cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Repeatability of shortened and standard lung clearance index

Background Lung clearance index (LCI) is a sensitive marker for lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) but time-consuming in regular clinical setting. Shortened test protocols have yielded valid LCI compared to standard LCI in a cross-sectional study. Objectives To assess repeatability of shortened LCI (LCI short ) in comparison to standard LCI (LCI std ) in a longitudinal sample of children with CF. Methods In a clinical setting, 38 children with CF performed repeated nitrogen-multiple breath washout over 35 months. We assessed (i) mid-term (l 4 months) and (ii) long-term (g 6 months) repeatability in stable patients (FEV1 change l10%) and (iii) short-term treatment effect from IV antibiotics in 19 children. LCI short was calculated at 5%, LCI std at 2.5% of initial nitrogen. Primary outcomes were coefficient of variation (CV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of repeatability (CR), and mean change. Results Acceptable washouts were obtained in 175 visits of 37 children, mean (range) age 12.1 (5.7 – 17.2) years. Intra-test, mid- and long-term repeatability was similar for LCI short and LCI std . Comparing LCI short and LCI std , intra-test CV was 4.7% vs. 5.2%. (i) Mid-term CR (n=19) was 1.0 (15%) vs. 1.8 (18%). (ii) Long-term ICC (n=15) was 0.86 vs 0.89. (iii) Mean change following IV antibiotics was non-significant for both LCI short (p=0.23) and LCI std (p=0.41). Conclusions Standard and abbreviated LCI show good repeatability. Further investigations using interventional trials will show the clinical relevance of shortened LCI compared to other physiological parameters and as potential study endpoint.
Gemistocytic Astrocytoma With PNET Tumor Arising Within a Mature Ovarian Teratoma and Seeding Metastasis in a Premenarchal Girl

AYAW who underwent a 2-hour OGTT showed normal glucose levels at fasting and 2 hours, but a mean average fasting insulin and mean average 2 hour insulin level above published normative values. Conclusions: There is a significantly higher incidence of obesity in those undergoing surgery for PBCs in a pediatric gynecologic practice compared to other gynecologic surgery. Furthermore, there may be an association with these women having hyperinsulinemia. The mechanism(s) responsible for the association between obesity, hyperinsulinemia and developing PBCs in these patients has yet to be determined. Awareness of this association may prompt physicianswho operate on these youngwomen to evaluate them for risk of diabetes and/or development of worsening obesity in the future.
Percent Time With a Supratherapeutic INR in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Also Using an Antiplatelet Agent Is Associated With Long‐Term Risk of Dementia

Antiplatelet and Warfarin Use and Risk of Dementia in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Background Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at higher risk of developing dementia. AF patients treated with warfarin with poor time in therapeutic ranges are significantly more likely to develop dementia. AF patients are also frequently treated with antiplatelet agents due to coexistent vascular disease. We hypothesize that AF patients with anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies will be at higher risk of dementia, particularly with chronic exposure to over-anticoagulation. Methods Chronically anticoagulated patients receiving warfarin (target INR 2–3) for AF and managed by the Intermountain Healthcare Clinical Pharmacist Anticoagulation Service (CPAS) on concurrent antiplatelet agents with no history of dementia or stroke/TIA were included. The primary outcome was the presence of dementia defined by neurologist determined ICD-9 codes. Percent time with an INR>3.0 was determined and then compared by 3 strata <10% (n = 340), 10–24% (n = 417), ≥25% (n = 235). Multivariable Cox hazard regression was utilized to determine dementia incidence by percent time. Results A total of 992 patients were studied. Patients with an INR>3 more than 25% of the time were 2.40 times more likely to develop dementia (P = 0.04). A comparison between 3 indicated no difference in risk for the development of dementia (P = 0.74). The risk was significantly increased in patients using triple antithrombotic therapy, although the number of patients within this group was small. Conclusion In AF patients receiving antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, the percent of time exposed to over-anticoagulation increased dementia risk. These data support the possibility of chronic cerebral injury from microbleeds as a mechanism underlying the association of AF and dementia.
Analysis and Simulation of Jitter for High Speed Channels in VLSI Systems

This paper presents a novel modeling analysis and simulation of jitter for high speed (several gigabit per second) IO channels in VLSI systems. Jitter components are analyzed and modeled individually. The unique features of the components when they are simultaneously injected are identified through simulation. In this work, the effect of settling time on ISI and the relationship among each jitter component are investigated in depth. The validity of superposition of the jitter components is confirmed.
Glutathione and thioredoxin redox during differentiation in human colon epithelial (Caco-2) cells

Cellular redox, maintained by the glutathione (GSH)- and thioredoxin (Trx)-dependent systems, has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of biological processes. The redox state of the GSH system becomes oxidized when cells are induced to differentiate by chemical agents. The aim of this study was to determine the redox state of cellular GSH/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) and Trx as a consequence of progression from proliferation to contact inhibition and spontaneous differentiation in colon carcinoma (Caco-2) cells. Results showed a significant decrease in GSH concentration, accompanied by a 40-mV oxidation of the cellular GSH/GSSG redox state and a 28-mV oxidation of the extracellular cysteine/cystine redox state in association with confluency and increase in differentiation markers. The redox state of Trx did not change. Thus the two central cellular antioxidant and redox-regulating systems (GSH and Trx) were independently controlled. According to the Nernst equation, a 30-mV oxidation is associated with a 10-fold change in the reduced/oxidized ratio of a redox-sensitive dithiol motif. Therefore, the measured 40-mV oxidation of the cellular GSH/GSSG couple or the 28-mV oxidation of the extracellular cysteine/cystine couple should be sufficient to function in signaling or regulation of differentiation in Caco-2 cells.
The Significance of Storm Avoidance on Macroscopic Fatigue Crack Growth

Ship weather routing is routinely employed to assist ship-masters in avoiding storms. During these storms, however, both material and hydrodynamic nonlinearities grow with the significant wave height (Hs). Hence, to fully understand the importance of weather routing, it may be necessary to go beyond a conventional spectral-based fatigue analysis which incorporates a linear damage hypothesis (i.e., the Palmgren-Miner rule).To this end, the present paper examines macroscopic fatigue crack growth in which the nonlinear phenomena omitted in current design practices are included. We start by considering time-dependent ship structural loading sequences which include non-linear wave-induced bending and whipping responses taken from time-domain seakeeping simulations. These stresses are then analyzed using a fatigue crack growth model previously developed by the authors [1] in which material hysteresis is included using a mechanistic rather than phenomenological approach based on numerical simulations requiring only experimentally measured fatigue crack growth rates under constant amplitude cyclic loading (e.g., ASTM E647-13) and a full material constitutive model defined through experimental push-pull tests for the same material. Using this approach, we quantify the importance of weather routing by systematically substituting storms above a certain threshold with more moderate sea conditions.© 2014 ASME
Translocations and rapid evolutionary responses in recently established populations of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

The response of quantitative traits in translocated populations has not been well explored. Evolutionary shifts in quantitative traits, such as life history characteristics, are of particular interest because of their obvious association with fitness. In a recent survey, Stockwell (1995) examined life history variation of four populations of western mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis) that were derived from a common ancestral population 55‐58 years earlier. Three life history traits differed considerably among the four sites and appeared to be correlated with local environmental conditions. To test whether these differences were due to plasticity or rapid evolution, fish from the four sites were maintained under common-garden conditions for two generations. After two generations a genetic basis was inferred for two of the three traits (size at maturity and fat content), but not for the third trait (offspring size). Thus, rapid evolution had occurred for two life history traits in these recently established populations. This case of rapid life history evolution may be due to genetic drift and/or natural selection. These data suggest that translocations may lead to rapid evolutionary responses of targeted taxa. Rapid evolutionary responses are of special concern for ‘refuge’ populations that are maintained as a hedge against extinction.
Design of precision rectifiers using operational amplifiers

Two new precision rectifiers, a halfwave circuit and a full wave circuit, are described. The circuitsemploy operational amplifiers to eliminate the effects of diode nonlinearity and diode-temperature dependence. The transfer characteristics of the two circuits are derived by analysis. Experimental results are also provided which show that the circuits operate accurately over a large dynamic range of input signals.
Character animation in two-player adversarial games

The incorporation of randomness is critical for the believability and effectiveness of controllers for characters in competitive games. We present a fully automatic method for generating intelligent real-time controllers for characters in such a game. Our approach uses game theory to deal with the ramifications of the characters acting simultaneously, and generates controllers which employ both long-term planning and an intelligent use of randomness. Our results exhibit nuanced strategies based on unpredictability, such as feints and misdirection moves, which take into account and exploit the possible strategies of an adversary. The controllers are generated by examining the interaction between the rules of the game and the motions generated from a parametric motion graph. This involves solving a large-scale planning problem, so we also describe a new technique for scaling this process to higher dimensions.
Feasible Rate Allocation in Wireless Networks

Rate allocation is a fundamental problem in the operation of a wireless network because of the necessity to schedule the operation of mutually interfering links between the nodes. Among the many reasons behind the importance of efficiently determining the membership of an arbitrary rate vector in the feasibility region, is its high relevance in optimal cross layer design. A key feature in a wireless network is that links without common nodes can also conflict (secondary interference constraints). While the node exclusive model problem has efficient algorithms, it has long been known that this is a hard problem with these additional secondary constraints. However, wireless networks are usually deployed in geographic areas that do not span the most general class of all graphs possible. This is the underlying theme of this paper, where we provide algorithms for two restricted instances of wireless network topologies. In the first tractable instance, we consider nodes placed arbitrarily in a region such that (a) the node density is bounded, and (b) a node can only transmit or interfere with other nodes that are within a certain limited radius. We obtain a simple (1 - epsi) polynomial-time approximation scheme for checking feasibility (for any epsi > 0). The second instance considers the membership problem of an arbitrary rate-vector in the feasible set, where the nodes are distributed within a slab of fixed width (there are no density assumptions). Specifically, the results in [13] are shown to extend to a much more general class of graphs, which we call the (dmin,dmax) class of graphs, and this generalization is used to obtain a strongly polynomial time algorithm that decides membership of a rate-vector where the hosts are distributed within an infinite corridor with fixed cross-section.
The tmRNA ribosome rescue system

The bacterial tmRNA quality control system monitors protein synthesis and recycles stalled translation complexes in a process termed "ribosome rescue." During rescue, tmRNA acts first as a transfer RNA to bind stalled ribosomes, then as a messenger RNA to add the ssrA peptide tag to the C-terminus of the nascent polypeptide chain. The ssrA peptide targets tagged peptides for proteolysis, ensuring rapid degradation of potentially deleterious truncated polypeptides. Ribosome rescue also facilitates turnover of the damaged messages responsible for translational arrest. Thus, tmRNA increases the fidelity of gene expression by promoting the synthesis of full-length proteins. In addition to serving as a global quality control system, tmRNA also plays important roles in bacterial development, pathogenesis, and environmental stress responses. This review focuses on the mechanism of tmRNA-mediated ribosome rescue and the role of tmRNA in bacterial physiology.
Ventilatory phenotypes among four strains of adult rats.

Our purpose in this study was to identify different ventilatory phenotypes among four different strains of rats. We examined 114 rats from three in-house, inbred strains and one outbred strain: Bro...
Embedded cooling technologies for densely integrated electronic systems

In modern integrated systems, interconnect and thermal management technologies have become two major limitations to system performance. In this paper, a number of technologies are presented to address these challenges. First, low-loss polymer-embedded vias are demonstrated in thick wafers compatible with microfluidics. Next, fluidic I/Os for delivery of fluid to microfluidic heat sinks are demonstrated in assembled 2.5D and 3D stacks. Then thermal coupling between dice in 2.5D and 3D systems is explored. Lastly, the utility of microfluidic cooling is demonstrated through an FPGA, built in a 28nm process, with a monolithically integrated microfluidic heat sink.
AFM Visualization of Protein–DNA Interactions

This chapter outlines the advances in AFM technology in studies of various types of protein–DNA complexes. The sample preparation methods are briefly described and recommendations for the selection of the appropriate methodology are provided. Studies of sequence-specific and non-sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins are limited to a few examples with a focus on recent publications. The AFM studies of complexes of DNA with architectural proteins are limited to SSB protein and chromatin. Special attention is given to time-lapse AFM imaging in aqueous solutions that enables direct observation of protein–DNA dynamics and interactions. A few examples of the application of time-lapse high-speed AFM are provided as well.
A Dynamic Long-Run Model of the Livestock-Feed Sector

NECESSITY, it has been said, is the mother of invention. In this paper we present a dynamic recursive model for the livestock-feed sector designed for the specific purpose of making long-run projections. The commodities analyzed are cattle and calves, hogs, sheep and lambs, chickens, turkeys, eggs, milk, and feed grains and other concentrates. While this model is not an invention in the theoretical sense [see, for example, 9, pp. 12-15] it may qualify in the practical sense. Numerous questions are asked that require an integrated supply-and-demand model for adequate solutions or answers. This is especially true in macro and long-run analysis where the ceteris paribus assumption is inappropriate. For example, such questions as "What will happen to farm income if beef production expands 20 percent?", "If exports of wheat are cut 50 percent, what kind of impact will this have on the price of feed?", and "How much beef will be consumed in the U.S. in 1970?" require an integrated supply-and-demand analysis to provide satisfactory answers. It is not very realistic to assume that production of beef does not affect the price of pork, that wheat supply does not affect the price of feed grains, or that we can estimate the consumption of beef in the future by assuming that prices will be the same then as they are today. Of course, economists know that these interdependences exist and they have theoretical ideas of how to deal with them. But the real problem, as demonstrated in earlier studies by Hildreth and Jarrett [6], Cromarty [3], Hasseler [5], and Brandow [2], lies in estimating or developing a supply-anddemand structure of the agricultural sector or agricultural subsectors that is adequate for answering such questions as those posed above. 5l Since most economists are more familiar with short-run predictions work, it is useful to point out where research methods applicable to long-run projections differ. Here, we define the long run as being a period of inore than one year. This is quite arbitrary, of course. It is often convenient and reasonably sufficient to base short-run forecasts on a single equation. That is, one may assume that a given variable,
Background to neutrino counting in e + e - collisions

The background from ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3\ensuremath{\gamma}$ to the proposed neutrino-counting process of ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ is calculated. It is shown that at PEP or PETRA beam energies (15-18 GeV) the $3\ensuremath{\gamma}$ cross section is at least three orders of magnitude greater than the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ cross section. At higher beam energies, near the $Z$ pole, the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ cross section is larger than the background but other ambiguities may make a determination of the number of types of neutrinos very difficult.
Forced internal desynchronization between circadian temperature and activity rhythms in squirrel monkeys

In an attempt to force internal desynchronization between the rest-activity rhythm and the body temperature rhythm of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus), five animals were studied in a 14:14 light-dark cycle. In four animals a 28-h spectral component was found to predominate in the rest-activity rhythm, whereas an unentrained circadian component (tau = 25.9 +/- 0.4 h) predominated in the body temperature rhythm. Plots of the cycle-by-cycle acrophases of the two rhythms confirm that they desynchronize, due to the failure of the temperature rhythm to entrain to the light-dark cycle. These data from intact animals provide further support for the hypothesis that the squirrel monkey circadian timing system has at least two pacemakers. A rhythm for which the supra-chiasmatic nuclei (SCN) have previously been shown to be essential (rest-activity) simultaneously exhibited a different period from a rhythm (body temperature) that has been shown to persist after destruction of the SCN.
Emerging Policy and Practice Issues (2016)

This paper, presented at the West Government Contracts Year in Review Conference (covering 2015), attempts to identify the key trends and issues in U.S. federal procurement. Consistent with prior practice, this chapter offers extensive coverage of the federal procurement, grant, and defense spending trends and attempts to predict what lies ahead, particularly with regard to legislative and executive activity. The paper discusses, in addition to the macro-level data, initiatives from OFPP and DoD, including the Better Buying Power 3.0's less-than-obvious focus on innovation, the need for investment in research and development, information technology and category management, acquisition performance measurement (or metrics), and cost drivers.
A combinatorial computation of the first pontryagin class of the complex projective plane

The computation is by applying a combinatorial formula of Gabrielov-Gel'fand-Losik for the first Pontryagin class p$\sb{1}$(X) of a combinatorial manifold X to CP$\sbsp{9}{2}$, Kuhnel's 9-vertex triangulation of the complex projective plane. The formula expresses p$\sb{1}$ in terms of two sets of additional data: hypersimplicial and configuration data. Both depend on (but are not uniquely determined by) the combinatorial structure of X. The hypersimplicial data consist of a choice of a hypersimplicial 4-section B, which is, in a sense, a homological dual of X. We show how to do this in a convenient way, applicable to an arbitrary combinatorial manifold X and easily programmable on a computer. The configuration space CF(L) of a triangulation L of S$\sp{\rm m}$ is the space of all simplex-wise linear embeddings cL $\to$ R $\sp{\rm m+1}$ of the cone cL taking the cone vertex to the origin, mod GL$\sb{\rm m+1}$. The configuration data consist of a choice of points and paths in the configuration spaces CF(Lk$\sigma$), $\sigma\ \in$ X. The link of every vertex of CP$\sbsp{9}{2}$ is isomorphic to Grunbaum's triangulation M of S$\sp{3}$. Although M cannot be realized as the face complex of a convex polytope in R $\sp{4}$, we show that (1) CF(M) $\not=$ 0, i.e., M is isomorphic to the face complex of a star-shaped polytope in R $\sp{4}$; (2) CF(M) is not connected. Since very little is known about the configuration spaces we conclude by asking several questions about their properties.
The isolation and identification of N-isovalerylglycine from urine of patients with isovaleric acidemia.

Abstract A large amount of an unknown compound is found in urine of patients with isovaleric acidemia, an inborn error of leucine metabolism. Analytical data including nuclear magnetic resonance, mass and infrared spectra are presented, which establish the identity of this compound as N-isovalerylglycine. This report constitutes the first demonstration and isolation of N-isovalerylglycine from human material as well as from any other natural sources. Demonstration of this compound supports the assumption that the enzyme defect in these patients is at the level of conversion of isovaleryl coenzyme A to β-methylcrotonyl coenzyme A.
Cochrane for clinicians: putting evidence into practice. Screening for and treating asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.

No. Screening for and treating BV in pregnant women who are at low risk for preterm delivery does not lower the risk of preterm delivery. If this patient were at high risk for preterm delivery (i.e., a history of preterm delivery or underweight before pregnancy), it would be reasonable to screen for BV and treat if the results are positive.
The uncertain future of gross anatomy.

I WAS INTERESTED TO SEE THE RANDOM Samples item “Anatomy classes face gross shortage,” which describes widespread concern about the dearth of faculty capable of effectively teaching gross anatomy to medical students (28 Feb., p. 1309). The time commitment is indeed great, not only for the actual number of teaching contact hours, but in the many years required to develop expertise in the knowledge of the human body. There is a critical partner in the effective teaching of gross anatomy: those who donate their bodies to the education and training of future physicians. A
Cosmopathy and Interpersonal Relations

The present reflections arise out of a lingering dissatisfaction with the descriptions of the presence of other people as really others that I find in the phenomenological and existential literature. I have in mind in particular the work of Husserl, Heidegger, and Marcel. Of course, these thinkers have somewhat differing concerns, and I find that my own concerns are closest to those of Marcel which I take to be, “How can one person genuinely be with another?” However, I find myself forced to recognize the prior ontological question, “How are people together at all in the first place?” (Heidegger’s question)1 and along with this the prior epistemological question, “How can the existence of the other person be known?” (Husserl’s question).2 Answers to the ontological and epistemological questions can be obtained, I believe, by establishing the difference between the presence of things and of people, while at the same time being careful to distinguish both these phenomena from my presence to myself. The central project of this paper will be to make these distinctions.
Imprinted Skin-Like Flexible Reflective Color Displays

The talk will focus on the recent development of low cost reflective plasmonic full-color displays on flexible substrates. The newly developed printing techniques enable large area printing of nanostructured surfaces for low cost manufacturing. Article not available.
Institutional Slavery: Slaveholding Churches, Schools, Colleges, and Businesses in Virginia, 1680–1860

The traditional image of slavery begins with a master and a slave. However, not all slaves had traditional masters; some were owned instead by institutions, such as church congregations, schools, colleges, and businesses. This practice was pervasive in early Virginia; its educational, religious, and philanthropic institutions were literally built on the backs of slaves. Virginia's first industrial economy was also developed with the skilled labor of African American slaves. This book focuses on institutional slavery in Virginia as it was practiced by the Anglican and Presbyterian churches, free schools, and four universities: the College of William and Mary, Hampden-Sydney College, the University of Virginia, and Hollins College. It also examines the use of slave labor by businesses and the Commonwealth of Virginia in industrial endeavors. This is not only an account of how institutions used slavery to further their missions, but also of the slaves who belonged to institutions.
Rituximab, methotrexate (MTX), procarbazine, and vincristine (R-MPV) followed by consolidation high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT) for newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL).

2008 Background: In our previous study in newly diagnosed PCNSL, induction chemotherapy with MTX and cytarabine followed by consolidation HDC (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan [BEAM]) with ASCT without radiotherapy resulted in only 50% of pts transplanted, reflecting low efficacy of induction chemotherapy, and short intent-to-treat (ITT) median PFS (=6m). In this phase II trial, we sought to optimize this strategy by utilizing a more effective induction regimen (R-MPV) and a more aggressive HDC regimen (Soussain et al). Methods: Pts received 5-7 cycles of R-MPV (MTX: 3.5g/m2) and if a partial or complete response was achieved, HDC with thiothepa, cyclophosphamide and busulfan was given, followed by ASCT and no radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was ITT 1 year event-free survival (promising: 75%, non-promising: 50%; 90% power, significance=0.05). Follow-up included comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Results: Accrual has been completed (N=32 pts, median age 57 [range 23-67], median KPS...
KL-divergence based mispronunciation detection via DNN and decision tree in the phonetic space

We propose to detect mispronunciations in a language learners speech via a discriminatively trained DNN in the phonetic space. The posterior probabilities of “senones” populated in a decision tree are trained and predicted speaker independently. Acoustic features of each input segment (with preceding and succeeding contexts of several frames) are mapped unto the whole set of senones in their corresponding posteriors. Vectors of senone posteriors are used as stochastic characterization of input speech segments in the phonetic space. Distortion between any two such vectors are measured with the symmetric Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KLD) and they are used for performing vector clustering and computing the corresponding centroids in a phonetically oriented senone based decision tree. Experimental results, tested on a large, Mandarin database (iCALL) of L2 language learners, show that the proposed approach to mispronunciation detection can achieve a 3.0% of equal precision and recall improvement over our best DNN-based, Goodness of Pronunciation (GOP) baseline system with adaptation. When the original maximum-likelihood trained decision tree is retrained with the symmetric KLD measure, further improvement of 0.8% of equal precision and recall can be obtained.
Butchered in Translation: A Transnational “Grotesuqe”

The Japanese torture film Grotesque (2009) and its life on the DVD circuit, following its much-publicized ban in the United Kingdom, provide a unique case study into the peculiar ways some low-budget genre films travel across disparate cultural markets. Dillon identifies a tendency for distributors of horror DVDs to devise titles, taglines, and/or DVD cover art that take foreign properties and contrive to repackage them as part of the American “torture porn” movement, most often by tying them to the successful Saw franchise. Through close examination of representative DVD presentations, he explores how cultural value and political meaning can be artificially imposed upon a film through mishaps and acts of mischief in the translation of horror film titles.
Multifunctional Carbon Black Engineered Cementitious Composites for the Protection of Critical Infrastructure

A new generation of self-sensing structural materials that can provide spatially distributed sensing of material damage is being developed in the context of structural health monitoring and protection of deteriorating concrete infrastructure. Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) doped with carbon black (CB) nano-particles are proposed as highly damage-tolerant materials whose electrical properties can be correlated to strain and cracking. Specifically, this study investigated the effect of CB dosage on the CB-ECC rheological, mechanical and electrical properties. The results show the promise of CB-ECC as a new multifunctional material that combines damage tolerance with damage self-sensing capabilities; both contribute to infrastructure safety and serviceability.
A larval ‘princess pheromone’ identifies future ant queens based on their juvenile hormone content

Numerous studies have identified cuticular compounds that distinguish adult queens from workers in social insect colonies, but how future queens are identified at the larval stage is poorly understood. Nevertheless, the ability of workers to discriminate queen and worker larvae is necessary for them to regulate caste determination and queen production. In the ant Harpegnathos saltator, workers bite larvae to inhibit queen development, and we used biting as an assay to test how workers identify queens at the larval stage. The transfer of cuticular compounds from queen to worker larvae through direct physical contact (rubbing) or using a hexane extract both elicited biting. Gas chromatography revealed significant differences in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of queen and worker larvae that could be induced by treatment with a juvenile hormone (JH) analogue. Finally, treatment of male larvae with a JH analogue also elicited worker biting, which suggests a direct connection between JH levels and the production of a larval queen signal. These results demonstrate that workers identify larval caste using a chemical signal present on the cuticle, a ‘princess pheromone’, that reflects endocrine changes associated with queen development. Based on the connection between JH levels and the production of a larval queen signal, we developed a model for caste determination in H. saltator that incorporates endocrine, pheromonal and behavioural control of caste development.
Decline in cellular function of aged mouse c-kit+ cardiac progenitor cells.

Author(s): Castaldi, Alessandra; Dodia, Ramsinh Mansinh; Orogo, Amabel M; Zambrano, Cristina M; Najor, Rita H; Gustafsson, Asa B; Heller Brown, Joan; Purcell, Nicole H | Abstract: Key pointsWhile autologous stem cell-based therapies are currently being tested on elderly patients, there are limited data on the function of aged stem cells and in particular c-kit+ cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs). We isolated c-kit+ cells from young (3nmonths) and aged (24nmonths) C57BL/6 mice to compare their biological properties. Aged CPCs have increased senescence, decreased stemness and reduced capacity to proliferate or to differentiate following dexamethasone (Dex) treatment in vitro, as evidenced by lack of cardiac lineage gene upregulation. Aged CPCs fail to activate mitochondrial biogenesis and increase proteins involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in response to Dex. Aged CPCs fail to upregulate paracrine factors that are potentially important for proliferation, survival and angiogenesis in response to Dex. The results highlight marked differences between young and aged CPCs, which may impact future design of autologous stem cell-based therapies.AbstractTherapeutic use of c-kit+ cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) is being evaluated for regenerative therapy in older patients with ischaemic heart failure. Our understanding of the biology of these CPCs has, however, largely come from studies of young cells and animal models. In the present study we examined characteristics of CPCs isolated from young (3nmonths) and aged (24nmonths) mice that could underlie the diverse outcomes reported for CPC-based therapeutics. We observed morphological differences and altered senescence indicated by increased senescence-associated markers β-galactosidase and p16 mRNA in aged CPCs. The aged CPCs also proliferated more slowly than their young counterparts and expressed lower levels of the stemness marker LIN28. We subsequently treated the cells with dexamethasone (Dex), routinely used to induce commitment in CPCs, for 7ndays and analysed expression of cardiac lineage marker genes. While MEF2C, GATA4, GATA6 and PECAM mRNAs were significantly upregulated in response to Dex treatment in young CPCs, their expression was not increased in aged CPCs. Interestingly, Dex treatment of aged CPCs also failed to increase mitochondrial biogenesis and expression of the mitochondrial proteins Complex III and IV, consistent with a defect in mitochondria complex assembly in the aged CPCs. Dex-treated aged CPCs also had impaired ability to upregulate expression of paracrine factor genes and the conditioned media from these cells had reduced ability to induce angiogenesis in vitro. These findings could impact the design of future CPC-based therapeutic approaches for the treatment of older patients suffering from cardiac injury.
Design and rationale for a technology-based healthy lifestyle intervention in older adults grieving the loss of a spouse

Abstract Introduction Experiencing the death of a spouse during late life is associated with an increased risk of developing debilitating mental health problems. Healthy lifestyle practices, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep hygiene are promising strategies to influence the mental health and associated physical symptoms of late-life spousal bereavement. Objective This paper describes the design and rationale of an intervention development study addressing selective and indicated prevention of depression, anxiety, and/or complicated grief disorder(s) among adults 60 years and older who are grieving the recent loss (within 8 months) of a spouse or partner. Methods In Phase I, now complete, we developed and standardized behavioral self-monitoring of daily lifestyle choices via an electronic diary (BSM) and the combined BSM + motivational interviewing-based lifestyle coaching (BSM + MI) to be administered to participants grieving the loss of loved one. In Phase II, we have been implementing the interventions in a randomized controlled trial and addressing challenges related to recruitment. Randomization is to one of three cells: BSM, BSM + MI, or an enhanced usual care condition. Discussion Several challenges in implementing our lifestyle interventions to older widow(er)s who are at risk for common mental disorders have been identified. Direct outreach to hospice organizations is an effective way to identify older adults in the early months following spousal death. Results from study may advance the field of grief support and promote a healthy adaptation to widowhood.
'Gifts, Gafts, and Gefts' - the Income Tax Definition and Treatment of Private and Charitable 'Gifts' and a Principled Justification for the Exclusion of Gifts from Income

What is the proper definition of gifts for purposes of the exclusion from income? The authors consider whether there is a principled policy justification for excluding gifts. Concluding that there is, that policy becomes the base from which the proper definition is ascertained. The raison d'etre for taxing income is that it represents the market value of current consumption plus the present value of future consumption. Tax law is indifferent as to the identity of who enjoys the future consumption. Once income has been taxed, taxpayer is entitled to use it to purchase consumption without incurring any additional income tax. Taxpayer should be permitted to vicariously enjoy someone else's consumption, and the exclusion of gifts permits him to do so. A single tax could be obtained by taxing the gift to the donee and giving the donor a deduction, but that would do violence to the goals of progressivity. The principle of allowing vicarious enjoyment conflicts with the principle of taxing persons according to their ability to pay (horizontal equity), and so the two must be balanced against each other. The authors believe that the scales favor gift exclusion, or is in equilibrium. The Duberstein standard of detached and disinterested generosity for determining what constitutes a gift is appropriate in most cases. While those conditions typically favor allowing vicarious enjoyment, other conditions can exist which change the weight accorded to either of the competing principles in favor of horizontal equity. There are circumstances where the role of the transferee makes the principle of horizontal equity dominant. Duberstein should be modified to reflect that consideration. The article questions whether costs of making a gift, including gift taxes, regardless of who paid, should be added to the donee's basis. Also, the authors criticize the Supreme Court's treatment of net gifts in the Diedrich case. The last issue concerns the standard for determining what constitutes a gift for purposes of the charitable deduction. The authors conclude that the Duberstein standard is inappropriate. The purposes for allowing a charitable deduction are quite different from the reason for excluding private gifs from income. The test should be whether the transferor received a financial benefit of a lesser value in return. A difference in value will be deductible if the transferor can prove that it was intentional. Perhaps, the most difficult issue in this area is what treatment should be accorded a transferor who receives a religious benefit in exchange. The article examines that issue and the problem of valuing a religious benefit.
Mosquito responses to trait- and density-mediated interactions of predation

Mosquito and predatory larvae often share the same habitat. Predators may influence mosquito prey populations through both lethal effect and non-lethal pathways. A series of experimental manipulations were used to distinguish between lethal (density-mediated interaction) and non-lethal (trait-mediated interaction) effects in a model system comprised of invasive prey mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and a predatory mosquito Toxorhynchites rutilus. Treatments with predators present or manipulations mimicking daily mortality (density reduction) reduced developmental time and recruitment to the adult stage. Daily records of adult survival of A. aegypti showed that exposure to predators during the juvenile stage shortened the lifespan of adults. This was also observed in treatments, where A. aegypti were replaced at the rate of consumption by T. rutilus. In contrast, numerical reductions in A. aegypti that mimicked daily rate of predation led to adults with the longest lifespan. These observations suggest strong effects of density and trait-mediated interactions in the influence of predators on mosquito biology relevant to their ability to transmit pathogens. These results have potentially important implications for disease control strategies. The primary approach to reduce risk of mosquito-borne diseases is through population reduction of the vectors. We show an unanticipated benefit of biological control by predation for the control of juvenile stages of mosquitoes. Specifically, mosquitoes that are exposed to predators but survive to adulthood will have compromised life expectancy, a key parameter in determining risk of disease transmission.
Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors

The title of this chapter contains three key elements: (1) epidemiology, (2) musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and (3) workplace factors. In order to understand how these three elements are linked, it is necessary to separately define each element.
The Relative Importance of Computer-Mediated Information Versus Conventional Non-Computer-Mediated Information in Public Managerial Decision Making

This study explores the relevance of computer-mediated information to organizational decision making in today's state and local government agencies. It examines the extent to which computer-mediated information is available to, and utilized by, organizational decision makers when compared to more conventional information media such as formal upper-management directives, person-to-person conversations, or personal knowledge. Findings suggest that computer-mediated information plays an important role in organizational decision making, even though its utilization is perceived to be less than its availability. Managers reported using computer-mediated information across various decision situations routine, nonroutine, high risk, and low risk, with varying emphasis. The study also reveals that in spite of the pervasiveness of information technology, managers today still rely on their personal knowledge for organizational decision making more than they do on any other information media, including computer-mediated information. The paper concludes with a discussion of how these findings shed light on our understanding of the appropriate role of computer-mediated information in managerial decision making and on the direction of our future research.
A Comparison of PLS and ML Bootstrapping Techniques in SEM: A Monte Carlo Study

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques have been extensively used in business and social science research to model complex relationships. The two most widely used estimation methods in SEM are the Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Partial Least Square (PLS). Both the estimation methods rely on Bootstrap re-sampling to a large extent. While PLS relies completely on Bootstrapping to obtain standard errors for hypothesis testing, ML relies on Bootstrapping under conditions in violation of the distributional assumptions. Even though Bootstrapping has several advantages, it may fail under certain conditions. In this Monte Carlo study, we compare the accuracy and efficiency of ML and PLS based Bootstrapping in SEM, while recovering the true estimates under various conditions of sample size and distributional assumptions. Our results suggest that researchers might benefit by using PLS based bootstrapping with smaller sample sizes. However, at larger sample sizes the use of ML based bootstrapping is recommended.
Target-cell-specific Short-term Plasticity Reduces the Excitatory Drive onto CA1 Interneurons Relative to Pyramidal Cells During Physiologically-derived Spike Trains.

Abstract Short-term plasticity enables synaptic strength to be dynamically regulated by input timing. Excitatory synapses arising from the same axon can have profoundly different presynaptic forms of short-term plasticity onto inhibitory and excitatory neurons. We previously showed that Schaffer collateral synapses onto most hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons have less paired-pulse facilitation than synapses onto CA1 pyramidal cells, but little difference in steady-state short-term depression. However, less is known about how synapses onto interneurons respond to temporally complex patterns that occur in vivo. Here we compared Schaffer collateral synapses onto stratum radiatum interneurons and pyramidal cells in acute hippocampal slices in response to physiologically-derived spike trains. We find that synapses onto interneurons have less short-term facilitation than synapses onto pyramidal cells, and a subset expresses only short-term depression. Mathematical modeling predicts this target cell-specific short-term plasticity occurs through differences in initial release probability. All three groups have more short-term facilitation during physiologically-derived train stimulation than during constant-frequency stimulation at the same frequency, indicating that variability in stimulus timing is important. These target-cell specific differences in short-term plasticity reduce the strength of excitatory input onto interneurons relative to pyramidal cells, and of depression interneurons relative to facilitation interneurons, during high frequency portions of the train. This occurs to a similar extent at 25 °C and at 33 °C, and is even greater at physiological extracellular calcium. Target-cell specific differences in short-term plasticity enable synapses to have different temporal filtering characteristics, which may help to dynamically regulate the balance of inhibition and excitation in CA1.
DNA-Compatible [3 + 2] Nitrone-Olefin Cycloaddition Suitable for DEL Syntheses.

The limited scope of DNA-compatible chemistry restricts the types of chemical features that can be incorporated into DNA-encoded libraries (DELs). Here, a method to synthesize DNA-conjugated polycy...
On D. Peterson's comparison formula for Gromov-Witten invariants

We prove a formula of Dale Peterson comparing genus zero Gromov-Witten invariants of $G/P$ to those of $G/B$ using results of Atiyah-Bott and Ramanathan on canonical reductions of principal bundles.
Hard Limits and Performance Tradeoffs in a Class of Antithetic Integral Feedback Networks

Feedback regulation is pervasive in biology at both the organismal and cellular level. In this article, we explore the properties of a particular biomolecular feedback mechanism called antithetic integral feedback, which can be implemented using the binding of two molecules. Our work develops an analytic framework for understanding the hard limits, performance tradeoffs, and architectural properties of this simple model of biological feedback control. Using tools from control theory, we show that there are simple parametric relationships that determine both the stability and the performance of these systems in terms of speed, robustness, steady-state error, and leakiness. These findings yield a holistic understanding of the behavior of antithetic integral feedback and contribute to a more general theory of biological control systems.
Acute Occlusion of the Abdominal Aorta with Sudden Paraplegia in a Captive Mustached Tamarin ( Saguinus mystax)

A wild-caught, research-naive, adult male mustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) experienced sudden onset of bilateral hindlimb paresis. Physical examination established the presence of paralysis and the lack of femoral pulses and deep pain in both legs. There were no signs of external trauma and, due to a poor prognosis, euthanasia was elected. Necropsy findings included pleural effusion, partial pulmonary atelectasis and congestion, dilatatory cardiomyopathy, a renal hemorrhagic infarct, and a thromboembolus located at the trifurcation of the distal abdominal aorta. The clinical and histologic findings were indicative of an aortic-iliac thrombosis.