cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fused Data Structures for Handling Multiple Faults in Distributed Systems

The paper describes a technique to correct crash faults in large data structures hosted on distributed servers, based on the concept of fused backups. The prevalent solution to this problem is replication. To correct f crash faults among n distinct data structures, replication requires nf additional replicas. If each of the primaries contains O(m) nodes of O(s) size each, this translates to O(nmsf) total backup space. Our technique uses a combination of erasure correcting codes and selective replication to correct f crash faults using just f additional backups consuming O(msf) total backup space, while incurring minimal overhead during normal operation. Since the data is maintained in the coded form, recovery is costly as compared to replication. However, in a system with infrequent faults, the savings in space outweighs the cost of recovery. We explore the theory and algorithms for these fused backups and provide a library of such backups for all the data structures in the Java 6 Collection framework. Our experimental evaluation confirms that fused backups are space-efficient as compared to replication (almost n times), while they cause very little overhead for updates. Many real world distributed systems such as Amazon's Dynamo data store use replication to achieve reliability. An alternate, fusion-based design can result in significant savings in space as well as other resources such as power.
Xps Identification of Al-Pva Complex

Aluminum was deposited on a polyvinyl alcohol film surface by reaction with trimethyl aluminum at 300 K. XPS analysis indicated a carbon free deposition of a monolayer of Al. The Al forms an oxy-carbide complex, AIOC, which exhibits a stoichiometry of 1:1:1 for Al, 0 and C. Within this complex Al is bonded to both C and 0 resulting in the appearance of low binding energy peaks in C(ls) and O(ls) spectra. The complex is oriented such that Al forms the outer-most layer. The Al modified surface was hydrophobic compared to the hydrophilic PVA. A reaction mechanism is proposed based on XPS and mass spectrometric data.
Autonomous spacecraft docking using a computer vision system

An autonomous spacecraft docking scheme is proposed. Emphasis is on the integration of a computer vision system for obtaining position and orientation estimates of the spacecraft with respect to a docking platform and control systems for the rotational and translational motion of the spacecraft. Computer simulations of an integrated spacecraft computer vision and docking control system are described under a specific set of assumptions. The effects of image quantization and sampling and the perturbation effects of orbital motion are included. The simulation results demonstrate the technical feasibility of this proposed approach. This docking control system compares favorably with other methods based on the use of sensors such as laser, infrared, radar, GPS (global positioning system), or INS (inertial navigation system). >
Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse among Active Duty Military Women

In a sample of 616 active duty military women, 30% reported adult lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as physical and/or sexual assault. The prevalence of IPV during the time of military service was 21.6%. Lifetime prevalence of any abuse, including emotional abuse and/or stalking, was 44.3%. Risk factors for IPV (lifetime and while in the military) from multivariate logistic regression were separated or divorced marital status (odds ratio = 5.23, 6.17, respectively), being widowed (odds ratio = 3.57, 4.57), having one child (odds ratio = 2.12, 2.49) or three or more children (odds ratio = 2.72, 3.34), and being enlisted personnel rather than officers (odds ratio = 2.45, 2.77). These prevalence rates and risk factors were similar to a demographically comparable civilian sample from the same geographic area. Existing military policies and programs should be examined and enhanced to maintain military readiness as well as reduce military women's risk of harm.
Environmental implications of RFID

Four environmental applications of radiofrequency identification tags are discussed: (1) reduction of traffic congestions through RFID-enabled congestion pricing; (2) rewards for recycling using RFID transponders on curbside recycling bins; (3) environmental information about products accessed through consumer cell-phones or PDAs; and (4) use of RFID tags on products to make recycling and reuse easier. In addition, environmental drawbacks of RFID are discussed, as well as options for resolving these drawbacks.
Price Projections of Feedstocks for Biofuels and Biopower in the U.S.

The economic availability of biomass resources is a critical component in evaluating the commercial viability of biofuels. To evaluate projected farmgate prices and grower payments needed to procure 295 million dry Mg (325 million dry tons) of biomass in the U.S. by 2022, this research employs POLYSYS, an economic model of the U.S. agriculture sector. A price-run simulation suggests that a farmgate price of $$58.42 Mg{sup -1} ($$53.00 dry ton{sup -1}) is needed to procure this supply, while a demand-run simulation suggests that prices of $34.56 and $$71.61 Mg{sup -1} ($$30.00 and $62.00 dry ton{sup -1}) in are needed in 2012 and 2022, respectively, to procure the same supply, under baseline yield assumptions. Grower payments are reported as farmgate price minus resource-specific harvest costs.
MicroRNAs down-regulate homologous recombination in the G1 phase of cycling cells to maintain genomic stability

Homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB)s is restricted to the post-replicative phases of the cell cycle. Initiation of HR in the G1 phase blocks non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) impairing DSB repair. Completion of HR in G1 cells can lead to the loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH), which is potentially carcinogenic. We conducted a gain-of-function screen to identify miRNAs that regulate HR-mediated DSB repair, and of these miRNAs, miR-1255b, miR-148b*, and miR-193b* specifically suppress the HR-pathway in the G1 phase. These miRNAs target the transcripts of HR factors, BRCA1, BRCA2, and RAD51, and inhibiting miR-1255b, miR-148b*, and miR-193b* increases expression of BRCA1/BRCA2/RAD51 specifically in the G1-phase leading to impaired DSB repair. Depletion of CtIP, a BRCA1-associated DNA end resection protein, rescues this phenotype. Furthermore, deletion of miR-1255b, miR-148b*, and miR-193b* in independent cohorts of ovarian tumors correlates with significant increase in LOH events/chromosomal aberrations and BRCA1 expression. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02445.001
A Randomized Phase II Trial of the Antiangiogenic Agent SU5416 in Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer

Purpose: To assess the activity of the antiangiogenic agent and VEGFR2 inhibitor SU5416 in hormone-refrac- tory prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six chemotherapy naive patients were randomized to treatment with SU5416 (145 mg/m 2 ) and dexamethasone premedication or dexametha- sone alone. Patients in the control arm could cross over to experimental therapy after progression. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was measured every 2 weeks, and radiological evaluation was performed every 8 weeks. In vitro assessment of SU5416 on PSA secretion was assessed in the LNCaP cell line. Baseline serum basic fibroblast growth factor and plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were explored as prognostic factors. Results: VEGF receptor-2 expression is detectable in prostate cancer cell lines, and SU5416 inhibited in vitro PSA secretion. No effect of SU5416 on PSA secretion or time to progression is detectable in patients. VEGF and basic fibro- blast growth factor were not prognostic. Headache and fa- tigue were the most common SU5416 toxicities, but hyper- glycemia, hyponatremia, lymphopenia, infection, and adrenal suppression, all attributable to steroids and the required central line, were common. Conclusion: No disease modifying effects of SU5416 were detectable in this small study. Modest toxicity, an inconvenient administration schedule, and availability of other VEGFR-targeted agents support the decision to halt further evaluation of SU5416 in prostate cancer.
Neonatal Surgical Emergencies: Stabilization and Management

The transitional period following birth can be complicated by the presence of congenital anomalies requiring emergent surgical management. Newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia require immediate intubation and gastric decompression to minimize gastric distention, as well as cautious ventilation to avoid pneumothorax. Newborns with omphalocele and gastroschisis are at risk for bacterial contamination, as well as heat and evaporative losses from exposed viscera. These newborns benefit from the use of a protective bowel bag. Newborns with meningomyelocele require meticulous care to avoid infection and trauma to exposed portions of the spinal cord. An illustrated protocol provides guidance in the initial stabilization of these defects. Nurses providing family-centered care must be knowledgeable about congenital anomalies presenting at birth so they can properly stabilize these newborns and provide accurate information to families.
Cellular Localization of Gene Expression for Progranulin

Granulins, also called epithelins, are 6-kD peptides with growth modulatory effects on a variety of cells. The granulin/epithelin precursor supports tumorigenesis in appropriate cell models and is the only growth factor able to overcome the cell cycle block that occurs in murine fibroblasts after deletion of a functional IGF-1 receptor. However, little is known of the role of granulin/epithelin gene products in vivo. To understand the physiological role of granulins it is essential to know the cell types and conditions in which it is expressed. We examined granulin/epithelin gene expression in adult rodents by in situ hybridization. The granulin/epithelin precursor is constitutively expressed in a number of epithelia, particularly in the skin, GI tract, and reproductive system. Other epithelia express the gene less strongly. Progranulin is expressed in immune cells in vivo and in specific neurons in the brain, including Purkinje cells, pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, and some cerebral cortical neurons...
A note on the transition from diffusion with the flow to diffusion against the flow, for first passage times in singularly perturbed drift–diffusion models

We consider some singularly perturbed ODEs and PDEs that correspond to the mean first passage time T until a diffusion process exits a domain fl in !Rn. We analyze the limit of small diffusion relative to convection, and assume that in a part of fl the convection field takes the process toward the exit boundary. In the remaining part the flow does not hit the exit boundary, instead taking the process toward a stable equilibrium point inside fl. Thus fl is divided into a part where the diffusion is with the flow and a complementary part where the diffusion is against the flow. We study such first passage problems asymptotically and, in particular, determine how T changes as we go between the two parts of the domain. We shall show that the mean first passage time may be exponentially large even in the part of fl that is with the flow, and where a typical sample path of the process hits the exit boundary on much shorter time scales.
The Entrepreneur's Role in Post-Disaster Community Recovery: Implications for Post-Disaster Recovery Policy

Using information gleaned from interviews conducted in the Greater New Orleans region over the last three years, this Policy Primer examines the role that economic entrepreneurs play in post-disaster community recovery and describes how social entrepreneurs promote community resilience.The authors conclude by proposing policy recommendations that would eliminate artificial barriers to economic and social entrepreneurship and improve the recovery process. In particular, the authors recommend that policy makers relax unnecessary regulations, as in a post-disaster context, such regulations can become not only unwieldy, but also can impede recovery. They also urge policy makers to permit entrepreneurs to step in as soon as possible, because entrepreneurs are in the best position to assess local conditions and needs in the rapidly changing, post-disaster environment.
Factors influencing aquatic-to-terrestrial contaminant transport to terrestrial arthropod consumers in a multiuse river system

Emerging aquatic insects are important vectors of contaminant transfer from aquatic to terrestrial food webs. However, the environmental factors that regulate contaminant body burdens in nearshore terrestrial consumers remain largely unexplored. We investigated the relative influences of riparian landscape composition (i.e., land use and nearshore vegetation structure) and contaminant flux via the emergent aquatic insect subsidy on selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) body burdens of riparian ants (Formica subsericea) and spiders of the family Tetragnathidae along 11 river reaches spanning an urban-rural land-use gradient in Ohio, USA. Model-selection results indicated that fine-scale land cover (e.g., riparian zone width, shrub cover) in the riparian zone was positively associated with reach-wide body burdens of Se and Hg in both riparian F. subsericea and tetragnathid spiders (i.e., total magnitude of Hg and Se concentrations in ant and spider populations, respectively, for each reach). River distance downstream of Columbus, Ohio - where study reaches were impounded and flow through a large urban center - was also implicated as an important factor. Although stable-isotope analysis suggested that emergent aquatic insects were likely vectors of Se and Hg to tetragnathid spiders (but not to F. subsericea), emergent insect contaminant flux did not emerge as a significant predictor for either reach-wide body burdens of spider Hg or Se. Improved understanding of the pathways and influences that control aquatic-to-terrestrial contaminant transport will be critical for effective risk management and remediation.
Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir for HCV in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

BackgroundAs the population that is infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) ages, the number of patients with decompensated cirrhosis is expected to increase. MethodsWe conducted a phase 3, open-label study involving both previously treated and previously untreated patients infected with HCV genotypes 1 through 6 who had decompensated cirrhosis (classified as Child–Pugh–Turcotte class B). Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and the NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir once daily for 12 weeks, sofosbuvir–velpatasvir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks, or sofosbuvir–velpatasvir for 24 weeks. The primary end point was a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of therapy. ResultsOf the 267 patients who received treatment, 78% had HCV genotype 1, 4% genotype 2, 15% genotype 3, 3% genotype 4, and less than 1% genotype 6; no patients had genotype 5. Overall rates of sustained virologic response were 83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74 to 90...
Investigating processing techniques for bovine gelatin electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration

Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising solution to tissue regeneration in the case of significant bone loss due to disease or injury. The ability to promote cellular attachment, migration, and differentiation into tissue is dependent on the scaffold's surface properties and composition. Bovine gelatin is a natural polymer commonly used as a scaffolding material for tissue engineering applications. Nonetheless, due to the hydrophilic behavior of gelatin, cross-linking and additives are necessary to maintain the scaffold's structure and overall strength in vivo. In this article, we discuss various processing techniques to determine the optimal electrospinning, cross-linking, sintering, and mineralization parameters necessary to yield a porous, mechanically enhanced scaffold. The scaffolds were evaluated quantitatively using compressive mechanical testing, and qualitatively using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical data concluded the use of biocompatible microbial transglutaminase (mTG) as a cross-linking agent, led to increased compressive strength. SEM images confirmed the presence of individual gelatin and polymeric nanofibers woven into one scaffold. Sintering before leaching the scaffold yielded structured pores throughout the three-dimensional scaffold when compared to the scaffolds that were leached prior to sintering. The results presented in this article will provide novel information about processing techniques that can be utilized to develop a hybrid synthetic and biological based biomimetic mineralized scaffold for trabecular bone tissue regeneration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1131-1140, 2017.
Localized molecular orbitals for polyatomic molecules

Molecular wavefunctions have been generated by the PRDDO (Partial Retention of Diatomic Differential Overlap) method for the monocyclic aromatic rings containing six π-electrons (C4H 4 −2 , C5H 5 − , C6H6, C7H 7 + , and C8H 8 +2 ) and ten π-electron species (C8H 8 −2 , C9H 9 − , C10H10). The eigenvalue spectra of the canonical molecular orbitals are presented. Localized molecular orbitals (LMO's) generated using the Boys criterion are reported for localizations involving all occupied molecular orbitals (complete localizations) and localizations of the π orbitals only. We find evidence for σ-π separation in the complete localizations for some of these molecules even though the Boys criterion is often biased against such results. We demonstrate for C6H6 and find for the other molecules that the π-orbital localizations are indeterminate (i.e. there are an infinite number of equally satisfactory LMO structures between two limiting extremes). This result may be viewed as a corollary of Huckel's (4n+2) rule for aromaticity.
Stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae) and productivity of confined nursery pigs

Effects of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), on performance of weaned pigs were studied. Fly densities averaged 3.0 and 7.1 flies per pig during two successive springs. Comparison of pig performance with and without flies indicated that flies had no measurable effect on average daily weight gain, on variation in weight gain, on feed consumption, or on feed conversion ratio.
CGA-20168 Applied to Corn for Control of Stored-Product Insects

CGA-20168 (methyl 3-[(dimethoxyphosphinothioyl)oxy]-2-methyl-2-propenoate) was applied on corn as emulsion sprays to determine the stability of residues and to assess its ability to control infestations of stored-product insects during a 1-year storage period at ambient temperatures. Although CGA-20168 residues decreased significantly during storage, protection from infestation by stored-product insects was provided throughout the storage period.
Heterochromatin protein 1 is required for correct chromosome segregation in Drosophila embryos

Heterochromatin protein 1 is associated with centromeric heterochromatin in Drosophila, mice, and humans. Loss of function mutations in the gene encoding heterochromatin protein 1 in Drosophila, Suppressor of variegation2-5, decrease the mosaic repression observed for euchromatic genes that have been juxtaposed to centromeric heterochromatin. These heterochromatin protein 1 mutations not only suppress this position-effect variegation, but also cause recessive embryonic lethality. In this study, we analyze the latter phenotype in the hope of gaining insight into heterochromatin function. In our analyses of four alleles of Suppressor of variegation2-5, the lethality was found to be associated with defects in chromosome morphology and segregation. While some of these defects are seen throughout embryonic development, both the frequency and severity of the defects are greatest between cycles 10 and 14 when zygotic transcription of the Suppressor of variegation2-5 gene apparently begins. By this time in development, heterochromatin protein 1 levels are diminished by four-fold in a quarter of the embryos produced by parents that are both heterozygous for a null allele (Suppressor of variegation2-5(05)). In a live analysis of the phenotype, we find prophase to be lengthened by more than two-fold in Suppressor of variegation2-5(05) mutant embryos with subsequent defects in chromosome segregation. The elongated prophase suggests that the segregation phenotype is a consequence of defects in events that occur during prophase, either in chromosome condensation or kinetochore assembly or function. Immunostaining with an antibody against a centromerespecific antigen indicates that the kinetochores of most chromosomes are functional. The immunostaining results are more consistent with defects in chromosome condensation being responsible for the segregation phenotype.
Abfraction lesions: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options

Abfraction is a type of noncarious cervical lesion (NCCL) characterized by loss of tooth tissues with different clinical appearances. Evidence supports that abfraction lesions, as any NCCLs, have a multifactorial etiology. Particularly, the cervical wear of abfraction can occur as a result of normal and abnormal tooth function and may also be accompanied by pathological wear, such as abrasion and erosion. The interaction between chemical, biological, and behavioral factors is critical and helps to explain why some individuals exhibit more than one type of cervical wear mechanism than others. In an era of personalized dentistry, patient risk factors for NCCLs must be identified and addressed before any treatment is performed. Marked variations exist in dental practice concerning the diagnosis and management of these lesions. The lack of understanding about the prognosis of these lesions with or without intervention may be a major contributor to variations in dentists' management decisions. This review focuses on the current knowledge and available treatment strategies for abfraction lesions. By recognizing that progressive changes in the cervical area of the tooth are part of a physiologically dynamic process that occurs with aging, premature and unnecessary intervention can be avoided. In cases of asymptomatic teeth, where tooth vitality and function are not compromised, abfraction lesions should be monitored for at least 6 months before any invasive procedure is planned. In cases of abfraction associated with gingival recession, a combined restorative-surgical approach may be performed. Restorative intervention and occlusal adjustment are not indicated as treatment options to prevent further tooth loss or progression of abfraction. The clinical decision to restore abfraction lesions may be based on the need to replace form and function or to relieve hypersensitivity of severely compromised teeth or for esthetic reasons.
Disturbance Control Standard of Power System and Its Application

Along with the development of interconnected power grid,the impact caused by disturbance will extend from single region to adjacent interconnected regions and it will seriously threaten the secure and stable operation of power grid.The cascading failures of power system caused by disturbance frequently occur,thus the significance of disturbance control reveals increasingly.The disturbance control standard(DCS) given by North American electric reliability council(NERC) is well-defined,concrete and possesses strong operability,so it offer an effective control approach to the security and stability of interconnected power grids.The authors present the development course of DCS,expound its mechanism and its application home and abroad,meanwhile,aiming at DCS corresponding case analyses are performed as well as the DCS based power system disturbance strategy is put forward.
The Rb gene and the negative regulation of cell growth.

In recent years, several lines of evidence have converged to support the idea that loss of genetic information is a critical step in the pathogenesis of many types of tumors. In the case of retinoblastoma, this karyotypic abnormality suggested the loss of a hypothetical gene, termed Rb, associated with the 13q 14 chromosomal band. A series of indirect but elegant genetic analyses made it clear that this allele is also lost during the formation of a retinoblastoma. Taken together, this body of work strongly suggested that both copies of the 13q14-associated Rb gene need be lost or inactivated in order to trigger tumorigenesis
Transesophageal Echocardiography in Endocarditis

TEE plays a central role in the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis. In experienced hands this technique is probably over 90% sensitive and specific for the detection of intracardiac lesions associated with endocarditis. TEE should be performed as soon as possible once endocarditis is suspected. A technically adequate negative study almost always means a low probability of endocarditis. Transesophageal imaging appears to be an accurate method of detecting leaflet perforation as well as abscess and fistula formation.
Esophageal blood flow in the rabbit: Response to calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers have recently been added to the therapeutic regimen for patients who have chest pain of esophageal origin. Although relief of symptoms has been reported, this has not always been associated with changes in esophageal contraction pressures or luminal pH. Myoischemia has been proposed as one possible mechanism for esophageal chest pain. We have investigated the effect of the calcium channel blockers verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem on esophageal blood flow in the rabbit model. Esophageal blood flow was measured three times in each rabbit with use of the radiolabeled microsphere technique after a 30-minute continuous infusion of (1) saline solution (baseline), (2) a low dose, and (3) a high dose of each agent. Esophageal mucosal blood flow significantly decreased with nifedipine but was unchanged with verapamil and diltiazem. Esophageal muscle blood flow significantly increased--approximately 100% after administration of each of the calcium channel blockers. Thus esophageal muscle blood flow is enhanced after administration of calcium channel blockers, and this may be one therapeutic mechanism of the calcium channel blockers in the relief of esophageal chest pain in some esophageal diseases.
Factors Influencing the Performance of Feedlot Steers Limit-Fed High-Concentrate Diets

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the percentage of concentrate required in limit-fed growing diets for optimal finishing-phase performance. A third experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of manger-space allowance on performance by limit-fed steers. In Exp. 1, 108 steers (average initial BW = 250 kg) were grown on 60 (60G), 75 (75G), or 90% (90G) concentrate limit-fed diets for 92 data prescribed rate of 1.0 kg/d, then finished on a 90% concentrate diet (90F; 140 d). Treatments were compared using linear (L) and quadratic (Q) contrasts. Beginning the finishing phase, 60G and 75G steers weighed less (Q, P=0.05) than the 90G steers; however, because the 75G steers grew at a faster rate (Q, P = 0.02), they were heaviest (Q, P=0.04) at the end of the finishing phase. Increasing the percentage of concentrate in the growing diets tended (L, P=0.16) to increase DMI during finishing, hot carcass weight (L, P=0.14), and dressing percentage (L, P=0.16). Increasing the percentage of concentrate in the growing diet also increased (L, P=0.10)) marbling score, fat thickness, and USD A yield grade. In Exp. 2, 118 steers (average initial BW = 280 kg) were allotted to the 60G, 75G, and 90G limit-fed diets for 84 d, then finished on the 90F diet (168 d), or a fourth group was fed the 90F diet for 210 d. During the finishing phase, there was little evidence (P>0.24) that growth rate differed among treatments. The 90F steers averaged less DMI (P = 0.03) than limit-fed cattle, resulting in a superior (P 0.13) among treatments. In Exp. 3, 272 steers (average initial BW = 227 kg) were limit-fed an 85% concentrate diet to gain a prescribed rate of 1.07 kg/d and allotted to 12.7, 20.3, 27.9, and 35.6 cm of manger space per steer for an 84-d growing period. Decreasing the manger space allowance did not affect (P>0.14) daily gain, daily DMI, or feed:gain. After the 84-d growing period, within-pen variation in BW was positively associated (P
Procedure for Retrograde Ejaculate

In some men, semen passes into the bladder instead of out through the urethra; this is known as retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation occurs if the nerves and muscles that control ejaculation are damaged, or removed, or if the prostate is enlarged. Increasing the pH of the urine prior to ejaculation may preserve the viability of the sperm.
Inherent Differences in SDF-1α-Induced CXCR4 Expression Patterns on MPB, BM and CB CD34+ Cells.

Abstract We have previously shown that in vitro migration and NOD/SCID engraftment potential of mobilized peripheral blood (MPB) CD34+ cells can be significantly increased 2–3 fold by preincubation of graft cells with 100 ng/ml of SDF-1α (CXCL-12) for 30mins at 4°C. However, bone marrow (BM) and cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells did not exhibit similar increases in migration or engraftment after SDF-1α preincubation and, in the case of CB, preincubation somewhat reduced in vitro migration. We believe that these biological differences in SDF-1α responses may begin to explain some of the reported differences in hematopoietic potential among these three sources of CD34+ cells, and may be related to rate and degree of CXCR4 receptor recycling after SDF-1α exposure. In the present work, we examined patterns of CXCR4 expression both before (part 1 studies) and after (part 2 studies) SDF-1α pretreatment, and found that, in general, MPB CD34+ cells appear to possess an inherent ability to mobilize internal CXCR4 stores with greater efficiency than BM and CB CD34+ cells, while CB appears most sensitive to SDF-1α-induced CXCR4 downmodulation. This conclusion is supported by the following results: In part 1 studies, when untreated CD34+ cells were incubated with SDF-1α (100 ng/ml, 37°C), CXCR4 expression initially decreased in all tissues, but returned to basal levels in BM and MPB cells, while re-expression on CB cells remained below baseline for the duration of the 2hr assay. In parallel cultures where SDF-1α was washed out after 60mins, CXCR4 re-expression was most rapid in MPB CD34+ cells, reaching 4.5±2.7-fold higher levels of expression after 30mins, compared to 1.8±1.1-fold for BM (p
Determination of TWT periodic delay line dispersion by means of coupled waveguide analysis

Phase dispersion of an alternate-slot coupled-cavity circuit suitable for use in TWTs (traveling-wave tubes) is determined by means of coupled mode theory. A circuit is modeled using the familiar waveguide elements: coaxial, cylindrical, and sector types. Their orthonormal modes are well known and form the basis vectors for constructing the possible delay line modes, both propagating and nonpropagating. Application of Floquet's theorem as a boundary condition results in a direct determination of the phase shift per period of the structure at arbitrary frequencies. Provision in the analysis for multiply connected waveguides enables beam-hole effects to be included. Dispersion properties at midband are computed to be within 0.5% of measured values. >
Laser Processing for Interconnect Technology

Laser processing of polyimide dielectric layers for use in high-density interconnect structures was studied. A pulsed excimer laser was used to photoetch via holes and a CW argon ion laser operating at 351 nm was used to selectively deposit catalytic amounts of palladium on polyimide. Subsequent immersion of the irradiated samples in an electroless copper solution resulted in selective copper deposition.
Helping educators leverage youth interest in STEM out-of-school programs

Many efforts to broaden participation of underreppresented youth in STEM fields involve the implementation of short-term, informal learning engagements to provide exposure to STEM activity (e.g., one-day workshops, one-week camps, summer-long programs). To attract youth who may not have an existing interest in STEM, one common approach is to situate the learning activities within other interest areas such as fashion, hip-hop, dance, or storytelling. While researchers, designers, and practitioners are exploring these strategies to entice youth to enter such programs, little is known about how youths' incoming interests and the interests areas embedded and promoted in the program activities interact. Further, there are also many questions about how adult educators who engage with youth should recognize and leverage interests as they interact with youth, design instruction, and provide encouragement and feedback. These issues are even more pertinent in such short-term programs in which adult educators (typically) have little or no familiarity with youth when they begin a program. In this poster, we describe a two-week summer program for middle school girls that involves topics such as fashion and dance to introduce and develop STEM skills. We share how we are using survey data, collected at the initiation of the program, to generate information about youths' incoming interests. A key question we investigate in this work is: How can information about girls' interests be used by mentors as a support for engaging youth in a STEM program? We describe our process for gathering interest-related data, the use of exploratory data analysis and clustering methods, and the ways in which we are working with mentors to provide summaries and visual displays related youth interest that can be used in their day-to-day practice. For efforts aimed at broadening participation of youth in STEM fields by connecting to existing interests, this work has implications for both social practice design as well as for the design of sociotechnical systems used by youth and adult educators within educational environments intended to support STEM learning.
MotherWork COLLAGE (A Queer Scrapbook)

In the following series of collage poems about MotherWork composed from family artifacts, feminist research, and systematic recollections, I use words and images to queer staid understandings of White middle-class mothering. The MotherWork collages serve as a kind of queer Pinterest scrapbook that critique and interrogate expectations and attitudes about what mothers should do, think, and feel.
Liquid Nitrogen Spray Cryotherapy is Associated With Less Postprocedural Pain Than Radiofrequency Ablation in Barrett's Esophagus: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Goals and Background:Two common endoscopic therapies for eradication of dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus are radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy (LNC). There is no data comparing postprocedural pain. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postprocedural pain betwe
Healthcare-Acquired Meningitis and Ventriculitis

Healthcare-associated meningitis or cerebral ventriculitis are infections complicating neurosurgeries, CSF shunt, and CSF drain surgeries. It is different in clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management from community-acquired meningitis. Gram-positive cocci like Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus are the most common pathogens, followed by Gram-negative rods and anaerobes like P. acnes. The diagnosis can be difficult as other noninfectious neurologic conditions and neurosurgeries can cause similar clinical and CSF findings. The management of these infections often requires surgical interventions and may need intraventricular or intrathecal administration of antimicrobials, as the organisms can be refractory to IV antimicrobials alone. Periprocedural antimicrobials and antimicrobial impregnated CSF catheters have been shown to reduce infection rates.
Integrating Model Identification and Model-Based Control of Networked Process Systems

Abstract In this work, we present a methodology for the integration of model-based control and model identification for networked process systems subject to communication constraints. The methodology aims to enhance the stability and performance properties of the networked closed-loop system in the presence of process parameter variations while simultaneously reducing the overall rate of information transfer between the plant control subsystems. This is accomplished by incorporating within the time-triggered model-based control strategy an event-triggered model parameter update scheme that keeps the plant-model mismatch to a minimum and averts the need for increasing the communication rate in response to the destabilizing influence of process drift. A process monitoring scheme with an instability alarm is devised to trigger model identification whenever a certain instability threshold is breached. The results are demonstrated using a chemical process example.
Expanded Patient Access to Investigational New Devices: Review of Emergency and Nonemergency Expanded Use, Custom, and 3D-Printed Devices

Summary U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Class III medical devices can take from 3 to 7 years. Although this is shorter than times for drug approvals, patients with serious or life-threatening diseases and disorders may not have time to wait for device approval to access needed treatments. The FDA has a number of pathways, similar to drug approval processes, for expanded use of unapproved medical devices in patients for whom no reasonable alternative therapy is available. Additionally, the FDA regulates the manufacture and use of “custom” medical devices—those made for use by 1 specific patient. With the advent of 3-dimensional printing and bioprinting, new rules are evolving to address concerns that lines may be blurred between “custom” treatments and unregulated human experimentation.
A Plague on All Your Houses: Some Reflections on the Variable Behaviour of “Knows”

The paper reviews the leading attempts in the literature—contextualist, relativist, and interest-relative invariantist—to provide a satisfactory semantic theory of the ways in which the correctness conditions of ascriptions of knowledge seem to vary in tandem with variation in pragmatic factors—interests, stakes, and sentences—afflicting the parties concerned. It is argued that none of these attempts provides a satisfactory account of all the variability phenomena save at the cost of mis-predicting other aspects of what we count as acceptable uses of “knows” and its cognates. The paper concludes with the suggestion that the correct reaction to this finding is not a reversion to the traditional kind of invariantism about knowledge, but rather a move to a kind of deflationism about “knows” broadly comparable to the familiar deflationist account of “true”.
Impact of topical anti-fibrotics on corneal nerve regeneration in vivo.

Abstract Recent work in vitro has shown that fibroblasts and myofibroblasts have opposing effects on neurite outgrowth by peripheral sensory neurons. Here, we tested a prediction from this work that dampening the fibrotic response in the early phases of corneal wound healing in vivo could enhance reinnervation after a large, deep corneal injury such as that induced by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Since topical steroids and Mitomycin C (MMC) are often used clinically for mitigating corneal inflammation and scarring after PRK, they were ideal to test this prediction. Twenty adult cats underwent bilateral, myopic PRK over a 6 mm optical zone followed by either: (1) intraoperative MMC (n = 12 eyes), (2) intraoperative prednisolone acetate (PA) followed by twice daily topical application for 14 days (n = 12 eyes), or (3) no post-operative treatment (n = 16 eyes). Anti-fibrotic effects of MMC and PA were verified optically and histologically. First, optical coherence tomography (OCT) performed pre-operatively and 2, 4 and 12 weeks post-PRK was used to assess changes in corneal backscatter reflectivity. Post-mortem immunohistochemistry was then performed at 2, 4 and 12 weeks post-PRK, using antibodies against α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Finally, immunohistochemistry with antibodies against βIII-tubulin (Tuj-1) was performed in the same corneas to quantify changes in nerve distribution relative to unoperated, control cat corneas. Two weeks after PRK, untreated corneas exhibited the greatest amount of staining for α-SMA, followed by PA-treated and MMC-treated eyes. This was matched by higher OCT-based stromal reflectivity values in untreated, than PA- and MMC-treated eyes. PA treatment appeared to slow epithelial healing and although normal epithelial thickness was restored by 12 weeks-post-PRK, intra-epithelial nerve length only reached ∼1/6 normal values in PA-treated eyes. Even peripheral cornea (outside the ablation zone) exhibited depressed intra-epithelial nerve densities after PA treatment. Stromal nerves were abundant under the α-SMA zone, but appeared to largely avoid it, creating an area of sub-epithelial stroma devoid of nerve trunks. In turn, this may have led to the lack of sub-basal and intra-epithelial nerves in the ablation zone of PA-treated eyes 4 weeks after PRK, and their continuing paucity 12 weeks after PRK. Intra-operative MMC, which sharply decreased α-SMA staining, was followed by rapid restoration of nerve densities in all corneal layers post-PRK compared to untreated corneas. Curiously, stromal nerves appeared unaffected by the development of large, stromal, acellular zones in MMC-treated corneas. Overall, it appears that post-PRK treatments that were most effective at reducing α-SMA-positive cells in the early post-operative period benefited nerve regeneration the most, resulting in more rapid restoration of nerve densities in all corneal layers of the ablation zone and of the corneal periphery.
Familial chronic megacolon presenting in childhood or adulthood: Seeking the presumed gene association.

Objective We identified a pedigree over five generations with 49 members, some of whom had chronic megacolon presenting in adolescence or adulthood. We aimed to assess the genetic cause of chronic megacolon through clinical and DNA studies. Design After ethical approval and informed consent, family members provided answers to standard bowel disease questionnaires, radiological or surgical records, and DNA (buccal mucosal scraping). Exome DNA sequencing of colon tissue or blood DNA from seven family members with colon or duodenal dilatation, or no megacolon (n = 1) was carried out. Sanger sequencing was performed in 22 additional family members to further evaluate candidate variants. The study focused on genes of potential relevance to enteric nerve (ENS) maturation and Hirschsprung's disease or megacolon, based on the literature (GFRA1, NKX2-1, KIF26A, TPM3, ACTG2, SCN10A, and C17orf107 [CHRNE]) and other genetic variants that co-segregated with megacolon in the six affected family members. Results Information was available in all except five members alive at time of study; among 30 members who provided DNA, six had definite megacolon, one megaduodenum, seven significant constipation without bowel dilatation, and 16 normal bowel function by questionnaire. Among genes studied, SEMA3F (g.3:50225360A>G; c1873A>G) was found in 6/6 family members with megacolon. The SEMA3F gene variant was assessed as potentially pathogenic, based on M-CAP in silico prediction. SEMA3F function is associated with genes (KIT and PDGFRB) that impact intestinal pacemaker function. Conclusion Familial chronic megacolon appears to be associated with SEMA3F, which is associated with genes impacting enteric nerve or pacemaker function.
Controlling the surface chemistry towards unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds over non-oxide transition metal ceramics: Trends in adsorption and distortion energies and adsorbate “activation”

Abstract Controlling the surface chemistry of catalysts towards unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds is vital to achieving many contemporary chemical transformations. Transition metal (TM) ceramics are promising materials that exhibit lower and tunable surface reactivity towards C=C bonds. Herein, we have employed an analysis of the adsorption of benzene over a large suite of TM ceramic and pure metal surfaces to benchmark a large selection of materials to isolate trends. Results showed a wide range of surface reactivity as a function of the constituent elements, surface composition, TM-to-p-element ratio, surface ensemble size, electronic structure, etc. The 1st row TM ceramics exhibited lower surface reactivity and more stable surface composition than the 2nd/3rd TM ceramics suggesting that orbital-size match could be a simple marker for predicting general surface chemistry and surface composition stability in TM solid compounds. The TM-to-p-element ratio also generally dictated metal-like or markedly-modified reactivity of the constituent elements at the ceramic surface. Electronic analysis further quantified the correlation between the density and type of electronic states near the Fermi level and the reactivity of surface-lattice elements. Structural and energetic analysis of the adsorbed benzene indicated the activation of the adsorbate could be better quantified beyond simple adsorption energy.
Negotiating Authenticity in China’s Urban Historic Preservations – the Case of the Kuan and Zhai Alleys in Chengdu

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses how authenticity is understood and negotiated in the context of the preservation of urban historic heritage in China today. In the age of rapid economic development and...
Survey of energy scavenging for wearable and implantable devices

Abstract This paper reviews state-of-the-art methods of energy harvesting for implantable and wearable devices based on the available mechanical and heat energy sources in the human body. The development of a compatible and sustainable power supply for wearable and implantable devices is a demand to realize their continuous and high-performance operation, minimize the need for external energy sources, and increase the lifetime of the devices. Heat and mechanical movement are two available and reliable energy sources in the human body. Since mechanical and heat energy harvesting methods have been extensively studied over the past decades, researchers focus on developing techniques to integrate these energy harvesters with implantable and wearable electronics. Therefore, energy requirement for wearable and implantable devices, available energy level from the human body, and convenience and feasibility of the implementation are taken into account to provide full or partial power support. This survey aims to present recent findings and developments in the field of energy harvesting from continuous heat source and mechanical movements of the human body. In particular, working principles, technical details, and current status as well as issues and challenges of energy harvesting from human body including thermoelectric, photovoltaic, piezoelectric, electrostatic, electromagnetic, and triboelectric harvesters are discussed.