cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prime, Boost, and Broaden

The need to produce an effective seasonal flu vaccine every year, coupled with the recent H1N1 influenza virus pandemic, underscores the importance of developing a universal flu vaccine. However, a major obstacle is the ability of the virus to evade the immune system, accumulating mutations that allow it to avoid recognition by neutralizing antibodies. The continual evolution of such mutations results in an ever-changing variety of circulating virus strains that ultimately render a vaccine ineffective. Each year, components of the seasonal flu vaccine are altered in the hope of matching these to virus strains that will evolve and circulate in humans in the months to come ( 1 ). This results in vaccines with variable efficacy—as recently as the 2007/2008 flu season, the seasonal vaccine was a poor match for circulating strains and afforded little protection from infection. In addition to mutations, entirely new viral proteins can be introduced into human viruses from the large reservoir of avian influenza strains. Thus, it is evident that a vaccine capable of eliciting antibodies that neutralize a much broader array of virus strains is needed. On page 1060 of this issue, Wei et al. ( 2 ) suggest that changing the way in which influenza virus vaccines are delivered, rather than the vaccine components themselves, may elicit antibodies that could confer protection from diverse viruses for years.
Systemic plasma levels of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) reflect brachial flow-mediated dilation responses in young men and women.

SUMMARY 1 The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between plasma levels of nitrite/nitrite (NOx) and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in healthy young men and women. 2 Brachial artery FMD was assessed non-invasively using high-resolution ultrasound in 36 young men and women (21 ± 3 years; 18 men and 18 women). Blood samples for NOx assays were collected from an indwelling venous catheter in the forearm following an overnight fast and a 36 h low-nitrate diet. 3 Plasma levels of NOx were related to peak brachial FMD% (r = 0.53; P = 0.001). The relationship was maintained when the brachial dilation was expressed as absolute diameter change (Δmm; r = 0.51; P = 0.002) and when it was normalized (/s) to the mean shear rate (r = 0.50; P = 0.002). 4 The present study demonstrates a relationship between peak FMD in the brachial artery and plasma levels of NOx in young men and women. This relationship suggests that brachial FMD and/or plasma NOx may be used as markers of peripheral endothelial function.
Clarity for Stakeholders: Empirical Evaluation of ScenarioML, Use Cases, and Sequence Diagrams

We studied the clarity of three requirements forms, operationalized as ease of problem detection, freedom from obstructions to understanding, and understandability by a variety of stakeholders. A set of use cases for an industrial system was translated into ScenarioML scenarios and into sequence diagrams; problems identified during each translation were noted; and all three forms were presented to a range of system stakeholders, who were nterviewed before and after performing tasks using the forms. The data was analyzed, and convergent results were triangulated across data sources and methods. The data indicated that ScenarioML scenarios best support requirements clarity, then sequence diagrams but only for stakeholders experienced with them, and finally use cases as the least clear form.
Regulation and function of the two-pore-domain (K2P) potassium channel Trek-1 in alveolar epithelial cells

Hyperoxia can lead to a myriad of deleterious effects in the lung including epithelial damage and diffuse inflammation. The specific mechanisms by which hyperoxia promotes these pathological change...
Brain MRI abnormalities exist in a subset of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Presence of MRI brain abnormalities in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was determined and the profile of MRI abnormalities was compared between 39 CFS patients, 18 with (CFS-Psych) and 21 without (CFS-No Psych) a DSM-III-R Axis I psychiatric diagnosis since illness onset, and 19 healthy, sedentary controls (HC). Two neuroradiologists, blind to group membership, separately read the MR films using a detailed protocol for rating and categorizing abnormal signal changes. When findings were incongruent, the two neuroradiologists met to try to reach consensus, otherwise a third neuroradiologist evaluated the MR images and served as a tie-breaker. The CFS-No Psych group showed a significantly larger number of brain abnormalities on T2 weighted images than the CFS-Psych and HC groups. Cerebral changes in the CFS-No Psych group consisted mostly of small, punctate, subcortical white matter hyperintensities, found predominantly in the frontal lobes. No significant difference was found when both CFS groups were combined and compared to the HC group. The use of stratification techniques is an important strategy in understanding the pathophysiology of CFS. This frontal lobe pathology could explain the more severe cognitive impairment previously reported in this subset of CFS patients.
A millimeter-wave fully differential transformer-based passive reflective-type phase shifter

This paper presents a millimeter-wave fully differential compact transformer-based passive reflective-type phase shifter (RTPS). The proposed RTPS design employs two transformer-based 90° couplers and two transformer-based multi-resonance reflective loads, offering low-loss and an ultra-compact chip size. A proof-of-concept design at 62GHz is implemented in a standard 130nm BiCMOS process with a core area of 480μm-by-340μm. It achieves a wide phase shifting range (up to 367°) and a low insertion loss (IL) (3.7dB<|IL|<10.2dB) at 62GHz. It also performs phase shifting with a constant insertion loss at a loss variation of less than 0.7dB. Full-span 360° phase interpolation is achieved from 58GHz to 64GHz with a worst-case minimum IL of 10.72dB. Compared with the reported 60GHz RTPS integrated in silicon, our design is the first to achieve a full-span 360° phase shift, has the lowest IL and the smallest IL variation, and presents the best figure-of-merit (FoM) of 36.26°/dB.
Introduction to Biomolecules

The complexity of even the simplest of life forms, the single cell, cannot be overstated. Nevertheless, from a chemical perspective, cellular components can be segregated into macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, etc.), relatively simple molecules (amino acids, monosaccharides, and lipids), and their precursors: CO2, H2O, and NH3. In general, the macromolecules tend to be polymers of small biomolecules; however, each of these molecules, whether simple or complex, is involved in a myriad of intricate metabolic reactions. A case in point is the monosaccharide glucose which is synthesized from H2O and CO2. When degraded to its precursors, it provides the cell with its energy requirements for such diverse processes as macroscopic movement as well as the synthesis of complex macromolecules. In addition, glucose is the fundamental building block of macromolecules such as starch and cellulose. This basic theme, in which the cell uses a simple small molecule in a multitude of processes, is typical of how relatively small biomolecules are used in living systems.
Geochemical and petrographic alteration of rapidly heated coals from the herrin (no. 6) coal seam, Illinois Basin

Abstract Coals altered by rapid heating events (i.e., those intruded by dikes and sills) are thought to follow a different geochemical maturation pathway than coals altered through diagenesis. If an igneous intrusion alters the petrographic and geochemical properties of a coal, the effect should also be observable in the coal's molecular structure. In this study, we evaluate whether coals altered by rapid heating follow distinct maturation trends from coals that were altered by slower heating (burial maturation). Petrographic, geochemical, and micro-FTIR analyses were performed on a series of Pennsylvanian Illinois Basin coal samples, collected at various distances from a Permian igneous dike. Standard coal characterization techniques including vitrinite reflectance and proximate and ultimate analyses provide valuable insights on the maturation pathways experienced by rapidly heated coals. These techniques were coupled with reflectance micro-FTIR to provide a better understanding of the molecular changes that occur in the coal structure during relatively short-lived, intensive heating events. With decreasing distance to the intrusion, coals have higher mean random vitrinite reflectance values (Rr) within the dike alteration zone. Coking textures similar to those observed in industrial cokes are observed within 2 m of the intrusion. Geochemical data for HCl-treated coals indicate an overall loss of H, O, and N and an increase in C approaching the dike. Intruded coals have higher volatile matter (VM) yields at high rank than coals of similar rank that result from normal burial maturation. When plotted on a van Krevelen diagram or Seyler chart, intruded coals follow different coalification trends than coals matured through normal burial diagenesis. Reflectance micro-FTIR analysis of collotelinite shows increased aromaticity with rank: both the ratio of the aromatic CH stretching band at ~ 3100–3000 cm− 1 versus the aliphatic CHx stretching bands between 3000 and 2800 cm− 1 (AR1), and the ratio of the aromatic out-of-plane deformation bands between ~ 900–700 cm− 1 versus the aliphatic CHx band (AR2) increase with increasing Rr. Within the 3000–2800 cm− 1 region, there is an increase in the area under the asymmetric CH3 peak at ~ 2960 cm− 1 relative to the asymmetric CH2 peak at ~ 2920 cm− 1 with increased rank. Within the 900–700 cm− 1 region, the overall intensity of the ~ 750 cm− 1 peak (aromatic rings with four adjacent H atoms) relative to the ~ 870 cm− 1 peak (aromatic rings with one isolated H atom) increases up to 2.5% Rr, likely reflecting a lower degree of substitution (DOS) of alkyl groups on aromatic ring sites. The prevalence of the 750 cm− 1 peak at high rank may represent a lower degree of condensation of aromatic rings in the structure of intruded coals compared to normally matured coals.
Intraductal Injection into the Mouse Mammary Gland

The mammary epithelium is continuous with the skin through a teat canal leading to a single primary duct in the mouse. Using fire-polished micropipettes 60 to 75 μm in diameter, it is possible to inject any desired substance directly through the teat into the lumen of the mammary gland. If the primary duct of the gland is exposed surgically, hypodermic needles can also be used for injection. Both techniques can be used to investigate the state of tight junctions in the mammary gland by examining transepithelial movement of radioactive sugars or fluorescent-labeled proteins. The intraductal or up-the-teat injection of adenoviral and plasmid vectors provides a convenient means of altering gene expression in the luminal epithelium. Finally, injected fluorescent probes as well as adenovirus-transduced green fluorescent protein can be directly visualized in the mammary gland in the living mouse by using confocal microscopy.
Effects of supplemental protein source on ruminal fermentation, protein degradation, and amino acid absorption in steers and on growth and feed efficiency in steers and heifers

In Exp. 1, four Holstein steers with cannulas in the rumen, abomasum and terminal ileum were used to determine the effects of 1) soybean meal (SBM), 2) heated SBM (HSBM), 3) corn gluten meal (CGM), or 4) a combination of HSBM and CGM (COMBO) as protein supplements on ruminal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and intestinal amino acid flows and absorption. In Exp. 2, 24 Holstein steers and 16 Holstein heifers were used in a 56-d growth trial to study the effects of these protein supplements on growth, feed efficiency, and apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, and fiber components. Increasing undegradable intake protein (UIP) in diets with HSBM, CGM, and COMBO decreased ruminal fluid ammonia N concentrations (P < .05) and ruminal DM and OM digestion (P < .05) and increased flow to the abomasum and absorption from the small intestine of CP (P < .05), total amino acids (P < .05), and total essential amino acids (P < .01). Increasing UIP increased bacterial and nonbacterial CP and amino acids flowing to the abomasum (P < .05). However, UIP supplementation did not affect DMI, ADG, or feed efficiency in steers or heifers (P < .05).
Opossums (Didelphidae) and Bats (Noctilionidae and Molossidae) from the Late Miocene of the Amazon Basin

Fossil mammalian teeth recovered in sedimentary beds along the Rio Acre in western Amazonia include at least two kinds of Didelphidae (genera and species indeterminate) and the second Tertiary record for the Neotropical family Noctilionidae. The specimens form a part of the Rio Acre local fauna, probably representing the Huayquerian land-mammal age (ca. 9-5 X 10 6 years ago). The fossil bat from the Rio Acre is a single tooth that is smaller than the equivalent tooth in either of the two extant species of Noctilionidae and represents a new species of Noctilio, named herein. A second fossil bat was found ca. 120 km from the first along the Rio Purus. It is a molossid of indeterminate genus and species. These are the first Tertiary fossils of bats from the Amazon River Basin and the only South American fossil bats from ca. 12-1 X 10 6 years ago.
Case Research in Marketing: Opportunities, Problems, and a Process

The author discusses methods used in other social sciences and in marketing in terms of two key criteria defining “good research.” It is argued that the simultaneous research desiderata of data int...
Building a Quality Management Plan into Your Clinical Research Program

E nsuring the accuracy and quality of clinical research data can be challenging, and the importance of a comprehensive quality management (QM) program is often overlooked in the conduct of clinical research. A QM program can save time and resources by ensuring errors that might otherwise go
OUTSIDER ART: FROM THE MARGINS TO THE CENTER?

O mundo das belas artes encenado pelo monarca absoluto Luis XIV serviu como modelo para muitas outras nacoes ao estabelecer a hierarquia de generos e regras da arte que orientaram as demandas dos mecenas e os criterios de qualidade por pelo menos dois seculos. Esta estrutura cultural foi a base para a educacao de artistas aspirantes e alimentou o gosto de sucessivas geracoes de clientes. Porem sua centralidade foi crescentemente desafiada pelas forcas modernizadoras que acompanharam transformacoes economicas, politicas e sociais. Uma unica hierarquia tornou-se inadequada para a multiplicacao dos grupos desejosos de status. Novas instituicoes acolheram formas diversas e exibiram-nas em locais pouco usuais. O sistema academico baseado em um unico padrao cedeu lugar a reavaliacao dos mais marginais de todos os criadores, ao naif, ao nao ocidental, ao louco. A visao estreita do salon foi sucedida pela bienal global.
Differential Effects of Personal-Level vs Group-Level Racial Discrimination on Health among Black Americans.

Objective: Racial/ethnic minorities in the United States not only experience discrimination personally but also witness or hear about fellow in-group members experiencing discrimination (ie, group-level discrimination). The objective of our study was to examine whether the effects of group-level discrimination on mental and physical health are different from those of personal level discrimination among Black Americans by drawing upon social psychology research of the Personal/Group Discrimination Discrepancy. Design and Setting: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from a larger study. Participants: One hundred and twenty participants, who self-identified as Black/ African Americans during the laboratory sessions (57.5% women, mean age = 48.97, standard deviation = 8.58) in the parent study, were included in our analyses. Main Predictor Measures: Perceived personal- level discrimination was assessed with five items that were taken from two existing measures, and group-level racial discrimination was assessed with three items. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported physical and mental health were assessed with a modified version of SF-8. Results: Perceived personal-level racial discrimination was associated with worse mental health. In contrast, perceived group-level racial discrimination was associated with better mental as well as physical health. Conclusions: Perceived group-level racial discrimination may serve as one of several health protective factors even when individuals perceive personal-level racial discrimination. The present findings demonstrate the importance of examining both personal- and group-level experiences of racial discrimination as they independently relate to health outcomes for Black Americans. Ethn Dis. 2016;26:453-460; doi:10.18865/ ed.26.3.453
Female Voices of Resistance in Neus Català’s de la Resistencia y la Deportación: The Triumph of Life, Dignity, and Solidarity during the Holocaust

In The Origins of Totalitarianism, completed in 1949 and published in 1951, Hannah Arendt recalls a joke that came about after the conclusion of the Second World War: “An anti-Semite claimed that the Jews had caused the war; the reply was: Yes, the Jews and the bicyclists. Why the bicyclists? asks the one. Why the Jews? asks the other” (Arendt 5). The joke documented by Arendt highlights the irrationality inherent in totalitarianism. In fact, we could state that the selection of the victim is arbitrary and absurd. The comedic example utilized by Arendt in no way makes light of the massacre of millions of human beings; rather, as the author claims, “The theory that the Jews are always the scapegoat implies that the scapegoat might have been anyone else as well. It upholds the perfect innocence of the victim” (Arendt 5).
Orientation-dependent acceleration sensitivity of silicon-based MEMS resonators

In this paper, the effect of crystalline orientation on acceleration sensitivity of silicon-based microelectromechanical resonators is investigated for the first time. In addition, the correlation between the nonlinearity of the resonators and the corresponding acceleration sensitivity is experimentally demonstrated. For this purpose, thin-film piezoelectric-on-substrate (TPOS) resonators are fabricated aligned to three different crystalline orientations: , , and 5 degree off on the same highly-doped n-type silicon wafer. Based on our measurement results, both the amplitude-frequency nonlinear behavior and acceleration sensitivity of the resonators decrease as the resonators are rotated from toward . The average acceleration sensitivity measured for the resonator aligned to the plane is ∼4×10−1° which is two orders of magnitude lower than the recorded sensitivity for the device aligned to the plane (∼4.4×10−8).
Distinct effects of obesity and puberty on risk and age at onset of pediatric MS

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the relative contributions of body mass index (BMI) and pubertal measures for risk and age of onset of pediatric MS. Methods Case–control study of 254 (63% female) MS cases (onset<18 years of age) and 420 (49% female) controls conducted at 14 U.S. Pediatric MS Centers. Sex- and age-stratified BMI percentiles were calculated using CDC growth charts from height and weight measured at enrollment for controls, and within 1 year of onset for MS cases. Sex-stratified associations between MS risk and age at symptom onset with both BMI and pubertal factors were estimated controlling for race and ethnicity. Results Only 11% of girls and 15% of boys were prepubertal (Tanner stage I) at MS onset. 80% of girls had onset of MS after menarche. BMI percentiles were higher in MS cases versus controls (girls: P < 0.001; boys: P = 0.018). BMI was associated with odds of MS in multivariate models in postpubertal girls (OR = 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 2.27, P = 0.009) and boys (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.88, P = 0.011). In girls with MS onset after menarche, higher BMI was associated with younger age at first symptoms (P = 0.031). Younger menarche was associated with stronger effects of BMI through mediation and interaction analysis. In pubertal/postpubertal boys, 89% of whom were obese/overweight, earlier sexual maturity was associated with earlier onset of MS (P < 0.001). Interpretation Higher BMI in early adolescence is a risk factor for MS in girls and boys. Earlier age at sexual maturity contributes to earlier age at MS onset, particularly in association with obesity.
Tamoxifen Isomers and Metabolites Exhibit Distinct Affinity and Activity at Cannabinoid Receptors: Potential Scaffold for Drug Development

Tamoxifen (Tam) is a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator (SERM) that is an essential drug to treat ER-positive breast cancer. Aside from known actions at ERs, recent studies have suggested that some SERMs like Tam also exhibit novel activity at cannabinoid subtype 1 and 2 receptors (CB1R and CB2Rs). Interestingly, cis- (E-Tam) and trans- (Z-Tam) isomers of Tam exhibit over a 100-fold difference in affinity for ERs. Therefore, the current study assessed individual isomers of Tam and subsequent cytochrome P450 metabolic products, 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT) and 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyl tamoxifen (End) for affinity and activity at CBRs. Results showed that Z-4OHT, but not Z-Tam or Z-End, exhibits higher affinity for both CB1 and CB2Rs relative to the E-isomer. Furthermore, Z- and E-isomers of Tam and 4OHT show slightly higher affinity for CB2Rs, while both End isomers are relatively CB1R-selective. When functional activity was assessed by G-protein activation and regulation of the downstream effector adenylyl cyclase, all isomers examined act as full CB1 and CB2R inverse agonists. Interestingly, Z-Tam appears to be more efficacious than the full inverse agonist AM630 at CB2Rs, while both Z-Tam and Z-End exhibit characteristics of insurmountable antagonism at CB1 and CB2Rs, respectively. Collectively, these results suggest that the SERMs Tam, 4OHT and End elicit ER-independent actions via CBRs in an isomer-specific manner. As such, this novel structural scaffold might be used to develop therapeutically useful drugs for treatment of a variety of diseases mediated via CBRs.
Machiavellian flexibility in negative mate retention

Among the Dark Triad traits (psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism), Machiavellianism is uniquely associated with flexibility. This flexibility should result in the use of aggressive short-term tactics only when they do not interfere with long-term goals. Study 1 found that individuals high in Machiavellianism differed from those high in psychopathy with respect to retrospective accounts of negative mate retention tactics. Study 2 found an interaction between Machiavellianism and relationship type such that individuals high in Machiavellianism tempered the use of negative tactics for long-term (but not short-term) relationships. The findings highlight the flexibility of the Machiavellianism construct and its relevance to mating strategies among the Dark Triad.
Spectrum utility driven WiFi offloading over NOMA-based cellular network edges

We propose a spectrum utility based WiFi offloading scheme on the edge of cellular networks, implemented with non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) techniques. In our proposed scheme, we aim to optimize the spectrum utility, obtained by service providers, through power allocation and offloading ratio. With practical constructions of the cost functions on spectrum, we define the spectrum utility mathematically, and then formulate the problem by considering relevant resource constraints and quality of service (QoS) requirements. To solve the formulated problem, we first employ the Dinkelbach's parametric approach to transform. Then, we decompose the optimization with a sub-optimal manner into two subproblems, i.e., AP-subproblem and BS-subproblem. Applying the convex optimization method and greedy algorithm to AP-subproblem, we effectively obtain power allocations for WiFi AP, and acquire the solution of offloading ratio. Through discussion on BS-subproblem, we then have power allocations for cellular BS. The simulation results finally validate our theoretical analysis, and evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed offloading scheme.
Beneficial Uses of Isotopes

This chapter reviews the beneficial uses of isotopes. Many important economic and social benefits are derived from the use of isotopes and radiation. The discoveries of modern nuclear physics have led to new ways to observe and measure physical, chemical, and biological processes, providing the strengthened understanding necessary for a man's survival and progress. Special isotopes of an element are distinguishable and thus, traceable by virtue of their unique weight or their radioactivity, while behaving chemically as the other isotopes of the element. Thus, it is possible to measure amounts of the element or its compounds and trace movement and reactions. Stable isotopes, as their name suggests, do not undergo radioactive decay. Most of the isotopes found in nature are in this category and appear in the element as a mixture. The principal methods of separation according to isotopic mass are electromagnetic, as in the large-scale mass spectrograph; and thermal-mechanical, as in the distillation or gaseous diffusion processes.
Facet-Dependent Deposition of Highly Strained Alloyed Shells on Intermetallic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

Surface strains can enhance the performance of platinum-based core@shell electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Bimetallic core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) are widely studied nanocatalysts but often have limited lattice mismatch and surface compositions; investigations of core@shell NPs with greater compositional complexity and lattice misfit are in their infancy. Here, a new class of multimetallic NPs composed of intermetallic cores and random alloy shells is reported. Specifically, face-centered cubic Pt–Cu random alloy shells were deposited on PdCu B2 intermetallic seeds in a facet-dependent manner, giving rise to faceted core@shell NPs with highly strained surfaces. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed orientation-dependent surface strains, where the compressive strains were greater on Pt–Cu {200} than {111} facets. These core@shell NPs provide higher specific area and mass activities for the ORR when compared to conventional Pt–Cu NPs. Moreover, these intermetall...
Pseudodifferential Operators in ℝn

The aim of the study of pseudodifferential operators on ℝ n is to describe various effects connected with the behaviour of functions as |x| → + ∞. A fundamental role is played here by non-local effects, so we have to give up the requirement of properly supportedness of pseudodifferential operators, unposed, without loss of generality, in the local theory (Chapter I).
Acetaminophen (APAP or N-Acetyl-p-Aminophenol) and Acute Liver Failure

Acetaminophen (APAP) is the leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF), although the worldwide frequency is variable. APAP hepatotoxicity develops either following intentional overdose or unintentional ingestion (therapeutic misadventure) in the background of several factors, such as concomitant use of alcohol and certain medications that facilitate the formation of reactive and toxic metabolites. Spontaneous survival is more common in APAP-induced ALF compared with non-APAP etiologies. N-acetylcysteine is recommended for all patients with APAP-induced ALF and it reduces mortality. Liver transplantation should be offered early to those who are unlikely to survive based on described prognostic criteria.
Determining the mass of gas in large collection volumes with acoustic and microwave resonances

We characterized a 1.8 m3, quasi-spherical resonator, a pressure vessel informally known as the “big blue ball” or “BBB.” The BBB will be the collection volume of a NIST-designed gas-flow standard that will operate at pressures up to 7 MPa. Using microwave resonance frequencies, we determined the volume of the BBB filled with argon as a function of pressure (up to 7 MPa) and temperature (near ambient). The measured pressure- and temperature-dependences of the BBB’s volume are consistent with the published properties of carbon steels. We filled the BBB with 220 kg of argon in weighed increments of approximately 20 kg. We also determined the mass m acoust of argon in the BBB by measuring the pressure, the acoustic resonance frequencies f acoust of 3 modes, and using the known thermophysical properties of argon. The values of m acoust were within ±0.03 % of the gravimetrically determined masses. In a typical application, the BBB will never be isothermal. Nevertheless, the acoustic resonance frequencies quickly and accurately determine the average temperature and mass of the gas in the BBB despite significant, long-lived thermal gradients that are created by pressure changes. A theoretical model for effect of temperature gradients on the acoustic resonance frequencies is presented.We characterized a 1.8 m3, quasi-spherical resonator, a pressure vessel informally known as the “big blue ball” or “BBB.” The BBB will be the collection volume of a NIST-designed gas-flow standard that will operate at pressures up to 7 MPa. Using microwave resonance frequencies, we determined the volume of the BBB filled with argon as a function of pressure (up to 7 MPa) and temperature (near ambient). The measured pressure- and temperature-dependences of the BBB’s volume are consistent with the published properties of carbon steels. We filled the BBB with 220 kg of argon in weighed increments of approximately 20 kg. We also determined the mass m acoust of argon in the BBB by measuring the pressure, the acoustic resonance frequencies f acoust of 3 modes, and using the known thermophysical properties of argon. The values of m acoust were within ±0.03 % of the gravimetrically determined masses. In a typical application, the BBB will never be isothermal. Nevertheless, the acoustic resonance frequencies quick...
Developing a modern data workflow for living data

Data management and publication are core components of the research process. An emerging challenge that has received limited attention in biology is managing, working with, and providing access to data under continual active collection. "Living data" present unique challenges in quality assurance and control, data publication, archiving, and reproducibility. We developed a living data workflow for a long-term ecological study that addresses many of the challenges associated with managing this type of data. We do this by leveraging existing tools to: 1) perform quality assurance and control; 2) import, restructure, version, and archive data; 3) rapidly publish new data in ways that ensure appropriate credit to all contributors; and 4) automate most steps in the data pipeline to reduce the time and effort required by researchers. The workflow uses two tools from software development, version control and continuous integration, to create a modern data management system that automates the pipeline.
Extracellular Vesicles promote host immunity during an M. tuberculosis infection through RNA Sensing

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to carry microbial components and function in the host defense against infections. In this study, we demonstrate that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) RNA is delivered into macrophage-derived EVs through an M.tb SecA2-dependent pathway, and that EVs released from M.tb-infected macrophages stimulate a host RIG-I/MAVS/TBK1/IRF3 RNA sensing pathway, leading to type I interferon production in recipient cells. These EVs also promote, in a RIG-I/MAVS-dependent manner, the maturation of M.tb-containing phagosomes through a noncanonical LC3 modification, leading to increased bacterial killing. Moreover, treatment of M.tb-infected macrophages or mice with a combination of moxifloxacin and EVs, isolated from M.tb-infected macrophages, significantly lowered bacterial burden relative to either treatment alone. We propose that EVs, which are preferentially removed by macrophages in vivo, may be developed in combination with effective antibiotics as a novel approach to treat drug-resistant TB.
The empirical relationship between commitment enhancement devices and terrorism

ABSTRACTAn extant theoretical literature attributes the high lethality of violent extremist religious sects (VERSs) to their comparative advantage in assembling coalitions of highly committed operatives and identifies sacrifice and stigma (S&S) and social service provision (SSP) as the primary commitment enhancement devices VERSs employ. However, lack of direct measures of the VERSs’ deployment of these devices has impeded efforts to test the hypothesized effects of S&S and SSP on terrorism. This article exploits the relationship between exogenous variation in the marginal productivities of S&S and SSP as inputs in the production of commitment and variation in VERSs’ employment of these inputs to identify proxies for S&S and SSP. Using data from 158 countries, our cross-sectional estimates of the effects of S&S and SSP on the impact of terrorism are significant and larger than the effects of geographic and political variables that are consistently reported to be both significant and substantial.
Mechanisms of Olfactory Foraging by Antarctic Procelliiform Seabirds

Procellariiform or „tube-nose“ seabirds - the petrels, albatrosses and shearwaters -have been a curiosity to sailors and biologists alike for centuries. Their typical life history is somewhat unusual among birds: most procellariiform seabirds spend nearly all of their lives in flight over the ocean and come to shore only for a few months each year to breed. Procellariiform seabirds share common adaptations for this lifestyle. Many species have extremely efficient flight styles, and an excellent sense of smell. These abilities aid them in locating patchily distributed prey. In addition, these birds tend to be long-lived, highly philopatric, and seem to have a sophisticated spatial knowledge of their foraging habitat (reviewed by Warham, 1996). With the application of satellite telemetry to studies of the foraging ecology of many members of this order, it is now well established that many species routinely forage over distances ranging from hundreds to thousands of kilometers (reviewed by Weimerskirch, 1998). Understanding how these birds are able to accomplish this task has been a primary focus of investigation in my laboratory for the last five years.
Lower lip suspension with gore-tex suture: technique and literature review.

Surgery is the prevailing mode of treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. It has the best prognosis and rate of local control for oral floor cancer.1 These tumors often invade surrounding structures including the base of the tongue and the mandible, and these patients often require composite resection including partial glossectomy and partial mandibulectomy. Taylor et al first described the free tissue transfer of vascularized fibula in 1975, and it was later reported as an alternative for mandibular reconstruction following oral tumor resection by Hidalgo.2,3 Since then, it has become a popular method of mandibular reconstruction due to its bone length, ease of elevation on a supine patient undergoing oral surgery, the vascular nature of its periosteum, the reliability of the septocutaneous perforators, and its suitability for repairing composite defects. However, like any other intervention, it has potential complications. Hidalgo reported a 10-year follow-up of his patient cohort, and while donor site morbidity was minimal, the 75% experienced oral incontinence. Of note, 10% of this group received radiation preoperatively, 60% postoperatively, and oral incontinence was postulated to be secondary to altered mental nerve sensation. However, those who received radiation were also found to have higher rates of asymmetry and functional deficit.4
G Protein Signaling Components in Filamentous Fungal Genomes

In fungi, heterotrimeric G proteins regulate a number of critical developmental processes including growth, mating and pathogenesis. Signals may originate from extracellular ligands or from internal sources. These signals are conveyed from G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) or nonreceptor guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) to a heterotrimeric G protein composed of α, β and γ subunits. GPCRs and nonreceptor GEFs activate the Gα subunit, causing the disassociation of the heterotrimer. Both the Gα and Gβγ heterodimer are free to act upon downstream effectors. Two prominent output pathways are the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Changes in growth, mating and pathogenesis can be initiated through G protein signals and executed downstream by these or as yet uncharacterized signaling pathways.
Abstract 3288: The landscape of circular RNA in cancer

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are an intriguing class of RNA due to their covalently closed structure, relatively high stability, and implicated roles in gene regulation. Here we used exome capture RNA-Seq, a non-poly(A) high-throughput RNA-sequencing protocol, to detect and characterize circRNAs across >800 cancer samples. When compared against the two gold-standard methods (Ribo-Zero and RNase-R), capture sequencing significantly enhanced the enrichment of circRNAs and preserved accurate circular-to-linear ratios. We compiled the detected circRNAs from capture sequencing into the public OncoCirc database, the most comprehensive catalogue of circRNA species to-date. With this database, we identified the best circRNAs to serve as biomarkers for prostate cancer and were able to detect a novel class of circRNAs involved two genes. OncoCirc will serve as a valuable resource for the development of circRNA for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes for other cancers, as well as the study of circularization as an intriguing RNA splicing process. Citation Format: Josh N. Vo, Yajia Zhang, Sudhanshu Shukla, Lanbo Xiao, Dan Robinson, Yi-Mi Wu, Sisi Gao, Carl Engelke, Xuhong Cao, Alexey Nesvizhskii, Arul Chinnaiyan. The landscape of circular RNA in cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3288.
Analysis of land availability for utility-scale power plants and assessment of solar photovoltaic development in the state of Arizona, USA

Abstract Solar photovoltaic (PV) can help meet the growing demand for clean electricity in Arizona. This paper answers where solar PV development has taken place in Arizona, how much suitable land is available for utility-scale PV development, and how future land cover changes can affect the availability of this suitable land. PV development suitability scores are calculated for the land across Arizona based on topography, location, solar resource and public opinion factors. Ground truthing is used to identify the scenario which best explains Arizona's PV power plant developments from several decision-making scenarios. Less than two percent of Arizona's land is considered Excellent for PV development. Most of this land is private land or owned by state trust. If the available suitable land is fully developed with solar PV, Arizona has the potential to become a regional energy hub. However, in the next few decades suitable areas for solar PV generation can get rapidly depleted due to conflict with growing urban areas. If the suitable land for PV generation is not set-aside, Arizona would then have to depend on less suitable lands, look for multi-purpose land use options and distributed PV deployments to meet its future energy need.
On continuum beliefs and psychiatric stigma: Similarity to a person with schizophrenia can feel too close for comfort

Continuum belief interventions that blur boundaries between "normal" individuals and individuals with psychiatric problems have shown promise in reducing psychiatric stigma. Interventions to date have afforded participants considerable psychological distance from individuals with mental illness. An intervention that compels psychological closeness to individuals with mental illness may lead to increased anxiety/threat and an attenuated intervention effect on stigma. In a randomized experiment, one hundred thirty-five participants listened to a bogus interview involving an ostensible person with schizophrenia who shared numerous characteristics in common with participants. In the interview, the target person (1) did not verbally broach issues of similarity to "normal" people, (2) endorsed a continuum view, or (3) endorsed a categorical view. Participants then read a bogus research article on schizophrenia that (1) was agnostic with respect to the continuum/categorical distinction, (2) attested to a continuum view, or (3) attested to a categorical view. Correlational analyses demonstrated that greater endorsement of continuum beliefs predicted less stigma. Experimental analyses demonstrated that the continuum intervention had no effect on stigma. The continuum intervention increased participants' feelings of anxiety/threat, measured via self-report and a lexical decision task. These findings might usefully inform the design of stigma reduction programming centered on continuum beliefs.
Diagnosing and Managing Unstable Angina

This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains recommendations on the care of patients with unstable angina based on a combination of evidence obtained through extensive literature reviews and consensus among members of a private-sector, expert panel. Many patients suspected of having unstable angina can be discharged home after adequate initial evaluation. Further outpatient evaluation may be scheduled for up to 72 hours after initial presentation for patients with clinical symptoms of unstable angina judged at initial evaluation to be at low risk for complications. Patients with acute ischemic heart disease judged to be at intermediate or high risk of complications should be hospitalized for careful monitoring of their clinical course. Intravenous thrombolytic therapy should not be administered to patients without evidence of acute myocardial infarction. Assessment of prognosis by noninvasive testing often aids selection of appropriate therapy. Coronary angiography is appropriate for patients judged to be at high risk for cardiac complications or death based on their clinical course or results of noninvasive testing. Coronary artery bypass surgery should be recommended for almost all patients with left main disease and many patients with three-vessel disease, especially those with left ventricular dysfunction. The discharge care plan should include continued monitoring of symptoms; appropriate drug therapy, including aspirin; risk-factor modification; and counseling. This guideline describes principles of patient care derived from systematic analysis of scientific literature and from opinions of the expert panel when evidence was lacking. Diagnostic and management strategies recommended are as reasonable and safe as possible, given the current state of medical knowledge. Descriptions of usual approaches to care are expected to provide starting points for management of individual patients. However, adherence to this or any other guideline will not ensure perfect medical outcomes. Even the most careful application of current medical knowledge and procedures cannot eliminate all risk in the management of patients with unstable angina. This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains excerpts from the Clinical Practice Guideline, Unstable Angina: Diagnosis and Management. Practitioners should review the Clinical Practice Guideline carefully to become familiar with the diagnosis and treatment options for patients with unstable angina and then use the Quick Reference Guide to help them remember major decision points.
SmartDashCam: automatic live calibration for DashCams

Dashboard camera installations are becoming increasingly common due to various Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) based services provided by them. Though deployed primarily for crash recordings, calibrating these cameras can allow them to measure real-world distances, which can enable a broad spectrum of ADAS applications such as lane-detection, safe driving distance estimation, collision prediction, and collision prevention Today, dashboard camera calibration is a tedious manual process that requires a trained professional who needs to use a known pattern (e.g., chessboard-like) at a calibrated distance. In this paper, we propose SmartDash-Cam, a system for automatic and live calibration of dashboard cameras which always ensures highly accurate calibration values. Smart-DashCam leverages collecting images of a large number of vehicles appearing in front of the camera and using their coarse geometric shapes to derive the calibration parameters. In sharp contrast to the manual process we are proposing the use of a large amount of data and machine learning techniques to arrive at calibration accuracies that are comparable to the manual process. SmartDashCam implemented using commodity dashboard cameras estimates realworld distances with mean errors of 5.7 % which closely rivals the 4.1% mean error obtained from traditional manual calibration using known patterns.
Product States of Ar2+ and Kr2+ Dissociative Recombination

The reaction rates of dissociative recombination (DR) are known for many species, but determination of the product states has been largely thwarted by the difficulty of their reliable detection by optical emission or laser techniques. We discuss a new method.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Anesthesiology

Commercial applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning have made remarkable progress recently, particularly in areas such as image recognition, natural speech processing, language translation, textual analysis, and self-learning. Progress had historically languished in these areas, such that these skills had come to seem ineffably bound to intelligence. However, these commercial advances have performed best at single-task applications in which imperfect outputs and occasional frank errors can be tolerated.The practice of anesthesiology is different. It embodies a requirement for high reliability, and a pressured cycle of interpretation, physical action, and response rather than any single cognitive act. This review covers the basics of what is meant by artificial intelligence and machine learning for the practicing anesthesiologist, describing how decision-making behaviors can emerge from simple equations. Relevant clinical questions are introduced to illustrate how machine learning might help solve them-perhaps bringing anesthesiology into an era of machine-assisted discovery.