cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution of wetted clothing to body energy exchange and heat stress.

Abstract Quantifying the impact of clothing thermal and evaporation resistance is essential to providing representative boundary conditions for physiological modeling. In many models, sweat is assumed to drip off the skin surface to the environment and is not captured in clothing. In high metabolic rate and high temperature and humidity conditions the sweat produced by the body has the potential to saturate semipermeable clothing ensembles, changing the assumptions of the model. Workers, athletes and soldiers commonly wear encapsulating versions of such clothing to protect against environmental hazards. A saturated clothing model is proposed based on the ASHRAE two-node model using a saturated spot element in parallel with the existing method to account for sweat absorbed in the clothing. The work uses fundamental heat and mass transfer principles, modifying the existing formula using clothing measurements and basic assumptions. The effectiveness of the model is demonstrated by comparing the predictions of the original and proposed models, to the results of 21 soldiers exercising. The soldiers wore combat pants and shirt, helmet, gloves, shoes, socks, and underwear, and walked in a thermal chamber for 2 h at 42.2 °C dry bulb temperature, 54.4 °C wet bulb temperature, 20% relative humidity, and airspeed of 2 m/s. Core temperature, seven skin temperatures, heart rate, and total sweat loss were measured. The original model provides an average core temperature difference compared with the human subject results of 1.31 °C (SD = 0.557 °C) while the modified model improves the final prediction of core temperature to within an average of 0.15 °C (SD = 0.383 °C). The new model shows an improvement in the prediction of human core temperature under the tested conditions where dripping sweat will saturate clothing. The format can be used in multi-segmented thermal models and can continue to be developed and improved as more information on wetted clothing properties become available.
Persistence parallelism optimization: a holistic approach from memory bus to RDMA network

Emerging non-volatile memories (NVM), such as phase change memory (PCM) and Resistive RAM (ReRAM), incorporate the features of fast byte-addressability and data persistence, which are beneficial for data services such as file systems and databases. To support data persistence, a persistent memory system requires ordering for write requests. The data path of a persistent request consists of three segments: through the cache hierarchy to the memory controller, through the bus from the memory controller to memory devices, and through the network from a remote node to a local node. Previous work contributes significantly to improve the persistence parallelism in the first segment of the data path. However, we observe that the memory bus and the Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) network remain severely under-utilized because the persistence parallelism in these two segments is not fully leveraged during ordering. In this paper, we propose a novel architecture to further improve the persistence parallelism in the memory bus and the RDMA network. First, we utilize inter-thread persistence parallelism for barrier epoch management with better bank-level parallelism (BLP). Second, we enable intra-thread persistence parallelism for remote requests through RDMA network with buffered strict persistence. With these features, the architecture efficiently supports persistence through all three segments of the write datapath. Experimental results show that for local applications, the proposed mechanism can achieve 1.3X performance improvement, compared to the original buffered persistence work. In addition, it can achieve 1.93X performance improvement for remote applications serviced through the RDMA network.
Immune checkpoint-based therapy in myeloid malignancies: a promise yet to be fulfilled.

Introduction: Immune system evasion is essential for tumor cell survival and is mediated by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the activation of inhibitory immune checkpoints. While i...
Modelling changes in trout habitat following stream restoration

Stream restoration was implemented on the Upper Arkansas River near Leadville, Colorado, to improve brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations. Metals pollution and channel disturbance associated with historic mining, land use, and water development degraded aquatic and riparian habitat. Changes in instream habitat quality following restoration were investigated with a before–after–control–impact study design. Baseline, as‐built, and effectiveness surveys were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2016, respectively. Two‐dimensional hydrodynamic modelling with River2D was used to estimate weighted usable area (WUA) for adult, juvenile, fry, and spawning brown trout across a range of flows. WUA was calculated from habitat suitability curves for velocity, depth, and channel substrate. Foraging positions (FP) and habitat heterogeneity were also evaluated as indices of habitat quality. All results were analysed with analysis of variance. At impact sites, WUA increased by 12.2% from 2013 to 2014 but decreased by 10.2% from 2014 to 2016, whereas FP increased by 24.8% from 2013 to 2014 but decreased by 26.1% from 2014 to 2016. Spawning habitat increased 53.3% from 2014 to 2016 at impact sites. The 15.4% increase in depth variability from 2013 to 2016 indicates that habitat heterogeneity was enhanced at impact sites. No changes in WUA, FP, or habitat heterogeneity were observed at control sites. Although changes in WUA and FP suggest that initial habitat improvements were not sustained, increased spawning habitat and depth heterogeneity suggest otherwise. Our results highlight the value of monitoring strategies that utilize multiple lines of evidence to evaluate restoration effectiveness, inform adaptive management, and improve restoration practices.
Sleep Impact on Perception, Memory, and Emotion in Adults and the Effects of Early-Life Experience

Abstract Learning, memory, and emotional regulation are all modulated by sleep. Sleep influences on neural circuit function and plasticity occur in all mammalian brain regions examined to date, including the noncanonical olfactory system, suggesting sleep disruption could have wide-ranging consequences on behavior and cognition. New evidence suggests that sleep disturbances during early development can have particularly insidious and long-lasting consequences. In particular, work from our lab and others suggests that early-life adverse events can disrupt sleep across the life span, thus contributing to a variety of negative cognitive and behavioral outcomes. These findings raise the possibility that interventions targeting sleep may have therapeutic value for children or adults exposed to early-life adverse events. Here, we describe sleep and sleep ontogeny and then describe the role of sleep in normal and pathological brain function. Finally, we explore how early-life adverse events and sleep disturbances may reciprocally interact to produce a range of psychopathological outcomes.
The Eighteenth Chapter

Under the title of Babylon is here in this chapter following described the fearful judgement of the malignant church, with the ruinous fall of antichrist and his kingdom, prefigured afore in Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Machine Accelerated Nano-Targeted Inhomogeneous Structures

Optical metamaterials can achieve optical performance specifications otherwise unattainable compared to their bulk constituents via the use of skillfully engineered nanoscale features. These features function as sub-wavelength optical scatterers, causing incident light to interact with metamaterials in a manner which is crucially dependent on their geometry. To design the next generation of functional materials, scientists and engineers must realize new methods which prudently explore the near-infinite number of possible metamaterial arrangements. We present a general methodology which harnesses machine learning to accelerate the process of metamaterial design and apply it specifically here, as a test case, to a silicon on insulator (SOI) reflective metasurface consisting of an array of nano-pillars. In particular, we implement artificial neural networks (ANNs) to solve the inverse design problem; i.e. we prescribe a desired reflection profile and utilize ANNs to advise what metasurface array of SOI nano-pillars gives the closest result. Utilizing a synthetic data set of devices simulated with rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA), we create an ANN-accelerated simulator, achieving a computational speedup of O(106) over the relatively quick RCWA simulation method. We then couple this simulator with an ANN-based predictor, which directly binds the SOI metasurfaces in question to a targeted optical performance. Together, this simulator/predictor ANNs combination provides a general framework in rapidly evaluating and designing potential optical metamaterial devices beyond what is currently possible via straightforward simulation and more standard optimization methods.
A multidisciplinary chronic lung disease team in a neonatal intensive care unit is associated with increased survival to discharge of infants with tracheostomy.

To determine if multidisciplinary team-based care of severe BPD/CLD infants improve survival to discharge. Retrospective review of severe BPD/CLD infants cared for by dedicated multidisciplinary CLD team using consensus-driven protocols and guidelines. Total of 267 patients. Median gestational age was 26 weeks (IQR 24, 32); median birth-weight was 0.85 (IQR 0.64, 1.5). Twenty-four percent were preterm with severe BPD, 46% had other primary respiratory diseases (none BPD diseases). Total number of patients, proportion of patients with tracheostomy, prematurity, and genetic diagnoses increased over time. 88.8% survived to discharge. Unadjusted logistic regression showed that tracheostomy was not associated with odds of death; secondary pulmonary hypertension was associated with odds of tracheostomy (OR = 1.795 p value = 0.0264), or death (OR = 8.587 p value = <0.0001), or tracheostomy + death (OR = 13.58 p value = 0.0007). Over time, mortality improved for infants with tracheostomy cared for by a multidisciplinary severe BPD/CLD team. Secondary pulmonary hypertension was associated with tracheostomy, or death, or tracheostomy + death.
8 – Simple Regression

The simple regression model assumes a linear relationship, Y = α + βX + e, between a dependent variable Y and an explanatory variable X, with the error term e encompassing omitted factors. The least squares estimates a and b minimize the sum of squared errors when the fitted line is used to predict the observed values of Y. The standard error of estimate (SEE) is our estimate of the standard deviation of the error term. The standard errors of the estimates a and b can be used to construct confidence intervals for α and β and test null hypotheses, most often that the value of β is zero (Y and X are not linearly related). The coefficient of determination R2 compares the model's sum of the squared prediction errors to the sum of the squared deviations of Y about its mean, and can be interpreted as the fraction of the variation in the dependent variable that is explained by the regression model. The correlation coefficient is equal to the square root of R2.
64 Gbps PAM4 Si-Ge Waveguide Avalanche Photodiodes With Excellent Temperature Stability

A Si-Ge waveguide avalanche photodiode with extremely high temperature stability is demonstrated. The breakdown voltage increases ∼4.2 mV/°C, bandwidth reduces ∼0.09%/°C, and gain-bandwidth product reduces ∼0.24%/°C with temperature increased from 30 °C to 90 °C. Additionally, it maintains superior performance with low breakdown voltage of ∼10 V, high multiplication gain of >15, high bandwidth of ∼24.6 GHz, high gain-bandwidth product of >240 GHz, high internal quantum efficiency of ∼100%, and clear eye diagrams with 64 Gbps PAM4 modulation at 90 °C.
Preoperative uterine volume estimation: transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) versus MRI (ellipsoid volume formula and 3D volumetry)

Purpose: Preoperative uterine volume estimation is a major consideration for surgeons as the choice of the optimal surgical approach between vaginal, laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy depends on uterine volume. Volume estimation can be done clinically, by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if available. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of different methods of preoperative uterine volume calculation including transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and MRI. Material and Methods: Data of all women who underwent hysterectomy for a benign pathology between January 2013 and December 2015 and had preoperative TVUS and MRI were retrieved. Uterine volume was calculated by application of the ellipsoid volume formula (EVF) based on TVUS and MRI and also by freehand 3D MRI volumetry. Pathology was the standard of reference. Results: Sixty-seven women were included in this retrospective study. For eight of them, TVUS measurements were not feasible, mainly due to the large size of the uteri. For the remaining 59 women, there was no difference between uterine weights (mean 384.2 g+/- 425.8) and volumes calculated by MRI based on EVF (mean 404.3 g +/- 477.5, p >0.9999), and by 3D MRI volumetry (mean 391.8g +/- 446.1, p>0.9999). The difference between the standard of reference and the volumes calculated by TVUS (mean 334.0 g +/- 370.6, p=0.0011) were statistically significant. Conclusions: According to our results, preoperative uterine volume calculation is more accurately performed by means of MRI compared to TVUS. When available, uterine volume estimation should be obtained from MRI measurements. For this purpose, EVF can be safely used without the need of time-consuming 3D volumetry.
Starch and Zein Biopolymers as a Sustainable Replacementfor PFAS, Silicone Oil, and Plastic-Coated Paper

Paper is envisioned as an alternative to plastics in certain applications to overcome the problems associated with the excessive use of plastics. Water and oil repellency is one of the key requirem...
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors’ Newly Reported Endocrine Side Effect: Pazopanib-Induced Primary Adrenal Insufficiency in a Patient With Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer:

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been used in the treatment of multiple types of cancer. Pazopanib is one of the TKIs and is considered a first-line treatment for adult patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Many endocrine-related adverse effects have been noted with the use of TKIs including hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, altered bone density, secondary hyperparathyroidism, abnormal glucose metabolism, gynecomastia, and hypogonadism. Subclinical glucocorticoid deficiency and adrenal insufficiency have been reported with the use of TKIs in only a few cases so far; thus, its true prevalence and clinical significance have yet to be fully elucidated. The mechanism is still not fully understood; however, adrenal toxicity with hemorrhage and/or necrosis of the adrenal glands has been observed in studies. In this article, we describe the first reported case of pazopanib inducing primary adrenal insufficiency in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma diagnosed after the exclusion of all other causes of primary adrenal insufficiency.
Improving identification of candidates for lung cancer screening in a high risk population.

Abstract Background Low dose computerized tomography (LDCT) has been shown to reduce lung cancer specific mortality by 20 %. Despite U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) endorsement, screening of appropriate patients in the U.S. remains low, at 1.9 %. The goal of this study was to assess the number and type of patients that would qualify for lung cancer screening based upon recommendations by various guidelines. Methods We prospectively collected a patient reported questionnaire, including smoking history, family history, exposure history, and demographics, from April-October 2017 from new consults in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Otolaryngology (ORL). Patients smoking status and patient factors were collected and reported. Patients qualifying for screening by USPSTF, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and Tammemagi scoring criteria were identified. Multivariate analysis assessed the factors associated with positive criteria for screening and the sensitivity of each criterion was calculated. Results There were 546 new consults during the study period and 528 successfully completed the questionnaire. A total of 104/528 (20 %) patients who completed questionnaires qualified for screening based on any guideline. After exclusion of active lung cancer (n = 19), poor prognosis (n = 24), and CT as part of surveillance (n = 16), 45 (8.5 %) patients would require LDCT. Of the entire population, 10 %, 11 % and 18 % of patients qualified based on USPSTF, NCCN, and Tammemagi, which was reduced to 4.9 %, 5.3 %, and 7.8 %, respectively after exclusions. Patients with head and neck cancer (40 %), skin cancer (27 %), and prostate cancer (11 %) accounted for the majority of patients eligible for screening after exclusions. The sensitivity of the USPSTF, NCCN, and Tammemagi criteria in patients with a diagnosis of lung cancer (n = 26) was 38.5 % (CI95 20.2 %–59.4 %), 46.2 % (CI95 26.6 %–66.6 %), and 61.5 % (CI95 40.6 %–79.8 %), respectively. Conclusions We successfully identified 9 % of an oncology population at consultation who could benefit from lung cancer screening in survivorship. Distribution of a written or electronic questionnaire at consultation is a simple, low cost, effective method of identifying patients who would benefit from LDCT.
On the use of deep learning for computational imaging

Deep learning has emerged as a class of optimization algorithms proven to be effective for a variety of inference and decision tasks. Similar algorithms, with appropriate modifications, have also been widely adopted for computational imaging. Here, we review the basic tenets of deep learning and computational imaging, and overview recent progress in two applications: super resolution and phase retrieval.
DAF-18 is required for the age-dependent increase in DAF-16 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

The insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway modulates growth, survival, and lifespan by regulating FOXO transcription factors. In Caenorhabditis elegans, IIS maintains DAF-16/FOXO in an inactive state unless animals are challenged by environmental stress. Recent evidence suggests that DAF-16 becomes activated as part of normal aging in C. elegans, yet the regulatory module responsible for this phenomenon is largely undefined. Embedded within IIS is phospholipid signaling in which PIP3 produced by the PI3 kinase AGE-1 is an upstream event in DAF-16 inhibition. Countering AGE-1 is DAF-18, an ortholog of human PTEN phosphatase that dephosphorylates PIP3. Although it is required for normal lifespan in C. elegans, functional characterization of DAF-18 has primarily focused on its roles during development in the germline and neurons. In this study we asked whether DAF-18 plays a role in the age-dependent activation of DAF-16, and specifically in DAF-16-mediated immunity. Our data show that DAF-18 is expressed in multiple tissues during adulthood. We found that DAF-18 contributes to host defense in adult animals by functioning in the neurons and intestine, likely working through DAF-16 which acts in those same tissues to confer immunity. Supporting this possibility, DAF-18 was required for increased DAF-16 transcriptional activity during aging. Post-translational modifications including ubiquitination and sumoylation appear to be required for the function of DAF-18 during aging in C. elegans, indicating that strategies to modulate PTEN activity are evolutionarily conserved. Our results establish an important role for DAF-18 later in life and imply that it is a critical component of a neuroendocrine signaling circuit that governs the dynamic activity of DAF-16.
Postoperative pain management in pediatric cleft lip and palate repair.

Purpose of review There has been an increased interest in the literature on methods to improve perioperative outcomes in surgical patients while minimizing opioid use. Pediatric cleft palate repair can be a painful procedure, and this postoperative pain can lead to longer hospital stays and worse surgical outcomes. Recent findings Recent literature has explored four key areas surrounding analgesia after cleft lip and palate repair. These areas are management of postoperative pain with nonopioid oral analgesics, peripheral nerve blockade, liposomal bupivacaine for donor-site analgesia in bone grafting, and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols. Summary The included studies indicate that patients undergoing palatoplasty may have a decreased opioid requirement if nonopioid analgesics such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are started early in the postoperative setting. Peripheral nerve blockade is an important adjunct to analgesia in these patients. Suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blockade may improve pain management over traditional infraorbital nerve blockade. In patients undergoing alveolar bone grafting, injection of liposomal bupivacaine into the donor site can significantly decrease oral opioid requirements. Finally, ERAS protocols are emerging ways to decrease postoperative pain in cleft palate patients.
Arachnoid web associated with an intrathecal pain pump

Abstract Dorsal arachnoid webs are rare, and there is a lack of understanding regarding which patients are predisposed to forming them. A 52-year-old female, with an extensive spinal operative history and intrathecal opioid pain pump, presented to the emergency department with thoracic spine pain. Imaging revealed an arachnoid web at the T3 level. The patient was taken to the operating room for resection of the arachnoid web and had resolution of her neurological signs and symptoms postoperatively. Our experience suggests that the presence of an intrathecal pain pump may be a risk factor for the development of arachnoid web.
Hemolytic disease and reticulocytopenia of the newborn attributable to maternal immunoglobulin G anti‐M reacting optimally at cold temperatures

Background Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) attributable to anti-M is rare, although case reports implicate anti-M in varying severities of HDFN, including fetal hydrops and intrauterine death. Case description We describe the case of a newborn with HDFN associated with an atypical immunoglobulin (Ig) G anti-M that reacted best at cold temperatures. The maternal antibody detected in pregnancy was not reactive at 37°C, and a direct antiglobulin test (DAT) on red blood cells (RBCs) from the newborn was negative, suggesting an anti-M that should not have been clinically relevant. However, the infant developed hyperbilirubinemia (bilirubin level, 17.6 mg/dL), hemolytic anemia (hemoglobin nadir, 5.5 g/dL), and reticulocytopenia. Laboratory testing demonstrated the presence of an IgG anti-M in maternal and neonatal samples reacting best at 4°C. This passively acquired IgG anti-M provoked hemolytic anemia in the infant and likely suppressed erythropoiesis, resulting in reticulocytopenia with prolonged anemia. He was treated for IgG anti-M HDFN with 10 intravenous Ig infusions and 10 days of oral prednisone followed by a taper. He required seven transfusions with M- RBCs. His hemoglobin level normalized at 3 months of age. Follow-up at 2 years revealed no hematologic or neuro-developmental concerns. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the second report of HDFN attributable to an IgG anti-M reacting preferentially at cold temperature with no 37°C reactivity. Clinically relevant IgG anti-M may elude standard testing. Early recognition and testing for cold-reacting IgG anti-M should be considered for newborns with hemolysis, a negative DAT, and prolonged anemia.
Novel and Investigational Diagnostics: Liquid Biopsy and Beyond

The genomic landscape of primary and metastatic bladder cancer has been extensively characterized in the past decade. Advances in molecular and genetic diagnostic technologies have enabled the isolation and characterization of several different types of tumor-derived materials that are shed into the peripheral blood of cancer patients, including circulating tumor cells and cell-free circulating tumor DNA. As a noninvasive means of detecting and molecularly characterizing a tumor, liquid biopsy approaches are emerging as powerful tools for diagnosis, monitoring minimal residual disease, and assessing treatment response in patients with bladder cancer. For example, detection of circulating tumor DNA after radical cystectomy identifies patients with disease recurrence earlier than radiographic imaging and is a predictor of worse recurrence-free and overall survival; clinical trials are underway evaluating the utility of this liquid biopsy technique as an indicator for systemic therapy after cystectomy. While circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA have received the most attention in bladder cancer, additional liquid biopsy approaches measuring other tumor-derived materials such as microRNAs, exosomes, and metabolites are emerging from preclinical studies with promising results. Liquid biopsies have tremendous potential as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for patients with localized and metastatic bladder cancer, but several challenges remain to be overcome before integration into routine clinical practice is warranted. Efforts to standardize liquid biopsy methodologies and demonstrate analytic validity and clinical utility are ongoing. As these efforts continue to mature, we anticipate liquid biopsy approaches to be incorporated into clinical trials designed to validate their utility in improving clinical decision-making across multiple clinical contexts in bladder cancer.
Towards resolution of a paradox in plant G-protein signaling.

G-proteins are molecular on-off switches that are involved in transmitting a variety of extracellular signals to their intracellular targets. In animal and yeast systems, the switch property is encoded through nucleotides: a GDP-bound state is the "off-state" and the GTP-bound state is the "on-state". The G-protein cycle consists of the switch turning on through nucleotide exchange facilitated by a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and the switch turning off through hydrolysis of GTP back to GDP, facilitated by a protein designated REGULATOR OF G SIGNALING 1 (RGS). In plants, G-protein signaling dramatically differs from that in animals and yeast. Despite stringent conservation of the nucleotide binding and catalytic structures over the 1.6 billion years that separate the evolution of plants and animals, genetic and biochemical data indicate that nucleotide exchange is less critical for this switch to operate in plants. Also, loss of the single RGS protein in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) confers unexpectedly weaker phenotypes consistent with a diminished role for the G cycle, at least under static conditions. However, under dynamic conditions, genetic ablation of RGS in Arabidopsis results in a strong phenotype. We explore explanations to this conundrum by formulating a mathematical model that takes into account the accruing evidence for the indispensable role of phosphorylation in G-protein signaling in plants and that the G-protein cycle is needed to process dynamic signal inputs. We speculate that the plant G-protein cycle and its attendant components evolved to process dynamic signals through signaling modulation rather than through on-off, switch-like regulation of signaling. This so-called change detection may impart greater fitness for plants due to their sessility in a dynamic light, temperature, and pest environment.
The varying role of water column nutrient uptake along river continua in contrasting landscapes.

Nutrient transformation processes such as assimilation, dissimilatory transformation, and sorption to sediments are prevalent in benthic zones of headwater streams, but may also occur in the water column. The river continuum concept (RCC) predicts that water column processes become increasingly important with increasing stream size. We predicted that water column nutrient uptake increases with stream size, mirroring carbon/energy dynamics predicted by the RCC. We measured water column uptake of ammonium ( $${\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }$$ ), nitrate ( $${\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }$$ ), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in 1st through 5th order stream and river reaches (discharge: 50–68,000 L s−1) in three watersheds ranging from 70 % developed lands. We found that water column volumetric uptake (U vol ) of $${\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }$$ , $${\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }$$ , and SRP did not significantly differ among watersheds and we did not find any longitudinal patterns for U vol . Uptake velocity (v f ) of $${\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }$$ increased with stream size, whereas $${\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }$$ and SRP v f did not differ with stream size or among watersheds. Both U vol and v f were related to water column metabolism and material suspended in the water column, but specific relationships differed among solutes and uptake metrics. Median water column v f across 15 sites was 4, 9, and 19 % of median whole-stream $${\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }$$ , $${\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }$$ , and SRP v f based upon a previous meta-analysis. Thus, although we could not demonstrate a generalized longitudinal pattern in water column nutrient uptake, water column processes can be important. An improved mechanistic understanding of the controls on uptake and the ultimate fate of nutrients will facilitate effective management and restoration for mitigating downstream nutrient export.
THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL FORM IN THE MIXED MARKET FOR FOSTER CARE

**: This paper uses proprietary quality of care data to examine the consequences of organizational form in privatized US foster care services. The contract failure hypothesis generically proposes that nonprofits should provide higher quality services, relative to for-profits, when output is costly to observe. Advocates argue that the nonprofits offer important consumer protections when public services are contracted to private agencies. Contrary to expectations, we find that nonprofit firms do not offer higher quality services. We explore the possibility that monitoring efforts by state regulators or competition among foster care agencies effectively mitigate the influence of organizational form in this particular mixed market.
Chloroperoxidase. II. Utilization of halogen anions.

Abstract Chloroperoxidase can utilize chloride, bromide, and iodide ions and catalyze the formation of a carbon-halogen bond in the presence of suitable acceptor molecules. Suitable halogen acceptor molecules are β-keto acids, cyclic β-diketones, and substituted phenols. An optical assay has been developed to measure the halogenating activity of chloroperoxidase. The assay is based on the conversion of monochlorodimedon to the corresponding gem-dihalo derivative. The optical assay is based on the loss of absorbance at 278 mµ associated with the formation of the dihalo derivative from the monohalo compound. In the optical assay, crystalline chloroperoxidase preparations catalyze the formation of the dichlorodimedon from monochlorodimedon, chloride ion, and hydrogen peroxide at a rate of 67,000 moles of product formed per min per mole of enzyme. When bromide ion replaces chloride ion in the optical assay, the rate of formation of monobromo-monochlorodimedon is approximately twice the rate of formation of dichlorodimedon. The chloroperoxidase-catalyzed halogenation of tyrosine can be followed by measuring the decrease in tyrosine fluorescence associated with the formation of the mono- and dihalogenated tyrosines. At low concentrations of halogen anion (0.33 mm) the relative activity among the halogen anions for the halogenation of tyrosine is approximately 5.1:4.8:1 for iodide, bromide, and chloride, respectively. At higher concentrations of halogen anion, 3.3 mm, the ratio of activity between bromide and chloride falls to 3:1. At 3.3 mm iodide concentration, the enzymatic formation of elemental iodine masks the tyrosine fluorescences measurements so that rate comparisons cannot be made in this instance. Crystalline chloroperoxidase preparations catalyze the chlorination of tyrosine at a rate of approximately 7500 moles of product formed per min per mole of enzyme. Fluoride is not a substrate for chloroperoxidase but is an inhibitor of the halogenation reaction. The results indicate that fluoride ion can compete for both the hydrogen peroxide- and the halogen anion-binding sites on chloroperoxidase. Chloroperoxidase shares with other peroxidases the ability to catalyze the oxidation of iodide to iodine. The rate of iodine formation is about 1.5 times the rate of chlorination of monochlorodimedon when the reactions are compared, with equivalent amounts of enzyme and under saturating conditions for all substrates.
The reaction of anthramycin with DNA: II. Studies of kinetics and mechanism☆

Abstract Anthramycin is known to react firmly with DNA, but no chemical basis for this interaction has been elucidated. Since anthramycin readily undergoes hydrolytic changes at C-11, the possible relation of this reaction to the interaction with DNA was considered. Both the hydrolysis of an 11-methoxy group and the reaction with DNA were found to be H + catalysed, thus supporting a relation between the two processes. The titration of H + from the phenolic group at Position 9 of anthramycin was found to be absent in the DNA complex, suggesting that Position 9 also is involved in the complex. The rate of reaction of anthramycin-11-methyl ether with DNA was found to be increased by prior hydrolysis. The rate of reaction with DNA, however, does not involve a rate-limiting conversion of anthramycin to a reactive component, since the kinetics of the reaction were found to be basically bimolecular. This excluded the possibility that a slow conformational change of the DNA was rate-limiting. The findings support the proposal that the binding of anthramycin to DNA is covalent, and that Positions 11 and 9 are involved in the binding. The bimolecular rate constant was found to decrease exponentially with the extent of DNA reaction, probably due to neighboring-site exclusion effects. The site of reaction involves guanine, since only guanine-containing deoxypolynucleotides were found to be reactive, and since reaction of DNA with anthramycin caused stochiometric elimination of binding sites of actinomycin.
Time-frequency-energy representation based real-time speech recognition

The authors present an approach to isolated-word speech recognition which is characterized by two aspects: (1) nonlinear time normalization based on the gradients of short-time energy in a specific number of frequency bands, which retains the transient portions and ignores the steady-state portions of the speech signal in the frequency domain; and (2) real-time implementation due to low computational load. Simulation has shown that the correct rate of recognition was 99.5% for multiple speakers based on the TI-20 speech database. A very high accuracy for on-line recognition was also obtained. >
Strengthening Relations or Securing Resources? AFRICOMand US Military Interest in Africa

The September 11, 2001 attacks on American soil set into motion a new heightened level of international scrutiny and action. In response to the supposed foreign attacks, President G.W. Bush announced his plan for a War on Terrorism. Amidst the implementation of various anti-terrorist inspired mechanisms such as the creation of the US Department of Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, and a color-coded threat level chart, the Bush administration also refocused its aims on radical activity in Africa. Citing failed states on the continent as a national security hazard due to their alleged terrorist recruiting and harboring activities, in 2007 the Pentagon announced the creation of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in order to defend the region from terrorist influences. AFRICOM is a unified command agency, which centralizes and regulates all US military relations throughout the continent of Africa.The official mission statement of AFRICOM declares the function of the organization to be for the US Department of Defense to coordinate, assist, and bolster the anti-terrorism efforts of sovereign African nations. It reads: Unlike traditional Unified Commands, Africa Command will focus on war prevention rather than war-fighting. Africa Command intends to work with African nations and African organizations to build regional security and crisis-response capacity in support of U.S. government efforts in Africa.Despite the rhetoric of cooperation and non-military intervention, the establishment of AFRICOM has raised the eyebrows of many critics. Some assert that the true interests of the United States in Africa are not those that are reflective of African unity or prosperity. Critics vocalize accusations that the United States is utilizing their War on Terrorism as a guise under which they can secure a military foothold in geo-strategic points throughout the African continent; many of which points have significant deposits of highly sought after natural resources. Fears of a neo-colonial resurgence that would threaten the sovereignty of African nations also surround the controversy over AFRICOM. What could be the long-term effects of a renewed US military force in Africa? What implications could this force have on the foreign policies of some African nations? Will the creation of AFRICOM bring security and political tranquility to unstable African governments? These are but a few of the question that will be tackled in this paper. This essay seeks to examine and critique the role of AFRICOM in US-African relations and to explore the possible benefits and detriments the establishment presents to African countries. The methodology utilized for this study consists primarily of document analysis of scholarly materials (journal articles, editorials, books, policy statements, etc.). Africa’s growing geo-strategic significance has put the continent back on the radars of world powers. Therefore, in order to comprehensively access Africa’s future, one must investigate the motives and aims of international players in Africa.
The role of constitutive NF-κB activity in PC-3 human prostate cancer cell invasive behavior

The purpose of this study was to determine if increased NF-κB activity of highly invasive PC-3 cells contributed to their invasive behavior. Increased NF-κB activity has been observed in several malignant tumors and it may have an important role in tumorigenesis, progression and chemotherapy resistance. By serial selection, we obtained invasion variant PC-3 cell sublines. The PC-3 High Invasive cells invade readily through a Matrigel® reconstituted basement membrane while PC-3 Low Invasive cells have low baseline invasion activity. In these studies, we discovered that NF-κB DNA binding activity was increased in PC-3 High Invasive cells when compared to PC-3 Low Invasive cells by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Gel supershift assays showed a 4-fold increase in p65 containing complexes and a 2.2-fold increase in the p50 containing complexes in the PC-3 High Invasive cells. Luciferase reporter assays showed that NF-κB dependent transcription activity was increased 10.2±2.5-fold in the highly invasive cells (P<0.002). The PC-3 High Invasive cells showed a constitutive increase in phospho-IκBα and introduction of the super-repressor IκBα S32/36A inhibited NF-κB activity to 19.2±2.5 percent of control transfected cells (P≤0.001). The IκBα super-repressor reduced the basement membrane invasion of PC-3 High Invasive cells from 6.2±1.1 to 3.8±0.4 percent (P<0.002) with no decrease in cell viability or proliferation. These results demonstrate that increased NF-κB activity contributed directly to the invasive behavior of PC-3 High Invasive prostate cancer cells.
Adipose tissue biomarkers of fatty acid intake

Background Biomarkers can provide a more accurate measure of long-term intake than can dietary questionnaires. Objective The objective was to identify which adipose tissue fatty acids are suitable biomarkers of intake as assessed with a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Design Costa Rican men with a mean (+/- SD) age of 56 +/- 11 y (n = 367) and women aged 60 +/- 10 y (n = 136) completed a 135-item food-frequency questionnaire and provided an adipose tissue sample. Fifty fatty acids were identified by capillary gas chromatography. Correlation coefficients were calculated after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status. Results The best adipose tissue marker for total intake of saturated fatty acids was 15:0 + 17:0 (r = 0.18). Both 15:0 and 17:0 were also the best correlates of dairy product intake (r = 0.31 for each). The diet-adipose tissue correlations for n-3 fatty acids were r = 0.34 for 18:3, r = 0.15 for 20:5, and r = 0.18 for 22:6. Fish intake correlated significantly with these adipose tissue n-3 fatty acids. Dietary and adipose tissue n-6 fatty acids were highly correlated: 18:2 (r = 0.58) and 18:3 (r = 0.24). The best indicators of total trans fatty acid intake were ct18:2n-6 and tc18:2n-6 (r = 0.58 for each); total 18:1 trans fatty acid (r = 0.45) and 16:1 trans fatty acid (r = 0.16) were the next best indicators. Conclusions Adipose tissue is a suitable biomarker of dietary fatty acid intake, particularly for n-3 and n-6 cis polyunsaturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids. Ideally, adipose tissue and dietary questionnaires should complement, rather than substitute for, each other in epidemiologic studies.
IEEE1451 smart sensors supporting USB connectivity

This paper deals with smart sensors that offer data structures and access features as described in the IEEE1451 standard, while they have network interface based on USB. Communication protocol has been inspired by IEEE1451.2 transducer independent interface (TII). A new hardware architecture that fuses together a smart transducer interface module (STIM) and a USB Device, is introduced. A full VHDL description of the device has been also provided in order to facilitate future migration to a single-chip ASIC suitable for low-cost high-performance application. Finally, some preliminary simulations have been carried out to evaluate performances of the proposed U-STIM architecture.
Variable delay multi-pulse train for fast chemical exchange saturation transfer and relayed-nuclear overhauser enhancement MRI.

Purpose Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is a new MRI technology allowing the detection of low concentration endogenous cellular proteins and metabolites indirectly through their exchangeable protons. A new technique, variable delay multi-pulse CEST (VDMP-CEST), is proposed to eliminate the need for recording full Z-spectra and performing asymmetry analysis to obtain CEST contrast. Methods The VDMP-CEST scheme involves acquiring images with two (or more) delays between radiofrequency saturation pulses in pulsed CEST, producing a series of CEST images sensitive to the speed of saturation transfer. Subtracting two images or fitting a time series produces CEST and relayed-nuclear Overhauser enhancement CEST maps without effects of direct water saturation and, when using low radiofrequency power, minimal magnetization transfer contrast interference. Results When applied to several model systems (bovine serum albumin, crosslinked bovine serum albumin, l-glutamic acid) and in vivo on healthy rat brain, VDMP-CEST showed sensitivity to slow to intermediate range magnetization transfer processes (rate < 100–150 Hz), such as amide proton transfer and relayed nuclear Overhauser enhancement-CEST. Images for these contrasts could be acquired in short scan times by using a single radiofrequency frequency. Conclusions VDMP-CEST provides an approach to detect CEST effect by sensitizing saturation experiments to slower exchange processes without interference of direct water saturation and without need to acquire Z-spectra and perform asymmetry analysis. Magn Reson Med 71:1798–1812, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Building a Web-Services Based Geospatial Online Analysis System

Recent advances in geospatial Web services and Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) are shifting geospatial data and analysis from the everything-locally-owned-and-operated paradigm to the everything-shared-over-the-Web paradigm. By embracing geospatial content and capabilities within the context of SOA, we have developed a Geospatial Online Analysis System (GeOnAS), a fully extensible system designed for discovery, retrieval, analysis, and visualization of geospatial and other network data based on Web services. GeOnAS also is built as an open and collaborative system capable of integrating distributed services to implement all required functions. The more users are involved, the more powerful the system becomes. GeOnAS provides values in its overall efficiency of integrating and analyzing distributed geospatial data over the Web.
Rapid planning for CNC milling—A new approach for rapid prototyping

This paper presents a description of how CNC milling can be used to rapidly machine a variety of parts with minimal human intervention for process planning. The methodology presented uses a layer-based approach (like traditional rapid prototyping) for the rapid, semi-automatic machining of common manufactured part geometries in a variety of materials. Parts are machined using a plurality of 21/2-D toolpaths from orientations about a rotary axis. Process parameters such as the number of orientations, tool containment boundaries, and tool geometry are derived from CAD slice data. In addition, automated fixturing is accomplished through the use of sacrificial support structures added to the CAD geometry. The paper begins by describing the machining methodology and then presents a number of critical issues needed to make the process automatic and efficient. Example parts machined using this methodology are then presented and discussed.
Reconstructing teacher education: a praxeological approach to pre-service teacher education

Praxeological-learning has emerged as a potential theoretical framework that has considerable potential to support and improve teacher education preparation programs. This article presents a study with participative research on early childhood with four groups of students. In response to new twenty-first century Teaching Standards and enhanced field experiences, pre-service teacher (PST) education candidates at a regional campus in the Midwest engaged in academic praxeological-learning, which offered the opportunity to increase content mastery and reinforce pedagogical skills through authentic experiences. Results indicate that students participating in this type of learning believed their experiences contributed positively to pedagogical skill development, self-actualisation, and social and moral development. The impact on our teacher education program and the relevance of these findings for training the next generation of educators is discussed.