cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of Borg Scale Measurements of Dyspnea During Exercise in Patients With COPD

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the moderate term (5 weeks) reproducibility of Borg scale ratings of the effort to breathe (Borge) and the degree of discomfort evoked by breathing (Borgd) in patients with COPD during exercise. Six subjects with moderately severe COPD (FEV1, 1.42 +/- 0.50 L) underwent progressive incremental exercise (15 W/min) on a cycle ergometer to a symptom-limited maximum every week for 6 weeks (first week used as practice session). Minute ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2), and Borg ratings were obtained every minute during exercise. Borge and Borgd were highly correlated in each subject (r = 0.99 +/- 0.01). Borg scores were not significantly different across study days during both maximal and submaximal exercise. The within-subject coefficient of variation (CV) for Borge during maximal exercise was 13.9 +/- 9.0% (range, 6 to 31%) which was not significantly different from that observed for the physiological indices: 8.2 +/- 4.1% (range, 4 to 15%) for VE and 5.2 +/- 3.4% (range, 1 to 10%) for VO2. In contrast, at 66% of the maximum workload, the within-subject CV for Borge was 25.0 +/- 13.6% (range, 12 to 50%) which was significantly greater than that observed for the physiologic indices: 5.8 +/- 2.0% (range, 3 to 9%) for VE and 4.6 +/- 1.1% (range, 3 to 6%) for VO2. In every subject, Borge was linearly correlated with VE, VO2, and workload. However, within an individual subject, the slope of these relationships varied between trials; within-subject CV for the slope of the Borge/VE relationship was 20.2 +/- 8.0% (range, 12 to 32%). In conclusion, during incremental exercise Borg ratings of dyspnea are not as reproducible as physiologic indices in patients with COPD.
The fallacy of 'signature whistles' in bottlenose dolphins: a comparative perspective of 'signature information' in animal vocalizations

In sharp contrast with descriptions of contact calls in all other species, the contact or cohesion calls used by bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in contexts of social isolation have been historically described as individually distinctive and categorically different whistle types, termed ‘signature whistles’. These whistle types have been proposed to function as labels or names of conspecifics. Other studies have reported an absence of signature whistles and have demonstrated that dolphins, like other species, produce a predominant shared whistle type that probably contains individual variability in the acoustic parameters of this shared whistle type. To further understand the discrepancies between different studies on dolphin whistle communication and the vast differences reported between the isolation calls of dolphins and other species, we conducted a study replicating the approach and methodologies used in the studies that originally and subsequently characterized signature whistles. In contrast to these studies, we present clear evidence that, in contexts of isolation, dolphins use a predominant and shared whistle type rather than individually distinctive signature whistles. This general class of shared whistles was the predominant call of 10 of the 12 individuals, the same shared whistle type previously reported as predominant for individuals within both socially interactive and separation contexts. Results on the further classification of this predominant shared whistle type indicated that 14 subtle variations within this one whistle type could be partially attributed to individual identity. Thus, individual variability in the production of a shared contact call, as reported for other taxa, probably accounts for individual recognition in dolphins. No evidence was found for categorically different signature whistle types in isolated bottlenose dolphins using both qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Intraoperative device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects without cardiopulmonary bypass: preliminary results with the perventricular technique.

Abstract Objective In infants undergoing closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects, cardiopulmonary bypass remains one of the factors that prolongs hospital stay and morbidity. A new technique was used to close the defects under echocardiographic guidance without cardiopulmonary bypass to prevent the deleterious effects of bypass. Methods Recently, the Amplatzer membranous ventricular septal defect device (AGA Medical Corp, Golden Valley, Minn) was introduced. The device has a double-disc design with a short connecting waist. The left ventricular disc has an eccentric design to prevent encroachment on the aortic valve leaflets. Eight Yucatan miniature pigs with naturally occurring perimembranous ventricular septal defects underwent closure of the defect in the operating room by using the perventricular technique. After median sternotomy, a purse-string suture was placed on the free wall of the right ventricle. An angiocatheter was advanced in the right ventricle, and through the catheter, a wire was advanced from the right ventricle through the ventricular septal defect into the left ventricle. A delivery sheath and the dilator were advanced over the wire. The wire and catheter were removed, and an appropriately sized Amplatzer membranous device was advanced through the sheath. The device was deployed under echocardiographic guidance with the heart beating. Results The procedure was successful in all animals. There was no incidence of device embolization, heart block, or aortic insufficiency. Angiograms at 3 and 6 months revealed no residual defects and no aortic insufficiency. Pathologically, the devices were completely endothelialized when examined grossly. Conclusions The perventricular technique appears to be excellent for closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects in the operating room. The technique might be feasible in smaller babies, who are high-risk candidates for closure in the catheterization laboratory. Cardiopulmonary bypass and prolonged hospital stay are avoided.
A simple microretractor

The use of bulky retractors in experimental microsurgical procedures creates interference with the limited operative field. The current article describes a small but effective retractor made from ordinary staples, which are inexpensive and easily accessible.
(1,3)-β-D-Glucan as a Prognostic Marker of Treatment Response in Invasive Candidiasis

BACKGROUND (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BG) is a biomarker for invasive candidiasis (IC). The usefulness of BG level as a prognostic marker of treatment outcome is not well characterized. METHODS Two hundred fifty-seven patients with proven IC were enrolled in an anidulafungin study. Clinical and microbiological responses at the end of therapy were evaluated. Serial serum BG was measured. Correlation of initial and final BG levels with overall outcome was assessed in each patient. RESULTS Two hundred three patients had at least 2 BG levels and outcomes assessed. The majority of IC was caused by non-Candida albicans (53%) and found in the blood (84%). Overall, treatment success was 85%. In successfully treated patients, the mean ± SD initial and final BG were 573 ± 681 pg/mL and 499 ± 635 pg/mL (P = .03), respectively; while in treatment-failure patients, the levels were 1224 ± 1585 pg/mL and 1293 ± 1283 pg/mL (P = .29), respectively. A negative slope in BG levels correlated with a successful treatment outcome with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 90%, and a positive slope in BG levels correlated with treatment failure with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%. The cutoff value for initial BG <416 pg/mL has potential to predict treatment success with a PPV of 89%. CONCLUSIONS A decrease in BG levels during therapy is associated with treatment success. An initial BG of <416 pg/mL has potential to predict successful treatment outcomes. Baseline and consecutive serum BG measurements may be useful as prognostic markers of treatment outcome in patients with IC receiving primarily echinocandin therapy.
Endocrine and Metabolic Manifestations of HIV Infection and AIDS

Since the first descriptions of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a great deal of knowledge has been accumulated on how these entities interact with the endocrine system. Recently new information has been received on autoimmune dysregulation causing thyroid abnormalities after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), as well as metabolic dysregulation occurring in the setting of protease inhibitors. We review the pathophysiologic abnormalities of the endocrine systems due to HIV infection as well as the endocrine effects of drugs commonly used in HIV management. The spectrum of endocrine dysfunction associated with HIV is growing and the intensive care physician must be aware of these potentially reversible abnormalities.
A seismic hazard uncertainty analysis for the New Madrid seismic zone

Abstract A review of the scientific issues relevant to characterizing earthquake sources in the New Madrid seismic zone has led to the development of a logic tree of possible alternative parameters. A variability analysis, using Monte Carlo sampling of this consensus logic tree, is presented and discussed. The analysis shows that for 2%-exceedence-in-50-year hazard, the best-estimate seismic hazard map is similar to previously published seismic hazard maps for the area. For peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration at 0.2 and 1.0 s (0.2 and 1.0 s Sa), the coefficient of variation (COV) representing the knowledge-based uncertainty in seismic hazard can exceed 0.6 over the New Madrid seismic zone and diminishes to about 0.1 away from areas of seismic activity. Sensitivity analyses show that the largest contributor to PGA, 0.2 and 1.0 s Sa seismic hazard variability is the uncertainty in the location of future 1811–1812 New Madrid sized earthquakes. This is followed by the variability due to the choice of ground motion attenuation relation, the magnitude for the 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes, and the recurrence interval for M >6.5 events. Seismic hazard is not very sensitive to the variability in seismogenic width and length.
Read the Past: Write Now! Responding to Historical Fiction through Writing

From the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond, fictional characters enrich social studies by bringing the past to life for young readers. Historical fiction offers a great variety of topics in various formats, including novels, short stories, picture books, poems, and plays that provides useful background knowledge through a glimpse into the details of daily life during a particular time. This articles offers specific examples of how teachers can encourage writing using quality historical fiction picture books.
Effects of Short-term Electrical Stimulation on the Ultrastructure of Rat Skeletal Muscles

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term, 2,500-Hz carrier-wave frequency electrical stimulation on the ultrastructure of fast-twitch rat skeletal muscles. Thirteen Spraque-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups: daily treatment (Group 1), every-other-day treatment (Group 2), and control (Group 3). The medial quadriceps femoris and hamstring (semitendinosus and semimembranosus) muscles of the right thigh were treated with short-term electrical stimulation. After treatment, the animals were sacrificed, and their treated and sham quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles were removed, fixed by immersion, and processed for electron microscopy. Morphometric measurements were made on electron micrographs using a Videoplan computer system, and the results were analyzed statistically. The results revealed that mitochondria, triads, and glycogen content of the fast-twitch muscles changed to resemble those of slow-twitch muscles. In view of these results, clinicians should consider the possibility that similar changes also might occur in human subjects under clinical conditions.
Enhanced Charge Carrier Concentration of SiC/CNT With N- and P-Type Doping Agents

Single-walled Carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been shown to have excellent conductive properties. SWCNTs were dispersed in a SiC nanoparticle matrix to form a homogeneous mixture that is both mechanically durable and conductive. The SWCNT amount has been varied. SiC/SWCNT mixtures were then doped with various N- and P-type agents, and the resulting samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Raman spectra of the samples were also measured for evidence of structural changes. Seebeck coefficients were measured for the doped samples demonstrating the change in thermoelectric properties. Shifts in the G peak (1580.6 cm-1) of the Raman spectra of the samples provides evidence of an increase in charge carrier concentration in the doped samples, correlating well with the Seebeck coefficient results.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
(Re)Envisioning the African Diaspora: Historical Memory and Cross-Fertilization in Post-Colonial Sierra Leone

This paper will look at the role played by individuals of African descent from the Caribbean and the United States from the late 18th through the 20th century, assessing the ways in which they contributed to the history of Sierra Leone. The coming of West Indians and African Americans to Sierra Leone represents a “diaspora in reverse” which epitomized a convergence, in that populations from various parts of the diaspora settled in the colony. This study will reflect on ideas of dispersion, return, settlement, the emergence of cultural identities, and the transformation of a group of New World blacks in an adopted homeland - Africa. West Indians and African Americans in Sierra Leone found themselves in a milieu that was familiar, on the one hand, yet strange, on the other. They quickly adapted to their new home, but many of them remained outsiders. Some maintained the distinct identity which they came with, while others assimilated fully into the society to which they immigrated. All influenced the black residents in the colony, and this study attempts to show that the influence they exerted on the colony’s black population was significant, and can be remembered in a variety of ways.
Controllability of prosumer-based networks in the presence of communication failures

Typically, interconnected dynamical systems rely on communication in order to coordinate and compute appropriate control actions. Loss of communication links can exclude key decision makers from providing input and can even alter the system properties. This paper investigates the impact of communication loss on the controllability of a specific networked system, a homogeneous power-grid populated by producer-consumer hybrids. The notion of muteness is introduced in order to characterize the control policy adopted by the nodes which are isolated due to communication loss. We provide results which relates the controllability of such a system with mute nodes to the topology of the underlying electrical network and show that under certain topological conditions, controllability is preserved.
Shaping of cutaneous function by encounters with commensals

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and provides the first line of defence against environmental attack and pathogen invasion. It harbor multiple commensal microbial communities at different body sites, which play important roles in sensing the environment, protecting against colonization and infection of pathogens, and guiding the host immune system in response to foreign invasions. The skin microbiome is largely variable between individuals and body sites, with several core commensal members commonly shared among individuals at the healthy state. These microbial commensals are essential to skin health and can potentially lead to disease when their abundances and activities change due to alterations in the environment or in the host. While recent advances in sequencing technologies have enabled a large number of studies to characterize the taxonomic composition of the skin microbiome at various body sites and under different physiological conditions, we have limited understanding of the microbiome composition and dynamics at the strain level, which is highly important to many microbe-related diseases. Functional studies of the skin microbial communities and the interactions among community members and with the host are currently scant, warranting future investigations. In this review, we summarize the recent findings on the skin microbiome, highlighting the roles of the major commensals, including bacteria, fungi and bacteriophages, in modulating skin functions in health and disease. Functional studies of the skin microbiota at the metatranscriptomic and proteomic levels are also included to illustrate the interactions between the microbiota and the host skin.
Changes in the landscape of Latin America between 1850 and 1985 II. Net release of CO2 to the atmosphere

Abstract The net release of carbon to the atmosphere from deforestation in Latin America was calculated for the period 1850–1985. Changes in the area of forests were described in a companion paper. Here, the stocks of carbon in vegetation and soils of major ecosystems, and changes in these stocks of carbon as a result of disturbance, were used to calculate the net annual flux of carbon. The total net release of carbon between 1850 and 1985 was about 30 × 1015 g (range 17–35 × 1015 g). The land uses responsible for the emissions of carbon were increased areas of pastures (42% of the total emissions), croplands (34%), degraded lands (19%), and shifting cultivation (5%). Logging and the establishment of plantations contributed or accumulated negligible amounts of C over this 135-year period. The annual releases of C to the atmosphere increased over the period 1850–1985; half of the total release occurred after 1960. By 1985 the net release was 0.67 × 1015 g C year−1 (range 0.39–0.82 × 1015 g C). The relative contributions of different land uses to this flux were different from those over the long-term. The greatest single source of C in 1985 resulted from increases in the area of degraded lands (37% of the net flux), and the importance of shifting cultivation increased to almost 20%. The range of estimates calculated here for the current net flux of C is lower than earlier estimates of the range. The range results from uncertainties in the rates of land-use change, in the types of ecosystems cleared and the stocks of C in these ecosystems, and in the rates of decay and regrowth of organic matter associated with land-use change.
ASSA13-15-8 A Comparative Study: Early Results and Complications of Percutaneous and Minimally Invasive Perventricular Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects

Objective cases of percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) have increased obviously in recent years with early and mid-term good results; Minimally invasive perventricular closure of VSDs is another option for perimembranous ventricular septal defects, but a comparative analysis of the different treatments (minimally invasive perventricular vs. percutaneous closure) for VSDs is needed. Methods Between June 2008 and June 2012, 356 patients with perimembranous VSDs were enrolled in our study, including 252 patients treated with percutaneous closure (percutaneous device group) and 104 patients underwent minimally invasive perventricular device closure (perventricular device group). Several characteristics (e.g. procedure success rate, complications, blood transfusions, early pericardial effusion) were compared between the 2 groups. Results There were no differences (p > 0.05) between the percutaneous and minimally invasive perventricular device groups according to the success rates (98.0 vs. 97.1%) and occurrences of main complications (1.9 vs. 3.5%). No blood transfusions were needed in the percutaneous device group, while 6 patients (5.8%) required blood transfusions in the minimally invasive perventricular device group. The duration of hospital stay was shorter in the percutaneous device group than in the surgical group (3.2 vs. 10.9 days, p Conclusions Percutaneous and minimally invasive perventricular device VSD closure are effective methods with fewer complications, but percutaneous group has shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic effect. Two procedures can serve as reasonable alternative treatment for traditional open heart surgery.
Predictive Validity of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Pooled Cohort Equations in Predicting All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease–Specific Mortality in a National Prospective Cohort Study of Adults in the United States

The predictive validity of the Pooled Cohort risk (PCR) equations for cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific and all-cause mortality among a national sample of US adults has yet to be evaluated, which was this study's purpose. Data from the 1999-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used, with participants followed up through December 31, 2011, to ascertain mortality status via the National Death Index probabilistic algorithm. The analyzed sample included 11,171 CVD-free adults (40-79 years of age). The 10-year risk of a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event was determined from the PCR equations. For the entire sample encompassing 849,202 person-months, we found an incidence rate of 1.00 (95% CI, 0.93-1.07) all-cause deaths per 1000 person-months and an incidence rate of 0.15 (95% CI, 0.12-0.17) CVD-specific deaths per 1000 person-months. The unweighted median follow-up duration was 72 months. For nearly all analyses (unadjusted and adjusted models with ASCVD expressed as a continuous variable as well as dichotomized at 7.5% and 20%), the ASCVD risk score was significantly associated with all-cause and CVD-specific mortality (P<.05). In the adjusted model, the increased all-cause mortality risk ranged from 47% to 77% based on an ASCVD risk of 20% or higher and 7.5% or higher, respectively. Those with an ASCVD score of 7.5% or higher had a 3-fold increased risk of CVD-specific mortality. The 10-year predicted risk of a first ASCVD event via the PCR equations was associated with all-cause and CVD-specific mortality among those free of CVD at baseline. In this American adult sample, the PCR equations provide evidence of predictive validity.
Survey and Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine Application in Xinjiang from 2003 to 2006

Objective To understand the waste and deficiency phenomenon of hepatitis B virus(HBV)vaccine by analyzing the situation of distribution and vaccination of the vaccine against HBV in Xinjiang after implementation of GAVI project.Methods The input-output records of biological preparations registered in The Center for Diseases Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,and the reported data on HBV vaccination situation from all prefectures in Xinjiang were collected and analyzed.Results Totally 979 200 vaccines were delivered in Xinjiang in 2003,and 232 611 vaccines were vaccinated with the coverage rate of 34.14%.And in 2006,the coverage rate of vaccination reached 92.02%.Conclusions Coverage rate of HBV vaccination inclined to grow year by year,since HBV has been brought into planed immunization and GAVI has been implemented.However,surveillance and management need to be further improved,there exists waste and deficiency phenomenon caused by unbalanced distribution of vaccines in some prefectures.
Species diversity of Calyptratae in Lvliang Mountain area of Shanxi province, China

Objective To investigate the species number, species diversity, and faunal characteristics of Calyptratae in Lvliang Mountain area of Shanxi province, China. Methods The investigation was conducted by biodiversity analysis and insect taxonomy. Results There were 408 species, 131 genera, and 11 families of Calyptratae in the Lvliang Mountain area. Muscidae, accounting for 51.79% and 40.20% of all known Calyptratae genera and species in this area, and Anthomyiidae, accounting for 62.80% and 22.30% of all known Calyptratae genera and species in this area, were predominant at both genus and species levels. In this area, there were 14 endemic species, accounting for 3.43% of the total species, 176 Palaearctic species, accounting for 43.14% of the total species, and 98 Palaearctic and Oriental species, accounted for 24.02% of the total species. The diversity indices at the genus and species levels were 2.03 and 1.65, respectively. Conclusion Species diversity, endemic species diversity, and faunal diversity are seen in Calyptratae in Lvliang Mountain area of Shanxi province. The faunal composition mainly includes Palaearctic species, followed by Palaearctic and Oriental species and other faunal components.
Developmental staging of male murine embryonic gonad by SAGE analysis

Despite the identification of key genes such as Sry integral to embryonic gonadal development, the genomic classification and identi- fication of chromosomal activation of this process is still poorly understood. To better understand the genetic regulation of gonadal develop- ment, we performed Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) to profile the genes and novel transcripts, and an average of 152,000 tags from male embryonic gonads at E10.5 (embryonic day 10.5), E11.5, E12.5, E13.5, E15.5 and E17.5 were analyzed. A total of 275,583 non-singleton tags that do not map to any annotated sequence were identified in the six gonad libraries, and 47,255 tags were mapped to 24,975 annotated sequences, among which 987 sequences were uncharacterized. Utilizing an unsupervised pattern identification tech- nique, we established molecular staging of male gonadal development. Rather than providing a static descriptive analysis, we developed algorithms to cluster the SAGE data and assign SAGE tags to a corresponding chromosomal position; these data are displayed in chro- mosome graphic format. A prominent increase in global genomic activity from E10.5 to E17.5 was observed. Important chromosomal regions related to the developmental processes were identified and validated based on established mouse models with developmental disorders. These regions may represent markers for early diagnosis for disorders of male gonad development as well as potential treat- ment targets.
Algorithmic Statistical Process Control: The Concept, An Elaboration

SPC has traditionally been applied to processes in which successive observations are independently distributed, for the purpose of detecting “assignable causes” as a basis for making fundamental process improvement. Stochastic control, on the other hand, addresses processes in which observations are dynamically related over time. Its intent is to run the existing process well, as opposed to improving it, per se. SPC has been generally applied in monitoring product quality, whereas automated controls are most often applied to control process “direction.” Modern industrial systems often exhibit dynamic behavior at even the product quality level, suggesting the need to expand application of control theoretical principles into this realm, as well. Competitive realities dictate, however, that fundamental process improvement (and not merely process optimization) must remain a dominant consideration. This paper elaborates an understanding of how SPC and feedback control can be united into a system which exploits the strengths of both. Building upon past work by MacGregor, Box, Astrom and others, the paper covers the concept and, technical issues that arise.
Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

The postmortem findings in a two month old infant with the typical clinical features of Aicardi syndrome (i.e., infantile spasms, chorioretinal lacunae, and agenesis of the corpus callosum) are reported from the Division of Neurology, Saitama Children’s Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
SURVIVAL OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM IN REFRIGERATED CULTURED MILKS1

Cultured skimmilks containing Salmonella typhimurium were prepared at 21, 30, or 42 C using different species of lactic acid bacteria (0.25, 1.0, and 5% inoculum) either singly or in combinations. Several commercial cultures also were used. Cultured skimmilks were stored at 11 C and tested at 3-day intervals for numbers of viable salmonellae and lactic acid bacteria and for pH. Survival of S. typhimurium varied from 6 to 9 days and from 3 to 6 days in milks cultured with 0.25% Streptococcus lactis at 21 and 30 C, respectively. Increasing the inoculum to 1% with incubation at 30 C yielded a product no more detrimental to S. typhimurium than when the lower inoculum was used at 30 C. Survival of S. typhimurium always exceeded 9 days when S. cremoris was used to make cultured skimmilks. Products made with commercial mixed cultures composed of S. lactis and S. cremoris allowed S. typhimurium to survive for periods intermediate between the extremes observed when pure cultures were used. Skimmilks cultured with ...
Photonic circuits with superconducting detectors and optomechanical phase shifters for integrated quantum optics

We developed a platform for integrated quantum optics. Optomechanical phase shifters and superconducting single photon detectors are combined on a chip. Good control over directional couplers and controlled-NOT circuits is demonstrated, and unknown phases are determined using optical resonances.
Device Safety Implications of the Clinical Data Leading to US Food and Drug Administration Approval of Soft-Tissue Fillers: A Systematic Review

ImportanceThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a safety warning regarding soft-tissue fillers (STFs) based on the risk of blindness and facial necrosis. ObjectiveTo examine the...
Rotational spectra of 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid and the 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid-formic acid complex

Abstract The pure rotational spectra of 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid, CF3CH2CH2COOH, and its complex with formic acid were studied by a pulsed nozzle, chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer in the frequency range of 7–13 GHz. The rotational constants and centrifugal distortion constants were determined for the first time. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out exploring possible conformations of 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid and the structure of the 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid-formic acid complex using B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations. Only one conformer was observed for 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid and its complex with formic acid, in agreement with the calculations.
Isomer-specific detection in the UV photodissociation of the propargyl radical by chirped-pulse mm-wave spectroscopy in a pulsed quasi-uniform flow

Isomer-specific detection and product branching fractions in the UV photodissociation of the propargyl radical is achieved through the use of chirped-pulse Fourier-transform mm-wave spectroscopy in a pulsed quasi-uniform flow (CPUF). Propargyl radicals are produced in the 193 nm photodissociation of 1,2-butadiene. Absorption of a second photon leads to H atom elimination giving three possible C3H2 isomers: singlets cyclopropenylidene (c-C3H2) and propadienylidene (l-C3H2), and triplet propargylene (3HCCCH). The singlet products and their appearance kinetics in the flow are directly determined by rotational spectroscopy, but due to the negligible dipole moment of propargylene, it is not directly monitored. However, we exploit the time-dependent kinetics of H-atom catalyzed isomerization to infer the branching to propargylene as well. We obtain the overall branching among H loss channels to be 2.9% (+1.1/−0.5) l-C3H2 + H, 16.8% (+3.2/−1.3) c-C3H2 + H, and 80.2 (+1.8/−4.2) 3HCCCH + H. Our findings are qualitatively consistent with earlier RRKM calculations in that the major channel in the photodissociation of the propargyl radical at 193 nm is to 3HCCCH + H; however, a greater contribution to the energetically most favorable isomer, c-C3H2 + H is observed in this work. We do not detect the predicted HCCC + H2 channel, but place an upper bound on its yield of 1%.
An overview of biorefinery-derived platform chemicals from a cellulose and hemicellulose biorefinery

Until recently, most of energy and industrially produced chemicals were derived from fossil fuel-based resources. This along with the continued depletion of finite fossil resources and their attributed adverse environmental impacts, alternatively sourced and more sustainable resources are being pursued as feedstock replacements. Thus, biomass has been identified as an alternate renewable and more sustainable resource as a means to reduce this sector's dependence on fossil fuel-based resources and to alleviate their environmental impacts. As such, lignocellulosic biomass has been further identified and demonstrated as an abundant renewable resource for the production of biofuels, platform chemicals, and their respective value-added products. This review article provides an overview of the techniques developed for the valorization of biomass in the production of platform chemicals within a biorefinery, and the status for commercialization.
MANIPULATION OF RESIDENTIAL INTERNAL HEAT GENERATION FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION IN A SEMI-TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT The dynamics of thermal stressors on human comfort are quite different in a semi-tropical environment such as Miami, Florida than are those of more temperate regions. Greater temperatures and relative humidity create a living situation that demands more emphasis on space cooling than heating. This thermodynamic process of heat exchange is, by its very nature, more energy intensive for each degree of temperature change than is a heating situation. In a tropical environment it is vitally important to reduce all heating inputs to a residence in order to reduce the need for air conditioning. These include direct solar radiation, heat conduction, and air infiltration. However, current research suggests that internal heat generation from appliances, lighting and people substantially add to both the discomfort of the residence and to the need and use of air conditioning. It is valuable to understand the true energy cost of an appliance in such a climate by evaluating both its electrical demand and its quantitative addition to the thermal load. Understanding and implementing such strategies could result in a significant energy savings in semi-tropical residences. Any investigation aimed at energy conservation in such a climate should incorporate the resultant knowledge from such research to manipulate internal heat generation for maximum conservation benefit.
Pitch accent prediction using ensemble machine learning.

In this study, we applied ensemble machine learning to predict pitch accents. With decision tree as the baseline algorithm, two popular ensemble learning methods, bagging and boosting, were evaluated across different experiment conditions: using acoustic features only, using text-based features only; using both acoustic and text-based features. F0 related acoustic features are derived from underlying pitch targets. Models of four ToBI pitch accent types (High, Down-stepped high, Low, and Unaccented) are built at the syllable level. Results showed that in all experiments improved performance was achieved by ensemble learning. The best result was obtained in the third task, in which the overall correct rate increases from 84.26% to 87.17%.
Ethical dilemmas in the translation of poetry into English

ABSTRACTOne simplifying narrative of the history of translation is that it has moved, generally, from sometimes predatory or coopting approaches toward those that reflect more respect for the origi...
Protective Buffering by Service Members During Military Deployments: Associations with Psychological Distress and Relationship Functioning

To shield a romantic partner from potential distress due to stressors occurring during deployment, service members (SMs) may engage in protective buffering, or withholding information or concerns from a romantic partner. This study utilized data from 54 couples collected before, during, and after a military deployment to assess whether SMs engaged in protective buffering while deployed and the possible associations between buffering and psychological, relationship, and contextual factors. Only 2% of SMs indicated never engaging in protective buffering during a deployment. In bivariate analyses, only partners' psychological distress prior to deployment was significantly associated (negatively) with protective buffering. In multilevel models with time nested within individuals, and individuals nested within couples, higher buffering was associated with less partner distress during deployment, but was also associated with higher SM distress both during and after deployment. In these multilevel models, protective buffering was not significantly associated with SM or partner marital satisfaction.
Measuring Access to Justice: Transformation and Technicality in SDG 16.3

Billions of people around the world live at the margins – pushed or kept out, often in silence, without adequate protection of the law. Denied healthcare, citizenship or fair pay, those unprotected by the law have problems that are both real and relentless, impacting their ability to reap the benefits of sustainable development. Despite this crushing reality, access to justice is a bedrock principle undergirding human rights. Despite its centrality, justice was not explicitly included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This omission was corrected when the SDGs were adopted with a stand‐alone goal on justice. While Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 was the result of years of political, strategic and scholarly work by human rights advocates, development practitioners and academics, its promise lies beyond the technocratic realms of development programming, by insisting that people's own experience of justice – and injustice – must remain at the center of efforts to assess progress toward a world where no one is ‘left behind’.
A basal‐enriched microRNA is required for prostate tumorigenesis in a Pten knockout mouse model

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in prostate cancer development. However, it remains unclear how individual miRNAs contribute to the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. Here we show that a basal layer-enriched miRNA is required for prostate tumorigenesis. We identify miR-205 as the most highly expressed miRNA and enriched in the basal cells of the prostate. Although miR-205 is not required for normal prostate development and homeostasis, genetic deletion of miR-205 in a Pten null tumor model significantly compromises tumor progression and does not promote metastasis. In Pten null basal cells, loss of miR-205 attenuates pAkt levels and promotes cellular senescence. Furthermore, although overexpression of miR-205 in prostate cancer cells with luminal phenotypes inhibits cell growth in both human and mouse, miR-205 has a minimal effect on the growth of a normal human prostate cell line. Taken together, we have provided genetic evidence for a requirement of miR-205 in the progression of Pten null-induced prostate cancer.
Step Response-Based Identification of Fractional Order Time Delay Models

An identification method for fractional order models with time delay is presented. The proposed method, based on the output error optimization, simultaneously estimates model orders, coefficients and time delay from a single noisy step response. Analytical expressions for logarithmic derivatives of the step input are derived to evaluate the Jacobian and the Hessian required for the Newton’s algorithm for optimization. A simplified initialization procedure is also outlined that assumes an integral initial order and uses estimated coefficients as the initial guess. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach. Convergence of the Newton’s method and the Gauss–Newton scheme are also studied in simulation. Identification results from noisy step response data for time delay models with different structures are presented.
DOES LV EF IMPROVE 1 YEAR FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL TAVR? IMPACT OF GENDER, REMODELING, AND TOTAL ARTERIAL LOAD

Left ventricular remodeling and systolic function in aortic stenosis results in concentric hypertrophy pattern which mitigates the increased systolic load caused by the stenotic valve. SAVR have shown that AVR results in a decline in afterload and a commensurate improvement in EF. The situation in
Toward connecting subtropical algal blooms to freshwater nutrient sources using a long-term, spatially distributed, in situ chlorophyll-a record

Abstract Harmful algal blooms are increasing in tropical estuaries which can have complex morphologies and hydrologic regimes while being less well studied than temperate estuaries. Spatial and temporal patterns of algal bloom occurrence in Florida Bay were examined to evaluate the potential contribution of the various freshwater inputs to the subtropical bay as nutrient sources. Monthly water quality data, from 1989 to 2009, at 28 sampling stations across the bay were analyzed at the station-month level, aggregated into hydrologic Zones of Similar Influence and based on annual rainfall seasons. The Zones of Similar Influence are linked to the geomorphology of the bay with western areas being more directly connected to the Southwest Florida Shelf waters than eastern areas. Correlation analysis suggested that inputs of phosphorus were the predominant factor in the initiation of elevated chlorophyll a (chl-a) levels but was also consistent with higher nitrogen limitation in western Florida Bay as reported in literature. Differences in mean monthly chl-a indicated a seasonality of algal blooms with elevated chl-a concentrations following heavy precipitation months for stations in the north-central and western areas of the bay where algal blooms have been re-occurring. Differences in stations' chl-a concentrations showed stations to the northwest as having significantly higher concentrations than more interior stations during the dry season but not during the rainy season (when algal blooms are occurring). Mapping the sampling stations atop the bathymetry of Florida Bay highlighted the importance of coastal morphology in evaluation of potential nutrient pathways for estuarine algal bloom sources. The specific factors resulting in the seasonal cycles of blooms remained unresolved but portions of the bay and times of year were identified as important areas for further research. This study indicates that illustrating the interplay of geomorphology and winds and rains at fine temporal and spatial resolution is required to describe nutrient circulation for systems with complex morphologies such as those associated with reefs, island matrices and headlands.
Beyond bias: response bias and interpersonal (in)sensitivity as a contributors to race disparities

In the present work, we review a growing programme of research identifying deficits in race-based interpersonal sensitivity, specifically emotion detection, as a route to creating pitfalls in inter...
Of the Writing of Spirit: Novalis’s “Monolog”

The essay that follows deals with Novalis’s reception and subsequent engagement with the Western theological concept of anima mundi in “Monolog,” written between 1798 and 1799. The thesis I propose...
Real-world experience of pancreatic cancer molecular profiling in a tertiary center.

e22526Background: NCCN has recommended universal genetic testing of pancreatic cancer. Liquid biopsies have been approved by the FDA to facilitate detection of targetable mutations in various solid...
Cyclic di-GMP Is Integrated Into a Hierarchal Quorum Sensing Network Regulating Antimicrobial Production and Biofilm Formation in Roseobacter Clade Member Rhodobacterales Strain Y4I

Microbial biofilms associated with marine particulate organic matter carry out transformations that influence local and regional biogeochemical cycles. Early microbial colonizers are often hypothesized to “set the stage” for biofilm structure, dynamics, and function via N-acetylated homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated quorum sensing (QS). Production of AHLs, as well as antimicrobials, contributes to the colonization success of members of the Roseobacter clade. One member of this group of abundant marine bacteria, Rhodobacterales sp.Y4I, possesses two QS systems, phaRI (QS1) and pgaRI (QS2). Here, we characterize mutants in both QS systems to provide genetic evidence that the two systems work in hierarchical fashion to coordinate production of the antimicrobial indigoidine as well as biofilm formation. A mutation in pgaR (QS2) results in decreased expression of genes encoding both QS systems as well as those governing the biosynthesis of indigoidine. In contrast, mutations in QS1 did not significantly influence gene expression of QS2. Addition of exogenous AHLs to QS1 and QS2 mutants led to partial restoration of indigoidine production (45-60% of WT) for QS1 but not QS2. Mutational disruptions of QS1 had a more pronounced effect on biofilm development than those in QS2. Finally, we demonstrate that c-di-GMP levels are altered in QS and indigoidine biosynthesis Y4I mutants. Together, these results indicate that pgaRI (QS2) is at the top of a regulatory hierarchy governing indigoidine biosynthesis and that the global regulatory metabolite, c-di-GMP, is likely integrated into the QS circuitry of this strain. These findings provide mechanistic understanding of physiological processes that are important in elucidating factors driving competitiveness of roseobacters in nature.
Strategies for targeting senescent cells in human disease

Cellular senescence represents a distinct cell fate characterized by replicative arrest in response to a host of extrinsic and intrinsic stresses. Senescence provides programming during development and wound healing, while limiting tumorigenesis. However, pathologic accumulation of senescent cells is implicated in a range of diseases and age-associated morbidities across organ systems. Senescent cells produce distinct paracrine and endocrine signals, causing local tissue dysfunction and exerting deleterious systemic effects. Senescent cell removal by apoptosis-inducing "senolytic" agents or therapies that inhibit the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, SASP inhibitors, have demonstrated benefit in both pre-clinical and clinical models of geriatric decline and chronic diseases, suggesting senescent cells represent a pharmacologic target for alleviating effects of fundamental aging processes. However, senescent cell populations are heterogeneous in form, function, tissue distribution, and even differ among species, possibly explaining issues of bench-to-bedside translation in current clinical trials. Here, we review features of senescent cells and strategies for targeting them, including immunologic approaches, as well as key intracellular signaling pathways. Additionally, we survey current senolytic therapies in human trials. Collectively, there is demand for research to develop targeted senotherapeutics that address the needs of the aging and chronically-ill.