cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Systems: Animal Models of Neurodegeneration

Neurotoxicants may act on critical mechanisms in the most vital processes of the nervous system and lead to damage at the molecular, cellular, anatomical, physiological, and behavioral levels. Since neurotoxicant-induced changes can be comparable to those observed in many neurological disorders, specific neurotoxicants and related compounds have increasingly been used to study the cellular physiology and pathophysiology associated with them. Most neurological diseases have unknown etiologies and present complicated pathological profiles. Disease processes may involve changes in neurotransmitters and their receptors, signal transduction, synaptic plasticity, critical metabolic processes, and gene expression. The utilization of nonhuman animals that share characteristics of a specific human disease may effectively simplify or isolate the system of interest and offer a high degree of experimental control. In addition, animal models provide opportunities for investigating aspects of disease states that would not be feasible in human patients, and appropriate animal models have been used to successfully identify new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of neurological diseases. The main focus of this chapter is to describe representative animal models that are currently being used in neurological research and to review some recent findings on basic mechanisms underlying disease processes. These animal models are important not only for enhancing and broadening our knowledge of potential disease etiologies, but also for developing novel and more effective therapeutic strategies that will benefit not only humans but also our animal counterparts. Although we acknowledge the existence of several other important and relevant animal models of neurological disorders, we have chosen to focus here on those about which we have personal experience and/or particular interest. Specifically, we will describe the consequences of the developmental exposure to the drugs ketamine and remacemide that act as N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists and to cocaine, the commonly abused central nervous system (CNS) stimulant thought to act primarily through dopaminergic mechanisms. To varying degrees, these agents derange normal brain development and result in animal models that resemble the learning disabled and mentally retarded. Additionally, we will highlight the use of adult animals in models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
B 11 + C 12 and B 10 + C 13 fusion cross sections

Heavy particle residues arising from the /sup 11/B+/sup 12/C and the /sup 10/B+/sup 13/C entrance channels have been mass identified with a time-of-flight system for boron projectile energies from 14 to 54 MeV in one MeV intervals. Both entrance channels cover a /sup 23/Na excitation energy range from approximately 25 to 50 MeV. With the exception of decays to the mass 15 and 18 residues, the decay of the /sup 11/B+/sup 12/C system to a particular mass is similar in magnitude and energy dependence to the decay of the /sup 10/B+/sup 13/C system to that mass. This similarity in the two systems and the differences in the mass 15 and 18 decays can be explained in terms of the entrance channel angular momenta and the available decay channels. In addition to the individual decay cross sections, the total /sup 11/B+/sup 12/C and /sup 10/B+/sup 13/C fusion cross sections have been measured. Both entrance channels show evidence of a fusion cross section limitation. These limitations cannot presently be explained in terms of a critical compound nucleus level density.
Discovery of candidate tumor biomarkers for treatment with intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer

Tumor mRNA expression was used to discover genes associated with worse survival or no survival benefit after intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy. Data for high grade serous ovarian cancer patients treated with IP (n = 90) or IV-only (n = 398) chemotherapy was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between IP and IV groups using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. Validations were performed by analyses of microarray and RNA-Seq mRNA expression data. PFS and OS were compared between IP and IV groups by permutation testing stratified by gene expression. P-values are two-tailed. IP chemotherapy increased PFS (26.7 vs 16.0 months, HR 0.43 (0.28–0.66), p = 0.0001) and OS (49.6 vs 38.2 months, HR 0.46 (0.25–0.83), p = 0.01). Increased expression of NCAM2 and TSHR and decreased expression of GCNT1 was associated with decreased PFS and OS after IV chemotherapy (p < 0.05). High tumor expression of LMAN2, FZD4, FZD5, or STT3A was associated with no significant PFS increase after IP compared to IV chemotherapy. Low expression of APC2 and high expression of FUT9 was associated with 5.5 and 7.2 months, respectively, decreased OS after IP compared to IV chemotherapy (p ≤ 0.007).
Beam damage by the induced electric field in transmission electron microscopy

Electric fields can be induced by electron irradiation of insulating thin film materials. In this work, the electric fields under a broad beam illumination in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are analyzed for insulating samples. Some damage phenomena observed can be interpreted by the mechanism of damage by the induced electric field (DIEF). For broad-beam illumination in an ultra-thin specimen, the electric field near the center of the illumination may not be strong, but at the periphery of the illumination the electric field can be significant. Therefore, damage may be easily observed in these regions rather than at the center of the illumination. For a beam which is broad compared to the specimen thickness, e.g. 100∼1000nm, a strong electric field pointing inward into the specimen near the surface region may result in cation diffusion into the specimen and/or anion diffusion out to the surface region. Meanwhile, a strong electric field perpendicular to the beam direction near the edge of the illumination may attract anions into the illuminated region, but eject cations to the periphery. For a wedge-shaped specimen, the electric field points inward into thicker region, driving cations toward the thicker region, while attracting anions to the edge region. On the sharp edge, a strong electric field pointing outward may be responsible for the edge-smoothing effect observed in insulating materials.
Mechanisms of Lung Fibrosis Resolution

Fibrogenesis involves a dynamic interplay between factors that promote the biosynthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix along with pathways that degrade the extracellular matrix and eliminate the primary effector cells. Opposing the often held perception that fibrotic tissue is permanent, animal studies and clinical data now demonstrate the highly plastic nature of organ fibrosis that can, under certain circumstances, regress. This review describes the current understanding of the mechanisms whereby the lung is known to resolve fibrosis focusing on degradation of the extracellular matrix, removal of myofibroblasts, and the role of inflammatory cells. Although there are significant gaps in understanding lung fibrosis resolution, accelerated improvements in biotechnology and bioinformatics are expected to improve the understanding of these mechanisms and have high potential to lead to novel and effective restorative therapies in the treatment not only of pulmonary fibrosis, but also of a wide-ranging spectrum of chronic disorders.
Description of Six New Species of the Genus Leptotrombidium from Mindanao Island and Notes on the Medically Important Genera of Chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) of the Philippine Islands

In the Philippine Islands, the genus Leptotrombidium currently consists of members of the subgenera Leptotrombidium and Trombiculindus . The following species are described as new: L. (L.) macacaphilus, L. (L.) longimedian, L. (L.) mindanensis, L. (L.) urogale, L. (L.) oculascutum, L. (T.) roseannleilaniae . The distribution of, and comments on, the known vectors of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, L. (L.) deliense and L. (L.) fletcheri and the previously reported L. (L.) sandfordi , are given. Information on species of the potential scrub itch genera Blankaartia, Eutrombicula , and Schoengastia and a key to the genera and species of medically important trombiculids is provided.
The Research of Assessment Standard to 1000M or 800M Race and Fixed Long Jump in Health Standard of College Students' Physical

The paper regards the graduate students who come from Nanchang University in 2002 as the research objects and adopts mathematics,archive information and the method of comparison in the analysis of the assessment standard for both 1000 or 800m race and fixed long jump in health standard of college students' physical. It is found that this evaluation standard is not very reasonable. Therefore,the paper works out a new evaluation standard that not only can improve the current students' declining physical quality but is very practical. This is only a reference for the strategy section concerned.
Infection of Murine Macrophages by Salmonella enterica Serovar Heidelberg Blocks Murine Norovirus Infectivity and Virus-induced Apoptosis

Gastroenteritis caused by bacterial and viral pathogens constitutes a major public health threat in the United States accounting for 35% of hospitalizations. In particular, Salmonella enterica and noroviruses cause the majority of gastroenteritis infections, with emergence of sporadic outbreaks and incidence of increased infections. Although mechanisms underlying infections by these pathogens have been individually studied, little is known about the mechanisms regulating co-infection by these pathogens. In this study, we utilized RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells to investigate the mechanisms governing co-infection with S. enterica serovar Heidelberg and murine norovirus (MNV). We demonstrate that infection of RAW 264.7 cells with S. enterica reduces the replication of MNV, in part by blocking virus entry early in the virus life cycle, and inducing antiviral cytokines later in the infection cycle. In particular, bacterial infection prior to, or during MNV infection affected virus entry, whereas MNV entry remained unaltered when the virus infection preceded bacterial invasion. This block in virus entry resulted in reduced virus replication, with the highest impact on replication observed during conditions of co-infection. In contrast, bacterial replication showed a threefold increase in MNV-infected cells, despite the presence of antibiotic in the medium. Most importantly, we present evidence that the infection of MNV-infected macrophages by S. enterica blocked MNV-induced apoptosis, despite allowing efficient virus replication. This apoptosis blockade was evidenced by reduction in DNA fragmentation and absence of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), caspase 3 and caspase 9 cleavage events. Our study suggests a novel mechanism of pathogenesis whereby initial co-infection with these pathogens could result in prolonged infection by either of these pathogens or both together.
Two cationic amino acid transport systems in human placental basal plasma membranes.

Transport of cationic amino acids in basal (fetal facing) plasma membranes was investigated by characterization of L-[3H]lysine and L-[3H]arginine uptake in membrane vesicles isolated from term human placentas. At least two Na(+)-independent systems were present. Lysine concentration dependence data were fit by a two-system model with Km values of 1.0 +/- 0.8 and 223 +/- 57 microM and Vmax values of 0.06 +/- 0.03 and 24.0 +/- 5.8 pmol.mg protein-1.min-1. In the presence of either 10 mM L-leucine or Na+ plus 10 mM L-homoserine, the data were fit by single system models with kinetic parameters similar to the higher and lower Km systems seen in the absence of inhibitors. Uptake of 10 or 20 microM L-lysine in the absence of Na+ showed the higher Km system was inhibited completely by L-arginine, L-homoarginine, and L-histidine. In the presence of Na+, the higher Km system was inhibited completely by L-alanine, L-homoserine, L-leucine, L-phenylalanine, and L-norleucine. The lower Km system was inhibited completely by L-arginine, L-homoarginine, L-histidine, L-leucine, and L-methionine. Time course studies of uptake demonstrated that uptake by either system alone filled the total vesicular space. The basal membrane of human placental syncytiotrophoblast possesses two transport systems for lysine and arginine, resembling the ubiquitous y+ system and the bo,+ system previously described in mouse blastocysts. The higher Vmax of the y+ system suggests that in utero it may mediate transfer of cationic amino acids from the syncytiotrophoblast to the fetus. The role of the high-affinity low-capacity bo,+ system remains to be determined.
Joint Test Plan to Identify the Gaseous By-Products of CH3I Loading on AgZ

The objective of this test plan is to describe research to determine the gaseous by-products of the adsorption of CH3I on hydrogen reduced silver exchanged mordenite (AgZ).
My Drought is Different from Your Drought: A Case Study of the Policy Implications of Multiple Ways of Knowing Drought

AbstractThis paper explores the relationship between scientific operationalizations of drought and the politics of water management during times of drought. Drawing on a case study of the 2007–09 drought in Georgia in the southeastern United States, this paper examines how multiple ways of knowing drought were produced, circulated, and utilized by stakeholders. Moreover, this paper explores the policy implications of these multiple ways of knowing drought. Data were drawn from archival research, direct observation, and semistructured interviews with members of the green industry (self-identified members of the urban agricultural sector); state environmental regulators; and local governmental officials. Data were analyzed to examine the interplay between science and politics. This paper highlights the intersections of drought management policy and 1) scale and operationalization of drought; 2) how stakeholders know drought; and 3) societal context within which knowledge of drought is produced, circulated, ...
Introduction to Permanent Magnet AC Machine Design

This chapter talks about the design of a permanent magnet AC (PMAC) machine. The machine design problem is posed as a formal mathematical optimization problem. An important of operating characteristic of PMAC machines is the inverter, which is discussed at a level sufficient for design purposes. The PMAC machine geometry is explained and includes a cross-section diagram of the machine. A section talks about stator winding, followed by another one on material parameters including material selection. The chapter illustrates the calculation of stator currents. Taking the rotor position to be fixed, the chapter demonstrates how to perform a radial field analysis of the machine. A procedure is illustrated to calculate the parameters of the lumped parameter model of the machine. Ferromagnetic field analysis involves the determination of the flux density waveforms in the ferromagnetic portions of the machine. Finally, a case study on machine design is presented.
Phenotypic predictors and final diagnoses in patients referred for RASopathy testing by targeted next-generation sequencing.

RASopathies include disorders generally characterized by developmental delay, specific heart defects, short stature, cardiac hypertrophy, and facial dysmorphisms. Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based panels have widespread acceptance as a diagnostic tool for RASopathies. The first 126 patients evaluated by clinical examination and the NGS RASopathy panel at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia were enrolled. We calculated diagnosis rate, correlated reported clinical findings with positive or negative test results, and identified final molecular diagnoses in 28/96 patients who tested negative for RASopathies. Twenty-four patients had pathogenic variants on the RASopathy panel, for a diagnostic yield of 19%. Reported features of pulmonic stenosis and ptosis were significantly correlated with a positive test result; no reported features were significantly correlated with a negative test result. We identified 27 different alternative diagnoses for patients originally suspected of having RASopathies. This study provides information that can assist in guiding differential diagnosis and genetic testing for patients suspected of having a RASopathy disorder. Genet Med advance online publication 20 October 2016
Thinking Through the Evaluation Process: An Interview with Dr. Joseph Renzulli

In an affort to introduce the key issues confronting those who wish to effectively evaluate programs for gifted and talented learners, we interviewed joseph Renzulli, Ph.D., who is a Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of the Program for Gifted and Talented at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Renzulli is a widely-recognized advocate and researcher in the field of educating the gifted, and has most recently been active in the field-testing and evaluation of the “Revolving Door Model” for providing educational services to young people. In the course of this interview, Dr. Renzulli points out several important areas for our concern, and sets the stage for the excellent topical articles that follow in this issue.
Postmenopausal Alopecia (Hair Loss)

A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman presents with a complaint of scalp hair loss. It has been present for several years, but worsened recently several months after a hospital admission for pneumonia, prompting the visit. She noticed an abrupt onset of hair shedding beginning 3 months after her hospitalization, and which lasted for almost 3 months. She reports that her shedding has since slowed and is back to baseline. She is otherwise healthy except for a history of recently diagnosed mild hypertension and osteoarthritis. Her medications include lisinopril, which she has been on for 6 months, and ibuprofen. She reports that her father became bald at a young age, but denies any hair loss complaint among women in her family.
Online Anomaly Detection in Big Data: The First Line of Defense Against Intruders

We live in a world of abundance of information, but lack the ability to fully benefit from it, as succinctly described by John Naisbitt in his 1982 book, “we are drowning in information, but starved for knowledge”. The information, collected by various sensors and humans, is corrupted by noise, ambiguity and distortions and suffers from the data deluge problem. Combining the noisy, ambiguous and distorted information that comes from a variety of sources scattered around the globe in order to synthesize accurate and actionable knowledge is a challenging problem. To make things even more complex, there are intentionally developed intrusive mechanisms that aim to disturb accurate information fusion and knowledge extraction; these mechanisms include cyber attacks, cyber espionage and cyber crime, to name a few. Intrusion detection has become a major research focus over the past two decades and several intrusion detection approaches, such as rule-based, signature-based and computer intelligence based approaches were developed. Out of these, computational intelligence based anomaly detection mechanisms show the ability to handle hitherto unknown intrusions and attacks. However, these approaches suffer from two different issues: (i) they are not designed to detect similar attacks on a large number of devices, and (ii) they are not designed for quickest detection. In this chapter, we describe an approach that helps to scale-up existing computational intelligence approaches to implement quickest anomaly detection in millions of devices at the same time.
A Synoptic Review of the 1968 National Research Council Progress Report on Forensic Pathology

In 1968, a “Committee on Pathology” existed within the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council, Division of Medical Sciences. This group appointed an “ad hoc Committee on Forensic Pa...
The Role of Research Universities in U.S. College-Town Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

This project focuses on the role of research universities in U.S. college-town entrepreneurial ecosystems. Combining regression analysis and in-depth interviews, we systematically evaluate various roles that anchor research universities can play both in assisting entrepreneurs and in building regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. In the quantitative part of the project, we examine factors associated with the entrepreneurial activities of 53 U.S. college-town metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). We find no evidence that the presence of university entrepreneurship programs such as entrepreneurship degrees or certificates, incubators, research parks, or Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) significantly improves the startup rate of college towns. Similarly, the number of college graduates relative to the metro size and the university research and development (R&D) in science and technology fields are not significantly associated with startup activities. In the qualitative part of the project, we compare and contrast the cases of two college towns — Boulder, CO and Iowa City, IA — through information gathered from semi-structured interviews. We report both similarities and differences in the entrepreneurship efforts of the two anchor universities. We find that, facing a much less entrepreneurial environment, the University of Iowa plays a more visible role in its regional entrepreneurial ecosystem than the University of Colorado. Based on our results, the following practices emerged as desirable ways that research universities can effectively participate in an entrepreneurial ecosystem of a college town: • Cultivate the talent pipeline • Utilize nationwide resources and best practices in entrepreneurship support • Serve as brokers/connectors • Raise awareness and change mindsets by building an on-campus entrepreneurial ecosystem embedded in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem • Market both university entrepreneurship efforts and the entire regional entrepreneurial ecosystem • Promote diversity • Remove internal barriers, such as: bureaucracy and tardiness inherent in large organizations such as public universities; the culture of risk aversion and the lack of an entrepreneurial mindset; the “silo” university structure and subsequent fragmented on-campus entrepreneurship services; tenure policies that discourage — or at least do not encourage — faculty startup activities; technology transfer agreements that do not give inventors sufficient credit or incentives.
Extracting smallholder cropped area in Tigray, Ethiopia with wall-to-wall sub-meter WorldView and moderate resolution Landsat 8 imagery

Abstract Very high resolution (VHR) satellite data is experiencing rapid annual growth, producing petabytes of remotely sensed data per year. The WorldView constellation, operated by DigitalGlobe, images over 1.2 billion km2 annually at
Computational Design of New Magnesium Electrolytes with Improved Properties

In this work, we use computational design to examine 15 new electrolyte salt anions by performing chemical variations and mutations on the bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonamide (TFSI) anion. On the basis of our calculations, we propose two new anions as potential candidates for magnesium energy-storage systems, which are evolved from TFSI with the substitution of sulfur atoms in TFSI and the modification of functional groups. The applicability of these new anion salts is examined through comprehensive calculations using both first-principles as well as benchmarked classical molecular dynamics. We elucidate the important properties of these anions, including the electrochemical stability window, chemical decomposition, preferred solvation structure, diffusion coefficient, and other dynamical properties for 15 rationally designed molecules. Two of the designed anions are found to successfully avoid the vulnerability of TFSI during ion-pair charge-transfer reactions while retaining comparable or better performanc...
Preventive effect of tamsulosin on postoperative urinary retention in neurosurgical patients.

Background Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is common in neurosurgical patients. The use of alpha-blockade therapy, such as tamsulosin, has benefited many patients with a history of obstructive uropathy by decreasing lower urinary tract symptoms such as distension, infections, and stricture formation, as well as the incidence of POUR. For this study, we targeted patients who had undergone spinal surgery to examine the prophylactic effects of tamsulosin. Increased understanding of this therapy will assist in minimizing the morbidity of spinal surgery. Methods We enrolled 95 male patients undergoing spine surgery in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either preoperative tamsulosin (N = 49) or a placebo (N = 46) and then followed-up prospectively for the development of POUR after removal of an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC). They were also followed-up for the incidence of IUC reinsertions. Results The rate of developing POUR was similar in both the groups. Of the 49 patients given tamsulosin, 16 (36%) developed POUR compared to 13 (28%) from the control group (P = 0.455). In the control group, 5 (11%) patients had IUC re-inserted postoperatively, whereas 7 (14%) patients in the tamsulosin group had IUC re-inserted postoperatively (P = 0.616). In patients suffering from axial-type symptoms (i.e., mechanical back pain), 63% who received tamsulosin and 18% from the control group (P = 0.048) developed POUR. Conclusion Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of developing POUR among patients in either group. POUR is caused by a variety of factors, and further studies are needed to shed light on its etiology.
Assessing technology and innovation policies: introduction to the special issue

ABSTRACTThis collection of papers brings together eminent international scholars to discuss and analyze regional and country technology and innovation policies from an economic assessment or economic impacts perspectives. The breadth of analysis covers policies relevant to countries in Europe and Asia, as well as the United States. Not only might this collection initiate further study, on a country-by-country basis, of technology and innovation policies, but also it might open doors for comparative policy analysis.
Does treatment approach for small renal masses affect survival in patients 70 years old

658Background: With the advent of modern imaging techniques small renal masses are being diagnosed more frequently. Many of these masses are benign, and those that are malignant are often low grade...
Bears in a boat: Science content and language development through a problem-based learning experience

In Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a problem is posed before students have learned how to solve it. Language and PBL pair well for effective learning environments. Informed by language-based theories...
Let's Get Virtual: Observing Physical Education Field Experiences through Synchronous Video Conferencing.

The student-teaching experience is the most noteworthy experience for a teacher candidate (TC) in a teacher preparation program. University supervisors play a crucial role in this experience throug...
Process-Structure-Property Relationship in Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract The focus of this chapter is to provide understanding of the process-structure-property relationship in polymer nanocomposites, reveal the reinforcing mechanisms, and investigate possible synergistic phenomena at nano- and microscale. Such understanding can provide a roadmap for design and manufacture of polymer nanocomposites with tailored properties using minimum number of iterations instead of the time- and cost-inefficient “trial-error” approach currently used. Processes that will be considered in terms of mixing the nanomaterials with the polymer resins are: in situ polymerization, polymer solution, solid-state compounding, spray/coating, and melt compounding. The processes related to fabrication, once compounding is completed, that will be considered are injection molding, extrusion, compression molding, and selective laser sintering. The effect of each manufacturing process on the structure/morphology and the properties of the polymer nanocomposites will be determined for a given material system. The properties of interest are mechanical (tensile modulus and strength, flexural modulus and strength and impact) electrical (conductivity, percolation threshold), and thermal (conductivity). In addition, the effects of the processing conditions for a given manufacturing method and given material system on the composite properties will also be addressed. The term material system is used to describe the basic two constituents of the nanocomposites, i.e., the polymer matrix and the nanomaterials. The process-structure-property of nanocomposites with either thermoset or thermoplastic polymer matrix reinforced with either inorganic (clays), organic (graphite nanoplatelets, carbon nanofibers, and carbon nanotubes) or ceramic nanomaterials will be investigated. Major characteristics of the nanomaterials including aspect ratio, shape, surface chemistry/functionalization and of the polymer including viscosity, crystallization behavior, in case of thermoplastics, or degree of cure, in case of thermosets, that are affected by the manufacturing method and processing conditions employed will be identified and discussed in detail in terms of the effect that these characteristics have on the properties of the composites. Features that are commonly used to describe the structure/morphology of nanocomposites will also be identified. Case studies for specific material systems will be presented in detail and a roadmap that covers a wide range of processes, materials, and nanocomposite properties will be provided.
Europe's winter prospects

In terms of patterns of temperature and precipitation, European winters can be markedly different from year to year. These patterns seem to stem from the prevailing state of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which depends on the relative intensity of atmospheric pressure centres over Iceland and the Azores. Innovative modelling work provides a step towards predicting the state of the NAO, and its consequences, based on sea-surface temperatures.
Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) Schiller A review of a harmful algal bloom species of growing worldwide importance

Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) Schiller, a common, neritic, bloom-forming dinoflagellate, is the cause of harmful blooms in many estuarine and coastal environments. Among harmful algal bloom species, P. minimum is important for the following reasons: it is widely distributed geographically in temperate and subtropical waters; it is potentially harmful to humans via shellfish poisoning; it has detrimental effects at both the organismal and environmental levels; blooms appear to be undergoing a geographical expansion over the past several decades; and, a relationship appears to exist between blooms of this species and increasing coastal eutrophication. Although shellfish toxicity with associated human impacts has been attributed to P. minimum blooms from a variety of coastal environments (Japan; France; Norway; Netherlands; New York, USA), only clones isolated from the Mediterranean coast of France, and shellfish exposed to P. minimum blooms in this area, have been shown to contain a water soluble neurotoxic component which killed mice. Detrimental ecosystem effects associated with blooms range from fish and zoobenthic mortalities to shellfish aquaculture mortalities, attributable to both indirect biomass effects (e.g., low dissolved oxygen) and toxic effects. P. minimum blooms generally occur under conditions of high temperatures and incident irradiances and low to moderate salinities in coastal and estuarine environments often characterized as eutrophic, although they have been found under widely varying salinities and temperatures if other factors are conducive for growth. The physiological flexibility of P. minimum in response to changing environmental parameters (e.g., light, temperature, salinity) as well as its ability to utilize both inorganic and organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon nutrient sources, suggest that increasing blooms of this species are a response to increasing coastal eutrophication.
A Parallel Aitken-Additive Schwarz Waveform Relaxation Method for Parabolic Problems

The objective of this paper is to describe a parallel acceleration framework of the additive schwarz waveform relaxation for parabolic problems. The problem is in three space dimension and time. This new parallel domain decomposition algorithm generalizes the Aitken-like Acceleration method of the additive Schwarz algorithm for elliptic problems. Although the standard Schwarz Waveform Relaxation algorithm has a linear rate of convergence and low numerical efficiency, it is beneficent to cache use and scales with the memory. The combination with the Aitken-like Acceleration method transforms the Schwarz algorithm into a direct solver for the heat operator. This solver combines all in one the load balancing, the efficiency, the scalability and the fault tolerance features which make it suitable for grid environments.
Cancer: Surviving on the edge

Tumors arise from normal cells through the acquisition of multiple genetic alterations that endow cancer cells with the phenotypes associated with neoplasia. Although we still lack a complete understanding of the specific complement of mutations that together program the behavior of any particular cancer, several lines of evidence indicate that many of these alterations perturb regulatory networks critical for cell proliferation, growth, and survival. As such, cancer cells maintain a precarious balance among unfettered proliferation, genomic instability, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. This year's Beatson International Cancer Conference focused on recent advances in our understanding of the pathways that regulate senescence, apoptosis, and cancer.
Influence of bulk and interfacial properties on shock compression of metal powders. I. Interaction of a pair of particles

This paper studies the physics of shock compaction of metallic powder mixtures by focusing on two particles interacting under conditions of high compressive strain rates. Particle-particle interactions are simulated using a sharp interface Eulerian approach. Specifically, the present work seeks to understand how the disparity in bulk material properties such as yield strength and impedance leads to differences in spreading, heating, and contact area of the materials. In addition, the effects of interfacial phenomena such as friction and interfacial melting are examined using the sharp interface framework. The results show that the extent of interfacial contact between the materials is affected by material deformation and jetting. Of the material properties studied, the impedance mismatch exerts the highest influence on the heating of materials. Material yield strength also plays a significant role; the melting of materials is shown to play a minor role in the spreading and evolution of contact of the materials for the shock strengths tested. By focusing on two particles, this work provides insights elucidating the physics of shock compaction of powder mixtures, specifically the influence of bulk and interfacial properties on the extent of interfacial contact between dissimilar materials.
A compact multi-plane broadband (0.5-17 keV) spectrometer using a single acid phthalate crystal.

Acid phthalate crystals such as KAP crystals are a method of choice to record x-ray spectra in the soft x-ray regime (E ∼ 1 keV) using the large (001) 2d = 26.63 A spacing. Reflection from many other planes is possible, and knowledge of the 2d spacing, reflectivity, and resolution for these reflections is necessary to evaluate whether they hinder or help the measurements. Burkhalter et al. [J. Appl. Phys., 52, 4379 (1981)] showed that the (013) reflection has efficiency comparable to the 2nd order reflection (002), and it can overlap the main first order reflection when the crystal bending axis (b-axis) is contained in the dispersion plane, thus contaminating the main (001) measurement in a convex crystal geometry. We present a novel spectrograph concept that makes these asymmetric reflections helpful by setting the crystal b-axis perpendicular to the dispersion plane. In such a case, asymmetric reflections do not overlap with the main (001) reflection and each reflection can be used as an independent spectrograph. Here we demonstrate an achieved spectral range of 0.8-13 keV with a prototype setup. The detector measurements were reproduced with a 3D ray-tracing code.
The Inner Ear Heat Shock Transcriptional Signature Identifies Compounds That Protect Against Aminoglycoside Ototoxicity

Mechanosensory hair cells of the inner ear transduce auditory and vestibular sensory input. Hair cells are susceptible to death from a variety of stressors, including treatment with therapeutic drugs that have ototoxic side effects. There is a need for co-therapies to mitigate drug-induced ototoxicity, and we showed previously that induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) protects against hair cell death and hearing loss caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics in mouse. Here we utilized the library of integrated cellular signatures (LINCS) to identify perturbagens that induce transcriptional profiles similar to that of heat shock. Massively parallel sequencing of RNA (RNA-Seq) of heat shocked and control mouse utricles provided a heat shock gene expression signature that was used in conjunction with LINCS to identify candidate perturbagens, several of which were known protect the inner ear. Our data indicate that LINCS is a useful tool to screen for compounds that generate specific gene expression signatures in the inner ear. 42 LINCS-identified perturbagens were tested for otoprotection in zebrafish, and three of these were protective. These compounds also induced the heat shock gene expression signature in mouse utricles, and one compound protected against aminoglycoside-induced hair cell death in whole organ cultures of utricles from adult mice.
Dosimetric evaluation of 4D-CBCT reconstructed by Simultaneous Motion Estimation and Image Reconstruction (SMEIR) for carbon ion therapy of lung cancer.

Purpose Motion management is critical for the efficacy of carbon ion therapy for moving targets such as lung tumors. We evaluated the feasibility of using four-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT) reconstructed by Simultaneous Motion Estimation and Image Reconstruction (SMEIR) for dose calculation and accumulation in carbon ion treatment of lung cancer. Methods Motion-compensated 4D-CBCT images were reconstructed with the SMEIR algorithm to capture the most updated anatomy and motion with an updated interphase motion model on the treatment day. Projections of all CBCT phases were simulated from the planning 4D-CT by the ray tracing technique. Treatment planning and dose calculation were performed with a GPU-based Monte Carlo dose calculation software for carbon ion therapy. The treatment plan was optimized on the average computed tomography (CT) to obtain optimal intensity of the carbon ions. From the optimized plan, dose distributions on individual phases of 4D-CT and 4D-CBCT were calculated by the Monte Carlo-based dose engine. Dose accumulation was performed on 4D-CBCT images using deformable vector fields (DVF) generated by SMEIR. The accumulated planning target volume (PTV) dose based on 4D-CBCT was then compared to the accumulated dose calculated on 4D-CT, where the DVFs between different phases were obtained by the demons deformable registration algorithm. Results Dose value histograms (DVH) as well as absolute deviations of the maximum dose ( Δ D max ), mean dose ( Δ D mean ), and dose coverage metrics ( Δ V 95 % and Δ V 100 % ) for PTV were quantitatively evaluated for the two sets of plans. Good agreement was found between the 4D-CT and 4D-CBCT-based PTV-DVH curves. The average values of Δ D max , Δ D mean , Δ V 95 % , and Δ V 100 % calculated between the 4D-CT and SMEIR-4D-CBCT-based plans were 1.91 % , 3.55 % , 2.12%, and 1.15 % , respectively, for the PTVs of ten patient case studies. Conclusions Based on these results, SMEIR-reconstructed 4D-CBCTs can potentially be used for motion estimation, dose evaluation, and adaptive treatment planning in lung cancer carbon ion therapy.
Learning to Spell Phonologically: Influences of Children’s Own Names

Young spellers must learn to symbolize the sounds in words with phonologically appropriate letters. Do children use their knowledge about their own names to do this, performing better on sound–lett...
Territory, Identity, and Conflict in a Public Meeting: A Natural History Approach

This paper examines the natural history of a public meeting, recognizing the importance of the unfolding of events as key to understanding the relationships and issues germane to human relating. As a method, the natural history approach is employed through reducing permanent records of interaction to a statistical record in order to examine the relative involvement of participants in a public meeting. The statistical presentation of data points to a particular moment of interaction that stands out in the meeting structure as unique. This moment is analyzed and an approach to understanding a conflict based on identities of place is developed.
Verification of ASCE 7-16 Pressure Coefficients and Database-Assisted Design of Purlins and Girts Accounting for Wind Directionality.

AbstractFor the database-assisted design (DAD) of low-rise building purlins and girts, a method is proposed that explicitly accounts for wind directionality by using directional wind tunnel measure...
Severe hyperthyroidism without symptoms due to nonthyroidal illness in a child with acute hepatitis: case report and literature review

While liver enzyme changes are frequently reported in hyperthyroidism, liver dysfunction itself can lead to alterations in thyroid hormone metabolism. However, the exact relationship between hyperthyroidism and liver dysfunction is unclear. We report an 11-year-old boy presenting with acute hepatitis of unknown etiology, who was incidentally found to have asymptomatic biochemical hyperthyroidism. Despite significant total and free T4 elevation, clinical evidence of thyrotoxicosis was absent. Thyroid I-123 uptake was also reduced. Additional testing revealed slight T3 elevation and significant rT3 elevation. Graves' and Hashimoto's thyroiditis testing was negative. We hypothesize that the biochemical hyperthyroidism was due to transient thyroiditis. Although an etiology for the boy's hepatitis was never determined, and an undiagnosed infectious etiology causing subacute thyroiditis was considered, subsequent testing showing positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies, suggesting autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis as the likely cause of the hyperthyroidism. We believe, furthermore, that the absence of symptoms was the result of concurrent nonthyroidal illness resulting in the biochemical findings of slight T3 elevation and significant rT3 increase despite significant T4 elevation.
Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic: quantifying the practice in Michigan - a "hotspot state" early in the pandemic - using a volunteer-based online survey.

Public Health policies related to social distancing efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic helped slow the infection rate. However, individual-level factors associated with social distancing are largely unknown. We sought to examine social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, an infection “hotspot” state in the United States early in the pandemic. Two surveys were distributed to Michigan residents via email lists and social media following COVID-19 related state mandates in March; 45,691 adults responded to the first survey and 8512 to the second. Staying home ≥ 3 out of 5 previous days defined having more social distancing. Logistic regression models were used to examine potential factors associated with more social distancing. Most respondents were women (86% in Survey 1, 87% in Survey 2). In Survey 1, 63% reported more social distancing, increasing to 78% in Survey 2. Female sex and having someone (or self) sick in the home were consistently associated with higher social distancing, while increasing age was positively associated in Survey 1 but negatively associated in Survey 2. Most respondents felt social distancing policies were important (88% in Survey 1; 91% in Survey 2). Michiganders responding to the surveys were both practicing and supportive of social distancing. State-level executive orders positively impacted behaviors early in the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan. Additional supports are needed to help vulnerable populations practice social distancing, including older individuals.
The effect of ketorolac on posterior minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion: an interim analysis from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Postoperative pain control following posterior lumbar fusion continues to be challenging and often requires high doses of opioids for pain relief. The use of ketorolac in spinal fusion is limited due to the risk of pseudarthrosis. However, recent literature suggests it may not affect fusion rates with short-term use and low doses. PURPOSE We sought to demonstrate non-inferiority regarding fusion rates in patients who received ketorolac after undergoing minimally invasive (MIS) posterior lumbar fusions. Additionally, we sought to demonstrate ketorolac's opioid-sparing effect on analgesia in the immediate postoperative period. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. We are reporting our interim analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE Adults with degenerative spinal conditions eligible to undergo a 1- to 3-level minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES Six-month and 1-year radiographic fusion as determined by Suk criteria, postoperative opioid consumption as measured by intravenous milligram morphine equivalent (MME), length of stay (LOS), and drug-related complications. Self-reported and functional measures include validated visual analog scale (VAS), short-form 12 (SF-12), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). METHODS A double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled, non-inferiority trial of patients undergoing 1- to 3-level minimally invasive (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) was performed. Patients were randomized to receive a 48-hour scheduled treatment of either intravenous ketorolac (15mg every 6 hours) or saline in addition to a standardized pain regimen. The primary outcome was fusion. Secondary outcomes included 48-hour and total postoperative opioid use demonstrated as MME, pain scores, LOS, and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The present study provides results from a planned interim analysis. RESULTS Two hundred and forty-six patients were analyzed per protocol. Patient characteristics were comparable between the groups. There was no significant difference in 1-year fusion rates between the two treatments (p=.53). The difference in proportion for solid fusion between the ketorolac and placebo groups did not reach inferiority (.072, 95% CI, -.07-.21). There was a significant reduction in total/48-hour mean opioid consumption (p CONCLUSION Short-term use of low-dose ketorolac in patients who have undergone MIS lumbar fusion demonstrated favorable results suggesting non-inferior fusion rates. Ketorolac safely demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative opioid use and LOS while maintaining equivalent postoperative pain control. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS Not applicable.