cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CYCLOGENESIS BY A PURELY MECHANICAL PROCESS

Abstract In this paper-an attempt is made to study the mechanical influence of a surge of cold air on cyclogenesis. It is assumed that a quasistationary front exists and that cold air starts pushing at the rear of the underlying cool air. It is shown that the cool air acquires an energy which is of the same order of magnitude as the hydro-dynamical energy of the appropriate frontal wave. The suggestion is made that the events which occur in this process are analogous to those which take place in the hydraulic phenomenon known as the “bore,” and therefore a similar method of analysis is used. An actual example of cyclogenesis associated with a surge of cold air is described, and two other examples are studied for the sake of quantitative comparison with the results computed from one of the equations derived in this work. The ideas upon which the theoretical work has been based seem to agree qualitatively with observation. Quantitative agreement exists as far as orders of magnitude are concerned.
The Gibbs method in thermodynamics of heterogeneous substances carrying electric charges

Abstract We combine Gibbsian method thermodynamic method for heterogeneous systems with electrostatics. The substances under study are those able to accumulate free (i.e., not dipolar) electric charges. We announce several key formulas related to the first and second energy variations for these macroscopic heterogeneous systems.
A joint training framework for robust automatic speech recognition

Robustness against noise and reverberation is critical for ASR systems deployed in real-world environments. In robust ASR, corrupted speech is normally enhanced using speech separation or enhancement algorithms before recognition. This paper presents a novel joint training framework for speech separation and recognition. The key idea is to concatenate a deep neural network (DNN) based speech separation frontend and a DNN-based acoustic model to build a larger neural network, and jointly adjust the weights in each module. This way, the separation fron-tend is able to provide enhanced speech desired by the acoustic model and the acoustic model can guide the separation frontend to produce more discriminative enhancement. In addition, we apply sequence training to the jointly trained DNN so that the linguistic information contained in the acoustic and language models can be back-propagated to influence the separation frontend at the training stage. To further improve the robustness, we add more noise- and reverberation-robust features for acoustic modeling. At the test stage, utterance-level unsupervised adaptation is performed to adapt the jointly trained network by learning a linear transformation of the input of the separation frontend. The resulting sequence-discriminative jointly-trained multistream system with run-time adaptation achieves 10.63% average word error rate (WER) on the test set of the reverberant and noisy CHiME-2 dataset (task-2), which represents the best performance on this dataset and a 22.75% error reduction over the best existing method.
Effects of probiotics feeding on meat quality of chicken breast during postmortem storage

This study evaluated the effects of dietary probiotic supplement and postmortem storage on meat quality of chicken breast during retail display. A total of 35 birds were randomly obtained from 3 feeding groups (control without probiotic supplement, 250 ppm Sporulin, and 500 ppm PoultryStar). The probiotic supplement had no influence on feed conversion ratio and body weight gain, as well as body weight at 29 and 44 d (P > 0.05). After slaughter, each side of the breast muscles (M. Pectoralis major) was assigned to either one d or 5 d of postmortem storage. Probiotic supplement had no influence on the rate of pH decline of chicken breast muscles during the initial 6 h postmortem (P > 0.05). No interactions between probiotic supplement and postmortem storage on meat quality were found (P > 0.05). Postmortem storage decreased drip loss from 25.30 to 18.05% (P 0.05). Our result suggests that probiotic supplement had no adverse impacts on proteolysis and oxidative changes during 5 d postmortem display storage.
Ethanol-Induced Changes in Insulin-Like Growth Factors and IGF Gene Expression in the Fetal Brain

Brain growth retardation is a major feature of the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) have been shown to exert significant metabolic and growth-promoting effects. Previously, we showed that circulating levels of IGF-I as well as hepatic gene expression of both IGFs were decreased in newborn offspring of rats fed ethanol during pregnancy. This study investigated the effects of maternal ethanol ingestion on fetal rat brain growth and on levels of IGF-I and IGF-II, as well as their mRNAs, in fetal brain. IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) levels also were determined. Rats were fed 5% w/v ethanol in a liquid diet during gestation (EF group). Weight-matched animals were pair-fed equicaloric control diet (PF group) or were fed ad libitum (AF group). The mean fetal brain weight of EF offspring was 13% and 16% lower (P < 0.01) than that of PF and AF offspring, respectively. Body weight of EF pups was decreased to a greater extent, resulting in higher brain to body weight ratios in EF pups than in either control group (P < 0.05). IGF-I levels in EF pups decreased by 33% and 41% compared with the corresponding PF and AF values (P < 0.01). IGF-I mRNA levels decreased by 27% and 40% compared with PF and AF values, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between brain IGF-I level and brain weight (r = 0.561, P < 0.01). IGF-II levels were not affected despite a 50% decrease in IGF-II expression. In PF animals, the fetal brain IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA levels were reduced by 28% and 21%, apparently in response to undernutrition. IGF-binding proteins levels were low in the EF group but not statistically significant compared with control values. The diminished fetal brain concentration of IGF-I and decreased gene expression of IGFs may play a role in brain growth retardation associated with FAS.
Abstract 256: Involvement of ERK and ROS in CLEFMA-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells

CLEFMA (4-[3,5-bis(2-chlorobenzylidene-4-oxo-piperidine-1-yl)-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid) is novel synthetic molecule with potent growth inhibitory activity in human cancer cells. Our microarray gene expression analysis suggested that it induces oxidative stress in lung adenocarcinoma H441 cells but not in normal lung fibroblasts. That oxidative stress is a triggering mechanism for both apoptotic and autophagic cell death has been supported by several recent reports. Compared to normal cells, the cancer cells are more vulnerable to oxidative stress-induced cell death because of their high metabolic activity, increased likelihood of electron escape during oxidative phosphorylation and overburdened antioxidant system. In this study, we tested our hypothesis that CLEFMA-induced apoptotic cell death was dependent on the accompanying increase in oxidative stress in H441cells. Methods: Inhibition of cell growth by CLEFMA (10 µM) was estimated by MTT or hexosaminidase assay. ROS production, cell cycle and apoptotic cell population were assessed by flow cytometry. The phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), p38 and JNK1/2 were examined by Western blotting. N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mM) and PD98059 (5 mM) were used as ROS scavenger and ERK1/2 inhibitors, respectively. The molecular markers of apoptosis were analyzed by RT-PCR and immunobloting. Results: NCI-DTP program confirmed anticancer activity of CLEFMA in 60 human cancer cell lines. CLEFMA-treated H441 cells showed typical molecular signatures of apoptosis- upregulated pro-apoptotic and downregulated anti-apoptotic genes. There was time-dependent activation of caspases 3/7, PARP cleavage and BAX; the expression of anti-apoptotic XIAP1 and BCL-xL was reduced, whereas pro-apoptotic p53 was increased. Since BID was not activated, it appears that CLEFMA works through intrinsic apoptosis pathway. CLEFMA also induced sustained activation of ERK, p38 and JNK. The pharmacologic inhibition of ERK, but not that of p38 and JNK, resulted in decreased anti-proliferative activity of CLEFMA. ERK inhibition with PD98059 abrogated CLEFMA-induced apoptosis. The sustained ERK activation was found to be associated with the inhibition of dual specificity phosphatase, DUSP6, expression. Treatment with ROS scavenger NAC abrogated CLEFMA-induced cell death, ERK activation and pro-apoptotic biomarkers, and reinstated DUSP6 expression. Conclusion: From the results of this study, we conclude that CLEFMA-induces apoptosis by enhancing oxidative stress in the cancer cells, and that the accompanying prolonged ERK activation is required for CLEFMA-induced H441 cell death. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 256. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-256
Effect of hydrogen peroxide addition to methane fueled homogeneous charge compression ignition engines through numerical simulations

The effect of the direct injection of hydrogen peroxide into a port-injected methane fueled homogeneous charge compression ignition engine was investigated numerically. The injection of aqueous hydrogen peroxide was implemented as a means of combustion phasing control. A single-cylinder homogeneous charge compression ignition engine (2.43 L Caterpillar) was modeled using the Cantera 2.0 flame code toolkit, the GRI-Mech 3.0 chemical reaction mechanism, and a single-zone slider-crank engine model. Start of injection timing and the amount of injected hydrogen peroxide were manipulated to achieve desired combustion phasing under a wide range of intake temperatures. As the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is increased, the combustion phasing is advanced up to 22° for the conditions investigated in this study. This advancing effect is most pronounced at small concentrations (<10 g H2O2/kg CH4) and early injection timings (start of injection < 25° before top dead center). The model suggests hydrogen peroxide c...
Retail Environments as a Venue for Obesity Prevention

Increasing attention has been given to the role of retail food environments in shaping dietary behavior and obesity risk. Studies have generally shown an association between living in a neighborhood with or in close proximity to certain types of food outlets and/or the availability of healthy food options and better dietary quality, higher fruit/vegetable intakes, and a lower risk of overweight, even after controlling for individual/family level characteristics. However, research in this area has yielded mixed results, overall. Future research needs to identify consistent approaches for defining and measuring food retail environments.
The many faces of megaloblastic anemia.

Megaloblastic anemias share a common feature—disordered DNA synthesis, most often resulting from deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12 or both. However, the cause of the anemias varies from pregnancy to poor nutrition, gastrointestinal disorders, cirrhosis, hemolytic anemias, drugs, fish tapeworms, orotic aciduria, erythroleukemia or long-term dialysis for uremia.
Calculation and Analysis of Accumulator for the Test of the Impedance of Hydraulic Booster Location System

In the test of measuring for hydraulic booster location system,the loading system simulates atmospheric disturbance to test the performance of hydraulic booster location system in the case of instantaneous high frequency.But the instantaneous flux provided by pumping station of the test-bed can not satisfy the demand.So corresponding accumulator is used to reinforce instantaneous oil supply.The capacity of the accumulator was calculated,the appropriate type and number of accumulators that satisfy request of the test were choosed.
Structural characterization of expressed monoclonal antibodies by single sample mass spectral analysis after IdeS proteolysis

Simple and rapid methods for analysis of monoclonal antibody structure and post-translational modifications are increasingly needed due to the explosion of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibody applications. Mass spectral analysis is a powerful method for characterizing monoclonal antibodies. Recent discovery and commercialization of the Immunoglobulin G-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus pyogene (IdeS protease) has facilitated and improved the generation of antibody fragments of suitable size to allow characterization of the structure of the entire antibody molecule via analysis of just a few fragments. In this study, we coupled IdeS fragmentation and simultaneous reduction and alkylation of the resultant fragments using tributylphosphine and iodoacetamide to prepare samples in about 2 h. Following simple introduction of a single, unseparated mixture of alkylated fragments into a mass spectrometer, detailed structural information is obtained, covering the entire antibody molecule. The large majority of the glycoforms present on the single, conserved N-linked glycosylation site of the heavy chain is elucidated, although some of the very low abundance glycoforms are not determined by this protocol. The ease, simplicity, speed, and power of this method make it attractive for analysis of the developmental stages and production batches of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
Nonlinear flexural response of a slender cantilever beam of constant thickness and linearly-varying width to a primary resonance excitation

Abstract Despite the shear amount of research studies on nonlinear flexural dynamics of cantilever beams, very few efforts address the practical geometry involving a constant thickness and linearly-varying width. This stems from the nature of the associated linear eigenvalue problem which cannot be easily solved in closed form. In this paper, we present a closed-form solution to this particular linear eigenvalue problem in the form of a general Meijer-G differential equation for which a solution is readily available in the shape of the Meijer-G functions. Using this approach, the exact linear modal frequencies and shapes are obtained and used in the discretization of the nonlinear partial-differential equation describing the dynamics of the system. The discretized system of ordinary-differential equations is then solved using the method of multiple scales to obtain an approximate analytical solution describing the primary resonance behavior of a given vibration mode. An analytical expression for the modal effective nonlinearity is obtained and used to analyze the influence of the beam's tapering on the nonlinear primary resonance behavior of the response (softening/hardening). Results are then compared to a finite element (FE) solution of the linear eigenvalue problem in which the modal shapes obtained using the FE method are fit into a set of orthogonal polynomial functions and used to discretize the nonlinear problem. It is shown that, while the modal frequencies obtained using the FE method approximate those obtained analytically with negligible error (less than 1%), there is a substantial error in the resulting estimates of the modal effective nonlinearity. This indicates that, even negligible errors in the approximate solution of the linear problem, can propagate to become significant when analyzing the nonlinear problem further reinforcing the importance of the exact solution.
Shining the Light on Dark Money: Political Spending by Nonprofits

The past decade has seen an increase in public attention on the role of campaign donations and outside spending. This has led some donors to seek ways of skirting disclosure requirements, such as by contributing through nonprofits that allow for greater privacy. These nonprofits nonetheless clearly aim to influence policy discussions and have a direct impact, in some cases, on electoral outcomes. We develop a technique for identifying nonprofits engaged in political activity that relies not on their formal disclosure, which is often understated or omitted, but on text analysis of their websites. We generate political activity scores for 339,818 organizations and validate our measure through crowdsourcing. Using our measure, we characterize the number and distribution of political nonprofits and estimate how much these groups spend for political purposes.
Composite SAR imaging using sequential joint sparsity

Abstract This paper investigates accurate and efficient l 1 regularization methods for generating synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Although l 1 regularization algorithms are already employed in SAR imaging, practical and efficient implementation in terms of real time imaging remain a challenge. Here we demonstrate that fast numerical operators can be used to robustly implement l 1 regularization methods that are as or more efficient than traditional approaches such as back projection, while providing superior image quality. In particular, we develop a sequential joint sparsity model for composite SAR imaging which naturally combines the joint sparsity methodology with composite SAR. Our technique, which can be implemented using standard, fractional, or higher order total variation regularization, is able to reduce the effects of speckle and other noisy artifacts with little additional computational cost. Finally we show that generalizing total variation regularization to non-integer and higher orders provides improved flexibility and robustness for SAR imaging.
Rat forelimb movement components segregated by corticospinal tract activity

The corticospinal tract (CST) is one of the descending tracts that carry the forelimb volitional information. Using flexible multi-electrode arrays (MEAs), the CST signals were recorded in rats during active and resting states. The power spectral density (PSD) of CST signals during the active state were notably higher than those observed during resting or anesthesia. Average inter-channel coherences below 30 Hz were considerably higher for reach-to-pull task compared to face grooming and the quiet state, suggesting the presence of volitional information in the recorded CST signals. A novel feature extraction technique (spectrum of cross-spectrum) was applied to obtain feature vectors and used in a classification algorithm. The extension and flexion phases of the forelimb movements were classified with 95% accuracy. The results warrant further investigations for extraction of more detailed volitional motor control information from the CST signals.
Improving Research Methods for the Study of Geography and Mental Health: Utilization of Social Networking Data and the ESRI GeoEvent Processor.

The purpose of this article is to review the literature on geography and mental health, report on a case example using new methods for studying this topic, and provide recommendations for future research. Over 25 years ago, Holley (1988) conducted a review of the literature on geography and mental health and astutely stated, ‘… it is surprising that geographic study designs … have not received greater attention as an important and viable method of assessing population mental health’ (p. 535). In 1997, Parr echoed a similar statement, indicating that little has been researched on this topic and suggested this area be termed ‘geography of mental health’. Decades later, these statements still hold true – researchers have given little attention to the intersection of geography and mental health. Yet, there is great potential for this research to expand in a way that may be of great benefit to those studying mental health as well as the many suffering with mental health problems. In this aricle, a case example...
Fuel element design and analysis for potential LEU conversion of the Advanced Test Reactor

Abstract This paper provides a summary of the status of the design process for a low-enrichment replacement for the high-enrichment fuel that has historically been used in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory. Under current long-term Department of Energy policy, the ATR will be converted to operate using low-enrichment fuel by 2030. To this end, an engineering evaluation and design process has been underway for more than ten years. Initially performed as a series of scoping studies for different design options, the last five years have seen a transition to a formal Safety-in-Design approach to the design and safety evaluation process. This paper focuses on such efforts in progress since 2012 to identify pre-conceptual and conceptual design candidates for ATR conversion. The Enhanced LEU Fuel (ELF) design is selected as the most promising conceptual design. Analyses and trade-off studies performed that led to that selection are described. Finally, analysis of certain aspects of core performance for an ELF-fueled core relative to the current high-enrichment fuel show that only small and manageable changes to core operations will be necessary to support conversion of ATR to low-enrichment fuel.
The Latin American Fashion Reader

The Latin American Fashion Reader , edited by Regina A. Root, Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies at The College of William and Mary, received the Arthur P. Whitaker Prize at the MACLAS XXVII in Ponce, Puerto Rico, for the best book published by a MACLAS member in 2004-2005. The volume is the first to focus on Latin America in the Berg series “Dress, Body, Culture.” It includes seventeen essays by specialists in history, anthropology, literature, women’s studies, textiles and clothing, design and merchandising, and Latin American studies and civilization. The essays range cross-temporally from the colonial period to the contemporary fashion industry. While covering an extraordinary range of topics and cultural forms, the volume successfully weaves together the authors’ sophisticated theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches.
Catalogue of Astrometric Positions of Jupiter's Outer Satellites on Photographic Observations in Mao NAS of Ukraine in 1987-1993

The catalog of 33 topocentric positions of Jupiter’s moons J6, J7, J8 has been created on photographic observations made in MAO NASU in 1987-1993. Positions are referred to the system of TYCHO-2 using the program package INUX/MIDAS/ROMAFOT. The comparison of observed positions was made online with their theoretical data of IMCCE (www.imcce.fr/sat).
The G-quadruplex (G4) resolvase DHX36 efficiently and specifically disrupts DNA G4s via a translocation-based helicase mechanism

Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and RNA regions that include at least four closely spaced runs of three or more consecutive guanosines strongly tend to fold into stable G-quadruplexes (G4s). G4s play key roles as DNA regulatory sites and as kinetic traps that can inhibit biological processes, but how G4s are regulated in cells remains largely unknown. Here, we developed a kinetic framework for G4 disruption by DEAH-box helicase 36 (DHX36), the dominant G4 resolvase in human cells. Using tetramolecular DNA and RNA G4s with four to six G-quartets, we found that DHX36-mediated disruption is highly efficient, with rates that depend on G4 length under saturating conditions (kcat) but not under subsaturating conditions (kcat/Km). These results suggest that a step during G4 disruption limits the kcat value and that DHX36 binding limits kcat/Km. Similar results were obtained for unimolecular DNA G4s. DHX36 activity depended on a 3′ ssDNA extension and was blocked by a polyethylene glycol linker, indicating that DHX36 loads onto the extension and translocates 3′–5′ toward the G4. DHX36 unwound dsDNA poorly compared with G4s of comparable intrinsic lifetime. Interestingly, we observed that DHX36 has striking 3′-extension sequence preferences that differ for G4 disruption and dsDNA unwinding, most likely arising from differences in the rate-limiting step for the two activities. Our results indicate that DHX36 disrupts G4s with a conventional helicase mechanism that is tuned for great efficiency and specificity for G4s. The dependence of DHX36 on the 3′-extension sequence suggests that the extent of formation of genomic G4s may not track directly with G4 stability.
Identification of the Intragenomic Promoter Controlling Hepatitis E Virus Subgenomic RNA Transcription

Approximately 20 million hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections occur annually in both developing and industrialized countries. Most infections are self-limiting, but they can lead to chronic infections and cirrhosis in immunocompromised patients, and death in pregnant women. The mechanisms of HEV replication remain incompletely understood due to scarcity of adequate experimental platforms. HEV undergoes asymmetric genome replication, but it produces an additional subgenomic (SG) RNA encoding the viral capsid and a viroporin in partially overlapping open reading frames. Using a novel transcomplementation system, we mapped the intragenomic subgenomic promoter regulating SG RNA synthesis. This cis-acting element is highly conserved across all eight HEV genotypes, and when the element is mutated, it abrogates particle assembly and release. Our work defines previously unappreciated viral regulatory elements and provides the first in-depth view of the intracellular genome dynamics of this emerging human pathogen.IMPORTANCE HEV is an emerging pathogen causing severe liver disease. The genetic information of HEV is encoded in RNA. The genomic RNA is initially copied into a complementary, antigenomic RNA that is a template for synthesis of more genomic RNA and for so-called subgenomic RNA. In this study, we identified the precise region within the HEV genome at which the synthesis of the subgenomic RNA is initiated. The nucleotides within this region are conserved across genetically distinct variants of HEV, highlighting the general importance of this segment for the virus. To identify this regulatory element, we developed a new experimental system that is a powerful tool with broad utility to mechanistically dissect many other poorly understood functional elements of HEV.
Globalization, Innovation and the Strategic Management of Places

Globalization and the telecommunications revolution have brought two developments that were largely unanticipated. The first is the (re-) emergence of the importance of regions and geographic proximity as important units of economic activity. That innovative activity has become more important is not surprising. What was perhaps less anticipated is that much of the innovative activity is less associated with footloose multinational corporations and more associated with high-tech innovative regional clusters, such as Silicon Valley, Research Triangle and Route 122. Only a few years ago the conventional wisdom predicted that globalization would render the demise of the region as a meaningful unit of economic analysis. According to The Economist,“The death of distance as a determinant of the cost of communications will probably be the single most economic force shaping society in the first half of the next century.” Yet the obsession of policy-makers around the globe to “create the next Silicon Valley” reveals the increased importance of geographic proximity and regional agglomerations.
Assertiveness Training for Women with Visual Impairments

An assertiveness support group was designed for five women with visual impairments who were attending college. The purpose of the group was to apply concepts underlying assertive behaviors (Phelps & Austin, 1975) to effectively managing psycho-social factors related to adjustment to a disability (Wright, 1960; Donaldson, 1980). Issues such as developing assertive responses other than eye contact, defining a sense of personal power in handling dependency related to the presence of an impairment and identifying strategies for dealing with the stereotypes of others were discussed. Although no formal measurements of the group's effectiveness were made, verbal feedback from participants at the end of the five month program indicated that they felt quite positive about the experience. Further research is recommended to explore various designs and effectiveness of group programs, especially in terms of the impact of a disabled facilitator upon group process. Evaluating the significance of combining assertiveness concepts with psycho-social components of adjustment to a disability is also encouraged.
Rapid high-resolution T1 mapping using a highly accelerated radial steady-state free-precession technique.

Background T1 mapping is often used in some clinical protocols. Existing techniques are limited in slice coverage, and/or spatial-temporal resolution, or require long acquisitions. Here we present a multi-slice inversion-recovery (IR) radial steady-state free precession (radSSFP) pulse sequence combined with a principal component (PC) based reconstruction that overcomes these limitations. Purpose To develop a fast technique for multi-slice high-resolution T1 mapping. Study type Technical efficacy study done prospectively. Phantom/subjects IR-radSSFP was tested in phantoms, five healthy volunteers, and four patients with abdominal lesions. Field strength/sequence IR-radSSFP was implemented at 3T. Assessment Computer simulations were performed to optimize the flip angle for T1 estimation; testing was done in phantoms using as reference an IR spin-echo pulse sequence. T1 mapping with IR-radSSFP was also assessed in vivo (brain and abdomen) and T1 values were compared with literature. T1 maps were also compared with a radial IR-FLASH technique. Statistical tests A two-tailed t-test was used to compare T1 values in phantoms. A repeatability study was carried out in vivo using Bland-Altman analysis. Results Simulations and phantom experiments showed that a flip angle of 20˚ was optimal for T1 mapping. When comparing single to multi-slice experiments in phantoms there were no significant differences between the means T1 values (P = 0.0475). In vivo results show that T1 maps with spatial resolution as high as 0.69 mm × 0.69 mm × 2.00 mm (brain) and 0.83 mm × 0.83 mm × 3.00 mm (abdomen) can be generated for 84 brain slices in 3 min and 10 abdominal slices in a breath-hold; T1 values were comparable to those reported in literature. The coefficients of variation from the repeatability study were 1.7% for brain and 2.5-2.7% in the abdomen. Data conclusion A multi-slice IR-radSSFP technique combined with a PC-based reconstruction was demonstrated for higher resolution T1 mapping. This technique is fast, motion-insensitive and yields repeatable T1 values comparable to those in literature. Level of evidence 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:239-252.
In-Home Cardiovascular Monitoring System for Heart Failure: Comparative Study

Background: There is a pressing need to reduce the hospitalization rate of heart failure patients to limit rising health care costs and improve outcomes. Tracking physiologic changes to detect early deterioration in the home has the potential to reduce hospitalization rates through early intervention. However, classical approaches to in-home monitoring have had limited success, with patient adherence cited as a major barrier. This work presents a toilet seat–based cardiovascular monitoring system that has the potential to address low patient adherence as it does not require any change in habit or behavior. Objective: The objective of this work was to demonstrate that a toilet seat–based cardiovascular monitoring system with an integrated electrocardiogram, ballistocardiogram, and photoplethysmogram is capable of clinical-grade measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, stroke volume, and peripheral blood oxygenation. Methods: The toilet seat–based estimates of blood pressure and peripheral blood oxygenation were compared to a hospital-grade vital signs monitor for 18 subjects over an 8-week period. The estimated stroke volume was validated on 38 normative subjects and 111 subjects undergoing a standard echocardiogram at a hospital clinic for any underlying condition, including heart failure. Results: Clinical grade accuracy was achieved for all of the seat measurements when compared to their respective gold standards. The accuracy of diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure is 1.2 (SD 6.0) mm Hg (N=112) and –2.7 (SD 6.6) mm Hg (N=89), respectively. Stroke volume has an accuracy of –2.5 (SD 15.5) mL (N=149) compared to an echocardiogram gold standard. Peripheral blood oxygenation had an RMS error of 2.3% (N=91). Conclusions: A toilet seat–based cardiovascular monitoring system has been successfully demonstrated with blood pressure, stroke volume, and blood oxygenation accuracy consistent with gold standard measures. This system will be uniquely positioned to capture trend data in the home that has been previously unattainable. Demonstration of the clinical benefit of the technology requires additional algorithm development and future clinical trials, including those targeting a reduction in heart failure hospitalizations.
Statins Perturb Gβγ Signaling and Cell Behavior in a Gγ Subtype Dependent Manner

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) facilitate the transduction of external signals to the cell interior, regulate most eukaryotic signaling, and thus have become crucial disease drivers. G proteins largely function at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM) using covalently attached lipid anchors. Both small monomeric and heterotrimeric G proteins are primarily prenylated, either with a 15-carbon farnesyl or a 20-carbon geranylgeranyl polyunsaturated lipid. The mevalonate [3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase] pathway synthesizes lipids for G-protein prenylation. It is also the source of the precursor lipids for many biomolecules, including cholesterol. Consequently, the rate-limiting enzymes of the mevalonate pathway are major targets for cholesterol-lowering medications and anticancer drug development. Although prenylated G protein γ (Gγ) is essential for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signaling, how mevalonate pathway inhibitors, statins, influence subcellular distribution of Gβγ dimer and Gαβγ heterotrimer, as well as their signaling upon GPCR activation, is poorly understood. The present study shows that clinically used statins not only significantly disrupt PM localization of Gβγ but also perturb GPCR-G protein signaling and associated cell behaviors. The results also demonstrate that the efficiency of prenylation inhibition by statins is Gγ subtype-dependent and is more effective toward farnesylated Gγ types. Since Gγ is required for Gβγ signaling and shows a cell- and tissue-specific subtype distribution, the present study can help understand the mechanisms underlying clinical outcomes of statin use in patients. This work also reveals the potential of statins as clinically usable drugs to control selected GPCR-G protein signaling.
Aśvaghoṣa’s Apologia: Brahmanical Ideology and Female Allure

The question I pose in this paper is simple but crucial: Why did Aśvaghoṣa present Brahmanism as the backdrop for the emergence of Buddhism? In both his epic poems, he presents Brahmanism as the obvious and natural condition of society and kings, in the same way that it is depicted in the Brahmanical writings themselves. It has become increasingly clear that Brahmanical texts present ideologically motivated programs for social engineering rather than accurate descriptions of social reality. If social reality did not obligate Aśvaghoṣa to adopt this posture, then why did Aśvaghoṣa buy into this ideological position of Brahmanism? Why did he not describe the social reality underlying Buddhism in a way similar to Aśoka? While attempting to explore these questions, I will analyze Aśvaghoṣa’s arguments against some central theological positions of Brahmanism: First, there is the theological argument that a person must turn to asceticism only after he has raised a family and performed his other religious obligations spelt out in the trivarga and the āśrama system. Second, there is the issue of kāma, both within the trivarga and within the common conception of a householder’s life. The paper will attempt to analyze the way Aśvaghoṣa in his two epic poems deals with these two areas, one more strictly theological and the other dealing with themes of sex, eroticism, and conjugal love, all of which present obstacles to the Buddhist path of liberation that runs through the celibate monastery.
Passive underwater acoustic tags with curved symmetry for navigation and information encoding

Passive acoustic beacons built of horizontally stratified materials have been designed in previous literature to assist in the navigation of autonomous underwater vehicles (UAV) equipped with SOund Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) instrumentation. These beacons reflect a characteristic acoustic signature which can be detected by the AUV as acoustic backscattering upon tag insonification. Currently, only backscattering from acoustic waves normally incident on a beacon can be detected by the AUV due to the beacon's planar geometry. To address this issue, this paper proposes the design of passive acoustic beacons with curved symmetry, whose acoustic backscattering is the same irrespective of the angle of source incidence. Simulation and experimental results are discussed for beacons made of concentric spherical shells as a proof of concept.Passive acoustic beacons built of horizontally stratified materials have been designed in previous literature to assist in the navigation of autonomous underwater vehicles (UAV) equipped with SOund Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) instrumentation. These beacons reflect a characteristic acoustic signature which can be detected by the AUV as acoustic backscattering upon tag insonification. Currently, only backscattering from acoustic waves normally incident on a beacon can be detected by the AUV due to the beacon's planar geometry. To address this issue, this paper proposes the design of passive acoustic beacons with curved symmetry, whose acoustic backscattering is the same irrespective of the angle of source incidence. Simulation and experimental results are discussed for beacons made of concentric spherical shells as a proof of concept.
Review of Using Authentic Assessment in Information Literacy Programs: Tools, Techniques, Strategies

Ferguson’s introduction to authentic assessment, examples of its use in academic departments since the 1980s and in academic libraries, as well as her discussion of advantages and challenges of the...
Safety levels for organophosphate pesticide residues on fruits, vegetables, and nuts

A novel approach is developed to establish safety levels for organophosphate pesticides residues present in 80 fruit, vegetable, and nut commodities. These levels, known as Pesticide Safety Levels (PSL), represent the concentration of the organophosphate pesticide residue that would be required to cause daily exposure of the highest-consuming population subgroup at the 95th percentile of consumption (based upon US food consumption estimates) to reach the adjusted acute reference dose of the pesticide. A total of 4,320 PSLs were developed for 54 organophosphate pesticides on the 80 commodities. Comparisons of PSLs and tolerances and/or MRLs, when available, indicated that only a small percentage of PSLs were lower than or equal to regulatory levels (1.9% below/equal to tolerance levels and 2.3% below/equal to Codex MRLs). In the pesticide/commodity combinations where PSLs were below tolerances and/or MRLs, monitoring results indicated that the maximum residues of organophosphate pesticides on the commodities were far below both the PSL and tolerance/MRL values. In most cases, PSLs were much higher than existing tolerances and/or MRLs. PSLs were at least 100 times higher than tolerances in 50.1% of the comparisons and at least 100 times higher than MRLs 64.1% of the time. PSLs were at least ten times higher than tolerances 75.8% of the time and at least ten times higher than MRLs 82.8% of the time. PSLs serve a useful role in determining the health significance, if any, in the event that residues of organophosphate pesticides exceed existing tolerances and/or MRLs as well as in cases where residues of organophosphate pesticides are detected on commodities for which no tolerance or MRL has been established. PSLs can also be used to customize pesticide residue monitoring programs to focus more on consumer safety than on good agricultural practices.
School Suspension in Florida: The Interactive Effects of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Academic Achievement

A vast body of research demonstrates that the consequences of the “criminalization” of school discipline are not racially equitable, and Black and Hispanic students are more likely than White youth...
Damned dinner: eating in the wilderness of hell

“Descend, descend into hell a short way, men and women, in your minds … Descend, descend into hell, men and women, in your thoughts … .” directed the 16th-century Italian bishop, Cornelio Musso, wh...
Updates on Imaging of Liver Tumors.

We review advances in imaging of liver tumors, by particularly focusing on the utility of novel imaging in diagnosis and management of these lesions. Contrast-enhanced CT and/or MRI are currently utilized for accurate diagnosis of liver tumors, but several ongoing studies are examining the use of other advanced techniques. Novel CT (i.e., dual-energy CT and perfusion CT), MRI (diffusion-weighted imaging, MR elastography, and T1 mapping), and image processing (texture analysis and artificial intelligence–based methods) techniques have emerged and can be used for precise characterization of liver tumors, quantification of treatment responses, and prediction of overall survival rate of patients. Recent advancements in imaging of liver tumors allowed for a precise assessment of tumor features. These evolving technologies can be utilized for applying individualized treatment based on the presence of specific imaging biomarkers.
Phosphorylation modulates liquid-liquid phase separation of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses serves two major functions: compaction of the RNA genome in the virion and regulation of viral gene transcription in the infected cell (1-3) . The N protein contains two globular RNA-binding domains surrounded by regions of intrinsic disorder (4) . Phosphorylation of the central disordered region is required for normal viral genome transcription (5,6) , which occurs in a cytoplasmic structure called the replication transcription complex (RTC) (7-11) . It is not known how phosphorylation controls N protein function. Here we show that the N protein of SARS-CoV-2, together with viral RNA, forms biomolecular condensates (12-15) . Unmodified N protein forms partially ordered gel-like structures that depend on multivalent RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Phosphorylation reduces a subset of these interactions, generating a more liquid-like droplet. We speculate that distinct oligomeric states support the two functions of the N protein: unmodified protein forms a structured oligomer that is suited for nucleocapsid assembly, and phosphorylated protein forms a liquid-like compartment for viral genome processing. Inhibitors of N protein phosphorylation could therefore serve as antiviral therapy.
Preliminary Development and Evaluation of the Mini Player Experience Inventory (mPXI)

Measuring player experience (PX) is key in most game user research. Recently, the Player Experience Inventory (PXI) was presented, a validated 30-item survey instrument using a 7-point Likert scale. The issue with this instrument is that with 30 items it is too long for research studies for which PX is one of the measures. We present in this work-in-progress paper the mPXI or the mini Player Experience Inventory, a 10-item survey instrument. We evaluated the mPXI with an educational game used in engineering education (n = 169). While further evaluation of the mPXI is needed, the current results show promise for using a shortened version of the original PXI.
The emerging role of clinical informatics fellows in service learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective The study sought to describe the contributions of clinical informatics (CI) fellows to their institutions' coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. Materials and methods We designed a survey to capture key domains of health informatics and perceptions regarding fellows' application of their CI skills. We also conducted detailed interviews with select fellows and described their specific projects in a brief case series. Results Forty-one of the 99 CI fellows responded to our survey. Seventy-five percent agreed that they were "able to apply clinical informatics training and interest to the COVID-19 response." The most common project types were telemedicine (63%), reporting and analytics (49%), and electronic health record builds and governance (32%). Telehealth projects included training providers on existing telehealth tools, building entirely new virtual clinics for video triage of COVID-19 patients, and pioneering workflows and implementation of brand-new emergency department and inpatient video visit types. Analytics projects included reports and dashboards for institutional leadership, as well as developing digital contact tracing tools. For electronic health record builds, fellows directly contributed to note templates with embedded screening and testing guidance, adding COVID-19 tests to order sets, and validating clinical triage workflows. Discussion Fellows were engaged in projects that span the breadth of the CI specialty and were able to make system-wide contributions in line with their educational milestones. Conclusions CI fellows contributed meaningfully and rapidly to their institutions' response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Long‐Term Effects of Fine Particles on Mortality: Insights from 1984

I review an important study that Professor Evans published early in his career examining the role of cross-sectional mortality studies in air pollution risk assessment. At a time when both risk assessment and particle effects on mortality were controversial, John's thoughtful analysis of the issues and data relevant to assessing long-term mortality risks from airborne particles provides a comprehensive primer that is still relevant today. The paper includes a critical literature review, a meta-analysis of published particle effect estimates, and a reanalysis of landmark cross-sectional mortality data set. EPA criteria documents and related literature had largely discounted the cross-sectional mortality findings on the basis of criticisms about exposure assessment and control for confounding. John's analysis reached a different conclusion, that is, "we are of the opinion that the cross-sectional studies reflect a causal relationship between exposure to airborne particles and premature mortality. From our point of view it is as likely that parameters have been underestimated … as that they are overestimated due to confounding." The paper acknowledged the impossibility of precisely quantifying the long-term mortality effect of particle air pollution, and that there is a need for further research utilizing alternative approaches. These conclusions foreshadow the emergence, a decade later, of the influential particulate matter (PM) mortality findings from the Harvard Six Cities and American Cancer Society cohort studies. I conclude by suggesting that well designed cross-sectional studies could play a role in identifying exposure-response associations in resource-poor settings where there is a paucity of local evidence to support air pollution regulations.
Do Multi-Party Municipal Councils Improve Local Governance? Municipal Councillors’ Opinions in El Salvador:

As decentralisation reforms devolved greater responsibilities to local governments, improving local governance has become central to strengthening democracy. With the promise of increasing citizen ...