We used warm ischemia for 45 min, uranyl nitrate 5 mg/kg, ureter ligation, and nonfiltering kidneys as methods of inducing ARF. Comparisons were made with normal control kidneys. The concentrations of insulin in perfusate and urine was determined by radioimmunoassay. Acute renal failure caused significant reductions in glomerular filtration rate, sodium and potassium reabsorption, and an increased urine pH. Warm ischemia and uranyl nitrate toxicity caused a 50% decrease in the renal clearance of insulin. Nonfiltering kidneys cleared insulin at a rate 90% decreased from controls. Ureteral ligation caused a 32% decrease in insulin clearance. Filtration was necessary for insulin to be cleared from perfusate. We conclude that ARF decreased renal insulin clearance through a decrease in insulin uptake from both the tubular lumen and peritubular surface.
The Hajj and the Hindi: The ascent of the Indian Sufi lodge in the Ottoman empire *

This article charts several historical paths, hitherto underexplored, through the Hindi or ‘Indian’ Sufi lodges of the Ottoman empire. Focusing on the ‘long eighteenth century (circa 1695–1808)’, it tracks their remarkable ascendance as an institutional network for mobile and migrant Indian Sufi pilgrims. From Istanbul to the provinces, the article demonstrates how Naqshbandis and Qadiris on the Hajj circuit drew on local channels of social communications, legal petitioning strategies, and state and inter-state linkages to forge unique identities as ‘trans-imperial subjects’ in an age of decentralization in the Ottoman world. I argue that central to their social success was the creation of new corporate regimes of itinerant piety. But first, I place the little-known lodges at the heart of a specific shift in early modern attitudes to identity, as the story behind ‘Hindi’ beckons wider inquiry into emergent differences among Sufi pilgrims in the Ottoman empire.
MuNCC: Multi-hop Neighborhood Collaborative Caching in Information Centric Networks

Caching strategies in Information-Centric Networks (ICNs) can be classified into the categories of individual caching, on-path caching, and collaborative caching. Each has several drawbacks, such as high content redundancy in individual caching, unutilized caching capacity in on-path caching, and high coordination cost in collaborative caching. Despite the relatively higher cost of coordination, collaborative caching offers several advantages over the other categories, namely low latency and better cache utilization. A collaborative caching mechanism with low coordination costs that still possesses the inherent advantages has not been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we aim to address this missing link by presenting MuNCC, a scalable collaborative caching scheme, which utilizes a node’s neighborhood caching capacity and has negligible communication overhead. MuNCC uses attenuated Bloom filters, augmented by a two-level node cache structure and an efficient cache redundancy elimination technique. Exhaustive simulation-based comparison of MuNCC against the state-of-the-art shows that it reduces content retrieval latency by 30% to 40% while maintaining a high level of cache utilization and incurring low overheads.
Effect of Reproductive History and Exogenous Hormone Use on Cognitive Function in Mid‐ and Late Life

Objectives To investigate the association between reproductive history indicators of hormonal exposure, including reproductive period, pregnancy, and use of hormonal contraceptives, and mid- and late-life cognition in postmenopausal women. Design Analysis of baseline data from two randomized clinical trials: the Women's Isoflavone Soy Health and the Early vs Late Intervention Trial of Estradiol. Setting University academic research center. Participants Naturally menopausal women (N = 830). Measurements Participants were uniformly evaluated using a cognitive battery and a structured reproductive history questionnaire. Outcomes were composite scores for verbal episodic memory, executive function, and global cognition. Reproductive variables included ages at pregnancies, menarche, and menopause; reproductive period; number of pregnancies; and use of hormones for contraception and menopausal symptoms. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate associations between cognitive scores (dependent variable) and reproductive factors (independent variables), adjusting for age, race and ethnicity, income, and education. Results On multivariable modeling, age at menarche of 13 and older was inversely associated with global cognition (P = .05). Last pregnancy after age 35 was positively associated with verbal memory (P = .03). Use of hormonal contraceptives was positively associated with global cognition (P trend = .04), and verbal memory (P trend = .007). The association between hormonal contraceptive use and verbal memory and executive function was strongest for more than 10 years of use. Reproductive period was positively associated with global cognition (P = .04) and executive function (P = .04). Conclusion In this sample of healthy postmenopausal women, reproductive life events related to sex hormones, including earlier age at menarche, later age at last pregnancy, longer reproductive period, and use of oral contraceptives are positively related to aspects of cognition in later life.
Reducing Quantization Errors for Inner-Product Operations in Embedded Digital Signal Processing Systems [Tips&Tricks]

Inner-product operations are used extensively in embedded digital signal processing (DSP) systems. Their applications range from signal processing (filtering/convolution) to inference (classification). In embedded systems, resources (energy, area, etc.) are typically highly constrained, making tradeoffs with computational precision a fundamental concern. Indeed, with increasing requirements on algorithmic performance, many systems are trending toward higher computational precision to ensure accuracy of results. This article describes an approach to significantly enhance accuracy for inner-product operations at very low bit precisions, significantly improving the energy/area-versus-accuracy tradeoffs traditionally incurred.
Gut microbiome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Analysis of the human microbiome continues to reveal new and previously unrealized associations between microbial dysbiosis and disease. Novel approaches to bacterial identification using culture-independent methods allow practitioners to discern the presence of alterations in the taxa and diversity of the microbiome and identify correlations with disease processes. While some of these diseases that have been extensively studied are well-defined in their etiology and treatment methods (colorectal cancer), others have provided much more significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. One such condition, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), has several etiological and potentiating contributions from infection, inflammation, central nervous system (CNS) changes, stress, and central sensitization—all factors that play important roles in the crosstalk between the human body and its microbiome. No singular cause of CP/CPPS has been identified and it is most likely a syndrome with multifactorial causes. This heterogeneity and ambiguity are sources of significant frustration for patients and providers alike. Despite multiple attempts, treatment of chronic prostatitis with monotherapy has seen limited success, which is thought to be due to its heterogeneous nature. Phenotypic approaches to both classify the disease and direct treatment for CP/CPPS have proven beneficial in these patients, but questions still remain regarding etiology. Newer microbiome research has found correlations between symptom scores and disease severity and the degree of dysbiosis in urine and gut (stool) microbiomes in these patients as compared to un-afflicted controls. These findings present potential new diagnostic and therapeutic targets in CP/CPPS patients.
Grandfathered, Grandmothered, And ACA-Compliant Health Plans Have Equivalent Premiums

Many small employers offer employees health plans that are not fully compliant with Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions such as covering preventive services without cost sharing. These “grandfathe...
Negative plant-phyllosphere feedbacks in native Asteraceae hosts - a novel extension of the plant-soil feedback framework.

Over the past 25 years, the plant-soil feedback (PSF) framework has catalyzed our understanding of how belowground microbiota impact plant fitness and species coexistence. Here, we apply a novel extension of this framework to microbiota associated with aboveground tissues, termed 'plant-phyllosphere feedback (PPFs)'. In parallel greenhouse experiments, rhizosphere and phyllosphere microbiota of con- and heterospecific hosts from four species were independently manipulated. In a third experiment, we tested the combined effects of soil and phyllosphere feedback under field conditions. We found that three of four species experienced weak negative PSF whereas, in contrast, all four species experienced strong negative PPFs. Field-based feedback estimates were highly negative for all four species, though variable in magnitude. Our results suggest that phyllosphere microbiota, like rhizosphere microbiota, can potentially mediate plant species coexistence via negative feedbacks. Extension of the PSF framework to the phyllosphere is needed to more fully elucidate plant-microbiota interactions.
A Typological Analysis: Understanding Pre-Service Teacher Beliefs and How They Are Transformed.

This article describes the beliefs and their transformations of members of a cohort of early-childhood, elementary and middle-level pre-service teachers (PSTs) as they professionally develop. A typological analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data collected between August 2011 and May 2013 was utilized to categorize how 40 PSTs’ beliefs transformed throughout their formal teacher preparation. Five typologies were identified, showing variation in how PST beliefs transform or remain static.Among the findings, strong support related to the development of innovative beliefs during coursework coupled with at least one transformative experience where innovation was observed ‘working’ in the field were sufficient for the transformation to innovative beliefs, despite potential constraints by supervisors, cooperating teachers and/or mandated curricula (Typology 3). Another finding revealed disguised growth toward innovation among those in Typology 5, who reported being innovative and having productive beliefs but described extremely traditional practices. Implications call for improved connections between mathematics methods professors and field supervisors, particularly during clinical internships when PSTs are no longer enrolled in methods courses, to enhance PSTs’ productive struggle in their development of innovative beliefs (T3) and to increase opportunities for disconnects between innovative beliefs and traditional practices to be made explicit and negotiated (T5).
Coupled Dimensionality-Reduction Model for Imaging Genomics

Imaging genomics is essentially a multimodal research area whose focus is to analyze the influence of genetic variation on brain function and structure. Due to the high dimensionality of such data, a critical step consists of applying a feature extraction/dimensionality reduction method. Often, unimodal methods are used for each dataset separately, thus failing to properly extract subtle interactions between various modalities. In this paper, we propose a multimodal sparse representation model to jointly extract features of interest by effectively coupling genomic and neuroimaging data. More precisely, we reconstruct neuroimaging data using a sparse linear combination of dictionary atoms, while taking into account contributions from genomic data during such decomposition process. This is achieved by introducing an explicit constraint through the use of a mapping function linking genomic data with the set of subject-wise coefficients associated with the imaging dictionary atoms. The motivation of this work is to extract generative features as well as the intrinsic relationships between the two modalities. This model can be expressed as a constrained optimization problem, for which a complete algorithmic procedure is provided. The proposed method is applied to analyze the differences between two young adult populations whose verbal ability shows significant differences (low/high achievers) by relying on both imaging and genomic data.
A strategy for an earthquake prediction research program

Abstract The problem of designing an earthquake prediction research program is fraught with difficulties and pitfalls. Not only is the earthquake mechanism unknown at this time, but it may be different in the different seismic belts. Although there are some promising leads, premonitory effects have yet to be verified. If these effects are associated only with the larger earthquakes, then the time between earthquakes is comparable to the length of the research program. Public interest in earthquakes is very high, and pressure will most certainly be exerted on scientists to produce positive results in return for augmented support. All of these factors have to be considered in designing a prediction research program. This paper will discuss the above factors as well as such topics as the relative degree of effort in the field, in the laboratory, and in earthquake engineering research. The need for new instruments and their specifications will also be discussed. A brief review of programs in several countries will be given.
Evaluation of the hypertensive patient.

In the past, too much emphasis has been placed on the diagnostic aspects of hypertension and not enough attention has been given to the importance of therapy. Perhaps this is one reason why no more than 30% of hypertensives in the United States have their blood pressures adequately controlled.
X-ray lasers for structure and dynamics in biology

Recent advances in the application of X-ray lasers to structural biology are providing time-resolved high-resolution imaging of many processes, from enzyme kinetics to the riboswitch in action, drug action, and light-sensitive proteins.
Toxicity of aerosol propellants on the respiratory and circulatory systems: II. Respiratory and bronchopulmonary effects in the rat☆

Abstract The seven propellants tested in the anesthetized rat have the following patterns of action: FC21 and FC12 do not increase pulmonary resistance; FC11, FC C-318 and isobutane decrease pulmonary compliance and tidal volume; FC114 and FC115 increase respiratory rate. FC11 is the most toxic substance with a lethal inhaled concentration of 19% and FC C-318 the least toxic with a lethal concentration of 48%.
Heterogeneous Rate Processes in the Leaching of Base Metal Sulfides

Fundamental rate processes in sulfide leaching are reviewed. Electrochemical reactions of importance in dissolution and solidstate conversion reactions are presented and emphasis is placed upon copper and lead sulfides. Parameters important in characterizing potential new hydrometallurgical processes using anodic and cathodic reactions are reviewed.
Distributed Computing Over High-Speed Local Area Networks

Technological advances in networking, computer architecture, VLSI, and processor performance have led to the emergence of a wide range of multimedia applications, particularly those with high bandwidth, low latency, and real-time requirements. Typical examples include video conferencing, visualization, industrial applications, and scientific applications. In this paper, we first describe the design of a distributed visualization application. Then, we focus on the impact of different host architectures, high-speed networks, and operating systems on the performance of the distributed visualization application. Doing so highlights the performance that can be delivered by state-of-the-art technologies to end-user applications. Finally, we demonstrate the use of high-performance low-cost hardware (Pentium PCs)hardware and network technologies, such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), to support high-bandwidth applications such as visualization in a distributed, networked environment.
A Cost-Effective, Fast, and Robust Annotation Tool

Deep learning requires huge datasets for training their models. In most cases, dataset generation is done manually or by using conventional approaches which are time consuming, costly, and prone to inaccuracy. There is an urgent need for developing fast, robust, and effective techniques to annotate each image with different labels and classes based on its contents. In this paper, we propose the use of in-house annotation tool that can be used for generating accurate datasets in a short time with minimal human interference. The proposed tool reads a captured video and the operator manually highlights the objects with their assigned classes in the initial frame. A robust and fast object tracking approach was developed to detect and track each highlighted object for subsequent frames. Experimental results using our annotation tool show 50x to 200x faster processing time compared to conventional annotation methods in addition to better performance with higher accuracy.
2433: Real-time health activity reporting of citizens in Lagos, Nigeria using mHealth app node

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: This study sought to develop a mHealth application which was capable of predicting the spread of infectious diseases during the height of the Ebola outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria. Following the success of this primary task, the research then sought to understand behavioral health issues which are indicative of chronic diseases, such as sedentary behaviors and where they occur at a geospatial level in real-time. The results of this study are now being used to develop a larger scale 500 person study in Rochester, NY, USA. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: During a 3-month period individuals were asked to install a mobile health application known as Node onto the their android device. Consent was done remotely, individuals were recruited through the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, and the University of Lagos. Participants were paid 50 USD/month for each month of study completion, while continuous location data was collected in addition to survey information about participants. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: During the study period 70 individuals enrolled, using this data we were able to create network based models which indicated that diseases were more likely to spread at the beginning of the week, and also indicated who would be most susceptible to being patient zero. In phase 2 we have started to look at behavioral patterns to determine the risk of chronic disease among our study population, by examining their human mobility patterns, since we can determine average sleep patterns, activity patterns using machine learning classifiers, and time spent in traffic—all of which we can visualize in a real-time geospatial manner with higher objectivity than traditional mechanisms for data collection. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: In developing countries, using Nigeria as our example most chronic disease and household studies only enroll a few thousand participants for a country numbering 150 million plus. Using our rapidly available application we were able within 1 week to enroll 70 participants on 1 year of funding, this creates a framework for larger scale public health studies which can be done in developing countries and also demonstrates the value in mHealth which can both answer questions of infectious disease and chronic diseases at the same time. Our results indicate that at an infectious disease level in city environments diseases may be prevented by targeting events early in the week. While at a chronic disease level the lack of reliable power results in less sedentary behavior as individuals seek locations to charge phones, while those with more stable western-like lifestyles have started to exhibit the conditions which cause such outcomes as obesity, which has begun to rise in developing countries. Ultimately, these results serve as a staging point to launch a more wide scale study both in the United States and Nigeria within the year, now that feasibility has been established.
InAs-Based Interband Cascade Lasers

We briefly review the features of interband cascade lasers (ICLs) and discuss rationales for using an InAs-based plasmon waveguide configuration for extending efficient operation of ICLs to long wavelengths. We then present our recent progress in InAs-based ICLs based on an advanced waveguide configuration. We demonstrated room temperature continuous wave operation of ICLs at wavelengths longer than 6 μm.
Parents' Perspectives on Variants of Uncertain Significance from Chromosome Microarray Analysis.

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for unexplained anomalies and developmental delay has improved diagnosis rates, but results classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS) may challenge both clinicians and families. We explored the impact of such results on families, including parental knowledge, understanding and interpretation. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with parents (N = 14) who received genetic counseling for a VUS in their child. Transcripts were analyzed through an iterative coding process. Participants demonstrated a range of recall and personal interpretation regarding whether test results provided a causal explanation for their children’s health issues. Participants maintained contradictory interpretations, describing results as answers while maintaining that little clarification of their child’s condition had been provided. Reported benefits included obtaining medical services and personal validation. Parents described adaptation/coping processes similar to those occurring after positive test results. Recall of terminology, including “VUS” and precise CMA abnormalities, was poor. However, most demonstrated conceptual understanding of scientific uncertainty. All participants expressed intentions to return for recommended genetics follow-up but had misconceptions about how this would occur. These results provide insight into the patient-and-family experience when receiving uncertain genomic findings, emphasize the importance of exploring uncertainty during the communication process, and highlight areas for potential attention or improvement in the clinical encounter.
Closing the 'phenotype gap' in precision medicine: improving what we measure to understand complex disease mechanisms.

The central concept underlying precision medicine is a mechanistic understanding of each disease and its response to therapy sufficient to direct a specific intervention. To execute on this vision requires parsing incompletely defined disease syndromes into discrete mechanistic subsets and developing interventions to precisely address each of these etiologically distinct entities. This will require substantial adjustment of traditional paradigms which have tended to aggregate high-level phenotypes with very different etiologies. In the current environment, where diagnoses are not mechanistic, drug development has become so expensive that it is now impractical to imagine the cost-effective creation of new interventions for many prevalent chronic conditions. The vision of precision medicine also argues for a much more seamless integration of research and development with clinical care, where shared taxonomies will enable every clinical interaction to inform our collective understanding of disease mechanisms and drug responses. Ideally, this would be executed in ways that drive real-time and real-world discovery, innovation, translation, and implementation. Only in oncology, where at least some of the biology is accessible through surgical excision of the diseased tissue or liquid biopsy, has “co-clinical” modeling proven feasible. In most common germline disorders, while genetics often reveal the causal mutations, there still remain substantial barriers to efficient disease modeling. Aggregation of similar disorders under single diagnostic labels has directly contributed to the paucity of etiologic and mechanistic understanding by directly reducing the resolution of any subsequent studies. Existing clinical phenotypes are typically anatomic, physiologic, or histologic, and result in a substantial mismatch in information content between the phenomes in humans or in animal ‘models’ and the variation in the genome. This lack of one-to-one mapping of discrete mechanisms between disease and animal models causes a failure of translation and is one form of ‘phenotype gap.’ In this review, we will focus on the origins of the phenotyping deficit and approaches that may be considered to bridge the gap, creating shared taxonomies between human diseases and relevant models, using cardiovascular examples.
Online sequential monitoring of spatio-temporal disease incidence rates

Online sequential monitoring of the incidence rates of chronic or infectious diseases is critically important for public health. Governments have invested a great amount of money in building global...
Los conciertos de Teresa Carreño en Caracas en 1862: construcciones de género, virtuosismo y patriotismo

In 1862, eight-year-old Teresa Carreno offered several private concerts in Caracas in which she improvised and performed pieces of the virtuosic repertory for piano. Several members of the musical and intellectual circles of Caracas praised her widely in the press for her musical abilities. However, at a deeper level, the reception of these concerts reflects the tensions and paradoxes that occurred in Caracas’ musical culture between the practices and values that shaped concert life and salon culture, prevalent gender stereotypes, and the aspirations of cultural progress of the educated elite. The present study discusses the reception of Carreno’s concerts in the context of the cultural fabric of the 19th century, regarding the way in which they problematized the conventions of gender and the social and aesthetic values that shaped the production and reception of music in Caracas, and how they served to articulate the cultural aspirations of recently founded Venezuelan nation.
An abbreviated WISC-5 model for identifying youth at risk for intellectual disability in a mixed clinical sample

The correct “dosing” of neuropsychological assessment is of interest for the purposes of cost management and the personalization of medicine/assessment. In this context, embedded IQ screening, rath...
Activity control principles for automatic tracking algorithms

An automatic track detection algorithm will declare a collection of random radar contacts that line up in space and time in a track-like pattern as a track. The probability of this occurrence can, in general, be reduced by requiring additional associating contacts before declaring a track detection. Constraints on response time for new track detection typically establish the maximum length of the detection process. Any fixed length detection process has an input contact density above which it will produce an unacceptable rate of false track declarations. Whenever this density is reached, the alternative is to accept a higher false track rate or desensitization. Thus the control of the false track rate involves the tradeoff of detection sensitivity with response time. The paper discusses principles of activity control for automatic tracking algorithms, using mathematical development and computer simulation. >
Diseases of the Vagina

This chapter discusses the range of non-neoplastic and neoplastic diseases of the vagina that may be encountered in the everyday practice of surgical pathology. The lesions discussed include infectious, developmental, benign, premalignant, and primary and secondary malignant lesions that affect the vagina, with a focus on morphologic and immunohistochemical features that aid in the diagnosis. The most common infectious causes of vaginitis, including bacterial, fungal, viral, protozoan, and parasitic agents as well as noninfectious causes are discussed. The characteristics of developmental disorders, such as imperforate hymen, and cystic lesions, such as Gartner’s duct cyst, are described. The features of pseudoneoplastic lesions such as fallopian tube prolapse, benign neoplasms such as squamous papilloma and premalignant squamous intraepithelial lesions are examined. Finally, primary malignancies, such as squamous cell carcinoma, clear cell adenocarcinoma, and melanoma, as well as common metastatic lesions that involve the vagina are discussed.
Naturally occurring and axotomy-induced motoneuron death and its prevention by neurotrophic agents: a comparison between chick and mouse

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the findings on (1) the time-course of axotomy-induced death of lumbar spinal postmitotic motoneurons (MNs) in chick and mouse, and (2) the survival effects of a wide variety of known and putative trophic or growth factors on chick and mouse MNs, during naturally occurring cell death and following axotomy. It is shown that axotomy performed on, or prior to, embryonic (E) day l2 in the chick results in a rapid decrease (i.e. 50%) in MN numbers within 3-4 days postsurgery, whereas these cells were able to survive for up to 1 week following axotomy on E14. By contrast, mouse MNs remained vulnerable to axotomy for at least 5 days after birth. Furthermore, it is presented that a number of trophic/growth factors rescue both avian and mouse MNs (albeit to different extents) from programmed and/or axotomy-induced cell death. These include NGF, BDNF, NT-3, NT-4/5, CNTF, IGF-1 and IGF-2, S-1008, TGF-B, PDGF, CDF/LIF, and IL-6.
Oviductal sterilization with tantalum clips.

Abstract Oviductal sterilization with tantalum clips was accomplished in 350 patients. The sterilization procedures were approached transabdominally in the puerperal patient and transvaginally in the interval patient. The technique in each instance was simple, and the operative complications were minimal. The pregnancy rate in the patients with abdominal puerperal oviductal sterilization was 11 per cent. The pregnancy rate in the patients with vaginal oviductal sterilization was 1.2 per cent.
Jonathan Pollard: A More Genuine Notion of Justice

Perhaps the president, visibly moved by the film, would sympathize with the moral impulse that drove [Jonathan Pollard] to give vital defense information to Israel. Perhaps he'd likewise equate Nazi Germany with demonic Iraq. Perhaps Mr. [Clinton], currently compiling his own list of presidential pardons, would see to it that the horrendous life sentence handed Pollard in 1985 be commuted to time served.Particularly galling, though, are the potshots from two former Justice Department prosecutors - the politically ambitious Joseph DiGenova and his former assistant David Geneson - who effectively bargained Pollard out of a trial by promising not to seek a maximum sentence. Now they've come out of the woodwork to argue that Pollard deserved exactly what he got, slinging new charges never brought before a judge or jury.They realize that, in contrast to many other spies convicted of more serious crimes, Pollard was never accused of intending to harm the United States. Nor was he ever charged with treason - except by the former secretary of defense, Caspar Weinberger. Now even Mr. Weinberger, perhaps rendered contrite by his own recent pardon, says that he wouldn't oppose reducing Pollard's life term.
Chimerism, Graft Survival, and Withdrawal of Immunosuppressive Drugs in HLA Matched and Mismatched Patients After Living Donor Kidney and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Thirty-eight HLA matched and mismatched patients given combined living donor kidney and enriched CD34(+) hematopoietic cell transplants were enrolled in tolerance protocols using posttransplant conditioning with total lymphoid irradiation and anti-thymocyte globulin. Persistent chimerism for at least 6 months was associated with successful complete withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs in 16 of 22 matched patients without rejection episodes or kidney disease recurrence with up to 5 years follow up thereafter. One patient is in the midst of withdrawal and five are on maintenance drugs. Persistent mixed chimerism was achieved in some haplotype matched patients for at least 12 months by increasing the dose of T cells and CD34(+) cells infused as compared to matched recipients in a dose escalation study. Success of drug withdrawal in chimeric mismatched patients remains to be determined. None of the 38 patients had kidney graft loss or graft versus host disease with up to 14 years of observation. In conclusion, complete immunosuppressive drug withdrawal could be achieved thus far with the tolerance induction regimen in HLA matched patients with uniform long-term graft survival in all patients.