cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiographic Correlates of Cerebral Hemodynamic Changes With Diamox Challenge Assessed by Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Background and Purpose—Impaired cerebrovascular reserve in chronic steno-occlusive disease has been shown to be associated with poor leptomeningeal collaterals (LMCs) on digital subtraction angiography and increased stroke risk. We examined the relationship between the degree of LMCs and the flow change with Diamox challenge measured using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (QMRA). Methods—Patients with steno-occlusion in the internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery (MCA) at our institution between 2007 and 2013 were retrospectively studied. Intracranial flows were obtained using QMRA, and flow change with Diamox (QMRAΔd) was calculated as follows: ([flow after Diamox−flow before Diamox]/[flow before Diamox])×100%. Poor LMC was defined as grade 1 or 2, and robust LMC was defined as grade 3 or 4 based on the ASITN/SIR (American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology) grading system on digital subtraction angiography. Results—Thirty-eig...
Arcuate fasciculus asymmetry has a hand in language function but not handedness

The importance of relationships between handedness, language lateralization and localization, and white matter tracts for language performance is unclear. The goal of the study was to investigate these relationships by examining arcuate fasciculus (AF) structural asymmetry (DTI) and functional asymmetry (fMRI) in language circuits, handedness, and linguistic performance. A large sample of right-handed (n = 158) and atypical-handed (n = 82) healthy adults underwent DTI at 3 T to assess number of streamlines and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the AF, and language fMRI. Language functions were assessed using standard tests of vocabulary, naming, verbal fluency, and complex ideation. Laterality indices (LIs) illustrated degree of asymmetry and lateralization patterns for the AF (streamlines and FA) and verb generation fMRI. Both handedness groups showed leftward lateralization bias for streamline and fMRI LIs and symmetry for FA LI. The proportion of subjects with left, right, or symmetric lateralization were similar between groups if based on AF LIs, but differed if based on fMRI LIs (p = 0.0016). Degree of right-handedness was not associated with AF lateralization, but was associated with fMRI language lateralization (p = 0.0014). FA LI was not associated with performance on language assessments, but streamline LI was associated with better vocabulary and complex ideation performance in atypical-handed subjects (p = 0.022 and p = 0.0098, respectively), and better semantic fluency in right-handed subjects (p = 0.047); however, these did not survive multiple comparisons correction. We provide evidence that AF asymmetry is independent of hand preference, and while degree of right-handedness is associated with hemispheric language lateralization, the majority of atypical-handed individuals are left-lateralized for language. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3297-3309, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Practice and experience in strengthening county CDC laboratory construction

Objective To strengthen the laboratory construction of the disease control and prevention institutions at county level,so as to improve the testing ability and safeguard people's health.Methods Based on Laboratory Construction Guidance About the Disease Control and Prevention Institutions at the County Level laboratory construction was strengthenedA series of measures such as increased investment,technical team management and talent group building,scientific management and laboratory quality control had been taken.Results Through strengthening the laboratory construction and scientific management,Daishan CDC laboratory construction had been effectively improvedThe area and configuration had reached the reqirement mentioned in Laboratory Construction Guidance About the Disease Control and Prevention Institutions at the County LevelThe class A laboratory equipments from 5 years ago with 57.4% increased to 71.8%,and class B equipment from 44.4% to 55.7%The testing ability improved year by year,and relevant professional laboratory had been established.Conclusion Strengthening the laboratory construction of CDC is an important means of promoting CDC capability,so we should increase the laboratory investment and strengthen scientific management,adhere to the high standards and strict requirements to enhance the CDC laboratory detecting level.
Short mobile game development projects for introductory CS courses: conference workshop

Game development and mobile computing have been successfully used to increase student motivation. However, instructors with no background in mobile computing, computer graphics, and/or game development may find it difficult to develop or adopt course materials on these topics. This workshop is designed to address these concerns. Using Java Micro Edition, we have developed several project-based course modules focused on mobile game development and designed to study fundamental programming principles (e.g. loops) while also exposing students to more advanced concepts (e.g. databases). Using a mobile phone emulator, participants will test-drive one of our modules and develop a simple game, which can then be transferred to and played on a mobile device. A Windows or Mac laptop is recommended.
Utility of Various Von Willebrant Factor Laboratory Tests in Assessment of Acquired Von Willebrant Syndrome in Patients with Aortic Stenosis

Abstract Background: Aortic stenosis-associated acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AS-AVWS) is caused by an accelerated degradation of the highest molecular weight von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers (HMWM). We recently reported that the severity of the HMWM loss correlates with the severity of AS and patients’ bleeding tendency (Am J Cardiol, 2013;111:374-81). As for the missing HMWM, it is still uncertain if they are cleared from circulation or redistributed with medium-low MWMs, which can be assessed by VWF propeptide (Pro)/antigen (Ag) ratio. Besides the tedious VWF multimer analysis, it is uncertain if VWF activity by immunoturbidic method (Lx)/ Ag ratio or VWF collagen binding activity (CBA)/Ag ratio can be used as a screening test to predict AS-AVWS. It has been speculated in the literature that VWF:CBA is more sensitive than VWF:Lx for detecting a HMWM loss. Our goal was to exam the laboratory characteristics of various VWF tests in evaluating AS-AVWS and the potential mechanism of HMWM loss. Method: Sixty-six patients (between years 2010-2012, 43% male) with varying degrees of AS (16 mild, 20 moderate, and 30 severe) and separate 21 patients who had aortic valve replacement were assessed with VWF:Ag, VWF:Lx, VWF:CBA, platelet function analyzer collagen plus adenosine diphosphate (PFA-CADP), VWF multimer analysis and multimer ratio by densitometry (Am J Cardiol, 2013;111:374-81) after their echocardiography. The clinical endpoints of this study are AS severity measured by mean gradient (MG) by echocardiography and clinically significant bleeding. Statistical analyses including Spearman rank correlation test, estimation of the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed. Results: VWF:Lx and VWF:CBA had strong correlation (Spearman r=0.94, P 40 mmHg) compared to AVR patients (median: 0.84 vs. 1.06, p Conclusion: HMWM losses are highly prevalent in patients with moderate to severe AS. Of the VWF tests, PFA-CADP and VWF multimer analysis and ratio had the highest predictive ability for AS-AVWS followed by VWF:CBA/Ag and VWF:Lx/Ag. The VWF:CBA is not overly superior than VWF:Lx for predicting a HMWM loss. The normal VWF:Pro/Ag suggests that AS-AVWS is different from other types of AVWS due to accelerated clearance of HMWM. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Nematic fluctuations balancing the zoo of phases in half-filled quantum Hall systems

Half-filled Landau levels form a zoo of strongly correlated phases. These include non-Fermi-liquids (NFLs), fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states, nematic phases, and FQH nematic phases. This diversity begs the following question: what keeps the balance between the seemingly unrelated phases? The answer is elusive because the Halperin-Lee-Read description that offers a natural departure point is inherently strongly coupled. However, the observed nematic phases suggest that nematic fluctuations play an important role. To study this possibility, we apply a recently formulated controlled double-expansion approach in large-$N$ composite fermion flavors and small $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ nonanalytic bosonic action to the case with both gauge and nematic boson fluctuations. In the vicinity of a nematic quantum critical line, we find that depending on the amount of screening of the gauge- and nematic-mediated interactions controlled by $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$'s, the renormalization-group flow points to all four mentioned correlated phases. When pairing preempts the nematic phase, NFL behavior is possible at temperatures above the pairing transition. We conclude by discussing measurements at low tilt angles, which could reveal the stabilization of the FQH phase by nematic fluctuations.
Nano-Dispersed Liquid Crystalline Structures for Tunable Negative-, Zero-, and Positive Index Materials in the Optical-Terahertz Regimes

We describe here three approaches to realize tunable or reconfigurable negative-zero-positive index materials: (1) planar nano-structured frequency selective surfaces [FSS] with aligned nematic liquid crystal; (2) core-shell nano-size spheres randomly distributed in a bulk nematic liquid crystal matrix; (3) magneto-optics active cholesteric liquid crystal as 1-D photonic crystal. Such metamaterials can be designed for applications in the optical, terahertz and microwave regimes.
Richtmyer-Meshkov unstable dynamics influenced by pressure fluctuations

We theoretically study the effect of pressure fluctuations on the Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) unstable interface in approximation of ideal incompressible immiscible fluids and two-dimensional flow. Pressure fluctuations are treated as an effective acceleration directed from the heavy to light fluid with inverse square time dependence. The group theory approach is applied to analyze large-scale coherent dynamics, solve the complete set of the governing equations, and find regular asymptotic solutions describing RM bubbles. A strong effect is found, for the first time to our knowledge, of pressure fluctuations on the interface morphology and dynamics. In the linear regime, a nearly flat bubble gets more curved, and its velocity increases for strong pressure fluctuations and decreases otherwise. In the nonlinear regime, solutions form a one-parameter family parameterized by the bubble front curvature. For the fastest stable solution in the family, the RM bubble is curved for strong pressure fluctuations and is fl...
Genital and reproductive organ complications of Crohn disease: technical considerations as it relates to perianal disease, imaging features, and implications on management

Objective A relatively large proportion of patients with Crohn disease (CD) develop complications including abscess formation, stricture, and penetrating disease. A subset of patients will have genital and reproductive organ involvement of CD, resulting in significant morbidity. These special circumstances create unique management challenges that must be tailored to the activity, location, and extent of disease. Familiarity with the epidemiology, pathogenesis, imaging features, and treatment strategies for patients with genital CD can aid imaging diagnoses and guide appropriate patient management. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the spectrum of CD in the genital tract and reproductive organs and discuss the complex management strategies in these patients as it relates to imaging. Conclusion Given the impact on patient outcome and treatment planning, familiarity with the epidemiology, pathogenesis, imaging features, and treatment of patients with genital Crohn disease can aid radiologic diagnoses and guide appropriate patient management.
Evaluation of ingredient combinations from differing origins (fishmeal, terrestrial animal and plants) and two different formulated nutrient targets on rainbow trout growth and production efficiency

A 12-week trial was performed with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) utilizing combinations of ingredients at two nutrient targets. Ingredient combinations were fishmeal-based diet (FMD), animal product-based diet (APD), plant product-based diet (PPD), novel plant-based diet (NPD) and potential future plant-based diet (FPD). Two nutrient concentrations were targeted: 1) to meet published amino acid targets for rainbow trout utilizing approximately 450 g/kg crude protein (400–420 g/kg digestible protein) and 2) to meet the amino acid targets based on ideal amino acid balance of trout muscle for Lys, Met and Thr utilizing approximately 400 g/kg crude protein (370–380 g/kg digestible protein). Interactive effects between ingredient combination and nutrient concentration occurred across all response variables. When diets were formulated to Target 1, fish consuming FMD and APD displayed better weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than plant-based diet, while graded effects were found within the plant-based treatments. When differing ingredient combinations were utilized and formulated to Target 2, fish grew equally well except for the NPD treatment which supported lower growth and higher FCR. Based on the data from the current experiment, one can completely remove fishmeal from trout feeds and reduce protein levels when dietary digestible amino acids are balanced.
TOG-tubulin binding specificity promotes microtubule dynamics and mitotic spindle formation.

XMAP215, CLASP, and Crescerin use arrayed tubulin-binding tumor overexpressed gene (TOG) domains to modulate microtubule dynamics. We hypothesized that TOGs have distinct architectures and tubulin-binding properties that underlie each family’s ability to promote microtubule polymerization or pause. As a model, we investigated the pentameric TOG array of a Drosophila melanogaster XMAP215 member, Msps. We found that Msps TOGs have distinct architectures that bind either free or polymerized tubulin, and that a polarized array drives microtubule polymerization. An engineered TOG1-2-5 array fully supported Msps-dependent microtubule polymerase activity. Requisite for this activity was a TOG5-specific N-terminal HEAT repeat that engaged microtubule lattice-incorporated tubulin. TOG5–microtubule binding maintained mitotic spindle formation as deleting or mutating TOG5 compromised spindle architecture and increased the mitotic index. Mad2 knockdown released the spindle assembly checkpoint triggered when TOG5–microtubule binding was compromised, indicating that TOG5 is essential for spindle function. Our results reveal a TOG5-specific role in mitotic fidelity and support our hypothesis that architecturally distinct TOGs arranged in a sequence-specific order underlie TOG array microtubule regulator activity.
Quantitative Analysis of Repertoire-Scale Immunoglobulin Properties in Vaccine-Induced B-Cell Responses

Recent advances in the next-generation sequencing of B-cell receptors (BCRs) enable the characterization of humoral responses at a repertoire-wide scale and provide the capability for identifying unique features of immune repertoires in response to disease, vaccination, or infection. Immunosequencing now readily generates 103 to 105 sequences per sample; however, statistical analysis of these repertoires is challenging because of the high genetic diversity of BCRs and the elaborate clonal relationships among them. To date, most immunosequencing analyses have focused on reporting qualitative trends in immunoglobulin (Ig) properties, such as usage or somatic hypermutation (SHM) rates of the Ig heavy chain variable (IGHV) gene segment family, and on reducing complex Ig property distributions to simple summary statistics. However, because Ig properties are typically not normally distributed, any approach that fails to assess the distribution as a whole may be inadequate in 1) properly assessing the statistical significance of repertoire differences, 2) identifying how two repertoires differ, and 3) determining appropriate confidence intervals for assessing the size of the differences and their potential biological relevance. To address these issues, we have developed a technique that uses Wilcox’ robust statistics toolbox to identify statistically significant vaccine-specific differences between Ig repertoire properties. The advantage of this technique is that it can determine not only whether, but also where, the distributions differ, even when the Ig repertoire properties are non-normally distributed. We used this technique to characterize murine germinal center B-cell repertoires in response to a complex Ebola virus-like particle (eVLP) vaccine candidate with known protective efficacy. The eVLP-mediated germinal center B-cell responses were highly diverse, consisting of thousands of clonotypes. Despite this staggering diversity, we identified statistically significant differences between non-immunized, vaccine only, and vaccine-plus-adjuvant groups in terms of Ig properties, including V-family usage, SHM rates, and characteristics of the BCR complementarity-determining region. Most notably, our analyses identified a robust eVLP-specific feature—enhanced IGHV8-family usage in B-cell repertoires. These findings demonstrate the utility of our technique in identifying statistically significant BCR repertoire differences following vaccination. More generally, our approach is potentially applicable to a wide range of studies in infection, vaccination, auto-immunity, and cancer.
On the far-field computation of acoustic radiation forces

It is known that the steady acoustic radiation force on a scatterer due to incident time-harmonic waves can be calculated by evaluating certain integrals of velocity potentials over a sphere surrounding the scatterer. The goal is to evaluate these integrals using far-field approximations and appropriate limits. Previous derivations are corrected, clarified, and generalized. Similar corrections are made to textbook derivations of optical theorems.
Gamma Processes and their Generalizations: An Overview

The deterioration and erosion of many civil engineering structures and other structural components, such as the skin of aircraft, have been described by gamma processes and their generalizations. The objective of this article is to overview such processes and to present their salient features such as decomposition and representation. The overview is not necessarily complete nor is it self-contained. The article begins with a motivating example from a problem in hydrological engineering.
Some recent results in topological graph theory

This paper examines a number of recent results in topological graph theory. Invariants such as genus, thickness, skewness, crossing number, and local crossing number are introduced and related to one another. We then deal with topological techniques in the theory of chromatic numbers, and state a very ambitious meta-conjecture which is quite useful in generating true theorems. In closing, we attempt to suggest appropriate directions for further research in topological graph theory, and we give a few results to indicate the richness of the terrain.
Flavoproteine Komplexe, Semichinone und Metalle in Flavoproteinen

Ein Vortrag uber Flavoproteine, also uber proteingebundene Flavine, mag auf den ersten Anblick innerhalb eines Colloquiums uber die Bedeutung der freien Nucleotide nicht ganz am Platze erscheinen. Jedoch, wenn man im Rahmen unseres Themas mehr als die physikalischen und chemischen Eigenschaften der Flavin-Nucleotide uberhaupt behandeln will, so kann man dies nur sinnvoll tun, indem man die Flavoproteine bespricht, denn freie Flavin-Nucleotide spielen — zumindest bei hoheren Organismen — keine Rolle im Stoffwechsel, auser der, zum Einbau in Flavoproteine bereit zu stehen. Auserdem versucht das Leitwort unseres Themas, „ freie Nucleotide“, wohl auch auszudrucken „nicht polymerisierte Nucleotide“ im Vergleich zu denen, die in die Nucleinsauren eingebaut sind. Im Gegensatz zur Mehrzahl der Nucleotide, aber analog den Pyridin-Nucleotiden, kommen Flavin-Nucleotide nur in monomerer Form vor.
Mathematical and Statistical Preliminaries

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a few basic ideas from matrix theory and statistics that are used throughout the monograph. The singular value decomposition is useful to the study of generalized inverses and in establishing conditions for equivalences of the estimators to be studied. Generalized inverses help in finding solutions to normal equations for least square estimators when the design matrix is of non-full rank. The chapter presents the Bayes estimator as the expected value of a posterior distribution that is obtained by taking prior information about a parameter together with a likelihood function obtained from sample observations and applying Bayes theorem. The resulting posterior distribution of the parameter, obtained using both sample and prior information, is an after the fact distribution. The Bayes estimator is optimum because it is the estimator with the smallest average mean square error. The chapter also describes minimax estimator, whose maximum mean square error on a certain ellipsoid is minimized.
RNA-mediated gene fusion in mammalian cells

One of the hallmarks of cancer is the formation of oncogenic fusion genes as a result of chromosomal translocations. Fusion genes are presumed to form before fusion RNA expression. However, studies have reported the presence of fusion RNAs in individuals who were negative for chromosomal translocations. These observations give rise to "the cart before the horse" hypothesis, in which the genesis of a fusion RNA precedes the fusion gene. The fusion RNA then guides the genomic rearrangements that ultimately result in a gene fusion. However, RNA-mediated genomic rearrangements in mammalian cells have never been demonstrated. Here we provide evidence that expression of a chimeric RNA drives formation of a specified gene fusion via genomic rearrangement in mammalian cells. The process is: (i) specified by the sequence of chimeric RNA involved, (ii) facilitated by physiological hormone levels, (iii) permissible regardless of intrachromosomal (TMPRSS2-ERG) or interchromosomal (TMPRSS2-ETV1) fusion, and (iv) can occur in normal cells before malignant transformation. We demonstrate that, contrary to "the cart before the horse" model, it is the antisense rather than sense chimeric RNAs that effectively drive gene fusion, and that this disparity can be explained by transcriptional conflict. Furthermore, we identified an endogenous RNA AZI1 that functions as the "initiator" RNA to induce TMPRSS2-ERG fusion. RNA-driven gene fusion demonstrated in this report provides important insight in early disease mechanisms, and could have fundamental implications in the biology of mammalian genome stability, as well as gene-editing technology via mechanisms native to mammalian cells.
Central Configurations, Super Central Configurations, and Beyond in the n -Body Problem

In this survey, we review our recent understandings on central configurations, super central configurations, and their applications. At the end, some challenging problems and further possible extensions are presented.
Protein precipitation with acids and polyelectrolytes: the effects of reactor conditions and models of the particle size distributions

Isoelectric fractionation of the two major proteins of soy is characterized. Fractions are acid precipitated and centrifugally collected at pH 6.0 (glycinin) and pH 4.8 (B-conglycinin). Two extremes in the speed of acid addition (rapid, with no mixing, and slow, via acid dialysis, with complete mixing) are compared to determine their effects on the properties of the precipitate. Total protein yield, fraction composition, and aggregate microstructure do not depend significantly on the method of acid addition. Particle size distribution and hindered settling behavior do differ and are explained using a model of aggregate strength. The rapid acid addition produces larger primary particles, because of higher supersaturation, and yields larger aggregates, because of higher interparticle potential and stronger aggregates. Further aggregation in lowshear hindered settling is faster for the slowly precipitated aggregate because few of these bonding sites could survive the high-shear precipitator, whereas more can contribute to aggregation during hindered settling.
Origin of the Difference in Reactivity between Ir Catalysts for the Borylation of C–H Bonds

A mechanistic study on the origin of the difference in reactivity between Ir catalysts for C-H borylation reactions is reported. Catalytic reactions of B2pin2 with a series of substrates that require high temperatures and long reaction times were conducted. These reactions catalyzed by the combination of [Ir(COD)(OMe)]2 and 3,4,7,8-tetramethylphenanthroline (tmphen) occur in yields that are substantially higher than those of reactions catalyzed by [Ir(COD)(OMe)]2 and 4,4'-di-tert-butylbipyridine (dtbpy). The electronic properties of Ir catalysts ligated by dtbpy or tmphen and their stoichiometric reactivity were investigated. It was found that a longer lifetime rather than higher reactivity of the catalyst leads to higher yields of reactions catalyzed by Ir-tmphen. The catalyst ligated by dtbpy decomposes principally by dissociation of the ligand and rapid borylation at the positions alpha to nitrogen. Thus, the greater stability of the catalyst containing tmphen results from its greater binding constant.
Financial Regulation, Prudential Supervision, and Market Discipline: Striking a New Balance

Over the past two decades, we have seen an increased incidence of financial crises, both in industrialized countries and in emerging market economies. These crises have not only disrupted the financial systems in affected countries but also have had severe effects on economic activity. Appropriately, much of the focus of this conference is on understanding the causes of these crises and on developing appropriate public policy responses.
The Stratigraphy of Mass Extinctions and Recoveries

Interpretations of the tempo of mass extinctions and recoveries often rely on the distribution of fossils in a stratigraphic column. These interpretations are generally compromised when they are no...
Application of an On-Line Digital Data System in the Composite Materials Fatigue Laboratory

An experiment-dedicated data acquisition and processing system used in concert with a closed-loop servocontrolled testing machine is described, and its application to research on the fatigue response of composite materials is presented. The testing facility has been used to obtain reliable fatigue damage data for composite materials by monitoring (semi) time-resolved changes in material properties during the course of fatigue tests for the purpose of achieving a better understanding of fatigue damage processes. Included in the paper are discussions of the laboratory equipment, experimental procedures, and use of the data handling system in fatigue research.
Using Drosophila melanogaster To Discover Human Disease Genes: An Educational Primer for Use with "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Modifiers in Drosophila Reveal the Phospholipase D Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Target".

Since the dawn of the 20th century, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a model organism to understand the nature of genes and how they control development, behavior, and physiology. One of the most powerful experimental approaches employed in Drosophila is the forward genetic screen. In the 21st century, genome-wide screens have become popular tools for identifying evolutionarily conserved genes involved in complex human diseases. In the accompanying article "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Modifiers in Drosophila Reveal the Phospholipase D Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Target," Kankel and colleagues describe a forward genetic modifier screen to discover factors that contribute to the severe neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This primer briefly traces the history of genetic screens in Drosophila and introduces students to ALS. We then provide a set of guided reading questions to help students work through the data presented in the research article. Finally, several ideas for literature-based research projects are offered as opportunities for students to expand their appreciation of the potential scope of genetic screens. The primer is intended to help students and instructors thoroughly examine a current study that uses forward genetics in Drosophila to identify human disease genes.
Alternative pavement heating technique using renewable energy in North Dakota

Hydronic heating pavement (HHP) is considered to be more sustainable and environmental-friendly for de-icing or pavement heating. The more efficient approach is to use deep direct-use geothermal energy due to the high temperature and clean. In western North Dakota, several aquifers have been identified to provide geothermal hot water ranging from 34°C to 140°C within 2300 m below the ground surface. The current technique has made it feasible to utilize the hot water for power generation. Besides drilling new wells, the higher temperature water exits from power plant still has up to 70oC. This temperature enables the valuable applications to cascading use for other purposes such as space heating, snow-melting for transportation infrastructure etc. This paper mainly focuses on studying the challenges of an HHP using geothermal water. Parametric studies using finite element analysis were conducted. Considering the high heat demands in western North Dakota due to the extreme weather, the suitable water temperatures, pipes layouts, mechanical properties of piped pavement, volumetric flow rates and thermal conductivity of pavement were analysed. The optimization of the HHP subject to different weather conditions and new findings are summarized and discussed.
Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Households and Workers in Oregon

Key takeaways from our report: Counties with tourism-based economies were hit hardest. Rural and frontier counties experienced lower rates of unemployment. Most workers who lost jobs are looking for employment. More than 77 percent of Oregonians who were unemployed in June 2020 were looking for work. More than 1/3 of workers who lost jobs were unemployed for more than a year. Enhanced unemployment benefits are not the primary reason unemployed workers are not looking for work. Only three percent indicated that they were not looking because the unemployment benefits paid more than their jobs would. Most employers made accommodations for their employees. Half of Oregon’s labor force worked remotely or at home at some point during the pandemic. Workers are not in a rush to get back to the office. More than 70 percent of workers would prefer to work remotely at least some days. More than 1/3 of Oregon workers felt that remote work improved their overall job performance, productivity, quality of work, and ability to focus. The stay-at-home orders changed spending habits most dramatically around dining, take-out, and groceries. About 13 percent of households reported missing rent or mortgage payments. The eviction moratorium has been extraordinarily beneficial to those behind on their rent. Sixty-two percent of households with unpaid rent would have been evicted without the moratorium in place. Most Oregonians used their stimulus checks to pay bills, pay off debt, or pay rent/mortgage payments.
An adaptive single-hop medium access control layer for noisy channels

The work presented in this dissertation is for a contribution to the data link layer and its responsibility of managing the physical channel in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). Wireless networks in general are susceptible to noise in the spectrum, which can result in low throughput, loss of critical resources, and high re-transmission rates at the physical and link layers. As a result, there is a growing need for wireless technology that can continue to operate in the presence of noise. A mathematical algorithm has recently been developed which uses concurrent and super-imposed codes, which when applied to wireless communications allows for jam-resistant communications without a pre-shared secret. By leveraging this algorithm, the research for this dissertation will create a jam-resistant single-hop medium access control (MAC) protocol that adapts to the level of noise in the channel. The protocol will dynamically adjust the parameters for encoding to overcome the varying levels of interference. The new protocol will allow for communications to continue in the presence of noise or jamming attacks.
Zebra chip disease decreases tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) protein content by attenuating protease inhibitor levels and increasing protease activities

Zebra chip disease of potato decreases protease inhibitor levels resulting in enhanced serine-type protease activity, decreased protein content and altered protein profiles of fully mature tubers. Zebra-chip (ZC), caused by Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), is a relatively new disease of potato that negatively affects growth, yield, propagation potential, and fresh and process qualities of tubers. Diseased plants produce tubers with characteristic brown discoloration of vascular tissue accompanied by elevated levels of free amino acids and reducing sugars. Here we demonstrate that ZC disease induces selective protein catabolism in tubers through modulating protease inhibitor levels. Soluble protein content of tubers from CLso-infected plants was 33 % lower than from non-infected plants and electrophoretic analyses revealed substantial reductions in major tuber proteins. Patatin (~40 kDa) and ser-, asp- (22 kDa) and cys-type (85 kDa) protease inhibitors were either absent or greatly reduced in ZC-afflicted tubers. In contrast to healthy (non-infected) tubers, the proteolytic activity in CLso infected tubers was high and the ability of extracts from infected tubers to inhibit trypsin (ser-type) and papain (cys-type) proteases greatly attenuated. Moreover, extracts from CLso-infected tubers rapidly catabolized proteins purified from healthy tubers (40 kDa patatin, 22 kDa protease inhibitors, 85 kDa potato multicystatin) when subjected to proteolysis individually. In contrast, crude extracts from non-infected tubers effectively inhibited the proteolytic activity from ZC-afflicted tubers. These results suggest that the altered protein profile of ZC afflicted tubers is largely due to loss of ser- and cys-type protease inhibitors. Further analysis revealed a novel PMSF-sensitive (ser) protease (ca. 80–120 kDa) in CLso infected tubers. PMSF abolished the proteolytic activities responsible for degrading patatin, the 22 kDa protease inhibitor(s) and potato multicystatin by CLso infected tubers. The disease-induced loss of patatin and protease inhibitors therefore appears to be modulated by ser-type protease(s). The selective catabolism of proteins in ZC-afflicted tubers undoubtedly affects downstream aspects of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, which is ultimately reflected by the accumulation of reducing sugars, free amino acids and reduced sprouting capacity.
Immunogold Localization of the Phycobiliprotein of a Cryptophyte Alga to the Intrathylakoidal Space

The cryptophyte algae, or cryptomonads, are unicellular eukaryotes which form a distinct taxonomic group. Several features of the cryptomonad chloroplast make it both structurally and biochemically unique among photosynthetic bacteria, algae and land plants. Cryptomonads possess two chlorophylls (chls), chl a and chl c2, and employ phycobiliprotein as their major light-trapping or “antenna” pigment (3). Other photosynthetic species with two chls do not possess phycobiliproteins; red algae and cyanobacteria, which possess phycobiliproteins, have only chl a. Moreover, the phycobiliproteins of red algae and cyanobacteria are arranged into round or disc-shaped structures called phycobilisomes, which are attached to the outer surface of the thylakoid membrane (4). Each phycobilisome is composed of three phycobiliproteins: phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin. These pigments are layered in such a way that energy is efficiently transferred from PE to phycocyanin to allophycocyanin, which in turn transfers light energy to the photosynthetic reaction centers located in the thylakoid membrane (5). in contrast, each species of cryptomonad possesses only one phycobiliprotein, either PE or phycocyanin, and no allophycocyanin (3).
Blood studies in allergy: IV. Variations in eosinophiles following test feeding of foods

Abstract 1. 1. Observations of the eosinophiles in the peripheral blood following trial ingestion of food are reported in allergic and normal persons. 2. 2. The eosinophiles were enumerated in the counting chamber by means of a white blood cell diluting fluid containing phloxine and methylene blue dissolved in equal parts propylene glycol and water. 3. 3. Certain allergic individuals who develop acute symptoms following the trial ingestion of food show a decrease of eosinophiles coincident with the clinical reaction and, as the symptoms subside, develop a delayed eosinophilia. 4. 4. This response is similar to that observed following trial ingestion of allergenic drugs in cases of known sensitivity. It is seen most clearly in cases of acute reactions of short duration, and the entire response is not commonly observed during the first hour after feeding. 5. 5. This is by no means a constant finding following the ingestion of an allergenic food; it occurs more clearly in some allergic individuals than in others. 6. 6. Single or repeated feedings in normal persons or the ingestion of compatible foods in allergic patients are not followed by a characteristic or constant variation in the level of eosinophiles.
CONSUMERISM AND INFORMATION PRIVACY: HOW UPTON SINCLAIR CAN AGAIN SAVE US FROM OURSELVES

This Note will address the salience of a simple analogy: will privacy law be for the information age what consumer protection law was for the industrial age? At the height of industrialization, the United States market for consumer products faced instability caused by a lack of consumer competence, lack of disclosure about product defects, and advancements in technology that exacerbated the market's flaws. As this Note will show, these same causes of market failure are stirring in today's economy as well. The modern economy is not one of goods but of information, and although consumers have long been aware that their personal information may have marketing value, the Internet has fundamentally changed the scope and depth of information collection, exposing more consumers than ever to injuries requiring not just a comprehensive remedy but a wholesale change in the level of care of the information industry. Just as the mass-production economy precipitated a wave of reforms in consumer protection (in part thanks to a kick-start by author Upton Sinclair), so too must the mass-information economy adapt. After demonstrating the parallels between the problems of today with those of yesterday, this Note will propose parallel solutions, particularly a consolidation of regulatory power and a new tort for breach of information privacy, which draws its inspiration from general products liability. These proposals show that rather than reinvent the wheel, modern lawmakers can (and should) answer today's problems with lessons from the last century.
Interconnection of private networks: A link between industrial and telecommunications policy☆

Abstract A wide variety of machines and human users in separate organizations communicate with one another via interconnected computer networks. The development and use of these Inter-Organization Networks (IONs) has serious implications for the public telecommunications infrastracture. It is increasingly unclear where the ION participants' networks end and the public network begins. This article defines and gives examples of IONs, and discusses the primary policy issues raised by their use. In order to understand and predict policy outcomes, the relationships between technical, organizational and policy variables are discussed in detail. The model presented illuminates the strategic significance of IONs. The analysis focuses on the new economics of interorganization communications introduced by this telecommunication-based innovation.
New Trends in U.S. Industrial Concentration

Using weighted concentration ratios for the entire economy, I argue that industrial concentration decreased in the U.S. from 1960 to the early1980s and then began to increase. This rise in the last two decades of the 20th century offsets any counteracting affectsstemming from the growth of use of information technology in production or from imports and appears due primarily to the impact of the merger wave starting in the mid 1980s. I also considerbriefly the relationship between increasing market concentrationand a change in market competition,taking into account the expansion of e-commerce.
The meaning of ileus. Its changing definition over three millennia.

Ileus comes from the Greek word for twisted. The early classical literature suggests that this term was used for what we now call sigmoid volvulus. The Romans translated this word as volvulus. During later classical times, investigators used ileus and volvulus in describing conditions other than sigmoid volvulus. Roman investigators used ileus to describe midgut volvulus, intussusception, and incarcerated hernias because the symptoms of these conditions were similar. During the Renaissance, ileus, volvulus, and intussusception were synonymous and were closely linked to the volgar terms iliac passion and Miserere Mei. The sine qua non of ileus was the clinical triad of abdominal pain, obstipation, and fecal vomiting. Autopsies in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries exposed the various causes of these symptoms. Ileus became the clinical diagnosis whereas such terms as intussusception were used to describe autopsy findings. Physicians classified diseases by symptoms not by cause. During the 19th century, emphasis switched to the pathologic basis of disease. The classification of intestinal obstruction became one of cause. Ileus was abandoned because its classical definition did not encompass all forms of intestinal obstruction. In the last 50 years, ileus has been relegated to mean nonmechanical obstruction that does not initially require operative treatment. Thus, ileus which was the twisted intestine of Ascelpiades, the Miserere Mei of Pare and the iliac passion of Barrough, has come in the 20th century to mean nonmechanical intestinal obstruction.
Group Decision Analysis

Delphi, as a procedure for aggregating judgments under uncertainty, has suffered from the lack of an underlying theoretical framework, especially one that related group estimates to decision processes. Attempts to introduce group judgment into existing theories of decision have run into difficulties exemplified by the Arrow impossibility theorem for group preferences, and an analogous theorem by the author demonstrating the non-existence of a general method of aggregating probability estimates.
Fast verification of Hash chains

A hash chain is a sequence of hash values x i = hash(x i − 1) for some initial secret value x 0. It allows to reveal the final value x n and to gradually disclose the pre-images x n − 1, x n − 2, ... whenever necessary. The correctness of a given value x i can then be verified by re-computing the chain and comparing the result to x n . Here we present a method to speed up the verification by outputting some extra information in addition to the chain’s end value x n . This information allows to relate the verifier’s workload to a variably chosen security bound. That is, on input a putative chain value the verifier determines a security level (i.e., security against adversaries with at most T steps and success probability e) and performs only a fraction p=p(T,e) of the original work by using the additional information. We also show lower bounds for the length of this extra information.
A survey of neural networks applications in automatic control

This paper is a survey of recent literature in neural networks applications in the field of automatic control. It is now generally accepted in the field that for nonlinear, imperfectly or partially known, and complicated systems, neural networks offer some of the most effective control techniques. In this paper, no attempt has been made to provide mathematical or algorithmic details of the various approaches that are being proposed in the literature; instead, general outlines of some of the techniques are given. The survey is not presented in a chronological order. It is not an exhaustive survey (but an effort has been made to collect publications from different types of journals). Many authors and groups of authors in the field have numerous publications; for each group, we have cited only one or two representative articles. The goal of this paper is to serve as a resource for new researchers in the field.
Mapping gradients of community composition with nearest-neighbour imputation: extending plot data for landscape analysis

Question: How can nearest-neighbour (NN) imputation be used to develop maps of multiple species and plant communities? Location: Western and central Oregon, USA, but methods are applicable anywhere. Methods: We demonstrate NN imputation by mapping woody plant communities for >100 000 km2 of diverse forests and woodlands. Species abundances on ∼25 000 plots were related to spatial predictors (rasters) describing climate, topography, soil and geographic location using constrained ordination (CCA). Species data from the nearest plot in multi-dimensional CCA space were imputed to each map pixel. Maps of multiple individual species and community types were constructed from the single imputed surface. We computed a variety of diagnostics to characterize different qualities of the imputed (mapped) community data. Results: Community composition gradients were strongly associated with climate and elevation, and less so with topography and soil. Accuracy of the imputation model for presence/absence of 150 species varied widely (kappa 0.00 to 0.80). Omission error rates were higher than commission rates due to low species prevalence, and areal representation of species was only slightly inflated. A map of 78 community types was 41% correct and 78% fuzzy correct. Errors of omission and commission were balanced, and areal representation of both rare and abundant communities was accurate. Map accuracy may be lower for some species than with other methods, but areal representation of species and communities across large landscapes is preserved. Because imputed vegetation surfaces are developed for all species simultaneously, map units contain suites of species known to co-occur in nature. Maps of individual species, and of community types derived from them, will be internally consistent at map locations. Conclusions: NN imputation is a useful modelling approach where maps of multiple species and plant communities are needed, such as in natural resource management and conservation planning or models that project landscape change under alternative disturbance or climate scenarios. More research is needed to evaluate other ordination methods for NN imputation of plant communities.