cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytokine Profiling of Macrophages Exposed to Porphyromonas gingivalis, Its Lipopolysaccharide, or Its FimA Protein

To characterize the roles of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its components in the disease processes, we investigated the cytokine profile induced by live P. gingivalis, its lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and its major fimbrial protein, fimbrillin (FimA). Using cytokine antibody arrays, we found that P. gingivalis LPS and FimA induced a similar profile of cytokine expression when exposed to mouse peritoneal macrophages but that this profile differed significantly in response to live P. gingivalis. In vitro, mouse peritoneal macrophages were stimulated to produce interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and lymphotactin by live P. gingivalis, but not by P. gingivalis LPS or FimA, while RANTES, gamma interferon, IL-17, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor were induced by P. gingivalis LPS or FimA, but not by live P. gingivalis. In vivo, IL-6 mRNA was strongly induced only by live P. gingivalis while monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 mRNA was strongly induced only by P. gingivalis LPS and FimA in mouse calvarial scalp, further confirming the differences of cytokine profile induced in vitro. Cytokine antibody arrays using toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)- and TLR4-deficient macrophages revealed that most of the cytokines induced by P. gingivalis LPS or FimA signal through TLR2, while most of cytokines induced by live P. gingivalis signal through both TLR2 and TLR4. Interestingly, the activation of TLR2 by live P. gingivalis inhibited the release of RANTES, VCAM-1, and IL-1α from mouse peritoneal macrophages. A tumor necrosis factor alpha enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay further confirmed that P. gingivalis LPS and FimA activate mouse peritoneal macrophages via TLR2. These results indicate that host immune cells sense live P. gingivalis and its components differently, which translates into the expression of different inflammatory cytokine profiles.
Visualizing capacity and load in production planning

Production planning is difficult not just because of the intricate relationships between the myriads of parameters, but also the dynamic nature of changes in the decision making environment. Good visualization tools for production planning are rare. Production planning is not merely an optimization problem. The possibility of making incremental manual changes will allow the planner to be more responsive to the dynamic changes in businesses today. The paper reports on a study prompted by the production planning of metal ingot casting. To visualize the production capacity and the current load in production planning, we focused on the potential bottle-neck machines, namely, the melting furnace and the pre-heat oven. We developed models of these machines which capture their special characteristics relevant to planning. Using our models in the load graphs of these machines, we were able to visualize the loading situation and the available production capacity. The visual models facilitate direct manipulation by a human planner to interact with a production plan to make incremental changes, with the impact of the change verified automatically. Visualization with the interactive techniques will augment advanced planning systems to provide better versatility and enhance usability.
Estimation of efficacy functions for products used to manage corn rootworm larval injury

AbstractMaize, Zea mays L., is an economically important crop grown throughoutthe world. Corn rootworm, Diabrotica spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae),larvae constitute a signiﬁcant economic threat to maize production in theUnited States, where yield losses and management costs associated withcorn rootworm species exceed $1 billion annually. Furthermore, theintroduction of the western corn rootworm, D. virgifera virgifera LeConte,into maize-producing regions of Europe has made managing corn root-worm larval injury an international concern. Larvae injure maize plantsby feeding on root tissue and are the primary target of management activi-ties. Products commonly used to protect root systems from injury includechemical insecticides (seed or soil applied) and genetically modiﬁed maizehybrids expressing toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt).The conﬁrmation of ﬁeld-evolved resistance to various Bt toxins in popu-lations of the western corn rootworm presents a signiﬁcant managementchallenge. We performed a meta-analysis to provide a broad understand-ing of the relative efﬁcacy of the primary products currently being used tomanage corn rootworm larval injury, including insecticidal seed treat-ments, soil insecticides and Bt hybrids (with and without the addition ofsoil insecticide). Our analysis is unique in the breadth of locations andyears included – we analysed 135 individual trials conducted from 2003through 2014 at multiple sites in both Illinois and Nebraska. Panel datawere produced by pairing the mean node-injury rating for each treatmentof a given trial with the mean node-injury rating for untreated maize. Lin-ear regression models were developed to estimate the relationshipbetween the potential for corn rootworm larval injury and product perfor-mance. For a given level of injury potential, the parameters estimatedreveal differences in the degree of root protection offered by the variousproduct categories analysed. Implications for developing long-term, inte-grated, and sustainable practices for managing this important pest ofmaize are discussed.IntroductionMaize, Zea mays L., is an economically important cropgrown throughout the world. An estimated 177 mil-lion ha of maize were planted in 2013 – the UnitedStates accounted for approximately 20% of this area(USDA NASS 2013). Corn rootworm larvae, Diabroticaspp., represent a signiﬁcant and widespread economicthreat to maize production in the United States (Grayet al. 2009). In the Midwest, the corn rootworm com-plex is dominated by two species – the western cornrootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, and
Quarantine of Aeromonas salmonicida-harboring ebonyshell mussels (Fusconaia ebena) prevents transmission of the pathogen to brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Abstract Furunculosis, caused by the bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida, was artificially induced in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in an experimental tank. Ebonyshells (Fusconaia ebena) were placed to cohabit with these fish to acquire the pathogen through siphoning. After 2 wk of cohabitation, 10 of the mussels were assayed by bacterial culture and all were found to harbor A. salmonicida. The mean cell count from soft tissue homogenates was 1.84 × 105 cfu/g, which comprised an average 14.41% of the total bacteria isolated from tissues. From the fluids, a mean of 2.84 × 105 A. salmonicida cfu/mL was isolated, which comprised an average of 17.29% of the total bacterial flora. The mussels were removed from the cohabitation tank and distributed equally among five previously disinfected tanks, 35 per tank. The F. ebena in each tank were allowed to depurate A. salmonicida for various durations: 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 days. After each group had depurated for their assigned time, 10 were assayed for bacteria, tan...
Novel N-pyrimidin-4-yl-3-amino-pyrrolo [3, 4-C] pyrazole derivatives as PKC kinase inhibitors: a patent evaluation of US2015099743 (A1).

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Protein kinase Cβ (PKCβ) is a member of the PKC family of serine/threonine kinases that has been implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications. Developing small molecule drugs targeting this PKC isozyme is a rational approach for treating these disease states. PKCβ belongs to the conventional class of PKC and contains both regulatory and kinase domain. Numerous compounds of different chemical classes were designed targeting the kinase domain, but achieved very limited success in clinical trials.Areas covered: This patent application reports the synthesis of about 100 new N-pyrimidin-4-yl-3-amino-pyrolo [3, 4-C] pyrazole derivatives and their competitive inhibition constant (Ki) for protein kinase C βII (PKCβII), one of the two splice variants of PKCβ. The compounds compete with ATP at the kinase domain of PKCβII, and inhibit with high potency having Ki values in the 0.1–181 nM range. The compounds are claimed to be selective towards PKCβI, PKCβII and PKCα over other pro...
Abstract 17012: Prognostic Value of Global and Regional Right Ventricular Strain and Dyssynchrony by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Comparison to Measures of RV function by Computed Tomography and Transthoracic Echocardiography

Background: Right ventricular (RV) strain and RV dyssynchrony measured by speckle tracking echocardiography (SPE) are altered in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The prognostic utility of these measures have not been compared to conventional echocardiographic and computed tomography (CT) measures of RV dysfunction. We sought to determine the relative prognostic value of RV strain compared to that of CT RV/LV diameter ratio and conventional measures of RV dysfunction by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Hypothesis: Global and regional RV strain by SPE will allow for improved risk stratification in acute PE. Methods: 200 consecutive patients diagnosed with acute PE by CT pulmonary angiography who had a TTE within 48 hours were included. Global RV strain and regional RV strain in six segments (basal-, mid- and apical- free and septal walls, respectively) were measured using offline speckle tracking software. The standard deviation (SD) of the time to peak for the 6 segments was used to quantify RV dyssynchrony. The predictive ability (Area under the Curve; AUC) of the SPE measures of strain for PE-related mortality was compared to that of CT RV/LV ratio and TTE measures of RV dysfunction. Results: Mean longitudinal strain was -18 +/-7.9 in the overall cohort. Regional strain was greatest in the basal lateral segment (-22 +/-14.9) and lowest in the apical septal segment (16.7 +/- 9.2). RV dyssynchrony was 92.9+/-67. There were 13 PE-related deaths. The predictive value of mean longitudinal strain (AUC = 0.64), basal RV free wall strain (AUC = 0.64) and mid RV free wall strain (AUC = 0.70) were not significantly different than that of CT RV/LV ratio, TTE RV/LV ratio and PASP by TTE (AUC 0.61, 0.64, and 0.65, respectively). Mid free wall strain had significantly better predictive value than dyssynchrony (AUC = 0.43, p Conclusion: Patterns of global and regional RV longitudinal strain and dyssynchrony are described. Although we showed that global and mid free wall RV strain by SPE has similar prognostic ability for PE-related death compared to conventional measures of RV dysfunction by CT and TTE, larger studies are required to confirm these findings.
A modified Friedman test for randomized complete block designs

AbstractThe Friedman test is often used for a randomized complete block design when the normality assumption is not satisfied or the data are ordinal. The Friedman test can be viewed as an extension of the sign test for multiple measurements within each subject or block. We propose a modified Friedman test based on the Wilcoxon sign rank approach. Coincidentally, Tukey proposed a test statistic similar to our proposed test, but blocks are ranked by the minimum difference within each block. In the proposed test, we use the variance of block to rank the blocks, with the least variance being ranked the smallest. In both Tukey test and the modified Friedman test, linear ranks are used for blocks and treatments. The Tukey test belongs to the family of weighted-ranking test from Quade (1979).The modified Friedman test, the Friedman test and the Tukey test are compared under various conditions and the results indicate that the proposed test is generally more powerful than the Friedman test and the Tukey test whe...
Palliative Aspekte in der Akutgeriatrie

Akutgeriatrien sind Spezialabteilungen fur Geriatrie im Krankenhaus mit einem ganzheitlichen, rehabilitationsorientierten Behandlungskonzept. Im Fokus stehen nicht nur medizinische Probleme, sondern auch die seelische und soziale Situation sowie der korperlich funktionelle und kognitive Status der Patientinnen. Palliative Care und Geriatrie stimmen inhaltlich in grosen Bereichen uberein: Beide sind Querschnittsfacher, fur beide gelten Patientinnenzentriertheit und die Arbeit im multidisziplinaren Team als obligatorische Struktur- und Leistungsstandards. Die Geriatrie uberbruckt den scheinbaren Gegensatz zwischen kurativem und palliativem Konzept. Der Wechsel vom kurativen in das palliative Paradigma arztlichen Handelns ist in die Geriatrie integriert. Sterbebegleitung als ethische und professionelle Verpflichtung des geriatrischen Teams bedeutet, Leiden zu verhindern bzw. zu lindern. Dazu gehort es auch, alles zu unterlassen, was den sterbenden Menschen unnotig belastet.
Application of IEC 61850 to Smart Hydropower Plants Data Communication

In order to implement interoperability of devices and information sharing in smart hydropower plants,data communication system should adopt IEC 61850 standard.The key communication technologies with IEC 61850 standard in smart hydropower plants are introduced.An example of modeling with IEC 61850 in hydrological telemetry system is given.IEC 61850 communication server in hydropower plants should implement a subset of all communication services specified by IEC 61850-7-2.The detail of the subset is also provided.In the mean time,an implementation scheme of IEC 61850 communication client software of smart hydropower plants is proposed.And implementation of framework design,data receiving and control function for the software is also discussed.
Analysis of the United States' Language Education and Training from the Perspective of Product Supply

As a nation of immigrants,the United States' language education and training is a practical,political as well as educational issue.Focusing on the language education and training that includes English and foreign languages in American universities,schools,profit and non-profit agencies,the paper examines how the language policy,social and business demands,national and global situations have affected its language education in an attempt to map its general situation.Although language industry is not quite an established concept,the language education/training enterprises have already demonstrated its strong development in U.S.The paper concludes with thoughts on and suggestions for Chinese language education both inside and outside China.
Chromatin Structure: Relation of Nucleosomes of DNA Sequence

The results to be summarized here are mainly devoted to the question of the position of nucleosomes on the DNA along the chromatin fiber. Nucleosome position was studied relative to DNA sequences (Prunell and Kornberg, 1977 and 1978a) and relative to one another (Prunell and Kornberg, 1977 and manuscript in preparation).
New lithographic techniques for x-ray spectroscopy

Off-plane reflection gratings require high-fidelity, custom groove profiles to perform with high spectral resolution in a Wolter-I optical system. This places a premium on exploring lithographic techniques in nanofabrication to produce state-of-the-art gratings. The fabrication recipe currently being pursued involves electron-beam lithography (EBL) and reactive ion etching (RIE) to define the groove profile, wet anisotropic etching in silicon to achieve blazed grooves and UV-nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) to replicate the final product. A process involving grayscale EBL and thermal reflow known as thermally activated selective topography equilibration (TASTE) is also being investigated as an alternative method to fabricate these gratings. However, a master grating fabricated entirely in soft polymeric resist through the TASTE process requires imprinting procedures other than UV-NIL to explored. A commerically available process called substrate conformal imprint lithography (SCIL) has been identified as a possible solution to this problem. SCIL also has the ability to replicate etched silicon gratings with reduced trapped air defects as compared to UV-NIL, where it is difficult to achieve conformal contact over large areas. As a result, SCIL has the potential to replace UV-NIL in the current grating fabrication recipe.
Perceptions of thanks in the workplace: Use, effectiveness, and dark sides of managerial gratitude

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the use, effectiveness, and dark sides of gratitude communications in workplace organizations. From the perspective of the subordinate employee, this study offers managers applicable insight into best practices for expressing appreciation. Design/methodology/approach – The original research incorporates a two-part study; narratives from three focus groups, and quantitative survey responses from 883 full-time professionals across a spectrum of industries. Findings – The usage of various gratitude mediums (verbal, electronic, handwritten, monetary, etc.) is discussed. Most employees prefer verbal one-on-one gratitude to any other form. Sincerity is highly important to employees, which was found to be indicated by specificity, personalization, timeliness, and equivalency. Research limitations/implications – Although it is presumed the majority of the 883 survey participants were from the USA, they were never asked to indicate their location. Conducting the sa...
Embodied Life Stories: Transforming Shame Through Self-Revelatory Performance

The experience of seeing oneself through another’s eyes can be deeply shaming or profoundly healing. I have created a kind of theater for shy people, a place where they can be seen and heard, with the deep knowing that they will be able to step onto the stage and at the same time step into the next stage in their lives. I have developed a method for directing self-revelatory performance (Self-Rev) that I term the Embodied Life Stories Process. This chapter explores the structures and the theoretical framework of this process by addressing how to access story from the body, when to use writing, when to improvise, when to witness, and how to find the deeper story.
How method of killing crickets impact the sensory qualities and physiochemical properties when prepared in a broth

Abstract Due to the increasing demands on the global food supply, entomophagy is being strongly considered as a viable alternative to protein derived from traditional animal sources. This study evaluated the sensory and physiological properties of a broth made from crickets that were frozen prior to cooking and compared it to a broth made from crickets that were alive when cooked. To evaluate and compare how method of killing crickets impacts their sensory qualities and physiological properties, two experiments were conducted. The first experiment consisted of three broths that were made, with different ratios, by weight; of frozen crickets to water (1:10, 2:10, 3:10) each sample contained ninety grams of mirepoix and four grams of salt. This experiment was conducted to establish a control recipe for final sensory analysis. From this experiment it was determined through a ranked preference test; that the ratio of 2:10 was adequate for the sensory analysis. For the final experiment, two broths were made in a similar fashion as described above. The first, being the control broth, made from crickets that were frozen prior to cooking and a variable broth made from crickets that were still alive prior to cooking. A sensory evaluation was conducted comparing overall liking, and the perception of saltiness, bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and umami. Significant differences were observed in the pH level, overall liking, as well as the perception of saltiness and umami. These results could be directly related to the break down of glycogen as well as from the formation of lactic acid. In part, these results are completely opposite from what consumers prefer in products from larger animals. These finding can be of importance when considering future processing methods of insect based proteins and consumer dietary needs such as low sodium foods.
The cytoplasmic domain of Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein is phosphorylated at Thr654, Ser655, and Thr668 in adult rat brain and cultured cells.

The cytoplasmic domain of the Alzheimer’s disease amyloid precursor protein (APP) is phosphorylated in vitro at Thr654 and Ser655, and both in vitro and in intact cells at Thr668 (numbering for APP695 isoform). We have developed phosphorylation state-specific antibodies to each of the sites, and we have used these to analyze the phosphorylation of APP in adult rat brain and in cultured cell lines. We demonstrate that all three sites in APP are phosphorylated in adult rat brain. Phosphorylation at Thr654, Ser655, and Thr668 was also observed in several cultured cell lines. In PC12 cells, phosphorylation at Ser655 was increased more than 10-fold by treatment with okadaic acid, a specific inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, but was not affected by activators of protein kinase C. In HeLa cells, phosphorylation at Thr668 was regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner with near-stoichiometric phosphorylation being observed at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. In general, phosphorylation at Ser655 was found to be highest in mature APP isoforms, whereas phosphorylation of Thr668 was highest in immature APP isoforms in cultured cells. The results demonstrate that phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of APP occurs at Thr654, Ser655, and Thr668 under physiological conditions. The further characterization of APP phosphorylation using phosphorylation-specific antibodies may help in the elucidation of the biological function of APP.
Political Polarization as Disagreement Failure

A few events in recent American history are analyzed as “disagreement failures,” while others are described as exemplifying “disagreement success.” These terms are defined in order to support the conclusion that deliberative democracy requires both the celebration of disagreement and the crossing of multiple borders through dialogue. Such a “democracy of conversation” more specifically requires a culture that explicitly celebrates disagreement as an activity, meaning that it treats actual engagement in disagreement as a part of a life well-lived, and that it therefore routinely pushes for the inclusion of as many “sides” as possible in public talk. Supported in this way, cross-border, public conversation would be inherently democratic, community-building, and anti-totalitarian. Held regularly, such talk would help participants to see issues from multiple points of view, and would do so without asking them to give in to the non-thinking of mere tolerance. People who take part in such conversations would be more likely to face up to difficult issues politicians often avoid, and politicians would both be pushed and enabled to do better. In addition, such disagreement practice would cultivate respect for humanity, as participants observe themselves and others making sense, being civil, and in general doing a good job under presssure.
A practical method of I-131 thyroid cancer therapy dose optimization using estimated effective renal clearance

In thyroid cancer patients with renal impairment or other complicating factors, it is important to maximize I-131 therapy efficacy while minimizing bone marrow and lung damage. We developed a web-b...
Applications of satellite ocean color products

In this paper, we provide an overview of ocean color products derived from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP), which was launched on October 28, 2011. VIIRS ocean color products include normalized water-leaving radiance spectra nL w (λ) at VIIRS five spectral bands, chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), water diffuse attenuation coefficients at the wavelength of 490 nm, K d (490), and at the domain of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), K d (PAR). In addition, new products of nL w (λ) at VIIRS I-band 638 nm nL w (638) and QA Score are now included. VIIRS ocean color products derived from the Multi-Sensor Level-1 to Level-2 (MSL12) ocean color data processing system are evaluated and compared routinely with in situ data from the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) and several AERONET-OC sites. Our evaluation results show that VIIRS has been providing high-quality global ocean color products in support of scientific research and operational applications. Some application examples using satellite ocean color data are provided. VIIRS-derived ocean color data can be used for water property monitoring and evaluation, habitat characterization, and refining stock assessments.
EFFECT OF TOLERANCE ON ANTIBODY-BINDING AFFINITY

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the effect of tolerance on antibody-binding affinity. The two factors that influence the affinity of serum antibody are: (1) the selective pressure of decreasing antigen concentration and (2) the rate of cell proliferation. For selection of high affinity antibody forming cells to proceed efficiently, it is necessary to have a vigorous immune response. That is, a large population of dividing B lymphocytes is essential if decreasing antigen concentration is to operate effectively as a selective force. In an experiment discussed in the chapter, it is shown that nonspecific augmentation of the immune response with adjuvants tends to increase the average affinity of the serum antibody, while nonspecific depression of the immune response with cytotoxic drugs tends to slightly lower antibody affinity. Nonspecific depression of the immune response as a result of antigen competition will also depress antibody affinity but only when competition is very marked. Depending on the type of tolerance, either a marked depression of affinity, slight or no depression in affinity can be seen, and T cell tolerance leads to no change or a modest depression in affinity, and antibody-mediated tolerance results in an increase in affinity.
Neural Circuit Plasticity in Addiction

Abstract Addiction is a progressive disorder that involves a transition from social use into a compulsive relapsing state. This behavioral transition reflects a combination of transient and enduring neural adaptations within specific neural circuits that can leave individuals vulnerable to relapse—even following prolonged periods of abstaining from drug use. Commonalities in the ability of abused drugs to promote similar changes in neurochemistry, neurophysiology, and behavior have pushed for a unified theory of substance abuse. While distinctions in how certain drug classes alter the brain certainly exist, emerging evidence regarding drug-induced neural plasticity suggests that modifications in cell signaling produced by different drugs may overlap more than previously believed. This chapter will focus on adaptations in synaptic plasticity within three key substrates of the brains reward circuit—the ventral tegmental area (VTA), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and nucleus accumbens (NAc). We will overview how acute and repeated drug exposure, as well as the temporal effects of withdrawal, alter excitatory and inhibitory signaling in these regions, and when possible, focus on pathway and cell-based neural adaptations and their relevance to addiction behavior.
Virtual Network Function Deployment in Tree-Structured Networks

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) evolves the implementation of network functions from expensive hardwares to software middleboxes. These software middleboxes, also called Virtual Network Functions (VNFs), are executed on switch-connected servers. Efficiently deploying such VNFs is challenging, because VNFs must fully process all flows with their traffic rates before they reach their destinations while VNF locations are restricted by the constraint of vertex capacity. In addition, each network function offers heterogeneous VNF types with different configurations of processing volumes and costs. This paper focuses on minimizing the total cost of deploying VNF instances for providing a specific network function to all flows in tree-structured networks. First we prove the NP-hardness of heterogeneous VNF deployment in a tree topology and propose a dynamic programming based solution with a pseudo-polynomial time complexity. Then we narrow down to three simplified cases by focusing on homogeneous VNFs or the linear line topology. Specifically, three algorithms are introduced: an improved dynamic programming based algorithm for deploying homogeneous VNFs in a tree topology, a performance-guaranteed algorithm for deploying heterogeneous VNFs in a linear line topology, and an optimal greedy algorithm for deploying homogeneous VNFs in a linear line topology. Extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of our algorithms.
Poly(Alkyl Glycidate Carbonate)s as Degradable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives.

Insertion of CO2 into the polyacrylate backbone, forming poly(carbonate) analogues, provides an environmentally friendly and biocompatible alternative. The synthesis of five poly(carbonate) analogues of poly(methyl acrylate), poly(ethyl acrylate), and poly(butyl acrylate) is described. The polymers are prepared using the salen cobalt(III) complex catalyzed copolymerization of CO2 and a derivatized oxirane. All the carbonate analogues possess higher glass-transition temperatures (Tg =32 to -5 °C) than alkyl acrylates (Tg =10 to -50 °C), however, the carbonate analogues (Td ≈230 °C) undergo thermal decomposition at lower temperatures than their acrylate counterparts (Td ≈380 °C). The poly(alkyl carbonates) exhibit compositional-dependent adhesivity. The poly(carbonate) analogues degrade into glycerol, alcohol, and CO2 in a time- and pH-dependent manner with the rate of degradation accelerated at higher pH conditions, in contrast to poly(acrylate)s.
Synthesis of the Management Strategy of the Ship Power Plant for the Combined Propulsion Complex

Based on the calculations of the x-velocity components at the intersection of the screw flow along the rotation axis with the dimensions in units of the screw diameter for the vessel in dynamic positioning mode, the method of surface orientation of the Reynolds-Navier-Stokes equation for mass transfer on the separation line of the medium from different coefficients of properties. The limitation of power and torque on propeller shaft lines is ensured by the redistribution of the emphasis between the motors or the reduction of the maximum load. The three-level multicriterion strategy of energy distribution management in the hybrid marine power plant of the combined propulsion complex was developed by integrating the classical power management strategy with the strategy of management and monitoring of the state of the medium-speed diesel generator and the degree of charge of the alternative generator element of the energy accumulation system.
Detection of sealant delamination in integrated circuit package using a multivariate Gaussian model

This paper presents the development of a delamination detection framework for integrated circuit packages aiming at quantitative detection of sealant delamination between integrated heat sink and substrate, which is one of the potential failure mechanisms in integrated circuit packages. This method is expected to overcome the destructive nature of most existing techniques and maintain a relatively low cost of development. Ultrasonic guided waves are used as the interrogation method due to their sensitivity to small-size damage and capability of through-thickness penetration. The complexity of the received ultrasonic signals, caused by the geometric heterogeneity, is resolved and interpreted using a time-frequency signal processing technique. The extracted ultrasonic information, including time-of-arrival and amplitude of wave modes received from different sensing paths under multiple excitation frequencies, is used to construct the feature space for training. An unsupervised learning method, multivariate Gaussian model, is implemented as an information fusion and delamination detection tool. The multivariate Gaussian model efficiently investigates the distribution of feature space including correlations between features and flag the outliers without labeled examples. Results from the developed model are compared with two existing evaluation methods, including pullout test and a metric indicating the extent of delamination, which indicates that the developed method possesses a similar level of accuracy.
Application of Site-Specific Hazard Assessment Testing to Solid Wastes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) proposes to use a leaching test as one of the criteria for estimating the environmental hazard of on-land disposal of hazardous wastes. There are many significant technical problems with the specific protocols proposed for use, such as not specifying a defined redox condition under which the tests are to be conducted. The most significant deficiency is in the proposed method for interpretation of leaching test results. The use of these tests as currently formulated could readily result in chemicals that present minimal risk to the environment and human health, being classified as hazardous. More importantly, their use could cause truly hazardous wastes to be classified as acceptable for on-land disposal with minimum restrictions. Adopting the U.S. EPA's proposed approach will result in unnecessarily large amounts of money being spent for control of "hazardous" chemicals and, in some cases, without providing adequate environmental or human health protection. This paper reviews some of the problems associated with the use of the U.S. EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) leaching test for classifying the hazardous nature of chemicals destined for land disposal. Recommendations are made for modification of the RCRA leaching test, to provide for a site-specific evaluation procedure to more properly evaluate the potential hazard associated with on-land disposal of hazardous wastes. An approach is discussed which combines environmental physics (transport and mixing), chemistry-fate, and biology (toxicology, bioconcentration) information. This approach is presented as a basis for interpretation of the results of the leaching tests in terms of the hazard associated with the disposal of a particular waste at a particular site. This "hazard assessment approach," which has been adapted for application to solid wastes by the authors, is a sequential, selective testing-interpretation scheme for combining information on environmental physics (transport and mixing), chemistry-fate, and biology (toxicology and bioconcentration) of a waste and disposal site to determine potential environmental hazard.
Interventional Procedures: Patient-Centered Approach

Patient-centered care is one of the core values of the Society of Breast Imaging and calls for provider collaboration with patients and families in shared decision-making processes to optimize care and patient satisfaction. As patients undergo imaging-guided breast biopsy procedures, understanding the patients’ experiences is critical for enabling radiologists to provide the most effective, patient-centered approach. This chapter describes factors such as effective radiologist-patient communication, reducing wait times, psychosocial support for anxiety, and procedural techniques and interventions for pain control to enhance patients’ experiences as they navigate the breast biopsy process.
Ultrasound measurements of lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size in firefighters

BACKGROUND: Firefighters have a high incidence of low back pain and injury. OBJECTIVE: To describe lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size characteristics in firefighters and to compare these characteristics to normative reference ranges. METHODS: In career firefighters without current low back pain (62 males, 7 females), ultrasonography was used to assess: L4 and L5 lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA), asymmetry, and thicknesses; and external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal thicknesses. Comparisons of mean values in firefighters were made to the normative 95% reference ranges for the general population and soldiers. RESULTS: Mean values for lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size in firefighters fell within the 95% reference ranges for the general population and soldiers for all measurements, except L4 multifidus CSA in males and L5 multifidus CSA in females, which were larger in firefighters than the general population. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size measurements in firefighters are similar to the general population and soldiers. The larger lumbar multifidus CSA in firefighters compared with the general population warrants further study. These data provide a basis for future research using ultrasonography to assess muscle size in firefighters and other workers in physically-demanding occupations.
Pruritus after discontinuation of cetirizine.

Background:Intense pruritus or itching emerging after discontinuation of cetirizine has been the subject of postmarketing reports submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), published...
Kinase-mediated RAS signaling via membraneless cytoplasmic protein granules

Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-mediated activation of downstream effector pathways such as the RAS GTPase/MAP kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is thought to occur exclusively from lipid membrane compartments in mammalian cells. Here, we uncover a membraneless, protein granule-based subcellular structure that can organize RTK/RAS/MAPK signaling in cancer. Chimeric (fusion) oncoproteins involving certain RTKs including ALK and RET undergo de novo higher-order assembly into membraneless cytoplasmic protein granules. These pathogenic biomolecular condensates locally concentrate the RAS activating complex GRB2/SOS1 and activate RAS in a lipid membrane-independent manner to initiate MAPK signaling. Formation of membraneless protein granules by RTK oncoproteins is both necessary and sufficient for RAS/MAPK signaling output in cells. Our findings reveal membraneless, higher-order cytoplasmic protein assembly as a distinct subcellular platform to activate RTKs and RAS GTPases and a general principle by which cells can organize oncogenic signaling.
Geothermal steam vents of Hawai’i

Abstract Steam vents and caves are abundant on the island of Hawai’i. In contrast to terrestrial geothermal fields, few if any flowing springs or bubbling pools are present. Steam vents represent the most abundant feature of all geothermal fields both on islands and in terrestrial areas. We describe two newly identified chemical types of sulfur and nonsulfur steam caves/vents. This new type of steam cave has abundant salt deposits containing unknown microorganisms that remain to be isolated and characterized. This study also includes a chemical characterization of solid surfaces comprising steam deposits and condensed steam in (1) sulfur-based caves, (2) iron/sulfur habitats, and (3) nonsulfur sites. While we were able to readily isolate DNA from steam deposits in some cave sites, challenges still remain using traditional methods for DNA isolation and commercial DNA kits. In the process of improving DNA isolation methods, we discovered ammonia-oxidizing archaea in a few different steam cave locations on the island and were able to correlate these to site-specific chemistry through the analysis of condensed collected steam and steam deposits, showing that the putative necessary nutrients were present in relatively high amounts in Hawaiian steam caves. Overall, we present genetic and microbiological studies that point to a deep richness and diversity of a largely unknown and understudied extreme habitat that represents a rich source of novel bacteria and archaea, which remain to be identified.
The Socialization of Gender-Based Aggression: A Case Study in Cambodian Primary Schools

As Cambodia confronts the implications of recent genocide and traditional gender norms, gender-based violence is increasingly important in Cambodian policy and practice. Typically, research focuses on adolescence or gender-based violence in secondary schools, however, we argue that understanding the factors and processes leading to the perpetuation and acceptance of gender-based violence begins in primary school settings with gender-based aggression. A case study of four target schools in and around Siem Reap, Cambodia indicates that gender-based aggression is socialized through the normalization of aggression as play and flirting or teasing and that power, physicality, and blame lay the foundation for the perpetuation and acceptance of gender-based aggression. Additionally, although boys are also victims of gender-based aggression in primary schools, silence surrounding their victimization supports these socialization processes. These findings have important implications for understanding the processes of gender-based aggression in young children and how these processes could lead to gender-based violence in later years.
Unraveling bone marrow architecture.

Different types of stromal cells in the bone marrow associate to form niches that support differentiating blood cells and ensure lifelong production of all major blood lineages. A study now combines single-cell and spatial transcriptomics with imaging to infer the cellular composition and spatial architecture of specific niches.
Efficacy of metabarcoding for identification of fish eggs evaluated with mock communities.

There is urgent need for effective and efficient monitoring of marine fish populations. Monitoring eggs and larval fish may be more informative than that traditional fish surveys since ichthyoplankton surveys reveal the reproductive activities of fish populations, which directly impact their population trajectories. Ichthyoplankton surveys have turned to molecular methods (DNA barcoding & metabarcoding) for identification of eggs and larval fish due to challenges of morphological identification. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of using metabarcoding methods on mock communities of known fish egg DNA. We constructed six mock communities with known ratios of species. In addition, we analyzed two samples from a large field collection of fish eggs and compared metabarcoding results with traditional DNA barcoding results. We examine the ability of our metabarcoding methods to detect species and relative proportion of species identified in each mock community. We found that our metabarcoding methods were able to detect species at very low input proportions; however, levels of successful detection depended on the markers used in amplification, suggesting that the use of multiple markers is desirable. Variability in our quantitative results may result from amplification bias as well as interspecific variation in mitochondrial DNA copy number. Our results demonstrate that there remain significant challenges to using metabarcoding for estimating proportional species composition; however, the results provide important insights into understanding how to interpret metabarcoding data. This study will aid in the continuing development of efficient molecular methods of biological monitoring for fisheries management.
Wellness and resilience for college and beyond: protocol for a quasi-experimental pilot study investigating a dialectical behaviour therapy skill-infused college course.

Introduction College students’ mental health problems and suicidal behaviour are serious, persistent and prevalent public health issues. With the need for mental health support greatly exceeding the availability of on-campus treatment, a recent trend on college campuses is to offer courses designed to teach students strategies for developing mental health or resilience. While these courses are exceptionally popular among students, a paucity of research investigates the health outcomes associated with participation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a college course grounded in skills from dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) titled, ‘Wellness and Resilience for College and Beyond’. Methods and analysis During the spring and fall 2020 semesters, the course will be offered on five campuses in Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The course consists of 15 weekly 2.5-hour lessons, weekly homework assignments and a final examination with content drawn from DBT, acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychology. Undergraduate students aged 18–24 will self-select into the course and control subjects receiving ‘university as usual’ will be recruited to serve as a comparison group. Students who receive the course will complete measures of course acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility. All study participants will complete measures of adaptive coping skills use, emotion dysregulation and suicidality. Ethics and dissemination All of the study procedures were approved as an exempt protocol for evaluation of educational curricula by the University of Pittsburgh Human Research Protections Office (HRPO); the study was approved as a research study by the institutional review board (IRB) of the fifth study site. The University of Pittsburgh HRPO served as the IRB of record for all except one study site, which required standard IRB review. Data from this study will be disseminated via conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications and via our online stakeholder learning collaborative. Trial registration number NCT04338256.
MRI of prostatic urethral mucinous urothelial carcinoma: Expanding the differential diagnosis for T2 hyperintense prostatic masses

Abstract We report the case of a 66-year-old previously healthy man presenting with blood and mucus in his urine. Cystoscopy revealed a mass in the prostatic urethra, and endoscopic biopsy showed adenocarcinoma in situ with mucinous features. Endorectal multiparametric prostate MRI demonstrated a 1.9 cm T2 hyperintense mass in the peripheral zone of the left prostatic apex with extension into the urethral lumen. No diffusion restriction or early enhancement was seen in the mass. Radical prostatectomy was performed, and final pathology demonstrated a mucin-producing urothelial adenocarcinoma arising from the prostatic urethra. The peripheral zone T2 hyperintense abnormality correlated with abundant pools of mucin extending into the prostatic stroma and surrounded by neoplastic prostatic glandular cells. We conclude prostatic urethral mucinous urothelial carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis for T2 hyperintense prostatic masses.
Two neuronal peptides encoded from a single transcript regulate mitochondrial function in Drosophila

Naturally produced peptides (<100 amino acids) are important regulators of physiology, development, and metabolism. Recent studies have predicted that thousands of peptides may be translated from transcripts containing small open reading frames (smORFs). Here, we describe two previously uncharacterized peptides in Drosophila encoded by conserved smORFs, Sloth1 and Sloth2. These peptides are translated from the same bicistronic transcript and share sequence similarities, suggesting that they encode paralogs. We provide evidence that Sloth1/2 are highly expressed in neurons, localize to mitochondria, and form a complex. Double mutant analysis in animals and cell culture revealed that sloth1 and sloth2 are not functionally redundant, and their loss causes animal lethality, reduced neuronal function, impaired mitochondrial function, and neurodegeneration. These results suggest that phenotypic analysis of smORF genes in Drosophila can provide a wealth of information on the biological functions of this poorly characterized class of genes.