cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bone Formation in Carotid Plaques A Clinicopathological Study

Background and Purpose— Bone formation and dystrophic calcification are present in carotid endarterectomy plaques. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bone formation and extensive dystrophic calcification are associated with stable plaques and protective against ischemic vascular events. Methods— Carotid endarterectomy plaques were collected from 142 patients (94 men) with carotid stenosis. The specimens were evaluated for lamellar bone formation, dystrophic calcifications, inflammatory infiltrates, neovascularization, and histological type or grade of plaque according to a standard AHA grading system. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify vascular endothelial cells in neovascularization (factor VIII) and lymphocytes. Clinical data, including history of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events, were recorded at the time of surgery. Results— Patients with calcification of carotid plaques had fewer symptoms of stroke an...
Analysis in the critique of pure reason

It is widely supposed that the principal task of Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason is to carry out some kind of analysis of experience. Commentators as profoundly at odds on fundamental points of interpretation as P. F. Strawson and Patricia Kitcher share this supposition. In a letter to J. S. Beck, Kant seems to endorse this view himself, referring to some unspecified stretch of the Critique as an ‘analysis of experience in general’. 1 The idea that the Critique is engaged in an analysis of experience accords well with an attractive conception of critical philosophy as making something explicit that is generally only implicit in our cognitive lives. After all, the categorical imperative is no innovation of Kant’s practical philosophy, but rather is meant to be revealed as the animating principle of ‘ordinary moral rational cognition’. 2 Likewise, the principles revealed in Kant’s theoretical philosophy should be nothing other than the principles that necessarily animate ordinary empirical cognition; and Kant says that experience is, or is a mode of, empirical cognition. 3 For this reason, it is undeniably compelling to think of the Critique as offering some kind of analysis of experience. However, the idea that the Critique engages in some kind of analysis of experience is misleading as a guide to the text. In the Critique itself, Kant never announces that the work will involve an analysis of experience. Moreover, in one of the few passages where Kant comments explicitly on the method of the Critique in published print, he claims instead that the Critique ‘takes nothing as given except reason itself’. 4 If this is so, then the work of the Critique might be conceived instead as involving an analysis of the faculty of reason. My principal task in this paper is to show how we are to understand this. Before turning to that task, I argue that the popular view that the Critique carries out an analysis of experience stands at odds with Kant’s own conception of the Critique’s method.
Lymphovascular invasion as a tool to further subclassify T1b esophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and/or lymph node metastases (LNM) adversely influence the overall survival (OS) of patients with T1 esophageal adenocarcinoma. Although endoscopic therapy may be adequate for patients with T1a cancer, patients with T1b cancer require esophagectomy/lymphadenectomy. The authors hypothesized that LVI status would subclassify T1b cancers and facilitate new therapeutic strategies. METHODS. Ninety-nine consecutive patients with T1 adenocarcinoma were analyzed after they underwent esophagectomy/lymphadenectomy. LNM was assessed in all patients, and LVI was assessed in 89 patients. OS was correlated with pathologic cancer stage in association with LVI and LNM. RESULTS. The 5-year OS rate for patients with T1a tumors (88%) was superior to that for patients with T1b tumors (62%; P = .001). The 5-year OS rate for patients who had cancers without LVI (85%) was superior to the rate for patients who had cancers with LVI (36%; P = .0001). It is noteworthy that, for cancers without LVI, the 5-year OS rate for patients with T1b tumors (77%) was similar to the rate for patients with T1a tumors (90%; P = .08), but it was superior to the rate for patients with T1b tumors that had LVI (27%; P = .006). The presence of LVI and/or LNM resulted in worse 5-year OS (≤37%) compared with the lack of LVI and/or LNM (88%; P < .001). The rate of LNM for patients who had T1b tumors without LVI still was 19%, and the relapse rate was 16%. CONCLUSIONS. The current results demonstrated that LVI distinguishes the biologic behavior of early esophageal cancer, and patients who have T1b cancer without LVI have a clinical biology similar to that of patients with T1a cancer. If LNM before surgery can be diagnosed with high sensitivity by better endoscopic techniques and/or molecular biomarkers, then a new therapeutic paradigm for T1b cancers could emerge. Further research is needed on patients with T1b esophageal adenocarcinoma. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Exact solution in the discrete case for solitons propagating in a chain of harmonically coupled particles lying in double-minimum potential wells

Solitons of the form ${x}_{n}={x}_{0}tanh(\ensuremath{\omega}t\ensuremath{-}kna)$ can propagate in a chain of harmonically coupled particles in the discrete case if the potential $\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}A{x}_{n}^{2}+\frac{1}{4}B{x}_{n}^{4}$ giving such solitions in the continuum limit is suitably modified. This modified potential is expressible in closed form, and its shape is a function of $\ensuremath{\omega}$ and $k$. For large $\ensuremath{\omega}$ the maximum at ${x}_{n}=0$ becomes a minimum, giving a triple-minimum potential. Potential shapes and particle positions are illustrated for various ($\ensuremath{\omega}$,$k$) combinations. The total energy and its kinetic, potential, and spring energy constituents are also expressible in closed form. In the continuum limit the total energy has the form $E=\frac{{m}_{0}{c}_{s}^{2}}{{(1\ensuremath{-}\frac{{v}^{2}}{{c}_{s}^{2}})}^{\frac{1}{2}}}$, where ${m}_{0}$ is the soliton effective mass, $v$ is the soliton speed, and ${c}_{s}$ is the speed of sound in the mass-spring chain.
Mixed pixels removal of a Laser Rangefinder for mobile robot 3-D terrain mapping

This paper presents an in-depth characterization of a direct time-of-flight laser rangefinder (LRF). It investigates several important characteristics of the LRF, such as the relationship between the intensity of the received signal and the range, the distribution and limited range effect of mixed pixels, and the evolution of the mixed pixelpsilas range and intensity when a laser beam traverses the edge of an object. A method based on the discontinuity of the range and intensity is proposed to identify and remove the mixed pixels. An Extended Kalman Filter is designed to segment the range data and detect the range discontinuity. The proposed method is integrated with a terrain mapping and navigation system and tested in outdoor environments with a real mobile robot.
Knowledge and attitudes concerning pharmacogenomics among healthcare professionals

Pharmacogenomics has become an area of great potential in the medical community. Therefore, the assessment of the knowledge and attitudes among healthcare professionals is essential. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to explore the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding pharmacogenetic testing with a specific emphasis in oncology. A total of 12 articles were found and reviewed. A majority of the articles reported only on the attitudes of healthcare professionals. Four of the articles reported on both knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals concerning pharmacogenetic testing, and one article reported only on the knowledge level of healthcare professionals. This systematic literature review revealed that healthcare professionals generally perceive themselves to have limited knowledge regarding pharmacogenetic testing. In addition, these articles highlighted the overwhelming ethical concerns surrounding pharmacogenomics. However, these articles also revealed that healthcare professionals believed that there were also many advantages regarding the utilization of pharmacogenomics.
Development of robotic mobility for infants: rationale and outcomes

Abstract Objectives To assess the feasibility of a robotic mobility device for infants using alternative control interfaces aimed at promoting early self-initiated mobility, and to assess the effects of a training protocol and robot experience. Design Observational and pre–post quantitative case studies. Setting Standardised, research laboratory and day-care centres with toys and individuals familiar to infants. Participants Children with and without disabilities, aged 5 months to 3 years. Interventions In each study, infants were seated over a Pioneer™ 3-DX mobile robot. Some infants controlled the directional movement of the robot by weight shifting their body on a Nintendo® Wii™ Balance Board (the WeeBot), while others used a modified joystick. Infants participated in five sessions over 2 to 5 weeks. Sessions consisted of administering a 10-minute training protocol preceded and followed by 2 to 3 minutes of free play. One child with motor impairment used a button switch array and a different experimental design. Main outcome measures From the videotaped free-play periods, goal-directed behaviours were coded and time in motion was measured. In the training period, a scoring system was developed to measure the infants’ driving performance. Results Preliminary outcomes indicate that infants without disabilities, aged 5 to 10 months, demonstrated significant improvement in driving performance and goal-directed movement using the WeeBot. Infants who used the joystick were less successful on all measures. Results for infants with disabilities using the WeeBot were mixed. Conclusions Mobile robots offer promise to enhance the development of early self-mobility. Novel types of interfaces, such as the WeeBot, warrant further investigation.
2014 Best Paper Award

The Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering is pleased to announce that the Editorial Board has chosen “Numerical study of sandbar migration under wave-undertow interaction” by Jinhai Zheng, Chi Zhang, Zeki Demirbilek, and Lihwa Lin, published in the March/April 2014 issue (Vol. 140, No. 2, pp. 146–159), as the 2014 Best Paper Award winner. The selection process for the best paper has resulted in four additional finalists being recognized as 2014 Outstanding Papers: • “Cross-shore redistribution of nourished sand near a breaker bar” by Niels Gjol Jacobsen and Jorgen Fredsoe, published in the March 2014 issue (Vol. 140, No. 2, pp. 125–134). • “New physical insights and design formulas on wave overtopping at sloping and vertical structures” by Jentsje van der Meer and Tom Bruce, published in the November 2014 issue (Vol. 140, No. 6, 04014025). • “Numerical investigation of turbulence modulation by sediment-induced stratification and enhanced viscosity in oscillatory flows” by Xiao Yu, C. E. Ozdemir, Tian-Jian Hsu, and S. Balachandar, published in the March 2014 issue (Vol. 140, No. 2, pp. 160–172). • “Smoothed-particle hydrodynamics numerical modeling of structures impacted by tsunami bores.” Philippe St-Germain, Ioan Nistor, Ronald Townsend, and Tomoya Shibayama, published in the January 2014 issue (Vol. 140, No. 1, pp. 66–81). The Best Paper Award and Outstanding Papers are selected annually from all technical papers, technical notes, and case studies published in a calendar year. The Editorial Board congratulates the authors and thanks them for their submissions.
Analysis of the viral replication cycle of adenovirus serotype 2 after inactivation by free chlorine

Free chlorine is effective at inactivating a wide range of waterborne viral pathogens including human adenovirus (HAdV), but the mechanisms by which free chlorine inactivates HAdV and other human viruses remain to be elucidated. Such advances in fundamental knowledge are key for development of new disinfection technologies and novel sensors to detect infectious viruses in drinking water. We developed and tested a quantitative assay to analyze several steps in the HAdV replication cycle upon increasing free chlorine exposure. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect HAdV genomic DNA as a means to quantify attachment and genome replication of untreated and treated virions. Also, we used quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) to quantify the transcription of E1A (first early protein) and hexon mRNA. We compared these replication cycle events to virus inactivation kinetics to determine what stage of the virus replication cycle was inhibited as a function of free chlorine expos...
Isolation and identification of Getah virus from Aedes albopictus in Yunnan

Objective:To isolate and identify the unknown virus from the Yunnan border.Methods: The virus samples were randomly amplified by RT-PCR.Then the amplification products were linked to T-vector for sequencing and identification of Getah virus.Specific primers were designed for DNA sequencing of capsid protein genes and 3′ UTR region.The molecular biological features of this virus and other virus were analyzed and compared.Finally,phylogenetic tree of this virus was drawn.Results: The virus was one of the Getah virus.Conclusion: The result showed that the virus had a closer relationship with South Korea virus strain,Hebei virus strain,and a far genetic relationship with MM2021.
Current Policy Regarding Caregiving and Policy Implications

Discusses current policy regarding caregiving and policy implications. Although little federal and state legislation directly address familial provision of care, several policies affect people’s ability and willingness to provide assistance. Programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, which are aimed at care recipients, indirectly impact the family members who take care of them. Social Security and pension regulations have consequences for people who leave the paid labor force to provide unpaid care work.
Prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus among homeless veterans nationally in the Veterans Health Administration

AbstractBackground: Homeless people are at high risk for many chronic medical conditions although their risk of diabetes has not been well studied. Current epidemiological studies of diabetes prevalence among homeless adults have been based mostly on self-report data not supported by clinical assessments.Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for diabetes mellitus (DM) among homeless veterans in the Veteran Health Administration (VHA).Methods: The sample included 3 464 364 veterans with documented body mass indexes (BMI), 137 720 (4%) of whom had been homeless. Logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of having DM among homeless veterans compared to non-homeless veterans. Bivariate and multi-variate analyses were then used to identify potential risk factors for DM among homeless veterans.Results: The prevalence of DM in homeless veterans was 19%. Homeless veterans with DM, compared to those without it were older, more likely to have a BMI > 40 and more likely to have DM...
Via Minimization and Over-the-Cell Routing

After a chip is completely routed, the layout is functionally complete and can be sent for fabrication. However, the layout is usually improved to reduce the possibility of fabrication errors, reduce the total chip area and therefore, improve performance. In this chapter, we will discuss two methods of improving detailed routing: via minimization and over-the-cell routing.
Interallelic Transcriptional Enhancement as an in Vivo Measure of Transvection in Drosophila melanogaster

Transvection—pairing-dependent interallelic regulation resulting from enhancer action in trans —occurs throughout the Drosophila melanogaster genome, likely as a result of the extensive somatic homolog pairing seen in Dipteran species. Recent studies of transvection in Drosophila have demonstrated important qualitative differences between enhancer action in cis vs. in trans , as well as a modest synergistic effect of cis - and trans -acting enhancers on total tissue transcript levels at a given locus. In the present study, we identify a system in which cis - and trans -acting GAL4-UAS enhancer synergism has an unexpectedly large quantitative influence on gene expression, boosting total tissue transcript levels at least fourfold relative to those seen in the absence of transvection. We exploit this strong quantitative effect by using publicly available UAS-shRNA constructs from the TRiP library to assay candidate genes for transvection activity in vivo . The results of the present study, which demonstrate that in trans activation by simple UAS enhancers can have large quantitative effects on gene expression in Drosophila , have important new implications for experimental design utilizing the GAL4-UAS system.
An Interaction of Instructions and Training Design on Stimulus Class Formation: Extending the Analysis of Equivalence

Our previous research with subjects with mild mental retardation indicated different outcomes on stimulus equivalence tests when different training designs were employed. Subjects exposed to match-to-sample training involving four pairs of sample stimuli and one pair of comparisons (comparison as node) were more likely to show positive results on equivalence tests than subjects trained with four pairs of comparisons and one pair of samples (sample as node). We describe three studies aimed at analyzing the superiority of the comparison-as-node training procedure. The results suggest that (a) preexperimental individual differences and subject assignment do not account for the previous findings, (b) the greater effectiveness of the comparison-as-node procedure may be caused partially by an interaction of the procedure and instructions providing stimulus names, and (c) differential outcomes on equivalence tests with these training procedures may be demonstrated only with developmentally limited subjects. Several theoretical interpretations for the reason the comparison-as-node training method is more likely to produce positive equivalence test performances and the implication of these interpretations for understanding stimulus equivalence in general are discussed.
P104 Optimizing an NGS assay for HLA typing to ensure even amplicon and sample representation

Aim Next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays for HLA typing are rapidly being introduced into clinical practice. For common NGS assays, sequenced libraries consist of a mixture of labeled DNA fragments from multiple amplicons and samples. During our validation of a commercially-available NGS assay, we found sample and locus representation varied considerably, compromising data quality. In order to ensure even amplicon and sample loading, we optimized the locus and sample pooling steps. Methods The NGSgo HLA typing kit (GenDx) was used to type the HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB3/4/5, DQB1, DQA1, DPB1 and DPA1 loci, with modifications to the manufacturer’s protocol described below. After PCR amplification, each amplicon was quantified using Quantifluor One dsDNA dye (Promega). Equimolar amounts of each amplicon from a single sample were pooled, and fragmentation, adapter ligation, and indexing steps were performed per the manufacturer’s protocol. Before pooling to a single library, each patient sample was quantified by two Methods KAPA Library Quantification (Kapa Biosystems) for the number of viable DNA libraries, and TapeStation gel electrophoresis (Agilent) for fragment size measurement. These two metrics were used to estimate equimolar pooling of each patient sample into a final library pool before being loaded onto a MiSeq (Ilumina) for sequencing. Results After introduction of quantification of all amplicons and equimolar pooling, locus representation on a per-sample basis was much more even; loci ranged from 0.24 to 3.94 times ideal representation using the manufacture’s protocol, but only 0.70 to 1.5 times ideal representation after equimolar pooling. Likewise, sample-level variation in pooling was extreme using the manufacturer’s protocol (ranging from 0.26 to 3.39 times ideal representation), and was much more even after addition of KAPA and TapeStation quantification of individual samples (ranging from 0.76 to 1.19 times ideal representation). Conclusions Using the modifications described here, we were able to obtain evenly-loaded samples, which allowed for the use of smaller, less expensive flow cells, or the use of a shared portion of a larger flow cell. Together, these modifications enhance the data quality for all patient samples while reducing the overall cost of the NGS assay.
Oral Cell DNA Adducts as Potential Biomarkers for Lung Cancer Susceptibility in Cigarette Smokers.

This perspective considers the use of oral cell DNA adducts, together with exposure and genetic information, to potentially identify those cigarette smokers at highest risk for lung cancer, so that appropriate preventive measures could be initiated at a relatively young age before too much damage has been done. There are now well established and validated analytical methods for the quantitation of urinary and serum metabolites of tobacco smoke toxicants and carcinogens. These metabolites provide a profile of exposure and in some cases lung cancer risk, but they do not yield information on the critical DNA damage parameter that leads to mutations in cancer growth control genes such as KRAS and TP53. Studies demonstrate a correlation between changes in the oral cavity and lung in cigarette smokers, due to the field effect of tobacco smoke. Oral cell DNA is readily obtained in contrast to DNA samples from the lung. Studies in which oral cell DNA and salivary DNA have been analyzed for specific DNA adducts ar...
Producing Better Writers in Sociology: A Programmatic Approach:

High-quality undergraduate student writing is a common and important objective for sociology programs while at the same time a continuous challenge. Programs often struggle to address writing adequ...
The equine volatilome: volatile organic compounds as discriminatory markers.

Abstract Animals rely on subtle signals perceived between individuals that convey information such as sex, reproductive status, individual identity, ownership, competitive ability, and health status. These cues have important influences on behaviors that are vital for reproductive success, such as parent–offspring attachment, recognition of relatedness, mate choice, and territorial marking. This study investigates individual odor profiles as discriminatory markers possibly affecting equine behavior. This study investigated the volatile compounds in horses using solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and hair samples. Two horse breeds, Appaloosa (n = 6) and Quarter Horses (n = 17), were used as a model to assess the volatilome that may be used to identify individuals and kin recognition. A total of 187 volatiles were identified and demonstrated that the volatilome carries information on genetic relatedness. Interestingly, apart from individualization and kinship, the volatiles detected were also able to discriminate between breeds. The study is limited exclusively to two horse breeds and should be expanded to include other domestic and wild horses. In addition, compounds were identified based on NIST 98 mass spectral library. The results of this study support the individual odor hypothesis suggesting that each individual possesses a unique scent that acts as a characteristic or odor fingerprint. Such qualitative and quantitative patterns have not been explored in domestic or wild animals and there is a need to understand more about the influence of odor on behavior and interactions.
Decision Problems on Global Cellular Automata

Global cellular automata (GCA) are introduced as a generalization of 1-dimensional cellular automata allowing the next state of a cell to depend on a “regular” global context rather than just a fixed size neighborhood. We show that the global function of every ordinary CA can be implemented by a GCA. Hence, every undecidable problem for CA is also undecidable for GCA. We show that also all well known decidable results for CA can be extended to GCA.
Direct detection of surface localized specialized metabolites from Glycyrrhiza lepidota (American licorice) by leaf spray mass spectrometry

Leaf spray-MS minimizes tissue manipulation by effectively and quickly assessing in vivo specialized metabolites from intact plant tissue surfaces, including trichome metabolites. Intact leaves of Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh. (American licorice) were analyzed by direct electrospray leaf spray-MS, an ambient ionization technique. Comparison of metabolites detected by leaf spray-MS to those from LC–MS of bulk tissue and trichome enriched extracts showed dramatic differences. Leaf spray-MS results suggest that in specific situations this approach could complement traditional LC–MS analysis of bulk extracts. Leaf spray-MS as a metabolomics technique eliminates sample pretreatment and preparation allowing for rapid sampling in real time of living intact tissues. Specialized metabolites on the surface of tissues such as glandular trichomes metabolites are detected by leaf spray-MS.
Application of Maximum Entropy and Bayesian Optimization Methods to Image Reconstruction from Projections

The problem of image reconstruction from projections is translated, via approximation of the image by linear combination of basis pictures, into a large system of approximate equalities in the unknown coefficients of the desired linear combination. Optimization criteria for selecting these coefficients include unconstrained regularized least squares estimation based on Bayesian optimization, and constrained norm minimization and entropy maximization. Algebraic reconstruction techniques (ART) are given that converge to these different optimizers. Methods for evaluating the efficacy of reconstruction procedures are discussed and illustrated. Reasons are given for the lack of widespread use of maximum entropy and Bayesian optimization techniques in practical applications of image reconstruction from projections. The ideas are illustrated by a small sample of techniques.
The Business Cycle Theory of Wesley Mitchell

Most neoclassical economists believe that Wesley Clair Mitchell had no theory of the business cycle; according to Milton Friedman, "Mitchell is generally considered primarily an empirical scientist rather than a theorist" (Burns 1952, 237). The reason is that Mitchell's theory was not a neoclassical theory, so in their view, it was not a theory. Whereas all neoclassical theory is stated in terms of eternally true laws, Mitchell stated an evolutionary theory. Whereas all neoclassical business cycle theories are exogenous, relying on external shocks to the economy, Mitchell stated an endogenous theory, based on the internal dynamics of capitalism. Whereas neoclassical theories are deduced from unproven psychological axioms, Mitchell builds his theory from inductive generalities gained from empirical research. Before examining these points in detail, it is worth noting the importance of Mitchell in the institutionalist movement at a time in the 1920s and 1930s when it appeared that institutionalism might become the dominant paradigm in US economics. Mitchell was the leading figure of the large number of institutionalist faculty and students at Columbia in that period. He was the leader of the National Bureau of Economic Research, which was seen as the main home of scientific empirical research in economics and was clearly institutionalist. His books were among the major examples of the institutionalist paradigm. (All of these points on Mitchell are documented in an
The Self-Assembly Of Spherical Plant Viruses

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the self-assembly of spherical plant viruses. The realization that the treatment of certain spherical viruses with 1 M NaCl or other salts at suitable pH levels provided a method for preparing protein subunits appropriate for reconstitution studies. Some of the viruses respond to the method and others do not. Those that respond probably lack a true nucleic acid-free top component, but may have more than one component, such as pea enation mosaic virus or Tulare apple mosaic virus. It is shown that self-assembly could actually occur, at least, with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) protein. The directions for self-assembly in all simple viruses resides in their protein structure units, which are equated with single equivalent protein molecules, which aggregate to form minimum-energy structures. Icosahedral as well as tubular viruses are predicted to self-assemble on this basis. The chapter describes that spherical viruses self-assemble, as a variety of other biologically significant structures, and the detailed conditions required, do not unexpectedly differ among the viruses.
CHEMICAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN A DEPENDENT TRYPANOSOME CELL AND ITS HOST

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an experimental model to study chemical exchange between a dependent trypanosome cell and its host. The experimental model consisting of Typanosoma lewisi and its natural rat host was employed to show that metabolic substances are exchanged between members of this model. A factor(s) was presented in rat serum that was necessary for the trypanosome. It has been observed that trypanosome-infected rats grow faster than uninfected hosts. Thiamine was arbitrarily chosen as a suitable substance for study, as its metabolic role in the rat is well known. Greater parasitemias in thiamine-deficient animals were interpreted to be because of delayed antibody synthesis. The evidences were interpreted to mean that the trypanosome supplied the thiamine molecule or factors having thiamine-like activity to the rat's tissues. The study shows that the results add another facet in support of the general theory that parasitism is to be regarded as a dynamic equation. It involves a giving and a taking of chemical substances by both members of this ecologic system.
Uptake of LDL -Sized Particles Extracted from Human Aortic Lesions by Macrophages in Culture

We have isolated a lipoprotein particle, designated A-LDL, from atherosclerotic lesions in human aortas by a combination of affinity chromatography and gel filtration. This lipoprotein, believed to be derived from plasma LDL that has accumulated in the arterial intima, possesses apo B immunoreactivity and is of the same size as LDL. However, compared to LDL, it is more electronegative, its protein-to-lipid ratio is lower, and its hydrated density is lower and more hetereogeneous. Furthermore, apo B in A-LDL is highly degraded, and A-LDL stimulated cholesterol esterification in mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) in a dose-dependent fashion with saturation kinetics. Stimulation of cholesterol esterification and accumulation of cholesteryl esters in MPM over 48 hr was linear and about 18-fold greater than that induced by plasma LDL, suggesting no down-regulation of the uptake mechanism by intracellular cholesterol content. Uptake of A-LDL did not appear to occur via the scavenger receptor on MPM since (1) pretreatment of cells with trypsin resulted in less inhibition of cholesterol esterification by A-LDL than by acetyl-LDL, and (2) cross-competition studies with radiolabeled ligands showed no inhibition of uptake between A-LDL and acetyl-LDL. However, since even an excess of A-LDL failed to inhibit uptake of radiolabeled A-LDL, it is likely that MPM uptake of A-LDL occurs by a low-affinity, high-capacity system. This assumption was confirmed by the fact that the uptake of A-LDL, in contrast to cholesterol esterification, was essentially linear up to a concentration of 400 μg lipoprotein cholesterol/ml. Thus, the intracellular processing of A-LDL appears to be sluggish, since the uptake of A-LDL markedly exceeded the subsequent stimulation of cholesterol esterification. When a 24-hr period without lipoprotein was introduced after an initial incubation of MPM with A-LDL, cholesterol esterification matched A-LDL uptake, indicating that complete processing of A-LDL can occur, albeit sluggishly. These results suggest that the modifications in composition and structure in A-LDL relative to LDL dramatically alter its functional properties, leading to loading of macrophages with cholesteryl esters. If these interactions also occur in vivo, they could, in part, explain the etiology of the fatty streak lesion.
Song to the Front and Eleven Men: Handcrafting History, Refining Memories and Contesting Women’s Sexuality

Nguyen Trinh Thi, who is emerging as one of the most prominent experimental film and video artists in Vietnam, uses visual arts in a unique way to explore social issues and question history. Nguyen...
Revival of the Dark Matter Hypothesis for the Galactic Center Gamma-Ray Excess

Statistical evidence has previously suggested that the galactic center GeV excess (GCE) originates largely from point sources, and not from annihilating dark matter. We examine the impact of unmodeled source populations on identifying the true origin of the GCE using non-Poissonian template fitting (NPTF) methods. In a proof-of-principle example with simulated data, we discover that unmodeled sources in the Fermi bubbles can lead to a dark matter signal being misattributed to point sources by the NPTF. We discover striking behavior consistent with a mismodeling effect in the real Fermi data, finding that large artificial injected dark matter signals are completely misattributed to point sources. Consequently, we conclude that dark matter may provide a dominant contribution to the GCE after all.
Peridynamics for Predicting Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Graphene

This study presents an investigation of thermal fluctuations of a graphene layer by using peridynamics (PD). The stored energy in the graphene layer due to the fluctuations is expressed in a quadratic form in terms of the stiffness matrix under von Karman assumptions. The Gibbs free energy of the graphene layer related to the partition function is calculated using the Gaussian integrals. However, the partition function requires the evaluation of the determinant of stiffness matrix appearing in the energy expression. Although conceptually very attractive, computing the determinant of an extremely large stiffness matrix whose size is dictated by the characteristic length scale poses computational challenges. Therefore, the PD form of the stiffness matrix is constructed by using two levels of discretization in order to evaluate its determinant accurately without any computational challenges. The derivatives of the partition function permit the determination of several thermodynamic quantities such as the thermal expansion coefficient and its dependence on temperature. This approach enables the exploration of the effect of different geometries, boundary conditions and the nature of loading conditions as well as heterogeneous material properties on the fluctuations.
A formalization of Java’s concurrent access modes

Java's memory model was recently updated and expanded with new access modes. The accompanying documentation for these access modes is intended to make strong guarantees about program behavior that the Java compiler must enforce, yet the documentation is frequently unclear. This makes the intended program behavior ambiguous, impedes discussion of key design decisions, and makes it impossible to prove general properties about the semantics of the access modes. In this paper we present the first formalization of Java's access modes. We have constructed an axiomatic model for all of the modes using the Herd modeling tool. This allows us to give precise answers to questions about the behavior of example programs, called litmus tests. We have validated our model using a large suite of litmus tests from existing research which helps to shed light on the relationship with other memory models. We have also modeled the semantics in Coq and proven several general theorems including a DRF guarantee, which says that if a program is properly synchronized then it will exhibit sequentially consistent behavior. Finally, we use our model to prove that the unusual design choice of a partial order among writes to the same location is unobservable in any program.
A neural networks based caching scheme for mobile edge networks: poster abstract

Mobile edge networks are pervasive now due to the ubiquitous 4G networks and coming 5G networks, broad edge computing applications are enabled in the meantime, such as mobile bus WiFi. In this paper, we focus on the caching problem in the mobile edge networks and use bus WiFi as an example to further investigate. Mobile bus WiFi is a newly emerged service in modern cities, which provides convenience for citizens and gains certain benefits for operators via commercial advertisements and other services. While the vital challenge for the bus WiFi industry is the high cost of cellular traffic considering the massive number of users and longtime running hours of the bus system. To tackle this, we investigate the caching problem in a nation-scale bus WiFi network deployed in 22 cities of China with 34,377 WiFi devices. We then delve a fundamental question, i.e., how can historical visiting records help us predict future visiting events and further save the cellular traffic by caching. In detail, we propose a Deep Neural Networks (DNN) based method by considering bus WiFi users' historical visits to cached contents to save cellular traffic data for WiFi providers. We implement our method via the city-scale bus WiFi data and compare with a series of state-of-the-art models, the results show that our method achieves the best performance.
Increasing the Production Efficiency of Potato with Plant Growth Retardants

The vigorous growth phenotype of ‘Bondi’ is characteristic of high endogenous gibberellins, making it ideal for evaluating the efficacy of gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors to improve allometric partitioning and production efficiency in potato. Foliar applications of prohexadione-calcium decreased foliar growth with no effects on tuber number, size, or yield. In contrast, when applied pre-tuberization, paclobutrazol decreased maximum foliar growth from 91 to 63 MT ha−1, increased tubers plant−1 from 6.4 to 8.9, and decreased average tuber fresh weight from 296 to 188 g tuber−1 with no reduction in tuber yield, which effectively increased the harvest index. However, when applied post-tuberization, PBZ reduced maximum foliar growth from 91 to 72 MT ha−1 with no effects on tuber number, size, or yield. Paclobutrazol can alter source/sink relationships in potato to increase production efficiency and this may translate to reduced agronomic inputs. Application timing and concentration are important for modulating tuber set and size.
Peripheral field stimulation for back pain

Abstract A 52-year-old man presented in clinic with a history of several back surgeries, ultimately manifesting in a fusion extending from L1-S1, including laminectomies at all levels from L1-L5. He noted that he had a disk surgery initially but then eventually two surgeries for stenosis several years later. Although there was some improvement at that juncture, he eventually had worsening of unremitting low back pain and eventually had a fusion of the entire lumbar spine in an attempt to treat this. Technically speaking, he had healed and recovered well, and the fusion construct looked reasonable on an magnetic resonance imaging scan and standing flexion extension films that had been performed. He had undergone several rounds of physical therapy without much benefit, and most recently, he felt that physical therapy (PT) made his symptoms worse. He also had several rounds of epidural steroid injections over the years, but none recently as other doctors had said they could not likely provide much benefit when access to the epidural space was now so compromised. Facet blocks and radiofrequency ablation also had been used in the past but after the fusion made little sense to contemplate. He also had tried acupuncture and massage, as well as what was now an escalating dose of narcotics, leaving him now on Suboxone. He also took a muscle relaxant and gabapentin, but felt these were of little benefit overall.
Coupling the Curvilinear Immersed Boundary Method with Rotation-Free Finite Elements for Simulating Fluid–Structure Interaction: Concepts and Applications

The sharp interface curvilinear immersed boundary (CURVIB) method coupled with a rotation-free finite element (FE) method for thin shells provides a powerful framework for simulating fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems for geometrically complex, arbitrarily deformable structures. The CURVIB and FE solvers are coupled together on the flexible solid–fluid interfaces, which contain the structural nodal positions, displacements, velocities, and loads calculated at each time level and exchanged between the flow and structural solvers. Loose and strong coupling FSI schemes are employed, enhanced by the Aitken acceleration technique to ensure robust coupling and fast convergence, especially for low mass ratio problems. Large-eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent flow FSI problems employ the dynamic Smagorinsky subgrid scale model with a wall model for reconstructing velocity boundary conditions near the immersed boundaries. In this chapter, the CURVIB-FE FSI algorithm is reviewed and its capabilities are demonstrated via a series of examples involving thin flexible structures undergoing very large deformations. The inverted flag problem is employed to validate the method, and the problem of a tri-leaflet aortic valve in an anatomic aorta is employed to demonstrate its potential in complex cardiovascular flow applications.
Development of syngeneic murine cell lines for use in immunocompetent orthotopic lung cancer models

Immunocompetent animal models are required to study tumor-host interactions, immunotherapy, and immunotherapeutic combinations, however the currently available immunocompetent lung cancer models have substantial limitations. While orthotopic models potentially help fill this gap, the utility of these models has been limited by the very small number of murine lung cancer cell lines capable of forming orthotopic tumors in immunocompetent C57BL/6 hosts. Primary lung tumors with specific genetic alterations were created in C57BL/6 background mice. These tumors were then passaged through other animals to increase tumorigenicity and select for the ability to grow in a non-self animal. Once tumors demonstrated growth in a non-self host, cell lines were established. Successful cell lines were evaluated for the ability to produce orthotopic lung tumors in immunocompetent hosts. We produced six murine lung cancer lines capable of orthotopic lung tumor formation in immunocompetent C57BL/6 animals. These lines demonstrate the expected genetic alterations based on their primary tumor genetics. These novel cell lines will be useful for evaluating tumor-host interactions, the impact of specific oncogenic alterations on the tumor microenvironment, and immunotherapeutic approaches. This method of generating murine lines capable of orthotopic growth can likely be applied to other tumors and will broaden the applicability of pre-clinical testing of immunotherapeutic treatment regimens.
A review of drag reduction and heat transfer enhancement by riblet surfaces in closed and open channel flow

Abstract Turbulence and heat transfer are two critical factors in the chain of world energy consumption. Hence, development of more efficient energy transfer techniques in engineering applications through control and optimization of the thermal turbulent boundary layer and turbulence continues to be a subject of intense interest. This is why reviewing a passive flow control technique with a focus on unique characteristics of heat transfer in devices called riblets is beneficial as technology pushes to revolutionize design and manufacturing of heat exchanger equipment. Riblet surfaces are considered beneficial to many commercial applications as they reduce forces between surface and fluid, and in some cases can enhance heat transfer in the turbulent flow regime. As there is no literature study that focuses on heat transfer and riblets, the current study reports experimental and numerical investigations reviewing both drag reduction and heat transfer using riblets in closed and open channels. Drag reduction studies are limited to water and oil flow studies, and heat transfer studies are expanded to air flow studies as there are none on water or oil flow. In addition, physical mechanisms of fluid drag and convective heat transfer are discussed. This paper outlines the challenges of fabricating riblets and provides a design summary for optimal drag reduction and heat transfer. This review also looks at applied numerical methods and their accuracy in evaluating drag reduction and heat transfer over riblet surfaces. The important findings and a possible future optimization approach on riblet surfaces are highlighted as well.
Linking Patterns of Infant Eye Movements to a Neural Network Model of the Ventral Stream Using Representational Similarity Analysis.

Little is known about the development of higher-level areas of visual cortex during infancy, and even less is known about how the development of visually guided behavior is related to the different levels of the cortical processing hierarchy. As a first step toward filling these gaps, we used representational similarity analysis (RSA) to assess links between gaze patterns and a neural network model that captures key properties of the ventral visual processing stream. We recorded the eye movements of 4- to 12-month-old infants (N = 54) as they viewed photographs of scenes. For each infant, we calculated the similarity of the gaze patterns for each pair of photographs. We also analyzed the images using a convolutional neural network model in which the successive layers correspond approximately to the sequence of areas along the ventral stream. For each layer of the network, we calculated the similarity of the activation patterns for each pair of photographs, which was then compared with the infant gaze data. We found that the network layers corresponding to lower-level areas of visual cortex accounted for gaze patterns better in younger infants than in older infants, whereas the network layers corresponding to higher-level areas of visual cortex accounted for gaze patterns better in older infants than in younger infants. Thus, between 4 and 12 months, gaze becomes increasingly controlled by more abstract, higher-level representations. These results also demonstrate the feasibility of using RSA to link infant gaze behavior to neural network models. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at https://youtu.be/K5mF2Rw98Is.
Hamiltonian coordination primitives for decentralized multiagent navigation

We focus on decentralized navigation among multiple non-communicating agents in continuous domains without explicit traffic rules, such as sidewalks, hallways, or squares. Following collision-free ...
OCEAN HEAT AND SEASONAL SEA ICE THICKNESS IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

Typical values of the winter air-sea ice heat flux in the seasonal sea ice region of the Weddell Sea imply that the observed thermodynamic sea ice thickness in the region is much thinner than that expected in the absence of ice divergence or ocean sensible heat flux. Therefore, the ice must be dynamically thinned by ice divergence and/or by the presence of an ocean sensible heat flux which reduces the latent heat loss component of the air-sea heat flux and thus reduces the amount of ice growth. For an average air-sea heat flux of 35 W/m2 over ~5 months of the winter ice covered cooling period, the amount of ice thinned must be ~1.6 m.