cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The sexually dimorphic role of adipose and adipocyte estrogen receptors in modulating adipose tissue expansion, inflammation, and fibrosis

Our data demonstrate that estrogens, estrogen receptor-α (ERα), and estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) regulate adipose tissue distribution, inflammation, fibrosis, and glucose homeostasis, by determining that αERKO mice have increased adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis prior to obesity onset. Selective deletion of adipose tissue ERα in adult mice using a novel viral vector technology recapitulated the findings in the total body ERα null mice. Generation of a novel mouse model, lacking ERα specifically from adipocytes (AdipoERα), demonstrated increased markers of fibrosis and inflammation, especially in the males. Additionally, we found that the beneficial effects of estrogens on adipose tissue require adipocyte ERα. Lastly, we determined the role of ERβ in regulating inflammation and fibrosis, by breeding the AdipoERα into the βERKO background and found that in the absence of adipocyte ERα, ERβ has a protective role. These data suggest that adipose tissue and adipocyte ERα protects against adiposity, inflammation, and fibrosis in both males and females.
On Optimally Combining Pieces of Information, with Application to Estimating 3-D Complex-Object Position from Range Data

New asymptotic methods are introduced that permit computationally simple Bayesian recognition and parameter estimation for many large data sets described by a combination of algebraic, geometric, and probabilistic models. The techniques introduced permit controlled decomposition of a large problem into small problems for separate parallel processing where maximum likelihood estimation or Bayesian estimation or recognition can be realized locally. These results can be combined to arrive at globally optimum estimation or recognition. The approach is applied to the maximum likelihood estimation of 3-D complex-object position. To this end, the surface of an object is modeled as a collection of patches of primitive quadrics, i.e., planar, cylindrical, and spherical patches, possibly augmented by boundary segments. The primitive surface-patch models are specified by geometric parameters, reflecting location, orientation, and dimension information. The object-position estimation is based on sets of range data points, each set associated with an object primitive. Probability density functions are introduced that model the generation of range measurement points. This entails the formulation of a noise mechanism in three-space accounting for inaccuracies in the 3-D measurements and possibly for inaccuracies in the 3-D modeling. We develop the necessary techniques for optimal local parameter estimation and primitive boundary or surface type recognition for each small patch of data, and then optimal combining of these inaccurate locally derived parameter estimates in order to arrive at roughly globally optimum object-position estimation.
Close mass balance of long-term carbon fluxes from ice-core CO 2 and ocean chemistry records

On geological timescales, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through volcanism and organic matter oxidation and is removed through mineral weathering and carbonate burial. An analysis of ice-core CO2 records and marine carbonate chemistry indicates a tight coupling between these processes during the past 610,000 years, which suggests that a weathering feedback driven by atmospheric CO2 leads to a mass balance between CO2 sources and sinks on long timescales. Feedbacks controlling long-term fluxes in the carbon cycle and in particular atmospheric carbon dioxide are critical in stabilizing the Earth’s long-term climate. It has been hypothesized that atmospheric CO2 concentrations over millions of years are controlled by a CO2-driven weathering feedback that maintains a mass balance between the CO2 input to the atmosphere from volcanism, metamorphism and net organic matter oxidation, and its removal by silicate rock weathering and subsequent carbonate mineral burial1,2,3,4. However, this hypothesis is frequently challenged by alternative suggestions, many involving continental uplift and either avoiding the need for a mass balance or invoking fortuitously balanced fluxes in the organic carbon cycle5,6,7,8,9. Here, we present observational evidence for a close mass balance of carbon cycle fluxes during the late Pleistocene epoch. Using atmospheric CO2 concentrations from ice cores10,11,12, we show that the mean long-term trend of atmospheric CO2 levels is no more than 22 p.p.m.v. over the past 610,000 years. When these data are used in combination with indicators of ocean carbonate mineral saturation to force carbon cycle models, the maximum imbalance between the supply and uptake of CO2 is 1–2% during the late Pleistocene. This long-term balance holds despite glacial–interglacial variations on shorter timescales. Our results provide support for a weathering feedback driven by atmospheric CO2 concentrations that maintains the observed fine mass balance.
The lack of correlation between heat and radiation sensitivity in mammalian cells

Abstract The effect of heat or X-irradiation on the reproductive capacity of 3 cell lines was compared. Two human astrocytoma cell lines were equally sensitive to 42°C or 44°C hyperthermia, although their sensitivity to radiation differed. Chinese hamster ovary cells were most sensitive to hyperthermia, whereas their sensitivity to radiation was intermediate. These results demonstrate a lack of correlation between heat and radiation sensitivity on the cellular level.
Failure of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to detect sustained ventricular tachycardia: A consequence of the latching phenomenon

L L d g The latching phenomenon is a potentially catastrophic nomaly in which an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ICD) becomes latched or stuck in whatever function it is erforming at the time. In June 2005, the Guidant Corpoation notified physicians and patients that Vitality AVT CDs had the potential to latch. They reported that a latched evice will “suspend detection and treatment of atrial and entricular arrhythmias,” and that “telemetry, programming nd magnet response mode are not available.” Of particular oncern was the possibility of device latching during delivry of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy. Device relacement is required once latching occurs. The only uidant ICDs affected by this anomaly are those capable of trial tachycardia therapy (AVT series) or cardiac resynhronization. We present a case of firmware malfunction hat nearly resulted in sudden cardiac death.
Different polarisome components play distinct roles in Slt2p-regulated cortical ER inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ptc1p, a type 2C protein phosphatase, is required for a late step in cortical endo- plasmic reticulum (cER) inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In ptc1Δ cells, ER tubules migrate from the mother cell and contact the bud tip, yet fail to spread around the bud cor- tex. This defect results from the failure to inactivate a bud tip-associated pool of the cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase, Slt2p. Here we report that the polarisome com- plex affects cER inheritance through its effects on Slt2p, with different components playing distinct roles: Spa2p and Pea2p are required for Slt2p retention at the bud tip, whereas Bni1p, Bud6p, and Sph1p affect the level of Slt2p activation. Depolymerization of actin re- lieves the ptc1Δ cER inheritance defect, suggesting that in this mutant the ER becomes trapped on the cytoskeleton. Loss of Sec3p also blocks ER inheritance, and, as in ptc1Δ cells, this block is accompanied by activation of Slt2p and is reversed by depolymerization of actin. Our results point to a common mechanism for the regulation of ER inheritance in which Slt2p activity at the bud tip controls the association of the ER with the actin-based cytoskeleton.
The Emerging Role of Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution in Cardiovascular Disease

Outdoor and indoor air pollution poses a significant cardiovascular risk, and has been associated with atherosclerosis, the main underlying pathology in many cardiovascular diseases. Although, it is well known that exposure to air pollution causes pulmonary disease, recent studies have shown that cardiovascular health consequences of air pollution generally equal or exceed those due to pulmonary diseases. The objective of this article is to evaluate the current evidence on the emerging role of environmental air pollutions in cardiovascular disease, with specific focus on the types of air pollutants and mechanisms of air pollution-induced cardiotoxicity. Published literature on pollution was systematically reviewed and cited in this article. It is hoped that this review will provide a better understanding of the harmful cardiovascular effects induced by air pollution exposure. This will help to bring a better understanding on the possible preventive health measures and will also serve regulatory agencies and researchers. In addition, elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying the link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease is an essential target in developing novel pharmacological strategies aimed at decreasing adverse effects of air pollution on cardiovascular system.
COMPASS: a programmable data prefetcher using idle GPU shaders

A traditional fixed-function graphics accelerator has evolved into a programmable general-purpose graphics processing unit over the last few years. These powerful computing cores are mainly used for accelerating graphics applications or enabling low-cost scientific computing. To further reduce the cost and form factor, an emerging trend is to integrate GPU along with the memory controllers onto the same die with the processor cores. However, given such a system-on-chip, the GPU, while occupying a substantial part of the silicon, will sit idle and contribute nothing to the overall system performance when running non-graphics workloads or applications lack of data-level parallelism. In this paper, we propose COMPASS, a compute shader-assisted data prefetching scheme, to leverage the GPU resource for improving single-threaded performance on an integrated system. By harnessing the GPU shader cores with very lightweight architectural support, COMPASS can emulate the functionality of a hardware-based prefetcher using the idle GPU and successfully improve the memory performance of single-thread applications. Moreover, thanks to its flexibility and programmability, one can implement the best performing prefetch scheme to improve each specific application as demonstrated in this paper. With COMPASS, we envision that a future application vendor can provide a custom-designed COMPASS shader bundled with its software to be loaded at runtime to optimize the performance. Our simulation results show that COMPASS can improve the single-thread performance of memory-intensive applications by 68% on average.
Land Degradation in Rangeland Ecosystems

Rangelands provide an array of ecosystem services such as food, fiber, water, recreation, minerals, and are important to the livelihoods of people across the globe, especially in developing countries. Competing land uses, overgrazing, extreme climate events, and socioeconomic changes are resulting in rangeland degradation in many parts of the world. Given our reliance on rangelands, degradation of this resource can have far-reaching effects. In this chapter, causes of rangeland degradation are examined. Indicators that can be used to identify degradation and methods for assessing the degree of degradation in rangeland ecosystems are discussed. Options and considerations for restoring disturbed rangeland are presented, in addition to future directions in rangeland degradation monitoring and assessment.
FERTILIZATION SUCCESS WITHOUT ANTERIOR PLEOPODS IN LYSMATA WURDEMANNI (DECAPODA: CARIDEA), A PROTANDRIC SIMULTANEOUS HERMAPHRODITE

Abstract The modifications of the first two pleopods in male shrimp have long been considered to serve in insemination of the female. The role of pleopods 1 and 2 in mating in a protandric simultaneous hermaphroditic shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni, were investigated. Results indicate that the modified endopod of pleopod 1 is not needed to transfer sperm in both male-phase (MP) and euhermaphrodite-phase (EP) shrimp. Absence of pleopod 2 does not affect the sperm-transfer success in both MP and EP shrimp. Removal of pleopod 1 also has no impact on fertilization in the MP shrimp; however, sperm transfer is affected by removal of pleopod 1 in some EP shrimp. Even when both pleopods 1 and 2 are completely ablated, about 20% of the shrimp can still fertilize successfully and another 20% partially successfully.
Psychometric Strengths and Weaknesses of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale in Clinical Testing: Recommendations for Improvements

The Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) is a brief screening test that measures a variety of cognitive functions that are typically impaired in patients with Alzheimer dementia (AD) and provides an index of overall severity of dementia. The ADAS is sensitive to the progressive decline in functioning over time in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) (Rosen et al., 1984) and is being used with increasing frequency as an efficacy measure in drug therapy studies.
Comparison of Four-Flighted and Two-Flighted Internal Mixer Rotors Using Cylindrical Coordinate Hydrodynamic Lubrication Theory

Abstract Internal mixers have played a key role in the polymer industry. Internal mixers with four-flighted rotors are attracting more and more attention today. In this paper, we apply a new model based on cylindrical coordinate hydrodynamic lubrication theory for internal mixers to various rotor designs. Numerical techniques were used to carry out the calculations of the pressure field, mean flux field, and various mixing characteristic parameters. Comparisons were made for both four-flighted and two-flighted rotor designs. This was done assuming a fully filled mixing chamber. The simulation effort is important for the understanding of mixing mechanisms in internal mixers and to provide a basis for the rational design of internal mixers.
Terahertz Guided Resonances in Photonic Crystal Slabs

Two-dimensional photonic crystal slabs with hexagonal-lattice air-hole arrays are studied experimentally using coherent single-cycle terahertz pulses. Transmission measurements reveal the properties of guided resonances, in both time and frequency domain.
A Survey of Modern Questions and Challenges in Feature Extraction.

The problem of extracting features from given input data is of critical importance for the successful application of machine learning. Feature extraction, as usually understood, seeks an optimal transformation from input data into a (typically real-valued) feature vector that can be used as an input for a learning algorithm. Over time, this problem has been attacked using a growing number of diverse techniques that originated in separate research communities, including feature selection, dimensionality reduction, manifold learning, distance metric learning and representation learning. The goal of this paper is to contrast and compare feature extraction techniques coming from different machine learning areas, discuss the modern challenges and open problems in feature extraction and suggest novel solutions to some of them.
Characterization of a MEMS-Based Floating Element Shear Stress Sensor

A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based capacitive floating element shear stress sensor, developed for time-resolved turbulence measurement, is dynamically characterized via Stokes layer excitation. The floating element structure incorporates interdigitated comb fingers forming differential capacitors, which provide electrical output proportional to the floating element deflection. Preliminary sensor characterization reveals a bandwidth of 6.1 kHz and a sensitivity of 23 mV Pa at 4.2 kHz up to the testing limit of
Point-Source Introduction System for Control of Psorophora columbiae (Diptera: Culicidae) by Bacillus thuringiensis Serotype H-14: Results of a Large-Area Operational Test

Bacillus thuringiensis serotype H-14 was successfully used to control larval populations of the dark rice field mosquito, Psorophora columbiae (Dyar and Knab), developing in rice fields that had been reflooded for second crop production in Jefferson Davis Parish, La., in 1982. The test was designed to assess the feasibility of the system for use by a mosquito abatement district and to determine what operational difficulties could be expected when a large work load was imposed on an abatement district work crew. Fifty-two fields totaling 735 ha were treated, and 20 fields totaling 425 ha were evaluated as untreated natural populations. The average reduction of larvae, 3rd instar or older, ranged from 45 to 76%. Operational difficulties during peak work loads resulted in nontreatment or partial treatment of portions of some fields; after exclusion of the data from these pans, so that only properly treated pans were considered, the average reduction in larval counts was 63 to 85%. The results of this test provide an estimate of the potential capability of point-source introduction of B. thuringiensis H-14 as new methodology for control of the peak Psorophora populations associated with second-crop flooding of rice fields in the southern United States.
On the Validation of Lifestyle Traits: A Review and Illustration:

How valid are lifestyle trait concepts and measures? A literature review shows little published evidence to suggest lifestyle trait researchers have rigorously tested the validity of their concepts...
Series with Sums Invariant Under Rearrangement

(1968). Series with Sums Invariant Under Rearrangement. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 75, No. 7, pp. 729-731.
Abstract 5084: Treadmill exercise modulates AMP-activated protein kinase and downstream signaling in mammary gland of p53+/−, but not p53+/+ mice

Epidemiological data show that exercise is generally protective against breast cancer. Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamyocin (mTOR) through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been shown to be responsive to exercise. Decreased activation of ribosomal protein S6, a marker for mTOR inhibition, is associated with decreased growth and proliferation. Recently, this energy-sensing pathway has been shown to be inhibited by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to AMPK activation. ROS levels are maintained by p53-inducible anti-oxidant enzymes. Therefore, we hypothesized that energy sensing pathways that mediate the protective effects of exercise in breast cancer are modulated by p53 gene dosage. To test this hypothesis, we fed ovariectomized mice a high-fat diet (60% kcal) ad libitum for 10 weeks to model post-menopausal obesity. Mice were then randomized to a sedentary or exercise regimen (n=15/group). Exercised mice ran on a variable speed treadmill (5% incline, 20 m/min, 40 min/day, 5 days/week for 22 weeks). Changes in percent body fat were measured every 2 weeks using quantitative magnetic resonance. Immunoblot analysis was performed to measure phosphorylation of AMPK (Thr 172) and ribosomal protein S6 (Ser 240/244) relative to total levels in the mammary fat pad (MFP). Also, qRT-PCR was performed to measure mRNA expression of the p53-inducible anti-oxidant enzyme sestrin 1. At the end of the diet-induced obesity regimen, there was no effect of p53 genotype on percent body fat (54.4 ± 0.7 in p53+/+ versus 55.9 ± 1.1 in p53+/−). After 22 weeks of exercise, the EX mice displayed signficantly less percent body fat than sedentary controls, with no effect of genotype (44.4 ± 0.6 versus 47.8 ± 0.8 % respectively, p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5084.
Inhibitory and Facilitatory Effects of Estradiol 17β on Pituitary Responsiveness to a Luteinizing Hormone-Follicle Stimulating Hormone Releasing Factor (LH-RF/FSH-RF) Preparation in the Ovariectomized Rat

SummaryA single intravenous injection of 200 ng of estradiol significantly depressed both LH release in vivo for up to 9 hr and unstimulated LH and FSH release in vitro at 3 hr. The releasing factor preparation evoked significantly less LH release in vivo at 3 hr after estradiol than in saline-injected controls; however, by 6–9 hr after estradiol, the response to LH-RF/FSH-RF stimulation was noticeably enhanced for both LH and FSH release in vitro and in vivo when compared to the response in the ovariectomized controls, even though plasma LH was still suppressed.It is concluded that subsequent to an initial suppression of gonadotroph sensitivity to LH-RF/FSH-RF stimulation, there is an augmented hypophyseal responsiveness to the releasing factor following estrogen treatment.
The history of the Y chromosome in man

Studies of the Y chromosome over the past few decades have opened a window into the history of our species, through the reconstruction and exploitation of a patrilineal (Y-genealogical) tree based on several hundred single-nucleotide variants (SNVs). A new study validates, refines and extends this tree by incorporating >65,000 Y-linked variants identified in 1,244 men representing worldwide diversity.
Planning and verification for stochastic processes with asynchronous events

We consider a general model of stochastic discrete event systems with asynchronous events, and propose to develop efficient algorithms for verification and control of such systems.
Superfluid helium as a vacuum

What is the minimum number of atoms needed for superfluidity? According to the results of a remarkable molecular spectroscopy experiment, there is definite proof that a system of only 60 atoms can be superfluid. Slava Grebencv and colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Fluid Dynamics in Gottingen, Germany, found that small molecules dissolved in droplets of liquid helium can rotate freely, just like they do in a vacuum (S Grebencv, J P Tocnnies and A Vilesov 1998 Science 279 2083). The molecules rotate freely because the surrounding helium is a "superfluid" – a liquid without viscosity. In effect, the liquid helium acts as a vacuum.
The Sinclair Squeeze Play (1922–1924)

As mentioned briefly in Chapter 21, on March 9, 1916, the Persian prime minister,c Sepahdar, approved the Khoshtaria oil concession that gave this Russian subject the exclusive right to mine oil in Persia’s five northern provinces, namely, Azarbaijan, Khorasan, Gilan, Mazandaran, and Astarabad. The grant, however, was not ratified by the Persian parliament as required by the constitution and therefore had no binding effect. On July 27, 1918, the new prime minister, Samsam os-Saltaneh, canceled the concession agreement altogether.
Structure of the C-Terminal Helical Repeat Domain of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase.

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF-2K) phosphorylates its only known physiological substrate, elongation factor 2 (eEF-2), which reduces the affinity of eEF-2 for the ribosome and results in an overall reduction in protein translation rates. The C-terminal region of eEF-2K, which is predicted to contain several SEL-1-like helical repeats (SLRs), is required for the phosphorylation of eEF-2. Using solution nuclear magnetic resonance methodology, we have determined the structure of a 99-residue fragment from the extreme C-terminus of eEF-2K (eEF-2K627–725) that encompasses a region previously suggested to be essential for eEF-2 phosphorylation. eEF-2K627–725 contains four helices, of which the first (αI) is flexible, and does not pack stably against the ordered helical core formed by the last three helices (αII−αIV). The helical core is structurally similar to members of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) family that includes SLRs. The two penultimate helices, αII and αIII, comprise the TPR, and the...
Interfaces Part I: Structure, Chemistry, Electronic Properties

Some of the most important properties of materials in high-technology applications are strongly influenced or even controlled by the presence of solid interfaces. For example, interfaces are the critical element in fiber-reinforced structural ceramics with mechanical properties not even imagined a decade or two ago. The entire electronics industry is based on the fascinating electrical properties of semiconductor interfaces, with ceramic-semiconductor, metal-semiconductor and metal-ceramic interfaces playing critical roles as well. Other examples are surface modification techniques, designed to enhance the corrosion resistance of materials in hostile environments or tailored for tribological or catalytic applications. In contrast to their enormous technological importance, our basic understanding of even the simplest interfaces, such as free surfaces and grain boundaries, is rudimentary at best. It is increasingly recognized, however, that truly significant technological advances can be achieved by a better understanding and control of interfacial processes.To draw attention to the tremendous opportunites that lie ahead in this lively area of materials research, some recent promising developments in the atomic-level understanding of solid interfaces are highlighted in this issue and in the October issue of the MRS BULLETIN. The theme common to ail the articles in the September and October issues lies in the atomic-level insights that have been gained. While this issue of the BULLETIN focuses on structure, chemistry and some electronic properties of crystalline interfaces, the October issue will be devoted to their mechanical and high-temperature behavior.
Patent Acquisition, Investment, and Contracting

Numerous works have examined the finance-related implications of intellectual property that is generated internally or acquired through MA patent licenses frequently contain royalties, which induce under-investment problems. Nevertheless, licensing can be explained in part by financial and strategic considerations. Licensing is more likely when buyers become financially constrained, when revenue can be shifted to low tax sellers, and when the buyer is a competitor acquiring rights to a valuable patent. Overall, these results suggest patent acquisitions are motivated by the pursuit of investment synergies, rather than innovation substitution, commercialization motives, or legal threats.
Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of mosquito communities in central Illinois.

Background The composition and structure of microbial communities that inhabit the mosquito midguts are poorly understood despite their well-documented potential to impede pathogen transmission. Methodology/Principal findings We used MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial communities of field-collected populations of 12 mosquito species. After quality filtering and rarefaction, the remaining sequences were assigned to 181 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Approximately 58% of these OTUs occurred in at least two mosquito species but only three OTUs: Gluconobacter (OTU 1), Propionibacterium (OTU 9), and Staphylococcus (OTU 31) occurred in all 12 mosquito species. Individuals of different mosquito species shared similar gut microbiota and it was common for individuals of the same species from the same study site and collection date to harbor different gut microbiota. On average, the microbiota of Aedes albopictus was the least diverse and significantly less even compared to Anopheles crucians, An. quadrimaculatus, Ae. triseriatus, Ae. vexans, Ae. japonicus, Culex restuans, and Culiseta inornata. The microbial community of Cx. pipiens and Ae. albopictus differed significantly from all other mosquitoes species and was primarily driven by the dominance of Wolbachia. Conclusion and significance These findings expand the range of mosquito species whose gut microbiota has been characterized and sets the foundation for further studies to determine the influence of these microbiota on vector susceptibility to pathogens.
Membraneless microfluidic redox battery for wearable electronics applications

This work presents a flexible microfluidic redox battery (MRB) that utilizes a membraneless design that can be potentially used in wearable electronics as the power source. This device relies on the principles of laminar flow to separate the flows and inhibit the mixing of two electrolytes while allowing the chemical reaction to take place at the interface. This side-by-side flow design eliminates the need for expensive proton exchange membranes. Using the non-toxic 2,6-DHAQ and ferro/ferricyanide redox pair, this MRB can be integrated into wearable electronics as a power source. With small electrolyte volumes and relatively low solution concentrations, this MRB has been shown to achieve peak power densities of 0.75 mW/cm2 at a current density of 1.75 mA/cm2, showing potential for ultra-low and low power wearable electronics applications.
Characteristics of Weight Loss Trajectories in a Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention

Objective Focusing on average weight loss (WL) from interventions provides useful efficacy data but masks large variability across patients. In this study, parameters of weight loss trajectories were determined that differentiated individuals during a 15-week clinical lifestyle intervention. Methods Patients (n = 595) were in a fee-for-service WL lifestyle program with a partial meal replacement diet and lifestyle change counseling. Parameters used in latent class analyses were percent WL (%WL), weight nadir, number of weekly weight gains, maximum weekly percent weight gain, standard deviation of weekly weight changes, linear slope values, and change in slope. Results Average %WL was 9.73%. Latent class analyses revealed three groups with considerable overlap in %WL ranges but differing significantly on all trajectory parameters (Ps < 0.001). Group 1 had the most variable and least successful pattern of weight changes. Group 3 had the least variable and most successful pattern of weight changes. Group 2 fell between the others on all parameters. Conclusions Emphasis on average WL likely obscures considerable variability in individual courses of weight change. Moreover, patients with similar %WL can have different WL trajectories. Identification of behavioral/physiological characteristics associated with different weight loss trajectories may facilitate the development of more tailored interventions, particularly for trajectories associated with less optimal outcomes.
Analysis and Modeling of Electroforming in Transition Metal Oxide-Based Memristors and Its Impact on Crossbar Array Density

This letter proposes a compact physical model for electroforming in transition metal oxide memristors. The proposed model is based on oxide breakdown statistics and validated against experimental data and Monte Carlo simulations. The model is applied to the problem of area optimization of memristive crossbar array. It is shown that a tradeoff exists between the area of the cross-point and the area of the forming circuit. Reduction of the switching layer thickness and/or varying the local field enhancement may result in an appreciable reduction of the forming voltage which, in turn, alleviates the need for forming transistors and yields significant area reduction. On the other hand, these gains might be subdued by scaling the crossbar array itself. The proposed compact model is useful for designers wishing to explore circuit level impacts of forming.
Towards the exact rate-memory trade-off for uncoded caching with secure delivery

We consider the problem of secure delivery in a single-hop caching network with a central server connected to multiple end-users via an insecure multi-cast link. The server has a database of a set of files (content) and each user, which is equipped with a local cache memory, requests access one of the files. In addition to delivering users' requests, the server needs to keep the files (information-theoretically) secure from an external eavesdropper observing the underlying communications between the server and users. We focus on an important class of content placement strategies where the pre-fetching is required to be uncoded and caches are filled with uncoded fragments of files. In this paper, we establish the exact characterization of secure rate-memory trade-off for the worst-case communication rate through a matching converse under the constraint of uncoded cache placement where the number of users is no larger than the number of files in the database.
Accuracy, Verisimilitude, and Scoring Rules

Suppose that beliefs come in degrees. How should we then measure the accuracy of these degrees of belief? Scoring rules are usually thought to be the mathematical tool appropriate for this job. But...
Outfitter use as a constraint negotiation mechanism in snow goose hunting

Beginning in the 1970s, mid-continent snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens and C. rossii) populations have grown rapidly, resulting in extensive damage to tundra breeding habitats (Batt, 1997...
Shock subtypes by left ventricular ejection fraction following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Post-resuscitation hemodynamic instability following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) may occur from myocardial dysfunction underlying cardiogenic shock and/or inflammation-mediated distributive shock. Distinguishing the predominant shock subtype with widely available clinical metrics may have prognostic and therapeutic value. A two-hospital cohort was assembled of patients in shock following OHCA. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was assessed via echocardiography or cardiac ventriculography within 1 day post arrest and used to delineate shock physiology. The study evaluated whether higher LVEF, indicating distributive-predominant shock physiology, was associated with neurocognitive outcome (primary endpoint), survival, and duration of multiple organ failures. The study also investigated whether volume resuscitation exhibited a subtype-specific association with outcome. Of 162 patients with post-resuscitation shock, 48% had normal LVEF (> 40%), consistent with distributive shock physiology. Higher LVEF was associated with less favorable neurocognitive outcome (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.94 per 10% increase in LVEF; p = 0.01). Higher LVEF also was associated with worse survival (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67–0.97; p = 0.02) and fewer organ failure-free days (β = – 0.67, 95% CI – 1.28 to − 0.06; p = 0.03). Only 51% of patients received a volume challenge of at least 30 ml/kg body weight in the first 6 h post arrest, and the volume received did not differ by LVEF. Greater volume resuscitation in the first 6 h post arrest was associated with favorable neurocognitive outcome (OR 1.59, 95% CI 0.99–2.55 per liter; p = 0.03) and survival (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02–2.04; p = 0.02) among patients with normal LVEF but not low LVEF. In post-resuscitation shock, higher LVEF—indicating distributive shock physiology—was associated with less favorable neurocognitive outcome, fewer days without organ failure, and higher mortality. Greater early volume resuscitation was associated with more favorable neurocognitive outcome and survival in patients with this shock subtype. Additional studies with repeated measures of complementary hemodynamic parameters are warranted to validate the clinical utility for subtyping post-resuscitation shock.
Aseptic Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Although aseptic thrombosis of the cerebral veins and dural sinuses has been clinically recognized for more than a century, physicians often overlook the diagnosis [1–3]. Several reasons may explain this deficiency: cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is relatively rare; it produces subtle and often ambiguous symptoms, and it may accompany severe and diverse systemic illnesses [1,3–6]. The advent of angiography and increasingly accurate CT and MRI imaging, however, have increased the capability for successful antemortem diagnosis [5,7–10]. The growing evidence that the use of anticoagulants enhances the likelihood of clinical recovery [6] adds urgency to the need for prompt and accurate diagnosis before brain hemorrhage and infarction develop.
Reactions of Silicon Atoms and Silylenes

The first two members of the Group IVA elements, carbon and silicon, share the common property that they can combine with four entities through covalent bonding, and therefore may be installed as the backbones of thousands of complicated molecules. The study of the various carbon-containing compounds during the past two centuries has already been developed into a major branch of chemistry. Although the investigation of silicon-containing systems is somewhat less extensive, vast amounts of information have been accumulated during the recent decades.
Activate-OML Interactions and Batch Simulation

Most Activate functionalities are available from the OML environment. Hundreds of APIs allow users to interactively or programmatically construct, modify, compile, simulate, save, load, ..., Activate models in OML.
Treatment of metastatic bone tumors in the pelvis with bipolar radiofrequency ablation with and without PMMA cement placement.

e20543 Background: Boney metastatic disease is common in many tumors but predominantly in renal cell cancer, lung cancer, prostate, and breast cancer. Systemic therapy is effective in treating most...
Beam dynamics limits for low-energy RHIC operation

There is a strong interest in low-energy RHIC operations in the single-beam total energy range of 2.5-25 GeV/nucleon [1-3]. Collisions in this energy range, much of which is below nominal RHIC injection energy, will help to answer one of the key questions in the field of QCD about the existence and location of a critical point on the QCD phase diagram [4]. There have been several short test runs during 2006-2008 RHIC operations to evaluate RHIC operational challenges at these low energies [5]. Beam lifetimes observed during the test runs were limited by machine nonlinearities. This performance limit can be improved with sufficient machine tuning. The next luminosity limitation comes from transverse and longitudinal Intra-beam Scattering (IBS), and ultimately from the space-charge limit. Here we summarize dynamic effects limiting beam lifetime and possible improvement with electron cooling.
Imaging of Defects in Metallo-organic Thin Films by Photothermal Deflection

The mirage effect is used to identify the location of defects in metallo-organic thin films before and during CW laser patterning.
The Illusion of Radical Right Partisan Stability: How Party Positioning Affects Radical Right Voting in Germany

How stable is support for radical right parties? In one view, radical right voters are antisystem voters, beyond capture by established parties. In another, they form frustrated issue publics, gravitating towards parties that represent their preferences. We evaluate these hypotheses in Germany, where the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) is presently the largest opposition party. Using an original panel survey, we show that AfD voters resemble stable partisans with entrenched anti-establishment views. Yet this consistency does not simply reflect antisystem voting, but is also rooted in unchanging party-issue positioning: our experimental evidence reveals that many AfD voters change allegiances when established parties accommodate their preferences. Gridlocked party positioning thus gives rise to the “illusion” of radical right partisan stability. We further demonstrate that, while mainstream parties can attract radical right voters via restrictive immigration policies, they alienate their own voters in doing so -- suggesting the status quo is an equilibrium.
Significance of Precambrian Paleosols

The economic significance of Precambrian paleosols largely lies in their common association with stratabound uranium ore. Their significance to resolution of Earth history depends upon their origin. There are four possible genetic models for known paleosols, i.e., the biologic, abiologic, exhalative, and bolide-impact models. Biologic soil formation is well understood from studies of modern soils. The abiologic model assumes that land plants have measurably affected soil formation only since the Ordovician. The exhalative model assumes that terrestrial exhalation of deeplycirculating fluids has contributed to surficial alteration. The bolide-impact model assumes that impacts have modified atmospheric chemistry long enough to enhance weathering detectably.
Adverse Impact of Corticosteroid Injection on Rotator Cuff Tendon Health and Repair: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To assess adverse effects of preoperative corticosteroid injections (CSIs) in patients with rotator cuff disease, especially before rotator cuff repair (RCR). Methods A systematic review of the MEDLINE database was performed according to guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for all studies reporting on adverse clinical effects of CSIs on rotator cuff tendon. Results A total of 8 articles were identified that report on adverse outcomes and risks associated with corticosteroid injections in the setting of rotator cuff tendinosis. Among these included articles, a single CSI for rotator cuff tendinosis was associated with increased risk of revision rotator cuff repair (odds ratio [OR]: range 1.3 [1.1-1.7] to 2.8 [2.2-3.4]) when administered up to a year before surgery and postoperative infections (OR: 2.1 [1.5-2.7]) when administered within a month before RCR. The risk of adverse outcomes after rotator cuff repair are greatest if a CSI is administered within 6 months of surgery (OR: 1.8 [1.3-2.6]) or if ≥2 injections are given within a year of surgery (OR: range 2.1 [1.8-2.5] to 3.3 [2.7-4.0]). Conclusion Several recent clinical trials have demonstrated that CSIs are correlated with increased risk of revision surgery after RCR in a temporal and dose dependent matter. Caution should be taken when deciding to inject a patient, and this treatment should be withheld if an RCR is to be performed within the following 6 months. Level of Evidence IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.
Effect of postdilatation following balloon expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND Postdilatation after transcatheter heart valve (THV) implantation was associated with larger aortic valve areas in large-scale registries; however, the specific effects of postdilatation are poorly understood. METHODS AND RESULTS Among a total of 224 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement using SAPIEN 3, 121 patients (54.0%) underwent postdilatation (same contrast volume: N = 101, +1 ml: N = 17, +2 ml: N = 3). THV diameter was assessed (a) during, (b) after implantation, (c) during postdilatation, and (d) after postdilatation by quantitative fluoroscopy. In the overall patients (N = 224), acute recoil was observed from during implantation (23.0 ± 2.0 mm) to after implantation (22.5 ± 2.0 mm, p < .001) with an absolute recoil of 0.52 ± 0.25 mm. After postdilatation (N = 121), THV diameter significantly increased from 22.5 ± 2.0 mm to 22.9 ± 2.1 mm (p < .001), with smaller absolute recoil (0.39 ± 0.21 mm, p < .001). Compared with those who did not undergo postdilatation, patients who underwent postdilatation had larger postprocedural THV area assessed by multi-slice computed tomography (471.4 ± 78.1 mm2 vs. 447.5 ± 76.3 mm2 , p = .02) and larger effective orifice area (EOA) assessed by echocardiography throughout 1 year (at 30 day, 1.66 ± 0.33 cm2 vs. 1.45 ± 0.27 cm2 , p < .001; at 6 month, 1.66 ± 0.33 cm2 vs. 1.44 ± 0.29 cm2 , p < .001; at 1 year, 1.69 ± 0.38 cm2 vs. 1.47 ± 0.30 cm2 , p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Postdilatation after implantation of the SAPIEN 3 valve produced a larger THV diameter with less acute recoil, followed by larger EOA throughout 1 year. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of postdilatation on long-term clinical outcomes.
Standard of usual care defines effectiveness of early goal directed therapy.

Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally (1). Unfortunately, given wide variations in practices and resources available, there are significant variations in outcomes among different regions of the world (2). Ever since the seminal study was done by Rivers et al . demonstrated that patients with severe sepsis and septic shock warrant early, goal-directed care (3), there has been a paradigm shift on how this disease state is managed.
XIAP inhibitor Embelin potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human lung cancer cells intrinsically resistant to TRAIL therapy alone

3203 BACKGROUND: Recombinant soluble TRAIL have been found to induce apoptosis in select cancers but not in others. Down-stream prevention of pro-apoptotic signaling may be mediated by robust expression of the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs). Embelin is a recently discovered small molecule which exhibits XIAP inhibitor properties as shown by others. We hypothesize that co-administration of embelin (therefore inhibiting XIAP function) and soluble TRAIL will result in enhanced apoptosis in previously TRAIL-resistant cancer cells. OBJECTIVE: Our goal is to determine whether co-treatment with embelin (an XIAP inhibitor) can render a TRAIL-resistant cancer cell susceptible to the pro-apoptotic effects of TRAIL. METHODS: Human lung cancer cells, consisting of A549 (TRAIL-resistant) and H460 (TRAIL-sensitive), were cultured under standard conditions. Embelin and recombinant human soluble TRAIL were procured commercially. Each lung cancer cell line was treated with either TRAIL-alone; embelin-alone; or concurrent administration of embelin and TRAIL. IAP and caspase alterations resulting from treatment were measured semi-quantitatively by Western immunoblot and densitometric analyses. Cancer cell apoptosis was identified using terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and quantified by flow cytometry. The effects of TRAIL and embelin co-administration were also analyzed using computer software for dose-effect analysis. RESULTS: A549 lung cancer cells were resistant to TRAIL administration despite escalating TRAIL doses. Embelin-alone was able to induce significant G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose-dependent relationship. However, the co-administration of low-dose embelin with TRAIL resulted in caspase-mediated apoptosis at rates higher than those compared to embelin-alone. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-apoptotic effects of XIAP may be mitigated by embelin treatment. Concurrent treatment with embelin appears to effectively inhibit XIAP function and converts a TRAIL-resistant cancer cell into a TRAIL-susceptible one. Moreover, the respective effects of embelin and TRAIL appear to work cooperatively in the induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis.
Evidence-Based Guidelines for Management of Head and Neck Mucosal Malignancies during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ObjectiveDue to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, otolaryngologists face novel challenges when treating patients with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this review is to ...