cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self Modifying Finite Automata (SMFA) based state machine implementation for lower energy

Many finite state machines (FSMs) in embedded systems exhibits strong locality in state transitions. Traditional state assignment algorithms consider all FSM states' outputs and next states to assign a code for each state. Self-modifying finite state machine(SM-FSM) takes the FSM strong locality characteristics to dynamically change the traditional finite state machine during runtime. This not only reduces the FSM search space, but also reduces the code space and allows code sharing among the dynamic behaviors. This paper proposes an architecture to support SMFA and evaluates the gain from SMFA on state machines with different characteristic.
Betrayed by updates: how negative experiences affect future security

Installing security-relevant software updates is one of the best computer protection mechanisms. However, users do not always choose to install updates. Through interviewing non-expert Windows users, we found that users frequently decide not to install future updates, regardless of whether they are important for security, after negative experiences with past updates. This means that even non-security updates (such as user interface changes) can impact the security of a computer. We discuss three themes impacting users' willingness to install updates: unexpected new features in an update, the difficulty of assessing whether an update is ``worth it', and confusion about why an update is necessary.
Contribution of estradiol levels and hormonal contraceptives to sex differences within the fear network during fear conditioning and extinction

Findings about sex differences in the field of fear conditioning and fear extinction have been mixed. At the psychophysiological level, sex differences emerge only when taking estradiol levels of women into consideration. This suggests that this hormone may also influence sex differences with regards to activations of brain regions involved in fear conditioning and its extinction. Importantly, the neurobiological correlates associated with the use of hormonal oral contraceptives in women have not been fully contrasted against men and against naturally cycling women with different levels of estradiol. In this study, we begin to fill these scientific gaps. We recruited 37 healthy men and 48 healthy women. Of these women, 16 were using oral contraceptives (OC) and 32 were naturally cycling. For these naturally cycling women, a median split was performed on their serum estradiol levels to create a high estradiol (HE) group (n = 16) and a low estradiol (LE) group (n = 16). All participants underwent a 2-day fear conditioning and extinction paradigm in a 3 T MR scanner. Using the 4 groups (men, HE women, LE women, and OC users) and controlling for age and coil type, one-way ANCOVAs were performed to look at significant activations within the nodes of the fear circuit. Using post-hoc analyses, beta-weights were extracted in brain regions showing significant effects in order to unveil the differences based on hormonal status (men, HE, LE, OC). Significant main effect of hormonal status group was found across the different phases of the experiment and in different sub-regions of the insular and cingulate cortices, amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. During conditioning, extinction and recall, most of the observed differences suggested higher activations among HE women relative to men. During the unconditioned response, however, a different pattern was observed with men showing significantly higher brain activations. Our data further support the important contribution of estradiol levels in the activation of brain regions underlying fear learning and extinction. The results highlight the need to document gonadal hormonal levels, menstrual cycle phase as well as oral contraceptive use in women in order to avoid overlooking sex differences when investigating the neurobiology of emotional regulation.
POTENTIAL OF PREDATORY BACTERIA AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS FOR FOODBORNE AND PLANT PATHOGENS

Foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes are responsible for frequent occurrences of illness and mortality in humans. Several economically important plant diseases are caused by pathogenic bacteria. Economically important plant diseases and post-harvest losses and decay are also incited by plant pathogens such as Erwinia, Pectobacterium, Botrytis, and Pseudomonas spp. This paper discusses the potential of predatory bacteria for biocontrol of foodborne and plant pathogens with emphasis on the deltaproteobacteria group. Deltaproteobacteria (Bdellovibrio and Bacteriovorax sp. as well as Daptobacter, and Myxobacteria) are Gram-negative predatory microorganisms which prey mainly on Gram-negative bacteria and occur in diverse soil, marine and fresh water ecologies. The predation of Gram-negative bacteria by Bdellovibrio and Bdellovibrio-like organisms (BALOs) may enhance their potential application for biocontrol of foodborne and plant pathogens. The difficulty in controlling foodborne and plant pathogenic bacteria is due to the paucity of available bactericidal chemicals and regulations limiting the use of antibiotics in pathogen control. In this review, the types and mechanisms of predation by predatory bacteria (PB) are discussed with respect to potential utilization as biocontrol agents. Their diversity and relationships is highlighted by genomic research. Potential for biocontrol of foodborne and plant pathogens by PB is discussed in terms of attributes and limitations. Although research in animal systems (Salmonella/chicken) indicates significant biocontrol potential when PB are applied as probiotics, their application to foodborne and plant pathogens are limited. With increased research in metagenomics on PB effects on animal cells /tissues, a better understanding of regulation of cellular metabolism and their association with growth of PB and prey degradation will ultimately enhance the utility of PB as biocontrol agents of foodborne and plant pathogens.
Complement is not involved in monocrotaline pyrrole-induced pulmonary injury

Monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP) causes pulmonary vascular injury, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular hypertrophy in rats. The mechanisms by which MCTP causes lung injury are not known. After treatment with a moderate dose of MCTP, several days pass before major lung injury is detected, thus suggesting that the damage is caused indirectly. Since activation of the complement system can cause lung injury, it was of interest to test whether complement activation may be important in lung injury due to MCTP. Accordingly, rats were given a single dose of MCTP (3.5 mg/kg iv), and serum hemolytic complement activity was measured at several times after rats were treated. Neutrophil aggregometry also was used to determine whether complement activation products could be detected in serum after MCTP was given in vivo. The effect of complement depletion on MCTP-induced pulmonary injury was tested by cotreating rats with purified cobra venom factor and MCTP. MCTP treatment did not cause detectable complement activation in vivo, and complement depletion did not protect rats from lung injury. The direct effect of MCTP on serum complement also was tested by exposing fresh rat serum to MCTP in vitro and measuring serum complement activity. MCTP decreased serum hemolytic complement activity in vitro, but it did not interfere with subsequent zymosan-induced activation of complement. These results suggest that complement does not play a role in the development of major lung injury that occurs several days after treatment of rats with MCTP.
Anchor-Assisted and Vote-Based Trustworthiness Assurance in Smart City Crowdsensing

Smart city sensing calls for crowdsensing via mobile devices that are equipped with various built-in sensors. As incentivizing users to participate in distributed sensing is still an open research issue, the trustworthiness of crowdsensed data is expected to be a grand challenge if this cloud-inspired recruitment of sensing services is to be adopted. Recent research proposes reputation-based user recruitment models for crowdsensing; however, there is no standard way of identifying adversaries in smart city crowdsensing. This paper adopts previously proposed vote-based approaches, and presents a thorough performance study of vote-based trustworthiness with trusted entities that are basically a subset of the participating smartphone users. Those entities are called trustworthy anchors of the crowdsensing system. Thus, an anchor user is fully trustworthy and is fully capable of voting for the trustworthiness of other users, who participate in sensing of the same set of phenomena. Besides the anchors, the reputations of regular users are determined based on vote-based (distributed) reputation. We present a detailed performance study of the anchor-based trustworthiness assurance in smart city crowdsensing through simulations, and compare it with the purely vote-based trustworthiness approach without anchors, and a reputation-unaware crowdsensing approach, where user reputations are discarded. Through simulation findings, we aim at providing specifications regarding the impact of anchor and adversary populations on crowdsensing and user utilities under various environmental settings. We show that significant improvement can be achieved in terms of usefulness and trustworthiness of the crowdsensed data if the size of the anchor population is set properly.
Variable Effects of Grass-Neotyphodium Associations on Cereal Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Feeding, Development and Survival

Although cereal grains are the preferred food plants of the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (L.), several other graminoid species are acceptable feeding hosts of larvae and adults of this chrysomelid beetle. In view of the potential for expanding the use of diverse endophytic fungi (Neotyphodium Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin) to protect forage and cereal grasses from insect pests, more information on the effect of Neotyphodium-infected (E+) grasses on the behavior and performance of the most important graminoid pests, including O. melanopus, is required. In feeding and oviposition choice experiments, adult O. melanopus fed readily on E+ and uninfected (E−) plants of wild tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) and alpine timothy (Phleum alpinum L.), while exhibiting a feeding preference for E− over E+ plants of one tall fescue accession. In larval survival and development experiments, low survival on E+ plants of alpine timothy and one tall fescue accession (averaged 3.75 - 12.5%) was n...
Synthesis and Optical Properties of Phthalonitrile Oligomers

Phthalonitrile and its derivatives react with Tin(II) reagents to give intensely colored linear oligomers. Structures are proposed for the oligomers based on elemental analysis, infrared, 1H and 13C spectra, and mass spectra. Stannous chloride has two kinds of properties, reducing reagent and Lewis acid. Tin(II) alkoxide initiates phthalonitrile oligomeriaztion when excess alkoxide is present. The mass spectrum indicates a chain length of at least a hexamer. In semi-empirical AM1 calculations, the helical conformation of a pentamer is indicated to be more stable than a linear conformation. The position of the electronic spectral maximum can be controlled by different kinds of reaction conditions and solution absorption and emission spectra were recorded.
Apparent discrepancies in evaluation of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) activity by two assay methods.

SummaryEvidence is presented to indicate that the assessment of the potency of various types of ACTH preparation may vary according to the assay method employed. The suggestion is advanced that ACTH preparations be routinely assayed by more than one method (ascorbic acid depletion, adrenal repair and maintenance, effect on thymus, lymph nodes, etc.) in order to avoid ministerpretation of the nature of the activity and biological responses to a particular preparation.
Tests for non-randomness in quantum jumps

We statistically analyze 230,000 intervals between internal transitions of single, laser-driven strontium ions, and over 240,000 intervals in simultaneously trapped ions. Our results are consistent with no short- or long-term correlations in the transition times.
Conjugation of Benzoic Acid with Glycine, a Test of Liver Function

In a recent study on the conjugation of benzoic acid in man, the author found that the excretion of hippuric acid proceeded at a constant rate irrespective of the amount of sodium benzoate administered.1 Since it was further found that the output of hippuric acid was greatly increased by feeding glycine or foods rich in glycine such as gelatine, it became obvious that the rate of hippuric acid formation is dependent upon the speed with which the body can synthesize glycine. It was determined that a normal adult can produce enough glycine to conjugate from 0.90 to 1.30 gm. of benzoic acid per hour.Since the main site of the synthesis of glycine is presumably the liver, it was considered probable that certain types of liver damage might show a diminution in the hourly excretion of hippuric acid. On this basis a test was carried out as follows: 5.9 gm. of sodium benzoate dissolved in 150 cc. of water is administered 1 hour after a breakfast consisting of coffee and toast. Complete hourly specimens of urine a...
Lessons Learned and Future Directions

This chapter summarizes what has been learned about the dynamics of cognitive workload and fatigue and the extensions of the two cusp models to financial decision making in which an element of risk is involved. Other interesting findings concerning individual differences in response to cognitive workload and fatigue and the performance-variability paradox followed from the study of the two models. The last section of the chapter considers new directions for research that encompass greater levels of complexity that are found in the broader scope of financial decision making.
The effect of overall pit slope and pit geometry on the dispersion of pollutants in a hypothetical arctic open-pit mine

AbstractDeep open-pit mines are becoming increasingly common in the highly mineralized arctic and subarctic regions. Air inversion is a frequent occurrence in these regions, and is exacerbated by the natural topography of an open-pit mine. The resulting inversion cap is known to contribute to fouling of air in the open pit, resulting in loss of production. This paper discusses the construction and validation of a three-dimensional model that simulates the flow of air and the transport of gaseous contaminants in an arctic open-pit mine and the effect of low influent velocity and large gust velocities on the contaminant profiles in the mine. It was found that while higher velocities of air may remove contaminants from the pit bottom, they might not remove contaminants from the pit entirely, necessitating artificial mitigation measures.
Minimally Invasive Approach to Pediatric Pancreatic Disorders

While less common than in the adult population, pancreatic disorders in children are frequently amenable to minimally invasive approaches. Pancreatic pseudocysts can be approached through either laparoscopic or endoscopic techniques with excellent outcomes. Distal pancreatic resections following acute trauma may also shorten recovery. This chapter outlines minimally invasive approaches for these more common pediatric pancreatic disorders.
In Situ Studies on Twin-Thickness-Dependent Distribution of Defect Clusters in Heavy Ion-Irradiated Nanotwinned Ag

Recent studies have shown that twin boundaries are effective defect sinks in heavy ion irradiated nanotwinned (nt) metals. Prior in situ radiation studies on nt Ag at room temperature indicate that the accumulative defect concentration is higher in center areas in the 60-nm-thick twins, and twin boundaries are distorted and self-heal during the absorption of different types of defect clusters. In this follow-up study, we show that the spatial distribution of accumulative defect concentrations in nt metals has a clear dependence on twin thickness, and in certain cases, the trend of spatial distribution is reversed. Potential mechanisms for the counterintuitive findings are discussed.
The alkaloids of Argemone munita subsp. rotundata

Continuing studies in these laboratories with respect to the alkaloidal content ot Argemone species have led the authors to examine Argentone munita subsp. rotondata obtained from the vicinity of Nephi, Utah. The usual isolation techniques have led to a crystalline base (m. p. 245–245.5°), provisionally named rotundine, as the principal alkaloid in the overground portions of the plant. Other alkaloids in the plant material are present in minute amounts and have not been obtained in sufficient quantity for detailed study. Analysis of rotundine established the formula, C 19 H 21 NO 4 , which has been expanded further by functional group analysis to C 16 H 10 -(OCH 3 ) 2 -(OH) 2 (NCH 3 ). Methylation of the phenolic base with diazomethane yielded a base, C 21 H 25 NO 4 , identical with argemonine, a base previously isolated from Argemone hispida . Pharmacologic examination of the new base revealed a slight to moderate inhibition of motor activity as the principal action combined with a low toxicity.
Clinical outcomes using image-guided interstitial brachytherapy for definitive cervical cancer patients with high-risk clinical target volumes greater than 30 cc.

Abstract Purpose Given the limited data using an interstitial approach with 3D-based planning for definitive cervical cancer utilizing the GEC-ESTRO defined high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV), we reviewed our institutional experience of cervical cancer patients with HR-CTVs ≥ 30 cc to determine whether our clinical and toxicity outcomes are acceptable. Methods A retrospective review of 37 cervical cancer patients with high-risk clinical target volumes (HR-CTVs) ≥30 cc treated with interstitial image-guided brachytherapy (IS IGBT) was performed. All patients received external beam radiotherapy to a median dose of 45 Gy, followed by IS IGBT delivered in a single implant to a median dose of 6 Gy × 5 fractions. Median HR-CTV was 59 cc. A median HR-CTV D90 of 87.44 Gy was achieved. Kaplan–Meier method was used to evaluate local control (LC), distant control, and overall survival (OS), with stratification by overall treatment time (OTT) ≤ 7 or >7 weeks. Results Median followup was 17 months. The estimated 2-year LC, distant control, and OS were 77.6% (confidence interval [CI]: 63.8–94.5%), 56.8% (CI: 41.3–78.1%), and 54.4% (CI: 39.4–75%), respectively. The 2-year LC for OTT ≤7 weeks and >7 weeks were 100% and 58.3%, respectively (p = 0.026). The 2-year OS for OTT ≤7 weeks and >7 weeks were 77.8% and 38%, respectively (p = 0.021). Discussions IS IGBT can achieve a high D90 to the HR-CTV even in the setting of large-volume disease and results in a favorable LC and toxicity profile. OTT > 7 weeks is associated with significant decrease in LC and OS. Conclusions Efforts should be made to complete whole treatment within 7 weeks as this is associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Family perception of unmet support needs following a diagnosis of congenital coronary anomaly in children: Results of a survey.

Background Long-term outcome data on patients with anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries (AAOCA) is sparse and they are often managed in a nonuniform manner. There is subjective perception of anxiety and unmet needs in these patients and families. Methods An online survey of 13 questions was sent to 74 families of patients with AAOCA between May and October 2015. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results A total of 31 (47%) families responded. Of these, 27 expressed the need to interact with other patients/families with AAOCA. The majority were interested in either face-to-face meetings (77%) or online support groups (71%). Regarding content of the meeting, 74% were interested in brief talks by medical personnel/families, 58% suggested informal interactions with families, 55% proposed a structured discussion with a moderator and 39% mentioned fun activities/games. Regarding participants in these meetings, 90% would like to include healthcare providers, 61% suggested including family friends, 58% wished to include psychologists and 16% mentioned including social workers. The families currently use various social media including Facebook (87%), YouTube (39%), Google+ (36%), and LinkedIn (32%). For future online resources, 77% of families would like a Facebook site, an informative website (58%), a blog (52%), or an open forum (29%). The majority of the families (77%) were interested in attending a dedicated AAOCA meeting. Conclusion There appears to be an unmet need for family support in those affected by AAOCA, a substantial life changing diagnosis for patients and families. Further research is needed to assess quality of life in this population.
Modeling and Analysis of High-Energy Ball Milling Through Attritors

The effects of major processing parameters of attritor mills on ball milling efficiency (i.e., minimum energy consumption with maximum milling progress) are investigated using discrete element modeling (DEM). The major processing parameters investigated include the size of balls, ball volume fraction inside the canister, ball milling velocity, and design of the impeller shaft of the attritor mill. Their effects are studied through examination of the output parameters including the average speed of balls, maximum speed of balls, and torque applied on the impeller shaft. The torque on the impeller shaft represents the energy consumption during ball milling, while the difference between the maximum and average speeds of balls scales with the compressive pressure during “mini-forging” of powder particles trapped between the colliding balls and thus scales with milling progress (particle deformation and size reduction). The simulation reveals that the ball milling velocity, ball volume fraction inside the canister, ball size, and impeller shaft design are all important parameters for energy-efficient ball milling. In particular, high ball milling velocities can lead to larger particle deformation and faster size reduction with minimum energy consumption. Further, ball sizes smaller than the gap that will not be hit by impellers directly are good for high-energy-efficient ball milling. Otherwise, energy consumption increases substantially.
Chapter 10 – Cancer Immunotherapy by Anti-Gal-Mediated In Situ Conversion of Tumors Into Autologous Vaccines

Invisible micrometastases may develop into lethal metastases after the resection or ablation of detectable lesions. Destruction of micrometastases may be feasible by activating the immune system to react against tumor associated antgens (TAA) of the patient’s tumor cells. Most TAA are generated because of genomic instability in tumor cells, which causes the formation of multiple mutations that are unique to the tumor of each patient. It is not feasible at present to identify the wide range of immunogenic TAA peptides in tumor lesions in order to prepare customized vaccine for each individual patient. Therefore, the autologous tumor cells may be considered as the source for vaccinating TAA. The immunogenicity of TAA in patients developing metastases is very low. Increasing the immunogenicity of TAA of autologous tumor cells requires effective targeting of these cells for uptake by antigen presenting cells (APC). Such targeting may be achieved by in situ manipulation of the tumor lesions to present α-gal epitopes on their cells. Binding of the natural anti-Gal antibody to these epitopes activates the complement system that induces complement-mediated lysis of the tumor cells and generates chemotactic complement cleavage peptides that recruit APC such as dendritic cells and macrophages into the tumor. Binding of the Fc portion of anti-Gal opsonizing the tumor cells to FcγR on APC induces effective uptake of tumor cells and cell membranes by the APC and transport of the internalized TAA by the APC to the regional lymph nodes. These APC further process the immunogenic TAA peptides and present them on class I and II MHC molecules for the activation of TAA-specific CD8 + and CD4 + T cells, respectively. The activated T cells mediate a protective anti-tumor immune response against metastatic cells. Analysis of various methods for inducing α-gal epitope expression indicated that intratumoral injection of α-gal glycolipid micelles is the most effective method tested. The method was found to be safe in cancer patients with advanced disease. It is suggested that in addition to the use of this immunotherapy method in patients who are likely to have micrometastases, this method may elicit a protective immune response as a neoadjuvant immunotherapy prior to the resection of the primary tumor. This method may also synergize with checkpoint inhibitors therapy by amplifying the anti-tumor specific immune response and reducing the risk of autoimmune adverse events.
Oxygen therapeutics--current concepts.

Purpose In an effort to develop agents that enhance the oxygen-delivery capability of blood without the risks associated with allogeneic blood transfusions, several products are undergoing development and clinical trials. These oxygen transport agents can be divided into two main groups, perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions and modified hemoglobin solutions. Source Articles from the literature on the development and clinical trials of oxygen therapeutic agents were reviewed. Principal finding PFCs are synthetic fluorinated hydrocarbons that increase dissolved oxygen in the fluid phase of the blood without binding the oxygen molecule. They enhance oxygen delivery significantly and may be used to augment the technique of intraoperative autologous donation. Two PFC products have been tested in Phase III clinical trials. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are either cross-linked or microencapsulated hemoglobin molecules. Modification of the human hemoglobin molecule with intra- and inter-molecular cross-linking eliminates renal toxicity and improves the oxygen dissociation characteristics of the molecule. These modifications are necessary because stroma-free hemoglobin (Hb) does not release oxygen in the physiologic range and dissociates into dimers which can be rapidly filtered by the kidney, leading to renal toxicity. In addition to human Hb, bovine hemoglobin is another source of raw material for HBOC products. Recombinant human Hb has also been produced, using an E. coli expression system, for HBOC manufacturing. Four cross-linked hemoglobin products have been tested in Phase III clinical trials. Conclusion While no product has yet been approved for clinical use, preliminary studies with oxygen therapeutics show promising results, with effective oxygen carrying capacity and acceptable side effect profiles. In the future, the formation of a hybrid product which combines the best features from several of the products currently undergoing development may yield the ideal oxygen therapeutic agent.
The Last Days of Stalin. By Joshua Rubenstein. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2016. Pp. x, 271. $35.00.)

This book, aimed at a popular audience, describes Stalin's death agony and outlines the familiar official campaign against Soviet Jews of 1948–1953. The author engages general readers, while provid...
Affective Effects of Offering Options on Persuasiveness of Fear Appeals

Research on fear level and options available for consumers to reduce their level of threat was undertaken to determine what effect these variables have on attitudes, purchase intentions, and emotio...
Mobile phone sign of degenerative cervical myelopathy

In the issue of 24 February focusing on technological innovation, The BMJ missed an opportunity by omitting the mobile phone sign under symptoms …
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Supramolecular Anticancer Nanotubes

We report here on long-time all-atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of functional supramolecular nanotubes composed by the self-assembly of peptide-drug amphiphiles (DAs). These DAs have been shown to possess an inherently high drug loading of the hydrophobic anticancer drug camptothecin. We probe the self-assembly mechanism from random with ∼0.4 μs molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, we also computationally characterize the interfacial structure, directionality of π–π stacking, and water dynamics within several peptide-drug nanotubes with diameters consistent with the reported experimental nanotube diameter. Insight gained should inform the future design of these novel anticancer drug delivery systems.
Phenomenology and Intersectionality: Using PVEST as a Frame for Adolescent Identity Formation amid Intersecting Ecological Systems of Inequality.

Beginning with Erikson, identity formation has often been framed as a salient developmental challenge for adolescents. Recent theoretical advances situate this identity formation as a central life course process involving ecological and social context associated with diverse experiences and characteristics. Some scholars have employed intersectionality as a call to study experiences of individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups. In this article, we argue that developmental research would be served by a return to Crenshaw's formulation of intersectionality-that is, that marginalization involves systematic inequality and interlocking systems of oppression-as integrated with Spencer's phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST). The latter was formulated as a needed critique of traditional developmental theories that generally ignored the problem of inequality as experienced through multiple layers of navigated contexts. Problematic ecological contexts can be understood through intersectionality's forefronting of complex structures and social positionality-that power dynamics and interconnected systems lead to differential outcomes within socially constructed categories like class, race, and gender. PVEST complements these insights through an attentiveness to phenomenological interpretations and responses-the "how" and "why" of the process. Therefore, we argue that adolescent outcomes should be understood both from the top and the bottom, including how youth interpret and cope with their vulnerability, based upon experiences of interlocking systems of oppression. The consequent synthesis should bolster the identification of pillar-like supports needed by youth and which afford effective assistance across respective socialization contexts.
Nucleic Acid Isolation from Ecological Samples—Fungal Associations, Mycorrhizae

Mycorrhizal fungi are among the most common symbioses found in terrestrial ecosystems, both natural and managed. They are important for many reasons, but most notably because of their positive effects on plant growth, which are mediated by their uptake of nutrients from the soil and transport of these to the roots. Moreover, many edible fungi are mycorrhizal. The study of mycorrhizal fungi has been hampered by the inability to identify species and individuals in the soil. This has been greatly aided by DNA-based methods, which first require the extraction of DNA. Herein, I discuss some general concerns that must be considered when extracting and purifying DNA from ecological samples and offer specific methods for soil, mycorrhizal roots, and fruiting bodies. These methods are rapid, safe, effective, relatively inexpensive, and convenient because they are based on commercially available kits.
Taste and odor preferences following Roux-en-Y surgery in humans.

It is well established that bariatric surgery, the most effective method to achieve long-term weight loss in obese subjects, reverses enhanced preference and intake of sweet/fatty foods. Although taste and odor preference changes following bariatric surgery have been previously described, their time course and relationship to weight loss remains an issue. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between taste and odor preference changes and successful weight loss following bariatric surgery. A cross-sectional study was performed on 195 human subjects with body mass index (BMI) above 30 (at least class I obesity), who were scheduled to receive (n = 54) or had previously received (n = 141) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). A Self-Assessment Manikin test was used to measure each participant’s affective reaction (ranging from pleasure to displeasure) to a variety of food-related and odor-related pictures. Results confirmed earlier reports about changes in sweet/fatty foods preference after surgery and revealed a shift in preference toward less calorie-dense foods. Relatedly, endorsements of “favorite” foods were mostly sweet/fatty foods in subjects awaiting surgery but were shifted toward more healthy choices, particularly vegetables, in subjects post-RYGB surgery. However, food preference ratings trended toward pre-surgical levels as the time since surgery increased. Answers to open-ended questions about why their diet changed post-surgery revealed that changes in cravings, rather than changes in taste per se, were the major factor. Surprisingly, patients rating a coffee taste as more pleasing after surgery had a lower post-surgical BMI. No associations of odors with change in BMI were apparent. Results showed that following bariatric surgery taste preferences are significantly altered and that these changes correlate with lowered BMI. However, these changes fade as time since surgery lengthens. These results may suggest diagnostic criteria to identify people at risk for less than optimal changes in BMI following bariatric surgery.
Basic Notions for Finite and Denumerable State Models

Let us first discuss the intuitive background of a context in which the probability notion arises before trying to formally set up a probability model. Consider an experiment to be performed. Some event A may or may not occur as a result of the experiment and we are interested in a number P(A) associated with the event A that is to be called the probability of A occurring in the experiment. Let us assume that this experiment can be performed again and again under the same conditions, each repetition independent of the others. Let N be the total number of experiments performed and N A be the number of times event A occurred in these N performances. If N is large, we would expect the probability P(A) to be close to N A /N $$ P(A) \approx {N_A}/N $$ (1) .
Add Artifact Control Variables Last in Hierarchical Regression Analyses

Traditional practice in all forms of multiple regression analysis is to enter control variables in the first step of hierarchical analyses. We argue that this practice can lead to increased chances...
Community Physiological Ecology

The effects of animal homeostatic function on ecological interactions have not been well-integrated into community ecology. Animals mediate environmental change and stressors through homeostatic shifts in physiology and behavior, which likely shape ecological interactions and plant communities. Animal responses to stressors can alter their habitat use, selective foraging, and stoichiometry, which can in turn affect trophic interactions, plant growth, reproduction, and dispersal. Here, we describe a community physiological ecology framework that integrates classical ecological theory and emerging empirical approaches to test how animal homeostatic responses to environmental change mediate ecological interactions and shape communities. Interdisciplinary approaches could provide essential data to characterize and forecast community responses to rapid global environmental change.
Natural History of the Dysplastic Hip Following Modern Periacetabular Osteotomy.

Background:Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is the most common treatment for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia, or developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), in skeletally mature patients. The purpose of this multicenter cohort study was to delineate the long-term radiographic natural history of the dys
PSC-RED and MNC-RED: Albumin-free and low-transferrin robust erythroid differentiation protocols to produce human enucleated red blood cells

Many methods have been developed to produce cultured red blood cells (cRBCs) in vitro but translational applications have been hampered by high costs of production and by low rates of enucleation. We have developed R6 and IMIT, two chemically defined culture media and combined them into robust erythroid differentiation (RED) protocols to differentiate induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) into enucleated erythroid cells. The RED protocols do not require any albumin or animal components and require ten- to twentyfold less transferrin (Tf) than previously, because iron is provided to the differentiating erythroblasts by small amounts of recombinant Tf supplemented with FeIII-EDTA, an iron chelator that allows Tf recycling to take place in cell culture. Importantly, cRBCs produced by iPSC differentiation using the long PSC-RED protocol enucleate at much higher rates than with previous protocols, eliminating one of the impediments to the use of these cells to produce clinically useful cRBCs. The absence of albumin, the reduced amounts of Tf, the improved reproducibility associated with the elimination of all animal components, and the high yield on the RED protocols decrease the cost of production of cultured red blood cells. RED protocols should therefore help to make translational applications of cultured RBCs more economically realistic.
Geochemical relationships in Cretaceous bentonites as inferred from linear discriminant analysis

Abstract Bentonites serve as an important stratigraphic tool for facies correlation due to their instantaneous deposition and preservation across multiple depositional environments. Correlating one bed to another can be a complex issue limited by the 3-dimensional availability of outcrops and core. This process is reliant on the assumption that the geochemical signatures of ash beds do not vary enough to statistically alter the correlation coefficients that tie one ash-fall to another. This assumption may be faulty, however, and the problem compounds as bentonite bed thickness increases because the chemical composition varies through an eruption due to stratification of the magma chamber and through physical transport. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) can significantly aid with this issue, allowing for the utilization of a multivariate dataset to statistically separate chemically-similar groups. Here we present a statistical approach to assessing the primary discriminatory variables on a suite of 87 Cretaceous bentonites deposited in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA, that span five geologic stages and seven formations, from the Cloverly Formation (110 Ma) to the Meeteetse Formation (70 Ma), and includes nine named ash beds. Using LDA, bentonites were sorted into groups based on geologic stage, formation, and unique beds using key elemental concentrations and radiogenic isotopes (e.g., 87Sr/86Sr, TiO2, Sc, Na, and Th). Additionally, distinct similarities in the discrimination pattern between formations reveal two periods of magmatism, the development of the Idaho batholith and the migration and development of the Boulder batholith and surrounding related plutons. With well-preserved, temporally-constrained ash, LDA can correlate ancient tephra deposits while also shedding light on the cyclical nature of geochemical trends in a migrating subduction zone.
Transformationsmodell für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften und nachhaltigen Erfolg

An den Beispielen des Klimawandels und der Ressourcenkrise wird im Folgenden die Notwendigkeit nachhaltigen Wirtschaftens aufgezeigt. Basierend hierauf wird ein Transformationsmodell fur nachhaltiges Wirtschaften konzeptioniert. Nachhaltigkeit und nachhaltiges Wirtschaftens erfordern einen veranderten, nachhaltigen Erfolgsbegriff, welcher unter Verwendung des Ressourcenabhangigkeitstheorems hergeleitet wird. Dieser bildet die Zielstellung fur das unternehmerische Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement. Hierzu wird der Ansatz des BNM nach Zabel in eben diesen Erfolgskontext gestellt.
Trusted and Secure Design of Analog/RF ICs: Recent Developments

Unlike the extensive research effort that has been expended over the last 15 years in understanding the threats of hardware Trojans, piracy and counterfeiting of digital Integrated Circuits (ICs), and in developing appropriate prevention and detection solutions, the topic of security and trust remains in a rather nascent state for their analog/radio-frequency (RF) counterparts. Indeed, as shown in a recent survey, which summarized and presented the available body of knowledge in trusted and secure design of analog/RF ICs, our understanding of the pertinent threats and our ability to thwart them through existing solutions are both rather limited. However, given the widespread use of analog functionality (i.e., physical interfaces, sensors, actuators, wireless communications, etc.) in most contemporary systems, comprehending their vulnerabilities and devising pertinent remedies is urgently required. In this paper, we discuss the limitations of the current state-of-the-art in this field, we highlight recent developments, and we suggest research directions and steps to be taken toward designing, fabricating and deploying trusted and secure analog/RF ICs.
The Impact of Exercise, Lifestyle, and Clinical Factors on Perceived Cognitive Function in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

Author(s): Shadick, Nancy A; Katz, Patricia; Iannaccone, Christine I; Maica, Gabriela; Coblyn, Jonathan; Weinblatt, Michael E; Cui, Jing | Abstract: ObjectiveLifestyle factors, such as inactivity and obesity, contribute to cognitive decline in the general population, but little is known about how these factors may affect individuals with a chronic inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We studied the clinical and functional risk factors related to a worsening of perceived cognitive function in patients with RA.MethodsWe collected clinical and functional questionnaire data over 10 years in a prospective RA cohort including yearly self-reported memory, concentration, and word-finding difficulties graded from "never" to "often." Generalized estimating equation models examined the role of exercise (defined as those meeting the Department of Health and Human Services physical activity guidelines of 75 minutes of vigorous or 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week), body mass index (BMI), sleep, depression (Mental Health Index-Depression), Disease Activity Score (DAS)28-c-reactive protein (CRP)3 score, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, and corticosteroid use from the previous year as predictors of cognitive complaints that progressed to "often" compared with the previous year (the first year (T i ) progressed to "often" 1 year later (T i+1)).ResultsOf 1219 RA subjects, 127 (10.4%) described either poor memory, concentration, or word-finding difficulties as affecting them "often" at study entry. RA patients (n = 1092, mean age = 56.5 years, 82% female, 58% college educated) were less likely to report word-finding difficulties, poor memory, and concentration as "often" if they were physically active (p = 0.0001, P = 0.01, P l 0.0001, respectively). Female RA patients developed more concentration complaints compared with males (P = 0.03); patients taking an anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy were less likely to complain of poor memory (P = 0.01). Sleep, BMI, fatigue, depression, DAS28-CRP3, methotrexate, and corticosteroid use were not independently associated with a worsening of any cognitive complaints.ConclusionRA patients who are physically active are less likely to report cognitive difficulties. Our study suggests potential modifiable risk factors for the prevention of cognitive dysfunction in RA.
Enhancing engagement in evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment for smokers with mental illness: A pilot randomized trial.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a brief telephone-delivered Motivational Interviewing (MI)-based intervention to facilitate engagement in evidence-based cessation treatment for Veterans with mental illness referred to smoking cessation treatment. Methods 86 military Veteran smokers with mental illness were recruited from a tobacco cessation consult clinic and randomized to receive either a MI-based treatment engagement intervention (TE; n = 48) or a non-MI assessment and information control (CON; n = 38) condition. Intervention was delivered during a single brief telephone contact. Primary engagement outcomes were 1) attending a treatment session within 30 days and 2) combination treatment (attending session plus using pharmacotherapy). Cessation outcomes included self-reported 24 h cessation attempts and 7 day point abstinence at 3 months post-intervention. Outcomes were assessed at 1 and 3 months post intervention. Results Outcome analyses included 85 participants (47 TE, 38 CON) using an intent-to-treat analytic approach. Participants were on average 49.5 (13.4) years old, 88% Male, 59% white, 18% African American and 14% Hispanic/Latino(a). Following intervention delivery TE and CON participants did not differ on likelihood of attending a treatment session during the subsequent 30 days (47% vs 45%, respectively). A significant difference was observed when classified as utilizing combination treatment, 40% of TE versus 18% of CON reported use of smoking cessation medication and behavioral counseling (p = 0.04). No statistical differences were observed for cessation outcomes, although more TE than CON participants reported 7 day point abstinence at 3 months post-intervention (30% vs 18%). Conclusions The present pilot study provides initial evidence for the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of a telephone delivered TE intervention for enhancing engagement in combinationevidence evidence-based treatment in a sample of Veteran smokers with mental illness referred to smoking cessation treatment. Smokers with mental illness typically have greater difficulty stopping smoking than those without mental illness. Increased engagement in combination treatment thus has the potential to increase quit rates and ultimately reduce the burden of tobacco use for this population.
Decentralized Frequency Synchronization in Distributed Antenna Arrays With Quantized Frequency States and Directed Communications

We address decentralized consensus frequency operation in distributed antenna arrays considering realistic system implications. Distributed antenna arrays consist of separate wireless nodes that are coherently coordinated to enable distributed beamforming. Primary among the coordination requirements is the synchronization of the internal oscillators on the platforms to ensure that all nodes transmit or receive at the same frequency. Previous analyses were based on an undirected (bidirected) networks where frequency information is passed simultaneously between a given node pair. More realistically, we consider a directed (feedback free) network where one node passing frequency information to another node does not necessarily receive information back. We further consider the case where each node can only update its frequency in discrete (quantized) frequency steps. We assess the performance through numerical simulations and experimental results from a 915 MHz hardware testbed implementation with an undirected, fully connected network and a directed, partially connected network. We demonstrate that frequency consensus can be achieved in both networks with quantized frequency states, and that high levels of coherent beamforming gain are possible to obtain in both cases.