cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive assessment of cerebral microcirculation with diffuse optics and coherent hemodynamics spectroscopy

We describe the general principles and initial results of coherent hemodynamics spectroscopy (CHS), which is a new technique for the quantitative assessment of cerebral hemodynamics on the basis of dynamic near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements. The two components of CHS are (1) dynamic measurements of coherent cerebral hemodynamics in the form of oscillations at multiple frequencies (frequency domain) or temporal transients (time domain), and (2) their quantitative analysis with a dynamic mathematical model that relates the concentration and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in tissue to cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2). In particular, CHS can provide absolute measurements and dynamic monitoring of CBF, and quantitative measures of cerebral autoregulation. We report initial results of CBF measurements in hemodialysis patients, where we found a lower CBF (54 ± 16 ml/(100 g-min)) compared to a group of healthy controls (95 ± 11 ml/(100 g-min)). We also report CHS measurements of cerebral autoregulation, where a quantitative index of autoregulation (its cutoff frequency) was found to be significantly greater in healthy subjects during hyperventilation (0.034 ± 0.005 Hz) than during normal breathing (0.017 ± 0.002 Hz). We also present our approach to depth resolved CHS, based on multi-distance, frequency-domain NIRS data and a two-layer diffusion model, to enhance sensitivity to cerebral tissue. CHS offers a potentially powerful approach to the quantitative assessment and continuous monitoring of local brain perfusion at the microcirculation level, with prospective brain mapping capabilities of research and clinical significance.
Prediction of Field Populations of Soybean Insects from Sweep-net Samples in Narrow-row Soybean Plantings

Calibration ratios (number per square meter absolute/number per square meter sweep net) were measured to estimate field populations (number per square meter) of 9 insect groups from sweep-net samples in narrow- (17.8 cm) and wide- (76.2 or 96.5 cm) row soybeans in 1983 and of 10 insect groups in narrow- (17.8 cm) row soybeans in 1984. Absolute populations were estimated with a cage-bag technique. Observations were made at R1 (beginning bloom), R3 (beginning pod), and R6 (full seed) plant stages at a North Mississippi location and at the R4 stage (beginning seed) at a South Mississippi location in 1983. Tests in North Mississippi were conducted on plant stages ranging from V7 to V11 (vegetative), R2 (full bloom), R4 (full pod), and R5 (beginning seed) in 1984. Row spacing had little effect on calibration ratios. Few calibration ratios significantly > 1.0 were observed in the 1983 and 1984 North Mississippi studies. This was probably because of low populations during sampling periods. The most consistent and reliable calibration ratios were calculated for Plathypena scabra (F.) and Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner in tests with the highest insect populations in South Mississippi.
Intubating laryngeal mask airway combined to fibreoptic intubation in subglottic stenosis

We reported a successful airway management in a patient with unknown tracheal stenosis admitted in the emergency room for benzodiazepine overdose. The use of intubating laryngeal mask airway in combination with fibreoptic intubation was easy and safe in this patient; procedures such as ventilatory control and patient oxygenation were continued during intubation attempts, lessening the likelihood of desaturation. This method allowed the diagnosis of tracheal stenosis and soft endotracheal intubation.
What is Quality

The purpose of any business is to generate money. The reason for this objective is that without sufficient financial resources, the business cannot grow or maintain its assets, or develop new products or services, or hire and pay employees, or any other activity that society regards as necessary or worthwhile. But how does a business consistently generate money? The answer is simple: through the creation of value for customers, employees, investors, and society. Unfortunately, the consistent creation of value is not simple. Due to the interests of these four stakeholder groups being inextricably linked, sustained value can only occur when value is created for all four groups simultaneously.
Rickets Due to Hereditary Abnormalities of Vitamin D Synthesis or Action

Publisher Summary The vitamin D biosynthetic enzymes include both mitochondrial (type I) and microsomal (type II) cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes are heme containing, mixed function oxidases that must receive electrons from NADPH to mediate catalysis. Some infants are irritable when held, presumably due to bone pain, or develop pneumonia or seizures. Physical findings are similar to those observed in rickets due to simple vitamin D deficiency, and include enlargement of the costochondral junction of the ribs (“rachitic rosary”), enlargement of the wrists or ankles, genu varus and, in some cases, hypotonia, frontal bossing, enlarged sutures and fontanels, or craniotabes (softening of the parieto-occipital area). Radiographic examination of the long bones reveals the typical abnormalities of rickets, with widening of the metaphysis, fraying, cupping, and widening of the zone of provisional calcification, and diffuse demineralization. In most patients, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations are observed, as is typical of patients with vitamin D deficiency rickets.
A comparative study of hot-carrier instabilities in p- and n-type poly gate MOSFETs

The effects of p-type poly-Si gates on the hot-carrier instability of 7-nm oxides are investigated using uniform hot-electron injection from a buried junction injector (BJI) and channel-hot-carrier stress. From BJI experiments, electron trapping (instead of oxide trap generation) and interface state generation are shown to be the major effects of hot-electron injection. Electron trapping and interface state generation are found to be similar in p- and n-type poly-Si gated n-MOSFETs. From the results on channel-hot-carrier stress on surface-channel n- and p-channel MOSFETs, it was also found that the channel-hot-carrier instabilities of p- and n-type poly-Si gated MOSFETs are comparable. These results indicate that electron trapping, instead of oxide trap generation, becomes a major concern when the oxide thickness is scaled down, and p-type poly-Si gate can be used in scaled CMOS technologies without degrading the hot-carrier induced oxide instability. >
Plasma Factors: The Hageman-Factor-Dependent Pathways and the Complement Sequence

The Hageman-factor-dependent pathways of coagulation, kinin generation, and fibrinolysis, and the complement sequence have been considerably clarified with regard to physicochemical characterization, mechanisms of activation, the nature of the interactions of the components, the generation of several biological functions during complete activation of the systems, and the modulation of activation and function by amplification or depression. The most complete examination of these systems is afforded by studies with human components, to which this chapter will be confined unless otherwise noted.
Skiallagma baueri Förster 1906, a geographically misplaced damselfly, is a junior synonym of Xiphiagrion cyanomelas Selys 1876 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Based on comparison of specimens and descriptions, Skiallagma baueri Forster, 1906, described from Sao Paulo State, Brazil and known only from its type series, is found to be a junior synonym of Xiphiagrion cyanomelas Selys, 1876, a species from the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Final Reflection: Common Ground, not so Common Ground

As a collective voice, all fourteen scholars strongly believe that in this twenty-first century, John Dewey not only is relevant but also contributes a vital and vibrant educational philosophy that resonates as a sound critical and reflective thinking path to address the issues confronting a rapidly changing and global society.
Mathematical Optimization Techniques for Mass Integration

Chapter 18 presents mathematical optimization techniques for mass integration including mass-exchange interception and rerouting of targeted species throughout the process. The emphasis in this chapter is on targeting pollution at the heart of the plant rather than dealing with pollutants in terminal waste streams. The chapter also provides a mathematical framework for tackling pollution as a multimedia (multiphase) problem.
Vaccines in the Immunocompromised Hosts

Vaccination remains the single most effective means available to prevent infectious diseases and mitigate their impact on the health of individuals. However, conditions that result in impairment of adaptive immunity both increase the risk and severity of these infections, as well as decreasing the efficacy of immunizations, posing unique challenges to medical care of these vulnerable patients. In addition, the complex relationships between the immunity of the subject and the mechanisms by which vaccines stimulate the immune system raise safety concerns as well, particularly related to the safety of live vaccines in this population, and the possibility that non-specific stimulation of the immune system could precipitate transplant rejection or increasing autoimmunity.
Adjuvant Therapy: The Breakthrough

The finding that long-term tamoxifen therapy of rats previously treated with a chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) had a suppression of mammary tumorigenesis as long as treatment was continued, created a new strategy to save lives. These pivotal laboratory studies changed clinical practice. The initiation of numerous international randomized clinical trials of extended adjuvant tamoxifen therapy for patients with ER-positive tumors demonstrated longer was better to save lives. Recurrences were controlled by tamoxifen and mortality decreased by at least 30 %. Current indications are that 10 years of adjuvant tamoxifen is superior to 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen.
A Brief Survey on

This paper surveys the study of diagonals of operators, particularly strictly positive compact operators, in various kinds of orbits like unitary orbits, and its interplay with the development of infinite majorization theory, stochastic matrices and arithmetic mean ideals of operators. It includes a description of the author’s main results joint with V. Kaftal in [13] and [14] and a brief description of the history including contributions from Hardy–Littlewood–Polya, Schur and Horn, Gohberg and Markus, A. Neumann, Antezana–Massey–Ruiz–Stojanoff, and Arveson and Kadison. For a more extensive list of historical and related references, see [13] and [14]. This survey on B(H)-subideals [22], which paper is joint with S. Patnaik, is a brief description of the 1983 Fong–Radjavi characterization of those principal ideals in K(H) that are also B(H) ideals and our recent generalization of this to arbitrary B(H)-ideals along with characterization of their structure. Central to this is a notion of soft ideals.
Computational EEG Analysis for Brain-Computer Interfaces

EEG activity can be actively or passively modulated in a way to provide commands to external devices. The feedback provided by interacting with the EEG-controlled device creates a closed-loop system with the user in the loop. Such a system is known as a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). The selection of an analysis approach for BCIs should be guided by the nature of the signals in consideration. This chapter presents the most fundamental and widely-used EEG analysis techniques organized by the type of control signal.
Dissolved organic carbon compounds in deep-sea hydrothermal vent fluids from the East Pacific Rise at 9°50′N

Abstract Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are unique ecosystems that may release chemically distinct dissolved organic matter to the deep ocean. Here, we describe the composition and concentrations of polar dissolved organic compounds observed in low and high temperature hydrothermal vent fluids at 9°50′N on the East Pacific Rise. The concentration of dissolved organic carbon was 46 µM in the low temperature hydrothermal fluids and 14 µM in the high temperature hydrothermal fluids. In the low temperature vent fluids, quantifiable dissolved organic compounds were dominated by water-soluble vitamins and amino acids. Derivatives of benzoic acid and the organic sulfur compound 2,3-dihydroxypropane-1-sulfonate (DHPS) were also present in low and high temperature hydrothermal fluids. The low temperature vent fluids contain organic compounds that are central to biological processes, suggesting that they are a by-product of biological activity in the subseafloor. These compounds may fuel heterotrophic and other metabolic processes at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and beyond.
Dimensions of Sexuality Among Young Women, With and Without Autism, With Predominantly Sexual Minority Identities

Self-reported sexuality research among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is small but growing. The current study contributes to this field by focusing on the experiences of 18–30 year-old women, with ASD (n = 248) and without (n = 179), predominantly with sexual minority (i.e., non-heterosexual) identities. Multiple aspects of healthy human sexuality, including sexual desire, sexual behavior, sexual satisfaction, and sexual awareness, were explored. In this study, participants with ASD reported less sexual desire, fewer sexual behaviors, and less sexual awareness than those without ASD; however, the two groups reported comparable rates of sexual satisfaction. Next, relations across sexuality-related variables within each group were explored using partial correlational analyses. In both samples, sexual desire, sexual behavior, and sexual awareness were positively correlated, but sexual satisfaction functioned somewhat differently, correlating negatively and weakly with sexual desire and monitoring in both samples. These findings, alongside future research directions and clinical implications, are discussed in relation to the limited previous research on sexuality among women and young adults with ASD.
Teachers’ Beliefs About Rigor of Curriculum for English Language Learners

Survey research tested the hypothesis that teachers support less rigorous curriculum for English language learners (ELLs) than for general-education (GE) students. Participating teachers worked in ...
UNIFIED REPRESENTATION OF BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL, AND ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT Research on a unified theory for modeling biological, physicochemical, and ecological systems is discussed. Unity exists in common categories of processes and their attributes and common features of system structure. Currently, the theory addresses populational and physiological aspects of biosystems and ecosystems. The unified theory of physical systems was the starting point for the research. This conceptual frame was applied to chemical systems and to populations of biological organisms. Initial applications include plant physiology and insect population dynamics.
Why was Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales (YPF), Argentina’s National Oil Company, privatized?

Abstract Argentina implemented an extensive neo-liberal program beginning with the Presidency of Carlos Saul Menem in 1989. As part of the neo-liberal program Argentina decided to downsize the state by selling many state-owned companies. As a result, from 1990 to 1998 Argentina was able to obtain 19.3 billion dollars through its privatization program. Argentina also decided to privatize its oil company Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales (YPF). Established in 1922 YPF was the oldest nationalized oil company outside the Soviet Union, and historically considered a national patrimony and off-limits to outsiders, yet it was privatized in July1993 when its shares were sold in the Buenos Aires and New York stock market. Why Argentina decided to sell its state-owned oil company, YPF? In this article I argue that, 1) lack of dependence on oil revenues; 2) the insignificant role of economic nationalism; 3) weak labor union strength in the oil sector; and 4) international institutions such as the World Bank, help us understand why YPF was privatized in the early 1990s.
Active control of supersonic transport aeroelastic oscillations using high-fidelity equations

Abstract A higher order computational procedure to alleviate aeroelastic oscillations by using active control surfaces is addressed. Flow is modeled using the high-fidelity Navier–Stokes (NS) equations, compared to the current use of the low-fidelity linear theory to design active controls. An active control module is embedded into a general-purpose NS flow solver developed for full aircraft configurations. The structure is modeled using the modal equations of motion, and existing active control equations based on the energy approach are utilized. Previously established transonic small perturbation theory and wind tunnel experiments are considered for validating. The use of active controls for next generation supersonic transport aircraft is demonstrated.
Resolution of a Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery: A Cooperative Approach

This document deals with a variant of the famous NP-hard vehicle routing problem called the Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery VRPSPD. In VRPSPD, the customer makes simultaneous demand of pickup and delivery. The delivery is made from a single depot, while the collection is done throughout the trip. Vehicles providing the service have limited capacities. In each route, the charge of a vehicle must not exceed its capacity at any time. The authors will present the work that has led to the development of a technique for solving VRPSPD. This technique is based on a cooperative approach reaping the benefits of three metaheuristics to reach a solution to the problem of advantageous quality.
Hybrid Deep Pairwise Classification for Author Name Disambiguation

Author name disambiguation (AND) can be defined as the problem of clustering together unique authors from all author mentions that have been extracted from publication or related records in digital libraries or other sources. Pairwise classification is an essential part of AND, and is used to estimate the probability that any pair of author mentions belong to the same author. Previous studies trained classifiers with features manually extracted from each attribute of the data. Recently, others trained a model to learn a vector representation from text without considering any structure information. Both of these approaches have advantages. The former method takes advantage of the structure of data, while the latter takes into account the textual similarity across attributes. Here, we introduce a hybrid method which takes advantage of both approaches by extracting both structure-aware features and global features. In addition, we introduce a novel way to train a global model utilizing a large number of negative samples. Results on AMiner and PubMed data shows the relative improvement of the mean average precision (MAP) by more than 7.45% when compared to previous state-of-the-art methods.
The Current Status of the Production and Supply of Gallium-68

Gallium-68 (68Ga) is an important radionuclide due to its successful use in the clinic. Currently, 68Ga is produced and supplied by using germanium-68/Gallium-68 (68Ge/68Ga) generator systems in th...
Characterizing profiles of polysubstance use among high school students in Baltimore, Maryland: A latent class analysis.

Abstract Background Adolescent drug use has long term health consequences, like substance use disorders and psychiatric illnesses. Proximal health risks, especially for overdose, are amplified when multiple substances are combined. Existing literature on polysubstance use among adolescents has largely focused on alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, but has largely excluded other drugs like opioids. Understanding how adolescents combine illicit drugs is essential for intervening to prevent poor health outcomes. Methods We aimed to explore patterns of lifetime polysubstance use among adolescents in Baltimore City. We used data on 9th-12th graders recruited to participate in the 2017 local Baltimore Youth Risk Behavior Survey who reported any lifetime drug use (n = 387; 60 % female, 77 % non-Hispanic Black). We then conducted a latent class analysis using 10 indicators of lifetime drug and alcohol use. After selecting the class model, we tested for associations between the class profiles and race, sex, school grade, and lifetime injection drug use. Results We identified three profiles of lifetime polysubstance use in our sample: alcohol and marijuana (68.6 % of sample), polysubstance (22.0 %), and alcohol/pain medication/inhalant use (9.4 %). Members of the polysubstance use class were more likely to be male and to report injection drug use. Conclusions Understanding broader patterns of drug use beyond alcohol, tobacco and marijuana among adolescents is a crucial step towards preventing adverse drug and health-related outcomes later in life. More research is needed to characterize the full health impact of youth polysubstance use patterns and related risk behaviors like injection drug use.
Abstract PHA03: Coordinate translational control of KRAS signaling pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

G-quadruplex (GQ) elements are conserved translational control elements that induce a requirement for RNA helicase activity for efficient mRNA translation. Computational structure analyses identify GQ elements in the 5´UTRs of mRNAs encoding KRAS and key downstream signaling molecules. KRAS is a key oncogene in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and many other cancers, and except for the specific G12C KRAS mutation we do not have pharmacologic inhibitors. We find that KRAS and downstream signaling molecules, including PI3K, RALA, RAC2, MYC, MET, and YAP1, strictly depend on the RNA helicase eIF4A for their translation. This implies a potential utility for eIF4A/DDX2 inhibitors such as the silvestrol analogue CR31B. Indeed, CR31B shows nanomolar cell kill in vitro and in vivo efficacy across xenograft, primary PDX, and murine PDAC models. Together, our study reveals a signature of coordinate and eIF4A/DDX2 dependent oncogene translation in PDAC that is potentially accessible to therapeutic attack. This abstract is also being presented as Poster A18. Citation Format: Kamini Singh, Hans-Guido Wendel. Coordinate translational control of KRAS signaling pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Evolving Landscape of Cancer Modeling; 2020 Mar 2-5; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PHA03.
COVID-19: gynecologic cancer surgery at a single center in Madrid.

Objectives While numerous medical facilities have been forced to suspend oncological surgery due to system overload, debate has emerged on using non-surgical options on cancer cases during the pandemic. The goal of our study was to analyze, in a retrospective cohort study, the results of gynecological cancer surgery and evaluate postoperative complications in a single center in one of the most affected areas in Europe. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients who were referred between March 2020 and May 2020 for primary surgical treatment of breast, endometrial, ovarian, cervical, or vulvar cancer. Results The study included a total of 126 patients. Median age was 60 years (range 29–89). Patients were referred with breast (76/126, 60.3%), endometrial (29/126, 23%), ovarian (14/126, 11.1%), cervical (5/126, 4%), or vulvar cancer (2/126, 1.6%). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) was only conducted in 50% of cases due to the low availability of tests during the first phase of our study, and was indicated only in suspected cases according to the healthcare authorities9 protocol. Median hospital stay was 1 day (range 0–18). Excluding breast surgery, laparoscopy was the most used procedure (43/126, 34.1%). 15 patients had a postoperative complication (15/126, 11.9%); only in 2 patients (2/15 13.3%) were there reports of Clavien–Dindo grade 3 or 4 complications. 6 patients tested positive for COVID-19 following a PCR diagnostic test, and these surgeries were cancelled. Conclusions Adequate protective measures in the setting of COVID-19 free institutions enabled the continuity of cancer surgery without significant compromise of the safety of patients or healthcare workers.
சிலப்பதிகாரபுத்தாக்கவடிவங்களும்அவற்றின்புனைவுகளும் (Inventions of Silappathikaram and their Legends)

The Silappathikaram was revived since Vijaya Nagara Nayakkar period contemporary situations. Particularly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka the story of the Kannaki has been revived according to its local environment and culture. During the Vijaya Nagara Nayakkar period in Tamil Nadu the story of the Silappathikaram become a ballad called ‘Kovalan Kathai’. Later, a number of ballads such as Kovalan Karnaki Kathai, Kovilan Sariththiram, Karnaki Mathanalki Kovilar Kathai emerged in Tamil Nadu. All these ballads created Kannaki the goddess of Saivism. In the Kovilan story, Kannaki is structured as a form of goddess Thurkka and as a goddess Kali to avenge the King Pandian. In addition, these stories have been created as a collection of region cases and traditions of the Peoples of the land in which the originated. These revivals have been made of mythical legends. In the Kannaki Vazhakurai which originated in Sri Lanka, The story has been fabricated the sprite called Namankalai comes in the form of a mango and She births as a goddess Kannaki. Its alternate forms, the Kovalanar Kathai and Silampukural are presented that goddess Kali comes in the form of mankani (mango) and she births as a goddess Kannaki. These Sri Lankan Texts were created for the sake of Kannaki ritual. The Kappal vaiththa (Shipping) Kathai and Kadaloddu (diving) Kathai of Kannaki Vazhakurai tells about the myth of Sri Lanka. Kadaloddu Kathai tells about the story of a Vediyarasan. This story reveals eminence of the history of a community (particularly caste) of Tamils in Sri Lanka. சிலபபதிகாரம விசயநகர நாயககர காலம முதல சமகாலச சூழலகளுககு ஏறப மளுருவாககம செயயபபடடது. குறிபபாக தமிழகம, கேரளம, இலஙகை ஆகிய நாடுகளில அவவப பிரதேச சூழலுககும பணபாடடிறகும ஏறப கணணகி கதை மளுருவம பெறறது. தமிழகததில விசயநகர நாயககர காலபகுதியில சிலபபதிகாரக கதை 'கோவிலன கதை' எனற கதைபபாடலாக உருவானது. பினனர 'கோவலன கரணகை கதை', 'கோவிலன சரிததிரம', 'கரணகி மாதநலகி கோவிலர கதை' எனப பல கதைபபாடலகள தமிழகததிலே உருவாயின.இநதக கதைபபாடலகள எலலாம கணணகியைச சைவ மதமசார தெயவமாகக கடடமைததன. கோவிலன கதையில கணணகி துரககையின வடிவமாகவும பாணடியனைப பழிவாஙக வநத காளியாகவும கடடமைககபபடுகினறாள. அததோடு இநதக கதைகள அவை உருவான நிலபபரபபு சாரநத மககளின வடடார வழககுகள, மரபுகளை உடகொணட படைபபுகளாகவும உருவாககபபடடன. இநத மளுருவாககஙகள ஐதகப புனைவுகள மூலம செயயபபடடுளளன.ஈழததிலே தோனறிய கணணகி வழககுரையில நாமஙகலை எனற அணஙகு மாஙகனி வடிவில வநது கணணகி அமமனாக அவதரிபபதாகப புனையபபடடுளளது. அதன மாறறு வடிவஙகளாக அமையும 'கோவலனார கதை' 'சிலமபுகூறல' எனபன காளி மாஙகனி வடிவில வநது கணணகியாக அவதரிபபதாகக காடடுகினறன. இநத ஈழததுப பிரதிகள கணணகி சடஙகின நிமிரததம உருவானவை.கணணகி வழககுரையின கபபல வைதத காதை, கடலோடடு காதை ஆகியன இலஙகைநிலைபபடட ஐதகஙகளை எடுததுக கூறுகினறன. கடலோடடு காதை வெடியரசன பறறிய கதையைக கூறுகினறது. இககதை இலஙகைத தமிழரிடையே காணபபடும ஒரு சமுதாயப பிரிவினரின வரலாறறுச சிறபபைக காடடுவதாகும.ஆகவே, சிலபபதிகாரப புததாகக வடிவஙகள பிரதேச நிலைபபடட சைவமத பகதியிலககியஙகளாகப படைககபபடடுளளன.
Why are rare variants hard to impute? Coalescent models reveal theoretical limits in existing algorithms.

Abstract Genotype imputation is an indispensable step in human genetic studies. Large reference panels with deeply sequenced genomes now allow interrogating variants with minor allele frequency
Extracellular microvesicles/exosomes: discovery, disbelief, acceptance, and the future?

There are concepts in science that need time to overcome initial disbelief before finally arriving at the moment when they are embraced by the research community. One of these concepts is the biological meaning of the small, spheroidal vesicles released from cells, which are described in the literature as microparticles, microvesicles, or exosomes. In the beginning, this research was difficult, as it was hard to distinguish these small vesicles from cell debris or apoptotic bodies. However, they may represent the first language of cell–cell communication, which existed before a more specific intercellular cross-talk between ligands and receptors emerged during evolution. In this review article, we will use the term “extracellular microvesicles” (ExMVs) to refer to these small spheroidal blebs of different sizes surrounded by a lipid layer of membrane. We have accepted an invitation from the Editor-in-Chief to write this review in observance of the 20th anniversary of the 2001 ASH Meeting when our team demonstrated that, by horizontal transfer of several bioactive molecules, including mRNA species and proteins, ExMVs harvested from embryonic stem cells could modify hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and expand them ex vivo. Interestingly, the result that moved ExMV research forward was published first in 2005 in Leukemia, having been previously rejected by other major scientific journals out of simple disbelief. Therefore, the best judge of a new concept is the passage of time, although the speed of its adoption is aided by perseverance and confidence in one’s own data. In this perspective article, we will provide a brief update on the current status of, hopes for, and likely future of ExMV research as well as therapeutic and diagnostic applications, with a special emphasis on hematopoiesis.
The Law of Intended Consequences: Did the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act Make It Easier for Cancer Survivors to Prove Disability Status?

When Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), cancer survivors had reason to believe that the Act prohibited cancer-based employment discrimination. Federal courts, however, failed to apply the ADA to cancer-based discrimination consistently and denied standing to many plaintiffs. Although some courts recognized that cancer was a disability covered by the ADA, other courts precluded relief for cancer survivors by holding that they did not have a disability as defined by the ADA. In response, Congress attempted to expand employees’ access to courts with the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA). The first part of this article reviews cases filed under Title I of the ADA by employees who claimed they were discriminated against, in part, because of their cancer history. The discussion focuses on cases in which courts considered whether a cancer survivor was a “qualified individual with a disability” under Title I at the summary judgment stage. The second half of the article compares these results to plaintiffs’ outcomes after the passage of the ADAAA. It concludes that the ADAAA has fulfilled its legislative goal in that it has significantly improved the ability of cancer survivors to prove disability status under the ADA. The article concludes by providing suggestions for plaintiffs’ attorneys to preserve Title I claims.
Factors affecting the placement of agricultural best management practices in the agricultural conservation planning framework (ACPF) toolbox in the mid-Atlantic region

There has been a recent push to conduct spatially explicit landscape planning at finer hydrologic unit scales to mitigate diffuse pollution. The Agricultural Conservation and Planning Framework (ACPF) helps identify potential locations for agricultural conservation practices by using high-resolution soils and elevation data. This spatially explicit approach attempts to identify runoff and nutrient pathways, but output may be influenced by user-specified parameters and the properties of the digital elevation model (DEM) being used. Here we assess differences in the density and location of conservation practices sited by the ACPF toolbox across three DEM resolutions in three agricultural catchments, each in distinct physiographies (Ridge and Valley, Piedmont, Coastal Plain) of the United States mid-Atlantic region. Output frequency did not vary much for contour buffer strips or water and sediment control basins (WASCOBs) across DEM resolution, particularly compared with landscape type. The DEM resolution was crucial for the density of grassed waterways but of little consequence for contour buffer strips. Placement density of WASCOBs and contour buffer strips varied by region. Grassed waterways are sited based on either discrete values or statistical distributions of stream power index (SPI). A higher density of grassed waterways was placed in lower relief landscapes when a single standard deviation threshold was applied. Using discrete SPI values for the grassed waterway tool generated more consistent output across watersheds than output based on statistical distributions. These and other reported findings can help guide user decisions in future applications of the ACPF toolbox, particularly across different areas of study.
Scale and Performance in a Filesystem Semi-Microkernel

We present uFS, a user-level filesystem semi-microkernel. uFS takes advantage of a high-performance storage development kit to realize a fully-functional, crash-consistent, highly-scalable filesystem, with relative developer ease. uFS delivers scalable high performance with a number of novel techniques: careful partitioning of in-memory and on-disk data structures to enable concurrent access without locking, inode migration for balancing load across filesystem threads, and a dynamic scaling algorithm for determining the number of filesystem threads to serve the current workload. Through measurements, we show that uFS has good base performance and excellent scalability; for example, uFS delivers nearly twice the throughput of ext4 for LevelDB on YCSB workloads.
Computing an Optimal Pitching Strategy in a Baseball At-Bat.

The field of quantitative analytics has transformed the world of sports over the last decade. To date, these analytic approaches are statistical at their core, characterizing what is and what was, while using this information to drive decisions about what to do in the future. However, as we often view team sports, such as soccer, hockey, and baseball, as pairwise win-lose encounters, it seems natural to model these as zero-sum games. We propose such a model for one important class of sports encounters: a baseball at-bat, which is a matchup between a pitcher and a batter. Specifically, we propose a novel model of this encounter as a zero-sum stochastic game, in which the goal of the batter is to get on base, an outcome the pitcher aims to prevent. The value of this game is the on-base percentage (i.e., the probability that the batter gets on base). In principle, this stochastic game can be solved using classical approaches. The main technical challenges lie in predicting the distribution of pitch locations as a function of pitcher intention, predicting the distribution of outcomes if the batter decides to swing at a pitch, and characterizing the level of patience of a particular batter. We address these challenges by proposing novel pitcher and batter representations as well as a novel deep neural network architecture for outcome prediction. Our experiments using Kaggle data from the 2015 to 2018 Major League Baseball seasons demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Heterochromatin: Dark Matter or Variation on a Theme?

Heterochromatin contributes to the dynamic range of eukaryotic gene expression. In yeast, its ability to suppress transcription is inversely proportional to activator strength. A recent study reveals that Sir silencing proteins enhance the avidity with which nucleosomes assemble, endowing heterochromatin with both repressive and dynamic characteristics.
Martingale methods in stochastic control

Abstract : The martingale treatment of stochastic control problems is based on the idea that the correct formulation of Bellman's principle of optimality for stochastic minimization problems is in terms of a submartingale inequality: the value function of dynamic programming is always a submartingale and is a martingale under a particular control strategy if and only if that strategy is optimal. Local conditions for optimality in the form of a minimum principle can be obtained by applying Meyer's submartingale decomposition along with martingale representation theorems; conditions for existence of an optimal strategy can also be stated. This paper gives an introduction to these methods and a survey of the results that have been obtained so far, as well as an indication of some shortcomings in the theory and open problems. The martingale approach to some related problems - optimal stopping, impulse control and stochastic differential games - will also be outlined.
Next Generation SONET/SDH

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction The Next Generation SONET/SDH Contiguous Concatenation Virtual Concatenation LCAS Concatenation Efficiency Data over Next Generation SONET/SDH This chapter contains sections titled: References ]]>
Photonic bandgap microcavity devices

Modern semiconductor microfabrication techniques can be used to define the high quality optical components needed in nanophotonic integrated circuits. Here we show our work on design, fabrication and characterization of ultrasmall lasers, filters, modulators and waveguides in photonic crystals.
Thermodynamic properties of CF3CHFCHF2, 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane

We report the thermodynamic properties of 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane (known in the refrigeration industry as R236ea or HFC-236ea) in the temperature and pressure region commonly encountered in thermal machinery. The properties are based on measurements of the vapor pressure, the density of the compressed liquid (PVT), the refractive index of the saturated liquid and vapor, the critical temperature, and the speed of sound in the vapor phase. The surface tension was determined from the capillary rise. From these data we deduce the ideal-gas heat-capacity, the saturated liquid and vapor densities, the equation of state of the vapor phase, the surface tension, and estimates of the critical pressure and density. The data determine the coefficients for a Carnahan-Starlings-DeSantis (CSD) equation of state. The CSD coefficients found in REFPROP 4.0 database are based on these present measurements.
Studies of highly charged ions with EBIT and super-EBIT

Abstract The LLNL electron beam ion traps provide cold highly charged ions up to bare U. These machines have provided a wealth of atomic physics data using a compact, relatively inexpensive, device. The physics program has studied electron-ion collisions, QED, ion-surface interactions, and plasmas physics among many other topics. The prospects for the study of the highest charge states in the highest Z ions led to the beam energy upgrade of the first EBIT into Super-EBIT. The desire to use ions as a research probe in themselves led to an ion extraction program on EBIT-2. Finally, a Penning trap (referred to as the RETRAP) has been constructed to catch extracted ions where they can be further cooled and studied. The results of several experiments at the LLNL EBIT facility are herein described. The discussion serves to elucidate the program's capabilities.
Opiate-like effects of norlaudanosolinecarboxylic acids on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

Abstract Norlaudanosolinecarboxylic acid (NLCA), a condensation product of dopamine and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, has been found to exhibit opiate-like effects both in vitro and in vivo . The ability of NLCA to displace [ 3 H] naloxone was measured in the presence and absence of 100 mM NaCI (IC 50 values = 2 × 10 −5 M and 7.8 × 10 −7 M respectively). This large “Na + shift” suggested that NLCA was a relatively pure opiate agonist. Two analogs of NLCA, 3'- O -methyl NLCA (MNLCA) and 3', 4'-deoxy-NLCA (DNLCA), that have been shown to accumulate during L -dopa chemotherapy of Parkinsonism and phenylketonuria, respectively, also behaved as opiate agonists, but the concentrations required were higher than for NLCA. In addition, NLCA, like many opiates, decreased serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels by approximately 50 per cent in both castrated and normal rats, 1–2 hr after its subcutaneous administration. Similarly, in normal males, serum testosterone levels were markedly depressed (60 per cent) after treatment with NLCA. The NLCA-induced depression in serum LH was naloxone reversible.
Effects of ambient ozone exposures during the spring and summer of 1994 on pulmonary function of schoolchildren

To investigate the effect of natural exposure to ambient ozone over time, a follow-up study of school-aged children was performed in two small towns in southwestern Germany (Freudenstadt and Villingen) between March and October of 1994. Ozone half-hour mean concentrations were measured continuously and pulmonary function was tested in each child on four occasions (April, June, August, and September). To obtain an average short-term ozone effect, we first analyzed the data from the four time points separately and then constructed a model that included all information. During the study period the median (5th to 95th percentile) of all half-hour values of the ozone concentration was 101 micrograms/m3 or 50.6 ppb (45-179 micrograms/m3 or 22.5-89.8 ppb) in Freudenstadt and 64 micrograms/m3 or 32.1 ppb (1 to 140 micrograms/m3 or 0.5-70.1 ppb) in Villingen. To assess the effects of an individual ozone exposure we related the highest ozone concentration in the respective 24 hours before lung function testing to the results of the subconcentration in the respective 24 hours before lung function testing to the results of the subsequent pulmonary function tests. In the lung function test following the highest ozone exposure, the results of our cross-sectional linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation (P = 0.0181) between ozone exposure and forced vital capacity (FVC). In the longitudinal linear regression model we observed a negative statistical correlation between ozone exposure and lung function for the subpopulation living in the town with the high ozone levels (Freudenstadt). The association was more pronounced in boys than girls. For the children in Freudenstadt the decrement of FVC was -12.31 ml/10 micrograms/m3 ozone and the decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was -11.29 ml/10 micrograms/m3 ozone.
Characteristics and course of panic disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia in primary care patients.

Objective: To examine the course of panic disorder (PD) and panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) in 235 primary care patients during a 3-year period. Method: Patients were recruited from primary care waiting rooms and diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. They were reassessed at 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter for diagnosis, treatment, and other clinical and demographic variables. Recruitment occurred between July 1997 and May 2001. Results: At intake, 85 patients were diagnosed with PD and 150 were diagnosed with PDA. Patients with PD were significantly more likely to achieve recovery (probability estimate, 0.75) from their disorder than patients with PDA (0.22) at the end of 3-year follow-up (p < .0001). There was no difference in recurrence rates between the 2 disorders. Women were more likely to recover from PD (p = .001). At intake, comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (p = .004), higher Global Assessment of Functioning score (p = .0003), and older age at panic onset (p = .05) were related to recovery from PDA, and comorbid major depressive disorder (p = .05) and psychosocial treatment (p = .002) predicted remaining in an episode of PDA. The relationship between psychosocial treatment and poor recovery must be interpreted with caution and is most likely due to the treatment bias effect. Conclusion: Primary care patients with PDA have a chronic course of illness, whereas those with PD have a more relapsing course. Given the significant burden of PD and PDA in primary care, attention to factors relevant to the course of these disorders is important for recognition and for continued improvement of treatment interventions in this setting.
Autoreactive CD8+ T-cell responses to human myelin protein-derived peptides

Abstract Identification of the targets of autoreactive T cells is important for understanding the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases. In multiple sclerosis, myelin proteins are thought to be the targets of autoreactive T-cell responses. To date only major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted CD4+ T-cell responses to myelin proteins have been investigated. In the present study, the ability of self peptides derived from human myelin proteins to induce autoreactive CD8+ T-cell responses has been assessed. Peptide sequences from human myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein have been identified that bind to and form stable complexes with HLA-A2. MBP 110-118, PLP 80-88, MAG 287-295, MAG 509-517, and MAG 556-564 were all able to induce peptide-specific HLA-A2-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in vitro in HLA-A2+ individuals. CTLs specific for MBP 110-118 and MAG 556-564 could recognize endogenously processed antigens presented by HLA-A2. CTL clones reactive to MBP 110-118 and MAG 556-564 produced tumor necrosis factor alpha and a subset of these clones also produced interferon gamma. These results demonstrate that (i) self peptides derived from human myelin proteins can induce autoreactive CD8+ CTLs and (ii) these CD8+ T cells produce cytokines thought to be important in mediating demyelinating disease. These studies provide an experimental approach for the assessment of CD8+ T-cell responses in such autoimmune diseases.
Large-area beryllium metal foils

To manufacture beryllium filters having diameters up to 82 mm and thicknesses in the range 0.1–1 μm, it was necessary to construct apparatus in which the metal could safely be evaporated, and then to find an acceptable substrate and evaporation procedure. The metal was evaporated resistively from a tantalum dimple boat mounted in a baffled enclosure that could be placed in a conventional vacuum bell jar, obviating the need for a dedicated complete vacuum system. Substrates were 102 mm × 127 mm × 0.05 mm cleaved mica sheets, coated with 0.1 μm of NaCl, then with approximately 50 μg/cm2 of cellulose nitrate. These were mounted on poly(methyl methacrylate) sheets 3 mm thick that were in turn clamped to a massive aluminum block for thermal stability. Details of the processes for evaporation, float off, and mounting are given, and the resulting foils described.
The relationship between cultural values and moral philosophy: a generational subculture theory approach

Scholarly interest in culturally-driven determinants of ethical behavior has grown substantially in recent years. This phenomenon is due to increasing pressure placed on top management teams of multinational firms to ensure high moral standards. One theory that has been overlooked in culture-based business ethics research is generational subculture theory. This theory will be explored in the current paper with respect to its relationship to moral philosophy. A theoretical model and conceptual matrix are developed and research propositions proposed. The resulting framework will aid future researchers of cross-cultural ethics due to the incorporation of generational subculture as a variable of analysis.