cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localization of photosynthetic electron transport components in mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts of Zea mays

Abstract The organization of the electron transport components in mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts of Zea mays was investigated. Grana-containing mesophyll chloroplasts (chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b ratio of about 3.0) possessed the full complement of the various electron transport components, comparable to chloroplasts from C 3 plants. Agranal bundle sheath chloroplasts ( Chl a Chl b > 5.0 ) contained the full complement of photosystem (PS) I and of cytochrome (cyt) f but lacked a major portion of PS II and its associated Chl a b light-harvesting complex (LHC), and most of the cyt b 559 . The kinetic analysis of system I photoactivity revealed that the functional photosynthetic unit size of PS I was unchanged and identical in mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts. The results suggest that PS I is contained in stroma-exposed thylakoids and that it does not receive excitation energy from the Chl a b LHC present in the grana. A stoichiometric parity between PS I and cyt f in mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts indicates that biosynthetic and functional properties of cyt f and P 700 are closely coordinated. Thus, it is likely that both cyt f and P 700 are located in the membrane of the intergrana thylakoids only. The kinetic analysis of PS II photoactivity revealed the absence of PS II α from the bundle sheath chloroplasts and helped identify the small complement of system II in bundle sheath chloroplasts as PS II β . The distribution of the main electron transport components in grana and stroma thylakoids is presented in a model of the higher plant chloroplast membrane system.
Effect of hygrothermal aging history on sorption process, swelling, and glass transition temperature in a particle‐filled epoxy‐based adhesive

The effects of hygrothermal aging history and initial water content on sorption behavior and the physical properties of a commercial particle-filled epoxy-based adhesive were studied by the analysis of the water reabsorption process. ATR-FTIR analysis was performed to characterize the hydrogen bond interactions among the water and either resin or fillers. Swelling behavior and the depression of the glass transition temperature (Tg) under different hygrothermal aging histories were related to the water in the apparent free volume of the adhesive. The results show that the water diffusion of the adhesive is a non-Fickian process. It is also observed that swelling (which is reversible and consistent with hydrogen bond formation) and the rate of diffusion are not only dependent on the hygrothermal temperature but also the hygrothermal history. In addition, the swelling observed on the reabsorption process does not alter the apparent free volume of this adhesive system, and Tg depression is independent of the final equilibrium water content of the system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1581–1591, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10447
Research challenges in computation, communication, and context awareness for ubiquitous healthcare

A new paradigm for ubiquitous healthcare characterized by pervasive continuous vital sign data collection, real-time processing of monitored data to derive meaningful physiological parameters, and context-aware data- and patient-centric decision making, is central to deliver personalized healthcare solutions to the elderly and the physically challenged. However, this new paradigm requires real-time processing of wirelessly collected vital signs using inherently complex physiological models and analysis of the processed information under context (e.g., location, ambient conditions, current physical activity) to extract knowledge about the health condition of patients. As the computational capabilities of biomedical sensor nodes are insufficient to run these models, this article presents an innovative resource provisioning framework that organizes and harnesses the computing capabilities of under-utilized electronic devices in the vicinity (e.g., laptops, tablets, PDAs, DVRs, medical terminals) in home and hospital settings. Novel wireless communication solutions for reliable vital sign transmission and algorithms for acquiring context awareness to support this framework are also discussed.
Fungal grass endophytes and arthropod communities: lessons from plant defence theory and multitrophic interactions

Alkaloids produced by systemic fungal endophytes of grasses are thought to act as defensive agents against herbivores. Endophytic alkaloids may reduce arthropod herbivore abundances and diversity in agronomic grasses. Yet, accumulating evidence, particularly from native grasses, shows that herbivore preference, abundances and species richness are sometimes greater on endophyte-infected plants, even those with high alkaloids, contrary to the notion of defensive mutualism. We argue that these conflicting results are entirely consistent with well-developed concepts of plant defence theory and tri-trophic interactions. Plant secondary chemicals and endophytic alkaloids often fail to protect plants because: (1) specialist herbivores evolve to detoxify and use defensive chemicals for growth and survival; and (2) natural enemies of herbivores may be more negatively affected by alkaloids than are herbivores. Endophytes and their alkaloids may have profound, but often highly variable, effects on communities, which are also consistent with existing theories of plant defence and community genetics.
“White” fraternity and sorority attitudes toward “blacks” on a deep‐south campus

Surveys of “white” undergraduates on this deep‐South (University of Alabama) campus since its desegregation in 1963 have indicated increasing acceptance of both public and social interaction with “blacks.” The hypothesis that “white” fraternities and sororities retard this integrative process by serving as reservoirs of traditional racism was, however, strongly and consistently supported. Because Greek systems typically operate on‐campus under university aegis, this finding, to the extent it is generalizable, questions the resolve of university administrations in the pursuit of equality.
Rationalized speed/altitude thresholds for ABM testing

The Antiballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty sharply restricts the development, testing, and deployment of defenses against strategic ballistic missiles. But it places no limitations on military systems for air defense, defense against tactical ballistic missiles, or the destruction of satellites. Without a clear definitional line between ABM defenses and other military systems, a nation that developed, tested, and deployed these other systems might be able to acquire a significant ABM capability despite the ABM treaty. Specific quantitative criteria that differentiate between permitted and prohibited activities could help to define such a line. This note proposes that any test involving a target with an altitude in excess of about 70 kilometers or a speed in excess of about 3 kilometers per second at the moment of closest approach between a weapon and a target should be considered either a “test in an ABM mode” or a test involving a target equivalent to a strategic ballistic missile or its elements in flight t...
A novel cholesterol-insensitive mode of membrane binding promotes cytolysin-mediated translocation by Streptolysin O

Cytolysin-mediated translocation (CMT), performed by Streptococcus pyogenes, utilizes the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin Streptolysin O (SLO) to translocate the NAD(+) -glycohydrolase (SPN) into the host cell during infection. SLO is required for CMT and can accomplish this activity without pore formation, but the details of SLO's interaction with the membrane preceding SPN translocation are unknown. Analysis of binding domain mutants of SLO and binding domain swaps between SLO and homologous cholesterol-dependent cytolysins revealed that membrane binding by SLO is necessary but not sufficient for CMT, demonstrating a specific requirement for SLO in this process. Despite being the only known receptor for SLO, this membrane interaction does not require cholesterol. Depletion of cholesterol from host membranes and mutation of SLO's cholesterol recognition motif abolished pore formation but did not inhibit membrane binding or CMT. Surprisingly, SLO requires the coexpression and membrane localization of SPN to achieve cholesterol-insensitive membrane binding; in the absence of SPN, SLO's binding is characteristically cholesterol-dependent. SPN's membrane localization also requires SLO, suggesting a co-dependent, cholesterol-insensitive mechanism of membrane binding occurs, resulting in SPN translocation.
TRPV6 exhibits unusual patterns of polymorphism and divergence in worldwide populations

A striking footprint of positive selection was recently identified on chromosome 7q34-35 that spans at least 115 kb and encompasses four known genes (KEL, TRPV5, TRPV6, EPHB6). The signature of selection was observed in only one of the two populations analyzed suggesting the action of geographically restricted selective pressures. However, as only two populations were analyzed, it remains unknown whether the signature of selection extends to additional populations. To address this issue and begin to dissect the evolutionary history of this region in more detail, we performed an in-depth population genetic analysis on TRPV6, which is a calcium-permeable ion channel thought to mediate the rate-limiting step of dietary calcium absorption. We demonstrate that the rate of TRPV6 protein evolution is significantly accelerated in the human lineage, but only for a haplotype defined by three non-synonymous SNPs (C157R, M378V and M681T) that are nearly fixed for the derived alleles in non-African populations. Interestingly, we found that these three non-synonymous SNPs have high posterior probabilities for being targets of positive selection and are therefore strong candidates for mediating the population-specific signatures of selection in this region. In addition, we resequenced the exons corresponding to the C157R, M378V and M681T polymorphisms in 90 geographically diverse individuals and characterized their global allele frequency distribution by genotyping them in 1064 individuals from 52 populations. These data strongly suggest that the TRPV6 haplotype defined by the derived alleles at C157R, M378V and M681T conferred a selective advantage that varied spatially, and perhaps temporally, during human history.
Habitat divergence between a homoploid hybrid sunflower species, Helianthus paradoxus (Asteraceae), and its progenitors

The diploid hybrid species Helianthus paradoxus is restricted to salt marshes with sodium concentrations that exceed those found in the habitats of its progenitors, H. annuus and H. petiolaris. The observed association with saline habitats has led to the hypothesis that H. paradoxus is more salt tolerant than its progenitors. This hypothesis was tested by growing all three species in three NaCl treatments (0 mmol/L, 100 mmol/L, and 200 mmol/L). Helianthus paradoxustreated with NaCl was found to be more than five times as fit, in terms of biomass and survivorship, than its progenitors. Selection for salt tolerance in early generation hybrids may have contributed to the formation of H. paradoxus because theory predicts that homoploid hybrid speciation is feasible even when selection favoring hybrid genotypes is much weaker. Additionally, we show that H. paradoxus is significantly different from its parental species for several traits that often distinguish salt-tolerant species and suggest a mechanistic basis for the elevated salt tolerance expressed by H. paradoxus.
A Review of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis

Stress-related mucosal damage (SRMD) is an erosive process of the gastroduodenum that occurs frequently in critically ill patients. Symptomatic lesions may range from overt bleeding (by hematemesis, melena, bloody or coffee ground aspirates, or hematochezia) to clinically significant hemorrhage (hypotension, tachycardia, or acute anemia requiring transfusion). SRMD is caused by mucosal ischemia that produces an imbalance between injurious factors and the protective mechanisms. Common patient risk factors include mechanical ventilation, coagulopathy, shock, hepatic dysfunction, renal dysfunction, thermal injury, trauma, kidney or liver transplant, head injury or spinal cord injury, recent gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and pharmacologic interventions. Stress ulcer prophylaxis may be provided by administering one of the following pharmacologic agents: an antacid, a histamine2receptor antagonist, sucralfate, or a proton pump inhibitor. All agents possess equal efficacies but differ in their mechanisms of actio...
Tailoring stall characteristics using leading-edge droop modifications

Wind-tunnel tests were performed on a I-scale model of a general aviation trainer configuration in the NASA Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel. The purpose of these tests was to investigate the configuration's high-angleof-attack characteristics as well as the low-speed stability and control characteristics. The focus of the highangle-of-attack testing was to develop leading-edge modifications that would tailor the stall characteristics of the model. The testing resulted in two different leading-edge modifications. A small profile leading-edge droop on the outboard 29% of the wing was developed that kept the outboard wing flow attached to high angles of attack, resulting in increased roll damping and added aileron authority. The second leading-edge modification developed was a large profile leading-edge droop on the outboard 50% of the wing. This large droop kept the outboard wing flow attached to very high angles of attack that greatly improved the roll damping characteristics and stall/departure resistance as well as provided large increases in aileron authority.
Analysis Tool for Digitized Cervical and Lumbar Vertebrae Images

This paper presents a customized, hierarchical and modular analysis tool for segmenting radiographic images of cervical and lumbar spine. This scientific tool is being developed in close collaboration with experts at the national library of medicine (NLM), and is intended for use in content-based image retrieval systems, operating on radiographic spine image repositories.
Dynamic assessment of elicited imitation: A case analysis of an advanced L2 English speaker:

The focus of this paper is on the design, administration, and scoring of a dynamically administered elicited imitation test of L2 English morphology. Drawing on Vygotskian sociocultural psychology,...
Adult Ectopic Thymus Adjacent to Thyroid and Parathyroid

A female college student presented to the hospital with a recent history of a slowly enlarging, painless mass in the anterior part of the neck. Thyroid function test results were within normal limits, and aside from cosmetic disfigurement, the patient was asymptomatic. A fine needle aspiration of the right thyroid revealed a colloid nodule with rare Hurthle cells. A right thyroidectomy was subsequently performed. On gross examination, the right thyroid gland weighed 15.0 g and measured 5.5 3 3.0 3 2.5 cm. The cut surface revealed a well-circumscribed, red-brown, cystic nodule that measured 1.7 cm in maximum dimension. A small red-purple ovoid nodule was identified attached to the inferior aspect of the thyroid gland, measuring 0.7 3 0.5 3 0.2 cm. This nodule appeared grossly consistent with a normal inferior parathyroid gland. Microscopically, the cystic mass of the thyroid showed follicles of variable size and shape with distinct lymphocytic aggregates representative of an adenomatous nodule arising within a lymphocytic thyroiditis. Interestingly, sections from the presumed parathyroid gland turned out to
The estimation of branching curves in the presence of subject‐specific random effects

Branching curves are a technique for modeling curves that change trajectory at a change (branching) point. Currently, the estimation framework is limited to independent data, and smoothing splines are used for estimation. This article aims to extend the branching curve framework to the longitudinal data setting where the branching point varies by subject. If the branching point is modeled as a random effect, then the longitudinal branching curve framework is a Semiparametric Nonlinear Mixed Effects Model. Given existing issues with using random effects within a smoothing spline, we express the model as a B-spline Based Semiparametric Nonlinear Mixed Effects Model. Simple, clever smoothness constraints are enforced on the B-splines at the change point. The method is applied to Women’s Health data where we model the shape of the labor curve (cervical dilation measured longitudinally) before and after treatment with oxytocin (a labor stimulant).
The Importance of Adult Connections in Adolescents' Sense of School Belonging: Implications for Schools and Practitioners

This article discusses the significance of adult connections for adolescents' sense of school belonging and identifies areas for future research and practice by (a) exploring the influence of adult connections on adolescents' sense of school belonging; (b) reviewing the literature regarding school belonging outcomes; (c) identifying potential barriers to building adult connections and school belonging; (d) presenting school improvement initiatives that hold promise for facilitating adult connections and school belonging; and (e) introducing a research and practice agenda that underscores the need for further investigation into the relationship between adult connections and school belonging. This proposed agenda represents an important addition to the literature by advocating for an increased focus on the process and significance of these relationships during adolescence, emphasizing adult connections and school belonging in school improvement initiatives, and indicating how adult connections can promote p...
Coupling effects and performance in viligance tasks.

Abstract : This investigation examined the performance of 32 Ss on two (auditory and visual) 90-min vigilance tasks. Conventional and TSD indices were obtained as a function of 'coupling,' sense mode, and time on task. Order effects, correlations between sense modes, and possible effects of 'observing responses' were also examined. Hits and false alarms were noted. There was no significant decline in d' over time on task for either sense mode or coupling condition. In general, data on conventional measures of performance was similar for both auditory and visual tasks, regardless of the coupling conditions. Significant cross-modality correlations were obtained. The results are discussed in terms of expectancy theory and an observing response model. (Author)
Classification of contour shapes using class segment sets

Both example-based and model-based approaches for classifying contour shapes can encounter difficulties when dealing with classes that have large nonlinear variability, especially when the variability is structural or due to articulation. This paper proposes a part-based approach to address this problem. Bayesian classification is performed within a three-level framework, which consists of models for contour segments, for classes, and for the entire database of training examples. The class model enables different parts of different exemplars of a class to contribute to the recognition of an input shape. The method is robust to occlusion and is invariant to planar rotation, translation, and scaling. Furthermore, the method is completely automated. It achieves 98% classification accuracy on a large database with many classes.
Continuous-Time Identification Using Sinusoidal Inputs: An Integral Equation Approach

An integral equation approach for identification of continuous-time transfer function models from sinusoidal test data is proposed. Using a single-frequency sinusoidal input signal, the algorithm simultaneously estimates the model parameters and the time delay from the process response and the analytical expression of the input. Estimation equations for first-, second-, and a general nth-order models are derived. Simulation results for identification of first- and second-order processes are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology. The robustness of the algorithm is demonstrated using identification results for different noise levels in the output. Use of sinusoids with widely varying frequency and phase shows the flexibility in input design. Identification results of a simulated continuous stirred tank reactor are also presented.
Spironolactone inclusions in an aldosteronoma.

Spironolactone cytoplasmic inclusions were found in an aldosteronoma but not in the adjacent zona glomerulosa of an adrenal gland that was removed because of aldosteronism. Their light and electron microscopic appearance was similar to that of previous reports. No other reports of these inclusions in an aldosteronoma were found in the literature.
The Synthesis of Liquid Crystalline Polymer on Gold Nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles with thiol stabilizing layers were prepared with various fractions of end-functional thiols. Alcohol end-groups were further elaborated to norbornyl moieties so that a ruthenium alkylidene initiator could be tethered to the nanoparticle surfaces. In two different nanoparticle formulations the functional thiols possessed hydrocarbon chains that held the metal centers either near to or far from the surface of the thiol stabilizing layer. The tethered organometallic complexes were used to initiate polymerization from the nanoparticle surfaces. Liquid crystalline polymer was grown from nanoparticles where the metal center was tethered far from the surface but polymerization could not be initiated when the metal centers were held close to the surface. We hypothesize that steric hindrance is controlled by the length of the tethering thiol. Polarized optical microscopy showed that the polymer coated gold nanoparticles could still form a nematic mesophase at elevated temperature although the orientation of mesogens is restricted by crowding at the nanoparticle surface. Samples of unbound polymer were also prepared and exhibited similar transition behavior.
Research and Design of Power Equipment Energy Consumption Analysis System Based on Power Quality Data

From the perspective of reducing power consumption,in order to calculate the influence of different power quality indicator on power equipment energy consumption accurately and quantitatively,a power equipment energy consumption analysis system based on power quality data was proposed. The system sets up a power quality energy consumption model through theoretical research,simulation modeling,actual data validation. The continuous operation of this system also can provide data support for developing energy-saving measures based on power quality.
Determination of heavy metal elements in breast milk by atomic absorption spectrometry

Objective To establish a method to determine the contents of Pb,Cd,Cr,Cu and Hg in breast milk by atomic absorption spectrometry( AAS),to investigate the heavy metal pollution levels of 50 samples of breast milk in Shenzhen City.Methods Breast milk samples were digested with high pressure closed vessels,and AAS was used to determine the contents of the 5 heavy metals. The accuracy of the method was validated through precision experiment,recovery rate experiment and standard substance determination. AAS was used to determine the contents of the 5 heavy metals in 50 samples of breast milk in Shenzhen City. Results Under the optimum determination condition,the method for the assay of each element exhibited a good linearity. The relative standard deviations were 1. 07%- 3. 28%,and the recoveries of standard addition were 94. 2 %- 110. 2 %.The assay results of the standard GBW10017 milk powder and GBW10051 pork liver using the method showed that the determination values were in the standard range. The average levels of Pb,Cd,Cr,Cu and Hg in 50 samples of breast milk were 2. 0μg / L, 1. 0μg / L,1. 5μg / L,328μg / L and 0. 8μg / L,respectively. Conclusions This method is simple,practicable,accurate and reliable,and it is suitable for determining heavy metal elements in breast milk. Compared with the reported values from International Atomic Energy Agency,the pollution levels of Pb,Cd and Hg of breast milk in Shenzhen City are lower,the content of Cr is at upper limit critical value,but the content of Cu is beyond the range of the reported value.
Use of tranexamic acid in craniosynostosis surgery.

BackgroundIntraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) administration has been used to abate blood loss in a variety of surgical procedures. Several recent studies have supported its efficacy in reducing t...
Social support, family competence, and informal kinship caregiver parenting stress: The mediating and moderating effects of family resources ☆

Abstract Informal kinship care is the most common form of care of related children and it occurs without the oversight or assistance of the child welfare system. This study examined whether and how social support, family competence, and family resources were related to parenting stress in a sample of 207 informal kinship caregivers. Results of GEE analysis supported the hypotheses that social support, family competence, and adequacy of family resources have direct effects on parenting stress in these families; and, adequacy of family resources mediate and moderate the effects of social support and family competence on parenting stress. Implications for practice, future research and policy are discussed.
Repeat Infringement in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act

Copyright law balances incentives for creativity against social demand for access to artistic expression. This balance has always been delicate, and the internet has tipped the scales. Not only have new communication technologies made distribution significantly cheaper, they have also given shelter to primary infringers1 and provided copyright holders with new, third-party litigation targets. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA or the Act), passed in 1998, attempts to protect internet innovators while preserving copyright holders’ ability to prevent infringing activity.2 It does so in part through the creation of safe harbors, which an internet service provider (ISP) can enter if it takes statutorily prescribed steps.3 Liability shields are available only if an ISP has “adopted and reasonably implemented, and informs subscribers and account holders . . . of, a policy that provides for the termination in appropriate circumstances of . . . repeat infringers.”4 The statute does not, however, precisely define the term “repeat infringer.” Lacking clear statutory guidelines, litigants have looked to the courts for direction. Unfortunately, they have yet to provide it.5 The resulting uncertainty leads to inefficient investment. Consider first the position of an ISP: if it can be sued for any infringement on its network, the potential liability will be crippling. A copyright holder prevailing at trial is entitled to up to $30,000 in statutory damages per
Meier-Gorlin Syndrome

Proteins required for the earliest stages of the initiation of DNA replication, including the origin recognition complex, Cdc6, Cdt1, and the Mcm2-7 proteins, cooperate to assemble pre-replicative complexes at all origins of DNA replication prior to the actual start of DNA synthesis from each origin during S phase of the cell division cycle. These initiation proteins are also involved in processes at centrosomes and centromeres during mitosis that ensure the correct segregation of the duplicated sister chromatids after DNA replication. Rare, recessive mutations in genes encoding some of these proteins result in Meier-Gorlin syndrome (MGS), characterized by microcephaly and primordial dwarfism, but normal intelligence. Biochemical and cell biology studies show that MGS mutations affect DNA replication, but some mutations affect both DNA replication and chromosome segregation. The observations have implications related to control of tissue and body size.
Epidemiology of GIST

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors that are found throughout the gastrointestinal tract. They are molecularly characterized by gain-of-function mutations in oncogenes, including c-KIT and PDGFRα. They are believed to arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal within the myenteric plexus of the gut. Many studies have characterized the incidence of GIST in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The annual incidence reported in the literature varies by region: 3.2–6.8 cases per million persons in the United States; 2.1–14.5 cases per million persons in Europe; and 11.3–19.7 cases per million persons in Asia. However, many of these earlier studies were confounded by additional histologies confused with GIST, including leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, or neurofibroma. Across multiple studies, it has been shown that GIST is more common in older patients, males, Blacks, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. The average age at diagnosis ranges from 62 to 75, with peak incidence in the 8th decade of life. In regard to tumor-related characteristics, the stomach is consistently the most common tumor location followed by the small intestine. Finally, risk factors associated with death include increased age at diagnosis, male sex, Black race, and the presence of regional and/or metastatic disease. Taken together, our understanding of the patient- and disease-related characteristics of GIST has evolved over the last two decades. As further insights are gained into the biology of this disease, we continue to translate these into a better understanding of the epidemiology of GIST.
Simple method for monitoring 24-hour urinary urea nitrogen excretion

The urine urea nitrogen/urine creatinine excretion ratio (UUN/UCr) of a "spot" urine specimen obtained approximately 5 hours after the last meal of the day can be used to accurately calculate the urinary urea excretion for the previous 24-hour period. Because UUN excretion is largely determined by dietary intake of protein nitrogen, this method can be used to estimate dietary protein intake for the previous 24-hour period. Strategies for using this simple method for inexpensively and continuously monitoring dietary protein intake are discussed.
Accelerated Distributed Nesterov Gradient Descent for smooth and strongly convex functions

This paper considers the distributed optimization problem over a network, where the objective is to optimize a global function formed by a sum of local functions, using only local computation and communication. We develop an Accelerated Distributed Nesterov Gradient Descent (Acc-DNGD) method for strongly-convex and smooth functions. We show that it achieves a linear convergence rate and analyze how the convergence rate depends on the condition number and the underlying graph structure.
Cancer: from biology to computer science

Cancer research has been at the heart of life sciences for the past few decades. Since genetics play an important role in most cancers, computational methods are crucial in understanding the development of the disease.
Neuroimaging of deployment-associated traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a focus on mild TBI (mTBI) since 2009

Objectives: A substantial body of recent research has aimed to better understand the clinical sequelae of military trauma through the application of advanced brain imaging procedures in Veteran pop...
Rapid adaptive evolution in novel environments acts as an architect of population range expansion

Colonization and expansion into novel landscapes determine the distribution and abundance of species in our rapidly changing ecosystems worldwide. Colonization events are crucibles for rapid evolution, but it is not known whether evolutionary changes arise mainly after successful colonization has occurred, or if evolution plays an immediate role, governing the growth and expansion speed of colonizing populations. There is evidence that spatial evolutionary processes can speed range expansion within a few generations because dispersal tendencies may evolve upwards at range edges. Additionally, rapid adaptation to a novel environment can increase population growth rates, which also promotes spread. However, the role of adaptive evolution and the relative contributions of spatial evolution and adaptation to expansion are unclear. Using a model system, red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum), we either allowed or constrained evolution of populations colonizing a novel environment and measured population growth and spread. At the end of the experiment we assessed the fitness and dispersal tendency of individuals originating either from the core or edge of evolving populations or from nonevolving populations in a common garden. Within six generations, evolving populations grew three times larger and spread 46% faster than populations in which evolution was constrained. Increased size and expansion speed were strongly driven by adaptation, whereas spatial evolutionary processes acting on edge subpopulations contributed less. This experimental evidence demonstrates that rapid evolution drives both population growth and expansion speed and is thus crucial to consider for managing biological invasions and successfully introducing or reintroducing species for management and conservation.
Talking about Islam's origins1

Neither of the terms commonly used to describe the seventh-century expansion of the movement that comes to be called Islam – “the Islamic conquests” or “the Arab conquests” – is satisfactory; both terms are anachronistic and in some ways misleading; yet there is, at present, no clear candidate for an alternative terminology. This article discusses the weaknesses of existing nomenclatures, with reference to relevant primary sources, and the conceptual problems the traditional nomenclatures pose in the context of an extensive review of scholarly literature from roughly 1900 to the present. It offers a few suggestions for possible new terminologies, but essentially opens the question for further discussion.
Antenna Effects on Respiratory Rate Measurement Using a UWB Radar System

State-of-the-art advances in the field of radar technology have made it possible to design noninvasive sensing devices of vital signs. This paper presents the effects of antenna characteristics on an ultra-wideband (UWB) radar-based respiratory rate measurement system for tele-health-monitoring applications. The performance of three types of antenna for a UWB radar respiratory rate measurement system was studied in this paper. In this context, the proposed system was comprehensively evaluated using two experimental sets. First, a mechanical setup was used to provide a series of controlled frequency and distance motions for measurement test. The error analysis for various parameters associated with pulmonary activities such as breathing frequency and chest displacement was performed. Results indicated that the proposed sensing system used effectively as a respiratory rate measurement is less affected and shows less error when an antenna with directive radiation pattern, low cross-polarization, and stable phase center was used. Due to its good radiation characteristics and small form-factor, this antenna was selected to study the respiratory rates of ten test subjects. The results were compared with a standard respiratory-rate measurement using a respiration belt transducer. The measurement results using the proposed and the standard systems showed excellent agreement. The mean error value of the respiratory rate measurements was 0.03 Hz with a statistical standard deviation of 0.03 Hz.
Percutaneous Ablation Versus Partial and Radical Nephrectomy for T1a Renal Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis.

Background Stage T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (tumors <4 cm) is usually curable. Nephron-sparing partial nephrectomy (PN) has replaced radical nephrectomy (RN) as the standard of care for these tumors. Radical nephrectomy remains the first alternative treatment option, whereas percutaneous ablation (PA), a newer, nonsurgical treatment, is recommended less strongly because of the relative paucity of comparative PA data. Objective To compare PA, PN, and RN outcomes. Design Observational cohort analysis using inverse probability of treatment-weighted propensity scores. Setting Population-based SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) cancer registry data linked to Medicare claims. Patients Persons aged 66 years or older who received treatment for T1a RCC between 2006 and 2011. Interventions PA versus PN and RN. Measurements RCC-specific and overall survival, 30- and 365-day postintervention complications. Results 4310 patients were followed for a median of 52 months for overall survival and 42 months for RCC-specific survival. After PA versus PN, the 5-year RCC-specific survival rate was 95% (95% CI, 93% to 98%) versus 98% (CI, 96% to 99%); after PA versus RN, 96% (CI, 94% to 98%) versus 95% (CI, 93% to 96%). After PA versus PN, the 5-year overall survival rate was 77% (CI, 74% to 81%) versus 86% (CI, 84% to 88%); after PA versus RN, 74% (CI, 71% to 78%) versus 75% (CI, 73% to 77%). Cumulative rates of renal insufficiency 31 to 365 days after PA, PN, and RN were 11% (CI, 8% to 14%), 9% (CI, 8% to 10%), and 18% (CI, 17% to 20%), respectively. Rates of nonurologic complications within 30 days after PA, PN, and RN were 6% (CI, 4% to 9%), 29% (CI, 27% to 30%), and 30% (CI, 28% to 32%), respectively. Ten percent of patients in the PN group had intraoperative conversion to RN. Seven percent of patients in the PA group received additional PA within 1 year of treatment. Limitations Analysis of observational data may have been affected by residual confounding by provider or from selection bias toward younger, healthier patients in the PN group. Findings from this older study population are probably less applicable to younger patients. Use of SEER-Medicare linked files prevented analysis of patients who received treatment after 2011, possibly reducing generalizability to the newest PA, PN, and RN techniques. Conclusion For well-selected older adults with T1a RCC, PA may result in oncologic outcomes similar to those of RN, but with less long-term renal insufficiency and markedly fewer periprocedural complications. Compared with PN, PA may be associated with slightly shorter RCC-specific survival but fewer periprocedural complications. Primary Funding Source Association of University Radiologists GE Radiology Research Academic Fellowship and Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation.
Individual Intellectual Assessment

Psychologists use intelligence tests for a wide variety of purposes. Diagnosis of a handicap or disability, vocational training and placement, and educational training and placement represent a few of the many purposes for administering intelligence tests. Perhaps one of the major aspects of intelligence tests that has served to sustain their popularity is that they do what was intended by Binet and Simon when they developed one of the first intelligence scales many years ago: they predict school achievement better than any other type of measurement instrument. More significantly, it may be that psychologists view these tests as direct measures of mental functioning. In any case, intelligence tests are used extensively for many purposes, and many of these uses in some sense involve the clinical assessment of intellectual functioning.
Analysis of Quantitative Data

In this chapter we continue our study of data analysis, particularly the analysis of quantitative data. In Chap. 2 we explored types and uses of data, and we performed data analysis on quantitative data with graphical techniques. This chapter will delve more deeply into the topic of quantitative data analysis, providing us with a strong foundation and a preliminary understanding of the results of a data collection effort. Some statistical tools will be introduced, but more powerful tools will follow in later chapters.
An integrated model for determining causes of poor oral drug absorption.

Purpose. To develop an integrated absorption model for estimating the fraction of dose absorbed and determining the causes of poor oral drug absorption.
Abstract TP25: Impact of Get With the Guideline on Reducing Door-to-Reperfusion Time and Promote Good Clinical Outcome for Mechanical Endovascular Reperfusion Therapy

Background: Reducing the Door to Revascularization (DTR) time is an essential factor to promise good clinical outcomes in the mechanical endovascular therapy of large vessel occlusion (LVO) of ante...
Efficient Privacy-Preserving Large-Scale CP Tensor Decompositions

Tensor decompositions are very powerful tools for analyzing multi-dimensional multi-modal data. Particularly, CP tensor decomposition is one of the most fundamental tensor decomposition models. However, it is usually computationally expensive to conduct CP tensor decompositions on a large-scale tensor by common algorithms like alternative least squares (ALS). To address this issue, one widely recognized solution is to adopt cloud computing. However, this raises privacy concerns due to the private information carried by a tensor. Previous algorithms for privacy-preserving outsourcing of tensor decompositions and other related computations require heavy communication cost. In this paper, we first develop an efficient tensor transformation scheme to protect the private information carried by elements' values of a tensor. Then we design a privacy-preserving outsourcing algorithm for ALS based CP tensor decompositions. We implement our proposed algorithm on a laptop and Amazon EC2 cloud and offer experiment results to show the sianificant computing time-savings.
125 PEARSON SYNDROME.

Pearson syndrome is a rare multisystem mitochondrial cytopathy that is often fatal in early infancy or early childhood and is caused by deletions in mitochondrial (mt) DNA resulting in a defect of oxidative phosphorylation. Pearson syndrome is defined as refractory sideroblastic anemia with vacuolated marrow precursors and with deletion of mitochondrial DNA. We report here a 6-month-old female infant who became ill with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea after drinking water from her home in the southeast region of the United States, which had recently been devastated by the catastrophic hurricane Katrina. She presented to an overwhelmed local hospital emergency department in shock with severe anemia. She was stabilized and evacuated to our institution, where additional workup also revealed severe metabolic acidosis, failure to thrive, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction. She was diagnosed with Pearson syndrome after bone marrow examination revealed the characteristic vacuolated marrow precursors and Southern blot analysis confirmed a large mtDNA deletion. Children with Pearson syndrome are most often diagnosed in early infancy with bone marrow and pancreatic dysfunction. The extent of multiple-organ involvement is quite variable. In the past, children with Pearson syndrome were not expected to survive past infancy or early childhood. Most children die due to severe infection, metabolic acidosis, or liver failure. However, with proper diagnosis, careful monitoring, and supportive care, children can live longer. Some children medically supported through infancy may recover marrow and pancreatic function. This case is presented to review the diagnosis, monitoring, and supportive treatment of Pearson syndrome because this syndrome is probably underdiagnosed and must be considered in infants and children with cytopenias associated with sepsis, acidosis, and renal or liver disease.
Hematopoietic Cell Transplant–Related Toxicities and Mortality in Frail Recipients

Abstract Frailty is a state characterized by diminished physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to stress and adversely affects outcomes in older patients. We aimed to determine the relationship between pre–hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) frailty and grades 3 to 4 nonhematologic toxicities (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0) and mortality in HCT recipients within 1 year after HCT and also examined whether age at HCT moderated that association. In a prospective longitudinal study of 117 patients aged ≥ 40 years undergoing HCT, we performed formal pre-HCT geriatric assessments. Frailty was assessed using Fried's criteria. Post-HCT toxicities were abstracted through medical record reviews. The prevalence of pre-HCT frailty was 21% and was not different in younger (40 to 59 years) versus older (≥60 years) HCT recipients. Overall, frail recipients (versus nonfrail) had a higher cumulative incidence of any grades 3 to 4 nonhematologic toxicity (86% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 62% to 100%] versus 70% [95% CI, 57% to 83%), P = .03) and more organ-specific grades 3 to 4 toxicities, such as non-neutropenic infections (38% [95% CI, 17% to 59%] versus 13% [95% CI, 6% to 20%], P
Fichte, Sartre, and Levinas on the Problem with the Problem of Other Minds

In this chapter I argue that Sartre, Fichte, and Levinas all reject the traditional approach to the problem of other minds in favor of phenomenological accounts of intersubjectivity. With differing emphases, they claim that our normative and affective engagement with others precedes any epistemic question about the existence of conscious, self-determining, or morally considerable persons outside of ourselves. In doing so, they also transform our understanding of what it means to be a subject. Despite this convergence in their approaches, Levinas most radically repudiates the ideal of autonomous subjectivity at the core of the problem of other minds.
The Reactive Bridge: A Novel Solid-State Low Energy Initiator

Within a broad variety of commercial (i.e. automotive airbags, mining) and government ordnance systems there exists an interface which utilizes electrical energy to initiate an exothermic reaction (i.e. combustion, deflagration, detonation). The structure that performs this function is commonly referred to as an Electro-explosive device (EED). The basic EED design is susceptible to initiation failures due to mechanical hazards such vibration and shock. This paper discusses the fabrication and characterization of a micro-machined EED (the Reactive Bridge) which is mechanically robust, extremely reliable and inexpensive to manufacture. The structure is capable of directly initiating a wide variety of pyrotechnics and primary explosives. The Reactive Bridge offers the additional advantage of being able to be directly fabricated onto any custom integrated circuit. This feature may be of particular interest for adding anti-tamper features directly at the individual die level of electronic systems. The structur...