cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Light-weight parallel Python tools for earth system modeling workflows

In the last 30 years, earth system modeling has become increasingly data-intensive. The Community Earth System Model (CESM) response to the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report (AR6) may require close to 1 Billion CPU hours of computation and generate up to 12 PB of raw data for post-processing. Existing post-processing tools are serial-only and impossibly slow with this much data. To improve the post-processing performance, our team has adopted a strategy of targeted replacement of the "bottleneck software" with light-weight parallel Python alternatives. This allows maximum impact with the least disruption to the CESM community and the shortest delivery time. We developed two light-weight parallel Python tools: one to convert model output from time-slice to time-series format, and one to perform fast time-averaging of time-series data. We present the motivation, approach, and results of these two tools, and our plans for future research and development.
What is a clinically significant improvement in the intensity of fatigue among cancer patients

8560 Background: Fatigue is the most common symptom in cancer patients. The FACIT-F fatigue subscale and the ESAS Fatigue 0–10 are the most commonly used scales for research and clinical care, resp...
Synthesis of Ladder-Type Thienoacenes and Their Electronic and Optical Properties

A series of ladder-type thienoacenes based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT) have been synthesized and characterized. They were shown to be p-type semiconductors with wide band gaps and able to support multiple stable cationic states. As the conjugation lengthens, these oligomers become more emissive, showing high quantum yields. They were shown to be good two-photon absorbers, exhibiting high two-photon absorption coefficients.
Methodological Considerations for Intercultural Arts Research: Phenomenology, Ethnography, Collage Narrative, and Ethics

Living and working with Ojibwe participants in northern Minnesota informed a phenomenological approach to my three-month multi-sited ethnography. This research encompassed aspects of oral history and arts inquiry to investigate artistic processes, personal histories, and community relations of Ojibwe participants. I sought situational meaning generated between Ojibwe participants and my varied roles as an arts researcher, apprenticing artist, laborer, house caretaker, student and friend in order to articulate relational understandings of arts-mediated experiences. These experiences generated narrative content as collage and continuously directed the flow of the study, shifted my inquiry process, smudged my positionalities, and carefully informed my reflexive research ethics.
Viruses Utilize Cellular Cues in Distinct Combination to Undergo Systematic Priming and Uncoating.

Viral genomes are protected within a proteinaceous shell called “capsid” and, for enveloped viruses, an additional lipid coat. The capsids are generally constructed from a few capsid proteins into helical or icosahedral structures that are, in turn, stabilized by numerous covalent and noncovalent interactions [1]. However, during infection, viruses must uncoat in order to release their genomes into the host. This process is highly dependent on host elements called “cues” [2], which have been previously broadly categorized as (1) receptor- and/or enzyme-based cues, (2) chemical cues, or (3) mechanical cues [3]. In this brief article, we systematically analyze the available information on how 30 different enveloped and nonenveloped viruses exploit these host cues during infection and tabulate the observations in Table 1. By categorizing these cues, a general pattern can be deduced. Specifically, we find that these viruses use a distinct order and combination of the host cues during entry. To illustrate this principle, the mechanism by which four viruses hijack these cues will be highlighted (in Fig 1). We envision such analysis will provide an opportunity for investigators to evaluate whether viruses within the same family—for which the uncoating mechanism is unknown—employ a similar uncoating strategy.
Studies on Identification and Factuality of Jingyou207 Series Using SSR marker

232 pairs of SSR primers distributing in 12 rice chromosomes were used to detect Jingyou207 series.Out of the used primers,32 were repeatable polymorphic.It could distinguish all restorer lines and sterile lines effectively.The bands of hybrid rice were complement types of their parents,which were adapted to examine purity of hybrid rice seed.The possibility of economical beneficial on identification of hybrid rice purity was discussed.
Structural Effects of Phosphorylation on C-Terminal Segment of AMPA Receptor

The α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) is the primary contributor to neuronal fast excitatory transmission, which is key to learning and building memory. The AMPAR can be divided into four modular domains. The structure of the outermost three has been shown in detailed crystal structures, but very little is known about the structure of the cytoplasmic domain. Although it is thought that this segment is disordered, it is unknown whether local order may exist in the cytoplasmic terminus, or whether structure changes may occur as conformational shifts due to functional modifications. Previous studies have established protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation sites at residues S818, S831, and T840 in the GluA1 subtype receptor, and confirmed their effect to enhance receptor function. Our studies examined a membrane-proximal section of the GluA1 cytoplasmic terminus in order to consider local structural changes brought about by these phosphorylation events. Peptides were examined using Fourier transform infrared technology, which showed a conversion to lesser helix content, more extension, in the phospho-protein. Studies of the peptides in a solution of small unilamellar vesicles were conducted and showed that the change in secondary structure is enhanced in the context of close proximity to a charged lipid membrane. To confirm, single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to examine the peptide in both the unphosphorylated and phosphomimetic states. Phosphorylation yielded a narrower breadth of FRET efficiencies between labeled residues bookending all three PKC-phosphorylated sites, indicative of the reduced helix allowing the peptide flexibility to primarily probe a larger distance between flors. Again this effect was dependent on charged lipid environment. Ongoing electrophysiological studies are being conducted to assess the effects of phosphorylation on receptor function in the context of a physiological lipid membrane environment.
Double-peak Phase Conjugate Reflectivity in InP:Fe at 1.32 µm

We report on double-peak reflectivity temperature-tuned optical phase conjugation (OPC) in InP:Fe under dc fields. Degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) is realized in a new single-pump geometry that generates reflectivities up to 6.7% for pump intensity of 28 mW/cm2. The phase conjugate reflectivity exhibits strong temperature dependence but optimum reflectivity temperature deviates from that of the two-wave mixing (TWM) resonance. The thermal scans also exhibit different characteristics with the readout pump at a small phase-mismatch with respect to the writing beams.
Stereoselective Metabolism of Bupropion to OH-bupropion, Threohydrobupropion, Erythrohydrobupropion and 4'-OH-bupropion in vitro

Bupropion is a widely used antidepressant, smoking cessation aid, and weight-loss therapy. It is administered as a racemic mixture, but the pharmacokinetics and activity of bupropion are stereoselective. The activity and side effects of bupropion are attributed to bupropion and its metabolites S,S- and R,R-OH-bupropion, threohydrobupropion, and erythrohydrobupropion. Yet the stereoselective metabolism in vitro and the enzymes contributing to the stereoselective disposition of bupropion have not been characterized. In humans, the fraction of bupropion metabolized (fm) to the CYP2B6 probe metabolite OH-bupropion is 5-16%, but ticlopidine increases bupropion exposure by 61%, suggesting a 40% CYP2B6 and/or CYP2C19 fm for bupropion. Yet, the CYP2C19 contribution to bupropion clearance has not been defined, and the enzymes contributing to overall bupropion metabolite formation have not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize the stereoselective metabolism of bupropion in vitro to explain the stereoselective pharmacokinetics and the effect of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and CYP2C19 pharmacogenetics on bupropion exposure. The data predict that threohydrobupropion accounts for 50 and 82%, OH-bupropion for 34 and 12%, erythrohydrobupropion for 8 and 4%, and 4'-OH-bupropion for 8 and 2% of overall R- and S-bupropion clearance, respectively. The fm,CYP2B6 was predicted to be 21%, and the fm,CYP2C19, 6% for racemic bupropion. Importantly, ticlopidine was found to inhibit all metabolic pathways of bupropion in vitro, including threohydrobupropion, erythrohydrobupropion, and 4'OH-bupropion formation, explaining the in vivo DDI. The stereoselective pharmacokinetics of bupropion were quantitatively explained by the in vitro metabolic clearances and in vivo interconversion between bupropion stereoisomers.
Chapter 2.3 Automation of blood and microdialysis sampling: combinatorial pharmacology

Abstract Microdialysis has progressed from an inspired academic curiosity in the early 1970s to a widely used biomedical research tool 35 years later. This chapter reviews the evolution of the instrumentation from laboratory built manual apparatus to fully automated systems today that are used in both preclinical and clinical research. A systems view is presented to explain how the various components such as in vivo probes, pumps, fraction collectors, and animal containment systems can be integrated to provide a variety of data in parallel. Microdialysis was the inspiration for modernizing blood sampling and fully automating dosing to provide a pharmacological response in a tightly controlled manner while eliminating influence of the fight and flight stress response in laboratory animals. The value for biomedical research is to provide a variety of chemical, physiological, and psychological data from the same mammal at the same time. This reduces the number of animals required, improves the quality of the data obtained, and reduces pain and suffering on the part of the animals and stress on the part of the investigator. These new developments are primarily used within the commercial biopharmaceutical research community and thus relatively little has been published in the conventional peer reviewed literature. This chapter is focused strictly on the tools of in vivo sampling. Other chapters in this book are devoted more to the pharmacological (esp. neuroscience) conclusions that can be drawn from using these tools.
An analytical approach for DC-Link DM filter design for BL motor drives

This paper presents a detailed procedure for DC-Link Differential Mode filter design for DC Brushless Permanent Magnet Motor Drives. The goal is to design filter to attenuate Differential Mode noise below specified limits, caused by PWM controlled motor load current. The specified limits are defined by DO-160 Section 21 or MIL 461 CE102. Analytical calculation is used to estimate DC-Link current harmonics based on motor parameters and load conditions. Once unfiltered DC-Link current harmonics defined the filter Insertion Loss (IL) can be estimate to comply with above standards. All analytical results are compared with the results of PSPICE and MATCAD analysis. As a final check the harmonics spectra of input inverter current measurement will be done on a motor drive and compared to the analytical results.
Ventricular Diastolic Pressure Ratio as a Marker of Treatment Response in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is diagnosed and classified through right-sided heart catheterization, with a number of hemodynamic markers used to help guide treatment decisions. These markers may not reflect the complex remodeling of the right ventricle or the interplay between ventricles and struggle to predict treatment response. This study investigates the use of a novel marker: the ratio of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure to right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP/RVEDP) in predicting treatment outcomes in a cohort of patients with PH. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with PH at INOVA Fairfax Hospital's advanced lung disease program with simultaneous left-sided and right-sided heart catheterization. The primary end point was the time to clinical improvement, defined by an improvement in distance walked on the 6-min walk test (6MWT) of > 35 m in a year without interceding hospitalization for worsening PH or the need for additional PH therapy. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the final analysis, 21 of whom (41.2%) had a salutary treatment effect with a mean improvement in the 6MWT of 75 m. Treatment responders were more likely to have a lower LVEDP/RVEDP ratio (1.08 vs 1.62; P = .051). This association persisted in the final multivariate regression model after adjustment for age and sex and controlling for severity of PH (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03-0.65; P = .024). Conclusions The LVEDP/RVEDP ratio is a novel marker for therapeutic response in patients with PH treated with pulmonary vasodilator medications and may offer robust predictive value independent of existing markers of disease severity.
Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes between Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Distal Pancreatectomy: an Analysis of 1815 Patients from the ACS-NSQIP Procedure-Targeted Pancreatectomy Database

Robotic surgery is gaining acceptance for distal pancreatectomy (DP). Nevertheless, no multi-institutional data exist to demonstrate the ideal clinical circumstances for use and the efficacy of the robot compared to the open or laparoscopic techniques, in terms of perioperative outcomes. The 2014 ACS-NSQIP procedure-targeted pancreatectomy data for patients undergoing DP were analyzed. Demographics and clinicopathological and perioperative variables were compared between the three approaches. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate outcomes. One thousand eight hundred fifteen DPs comprised 921 open distal pancreatectomies (ODPs), 694 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies (LDPs), and 200 robotic distal pancreatectomies (RDPs). The three groups were comparable with respect to demographics, ASA score, relevant comorbidities, and malignant histology subtype. Compared to the ODP group, patients undergoing RDP had lower T-stages of disease (P = 0.0192), longer operations (P = 0.0030), shorter hospital stays (P < 0.0001), and lower postoperative 30-day morbidity (P = 0.0476). Compared to the LDP group, RDPs were longer operations (P < 0.0001) but required fewer concomitant vascular resections (P = 0.0487) and conversions to open surgery (P = 0.0068). On multivariable analysis, neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.0236), malignant histology (P = 0.0124), pancreatic reconstruction (P = 0.0006), and vascular resection (P = 0.0008) were the strongest predictors of performing an ODP. The open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches to distal pancreatectomy offer particular advantages for well-selected patients and specific clinicopathological contexts; therefore, clearly demonstrating the most suitable use and superiority of one technique over another remains challenging.
Capillary zone electrophoresis at subzero temperatures. III. Operating conditions and separation efficiency.

Abstract The advantages of carrying out capillary zone electrophoresis at subambient rather than ambient temperatures are examined. They include the possibility of using higher electric field strength and/or buffer concentration as well as wider capillary lumen without untoward effects of Joule heating on the separation. Furthermore, the separation efficiency is enhanced as molecular diffusivity decreases with temperature. A Beckman P/ACE unit with an auxiliary cooling system was used at temperatures down to −20°C and, based on the dependence of axial temperature gradient on the capillary length and the temperature of the coolant, an average capillary temperature was defined. The day-to-day migration times of proteins were reproducible with an R.S.D. better than 2.3%. The improvements in the separation efficiency upon lowering the temperature from 40 to 1°C are illustrated by the electropherograms of four closely related peptides. Generally, the plate efficiency is enhanced at low temperatures and the analysis time is prolonged due to the increased viscosity. However, the current at a fixed electric field also decreases with temperature and the capillary can be shortened to speed up the analysis. With benzenesulfonic acids, the rate of the generation of theoretical plates was two- to three-times higher using a 27 cm long capillary at −15°C than a 47 cm long capillary at 40°C. By using a 180 μm instead of a 50 μm I.D. capillary for the separation of the four peptides, the sample loading could be increased about 15 times without loss of resolution. In the capillary zone electrophoresis of proteins, it was found that protein interactions with the capillary wall can be significantly reduced by increasing buffer concentration at low temperatures where salt mediated hydrophobic interactions are attenuated. This is illustrated by the separation of β-lactoglobulins A and B in a raw fused-silica capillary using 400 mM sodium borate buffer, pH 8.4. The results suggest that at subambient or even subzero temperatures, the scope of CZE can be extended by several ways so that the benefits are great enough to justify the use of a cooling system and temperature control appropriate for psychroelectrophoresis with fused-silica capillaries.
Vital little plans: The short works of Jane Jacobs, edited by Samuel Zipp and Nathan Storring

Jane Jacobs (1916–2006) is a larger-than-life character in the realm of urban studies, known for closely observing urban life and for questioning professional orthodoxies. Born in Scranton, Pennsyl...
A Survey Study on Industrial Construction Project Supply Chain: On Time Performance and Practices of Structural Steel and Pipe Spools

Abstract Construction material not available for installation cause delays in the construction project supply chain and pose risks to overall project delays. Many researches have studied the supply chain to find the underlining reasons and influencing factors for project delays. Other investigations of the construction project supply chain identify ways to improve the supply chain. The purpose of this study is to determine the current state of construction project supply chain performance with a focus on material on-time availability. A survey of industrial constructors and their suppliers’ on-time performance and related supply chain practices was conducted. Structural steel and pipe spools are frequently used in industrial construction projects and were selected as the subject of the survey. This survey was used to obtain a general perspective of the issues associated with the delays so that further surveys and simulations could be performed to pin point specific areas of improvement. This survey of experts in the field was used as a qualitative query to obtain opinions and a feel for the state of the practice in industrial construction supply chain management. For this initial review it is found that there are many possible delays, missing and defective parts, overall 22% for structural steel and 18% for pipe spools. New technologies such as RFID would be a possible way to improve the construction project supply chain process at this level.
Some consequences of size variability in juvenile prickly sculpin, Cottus asper

Variation in size among fishes can have important ecological consequences. The origin and persistence of variation in size among a cohort of juvenile prickly sculpin, Cottus asper, was explored experimentally by manipulating the size variability in juvenile fish and the presence of conspecific adult fishes in a factorial design. I found that adult fish significantly suppressed the growth and survivorship of juveniles, while the variance treatment alone had no effect on growth or survivorship. The presence of adults was also associated with a decrease in size variability in the high variance treatment. An analysis of juvenile growth patterns revealed no evidence for size dependent growth or temporal correlations in growth (`growth autocorrelation'), and are consistent with a lack of amplification of size variance through time. Juvenile C. asper appear to have been feeding on a relatively homogeneous resource and utilizing those resources similarly. Thus, patterns of individual growth and the presence of adult conspecifics may both serve to dampen size differences in this coastal fish species.
Applications of Gene Editing Technologies to Cellular Therapies

Abstract Hematologic malignancies are characterized by genetic heterogeneity, making classic gene therapy with a goal of correcting 1 genetic defect ineffective in many of these diseases. Despite initial tribulations, gene therapy, as a field, has grown by leaps and bounds with the recent development of gene editing techniques including zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator–like effector nucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) sequences and CRISPR-associated protein-9 (Cas9) nuclease or CRISPR/Cas9. These novel technologies have been applied to efficiently and specifically modify genetic information in target and effector cells. In particular, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been applied to various hematologic malignancies and has also been used to modify and improve chimeric antigen receptor–modified T cells for the purpose of providing effective cellular therapies. Although gene editing is in its infancy in malignant hematologic diseases, there is much room for growth and application in the future.
The Method of Imprecision Compared to Utility Theory for Design Selection Problems

Two methods have been proposed for manipulating uncertainty reflecting designer choice: utility theory and the method of imprecision. Both methods represent this uncertainty across decision making attributes with zero to one ranks, higher preference modeled with a higher rank. The two methods can differ, however, in the combination metrics used to combine the ranks of the incommensurate design attributes. Utility theory resolves the multi-attributes using various well proven additive metrics. In contrast, the method of imprecision resolves by also considering non-additive metrics, such as ranking by the worst case performance or by multiplicative metrics. The axioms of utility theory are appropriate for designs where it is deemed the attributes can always be traded off, even to the point of achieving zero preference in some attributes. In the case of a design with attributes which cannot have zero preference, such as stress limits or maximum allowed cost, the method of imprecision is more appropriate: it trades off attribute levels without permitting any of them to be traded off to zero performance.
Reduction of Amplitude-to-Phase Conversion in Charge-Compensated Modified Unitraveling Carrier Photodiodes

The amplitude-to-phase (AM-to-PM) conversion in photodetectors is one the primary noise sources in the generation of ultralow noise microwave signals with stabilized optical frequency combs. We have designed charge-compensated modified unitraveling carrier (CC-MUTC) photodiodes to reduce the AM-to-PM conversion. The photocurrent-induced phase change at 15 GHz is reduced by >3 times and the AM-to-PM is greatly suppressed, especially at large photocurrent. For 10-μm devices, the 3-dB bandwidth at −6 V is 35 GHz and the maximum RF output power is 13.7 dBm at 15 GHz. Compared with the original CC-MUTC structure, the maximum output power is increased by 2.7 dB.
Novelty Detection for Multispectral Images with Application to Planetary Exploration.

In this work, we present a system based on convolutional autoencoders for detecting novel features in multispectral images. We introduce SAMMIE: Selections based on Autoencoder Modeling of Multispectral Image Expectations. Previous work using autoencoders employed the scalar reconstruction error to classify new images as novel or typical. We show that a spatial-spectral error map can enable both accurate classification of novelty in multispectral images as well as human-comprehensible explanations of the detection. We apply our methodology to the detection of novel geologic features in multispectral images of the Martian surface collected by the Mastcam imaging system on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover.
Fenestrated/Branched Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Using a Supraceliac Aortic Proximal Seal Zone Versus an Infraceliac Aortic Proximal Seal Zone.

Background Fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/B-EVAR) achieves more extensive proximal seal than conventional infrarenal devices, thereby increasing aneurysm exclusion durability. Optimal seal zone length remains undefined. We assessed relative risks and benefits of extending the proximal seal above the celiac artery. Methods The prospective database of all complex endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs at a single institution (institutional review board–approved, physician-sponsored investigational device exemption trial, 10/2010–6/2017) was used to classify repairs according to the number of target visceral-renal arteries incorporated: 4-vessel versus Results Among 175 F/B-EVARs, 38% (n = 67) were 4-vessel and 62% (n = 108) were Conclusions With F/B-EVAR, utilization of a supraceliac seal zone, compared with an infraceliac seal zone, is associated with statistical differences in operative characteristics/resource utilization, but with negligible clinical significance. Further innovation to eliminate type 3 endoleaks at fenestrations/branches remains an unmet need. To achieve adequate F/B-EVAR proximal seal zone length, one should have a low threshold to incorporate the celiac artery.
Hospital adoption of API-enabled patient data access.

Despite a decade of progress in digitization of the U.S. health care system via electronic health record (EHR) adoption,(1) patient access to their own health data remains a challenge (2). Recent policy efforts have prioritized patient access to EHR data via application programming interfaces (APIs).(3, 4) APIs use standards to connect third-party software, including mobile applications like Apple HealthKit (5), to EHRs for easy transmission of data.(6) APIs can enable patients to download their data from the EHR and choose which applications can access that data. APIs may also facilitate bi-directional exchange of data between health care organizations, allow patients to contribute data into their provider’s EHR system, and allow patients to aggregate their data from multiple EHR systems into a single record.(7) Given the low level of interoperable data sharing(8) and ongoing concerns over “information blocking” (4, 9) in hospitals, enabling access to data via APIs may facilitate a “leap forward” in electronic patient data exchange. Establishing an infrastructure where developers can leverage accessible EHR data to bring innovative new products to patients is an important step in moving towards a patient-centered and connected health care system. Since APIs are a new technology in health care, little is known about hospital adoption of API-enabled patient data access. We sought to determine the extent of patient API access in US hospitals, and whether hospitals varied in their API access adoption by organizational characteristics and EHR vendor. Our results provide an important baseline for both policymakers crafting regulations for patient access to health data as well as application developers looking to create new technologies leveraging EHR data.
Women’s and Men’s Evaluations of Lesbians and Gay Men and their Levels of Outness

The coming out process is an important component of gay identity development (Troiden 1988) because it allows for an opportunity to overcome feelings of shame and increase self-acceptance (Eliason and Schope 2007). Given the importance of being openly gay (compared to not-openly gay), two experiments were performed. Experiment 1 examined whether heterosexual people’s evaluations of gay individuals are influenced by their outness levels. Experiment 1 recruited 295 U.S. MTurk participants who read a vignette describing either an openly gay or not-openly gay individual. Results illustrate that openly gay targets were evaluated more favorably than not-openly gay targets. Experiment 2 examined whether the reasons justifying the level of outness influence such evaluations. Experiment 2 recruited 492 U.S. MTurk participants who read a vignette describing either an openly gay or not-openly gay individual who provided one of three reasons for their outness level: being true to oneself, honesty in a relationship, and societal prejudice. Results illustrate that the more strongly participants endorsed homonegativity, the less favorably they evaluated openly gay targets. Moreover, female participants perceived societal prejudice and honesty in a relationship as better reasons for outness than being true to oneself. Understanding how levels of outness and reasons for outness can influence evaluations by heterosexual people may help gay people navigate social situations and, perhaps, make informed decisions regarding when it is a safe or possibly unsafe to disclose a gay identity.
Hydrophobic Domain Structure of Linear-Dendritic Poly(ethylene glycol) Lipids Affects RNA Delivery of Lipid Nanoparticles

In this work, a series of linear-dendritic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) lipids (PEG-GnCm) were synthesized through a strategy using sequential aza- and sulfa-Michael addition reactions. The effect of modulating the hydrophobic domain of linear-dendritic PEG lipids was systematically investigated for in vitro and in vivo small RNA delivery as the surface-stabilizing component of 5A2-SC8 dendrimer lipid-based nanoparticles (DLNPs). The lipid alkyl lengths (C8, C12, and C16) and dendrimer generations (G1, G2, and G3) were altered to create PEG-GnCm with different physical properties and anchoring potential. The tail chemical structure of PEG-GnCm did not affect the formulation of 5A2-SC8 DLNPs, including the nanoparticle size, RNA encapsulation, and stability. However, the tail chemical structure did dramatically affect the RNA delivery efficacy of the formed 5A2-SC8 DLNPs with different PEG-GnCm. First-generation PEG lipids (PEG-G1C8, PEG-G1C12, and PEG-G1C16) and a second-generation PEG lipid (PEG-G2C8) formed 5A2-SC8 DLNPs that could deliver siRNAs effectively in vitro and in vivo. 5A2-SC8 DLNPs formulated with second-generation PEG lipids (PEG-G2C12 and PEG-G2C16) and all three third-generation PEG lipids (PEG-G3C8, PEG-G3C12, and PEG-G3C16) lost the ability to deliver siRNA effectively in vitro and in vivo. Overall, we determined that the hydrophobic domain chemical structure of linear-dendritic poly(ethylene glycol) lipids affected the RNA delivery of DLNPs by impacting the escape of 5A2-SC8 DLNPs from endosomes at early cell incubation times, thereby indicating how PEG lipid anchoring and chemical structure can modulate in vitro and in vivo siRNA delivery efficacies.
Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Physical Activity in Later Life: The Role of Perceived Neighborhood Cohesion and Wealth in Adulthood:

The literature indicates that perceived neighborhood social cohesion is related to later life physical activity. However, there is no research that examines the role of childhood socioeconomic stat...
Simulation of photo-electron spectrum and electron scattering by dual time propagation

A dual time propagation approach is introduced to describe electron scattering and ionization. The space is divided into two regions, a central region with a full time-dependent Hamiltonian and an outer region where the kinetic operator and the laser field dominate. The two regions are connected by a source term. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations of wave packet scattering on molecules and photoelectron spectrum due to circularly polarized laser are presented to illustrate the efficiency and applicability of the approach.
High-Resolution Health Monitoring of Track and Rail Systems with Fiber Optic Sensors and High-Frequency Multiplexed Readouts

Health monitoring of railway systems is critical for detecting incipient faults or degradation. In order to reliably do so, an effective monitoring system must be deployed to provide railroad operators with the highest level of operational awareness and safety. In this study, we explore the use of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) and a highresolution, low-cost optical readout developed at PARC to interrogate the acoustic emissions generated by a train-rail system. The proposed sensing configuration can allow for a scalable, low-cost, field-deployable solution that could enable near real-time monitoring of tracks and wheels. A proof-of-concept was demonstrated with a G-scale train-rail system with FBGs embedded within the ballast layer. Using PARC’s wavelength shift detector, the acoustic emission signal was resolved in both the time and frequency domain. The findings of this work show promise that this could be a viable solution to deploy an optically-based health monitoring system for railroads.
Mortality Hazard Estimates from the Dorn Sample: Smoking, Occupational Risks, Birth Cohort, Functional Form and Frailty

In this chapter we present estimates of both the proportional and accelerated-time-to-failure hazard models that are discussed in Chapter 3 for the Dorn sample, with emphasis on associations with smoking, occupational risks, birth cohort and unobserved frailty (heterogeneity). The mortality hazard relations that we estimate, as discussed in Section 3.1, can be viewed as production functions or conditional demand relations that come out of the dynamic optimizing behavior in the model presented there. We first survey relevant previous literature and then describe the Dorn sample. We then begin our analysis with no allowance for heterogeneity. We then redo the analysis allowing for parametric and non-parametric heterogeneity, whose significance and importance are examined, and then we use the Maximum Penalized Likelihood functions that also diminish the importance of heterogeneity. These explorations of the impact of unobserved heterogeneity address some possibly important estimation problems since both mortality and the right-side variables may be responding to unobserved heterogeneity.
TREATMENT OF HIGH EMBANKMENT DAM FOUNDATIONS

BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY OF GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOUND AT DAM SITES AND THE VARIETY OF TREATMENTS FOR DAM FOUNDATIONS, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BEST PROCEDURE THAT WILL FIT ALL CASES. THREE CASES HAVE BEEN SELECTED THAT COVER THE THREE PRINCIPAL DIVISIONS OF GEOLOGIC MATERIAL TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEM INVOLVED BY DESCRIBING THE TREATMENT USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SECONDARY GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED. IF GENERAL PRINCIPAL IS TO BE STATED, IT WOULD CONSIST OF EITHER REMOVING MATERIAL UNTIL A FOUNDATION CONDITION EQUAL IN COMPETENCE IN ALL RESPECTS TO THE STRUCTURE TO BE PLACED ON IT IS SECURED, OR CONVERSELY, CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MATERIALS USED IN THE STRUCTURE TO MATCH THE FOUNDATION CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED. MOST OF THE WORK PREPARATORY TO A DESIGN WILL CONSIST IN GROUPING THE FOUNDATION MATERIALS AND EMBANKMENT MATERIALS INTO COMPARABLE TYPES, DETERMINING TO PRODUCE A COMPETENT AND ECONOMICAL STRUCTURE. HIGH DAMS PROVIDE A FAR GREATER OPPORTUNITY AND NEED TO DO THIS THAN IS PRACTICAL WITH SMALLER STRUCTURES.
Computing Interaction Effects and Standard Errors in Logit and Probit Models

This paper explains why computing the marginal effect of a change in two variables is more complicated in nonlinear models than in linear models. The command inteff computes the correct marginal ef...
Development of a multiphasic screening examination for medical care patients—I: Historical review and description of the examination

Abstract 1. 1. A brief description of the Medical Care program of the State of Maryland for clients receiving public welfare assistance is presented. 2. 2. The historical development of multiphasic screening examinations is briefly summarized. 3. 3. A detailed description of the multiphasic screening examination utilized in the Medical Care Clinic at the Johns Hopkins Hospital is given.
Appearance of the Hymen in Prepubertal Girls

The recent increase in requests for genital examinations in girls who may have been sexually abused has necessitated detailed information not previously available on normal anatomy of the prepubertal girl. This study was undertaken to document the genital anatomy of 211 girls between the ages of 1 month and 7 years who presented for well child care or nongynecologic complaints and who had no history of sexual abuse. Each child's genitalia was examined and photographed, with findings reported reflecting those observed photographically. The study population consisted of 36% blacks, 33.6% white non-Hispanics, 29.9% Hispanics, and 0.5% Asians. Subjects had a mean age of 21 +/- 20.6 (SD) months. Extensive labial agglutination sufficient to obscure the hymen was noted in 5% (10/211) and partial agglutination in an additional 17% (35/211). A significant difference was noted in hymenal configuration by age, with a fimbriated hymen the most common type (46%) in infants aged 12 months or younger and a crescentic hymen the most common (51%) in girls older than 24 months (P less than or equal to .001). No significant difference was noted in hymen configuration by race. Hymenal bumps (mounds) were observed in 7%, hymenal tags in 3%, vestibular bands in 98%, longitudinal intravaginal ridges in 25%, and external ridges in 15% of subjects in whom the anatomy under study could be visualized. Hymenal notches (clefts) occurred superiorly and laterally on the hymenal rim but none were found inferiorly on the lower half of the hymen. A narrow rounded hymenal ring with a transection was observed in only 1 (0.5%) of 201 subjects and was not considered a normal finding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tunable-focus liquid crystal microlens arrays for display applications

A tunable-focus liquid crystal microlens array is demonstrated. The top flat substrate has an imbedded spherical indium-tin-oxide electrode arrays and the bottom has a planar ITO electrode. The LC microlens arrays can be tuned from positive to negative focus.
Thermoregulation-dependent expression of Yersinia enterocolitica protein 1 imparts serum resistance to Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract Resistance to the bactericidal action of normal human serum is one of the characteristics of virulent Yersinia enterocolitica. This property is attributable to the virulence plasmid harbored by pathogenic strains of the species. Serum resistance in Y. enterocolitica is thermoregulated, and its expression correlates well with the presence of virulence plasmid-encoded outer membrane proteins. To further examine the biochemical basis underlying resistance, we cloned a large segment (ca. 30 kilobases) of virulence plasmid DNA and studied the expression of plasmid-encoded outer membrane proteins in a serum-sensitive strain of Escherichia coli. The presence of the 160-kilodalton Y. enterocolitica-derived outer membrane protein 1 on E. coli transformants conferred a high degree of hydrophobicity, autoagglutinability, and resistance to serum killing. All of these properties were thermoregulated in E. coli with fidelity, suggesting that a functional thermoregulatory element was present in the cloned DNA. Elimination of protein 1 from the outer membrane of E. coli transformants by insertional inactivation of the structural gene with a Kanr gene cassette abrogated all of these properties and returned the serum-sensitive phenotype.
Neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive remediation for geriatric depression.

Objective This article describes a novel treatment model designed to target specific neurocognitive deficits in geriatric depression with neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive remediation (NBCCR). Method The recent National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) report “From Discovery to Cure” calls for studies focusing on mechanisms of treatment response with the goal of arriving at new interventions for those who do not respond to existing treatments. We describe the process that led to the identification of specific executive deficits and their underlying neurobiology, as well as the rationale for targeting these symptoms as a part of a strategy intended to improve both executive dysfunction and depression. We then propose a strategy for further research in this emerging area Results and Conclusions Despite significant developments, conventional antidepressant treatments leave many older adults still depressed and suffering. Psychotherapy may be effective in some depressed elders, although a recent review concluded that none of the available treatment studies meets stringent criteria for efficacy in the acute treatment of geriatric depression. Appropriately developed and targeted NBCCR, has the potential to serve as a novel treatment intervention for geriatric depression. Pathophysiological changes associated with executive dysfunction may be an appropriate target for NBCCR. Examining both behavioral changes and indices of structural integrity and functional change of networks related to cognitive and emotional regulation may lead to a novel treatment and elucidate the role of specific cerebral networks in geriatric depression. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Search for solar wind–asteroid interactions at Eros

The solar wind interaction with the asteroid 433 Eros is investigated using magnetometer data from the NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft. From February 2000 to February 2001 NEAR-Shoemaker orbited Eros in nearly circular orbits having radii of 200, 100, 50 and 35 km. Since no signature of an intrinsic asteroidal magnetic field was detected at Eros, the obstacle to the solar wind flow is the size of the asteroid, 34×14 km2, smaller than ion scale lengths in the solar wind, so any electromagnetic solar wind interaction would be mediated by electron whistler waves. To search for interaction wake signatures the magnetic field data are organized by proximity to the expected location of a whistler wave wake. Distributions were constructed of average field magnitude and direction relative to the spacecraft-asteroid and sunward directions, fluctuation amplitudes parallel and transverse to the average field, and transverse fluctuation polarization. A weak (∼1%) enhancement in field intensity is suggested near the wake region but the signature is smaller than the statistical uncertainties of the observations. No signature of an average field orientation indicative of a bow wave is found. Fluctuations are primarily transverse consistent with Alfvenic turbulence, and display a small difference with proximity to the expected whistler wake region. However, the fluctuations are consistently slightly left handed, consistent with known properties of the IMF and opposite from expectations for whistler wave polarization. The results demonstrate that no whistler-mode interaction occurs in the absence of an asteroidal magnetic field.
Exploring TCGA Pan-Cancer Data at the UCSC Cancer Genomics Browser

The UCSC Cancer Genomics Browser (https://genome-cancer.ucsc.edu) offers interactive visualization and exploration of TCGA genomic, phenotypic, and clinical data, as produced by the Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network. Researchers can explore the impact of genomic alterations on phenotypes by visualizing gene and protein expression, copy number, DNA methylation, somatic mutation and pathway inference data alongside clinical features, Pan-Cancer subtype classifications and genomic biomarkers. Integrated Kaplan-Meier survival analysis helps investigators to assess survival stratification by any of the information.
Functional Organization of Mammalian Hexokinases: Characterization of the Rat Type III Isozyme and Its Chimeric Forms, Constructed with the N- and C-Terminal Halves of the Type I and Type II Isozymes

Previous studies have shown that catalytic function is associated with both halves of the Type II isozyme of mammalian hexokinase, while the Type I isozyme is functionally differentiated into a catalytic C-terminal half and regulatory N-terminal half. The Type III isozyme has now been shown to be similar to the Type I isozyme in its functional organization. Chimeras composed of the N-terminal half of Type III hexokinase and the C-terminal half of either Type I or Type II hexokinase have activities that can be attributed to the C-terminal half and are similar in activity to chimeras composed of the C-terminal half of Type III and the intrinsically inactive N-terminal domain of Type I or the inactivated (by site-directed mutation) N-terminal half of Type II hexokinase. Virtually no activity was seen with chimeras constructed with the N-terminal half of the Type III isozyme and catalytically inactive (by site-directed mutation) C-terminal halves of Type I or Type II hexokinase. Substrate inhibition by Glc is seen only with the Type III isozyme and with chimeric forms containing the C-terminal half of Type III hexokinase and the N-terminal half of Type I or Type II isozyme, the latter inactivated by site-directed mutation; this is attributed to conformational changes induced by binding of Glc to a low affinity site in the N-terminal half, with subsequent effect on catalytic activity of the C-terminal half. These results also provide further insight into the role of interactions (or lack of interactions) between the N- and C-terminal halves in the inhibition of the Type I-III isozymes by Glc-6-P, its antagonism by low concentrations of Pi, and the inhibition seen at higher concentrations of Pi.
Granulocyte dynamics and the question of ineffective granulopoiesis.

A simple analysis was developed to compare granulocyte production in marrow with granulocyte turnover in peripheral blood of the dog. the analysis is anchored to the relative number of granulopoietic and erythropoietic cells that are flashlabeled with tritiated thymidine. This provides a convenient measure of relative production rates, since there is little, if any, difference in the duration of the respective DNA synthesis periods. the latter was confirmed in the present work by comparison of myeloid and erythroid cells in respect to (1) labeled mitosis curves and (2) changes in labeling intensity with constant infusion of tritiated thymidine. the ratio of flash-labeled granulocyte to erythrocyte progenitors was unity (1.02 ± 0.05) in the eight dogs studied, which means that gross production rates were essentially the same. Since net production as revealed by peripheral blood turnover is greater for erythrocytes than for granulocytes, it follows that there must be some ineffective granulopoiesis. This may correspond to over half of the total production. It is suggested that this phenomenon, which apparently occurs in man as well as in dog, could represent an important feature of granulocyte regulation.