cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Utility of a Rodent Model in Detecting Pediatric Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity

The spectrum and intensity of drug activity can be influenced by the level of organ development. In some instances responses are of sufficient magnitude to provoke an adverse drug reaction (ADR) (Makri et al., 2004; Stephenson, 2005). An ADR in pediatric patients may be different from that occurring in adults receiving the same drug. The incidence of ADRs in pediatric patients could be related to the nonlinear maturation of certain pathways responsible for drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) (Faustman et al., 2000; Pirmohamed et al., 1998). The biological conditions present at a young age that could alter drug ADME include: differences in levels of drug metabolizing enzymes, stomach pH, gastrointestinal emptying time, levels of serum albumin, and in the nonadult body H2O:fat ratio (Cresteil et al., 1985; Heyman, 1998). In addition, drug activities can also be affected by developmental differences in the ratio of metabolites as well as lower levels of both biliary activity and renal excretion (Bates and Balistreri, 2004). One of the limiting factors in understanding ADRs in pediatric populations is the lack of appropriate animal models that can be used to predict the possible consequences of exposure to drugs during the early years of human development. Gentamicin (GM), an aminoglycoside antibiotic, prescribed for the treatment of life-threatening infections (gram-negative and -positive bacilli) is associated with a 10-15% incidence of nephrotoxicity (acute renal failure [ARF] and increases in serum creatinine [Cr]) (Ali, 1995; Mingeot-Leclercq and Tulkens, 1999). GM-induced nephrotoxicity is attributed to an accumulation of a small percentage (∼5%) of the administered dose in renal cortical tubular epithelial cells (Nagai and Takano, 2004; Wiland and Szechcinski, 2003). The exact pathgenic mechanism responsible for GM nephrotoxicity is not completely delineated. Several hypotheses have been suggested including the generation of reactive oxygen species, renal cortical phospholipidosis, and inhibition of Na+--K+- ATPase (Ali, 1995). There is a continuing need to develop specific and sensitive biomarkers for the early detection of renal toxicity. At present, the most common means of detecting renal injury is to monitor levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum Cr. Detectable changes in the concentration of these two substances are observed only after a considerable amount of renal function is lost. This study was initiated to develop and characterize an animal model that could mimic the different stages of human development and to use this model to evaluate potential age-related differences in renal sensitivity to a nephrotoxic agent (GM).
SCL: Static Enforcement and Exploration of Developer Intent in Source Code

SCL (structural constraint language) is a language and a checker aimed to help express developer intent and check that code continues to comply with the intent. SCL works directly on source code, in much the same way as a compiler. But unlike a compiler, SCL is open and, thus, can be used to express intent specific to an application. SCL treats a program as a model made of facts extracted from source code. In addition to basic facts such as inheritance, containment, and attributes of program elements, to express more sophisticated intent, SCL also makes use of control and data flow and dependences. To write formulas (a.k.a structural constraints) about the program model, SCL adopts the formalism of first-order logic. Furthermore, SCL can be extended by adding to the program model extra facts obtained from other sources (e.g., dynamic analysis) and new operations to the SCL language.
Aspects of Z′-mediated supersymmetry breaking

In a recent paper, we proposed the possibility that supersymmetry breaking is communicated dominantly via a $U(1{)}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ vector multiplet. We also required that the $U(1{)}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ plays a crucial role in solving the $\ensuremath{\mu}$ problem. We discuss here in detail both the construction and the phenomenology of one class of such models. The low-energy spectrum generically contains heavy sfermions, Higgsinos and exotics $\ensuremath{\sim}10--100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$; an intermediate ${M}_{{Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$ $\ensuremath{\sim}3--30\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$; light gauginos $\ensuremath{\sim}100--1000\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, of which the lightest can be $W$-ino-like; a light Higgs with a mass of $\ensuremath{\sim}140\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$; and a singlino which can be very light. We present a set of possible consistent charge choices. Several benchmark models are used to demonstrate characteristic phenomenological features. Special attention is devoted to interesting LHC (Large Hadron Collider) signatures such as gluino decay and the decay patterns of the electroweak-inos. Implications for neutrino masses, exotic decays, $R$-parity, gauge unification, and the gravitino mass are briefly discussed.
Efficient, optimal stochastic-action selection when limited by an action budget

The problem that we consider here is a basic operations research problem, but it also a special case of the Stochastic Shortest Path with Recourse Problem and the Canadian Travellers Problem in the probabilistic path planning literature, and it is also a special case of maximizing a submodular set function subject to a matroid constraint. Specifically, suppose an agent has a task and suppose that there is a set of actions, any of which the agent might perform, with respective probabilities of the actions successfully accomplishing the task and respective rewards for the agent if the actions are successful; the agent is to select a sequence of some of these actions that will be performed sequentially, until the task is accomplished or the selected actions are exhausted, but there is a budget on the number of actions that can be performed. We provide an efficient algorithm that chooses a sequence of actions that, under the budget, maximize the agent’s expected reward. An example illustrates how, when conditioning on partial selection of actions, there can be changes to the order of the remaining actions’ adjusted utilities. However, we prove and exploit a nesting result involving solutions.
Limitations of NSAIDs for pain management: Toxicity or lack of efficacy?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in the management of arthritis and acute and chronic pain of many etiologies, including cancer-related pain. These drugs are indicated for use as single agents in mild to moderate pain and in combination with opioid analgesics or adjuvant analgesic drugs in severe pain. NSAIDs, which nonselectively inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzymes (isoenzymes 1 and 2), pose a potentially serious risk of gastrointestinal toxicity with acute and chronic use, hematologic toxicity with acute use, and nephrotoxicity with chronic use. Patients experiencing acute and chronic pain associated with serious and even life-threatening medical illness such as cancer and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) fall into a high-risk group with respect to the use of NSAIDs. This is so because the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding and the masking of opportunistic infections related to the antipyretic effects of NSAIDs pose particular risk and might even cause lethal complications in patients who are neutropenic, thrombocytopenic, or otherwise immuno-compromised.
Failure to Return Parental, Practice, and Social Factors Affecting Missed Immunization Visits for Urban Children

Objective. To assess parental, practice, and social factors associated with missed immunization visits by young, urban children. Study Design. Parents of children ≤36 months(n = 705) were surveyed. The primary outcome was missed immunization visit, by parental report. Key parent, practice, and social factors were assessed using hierarchical logistical regression. Results. Families were predominantly Latino and publicly insured. Parents who rescheduled (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.27; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.76-6.09) or had problems scheduling appointments (AOR = 4.00; 95% CI = 1.49-10.75) were more likely to miss an immunization visit, as were those with vaccine safety fears (AOR = 3.76; 95% CI = 1.23-11.5) or more limited communication with their provider (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI = 1.05-5.36). Having friends and families with positive immunization views was protective (AOR = 0.030; 95% CI = 0.002-0.41). Conclusion. This study highlights factors that may help urban families keep immunization vis...
Aspects of Tip Shape Characterization for Nanoindentation of Compliant Materials

The application of nanoindentation methods to compliant materials, such as polymeric and biological materials, often requires the use of instrumentation designed with enhanced force sensitivity, which limits its maximum force level. Because tip geometry is normally characterized using indentation of fused silica, the maximum contact depths achieved by low-force instruments during this calibration are often less than 300 nm. However, penetration into more compliant materials can be several micrometers or more. Extrapolation of tip shape data from fused silica indentation can lead to significant uncertainties in the indentation measurements for compliant materials. In this paper, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to provide tip shape information for a Berkovich tip and a series of conical tips. Use of AFM allows a larger range of depth to be calibrated and provides three-dimensional tip information.
Repositioning of reusable containers in a sustainable global supply chain environment

This research is motivated by the analysis of typical transportation and inventory management problems encountered by a global maritime carrier. Nearly 80% of the world's imported products move by ships transporting containers between ports. A major problem revolves around repositioning empty reusable containers within a global network of ports after the product arrives at its final destination. One major source of complexity arises due to imbalances of demand and supply for empty containers in each port. Our ongoing work with firms across other industries such as breakfast cereal manufacturers, baby food manufacturers, large grocers and personal care products manufacturers revealed a similar set of issues related to managing the availability and usage of reusable containers and pallets between shippers, their customers, port operators and the container/pallet leasing companies. This paper develops managerial insights related to the management and repositioning of empty reusable container inventory. We integrate the simulation approach for modelling the system details and analytical methods for describing the trade-offs among returns, receipts and container inventory performance. Our results provide a unique set of insights for port operations in primarily importing countries versus primarily exporting countries in a global supply chain environment.
Automated Metadata and Instance Extraction from News Web Sites

Over the past few years World Wide Web has established as a vital resource for news. With the continuous growth in the number of available news Web sites and the diversity in their presentation of content, there is an increasing need to organize the news related information on the Web and keep track of it. In this paper, we present automated techniques for extracting metadata instance information by organizing and mining a set of news Web sites. We develop algorithms that detect and utilize HTML regularities in the Web documents to turn them into hierarchical semantic structures encoded as XML. The tree-mining algorithms that we present identify key domain concepts and their taxonomical relationships. We also extract semi-structured concept instances annotated with their labels whenever they are available. We report experimental evaluation for the news domain to demonstrate the efficacy of our algorithms.
Factors that contribute to variation in evolutionary rate among Arabidopsis genes

Surprisingly, few studies have described evolutionary rate variation among plant nuclear genes, with little investigation of the causes of rate variation. Here, we describe evolutionary rates for 11,492 ortholog pairs between Arabidopsis thaliana and A. lyrata and investigate possible contributors to rate variation among these genes. Rates of evolution at synonymous sites vary along chromosomes, suggesting that mutation rates vary on genomic scales, perhaps as a function of recombination rate. Rates of evolution at nonsynonymous sites correlate most strongly with expression patterns, but they also vary as to whether a gene is duplicated and retained after a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event. WGD genes evolve more slowly, on average, than nonduplicated genes and non-WGD duplicates. We hypothesize that levels and patterns of expression are not only the major determinants that explain nonsynonymous rate variation among genes but also a critical determinant of gene retention after duplication.
Electromagnetic Analysis of Forces and Torques on the Baseline and Enhanced ITER Shield Modules due to Plasma Disruption

An electromagnetic analysis is performed on the ITER shield modules under different plasma-disruption scenarios using the OPERA-3d software. The models considered include the baseline design as provided by the International Organization and an enhanced design that includes the more realistic geometrical features of a shield module. The modeling procedure is explained, electromagnetic torques are presented, and results of the modeling are discussed.
The Meta-Analysis of Clinical Judgment Project: Fifty-Six Years of Accumulated Research on Clinical Versus Statistical Prediction

Clinical predictions made by mental health practitioners are compared with those using statistical approaches. Sixty-seven studies were identified from a comprehensive search of 56 years of research; 92 effect sizes were derived from these studies. The overall effect of clinical versus statistical prediction showed a somewhat greater accuracy for statistical methods. The most stringent sample of studies, from which 48 effect sizes were extracted, indicated a 13% increase in accuracy using statistical versus clinical methods. Several variables influenced this overall effect. Clinical and statistical prediction accuracy varied by type of prediction, the setting in which predictor data were gathered, the type of statistical formula used, and the amount of information available to the clinicians and the formulas. Recommendations are provided about when and under what conditions counseling psychologists might use statistical formulas as well as when they can rely on clinical methods. Implications for clinical ...
Ultrasound‐Propelled Nanoporous Gold Wire for Efficient Drug Loading and Release

Ultrasound (US)-powered nanowire motors based on nanoporous gold segment are developed for increasing the drug loading capacity. The new highly porous nanomotors are characterized with a tunable pore size, high surface area, and high capacity for the drug payload. These nanowire motors are prepared by template membrane deposition of a silver-gold alloy segment followed by dealloying the silver component. The drug doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded within the nanopores via electrostatic interactions with an anionic polymeric coating. The nanoporous gold structure also facilitates the near-infrared (NIR) light controlled release of the drug through photothermal effects. Ultrasound-driven transport of the loaded drug toward cancer cells followed by NIR-light triggered release is illustrated. The incorporation of the nanoporous gold segment leads to a nearly 20-fold increase in the active surface area compared to common gold nanowire motors. It is envisioned that such US-powered nanomotors could provide a new approach to rapidly and efficiently deliver large therapeutic payloads in a target-specific manner.
Compiler Transformations to Enable Synchronous Execution in an RIA Runtime

Rich Internet applications (RIAs) provide an immersive experience that blends the Internet's expansive reach with the desktop computer's rich performance. Client applications typically connect to the server using asynchronous communication protocols, which lets users interact with the application without getting blocked due to server response latency. Although this programming model enables high user interactivity, it increases the complexity of synchronizing multiple pieces of program logic. This increased complexity can be alleviated if synchronous program execution is enabled without blocking the user interface. The authors' technique based on compiler transformations enables synchronous execution on an asynchronous RIA programming model.
Distributed estimation via dual decomposition

The focus of this paper is to develop a framework for distributed estimation via convex optimization. We deal with a network of complex sensor subsystems with local estimation and signal processing. More specifically, the sensor subsystems locally solve a maximum likelihood (or maximum a posteriori probability) estimation problem by maximizing a (strictly) concave log-likelihood function subject to convex constraints. These local implementations are not revealed outside the subsystem. The subsystems interact with one another via convex coupling constraints. We discuss a distributed estimation scheme to fuse the local subsystem estimates into a globally optimal estimate that satisfies the coupling constraints. The approach uses dual decomposition techniques in combination with the subgradient method to develop a simple distributed estimation algorithm. Many existing methods of data fusion are suboptimal, i.e., they do not maximize the log-likelihood exactly but rather ‘fuse’ partial results from many processors. For linear gaussian formulation, least mean square (LMS) consensus provides optimal (maximum likelihood) solution. The main contribution of this work is to provide a new approach for data fusion which is based on distributed convex optimization. It applies to a class of problems, described by concave log-likelihood functions, which is much broader than the LMS consensus setup.
Quasistatic and high strain rate uniaxial compressive response of polymeric structural foams

Abstract The behavior of a family of polymeric structural foams with various initial bulk densities (porosity levels) was experimentally investigated under quasistatic and high strain rate loading conditions. The high strain rate loading for the low-density ( 1 g / cm 3 ) foams was implemented using a polymer split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and for the high-density ( > 1 g / cm 3 ) foams using a magnesium SHPB. It was found that the Young's modulus, the yield strength, the maximum stress and the strain to failure increased with increasing initial foam density under quasistatic loading. The fracture modes were also found to be considerably different for these foams. The low-density foams fractured in a brittle manner, especially under dynamic loads, where as, the high-density foams exhibited shear-dominated failure at all strain rates. Under dynamic loading, the failure strength increased with strain rate but the strain to failure decreased. Based on the quasistatic and dynamic test results, the strain rate sensitivity of failure strength was determined and it was found that this rate sensitivity parameter increases with increasing foam density.
Cigarette Smoking as a Coping Strategy: Negative Implications for Subsequent Psychological Distress Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths

Objective The heightened risk of cigarette smoking found among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths may be because smoking serves as a coping strategy used to adapt to the greater stress experienced by LGB youths. The current report examines whether smoking moderates the relation between stress and subsequent psychological distress, and whether alternative coping resources (i.e., social support) moderate the relation between smoking and subsequent distress. Method An ethnically diverse sample of 156 LGB youths was followed longitudinally for 1 year. Results Significant interactions demonstrated that smoking amplified the association between stress and subsequent anxious distress, depressive distress, and conduct problems. Both friend and family support buffered the association between smoking and subsequent distress. Conclusions Smoking has negative implications for the distress of LGB youths, especially those reporting high levels of stress or few supports. Interventions and supportive services for LGB youths should incorporate smoking cessation to maximally alleviate distress.
Online disease management of diabetes: engaging and motivating patients online with enhanced resources-diabetes (EMPOWER-D), a randomized controlled trial.

Objective To evaluate an online disease management system supporting patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods Engaging and Motivating Patients Online With Enhanced Resources for Diabetes was a 12-month parallel randomized controlled trial of 415 patients with type 2 diabetes with baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) values ≥7.5% from primary care sites sharing an electronic health record. The intervention included: (1) wirelessly uploaded home glucometer readings with graphical feedback; (2) comprehensive patient-specific diabetes summary status report; (3) nutrition and exercise logs; (4) insulin record; (5) online messaging with the patient's health team; (6) nurse care manager and dietitian providing advice and medication management; and (7) personalized text and video educational ‘nuggets’ dispensed electronically by the care team. A1C was the primary outcome variable. Results Compared with usual care (UC, n=189), patients in the intervention (INT, n=193) group had significantly reduced A1C at 6 months (−1.32% INT vs −0.66% UC; p 0.5% reduction in A1C) than UC patients at 12 months (69.9 (95% CI 63.2 to 76.5) vs 55.4 (95% CI 48.4 to 62.5); p=0.006). Conclusions A nurse-led, multidisciplinary health team can manage a population of diabetic patients in an online disease management program. INT patients achieved greater decreases in A1C at 6 months than UC patients, but the differences were not sustained at 12 months. More INT than UC patients achieved improvement in A1C (>0.5% decrease). Trial registered in clinical trials.gov: #[NCT00542204][1] [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00542204&atom=%2Fjaminfo%2F20%2F3%2F526.atom
Correlation of Solid State and Solution Coordination Numbers with Infrared Spectroscopy in Five-, Six-, and Eight-Coordinate Transition Metal Complexes of DOTAM.

Abstract Three new DOTAM (1,4,7,10-tetrakis(acetamido)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography: [Co(DOTAM)]Cl2·3H2O, [Ni(DOTAM)]Cl2·4H2O, and [Cu(DOTAM)](ClO4)2·H2O. Solid state and solution IR spectroscopic features for a series of [M(DOTAM)]2+ complexes (M = Mn, Co, Cu, Ni, Ca, Zn) correlate with solid state and solution coordination numbers. [Co(DOTAM)]2+, [Ni(DOTAM)]2+, and [Zn(DOTAM)]2+ are demonstrated to be six-coordinate in both the solid state and in solution, while [Mn(DOTAM)]2+ and [Ca(DOTAM)]2+ are eight-coordinate in the solid state and remain so in solution. [Cu(DOTAM)]2+, which is five-coordinate by X-ray crystallography, is shown to increase its coordination number in solution to six-coordinate.
Age-dependent fragility and life-cycle cost analysis of wood and steel power distribution poles subjected to hurricanes

AbstractPower distribution systems are susceptible to damage from natural hazards, especially hurricanes. Hurricane winds can knock down distribution poles thereby causing power outages resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue and restoration costs. Wood has been the dominant material used to support overhead lines in distribution systems in the US. Recently however, utility companies have been searching for cost-effective alternatives to wood due to environmental concerns, durability concerns and high cost of maintenance. Steel has emerged as a viable alternative to wood due to its advantages such as lower maintenance cost, light weight, consistent performance and invulnerability to insect attacks. Both wood and steel poles are prone to deterioration over time due to decay and corrosion, respectively. As utility companies increasingly adopt the use of steel poles, there is need for a comprehensive approach to compare the long-term reliability and cost-effectiveness of wood and steel poles. This s...
A visiting scholar’s view of electronic materials research in the people’s republic of china—part III of III

Today, more than one year has passed since our travels to China, and, as the media has informed us, much has happened in the intervening months. Having visited Tiananmen Square and having met so many Beijing students, we feel the greatest sympathy for the Chinese people. Yet, despite these events, we hope that our Chinese colleagues in the scientific and academic community continue to cultivate their contacts with the West and that the lines of communication do not close permanently. We all stand to gain.
Stimulated raman scattering of fuel droplets

The strong stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) from diesel fuel droplets has the potential of providing the relative concentration of multicomponent fuel and the absolute size of individual droplets. The morphology-dependent resonances (MDRs) of a sphere cause the droplet to act as an optical resonator which greatly lowers the SRS threshold. The number density, quality factor, and frequency shift of several MDRs are calculated as a function of the ratio of the index of refraction of the liquid and the surrounding gas, which approaches unity at the thermodynamic critical condition for the fuel spray. The SRS spectra of monodispersed droplets of toluene, pentane, Exxon-Aromatic-150, and Mobil D-2 are presented. The exponential growth region of the SRS intensity I 1S as a function of the input laser intensity I input is investigated for the toluene carbon ring breathing mode v 2 and the pentane C-H stretching region. The I 1S ratio of toluene and pentane is measured as a function of the ratio of the toluene and pentane concentration for monodispersed droplets. The reduced fluctuation in I 1S when I input is changed from multimode to single-mode is displayed as a histogram of the I 1S of the v 2 mode of toluene droplets.
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS AND IN-HOSPITAL MORTALITY AMONG MALE AND FEMALE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, 2000-2013

We examined the first episode of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality trends by sex and age in California from 2000 to 2013. This retrospective analysis is based on data compiled by the California Office of Statewide Health and Planning Development
Biology of Cassida rubiginosa a Thistle-Feeding Shield Beetle

Cassida rubiginosa Muller is distributed in northeastern North America from southern Canada, southward to northern Virginia and westward to Ohio and southern Michigan. The insect is univoltine in Virginia. The overwintering adults 1st appeared on Carduus nutans L. (musk thistle) during late winter and began to oviposit in early spring. The new generation of adults emerged in late spring and was found on thistles as late as Nov. 1. A laboratory population of C. rubiginosa collected in late winter produced an avg of 815 eggs/female and both sexes lived an avg of 38 wk. Females generally ate more than males. Development from egg to adult required an avg of 20 days at 32.5°C, 26 days at 26.6°C, 41 days at 21.1°C, and 60 days at 17.8°C. The threshold temperature for development from egg to adult was calculated to be 10.4°C. Adults are difficult to sex.
Phase-Lock Requirements in a Serial Array of Spin Transfer Nano-Oscillators.

The most promising approach to attain a narrow linewidth and a large output power simultaneously in spin torque oscillators is self-phase-locking of an array of oscillators. Two long range coupling mechanisms, magnetostatic interaction and self-induced current, are explored. Synchronization occurs with MR ratio ~14% and volume ~2.1 × 10−5 μm3 at room temperature for an experimental frequency dispersion, when only the self-induced microwave current is present. The dipole interaction decreases the MR ratio requirement when the elements are properly spaced.
Genetics of Human Aging

Human genetics has provided a framework for understanding the biology of the human species and is a rapidly growing field of aging research. The genetic analysis of human aging is aimed at identifying genetic variants that reflect the biological age of individuals and predict long-term morbidity and/or mortality, and ultimately revealing the genetic determinants of aging in humans. By associating genetic variants with human age-related phenotypes, including exceptional longevity, vast numbers of candidate genetic variants can be obtained and tested in cell culture or animal models for their functional impact on aging-related molecular, cellular, and organismal phenotypic endpoints. While there have been numerous genetic variants found to be associated with a range of age-related traits and diseases, a substantial proportion of the causality remains unexplained, and fundamental questions remain regarding genes and their variants influencing aging and longevity in humans. Further studies need to be performed in order to understand the genetic determinants of healthspan and lifespan. Hopefully, human genetics-based elucidation of molecular pathways will provide a rational basis for targeted intervention strategies to slow aging and delay the onset and progression of age-related diseases. In this chapter, we will review what is known about the bewildering genetic variation in human populations and how this variation has been used as the workhorse of human genetics as markers in linkage and association studies of the biology and pathophysiology of aging. We will then review study designs and methods for discovery and validation of genetic variants for age-related phenotypes, and discuss what ultimately needs to be done to develop genetics-based intervention and therapeutic strategies against aging in humans.
Spermine and Spermidine Alter Gene Expression and Antigenic Profile of Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, responds to numerous host-derived signals to alter adaptive capabilities during its enzootic cycle in an arthropod vector and mammalian host. Molecular mechanisms that enable B. burgdorferi to detect, channel, and respond to these signals have become an intense area of study for developing strategies to limit transmission/infection. Bioinformatic analysis of the borrelial genome revealed the presence of polyamine transport components (PotA, PotB, PotC, and PotD), while homologs for polyamine biosynthesis were conspicuously absent. Although potABCD is cotranscribed, the level of PotA was elevated under in vitro growth conditions mimicking unfed ticks compared to the level in fed ticks, while the levels of PotD were similar under the aforementioned conditions in B. burgdorferi Among several polyamines and polyamine precursors, supplementation of spermine or spermidine in the borrelial growth medium induced synthesis of major regulators of gene expression in B. burgdorferi, such as RpoS and BosR, with a concomitant increase in proteins that contribute to colonization and survival of B. burgdorferi in the mammalian host. Short transcripts of rpoS were elevated in response to spermidine, which was correlated with increased protein levels of RpoS. Transcriptional analysis of rpoZ and B. burgdorferirel (relBbu ; bb0198) in the presence of spermidine revealed the interplay of multiple regulatory factors in B. burgdorferi gene expression. The effect of spermidine on the levels of select borrelial proteins was also influenced by serum factors. These studies suggest that multiple host-derived signals/nutrients and their transport systems contribute to B. burgdorferi adaptation during the vector and vertebrate host phases of infection.
A Power-Aware Digital Multilayer Perceptron Accelerator with On-Chip Training Based on Approximate Computing

This paper proposes that approximation by reducing bit-precision and using inexact multiplier can save power consumption of digital multilayer perceptron accelerator during the classification of MNIST (inference) with negligible accuracy degradation. Based on the error sensitivity precomputed during the training, synaptic weights with less sensitivity are approximated. Under given bit-precision modes, our proposed algorithm determines bit precision for all synapse to minimize power consumption for given target accuracy. For entire network, earlier layer can be more approximated since it has lower error sensitivity. Proposed algorithm can save power 57.4 percent while accuracy is degraded about 1.7 percent. After approximation, retraining with few iterations can improve the accuracy while maintaining power consumption. The impact of different training conditions on the approximation is also studied. Training with small quantization error (less bit precision) allows more power saving in inference. It also shows that enough number of iteration during the training is important for approximation in inference. Network with more layers is more sensitive to the approximation.
Qualitative Analysis of the Application of Self-Determination Theory in Robotics Tournaments

To explore the application of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), this paper used robotics tournaments as a test bed to seek evidence of people's need for autonomy, competence, relatedness to other humans, as well as intrinsic motivation and emotions toward interactions with robots. The resulting seven categories of codes and verbal data analysis supported the SDT framework in robotics tournaments and provided a direction for further examination of SDT in HRI.
Online document editing and collaboration web services: factors influencing adoption

Today, online document editing and collaboration (ODEC) web services, such as Google Drive and Zoho, are commonly used to achieve workplace collaboration. They provide unique business advantages at the tactical as well as strategic levels, including harnessing group collaboration, collective intelligence, and improved business processes. The adoption rate has also quickly increased in the last few years. As web services are believed to be a bottom-up phenomenon, this paper empirically examines the perceptions of the new generation. An exploratory factor analysis reveals four factors that drive adoption of document-level collaboration web services: business improvement, day-to-day collaboration, business innovation, and personal use. Business benefits such as collaboration, cost reduction, and collective intelligence find strong recognition. This research is important for academicians as there are few studies that examine what motivates the modern workforce to adopt online document editing and collaboration. A better understanding of the end user perceptions can help organisations shape their initiatives in this regard and improve successful adoption. Technology providers can focus their attention on improving performance on aspects that are important for the business users.
Block Rotations in Continental Crust: Examples from Western North America

The North American Cordillera has many instances of rotated crustal blocks. The most important processes causing rotation seem to be: 1) Small-block rotations in discrete shear zones, caused by ductile deformation below the seismogenic layer. 2) Small-block rotations caused by distributed shear within zones of oblique subduction. 3) Rotation caused by northward transport along the western edge of North America. 4) Rotation by terrane transport within the Pacific basin. Other processes may be locally important: 5) Oroclinal bending. 6) Rotation during accretion. 7) Rotation during overthrust faulting.
A web-based tool to predict acute kidney injury in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Development, internal validation and comparison.

Background In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), acute kidney injury (AKI) may increase subsequent morbidity and mortality. Still, it remains difficult to predict AKI risk in these patients. We sought to 1) determine the frequency and clinical outcomes of AKI and, 2) develop, validate and compare a web-based tool for predicting AKI. Methods & findings In a racially diverse series of 1144 consecutive STEMI patients, Stage 1 or greater AKI occurred in 12.9% and was severe (Stage 2-3) in 2.9%. AKI was associated with increased mortality (5.7-fold, unadjusted) and hospital stay (2.5-fold). AKI was associated with systolic dysfunction, increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressures, hypotension and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. A computational algorithm (UT-AKI) was derived and internally validated. It showed higher sensitivity and improved overall prediction for AKI (area under the curve 0.76) vs. other published indices. Higher UT-AKI scores were associated with more severe AKI, longer hospital stay and greater hospital mortality. Conclusions In a large, racially diverse cohort of STEMI patients, Stage 1 or greater AKI was relatively common and was associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A web-accessible, internally validated tool was developed with improved overall value for predicting AKI. By identifying patients at increased risk, this tool may help physicians tailor post-procedural diagnostic and therapeutic strategies after STEMI to reduce AKI and its associated morbidity and mortality.
Complete Transverse Myelitis (Idiopathic)

Gait difficulties or focal weakness in children that evolves over hours to days has a broad differential diagnosis. Possible causes of new-onset weakness include infectious, orthopedic, rheumatologic, and traumatic etiologies unique to the pediatric age group as well as neurologic disorders involving the muscles, peripheral nerves, or central nervous system. A focused history and neurologic examination with serial reassessments over time are essential for localization as laboratory and imaging studies may be normal initially. The presence of a neurogenic bladder and a sensory level strongly points to spinal cord involvement. Emergent spinal cord MRI may be needed to rule out an acute compressive cord lesion that requires surgical intervention.
Abnormalities in 3-Dimensional Left Ventricular Mechanics With Anthracycline Chemotherapy Are Associated With Systolic and Diastolic Dysfunction.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography–derived measures of mechanics and their associations with systolic and diastolic dysfunction after anthracyclines. Background An improved understanding of the changes in 3D cardiac mechanics with anthracyclines may provide important mechanistic insight and identify new metrics to detect cardiac dysfunction. Methods A total of 142 women with breast cancer receiving doxorubicin (240 mg/m2) with or without trastuzumab underwent 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography at standardized intervals prior to, during, and annually after chemotherapy. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global circumferential strain (GCS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), principal strain, twist, and torsion were quantified. Linear regression analyses defined the associations between clinical factors and 3D parameters. Linear regression models with cluster robust variance estimators determined the associations between 3D measures and 2-dimensional (2D) LVEF and Doppler-derived E/eʹ over time. Results There were significant abnormalities in 3D LVEF, GCS, GLS, and principal strain post-doxorubicin compared with control subjects (p Conclusions Anthracyclines result in early and persistent abnormalities in 3D mechanics. The 3D LVEF and strain measures are associated with concurrent and subsequent systolic dysfunction, and concurrent diastolic dysfunction. Future research is needed to define the mechanisms and clinical relevance of abnormal 3D mechanics.
Marketization in Education: Looking Back to Move Forward with a Stronger Critique

Fifty years from now, when historians look back at the current era of educational policy making, they will no doubt see the many similarities between the present period and the first two decades of the 20th Century when policy makers and business leaders tried to make public schools more businesslike and efficient. Today, the optimal term for school reform driven by a business model is “marketization.” And while there are some important differences between then and now, much of the underlying sentiment is the same — public schools need to be more efficient, competitive, accountable, and more like private businesses than democratic institutions
On Willard's Non-Discursiveness Thesis: A Final Comment

(1982). On Willard's Non-Discursiveness Thesis: A Final Comment. The Journal of the American Forensic Association: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 175-181.
Interpretation and Reporting of Coronary Arteries in Transposition of the Great Arteries: Cross-sectional Imaging Perspective.

Knowledge of coronary artery nomenclature in transposition of the great arteries is essential, given the increasing population of adults with congenital heart disease and greater utilization of imaging in these patients. This article reviews appropriate terminology for describing coronary artery ana
Combinative Capabilities, Internal Global Sourcing and Technology Diversification in MNCs

Although MNCs are in the best theoretical position to tap into and combine diverse technology that exists across their operations, extant research offers very little to help us understand technology diversification within MNCs. This paper explores how increased manufacturing capabilities and specialization in foreign operations contributes to technological diversification in MNCs that can lead to innovations that combine new technology domains from the local host country market with existing MNC technology domains. A unique dataset that combines comprehensive data on the worldwide operations of US MNCs from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) with data on the worldwide patents of these firms from the Derwent Worldwide Patent Index (DWPI), confirms that those foreign operations that provide more inputs and final products to parent and third country operations are significantly more likely to generate innovations that combine new technology domains with existing MNC technology domains. Overall, this paper...
Infrastructure Development Through Civil Nuclear Cooperation

Due to growing concerns over electricity demand, energy security, and climate change, numerous countries are considering the construction of new nuclear power plants. Most of these will be built in nations with existing nuclear power programs, but an increasing number of States have expressed serious interest in developing new nuclear power programs. These countries will be faced with many challenges in establishing the robust infrastructures necessary for the safe, secure, and safeguarded deployment of nuclear power. Fortunately, there is much a State can gain through cooperation with other States with more developed programs. By sharing information on previous experience and established best practices, an emerging nuclear energy State can benefit from the lessons learned by its partners. Through a broad range of civil nuclear cooperation, the United States is helping new entrants develop the sound infrastructure necessary to deploy nuclear power plants with the highest standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation.
Firm-Specific Human Capital and Theories of the Firm

This paper focuses on contracting problems in firms caused by asset specificity and investment incentives, particularly the problems that arise when employees make investments in "firm specific human capital." In such cases, employee investments will also be seriously at risk in the enterprise. Under the nexus of contracts theory of corporations, corporation law is viewed as providing a standardized solution to a central contracting problem, namely the agency problem between shareholders (who are assumed to be the "owners" of the firm) and their hired managers. All other relationships are seen as governed by ordinary, negotiated contracts. But where employees make important specific investments, it is no longer appropriate to assume that shareholders are, and should be, the hiring party, or the "owners." A broader view of what a firm is, and what corporation law accomplishes, is needed, one that permits exploration of why one set of participants in the firm might end up with certain control rights rather than some other set. For a firm in which such firm-specific employee investments are important, one would expect, for example, to find institutional arrangements that are central to the nature of the firm and that encourage continuity in the relationships between employees and the firm, as well as give employees the means to protect their stakes. Such institutions might include unions, severance pay, and social norms of lifetime employment, together with internal job ladders, career paths, seniority rules, and direct and formal control rights. The paper then reviews several new theories that view the firm alternately as a system of incentives, or as a nexus of specific investments. In other words, they conceptualize the firm as a mechanism for governing the relationships among all the participants (those who contribute labor as well as those who contribute capital), not just the relationship between shareholders and managers.
The measurement of the fraction of oxygen carried by facilitated diffusion.

Evidence has been presented that the cytochrome P-450 in the endoplasmic reticulum can facilitate the diffusion by oxygen through tissue (Longmuir, 1970). This hypothesis is based on the observation that the respiration rate of liver slices as a function of ambient oxygen tension more closely fits a model equation based on purely passive diffusion. However, the fit is not perfect at higher oxygen tensions, and it seems highly improbable that there can be no passive diffusion proceeding concomitantly. The respiration rate of a slice in which there is only passive diffusion would rise as the square root of the ambient oxygen tension, whereas if transport is purely by carrier, the respiration rate would show “saturation” kinetics. That is, the rate of rise would fall off rapidly, becoming asymptotic to a maximum rate. Thus it seems certain that both passive and facilitated diffusion are proceeding simultaneously. That this is the case can be shown by the application of specific inhibitors to tissue slices.