cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Desynchronization: The Theory of Self-Organizing Algorithms for Round-Robin Scheduling

The study of synchronization has received much attention in a variety of applications, ranging from coordinating sensors in wireless networks to models of fireflies flashing in unison in biology. The inverse problem of desynchronization, however, has received little notice. Desynchronization is a powerful primitive: given a set of identical oscillators, applying a desynchronization primitive spreads them throughout the period, resulting in a round-robin schedule. This can be useful in several applications: medium access control in wireless sensor networks, designing fast analog- to-digital converters, and achieving high-throughput traffic intersections. Here we present two biologically-inspired algorithms for achieving desynchronization: DESYNC and INVERSE-MS. Both algorithms are simple and decentralized and are able to self-adjust to the addition and removal of agents. Furthermore, neither requires a global clock or explicit fault detection. We prove convergence, compute bounds for the running time, and assess the various tradeoffs. To our knowledge, the theory of self-organizing desynchronization algorithms is presented here for the first time.
Ames/Salmonella Assay: A Bacterial Test for Mutagens

The Ames/Salmonella mutation assay is the most widely used test to determine whether chemicals can cause genetic changes (mutations) potentially leading to cancer. Chemicals related to industry, farming, foods, drugs and the environment have been discovered to be mutagens with this simple assay. Keywords: mutagen; carcinogen; ames/salmonella; metabolism; environmental chemical
Three Poems after Matthew of Vendôme

Most of our knowledge about the life of Matthew of Vendome derives from autobiographical passages in his writings. The date of his birth is uncertain, but it is known that after the death of his father he went to Tours, some twenty-five miles from his birthplace, where he was raised by his uncle and studied composition under Bernardus Silvestris.1 Matthew continued his studies at Orleans during the residence of Hugh Primas in that city, and eventually achieved a position of some prominence as a teacher of grammar in the cathedral school. It was toward the close of his stay here that, sometime before 1175, he composed the Ars versificatoria as a textbook for beginning students.2 But Matthew's peace at Orleans had been shattered by the arrival of Arnulf of Saint-Euverte, best known as a scholiast on Lucan and Ovid, with whom he entered into a bitter rivalry; the Ars is filled with invective against Arnulf under the nicknames Rufus and Rufinus.3 Around 1175, Matthew left Orleans and proceeded to Paris, where he seems to have resumed his studies. He remained there for ten years, and in the course of this decade wrote the Epistolarium, a collection of letters in verse.4 He then
Vitamin D Deficiency

Once foods in the United States were fortified with vitamin D, rickets appeared to have been conquered, and many considered major health problems from vitamin D deficiency resolved. But vitamin D deficiency is common. This review considers the role of vitamin D in skeletal and nonskeletal health and suggests strategies for the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency.
The 1 GSPS digitizer in the HP 54111D oscilloscope

The author reviews the HP 54111D oscilloscope and describes the digitizers, which sample at up to 1 GSPS (gigasample per second) with 6 bits of resolution and greater than 1-GHz bandwidth. Four interleaved silicon bipolar 6-bit ADCs (analog/digital converters) form the heart of the acquisition system. A GaAs track-and-hold IC uses a dual rank sampling architecture as it fans out the signal to the ADCs. A GaAs clock-control IC accepts the sample clock from the timebase and generates the required track-and-hold clocks and ADC clocks for the system. Four silicon NMOS ICs each accept digital data at 250 MSPS (million samples per second) and provide a total memory depth of 8 K samples. >
In situ methods for assessing alveolar mechanics

Lung mechanics are an important determinant of physiological and pathophysiological lung function. Recent light microscopy studies of the intact lung have furthered the understanding of lung mechanics but used methodologies that may have introduced artifacts. To address this concern, we employed a short working distance water immersion objective to capture confocal images of a fluorescently labeled alveolar field on the costal surface of the isolated, perfused rat lung. Surface tension held a saline drop between the objective tip and the lung surface, such that the lung surface was unconstrained. For comparison, we also imaged with O-ring and coverslip; with O-ring, coverslip, and vacuum pressure; and without perfusion. Under each condition, we ventilated the lung and imaged the same region at the endpoints of ventilation. We found use of a coverslip caused a minimal enlargement of the alveolar field; additional use of vacuum pressure caused no further dimensional change; and absence of perfusion did not affect alveolar field dimension. Inflation-induced expansion was unaltered by methodology. In response to inflation, percent expansion was the same as recorded by all four alternative methods.
Characterization of active site variants of xanthine hydroxylase from Aspergillus nidulans.

Abstract Xanthine/α-ketoglutarate (αKG) dioxygenase (XanA) is a non-heme mononuclear Fe II enzyme that decarboxylates αKG to succinate and CO 2 while hydroxylating xanthine to generate uric acid. In the absence of a XanA crystal structure, a homology model was used to target several putative active site residues for mutagenesis. Wild-type XanA and ten enzyme variants were purified from recombinant Escherichia coli cells and characterized. The H149A and D151A variants were inactive and the H340A variant exhibited only 0.17% of the wild-type enzyme activity, consistent with the proposed role of His149, Asp151, and His340 as Fe ligands. The K122A variant led to a 2-fold increase in the K d of αKG as measured by fluorescence quenching analysis, in agreement with Lys122 acting to stabilize the binding of αKG. The N358A variant exhibited a 23-fold decrease in k cat / K m compared to wild-type XanA, pointing to a key role of Asn358 in catalysis. 9-Methylxanthine was exploited as an alternate substrate, and the C357A, E137A, and D138A variants were found to exhibit relatively enhanced activity consistent with Cys357, Glu137, and Asp138 being proximal to N-9 or involved in its proper positioning. 6,8-Dihydroxypurine was identified as a slow-binding competitive inhibitor of XanA, and significant decreases (E137A and D138A) or increases (Q356A and N358A) in K i app of the variants were interpreted in terms of distinct interactions between this compound and the corresponding active site side chains. Further support for Cys357 residing at the active site was obtained using thiol-specific reagents that inactivated wild-type enzyme (with partial protection by substrate), whereas the C357A variant was resistant to these reagents. The Q101A, Q356A, and C357A variants showed elevated ferroxidase activity in the absence of substrates, pointing to the presence of the corresponding side chains at the active site. These results confirm most aspects of the homology model and provide additional insight into the enzyme reactivity.
Variation in the Membrane Transport Properties and Predicted Optimal Rates of Freezing for Spermatozoa of Diploid and Tetraploid Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas

In the present study, a shape-independent differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) technique was used to measure the dehydration response during freezing of sperm cells from diploid and tetraploid Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas. This represents the first application of the DSC technique to sperm cells from nonmammalian species. Volumetric shrinkage during freezing of oyster sperm cell suspensions was obtained at cooling rates of 5 and 20 degrees C/min in the presence of extracellular ice and 8% (v/v) concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a commonly used cryoprotective agent (CPA). Using previously published data, sperm cells from diploid oysters were modeled as a two-compartment "ball-on-stick" model with a "ball" 1.66 microm in diameter and a "stick" 41 microm in length and 0.14 microm wide. Similarly, sperm cells of tetraploid oysters were modeled with a "ball" 2.14 microm in diameter and a "stick" 53 microm in length and 0.17 microm wide. Sperm cells of both ploidy levels were assumed to have an osmotically inactive cell volume, Vb, of 0.6 Vo, where Vo is the isotonic (or initial) cell volume. By fitting a model of water transport to the experimentally obtained volumetric shrinkage data, the best-fit membrane permeability parameters (Lpg and ELp) were determined. The combined-best-fit membrane permeability parameters at 5 and 20 degrees C/min for haploid sperm cells (or cells from diploid Pacific oysters) in the absence of CPAs were: Lpg = 0.30 x 10(-15) m(3)/Ns (0.0017 microm/min-atm) and ELp = 41.0 kJ/mole (9.8 kcal/mole). The corresponding parameters in the presence of 8% DMSO were: Lpg[cpa] = 0.27 x 10(-15) m(3)/Ns (0.0015 microm/min-atm) and ELp[cpa] = 38.0 kJ/mole (9.1 kcal/mole). Similarly, the combined-best-fit membrane permeability parameters at 5 and 20 degrees C/min for diploid sperm cells (or cells from tetraploid Pacific oysters) in the absence of CPAs were: Lpg = 0.34 x 10(-15) m(3)/Ns (0.0019 microm/min-atm) and ELp = 29.7 kJ/mole (7.1 kcal/mole). The corresponding parameters in the presence of 8% DMSO were: Lpg[cpa] = 0.34 x 10(-15) m(3)/Ns (0.0019 microm/min-atm) and ELp[cpa] = 37.6 kJ/mole (9.0 kcal/mole). The parameters obtained in this study suggest that optimal rates of cooling for Pacific oyster sperm cells range from 40 to 70 degrees C/min. These theoretical cooling rates are in close conformity with empirically determined optimal rates of cooling sperm cells from Pacific oysters, C. gigas.
Imaging of the hip

This article reviews imaging modalities used for diagnosis of pathology of the hip, including radiography, CT, nuclear medicine and PET, ultrasound and MRI. Radiographic views including the faux profile view are presented. Pathological conditions and their imaging appearances are reviewed, including avascular necrosis, transient osteoporosis and stress fracture, acute fracture, tumor, bursitis, arthritis and infection. Imaging diagnosis of labral tear and femoral-acetabular impingement are introduced, in addition to the challenges of post-operative imaging.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci from the red urchin, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, with comments on heterozygote deficit

Strongylocentrotus sea urchins are common subjects for studies in developmental and cell biology, reproductive biology, ecology, and evolution. We report 14 microsatellite loci from the red urchin, S. franciscanus , isolated for the purpose of estimating paternal success of males in experimental group spawns. Most of these loci were found to be highly polymorphic in a population from British Columbia. A high frequency of null alleles appears responsible for heterozygote deficit at a majority of these loci, but if used with appropriate caution, these microsatellites should be effective markers for studies of Strongylocentrotus populations.
“Germinal” Tumors of the Mediastinum: A Clinicopathologic Study of Adult Teratomas, Teratocarcinomas, Choriocarcinomas and Seminomas

SUMMARY The present paper has presented a clinicopathologic survey of ten benign teratomas, eight malignant teratomas, one seminoma and five choriocarcinomas, all primary in the mediastinum. These tumors appear to represent a spectrum of morphologic patterns that may be seen in teratoid tumors. The frequency with which pure or combination patterns will be seen appears to be a function of the number of sections evaluated. Regardless of the type of therapy undertaken, the malignant teratomas, seminomas and choriocarcinomas were universally and rapidly fatal, with the choriocarcinoma having the shortest clinical course. All the patients with benign teratomas ran a good course after surgical removal of the neoplasm. In the case of the mediastinal seminomas and choriocarcinomas, primary origin in the mediastinum can only be validated by the complete absence of testicular pathology, since the former are morphologically identical with their counterparts in a gonadal location.
Curcumin inhibits adipocyte differentiation through modulation of mitotic clonal expansion

Adipocyte differentiation is a key process in determining the number of mature adipocytes in the development of obesity. Here, we examined the function of curcumin, a dietary polyphenol found in turmeric, and its underlying mechanisms in adipocyte differentiation. Our study reveals that curcumin exerts an anti-adipogenic function both in 3T3-L1 murine cells and in human primary preadipocytes as determined by intracellular lipid accumulation assay, quantitative analysis of adipocyte marker gene expression and a noninvasive multimodal Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopic analysis of intracellular curcumin. The inhibitory action of curcumin was largely limited to the early stage of adipocyte differentiation, where curcumin was found to inhibit mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) process as evidenced by impaired proliferation, cell-cycle entry into S phase and the S to G2/M phase transition of confluent cells, and levels of cell cycle-regulating proteins with no significant effect on cell viability and cytotoxicity. This, in turn, resulted in inhibition of mRNA levels of early adipogenic transcription factors, particularly Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteinα (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ (PPARγ), in the early stage of adipocyte differentiation. Supplementation with rosiglitazone, a PPARγ ligand, during the early stage of adipocyte differentiation partially rescued curcumin-inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Collectively, our results show that curcumin is an anti-adipogenic dietary bioactive component largely involved in the modulation of the MCE process during the early stage of adipocyte differentiation.
Impaired activation of celiac ganglion neurons in vivo after damage to their sympathetic nerve terminals

Because damage to sympathetic nerve terminals occurs in a variety of diseases, we tested the hypothesis that nerve terminal damage per se is sufficient to impair ganglionic neurotransmission in vivo. First, we measured the effect of nerve terminal damage produced by the sympathetic nerve terminal toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on ganglionic levels of several neurotrophins thought to promote neurotransmission. 6-OHDA-induced nerve terminal damage did not decrease the expression of neurotrophin-4 or brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA in the celiac ganglia but did decrease the ganglionic content of both nerve growth factor protein (nadir = -63%) and the mRNA of the alpha-3 subunit of the nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nadir = -49%), a subunit required for neurotransmission. Next, we tested whether this degree of receptor deficiency was sufficient to impair activation of celiac ganglia neurons. Impaired fos mRNA responses to nicotine administration in the celiac ganglia of 6-OHDA-pretreated rats correlated temporally with suppressed expression of functional nicotinic receptors. We verified by Fos protein immunohistochemistry that this ganglionic impairment was specific to principal ganglionic neurons. Last, we tested whether centrally initiated ganglionic neurotransmission is also impaired following nerve terminal damage. The principal neurons in rat celiac ganglia were reflexively activated by 2-deoxy-glucose-induced glucopenia, and the Fos response in the celiac ganglia was markedly inhibited by pretreatment with 6-OHDA. We conclude that sympathetic nerve terminal damage per se is sufficient to impair ganglionic neurotransmission in vivo and that decreased nicotinic receptor production is a likely mediator.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Relations with distress and functional impairment

This study examined the construct validity of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) by examining the relations between NPD and measures of psychologic distress and functional impairment both concurrently and prospectively across 2 samples. In particular, the goal was to address whether NPD typically "meets" criterion C of the DSM-IV definition of Personality Disorder, which requires that the symptoms lead to clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning. Sample 1 (n = 152) was composed of individuals receiving psychiatric treatment, whereas sample 2 (n = 151) was composed of both psychiatric patients (46%) and individuals from the community. Narcissistic personality disorder was linked to ratings of depression, anxiety, and several measures of impairment both concurrently and at 6-month follow-up. However, the relations between NPD and psychologic distress were (a) small, especially in concurrent measurements, and (b) largely mediated by impaired functioning. Narcissistic personality disorder was most strongly related to causing pain and suffering to others, and this relationship was significant even when other Cluster B personality disorders were controlled. These findings suggest that NPD is a maladaptive personality style which primarily causes dysfunction and distress in interpersonal domains. The behavior of narcissistic individuals ultimately leads to problems and distress for the narcissistic individuals and for those with whom they interact.
Intracardiac Masses Associated With Permanent Endocardial Pacemaker Lead Erosion Through the Skin

72-YEAR-OLD, 178-cm, 57-kg man presented to the authors’ institution with an exposed permanent endocardial pacemaker lead adjacent to an old left subclavian pacing generator pocket. The patient reported that a “cystic” swelling began over the old generator site approximately 4 months before admission. The pacemaker lead eroded through the skin 2 months later, but the patient had only recently sought medical attention for an unrelated problem. He denied fevers, chills, or drainage at the wire-erosion site. The patient had a 16-year history of complete heart block. A left subclavian dual-chamber pacemaker placed shortly after his initial diagnosis had func
Tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor of patients with type A extreme insulin resistance: studies with circulating mononuclear cells and cultured lymphocytes.

Abstract The syndrome of type A insulin resistance in nonobese women is characterized by hyperinsulinemia, resistance to exogenous insulin, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, and masculinization. Insulin binding to intact circulating monocytes and cultured Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-lymphocytes derived from these patients is decreased in some patients but normal in others. Insulin receptors consist of two subunits; the α-subunit contains the insulin-binding site, and the β-subunit possesses an insulin-sensitive tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity. Insulin binding to circulating monocytes was decreased in five patients, suggesting a decreased number of α-subunits on the surface of cells from the patients with type A insulin resistance. In the present work, we demonstrated that there is a proportional decrease in the function of the β-subunit ($$$i.e. tyrosine kinase activity) in cells from these subjects. In one patient, insulin binding to circulating monocytes was normal, and the insuli...
Feeding responses of adult Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to eggs of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and green peach aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Feeding responses that influence the effectiveness of a polyphagous endemic coccinellid, Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), for biological control of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), in potato were examined in the laboratory. Consumption rate, functional response, prey preference, and the effect of alternate prey were studied for C. maculata adult females feeding upon eggs of Colorado potato beetle; Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and corn pollen were alternate food sources. C. maculata females continuously supplied with eggs attacked an average of 20.8 eggs per 48 h, and introduction of M. persicae significantly reduced but did not eliminate egg feeding. Females starved for 24 h showed a Type II functional response to egg density when offered 10–70 eggs per 24 h in small cages at 26 ± 2°C. Data fit well to the Holling disk equation, which predicted maximum egg consumption of 31.5 eggs per 24 h. The functional response curve showed suppression of egg feeding at high egg densities when aphids were present as alternate prey, but no effect was evident at low egg densities. There was no change in functional response with corn pollen as the alternate food. When Colorado potato beetle eggs and aphids were available in equal numbers, females did not prefer either prey at low prey densities, but they preferred aphids over eggs at high densities. Eggs were an adequate (but not optimal) diet for larval development and adult oviposition relative to M. persicae or corn pollen. Some implications for ecology and effectiveness of C. maculata for control of Colorado potato beetle in potato are discussed.
Treatment of Acute Hemorrhagic Necrotizing Pancreatitis

The acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (AHNP) is an acute abdomen which occurs acutely. Its condition is dangerous and complicated, and can lead to high mortality. In recent years, the discussion about its pathogenesis and modern treatments including surgical and non-surgical treatments, the research on cytokines, inflammatory mediators, hemodialysis, hyperlipidemia and nutritional support, and the progress of the recognition of the AHNP's surgical indications, surgical techniques, infection removal, drainage methods have provided strong support for improving its successful treatment.
Using handheld technologies in high school economics: a school-university collaborative design project

Along with other subject areas in K-12 education, social studies and history are the focus of various reform initiatives. Several ideas about improving professional development for teachers inform the design of the program in which this study is situated and include: (1) using social studies standards (Michigan curriculum framework, 1996) and the Teaching for Understanding framework (Wiske, 1998) to design and teach units; (2) situating teachers' learning about Teaching for Understanding in their practice (Greeno, Collins, & Resnick, 1996); and (3) developing and studying cases about teachers' teaching (J. H. Shulman, 1992) -- all in the context of a technology mediated and distributed collaborative learning environment that bridges school and university boundaries.
Autophagy, Inflammation, and Immunity: A Troika Governing Cancer and Its Treatment

Autophagy, a cellular waste disposal process, has well-established tumor-suppressive properties. New studies indicate that, in addition to its cell-autonomous anti-tumorigenic functions, autophagy inhibits cancer development by orchestrating inflammation and immunity. While attenuating tumor-promoting inflammation, autophagy enhances the processing and presentation of tumor antigens and thereby stimulates anti-tumor immunity. Although cancer cells can escape immunosurveillance by tuning down autophagy, certain chemotherapeutic agents with immunogenic properties may enhance anti-tumor immunity by inducing autophagic cell death. Understanding the intricate and complex relationships within this troika and how they are affected by autophagy enhancing drugs should improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Crosslinguistic Variation in Sign Language Syntax

This review introduces and compares syntactic structures in a variety of sign languages. I first examine ways in which sign languages function like spoken languages, and ways in which they differ. I then briefly discuss what sign languages have in common in the syntactic realm; the rest of the article focuses on how they can differ. Because the level of the simple sentence has been documented extensively, this review emphasizes complex sentences, such as sentential complementation, relative clauses, adverbial clauses, embedded questions, and conditionals.
Veterinary antibiotics influence trigonelline biosynthesis and plant growth in Arachis hypogaea L.

Antibiotics from various sources such as livestock waste are being accumulated in the soil. The excessive uptake of antimicrobial agents by plants has been a major concern as it is currently unknow...
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Marfan Syndrome.

Background Marfan syndrome (MFS) leads to aortic root aneurysm, while descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) occurs less commonly. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is rarely reported in MFS. Risk factors for AAA are poorly understood and there are no guidelines for AAA screening in MFS. We sought to characterize AAA among Marfan patients in our center. Methods The records of 12 adults with MFS and AAA disease were reviewed. Clinical features, imaging, operative reports, and outcomes were analyzed. Results Twelve adults with MFS and AAA were studied; age at AAA diagnosis was 44 ± 15 years (range 18–63). Nine patients smoked cigarettes. Eleven patients underwent prior aortic root replacement at age 31 ± 15 years. The size of AAA was 5.0 ± 1.3 cm (range 3.5–7.5) at the time of diagnosis. The AAA was suprarenal in 5, juxtarenal in 2, and infrarenal in 5 patients. Two patients had a descending TAA. Branch vessel aneurysms were present in 7 patients. Five patients underwent open surgical repair, 5 underwent endovascular repair, and 5 are being treated medically. One patient died suddenly with AAA size 5.7 cm, 2 months before death. Three patients subsequently developed type B aortic dissection, from 3 months to 9 years after AAA diagnosis. Conclusions Adults with MFS are at risk for developing AAA. Evaluation for AAA is recommended in adults with MFS and prior root replacement, especially if descending aortic or branch vessel aneurysm is present or the patient smokes cigarettes.
Ethylene Detection Based on Organic Field-Effect Transistors With Porogen and Palladium Particle Receptor Enhancements.

Ethylene sensing is a highly challenging problem for the horticulture industry because of the limited physiochemical reactivity of ethylene. Ethylene plays a very important role in the fruit life cycle and has a significant role in determining the shelf life of fruits. Limited ethylene monitoring capability results in huge losses to the horticulture industry as fruits may spoil before they reach the consumer, or they may not ripen properly. Herein we present a poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT)-based organic field effect transistor as a sensing platform for ethylene with sensitivity of 25 ppm V/V. To achieve this response, we used N-(tert-Butoxy-carbonyloxy)-phthalimide and palladium particles as additives to the P3HT film. N-(tert-Butoxy-carbonyloxy)-phthalimide is used to increase the porosity of the P3HT, thereby increasing the overall sensor surface area, whereas the palladium (<1 μm diameter) particles are used as receptors for ethylene molecules in order to further enhance the sensitivity of the...
Linked Data for Cultural Heritage, edited by Ed Jones and Michele Seikel. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2016. xvi, 134 p. illus. ISBN 978-0-8389-1439-7. $75.00

Linked Data for Cultural Heritage offers a useful selection of essays focusing on linked data projects and concepts that have emerged in the cultural heritage domain. Although certainly not compreh...
Emergency Department Experience with Novel Electronic Medical Record Order for Referral to Food Resources.

Author(s): Martel, Marc L.; Klein, Lauren R.; Hager, Kurt A.; Cutts, Diana B. | Abstract: Introduction: Food insecurity is a significant issue in the United States and is prevalent in emergency department (ED) patients. The purpose of this study was to report the novel use of an integrated electronic medical record (EMR) order for food resources, and to describe our initial institutional referral patterns after focused education and implementation of the order.Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study, describing food-bank referral patterns before and after the implementation of dedicated ED education on the novel EMR order for food resources. Results: In 2015, prior to formal education a total of 1,003 referrals were made to the regional food bank, Second Harvest Heartland. Five referrals were made from the ED. In 2016, after the educational interventions regarding the referral, there were 1,519 referrals hospital-wide, and 55 referrals were made from the ED. Of the 1,519 referrals 1,129 (74%) were successfully contacted by Second Harvest Heartland, and 954 (63%) accepted and received assistance. Conclusion: Use of the EMR as a tool to refer patients to partner organizations for food resources is plausible and may result in an increase in ED referrals for food resources. Appropriate education is crucial for application of this novel ED process.
Large Scale Parallel DNA Detection by Two-Dimensional Solid-State Multipore Systems

We describe a scalable device design of a dense array of multiple nanopores made from nanoscale semiconductor materials to detect and identify translocations of many biomolecules in a massively parallel detection scheme. We use molecular dynamics coupled to nanoscale device simulations to illustrate the ability of this device setup to uniquely identify DNA parallel translocations. We show that the transverse sheet currents along membranes are immune to the crosstalk effects arising from simultaneous translocations of biomolecules through multiple pores, due to their ability to sense only the local potential changes. We also show that electronic sensing across the nanopore membrane offers a higher detection resolution compared to ionic current blocking technique in a multipore setup, irrespective of the irregularities that occur while fabricating the nanopores in a two-dimensional membrane.
Multispectral Remote Sensing for Yield Estimation Using High-Resolution Imagery From an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Satellites and autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are two major platforms for acquiring remotely-sensed information of the earth’s surface. Due to the limitations of satellite-based imagery, such as coarse spatial resolution and fixed schedules, applications of UAVs as low-cost remote sensing systems are rapidly expanding in many research areas, particularly precision agriculture. UAVs can provide imagery with high spatial resolution (finer than 1 meter) and acquire information in visible, near infrared, and even thermal bands. In agriculture, vegetation characteristics such as health, water stress, and the amount of biomass, can be estimated using UAV imagery. In this study, three sets of high-resolution aerial imagery have been used for yield estimation based on vegetation indices. These images were captured by the Utah State University AggieAir™ UAV system flown in June 2017, August 2017, and October 2017 over a field experiment pasture site located in northern Utah. The pasture study area is primarily tall fescue. The field experiment includes 20 50 x 20-m plots, with 4 replications of 5 irrigation levels. Approximately 60 yield samples were harvested after each flight. Sample locations were recorded with high-accuracy real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS. In addition, the leaf area index (LAI) for each sample plot was measured using an optical sensor (LAI2200C) before harvesting. The relationship of yield for each sample versus vegetation indices (VIs) was explored. The VIs include the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), calculated using AggieAir imagery, and LAI measured using a ground-based sensor. The results of this study reveal the correlation between vegetation indices and the amount of biomass.
Mesoscopic friction and network morphology control the mechanics and processing of carbon nanotube yarns

Abstract Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns are synthetic nanomaterials of interest for diverse applications. To bring fundamental understanding into the yarn formation process, we perform mesoscopic scale distinct element method (mDEM) simulations for the stretching of CNT networks. The parameters used by mDEM, including the mesoscale friction, are based on full atomistic results. By bridging across the atomistic and mesoscopic length scales, our model predicts accurately the mechanical response of the network over a large deformation range. At small and moderate deformations, the microstructural evolution is dominated by zipping relaxations directed along the applied strain direction. At larger deformations, the occurrence of energetic elasticity promotes yarn densification, by lowering CNT waviness and eliminating squashed pores. Next, by varying the mesoscopic dissipation as well as the network structure, we reveal that the mesoscale friction and film morphology are key factors for the yarn formation: While lack of friction compromises the strain-induced alignment process, phononic and polymeric friction promote CNT alignment by enabling load transfer and directed zipping relaxations, especially in networks containing long and entangled CNTs. Yarns drawn from cellular networks are shown instead to maintain high porosity, even with enhanced polymeric friction.
Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of the A2Π-X2Σ+ transition of ZnD

Abstract The 0-0 band of zinc deuteride A 2 Π- X 2 Σ + transition was recorded in emission by Fourier transform spectroscopy. Compared with previous work on ZnD, improved line positions and molecular constants were determined from the analysis of the data. Rotational structure from the three zinc isotopes in zinc deuteride, 64 ZnD, 66 ZnD, and 68 ZnD, were resolved in many of the branches.
Resources – An Immersion Trip

The purpose of this section of the Journal is to provide Jesuit/Ignatian resources for use in instruction, inspiration, contemplation and action. Resource suggestions from our readers are warmly received.
Whack-a-Mole: Software-defined Networking driven Multi-level DDoS defense for Cloud environments

With wider adoption of Software-Defined Networking (SDN), network obfuscation and resource adaptation within a cloud environment have emerged as cost-effective solutions against cyber attacks. In spite of their implementation simplicity, shortcomings of such one-dimensional strategies are considerable against sophisticated attacks where the attacker/s have enhanced visibility to the cloud network. In this paper, we propose Whack-a-Mole, a SDN-driven cloud resource management scheme through network obfuscation that can help Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) to: a) proactively protect critical services from impending DDoS attacks and b) contribute very little service interruption footprint while doing so. Whack-a-Mole works at two levels: it employs a novel virtual machine (VM) spawning model that not only creates multiple VM-replicas of critical services to new cloud resource instances, but also assigns VM-replicas’ IP addresses through address space randomization. Using numerical results, we show how such VM spawning can be optimized based on realistic cloud Service Level Agreements (SLA) without compromising its effectiveness. Finally, Whack-a-Mole is implemented through SDN/OpenFlow controllers over Open vSwitches on a GENI testbed where the efficacy and effectiveness of the scheme is evaluated. The results show Whack-a-Mole to be as effective as random obfuscation in evading attack events and more than 2x better on average in attack avoidance over other static resource adaptation based defense strategies.
The response of Escherichia coli to the alkylating agents chloroacetaldehyde and styrene oxide

DNA damage is ubiquitous and can arise from endogenous or exogenous sources. DNA-damaging alkylating agents are present in environmental toxicants as well as in cancer chemotherapy drugs and are a constant threat, which can lead to mutations or cell death. All organisms have multiple DNA repair and DNA damage tolerance pathways to resist the potentially negative effects of exposure to alkylating agents. In bacteria, many of the genes in these pathways are regulated as part of the SOS reponse or the adaptive response. In this work, we probed the cellular responses to the alkylating agents chloroacetaldehyde (CAA), which is a metabolite of 1,2-dichloroethane used to produce polyvinyl chloride, and styrene oxide (SO), a major metabolite of styrene used in the production of polystyrene and other polymers. Vinyl chloride and styrene are produced on an industrial scale of billions of kilograms annually and thus have a high potential for environmental exposure. To identify stress response genes in E. coli that are responsible for tolerance to the reactive metabolites CAA and SO, we used libraries of transcriptional reporters and gene deletion strains. In response to both alkylating agents, genes associated with several different stress pathways were upregulated, including protein, membrane, and oxidative stress, as well as DNA damage. E. coli strains lacking genes involved in base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair were sensitive to SO, whereas strains lacking recA and the SOS gene ybfE were sensitive to both alkylating agents tested. This work indicates the varied systems involved in cellular responses to alkylating agents, and highlights the specific DNA repair genes involved in the responses.
Conduction in the right and left ventricle is differentially regulated by protein kinases and phosphatases: implications for arrhythmogenesis.

We show that uniform ventricular conduction requires a precise physiological balance of the activities of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), PKA, and phosphatases, which invol...
Endoscope reprocessing: Comparison of drying effectiveness and microbial levels with an automated drying and storage cabinet with forced filtered air and a standard storage cabinet.

Background Automated drying may help prevent endoscopically transmitted infections. We aimed to assess the efficacy of an automated drying and storage cabinet compared to a standard storage cabinet in achieving endoscope dryness postreprocessing and in reducing the risk of microbial growth. Methods Drying times of bronchoscopes, colonoscopes, and duodenoscopes using 2 drying platforms (an automated drying and storage cabinet vs a standard storage cabinet) were measured using cobalt chloride paper. Drying assessments occurred at: 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, and 24 hours. A simple linear regression analysis compared rates of microbial growth after inoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa following high-level disinfection at: 0, 3 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours. Results Using the automated drying and storage cabinet, internal channels were dry at 1 hour and external surfaces at 3 hours in all endoscopes. With the standard storage cabinet, there was residual internal fluid at 24 hours, whereas external surfaces were dry at 24 hours. For bronchoscopes, colonoscopes, and duodenoscopes, the standard cabinet allowed for an average rate of colony forming unit growth of 8.1 × 106 per hour, 8.3 × 106 per hour, and 7.0 × 107 per hour, respectively; the automated cabinet resulted in colony forming unit growth at an average rate of –28.4 per hour (P = .02), –38.5 per hour (P = .01), and –200.2 per hour (P = .02), respectively. Conclusions An automated cabinet is advantageous for rapid drying of endoscope surfaces and in reducing the risk of microbial growth postreprocessing.
Drosophibot: A Fruit Fly Inspired Bio-Robot

We introduce Drosophibot, a hexapod robot with legs designed based on the Common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, built as a test platform for neural control development. The robot models anatomical aspects not present in other, similar bio-robots such as a retractable abdominal segment, insect-like dynamic scaling, and compliant feet segments in the hopes that more similar biomechanics will lead to more similar neural control and resulting behaviors. In increasing biomechanical modeling accuracy, we aim to gain further insight into the insect’s nervous system to inform the current model and subsequent neural controllers for legged robots.
Mechanistic insights into the primary reactions during acid-catalysed pyrolysis of levoglucosan at 80–140 °C

Abstract This paper reports an experimental investigation into the pyrolysis of acid-impregnated levoglucosan at 80–140 °C to understand the fundamental reaction mechanism of acid-catalysed levoglucosan pyrolysis. Glucose, anhydro-disaccharides and disaccharides of various linkages have been successfully identified as major primary products during acid-catalysed levoglucosan pyrolysis at such low temperatures. Among all identified primary products, glucose has the highest initial selectivity of ~20%, indicating hydrolysis reaction plays an important role during acid-catalysed levoglucosan pyrolysis. The formation of anhydro-disaccharides of various α and β linkages (including 1,4-, 1,3-, and 1,2-glycosidic bond) clearly demonstrates the importance of polymerisation reactions during acid-catalysed levoglucosan pyrolysis. In addition, disaccharides of various α and β linkages (including 1,6-, 1,4-, 1,3-, 1,2-, 1,1-glycosidic bond) are also minor primary products from acid-catalysed levoglucosan pyrolysis. Once those primary products are formed, they are easily polymerised into high-DP anhydro-sugar and sugar oligosaccharides, with a highest DP of up to ~10 at 120 °C. At 140 °C, the oligosaccharides are also easily condensed to form char, as evidenced by post-hydrolysis results. Increasing acid loading level enhances the formation of glucose and disaccharides, but has negligible effect on the formation of anhydro-disaccharides. These results provide new insights into the fundamental mechanism of acid-catalysed levoglucosan pyrolysis for producing biofuels and biochemicals.
The real-world efficacy of abiraterone acetate (ABA) and docetaxel (DOC) in the treatment of African-American (AA) patients (pts) with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC).

52Background: The landscape of mCSPC treatment changed with the addition of ABA and DOC. The prevalence of AA pts in the trials that led to these approvals was < 10%. We characterized the clinical ...
Concerns with the use of imputation to assign HLA allele-level typing in research predicting transplant outcomes

Incomplete information on HLA allele typing is a persistent problem when analyzing the role of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) in transplantation. To refine the predictions possible with partial knowledge of HLA typing, some researchers use HaploStats statistics on the frequencies of haplotypes within specified ethnic/national populations to impute complete HLA allele typing. We evaluated methods that use imputation to predict patient outcomes after organ transplantation, with focus on prediction of graft survival conditional on typing information of the donor and recipient. Logical arguments show that imputation yields no predictive power when predictions are conditioned on all observed HLA typing data. Computational experiments indicate that imputation does not have predictive power when applied to risk-assessment models that make predictions conditional on only part of the observable HLA data. We therefore caution against reliance on imputation to overcome incomplete measurement. We encourage high-resolution typing of HLA antigens to improve prediction of transplant outcomes and matching of donors with recipients. Similar considerations should likely apply in other clinical settings.
Disparities in Physical and Psychological Symptoms in Hospitalized African American and White Persons with Dementia

Objectives: This study examined differences in physical function, delirium, depressive symptoms, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in hospitalized African American and white older adults with dementia. Methods: This secondary data analysis using baseline data from an ongoing trial testing family-centered function-focused care included African American (n = 159) and white persons (n =135) with dementia. Results: A multivariate analysis of covariance showed that controlling for relevant demographic and health characteristics, African Americans with dementia had lower physical function, more delirium, and more depressive symptoms upon admission than white participants. There were no significant differences in BPSD between African American and white persons. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine racial differences in admission symptoms of hospitalized persons with dementia. While the findings are preliminary, they can be used to inform the design of future research, including identifying the causes of disparities.
StayHome: A FHIR-Native Mobile COVID-19 Symptom Tracker and Public Health Reporting Tool

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold and states experience the impacts of reopened economies, it is critical to efficiently manage new outbreaks through widespread testing and monitoring of both new and possible cases. Existing labor-intensive public health workflows may benefit from information collection directly from individuals through patient-reported outcomes (PROs) systems. Our objective was to develop a reusable, mobile-friendly application for collecting PROs and experiences to support COVID-19 symptom self-monitoring and data sharing with appropriate public health agencies, using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) for interoperability. We conducted a needs assessment and designed and developed StayHome, a mobile PRO administration tool. FHIR serves as the primary data model and driver of business logic. Keycloak, AWS, Docker, and other technologies were used for deployment. Several FHIR modules were used to create a novel "FHIR-native" application design. By leveraging FHIR to shape not only the interface strategy but also the information architecture of the application, StayHome enables the consistent standards-based representation of data and reduces the barrier to integration with public health information systems. FHIR supported rapid application development by providing a domain-appropriate data model and tooling. FHIR modules and implementation guides were referenced in design and implementation. However, there are gaps in the FHIR specification which must be recognized and addressed appropriately. StayHome is live and accessible to the public at https://stayhome.app. The code and resources required to build and deploy the application are available from https://github.com/uwcirg/stayhome-project.
Unaccounted infrastructure needs for transit-oriented developments

Increasingly, U.S. cities are focusing on transit-oriented development (TOD) policies to expand the stock of higher-density, mixed-use development near public transit stations within the context of a transit corridor and, in most cases, a regional metropolis. A TOD zone relies on a regulatory and institutional environment, public and private participation and investment, and development incentives to create vibrant, people-oriented communities and mobility options and to support business development. TODs provide local governments with more tax revenues due to increased property values (and, as applicable, income and sales tax revenues), but most planning for TODs ignores the non-transit infrastructure costs of increasing development density. This study focused on determining the water and sewer infrastructure costs for TOD zones along a rail line in southeast Florida. The finding was that millions of dollars in funds are needed to meet those water and sewer needs and that few are currently planned as a part of community capital improvement programs.