cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcomes of thalidomide in refractory Crohn's disease

SummaryBackground Several open-label and retrospective studies have indicated that thalidomide may be beneficial in patients with refractory Crohn's disease (CD). Aim To report our long-term experience with the use of thalidomide for adults with refractory Crohn's disease. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of long-term clinical and safety outcomes among adults treated with thalidomide for refractory Crohn's disease. Response was defined as a clinician's assessment of improvement after at least 7 days treatment of one or more of the following: bowel movement frequency, fistula output, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, extraintestinal manifestations, or well-being. Remission required all of the following: <3 stools/day, no bleeding, abdominal pain or extraintestinal manifestations and increased well-being. Results Thirty-seven adults with refractory Crohn's disease were treated with thalidomide for a median of 4.4 months and followed up for a median of 58 months. Clinical response and remission rates were 54% and 19%, respectively. About 40% of patients were able to stop steroids. Response rates were higher for those treated with more than 50 mg/day (85%) than for those treated with a maximum of 50 mg/day (40%; P = 0.01). An adverse event occurred in 68% of patients. Approximately one-third of patients (38%) experienced neuropathy. Conclusions Thalidomide appears to be safe and effective in some patients with refractory Crohn's disease. Although side effects may limit long-term use, thalidomide has potential to induce significant clinical responses.
Gone fission…: diverse consequences of cardiac Drp1 deficiency.

Mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins are highly expressed in myocardium. However, mitochondrial fission and fusion are rare, and mitochondrial networks are absent, in adult cardiomyocytes, obviating a need for morphometric mitochondrial remodeling. The critical role of mitochondrial dynamics factors in hearts therefore remains to be determined. In this issue of Circulation Research Ikeda et al describe a central function for the mitochondrial fission protein, Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp-1), in macroautophagy and mitochondrial autophagy. Together with two other recent reports that cardiac-specific deletion of Drp1 perturbs mitophagy, these findings point to modulation of targeted mitochondrial elimination as a major quality control function for Drp1, and possible other mitochondrial dynamism factors, in the heart.
Reuse of homework and test questions: when, why, and how to maintain security?

It is always difficult to obtain good homework problems and test questions. Instructors can save time - and polish their work - by using the same questions they used before. And they would do so semester after semester, except for one obvious risk: that students would simply copy or memorize the answers rather than learning the material. This paper presents the results of a survey of hundreds of postsecondary educators. How frequently do they reuse questions, and how do they prevent students from getting advance access to the answers? How much trouble have they had with "files" kept by fraternities, sororities, and ethnic groups? Do they consider it cheating to copy or memorize answers? Has the increasing use of electronic resources made it easier or harder to maintain security? Do they typically alter their policies when they begin to put material on line? The answers to these questions can guide all of us to more realistic and secure reuse policies.
A low power 32 nanometer CMOS digitally controlled oscillator

In this paper, a low power and low jitter 12-bit CMOS digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) design is presented. The CMOS DCO design is based on a ring oscillator implemented with Schmitt trigger based inverters. Simulations of the proposed DCO using 32 nm predictive transistor model (PTM) achieve controllable frequency range of around 570 MHz~850 MHz with a wide range of linearity. Monte Carlo simulation demonstrates that the time-period jitter due to random power supply fluctuation is under 75 ps and the power consumption is 2.3 mW at 800 MHz and 0.9 power supply.
Compiler support for out-of-core arrays on parallel machines

Many computational methods are currently limited by the size of physical memory, the latency of disk storage, and the difficulty of writing an efficient out-of-core version of the application. We are investigating a compiler-based approach to the above problem. In general, our compiler techniques attempt to choreograph I/O for an application based on high-level programmer annotations similar to Fortran D's DECOMPOSITION, ALIGN, and DISTRIBUTE statements. The central problem is to generate "deferred routines" which delay computations until all the data they require have been read into main memory. We present the results for two applications, LU factorization and red-black relaxation, on 1 to 32 nodes of an Intel Paragon after hand application of these compiler techniques. >
Large-scale controls on Ganges and Brahmaputra river discharge on intraseasonal and seasonal time-scales

Reliable water supply from the Ganges and Brahmaputra is of critical importance to the sustainability of the agricultural societies of India and Bangladesh. But, the flow in both basins is highly variable on time-scales ranging from days to years, creating challenges for the optimization of agricultural practices, water resource management and disaster mitigation. The following questions are addressed. Is intraseasonal monsoon variability related to the subseasonal variability of river flow? Do variations in the large-scale tropical sea-surface temperature (SST) located both regionally and remotely promote seasonal and interannual variations of river discharge? And, if these relationships do exist, are they determinable with sufficient lead-times to allow useful predictions for user communities in South Asia? We examine these questions using 50 years of daily river discharge data for both rivers calculated at the points where they enter Bangladesh, and with SST data in the Indo-Pacific region. We also examine the question of determining the impact of man-made dams, diversions and barrages on the data record, especially that of the Ganges. A comparison of discharge prior to 1974 (the time of the construction of the largest barrage) shows no statistical difference that cannot be explained by basin-wide rainfall distributions. Changes that do occur are restricted to the dry-season months. Subseasonal river discharge is found to be strongly tied to the monsoon intraseasonal cycle resulting in a near-in-phase timing of Ganges and Brahmaputra discharge. A basin isochrone analysis is used to couple stream-flow variability and intraseasonal precipitation during the different phases of the intraseasonal cycle. On longer time-scales, statistically significant correlations are found between mean monthly equatorial Pacific SST and the boreal summer Ganges discharge with lead times of 2–3 months. These relationships are tied to El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) oscillations in addition to SST variability in the southwest and northwest Pacific that also seems to be related to ENSO. The Brahmaputra discharge, on the other hand, shows somewhat weaker relationships with tropical SST. Strong lagged correlation relationships are found with SST in the Bay of Bengal but these are the result of very warm SSTs and exceptional Brahmaputra discharge during the summer of 1998. When this year is removed from the time series, relationships with SST anomalies weaken everywhere except in the northwest Pacific for the June discharge and in areas of the central Pacific straddling the Equator for the July discharge. In addition, the northwest Pacific relationship changes polarity for June and July discharges. Although the relationships are weaker than those found for the Ganges, they are persistent from month to month and suggest that two different and sequential factors influence Brahmaputra river flow. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Metabolizable Energy of Some Oil Seed Meals and Some Unusual Feedstuffs

Abstract HILL and associates worked out a satisfactory basic diet and procedure for determining the metabolizable energy content of poultry feedstuffs (1958), and have reported the metabolizable energy of grain (1960a) and soybean products (1960b). The present study was undertaken to determine the metabolizable energy content of a number of oil seed meals (cottonseed, peanut, sesame, and safflower meals) and some other feeding stuffs (copra meal, fine and coarse rice bran, mungo beans, dried whole shrimp, ipil-ipil leaf meal) not commonly used in the United States but representing an important source of feeding materials for certain other parts of the world, especially in the Philippine Islands. As a part of this study it was decided to conduct complete proximate analyses on the various feedstuffs and, where digestibility values are available from the literature, to compare the metabolizable energy values estimated according to the method of Titus (1955) with those determined biologically…
Identification and Characterization of Small Molecules That Inhibit Intracellular Toxin Transport

Shiga toxin (Stx), cholera toxin (Ctx), and the plant toxin ricin are among several toxins that reach their intracellular destinations via a complex route. Following endocytosis, these toxins travel in a retrograde direction through the endosomal system to the trans-Golgi network, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). There the toxins are transported across the ER membrane to the cytosol, where they carry out their toxic effects. Transport via the ER from the cell surface to the cytosol is apparently unique to pathogenic toxins, raising the possibility that various stages in the transport pathway can be therapeutically targeted. We have applied a luciferase-based high-throughput screen to a chemical library of small-molecule compounds in order to identify inhibitors of Stx. We report two novel compounds that protect against Stx and ricin inhibition of protein synthesis, and we demonstrate that these compounds reversibly inhibit bacterial transport at various stages in the endocytic pathway. One compound (compound 75) inhibited transport at an early stage of Stx and Ctx transport and also provided protection against diphtheria toxin, which enters the cytosol from early endosomes. In contrast, compound 134 inhibited transport from recycling endosomes through the Golgi apparatus and protected only against toxins that access the ER. Small-molecule compounds such as these will provide insight into the mechanism of toxin transport and lead to the identification of compounds with therapeutic potential against toxins routed through the ER.
Pulse power enhancement using mode locked arrays of automatic level control oscillators

A millimeter wave pulse generation system using mode locked arrays of coupled automatic level control oscillators is analyzed. Previous analyses have shown that 90 degrees of coupling phase maximizes the entrainment region size, however, this paper shows that pulse power can be significantly enhanced by choosing 0 degrees of coupling phase. A comparison of the entrainment size and phase sensitivity shows that for large arrays peak power enhancement can be utilized without a significant reduction in overall system robustness. >
Analysis and prevention of animal-caused faults in power distribution systems

The reliability, security and quality of power systems are significantly affected by distribution faults. One of the trends concerning distribution faults is the implementation of more preventive measures instead of reactive measures. In other words, we would like to prevent faults from happening rather than to restore the system after faults occur. Among the different categories of power distribution faults, animal-caused faults are probably the ones that can be prevented most easily and effectively if appropriate control actions are taken. This paper discusses and analyzes animal-caused faults in power distribution systems. The results of an animal fault prevention technique that can effectively reduce these faults is also presented. >
Simultaneous measurement of nonlinearity and electrochemical impedance for protein sensing using two-tone excitation

Impedance biosensors detect the binding of a target to an immobilized probe by quantifying changes in the impedance of the electrode-electrolyte interface. The interface's I–V relationship is inherently nonlinear, varying with DC bias, and target binding can alter the degree of nonlinearity. We propose and demonstrate a method to simultaneously measure the nonlinearity and conventional small-signal impedance using intermodulation products from a two-tone input. Intermodulation amplitudes accurately reflect the impedance's manually-measured voltage dependence. We demonstrate that changes in nonlinearity can discriminate protein binding. Our measurements suggest that target binding can alter nonlinearity via the voltage dependence of the ionic double layer.
Generic support for distributed multimedia applications

The question of how to build a convenient application programming interface for multimedia applications in a distributed and heterogeneous environment is addressed. In accordance with the objectives of distribution transparency with node autonomy, presentation transparency, device independence, and the handling of resource allocation by the underlying system, a concept is developed for this new applications area. The model comprises resources operating as sources and sinks of transient and persistent information. These resources and their interactions appear as capabilities at the application programming interface. Applications do not distinguish between local and remote operations and resources. Authorization is integrated as the protection attribute of the capabilities. The model supports a level of abstraction at which unnecessary details-such as device dependencies-are made transparent to application programs. >
Is risky sex rational

Consideration of a simple model of sexual decision‐making suggests that many individuals who engage in risky sexual practices do so for “rational” reasons. Within a framework of subjective values and perceptions, risky sex may be rational in the sense that the benefits derived from sexual expression outweigh the threat of loss from AIDS. One implication of this conceptualization is that in order to understand risky behavior, primary consideration must be accorded the perceptions, attitudes, and desires of the individual.
Morphometric analysis of ontogeny and allometry of the Middle Ordovician trilobite Triarthrus becki

Abstract Traditionally, the distinction between meraspis and holaspis among trilobites has been based on the achievement of the full adult complement of thoracic segments. Using a large sample (over 700 specimens collected from a single bed) we explore the utility of employing the ontogenetic trajectory of the cranidium as an alternative means to differentiate trilobite growth stages. This method is particularly useful for species represented solely by exuviae and disarticulated individuals. We use geometric morphometrics to examine shape change among cranidia ranging in size from 0.9 mm to 11.6 mm in cephalic length. The 114 measured specimens exhibit a rather continuous gradation in size in which no distinct instars are evident. The meraspid and holaspid specimens exhibit allometry when partial warp scores and uniform components of shape derived from thin-plate spline analysis are regressed onto log centroid size. To describe allometric shape change, deformation vectors from the smallest to the largest ...
Do We Feel Safer Today? The Impact of Smiling Customer Service on Airline Safety Perception Post 9-11

The 9–11 attacks in 2001 were the most notorious airline safety breaches to ever occur in airline history. This attack stunned America’s airline industry and government, causing both to realize how ill equipped they were to deal with the terrorist attacks that impacted New York and Washington, D.C. This tragedy triggered psychological, social, economic, and political implications that propelled various reform strategies. Responding swiftly to the 9–11 tragedy, the government created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which implemented more invasive security procedures. As a result, some travelers are less attracted to flight travel. This paper explores whether safety procedures actually make individuals feel safer. Furthermore, smiling customer service ameliorates the negative attitude that some have towards airline safety. Responses from more than 100 travelers reveal their opinions on current safety in the skies. Results indicate that smiling customer service mitigates safety perceptions about airline travel for research participants, and younger travelers feel safer than older travelers.
Enterprise Risk Management: Factors Associated with Effective Implementation

Risk management is undergoing a great change, as organizations shift from the traditional and compartmental to an enterprise wide approach. Consequently, enterprise risk management (ERM) is gaining global attention among risk management professionals and academics. The demand for the adoption of ERM has led to several companies embracing it, yet its implementation has become challenging. Research shows that ERM approach emphasizes a holistic approach for assessing and evaluating the risks that an organization faces as against the “silo” approach of the traditional methods. The extant literature shows that through the reduction of the risk that an organization faces, ERM is capable of improving the performance and value. The study used a non-experimental correlational approach to explore the relationship between the presence of a chief risk officer (CRO) and an audit committee (AC), and the support of top management (TM) in relation to the implementation of ERM. A survey instrument was provided to self-identified risk-management professionals who are members of Survey Monkey Audience Service database. The target sample frame requested for analysis using a power of .95 was (n = 119). However, the final number analyzed was (n = 134). Frequencies and percentages were conducted on the demographic survey items and regression and correlational analyses were also performed. The study findings show that there was a significant relationship between the role of a CRO, the presence of an AC, and the support of TM and the level of ERM deployment. The study also found significant correlations between management support level and CRO, and AC. In addition, a much strong positive correlation was noted between the presence of a CRO and an AC.
Using Resource Allocation Modeling to Inform HIV Prevention Priority Setting for Baltimore-Towson, Maryland

Problem : In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the “Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Planning” initiative, which targeted funding to the 12 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with the most severe epidemics of human immunodeficiency virus infection to a) develop a plan to align each MSA’s HIV prevention plan with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and b) identify and implement the optimal combination of prevention services to reduce new infections. Purpose : This paper describes how the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) partnered with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH) to conduct mathematical modeling and economic analyses to inform local planning for resource allocation and intervention design for the Baltimore–Towson MSA. Key Points : The paper outlines the steps of building and implementing that analytic partnership, illustrates how results were discussed with other key stakeholders, and shows how the findings informed local priority setting. Conclusion : The paper demonstrates how health departments, academia, and community partners can jointly use policy modeling to improve resource allocation and address urgent public health challenges.
Pressure-Volume-Temperature Measurements for Polyethylene, Polyiso-Butylene, Poly(Vinyl Acetate), and Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) to 1 Kilobar

Abstract While accurate measurements of volumetric properties of common liquids have been reported over the last 20 years, such measurements are scarce for polymeric liquids at high temperatures and pressures. Quach and Simha measured densities of polystyrene (PS) and poly-(o-methylstyrene) in the region 1–2000 bar and 10–200°C. Goldstein and McKinney measured the density of poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAC) in the region 1–800 bar and −35–100°. Hellwege reported volumetric data for polyethylene (PE), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Maloney and Prausnitz compared density data for PE from different sources and found appreciable disagreement. Volumetric data for polyisobutylene (PIB) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) are confined to modest pressures (1–40 bar) and those for PVC and PMMA are confined to a small temperature range (120–140°C for PMMA and 90–100°C for PVC). This work presents experimental results at advanced pressures for four polymers (low-density PE, PVAC, PIB, and...
Multi-Modality Imaging of the Compressed Breast

We use dynamic optical and MR imaging to characterize the hemodynamic behavior of breast tissue under external compression. Preliminary data shows spatial contrast in both optical blood volume time-courses and MR oxygenation dependent (BOLD) images.
A Systematic Review of the Role of Surgical Approaches on the Outcomes of the Tibia Pilon Fracture

Background. The role of each surgical approach on the outcomes of pilon fractures has not been investigated in a systematic review. Methods. This systematic review was conducted with a thorough literature search on PubMed using the keywords (“pilon” OR “plafond”) “fracture.” Only articles written in the English language that have been published within the past 15 years and discussed the surgical approach were considered. Results. A total of 733 patients were included in this review. All the fractures were either OTA Type B or C fractures: 157 were Type B and 576 were Type C. Anterior and medial approaches have some of the best results in the literature with respect to complication rate. The posterolateral and anteromedial approaches have markedly higher complication rates. Conclusions. The anterolateral group had the largest number of patients—comprising one third of the entire study population. The anterior approach had one of the lowest complication rates with a patient base that had a high proportion o...
A Comparative Study on the Directional Complements in Chinese and the Equivalants in French

The article compares the grammatical meaning and structure of the directional complements in Chinese to the equivalants in French. The differences and similarities are identified in order to make the teaching of Chinese more efficient to the French speaking students.
American College of Radiology mammography accreditation guidelines.

The author reviews the physiology of the various types of emesis and the factors that influence chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, including both patient-related factors and those related to treatment. He then enumerates and describes the antiemetic agents now available, ranging from phenothiazines to cannabinoids and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) antagonists; explains how they might best be used; and outlines the probable future direction for antiemetic studies.
Numerical Simulation of Near-Field Explosion

The objective of this study is to simulate shock wave due to near-field explosion by using Arbitrary-Lagargian-Eulerian (ALE) fluid-structure interaction algorithm in the LS-DYNA finite element analysis software. Overpressure from near-field burst simulation was compared to the U. S. Army Technical Manual TM5-1300, with relative difference of 5%, for a scaled distance from 0.09 to 0.29 m/kg^(1/3). The results showed that LS-DYNA can predict near-field explosion. Furthermore, using LS-DYNA Mapping 2D to 2D technology can effectively increase the numerical model size of which scaled distance can be extended from 0.09 to 0.61 m/kg^(1/3).
Synthesizing a Trefoil Knotted Block Copolymer via Ring-Expansion Strategy

A synthetic trefoil knotted poly(e-caprolatone)-block-poly(l-lactide) (TK-PLA-b-PCL) is synthesized via a ring-expansion strategy from a trefoil knotted tin (Sn) initiator. Ring-closing reaction between the bis-copper(I) templated phenanthroline complex and dibutyldimethoxytin results in a templated trefoil knotted initiator. The bis-copper(I) templated trefoil knotted poly(l-lactide) (TK-PLA) can be synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide monomer, and decomplexation reaction of the templated TK-PLA will result in a geniune TK-PLA without constraint from the copper template. Subsequent insertion of e-caprolactone in the bis-copper(I) templated TK-PLA forms the templated trefoil knotted block copolymer, i.e., TK-PLA-b-PCL, and the copper-free TK-PLA-b-PCL can be obtained by decomplexation reaction. Both TK-PLA and TK-PLA-b-PCL are analyzed by the 1H NMR, FT-IR, UV–vis, DLS, and GPC.
The Behavior of Russian Firms in 1992: Evidence from a Survey

A naturally more open economy-as determined by its size and geography-devotes more resources to building good institutions and displays less corruption. Wei offers a possibly new interpretation of the connection between openness and good governance, with a conceptual model and some empirical evidence. Assuming that corruption and bad governance reduce international trade and investment more than domestic trade and investment, a naturally more open economy - as determined by its size and geography - would devote more resources to building good institutions and would display less corruption in equilibrium. How is natural openness defined? By size, geography, and language. France would be more naturally open than Argentina because Argentina is more remote. Ability to speak English facilitates international trade. A country with a long coast tends to be more open than a landlocked country. In the data, naturally more open economies do show less corruption even after their level of development is taken into account. Residual openness - which could include trade policies - is not important once natural openness is accounted for. Moreover, naturally more open economies also tend to pay civil servants salaries that are more competitive with those of their private sector counterparts. One implication of this research is that globalization may affect governance: as globalization deepens, the natural openness of all countries increases. This raises the opportunity cost of tolerating a given level of corruption and could provide new impetus for countries to fight corruption. These patterns are consistent with the conceptual model. This paper - a product of Public Economics, Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to study the determinants of corruption and governance. The author may be contacted at swei@worldbank.org.
Soft-decision based distributed detection over correlated sensing channels

This paper proposes a new framework that performs spectrum sensing in soft decision based distributed detection systems while considering correlated sensors' readings. The main contribution is formulating the problem into a nonlinear integer programming problem for which the genetic algorithm is further applied to find a suboptimal solution. This framework is able to handle both soft and hard decisions while assuming correlation for any number of sensors, and hence largely extends the scenarios being considered in previous works. The results show that our scheme outperforms previous schemes and approaches the centralized detection scheme performance in terms of probability of error.
A Highly Fluorinated Chiral Aldehyde for Enantioselective Fluorescent Recognition in a Biphasic System

A 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL)-based aldehyde (S)-6 containing four perfluoroalkyl groups is designed and synthesized. It shows enantioselective fluorescence enhancement at 420 nm when treated with the enantiomers of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane in an organic/fluorous biphasic system. The enantiomeric excess of the diamine in methanol can be linearly correlated with the emission intensity of (S)-6 in perfluorohexane (FC-72). This is the first example to determine the enantiomeric composition of a chiral molecule by using a fluorescent sensor in a fluorous/organic biphasic system. The mechanism of the reaction was investigated by NMR and mass spectroscopic analyses.
A ceramide rheostat balances angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis

284 We have previously shown that ionizing radiation (RT) induces rapid sphingomyelin (SM) hydrolysis, generating ceramide and leading to apoptosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) (Haimovitz-Friedman et al., 1994). In these cells, the plasma membrane appeared to be a primary target of RT. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), an endothelial cell survival factor, inhibited RT-induced BAEC apoptosis in vitro and when injected intravenously prevented RT-induced apoptotic death of small vessels in the mouse small intestine (Paris et al., 2001). Protecting the jejunal microvasculature from RT-induced apoptosis had substantive effects on animal survival by preventing the RT-induced GI syndrome. Mice null for acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) were similarly protected from RT-induced microvessel apoptosis and the GI syndrome. The current studies address whether bFGF and the angiogenic tumor growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), protect endothelial cells from apoptotic death by regulation of SM/ceramide signaling. bFGF and VEGF each blocked RT-induced ASMase activation in BAEC back to baseline levels (reducing the peak activity at 90 seconds post-RT from 272 nmol/mg/hr to 171 nmol/mg/hr and 193 nmol/mg/hr respectively), and prevented ceramide elevation (455pmol/106 cells 60 seconds post-RT vs. 325pmol/106 cells and 346pmol/106 cells respectively). VEGF, like bFGF, also reduced RT-induced apoptosis from 35% to 9% at 8hrs. Further, treatment of the BAEC clone A19 with antagonistic VEGF-receptor 2 mAb (DC101) increased ceramide levels progressively, which peaked at 1200 pmol/106 cells at 18hrs, leading to apoptosis (45.3% after 24hrs). Finally, in vivo studies using ASMase null and wild-type mice showed that ASMase activation is necessary for DC101-induced radiosensitization of fibrosarcoma tumors. These results strongly suggest that anti-angiogenic pharmacologic agents, delivered immediately prior to single dose radiotherapy, de-repress the enzyme ASMase, allowing enhanced radiation-induced endothelial cell ceramide elevation and apoptosis, translating into markedly improved tumor response.
Expanding the Institutional Repository Mission: Innovating with Linked Data for NASA Digital Curation

Historically, NASA mission information has not been maintained in any single, accessible authority. To both achieve its goal of creating better connections in GSFCIR and to provide a valuable resource to present and future NASA communities, the Goddard Library is producing a linked data thesaurus of NASA mission names, including equivalence, hierarchical, and associative relationships. This presentation focuses on how the Library established the need for a NASA-focused linked data missions thesaurus, the careful process of domain analysis and vocabulary development, and its role in aiding future digital curation efforts as GSFCIR grows with new collections.
Toward Exposing the Applicability of Gass & Saaty’s Parametric Programming Procedure

In this paper we discuss some applications of Gass & Saaty’s parametric programming procedure (GSP3). This underutilized procedure is relevant to solution strategies for many problem types but is often not considered as a viable alternate approach. By demonstrating the utility of this procedure, we hope to attract other researchers to explore the use of GSP 3 as a solution approach for important problems in operations research, computer science, information systems, and other areas.
Chlorophyll Function in Plant Photosynthesis and Nonbiological Applications. Isotope Effects in Photoreduction of Carbon Dioxide by Water

Photosynthesis as represented by the reaction stoichiometry $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {visible{\text{ }}light} \\ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {C{{O}_{2}} + {{H}_{2}}O} & { - - - - - - - - > } & {(1/n){{{(C{{H}_{2}}O)}}_{n}}} \\ \end{array} + {{O}_{2}}} \\ {CHl{\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{a}}} \\ \end{array} $$ is of great importance in carbon dioxide chemistry. In green plants the oxygen evolution from water oxidation and carbon dioxide reduction evidently involve the participation of two Ch1 a photosystems respectively known as PSII and PSI. In nonbiological applications the observed effects of reaction 1 are attributed to a single Ch1 a light reaction. An important problem in photosynthesis research is a description of the intrinsic properties of Ch1 a in the photocatalysis of reaction 1. The goal is to find the optimized parameters for the reduction of carbon dioxide by water outside of the living plant.1 This chapter deals with the current progress in the use of Ch1 a model systems towards the attainment of that goal.
Description of the Computer Code

Here we describe how to use the computer code that is based on the theory developed in the previous chapters. The procedure for running the code is quite simple and only requires following the instructions presented in this chapter. However, an understanding of the theoretical framework is needed to determine the scope and limitations of the method, to choose the most efficient parameters, and to interpret the results correctly.
Time-Resolved Diagnostics of Excimer Laser-Generated Ablation Plasmas used for Pulsed Laser Deposition

Characteristics of laser plasmas used for pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of thin films are examined with four in situ diagnostic techniques: optical emission spectroscopy, optical absorption spectroscopy, ion probe studies, and gated ICCD (intensified charge-coupled-device array) fast photography. These four techniques are complementary and permit simultaneous views of the transport of ions, excited states, ground state neutrals and ions, and hot particulates following KrF laser ablation of YBCO, BN, graphite and Si in vacuum and background gases. The implementation and advantages of the four techniques are first described in order to introduce the key features of laser plasmas for pulsed laser deposition. Aspects of the interaction of the ablation plume with background gases (i.e., thermalization, attenuation, shock formation) and the collision of the plasma plume with the substrate heater are then summarized. The techniques of fast ICCD photography and gated photon counting are then applied to investigate the temperature, velocity, and spatial distribution of hot particles generated during KrF ablation of YBCO, BN, Si and graphite. Finally, key features of fast imaging of the laser ablation of graphite into high pressure rare gases are presented in order to elucidate internal reflected shocks within the plume, redeposition of material on a surface, and formation of hot nanoparticles within the plume.
Scent-marking behavior of the southern giant pouched rat (Cricetomys ansorgei)

Southern giant pouched rats (Cricetomys spp.) are large rodents in the family Nesomyidae, native to sub-Saharan Africa, that are best known for their olfactory abilities. In fact, because of their acute olfactory abilities, they are used to detect explosives such as landmines. Understanding the natural scent-marking behaviors of animals in this family seems particularly relevant considering the olfactory nature of biodetection and the importance of olfactory communication among rodents in general. For many rodent species, individuals use scent marking to communicate social information to conspecifics. Countermarking (i.e., depositing scent marks either on top of or adjacent to preexisting scent marks of conspecifics) is a primary way rodents communicate information to conspecifics, and countermarks can serve as both intra- and intersexual signals. We presented male southern giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) with male urine marks in novel and familiar environments to determine how and where these animals might countermark. A subset of male pouched rats used urine, anogenital, or cheek rubbing to mark adjacent to the preexisting mark in the novel environment only. No males marked in a familiar environment. We suggest that males countermark adjacent to existing marks in novel environments to advertise individual identity to conspecifics while preserving the identity of others.
Quarkyonic Matter and Neutron Stars

We consider quarkyonic matter to naturally explain the observed properties of neutron stars. We argue that such matter might exist at densities close to that of nuclear matter, and at the onset, the pressure and the sound velocity in quarkyonic matter increase rapidly. In the limit of large number of quark colors ${N}_{c}$, this transition is characterized by a discontinuous change in pressure as a function of baryon number density. We make a simple model of quarkyonic matter and show that generically the sound velocity is a nonmonotonic function of density---it reaches a maximum at relatively low density, decreases, and then increases again to its asymptotic value of $1/\sqrt{3}$.
Students of the Dream: Resegregation in a Southern City. By Ruth Carbonette Yow

By the mid-1970s, Marietta High School in Cobb County, Georgia, had achieved many of the loftiest goals of Brown vs. Board of Education: the makeup of its student population mirrored the population...
Adolescents with better mental health have less problem alcohol use six months later

Abstract Purpose Adolescents who report having mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, are at greater risk of alcohol use. We examined the longitudinal association between mental health and alcohol use six months later in a diverse adolescent sample attending a primary care appointment. The primary care setting provides a unique opportunity to reach this younger age group and address risk factors, including mental health problems and substance use. Methods Adolescents aged 12–18 (n = 668) recruited from waiting rooms at four primary care clinics in Los Angeles, California and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania completed a baseline web-based survey (April 2013 to November 2015) and another survey six months later. Bivariate analysis and multi-variable regression assessed associations between baseline mental health and 6-month alcohol use outcomes (any use, heavy use, and maximum quantity). Results Adolescents were stratified by mental health scores using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) cut off at baseline. In unadjusted analyses of alcohol outcomes at six months, adolescents with more mental health problems reported higher alcohol use across all three measures (p Conclusions Addressing mental health in primary care may be important for decreasing alcohol problems in adolescents. Strategies for facilitating screening and intervention with adolescents at-risk of alcohol use are warranted.
Surgical Evaluation and Airway Assessment of Patients with OSA

Surgical evaluation of the upper airway is essential in appropriately diagnosing and locating the possible site(s) of obstruction in patients with OSA. Upper airway obstruction can be attributed to anatomical variances in any or multiple aspects of the upper airway, extending from the nares to the larynx. This chapter will focus on the thorough surgical assessment of patients with OSA, including patient history and questionnaires, a focused clinical exam, endoscopic evaluation, and radiographic imaging.
Have Changes in Financial Reporting Attributes Impaired Informativeness? Evidence from the Ability of Financial Ratios to Predict Bankruptcy

This study explores the effect of cross- sectional and time-series differences in financial reporting attributes on the predictive ability of financial ratios for bankruptcy. We identify proxies for discretion over financial reporting, the importance of intangible assets, and the effects of changing accounting standards over time. Our proxies include earnings restatements, discretionary accruals, research and development intensity, book-to-market ratios and incurrence of losses. We test the ability of financial ratios to predict bankruptcy for a sample of bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms listed on NYSE/AMEX or NASDAQ during the 1962-2002 period. Each of our proxies is associated with less informative financial ratios as reflected in predictive ability for bankruptcy. We compare the findings for the accounting model to those of a model based on market-related variables, and find that the market-related variables do not compensate for the lessened predictive ability of financial ratios. In our time-series analysis, descriptive statistics confirm that each of our proxies exhibits a trend consistent with decreasing informativeness over time. Our time-series tests reveal a decline in the predictive ability of financial ratios for bankruptcy, and document that this decline is associated with our financial reporting variables.
MEMTI: Optimizing On-Chip Nonvolatile Storage for Visual Multitask Inference at the Edge

The combination of specialized hardware and embedded nonvolatile memories (eNVM) holds promise for energy-efficient deep neural network (DNN) inference at the edge. However, integrating DNN hardware accelerators with eNVMs still presents several challenges. Multilevel programming is desirable for achieving maximal storage density on chip, but the stochastic nature of eNVM writes makes them prone to errors and further increases the write energy and latency. In this article, we present MEMTI, a memory architecture that leverages a multitask learning technique for maximal reuse of DNN parameters across multiple visual tasks. We show that by retraining and updating only 10% of all DNN parameters, we can achieve efficient model adaptation across a variety of visual inference tasks. The system performance is evaluated by integrating the memory with the open-source NVIDIA deep learning architecture.
Hedonic Coalition Formation for Task Allocation with Heterogeneous Robots

Tasks in the real world are complex in nature and often require multiple robots to collaborate in order to be accomplished. However, multiple robots with the same set of sensors working together might not be the optimal solution as one task might require different sensory inputs and actuation outputs. On the other hand, putting all types of sensors and/or actuators on a single robot is not a cost-effective solution. Therefore, multiple robots with different capabilities need to coordinate and form teams in order to accomplish such tasks. In this paper, we study the coalition formation problem for task allocation with multiple heterogeneous (equipped with different sets of sensors) robots. We use a hedonic coalition formation framework, rooted in game theory, to solve the mentioned problem. Our proposed algorithm aims to minimize the total cost of the formed coalitions and to maximize the matching between the required and the allocated types of robots to the tasks. Simulation results show that it produces near-optimal solutions in a negligible amount of time (0.19 ms. with 100 robots and 10 tasks).
Industry 4.0 and resilience in the supply chain: a driver of capability enhancement or capability loss?

The purpose of this research is to develop a better understanding of smart systems and autonomous processes of the Industry 4.0 era. Does the implementation of Industry 4.0 processes and systems ex...
Diffusion tensor-MRI detects exercise-induced neuroplasticity in the hippocampal microstructure in mice.

Background Despite considerable research on exercise-induced neuroplasticity in the brain, a major ongoing challenge in translating findings from animal studies to humans is that clinical and preclinical settings employ very different techniques. Objective Here we aim to bridge this divide by using diffusion tensor imaging MRI (DTI), an advanced imaging technique commonly applied in human studies, in a longitudinal exercise study with mice. Methods Wild-type mice were exercised using voluntary free-wheel running, and MRI scans were at baseline and after four weeks and nine weeks of running. Results Both hippocampal volume and fractional anisotropy, a surrogate for microstructural directionality, significantly increased with exercise. In addition, exercise levels correlated with effect size. Histological analysis showed more PDGFRα+ oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the corpus callosum of running mice. Conclusions These results provide compelling in vivo support for the concept that similar adaptive changes occur in the brains of mice and humans in response to exercise.
Critical Low Catastrophe: A Case Report of Treatment-Refractory Hypoglycemia following Overdose of Long-Acting Insulin

Overdose of long-acting insulin can cause unpredictable hypoglycemia for prolonged periods of time. The initial treatment of hypoglycemia includes oral carbohydrate intake as able and/or parenteral dextrose infusion. Refractory hypoglycemia following these interventions presents a clinical challenge in the absence of clear guidelines for management. Octreotide has sometimes been used, but its use is generally limited to sulfonylurea overdose. In this case report, we present a case of refractory hypoglycemia following an overdose of 900 units of long-acting insulin glargine that failed to respond to usual modes of therapy mentioned above. Stress-dose corticosteroids were then initiated, followed by subsequent improvement in IV dextrose and glucagon requirements and blood glucose levels. Hence, corticosteroids may serve as an adjunctive therapy in managing hypoglycemia and can be considered earlier in the course of treatment in patients with refractory hypoglycemia to prevent volume overload, especially when large volumes of dextrose infusions are required.
AAV5 delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 supports effective genome editing in mouse lung airway.

Genome editing in the lung has the potential to provide long-term expression of therapeutic protein to treat lung genetic diseases. Yet efficient delivery of CRISPR to the lung remains a challenge. The NIH Somatic Cell Genome Editing (SCGE) Consortium is developing safe and effective methods for genome editing in disease tissues. Methods developed by consortium members are independently validated by the SCGE small animal testing center to establish rigor and reproducibility. We have developed and validated a dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) CRISPR platform that supports effective editing of a lox-stop-lox-Tomato reporter in mouse lung airway. After intratracheal injection of the AAV serotype 5 (AAV5)-packaged S. pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and single guide RNAs (sgRNAs), we observed ∼19%–26% Tomato-positive cells in both large and small airways, including club and ciliated epithelial cell types. This highly effective AAV delivery platform will facilitate the study of therapeutic genome editing in the lung and other tissue types.