cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinal Ganglion Cell Count Estimates Associated with Early Development of Visual Field Defects in Glaucoma

Purpose To estimate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) losses associated with the earliest development of visual field defects in glaucoma. Design Observational cohort study. Participants The study group included 53 eyes of 53 patients with suspected glaucoma who were followed as part of the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma (DIGS) study. These eyes had normal standard automated perimetry (SAP) visual fields at baseline and developed repeatable (3 consecutive) abnormal test results during a median follow-up of 6.7 years. An age-matched control group of 124 eyes of 124 healthy subjects recruited from the general population was included. Methods Estimates of RGC counts were obtained using a previously published model that combines estimates of RGC numbers from SAP sensitivity thresholds and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). For eyes converting to glaucoma, estimates of RGC counts were obtained at the time (within ±3 months) of the first abnormal visual field, representing the time of earliest detection of visual field losses. Main Outcome Measures Estimates of RGC counts in eyes converting to glaucoma versus healthy eyes. Results The average RGC count estimate in the eyes with early visual field defects was 652057±115829 cells, which was significantly lower than the average of 910 584±142 412 cells found in healthy eyes ( P P = 0.001). Conclusions Glaucomatous eyes with the earliest detectable visual field loss on automated perimetry may already show substantial loss of RGCs. Empirical estimates of RGC counts combining structural and functional tests agreed closely with previous histologic reports on the number of RGCs associated with early visual fields defects on SAP. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Stacking of short DNA induces the gyroid cubic-to-inverted hexagonal phase transition in lipid–DNA complexes

Lyotropic phases of amphiphiles are a prototypical example of self-assemblies. Their structure is generally determined by amphiphile shape and their phase transitions are primarily governed by composition. In this paper, we demonstrate a new paradigm for membrane shape control where the electrostatic coupling of charged membranes to short DNA (sDNA), with tunable temperature-dependent end-to-end stacking interactions, enables switching between the inverted gyroid cubic structure (QGII) and the inverted hexagonal phase (HCII). We investigated the structural shape transitions induced in the QGII phase upon complexation with a series of sDNAs (5, 11, 24, and 48 bp) with three types of end structure (“sticky” adenine (A)–thymine (T) (dAdT) overhangs, no overhang (blunt), and “nonsticky” dTdT overhangs) using synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering. Very short 5 bp sDNA with dAdT overhangs and blunt ends induce coexistence of the QGII and the HCII phase, with the fraction of QGII increasing with temperature. Phase coexistence for blunt 5 bp sDNA is observed from 27 °C to about 65 °C, where the HCII phase disappears and the temperature dependence of the lattice spacing of the QGII phase indicates that the sDNA duplexes melt into single strands. The only other sDNA for which melting is observed is 5 bp sDNA with dTdT overhangs, which forms the QGII phase throughout the studied range of temperature (27 °C to 85.2 °C). The longer 11 bp sDNA forms coexisting QGII and HCII phases (with the fraction of QGII again increasing with temperature) only for “nonsticky” dTdT overhangs, while dAdT overhangs and blunt ends exclusively template the HCII phase. For 24 and 48 bp sDNAs the HCII phase replaces the QGII phase at all investigated temperatures, independent of sDNA end structure. Our work demonstrates how the combined effects of sDNA length and end structure (which determine the temperature-dependent stacking length) tune the phase behavior of the complexes. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that sDNAs and sDNA stacks as long as or longer than the cubic unit cell length disfavor the highly curved channels present in the QGII phase, thus driving the QGII-to-HCII phase transition. As the temperature is increased, the breaking of stacks due to thermal fluctuations restores increasing percentages of the QGII phase.
A comparative study of freezing techniques for nerves and small specimens

Cryo-embedding has been a basic technique used in routine histology for many years. There are many different methods for cryo-embedding small tissue samples. Most samples require a horizontal, level orientation to obtain optimal quantity and quality of sections from the cryo-block. Therefore, it is necessary to assure the sample is placed in a level cutting plane. This is sometimes difficult to achieve when freezing very small or thin specimens, such as nerves, or multiple samples in a single block. This comparative study will evaluate four different freezing methods that have been used for cryo-embedding small samples.
Effects of convulsive doses of penicillin on the metabolism of single neurons

Abstract Penicillin seizure foci were created in cats. Single neurons adjacent to these foci were analyzed for ability to utilize oxygen in a glucose or succinate media (succinoxidase system) using the Cartesian diver method. Cells adjacent to the foci demonstrated oxygen uptake for both systems which was reduced when compared to saline foci controls. Also cells from “normal” cortex, incubated in a penicillin media, demonstrated “normal” oxygen uptake. It is suggested that the epileptogenic feature of penicillin is not a direct effect upon the neuron but rather involvement of those structures influencing neuronal nutrition and environmental conditions.
Is the Glass Emptying or Filling Up? Reconciling Divergent Trends in High School Completion and Dropout

Conclusions about levels and trends in high school dropout differ dramatically depending on whether dropout is measured using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) or from the Common Core of Data (CCD). Using CPS- and CCD-based drop-out measures for 16- to 19-year-olds—which differ solely in their estimates of the number of 16- to 19-year-olds holding high school credentials—the authors show that half of the differences in estimated drop-out rates are due to how private school graduates and GED recipients are counted. The other half is likely attributable to CPS respondents’ misstatements of their children’s high school completion status. The rate at which students complete (or fail to complete) high school is best measured using CCD data.
On optimal single jog river routing (VLSI layout)

The wiring problem of providing a planar rectilinear wire connection between two sets of terminals which lie on two horizontal lines in the plane is called the river routing. The problem has been widely studied. It is normally studied in conjunction with design variable(s) optimization problem. The author studies this problem when there is at most one horizontal segment in each wire. Efficient optimal algorithms are given for the following design variables: offset, separation, area, and shortest total wire length. The tight upper bound on the separation is also given. >
Making decisions on environmental problems

Abstract A methodology is presented based on decision analysis for making decisions on environmental problems as required in the environmental impact assessment context. The major issues are identified, and the ability of the methodology to address these issues discussed. Explicit treatment of uncertainty and value tradeoffs, and the ability to consider different points of view are the important features of the methodology. Because of its sound theoretical foundation and its systematic and logical development, the methodology is well suited for documenting and justifying the decision process in public, regulatory, and judicial hearings. Case histories are summarized to illustrate the wide range of applicability of the methodology.
Surface-Plasmon-Assisted Guiding of Broadband Slow and Subwavelength Light in Air

A class of axially uniform waveguides is introduced, employing a new mechanism to guide light inside a low-index dielectric material without the use of photonic band gap, and simultaneously exhibiting subwavelength modal size and very slow group velocity over an unusually large frequency bandwidth. Their basis is the presence of plasmonic modes on the interfaces between dielectric regions and the flat unpatterned surface of a bulk metallic substrate. These novel waveguides allow for easy broadband coupling and exhibit absorption losses limited only by the intrinsic loss of the metal.
Conceptual problems with remote element synthesis

The notion of remote element synthesis has recently been modified to explain the presence of nucleogenetic isotopic anomalies and decay products of short-lived nuclides by injection of a small amount ofexotic nucleogenetic material. Even with this modification, remote element synthesis seems inconsistent with the following observations: Evidence of coupled variations in the chemical and isotopic compositions of the source material for meteorites. Residual coupling of chemical and isotopic heterogeneities across planetary distances in the solar system today. The mass-fractionation relationship seen across isotopes of elements in the planetary system, in the solar wind, and in solar flares. Linkage of short-lived radioactivities with isotopic anomalies and with physical properties of their host grains, as expected for early condensate of fresh stellar debris. Temporal and spatial distributions of short-live nuclides and their decay products. Mirror-image (+ and −) isotopic anomalies in meteorite grains that sum to “normal” isotopic ratios, as expected of unmixed products of the same nuclear reactions that produced our bulk elements. The lac supporting evidence for “presolar” grains or nearby stars that injectedexotic material into the early solar nebula.
Diamond-like amorphous carbon coatings for large areas of glass

Abstract Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is a metastable form of amorphous carbon with a significant fraction of sp3 bonding. DLC is a semiconductor having high mechanical hardness, chemical inertness and optical transparency. The films have widespread applications as protective coatings in areas such as magnetic storage disks, optical windows and micro-electromechanical devices (MEMS). To date, such films have been deposited using mass selected ion beams, filtered cathodic vacuum arcs and pulsed laser ablation. These techniques are, however, limited in their areal coverage and throughput. Also, film adhesion to certain substrates, such as soda-lime glass, and the presence of micro-particles are still serious limitations. The primary motivation behind the present work is to develop a large area deposition technique, which produces highly transparent hydrogenated tetrahedral a-C thin films (ta-C:H) that acts as a scratch resistant layer and corrosion barrier on soda lime glass. Large area deposition of DLC, with sp3 content as high as 80%, directly onto 1.5 m wide glass substrates is reported.
Motivational biases in the attribution of responsibility for an accident: A meta-analysis of the defensive-attribution hypothesis.

Wake Forest University Research concerned with motivational distortion in the attribution of responsibility for an accident is reviewed. The results of a statistical combination of 22 relevant studies suggest a statistically significant but weak tendency to attribute more responsibility to an accident perpetrator for a severe than for a mild accident. An examination of interacting variables found, consistent with Shaver's defensive-attribution hypothesis, that when observers were personally and situationally similar to the accident perpetrator, they tended to attribute less responsibility to the perpetrator when accident severity increased. The opposite was found to be the case when the perceiver and the perpetrator were dissimilar. Experiments using stronger subject-involving manipulations also appeared more likely to produce evidence in support of the defensive-attribution hypothesis than did experiments with low-involvernent manipulations. The relationship between this model and other theoretical and conceptual approaches is discussed, and recommendations for future research are suggested. It is concluded that research strongly supports the defensive-attribution hypothesis when the similarity variables are considered, and that this effect represents one example of how perceivers' self-protective motives influence responsibility attributions.
The future of computer telecommunications integration

Describes activities in integrating the desktop computer with the telephone system (computer-telephony integration, or CTI). CTI is but one step in the evolution to a seamless and interoperable integrated telecommunications and computer infrastructure, and this may arrive surprisingly soon, enabled by some recent technological developments.
A model of mixing and transport in wavy Taylor-Couette flow

Abstract Wavy Taylor vortex flow was simulated by developing a stream function model of the velocity vector field in a radial-axial plane that mimics an experimentally obtained velocity field. The simulation neglects the azimuthal component of velocity but provides estimates of the mixing and axial transport properties of wavy vortex flow in the axial-radial plane at higher Taylor numbers (Ta) and larger gap widths than previous models. Based on the estimated Lyapunov numbers, the particle paths appear to be chaotic for wavy vortex flow in the range 131 ≤ Ta ≤ 253. The axial particle transport increases with the Taylor number in this range, most likely due to increased axial transport of fluid between vortices. The mixing within vortices is also enhanced with increasing Taylor number as a result of increased stretching and folding within a vortex.
Prevention of Infectious Disease Transmission in Sports

A variety of infectious diseases can be transmitted during competitive sports. Modes of transmission in athletic settings include person-to-person contact, common-source exposures and airborne/droplet spread. This paper reviews the most commonly reported infectious diseases among athletes and discusses the potential for transmission of bloodborne diseases in sports. Guidelines are provided regarding measures to prevent transmission of infectious diseases in athletic settings, including hygiene and infection control practices, vaccination, and education of officials, coaches, trainers and sports participants.
Book Review of Graphical Methods for Data Analysis by J.M. Chambers, W.S. Cleveland, B. Kleiner, & P.A. Tukey

(1987). Book Review of Graphical Methods for Data Analysis by J.M. Chambers, W.S. Cleveland, B. Kleiner, & P.A. Tukey. American Journal of Mathematical and Management Sciences: Vol. 7, No. 1-2, pp. 191-197.
Subcellular redistribution of protein kinase C isozymes is associated with rat liver cirrhotic changes induced by carbon tetrachloride or thioacetamide

Background and Aims: Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a key role in the alteration of signal transduction in the liver, which may contribute to the development of liver cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to examine the subcellular redistribution of PKC isozymes in rat liver cirrhosis, which is induced by two different cirrhotic chemical agents, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and thioacetamide (TAA). Methods and Results: Thioacetamide and CCl4 were administered to rats for 8 and 30 weeks, respectively before rats were killed and autopsies performed at 9, 20 and 30 weeks later. The TAA induced a fibrotic pattern in the liver that differed from that produced by CCl4, notably in the formation of fibrous connective tissue and the proliferation of bile ductule cells. Cholangiofibrosis and clear-cell foci were also observed in TAA-treated rats at 30 weeks. Histological examination revealed that severe cirrhotic changes were present 9 weeks after the commencement of CCl4 treatment and 30 weeks after TAA treatment. Discussion: When the subcellular redistribution of PKC isozymes (PKCα, -β1, -δ, and -ɛ) was examined, all the PKC isozymes in CCl4-treated rats were found to be translocated to the membrane fraction, which may mean PKC activation, and then downregulated by proteolytic degradation after 9 weeks of treatment, which coincided with peak cirrhotic changes. All rats treated with CCl4 recovered to the control level after 20 weeks of treatment. In the case of TAA-treated rats, PKC isozymes were translocated to the particulate fraction of the liver after 9 weeks of treatment and this persisted in most of the rats for the duration of the experiment. Conclusions: From these results, it would appear that PKC translocation preceded morphologic changes, and that an altered subcellular distribution of the PKC isozyme may be associated with the response to liver damage and carcinogenesis.
Calculable corrections to hadronic zeroth order relations in unified gauge model

Abstract We formulate hadronic symmetry breaking in unified gauge models, in terms of measurable currents and their divergences. Our model independent method consists of calculating the divergence ∂ μ J μ α to order e 2 , as an operator. We derive formulas for the pion mass, pi-pi scattering lengths, pi-nucleon sigma term, corrections to the Goldberger— Treiman relation, physical baryon mass splitting, and give a possible mechanism for pi-eta degeneracy breaking. Renormalizability puts short distance conditions on the currents.
Mapping Benthic Habitats in Delaware Bay and the Coastal Atlantic: Acoustic Techniques Provide Greater Coverage and High Resolution in Complex, Shallow-Water Environments

Accurate benthic habitat maps are critical for resource management in coastal waters with competing uses. We used a 500 kHz phase-measuring bathymetric sonar (PMBS) and 900 kHz side-scan sonar to acquire seafloor data in estuarine and shelf environments. Grab samples and remotely operated vehicle video created geological and biological classifications for segmented maps produced by a backscatter clustering program. PMBS improves regional map resolution (<1 m), reduces the need for direct sampling, extends information on sediment–biological relationships to larger areas, and allows measurements of bedforms. Auto-segmentation was successful in environments with highly contrasting acoustic signatures and meters-scale homogeneity. Patchier communities are identifiable in PMBS data. Species preferences for sediment (i.e., tubeworm preference for sediment without shell hash) allowed us to determine potential habitat without identifying individual organisms in acoustic data. PMBS with sufficient ground-truthing offers an efficient way to map seafloor characteristics, which is critical in marine spatial planning efforts.
Age-associated changes in mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation and lymphokine production in the long-lived brown-norway rat: effect of caloric restriction

We have previously demonstrated that age-related declines in Concanavalin A (ConA), induced proliferation and lymphokine production, occur in ad-libitum fed Brown Norway (AL BN) rats. Since caloric restriction (CR) extends lifespan, we expected that the age related changes in immune parameters would be delayed by CR. CR does act to delay age-related changes in proliferation in response to ConA. In addition, CR postpones the plateau in ConA induced interferon (IFN) production seen after 23 months of age in AL rats. However, CR does not postpone the age-related decline in ConA induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Therefore, ConA induced IFN production maybe a good candidate as an early marker of physiologic aging, while ConA induced proliferative response is a possible candidate for a marker of late stages of aging.
Proterozoic anorogenic two-mica granites: Silver Plume and St. Vrain batholiths of Colorado

The two-mica, sillimanite-bearing Silver Plume and St. Vrain batholiths of Colorado are representative of a distinctly peraluminous section of the 1.4 to 1.5 Ga anorogenic province of North America. Indicative of fundamental variations of lower-crust composition in this region of the continent, these granitic magmas were generated from an oxidized peraluminous quartzofeldspathic source at P ⩾ 10 kbar (⩾36 km). Despite mineralogic similarities, the rocks remain distinct from S-type orogenic granitoids in a high abundance of K, Ba, light rare earth elements, and other incompatible elements. This enrichment, although less than in some coeval metaluminous granites, results from limited partial melting under vapor-undersaturated conditions. Emplacement occurred at a depth possibly as shallow as 8 to 9 km (2.3 kbar) at a P H 2 O of 487 to 560 bar and temperature of 740 to 760 °C. These temperatures and pressures fall well beyond the conventional stability field of muscovite-melt equilibria and point to an enhanced stability of muscovite owing to its ferric and titaniferous nature in plutonic occurrences.
Edge weld penetration assessment using the potential drop technique

A special inspection technique was developed based on the Potential Drop Method (PDM) for assessing edge weld penetration on clamshell-style catalytic converters. The electric resistance through the edge welded flange of stainless steel catalytic converters sharply decreases with increasing weld penetration, which can be exploited to quantitatively measure the weld penetration in a nondestructive way. The current distribution in the weld was simulated using the Finite Element Method (FEM) in order to optimize the electrode arrangement, to estimate the adverse effects of spurious geometrical variations in the weld shape and to obtain approximate theoretical calibration curves. Experimental measurements using a high-sensitivity four-point AC resistance bridge were carried out on specimens of varying weld penetration between 0.020 and 0.080 inches to verify the FEM predictions and to obtain empirical calibration curves. The experimental results were found to be in good quantitative agreement with both FEM simulations and destructive results. The verified accuracy, reproducibility and speed of the developed technique are quite satisfactory in most industrial applications.
Geochemical constraints on sources of metabolic energy for chemolithoautotrophy in ultramafic-hosted deep-sea hydrothermal systems.

Numerical models are employed to investigate sources of chemical energy for autotrophic microbial metabolism that develop during mixing of oxidized seawater with strongly reduced fluids discharged from ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems on the seafloor. Hydrothermal fluids in these systems are highly enriched in H2 and CH4 as a result of alteration of ultramafic rocks (serpentinization) in the subsurface. Based on the availability of chemical energy sources, inferences are made about the likely metabolic diversity, relative abundance, and spatial distribution of microorganisms within ultramafic-hosted systems. Metabolic reactions involving H2 and CH4, particularly hydrogen oxidation, methanotrophy, sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis, represent the predominant sources of chemical energy during fluid mixing. Owing to chemical gradients that develop from fluid mixing, aerobic metabolisms are likely to predominate in low-temperature environments (<20–30°C), while anaerobes will dominate higher-temperat...
Optimal observation apertures for a turbulence-distorted wave front

For given statistics of optical disturbance, the minimal error of wave-front reconstruction is a function of sensor aperture weighting. By minimizing the reconstruction error with respect to sensor aperture weighting, we obtain a defining equation for the optimal observation aperture. In this paper we examine the optimal-observation-aperture problem for a turbulence-distorted wave front, with and without a constraint of nonoverlapping subapertures. In the one- and two-dimensional examples studied, the performance of the optimal system is compared with that of conventional Hartmann-type sensors with optimal reconstruction.
Effect of Hydrofluoric Acid in Oxidizing Acid Mixtures on the Hydroxylation of Silicon Surface

Silicon 100 wafers, predipped in 1:20 v/v HF water, were treated separately with four different acid mixtures, viz., HNO3, H2SO4–H2O2, HNO3–HF, and H2SO4–H2O2–HF, for different time durations. Subsequent vigorous rinsing with deionized water rendered the wafer surfaces with hydroxyl termination. Synthesized surfaces were characterized by diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy DRIFTS, ellipsometry, contact angle and atomic force microscopy. Surfaces treated with HNO3
The effects of electrostatic, molecular drag and gravitational forces on the behavior of particle clouds in an RF discharge

A Gaseous Electronics Conference (GEC) Reference Cell was used to investigate the behavior of graphite particles sputtered in an argon plasma. By configuring the reactor in a normal (wafer facing upward) and in an inverted (wafer facing downward) configuration, and by varying the direction and flow of the argon, the relative importance of gravity, molecular drag and electrostatic trapping could be observed. It was observed that particle clouds in specific locations adjacent to the wafer (referred to as particle traps) were identical in both configurations. Drag forces from the showerhead grounded electrode were sufficient to prevent particles from accumulating in the traps over the wafer. Drag forces from flow parallel to the wafer (/spl ges/25 cm/s) easily emptied the traps. Gas flow from a ring source mounted above a downward facing driven electrode were observed to affect the manner in which particles were removed from the ring-shaped trap surrounding the cathode. In that case, particles were observed to flow down eight fluid streamlines toward the eight openings through which the gas flowed from the reaction chamber to the pump. Comparison of results for the normal and inverted configurations also permitted estimates of the number of electrons attached to each particle. >
3-D shear wave radially and azimuthally anisotropic velocity model of the North American upper mantle

SUMMARY Using a combination of long period seismic waveforms and SKS splitting measurements, we have developed a 3-D upper-mantle model (SAWum_NA2) of North America that includes isotropic shear velocity, with a lateral resolution of ∼250 km, as well as radial and azimuthal anisotropy, with a lateral resolution of ∼500 km. Combining these results, we infer several key features of lithosphere and asthenosphere structure. A rapid change from thin (∼70–80 km) lithosphere in the western United States (WUS) to thick lithosphere (∼200 km) in the central, cratonic part of the continent closely follows the Rocky Mountain Front (RMF). Changes with depth of the fast axis direction of azimuthal anisotropy reveal the presence of two layers in the cratonic lithosphere, corresponding to the fast-to-slow discontinuity found in receiver functions. Below the lithosphere, azimuthal anisotropy manifests a maximum, stronger in the WUS than under the craton, and the fast axis of anisotropy aligns with the absolute plate motion, as described in the hotspot reference frame (HS3-NUVEL 1A). In the WUS, this zone is confined between 70 and 150 km, decreasing in strengthwithdepthfromthetop,fromtheRMFtotheSanAndreasFaultsystemandtheJuande Fuca/Gorda ridges. This result suggests that shear associated with lithosphere–asthenosphere couplingdominatesmantledeformationdowntothisdepthinthewesternpartofthecontinent. The depth extent of the zone of increased azimuthal anisotropy below the cratonic lithosphere is not well resolved in our study, although it is peaked around 270 km, a robust result. Radial anisotropy is such that, predominantly, ξ> 1, where ξ = (Vsh/Vsv) 2 , under the continent and its borders down to ∼200 km, with stronger ξ in the bordering oceanic regions. Across the continent and below 200 km, alternating zones of weaker and stronger radial anisotropy, with predominantly ξ< 1, correlate with zones of small lateral changes in the fast axis direction of anisotropy, and faster than average Vs below the LAB, suggesting the presence of small scale convection with a wavelength of ∼2000 km. Finally, in the western United States, complex 3-D patterns of isotropic velocity and anisotropy reflect mantle dynamics associated with the rich tectonic history of the region.
Expanding the phenotype of feingold syndrome‐2

Feingold syndrome-2 has been recently shown to be caused by germline heterozygous deletions of MIR17HG with 10 reported patients to date. Manifestations common to both Feingold syndrome-1 and Feingold syndrome-2 include microcephaly, short stature, and brachymesophalangy; but those with Feingold syndrome-2 lack gastrointestinal atresias. Here we describe a 14-year-old male patient who presented to our Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic with a history of a bicuspid aortic valve with aortic stenosis, short stature, hearing loss, and mild learning disabilities. Upon examination he was noted to have dysmorphic features and brachydactyly of his fingers and toes. His head circumference was 54.5 cm (25th-50th centile) and his height was 161.3 cm (31st centile) after growth hormone therapy. A skeletal survey noted numerous abnormalities prompting suspicion for Feingold syndrome. A comparative genomic hybridization microarray was completed and a ∼3.6 Mb interstitial heterozygous deletion at 13q31.3 including MIR17HG was found consistent with Feingold syndrome-2. Clinically, this patient has the characteristic digital anomalies and short stature often seen in Feingold syndrome-2 with less common features of a congenital heart defect and hearing loss. Although non-skeletal features have been occasionally reported in Feingold syndrome-1, only one other patient with a 13q31 microdeletion including MIR17HG has had non-skeletal manifestations. Additionally, our patient does not have microcephaly and, to our knowledge, is the first reported pediatric patient with Feingold syndrome-2 without this feature. This report illustrates significant phenotypic variability within the clinical presentation of Feingold syndrome-2 and highlights considerable overlap with Feingold syndrome-1.
The Benefit of Subcutaneous Glucagon During Closed-Loop Glycemic Control in Rats With Type 1 Diabetes

Because of its prolonged action, subcutaneously administered insulin has a potential for overcorrection hypoglycemia during closed-loop glucose control. For this reason, we hypothesized that subcutaneous glucagon, whose action is faster, could lessen the risk for hypoglycemia during closed-loop control. We therefore compared insulin alone versus insulin plus glucagon in diabetic rats in a controlled closed-loop study. Both hormones were delivered by algorithms based on proportional error, derivative error, and the glucose history. Based on this algorithm, glucagon was delivered when glucose was declining and approaching a hypoglycemic level. The delivery of glucagon was largely reciprocal with the delivery of insulin. With the addition of glucagon, there was less hypoglycemia at the glucose nadir, less hyperglycemia later in the study, and lower absolute error values during these periods. We also found that for 7 days after glucagon reconstitution, commercially available glucagon retained its original ability to quickly raise glucose level. We conclude that when subcutaneous insulin delivery is accompanied by subcutaneous glucagon, glycemic control during closed-loop treatment is improved. Since its action is faster than that of insulin, glucagon may prove useful during closed-loop diabetes control.
Psychophysiological Aspects of Methamphetamine Abuse

Methamphetamine is one of the most prevalent “club drugs” but its use is not limited to “raves.” Methamphetamine belongs to the broad class of drugs called psychostimulants that also includes cocaine, amphetamine, and methyl-phenidate. Methamphetamine and cocaine often are compared to each other because they produce similar mood-altering effects, have a high potential for abuse and dependence, and share other similarities. However, the two drugs also exhibit significant differences. The following article discusses the psychophysiology of methamphetamine and summarizes treatment approaches to methamphetamine dependency.
Design for low beam loss in accelerators for intense neutron source applications

Control of beam loss in intense ion linacs involves keeping beam spill below parts in 10/sup -5/-10/sup -8m by preventing total beam size from extending to the limiting apertures. Starting from good RMS design practices, new analysis of the machine architecture is described in terms of space-charge effects on the machine tune, free-energy constraint, and halo-producing mechanisms. It is shown that halos are produced by the time- (or position-) varying nature of common linac aspects (such as misalignment, mismatching, acceleration, and construction techniques) through collective core/single-particle interaction dynamics plus resonances. >
Automated cyclone tracking using multiple remote satellite data via knowledge transfer

Cyclone tracking using a single orbiting satellite in a continuous manner is impractical as it has limited spatial and temporal coverage. One solution is to use multiple orbiting satellites for cyclone tracking. However, data from some orbiting satellites do not provide features as useful as other satellites in identifying cyclones. Moreover, satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features may be affected by coarse temporal resolution and object occlusion. In this paper, we propose a knowledge transfer methodology based on a Kalman filter for cyclone tracking using multiple satellite data sources containing a mixture of strong and weak features. This approach minimizes the negative effect of coarse temporal resolution and occlusion if only the satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features were used. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of our knowledge transfer approach for cyclone tracking.
Treating Asthma: Divide and Conquer

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflamed and narrowed airways. Recently, asthma has been reported to actually represent a group of heterogenic disorders, which can be further subclassified on the basis of clinical, pathologic, and molecular features. Responsiveness to specific therapeutics could differ drastically among those different asthma subtypes. For instance, asthma patients with high levels of type 2 T helper cytokines (TH2-high asthma) respond to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment, but asthma patients with low levels of TH2 cytokines (TH2-low asthma) usually do not. Currently, the molecular mechanisms that differentiate the development of TH2-high and TH2-low asthma are largely unknown. Mouse studies have indicated that epithelial cell-derived cytokines including interleukin-25 (IL-25), IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) are the leading factors that drive the development of asthma. Now, Cheng et al. have analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage, endobronchial biopsy, and airway brushing samples in a cohort of Chinese subjects including 21 healthy controls and 43 asthma patients. They found that epithelial cell-derived IL-25, rather than IL-33 or TSLP, was highly increased in a subset of asthma subjects compared with control subjects. Subsequent analysis on the clinical, pathological, and molecular features of this IL-25–high subset of patients revealed that they had greater airway hyperresponsiveness, elevated numbers of airway and blood eosinophils, higher levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), increased subepithelial thickening, and higher expression of TH2 signature genes, which are the characteristics of TH2-high asthma. Furthermore, the authors found that this IL-25–high subgroup of patients showed improved lung function after ICS treatment compared with the IL-25–low subgroup of patients. Importantly, plasma IL-25 levels also correlated with airway eosinophilia and beneficial responses to ICS treatment, suggesting that IL-25 could be a useful blood marker defining TH2-high subset of asthma patients. Although the data need to be replicated in other ethnic cohorts, this paper suggests that epithelial and plasma IL-25 levels could distinguish TH2-high and TH2-low asthma phenotypes and their differential responses to ICS treatment. Furthermore, this paper indicates that epithelial IL-25 expression is a key igniter of the type 2 inflammation in TH2-high asthma subjects, and targeting IL-25 and its downstream pathways may offer a “cure” for this subset of asthma. D. Cheng et al ., Epithelial interleukin-25 is a key mediator in Th2-high, corticosteroid-responsive asthma. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 190 , 639–648. (2014). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.201403-0505OC#.VD_V-xbi8ng
Efficient spatial covariance estimation for asynchronous co-channel interference suppression in MIMO-OFDM systems

We present algorithms to suppress the asynchronous co-channel interference (CCI) in MIMO OFDM systems. The key challenge is that the cyclic prefix of the interference signal does not line up with that of the intended signal due to the asynchronous transmission in WLAN. Therefore, the orthogonality across the tones of the interference signal is destroyed and the conventional frequency domain minimum mean square error (MMSE) cancelation techniques that employ the interference channel response per tone can not work effectively. To suppress the asynchronous interference, we design an efficient estimator for the spatial covariance matrix of the interference using Cholesky decomposition and low-pass smoothing. Both a MMSE and a maximum a posteriori (MAP) receiver are derived based on the estimated interference statistics. Simulation results demonstrate the effectivity of our solution.
What Is the Evidence That Environmental Remediation Programs Are Effective in Urban Children With Allergic Asthma? An Integrated Review:

Children with allergic asthma living in urban areas are exposed to heavy loads of allergens that adversely affect their health. The purpose of this inquiry was to determine if environmental remediation programs for urban exposures are effective. Research articles relevant to this topic were obtained by conducting a literature search of the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed Plus, and Google Scholar databases. Search terms included combinations of asthma, environmental remediation, environmental triggers, environmental interventions, urban, and allergies. Out of 27 articles retrieved, 14 meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were retained. When considered together, it appears that multiple-trigger environmental remediation programs are more effective than single- trigger programs in reducing asthma morbidity. To produce the best outcome, these programs should be tailored to a child’s specific sensitization and exposure. Asthma educators play a role in allergen remediation p...
A pricing mechanism for scalable video delivery

Many video applications tolerate continuous media (CM) scaling. Scaling is acceptable due to human tolerance to degradation in picture quality, frame loss, and end-to-end delay. CM scaling enables the network to utilize its resources efficiently for supporting additional customers and to increase its revenue. However, due to quality degradation, users will not be willing to tolerate scaling unless it is coupled with monetary or availability incentives. We propose a pricing policy and a corresponding admission control scheme for scalable video applications. The pricing policy is two-tiered, based on a connection set-up component and a scalable component. Connections that are more scalable are charged less, but are more liable to be degraded. The proposed policy trades off performance degradation with monetary incentives to improve user benefit and network revenue and to decrease the blocking probability of connection requests. We demonstrate by means of simulation that this policy encourages users to specify the scalability of an application to the network.
Cooperativity between MAPK and PI3K signaling activation is required for glioblastoma pathogenesis

Background Glioblastoma (GBM) genomes feature recurrent genetic alterations that dysregulate core intracellular signaling pathways, including the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint and the MAPK and PI3K effector arms of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. Elucidation of the phenotypic consequences of activated RTK effectors is required for the design of effective therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
ON THE MORAL DILEMMA OF THE SOCIOLINGUIST

With a diversity of alternatives now open to sociolinguists and educators regarding problems of dialect and culture, we are suddenly faced with an unusual aspect of linguistic description, that of morality. In fact, because of the biases that linguists all share and the contextual realities of socio-cultural-economic forces, a moral dilemma has arisen: “ideal” solutions to language and dialect problems have very little if any possibility of ever being implemented. A viable solution for the sociolinguist may be possible somewhere between sweeping social revolution and passive submission to the status quo.
Acute changes in fibrinogen metabolism and coagulation after hemorrhage in pigs.

Hemorrhagic coagulopathy is involved in the morbidity and mortality of trauma patients. Nonetheless, many aspects of the mechanisms underlying this disorder are poorly understood. We have therefore...
Career Self-Efficacy: Exemplary Recent Research and Emerging Directions

This article discusses what the author views as exemplary work illustrating important directions in research on the applications of Bandura's self-efficacy theory to career theory, assessment, and ...
Training the Future Leaders in Personalized Medicine

The era of personalized medicine has arrived, and with it a need for leaders in this discipline. This generation of trainees requires a cadre of new skill sets to lead the implementation of personalized medicine into mainstream healthcare. Traditional training programs no longer provide trainees with all the skills they will need to optimize implementation of this revolution now underway in medicine. Today’s trainees must manage clinical teams, act as clinical and molecular diagnostic consultants, train other healthcare professionals, teach future generations, and be knowledgeable about clinical trials to facilitate genomic-based therapies. To prepare trainees for the transition to junior faculty positions, contemporary genomic training programs must emphasize the development of these management, teaching, and clinical skills.
Noninvasive skin cancer diagnosis using multimodal optical spectroscopy

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and is a recognized public health issue. Diagnosis of skin cancer involves biopsy of the suspicious lesion followed by histopathology. Biopsies, which involve excision of the lesion, are invasive, at times unnecessary, and are costly procedures (~$2.8B/year in the US). An unmet critical need exists to develop a non-invasive and inexpensive screening method that can eliminate the need for unnecessary biopsies. To address this need, our group has reported on the continued development of a multimodal spectroscopy (MMS) system towards the goal of a spectral biopsy of skin. Our approach combines Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to collect comprehensive optical property information from suspicious skin lesions. We describe our present efforts to develop an updated MMS system composed of OEM components that will be smaller, less expensive, and more clinic-friendly than the previous system. Key system design choices include the selection of miniature spectrometers, a fiber-coupled broadband light source, a fiber coupled diode laser, and a revised optical probe. Selection of these components results in a ~50% reduction in system footprint, resulting in a more clinic-friendly system. We also present preliminary characterization data from the updated MMS system, showing similar performance with our revised optical probe design. Finally, we present in vivo skin measurements taken with the updated MMS system. Future work includes the initiation of a clinical study (n = 250) of the MMS system to characterize its performance in identifying skin cancers.
Unusual local disorder in NdOs 4 Sb 12 and PrOs 4 Sb 12 skutterudites

We present a temperature-dependent, extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis of the filled skutterudite compounds NdOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$, PrOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$, and EuOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$. Although the interpretation of recent ultrasonic measurements suggested off-center displacements for Nd and Pr in NdOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$ and PrOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$, the EXAFS analysis shows that the Nd-Sb, Pr-Sb, and Sb-Sb peaks are well ordered. Surprisingly, however, the second-neighbor Nd-Os and Pr-Os peaks are highly disordered, even at low temperatures, and the Os-Os peak also has some disorder in the Nd and Pr systems. In contrast to the anomalous results for the Pr and Nd samples, neither the Eu-Sb, Eu-Os, nor the Os-Os peak is disordered at low temperature for EuOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$. For all three systems within estimated errors, the rare-earth atom is on-center inside the Sb cage. We propose that for the Nd and Pr compounds, the Os cage distorts, with some of the Os atoms moving either towards or away from the Nd or Pr atoms, such that the Nd-Sb, Pr-Sb, and Sb-Sb pair distances have very little disorder. Some possible distortion models are suggested and the possible ramifications for thermoelectric and transport properties are discussed.
Mapping Skin Friction Fields in Complex Flows Using Luminescent Oil

This paper describes application of a global luminescent oil film skin friction meter to quantitative skin friction diagnostics in complex flows. This meter is developed based on the relationship between the oil film thickness and luminescent intensity of an oil film mixed with a luminescent dye. The projected thin oil film equation is given to relate the normalized luminescent intensity with skin friction. A variational formulation with a smoothness constraint on skin friction is proposed to obtain a snap shot solution from two consecutive images for a relative skin friction field. Then, a complete skin friction field is reconstructed through superposition of a sequence of snap shot solutions. The method is used to map skin friction fields in junction flows and flows over surface roughness elements, delta wings and low aspect ratio wing.
Purple glove syndrome: a complication of intravenous phenytoin.

ABSTRACT:Intravenous phenytoin, available for use since 1956, has several well known adverse effects, such as hypotension, arrhythmias and toxicity. Purple glove syndrome is a less common complication that can have serious consequences. Fasciotomies, amputations and permanent disuse of the hand and
System Identification of Post Stall Aerodynamics for UAV Perching

For a UAV to perch on a wire, aircraft control systems which operate far outside typical operating envelopes must be developed. The relevant transient aerodynamics at high angle of attack are not addressed today by control-accessible aerodynamic models. In this work, we present a set of physically-inspired basis functions which have enabled system identification of a nonlinear aerodynamics model along perching trajectories. Data is collected using a motion capture system which, critically, allows free-flight data from real system trajectories to be gathered. When simulated forward, the identified model accurately predicts the observed perching trajectories, making it an indispensable tool for designing feedback controllers that stabilize perching trajectories.