cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rosai-Dorfman Disease of the Parotid Gland

Abstract Rosai-Dorfman disease is a rare histiocytic proliferative disorder of unknown origin and a distinct clinicopathologic entity also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy. The disease can involve extranodal tissues and rarely can present as salivary gland enlargement without significant lymphadenopathy. Involvement of the extranodal head and neck sites appears to be more common in patients with immunologic abnormalities. The disease was first described in 4 patients in 1969, and with later descriptions of more patients, the disease was established as a well-defined clinicopathologic entity. The characteristic pathologic feature of this disease is proliferation of distinctive histiocytic cells that demonstrate emperipolesis in the background of a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, consisting of moderately abundant plasma cells and lymphocytes. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy can be helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis, since surgical treatment is not necessary other than obtain...
Ride Dynamics and Pavement Loading of Tractor Semi-Trailers on Randomly Rough Roads

An investigation of the vertical dynamics of a tractor semi-trailer traversing a random road profile was conducted. This paper presents the development of a 14 degree-of-freedom (DOF), dynamic ride model of a tractor semi-trailer. It is based on work previously conducted by Vaduri and Law [1] and Law et al [2]. The DOFs include: (a) vertical displacements of each of the five axles, the tractor frame, the engine on its mounts, the cab on its suspension, and the driver's seat; (b) pitch displacements of the trailer with respect to the tractor, the cab, and the rigid tractor frame; and, (c) the first bending or beaming modes of the tractor and trailer frames. The model also incorporates suspension friction, and tire non-uniformities. The simulation of the model is conducted using MATLAB software. Further, the model is used to examine the effects on ride and pavement loading of wide-base and conventional tires, suspension friction, tractor and trailer beaming, and statistical variations in parameters such as tire pressure, axle suspension stiffness, etc.
Comparison of Storage Mechanisms in RuO2, SnO2, and SnS2 for Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Materials

A comparison of the molecular mechanisms of lithium sorption in RuO2, SnO2, and SnS2 was conducted with first-principles calculations. The calculated discharge curves for lithium absorption qualitatively agreed with experiment for the three materials. Our computations show that high-capacity lithium sorption in RuO2 beyond the stoichiometric conversion limit is due to “interfacial” storage, i.e., lithium absorption in the interface between the metallic ruthenium islands and the lithium oxide produced by conversion. Lithium sorption beyond the conversion limit in SnO2 and SnS2 is due to alloying, but interfacial storage is also found to contribute beyond the alloying limit. Therefore, interfacial storage appears to be a universal high-capacity mechanism for metal oxide and metal sulfide materials, accounting at least partially for the observed capacity beyond stoichiometric limits. Among the three materials examined, SnS2 is shown to expand the least with lithium sorption, furthering its promise as an anod...
Adaptation for Air-Intake System Throttle Control in a Gasoline Engine With Low-Pressure Exhaust-Gas Recirculation

We investigate control strategies for traditional throttle-in-bore as well as low-cost cartridge-style throttle bodies for the air-intake system (AIS) throttle used in low-pressure exhaust-gas recirculation (LPEGR) on a turbocharged gasoline engine. Pressure sensors placed upstream and downstream of the AIS throttle are available as signals from the vehicle’s engine control unit, however, we do not use high-bandwidth feedback control of the AIS throttle in order to maintain frequency separation from the higher-rate EGR loop, which uses the downstream pressure sensor for feedback control. A design-of-experiments conducted using a feed-forward lookup table-based AIS throttle control strategy exposes controller sensitivity to part-to-part variations. For accurate tracking in the presence of these variations, we explore the use of adaptive feedback control. In particular, we use an algebraic model representing the throttle plate effective opening area to develop a recursive least-squares (RLS)-based estimation routine. A low-pass filtered version of the estimated model parameters is subsequently used in the forward-path AIS throttle controller. Results are presented comparing the RLS-based feedback algorithm with the feed-forward lookup table-based control strategy. RLS is able to adapt for part-to-part and change-over-time variabilities and exhibits an improved steady-state tracking response compared to the feed-forward control strategy.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Experimental Infection of Ornithodoros turicata (Duges) with a Brazilian Strain of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas.

The transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, the causative organism of Chagas Disease, is usually accomplished through the agency of the reduviid bug, Panstrongylus megistus Burm. (Triatoma megista). Craig and Faust1 list several other arthropods as vectors of the trypanosome under experimental conditions including several species of Ixodoidea namely, Amblyomma cajennense (Fabr.), Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latr., and Ornithodoros moubata Murray. In addition Brumpt has shown the argasine tick, Ornithodoros savignyi (Audouin) capable of transmitting the organism in the laboratory.The following deals with the experimental infection of the tick, Ornithodoros turicata (Duges) with Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas and subsequent transmission of this species of trypanosome to normal white mice.The outline of the experiment is as follows:Data Concerning Ticks Used. Thirty clean larval ticks, Ornithodoros turicata (Duges) reared in the laboratory from a clean adult female tick taken in Texas, 1937.Procedure. One white mou...
Novel Bi-layer Beam Theories for Delamination Fracture Analysis

Bi-layer beam-type fracture specimens are commonly used to evaluate delamination fracture of laminated composites. In this study, two newly developed bi-layer beam theories (i.e., shear deformable and interface deformable) are applied to the delamination fracture specimen analysis, and the improved solution for compliance and energy release rate (ERR) of the specimens are obtained in the new light of the crack tip deformation. Three joint deformation models (i.e., the rigid, semi-rigid and flexible joint models) describing the different degrees of crack tip deformation are examined based on the three corresponding bi-layer beam theories (i.e., the conventional composite beam, shear deformable bi-layer beam, and interface deformable bi-layer beam). Due to different considerations of the interface displacement compatibility in each bi-layer beam theory, these joint models show three distinct levels of accuracy in predicting the crack tip deformation. By using these two novel joint models, the new terms, which are “missing” in the rigid joint model, are recovered for the compliances and ERRs of six common delamination specimens. It is shown that the rigid joint model is the most approximate one due to neglecting the crack tip deformation, the semi-rigid model provides better solutions due to partially inclusion of the joint deformation, and the flexible joint model is the most accurate because of the fully consideration of the crack tip deformation. The distinction on accuracy also indicates the significant effect of joint (crack tip) deformation on delamination specimen analysis. The novel shear deformable and interface deformable bi-layer beam theories recently developed by the authors prompt semi-rigid and flexible joint deformation models, respectively, which greatly improve the solutions of fracture parameters, and they shed new light on the effect of crack tip deformation on delamination fracture analysis.
Concerns presented by the new health legislation.

The 2010 health care reform legislation is a landmark re- design of the nation's health system that will have profound implica- tions and also raises considerable concerns, especially for patients with chronic or serious diseases and those who treat them. The legislation uses a centralized Badministrative state( approach, rather than approaches built on correcting features of the current system, spurring federalism, or moving to a single-payer system. This involves adding a new layer of boards and programs onto the existing system. Existing arrangements will be disrupted. Millions of Americans will find their employer-sponsored insurance is replaced by coverage through new health exchanges or Medicaid. There will be improvements as a re- sult of this for many, but others will find that their access to physicians and therapies becomes more limited. The legislation will encourage or require tighter practice guidelines intended to improve quality and pay-for-performance. A problem is that under the administrative state approach, the strategy will involve more restrictions on physician practice based on centralized interpretations of quality and effectiveness. Spending on health care will grow, and anticipated savings are not likely to be fully realized. This will increase future pressure for cost control. The likely result will be a form of rationing, which includes further tightening of practice guidelines and payments increasingly tied to the federal government's determination of quality and what constitutes essential services.
Fitness Changes After an 8-Week Fitness Coaching Program at a Regional Youth Detention Facility.

A Surgeon General’s report states that there is a favorable relationship between exercise and chronic disease. Research suggests that exercise programs for elderly inmates may have a positive effec...
Estimate of errors in approximate temperature and thermal stress calculations

Very few engineering calculations can be performed by means of formulas which correspond exactly to the conditions existing in reality: not only are these conditions seldom precisely known, but actual geometries and loadings are usually more complicated than the ideal ones envisaged by the theoretical formulas and results which engineers employ. This is of course a well-known state of affairs, and engineers have learned to cope with it without trauma by relying on experimentation, past experience and physical intuition. If one were to state the procedure a little more explicitly, one would say that appeal is made to the fact that the problem under consideration is assumed to have a “stable” solution, namely one which does not vary a great deal with small changes in the prescribed conditions, or, to put it in another way, one which is little affected by small errors in the prescribed loadings or other forcing functions. This practical point of view is undoubtedly reasonable, for example, in the very large majority of structural problems; it is the purpose of the present paper to examine whether it is so in problems of thermal stresses.
Prolonged field bursts in the dentate gyrus: dependence on low calcium, high potassium, and nonsynaptic mechanisms.

1. The dentate gyrus has been proposed to be a gate for entry of neuronal activity into the hippocampus. This function would give it a critical role in the propagation of seizure activity in that r...
Diode-Pumped Organo-Lead Halide Perovskite Lasing in a Metal-Clad Distributed Feedback Resonator.

Organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite semiconductors have recently reignited the prospect of a tunable, solution-processed diode laser, which has the potential to impact a wide range of optoelectronic applications. Here, we demonstrate a metal-clad, second-order distributed feedback methylammonium lead iodide perovskite laser that marks a significant step toward this goal. Optically pumping this device with an InGaN diode laser at low temperature, we achieve lasing above a threshold pump intensity of 5 kW/cm2 for durations up to ∼25 ns at repetition rates exceeding 2 MHz. We show that the lasing duration is not limited by thermal runaway and propose instead that lasing ceases under continuous pumping due to a photoinduced structural change in the perovskite that reduces the gain on a submicrosecond time scale. Our results indicate that the architecture demonstrated here could provide the foundation for electrically pumped lasing with a threshold current density Jth < 5 kA/cm2 under sub-20 ns pulsed drive.
Passive Microwave Quantification of Tropical Cyclone Inner-Core Cloud Populations Relative to Subsequent Intensity Change

AbstractCharacteristics of over 15 000 tropical cyclone (TC) inner cores are evaluated coincidentally using 37- and 85-GHz passive microwave data to quantify the relative prevalence of cold clouds (i.e., deep convection and stratiform clouds) versus predominantly warm clouds (i.e., shallow cumuli and cumulus congestus). Results indicate greater presence of combined liquid and frozen hydrometeors associated with cold clouds within the atmospheric column for TCs undergoing subsequent rapid intensification (RI) or intensification. RI episodes compared to the full intensity change distribution exhibit approximately an order of magnitude increase for inner-core cold cloud frequency relative to warm cloud presence. Incorporation of an objective ring detection algorithm shows the robust presence of rings associated with hydrometeors for 85-GHz polarization corrected temperatures () and 37-GHz vertically polarized brightness temperatures () for differentiating RI with significance levels ≥99.99%, while 37-GHz fal...
Gate optimization of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs using WSi, Ir, Pd, and Ni Schottky contacts

High electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) were fabricated from AlGaN/GaN on semi-insulating SiC substrates with WSi, Ir, Pd, and Ni Schottky contacts. The devices had 0.30 /spl mu/m T-gates with a total width of 300 /spl mu/m. Devices with Ir gates had the highest measured Schottky barrier and the best small-signal performance of all gate metal combinations attempted. These devices yielded maximum drain current densities of 1.03 A/mm, peak transconductances of 252 mS/mm, unity current gain cutoff frequencies of 46 GHz, and maximum frequencies of oscillation at 64 GHz. Power measurements of these same devices produced 6.5 W/mm with PAE of 32% at 10 GHz CW when optimizing for power.
Structure of a Type-1 Secretion System ABC Transporter.

Type-1 secretion systems (T1SSs) represent a widespread mode of protein secretion across the cell envelope in Gram-negative bacteria. The T1SS is composed of an inner-membrane ABC transporter, a periplasmic membrane-fusion protein, and an outer-membrane porin. These three components assemble into a complex spanning both membranes and providing a conduit for the translocation of unfolded polypeptides. We show that ATP hydrolysis and assembly of the entire T1SS complex is necessary for protein secretion. Furthermore, we present a 3.15-A crystal structure of AaPrtD, the ABC transporter found in the Aquifex aeolicus T1SS. The structure suggests a substrate entry window just above the transporter's nucleotide binding domains. In addition, highly kinked transmembrane helices, which frame a narrow channel not observed in canonical peptide transporters, are likely involved in substrate translocation. Overall, the AaPrtD structure supports a polypeptide transport mechanism distinct from alternating access.
Etiology and pathogenesis of pouchitis

Abstract Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the preferred surgery for ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). While this surgical therapy is effective and results in good clinical outcomes and quality of life, patients experience complications, the most common of which is pouchitis. While most pouchitis is considered idiopathic, there is mounting evidence that pouchitis results from aberrant immune response to the bacterial populations found in the pouch in a genetically predisposed patient. Dysbiosis and decreased diversity of the microbiota seem to contribute to this process. Risk factors for pouchitis including inflammatory bowel disease and obesity provide further clues to the etiology of pouchitis. In conclusion, we seek to understand the pathogenesis of pouchitis as both a post-operative complication and a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Abstract P483: Healing a Broken Heart Using a Closed-loop, Allostatic, Neurotechnology: A Case Study in a Patient Suffering From Takotsubo Syndrome

Background: Stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is an acute, reversible disorder of the heart characterized by left ventricular dysfunction, usually triggered by a stressful event. Exc...
Chemical Effectors of Plant Endocytosis and Endomembrane Trafficking

Plant endocytosis and endomembrane trafficking relies on the coordination of a highly organized and dynamic network of intracellular organelles. Membrane trafficking and associated signal transduction pathways provide critical cellular regulation of plant development and response to environmental stimuli. However, the efficiency of studies on this complex network has been hampered due to the rapid and dynamic nature of endomembrane trafficking as well as gene redundancy and embryonic lethality in mutagenesis-based strategies. Chemical genomics emerged in recent years as a complementary approach to illuminate biological functions through the integration of organic chemistry, biology, and bioinformatics to overcome gene redundancy. The approach presents significant advantages in dosage dependence and reversibility, which offers the ideal ability to study dynamic endomembrane trafficking processes in real time. In this chapter, several successful examples of chemical screening focused on the endomembrane system is presented to illuminate the efficiency and power of chemical genomics in dissecting endomembrane trafficking and its regulation of plant development and environmental responses. Perspectives are also presented to suggest directions for future development of this field.
Feeding combinations of dry corn and wheat to finishing lambs and cattle.

Two finishing trials, one with lambs and one with cattle, were conducted to determine the effect of combinations of dry corn (whole or rolled) with dry rolled wheat on animal performance. The cattle (mixed crossbred yearlings) trial also evaluated methods of getting cattle to full feed by stepping-up using either grain combinations or dry rolled corn and then feeding the appropriate grain combination. In the lamb trial, as the level of dry whole corn increased in the diet of 80 Rambouillet X Suffolk lambs (29 kg), feed intake (linear, P<.01), gain (linear, P<.01; quadratic, P<.15) and feed efficiency (linear, P<.01; quadratic, P<. 15) were improved. The major improvement occurred in the first 30 d of feeding when feed efficiency was improved (linear, P<.01; quadratic, P<.O1) by the inclusion of dry whole corn. In the cattle trial (272 mixed crossbred yearling cattle, avg = 358 kg), as the level of dry rolled corn increased, feed intake (linear, P<.01), gain (linear, P<.01; quadratic, P<.01) and feed efficiency (linear, P<.05; quadratic, P<.05) were improved. Cattle fed 67 or 33% dry rolled corn with 33 or 67% dry rolled wheat gained 4% faster and 4.4% more efficiently than the average performance of cattle fed 100% corn or wheal Cattle stepped-up on dry rolled corn and then switched to 100% wheat, tended to gain faster (.1 kg/d) than cattle stepped-up on 100% wheat. Rate of starch digestion of ground wheat in vitro was 35% faster than for ground corn. Feeding a combination of dry corn and wheat results in a positive associative effect on feed efficiency. Stepping-up cattle on dry rolled corn appears to have an advantage before feeding 100% wheat but not when feeding lower levels of wheat in the final diet.
Realism and Reductionism

Philosophical discussions of many problems implicitly presuppose an interpretation of physics. This chapter considers the changes in four problematic issues consequent upon a change in the interpretation of physics. The first is continuity. Interpreting the language of classical physics as a specialized extension of an ordinary language core allows for an underlying continuity in the historical development of physics, rather than a series of paradigm shifts. The second problematic concerns realism. We distinguish the functional realism, implicit in ordinary language and its extensions, from theories concerning a correspondence with objective reality. Functional realism banks on public objects and is adequate to the practice of physics. The third problem area concerns emergence and reduction. Traditional global reductionism relies on a metaphysics that is an idealization of distinctive features of classical physics. Physics, as interpreted here, does not support the traditional program of global reductionism, but accepts reductionism as a default position between levels and allows the possibility of emergence. The final problem concerns the human order and the mind-body problem. We outline a way in which the human order, which has epistemological primacy, relates to the quantum order, which has ontological primacy.
The hydrogen peroxide fragility test and serum tocopherol level in anemias of various etiologies.

Increased in vitro erythrocyte sensitivity to the hemolytic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the H2O2 fragility test has been widely associated with vitamin E deficiency. In the present study, H2O2 red cell fragility was abnormally elevated in many types of acquired and congenital anemias in children who were tocopherol sufficient. In addition to abnormal red cell H2O2 sensitivity known to occur in vitro in conditions involving defects in cellular devices for disposal of peroxides, it is likely that a wide variety of erythrocyte dysfunctions result in increased in vitro H2O2 hemolysis even in situations where the usually adequate mechanisms for peroxide detoxification are present.
Abstract B30: Three-dimensional organoid model for acquired drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Targeted therapies against specific driver mutations of cancer progression have been used to improve survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients. In KRAS mutant NSCLC specifically, however, after some initial improvement in lung cancer patients, targeted therapies often fail due to acquired drug resistance. To uncover mechanisms of resistance and to discover new drivers, genome-scale sequencing of lung cancers has identified candidate genes, but these data have not rapidly translated in preclinical validation. A major obstacle in lung cancer research has been the deficiencies of standard in vitro models. Methods: To address the deficiencies within standard models we have developed an in vitro 3-dimensional, KRAS-mutated “organoid” model of lung adenocarcinoma that surpasses both in vitro and in vivo models by possessing the tractability of cell lines and the 3-dimensional architecture and morphology of animal models. We have engineered a p53 knockout and KRAS mutation on top of normal wild-type lung epithelium to achieve oncogenicity. Result: Through an optimized growth period in the presence of drug, an organoid model of resistance has been developed through which de novo genetic events underlying acquired resistance can be studied. Conclusion: The highly defined genetic background of the KRAS-mutated 3-D organoid model serves as a tabula rasa upon which stochastic secondary genetic and epigenetic changes can be identified and mechanistically studied by forward and reverse genetics approaches in order to rapidly identify mechanisms of acquired drug resistance and validate therapeutic options. Citation Format: Navika D. Shukla, Ameen A. Salahudeen, Sukhmani K. Padda, Joel W. Neal, Heather A. Wakelee, Calvin J. Kuo. Three-dimensional organoid model for acquired drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR-IASLC International Joint Conference: Lung Cancer Translational Science from the Bench to the Clinic; Jan 8-11, 2018; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(17_Suppl):Abstract nr B30.
Whole Genome Sequencing for Luminal-Type Breast Cancer

ABSTRACT Whole genome sequencing is an unbiased approach to detect all classes of somatic mutation in a cancer. To correlate the variable clinical features of oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer with somatic alterations, we applied this technique to pre-treatment tumour biopsies accrued from patients in two studies of neoadjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy. Eighteen significantly mutated genes were identified, including five genes (RUNX1, CBFB, MYH9, MLL3 and SF3B1) previously linked to haematopoietic disorders. These findings suggest that breast cancer, like leukaemia, can be viewed as a stem-cell disorder that produces indolent or aggressive tumours that display varying phenotypes depending on differentiation blocks generated by different mutation repertoires. Mutant MAP3K1 was associated with luminal A status, low grade histology and low proliferation rates, whereas mutant TP53 associated with the opposite pattern. Moreover, mutant GATA3 correlated with suppression of proliferation upon aromatase inhibitor treatment. Pathway analysis demonstrated that mutations in MAP2K4, a MAP3K1 substrate, produced similar perturbations as MAP3K1 loss. These analyses also identified transcriptional associations to Ki67 response reside in a connected network under the control of several key ‘hub’ genes including MYC, FYN and MAP kinases, among others. Targeting these hubs in resistant tumours could produce therapeutic advances. Aside from the common PIK3CA mutations, druggable mutations were relatively uncommon, but were observed in HER2, KIT, PDGFA, DDR1/2, MET, JAK1, CSFR1, LTK, BRAF and AKT1/2. If these mutations are activating and drug sensitive these are significant findings since breast cancer is so common that drug sensitizing mutations with a 1% prevalence represents a population with a similar magnitude to CML and PML, diseases in which a randomized trials are feasible. Distinct phenotypes in oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer are associated with specific patterns of somatic mutations that map into cellular pathways linked to tumour biology, but most recurrent mutations are relatively infrequent. Prospective clinical trials based on these findings will require comprehensive genome sequencing and large mutation screening programs. Disclosure The author has declared no conflicts of interest.
Study on Novel Designs with Reduced Fatigue for Steady State Motion Visual Evoked Potentials

The paper focuses on incorporation of Brain Computer Interfacing (BCI) within an Augmented Reality (AR) platform to provide means for individuals with communication disabilities to interact with the outer world. Recently, there has been a recent surge of interest on Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEP). In a typical SSVEP-based BCI system, the virtual object within the AR environment flickers with a specific frequency while the signal processing module extracts the effects of the flickering frequency on the Electrophysiological (EEG) signals. Despite the popularity of SSVEPs, their utilization for practical application especially for assistive technologies is complicated and challenging due to eye fatigue and risk of induced epileptic seizure. In this regard, the key issue being targeted in this paper is addressing fatigue of flicker (or brightness modulation) by development of flicker-free steady-state motion visual evoked potential (SSMVEP). Two novel SSMVEP paradigms, i.e., Square-based and Circle-based paradigms, with low luminance contrast and oscillating expansion and contraction motions are designed, and integrated within a BCI system. Through experimental evaluations, high detection accuracy of 95.31% is achieved for the square-based SSMVEP.
Performance Evaluation of an Angle Droop—Based Power Sharing Algorithm for An Inverter-Dominated Power System

The power system is moving toward using more renewable generation. Most renewable generation units are integrated to the power system via a voltage-sourced converter (VSC), commonly known as an inverter. This paper studies an angle droop-based power sharing algorithm for a power system dominated by inverter-based generation. This method enables these units to participate in power sharing while maintaining frequency at its nominal value in the steady state without needing communication except for a GPS signal, which is abundantly available in the modern power system. The performance of this angle droop-based power sharing algorithm is evaluated for several case studies in PSCAD/EMTDC simulation software.
CHORUSING PATTERNS OF A DIVERSE ANURAN COMMUNITY, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SOUTHERN CRAWFISH FROGS (LITHOBATES AREOLATUS AREOLATUS)

Wildlife surveys have a critical role in conservation efforts and the collection of life history data. For anuran amphibians these surveys often focus on calling males. In order to further our understanding of anuran ecology, we used automated recording systems to monitor the calling activities of the anuran communities at two beaver-formed lakes and one cattle pond in southeastern Oklahoma. We documented 14 anuran species between 5 February and 28 April 2012. Temperature had a significant effect on the calling patterns of Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis), Green Treefrogs (Hyla cinerea), Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor), Southern Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates areolatus areolatus), and Cajun Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris fouquettei). Temperature did not have a significant effect on the calling patterns of Dwarf American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi), American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), or Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans). There was not a significant relationship between rainfall and calling for L. a. areolatus. The presence of several of these species, including L. a. areolatus and Hurter’s Spadefoots (Scaphiopus hurterii) was unusual because these anurans typically breed in ephemeral, fishless pools, but the beaver lakes are permanent and sustain populations of carnivorous fishes.
Practical Cyber Security Training Exercises

There is a shortage of skilled cyber security professionals. Hands-on learning engages students and provides them with an opportunity to gain knowledge and improve their problem-solving skills. We developed hands-on training laboratory exercises that help students to better understand topics in the cyber security field by applying them in controlled virtual environments. The trainings are designed to be practiced in a consistent virtual environment and modularized in a way that allows students to practice specific parts of the exercises based on their level of educational background. The material that is presented in each training exercise focuses more on the methodologies to put cyber security concepts into practice including tools and best practices for better success rate. By performing digital forensics, penetration testing, social engineering, and other ethical hacking attacks, students can have a good perspective into the mind of attackers.
Correction: 3D aggregation of cells in packed microgel media.

Correction for ‘3D aggregation of cells in packed microgel media’ by Cameron D. Morley et al., Soft Matter, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00517g.
Relationship Between Motor Level and Wheelchair Transfer Ability in Spina Bifida: A Study From the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry.

Abstract Objective To identify the specific features that contribute to the variability in baseline wheelchair transfer and the changes in transfer ability (gain or loss) over time for a large cohort of patients with spina bifida (SB) in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Setting A total of 35 United States outpatient SB clinic sites. Participants Individuals (N=1687) with SB ages 5-73 (median, 13.33) years who were therapeutic ambulators or nonambulators. Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Ability to transfer from a wheelchair to another level surface. Results Bayesian Network Analysis was used to reduce the initial variable set to the following predictors: SB subphenotype, motor level, age, insurance, sex, race, ethnicity, surgical procedures, and number of visits. We used a multinomial logistic model with Wald Chi-square analysis of effects to examine the relationships between transfer ability and predictors. A total of 295 of 1687 eligible patients (17.56%) with myelomeningocele (MMC) and 6 of 58 eligible patients (10.32%) with non-MMC experienced changes in transfer ability during the period of the study. For those with MMC and non-MMC, the highest number of individuals exhibiting changes in motor level had changes from thoracic to high-lumbar, high-lumbar to thoracic, high-lumbar to midlumbar, and midlumbar to high-lumbar lesion levels. Results of the Bayesian Network Analysis revealed that motor level was the predominant factor associated with baseline transfer ability followed by age. The combination of SB sub phenotype, motor level, age, insurance status, number and type of surgical procedures, and time point accurately classified the loss, gain, or no change in transfer ability 82.7% of the time. Conclusions Motor level was the predominant factor associated with baseline transfer ability, and the change in transfer ability was directly related to a corresponding change in motor level that might be explained by changes in muscle strength of the iliopsoas and quadriceps.
Comparing Occlusive Balloon Performance Using 3-Dimensional Printed Models of Intracranial Aneurysmal Defects.

Objective Balloon remodeling microcatheters are essential in assisting endovascular coiling of brain aneurysms, but the performance and pressure requirements of different balloon types when used in aneurysmal defects are currently unknown. Methods We used Tinkercad (Autodesk, Montreal, Quebec) to create model vessels with aneurysmal defects and 3-dimensionally printed these designs with polylactic acid using the Ultimaker2 (Ultimaker, Geldermalsen, Netherlands). We constructed a pressurized box capable of reaching physiologic pressures that housed our vessels and then tested compliant remodeling balloons under fluoroscopy from 3 manufacturers: Hyperglide (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA), Transform (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, California, USA), and Scepter C (Microvention, Tustin, California, USA). Each balloon was inflated to a nominal and supranominal point at each defect, and at each inflation the maximum diameter of the balloon and internal balloon pressure were recorded. The Phillips Intellivue (Phillips, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) monitor was adapted for internal balloon pressure monitoring. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to model balloon compliance (balloon diameter divided by pressure). Results Multivariate regression modeling demonstrated the Scepter balloon had significantly greater compliance compared with both the Hyperglide and Transform balloons (P Conclusions Scepter balloons require less pressure compared with their counterparts to adequately deform through model defects, specifically in larger aneurysm necks in smaller vessel diameters. This result could inform operators of optimal balloon type and size when trying to minimize balloon pressure in fragile brain aneurysms.
Deep-learning-based direct synthesis of low-energy virtual monoenergetic images with multi-energy CT.

Purpose: We developed a deep learning method to reduce noise and beam-hardening artifact in virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) at low x-ray energy levels. Approach: An encoder–decoder type convolutional neural network was implemented with customized inception modules and in-house-designed training loss (denoted as Incept-net), to directly estimate VMI from multi-energy CT images. Images of an abdomen-sized water phantom with varying insert materials were acquired from a research photon-counting-detector CT. The Incept-net was trained with image patches (64 × 64 pixels) extracted from the phantom data, as well as synthesized, random-shaped numerical insert materials. The whole CT images (512 × 512 pixels) with the remaining real insert materials that were unseen in network training were used for testing. Seven contrast-enhanced abdominal CT exams were used for preliminary evaluation of Incept-net generalizability over anatomical background. Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was used to evaluate CT number accuracy. Results: Compared to commercial VMI software, Incept-net largely suppressed beam-hardening artifact and reduced noise (53%) in phantom study. Incept-net presented comparable CT number accuracy at higher-density (P-value [0.0625, 0.999]) and improved it at lower-density inserts (P-value = 0.0313) with overall MAPE: Incept-net [2.9%, 4.6%]; commercial-VMI [6.7%, 10.9%]. In patient images, Incept-net suppressed beam-hardening artifact and reduced noise (up to 50%, P-value = 0.0156). Conclusion: In this preliminary study, Incept-net presented the potential to improve low-energy VMI quality.
Burden of Trabeculectomy and Glaucoma Drainage Implantation after Laser Trabeculoplasty: A Two-Year Follow-up Study

Purpose To evaluate the burden of incisional glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage device implantation) after laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) in the United States. Design Retrospective, matched, case-comparison study. Participants Medicare beneficiaries who underwent LTP between January 2012 and December 2014 were identified using the 5% Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. Methods Subjects aged 35 years or older at the time of LTP with ocular hypertension, suspected glaucoma, or mild open-angle glaucoma (OAG) were matched to a comparison group without LTP on the basis of age, gender, race, geographic region, and glaucoma diagnosis codes. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard analysis were performed. Main Outcome Measures Primary analysis included risk of incisional glaucoma surgery. Secondary analysis included risk of conversion to moderate or severe OAG based on billing data. Results The mean age of study participants was 75.0 ± 8.9 years. After 2 years, 40 of 2435 eyes required incisional glaucoma surgery after LTP, and 51 of 2435 eyes required glaucoma surgery in the comparison group (P = 0.27, adjusted for covariates). Regardless of intervention, Black Americans were more likely to require glaucoma surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–3.17). Patients with a diagnosis of OAG were more likely to require surgery than glaucoma suspects (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.12–3.69). Black Americans were also more likely to require surgery or convert to more severe glaucoma (HR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.92–5.37) versus White Americans. Conclusions Laser trabeculoplasty did not alter the need for subsequent incisional glaucoma surgery among glaucoma suspects or patients with mild OAG. Regardless of treatment with LTP, African heritage and OAG diagnosis status were risk factors for requiring glaucoma surgery.
Reading Modality Shapes Reading Network in Proficient Blind Readers of Braille

The neural basis of reading is highly consistent across a wide range of languages and scripts. Are there alternative neural routes to reading? How does the sensory modality of symbols (tactile vs. visual) influence their neural representations? We examined these questions by comparing reading of visual print by sighted people (n=15) and reading of tactile Braille by people born blind (n=19). Blind and sighted proficient readers were presented with written and spoken stimuli that varied in word-likeness. Written stimuli consisted of real words, consonant strings and non-letter shapes. Auditory stimuli consisted of words and backward speech sounds. Consistent with prior work, vOTC was active during Braille and visual reading. A posterior/anterior vOTC word-form gradient was observed only in sighted readers with more anterior regions preferring larger orthographic units (words). No such gradient was observed in blind readers of Braille. Consistent with connectivity predictions, in blind Braille readers, posterior parietal cortices (PPC) and parieto-occipital areas were recruited to a greater degree and PPC contained word-preferring patches. Lateralization of Braille in blind readers was predicted by laterality of spoken language, as well as by reading hand. These results suggested that the neural basis of reading is influenced by symbol modality and support connectivity-based views of cortical function.
Theory of Human Vibration Response and its Application to Vehicle Design

It can be stated as a basic generalization that the usual mission of a vehicle is to transport a payload over some distance. The payload may take a variety of forms: logistic, tactical, combat, fixed, or variable. The speed at which the vehicle is able to execute an assigned mission is an important design consideration.
Psychiatric Illness and The Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Practical Implications for the Primary Physician

Twenty-nine consecutive outpatients with irritable bowel syndrome were given structured psychiatric interviews, as were 33 consecutive medical controls who did not have irritable bowel syndrome. All were from an internal medicine group practice. Seventy-two percent of irritable bowel syndrome subjects had psychiatric illness, with hysteria and depression the most prevalent syndromes. Only 18% of controls had psychiatric illness. The primary physician made an accurate psychiatric assessment in only 28% of the subjects. An awareness of his patient's psychiatric illness is necessary for the physician to provide effective treatment, as for depression, and to spare the patient needless medications, hospitalizations, and surgery, as with hysteria.
Reactivity Comparison of Exhaust Emissions from Heavy-Duty Engines Operating on Gasoline, Diesel, and Alternative Fuels

This paper describes experiments conducted to determine the ozone-forming potentials, specific reactivities, and reactivity adjustment factors for various heavy-duty engines operating on industry average (RF-A) gasoline, California Phase 2 gasoline, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and diesel fuel. Each engine/fuel combination was tested in triplicate using the EPA heavy-duty transient cold and hot-start test protocol. Hydrocarbon speciation was conducted for all tests to allow for the determination of ozone-forming potentials, using California Air Resources Board maximum incremental reactivity factors as well as determination of the Clean Air Act toxic emissions.
Abstract T P317: Diagnostic Imaging Performed in TIA Patients Identified in the Emergency Department: Frequency, Yield and Relationship to 90-Day Outcomes

Introduction: Patients who present to the Emergency department (ED) with transient ischemic attack (TIA) receive a wide variety of imaging tests. We describe the use, yield, and prognostic implications of diagnostic imaging undertaken in a cohort of TIA patients. Methods: Patients with a high clinical suspicion of TIA were prospectively identified over a 12 month period in 4 community-based EDs. A TIA diagnosis was confirmed following independent physician review. Chart data were abstracted and 90-day outcomes (incident stroke, recurrent TIA, cardiovascular-related hospitalization, or death) were collected at telephone follow-up. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to quantify the association between test results and outcomes. Results: Of 336 confirmed TIA patients, 319 (95%) had 90-day follow up data. The mean age was 66, 46% were male, 32% non-white, and 74% were hospitalized. Overall, 15% had a 90-day outcome event. Nearly all patients (98%) received brain imaging (CT and/or ...
Complementation of the Tomato anthocyanin without (aw) Mutant Using the Dihydroflavonol 4-Reductase Gene

We isolated the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) gene from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) using a previously characterized cDNA as probe. Earlier studies had indicated that the DFR gene is present in tomato as a single gene located on chromosome 2 near the locus anthocyanin without (aw). Mutant alleles of the aw locus result in the complete absence of anthocyanin pigmentation throughout all stages of plant development. When the genomic DFR clone was introduced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation into plants bearing the aw mutation, primary transgenic seedlings accumulated anthocyanins that could be observed while the plants were still in tissue culture and which continued to be observed as the plants matured. Progeny of self pollinated and backcrossed transgenic plants segregated for anthocyanin pigmentation, and Southern hybridization analyses indicated the presence of the DFR transgene exclusively in those plants with pigmentation. These data indicate that the aw locus likely corresponds to the structural gene for DFR and that DFR can be used as a visual, nondestructive, plant-derived marker gene for tomato.
Male collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris (Sauria: Crotaphytidae), signal females by broadcasting visual displays

The signalling function of displays broadcast when animals are distant from conspecifics can be difficult to determine. I tested the extent to which visually transmitted broadcast displays given by free-ranging territorial male collared lizards signalled same-sex rivals or females. One test involved recording the frequency of broadcast displays, aggressive contests with rivals, and courtship encounters with females during ten reproductive seasons when local sex ratios varied markedly. The frequency of broadcast displays decreased as the ratio of male competitors to females increased. The frequency with which males initiated contests with rivals was not related to the ratio of competitors to females, whereas the frequency of courtship interactions decreased with sex ratio because there were fewer females to court. The behaviour of males that defended territories during two successive seasons showed a similar pattern. Broadcast display frequency was positively correlated with courtship frequency, but not with the frequency of contests with rivals. Lastly, individual males gave more broadcast displays during focal observations when they also engaged in courtship encounters with females than other observations when they engaged in aggressive conflicts with rival males. Although these results do not reject the possibility that broadcast displays may also signal male rivals, they support a major role of these displays in advertisement to females. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 108, 636‐646. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: aggression ‐ communication ‐ courtship ‐ signalling ‐ social behaviour ‐ territoriality.
Internet of Things Perspectives

This article offers expert opinion on two Internet of Things (IoT) perspectives. The first is a research agenda for the IoT to ensure the development of a trusted, secure, reliable, and interoperable net-centric computing environment. The second discusses the IoT as a human agent, extension, and complement. Both discussions include accompanying video, available at http://youtu.be/ywjekHO1pAM and http://youtu.be/skX7DjB2lyg, respectively.
Blocking the Common γ-Chain of Cytokine Receptors Induces T Cell Apoptosis and Long-Term Islet Allograft Survival

The common γc-chain is an essential signaling component shared by all known T cell growth factor (TCGF) receptors (i.e., IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15). In the present study, we have studied the effect of γc-chain blockade on T cell activation and allograft rejection. Treatment of B6AF 1 (H-2 b/d.k ) recipient mice with anti-γc mAbs induced long-term survival of DBA/2 (H-2 d ) islet allografts (>150 days, n = 8), whereas control Ab-treated mice rejected the islet allografts within 17 days ( n = 6). The state of engraftment induced by the anti-γc mAbs was remarkably stable, as recipient mice bearing the primary islet allografts accepted a second DBA/2 islet allograft without further immunosuppression and systemic administration of high doses of IL-2Ig fusion protein failed to provoke rejection. Blocking the γc-chain inhibited T cell proliferation and induced T cell apoptosis by repressing expression of Bcl-2. Our data suggest that one means of inducing T cell apoptosis and stable allograft survival can be achieved via γc-chain blockade.