cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The landscape of T cell infiltration in human cancer and its association with antigen presenting gene expression

Infiltrating T cells in the tumor microenvironment have crucial roles in the competing processes of pro-tumor and anti-tumor immune response. However, the infiltration level of distinct T cell subsets and the signals that draw them into a tumor, such as the expression of antigen presenting machinery (APM) genes, remain poorly characterized across human cancers. Here, we define a novel mRNA-based T cell infiltration score (TIS) and profile infiltration levels in 19 tumor types. We find that clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the highest for TIS and among the highest for the correlation between TIS and APM expression, despite a modest mutation burden. This finding is contrary to the expectation that immune infiltration and mutation burden are linked. To further characterize the immune infiltration in ccRCC, we use RNA-seq data to computationally infer the infiltration levels of 24 immune cell types in a discovery cohort of 415 ccRCC patients and validate our findings in an independent cohort of 101 ccRCC patients. We find three clusters of tumors that are primarily separated by levels of T cell infiltration and APM gene expression. In ccRCC, the levels of Th17 cells and the ratio of CD8+ T/Treg levels are associated with improved survival whereas the levels of Th2 cells and Tregs are associated with negative clinical outcome. Our analysis illustrates the utility of computational immune cell decomposition for solid tumors, and the potential of this method to guide clinical decision-making.
Characteristics of Vertical Air Motion in Convective Clouds

8 The vertical velocity and air mass flux in convective clouds are statistically analyzed using 9 aircraft in-situ data collected from three field campaigns: High-Plains Cumulus (HiCu) 10 conducted over the mid-latitude High Plains, COnvective Precipitation Experiment (COPE) 11 conducted in a mid-latitude coastal area, and Ice in Clouds Experiment-Tropical (ICE-T), 12 conducted over a tropical ocean. This study yields the following results. (1) Small-scale updrafts 13 and downdrafts (< 500 m in diameter) are frequently observed in the three field campaigns, and 14 they make important contributions to the total air mass flux. (2) The probability density functions 15 (PDFs) of the vertical velocity are exponentially distributed. For updrafts, the PDFs of the 16 vertical velocity are broader in ICE-T and COPE than in HiCu; for downdrafts, the PDFs of the 17 vertical velocity are broader in HiCu and COPE than in ICE-T. (3) Vertical velocity profiles 18 1 Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., doi:10.5194/acp-2015-1021, 2016 Manuscript under review for journal Atmos. Chem. Phys. Published: 4 February 2016 c © Author(s) 2016. CC-BY 3.0 License.
Top Ten+ List (Re)Thinking Ontology in (Post)Qualitative Research

This article presents a “top ten+ list” of lessons learned from the ontological turn. Across various terms and insistences, the article surveys theories of social change, the subject and agency, the canons constructed, the methodologies materialized, the “more and other than reflexivity” researcher subjectivity endorsed, and the edges of both policy analysis and quantitative research that already instantiate such lessons. It concludes with a meditation on how to think this latest turn within something other than a temporality of successor regimes, end-isms, and apocalyptic breaks.
DAPI Method: A Novel Assay to Evaluate the In vitro Impact of Nanomaterials on Mammalian Cells

The increasing importance of nanomaterial-related applications has given rise to concerns pertaining to their impact on human health. In vitro mammalian cell-based assays can provide a quick and simple estimate of the possible adverse effects of the nanomaterials. However, recent studies have questioned the efficacy of traditional assays such as the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, in evaluating cell-nanomaterial interactions, implying the need for alternate methods. We applied image analysis to enumerate the DAPI (2-[4-(Aminomethyl) phenyl]-1H-indole-6-carboximidamide, dihydrochloride) – stained cellular nuclei. Image analysis, being non-destructive, capable of automation, and applicable over a wide range of cell seeding densities, offers several advantages compared to older methods like the MTT assay and hemocytometry. Using image analysis, the impact of singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) on rat aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth kinetics, were examined. Despite the carbon nanomaterial presence, the fluorescent signal from the nuclei was not noticeably impacted over the SWNT range examined (0.00-0.10 mg/ml). We anticipate that this method can also be applied to evaluate the biological impact of other nanomaterials.
Planar to 3D Transition in the B6Hy Anions

Potential energy surfaces of anionic B(6)H(y) clusters were sampled using the coalescence kick method. We found that the planar to three-dimensional transition occurs in this system when y = 4. This is an important discovery because this transition suggests a major structural change as a function of dehydrogenation for the stoichiometric B(n)H(n)(-) polyhedral boranes. We also found that the B(6)H(3)(-) global minimum structure has an optical isomer. The chemical bonding patterns revealed by the adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) analysis explain the geometric structure of all clusters presented here. From our chemical bonding analysis, we concluded that the 2D-3D transition occurs at B(6)H(4)(-) because the addition of one extra hydrogen atom further destroys the network of the peripheral 2c-2e B-B σ-bonding, making planar structures less stable, and because the distorted octahedral structure provides some occupation of all s- and p-AOs of boron, avoiding the presence of any empty atomic orbitals. Theoretical vertical electron detachment energies (VDEs) were calculated for comparison with future experimental work.
T2* phase imaging and processing for brain functional magnetic susceptibility (χ) mapping

Purpose. To provide a review on T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T2*MRI) for T2* phase imaging and on a computed inverse MRI (CIMRI) model for magnetic susceptibility (χ) reconstruction. To compare two different phase unwrapping methods (in the time domain and in the space domain) for χ reconstruction and χ-based functional mapping. Methods. T2*MRI and CIMRI are modeled as two-step spatial mappings. A task-evoked blood oxygenation level dependent functional MRI study produces a timeseries of T2* magnitude and phase images. A complex division is performed on a 4D phase dataset to extract the temporal phase changes (δP), implementing time-domain phase unwrapping. A 4D δχ dataset is reconstructed from 4D δP by CIMRI. Meanwhile, T2* phase images are subject to Laplacian phase unwrapping and homodyne high-pass filtering. The processed phase images are used for 4D χ dataset reconstruction. Finally, independent component analysis (ICA) is performed to different 4D datasets to extract task-evoked functional maps from different perspectives. Results. A 7T finger tapping experiment provided a pair of 4D T2* magnitude and phase datasets. A 4D χ dataset was reconstructed from spatially unwrapped phase images (P), and a 4D δχ dataset from a temporally-unwrapped phase images (δP). The ICA-extracted functional maps from five different 4D dataspaces {'A', 'P', 'δP', 'χ', 'δχ'} exhibited correlative responses (via ICA-extracted temporal modes) to the task stimuli with maximal temporal correlations of {0.93, 0.85, 0.90, 0.87, 0.91} respectively. Conclusion. A timeseries of T2* phase images can be effectively temporally unwrapped by a complex division algorithm that extracts the phase changes in relative to baseline. The small phase changes facilitate the pure brain χ response reconstruction by a linear CIMRI model. In comparison, the phase unwrapping in the space domain retains the baseline for full brain χ state reconstruction at a compromise of CIMRI linearity.
Digital signal processing for optical monitor system

To improve the optical coating monitor accuracy, both classical and modern digital filters are designed. The optical monitor signal from thin film deposition are processed by above digital filters. Theoretical analysis showed that the noise was decreased by digital filters. A monitor system was then established via PLC and optical monitor system manufactured by Nanguang Inc. Experiments showed the S/N ratio was improved more than 6DB by applying digital signal processing method.
Blind Source Separation Based on Independent Component Analysis

Independent component analysis(ICA) is a signal analysis method based on high order cumulants,and is closely related to blind source separation.The basic concept and criterion of ICA are introduced,the current popular algorithms are analyzed and summarized,and the future development of ICA is proposed.
Model-based Fault-Tolerant Control of Uncertain Particulate Processes: Integrating Fault Detection, Estimation and Accommodation

Abstract This work presents a methodology for the integrated identification, estimation and accommodation of control actuator faults in particulate processes with discretely-sampled measurements and plant-model mismatch. Initially, a stabilizing state feedback controller is designed on the basis of a reduced-order model of the infinite-dimensional system, and the closed-loop stability region is characterized in terms of the model uncertainty, the fault magnitude, the sampling period and the control design parameters. When state measurements are unavailable, the reduced-order inter-sample model predictor generates state estimates which are updated at each sampling time. A moving-horizon optimization problem is then formulated and solved for on-line actuator fault detection, isolation and estimation using past state and input data. The resulting estimates are used to locate the operating point with respect to the closed-loop stability region, which in turn is used to carry out the fault accommodation logic via updating the pot-fault control model and/or adjusting the controller design parameters. The developed methodology is illustrated using a non-isothermal continuous crystallizer example.
Dihydropyridine-sensitive single calcium channels in airway smooth muscle cells.

We have identified and characterized single voltage-dependent calcium channels in both acutely dissociated rat bronchial and cultured human tracheobronchial smooth muscle cells using the patch-clam...
A Molecular Dynamics Study of Michaelis Complex for Designing Selective Transition State Analog Inhibitors for Cysteine Protease calpain-2

Calpains constitute a family of intracellular cysteine proteases, which catalyze the cleavage of target proteins in response to Ca2+ signaling. We recently discovered that, calpain-1 induces long-term potentiation, while calpain-2 limits the extent of potentiation and also is involved in neurodegeneration by NMDA activation. There is therefore a strong rationale to develop calpain-2 selective inhibitors, as such compounds could enhance learning and memory and offer neuroprotection. Among several reversible inhibitors that have been developed to target calpains, peptidyl α-ketoamide analogs carry the most stable electrophilic warhead. Although several cocrystal structures of calpain-1 and α-ketoamide are available, it is not clear how to design calpain-2 specific inhibitors based on the calpain-1 model, as the protease core is highly conserved. Structural alignment reveals that the major difference between calpain-1 and calpain-2 is located at the flexible gating loop. Molecular dynamics simulation of ligand-protease Michaelis complex is therefore necessary to capture the difference in the noncovalent binding interaction between the inhibitor and two isoforms and thus to guide the structure-based design. The Michaelis complex model of calpain-2 with a ketoamide compound was built from a cocrystal structure of a potent calpain-1 inhibitor. Effects of catalytic triad protonation states on the stability of the complex were investigated. The model was validated using existing calpain-2 inhibitors. Based on the simulation results, we modified the prime side (C-terminal) of the α-ketoamide peptidomimetics to favor calpain-2 over calpain-1. The dynamic of the calpain gating loop was explored using long-time scale simulation. The results show that molecular dynamics simulation of Michaelis complex can be a critical tool to explore the molecular bases of calpain activation and to design calpain-2 selective inhibitors for clinical therapeutics.
Three-dimensional posture changes of the vocal fold from paired intrinsic laryngeal muscles

Objectives/Hypothesis Although the geometry of the vocal fold medial surface affects voice quality and is critical in the treatment of glottic insufficiency, the prephonatory shape of the vocal fold medial surface is not well understood. In this study, we activated intrinsic laryngeal muscles individually and in combinations, and recorded the temporal sequence and precise three-dimensional configurational changes of the vocal fold medial surface. Study Design In vivo canine hemilarynx model. Methods A hemilaryngectomy was performed in an in vivo canine model and ink was used to mark the medial surface of the in situ vocal fold in a grid-like fashion. The thyroarytenoid (TA), lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA), cricothyroid (CT), and posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles were stimulated individually and in combinations. A right-angle prism whose hypotenuse formed the glottal midline provided two distinct views of the medial surface for a high-speed digital camera. Image-processing package DaVis (LaVision Inc., Goettingen, Germany) allowed time series cross-correlation analysis for three-dimensional deformation calculations of the vocal fold medial surface. Results Combined TA and LCA activation yields an evenly adducted rectangular glottal surface. Addition of thyroarytenoid to cricoarytenoid adducts the vocal fold from inferior to superior in a graded fashion allowing formation of a divergent glottis. Posterior cricoarytenoid has a bimodal relationship with thyroarytenoid favoring abduction. Cricothyroid and lateral cricoarytenoid yield unique glottal postures necessary but likely not conducive for efficient phonation. Conclusions Understanding the three-dimensional geometry of the vocal fold medial surface will help us better understand the cause-effect relationship between laryngeal physiology and phonation. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2016
A Secreted Ankyrin-Repeat Protein from Clinical Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates Disrupts Actin Cytoskeletal Structure

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging, multidrug-resistant pathogen of increasing importance for the immunocompromised, including cystic fibrosis patients. Despite its significance as an emerging pathogen, relatively little is known regarding the specific factors and mechanisms that contribute to its pathogenicity. We identify and characterize a putative ankyrin-repeat protein (Smlt3054) unique to clinical S. maltophilia isolates that binds F-actin in vitro and co-localizes with actin in transfected HEK293a cells. Smlt3054 is endogenously expressed and secreted from clinical S. maltophilia isolates, but not an environmental isolate (R551-3). The in vitro binding of Smlt3054 to F-actin resulted in a thickening of the filaments as observed by TEM. Ectopic expression of Smlt3054–GFP exhibits strong co-localization with F-actin, with distinct, retrograde F-actin waves specifically associated with Smlt3054 in individual cells as well as formation of dense, internal inclusions at the expense of retrograde...
Art Periodicals and Contemporary Art Worlds (Part I): A Historical Exploration

This essay explores the role of art periodicals in art worlds past and present. It examines the histories of Artforum and October within the context of the North American art world of the 1960s and 1970, and contextualizes these publications within a larger field of publishing practices, including self-published Salon pamphlets, little magazines, and artists' periodicals. It explores how the distribution form of the periodical affects the politics of art criticism, and considers how art magazines have served as sites of critical publicity, mediating publics and counterpublics within the art world. It also reflects on the role of magazines and newer online media in the contemporary, globalized art world.
Joint Design of Layered Coding Quantizers to Extract and Exploit Common Information

Multimedia content is required at different quality levels due to heterogeneous network conditions and diverse consumption devices. A conventional scalable coder generates a layered bitstream, wherein a base layer produces a coarse reconstruction, and successive layers refine the quality, incrementally. However most multimedia sources are not successively refinable under their relevant distortion metrics. When a source is not successively refinable, conventional scalable coding introduces a performance penalty, while at the other extreme, independent coding is clearly wasteful in resources. As an alternative, we recently proposed a framework with a relaxed hierarchical structure to separate and transmit information common to different quality levels, along with individual bitstreams for each quality level. This framework offers the exibility to operate at various tradeoff points between conventional scalable coding and independent coding.In this paper we propose a technique to jointly design scalar quantizers acrosslayers of this framework, while focusing on the setting of two quality levels. We need three layers for two quality levels, one common layer sent to both receivers and two individual layers, which refine the common layer to two different required quality levels. We propose an iterative approach for designing the three scalar quantizers, wherein at each iteration one quantizer's intervals are updated to minimize the overall cost function while the others are fixed, and the iterations are repeated until convergence. Given the common layer quantizer intervals, for each of the individual layer, refining quantizers for all the intervals of the common layer are jointly designed to minimize the overall cost function. We also develop (\Lloyd algorithm style") optimal interval update rules for the common layer quantizer that minimizes the overall cost while accounting for the current individual layer quantizers.We provide experimental results for Laplacian sources, as many practical applications, model multimedia sources by the Laplacian distribution. The results clearly demonstrate that, by exploiting the concept of common information, the proposed approach can achieve all intermediate operating points at considerably better performance compared to the convex hull between non-scalable and scalable coding. Also we obtain interesting operating points, with distortions very close to non-scalable coding, but with a 14% reduction in total transmit rate compared to non-scalable coding.
Climatic regulation of the neurotoxin domoic acid

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by certain marine microalgae that can accumulate in the foodweb, posing a health threat to human seafood consumers and wildlife in coastal regions worldwide. Evidence of climatic regulation of domoic acid in shellfish over the past 20 y in the Northern California Current regime is shown. The timing of elevated domoic acid is strongly related to warm phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Oceanic Nino Index, an indicator of El Nino events. Ocean conditions in the northeast Pacific that are associated with warm phases of these indices, including changes in prevailing currents and advection of anomalously warm water masses onto the continental shelf, are hypothesized to contribute to increases in this toxin. We present an applied domoic acid risk assessment model for the US West Coast based on combined climatic and local variables. Evidence of regional- to basin-scale controls on domoic acid has not previously been presented. Our findings have implications in coastal zones worldwide that are affected by this toxin and are particularly relevant given the increased frequency of anomalously warm ocean conditions.
Elevated Red Cell Microparticles (RMP) in Hematologic and Thrombotic Disorders

Introduction. Circulating cell-derived microparticlesa (MP) from platelets (PMP), leukocytes (LMP), and endothelia (EMP) have been well-documented for their roles in hemostasis, thrombosis and inflammation but the clinical significance of RMP is less well understood. The purpose of this study is to study the relation of elevated RMP to selected hematologic and thrombotic disorders. Methods. This is a retrospective study on RMP profiles for patients referred to University of Miami Hospital and Clinics for hematologic consultation over the last 8 years. The patient population includes 51 hemolytic anemia (HA), 459 thrombocytopenia (TP), 26 myeloproliferative disorder (MPD), 413 hypercoagulable state (HCS), and 446 thrombotic disorders (TBS). Some patients were analyzed in more than one of the above disorders. Levels of RMP were measured by flow cytometry with PE-conjugated anti-CD235a labeling as previously described [Thromb. & Haemost., 2013;110:751-60]. Levels of RMP above mean +2SD of controls (> 2,000 counts/mL) are designated as "elevated RMP". Results. (I) Prevalence of elevated RMP in patient populartion: Elevated RMP were found in 31 of 51 HA (60.8%), 138 of 459 TP (30.1%), 20 of 26 MPD (78.1%), 175 of 413 HCS (42.4%), and 251 of 446 TBS (56.3%). (II) Association of elevated RMP with thrombosis: Of 31 HA patients with elevated RMP, 11 were positive for TBS, and the remaining 20 were negative. Levels of RMP (mean ±SD) for TBS(+) and TBS(-) were 5,824 ±3713 and 3,265 ±1,048, counts /mL, respectively (p Discussion. (i) The cause of RMP elevation in HA is reasonably attributed to red cell destruction. The cause in TP/ITP is likely due to products of platelet destruction or leukocyte activation. The cause in MPD could result from clearance of the high burden of red cells and platelets. (ii) Patients who were TBS(+) had higher RMP than TBS(-), seen in HCS, HA, TP, raising the question of whether high RMP is a cause or consequence of TBS. To answer this will require further study. (iii) The finding of exceptionally high RMP levels in recurrent TBS vs. non-recurrent TBS (HCS-3 vs. HC-2) indicates that RMP levels reflect severity of TBS. (iv) Finally, these data indicate that RMP may be a useful biomarker of thrombotic risk, particularly because some TBS patients had elevated RMP, yet tested negative by all conventional markers of HCS workups. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Fine root production and nutrient content in wet and moist arctic tundras as influenced by chronic fertilization

We used ingrowth cores to estimate fine root production in organic soils of wet sedge and moist tundra ecosystems near Toolik Lake on Alaska's North Slope. Root-free soil cores contained in nylon mesh tubes (5 cm diameter, 20–30 cm long) were placed in control and chronically fertilized (N plus P) plots in mid-August 1994 and were retrieved 1 year later. Estimated fine root production in control plots was 75 g m−2 year−1 in wet sedge and 56 g m−2 year−1 in moist tussock tundra. Fine root production in fertilized plots was 85 g m−2 year−1 in wet sedge and 67 g m−2 year−1 in moist tussock tundra. Although our estimates of fine root production were higher on fertilized than control plots, differences were not statistically significant within either tundra type. Comparisons between our estimates of fine root production and other estimates of aboveground (plus rhizome) production on the same (wet sedge tundra) or similar (moist tussock tundra) plots suggest that fine root production was about one-third of total net primary production (NPP) under non-fertilized conditions and about one-fifth of total NPP under chronic fertilization. Fine root N and P concentrations increased with fertilization in both tundra types, but P concentrations increased more than N concentrations in wet sedge tundra, whereas relative increases in N and P concentrations in moist tundra roots were similar. These data are consistent with other studies suggesting that NPP in wet sedge tundra is often P limited and that co-limitation by N and P is more important in moist tussock tundra.
Scaling of wind energy variability over space and time

Abstract We use a large data set of simulated wind energy production in the United States to quantify the geographic and temporal scaling of energy output variability reduction when multiple sites are aggregated. We add to the existing literature on “geographic smoothing” by (i) quantifying the scaling of geographic smoothing over multiple spatial and temporal scales; (ii) bounding such smoothing through the use of an algorithm that produces minimum-variance sets of wind energy production sites; and (iii) quantifying inherent tradeoffs in optimizing wind energy site selection to minimize output variability along a specific frequency. The number of wind farms required to minimize output variability increases linearly with spatial scale of aggregation, but the scaling factor is small, on the order of 10 - 6 relative to geographic distances. These scaling factors increase by a factor of two as the frequency considered increases by three orders of magnitude (minutes to months). Our analysis indicates that optimizing wind deployment over one particular frequency increases output variability over other frequencies by nearly 30% in some cases.
Time, Space, God’s Omniscience, and Free Will

As you might expect, there are those who look at a question like the one above as an opportunity for some jest. One such wit answered it with “Time is just one damn thing after another,” and another (perhaps the same person) thought “Time is what keeps everything from happening at once.” Amusing, sure, but we’ll try for something just a little bit deeper than that in this chapter!
The Role of PET/MR Imaging in Precision Medicine

Fluorodeoxyglucose PET and PET/computed tomography have gained acceptance in the evaluation of disease. Nontargeted tracers have been used in the diagnosis of certain malignancies but may not be sensitive or specific enough to become standard of care. Newer targeted PET tracers have been developed that target disease-specific biomarkers, and allow accurate and sensitive detection of disease. Combined with the capabilities of MR imaging to evaluate soft tissue, precision imaging with PET/MR imaging can change the diagnosis. This article discusses specific areas in which precision imaging with nontargeted and targeted diagnostic agents can change the diagnosis and treatment.
Predicting frequent emergency department use among children with epilepsy: A retrospective cohort study using electronic health data from 2 centers.

OBJECTIVE Among children with epilepsy, to develop and evaluate a model to predict emergency department (ED) use, an indicator of poor disease control and/or poor access to care. METHODS We used electronic health record data from 2013 to predict ED use in 2014 at 2 centers, benchmarking predictive performance against machine learning algorithms. We evaluated algorithms by calculating the expected yearly ED visits among the 5% highest risk individuals. We estimated the breakeven cost per patient per year for an intervention that reduced ED visits by 10%. We estimated uncertainty via cross-validation and bootstrapping. RESULTS Bivariate analyses showed multiple potential predictors of ED use (demographics, social determinants of health, comorbidities, insurance, disease severity, and prior health care utilization). A 3-variable model (prior ED use, insurance, number of antiepileptic drugs [AEDs]) performed as well as the best machine learning algorithm at one center (N = 2730; ED visits among top 5% highest risk, 3-variable model, mean = 2.9, interquartile range [IQR] = 2.7-3.1 vs Random Forest, mean = 2.9, IQR = 2.7-3.1), and superior at the second (N = 784; mean = 2.5, IQR = 2.2-2.9 vs mean = 1.9, IQR = 1.6-2.5). The per-patient-per-year breakeven point using this model to identify high-risk individuals was $958 (95% confidence interval [CI] = $568-$1390) at one center and $1086 (95% CI = $886-$1320) at the second. SIGNIFICANCE Prior ED use, insurance status, and number of AEDs, taken together, predict future ED use for children with epilepsy. Our estimates suggest a program targeting high-risk children with epilepsy that reduced ED visits by 10% could spend approximately $1000 per patient per year and break even. Further work is indicated to develop and evaluate such programs.
Travelling Waves in Axisymmetric Convection

The interaction of time-dependence and spatial patterns can lead to a rich variety of interesting phenomena. In the particular case of Rayleigh-Benard convection in a cylindrical container, axisymmetric travelling waves have been predicted from theories of wavelength selection (Pomeau and Manneville, 1981), but have eluded experimental observation. Here we describe observations of such travelling waves in numerical simulations of the full Boussinesq equations, using a time-dependent code which has additional capabilities for linear stability analysis and steady-state continuation (Tuckerman 1989).
Variable Negative Stiffness Device for Seismic Protection of Building Structures through Apparent Weakening

AbstractIn the present work, the variable negative stiffness device (VNSD) is presented for seismic protection through apparent weakening. Equations relating the force-displacement behavior for two...
Monoclonal Antibodies Against Human Ejaculated Sperm-Application in Antibody Mediated Infertility

Antisperm antibodies occur commonly in the circulation of vasectomized males, in couples with idiopathic infertility and in animals hyper-immunized with human sperm. Many of these polyclonal antisperm antibodies are capable of inhibiting sperm function in vivo as well as in in vitro bioassays such as sperm fusion with the zona-free hamster egg. We are developing monoclonal antisperm antibodies (MASA) with the objective of defining a subset of surface antigens that are critical to sperm function and therefore could be involved in human infertility. Sperm membranes, employed as immunogens, were isolated from washed ejaculated sperm following nitrogen cavitation and repeated centrifuga-tion. Spleen cells from immunized BALB/c mice were fused with HAT-sensitive myeloma cells (SP2/0-Agl4) and antisperm antibody activity was detected in the resultant hybridoma supernatants by a solid phase RIA using washed, intact sperm as the antigen source. Thirteen positive clones have been isolated, 6 producing immunoglobulins of the mu class and 7 of the gamma class. Characterization of several of these MASAs as to antibody and antigen concentration dependency in the RIA indicates that their behavior is highly individualistic. These MASAs are species but not tissue specific. MASA binding to human sperm has been localized to distinct surface domains by indirect immunofluoresence.
Empirical Evaluation of Virtual Human Conversational and Affective Animations on Visual Attention in Inter-Personal Simulations

Creating realistic animations of virtual humans remains comparatively complex and expensive. This research explores the degree to which animation fidelity affects users' gaze behavior when interacting in virtual reality training simulations that include virtual humans. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, wherein the virtual patient either: 1) was not animated; 2) played idle animations; or 3) played idle animations, looked at the participant when speaking, and lip-synced speech and facial gestures when conversing with the participant. Each participant's gaze was recorded in an inter-personal interactive patient surveillance simulation. Results suggest that conversational and passive animations elicited visual attention in a similar manner, as compared to the no animation condition. Results also suggest that when participants face critical situations in inter-personal medical simulations, visual attention towards the virtual human decreases while gaze towards goal directed activities increases.
Microbial Ecology of the Bivalvia, with an Emphasis on the Family Ostreidae

Rapid improvements in the technology used to assess microbial communities have led to an expansion of the breadth and scope of microbial ecology research over the past 20 y. The rapid increase in microbiome research, spurred by nextgeneration amplicon sequencing, has allowed researchers to characterize the microbial communities of organisms and environments which were previously poorly understood. Research on marine invertebrates is still developing, with the mechanisms that determine interactions between the host and their associated microbes largely unknown. Bivalves are of particular interest because of their crucial ecological and economic roles. With the anticipation of shifting environmental conditions, defining the natural variation and role of bivalve-associated microbes is vital to more complex research questions. The current knowledge of the spatial and temporal distributions of bivalve-associated microbes, microbial functional and genetic diversity, host-specific and tissue-specific interactions, and core microbial community composition is summarized here, as well as the beginning stages of understanding the role of microbiome in bivalve physiology and disease susceptibility.
Design and development of three matrix models of administrative structures of international education in land-grant universities

The purpose of the study was to investigate the mission of teaching/ research and service in the matrix organizational structure of international education in six selected land-grant universities. The study included a synthesis of the historical academic activities of international education, the applicable theory of organizational structure and the characteristics of the university organization as a matrix perspective of the principles and practice of international education in the United States. The universities selected for this study have designated administrators responsible for coordinating international education. They have visible international offices with defined responsibilities in their structure. These universities were Oregon State, Washington State, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Tftiiversity of Idaho and Oiiversity of Nebraska. They were representative of the identified criteria; however, they did not constitute a representative sample of international education structure as private and parochial colleges were not sampled. The study analyzed the original documentation provided through the institutional mission or other supplied documents. A matrix instrument was developed for collecting the research data. This instrument was ccEcrised of three university missions, ten elsnents for each of the docains, and four hundred fifty-eight taxonomies of international education.
Grain Boundaries in Metallic Materials

The nature, characteristics, and properties of grain boundaries in different types of metallic materials are discussed, covering metals and intermetallics with normal grain sizes of ≥ 1 μm and also those with ultrafine grain sizes in the range of 5–20 nm. The effect that grain boundaries can have as sinks for vacancies is presented. Further, the importance of grain boundary solute segregation, its effect on mechanical behavior, and methods to minimize adverse effects are also discussed. Recent controversies regarding the differences in the nature of grain boundaries between nanocrystals and conventional materials are highlighted.
Animal Models of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a pathological process which primarily occurs in large conduit arteries. There are focal accumulations of; cells within the intima of the artery, both intra- and extra-cellular lipids, fibrous connective tissue, complex proteoglycans, minerals, blood and blood products. As the disease progresses necrosis often occurs, especially at the base of the lesion, along with damage to the media of the vessel, ulceration and eventually thrombosis.1 The disease is thought to occur when the influx and deposition of cholesterol into the wall exceeds the elimination from the wall, i.e. the process is continuous and dynamic The cholesterol that is deposited seems to be derived from specific types of plasma lipoproteins. The mechanism(s) of deposition probably involve oxysterol metabolism as well. Other types of plasma lipoproteins may be able to participate in the elimination processes which mobilize cholesterol from the arterial cells and transport it to the liver for elimination.2
Opioid-related hospitalizations in Pennsylvania: A latent class analysis.

Abstract Background Opioid abuse is associated with substantial morbidity and often results in hospitalization. Despite this, patient-level factors associated with opioid-related hospitalizations are not well understood. Methods We used the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council dataset (2000–2014) to identify opioid-related hospitalizations using primary and/or secondary ICD-9-CM hospital discharge codes for opioid use disorder (OUD), opioid poisoning, and heroin poisoning. Latent class analyses (LCA) of patient-level factors including sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy, alcohol, tobacco, other substance use, and psychiatric disorders were used to identify common patterns within hospitalizations. Results Among 28,538,499 hospitalizations, 430,569 (1.5%) were opioid-related. LCA identified five latent class (LC) patient groups associated with opioid-related hospitalizations: pregnant women with OUD (LC1); women over 65 with opioid overdose (LC2); OUD, polysubstance use and co-occurring psychiatric disorders (LC3); patients with opioid overdose without co-occurring polysubstance use (LC4); and African American patients with OUD and co-occurring cocaine use (LC5). LC3 was the largest latent class (58.2%) with annual hospitalizations doubling over time. Discussion Among patients with opioid-related discharges, we identified five subpopulations among this sample. These findings suggest increased outpatient OUD treatment, mental health service support for patients with co-occurring psychiatric disorders and polysubstance use to prevent overdose and hospitalization.
The Florida Sleeve Procedure Is Durable and Improves Aortic Valve Function.

Background The Florida (FL) Sleeve procedure was introduced as a simplified approach for valve-sparing correction of functional Type I aortic insufficiency (AI) associated with aortic root aneurysms. In this study, short- and long-term outcomes after the FL Sleeve procedure were investigated. Methods From May 2002 to January 2016, 177 patients underwent the FL Sleeve procedure. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, and degree of AI (none = 0, minimal = 1, mild = 2, moderate = 3, severe = 4) were evaluated by echocardiography. Results Mean ± standard deviation of age was 49.41 ± 15.37 years. Survival rate was 98% at 1 year, 97% at 5 years, and 93% at 8 years. Freedom from reoperation was 99% at 1 year and 98% at 2 to 8 years. Three patients (1.69%) died during hospitalization. Three patients (1.69%) developed periprocedural stroke. Postoperative follow-up echocardiography was available in 140 patients at 30 days, and 31 patients at 5 years. AI grade significantly improved from baseline at 30 days (2.18 ± 1.26 vs. 1.1 ± 0.93, p Conclusions The FL Sleeve procedure is a safe, effective, and durable treatment of aortic root aneurysm and Type I AI. Long-term survival and freedom from reoperation rates are encouraging.
Validating a Human Performance Model Without a Complete System

Human performance modeling (HPM) has been effective for determining crew designs. Crew design includes determining the number of operators needed, the role of automation, and member task responsibilities required to operate a system. Crew models are built for target systems under development to better inform the design and the needs of each operator’s user interface. This is a Verification and Validation (V&V) challenge—it is difficult to obtain metrics to validate a model when the completed system does not yet exist for obtaining sample measures. This paper addresses the challenge with an implementation of the V&V approach applying it to an HPM that successfully received V&V Accreditation for a large United States Air Force (USAF) command and control system. This paper then compares the results of the validated model with NASA TLX workload metrics and discusses the V&V effectiveness. Finally, it recommends better methods for V&V for human performance models.
Developing a Geologic Outreach Program.

A geologic outreach program was initiated within the Geology/Geography Department of Eastern Illinois University to deliver geologic demonstrations and activities presented by undergraduates to are...
SpiderWeb - High Performance FPGA NoC

In this paper we introduce SpiderWeb, a new methodology for building high speed soft networks on FPGAs. There are many reasons why greater internal bandwidth is an increasingly important issue for FPGAs. Compute density is rapidly growing on FGPA, from historical precisions such as single precision floating point, to the massive parallel low precision operations required by machine learning inference. It is difficult for current FPGA fabrics, with designs developed using standard methods and tool flows, to provide a reliable way of generating wide and/or high speed data distribution busses. In contrast, SpiderWeb uses a specific NoC generation methodology which provides a predictable area and performance for these structures, with area and speed accurately known before compile time. The generated NoCs can be incorporated into large, complex designs, implemented with standard design flows, without compromising routability of the system.
Estimating Sparse Discrete Distributions Under Local Privacy and Communication Constraints

We consider the problem of estimating sparse discrete distributions under local differential privacy (LDP) and communication constraints. We characterize the sample complexity for sparse estimation under LDP constraints up to a constant factor and the sample complexity under communication constraints up to a logarithmic factor. Our upper bounds under LDP are based on the Hadamard Response, a private coin scheme that requires only one bit of communication per user. Under communication constraints, we propose public coin schemes based on random hashing functions. Our tight lower bounds are based on the recently proposed method of chi squared contractions.
The challenges in recycling post-consumer polyolefins for food contact applications: A review

Abstract The use of post-consumer polyolefins is increasing due to the pledges of multiple organizations to use higher concentrations of recycled materials in packaging. However, direct food contact applications are challenging with various regulations around the world mandating minimum safety requirements, which is often determined by the condition of use (microwave, cold storage) and food type (fatty, aqueous, dry). This article reviews different predictive models that have been developed to study contaminant migration from packaging to food contact articles. It also examines multiple techniques and methods that have been employed to quantify and assess to the safety of recycled materials (e.g., United States and Europe) which serve as a base for the regulatory framework for many other countries. The presence of different contaminants during polymer processing is also discussed due to potential problems from the presence of harmful compounds affecting human health or degradation of material properties.
Unraveling the Neural Mechanisms Underlying the GnRH Pulse Generator: An Update

Abstract The discovery of episodic LH secretion in 1970 initiated considerable effort by reproductive neuroendocrinologists to understand the neural mechanisms underlying the synchronous release of GnRH that drives pulsatile LH secretion. Our previous chapter reviewed the history of these efforts and considered a new model for the GnRH pulse generator based on KNDy neurons in the arcuate nucleus that contain k isspeptin, n eurokinin B, and d ynorphin. In this update of that chapter, we retain the original historical material and discuss recent experimental tests of the roles of these peptides. Based on these studies, we propose a modified model for the GnRH pulse generator in ruminants and rodents, the core of which is comprised of KNDy neurons, and discuss whether this model is applicable to humans and other primates.
Internationalization and the capital structure of firms in emerging markets: Evidence from Latin America before and after the financial crisis

Abstract This study examines the impact of internationalization on the capital structure of firms in emerging markets before and after the financial crisis of 2008, with evidence from five countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru). We find that before the financial crisis, Latin American MNCs are characterized by lower debt levels than purely domestic firms. However, after the financial crisis, we find that the MNCs are characterized by higher debt levels. This finding suggests that after the financial crisis, the Latin American MNCs (like many firms) may be taking advantage of their access to low interest rates in the global capital markets.
Precision Cancer Medicine: Dynamic Learning of Cancer Biology in a Clinically Meaningful Context.

Precision medicine is revolutionizing healthcare practices, most notably in oncology. With cancer being the second leading cause of death in the USA, it is important to integrate precision oncology content in undergraduate medical education. In 2015, we launched a Clinical Cancer Medicine Integrated Science Course (ISC) for post-clerkship medical students at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM). In this ISC, students learned cancer biology and clinical oncology concepts through a combination of classroom and patient care activities. Student feedback from mid- and end-of-course surveys and student match data were analyzed and used to develop ongoing course improvements. To date, 72 medical students have taken the Clinical Cancer Medicine ISC. Over 90% of students who completed end-of-course surveys agreed or strongly agreed that this course advanced their foundational science knowledge in clinical cancer medicine, that clinical relevance was provided during non-clinical foundational science learning activities, and that foundational science learning was embedded in course clinical experiences. Students who took this course most commonly matched in Internal Medicine, Pathology, Pediatrics, and Radiation Oncology. VUSM students who matched into Pathology and Radiation Oncology were more likely to take this ISC than students who matched in other specialties. The Clinical Cancer Medicine ISC serves as a model for incorporating precision oncology, cancer biology foundational science, and oncology patient care activities in undergraduate medical education. The course prepares students to care for oncology patients in their fields of interests during their future career in medicine.