cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic provisioning of storage workloads

Due to lack of generic, accurate, dynamic and comprehensive models for performance estimation, customers typically tend to underprovision or over-provision storage systems today. With multi-tenancy, virtualization, scale and unified storage becoming norms in the industry, it is highly desirable to strike an optimum balance between utilization and performance. However, performance prediction for enterprise storage systems is a tricky problem, considering that there are multiple hardware and software layers cascaded in complex ways that affect behavior of the system. Configuration factors such as CPU, cache size, RAM size, capacity, storage backend (HDD/Flash) and network cards etc. are known to have significant effect on the number of IOPS that can be pushed to the system. However, apart from system characteristics as these, storage workloads vary reasonably and therefore, IOPS numbers depend heavily on types of workloads provisioned on storage systems. In this work, we treat storage system as a hybrid of black-box and white-box models, and propose a solution that will enable administrators to make decisions in the presence of multiple workloads dynamically. Our worst-case prediction is within 15% error margin.
The Title IX Athletic Regulations and the Ideal of a Gender-Free Society

Some philosophers and political theorists have argued that to achieve a just society we must eliminate gender roles. Few would dispute that many of the reductions in the influence of gender over the last fifty or so years have increased justice in the U.S. Whether justice requires that our society become entirely gender-free, however, is more controversial. A common argument for retaining at least some gender roles is that some are natural consequences of biologically-determined average physical differences between the sexes. Athletics is one context in which people often make this argument. This article focuses on school athletics and the Title IX athletic regulations in order to gain insight into the implications of biological sex differences for the question of whether the creation of a gender-free society is a realistic and worthy ideal. Although Title IX has been hugely successful in increasing female participation on school sports teams, males today still dominate school athletics, and gender roles are still very operative in school sports. This article proposes a framework, based on the concept of equal opportunity, for understanding what it might reasonably mean for a society to be “gender free.” It then argues that overall equality of opportunity requires equality of athletic opportunity, and that, despite its successes, Title IX's failure to repudiate gender influences makes it unlikely that, in its current form, it will ever lead to equality of athletic opportunity. The article goes on to propose revisions of Title IX that would truly equalize opportunity in the school athletic arena. It thus suggests that the gender-free ideal is ultimately compatible with biologically determined average physical differences between the sexes.
Somatic Symptom Disorders: a new approach in DSM-5

Following a brief historic discourse, problems with the current use and concepts the of somatoform disorders are described. The rationale for substituting the term „somatoform“ with „somatic symptom“ in DSM5 is explained and the new classification criteria for the group of “somatic symptom related disorders” are described, which include severity ratings. A special aspect is that “Illness anxiety disorder” is introduced as a new diagnostic entity in DSM-5.
QSAR Modeling of Tox21 Challenge Stress Response and Nuclear Receptor Signaling Toxicity Assays

The ability to determine which environmental chemicals pose the greatest potential threats to human health remains one of the major concerns in regulatory toxicology. Computation methods that can accurately predict the chemicals’ toxic potential in silico are increasingly sought-after to replace in vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) as well as controversial and costly in vivo animal studies. To this end, we have built Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models of twelve (12) stress response and nuclear receptor signaling pathways toxicity assays as part of the 2014 Tox21 Challenge. Our models were built using the Random Forest, Deep Neural Networks and various combinations of descriptors and balancing protocols. All of our models were statistically significant for each of the 12 assays with the balanced accuracy in the range between 0.58 and 0.82. Our results also show that models built with Deep Neural Networks had high accuracy than those developed with simple machine learning algorithms and that dataset balancing led to a significant accuracy decrease.
Impact of Adult Weight, Density, and Age on Reproduction of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract The impact of adult weight, age, and density on reproduction of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was studied. The impact of adult weight on reproduction was determined by: (1) counting the daily progeny of individual adult pairs of known weight and analyzing the data with linear regression and (2) creating 5 weight classes of 10-mg intervals starting at 60 mg (60 - 69.9mg) and ending at 100 mg (100 - 109.9 mg), then the progeny of 10 groups of 5 males and 5 females of each weight class were compared using ANOVA. To determine the impact of adult density on reproduction, adults were grouped at 8 different densities by increasing numbers per box (at 1:1 sex ratio). Weekly progeny production of 8 groups per density treatment was compared using ANOVA. There was no significant relationship between female weight and progeny production in the individual pair analysis. Fecundity was significantly different among weight classes, but the relationship was not linear. Adult density had a signif...
Induction of deep, local hyperthermia by ultrasound and electromagnetic fields

The feasibility, and the biophysical and engineering concepts underlying the use of electromagnetic energy and ultrasound for production of deep, local hyperthermia are discussed. Focused ultrasound currently is the only modality that can be used for producing controllable levels of hyperthermia localized to deep seated tumors, non-invasively and safely. The ultrasonic focus needs to moved within the tissues around the periphery of the tumor to achieve uniform temperature distributions.
Abstract 2933: The apoptotic mechanism of action of SKI-178, a novel Sphingosine kinase 1 selective inhibitor

We previously developed SKI-178 as a novel Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) selective inhibitor that is cytotoxic toward a broad panel of cancer types. Herein, we sought to determine the mechanism-of-action of SKI-178-induced cell death. We present evidence that SKI-178 induces prolonged mitosis followed by apoptotic cell death through the intrinsic apoptotic cascade. Further examination of the mechanism-of-action (MOA) of SKI-178 implicated c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase (JNK) and cyclin-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDK1) as critical factors required for SKI-178-induced apoptosis. In cell cycle synchronized human AML cell lines, we demonstrate that entry into mitosis is required for apoptotic induction by SKI-178 and that CDK1, not JNK, is required for SKI-178-induced apoptosis. We further demonstrate that the sustained activation of CDK1 during prolonged mitosis, mediated by SKI-178, leads to the simultaneous phosphorylation of the pro-survival Bcl-2 family members, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, as well as the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of Mcl-1. Moreover, multi-drug resistance mediated by MDR-1 and/or pro-survival Bcl-2 family member over-expression did not affect the sensitivity of AML cells to SKI-178. In addition to AML, we extend the MOA of SKI-178 to include various solid tumor cell lines, including pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma. Taken together, we provide evidence that SKI-178 induces apoptosis in a CDK1-dependent manner and is not a substrate for MDR1, making it a promising chemotherapeutic candidate for the treatment of various cancer types, including those known to be drug resistant. Citation Format: Taryn E. Dick, Jeremy Hengst, Vijay Kale, Ashley Colledge, Jong K. Yun. The apoptotic mechanism of action of SKI-178, a novel Sphingosine kinase 1 selective inhibitor. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2933. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2933
Introduction to Fukushima and the Privatization of Risk

The public health risks from the Fukushima nuclear disaster will take decades to unfold and will be difficult to measure because of uncertainty about the extent of atmospheric and oceanic emissions and because of the challenges of mapping fallout patterns and bio-accumulation. The effect of uncertainty is that risk is privatized, or shifted away from Japanese industry and government, to impacted individuals in Japan and elsewhere.
Basics of Agitated Saline Contrast (“Bubble”) and LV Opacification Contrast Studies

When waves travel between two media, they may be transmitted, reflected and scattered. The reflection depends on the angle of incidence and difference in acoustic impedances between the media. Acoustic impedance (Z) is proportional to the density of the media and speed of sound in the particular media.
Fit for life: A content analysis of fitness tracker brands use of Facebook in social media marketing

Social media is seen as a key ingredient to build an organization’s brand strategy and promote products and brands to consumers. The purpose of this study is to examine how fitness tracker brands use social media – in particular, Facebook – to advertise their products, develop brand positions, and target specific audiences. A content analysis was conducted of the Facebook pages for four fitness tracker brands: Fitbit, Garmin Fitness, Jawbone, and Misfit for a four-month time period in 2015. A total of 421 posts were analyzed. The information recorded for analysis included timing (post date and time), popularity (likes), engagement (comments, shares, and hashtags), format of post, elements included, advertising appeal, marketing promotions, and selling points. Four research questions were investigated. Results offer significant implications for academicians as well as practitioners in the domain of social media brand management for the fitness industry.
Avian Nest Success along a Habitat Gradient in the Cross Timbers Oak Savanna

Abstract Oak savanna, once widespread across central North America, has functionally vanished from most of its range due to land conversion or fire suppression and subsequent afforestation. Savanna-associated bird species have exhibited population declines as a result. One of the few areas containing remnant oak savanna is the vast Cross Timbers ecoregion of the south-central Unites States. Previous research in the Midwest showed some bird species exhibited higher rates of nest success (i.e., lower predation of eggs and nestlings) in restored savannas than in closed-canopy forests. Our objective was to quantify patterns of avian nest success across a gradient from open-canopy oak savanna to closed-canopy forest in the Cross Timbers ecoregion of southeastern Kansas. Daily nest survival rates for four common bird species—mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), and northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)—were modeled against covariates ...
Reexamining database keyword search: Beyond performance

As an active research field, database keyword search (KWS) has put much emphasis on the performance issues, due to its high computational cost. However, a closer examination on KWS reveals other interesting aspects worth noting. In this paper, we examine KWS from a broader perspective, particularly from its relationship with data mining. Freed from syntax-related considerations, KWS users now have better opportunities to explore the data in the way as they wish, and such exploration may reveal useful hindsight for what to be done in data mining. Recently we have conducted our KWS research from this unique perspective. We propose a software environment which offers a dual-mode approach to explore KWS: the database mode allows the implementation of database KWS directly by incorporating various KWS algorithms, while the XML mode converts the database contents to an XML document on which KWS is conducted. The dual mode approach not only has the potential of achieving integrated KWS on both structured and semistructured data, but also facilitates query relaxation by incorporating ontologies in the XML mode. The software environment still allows us to observe performance related issues of KWS; but more importantly, it offers a freehand approach for users to explore the data, thus has the potential of aiding data mining. Component design and experimental studies are described.
Reference dependent preferences and labor supply in historical perspective

Abstract To evaluate voluntary labor supply decisions under transitory monthly piece-rate schedules, we draw from a novel dataset on workers who originated from self-sufficient farms in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, and were recruited into textile mills in eastern Massachusetts in the early 19th century. Where life-cycle models of labor supply predict a positive relationship between labor supply and transitory changes in wages, we instead find negative wage-labor supply elasticities consistent with reference-dependent income targeting. Our findings contribute to the contemporary debate over the empirical validity of competing labor supply models. They also bring into question common modeling conventions in economic history that are used in the construction of historical narratives.
PATTERNS OF HEALTHCARE ENCOUNTERS EXPERIENCED BY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

SUMMARYBackground Patterns of healthcare encounters by patients in each stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have not been fully described. Objective This study describes patterns of healthcare resource use by patients with CKD. Design A retrospective descriptive design was used. Participants Patients with Stages 1–5 CKD were identified in five existing de-identified healthcare insurance claims databases in the United States using codes from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM). Measurements The databases contained more than 23,660,000 claims records from over 11 million subscribers who were continuously enrolled in a single 2014 health plan. All CKD patients’ 2014 claims were extracted, yielding 1,987 unique people with 110,594 healthcare encounters. Results Healthcare resources are used to manage the causes of CKD and its multiple effects on health, and thus the number of healthcare encounters among people with more advanced disease was, as expected, relatively higher. There were more hospitalisations, emergency department visits and specialist encounters in this group. Surprisingly, however, even people in earlier stages of kidney disease experienced a median of 14–17 healthcare encounters during a single calendar year. Conclusions Understanding patterns of healthcare encounters provides important information about the transition experiences of patients with CKD. Exploring ways to reduce the risks associated with transitions in care may prevent problems with home medication management, frequent emergency department visits and potentially avoidable hospitalisations.
Highly sensitive surface-scanning detector for the direct bacterial detection using magnetoelastic (ME) biosensors

This paper demonstrates a highly sensitive surface-scanning detector used for magnetoelastic (ME) biosensors for the detection of Salmonella on the surface of a polyethylene (PE) food preparation surface. The design and fabrication methods of the new planar spiral coil are introduced. Different concentrations of Salmonella were measured on the surface of a PE board. The efficacy of Salmonella capture and detection is discussed.
Metal-enhanced immunofluorescence assays for detection of carcinoembryonic antigen

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol cell surface anchored glycoprotein that is a well-known, broad spectrum biomarker related to various cancers and it is also an indicator of disease recurrence. In this work, metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) is utilized to lower the detection limit of CEA in immunofluorescence assays. Silver nanocubes (AgNCs) of 50 nm edge-length were incubated to plasmonically enhance fluorescence intensity. This increased sensor sensitivity by a factor of 6 and lowered the limit of detection to below 1 ng/mL in fluorescence detection of the antigen.
College students' use of technology to communicate with romantic partners about sexual health issues.

ABSTRACTObjective: To examine college students' technology-assisted sexual communication perceptions and practices alongside their beliefs about the effectiveness of face-to-face (F-t-F) sexual communication. Participants: 144 college students at a private university in the Northeast, U.S., completed a survey in October 2016. Method: A cross-sectional online survey examined how college students use text messaging and private social media messaging to communicate with romantic partners about sexual health issues. Results: Students who have communicated with romantic partners via technology reported being likely to do so again in the future, to perceive the effectiveness of technology-assisted sexual communication to be comparable to F-t-F sexual communication, and to be confident in their ability to initiate sexual communication with romantic partners via F-t-F communication. Conclusions: College students may see text messaging and social media messaging as useful for sexual communication, which has import...
Effect of Self-Poisoning on Crystallization Kinetics of Dimorphic Precision Polyethylenes with Bromine

High molar mass polyethylenes with bromine atoms placed on each and every 21st, 19th, 15th, or 9th backbone carbon crystallize into two distinctive layered polymorphs by changing undercooling. Crystallization at low temperatures produces Form I, a planar all-trans conformation, while at higher temperatures gauche conformers set for backbone bonds adjacent to the methine due to a close intermolecular staggering of bromines resulting in a herringbone Form II structure. In this work, the sharp range of isothermal crystallization temperatures for the transition between Form I and Form II is first identified via WAXD and melting behaviors for all members of the series. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the isothermal linear spherulitic growth rates of Form II has been studied for a wide range of crystallization temperatures. The linear growth rates display a discrete minimum with decreasing temperature at a crystallization temperature near the melting point of Form I, a feature which is reminiscent of...
Data Sources for Bias Analysis

All bias analyses modify a conventional estimate of association to account for bias introduced by systematic error. These quantitative modifications revise the conventional estimate of association (e.g., a risk difference or a rate ratio) with equations that adjust it for the estimated impact of the systematic error. These equations have parameters, called bias parameters, that ultimately determine the direction and magnitude of the adjustment. For example: The proportions of all eligible subjects who participate in a study, simultaneously stratified into subgroups of persons with and without the disease outcome and within categories of the exposure variable of interest, are bias parameters. These parameters determine the direction and magnitude of selection bias. The sensitivity and specificity of exposure classification, within subgroups of persons with and without the disease outcome of interest, are bias parameters that affect the direction and magnitude of bias introduced by exposure misclassification. The strength of association between an unmeasured confounder and the exposure of interest and between the unmeasured confounder and the disease outcome of interest are bias parameters that affect the direction and magnitude of bias introduced by an unmeasured confounder.
The Correlation of Electrophysiological and Psychophysical Measures: VECP

Electrical responses to visual stimulation are conveniently recorded without risk to human subjects: from the eye, by the use of a contact lens electrode; and from the brain, by electrodes appropriately located on the scalp.
Regulatory aspects of bound residues (chemistry)

The primary objectives of this paper are (1) to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) current regulatory requirements related to bound pesticide residues including a discussion of the problems this Agency faces in assessing the regulatory significance of these residues and (2) to suggest specific procedures and/or criteria for (a) the differentiation of bound residues and natural constituents and (b) determining whether bound residues need to be considered as part of the total toxic residue.
Frequency, Timing, and Types of Medication Ordering Errors Made by Residents in the Electronic Medical Records Era.

Objectives To describe associations between resident level of training, timing of medication orders, and the types of inpatient medication ordering errors made by internal medicine residents. Methods This study reviewed all inpatient medication orders placed by internal medicine residents at a tertiary care academic medical center from July 2011 to June 2015. Medication order errors were measured by pharmacists' reporting of an error via the electronic medical record during real-time surveillance of orders. Multivariable regression models were constructed to assess associations between resident training level (postgraduate year [PGY]), medication order timing (time of day and month of year), and rates of medication ordering errors. Results Of 1,772,462 medication orders placed by 335 residents, 68,545 (3.9%) triggered a pharmacist intervention in the electronic medical record. Overall and for each PGY level, renal dose monitoring/adjustment was the most common order error (40%). Ordering errors were less frequent during the night and transition periods versus daytime (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-0.96, and aOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.95, respectively). Errors were more common in July and August compared with other months (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09). Compared with PGY2 residents, both PGY1 (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.10), and PGY3 residents (aOR 1.07, 95% CI, 1.03-1.10) were more likely to make medication ordering errors. Throughout the course of the academic year, the odds of a medication ordering error decreased by 16% (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.80-0.89). Conclusions Despite electronic medical records, medication ordering errors by trainees remain common. Additional supervision and resident education regarding medication orders may be necessary.
Effect of maturity and mineralogy on fluid-rock reactions in the Marcellus Shale

Natural gas extraction from the Appalachian Basin has significantly increased in the past decade. The push to properly dispose, reuse, or recycle the large amounts of produced fluids associated with hydraulic fracturing operations and design better fracturing fluids has necessitated a better understanding of the subsurface chemical reactions taking place during hydrocarbon extraction. Using autoclave reactors, this study mimics the conditions of deep subsurface shale reservoirs to observe the chemical evolution of fluids during the shut-in phase of hydraulic fracturing (HF), a period when hydraulic fracturing fluids (HFFs) remain confined in the reservoir. The experiment was conducted by combining a synthetic hydraulic fracturing fluid and powdered shale core samples in high temperature/pressure static autoclave reactors for 14 days. Shale samples of varying maturity and mineralogy were used to assess the effect of these variations on the proliferation of inorganic ions and low molecular weight volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mainly benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) and monosubstituted carboxylic acids. Ion chromatography results indicate that the relative abundance of ions present was similar to that of water produced from HF operations in the Marcellus Shale basin. There was an increase of SO42− and PO43− and a decrease in Ba2+ upon fluid-shale reaction. Major ionic shifts indicate calcite dissolution in two of the fluid-shale reactions and barite precipitation in all fluid-shale reactions. Toluene, xylene, and carboxylic acids were produced in the shale-free control experiment. The most substantial increase in BTEX analytes was observed in reactions with low maturity shale, while the high maturity shale reaction produced no measurable BTEX compounds. Total organic carbon decreased in all reactions including fracturing fluid and shale, suggesting adsorption onto the organic matter (OM) matrix. The results from this study highlight that both the nature of OM and mineralogy play a key role in determining the fate of inorganic and organic compounds during fluid–shale interactions in the subsurface shale reservoir. Overall this study aims to contribute to the growing understanding of complex chemical interactions that occur in the shale reservoirs during HF, which is vital for determining the potential environmental impacts of HF and designing more efficient HFF and produced water recycling techniques for environmentally conscious natural gas production.
Emerging therapies in Huntington’s disease

Introduction: Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative condition for which there are no disease-modifying treatments. The availability of early genetic diagnosis makes HD an ideal candidate for early intervention. Growing understanding of pathogenesis has led to the identification of new therapeutic targets for which some compounds are now in clinical trials. Areas covered: A detailed review of medical databases and clinical trial registries was performed. Recent clinical trials aimed to establish disease-modification were included. Focus was assigned to RNA and DNA-based therapies aimed at lowering mutant huntingtin (mHTT) including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), RNA interference (RNAi), zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) and the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Modulation of mHTT and immunotherapies is also covered. Expert opinion: Targeting HD pathogenesis at its most proximal level is under intense investigation. ASOs are the only HTT-lowering strategy in clinical trials of manifest HD. Safety and efficacy of an allele specific vs. allele non-specific approach has yet to be established. Success will extend to premanifest carriers for which development of clinical and imaging biomarkers will be necessary. Scientific and technological advancement will bolster new methods of treatment delivery. Cumulative experience, collaborative research, and platforms such as ENROLL-HD will facilitate efficient and effective clinical trials.
Patient Reported Outcomes and Ankle Plantarflexor Muscle Performance Following Gastrocnemius Recession for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Abstract Background Prospective studies to guide the application of a gastrocnemius recession for Achilles tendinopathy are limited. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate patient reported outcomes and muscle performance. Methods Patients with unilateral recalcitrant Achilles tendinopathy who received an isolated gastrocnemius recession (n = 8) and a healthy control group (n = 8) were included. Patient reported outcomes, ankle power during walking and stair ascent, and the heel rise limb symmetry index (total work) were collected. Results Improvements in pain and self-reported function were observed (six months and two years). Sport participation scores reached 92% by two years. Patients demonstrated lower ankle power during stair ascent and decreased limb symmetry during heel rise six months following treatment (p ≤ .02). Conclusions Study findings regarding long-term improvements in patient pain, self-reported function and sport participation, and early preservation of ankle function during walking, can help refine patient selection, anticipated outcomes, and rehabilitation strategies.
The College Orientation Workshop as an Experiential, Positive Youth Development Program:

Background: The 4-week-long College Orientation Workshop (COW) is an experiential education program that combines physical and mental challenges with classroom instruction to promote self-confidenc...
(E,Z)-1-Methoxy-2-Methyl-3-(Trimethylsiloxy)-1,3-Pentadiene

(E,Z)-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-(trimethylsiloxy)-1,3-pentadiene intermediate: 114 g (1.0 mol) of 1-hydroxy-2-methylpent-1-en-3-one intermediate: 96 g (0.75 mol) of 1-methoxy-2-methylpent-1-en-3-one product: 1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-(trimethylsiloxy)-1,3-pentadiene Keywords: acylation; addition, to CO; condensation, ester-active methylene condensation; replacement reactions, hydroxy by acyloxy and alkoxy; silylation; sodium hydride, dispersion in benzene, preparation; benzene; flasks, equipped with short-path distillation apparatus
Game of Drones: Entrepreneurial Firms and Political Strategies in an Emerging Industry

In this paper we conduct an inductive study of the emerging drone industry that explains how and why new firms can influence the production process of regulations during the emergence of a new indu...
The Impact of Reducing the Number of Wearable Devices on Measuring Gait in Parkinson Disease: Noninterventional Exploratory Study

Background: Measuring free-living gait using wearable devices may offer higher granularity and temporal resolution than the current clinical assessments for patients with Parkinson disease (PD). However, increasing the number of devices worn on the body adds to the patient burden and impacts the compliance. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of reducing the number of wearable devices on the ability to assess gait impairments in patients with PD. Methods: A total of 35 volunteers with PD and 60 healthy volunteers performed a gait task during 2 clinic visits. Participants with PD were assessed in the On and Off medication state using the Movement Disorder Society version of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Gait features derived from a single lumbar-mounted accelerometer were compared with those derived using 3 and 6 wearable devices for both participants with PD and healthy participants. Results: A comparable performance was observed for predicting the MDS-UPDRS gait score using longitudinal mixed-effects model fit with gait features derived from a single (root mean square error [RMSE]=0.64; R2=0.53), 3 (RMSE=0.64; R2=0.54), and 6 devices (RMSE=0.54; R2=0.65). In addition, MDS-UPDRS gait scores predicted using all 3 models differed significantly between On and Off motor states (single device, P=.004; 3 devices, P=.004; 6 devices, P=.045). Conclusions: We observed a marginal benefit in using multiple devices for assessing gait impairments in patients with PD when compared with gait features derived using a single lumbar-mounted accelerometer. The wearability burden associated with the use of multiple devices may offset gains in accuracy for monitoring gait under free-living conditions. Trial Registration:
Interferon-directed therapies for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a critical update

The interferon (IFN) pathway, especially type I IFN, plays a critical role in the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have gained significant insights into this pathway over the past two decades, including a better understanding of the key mediators of inflammation upstream and downstream of type I IFN. This has led to the identification of multiple potential targets for the treatment of SLE, for which a significant unmet need remains due to the failure of many patients to adequately respond to standard-of-care medications. Unfortunately, most new therapies in SLE have disappointed in preclinical or clinical trials to date, including a number that target type I IFN. Nevertheless, several IFN-directed therapies aimed at specific steps within this immunologic pathway have recently shown promise, and additional agents are in the treatment pipeline. In this review, we focus on the results of key therapeutic studies targeting the type I IFN pathway and discuss the future state of IFN-blockade in SLE.
Thermal retention of atomic layer deposited Hf0.5Zr0.502 films using H2O and O2–H2 plasma oxidation methods

Thermal retention of ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO) is a critical reliability concern impacting its use in applications such as ferroelectric field-effect transistors, ferroelectric random-access memory, and ferroelectric tunnel junctions. Thermal depolarization and thermal imprint are explored for 10 nm thick Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films. The HZO films were fabricated through atomic layer deposition with two different oxidizing conditions, H2O or sequential O2 and H2-plasmas. A similar virgin state switched polarization of ∼30 μC/cm2 was found by annealing the H2O films at 700 °C and the O2–H2 plasma films at 500 °C. Both O2–H2 plasma and H2O films exhibited same state P–U and |N–D| switched polarization values above 25 μC/cm2 after 100 h at 125 °C. For opposite state switched polarization, however, O2–H2 plasma films showed asymmetric shifts in the coercive fields and subsequent loss of P–U and |N–D| retention after 100 h at 125 °C, while the H2O films exhibited symmetric shifts in the coercive fields, and P–U and |N–D| opposite state thermal retention above 25 μC/cm2 after 100 h at 125 °C.
Rapid System Prototyping for High Performance Reconfigurable Computing

This paper proposes a soft-reconfigurable coarse grain platform, called J-platform, based on a very few types of computational cells, and shows how a range of advanced applications can be mapped for achieving high performance. Two very flexible cells are proposed that account for the versatility of the approach. These are the MA_PLUS, which is an enhanced Multiply-Add cell, and the UNL, a Universal NonLinear cell. These two cells, together, provide an unprecedented capability for `coarse-grain reconfigurable computing,' as discussed in the paper. Although the applications of the platform range from FIR filtering of images to large-scale inverse problems, the paper demonstrates mapping of two specific advanced problems, namely (1) Reconstruction of Computerized Tomography images from fan beam projections, and (2) Color Conversion of Video from the RGB to HSI domains. Speed-up by factors of 20 or more over today's work stations is estimated.
A mixture modeling perspective of relational turbulence theory in marriage

This study tested propositions of relational turbulence theory (RTT) from a latent variable mixture modeling perspective. A national sample of married individuals (N = 503) completed a questionnair...
Effect of Periodized Resistance Training on Skeletal Muscle During Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Trial.

Purpose:Prostate cancer survivors (PCS) receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as treatment for recurrent cancer, yet ADT is associated with loss of skeletal muscle and physical function. Resis...
Dialogue on the frontier : Catholic and Protestant relations, 1793-1883

Dialogue on the Frontier is a remarkable departure from previous scholarship, which emphasised the negative aspects of the relationship between Protestants and Catholics in the early American Republic. Author Margaret C. DePalma argues that Catholic-Protestant relations took on a different tone and character in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. She focuses on the western frontier territory and explores the positive interaction od the two religions and the internal dynamics of Catholicism. When Father Stephen T. Badin arrived in the Kentucky frontier i 1793, intent on expanding Catholicism among the pioneers, he brought only his faith and courage, a capacity to work long hard hours, and an understanding of the need for meaningful interaction with his Protestant neighbours. He established the groundwork for the late arrivals of Edward D. Fenwick, the first bishop of Cincinnati, and Archbishop John B Purcell. The interaction between these priests and the frontier Protestant community reulted in a dialogue of mutual necessity that allowed for the growth of the region, the nation and the church. The ministries and stories of these three priests are representative of the problems the Catholic Church faced in overcoming anti-catholic sentiment and the solutions it foufnd in its efforts to lay a permenant foundation in the West. This book will be of great interest to Scholars of the early republic and religious life and of the urban landscape of the mid-west.
The influence of an intensive and integrated place-based professional development program on teachers' views of the nature of science

Appropriate views of the nature of science are vital to scientific literacy yet rarely taught in US schools primarily due to naive NOS views held by teachers. Thus, most school teachers need further educational NOS experiences and instruction. Science education literature suggests teachers can learn NOS through both implicit (learning through doing) and explicit (precise utilization) professional development opportunities. Through an integrated field studies teacher professional development program ( A River Runs Through It [ARRT] ) we implemented both implicit and explicit NOS instruction to see if the combination of methods would improve NOS beliefs following the program. Results obtained from pre and post VNOS-C (see Appendix A) surveys show a modest post-test increase in teachers’ informed NOS views in all NOS aspects (except Inferential which remained the same), supporting the notion of using both implicit and explicit instruction in teaching the nature of science. In the context of a place-based, field oriented and naturally integrated watershed, our work offers insight into the value of using both implicit experiences and explicit instruction in the teaching of the nature of science for changing participant views of NOS. However, due to the large number of naive post-test NOS views in Empirical, Theory vs. Law, Inferential, Scientific Method, and Tentative aspects we realize extended NOS experiences and instruction are necessary if science teacher educators expect to elicit dramatic and sustained change in teacher NOS beliefs. Our study demonstrates that the combination of implicit and explicit NOS instructional methods in teacher professional development programs could be a meaningful method of impacting teachers’ NOS beliefs as we saw an increase in all NOS aspects from pre to post with the exception of one area which remained the same.
Measurement of moisture spatial profiles in transformer pressboard

Moisture concentration was measured in a 1.5 mm thick transformer pressboard as a function of time and position during moisture diffusion process. A flexible interdigital three-wavelength sensor was used to provide the necessary information regarding pressboard dielectric properties at different depths from the sensor-pressboard interface. Results were obtained by processing the signals from the three-wavelength sensor, air humidity sensor, and thermocouple installed in the experimental chamber. Air-pressboard equilibrium curves were used to provide boundary conditions and the relative moisture level magnitude. The proposed technology has significant potential for measurement of diffusion processes in various dielectrics.
Antecedents of self-care in adults with congenital heart defects

Abstract Background Adults with congenital heart defects (ACHD) face long-term complications related to prior surgery, abnormal anatomy, and acquired cardiovascular conditions. Although self-care is an important part of chronic illness management, few studies have explored self-care in the ACHD population. The purpose of this study is to describe self-care and its antecedents in the ACHD population. Methods Persons with moderate or severe ACHD (N=132) were recruited from a single ACHD center. Self-care (health maintenance behaviors, monitoring and management of symptoms), and potential antecedents including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, ACHD knowledge, behavioral characteristics (depressive symptoms and self-efficacy), and family-related factors (parental overprotection and perceived family support) were collected via self-report and chart review. Multiple regression was used to identify antecedents of self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management. Results Only 44.7%, 27.3%, and 23.3% of participants performed adequate levels of self-care maintenance, monitoring and management, respectively. In multiple regression analysis, self-efficacy, education, gender, perceived family support, and comorbidities explained 25% of the variance in self-care maintenance (R 2 =.248, F(5, 123)=9.44, p 2 =.232, F(2, 124)=10.66, p 2 =.094, F(2, 80)=5.27, p=.007). Conclusions Low levels of self-care are common among persons with ACHD. Multiple factors, including modifiable factors of self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and perceived family support, are associated with self-care and should be considered in designing future interventions to improve outcomes in the ACHD population.
The Antibody Response to HLA Mismatch: Putting Together the Pieces of a Puzzle.

Keywords: editorial; personal viewpoint; histocompatibility; alloantibody; major histocompatibility complex (MHC); sensitization
Separation and measurement of silver nanoparticles and silver ions using magnetic particles.

Abstract The recent surge in consumer products and applications using metallic nanoparticles has increased the possibility of human or ecosystem exposure due to unintentional release into the environment. To protect consumer health and the environment, there is an urgent need to develop tools that can characterize and quantify these materials at low concentrations and in complex matrices. In this study, magnetic nanoparticles coated with either dopamine or glutathione were used to develop a new, simple and reliable method for the separation/pre-concentration of trace amounts of silver nanoparticles followed by their quantification using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The structurally modified magnetic particles were able to capture trace amounts of silver nanoparticles (~ 2 ppb) and concentrate (up to 250 times) the particles for analysis with ICP-MS. Under laboratory conditions, recovery of silver nanoparticles was > 99%. More importantly, the magnetic particles selectively captured silver nanoparticles in a mixture containing both nano-particulate and ionic silver. This unique feature addresses the challenges of separation and quantification of silver nanoparticles in addition to the total silver in environmental samples. Spiking experiments showed recoveries higher than 97% for tap water and both fresh and saline surface water.
Size Scaling of Mutation Avalanches in a Model for Protein Evolution

Abstract The tunably rugged NK-model is used to study avalanche-like events that occur when environmental change causes fitness optima to disappear. The probability of an event with Δ substitutions scales as exp(− c Δ) for smooth landscapes, and as exp(− c Δ 2 ) for rugged landscapes. Increasing the ruggedness leads to two competing effects: (1) more possible routes by which single mutations can increase the fitness, which dominates at low ruggedness and acts to increase Δ; and (2) a higher density of fitness optima, which dominates at high ruggedness and acts to decrease Δ. Due to these competing effects, the largest average values of Δ occur at intermediate ruggedness. The effects of system size on the avalanche events are examined, and average values of Δ increase logarithmically with system size. The variance to mean ratios for the number of substitutions per unit time are consistent with experimental results for protein evolution.
EXPRESSION OF HEAT-STABLE ANTIGEN ON TUMOR CELLS PROVIDES CO-STIMULATION FOR TUMOR-SPECIFIC T CELL PROLIFERATION AND CYTOTOXICITY IN MICE

Heat-stable antigen (HSA/J11d/possibly homologous to CD24), a cell adhesion molecule capable of providing a co-stimulatory signal for T cell proliferation, is expressed on B cells, activated T cells, monocytes, granulocytes, Langerhans cells and thymocytes. Recent studies have demonstrated that co-stimulatory signals provided by cell adhesion molecules such as B7-1 play an essential role in generation of an anti-tumor immune response. To examine whether the co-stimulatory signal provided by HSA can induce an anti-tumor immune response, we have transfected HSA cDNA into the murine melanoma cell line K1735M2, and examined the ability of this transfected cell line to induce tumor-specific T cell responses. The results demonstrate that spleen cells from mice immunized with HSA-transfected K1735M2 cells showed enhanced T cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte tumor reaction (MLTR) assay and also demonstrated a significant anti-tumor cytotoxicity to the parent tumor cell (K1735M2). This anti-tumor cytolytic activity could be abrogated by pretreatment of effector cells with anti-mouse CD8 monoclonal antibody and complement. Under similar conditions, spleen cells from C3H mice immunized with vector-transfected K1735M2 cells neither actively proliferate in an MLTR assay, nor did they exert significant cytolytic activity against the respective tumor cells. In summary, our study demonstrated that HSA can provide a co-stimulatory signal for the T cell immune response against tumor cells in a murine model.
Spinal disorders at the cervicothoracic junction.

Study DesignThis study reviewed 36 retrospective patients who underwent surgeries for rare corvico-tho-racic junctional problems.ObjectivesThe authors review cervico-thoracic Junctional disorders and study diagnostic methods, surgical approaches, surgical outcomes, and associated complications.Summa
Promoting effects of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole on the development of thyroid tumors in rats treated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine.

3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT) promoted the development of thyroid tumors in rats treated with a subeffective dose of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) for thyroid tumorigenesis. The incidences of thyroid tumors at the end of the 20-week experiment were 91% in rats injected s.c. once a week for four weeks with 70 mg DHPN per 100 g body weight and then given diet containing 2000 p.p.m. AT for 12 weeks, 100% in rats injected s.c. once a week for eight weeks with 70 mg DHPN per 100 g body weight and then given diet containing 2000 p.p.m. AT for 12 weeks, and 58% in rats injected s.c. once a week for 8 weeks with 70 mg DHPN per 100 g body weight. Rats only injected s.c. once a week for four weeks with DHPN or only given diet containing AT for 12 weeks had no thyroid tumors at the end of the experiment.
Ultralow Beam Divergence and Increased Lateral Brightness in Optically Pumped Midinfrared Laser

An optically pumped edge-emitting semiconductor laser emitting near 4.1 μm was designed with weak transverse mode confinement resulting in an exceptionally large transverse optical mode size. Consequently, a laser device is reported that exhibits a fast-axis divergence angle of ~4.2° full-width at half-maximum (FWHM). More notably, a large reduction of the lateral axis divergence is also observed as a result of the increased lateral coherency. The reduced confinement factor and differential gain serves to suppress lateral filamentation. Despite the higher threshold and lower power, a lateral divergence angle of ~3.2° FWHM and increased lateral brightness is achieved.