cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of [14C]fluorodeoxyglucose by rat brain in vivo

Abstract Rats were intravenously injected with 10μCi of [U-14C]deoxyglucose (DG) or [U-14C]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and sacrificed by microwave irradiation 4, 45 and 240 min later. Fluorodeoxyglucose phosphate (FDGP) accumulated at a significantly greater rate than did deoxyglucose phosphate (DGP) in brain. Loss of the phosphorylated compounds from brain between 45 and 240 min after administration was similar. The per cent of radioactivity in non-phosphorylated compounds was lower with FDG as tracer at all times after injection. The probable basis for the difference in rate of phosphorylation of the two compounds is a difference in the kinetic properties of rat brain hexokinase with FDG and DG as substrates. The principal use of these isotopes is for studies of regional glucose utilization in brain. In the rat, our data indicate that FDG has two advantages over DG for such studies. Since FDGP accumulates in brain at about 150% the rate of DGP, the amounts (and costs) of isotope can be reduced by up to one third with FDG as tracer. The more rapid decrease in background of non-phosphorylated FDG potentially allows the study of shorter periods of time in autoradiographic work. These considerations apply to both qualitative and quantitative studies of glucose utilization by rat brain. For quantitative work, however, the constants necessary to convert rates of FDG phosphorylation to rates of glucose phosphorylation by rat brain have yet to be determined.
The time domain analysis and design of exactly reconstructing FIR analysis/synthesis filter banks

A time-domain framework is introduced for the analysis and design of general M-band analysis/synthesis filter banks. The derivation results in a set of time-domain conditions for reconstruction which can be used in a filter design procedure. Preliminary investigations of this new approach have shown that the general and unrestricted nature of the framework allows for the design of many useful filter banks and reconstruction solutions not previously reported in the literature. Although the focus is primarily on the filter bank theory, design examples are also included. >
Effects of Campaign Spending On Local Elections The Charlotte Case

Data on Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, N.C. elections held between 1975 and 1980 were collected. The effects of campaign spending, party, sex, race, and incumbency are examined in five types of elections in this single area: nonpartisan school board, single member district primaries, single member district general partisan elections, multiple seat primaries, and multiple seat general partisan elections. Three conclusions are worthy of note: (1) Money is as important in partisan elections as in primaries and school board contests, (2) Campaign spending plays a stronger role in single member district elections and incumbency a stronger role in multiple seat elections, (3) incumbency, party, and campaign spending are not as strongly related to the vote as is suggested by studies that focus on many different constituencies for one office.
3D map construction using heterogeneous robots

This paper presents a novel method to construct a complete 3D map that includes all surfaces (ceiling, wall, and furniture tops, etc.) in indoor environments. A team of four robots, including three ground robots and one wall-climbing robot is deployed in a tetrahedron configuration that satisfies the perspective three point (P3P) problem. P3P problem is to estimate the pose of a perspective camera on the wall-climbing robot viewing three ground robots, which will produce up to four solutions using Grunert's algorithm while only one of them is genuine. We propose a probabilistic Bayesian algorithm that identifies the unique solution of the P3P problem using the mobility of the camera. Based on this technique, we introduce an intra-robot localization method to determine the geometric relationship among four robots. Each ground robot is equipped with a rotary laser range finder (LRF), a pan-tilt-zoom camera, and a LED cluster. The wall-climbing robot is fitted with a LRF, a perspective camera, and a motion sensor. Through the vision sensors, the robots obtain their relative poses by solving the P3P problem. Through the LRF on each robot, 4 laser point cloud maps are produced from each robot's point of view. With the information of relative poses of the multiple robots and the calibration data of each LRF and camera pair, the 4 partial maps are fused to acquire a complete 3D map that is rich with information of all surfaces. Our approach outperforms the traditional range image fusion algorithms in terms of time complexity and is suitable for real-time implementation. Real experiments verified the effectiveness of the method.
Carbon nanotube-elastomer composites for use in dielectric polymer actuators

The high tensile strength and Young's modulus of carbon nanotubes have led to much speculation about their uses. Here we have investigated the increase in permittivity of a commercial silicone by the addition of carbon nanotubes. The resulting percolation threshold is an order of magnitude lower than that of graphite/elastomer composites. This is of importance because filled systems which we have investigated previously have demonstrated a dramatic increase in the Young's modulus of the composite, offsetting any improvement the increased permittivity may have provided the actuator.
Baseline Neurocognitive Test Results In Non-concussed Athletes: Does Sleep Matter?

Objectives:When managing sport-related concussions (SRC), sports medicine physicians utilize serial neurocognitive assessments and self-reported symptom inventories when evaluating athlete recovery...
A magnetic switch for spin-catalyzed interconversion of nuclear spin isomers.

The interconversion of ortho-hydrogen (oH2) and para-hydrogen (pH2), the two nuclear spin isomers of dihydrogen, requires a paramagnetic spin catalyst such as a nitroxide. We report the design and demonstration of spin catalysis of the interconversion of oH2 and pH2 incarcerated in an endofullerene based on a reversible nitroxide/hydroxylamine system. The system is an example of a reversible magnetic spin catalysis switch that can increase the rate of interconversion of the nuclear spin isomers of H2 by a factor of ∼104.
Paclitaxel induces acute pain via directly activating toll like receptor 4

Paclitaxel, a powerful anti-neoplastic drug, often causes pathological pain, which significantly reduces the quality of life in patients. Paclitaxel-induced pain includes pain that occurs immediately after paclitaxel treatment (paclitaxel-associated acute pain syndrome, P-APS) and pain that persists for weeks to years after cessation of paclitaxel treatment (paclitaxel induced chronic neuropathic pain). Mechanisms underlying P-APS remain unknown. In this study, we found that paclitaxel causes acute pain in rodents in a dose-dependent manner. The paclitaxel-induced acute pain occurs within 2 hrs after a single intravenous injection of paclitaxel. This is accompanied by low levels of paclitaxel penetrating into the cerebral spinal fluid and spinal dorsal horn. We demonstrated that an intrathecal injection of paclitaxel induces mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. Paclitaxel causes activation of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglions. Through activating TLR4, paclitaxel increases glutamatergic synaptic activities and reduces glial glutamate transporter activities in the dorsal horn. Activations of TLR4 are necessary in the genesis of paclitaxel-induced acute pain. The cellular and molecular signaling pathways revealed in this study could provide rationales for the development of analgesics and management strategies for P-APS in patients.
Persistent left fifth aortic arch with complex coarctation.

Abstract Persistent fifth aortic arch is a rare anomaly, with only 22 cases reported. 1,2 Its recognition and successful management when associated with coarctation is even rarer. We present a child with persistent left fifth aortic arch and complex coarctation successfully diagnosed and repaired.
Unsupervised Indexing of Conversations with Short Speaker Utterances

Two speaker indexing system for conversations are presented in this paper. The first method involves indexing two-speaker conversations. In this method, two reference models are judiciously chosen from the conversation such that they represent the two different speakers. Models are then matched to the reference speakers using distance-based comparisons. The second technique is based on first determining the number of participants in the conversation using a speaker count method termed the "Residual Ratio Algorithm" (RRA), and then indexing based on this count. The RRA involves an elimination process in which speech segments matching a chosen set of reference models are sequentially removed from the conversation and the relative amount of residual speech is observed to determine the count. The distance measures used in comparing models include the Bhattacharya distance, the T-Square statistics and the Mahalanobis distance. Speaker comparison decisions of all three distances are combined to improve the accuracy of the system. Linear Predictive Cepstral Coefficients of voiced phonemes are used in forming speaker models. The two-speaker indexing technique was able to yield an indexing accuracy of up to 95% when evaluated using SWITCHBOARD data. The counting-indexing technique resulted in a maximum indexing accuracy of about 91% when tested on artificial conversations generated from HTIMIT data.
VAX/VMS event monitoring and analysis

Event logs can be used effectively to improve computer system availability. Uses include retrospective and predictive diagnosis; fault management; failure rate estimation; and trend analysis. Unfortunately, much of the research to date has been hampered by the lack of suitable event data, and occasionally by the incorrect interpretation of the available data. This research uses one of the largest sets of data, and the most intensive investigation of the monitoring process conducted to date, to examine event monitoring and analysis. 2.35 million events from 193 VAX/VMS systems covering 335 machine years were used. Examples are presented which show that monitoring deficiencies complicate the analyses, consume additional time, and make incorrect conclusions more likely. For example, incorrect handling of bogus timestamps changes the mean time between groups of events by an order of magnitude. An analysis procedure to identify defects is provided, along with design rules to create better quality logs. >
An active approach to characterizing dynamic dependencies for problem determination in a distributed environment

We describe a methodology for identifying and characterizing dynamic dependencies between system components in distributed application environments such as e-commerce systems. The methodology relies on active perturbation of the system to identify dependencies and the use of statistical modeling to compute dependency strengths. Unlike more traditional passive techniques, our active approach requires little initial knowledge of the implementation details of the system and has the potential to provide greater coverage and more direct evidence of causality for the dependencies it identifies. We experimentally demonstrate the efficacy of our approach by applying it to a prototypical e-commerce system based on the TPC-W Web commerce benchmark, for which the active approach correctly identifies and characterizes 41 of 42 true dependencies out of a potential space of 140 dependencies. Finally, we consider how the dependencies computed by our approach can be used to simplify and guide the task of root-cause analysis, an important part of problem determination.
Higher Order Intermodulation Product Measurement of Passive Components

The concept of using high-order intermodulation (IM) products beyond the third order for the analysis of passive intermodulation (PIM) sources is introduced. Current PIM characterization techniques focus on measurements of the third-order IM product. An advantage of observing higher order IM is demonstrated by showing that two simulated models, which predict an identical level of third-order IM, exhibit clear qualitative differences in the higher order IM products. A low residual PIM measurement system is able to measure up to the 29th-order IM product. A full discussion of uncertainties in the measurement technique used is given. The measured high-order IM products of a coaxial connector are used to fit and verify a model for its current-voltage characteristic. This fit model, a hyperbolic tangent function, accurately predicts the behavior of the higher orders as a function of input power and matches the third order over the 21-dB input power range with a root mean squared error of 3.5 dB. For another device, a microwave circulator, higher order IM products are used to deduce a model, which is then confirmed using a traditional measurement of third-order IM. High-order IM products are measured and analyzed in order to aid investigations of the physical processes causing PIM.
Linking social network analysis with the analytic hierarchy process for knowledge mapping in organizations

Purpose – To provide an interesting approach for determining interval measures, through the analytic hierarchy process, for integration with social network analysis for knowledge mapping in organizations.Design/methodology/approach – In order to develop improved organizational and business processes through knowledge management, a knowledge audit should be conducted to better understand the knowledge flows in the organization. An important technique to visualize these knowledge flows is the use of a knowledge map. Social network analysis can be applied to develop this knowledge map. Interval measures should be used in the social network analysis in order to determine the strength of the connections between individuals or departments in the organization. This paper applies the analytic hierarchy process to develop these interval measures, and integrates the values within the social network analysis to produce a meaningful knowledge map.Findings – The analytic hierarchy process, when coupled with social net...
Purification and characterization of mouse decidual calcyclin: a novel stimulator of mouse placental lactogen-II secretion.

The effects of secretagogue(s) from mouse decidual tissue on the release of mouse placental lactogen-II (mPL-II) were studied. Decidual tissue was obtained from 10- and 11-day-pregnant mice. The tissue was homogenized, extracted, and the tissue extract was made 50% saturated with ammonium sulfate. Both the precipitate and supernatant were tested for their ability to stimulate mPL-II release from cultured tropho-blasts. The supernatant contained an activity to stimulate the release of mPL-II. This activity was further purified using column chromatography. The purification resulted in isolation of a protein with a mol wt of 20 K as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions and 6 K under reducing conditions. Further characterization of this protein showed that it binds calcium and has an amino acid sequence that is highly homologous with calcyclin expressed in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells and with calcyclin from other species. This protein was des...
STOCHASTIC MODELING OF LIGHT ENERGY CONVERSION IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS

— Photosynthetic quantum conversion and early electron transport is modeled as a stochastic process on a digital computer to determine what free-energy losses are a necessary consequence of specific assumptions about the reaction structure, kinetics, and thermodynamics of the participating molecules. Maximal free-energy yield requires that all dark reactions be near equilibrium, so the potentials of all half-cells on each side of the light act are nearly the same. This near equilibrium requires that all forward rate constants be at least 102 times the rate of light absorption, and that all reverse rate constants be at least the rate of light absorption. The behavior of model systems with one primary donor and one primary acceptor is comparatively independent whether there is one or an infinite number of secondary electron donors and acceptors. A system having no metastable (e.g. triplet) state of the light-activated donor can convert light energy with nearly ideal efficiency, provided that the standard electrode potentials of the primary donor and primary acceptor half-cells are precisely located with respect to one another and to the potentials of the ultimate donor and acceptor. While not necessary for near maximal free-energy yield, a metastable intermediate allows a flexibility in the choice of half-cell potentials which is not possible in the absence of such an intermediate.
Atypical Cellular Chorangioma

Abstract We describe an unusual, large atypical cellular chorangioma with abundant mitoses and focal necrosis. Other than premature birth, the prenatal and postpartum clinical course was unremarkable for both the mother and baby. Our case and a few similar cases reported in literature suggest that atypical cellular chorangioma is a benign tumor, despite its worrisome histopathologic features.
Assessment of Student Learning Associated with Tree Thinking in an Undergraduate Introductory Organismal Biology Course

Phylogenetic trees provide visual representations of ancestor–descendant relationships, a core concept of evolutionary theory. We introduced “tree thinking” into our introductory organismal biology course (freshman/sophomore majors) to help teach organismal diversity within an evolutionary framework. Our instructional strategy consisted of designing and implementing a set of experiences to help students learn to read, interpret, and manipulate phylogenetic trees, with a particular emphasis on using data to evaluate alternative phylogenetic hypotheses (trees). To assess the outcomes of these learning experiences, we designed and implemented a Phylogeny Assessment Tool (PhAT), an open-ended response instrument that asked students to: 1) map characters on phylogenetic trees; 2) apply an objective criterion to decide which of two trees (alternative hypotheses) is “better”; and 3) demonstrate understanding of phylogenetic trees as depictions of ancestor–descendant relationships. A pre–post test design was used with the PhAT to collect data from students in two consecutive Fall semesters. Students in both semesters made significant gains in their abilities to map characters onto phylogenetic trees and to choose between two alternative hypotheses of relationship (trees) by applying the principle of parsimony (Occam’s razor). However, learning gains were much lower in the area of student interpretation of phylogenetic trees as representations of ancestor–descendant relationships.
A Review of Rolling Contact Fatigue

Ball and rolling element bearings are perhaps the most widely used components in industrial machinery. They are used to support load and allow relative motion inherent in the mechanism to take place. Subsurface originated spalling has been recognized as one of the main modes of failure for rolling contact fatigue (RCF) of bearings. In the past few decades a significant number of investigators have attempted to determine the physical mechanisms involved in rolling contact fatigue of bearings and proposed models to predict their fatigue lives. In this paper, some of the most widely used RCF models are reviewed and discussed, and their limitations are addressed. The paper also presents the modeling approaches recently proposed by the authors to develop life models and better understanding of the RCF.
Complex origins of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae): implications for human migrations in Oceania

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae), a traditional starch crop in Oceania, has enjoyed legendary status ever since its role in the infamous mutiny aboard the H.M.S. Bounty in 1789, yet its origins remain unclear. Breadfruit's closest relatives are A. camansi and A. mariannensis. DNA fingerprinting data (AFLP, amplified fragment length polymorphisms) from over 200 breadfruit cultivars, 30 A. camansi, and 24 A. mariannensis individuals were used to investigate the relationships among these species. Multivariate analyses and the identification of species-specific AFLP markers indicate at least two origins of breadfruit. Most Melanesian and Polynesian cultivars appear to have arisen over generations of vegetative propagation and selection from A. camansi. In contrast, most Micronesian breadfruit cultivars appear to be the result of hybridization between A. camansi-derived breadfruit and A. mariannensis. Because breadfruit depends on humans for dispersal, the data were compared to theories on the human colonization of Oceania. The results agree with the well-supported theory that humans settled Polynesia via Melanesia. Additionally, a long-distance migration from eastern Melanesia into Micronesia is supported.
Morbid Obesity is Associated with Increased Mortality, Surgical Complications, and Incremental Health Care Utilization in the Peri-Operative Period of Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Morbid obesity (Basic Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2) leads to increased long-term mortality after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Little is known about its effects on peri-operative CRC surgery outcomes. 85,300 discharges for CRC surgery were identified using the redesigned 2012 National Inpatient Sample. Outcomes of interest were mortality, healthcare charges, and surgical outcomes in morbidly obese patients which were compared to those in nonobese patients. There were 4385 (5.14%) morbidly obese patients who underwent CRC surgery during the study period. Morbid obesity was associated with younger age, females, and African Americans in our study (p < 0.05). Morbidly obese patients had higher prevalence of CRC peri-operative co-morbidities, surgical complications, and conversions from laparoscopic to open surgery. On multivariate analysis, morbid obesity led to an increased CRC surgery peri-operative mortality (OR 1.85, 95 % CI 1.15, 2.97). Mortality remained significant even after adjusting for surgical complications (OR 1.79, 95 % CI 1.12, 2.88). Morbidly obese patients undergoing CRC also had a prolonged length of hospitalization (1.22 day, 95 % CI 0.67, 1.78), a $15,582 increase in total hospital charges (95 % CI 8419, 22,745), and increased disposition to short-term rehabilitation facilities (OR 2.25, 95 % CI 1.79, 2.84). Analysis of national level data demonstrates that morbidly obese patients have an increased CRC surgery peri-operative mortality with higher prevalence of co-morbidities, surgical complications, and more health care resource utilization. Future research efforts should concentrate on ameliorating these outcomes in morbidly obese patients.
Reactions of the halonium ions of carenes and pinenes: An experimental and theoretical study

The reactions of vinylcyclopropane (+)-2-carene (1) and vinylcyclobutanes (-)-β-pinene (7), (-)-α-pinene (11), and (-)-nopol (12) with electrophilic halogens in the presence of oxygen and nitrogen nucleophiles in various solvents have been investigated. The halonium ion intermediates that were presumably formed were very reactive and led to opening of the conjugated cyclopropane or cyclobutane. Reactions of chloramine-T trihydrate with compound 1 in acetonitrile gave amidine 13 and diazepine 14. Reactions of chloramine-T trihydrate with pinenes in methylene chloride gave allylic tosylamines 22, 16B and 24. Mechanisms to explain the observations are proposed and supported by ab initio and Density Functional Theory calculations on the carenes and pinenes in this report and their bromonium ion intermediates. For comparisons, the relative extent of conjugation with the bromonium ion moiety of these, as well as select cyclohexene and cyclohexadiene systems and their corresponding bromonium ions, were optimized at the B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level of theory, and then these geometries were analyzed using the absolute hardness index at the Hartree-Fock/aug-cc-pVDZ and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ levels of theory. Additionally, Natural Population Analysis charges were calculated for these systems using Moller-Plessett Second-Order Perturbation Theory electron densities and the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. Combining the results of these theoretical methods with analysis of structural details of their optimized geometries gives much electronic structure insight into the extent of conjugation of bromonium ions of the carenes and pinenes reported here, and places them in relative context of more traditional conjugated and non-conjugated bromonium ion systems. In particular, bromonium ions of compounds 1, 7, and 11 display structural distortions, charge delocalizations and hardness values comparable with those of traditional conjugated cyclohexadienes, with possible reasons for subtle differences presented.
Special Issue on "Cdk5 and Brain Disorders": Prologue.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) was identified almost two decades ago as a Tau kinase specific to the nervous system. Shortly after its discovery, it was revealed that this atypical member of the CDK family does not partner with cyclins but with two other proteins, p35 and p39. P35 is predominantly expressed in post-mitotic neurons, whereas p39 is expressed in many different tissues including the brain, pancreas, muscle cells, neutrophils, and many other cell types. A proline-directed serine/threonine (S/T) kinase, predominantly active in the nervous system, Cdk5 regulates a multitude of functions including nervous system development, neuronal migration, cytoskeletal dynamics, axonal guidance, synaptic plasticity, neurotransmission, neuronal survival and death, to mention a few. In association with its ubiquitous expression in other tissues, Cdk5 is implicated in a wide range of functions, such as gene transcription, vesicular transport, apoptosis, cell adhesion, migration, exocytosis, etc.
PTPS-22DUAL mTOR KINASE INHIBITOR (MLN0128) MARKEDLY INDUCES GROWTH SUPPRESSION AND APOPTOSIS IN DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA CELL LINES.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an invasive and treatment-refractory pediatric brain tumor. The Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 and 2 (mTORC1/2) regulate protein translation, cell growth, survival, invasion and metabolism. Primary DIPG tumors harbor mutations in PTEN, AKT, and PI3K. Inhibition of TORC1 with rapalogs is minimally effective in DIPG, however, the efficacy of dual mTOR kinase inhibitors has not been examined in this tumor type. METHODS: Three DIPG cell lines (JHHDIPG1, SF7761, and SUDIPG XIII), maintained in medium with EGF and FGF, were treated for 4-72 hours with DMSO or 1-50 nM levels of the TORC1/2 kinase inhibitor MLN0128. Cell growth analysis was performed using MTS reagent and measured in 490-nm absorbance. Protein was extracted from cell lysates and Western blotting was performed using primary antibodies specific for pAKT, AKT, pS6, S6, and cleaved PARP, as well as β-actin. Immunofluorescence staining against cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) and BrdU were done to evaluate apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. RESULTS: Both pAKT and pS6 were highly expressed in these DIPGs cell lines. pAKT and pS6 were inhibited after 25nM and 10-25nM levels of MLN0128, respectively. Cell growth of DIPGs (MTS assay) was markedly inhibited by 25-50 nM MLN0128 (SF7761: 10 nM p = 0.0002, 25/50 nM p < 0.0001; SUDIPG XIII: 25 nM p = 0.0065, 50 nM p = 0.0003, all vs vehicle). Decreased proliferation (%BrdU: JHHDIPG1 p = 0.0001, SF7761 p < 0.0001, SUDIPG XIII p < 0.0003, all vehicle vs 25 nM) and increased apoptosis (%CC3: JHHDIPG1 p = 0.0004, SF7761 p = 0.0005, SUDIPG XIII p = 0.0032, all vehicle vs 25 nM; increased cleaved PARP) were seen after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In these DIPG cell lines, the mTOR pathway is active, and inhibition of the pathway suppresses growth and induces apoptosis. These effects may be induced as a consequence of inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2. Dual mTOR inhibition is a promising candidate for DIPG treatment.
Structural explanation for low creep rates on the San Andreas fault near Monarch Peak, central California

Comparison of fault slip throughout most of the central, creeping section of the San Andreas fault zone indicates that near-fault (about 100-m aperture) and intermediate-scale (about 1- to 2-km aperture) geodetic measurements of right-lateral slip are in good agreement. An exception is present near Monarch Peak, near the center of the creeping section. Here, near-fault measuring techniques yield no more than two-thirds of the slip rate determined by intermediate-scale measurements. Anomalously low near-fault creep at this site has continued during 10 yr of measurement. Detailed geologic mapping shows the presence of geologically youthful subsidiary faults along an area about 7 km long and parallel with the main trace, centered on Monarch Peak. We infer that the subsidiary faults are active, taking up the difference in horizontal offset. If the subsidiary faults are in fact active, it makes the structural setting near Monarch Peak anomalous in the creeping section of the fault zone.
Lessons From Large-Scale Collection of Patient-Reported Outcomes: Implications for Big Data Aggregation and Analytics.

Awareness of patient reported outcomes (PROs) as vital elements for big data efforts to incorporate measures of patient’s quality of life (QOL) into analysis of efficacy of care is emerging[1,2]. PRO domains can include functional status, symptoms (intensity, frequency), satisfaction (with medication), multiple domains of well-being, and global satisfaction with life. Today, virtually all validity issues for PROs have been either resolved or clear guidelines have been established [3–5]. Although the value of using PRO’s has been established, the challenge remains to measure QOL through PRO with the observational rigor of any other vital sign or lab test, yet with the ease of administration and rapid processing the clinical environment demands (Figure 1). Open in a separate window Figure 1 Vision for use of PROs as part of clinical decision frameworks
Loading distribution in rock-fragmentation contact zone of TBM disc hobbing cutters

According to the rock-fragmentation features for disc hobbing cutters of tunnel boring machine(TBM),an integrated model is established based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics(SPH)and finite element method.With 3D numerical experiments on constant cross-section(CCS)disc hobbing cutters,the normal and rolling forces,along with related distributions,are obtained regarding different penetration degrees.By verifying the experimental results via CSM model,the pressure distribution is attained in rockfragmentation contact zone of TBM disc hobbing cutters.Therefore,this approach sets a reference to relevant cutter design and application.
Role of nitric oxide in vasopressinergic pulmonary vasodilatation

Experiments were performed to determine the mechanism of vasopressinergic pulmonary vasodilation in isolated, salt-perfused rat lungs. Administration of a 50-ng bolus of arginine vasopressin (AVP) to lungs preconstricted with the synthetic thromboxane analogue U-46619 resulted in a 66% reversal of pulmonary vasoconstriction. Administration of the known endothelium-dependent vasodilator ATP resulted in a parallel decrease in pressure. The vasodilatory responses to both agents were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). In addition to attenuating the vasodilatory response to these agents, L-NNA pretreatment caused a significant augmentation of the pressor response to U-46619 without affecting baseline pulmonary arterial pressure. The attenuation of vasopressinergic pulmonary vasodilation by L-NNA was completely reversed by addition of excess substrate for NO production (50 mM L-arginine) but was unaffected by addition of equimolar amounts of D-arginine. Finally, L-NNA pretreatment failed to attenuate the vasodilatory actions of sodium nitroprusside and isoproterenol. We conclude that AVP dilates the preconstricted pulmonary vasculature via the release of nitric oxide.
Multichannel fusion models for the parametric classification of multicategory differential brain activity

This work introduces multichannel classification fusion and multichannel data fusion models to fully exploit the different but complementary brain activity information recorded from multiple channels. The goal is to accurately classify differential brain activity into their respective categories. A parametric weighted classification fusion model and three weighted data fusion models (mixture, sum, and concatenation) are introduced. Parametric classifiers are developed for each fusion strategy and the performances of the different strategies are compared by classifying 14-channel evoked potentials (EPs) collected from subjects involved in making explicit match/mismatch comparisons between sequentially presented stimuli. The best performance is obtained using multichannel EP concatenation and the performance improves by incorporating weights in the fusion rules. The fusion strategies introduced are also applicable to other problems involving the classification of multicategory multivariate signals generated from multiple sources.
Information Theory Applications in Soft Computing

An overview of information theory metrics and the ranges of their values for extreme probability cases is provided. Imprecise database models including similarity based fuzzy models and rough set models are described. Various entropy measures for these database models’ content and responses to querying is provided. Aggregation of uncertainty representations are also considered. In particular the possibilistic conditioning of probability aggregation is examined. Information measures are used to compare the resultant conditioned probability to the original probability for three cases of possibility distributions.
Northwest Ohio crop yield benefits of water capture and subirrigation based on future climate change projections

Climate change projections for the Midwest U.S. indicate a future with increased growing season dryness that will adversely impact crop production sustainability. Systems that capture water for later subirrigation use have potential as a climate adaptation strategy to mitigate this increased crop water stress. Three such systems were operated in northwest Ohio from 1996 to 2008, and they exhibited substantial crop yield benefits, especially in dry growing seasons, but also to a lesser extent in near normal or wet growing seasons. The goal of this research was to estimate the increase in crop yield benefits of water capture and subirrigation systems that can be expected under projcted 2041–2070 climate conditions in northwest Ohio. Historical subirrigated field crop yield differences with fields having free drainage only, relative to growing season dryness/wetness, were used to determine future northwest Ohio subirrigated field crop yield increases, based on the modeled climate for 2041–2070. Climate records for 2041–2070 were projected using three bias corrected model combinations, CRCM+CGCM3, RCM3+GFDL, and MM5I+HadCM3. Growing season dryness/wetness was classified based on the difference between rainfall and the crop adjusted potential evapotranspiration using the 1984–2013 climate record at the three system locations. Projected 2041–2070 growing season precipitation varied substantially between the three model combinations; however, all three indicated increased growing season dryness due to rising temperature and solar radiation. The overall subirrigated field corn yield increase rose to an estimated 27.5%–30.0% in 2041–2070 from 20.5% in 1996–2008, while the subirrigated field soybean yield increase improved from 12.2% in 1996–2008 to 19.8%–21.5% for 2041–2070. Consequently, as growing season drought becomes more frequent, the crop yield benefits with water capture and subirrigation systems will improve, and these systems therefore provide a viable climate adaptation strategy for agricultural production.
Optimum Paint Sequence for Speckle Patterns in Digital Image Correlation

This note answers whether it is better to use black-on-white or white-on-black painted speckle patterns, and provides recommendations for optimum painted patterns for digital image correlation (DIC). Although DIC algorithms have no preference between tracking the patterns of either bright features or dark features on contrasting backgrounds, we show that paint sequence can be important due to fundamental differences in paint pigments. If the sample and experiment conditions call for two painting steps (basecoat and speckles), then applying a basecoat of white paint followed by black speckles is better than the converse. Black speckles are preferred because they increase contrast and provide a higher mean intensity gradient, lower correlation confidence interval, and lower displacement error. The primary reason for the increased contrast is the greater hiding power of black paint versus white paint. A secondary effect that also reduces contrast in white speckles is undertone, or a slight blue hue shift from Rayleigh scattering.
Jet stability and wall impingement flow field in a thermal striping experiment

Abstract We present velocity and temperature field measurements for a 0.9 × 0.9 × 1.7 m glass tank in which two air jets mix and impinge upon the lid at ambient temperature and pressure. At jet Re ≈ 10,000, flow patterns below the lid were characterized for two inlet geometries: (1) “extended”, in which inlet channels protrude above the tank base, and (2) “flush”, a flat base without protrusions. This minor geometry variation produced distinct changes in the lid velocity field, appearing as three stagnant regions for the extended case and only one for flush. The dichotomy is attributed to system stability characteristics: jets are stable in the extended case and unstable for flush. In a separate set of nonisothermal tests, the impingement temperature field was measured for inlet temperature mismatches of 4 °C with jets again near Re = 10,000. A 50 m-long fiber optic distributed temperature sensor beneath the lid measured at 1350 locations. Like the velocity fields, the temperature fields differ for the two inlet geometries: good thermal mixing for the flush case and subdued mixing for the extended case. Simulations with the spectral element code Nek5000 replicated the observed stability dichotomy, duplicating the number of stagnant regions observed in the experiment and matching their locations within ±10 mm. Simulation data suggests that flush case instability is due to interactions between jets and wall flows at the bottom of the tank. The clear flow dichotomy exhibited by this two-jet setup presents an unambiguous case to test the ability of CFD tools to predict subtle flow field changes driven by minor modifications in geometry in the context of thermal striping.
Attempts at Prevention and Treatment of Delayed Ischaemic Dysfunction in Patients with Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is frequently followed by evidence of intracranial arterial narrowing, which often is accompanied by the delayed onset of a related neurological deficit. During the decades since these detrimental phenomena were first recognized, many attempts have been made to prevent or treat them. Current emphasis in prophylaxis and treatment is on: 1. early operation to eliminate the threat of rebleeding and to allow the gentle removal of as much blood as feasible from the basal subarachnoid cisterns, 2. maintenance or elevation of circulating blood volume, and 3. maintenance or elevation of systemic blood pressure. In recent years, there has also been increasing evidence that the administration of the calcium channel blocking agent nimodipine can reduce the incidence of delayed ischaemic neurological deficits in patients with a ruptured aneurysm.
Abstract 13458: Caspase Recruitment Domain-Containing Protein 9 Deficiency Mitigates Obesity-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Obesity has become an epidemic and is associated with cardiovascular anomalies. Obesity-induced low-grade chronic inflammation and macrophage infiltration into the heart plays a critical role in the development of cardiac dysfunction. Because the adaptor protein caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) regulates the innate immunity in macrophages via activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, we hypothesized that CARD9 mediates chronic inflammation and plays a detrimental role in obesity-associated cardiac dysfunction. Male C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and CARD9 knockout (CARD9-/-) mice were fed normal chow (ND, 12% fat) or a Western diet (WD, 45% fat) for 5 months starting at 4 weeks of age. At the end of 5-month WD feeding, cardiac geometry and function were evaluated using echocardiography. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect macrophage infiltration in the heart. Heart tissue homogenates, plasma, and supernatants from cultured macrophages were collected to measure the activities of pro-inflammatory cytokines by ELISA kits. Western immunoblotting analyses were performed on isolated peritoneal macrophages and heart tissue to dissect the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. WD feeding induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in the WT mice and the effects were attenuated in the CARD9-/- mice. Myocardial fractional shortening and ejection fraction were significantly compromised in the WD-fed WT mice and CARD9 knockout preserved cardiac function. CARD9 knockout also significantly decreased the number of infiltrated macrophages in the heart. In addition, myocardium-, plasma- and macrophage-derived cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and TNFα were attenuated in the CARD9-/- mice compared to the WT mice. WD feeding resulted in increased protein phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK in the heart and macrophages which were suppressed in the CARD9-/- mice. Taken together, these results suggest that CARD9 knockout ameliorates obesity-induced cardiac dysfunction, potentially through reduction of macrophage infiltration and suppression of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in the heart.
Activated prothrombin complex concentrate for warfarin reversal in traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Abstract Background Patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (TIH) anticoagulated with warfarin are at an increased risk of mortality. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and vitamin K have been the standard treatment for warfarin reversal; however, guidelines now recommend the use of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) for warfarin reversal in patients with life-threatening bleeding. Our protocol uses one vial (∼1000 units) of activated PCC (aPCC) for warfarin reversal, regardless of the weight or presenting international normalized ratio (INR). The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of using fixed, low-dose aPCC for warfarin reversal in patients with TIH. Methods This was a retrospective chart review that included patients with an Abbreviated Injury Scale Head score of ≥3, TIH, and initial INR ≥ 1.5 on warfarin. Patients aged Results Eighty-nine patients were in the FFP group and 31 patients in the aPCC group. The INR was reversed more effectively in the aPCC group compared with the FFP group (90.3% versus 69.7%, P = 0.029). The median time (hours) to reversal was also significantly shorter in the aPCC group compared with the FFP group (3.75 versus 6.75, P = 0.003). However, there was no difference in mortality (35.5% aPCC versus 22.2% control, P = 0.162) or incidences of thrombosis. Conclusion Fixed, low-dose aPCC is safe and more effective at reversing the effects of warfarin than FFP in patients with TIH.
The relationship between adverse neighborhood socioeconomic context and HIV continuum of care outcomes in a diverse HIV clinic cohort in the Southern United States.

Retention in care and viral suppression are critical to delaying HIV progression and reducing transmission. Neighborhood socioeconomic context (NSEC) may affect HIV care receipt. We therefore asses...
Furfural-Derived Diacid Prepared by Photoreaction for Sustainable Materials Synthesis

A cis-3,4-di(furan-2-yl)cyclobutane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid (CBDA-2) is readily prepared stereospecifically from trans-3-(2-furyl)acrylic acid, a furfural-derived compound, through a solid-state [2 + 2] photocycloaddition in 95% isolated yield. The cyclobutane ring in CBDA-2 shows desired stabilities during thermal, sunlight, and chemical tests. The single crystal structure of CBDA-2 revealed the geometry of this molecule and orientation of the two dicarboxylic acid groups displaying its potential to serve as a unique, semirigid diacid building block in material science. A preliminary study showed that condensation of this diacid with glycerol yielded a green polymer with good stability. The diacid could also be used as a cross-linker for a biobased epoxy to yield an exceptionally hard and solvent-resistant thermoset.
Characterization of the Temporal Trends in the Rate of Cattle Carcass Condemnations in the US and Dynamic Modeling of the Condemnation Reasons in California With a Seasonal Component.

Based on the 2016 National Cattlemen's Beef Association statistics, the cattle inventory in the US reached 93.5 million head, from which 30.5 million were commercial slaughter in 2016. California ranked fourth among all the US states that raise cattle and calves, with 5.15 million head and approximately 1.18 million slaughtered animals per year. Approximately 0.5% of cattle carcasses in the US are condemned each year, which has an important economic impact on cattle producers.In this study, we first described and compared the temporal trends of cattle carcass condemnations in all the US states from Jan-2005 to Dec-2014. Then, we focused on the condemnation reasons with a seasonal component in California and used dynamic harmonic regression (DHR) models both to model (from Jan-2005 to Dec-2011) and predict (from Jan-2012 to Dec-2014) the carcass condemnations rate in different time horizons (3 to 12 months).Data consisted of daily reports of 35 condemnation reasons per cattle type reported in 684 federally inspected slaughterhouses in the US from Jan-2005 to Dec-2014 and the monthly slaughtered animals per cattle type per states. Almost 1.5 million carcasses were condemned in the US during the 10 year study period (Jan 2005-Dec 2014), and around 40% were associated with three condemnation reasons: malignant lymphoma, septicemia and pneumonia. In California, emaciation, eosinophilic myositis and malignant lymphoma were the only condemnation reasons presenting seasonality and, therefore, the only ones selected to be modeled using DHRs. The DHR models for Jan-2005 to Dec-2011 were able to correctly model the dynamics of the emaciation, malignant lymphoma and eosinophilic myositis condemnation rates with coefficient of determination ( Rt2 ) of 0.98, 0.87 and 0.78, respectively. The DHR models for Jan-2012 to Dec-2014 were able to predict the rate of condemned carcasses 3 month ahead of time with mean relative prediction error of 33, 11, and 38%, respectively. The systematic analysis of carcass condemnations and slaughter data in a more real-time fashion could be used to identify changes in carcass condemnation trends and more timely support the implementation of prevention and mitigation strategies that reduce the number of carcass condemnations in the US.
Phase-stable, downconverting, microwave photonic link with analysis of balanced heterodyne detection intermodulation

A coherent downconverting microwave photonic link using balanced heterodyne detection of single-sideband modulated optical signals is analyzed and demonstrated. The intermodulation analysis shows that the second-order photodetector nonlinearity can be the limiting factor in the third-order intermodulation spur performance. The link is designed to phase coherently downconvert 17 GHz of bandwidth in an extended K-band (23–45 GHz) to 1–18 GHz to match the capabilities of modern receivers. The application of the link is for a low-loss >20 μs analog buffer. Spur performance of 112.4 dB/Hz(2/3) is demonstrated when background noise is limited by shot noise.