cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance of Larix sibirica and L. gmelinii in north-central North Dakota

Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) is a potential alternative tall-tree species for use in shelterbelt plantings in the northern Great Plains. Information from a 26-year-old study containing six Larix seed sources indicates that L. sibirica generally outperformed L. gmelinii and putative L. sibirica × L. gmelinii hybrids in block plantings at a single site in north-central North Dakota. These results suggest that L. sibirica merits further study as a possible species for use in shelterbelt plantings.
Hybrid simulation and sensitivity analysis for advanced bipolar device design and process development

A methodology for using SUPREM, PISCES, and SPICE to simulate the AC characteristics of advanced bipolar devices is described. Accurate predictions for f/sub T/ and f/sub MAX/ to process variations are calculated. These techniques can be used to study the sensitivity of device performance to variations in the device structure or doping profiles. Analysis of charge storage in the device structure using PISCES yields estimates for the various delay components. The impact ionization models in PISCES can be used to estimate the breakdown properties of a given device structure or doping profile. >
Reciprocal Relationship Between Cytosolic NADH and ENOX2 Inhibition Triggers Sphingolipid‐Induced Apoptosis in HeLa Cells

ENOX2 (tNOX), a tumor-associated cell surface ubiquinol (NADH) oxidase, functions as an alternative terminal oxidase for plasma membrane electron transport. Ubiquitous in all cancer cell lines studied thus far, ENOX2 expression correlates with the abnormal growth and division associated with the malignant phenotype. ENOX2 has been proposed as the cellular target for various quinone site inhibitors that demonstrate anticancer activity such as the green tea constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) and the isoflavene phenoxodiol (PXD). Here we present a possible mechanism that explains how these substances result in apoptosis in cancer cells by ENOX2-mediated alterations of cytosolic amounts of NAD + and NADH. When ENOX2 is inhibited, plasma membrane electron transport is diminished, and cytosolic NADH accumulates. We show in HeLa cells that NADH levels modulate the activities of two pivotal enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism: sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) and neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase). Their respective products sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide (Cer) are key determinants of cell fate. S1P promotes cell survival and Cer promotes apoptosis. Using plasma membranes isolated from cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells as well as purified proteins of both bacterial and human origin, we demonstrate that NADH inhibits SK 1 and stimulates nSMase, while NAD + inhibits nSMase and has no effect on SK1. Additionally, intact HeLa cells treated with ENOX2 inhibitors exhibit an increase in Cer and a decrease in S1P. Treatments that stimulate cytosolic NADH production potentiate the antiproliferative effects of ENOX2 inhibitors while those that attenuate NADH production or stimulate plasma membrane electron transport confer a survival advantage.
Tutoring Bilingual Students with an Automated Reading Tutor that Listens

Children from non-English-speaking homes are doubly disadvantaged when learning English in school. They enter school with less prior knowledge of English sounds, word meanings, and sentence structure, and they get little or no reinforcement of their learning outside of the classroom. This article compares the classroom standard practice of sustained silent reading with the Project LISTEN Reading Tutor which uses automated speech recognition to “listen” to children read aloud, providing both spoken and graphical feedback. Previous research with the Reading Tutor has focused primarily on native speaking populations. In this study 34 Hispanic students spent one month in the classroom and one month using the Reading Tutor for 25 minutes per day. The Reading Tutor condition produced significant learning gains in several measures of fluency. Effect sizes ranged from 0.55 to 1.27. These dramatic results from a one-month treatment indicate this technology may have much to offer English language learners.
Investigating and improving pedestrian safety in an urban environment.

Prompted by a series of fatal and nonfatal pedestrian-vehicle collisions, university leadership from one urban institution collaborated with its academic injury research center to investigate traffic-related hazards facing pedestrians. This descriptive epidemiologic study used multiple data collection strategies to determine the burden of pedestrian injury in the target area. Data were collected in 2011 through a review of university crash reports from campus police; a systematic environmental audit and direct observations using a validated instrument and trained raters; and focus groups with faculty, students, and staff. Study findings were synthesized and evidence-informed recommendations were developed and disseminated to university leadership. Crash reports provided some indication of the risks on the streets adjacent to the campus. The environmental audit identified a lack of signage posting the speed limit, faded crosswalks, issues with traffic light and walk sign synchronization, and limited formal pedestrian crossings, which led to jaywalking. Focus groups participants described dangerous locations and times, signal controls and signage, enforcement of traffic laws, use of cell phones and iPods, and awareness of pedestrian safety. Recommendations to improve pedestrian safety were developed in accordance with the three E’s of injury prevention (education, enforcement, and engineering), and along with plans for implementation and evaluation, were presented to university leadership. These results underscore the importance of using multiple methods to understand fully the problem, developing pragmatic recommendations that align with the three E’s of injury prevention, and collaborating with leadership who have the authority to implement recommended injury countermeasures. These lessons are relevant for the many colleges and universities in urban settings where a majority of travel to offices, classrooms, and surrounding amenities are by foot.
From Paid Worker to Volunteer: Leaving the Paid Workforce and Volunteering in Later Life

Numerous role shifts occur between the ages of 55 and 74 as individuals typically relinquish paid work and some family roles and make choices about how to use their expanding discretionary time. Using data from the first two waves of the Americans' Changing Lives survey, we examine the association between paid work status and formal and informal volunteer activity. No evidence for an association between paid work status and informal volunteering is found, suggesting that helping friends, neighbors, and relatives occurs independent of constraints associated with paid work. A relationship is established for formal volunteering, however. Among individuals who were not volunteering for formal organizations at the time of the first interview, those who worked part-time, those who had not worked in either wave, as well as those who stopped work between interviews were significantly more involved in volunteering than were full-time workers.
RADICAL BEHAVIORISM AND EXCEPTIONAL MEMORY PHENOMENA

The central claim of this paper is that radical behaviorism and cognitive psychology can both make important contributions to an experimental analysis of a cognitive skill such as memory performance. Though they currently differ in what constitutes an explanation of many phenomena, behaviorists and cognitive psychologists share interests in such human activities as problem solving and memory. We show how the behavioral approach may apply to one case that seems to epitomize cognition—the dramatic improvement in the memory span performance of one individual on a task often used by cognitive psychologists to assess short-term memory. After 230 hours of practice, ability to recall random digits improved from a span of 7 digits to a span of 80. Although a detailed account of the mechanisms that mediated such improvement has been given, we show that the acquisition of such exceptional memory skill can also be explained within the framework of behavior analysis.
Parallel tree search on a SIMD machine

Presents an implementation of a depth-first heuristic tree search on the single-instruction, multiple-data (SIMD) Connection Machine. The algorithm is based on Iterative-Deepening-A*. Until recently, only highly regular, data-parallel computations have been performed on SIMD machines. Searching an irregular tree represents a new application of SIMD machines. The main technical challenge is load balancing, and the authors explore three different techniques in combination. They also present a simple and general method for dynamically determining when to stop working and start load balancing. They achieve an efficiency of 67%, for a speedup of 5400, on 8 K processors, and an efficiency of 57%, for a speedup of 9300, on 16 K processors. >
Improved aperture for modulation transfer function measurement of detector arrays beyond the Nyquist frequency

The design of an aperture for the generation of laser speckle with a flat power spectrum covering a wide band of the measurement spatial-frequency range is presented. This aperture allows for the measurement of modulation transfer function (MTF) from zero to twice the Nyquist frequency of a two-dimensional detector array. This design mitigates many of the measurement problems inherent in other aperture designs. The MTF measurement of a CCD detector array is used to demonstrate the measurement technique and illustrate the advantages of the new aperture design.
Relationship Between Heart Rate and Oxygen Kinetics During Constant Workload Exercise

Background Oxygen uptake during constant workload exercise increases exponentially from its resting value before reaching a steady state. The difference between the actual rate of oxygen consumption at the onset of exercise and the steady state is an oxygen deficit. Similarly, the normal sinus node increases its rate at the onset of exercise before achieving a steady state, thereby producing a heart rate deficit. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that elimination of the heart rate deficit by an instantaneous increase in heart rate at the onset of constant workload exercise to the steady-state level would reduce the oxygen deficit and improve the perceived difficulty of exertion as compared with the chronotropic response of the normal sinus node. Methods and results Ten subjects with normal sinus node function who had DDD pacemakers implanted for AV block completed a symptom-limited maximal treadmill exercise test using the Chronotropic Assessment Exercise Protocol (CAEP) to assess sinus node function, maximal heart rate, and VO2max. The subjects then performed constant workload exercise tests (6-min duration) at a workload equal to approximately 50% of metabolic reserve with the pacemaker randomly programmed to each of three patterns of chronotropic response: (1) DDD (lower rate 60 beats/min); (2) Fast (lower rate abruptly programmed to the expected value at 50% metabolic reserve); and (3) Overpaced (lower rate at least 80% of the age predicted maximum). The oxygen deficit was lower with the fast chronotropic response (434 +/- 238 mL O2) than with either the DDD (512 +/- 233; P = 0.02), or overpaced chronotropic patterns (488 +/- 238; P = 0.02 vs fast). The rate constant for change in VO2 was highest with the fast chronotropic pattern (2.85 +/- 1.38) compared with either the DDD (2.25 +/- 0.64; P = 0.01) or overpaced (2.38 +/- 0.43; P = 0.02) patterns. The Borg perceived exertion rating was lowest with the fast chronotropic response (P = 0.02 vs DDD and P = 0.02 vs overpaced). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that oxygen kinetics and exertional symptoms are improved by an abrupt increase in pacing rate at the onset of exercise to a value that is appropriate for metabolic demand as compared with the DDD pacing mode in patients with normal sinus node function. In contrast, an overly aggressive chronotropic response was not associated with improved oxygen kinetics or exertional symptoms.
Heparin use and venous thromboembolism (VTE) among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with a prior history of VTE

6616 Background: Heparin is an effective treatment option for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients on chemotherapy. To date, information on the use of both low molecula...
Fetal Risks, Relative Risks, and Relatives' Risks

Several factors related to fetal risk render it more or less acceptable in justifying constraints on the behavior of pregnant women. Risk is an unavoidable part of pregnancy and childbirth, one that women must balance against other vital personal and family interests. Two particular issues relate to the fairness of claims that pregnant women are never entitled to put their fetuses at risk: relative risks and relatives' risks. The former have been used-often spuriously-to advance arguments against activities, such as home birth, that may incur risk; the latter implicate the nature of relationships in determining the acceptability of coercing or precluding activities. Motivated reasoning by clinicians and judges leads to inaccurate risk assessments, and judgments based on false claims to objectivity. Such judgments undermine the moral and legal standing of pregnant women and do not advance the interests of fetuses, pregnant women, families, or states.
Overwintering of Lygus Bugs in Central Washington: Effects of Pre-Overwintering Host Plants, Moisture, and Temperature

In studies conducted in eastern Washington, seven species of weeds provided the food source of pre-overwintering lygus bugs, Lygus spp. The two major weed species were volunteer alfalfa, Medicago sativa , and lambsquarters, Chenopodium spp. Winter survival of lygus bugs feeding on several species of weeds in the fall did not differ significantly. Winter survival of lygus bugs was low when the material in which the lygus bugs were overwintering was maintained under 10% of dry weight. Deciduous orchard duff was found to be the major overwintering site of adult lygus bugs, but considerable numbers overwintered in large mullein, Verbascum thapsis L., plants.
Oscillation of Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators at Mars

This paper examines the dynamic stability of a notional Mars entry vehicle augmented with an attached supersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (SIAD) deployed at Mach 5. Dynamics of the attached isotensoid and tension cone SIAD configurations are compared using an explicit solution to the planar equations of motion. A current experimental database of flexible isotensoid and tension cone static aerodynamics is employed in the simulation. Pitch-damping data from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ballistic range tests is parameterized and applied to the SIAD-augmented portion of flight. The Mach number at which safe parachute deployment can occur depends on the amplitude of pitch oscillation, so the sensitivity of this metric to the parameterized pitch-damping behavior is determined. Pitch dynamics yielding unacceptable parachute staging conditions are quantified to inform SIAD configuration selection and design. These exploratory results are used to recommend a general strategy for measuring the pitch dynamics of SIAD-augmented blunt vehicles in ground testing facilities.
Synthesis and characterization of Schiff bases derived from 5-aminouracil and N-heterocyclic aldehydes

New Schiff bases of 5-aminouracil have been synthesized by the 1: 1 condensation with N-heterocyclic aldehydes. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Under similar conditions, the condensation of 6-aminouracil with aldehydes failed to yield the desired Schiff base. Interestingly, the reaction of 6-aminouracil with 6-methylpyridine-2-carbaldehyde resulted in an unusual compound, 2-methyl-6-[7-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-yl]-pyridinium methanesulfonate, whose crystal structure was elucidated by X-ray crystallography.
Field trial to evaluate the immunogenicity of pseudorabies virus vaccines with deletions for glycoproteins G and E

Objective To evaluate, under field conditions, the immunogenicity of 2 pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccines (each with deletion of the gene for glycoprotein G [gG], and 1 with an additional deletion for glycoprotein E [gE]), particularly in the presence of maternal antibodies, and to investigate the effect of vaccination schedules in overcoming maternal antibody interference with vaccination. Sample population Two cohorts of 105 growing pigs each on a PRV-seronegative commercial swine farm where breeding stock had been vaccinated with a PRV vaccine containing deletions of genes for gG and gE. Procedure Within each cohort, pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 treatment groups. For each vaccine, vaccination was done at 8, 12, or 8 and 12 weeks of age. One group remained unvaccinated. Blood and nasal swab specimens were obtained at 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 weeks of age, and the immune response was measured, by use of an ELISA. Results In cohort 1, where prevalence of maternal antibodies at 8 weeks of age was lower, an immune response lasting until 16 weeks of age was induced in most pigs by either vaccine. In cohort 2, where prevalence of maternal antibodies at 8 weeks of age was higher, the gG- gE- vaccine elicited a lower immune response in the presence of maternal antibodies than did the gG- vaccine after single vaccination at 8 weeks of age. This maternal antibody interference with the response to vaccination was evident in serum and nasal mucosal antibodies. Conclusions The gE deletion decreases the immunogenicity of PRV vaccine in the presence of maternal antibodies. Although evidence of maternal antibody interference for the gG- vaccine existed, its immunogenicity was diminished less in the presence of maternal antibodies than that of the gG- gE- vaccine.
Simultaneous Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Some Tetracyclines in Serum

A sensitive liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of oxytetracycline, minocycline, tetracycline, and doxycycline in serum. A serum sample is vortex-mixed with a solution of mobile phase for tetracyclines and 2% (v/v) phosphoric acid. The mixture is filtered using a 30,000 molecular weight cutoff microseparation tube which separates high-molecular-weight solutes following low-speed centrifugation. Tetracyclines are separated from other serum components by reverse phase liquid chromatography (LC) with buffered methanol mobile phase. Ultraviolet absorbance of the column effluent is monitored at 267 nm. Concentrations as low as 0.2 micrograms/mL of tetracyclines in serum are quantitatable, with recoveries from 76.2 to 102.6% and coefficients of variation from 2.69 to 5.36%. The method has been tested in bovine, porcine, equine, caprine, ovine, canine, feline, and avian (turkey) serum.
Scale-dependent Regional Climate Predictability over North America Inferred from CMIP3 and CMIP5 Ensemble Simulations

Through the analysis of ensembles of coupled model simulations and projections collected from CMIP3 and CMIP5, we demonstrate that a fundamental spatial scale limit might exist below which useful additional refinement of climate model predictions and projections may not be possible. That limit varies among climate variables and from region to region. We show that the uncertainty (noise) in surface temperature predictions (represented by the spread among an ensemble of global climate model simulations) generally exceeds the ensemble mean (signal) at horizontal scales below 1000 km throughout North America, implying poor predictability at those scales. More limited skill is shown for the predictability of regional precipitation. The ensemble spread in this case tends to exceed or equal the ensemble mean for scales below 2000 km. These findings highlight the challenges in predicting regionally specific future climate anomalies, especially for hydroclimatic impacts such as drought and wetness.
Infectious crystalline keratopathy in dogs and cats: clinical, in vivo confocal microscopic, histopathologic, and microbiologic features of eight cases

Objective To describe clinical, in vivo confocal microscopic, histopathologic, and microbiologic features of canine and feline cases of infectious crystalline keratopathy (ICK). Animals studied Six dogs and two cats with naturally acquired ICK. Procedures Medical records of dogs and cats with a clinical diagnosis of ICK were reviewed. Signalment, medical history, clinical findings, and diagnostic evaluations were retrieved, including corneal cytology, histopathology, in vivo confocal microscopy, and microbiology results. Results All animals presented with fine, needle-like, and branching white crystalline anterior stromal opacities emanating from corneal facets or corneal epithelial defects. Mild conjunctival hyperemia and anterior uveitis were frequently present. Concurrent ocular and systemic diseases were common, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal sequestrum, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, and malignant neoplasia. Bacteria, with minimal or absent leukocytes, were identified by cytology and histopathology. Histopathologically, the crystalline corneal opacities corresponded with dense accumulations of bacteria present in the interlamellar stromal spaces and forming cord-like projections within the stroma. In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated deposits of reflective crystalline or amorphous structures within the stroma with a paucity of associated inflammatory changes. The most frequently cultured bacteria were alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. Resolution of clinical lesions was achieved in most cases with long-term medical or surgical therapy; however, the initiation of medical treatment was associated with an acute, dramatic onset of severe keratitis and anterior uveitis in some animals. Conclusions Infectious crystalline keratopathy in dogs and cats shares many features with this condition in human patients. Prolonged medical therapy, or surgical intervention, is required for resolution.
The Future of Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology.

Cardiac arrhythmias are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in heart disease, and are the likely cause of more than a quarter of a million deaths annually in the U.S. alone. While our current approach to reducing suffering and death from arrhythmias relies largely on diagnosis and therapy aimed at early recognition and treatment, the benefits of prevention could be even more substantial. As we consider how the approach to arrhythmias may evolve in the coming decades, it is useful to consider the great breadth of presentations and scenarios that are encountered. Human arrhythmias occur in two scenarios. First, and particularly early in life, they arise as a consequence of inborn (congenital) constellations of anatomy and electrophysiology that change over time. There may be no structural cardiac abnormality (e.g., long QT syndrome), a minimal structural abnormality (e.g., an accessory pathway causing WPW) or a severe structural abnormality (e.g., endocardial cushion defect with heart block). Secondly, arrhythmias emerge later in life as a consequence of acquired disease (e.g., ventricular tachycardia late after myocardial infarction) or aging (atrial fibrillation). Genetic susceptibilities influence all aspects of the pathophysiology. As approaches to prevention and therapy evolve, genetic influences will receive increasing attention.
Measurements of methane emissions from a beef cattle feedlot using the eddy covariance technique

Abstract The eddy covariance (EC) technique has been extensively used in several sites around the world to measure energy fluxes and CO2 exchange at the ecosystem scale. Recent advances in optical sensors have allowed the use of the EC approach to measure other trace gases (e.g. CH4, NH3 and N2O), which has expanded the use of eddy covariance for other applications, including measuring gas emissions from livestock production systems. The main objectives of this study were to assess the performance of a closed-path EC system for measuring CH4, CO2, and H2O fluxes in a beef cattle feedlot and to investigate the spatial variability of eddy covariance fluxes measured above the surface of a feedlot using an analytical flux footprint analysis. A closed-path EC system was used to measure CH4, CO2, and H2O fluxes. To evaluate the performance of this closed-path system, an open-path EC system was also deployed on the flux tower to measure CO2 and H2O exchange. The performance assessment of the closed-path EC system showed that this system was suitable for EC measurements. The frequency attenuations, observed for the closed-path system CO2 and CH4 cospectra in this study, are in agreement with results from previous instrument comparison studies. For the water vapor closed-path cospectra, larger attenuations were likely caused by water vapor molecule interaction with the sampling tube walls. Values of R2 for the relationship between H2O and CO2 fluxes, measured by open-path and closed-path systems, were 0.94–0.98, respectively. The closed-path EC system overestimated the CO2 by approximately 5% and underestimated the latent heat fluxes by about 10% when compared with the open-path system measurements. Measured CH4 and CO2 fluxes during the study period from the feedlot averaged 2.63 μmol m−2 s−1 and 103.8 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively. Flux values were quite variable during the field experiment and the footprint analysis was useful to interpret flux temporal and spatial variation. This study shows indication that consideration of atmospheric stability condition, wind direction and animal movement are important to improve estimates of CH4 emissions per pen surface or per head of cattle.
Toward understanding long-distance extracellular electron transport in an electroautotrophic microbial community

Microbial electrosynthesis (ME) seeks to use electroautotrophy (the reduction of CO2 by microbial electrode catalysts) to generate useful multi-carbon compounds. It combines the utility of electrosynthesis with the durability of microorganisms and potential to engineer microbial metabolic processes. Central to achieving efficient ME is understanding the extracellular electron transport (EET) processes that enable certain microorganisms to utilize electrodes as metabolic electron donors. The Marinobacter-Chromatiaceae-Labrenzia (MCL) biocathode is an electroautotrophic biofilm-forming microbial community enriched from seawater that grows aerobically on gold or graphite cathodes, which we study to understand the mechanisms underpinning electroautotrophy. Evidence suggests that MCL reduces O2 using the cathode as its sole electron donor, directing a portion of the acquired electrons and energy to fix CO2 for biomass. A key feature of MCL is that it grows at +310 mV vs. SHE. Here, we apply electrochemical gating measurements, originally developed to study electron transport through polymer films, to study EET through living MCL biofilms. The results indicate that MCL biofilms employ a redox conduction mechanism to transport electrons across the biofilm/electrode interface and into the biofilm over multiple cell lengths (at least 5 μm) away from the electrode surface. In addition to making living MCL biofilms electrically conductive (60 μS cm−1 at 30 °C – more than 10 times greater conductivity than any other living microbial biofilm for which reliable measurements have been made), it enables electron uptake by cells not in direct contact with the electrode surface, which has not been previously reported for any biocathode. Confocal resonance Raman microscopy confirms the presence of c-type cytochromes as the putative redox cofactors involved in LD-EET, consistent with the activation energy for LD-EET obtained from the temperature dependency of the electrochemical gating measurements. These results provide the first report and mechanistic characterization of long-distance EET occurring within a multi-cell thick electroautotrophic biofilm – key milestones toward rational design and optimization of viable ME systems.
Growth assessment of (002)-oriented AlN thin films on Ti bottom electrode deposited on silicon and kapton substrates

Abstract In the present work, the sputtering deposition conditions allowing the achievement of (002)-oriented aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films on titanium (Ti) bottom electrode were assessed on both silicon and kapton substrates. The AlN grain orientation was enhanced by tuning the conditions used for the Ti deposition, particularly the radiofrequency (RF) power applied to Ti target and the total pressure in the deposition chamber. Sputtered species energy and their flux towards the substrate were identified as key parameters to interpret Ti structure and morphology on both substrates, and to understand how they drive the AlN crystallization process. The evolution of morphology and structure of single Ti films and of the AlN/Ti system was characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Highly oriented AlN films were obtained on both substrates when the underneath Ti layer was mainly (002)-oriented; the presence in the Ti films of grains with (100) orientation produced a degree of misorientation in the following AlN growth, also resulting in a significant change of the surface morphology, on both substrates. The successful deposition of AlN/Ti on kapton substrate represents a promising result for the integration of this material in flexible piezoelectric electronics.
α-Defensin HD5 Inhibits Human Papillomavirus 16 Infection via Capsid Stabilization and Redirection to the Lysosome

α-Defensins are an important class of abundant innate immune effectors that are potently antiviral against a number of nonenveloped viral pathogens; however, a common mechanism to explain their ability to block infection by these unrelated viruses is lacking. We previously found that human defensin 5 (HD5) blocks a critical host-mediated proteolytic processing step required for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Here, we show that bypassing the requirement for this cleavage failed to abrogate HD5 inhibition. Instead, HD5 altered HPV trafficking in the cell. In the presence of an inhibitory concentration of HD5, HPV was internalized and reached the early endosome. The internalized capsid became permeable to antibodies and proteases; however, HD5 prevented dissociation of the viral capsid from the genome, reduced viral trafficking to the trans-Golgi network, redirected the incoming viral particle to the lysosome, and accelerated the degradation of internalized capsid proteins. This mechanism is equivalent to the mechanism by which HD5 inhibits human adenovirus. Thus, our data support capsid stabilization and redirection to the lysosome during infection as a general antiviral mechanism of α-defensins against nonenveloped viruses. IMPORTANCE Although the antiviral activity of α-defensins against enveloped viruses can be largely explained by interference with receptor binding and fusion, a common mechanism for inhibition of nonenveloped viruses remains elusive. In studies of a prominent human α-defensin that is expressed in the gut and in the male and female genitourinary tract, we discovered striking parallels between the mechanisms of inhibition of HPV and human adenovirus infection. Thus, detailed studies of the impact of α-defensins on the intracellular trafficking of two disparate viruses support a general mechanism of α-defensin antiviral activity against nonenveloped viruses.
Cellular cardiac metabolism: Mechanistic modeling approach

Abstract A mechanistic model of cardiac cellular metabolism is presented as an example of a top-down systems approach to physiologically oriented cellular metabolism. This model focuses on intermediary metabolism with the inclusion of essential chemical species and pathways distinguishing between metabolic reactions in the cytosol and mitochondria. It accounts for mass transfer between cytosol and mitochondria and between blood that perfuses the tissue and cytosol. The functional relationship of the metabolic fluxes to chemical species concentrations is approached from a phenomenological perspective for simplicity
Cannons Against the Canon: Representations of Tradition and Modernity in Heine’s Literary History

Heines essay, Die romantische Schule, represents a “paradigm shift” in literary history that forfeits neither the principle of modernity nor the allegorical countenance of the concept of art. The canon of an outmoded literary history yields to a modern criticism which involves a tropological and dialogical interweaving of works, facts, customs, anecdotes, and social conditions.
Manchu Racial Identity on the Qing Frontier: Donjina and Early Twentieth-Century Ili

This article examines the early Republican writings of a Daur man from Heilongjiang named Donjina who spent the second half of his life among the Sibe of Ili. It argues that Donjina developed a sense of pan-Manchu identity in dialogue with racial theories that came into vogue in late Qing and Republican China, but also drew on an older vision of Manchu identity tied to participation in the Qing imperial project. Donjina’s writings demonstrate the continued significance of the Manchu language on the Qing frontier into the twentieth century and challenge us to move beyond the physical spaces of the garrison communities of China proper in attempting to understand the development of Manchu identity. Donjina embraced the language of race, yet rejected the ideology of nationalism, offering an intriguing Manchu response to the rise of the Han Chinese nationalist movement and the founding of a Chinese nation-state.
Assessing the dyadic social relationships of female african (Loxodonta africana) and asian (Elephas maximus) zoo elephants using proximity, tactile contact, and keeper surveys

Abstract Understanding the affiliative social relationships, or bonds, between zoo elephants has implications for both their welfare and management, yet there is limited work assessing and describing these bonds. Consequently, there is a need for the development of a reliable assessment tool. We used multiple metrics of proximity and tactile contact, as well as keeper surveys, to assess the social bond strength of 41 elephant dyads from 22 different zoos. Survey descriptions of social bond strength were based on previous research and included proximity and separation-reunion behaviors between individuals in a dyad. Approximately half of the elephant dyads in our study were rated as having a “strong” or “strongest” bond by keepers, who showed excellent agreement in their ratings of elephant bond strength (ICC(1,k) = 0.82). Elephant dyads that spent more time in proximity (within two elephant body lengths), and those that were more consistent in this behavior across time had an increased predicted probability of being rated as having a “strong or strongest bond” by keepers (p
Early winners and losers in dialysis center pay-for-performance.

We examined the association of dialysis facility characteristics with payment reductions and change in clinical performance measures during the first year of the United States Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) End Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Plan (ESRD QIP) to determine its potential impact on quality and disparities in dialysis care. We linked the 2012 ESRD QIP Facility Performance File to the 2007–2011 American Community Survey by zip code and dichotomized the QIP total performance scores—derived from percent of patients with urea reduction rate > 65, hemoglobin 12 g/dL—as ‘any’ versus ‘no’ payment reduction. We characterized associations between payment reduction and dialysis facility characteristics and neighborhood demographics, and examined changes in facility outcomes between 2007 and 2010. In multivariable analysis, facilities with any payment reduction were more likely to have longer operation (OR 1.03 per year), a medium or large number of stations (OR 1.31 and OR 1.42, respectively), and a larger proportion of African Americans (OR 1.25, highest versus lowest quartile), all p < 0.05. Most improvement in clinical performance was due to reduced overtreatment of anemia, a decline in the percentage of patients with hemoglobin ≥ 12 g/dL; for-profits and facilities in African American neighborhoods had the greatest reduction. In the first year of CMS pay-for-performance, most clinical improvement was due to reduced overtreatment of anemia. Facilities in African American neighborhoods were more likely to receive a payment reduction, despite their large decline in anemia overtreatment.
Optimized automatic generation control in a multi-area power system with particle swarm optimization

An unexpected load change in an interconnected multi-area power system can cause variations in area frequencies and tie-line power flows of the system. Integration of renewable energy sources increases the uncertainties in a power system, which causes more frequency and tie-line power variabilities. Automatic generation control (AGC) plays a vital role in multi-area power systems in maintaining area frequencies and tie-line power flows at their nominal values while utilizing available renewable energy. An effective AGC requires optimal selection of its parameters for best tie-line bias control. In this study, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach is presented for tuning parameters of AGCs in a multi-area power system with photovoltaic plants. A modified IEEE New-England and NewYork test model with five AGCs is simulated on a real-time digital simulator. Typical results indicate that PSO based AGC parameters provide minimal area control errors with improved system performance.
A Mathematical Model for the Effects of Fertilization on Nitrogen Concentrations in Unsaturated Soil on Blueberry Farms in Southern New Jersey

Nitrogen is commonly known as a food source for crops. However, the nitrogen compounds used in crop fertilizers, most commonly nitrate (NO3) and ammonium (NH4), are not widely understood. Blueberry plants do not take up these compounds as efficiently as organic nitrogen so varying amounts of leaching into the soil and groundwater will occur. A biogeochemical model consisting of ordinary and partial differential equations is implemented to computationally predict the concentrations of nitrate and ammonium in unsaturated soil of blueberry plants, specifically in the southern region of New Jersey. The model takes into account the type of soil of the region, the nitrate uptake of the plant, the water content in the roots region, the pressure heads in the soil pores, and the application rates of fertilizers containing nitrate, ammonium, and organic nitrogen. Computational simulations demonstrate that the model accounts for natural processes and, in addition, show that commonly used fertilizer application rates cause unnecessarily high concentrations of both nitrate and ammonium in the unsaturated soil level. Further, simulations show that decreasing nitrate fertilizer applications by 85.7% in annual and 91.8% in bi-annual schedules provides an optimal system for safe reapplication.
Is psoriasis a bowel disease? Successful treatment with bile acids and bioflavonoids suggests it is

The gut is the largest lymphoid organ in the body. The human microbiome is composed of trillions of bacteria. The DNA of these bacteria dwarfs the human genome. Diet and ethanol can cause rapid shifts in the number and types of bacteria in the gut. The psoriatic microbiome is similar to that seen in alcoholics; there is a decrease in bacterial diversity and overgrowth of bacteria in the small bowel. Psoriatics often have liver disease and deficiencies in bile acids. Psoriasis is a disease characterized by a leaky gut. All of the comorbidities of this disease are due to systemic endotoxemia. Bacterial peptidoglycans absorbed from the gut have direct toxic effects on the liver and skin. Their absorption, as well as endotoxin absorption, must be eliminated to treat psoriasis successfully. Endotoxin absorption is markedly increased by ethanol and peppers. Bioflavonoids, such as quercetin and citrus bioflavonoids, prevent this absorption. Bile acids, given orally, break up endotoxin in the intestinal lumen. Pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori and Streptococcus pyogenes, must be eliminated with antimicrobial therapy for any treatment to work. A complete protocol for curing psoriasis is provided.
Laminar flow in the inlet region of a porous tube

Integral forms of the boundary layer equations, coupled with an assumed n-th degree boundary layer velocity profile, are used to study the effect of injection on the laminar flow in the inlet region of a circular tube. Results are illustrated graphically for a fourth degree velocity profile. It is found that the length of the inlet region decreases with the injection parameter and also that, at a given distance from the entry, the pressure drop in the inlet region increases with the injection parameter.
BAC0N.5: the discovery of conservation laws

BACON.5 is a program that discovers empirical laws. The program represents information at varying levels of description, with higher levels summarizing the levels below them. The system applies a small set of data-driven heuristics to detect regularities in numeric and nominal data. These heuristics note constancies and trends, leading BACONS to formulate hypotheses, define theoretical terms, and postulate intrinsic properties. Once the program has formulated an hypothesis, it' uses this to reduce the amount of data it must consider at later times. A simple type of reasoning by analogy also simplifies the discovery of laws containing symmetric forms. These techniques have allowed the system to rediscover Snail's law of refraction, conservation of momentum, Black's specific heat law, and Joule's formulation of conservation of energy. Thus, BACON.S'S heuristics appear to be general mechanisms applicable to discovery in diverse domains.
Maximal Characteristic Sets and Neighborhoods Approach to Incomplete Information Systems

Data with missing values are represented as incomplete information systems in rough sets approaches. There are two possible interpretations of missing values as “do not care” or “lost” values. Many existing works considered only the former case. The use of characteristic sets to deal with both cases was first introduced by Grzymala-Busse. In this paper, we introduce a refinement of characteristic set approach to incomplete information systems, and we show that it can improve approximation accuracy similar to the improvement obtained by applying the techniques of maximal consistent blocks and binary neighborhood systems approaches to dealing with “do not care” missing values. Additionally, subset and concept based approximations are introduced for binary neighborhood systems in order to preserve upper approximations.
Bioavailability and Metabolism of Raspberry Ketone with Potential Implications for Obesity Prevention (OR34-05-19)

Objectives Raspberry ketone (RK), the characteristic aromatic phenol derived from red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.), has purported anti-obesity properties. This work aims to 1) conduct pharmacokinetic (PK) studies to compare the bioavailability of orally dosed RK among four cohorts of mice: male vs female, lean vs. obese; 2) Characterize major RK metabolites generated in vivo; 3) Develop targeted metabolomic approaches of bioanalysis.
Applying ultrasonic vibration during single-point and two-point incremental sheet forming

Abstract Ultrasonic assisted (UA) deformation has been studied on a variety of materials in both fundamental tensile and compression tests as well as in relevant industrial processes. Reductions in flow stress are a common observation when applying UA during material plastic deformation. The objective of this work is to study the effects of ultrasonic energy on single-point (SPIF) and two-point (TPIF) incremental forming. A longitudinal ultrasonic vibration is applied to a hemispherical ISF tool at 20kHz oscillating frequency. A series of conical shapes were selected for UA-SPIF and a 45° conical shape backing die is selected for UA-TPIF. Generally, a positive correlation between oscillation amplitude and reduction in forming forces is observed in the investigated conditions. The force reduction in UA-TPIF is much more significant compared with UA-SPIF. It is hypothesized that UA-SPIF allows membrane vibration of the entire sheet, which lowers the effective ultrasonic energy input into the local plastic deformation region. In addition, UA-TPIF shows a local sheet thickness reduction in regions where ultrasonic oscillation is applied.
Utilizing Transportation Infrastructure, Big Data and AI for Localized EV Energy Neutrality

The transportation sector in the US consumes 28% of total energy consumption for transporting people and goods. Roughly 92% of transportation is fueled by gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, with electricity providing less than 1% of transportation energy (2018) [1]. The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road is growing at the rate of 40% Y-o-Y [2], leading to ever increasing demand on grid supplied energy to recharge these EVs. 60% of grid energy is generated from nonrenewable (NR) sources (coal & natural gas). Expending NR sources to service EVs is neither sustainable nor desirable when long term effects are considered. Since EVs are still in their initial stages of mass adoption in the US, an updated and scalable approach to servicing the growing EV energy need is required. One such approach in which existing transport infrastructure (gas stations, roads, trucks etc) are multi-purposed with scalable, feasible modifications is presented in this paper. Furthermore the possibility of optimizing the energy capture-storage-usage (CSU) cycle using big-data and artificial intelligence (AI) is also explored.