cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retained Products of Conception Spectrum of Color Doppler Findings

Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize color Doppler imaging features of retained products of conception (RPOC) with gray scale correlation. Methods Clinically suspected cases of RPOC between January 2005 and February 2008 were reviewed. Patient data and relevant color Doppler and gray scale features were recorded. Results A total of 269 patients referred for sonographic evaluation for RPOC were identified. Thirty-five patients had confirmed pathologic diagnoses, 28 of whom had RPOC. In those with RPOC, 5 (18%) were avascular (type 0); 6 (21%) had minimal vascularity (type 1); 12 (43%) had moderate vascularity (type 2); and 5 (18%) had marked vascularity (type 3). Peak systolic velocities ranged from 10 to 108 cm/s (average, 36.1 cm/s). Resistive indices in arterial waveforms ranged from 0.33 to 0.7 (average, 0.5). Five (45%) of the patients with type 0 vascularity had RPOC; 6 (86%) of those with type 1 had RPOC; and 17 (100%) of those with types 2 and 3 had RPOC. An echogenic mass had a moderate positive predictive value (80%) but low sensitivity (29%) for RPOC. Conclusions Color Doppler evaluation of the endometrium is helpful in determining the presence of RPOC. Endometrial vascularity is highly correlated with RPOC, whereas the lack of vascularity can be seen in both intrauterine clots and avascular RPOC.
Strength in Numbers: Visualizing CTL-Mediated Killing In Vivo.

Cytotoxic CD8 + T lymphocytes (CTLs) have long been believed to be extremely efficient killers. Forster and colleagues (Halle et al., 2016) used in vivo imaging to tell a different story, in which each CTL killed only 2–16 targets a day, and several CTLs per target were needed to get the job done.
Impact of Transfusion Threshold on Infectious Complications After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis

Background This study was conducted to investigate the impact of different hemoglobin level-based transfusion practices on infectious complications after surgery for ulcerative colitis.
Mouse Models of Human Disease: An Evolutionary Perspective

The use of mice as model organisms to study human biology is predicated on the genetic and physiological similarities between the species. Nonetheless, mice and humans have evolved in and become adapted to different environments and so, despite their phylogenetic relatedness, they have become very different organisms. Mice often respond to experimental interventions in ways that differ strikingly from humans. Mice are invaluable for studying biological processes that have been conserved during the evolution of the rodent and primate lineages and for investigating the developmental mechanisms by which the conserved mammalian genome gives rise to a variety of different species. Mice are less reliable as models of human disease, however, because the networks linking genes to disease are likely to differ between the two species. The use of mice in biomedical research needs to take account of the evolved differences as well as the similarities between mice and humans.
Study on the Genotoxicity of the Biological Amnion Evaluated by Sperm Shape Abnormality Test in Mice

Objective: Use sperm shape abnormality test in mice to evaluate the possibility of genotoxicity of the biological amnion. Methods: The study was based on the requirements of the Sperm shape abnormality test in mice (GB15193.7-94) Results:There are no notable differences between the three concentration extracts of the biological amnion and the negative control of the aberration rate(%). Conclusion: Under the condition of this study, the test article can not induce genotoxicity.
Effects of sampling design on the estimation of adult mosquito abundance

During 1994-5, Culex tarsalis comprised 75% of the 902,643 adult female mosquitoes collected by 63 dry-ice-baited Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-style traps operated biweekly in a uniform sampling grid that covered the southern Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California. The ln(y + 1) transformation successfully controlled the variance and normalized the distribution of catch size among trap nights. When tested by analysis of variance, abundance varied significantly among months, years, and trap sites. Although the trap by months interaction was not significant, female distribution changed seasonally as larval habitats shifted from wetlands along the Salton Sea to agriculture to managed duck marshes. Conditional simulations utilized subsets of trap sites to compare sampling designs that required no (uniform, random, and transect designs) or prior (best-estimate and stratified random designs) knowledge of mosquito spatial distribution. All designs provided similar information on population seasonal trends, but a stratified random design provided the most accurate and precise simulation. A uniform trap grid that employed every 2nd trap site subsequently was adopted by the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District to provide information on focal changes in abundance indicative of missed or newly created larval habitats or control failures.
Elements of Linear Kinetic Theory

In this monograph we present a rigorous exposition of boundary value problems for an extensive class of kinetic equations. These equations describe the transport of particles or radiation through a host medium (possibly the vacuum) in the region Ω with velocities or frequencies belonging to a subset V ⊂ ℝn, and the solutions represent particle densities as a function of position and velocity, or radiative intensities as a function of position and frequency. At the boundary ∂Ω of the spatial domain Ω, particles or radiation may be incident from outside and may be exiting the medium, and reflection and absorption processes may be specified. One may also deal with particle or radiative sources within the region Ω.
Dominant Time Scales of Potentially Predictable Precipitation Variations across the Continental United States

AbstractWhile low-frequency variations in precipitation amount, occurrence counts (hereafter “occurrence”), and intensity can take place on seasonal to multidecadal time scales, it is often unclear at which time scales these precipitation variations can be ascribed to potentially predictable, climate-induced changes versus simple, stochastic (i.e., random) precipitation event evolutions. This paper seeks to isolate the dominant time scales at which potentially predictable changes in observed precipitation characteristics occur over the continental United States and analyze sources of revealed potentially predictable precipitation variations for particular regions. The results highlight that at interannual time scales (here defined as those shorter than 7 years), the potential for predicting annual precipitation amounts tends to be higher than for annual event occurrence or intensity, with interannual potential predictability highest in both relatively dry and wet locations and lowest in transition regions...
B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) residues essential for Bcl-2's apoptosis-inducing interaction with Nur77/Nor-1 orphan steroid receptors

Apoptosis is mediated through the extrinsic or intrinsic pathway. Key regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway are the family of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins. The activity of the prototypical Bcl-2 protein is usually considered antiapoptotic. However, under some conditions, Bcl-2 associates with the orphan nuclear hormone receptors Nur77 and Nor-1, converting Bcl-2 into a proapoptotic molecule. Expression of Nur77 and Nor-1 is induced by a variety of signals, including those leading to apoptosis. Translocation of Nur77/Nor-1 to mitochondria results in their association with Bcl-2, exposing the Bcl-2 homology (BH) 3 domain and causing apoptosis. However, the molecular details of this interaction are incompletely understood. Here, through extensive Bcl-2 mutagenesis and functional assays, we identified residues within Bcl-2 that are essential for its interaction with Nur77/Nor-1. Although an initial report has suggested that an unstructured loop region between the Bcl-2 BH4 and BH3 domains is required for Bcl-2's interaction with Nur77/Nor-1, we found that it is dispensable for this interaction. Instead, we found important interacting residues at the BH4 domain and crucial interacting residues between the BH1 and BH2 domains. Bcl-2 alanine mutants at this region could no longer interact with Nur77/Nor-1 and could not initiate Nur77/Bcl-2–mediated cell death. However, they still retained their anti-apoptotic capability in two different death assays. These results establish crucial residues in Bcl-2 required for Nur77/Nor-1–mediated apoptosis and point to potential new strategies for manipulating Bcl-2 function.
Enzymatic resolution of 3-(3-indolyl)butyric acid: a key intermediate for indolmycin synthesis

Both enantiomers of 3-(3-indolyl)butyric acid, a key intermediate of indolmycin, were successfully prepared by lipase-catalysed enantioselective hydrolysis. Of the enzymes examined, Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (lipase AK) showed the best enantioselectivity and highest reactivity for the hydrolysis of (±)-trifluoroethyl 3-(3-indolyl)butyrate. Under optimal conditions, optical resolution was completed in one enzyme-catalysed step, the S-acid and unreacted R-ester being obtained in high optical purity.
Linear Systems and the Fourier Transform

In Chap. 1 we saw that an ultrasonic system has many components. Those components individually can be complex electromechanical systems such as, for example, the ultrasonic transducers. To model each of the elements that go into an ultrasonic system and how they work together to produce a measured response is a challenging task, indeed. In this chapter we will present a very general modeling framework of linear time-shift invariant (LTI) systems which we will use in order to describe a complete ultrasonic NDE measurement system. Many of the remaining chapters will fill in the details of this general framework and ultimately produce an explicit LTI models of the entire ultrasonic measurement process.
Experimenting with Watchdog Implementation on a Real-Life Ad hoc Network: Monitoring Selfish Behavior

A watchdog monitors neighboring nodes in a multihop wireless ad-hoc network to determine whether they are forwarding packets or not. In this paper we have presented detailed study of our experiments with implementing watchdog functionality on a real-life ad-hoc network testbed. Experiments were conducted on our university campus to test the functionality under different network topologies.
Perphenazine-induced sialorrhea successfully treated with sublingual atropine: A case report

Abstract Although the theoretical risk of sialorrhea exists for all antipsychotics, few cases have been reported with antipsychotics other than clozapine. In this case report, we describe a patient who developed sialorrhea with the use of perphenazine. The patient is a 75-year-old female with a long history of schizophrenia, and had been on perphenazine for about five years. Sialorrhea developed after increasing the dose of perphenazine to 8 mg by mouth twice daily. Administration of sublingual atropine drops alleviated both nocturnal and daytime excessive salivation.
Activity of the Wee1 inhibitor MK1775 plus cytarabine in AML through interference with DNA repair capacity at the DNA level.

7106 Background: Cytarabine (AraC) resistance is a fundamental characteristic of refractory/relapsed AML. In previous RNAi screens we identified WEE1 kinase as top candidate target whose inhibition...
Seeking a Common Language for the Application of Rule 11 Sanctions: What is

In this article, Levine analyzes some of the complex issues involved in attempting to apply the ambiguous concept of frivolousness in the context of Rule 11 sanctions. He documents the inconsistency in judicial interpretation and application of Rule 11 frivolousness. Relying in part on the observations and concerns expressed by scholars, practitioners, and judges themselves who have lamented the lack of uniformity and the troubling results that have followed, Levine examines closely some of the problems inherent in the current standards. After demonstrating the wide range of approaches put forth by both judges and scholars to the interpretation of Rule 11 frivolousness, Levine continues, in part III, with a search for a common language for these discussions. Toward that end, this part looks to some of these innovative approaches, with the aim of finding an approach that may be suitable and useful to the various groups affected by and interested in the administration of Rule 11. Specifically, building on an opinion of United States District Court Judge Jack Weinstein, Levine suggests a method for considering Rule 11 violations and imposition of sanctions through the use of a continuum, which will allow and require courts to assign a value of reasonableness to claims that come before them. Under this framework, if a claim does not reach a certain level of reasonableness, as determined by the court, it will be subject to sanctions. At the same time, the court will impose sanctions in proportion to the degree to which the claim is found to be unreasonable. Levine concludes with the hope that such an approach will help provide a common language for further efforts at arriving at a more effective application of Rule 11.
Abstract 1961:Ikzf1haploinsufficiency contributes to the pathogenesis ofBCR-ABL1positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Expression of the constitutively active tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL1 is the hallmark of two diseases with distinct pathologic and clinical features: chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), an expansion of relatively mature granulocytes that typically responds well to kinase inhibition, and pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive malignancy of lymphoid progenitors that has a dismal prognosis. The basis for this dichotomy has been poorly understood. We recently identified a near-obligate deletion of IKZF1 (encoding the lymphoid transcription factor IKAROS) in de novo BCR-ABL1 positive ALL, and at the progression of CML to lymphoid blast crisis, suggesting that perturbation of IKAROS activity is a key event in the pathogenesis of BCR-ABL1 lymphoid leukemia. To test this hypothesis, we have examined the effect of Ikaros haploinsufficiency in a retroviral bone marrow transplant model of murine BCR-ABL1 B-progenitor ALL. Unmanipulated marrow from either Ikzf1 wild type mice or mice heterozygous for an Ikzf1 null allele was transduced with MSCV bicistronic retrovirus expressing GFP and p185 BCR-ABL1 and transplanted into lethally irradiated C57BL/6 recipients. Recipients of MSCV-GFP-p185 BCR-ABL1-transduced Ikzf1 +/− marrow developed leukemia with markedly increased penetrance and reduced latency in comparison to recipients of wild-type marrow (46 vs. 122 d, P +/+ and +/− marrow did not demonstrate an expansion of lymphoid progenitors in Ikzf1 +/− marrow, suggesting that the observed increased penetrance of B-ALL in Ikzf1 +/− animals was not simply due to the expansion of targets of BCR-ABL1 transformation. Thus, Ikaros haploinsufficiency cooperates with BCR-ABL1 to induce an aggressive pre-B leukemia with clinical and pathologic features recapitulating human BCR-ABL1 ALL. These results support genomic analyses of human leukemia suggesting that IKAROS loss is important in the pathogenesis of this disease. Experiments evaluating the interaction of Ikzf1 loss with other targets of genomic alteration in BCR-ABL1 ALL (e.g. CDKN2A/B, PAX5), studies examining the role of Ikzf1 in responsiveness to kinase inhibitors, and genomic profiling studies are ongoing. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1961.
Self-Efficacy in Children with Functional Constipation Is Associated with Treatment Success

Objectives To assess the relationship between self-efficacy, the belief that an individual can succeed at a goal, and short-term treatment outcome in children with functional constipation. Study design Patients with functional constipation age 8-16 years completed the Self-Efficacy for Functional Constipation Questionnaire (SEFCQ), consisting of 14 statements about performing tasks needed for defecation. Patients completed SEFCQ before, immediately after, and 3 weeks after their clinic visit. Treatment success was defined as ≥3 bowel movements into the toilet and no fecal incontinence in the third week. Results 75% of patients had a successful outcome. Scores were higher in the group that was successful than in those that failed before, immediately after the visit, and 3 weeks later (P .05). Conclusions Improved self-efficacy is associated with successful outcomes in children with functional constipation, thus, it may be beneficial to enhance self-efficacy for defecation during treatment.
Subspace power method for symmetric tensor decomposition and generalized PCA.

We introduce the Subspace Power Method (SPM) for calculating the CP decomposition of low-rank even-order real symmetric tensors. This algorithm applies the tensor power method of Kolda-Mayo to a certain modified tensor, constructed from a matrix flattening of the original tensor, and then uses deflation steps. Numerical simulations indicate SPM is roughly one order of magnitude faster than state-of-the-art algorithms, while performing robustly for low-rank tensors subjected to additive noise. We obtain rigorous guarantees for SPM regarding convergence and global optima, for tensors of rank up to roughly the square root of the number of tensor entries, by drawing on results from classical algebraic geometry and dynamical systems. In a second contribution, we extend SPM to compute De Lathauwer's symmetric block term tensor decompositions. As an application of the latter decomposition, we provide a method-of-moments for generalized principal component analysis.
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Characteristics and Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are found to play an important role in various biological processes and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Because of the protective effects, stem cell-derived EVs can be used to reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis in the recipient cells. In addition, EVs/exosomes have been used as directional communication tools between stem cells and parenchymal cells, giving them the ability to serve as biomarkers. Likewise, altered EVs/exosomes can be utilized for drug delivery by loading with proteins, small interfering RNAs, and viral vectors, in particular, because EVs/exosomes are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this review article, the properties of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived EVs are discussed. The biogenesis, that is, how EVs originate in the endosomal compartment or from the cell layer of microvesicles, EV composition, the available methods of purification, and characterizations of EVs/exosomes are summarized. In particular, EVs/exosomes derived from iPSCs of different lineage specifications and the applications of these stem cell-derived exosomes in neurological diseases are discussed. Impact statement In this review, we summarized the work related to extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). In particular, EVs/exosomes derived from hPSCs of different lineage specifications and the applications of these stem cell-derived exosomes in neurological diseases are discussed. The results highlight the important role of cell-cell interactions in neural cellular phenotype and neurodegeneration. The findings reported in this article are significant for pluripotent stem cell-derived cell-free products toward applications in stem cell-based therapies.
Midterm Outcomes of Ultrasound-guided Local Treatment for Infrapatellar Saphenous Neuroma Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: While total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a reliable treatment for advanced knee arthritis, up to 19% of patients after TKA remain dissatisfied, especially with residual pain. A less known source of medial knee pain following TKA is infrapatellar saphenous neuroma. Ultrasound-guided local treatment with hydrodissection and corticosteroid injection is an effective short-term solution. Our primary aim was to evaluate the durability of local treatment by comparing numeric pain scores for medial knee pain after TKA at pretreatment, one month following treatment, and midterm follow-up. A secondary aim was to identify associations of patient characteristics with degree of change in numeric pain score. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who had symptomatic infrapatellar saphenous neuroma following TKA and were treated with ultrasound-guided local treatment by hydrodissection and corticosteroid injection between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2016. Those with follow-up less than three years were excluded. Patients who were unable to return for midterm follow-up were called. Numeric pain scores for the medial knee were recorded. Patient demographics, medical history, revision TKA status, number of prior knee surgeries, narcotic use, psychiatric disorders, and current tobacco use were also collected. Results: Of 32 identified patients, 29 (7 men, 22 women, median age 65.9 years) elected to participate in this study with a mean (SD) follow-up of 4.6 (0.8) years. The median (range) pretreatment pain score was 9 (5-10). After local treatment, the median (range) numeric pain score was significantly lower at both one-month and midterm follow-up (5; P<0.001). The initial response to treatment was durable given that the difference between one-month and midterm follow-up scores was not significant (P=0.47). Advanced age was associated with less overall pain relief from pretreatment to midterm follow-up, while female sex, history of fibromyalgia, and TKA revision prior to treatment were associated with worsening pain from one-month to midterm follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients who underwent ultrasound-guided local treatment with hydrodissection and corticosteroid injection for painful postoperative infrapatellar saphenous neuroma following TKA experienced significant numeric pain score reduction. Pain relief remained consistent from 1onemonth to midterm follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level IV, Case Series
Put Faces to Your Instagram Posts. Elements for a Fashion Brand’s Social Media Images to Help Overcome the “Algorithm”

The difficulties of the everchanging algorithm have marketers and researchers questioning what makes an image impressionable for brands? To explore the research, we first developed the semantic likability scale by selected eight highly popular Instagram images in the past two years from the three most popular athleisure/outdoor brands profiles on a U.S. university campus (for a total of 24 images). Collectively the research finding suggests people are the content that may navigate the congestion of image likability on Instagram. Therefore, brands should post images of influencers ensuring their faces are not obscured or hidden. Also, this research showcases that race and ethnicity do not decrease the evaluation of an image’s likability; on the contrary, brands Instagram feeds should showcase the array of people is significant for brand impressions on Instagram.
A Chronic Fetal Leucine Infusion Potentiates Fetal Insulin Secretion and Increases Pancreatic Islet Size, Vascularity, and β Cells in Late-Gestation Sheep.

BACKGROUND Infusion of a complete amino acid mixture into normal late-gestation fetal sheep potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Leucine acutely stimulates insulin secretion in late-gestation fetal sheep and isolated fetal sheep islets in vitro. OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that a 9-d leucine infusion would potentiate GSIS in fetal sheep. METHODS Columbia-Rambouillet fetal sheep at 126 days of gestation received a 9-d leucine infusion to achieve a 50%-100% increase in leucine concentrations or a control infusion. At the end of the infusion we measured GSIS, pancreatic morphology, and expression of pancreatic mRNAs. Pancreatic islet endothelial cells (ECs) were isolated from fetal sheep and incubated with supplemental leucine or vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) followed by collection of mRNA. Data measured at multiple time points were compared with a repeated-measures 2-factor ANOVA. Data measured at 1 time point were compared using Student's t test or the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS Glucose-stimulated insulin concentrations were 80% higher in leucine-infused (LEU) fetuses than in controls (P 5000 μm2 than controls (75% more islets >5000 μm2; P < 0.05) and a larger proportion of the pancreas that stained for β cells (12% greater; P < 0.05). Pancreatic and pancreatic islet vascularity were both 25% greater in LEU fetuses (P < 0.05). Pancreatic VEGFA and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA expressions were 38% and 200% greater in LEU fetuses than in controls (P < 0.05), respectively. In isolated islet ECs, HGF mRNA was 20% and 50% higher after incubation in supplemental leucine (P < 0.05) or VEGFA (P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS A 9-d leucine infusion potentiates fetal GSIS, demonstrating that glucose and leucine act synergistically to stimulate insulin secretion in fetal sheep. A greater proportion of the pancreas being comprised of β cells and higher pancreatic vascularity contributed to the higher GSIS.
Color Consciousness: A Movement Toward Antiracism

The author conveys her concerns about the series of unjust atrocities committed against African Americans during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic Topics mentioned include how White privilege is a barrier to supporting Black people, pattern of White people weaponizing authorities against Black people, and the disproportionate number of Black deaths from COVID-19
Quantitative NMR (qNMR) for pharmaceutical analysis: The pioneering work of George Hanna at the US FDA

In the last two decades, quantitative NMR (qNMR) has become increasingly important for the analysis of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and natural products including dietary supplements. For the purpose of quality control and chemical standardization of a large variety of pharmaceutical, chemical, and medicinal products, qNMR has proven to be a valuable orthogonal quantification method and a compelling alternative to chromatographic techniques. This work reviews a fundamental component of the early development of qNMR, reflected in the pioneering work of the late George M. Hanna during the years between 1984 and 2006 at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Because Hanna performed the majority of his groundbreaking work on a 90-MHz instrument, his legacy output connects with recent progress in low-field benchtop NMR instrumentation. Hanna gradually established the utility of qNMR for the routine quality control analyses practiced in pharmaceutical and related operations well ahead of his peers. His work has the potential to inspire new developments in qNMR applied to small molecules of biomedical importance.
Trends in Hospitalization Rates, Major Causes of Hospitalization, and In‐Hospital Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis in the United States From 2000 to 2014

OBJECTIVE To evaluate national trends in hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS National Inpatient Sample from 2000-2014 and United States Census data were used to study temporal trends in adult RA hospitalizations, reasons for hospitalizations, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS The data represented 183 983 hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of RA. The annual rates of hospitalization for the primary diagnosis of RA decreased from 76.54 admissions per 1 million in 2000 to 29.96 per 1 million in 2014 (P trend < 0.0001). The hospital mortality rate declined from 0.70% to 0.41% (P trend < 0.0001) in this group. With a primary or nonprimary diagnosis of RA, the mortality rate ranged between 1.95 and 2.87 (P trend 0.08). For a nonprimary diagnosis of RA, we noted that the proportion of hospitalizations with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (6.4% in 2000 to 4.6% in 2014; P < 0.001) significantly decreased, but the absolute number of hospitalizations significantly increased. In contrast, the proportion and the absolute number of hospitalizations with any diagnosis of sepsis, congestive heart failure, lung disease, and urinary tract infection increased significantly. We also noted a significant increase in the actual rate and proportions for hospitalizations for hip and knee arthroplasty. Among in-hospital deaths when RA was a nonprimary diagnosis, the most common primary diagnosis was pneumonia (12.5 %) in 2000, whereas sepsis accounted for the most deaths in 2014 (31.4%). CONCLUSION We observed that hospitalization rates and in-hospital mortality rates in patients with RA have changed significantly over the past 15 years.
Performance Options of a High Performance Receiver Filter Bank Channelizer

The M-path polyphase analysis filter bank channelizer is quite a remarkable digital signal processing algorithm. In its simplest realization, the maximally decimated filter bank, the bank outputs M baseband time series from translated spectral spans with bandwidth and sample rate fs/M from M spectral bands centered at integer multiples of fs/M. Modifications to the channelizer are many and include off-sets of channelizer center frequencies, non-maximal decimation from M-to-1 to M/2-to-1 or to 3M/4-to-1 along with various post channelization signal conditioning options. We present a set of severe channelizer specifications and illustrate various channelizer modifications to reduce processing cost while meeting original design specifications.
Determining the Proper Scope of Climate Change Policy Benefits in U.S. Regulatory Analyses: Domestic versus Global Approaches

AbstractAlthough benefit assessment principles are well established for specific populations, very little attention has been paid to how to define the scope of the pertinent population for such ass...
Using COVID-19 to teach sustainability futures thinking

Students of Sustainability Science have a unique lens through which to engage current events and envision a sustainable future that may arise from current and future hardships. In our undergraduate Sustainability Science courses, students learn and practice key sustainability competencies (Wiek et al. in Sustain Sci 6:203–218, 2011) including systems thinking, strategic thinking, and futures thinking. In response to COVID-19, in the latter half of the Spring 2020 semester, we re-tooled our courses to help our students (1) apply competencies to understand Coupled Human and Natural Systems drivers behind COVID-19 spread as well as individual, societal, and natural responses, and (2) to envision how our future can be deliberately different if people choose to push past previously accepted paradigms as we emerge from the immediate crisis. In this chapter, we first overview how our curriculum lends itself to a deep systems understanding of COVID-19 by providing specific pedagogical examples of how we have utilized this pandemic to explain key sustainability theories, concepts, and competencies. Second, we offer a novel qualitative analysis of future sustainability-focused visions from student assignments from two courses that occurred between March and May 2020. Together these two lines of evidence provide information on how today’s college students envision and plan to shape our shared future.
ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MODELING NONLINEARITIES: THE ASSET PRICING EXAMPLE

We investigate the economic importance of modeling non-linearities in the dynamics of exogenous processes on the implied moments of endogenous variables in the context of the consumption-based asset pricing model. For this purpose, we model the endowment process alternatively as a linear autoregression and as a non-linear threshold autoregression. The asset pricing model with non-linear endowment is solved using quadrature techniques. A comparison of the moments of the model-implied rates of return in the two cases suggests that the economic impact of modeling non-linearities is less than 0.01 percent per annum.
Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation and Dwell Time in All Phases of Care for the Management of Complex, High-risk Wounds: Two Case Reports of Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Introduction Necrotizing fasciitis is a devastating infectious process associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Medical and surgical interventions are necessary for survival. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been shown to be beneficial in wound and graft care in these patients. Recently, NPWT has evolved to include instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) with encouraging results. However, no studies have examined the efficacy of NPWTi-d in graft care. The authors report the first 2 cases of necrotizing fasciitis with resulting complex wounds in which NPWTi-d was utilized during all phases of care (including after graft transfer) with excellent outcomes. Case report Two patients presented with histories of sustaining external trauma to their lower extremities with subsequent development of erythema, edema, and pain. Diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was made through history and physical examination findings, supported by LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis) scores of greater than or equal to 6, and confirmed upon review of final surgical pathology. Limb salvage was pursued successfully in both cases via aggressive irrigation/debridement, skin grafting, and NPWTi-d application. The NPWTi-d was utilized during all phases of care (after irrigation/debridement procedures and as the split-thickness skin graft bolster) and was associated with excellent graft take without the need for repeat operative intervention. Both patients' wounds healed without complication, and the patients resumed prior activity levels. Conclusions Despite offering some advantages, NPWTi-d has yet to be utilized in graft management. The authors postulate that NPWTi-d may offer some advantages in caring for skin grafts and could aid in graft survivability and take in certain clinical scenarios. Higher level evidence is needed to determine the true indications and contraindications of NPWTi-d.
Identifying predictors of drug court graduation: findings from an evaluation of the Milwaukee County Adult Drug Treatment Court

Adult drug treatment courts provide an alternative to incarceration that focuses on the treatment of substance abuse issues and other psychological dysfunctions. The literature thus far has general...
Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Experiences in Physical Education and Youth Sport

The purpose of this study was to examine parents' perceptions of their children's experiences in physical education and youth sport. Qualitative research design was employed in this study. Data collection methods included phenomenological interviews and qualitative questionnaires. Forty-one questionnaires were collected and analyzed through inductive analysis method to identify themes. Ten parents (either father or mother) participated in the interview process. Parents indicated aspects of physical education classes (learning life skills, playing time, and health promotion) and aspects of youth sport (learning life skills and health promotion). Parents believed that their children learned more from youth sport than physical education because of deeper understanding in one sport, children's choice of activities, and parental involvement.
Statistical modeling of metastability in ADC-based serial I/O receivers

This paper develops metastability error models for flash and asynchronous SAR ADCs and describes a novel ADC-based receiver statistical modeling methodology to analyze the BER performance impact of metastability error propagation through digital FFE equalization.
Acoustic power gain induced by 2D electron drifting

In this work, amplification of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) by electron drift in a nanometer-scale two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is analyzed analytically. We compare the amount of acoustic power gain per SAW radian produced by electron drift in a bulk GaN thin film layer and in a GaN-based 2DEG layer. Calculations suggest that acoustic amplification in a 2DEG is independent on the SAW frequency while only a very narrow bandwidth of SAWs could be amplified in bulk. Furthermore, the peak power gain per SAW radian occurs at a more practical carrier density for a 2DEG than for a bulk material.
Refractory Congestive Heart Failure: Overview and Application of Extracorporeal Ultrafiltration

Congestive heart failure (CHF) from ischemic cardiomyopathy has emerged as an epidemic health problem. The pathogenesis of CHF is characterized by heightened activity of many neuroendocrine factors, including norepinephrine, angiotensin II, and arginine vasopressin, which lead to heightened systemic vascular resistance and further impedance of left ventricular ejection. Once CHF reaches New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV with heightened activity of the many neurohumoral factors, it tends to be refractory to conventional therapy of vasodilators, inotropic agents, and diuretics. Treatment of refractory CHF appears to require a break in the neurohumoral hemodynamic vicious cycle, and ultrafiltration appears able to produce this interruption. Ultrafiltration has been shown to be successful in patients with NYHA class III to VI CHF and urine output less than 1,000 mL/ d. It relieves pulmonary edema, reduces ascites and peripheral edema, and enhances the response to subsequent diuretic therapy. In patients with refractory CHF, the ability to provide adequate volume removal, thus improving overall volume status, normalizing filling pressures, and reducing clinical symptoms, offers an improvement in overall quality of life. Early results have shown that ongoing therapy actually may be associated with decreased hospital readmissions or, at the very least, shortened intensive care unit length of stay.
Identification of Interleukin-1β-Producing Monocytes That Are Susceptible to Pyronecrotic Cell Death in Patients With Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease.

Objective Spontaneous inflammatory responses initiated by NLRP3 mutations promote inflammasome-mediated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) processing and release and can induce rapid necrotic cell death. The cells that produce IL-1β in neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) have not been clearly identified, nor have the mechanisms mediating IL-1β release and cell death been completely elucidated. Methods Whole blood cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of cathepsin B and caspase 1 inhibitors, followed by ATP treatment. Supernatants were collected and incubated with IL-1β–capturing beads. Cells were fixed, permeabilized, and stained for a combination of cell surface and intracellular markers, and a novel flow cytometry bead-based assay was used to measure secreted IL-1β. LPS-stimulated cells were also evaluated using immunofluorescence microscopy. Results Monocytes characterized by CD14high-CD16low expression and intracellular CD83 were increased in NOMID patients and were responsible for the majority of IL-1β production in response to LPS stimulation. This population of monocytes also underwent a rapid death response with LPS alone that is temporally associated with IL-1β and ASC release and has characteristic features of pyronecrotic but not pyroptotic cell death. Inhibition of cell death reduced IL-1β production from NOMID patient cells. In addition, IL-1 triggered cell death in monocytes from NOMID patients. Conclusion Our findings indicate that monocytes are the predominant IL-1β–producing cell population in the peripheral blood of NOMID patients. Furthermore, they suggest that IL-1 receptor blockade may work in part by preventing pyronecrotic cell death, which may be an important target in NOMID and other forms of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes.
Evolution of cytoarchitectural landscapes in the mammalian isocortex: Sirenians (Trichechus manatus) in comparison with other mammals.

The isocortex of several primates and rodents shows a systematic increase in the number of neurons per unit of cortical surface area from its rostrolateral to caudomedial border. The steepness of the gradient in neuronal number and density is positively correlated with cortical volume. The relative duration of neurogenesis along the same rostrocaudal gradient predicts a substantial fraction of this variation in neuron number and laminar position, which is produced principally from layers II–IV neurons. However, virtually all of our quantitative knowledge about total and laminar variation in cortical neuron numbers and neurogenesis comes from rodents and primates, leaving whole taxonomic groups and many intermediate-sized brains unexplored. Thus, the ubiquity in mammals of the covariation of longer cortical neurogenesis and increased cortical neuron number deriving from cortical layers II–IV is undetermined. To begin to address this gap, we examined the isocortex of the manatee using the optical disector method in sectioned tissue, and also assembled partial data from published reports of the domestic cat brain. The manatee isocortex has relatively fewer neurons per total volume, and fewer II–IV neurons than primates with equivalently sized brains. The gradient in number of neurons from the rostral to the caudal pole is intermediate between primates and rodents, and, like those species, is observed only in the upper cortical layers. The cat isocortex (Felis domesticus) shows a similar structure. Key species for further tests of the origin, ubiquity, and significance of this organizational feature are discussed. J. Comp. Neurol., 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Economic Backwardness and the Characteristics of Development

Alexander Gerschenkron has suggested that certain characteristics of development during a country's initial period of industrialization, or “great spurt,” can be better understood if reference is made to that country's degree of relative backwardness just prior to the spurt. Referring to the European countries which began their rapid industrialization during the nineteenth century, Gerschenkron stated that the greater a country's relative backwardness on the eve of its spurt (1) the more rapid was the subsequent rate of manufacturing growth, (2) the greater was the stress on bigness of the size of plant and enterprise, (3) the greater was the stress on producers’ goods as opposed to consumers’ goods, (4) the less rapid was the increase in the level of consumption, (5) the greater was the role played by special institutional factors designed to speed industrialization, and (6) the less the agricultural sector contributed to economic growth, as measured by the rate of increase in agricultural labor productivity.
Lipid studies of Rous sarcoma virus and host cell membranes

Abstract The phospholipid composition of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) grown in two different host cells has been examined. The phospholipid pattern of the virus reflects that of the host cell (chick or quail fibroblasts in culture) in which it is grown. The phospholipid composition of the virus qualitatively resembles that of the isolated plasma membrane, but there are quantitative differences in the relative content of individual phospolipid species. The virus content of phosphatidylcholine is lower and that of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine higher than in the plasma membrane. The metabolic turnover rate of viral and plasma membrane phospholipid species is similar. Large differences between the virus and plasma membrane are observed in their respective cholesterol:cholesterol ester ratio. The significance of these findings in relation to cellular transformation and the budding of RNA viruses is discussed.
RFCCD Microthruster Performance via Numerical Simulation

Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo (PIC/MCC) and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) algorithms comprise a numerical model to assess the propulsive capability of a RF plasma microthruster concept. This thruster concept is an electrothermal device and exploits RF capacitively coupled discharge (RFCCD) to heat a propellant. This RF plasma microthruster has potential to alleviate some severe constraints on microsatellite propulsion systems such as power, mass, volume and lifetime. The discharge characteristics are investigated by permuting electrode geometry (0.5 - 10 mm) and applied voltage (10 - 500 V) at a constant RF frequency of 200 MHz and a pressure of 3 Torr. PIC/MCC simulations determine the overall trends in plasma characteristics within this parameter space. The PIC/MCC modeling showed that increases in applied potential and inner radius transmit more power to the fluid. A gas heat transfer model enhanced the original PIC/MCC code to reflect effects of neutral gas temperature in the plasma.
Recombinant T Cell Receptor Ligands Improve Outcome After Experimental Cerebral Ischemia

A key target for novel stroke therapy is the regulation of post-ischemic inflammatory mechanisms. Recent evidence emphasizes the role of T lymphocytes of differing subtypes in the evolution is ischemic brain damage. We have recently demonstrated the benefit of myelin antigen-specific immunodulatory agents known as recombinant T cell receptor ligands (RTLs) in a standard murine model of focal stroke. The aim of the current study was to extend this initial observation to RTL treatment in a therapeutically relevant timing after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and verify functional benefit to complement histological outcome measures. We observed that the administration of mouse-specific RTL551 reduced infarct size and improved sensorimotor outcome when administered within a 3 h post-ischemic therapeutic window. RTL551 treatment reduced cortical, caudate putamen, and total infarct volume as compared to vehicle-treated mice. Using a standard behavioral testing repertoire, we observed that RTL551 reduced sensorimotor impairment 3 days after MCAO. Humanized RTL1000 (HLA-DR2 moiety linked to hMOG-35-55 peptide) also reduced infarct size in HLA-DR2 transgenic mice. These data indicate that this neuroantigen-specific immunomodulatory agent reduces damage when administered in a therapeutically relevant reperfusion timeframe.
Are Astrocytes the Missing Link Between Lack of Brain Aspartoacylase Activity and the Spongiform Leukodystrophy in Canavan Disease

Canavan disease (CD) is a genetic degenerative brain disorder associated with mutations of the gene encoding aspartoacylase (ASPA). In humans, the CD syndrome is marked by early onset, hydrocephalus, macroencephaly, psychomotor retardation, and spongiform myelin sheath vacuolization with progressive leukodystrophy. Metabolic hallmarks of the disease include elevated N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in brain, plasma and CSF, along with daily excretion of large amounts of NAA and its anabolic metabolite, N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG). Of the observed neuropathies, the most important appears to be the extensive demyelination that interferes with normal neuronal signaling. However, finding the links between the lacks of ASPA activity in oligodendrocytes, the buildup of NAA in white matter (WM) and the mechanisms underlying the edematous spongiform leukodystrophy have remained elusive. In this analytical review we consider what those links might be and propose that in CD, the pathological buildup of NAA in limited WM extracellular fluid (ECF) is responsible for increased ECF osmotic-hydrostatic pressure and initiation of the demyelination process. We also hypothesize that NAA is not directly liberated by neurons in WM as it is in gray matter, and that its source in WM ECF is solely as a product of the catabolism of axon-released NAAG at nodes of Ranvier by astrocyte NAAG peptidase after it has docked with the astrocyte surface metabotropic glutamate receptor 3. This hypothesis ascribes for the first time a possible key role played by astrocytes in CD, linking the lack of ASPA activity in myelinating oligodendrocytes, the pathological buildup of NAA in WM ECF, and the spongiform demyelination process. It also offers new perspectives on the cause of the leukodystrophy in CD, and on possible treatment strategies for this inherited metabolic disease.