cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparative immunological study of pituitary growth hormone from various species.

Similarities and differences in the antigenic structures of pituitary growth hormone (somatotropin, STH) from various species were studied by means of anaphylactic shock experiments in guinea pigs, precipitin ring tests and agar gel-diffusion studies with antisera to highly purified bovine and human STH. Antihormone tests in hypophysectomized rats were also performed, with the same antisera. The results of the above studies have suggested that the antigenic structures of pituitary STH from man and monkeys are very similar to one another, but are clearly different from those of the whale, hog, sheep, ox, horse and fish; and, furthermore, that the antigenic structures of sheep and ox STH’s are closety related, but quite different from STH of all other species tested. It was also demonstrated that antiserum to either the bovine or human purified STH could not only detect minute amounts of the homologous purified STH in saline solution and neutralize its biological activity, but could also detect STH in a cru...
Scalable synthesis of bi-functional high-performance carbon nanotube sponge catalysts and electrodes with optimum C–N–Fe coordination for oxygen reduction reaction

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is essential in various electrochemical energy conversion processes, but its sluggish kinetics calls for catalysts made of platinum or its alloys. Although their high catalytic activity has been hardly challenged, the high price of the precious metal has limited their wide applications. Nitrogen-doped carbonaceous materials have been reported as alternatives due to the low cost of carbon and nitrogen precursors, but the low-cost has accompanied by low catalytic activity and poor stability, particularly in acidic media. Here we developed 3-dimentional (3D) N/Fe-containing carbon nanotube (CNT) sponges showing striking improvements in catalytic activity and stability in both acidic and basic solutions. The onset potential and limiting current density in 0.5 M H2SO4 or 0.1 M KOH were comparable to those of Pt/C (20 wt% Pt). More importantly, cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests up to 30 000 cycles suggest their excellent long-term stability even better than those of Pt/C. We believe that the key for the high performance is pyridinic nitrogen coordinated with iron in 3D CNTs, according to the comparative studies with their variants whose characteristics include iron-deficiency as well as nitrogen doping with weak iron coordination. This study demonstrates that a proper doping, coordination, and morphology design of CNT bulks could lead to an outstanding performance, and the findings will be of great value for further improving non-precious metal catalysts. The self-standing and porous sponge-like 3D structure could substantially facilitate the mass transfer for ORR and, therefore, potentially act as a gas diffusion layer in electrochemical cells. The unique bi-functionality with a low cost but a high performance could make fuel cells as commercially viable options in the future.
Information-based objective functions for active data selection

Learning can be made more efficient if we can actively select particularly salient data points. Within a Bayesian learning framework, objective functions are discussed that measure the expected informativeness of candidate measurements. Three alternative specifications of what we want to gain information about lead to three different criteria for data selection. All these criteria depend on the assumption that the hypothesis space is correct, which may prove to be their main weakness.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor-5-HTTLPR gene interactions and environmental modifiers of depression in children

Background Child abuse and genotype interact to contribute to risk for depression in children. This study examined gene-by-gene and gene-by-environment interactions. Methods The study included 196 children: 109 maltreated and 87 nonmaltreated comparison subjects. Measures of psychiatric symptomatology and social supports were obtained using standard research instruments, and serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) (locus SLC6A4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (variant val66met) genotypes were obtained from saliva-derived DNA specimens. Population structure was controlled by means of ancestral proportion scores computed based on genotypes of ancestry informative markers in the entire sample. Results There was a significant three-way interaction between BDNF genotype, 5-HTTLPR, and maltreatment history in predicting depression. Children with the met allele of the BDNF gene and two short alleles of 5-HTTLPR had the highest depression scores, but the vulnerability associated with these two genotypes was only evident in the maltreated children. A significant four-way interaction also emerged, with social supports found to further moderate risk for depression. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation to demonstrate a gene-by-gene interaction conveying vulnerability to depression. The current data also show a protective effect of social supports in ameliorating genetic and environmental risk for psychopathology.
Berkeley PHOG: PhyloFacts orthology group prediction web server

Ortholog detection is essential in functional annotation of genomes, with applications to phylogenetic tree construction, prediction of protein-protein interaction and other bioinformatics tasks. We present here the PHOG web server employing a novel algorithm to identify orthologs based on phylogenetic analysis. Results on a benchmark dataset from the TreeFam-A manually curated orthology database show that PHOG provides a combination of high recall and precision competitive with both InParanoid and OrthoMCL, and allows users to target different taxonomic distances and precision levels through the use of tree-distance thresholds. For instance, OrthoMCL-DB achieved 76% recall and 66% precision on this dataset; at a slightly higher precision (68%) PHOG achieves 10% higher recall (86%). InParanoid achieved 87% recall at 24% precision on this dataset, while a PHOG variant designed for high recall achieves 88% recall at 61% precision, increasing precision by 37% over InParanoid. PHOG is based on pre-computed trees in the PhyloFacts resource, and contains over 366 K orthology groups with a minimum of three species. Predicted orthologs are linked to GO annotations, pathway information and biological literature. The PHOG web server is available at http://phylofacts.berkeley.edu/orthologs/.
Real-time considerations in submarine target motion analysis

Submarine command and control has many real-time requirements. The paper describes a demonstration application called the Manual Adaptive Target Motion Analysis Evaluator (MATE) developed at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. The MATE algorithm uses sensor input in order for human trackers to graphically track submarine contacts. The demonstration system is built using several computer systems standards including POSIX, Ada, and SAFENET. The paper describes the system, the real-time requirements and the issues for further real-time support. >
Comparison of yield and genotyping performance of multiple displacement amplification and OmniPlex™ whole genome amplified DNA generated from multiple DNA sources

The promise of whole genome amplification (WGA) is that genomic DNA (gDNA) quantity will not limit molecular genetic analyses. Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and the OmniPlex™ PCR-based WGA protocols were evaluated using 4 and 5 ng of input gDNA from 60 gDNA samples from three tissue sources (mouthwash, buffy coat, and lymphoblast). WGA DNA (wgaDNA) yield and genotyping performance were evaluated using genotypes determined from gDNA and wgaDNA using the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® assay and N=49 TaqMan® SNP assays. Short tandem repeat (STR) and SNP genotyping completion and concordance rates were significantly reduced with wgaDNA from all WGA methods compared with gDNA. OmniPlex wgaDNA exhibited a greater reduction in genotyping performance than MDA wgaDNA. Reduced wgaDNA genotyping performance was due to allelic (all protocols) and locus (OmniPlex) amplification bias leading to heterozygote and locus dropout, respectively, and %GC sequence content (%GC) was significantly correlated with TaqMan assay performance. Lymphoblast wgaDNA exhibited higher yield (OmniPlex), buffy coat wgaDNA exhibited higher STR genotyping completion (MDA), whereas mouthwash wgaDNA exhibited higher SNP genotyping discordance (MDA). Genotyping of wgaDNA generated from ≤5 ng gDNA, e.g., from archaeological, forensic, prenatal diagnostic, or pathology samples, may require additional genotyping validation with gDNA and/or more sophisticated analysis of genotypes incorporating observed reductions in genotyping performance. Hum Mutat 26(3), 262–270, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genomic characterization of the inherited bone marrow failure syndromes.

The inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) are a set of clinically related yet heterogeneous disorders in which at least one hematopoietic cell lineage is significantly reduced. Many of the IBMFS have notably increased cancer risks, as well as other physical findings. Highly penetrant germline mutations in key pathways, such as DNA repair, telomere biology, or ribosomal biogenesis, are causative of Fanconi anemia (FA), dyskeratosis congenita (DC), and Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), respectively. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) generally refers to high-throughput, large-scale sequencing technologies and is being used more frequently to understand disease etiology. In the IBMFS, NGS has facilitated the discovery of germline mutations that cause thombocytopenia absent radii syndrome (TAR), a subset of DC and DBA, and other uncharacterized, but related, disorders. Panels of large numbers of genes are being used to molecularly characterize patients with IBMFS, such as FA and DBA. NGS is also accelerating the discovery of the genetic etiology of previously unclassified IBMFS. In this review, we will highlight recent studies that have employed NGS to ascertain the genetic etiology of IBMFS, namely, FA, DC, DBA, and TAR, and discuss the translational utility of these findings.
Efficacy and toxicity of replication-competent adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene therapy in combination with radiation therapy in an orthotopic mouse prostate cancer model

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of replication-competent adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene therapy in an adjuvant setting with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in an experimental prostate cancer model in preparation for a Phase I clinical study in humans. Methods: For efficacy studies, i.m. DU145 and intraprostatic LNCaP C4-2 tumors were established in immune-deficient mice. Tumors were injected with the lytic, replication-competent Ad5-CD/TK rep adenovirus containing a cytosine deaminase (CD)/herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK) fusion gene. Two days later, mice were administered 1 week of 5-fluorocytosine + ganciclovir (GCV) prodrug therapy and fractionated doses of EBRT (trimodal therapy). Tumor control rate of trimodal therapy was compared to that of EBRT alone. For toxicology studies, immune-competent male mice received a single intraprostatic injection (10 10 vp) of the replication-competent Ad5-CD/TK rep adenovirus. Two days later, mice were administered 4 weeks of 5-fluorocytosine + GCV prodrug therapy and 56 Gy EBRT to the pelvic region. The toxicity of trimodal therapy was assessed by histopathologic analysis of major organs and clinical chemistries. Results: In both the i.m. DU145 and intraprostatic LNCaP C4-2 tumor models, trimodal therapy significantly improved primary tumor control beyond that of EBRT alone. In the DU145 model, trimodal therapy resulted in a tumor growth delay (70 days) that was more than twice that (32 days) of EBRT alone. Whereas EBRT failed to eradicate DU145 tumors, trimodal therapy resulted in 25% tumor cure. In the LNCaP C4-2 tumor model, EBRT slowed the growth of intraprostatic tumors, but resulted in no tumor cures, and 57% of the mice developed retroperitoneal lymph node metastases at 3 months. By contrast, trimodal therapy resulted in 44% tumor cure and reduced significantly the percentage (13%) of lymph node metastases relative to EBRT alone. Overall, trimodal therapy was associated with little toxicity. A comparison of the major histopathologic findings among the treatment groups indicated that most of the locoregional (prostate, seminal vesicles, urinary bladder) pathology was attributable to the combined effects of the Ad5-CD/TK rep vector and EBRT and that the prodrugs contributed little to this effect. Importantly, trimodal therapy did not exacerbate inflammation of the rectum and intestines beyond that of EBRT alone. Conclusion: Together, the results support the thesis that replication-competent adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene therapy may be a safe and effective adjuvant to EBRT and provide a sound scientific rationale for human trials.
The originality of the Old English gloss of the Vespasian Psalter and its relation to the gloss of the Junius Psalter

In a brief discussion of the Vespasian Psalter in 1898, Albert S. Cook offered a statement that set the tone for subsequent debate about the relationship between the Old English gloss of the Vespasian Psalter (A = London, British Library, Cotton Vespasian A. i) and that of the junius Psalter (B = Oxford, Bodleian Library, junius 27): ‘It seems not improbable that it [i.e. the gloss to the Vespasian Psalter] is the original from which all later Old English glosses on the Psalms have been derived, undergoing in the process such modifications as were due to the language of the particular dialect or epoch.’ With regard to the Junius gloss specifically, Cook printed the text of Psalm XCIX [C] from the Vespasian Psalter, which he collated with the Junius, Cambridge (C = Cambridge, University Library, Ff. 1.23), Regius (D = London, British Library, Royal 2. B.V), and Eadwine (E = Cambridge, Trinity College R. 17.1) psalters; he concluded that ‘B stands nearest to A, but is carelessly written, and changes Anglian peculiarities in the direction of West Saxon (in to on, all to eall, &c.) while retaining, in general, a comparatively early and Anglian cast (weotað, scep, leswe, &c.)’. Although Otto Heinzel, writing in 1926, disagreed with Cook's assertion that the Vespasian gloss was the source from which all other psalters ultimately derived their glosses, he reiterated, after a fashion, the idea that the Junius gloss is related to that of the Vespasian Psalter, although, like Cook, he did not argue for a direct relationship between these two works. In Heinzel's stemma, from the Urtext*0 derive *α, which stands as the model for B, and *β, which in turn stands as the model for both A and C. The stemma, in its full form, taking the Dtype (Regius Psalter) tradition into account, has justly been termed ‘fanciful’ by Kenneth Sisam. The relationship between the glosses in these two psalters formed the subject of an extended study by Uno Lindelof published in 1901.
Odynophagia After Upper Endoscopy: An Unusual Finding

Question: A 56-year-old woman with a history of solid food dysphagia had an outpatient upper endoscopy. Six years ago a lower esophageal (Schatzki’s) ring was found and dilated with a 60-F Maloney bougie. Two years ago, symptoms recurred and the ring was partially obliterated with 4 biopsies using jumbo forceps. She felt well for 2 years, but symptoms again recurred and she underwent a third upper endoscopy for complete ring obliteration with 10 biopsies. This procedure (under propofol sedation) lasted 35 minutes and required repeated suctioning of oropharyngeal secretions. She felt well thereafter and went home. Two days later, the patient awoke with a very painful sore throat, pronounced difficulty in swallowing, and a foreign body sensation in her throat. A photograph of her oropharynx is shown in Figure A. The head and neck examination was otherwise normal, and there was no fever. Three days later all symptoms persisted and a second photograph was taken (Figure B). What is the diagnosis and how should it be managed? Look on page 913 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
Cost-effective parallel computing

We consider how large memories can make parallel computing cost-effective even with modest speedups. As a concrete example, we use 1994 Silicon Graphics (SGI) prices to show that actual costups can be far less than linear for systems with hundreds of Mbytes of main memory. We consider hardware costs but not software costs, since we do not know how to noncontroversially measure the latter. >
Radiolysis of resist polymers. IV. Poly(p‐substituted‐α‐methylstyrene)s

The effect of parasubstituents on the radiation chemistry of poly(α-methylstyrene) (PMS) was compared for the fluoro (PFMS), chloro (PCMS), bromo (PBMS), isopropyl (PiPMS), and methoxy (PMeOM) derivatives. Radiolysis yields, ESR spectra, and GCMS analysis of products were obtained. PMS and PFMS have similar low radiolysis yields, products, and product distributions. Only main-chain radicals which persist to 200° were observed. PCMS has increased values of Gs, Gx, and Gr. The product analysis results suggest that the presence of chlorine contributes to the primary process by dissociative electron capture and enhances the cleavage of α-methyl group. Irradiation of PBMS caused crosslinking and yielded few volatile products. PMeOMS and PiPMS gel readily by γ-irradiation and may be useful as negative radiation resists.
Illustration-inspired techniques for visualizing time-varying data

Traditionally, time-varying data has been visualized using snapshots of the individual time steps or an animation of the snapshots shown in a sequential manner. For larger datasets with many time-varying features, animation can be limited in its use, as an observer can only track a limited number of features over the last few frames. Visually inspecting each snapshot is not practical either for a large number of time-steps. We propose new techniques inspired from the illustration literature to convey change over time more effectively in a time-varying dataset. Speedlines are used extensively by cartoonists to convey motion, speed, or change over different panels. Flow ribbons are another technique used by cartoonists to depict motion in a single frame. Strobe silhouettes are used to depict previous positions of an object to convey the previous positions of the object to the user. These illustration-inspired techniques can be used in conjunction with animation to convey change over time.
On the bases of experimental phonology

Although the process of scientific discovery is not fully understood, there are two aspects of it that are important. One involves such activities as theorizing, gaining insights, speculating, using intuition, and extrapolating. This part can be called ‘extension’ (in the sense of adding to current ideas). The other aspect involves collecting data, noticing patterns, identifying processes, and exhaustively describing given phenomena. This can be called ‘consolidation’ (in the sense of filling in the gaps in what is known). While linguists are always engaged in both types of activities (with different focus during different eras), within generative work there has been special emphasis on ‘extension’, on formulating theory and using intuition; indeed, this emphasis has been one of the attractions of generative grammar. Complementary to this emphasis on extension there has been developing an increased interest in ‘consolidation’, in doing field work and conducting phonological experiments, for example. My purpose here is to discuss experimental phonology as a consolidative activity, and to show how the consolidative function of experiments puts special requirements on the way they are run. A secondary purpose is to place consolidative work within a moderately general framework.
Emerging therapies for pancreas neuroendocrine cancers.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare malignancies, with the most common site of origin being from the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the pancreas, small bowel and appendix. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can be functional, i.e., hormone secreting tumors, e.g., insulinoma, gastrinoma or VIPoma, and can have distinctive symptoms leading to the diagnosis. In contrast nonfunctional tumors, the majority of PNET’s, usually present later either incidentally or due to tumor bulk symptoms. The recent WHO classification system in 2010 classified PNET’s into different stages and grades depending on the mitotic activity and Ki-67 labeling index. PNET’s have a broad range of prognoses depending on the histologic grade, differentiation and biologic behavior. Computerized tomographic scanning (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and octreoscan are imaging tools used to diagnose PNET, in addition to a confirmatory tissue diagnosis with immunohistochemical stains, typically obtained by either cytologic or histologic assessment. Symptomatic advanced PNET’s can be treated with a long-acting somatostatin analogue for those tumors with somatostatin receptor positivity and which may also have antiproliferative activity. Another treatment modality is peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy (PRRT) in somatostatin receptor-positive tumors, albeit as yet with limited availability in the United States. Systemic therapies with combination cytotoxic agents e.g., streptozocin, anthracyclines, and capecitabine and temozolomide, all have established activity in PNET’s. Biologic agents targeting the VEGF and mTOR signaling pathways, e.g., sunitinib, bevacizumab or everolimus are becoming integrated as treatments for PNET’s. Poorly differentiated, high grade PNETs with a very high mitotic rate are treated with platinum-based chemotherapy regimens similar to treatment paradigms for small cell carcinoma of the lung. For liver confined or predominant disease, strategies such as cytoreductive surgery, hepatic artery embolization or radioembolization are treatment modalities to effect locoregional tumor control. The next generation of studies in PNET will help define optimal sequencing strategies of available therapies and also will attempt to use biomarker-guided approaches to select therapies.
Evaluation of a Novel Thermobrachytherapy Seed for Concurrent Administration of Brachytherapy and Magnetically Mediated Hyperthermia in Treatment of Solid Tumors

Concurrent hyperthermia and radiation therapy in treatment of cancer show a strong evidence of a synergistic enhancement. We designed a new self-regulating Thermo-Brachytherapy seed, which serves as a source of both radiation and heat for concurrent administration of brachytherapy and hyperthermia. The Thermo-Brachytherapy seed has a core of ferromagnetic material which produces heat when subjected to alternating electro-magnetic (EM) field and effectively shuts off after reaching the Curie temperature (TC) of the ferromagnetic material thus realizing the temperature self-regulation. For the thermal characteristics, we considered a model consisting of one seed as well as an array of 16 seeds placed in the central region of a cylindrical water phantom. Isodose distributions of these models were computed using MCNP5 Monte Carlo simulation technique. The modeling for the isothermal distribution computations performed using a finite-element partial differential equation solver package COMSOL Multiphysics. It is shown that by changing frequency and intensity of the alternating applied magnetic field, we can obtain desired isothermal distribution within the target volume. Adjustment of these two parameters allows one to match the desired isosurface dose distribution with an optimized isothermal distribution achieving optimal treatment in both modalities. We also demonstrate that the effect of tissue cooling down due to the blood perfusion could be compensated by adjusting the externally applied magnetic field parameters. In this paper, parameters effecting radiation and thermal distribution on this proposed new seed will be presented.
Fabrication of nickel electrode coatings by combination of atmospheric and suspension plasma spray processes

Abstract Atmospheric plasma spray and suspension plasma spray were presented as two promising methods for manufacturing nickel cathode electrode coatings for alkaline water electrolysis, using micron- and submicron-sized powders, respectively. A combination of both processes was also successfully utilized as a novel method by deposition of a suspension plasma sprayed layer on an atmospheric plasma sprayed one to develop high performance electrodes. The coated electrodes were then characterized in terms of their microstructure, surface topography, wettability and steady state polarization curves. The highest electrocatalytic activity was obtained for an electrode coated by the combined method with the exchange current density and overpotential ( η 250 ) values of 6.2 × 10 − 4 A/cm 2 and − 386 mV, respectively. The high activity of this electrode was attributed to its large specific surface area with a high surface roughness value ( S a = 14.4 μm) comprising a multiscale micron/submicron-sized surface structure. It is expected that the dual microstructure of this electrode in addition to its superhydrophilic behaviour (with contact angles below 10°) enhances the activity by providing more reaction sites for hydrogen adsorption, promoting the diffusive mass transport of the reactants, and facilitating hydrogen bubble ascension from the pores.
Abdominal cocoon: an animal model for a complication of peritoneal dialysis

ObjectiveThe purpose of this work was to develop an animal model of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, a complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in which the intestines are con...
Nanophotonics for Energy and Information Applications

We discuss some of the recent developments of nanophotonics for information and energy applications. As examples, we discuss the use of dynamic modulation for the purpose of creating non-reciprocal response as well as an effective gauge field for photons. We will also discuss the use of photonic structures for thermal radiation control, leading in particular to the demonstration of passive radiative cooling.
Democratizing mental health Motherhood, therapeutic community and the emergence of the psychiatric family at the Cassel Hospital in post-Second World War Britain

Shortly following the Second World War, and under the medical direction of ex-army psychiatrist T. F. Main, the Cassel Hospital for Functional Nervous Disorders emerged as a pioneering democratic ‘...
Winter Populations of Small Mammals in Old Fields of Southwestern Ohio

A winter study, November 1962 through March 1963, was made of the small mammal populations in old fields from eight counties in southwestern Ohio. Seven hundred eighty-nine small mammals including 11 different species were caught. The relative abundance, distribution by counties and number of each species caught each month are discussed. A general decrease in the small mammal population over the winter is indicated, and it appears that there was an actual “crash” for Blarina brevicauda . Severe weather conditions in Ohio during the 1962–1963 winter are suggested as the cause of the population decline.
Damage detection of a highway bridge under severe temperature changes using extended Kalman filter trained neural network

Detecting structural damage in civil engineering structures has become an increasingly viable option for efficient maintenance and management of infrastructures. Vibration-based damage detection methods have been widely used for structural health monitoring. However, those methods may not be effective when modal properties have significant variance under environmental effects, especially severe temperature changes. In this paper, an extended Kalman filter-based artificial neural network (EKFNN) method is developed to eliminate the temperature effects and detect damage for structures equipped with long-term monitoring systems. Based on the vibration acceleration and temperature data obtained from an in-service highway bridge located in Connecticut, United States, the correlations between natural frequencies and temperature are analyzed to select proper input variables for the neural network model. Weights of the neural network are estimated by extended Kalman filter, which is also used to derive the confidence intervals of the natural frequencies to detect the damage. A year-long monitoring data are fed into the developed neural network for the training purpose. To assess the changes of natural frequencies in real structural damages, structural damage scenarios are simulated in the finite element model. Numerical testing results show that the temperature-induced changes in natural frequencies have been considered prior to the establishment of the threshold in the damage warning system, and the simulated damages have been successfully captured. The advantages of EKFNN method are presented through comparing with benchmark multiple linear regressions method, showing the potential of this method for structural health monitoring of highway bridge structures.
Misclassification cost-sensitive fuzzy inference system based on support vector machines

Under some restrictions,the functional equivalence between misclassification cost-sensitive support vector machines(MC-SVM) and rule-based fuzzy inference system(FIS) is proposed. Then based on the learning mechanism of MC-SVM,the algorithm of designing a rule-based FIS,misclassification cost-sensitive mercer binary FIS (MC-MBFIS),is given. The MC-MBFIS algorithm has the good generalization ability,can avoid the "curse of dimension" ,and has the transparent inference ability. Experimental results based on a few benchmark data sets show that the MC-MBFIS algorithm can reduce the average misclassification cost.
An Early Performance Study of Large-Scale POWER8 SMP Systems

In this paper we evaluate the performance of a large-scale POWER8 symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system with eight processors. We focus our attention on cache and memory subsystems, analyzing the characteristics that have a direct impact on high-performance computing and analytics applications. We provide insight into the relevant characteristics of the POWER8 processor using a set of microbenchmarks. We also analyze the POWER8 SMP at the system level using the well-known roofline model. Using the knowledge gained from these micro-benchmarks, we optimize three applications and use them to assess the capabilities of the POWER8 system. The results show that the POWER8 -- based SMP system is capable of delivering high performance for a wide range of applications and kernels.
When to Deliver Women with Diabetes in Pregnancy

The prevalence of pregestational diabetes and the incidence of gestational diabetes have both increased over recent years. One component of the management of diabetes in pregnancy is the timing of delivery in the late-preterm, early-term, or full-term periods. Recent guidance from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has lacked specificity, for example, recommending delivery for women with pregestational diabetes with poorly controlled glucose levels to be from 34 to 39 weeks' gestation. This lack of specificity is predominant because of the large holes in existing data to guide clinical practice. This article reviews existing literature regarding diabetes in pregnancy and attempts to give an analytical framework and some clearer guidance around the timing of delivery.
Achieving 1 GBPS Over Step-Index Plastic Optical Fiber by controlling the effective Numerical Apertures

We proposed to mitigate the effect of modal dispersion by reducing the effective NA of the fiber link. A simple spatial mode filtering technique has been experimentally demonstrated to improve the performance over a 30 m link, achieving a BER of 10−8 at 1 Gbps. This approach offers a simple and a cost-effective solution to deliver Gigabit Ethernet using NRZ signaling over short reach POF networks employing standard 1 mm SI-POF
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex GABA Concentration in Humans Predicts Working Memory Load Processing Capacity.

The discovery of neural mechanisms of working memory (WM) would significantly enhance our understanding of complex human behaviors and guide treatment development for WM-related impairments found in neuropsychiatric conditions and aging. Although the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has long been considered critical for WM, we still know little about the neural elements and pathways within the DLPFC that support WM in humans. In this study, we tested whether an individual9s DLPFC gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA) content predicts individual differences in WM task performance using a novel behavioral approach. Twenty-three healthy adults completed a task that measured the unique contribution of major WM components (memory load, maintenance, and distraction resistance) to performance. This was done to address the possibility that components have differing GABA dependencies and the failure to parse WM into components would lead to missing true associations with GABA. The subjects then had their DLPFC GABA content measured by single-voxel proton magnetic spectroscopy. We found that individuals with lower DLPFC GABA showed greater performance degradation with higher load, accounting for 31% of variance, p(corrected) = 0.015. This relationship was component, neurochemical, and brain region specific. DLPFC GABA content did not predict performance sensitivity to other components tested; DLPFC glutamate + glutamine and visual cortical GABA content did not predict load sensitivity. These results confirm the involvement of DLPFC GABA in WM load processing in humans and implicate factors controlling DLPFC GABA content in the neural mechanisms of WM and its impairments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study demonstrated for the first time that the amount of gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain, in an individual9s prefrontal cortex predicts working memory (WM) task performance. Given that WM is required for many of the most characteristic cognitive and behavioral capabilities in humans, this finding could have a significant impact on our understanding of the neural basis of complex human behavior. Furthermore, this finding suggests that efforts to preserve or increase brain GABA levels could be fruitful in remediating WM-related deficits associated with neuropsychiatric conditions.
Renewed commitments in a time of vigilance: sexuality education in the USA*

AbstractOver the past 20 years, the USA has seen more than its fair share of controversy with respect to education about sexuality, sex and intimate relationships. Attention has focused on content ...
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE AND ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY WITH LOWER SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF THE US COHORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL VERAPAMIL SR-TRANDOLAPRIL STUDY (INVEST)

Background: A goal systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤120mmHg reduced all-cause mortality in older SPRINT patients; however, implications of concomitantly lowering diastolic BP (DBP) with this goal are uncertain. Methods: 17,131 hypertensive subjects ≥50 yo with CAD were analyzed by SBP category (<
Correction: Elastic strain effects on catalysis of a PdCuSi metallic glass thin film

Correction for 'Elastic strain effects on catalysis of a PdCuSi metallic glass thin film' by Yiyi Yang et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 1746-1754.
Imaging of the Li spatial distribution within V2O5 cathode in a coin cell by neutron computed tomography

Abstract An understanding of Lithium (Li) spatial distribution within the electrodes of a Li-ion cell, during charge and discharge cycles, is essential to optimize the electrode parameters for increased performance under cycling. In this work, it is demonstrated that the spatial distribution of Li within Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5) electrodes of a small coin cell can be imaged by neutron computed tomography. The neutron attenuation data has been used to construct the three-dimensional Li spatial images. Specifically, it is shown that there is sufficient neutron imaging contrast between lithiated and delithiated regions of V2O5 electrode making it possible to map Li distributions even in small electrodes with thicknesses
DEIP, discontinuous element insertion Program — Mesh generation for interfacial finite element modeling

Abstract The Discontinuous Element Insertion Program is a MATLAB/Octave toolbox for inserting zero-thickness interface elements into two and three dimensional finite element meshes. These interface elements, termed herein as “couplers”, are used for intrinsic cohesive zone modeling and for the Discontinuous Galerkin method. The underlying algorithm is topology based and is suitable for complex, unstructured meshes of mixed-type linear and quadratic elements. Insertion is specified according to regions or subdomains within the overall analysis domain, a geometrically intuitive means to designate the coupler locations.
Modeling the Impact of Behavior Changes on the Spread of Pandemic Influenza

We use mathematical models to assess the impact of behavioral changes in response to an emerging epidemic. Evaluating the quantitative and qualitative impact of public health interventions on the spread of infectious diseases is a crucial public health objective. The recent avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic have raised significant global concerns about the emergence of a deadly influenza virus causing a pandemic of catastrophic proportions. Mitigation strategies based on behavior changes are some of the only options available in the early stages of an emerging epidemic when vaccines are unlikely to be available and there are only limited stockpiles of antiviral medications. Mathematical models that capture these behavior changes can quantify the relative impact of different mitigation strategies, such as closing schools, in slowing the spread of an infectious disease. Including behavior changes in mathematical models increases complexity and is often left out of the analysis. We present a simple differential equation model which allows for people changing their behavior to decrease their probability of infection. We also describe a large-scale agent-based model that can be used to analyze the impact of isolation scenarios such as school closures and fear-based home isolation during a pandemic. The agent-based model captures realistic individual-level mixing patterns and coordinated reactive changes in human behavior in order to better predict the transmission dynamics of an epidemic. Both models confirm that changes in behavior can be effective in reducing the spread of disease. For example, our model predicts that if school closures are implemented for the duration of the pandemic, the clinical attack rate could be reduced by more than 50%. We also verify that when interventions are stopped too soon, a second wave of infection can occur.
The pyridine nucleotide cycle: Presence of a nicotinamide mononucleotide-specific glycohydrolase in Escherichiacoli

Abstract Demonstration that a functional pyridine nucleotide cycle and NAD turnover occur in Escherichia coli suggested the need to identify the enzyme(s) responsible for nicotinamide formation from NAD. An NAD glycohydrolase has been assumed to be responsible for nicotinamide formation, despite the inability to demonstrate its presence in E . coli . A nicotinamide mononucleotide-specific glycohydrolase however, has now been demonstrated. The membrane localization, substrate specificity and other characteristics of the enzyme are described.
REBELLION, TREACHERY AND POETIC IDENTITY IN SKELTON'S DOLOROUS DETHE

Like most of John Skelton's earliest English verse, the Dolorous Dethe (1489) is usually dismissed as apprentice work in a moribund fifteenth-century literary tradition from which the poet later broke free. But the lament in fact demonstrates greater poetic and political sophistication than has been recognized. In an act of studied self- promotion, Skelton advertises his skill as a political rhetorician by manipulating an official, aureate style, and by offering a distinctly polemical account of the poem's occasion: the rebellion and treachery that led to the murder of Henry Percy, fourth Earl of Northumberland. The account of Percy's retainers is central to the political theme of the work – true service – but the success of their treachery also raises serious questions about the poet's own sincerity and credibility as a political rhetorician. Such concerns make the Dolorous Dethe a somewhat contradictory lament, but the poem is nonetheless important for introducing what became a dominant preoccupation in Skelton's later career: the standing and complicity of the court poet in a world of political subterfuge.
Electrochemical reactivity of bulky-phenols with superoxide anion radical

Abstract The 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (1), and its analogues 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (2), 2,4,6,-tri-tert-butylphenol (3), 2-tert-butylphenol (4), and 4-tert-butylphenol (5), were evaluated with respect to their reactivities with superoxide anion radical (O2 -), using a variety of electrochemical methods including cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The current intensity associated with anodic peak of O2 - oxidation into O2 (−1.16 ± 0.02 V) was used to measure effectiveness of compounds 1–5. All phenolic compounds reduced the anodic current intensity associated with O2 - oxidation into O2. Compounds 2 and 4 produced reversible oxidation/reduction peaks associated with the corresponding quinones. The C10% and C60% values, related to the reduction of anodic O2 -/O2 current to 10% or 60% of its original value, were in 2.2–3.2 and 0.8–1.3 mM range, respectively. Compound 4 exhibited the lowest C10% and C60% values and was the most effective radical quencher. Data indicate that compounds belonging to the same class exhibited different radical activity (extent of reactivity with O2 -), and that electrochemical methods are extremely useful in analyzing reactivity patterns in antioxidants of similar structures.
Investigative Study on Nitric Oxide Production in Human Dermal Fibroblast Cells under Normal and High Glucose Conditions

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a major health problem associated with diabetes mellitus. Impaired nitric oxide (NO) production has been shown to be a major contributor to the dysregulation of healing in DFU. The level of impairment is not known primarily due to challenges with measuring NO. Herein, we report the actual level of NO produced by human dermal fibroblasts cultured under normal and high glucose conditions. Fibroblasts produce the extracellular matrix, which facilitate the migration of keratinocytes to close wounds. The results show that NO production was significantly higher in normal glucose compared to high glucose conditions. The real-time NO detected was compared to the nitrite present in the culture media and there was a direct correlation between real-time NO and nitrite in normal glucose conditions. However, real-time NO detection and nitrite measurement did not correlate under high glucose conditions. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme responsible for NO production was upregulated in normal and high glucose conditions and the proliferation rate of fibroblasts was not statistically different in all the treatment groups. Relying only on nitrite to assess NO production is not an accurate determinant of the NO present in the wound bed in pathological states such as diabetes mellitus.
Image-domain insertion of spatially correlated, locally varying noise in CT images

Noise simulation methods for computed tomography (CT) scans are powerful tools for assessing image quality at a range of doses without compromising patient care. Current state of the art methods to simulate lower-dose images from standard-dose images insert Poisson or Gaussian noise in the raw projection data; however, these methods are not always feasible. The objective of this work was to develop an efficient tool to insert realistic, spatially correlated, locally varying noise to CT images in the image-domain utilizing information from the image to estimate the local noise power spectrum (NPS) and variance map. In this approach, normally distributed noise is filtered using the inverse Fourier transform of the square root of the estimated NPS to generate noise with the appropriate spatial correlation. The noise is element-wise multiplied by the standard deviation map to produce locally varying noise and is added to the noiseless or high-dose image. Results comparing the insertion of noise in the projection-domain versus the proposed insertion of noise in the image-domain demonstrate excellent agreement. While this image-domain method will never replace projection-domain methods, it shows promise as an alternative for tasks where projection-domain methods are not practical, such as the case for conducting large-scale studies utilizing hundreds of noise realizations or when the raw data is not available.
Biocompatibility of PEEK Polymers

Abstract Biomaterials are placed within a living host. Biocompatibility considers the interactions that take place between the biomaterial and the host environment. In this chapter, the biocompatibility of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) will be considered in the sections related to the individual components of the host response (toxicity, mutagenesis, and immunogenesis). Following that information, host response interactions gleaned from animal and human PEEK explants (of both the bulk implant and particulate debris) will be considered. The available toxicity, genotoxicity, immunogenicity, and soft and hard tissue animal studies as well as information gained from human explants demonstrate that PEEK and PEEK composite biomaterials are biocompatible and bioinert in their bulk form. As found in nonclinical studies and human explants, PEEK particulate debris generates a nonspecific (macrophage and foreign body giant cell) response. An immune response to PEEK is rare as only two case reports of an immune response to PEEK are reported in the literature.