cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intestinal Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell Line LS180 Is an Excellent Model to Study Pregnane X Receptor, but Not Constitutive Androstane Receptor, Mediated CYP3A4 and Multidrug Resistance Transporter 1 Induction: Studies with Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Protease Inhibitors

Lack of an established cell line model to study induction of cytochromes P450 (P450s) and drug transporters poses a challenge in predicting in vivo drug-drug interactions. Although not well characterized, LS180 cells could be an excellent cell line to study induction of P450s and transporters because they express pregnane X receptor (PXR). Therefore, as part of a larger study of in vitro to in vivo prediction of inductive drug interactions, we determined induction of various P450s and drug transporters by the anti-human deficiency virus protease inhibitors (PIs) and the prototypic inducer, rifampin, in LS180 cells. Among these proteins, the various PIs significantly induced (n = 3-5) only CYP3A4 and multidrug resistance transporter 1 (MDR1) transcripts (2- to 50-fold). CYP3A4 activity (1'-hydroxymidazolam formation) was increased (2-fold) by rifampin (10 microM) but was reduced by the PIs (1.5- to 7-fold). Surprisingly, constitutive androstane receptor 1 (CAR1) was not found to be expressed in these cells. Additionally, using a reporter assay, we found that PIs did not activate CAR3 (the natural splice variant of CAR1) but significantly activated PXR (2- to 24-fold), which correlated well with induction of CYP3A4 and MDR1 transcripts (approximately r = 0.9). Furthermore, in a PXR-knockdown stable LS180 cell line, induction of CYP3A4 and MDR1 mRNA after treatment with PIs and rifampin was significantly reduced (1.4- to 5-fold) compared with that in PXR nonsilenced cells. Based on these data, we conclude that LS180 cells could be used as a readily available, high-throughput cell line to screen for PXR-mediated induction of CYP3A4 and MDR1 transcripts. These data also indicate that the majority of the PIs are likely to produce intestinal drug-drug interactions by inactivating or inhibiting CYP3A enzymes even though they induce CYP3A4 and MDR1 transcripts via PXR.
A REAL-TIME IMAGE SEGMENTATION SYSTEM USING A CONNECTIONIST CLASSIFIER ARCHITECTURE

An image segmentation system which uses a connectionist classifier architecture as a central building block is described in this paper. The complete system, which consists of a feature extraction module and the connectionist classifier module, has been designed and implemented in digital VLSl; system architectural aspects as well as the procedure of adaptation of the system to different segmentation problems are discussed. The performance of the segmentation system on real world problems is demonstrated using scenes from industrial inspection, texture recognition, and combustion chamber research tasks.
Gene therapy restores vision in a canine model of childhood blindness.

The relationship between the neurosensory photoreceptors and the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) controls not only normal retinal function, but also the pathogenesis of hereditary retinal degenerations. The molecular bases for both primary photoreceptor1 and RPE diseases2,3,4 that cause blindness have been identified. Gene therapy has been used successfully to slow degeneration in rodent models of primary photoreceptor diseases5,6, but efficacy of gene therapy directed at photoreceptors and RPE in a large-animal model of human disease has not been reported. Here we study one of the most clinically severe retinal degenerations, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). LCA causes near total blindness in infancy and can result from mutations in RPE65 (LCA, type II; MIM 180069 and 204100). A naturally occurring animal model, the RPE65−/− dog, suffers from early and severe visual impairment similar to that seen in human LCA. We used a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying wild-type RPE65 (AAV-RPE65) to test the efficacy of gene therapy in this model. Our results indicate that visual function was restored in this large animal model of childhood blindness.
NF-κB Signaling: A Tale of Two Pathways in Skeletal Myogenesis

NF-kappaB is a ubiquitiously expressed transcription factor that plays vital roles in innate immunity and other processes involving cellular survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Activation of NF-kappaB is controlled by an IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex that can direct either canonical (classical) NF-kappaB signaling by degrading the IkappaB inhibitor and releasing p65/p50 dimers to the nucleus, or causes p100 processing and nuclear translocation of RelB/p52 via a noncanonical (alternative) pathway. Under physiological conditions, NF-kappaB activity is transiently regulated, whereas constitutive activation of this transcription factor typically in the classical pathway is associated with a multitude of disease conditions, including those related to skeletal muscle. How NF-kappaB functions in muscle diseases is currently under intense investigation. Insight into this role of NF-kappaB may be gained by understanding at a more basic level how this transcription factor contributes to skeletal muscle cell differentiation. Recent data from knockout mice support that the classical NF-kappaB pathway functions as an inhibitor of skeletal myogenesis and muscle regeneration acting through multiple mechanisms. In contrast, alternative NF-kappaB signaling does not appear to be required for myofiber conversion, but instead functions in myotube homeostasis by regulating mitochondrial biogenesis. Additional knowledge of these signaling pathways in skeletal myogenesis should aid in the development of specific inhibitors that may be useful in treatments of muscle disorders.
Improved photovoltaic MPPT algorithm adapted for unstable atmospheric conditions and partial shading

In this paper, we present and implement an improved maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The proposed algorithm incorporates an online current measurement and periodic interrupts to address certain challenges associated with rapidly changing insolation and partial shading. A new rule for updating the adaptive step-size is introduced for improving dynamic and steady-state responses. This rule exploits the first and second derivatives of power as a function of duty-cycle. The algorithm is implemented on a micro-controller, and the technical issues concerning the hardware design and implementation are discussed. Finally, we present both simulation and experimental results, under different irradiation schemes.
The water buffalo: evolutionary, clinical and molecular cytogenetics

Although buffalo population is about 1/10 of that of cattle, buffaloes interest a larger human population, especially in the east countries. For this reason, this species is of great economic importance. Two main species of buffalo are found in the world: the Asiatic (water) buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). These two different species have both two different sub-species differing in diploid number but interbreeding within the same genus. The water buffalo, especially the river type (2n=50), is the most important one and a summary of the most important cytogenetic findings obtained until now in this species is reported in this paper.
A Study of Frontal Cyclone Surface and 300-hPa Geostrophic Kinetic Energy Distribution and Scale Change

Abstract An earlier article deduced a doubling of the scale of the sea level pressure pattern for lows as they developed in the North Pacific. Scale here refers to horizontal extent of the low. This study uses a different technique to estimate scale change in the upper troposphere. The prior study used wavelets; here circular averaging is used on several fields, with primary emphasis on the geostrophic kinetic energy (gKE) field. The technique herein confirms the earlier result that sea level pressure (SLP) scale increases. When applied to the 300-hPa level, the trough extent does not change scale significantly. The average scale has radius of about 1200 km at sea level and 1700 km at 300 hPa. During development the average radius of maximum gKE changes little at the surface but decreases at upper levels. The maximum gKE is typically located 600–1100 km from the 300-hPa low center, 450–650 km from the SLP low center. Composite maps of gKE are shown during different stages in cyclone development at both le...
ICCVAM Evaluation of the Murine Local Lymph Node Assay: III. Data Analyses Completed by the National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

To evaluate the reliability of the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA), a test for allergic contact dermatitis activity, the inter- and intralaboratory consistency statistics (h and k, respectively) were calculated for validation studies testing multiple chemicals. The analysis indicated the absence of excessive variability in the dose calculated to induce a threefold or greater increase in the stimulation index (SI). To assess the appropriateness of using an SI of 3 as the decision criteria for identifying a sensitizing compound, LLNA results based on SI values of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 were compared with guinea pig or human results. The results supported the use of an SI of 3 as the decision criteria. Assay performance was determined by comparing LLNA results to results obtained for guinea pigs or humans. The accuracy of the LLNA was 89% when compared with results from the guinea pig maximization test (GPMT)/Buehler assay (BA). The performance of the LLNA and the GPMT/BA was similar when each was compared to human maximization test results plus substances included as human patch test allergens. The LLNA offered advantages over the GPMT in respect to both the time required to conduct the test and the assay cost.
Energy drink consumption and its relationship to risky behavior in college students.

Background and Purpose: Energy drinks have become popular among college students, with over half reporting consumption of at least one energy drink per month in the current semester. Risk of negative physiological and psychological effects has been linked to energy drinks consumed alone or mixed with alcohol. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between energy drink consumption and other risky behaviors among college students at a large southeastern university in the United States. Method: A convenience sample of 277 college students was recruited during January-February 2012 via e-mail through undergraduate academic courses. Participating students completed an online survey that assessed energy drink consumption (with and without alcohol) and participation in other risky behaviors. Results: Energy drink users participated in risky behaviors more often than non-energy drink users within the past year (p = 0.00). Energy drink use was significantly related to the risky behaviors of tobacco (p = 0.00), marijuana (p = 0.00), amphetamine (p = 0.00), and alcohol (p = 0.02) use, as well as missing class (p = 0.05), performing poorly on a test or important project (p = 0.05), and participating in an extreme sport (p = 0.03). Conclusion: These findings suggest that energy drink consumption is associated with other risky behaviors among college students. The benefits of health promotion efforts related to energy drink consumption may be furthered through co-occurrence with other education and prevention programming on the topics of substance use and abuse.
Deformation effects on chromium diffusivity and grain boundary chromium depletion development in type 316 stainless steels

This paper reports on austenitic stainless steels (SS) susceptible to the development of grain boundary chromium depletion (GBCD), or sensitization, during thermomechanical (TM) treatment. The depletion is induced by the precipitation of intergranular (IG) chromium-rich M23C6 carbides during the TM processes. The presence of GBCD produces localized breakdown of the chromium-rich passive oxide film that protects the SS. This renders the SS susceptible to IG corrosion and IG stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in certain aqueous environments. The development of GBCD is dependent on the thermodynamics of carbide precipitation and kinetics of chromium diffusion, both of which may be altered by thermal and strain cycles produced during TM treatment. A thermodynamic and kinetic evaluation of temperature and strain effects on GBCD phenomena can, therefore, be used to understand trends in precipitation-depletion processes occurring in SS during TM treatment. This can be extended further to develop a mechanistic understanding of TM effects on microstructure, microchemistry and property development in materials.
Identification of Selected Areas to Support Federal Clean Energy Goals Using Small Modular Reactors

This analysis identifies candidate locations, in a broad sense, where there are high concentrations of federal government agency use of electricity, which are also suitable areas for near-term SMRs. Near-term SMRs are based on light-water reactor (LWR) technology with compact design features that are expected to offer a host of safety, siting, construction, and economic benefits. These smaller plants are ideally suited for small electric grids and for locations that cannot support large reactors, thus providing utilities or governement entities with the flexibility to scale power production as demand changes by adding additional power by deploying more modules or reactors in phases. This research project is aimed at providing methodologies, information, and insights to assist the federal government in meeting federal clean energy goals.
Performance assessment of a street-drainage bioretention system

Event-based, flow-paced composite sampling was carried out at the inlet and outlet of a street-side bioretention facility in Seattle, Washington, to assess its ability to reduce street runoff quantity and pollutants. Over 2.5 years, 48 to 74% of the incoming runoff was lost to infiltration and evaporation. Outlet pollutant concentrations were significantly lower than those at the inlet for nearly all monitored constituents. In terms of mass, the system retained most of the incoming pollutants. Besides soluble reactive phosphorus (the mass of which possibly increased), dissolved copper was the least effectively retained; at least 58% of dissolved copper (and potentially as much as 79%) was captured by the system. Motor oil was removed most effectively, with 92 to 96% of the incoming motor oil not leaving the system. The results indicate that bioretention systems can achieve a high level of runoff retention and treatment in real-weather conditions.
Capillary driven molten metal flow over topographically complex substrates.

A theoretical model of a capillary driven flow of liquid metal through topography features of rough surfaces has been verified by a study of molten solder (Sn―Pb) spreading over Cu 6 Sn 5 /Cu 3 Sn/Cu intermetallic (IMC) substrates. Flow through microgrooves over a rough IMC substrate is considered as spreading through an isotropic porous medium featuring a network of open microgrooves having predefined free-flow area cross sections. The relative margin of deviation between theoretically predicted and empirically determined locus of points of triple line locations is within the range of 5―15%. This margin supports the validity of the developed, analytically formulated square root power law model for a whole spreading domain in terms of (i) geometry of topographical features of the rough surface (i.e., effective intrinsic permeability, porosity/tortuosity, and microchannel cross section geometry), (ii) wetting/spreading features (equilibrium contact angle and filling factor), and (iii) molten metal/substrate properties (viscosity and surface tension). Experimental data involving triple line kinetics represent the data set of locations of the triple line versus time obtained by in situ monitoring of the spreading of molten metal systems over IMC substrates by using the controlled atmosphere hot stage microscopy.
Technologists Report Overall Job Satisfaction: 10-Year Retrospective Study Examines Career Patterns

In 1993, the Research and Development Committee of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Registry conducted a 10-year retrospective study of medical technologists to determine career progression after certification. Approximately 1,000 surveys were mailed to medical technologists who were certified by the Board of Registry in 1983. The committee assessed 417 usable surveys, representing a 42 % return, regarding the sample’s professional activities from 1983 to 1992. The committee evaluated a variety of activities with emphasis on patterns in salary levels; specialization; acquisition of additional certification, degrees, or both; promotion; and career changes. Overall, a positive portrait of the career patterns of medical technologists emerges with 75% of respondents remaining in the laboratory work force at the end of the 10-year period and more than 75% reporting their job satisfaction as moderate or high.
Basic Research and Knowledge Production Modes A View from the Harvard Medical School

A robust body of literature analyzes the shift of academic science toward more business-oriented models. This paper presents the findings of an empirical study investigating basic scientists’ attit...
Effects of monitoring and intervention on health literacy of rural residents in Jurong City

Objective:To understand the changes on knowledge,beliefs,behavior and skills of health literacy in rural residents after intervention and evaluate the effect of health education on public health literacy,so as to provide evidence for outlining the strategy on the improvement of rural residents' health literacy.Methods: Concentrated interventions have conducted for 8 months by using field epidemiological methods and baseline survey and giving material of health knowledge from house to house,health consultation tour speaking,intensive media coverage,etc.And after that intervention,regular communication interventions have also been implemented for 1 year.The effect of above mentioned two kinds of interventions were evaluated respectively through investigation.Results: The rate of awareness of health knowledge and beliefs was raised from 50.71% to 61.56%,and the rate of health behaviors was raised from 51.03% to 61.56% after the 8 month intervention.In the meantime,five aspects such as the literacy of health concept,communicable disease control,chronic disease control,basic medical and safety emergency aid were improved with meaningful statistical differences(P0.05).Conclusion:Short-term intensive health education can effectively change the health concept and raise awareness rate of health knowledge in rural residents.However,consolidating health knowledge,forming healthy behaviors,obtaining technical skill need long-term unremitting that the citizens' health literacy can be improved effectively.
Development of Integrated Supervisory Control System of Micro-Grid

The design framework of a typical micro-grid integrated supervisory control system was introduced in this paper.The realized basic functions and advanced applications were briefly discussed,and on this basis,the designed modeling tools for micro-grid,anti-disturbance control strategy and charge/discharge planning control strategy for energy-storage were given.The on-site operation showed that the supervisory control system could work well and satisfied the needs of security operation.
A survey on HIV and syphilis infection among men who have sex with men in Beijing

Objective To study infection rates of HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men(MSM) in Beijing and their related high-risk sexual behavior.Methods In total,283 MSM volunteers were recruited through non-governmental organizations in Beijing,and anonymous investigation was conducted for each of them by face-to-face interview with blood specimens collected for HIV and syphilis testing.Results Infection rates of HIV and syphilis among 283 MSM were 10.25 percent and 19.43 percent,respectively,and 5.65 percent of them infected with both HIV and syphilis.There was significant difference in HIV infection between MSM with and without fixed sexual partners(P.0.05),as well as in infection of both HIV and syphilis between MSM who provided commercial sex and those who did not do it(P.0.05).Conclusion Prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection are increasing continuously among MSM in Beijing.It is an urgent and tough task to conduct pertinent intervention to them in prevention and control of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Beijing.
Pathogen detection results analysis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial in patients with active tuberculosis

Objective To detect the pathogen of the patients with active tuberculosis provide basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods During 1st of January-31st of December of 2012,in tuberculosis clinic of center for disease control and prevention in Zhengding county,198 cases patients with active mycobacterial lung diseases confirmed by culture with traditional method(including 62 positive cases,136 negative cases),to cultivated,bacteria groups were identified and carried out drug susceptibility test(INH,RFP,EMB,SM,OFX,KM,6 kinds of drugs),to conduct track history and follow-up treatment diagnosis for patients with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria(NTM).Results 59 cases of smear positive patients were cultivating positive,positive rates are 95.16%.Bacteria groups identification results:56 strains were identified with tuberculosis mycobacterium,3 strains(5.08%) were identified as NTM,take 4.84% among the positive patients.36 cases of smear negative patients were cultivating positive,positive rates are 26.47%.Bacteria groups identification results:30 strains were identified with tuberculosis mycobacterium,6 strains(16.67%) were identified as NTM.Take 4.84 % among all the smears.9 NTM strains were performed drug susceptibility test,in which 1case new smear positive is sensitive with all 6 drugs,1case relapse smear positive is tolerance with all 6 drugs,others 6 cases tolerant with different drugs respectively.Medical history of non-tuberculous mycobacterial diseases:3 cases had a clear history of tuberculosis;3 cases had symptoms persist for several years but not a definite diagnosis;3 cases were new patients;in which 66.7% had a medical history more than one year.Conclusions Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung diseases is misdiagnosed as active tuberculosis should not be ignored,especially the patients with longer history of active tuberculosis;sputum samples with active tuberculosis,drug susceptibility test and becteria group identification should become the guidance of clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Role of cyclooxygenase inhibition and hyperoxia in regulating pulmonary perfusion in dogs.

To assess the roles of cyclooxygenase inhibition and hyperoxia in regulating pulmonary perfusion, we studied 13 dogs with diffuse granulomatous lung disease (DGLD) and 13 normal dogs. Baseline observations were obtained at fractional inspired O2 (FIO2) 0.21 and 1.0 and repeated after infusion of meclofenamate (Mec; n = 8) or saline (n = 5). Resistance to flow was evaluated from the pulmonary end-diastolic gradient (PDG) and by ohmic pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Distribution of blood flow was evaluated with sulfur hexafluoride in DGLD and with multiple inert gas alveolar ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) plots in normal dogs. Before infusion, there were no differences between the saline and Mec groups at either FIO2. Saline induced no significant changes at either FIO2. After Mec in DGLD, PDG at FIO2 0.21 rose from 4 +/- 2 to 6 +/- 4 mmHg (P < 0.04), PVR increased from 297 +/- 98 to 484 +/- 181 dyn.s.cm-5.m-2 (P < 0.01), whereas shunt flow (Qs/Qt) fell form 13.6 +/- 12.0 to 6.2 +/- 5.3% (P < 0.03). At FIO2 1.0 PDG rose from 3 +/- 2 to 4 +/- 3 mmHg (P < 0.02), PVR increased from 262 +/- 78 to 374 +/- 139 dyn.s.cm-5.m-2 (P < 0.01), whereas Qs/Qt fell from 14.5 +/- 13.3 to 6.4 +/- 5.2% (P < 0.02). After Mec in normal dogs, PDG at FIO2 0.21 rose from 3 +/- 1 to 4 +/- 1 mmHg (P < 0.015) and PVR increased from 256 +/- 92 to 340 +/- 101 dyn.s.cm-5.m-2 (P < 0.05); at FIO2 1.0 PDG and PVR were unchanged from preinfusion levels. In normal dogs, no parameters of VA/Q changed significantly with hyperoxia or Mec. These data suggest that perivascular inflammation enhances perfusion in DGLD by elaboration of vasodilator prostaglandins (PG). By inhibiting PG synthesis, Mec selectively increases resistance in diseased lung at FIO2 0.21 and lowers Qs/Qt. In contrast, there was vasoconstriction without flow redistribution in normal dogs, suggesting that vasodilator PGs contribute to the low tone in the normal pulmonary bed. The vasodilation without flow redistribution in both models during hyperoxia after Mec suggests an effect of O2 that is related neither to PG synthesis nor to hypoxic vasoconstriction.
Multi-stage delta-sigma modulator with a relaxed opamp gain using a back-end digital integrator

This paper presents a multi-stage noise-shaping (MASH) delta-sigma modulator (DSM) using a back-end digital integrator in the first stage of the MASH DSM. By using the back-end digital integrator in the first stage, not only can the resolution of the first stage be improved, but the opamp dc gain requirement can also be relaxed. A new structure is proposed which avoids the need for quantization noise extraction digital-to-analog converters (DACs) when using the back-end digital integrator. Applying the proposed scheme, 3-level first stage quantizer will effectively operate as a 15 level quantizer, and accordingly the quantization noise leakage can be reduced. Detailed MATLAB simulation results and mathematical analysis are provided to prove the efficiency of the proposed structure.
THE NATIONAL DIRECTORATE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA; NDOKWA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS A POINT OF FOCUS

Poverty is the inability to obtain the minimum standard of living. For there to be an economic development, unemployment problem is one of the vital issues that needs to be accurately tackled in order to eradicate or reduce the rate of poverty, which has been a cankerworm eating deep into the economic fabrics of the nation. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of the implementation of NDE in poverty alleviation in Nigeria economy using Ndokwa West as a focal point. The researcher used questionnaire and oral interviews. This served as an instrument for data collection. Chi-square (x 2 ) method was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05leve of significance. Impact on unemployment and poverty alleviation faces challenges which thus the level of poverty in Nigeria and in Ndokwa West Local Government Area in particular is still alarming, there by affecting both old and young. It was recommended that review of human capital development, provision of basic infrastructure, review of policies, especially those that target the poor in the rural areas, equipping the NDE, increase access to education and health services.
Jointly modeling skew longitudinal survival data with missingness and mismeasured covariates

ABSTRACTJointly modeling longitudinal and survival data has been an active research area. Most researches focus on improving the estimating efficiency but ignore many data features frequently encountered in practice. In the current study, we develop the joint models that concurrently accounting for longitudinal and survival data with multiple features. Specifically, the proposed model handles skewness, missingness and measurement errors in covariates which are typically observed in the collection of longitudinal survival data from many studies. We employ a Bayesian inferential method to make inference on the proposed model. We applied the proposed model to an real data study. A few alternative models under different conditions are compared. We conduct extensive simulations in order to evaluate how the method works.
THz analog to digital converter using single sided spoof surface plasmon polariton waveguide

In this paper, an analogue-to-digital convertor (ADC) utilizing the single sided spoof surface plasmon polariton (SS-SSPP) waveguide is presented. The proposed ADC device consists of three stages: first stage is the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with two arms which acts as a beam steering device, second is free space propagation stage, and third is the detector arrays to convert analog signal into digital input. The SSPP waveguide includes periodic grooves, which are filled with a thin layer of doped semiconductor. In order to alter the refractive index of the semiconductor the depletion mode has been used. It is demonstrated that the ADC can operate with sampling speed around 47 GS/s.
Grain boundary stability and influence on ionic conductivity in a disordered perovskite—a first-principles investigation of lithium lanthanum titanate

The origin of ionic conductivity in bulk lithium lanthanum titanate, a promising solid electrolyte for Li-ion batteries, has long been under debate, with experiments showing lower conductivity than predictions. Using first-principles-based calculations, we find that experimentally observed type I boundaries are more stable compared with the type II grain boundaries, consistent with their observed relative abundance. Grain boundary stability appears to strongly anti-correlate with the field strength as well as the spatial extent of the space charge region. Ion migration is faster along type II grain boundaries than across, consistent with recent experiments of increased conductivity when type II densities were increased.
Neutron‐activatable needles for radionuclide therapy of solid tumors

Various approaches have been undertaken to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents, including tissue-killing radionuclides, into solid tumors. Here, we describe the preparation of conical needles composed of Ti and Mo coated by pulsed laser deposition or chemical vapor deposition with elements (Ho and Re) that can readily yield radioactive isotopes following irradiation in a neutron flux. The radioactive needles, whose design were based on solid microneedle arrays used in transdermal drug delivery, can be produced with minimal handling of radioactivity and subsequently inserted into tumors as a means of internal radiation therapy. Ho and Re were specifically chosen because of their large neutron capture cross-sections as well as the desirable radiotherapeutic properties of the resultant radionuclides. Neutron-absorbing shields were also developed to prevent the production of unwanted radionuclides after neutron irradiation of the needle base materials. Neutron activation calculations showed that therapeutically significant amounts of radionuclides can be produced for treating solid tumors. Stability studies demonstrated that Re did not leach off the Mo needles. These coated neutron-activatable needles offer a new approach to internal radiation therapy of tumors that allows precise tailoring of the absorbed radiation dose delivered to the tumor by controlling the coating thickness and the irradiation time. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3273-3280, 2017.
Intertextualidad y la Constructión del Imaginario del Delito Urbano en Un Capitán de Ladrones en Buenos Aires (1879) de Eduardo Gutiérrez

Eduardo Gutierrez inaugura su carrera como escritor profesional en 1879 con la publicacion de Un capitan de ladrones en Buenos Aires , en el periodico La Patria Argentina . El relato de la vida delictiva de Antonio Larrea se convierte en el primer folletin policial de un prolifico corpus literario que abarca un total de treinta y siete obras. Sin embargo, Gutierrez es recordado y canonizado en la literatura argentina, en mayor medida, debido a su segundo folletin publicado ese mismo ano, o sea por su Juan Moreira .
Supporting Education and Outreach in a Research Mathematics Department

Research mathematics departments promote scholarly activities primarily focused on traditional mathematical research. These departments also have a role to play in advancing high-quality teaching, student mentoring, K-12 outreach, and the mathematical education of preservice teachers. A significant number of faculty pursue these activities and enjoy varying levels of support. This chapter describes the benefits that accrue to a department that supports these activities while also recognizing the challenges that are often presented. The authors offer the perspective of an established outreach mathematician and that of a senior administrator who has actively supported outreach from his time as a mathematics department chair through his role as a college dean, provost, and now a university president. They argue that support can be provided at several levels from within the department and across the university, with a specific emphasis on setting clear guidelines for tenure and promotion based on nontraditional scholarly output in the areas of education and outreach.
A new prototype X-ray fluorescence detector system with silicon drift detector array

A new Maia detector is being currently developed, consisting of an array of 384 silicon drift detectors (SDDs), each having an area of 1 mm2. The detector features a new double metal scheme that supplies biases to the pixel SDD rings. All 384 anodes of SDDs are meant to be connected to individual electronic channels. This effort was motivated by the need of improving the energy resolution and the throughput of the existing Maia detectors whose pixels are based on p-in-n diodes. In order to use the existing circuit boards and back-end electronics that have already developed for the original Maia, the SDD-Maia detector was designed with an identical footprint, after replacing the p-in-n diodes with SDDs. The design, fabrication and performance of a first prototype detector will be presented.
A framework for enhanced localization of marine mammals using auto-detected video and wearable sensor data fusion

Accurate biological agent localization offers the opportunity for both researchers and institutions to gain new knowledge about individual and group behaviors of biosystems. This paper presents a sensor-fusion approach for tracking biological agents, combining the data from automated video logging with magnetic, angular rate, and gravity (MARG) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) data, with professionally managed dolphins as the representative example. Our method of video logging allows for accurate and automated dolphin location detection using a combination of Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG) and multi-orientation elliptical blob detection. These data are combined with MARG/IMU measurements to generate a localization estimate through a series of drift-correcting Kalman and gradient-descent filters, finalized with Incremental Smoothing and Mapping (iSAM2) pose-graph localization.
Stable Regulation of Cell Cycle Events in Mycobacteria: Insights From Inherently Heterogeneous Bacterial Populations.

Model bacteria, such as E. coli and B. subtilis, tightly regulate cell cycle progression to achieve consistent cell size distributions and replication dynamics. Many of the hallmark features of these model bacteria, including lateral cell wall elongation and symmetric growth and division, do not occur in mycobacteria. Instead, mycobacterial growth is characterized by asymmetric polar growth and division. This innate asymmetry creates unequal birth sizes and growth rates for daughter cells with each division, generating a phenotypically heterogeneous population. Although the asymmetric growth patterns of mycobacteria lead to a larger variation in birth size than typically seen in model bacterial populations, the cell size distribution is stable over time. Here, we review the cellular mechanisms of growth, division, and cell cycle progression in mycobacteria in the face of asymmetry and inherent heterogeneity. These processes coalesce to control cell size. Although Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) utilize a novel model of cell size control, they are similar to previously studied bacteria in that initiation of DNA replication is a key checkpoint for cell division. We compare the regulation of DNA replication initiation and strategies used for cell size homeostasis in mycobacteria and model bacteria. Finally, we review the importance of cellular organization and chromosome segregation relating to the physiology of mycobacteria and consider how new frameworks could be applied across the wide spectrum of bacterial diversity.
Leader-Parent Relationships in the Early Childhood Education Context: An Exploration of Testimonial and Epistemic Justice

Countries around the world have increased their focus on high quality early childhood programing. Recognizing the importance of parental and community engagement as a lever for improving child deve...
Biased Random Walk on Lamplighter Groups and Graphs

Lyons, Pemantle, and Peres(4) found an example of a group on which a simple random walk has sublinear speed but an inward biased walk has linear speed. We examine a similar example by introducing a martingale that allows us to compute the exact speed of the inward biased walk. We apply the martingale techniques to the example of Lyons et al., and improve on their speed estimates for small amounts of bias. Finally, we examine the speed on a related family of graphs and construct an example on which the speed of the walk has a second phase change.
The Significance of Giant Phaeodarians (Rhizaria) to Biogenic Silica Export in the California Current Ecosystem

Author(s): Biard, T; Krause, JW; Stukel, MR; Ohman, MD | Abstract: In marine ecosystems, many planktonic organisms precipitate biogenic silica (bSiO2) to build silicified skeletons. Among them, giant siliceous rhizarians (g500nμm), including Radiolaria and Phaeodaria, are important contributors to oceanic carbon pools but little is known about their contribution to the marine silica cycle. We report the first analyses of giant phaeodarians to bSiO2 export in the California Current Ecosystem. We measured the silica content of single rhizarian cells ranging in size from 470 to 3,920nμm and developed allometric equations to predict silica content (0.37–43.42nμgnSi/cell) from morphometric measurements. Using sediment traps to measure phaeodarian fluxes from the euphotic zone on four cruises, we calculated bSiO2 export produced by two families, the Aulosphaeridae and Castanellidae. Biogenic silica export ranged from l0.01 to 0.63nmmolnSi · m−2 · day−1. These two families alone contributed on average 10% (range 0–80%) of total bSiO2 export from the euphotic zone. Their proportional contributions increased substantially in more oligotrophic regions with lower bSiO2 fluxes. Using the in situ Underwater Vision Profiler 5, we characterized vertical distributions of the giant phaeodarian family Aulosphaeridae to a depth of 500nm and inferred their contribution to bSiO2 export in deeper waters. We found a significant increase of Aulosphaeridae export (l0.01 to 2.82nmmol Si · m−2 · day−1) when extended to mesopelagic depths. Using a global data set of in situ profiles, we estimated the significance of Aulosphaeridae to bSiO2 export and revealed that they can act as major exporters of bSiO2 to the mesopelagic zone in various regions.
Hierarchical Elastic Graph Matching for Hand Gesture Recognition

This paper proposes a hierarchical scheme for elastic graph matching hand posture recognition. The hierarchy is expressed in terms of weights assigned to visual features scattered over an elastic graph. The weights in graph’s nodes are adapted according to their relative ability to enhance the recognition, and determined using adaptive boosting. A dictionary representing the variability of each gesture class is proposed, in the form of a collection of graphs (a bunch graph). Positions of nodes in the bunch graph are created using three techniques: manually, semi-automatic, and automatically. The recognition results show that the hierarchical weighting on features has significant discriminative power compared to the classic method (uniform weighting). Experimental results also show that the semi-automatically annotation method provides efficient and accurate performance in terms of two performance measures; cost function and accuracy.
Incidental bladder cancers found on multiparametric MRI of the prostate gland: a single center experience.

Purpose In the era of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate gland, incidental findings are occasionally discovered on imaging. We aimed to report our experience of detecting incidental bladder cancers on mpMRI of the prostate in asymptomatic patients without irritative voiding symptoms or microscopic or gross hematuria. Methods A retrospective review was performed on a prospectively maintained database of all men who underwent prostate mpMRI at our institution from 2012 to 2018. Patients who were found to have incidental bladder lesions were identified and baseline demographics, imaging and histopathologic data were recorded. All patients with incidental bladder lesion detection on mpMRI, not attributable to extension of prostate cancer, underwent cystoscopy in addition to a biopsy and/or transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) if warranted on cystoscopy. Results There were 3147 prostate mpMRIs performed during this period and 25 cases (0.8%) of incidental bladder lesions were detected. These patients did not have any presenting symptoms such as gross or microscopic hematuria to prompt bladder lesion workup. The largest diameter of incidentally discovered bladder lesions ranged from 0.4 cm to 1.7 cm. Of the 25 cases of incidental bladder lesions, five were suspected to be due to prostate cancer invasion into the bladder. Only two of these five patients underwent biopsy, which confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma in both cases. Of the 20 patients without suspected prostate cancer invasion of the bladder, four had no suspicious lesions on cystoscopy to warrant a biopsy. The remaining 16 patients had bladder lesions seen on cystoscopy and underwent a biopsy and/or TURBT. Three of these patients had benign features on pathology (urachal remnant, amyloidosis and inflammation) and the remaining 13 had stage Ta urothelial carcinoma. Seven of these patients had low-grade Ta tumors and six had high-grade Ta tumors. All patients were treated with standard management of TURBT with or without intravesical BCG. There have been no reported cases of recurrence or progression in any of the patients in our cohort at the median follow-up of 26 months (interquartile range,19-40 months). Conclusion mpMRI of the prostate may yield incidental findings, such as small bladder tumors. Awareness of the possibility of incidental bladder lesions is important as 65% of lesions reported in the bladder, not attributable to extension of prostate cancer, proved to be bladder cancer. This may allow for early intervention for asymptomatic patients with undetected bladder cancer prior to disease progression.
NP-completeness of Shortest Leaf-to-Leaf Distance in a Tree

Dissemination of information from nodes in a network to all other nodes in the network via a sequence of calls between pairs of nodes is known as gossiping. If new information can arise at any time, then a perpetual call scheme is required, and this is known as perpetual gossiping. Perpetual gossiping is a more difficult problem than its static counterpart, and this paper aims to show why. If a perpetual in-order traversal is used as a call scheme on a tree, then the efficiency of the scheme depends on the shortest leaf-to-leaf distance used in the embedding of the tree. However, for an arbitrary tree, finding an embedding with a shortest leaf-to-leaf which maximizes the efficiency of communication distance is an NP-complete problem, which shall be shown in this paper.
Identificación de stocks de Engraulis ringens en Chile utilizando morfometría de otolitos

Anchovy ( Engraulis ringens ) population units were analyzed in three zones off the coast of Chile: 1: Arica-Iquique, 2: Coquimbo and 3: Talcahuano-Valdivia from samples obtaineds during the 2012 spawning season. We used 50 left sagittae otoliths from each zone to perform a morphometric analysis, which included basic measurements, shape indexes and contour analysis (elliptical Fourier analysis). A MANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison analyses, applied on basic measures and shape indexes showed significant differences between zone 3 and zones 1 and 2. A classification by Canonical Discriminant analysis of elliptical Fourier harmonics, indicated significant differences among zones. It is concluded, therefore, that otolith shape analysis could be used to discriminate population units of Engraulis ringens . Better results were achieved using elliptic Fourier coefficients than using only shape indices.
The response of vegetated dunes to wave attack

Abstract For many coastal communities, dunes serve as the primary defense against tropical and extratropical events. Vegetation is believed to increase the stability of dunes during wave attack, but limited data is available. A physical model study was performed to evaluate changes in the dune stability with and without biomass, both above and belowground. The above and belowground biomass was modeled using wooden dowels and coir fibers, respectively. For both the collision and overwash storm impact regimes, the results of this study clearly demonstrate that the inclusion of biomass in the model dune reduces the erosion and overwash. The combination of both above and belowground biomass was the most effective at reducing erosion followed by belowground biomass, with aboveground biomass providing the smallest benefit regardless of the wave condition and water level. Additionally, the overwash of sediment and water was decreased with the inclusion of biomass, following the same trends as the erosion. As the dune eroded, the storm impact regime transitioned from collision to overwash. The inclusion of biomass delays this transition in storm impact regime, providing greater protection to coastal communities. This study highlights the need to consider dune vegetation for dune construction and coastal planning.
Linkage disequilibrium in maize F2 populations

Linkage disequilibrium may cause bias in estimates of additive and dominance variances (and o-^) and the average level of dominance (</ ) in maize fZea mavs L.) Fj populations. The effects of linkage disequilibrium are studied by comparing genetic parameter estimates of random mated F2 populadons with estimates from their base F2. Relatively few experiments of this type have been conducted, but the results consistently indicate that and if are overestimated in F2 populations, paraculariy for yield. These studies suggest that genes expressing partial to complete dominance are of primary importance in the expression of heterosis for yield. F2 populations derived from elite inbred lines which e-xpress superior heterosis in hybrid combination have not been evaluated previously. A B73 .\ Mo 17 F2Syn 10 population was generated by random mating the F2 population for 10 generations. Estimates of genetic parameters of the B73 x Mo 17 F2 and F2SynlO were compared. Estimates of were generally smaller in the F2SynlO population than in the F2, although the differences were not significant for the traits evaluated. The difference was particularly large for yield, with a 60 percent reduction of in tiie F2SynlO relative to the F2. The average level of dominance (d ) for yield decreased from 1.17 in the F2 to 0.80 in tiie F2Syn 10. Evidence for overdominant gene action in the elite B73 x Mo 17 F2 population was no greater than in non-elite populations studied previously. Genes expressing partial dominance appear to be the predominant cause of heterosis expression for yield in this population. Estimates of d for otiier traits did not exceed 1.0 in either population. Additive variance for yield decreased slightly in the F2Synl0, but increased substantially for plant and ear heights relative to the F2. Means of the F2 and F2SynlO were statistically different only for percent grain moisture and ear height Estimates of heritability varied little between the populations for tlie traits tested. Consistent trends of genetic and phenotypic correlations of tiaits were not observed between the populations.