cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BIT-TRAPS: Building Information-Theoretic Traffic Privacy Into Packet Streams

Sniffing encrypted data packets traveling across networks can often be useful in inferring nontrivial information about their contents because of the manner in which the transmission of such packets is handled by lower layers in the communications protocol stack. In this paper, we formally study the side-channel formed by variable packet sizes, and explore obfuscation approaches to prevent information leakage while jointly considering the practical cost of obfuscation. We show that randomized algorithms for obfuscation perform best and can be studied as well-known information-theoretic constructs, such as discrete channels with and without memory. We envision a separate layer called a Bit - Trap, that employs buffering and bit-padding as orthogonal methods for obfuscating such side channels. For streams of packets, we introduce the use of mutual-information rate as an appropriate metric for the level of obfuscation that captures nonlinear relationships between original and modified streams. Using buffering-delay and average bit-padding as the respective costs, a Bit - Trap formulates a constrained optimization problem with bounds on the average costs, to implement the best possible obfuscation policy. We find that combining small amounts of delay and padding together can create much more obfuscation than either approach alone, and that a simple convex trade-off exists between buffering delay and padding for a given level of obfuscation.
Cellular dynamics of small RNAs.

ABSTRACTThis review highlights the unexpectedly complicated nuclear egress and nuclear import of small RNAs. Although nucleus/cytoplasm trafficking was thought to be restricted to snRNAs of many, but not all, eukaryotes, recent data indicate that such traffic may be more common than previously appreciated. First, in conflict with numerous previous reports, new information indicates that Saccharomyces cerevisiae snRNAs may cycle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Second, recent studies also provide evidence that other small RNAs that function exclusively in the nucleus—the budding yeast telomerase RNA and possibly small nucleolar RNAs—may exit to the cytoplasm, only to return to the nucleus. Third, nucleus/cytoplasm cycling of RNAs also occurs for RNAs that function solely in the cytoplasm, as it has been discovered that cytoplasmic tRNAs of budding yeast travel “retrograde” to the nucleus and, perhaps, back again to the cytoplasm to function in protein synthesis. Fourth, there is at least one example ...
Post-trauma symptoms following indirect exposure to the September 11th terrorist attacks: The predictive role of dispositional coping

Few data prospectively address the role of coping in the development of PTSD. In the present study, 308 undergraduates were assessed for coping prior to the 9/11 WTC attack and for PTSD symptomatology at one and three-months post-9/11. Multiple regression analyses indicated that emotion-focused coping was predictive of increased symptomatology at Month 1 and Month 3, whereas problem-focused and avoidance-focused coping were not. Specifically, analyses predicting PTSD symptom factors (Intrusions, Avoidance, Dysphoria, and Hyperarousal) indicated that greater emotion-focused coping predicted increased Dysphoria symptoms at both time points and, among females, increased levels of Hyperarousal symptoms at Month 1. The role of coping style in the development of PTSD symptomatology and its clinical implications are discussed.
Right ventricular function in patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction heart failure.

Aims To determine the prevalence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) heart failure (HF) and to compare RV function between patients with preserved EF HF and those with reduced EF HF. Methods and results Hundred patients (72 ± 14 years, 59% male) with HF were prospectively enrolled. Fifty-one had preserved EF HF (LVEF > 50%). The prevalence of RV systolic dysfunction in patients with preserved EF HF was 33, 40, and 50%, by using RV fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular motion (TAM), and peak systolic tricuspid annular tissue velocity ( S ′) criteria, respectively. Tricuspid S ′ and TAM correlated the best with LVEF ( r = 0. 48, P 6 suggestive of elevated RV filling pressures. Early tricuspid inflow ( E ), early diastolic tricuspid annular tissue ( e ′), tricuspid E / e ′, and hepatic vein systolic velocities were also higher in patients with preserved EF HF. Conclusion The prevalence of RV systolic and diastolic dysfunctions was not uncommon in patients with preserved EF HF. However, patients with preserved EF HF had milder degree of RV systolic and diastolic dysfunctions compared with those with reduced EF HF.
Maternal and paternal disciplinary styles : relations with preschoolers' playground behavioral orientations and peer status

To explore relations among parents' self-reported disciplinary styles, preschoolers' playground behavioral orientations, and peer status, 106 mothers and fathers of preschool-age children (age range = 40-71 months) participated in home disciplinary style interviews. Observations of their children's playground behavior in preschool settings and measures of sociometric status were also obtained. Results indicated that children of more inductive mothers and fathers (i.e., less power assertive) exhibited fewer disruptive playground behaviors. In addition, daughters and older preschoolers of inductive mothers exhibited more prosocial behavior. Children of inductive mothers were also more preferred by peers. Few significant relations were found between paternal discipline and child behavior/peer status. Age-related patterns of behavior also indicated that older preschoolers who engaged in more prosocial and less antisocial and disruptive playground behavior were more preferred by peers. In addition, child behaviors were found to mediate maternal discipline and peer status.
Extracellular electrode model applied to the pancreatic beta cell

A planar array of metal microelectrodes has been fabricated to measure the electrical activity of pancreatic beta cells. These cells secrete insulin and exhibit periodic bursts of action potentials in response to glucose. The authors have developed a model, based on properties of both the cell and electrode array, to predict the extracellular signals generated by a beta cell. Simulations result in very small potentials that resemble the second derivative of the intracellular signal. The amplitude is significantly larger for a cell that is well scaled to an electrode or electrically coupled to other cells. >
Structural change, the oil boom and the cocoa economy of southwestern Nigeria, 1973-1980s

The oil boom that lasted from the early 1970s until about 1983 spawned a phenomenal expansion of the Nigerian economy. Within a few years, oil revenues rose from 1·4 billion naira in 1973 to 12·86 billion naira by 1980. The oil boom led to the assigning of substantial sums of money to the cocoa industry of southwestern Nigeria. In spite of these investments, the cocoa industry stagnated during the oil boom years. Using oral interviews and archival documents, this paper examines structural change in the cocoa industry before the oil boom, and analyses the failure of government rehabilitation programmes during the oil boom years.
The role of dermabrasion and chemical peels in the treatment of patients with xeroderma pigmentosum

Abstract We describe our experience with two patients with xeroderma pigmentosum who underwent periodic trichloroacetic acid chemical peels. One also received a full-face dermabrasion. The effect of chemical peeling was more transient than dermabrasion but was associated with less morbidity. Both chemical peeling and dermabrasion provided a prophylactic effect against the development of skin malignancies; the latter had a more pronounced effect.
Different biocides elicit differential responses in bacteria

Planetary and sample return missions require surface cleaning procedures using biocides. However, a deep understanding of how microorganisms respond to biocides is needed. The response of different Salmonella serovars to defined concentrations of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was studied. Microbial responses in terms of culturability, and virulence gene expression were also evaluated. Inactivation when exposed to chlorine and CPC was extremely rapid. Inactivation due to chlorine dioxide was, however, gradual. Exposure to these biocides caused a number of physiological states in Salmonella cells including dormancy, injury, and a viable but non-culturable state. Based on real-time PCR assays, all virulence-related genes were down-regulated in the presence of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and CPC. These studies highlight the importance of understanding the possible responses of organisms to biocides before they are used in mission critical applications such as pre-flight cleaning and laboratory protocols involved in sample return missions.
Effects of coronary venous pressure on left ventricular diastolic distensibility

Coronary arterial pressure and flow are known to influence left ventricular (LV) diastolic distensibility, but the influence of coronary venous pressure is unknown. To test the hypothesis that increased coronary venous pressure leads to an increase in LV wall volume and a decrease in LV diastolic distensibility, we studied excised, blood-perfused LV isovolumic dog hearts without the pericardium. In protocol I (n = 8), to raise coronary venous pressure the pressure of right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) was increased by the height of a blood reservoir connected with a cannula that opened in both the RA and RV. In protocol II (n = 7), to isolate the effect of RV enlargement on LV diastolic distensibility (direct ventricular interaction), an isovolumic RV balloon was used with coronary venous pressure held constant at 0 mm Hg. Changes in LV diastolic distensibility were assessed by shifts of the LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relation. Changes in LV wall volume were detected by subepicardial segment length at end-diastole. The mean pressures of RA and RV (protocol I) and RV balloon only (protocol II) were increased from 0 to 15 and 30 mm Hg over a range of LV volume. In protocol I, when RA.RV pressure was increased from 0 to 30 mm Hg at three levels of LV volume (22 +/- 2, 31 +/- 3, and 40 +/- 3 ml), LV end-diastolic pressures increased significantly from 5.2 +/- 0.3 to 11.2 +/- 1.5, from 10.4 +/- 0.3 to 18.2 +/- 1.2, and from 20.2 +/- 1.0 to 28.8 +/- 1.2 mm Hg, respectively. In protocol II, when RV balloon pressure was increased from 0 to 30 mm Hg at the three LV volumes (21 +/- 3, 31 +/- 3, and 41 +/- 4 ml), LV end-diastolic pressures showed smaller increases from 5.2 +/- 0.2 to 6.6 +/- 0.2, from 9.8 +/- 0.3 to 11.6 +/- 0.6, and from 19.0 +/- 0.5 to 21.4 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, respectively. In both protocols, the LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relation shifted upward in a nearly parallel fashion, but the shift was much greater in protocol I than in protocol II. Despite constant LV volume, an increase in LV wall dimension in protocol I was significant and much greater than that in protocol II. From these results, we conclude that increased coronary venous pressure decreases LV diastolic distensibility with increasing LV wall volume, and this mechanism appears to act independently of diastolic ventricular interaction caused by RV enlargement.
A 1.8 mm 2 , 11 mA, 23.2 dB-NF, discrete-time filter for GSM/WCDMA/WLAN using retiming technique

A discrete-time filter for GSM/WCDMA/WLAN with area reduction technique is presented. The discrete-time filtering is suitable for pass band selection and anti-alias filtering. Reduction of large switched-capacitor area is a key issue for the filter. In this paper, we propose the retiming technique and the optimization of unit capacitor to reduce the number of capacitors. The area of the filter with IQ channels is 1.8 mm2 . Noise Figure (NF) and current consumption in GSM mode are 23.2 dB and 11 mA, respectively. This filter is fabricated in 0.13 um CMOS.
All-optical time-division demultiplexing experiment with simultaneous output of all constituent channels from 100 Gbit/s OTDM signal

The successful demonstration of all-optical time-division demultiplexing is reported, wherein all 10 Gbit/s constituent channels are simultaneously demultiplexed with no error from a 10 × 10 Gbit/s OTDM signal. A multichannel demultiplexer based on XPM-induced frequency shift in an optical fibre, called MOXIC, is used.
Isolating the Effects of White-Tailed Deer on the Vegetation Dynamics of a Rare Maritime American Holly Forest

Effects of multiple herbivores were isolated in a rare, old-growth, maritime forest that has been affected by high white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations for several decades. Three decades of change in the plant community was described using permanent plots and nearly two decades of recovery using deer exclosures. Additional short-term exclosure experiments were used to separate the effect of rabbit and vole herbivory and the influence of canopy type on understory vegetation. We assessed whether natural enclosures formed by high densities of greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia and S. glauca) provide spatial refugia for plant species from deer. Significant differences in fenced plots indicate that deer, rabbits and voles individually affect the understory vegetation, though rabbits and voles are secondary to deer that are the major herbivore in the American holly (Ilex opaca) forest. Plant cover decreased within permanent plots from 1967 to 1986; during the same time period deer densities increased drastically island-wide. Since plots were fenced in 1986 no additional significant changes were detected, but this is likely due to an inadequate sample size. The cover of all species depended on the interaction of fencing and canopy type with significantly higher plant cover in fenced plots beneath mixed or exclusively deciduous canopy. The proportion of woody stems surpassing 0.5 m tall was significantly higher when stems were fenced. Browsing impacts were apparent on approximately a quarter of the vegetation in June 2003. Plant cover, richness and diversity were higher within natural greenbrier enclosures. Overall the exclosure studies indicate the potential natural recovery that could occur within the forest if deer herbivory were limited. Few species have been extirpated, although several are confined to the greenbrier enclosures. Under the current level of herbivory, the maritime holly forest composition will be altered, changing the characteristic canopy of a critically imperiled plant community.
Towards 20% efficient industrial Al-BSF silicon solar cell with multiple busbars and fine gridlines

Abstract This paper reports on modeled and experimental results of industrial aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF) silicon solar cells with 3-, 4- and 5-busbar (3-, 4- and 5-BB). It was found that by keeping the same metal grid coverage, solar cells with 4- and 5-BB gave higher fill factor (FF) and energy conversion efficiency than the state-of-the-art 3-BB. This is attributed to decreased gridline resistance as the number of busbars increases from three to four, and four to five. The experimental I – V data showed an average increase in cell efficiency by 0.41% absolute and 0.66% absolute with 4-BB and 5-BB cells, respectively, compared to the 3-BB counterparts. By using the production emitter and commercial size of 239 cm 2 , best efficiency of ~19.94% was achieved for a 5-BB Al-BSF cell.
Meta-Atom Behavior in Clusters Revealing Large Spin Ground States.

The field of single molecule magnetism remains predicated on super- and double exchange mechanisms to engender large spin ground states. An alternative approach to achieving high-spin architectures involves synthesizing weak-field clusters featuring close M-M interactions to produce a single valence orbital manifold. Population of this orbital manifold in accordance with Hund's rules could potentially yield thermally persistent high-spin ground states under which the valence electrons remain coupled. We now demonstrate this effect with a reduced hexanuclear iron cluster that achieves an S = 19/2 (χ(M)T ≈ 53 cm(3) K/mol) ground state that persists to 300 K, representing the largest spin ground state persistent to room temperature reported to date. The reduced cluster displays single molecule magnet behavior manifest in both variable-temperature zero-field (57)Fe Mossbauer and magnetometry with a spin reversal barrier of 42.5(8) cm(-1) and a magnetic blocking temperature of 2.9 K (0.059 K/min).
Effect of Desoxycorticosterone Acetate upon Plasma Volume in Patients During Ether Anesthesia and Surgical Operation

Summary and Conclusions(1) Plasma volume was determined in patients undergoing ether anesthesia and surgical operation. Seven patients served as controls, 9 received desoxycorticosterone acetate (subcutaneously) at varying time intervals before operation, and 3 received crude adrenal cortical hormone (intravenously) immediately before the anesthetic. (2) Of the 7 patients serving as controls, 2 showed a significant fall in plasma volume during ether anesthesia alone, 5 during the period of operation, and one, one-half hour postoperatively. In none of these controls was there a significant increase in plasma volume during any of the 3 periods studied. (3) Six patients were given desoxycorticosterone acetate subcutan-eously 3 to 4 hours before anesthesia. In this group, 3 patients showed a significant increase in plasma volume during the period of anesthesia alone, one patient during the operation, and 5 patients one-half hour after the operation. There were no patients in this group who showed a significan...
Effects of mycorrhizal fungus species and metalaxyl application on microbial suppression of mycorrhizal symbiosis

The ability of eight vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi to stimulate growth of the warm-season prairie grass Andropogon gerardii was compared in steamed prairie soil, steamed soil amended with non-sterile soil sievate, and in non-sterile soil. Five of the VAM fungi were highly effective in steamed soil, i.e., inoculated plants were 56-224 times larger than noninoculated plants. However, mycorrhizal growth response from these five species was suppressed by an average of 23-6% in the presence of soil microbes, i.e., either in steamed soil with sievate or in non-sterile soil (...)
A case of food poisoning caused by pathogenic escherichia coli

Objective To analyze a case of food poisoning caused by pathogenic escherichia coli.Methods The epidemiological and laboratory test were adopted to analyze.Results O 125 K 70 pathogenic escherichia coli was detected from feces(rectal swab) specimens,leftovers of the patients and chefs.Conclusions This case was identified as a food poisoning case caused by pathogenic escherichia coli.
Research on Dynamic Transmission Mechanism between PPI and CPI Based on Wavelet Multi-resolution Analysis

This paper makes a wavelet multi-resolution analysis of PPI and CPI by Matlab simulation software,and a cross-stage impulse response analysis of low frequency of sub-components.Then it carries out an in-depth research on the volatility characteristics of PPI and CPT,and also the relationship between PPI and CPI.The results show that the amplitude,frequency and period of PPI fluctuations are quite different from the ones of CPI fluctuations,and the stage transmission relationship between PPI and CPI only exists in medium and long terms;the sub-components vary with the stage;only the food prices can stably dominate CPI fluctuations and can be used to predict the CPI trend.The study on sub-components' effects on total price index in different stages can make price control and effective governance of inflation more targeted.
Developmental changes in the cellular distribution of glutathione and glutathione S-transferases in the murine nervous system.

The distribution of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in the adult rat brain is cell-type specific, but their cellular distribution in the developing central nervous system is unknown. In the present study, GSH distribution in the mouse nervous system was visualized by mercury orange histochemistry and class-specific GSTs were localized by immunohistochemistry at ages E13 to PN30. Both neuronal and glial progenitor cells stain uniformly positive for GSH at E13, Spinal anterior horn neurons become GSH-negative by E17, at which time neurons and glia in other CNS regions are still GSH-positive. By PN5, most neurons have lost GSH staining and are surrounded by GSH-rich neuropil, ependyma, and vasculature. Olfactory mitral and granule cells, cerebellar granule cells, and dorsal root ganglion (DR G) neurons retain consistently high levels of GSH throughout development and into adulthood. Immunoreactivity to α-class GSTantisera is not observed in the CNS until PN10, when very weak staining becomes apparent in the pia, ependyma, choroid plexus and neurons throughout the brain and spinal cord. Immunoreactivity to μ-GST is observed in neurons and astrocytes (but not oligodendrocytes), pia, ependyma, and choroid plexus throughout the brain by PN10. π-GST immunoreactivity is observed in all cells of the embryonic nervous system. Postnatally, it is found in neurons and oligodendrocytes (but not astrocytes) in all regions of the brain and spinal cord as well as in pia, ependyma, and choroid plexus. The neurons and satellite cells of the DRG are immunoreactive to α-,μ-, and π-GST antisera at all time points examined. The developmental changes in the cellular distribution of GSH and GSTs suggest that enzymatic conjugation and antioxidant activities may also be cell specific during brain development.
E-104 intracranial fluid dynamic changes following stenting of the transverse sinus in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Introduction Over the past several years, stenting of the transverse sinus has been gaining popularity as a treatment modality of idiopathic intracranial hypertension when there is evidence of venous sinus stenosis. The aim of this study was to better understand the role that stenting plays on the influence of the intracranial vascular blood flow and fluid dynamic changes. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on a prospectively maintained database of 20 patients who underwent 21 transverse sinus stenting procedures for the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, from January, 2012 to December, 2014. All patients had confirmed increased intracranial pressure and an increased pressure gradient > 8 cm H 2 0 across the transverse or sigmoid sinus prior to stenting. We measured three pre- and post-stenting variables using digital subtraction angiography: 1) the intracranial arterial-venous transit time (AVTT), measured from the first appearance of contrast in the cavernous internal carotid artery to the jugular bulb, 2) washout times of four intracranial veins (vein of Labbe, vein of Trollard, superficial middle cerebral vein [SMCV], superior ophthalmic vein [SOV]) following an arterial injection, and 3) washout times of the transverse sinus following a superior sagittal sinus injection. Results A total of 20 patients (21 stenting procedures), consisting of 19 females (95%) and 1 male (5%), were included in this study. The mean age at presentation was 38 years (range, 16–39 years). The pre- and post-stenting mean AVTTs were 6.36 ± 1.14 s and 4.74 ± 1.10 s respectively (∆ Mean = 1.62 sec [95% CI 0.92–2.32 sec], p Conclusions Stenting of a stenosed transverse sinus in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension significantly reduces the intracranial arterial-venous blood transit time and venous-phase transit times of the veins of Trollard and SMCV. While arteriovenous transit time is variable, these findings are consistent with a significant hemodynamic alteration following venous sinus stenting. Disclosures M. Crimmins: None. D. Kimball: None. S. Boddu: None. M. Dinkin: None. A. Patsalides: None.
Integrating Double-Skin Façades and Mass Dampers for Structural Safety and Energy Efficiency

AbstractA new integrated control system was recently proposed to combine double-skin facades and mass dampers in buildings to improve both building safety and energy efficiency. Double-skin facade systems protect and insulate buildings with two heavy glass layers between which air is allowed to flow for ventilation. By enabling movements in the outer facade skin, the authors proposed to (1) use them as mass dampers to reduce structural vibration and damage during earthquakes and wind storms and (2) adjust the gap size between the outer and inner skins to control the ventilation rate and improve energy efficiency. The synergy of the proposed system can lead to buildings that are structurally safe, energy efficient, and ultimately sustainable. In this paper, two structural control strategies—passive and active—are considered. The facade damper system was formulated first, and stochastic and historical earthquake responses were simulated. Then, the damper parameters (stiffness and damping coefficients) for p...
Relationship between denial of memory deficit and dementia severity in Alzheimer disease.

Objective: To assess the relationship between denial of memory deficit and dementia severity in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Additionally, to introduce a new instrument, the Awareness of Memory Impairment Scale (AMIS), devised to minimize biases present in previous studies, especially those attributable to the use of difference scores and clinical ratings. Background : Estimates of the magnitude of denial in patients with AD, and of its relationship with disease progression, have varied across studies. Part of this variability may have resulted from difference in the way investigators measured denial. In this study, the AMIS was used to obtain a relatively unbiased assessment of the relationship between denial and disease severity in patients with AD. Method: Two hundred three patients with AD were studied, 106 longitudinally, and 40 age-matched control subjects were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis, controlled for age, sex, education, and duration of illness, was used to compare AMIS scores with disease severity cross-sectionally and to determine whether AMIS scores change over time. A similar analysis was performed using difference scores and clinical ratings to determine whether introduction of a new assessment instrument was warranted. Results: Cross-sectionally, a small but statistically significant correlation between AD denial and dementia severity was found. Upon direct longitudinal assessment, no change in denial was noted after a mean interval of I year and 3 months. As expected, use of difference scores and clinical ratings yielded inflated correlations relative to those obtained with the AMIS. Conclusions: Denial of memory deficit correlates minimally with dementia severity in cross-sectional analysis but is independent of disease progression when assessed longitudinally.
Tautomerization lowers the activation barriers for N-glycosidic bond cleavage of protonated uridine and 2′-deoxyuridine

The gas-phase conformations of protonated uridine, [Urd+H]+, and its 2′-deoxy form, protonated 2′-deoxyuridine, [dUrd+H]+, have been examined in detail previously by infrared multiple photon dissociation action spectroscopy techniques. Both 2,4-dihydroxy tautomers and O4 protonated conformers of [Urd+H]+ and [dUrd+H]+ were found to coexist in the experiments with the 2,4-dihydroxy tautomers dominating the population. In the present study, the kinetic energy dependence of the collision-induced dissociation behavior of [Urd+H]+ and [dUrd+H]+ are examined using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer to probe the mechanisms and energetics for activated dissociation of these protonated nucleosides. The primary dissociation pathways observed involve N-glycosidic bond cleavage leading to competitive elimination of protonated or neutral uracil. The potential energy surfaces (PESs) for these N-glycosidic bond cleavage pathways are mapped out via electronic structure calculations for the mixture of 2,4-dihydroxy tautomers and O4 protonated conformers of [Urd+H]+ and [dUrd+H]+ populated in the experiments. The calculated activation energies (AEs) and heats of reaction (ΔHrxns) for N-glycosidic bond cleavage at both the B3LYP and MP2(full) levels of theory are compared to the measured values. The agreement between experiment and theory indicates that B3LYP provides better estimates of the energetics of the species along the PESs for N-glycosidic bond cleavage than MP2, and that the 2,4-dihydroxy tautomers, which are stabilized by strong hydrogen-bonding interactions, predominantly influence the observed threshold dissociation behavior of [Urd+H]+ and [dUrd+H]+.
“Soft Spots” in the Global Methane Budget

Direct rate measurements under in situ conditions are needed to assess the balance between methane production and consumption in the global methane budget. Measurements of potential CH4 production and oxidation have advanced our understanding and provide a start at predicting the role of CH4 oxidation under altered climate conditions in a range of important CH4 source terms. In situ rate measurements or methods for assessing the fraction of CH4 oxidized have not been possible in wetlands, rice paddies, and landfills. This paper summarizes recent work on these uncertain budget terms and points out approaches needed for in situ measurements
The role of radiation therapy in palliative care of children with advanced cancer: Clinical outcomes and patterns of care.

Background There are few published data to guide the use and timing of palliative radiation therapy (RT) in children. We aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of palliative RT in children and the relationship with palliative care and hospice referrals. Procedure A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients younger than 18 years who received palliative RT in our clinic from January 2005 to January 2015. Results In the specified time period, 50 children underwent 83 courses of palliative RT. Median survival after treatment was 124 days (range, 1–1141 days). Fifteen courses were delivered to children in the last 30 days of life (dol). Palliative RT was successful in 89% of courses delivered before the last 30 dol versus 28% of courses delivered in the last 30 dol (p < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test). At the time of data collection, 43 children were deceased. Altogether, 88% of children who received palliative RT were also referred to our institution's pediatric palliative care team or to hospice at some time in their course. Of the children who died, 74% were referred to hospice and 34% were on hospice while receiving palliative RT. For children not already on hospice, the median time to hospice referral was 96 days after the last fraction (range, 0–924 days). Conclusions Palliative RT is effective in children with advanced cancer, although less so in the last 30 dol. With careful care coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration, RT can be successfully integrated into supportive and end-of-life care for children with advanced cancer.
Data ideologies of an interested public: A study of grassroots open government data intermediaries

Government officials claim open data can improve internal and external communication and collaboration. These promises hinge on “data intermediaries”: extra-institutional actors that obtain, use, and translate data for the public. However, we know little about why these individuals might regard open data as a site of civic participation. In response, we draw on Ilana Gershon to conceptualize culturally situated and socially constructed perspectives on data, or “data ideologies.” This study employs mixed methodologies to examine why members of the public hold particular data ideologies and how they vary. In late 2015 the authors engaged the public through a commission in a diverse city of approximately 500,000. Qualitative data was collected from three public focus groups with residents. Simultaneously, we obtained quantitative data from surveys. Participants’ data ideologies varied based on how they perceived data to be useful for collaboration, tasks, and translations. Bucking the “geek” stereotype, only...
Dual-layer kernel extreme learning machine for action recognition

Abstract In this paper, we propose a simple yet effective method for video based action recognition referred to as dual-layer kernel extreme learning machine (DKELM). Our approach takes advantages of both early and late fusion techniques into a unified framework. In particular, the first layer in DKELM adopts linear kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) on handcrafted feature kernel, deep-learned feature kernel, and the fused kernel to provide various perspectives about the video. The second layer trains a radial basis function based KELM classifier on different fusion scores obtained from the first layer to predict the final action class label. Finally, we empirically show the superior performance of DKELM, both in terms of accuracy and computational time, over some state-of-the-art human action recognition methods on two large-scale datasets.
Abstract 242: Mitophagy is Required for Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Myogenic Differentiation of Myoblasts

Myogenesis is a crucial process governing muscle development and homeostasis. Differentiation of primitive myoblasts into mature myotubes requires a metabolic switch to support the increased energetic demand of contractile muscle. Skeletal myoblasts specifically shift from a highly glycolytic state to relying predominantly on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) upon differentiation. We have found that this phenomenon requires dramatic remodeling of the mitochondrial network involving both mitochondrial clearance and biogenesis. During early myogenic differentiation, autophagy is robustly upregulated and this coincides with DNML1/DRP1-mediated fragmentation and subsequent removal of mitochondria via p62/SQSTM-mediated mitophagy. Mitochondria are then repopulated via PPARGC1A/PGC-1α-mediated biogenesis. Mitochondrial fusion protein OPA1 is then briskly upregulated, resulting in the reformation of mitochondrial networks. The final product is a myotube replete with new mitochondria. Respirometry reveals that the constituents of these newly established mitochondrial networks are better primed for OXPHOS and are more tightly coupled than those in myoblasts. Additionally, we have found that blocking autophagy with various inhibitors during differentiation results in a blockade in myogenic differentiation. Together these data highlight the integral role of autophagy and mitophagy in myogenic differentiation.
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Vitamin D-Related Genes May Modify Vitamin D-Breast Cancer Associations.

Background: We previously observed that high serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (>38.0 ng/mL) was inversely associated with breast cancer. Here, we examined effect modification by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin D-related genes. Methods: The Sister Study enrolled 50,884 US women who had a sister with breast cancer, but who had never had breast cancer themselves. Using a case-cohort design, we compared 1,524 women who developed breast cancer within 5 years to 1,810 randomly selected participants. We estimated ratios of hazards ratios (RHRs) for the 25(OH)D-breast cancer association per copy of the minor allele using Cox proportional hazards models. We considered 82 SNPs in 7 vitamin D-related genes (CYP24A1, CYP27B1, CYP2R1, GC, DHCR7/NADSYN1, RXRA, and VDR). We also tested gene-based interactions with 25(OH)D. Results: The SNP with the smallest interaction p-value was rs4328262 in VDR (p=0.0008); the 25(OH)D hazard ratio (HR) was 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-1.24) among those homozygous for the common allele, and the minor allele was estimated to decrease the HR by 33% per copy (RHR=0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.53-0.85). Five other VDR SNPs showed evidence of interaction at p<0.05, as did one SNP in CYP2R1 and one in RXRA. As a group, the 82 SNPs showed evidence of multiplicative interaction with 25(OH)D (p=0.04). In gene-based tests, only VDR showed strong evidence of interaction (p=0.04). Conclusions: SNPs in vitamin D-related genes may modify the association between serum 25(OH)D and breast cancer. Impact: This work strengthens the evidence for protective effects of vitamin D.
Strain engineering, efficient excitonic photoluminescence, and exciton funnelling in unmodified MoS2 nanosheets

We established locally varying strain fields in unmodified MoS2 nanosheets. The approach relies on dry release in place of multilayer MoS2 on textured Si substrates. By this process we demonstrated intense photoluminescence, a ∼70 meV decrease of the transition energy, and exciton funneling in ∼4 nm-thick MoS2 films.
Propagation of Ilex vomitoria ‘Dare County’ by Stem Cuttings

Semi-hardwood or hardwood stem cuttings of Ilex vomitoria Sol. ex Ait. ‘Dare County’ [‘Dare County’ yaupon holly (syn. ‘Virginia Dare’ yaupon holly)] were treated with solutions of the potassium (K...
Sex Differences in Neuronal Morphology Influenced Hormonally throughout Life

Sexual dimorphism is a phrase that has come to refer to sex differences in form, which includes qualitative or quantitative differences in structure or function (Goy & McEwen, 1980). This chapter deals exclusively with sexual dimorphisms in neural morphology and focuses on how age and hormone milieu interact to influence their appearance. We begin with a brief description of the types of measures (Table 1) that have been used in different model systems that show sex and hormone dependence. This is followed by a closer look at four exemplary systems (preoptic area/ hypothalamus; amygdala; spinal cord motor neurons; and telencephalic song nuclei) that use these dependent measures to illustrate the emerging principles that govern the development and maintenance of sexual dimorphisms. We then examine two recently growing areas in sexual dimorphism research: sex differences visualized using immunocytochemistry and sex differences in nonneuronal cells such as glia or ependyma. Finally, general guidelines for studying sexual dimorphisms with a lifespan approach are discussed.
A novel morphologic and metabolic feature fused treatment response evaluation pipeline for pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.

311Background: Adaptive radiation therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) relies on accurate treatment response assessment. Traditional RECIST criteria poorly characterize tumors with complex mo...
Revenges of the CAFO Pigs

People raise pigs in concentrated-animals-feeding operations (CAFOs). On surface, people’s dominance appears to be absolute and complete. But the dominance comes at the cost of declines in people’s health and longevity and fertility. I show that there is justice coming out of CAFOs after all.
Perspectives on Providing And Receiving Preventive Health Care From Primary Care Providers and Their Patients With Mental Illnesses.

Purpose:Individuals with mental illnesses have higher morbidity rates and reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Understanding how patients and providers perceive the need for ...
Pan-Islamic bonds and interest: Ottoman bonds, Red Crescent remittances and the limits of Indian Muslim capital, 1877–1924:

This article analyses the Ottoman government’s attempt to encourage Indian Muslims to purchase its treasury bonds during the Balkan Wars in 1912–13. It contrasts this largely unsuccessful scheme wi...
Experimental models and questions in basic science research for pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a poorly understood disease characterized by mucinous ascites and disseminated peritoneal mucinous tumors, with a clinically protracted course. Although PMP has been ascribed to a variety of sources (Yasar et al. 1997; Lee and Scully 2000; Imaoka et al. 2006), clinical and molecular evidence is mounting that neoplastic mucin-producing goblet cells of the appendix are the primary cause of PMP. (Ronnett et al. 1995; Ronnett et al. 1997; Szych et al. 1999). Although PMP is not an intrinsically malignant process, it is not a benign process either. Not only does PMP replace the entire free space of the abdomen with mucin, it also causes fibrosis that often leads to complete bowel obstruction and ultimately death. Currently the only effective treatment for PMP is cytoreductive surgery (CRS) that removes all of the mucin and mucin-producing cells combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) (Sugarbaker 2006).
Sampling and the Fast Fourier Transform

This chapter takes a small detour and discusses some numerical approximations that will be necessary to theoretically compute electron microscopy images. Specifically, digital sampling (pixels and levels) and the all important fast Fourier transform are introduced. The FFT will be the principle tool to speed up later calculation. If you are familiar with these topics, this chapter may be skipped.
High-cycle fatigue behavior of Incoloy alloy 800H in a simulated HTGR helium environment containing high moisture levels

A study has been carried out to evaluate the highcycle fatigue strength of Incoloy alloy 800H in a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor helium environment containing significant quantities of moisture. As-heat-treated and thermally aged materials were tested to determine the effects of long-term oxidation in the helium test gas. Results from these tests were compared to those for a standard air environment. It was found that the mechanisms of fatigue failure were complex and involved recovery/recrystallization of the surface-ground layer on the specimens, sensitization, work hardening, oxide scale integrity, and oxidation at the tips of propagating cracks. For certain situations, a corrosion-fatigue process seems to be important. However, for the helium environment studied, the fatigue strength was nearly always higher than that for air.
Evaluation study of a proposed hadoop for data center networks incorporating optical circuit switches

Hybrid data center network architectures, which combine electrical packet switches (EPSs) with optical circuit switches (OCSs), have been proposed to handle the inter-rack link oversubscription problem in a cost- and power-efficient manner. However, the high reconfiguration delay of optical switching technologies makes it challenging to effectively leverage OCSs in these hybrid networks. In our prior work, we proposed a modified version of Hadoop, called Hadoop for hybrid networks (HHN), to create network traffic patterns that match the characteristics of OCSs. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative evaluation of HHN on hybrid networks and the original Hadoop on conventional EPS-only networks. Numerical results validate our hypothesis that it is feasible to achieve similar system-level and user-level performance with HHN while simultaneously achieving power and cost savings with the hybrid network. When the percentage of shuffle- heavy (SH) jobs is small, e.g., 5%, HHN performance is the same as that of the original Hadoop on an EPS-only network. When the percentage of SH jobs is large, e.g., 20%, the HHN performance is almost the same even at high loads, and even with a smaller number of input-block replicas when we placed an upper bound on the per-job input-data size. For large SH jobs with input-data sizes larger than the upper bound, the performance of HHN could be improved significantly when storing a larger number of replicas for each input block.
Translating Diplomacy: President Juan Bosch, Ambassador John Bartlow Martin, and “The Indelible Spot”

By the time the English translation of Juan Bosch’s story “The Indelible Spot” was published in the Saturday Evening Post on November 16, 1963, his eight-month presidency was over. Bosch’s brief tenure was punctuated by growing unrest among Dominicans on the Left and mounting suspicion from those on the Right. Central to this tension was the question of his loyalties to US-style democracy, Soviet communism, and/or Castro’s Cuba. Against this backdrop, the tale of how his short story came to be translated and published is emblematic of the complex, contradictory, and confusing cultural and political discourses surrounding the future of the Dominican Republic within the sphere of US Cold War policies. Central to this analysis is the unique affiliation between two authors: Juan Bosch and John Bartlow Martin, the first US ambassador to the Dominican Republic after Trujillo’s assassination. Ultimately, the communiques and notes about the translation and two distinct versions of the final published story found in Martin’s papers at the Library of Congress reveal the ideological impasse between Cold War and Caribbean discourses of culture and power Para cuando se publico la traduccion al ingles de la historia “The Indelible Spot”, el 16 de noviembre de 1963 en The Saturday Evening Post, ya Juan Bosch habia culminado su octavo mes de mandato tras la caida de su gobierno. La efimera estancia en el poder de Bosch se dio por el malestar de los dominicanos de la izquierda y las sospechas de aquellos de la derecha. El punto central de esta tension radicaba en la duda de su lealtad al estilo de democracia estadounidense, el comunismo sovietico y/o la Cuba castrista. La condicion en las que se logro la traduccion y posterior publicacion del relato de Bosch es emblematica y compleja debido a los discursos culturales y politicos contradictorios que rodeaban el futuro de la Republica Dominicana dentro de la esfera de las politicas estadounidenses en torno a la Guerra Fria. El tema central de este analisis corresponde a la afiliacion unica entre dos autores: Juan Bosch y John Bartlow Martin, el primer embajador estadounidense en la Republica Dominicana despues del asesinato de Trujillo. Por ultimo, los comunicados y las notas de la traduccion y dos versiones distintas de la historia final publicada encontrados en documentos de Martin en la Biblioteca del Congreso revelan el impase ideologico entre la Guerra Fria y los discursos caribenos de la cultura y el poder.
Temperature dependent iterative model of thermoelectric generator including thermal losses in passive elements

Abstract Design and development of a thermoelectric module and in its use in real application require an accurate simulation tool, which provides electrical and thermal characterizations as a function of temperature. The problem of correctly solving the basic thermoelectric equations originates from the fact that junctions temperatures are unknown and normally cannot be measured, whereas only external temperatures are available in testing and real applications. Due to thermal losses in passive layers, the internal temperatures can be significantly different. At the same time all the equations contains temperature dependent parameters. Many approximations are usually introduced to achieve results. Here we propose a simple iterative method to obtain the temperature losses and calculate all thermoelectric performances with corrected temperatures. The method, developed in Matlab language, takes into account temperature dependent material properties, thermal and electrical resistance of passive elements (electrodes, ceramics, interfaces, contact pad, etc.). Joule heating, Peltier and Thomson effects are considered in determine the temperatures. The effectiveness of the proposed procedure and the differences between approximated methods are investigated. The accuracy is proved with two commercial modules: the deviation were found to be within 4% and 3%. The code demonstrates to converge in few iterations in both cases. Moreover, the robustness has been investigated as a function of different parameters confirming that the code is suitable also for parametric simulations.