cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Moving Average Non-Homogeneous Poisson Process Reliability Growth Model to Account for Software with Repair and System Structures

We develop a moving average non-homogeneous Poisson process (MA NHPP) reliability model which includes the benefits of both time domain, and structure based approaches. This method overcomes the deficiency of existing NHPP techniques that fall short of addressing repair, and internal system structures simultaneously. Our solution adopts a MA approach to cover both methods, and is expected to improve reliability prediction. This paradigm allows software components to vary in nature, and can account for system structures due to its ability to integrate individual component reliabilities on an execution path. Component-level modeling supports sensitivity analysis to guide future upgrades, and updates. Moreover, the integration capability is a benefit for incremental software development, meaning only the affected portion needs to be re-evaluated instead of the entire package, facilitating software evolution to a higher extent than with other methods. Several experiments on different system scenarios and circumstances are discussed, indicating the usefulness of our approach.
Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Binder Removal During Ceramic Processing: PMMA/Cordierite as a Prototype System

As the performance requirements of ceramic components are refined, the demands placed on the materials used in their processing also become more stringent. For example, in advanced ceramic packaging applications, it is increasingly important that the organic polymers used as binders be capable of degradation and removal at low temperatures and in non-oxidizing atmospheres. This paper examines the chemistry that can occur during two fundamental stages of the binder removal process, (1) the breakdown of the C-C backbone of the polymer during pyrolysis, and (2) the interaction of the small molecules that are produced during pyrolysis with ceramic surfaces. The work has focused on acrylate and methacrylate systems, both because this is an important family of polymers for applications in tape casting, and because there is a relatively extensive literature on their pyrolysis chemistry.
The anti-genomic (negative) strand of Hepatitis C Virus is not targetable by shRNA

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and other plus-strand RNA viruses typically require the generation of a small number of negative genomes (20–100× lower than the positive genomes) for replication, making the less-abundant antigenome an attractive target for RNA interference(RNAi)-based therapy. Because of the complementarity of duplex short hairpin RNA/small interfering RNA (shRNA/siRNAs) with both genomic and anti-genomic viral RNA strands, and the potential of both shRNA strands to become part of the targeting complexes, preclinical RNAi studies cannot distinguish which viral strand is actually targeted in infected cells. Here, we addressed the question whether the negative HCV genome was bioaccessible to RNAi. We first screened for the most active shRNA molecules against the most conserved regions in the HCV genome, which were then used to generate asymmetric anti-HCV shRNAs that produce biologically active RNAi specifically directed against the genomic or antigenomic HCV sequences. Using this simple but powerful and effective method to screen for shRNA strand selectivity, we demonstrate that the antigenomic strand of HCV is not a viable RNAi target during HCV replication. These findings provide new insights into HCV biology and have important implications for the design of more effective and safer antiviral RNAi strategies seeking to target HCV and other viruses with similar replicative strategies.
Distribution Changes in Bovine Skimmilk Proteins During Forced Milk Release

Abstract The concentration of caseins and serum proteins in bovine skimmilk decreased when cows were maintained under the prolonged influence of oxytocin. Resolution of the components of these fractions by disc electrophoresis indicated that α -casein and α -lactalbumin decreased during forced milk release whereas β -casein and blood serum albumin increased.
Multiple Organ Damage Caused by Tumor Necrosis Factor and Prevented by Prior Neutrophil Depletion

The effect of TNF on nonpulmonary multiple organ damage (MOD) was studied. Since polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are thought to play an important role in septic or TNF-induced MOD, we investigated both neutrophil sufficient (PMN+) and neutropenic (PMN-) guinea pigs. Sepsis was induced by Escherichia coli administration (2 x 10(9)/kg) or recombinant human TNF (1.4 x 10(6) U/kg) was infused into PMN+ and PMN- guinea pigs. During necropsy, the PMN+/TNF and PMN+/E coli animals exhibited marked damage in the adrenal glands, kidneys and liver as evidenced by hemorrhage, congestion, and PMN sequestration on histopathologic examination. There was also increased tissue albumin accumulation in the adrenal glands, kidneys, spleen, heart, and liver as demonstrated by 125I-labeled albumin determinations. In contrast, the PMN-/TNF group did not reveal histopathologic damage in any organ system and there was no abnormal organ accumulation of 125I-albumin. However, in PMN-/E coli animals, marked histopathologic damage in the adrenal glands and liver was evident. Furthermore, there were marked accumulations of 125I-albumin in the adrenals, heart, kidneys, liver, and spleen. Moreover, the PMN-/E coli guinea pigs had a much greater accumulation (p less than 0.01) of 125I-albumin in the kidneys than any other group including the PMN+/E coli group. Thus, nonpulmonary MOD in guinea pigs is caused by TNF administration and can be prevented by PMN depletion. However, while E coli administration also caused marked nonpulmonary MOD in neutrophil sufficient guinea pigs, equivalent or greater damage was produced in neutropenic animals. This suggests that while TNF-induced MOD may be primarily mediated by PMN, E coli-induced MOD seems to be mediated by more than PMN.
Growth of conformal single-walled carbon nanotube films from Mo/Fe/Al2O3 deposited by electron beam evaporation

Abstract We discuss growth of high-quality carbon nanotube (CNT) films on bare and microstructured silicon substrates by atmospheric pressure thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD), from a Mo/Fe/Al 2 O 3 catalyst film deposited by entirely electron beam evaporation. High-density films having a tangled morphology and a Raman G/D ratio of at least 20 are grown over a temperature range of 750–900 °C. H 2 is necessary for CNT growth from this catalyst in a CH 4 environment, and at 875 °C the highest yield is obtained from a mixture of 10%/90% H 2 /CH 4 . We demonstrate for the first time that physical deposition of the catalyst film enables growth of uniform and conformal CNT films on a variety of silicon microstructures, including vertical sidewalls fabricated by reactive ion etching and angled surfaces fabricated by anisotropic wet etching. Our results confirm that adding Mo to Fe promotes high-yield SWNT growth in H 2 /CH 4 ; however, Mo/Fe/Al 2 O 3 gives poor-quality multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) in H 2 /C 2 H 4 . An exceptional yield of vertically-aligned MWNTs grows from only Fe/Al 2 O 3 in H 2 /C 2 H 4 . These results emphasize the synergy between the catalyst and gas activity in determining the morphology, yield, and quality of CNTs grown by CVD, and enable direct growth of CNT films in micromachined systems for a variety of applications.
Reducing web latency: the virtue of gentle aggression

To serve users quickly, Web service providers build infrastructure closer to clients and use multi-stage transport connections. Although these changes reduce client-perceived round-trip times, TCP's current mechanisms fundamentally limit latency improvements. We performed a measurement study of a large Web service provider and found that, while connections with no loss complete close to the ideal latency of one round-trip time, TCP's timeout-driven recovery causes transfers with loss to take five times longer on average.In this paper, we present the design of novel loss recovery mechanisms for TCP that judiciously use redundant transmissions to minimize timeout-driven recovery. Proactive, Reactive, and Corrective are three qualitatively-different, easily-deployable mechanisms that (1) proactively recover from losses, (2) recover from them as quickly as possible, and (3) reconstruct packets to mask loss. Crucially, the mechanisms are compatible both with middleboxes and with TCP's existing congestion control and loss recovery. Our large-scale experiments on Google's production network that serves billions of flows demonstrate a 23% decrease in the mean and 47% in 99th percentile latency over today's TCP.
LATEX ALLERGY IN CHILDREN WITH UROLOGICAL MALFORMATION AND CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

ABSTRACTPurpose: Children with spina bifida, bladder exstrophy and anorectal anomalies are at risk for latex allergy. Severe intraoperative anaphylaxis in a boy treated with kidney transplantation prompted this study to evaluate the prevalence of latex allergy in a cohort of children with chronic renal failure (CRF).Materials and Methods: Between 1996 and 2002, 57 boys and 28 girls were investigated at a median age of 10.5 years (range 1.3 to 22.9). Urological malformations were the underlying cause of CRF in 33 patients (39%). Of the patients 39 were on conservative treatment, 20 were on dialysis and 26 had a functioning renal graft. Latex reaction was assessed by a careful history, specific serum latex IgE and skin prick test.Results: A total of 19 patients (22%) showed latex reaction, of whom 8 had allergy (clinical symptoms included severe intraoperative anaphylaxis in 1) and 11 had sensitivity (positive IgE or prick test without symptoms). Of these 19 patients 11 had urological malformations. The num...
Preparation and Characterization of High‐Purity HfTiO4

The double decomposition of hafnium and titanium tetrakis tertiary amyloxides was used to produce high-purity stoichiometric submicron HfTiO4 powders. The particle size range was 50 to 400 A. X-ray diffraction of a 1:1 mixture, as-prepared and heated to ∼750°C, indicated that the material is 95% orthorhombic HfTiO4. The TGA, BET, DTA, and high-temperature X-ray analysis of the as-prepared powders are also reported; the ir absorption and reflection frequencies of HfTiO4 were determined. The homogeneity and stoichiometry of the powder were demonstrated by electron microscopy and wet chemical analysis. Mixed oxides prepared in this manner were sintered in an ambient atmosphere at 1650° to 1700°C for 4 h or Ionger into a body of nearly theoretical density and uniform microstructure.
Detector Development for the Next Phases of the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search: Results from 1 Inch Ge and Si Detectors

The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) experiment is searching for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) using detectors with the ability to discriminate between candidate (nuclear recoil) and background (electron recoil) events by measuring both phonon and ionization signals from recoils in the detector crystals. As CDMS scales up to greater WIMP sensitivity, it is necessary to increase the detector mass and further improve background discrimination. CDMS is engaged in ongoing fabrication and development of new detector designs in order to meet these criteria for the proposed SuperCDMS experiment. Thicker detector prototypes have been produced with new photolithographic masks. These masks have greater surface coverage of the quasi particle trap and transition edge sensor system to provide superior athermal phonon collection. Results from continuing laboratory tests are presented which already indicate improvement in discrimination parameters.
Neutrophils Select Hypervirulent CovRS Mutants of M1T1 Group A Streptococcus during Subcutaneous Infection of Mice

Pathogen mutants arise during infections. Mechanisms of selection for pathogen variants are poorly understood. We tested whether neutrophils select mutations in the two-component regulatory system CovRS of group A Streptococcus (GAS) during infection using the lack of production of the protease SpeB (SpeB activity negative [SpeB(A-)]) as a marker. Depletion of neutrophils by antibodies RB6-8C5 and 1A8 reduced the percentage of SpeB(A-) variants (SpeB(A-)%) recovered from mice infected with GAS strain MGAS2221 by >76%. Neutrophil recruitment and SpeB(A-)% among recovered GAS were reduced by 95% and 92%, respectively, in subcutaneous MGAS2221 infection of CXCR2(-/-) mice compared with control mice. In air sac infection with MGAS2221, levels of neutrophils and macrophages in lavage fluid were reduced by 49% and increased by 287%, respectively, in CXCR2(-/-) mice compared with control mice, implying that macrophages play an insignificant role in the reduction of selection for SpeB(A-) variants in CXCR2(-/-) mice. One randomly chosen SpeB(A-) mutant outcompeted MGAS2221 in normal mice but was outcompeted by MGAS2221 in neutropenic mice and had enhancements in expression of virulence factors, innate immune evasion, skin invasion, and virulence. This and nine other SpeB(A-) variants from a mouse all had nonsynonymous covRS mutations that resulted in the SpeB(A-) phenotype and enhanced expression of the CovRS-controlled secreted streptococcal esterase (SsE). Our findings are consistent with a model that neutrophils select spontaneous covRS mutations that maximize the potential of GAS to evade neutrophil responses, resulting in variants with enhanced survival and virulence. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the critical contribution of neutrophils to the selection of pathogen variants.
A fuzzy expert system for aviation risk assessment

The Flight Operations Risk Assessment System (FORAS) is a risk modeling methodology which represents risk factors and their interrelationships as a fuzzy expert system. A FORAS risk model provides a quantitative relative risk index representing an estimate of the cumulative effects of potential hazards on a single flight operation. FORAS systematizes the process of eliciting human expertise, provides for a natural representation of the knowledge in an expert system, and automates the process of risk assessment. The FORAS tool is valuable to airline safety departments for examining risk trends, to pilots and dispatchers for assessing risks associated with each flight, and to airline management for quantifying the effects of making safety-related changes. The quantitative relative risk index generated by FORAS allows comparisons between flights, and facilitates the communication of safety issues throughout the organization.
Promotion of service integration among home visiting programs and community coalitions working with low-income, pregnant, and parenting women.

This study assessed service integration promoted by home visitors and community coalitions in Baltimore’s Comprehensive Family Support Strategy. The study first assessed home visitors’ coordination of services for their clients. Two yearly home visitors surveys (n = 32) assessed changes in their perceptions of 11 community resources’ availability, service quality, and referrals made to those resources. There were statistically significant increases in the percentage of home visitors who (a) reported availability of seven resources, (b) gave high service quality ratings for six resources, and (c) referred clients to all 11 resources. The study also assessed six community coalitions’ actions to promote service integration during 1 year through observation of coalition meetings. Coalitions discussing more service integration exhibited greater increases in home visitors’ perceptions of high service quality and referrals. Home visiting practitioners should consider including coalitions as part of their program models in order to better link clients to appropriate community resources.
The d 3 and d 4 Configurations of Vanadium

The term values of the ${d}^{3}$ configuration of V iii are calculated using the experimentally observed energies of the ${d}^{4}$ configuration of V ii. An iterative type calculation is then made for the term values of ${d}^{4}$ in terms of both the experimental energies of ${d}^{3}$ and the calculated values of the still unidentified terms of ${d}^{3}$. Each of these calculations leads to an appreciable improvement of the agreement between calculated and observed energies.
Dynamic formation of ER–PM junctions presents a lipid phosphatase to regulate phosphoinositides

Endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane (ER-PM) contact sites play an integral role in cellular processes such as excitation-contraction coupling and store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). Another ER-PM assembly is one tethered by the extended synaptotagmins (E-Syt). We have discovered that at steady state, E-Syt2 positions the ER and Sac1, an integral ER membrane lipid phosphatase, in discrete ER-PM junctions. Here, Sac1 participates in phosphoinositide homeostasis by limiting PM phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P), the precursor of PI(4,5)P2 Activation of G protein-coupled receptors that deplete PM PI(4,5)P2disrupts E-Syt2-mediated ER-PM junctions, reducing Sac1's access to the PM and permitting PM PI(4)P and PI(4,5)P2to recover. Conversely, depletion of ER luminal calcium and subsequent activation of SOCE increases the amount of Sac1 in contact with the PM, depleting PM PI(4)P. Thus, the dynamic presence of Sac1 at ER-PM contact sites allows it to act as a cellular sensor and controller of PM phosphoinositides, thereby influencing many PM processes.
Why Macro Practice Matters

This article asserts that macro practice is increasingly important in today’s rapidly changing and complex practice environment. It briefly explores the history of macro practice in U.S. social wor...
Phloem Proteomics Reveals New Lipid-Binding Proteins with a Putative Role in Lipid-Mediated Signaling

Global climate changes inversely affect our ability to grow the food required for an increasing world population. To combat future crop loss due to abiotic stress, we need to understand the signals responsible for changes in plant development and the resulting adaptations, especially the signaling molecules traveling long-distance through the plant phloem. Using a proteomics approach, we had identified several putative lipid-binding proteins in the phloem exudates. Simultaneously, we identified several complex lipids as well as jasmonates. These findings prompted us to propose that phloem (phospho-) lipids could act as long-distance developmental signals in response to abiotic stress, and that they are released, sensed, and moved by phloem lipid-binding proteins (Benning et al., 2012). Indeed, the proteins we identified include lipases that could release a signaling lipid into the phloem, putative receptor components, and proteins that could mediate lipid-movement. To test this possible protein-based lipid-signaling pathway, three of the proteins, which could potentially act in a relay, are characterized here: (I) a putative GDSL-motif lipase (II) a PIG-P-like protein, with a possible receptor-like function; (III) and PLAFP (phloem lipid-associated family protein), a predicted lipid-binding protein of unknown function. Here we show that all three proteins bind lipids, in particular phosphatidic acid (PtdOH), which is known to participate in intracellular stress signaling. Genes encoding these proteins are expressed in the vasculature, a prerequisite for phloem transport. Cellular localization studies show that the proteins are not retained in the endoplasmic reticulum but surround the cell in a spotted pattern that has been previously observed with receptors and plasmodesmatal proteins. Abiotic signals that induce the production of PtdOH also regulate the expression of GDSL-lipase and PLAFP, albeit in opposite patterns. Our findings suggest that while all three proteins are indeed lipid-binding and act in the vasculature possibly in a function related to long-distance signaling, the three proteins do not act in the same but rather in distinct pathways. It also points toward PLAFP as a prime candidate to investigate long-distance lipid signaling in the plant drought response.
Laboratory Activity on Sample Handling and Maintaining a Laboratory Notebook through Simple pH Measurements

Sample handling and laboratory notebook maintenance are necessary skills but can seem abstract if not presented to students in context. An introductory exercise focusing on proper sample handling, data collection and laboratory notebook keeping for the general chemistry laboratory was developed to emphasize the importance of keeping an accurate notebook. The exercise requires minimal technique or prior knowledge, and as such provides students a comfortable introduction to the college laboratory setting. Details of the activity, including preparation, background, procedure, and postactivity instruction, are provided. Alternative uses and application of the activity are also proposed.
[Investigation on intestinal nematode infections of rural people in Jiangning District, Nanjing City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of intestinal nematodiasis in rural people in Jiangning District, Nanjing City, so as to provide the evidence for the establishment of the control programs of the disease. METHODS: The residents and primary and secondary school students aged above 6 years in Tongshan Township, Jiangning District were selected as investigation objectives, and the Kato-Katz technique was used to detect the intestinal nematode eggs in feces of them. RESULTS: Four hundred and ten villagers were detected, and the infection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were 5.12% and 0.98%, respectively. Meanwhile, 407 students were detected, and the infection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides and Fasciolopsis buski were 1.72% and 0.25%, respectively. The infection rates of intestinal nematodes in villagers and students were 6.10% and 1.97%, respectively, and the difference between them were statistically significant (chi2 =8.997, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The infection rate of intestinal nematodes in rural population of Jiangning District, Nanjing City has decreased obviously, and the rate is higher in villagers than in students. Therefore, the control work in the future should put emphasis on villagers.
Supracostal approach for percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy.

SUMMARY The supracostal approach to renal access for ultrasonic lithotripsy continues to be used with good results at The Oregon Health Sciences University when indicated, because it provides better access to much of the kidney collecting system and proximal ureter. The complication rate is acceptably low if the precautions outlined above are followed. Access above the 11th rib is discouraged unless there is no other choice.
Suture-Button Reconstruction of the Interosseous Membrane.

Background Reconstruction of the interosseous membrane (IOM) may play a role in the treatment of acute and chronic longitudinal forearm instability. Several reconstruction techniques have been proposed. Suture-button reconstruction is attractive because it obviates donor site morbidity and is relatively easy to perform. How this method compares to its alternatives, however, is unknown. Materials and Methods We review literature describing reconstruction of the forearm axis. We describe how we perform suture-button reconstruction of the IOM, summarize our previously published biomechanical data on the subject, and offer a case report. Description of Technique A suture-button is implanted so as to approximate the course of the interosseous ligament. This may be accomplished percutaneously, or when grafting is desired, through an open approach. Results Data informing the choice of one reconstruction technique over another consist mostly of biomechanical studies and a small number of case reports. Conclusions Suture-button reconstruction of the IOM may encourage anatomic healing of acute forearm axis injuries especially as an adjunct to radial head replacement or repair. Chronic injuries may benefit from a combination suture-button graft construct and ulnar shortening osteotomy.
Scalable parallel programming

The advent of multicore CPUs and manycore GPUs means that mainstream processor chips are now parallel systems. Furthermore, their parallelism continues to scale with Moore's law. The challenge is to develop mainstream application software that transparently scales its parallelism to leverage the increasing number of processor cores, much as 3D graphics applications transparently scale their parallelism to manycore GPUs with widely varying numbers of cores.
Effects of Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor on Tissue Zinc in Weanling Male Long-Evans Rats

Antinutritive components in raw soy flour include trypsin inhibitors (TI) and phytic acid (PA). PA increases dietary requirements for Zn and Mn when soy proteins are fed to animals. A Zn-PA-protein complex is responsible for effects on Zn (O’Dell and Savage, 1960). In diets containing PA from textured vegetable protein (from heated, defatted soy flour), supplementation with Zn overcomes adverse effects of PA on growth rate and prevents deficiency symptoms (Rader et al., 1986). TI in unheated soy flour causes pancreatic hypertrophy, hypersecretion of proteolytic enzymes, decreased growth, and reduced fat absorption when fed to rats. Reduced protein digestibility and loss of nitrogen due to excessive pancreatic secretion also contribute to the poor nutritive value of unheated soybeans. These problems are overcome by live steam treatment (toasting), which denatures TI (Rackis, 1978). Effects of TI per se on mineral bioavailability have been less extensively studied than have those of PA.
Remote frequency measurement of TV 5 rubidium

This paper describes a method for remotely measuring oscillator frequency using an easily accessible carrier signal. The measurement was based on a system currently used onsite to compare time at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) versus USNO via a remotely accessible system. In our case, we are interested in characteristics of the remote system itself. The Washington DC Channel 5 TV station stabilizes the tenth frame of their color subcarrier frequency to a 1PPS signal from USNO with a rubidium oscillator. By performing a high accuracy phase comparison of the 2250 Hz TV5 signal to the 2250 Hz of our local house maser, we can determine the frequency drift of the TV5 rubidium oscillator in real time, to a few parts in 1010 to 1011. A Windows-compatible computer program was written to facilitate this process. Due to the measured drift, the oscillator will be physically adjusted according to our recommendation during a trip to the TV 5 station this summer.
Interfacial Effects on the Dispersion and Dissipation of Shock Waves in Ni/Al Multilayer Composites

The influence of interfacial density, structure, and strength in addition to material strengths on the dispersion and dissipation of a shock wave traveling parallel to the layers in a laminar, multilayer composite was investigated using two-dimensional, meso-scale simulations incorporating a real, heterogeneous microstructure. Optimum interfacial densities for maximizing wave dispersion and dissipation were identified. Interfacial structure strongly influenced the dispersion by altering the wave interactions internal to the composite. Interfacial strength effected both the dispersion and dissipation through drastic changes to the interfacial strain generated. Lastly, material strength influenced only the dissipation of the shock wave by altering the compressibility of the constituents. The combined results identified interfacial strain as the driving mechanism influencing the shock compression response of the Ni/Al multilayered composites.
A fluorescence model of the murine lung for optical detection of pathogenic bacteria

We present a computer model of intravital excitation and external fluorescence detection in the murine lungs validated with a three-dimensional lung tissue phantom. The model is applied to optical detection of pulmonary tuberculosis infection.
Identification of novel differentially methylated markers in adult acute lymphocytic leukemias

1131 Aberrant methylation of CpG islands (CGIs) in the promoter region of genes not only play roles in gene silencing, but is also potential biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis study and in identification of novel cancer-related genes. In this study, we carried out a genome-wide search for aberrant CGIs methylation in adult acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) by using methylated CpG island amplification (MCA) / representational difference analysis (RDA). We identified 64 differentially methylated genes in ALL patients and 56 of them were novel mehylation targets. Methylation of 33 of these genes (Wnt2B, GIPC2, RSPO1, LHX4, TRIMP58, ECRG4, MAGI1, CAST1, ADCY5, HSPA4L, ZFP42, OCLN, EFNA5, MSX2, GFPT2, PNMA2, DPYSL2, GNA14, FOXE1, CRTAC1, DPYSL4, FANK, DHX32, DCAMKL1, AGC1, SALL1, SLC13A5, PTPRM, MYO5B, FOX027, ZNF382, MN1, PCDH11) were examined by pyrosequencing in 23 human leukemia cell lines and 10 normal peripheral lymphocytic cells (PBLCs). Except for TRIMP58, ECRG4, ZFP42, FANK , DHX32 and FOX027 which were hypermethylated in both leukemia cells lines and normal controls, the other genes were hypermethylated in at least 2 of the 23 leukemia cell lines but were not or only little methylated in normal PBLCs. In ALL patients, MAGI1, CAST1, ADCY5, HSPA4L, OCLN, EFNA5, GFPT2, GNA14, ZNF382 and MN1 genes were frequently hypermethylated (from 23 % to 87 %); GIPC2, RSPO1, MSX2, SALL1 and MYO5B were 100% methylated. Expression analysis of six selected genes (GIPC2, RSPO1, MAGI1, ADCY5, OCLN and GNA14) in leukemia cell lines by real-time PCR further confirmed methylation associated gene silencing and treatment of methylated/silenced cell lines with demethylating agent resulted in gene re-expression. Our results showed that MCA/RDA analysis allowed to global identification of aberrantly methylated CGIs in ALL and provide a panel of novel methylation biomarkers that could be useful in profiling for ALL and the other cancers.
Environmental quality, human capital and growth

ABSTRACTThis study uses U.S. county-level pollution changes from 2007 to 2009 induced by the 2007–2009 recession to measure the impact of changes in air quality on human capital. The exogenous shocks to air quality are induced by a recession in manufacturing and construction sectors. This study compares the changes in human capital in counties that had large pollution reductions to the changes in human capital in counties with small pollution reductions while controlling for income changes and other heterogeneous trends across counties. We first present a motivating model to show how environmental degradation affects human capital investments through negative health effects. The model illustrates how poor environmental quality can slow economic growth due to negative impacts on human capital. Using an extensive panel data for U.S. counties, the empirical results show that a 1% reduction in pollution increases the human capital stock by 0.10%.
Considerations in the diagnosis of oral hairy leukoplakia-an institutional experience.

Objective We report here the 10-year experience with oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) at the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Study Design All the associated hematoxylin and eosin and Epstein-Barr virus encoding region in situ hybridization slides of OHL cases between January 1, 2008, and February 1, 2017, were retrieved and reviewed. Collected demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, medical and social histories were reviewed and reported. Results Six OHL cases with confirmed in situ hybridization showed predilection for the lateral tongue. The study included 3 females and 3 males (mean age 50.5 years; age range 29-70 years). One patient had known HIV-positive status before biopsy was performed. Three patients had reported a history of heavy smoking. Other medical conditions reported were history of breast cancer, a long history of corticosteroid inhaler use for asthma treatment, high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate the need to include OHL as a potential entity in the differential diagnosis of leukoplakic tongue lesions, regardless of the patient's HIV status. In addition, the presence of OHL in the patient requires investigation of various explanations for EBV infection, including immunosuppression caused by HIV infection or chronic steroid use.
Programmed coherent coupling in a synthetic DNA-based excitonic circuit

Natural light-harvesting systems spatially organize densely packed chromophore aggregates using rigid protein scaffolds to achieve highly efficient, directed energy transfer. Here, we report a synthetic strategy using rigid DNA scaffolds to similarly program the spatial organization of densely packed, discrete clusters of cyanine dye aggregates with tunable absorption spectra and strongly coupled exciton dynamics present in natural light-harvesting systems. We first characterize the range of dye-aggregate sizes that can be templated spatially by A-tracts of B-form DNA while retaining coherent energy transfer. We then use structure-based modelling and quantum dynamics to guide the rational design of higher-order synthetic circuits consisting of multiple discrete dye aggregates within a DX-tile. These programmed circuits exhibit excitonic transport properties with prominent circular dichroism, superradiance, and fast delocalized exciton transfer, consistent with our quantum dynamics predictions. This bottom-up strategy offers a versatile approach to the rational design of strongly coupled excitonic circuits using spatially organized dye aggregates for use in coherent nanoscale energy transport, artificial light-harvesting, and nanophotonics.
Sulfate amendment improves the growth and bioremediation capacity of a cyanobacteria cultured on municipal wastewater centrate

Abstract A series of experiments were performed to evaluate the growth of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 cultured on wastewater centrate sourced from a municipal water reclamation facility. Centrate is the liquid removed from sludge during sewage processing. The addition of 304 μM Na2SO4 to centrate diluted by 90% in water yielded final cell concentrations that were over 6 times higher than cultures grown on just centrate. This suggested that S is the primary limiting nutrient for photoautorophic growth on centrate. The expression of the sulfate transporter system encoded by the spbA-cysTWA operon was upregulated when cells were grown in non-amended centrate, confirming that Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 experienced S-limitation during growth on centrate alone. Elemental analysis of centrate further confirmed that the proportion of S relative to other macronutrients is lower in centrate compared to the measured elemental ratios found in cyanobacterial biomass. The cyanobacteria removed 69% of the total soluble nitrogen (TN) in S-amended centrate compared to 25% from cultures grown in centrate alone. It is proposed that S could be recycled from the production of H2S during anaerobic digestion of wastewater, or it could be added from exogenous material such as gypsum. Overall, this work suggests that S-amendment of centrate could improve the sustainability of wastewater remediation and biomass production using photosynthetic microbes.
Cellular Reorganization Plays a Vital Role in Acupuncture Analgesia.

Abstract Background: Acupuncture has a long history of relieving many forms of pain. However, many of acupuncture's mechanisms are still unknown and/or misunderstood. Objective: This review looks a...
Radiofrequency Field Calculations for High Field MRI

In MRI, increasing radiofrequency magnetic (B 1) field frequency is a consequence of employing higher static magnetic (B 0) field strengths in the drive to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Due to the direct proportionality between B 0 field strength and B 1 field frequency in MRI, B 1 field distributions become more complex at higher B 0 fields due in part to shorter wavelengths and penetration depths. Consequently, it becomes both more difficult to calculate RF field behavior and more important to do so accurately for high-field MRI. In this chapter the basics of electromagnetic properties of tissue, the method of radiofrequency field calculation currently most prevalent in high-field MRI (the FDTD method), and methods for relating calculation results to MRI are covered briefly before results from calculations are used to discuss current challenges in high-field MRI including central brightening, SNR, power absorption by tissue, and image homogeneity.
HIV Prevention in Developing Countries

Although a serious concern all over the world, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is concentrated and has the most severe health, social, and economic consequences in developing countries. Averting additional cases of infection in these countries therefore is a critical priority. This chapter first discusses the epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in developing countries and reviews prevention interventions that have been shown to be effective in reducing HIV transmission. It then provides guidance for setting prevention priorities. The last section has an agenda for research on HIV prevention in developing countries.
Where are we going with molecular beams

A love affair with molecular beams spanning nearly a quarter of a century has made this reporter a true believer in their powers. But believers, however true, are not necessarily successful seers. Indeed, more things have happened in those 25 years than were dreamt of in his original philosophy. Even so, when the organizers of this conference handed him the crystal ball with an invitation to peer into the future, he found the temptation irresistible. May whatever honor he might enjoy in his country of molecular beams and rarefied gas dynamics be spared, even though he dares to impersonate a prophet.
Threats to national security and public support for integration: the case of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

This study explores how the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh influences Armenians’ attitudes toward competing European- and Russian-led integration blocs. I focus on public reactions to a recent epis...
Trauma By Blunt Object: Contusions

Even if the blunt object’s impact was insufficient to cause a full-thickness defect in the eye wall (rupture; see Chaps. 1.1, 2.12), the delivered energy can still seriously damage any tissue of the eye by compressing it and by transferring its energy into “shockwaves” that can reach the posterior pole. The consequences may present acutely or several years later. Chronic problems are especially common if the initial management was inappropriate.
Differential MicroRibonucleic Acid Expression in Cardioembolic Stroke.

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small, endogenous (17-25 nucleotide) noncoding ribonucleic acids implicated in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. This study examines stroke-specific miRNA expression in large vessel territory cardioembolic stroke. Methods Peripheral blood was collected from controls and ischemic stroke patients 24 hours after stroke onset. Whole blood miRNA was isolated and analyzed for differential expression. A total of 16 patients with acute middle cerebral artery territory strokes of cardioembolic origin were included in this pilot study. MiRNA profiling was conducted by miRCURY LNA™ microRNA Array. Results In patients with cardioembolic stroke, significant differential expression of 14 miRNAs was observed when compared to controls. Ten of these miRNA had not previously been associated with ischemic stroke (miR-664a-3p, -2116-5pp, -4531, -4765-5p, -647, -4709-3p, -4742-3p, -5584-3p, -4756-3p, and -5187-3p). Subanalysis of severe strokes (NIHSS > 10) identified an additional 5 differentially expressed miRNA. No significant effects of sex or tissue plasminogen activator treatment were seen on miRNA expression. Conclusions Ischemic stroke patients show a differential miRNA expression profile as compared to controls. These new associations between circulating miRNAs and ischemic stroke may help to refine stroke subtype diagnosis and identify novel therapeutic miRNA targets for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Perceived family functioning among adolescents with and without loss of control eating.

Abstract Youth with loss of control eating (LOC) have poorer social relationships than youth without LOC. However, perceived family functioning among youth reporting LOC is relatively unexplored. We examined perceived family functioning among 990 twins (age = 17.47 ± 0.71 years, 53% female) from the Colorado Center for Antisocial Drug Dependence with (n = 158) and without (n = 832) LOC. LOC was assessed with one binary item. Associations between family functioning and LOC were examined using general linear models that accounted for dependence in twin data. Girls with greater family conflict had higher odds of endorsing LOC (p = .02), but not after accounting for depressive symptoms (p = .26). Further analysis indicated that depressive symptoms mediated the association between LOC and family conflict (p = .04). This finding is consistent with an interpersonal model, which proposes that interpersonal difficulties lead to negative emotional states, which promotes LOC as a method of coping with negative affect. Family cohesion and expressiveness were not associated with LOC in girls, and none of the family functioning variables were associated with LOC in boys (ps > .05). Future studies are needed to clarify these relations and to determine any relevant treatment indications.
Enhancing Proper Sitting Position Using a New sEMG Protocol, The “Minimax” Procedure, With Boolean Logic

The modification of posture in children using sEMG is a new area that offers much potential to aid disabled children regain function. This article describes a new protocol, the “minimax” procedure, to aid children regain motor function in sitting. The protocol uses selective reinforcement to encourage recruiting/relaxing target sites (gluteus medius/maximus) in a predetermined way so as to encourage good form in sitting. Children often are unaware how to make changes in posture, and when they do succeed the progress is so slow that sustaining motivation is a challenge. This paper describes a procedure that helps the child recognize when they have achieved the correct posture, immediately rewards them for doing so, and generates data using Boolean operations to numerically substantiate the clinically observed changes in posture.
Benzotriazole stabilized lithium intermediates as a route to the elaboration of N-substituents in amides

Abstract Lithiation of N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)benzamide or N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,2-dimethylbutyramide, readily prepared from the corresponding amides, formaldehyde and benzotriazole, followed by quenching with various electrophiles, such as alkyl halides, ketones or ester, gives the corresponding N-substituted derivatives. Subsequent displacement of the benzotriazole group with Grignard reagents, thiols or alcohols provides access to a wide variety of N-substituted amides in good yields. Treatment of the N-(benzotriazol-1-ylalkyl)benzamides with n- BuLi afforded the 1,1-dibenzamidoalkanes.
Selective Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from a Wide Range of E-Waste and Process Scalability of Membrane Solvent Extraction.

In this study, the scalability of the supported membrane solvent extraction (MSX) process for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from scrap permanent magnets was demonstrated by processing ...
White Matter Microstructure in Individuals With and At Risk for Bipolar Disorder: Evidence for an Endophenotype From a Voxel-Based Meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Aberrant white matter (WM) microstructure has been proposed as a mechanism underlying bipolar disorder (BD). Given the strong genetic underpinnings of both WM microstructure and BD, such WM aberrations may be not only a disease marker, but also an endophenotype of BD. If so, they should be observable in individuals at risk for BD (AR) (i.e., first-degree relatives). This meta-analysis integrates evidence on perturbed WM microstructure in individuals with or at risk for BD. Methods A comprehensive search of literature published through April 2020 identified diffusion tensor imaging studies that used a voxel-based approach to compare fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity between individuals with BD and/or AR individuals and healthy volunteers. Effect size comparison and conjunction analysis allowed identification of endophenotypes and disease markers of BD. Effects of age, sex, mood state, and psychotropic medication were explored using meta-regressions. Results We included 57 studies in individuals with BD (N = 4631) and 10 in AR individuals (N = 753). Both individuals with and at risk for BD were associated with lower FA in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum. In the BD group, decreased FA and increased radial diffusivity comprised the entire corpus callosum, anterior thalamic radiation, fronto-orbito-polar tracts, and superior longitudinal fasciculus, and were influenced by age, sex, and mood state. Studies with higher proportions of individuals taking lithium or antipsychotics reported smaller FA reductions in BD. Conclusions Findings suggest that abnormalities in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum may be an endophenotype for BD, and they associate BD with WM tracts relevant for working memory performance, attention, and reward processing.
Effect of age on insecticide susceptibility and enzymatic activities of three detoxification enzymes and one invertase in honey bee workers (Apis mellifera).

Abstract Honey bee is an economically important insect for honey production and pollination. Frequent exposure to toxic pesticides is one of the major risk factors causing the pollinator population decline. However, age effects of honey bees on pesticide susceptibility have been largely ignored and many researchers use bees of unknown age for assessing the risk of pesticides. Honey bee workers are known to go through physiological and behavioral changes in order to differentiate different phenotypes to perform specific duties over their natural lifetime of 6 weeks or longer. In this study, we provide multi-parameter evidences of unignorable age effects of honey bee workers and suggest using a standard bee age to produce reliable and comparable data when assessing variable and realistic situations of in-hive and field exposures to pesticides. Using honey bee workers aged 4- to 42-days old, we examined susceptibility of the bees to five different insecticides from five different classes and measured enzymatic activities of three major detoxification enzymes and an invertase involved in honey production. Results showed gradual increase of natural mortality and decrease of soluble protein content in bees over the age span from 4 days to 42 days. Significant increases of mortality after separate treatments of five different insecticides confirmed drastic age effects of bees over the assessed age span. As they aged, honey bees also showed a gradual increase of cytochrome P450 oxidase activity while still maintaining constant levels of two other detoxification enzymes (esterase and glutathione S-transferase) and an invertase responsible for honey production.